Summary: Use “Brandy (you’re a fine girl)”, “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” for inspiration.
Rating: G, Word Count: 2981
Brandy
Leaning back in bed, Adam Cartwright watched his wife, Melissa, get herself ready for bed. He never tired of watching her brush her long hair or standing and turning from side-to-side looking in the mirror to be sure her gown fit just right before she slipped into bed beside him. No matter how much he teased her about wanting to look good to sleep, her routine didn’t change. Well, it didn’t change except she now often used her hands to smooth the gown over the expanding belly she had. Adam liked looking at that too.
“Brandy said she helped on the farm when her mother had the younger ones. It’s reassuring to know someone here was present when a baby was born.”
“Sorry, but I was much too young when Hoss squeezed himself out, and far too embarrassed to be anywhere near there when Joe popped out.”
“From what I’ve heard, babies don’t pop out. Brandy was telling me a little about it. It’s good to have someone who can explain things to me.” After turning down the lamp, Melissa snuggled back into the warm spot next to Adam as he raised the covers for her and then lowered them over her pulling her against him.
“I’m sorry your mother chose to travel instead of staying here with you for these last few months, but I am glad you and Brandy are getting on so well. I always liked Brandy and thought she had no place working in a saloon. Her family needed money with all those children to feed and clothe, and she thought she had no other options.”
“Now she does, and she learns quickly. Tutoring her is helping me too. I have to refresh my own knowledge to make sure I’m teaching her in the right things. By the time you have our house finished and the baby is here, we’ll be all set to go. Once you get your business going, she will be a big help to both of us. That is, she will be if your brother doesn’t claim her away from us too soon.”
“Is it that serious?”
“All she can do sometimes is talk about him and how much she admires him, how handsome he is, and how sweet. Then she’ll say how she isn’t good enough for him.”
“What do you tell her then?”
“I just said to her, ‘Brandy, you’re a fine girl!’ Of course, I have to say that quite often. She doesn’t believe it yet.”
“No, I suppose not. People who’ve been beaten down can take some time to learn to hold their head up high again. I hope my brother can see that and will be nice to her.”
“Nice? I hope he plans on a lot more than that. That girl loves him. I don’t know if he knows how much though.”
“I don’t know. Joe has had a hard time making a commitment to one lady.”
“Joe? No, Brandy adores Hoss. I think she may love him.”
“Hoss? But Joe is the one who is interested in Brandy. He told me so when he thought I was stepping out on you and seeing Brandy.”
“No, she’s never mentioned Joe. She goes on and on about Hoss.”
“And Hoss will never reciprocate if he thinks he’s interfering with Joe.”
Both were silent for a short time. Then almost in unison, they spoke. “We’ve got a problem.”
Hoss walked into the saloon and saw Good Time Charlie. Charlie was a friend of Hoss’ and everyone else’s and was always around someone when he was in the saloon. They had nicknamed him Good Time Charlie because he always had a good time with others and they with him. Today, Charlie was alone and that worried Hoss.
The big man sat next to Charlie who was nursing a beer and staring off into space.
“Charlie?” Hoss asked.
Charlie snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Hoss.
“Oh, hi, Hoss. How are you?”
“I’m fine. How are you?”
“I’m all right.”
“Something’s wrong, Charlie, I can tell.” Charlie sighed.
“Do you see Brandy there?” Hoss looked over at the saloon girl sitting on the lap of another patron.
“Yeah.”
“I’ve started liking her, but she only sees me as another patron. That Brandy is a fine girl.”
“Yes, she is. Do you want me to talk to her for you?”
Charlie looked at Hoss in alarm. “Please, no. She would just laugh. I am just a nobody. I’m just a rancher who doesn’t have much. She wants the finer things of life.”
“How do you know?” Hoss asked.
“Look at her. She’s with other men who have money. I can’t give her the life she wants.”
“And what’s the life she wants? Have you even asked her?”
“Well, no.”
“Charlie, Brandy may want the simple life. She’s working here because it’s the only thing she knows. Her sister was a saloon girl before she married Michael. She’s talked to me about what she wants. Go up to her and ask her to go to dinner. You’ll be surprised at the answer,” Hoss said as he stood up and left.
Charlie looked at Brandy and decided to do as Hoss suggested.
As time went on, Hoss didn’t see Charlie or Brandy when he’d go to the saloon. One day, Brandy ran up to Hoss as Hoss walked out of the mercantile.
“Hoss, guess what?”
“What?”
“Charlie has asked me to marry him. Can you believe it? I’ve always admired him but didn’t think he liked me.”
“That’s wonderful!” Hoss said hugging her.
Charlie ambled up next to Brandy.
“I guess Brandy told you our good news?”
