Summary: After moving to a new town with her sister, Schoolteacher Clara Hartley meets a kind stranger who comes to her rescue and she finds herself falling for him. This was written for the Camp in the Pines challenge 2026. 

Rating: PG

Word Count: 13,354

Chapter One

It was a warm Spring afternoon when Clara Hartley left the schoolhouse in Kansas City, Missouri. She had moved there from Bowie County in the small town of De Kalb, Texas where her father owned a big ranch. After both her parents died, she sold the ranch with her sister and went back to teaching; something she loved doing. So when she was offered a teaching position in Kansas City, she graciously accepted.

After Clara had climbed into the buggy, she whipped the reins and headed in the direction of town to pick up a few things she needed at the mercantile.

The streets were crowded that afternoon when Clara entered the mercantile. The clerk, Seth, always gave her a friendly greeting when she visited even though she was still relatively new to that town. 

After she paid for her items and left the mercantile, Clara made her way down the boardwalk when she walked past two men. 

One of the men eyed her backside as she walked down the boardwalk. He tapped the other man next to him in the shoulder. “Hey. Ain’t that the new school teacher?” 

The other man shifted his gaze to the left of him and a mischievous smile appeared when he caught a glimpse of Clara. “Yeah. Ain’t she a beaut?” 

“She certainly don’t look like no schoolmarm I’ve ever seen before.” 

“Why don’t we give her a nice friendly welcome.” 

They each moved away from the post and marched down the street. 

Clara was close to her buggy when a man stepped in front of her. 

“Ma’am.” He tipped his hat with a grin. 

Clara’s body tensed as she acknowledged him with a slight nod of her head—avoiding eye contact. She turned around when another man appeared in front of her. 

“Them bags you’re carrying look awful heavy, ma’am. How’s about I give you a hand with those, huh?” 

“I can manage, thank you,” she stated in a polite, but firm tone. 

Clara tried to escape, but both men had her cornered. One of them expressed, “We’s just tryin’ to be friendly, ma’am. Especially to a purty little thing like yourself.” 

Clara backed away slowly—her muscles tightening as fear gripped her body. “Please…I appreciate your kindness, but…” 

Suddenly, she heard a deep rugged voice with a southern drawl. 

“Leave the lady alone.” 

All eyes darted to the right of them and there stood a very large man wearing a tall ten-gallon hat, taking a few steps towards them. 

The drunken louse nearest him scoffed. “This ain’t none of your concern ya big ox.  Now why don’t you just get on out of here, huh?” 

The very large man held a stern gaze on him. “I’d say it is. The lady said she don’t need any help, so why don’t you just leave her alone and there won’t be any trouble.”

The drunk’s smile faded. “I don’t think so.” 

He attempted to put his hands on Clara when the large man grabbed hold of his shoulders and yanked him away before punching him across the face. 

After he hit the ground, the other man lunged at the large man, but he grabbed his shirt collar and clocked him in the face, knocking his ten-gallon hat off in the process which landed near Clara’s feet. 

Clara’s mouth gaped open as she stared at the hat on the ground before she lifted her gaze towards the large man. She watched him in amazement as he fought the drunken men with ease. 

Both men were tossed one at a time onto the back of a wagon—hay flying through the air. 

The large man pointed his finger at them and huffed, “Now I want you two to get outta here and don’t ever come near her again, ya hear?” 

They hightailed it out of there fast, leaving a trail of dust. The large man wiped his hands together before he went over to Clara who bent down and picked his hat up from the ground. 

“Are you all right, ma’am?”

Clara stood there stunned as she handed his hat over to him. “Yes, I’m fine. That was really amazing.” 

He flashed a shy smile. “Oh. It wadn’t nothing, ma’am. It’s just they had no business harrassin’ a pretty gal like yourself.” 

“Well, I thank you very much.” 

Clara saw him move his gaze to the ground before he picked up the sacks she dropped and handed them to her. “I know you said you didn’t need any help, but you reckon you change your mind, I’d be happy to help ya.” 

“Oh, thank you, but I can manage.” 

“All right, well…you have a good day, ma’am.” 

He started to leave when Clara spoke. 

“Wait…I didn’t get your name.” 

“Oh. Hoss Cartwright, ma’am.” 

Clara shook her head and scoffed with a smile. “I’m sorry, but it sounded like you just said horse.” 

Hoss let out a hearty chuckle. “Oh, no, it’s just plain old Hoss, ma’am. H-O-S-S, Hoss.” 

“Oh, that’s a very interesting name,” she noted. 

“Yeah, well, it’s just a nickname. My real name is Eric, but I guess my ma and pa got to liken the name Hoss, so it just sort of stuck.” 

“Oh, well, I’m Clara Hartley. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cartwright.” 

“And a pleasure to meet you, Miss Clara.” Clara gave a small smile when Hoss tipped his hat to her. “Well, bye, ma’am.” 

Clara watched him start to walk away when she spoke again. “Wait, please. I feel I should repay you in some way for rescuing me.” 

Hoss lowered his gaze to the ground as he flashed another shy smile. “Oh, that isn’t necessary, ma’am.” 

“No, I want to,” she insisted before she paused and got an idea. “Why don’t I invite you to supper tonight? My place is just down the road from here; I live with my sister. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Please.” 

Hoss turned the rim of his hat around as he looked down with hesitation. “Well, if it means that much to you, ma’am—I’ll be there.” 

A smile appeared on Clara’s lips. “Oh, good. I guess I’ll see you tonight then?” 

“All right,” Hoss chuckled. 

After Clara goodbye to her mysterious benefactor, she headed back over to her buggy. When she reached the buggy, she turned and caught a glimpse of Hoss climbing into his buckboard. 

She wasn’t sure what possessed her to ask him to her house for dinner, but she felt she owed him for his kindness towards her. She had never seen a man of his size before. He looked like a giant to her, but gentle in nature. His smile was very warm, but he also seemed quite shy. She could tell he was embarrassed by her invitation, but she couldn’t wait to find out more about this gentle giant. 

***

Later that evening after Clara returned home, she prepared supper in the kitchen while her younger sister, Mary Beth pestered her with questions regarding her mysterious knight in shining armor. 

“What was he like? Was he tall—handsome?” 

Clara rolled her eyes with a sigh before she answered, “Well, he’s very strong and also very shy, but gentle. And yes, I’d say he’s handsome.” 

Mary Beth folded her hands together, filled with excitement. “Oh, I can’t wait to meet him.” 

Mary Beth’s anticipation was relieved when there was a knock at the door. Clara placed the knife down on the counter she was holding. “That must be him now.” 

“I’ll get it.” Mary Beth raced to the door making Clara shake her head with a smirk. 

Mary Beth opened the door and lifted her head up—eyes widening. Hoss flashed a crooked smile at her. 

“Howdy ma’am, I was wondering if I could find a Miss Clara Hartley, she said her place was just down the road a ways from town.” 

Clara came out of the kitchen and her face lit up upon seeing Hoss.  

“Mr. Cartwright.” 

Hoss looked over Mary Beth’s shoulder whose mouth gaped open in disbelief. “Oh, hi. I hope I’m not too early.” 

“Oh, no, you’re just in time, come right on in.” 

Clara motioned towards the living room and Mary Beth took a few steps backwards—eyes still fixed on Hoss who thanked Clara as he stepped through the door. 

Clara turned to Mary Beth and introduced her to Hoss. “This is my sister, Mary Beth.” 

Hoss nodded to Mary Beth. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” 

Mary Beth slowly moved her head up and down when Clara informed Hoss, “Supper is almost ready. I made pork chops and potatoes if that’s all right.” 

Hoss’s face beamed with excitement. “Hot dog! That sure sounds good, ma’am.” 

“If you’ll just make yourself comfortable, it won’t be long,” Clara said. 

“I thank you kindly.” Hoss made his way into the living room. 

Mary Beth turned to Clara and spoke in a soft tone. “He’s the handsome and gentle stranger that rescued you?” 

Clara pressed her lips together in a firm line. “Mary Beth. You’ll do well to mind your manners. He is our guest.” 

Mary Beth huffed, “All right.” 

After she marched into the living room, Clara took a deep breath and said a silent prayer for the evening to go well. 

***

Later at dinner, Hoss scarfed down his plate of pork chops and potatoes when Clara offered him a plate. 

“Would you like some more? I made plenty.” 

“Thank you, ma’am.” Hoss stuck his fork into the rest of the pork chops and placed them on his plate making Clara giggle softly. 

“My, you sure have a big appetite.” 

“I’ll say,” Mary Beth remarked with an eye roll. 

Clara’s eyes narrowed at her sister when Hoss spoke. 

“Well, when you’ve worked on a ranch as long as I have, you sort of build yourself up one, but I’ve always had a big appetite as far as I can remember.” 

“Oh, you own a ranch?” Clara asked in curiosity. 

