Summary:  When Ben and Inger left her brother Gunnar in Illinois (Inger, My Love), he was searching for his purpose in life, heading to the Canadian gold fields.  The Last Viking showed he maintained his wild side.  But how would his life have turned out if he had listened to his sister’s words? A WHI for The Last Viking.

Written for the Bonanza Brand 2018 Ancestry Challenge – Several relatives of the Cartwrights have turned up from time to time.  Are there more and what effect do they have on the Cartwrights?

Rating – K+, WC – 5547

Searching for Life

Gunnar (to Inger in the store): Don’t tell me what to do. I will do as I want.  I told you I was cut out for other things.

Inger: What are you made for Gunnar? Please Gunnar, you are wasting your life doing as you want.

Ben (to Gunnar upon leaving): I hope you find what you’re looking for.

Gunnar: Maybe.  Maybe not. But, at least I will have tried.

Chapter 1

Open spaces, tall mountains, never-ending sky – Ben Cartwright could never get enough of his home.  However, he would have preferred to enjoy it alone with his horse, just riding through his land.  Instead he had to share the experience with several drovers, and a few hundred ornery cattle. Once again it was time to tally the cattle, a job normally handled by one or more of his sons but all were on other duties, so it fell to Ben to join the men and count.

Sitting astride his horse Ben waited to see if the latest count by the men matched his own.  Taking in the view and enjoying the warm sun, Ben wondered how his sons were getting along.  Hoss was due home from a cattle drive any day now.  His brief telegram said all had gone well.   Adam and Joe were marking trees for a new contract and it would be another week before they returned home.  While Ben relished these few times of having the house to himself he looked forward to when it was filled again with his three sons.

“Excuse me, Mister Cartwright.”  Ben was pulled from his musings by a new drover. The young man had experience but was still anxious to please his new boss.

“Yes, Henry?”  Ben looked at the young man then took the paper he was offered.  “Looks like all the numbers match.  Good work.  Tell the men we’ll move on to the last herd. We should be home in plenty of time for dinner.”

Henry’s face broke into a big grin. “Yes sir, Mister Cartwright.”

Ben couldn’t help but chuckle at the young man’s enthusiasm.  He reined Buck around and waited until the men caught up.  Riding west the foursome followed the trail to the next pasture, keeping up a light banter with each other and the Boss.

Rounding a sharp turn Ben stopped abruptly, raising his hand for quiet.  The three men with him sat stone still, alert eyes scouting the area as they waited for their boss to give direction.  A moment later they didn’t need any.  They heard it too, angry voices and the pleading cry of a child.  Pulling his rifle from his scabbard and loosening his pistol in its holder, Ben signaled a dismount.  The drovers followed suit and began to spread out through the trees and boulders, hoping to surround the strangers.  Once the men found their places, silent signals were sent to Ben.  He counted to ten, took a deep breath and walked slowly through a few trees into a clearing, rifle at the ready.  This scene before him gave him grave concern. Three rough-looking men surrounded a small boy. One held him tight while another threatened him.

“Let the boy go!”

Several yards in front of him, the three grungy men spun around aiming their pistols at Ben. They all had long hair and unkempt beards.  Their clothing looked like it had seen better days. The boy couldn’t have been much older than five, and looked terrified.  Each man had a second pistol in a holder and Ben quickly noted three shot guns leaning against the rocks. One of the men took a firm step forward, cocking his pistol.

“Well now, I don’t reckon I wanna do that.” He spit out some tobacco juice that landed near Ben’s feet. “That boy knows some things we need to know and it don’t concern you one bit.  You better git while you still can Mister.”  He took another menacing step toward Ben.

Ben cocked his rifle.  “I’m afraid it does concern me.  You’re trespassing on my land. So it’s you who will be leaving, and without the boy.  Men?!”

