Summary: Hoss meets the love of his life, but his love will be tested when she’s caught in a crossfire.

Rating: PG, Word Count: 5141

To Be There

It had finally stopped snowing when the Cartwrights went out in search of Hoss’ wife. They had received a ransom for her that day. Lydia had been home alone when she had been taken. Hoss was heading to his own house from the Ponderosa when he saw the house was burned down.

“Lydia. Lydia!” He yelled.

He ran to the barn, but nobody was there. Her horse was gone too. He turned and saw a note tacked to the inside of the door. It was a ransom note. He shoved the note into his vest pocket, got on his horse and raced to the Ponderosa.

“Pa!” he called out.

Dismounting, he ran into the house.

“Pa!”

Hoss found Ben at his desk and pulled out the note.

“Pa, I found this tacked on the barn door. Our house is burned down. Lydia’s gone.”

Hoss handed the note to Ben to read.

“I know where this house is. It’s the old Jenkins place.”

“Let’s go.”

“Adam and Joe are in the barn.”

Hoss grabbed his brothers’ gun belts and took them out to his brothers, explaining about Lydia. Adam and Joe put their gun belts on and jumped on their horses.

They rode in a line across the snowy land. Ben was in front followed by Adam, Hoss and Joe. Hoss was antsy. What if they didn’t find her? What if…he didn’t want to think of the alternative. They had to find her. He pulled his coat around him. The cold bit right through the coat. He saw Adam hunch into his coat. The only sound Hoss heard was the crunching of snow under the horse’s hooves.

“How much farther, Pa?” Hoss called out.

“Not much. Just over the hill here,” Ben replied.

Suddenly, they heard shots fired.

“Lydia!” Hoss yelled kicking his horse into a run.

The four men raced to where the sounds came from. They saw the house. Jumping off their horses they rushed inside through the wide open door. They saw two bodies in the front room. Hoss and Adam explored farther into the house and found a woman dead at the top of the stairs, and another at the bottom of the stairs.

“Lydia.” Hoss whispered.

Hoss stood in shock, unable to move and praying Lydia would be all right. His thoughts turned to when he met Lydia.

The Cartwrights had a dance at the Ponderosa and there, he and Lydia had met. She was there with her friends. Lydia was the local schoolteacher and rarely went to parties because she had been busy with grading papers and planning lessons. With that, she only knew the parents of her students, and a few girls her own age. Hoss watched Lydia as she laughed at something her friend said. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her red hair was pulled up into a twist and curled. She had green eyes that seemed to sparkle. When she smiled, a dimple would appear. Adam joined Hoss’ side.

“You should ask her to dance,” Adam said.

“I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Why would she want to dance with me?”

“Hoss, it’s just a dance. You’re not asking her to marry you.”

Hoss looked at his older brother and smiled.

“You’re right.”

But Hoss still didn’t move so Adam shoved him Lydia’s way.

“Uh, Miss Lydia?” Hoss asked.

Lydia turned and smiled.

“Yes?”

“I…I wondered if you’d want to dance with me?” he stammered.

“I’d love to.”

After they danced, he got her a glass of punch and they began talking.

“May I take you home after the dance?” Hoss asked.

“Sure. I’ll go tell my friends.”

Lydia stood and spoke with her friends. Adam sidled up to Hoss again.

“See, that wasn’t so bad,” Adam teased.

“Nope. I’m gonna take her home after the dance.”

Adam’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Good for you.”

“Adam, she is the purdiest girl I ever saw,” Hoss whispered.

Adam smiled.

“That she is. If I wasn’t married, I’d go after her myself.”

“Good thing Joe is too. I’m sure I’d lose her to him.”

Adam laughed.

“You’re probably right.”

Lydia continued talking to her friends and Adam went to dance with his wife. Hoss rested his head on his hand and watched Lydia being asked by others to dance. After the dance was over, Hoss took her home. They started dating and in a whirlwind romance, they married.

“Hoss! Hoss!” Adam called, pulling Hoss out of his thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“I said, Lydia is alive.”

“She is?” Hoss asked kneeling by them.

“Yes. She’s been shot in the shoulder but she seems all right otherwise.”

Hoss breathed in relief.

“Who’s at the top of the stairs?” Hoss asked.

“I don’t know. I was more worried about Lydia,” Adam said and got up.

Hoss took care of Lydia while Adam checked on the woman upstairs. Adam had put his handkerchief on Lydia’s wound and Hoss wrapped his kerchief around her arm to keep it still. Hoss looked at her face. There were bruises and lacerations.