Hoss shook his head. “Oh, no, my pa does. It’s a big spread in the Nevada territory; the Ponderosa. I live there with my pa and brothers.” 

Mary Beth asked, “Are your brothers as big as you?” 

“Mary Beth,” Clara snapped. 

Hoss chuckled. “No, that’s all right. Naw, they’re a lot littler’ than me. My younger brother, we used to call him Little Joe since he’s the youngest in the family, but I had another nickname for him: short shanks.” Clara giggled when Hoss told her, “But he’s not so little anymore so I guess you could call him Big Joe now. Then there’s my other little brother, Jamie. He’s my adopted brother. He was an orphan when my pa found him and we all took a likin’ to him and he became part of our family. He’s a good kid and not as ornery as Little Joe.” 

“That’s wonderful,” Clara said. 

“I also have an older brother, Adam. He lives back east. We haven’t heard from him in a few years now. Then there’s our foreman, Candy. He’s been a good and loyal friend to us, almost like another member of the family, same as our cook, Hop Sing,” Hoss rambled. 

Clara gave a soft chuckle. “Well, it sounds like you have a very nice family.” 

“I do.” Hoss tilted his head slightly as if pondering something. “I think family’s just about the most important thing there is.” 

Clara smiled in agreement. “So do I.” 

Hoss returned the smile when he looked down at his plate. “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time as it is, I better get on outta your hair.” He placed his napkin down and rose from the table when Clara objected. 

“Oh, you don’t have to go so soon.” 

“No, I just have a lot of business to take care of here for my pa, but I do thank ya for the meal. You make pork chops almost as good as Hop Sing does.” 

“Oh, well, thank you. Why don’t I walk you out.” 

Clara headed to the door while Hoss grabbed his hat. She opened the door for him and they both stopped outside. 

Still feeling embarrassed over her nosy sister’s behavior, Clara rubbed her hands together as she faced Hoss. “I want to apologize on behalf of my sister. She tends to speak her mind.” 

Hoss chuckled softly. “Oh, that’s all right, ma’am. I told you about my little brother.” 

Clara smiled in relief. “So will you be in Kansas City long?” 

“Well, a couple of weeks maybe, depending on how the deal goes for them horses my pa wanted me to take a look at.” 

“Oh, well, maybe I’ll run into you again.” 

“Maybe so. Goodnight, ma’am.” 

“Goodnight.” 

Clara watched Hoss walk over to his buckboard before she retreated back into the house. 

After Clara stepped through the door and closed it behind her, she headed into the kitchen and saw Mary Beth cleaning up the supper plates. 

Clara took a breath. “Well, he was nice wasn’t he?” 

“I suppose,” Mary Beth sighed. “Are you sure his name isn’t Horse? He certainly eats like one.” 

Clara shook her head as she breathed, “Oh, Mary Beth.” 

Mary Beth picked up the silverware and proceeded to ask, “Why did you ever invite him over for dinner anyway?” 

Clara gave a shrug as she helped Mary Beth clean up the dishes. “I just wanted to thank him for helping me, that’s all.” 

Mary Beth glanced at her sister with one eyebrow slightly raised. “Are you sure that’s all it was?” 

“Yes,” Clara hissed before she calmed her tone. “It’s getting late. I better turn in. I have a full day of teaching tomorrow. Goodnight.” 

Clara made her way over to the stairs while a smirk crept up on Mary Beth’s lips. 

As Clara ascended the stairs, she paused briefly with her hand resting on the railing, her thoughts drifting back to Hoss and the fact that she was hoping she would see him again. She sighed before she retired to her bedroom for the night. 

Chapter Two

The next morning, Clara was on her way to the schoolhouse—books in hand when she heard that familiar deep and rugged voice calling out to her. 

“Miss Clara?” 

Clara turned around and her face lit up with a big smile at seeing Hoss moving his buckboard along the dirt road towards her. “Oh, Mr. Cartwright.” Hoss brought the wagon to a stop next to her when Clara mentioned, “This is a pleasant surprise. It’s good to see you again.” 

“Good to see you too, ma’am. I was just headin’ into town and I thought I’d say hello.” 

“Oh, well, I’m glad you did.” 

Hoss flashed a smile. “Really?” 

“Yes, I was just on my way to the schoolhouse. I’m a schoolteacher.” 

“Is that a fact?” Hoss stated with a tilt of his head. “Well, could I maybe give you a lift?” 

Clara objected, “Oh, you don’t have to do that, it’s not too far from here.” 

“It’s no trouble at all, ma’am, I’d be happy to.” 

Clara, touched by his kindness, gave him a warm smile and relented. “All right. Thank you.” 

“My pleasure, ma’am. Hop in.” 

Clara made her way over to the passenger side of the buckboard and hopped onto the bench next to Hoss before he whipped the reins and they took off down the dirt road. 

Hoss reached the schoolhouse a little while later and overheard the children screaming and giggling before he brought the buckboard to a stop. 

“Well, here we are, ma’am.” 

“I thank you very much for the ride, Mr. Cartwright,” Clara acknowledged as she stepped down off of the buckboard. 

“It was my pleasure, Miss Clara and you can call me Hoss. No more of that Mr. Cartwright stuff, all right?” 

Clara gave a soft chuckle. “All right. Hoss. And you can call me Clara, just plain Clara.” 

“I reckon you got yourself a deal,” Hoss winked. 

All of a sudden, Clara and Hoss heard a little girl’s cries. 

“Miss Hartley! Miss Hartley!” 

Clara recognized one of her students and immediately ran to her. “Annabelle? What’s wrong?” 

Annabelle came to a halt in front of Clara and tried to catch her breath. “It’s Petey. He’s limping real’ bad. I think he hurt his paw.” 

Clara bent down to her level and glanced at the tiny rabbit in her hand. She brushed her hand over its snow-white fur. “Oh no, poor thing.” 

“I don’t think he’ll ever hop again,” Annabelle cried. 

Having overheard, Annabelle’s older brother Kenny came up to her and teased, “Good, maybe now we can skin him for rabbit stew.” 

He chuckled while Annabelle held little Petey close to her and expressed her horror and disgust with her brother’s suggestion. 

Clara shot a stern gaze at Kenny. “Kenneth Wilson.” 

Hoss hopped down off of the buckboard and interrupted. 

“Now, wait just a minute now, hold on. Now there ain’t gonna be any skinnin’ of no rabbits.” He bent down to Annabelle’s level and met her eyes. “Now, what did you say your name was again?”

“Annabelle.” 

“Annabelle,” Hoss repeated before he flashed a warm, friendly smile. “That’s a mighty pretty name for a very pretty little gal.” He moved his gaze down at Petey and asked, “Mind if I take a look at him?” Annabelle sniffled with a nod of her head before she handed Petey over to him. 

Hoss examined the little critter when he noticed a tiny thorn sticking out from his paw. He lifted his gaze towards Annabelle and reassured her, “Well, I can tell you right now this little fella is gonna be hoppin’ again.” He held up his tiny paw. “Now, you see that thorn right there? As soon as I remove that thorn, he’ll be as good as new, you wait and see, all right?” Annabelle nodded and Hoss lowered his gaze towards little Petey— his voice calm and gentle. “Now, hold still, I ain’t gonna hurt ya.” Hoss carefully removed the thorn causing the rabbit to let out a high-pitched whine. “There.” Hoss tossed the thorn away before handing Petey back over to Annabelle. 

Annabelle brushed Petey’s soft fur and he began to purr at her touch, making Annabelle smile. “He’s happy again. He must have been hurtin’ awful bad.” She lifted her big brown eyes at Hoss and thanked him. 

Hoss winked at her. “You’re welcome, darlin’.” He then bent his knees and placed his hands over them as he looked Annabelle straight in the eye. “Now there’s a couple of things I’m gonna need you to do and it’s very important that you pay real good attention, understand?” Annabelle nodded profusely. “All right. Now, I’m gonna need you to make sure you clean his paw real good, then I’ll need you to apply some liniment because we don’t want that wound gettin’ infected now.” 

“My pa has some.” 

“Good. Now after you apply the liniment, you’ll need to wrap that paw and change the bandage twice a day. Make sure you apply more liniment when you change it too. Then in a couple of weeks, he’ll be up and hoppin’ again in no time.” 

Annabelle stared up at him, wide-eyed. “You promise?” 

“I promise. You just listen to old Hoss.” 

“Okay, I’ll do just what you said, Hoss.” Annabelle shifted her gaze over to Clara. “Miss Hartley? Can I run home and tell my pa what happened so he can tend to Petey? I promise I’ll come right straight back. Please? It’s an emergency!” 

Clara gave a faint chuckle. “Of course.” 

Annabelle thanked her before she took off running down the dirt road with Petey. 

Hoss turned to Clara with a look of concern on his face. “Are you sure it’s all right with you, ma’am? I don’t want to hold up school or nothing.” 