Behind trees and rocks, three rifles cocked in succession causing the bandits to look all around until they spied the shooters. The leader scowled and spat again. He stalked over to the boy and grabbing the child’s chin roughly in his hand he leaned down close to the boy’s face.  “You tell your pappy that I don’t forget a debt.  I will find him and take back what’s mine, or he’s gonna lose somethin’ of his.”

With terror in his eyes the boy shrank back but couldn’t get away.

“I told you to release the boy and clear out.”

The leader turned back to glare at Ben.  “I’m hunting a man for stealing my gold.  He’s somewhere around here and I’ll find him.  That boy is his so he can’t be far.  You stay outta my way or I’ll take you down too.  I don’t rightly care how many men, or kids, I shoot in a day.”

He headed to his horse signaling his companions to follow. The one holding the boy shoved him to the ground like a sack of seed.  As the three outlaws spurred their horses into a gallop away from the clearing, Ben ran to the boy and, laying his rifle aside, reached to pick him up.  With fear in his eyes, the boy drew into a ball. The drovers maintained their positions until they were sure the bandits were gone, then they joined Ben.

Ben laid a gentle hand on the child’s back and spoke to him, “Don’t be afraid.  I won’t hurt you.  I want to help you and your father.”

The boy stared at Ben as he talked.  “My name is Ben Cartwright. These men are my ranch hands. I own this land so you’re safe here.  Can you tell me your name?”

The boy looked around at the other men who stood calmly nearby.  Each acknowledged him with a friendly smile or nod of the head.  He turned blue eyes back to Ben.

“I’m Bo.”

Ben smiled. “Well, Bo.  Why don’t we get some water and food, and you can tell me where your father might be.”  Ben nodded to the hands to get the food and water.

Bo sat up and waited silently until Ben handed him some jerky and a canteen.  After everyone had had something to eat, Bo started talking.

“I don’t know where my Papa is.  He left our camp yesterday to get us some food but didn’t come back.  Those bad men must have followed us from way up north. I saw them talking to Papa before we left.”  Bo suddenly teared up and couldn’t stop crying.  Ben drew him into his lap and waited for the boy to settle.

“John, you and Pete look around. See what you can find.  Henry, keep an eye out here for anyone who might show up.”

As the men moved out, Bo looked up into Ben’s face.  “My Mama died just before we left and Papa said we were going to find his family.  But those bad men came, I heard them say they wanted some gold, but my Papa said he didn’t have any.” Bo looked around nervously.  “Are they gonna come back, Mister?”

Ben shook his head.  “I don’t think so, son.” Ben stood and pulled Bo up to stand beside him.  “If my men don’t find any sign of your Papa, then you can stay with my family until we do find him.  How’s that sound to you?”

Panic filled Bo’s face. “But this isn’t our camp, mister.  Those men grabbed me and brought me here. If I go with you Papa won’t know where to look.”

Ben glanced at Henry, a few feet away, and then back to the boy.  “Bo, if you ride with me do you think you could help me find your camp?”

Bo shook his head but pointed behind Ben toward the mountains.  “It was that way through a lot of trees and over some rocks.  I know we were close to those big hills ‘cause we saw lots of little animals and deer.”  They had been close to where Adam and Joe were working.

Ben stood and spoke to Henry, “Get the horses and find John and Pete. We need to get going.”

Henry nodded and left to carry out his orders.

A short while later, after confirming the outlaws had left the area, the three drovers headed toward the last pasture to finish the headcount.  Ben turned his horse to the north with Bo riding in front of him. Bo was able to guide Ben a short ways but became confused and upset when the trail headed into the mountains. Ben reassured Bo that he would send more men out to search for his father, then he turned Buck toward the ranch house.