“She did. Congratulations to both of you. When’s the wedding?”
“Next month. I hope you’ll be my best man.”
“You bet I will.”
“Excuse me, I need to go get a few things,” Brandy said and walked in the store.
“You were right, Hoss. It was what she wanted. I plucked up the courage and asked her to dinner. We talked and she told me what her dreams were and we spent time together and got to know each other. I want to thank you for helping me Hoss. I will forever be indebted to you,” Charlie said.
“Aw, I knew you needed help in the right direction. You did the rest,” Hoss replied modestly.
“I’d better go join Brandy. Thanks again,” Charlie walked in the store.
A month later, Charlie and Brandy were married, and Hoss watched them ride away to start their new life. He couldn’t be any happier for his friends.
Song and LyricsFor the Love of a Sailor
Dipping a cloth back into the cool water, Joe squeezed it out and wiped it around the older lady’s face again.
“Come on Brandy, wake up.”
While speaking soothing words to her his thoughts drifted over their relationship. Earlier in the year he’d seen her at the San Francisco port, staring out to sea and fingering a silver necklace. Over time they became close friends despite her advanced years. He paid for better lodging and food for her, and visited when he was in town. As they shared life stories she learned about his family, and begged to meet them.
His soft voice and gentle ministrations finally brought her around. As she pushed herself upward against the pillows, Joe moved from the bed to a chair.
“You came back.”
“I promised I would. Just took a bit longer due to bad weather on the cattle drive.” Dampening the cloth again he leaned toward her, but she pushed his hand away.
“I’m fine now, just tired.” Her hand instinctively touched the delicate silver locket and chain around her neck, making sure it was still there. Joe watched the action, recalling their last visit when she finally told him the story of the necklace, a story she needed to tell his family.
She caught him staring. Her frown added a few creases to her already wrinkled face as she studied his hazel eyes, realizing a truth in them.
“They’re here, aren’t they?”
“Yes. Waiting outside.”
“Have you told them?”
“No, not really. But I will if you want me to.”
She sighed slowly, letting her eyes drift closed as she fingered the necklace. “You’re afraid my story will hurt them.”
“I-I don’t know. Will it?”
“No, Joe. It was too long ago.”
He noticed the sadness return to her eyes. Reaching over he touched her cheek, smiling. “Brandy, you’re a fine girl…I mean…” They both laughed. “Well, you know what I mean. You’re a fine woman, and I’m proud to have gotten to know you.”
“Oh Joe, if there were a few less years between us…” She touched his hand. “You have been a good friend to me. I’m thankful to the powers which brought us together. And thank you for helping me all these months, and letting me share my story.” She took a slow breath. “And now I must meet your family.”
A moment later, he was introducing his father and brothers to Brandy. She asked Ben and Adam to sit near her, as she explained that she had a story to share with them.
Joe sat near Hoss, listening to her gentle voice as she began to share her story about a young girl who served whiskey to sailors in a distant port. Each lonely man, drawn in by her expressive eyes, told her she’d make a good wife. One day she did fall in love with a sailor. He held a love for her as well as the sea. After a time, the sea won. On his last night in port, he gave her a braided chain and locket made from the finest silver from the north of Spain as a remembrance of his love for her. She always wore the locket bearing his name, knowing she’d never love another, and never did.
One fateful day a lifetime later, she crossed paths with a young man whose stories about his father and brother from New England helped her make a final connection with her one and only love.
As she lay dying, she told her story to the son-in-law and grandson of Abel Stoddard.
Rescuing Brandy
Brandy knew that soon she’d need to start supper so it’d be ready when the men arrived. Jake always guarded her, preventing her escape. One day was like another, and she’d some time ago given up hope of seeing her family again. She’d been kidnapped on her way home from teaching school several months ago to keep house for the men who she later learned were the Hogan Gang. Thankfully, they’d never touched her. None had even demanded a kiss. She was petrified of them and didn’t even know where she was.
She’d been caught unaware, surrounded by five armed men and immediately gagged and blindfolded. They rode for hours. Due to the cloudy sky she couldn’t even tell the direction because there was no warmth of the sun to tell her which way they were going. There was no escape possible, then or later. Brandy hoped her mare found her way home. From what she’d overheard, they were more concerned about being considered horse thieves than kidnappers. She shuddered every time she realized that they thought a horse more valuable than a person.
Suddenly there was a commotion outside. She heard horses arriving, and then Jake yelled. When the gunfire erupted, she flattened herself on the floor, hoping to avoid a stray bullet. Her heart was pounding as she worried what was next. Although it was only a minute or two, it felt like an eternity until there was complete silence.
She heard someone walking into the front room and steeled herself for a bullet or rough treatment.
