{"id":11902,"date":"2010-10-17T04:16:09","date_gmt":"2010-10-17T08:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11902"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:40","slug":"geneva-by-hazelmom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11902","title":{"rendered":"Geneva (by HazelMom)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A series of letters combined with a deadly illness set the Cartwrights against each other and the town when Roy takes one of their own into custody.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (25,230 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Geneva<\/strong><\/p>\n

They were curious from the very first letter. Hoss never got much mail. Didn\u2019t know too many people from other parts like Adam and Pa did. The other thing was the letter. The envelope was pink, and it smelled faintly of roses. Adam was the one to bring the letter home, and there had been something about the scent that was familiar; something that felt nostalgic. It wasn\u2019t that distinct, and he chalked it up to memories of girls in pretty dresses who held onto him primly during the Virginia Reel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe snatched it out of his hand on sight. He\u2019d never seen a pink envelope before. He breathed in the scent and then batted his eyes at Hoss who blushed up past his thinning hair. The big man had few strategies for handling embarrassment other than a basic seek and destroy approach. Joe was hard to catch but not impossible. The boy always went a step too far; he played his hand a moment too long and Hoss grabbed him over Pa\u2019s favorite high-back leather chair leaving behind them a trail of overturned chairs and tables. Adam watched from Pa\u2019s desk, his arms folded. He\u2019d long ago given up trying to referee their tussles. The fact that Pa was merely on the front porch never seemed to register once they started their roughhousing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss picked his brother by his collar and pulled the letter out of his hand. He then let Joe fall to the ground just in time for Pa who stood in the open doorway of his home with his hands on his hips. Adam squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the bellow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His mouth opened, but no sound came out at first. Hoss spotted him first and froze. Joe was poised to leap at Hoss\u2019 legs when Ben found his voice. \u201cWhat in the name of all that\u2019s holy is going on here?!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, we\u2019re sorry.\u201d Hoss couldn\u2019t meet his eyes. The big man always had the hardest time disappointing his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do this outside!?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe scrambled to his feet. \u201cSorry, Sir, it\u2019s my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease! Boys! Leave the furniture alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss hung his head, the pink envelope in his hand. Ben looked sideways at him. \u201cWhat do you got there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. I still gotta\u2019 read it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cYou do that, son. Joe\u2019ll clean up for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and strode past his father. Joe frowned as he surveyed the room. He looked ready to protest the circumstances, but Adam beat him to it, and began turning up chairs. Joe took the hint, and took care of the rest of the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t return until his family was in the middle of a roast beef dinner with sweet potatoes. As incredible as it was for Hoss to get a pink letter in the mail, he rivaled it by not displaying much of an appetite once the food was passed to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other than furtive glances, no one spoke a word until Ben finally put down his fork and sighed deeply, \u201cSon, did you receive bad news? Is there something we can do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss glanced up. \u201cReckon not, Pa. I guess I\u2019m going to have to figure this one out all by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe could no longer be contained. \u201cCome on, Hoss. It\u2019s good to share your problems. We can help. We haven\u2019t let you down yet, have we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Adam for a moment, then frowned. \u201cNaw, this is something I gotta\u2019 figure out for myself.\u201d He looked down again as if eating required all of his concentration. Joe pointed his fork at Hoss to say something, but Adam shook his head sharply, and so the boy slumped back into his seat. Being left out of something in Hoss\u2019 life was a real change for Joe, and he sat back, arms folded, no longer interested in his meal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss finally looked up. \u201cPa, I was thinking about the fence line on the north end of the property. Wouldn\u2019t hurt for me to go up and work it for the next couple of days, would it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben dabbed at his face with his napkin. \u201cWell, we\u2019ve been meaning to get to that, but I was thinking maybe we\u2019d send Tim or Santos. It\u2019s too far to get there and back in a day. Whoever goes is going to need to camp a couple of nights.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I was thinking on that, and a few days up there riding fence sounds just about right for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGot some thinking to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go with him, Pa.\u201d Joe threw his napkin on the table and pushed his chair back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled. \u201cSorry, Little Brother, not this time. I just got to think this out on my own. Don\u2019t you worry none. It ain\u2019t nothing serious. Just a thing a man has to figure out on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and pushed away from the table. In Hoss\u2019 shoes, he would have snapped at the boy for pushing so, but Hoss seemed to have an endless well of patience. Sometimes it rankled him how Hoss never really held Joe accountable. It was only an hour ago that Joe was refusing to give him his personal property, waving it around like he had a right to it, and now the big man was comforting him. There were times when Adam got frustrated with Hoss for his endless patience, but there were more times that he prayed to God that he be given some of his brother\u2019s tremendous store.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A month later another letter came, same kind of envelope, same scent. Joe brought it home this time, and it took every ounce of will the boy had to keep from opening it. He put it on the dining room table and sat down in front of it. Adam found him there half an hour later, leaning over the table his chin propped on his knuckles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat across from him quietly and waited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not fair,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ll find that this letter is much less exciting than you\u2019re making it out to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOne way to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but clearly you would have already opened it if that was your plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your guess?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed and sat back. \u201cWell, I think Hoss is corresponding with a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe rolled his eyes. \u201cObviously! But why won\u2019t he talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss doesn\u2019t like to talk about his lady friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, if it was just a love letter, Hoss would\u2019ve blushed and acted all squirrelly, but he had a worry crease in his forehead and he distinctly said he had some thinking to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he\u2019s thinking of asking her to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! That\u2019ll be the day. Besides, when Hoss gets all moony over a girl, he talks about it. And, he\u2019d be picking out a horse for her and greasing his hair back all slick and wearing clean shirts and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam raised an eyebrow. Joe had a point. For awhile, they just sat opposite one another and regarded the pink envelope. Joe jumped when the front door opened. Ben Cartwright walked in, and cocked his head at the sight of two of his sons sitting at the table in the middle of his day. Then he spied the letter on the table. He pushed his hat back on his head and scratched his forehead. \u201cIs it alive? Are you worried it\u2019ll bite?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wrinkled his brow at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa shrugged. \u201cJust wondering why one innocent little letter would need two men to watch it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cI can take a hint.\u201d He got up and reached for his hat. Joe wasn\u2019t so easily swayed. He folded his arms snugly and regarded his father. \u201cSo what you think is going on with Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s none of our business, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw come on, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben wagged a finger at him. \u201cYou seem to have forgotten what it\u2019s like when you feel crowded by your brothers, when you feel they\u2019re getting into your business.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Pa, I get your meaning.\u201d Joe waved his arms in surrender as he walked out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and sat down. For a few minutes he did nothing but stare at the envelope. Then looking around to make sure he was alone, he picked it up, looking at it closely, back and front. Unsatisfied, he put it up to the light. Holding it at different angles did nothing to illuminate him. Finally he put it down, and walked out of the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss read the letter, and disappeared for six days. He made it as normal as possible telling Pa that he had to visit an old friend, but he kept it vague; too vague as lying didn\u2019t come naturally to him. Ben Cartwright didn\u2019t say much to him. His son was a man, and he had to make decisions for himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss walked back in during supper on a Sunday night. There was none of the usual cheer that generally surrounded the big man. He nodded at his family and took a seat as if he\u2019d been gone only as long as it takes to put some hay up for a horse after a day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben tried to feign a casual air when he asked how his trip had been. Hoss shrugged his shoulders and reached for the roast chicken. Adam and Joe looked at one another, and then the youngest Cartwright slammed his fist down on the table. \u201cYou\u2019ve been gone a week for God knows what reason, and then you come back and all you do is shrug!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stared down at his plate and said nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Leave your brother alone. He\u2019s tired. He\u2019ll talk when he\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss pushed food around his plate for a few moments before looking at his brothers and father. His eyes lingered on Adam the longest. \u201cDo you think there\u2019s ever a time when a lie is a good thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam blinked and sat back. Hoss could be such an innocent sometimes. It was in moments like these that Adam believed his brother would forever need the protection of his family. He narrowed his eyes at Hoss. \u201cI can think of very few situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cSo there are times then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cSon, it would help if we had a better understanding of the particular situation troubling you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry Pa, it ain\u2019t my story to tell. \u2018Sides, I guess you\u2019ll all know soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw Hoss, come on! What does that mean?\u201d Joe\u2019s tenuous control over his emotions was slipping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. I really am. I wish I knew another way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, you just tell us what we can do. We can listen or give you space. If you need advice, any one of us is here for you. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed hard. \u201cThanks, Pa. I\u2019m real sorry about all this. All I can ask of you right now is that you trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not you we don\u2019t trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned to Adam. \u201cWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone could be taking you for a ride, and we don\u2019t even know enough to be able to help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss reddened. \u201cThen, Big Brother, you\u2019ll need to trust that I know what I\u2019m doing. I may not be the brightest Cartwright, but I got a good gut for people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I was trying to\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss put his hand up. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. I shouldn\u2019t have bitten at you. You\u2019re just looking out for me and I can appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRemember that, Hoss,\u201d Ben pointed a dinner knife at him. \u201cYou\u2019ll always have the support of your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss closed his eyes. In almost a whisper, he said, \u201cI hope not to test that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next few days were rather anti-climatic. Hoss worked hard to make up for all the chores he\u2019d missed, and while he was just quiet, he seemed to be more of himself. They were almost starting to relax into their familiar routine again when the third pink envelope arrived.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was the first one to get his hands on the envelope, and he carried it home in his breast pocket while the rest of the mail sat in his satchel. The scent from the envelope drifted up, and visions of dances and pretty girls filled his head. One particular face came to mind, and in an instant, he reined in Sport, and stopped dead on the dusty road from Virginia City. He pulled the envelope from his pocket and looked at it carefully. The writing was cramped but not particularly distinctive. The envelope was thick enough so that nothing showed through in the sun. The edge of the envelope was loose, and he sat there contemplating how it would be to pull it open and take a look. It was so loose, he was sure it wouldn\u2019t tear. He\u2019d read it and glue it shut again with the horse paste in the barn. The urge to act on this impulse gripped him until he pulled at the edge a bit to see what it would do. A tiny tear appeared and he stopped. It dawned on him that he was ready to invade Hoss\u2019 privacy for no reason other than curiosity. It didn\u2019t sit right with him. He had a nagging feeling, but that was not the same as knowing something was wrong. He was pretty sure Hoss would never invade his privacy. He carefully straightened the envelope and put it back in his pocket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The scent on the envelope was the same one she used. Adam tried to still the unease in his gut. The last time he\u2019d seen her was 6-7 years ago, and for much of the time, she was largely forgotten, but when memories of her came, they always left him unsettled in a way that he couldn\u2019t describe. Maybe it was because, even though he squired her to dances for nearly a year, she was still, to him, indescribable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first time he saw her was when he came to the school house to save his brother\u2019s considerable back. Adam was just back from college, and his brother Hoss at almost 17 years old, was one of the biggest men in the territory. He could do ranch work with an ease and confidence that surprised Adam. He was no longer the pudgy overgrown boy Adam left behind. He was powerful now, a presence. Hoss was good on the ranch; he had natural skills that earned him the respect of men twice his age and he would have spent all of his time out on the range, tending cattle or riding fence, if Pa hadn\u2019t insisted he finish high school. It was a sore subject at home, and it didn\u2019t help that Adam now carried with him an architecture degree with full honors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One night soon after Adam returned home, Little Joe had announced at the dinner table that since Hoss wasn\u2019t going to school anymore, he wouldn\u2019t either. Hoss had turned red, and stared down at the table for a long time before he would answer. It turned out that he\u2019d been suspended for throwing a spit wad at Berrie Jenkins, and had been spending his days riding up to Lake Tahoe. Adam had been startled by the vitriol of Pa\u2019s reaction. It had been so peaceful since he\u2019d gotten home, everyone on their best behavior.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss hung his head through the entire tirade, refusing to defend himself. Little Joe looked just as miserable as he\u2019d been the one to tattle on his big brother. When Pa was finished, Hoss looked up and told him that he wasn\u2019t ever going to that schoolhouse again. Pa pointed his finger and pronounced that as long as he lived in this house, he\u2019d follow his rules. With tears in his eyes, Hoss got up, went upstairs, and came down with a satchel. He mumbled something unintelligible to Adam, but Little Joe picked it up and told his Pa he was going to move out to the bunkhouse too. Hoss left and Joe would have followed, but Adam grabbed him by the arm and sat him roughly back in his chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood there open-mouthed as his easygoing middle son moved in with the hands. It took Adam only a few minutes to drag the story out of his youngest brother about how Hoss had been unfairly accused, and how the fastidious schoolmaster had pronounced him an idiot, a disgrace to the Cartwright name, and told him that Adam, whom he had as a student, was surely embarrassed by him. Joe had frowned at Adam after this confession as if Adam might really hold some shame for Hoss. Adam had been a prize student and the fussy little schoolmaster had lauded him to the point of embarrassment, but Adam had been uncomfortable with the attention and comparisons with other students, and he knew this wasn\u2019t the first time the old schoolmaster had unfairly compared he and Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once Ben heard this, he marched out and dragged his son back into the house. The last thing his impressionable boy giant of a son needed was to be influenced by rough, uneducated ranch hands that drank hard and knew only women in satin skirts and low bodices. Ben confronted the boy about the story, and the way Hoss stood there, unable to look at his father left Adam as angry as he\u2019d ever been. It didn\u2019t matter how big Hoss got, Adam felt he would always want to watch after the boy. Ben announced that Hoss wouldn\u2019t have to return to that school, and Adam immediately volunteered to go get his books and finish his lessons at home. He was determined that Hoss finish high school just to prove to that old schoolmaster that he could. It was a much relieved Hoss who went to bed that night with Little Joe behind him complaining that he shouldn\u2019t have to go to school if Hoss didn\u2019t have to. Ben and Adam both knew that Joe would never have to face the kind of obstacles Hoss did, so his complaints fell on deaf ears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was standing on the schoolhouse steps when Adam arrived, and, for a moment, he thought she was a teacher. It was only as he got closer that he realized that she was still a girl. She had wild, dark hair, and eyes a color he would forever identify differently, depending where she stood in the light. Her mouth was full and red, and she looked at him with a directness that he had known only with much older women. She wasn\u2019t pretty. That didn\u2019t describe her at all. She was dangerous, and Adam caught himself breathing deep to catch the few she\u2019d stolen from him. Four years of college out East had made him strong and confident, and yet this simple schoolgirl was reducing him to jelly with a mere look. He\u2019d stammered his way past her, and gotten books and supplies from the schoolmaster, but was unable to fully castigate the man with his carefully prepared speech because his mind was on the medusa standing out front. Brusquely he informed the old man that Hoss would continue his studies at home and then left. When he got to the front, she was gone, but he wasn\u2019t worried. Virginia City was a small town, and a girl like that was going to stand out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A shout broke his reverie and Adam looked ahead to see his father and brothers approaching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you bring the mail?