At the house, Hop Sing promptly took charge of the boy to clean him up and feed him “a very good meal”.  After a warm bath and hearty meal, Bo quickly fell asleep in his bed.  Ben sat beside him for quite a while.  He recalled the bright blue eyes slowly closing as the boy laid his dark blond head on the pillow.  As peace settled over the cherub-like face, Ben wondered what had happened to the father and who the family was the boy spoke about.  Saying a silent prayer for this child, Ben settled back into his chair to begin his vigil over him.  The morning would bring its own answers, but for now he would be content to watch over the child.

Chapter 2

Three days later, Bo’s father still had not been found.  The hands had found a single set of horse tracks heading west into the mountains but they were washed away when it rained on the second day of the search. On the third day, Ben decided he had to tell Roy Coffee about the boy and the missing father. Preparing to saddle Buck he heard a rider enter the yard.  A moment later Hoss came walking in, leading his horse.

“Hey Pa.  Ya goin’ or comin’?”

“I’m going to town.  You’re late getting home.  Did you run into some trouble?”

“Only that gully washer that sprang up yesterday.  Woulda been home last night but had to wait it out in one of the shacks.  By the time it was over, it was too late ta head home.”

Hoss quickly had Chubb’s tack off so he began to brush and clean his horse thoroughly.  While he worked Ben told him about Bo, the three outlaws looking for his father, and that two days of searching had turned up nothing.  He also mentioned that all the hands were on alert in case the outlaws returned.

“So you’re goin’ ta town ta see if Roy can help?”

“Only because we have a lost child and can’t find the father.  It’s also tough because Bo won’t tell me his last name.  If I knew that, we might be able to find the family the father mentioned.”

“Yeah.”  Hoss put the tools away and gave Chubb his food.  “How ‘bout you introduce me to the little tyke an’ then you can be on your way.  ‘Sides I got a hankerin’ fer some of Hop Sing’s cookies an’ maybe some left over breakfast.”

Ben laughed as father and son walked toward the house.  It was good to have his son home.

~o~o~o~

While Ben was in town and Hoss entertained Bo with a tour of all the animals in the barn and several games of checkers, Adam and Joe were making their way home, having finished early marking the trees.

As the brothers rode away from the timber camp they encountered a rockslide caused by the previous day’s storm, forcing them to detour off the trail to get around it. After picking their way through the woods, it was time to stop for lunch.  Having come across an empty campsite, they settled in to care for the horses and fix a meal.

When Adam returned from the creek after refilling the canteens, he found Joe lost in thought. Placing the canteens down and giving the pot of beans a stir he turned to his brother.

“What’s wrong with you?  Tired of beans?”

“Huh? Uh no.  Just thinking.  You know, after you went to the creek, I took a look around and couldn’t help but wonder where the people are who camped here.”

“Oh?”  Adam served up the beans and coffee, then glanced around the site.

Joe took his plate and cup, and continued talking as he ate.  “Yeah, I found a few supplies here, and looks like maybe a child was here too. I found this jacket and hat over in the underbrush. The ground there is all messed up, almost like a scuffle took place.”

Adam eyebrows went up as he listened to Joe. “You think they were attacked?”

Joe shrugged.  “Why don’t we look around some more before we leave?”

“Sure, but if we don’t find anything we move on.  I want to get home before dark.”

While they explored the area Adam had to agree that whatever took place was recent although any tracks had been washed away by the rain. As they returned to the camp, they saw a man standing near the fire pit looking around wildly. He was holding a couple of dead rabbits and rifle in one hand. His other arm hung limply by his side. He was muddy, his clothes were torn and his bearded face was bruised.  Hearing twigs snap he dropped the rabbits and pointed his rifle at Adam and Joe as they cleared the trees.

“Who are you? Where’s my boy and my horse? What’d ya do with ‘em?”

Slowly raising their hands, Adam glanced at Joe then calmly spoke to the man, “My brother and I found this camp on our way home.  No one was here so we took time to have our lunch and get on our way.  We haven’t seen a child here or any sign of a horse. In fact not much of anything was here.”  Adam slowly moved closer until the man shifted the rifle higher to stop his progression.

