Welcome to “Seedlings,” a weekly writing prompt. I like that small challenge. 

Seedlings Challenge, May 5, 2014

1,006 words Rated:  K  WC  1000

Try the potato salad. It’s delicious.

Joe didn’t answer but threw a true smile to his brothers and the three men returned home. There was a buggy parked in front of the house. It wasn’t the doctor. Rather a big and luxurious model. Who would come to visit the Cartwrights?

Joe, Hoss, and Adam were impatient to know who their mysterious visitor was. These last hours, they had seen only the cart of the doctor, who had promised to reveal nothing in the city of their father’s state of health. Oh naturally, the comfort of the neighbours would have been appreciated; but Adam also knew that many crooked minds would have been able to use it to put together all kinds of plans to take over the lands of the Ponderosa. Adam, supported by his brothers, did not want to give them a chance. He would always have time to notify the doctor if the health of their father immediately declined. He paused to dispel from his mind these terrible imaginings; a short pause, which his brothers noticed nevertheless.

“So, what are you doing?” said Joe.

“Euh, nothing, excuse me. I’m coming.”

Hoss came first, then Joe and Adam. They rushed indoors. Two persons sat with their backs to them; they sat in the chesterfield and were drinking a cup of tea. There was a tanned woman, dressed elegantly in a pink coloured dress. Her hair was drawn elegantly back up in a sophisticated chignon, which let appear her white nape with a fine golden saltire.

The squeak of the heavy wooden door drew the attention of the man and of the woman, who turned round to have a quick look. The three Cartwright boys discovered the identity of the young woman.

“JOAN, I can’t believe it; what a nice surprise.”

Adam was the first to react; he made a step towards her, she threw herself into his arms.

“Oh Adam, it is good to be back here…”

“What a big surprise, I can’t believe it. What are you doing here?”

Hoss and Joe went up in their turn and embraced Joan. They were happy to see her.

“I want you to meet my husband, Henry.”

“Henry of the stagecoach?” Adam couldn’t have stayed quiet.

“The very one.”

Adam remembered very well the scene. It was shortly after Ben had broken with Joan, making it clear to her that they did not have a future. He had bought her a ticket for San Fransisco. At the stagecoach, she had gone up to a young man whom she had already met during the reception which Ben had given at the Ponderosa. This reception had not been great for the boys; their father hadn’t given any invitations to the young ladies.

“It has been four months since we have married. Henry found a good place in San Francisco. We wanted to give you a surprise.”

“I am delighted for you, Joan,” answered Adam.

“I am very happy indeed. But tell me, Adam, what has happened to your father? Hop Sing told us.”

“We know nothing about it, unfortunately. It has been five days since he has been unconscious.”

“Oh my God, but it is terrible. But why?”

“We don’t have any answers, Joanie,” Hoss answered.

Any joy disappeared; Joan burst into tears against Adam’s shoulder. Henry didn’t move. He felt embarrassed because he realized that these three men were not like him. They had no fear, and they could easily take somebody in their arms and show their feelings.

Joe had tears in his eyes, and Hoss very naturally had put his hand on the shoulder of his little brother. Henry was fascinated by Hoss. This giant could have broken the hand of a man, yet could be so sensitive.

“If you stop with all that crying, Hop Sing will bling supper.”

They all were happy to see Hop Sing, and they took their places at the table; but as Joan saw Ben’s chair, her tears came back.

They sat down at the big table in the dining room. Hop Sing had prepared it with the nicest dishes for parties. And all that in favour of the nice young woman who had come to gladden the home. Her beauty was a delight for three boys; it left no doubt that she was happy and radiant. She sat down to the left of Hoss, while her husband took a chair across from her, next to Joe. Adam took a place at the end of the table, but not in the chair of his father. Hop Sing brought them their meal. He offered them a rainbow of raw vegetables: red beans, leaves of salad, and small white onions. Joan and Hoss began to laugh as they saw beef and mashed potatoes on the table.

“Oh, I’ll try mashed potatoes, I didn’t eat it for a very long time and in my memories, it was delicious… ” said Henry, “Honey, tell me, what makes you laugh? Can you tell us about it, so we’ll laugh together”

“Hoss and I have a big memory of a similar meal.”, she replied.

“Do you mean you are laughing because of potatoes?”

“Yes, but it reminds us a famous moment we lived.”

Joe tried to explain to Henry what had happened. “That day, your delightful wife showed us she could throw dishes very well.”

“I dont understand.”

“There’s nothing to understand,” Joan said. “I didn’t want to eat, and I said to Hoss, ‘Potatoes are not welcome here.’ I sent him back. And then Mr. Cartwright convinced me.”

Henry said to Adam, “It seems your father can be a very persuasive man.”

“Oh yes, he is. He has always had strong arguments.” Joan’s face became red; Joe saw it and smiled at her. Adam did too. No one said another word about the scene.