Summary: Adam talks Ben into making a trade with Chief Winnemucca. The trade isn’t your average deal, the Chief has a redheaded white girl and he wants a few head of cattle for her. Adam takes full responsibility for the girl and soon finds out he might have gotten himself in deeper than he expected.

Rating: T

Word Count: 21,487

Romancing the Ponderosa series:

Mrs. Little Joe (Book 1) 
Leo (Book 3)
Rose, My Love (Book 4)

Note: This is the sequel to “Mrs. Little Joe” and it should be read in chronological order. Ty 🙂

 

The Redhead

Chapter 1

“You may kiss the bride.” I watch Little Joe pull Hannah close and kiss her soundly. Those two have been impatiently waiting the past three months for this day. They would have gotten married sooner, but they had a few setbacks. First off they both had to heal from bullet wounds, which took longer than expected when Hannah got out of bed sooner than she should have. She made it as far as the second step before her not all of the way healed leg gave out, and she fell down the stairs. That fall put her back in bed for another three weeks. But now with her leg completely healed, I watch them take their vows here in the big room. “May I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Francis Cartwright!”

Everybody stands and claps as Joe and Hannah walk arm and arm down the makeshift aisle. Hannah wanted to have a small wedding here on the ranch with only a few close friends, so that’s what we did. Only Roy Coffee, the preacher, a few of her widow friends, Hop Sing, Pa, Hoss and I are here to celebrate with them on their special day. 

Pa offered them a plot of land here on the Ponderosa to build a house on, but they declined and said they’d rather stay in the ranch house until they started a family. Of course none of  us objected to this, yet I couldn’t help thinking that newlyweds ought to have a little more privacy. 

We all follow Joe and Hannah outside where the celebrating will begin. Hop Sing has spent the past two days preparing a feast, and Hannah, with Hoss’s help, hung decorations from every spot that was possible. I don’t think the Ponderosa has ever been more spruced up. 

Joe and Hannah stand with huge grins on their faces beside a table covered with a cake and full punch bowl. Everyone takes turns shaking Little Joe’s hand and kissing Hannah’s cheek as they wish them both the best of luck. When my turn comes, I shake his hand and ask, “You don’t mind if I kiss the bride, do you, Joe?”

“Of course not! Go right ahead.” He laughs, clearly giddy with love and happiness.

I bend towards Hannah and press a kiss to her pinked up cheek. If I hadn’t known better, I’d say she had on rouge but I know it’s just the happiness in her heart making them rosy. “Well, Hannah, we’re officially brother and sister now. Welcome to the family!”

“Oh, thank you, Adam!” She throws her arms around my waist, the rest of her words muffled by my chest. “Any girl would be proud to have you as a brother, I’m so glad to finally be part of the Cartwright family!”

I laugh as she lets me go, glad that our relationship is off to such a good start. When Joe first found her a little over three months ago, I had a hard time with my feelings for her. But when I saw how Little Joe took a liking to her and her to him, I had a battle inside me. That battle caused me to say things to Joe that I still regret to this day, even though he easily forgave me for them. I also acted a little hot headed but the state Cyl Lunberg had left Hannah in made me enraged to the point of blindness.

Hannah begins to pour cups of punch and passes them around as Hop Sing goes into the kitchen to bring out the food. He makes multiple trips, but the table is finally full. I can see Hoss lick his chops in anticipation for all the grub. 

“Well, I’ll bless the food.” The preacher says and all of us bow our heads as we listen to his prayer. “Dear Lord, we pray that you bless this food and allow it to nourish our bodies. We also ask that you bless this new marriage between Joe and Hannah.” 

After echoing an amen, I grab a plate and get in line. Joe and Hannah go first since they’re the special couple, while Hoss watches the food from where he stands towering behind the preacher. Everybody finds a place to either stand or sit to eat their platefuls of food. I can’t help noticing that Little Joe and Hannah go off together slightly apart from everyone else. I want to tell everyone to hurry, since I know Little Joe wants to get on the road to Virginia City, where they plan on staying at the hotel for a week. 

Pa told them to go someplace farther away than Virginia City for their honeymoon, but they insisted, and said they’d rather stay close to home in case they’re needed on the ranch. They both have generous hearts, I’ll give them that. I wouldn’t want to spend my honeymoon in the bridal suite in Virginia City’s hotel. 

Once the cake is cut and eaten and a few dances have been danced, everyone sends them on their way. Little Joe, with a look of relief, helps Hannah into our carriage. We shower them with rice as they ride away as Hannah, halfway standing, blows kisses while she waves at us. As I wave back, I hear Pa chuckle beside me. 

“That girl! She’s the perfect match for Little Joe, enough spunk and will power to keep him reined in.” 

“She’s got spunk all right.” I look over at him. “But I think we oughta start cleaning up this mess before it gets dark on us in a few hours. Who knows how long it will take, Hannah practically decorated the whole thousand mile acre spread!” 

“Not quite the whole thousand acres, but practically the whole front yard!” He shakes his head as he looks around at all of the decorations and a smile slowly spreads across his face. “Yet she deserved every steamer, candle, and ribbon.”

“That she did, Pa.” Hoss walks up beside us. “I could near about feel the pride seepin’ outta her when she was talkin’ to me about her and Little Joe’s plans when we was hangin’ up all this pretty stuff.” 

“Ben,” Roy comes up behind us, “I’m sorry to have to leave you to clean up all this by yourself, but I’ve got to get back to town.”

“Don’t worry about it, Roy, the boys and I can clean up just fine.” Pa says and gives him a friendly slap on the back before he leaves. Slowly the rest of the guests leave and soon it’s just Pa, Hoss, Hop Sing, and I in the front yard. Pa begins to grab dirty plates off the table and carries them into the kitchen as he calls over his shoulder, “Well, the decorations won’t take themselves down. Get to work!”

Hoss and I start untying ribbons from off the posts under the porch roof. When Pa doesn’t come back out of the kitchen, I figure he’s helping Hop Sing with the dishes. Hoss looks over at me from where he stands, arms above his head as he unties a ribbon. “You know, he’s hurtin’ inside, but he just doesn’t want us to see.”

“I know, Hoss, in a way he just lost his youngest son today.”

“Yeah, but he got himself a daughter.”

“Yes, but things will never be like they used to be. Little Joe won’t be his old self any longer, he won’t be chasing girls in town  anymore or going to the saloon with us to have a beer. He’ll still be Little Joe, just tamer and different.”

“Well, the way I figure it, he’ll probably still go to the saloon with us, but just not as often. And if I find him chasin’ any girls in town, I’ll give him a whoopin’ he’ll never forget! Maybe now that he’s married, he won’t get himself beat up as much.”

“We can only hope that’s true!” I laugh.

 

Chapter 2

I wake up bright and early the next day. The house has a quietness about it that’s not normally there. I guess it’s because I’m the only one up, yet I can’t help feeling the true cause is actually Joe’s absence. 

Once Joe and Hannah move out, the house will be very different. Even though they’ll be on the ranch, Joe’s presence in the house will be missing. His constant laughter, practical joking, and sarcastic comments aren’t something I’m willing to admit just how much I’ll miss. Even his hot headed nature, that gets him in trouble so often, is something I’ll miss. I can understand how Pa feels, not only am I losing a brother, but a friend and he’s taking a piece of my heart with him. I love him more than he’ll ever know. 

With a sigh, I quietly walk down the stairs carrying my boots so I don’t wake anybody up. I hear a noise and look up from the stairs under my sock clad feet. Pa’s stands by the fireplace and absently stares at the dead coals. He must hear me since he turns and glances at me. He quickly wipes the sad look off his face and replaces it with a smile. I know he’s trying to hide the pain from me but he’s not doing a very good job of it. 

“I thought I was the only one awake.” I sit down in a chair and pull on my boots.

“No, I’ve been down here for about an hour.” He steps over and sits down in the chair across from me. “I couldn’t sleep, so I came down here. I’ve been doing some thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Oh, just about all kinds of things. Little Joe and Hannah mostly.”

“I can tell you’re hurting, Pa, you can’t hide it from me. Hoss and I both noticed it yesterday after everyone left.” I lean up, elbows on my knees, ready to listen. “Do you want to talk about it? Talking can help sometimes, you know.”

“Since apparently I’m not very good at hiding it, it would feel good to talk about it. You know, get it off my chest.” I nod as he leans back in his chair, getting comfortable, as he folds his hands in his lap. “Well, I can’t stop thinking about how empty this house feels without Little Joe around. I know it’s rather silly of me, especially since he hasn’t even been gone for a whole day yet. But there’s just something different about how the house feels, like it’s lost its mirth or something and it gives me an eerie feeling that I can’t seem to shake. Even when Joe’s been away on business, it’s never felt like this.”

“I know how you feel, I have the same feeling, but Joe will be back in a week.”

“Yes, I know, but it’s only a matter of time before they start a family and will want to build a house of their own. Then he’ll hardly ever be here anymore.”

“Oh, I figure he’ll be here just about as much as he’ll be at his own house. Joe’ll still work on the ranch, so he’ll have to come up to the house every once in a while. Anyways you still have Hoss and I.”

“But who knows for how much longer.”

“Ah, come on, Pa, I don’t see either of us getting married anytime soon!”

“Don’t be so sure of that, Adam. Three months ago none of us would have even thought of Little Joe getting married.”

“Well, I currently don’t know any young lady I plan on marrying.” I say as I stand up. “And it’s not like some girl is just going to come riding into our front yard.” 

“Now, don’t be so sure of that either. Remember how Joe met Hannah, he found himself a wife when he was least suspecting it.” Pa laughs as we walk across the room towards the table. I can hear Hop Sing in the kitchen preparing breakfast, so it’s only a matter of time before Hoss is awake and on his way downstairs. 

Approximately fifteen minutes later just as Hop Sing places the last dish on the table, Hoss appears at the top of the stairs. He walks down with quite a bit of speed, clearly excited about breakfast. It’s easy to get into Hoss’s big, generous heart but good food makes it even easier. 

“Mornin’, Pa, Adam.” He sits down and begins to fill his plate. “I sure hope Little Joe and Hannah are havin’ a good time.”

“I’m sure they are.” Pa says as he takes a drink of his coffee. “But we’ve got work to do and we don’t have time to sit here wondering whether or not they’re having a good time, which I’m sure they are.”

Hoss and I look at each other knowing this is going to be a touchy spot with Pa. We continue to eat in silence, only speaking when we need something that’s out of reach. We’re nearly finished when we hear horses ride up outside. Pa stands as he wipes his mouth and lays his napkin beside his plate. He quickly walks around the table and to the door.

“I wonder who that can be?” Hoss wipes his face. “Surely not Joe and Hannah, I figured they’d at least be able to last a day off the ranch.”

“No, I doubt it’s them, Little Joe will want his honeymoon and anyways, why would he knock?.” I stand up and walk over to the door. I step out and see Pa standing next to an Indian on a horse. I recognize the Indian, it’s Chief Winnemucca of the Paiutes, but I don’t know any of the warriors with him. I hear an odd sound so I look past the warriors. What I spot shocks me. They have a young girl tied hand and foot on a horse and she has a gag in her mouth, which is where the strange noise I heard came from. What surprises me the most is that she’s not an Indian but a white girl. 

She tosses her head back and forth, her bright red hair flying free from two messily braided strands. It looks to be nearly waist length and it seems an almost unnatural shade of orange red. I’m not close enough to see her face clearly but close enough to hear the unintelligible sounds as they come from beneath that gag. 

“She sure is a fiery little gal, ain’t she?” I jump at the sound of Hoss’s voice. I didn’t hear him walk up behind me since I was so focused on the redheaded girl. I glance back at him and realize I only came about five feet outside of the door. I guess when I caught sight of that girl it sort of stopped me in my tracks. 

Hoss and I both walk over to Pa yet he’s so busy conversing with the Chief that he doesn’t notice us standing beside him. “But Chief Winnemucca, I do not trade for human life.”

