Adam and Hoss entered the Lucky Saloon, thirsty from their day of viewing cattle. Adam had always thought of this place as the first saloon he’d ever had a drink in. Even if the drink had been in secret, up on the landing behind the stair banister.

He glanced up there now, remembering that hot night he and Jessica had spent seeing the town of Tucson. He still remembered her sweet features and shining smile.  He’d never told Hoss about Jessica. It’d all happened when he was still a teenager, after all.

She’d been a brave girl, and he wished again with regret that he could have prevented what happened to her. Adam had grown up a lot during that time. He walked to the bar and ordered a whiskey. Hoss looked at him, a little surprised.

“Whisky, brother? You plannin’ on a big night?”

“No, I guess not. Give me a beer, instead.”

The bar tender pulled the beers, which they picked up and took to one of the tables.

“This place hasn’t changed over the years.” Adam looked around the room. It seemed exactly as he remembered it.

“I don’t remember ever being in this part of town before. How come you know it?”

“Oh, I came here once, years ago, before you were old enough to appreciate beer.” He smiled at his brother and sipped the liquid.

“Boy, I don’t remember back that far,” Hoss joked and swallowed a good portion of his drink.

Adam sat back in the chair, remembering that night, when Jessica told him about the people in the saloon and their stories. He’d often wondered what had happened to her, but after leaving Tucson, she had never contacted him again.

At the time it shattered him. He’d waited for her letters, letters that never arrived. Jessica had been his first love. Not in the physical sense, but in the way you imagined love to be when you were a teenager.

Jessica had been beautiful and untainted. He recalled their innocent kisses and talk of their futures. Then everything went horribly wrong.

“Adam, you listening to me?” Hoss’s voice suddenly broke his chain of thought.

“Sorry Hoss, I was thinking.”

“Hmm, maybe you should do a little less of that sometimes. I think it affects your brain.”

Adam smiled at him.

“Well, what did you say.”

“I said, how about we get all gussied up tonight and hit the town proper. We haven’t had a night out the whole trip. And I guess after that unpleasantness with that woman back home, you might be ready for some fun.”

Hoss read his brother pretty well. He knew Adam took things too seriously a lot of the time. He personally took it as his job to ensure his brother got a balance in his life.

“Yeah, I guess. Let’s get back to the hotel and get changed.”

“Great.” They both got up and moved to the door. Adam turned as they left, taking one last look inside the Lucky Saloon. He had a feeling that tonight was going to be full of memories.
 

Adam looked out the window of his hotel room. As luck would have it, it was the same room he’d occupied twelve years ago when he traveled to Tucson with his father. The furniture was new and the walls were freshly painted, but he chuckled as the window shutter was still hard to open.

After a shove, it gave way and Adam looked out over the street below. Some buildings were new, some looked a lot older, but down the street was still the most interesting building in the city: The Bird Cage Theater.

It was alive with activity even at this early hour.  Adam watched with fascination as he had all those years ago. Much wiser now, he knew what the men enjoyed there.

He pulled a chair over to the window and sat.  Watching the patrons gather outside, he was taken back to that time twelve years ago.

It had been a remarkable couple of weeks. He’d been seventeen and naive about the world and it’s realities. Adam allowed his mind to drift back, back to his youth, and back to Jessica.
 

The sun was just starting to set as Ben Cartwright and his eldest son Adam rode into the town of Tucson. The journey from their home in northern Nevada had been long and arduous.

Taking over three weeks, by horse, stage and train, the going had been difficult and the terrain unforgiving.

Ben glanced across at his son. Adam had coped brilliantly on the trip so far, but that really didn’t surprise Ben Cartwright one bit.

At seventeen years of age, Adam was fast becoming a man. Ben watched as his son nudged his horse forward into an easy gait. Adam was tall, strong and now very capable of running the Ponderosa along side his father.

Ben thought him ready for the trip and the responsibility of buying bloodline stock for their new breeding program. He’d wanted to give Adam some reward for his past efforts and to teach him the trade of running a successful ranch. Ben also wanted to feel as if they were all having a fresh start.

They’d all experienced a tough twelve months after Marie’s death. As he continued to study Adam, Ben marveled at how well his son had coped with the loss, taken over the day to day tasks, helped with the raising of his younger brothers, and assisted him with coming to terms with his grief.

Ben often wondered where Adam got all his inner strength. He was always serious and often quiet. A young man of his age should be out having a good time, finding out about life, love and adventure.

Adam, however, was duty bound and solemn most of the time. Ben worried about him more than he would ever admit.  He’d had a hard childhood

His mother, Elizabeth, had died at birth. While Adam had never known his mother, Ben had always been very aware of the fact that Adam had suffered a loss that he could never replace. When Ben had pursued his dream of heading west, he’d taken Adam along.

It was hard for the lad, always travelling, going to new towns and seeing strangers every day. Ben knew it had never really allowed Adam to form many friendships with other children his age. Ben was often anxious that he could have done more to make those years for his son more carefree.

Things had looked up when Inger had come along. A strong and loving woman, she’d treated Adam like her own child. He responded to her and soon loved her as any boy would his own mother. When Inger became pregnant shortly after she and Ben were married, Adam took it upon himself to look after her in his own way. Ben smiled at the memories. He’d been so grown up at only six years of age.  Adam had made Inger rest while he did all the chores he could. Ben remembered Inger remarking about Adam’s maturity and what a wonderful man he was going to be one day.

Ben’s pride surfaced and he’d hoped that the rocky start in Adam’s young life would stabilize. Ben didn’t expect another tragedy to befall them.

Inger, after having had her baby successfully on the trail, had got cornered with all the wagon trainers in an Indian battle. Unexpectedly and horrifically, she had been killed with an arrow, throwing Ben, Adam and now little Eric’s life into chaos.

Adam had taken it hard, but had coped amazingly because of his infant brother. Ben wallowed in grief but still managed to notice how his eldest son had taken control of the baby and promised on Inger’s grave that he would keep him safe for her. Adam had handled the loss better than his father had.

When Ben reached his goal of homesteading in the Nevada hills, they began to forge out a real life for themselves. Ben’s two sons grew.

Eric was a large child and thrived in the clean mountain air and loving environment provided by his brother and father. Adam called him Hoss and the name eventually stuck. Adam adored his little brother. Hoss was such a loving and gentle child, even though his size easily would allow him to become stronger than most. In return, Hoss lived for his brother. Following him everywhere, listening intently to his teachings and generally idolizing him.

When Hoss turned four and Adam eleven, Ben again married. Marie was very different from Elizabeth and Inger. She was from New Orleans, was outgoing and vivacious.

Ben had hoped that she would make his family complete again, and he brought her home to the Ponderosa with high hopes for the future.

It hadn’t been that easy as Adam took an instant dislike to her. Thinking back now, Ben realized that Adam had probably felt very threatened by her. He’d built a safety cocoon around him, having his father and his brother all to himself. This new woman entering their lives had shattered that.

Adam had been responsible for Hoss but he’d lost that sense of leadership when Marie joined them. Adam had made his displeasure felt and for quite a while, he had not been able to accept Marie, or let go of the responsibilities he had taken on as his own.

Gradually though, Marie worked at making him feel wanted, and with a positive outlook, Ben saw his family finally pull together. The following year they had a new baby to take care of, and Marie, gradually understanding Adam’s need for responsibility, allowed him to take charge of some of the chores for the baby.

Adam seemed to gain back his esteem and took baby Joseph under his wing. Marie had known, thought Ben, that what Adam needed most was to feel important and to feel as if he were needed. He had only known those types of feelings during his short life.

Again, just as Ben was feeling as if his life was complete, and Little Joe had turned five, Marie suffered a fatal fall from a horse.

It had happened in front of Ben’s very eyes. He had flown to pieces, unable to cope with a third lost love.  Adam, although also very distressed, somehow managed to encase his feelings and take charge once more.

As Ben grieved for his Marie, it was Adam who had made sure the boys were fed, clothed and taken to school. He spent hours out on the ranch, trying to keep up the workload. He took it upon himself to revive his broken spirit. Adam had been the rock of Gibraltar for Ben.

In the last couple of months, Ben was finally beginning to put it behind him, but it was hard. He couldn’t imagine how hard it would have been without his first born son there with him.

Ben still worried about him. He had a feeling that Adam was always hard, critical and forever pushing himself to do more and feel less. An impenetrable shell could be building around his heart.

He had a few close friends, but he rarely allowed them into his inner world. His closest relationships were with his brothers and Ben, but gradually if unconsciously, Ben felt he’d begun shutting them all out. He used his studies, books and now guitar lessons to mask a growing loneliness. Ben wasn’t sure if it was best to leave him to find his own peace or step in.

Adam could escape from pain better than anyone could.  Shutting out the world around him, he could simply isolate his mind, causing his father to be sometimes troubled about his future well being.

“There’s the town, Pa. I sure am hungry.”

Ben shook himself out of his memories at the sound of Adam’s eager voice.

“Well, son, you’re sounding like your brother Hoss.  I’m sure the hotel will have a nice dining room.” Ben smiled at Adam, as he turned his mount onto the road leading into Tucson. Sometimes, all his seriousness left him and he was just a boy. Ben relaxed.

“I hope so. I wonder what else there is in town to do?”

Ben continued to smile as he considered Adam’s good humor. This had been an excellent idea to bring him down to Arizona. Adam needed constant challenges and new horizons.  Ben even wondered if on this trip Adam might loosen his control on caution and lash out and have some fun.

Mind you, by the look of the city, he was concerned about him doing much of that in Tucson. They were here because of the large number of Spanish Ranches in the area.  The local Haciendas were famous for having the best breeding bulls in the country.

Ben planned to inspect the best breeding bulls for sale and purchase one to improve the stock on the Ponderosa. They would also purchase several high quality cows. He figured it would take at least two weeks to complete their business. One week too long, he thought. The town itself wasn’t Ben Cartwright’s idea of a decent place to stay for any length of time.

