Back at the hotel, Sam and the rest of the Cartwrights were sitting down eating breakfast and Hoss was now on his second plate of flapjacks. Sam had finished her plate and Ben and Adam were still eating theirs.

“How come Joe and Eddy didn’t come down?” Adam asked.

Sam snickered, “Eddy has a hangover.”

Ben’s eyebrows rose, “Hangover?”

“Isn’t she a bit young to be drinking?” Adam asked.

Sam shook her head. “She started drinking when she was about sixteen. Nights when she couldn’t sleep, she’d wander down to the Red Horse.”

Hoss finished chewing and looked at them. “And she couldn’t sleep last night?”

“I guess.” Sam said, looking at Hoss. His eyes were so blue, they seemed to memorize her. “But at least this time it somewhat paid off.”

“How so?” Ben asked and then took a sip of his coffee.

“Well, she found out that that reward Dawson has set out is for 20 thousand dollars.”

Adam whistled. “Wow, that’s a lot to put out.”

“Not only that, he apparently has sent for a fire bug fella from the east.”

Ben looked at the group. “It doesn’t make sense, Sam. If he’s the man that you told us about, why would he be doin’ this?”

The Parker girl shook her head. “That’s just it. It doesn’t make any sense. He was not like this when we left. He was always bailing his son out, taking Cal’s side. Buying up everyone and everything in town.”

Hoss looked at Sam. “Change of heart?”

Sam sighed, “Could be. But that drastic?”

“Or,” Adam started. “He could have been covering for his son and got tainted with the same brush.”

“Okay,” Sam said, thinking out loud. “If it’s not Dawson, who else could it be?”

“Like I’ve said before,” Adam spoke. “Whoever’s trying to do the land grab.”

“What are we waiting for?” Ben asked, “Let’s go take a look.”

Sam looked at Ben. “I’d really like to have a talk with Mark Dawson. Maybe he can shed some light on a few things.”

“If that’s what you think you have to do.” Ben replied. “Of course, I’d like one of us to accompany you though.”

“Of course.” Sam replied and glanced at Hoss as he put the last forkful of his flapjacks into his mouth.

Ben and Adam shared a look and smiled. Then Adam looked at his younger brother. “Uh, Hoss, why don’t you accompany Sam here out to the Dawson ranch?”

Sam blushed as she knew what Adam was doing. “Huh?” Hoss asked, a little confused but then replied as he remembered what had been asked of him. “Oh, yeah sure.”

“Well, it’s settled then.” Ben said, standing up from the table. “You and Hoss can head out to Dawson’s ranch and then meet Adam and I out at the Thunderbolt. Hopefully by then, Eddy and Joe will have joined us.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Sam replied, standing up herself. “But I should head upstairs to see if Eddy wants to come too.”

Adam and Hoss followed suit and they all made their way out of the hotel restaurant.

———————————————–

Sam and Hoss made their way upstairs and entered the room that she and Eddy were sharing. “Hey, little sister…” Sam started but stopped short when she saw she was talking to an empty room. “Now where did they get off to?”

“Shoulda known they were up to something.” Hoss replied as they left the room to meet Ben and Adam at the livery.

———————————————–

As Sam and the Cartwrights walked their horses out of the livery, Eddy and Joe rode up. “Hey,” Eddy said, jumping from Cashe. “We need to talk.”

The group looked at each other and then to Eddy and Joe. “Where have you two been?” Sam asked.

“Out to see Dawson. I don’t think he’s behind it.” Eddy said, looking at them. “He was too shook up about what happened and he was in denial about Cal. He seems genuine about finding out who did this.”

“It’s true.” Joe said, sitting in Cochise’s leather chair.

Sam stared at her sister. “You talked to Dawson?”

“Yeah. Joe and I just came from his ranch.” Eddy replied.

“It never occured to you that maybe I’d like to talk to him too.” Sam snapped. She was angry that her little sister was taking matters into her own hands.

“I didn’t think…”

“No, you didn’t think!” Sam yelled. “You never think!”

“Now wait just a minute, Sam.” Eddy said, getting mad. “Just because you’re older doesn’t make you queen bee. I’m just trying to help.”

