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Chapter 12

Ben was now dressed in his Sunday best as he watched his wife put the final touches on her hair. They had fallen asleep wrapped in each other's arms in the late hours of the night. Just as the sun started to peek over the mountains, Ben had woken and took the time to just lie there and enjoy his wife sleeping peacefully in his arms. This was a luxury that they seldom had on the trail. Both were up before the sun with Marie getting the boys up and breakfast on the go while Ben saw to getting the stock ready. Before long, Marie woke too and they took their time to once again make love, yet another luxury that morning never afforded them.

When Ben was finished getting ready, he stood behind his wife and did up the last of the buttons on her dress for her. "Darling, as much as I hate to leave here after such a wonderful time, I think we had best be on our way to meet up with those boys of ours. You know now Joseph and Erik can be about getting on their Sunday best. I know they won't give Luke or Vicki a hard time if they check up on them, but I am sure they will give Adam a run in the meantime. I told them to be ready and waiting for us when we got there and as it is we are running a bit late."

She turned around and reached up to string his tie for him. "I know, darling. This night was perfect, but we both knew it could not last forever. We have children." She stood on her tiptoes and briefly her lips touched his before she stepped back and picked up her small purse. "I think we are ready now, so let's see how much mischief those three of ours have gotten in last night." A soft giggle followed. "Not as much as we did, I bet."

Back at the camp the Mackenzie's were up and getting ready themselves. Vicki had breakfast ready for them and the Cartwright boys and had just sent her husband to check on them and tell them it was ready. As Luke approached the camp, he could see the boys were up and had taken care of their morning chores already. Adam tried to read the man's face, but found he couldn't see any signs of suspicion or worse: anger. He quickly focused on fixing Erik's tie. The boy always fussed even more than Joe did about that. "Morning, boys, I see you have your chores done and are about ready for services. Joe, Erik why don't you go and join Dani, Tommy and Mrs. Mackenzie. I would like to talk to your brother here for a moment."

Adam nearly choked Erik at those words. He was doomed. He knew it. He was absolutely doomed.

"Dang it all, Adam, that's my neck you about hung there, careful." But at the mention of food Erik forgot how uncomfortable he was in a tie and was off without waiting for any comment for his big brother.

"Sure, Mr. Mackenzie. I could eat a double breakfast this morning..." And Joe took off to the other wagon, unaware of his oldest brother's quickened heartbeat.

Once the other boys were off Luke turned his attention to Adam. "Son, I heard a noise around your wagon last night and came to check it out. Turned out to be just a raccoon looking for a meal. You might want to make sure before you turn in for the night, that your brothers haven't left anything about for the little critters around here to get into. I know that is about the last thing your Pa and I check out before we retire."

Adam nearly bristled at being reminded to do that as if he didn't know. But he had to admit he hadn't done that the previous evening. He had been too excited about his plans. Besides, as long as that's all Mr. Mackenzie had seen he was relieved. "Yes, I should have done that, I know, sir. Guess I didn't look good enough."

"Then I checked in the wagon to make sure you boys were ok before I turned in again."

"Don't think wild horses would have woken up Erik and Joe. Must be something in the air here."

"No, I don't think much wakes those two up like with my Tommy once they are asleep. But you on the other hand, you are a light sleeper and I was surprised that you never heard the raccoon when it was right there at your own wagon. After looking inside your wagon I went back to mine to let my wife know you were missing, but just as I went to go in I saw you coming out from the bushes in your nightshirt." Adam's face went pale and his heart rate went right back up again. "Adam, I don't know where your head was last night, boy, but you know better than to go off in the woods to take care of your personal business and not take your rifle with you. Just because we are close to town doesn't mean that there won't be a big cat, or bear around. I just wanted to remind you without the two young ones close so not to scare them, after all when nature calls you have to answer it and I don't want them afraid of getting up at night to do so. I know your Pa has told them if they need to they are to wake you or him up but still the thought of something out there might scare them to staying put until morning and we can't have that either. So please, just remember to take your rifle along with you next time. OK?"