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pointed at his satchel and nodded. Hoss narrowed his eyes at Adam\u2019s chest, and Adam suddenly remembered he still carried the envelope in his breast pocket. Wrinkled and ripped, he handed it to Hoss. Hoss frowned deeply. \u201cThis has been tampered with.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without thinking, Adam said, \u201cIs it from Amelia?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook it at him. \u201cDid you read this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cI remember her perfume. Couldn\u2019t place it before. Is it Amelia?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t none of your concern.\u201d Hoss turned Chubb sharply and thundered away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa looked at Adam. \u201cYou didn\u2019t read it, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not talking about Amelia Saunders?\u201d Joe pushed his hat back on his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cSo you remember her, huh? Actually, I believe her married name was Thompson.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat girl you used to run around with?\u201d Pa couldn\u2019t hide the concern in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam almost smiled. Pa could be the toughest of men, but when it came to his sons and women, he was like an old mother hen. Ben Cartwright never felt right about that girl. It used to rankle Adam to no end how Pa would frown every time Adam brought up her name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s her, Pa. I sure wish I did. I would really like to know who\u2019s got Middle Brother in such a bundle.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They expected another wait and another letter, but Hoss surprised them all by asking them to gather in the living room after dinner. He disappeared outside, and when Joe went to the window, he saw his brother pacing back and forth in front of the house. Finally the big man headed for the house, and Joe fell over himself trying to get back to a game of checkers he and Adam were pretending to play.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t drop his hat. Instead he stood in the middle of the room abusing the rim with his fingers. \u201cI got something to tell you all, and I know it ain\u2019t going to sit well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had had about enough of the stewing over this mystery. \u201cWell then, out with it, Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Adam. \u201cThat was old Amy Saunders writing to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t move a muscle on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe wrote because she needed to correct\u2026an error between the two of us. I…uh\u2026made a mistake, and didn\u2019t take care of it before she left 7 years ago. And, she\u2026uh\u2026let me know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone it, Hoss! What are you trying to say?\u201d Joe reached over and grabbed the ten gallon hat away from him. It was distracting watching him reduce the hat to a shapeless mess. A big hat like that didn\u2019t come cheap.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit! There ain\u2019t no words for this. The plain truth is I compromised her, and she was writing to tell me that a child came of it all those years ago, and it\u2019s time for me to make it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No one moved. Ben sat with his mouth open, and Adam leaned forward his brows furrowed as to make one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come off it, Hoss! You never done that to no girl, and you know it.\u201d Joe had reached the end of his patience, throwing his brother\u2019s hat on the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam spoke in a low, even tone, staring a hole through his brother. \u201cThis is a ploy to get money, Hoss. That\u2019s all it is. Amelia is not above that and I should know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cShe got proof. I seen it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou compromised a girl and didn\u2019t do right by her!\u201d Pa was on his feet, eyes blazing dark and furious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shrank a bit from his pa\u2019s fury. \u201cWell, see she was with this other guy, and then they got married and I didn\u2019t find out she was pregnant \u2018til much later. And even then I assumed that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben slapped him hard across the face, the sting resounding like thunder through the room. Hoss closed his eyes and didn\u2019t move when Ben walked up to him, hissing at him. \u201cI taught you better than that.\u201d Then he turned and stormed out of the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe was my girl.\u201d Adam stood but didn\u2019t approach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss raised his head, a slash of deep red growing on his face. \u201cYou\u2019d already discarded her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI always thought being brothers meant more to you than this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss could no longer face his brother. If Adam had gone over and punched him, there was certainty that Hoss would have done nothing more than stand there, arms at his side. Then Adam did something far worse. He spat at the ground in front of Hoss and followed his pa out the door. Eyes closed, Hoss sank into a chair, a hand delicately finding the place his father struck him. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw Joe still sitting there staring at him. He grunted. \u201cIt\u2019s your turn, Little Brother. Say what you gotta; I ain\u2019t going to do nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One corner of his mouth tugged, but it was another minute before he could say, \u201cYou ain\u2019t a very good liar, Hoss. Usually they\u2019re better at seeing it, but you right shocked \u2018em with your lies, and they\u2019re too busy feeling betrayed to realize it\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cAin\u2019t no lie, Little Joe. If you come to town tomorrow, you\u2019ll see for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to court tomorrow. Going to stand in front of a judge and tell him my mistake. Going to make it right for Amelia and the little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was the first mention of the child, and Joe swallowed hard. \u201cShe\u2019s going to take you for all your money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she ain\u2019t. Got that all figured out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole town\u2019s gonna know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged. He sat there slumped in the chair for a while before slowly getting to his feet. \u201cI\u2019m gonna\u2019 stay in town tonight. Tell Pa, I understand if there ain\u2019t room on the ranch for me no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe leapt to his feet. \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna\u2019 stand for this. You ain\u2019t going anywhere. This is your home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss put a hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThis is Pa\u2019s home, and I disgraced it. It ain\u2019t my decision to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gripped his arm, and the intensity of it surprised Hoss. \u201cThis family is stronger than any single mistake. I promise you that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled grimly at his younger brother. Sometimes it was hard to remember the boy was only 18. The two had always felt like contemporaries; Hoss couldn\u2019t imagine a life without his fiery little brother at his side. Gently he pulled away from Joe, and climbed the stairs to pack his things.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam tried to be nonchalant with his brother the first time he asked about the girl with black hair, but even Hoss, in all his innocence, couldn\u2019t do anything but laugh at him. Amelia Saunders was on everyone\u2019s dance card. She\u2019d moved into Virginia City when her pa had bought the Gold Coin Mining Company. Rich and beautiful and 19, her father made her go to school even though she\u2019d already graduated because it was the only way he could even begin to control the willful girl during the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a courtesy, Adam asked Hoss if he was crushing on the girl, but Hoss had shook his head and mumbled something about knowing better than to play with fire. Adam didn\u2019t take his brother seriously. At the next dance, he saw her from across the room turning down suitors until her eyes found him. In that moment, he realized she\u2019d been waiting for him. Wearing a dark red gown, her black hair piled high, she reminded him everything of a painting he once saw in the National Gallery when he\u2019d visited Washington, D.C. There nothing 19 years old about her. She carried herself like royalty, and took it for granted that he was there for her and for her only. He wasn\u2019t prepared for her intelligence or her knowledge of literature. They spent most of the evening quoting their favorite Keats to one another, never once making it to the dance floor. She consumed him in a way that no woman had before or since.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa pulled up alongside him and Adam glanced over to see his father staring straight ahead, a look of abject misery on his face. Joe had told them about the court date and his intention to go. Neither man said anything, but each of them found their way on the road to Virginia City the next morning. Joe rode ahead as if making sure he could stay between his brother and Adam and Pa. He felt like he needed to do whatever was necessary to keep his family from imploding. But most importantly, Joe wanted to protect Hoss. He couldn\u2019t give up on Hoss because Hoss would never give up on him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sat in the courtroom staring straight ahead. Various townspeople had gotten wind of something interesting and the room was filling up with people who most likely had better things to do. If Hoss had turned his head, he would have seen his pa and two brothers walk in, hats in hand, and take the only open seats near the back. Hoss didn\u2019t even look at Amelia who sat beside him dressed in deep emerald, a hat perched snugly in her hair. On the other side of her sat one very confused lawyer who had been asked to represent both their interests simultaneously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had been too upset to think what to pack for staying at the International House, and he was still wearing ranch clothes. Somehow, he didn\u2019t look so big or imposing sitting up there like a cowhand. Judge Talpert finished reviewing documents and then asked Hoss to stand. \u201cMr. Cartwright, do you contend that these documents are accurate?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed hard. \u201cYes, your honor. I am taking full responsibility for the\u2026uh, paternity of Geneva Thompson.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The judge nodded. \u201cAnd Mrs. Thompson, what evidence have you that Mr. Thompson will not be contesting the paternity of Geneva Jean Thompson?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia stood, smoothing expensive sateen skirts with her hands. \u201cI have supplied the court with three affidavits which state that, on numerous occasions, my husband, Tim Thompson, denied paternity of my daughter, Geneva. They also show that my husband was unkind to her on several occasions.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The judge looked at the affidavits for a moment. \u201cMr. Thompson is not here in person?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir. My husband does not know that I am here. My husband has threatened to harm us both.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an unusual situation. Mr. Cartwright, do you harbor any doubts that the child is yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked down at the table for a moment before responding. \u201cNo sir. I only had to look at her to know the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of her parents are dark haired and brown-eyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The judge sighed. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019re aware that the child\u2019s hair color is not a definitive indicator of paternity.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m sure of this, Judge Talpert, and I want to take responsibility. You can\u2019t tell me you get a lot of fellers coming in fighting for paternity.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is the child?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia shifted. \u201cShe\u2019s in the outer room.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease bring her in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia squeezed past Hoss, her skirt rustlings, and disappeared into the room behind the judge. She walked back in holding hands with a little girl. The effect on the room was electric. The child had a halo of blonde curls that defied capture. Round blue eyes blinked at the room from a round face with pink cheeks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The breath caught in Ben Cartwright\u2019s throat. She indeed reminded him of Hoss as a child. Until he hit ten years old, his hair was white blonde, and with his blue eyes and rosy cheeks, he\u2019d always reminded Ben of a little cherub, and now here was another cherub walking right into the room. Adam took a look, shook his head, and walked out of the courtroom. The murmurs around them agitated Joe to the point that he had to dig his fingers into the wooden arms on his chair to keep from exploding to his feet and telling everyone to shut up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stood amidst the whispers, his gaze set on the judge. \u201cYou got any questions, Judge?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Judge Talpert banged his gavel. \u201cI\u2019ll have order in this court or I\u2019ll close this room to all visitors.\u201d The noise died, and he leaned over his desk. \u201cMr. Cartwright, I am granting your bid for paternity of Geneva Jean Thompson. This court is adjourned.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sat down and closed his eyes. He knew everyone was watching, and he suspected that all of Virginia City would be talking about this by the end of the day. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to Amelia. She was talking at him, but he hadn\u2019t been paying attention. He shook his head and leaned in. \u201cWhat\u2019s that you\u2019re saying, Amy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI need to leave Geneva with you for awhile. I have business I need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shook his head. \u201cNo way, Amy, we had a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I need time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t leave Gennie with me. I just met her a couple of weeks ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She gripped him tightly. \u201cI need space to think, Hoss. And she will be safe with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou promised me you\u2019d get help.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I will. That\u2019s what I\u2019m doing. I just need a little time. Please understand.\u201d Before he could protest further, she pushed Geneva in front of him and backed away. Hoss took the little girl\u2019s hand. The tiny blonde head whipped around as her mother made her way to the door. Her face screwed up and she screamed for her mother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia pushed past people to get to the front door, and she was almost there when a black sleeve came out of nowhere and pulled her into the judge\u2019s chambers. She gasped as he shut the door, and she came face to face with Adam. He gripped her tightly by the shoulders, and stared at her. It took a moment for him to take her in. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Her face had lost its youthfulness and had become more defined; cheekbones and jawline delicately etched into her features. Those eyes that Hoss described as brown were actually a mesmerizing m\u00e9lange of gold, green, and brown. He remembered back to days when he had tried to study those eyes for hours on end. But she was also thinner than he remembered and paler; there was a tinge to her skin that reminded him of women who never left their sitting rooms. She tried to jerk away from him, but he held fast. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019d come to town and not see me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t want any part of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t mean that. After all, you\u2019re a member of the family now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What is this, Amelia? You and Hoss have a child? I\u2019m supposed to believe that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw her, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shook his head. \u201cI saw a blonde, blue eyed girl. That doesn\u2019t make her Hoss\u2019 child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just impossible for you to believe I could do something for the right reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia, it\u2019s not about right or wrong for you, it\u2019s about opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His grip loosened, and she pulled away. \u201cI don\u2019t need money, Adam. My husband is rich, and my father left me plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She wheeled around and walked up to his face. \u201cHoss is her father. I knew it from the beginning, but you can\u2019t blame him for this. It wasn\u2019t his fault. I went after him one night to hurt you. He was only 17 years old, and I was almost 20; he barely knew what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s disgusting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cIt was\u2026even for me. I lost my stomach for it by the very next morning. Plus Tim Thompson was waiting for me to make the right decision. So I linked arms with him, and we set out for Carson City, and his pappy\u2019s mining operation. I never looked back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo why come back? Why not just ride into the sunset with your husband and your child?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked down and Adam remembered how she hated to look at him when she was wrong. He reached out and lifted her chin. She looked at him reluctantly, and for a moment, he imagined getting lost in those eyes again. \u201cAdam, he\u2019s a drinker and he\u2019s mean, and he\u2019s never cared for her. I think he knew from the beginning. He didn\u2019t say anything for awhile, but the marriage started to sour because I didn\u2019t get pregnant again. I didn\u2019t know what else to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his forehead and looked away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling the truth. I\u2019m just tired, Adam. I think she deserves better, and frankly I do too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to divorce him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She smiled grimly. \u201cThe Thompsons don\u2019t divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just did it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia, this isn\u2019t going to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt already did.\u201d She went to the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She cocked her head at him for a moment. \u201cYou know, Adam, you were the only one that ever felt real to me. It\u2019s too bad I couldn\u2019t make the grade. I would have made life interesting at the Ponderosa.