“Hoss.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s Megan.”

“What?”

“It’s Megan Milton. She’s the one up here.”

Hoss couldn’t believe it.

Ben and Joe joined them.

“Megan Milton’s brothers are in the front room and both are dead,” Ben reported.

“Who’s upstairs?” Joe asked.

“It’s Megan Milton,” Adam replied.

“You’re kidding. What happened here then?” Ben wondered.

“We’ll won’t find out until Lydia wakes up,” Adam said.

“So Lydia is alive?” Ben asked.

“She is. She was shot in the shoulder.”

“We must get her to the doctor.”

As Hoss started to lift Lydia, she moaned and opened her eyes.

“Hoss?” She whispered.

“I’m right here, darlin’.”

“I hurt.”

“I know. You’ve been shot.”

Lydia looked around and then panic appeared on her face and she gripped Hoss’ arm.

“Hoss, Megan kidnapped me. Please don’t let her hurt me more,” she said urgently.

“She won’t hurt you no more. Megan is dead.”

Lydia breathed a sigh of relief.

“Can you stand?”

Lydia tried but her legs wouldn’t move.

“Hoss, I can’t feel my legs,” she said looking up at him with fear in her eyes.

“It’s all right. It’s probably just from the fall,” Hoss said and picked her up.

Hoss set Lydia on Chubb’s saddle, held on to her with one hand and climbed on behind her. They then headed to Virginia City. When they got there Hoss, Adam and Lydia went to Dr. Paul Martin’s office and Joe. Ben went to Sheriff Roy Coffee’s office then they headed back to the Jenkin’s house to retrieve the bodies.

Paul removed the bullet from Lydia’s shoulder while Adam and Hoss waited in the front room. Adam paced and Hoss sat with his head in his hands, silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Adam looked at his brother and knelt in front of him.

“It’ll be all right,” Adam said softly.

“I know. If I’d only been home, none of this would have happened,” Hoss said.

“Hoss, that’s not true. Besides, if Megan didn’t do it this time, she would try another time. She was always jealous
of Lydia and tried many things to get her. Megan was crazy.”

“I remember.”

Hoss did remember and thought about it.

Megan had a crush on Hoss and was determined to end up with Hoss instead of Lydia. She had tried everything to get him to ask her out. He finally asked her to dinner so she would leave him alone. After that she became obsessed with Hoss. He had told Megan many times that he was courting Lydia and to leave them alone. Ben told Hoss that he should marry in San Francisco. Megan found out and followed the Cartwrights and Lydia. She screamed her rage and was hauled out by Adam and Joe and taken to the police. She was later released after the Cartwrights left. It had become worse after he and Lydia married. Megan made threats to Lydia when she would see her in town. Lydia would stand up against Megan but Megan was bigger than Lydia and threatened to take Lydia down. Roy told Megan to stop and threw her in jail but soon she was out again. Her brothers would pay the bail. Lydia went into town to help the new schoolteacher by tutoring some of the slower kids. Hoss tried to go to town with Lydia but at times couldn’t because of ranch work. He kept telling Lydia not to go but she was committed to helping the teacher, and went anyway.

Hoss looked at Adam.

“At least I can stop worrying about Megan coming after Lydia,” Hoss said.

“Yeah. What else is bothering you? That she could be paralyzed for life? If she is, would you love her less?”

“Adam, how can you say that?” Hoss asked surprised.

“Sorry, that’s not how I meant it. It’s true, I’ve seen it happen when my family and I lived in Boston. Many would
leave their spouse because they don’t want to take care of them anymore. Some are sent to institutions.”

“Adam, you know I would never, ever do that to Lydia. I will always be with her. I would help her wherever I could.”

“Yes, and keep remembering that. She’s going to need a lot of love, not guilt, from you. But remember too that I walked again and so did Johnny Lightly. With therapy she’ll be able to walk again,” he said fiercely.

“I promise to help her however I can,” Hoss vowed.

“I know you will and I know that Jenny and Sam will help too. I know you’re worried, Hoss but if you show you’re worried that she won’t walk again, she’ll pick up on that and feed off the fear,” Adam advised.

Hoss nodded. Just then, Paul walked out from the back and the brothers stood up.