The man was shaking and Adam saw a painful grimace cross his face. “You stole my horse and my gear and took my boy!  Give ‘em back or I’ll…..I’ll……”  He was quickly losing his strength.

“Listen, you’re obviously hurt.  Why don’t you drop the rifle and let my brother and I help you.”

A few tense seconds passed before the man gave in and dropped his weapon.  He grabbed his injured arm as he sank to his knees.  Joe and Adam moved beside him.  Joe gently probed the arm and shoulder.  “The arm’s fine. Looks like the shoulder’s dislocated.  Listen mister, we need to get that shoulder back in place or you’ll never use the arm again.”

The man looked at the two strangers, then accepted his fate.  After several agonizing minutes he was resting more comfortably by a warm fire, filled with some good whiskey, with his arm in a sling.

Adam put the flask in his back pocket and squatted beside the man. “I’m Adam Cartwright and this is my brother Joe. Who are you and how can we help you find your son?”

The man, though weak from his injury and affected by the whiskey, managed a shocked look at Adam.  “Adam Cartwright?  Are ya Ben Cartwright’s boy?”

Exchanging a surprised glance at Joe he confirmed he was Ben’s son.  “Do I know you?”

“Yah, ya do, but ‘twas a long time ago.  You were but a little boy at the time. It’s me, Gunnar, Gunnar Borgstrom, Inger’s brother.”

Joe’s mouth dropped open and Adam rolled off his feet to land hard on the ground, stunned. “Uncle Gunnar?”  He studied the face and, behind the dirt and beard, Adam could see familiar features.  “My God!”  He reached his hand out and Gunnar took it, shaking it vigorously.

For the next hour the two men exchanged stories as Joe listened in, with Adam telling Gunnar all that had happened on the trail after they left him behind in Illinois. Adam’s spoke gently when  telling Gunnar about Inger’s death and gave time for him to grasp that she was gone. He told him all about Hoss and how that nickname had stuck from the beginning. Adam concluded his story with how they had finally settled in Nevada and built up the Ponderosa.

Gunnar told how he had made his way to the Canadian gold fields but It was one hardship after another. Remembering Inger’s words about figuring out what he was made for, he left Canada after a few years to find a better life. He headed to Colorado and set up his own claim.  There he met a young woman who was working in a saloon, and married her.  When they had a son, he found more steady work in a nearby town but continued to search for gold.  A couple of years ago, he finally found a small vein.  It gave him enough money to buy some land.  But his wife died soon after, having lost their second child prematurely.

“I couldn’t stay there after losin’ Katie, so I sold the land and the claim, took what gold I’d mined, an’ me an’ Bo headed off to see if we could find ya.”

After a moment of silence Adam asked, “What happened here?”

Gunnar shook his head. “I don’t know.  A few days ago we found this site and needed food. I told Bo to stay here while I hunted for deer.  We’d seen some real close.  Bo’s a good boy but very curious. I was afraid to have him close while I hunted.  I set some snares along the way in case I didn’t get the deer. Well, I missed the deer then the rains came and I fell down an embankment tryin’ to get back ta Bo.”  The expression he gave Adam was one of desperation and hopelessness. “He wouldn’t have wandered off.  Please help me find him.”

“Adam?” Joe knew they had to tell Gunnar what they’d found.

Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Joe found evidence at the edge of camp that makes us think someone else was here and that there was a struggle. The rains washed away any tracks but the undergrowth was greatly disturbed.”

“They got him. If they hurt him I’ll kill ‘em.” Gunnar tried to get to his feet but fell back against Joe’s saddle.

“Whoa, stay there.  Who’s got him?”  Joe readjusted the sling on Gunnar’s arm.

