This story takes place before the tragic death of Marie Cartwright after the birth of Little Joe, so if I remember correctly the Big House had been built.

A Rose for Marie

“Do you know what Sunday is boys?”  Ben Cartwright asked his two eldest sons one Thursday night.

Hoss, the middle son, looked up from the puppy that he had been playing with.  “What, Pa?”

“Marie’s birthday.”  Ben answered.

Adam, the eldest son, looked up from his book and frowned.  “So what?”

“I thought it might be nice if we got her some gifts.”  Ben answered.

“Ah, can we Pa?”  Hoss asked jumping up and running towards his father.  “Can ah have some money to buy Mama a nice gift?”

Ben rubbed his son’s head.  “Yes, of course.  We’ll go into town tomorrow and you and Adam can pick out a gift.”

“I have no intention of buying Marie a gift.”  Adam slammed his book on the settee and stormed upstairs.

Marie Cartwright had finally gotten her son Joseph to sleep.  She smiled as she quietly closed the bedroom door.  He always wanted her to stay and “ing un or, Mama.”  (Sing one more)  Sweet child he was just learning how to talk.  She turned to go down the stairs and almost ran into the angry form of her stepson.

“Adam, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“Get out of my way, Marie.”  Adam snarled at his father’s wife.

“Adam, what’s wrong with you?”  she asked, her mind flying back to the last years she had spent as Ben Cartwright’s wife.

He was just as surly and aloof when he first met her.  “It’s just a stage.”  Ben had assured his bride.

But Marie was not too sure.  Hoss had quickly warmed up to his beautiful new mother but somehow Adam built up a wall between himself and Marie, a wall he refused to tear down.

She remembered he had a terrible argument with her.  “I won’t listen to you, Mare!”  he had shouted. “not ever!”

Marie had seen her husband enter the room and then heard his booming voice, chastising his eldest son.  “Adam Stoddard Cartwright!!  I WILL not tolerate disrespect in this house.”

Marie had tried to restrain him.  “Ben, don’t worry about it.”  She remembered.  “He need not do it if he does not want to.”

“Marie,” Ben had responded.  “That boy has got to learn that his behavior will not be accepted.”

Adam had never openly argued with Marie again.  But he had never warmed up to her either.  In fact, in his own way Adam acted even worse in his attitude towards her.  He never defied her in front of his father or his brother, but he never hesitated to give her a hard time, when the two were not around.

Marie never told Ben what a headache Adam was to her, what a pain he gave her with his constant disobedience and refusal to do as she asked.  She knew what Ben would do.  Despite the lad’s twelve years of age Ben would probably beat his son and Marie did not want to drive Ben and Adam apart.

Marie knew that sooner or later things would come to a head.  And it appeared that the sooner had finally arrived.

“What’s wrong with you?”  Marie repeated.

“Nothing.”  Adam replied sullenly.

“Adam!” she said sternly.  “Adam, don’t lie to me.”

“I don’t have to answer to you.” He replied.

“No…no, that’s right, you don’t.”  Marie said slowly.  “But I care about you.  Tell me, son, what’s wrong?”  she placed her hand lightly on his arm.

“Don’t call me son!”  Adam shook Marie’s hand off his arm.  “You aren’t my mother!!  My mother’s dead!!”

His mind flew back to the day Inger was killed.  They were attacked by Indians at the Ash Hollow Way Station.  Inger cuddled her son, Hoss, and Adam in the corner of the building.  But then the guide was injured and Inger gently placed Hoss in Adam’s arms.  “Take care of him.”  She had said smiling.  Adam had nodded, unaware that he had seen Inger smile for the last time.

Inger picked up a rifle and going to a window she aided in the fight.  She was a strong woman, excellent for the frontier and she had shown her skill that day.  But then as she turned from the window an Indian’s arrow pierced her back. Inger cried out and fell to the ground.

His father had run to her and held her close protectively, tears streaming down his face.

Adam shook his head, trying to clear the sight of the only mother he had ever known, lying dead so close to his feet.

“My mother’s dead.”  He repeated sadly.  Then he faced Marie squarely and asked, “Why did you come into Pa’s life?  Why didn’t you just leave us alone?  Why?”

“Your father was feeling a great hurt, Adam.” She answered.  “and I wanted to help him.  I want to help you too, Adam.  If you’d let me.”

“I don’t need your help.”  Adam replied storming into his room.  “I’ll never need your help!”

Adam was soon to find out just how wrong he was.  On Saturday Ben took Hoss with him into town to buy Marie a gift.

Just before they left Ben turned to Adam and asked him, “Do you want to come, son?”

Adam knew that his father would never pressure him into buying a gift.  He was willing to take his eldest son into town, just for a chance to get off the ranch.  Adam wanted to go into town with his father and brother, but instead shouting, “No!!”  he ran into the barn.

