Summary:  Will Hoss ever encounter his True Love?

Rating: G, Word Count: 1090

True Love Changes Everything

Hoss Cartwright wandered aimlessly around the Ponderosa on Chubb in a depression. Today was supposed to be his wedding day to Helen Layton. Because of Adam’s and Joe’s interfering it wasn’t to be. It had been a week ago when his brothers had taken Hoss to the saloon to find Helen gambling. Hoss became angry and hit both of his brothers though they tried telling him they were trying to protect him. The biggest hurt was when she saw another man and told him she hated violence and left with him. He had been cheated on by someone he loved and thought loved him. He felt like a knife had been stabbed into his heart.

Though he had been all right around his family which made them think he was over Helen, Hoss wasn’t all right. He was, in fact, still hurting. He kept it all inside. He felt that if he were to talk to his father or brothers about it they would tell him to get over her. Right now, he couldn’t. Right now, he had to mourn a loss. A loss of a love. Helen loved gambling more than he. Hoss vowed he’d never fall in love again.

The Cartwrights held a dance three months later. Hoss dressed and got ready, but he didn’t go downstairs to welcome the guests with his family. He wasn’t ready to be around festivities and women. He sat on his bed thinking and unconsciously rubbing his hands together. There was a light tap on the door.

“Come in,” Hoss said.

Adam opened the door and poked his head in.

“Are you coming down?” Adam asked walking in.

“No.”

“What’s wrong?” Adam asked concerned.

He sat on the bed next to his brother. Hoss was quiet.

“You can tell me,” Adam said gently.

Hoss drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “Adam, I don’t want to be around women anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because of Helen.”

“Ah,” Adam replied nodding his head understanding.

“I don’t want to get hurt again.”

“Hoss, I know you don’t want to. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a wonderful young lady downstairs.”

Hoss snorted not believing him.

“At least make an appearance for a little while. For Pa, at least,” Adam coaxed.

Hoss sighed and got up following his older brother.

Hoss tried to be social with everyone but it just wasn’t in him and he grew tired. He started to leave but a young lady around twenty-three came up to him.

“May I have this dance?” she asked.

Hoss was shocked. Women never asked the men to dance.

“Um, yeah, sure,” he stammered.

This girl had curly blond hair and bright green eyes and a dimple in her cheek when she smiled. Hoss wanted to melt at the sight of her but he would not allow himself to. She could have some secret addiction.

“I’m Jennifer Hardy. You can call me Jenny,” she said.

“I’m Hoss.”

“I like that name.”

Hoss smiled still not knowing what to do. She took his hand and led him to dance. They danced in silence.

“Hoss, I’ve seen you around Virginia City,” Jenny said trying to make conversation.

“I go there at times to get supplies for the ranch,” Hoss replied.

He didn’t know how to really answer her statement. She made him nervous.

“Hoss?”

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if you could help my father with the house? He tried putting new shingles on the roof and fell off.
He broke his leg.”

“Yeah, sure. Would you like me to bring my brothers also?”

“No, just you.”

“When would you like me to come?”

“How about Monday?”

“All right.”

Jenny told Hoss where she lived as the music ended and they parted ways.

Hoss helped at the Hardy’s home as the weeks went by. Hoss noticed Jenny was always helping him with the roof and other small tasks she asked him to do. He got to know her very well. They had talked quite a bit. Hoss was falling in love with her. He was happier and even Adam noticed it.

“Are you going to Jenny’s house tomorrow?” Adam asked when they were in Hoss’ bedroom.

It was private and Adam wanted to talk to his brother.

“Yes, I am,” Hoss replied.

“Are you developing feelings for her?”

Hoss hesitated then smiled.

“Yes, I have.”

“I thought so. You’ve changed.”

Hoss looked up confused. “How?”

Adam smiled back. “You’re eating more, your smile has come back. Your smiles aren’t fake. How does she feel
about you?”

Hoss shrugged. “I don’t know. She hasn’t said.”

“I’m sure she will soon.”

“I’m sure she will.” Hoss smiled.

The next day, Jenny helped Hoss again.

“Hoss?”

“Yes?” He asked not looking up from his hammering the nails in the barn that were coming out.

“I want to make a confession,” she said shyly.

“Yes? Ow!” Hoss had looked up and ended up smashing his finger.

“Hoss, are you all right?” Jenny asked worriedly.

Hoss shook his hand and went to suck on his finger when Jenny grabbed it and checked his hand. It was starting to
turn purple.

“Come, let’s put it under water to get the swelling down,” Jenny said pulling him to the pump.

She pushed the pump handle and the water poured out and over Hoss’ hand.

“What was your confession?” Hoss asked curiously.

Jenny looked at him confused then remembered what she wanted to tell him.

“I…I wanted to tell you that I like you,” she mumbled the last part.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” Hoss replied.

“I like you,” Jenny said louder as her face turned red.

Hoss smiled.

“I like you, too.”

“Really?” she asked in surprise.

Hoss nodded.

“I was so scared to tell you and think you didn’t like me either. I mean, more than a friend.”

Her face went a deeper shade of red. Hoss chuckled and pulled his wet hand out from under the water, wiped his hand dry on his pants and took her hands.

“Jenny, I love you,” Hoss admitted.

Jenny smiled.

“I love you, too!”

Hoss smiled and leaned down and kissed her.

Later, that evening he was laying in bed thinking about the day. He and Jenny decided to start courting. Hoss hadn’t been so happy in a long time. He was glad that he didn’t marry Helen Layton and met Jenny. Adam was right, Hoss did find a wonderful lady at the dance and he saw how true love can turn everything around.

 

From the Brandsters.  The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.  Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.