“It’s probably the men I met in Canada. They sold me a claim but it turned into slave labor. They were a mean lot and always said anybody’s gold that was dug out was theirs.  I had to hide the few nuggets I found just so I could get food, and one night I was finally able to sneak away.  I heard there was gold in Colorado so I settled there. Years later they showed up and claimed I’d stolen gold from them.  Well, I’d been in Colorado long enough that no one believed them so they moved on.  But they said they’d get that gold one way or another.”  He rubbed his neck and looked at Adam. “I never saw them again but when I found this spot, I kept wondering if I was being followed.  I should never have left Bo alone.”

“No you shouldn’t have.” Adam paused to let the admonition sink in. He debated about mentioning the gold but let it go for the moment. “There may be a way we can find their trail. We’re a few hours from our home.” Adam looked at Joe. “I’ll ride home and bring help and a wagon.  I’ll bring Hoss too, to see if he can find any sign of the men or Bo.  You and Gunnar stay here till morning, then set out.  By then we should be able to rendezvous about half way.”

“Makes sense. You be careful heading out.  If those men are in the area…..”

“Little brother, you worry too much.”  Adam smirked but it faded quickly.

After Adam left Joe set about preparing the rabbits for dinner and breakfast.  Although Gunnar was worried for Bo’s safety, he succumbed to his injuries and fell asleep.  By dinner he felt stronger so as night fell, he and Joe took turns keeping watch through the night.

The next morning, Joe helped Gunnar up onto Cochise, then swung up behind him.  Walking slowly they began to make their way toward home.

Chapter 3

With Joe sometimes leading his horse and sometimes riding double with they made slow progress down the mountain.  A couple of hours into the trip, they stopped at a creek to rest and eat a bit of food.

“Adam should have gotten an early start, so we should meet up with him fairly soon. How’s your shoulder feeling?”

“It’s fine. Joe, is all this land yours?’

“Yep, my family’s.”

“What do you do with all of it?”

“Up in the mountains, where Adam and I were, we have a timber operation and saw mill.  Over to the east we raise cattle and horses.  We also have interests in a couple of silver mines.” Joe paused to drink some water debating on whether to ask his next question.  “That gold those men are looking for, was it theirs?”

Gunnar studied his empty cup, sighed, then looked Joe in the eye.  “I took what was mine ‘cause I mined it.  It only amounted to about a hundred dollars. It was barely enough to get me to Colorado. Those men are thieves an’ murderers.  Men died in that useless mine an’ they didn’t care.  Well, I did, so I took what was mine an’ got out.  Inger was right.  I needed to find my purpose in life and ta start carin’ about living.  That happened when I met Katie.”  Gunnar stopped talking. Joe placed his hand on the man’s shoulder as he stood up.

“We best get going.”

As they prepared to mount up, Joe heard the sound of a gun being cocked.  He spun around, drawing his gun at the same time.  Seeing three shotguns pointed at him he dropped his pistol and raised his hands.  Gunnar refused to comply and stepped forward to confront the men.

“What are ya doin’ here you thievin’ skunks?  Where’s my boy, Belanger? What’d ya do with him?!”

The man in front aimed his shotgun directly at Gunnar’s belly. “You’ll see him again after you return the gold you stole from me.  ‘Course that’s not to say what condition he’ll be in.”  He let loose a low chuckle.

“Why you…”  When Gunnar lunged at Belanger, Joe dove toward the two men hoping to knock the shotgun out of the way.  The shotgun went off and Joe crashed to the ground with Gunnar under him.

“Get them up!” Belanger ordered.  The other two men hauled Joe and Gunnar to their feet.  One man shoved Joe to the ground when he couldn’t stand on his own. The other man yanked Gunnar’s bad arm so hard it dislocated his shoulder again, causing him to yell out.  After the wave of pain subsided, he looked around for Joe.  Horror struck him when he saw Joe on the ground, blood pouring from his leg.  Belanger gave a nod and his men searched Gunnar and the saddlebags but found nothing.

“Where is it Borgstrom?  We searched the rest of your gear and didn’t find it.”  Belanger hauled Gunnar up by his shirt.  “You wanna die just like your friend here an’ leave your boy an orphan?”