“We need to get an early start in the morning, Adam.  Senor Francesco will be waiting for us.”

“Sure Pa,” came Adam’s distracted answer.

He was more interested in seeing the famous city. Tucson had been part of Mexico’s holdings until recently after the Mexican War. It was now a major trade and east-west corridor for the settlers and miners heading to California.

It had a lot of Spanish history as well as famous Apache raids to its credit. Adam had been reading newspaper articles and the published stories on this part of the country before they’d left. Ben knew he was eager to explore the community for himself. He just didn’t know how to let him do that and be confident he was safe. Still, he had to try and allow his son more freedom to explore untested worlds.
 

Adam scanned the city with keen interest. The first sight he saw as they entered the outskirts of town was the local Boot Hill. Adam strained to see the grave stones from his horse. Ben frowned with disapproval.

“Adam, I don’t think it’s very appropriate for you to be excited by other peoples misery and misfortune.”

“But, Pa. Do you realize whose buried in there? Famous outlaws, cavalry men, Spanish gunmen . . .”

“Adam, remember they were all human beings.  Glorifying murderers and outlaws is wrong, as is clambering over a dead man’s grave.” Ben gave his most serious look.

“I know Pa.” Adam answered with a more regulated tone.  “It’s just that these local stories are legendary. I’ve read about some famous gunfights down this way too.”

“Death is not so pretty when it is laying out in the street for all to see, son.”

“I know, Pa.” Adam became silent as a fleeting memory of Marie entered his mind.

Adam knew about death. He wasn’t trying to be gruesome; it was just his passion for stories and legends that made him interested.

“I know you do, son. But lets go get cleaned up. We have a lot of work to do over the next few days.”

Adam, shutting out the brief memory, reluctantly followed along. He wanted to have a look at the graves, but his father was obviously not impressed with the idea. He would find some time to go see them during their stay. He’d make sure of that.

They turned their horses into Main Street and headed up toward the Crystal Palace. Adam swung around in the saddle, taking in all the sights and sounds around him.  The town was crowded with miners, cowboys and settlers. It was a well-established town compared to Virginia City, so a lot of building was going on in all directions. The bars and saloons they passed were noisy and crowded with all the travelers going through. All were hot and thirsty and ready for merriment.

Ben looked at the surroundings in a totally different light from Adam. Big cites like this one could be unruly, full of rough men and danger. He certainly felt uncomfortable about staying here, but they had been out on the trail so long. They needed a good clean up and meal, before doing the business they had come to do.

As they turned up 5th Street, Ben started to feel he’d made a mistake. The sound of gunfire and raucous laughter seemed to pour out of every building. If there were decent families living in the town, there certainly seemed to be none on the streets this evening, only drunks and troublemakers.

Ben put his mare to the trot, anxious to get to the hotel and to safety. Glancing at Adam, he knew he wasn’t feeling the same way.

“Come on son, lets get checked into the hotel. I want you to have an early night.”

Adam reluctantly stepped up his mounts pace, not wanting to go to bed so soon. He had been looking forward to this for weeks. Maybe later, he could sneak out of his room, and explore the town without his father knowing. He wasn’t ordinarily disobedient, but he was getting older after all. Old enough to take care of himself and make the right judgements. He’d been doing that for his brothers for years.

Ben was relieved when they arrived at the Crystal Palace. It looked decent and didn’t seem to have the same uproar going on that the other establishments had. He dismounted and prepared to go inside, fully expecting to be followed by his son.

Adam however, couldn’t drag his gaze away from the strange building diagonally opposite the hotel. Outside it’s doors stood dozens of patrons, all waiting to get in.  It looked like a theater from the outside, with billboard signs and flaming torches.

Adam squinted from where he stood, trying to read the name in the fading light. It was a theater he realized after a moment.

The Bird Cage Theater.

Immediately delighted, he wondered how a theater had managed to become so popular in this type of town. Maybe they were showing a play by Shakespeare, or perhaps a comedy melodrama. He couldn’t read the billing from where he was standing however, and before he could go and investigate, Ben came back out of the hotel and called for him to come inside. Surely his father wouldn’t mind him going to the theater! He would ask him about it over supper.

It was good to wash up properly and have a square meal. After Adam had satisfied his hunger, he decided to bring up the subject of the theater.

“Pa, I noticed across the road, they have a real live theater. I’m mighty keen to go see what’s playing. Maybe it’s a famous play.” Adam looked keenly at his father who was taking his time over the reply.

“Adam, I don’t think it’s the kind of theater you’re thinking about.” His father squirmed in his seat.

“What do you mean? It says it’s a theater. What other kinds are there?”

Ben sighed and rubbed his brow. “It’s not a real theater, son. They’ve just taken the name. I’ll bet it’s really a, well, a dance hall.”

Could it be true? Adam looked at his father with skepticism. “Well, Pa, couldn’t I just go over the road and make sure? You could be wrong. After all, there are a heap of saloons in this town. Why would they need another one?  It could be a real theater.” Adam tried to be serious, but suddenly, the thought of having a peak inside a real fancy dance hall was far more exiting than an evening of Macbeth.

Ben smiled at his eldest. He appreciated the fact that his son liked cultural pursuits. How many other men in this God-forsaken land would be hoping for a Shakespearean play to be showing, instead of what he suspected was on offer?

“All right, son. You may go over to read the billboards, but that’s all. I expect you back here in ten minutes or so. If you are right, which I doubt, we can discuss you going to the theater later.”

Adam jumped out of his seat and was gone before Ben Cartwright could get his spoon into his mouth. He sincerely hoped Adam would return in ten minutes. It wasn’t safe out.  That fact that he was not carrying a gun was little comfort.
 

Adam stood outside the theater, staring at the billboards.  The painted pictures were as risqué as Adam had ever seen.  Ladies wearing brilliant colored dresses. Their legs showing from under the petticoats and their faces smiling sweetly, luring in passing trade.

“Move over there, boy. Let a real man past.” Adam was rudely shoved from behind as a stocky miner studied the painting. “Ain’t she a princess? Miss Delilah. She’s even more pretty in person.”

Adam looked again at the likeness and wondered how she could possibly be more beautiful than the billboard. Her hair was like golden honey, her lips red and full. Her figure . . .he swallowed, suddenly feeling uncomfortably hot.

“You’ve seen her, Mister?”

The miner turned and gave Adam a lecherous grin.

“Seen her? I done poked her, lots a times. She’s the best in town.” He laughed sadistically and spat tobacco on the ground. “Give you some advice, boy. If’n you want to be taught, you get her to learn ya. She’s one of a kind.”

Adam was feeling decidedly uncomfortable. He wasn’t totally naïve about such things, as he read books from Europe, although he was pretty close to being so.

“How much money you got, boy?” The miner looked at Adam with sly purpose.

“Not much. Why?”

“They ain’t gonna let you in with any less’n fifty dollars. And that’s just to get in.”

“Oh, well, that’s okay. I’m not planning on staying.”  Adam began to walk away, knowing that trying to get into this place was one thing his father would never approve of.

“Tell you what, boy. For all the money you got, I’ll tell you about a secret entrance. Mean’s you can get in an’ see the girls on the stage. If’n you got good eyesight, you might see somethin’ more than that.”

Adam wasn’t a peeping tom. His father and Marie had raised him to be decent, respectable and honorable. But then again, the thought of just catching a glimpse of the exciting world inside that building was overwhelming him.  Wrestling with his conscience, he turned around and went back to the miner.

“I’ve only got twenty dollars.” Adam couldn’t believe the words had come out of his mouth.

“That ain’t much boy, but, well, I’ll take pity on ya.  Can’t see any fella not doing with a look at Miss Delilah.”

Adam reluctantly drew the notes from his pocket.  Before they were totally withdrawn, the man swiped them, stuffing them into his pocket.

“Okay, boy. Down the left side of the building, through to the back alley. There’s an old vent hole for the air. It’s covered with an old sheet of iron. Move it and go through the tunnel. You have to crawl a bit, and there’s rats. But at the end, you’ll be rewarded. I guarantee it.”  He let out a foul sounding laugh and left Adam penniless and fighting with his morals.

His morals won after several minutes and he headed back to the Crystal Palace. His father had always taught him to respect women, even those of ill repute.

Ben Cartwright was relieved to see his son return. He’d been a little longer that ten minutes, but all things considered, he was proud of his charge.

“Well, Adam. Was it as I suggested?”

“I’m afraid so, Pa. You should see those billboards.”  Adam whistled quietly and Ben gave him a disapproving look.

“These types of towns are full of that kind of stuff.  I know you’re getting older and you need to make your own choices in life, but remember, those women are wicked and sinful. There’s nothing to be gained by knowing them.” Adam was inclined to disagree with him there, but he was in no position to start a conversation about it.

“You’re right, Pa. I think I’ll head on up to bed.”  Adam feigned a yawn.

“Good idea, son. I might talk to some of the gentlemen in the parlor. See if I can get any good advice on the local livestock.” Ben smiled at Adam as he rose from the table.

“All right, Pa. See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight.”

Adam turned and headed for the staircase leading up to the second floor. He had his own room on this trip. That had been one of the things his father had allowed him seeing as how he was growing older.

Even so, he knew very well that his Pa would look in on him before he went to bed. It was his nightly ritual. Adam thought briefly about sneaking out and going through the hidden entrance, but he dismissed it as being too childish, and much too dangerous.

Later that night, as Ben Cartwright looked in on his sleeping son, he felt comfortable. Adam was such a good lad. There weren’t many fathers who could rely on their child as Ben could rely on Adam. He was level headed, truthful and responsible. Ben retired to his own room snug in the knowledge that Adam was safe.

Adam couldn’t sleep for the dry heat building up in his room. After tossing and turning for a few minutes, he got up and went to the window. The old shutters were a bit stiff, but after a couple of forceful shoves, they opened wide.

