Summary:  A little bit of England visits the Ponderosa
Rating:  G  1,660 words

Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Bonanza

 ~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~ 

DAY 17

Just a Dream, Maybe Not

     On a rainy day, Adam found himself wondering if this was how it always was in England- a constant drizzle that felt more annoying than refreshing. He tugged his coat tighter around him ,pulling his hat down over his eyes with a groan of frustration.” Hello, hello” Adam heard the voice over the sound of the pouring rain. As the downpour intensified ,he wondered if he was imaging things. Looking around he saw no-one until a little figure caught his attention. Glancing down ,he spotted a yellow mackintosh-clad bear. To himself, he muttered, “I know that the beer is strong here, but I only had two.”

“My name is Paddington Bear and I am from Peru.” the bear announced surprising Adam with his ability to talk. Adam blinked trying to clear his vision.

“I’m  Adam and I’m from America.”

“Wow ,we’re both far from home. “Paddington replied. “I live just down the street ,I saw you coming out from the window and thought to myself, I’ll be a good Christmas spirit and help him out.” Adam nodded shivering with the cold as he was soaked to the skin. “Lets get you to a warm fire.” Paddington said. Reaching under his hat, he pulled out a sticky marmalade sandwich, offering it to Adam, “Just in case you’re hungry.” Adam “I’m good ,thanks anyway.”

Bracing against the wind, the rain stung Adam’s face like sharp pine needles as he and Paddington walked towards the house. Once  inside ,the sight of a blazing fireplace immediately warmed him everything felt so cozy. Adam removed his boots and peeled off his wet outer clothes, taking a moment to look around. To his surprise ,the place was already beautifully decorated for Christmas.

“Mr. and Mrs. Brown will be back shortly from the shops.” Paddington announced.

“Will they be upset that you brought a stranger home?” Adam asked with concern in his voice. Paddington shook his head reassuringly. Just as Adam settled into a comfy chair, the Browns walked in, filling the room with friendly chattering. Adam quickly got up to greet them, Mr. Brown waved his hand, “No need to get up young fellow, sit, sit.”

Mrs. Brown chimed in ‘I’ll make a pot of tea, something to warm us up.” Mr. Brown turned to Adam with a kind smile. “I have a bathrobe you can use ,it will be a tight fit, but at least you’ll be dry. ” After a few cups of tea and the cozy warmth of the fire soothing his feet and body. Mr. Brown announced “I’m going to see Mr. Gruber to see if he has any extra togs in the shop that might fit Adam.”

“That sounds wonderful,”Mrs. Brown replied ‘I’ll get the evening tea ready, Paddington, you keep our guest company.” “I’d love that!” Adam grateful for the hospitality, he was starting  to really like the company of this little bear with a big heart.

Paddington looked up at Adam ,his eyes shining with curiosity. “So what’s your story?” Adam thought for a second, a smile spreading across his face “Well, I come from a small town in America, its pretty different from here ,much drier. For one thing I’ve always wanted to visit England ,the history ,the culture, it is fascinating to me.”

Paddington smiled as he recalled his past.’ You see, Adam. I was orphaned by an earthquake  and my aunt Lucy took care of me, but when she had to move to a retirement home for bears in Lima, she made the hardest decision of her life -she sent me to London. I arrived at Paddington Station with a small suitcase, her recipe for marmalade jam and a note pinned to my coat “Please take care of this bear. Thank You.” Adam looked at Paddington with wide eyes “That must have been so lonely for you.”

Adam looked at Paddington with a mix of sadness and empathy. “I never knew my mother ,she died giving birth to me.” he said softly .”I had two stepmothers after that but they too have passed away. The only family that I have is grandfather, my father and my two half brothers.” Paddington “My real name is Pastuso named after my uncle.” Mine is Adam Stoddard after my grandfather,”

Feeling a sense of closeness, Adam said “May I give you a hug?’ Paddington eagerly crawled onto  Adam’s lap and they hugged, the warmth of the fire and the gentle rhythm of their breathing made them drowsy, before  long they both drifted off to sleep.

“Tea is ready.” opening his eyes, Adam was greeted by the sight of two children. “My name is Judy and this is my brother Jonathan.” Paddington stirred “Oh dear” “You were snoring “Judy giggled. Mrs. Bird the housekeeper called”Come along children, show Adam where he can wash up. Hurry up ,before the tea gets cold.”

Once they were seated ,and Mrs. Brown poured the tea, Adam began to share his story. “I was born in Boston and traveled west in a wagon train with my new step mother and new baby brother.”

