Summary: 10th story in The Battle of Wills series.  The Cartwrights celebrate Adam’s 12th birthday.

Rating: K    Word Count=5313

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.

Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.

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

Presents from the Heart

Marie was sitting at her dressing table, preparing for the day. She was brushing her hair as Ben got dressed. “Adam is twelve today,” she said.

“I know that, Darling.”

“Do you think his birthday present will finally arrive today?”

“I hope so. I’ll go check with Mr. Anderson.”

“Are you sure he’ll like it?”

“Of course he will. Why wouldn’t he?”

“Perhaps because I helped choose it.”

“Adam isn’t that way at all, Darling.” Ben came up behind his wife, placed his hands on her shoulders, and leaned forward to kiss the top of her head. Then he left the room to go downstairs.

With a sigh, Marie went back to brushing her hair. Her husband seemed to be melancholy lately. Adam’s birthday was the day her love’s first wife died. She could empathize—her first child died on the day of his birth. Fate could be so cruel—a life for a life. Marie was glad that Ben had Adam to remind him of Elizabeth and the love he’d had for her. There was nothing of Jean that lived on. Perhaps that was for the best. If her son had lived, Madame de Marigny would have taken the child from her at the first opportunity. She hoped Adam would like his present. And be more accepting of her.

Ben had paused at the top of the stairs, listening to his sons, and quickly lost himself in thought. Twelve years ago his first love died and Adam had been given life. Sometimes it seemed the years had passed in the blink of any eye. Other times, one day could feel like a year. The day his oldest was born felt like that. He paced, he sat, he worried, he talked, and he listened. Suddenly, the cry of his son had sped time up again. But it raced by too quickly. There hadn’t been enough time with Elizabeth at the end. Even though he thought life was over, he knew he had to tend to his newborn son. If she had been give the chance to live to old age with him and be childless or die young after childbirth, Ben had no doubt that she would choose dying young. He knew it was selfish to want her back when he should be grateful for the son she bore him. Why did God play such games with mankind?

Ben was brought out of his thinking by the boys’ voices. He came back to the present and went downstairs. “Good morning, boys. Happy birthday, Son.”

“Good morning,” said Adam, “and thank you.”

“Mornin’, Papa” said Hoss. “Hop Sing made the best flapjacks ever,” he said with a forkful approaching his mouth.

“And he made the bacon really crisp,” added Adam.

Sitting down at the table, Ben filled his plate and then his coffee cup. He raised the cup to his lips and watched his sons over the rim of the cup. Adam was dark in hair and complexion while Hoss was fair in both. Two wives dead and two sons alive. He wondered if Anne Marie was going to be a blond or a brunette. Hopefully, she would have her mother’s beautiful green eyes.

“Pa?” asked Hoss.

“Hmm?” 

“Ain’t ya been listenin’?”

“I’m sorry, Son. What are we talking about?”

“Workin’ with the horses. Is Adam old enough now to work with ‘em?”

“We’ll see. That’s a lot of responsibility.”

“I can handle it, Pa. You know that.”

“We’ll see, Son. Right now, you just concentrate on your breakfast and then your chores.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied Adam, feeling a little disappointment. 

Marie came downstairs to see Adam pushing food around on his plate. “Good morning, mes fils. Happy birthday, Adam.”

“Good morning, Ma’am. Thank you.”

“Mornin’, Mama.”

Hoss passed the bowl of eggs to his mother. She took a few spoonfuls and put them on her plate. “Ain’t ya hungry, Mama?”

“Not very much.”

“Ain’t the baby hungry?”

“Let your mother eat,” said Ben with a look for his younger son.

“Yes, Sir.”

Looking over at Adam, Marie noticed his frown. “What’s wrong, mon fils?”

“Nothing.”

“Surely something is troubling you.”

“No, Ma’am. May I be excused?”

“Of course,” she answered. Ben shot her a look.

Adam got up and said “Come on, Hoss. Let’s go start on chores.”

“I can be excused, too?” asked Hoss.

“Oui,” answered Marie. The younger boy got up and then followed his older brother out to the barn.

“What’s troubling Adam?” Marie asked her husband.

“He asked if he could help with the horses. I told him I’d think about it. He’s too young to be doing that kind of work.”

“You’ve treated him as a man for so long, Mon Cher, that he is insulted to be thought of as a boy.”

“But he is a boy, Darling. At least that’s what you’ve been telling me for the last several months.”

