Chapter 2

Little Girl Lost

Early that morning Joe rode into town to Doc Martin’s office. He mounts off his horse Cochise and walks in. “Hey Little Joe” said the doctor who walks up to the teenager and shakes his hand.

“How is she?” asked Joe. “She’s asleep peacefully” said the doctor. “Can I see her?” asked Joe. “Go ahead” responded the doctor.

Joe walks in to find Hoss asleep on a chair next to Amelia. Joe walks over to Hoss and wakes him up. Hoss wakes up and look at his younger brother. “Hi Joe what are you doing here?” asked Hoss surprised.

“I came to see Mia” said Joe. Hoss gets up and puts a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He then walks out leaving Joe alone with their little sister. Joe nervously sits next to her.

He looks at her and missed that happy little girl who was full of energy and life.

“I’m sorry you fell off your horse baby and I’m sorry I haven’t been a good brother to you lately. I should of pick you up from school and I’m sorry I didn’t but I promise that’s all gonna change. If you get better I promise I’ll spend more time with you. One thing is never gonna change I’m always gonna love you” said Joe he takes his hand in hers.

Amelia wakes up to find a stranger sitting next to her and it startled her.

“Who are you?” asked the frighten girl. Joe’s face appeared concerned and disappointed. “You don’t know who I am?” asked Joe trying not to be upset. Amelia shakes her head.

“If I knew who you were then why would I be asking?” asked Amelia defensively. Joe chuckles “I guess that’s true”. The doctor walks in.

“Glad to see you’re awake. Had us in quite a scared there young lady” said Paul cheerfully. Joe turns to the doctor worriedly. “She doesn’t know who I am” he said upset.

“Amelia can you remember anything?” asked the doctor. Amelia looks at him confused. “Who’s Amelia?” asked Amelia confused. Joe looks at the doctor and walks up to him worriedly.

“Joe go get your brothers” ordered the doctor. Joe immediately hurries out of the room.

Moments later Paul was sitting in his office with the Cartwright boys. “I’m afraid it’s what we have feared Amelia has amnesia” declared Paul. “Is there anything we can do to help cure it?” asked Hoss. Paul shakes his head.

“There’s nothing really you can do to cure it. There is no cure for amnesia. You have to let it play out. Usually in some cases it doesn’t last long” said Paul. “And in my sister’s case?” asked Adam.

“Given the fact of her age I’m certain her memory would return in a week or two” said Paul. “What should we do while we wait for her to regain her memory?” asked Joe. “Tell her about her family and the ranch. But I have to warn you not to give her all that information all at once or it’ll send her amnesia back further” caution the doctor.

The boys nod to show their understanding. “When can we bring her home?” asked Hoss. “Today” announced the doctor. The boys were relieved by the news but were worried on how to explain all of this to their confused sick sister. They got up and walk into their sister’s room.

Amelia looks at them frighten. “Don’t be afraid we won’t hurt you” assured Hoss. “Who are you?” asked Amelia. The boys exchange glances wondering who should be the one to tell her.

“My name is Adam. Adam Cartwright and this is Hoss and Little Joe my brothers” said Adam walking towards her. “I suppose my name is Amelia at least that’s what the doctor said it was” said Amelia. “Yes it is” assured Joe. Amelia looks at them curiously. “What are you doing here?” asked Amelia.

“We’re here to take you home” explained Hoss. “Whose home?” asked Amelia confused. “Our home” replied Joe. “Oh you don’t have to take me in I’m sure I can find my own home” insisted Amelia. “No what Joe meant was that our home is your home you see we’re your brothers. We live on a ranch called the Ponderosa we live there with our Pa” explained Adam.

Amelia nods. “So if you are my brothers than that means I’m a Cartwright too?” asked Amelia trying to understand what Adam was saying. “Yes that right” encouraged Joe. “Does that mean we have the same Ma and Pa?” asked Amelia confused. “We have the same Pa but different mothers” analyzed Hoss.

Seeing that Amelia look lost Joe cuts in “We’re half siblings darling”.  “I’m sorry I can’t remember” said Amelia feeling like a burden on them. “Don’t worry ‘bout that sweetheart it ain’t your fault” reassured Hoss.

“Still I wish I can remember I feel foolish asking all these questions” said Amelia. “You don’t have ta we’ll answer whatever questions you have and do everything we can to help you remember” persuaded Adam smiling which cause Amelia to smile back.

 

Coming Home

They rode in the yard on the buckboard with Amelia riding on top with Adam while Hoss and Joe were riding in the back. They pull up in front of the house.