The cool breeze he had been hoping for was not forthcoming. It was just as hot outside. Adam sighed heavily and pulled a wooden chair up to the window. At home in November the snowfalls were well and truly building up.  Down in the south, it was just like a Washoe summer. Adam wondered briefly what it would be like to be here in July.  Probably unbearable. He couldn’t imagine choosing to live in such heat, although, Tucson was a very exciting place.

He became more awake as he rested his arms and head on the second story windowsill. It was about 2am. That didn’t mean that things had quieted down out in the street. There was still a large gathering outside the Bird Cage. Drunks and revelers were still out in full swing.

Adam watched with keen interest as he studied the people, wondering what their stories were. Eventually, his gaze settled on the entrance to the theater. Men filed in and out. He recognized the miner he had talked to earlier, dead drunk and staggering around. He saw men who were dressed in fine silk suits, obviously with money, entering and leaving. He saw poor men too, all pooling together money, hoping to get into the establishment. As Adam became more and more intrigued, he thought again about the secret entrance at the rear of the building.

What could it hurt if he just had one look inside? It must be a high-class place, being so expensive. He’d been in saloons. It couldn’t be too much different. There weren’t many times that Adam had been sneaky or disobedient in his life. It didn’t sit well with him to be so, but there were some occasions that ultimately were a learning experience, and as he grew more curious, it seemed this might be one of them.

Fifteen minutes later, Adam was dressed and quietly stealing out the door of his hotel room. His fathers’ room was right next door, so he had to be especially careful.  Ben was not a light sleeper, but he was an early riser.  Adam had to make sure he was not out for long.

As he crept down the stairs, he cringed as the occasional floorboard creaked and groaned under his weight.  Peeking around the wall at the bottom of the flight, he checked the front desk for the manager. He was there, but he was sound asleep in his chair, the noise of his snoring the only thing breaking through the thick air.

Adam got past without a problem and headed out into the street. He pulled his hat and coat on for anonymity, even though it was hot. Glancing up at his fathers’ room, he checked that there was no light shining out from the window. There wasn’t, so it was nervous energy and expectation that he crossed the road and headed towards the back of the buildings there.

His heart was pounding as he stole along the back alley behind the row of shops and merchants. The rear of the Bird Cage was lit with a single flaming torch. Adam was glad for the light as the alley was full of obstacles including rubbish and storage barrels. He checked his surroundings carefully, staying back in the shadows for a few minutes before crossing the last alley.

He could see the old sheet of tin the miner told him about and started to seriously doubt his motives. He shouldn’t be doing this but something was compelling him.  Something stronger than morals.

Adam ran to the tin, and lifted it away from the timber wall. There was a hole, unfortunately not as big as he had thought. It would take some doing to squeeze his six-foot frame through the gap. He was urged along by some raised voices approaching the rear of the building.

With panic, he pushed himself into the hole and began to crawl along the duct. It was stifling hot inside and pitch black. He gasped for air. The further in he went, the more he wanted to turn back. He couldn’t believe he had stooped so low as to do this. This was something he could imagine his kid brothers doing in ten years time, not him!

Yet he had to forge on. There was not place to turn around in the tunnel. Struggling ahead, he finally saw light coming from the other end. It was pale yellow and dull, but at least it was light.

As Adam crawled to the edge, he looked around cautiously to see what sort of environment he was now in.  Not a very hygienic one, unfortunately. It appeared to be the underneath of the building. He could hear the stomping of boots above his head. The rats were there, covering the dirt floor as the miner had described. The air was stale and the smell of alcohol and sweat laced the atmosphere.  Adam felt like gagging, having trouble coming to terms with the stench.

He noticed the light was coming from a gap in the floor level straight ahead. He steadied his resolve and walked ahead, still having to stoop because of the low ceiling. He reached the opening and looked through. He saw a room full of poker players. The air, thick with cigar smoke, almost made him cough but he managed to hold it in.

He saw a couple of strikingly handsome women, serving up whiskey. Over to the right was a staircase, obviously leading to the theater above. This seemed to be an exclusive gathering.

One man, sitting at the far side of the round table appeared to be in charge. He might be the owner, thought Adam. The way he conducted the game and the manner, in which he ordered the girls around, led him to that conclusion. Adam noted how he plied his customers with free whiskey, distracted them with the women, and then casually took them for everything they had. He made a mental note never to accept free drinks from a poker player in the future.

After a while, Adam began to look around for the way out. The miner hadn’t given him anymore instructions and he certainly would be mad it this was as far as he got. Then he noticed in the corner of the basement area a built up of old beer kegs. Beside them was a door used to dump them down here.

It was the only escape he could see, so he boldly opened the door and peered through. It led to a dark corridor, then to a flight of stairs. Adam’s heart beat loudly as he ascended all the while worried that he was going to be caught.

At the top of the flight, was yet another door.  Scared now, Adam reached for the handle and gently turned it. He was rewarded with another dark corridor. It was empty and he hurried along it, fear racing through his veins. At the end was a gap in the wall, apparently put there again for ventilation. Seeing no other way, Adam squeezed through it and entered another world. The small space was brilliantly lit with candlelight from the dozens of chandeliers. He was up on the top level, close to the roof. There was a ledge, looking over the whole interior, and Adam held his breath as he walked to the edge.

He couldn’t believe his eyes as he gazed on the scene below him. Hundreds of men milled around in the body of the main room. Adam was above the entrance to the building, and down the other end of the hall was a stage.

Heavy red velvet curtains hung down cloaking it, covering its mystique. At the same level as Adam, but closer to the stage, were over twenty small balcony chambers. Each one swathed in the same red velvet. In each one sat a gentleman, obviously having paid extra for his view.

Then, Adam noticed in some, women accompanied the gentlemen. And what women they were. Dressed in sequins, silk and lace, they exuded class and wickedness. Adam had never put the two together before, but that was the only way he could think to describe them. They were gay, laughing and pouring expensive champagne down their customer’s throats. Adam soaked it all in, fascinated.

Just then, the stage curtains began to open and a roar erupted from the body of patrons. The man, who Adam had seen at the poker game, strode onto the stage from the wings. He looked sharp and very much in control. Adam took an instant dislike to him. The crowd grew quiet as the man held his hands up, waiting to speak.

“Good evening, friends. Welcome to The Bird Cage Theater.” Another loud roar went up. “I know some of you were here for the earlier show.”

Lots of men laughed; a joke that Adam didn’t quite appreciate.

“I respect your good judgement, friends. For those of you here for the first time, it’s my custom to announce the main attraction. Also, to remind you folks, that for a few dollars more, you could be up in the cages, being privately entertained by my best girls. Think about that next week, boys and save your money.” Again there was laughter, and Adam found himself ducking as many of the faces below looked up to see the men in the fancy chambers.

“Well, without further adieu, here she is. The most beautiful woman ever to grace the Bird Cage’s stage. The one, the only, Miss Delilah.”

The man retreated back into the wings as the curtains opened all the way revealing a luridly painted background.  Adam could feel the blush creep up his neck as he studied the artwork. It had all been worth it, just for that.  Then, something incredible happened. All went silent, as a veiled woman slunk out from behind the velvet and glided to the center of the stage.

Adam licked his lips nervously. Pa would certainly tan his hide if he knew what he was doing. Even at his age! The woman was covered with dozens of see-through veils, hiding everything but a hint of her voluptuous figure. Music from a quartet played as the seductress wove a spell for her audience.

The way she moved, the way she teased, the way she had every man spell bound. Every man including Adam. He was a long way away, but still he was mesmerized as she discarded the filmy material piece by piece. He watched as her body revealed itself a fraction at a time.

Adam got caught up in the spell she created. He beheld her special talent, as did everyone in the great hall.  Then, just as she was about to reveal herself, Adam heard footsteps coming towards his hiding place.

He quickly shrank down into the darkened corner of the small space, hoping that the person would not come all the way in. Someone did pear into the room, but then retreated.  Adam had been holding his breath, only letting it out when he heard the retreat of the steps.

He rose from where he had been hiding and wiped his brow of sweat. As he glanced back toward the stage, he realized that he had missed the Grande Finale. Miss Delilah was gone and in her wake clapping, cheering and boot stomping.

All this trouble and he missed it!

Somehow, though, he didn’t feel too bad about that.

Adam needed to get out of here. He was much more wary now, as he thought about going back out the way he had come.  Surely he couldn’t be as lucky the second time around.  Even so, he retreated quickly out of the service area and scurried back down the hall.

Luck ran with him as he made it back down to the cellar without being spotted. This was definitely a reprieve. He shouldn’t take this opportunity lightly, and as he crawled back through the tunnel, he vowed never to do something like this again. Pa was right. These types of women just weren’t worth it.

Making it back out of the hole, Adam took a gulp of the hot, but fresh air outside. That was another thing that he didn’t like. The smell in those places. How could people put up with it?

He stood up and brushed the dirt and dust from his coat and trousers. The torch was still lit, and the sky was still black. He had a little time before dawn and before his father would wake and start their day.

Grateful for all the good luck, he walked carefully to the corner of the building and looked around for anyone who might see him. No one was around, so he made a dash for the merchant’s next door. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath and let out a sigh of relief.

Just as he did, the back door of the Bird Cage Theater swung open and a woman came tumbling out and down the stairs. Adam turned in surprise. Everything happened so quickly. The woman landed in a heap at the bottom of the four steps leading into the building.

Then, a man came hurtling out of the doorway, violence in his gait. The same man as at the poker game and whom had been on stage. The woman scrambled to get up, trying to run. The man caught her by the hair and yanked her back against his chest.

Adam was horrified by the savagery, but he saw the man carried a gun. He knew he was the type to use it. Adam would be dead in a matter of seconds if he ran out now. So he watched, waiting for an opportunity to rush the man, and help the woman.

“Manning, I don’t care how much you hurt me, you’re not having my girl.”

“You don’t have a choice, sweet Princess. That money you gave to your banker. Well he’s a good friend of mine.  You don’t think she’ll actually get any of it do you? That is, if she don’t co-operate.”