\u201d She slipped through the door without another word. Adam stood there, hands on his hips, and stared at the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The child hiccupped into Hoss\u2019 chest while he rocked her. \u201cThat\u2019s the way, Little Doll. You just listen to old Hoss. We\u2019re going to have a good time, you and I. You just wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Someone sat next to him and he turned to see his pa and Joe crouching next to him. Ben looked at him. \u201cDid you know she was going to leave her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shook his head and turned his attention back to the blonde ringlets resting on his shirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled thinly. \u201cShe\u2019ll probably be back in a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and rubbed the tiny head of hair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa reached over. \u201cGive her to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wrinkled his nose. \u201cAw, she\u2019s a little fussy right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know all about fussy. Hand her over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss eased her off his chest and into his pa\u2019s arms. The little girl seemed too tired to really care. Ben held her. \u201cYou just rest, Sweetheart. We\u2019re going to take you to a nice ranch, and you\u2019re going to have a room all to yourself. Joe here is going to get a puppy or a kitty or whatever he can find between here and the Ponderosa. And Hop Sing is going to make you ice cream for dinner tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The girl held onto his shirt with tiny fists and just listened. Suddenly a little voice emerged. \u201cDoes the puppy bite?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cNo, Joe\u2019ll make sure you get a puppy that doesn\u2019t bite. Did you hear that, son; a puppy that doesn\u2019t bite?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cI\u2019m on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wrinkled his brow. \u201cAre you sure, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled at his middle son. \u201cI didn\u2019t sleep a wink last night. I\u2019ve never hit you like that before, and it can never happen again. I don\u2019t what\u2019s happening here with this child, but I know that I\u2019m not going to have any better luck until my middle son is back in the house with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hurt you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cLet\u2019s not talk about it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. He reached for Geneva, but Pa was already on his feet heading for the street. \u201cPa, everyone will see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His pa looked over his shoulder. \u201cAnd they\u2019ll know that I\u2019m proud of the newest member of my family. That sounds about right, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe went straight to Tracy Ledbetter\u2019s place for a pet. The girl was crazy, what with that rifle she was always swinging in every direction, but she knew how to raise dogs. She steered him to the hounds, but he didn\u2019t figure the child would know what to do with one of those raw-boned howlers. Then she pulled him into the barn where a black and white herding dog was lying in the hay, six pups playing around her. He picked out one that was white with black patches on its back and one over its eye. Tracy told him they called that one Bluebeard because of the patch over one eye, and Joe figured they\u2019d shorten it to Blue or something. He stuffed the squirmy pup in his shirt and headed home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was an errand that was pleasure to him. The events of the last 24 hours had weighed heavily on the boy, and when his pa told Hoss to come home this afternoon, Joe almost leapt to his feet and started screaming. He knew that his fierce fight for identity within the family made it look like he was trying to break away from the Cartwrights, but the truth was that he couldn\u2019t imagine life without either of his brothers or father. The deeper truth, however, was that if Hoss left, he wasn\u2019t sure if he wouldn\u2019t leave with him. It was that way between the two of them. Hoss had always been there, always believed in him when others doubted. Hoss loved him like a brother, a mother, and a friend. It was as if he was a necessary extension of Joe; the part that exercised caution and patience. In fact, the way the big man fussed over him sometimes, it felt like he still had a mother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe knew that the truth of the situation between Hoss and Amelia had still not come to light, but whatever it was, he figured it was his job to back his brother to the end.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t come home for three days. Ben was all about giving his boys space, but when one of the hands mentioned that Adam was picking fights at the Bucket of Blood, he figured enough was enough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stopped first at the jail reasoning that Roy would have thrown Adam in a cell by now, but the sheriff just shook his head, \u201cBen, I almost jailed him the first night, but once folks realized they needed to keep their snide comments about Hoss to themselves, it got real peaceful like around here. In fact, I would say that having him camped out over there at the Bucket of Blood has been a great deterrent to the fights that have been breaking out over Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben winced. \u201cPeople are fighting about Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy got up. \u201cYou know that Hoss has done a kindness for more people than anyone else in the territory. There\u2019s those who\u2019ll defend him no matter what and there\u2019s those who gotta\u2019 judge a man. You got your folk who hate the success of the Ponderosa and everything Cartwright, and you got folks who know that Hoss would give a man the shirt off his back. I haven\u2019t stumbled onto one conversation this whole week that hasn\u2019t been about Hoss being a pa to that little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben furrowed his brows. \u201cPeople need to mind their own business.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy let out a chortle. \u201cGood luck with that, Ben. People ain\u2019t got all that much to talk about if not each other. Always been that way, always will be. You know that. I myself have had to have a few heated exchanges on Hoss\u2019 behalf in the last few days. I mean, Ben, do you really think your boy fathered that girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glared at his old friend hard for a long minute, and then threw up his hands. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy is really in a pickle this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, I\u2019m not here about all that, Roy, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy grabbed his hat. \u201cAll right, let\u2019s go see Adam. I figure he\u2019s probably not doing more than just nursing the bottle this time of day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of shape is he in?\u201d It was a beautiful sunny day and people crowded the streets. Ben knew that all eyes were on him, but he didn\u2019t care. A man who\u2019d been through as much as he had in life didn\u2019t take much stock on what people said about him behind his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy waved at passing folks. \u201cHe\u2019s okay. I paid Sally to bring eggs over to the Bucket of Blood every morning and then supper at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben reached into his breast pocket. \u201cI\u2019m much obliged.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy put his hand up. \u201cPut your silver away. You Cartwrights are about the closest thing I have to family in these parts. It was my pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. They got to the Bucket of Blood, and blinked hard as their eyes adjusted from blinding sunlight to the dusty darkness of the saloon. Ben nodded at Sam, and looked around the room. There, in the corner, sat his son, his head resting on folded arms, a half full bottle of whiskey next to him. \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam finished polishing a glass. \u201cSame bottle as last night. I reckon his heart\u2019s not in it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben put a coin on the bar. \u201cGive me the best bottle you got in the house.\u201d Then he gestured at Roy. \u201cAnd make sure the sheriff here has a full mug of beer for as long as he wants it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy smiled and sidled up to the bar. Ben grabbed the whiskey Sam handed to him and headed over to Adam. Adam was lifting his head before Ben could sit down. \u201cCame to haul me back to the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben unscrewed the bottle and poured one for Adam and for himself. \u201cI figured if you were going to drink, you might as well get the good stuff. It\u2019s easier on the head in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pushed the glass of whiskey back to his father\u2019s side of the table. \u201cI think I\u2019ve done enough damage for quite awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou still mad at Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I\u2019m not sure what to believe about this, but you have to know that Hoss had his reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam snorted. \u201cHoss is not that child\u2019s father. If he\u2019d done what he said he did, he wouldn\u2019t be able to look me in the eye. He\u2019s not capable of it. It took three days and two bottles of whiskey to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know another reason why he\u2019d\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam slapped the table angrily. \u201cHe did it because he thought he could save Amelia or maybe the child. I don\u2019t know which one, but it\u2019s what Hoss does. And usually, I just play along while gangs of strangers get put up at the house or he stops doing ranch work for a week because some neighbor needs his help or he almost gets the lot of us swindled out of everything we own. Usually, I can ride out one of his rescue missions pretty well, but this time it took a toll and I don\u2019t want to encourage it anymore. And you know, Pa, you are the worst when it comes to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben raised his brows at Adam and waited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou let him get away with all of it. He\u2019s got a big heart, you\u2019ll say. If he wants to hire good for nothings or misfits or whatever, it doesn\u2019t matter \u2018cause you\u2019ll go along with it. If he wants to ruin the family name because Amelia Thompson asks him to, you\u2019ll go along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you felt this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t either. It\u2019s another thing two bottles of whiskey clarified for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben swallowed his drink and poured another. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to say. I just want him to think things through before he disrupts all of our lives. It happens every time, and the fact that he does it for noble reasons is supposed to excuse the craziness that results. Believe me, Pa, this circus is only getting started. I mean, Pa, what is the plan? Are we raising a little blonde girl now? Is she a Cartwright? I bet you Hoss didn\u2019t know that Amelia was going to take off like she did. When is she coming back or even, is she coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. \u201cI see your point.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grunted. \u201cNo, you don\u2019t. I don\u2019t have a point. We will all continue to allow him to try and fix every problem he sees. Even I know that. I won\u2019t be angry forever, and there will always be a part of me that knows that Hoss is just doing what the rest of us oughta\u2019 do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay?\u201d Ben contemplated a third glass from the bottle. Maybe whiskey would give him clarity too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis thing with Amelia will not end well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben waited for a moment before saying what he knew his son didn\u2019t want to hear. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize that you still cared for her. I imagine we all thought she was never someone serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face clouded over and Ben steeled himself for an angry response, but the young man took a deep breath. \u201cHonestly, Pa, I don\u2019t know what I\u2019m feeling, and I don\u2019t really want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. He expected nothing less from Adam. His eldest always kept his feelings close to his vest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Ben blinked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe little girl, how\u2019s she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cWell, her name is Geneva and she\u2019s very shy. She follows Hoss around like a puppy which, by the way, is what she now has. Joe got a little shepherd puppy from Tracy Ledbetter. They\u2019re calling it Blue, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss has got a way with kids, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is good because she was very upset when Amelia left her. Hoss has been working in the barn so he can stay close to the house. She doesn\u2019t let him out of her sight. He even sleeps on the floor next to her bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell me more.\u201d Adam rested his head on his chin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing adores her and makes ice cream every night which has Hoss tickled silly. And last night, Joe and Hoss were telling her a bedtime story and I walked in as they\u2019re telling her about some calf stuck in the mud being stalked by a timber wolf. I had to jump in, and explain that little girls shouldn\u2019t have scary stories like that at bedtime. I mean, they claimed that it was going to have a happy ending, but come on, she\u2019s 6 years old. But you know, they don\u2019t know, and frankly, I don\u2019t know either. I have to remember to go to the mercantile today to see if they might have some books of fairy tales; something a little more appropriate for a little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded and pushed his hat back on his forehead. \u201cChet had some in. I saw them yesterday. Actually I saw them and bought them.\u201d He reached under his chair and pulled up a few thin, brightly colored books.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, sat back and regarded his son. \u201cOkay, so what now? You going to bring these books home with you anytime soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking of heading out when you showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what you\u2019re going to say to your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll know what I get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough.\u201d Ben picked up the bottle of whiskey and followed his son. At the bar, he put it down in front of Roy who tipped his hat at his friend as he walked back out into the sun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he and Adam rode into the yard that afternoon, there was no emotional reunion. Hoss looked up from where he was shoeing a horse and nodded; the big man knew enough to give Adam his space. Adam tipped his hat and slid off Sport. Hoss secured the horse and waited. Adam looked around the yard. \u201cI hear you got a new shadow; one that\u2019s considerably prettier than you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss couldn\u2019t stop the broad grin spreading across his face. \u201cShe hid in the barn when she heard the horses. Just hold on a sec.\u201d He turned his head and yelled, \u201cGennie, you come out now!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cWhy is she hiding?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. She won\u2019t tell me. She just skedaddles every time she hears a new horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little girl emerged slowly, a squirming puppy in her arms. She ran over and stood behind Hoss, gripping his pants leg tightly. Hoss reached around and picked her up. \u201cHey now, ain\u2019t nothing to be worried about. This is Adam. Remember me telling you about him. He\u2019s my big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She peeked at Adam out of the corner of her eye, the puppy struggling mightily in her arms. Adam reached over carefully and took the pup. \u201cCan I meet Blue? He is a cutie. Looks like he\u2019s acting a little squirrelly there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rolled the pup over in his hands, and gently started to massage its belly. The rambunctious beast immediately settled down and let its limbs go limp. Geneva leaned forward in Hoss\u2019 arms to get a better look. She wrinkled her brow and looked up at Hoss. He chuckled deep in his throat. \u201cHe\u2019s just giving Blue a little nap. Ain\u2019t nothing wrong. Dogs like getting scratched on their bellies.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam knelt down. \u201cDo you want to give it a try?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss put her down gently and urged her to reach out. The little girl did, and Adam took her hand showing where and how to scratch the puppy. Ben stood back and watched his boys. They were strong men, respected and sometimes feared, but they were also kind and gentle, and he felt proud that they weren\u2019t afraid to let that part of their character show in a country where few men recognized the value of it. Joe sauntered out from the house, and joined his brothers and Geneva on the ground just in time for the puppy to stage a revolt, nipping Adam, and taking off across the yard. Hoss lunged for the dog, but ended up with a face full of dirt, Joe tripping over his brother\u2019s arm in an effort to do the same. Geneva stood up and regarded the two men lying on the ground. Then she gingerly stepped around them and trotted off after the puppy. Adam threw back his head and laughed, \u201cGirl\u2019s got common sense. You two jaspers could take a lesson from her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben grunted his satisfaction and headed for the house. Whatever was coming would be manageable now that his sons were together again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva was a listener. She quietly paid attention to everything they said. Adam watched her from the window in Pa\u2019s study. She seemed perfectly content to follow Hoss with her puppy, and listen to him all day long. Hoss, for his part, kept up a steady of facts and ideas about ranch life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam discovered that bringing her books was definitely the way to her heart. She held them carefully and would kneel on the floor, resting the books on the couch and slowly turn the pages for hours. At bedtime, he\u2019d suggested reading one to her, and she\u2019d quickly picked out one with a girl in a red hood on the cover, and came straight over to him. It was the boldest thing he\u2019d seen her do. Not having had fairy tale books when they were young, Hoss and Joe had an inordinate interest in these tales as well, and he found that he was reading to all three of them at night. Getting Hoss to stop interrupting with constant questions and worries about the characters proved to be Adam\u2019s greatest challenge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It turned out that she\u2019d had no schooling yet so Adam picked up a primer and gave her simple lessons on the alphabet. It amazed him that a six year old child could work so diligently for such a long time, carefully copying letter after letter on the paper he bought for her. Despite her easy, quiet nature, Adam knew she was a very unhappy child. He wondered if it went beyond Amelia abandoning her. There was no way to know because questions to her about family went unanswered, and the discomfort she displayed went asked taught them all to avoid the subject.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam heard horses, and saw the tiny girl pick up her skirts and disappear into the barn; the little puppy chasing after her. He walked out of the house in time to see Hoss greet Regina Gant in a dusty old wagon. Regina was a fine woman married to a rancher named Jason Gant with a small spread north of the Ponderosa. Together they had four children. They struggled to make the mortgage every month and always looked tired, but seemed to carry the deep satisfaction that folks had who felt true meaning to their lives. Regina was not a beautiful woman, but her goodness gave her a warmth that made people smile. The fact that she was Amelia\u2019s little sister never failed to amaze Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss lifted her off the wagon and steered her toward the porch. She smiled at Adam and took the seat he offered. Without preamble, she looked up at him, \u201cI\u2019ve come to see my niece.