“Lydia is fine. There were no problems with the bullet. I patched up her lacerations. There were some wounds that were harder to stop bleeding but they’ve stopped now. From what you told me of her not feeling her legs, it could be trauma from her falling down the stairs. She could regain feeling with therapy. I can send out a nurse to help if you’d like,” Paul suggested.

“No, we can do it. Thanks,” Adam replied.

“May we go see her?” Hoss asked.

“You may. She’s still unconscious. I suggest when taking her home be very careful. It could cause more trauma and possible permanent paralysis,” Paul advised.

“Yes, sir,” Hoss said.

“I’ll go and get a wagon and get plenty of blankets and other things to make it soft for her,” Adam said and left.

“Go on in to see her, Hoss.”

“Thanks.”

Hoss went back to see Lydia. He sat next to her and watched her breathing. Her face had bandages on the lacerations and the bruises. He took her hand and lightly rubbed it. Lydia stirred and looked at Hoss.

“Hi,” he whispered.

“Hi back,” she replied.

“I’m afraid to ask how you are?” he chuckled softly.

“I’m all right.”

“Do you remember what happened?”

Lydia looked around trying to remember what happened to her.

“I don’t remember. I may later, but right now, I just don’t. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. Don’t try to push to remember,” Hoss said squeezing her hand in reassurance.

She nodded.

“Our house is gone. It was burned. We’ll probably end up staying at the Ponderosa. Will you be all right with that?”

“Of course I will. Anywhere you are that’s where I want to be.”

Hoss kissed her.

They were interrupted by the door opening and Ben, Joe, Adam and Paul walking in.

“We’ve got a wagon for Lydia and it’s padded,” Adam said.

“All right,” Hoss replied.

“We got another wagon for the wheelchair,” Ben added.

“May we take her home now?” Hoss asked.

“Yes, you may,” Paul replied.

Hoss carefully picked up Lydia and took her to the wagon. Adam got up in the wagon and took Lydia from Hoss and carefully laid her down. They got everything situated and ready to go. Paul gave Ben medicine for Lydia. They tied Adam’s, Hoss’ and Joe’s horses to the wagons. Adam drove the one carrying Hoss and Lydia. Joe drove the other with the wheelchair. Hoss prayed the wagon ride wouldn’t be bad.

When they got home, Sam, Jenny and the kids ran out of the house when they heard the wagons.

“You’re all home. We’ve been worried,” Jenny said to Adam.

“Did you find Lydia?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, she’s in the back,” Adam replied and jumped off the wagon and went to the back of the wagon to help Hoss.

Hoss carefully lifted Lydia and handed her to Adam and climbed out of the wagon.

“Do you want her in your old room?” Adam asked.

“Yeah,” came Hoss’ dull reply.

He was worried about Lydia and couldn’t wait to get her settled and get things figured out. Hoss followed Adam upstairs while the others waited downstairs.

“Thanks, Adam,” Lydia said.

“You’re welcome. Can we have Hop Sing bring you up something? We’ll figure out everything else tomorrow. We just need to get you settled in,” Adam asked.

“Sure. Maybe just some broth. I’m not that hungry but I think I can handle that,” Lydia replied.

Adam smiled and left the couple alone.

“Hoss, are you all right?” Lydia asked looking at him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?” Hoss asked.

“Because you’ve been awful quiet.”

Hoss drew in a deep breath and blew it out.

“I’m fine. I really am. I’m just grateful you’re alive. I was scared when I saw the house burned down and you gone.”

He took her hand.

“I know. I wish I could remember what happened. But right now I just can’t. Maybe it’ll come back some time. I know you want answers.”

“We all do.”

A knock came at the door and Hoss opened it. Adam came in with a tray. Hoss helped Lydia sit up more. He had tried being careful but had knocked her arm accidently. She sucked in a breath.

“I am so sorry, Lydia,” he apologized profusely.

“It’s all right,” she said breathing again.

“Hoss, Hop Sing has made a pot roast if you’d care for any. You can eat up here,” Adam offered.

Hoss looked at Adam.

“I’m not hungry. I’ll just help Lydia.”

“If you need anything you know where we are,” Adam said and left.

“Hoss, you can go eat with the family,” Lydia said.

“You’re my family. Besides, with that arm of yours, you need help,” Hoss pointed out.

Lydia smiled and nodded. Hoss helped Lydia eat.

That night, Lydia dreamed about what happened. She screamed for help, but nobody came. She continued to
scream and fight but still nobody came. She screamed in her sleep and woke Hoss up when she punched him in the back.