“How is working with the horses more dangerous than working with the cattle?”

“The horses are worked in the corral, so it’s a more confined space. If he were thrown, he could hit the fence or a horse could stomp on him.”

“Adam is an excellent horseman. Surely he could work with the horses.”

“But these are unbroken horses, Darling. What if he was bucked off and broke his back and never walked again? What then?”

“We would help him adjust. Life goes on, Mon Cher.”

Ben pulled his napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table. He then went over to the window and looked out. Marie could see the tense set of his shoulders. She stood, went over to him, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “What’s troubling you, Mon Cher?”

“Nothing,” he said brusquely.

Marie grasped her husband’s arm in hers and laid her cheek against his upper arm. “Why are you so troubled by Adam wanting more responsibility?”

Ben sighed loudly. “What if something should happen to him, Darling?”

“Nothing is going to happen to our son, Mon Cher.”

“How do you know? What if he has a weak heart like his mother? What if he takes on too much and becomes sick? What if…what if he…died?” Ben paused for a deep breath and added, “He’s all I have to remind me of her.”

Marie knew exactly what her husband was saying. If her son had lived, she would have a physical reminder of Jean. She squeezed her husband a bit tighter. “Adam is a very healthy boy. He’s even run the Ponderosa when you’ve been away. He lives for responsibility. Can you not give him a task with the horses?”

Ben sighed and continued to look out the window. Putting his arm around Marie’s shoulders, he drew her closer. She laid her cheek against his chest and slipped an arm around his waist. She wouldn’t press him to let Adam work with the horses. If the work was that dangerous, he should have time to think on it.

Out in the barn, Adam and Hoss were grooming the horses. Hoss was surprised by Bonnie’s size. The mare was expecting her first foal in several months.

“Do ya think Bonnie wants a boy or a girl?” asked Hoss.

“I don’t think it matters to her.”

“Then why does it matter to Mama so much?”

“’Cause people are different.”

“How come?”

“’Cause we think about things like that.”

“Maybe Bonnie thinks about it and jest cain’t tell us.”

“I doubt it.”

Hoss was silent for a few minutes as he watched Bonnie munch on some hay. “What kind of cake do ya want?”

“Yellow with white frosting.”

“Ya don’t want chocolate?”

“I’d rather yellow.”

Hoss looked a little sad for a second and said, “But Hop Sing makes really good chocolate cakes.”

“Maybe he’ll make one for your birthday.”

“But that ain’t for a while yet.”

“Maybe he’ll make one for Anne Marie’s birthday.”

“When’s that?”

Adam shot Hoss a surprised look. “It’ll be the day she’s born.”

“When’s that gonna be?”

“Marie says it’ll be a while yet.”

“It sure takes a baby a long time to get borned.”

Ben walked in the barn to hear Hoss say that. He assumed his son was talking about Bonnie. “Be patient, Son. Maybe she’ll have the baby during the day so you can watch and help.”

Adam turned a bright red and began coughing.

“Ya really think I can help?” asked Hoss with excitement in his eyes.

“Bill said you helped with a birth while Adam and I were in New Orleans. I don’t see how this one would be any different.”

“Ya think it’ll be the same?”

Adam’s coughing got worse.

“Are you okay, Son?” Adam just waved his hand and gasped for air.

“Why would the birth of Bonnie’s foal be different than any other mare’s?”

“I dunno. But will Anne Marie’s be like that?”

Ben suddenly realized why Adam was red and sputtering for breath. “I doubt it. But hopefully Dr. Martin will help Mama.”

“But you said I could help,” the boy said with a pout.

“I think it would be better if you and Adam helped Hop Sing instead. He’ll be very busy helping Dr. Martin.”

“So if we help Hop Sing, we’ll be helpin’ Mama?”

With a smile, Ben said, “That’s right.”

Hoss puffed out his chest and said, “Me and Adam’ll help Hop Sing. Won’t we?”

Adam was finally able to get his breath again. “Sure, Hoss.”

Ben ruffled Hoss’ hair and then went to get his saddle.

“Where’re ya goin’, Papa?”

“I’ve got to go into town to check on some contracts.”

Adam looked at his father suspiciously and said, “But it’s Friday. Mr. Wood closes his office early on Friday.”