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she\u2019s hiding from you right now. Hoss went to get some refreshment. We\u2019ll wait \u2018til he comes back. He sort of has the touch when it comes to that little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss appeared as if on cue. \u201cHop Sing will bring out some lemonade straight off, Miss Regina.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I see Geneva?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and turned to the barn. \u201cCome out, Gennie. Got somebody I want you to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, there was nothing, but finally the little girl slinked out of the barn and trotted over to Hoss who picked her up and sat her in a chair next to Regina. Regina took her little chin and looked her over carefully. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen you since you were a baby. Your mama had me out to Carson City when you were first born. I stayed for a good couple of months. Brought my two girls, but I\u2019m sure you don\u2019t remember any of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little girl blinked at her but said nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina sat back. \u201cWe were getting along back then, Amelia and I. She was lonely, and I was happy to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t talked to her since?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u201cI tried, but you know Amelia. She can be quite stubborn. When is she coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss took off his hat and scratched his head. \u201cI don\u2019t rightly know, Miss Regina. She never said. I wish I knew. I think Gennie misses her something fierce.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina raised an eyebrow at that last statement. \u201cIn any event, I\u2019m glad she\u2019s here with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss blushed and looked down at the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cDid you know that my husband married me for my brains? He said to me, \u2018Regina, a wise woman is worth a lifetime while a pretty one is only worth the time it takes for her looks to fade. If I\u2019m going to marry one, I might as well get the lifetime model.\u2019 I\u2019m not here to judge. I don\u2019t know if you are the father — I have my own theories on that — but I\u2019m glad that she is somewhere safe. I\u2019ve prayed for her every night for six years.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss gently pulled Geneva off the chair and deposited her on the ground. \u201cGo on, Gennie. Blue needs a walk. Go circle around the fence with him like I showed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little girl looked at him briefly, then put the puppy on the ground and trotted off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three of them sat quietly for a moment, unsure of where to take the conversation. Then Adam said, \u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean, Regina.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked down at her lap. \u201cShe\u2019s a drinker, he\u2019s a drinker. Neither was much interested in that little baby of theirs. I guess I said something wrong \u2018cause she told me to pack up one day. I offered to take the baby, but Amelia wouldn\u2019t let me. Her pride couldn\u2019t handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took note of the fact that Hoss wasn\u2019t saying anything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth is that I don\u2019t want to cause any trouble; I just want to see the child. I want my children to know their cousin. I want to see if she knows how to smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cMiss Regina, you and your kids are welcome here any day. I think it would be good for her to have other kids around. She\u2019s gotta\u2019 be getting tired of trailing around after me all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think Amelia will get mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cWell, she ain\u2019t here to squawk none about it so we\u2019re not going to worry about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I bring them tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cI\u2019ll have Hop Sing make us up a picnic lunch. We\u2019ll have a grand ol\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was having as much fun as anyone. It had been years since he\u2019d had kids running around the yard, and watching Regina\u2019s kids chase around the yard brought him back to times when Joe and Hoss would tear around like for hours until they literally dropped from exhaustion. Geneva had been shy at first, holding Blue tightly, but these children were a happy, hardy bunch. They were tickled to have a cousin, and treated her like a little princess. Eventually this wore down her defenses, and soon she was chasing around after them, although Ben was pretty sure she was lost as to the purpose of it all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina sat beside Ben sipping lemonade and laughing. His sons were out on the range, this marking the first time Geneva had let Hoss out of her sight since she\u2019d come to the ranch. He thought she might get scared, but they had to try it sometime. Right now, she seemed to be doing okay, but Ben knew that it was best he stay where she could see him in case she started to worry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina sighed. \u201cI wish Lottie could have come. She\u2019s closest to Geneva in age, but she was feeling kinda\u2019 peaked this morning so I thought it best she stay back. Jason is working close to the house so he\u2019s keeping an eye on her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were short a Gant child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She smiled. Tom, the oldest boy, came running up to his ma. He all but barreled into her as he reached around her neck to give her a hug. \u201cMy head hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She frowned at him and felt his forehead. \u201cMaybe you should rest a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dark eyed boy considered his options for a moment before wriggling away from his mother and running back into the fray. Ben chuckled, \u201cBoys are like that. Tell them to rest and all of a sudden, they\u2019re feeling just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded, but kept a worried eye on her son. \u201cI hope the children aren\u2019t coming down with something. I would hate to expose Geneva to anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He waved away her concern. \u201cThey\u2019re fine. Kids and runny noses just go together is all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know that Amelia named Geneva after me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a gesture, I guess. She wanted us to be close. I had married Jason against my father\u2019s wishes, and so I was out of the family as far as he was concerned. I think she admired my gumption. Of course, the truth was it was nothing but pure survival. Our father was neither an easy nor a nice man. It wasn\u2019t brave really. I just didn\u2019t want any part of his world. Since my father was still alive, she named her Geneva; Gennie for short. Gennie is short for Regina. It was her compromise, and I was really touched.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou must miss her.\u201d Ben filled her glass with more lemonade.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shrugged; her eyes still on the children. \u201cI grew up with her, but I never really knew her. I think I miss what we should have been. She was beautiful and smart, and always trying to get Papa\u2019s attention. She didn\u2019t have much time for me. I just sat back and watched. I think people thought I was jealous of her, and I would be happy to admit it, but the truth was she was never satisfied. She always wanted what was beyond her reach. She was so miserable all the time that it was hard to be jealous. God gave her beauty, but he gave me contentment. I knew from the first moment I saw Jason that he was the one for me, and I\u2019ve never felt any different. No amount of money will ever make her feel that. I think I feel sorry for her more than anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was just thinking about what a wonderful woman she was when the sounds of hooves erupted. Hoss, Joe, and Adam came thundering in, scattering the kids to the porch. He was about to get cross, but he could see that they were aware of the kids and were doing it to play with them more than anything else. Geneva jumped down and ran after Hoss, grabbing his pant leg tightly. He chuckled and hoisted her up onto his shoulders. Horses tethered; the three of them headed for Pa and Regina.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina stood up. \u201cI reckon if your boys are home for supper, my Jason is starting to think the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ma\u2019am, did you have a nice day here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did, Hoss. I was just telling your father that my youngest, Lottie, wasn\u2019t able to come, and she\u2019s a bit heartbroken. I\u2019m hoping that we could do this again soon or Lottie will drive me right crazy asking after her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cWell, how \u2018bout after church on Sunday? Gennie and I will come over and she can play with them all afternoon. If I remember right, Jason said he\u2019s got a bull he wants me to see. It\u2019d be a right good opportunity to get both of those things done, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds perfect. I\u2019ll see you then.\u201d She let Adam help her into the wagon, her three kids being hoisted into the back by Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they left, Geneva squirmed out of Hoss\u2019 arms and jogged after them to wave good-bye. She\u2019d only made a few steps when she tripped on a rock and fell to the dirt. Joe went over to pick her up. He noted a big tear in the back of her stockings, and as he was looking at it, he saw something that made him gasp. The girl in his arms, he whirled around to Hoss and shouted, \u201cWho did this to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They had all crowded around, and everyone got a good look at red lines faintly etched onto the back of her thighs. Hoss rescued her from their midst, and walked off with her down the trail to the meadow behind the barn. It was an odd response; he didn\u2019t attempt to explain anything. Ben watched him disappear with her down into a meadow. Joe looked at him; shock still etched on his face and Ben shook his head. \u201cHoss will tell us later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d better,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Little Brother. I\u2019ll crack his head if I have to, but he\u2019s talking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood, arms folded, and stared off at the meadow long after Ben and Joe went inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva was used to being at the center of attention at the Ponderosa, but that evening she was nothing less than a princess. They all sat with her that evening, watching her page through her books; the room quieter than usual. She sat in Hoss\u2019 lap for a long time with her Jack and the Beanstalk book. He challenged her to tell him the story, and she went through it page by page, remembering most of the words by heart. The Cartwright men couldn\u2019t help but smile as she adapted a deep voice when the giant came on the page. She even let Joe pick her up and take her to bed without Hoss. It was clear that she was starting to feel safe with all of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss seemed to know he wasn\u2019t going to bed without an explanation. He sat in front of the fire with hands folded until Joe came back downstairs. He sat up and turned to his family. \u201cShe\u2019s not my child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam snorted. \u201cWe didn\u2019t wait all evening for you to tell us what we already know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you lie? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his father. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. I didn\u2019t know another way. I figured none of you would have let me go through with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think?\u201d Adam carried a dangerous tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cYou better start from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe sent me a letter. She said she needed help for her and her little girl. She said I was the one she could count on. She said that she and her little girl were being hurt by her husband. I went there after the second letter to see for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t expecting me. The house was dark, and when she answered the door, the smell of brandy just sort of hit me. I never saw the husband. Geneva was there playing with a doll; just a shy little splinter who hid from me most of the time. Amy told me that her husband never believed the girl was his. She reminded me of the night she\u2019d tried to\u2026um\u2026be with me, and said that if I said I was the father, Thompson would believe me. She said she would be able to leave him without him coming after her and using the girl to get back at her if I said she was mine. I told her I didn\u2019t think it would work, and I didn\u2019t want to get mixed up in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGreat. At what point then did your common sense leave you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss could feel the anger rising off Adam, and knew his brother had been bottling it for sometime. \u201cAmy fell asleep, I guess you could say, in the middle of the afternoon. The cook came and got the child for a bath. The child started screaming \u2018cause the woman was being rough with her in the tub, soapin\u2019 her and dunkin\u2019 her and such, and when I ran in, I saw the lines on her, all the way from her thighs up her back. It was clear to me that somebody had been hitting that child too hard. The cook wouldn\u2019t answer questions, and later Amy just said her husband did it, but she wouldn\u2019t look at me. It just didn\u2019t feel right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought Amy did it?\u201d Ben was leaning toward him, his brow furrowed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. Truly I don\u2019t. I mean, could a mother really strap her child such that the marks would scar for weeks or months? It just seems so mean. I ain\u2019t ever known no woman like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat back. \u201cDrinking can change a person. We\u2019ve all seen men who go from gentle souls to mean animals with too much whiskey. I don\u2019t know why it can\u2019t be the same for women.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was bound and determined to get away from that house. I figured that getting involved in this would come to no good, but she started crying and begging and then there was the little girl; I couldn\u2019t get her out of my head. Finally I told her that I would do it if she got some help for the drinking. I told her she could stay out at the ranch with us until all those urges had passed and she was feeling in control again. She agreed, but then she switched up after the hearing, and now I don\u2019t know where she is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pushed himself out of his chair and started pacing. \u201cWell, of course she was going to renege; I can\u2019t believe you were so dumb you didn\u2019t realize that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I didn\u2019t think\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you had come to me — the one person who really knows her — and asked me about this, I would have told you this is what she would do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss got up and walked over to his older brother. \u201cYou got a right to be mad, Adam, and I\u2019m sorry for hurting you and Pa and Little Brother, but you might as well know the bigger truth here. I ain\u2019t sorry I done it. I\u2019m glad she\u2019s here. She don\u2019t talk none about missing nobody. Just today she asked if she could stay here forever. Dadburnit, she\u2019s starting to smile; she\u2019s starting to be a happy little girl. I ain\u2019t ever going to let her go back to Amy or Thompson or anybody unless I know she\u2019s going to be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He started to walk away, and then whirled around at the foot of the stairs. \u201cAnd as for her trying to make love to me\u2026I knew I could never do that to you even though she wasn\u2019t your gal anymore. It just wasn\u2019t right. I was a kid and she was drinking, and, no matter what she said, it would have been wrong to compromise her like that. I ain\u2019t built for that kind of guilt. The truth is it was about the most confusing and embarrassing thing that ever happened to me. So unless you really gotta\u2019 know something about it right now, I don\u2019t ever want to talk about it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without waiting for anyone\u2019s reply, he marched up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood up. \u201cI knew he would never have done that to that girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked up. \u201cWe all knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you didn\u2019t have faith in him like I did. That\u2019s the truth, Adam. And here\u2019s another thing; I think he\u2019s doing the right thing by that little girl and I\u2019m going to stand by him on it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019m the bad guy now, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes and sighed. \u201cI just don\u2019t think he was dumb or too innocent to know better. He can\u2019t stand the suffering of others, he has to step in no matter what; it\u2019s just who he is. I accept that about him, I\u2019m proud of it, in fact. Can you say the same?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe followed Hoss up the stairs, and Adam shook his head and looked at Pa. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Why do I gotta\u2019 be the one to apologize?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have anything to apologize for, son. I just think your brothers are asking you to be a bit more patient. Joe\u2019s right. Hoss is always going to react to other people\u2019s suffering, and there are times that he\u2019s going to be real clumsy about it, but he does it for all the right reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, they say that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but what Hoss does is more than just good intentions; that boy is willing to risk everything for what he believes. Standing up to us and the whole town took real courage. Getting that girl out of that house was the right thing to do, and if our name is dragged around because of it, that\u2019s a price I\u2019m willing to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat back and stared at the fire. \u201cThe reputation of the family doesn\u2019t really bother me; I don\u2019t know exactly what is bothering me, but it isn\u2019t that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben leaned toward his eldest son. \u201cIt has to do with that woman, Adam. You\u2019ve haven\u2019t been right since her name first came up. I don\u2019t know what it is, only you can know that, but I think you gotta\u2019 be honest with yourself about it, son. There\u2019s no other way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam dropped his head into his hands. Ben waited for awhile, but when it became clear that Adam was only going to war with himself, he got up and went to bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked around the room at his sons. It had been three days since Hoss told them the real story of Geneva, and a pall had settled over the house. Everyone was polite, but he hadn\u2019t seen much in the way of smiles. Joe was the only showing any signs of life. He\u2019d recently taken a real interest in how much Geneva was eating. It took Ben back to those days when Joe was a boy, and it took all of his patience and then some to get that skinny little boy to finish his plate. Now that hen had come home to rest, and Joe had someone to fuss over about eating.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to at least finish your flapjack and your ham before you leave this table. Ya\u2019 hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little girl cocked her head at him. \u201cBut I\u2019m not hungry anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, no, I said one whole flapjack and one piece of ham before you get up. You can\u2019t get big and strong eating like a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She frowned at him. Hoss looked up from his third stack of flapjacks. \u201cAw, Joe, leave her alone. She won\u2019t starve. Kids always figure out how to get enough food in. In fact, I seem to recall a little splinter who used to drive Pa half crazy with his picky eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grinned. \u201cI was just thinking the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glared across the table at both of them. \u201cThis ain\u2019t no time for dumb ol\u2019 story that nobody wants to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to hear it,\u201d Geneva said as she pushed her flapjack around the plate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pointed a fork at her. \u201cYou focus on eating that flapjack.