Adam didn't know whether to be relieved again or be upset at the scolding. It was bad enough when Pa did it, but from Mr. Mackenzie it was even worse. Still, he knew he hadn't taken his rifle, which hadn't been smart, and he knew the man could have jumped to other conclusions or seen him walk in the camp fully dressed. He shuddered at the thought of Pa finding out he'd snuck off. So he had the decency to blush and say, "Yes, sir. I'll remember. I'm sorry." Then he looked up at the man and even added " I hope you won't tell Pa about it. I promise I'll remember. But I don't want him thinking he and Ma shouldn't have had a night to themselves."

They walked together back to the Mackenzie wagon. "Way I see it, Adam, there is nothing to tell your Pa. It's not like I caught you sneaking back to the wagon after a night out." Luke would never know what those words did to the boy he was talking to. Adam was sure his face had lost all color. "You are a good young man and I know just like your Ma and Pa do that you take excellent care of those brothers." They arrived at the wagon just as Vicki was serving up their plates of food.

"Thanks, sir. I try hard." Adam managed to croak and Vicki looked up.

"Well, there you two are…." Glancing at Adam she suddenly looked a bit worried. "What on earth have you been saying to the boy, Luke? He looks white as a sheet. You're not sick are you?"

The doctor in Luke kicked in and he looked over at Adam, "Well, I never really said anything more then to remind him that he needs to make sure these two scamps don't leave scraps around for wild animals when they go to bed. You ok, boy?"

"Yes, sir. I'm just fine."

"Maybe he just needs a good healthy breakfast...go and wash your hands and then sit down, Adam. Breakfast is ready."

Luke was sure there was nothing wrong with the boy and let it go at that.

"But hurry, Adam! Erik's gonna eat it all, he says." Tommy laughed and playfully punched his friend in the arm.

"Hey, I's a growing boy and just eat nuf to keep up with it all." Erik was not at all offended by the playful teasing about his appetite.

"Yeah." Joe piped in. "He's gonna eat it all and then ya won't have nothing."

"I don't think it'll be that bad, boys." Adam grinned as he quickly went over to the bucket with fresh water to wash his hands, even if he had already done that at their own wagon.

Dani looked over at Erik, "Don't you pay them no mind, Erik, you have a good healthy love of food and just like your Mama, mine made plenty for everyone."

"And make sure ya wash up good, Adam, or Mrs. MacKenzie won't letcha eat." Joe continued, giggling like mad.

Before long, they all had their full and much to the delight of everyone the three youngest boys even managed to keep their Sunday best clean. With the clean up done they all headed off to where they were told Sunday service was held.

$# %#%#$^%#&^%#&^$%#&^%$

"I hope those boys of ours never gave the Mackenzie's any problems last night." Ben and Marie were now making their own way to the service. While Marie was Catholic she did attend services with her husband and sons on some occasions, but also worshipped on her own in her own way later. She neither tried to convert Ben nor did he with her. They both respected each other's believes and came to terms where the boys were concerned.

They made a very dashing couple as they walked down the street, many a heads turning in their direction. Ben had to wonder if they didn't have some of that morning after glow that he sometimes teased Marie about after they had a good night of love making.

The second Joe spotted his parents he was off like lightning. "Ma! Pa!" He ran across the sidewalks as fast as he could to catch up with them, nearly bumping into people twice. "Yer gonna sleep in the wagon again tonight? Where'd ya stay?"

If Ben had seen his young son run about so recklessly in a crowd of people any other day his first reaction would have been to turn him about and give him a good solid swat on his behind for it. But this morning the man was in just too good of a mood after his night with his wife. Instead, he put out his arms when Joe reached them and as if the boy was no more then feather swept him off his feet in into his arms. Joe immediately wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "Well good morning to you too you little scamp." Ben left the boy's question unanswered; as he made his own inquires. "Did you behave last night for Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie and your older brother?"

"Uh huh. I always behave, Pa." He giggled. "Just not always very good."

Marie giggled softly. "Scamp."

"I behaved real well, Pa. Mrs. MacKenzie even said so. Ya can ask her." He bobbed his head up and down as if that would make it sound more honest.