“Lydia. Lydia, wake up,” Hoss said trying to her up.

Lydia finally woke up and looked around and saw Hoss with a concerned look on his face.

“Lydia, what were you dreamin’ about?” Hoss asked.

Lydia tried to remember it. Before she could say anything a knock came at the door. Hoss got up and answered the door. The candle reflected Ben’s worried face.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, Lydia just had a nightmare.”

“All right. I just wanted to see if everything was all right.”

“Thanks, Pa,” Hoss said then shut the door.

He sat back in bed and saw Lydia sobbing.

“What was your dream about?” He asked again.

“It was about the kidnapping. I remember it all now, Hoss.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Lydia nodded.

“When I was at home, I was upstairs cleaning and heard a knock on the door. I went down to answer it and Megan was standing there with her brothers. I tried to slam the door on her, but they kicked it open and they came after me. I grabbed the broom and hit one of them. They got mad and attacked me. I fought them but they hit me over and over. I finally gave up and followed them. I got on my horse and that’s when they set fire to the house. I did try to break free a few times, but they’d still catch me then hit me. When we got to the house, they put me upstairs just in case someone came. Megan said she was going to kill me in front of you. She was to be yours and she was going to force you to marry her. I was so scared. I started digging around in the room. There were a lot of things just left behind. I found a gun in there. I don’t know why anyone would leave a gun, and even the bullets, but it was there. I picked the lock on the door and snuck out. Her brothers saw me and started shooting. I got hit in the shoulder, but I shot them both. Megan had been in another room upstairs and came out of there. She saw her brothers and threatened to kill me. She grabbed my arm and we struggled over the gun. It went off and hit her. As she fell, she pushed me, and I fell down the stairs,” Lydia explained then sobbed.

Hoss held her and rocked her side to side. He couldn’t believe she had gone through that. Guilt washed over him.
He should have stayed home or taken her with him to the Ponderosa. She finally fell asleep but he didn’t sleep well thinking of Lydia.

The next morning, Hoss carried Lydia downstairs, put her in the wheelchair and rolled her to the table for breakfast next to Ben.

“Good morning,” Ben greeted.

“Morning. How are you?” Lydia asked.

“Fine. Adam and Joe are coming with their families. They thought about starting your therapy today or at least talking about it. Are you all right with that?” Ben asked.

“Of course. It will be good to get started,” Lydia replied happily.

“I do apologize that we did talk about this without you present.”

Lydia waved Ben off. “Ben, it’s all right. I don’t mind. I don’t think I was in the right mind to even know what you were all saying.”

Hoss was silent through the discussion and watched his wife. He couldn’t believe she was laughing and happy after her nightmare. Was she really effected by it? Hoss didn’t know what to think.

“Hoss?” Ben asked.

“Yeah?”

“Are you all right? You seem a bit distant.”

“I’m fine,” Hoss lied.

Lydia looked at Hoss worriedly. He did look tired and she knew why. She felt guilty for that because of the nightmare and remembering what happened. She turned to her father-in-law and told him what happened to her. Ben sat stunned.

“That’s why I woke up screaming last night.”

“Lydia, I’m so sorry you went through that.”

He took her hand that had been on the table. Lydia smiled. Hop Sing brought out breakfast and they began to eat. Just then Joe and his family came in.

“Hiya everyone,” Joe greeted.

“Hi, Joe. We’re just about to sit down to breakfast. Care to join us?” Ben asked.

“No, we just had breakfast,” Joe replied but sat down at the table anyway.

Sam and the kids followed. Joe had three children: Fredrick Benjamin, Alexander and Rose Marie. They sat and talked about different goings on. Adam and his family walked in and joined the family. Adam had three kids: Abel Benjamin, Maxwell, and Sarah Elizabeth. Hoss still watched Lydia as she laughed and smiled at what everyone was saying. He was so baffled at her. He had thought she’d be depressed and withdrawn into herself with what happened. He was impressed though. Impressed she still moved on and laughed.

“I’d best go get a few chores done,” Hoss said.

He stood and left without so much as a goodbye or even a kiss to Lydia. She watched him leave and started to worry about him. Thoughts swirled around her mind of what he could be feeling with the revelation of what had
happened to her. She turned back to her family. Adam got up and said he’d go help Hoss.

After breakfast, the girls decided to start therapy. They decided to do it in the spare bedroom just off by the dining room. It would be quieter and more private. Joe had put down a few blankets on the floor to make it more comfortable and then laid her on the floor.