Thinking quickly, Ben replied, “Mr. Wood agreed to open his office for me.” He could tell, though, that Adam didn’t really believe him. Concentrating on saddling his horse, Ben hoped Adam would go back to his chores. This present was supposed to be a surprise. 

Ben put the bit in his horse’s mouth and got the bridle on. Adam had gone back to finishing up his chores. He felt relieved that the boy wasn’t asking more questions. Finishing up, Ben led his horse out of the stall. “Go on inside and keep an eye on your mother. Keep her from doing too much.”

“Yes, Sir,” replied both boys.

Ben led his horse out of the barn, mounted up, and headed for town.

The boys finished the barn chores and went to the house. Adam hoped he could sit and read. Hoss hoped he could help with something.

Marie was dusting the big room with a feather duster when the boys came in. “Can I do that, Mama?” asked Hoss. The boy had never shown any interest in housecleaning before, so Marie suspected that Ben had told him to be helpful. She knew Hoss truly wanted to help, so she handed the duster to him. He ran it across furniture without really getting the dust off, but Marie couldn’t criticize.

Adam sat down in his chair, opened his book, and began reading. Hoss began talking about birthday cake. “Adam says he wants a yellow cake with white frosting. I tole him I wanna chocolate cake.”

“It’s Adam’s birthday, mon fils, so he gets to choose the cake. On your birthday, you’ll get to choose.”

“Hop Sing makes real good chocolate cake.”

Adam decided to compromise so he wouldn’t have to listen to Hoss anymore. “I want a yellow cake, but it’s okay with me if it has chocolate frosting.”

Hoss’ smile nearly went ear to ear. “That’s very generous of you, Adam.” He shot her a grin and went back to reading his book. As predicted, Hoss stopped talking about the cake.

Ben rode into town on his true errand. He knew Adam had seen through his excuse of going to see Hiram. At least the boy had manners enough to not say he knew a lie when he heard one. Hopefully, Adam would like this present. He and Marie had telegraphed Abel Stoddard in Boston with their request. Abel was only too happy to pitch in as well as ship the gift out to Nevada Territory. That had been three months ago. Surely the present would arrive today.

Abel must miss his grandchild. He had had his daughter in his life longer than Ben had, though both were devastated by her death. If Elizabeth hadn’t wanted to share her husband’s dream of going West, Ben would have probably stayed in Boston with Abel. But the man insisted that his son-in-law go West after that dream and make sure that Adam grew into a fine man. Ben felt guilty for taking Adam away; there was no guarantee that the child would survive the journey or that Abel would still be alive when he could afford to send his son back East.

Adam had grown into a quiet, observant, and responsible young man. Ben had difficulty seeing his oldest as a boy—Adam had had to work hard and shoulder a lot of responsibility for so long that he didn’t behave as a boy. Hoss, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying his boyhood. He played hard at every opportunity. Ben often wondered if Adam would know what to do if he was told he could play for twenty-four hours straight. His son would probably just read a book—that was his idea of fun.

Marie wanted her husband to ease up on the responsibilities Adam carried. Her argument was that the foreman took care of the day-to-day tasks that kept the ranch running and Hop Sing ran the household with an iron fist. Outside of his daily chores, Adam shouldn’t have to work from sunup to sundown. Instead, he should do the things that he wouldn’t have time to do as an adult.

Ben realized he tended to think Adam would have plenty of time before he had adult responsibilities. But the combination of Marie’s pregnancy and Adam’s birthday had Ben worried. He couldn’t help but think about that fateful day twelve years ago when his child was born and his wife died. In those twelve years, Ben had seen all sorts of people—young and old, well off and poor, male and female—die from diseases, violence, accidents, and natural causes. The West could be violent (nature tended to be worse than mankind) and there were few doctors available to help the sick or injured. Adam had always been strong, but there might come a day when an accident could take his life. What would he do without his oldest son by his side? A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. He shook his head and took a deep breath. Surely it must be unlucky to think such things.

Seeing Virginia City up ahead gave Ben a feeling of relief. Now maybe he could stop thinking. He dismounted in front of the mercantile, tied the horse to the post, and went inside. “Good morning, John.”

“Good to see you, Ben,” answered John Anderson, proprietor of the mercantile. “I have a package for you.” Mr. Anderson went through the curtain to the back and returned with a brown-paper wrapped parcel. He set it on the counter.

Ben reached for it and pulled it closer. “I thought it would be larger than this.”

“That’s what was delivered for you on yesterday evening’s stage.”

