Summary: When a dispute over a cattle drive and promises made causes a rift between Hoss and his wife, Hoss gets a bit of wise counsel from his niece.
Rating: G, Word Count: 1600
A Lesson in Love
Hoss and Jenny had been married for a few months and had decided to go on a trip to San Francisco to get away from the ranch work and spend time together. He had been busy with the ranch, and she had been busy with the dress shop.
“I can’t wait to go on vacation. I know I need it. We’ve had so many women needing new dresses,” Jenny said as they finished dinner.
“It’ll be nice to get away. Especially from Little Joe. He’s been making me a part of his pranks,” Hoss replied.
Jenny chuckled. She knew all too well Joe’s antics. He had even roped her into a few pranks. There were a few times Joe almost went too far, and she stopped him before anyone was harmed.
“Didn’t Ben say something about a cattle drive coming up?” Jenny asked as she watched Ben settle by the fire with his traditional after-dinner pipe.
“Yeah, he did. It’ll be around the time we leave. He said that I didn’t need to worry about it and that he’ll go on it,” Hoss reassured.
“Sounds good.”
Jenny gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen. Hoss followed suit as they did the dishes.
Hoss worked alongside his brothers and father a few days later. They were working on the posts for new fences. Ben had been walking to get his canteen when his foot went into one of the holes he had forgotten about and fell. He heard the sickening crack and cried out in pain. The brothers ran to their father worriedly. Adam knelt by Ben and felt his leg. “It’s broken.” They made splints to keep the injury from getting worse. Joe and Adam carefully put him in the wagon and took him to the house. Hoss rode to get Doctor Martin.
A while later, the doctor put a proper splint on Ben’s leg.
“I’m sorry, Ben, but you’ve got to stay off that leg for six weeks,” Dr. Martin said.
“But I’ve got to help with the cattle drive,” Ben said.
“I’m sorry but you won’t be able to.”
Ben sighed then turned to Hoss.
“I’m sorry Hoss but you’re going to have to go in my place.”
“Jenny isn’t going to be happy about this,” Hoss replied.
“I know she won’t and I’m sorry.”
Hoss nodded then headed downstairs to talk to his wife.
Mary was the first to shoot off the settee as she saw Hoss coming down.
“How’s Grandpa?”
“He’s fine. He broke his leg.”
“I’m glad he’s all right.”
Hoss smiled and turned to Jenny. “Jenny, I’m going to have to take Pa’s place in the cattle drive.”
“What about our trip?” Jenny asked.
“We’re going to have to do it when I get back.”
“You can get someone else to go on the drive,” Jenny pushed.
“No, I can’t. We can’t get anyone this late. You’re going to have to stay here too. Someone has to take care of Pa.”
“Hoss, I can’t believe you’d do this to us! You said we’d go no matter what.” Jenny said, raising her voice.
“I know, Jenny, but I have to help with this. It’s important,” Hoss argued.
“Hoss, our trip was important! Am I not important to you? We’ve hardly seen each other because you’re always here and I’m always working. This time was for us.”
“I know it was important. But these cattle are going to a very important man.”
“I don’t want to stay here. I want to go to San Francisco.”
“And we will when I get back.”
“You’ll be gone for weeks! It’ll be too late for us to go then,” Jenny yelled.
Before Hoss could reply back, Jenny turned and stormed out of the house slamming the door. Hoss looked in surprise at the door. Mary had been watching the exchange quietly. She hated the yelling and didn’t know what to think of her aunt and uncle yelling at each other. She watched as Hoss went upstairs then came down with a bedroll and then gathered food and left.
Adam walked downstairs a few minutes later.
“What was all the yelling about? Where did Hoss and Jenny go?”
“Uncle Hoss and Aunt Jenny got into an argument because Uncle Hoss is going on the cattle drive and not on the trip with Aunt Jenny. They both stormed out. Uncle Hoss has a bedroll with him,” Mary reported.
Adam sighed. “We can’t find anyone else this late.”
“That’s what Uncle Hoss told Aunt Jenny. I’m going to go talk to Uncle Hoss,” Mary said.
“Mary, this isn’t for you to get into. This is for Hoss and Jenny to work out.”