“It’s been years, Belanger.  You’re crazy to think I’d still have after all this time. I used it to get to Colorado then it was gone.  I swear it.”

“You worthless piece of….”  Belanger drew his pistol and placed it to Gunnar’s head. “You’ll pay for stealing my gold.”

A shot fired.  A deep voice bellowed, “Drop your guns, now!”

Another shot and one of Belanger’s men dropped to the ground, grabbing his arm. “You want the same Mister?  I suggest you drop your gun now or you won’t see the sun go down.”

Belanger stared down a rifle barrel backed up by a man as big and angry as a grizzly bear. His pistol rolled from his fingers and he released Gunnar, letting him fall to the ground. Several men came from behind the rocks to take the outlaws into custody.

Ben and Adam flew to Joe while Hoss headed to help his uncle.  “Uncle Gunnar, I’m…”

“Hoss, yah, Adam described ya very well.  But please, I’ll be fine. Ya best see ta yer brother.”  Gunnar cradled his dead arm as Hoss helped him sit up against a boulder.

“Sam, stay with him while I help with Joe.”  Hoss shifted over to where Joe lay on the ground.  “How is he, Pa?”

“I’m going….to be…right as rain….big….brother.”

Hoss stared at Joe’s leg in horror but Adam got his attention. “The shot grazed his thigh.  Took a chunk of flesh but he’ll live to annoy us for a while longer.”  Joe tried to give an annoyed expression but the pain got the better of him.

“You boys quit fooling around.  This is serious.  We have to stop this bleeding.”

Under Ben’s direction they finally got the bleeding stopped and Joe settled in the wagon.  Hoss easily pushed Gunnar’s shoulder back into place and helped him into the wagon to lay beside Joe.

Gunnar reached for Hoss as the big man backed out of the wagon.  “Hoss, I’m…I am sorry about yer brother.  I didn’t want for nobody ta get hurt. An’ it’s not the way I wanted to meet my sister’s boy.”  He tried to smile but there was too much pain in his heart for all the sorrow he’d caused.

Hoss did manage a slight smile. “Don’t you worry none about Joe there.  He’s a tough one and he’ll pull through.  I reckon when we get back to th’ house there’ll be plenty of time ta start over and get ta know each other the right way.”

Gunnar’s face brightened.  “Ya talk just like Inger did.  Always ready ta forgive. I hope we can get ta know each other better, Hoss.”

Hoss smiled more broadly and patted Gunnar on the leg. “You betcha. But we best get goin’. I reckon there’s someone else you’ll be wanting to see too.”

Gunnar nodded as Hoss moved to the front of the wagon and climbed up. With Adam and Ben riding behind, leading Cochise and Gunnar’s horse, the group headed home.  The ranch hands took Belanger and his men into town to be held in jail until charges could be filed against them, and Ben told them to bring the doctor back with them.

Entering the yard, Hoss hollered for Hop Sing.  The revered cook and part time medical assistant came trotting out with Bo following closely behind.

“Why you yell, Mister Hoss?”  Hop Sing moved to the back of the wagon and let out a string of Chinese words.  “Little Joe what happen you?  You not look so good.  I get bed ready.  Get boy and man inside, hurry, hurry!”

Everyone lent a hand and soon Joe was settled in bed with Hop Sing fussing over his wound. Gunnar was resting in another bed with Bo stretched out beside him.  Hoss left them alone knowing father and son had a lot to talk about.

“Papa, I was so scared you’d never come back.  Mister Cartwright was real nice to me but what if you’d never come back?”  The boy couldn’t stop crying.

Gunnar drew his son close to him.  “Bo, I know I sometimes make some bad decisions an’ one of ‘em was to leave you at the camp.  I shouldna of done that. But I want to make good decisions now.  We found my sister’s husband and I think with his help we can have a good life, you an’ me. Yah?”