“If you gals need anything just yell, I’ll come runnin’,” Joe said before leaving.

Sam and Jenny got to work on helping Lydia.

“We’ll leave the leg rubbing to Hoss,” Jenny said.

“All right,” Lydia said in a low tone.

“Lydia, what’s wrong?” Sam asked laying Lydia’s left leg down.

“It’s Hoss.”

“What about him? Has he said anything of leaving you?”

“No, he hasn’t. I told him what happened to me. I finally remembered after a nightmare I had last night. He’s
suddenly distant,” Lydia said and then told her sisters-in-law the story of her kidnapping.

They sat stunned.

“That really happened?” Jenny asked.

Lydia nodded as tears rolled down the side of her face.

“But they didn’t attempt anything on you did they?” Sam asked.

“No, they didn’t. I was surprised. They just beat me was all.”

“But why would Hoss be distant because of that?” Jenny asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I killed three people.”

Lydia wiped her tears.

“It’ll be all right. Now let’s work on those legs some more.” Sam said.

They continued the therapy.

That night the family gathered in the living room chatting. Adam brought out his guitar and they sang a few songs. The girls harmonized on the songs.

“May I borrow your guitar, Adam?” Lydia asked.

“Sure.”

Adam got up and handed her his guitar. She started playing “Slumber My Darling” and sang it. Afterwards she played and sang “Beautiful Dreamer”. Everyone clapped when she was done. Adam took the guitar back.

“Thank you for playing those,” Adam said.

“You’re welcome.”

“We’d best get going and get these kids to bed,” Adam said.

The kids moaned.

“Why not just stay here? It’ll be fun to sleep over. You all can have your old rooms and the children can have the guestroom upstairs,” Ben suggested.

Adam looked at Jenny and Joe at Sam. The women nodded and the children cheered. They rushed upstairs to change into their pajamas. They always had an extra pair of clothes for everyone in case they did stay over. Lydia covered a yawn.

“I’d better get to bed too. I’ll just stay in this room here. It’ll be easier,” Lydia said and rolled in there before Hoss could say anything.

He had again been distant with her. Hoss watched her not knowing what made her want to sleep in another room. The others looked at Hoss. He looked at them and got up and followed Lydia.

“Lydia?”

“Yeah.”

Hoss came in and closed the door.

“What’s wrong?”

“I should ask you that question,” she said in a tight voice.

“What?”

“Hoss, you were fine with me this morning and then your brothers come and you become distant. You don’t talk to me. You don’t even kiss me. Are you disgusted by me because I can’t walk? If so, then take me to Virginia City and I’ll have the doctor help me,” she snapped but still fought tears.

Hoss looked at her and sat on the bed next to her to look her in the eyes.

“I am not disgusted by you. I couldn’t believe that after you told me what happened to you and even the nightmare, you were able to laugh and talk about other things. I figured it would have scared you and you wouldn’t be laughing. I am sorry I made you feel that way.”

Tears rolled down Hoss’ face. Lydia crumbled seeing her husband cry.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized.

He picked her up and set her on his lap and they held each other.

“From now on, we’ll communicate better,” Lydia said pulling away and looking at him with a smile.

“You bet,” Hoss said wiping her tears then kissing her.

He held her after they pulled away.

Weeks and even a month went by with Lydia pushing herself daily with therapy. Some days she’d get frustrated because she still couldn’t walk. A new snow fell, and they decided to go on a sleigh ride. Hoss carried Lydia to the sleigh and covered her with blankets. Adam and Joe did the same to their wives. Ben said he’d take care of the kids so the adults could have a break. They climbed in and started off with Adam driving. They talked and laughed. Lydia breathed in deep the cold air. It felt so good to be outside.

That night, Lydia dreamed she was being attacked by Megan and she stabbed Lydia in the legs. She screamed in pain.

“Hoss will never love you because you can’t walk and are now disfigured,” Megan taunted.

Hoss was next to Megan and said Megan was correct. He loved Megan now because she could walk. Lydia lay in the pool of blood and cried out for Hoss to come back.

“Lydia, Lydia. Honey, wake up,” a distant voice said.

Lydia woke up in hysterics.

“My legs. My legs hurt. Stop the pain. Stop her from stabbing me.”

“Lydia, you’re safe.”

Then he processed the part about her legs.

“Can you feel your legs?”