Manning pulled her hair tighter, and grabbed the woman around the neck with his arm.

“You can’t do this. It’s a proper bank. I earned that money, every last cent. She gets it. You can’t take it, I’ll make sure.” The female gasped for air as he choked her tighter.

Just as Adam was about to make his play, another person appeared at the back door. A girl.

“Let her go, you animal!”

“Ah, Princess, here’s your lovely daughter come out to save ‘ya. What’ll we tell her? Shall we tell her about our plans for her?”

The woman struggled violently and was countered by a vicious punch to her side. As she cried out in pain, Adam had to hold himself to stop from running out into the fray.  He had to wait for the right moment.

The girl came down the stairs and struggled with the brute.

“Let her go. She makes more money for you than all the others put together. You can’t afford to harm her.”

He turned at her voice and slapped her roughly across the face. The girl hit the ground hard.

“Jessica, no!”  The woman fought harder to get away,

but only caused the man to tighten his grip and hit her brutally in the stomach. She crumpled to the ground in pain.

The daughter launched herself from the ground and attacked him by grabbing his arm and biting him savagely.  Manning yelled with pain and clutched his arm. Adam saw his chance and rushed out, tackling the man from behind. In a second, Adam had him sprawled out flat on the ground, holding him down with the weight of his body. He yelled out to the girl who was crouched over the older woman.

“Quick, get me a rope. I need to tie him up, or he’ll kill us all.” She looked back at Adam, momentarily startled.

“All right, wait a moment.” She got up and ran back inside the theater. She was only gone a minute, but to Adam it seemed like an hour. The man was strong and Adam was having a hard time keeping him down. Fortunately, Adam had filled out over the last year and become as powerful as most men older than himself so he was able to keep him under control.

The girl returned with a piece of rope. Adam grabbed it off her and hog-tied the attacker like a calf ready for branding. The more the man struggled, the tighter the rope got.

The barbarian still hadn’t seen his face and that’s the way he wanted it to stay. He turned the man on his side, and punched him once in the jaw. Stunned, Manning’s head went back, and he was out cold. Quick, we have to get out of here before he comes to, which way should we go?”

The girl came to a quick decision, and motioned towards the back of the theater.

“This way. But my ma, she’s still dizzy.”

Adam left the man on the ground and hurried over to the victim. He scooped the woman up off the ground as if she weighed nothing.

“Hurry, go!”

Adam followed the girl through back alleys and streets for about ten minutes, before she stopped outside a small doorway. She turned the latch and the door opened.

“Bring her in here.”

“Does he know about this place?”

“No, it belongs to a . . .a friend of ma’s. He won’t find us. Here, put her down.”

They were in a small parlor.  Adam placed the lady he had been carrying down on the couch with care. The girl ran out of the room and returned in an instant with a bowl of water and a cloth.

Adam stood back as she gently patted down her mothers’ face. Turning to the heavy curtains, Adam drew them closed, then lit a lamp in the corner of the room. For the first time, he could see the two properly.

He gasped a surprised breath as he recognized the woman. She was Miss Delilah. Somehow, lying there, being tended her daughter, she looked much more like a mother and much less like a woman of the night. Adam approached them both trying to hide his shock.

“Don’t worry, boy. I won’t bite you,” said Delilah. She smiled sweetly and winced as her daughter continued to clean her wounds.

“No, ma’am.” Adam shuffled uncomfortably. He had to get back to his hotel. It was starting to get light outside.

“Thank you. I truly appreciate what you did for us.”  The girl glanced at him with curiosity.

Adam looked at her closely for the first time. She was the image of her mother. Honey colored long hair, milky white skin, just lovely. He figured her to be younger than himself. As she lifted her head, she winced from the painful bruise on her face.

“It’s all right Jess, take it easy.” Delilah spoke soothingly to her child even though she was hurt more.  Adam was suddenly caught up in a memory of his own stepmother, Marie, saying something similar to him when he had been sick or hurt. A well of emotion gathered behind his eyes. He had to get out of here.

“Excuse me, ma’am, but I have to be getting back.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Of course you have to go. I truly appreciate you coming to our rescue like that. It was very gallant." She smiled up at him and again he had the same nagging memory of Marie.

“That’s all right. Glad to help.”

“I’d love to see Manning in the morning. He’s going to be riled.” She smiled and her mother followed suit. Adam couldn’t understand why they took it so casually.

“With all due respect, ma'am, I think it’s a good idea if you stay out of his way.” Adam burned with curiosity about why the fight had happened, but he had no time now to find out. Delilah looked up at him, a resigned expression on her face.

“I can’t very well do that. He’s my boss. Also, he won’t remember much in the morning anyhow.”

Adam noticed she spoke with a slight southern drawl.

“Manning’s only bad when he’s drunk,” pitched in her daughter.

“Even so, take care, both of you.” Adam felt his face grow hot as he looked at the two ladies. Especially at the one called Jessica. She was young, brave and very pretty. “I’d better go.” Adam turned and headed for the door, hoping like hell that his father had not yet woken.

“Wait!” Delilah called in a croaky voice just as he was leaving.

Adam half turned, now anxious to get away.

“What’s your name? I’d like to know who rescued Jess and me.”

“Adam Cartwright, ma’am. But please, don’t tell anybody.”

The young girl giggled. “Well, Adam Cartwright, do you know your way back home?”

Adam was embarrassed to admit that he didn’t have a clue.

“Come on, it’s this way,” said Jessica. She shot out the door and Adam followed.

They were halfway back when Adam could hold in his inquisitiveness no longer.

“Miss Jessica, what was the fight about anyway? I heard something about money in a bank.”

Jessica laughed again.

“What’s the matter?”

“You called me Miss Jessica. No one calls me that.”  She darted ahead of Adam, checking each street before she entered with cunning movements.

“Why not? It’s just normal manners.”

“It might be where you come from, but not where I come from.” Jessica turned and gave him a quick smile before hurrying up the next alley.

“Why, where do you come from?”

“The Bird Cage Theater, where else? The local brothel, just pick a town, any town.” She again turned and smiled, but Adam could tell that it was not a sincere one.

“Surely you can’t have lived there all your life. In those places.” The thought was very distasteful to Adam, especially after tonight’s experiences.

“Some of us have no choice.” Jessica turned to Adam and studied his clothes. “From the look of you, I’d say you come from money. You probably live in some fancy place the other side of town, or maybe you’re from out of town?”

“Yes, I’m from the Nevada Territory.”

“Really? That’s still wild country up there. How come you’re in Tucson?” Adam was slightly annoyed, as he had wanted to find out more about the girl, not the other way around.

“I’m here with my Pa to buy cattle.”

“Oh, you are from money, then. The cattle around here are top quality.”

“We may have money now, but our family have worked mighty hard to get what we’ve got. We started with nothing too.” Adam looked down on her, darkly, annoyed that people assumed they had come by their ranch easily.

“Hmm, but you had a good name to help you along, I’d bet.”

She reached the main street, and Adam recognized the hotel across the way. They were several buildings up from the Bird Cage.

“I don’t know. I think anyone can make it in this country with good honest hard work.”

“Anyone who’s a man.” Jessica didn’t say it with spite or anger, just with resignation.

“Tell me. What was that all about back there. I mean, I’d like to know why I almost got myself killed.”

Jessica looked up at the handsome young man in front of her, wondering if she should trust a stranger with her troubles. He seemed different from most. He had helped them and it appeared he was not supposed to be out on the streets of Tucson at this hour. That meant he would probably not be telling anyone about their ordeal.

“It’s simple. Manning, that’s the boss, he wants to sell me off.” She turned her head down and studied the ground.

“What?”

“Just as I said,” she mumbled, shifting around uncomfortably.

“People shouldn’t sell other people like slaves.”

“It’s not really like slavery. It’s more like, well, like entering a profession.” Jessica smiled sweetly, but Adam now understood it to be a nervous smile, as if she had been taught to do it under difficult circumstances.

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m fifteen years old, Adam. My mother is almost thirty-two. That means she’s getting toward the end of her working life.” She stopped, hoping he’d get it without further explanation. Adam continued to stare at her.

“You know, men won’t want her soon, but, Manning figures they’ll want me instead.” She fiddled nervously with the lace trim on her dress.

“You don’t mean he’d . . .he’d sell you to a man for . . .”

“You bet he would. Ma has been working hard all this time, saving her money so she could make sure I can get a good start in life. So I won’t have to follow in her footsteps. I can read and write, and she’s made sure I use good grammar and manners, so that I can get a job as a proper lady when we get out of here.

She figured just one more year and we’d have enough to start fresh. She’s been keeping the money at the bank so as Manning can’t get at it. He’s really mad about that.”

As she talked Adam thought about the awful existence they must have led. How Delilah had to survive. Surely women did not really enjoy this type of occupation. If she was well educated, why did she have to do it?

“Why, then? Why don’t you both get out now? Your mother seems very refined.”

“She is, but you can’t help bad luck.” Jessica seemed to be caught in her own thoughts for a moment, and Adam remembered that he had to get back to his room or there’d be hell to pay.

“I have to go. My Pa will be up soon.” Adam looked down on the lovely young lady; her cheek still blazing red from the slap it had received. Unconsciously, he raised his hand to it, touching it gently.

“You better put a cold steak on that, or it’ll bruise real bad.”

Jessica jerked away from his contact, startled by the gentle caress.

“I will, I have to go, see you tomorrow night, all right?” She turned and looked at him hopefully as she retreated.

“I don’t know.” Adam watched her go, struggling with the answer.

“Right here at midnight. I can show you the town.”  She smiled again, but this time genuinely.

Adam heard himself agree, then ran across the road and into the hotel. He pulled his hat down low, not wanting to be recognized. The desk was not manned and for the second time in a row, he made it through without being spotted.

Back in his room, Adam hastily removed his clothes and climbed back into the bed. His Pa was not yet up, thankfully. He’d been very fortunate. It would be foolish to go out again the following night, let alone try to stay alert during the day after having little sleep. He already was not looking forward to getting up in the next hour.  But all things considered, he had experienced a unique night.