“Pa, what does he want?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Oh, Adam, Hoss, I didn’t see you standing there!” He quickly turns to look at us. “Chief Winnemucca wants to trade us this girl for five head of cattle.”

“But why does he want to get rid of the girl?”

“They traded the Shoshone for her, but now they no longer want her. They say she’s too much trouble.”

“I don’t see how a little gal like that can be too much trouble.” Hoss says.

“What are you going to do about it, Pa? If you don’t trade for her, someone else will. And if no one will take her they’ll probably kill her.” 

“I know, I know, I just don’t like the thought of buying a person.”

“Well, think of it as giving her a new life instead. Who knows how she came to be with the Indians or how long she’s been with them.” I can see the wheels begin to turn in Pa’s head. “I tell you what, you trade five head of cattle for her and I’ll pay you the full amount for them.”

“Alright, but what about the girl? I don’t have time to keep an eye on her.” 

“I’ll take full responsibility for her and I’ll pay for all her expenses.”

“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, son.” After I give him a final nod, he turns back to the Chief. “Chief Winnemucca, I will trade you five head of cattle for the girl just like you ask.”

“Good. Red hair squaw cause much trouble, no longer want. Need much beef, people hungry.”

“We will have our hands get your cattle.” I don’t hear the rest of what Pa says because I walk towards the girl where she still sits on that horse. She looks down at me with gray eyes, eyes that are filled with anger and fear, but mostly fear. I reach up to untie the gag and she jerks away. I have a strange feeling I’ve just bitten off way more than I can chew. She just might turn out to be a little redheaded spitfire.

 

Chapter 3

I tenderly touch the bruise on my cheek. That girl sure can throw a pretty hard punch, I’ll give her that. Since she wouldn’t let me ungag her, I untied her legs. She struggled the whole time while I pulled her off the horse, flopping herself around. I undid her hands from behind her back and as soon as they were free, she ripped off the gag. She threw it at me and turned to take off running, but I quickly reached out and snagged her around the waist. It was like trying to hold a wildcat! She scratched my arm up and when she realized I wasn’t going to let her go, she punched me in the face. I didn’t want to but I didn’t have any other choice, I hit her in the jaw to knock her out. Since she was out cold, I carried her into the house. 

Now I watch her struggle from where she sits tied hand and foot on the sofa. I had to retie her, she would have only hurt somebody or herself if I left her unbound. She glares up at me, fire in her eyes, clearly hating me even though I don’t haven’t the least idea why. 

“So, are you ready to tell me your name now?” I sit down on the table facing her, my brows raised. “I’ve told you mine. I figured I was doing you a favor taking you away from the Indians, not giving you a reason to hate me!”

“Some favor!” She’s even angrier and seems a little scared. “I would rather have been killed by them than taken away from them and thrown into white man’s world.”

“But you’re whiter than me!” I gesture towards her skin. “Why would you want to live with them? You don’t belong in their world but with people of your own kind.”

“How do you know I belong in white man’s world?”

“I was just assuming you didn’t like living with the Indians, but since apparently I was wrong, I’ll go talk to my Pa and the Chief about holding off that trade.” I stand and move towards the door. I don’t really plan on doing it, I just want to see her reaction. “It’ll save me some money, anyhow.”

She jerks around and tries to stand up but falls back onto the sofa, clearly defeated. “Please, I don’t want to go back. They will not take me!”

“Ah, I see I’ve hit the spot.” I sit back down. “Now, tell me the truth, who are you and why were you with the Indians?”

“They call me Red Mist.” She cast her eyes down and looks at her tied hands. “When I was ten years old, my mother, father, younger brothers, and I moved west from a place called New England. While moving, all three brothers were killed in accidents. My mother died of a broken heart before we got to Nevada. Once here my father found land and started a house, he never finished it.”

She stops, clearly upset, which makes me feel bad. I give her a few minutes before asking, “What happened to your father?”

“He pushed a big log up for a wall of the house. He slipped off and the log fell on him, it killed him.” She reaches up and tries to wipe the tears off of her face with her tied hands. “I tried to bury him but the log was too heavy. I waited a few days and then I left. I walked and walked until I ended up collapsing. I woke up in  the Bannock village. I lived with them until five months ago. They gave me as a gift to the Shoshone.”

“But how did the Paiutes get you?”

“There was sickness in the village. They thought I cursed the village with the sickness. They traded me to the Paiutes for medicine and three horses.”

“Why did they think you cursed them?”

“My hair. They don’t like red hair, they think it’s a curse.” 

“They had you tied and gagged, why?”

“I’m wild, they didn’t know what to do with me and they’re scared of my hair and pale skin. They thought I was a spirit.”

“You’re definitely a wild spitfire of a gal!” The front door swings open and Pa and Hoss come in. He gives me a small smile after looking at the girl but he doesn’t know she’s still tied up. He’ll probably think it barbarous of me yet he didn’t see what she did when I took her off that horse. I just hope he’ll understand and not make me untie her, who knows what she’ll do. She’s slightly calmer but I still wouldn’t put it past her to try and make a run for it again. 

“I’m glad to see my son’s making you feel comfortable.” But then he walks around the sofa and sees her tied. She turns and looks up at him, her red eyes clearly testifying to the fact that she was just crying moments ago. Pa quickly looks at me and I know I’m in for a tongue lashing. “Adam, what is the meaning of this, why is she still tied up?”

“Pa, let me explain.” I quickly interrupt as I see him take a deep breath in preparation to yell again. “She wouldn’t calm down and tried to run away when I untied her so I had no choice but to tie her up again. She is rather violent. Look.”

I hold out my arm to him and he inspects the scratches on it and the bruise on my cheek. He looks back and forth between me and Red Mist like he’s not sure if she could have done this to me. “You did this to Adam?”

“Yes.” She gives him a blank look. Hearing Hoss start to chuckle to himself, I give him a look. He shuts up but I can tell he’s still amused that a little girl like her could beat me up. Pa starts to pace back and forth across the room, clearly unsure of what to do. 

“Adam, I don’t know what to tell you!” He sits down in his red chair beside me and crosses his legs. But then he quickly uncrosses them as he leans up and rests his elbows on the armrests. Apparently he’s been struck with an idea, if the look on his face is any indication. “Young lady, what’s your name?

“Red Mist.”

“Surely you have an English name. And maybe some family who’d be willing to take you in?”

“I was born Misty Eleveth.” She glances at me before continuing. “All of my family is dead. I have lived with the Indians since I was eleven years old. I have no one in the white world.”

“How many years have you lived with the Indians? Quite frankly, you look so young I haven’t the least idea how old you are.”

“I’ve lived with the Indians for fourteen years. I don’t know how to live in white man’s world.” I do the calculations in my head, she’s twenty-five. 

“Well, Misty, if it’s alright to call you that?” Pa looks worried for a moment, but she nods as a slow wide smile spreads across her face. It’s a very pretty smile. “Would you be willing to learn the ways of the white world? My sons and I will help you learn them if you want.”

“I would like that, thank you.” She glances down again and looks back up. “I seem to have no other choice. The Indians no longer want me and now I’m in a world where I feel lost.”

“Misty, we’ll help you in any way we can and anything we can’t help you with, my daughter-in-law can.” Pa lays his hand on her arm in that comforting way of his. “But first let’s get you untied and, if you’re hungry, some food in your stomach.” 

 

Chapter 4

Reaching out, Pa unbinds her hands and leans back as she unties her feet. She gives me a look and slowly rises to her feet. I see her give her wrists a quick rub like she’s checking for bruises. I didn’t tie her tight enough to bruise but those leather strips the Indians tied her with were really tight. 

“I guess I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten since sunrise this morning and that was only a little bit of jerky.” She looks up at Pa. “I hope my hunger doesn’t trouble you much.”

“No, no not at all! We would be glad to feed.” He offers her his arm, which she takes after some slight hesitation. “You can call me Ben and this is my other son, Hoss.” 

“Hoss? The Indians give strange names, I didn’t think that white man did, too.” She sits down in the chair Pa pulls out for her. 

“Well, ma’am, I’m just such a big fella and it’s just a nickname, my real name is Eric.” Hoss sits down across from her while I take my seat at the end of the table. “I reckon the Indians had a reason for calling you Red Mist just like I have a reason for being called Hoss.”

“Why did they call you Red Mist?” I fold my hands on the table. 

“I was given the name because of how the Bannock found me the night I collapsed after all my walking. It’s said that they saw a red glow coming from between two mountains and when they went to see what was making it they saw the valley was filled with a red mist. At the bottom of the valley I laid, all my red hair spread around me. They say my red hair made the red mist.” She says it so plainly that you’d think she believes every word of that story and I’ll wager she does.

“Do you believe this story?” Pa asks as Hop Sing brings a cup of fresh coffee and a plate of yesterday’s leftovers for Misty to eat. 

“No.” She looks down at the plate, clearly uncertain about what’s on it. “My mother taught me about God and how to read the Bible before she died. I carry her Bible with me always, it brings great comfort to me. I have never believed in the Indians gods or stories.” 

I see her uncertainty about how to go about eating so I pick up her fork and hand it to her. Since she fiddles with it not knowing how to use it, I gently take her hand and show her how to hold it. She gives me a small smile as she scoops up a piece of cold ham. She starts to chew and her eyes light up. 

“You like it?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Ham, it’s the meat that comes from a pig. We had it yesterday at my little brother’s wedding.”

“You have more brothers?” Her eyes widen.

“Just one more.” I hold up a finger. “He’s in town with his wife, Hannah. They’re on their honeymoon.” 

“Honeymoon? I’ve never heard of a moon that has honey.”

“It’s what white people call the time after a man and woman get married.” Pa laughs.

“Oh! That is a very pretty word for such a special time in one’s life.” She takes another bite. “Ben, you must be very proud to have three sons.”

“Yes, I am.”

“But where is your squaw? A man must have a squaw to make sons.”

“Sadly, all my wives are dead.”

“Wives? You must be an important man to have wives.”

“No, no, not all at once! My first wife, Adam’s mother, died and then I married Hoss’s mother. She died also and then I married my youngest son, Joe’s mother.” Pa explains. 

“She died, too?”

“Yes, she did, too.”

“Sorry if I offend you, but you are not a very good keeper of wives. Hopefully your youngest son is better.” Not only is Misty feisty, she’s blunt as well.

“Yes, we all hope that. Hannah is a wonderful girl who deserves all the love and happiness Joe can give her.” Pa gestures towards her plate. “Finish your food and then you can have a nice hot bath to wash off all the trail dust. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful.” She gives him a big smile and then digs into the rest of her food. Suddenly she stops as if she’s just thought of something. She swallows her mouthful of food so fast it looks painful. “I do have a slight problem, Ben.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I have no other clothes but these that I’m wearing.” She waves at her fringed and beaded buckskin dress. “And these aren’t fit to put back on after I’ve had a bath.”

“That’s an easy fix! One of us will go to town and get you some new clothes. We still need to heat up all the water and that will take some time, plus you’ll probably want to soak in the water for a while. That leaves plenty of time to get to town and back if whoever goes rides hard.”

“Pa, I’ll go, I told you I’d take care of all her expenses.” Standing up, I walk over to strap on my gun belt and slap my hat on my head. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I quickly saddle my horse and mount up. As I ride out, I start to think about what type of clothes she’ll need. I know she’ll need proper undergarments, which I hope will come as a set. She’ll need two, maybe three dresses. And then shoes. Hopefully I’ll get everything in the right size. That long hair of hers will need a brush and some sort of pins to hold it all up with, that is if she’ll pin it up instead of braiding it. 

With doubts still in my mind, I kick my horse to make him go faster The faster he runs the more my heart races. What was I thinking when I told Pa to trade for Misty? And then why did I have to go and take full responsibility for her anyhow? What do I know about half wild women? Well, I guess if worse comes to worst, I can always track down Little Joe and Hannah, even though I hate to interrupt the little bit of a honeymoon they’re on. But I have a feeling I’ll have to do just that in order to make the correct purchases for Misty!

 

Chapter 5

Riding into town, I pull up in front of the dressmaker’s shop. About to walk in, I hear a very familiar laugh come from across the street. I turn to look across and see Little Joe walking with Hannah. Hannah’s looking up at him, a huge grin on her face, but she suddenly shifts and glances in my direction. She spots me and waves, which gets Joe’s attention as he steers Hannah across the street.

“Hey, Adam! What are you doing in town?” He slaps me on the back. “What’s the matter, couldn’t go a day without seeing your younger brother?”

“No, of course not.” I give him a smirk and turn to tip my hat at Hannah, who smiles back with a nod. “I came to town because I needed to buy some new clothes.”

“Buy clothes? Surely you’ve got enough clothes to last you a while.”

“They’re not for me but for the guest we have staying at the ranch.” Opening the door of the dress shop, I step inside. Little Joe and Hannah both follow me in, their curiosity clearly sparked. “I’m kinda in a hurry, so don’t start hounding me with a bunch of questions that I don’t have time to answer.” 

“But, wait, who’s the guest?”

“I’ll have to explain later, but it’s a girl who’s lived with the Indians for the past fourteen years.” I begin to look at the ready made dresses on the table, knowing that I’ve really fed Joe and Hannah’s curiosity too much and that they’ll start asking me a million questions. “I have to get back to the ranch with new clothes for her. Pa’s having her take a bath while I’m gone and she doesn’t have any other clothes besides the ones she’s already wearing.”

“Oh, the poor thing!” Hannah scoots in next to me and begins sorting through the dresses. “Adam, I’ll help you. You must be clueless what to buy.”

“Yes, I am.” I sigh. “I was actually going to find you, but you found me instead.” 

“Well, for starters, she’ll need the proper underclothes. I’ll go find them for you while you pick out a few dresses and maybe a skirt and blouse.” I hold up different dresses as she watches me. With a sigh and small laugh, she asks, “How tall is she?”

“She comes to about here.” I point to my chin.

“Thin or thick?”

“Thin.”

“What about her coloring?”

“Coloring?” My brows go up towards my hairline. I know I should know what she means, but my haste and spinning thoughts are causing my brain to jumble up.

“You know her hair and eye color or whether she’s fair or tanned.” Hannah rolls her eyes at me with a giggle. Joe starts to laugh, clearly enjoying the predicament I’ve gotten myself into. 

“Oh.” I run my hand through my hair and let out a deep breath. “She has gray eyes, very pale skin, and bright red orange hair.”

“Red hair, gray eyes, and pale skin.” Hannah repeats, tapping her finger on her chin. “Don’t buy anything yellow, red, or light pink and try to find things around this size.”

She hands me a light green dress before walking off to go find those underclothes. I hold up the dress to see what size it is as Joe pulls one another off of the rack. After comparing it to the green one in my hands and seeing that it’s the right size, he tosses in over my shoulder. I end up with a blue one accompanied by a white blouse and brown skirt flopped over my shoulder by the time Hannah comes back with a wrapped package. She looks at what I have and adds a light purple dress to the pile. Hannah then sends Joe to find a hair brush and pins while we search for the proper shoe size. 

“Do you have any idea how big her feet are?”

“I think so. Can I see your foot? That is if you don’t mind, of course.” She lifts her skirt a little and sticks out her right foot. “I’d say that they’re slightly smaller than yours.”

“Then she’ll just need a pair one size smaller than mine.” She hands me a black pair of boots that have hooks all the way up the front. 

“Hey, Adam, is Pa paying for all of this?” Joe asks, handing me the brush set. 

“No, I am.”

“You?” His brows nearly meet that curly hair of his as he looks at Hannah with a funny grin. He starts to giggle again as he asks, “Why you? What’d you do?”

“I didn’t do anything! I told Pa that I’d take full responsibility for her, which includes her purchases of course.” I lay everything on the counter and the store clerk begins to add up my order, adding it to my tab when I ask him to. “I don’t have time to tell you the whole story right now, you’ll have to wait until you get back to the ranch. Then you can meet Misty yourselves.” 

“Misty? That’s her name?” Joe picks up half of the packages while I grab the others. 

“Yes, Misty Eleveth, but her Indian name is Red Mist.” Hannah steps in front of us and opens the door. 

“Oooh, what a pretty name! There has to be a story behind an Indian name like that. I can’t wait to hear it!” I glance back from tying the packages onto my saddle to see Hannah bouncing on her toes in excitement. I smile to myself, she’s been so happy ever since Lunberg’s death and gets excited at every new beautiful and wonderful thing that comes her way. If the world had more people like her in it, it would be a better place. 

“Well, I’ll see you two love birds later.” I swing myself into my saddle. “Hannah, Little Joe.” 

They wave as I tip my hat, turning to ride out of town. I kick my horse into a full gallop as soon as I hit the main road. I hope I make it back in time with her new clothes or Misty might have to sit in a tub of cool water for a while. But then a new unwelcome thought decides to appear in my brain. What if she can’t figure out how to put on some of the clothes, specifically the under clothes? I have a feeling I’ve really gotten myself into a pickle this time! 

Pulling up to the front of the house, I jump down off of a lathered up Sport. I grab the bundles and walk towards the house only for the door to open before I get halfway there. Pa stands in the doorway looking madder than a wet hornet. His hair is all messed up and his vest is missing, both signs that he’s furious. 

“It’s about time you’re home!” His voice comes out a booming shout. I inwardly cringe, this isn’t what I expected to come home to. 

“Sorry, Pa, I went as fast as I possibly could.” He looks like he’s about to explode. “What happened while I was gone?”

“What happened?!” And he explodes. “That girl is what happened! You’d think she’s half wildcat or something!”

Watching him throw his hands in the air, I get a feeling a whole lotta something happened while I was gone. I can tell he’s going to start telling me all about why this whole thing was a horrible mistake, but I don’t plan on standing out here to listen to it. I walk around him and into the house, not really sure that I want to know what happened. I look over my shoulder at Pa, where he still stands in the doorway, hands on his hips. “Come on, Pa, let’s go inside and figure this thing out.”

I hear him angrily mutter something under his breath before he follows me into the house. What I see once my eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting makes me stop in my tracks. Hoss stands breathing heavily with his hands on hips beside the sofa where Misty sits tied and gagged once again. I lay my hat and the packages on the small table in the entryway. Crossing my arms over my chest, I slowly turn to look at Hoss, Misty, and then finally Pa, “That bad, huh.”

“Yes, that bad.” Pa smooths his messy hair and then throws out his hand pointing at Misty. “Now I know why you tied her up again. You’re home and you said that she’s your responsibility, so now she’s all yours to take care of!”

“But what did she do?”

“Sit down. This might take a bit to tell.” Once we’re all seated Pa begins, “About thirty minutes or so after you left for town, I sent Hoss to start heating up the water for her bath. Since she was finished eating, I had her come back to the sofa so we could sit and talk while she waited on the water to heat. But I turned my back on her for less than a minute when I heard Hoss yelling in the kitchen. Once I realized he was only talking to himself, the front door slammed open and she was gone. Just like that she was gone, I didn’t even hear her move!” 

“At least you got her back.”

“At least we got her back!” Pa yells. “It took Hoss and I nearly an hour to even find the girl. And then when we did find her!”

“Big brother, let’s just say I’d rather face the biggest man in Virginia City than tangle with that little gal again!” Hoss looks tired enough that you’d think he’s already finished a full day’s worth of work. “That little gal there pitched such a ruckus that a buckin’ bronc woulda stop his buckin’ to see what all the hollerin’ was about. As soon I got a hold of her, she started up a screechin’ and scratchin’ and poundin’ that Pa and I had to tie her up to keep her from hurtin’ herself. We didn’t plan on gaggin’ her but she just kept right on screechin’ at us and half of it didn’t even sound like English!”

“Well, Misty, if this is the way you want it to be, then this is the way it’s going to be.” She glares back at me, near hatred coming out of her eyes. “Hoss, do you remember that contraption you made when Little Joe brought home that spitfire of a girl named Willow?”

“Sure thing. I’ll have another one made up in a jiffy.” 

 

Chapter 6                            

Carrying the last bucketful of water, I pause halfway up the stairs when I hear Hoss stop his hammering and shout something. I can’t quite make out what he says, so with a shrug, I continue on my way up the stairs. I pour the water into the tub and hear what sounds like Little Joe’s laugh. I step over to the window and look out. Sure enough, it’s Joe, but what in the world is he doing home?

I practically run down the stairs, the empty bucket swinging in my hand. Pa’s already out the door greeting them, his voice sounding cheerful and excited. As I sit the bucket on the floor, I walk past a still glaring Misty. I’m not willing to admit just how much I’ve missed having Joe’s presence around the house, but now with Hannah’s help I can get the redhead bathed properly. And I mean properly because now I won’t have to be the one to sit on that box Hoss is making to put over top of the tub. 

“What’re you two doing home? You’re supposed to be enjoying your honeymoon.” I slap Joe on the arm, the smile on his face telling me he knows I’m just joshing him. “What’s the matter, couldn’t you survive in Virginia City for even one day?” 

“No, no, my little wife here,” His smile widens. If his chest swells with pride anymore the buttons are liable to pop clear off the front of his shirt, “wanted to come home so she could help the Indian girl who appeared here on the ranch.”

“Oh, come on, Joe,” Hannah says from where she stands next to Pa, her arms crossed over her chest and right brow raised, the perfect picture of a little sassy wife, “you want to see her just as much as I do, you just won’t admit it.”

“Well, maybe I do.” He shrugs with a sheepish look on his face. “I guess Adam just sparked my curiosity. He wouldn’t tell us anymore in the dress shop and I couldn’t think of anything else.” 

We all laugh at him, but he just shrugs again, his genuine cocky grin slowly spreading across his face. Hoss, who’s been working on that box the whole time, strides over, the finished project on his shoulder which he sits it down at my feet. “Well, Adam, it’s all done. It’s sturdy, too. I jumped up and down on it and it didn’t so much as let out a creak.” 

“Hey, that looks like the box you made when we had to give Willow a bath!” Little Joe points at it clearly confused at why we need it. “Why do you need one of those? Surely she’s not anything like Willow?”

“Oh, no she’s worse!” Pa puts one hand on his hip and points towards the house with the other. “That girl in there is like a wild animal! She’s pitched an even worse fit for Hoss and I than Willow ever did for you.”

“She must be pretty wild then.” Joe crosses his arms with a sigh. “Willow did try to kill me, remember? Has this girl tried to kill any of you?”

“No, but she scratched up Adam’s arm pretty badly and left him with that bruise on his cheek.” Joe turns to look at me only now noticing the slight bruise on my cheek. A smile spreads across his face as he starts to laugh.

“She did that to you!” He gives into another fit of laughter, tears nearly coming out of his eyes. “You let a little gal beat you up!”

“Ha, ha, ha, like you haven’t gotten your fair share of slaps from angry girls.” I smirk at him. His laughter quickly stops and with an almost scared look he glances over at Hannah, who clearly knows why they slapped him. But she doesn’t seem angry about it, just amused. I’m sure she knows that Little Joe went around like a love sick puppy, making eyes at everything in a skirt before he met her, but it apparently doesn’t bother her. “Well, there’s no sense in us standing around out here chit chatting when there’s a tub full of water getting cold upstairs and an angry redhead sitting tied up on the sofa who needs to get in it.”

“You have her tied?” Hannah and Joe say, their voices harmonizing perfectly. 

“What else is a person supposed to do? Everytime we turn our backs on her for even a second she runs off!” Pa explains as we all follow him into the house. Hoss trails behind the box in hand. 

I hear Hannah take in a quick breath when she spots Misty on the sofa. Joe turns and looks at me, his brows nearly disappearing into his hair as he mouths the words, “That hair!”. He steps behind me as he hangs up his hat and takes Hannah’s, which he lays on the table beside the rack. Hannah moves towards the couch and lays a hand on Misty’s shoulder as she walks around to face her. She sits on the table in front of her and reaching out, slowly takes the gag off of Misty’s face. 

“There now that’s better.” Hannah lays the neckcloth Pa had used for a gag on the table behind her before moving to untie her hands. I’m about to warn her not to do that when I see Misty’s shoulders fall out of their stiff prideful stance and her head lower. It must be the touch of another woman that’s allowed her to let her guard down because she begins to sob in big hiccuping breaths. Hannah quickly looks up at us where we stand slightly behind the sofa before pulling Misty into her arms. She gently strokes Misty’s head where it rests on her shoulder. “Ssh, it’s alright, let it all out. We’re all here to help you.” 

We’re all silent while she continues to sob. Each one of her sobs goes straight to my heart and by the looks on Pa, Hoss, and Joe’s faces, they feel the same. Hannah’s the only one who doesn’t have a miserable look on her face, she almost looks happy as she gently rocks back and forth, whispering words of comfort into Misty’s hair. Misty’s sobs slow down to a stop within a few minutes and she sits up and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Hannah pulls a handkerchief out of her sleeve and offers it to her. After wiping her face, Misty reaches down and unties the rope from around her ankles. Hannah slowly stands up, pulling Misty along with her. “Now that that’s outta the way, let’s go get you in that tub before all the hot water gets cold.” 

Together they slowly walk across the room to the bottom of the staircase. Hannah wraps her arm around Misty’s shoulders as they go up the stairs. They’re about halfway up when Hannah turns and gives us a big, confident smile, clearly overjoyed to be able to help someone in need. 

“Wait, Pa, do you think Hannah will be safe with her up there all alone?” Joe asks, turning to Pa with worried eyes as they go down the hall. “You don’t think she’ll try to drown Hannah, do you? Hannah is smaller and she’s still weak from being in bed the past three months.”

“Don’t worry, Joe, she’ll be perfectly fine.” Pa wraps his arm around Joe’s shoulder, the gesture familiar and loved by all three of us. “I don’t think Misty will give us any more trouble now. All she needed was the touch of another woman, which is exactly what Hannah gave her. You’ve got yourself a fine wife, son.”

“Trust me, Pa, I know.” 

 

Chapter 7

About two hours later, just as Hop Sing starts to put lunch on the table, Hannah and Misty appear at the top of the stairs. All of us but Joe, who seems to only be relieved that Hannah came back down alive, nearly have the socks knocked off of us. I can barely recognize the stunning redhead following Hannah down the stairs. She looks like a completely different girl than the one who sat tied on the sofa about two hours ago. I had thought up until now that Hannah’s transformation from men’s clothing to a dress was something to behold, but she looks almost plain next to Misty. No offense to Hannah, she’s a beautiful young lady, but Misty’s beauty is almost exotic, a rare form indeed. She has all of her red, waist length hair swept up on her head and is wearing that green dress which somehow fits perfectly and shows just the right amount of creamy white neck and chest. 

I quickly get my head back and walk over, offering her my arm as Joe does the same with Hannah. “Miss Eleveth, may I have the pleasure of escorting you to the table?”

“Yes, Mr. Cartwright.” She loops her hand around my forearm as I walk across the room to the dining room table. I seat her next to me, while everyone else takes their places around the table. Sitting down, I turn to her, “Miss Eleveth, would you please just call me Adam. It feels strange to have you call me Mr. Cartwright in my own home, especially since Pa isn’t even called that. Actually, all of us would appreciate it if you called us by our first names.” 

“I’ll call you by your first names only if you all call me Misty.”

“Of course we will, it’d be our pleasure to.”

“Little Joe, it looks like I won the bet.” I look up and see Hannah smiling mischievously at him. 

“Yes, it appears you have, darling,” He picks her hand up off the table and turns it over to kiss her palm. Hannah’s cheeks pink up in a pretty blush, “but you’ll have to wait for later for your payment.”

Slowly Pa sits his water glass back down as he looks at the two of them with a look of confusion and concern on his face. Joe and Hannah seem lost in their own little world, not at all noticing the rest of us sitting at the table with them, which must be the reason why they jump slightly at the sound of Pa’s voice. “Joseph, I hope you haven’t taken to gambling with your wife.”

“No, of course not.” He smiles at Hannah. “Yesterday on the way to town we were joking about whether there would be any food left over from yesterday.” 

“Joe told me there wouldn’t be a bite left after Hoss got finished with it all, but I said that even a man as big as Hoss couldn’t eat that much in that short amount of time.” She waves her hand across the table at all the leftover food that Hop Sing served us. “And apparently I was right.” 

“What’d you win?” I ask, more than a little curious. 

“A new store bought dress.” She nods, giving Joe a big goofy grin, which he grins right back to. “And now I don’t have to make him an apple pie.”

A small giggle escapes Misty and we all look at her but she has her hand over her mouth trying to contain her laughter. Knowing the Indians aren’t a very mirthful people, I reach over and take her hand off of her mouth. “It’s alright to laugh, don’t hide it under your hand, let it all come out. You have a very beautiful laugh which we’ll all enjoy hearing.” 

“You are all very funny people!” She looks at us all with a grin on her face. “I’m glad I can laugh here. I couldn’t laugh around the Indians because it scared them. They thought I was casting a spell on them, but since I’m going to be staying here, I’m glad I can, it’s going to be very hard not to!” 

“Well, Misty, you’ll find that my youngest sons cause lots of laughter in this house whether they intend to or not!” Joe and Hoss look at Pa with fake hurt looks which makes Misty laugh again and it sounds somehow almost like tinkling bells. 

“Little Joe, your wife told me all about you while she helped me upstairs.” 

“And just what did she tell you?” 

“About how you found her in a field and thought she was a boy. Then how she shoved you into the water trough and the picnic you took her on afterwards. And also how about you took the bullet in your arm that was intended to kill her.” She lays her fork down beside her now empty plate. “Little Joe, you’re a very brave man.”

“Oh! I’m not brave, I just did what anyone else would’ve done!” Joe waves off the compliment, clearly embarrassed. But only he shouldn’t be, he did do a very brave thing that day. Actually they both did and I’m proud of them. “Now, I’m not the only one who took a bullet that day, Hannah got shot in the leg as well.”  

“Well, since we’re all finished eating, why don’t we go and sit in the living room and rest for a bit before getting back to work?” Pa says getting up as he lays his napkin down by his plate. We all stand and follow him into the living room. Joe leads Hannah to the sofa, sitting himself on the armrest next to her. Misty sits down on the other side of the sofa, while Pa sits in his red chair and Hoss in the blue chair across the room. After a moment of hesitation I sit down on the armrest next to Misty since it’s the only option besides the coffee table, fireplace, or squishing myself in between the two girls. Looking over his shoulder, Pa catches Hop Sing’s attention, “Hop Sing, will you please bring us some fresh coffee?”

“Yes, Mr. Cartlight, right away!” His braid swings back and forth as he hurries with that funny little run of his back into the kitchen. 

“Adam, why does that little man call your pa, Mr. Cartwright and not just plain Ben? You told me that no one was called mister in this house.” I turn to my right and find red brows drawn together over gray eyes. 

“Hop Sing, our cook, calls everyone, except Joe, mister.” I point to Hoss and then myself. “Mr. Hoss and Mr. Adam. Of course I don’t have a Chinese accent, but it’s just the way Hop Sing addresses us is all. It’s sort of his custom, I guess.” 

“Misty, did you tell them the story of how you were given the name Red Mist?” Hannah chimes in after Misty tells me she understands all about having customs. “Because if you haven’t, I know they would love to hear it.” 

“Yes, I’ve already told them.” She leans forward, looking around Hannah to see Joe. “But Little Joe hasn’t heard it yet. That is if he’d like to hear it?”

“Oh, don’t worry about him, I’ll tell him the whole thing tonight.” Hannah turns her head to look up at Joe, a loving gaze in her eyes, when she suddenly whips back around to face Misty. “I just had an idea! Do you think you could give us Indian names? That is with what you know about us and based on how we look.” 

“I’d love to try!” She smiles at Hannah’s excited expression and shining green eyes.  “I’ll try to give you a name with an Indian meaning but in English. I’ll start with you. You’ll be Green Sparrow. Green because you have beautiful eyes of that color and Sparrow because happiness spills out of you just like it spills out of the little birds.”

“Little Joe, you’ll be Brave Fox, because you’re a very brave man and I have a feeling you can be sly like a fox as well.” She gives him a grin and wink as his face crumbles into that false hurt look of his. With a little laugh she turns to look at a chuckling Hoss. “And you Hoss, your honorary name will be Blue Wind. You’re the only one in this house with blue eyes and you can be gentle yet strong like the wind.” 

“Ben, I mean, Mighty White Man.” Pa watches her, clearly enjoying himself, a small smile on his face. “You have three strong, handsome sons, a thing that would make the Indians think of you as a mighty man.” 

“Now, for you Adam,” She turns and looks up at me with those gray eyes again. I never realized gray eyes could be so pretty until now. Some men probably wouldn’t find Misty beautiful since her features are rather plain but her hair and eyes more than make up for it. “I think the Indians would call you Black Night. You are dark in looks and nature.” 

Hop Sing comes up beside me, coffee tray in hand while I glance back at the grandfather clock. It’s already getting late into the afternoon. I’ve yet to do my chores and if I don’t get to them soon Pa’s liable to have my hide. 

“Well, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll pass on the coffee and excuse myself.” I stand up “I haven’t gotten much accomplished in the way of ranch work today, so I think I’d better get caught up.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll pass on the coffee too, Pa.” Hoss says stretching the cinks out before he strides over to grab his gun belt. He puts it on as he turns back to face the living room, “I haven’t got anything done either. I spent the whole mornin’ chasin’ our little guest around the ranch.” 

“Well then, there’s no sense in my lounging around either when apparently there’s work to be done!” Joe leans down and gives Hannah a quick kiss before joining us at the entryway. “Well, why’s everyone standing’ around, there’s work that ain’t going to do itself!” 

 

Chapter 8

I walk out the front door and into the slightly cool air. Glancing up at the sky, I see it filled with thousands, no millions  of twinkling stars. A quiet humming sound reminds me of why I came out here. I walk across the yard to where Misty stands leaning on the corral fence and rest my boot on the bottom rail as I lean on the fence. She turns, looking up at me, the moonlight like a beam lighting up her face. 

“I came out here to give you this.” I drape the shawl I was carrying over her shoulders. “Hannah thought you might need it.”

“Thank you.” She wraps it tighter around herself with a slight shiver. 

“What were you humming?” Propping my elbow on the top rail, I admire the beautiful sky while I wait for her answer. 

“Oh, it was just a song that my mother used to sing me to sleep with when I was a little girl.” She sighs, her shoulders dropping sadly. “I can’t remember the words.”

“If you hum it again, I just might know the song.” She begins to hum the tune again and as soon as she starts I know what song it is. “I know the song very well, it’s called Early One Morning.”

“Would you sing it to me?”

“Of course.” I look down at her, finding her gray eyes peering up at me patiently. “Early one morning, just as the sun was rising, I heard a maiden singing in the valley below. Oh don’t deceive me! Oh never leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?

“Remember, remember your vows to marry. Remember, remember your promise to be true. Oh don’t deceive me! Oh never leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?” 

I feel her hand on my arm and look down to find her eyes are slightly misted over. “I always fell asleep before she finished the song. I haven’t heard the words to that song since I was ten years old in the back of our wagon traveling west. Thank you, Adam, for singing it to me.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I push off of the fence. “It’s such a beautiful night, it would be a shame to waste it. Will you walk with me?”

“Yes, I’d love to.” She steps away from the fence, taking the arm I hold out to her. 

“What was your mother like?”

“She was a wonderful woman. My father always said that I looked exactly like her, but she was quiet, patient, and kind, while I’m fiery, wild, and crazy just like my father.” She leans her head back to peer at the stars before continuing. “My brothers were the complete opposite of me. They looked just like Pa but were quiet and kind like Ma.” 

“If you look anything like your mother, I’m sure she was a very beautiful woman. What was her name?” She hesitates slightly and I feel bad for asking because she might not be able to remember. “That’s if you don’t mind talking about her.”

“Elizabeth. Her name was Elizabeth.” 

“My mother’s name was Elizabeth also.”

“Our mother’s have the same name, yet I’m sure they were very different women from very different places.” She stops looking at the stars and gazes at me. “Adam, what was your mother like?”

“I haven’t the least idea.” Just like Joe, my mother has always been a soft and touchy spot for me. But since Misty has been through a lot more than me and is being so honest and open, I figure it would only be right of me to return the favor. “She died right after giving birth to me so I only know what Pa’s told me about her. Actually our mothers have more than just a name in common.” 

“I’m so sorry, Adam.” Her brows scrunch together a little bit. “What else do they have in common?”

“My mother also was from New England. My father used to be a seaman and my mother was his captain’s daughter. He quit the sea after their marriage and ran a little shop that sold sailing supplies to ships. After I was born and my mother’s death, Pa decided to fulfill his dream of going west. So go west is what we did. When I was five years old we met Hoss’s mother, Inger, during our stop in Illinois when Pa needed to find a job. They fell in love and got married right before we continued on our way west. She was a wonderful woman, tall and strong with blonde hair and big blue eyes; she had one of the biggest hearts that I’ve ever seen. Hoss carries that big heart of hers within him and proudly shows and uses it every chance he gets.”

“You loved her a lot.”

“Yes. Yes, I did. She was a wonderful mother to me.” I shake my head trying to clear the mistiness in my eyes. “But enough about me. What were your father and brothers like?”

“My father’s name was Gavin, but I remember my mother calling him Gavie. He was tall, about as tall as your Pa, with dark features. Actually you remind me slightly of him with your black hair and brown eyes. I remember his voice was deep and smooth like water on rocks.” She quickly grabs the shawl as it slips from her shoulder. We’ve walked in a circle and are back at the fence so we lean on it again, resting our elbows on the top rail as we stare up at the stars. “I had four little brothers.”

“Four?” I shake my head and try to imagine what it would be like to have four younger brothers. 

“They were good quiet boys, quiet but brave. My mother used to say we were a stepping stone family, all of us two years apart. Kody, the oldest of the four, was eight. He died when his horse slipped and rolled on top of him. Hamilton, who was six, climbed into a corral full of cattle when we were in Independence City. The cattle stampeded and before we knew what was even happening, Hammy was dead. Only four weeks into our trip and the two oldest boys were already gone.” She takes a shuddering breath as I watch tears stream down her cheeks. “Right before we crossed into the Nevada Territory, the youngest two David and Jeff came down with a fever. They passed away peacefully in their sleep four days later. With each son my mother buried a part of herself. Two weeks later Pa and I lost her to a broken heart. Those boys were so much to her that I sometimes feel like she loved them more than me.”

“Ah don’t talk like that, I know she loved you as much as them.”

“I was different from them, I gave my mother trouble while they didn’t. They were like angels while I was the devil child.” She turns to look up at me, her cheeks still wet with tears. “Your father loves all of his sons, but he loves you all differently.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Today while you were in town, he had a sad look in his eyes. That sad look disappeared as soon as he heard Little Joe’s voice outside. I watched him give you all loving looks throughout the day but they were all different.” 

“I know what you mean. Pa’s been sad since the wedding yesterday but Joe’s very special to him. He’s the youngest and is the spitting image of his mother.” I sigh. “We’re all special to Pa because we each remind him of lost love.” 

“Adam, do you have any lost loves?”

“I’ve loved a few but we ended up choosing different paths, paths that separated us.” As I look over I can’t help but notice that the woman I’m talking to possesses a rare type of beauty that would be hard to surpass. There’s a beam of moonlight streaming across her face lighting up her hair making it seem to shine like a red light. “Misty, you’re a very beautiful woman.”

“No, I’m not beautiful. My mother was beautiful, but not me.” She glances over at me before quickly looking back at the stars. “It’s just the moonlight, it makes things appear differently.”

Reaching up, I cup her chin in my hand and turn her face towards me. Her face is soft and smooth in my roughened hand. Without even thinking about what I’m doing, I lean down and kiss her. At first she very weakly tries to fight it but then she just leans in and allows me to deepen the kiss. Both of us pull away slightly breathless. I’ve kissed plenty of different women, but none of them have ever made me feel like this. I run my hand over the front of my black shirt to smooth it and feel my heart hammering away. It feels like it’s going faster than Joe can ride Cochise, which is pretty fast, if I don’t say so myself. Misty must feel the same because she quickly leans on the fence acting like nothing had just happened. I quickly take the same attitude as I lean on the fence beside her. 

“What do you plan on doing now that you no longer live with the Indians?” I try to fill the tense silence with casual conversation. I feel bad about what I did, I had no right, but something deep inside of me doesn’t regret it either. 

“Hannah is going to teach me how to act like a white woman and once I learn all I can, I’ll find a job somewhere. Or maybe even marry if the right man were to court me.”

“That sounds like a decent plan but, of course, it will take some time to relearn our ways. And then it depends on what type of job or man you try to find.” Glancing behind me at the house, I watch the light go off in Joe’s room. “It’s getting late, we better go back into the house. We’ve both had a long day and I don’t know about you, but I’m beat.”

We walk together to the house, we make it to the door and I stop her, “Misty, I’m sorry about what I did out there tonight. I had no right, I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t hurt my feelings.”

 

Chapter 9

Saddling up my horse, I look over my shoulder at Hoss, “You know the only reason Joe’s not going with us is because of Hannah, right?” 

“Yeah.”

“I hope his newly married status doesn’t cause us to have to pick up his unfinished chores, because that’ll get old really fast.”

“Well, how I see it is that if you hadn’t talked Pa into trading for that little half wild gal and gone into town to buy her some new clothes, then Little Joe and Hannah wouldn’t even be on the ranch right now.” He walks Chub towards the barn door as he calls over his shoulder, “They should still be in Virginia City on their honeymoon, not here on the ranch.”

“Oh, so now I’m going to be blamed for ruining Little Joe’s honeymoon!” I lead Sport and follow him out of the barn. Pa, Joe, Hannah, and Misty all come out of the house, probably intending to send Hoss and I on our way. “What’re all doing out here? Come to send us off with goodbyes and good lucks I’m guessing?”

“Yes, we are!” Pa laughs at my mock seriousness as he hands me a letter. “I wanted to give this to you. Send it out when you get to Sacramento.”

“Sure thing, Pa.” Laughing, I move to mount my horse but Hannah stops me as she runs over. 

“Good bye, Adam, lots of luck and safe travels.” She gives me a quick hug and peck on the cheek before she moves over to Hoss to do the same. 

“Well I see at least one person is going to miss us while we’re gone.” I joke, finally swinging up onto Sport’s back. “Or maybe that person just can’t stand having us under foot and can’t wait to have the ranch practically to themselves?” 

“Adam Cartwright!” Hannah’s hands fly to her hips and her cheeks flame. “You know that’s not true! Neither of you are a bother to me and you know that!”

“Yes, I know! I was just joshing you.” I tip my hat in goodbye as Hoss and I slowly turn our horses to leave. “Pa, Joe, ladies, see you in a few weeks.”

“Goodbye!” They all wave as we ride towards where the hands have the cattle herded that we’re going to drive to Sacramento. 

Once we’re on our way to the camp, Hoss apparently feels like talking because we’ve been riding for about ten minutes when he turns to me, “That little gal, what’s she plannin’ on doin’ now?” 

“Well, for starters, Hannah is going to teach her how to act like a lady.”

“What about after that?”

“She plans on either finding a job or a husband.”

“I don’t know which one will she’ll find quicker but she sure is pretty. I figure she’ll have better luck gettin’ hitched before she can find herself a job. That is unless she gets a job at the saloon.”

“I don’t plan on letting her get a job at the saloon. I won’t allow her to ruin her life like that!”

“With us being gone for about three weeks on this cattle drive, how do you plan on stoppin’ her from doin’ just that?”

“I put her in Hannah’s charge during my absence. She’s a trustworthy girl, she won’t let her do anything foolish.”

“Miz Misty’s got a powerful will of her own and a whole lotta spunk to back it up with.”

“Trust me, I know! But it’s only three weeks.” Sighing, I wish Joe had taken my place on this cattle drive and I was back on the ranch. Yet I know I had planned on going on this drive for the past month. “It should take longer than three weeks for her to learn how to be a lady.” 

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, big brother, I wouldn’t be so sure.” 

“Thanks for the encouragement, Hoss.” He laughs as I give him a dirty look. 

 

Chapter 10

After three long, hard weeks of driving cattle, Hoss and I ride into Virginia City before heading on home to the ranch. Both of us are hot, dusty, and tired to the bone. Hoss follows me as I turn in the direction of the saloon. 

“A nice cold beer sounds good right about now.” I look over at Hoss, “How about it, Hoss, a beer to wash the dust out of your gullet? I’ll buy.” 

“That sounds like just about the nicest thing I’ve heard all month!” 

“Well, a beer it is then!” Dismounting, we both quickly tether our horses. I step behind Hoss through the swinging door of the saloon. As we stride up to the bar, I signal the bartender, “Cosmo, two beers.”

While I take a long drink, I hear a girl’s tinkling laugh behind me. It sounds vaguely familiar like I’ve heard it before but I know for a fact never in here. Slowly I turn around and look over the brim of my glass for the girl who’s laugh sounded so familiar. When my eyes come in contact with perfectly curled fiery red hair piled high, I nearly choke on my beer. I slam my glass down on the bar, the sound silencing the saloon. Storming across the room in a blinding anger, I have Misty’s arm in my hand before I know it. 

 She looks up at me, her eyes a strange mixture of fear and self confidence. “Adam, if you would be so kind as to release my arm.” 

“Not until you explain what on earth you’re doing here!” I can’t help but notice that the slight rouge and eye makeup makes her even prettier. “Come with me, we’re going to have a little talk outside.”

“What if I don’t want to?” She struggles as I pull her to her feet. Seeing the pained expression on her face as she tries to shove my hand off of her arm, I loosen my grip. “I don’t have to explain myself to either you or Hoss. I have a job now and you don’t have to worry about me.”

“You have a lot of explaining to do but you’re going to do it outside where there aren’t so many listening ears. Come on!” I start to pull her towards the door when the man she was entertaining stands up and reaches for his gun. Hoss’s heavy footfall signals his arrival behind me. A look of pure fear crosses the man’s face as he takes his hand away from his gun. I glance back at Hoss and see him pointing his gun right at the young man’s chest. 

“I’m…I’m sorry, I meant nothin’ by it. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t goin’ to hurt the little gal, is all.”

“Well, mister, this little gal just happens to be my older brother’s responsibility. So you best put your backside back in that chair and finish your beer.” Hoss holsters his gun as the young man does just as he’s told. Walking to the door, I keep Misty’s arm tightly in my hand, knowing that if I don’t she’ll make a run for it. Once we’re outside on the sidewalk, I spin her around to face me. She gives me a look I’m very familiar with from the time when we first met. 

“And now tell me just why you were in there and why you’re dressed like this.” My eyes trail down her bejeweled and frilly extremely low cut dress, something only a saloon girl would wear.

“I work in there and they provided me with this dress since my others were too plain.”

“You’re working in there!” I point behind me at the saloon.

“Yes!” She yells back, furious. “I told you my plans and the job just happened to come along before the husband.”

“It’s only been three weeks! You can’t expect to find a husband in that short amount of time!”

“Why not? Hannah and Little Joe only knew each other for one day before they decided to get married. I’ve been told by many people, including your Pa, that things go fast out here, it’s the only way to survive.”

“She does have a point there.” 

“Hoss, shut up! That’s not why this whole thing bothers me.” I run my hand through my hair and release a deep breath in an attempt to calm my temper. This isn’t the best time to lose it. “Like I just said, it’s only been three weeks. Why the rush? I don’t understand.”

“I’ve been living on the hospitality of you and your father. I have my own pride, you know, and that doesn’t do it any favors. So I decided since I know the white man’s ways pretty well now, I would try to support myself. A job here was the only thing a girl like myself could do. Now all I have to do is just get used to the taste of beer and whiskey.”

“That’s all?” I try not to but it comes out a shout. “Do you realize what working in there will do to you?”

“No, Mr. Cartwright, why don’t you tell me.” All sass now, she leans her back against a post, arms crossed across her chest.

“For one thing your reputation will be ruined.” 

“What reputation? I don’t have one!” She lets out a dry, sarcastic laugh. 

“Miz Misty, pardon me for interruptin’, but what do you mean by that?”

“Well, Hoss, for the past fourteen years I’ve lived with people who are classified as savages. Because of that people see me as a savage, too. Savages are just savages, that’s our reputation. You can’t hurt something that’s not there to hurt.”

“Misty, only all of us on the Ponderosa know where you’ve lived.” 

“Adam, that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve told where I’m from when I was asked by a few people. With the size of this town, I figure it won’t take long for it to be all over.”

Taking a few deep breaths, I try to gather my thoughts so I can decide what to do about this situation. I pace back and forth, hands resting on my belt. I won’t let her continue working here as a saloon girl even with what she says about her nonexistent reputation. Now I just need to somehow get her back to the ranch as peacefully as possible. I know she’ll put up a fight, I just need to figure out how to make it not as noticeable to the people wandering around town. I turn around, my mind made up, and walk back to where Hoss and Misty are standing.

“What’s the plan, Adam?” Apparently Hoss can tell by the look on my face that I’ve made up my mind.

“Misty, how did you get into town?” I ignore Hoss’s question, but I know he understands that he’ll get an answer to his question in a moment.  

“Little  Joe and Hannah brought me into town three days ago.”

“Where have you been staying?”

“At the hotel.”

“Hoss, will you go get a horse at the livery stable and then meet us over at the hotel?”

“Sure thing, Adam.” He walks off in the direction of the stable.

“Why do you need another horse, you’ve already got two?”

“It’s for you.” I grab her arm again and begin dragging her towards the hotel. By the look on her face and her lead feet that she’s purposely trying to plant in place, I know that the fight has begun. “Come on. Whether you like it or not we’re going to the hotel.”

“Why are you taking me to the hotel and why is Hoss supposed to meet us there with a horse for me?” Her feet skid but I force her along.

“How else are you supposed to get to the Ponderosa? You don’t want to leave your things at the hotel, do you?” She comes to a complete stop right in the middle of the street. “What’s the matter now?”

“I’m not going back to the Ponderosa and you can’t make me!” She stomps her right foot on the ground, right hand flying to her hip. 

“Oh, yes, you are!” She just glares up at me. I can’t help thinking that she looks like a little girl standing like that throwing this little tantrum. “Misty, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, it’s completely up to you.”

Giving her foot one more stomp, she continues to angrily glare up at me. With a reluctant sigh, I bend and place her stomach on my shoulder. Upon my return to a standing position, she begins to scream at me as she pounds my back from where she hangs over my shoulder. I glance around at all of the bystanders who’ve stopped what they’re doing to see what all the commotion is about. I have a feeling that this will be all over town in a matter of hours. Things like this are supposed to happen to Little Joe, not me. She begins to kick her legs when she realizes her pounding isn’t doing any good.  I quickly grab her legs knowing that if one of her boots were to land in the right place we’ll both be in a heap on the ground. “Well, I see you’ve chosen the hard way.”

“Adam Cartwright, put me down! Adam!” Her fists continue to pound and I know I’ll have bruises on my back for a few days after this. “Your Pa will find out about this!”

“You’ll have to go out to the ranch in order to tell him if you want him to know.” I laugh as she lets out an angry scream followed by some more pounding.

 

Chapter 11

Throwing open the front door, I attempt to just casually walk in. But when you have a screaming girl thrown over your right shoulder, I think trying to act casual is virtually impossible. I hold on to her tighter as she pushes herself upwards away from my back. As she realizes I still won’t let her down, she lets herself fall back down with a flop, her face nearly hitting my backside. I want to put her down since I know it has to be uncomfortable but I’m slightly scared to let her loose. It’s practically guaranteed that she’ll come at me in a full blown rage, something I really don’t want to experience so I just let her continue to pound my back to smithereens. 

“What the devil is going on in here?” Pa walks over from where he must have been doing paperwork in his study. “Adam, what is the meaning of this? Put that poor girl down this instant!”

I swing her down and she lets out a small screech as her feet land with a small thud on the floor. Hoss walks in the front door behind me, Misty’s borrowed carpetbag in hand, as she hastily tries to fix the bodice of her dress. All of her fixing doesn’t seem to make a difference, the bodice is still as revealing as it was before she adjusted it. Glancing between the three of us, Pa looks furious and confused all at the same time. 

“Does anyone care to explain what the meaning of all of this is?” Upon our silence, he looks between us again even angier. “Misty’s been in town for the past three days and you boys have been gone for three weeks on a cattle drive. And now all three of you just magically appear in my living room making so much noise that I can barely hear my own thoughts!” 

“Pa, I can explain!” He looks at me, arms crossed over his chest, face completely showing that he’s more than just mad. “Where’s Joe at? He has a big part in this too and he needs to do some explaining as well.” 

“He’s out taking a ride with Hannah, I expect them to be back any moment. But what does he have to do with this grand entrance of yours?”

“Do you know what Misty’s been doing in town these last three days?”

“Joe and Hannah told me she had found a job and was staying in town.”

“I’m guessing they didn’t bother to tell you what type of job, did they?” 

“No, they didn’t specify what she was doing. They just said that she had found a job and was going to stay at the hotel.”

“I found this redhead, who I left in the care of my sister-in-law, thinking that she’d be carefully watched and taken care of, in the Silver Dollar Saloon! And not only in the saloon but entertaining a male customer in this frilly dress!” 

“Adam, I swear I had no idea! If I had known I never would have allowed them to take her to town.”

Hearing laughter and buggy wheels, we all turn to look towards the door. A few moments later it swings open as Joe and Hannah come in and by the looks on their faces they clearly had a good time together. They both come to a sudden halt, guilty looks on their faces, when they see all four of us standing in the middle of the room. Joe quickly lays his hat on the table while Hannah swings the door shut, both of them avoiding eye contact with me. 

“Joseph, just what do you have to say for yourself this time?” Pa barks angrily at him, arms still crossed over his chest.

“Pa, I had no intention of letting her get a job at the saloon, but that girl right there,” he points to where she stands, the perfect picture of stubbornness with her arms crossed over her chest, chin tilted up in the air, and a scowl on her face, “is worse than the stubbornest mule in the whole territory of Nevada!”

“Oh, trust me, little brother, we know that.” Hoss blows out a deep breath. 

“Did she give you two trouble in town?”  

“Trouble? Adam had to carry her through town swung over his shoulder. She was a screechin’ and a hollerin’ and poundin’ Adam’s back so much I figure he’ll have bruises on it for a week!” He begins to laugh but seeing the glare I send his way, he cuts it off real fast. “Then we had to tie her to her horse and she sure made a fuss about it. I figure the whole town’s talkin’ up a storm about now.” 

“Ooooh, she sure gave you a fight!” Joe gives into a fit of his famous giggles. At a future date, I’m sure I’ll find this just as funny, but right now all I feel is anger, anger that I’m having a very hard time keeping in check. Seeing the stormy look on my face, Hannah starts vigorously elbowing Joe to make him stop. He looks my way and stops laughing with a loud gulp, clearly knowing that I’m about to really lose it. 

“Can anybody explain to me how all of this came to be in the first place? I’ve heard about what happened to Adam in town but I haven’t heard Joe and Hannah’s side of the story!” Throwing his hands out, Pa looks at their guilty expressions. His brows raise as he gives them a stern look before resting his hands on his hips. “So which one of you wants to tell me?”

“Ben, I think I can explain but we should probably sit down.” Hannah shimmies around us, pulling Little Joe behind her. She plops onto the sofa as the rest of us sit down.

“A few days ago I realized that I couldn’t teach Misty anything else, I had already taught her all that I possibly could.” Hannah begins what I feel is going to be a long story. “She’s an extremely fast learner and soaked up everything I was teaching her like a dry sponge. She came to me about four days ago asking if we could  talk about something important and I agreed. She told me how she felt almost pained by the amount of charity she was taking. I completely understood how she felt because I felt exactly the same way after I killed Cyl and realized I had no choice but to either get a job or accept a very large amount of charity. She tried to talk me into letting her go into town to look for a job. I explained to her that the only job she would be able to find would be in the saloon. She still insisted even after I told her Adam would have my hide if I let her get a job at the saloon. I guess her consistent begging and nagging just got to me because I agreed to take her to town. Joe and I drove her into town the next morning. I insisted on looking around for any other jobs but after being rejected by everybody, I gave in even further and we went to the saloon. And she got the job, as you already know. I felt horrible about it and am truly sorry, Adam, can you forgive me? It’s all my fault, if I hadn’t given in like that none of this would have ever happened.”

“Hannah, even though I don’t like any of this, I think I can understand why you gave in and I know you’re truly sorry.” While listening to her say her piece, I’ve cooled my temper quite a bit and I mean everything I just said. I give her a smile which I hope helps clear the tension between her and I. Guessing by the smile she returns, I have a good feeling it has. I turn towards Misty, ready to say a piece to her. “Misty, what do you have to say for yourself?”

As she looks up at me with tear filled eyes, I get a sudden guilty feeling which I hastily shove away, reminding myself that none of this is my fault. She opens her mouth to speak but quickly closes it as a sob comes out instead of her intended words. Sobbing with loud hiccups, she drops her head into her hands. Hannah quickly puts her arm around her shoulders pulling her close, whispering words of comfort into her ear. It amazes me how she went from pure stubborn pride to completely sobbing like a small child. I didn’t expect to ever see her cry like this, to say the least. She seemed like one of those people who has a heart of stone and never completely shows their emotions. She cried on that first day but not like this, it’s like all of her emotions are bared to the world and it’s a very uncomfortable thing to watch. 

It doesn’t seem like her tears are going to stop anytime soon and the tension is so thick in here it feels like you could slice it with a knife. Having had enough, I stand up and walk over to Misty. Sitting down on the table in front of the sofa, I reach out and slowly take her hands away from her face. She glances up at me with red rimmed eyes as she continues to sob with deep shuddering breaths that come from deep down in her belly. Hannah lets go of her as she sees me begin to stand up, pulling Misty up off of the sofa. I lean in close to her ear and whisper, “Let’s go outside. The fresh air will help you calm down.” 

With my hand on the small of her back, I lead her out the front door and into the evening air. As we walk across the front walkway towards the porch, her sobbing slowly stops and turns into heavy breaths with a shudder every so often. Sliding my hand up her back, I wrap my arm around her shoulders. Since she doesn’t try to move away, I try my luck even further by pulling her close as we pass the table and chairs on the porch. We continue to walk and stop at the fence. She reaches up and wipes the tears off of her face as she lays her head on my chest. Leaning my right side on the fence, I rest my elbow on the top rail. I look up at the clear blue sky just waiting, waiting for her to say her piece. 

“I…I feel so ashamed!” She says after a good five minutes of silence. 

“Ashamed of what?” 

“Of myself.” Angrily sighing, she reaches up and fiddles with one of the buttons on the front of my shirt. Her closeness combined with the smell of her perfume are making my heart beat faster than I care to admit, I can only hope she doesn’t notice. But apparently she doesn’t since she continues to talk, “Of what I’ve done. Of the fact that I made you look like a fool in town today. And the way I almost ruined your relationship with Hannah; a relationship I can tell means a lot to both of you.” 

“That still doesn’t explain why you did all of those things.”

“I know it doesn’t.” She lifts her head off my chest, leaning back slightly in order to look me in the eye. “Adam, can I be completely open and honest with you?”

“Of course you can. I won’t hold anything against you and I can keep a secret if that’s what you want to know.” 

“The only reason, the full out, God’s honest truth, is that I was scared. I was scared of living in the white man’s world. I guess I just wanted to somehow prove to myself that I could do it, so I got that horrible job. Adam, it truly was horrible! All those men staring at me and wanting me to sit on their laps.” Shuttering she lays her head back down on my chest, fresh tears wetting her cheeks. 

“There’s a very simple solution to this mess but you’re probably not going to like it.”

“Like it or not, I don’t think I really have a choice now.” Moving away from me, she leans on the fence beside me. It’s almost like that night three weeks ago when we were standing here in this exact spot. Except that night we were talking about the future and now we’re dealing with it. “What is it?”

“The only solution for this is that you stay here on the Ponderosa until you find a husband.” She opens her mouth to object but I hold up my hand to silence her. “I will gladly take care of all your expenses.” 

“Why?”

“Because despite your hot temper and violent ways, I can’t help but see you for what you are, a beautiful, charming girl. Not only that, but one that I’ll gladly support until some handsome young man comes along to sweep her off her feet.” I push myself off the fence. “Now I don’t know about you, but I’m tired and ready for some supper. Can we just call this thing settled?”

“All right it’s settled.” She shakes the hand I hold out to her. 

 

Chapter 12

“Are you enjoying your ride?” I look to my right where Misty sits bareback on her horse.

“Oh, yes! I’m so glad you found the time to come with me.” Grinning up at me, she pats her horse’s neck. “Blueberry is alway glad for the companionship of Sport and, of course, I enjoy spending time with you as well.”

“Blueberry.” I shake my head with a chuckle. “That’s surely a strange name for a horse, don’t you think?”

“It’s no worse than Sport.” She shrugs and gives her head a little sassy shake. “Anyways I like blueberries!”

“Oh, trust me, I know that! You could probably eat your weight in blueberries in one sitting.”

“Possibly.” She tries to act nonchalant but I see her cheeks twitching like she’s trying to hold back a grin. Suddenly she kicks her horse into a gallop and yells over her shoulder, “Race you to that tree!” 

As I take off after her, purposely letting her win, I can’t help but let my thoughts drift to the girl riding like the wind in front of me. She seems almost innocent if you just look at her yet she’s every bit of the spitfire that she was when she first came here three months ago. These past three months haven’t exactly tamed her, they’ve taught her how to control her fiery temper. I’ve also learned something in the weeks since I brought her back from Virginia City. I’ve thought Misty a very attractive young lady since I first laid eyes on her but now she’s become more than just a good looking girl. What I feel for her exceeds attraction and has turned into a love and affection like I’ve never experienced before. I haven’t found the chance to act on my feelings and tell her what she means to me but that’s why I asked if I could accompany her on her ride today. I can only hope that she feels the same way or I’ll feel like a total fool.

“It looks like you beat me this time, Misty.” I pull Sport’s reins to get him to stop as he dances around before coming to a complete stop. 

“Only because you let me!” She lets out a little mad huff but I see her big grin. 

“The view’s better with you in front of me. The way all of your red hair flys out behind you like a cape is a sight to see.” I hop off of Sport and reach up to help her down as she rolls her eyes at me. “I truly do enjoy it. I like how you leave it all down and not have it all piled up on top of your head in one of those popular styles.” 

“I’m not the only one who leaves my hair down.” She fingers the ends of her hair. “Hannah leaves her’s down, too, you know.” 

“I know, but I think your hair is a lot more beautiful than her’s.” Sitting down under the tree, we lean against it with only a few inches between our shoulders. “I’m sure Hannah told you how Little Joe told her that he found her eyes very beautiful almost as soon as she woke up?” 

“Yes, but what does that have to do with my hair?” Looking up at me, her red brows scrunch together. 

“The very first time I ever saw you I thought your hair was a very beautiful shade of red.” I reach down and pick up her left hand. Bringing it to my lips, I plant a kiss on the top of it, all the while watching her eyes as they widen in surprise. I lower her hand down back onto her lap, but instead of letting go, I weave my fingers through hers. “Misty, there’s something I’ve needed to tell you for a while now. It’s actually the reason why I agreed to come on your ride with you today.”

“Oh.” The single word practically squeaks out of her throat. Her hand begins to tremble inside of mine so I give it a gentle squeeze, she gives me a faint smile in return. “Go on, Adam.”

“Misty…” I pause suddenly feeling very nervous and jittery inside, “I love you.”

She quickly looks down at her lap as her lip part and cheeks pink up. My stomach does a very uncomfortable flop as I get the feeling I’ve just made a very horrible mistake. But she suddenly looks back up at me, a huge grin on her face with tears streaming down her still pink cheeks.

“Oh, Adam, I’m so happy!” Kissing my hand, she rubs it across her cheek, unintentionally wetting it with her tears. “I’ve loved you for so long, practically since that first night when you kissed me out in the moonlight.” 

Quickly shifting so that I’m sitting on my knees in front of her, I grab her other hand and gently pull her other one away from her face. She looks up at me, her gray eyes shining like stars. “Misty, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Adam, oh yes!” Leaping forward, she’s in my arms before the words are completely out of her mouth. I ease her back a little to kiss her soundly. She pulls away after a moment, her eyes as big as saucers. “Let’s go back to the house and tell everyone the good news!”

“Well, all right then, let’s go!” I jump to my feet, pulling her up with me. Leaning down, I give her a quick kiss before lifting her onto Blueberry’s back. I swing my right leg over my own saddle and chuckle at a sudden thought. 

“What’s so funny?” We let our horses walk slowly side by side. 

“I just remembered something Pa and I were talking about the morning the Pauites brought you. We were talking about me getting married and I had commented that I didn’t know any young lady who I planned on marrying and that it wasn’t like a girl was just going to come riding up to the ranch. He told me not to be so sure.” Looking over at her I find her watching me with a huge grin on her face. “I guess you proved me wrong because that’s just what you did. You just rode right up to the ranch and into all of our hearts.”

“I’m very glad that it turned out that you were wrong and I’m especially glad that you talked your Pa into going through with that trade.”

“I am, too.” Looking up at the sky, I try to guess what time it is. “If we want to make good time back to the house, we better pick up the pace a little.” 

We’re almost halfway back to the house when suddenly a group of Indian warriors appear out of nowhere and surround us. Their shouts are loud in my ears as I reach out and grab Misty’s reins to keep her close. I recognize them to be Paiutes, in fact a few of them were with Chief Winnemucca that day when he brought Misty. Misty, recognizing them, calls out in the Paiute tongue as the warriors stop their shouting. The one covered in the most war paint rides up beside Misty, leaving just enough space between them so their horses don’t rub into each other. 

They converse in their tongue for a few minutes. As she starts to get upset, Misty’s voice escalades. The warrior continues to drone on in a deep steady voice when suddenly Misty begins to violently shake her head, her voice now a shout. Making Blueberry step as close to Sport as she can get her, she frantically looks between the warrior she’s speaking to and the rest of them. I slide my hand down her reins to clasp her left hand in mine. She turns and glances at me with fear filled eyes. 

“Misty, what’s going on?” I look into her eyes that are quickly filling with tears. She pushes Blueberry even closer and I feel her leg press against mine before Sport shifts a little, trying to get space. I notice that she has a faraway look in her eyes now, like she can’t hear anything going on around her. “Misty, what’s going on?”

“This is Chief Winnemucca’s nephew, the man who’ll be the next chief,” her eyes focus on mine as her lips quiver like she’s trying to hold back a sob, “he left on a long journey before Chief Winnemucca brought me to the Ponderosa. He had been making eyes at me for a while before he went and he even told me I was going to be his squaw upon his return. He returned three days ago to find me gone. Chief Winnemucca doesn’t approve of the marriage, another reason why he wanted to trade me.” 

“But what does all of that have to do with him being here now?” Deep in my gut I have a bad feeling about what she’s going to say next. If it’s what I think it is, I won’t let it happen. I can’t and won’t lose another woman I love to the Indians. 

“He’s come back to take me with him to be his squaw. He told me if you try to stop him, he’ll have his warriors kill you.” I feel my face heat up and bile rise in my throat as anger fills my body. Looking around, I see all of the warriors sitting with their bows pointed at me. I don’t have a chance as one man against ten. She knows it, too, I can see it in her expression when my eyes make it back to her face. “Adam, let me go back, I won’t let you be killed!”

“No! I won’t let you Misty. I love you and I won’t let this happen, I’d rather die first!” I grasp her hand tighter as she tries to tug it away from me. Letting her tears fall freely and barely holding back sobs, she continues to try and free her hand. I let go and grab her around the waist. I lean forward and pull her towards me and give her a kiss. Laying my cheek against hers, I whisper in her ear, “I love you! Even if I have to by myself, I’m going to come and get you.” 

“Adam, I love you so much!” It sounds more like a sob instead of words as she leans into me for a moment trying to get ahold of herself. Quickly pulling away, she sits up straight on her horse. She throws her shoulders back and tosses her head in that sassy way of hers as she speaks to the nephew again. He grunts back a reply and he turns to leave. All of his warriors follow him, their bows still pointed at me. Misty pushes my arm from off of her as she looks at me, her soul in her eyes. She mouths three words over her shoulder as she rides away, “I love you.”

I sit and watch her ride away with the Paiutes before turning in the direction of the house and kick Sport until he’s running as fast as he can without collapsing. Two things begin stirring up inside of me; one of them being a hot, fiery anger like I’ve never experienced before and the other a plan to get Misty back. And I’ll get her back even if it means killing the whole Paiute tribe.

 

Chapter 13

I run through the front door as I yell for Pa at the top of my lungs. He comes hurrying out of the kitchen while Hannah practically leaps off of the sofa. Little Joe appears at the top of the stairs and after seeing my face, runs down the stairs, skipping every other step. 

“Son, what’s wrong?”

“What’s the matter, Adam?”

“Wasn’t Misty with you, where is she?”

“We got bushwhacked by a bunch of Paiute warriors on the way home. Their leader was Chief Winnemucca’s nephew, who’s had his eye on Misty for some time now. They took Misty back with them. There was nothing I could do to stop them!” I answer all three of them at once. I feel hot tears begin to roll down my face and my voice comes out a sob. “I’m going to get her back and I need all the help I can get!”

Rushing over to the gun rack, I pull out a rifle. Pa walks over to me, a worried expression on his face. “Son, just what do you plan on doing?”

“Like I said, I’m going to get her back!”

“Using violence?”

“Yes! I’ll use violence if I have to. I’ll kill the whole damn Paiute tribe if that’s what it takes to get Misty back!” Bending down, I reach inside the cabinet for some bullets. As I stand up, I feel Pa’s arm wrap around my shoulders. I turn my head to look at his concerned face through tear blurred eyes. My chest heaves as I fight the sobs welling up inside me and the urge to lay my head on Pa’s shoulder and let myself cry. “Pa, I have to. I love that girl with everything in me. We were on our way home to tell everyone that we were going to get married when they bushwhacked us. Pa, I just can’t lose another woman I love to the Indians!”

“I understand, son, but is this really the right way to handle this? Running in there with our guns blasting?”

“I don’t know, Pa, I just don’t know of any other way!” 

“Pa, those Paiutes started this whole thing with violence, why should they expect us to come peacefully? I don’t see any problem in giving them a taste of their own medicine. Of course, it will break the peace we’ve had with the Paiutes but I don’t think we have any other choice.” Striding over to us, Little Joe picks out a rifle. “I’m with Adam every step of the way, Pa.” 

“Well, Ben, what’d you say?” Joining us, Hannah pulls out a rifle which Joe takes from her and puts back. “Hey, Little Joe, I’m coming, too!” 

“No you’re not, Hannah. You’re going to stay at the house like a good little wife.” She opens her mouth to say something else but reaching out, Joe pushes it closed. “Hannah, you remember, don’t you?”

“Oh.” She nods and gives him a secretive little smile, which he smiles back to. “So, Ben, what are you going to do? Are you going or not?”

“I’ll go.” He reaches for a rifle. “Someone better go get Hoss, he’s out in the barn. I also think we should get the sheriff.”

