Summary: This was written for the Chaps & Spurs Literary Challenge in May. Ben has just found the very spot he wants to call home. Can he look past his fear and build his dream into a reality?

Rating:  K  650

 

Posies

Ben Cartwright was not a master of husbandry. He was raised in the city on the east coast where the hustle and bustle of city life represented home. Now, after traveling thousands of miles to the other side of the country, he was going to have to learn and learn fast how to survive in the wilderness and create a home for his sons.

“Pa?”

Ben’s thoughts were interrupted by his oldest son, Adam, standing alongside him holding onto his hand.

“Yes, Adam”

“Why don’t you look happy, Pa?”

Ben looked down upon him as he thought of what to say. “Well…” his words were interrupted by his son’s persistence.

“Isn’t this what you wanted? Isn’t this the place you’ve been looking for?”

Ben released his son’s hand and squatted down to his level.

“Yes, Adam. This is exactly what I wanted. We’ve found our home and I’m very happy. Now, why don’t you go check on your baby brother sleeping in the wagon?”

Ben mustered a convincing smile that transferred to his son’s bright face. He then watched as Adam turned and ran back full speed towards the wagon. Yes, he was happy. The spot he had chosen was filled with possibilities and yet, he was filled with trepidation. Ben Cartwright felt his gut wrench in fear. Would he be able to survive here?

His mind flashed back to his father-in-law’s advice the day they left on their journey.

“You’ve always had the wit, Ben. Use it. Don’t let fear guide you. Rely on your good sense, be persistent, and most of all have patience. It’s the patience, Ben that is most often forgotten. Yet, it’s the key that unlocks the door to making your dream a reality. Remember that.”

Ben sucked in a deep breath as he felt the gentle touch of light rain showers starting to fall. He scanned the area around him as he reflected on his thoughts. Could he overcome the fear?

The rain started to grow in intensity and Ben took shelter under a nearby pine. As he crouched near the trunk, he noticed a group of wild posies growing in the tall grass. They were reaching out towards the sky, absorbing the rain.

Then a flash of light and a Thunderous clash! The sky turned instantly darker and hail began to fall. As it beat down upon the already saturated earth, Ben could hear his infant son, Hoss beginning to cry inside the wagon.

“Pa?” Adam called out to him in trepidation.

“I’m coming Adam,” Ben reassured before covering his head with his coat and making a run for it.

The storm lasted but only a few moments. Ben peeked out from the flap to see the whole ground covered in white pellets, steam rising from them as the warmth of the sun beat down upon them.

Ben jumped to the ground with Hoss cradled in his arms. Adam followed behind in awe at the hail strewn around him.

“It looks like winter, Pa,” the boy stated.

“Yes, I would agree…”

Ben’s words trailed off as his eyes fell upon the wild posies. Some were buried under the hail smashed into the ground. Others sagged as if to show him their sadness. Yet, there in the middle of the patch stood several flowers reaching upward, absorbing the sun’s rays in gratitude.

Ben softly uttered, “Persistence.”

“What Pa?” Adam questioned.

Ben smiled down at his son, “Nothing Adam. We best go set up a warm fire and fix us some lunch. We have a lot to do if we plan on making this our home.”

“Home, I like that word, Pa.”

“So do I son, so do I.”