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember the caterwauling he used to do, Pa?\u201d Hoss was growing one of his toothy grins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was grateful for the anything that lifted the tension. \u201cThey do have a point, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe threw his hands in the air. \u201cSo sue me. I\u2019m just trying to help her avoid the same mistakes I made.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou worried someone\u2019s going to call her Little Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss guffawed. \u201cGood one, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, that\u2019s enough, boys. Hoss, I\u2019m going to need you and Joe to come in to town with me today. You both have to sign the assessor\u2019s report at the land office.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll stay here and do the account books today.\u201d Adam dropped his napkin onto his plate and sat back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cWell, Hop Sing needs to come to town with us, and load up on supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell Gennie, I guess that means you\u2019re coming to town,\u201d Hoss said as he pushed his chair away from the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, Hoss, she can\u2019t come to town. We have to go through that entire contract. It will take us at least a couple of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. \u201cOld Hop Sing\u2019ll watch her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, no,\u201d rang a voice from the kitchen. \u201cOld Hop Sing has enough to do getting the pantry stocked. Hop Sing is not paid to be babysitter for Cartwright babies.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam blinked and looked around the room. \u201cOkay\u2026so, what\u2019s the plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019ll stay here with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat up straight. \u201cHow do I suddenly have time? You told me you wanted the books done this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, she ain\u2019t going to be a problem, Adam. She\u2019s mostly just going to play with Blue in the yard.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t going to just play. I can do the barn chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cDon\u2019t say ain\u2019t. You aren\u2019t going to just play, Geneva. I may have lost this battle with my two youngest sons, but that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m going to let a little girl grow up in this house sounding like a ranch hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d she said, reaching over to grip Hoss\u2019 pant leg.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He reached down and pulled her hand off. \u201cYou ain\u2019t, I mean, you isn\u2019t\u2026aren\u2019t\u2026Dadburnit! You don\u2019t got nothing to worry on, Little Doll. Pa\u2019s just trying to teach you how to be a lady. Ladies don\u2019t talk like cowhands. It ain\u2019t\u2026aren\u2019t, uh, isn\u2019t fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started to giggle. \u201cHoss, I think it\u2019s best that you don\u2019t even try. We\u2019ll just use you as the example of how not to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, people. Let\u2019s go back to my little dilemma.\u201d Adam stood, hands on hips, glaring at his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Adam? She said she\u2019d do the barn chores.\u201d Joe jumped away out of his brother\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d his pa roared. \u201cShe can\u2019t do barn chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, Pa, listen. She\u2019s been watching me for pretty near two months. She knows that barn. She can supervise Adam, tell him what needs doing. It\u2019ll be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor whom?\u201d drawled Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss ambled over. \u201cBig brother, your resourcefulness has always been an inspiration to me. I can\u2019t wait to see how this all turns out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Adam could protest, his brothers and Pa were crowding each other as they piled out the front door. He turned around, and there she was standing there, staring at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She regarded him for a moment and then said, \u201cI think I\u2019ll have you start in the hayloft.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had to admit she impressed him with her knowledge of the ranch and animals. It was clear she was a little sponge much like her mother must have been at that age. He was surprised at how cautious she was. Hoss clearly did a good job teaching her the dangers of a ranch yard. She confined herself to getting him tools and sweeping the floor. When they walked outside again, it was already mid-day. Blue danced around them, eager for attention. Adam picked up a piece of rawhide from the porch and played tug of war with the puppy. Geneva laughed out loud as the puppy gamely pulled on the rawhide, growling, hair raised on his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled at her laughter. It was good to see the solemn girl enjoying herself. He let go of the leather, and the puppy scurried off to chew on his toy in peace. Adam disappeared into the house and returned with some lemonade Hop Sing had left in the icehouse. He poured her a large glass and sat next to her. For a minute, all they did was sip the cool drink and watch Blue wrestle with the rawhide. He felt her eyes on him and turned to her. The little girl struggled with her words for a minute before saying, \u201cAre you going to try and send me back to my mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026where did you get that idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMama doesn\u2019t want me back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe says that I am in the way. Hoss says I can stay here. I like staying here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stared down at his glass. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to see your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little girl was drawing circles in the dirt with the toe of her shoe. \u201cMama feels sick a lot. I want Mama to come here and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou would like it if your mother came here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want her to get better. She drinks her medicine all day, but she never gets better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid your mother hit you with the belt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva turned away from Adam. He waited for her to speak, but she wouldn\u2019t. Finally, he put a hand on her shoulder. \u201cWould you like it if I went to see your Mama? Make sure she\u2019s okay, and if she wants to get better, I\u2019ll bring her back here. How does that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt her tiny body shudder and then she turned and fell into his arms. For a long time, he held the girl and let her sob into his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was late afternoon when they finally came home. Adam looked up from the account books to see Hoss barrel in. He looked at Adam with wild eyes. He nodded at the couch. Hoss ran around the couch and picked her up. He felt her forehead while she groaned the half sleep of a waking child.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood up. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gant kids are sick.\u201d Hoss sat down with her in a chair and let her wake up slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKids get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa, Hop Sing, and Joe came through the door. \u201cIs she okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cShe\u2019s warm, but I think that\u2019s just from the sleep. Her eyes look clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow sick are these kids?\u201d Adam felt something strange growing in his gut.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His pa turned to him. \u201cDoc\u2019s worried they might have typhoid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded slowly and walked over to the child who was awake but resting on Hoss\u2019 chest. \u201cShe seems fine. She was good all afternoon; only been napping about an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then he turned to Ben. \u201cWhat\u2019s the incubation on typhoid?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be up to two weeks. The Gant children were here over a week ago. Hoss was going to take her over on Sunday, but Regina sent word to the church that two of her kids were still feeling poorly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs the Doc sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and shed his coat. He went over to Geneva and felt her head himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to make special Chinese chicken soup with herbs. It will ward off the bad spirits.\u201d Hop Sing took off for the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam headed for the stairs. Ben looked up. \u201cWhere are you off to?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting packed. I\u2019m going to San Francisco to find Amelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know where she is?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sent out a telegram a month ago to friends about her. Tom Moore sent one back a week ago saying she was staying at the Grand near the bay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cYou\u2019ve known where she was?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t seem there was any reason to care. Child was happy and safe, but she told me today that she wants her mother to get better. I\u2019m going to go see if that\u2019s possible, and with the news you\u2019re bringing, I better go now in case the child really needs her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded and dropped into a chair. Joe sat next to Hoss and stroked her head. For a long time after Adam left, they all sat there quietly, each in his own thoughts praying that everything would be okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two nights later, Hoss felt a tug on his sleeve. He opened his eyes, and there she was standing there, her head a wild mass of curls. \u201cMy head hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He sat up, eyes blinking hard, and slid out of bed. He picked her up and laid the back of his hand on her forehead. It was hot and dry. Hoss felt the air leave his chest. He carried her down to the living room, grabbing the Indian blanket off the railing and wrapping it around her. He sat in the chair in front of what was left of the burning embers and rocked her gently. He closed his eyes tightly and prayed that it was nothing more than a spring cold. Finally, the two of them fell back into a fitful sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Again, Hoss was startled awake. This time it was sharp knocking. He struggled to his feet, Geneva still lying on his shoulder. He opened the door to find Sheriff Coffee in the doorway. Hoss squinted at him. \u201cRoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs she sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss felt a ball of fear grow in his gut. \u201cShe\u2019s just a little\u2026it\u2019s just a cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLottie Gant died tonight. Doc\u2019s putting everyone into quarantine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss backed up a step. \u201cIts okay, Roy. We\u2019ll stay here. All the hired men are in the north pasture. Uh, we\u2019ll send Joe to town\u2026and Hop Sing. Pa should go to, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They both turned to see Ben on the landing peering down at the two of them. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe youngest Gant child died. The Bingham\u2019s on the next farmstead are infected too. Doc\u2019s declared a quarantine. I gotta\u2019 take the little one here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cShe\u2019s not sick.\u201d Then he saw the look on Hoss\u2019 face and hurried down the stairs. Hoss backed away. \u201cKeep your distance, Pa. She started to fever just a few hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy stepped forward. \u201cHoss, you hand me the child now. She\u2019s going to be in good hands. Miss Allie is there, and she does real good with children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming along.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cThere\u2019s no need. You ain\u2019t showing symptoms. I don\u2019t see any reason you gotta\u2019 be exposed to those sick folks. Come on, Boy, you trust me. I\u2019ll take good care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t giving her to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! You can\u2019t defy the law. She has to be in quarantine.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded at his pa. \u201cThat\u2019s fine, but I\u2019m going with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need, son. Listen to Roy. Miss Allie is at the Doc\u2019s house. She\u2019ll care for Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa! I ain\u2019t leaving her. I remember standing in this room ten years ago when Joe had scarlet fever. You stayed up in his room with him for three days. Adam was away at school, five people in town were already dead from the fever, and I thought I was going to lose Joe. When the fever broke, I remember Doc Martin saying to you that it was you being with him through the whole thing that saved him. Pa, she needs someone to do that for her. She needs someone who loves her enough to stay with her every minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cA man as strong as you thinks that nothing can cut him down. I\u2019m here to tell you it\u2019s not true. Doc says Jess Bingham isn\u2019t going to make it \u2018til morning, and he\u2019s almost as big as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt don\u2019t matter, Roy. This is how it\u2019s going to be.\u201d Hoss turned to his father. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go back upstairs. I haven\u2019t been near anyone since she started to show signs, but Joe\u2019s up there, and I don\u2019t want to risk him waking. He catches sick so easy, and he won\u2019t want to stay away from her. I need someone to bring things into town for Gennie and me. I\u2019ll take her like she is for right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, listen to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. \u201cPlease, Pa, don\u2019t make me disobey you. I ain\u2019t done it but once or twice in my life, and just the idea of it hurts. You\u2019re the best pa any man ever had, but I gotta\u2019 do this. She needs someone fighting for her so she can know how to fight for herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. \u201cI\u2019ll have clothes and things in town by morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cAin\u2019t no hurry, Pa. We\u2019ll do just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Pa. I\u2019ll take care of her, and I ain\u2019t going to get sick. Remember to gather up her books. She\u2019ll want her stories.\u201d He disappeared out the door before his father could say another word.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, hurry up!\u201d Hands on his hips, Ben yelled into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI only got two hands, Mr. Ben. I need my pans if you want me to cook out of cousin\u2019s kitchen,\u201d came Hop Sing\u2019s harried reply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell me again, Pa! Tell me again why you didn\u2019t wake me.\u201d Joe was pacing the living room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glared at him. \u201cHoss didn\u2019t want you to get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculo\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, son, I\u2019m not going to argue the point with you. What\u2019s done is done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we should have kept her here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head angrily and turned his attention back to Hop Sing. \u201cWhat\u2019s keeping you so long?!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing leapt out of the kitchen, his face beet red. \u201cYou want me to move my kitchen, laundry, everything so I can be near Doc Martin\u2019s and help out. Fine! Hop Sing wants to help Mr. Hoss and little Geneva, but I can\u2019t be ready in five minutes!\u201d Without waiting for a response, he disappeared back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMake a list! One of the hands can bring it later\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A string of Chinese phrases issued from the kitchen. \u201cNo cowhands are touching Hop Sing\u2019s pots and pans. I am ready in two minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Listen to me! We\u2019ll go in, and get the both of them and bring them back here. I\u2019ll help Hoss with Geneva. We\u2019ll tell Roy to go to the devil.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo! We\u2019re not defying the law!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe threw up his hands. \u201cIs the law more important than your own family? You know, staying in that house will make them sick for sure. It\u2019s not safe there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben advanced on his son, \u201cDon\u2019t ever question my love for this family again, Joseph. Do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe let out a rush of air and nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not above the law. There are consequences to not following the law; consequences that have nothing to do with Roy Coffee. So don\u2019t tell me I\u2019m not thinking about my family \u2018cause that\u2019s exactly what I\u2019m doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood there silently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pointed his finger at him again. \u201cDo you know what the people in this town would do if Geneva or Hoss infected someone by being outside of quarantine? Do you know how many people are waiting for this one opportunity to prove that we have the law in our pocket? Do you know what that would mean for all of us? Can you live with the guilt of someone else dying because we felt we could do whatever we wanted? Hoss understands. That\u2019s why it wouldn\u2019t matter what you or I want. He won\u2019t leave quarantine until Geneva\u2019s better or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. You\u2019re right. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben ran a hand over his face. \u201cJoe, I want you to go to Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI need you to find Tim Thompson. I need to know if he cares about this child. If he does, she might need him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat man is responsible for\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, we know nothing about what that man is or isn\u2019t. We have no idea what Amelia lied about. I don\u2019t know how quickly Adam can get back here with her. I just feel like we need to know if he loves Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing came out wearing a frown. \u201cEverything in wagon. I can\u2019t wait all day. I\u2019m leaving now with or without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben kept his eyes on Joe. Joe finally nodded. Ben put a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam checked into the Grand. He looked out of place, a man in dungarees among suits and top hats. It didn\u2019t bother him. He was used to that sort of dichotomy in his life. He was a cowboy who was an intellectual who was also a musician and an architect. He had walked in too many shoes to worry about how he might be perceived by any one group of men. He walked up to his room which was almost the size of the living room back at the ranch. He dropped his gear on the bed. More than anything he wanted to pull the silken cord by the door, and have someone draw him a nice hot bath. Then he\u2019d climb into that big feather bed, and sleep until the sun had risen high in the sky.