Drifting off to sleep, Adam thought about the theater, the way of life there and about Delilah and Jessica. He realized he wanted to know more about them and their plight. Jessica was his last thought as he fell into a deep slumber.
 

Not more than thirty minutes later, Ben Cartwright knocked softly on his son’s door. Adam was fast asleep and didn’t wake. Ben, assuming that his charge was just over tired from the journey, turned the latch and entered the room.  He saw the open window. He had opened his as well, trying to cool off. He also noted the clothes lying untidily on the floor. That was unusual.

Ben smiled as he picked them up. Adam must have been tired. He was usually so neat. Ben figured he’d got that trait from his mother, Elizabeth, who used to fuss over the smallest things like dusting and straightening the furniture. Also, with Adam having to organize his brothers so much, if he himself was in a mess, he’d never get through.

Ben gazed at his son lovingly. He was reluctant to wake him, as the journey had been long. But he wanted to get their work out of the way as quickly as possible. He didn’t like being away from Hoss and Joe for so long, even though they had Hop Sing, his number one cousin and Mrs. Cas to dote over them.

Ben had not left his sons for any great length of time before and he found he was missing them dreadfully. Only in the last month did he think Joe could cope with Adam and himself leaving the ranch.

At six years old, Little Joe was a bright boy, but very demanding. When Marie died Ben had suffered dreadfully. Joe also had taken it very hard, not really understanding death.

Ben watched as Adam valiantly tried to explain it to Joe. Ben had relied on Adam. His middle boy, Hoss too, shouldered the burden well, also much wiser than his eleven years.

Hoss saw life like he saw nature. All animals had to die sooner or later. People were no different. He learned that when his first pony died from colic. He told his little brother so, trying to help.
 

Ben was certainly blessed with his sons. As he reminisced, he reached over and gently shook Adam. He barely moved, groaning protest in his sleep.

“Adam, son.” Ben shook him again, this time a little harder.

“What?” Adam sprang up from the pillow, startling his father.

“Easy, son. Just time to wake up.”

“Oh.” Adam looked at his smiling father through bleary eyes. “What’s the time?”

“Almost five. I would like to get an early start before it gets too hot.” Ben gave his charge an affectionate ruffle of the hair as he left the room. “See you downstairs in about fifteen minutes.”

Ben left the room and Adam flopped back on the bed, not believing how tired he was. After a few moments, he managed to drag himself out and over to the wash bowl. He wasn’t going out at night again, not if he felt this bad in the morning.

He had, up until now lead a fairly boyish life. Going to bed early, reading late sometimes, certainly, but had never been out all night. At least not when he had to work the next day. Often over the past months he had spent countless nights sitting up with his brothers, or his father, whenever the nightmare of their recent loss affected them. But that didn’t really count, as he usually got some sleep in a chair.

There was nothing to be done about it now, so he slowly washed, dressed then trudged down the stairs to the dining room. During the hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, steak and coffee, he began to feel marginally better.

His father droned on, with the details of the cattle they were going to see. Adam was usually so attentive and studious, but right now, with his mind functioning at only about a quarter, he found it draining. His mind also chose to think about the night before, and nothing he did seemed to make it focus on his father.

“Adam, are you listening to me?” Ben looked a little annoyed, as his son continued to stare into space.

“Hmm, sure Pa.” Adam answered after swallowing the food in his mouth.

“Don’t forget, I’m teaching this to you so I can send you out to buy and sell in the future. You have to be astute and alert at all times, to make sure you don’t get taken by these crafty breeders.”

“I know, Pa. Sorry. Must still be tired from the trip.” Adam managed a weak smile and continued eating.

Ben nodded, seemingly satisfied and finished his meal.

It was a two-hour ride out to the first ranch they were to visit. Ben noticed that Adam was exceptionally quiet. Not that he was ever full of chatter, but usually he had the occasional thing to say.

“Anything the matter, son?” Ben asked when they were two thirds of the way along.

Adam looked over to his father and considered the answer. “No, Pa, why?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Just thought you were very quiet this morning.”

Adam shrugged a non-committal answer.

“Maybe you’re missing your brothers. I know I am.”  Ben surveyed the district wistfully, as he suddenly wanted to be back in the lush green haven of the Ponderosa, instead of in this desert wasteland.

“Yeah, maybe.” Adam felt guilty. He hadn’t thought of his brothers all day. He did miss them. But at the same time, he knew it was best to get away for a while. They all had to move on, and allowing his brothers some time with other people was good for their development. He also thought his father needed a break from being on the ranch.  He needed to get away from the tough memories.

“Pa, do you reckon Little Joe has driven Mrs. Cas crazy yet?”

Ben smiled and thought a moment. “I have a feeling that might well be the case. Although Hop Sing won’t take any nonsense from him. He’s a good man, is Hop Sing.

“Good cook too. At least you won’t get any bad behavior from Hoss. All Hop Sing’s got to do is threaten to take away his supper. That’ll do it.”

Adam and his father laughed knowingly as they picked up the pace.

The rest of the day went well. Ben looked over lots of potential breeding stock, but he didn’t want to make any hasty decisions. He promised Senor Francesco that he would call again the following week with his proposal. He explained that he still had several Haciendas to visit.

They arrived back in Tucson mid afternoon and all Adam wanted was to have a cool bath and stretch out for a while in his room. Ben had no problem with that as he could see how worn out Adam appeared. They both agreed to meet for dinner at seven.

After his bath, Adam quickly drifted off to sleep and woke just before suppertime. After a good meal, he decided he would definitely go back to bed but as he ate and watched the start of the night life crowds gathering in the dining room and out in the streets and he felt the adrenaline begin to pump.

He sat up for a while with his father in the parlor pretending to be interested in a book from the small library they kept. Increasingly, he considered sneaking out again. His curiosity growing for the city and for the girl he’d met. He would like to know more about her and her mother and what life was like living how they did.

When he eventually made it to bed, Adam tried to sleep. He wanted to be a good son for his father and behave properly, but when as if by fate, he awoke at ten minutes to twelve, he got out of bed and started to dress. It was no cooler than the night before, so he chose just to wear his trousers and favorite cream shirt.

For the second night in a row, Adam crept from his room and made it out into the street without being seen.  As the night before, lots of revelers were in the street, with a huge line up outside the Bird Cage Theater. Adam headed for the building where he’d left Jessica the previous evening. Perhaps she wouldn’t show up. That’d allow him to go back to the hotel with a clear conscience.  He arrived at the spot just after the town hall clock finished chiming twelve.

“I thought you might chicken out.” The young girl’s voice floated out from the shadows.

“What made you think that?” Adam tried to sound confident, but he didn’t know if he’d succeeded.

“I thought your father might stop you.” Jessica stepped out from behind the building and smiled shrewdly at Adam.

“He’s asleep,” Adam said. “Besides, I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”

“Oh, really?” Jessica gave him a doubtful look and slid out into the glow of the torchlight coming from the saloon close by.

“Come on, I’ve got something to show you.” Suddenly, in a great hurry, Jessica grabbed Adam’s hand and propelled him along the road to the next street corner.

“What, wait! Where are we going?” Adam didn’t usually like being told what to do, and particularly not by a girl.  He used his size and weight to advantage and pulled her to a halt.

“Adam, didn’t you want to see the city?” Her honey colored hair shimmered in the dull yellow lights surrounding them.

“Well, yeah, but what can we see in the dark? No one’s gonna let us in to any of the saloons, we’re too young.”  Adam felt childish as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Jessica looked at him with superiority, and laughed.

“Just follow me, Adam. Looks like you’re going to have a surprising time tonight.”

Not wanting to appear apprehensive, Adam released his grip and strode along side her. “Just wanted to know if you knew what you were doing.”

“Sure, this is my world. The night, the darkness, the excitement.” Her eyes shone brightly as she beckoned him to follow her down one of the back streets.

Adam felt the pit of his stomach lurch, both at the exhilaration of the exploration he was about to undertake, and more strangely, at the sweet smile on Jessica’s pretty face.

“Got any money?” Jessica turned to Adam as they watched people entering and leaving the “Lucky Saloon”.

“No, sorry.  I gave it all to a. . . .”  Adam stopped as he realized he had given all his pocket money to the miner the previous night, so he could get a look at Jessica’s mother. “A poor destitute fellow,” he finished.

“A drunk one, more like.” She looked at him and narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got to learn to be less trusting, you know. This is a wicked town. Men will take all you got, quicker than you can blink an eye. You’ve got to be smart with money.”

“I can take care of myself,” he almost shouted. “I don’t need some fifteen year old girl to tell me how to handle money!”

“All right, don’t get all mad. Luckily, I have quite a bit of money. I get tips in the afternoons. My job is to help all the women get ready for the shows and entertaining. They give me any spare change they have.”

Reaching into the pocket on her pinafore, she pulled out a heavy handful of change, peppered with some bills.

“Wow, you must have near ten dollars.” Adam was impressed.

“Yep, mostly I put it away in the bank for Ma, but sometimes I use it for fun. Come on, let’s go inside.”

“But we can’t.”

“Oh, yes we can.” Smiling, she trotted across the street and entered the saloon by the service way at the back. Adam, tense but excited, followed closely.

“Evening, Jake. The boss around?” They were in the storage area at the back of the bar. A powerfully built man who was rolling oak kegs along the floor stopped his work and beamed a smile at her.

“Well, Little Jess, haven’t seen ‘ya fur weeks. Your Mama had you tied up?” He came over to her and embraced her like she was kin.

“Nah, it’s been pretty boring lately, but tonight, I’m showing a friend the town.” She turned to Adam and introduced him.

“Nice to meet ‘ya Adam.”

“Yes, sir, you too.” Adam felt uncomfortable. He knew his father would skin him alive if he knew where he was, but this man didn’t seem to mind them being here.