The boys climbed out and Hoss helps Amelia down. Amelia was amazed on how big the house was and the ranch itself. “What ya think Mia?” asked Joe. “It’s really big” said Amelia who was still at awe.

Joe takes her hand “I’ll show you inside” offered Joe. He guides Amelia into the house. Once they were out of sight Adam turns to Hoss.

“Pa sent us a telegram” said Adam. “What did he say?” asked Hoss curiously. “He said that he’ll be home as soon as he can” said Adam who was relieved as was Hoss. “Thank goodness it would be nicer when Pa gets here to help Amelia remember. It breaks my heart to see her vulnerable like this” said Hoss.

“Mine too especially when this is all my fault” said Adam. Hoss turns to his brother surprised normally Adam wouldn’t mention about feeling guilty over something he would keep it to himself.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” asked Hoss surprised. “Pa left me in charge to lookout for everyone and I couldn’t even do that for my own sister” said Adam ashamed. Hoss shakes his head in disbelief.

“Adam you couldn’t prevent something like this from happening. Things happen it’s nobody’s fault besides feeling guilty for Amelia’s accident isn’t gonna do either of you any good. Amelia wouldn’t want you or anyone else to feel guilty about her accident” informed Hoss confidently. “Explain that to little brother because he feels just as guilty as I do” declared Adam.

Hoss looks at him confused. “What does Joe have to feel guilty about?” asked Hoss confused. “Joe thinks that if he had picked her up from school would’ve somehow prevented her falling off her horse. I think he’s mostly guilty about not spending time with her; not showing her how much he loves her” said Adam.

“She is growing up wish she wasn’t” agreed Hoss. Adam nods and they walk into the house.

Later that day after she was introduced to their cook and family friend Hop-Sing Amelia wondered out to the barn when she heard a horse.

Inside the barn she saw four horses; a dark brown one, a reddish brown one, a black and white pinto and a light brown pinto all in their respective stalls. She walks over to the black and white pinto not knowing that it was Little Joe’s and starts petting it.

She giggles as Cochise’s lips were kissing the palms of her hands. Little Joe was watching from the door where he was leaning smiling. Amelia felt someone watching her and turns apprehensively to the door and was startled to see Joe. She jumps a little and Joe casually walks up to her.

“Sorry didn’t mean to startle you” said Joe sincerely. “I was just petting this beautiful horse I hope that’s alright” said Amelia nervously. “It’s alright with me. I think Cochise likes the attention” said Joe petting his horse’s forehead. Amelia turns to him.

“Is this your horse?” asked Amelia. Joe nods proudly. “Yep this is my horse”.

“Did you have him long?” asked Amelia. “Since I was a boy not much younger than you are” said Joe with a smile. Amelia smiles sadly. Joe looks at her curiously concerned.  “Something the matter honey?” asked Joe concerned.

“No I was just thinking that’s all. I guess I was thinking about what it would be like if I owned a horse as beautiful as yours” said Amelia embarrassed; Joe smiles. “You have a horse a real nice one” said Joe. Amelia turns to him surprised.

“I do?” said Amelia. Joe winks at her before taking her hand and walking her to the other side of the barn to a stall that had a brown pinto in it. Amelia’s eyes lit up when she saw the horse which was even more beautiful than the one she had already seen.

Joe smiles happily.  “His name is Sapphire. When you were younger you wanted to have a pinto like me so Pa got you one of your own. You use to spend countless hours grooming your horse. After you first got him you use to be scared to leave him alone in the barn so you use to sneak out of the house at night and sleep in the hay stack next to him” said Joe laughing at the memory. “I did?” asked Amelia surprised. “You sure did use to make Pa fit to be tied” said Joe.

Amelia smile fades into a frown. “I wish I could remember that” said Amelia sadly. Joe puts a comforting hand around his sister. “I’m sure there are a lot of things you wish you can remember like birthdays and Christmases” said Joe understandably.

Amelia nods sadly. “You will remember all of those things in time” said Joe assuring. “I hope so” said Amelia. Joe kisses her on the head and comforts her. “I hope so too sweetheart” said Joe softly as he rests his cheek on her head.

He breaks away from her and could tell that she had something on her mind. “Something you want to talk about?” asked Joe curiously.

Amelia shrugs her shoulders. “Whatever it is its okay” encouraged Joe. “I was wondering if we were close?” asked Amelia shyly almost embarrassed Joe smiles.