With an embarrassed chuckle, Ben said “My former father-in-law could be tight but I know he wouldn’t be when it comes to his only grandchild. I made an assumption about what would be coming.” Looking at the twine and writing, Ben asked, “Would you mind removing this paper and string and rewrapping it? After all, this is Adam’s birthday present.”

“I’d be happy to do that for your son. Free of charge. Do you have any errands to run while you’re here?”

“I think I’ll go get a beer. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“See you then,” said Mr. Anderson.

Ben left the mercantile and went to the Silver Dollar. He went in and paused just inside the entryway to allow his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Going over to the bar, he got a beer and went to an empty table. He began thinking again as he sipped his beer. Adam seemed to be accepting his step-mother. He was certainly more tolerant of her now than in the beginning. Marie had been making an effort to be more of a friend than a mother. She was very aware that he considered Inger to be his mother and compared everything she did to the woman who had cared for him as if he had been her birth-child. Marie didn’t appreciate being compared to a dead woman, but Ben knew that she held her tongue because he had loved Inger.

As Ben sipped his beer, he thought about Adam’s request to work with the horses. The boy just couldn’t understand his father’s objection to the request. But horse breaking was dangerous work—men frequently broke arms, legs, and backs when bucked off or stomped on. A broken back could mean life-long paralysis and dependence on others for care. He didn’t want that for his son.

While Ben sipped his beer and thought, Roy entered the saloon. He saw Ben sitting alone, so he went to the bar, got a beer, and walked over to his friend. “Howdy, Ben. Yer lookin’ mighty glum. Is everyone all right?”

“Have a seat, Roy. I’m just thinking about something Adam wanted.”

“Ain’t today the boy’s birthday?”

“Yes. He asked me this morning if he could help break the horses.”

“What didja tell him?”

“I told him I’d think about it. He wasn’t too pleased with my answer.”

“I s’pose not.”

“It’s such dangerous work, Roy. What if something happened to him?”

“Accidents kin happen at any time. He could git hurt jest muckin’ out the stalls. Adam’s responsible enough ta not do somethin’ stupid.”

“I’m more worried about the horses. They can be quite unpredictable. What if he was thrown into the fence or bucked off and trampled?”

Roy took a sip of his beer. He and Mary had never had any children. Adam was the closest he would ever get to having a son of his own. The boy had to run the Ponderosa while his father was away. He had a good head on his shoulders and wasn’t the daredevil type. If he was disappointed to hear his father’s response, he must feel that was considered too young or inexperienced.

“Ya gotta let him work with the horses someday.”

“Why now? Why not in another three or four years?”

“He don’t have ta ride ‘em ta work with ‘em.”

Ben raised an eyebrow. “How do you mean?”

“Couldn’t he work with one of the hands on the chute? He won’t be in the corral or ridin’ another horse in there. He’ll be up on the chute fence.”

Ben gave a slight nod of his head while he thought on this. That would be one way for him to work with the horses and learn from the more experienced hands. “That’s certainly a possibility. Thanks, Roy.”

“Adam jest likes ta work. You should be proud ta have a boy like him.”

“I am. It’s just that I’ve seen what can happen to horse breakers. I don’t want to see Adam hurt that way.”

“Gettin’ hurt is jest part of life. You can only do so much ta keep him safe. He’s gotta use common sense fer the rest.”

Ben snorted and nodded his head. He finished off his beer in a big swallow and then said “I’ve got to go to the mercantile before I head home. Thanks for the advice.”

“Come by mah office b’fore ya leave. I got something’ fer Adam.”

“You didn’t have to do that, Roy.”

“I wanted to. Jest come by the office.”

“Why don’t we go now? I’ll go to the mercantile after. Unless whatever it is happens to be too big to carry?”

“Let’s go on down the street then.”

The two men got up from the table and went outside. They walked side-by-side to the office. Once there, they went inside and Roy crossed over to his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a badly wrapped package and handed it over to Ben.

“Why don’t you come out and have supper with us?”

“I don’t wanna intrude.”

“You won’t. We’ll all be happy to have you with us.”

“I cain’t make it.” Roy blushed a bit and looked at the floor.

“Why not? What are you trying to hide?”

“I’m havin’ supper with Miss Jansen.”

“The seamstress?”

“Yup.” He blushed some more.

Ben clapped Roy on the shoulder and said, “I hope you have a good time. She’s a nice lady.”