Ben placed his hand on Marie’s shoulder.  “Watch him please, Marie.”

Marie smiled.  “Don’t worry, Ben.” She reassured her husband.  “Have fun, Hoss.”

Hoss smiled and waved good-bye as Ben drove the wagon out of the yard.

When the buckboard disappeared from view Marie walked into the barn.  “Adam,” she called from the barn door.  “Adam, don’t you want to come into the house?”

“No.” She heard a voice above her.

Marie looked up.  Adam was sitting in the hayloft.  “All right,” Marie sighed knowing she could not win.  “Just be careful, won’t you?”

“Don’t worry about me, Marie.”  Adam replied.  “I can take care of myself.”

Marie did not say another word.  Instead she turned and walked back into the house to care for her own little son.

Adam watched her leave.  He sat silently for a little while, thinking.  He could never understand why his father had married Marie in the first place.  Inger had not been dead for too long.  He could understand why Hoss had warmed up to Marie so quickly.  Poor Hoss never really knew his birth mother.  But Pa had and so had Adam.  He knew that Inger was not the woman who had given him birth, but it was the only mother he had ever known.  He had seen her killed right in front of him and that hurt Adam more than he could ever admit.

Finally, Adam stood up to stretch his cramped legs.  He stood on the hay and looked down.  Below him was a huge pile of hay and some extra tools and saddles.  He was preparing to sit back down in the soft hay when his foot slipped and crying out Adam tumbled down and fell among the tools and hay with a loud crash.

He tried to move but one of the heavy saddles had fallen across his legs.  A large pitchfork pinned down his left arm and he had fallen on his right arm.

Adam carefully drew his hand out from under the pitchfork, then slowly removed his right arm from under his body.  It hurt terribly and Adam cried out.  “Pa! Hoss!” he asked his left hand holding his hurt right arm close to his chest.  “Pa! Hoss!” he begged again, looking down at his arm.  “Oh, it hurts!” he gasped instinctively then set his teeth firmly, determined not to show the pain.

He struggled into a sitting position and tried to push the saddle off his feet.  But every time he tried to move it with his left hand, his right arm stung so badly that he would bring his arm back up to his chest and hold it there protectively with his uninjured hand.

“Pa! Hoss!” he begged.  “Oh, please God!  Let someone hear me!  OH! Please!  Pa! Hoss!  Hoss! Pa!”

Marie was sitting in the great room playing with her son.  She bounced him gently on her knee and laughed as he smiled up at her.  “Mama,” he giggled.  She gave him a big kiss and a big hug.  Right at that moment Marie Cartwright was the happiest woman in the world.  She was cuddling her darling baby, Joseph, when she heard a faint cry.

Standing up Marie opened the front door.  Sure enough someone was calling, “Pa! Hoss! Hoss! Pa!”

“Adam!” Marie gasped.  Adam was hurt!  Marie picked up her skirt and ran towards the barn, Little Joe still clutched in her arms.

Adam looked up when Marie came in.  He was hoping to see his father or brother and his face fell when he saw his stepmother.  “Go away, Marie.”  Adam said angrily.  “I don’t want you!”

“Adam!” she exclaimed.  “You’re hurt.” She noticed his arm clutched in front of his chest.  “Let me help you.”

“No!”  Adam replied.  “Get out!!”  he gestured towards the door.  The pain shot through his arm again and drawing in a sharp breath, Adam winced.

“Let me see it, Adam.”  She offered.

Adam sat a moment in thought.  He did not want anything to do with Marie but he was unable to do anything himself.  He watched Marie carefully.  Did he wait for his father and Hoss or did he let this intruder care for him?  Marie carefully placed Joe in the hay next to him and dropping to her knees she removed the saddles from his legs.  Then picking up Joe she looked at him one last time.  She was turning to head toward the door when the pain in Adam’s arm finally overcame his pride.  “Marie, please…I’m sorry…please help me.”

Marie smiled softly.  She had begun the process of healing the breach between her and Ben’s eldest son.  “Of course, Adam.  Lean on me.”

Marie helped Adam stand up.  He still clutched his arm to his chest and Marie, one arm around her stepson, the other still holding Little Joe, helped him toward the house.

When they got inside Marie led Adam over to the couch.  He sank wearily onto it and Marie lying Little Joe next to him walked into the kitchen to get towels and water to bathe Adam’s hurt arm.

Little Joe struggled to sit up next to his brother.  Adam smiled down at him.  “Por, A-dum.” The little boy stumbled over the words.  “A-dum ‘urt.”

Adam had never paid much attention to this little brother, Marie’s son.  But now as Joe snuggled next to him and placed his little head on Adam’s uninjured arm, Adam began to wonder if he should not bond more with this baby.