Lydia stopped and thought about it. She pulled the covers off and moved her legs. They moved just slightly.

“Rub my legs.”

Hoss did as he was told.

“Hoss, I can feel them!” She said in excitement.

There was a knock on the door and Hoss opened it.

“Everything all right in here?” Adam asked.

“Yes. Sorry we didn’t mean to wake you. Lydia had a bad dream.”

“All right,” Adam said and went back to bed.

Hoss shut the door.

“Why didn’t you tell Adam about my legs?” Lydia asked.

“I want it to be a surprise. Let’s get you moving a bit,” Hoss said.

“It’s the middle of the night!” She said.

“Come on. I can’t sleep now.”

He went around the bed and helped her stand. He held onto her to keep her steady. She walked a little bit. It was wobbly and he had to help keep her standing.

“You’re doing it. You’re walking,” Hoss said in excitement.

“Not well but it’s something,” Lydia replied.

They worked on her walking for about an hour and Lydia could go no longer. He helped her back into bed and they fell asleep.

The next morning Hoss and Lydia walked downstairs. Hoss held onto Lydia again as she shakily walked down the stairs. The family had been talking and didn’t notice them coming down until Ben looked up when he heard a slap on the railing and a gasp. Lydia had tripped on the stairs and grabbed the railing. Hoss tightened his hold on her.

“Lydia, you’re walking!” Ben exclaimed.

“Not very well. I need Hoss to hold me up,” Lydia said smiling.

“Is that what the screaming was last night? Your legs hurt?” Adam asked.

“Yeah and a bad dream. Sorry about that.”

“It’s all right,” Adam said waving it off.

Hoss helped Lydia walk to the dining room table.

“It’ll take time but I think she’ll walk with more therapy,” Hoss said.

He looked proud of Lydia.

“I need to start rebuilding the house some time. We can’t live here forever,” Hoss said.

“I don’t see why you can’t,” Ben said. He had been lonely without the boys living in the house.

“I feel like I’ve been under foot,” Lydia said.

“You haven’t. It’s been good to have all of my family here,” Ben replied.

Lydia took Ben’s hand and gently squeezed it.

“It has been nice to be here,” she said.

Hoss, Joe and Adam had gone out to clean up the mess from the burned house to rebuild.

“I think Pa is lonely,” Hoss said.

“What makes you say that?” Joe asked.

“Because of how he said we didn’t have to rebuild, and it was good we were all there,” Hoss pointed out.

“You’re right, but we’re not that far away though,” Joe said.

“It’s still not the same to him. He has breakfast alone. The house is quiet, besides the noise from Hop Sing in the kitchen,” Hoss said.

The boys were quiet thinking about it and cleaned up.

Lydia continued walking around with the help of Sam and Jenny. The kids were running around the house yelling and screaming. Freddie ran into Sam and Abel ran into Jenny which they let go of Lydia and she fell on the floor.

“Abel and Freddie, take your siblings outside and play. You’ve caused enough problems in here. Apologize to Aunt Lydia get outside,” Jenny said angrily.

The boys hung their heads and apologized.

“Come on Rosie, Max and Sarah,” Abel said.

The kids followed the boys.

“Are you all right? Sam asked helping Lydia up.

“Yeah. Can you take me upstairs? I need to sleep. This has worn me out.”

“Of course,” Sam said and they helped her upstairs.

About an hour later, the brothers came in and everyone, but Lydia was inside doing quiet activities.

“Where’s Lydia?” Hoss asked.

“She’s upstairs sleeping,” Jenny said.

He went upstairs to see her. He quietly opened the door and saw her asleep. Her right hand was on her stomach moving up and down with her breathing. Her left hand by her head. Her red hair splayed out on the pillow. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have a beautiful woman for a wife. He walked in and went to the side of the bed and lightly kissed her forehead. Lydia stirred and woke up looking at him. She smiled.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi. How are you doing?”

“Doing all right.”

She sat up.

“Care to go downstairs?” Hoss asked.

“In a minute. I just want to have you for myself for a bit.”

He smiled and went around onto his side of the bed and held her.

Time passed and Lydia had finally regained use of her legs and she was able to walk by herself. They celebrated with another dance. Hoss danced every dance with her. He loved dancing with her and she with him. Lydia was happy to be able to walk again. The house was finished being built and the couple moved in. They sat on the couch that night as Hoss held her and he kissed her. How happy Lydia was that Hoss loved her no matter what happened.

 

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.