“She sure is. Be sure ta give that ta Adam and give mah best ta Marie.”

“I will. I’d better be going.” Ben then left the office with Roy’s package in hand. Arriving at the mercantile, Mr. Anderson had the parcel nicely wrapped. “Thank you, John.”

“My pleasure, Ben. Tell Adam happy birthday for me and give my best to Mrs. Cartwright.”

“I will. Good-bye.” Ben left Virginia City and headed for home.

Roy was absolutely right. Adam had a good head on his shoulders and wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. He had nothing to prove to the hands. They knew he was responsible, good with the cattle, and capable of making sound decisions.

Arriving home, Ben was in a better mood. He dismounted and led his horse into the barn. Hoss was inside feeding hay to Bonnie. “Hi there, Son. How’s Bonnie doing?”

“She’s doin’ good, Papa. She ain’t complained any.”

Ben chuckled as he pulled the saddle from his horse. “Why would Bonnie complain? Isn’t she comfortable?”

“Mama was complainin’ today. I thought expectin’ a baby might make Bonnie complain too.”

Ben found his hand tensing on the curry comb. “What was Mama complaining about? Is she hurting?”

“She said dustin’ was a waste of time ‘cause more settles when somethin’s cleaned off. And she made some funny faces after lunch. Kinda like the ones you make after ya eat too much cabbage.”

Ben let out the breath he’d been holding. He had thought Marie might be having some complications. Her first pregnancy had been very difficult and she was surprised that she had managed to carry that baby the full term. So far with this baby, she hadn’t had too many problems. Ben kept waiting for problems to start. He worried that he’d lose his wife and child if something went wrong.

Finishing up, he pulled the packages from his saddlebag and went over to Hoss. Putting his hand on his son’s shoulder, he said, “Let’s go on in, Son. Let Bonnie get her rest.”

With a few strokes to Bonnie’s nose, Hoss turned to leave the barn. “Are both of those fer Adam? Didja bring me anything? Do ya think he’ll like his present? What didja get fer him?”

Ben had to stifle a laugh. Hoss could be quite the blabbermouth, so he and Marie hadn’t told the boy what they were getting Adam. It wouldn’t have been too hard for Adam to pry the information from his brother.

Father and son went inside and Ben set the packages on the sideboard. “I’m home.”

Marie came out of the kitchen and gave her husband a kiss. “Go into the kitchen, mon fils. Hop Sing has some frosting for you.” Hoss’ face lit up as he sped for his treat.

“Are you feeling all right, Darling? Hoss told me you were making funny faces.”

“I’m fine, Mon Cher. Just a few pains as the baby moved. She’s becoming quite active. Maybe this Western air gives her more energy.”

Ben pulled her as close as her expanding waistline would allow. “Let me know if I should send for the doctor. I don’t want anything to happen to you or Anne Marie.”

“Don’t worry so much, Mon Cher. I’ve been through this before. I’ll know if anything goes wrong.” She then kissed her husband and added. “I promise to tell you when to get the doctor.”

He kissed her and then looked over the room. “Where’s the birthday boy?”

“He’s having a bath. He fell into the pig pen when leaning over the fence to get the pail.” She giggled as she remembered how funny he looked covered in slop and mud with bits of hay sticking to him. The fact that he’d managed to laugh, too, made her laugh harder at the time. That’s when the pains had come. She must have gasped or turned white because Adam took her arm and steered her for the house. The look of concern on his face touched her deeply. After seeing her settled on the settee comfortably, he had gone into the kitchen. Hop Sing came out with a cup of tea for her soon after. She’d managed to shoo Hoss outside by telling him to check on Bonnie.

Hoss came back into the room and announced, “Adam’s cake looks real good. And the frosting is really chocolatey.”

There were a few smears of chocolate on the boy’s cheek. Marie went to him, pulled her handkerchief from her pocket, and cleaned her son’s face. He squinted and tried to pull away. Ben watched with an amused smile. Marie was such a good mother to the boys. He was thankful that Hoss had been so accepting and Adam seemed to be more tolerant.

The sound of footsteps got everyone’s attention. Adam’s wet hair was combed back from his face and already starting to curl. “Would you like to open your presents now or after supper?” Ben asked.

“Do it now,” urged Hoss.

“It’s Adam’s birthday, mon fils. He gets to choose.”