Marie came quietly into the room.  Adam had wrapped his arm around Joe and the child was carefully holding a finger on his injured hand.  Little Joe looked up when Marie came in.  “A-dum ‘urt, Mama.” He explained.

“I know, dear.” Marie answered.  “now let me take care of his hurt arm.”

Joe shook his head.  “Me ‘ay.”  He replied.  “I ‘old A-dum’s ‘and.”

“Joe…” Marie started when Adam’s voice interrupted her.

“Please, Marie.  Let him stay.”

Marie smiled at him.  “All right.”

Adam clutched Little Joe to his side while Marie gently probed his arm.  He gasped once, then bit his lip and did not make another sound the whole time.  Marie finally looked up at him with a smile.  “You’ll be fine, Adam.  I don’t think you’ve broken anything.  I’ll just wrap your arm in a bandage and you’ll be all right.”

Adam nodded without a word, as she wrapped his arm tightly in a towel.  “Don’t use your arm for a while, Adam.” She advised.

“I won’t, Marie.” He answered.  “Thank you.”

“Por, A-dum.” Joe said, standing next to his brother and laying his head on Adam’s shoulder.  “’Ou eat?”

Adam laughed gaily.  “Yes, I can eat, buddy.”

It was the first time Adam had ever been familiar with Joe and Marie liked the sound of it.  She walked silently out of the room.  As she left she heard Little Joe beg, “Pease, ead to me, A-dum.”

Marie’s heart leaped with joy when Adam replied, “All right, buddy.  But you have to get the book.

When Ben and Hoss came home they were met at the door by Marie.  She placed her finger over her lips signaling silence.  When Ben gave her a questioning look, she pointed to the sofa.  Adam’s head lolled against the back of the couch.  On his lap was an open book of fairy tales, and snuggled up next to him was his little brother Joseph sound asleep.  Ben smiled.  Adam and Joe’s breath rose and fell together.  They were brothers at last.

Marie’s birthday was a beautiful day.  The family had afternoon services but Hoss was impatient to give Marie her gift.  Ben just smiled and agreed.

Hoss’ gift was wrapped as only a child could wrap it, but to Marie it was a work of art.  She gently untied the bow and pulled back the paper.  Nestled inside was a pair of lace handkerchiefs.  Marie kissed Hoss.  “Thank you so much, dear.”

“Ah picked ‘em owt, Mama.”  Hoss explained.  “Ain’t they beauties?”

“They certainly are.”  She agreed.

Adam sat in a corner, tears in his eyes.  He had finally come to the realization that Marie was a lovely woman, a wonderful mother.  But he had no gift for her on her birthday.  He walked quietly outside and sat on the porch.  Inside he heard his father say, “This is from Joe and me.”

He could not stand it much longer and Adam standing up walked sadly toward the barn.  He wanted to give Marie something.  Adam thought hard for a little while, kicking the dirt with his foot.  He could give her a book, one of his treasured classics.  No, that would not do.  Marie preferred French novels anyway.  Maybe he could give her his mothers music box.  Adam’s face lit up at the thought.  She could put it on her dresser, the same place that his mother, Elizabeth, had put it, according to his father.  No that would not do, either.  First, he could not bear to part with the only thing that had been his mothers and secondly, Marie had two ornate music boxes from New Orleans.  She would not want his little one from Boston.  Suddenly a thought struck him.  There was a wild white rosebush growing not far down the road.  Adam had often wondered how it managed to survive but now he did not care.  A rose would make an excellent gift for Marie.

The rosebush was there all right and it had such lovely blossoms.  Adam reached out and picked the largest flower.  Marie would love it, he just knew she would.  Adam smiled as he ran home.  He could see Marie’s face when she took the flower from him.

He was not disappointed.  When he ran back into the house he heard Marie singing and peeking inside he saw Hoss and his father standing next to her humming along.  She was bouncing Little Joe on her knee but she handed him to Ben as Adam came closer to the family circle.

“Happy birthday, Mama.’  He said, sheepishly handing her the rose.

“Oh, Adam, it’s lovely!” she exclaimed, tucking it in her hair.  She opened her arms to him and Adam ran into them.  His eyes filled with happy tears as he buried his face in her shoulder.

“All he ever needed was a mother’s love.”  Ben whispered to his wife and Marie nodded.

When Adam finally looked up at her with a smile, Marie said, “Thank you, son.”

Adam nodded.  “You’re welcome, Mama.”

Marie smiled.  “Adam, I want you to know that I will never try to take the place of Inger or Elizabeth.”

Adam smiled, too.  “I know that, now.”

Marie opened her arms to Hoss and Ben set Joe back on her lap.  She pressed the three boys to her heart.  Kissing the top of their heads she explained, “I love you all, my sons.  And you know that a mother’s love is forever.”

Adam nodded and smiled.  “A mother’s love IS forever.”

Happy Mother’s Day

THE END