Bo finally managed a small smile.  “Yah, Papa.”

“Ha!  That’s my boy.”  Gunnar drew his son into a firm hug. Looking up toward the ceiling he felt like Inger was smiling down on them both.

Chapter 4

A month later, Hoss galloped down the stairs with Bo bouncing on his shoulders and squealing with delight.  Joe looked up from the settee, grinning as he laid his book aside.  “Bo, you’re going to wear your horse out.  Why don’t you let him rest a bit.  I think Hop Sing finally finished baking those cookies.  Would you go see if you can get a couple for me?”

In a grand gesture, Hoss swung the boy down to the floor and Bo took off running toward the kitchen.

“Weren’t no need to do that Joe.  He’s was fine where he was.”

“Well, yeah there was, brother.  You see, I needed some cookies and it’s too cumbersome for me to get up and get them.  I’m hoping Doc Martin lets me get off the crutches when he comes out later today.”

“Aw, Joe. I’ve rather enjoyed watching ya hobble ‘round the house on them things. Besides, if anybody needs some cookies it’s me.”

“Ha! I bet you do, but hold on there brother.  There’s another reason I sent Bo to the kitchen.  Gunnar wants to talk with you.  He’s out on the front porch, I think.”

Hoss looked longingly toward the kitchen but then his expression became solemn as he headed  out the front door.  As soon as it closed, Bo and Hop Sing arrived with cookies, milk and coffee.  Noticing that Hoss was missing, the cook promised to save some cookies for him.

Outside Hoss found his uncle standing by the corral watching some wranglers work with the horses.

Hoss sauntered up beside him and rested his arms on the top rail.

“I don’t see how they do that, Hoss, to calm the horses down so quickly.”

“Well, those horses have been broken for a while so it’s just a matter of time to get them ta listen ta the commands.”

“Yah, a bit like me, I guess.”  He turned to look at his nephew.  “When I was much younger, when your Pa an’ Adam had come into town, I remember Inger askin’ me what I was made for.  Those words never left me Hoss.  I guess I’ve been tryin’ ta figure that out all these years.  But I think I know the answer now.  That little boy in there and my Katie was what I was made for.  I love Bo more than I can say an’ I want him ta have a good life.  I feel that’s what I have ta do so Katie and Inger’ll be proud of me.”

Hoss looked off into the distance as he listened.  “So you’ll be takin’ the job Pa’s friend offered?”

“Yah, Hoss.  I think it’ll be good for me to be there in California, and good for Bo too.”

“Yeah, I reckon.” Hoss kicked at the fence post.

Gunnar knew Hoss was hoping they’d stay close by. “I can learn ta work with the timber and mills there, and keep Bo close to me. An’ you know your Pa promised that if I learned the timber trade he’d hire me here if I wanted to come back. Besides, it isn’t too far away so you can come ta visit.”

“Yeah, I reckon.”  A few moments of silence passed before Hoss stood to his full height and looked his uncle straight in the eye.  “I just want to make sure you’re gonna be happy, an’ that little tyke in there too.”

Gunnar grinned and his eyes twinkled as he slapped Hoss on the back. He put his arm around his nephew’s broad shoulders. “Ha!  Hoss, you’ve got a heart as big as your mama’s. I know I’ll be alright now.  I’ve got a purpose, an’ a family.  Yah?”

Hoss grinned as the two made their way back to the house.  “Yah!”

Hoss and Gunnar both let out their hearty laughter as the door closed behind them.

The End

Author’s note – While searching for a name for Gunnar’s son I did a little research on Gunnar’s and Inger’s names.  This is what I found:

Inger Borgstrom – Inger, from Ingrid = Ing is beautiful

Gunnar Borgstrom – Gunnar = war, warrior

Bo Borgstrom – Bo = to live (in Swedish)

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Family, Gunnar Borgstrom, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright