A House United Book 1: The Hardest Goodbye

Chapter Six

Several miles up the road, Adam pulled Beauty to a stop. They'd run hard for quite a while, and he wanted to savor the rest of the ride. He was going to be saddle-sore tomorrow, but he didn't care. He breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet aroma of the ponderosa pines. After three years in the industrial northeast, he had almost forgotten what fresh air was. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, letting the hot Nevada sun beat down on his face. He would miss Boston and Washington, but he'd never imagined it would feel so wonderful to be home.

A couple hours later, the small, single-story ranch house came into sight. Adam grinned. The squat log house had never looked so good. Its four rooms—kitchen, sitting/dining room, and two bedrooms—were completely inadequate for the family, especially with Hoss growing as quickly as he was, but it was home. Adam spurred Beauty, pulling up only when he reached the hitching post in the front yard. He jumped down from the mare before she had come to a complete stop.

"Hop Sing!" he called. "Hop Sing!"

The Cartwrights' Chinese cook was already on his way out the front door. He'd heard the galloping hoofbeats approaching the house and guessed who it was. He flung open the door and ran into the yard to greet his boy. Ben had hired him when Little Joe was born and Adam and Hoss were twelve and six years old, respectively. He'd baked their birthday cakes, bandaged their scrapes, cooled their fevers, dried their tears, and celebrated their triumphs. After Marie's death, he'd taken up the role of second parent, and he'd felt Adam's absence these past three years as keenly as any other member of the family. Ben Cartwright wasn't the only man who could lay claim to the boys.

Indignant chickens clucked and scattered as Hop Sing and Adam raced through the yard toward one another, colliding in a warm bear hug. Hop Sing's grin was so wide he thought his face might split. Even as a boy, Adam hadn't been particularly physically affectionate, so Hop Sing relished every hug he got from the young man.

"Mr. Adam!" Hop Sing cheered. He held Adam at arm's length and took a good look at him. He noticed the same changes Ben had. Adam was a little taller and broader, and his features were sharper. Tears welled up in the cook's eyes as he compared the boy of his memory with the young man before him. All he could think to say was, "You forget to eat in Boston! You too skinny!" He jabbed a finger into Adam's chest for punctuation.

Adam laughed. "You spoiled me, Hop Sing! Boston just didn't have any cooks who could compare to you."

"That probably true," Hop Sing agreed. He took Adam's elbow and led him into the house, beckoning for a stable hand to take care of Beauty. "You come inside. Hop Sing make all your favorites for dinner: roast chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and blueberry pie!"

Adam's stomach rumbled at the thought. "I can't wait."

By the time the rest of the Cartwrights arrived, Adam was nearly dancing in anticipation of his homecoming meal. He raced outside to help unload everyone's luggage. Jacob and Hannah were taking Ben's room, while Josie bunked in the boys' room with Little Joe. Ben, Hoss, and Adam would sleep in the bunkhouse with the ranch hands for the duration of the visit.

"You can have top bunk, if you want," Little Joe magnanimously offered as he showed Josie the tiny bedroom he shared with his brothers. "I usually sleep up there, but I'll letcha have it if you want."

Josie peered into the room. A set of bunk beds was pushed up against one wall, and another single bed stood a few feet in front of it. Two small wardrobes took up the remaining wall space near the single window. Josie's eyes went wide. Her bedroom at home was huge by comparison, and she didn't have to share it with two other people.