Adam stood there a bit dramatically, watching Hoss squirm. Finally, a huge smile appeared on his face as he said, “I’d like to open them now, if I may.”

“Have a seat on the settee and I’ll get them.”

Adam sat down and was immediately flanked by Marie and Hoss. He wasn’t sure who was more excited—himself or his brother. His father came over with two packages. Usually there was just one from Pa and Hoss. Now he was curious.

Ben held both out, one in each hand. “This one is from Sheriff Coffee” he said slightly raising his left hand.

Surprised, Adam reached for it. Something from the sheriff? He gingerly opened the package and was surprised by the smell of leather. Pulling away the paper, he gasped at the sight of the intricately worked belt. The craftsmanship was amazing to behold. It must have taken the sheriff weeks to tool the floral design into the leather. “May I try it on?”

“Of course,” said Ben.

The boy stood and threaded the belt through the loops on his jeans. He fastened it on the third notch and asked, “How does it look?”

“Magnifique” said Marie in admiration.

“Real good,” said Hoss. He hoped the sheriff would make a belt for him, too.

“Turn around,” said Ben. Adam slowly turned and the family took in the swirls and scrolls that made up the pattern. “You be sure to thank Roy properly next time you see him.”

“Yes, Sir!” said Adam in a very pleased voice. He’d never had such a fancy belt before. Maybe the sheriff could teach him how to do work like this.

“Would you like to open your other present?” asked Ben.

“Yes, Sir,” answered Adam. He carefully took the package from his father and sat down on the settee. This one was wrapped neater than the belt had been. The neatness made it a bit harder to open, but he finally got the paper off. He was looking at a small, mahogany case with his initials in one corner in gold lettering.

“This is from your grandfather, your mother, Hoss, and me. Open it up.”

Adam turned the case over and then looked on the sides until he found the latch. Carefully undoing that, he slowly opened the case. Inside were colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a protractor, a ruler, and a small T-square. He gasped at the contents—he could draw for hours with these.

“We hope you like it,” said Marie, breaking the silence.

“It’s perfect!” he said in response. Spontaneously, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Her face flushed as she smiled happily. “How did Grandfather know I wanted drawing supplies?”

“Your mother and I wrote to him and he was delighted to get you these. You must draw something for him when you write to him.”

“I will.” He ran his fingers over the pencils—one red, one blue, one green, one yellow, and one charcoal black. Now he just needed paper.

Hop Sing came in from the kitchen with a thin package. “This for you, Mistah Adam.”

Adam looked at the cook in surprise and gently took it. He opened it carefully and was surprised to see several sheets of paper bound by a red ribbon. Knowing how expensive paper was, he said, “You shouldn’t have, Hop Sing.”

“Cousin Numbah Four make in Chinese tradition. You use and make Hop Sing happy.”

“Thank you! I will.”

Hop Sing bowed and returned to the kitchen.

Adam smiled looking over the drawing supplies and the paper. There were so many things he could draw.

Ben sat down on the coffee table and said, “I have one more present for you, Son.”

Adam looked at his father in surprise. Where could it be?

“I’ve decided that you can work with the horses.” The boy let out a loud whoop and Marie looked at Ben in surprise. “But only up on the chute. I’m going to talk with Bill about this and he’ll let me know if you disobey me.”

“Thank you, Pa!” Adam launched himself at his father and threw his arms around the man’s neck. Ben was startled since Adam wasn’t prone to physical displays of affection. Patting his son on the back, he said, “You do what the hands tell you and watch carefully. Someday, you’ll be a horse breaker, too.”

“Yes, Sir! Thank you, Pa!!” He pulled his arms from his father’s neck and kissed Marie again. Then he turned to Hoss. “I’m gonna work with the horses, Hoss!”

Hoss’s eyes were wide in admiration. His brother was gonna work with the horses. Maybe he could work with them too someday. 

Hop Sing came back in the room and announced that supper was ready. Adam set his presents on the coffee table and walked with a slight swagger over to the dinner table. Ben and Marie couldn’t help but notice and Marie had to work hard to stifle a laugh. Hoss followed his brother and tried to walk in a similar way. 

Adam thought this had to be the best birthday ever. Once seated, he gave Marie a large, genuine smile. She must have convinced Pa to let him work with the horses. Maybe she really did love him. 

The End
August 2007

Next Story in The Battle of Wills Series:

Love’s Labor
Big Brother Lessons
No Regrets
Baby’s Breath
Ennui