“Mind if I show Adam the bar?” Jessica smiled sweetly at Jake and he blushed a little.

“Sure, honey, you go ahead. Mind you don’t be seen by old man Stone though, or you’ll be in a peck of trouble.”

“Don’t worry. And Jake, I got some pocket money, do you think we could try a beer? It’s awful hot tonight.”  Adam tried not to gasp at her boldness.

“How much you got?” The man turned from kind friend to greedy friend as she pulled out a pile of coins.

“Well, all right, but don’t you go tellin’ nobody.”  He walked into the bar and came back with two beers, which Jessica promptly took, handing one to Adam. She then snatched Adam’s free hand and pulled him toward a back staircase. From the top landing, they had a clear view of the whole saloon.

“Look down there, Adam. This place is really crowded tonight.” Adam was immediately fascinated. It was almost like the night before, except there was no stage and no dancing girls. He sipped his beer, which he had only tried once before and grimaced at the taste of the bitter ale.

“Oh, look at all the money on the poker table. And that man who’s dealing, he’s one of the biggest crooks in town. He deals aces from the bottom of the deck.” Jessica said knowledgeably.

Adam looked at her with surprise.

“You just have to watch in this saloon for one night and you’ll find out what’s happening all over town. Look there, that’s Mr. Forest. He owns half the stores in Tucson. He makes the other businesses pay money so he won’t burn down their stores and take them over.”

“That’s against the law. Don’t they fight back?” Adam was horrified that things like that went on, and forgetting that he was supposed to be acting worldly, went on to ask endless questions of Jessica, which she was happy to answer.

The two teenagers watched and discussed the characters who went in and out of the saloon. Jessica knew all their stories.

She pointed out the town drunk, the rich powerful politicians, and the gunmen that Adam should avoid if he saw them in the street. And soon, appearing from the woodwork, some saloon girls, whom Jessica knew by name.

“Her name’s Rose. She’s got three children to feed.  Her husband died out in the California diggings and she’s trying to get home to Louisiana. And there, that’s Caroline. She’s got a temper and once knifed a man right in her bed, just for calling her a whore.”

Adam looked at Jessica with wide eyes. He was amazed at how plainly she talked about such things that his Pa would tan him for if he knew he was even thinking of them.

“How do you learn all this stuff. I think you’re making it up.” Adam frowned and sat back against the stair banister.

“I am not! Don’t forget I’ve lived in the Bird Cage for a couple of years. These are the types of people I meet all the time. Half these men know my mother.” She looked down at the floor below again, suddenly embarrassed about what she was implying. Adam didn’t say anything, so she continued.

“I suppose you find that shocking, don’t you. You probably never met anyone like my mother before, have you.”  She peeked at him sideways.

“I’ve seen plenty of saloon girls, sure.” Adam bent the truth just a touch. “And your mother, well she’s much more beautiful than any of them.” Adam felt awkward with the way the conversation was going.

“She is beautiful. And she gets the most money of any lady in town.” Jessica looked back at him, trying to show the pride she felt.

There were so many questions Adam wanted to ask about her life, but would he appear ignorant or foolish asking them? He looked back down at the bar.

“Who’s that?” He asked, as a menacing looking gentleman wearing all black walked into the bar. The noise died down instantly and the people parted to let him through. He wore spurs and eventually, the only noise they could here was the soft jingle of the metal as he stepped.

“He’s the sheriff. The only law around here for fifty miles.” Jessica gazed at him, fascinated.

“He sure looks tough.” Adam studied him from top to toe. He wore black boots, trousers, shirt, hat and a black vest and overcoat. As he turned, he noticed the sparkling silver badge on his powerful chest. It shone in stark contrast to the rest of his outfit.

“He's tough. No one messes with him. But the town’s growing too fast. Most places have lookouts, so if Sheriff Tanner is around, they simmer down ‘till he’s gone.”

Jessica slumped against the railing they were behind and continued to watch him. She couldn’t tell Adam that she’d had a crush on the sheriff for some months. She loved the way he walked and the authority he commanded. She had a secret desire, to be rescued and carried off by a man like that one day.

“I’ll bet he’s fast on the draw.” Adam commented, noticing Jessica’s admiration of him.

“The fastest. I saw him in a shoot out one day. I wasn’t supposed to be out on the street, but I hid and he shot an outlaw down like he was nothing. Cool as you please. Never even flinched a muscle.”

“You’re sweet on him.” Adam looked at her smitten face.

“I am not! He’s just, well just a real man I guess.  And he’s the law.” Jessica was embarrassed by Adam’s accurate deduction.

“He sure is impressive.” Adam looked at the man, how he controlled the room and how with just a look, everyone was happy to follow his orders. Adam made a mental note.  Intimidation using appearance was a very real tool. Maybe one day, he would command such attention and control from others.

“Come on Adam, we’d better be going. I don’t want the sheriff to catch us up here. And I’m sure your father wouldn’t want to be woken up in the middle of the night to have to come bail you out of jail.”

Adam, suddenly scared, agreed and followed Jessica back down the stairs and out into the alley. He certainly was learning about life.

They finished the beers and left the glasses near the back step. Adam hadn’t really enjoyed the drink, but he also put that down to experience.

“Come on, I’ll take you to see the governors house.”   The two teenagers walked the back streets, looking at all the buildings, watching the drunks and the street revelers for more than an hour. Easy in each other’s company, Jessica showed Adam the Governor’s mansion and the town hall. She even showed him where some of the outlaws had been hung, in the Town Square.

“Hey, I guess you know all their graves too, can you show me boot hill?” Adam, enjoying the tour, wanted to see everything.

“Sure, I know it, but I’d better not take you tonight.  It’ll be light soon.” Jessica motioned to the sky, where a hint of dawn was already starting to appear.

“Oh, yeah, I’d better get back to the hotel.” Feeling like a kid again, Adam looked down in disappointment.

“Don’t worry, we can go there tomorrow night.” She put her hand in his and started to walk through the maze of streets.

“I don’t know, Jess. My Pa’s gonna get suspicious soon, if I’m too tired during the day. I suppose I’m not used to all this nightlife.” He was ready for her to laugh at him, but she didn’t.

“I understand, Adam. It must be nice for someone to worry about you like that. My Ma doesn’t particularly care where I am.”

Adam narrowed his eyes. “But she seemed to care the other night, she fought her boss for you.”

“I know, but, well, it’s just not the same, that’s all. You know what it’s like to have a regular home and all. I’d like that one day.”

Adam felt sorry for her.  She did have a strange life that was for sure. “But, I don’t have . . .have a mother.”  Adam said the words quietly.

“I’m sorry.” Jessica turned to him and smiled sadly.  Did she die?”

Adam nodded his head. They had all died, he thought.  The pain of his most recent loss rose to the surface.

“I don’t know my father, but he’s not dead.” She spoke frankly as they walked. “That’s how Mama got to do this line of work. She was just a little older than I am now when she had me. She was from a fine family in Georgia.  They had a big cotton plantation and slaves and lots of money.” Adam pushed the memories of Marie back into his mind, as he concentrated on Jessica’s story.

“She fell in love with a boy from another wealthy family. His name was John Williams. He said he loved her and wanted to marry her. Well, when she found out she was with child, he denied everything, and her family threw her out of the house.” Jessica looked down at the ground as she walked.

Adam squeezed her hand, showing his support.

“All her friends turned their backs on her. She tried to get help from my . . . my father, but he hit her and told her she was a whore. So, then, she became one. She went to New Orleans, and a Madam took her in. She could see how beautiful my mother was and how much money she would bring when she’d had the baby. So, that’s how it all started.”

Jessica looked up at Adam, who hadn’t commented.

“I suppose you think she’s wicked too?”

Adam took his time to answer. He wanted to show his understanding.

“No, she had no choice. She had to feed you.” Adam knew the way of the world in that regard. He understood that many women were forced to lead unsavory lives because they had no husband or no other income.

“Love, that’s what ruined my mothers life she said.  She was in love with him. She says there’s no such thing, and I mustn’t ever fall for a man telling me he loves me.”  Jessica needed Adam’s opinion on this. All the women she talked to gave her the same response.

“Is that true, is love that terrible?” They had reached the street on which Adam’s hotel was located. They stopped and Jessica waited for Adam’s answer before she would let go of his hand.

“I can only speak from what I’ve seen, but I know my father loved my mother very much. He would never have left her, and he loves us - me and my brothers - very much. I couldn’t imagine him treating a woman badly.”

“What was you mother like?”  Jessica noted Adam’s handsome features and wondered what his parents looked like.

“I never knew my mother.” The words were labored.

“Oh.”

“She died when I was born.” Adam looked down, finding the topic difficult.

“But you have brothers.”

“Yes, my father married again when I was a boy. I’ve had two step mothers, they . . . they both died too.”

Jessica tried to hide the remorse on her face. That must have been hard for him, and he was the eldest.

“Oh, Adam, I’m sorry. Can you tell me about it?” Her honest, easy attitude made Adam relax and for the first time, he felt like talking about Marie’s death.

“My last step mother, Marie, she only died less than a year ago.”

Jessica watched him and noted this was difficult for him to talk about. “That must have been hard on you, and your brothers.”

“Yes, but mostly on my Pa. He loved her so much. He was distraught after she died, leaving me in charge of everything. The ranch, my brothers, everything.” His brown eyes were dark with memories.

“Did you cry for her?”

“What?” Adam, upset by the comment, shrugged his hand away in anger.

“I said, did you cry for her, or were you left to be strong for the others.”

“I don’t know what you mean. Of course I was sad and upset, what do you think.” He turned away from her.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that . . .Never mind, please forgive me. I had no right to ask that.” Jessica had a feeling he was bottling all his grief up inside and not letting it out.

“Well, I’m going in now.” He walked away from her, not wanting her to see the tears welling in his eyes as he thought about Marie.

“Tomorrow night?” She called. “I’ll show you the graves.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He called back, but before he knew it, she had run up to him and caught his arm.

“Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed taking you around. I don’t have many friends.” Her melodious voice soothed his black mood.

“I had fun too.”

Impulsively, she jumped up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek with her soft lips. Adam, embarrassed, moved back from her.

“Thank you, sweet dreams.” She smiled at him and ran off into the darkness, leaving her face imprinted in his mind and his skin burning from her touch.

Adam moved towards the hotel after a minute of stunned silence. Back in his room, Adam churned over the night’s events in his mind. He thought about the saloon, the characters, the sheriff, Jessica and her story. Then her sweet kiss. That had been the most disturbing.

He was at an age where he was attracted to girls, but wasn’t quite sure what he should do with them. He’d lived a fairly sheltered life he realized as he looked out his window at the immoral town below. Most of his teenage years so far had been filled with chores, lessons and responsibility.

He been accountable for his brothers and had missed out on girls so far. He enjoyed spending time with Jessica. She wasn’t as stuck up or as silly as some of the girls that lived near the Ponderosa. She was worldly and wise - maybe a little too much so.

As he drifted to sleep, he decided he’d like to meet her again. She was the only one he had ever spoken to about Marie, and there was so much he wanted to get off his chest about her death. Maybe Jessica would understand.

Turning over, he quickly fell asleep, hoping his father would not wake him too quickly. He was going to be tired again.
 

“Adam, are you sure you’re feeling all right? You look terrible.” Ben Cartwright sat at the breakfast table studying his son’s seedy appearance.

“I’m fine, Pa, honest.” Adam continued to eat his eggs, trying to appear normal.

“I’m not convinced. You might be coming down with a fever.” He took his hand and lay it on his son’s temple.

“Pa, I’m fine!”  Adam jerked his head away and frowned. Practically an adult, he was starting to object being treated like a child, especially in public.

“Adam!” Ben warned him softly, not willing to tolerate defiance in any form.

“It’s just the heat, Pa. It’s hard to sleep, that’s all.” Adam didn’t look his father in the eye, just continued to eat.

“Hmm, well, maybe you should stay in the hotel today.  I’m not happy about it, but it’s a long ride to the ranch that I’m going to.

“I could cool off with a water jug and try to sleep.”  Adam suddenly brightened at the thought of a whole day off away from his father. He could get a few hours sleep, then go visit Jessica in the afternoon.

“I don’t know. Ben was reluctant to leave Adam.

“Pa, I’m almost eighteen!”

“Yes, I know, still.” Ben spent several minutes making up his mind. Adam held his tongue, trying not to upset his father and ruin his chances.

“Oh, all right, you can stay here, but you must rest.” Ben looked fondly at his son and trusted him.

“I will.”

Ben left soon afterwards and told Adam he should be back around sundown. Adam did go back to his room for a while. He was tired, that had been no lie. Falling asleep on his bed, he didn’t wake again until after eleven. By that time, the room was like an oven and Adam had to tip a good portion of water over himself to rid his head of its sluggish feel.

He decided he’d go down to the Bird Cage and see if he could find Jessica, then maybe rent an extra horse for her and go for a ride to Boot Hill. One big problem was that he still didn’t have any money. He wanted to pay her back for the beer the other night. Ben assumed he had his allowance and he didn’t think he could explain what’d happened to the money without portraying a guilty look.

He would just have to add the livery rental onto his father’s bill and hope Ben didn’t notice. Also he would have to get the silence of the livery attendant, so he didn’t mention to his father that he had been out riding with a strange girl.

Adam sighed. Covering his movements was becoming more and more complicated.

Walking over the road around lunchtime, he noted how much different the dance hall looked in the day. In the bright sunlight, it seemed seedy and cheap. No customers buzzed around the entrance, making it seem deserted.

Adam avoided the doorway and headed down the south side of the building. Jessica had pointed out the small window that belonged to her modest room. It was really just a storage area and was no more than five feet wide and seven feet long. Adam had been further humbled when she’d told him this. He thought of his large, comfortable and airy room back on the Ponderosa, and reminded himself how lucky he was.

Reaching the window, he picked up a couple of small pebbles and threw them. The tapping noise soon produced a face at the glass. Jessica smiled down as she realized it was he and motioned that she would be out in a minute.  Adam, his hands strangely clammy, paced around, waiting for her to come out.

A minute or two later, she came out from the back of the building and over to him. She looked freshly groomed, her hair neatly off her face and her skin glowing.

“Morning Adam. How come you’re here in town and not with your father?”

“I’ve got the day off. Pa went out alone, so, I thought we might go for a ride down to Boot Hill and have a look.” Adam, feeling uncharacteristically nervous, looked down at the ground and kicked the dust idly with his boot.

“That sounds fine. I only just got up and Ma is still asleep. Everyone is, actually. They get up well after noon. I suppose you think that scandalous, to sleep that late?”

“Not when they work all night. They’ve got to sleep sometime.” He looked up and caught her staring. “Well, want to go out for a ride?”

“Sure, but I have to be back by six. It’s my job to get the women ready for the shows. They get real mad if I’m not around to fetch and carry for them.”

“No problem. I have to be back then anyway.”

“I’ll leave a note for Ma. You better stay out here, though.” She grinned and raced back inside the Bird Cage.  Adam, smiling also, waited patiently for her to return.

A while later, they were walking down the street, Jessica chatting happily. Adam listened on with interest.  She knew so much about life in the big city. She knew entertaining stories and colorful characters. His own life seemed dull in comparison.

He managed to get a horse for her without too much bother. The Livery attendant was totally disinterested in him, as he was involved in a game of poker with two other men. He hastily got Adam two horses and returned to the game. Adam might even be as lucky as to not have the extra rental turn up on his father’s bill. Things were certainly going his way.

It was a short ride out to boot hill, where Adam immediately starting asking a heap of questions about all the graves. Jessica was happy to embellish and sensationalize some of the stories for him, making it sound more colorful than it probably ever was. They spent a couple of hours walking amongst the headstones, pointing out the notorious murderers and famous inhabitants.

The sun was blazing down as they finished the last row.

“Adam, you hot? I know a wash not far from here that still has water. We could cool off. There’s even a couple of trees for shade.” Jessica wiped her brow, clearly wilting from the direct sun.

“Sure, that’d be great. How can you stand to live down here in the summer, it must be murder.”

“It very often is!” Jessica laughed at her own pun.  “Didn’t you notice on the headstones, most of the murders are committed in the summer?”

Adam smiled, as he realized she was right. They made their way back to the horses, and Jessica lead the way to the stream she knew.

Now, like old friends, Adam felt comfortable telling Jessica about his family and in particular his younger brothers.

“It must be lovely to have brothers. You’ve always got someone around to do things with.” Jessica commented as they reached the stream.

“Yeah, I guess. But sometimes they’re a pain in the neck. Joe is still too young to be very stimulating company and I usually have to look after him, when I’d rather be out with my own friends.”

“Still, things would be dull without them, wouldn’t they?”

“Yeah, I suppose they would. Especially in winter, when we’re snowed in.”

“That would be great! I’ve seen snow on the mountains and stuff, but never had to live in it.”

“It’s annoying when you have to shovel it all the time. Say, maybe when your mother leaves here, you could come visit us. You’d love the Ponderosa, and we have this huge lake to go swimming in and fishing on."

“I’d love to visit.” Jessica smiled and took off her boots and stockings. Adam followed suit and soon they were wading in the water, happy at first just to go up to their knees.

Then, Jessica splashed out at Adam, who immediately retaliated. Soon they were both splashing wildly and soaked to the skin. Jessica laughed so hard she fell into the water and got soaked. Adam laughed at her and almost fell in too, trying to help her up.

“Adam, pick me up, my dress weighs a ton when it’s wet,” she complained.

“We’d better dry off.” Adam caught her under her knees and behind her back and carried her back to the bank.

Jessica was surprised at how effortlessly he lifted her. She also wondered at her reaction. Her breathing quickened and her skin tingled where he brushed her. As he set her down on the ground, she avoided his eyes and started to wring out her dress. She knew her face was flushed with embarrassment but didn’t quite understand why.

Adam watched her, experiencing an unusual uneasiness in his gut.

“At least we should dry in no time in this heat.” Adam turned and walked over to a large flat rock, puzzled by his reactions to her.

Jessica watched him and hesitantly followed. She was being ridiculous. It was only Adam. How could she justify feeling unsettled in his company?

“Here, sit down beside me.” Adam motioned to the rock and she obeyed, busying herself with fanning out her skirts.

“Knew I should have worn riding clothes,” she mumbled, suddenly short of conversation.

“I think you look much prettier in a dress.” The words slipped out of Adam’s mouth before he knew what he was saying.

She muttered a shy “thanks” and continued to avoid looking straight at him. They sat in silence for several minutes before Jessica spoke again.

“Tell me about the Ponderosa again, Adam. It sounds so beautiful.”

Adam thought about his home and leaned back on the rock, one arm on it’s surface. He lost himself in memories that he shared with Jessica.

“It’s green most of the year. Lush grass, tall pines.  The scent of the trees runs through you, sort of like a tonic. Lake Tahoe is as large as the whole ranch almost.  Its water is as blue as you’ve ever seen. But the water is icy cold.

And it’s surrounded by Snowcapped Mountains. I have a favorite spot. I like to go sit there, sometimes and read.  It’s peaceful.” Adam stopped as a memory of Marie came back to him.

Jessica looked over at him. His dark eyes looked troubled. “Adam, what are you thinking about?”

“Oh, just . . . nothing.”

“Tell me.” Jessica had enjoyed hearing about the ranch and wanted him to share more with her.

“Just my stepmother, Marie. That’s . . . that’s where we buried her. Out on that rise, overlooking the lake. She liked it there.” He spoke quietly; somberly.

“What was she like?”

“She was kind and generous but had a real temper. We didn’t get on so good when she first married Pa. I gave her a real hard time. But then after Little Joe was born, she really became part of the family.”

He lay down flat on the rock, looking up into the sky.  He found it difficult to continue.

