Summary: A Spring community picnic, a young girl, and a Cartwright all make for an Unforgettable Day.
Rating: G, Word Count: 913

The Unforgettable Day

The picnic was in full swing at the Ponderosa. After a long and difficult winter, everyone was glad that Spring had arrived. The warm weather was a welcome sight along with the beauty that Spring brought. Everyone had enjoyed the food that the ladies and Hop Sing had prepared. The men were involved in a game of horseshoes, the children were running, throwing a ball and playing hide and seek. The ladies, as usual, were catching up on the latest gossip.

Adam smiled as he watched everyone having a wonderful time. He chuckled as he watched Little Joe trying to pull a fast one on Hoss in a game of cards. Roy walked over and clasped Adam by the shoulder.

“Adam, it’s good to see you. Looks like everyone is having a good time.” Roy smiled as he stood next to him.

“Roy, it’s good to see you as well. It’s always a pleasure to have you here at the Ponderosa. So far, everything is going well. But, that depends on if Hoss catches on to what Joe is doing.” Adam laughed while pointing to where Little Joe and Hoss were engaged in a fierce battle of cards.

Roy shook his head and laughed, “Adam, I believe you’re right. Little Joe will be in a lot of trouble if Hoss notices that he is cheating. By the way, have you seen your pa? I haven’t seen him in awhile.”

Adam looked around and noticed that Ben wasn’t there. “I’m sure that Pa is fine. He’s probably out taking a stroll. He’ll be back shortly.”

Roy gave Adam a handshake and laughed, “I’m sure that Ben is doing just that. I’ll have to catch him when he gets back.”

Sitting by the pond enjoying the cool breeze, Ben was watching the dragonflies dance upon the water. After a busy week, the stillness had a calming effect. Breathing in deeply, he relaxed in the fresh air. Everywhere he looked, he could see the beauty of spring. Frankly, Ben was glad to get away from the picnic.

For some time now, a certain young lady by the name of Priscilla seemed to have taken a shine to him. To make matters worse, she was the daughter of a family which had just moved to Virginia City and she was a few years younger than Little Joe. Ben had tried everything to turn her attention from him and to the younger men who were her age, but to no avail. Things were getting pretty obvious to the point that her parents were starting to take notice. Hoping that soon she would turn her attention to someone else, Ben sighed as he leaned back into the grass.

All of sudden, his solitude was interrupted by the scattering of stones. Ben looked up and groaned to himself as he saw Priscilla standing at the top of the hill, waving, looking down like a cat would when it saw a delicious treat. The young lady then started to slip and screamed. Quickly, Ben ran up the hill to try to keep her from falling. Alas, right when he got to her, she fell into his arms and they both fell and rolled to the bottom, landing a few inches from the water. When the dust settled, Ben was horrified as he saw that Priscilla’s hair was in disarray and her bodice was torn. Priscilla had a small, sly smile on her face as she looked at him, her fingers gently touching the hair on his chest that was peeking out from his torn shirt.

Priscilla’s scream alarmed everyone and brought them running in her direction. As luck would have it Priscilla’s father and brothers were at the front of the crowd. Everyone had a look of shock on their faces and began murmuring among themselves.

“Benjamin Cartwright, you, you…” was all that Priscilla’s father could say as he looked down at them. Ben could feel the sweat pop out on his face and chills run up and down his back.

Priscilla snuggled even closer to Ben, wrapping her arms around him. With a smug smile on her face, she announced: “Papa, Benjamin and I are going to get married!”

Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe showed up just in time to hear what Priscilla said. Hoss and Little Joe stood frozen with their mouths wide open and Adam had a smirk as they saw the predicament that Pa was in. Adam was the only one to say anything.

“Pa, should I go and get the minister?”

“I would rather drown myself in the lake!”

“Ben, you don’t have to do that.”

Roy pushed his way through the crowd. “I saw the whole thing and I can tell you for sure that Priscilla fell on purpose down the hill.”

Priscilla’s mother immediately grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up the hill. “This isn’t the first time that she has pulled a stunt like this! I am taking her home and she will be dealt with when we get there!”

Priscilla’s father and brother profusely apologized to Ben for what he had been put through.

While Roy guided the rest of the onlookers away, Ben closed his eyes and took in a shaky breath. A hand rested on his shoulder.

“Are you alright, Pa?”

Ben glanced up the now empty hill, back at the peaceful lake, then to his worried son. “I am now. Thanks. Let’s go home.”

 

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.