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But this was not reality for Adam. He knew that Amelia was holding a salon in her suite this evening, and he fully intended to be there. Amelia would undoubtedly have a room full of pseudo-intellectuals who would have nothing more than dry, overanalyzed, elitist opinions about things. She would seek legitimacy by making sure that some of her guests were writers, poets, artists, and actors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam opened a paper package on the bed. He pulled out a clean shirt and pants, and threw them on the bed. Then he pulled the dusty shirt he\u2019d been wearing for the last four days out of his pants and began his transformation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A trio was playing violin in one corner. The rest were mostly men, dressed formally, and drinking squashes or gin fizzes. In the midst of them she sat looking regal in a maroon gown, an emerald necklace dropping from her neck. She was laughing deep and throaty at a short man brandishing a book of verses. As a good hostess would, her eyes wandered when she heard the door open. He looked at her, a half smile on his face watching as she stopped laughing, her mouth still open. She shook her head as if trying to focus. He accepted a gin fizz from a wandering waiter, and sipped it slowly. She excused herself from the gentleman with the book and made her way in his direction. It reminded him of that first dance. There were many people in the room, but they had eyes for only each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She took his hands in hers and smiled warmly. \u201cThis is the most wonderful surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had to fight the urge to just melt into her graciousness. \u201cAmelia, we need to talk as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t change her expression. \u201cWe\u2019ll have drinks and talk just as soon as my guests have left.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia, it\u2019s about Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She put a hand on his arm. \u201cI know Hoss is taking good care of her. I can\u2019t think of anyone better for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Amelia, this is not a game. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She closed her hand around his and whispered into his ear. \u201cDrink up. Relax. It will take me just an hour to get all of these blowhards out of here. Then it will be just you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She walked away before he could protest. Exasperated, he put the drink down the mantel and turned to a portly gentleman smoking a large cigar. \u201cIf she wonders where I went, tell her I\u2019m in room 214 — asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man snorted. \u201cI\u2019m sure the lady will not be requiring the knowledge of your room number.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t bet the farm on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At times, it seemed like she could see and hear him, but then her brow would wrinkle and it felt like she was lost in a world all her own. He dabbed at her forehead, and kept up a steady stream of conversation about the ranch, Blue, Pa, Joe, Adam, and Amelia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Typhoid is not a gentle illness, so sometimes he just picked her up and held her tightly when the aching became too much. The Bingham\u2019s and Gant\u2019s were all there, and so far no one else had shown up. It had started with the children, and maybe it had stayed that way. School wasn\u2019t in session currently because of planting so they were all hoping against hope that it was limited to whom the children had contact with.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A loud keening started up again, and Hoss squeezed his eyes shut. Jess Bingham had died a few hours earlier, and his wife still had three sick children on her hands. Lara Bingham was beside herself with grief. The sound was eerie, and it sent shivers up his spine. It was the sound of despair and fear and hopelessness, and Hoss wished it didn\u2019t cut through the house quite so loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was in the attic with Geneva, and through the window he had a view of the rope Roy had set up stretching across the street. Roy stood at the rope carrying a rifle. Others were there too watching and waiting for another body to be laid on the front porch. Hoss didn\u2019t pay attention to any of them. He kept his eyes on the lone figure in the calfskin hat pacing back and forth, occasionally stopping to stare at the house with his hands on his hips. Hoss wished he could do more to assure his Pa. He figured it must be agony just being out there with nothing to do but wait.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Creaking of the wooden floorboards sounded behind him, and he turned to find a very pale, tired Regina Gant in the doorway. Her bun has long since lost its shape, and hair spilled out around her long plain face, and yet Hoss thought she was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. She hadn\u2019t stopped moving for a moment despite the loss of her youngest child. She seemed to be everywhere, and had even found time to hold Lara Bingham when they carried Jess out to the porch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She managed a small smile for him. \u201cHow is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, afraid to put emotions to words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s Amelia\u2019s girl. You know there\u2019s strength buried deep in her. Amelia can survive anything and I know she passed that onto her child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss tried to match her smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked past him out the window. \u201cI remember sitting with your father on your porch less than two weeks ago. I kept thinking what life would have been like if I had had a father I could look up to and admire. I don\u2019t remember my mother at all. I think it must have wonderful to have Ben Cartwright as a father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This time his smile was real. \u201cI don\u2019t know where I\u2019d be without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJason\u2019s like your pa. He\u2019s not all that successful, but he\u2019s kind and loving. My children adore their father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u201cDoesn\u2019t look good. He\u2019s fevering up like Jess did. My son, Tom, is too. Cammie and Todd seem to be holding their own.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t I bring Gennie down with me? I\u2019ll sit with your family while you shut your eyes for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She wrapped her arms tightly around her chest. \u201cWhat if something happened and I wasn\u2019t there? I would never know if one of mine left because I wasn\u2019t there encouraging them to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll drive yourself into a grave before any of them if you aren\u2019t careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shrugged and he knew then she was past all caring for her own well being. He stood up, keeping his head low in the cramped space of the attic. \u201cCome on, Regina. You\u2019ll sleep on the floor right next to where I\u2019ll be sitting. Anything happens, I\u2019ll shake you — God\u2019s honor. I believe you are the only one who can encourage them to stay living.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam heard the door open quietly and he fumbled for his gun on the nightstand. He reached and whipped around to meet his attacker when a laugh rang out and a lantern swung in front of him. She sat shamelessly on the bed, and Adam was suddenly aware that all she had to do was pull down the silk comforter, and she\u2019d have a full view of him as God made him. He gripped the cover tightly with one hand to prevent such an unveiling. She sensed his discomfort and laughed again, the smell of brandy drifting off her. \u201cAdam, you are such a puritan. You should be happy to see me. I saved your life earlier and you should thank me. Old Henry Stanhope wanted to challenge you to a duel for impugning my character before you left the salon. I had to promise all sorts of things I don\u2019t want to do, and now I\u2019ll have to fudge and say I was too drunk to remember any of them. He is sure to pout for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He took the lantern away from her and set it on the nightstand. She was tipping it precariously, and he didn\u2019t want a lapful of hot lamp oil. \u201cYou\u2019re drunk, Amelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the fashion in San Francisco this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen I suspect you\u2019ve been in fashion most every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She wagged a finger. \u201cYou are a sharp one, Adam Cartwright. Whatever made me fall for such a sour man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He grabbed her wrist roughly. \u201cListen to me, Amelia. I am here because your child is sick and she needs you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss wouldn\u2019t let anything happen to her.\u201d She swayed away from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pulled her back in. \u201cShe has typhoid. Pa confirmed it in a wire this morning. She needs her mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia struggled with him. \u201cShe does that. She pretends to be sick so that she can have attention. Don\u2019t give into her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe could be dying, Amelia. She needs her mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He finally pinned her arms behind her, and she closed her eyes, breathing heavy, her perfect mouth almost on his. It was too much for him, and he pushed her away. She pulled herself up by the bedpost and glared at him. \u201cDon\u2019t look at me like that. I didn\u2019t make her sick, and I can\u2019t make her well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of monster are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She laughed. \u201cThe kind of monster who knows her limits. Do you know yours? The great Adam Cartwright, so disciplined and intellectual and proper, is afraid of a pretty woman. You know you can\u2019t control yourself. How can that be possible? I thought Adam Cartwright was above such human foibles.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia, this is not about me and you. This is about a six year old girl; this is about your child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand, Adam. That little girl is better off right where she is. I can\u2019t be what she needs, and I have the sense to know that. Not even you can turn me into something I am not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you even love her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She swung around the bedpost and off the bed, coming around at him, her voluminous skirts rustling behind her. \u201cDon\u2019t you judge me! I won\u2019t have it. You did it to me when I was a girl, and you broke my heart. You think I am cold! I will tell you cold! Cold is what you were when you decided I wasn\u2019t good enough for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou were a girl! It was a simple flirtation!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Like lightning, her hand struck his face. Tears sprang to her porcelain cheeks. \u201cIt was no simple flirtation. Don\u2019t you dare lie to me about that! I saw how you looked at me. You loved me. I felt it. It was the only real thing that ever happened to me. And then one day, I\u2019m in the mercantile, and that old gossip, Millie Hanson tells me that you were taking Mary Ann Byers to the box social.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was young too, Amelia, and I was angry with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She threw up her hands. \u201cWhy? Because I snuck drinks before dances?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou snuck more than a couple of drinks. It got so I was smelling whiskey on your breath every time I saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so what? I was damaged? I was no longer perfect?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou lied about it. You were sneaky. You treated Hoss like a puppy dog; making him fetch for you and take the blame for your deeds in school.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She narrowed her eyes. \u201cAnd you loved me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think a person can truly know that when they are young.\u201d He sat up in bed, careful to bring the comforter with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRemember who you are talking to, Adam. I\u2019m not one of your sycophants. I can think and read and reason just as well as you. I was your match and you loved the challenge.\u201d She climbed back on the bed. \u201cTell me again that you didn\u2019t love me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was yesterday for me.\u201d She sat beside him against the headboard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any feeling for your child?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her voice was throaty as she whispered in his ear. \u201cEnough to know that she would become a version of me if I didn\u2019t let her go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the one who put those marks on her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked away. \u201cDo you think I gave her to Hoss just because he\u2019s weak and can be manipulated.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be your style.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She chuckled. \u201cHe has resolve. He lives from the heart, Adam. The heart doesn\u2019t compromise. If I wanted to come back in a flurry of maternal feeling, and take her away, the head might rationalize it, but the heart would know. Hoss isn\u2019t going to let me indulge my whims. He\u2019ll protect her to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just give her to Regina?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHah! And be judged by the little farmwife. I don\u2019t think so. Besides, she isn\u2019t as strong as he is. She would let me take her back if I wanted her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou do love your child?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A tear rolled down her cheek. \u201cI can\u2019t just hold her whenever she wants it. I try, but I can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one did it for you when you were young.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe wanted me all the time. She needed my approval constantly. Sometimes, I couldn\u2019t look at her without wanting to slap her silly. It was a constant battle for me. Just because I can give birth doesn\u2019t mean I can raise a child and deal with the constant nonsense of a silly little creature who knows how to do nothing but need, need, need. Being a woman means you have no choice in this matter, but I couldn\u2019t give in. It wasn\u2019t who I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmelia, all women go through struggles with their children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand. I don\u2019t want that life. I want this. I want to read and discuss and entertain. I want to be the most beautiful woman in the room for as long as it\u2019s possible. I want to be the center of attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was suddenly aware of how she was leaning on his shoulder, and it seemed like it would be the easiest thing in the world to just pull her in closer. She wouldn\u2019t fight him; that much was certain, and he suspected it wouldn\u2019t be the first indiscretion she\u2019d ever committed. Years of dreaming of the creamy skin around her throat overwhelmed him and he reached for her. For a few moments, it was as sweet as he imagined, her skin soft and her mouth generous, but then he remembered big, blue eyes and they weren\u2019t Amelia\u2019s. He pulled away from her and off the bed carrying the blanket with him. He gathered up his clothing and disappeared into the sitting room attached. When he emerged, fully clothed, she was lounging on the bed looking at him. Wary of even going near the bed, he stood over by the door. \u201cAmelia, there is a time and a place, and this is neither. This is about Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sighed. \u201cThere never will be, will there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stopped and regarded her, flushed and perfect on his bed. Then he slowly shook his head. \u201cNo, Amelia, there never will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the only man to ever refuse me, other than Hoss that is, but I hardly count him. He\u2019d rather die than hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He found a chair across the room and sat down. \u201cI did love you, Amelia. You were a dream for me, and you\u2019re right about my need for perfection. I\u2019m 30 years old, and there\u2019s no reason for me to still be single other than I need just the right woman. I do have high expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll end up alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suspect I would be even lonelier if I was in the wrong marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, don\u2019t look at me when you say that. I\u2019m in the perfect marriage. Timothy lets me be who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe know where you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course! Who do you think is paying for all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow can he\u2026I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sat up, fixing her bodice. \u201cThere is nothing to understand. He\u2019ll do what he has to in order to keep me happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour child needs you, Amelia.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She swallowed hard. \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m no good for her. I can\u2019t help her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf she felt your love, maybe it would make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He got up. \u201cAmelia, she needs you. Hoss can\u2019t do for her what you can. You have to realize that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tears welled in her eyes. \u201cThere is nothing Hoss can\u2019t do for her. She doesn\u2019t miss me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe told me she did. She told me she wanted you to come to the ranch to get better. She wants you to stop drinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She got up off the bed. \u201cYou really think she wants to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI do. She needs to know she matters to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Amelia\u2019s eyes were bright. \u201cWhat time do we leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFirst thing in the morning. Can you be ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded and walked up to him. She was inches away, but she didn\u2019t touch him. \u201cIf you had chosen me, Adam, you might not have been happy all the time, but you would never have been bored. I think I know what you would prefer between being bored and being occasionally unhappy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She brushed him as she walked past, and he closed his eyes. He didn\u2019t move again until he was sure the door had closed behind her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe came back the third day. It was clear that he\u2019d ridden all night, and Ben doubted the boy had laid down for rest since he left for Carson City three days ago. He returned empty-handed. Timothy Thompson wanted nothing to do with the child. He said that Amelia had denied he was the father since the beginning, and so he never took the time to know the girl. Despite all of this, the man seemed stubbornly devoted to Amelia, and asked after her repeatedly. In the end, all he would offer Joe was a donation of blankets and medicine. Joe would have punched him in the nose if it weren\u2019t for the fact that he rather felt sorry for the handsome miner owner who was willing to compromise everything just to keep his wife happy. It was new lesson for young Joe, who in his 18th<\/sup> year was just learning to feel confident about being a man. He hadn\u2019t known quite what to make of this man who indulged his wife\u2019s every indiscretion, and so he could see no reason to try and get the man to come to Virginia City for Geneva. He just accepted the donations and rode off in a cloud of befuddlement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben made him take a room at the hotel, but Joe only stayed in bed for a few hours. It was almost dusk when he joined his father again on the street near Doc Martin\u2019s house. \u201cAnything to know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, never taking his eyes off the house. \u201cHoss\u2019 late coming out to get the evening meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the ground about 20 feet in front of them sat a covered basket as well as fresh linens and clothing. Roy carried items out there twice a day. Then he would retreat behind the rope, and someone from the house would come out and retrieve them. Hoss had taken care of it every morning and night since he\u2019d arrived. Tonight, he was late by almost two hours, and the crowd at the rope was collectively holding their breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc Martin was the first to emerge, carrying a sheet covered body. Hoss came after him with another small body in a sheet. They set them down on the porch side by side gently. Wailing sounded from the doorway and the crowd got a glimpse of Regina Gant and Lara Bingham holding each other tightly. Ben closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder as if to assure himself that the boy wasn\u2019t straying from his side. Hoss started to kneel beside the bodies but Doc stopped him and pointed at the food in the yard. Hoss got up slowly. Ben and Joe could see that there was more than just exhaustion in the unsteady gait he had coming across the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The big man looked up, startled, as if he had forgotten the crowd that watched their every move. He squinted despite the lack of sun in the sky and swayed such that the crowd tensed for his drop. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bodies, Hoss, who were they?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wrinkled his brow as if concentration were as complicated as walking. \u201cCammie Gant and Josh Bingham; neither of them any bigger than a sapling.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGeneva?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head and looked down at the ground. \u201cShe\u2019s struggling. I don\u2019t know, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you\u2019re sick. Don\u2019t move. I\u2019m coming.\u201d Ben grabbed the rope and hoisted himself over it. Hands grabbed him from all angles, Joe using all his weight to hold his father back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRoy!\u201d Hoss bellowed. \u201cDon\u2019t let him in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy slipped under the rope and stood between Ben and Hoss. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this, Ben. I gotta\u2019 have law and order here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t see his old friend. His eyes were fixated on his big giant of a son who looked weak enough to drop at the next good breeze. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Hoss. I\u2019ve been around typhoid before. I\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy planted himself in Ben\u2019s face. \u201cNow you know the Doc told you that wasn\u2019t good enough. You just stay back. This ain\u2019t helping nobody.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cries rose in the crowd, and Roy and Ben turned their attention to Hoss. The big man had fallen to his knees, but even more startling was Joe Cartwright who had slipped under the rope and was running toward him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben shouted, but it was too late. Joe was there putting his arms around his brother, struggling to help him to his feet. Ben pushed by Roy and ran toward his two boys.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at his little brother\u2019s face and started to tear. \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t want this. I don\u2019t want you to be here. More than anyone else, I didn\u2019t want you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was there grabbing his son under his armpits. Together he and Joe were able to half walk half drag Hoss back to the porch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy cursed and threw his hat to the ground. He turned to the crowd. \u201cAnother one of you pulls something like that, and I\u2019m gonna\u2019 put a piece of lead in your leg just as easy as sitting down to supper. I swear that to you right now.\u201d The crowd murmured, but didn\u2019t move, and Roy suspected that none of them would even consider the foolishness that had just played out on the street. He shook his head and climbed back over the rope.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

************.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The note said that Amelia was to complete a simple errand with her lawyer and meet him in the lobby at 9 a.m. Adam held on to the faith of that note until 9:50. Then he started asking questions. It took half an hour and a fair imitation of his father\u2019s bellow before he got the manager to open her room for him. There was a pink envelope identical to the ones she sent to Hoss on the sideboard propped up against a single red rose in a crystal vase. He ripped it open and read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When I left last night, I truly intended to go with you in the morning, but as the night grew and I went over the scenarios in my head, I knew that there was no good end to this story. Geneva\u2019s been raised by cooks and maids, and nothing I could do for her now would change that. Those marks on her backside are from a cook with a real mean streak. I fired her, but did nothing for my daughter other than hire a new cook to take over her care. That is who I am, Adam. I don\u2019t particularly care if you believe me. The marks are my fault whether I put them there or not. I freed her from my life and gave her to the kindest and strongest man I ever knew. It will be the most selfless thing I\u2019ll do in this lifetime and I can\u2019t ruin by trying to make myself into an image of what would please you but would hurt her.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oh Adam, the thought of going to the Ponderosa as a redeemed woman, playing innocent during the day and finding ways to plague you at night would be nothing short of heaven for me, but I truly cannot put her through any more half-hearted attempts at nurturing. It\u2019s not fair.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I know you\u2019ll scour the city looking for me, but I want you to go home to support Hoss through this time. I boarded the steamer Mary Ellen at 6:30 this morning bound for Hong Kong. There is a gentleman, Mr. Harris, who is going there on business, and has been pursuing me for some time. Today is his lucky day. I am actually quite excited as he has ties to the royal family, and I have long heard of the beauty of their gardens, and the poet, Shi-Tzu is said to reside in the city.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I do pray Adam, and will ask God to look after my child every day. Please remember the girl I was as I will always remember the strikingly handsome young man who met my eyes from across the room that night so long ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed and folded up the letter. She was right. This was about how he wanted her to be. He imagined her right now, standing at the bow of the boat, the wind freeing tendrils of curly black hair, her tiger eyes blazing with plans for this adventure. He wasn\u2019t sure about her soul; at times he felt it, but at others, it was as if she was beyond all that. It didn\u2019t matter. All he knew was that he planned to take her advice and remember her as that girl on the doorstep of the schoolhouse, so strikingly beautiful it knocked the breath right from his body. That was the only Amelia that felt real to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He grabbed his bags and headed for the stage. He didn\u2019t plan on stopping until he was back on the ranch with his family and the little girl they were going to raise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The big man insisted they lay Geneva beside him. He was shaking and fevering, but wanted her near for those moments when the fog cleared enough for him to whisper encouragement into her ear. The house felt like a tomb, smelling of human sweat and stale air. Ben set Joe to opening windows, getting water, and burning the sheets and clothes of those who had passed. For himself, he couldn\u2019t really tell who was sick and who wasn\u2019t. Regina, Doc, Miss Allie, and Lara Bingham were all versions of ghosts, pale-faced and weak. Lara and Miss Allie could barely stand so he put Lara to bed with her two remaining children, and helped Miss Allie up to the attic. Regina and Doc Martin were still standing, but he pushed them over to a table with Hop Sing\u2019s chicken soup on it. Doc Martin was asleep over his bowl within minutes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe came back in, and sat down next to the two Gant boys with a bowl of cool water. He put a towel in the water, wrung it out, and started working to cool down their faces and necks. Ben felt a pang of fear in him. He had somehow imagined that he could keep the boy busy with house chores and away from the sick folks, but he knew that was nothing more than a fantasy. As bad as it all looked though, he felt no regrets about being in here with Hoss and the other sick folks, and he didn\u2019t fault Joe for it neither. It was Cartwright nature to put others first. Standing out there behind the rope just felt wrong, and it was in here that he felt like the man he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss groaned and opened his eyes. Ben hurried over and sat with him. Hoss tried to sit up, but Ben restrained him. \u201cJust rest, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we gotta\u2019 get Joe outa\u2019 here. Take him out the back. Put him on a pony, any pony. He can outride any man I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cShhhh! Hoss, we\u2019re here and we have to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t right, Pa. It just ain\u2019t right. Poor Adam can\u2019t be left all alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. \u201cHoss, we weren\u2019t meant to sit on the sidelines; not a one of us. I fully expect Adam isn\u2019t going to stand behind a rope either. I can\u2019t believe I waited as long as I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, the Ponderosa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He put a cool towel on Hoss\u2019 forehead. \u201cSon, the Ponderosa is the four of us. It isn\u2019t the land. The land has no meaning for me without you. It would be the same if any one of you were left alone with it. We fight side by side. Its how it\u2019s always been, and always will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you and Joe and Adam to suffer this\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhhh! Hoss, don\u2019t fret on it anymore. What\u2019s done is done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyes wandered to the sweat drenched little girl lying beside him, his arm around her protectively. \u201cShe\u2019s the one you gotta\u2019 save, Pa. She never had what we had. She deserves another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took the towel and started patting her face and arms. The little girl was breathing hard to the point of panting, and he wasn\u2019t sure how long her little body could take the punishment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Little Doll. You are a strong \u2018un. Think of Blue. He\u2019s back at the ranch feeling sad right now \u2018cause his good friend ain\u2019t there. He needs you to come back to him. I need you, Little Doll. I need you to come back. We\u2019re going to have such times. I\u2019m going to teach you to ride and raise calves. Fact is, I\u2019m going to pull Emily\u2019s best calf as soon as she\u2019s born, and we\u2019re going to raise her together.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper, but Ben could feel the emotion in it, and he found it hard to swallow as he thought about the depth of his son\u2019s love for this little girl.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m going to go get you some soup. You just talk to her and I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He stood up and caught Joe\u2019s eye. The boy was frightened, there was no doubt, but Joseph wasn\u2019t going to give up; it wasn\u2019t in him. Ben gestured at Hoss, and Joe nodded. He got up and went to sit with his brother. Hoss saw him and started scolding him about jumping the rope. Joe didn\u2019t say anything in his own defense. He just started working cool towels on his brother\u2019s hot face while a half addled Hoss rattled out the different punishments he was going to mete out to his little brother the minute he could stand again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss. Hoss,\u201d he called to his son. He and the boys were at the lake fishing on a beautiful summer day. The sky was cerulean blue, the lake was as clear as a pane of glass, and the heat held off by a gentling breeze. Hoss was in the midst of one of his stories. He was on his feet, gesturing and making faces. They were all laughing. It didn\u2019t matter what the story was about as much as watching Hoss tell it with his comical features. His son was a born actor; his expressive face could tell a thousand stories. Ben felt the joy leave his body as he found it increasingly hard to follow the story. He wanted Hoss to slow down and tell it again. They were all laughing, but he could no longer make out the narrative.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss. Hoss,\u201d Ben said in an effort to get his son\u2019s attention, but the big man didn\u2019t look at him. Joe and Adam were rolling around on the ground with laughter, and Ben felt anger swell in his gut because none of them were paying attention to what he was saying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Hoss, wake up. Wake up, Hoss!\u201d Ben sat up suddenly. There was no lake or beautiful day. He was on the floor next to Hoss\u2019 bed, and it was dark. The plaintive cries issued from above. Ben scrambled to his feet and found Geneva leaning over Hoss, shaking him. He picked the child up and held her to him. Instinctively his hand went to her forehead, and he was surprised to find that it had cooled considerably. She squirmed in his arms. \u201cI can\u2019t wake Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhh! Its okay, Baby. He\u2019s sleeping. That\u2019s a good thing. We just need to let him be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She stopped reaching for Hoss and relaxed in his arms, whispering into his ear. \u201cI\u2019m hungry and thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled, hugging her tightly. \u201cThat\u2019s good to hear, Geneva. In fact, that\u2019s the best news I\u2019ve heard in a month of Sundays.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His youngest son appeared, hair tousled, eyes blurry. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHer fever broke. Take her. She needs some soup. Just a little bit now, Joe. Her stomach\u2019s not ready for much, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe scooped up the girl and she clung tightly to his neck. \u201cHow\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat on the bed, and felt his son\u2019s face. It was hot and dry; his face was flushed deeper than he\u2019d ever seen. He shook him, \u201cHoss! Hoss! Wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The big man didn\u2019t respond. It was then he noticed the faint rattle in his son\u2019s breathing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben let out a jagged sigh. \u201cJoe, you better wake Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam put down his bag at the rope. He turned to Clem, \u201cYou going to shoot me when I cross?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shook his head, his rifle still resting in his arms. \u201cIf my whole family was in there, I\u2019d cross this rope too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded and stepped over the rope. Around him murmurs rose up in the crowd, but he ignored them and moved on. As he closed in on the porch, a little blonde head emerged. When she saw him, she came running out, down the stairs, and into his arms. \u201cDid Mama come?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He hugged her as tightly as he dared. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. \u201cShe\u2019s not here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Geneva, she couldn\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The girl didn\u2019t ask any questions; Adam suspected that she knew the truth of it without an explanation. She slid down out of his arms, and he knelt beside her. \u201cI thought I was going to get back here and find you still sick. I\u2019m so glad to see you up and about.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGeneva!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They both looked up to see Regina Gant in the doorway. She was so pale and thin he almost didn\u2019t recognize her. She tried to smile when she recognized him, but her face wore too much exhaustion. \u201cI didn\u2019t see you, Adam. Just wanted to make sure she didn\u2019t get too close to the rope. People are really anxious that it doesn\u2019t spread.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow is your family?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked down, her long brown hair falling past her shoulders as if she was a young girl. \u201cI lost my two girls, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam climbed the steps, and took her hand. She leaned into him, and he held her. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Regina.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see Amelia?\u201d She spoke into his shirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam just held for another moment before responding. \u201cShe\u2019s not coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs the crisis over? Anyone still sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She blinked at him. \u201cYou don\u2019t know, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam furrowed his brows and searched her eyes. Then he let go and ran past her into the house. Despite the sunny day, the house was dark and quiet. He found them all in the living room which had been converted into a bedroom. They were gathered around a large bed in the corner. Adam felt his heart skip a beat. Joe turned and looked at him. \u201cIs it really you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded, his mouth too dry for words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned sharply and nodded when he saw his eldest. \u201cIt\u2019s good you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam approached the bed. His brother, Hoss, lay there breathing heavy like a bull after a charge. His face was deeply flushed. Adam looked at Doc. \u201cHow bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe fever is too high. He\u2019s starting to convulse. It should only be a couple of hours now before he passes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam reached past him and touched Hoss. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t we cooling him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took his arm. \u201cWe\u2019ve been doing that for the last twelve hours. He\u2019s too big. The towels don\u2019t do enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need ice. Where\u2019s the ice?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc shook his head wearily. \u201cWe don\u2019t have a tub big enough. Beside the shock would be too much for his body right now. I\u2019ve seen men die from the shock quicker than they would have from the fever.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe choked a bit before speaking. \u201cWe don\u2019t know what to do anymore. We\u2019ve tried everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder but couldn\u2019t speak. Adam stared down at Hoss for a long moment and then swallowed hard. He turned to his Pa. \u201cYou\u2019re all too tired now, but don\u2019t worry because I\u2019m here now and I\u2019m going to take care of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked confused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Doc Martin frowned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam brushed past him and ran outside. He made straight for Clem. \u201cI need ice, a tub filled with ice. No, make it two tubs. The man who can get it here in the next ten minutes can name his price.\u201d He turned to the crowd. \u201cDid you hear that? Ten minutes and you can name your price. Two tubs!