“Now listen here, little sister, if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be here right now.” Sam yelled, getting into Eddy’s face. “You have to do everything on your own, then leave me picking up the pieces as always.”

“Look, why don’t you just get off your high-horse. You’re not miss perfect.” Eddy yelled, “Not everything has to go your way!”

Sam made a fist. “I’m not saying everything has to go my way. But this is not all about you, little sister.”

“They’re my parents!” Eddy yelled, with tears in her eyes.

“You self-centred, inconsiderate, little brat!” Sam yelled and hauled off and drove Eddy in the face. She looked down at her sister. “Fine, you want to go about this on your own, be my guest.” At that, Sam got on Dunney and took off.

Eddy sat up grumbling and holding a bloody, but luckily, not broken nose.

Hoss looked at the group. He didn’t say anything and took off after Sam. He knew that she would need someone to talk to and he wasn’t about to let her be alone. He loved her too much to let her go through this by herself.

Joe walked over to Eddy, knelt down and held out his bandana. “Thanks.” she replied, holding it to her nose. “I can’t believe she actually hit me.”

“Well,” Adam said, looking at her. “You do seem to know which buttons to push.”
Eddy looked up at Adam. “I didn’t do anything wrong! I just went out and got some very useful information. It’s not my problem if she’s got a burr under her saddle about it!”

Ben watched as Joe helped Eddy stand. “Put yourself in her shoes. Do you honestly think everything you said was right? Do you think she likes the fact that you’re running off and finding out information without her?”

“If our positions were reversed, I would have been happy that she had gotten the information.” Eddy replied.

“Would you really?” Adam asked. “If Sam was taking matters into her own hands and cutting you out, you would be okay with that?”

Eddy shook her head. “Look, I gave her the information I had. It wasn’t my fault if she wasn’t there. Geeze!”

“Did you tell her what you had planned on doing?” Ben asked.

“What is all this?” Joe asked, defensively. “I don’t think Eddy did anything wrong. She just wants to find out who killed her parents.”

“Joe…” Adam started. He knew his little brother could be just as self-centered as Eddy when it came to certain matters. And Joe’s last statement proved that when he had said “her” parents.

“No, I don’t like Eddy being interrogated for taking initiative and stepping up to get some much needed information.”

“Joe,” Ben started. “We’re not interrogating her.”

“Aren’t you?” Joe asked, raising his voice.

Adam shook his head. “I don’t agree with what Sam did, but I don’t blame her either.”

Joe glared at his oldest brother. “You saying Eddy deserved that punch to the nose, Adam?”

“I’m saying, I can understand why she got that punch to the nose.”

Eddy pulled the bandana away from her nose. “You’re pretty much saying that I did!” She said, walking up to Adam. “I did nothing wrong!”

Adam looked down at Eddy. “Oh come on, Eddy! You seriously think you did nothing wrong? Look at the facts: you went off on your own, you even went as far to say “my parents”. They’re Sam’s parents too or don’t you even think that?”

Eddy stared at Adam stunned. Joe got into Adam’s face. “That was uncalled for, Adam! Apologize, right now!”

Adam looked at Joe. “I’m not apologizing, Little Joe. I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”

At that Joe slammed his fist into Adam’s jaw. “You’re gonna apologize, Adam! If I have to beat it out of you!”

“Boys!” Ben yelled, walking up to them. “Adam! Joe!” He called at them as they were rolling on the ground, fists flying.

Eddy looked at the scene before her and shook her head. She was fuming. Between Adam and Sam, she was ready to bust. She looked at Ben, who was trying to pull them apart, and took this as her chance to leave. Her fight was with her sister and she was going to finish it. She mounted Cashe and took off in the same direction that Hoss and her older sister had rode in.

When Eddy was gone, Ben had finally separated the two siblings. He was about to say something when Walker walked up to them. “Seems like you gentlemen were having a ‘disagreement.’” Walker said, sighing. “I was hoping to see if you three wanted to come with me to the Thunderbolt.”

At Walker’s words, Joe looked around and noticed that Eddy was no longer there. He pulled his arm out of his father’s grip, ran to Cochise, jumped in the saddle and took off in search of Eddy.