Erik nudged his older brother as they watch Pa lift Joe up, a smile never leaving his face. "I'd say the night out away from us did Pa a lot of good. Yesterday, the first thing he would has done is swatted Joe but good fer running through people like that and most near knocking them over. He's so happy ta see Joe. Just look at that smile on his face."

"I think Joe's da…ng lucky," Adam agreed. He smiled as he noticed the smiles on both parents' faces. "Pa's not the only one, bro. Guess they needed...some time away from us."

Luke was standing not to far behind Erik and Adam and had to turn to his wife and whisper to her. "Good thing the boy does not realize the real reason behind the smiles Ben and Marie have on their faces. And woman, just in case you have not guessed yet, our turn is tonight while Ben and Marie return the favor watching our kids."

She blushed profusely. "Lucas MacKenzie...such talk on the Lord's Day." But she put her arm around his waist, squeezing him.

"And I will be thanking the Lord today for the night we are going to have." His words caused her to nudge him. He then turned to his own two children. "Tommy, Danielle, let's walk on ahead and let the Cartwright's have a few minutes."

Luke walked with his family toward the meetinghouse for services. Along the way Luke stopped and pointed out a rather large house that he had noticed yesterday as he looked around the town. "Vicki, this is the house I was telling you about yesterday. I found out that it has been empty for near a year now. Some wealthy investor from back east came out here thinking that he could take over the area and line his pockets even more. From what I have heard, his soft, spoilt city wife couldn't take the life out here and told him they either move back east together or she would leave him and go herself. Since the money they had was apparently her old family money, he had no choice but to go or stay there broke. The place has been empty since. No one can afford the price they want for it."

Her eyes shone with excitement as she looked at the beautiful house. Although it badly needed a paint job, it was clear that it had once been white and it still looked in good condition. She had an eye for possibilities and could picture it painted in a fresh coat of white, maybe yellow for the windows and door, the garden would only need a bit of work and love and it would be a wonderful haven of peace, the porch was just the way she had dreamt it. She squeezed his arm. "Oh Luke...it's beautiful...can't you just picture it? It looks big enough to be a boarding house, a nice big room hopefully for a small restaurant..." She glanced up with worry and hope on her face. "Can we afford it?"

"My dear, I know you wanted to open your own restaurant and all, but I thought that dream was to be realized in Sacramento or even San Francisco. I was going to open up a new practice there. You mean to tell me that you would settle here, in this little town far from everything?" Luke knew he had given it a lot of thought, not just since they arrived here in Eagle Station, but for the last few weeks as they had traveled west. It seemed that qualified doctors were few and very far in-between around these parts and well he wanted to be really needed and not just a pill pusher. He had come from a fairly well to do family and had a very lucrative practice in New York. Money was not a real question for him. When his parents died the estate was divided between himself and his only brother Jacob, leaving them both while not wealthy, very comfortable. They had decided to pull up and move to California to be closer to his brother and his family who had moved west a long time ago. Vicki's family was also originally from San Francisco and she had a brother and two sisters in California. The more that Luke had seen of the lack of good medical care traveling west the more he wanted to stay and help those he could. He couldn't put his finger on it but when he saw this house yesterday, he just knew he had the urge to stay here. He hoped that his wife would see things the same way. While she had always wanted to open a restaurant it was not really necessary as they did well on Luke's income and the investments made, but it was just more of a dream for his wife. And he must admit she was an excellent cook, always preferring to do her own rather than hire a cook, which they could well afford. Maybe this place would be suitable. He looked over at Vicki. "Why don't we see the agent in charge of the place tomorrow morning and see if we can look the place over, that is if you are really sure you can be happy here."

"Darling, where would you be more needed? Here or in San Francisco? In San Francisco there are many doctors, and although I know there will never be enough to really help all those that need help in a city like that, here there is no one. You could make a difference here. And with so many people traveling through the area this is the perfect place for a small boarding house. Luke, we'll be happy here on top of being needed. This is such a good place. So, yes, let's talk to the agent in charge and see if we can buy this house. This is where I can picture us getting old."