“Did you see real Indians?” the children asked ,eyes and mouths wide.

“Yes” Adam replied ,his expression turning serious “My stepmother was killed by them, it was a difficult time for us.” Adam continued “My father remarried  but she tragically died in a fatal horse accident. I have two half brothers and my father live on the ranch-Ponderosa.”

“You are welcome to spend Christmas with us Adam.” Mr Brown offered warmly.

“Thank You” Adam replied, “But I’m heading home in two days, hopefully in time for Christmas. “But I do have a question.”

” Sure ,what is it?’

Adam gestured toward the decorations, “Why do you have all this up so early, it is only October?’.Mrs Brown chuckled “Oh, ever since we adopted Paddington ,he loves to get a head start on Christmas.”

As Adam prepared to leave ,Mrs .Brown approached him with a smile “Here ,keep the Mackintosh, it is much better to protect you than what you were wearing.” Adam held up the coat admiring it “I appreciate it, but I’ll have to be careful wearing it around the cattle. The yellow may spook them.” With a wave goodbye ,the Mackintosh fluttered lightly as he moved , a reminder of the kindness of new found friends.

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“Hey Adam ,wake up! You’re snoring.” Hoss exclaimed ,shaking him gently. Adam blinked eyes slowly adjusting  to the light as he realized that he had fallen asleep in front of the fireplace, a book about inventions resting on his lap. “I don’t snore “Adam shot back, stretching  and giving Hoss a playful kick “You do, and you take the roof off with you.”

“Stop tormenting your brother. “Ben interjected.’ How is your head? “Doc Martin did say that there might be some memory loss certain events may or may not return.” Adam sighed ,recalling the strange mixture of confusion and brief flashes of memory. The same night that he had returned home safe and sound as he entered the barn ,he fell and hit his head hard ,leaving him with a concussion ,his sea legs gave him away. A grand entrance coming home.

Looking into the crackling fireplace ,deep in thought ,he shared with them ,the dream that he just had “I dreamt of Paddington, the Browns ,the rain and that great mackintosh raincoat.”

Ben ,Hoss, Little Joe ,Hop Sing and Roy Coffee, who was there for some coffee and a wee drop of brandy, listened intently. Just  as he finished describing his dream, there was a knock on the door ,one of the ranch hands called out.” There’s a big parcel for Adam.” Ben stood up. “Did you forget something on the ship?” “No.”

“Lets see what it is.” Ben said ,inspecting the address label, he looked up.’ Its from England- the Browns. Maybe it’s not just a dream.”

Everyone rushed over, “Give Adam space.” Ben called out ,trying to maintain some order. Trembling ,Adam carefully opened the parcel, revealing a collection of Mackintosh raincoats in black, olive green and brown. “Wow” said Ben ,”Look at the quality. Wish I had this when I was at sea. It would have saved me from being miserable and soaked to the skin.”

Amidst the excitement, Adam noticed a letter nestled among the coats. “I’ll read this in private.” he said, retreating to his room, blissfully unaware that both of his brothers had quietly followed him upstairs. Opening the letter Little Joe piped up “Something fell out.”

Startled, Adam turned to see him  picking up a picture of a bear, “Oh my goodness ,he is adorable.” Little Joe exclaimed. ‘Let me see, let me see” Hoss said eagerly,” Give it here.”

“Did you get to hug him?” Hoss squinted his eyes at Adam in mock seriousness. “Of course,I did.” Adam replied ,trying to keep a straight face.

“Where are you going now?’ Little Joe asked as Adam made to leave the room. “I’m going to see Pa, coming?”

Ben looked up to see what was making a noise that resembled the sound of a herd of cattle.” Adam ,there were more items ,a yellow raincoat and some jars of  marmalade .”

“Pa,I have request” Adam said.

“Go ahead,” Ben encouraged.

“I know it’s only the middle of November ,but in honour of Paddington and the Browns, who saved me from a terrible chill and showed me such kindness, can we decorate early for Christmas?” With Hoss and Little Joe hanging over Adam’s shoulders looking at him with pleading expressions.

“Yes “Ben said ,and the room erupted with cheers and hollers. Hop Sing ,having just entered the room with a plate of marmalade sandwiches “Early mess for Hop Sing.” Ben munching on a sandwich ,watched  as his three grown sons, sandwiches in their mouths ,grabbing their jackets ,ready to get a tree and bring in the decorations .

As the door slammed shut behind them, Ben said a silent prayer , happy that Adam is well. and his memory is back.

 

Link to Day 18 of the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – An Electrifying Christmas by Puchi Ann