An old actress touches a very special spot in Adam's heart. It might change his life...

Adam falls in love with a rather unusual young lady and has a lot of trouble come his way. While facing his father’s strong disapproval, he will have to confront his own deepest feelings and find out what he really wants in his life. Matters are complicated by an unknown foe who wants to destroy him, just as his struggle with his father comes to a head.

(Part 1 of the Dreaming Eagle trilogy)

Timeframe: End of the sixth season, here set in 1864

Genre: Mostly romance, with a touch of comedy and a slide into drama

Characters: Adam Cartwright and his family as it was at the end of season 6

Adam has a hard time with his father still disapproving of his love, he is torn apart by his loyalty to the Ponderosa and his desire to live his own life, be his own man. When a devilish plan leads him into a vicious trap, he goes through a hell of pain and despair, through an ordeal that threatens to break his spirit and jeopardizes his future with the woman he loves.

Adam has overcome the ordeal that nearly broke him and now sets out to find the woman he loves - and then try to set things straight with his father. A flock of sheep gets in the way and sparks off a bitter power struggle between father and son. Adam won't give in anymore, and Ben cannot accept that his son isn't a boy any longer. And in the background, Adam's unknown foe is pulling some strings of his own.

I wrote this after I learned about the death of Pernell Roberts - it's my small tribute to a great man who has given so much. It might not be new, but then it never grew old. Not for me, that is...

(I'm not sure which category or rating would fit, so I hope the choices I've made were the right ones)