After attending Simon Croft's funeral, Adam and Josie both have big news to share with the family. And as Nevada prepares for statehood, Hoss and Patience's baby arrives, and Ben begins to suffer from empty-nest syndrome. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've been dying to use "Old Sheba" in this series, but I had to take some liberties to make it work. Please forgive my changes.

As 1861 draws to a close, the Cartwrights enjoy their first Christmas with Josie on the Ponderosa. But 1862 brings a number of challenges, from Adam disappearing in the desert to an influenza epidemic that threatens the entire town. Meanwhile, Simon Croft continues to express romantic interest in Josie, much to Adam's consternation. UPDATED 12/27/2021: Fresh edits; chapters

The Civil War has broken out, and Adam travels east to attend his cousin Josie's graduation from medical school. To get away from the danger of the war, Josie returns to the Ponderosa with Adam, where she must learn to fit in to a new way of life as she struggles to establish herself as a doctor. UPDATE 11-20-2021: Fresh edits and divided into chapters.