Summary:  4th story in the Battle of Wills series.  Ben announces at supper that he is going to buy a horse for Marie. Adam becomes unhappy because Ben had promised to buy him a horse before leaving for New Orleans. Will this situation cause another rift between Marie and Adam?

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.

Rated K   Word Count=3059

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The Battle of Wills Series:

Begins
Education is More than 3R’s
The Shadow of Jean deMarigny
A Gift Horse
New Expectations
Remembering Childhoods
A Room Full of Memories
A New Pattern
Naming the Newest Cartwright
Presents from the Heart
Love’s Labor
Big Brother Lessons
No Regrets
Baby’s Breath
Ennui

A Gift Horse

The Cartwrights sat at the supper table, enjoying Hop Sing’s meal of duck, coleslaw, new potatoes, and peas.

Clearing his throat, Ben announced “Tomorrow we are going over to the Walking T to buy your mother a horse.”  Marie smiled in excitement.  Adam just scowled.  Hoss was just excited that he was going to get to look at horses tomorrow.

Adam began to smash the peas on his plate.  He wasn’t being noisy about it, but he was making sure that each pea was thoroughly squashed.

“Aren’t you excited, Adam?” Ben asked.

“Sure.” The boy responded sulkily.

“Eat your supper, Son.”

“I’m full.  May I be excused?”

Marie noticed that only half the food on the plate had been eaten.  The rest was smashed together.  “Are you feeling unwell, mon fils?”

“Yes, Ma’am” he answered.

Marie gave Ben a concerned look and said to the boy, “You may be excused.  Would you like Hop Sing to make some tea?”

“No thank you, Ma’am.” With that, Adam got up, trudged over to the staircase, and plodded his way up to the second floor.

“I wonder what that was about?” mused Ben aloud.

“Don’t you ‘member, Papa?  You tole Adam before ya went to New Orleans that you was gonna get him a horse when ya got back.  Ya still ain’t got him a horse.”

Ben’s brows drew together.  He had completely forgotten.  There had been too much excitement in New Orleans and he’d been busy around the ranch since getting back.  Plus, he’d been settling into married life with Marie.  He wanted to kick himself for his forgetfulness.

“Oh, mon chere, no wonder Adam is not feeling well.”  Marie’s supper was not settling well, either.  Now, her older step-son would have yet another reason to dislike her. “Have you finished your supper, mon fils?” she asked Hoss.

“Almost, Mama.  Hop Sing shore can cook duck real good, huh?”

“Certainement…I mean certainly, mon fils. When you finish, why don’t you go up to your room and play with your animals.  You may take an apple if you wish.”

Hoss’ face lit up at the mention of an apple.  He quickly cleaned his plate, got up from the table, took an apple from the fruit bowl, and went upstairs.

Once Hoss had left the first floor, Ben and Marie retired to the big room.  He poured them each a glass of brandy before they sat down on the settee. “How could I forget my promise to Adam?  I don’t remember telling him that I’d get him a horse.  If Hoss says I did, then I must have.”  He took a sip of the brandy.  “No wonder Adam looked so dejected when I announced that I was going to get you a horse.”

Marie had listened but had her own feelings of guilt.  “Don’t blame yourself, mon chere.  You made that promise nine months ago.” 

Seven of those Ben had spent traveling between the Ponderosa and New Orleans.  She took a deep breath and said “Adam will equate your forgetfulness with me.”  She sighed and slumped a bit.

“But I didn’t forget because of you, darling.  I forgot, plain and simple.  How can I make him understand?”

“Could we buy him a horse tomorrow” she asked hopefully.

Ben kissed his wife and said “We’ll try.  But he’s stubborn enough to refuse because I’m buying you one.”

The next morning, the family loaded up in the wagon for the trip to the Walking T.  The ranch was owned by the Tate family.  They had come to the territory from Kentucky.  Their ranch had been established with some quality stock from that state.  Over the years, they had bred their Kentucky horses with mustangs to create very spirited horses that could be used for work or pleasure.

Hoss tried to get Adam to talk, but the boy refused to speak.  Instead, he watched the landscape go by. 

Ben told Marie about the Tates—Andrew, his wife Becky, and their daughter Maggie.  Hoss was a year older than Maggie, but the two occasionally played together.  

After a long ride, the Cartwrights arrived at the Walking T.  Andrew was at the corral with his hands, looking over the horses that Ben was going to choose from.  Becky had suggested only having mares in the corral, but Ben had told Andrew that Marie was an excellent rider.  Several mares, a couple of geldings, and three two-year old stallions were milling around in the corral.  