He picks her up and walks over to a pile of hay and sits down putting his sister on his lap. Amelia felt safe in her brother’s arms. Even though she was having trouble remembering him she couldn’t help but feel love for him as though she had loved him all her life. “I always thought so. You know I’ll never forget the day you were born” said Joe. “How come?” asked Amelia curiously.

“Well because it wasn’t often that there is a baby being born in the house. I was about six years old and really scared about being a big brother” said Joe flashing back eight years ago.

Eighteen year old Adam was sitting on the sofa in the living room watching twelve year old Hoss and six year old Joe playing checkers while their step-mother Catherine was giving birth upstairs with the doctor and Pa.

Hoss looks curiously at Adam and ask “Adam do you think we’re gonna have a baby brother or a baby sister?” Adam looks at Hoss he was curious about that himself. “I don’t know Hoss I’ve been thinking about that myself” said Adam. Little Joe looks at the floor. “Who cares?” said Joe huffing underneath his breath.

Adam turns to Joe surprised. “What’s the matter Joe?” asked Adam curious. Joe looks up at his sad eyes. “I don’t care about the stupid baby. Once it comes no one’s gonna be with me anymore they’re gonna be too busy with the baby. No one’s gonna care about me anymore” said Joe sadly.

“Joe that ain’t true” said Hoss defensively.  Adam hold out his arms to Joe who gets up and climbs onto his lap. “I know how you feel Joe but that baby is gonna be so lucky to have you for a big brother” said Adam. Joe looks up at Adam.

“I don’t know how to be a big brother I’m use to being the little brother” said Joe. “Oh Joe you’re still and always be our little brother. I know how you’re feeling Joe I was scared about be a big brother and I’m sure Hoss was too” said Adam. He turns Joe to face him.  

“Joe you are going to be a good big brother Adam and me we’ll teach everything you need to know” said Hoss. Adam could tell Joe was upset about something and turns to Hoss.

He knew that the look on Adam’s face that he wanted to be alone with Joe so Hoss gets up and walks upstairs.

“Adam” said Joe softly. Adam looks down and saw that little Joe was about to cry. “What’s the matter Little Joe?” asked Adam concerned.

Little Joe looks up and says “What if the baby doesn’t like me?” Adam was stunned by the question. “Why would you ask something like that Joe?” asked Adam curious. Joe shrugs his shoulders.

“I dunno I guess I’m scared that the baby wouldn’t want me to be their big brother” said Joe looking down at the floor. “I think the baby would be glad to have you for a big brother. Who’s gonna teach them about horses and how to pick on Hoss and me?” asked Adam.

Joe looks up and smiles. “I can I’m good with horses and I know how to annoy you and Hoss” said Joe happily. “See the baby is gonna be very lucky to have a big brother like you” said Adam.

Joe felt better and excited about the baby and hugs Adam. “I’m gonna be a real good big brother just like you” said Joe. Adam kisses him on the head.

Ben appears at the top of the stairs. “Adam! Joe! You wanna see the baby?” called Ben. Adam and Joe jumped up and ran up the stairs to their parents’ bedroom.

In the room Catherine was sitting up in bed cradling the baby in her arms; Hoss was sitting at the foot of the bed when Ben and the boys walk in.

“Boys I want you to meet your new baby sister Amelia” announced Catherine beamingly. Adam and Hoss walk over to her. “Ain’t she the cutest little baby, Adam?” asked Hoss proudly. “Yeah she sure is” agreed Adam proudly looking at his baby sister.

Catherine looks over at Joe who was nervously clinging to Ben’s leg. “Joe don’t you wanna see your baby sister?” asked Ben. Joe nods and shyly walks over to his step-mother.

Amelia looks up opening her eyes for the first time and smiles when she saw the boy causing Joe to beam happily. “She smiled at me” said Joe excitedly looks at Catherine who was smiling with joy. Joe looks up at Adam who was standing over him.

“She likes me Adam just like you said she would” said Joe. Adam smiles and nods at him.  Joe then looks at his Pa who had tears of joy streaming down his cheek s then at Catherine. “I’m gonna be a real good big brother to her mama I promise” said Joe solemnly. He kisses the baby’s head.

Back to the present Joe looks down at his sister who was still sitting on his lap looking up at him. “You know what the most precious gift Mama gave me that day?” asked Joe.

“What?” asked Amelia curiously. Joe smiles and holds her closer. “She gave me a baby sister who I love more than anything” said Joe he kisses her on the head.

Amelia looks at him and hugs him. “I love you too” said Amelia.