"From what I have been able to gather the place sure could use a boarding house for those that would rather not stay in a room over that saloon AND that the saloon is the only place to go out for a meal, not suitable for ladies or families at all. I bet you would do well with the miners around here on that front. Yes, we will talk to this Mr. Frenchy Devereaux first thing in the morning."

She sighed contentedly as she threw one last look on the house before they walked on. "It sure looks lovely. It needs a few flowers though and plants and paint and…" She grinned. "I'm getting ahead of myself. Maybe we won't even be able to afford the price this Mr. Devereaux is asking."

"What price, Ma?" Tommy had been going back and forth from Erik back to his parents. He had never been able to walk calmly with his family. "Are we buying something here?"

"Yes, a harness for you to keep you in one spot young man." While he sounded stern, Luke had a gleam in his eye and ruffled his son's hair. He didn't want to say anything to either of his children until he was sure. He had some more thinking to do on this to make sure he was doing what was best for his family.

Ben placed Joe back on the ground between himself and his mother with Adam on the other side of Ben and Erik beside Marie. They made their way to the service in no time at all. Once outside the building that doubled as a church Ben turned to the boys, the two youngest his biggest concern. "Boys, I want you to remember where you are today, this is the first time we have been able to attend a formal service for some time and I expect you to be on your best behavior and no fidgeting. You will pay attention. I will warn you once and only once. The second time I find it necessary to reprimand any of you, the guilty party will not be joining the rest of the family at this Lake Tahoe today. If I get to a third reprimand…" Ben looked from one boy to the other with his best Pa look, with one raised eyebrow.

Erik knew that look only too well and knew it meant the guilty boy would be spending the day at the camp learning bible verses. And he would not be doing it sitting down. He had no intention of being left behind today. "You can count on me to be real real good Pa. I won't not pay attention for nufin."

"Me neither, Pa. I wanna go to that picnic." Even Joe would on his best behavior in church that day. The family hadn't been on a picnic in months and he would not want to miss it for the world. His face was almost angelic as he walked close to his father. "But Pa…I do hope this reverend don't talk like that last one. It's hard payin' attention when ya can't hear what he's sayin'." The last sermon they had sat through the reverend had proven to be a terrible mumbler and no one had been able to understand more than a few words. Even Adam had dreamt off a few times and he was usually pretty good in church. As long as there wasn't a pretty girl in sight of course.

"I'm sure that will not be the case this time son, but still you will do your best to pay attention no matter what."

Joe nodded dutifully and then felt his mother's arm around his shoulder, almost protectively, but also in a way that told him she would keep him close to ensure he would do as his father wanted.

They arrived at the service with a few minutes to spare and soon found a place to sit among the others from their wagon train that came and the other town folk.

"Look..." Adam nodded in the direction of a new arrival. "Isn't that that saloon lady?" She wasn't dressed much differently from the other day and she stuck out like a sore thumb amongst all those dressed up people in their Sunday best.

Ben looked to where Adam indicated and gave a slight roll of his eyes, something he would have astonished his sons for. "Yes, son, it is, it certainly is." Ben was sure this Shelby was the last person in the little town that they would have seen at church.

"Howdy" She tapped her hat as she passed the Cartwright's and MacKenzie's. "Figured ya'd all be here fer the sermon."

"Pa..." Pete beame,. "that's them. The Cartwright's. Adam and his Pa, Ma and brothers."

"Looks like a respectable enough family, but meet'n them will have to wait until after the service." George Devlin pointed toward the open door as he spoke. "Here comes Reverend Jenkins now to call us all in. Come on, young'n, file in single file and in silence."

Martha made sure to keep her youngest ones close as they did exactly as their father bid. Especially with Shelby stepping in right behind them she wanted to keep them close by.

"I think we had better go in as well," Marie took Joe's hand. The boy wanted to pull away, but the picnic in mind he decided against it, even if he felt far too old for that.
"Come along, boys." She winked at Ben, including him in that word as well.

Ben still in a good and playful mood from their night and early morning romp took his hat off as he gave his wife a broad grin and replied, "Yes Ma'am" as he entered the room right behind her.