As the wagon pulled into the yard, Becky and Maggie came out of the house.  Ben tipped his hat to the ladies and then jumped down.  He helped Marie down from the bench seat and said “Good morning Becky, Maggie.  I’d like to introduce my wife, Marie.”  

Becky smiled at Marie and said “Welcome to the Walking T.  Would you care to come inside for some coffee?”

“Coffee would be delightful” she replied with a smile.

“But we’re here to get ya a horse, Mama” said Hoss with a tug to her sleeve.

“There will be plenty of time, mon fils.  Why don’t you and Adam go look over the horses?  You can help your pere choose one for me.”

Adam was surprised.  Didn’t she want to pick her own horse?  That’s what he’d do if Pa was buying one for him. 

Hoss was so excited that he took off for the corral.  Maggie started after him, but her mother called out “Come inside with Mrs. Cartwright and me.  Leave the men to look over the horses.”

“But, Mama…” Maggie began to whine.

Becky shot her daughter a look, which resulted in a pout on Maggie’s face.  Marie had to stifle a giggle.  Maggie reminded her of herself at that age—high-spirited and strong-willed.

The ladies went inside and Marie sat in a plush chair in the parlor.  Prints of horses dominated the walls, along with a large portrait of a woman dressed in clothing from the previous century. As Becky brought a tray with the coffee pot, cups, and saucers into the parlor, she noticed Marie gazing at the portrait. 

She set the tray down on a small table and said “That was Andrew’s grandmother, Margaret.  Maggie is named for her.”

“She’s quite beautiful, Becky.”  She then looked at Maggie, whose red hair, freckles, and buck teeth didn’t bear any resemblance to the woman in the portrait.  “I’m sure Maggie will be as beautiful as her grandmother.”

Becky smiled as she poured the coffee.  Marie’s comment had sounded sincere.  Most people thought Maggie was very homely with her lanky hair and freckles.  The child was only four and would most likely change as she aged.

“Andrew said that Ben is going to buy you a horse.  Do you ride often?”

“I used to, in New Orleans. My previous husband bred race horses.”

So Ben had married an experienced woman.  Becky wanted to ask if she had children, but decided on a slightly more tactful question.  “Were you widowed?”

Marie flushed at the question.  How could that information be Becky’s business?  “Yes.  He died during a fever epidemic.  Our son also died of the fever.”

Becky immediately felt guilty for being so intrusive.  She reached for Marie’s hand and said “I’m so sorry.  I shouldn’t have pried.”

No, you shouldn’t have, thought Marie.  But she decided to make the best of the situation.  “Ben told me that Andrew has some of the finest horses west of the Mississippi River.  I’m looking forward to having a spirited horse to ride.”

Maggie had been listening closely to Marie.  She finally couldn’t hold her curiosity any more.  “You talk funny.  Where ya from?”

“Maggie!” her mother reprimanded. Marie just giggled. 

“I’m from New Orleans, in Louisiana.  My family is French.”  Trying to make herself feel Becky’s equal, she added “We are descended from the soldiers who had been stationed at Biloxi in Mississippi and the casket girls who were sent there by the King to be wives for the soldiers.  My ancestor was transferred to New Orleans before the Spanish takeover.”

Becky began to thaw towards Marie.  She sounded as blue-blooded as her own and Andrew’s families.  Ben had obviously married very well.  The two ladies began a friendly conversation about their husbands and life in Nevada.

Out at the corral, Adam was leaning against the fence and looking at the horses longingly.  He wished he could have a horse.  Ponies were for boys, like Hoss.  It wasn’t fair that she was getting a horse when Pa had promised him one.  Everything had changed since she came here.  Pa didn’t care about him like he used to.

Ben and Andrew had been talking about their wives and keeping women happy.  Andrew asked Ben about his trip to New Orleans and if there had been any news about the new President, John Tyler.  President Harrison had suddenly died shortly after being inaugurated as President.  Ben said he hadn’t had much time for reading papers, what with the business he had to do in New Orleans and then getting married.

“Was it a bolt of lightning, Ben?” Andrew asked.  “It certainly was when I saw Becky as an adult for the first time.  That was at her debut ball.”

“It was actually a horse” said Ben with a laugh.  “I was making my way to the residence of a friend and a lady on a horse nearly ran me down.  She laughed in pure enjoyment as the horse reared.  And then she was on her way.  All I could do was shake my head in admiration.  Believe me, I was surprised when I met her and realized that she had been the one on that horse.”

“Do you think there’s a chance you’ll tame her anytime soon?”

“I doubt she’ll ever be tamed.  Especially considering how impulsive and strong-willed she is.  But hopefully, we’ll have children before too long.”

Adam paled to hear that.  If Pa had more children, he’d probably have to share his room with Hoss.  There was another room upstairs, but that would probably be the nursery.  She and Pa would probably want to have a whole pack of kids.  Maybe he should ask Pa again about going to live with Grandfather in Boston.

A flash of chestnut caught Adam’s eye.  One of the young stallions was prancing around the corral.  The horse had a blaze on his face and two white socks.  How Adam wished he could have a horse like that.

Marie, Becky, and Maggie came out to the corral. 

“Are you ready, darling?” Ben asked his wife.

“Yes” she said with a smile for her husband.  She turned her attention to the horses.  There were so many to choose from.  Chestnuts, bays, a few grays, and a few roans.  After watching them for a few minutes, she made her decision.  Out of curiosity, she decided to ask the boys. “Which would you choose, Hoss?”

“I like that little strawb’ry roan, Mama.  She’s real pretty with that star on her head.”

“And which would you choose, Adam?” He wanted to lie and pick the lousiest horse of the bunch.  But all of the horses were very, very good looking.  Plus, Pa said she could handle a spirited horse.  “I’d pick that young chestnut with the blaze and socks.  He’s got spunk.”

Marie reached out for Ben’s arm.  He turned to her and caught her eye.  “Andrew, we’ll take that young chestnut with the white markings.”

One of Tate’s wranglers cut the horse from the herd and brought it over to the Cartwrights’ side of the corral.  The horse tossed his head a couple of times and snorted.  Adam sighed, seeing the horse of his dreams up close, knowing that it would never be his.

“That’s a fine animal, Ben.  He’s got a lot of promise as a pleasure and work horse.  Adam’s right.  He’s got spunk.”

“Does he have a name?” asked Marie.

“Some of the boys have been calling him Blazing Thunder.”  

Adam mouthed the name.  It sure seemed long for such a fine horse.

With a nod from Marie, Ben placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder and said “You made a good choice, Son.” 

Adam cringed inside.  At least Pa was happy with him for once.  And Adam hoped Marie liked the horse. 

“I hope you’ll take good care of your horse, Son.”

Adam’s head whipped around.  He looked at his father in shock.  “M…m…my horse?!?” he squeaked out.

“He’s all yours, Son.  I expect you to take care of him properly.  You’ve had experience taking care of your pony, Clipper, so you’ll have no excuses if this horse isn’t properly cared for.”

“Yes, Sir!  I’ll take good care of him!”  Adam was nearly crying with happiness. 

Marie was smiling and her heart was practically singing with joy.  Maybe Adam would realize that she wasn’t a threat to his relationship with his father.  “What will you call him, mon fils?”

He looked up at her, eyes shining, and said “I don’t care that he is a stallion.  I’m gonna call him Beauty.”

“That’s a fitting name for such a well-made horse” she said. 

Adam just nodded his head in agreement. “Can I ride him home, Pa?” he asked hopefully.

“No, Son, we didn’t bring saddles or bridles.  I’d rather you rode him in the corral at home and get used to him there.”

“Yes, Sir” said Adam.  He was disappointed, but he might get to ride Beauty later today.  Wouldn’t the hands be impressed to see him on such a fine horse?

“Which one caught your eye, darling?”

“That strawberry roan mare.  I have to agree with Hoss.  She’s a very pretty horse.  And she seems as spirited as Beauty.”

“We’ll take that strawberry roan mare, too, Andrew.” 

At a nod from Andrew, the mare was roped and brought over to the Cartwrights.  Marie could see the intelligence in the mare’s eyes.

“Whatcha gonna call her, Mama?” asked Hoss.

“I think Bonheur.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Happiness.”

“We could call her Bonnie, for short.”

“I suppose” she said with a smile.

Andrew’s hands brought the horses out of the corral on lead ropes and tied them to the back of the wagon for Ben.  Adam hugged Beauty’s neck and Hoss stroked Bonnie’s soft nose.  Ben paid Andrew for the horses while Marie said her good-byes to Becky and Maggie. When the boys were loaded in the back of the wagon, Ben and Marie climbed up onto the seat.  They said their farewells to the Tates and headed for the Ponderosa. 

Adam talked the entire way home, even to Marie. Marie was so overjoyed that Adam was happy that Ben had not forgotten him.  If it hadn’t been for Hoss’ reminder, Adam most likely would not have gotten Beauty today.  Maybe she and Adam could become friends now.  Breaking in their new horses would give them something in common and a neutral topic for discussion.  At this moment, Marie didn’t think it possible for her to be any happier.

The End

© March 2007

Next story in The Battle of Wills Series:

New Expectations
Remembering Childhoods
A Room Full of Memories
A New Pattern
Naming the Newest Cartwright
Presents from the Heart
Love’s Labor
Big Brother Lessons
No Regrets
Baby’s Breath
Ennui