Instead, she heard a gentle, “Ma’m, are you alright? I won’t hurt ya none.”
After taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and looked into the gentle eyes of a giant. He looked her over, but instead of the appraisal the Hogans always used that made her feel like chattel, she only saw compassion.
“Ma’m, are you hurt?”
Brandy shook her head.
“I’m Hoss Cartwright. Me and my brothers are part of the posse chasing the Hogan Gang. Can you tell me your name?”
“Brandy Walsh.”
Just then another man came in. “Hoss, who’s the lady?”
“Clem, her name’s Brandy Walsh. Miss Walsh, this is the Virginia City sheriff, Clem Foster.”
Clem offered her his hand. “Ma’m, are you the teacher who disappeared from Reno a few months ago?”
Brandy just nodded.
“Clem, I think she’s in shock. Do you feel up to going to town so we can let your family know and get you checked by the doc?”
She nodded. Outside, she was introduced to several men in the posse. Their names swirled around her, but her eyes fixed on one young man with red hair. His name was Jamie, and he asked if she could ride. When she nodded yes, he gently guided her to a horse.
He softly spoke so that only she could hear, “Whatever happened, Miss Brandy you are a fine girl. Or maybe I should say a fine lady.”
She was overcome with thankfulness and buried her head in his shoulder, sobbing. He comforted her until she stopped crying and then helped her mount a gentle horse. They rode side-by-side to Virginia City. He told her how the gang had robbed the bank, and the posse backtracked to their hideout. Before they reached town, she was softly talking to him.
Over the next few months Jamie and Brandy shared letters, and later he visited her family as often as possible. It wasn’t surprising to their families that the next year after they’d both turned twenty-one Jamie proposed, and Brandy accepted.
Based on song Brandy – You’re a fine girl. The story is not yet titled. There will be more to come at some point.
The scent of smoke heightened Hoss’ senses as he approached the line shack. It would soon be dark and he was not expecting it to be occupied. However, it was not unusual for the shacks to be used by those passing through. He had made the day long journey to restock and make simple repairs in preparation for the upcoming cold weather.
Hoss reined the team to a stop keeping a careful eye at the windows of the shack. He released his pistol from its safety loop and got down making sure not to turn his back to the shack.
“Halloo! Anybody here?”
Hoss pretended to adjust the harness while standing behind the team. Hearing nothing, he proceeded to the door.
“Hey there! Somebody in the shack?”
He cocked his head when he thought he heard movement inside. Hoss continued forward when all was again silent, his hand hovering over his revolver.
“Jest want ya to know I’m comin’ in.”
He lifted the latch and cautiously pushed the door back. As he set foot inside, Hoss was immediately assaulted with sticks and cans.
“Whoa! Whoa! Hold up there!”
Hoss wrenched the largest weapon from the hands of the oldest of three children who then all backed away, wide-eyed, seeing the big man’s full size up close.
“There now. That’s better.”
Hoss blew out a breath and set the large stick he was now holding to the side. He took in the sight before him, a girl and two boys, dirty, but otherwise well-clothed and obviously healthy enough to put up a good fight.
Hoss held up his hands as if surrendering. “FIrst off, I ain’t gonna hurt you young’uns. I’m jest real surprised to find ya here, that’s all. Are ya all by yur lonesome?”
The children remained silent, their expressions fearful and untrusting. Hoss scanned the room and saw no food on the table.
“How ‘bout this? I got a basket of chicken and biscuits in my wagon. I’m gettin’ real hungry. Don’t that sound good?”
The younger of the boys looked up at his sister with pleading eyes. “Brandy, I’m hungry.”
“Hush, Toby! I’ll get you some food real soon!” The girl with amber hair scolded her little brother.
“I’ll jest go get that basket. There’s plenty to share. You can watch me out the window so ya know I’m tellin’ ya the truth. Alright?”
The boys nodded, but their sister remained skeptical. True to his word, Hoss returned with a large basket heaped with some of Hop Sing’s finest which he spread out onto the small table. The boys eager looks let him know they were more than ready for a good meal. Brandy grabbed at her stomach when the growls betrayed her need and desire as well.
The boys plowed into the food and then grew sleepy with their bellies filled. Brandy watched with uncertainty as Hoss gently placed each lad in the cot and covered them with a fresh new blanket he had brought from the ranch house. He carefully tucked the boys in as they curled up side by side. When he turned around he saw the tears in Brandy’s eyes before she dropped her head to avoid his gaze. Hoss had the feeling that the wall between them was about to come down.
“Poor little tykes are all tuckered out.” Hoss sat down and remained quiet for a moment. “Brandy yur a fine gal — a good big sis ta yur brothers. How ‘bout ya tell me how ya got here and what happened ta yur folks.”