“Oh, not at all. Annabelle and her brother live just up the road from here, so it’s no trouble at all. I thank you for what you did for her. You certainly have a way with children.” 

Hoss scoffed with a smile and a shrug of his shoulders. “Oh, it wadn’t nothing, ma’am. You just gotta know how to talk to them, that’s all. They’re just like us, only a wee bit smaller and a whip smarter.” 

Clara gave a soft chuckle. “Well, you handled that very well.” 

“Yeah.” Hoss moved his gaze towards the ground. “You know I don’t blame that little gal one bit about not wantin’ that rabbit skinned. I remember me and my little brother, Joe, went into the rabbit business together.” 

Clara raised her eyebrows slightly. “You did?” 

“We sure did. We was gonna sell the skins for fur coats, but we sort of got to likin’ the little critters so we just couldn’t do it. But you see, I had the change of heart first. Little Joe on the other hand wasn’t too happy about it, he took some convincing.”

Hoss rambled on as he told Clara the story. She found herself giggling in the way Hoss explained his little predicament with his younger brother. 

Clara calmed her laughter enough to ask Hoss, “How did you ever get him in that cage?” 

“Oh, I can be sneaky like my little brother too—very sneaky.” 

“You must have had quite a lot of adventures together,” Clara observed. 

“Oh, we have. And I got many more stories just like that one, tons of them,” Hoss emphasized. 

“Well, I’d certainly love to hear them.” Clara and Hoss were interrupted by one of Clara’s students ringing the schoolbell. “Well, school is about to start. I better get going. I thank you again for the ride.” 

“My pleasure, ma’am, er I mean uh…Clara,” Hoss corrected. 

With a small smile Clara said her goodbyes to Hoss and started to turn in the direction of the schoolhouse when Hoss spoke. “Uh, ma’am?” Clara shifted her attention back over to Hoss who nervously asked, “Would you like me to come and pick you up after school?” 

“If it’s not too much trouble.” 

“Oh, no trouble at all, I’d be happy to.” 

“Oh, well, thank you. So I’ll see you right after class then at three?” 

“I’ll be here,” Hoss promised. 

“See you at three.” 

After Clara made her way over to the schoolhouse, she ascended the steps before catching a glimpse of Hoss climbing up into his buckboard. She found herself smiling when Annabelle rushed past her up the steps into the classroom, nearly bumping into her.

“Sorry, Miss Hartley!” 

Clara shook her head at her with a smirk before she redirected her attention back over to Hoss who drove his buckboard onto the dirt road. 

She watched him for a brief moment before she walked into the schoolhouse. 

***

Hoss picked Clara up from the schoolhouse later that afternoon. The ride to Clara’s house was mostly quiet with only Hoss asking Clara about her day of teaching and what her students learned. 

When they arrived at Clara’s house, Hoss walked her to the door. Clara climbed the steps and turned to face Hoss. 

“I appreciate you giving me a ride back especially since you didn’t have to.” 

“Oh, it wadn’t no trouble at all. I don’t mind doing it.” 

“Well, I thank you anyway. You’ve been very kind to me.” Hoss flashed a shy smile when Clara wished him a good afternoon. 

She started to head inside the house when she heard Hoss say, “Ma’am? I mean uh…Clara?” 

Clara turned around and gave Hoss her full attention. “Yes?” 

She could tell he was nervous by the way he fidgeted with his hat and the beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. 

“Oh, dad-burnit,” he exclaimed. “I’m not very good at this, ma’am. I just wanted to…” 

“You wanted to what?” she asked. 

Hoss let out an aggravated sigh. “Would you maybe like to…have dinner with me?” 

A wide smile appeared on Clara’s lips. “I’d love to.” 

Hoss raised his eyebrows. “You would?” 

“Yes I would.” 

Hoss couldn’t contain his excitement. “Oh, hot diggi…I mean uh…ahem.” His voice lowered to a much deeper tone. “That’d be just fine, ma’am. Pick you up around six?” 

“Oh, well I have papers to grade tonight, but tomorrow will be just fine,” Clara told him. 

“Oh, that’s what I meant, tomorrow, yes sir—ma’am. Uh, I’ll see ya at six tomorrow.” 

“See you at six,” she repeated before Hoss hightailed it out of there. 

As he made his way over to his buckboard, Clara let out a soft giggle. She found it adorable how shy he was in asking her to dinner. The truth was she was happy he had asked her since she enjoyed his company. Clara watched him take off in his buckboard before she went inside the house. 

***

The next evening, Clara stood in front of a mirror in her bedroom fixing up her hair when Mary Beth appeared in the doorway. 

“You’re sure gettin’ all fancied up just for one little dinner date.” 

Clara didn’t appreciate her sister’s remark. “I just want to look nice is all.” 

“Sure.” Mary Beth stepped into the room. “So where is this Hoss Cartwright taking you to dinner?” 

“Well, I’m not sure yet. But I’ll soon find out.” When Clara heard knocking at the door, a smile appeared on her face. “That must be him now.” 

Clara hurried out of the room prompting an eye roll from her younger sister who followed her down the stairs. 

Clara answered the door and it was Hoss, wearing a brown dress coat, dark green vest and holding a bouquet of yellow flowers in his hand. 

Clara’s face lit up with a smile. “Hoss.” 

Hoss greeted her with a smile before Clara let him inside the house. She pointed towards the flowers and asked him in curiosity, “I take it those are for me?” 

Hoss stared at her with a dream-like gaze and a big smile on his face before he muttered, “Huh?” Hoss lowered his gaze as Clara’s inquiry started to register. “Oh, yes, ma’am. Here you are.” He handed her the bouquet of flowers. 

“Thank you, they’re very lovely.” 

Hoss motioned towards the door. “Well, uh…shall we?” 

“Yes, just let me get my shawl and I’ll be ready.” Clara grabbed her shawl and said goodbye to her sister before heading out the door with Hoss. 

While they were moving along the dirt road, Clara could sense Hoss staring at her. She lifted her gaze towards him and caught him smiling at her. 

“Is there something wrong?” she questioned. 

“Oh, no, ma’am, not at all, it’s just uh…you just look so pretty, that’s all.” 

Clara’s face flushed a shade of pink. “Oh. Thank you. And you look very handsome.” 

Hoss turned away with a shy smile. “Aw, nah.” 

“You are,” Clara insisted. “And if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re wrong.” 

Clara could tell her words touched Hoss from the smile on his face—one that was warm and appreciative. 

When Clara turned her attention back on the road, however, she let out a gasp. 

“Hoss!” 

Hoss whipped his head around and yanked on the reins. The buckboard slowed inside a livery stable before Hoss brought it to a halt. 

Startled, the owner shouted, “Hey, watch where you’re driving that team!” 

Hoss swallowed hard as his face flushed bright red. “Oh, Lordy.” 

He immediately apologized to the owner while Clara tried hard to keep from laughing at Hoss’s little blunder. 

***

At the restaurant, Hoss and Clara sat at a corner table as Hoss told Clara the rest of his venture into the rabbit business with Little Joe. 

“Our pa was sure-fired mad about having to pay for his own birthday present, so we had to end up paying him back our next three months wages.” 

“Oh, no,” Clara giggled. 

“And then the horse up and took off again and me and Little Joe had to chase it all over the Ponderosa,” Hoss emphasized. “But really I was chasing after Little Joe for what he got me into in the first place.” 

Clara chuckled. “I don’t believe it.” 

“Well, if you had known Little Joe as long as I have you’d believe it,” Hoss stated. 

“You must be very close,” Clara perceived. 

Hoss shrugged, “I guess you could sort of say that we are, I mean we are family. I’d do anything for him and I’m sure he’d do anything for me.” 

“Like me and Mary Beth,” Clara expressed as she moved her fingers along the base of her glass of champagne. “We’re very close. Although she prefers the city. I always loved the country. I remember when I was little, my father owned a farm. It wasn’t much, but there was a lot of love. But then my father could no longer afford to keep up the land, so we had to sell it. That’s when we moved to the city. My parents died shortly after I received my teaching certificate. That’s when I came to live with Mary Beth.” Clara lifted her gaze towards Hoss. “What about you? Have you always lived in the country?” 

“Oh, yes, ma’am. In fact I prefer the outdoors. It’s just bred in me I suppose. I never had no desire to live in the city and I don’t ever plan to. Joe and I sort of made a pact when we were kids that we’d live on the Ponderosa for the rest of our lives.” 

“It must be a wonderful place then.” Clara’s head perked up when she overheard the music starting to pick up and saw the couples moving to the dance floor. She turned to Hoss and asked, “Would you like to dance?” 

Hoss, who had just taken a drink of champagne, raised his eyebrows and swallowed. “Me?” 

“Why not,” she shrugged. 

Hoss let out a nervous chuckle. “Oh, you don’t want me steppin’ all over your toes, I ain’t a very good dancer.” 

“Neither am I, so I guess we’ll both just have to watch our toes.” Clara rose from her seat. 

Hoss was reluctant, but he agreed. He got up from his seat and followed Clara onto the dance floor. 

Hoss wrapped his hand around Clara’s while Clara placed her hand on Hoss’s shoulder and they began to move in step to the music. 

As they were dancing together on the dance floor, the men who had harassed Clara entered the restaurant. They scanned the room when one of the men recognized Hoss. 

“Hey, Jesse.” Jesse turned to his friend, Butch who nodded his head towards the dance floor. “Look who it is.” Jesse moved his gaze onto the dance floor when Butch affirmed, “I told ya I saw’em walk in here. Who could forget her.” 

Jesse flashed a wide grin. “You see her dancing with that big ox?” 

Butch joked, “He oughta be careful, he might squash her.” 

They both cackled when Jesse suggested, “How’s about we cut in?” 

Hoss and Clara were happily dancing in the middle of the room when Jesse came up and grabbed Clara. She squealed as he turned her to face him. “Remember me?” 

Hoss tried to pry her away from him, but Butch stepped in front of him and pushed him back. “Hold on there big fella, we got some unfinished business to settle.” 

Maintaining his composure, Hoss declared, “Well, we’ll settle it outside then. Now, let the lady go.” 

“Wait, Butch. I’d like to at least have one dance with the pretty lady first.” 

Jesse nuzzled Clara’s neck as she desperately tried to fight him off. “Let go of me!” 

Hoss held a stern gaze on Jesse. “I said let the lady go. I ain’t gonna ask you again.” 

“We settle it now,” Butch held up his fists. “Come on and fight me.” 

Hoss stood up straight. “No I won’t. Not here and not now.” 

“Fight me,” Butch repeated. 

Hoss wouldn’t budge. He stared him down and shook his head. “No.”  

Clara stared at Hoss, wide-eyed. She could tell he was showing great restraint. 

Butch paused before he threw a punch across Hoss’s face, evoking a gasp from the crowd. 

“I said fight me!” 

Hoss rubbed his chin and refused to give in when the owner of the restaurant walked in. 

“All right, that’s enough. I will not have any shenanigans in my restaurant. I want you all to leave now before I get the sheriff.” 

“I’ll be glad to, mister.” Hoss turned to Clara. “Let’s get outta here.” 

Jesse released Clara from his grip and she hurried out of the restaurant with Hoss. 

She could hear Butch yelling at the top of his lungs—calling Hoss a coward and all sorts of vile names making her flinch. 

Outside of the restaurant, Hoss took a few steps along the boardwalk, placing his hands in his pants pockets. Clara came up behind him when Hoss sighed. 

“I better take you home. I’ve embarrassed you enough for this evening. No need to make it worse.” 

Clara scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. “Embarrass me? Just because you refused to fight that man? I’m glad you didn’t.” 

Hoss lamented, “It’s not just that I…well, if I wasn’t so dad-gum clumsy…” 

Clara touched his shoulder. “Hoss, that doesn’t bother me in the least. I told you myself I wasn’t a good dancer and the incident in the livery stable was only an accident. In fact I enjoyed this evening with you up until what happened at the restaurant.” 

Hoss turned to face her and gave a half-smile. “Really?” 

Clara nodded with a smile. “Yes.” 

Hoss’s smile grew wider. “I did too, ma’am. Well, I better take you home now so your sister doesn’t worry about you too much. Come on.”

After Hoss brought Clara home, he walked her up to the front door. Clara mentioned to Hoss how despite what happened, she enjoyed his company. 

“Me too, ma’am,” Hoss imparted before he asked, “So, pick you up, same time tomorrow?” 

“Oh,” Clara chuckled. “Tomorrow is Saturday, there’s no school.” 

“Oh.” Hoss squinted his eyes. “That’s right. Well, I’ll see ya Monday then.” 

“All right, see you Monday.” 

Clara’s hand touched the doorknob when Hoss spoke. 

“Say, have you ever gone fishin’ before?” 

Clara raised her eyebrows slightly. “Fishing? I haven’t been fishing since I was a little girl.” 

“Well, how’s about I take you this Sunday? There’s this great big lake I found not too far from your place that looks like the perfect spot for fishin’.” Hoss hesitated with his next suggestion. “We could even…have ourselves a picnic. What do you say?” 

“Oh, I think that sounds wonderful, but I go to church on Sundays.” 

“Oh, tell you what, I got a better idea. How about I take you to church and then we can go on a picnic afterwards, how about that?”

Clara’s face lit up with a smile. “I’d like that very much.” 

“Good, I’ll pick you up around ten o’clock Sunday morning then.” 

“All right, see you Sunday,” she said. 

“See ya Sunday. Goodnight.” 

Hoss marched off the porch and over to his buckboard while Clara watched him, unable to suppress the wide grin on her face—amused by Hoss’s newfound confidence. 

After she went inside the house, Clara’s sister, Mary Beth descended the staircase. “Did you have a good time?” 

“Oh, yes, we had a wonderful time. He took me to a nice restaurant and then we danced.” 

With raised eyebrows, Mary Beth exclaimed, “He took you dancing too? I bet he’s very light on his feet,” she giggled. 

Clara rolled her eyes. “Oh, stop. He has been nothing but a perfect gentleman. As a matter of fact, he’s taking me fishing this Sunday—and on a picnic.” 

“Fishing and a picnic?” Mary Beth repeated in a surly tone. “It sounds like you’re quite smitten with him.” 

“He’s just a friend, that’s all,” Clara stated. 

Mary Beth sighed, “Whatever you say, sister dear. I think I’ll go to bed. Goodnight.” 

As Mary Beth ascended the stairs, Clara shook her head at her, annoyed by her younger sister’s accusation. However, Clara’s demeanor shifted, wondering if maybe her sister really was onto something about her and Hoss. 

Chapter Three

That Sunday afternoon, Clara accompanied Hoss to church and after services, he took her to a lake to fish as promised. 

Clara sat down on a big rock holding a fishing pole in her hands while Hoss laid back against a bed of rocks near her with his bare foot over his knee and his hat draped over his face. 

Clara slumped her shoulders as she let out a sigh. “I’m afraid the fish just aren’t biting today.” 

Hoss yawned, “They will. I’ll betcha you’ll have a whole string of’em in no time.” 

“Maybe it’s me. Maybe the fish just don’t like me,” Clara shrugged. 

Hoss removed his hat and snapped his head up. “Now that’s nonsense. A gal as pretty as you?” 

Clara turned her head away so Hoss wouldn’t see her blushing when she felt a tug of her pole. “Oh, Hoss. I think I finally caught one.” 

Hoss shot up from the bed of rocks. “You did? Well, reel it in, come on.” 

“I’m trying,” she grunted. 

Hoss grabbed hold of the pole and helped her reel in her catch. After one hard tug, they brought the fish up out of the water. “Oowee!” Hoss exclaimed. “You got a big one there, didn’t you?” he chuckled. 

“I’ll say,” Clara giggled. 

When Hoss turned his head, he caught sight of the string of his fishing pole being pulled. He hurried over to the pole and grabbed hold of it, but it slipped right out of his hands. “Hey!” Hoss yelled. 

He chased after the pole and dove into the lake. Clara watched in amusement—her hand clamped over her mouth when bubbles emerged from the top of the lake and Hoss came up to the surface. He spat out water and grumbled, “Dad-burn that sucker got away from me.” Hoss swam to the shore and heard the faint sounds of laughter coming from Clara. He came up out of the water, soaked to the skin before he exclaimed, “Oh, you think it’s funny, do ya?” 

Clara continued giggling like a schoolgirl when Hoss moved towards her. 

“Well, how would you like to go for a little dip yourself? The water’s real’ fine, ma’am.” 

“Oh, Hoss, don’t you dare!” Hoss lifted Clara up in his arms. She squealed, “Oh! Hoss put me down this instant!” 

Hoss gave a hearty chuckle before he assured her, “I’m just funnin’, ma’am.” 

After he gently set her back down on the ground, they locked eyes for a brief moment. Hoss found himself staring at her when Clara questioned, “Is something wrong?” 

“Oh no, ma’am, it’s just that I…I never noticed what pretty eyes you have.” 

The sparkle in Hoss’s blue eyes brought a smile to her face. She found herself blushing at his compliment, unable to conceal it that time. 

“Well, I better get you back home. I’ll go hitch up the buckboard.” 

Hoss made his way up a hill as Clara watched him, feeling a slight flutter in her heart. 

***

Over the next several days, Hoss continued to take Clara to and from school drawing them closer together. 

One sunny afternoon, Clara reached the end of another day of teaching as one of her students finished reading a passage from a McGuffey reader. 

Clara lifted her gaze and spotted Hoss sneaking into the room. She bit back a smirk when she saw him attempting to hide in the corner, realizing he was earlier than he had anticipated. 

When her student finished reading the passage, Clara dismissed the class, reminding them of a spelling test on Wednesday prompting a groan from her students. 

As the students gathered their books and dispersed the room, Hoss slid past them down the aisle of the classroom over to Clara. 

He greeted her with an awkward smile and apologized for being too early. Clara deemed the apology unnecessary and Hoss smiled in relief. 

Their exchange was interrupted however by the sound of a little girl calling out to Hoss. 

Hoss shifted his attention over to her and recognized little Annabelle who ran up to him. Hoss scooped her up into his arms. “Well, hey there little lady.” 

“You remember Annabelle, don’t you?” Clara asked. 

“I sure do,” Hoss answered. 

Annabelle’s big brown eyes sparkled as she excitedly told Hoss, “Guess what? Petey’s all better now. I told my pa what to do just like you said and he’s hopping, Hoss, he’s hopping!” 

Hoss smiled wide. “Heyyy, now, see? I told ya he would.” 

“I gotta get home now.” She snuck a kiss on Hoss’s cheek making them flush a rosy pink. “Bye Hoss.” 

“Bye sweetheart.” Hoss let her down and she hightailed it out of the classroom. “She sure is cute, ain’t she?” he noted as both he and Clara watched Annabelle rush out the door. 

“Oh, she is. She’s a very bright young girl and an excellent student. In fact they’re all excellent students.” 

Hoss moved his gaze over to Clara—eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Well, that’s because they have such a great teacher teaching’em.” 

Clara bit down on her lower lip when Hoss asked if she was ready to go. 

“Yes, I just have to get my things.” 

“Oh, well, I’ll just wait outside for ya then.” 

Clara smiled watching Hoss leave the classroom before she gathered her things and joined Hoss outside the schoolhouse.

The ride on the way to Clara’s house was a quiet one before Hoss broke the silence. 

“I sure am gonna miss giving you rides to school, ma’am.” 

Clara’s head perked up—caught off guard by his remark. 

“Why do you say that?” 

“I forgot to tell you that job my pa gave me to see about them horses? Well, that’s all finished now, so after tomorrow, I’m gonna be heading on back home to Virginia City.” 

Clara’s shoulders dropped. “Oh.” 

Hoss noticed the sad tone in her voice and suggested, “But if you want to, you can maybe visit me in Virginia City sometime. I can take you out to the Ponderosa to meet my pa and brothers. Would you like that?” 

“I’d be delighted,” Clara beamed. 

“Good.” Hoss then noted, “You can come visit me and I’ll come visit you, is that a deal?” 

“It’s a deal,” she chuckled. 

“All right.” 

Hoss redirected his attention to the road as he whipped the reins while Clara smiled at him. Her smile faded however as she thought of him having to leave. She really had enjoyed their time spent together, but she also acknowledged it would eventually come to an end. There was a small part of her though that wished it wouldn’t. 

After Clara returned home, she stepped inside the house and saw her sister, Mary Beth seated in a chair with an open book in her lap. She lifted her head and quipped, “Well, hello older sister. Where’s that big and handsome knight in shining armor of yours?” 

Mary Beth gave a soft giggle while Clara rolled her eyes, not in the mood for her little sister’s smart-aleck remarks. 

“He just left,” Clara told her as she closed the door behind her. 

Mary Beth took notice of the solemn tone in her voice and placed her book down on the coffee table. “Is something wrong?” 

Clara took a few steps towards the settee and rested her hands over the top. “Hoss just told me that the job he came here to do is finished and he’s leaving the day after tomorrow.” 

“You sound disappointed,” Mary Beth questioned. 

Clara brushed her hand along the rim of the settee. “Well…I did enjoy his company. He’s been a good friend to me.” 

Mary Beth rose from the chair and moved closer to her. “You really do like him, don’t you?” 

“I do,” Clara affirmed. 

With her head tilted slightly, Mary Beth hinted, “Maybe even…love him?” 

Clara’s mouth opened—scoffing. “Oh, Mary Beth, don’t be ridiculous. I told you he’s just a friend.” 

She hurried around the settee when she heard her sister mention, “Clara, how long have I known you? I’ve seen that look in your eye before with all those other boys you used to court on the farm back home in Texas. It’s much more than gratitude you feel for him, isn’t it?” Clara’s hesitation only confirmed her sister’s suspicion. “Isn’t it?” she repeated. 

Clara sighed. “All right, maybe it is. I don’t know what it is about him. I can’t really explain it. I just feel this attraction to him. He’s so kind…so gentle.” 

“He’s also quite large,” Mary Beth noted. 

“Yes, but that doesn’t bother me. It’s his heart that draws me to him. The way he cares so much for people.” Clara closed her eyes as she lowered her head. “But it doesn’t matter. He’s leaving the day after tomorrow and that’s that.” 

“You could ask him not to go,” Mary Beth suggested. 

“I couldn’t do that,” Clara argued with irritation in her voice. “Besides, he…he may not even feel the same way.” 

“Well, only one way to find out,” Mary Beth inquired. 

Clara looked up at her sister before she lowered her gaze to the floor, pondering her words. If only she had the courage to find out, she thought. 

***

The next day, Hoss picked Clara up from the schoolhouse. She had dreaded that day because it would be the last time he would be giving her a ride before he headed back home to Virginia City. 

She hated to say goodbye—even more so that she had begun to develop feelings for him. She feared telling Hoss her feelings for how he would react. 

The ride to her house had mostly been quiet with no more than a few words exchanged between them. Clara glanced over at Hoss before she gave a soft chuckle. Hoss shifted his attention to her and couldn’t help but join in. 

“What?” he chuckled. 

“Oh, that Mary Beth. She gets the craziest ideas,” Clara informed him with an eye roll. 

“About what?” Hoss questioned. 

“Well, since we had been spending so much time together, Mary Beth thinks that maybe we…no it’s silly,” Clara told him with a shake of her head. 

“Aw, no, come on, tell me, she thinks what?” Hoss pressed. 

“She thinks that…well, that we’ve become…smitten with one another.” 

Clara held her breath while Hoss gave another hearty chuckle. “Is that a fact?” 

“Yes. She thinks I’ve fallen for you. Silly right?” 

“Oh, that’s the silliest thing I ever heard,” Hoss stated. Why, we’re just friends, that’s all.” 

“That’s what I told her. But you know how siblings can be,” Clara shrugged with a sigh. 

“Yeah.” Hoss chuckled again before his expression turned into a look of uneasiness. He swallowed hard and directed his attention back on the road. 

After Hoss pulled up to Clara’s house, he walked her up to the door. 

As she made her way onto the porch, Clara mentioned to Hoss, “I know I’ve already said it, but I want to thank you again for everything you’ve done for me.” 

Hoss flashed a small smile. “Oh. It wadn’t nothing at all, ma’am, really.” 

“Well, it was to me. I’m going to miss you, Hoss. You’ve been so kind to me. I’ll never forget you.” 

Hoss suggested, “Well, I can still come by and visit you sometime. And I did promise I’d take you to the Ponderosa, remember?” 

“Yes, I remember,” Clara confirmed before she snuck a kiss on Hoss’s cheek. 

She pulled away and they locked eyes before Clara found herself leaning forward. She pressed her lips against his, but quickly pulled away. 

“I’m sorry.” 

Hoss grabbed hold of her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. “No. You’re not sorry, Clara. You wanted that to happen just like I did. Your sister was right, wasn’t she? You have fallen for me, haven’t you?” 

Clara’s mouth gaped open as words escaped her. She lowered her gaze and shut her eyes tight when she heard Hoss say to her, “Look at me.” She lifted her head back up to him and fixed her gaze on him. “Now I may not be as smart as my brother Adam, but I know you felt something between us—same as me. You know it’s true or else you’d be denying it right here and now, am I right?” 

Clara’s eyes filled with tears as she murmured, “Yes.” A smile escaped Hoss’s lips when Clara confessed, “I wanted to tell you, but…I was afraid. Afraid that maybe…” 

“That I wouldn’t feel the same way you do?” Hoss queried—his bright blue eyes sparkling. “Oh no, Miss Clara…I do. And that’s why I decided to stay here in Kansas City for a little while longer.” 

Clara’s face lit up with intrigue. “You have?” A wide smile appeared as she cried, “Oh, Hoss.” She wrapped her arms around him, but quickly pulled away. “But wait, what about your pa? Doesn’t he need you back?” 

“Oh, no, I sent him a message that I planned on staying a little longer. He’ll understand, he’s got plenty of help at the ranch. Besides, I could use a little vacation anyhow.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” 

“See ya tomorrow,” he winked. 

Hoss turned around and ran into the side of the porch, knocking his hat sideways. Clara clamped her hand over her mouth, stifling laughter as Hoss straightened his hat and gave a nervous chuckle—his face bright red with embarrassment. 

He said goodbye to Clara before he hurriedly descended the steps and scurried over to his buckboard. 

Clara watched him with a big smile on her face thinking how much she adored that gentle giant. 

Chapter Four 

After Hoss and Clara declared their love for each other, their relationship blossomed—growing closer with each moment they spent together. 

One evening, Hoss and Clara sat out on the porch side-by-side, taking in the quietness of the evening. Clara broke the silence. 

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” 

“It sure is.” Hoss gave Clara a brief glance and swallowed. “Clara, there’s something that I…there’s something I wanted to ask you.” 

Clara’s head perked up. “Yes?” 

“Well…” He rose from the bench and started walking a little ways towards the front steps. “We’ve been seeing each other for quite a bit now and…well, we’ve sort of…grown fond of each other, haven’t we?” 

Clara bit her lower lip, stifling a smile. “Yes, we have.” 

“Anyway I…I love you and…well, I’d like to…I wanna…” 

Hoss scrunched his nose as words escaped him. Clara leaned her head forward slightly with raised eyebrows. “Yes?” 

Hoss’s forehead began to perspire as well as his hands which he stuffed inside his pants pockets. “Oh, dad-burnit,” he muttered. 

Clara rose from the bench. “Hoss…” She went over to him and gently placed her hand over his broad shoulder. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” 

“It’s just that…well…” 

“Go on, please,” Clara urged. 

Oh, Clara, I….” Hoss let out a frustrated sigh before he blurted out, “I wanna marry you dad-burnit and I just can’t find the dad-gum words to tell ya, that’s all!” 

A wide smile appeared on Clara’s face. “That’s what you wanted to ask me?” 

“Well, yeah. I mean I know I’m not the most handsome or the smartest fella, but…I’d do whatever it takes to make you happy,” Hoss told her before he proposed. “Will you marry me?” 

“Yes…oh, yes.” Clara embraced Hoss who flashed a wide grin. 

Hoss pulled away—his voice trembling with excitement. “Wait until my pa and Little Joe hear about this. They’re gonna be sure-fired up over the moon, happy for us.” 

Clara smoothed her hand over Hoss’s shoulder as she questioned, “Do you think they’ll like me?” 

Hoss crinkled his eyebrows. “Like ya? Honey, they’ll love ya!” 

“You think so?” 

“Sure they will. I know I love you more than anything in this world,” Hoss declared. 

Clara expressed the same sentiment towards him before they leaned their heads forward and kissed—wrapping their arms around each other in a warm embrace. 

***

Hoss and Clara agreed to put the wedding on hold until Clara finished the semester while Hoss held off telling his pa and brothers of his engagement. 

One morning, Hoss drove Clara into town for a supply run. She fixed her gaze on her hands resting in her lap. “I’m curious what my students will think of my getting married,” she wondered. 

“I’m sure they’ll be quite happy for ya,” Hoss assured her. 

“I hope so. I am glad that Mary Beth took the news well.” 

“And why wouldn’t she?” Hoss questioned. “She’s your sister, ain’t she?” 

“Yes, but you know how she was when she first met you,” Clara recalled. 

“Yeah, but I think she’s startin’ to warm up to me. I know she cares about you and loves you. So as long as you’re happy, she’s happy.” 

A small smile crept on Clara’s lips. “I suppose you’re right.” 

“Hey…what’s going on up there?” 

Clara lifted her gaze and spotted a wagon with a gentleman standing next to it. “I’m not sure,” she answered in curiosity. 

Hoss pulled his buckboard up to the wagon and greeted the man. “Howdy.” Hoss scanned the wagon and noticed the wheel stuck inside a muddy ditch. “It looks like you’ve got yourself in quite a mess there, don’t it?” 

“It would seem that way, yes,” the man noted. 

“Can I give you a hand?” Hoss offered. 

“If it’s not too much trouble.” 

“No trouble at all.” Hoss looked over at Clara and instructed, “Just wait right here, this shouldn’t take long.” He hopped down off of the buckboard and took a closer look at the wagon wheel. 

The man pondered with a scratch of his head, “Got any ideas on how to get this wagon out of there?” 

Hoss scrunched his nose as he glanced over at his buckboard before he got up from the ground with an idea. “Mm-hm. All you need is a good team and a good team I got. I’ll have this wagon outta here in no time.” 

The man scoffed, “You seem rather confident.” 

“Well, I dealt with this sort of thing working on my pa’s ranch and all,” Hoss acknowledged. 

“Oh, well by all means.” The man motioned his hand towards his wagon and Hoss climbed out of the ditch. 

As Hoss made his way over to his buckboard, Clara offered, “Do you need some help?” 

“No, I pretty much got this covered,” Hoss responded as he made his way to the back of his buckboard. “You just stay right where you are, darlin’.” 

Clara relaxed her shoulders as she sat back on the bench. “All right.” 

Hoss got to work, proceeding to tie the wagon to the back of his buckboard with a strong rope. After making sure it was secure, Hoss climbed back into his buckboard and whipped the reins. “Yah!” 

The horses got moving along with the buckboard, pulling the wagon from behind until it was out of the mud. Hoss tugged on the reins. “Whoa,” he murmured before he brought the buckboard to a stop. “Well, there you are.” 

The man expressed his gratitude. “Much obliged, thank you. I wish there was some way I could repay you.” 

“Oh, no need for that. I was just helping a fella in need, that’s all,” Hoss stated. The man gave his appreciation when Hoss’s curiosity got the better of him. “So, where were you headin’ anyhow?” 

“Oh, just into Kansas City. I’m new here in town. I just traveled all the way from Wisconsin. I was on my way to perform a ceremony for a young couple, they’re getting married.” 

Hoss perked up. “Oh, you’re a preacher?” 

“Well, sort of,” the man shrugged. “I’m a Justice of the Peace.” 

“Well, I’ll be…” Hoss nodded his head towards Clara as he told the man, “We’re getting married ourselves in a couple of months.” 

“Oh, that’s wonderful. Well, if you’re ever in town, I’d be happy to marry you.” 

Hoss gave a faint chuckle. “Well, thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.” His eyes suddenly lit up and a huge grin spread across his face. “Hey…” He fixed his gaze on the man. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, mister, there’s something I need to discuss with my fiancee, just hold on right there, don’t move.” 

Hoss hurried down off of the buckboard prompting Clara to crinkle her eyebrows in confusion. Hoss helped her down and pulled her to the back of the buckboard. 

Clara chuckled, “Hoss, what…” 

Hoss turned her around to face him and inquired, “How would you like to get married right here and now?” 

Clara scoffed, wondering if she heard him correctly. “What?”

Hoss repeated “Let’s get married now, what do you say?” 

Clara’s mouth opened as she shook her head slightly. “Hoss…” 

Hoss gently took hold of her shoulders. “You love me, don’t ya?” 

“Yes, very much.” 

“And I love you, so what are we waitin’ for?” 

Clara stared at him in disbelief. “But what about our families and all our friends?” 

“I know and we’ll tell them, but…well, don’t ya think maybe all this is some sort of…sign? I mean with this fella here being a Justice of the Peace and all. I know it’s probably a crazy fool thing to do, but sometimes a man does what he has to do, no matter what it costs him. And dad-gum it, I…I love you and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. What do you say?” 

Clara felt a string of various emotions tugging on her at once. She was beginning to think that the wild and adventurous nature of Hoss’s younger brother in the stories he told about him was somehow hereditary. But love makes one do crazy things and she was indeed in love with Hoss. It wasn’t logical to her what he was suggesting, but maybe she needed a little adventure in her life. 

Clara’s shocked and confused expression towards Hoss morphed into one of love and admiration. She touched his face and nodded her head in agreement. 

“All right.” Hoss smiled big before he planted a kiss on her lips. Clara pulled away and giggled. “Can we at least tell Mary Beth?” 

“I don’t see why not.” Hoss took her hand. “Come on.” He led Clara back over to the Justice of the Peace. “Sir? My fiancee and I talked it over and well…we’d like you to do us the honor of marrying us today.” 

“Oh, well, I’d be delighted, mister uh…sorry, I didn’t get your names.” 

Hoss chuckled and held out his hand towards him. “Oh, it’s Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright and this is Miss Clara Hartley— soon to be Mrs. Cartwright.” 

“How do you do,” Clara acknowledged. 

The Justice of the Peace introduced himself. “I’m Clarence Smith.” 

Hoss touched the top of his hat. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith.” 

“Pleasure to meet you. Well, now that we’ve become acquainted with one another, why don’t we head over to the church,” Clarence suggested. “I’m running a bit late.” 

“Oh, well, let’s get a move on then.” 

Hoss hurriedly removed the rope from his buckboard and they all hightailed it out of there as quickly as possible. 

As they drove down the dirt road to town, Clara began to feel more confident to the point she could hardly contain her excitement. “I can’t believe we’re getting married! I’ve never been this excited for anything in my entire life.” 

Hoss squinted one eye. “You know, come to think of it, neither have I.” 

“We really should tell Mary Beth,” Clara stressed. “I would hate for her to miss the wedding. She was supposed to be my matron of honor.” 

Hoss pressed his lips together. “I got an idea.” He bellowed, “Hey, Mr. Smith?” 

Clarence turned to Hoss. “Something wrong?” 

“No, do you mind if we make a quick stop on the way?” Hoss asked. 

“I don’t see why not considering we’re already late,” Clarence shrugged. “A few more minutes won’t hurt any I suppose.” 

Hoss steered the reins and redirected the team down the road to Clara’s house. 

Clara expressed her thanks by sneaking a kiss on Hoss’s cheek making his face flush red and a shy smile appear on his lips. 

After Hoss pulled up to Clara’s house, she called out to Mary Beth. 

Mary Beth rushed out the front door. “Clara? What in the world..?” She caught sight of Clara with Hoss next to her and hurried over to them. “What’s going on?” 

“I came to invite you to the wedding,” Clara told her with a big smile on her face. 

Mary Beth scrunched her eyebrows. “Wedding? Who’s getting married?” 

“We are,” Clara giggled. 

Mary Beth’s expression turned to disbelief. “What? But I thought…” 

“Nevermind, I’ll explain later. We don’t have much time, just get in.” 

Mary Beth climbed into the buckboard and Hoss whipped the reins, leading the team back onto the road and in the direction of town. 

***

A little while later, Clara stood next to Hoss holding a bouquet of white flowers in her hands at the altar while Clarence performed the ceremony. 

“Hoss, do you take Clara to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor and cherish her—forsaking all others, till’ death do you part?” 

Hoss turned to Clara and gave a half-smile. “I do.” 

“And Clara. Do you take Hoss to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish him—forsaking all others, till’ death do you part?” 

“I do,” she said. 

Hoss proceeded to pick up the ring while Clarence recited, “Now Hoss, place the ring on Clara’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.” 

Hoss took Clara’s hand and gently placed the ring on her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed,” he repeated. 

“Then by the powers invested in me and the state of Kansas City. I now pronounce you husband and wife. And what God hath joined together—let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.” 

Hoss and Clara leaned forward and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. 

***

After the wedding ceremony, Hoss and Clara returned to Clara’s home and whisked her in his arms across the threshold of her bedroom. 

Clara giggled as she told him, “Hoss, you really didn’t need to carry me all the way up here. I’m perfectly capable of walking.”  

“I know that, but it’s tradition, ain’t it?” Hoss questioned as he gently brought her back on her own two feet. 

“Yes, but you already did it once when you carried me through the front door,” Clara mentioned. 

With eyebrows arched slightly, Hoss informed her, “Well, you deserve to be carried more than once in my book.” 

That response prompted a chuckle out of Clara before she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Clara pulled away and rested her hands over his shoulders. “Now we just need a place of our own to call home.” 

“Oh, you’re just gonna love the Ponderosa, I can guarantee it,” Hoss assured her. 

“I’m sure I will,” Clara confirmed. “I suppose I can get used to the idea of being a rancher’s wife. I will miss Mary Beth—and my students.” 

Hoss could hear the sadness in her voice and suggested, “Well, you can come here and visit them anytime you like.” 

That brought a smile back to Clara’s face and she felt a bit more at ease. “I just hope your family will take kindly to us getting married so suddenly.” 

“Don’t you worry about that none,” Hoss reassured her. “I know my pa and Little Joe, they’ll be thrilled for us.” 

Clara gazed in his eyes. “I love you.” 

Hoss repeated the words to her before he took her in his arms and kissed her. 

***

While their first night spent together as husband and wife was nothing short of wedded bliss, as the semester came to an end, Hoss was dreading the inevitable because he did know his pa and Little Joe. And it wasn’t exactly what he led Clara to believe. They would be happy for him, Hoss knew that—no doubt. But that was until after his pa cooled down enough. He knew of his pa’s temper and springing the news on him that he had gotten married might not go over well. 

Hoss paced the bedroom that he now shared with Clara while she helped Mary Beth with supper in the kitchen downstairs. He had been trying to rehearse what he was going to tell his pa when he got back to Virginia City, but his story went through various revisions with each creak of the floorboards underneath his boots. 

Hoss stopped pacing when he eyed the stationary on top of Clara’s desk. His eyes glistened as a faint smile appeared on his lips. With a snap of his finger, he hurried over to the desk and grabbed a sheet of paper before he sat down to write his pa a letter. 

He bit down on his lower lip before he put the pen to paper. “Dear Pa…you ain’t gonna believe this, but I got married!” 

Hoss slouched his shoulders as his expression shifted into uneasiness realizing he should probably be a little more subtle in his approach. He crumpled up the piece of paper and started over. 

“Pa…first off I found out about them horses like you wanted me to, but something happened along the way. You see, I met this gal…” 

Hoss lifted his gaze towards the ceiling and sighed when he heard Clara calling him from downstairs. “I’m comin’, darlin’!” 

Hoss looked down at the paper before he crumpled it up and tossed it aside, joining Clara and Mary Beth for supper. 

Chapter Five 

As the semester came to an end, Clara said goodbye to her students and gave a tearful goodbye to her sister before she packed up her things and headed into town with Hoss to take the noon stage to Virginia City. 

The stagecoach ride was a long and rough one when they finally arrived in Virginia City. Hoss suggested to Clara that she stay at the Palace Hotel while he talked to his pa and Little Joe first. Clara reluctantly agreed and Hoss took off to the Ponderosa. 

When Hoss arrived at the Ponderosa, he dismounted Chubb and spotted his pa over by the corral. He took a deep breath before he straightened himself up and strolled over to him with confidence. 

Ben tied the reins of Buck to the post when he turned and saw Hoss approaching him. From the irritated look on his face, Hoss could tell he wasn’t all too happy to see him. 

“Well, look who finally decided to come back.” 

Hoss’s confidence faltered a bit from his pa’s tone of voice. “Hi Pa,” he murmured. 

“Hi—Pa,” Ben mocked. “That’s all you have to say?” he grumbled. 

“I guess you got my wire,” Hoss observed. 

“Yes. And while you were having a little extended vacation, we’ve been up to our ears in dealing with the round up that you were supposed to be back for.” 

Hoss stammered, “I’m sorry, Pa, but I-I can explain all that, ya see…” 

Joe appeared from out of the corner of the barn and caught sight of his older brother. “It’s about time you got back, what took you so long?” 

“Well, your brother was just about to give an explanation,” Ben interjected. “And it better be a dang good one.” 

Joe shifted his attention over to Hoss along with Ben who stared at him waiting to give his explanation. Hoss swallowed —hard. 

“Well, Pa…” Hoss began. “First off I got a good deal for them horses just like you asked…” 

“Yes, you mentioned that in your wire,” Ben noted. “However you were very brief in your reasoning for your staying a few more weeks.” 

“Yeah, see I was sort of gettin’ to that, Pa. The reason I decided to stay a little longer was…” Hoss paused and took another hard swallow before he confessed, “It all started when I met this gal…” 

That prompted an eye roll from Joe and raised eyebrows from Ben. 

“You met a girl,” Ben repeated with a bit of irritation in his voice. 

“Yeah, we met shortly after I arrived in Kansas City. She ran into some trouble with these two men and I stepped in and came to her rescue. She then invited me to her house for supper as a sort of thank you for helping her.” 

A smirk formed on Joe’s lips which he tried hard to suppress while Ben tried hard to follow along with Hoss’s explanation. “So you decided to stay a little longer because of this young lady you met?” he questioned. 

“Well, yeah,” Hoss shrugged. “We got to know each other a bit and we sort of grew fond of one another.” 

Joe spoke. “Well, she must be some girl if she was able to fall for someone like you,” he teased. “Who is she?” 

Hoss bobbled his head slightly as he shot Joe a mock-smile before he answered his question. “She’s a schoolteacher and a mighty good one too.” 

Joe scrunched his face. “A schoolmarm?” 

Hoss furrowed his eyebrows at him. “It ain’t the kind of schoolmarm you’re thinkin’! She’s the prettiest, smartest—most kind schoolteacher I’ve ever met.” Hoss pointed his finger accusingly at him. “And I won’t have you or nobody else say any mean thing to her, especially since she’s my wife.” 

Ben and Joe’s heads perked up faster than a jackrabbit. Hoss soon realized the slip he made and slumped his shoulders when Ben’s voice thundered, “Your…what?” 

Hoss took another hard swallow, wishing he had stayed in Kansas City. “Now, before you say anything, Pa, I-I can explain.” 

“Oh, by all means, explain yourself—please!” Ben urged—tempers flaring. “I would love to know how I sent you into Kansas City to find out about horses, only for you to come back with a daughter-in-law!” 

Hoss’s mouth opened but words escaped him. “We didn’t plan on it, Pa, it just sort of happened.” 

“It just happened,” Ben repeated as his chest heaved. “Well, you don’t just sort of fall in love and decide to marry every girl that comes along!” He shot a look in Joe’s direction before he retracted, “At least it’s not a habit you’re known to make.” 

Joe raised his eyebrows before he gave a sideways smirk with a shrug of his shoulders, not denying his pa’s claims. 

Hoss sighed, “I know that, Pa, but she’s really a great gal and you’re already judgin’ me and her before you even know her!” he accused. 

Ben breathed deeply and calmly before he negated, “That’s just the problem, Hoss—I don’t know her. It’s not that I’m judging her or you. I just don’t understand why you would make such a drastic—life-altering decision like this without consulting with your family first.” 

Hoss felt a twinge of guilt at that statement. “I’m sorry, Pa, I know it’s so sudden and it sort of was for us too. But I love her and she loves me. She’s probably the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, Pa. I hoped you’d be happy for us,” he pleaded. 

Hoss’s words stung a bit, causing Ben to counter, “I want to be happy for you, Hoss. You and your brothers’ happiness means everything in the world to me, you know that. And if you say you love this girl, then I’m sure I will too—once I get to know her that is.” 

Joe flashed a warm smile. “So will I.” 

That prompted a huge smile on Hoss’s face. “Oh, you will, just wait till you meet her.” 

Ben scanned the ranch and shrugged, “Well, where is she?” 

“I had her wait for me at the hotel. She was nervous comin’ here, but she sure is anxious to meet you.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Bring her out here,” Ben petitioned. 

“I’m gonna do that right now, just wait right here.” 

Hoss scurried over to Chubb and mounted up before he took off down the trail. 

Ben shook his head in disbelief when Joe flashed a wide smile. “Heh. I’m gonna be an uncle.” 

Ben couldn’t help but chuckle at Joe’s declaration while also imagining the possibility of being a grandfather which sparked a gleam in his eyes. 

***

Hoss brought Clara to the Ponderosa and introduced her to his pa and Joe. They came to find that Clara was everything Hoss said she was and granted her a warm welcome into the family. 

Clara was then introduced to the rest of the family—Candy, Jamie, as well as the hands who all took very kindly to her. Ben also wrote to Adam who had found his own happiness with a wife and baby girl. 

After Ben had given a party to welcome Clara into the family, her and Hoss just needed a place to call home. Ben graciously offered a piece of his land as a gift for the happy couple and they soon began working on the house. 

A few months went by before the house was completed and Clara had an announcement to make—Hoss was going to be a father. The news made Hoss erupt with a joyful holler that reached far and wide across the Ponderosa. 

Ben and Joe were also overjoyed at the news and Hoss soon began work on the nursery. 

***

One late afternoon, Hoss was busy mending a broken fence outside when a very pregnant Clara waddled out of their house carrying a tray with a pitcher of lemonade sitting on top. 

Hoss stopped hammering and wiped the sweat from his brow when he glanced up and saw Clara approaching him with the lemonade before he dropped the hammer and hurried over to her.

He snatched the tray out of her hand. “Now what do you think you’re doing, carrying a heavy thing like that for?” 

The pitcher toppled slightly causing Hoss to steady the tray when Clara smirked and informed him, “I’m perfectly capable of carrying a tray of lemonade, darling.” 

“Well, you should be inside restin’ and off your feet,” Hoss stressed. 

With an eye roll, Clara explained, “I just thought I would make you some lemonade; you’ve been out here for hours. A wife has to look after her husband too, you know.” 

“Well, I thank ya for the lemonade, but why don’t you go on back inside now? I’ll be there in a little while. Go on.” He nodded towards the house. 

Clara snuck a kiss on Hoss’s cheek making him blush before she shook her head with a smile and waddled back inside the house. 

After Hoss set the tray of lemonade down and resumed his work, he heard a noise from inside the house. His head snapped up with crinkled eyebrows before he went to see what it was. 

Hoss stepped inside the house when he spotted Clara with her back against the counter on the floor clutching at her swollen belly. He sprinted over to her and knelt down next to her—panic settling in his voice. 

“Clara? Honey, what are you doin’ on the floor there? What’s wrong?” 

Clara steadied her voice. “I think the baby’s coming now, Hoss.” 

Hoss’s eyes widened. “Now?” he exclaimed. 

“Yes,” she gritted, reaching her hand over the counter to push herself up. “I need…to get to the bedroom.” 

Hoss gently lifted her up in his arms and carried her into their bedroom. 

“I’ll go and get the doc, you just wait right here,” Hoss instructed as he laid her down on the bed. 

Hoss turned towards the door when Clara grabbed hold of his hand. “Hoss, wait, don’t go,” she pleaded. 

Hoss’s gaze moved from his hand to her frightened eyes. “Honey, I got to, you need a doctor.” 

“You won’t have time,” Clara warned through labored breaths. “My water has already broken, you’re going to have to do it.” 

Hoss swallowed. “Me?” 

“Yes. You’ve done it before, haven’t you?” 

“Well, yeah, but…” 

“Then I trust you can deliver our baby. Please, Hoss,” she begged. 

Hoss stared at her for the longest time before he gave a reluctant, “All right.” 

Clara’s lips formed a smile when Hoss stammered, “I’ll be right back, you just stay right there now, don’t move.” 

Hoss ran out of the room while Clara redirected her focus on her breathing. 

In the kitchen, Hoss frantically gathered fresh towels and a large bowl to fill with water when he heard Clara crying out to him from the next room. Hoss dropped the bowl from his hands and it wobbled onto the kitchen table as he made a beeline for the bedroom. 

Hoss hurried up to Clara’s bedside who reached her hand out to him and Hoss wrapped his hand around hers in a firm, but gentle grip. “I’m here,” he whispered. 

“The pains are getting closer now, Hoss,” she breathed before another contraction hit. Her muscles tensed as she gripped her hand tighter around Hoss’s, crying out in pain. 

Hoss placed his other hand over hers and helped her through it, encouraging her along the way. The contraction passed and Clara relaxed her breathing. “I don’t think I can do this,” she cried. 

“Oh, yes you can,” Hoss assured her. 

“What if something’s wrong?” she feared. 

“No, there ain’t nothin’ that’s gonna happen to you or our baby. That baby is gonna be as beautiful as its mama, I can guarantee it.” 

Hoss’s words calmed the fear inside of Clara and a smile crept up on her lips as she touched Hoss’s face with her other hand. Hoss brushed his hand against Clara’s hair before he leaned in and kissed her forehead. 

***

Later that evening, the sound of a baby wailing drowned out the silence of their home and Hoss delightfully informed Clara they had a son. 

Clara’s face beamed with joy as Hoss cleaned up their baby boy and wrapped him in a blanket before handing him over to his mother. 

Clara took the baby in her arms and soothed his cries as she brought him close to her chest. His cries soon turned into soft coos as he stared up at Clara with big blue eyes. “He’s beautiful,” she giggled. 

Hoss smiled warmly at her as she played around with her baby boy’s tiny hand. “And so big,” she added. “Big and strong like his daddy.” 

“I reckon he is,” Hoss acknowledged before he moved closer to Clara’s bedside. 

Hoss and Clara stared at their newborn son in silence before Clara broke it. “I’ve thought of the perfect name for him.” 

Hoss lifted his gaze towards her. “You have?” 

“I want to name him after his father,” Clara announced. “The man who came to my rescue that afternoon in Kansas City.” 

Hoss’s face flushed a shade of pink, deeply moved by the gesture. “Aw, shucks.” 

Clara smiled at Hoss before she lowered her gaze at the baby. “Eric Warren Cartwright—the second.” 

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Eric,” Hoss declared. 

***

Hoss rode into town and got Doc Martin who examined both Clara and the baby. Ben and Joe then paid a visit and doted over little Eric, sending their congratulations. 

Hoss and Clara ended up adding two more children to the family—twin girls, Stephanie and Josephine—Josie for short. Mary Beth also eventually moved to Virginia City to be near her sister and Ben found her a job and a place to stay at Mrs. O’Brien’s Boarding House. 

Clara walked out onto the porch of her and Hoss’s house and watched Hoss play with their children. She smiled at the sound of their giggling and Hoss’s hearty chuckle. She never would have imagined what accepting that invitation to teach school in Kansas City would bring, but she got so much more than she bargained for. All because of the kindness of a stranger—a gentle giant. 

The End 

Author’s notes: As part of the camp in the pines 2026 challenge, I used the Easter Egg word I had received which was “Bubbles”, as well as one of Candy’s quips, “A man does what he has to do, no matter what it costs him.” 

*Also very special thanks to CareBear for providing me with the proper bunny care treatment info for Annabelle’s pet bunny, Petey. 😉