“I don’t know, well . . . .if she knew . . .that I loved her. I did, deep down. Guess I never did tell her . . .then it was too late.”

Jessica heard the cold, detached tone in his voice and wondered if he really had come to terms with her death.

“I’m sure she knew you loved her. I don’t tell my Ma that I love her very much, but she knows.”

Adam turned his head and looked up into her hazel eyes. “But I said some pretty hurtful things to her over the years. I didn’t make it easy for her.”

“Even so, I’m sure there are many good times you can think of, when you were close.” Jessica hesitantly placed a comforting hand on his. “She knew, Adam.” She squeezed his hand tight.

That simple gesture seemed to snap the thin thread inside Adam’s heart. Strong for so long, he needed reassurance. “You believe that?”

Jessica, mesmerized by his dark, passionate eyes, also leaned down and smiled.

“Yes, I do. You must believe it too.”

“I . . .I . . .want to but . . .” He looked into her sweet face and comforting eyes.

“It’s true, Adam.” In an instinctive move, she reached her hand up to his cheek, and touched it to the damp skin at the corner of his eye.

Shrugging her hand away, he sat up and turned his back to her, embarrassed by his show of emotion. “Leave me alone!”

Jessica shrank back and swallowed nervously. “I’m sorry, Adam. I only wanted to help.” She tentatively raised her fingers and rubbed his shoulder, feeling the tension in his well-honed muscles.

He started to pull away, then turned back to her. She too had tears glistening in her eyes and he immediately felt guilty for making her upset.

“Sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Adam felt bad and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

She leaned against his chest, wanting him to forgive her for being so pushy. Being so close to him again disturbed her. She felt the heat of his body against her, and the thud of his heart through his shirt.

“It’s all right. I know how you must feel. I was angry too when I realized that my father didn’t want me. Didn’t even acknowledge that I was alive.”

Adam rubbed her arm, thinking that he had a lot more to be grateful for than he sometimes admitted. “It’s okay, Jess.”

They stayed together on the rock, lost in their own thoughts and comforted by each other’s embrace. They remained silent, not sure where their feelings were taking them.

“Jess, it’s time we were heading back.” Adam spoke much later, as he watched the sun sink in the sky.

“Yeah, I guess.” Reluctant to move away from him, Jessica too looked up, trying to figure out if she would be late.

“Hey, you dry?” Adam asked, worried that she might catch a chill.

“Sure, almost except for, well, underneath.” She giggled in a child like way and Adam joined in. Caught in the strange void, between child and adult, both of them moved apart awkwardly.

As they walked back to the horses, Adam thought about Jessica. He liked being with her, but her presence was making him increasingly nervous. He helped her up onto her horse, trying to avoid eye contact. He was being foolish.  There was nothing wrong with being fond of her, surely.

They galloped back to town quickly; both worried about being late. Adam put the horses into the livery stable and checked to see if his father’s horse was back. It wasn’t.  He then walked Jessica back to the Bird Cage, where her mother was waiting anxiously at the back entrance for her.

“Jessica, where have you been. The girls are yelling for you. You know if you don’t upkeep your job, Manning will be on my back again.”

“Sorry, Ma. We lost track of the time.” She fiddled nervously with her skirt. “Ma, you remember Adam from the other night?”

Delilah looked over at Adam who hovered nervously behind Jessica, hoping to get away quickly.

“Yes, I do. How are you, Adam?” She smiled down at him, making him blush.

“Fine, thank you, ma’am. Sorry, it was my fault we were late.”

“How gallant. You want to come in for a while? Have some lemonade?”

“Oh, no ma’am, thank you. I have to be getting back.”

“Come on, Adam. Just for a minute. Your Pa wasn’t back yet. You must be real thirsty, cause I am.” Adam felt cornered, as he was indeed thirsty. Also, he was intensely curious about where the ladies lived and what kind of conditions they put up with.

“Okay, just for a minute.” He followed them both in the back and studied the living quarters with a critical eye.

“What about that owner guy, won’t he be around?”

“Manning? No, he never arrives until show time, which is around 9pm. It’s just the girls here now.”

Jessica caught his hand and pulled him along a dingy corridor. There was a communal kitchen in the back, which must have served for the dozen or so woman who lived there.  It was tidy and surprisingly homey. Jessica got down two chipped mugs and poured freshly made lemonade out for Adam and her.

“He drank the liquid quickly, worried about his father and where he was. Just then, two women walked into the kitchen, in varying stages of undress. Adam almost choked on his drink as they approached Jessica without a care that he was in the room.

Their underthings were mostly see-through and their bodies were almost on full view to him. He turned away in embarrassment.

“Jessica, there you are! We’ve been having a terrible time trying to get these stockings straight.

“And my corset’s not tight enough.”

“Sorry, Bessie, Connie. I’ll come and help now.

“So, this is your little boyfriend you’ve been runnin’ around with?” Connie, a dark haired English girl, sidled up to him and looked him over, causing Adam even more discomfort.

“This is Adam, and he’s just a friend.” Jessica raised a scowl at Connie’s assumption.

“He’s a good lookin’ friend, ain’t he, Bess?”

“Hmm, not bad at all. Nice and young. You can train ‘em at that age.” They both brushed up against Adam and ran their hands along his arms, feeling his underlying strength.

Adam tried valiantly to remain calm, but found his body overheating with their advances. He had to leave, and fast.

“Sorry, Jess, ladies, I have to get going.” Adam slammed his mug down onto the bench and backed out from their grasp, hurrying towards the door.

“Oh, you really have to go?” Connie pouted as he pushed past her.

“Um, yeah. See you later, Jess.” He tipped his hat and rushed out, leaving the door swinging behind him.

“Thanks a lot, you two. Now he’ll be too scared to come again.” Jessica felt like yelling at them. There was many a time she hated living with these types of women.

“Ah, don’t you worry, Jess. As long as you want him, we won’t touch him. That is, unless he’s got money.”

They laughed at their hurtful joke, at which Jessica felt like hitting them. Still, she needed their tips. So she kept her thoughts to herself and went to work. She had made up her mind to save as much money as quickly as possible so she and her mother could leave sooner.

She wanted to start her new, clean life. Perhaps visit Nevada and see Adam’s home. She wanted it more and more every minute she knew him.

Adam took deep breaths as he crossed the road back to The Palace. He had just learned what it meant to be overpowered by a woman. His morals and his body were at odds with one another. All thoughts of his father had flown completely out the window, as he struggled to get the image of their bodies out of his mind. As he flew up the stairs of the hotel, he was shocked to hear the annoyed voice of his father call sternly to him from behind.

“Adam? Where have you been?”

Adam closed his eyes as if in pain and wished he was anywhere but here. He couldn’t face Pa now.  Not right this minute. The conflict in his head was torture enough.

“Hi Pa.” He half turned on the stairs and looked back down. Ben still wore his coat and had obviously just returned. If only he had come straight back without stopping for a drink.

“Hello, son. Where have you been?” Ben repeated the statement and walked up to Adam’s level on the staircase.

“Just out for a ride Pa, I slept real good this morning, and I decided to go out and have a look at Boot Hill.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. He looked up at his father, who was clearly suspicious.

“Hmm, well, looks like you’re feeling much better. I expect you to come with me for the remainder of the visits, and I want you to pick the stock tomorrow. I expect your full input as at tomorrow morning, understand?”

“Sure Pa. I’ll be fine.”

“You look a little flushed. That sun burns.” Ben looked hard into Adam’s eyes once more.

“Yeah, I guess I’m a little burnt.”

“Supper is in half an hour. I want to go over what we’ve seen so far, and I expect your ideas on the cattle we should purchase.”

Ben left him and went upstairs. Adam sighed with relief. His father was right. Adam hadn’t been at all interested in the cattle since arriving. He should take time with his father and concentrate on the job at hand instead of going out. He’d had enough of the Bird Cage for a little while. He wished he could bring Jessica into the hotel and sit and chat with her in the parlor. He liked her company immensely.

He sat with his father for the rest of the evening and went over the strategy for the purchase. They had three more ranches to visit, then they would make decisions on which bull to buy and go back and negotiate prices.

Ben was much happier at the end of the evening and Adam felt more at ease too. That night in his bed, he tried not to think about the ladies he had seen. Instead, he focused on Jessica and the day they’d spent together. He liked her more and more all the time. She was intelligent and interesting to talk to.

Not to mention pretty.

Much prettier than the two women who’d leered all over him in the kitchen. It was true that they’d evoked a physical response from him, but it was an empty response with no real meaning.

Adam wasn’t entirely sure, but he had a feeling that falling in love with someone was kind of like that. Kind of like wanting to be with them as you wanted to be with friends, as well as wanting to be with them physically. He thought about that until sleep overtook him.

When he woke the next morning, he realized he’d slept right through. He hoped he hadn’t disappointed Jessica by not turning up at midnight, but then again, they had spent the afternoon together. All of a sudden, he couldn’t wait to see her again that night.

It was a good thing he had a full night sleep, as the day he and Ben spent was busy and demanding. They visited two Haciendas, and Adam had to do all the negotiating. At the end of the day, Ben was pleased with Adam’s choices and allowed him to bargain for several of the cattle.

Once back in the hotel that night, Ben surprised his son by saying they would go out on the town for a while and look around. Adam hoped his father would not want to visit the Lucky Saloon, as the bartender might recognize him.

They had dinner at a Mexican Cantina and wandered the streets. Adam remembered much of the areas from two nights before when Jessica had showed him around. Ben didn’t like the look of much of the city, as the drunken cowboys started to fill the streets.

He decided to retire to bed around eleven, which left Adam sitting by his window, waiting for his father to fall asleep and for the clock to strike twelve.

When it did, he was waiting for Jessica behind the saddler’s store. He watched and wondered if she would appear, a peculiar churning in his belly.

“Hi.”

He heard her voice and turned with a smile. She was standing in the shadows.

“Hi” Adam body jolted with a strange energ