“Pa, Roy’s out of town, and the man who he appointed as deputy doesn’t have enough brains to do anything this big, remember?” Little Joe reminds him while Hannah runs out the still open front door to find Hoss. “We’re on our own.”

“Are we going to get going or not?” My patience is wearing thinner and thinner with every passing second. “That Indian is going to steal my bride if we don’t get a move on it.”

“All right, let’s go.” Walking across the room to the door, Pa calls over his shoulder. “Joseph, grab Hoss a rifle and plenty of ammunition.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hoss meets us in the front yard, leading Buck and Chub behind him. Hannah’s right behind him with Cochise’s reins in hand, Little Joe takes them from her, shoving his rifle into its holster on the side of his saddle. Pa, Hoss, and I quickly mount up while Joe gives Hannah a kiss and tight hug. As he jumps into the saddle, she hurries over to where I sit like a lighted stick of dynamite, my impatience making Sport dance under me. Laying her hand on my thigh, she looks up at me with tear filled eyes. 

“You’ll get her back, Adam.” Her voice crackles with emotion. “Something deep inside of me tells me you will!”

“Thank you, Hannah.” Is all I can think to say. She steps away as I kick Sport into action and quickly head around the barn, Pa, Hoss, and Joe right behind me. Over the blood rushing in my ears and the pounding of the hooves of four horses, I hear Hannah yell, “I love you, Little Joe, Be careful!” 

“I love you, too, Hannah!” I notice that he doesn’t answer the part about being careful, he knows full well what we’re getting ourselves into. She does, too, yet none of us want to face the fact that the Ponderosa might lose one or all of her Cartwright men today.

 

Chapter 14

We hear Indian drums and chants before the tribe’s camp is even in sight. Pa looks over at me, worry written plainly on his face. He doesn’t know what I’ll do, hell, I don’t even know what I’m going to do yet! Killing in cold blood is something that a long time ago I vowed to myself that I’d never do. Pa and my brothers know this, they’re just waiting to see how closely I’ll tread that line between murder and self-defense. I know that whatever my final decision is that they’ll have my back and will be right there for me. 

It’s been nearly three hours since we were bushwhacked. Something within my gut tells me that these chants and bangs are for a wedding ceremony. I can only hope and pray that feeling is terribly wrong because if it isn’t I don’t know what I’ll do.

Riding up, we see Chief Winnemucca as he stands up from his seat on the ground in front of a blazing fire. He lifts his left hand signaling he’ll be peaceful as Pa does the same. Dismounting, Pa and I walk over to the Chief. 

“You are here for red hair squaw.”

“Yes, we are here to take back our friend. I traded you five head of cattle for the girl, why did you go back on your trade?”

“My brother’s son took back the red hair squaw to be his. I do not like this, red hair squaw make red hair Paiutes. You can have squaw back.” 

I barely believe what I’m hearing, surely it won’t be this easy. As Joe and Hoss’s saddles squeak, I see the Chief’s nephew appear from behind a tepee. He looks extremely angry as he practically stomps over to the Chief. A very heated speech begins between the two of them. 

Signaling for his nephew to be quiet, he turns back to Pa, “Why you want squaw back?”

“My son plans on marrying her. They love each other and were on their way to tell my family their plans when your nephew stopped them.” 

Nodding at Pa, the Chief turns back to his nephew. Their voices turn angry as the nephew glares at me from time to time. Finally their talking ceases as the Chief turns to me this time. I know his decision is final now and all I can hope is that he’ll let me take Misty home.

“My brother’s son wants to fight for squaw. He will fight with fists. If he wins, he get squaw, if you win, you get squaw. You will fight till death.” 

Unbuckling my gun belt, I watch as the nephew hands the Chief his tomahawk. I feel Pa’s hand on my arm, I know he doesn’t want me to do this but I don’t have any other choice. And if I can’t get her back then at least I won’t be alive to see her married to another man. 

“Son, are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Pa, I’m sure.” Looking over I see his worried face. I glance past him and watch Hoss and Joe jump off their horses. They both walk over, grim looks on their faces. Joe’s eyes are filled with tears and so are Hoss’s. Seeing their misty eyes causes mine to tear up as well. I reach over to grasp Joe’s arm but he avoids my hand and grabs me in a hug. Squeezing me tighter, he whispers huskily in my ear, “I love you, Adam.” 

“I love you, too, Joe. Never forget or doubt it.” Letting go of him, I reach over to give Hoss a hug, and whisper the same thing into his ear. I turn back to Pa and find him trying to hold himself together. I hug him tight, knowing it might be the last time I get the chance to. “I love you, Pa.”

“And I love you, son.” Giving him a final pat on the back, I turn to face an Indian warrior who’s nearly double my weight in pure muscle. 

He throws the first punch and hits me in the jaw, nearly causing me to black out. I’ve been hit by some pretty big men, including Hoss, but this warrior packs a pretty hard punch. But then I hear the air gush out of him as I gut punch him.

We roll around for nearly ten minutes beating the snot out of each other. Bringing my hand up to land another punch, I see his hand shimmy down into his buckskin pants. A beam of sunlight bounces off a blade as he pulls a knife into view. Quickly unfisting my hand, I grab his wrist. He tries to push the knife towards me but I push it just as hard back towards him. As we roll over, he pushes me to where I’m underneath him. I brace my back and slowly turn his knife towards his own chest. He fights me, continuing to try to stab me but my anger makes me stronger than normal. With one quick and swift motion, the knife is in his chest instead of mine. Taking a large gasp of air, his eyes glass over as he falls towards me. I shove him off and  jump to my feet. Quickly I wipe the sweat and blood out of my eyes as I look around for Pa and my brothers. I find them standing where I left them, looks of relief on their faces. Catching my eye, Joe flashes me that cocky grin of his. I give him a small smile back, knowing full well what that grin of his means; not only is he thankful I’m alive and have come out the winner of this fight but he’s glad that I also get my girl. 

I walk over to the Chief who is staring at his nephew with a blank look like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. He looks up at me once I’m about two feet away from him. He nods head at me, his feather headdress bobbing slightly. 

“Where is the girl at?” I’m ready to get her and go home. 

“You have killed my brother’s son, the next chief. You won the fight but I require one other thing.” 

“And what is that?” My stomach feels like a rock just dropped and sank into it.

“If want squaw must find squaw. In tepee.” 

I nod at the Chief and walk past him to start searching through the tepees behind him. I can’t help but find this last requirement odd, but I don’t care, I’ll overturn every tepee in this camp if that’s what it takes to find Misty. I open the flap on each of the tepees as I go past and peer in, looking for red hair. I quickly count the tepees with a hope that I will find her soon because there has to be nearly twenty of them. 

I’m near the last five tepees when I suddenly hear a voice singing. A voice that I’ve heard singing before and a voice that also belongs to the person I taught the song to. Following the sound, knowing it will lead me to Misty, I feel my heart begin to speed up. 

“Oh, don’t deceive me! Oh, never leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?” Her voice crackles like she’s fighting back tears. 

I step up to the tepee where her voice was coming from and pause for a second. Since she doesn’t continue the song, I sing the second verse, “Remember, remember your vows to marry. Remember, remember your promise to be true.” 

With a very loud gasp her head pops out of the tepee flap. Running the few steps towards me, she practically throws herself into my arms. “Oh, Adam, I knew you would come to get me!” 

As I lean down I kiss her, she pulls away. Reaching up, she gently touches my bloodied and beaten face. “Love, what happened to you?” 

“I had to fight the chief’s nephew in order to get you back.” I cup her shoulders in my hands. “But that’s all settled now. Let’s go get Blueberry and go home.” 

 

Chapter 15

We all ride up to the house together, Misty and I side by side, Pa in the rear with Joe and Hoss taking the lead. As we dismount, we all turn when Hop Sing comes running out the front door. He’s clearly upset about something since he’s waving his arms and speaking in his native tongue. 

“Calm down, Hop Sing. What’s the matter?” Joe asks him. 

“Missy Hannah, she very sick.” Joe doesn’t wait to hear anymore as he takes off running towards the front door. 

Pa grabs Hop Sing by the shoulders and looks down into his face, “Hop Sing what’s wrong with Hannah?”

“Can’t keep anything in stomach. Fainted while walking across living room.” Everyone follows him into the house. Misty skips up beside me and slips her hand into mine. Glancing down, I expect to see a worried look but find her to have a huge grin on her face. 

I step into the house and see Joe squatted down on the floor beside the sofa, holding Hannah’s hand. He still looks worried but there’s a soft smile on his face. His smile widens as he looks over at us. 

Walking around the couch, Pa bends down beside Joe, “Hannah, are you feeling any better?” 

“Yes, a little better.” She smiles up at him, her face very pale. She looks past Pa, searching for a certain face among all of us surrounding the sofa. As her eyes come in contact with the person she was looking for, she says, “Hop Sing.” 

“Yes, Missy Hannah?” He comes over to stand beside Pa. 

“I’m really sorry for scaring you like I did earlier.” 

“It alright. As long you healthy and strong, Hop Sing alright.” 

She moves to sit up, Joe reaches out and helps her. She lays her hand on her stomach for a brief moment like she’s trying to make sure she isn’t going to lose her lunch again but then she looks into Joe’s eyes, clearly having a silent conversation with him. As his brows scrunch slightly she gives him a determined nod. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, Little Joe.” 

“Alright.” He turns towards all of us, an excited look on his face. “We have something important to tell you.” 

Pa sits on the table, ready for what’s about to come, while Misty squeezes my hand tight and I hear her take a quick deep breath. Quickly looking down at her, I see she still has that huge grin on her face. I suddenly realize why: she’s in on Hannah and Joe’s secret.  

“Well, Pa, we’re going to have to build a house sooner than we planned.” 

“Oh.” Pa looks a little shocked but quickly hides it. 

“Ben, it’s not that I don’t love living in this house with all of you, because I truly do, it’s just that…” Pausing, she looks up at Joe with a loving look and excited grin, “I’m expecting a baby and we would like a little place of our own.” 

“A baby!” Pa jumps up, more excited than I’ve seen him in a long time and grabs Joe’s arm. “Why, Hannah, that’s just wonderful!” 

“I’ll help you start the house as soon as you want, Joe.” I offer. “Congratulations!”  

“Thanks a lot, Adam!” If his grin gets any bigger it’s liable to break his face in two! 

“Hey, that means I’ll be an uncle!” 

“Yep, you’ll be big ole Uncle Hoss.” 

Leaning forward, Hannah waves for Misty to come over to her. She lets go of my hand and shimmies over to sit down next to Hannah and she wraps her in a big hug. She whispers something in Hannah’s ear and the two share a girlish giggle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two girls become so close in such a short amount of time before, they just instantly bonded upon meeting.     

“Enough about me, what happened at the Indian camp?” Hannah looks at Misty and then at me, her eyes going wide when she sees my face. “Adam, your face is a mess! What happened to you?” 

“Oh, I’m fine as frog hair.” I wave off her concern despite the fact that in reality my face, head, and whole body are throbbing. “I had to fight the Chief’s nephew in order to get Misty. I did what any man would have done for the woman he loves.” 

“Well, now that you’ve got her back, it looks like you men have two houses to build instead of just one.” 

“Hannah, I won’t even think about our house being built until your’s is completely finished and you’re moved in.” Misty looks over at Joe, “Little Joe, how long do you think it’ll take to build your house?” 

“Probably about four weeks or so.” 

“Since you two are getting your house first and then ours has to be built,” She looks up at the ceiling, clearly calculating something in her head, “that gives us about two months before we can get married, Adam.” 

“What if I don’t want to wait two months?” 

“Adam, what do you mean?” 

“I’ve already had you taken away from me once and I don’t want to risk it happening again.” 

“Hey, Adam, how about I go get the preacher tomorrow morning?” Hoss volunteers. 

“If that’s not too soon with Misty, that would be perfect.” Looking at Misty to see her answer, she nods at me with a grin. “Well, it’s settled then!” 

The End

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Family, Indians, wife / wives