“Pa, do you think they’ll work it out? They just went two separate directions,” Mary pointed out.
“You’re right. I’ll go find Jenny and talk to her. Maybe I can explain the cattle drive to her.”
“I’ll find, Uncle Hoss. I have an idea where he’s at.”
“Good luck.”
“You too.”
Mary got on her horse and followed the tracks Hoss left. She noticed that he set Chubb off to a run. He had a head start and it was getting dark. Mary hoped she could find him.
Hoss had gone to his favorite spot. He set up camp and started a fire. He settled down and watched the fire snap and crackle. His mind went to the argument. He sighed. It was a stupid argument, and he should have been more aware of Jenny’s needs. A twig snapped and he sat up. He grabbed his gun.
“Who’s there?” he called out.
“Uncle Hoss, it’s me. It’s Mary.”
She came out of the shadows.
“Mary, what are you doing here?” Hoss asked, standing up and putting away his gun.
She walked up to the campfire and sat by him.
“How’d you find me?” Hoss asked, settling back down.
Mary gave him a look. “You’ve shown me this place many times and told me you like to come here to think. It was obvious where you’d be.”
Hoss chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I forgot.”
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Mary asked.
Hoss sighed. “You heard the argument.”
“Yes, I did and I thought you might need someone to talk to.”
“Since your Grandpa’s hurt, I have to take his place at the last minute with the cattle drive. Jenny got mad ‘cause she doesn’t understand that I have to help.”
“Well, think about this, Jenny doesn’t know much about cattle drives and what goes into it all. She does know it’ll take a long time for the drive. She’ll have to stay at the Ponderosa to help take care of Grandpa but for her safety too. I’m sure she doesn’t want to for fear of being in the way. My pa told me that my ma felt that way when you all were gone,” Mary explained.
Hoss listened and nodded. “You’re right. I’ll have to explain it to her.”
“Pa went to go talk to her. I came to talk to you. But it’s a bit too late to head home tonight,” Mary pointed out.
“You’re right. Did you bring your bedroll?”
“Of course, I did. It’s on my horse.”
Mary started to get up, but Hoss got up.
“I’ll get it.”
“You don’t need to.”
“It’s no problem.”
Hoss got Mary’s things and came back to the camp. He set it out for her.
“Thanks,” she said.
“You’re welcome, sweetie,” he replied.
“Uncle Hoss, are you mad at me and Pa?”
“For what?”
“For getting into your business with Aunt Jenny.”
Hoss smiled. “No, I’m glad you both did. You put sense in my head about it. Your pa can explain the cattle drive to Jenny better than I can.”
It was Mary’s turn to smile. Hoss waved Mary next to him and he put an arm around his niece. She leaned against him.
“I’m glad I have you to help set me straight, Mary. I know the argument was stupid. I couldn’t help but lose my temper. Guess, I’m kinda sad too that Jenny and I have to postpone our trip.”
“I understand. Let’s get some sleep and we’ll head back home in the morning.”
“Sounds good.”
Hoss let go of Mary and they got into the blankets. Mary fell asleep but Hoss stayed awake a while longer. He stared into the dying fire until he finally felt sleepy.
The morning found Hoss and Mary going to the Ponderosa. Jenny was on the porch waiting for them. When they got off their horses, Mary took care of them as Hoss went to Jenny.
“Jenny, I’m sorry for getting angry last night. Mary explained a few things to me,” Hoss apologized.
“It’s I who should apologize, Hoss. I know that this is important, and you need to go. Adam explained the cattle drive to me. I’ll stay here and take care of your father along with Mary and Jimmy. Will you forgive me for being angry?” Jenny asked.
“There’s nothing to forgive. I love you, Jenny.”
Hoss pulled her into a tight hug lifting her off the ground.
“I love you too, Hoss,” Jenny said into his vest.
Hoss, Adam, Joe and other ranch hands set off for the cattle drive the next day. The boys waved to their family as they headed east. Six weeks later, Hoss and Jenny found themselves in San Francisco at a grand hotel. It was Ben’s gift to them as well as an extra week. The couple shared smiles as they planned their activities over the next two weeks.
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.
