Summary: Adam finds a little house and decides to fix it up for Hoss and his fiancé. Alot of family scenes.
Rating: PG-13 Words: 4385

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The Bransters thank Corina for forwarding this story to include in the Preserving Their Legacy Project.

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Author’s Note:   This is my story all put together. Enjoy!

 

Old Dreams and Achieving New Dreams

There was a cool breeze that gently swayed the oak trees. It was the middle of the summer, so it was hot. Adam sat on Sport and looked at the little cabin under the trees.

“I wonder if anyone lives there,” he muttered to himself.

There were few scraggly roses climbing the side of the house and he could hear a brook. Dismounting, he tied Sport to the hitching post. Drawing his gun, he stepped up onto the thresh hold of the little house and knocked on the door. To his surprise, the door creaked open revealing an empty room. Walking in, Adam peered around the corner. A door on his right opened to an empty bedroom. Adam testily called out but no one answered. Why was this house on the Ponderosa? Who had lived there? Why had they left? Just as the last question went through his mind, he heard the voices of his brothers. Adam stepped back out on the porch.

Hoss grinned, “You about ready to go swimming?”

Adam distractedly nodded and glancing back at the house. “Hey Joe, where’s Marjie?”

“Jeslyn may be my daughter, but I DON’T want to bring her swimming. How am I gonna watch her and have fun at the same time? Anyways, she isn’t two yet. Don’t sound like a good idea.”

Joe changed the subject. “Whoever gets to the lake last is a green pig.”

Adam laughed as his brother and Cochise took off. “He thinks the world of that baby.”

Hoss nodded. “He’s just a baby himself. Will be 22 next month. By the way, why were you in that house back there?”

“Abandoned. Just wondering why it was there.”

“Seems sorta odd.”

“Well, you are gonna be the green pig.” Adam spurred Sport into a full run leaving Hoss in his dust.

As the wind whipped his face, Adam laughed. Taking this short cut would cause him to arrive at Lake Tahoe fifteen minutes before Joe. Hoss, who also knew the short cut, arrived soon after Adam.

He too stripped down to his shorts and waded into the cool water. “Hey Adam, how come you didn’t bring Clay and Summer?”

Adam dove beneath the clear waters and floated back up. “Just the same as Joe. I don’t want to baby sit. I’ll take them swimming another time.”

He laughed. “You don’t understand Hoss, you aren’t married and don’t have kids. You have to take a break from both once in a while.”

Hoss splashed Adam, “Hey, but I am engaged. I will be married soon.”

“Mmmm.”

“Here comes Joe!”

Both brothers burst out laughing at the look on Joe’s face. “H-How did ya’ll get here so fast?!”

Adam jerked his thumb towards Joe and whistled.

Hoss started guffawing and Joe finally grinned, jumping down from Cochise. “Ok, ya’ll win. There must be a shortcut.”

He waded into the water and swam out to a big rock. Adam and Hoss climbed onto a smaller one near him.

Adam seemed lost in though a few minutes later.

Hoss finally spoke up. “What cha thinking about?”

“That empty cabin. I’m sure Pa didn’t give that land to anyone. I’ll have to ask him when we get home.”

Hoss nodded.

Adam moved out into the sun and leaned up against the surface of the rock. “You still going to Sacramento next week?”

Hoss grinned, “Yea, I have to arrange a few things for the wedding.”

Adam shook his head ruefully. “Hoss don’t forget the main reason for going. That business transaction for Pa.”

Hoss shrugged. Yea. I can’t believe that I am actually gonna marry Tammy! We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

His big brother stretched, “Yea, she was a wild one alright. She used to dive off that rock head first.”

He pointed at a huge rock protruding a good 10 feet out of the calm waters.

Hoss laughed, “We two would only jump off of it.”

Adam got up, “The sun’s going down. Pa and Brooklyn will be expecting us.”

Then a smile played over his lips. “Don’t you think we need to push Joe off this rock? The water will wake him up.”

His eyes pleaded Hoss to go along. “Ok.”

Both brothers climbed upon the rock and gently picked Joe up.

Leaning over the rock, they let go. Joe hit the deep water below and came sputtering up to the surface.

He spotted his brothers and yelled up to them, “That ain’t fair. Ya’ll are mean!”

Adam made a smooth dive into the water beside him. “Come on in Hoss.” The big man swallowed.

He hated diving. “I’m coming.”

Hoss backed up and made a flying leap to land beside his brothers.

Joe giggled, “When you hit the surface, all the water in the whole lake sloshes out.”

Hoss dunked Joe and then headed for the shore. Using strong strokes, Adam followed him. A few minutes later all three climbed out and dried off the best they could. After donning their clothes, the brother’s headed home.

After supper, Ben and Adam relaxed in their chairs while Hoss and Joe took the children outside. Brooklyn was helping Hop Sing clean up in the kitchen.

After staring into the fire for a few minutes, Adam remembered his question. “Pa, did you grant anyone any of the Ponderosa east of the Flatts Range, near Lake Tahoe?”

Ben smiled. “Years ago to two friends. They finally moved on. So it’s ours again.”

He paused, “Why?”

Adam leaned forwards. “Do you think Joe and I could fix the cabin up and give it to Hoss and Tammy for their wedding present?”

Brooklyn had come in and now sat down on Adam’s chair arm. “I think that would be a wonderful wedding present Adam! I could help.”

Ben smiled, “Ok, you three can do it.”

Adam slipped his arm around his wife’s waist. “You sure have charm sweetheart. I don’t know if Pa would have let me do it if you didn’t come in here.”

He gently kissed her cheek causing Ben to put his book up in front of his face and blush.

The little house stood quietly as Adam and Joe rode up.

Both dismounted and looked around. “It will not take much work.”

Joe grinned, “Let’s get on it.”

Walking inside, they explored the three rooms. The kitchen, dining room, and great room were connected. There was a big room in the back and a little room on the right side.

“All we really have to do it get rid of the dust and make some
furniture later on.” Adam leaned against the wall, contemplating his next move.

Joe nodded. “We have the bucket, soap and a creek, so let’s get to it. I don’t want to be here all day.”

Adam laughed. “Slow down, kiddo. Why don’t we sweep it out first? Then we won’t have to deal with as much dust.”

He pointed at the wall and Joe huffily picked it up. As Joe began knocking cobwebs down, Adam went outside for the bucket and rags.

Walking down to the little creek, he knelt and filled the pail with clear water. Somewhere in the distance a bird called and another answered.
When Adam got back to the house, Joe was done with the cobwebs.
Together they began mopping the floors.

“Why can’t Hop Sing or Brook do this?” Joe wined. “Men don’t suppose to play with rags.”

Adam chuckled. “I’m bringing them out here tomorrow to deep clean.”
He wiped the sweat off his face and replaced his hat. “We are just trying to get most of the dust out.”

Joe stood up and took his shirt off, throwing it across the open window seal. “We are going to have to make a table, at least two chairs, and a bed. Hey, when we come visit them, we bring our own chairs.”

Both young men laughed at the joke. “How about a coffee table? Brook can come down here and decorate a little bit. We have some extra candle holders and stick candles in the attic at home. They will look good on the mantel.”

Joe sat back onto the damp floor and sighed. “I was gonna build
Aimee Mairi and me a home like this. Then Marc Witner’s killed her.”
Adam placed a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder.

Joe smiled through his tears. “Brook and Aimee would have been best friends.”

“You think so?”

“Yea, I really do. Most ‘upstanding,’ people didn’t talk to her cause she was a saloon girl. Your wife is an angel and would have wanted to befriend her.”

Adam smiled and sniffed. “You will find another woman to love and eventually marry someday. Aimee will always have a special place in your heart. Jeslyn is ya’lls child. She reminds me of her mother.”
Joe smiled. “Jeslyn needs a mother. I can never thank Brook enough for treating her like her own child.”

Adam sighed and stared out the window. “I am worried about Brooklyn. This pregnancy has made her so weak. I’m afraid there will be troubles.”

“Don’t worry everything will be fine.”

There was a long silence and all that could be heard was the floor being scrubbed.

“What are y’all going to name the baby?” Joe asked his brother.

“Well, either Vanessa Ilish or Andrew Raleigh.”

“Nice.”

All sudden Joe jumped up, swiping his back side. “I’m wet! I was sitting in a puddle and didn’t realize it!”

Adam laughed, “Poor little boy. He didn’t make it to the potty in time.”

Joe threw his rag at Adam, laughing. The two brothers returned to their work in the little house under the great oak trees.

Later that day, Joe and Adam rode back to the ranch house. After tying Sport and Cochise up, they went inside. Clay, Summer, and Jeslyn were playing in the floor.

When Joe came in, Jeslyn looked up, “Daddy!”

She crawled to him and he knelt down, picking her up. Likewise, Summer and Clay ran to their father. At four and three years old, they looked like twins. Adam couldn’t help but laugh at his son’s question.

“Daddy, are you going to play with us?”

“Yes, son. I am going to spend the afternoon with you.”

“How bout me, daddy?”

Summer gazed up into Adam’s eyes as she held on to his leg. “You too, Summer.”