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

People looked at each other, and then men started running for the icehouse behind the hotel. Joe trotted up to Adam. \u201cWhat are you doing? We\u2019ve had ice. We\u2019ve been cooling the towels on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. No one had a quicker mind than his brother. \u201cWhat can I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to need two clean blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned and ran for the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam tucked the blankets in under Hoss. Then he looked at the doc. \u201cWe\u2019ll pour the ice on him in batches. If he starts to get too cold, we scoop it off. We can adjust it as we need to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were too tired to see it, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been at this for a week, Doc. I\u2019m surprised you\u2019re still standing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Joe came stumbling in with the first tub of ice. All four of them plunged their arms into it, and pulled out as much as they could carry. Leading the charge, Adam spilled it over his brother. Then he spread the ice evenly as others dropped it. Ben moved around to Hoss\u2019 head and leaned over. \u201cWe\u2019re all here with you, son. We just need you to fight a little bit longer. Can you do that for us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a squeal, and the little girl broke away from Regina, and ran up to the bed, trying to climb up to Hoss through the slippery ice. Joe plucked her off it and held her close. Geneva started to cry, wailing that they needed to get the ice off Hoss. Joe rocked her in his arms until Regina got there. She took the crying child and disappeared up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc followed her, and then there was no one but the Cartwright men in the room. Ben pulled up a chair next to Hoss\u2019 head and slowly stroked the light hair on his head. Adam and Joe found seats around the bed, and waited. After a few minutes, Joe grunted, \u201cRemember the time the three of us got caught in that mountain cabin during the blizzard? We were trapped up there for three days until Pa showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gave a half smile. \u201cWe took turns telling each other stories to distract from the hunger and the cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe chuckled. \u201cIt was like being caged with a grizzly. Remember how surly he was on an empty stomach?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up expectantly. \u201cWhat else happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. I don\u2019t know why I brought it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cWe had no control over anything. We made it because we stayed together. It was our spirit that kept us going, sort of like what we\u2019re relying on now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cI would give anything\u2026I really would.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cWe all would, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t be together forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam sharply. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, Adam. We\u2019ll fight for each other as if we would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cAh, the illogic of humanity.\u201d He looked at his father, \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong. I\u2019m with you all the way on this. It\u2019s just that it\u2019s such a hard road we travel when we live by our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up. \u201cHow did you ever do it, Pa? You lost so much, but it didn\u2019t stop you from giving us all of your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam spoke before his father could respond. \u201cIt\u2019s called courage, Joe. Pa knew he couldn\u2019t raise us with only half his heart no matter what the cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t meet his sons\u2019 eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know how I\u2019ll survive this one. I knew my wives for such a short time. You boys have been a part of my life for so long that it\u2019s hard to remember what anything was like before you were with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care what anyone says, losing Hoss will be too hard. I can feel the hole in my heart already.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked and he hung his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam busied himself with shifting the ice more evenly, and Ben toweled the sweat off Hoss\u2019 face; the sound of Joe\u2019s muffled tears audible to them all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc walked in carefully hours later. The room was dead quiet except for the sounds of soft snoring. The ice had long since melted, and Hoss lay in water soaked blankets. His family had finally given in to pure exhaustion. Joe even slept draped over Hoss\u2019 legs, his shirt soaked with melted ice water. Adam was leaning up against a bedpost and Ben was resting on the headboard. Doc weaved his way gingerly between them and reached for Hoss. The man\u2019s face was cool, and for a moment, his heart sunk. It slowly dawned on him that it wasn\u2019t the hard, cold feel of a dead body, but the cool feel of a living, breathing person. This was the last fever to break. Everyone else was on the way to recovery. It had been a hard week; lots of death and grieving families, but it was always with a sense of satisfaction when he got to the moment when he realized that there were those who made it. Four dead was bad, but seven made it through, and Doc had been around long enough to know that this was worth celebrating. Ben stirred, his leg brushing against the doc, and this startled him awake. Blinking wildly, it took him a moment to focus on the room around him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s okay, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s okay. In fact, I\u2019m pretty sure he\u2019d do better without these wet blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s okay?\u201d Ben reached for Hoss\u2019 face, and felt the cool, damp skin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s as close to a miracle as I\u2019ve seen in years, the truth be told. I didn\u2019t think he had a chance once those convulsions started.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben patted his face. \u201cHoss! Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The big man moaned, moving his head side to side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blue eyes blinked open. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes! Hoss, I\u2019m so glad\u2026\u201c His voice caught.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat up and shook Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben swallowed. \u201cBoys, let\u2019s get these blankets off him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together, they pulled the wet blankets from him. Doc came in with a fresh blanket and spread it on him. Hoss looked at his pa. \u201cWhere\u2019s Gennie? Did she make it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to Joe. \u201cGo get her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The big man tried to lift his head, but Adam pushed him down gently. \u201cHey there, little brother, you just rest easy. Everything is alright now. Joe\u2019s gone to get her. She\u2019s just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe reappeared with a sleepy child in his arms. A smile grew on Hoss\u2019 face. He set the child on him, and she hugged him tightly around the neck. Hoss reached down and kissed the top of her head. Then he looked up at his family. \u201cYou know, fellers, I think it\u2019s going to be a good day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sat back in the rocker, and smiled as he watched Tom and Todd Gant rolling around in the street. It felt good to see them roughhouse when less than week ago, no one knew if they were going to live or die. Other than being a bit too thin, they looked like any other boy on the block.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rope was gone; it\u2019d been gone three days now. People were still a bit anxious about passing by Doc Martin\u2019s door, but each day more and more took the risk. Doc Martin had taken a few days to just rest, him not being a young man anymore, and he and Hoss had played quite a few games of checkers. Doc finally put his coat back on this morning, took his bag, and went out on a few calls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss took his eyes off the boys long enough to spot Regina Gant walking down the street toward the Martin house, Geneva holding on to her hand. Geneva looked up at Regina and said something. Regina nodded and let the little girl run off to play the boys. The little girl went barreling into their midst, and squealed in delight when she knocked them both over. Hoss threw back his head and laughed. The two little boys dusted themselves off, but didn\u2019t fuss at her. They still treated her with kid gloves as if aware of how precious little girls were after the loss of their sisters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Regina climbed the stairs and sat down next to Hoss on the porch. \u201cLara and the kids got off okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cGoing back to St. Louis is probably the best thing for her. She seemed real happy about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long are you going to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Doc said I just needed another few days \u2018til I had my wind again. I imagine I\u2019ll, I mean, we\u2019ll head for the Ponderosa sometime later today.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She watched the kids for awhile. \u201cShe really loves being with the boys, and they adore her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d He smiled down at them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to make sure the kids have plenty of time together. The boys\u2026.well, they miss their sisters, and\u2026.uh, Geneva is\u2026quite taken with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked down at the wooden slates of the porch. \u201cThat\u2019s the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we can arrange to meet in town on Sundays. We can picnic and the kids can play. I\u2019ll admit I\u2019ll need to see her as badly as they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a fine idea, Regina.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked at him for a moment. \u201cYou seem sad about it somehow. Are you sure it\u2019ll be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked up at the sun. \u201cI got too many thoughts going through my head right now. But it\u2019ll be okay. I\u2019ll make sure it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re feeling alright, aren\u2019t you, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He sighed deeply. \u201cWhen did Jason say he was coming for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh, he\u2019s going to come about noon. It should be in about an hour, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stood up slowly. \u201cExcuse me, Regina. I gotta\u2019 couple of things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She watched him walk slowly into the house, his head down, and wondered if the fever aches were starting to come back for the big man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss rode Chubb into the yard, and was immediately greeted by Blue who was already looking more dog than puppy. Hoss dismounted amidst a steady stream of barking, and scooped up the puppy. The dog immediately took to licking his face, and Hoss had to pull him away, rubbing at his face with his free hand. He put the puppy down and headed for the house. Before he got to the door, Hop Sing came out. \u201cMr. Hoss! Hop Sing is glad you\u2019re back. These other Cartwrights eat like hummingbirds. Hop Sing has a kitchen full of leftovers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see ya\u2019, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice day. You sit out here, and Hop Sing bring you some lemonade and cold fried chicken. What you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the boss.\u201d Hoss shed his saddlebags and sat down on a chair. The spring sun was still bright in the early evening sky, and he basked in its warmth. His eyes were closed for only a few minutes when he heard hooves. Joe, Adam, and Pa were coming in from the range. Hoss gave a half hearted wave. The lemonade and chicken were sitting on the table in front of him, and he wondered how Hop Sing had done it without waking him. He didn\u2019t feel hungry though, and so he left it sit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa reached the porch first. \u201cYou\u2019re looking good, Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe came out of the barn, a puzzled look on his face. \u201cWhere\u2019s Gennie?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked down at his lemonade and put his hand around it. He noted how cool it felt in his palm, but didn\u2019t drink.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, where\u2019s Gennie?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed and looked up. \u201cShe didn\u2019t come home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Adam pulled his hat and headed over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d Joe\u2019s face was starting to flush. \u201cIt was the fever, wasn\u2019t it? It came back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss closed his eyes. \u201cNo, it ain\u2019t anything like that, Joe. It\u2019s okay. She\u2019s okay. She went home with the Gants.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat down next to his son, a worried look etched into his features.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe hasn\u2019t even been home yet, and you already have her out visiting folks. She still needs her rest, you know?\u201d Joe regarded him sternly, hands on his hips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe ain\u2019t visiting, Joe. She\u2019s living with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice rose. \u201cHow did that happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just better that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you talk to any of us? No, you just decided all on your own. We had our hearts\u2026we love that little girl, and you just decide to do something like this without even saying a word to any of us. You know what, Hoss. Adam\u2019s right about you. You never think about what your actions mean for the rest of us. It\u2019s always about other people.\u201d Joe threw his hat down into the dirt and walked away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stared down at his hands. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I am. But there wasn\u2019t no other way to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDang it, Hoss. I don\u2019t want your apology. You just go get that little girl right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben barked at his son. \u201cJoseph! Simmer down! Let\u2019s hear what Hoss has to say about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear it. I\u2019m with Adam on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam raised a brow. \u201cHold on now. I\u2019m not sure what I feel about this, Joe. You just sit down, Boy. Let\u2019s hear him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sat on the edge of the porch, but he refused to look at Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took a minute before Hoss spoke. \u201cI did what needed to be done. Regina lost those two girls. She needed Geneva. Her boys needed Geneva. You should have seen the look on Jason\u2019s face. I thought he was going to cry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need her too, Hoss. She\u2019s not some trinket you can pass around.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. \u201cI know, Joe, but it ain\u2019t just about the Gants. You see, we know what its like to be without a ma. And we know that it\u2019s hard, but a person can still grow up healthy and happy. But what we don\u2019t know is what it\u2019s like to wonder if your mama even loved you. We lost our ma\u2019s, but we knew they loved us. Pa told us so plus I reckon we could all feel it in our hearts. I don\u2019t think Gennie has that. It\u2019s hard for her to understand that Amelia just wasn\u2019t cut out to be a mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe would tell her, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I just figure it ain\u2019t good enough. She has a second chance at a mama\u2019s love, and I couldn\u2019t deny her that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid she want to go with the Gants?\u201d Ben\u2019s tone was gentle, the tone he often used when listening to Hoss\u2019 reasoning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe fussed a bit. But I told her that I\u2019d be out to see her real soon, and she let Regina hold her and put her in the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were all silent for a moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought about bringing her here, but I knew it would be harder for her. She would see our hurt, and she would stay. I wanted to be free from our feelings so she could choose the Gants.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded solemnly. \u201cSon, you did the right thing. Regina\u2019s is the best possible mother for that child. You did right, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss hung his head, and it became clear that he had struggled mightily with this. Finally he lifted it. \u201cI know it feels like I take you all for granted sometimes. I am real sorry about it too. I just feel like we\u2019re so lucky to have each other. I feel like we can handle the disappointment and inconvenience just \u2018cause we\u2019re the Cartwright\u2019s. We\u2019re strong and we love each other, and I figure we\u2019ll be okay no matter what. I guess I shouldn\u2019t do that so much \u2018cause I end up hurting you all and I don\u2019t mean to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood up. \u201cI started this when I felt hurt about you getting involved with Amelia. But I\u2019m not angry about that anymore. You did the right thing. Hoss, you got the biggest heart in the whole Sierras. Sometimes, it does get in the way, but I think you\u2019re right about us Cartwright\u2019s. I think it\u2019s good you help us remember that we can handle the disappointments. We are strong enough for the burden that comes with putting others before us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about getting you mixed up with Amy again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s okay. It was good to see her. I think we both needed to let go of some old anger and finally see each other for who we were. Neither one of us measured up for the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked down at his youngest. \u201cJoseph, do you understand what Hoss did?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his little brother. \u201cShe was asking for Blue, and well, I ain\u2019t quite up to wrestling with a pup all the way to the Gant place. Do you think maybe you\u2019d want to take Blue over there tomorrow? Maybe spend the day? Regina said she\u2019d have a nice lunch waiting for you when you got there and Gennie really wants to see her Uncle Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss. I didn\u2019t think about how hard this was for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled. \u201cIts okay, Shortshanks. I\u2019m going to see her on Sunday and every Sunday after that. We all will. She ain\u2019t but a two hour ride away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and jumped to his feet. \u201cHey Blue! Come here! You\u2019re going to get a new home, Boy.\u201d The little black and white collie came and danced around Joe, excited for no other reason but to match Joe\u2019s. Joe teased him and the puppy swatted back at him, jumping up on hind legs and barking at the sky. Hoss threw back his head and laughed; Adam and Pa joining him as Joe and the puppy chased each other around the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A series of letters combined with a deadly illness set the Cartwrights against each other and the town when Roy takes one of their own into custody.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (25,230 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8565,"featured_media":9859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-11902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2152,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7623,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7623","url_meta":{"origin":11902,"position":0},"title":"Seeing An Angel (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A girl from Marie\u2019s past has something for Little Joe. 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