Ben watched Joe as he took of like a bolt of lightning and shook his head in sad disappointment. Things were definitely getting out of hand and unfortunately it wasn’t do to any outside forces. No, there problems stemmed from right there in their own little group.

“We’ll be glad to join you, Sheriff.” Ben said, answering Walker’s earlier request.

—————————————————

Sam rode up to the original homestead. She dismounted from Dunney and didn’t bother to tie him up. She walked over to her parent’s graves andknelt down, but she was at a loss for words. The anger towards her little sister seemed almost overwhelming. She looked up at the sky. “Why?” She asked out loud. “Why does she have to be like this?” She looked down, sighing. “She’s just so ornery. So self-centred. I don’t know how to handle her anymore.” She said, with tears in her eyes. “Ma… Pa… I think I might move to Clinton. Go live with Uncle Whit.”

Hoss rode up and saw Sam in the distance kneeling down at her parent’s graves. He dismounted from Chubb and left him next to Dunney as he walked toward her.

He stopped when he got close enough to hear that she was talking. “Pa, I wish you were here now. I sure could use one of our heart to hearts.” she said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Hoss could here the heartbreak in her voice.

Hoss took a chance, “Sam?” He asked softly as he walked up to her and knelt down, pulling her into his arms.

Sam started to break down. They sat down and that was when she finally broke. Tears flowed freely and Hoss held her tight, wishing that he could take all her pain away.

“You know,” Sam started as she rested her head against Hoss’ chest. “I could handle her running off on her own. I’m used to that. But what she said about Ma and Pa… that was the last straw. I don’t think she realizes that I lost them too. Sure, I may have been able to handle my emotions better but that was because I needed to be strong for her. I’m always putting her before myself…” Sam stopped ranting and looked up at Hoss. “Well, no more. From now on she’s on her own!”

Hoss looked down Sam. “You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I?” she asked. She pulled herself away from him and she stood up. “She wants to be independent, well she’s gonna get her chance because I’m going to Clinton.”

Hoss looked at her, sadness in his eyes. “Sam, I know you don’t mean that.” He stood up. “I don’t want you to go.” He said and took her hands. “I want you to marry me.”

Sam was stunned and turned away from Hoss. “Oh, Hoss, you don’t mean that.”

“Course I mean it. I never would have said it, if I didn’t mean it.”

“But why? Hoss, you were almost killed because of me.” Sam said, tears running down her cheeks again.

Hoss walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “No! Don’t you ever think that!” he said firmly and turned her around to face him. “What happened wasn’t your fault…”

“But it was. Don’t you see Hoss, if you never met me…”

“Then I never would’ve had the chance to fall in love with an amazing, beautiful woman. But if your feelings changed, if you don’t love me…”

“No, Hoss, I do love you.” she replied quickly. She never wanted Hoss to think that she didn’t love him because she did, wholeheartedly. “I just think you’re confused with everything that’s happened…”

“No, I-I ain’t confused and I hope you’re not.” Hoss said. “Sam, let me tell you something. You ain’t exactly the best judge in the world of how a man feels. Particularly this one. I love you and I want to marry you.”

“Oh, Hoss, I don’t know. I just… don’t know.” she said, tears filling her eyes. “Everything is just so confusing right now… and the thought of what almost happened to you… I just don’t understand why you would want to be with me…”

“Sam, please!” he said, just as firmly to get her attention. “There’s something I gotta tell you and you gotta listen to me.” Hoss placed his hands on her upper arms and Sam looked into his kind and gentle eyes. “I want to protect you and I wanna look after ya. I wanna make sure that nothing ever happens to you again, like what happened here at the Thunderbolt and with Cal. I wanna… I wanna be near ya and with ya. I wanna spend my life with you and have a family with you.”

“Oh, Hoss… are you sure?” Sam asked, still trying to sort out her emotions.

Hoss replied without hesitation. “Yeah, I’m sure.” he smiled. His bright blue eyes twinkling.

Sam knew she had a decision to make. She could run away to Illinois and leave everything behind, including Hoss. Or she could stay and spend the rest of her life with an amazing man who loved her and who she knew she loved in return.

She looked into his beautiful, bright blue eyes and right then she knew her decision was not that difficult at all. “I love you, Hoss!” she said, wrapping her arms around him. “Yes.”

“Yes?” he asked, looking down at her.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.” she replied, smiling up at him through her tears.

Hoss leaned down, pressed his lips to Sam’s and pulled her firmly against him in a deep, passionate kiss.

Unfortunately, their happy moment was about to be interrupted, as Eddy came riding up on Cashe. She stopped the horse when she saw her sister with Hoss and jumped down from the saddle.

She charged toward them. “You hit me and then run off like a coward! What, don’t have the guts to finish what you started?” she yelled.

As Sam and Hoss broke apart, Eddy slammed her fist into Sam’s jaw, sending her falling to the ground. “What the hell was that for?!” Sam yelled from the ground.

Eddy went to go after her older sister when Hoss grabbed her by the mid-section with one arm picking her up off the ground. Eddy was swinging and yelling. “Let me go!”

“Not ’til you cool off.” Hoss said, raising his eyebrows and sighing.

Sam picked herself up off the ground and looked at Eddy. “You always did have a short temper, little sister.” she said, rubbing her jaw.

Eddy was still struggling in Hoss’ hold but the big man wasn’t letting go. “You deserved that! You had no right to hit me!”

“Really?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. “I always knew you could be self-centered but referring to Ma and Pa as “your” parents, that crossed a line. I lost them too, Eddy. We’re supposed to be in this together.”

Eddy knew she was right. “Damn you.” She said, cursing. She stopped struggling. “You can let me go now, Hoss.”

Hoss raised an eyebrow and looked at Sam. “Yeah, she’s done.” Sam stated.

Once Eddy was back on her feet she walked over to Sam. “I’m sorry.” she said, holding out her hand.

Sam looked down at her sister’s offered hand. “Yeah, I am too.” she said. She took Eddy’s hand and then pulled her sister into a tight hug.

This was the moment that Joe rode up to the group. He watched as Sam and Eddy hugged. “Looks, like you worked things out.” he said, dismounting from Cochise.

Eddy looked up at Joe and smiled. “Yeah, we’re good now.” she replied as Joe wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Hoss wrapped his own arm around Sam and looked at Eddy and Joe. “You sure know how to break a good moment.” he said.

Eddy raised her eyebrow and looked at Hoss. “What are you talking about, big guy?”

Sam smiled. “Just before you rode up and socked me in the jaw, Hoss asked me to marry him.”

Joe’s eyebrow’s shot to the top of his forehead. “You’re getting married!?” he asked, excitedly.

Hoss laughed at the excitement on his little brother’s face. “We are.” he replied.

Joe grabbed Hoss’ shoulders and looked into his big brother’s eyes. “You’re…. you’re not spoofing me now, are ya?”

Sam looked at Eddy, who was wearing a shocked expression of her own and then back to Joe. “No, Joe, we’re not spoofing ya. We really are getting married.”

Joe’s face lit up. “YAHOO!!!!” he yelled as he tried to pick Hoss up and spin him around, when that didn’t work he grabbed Sam and spun her around. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time!”

Eddy looked at Sam and then to Hoss. “Yeah, it really is. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Eddy.” Hoss smiled and then laughed as he watched Joe spinning Sam around. “Alright, little brother, I think she’s had enough.”

Joe set Sam back on the ground and looked at the happy couple. “Finally some good news to celebrate.”

Eddy looked at the group. She didn’t want the happy moment to end but they really needed to get back to the matter at hand. “I hate to break up this celebration but I think we should have a look around.”

Sam looked at Hoss and then back to the young couple. “I was thinking about checking out Jake’s cabin.” she replied.

“Why?” Joe asked, slightly confused.

“Well, I was starting to have doubts about Dawson before you went to see him, but If you’re right and he’s not behind this, there could be something in Jake’s cabin to point to who really is behind everything.”

Eddy and Joe both considered what Sam was saying. “How about we split up?” Joe suggested. “Me and Eddy will look around the ranch, while you and Hoss check out the cabin.”

Sam looked at Hoss and saw him nodding his head. “Okay, sounds like a plan.” Sam replied and the two couples went their separate ways.