Joe smiled. “Well, daddy,” he teased his brother,” I’m going into town for a few hours.”

When Joe knelt down to release Jeslyn, Adam smacked him on the rear.

Joe stalked out of the house with Adam calling behind him, “Son! Be home by dark!”

All sudden Clay took Adam’s hand and led him over to the hearth.

“Look dad.” He pointed at his toy horses. “They are ridin’ range.”

Adam laughed, “I’m sure they are son.”

Summer crawled under his arm and held out her rag doll. “Daddy, mama made a new dress for her. Look!”

Her father picked her up and placed her in his lap. “It’s a pretty dress.”

Looking around, he spotted his niece standing on the other side of the room were Joe had left her. She had her hand in her mouth and looked very sad. Adam moved Summer and crawled across the floor. Picking the baby up, he tickled her until she giggled.

“Marjie,” he used her nickname, “I think its nap time for you!”

He carried her into the kitchen. “Brook, I’m taking Margie up to her room.”

Brooklyn looked up from help Hop Sing. “Ok, Adam.”

She smiled, causing Adam’s heart to skip. Brooklyn Ann Leigh Cartwright was the most beautiful woman in the world. He forced his gaze from her and took Jeslyn up stairs.

It was a few minutes later that he walked back down the stairs. When he arrived at the landing, he heard his two children squabbling. Hurrying down, Adam knelt and picked Summer up.

“What’s wrong Summer?”

The young father brushed the tears from the little girl’s eyes. “Clay took my doll!”

Adam looked over at his little son. “Did you do that Clayton Alexander?”

“Y-Yes Sir.”

“Come here.”

The child walked over to his father, his eyes wide. Adam sighed and rubbed his head.

After four years, he was still not used to fatherhood. “Why did you do that?”

Clay looked like he was formulating an answer. Too much like Joe, Adam thought. “Son?!”

All sudden the boy burst into sobs and threw himself at his father.

Adam gathered his offspring up and carried them over to the settee. Setting Summer on one end, he put Clay on the other one.

Kneeling own to eye level, he addressed Clay. “Young man, give your sister her doll, or you and I are going to have to have a necessary talk.”

His son’s face blanched and he held the doll out to his little sister.

Adam was opening his mouth when Brooklyn came in. “Did I hear Summer crying?”

He rose. “Yes, dear, but it’s sorted out. Clay, Summer, why don’t you two go outside. You’re mother and I need to talk.”

“Ok, dad.”

Clay held out his hand. “Come on Summer.”

She took her hands out of her mouth and joined hands.

“Bye daddy, momma!”

Adam then turned back to his wife. “And how is my Brooklyn Ann?”

She smiled gently “I’ve been helping Hop Sing with the cooking and cleaning.”

“You really shouldn’t be working so much sweetheart, now that you are pregnant. It was so hard on you last time that you almost died.”

Adam’s voice caught and his eyes were imploring as Brooklyn covered his mouth with her lips. Adam was lost in the passion until the door opened and Joe hurried in.

Adam backed away from his wife. “Hi Joe. Why are you so home early?”

“Hiya brother.” Joe pounced over. “Did I interrupt anything?”

Adam blushed scarlet all the way down to his toes. “Uh, no. I asked you a question.”

“Oh yea. Well I ran into Mitch on the way there and we talked for so long that I realized I didn’t have enough time to make it to town.”

He smiled at Adam.

Lake when it was just Ben and Adam sitting in the great room, Adam posed a question for his father. “Pa?”

“Yes Adam?”

“I’m having a little troubling disciplining Clay and Summer.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, today Clay took Summer’s rag doll and he knew that it was wrong. I made him give it back, but he will just take it again.”

“Well, if he realizes he is disobeying, you need a firmer disciple. Maybe a necessary talk.”

Adam winced. “I don’t know if I could do that!”

“You might have to.”

Adam stared into the fire for a long time. “Oh by the way, Joe and I cleaned up around that cabin today. Tomorrow I plan to take Hop Sing and Brooklyn down there to really clean it up. Joe promised to watch the kids.”

Ben smiled. “He loves those kids. I’m glad that you decided to not move out.”

“Well, we really couldn’t in the beginning. And then Jeslyn came along and we wouldn’t want to separate her from Joe.”

His father sighed. “I wish Aimee were still alive. Joe could have married her and they could have had a bigger family. She was a special child.”

Adam nodded, lost in thought.

After a few minutes, he spoke up again. “I’m going to turn in.”

Ben arose. “I am too.”

The next day took Adam, Brooklyn, and Hop Sing out to the cabin beside the stream.

When they arrived, the little China man immediately began to issue orders. “Mr. Adam, you clean around house. Mrs. Cartwright will help me inside.”

Adam chuckled, “Yes sir, Hop Sing. You have it under control.”

Removing a hoe from the buckboard, he smiled at Brooklyn. “Now you don’t work too hard my little wife.”

“We have to, dear. Hoss will be home in a couple weeks.”

“Promise me?”

She laughed and punched his arm, “Ok, Adam.”

Adam left and walked back to the garden. As he began pulling weeds, he mulled over his thoughts. They really would have to hurry. Hoss would be home in 12 days.

Later that night when all was dark and quiet, Adam was still in the barn, working on a chair for Hoss’ cabin. As he crouched down to pick up a leg, the door creaked open.

Slowly standing up, he put his hand on his holister. Swinting into the dark, he opened his mouth to call out.

“It’s me, Adam.”

He relaxed. “Come on in Brooky. Why aren’t you in bed?”

She smiled mischievously and sat down on his knee. “Because the bed was cold.”

Adam laughed and took her in his arms, kissing her.

After a few minutes, he whispered to her, his voice husky. “Let’s take this to the bed room.”

The sun rose early over the Ponderosa on Sunday morning. As the fog cleared away, a hot sun dried the dew. The Cartwright’s were up early, getting ready to leave for services. Ben was downstairs polishing his shoes. Brooklyn and Hop Sing were in the kitchen. Hoss was in the barn checking on a newborn foal. Adam was in the upstairs bedroom dressing his brood for church. Glancing over, he noticed that Jeslyn was not awake yet.

He rolled his eyes while he buttoned up Clay’s shirt. “Joe has never been one to get up to go the church,” he told them. “I used to have the worst time getting him up. I remember we would take turns. And one day when we were going into services, he yelled out that he wasn’t going to go to church. I was mortified!”

“What’s mortyfied?” Summer dimpled.

Adam laughed, “I was mortified. Really embarrassed.”

Summer just looked at him and giggled. All sudden they all heard Ben bellowing for Joe to get up.

Adam picked Jeslyn up and mumbled to himself. “I’m glad it wasn’t my turn!”

Walking down the hall, he gave the baby to Joe. “Morning, kiddo. She needs a diaper change.”

Joe just gritted his teeth and took her from Adam.

A few minutes later, they were all gathered downstairs ready to leave. Joe looked around, “Hey Pa, where is Hoss?”

“He asked if he could stay and watch after the colt.”

Joe kicked the couch. “Not fair!”

Rain clouds were brewing by the time that service was over at the church building in Virginia City. As the Cartwright’s left the building, the rain began to descend.

Adam scooped Summer and Clay up and ran from the buggy. After helping his wife in, he stepped back so Joe could deposit Jeslyn in with the other three.

Stepping back up, Adam grinned at Brooklyn. “Drive safely. Those horses might try to bolt.”

Tipping his hat he ran for Sport. “Met you at the Leigh’s.” He waved.

The Leigh’s were Brooklyn Ann’s parents. That had moved to Virginia City after Adam and their daughter had married.

Sunday afternoon was a quiet one at the Leigh’s. After Sunday dinner, Ben conversed with Brook’s parents about ranching and other business. Adam and Brook took a walk, leaving Joe with the three kids and Brooklyn’s young brother. Joe took all four children out onto the front porch. Scooping his daughter up, he sat down on the steps. Summer, Clay, and Dustin gathered near.

“Tell us a story like uncle Hoss does.” Clay dimpled, much like his father.

Joe looked uncomfortable. “I’m not good with stories. You see, I was the youngest child, so all the stories were told to me.”

His nephew tipped his head to the side, “Then you should know them real good by now.”

Joe rolled his eyes, “You’re just like your father I’ll tell you one of when I was a little kid.”

Jeslyn reached up and patted Joe’s face, gurgling. He laughed and took her tiny hand in his. “Ok, one day when I was about 7 years old…”

He launched into a story of his rowdy childhood as the children dozed off…

After leaving the Leigh’s, the Cartwright’s spent the rest of the afternoon finishing the furniture for Hoss and Tammy’s house. After supper, Brooklyn went to visit Tammy and took the kids with her. That freed the men up, so they moved the furniture to the cabin.

When they arrived in the buckboard, Ben smiled. “You boys did a good job!”

Joe giggled, “Hop Sing and Brooky did most of the inside. But me an’ Adam cleaned out here.”

Ben eased himself out of the wagon and picked a chair up while his son’s moved the table in. For a moment he let his mind rest on his offspring. His little boy wasn’t 22 yet but he already had a baby daughter. Adam had been married for 5 years and had two young children and one on the way. Hoss was about to be married to a childhood friends. At 56 years old, Ben had much to be thankful of.

Meanwhile Joe and Adam were in the cabin placing the table.

After bringing in a few other pieces Adam stopped Joe. “Joe, I want to ask you something.”

“What, brother?”

“I was wondering this. Do you even love your daughter?”

He held a hand up. “I love mine a great deal and pay them a lot of attention. You never seem to want to be around Marjie.”

Joe turned around, putting his back to Adam.

After a long moment, he broke the silence. “I-I just don’t want to be around her. She’s just like Aimee, and that hurts. I defiled Aimee. Then she was killed before I could make it right!”

He slowly turned around. “I feel like it was my fault that she was murdered. I could have protected her more. Loved her more. I was a devil.”

A lone tear slid down his cheek and Adam reached out to him. “I’m sorry Joe. I never knew that you blamed yourself for her death.”

“I knew that Marc Witner was after her! But I didn’t do anything.”

“Joseph, it wasn’t your fault. Ok? He would have killed her anyways. You have to accept that. And you have to love Jeslyn. She’s your own blood and flesh.”

Joe leaned against his big brother and sobbed until his heart felt like it was going to break. It was good to cry again. He hadn’t cried since the burial.

“Welcome back son!” Ben laughed and shook Hoss’ hand. Clapping his father on the back, the big man knelt and gathered his three rowdy nieces and nephew up.

Joe rushed out of the house, “Hiya brother!”

Adam followed at a slower pace with his arm around Brooklyn’s waist.

“Hey Adam!”

“Welcome back Hoss!”

The family walked into the house and Hoss immediately headed for the kitchen. “Hop Sing, I’m plum starved!”

The little man turned around, a big smile on his face. “You home Mr. Hoss!”

“And right hungry!” Hoss hugged Hop Sing, nipping a cookie from the cookie jar.

Brooklyn came in and patted Hoss on the arm. “We are fixing you a big dinner Hoss, so you will be well fed.”

Supper was a joyous affair. Tammy had come over, so there were ten people in the spacious ranch house. The wedding was the main topic. After supper, Joe, Hoss, and Tammy took the children for a stroll while Ben, Adam, and Brooklyn sat on the porch.

“Pa? Do you think we should give Hoss the house the day before the wedding?”

“I would, son. That way they could get things settled in.”

Ben sat up, “And know were they will be sleeping the next night!”

All three laughed and Ben picked his bible up off the little table.

Adam rose and took his wife’s hand. “Why don’t we take a little walk sweetheart.”

The two young lovers stepped off of the porch leaving Ben to his reading.

The fog lay heavy on the morning before Hoss and Tammy’s wedding. By early afternoon, the fog had been burned away by the strong sun light. This allowed Adam and Hoss to ride out. Their conversation was light and cherry as they rode towards the little valley.

“You sure you won’t tell me what it is Adam?”

Adam laughed and pulled Sport to a stop.

He pointed down the hill. “I don’t have to. There it is.”

Hoss sat on Chub, his mouth fallen open. “A house for Tammy and me?!”

“Yep. I found it and Joe and I cleaned it up. Some friend’s of Pa’s lived here once, but they moved on several years ago.”

Hoss dismounted. “You’re joshing me! And I though I was going to have to build one!”

Adam followed Hoss into the house. “Shame Joe couldn’t come. He and Brook helped out a lot. So did Hop Sing.”

Hoss nodded distractedly, “Its ok.”

“Pa fixed the fence.”

Hoss just nodded, still stunned.

“It’s a present from all of us.”

Hoss finally gained his voice, “Gee thanks Adam! It’s the best gift I have ever gotten. Hot dog! Wait till I tell Tammy!”

The next day, Hoss and Tammy repeated their vows and were married. Not a tear was dry as the newly weds kissed under the old apple tree. Even Adam had a tear in his eye.

When the ceremony was over, everyone went to the new house.

As Hoss carried Tammy over the threshold, Adam put his arm around Brooklyn’s waist. “We are all very happy aren’t we?”

He glanced over at Joe who was holding his baby and entertaining Clay and Summer. “Joe too. Even though he has loved and lost. Hoss is defiantly happy! Tammy is a wonderful lady.”

He gestured at Ben who was laughing with his new daughter-in-law.

Brooklyn smiled. “Ben is happy too.”

Adam put his cheek on Brooklyn’s head. “I know I am happy How could I not with you being my wife? And having two wonderful children and one on the way.”

He took his wife in his arms. “It’s all I have ever wanted.

She leaned against his chest. “Me too.”