{"id":12108,"date":"2003-11-01T11:05:50","date_gmt":"2003-11-01T16:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12108"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:38","slug":"adams-story-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12108","title":{"rendered":"Adam’s Story (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Growing up was never easy, but it did have its rewards…just ask Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 <\/strong>G…tissue alert for those with tender hearts!\u00a0 (8,660 words)<\/p>\n

Adam’s Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

The center of the ring, where covered wagons had formed a circle, was filled with the happy sound of laughter of many children. Parents all up and down the long wagon train bustled about, setting up camp for the night. Fires were started; tarps were strung along the sides of the wagons and tied off to stakes hammered into the ground, in an effort to provide a small amount of protection from the weather. Wives were preparing supper; husbands tended the live stock while older children minded the toddlers and small infants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the camp of Ben Cartwright, he and his young son Adam, worked together as a team, preparing their camp for the night. Every once in a while, the dark hazel eyes of the young boy would search the clearing, watching as the other children ran and played. His sad eyes would seek out his father, tired and worn from too many hard hours on the trail. Adam felt a pang of sadness that he could not join in with the other children, but life had tossed he and his father yet another cruel blow. Inger, his beloved stepmother, had recently been killed by Indians, leaving him and his baby brother, Hoss, without a mother, and his father without a wife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once again Adam felt the pressures of young manhood weighing heavily on his shoulders. They were alone, he and his father and baby brother, and Ben needed him. It had been different, when his father had married Inger, for the first time in his young life Adam had been given the freedom to be a little boy. He had enjoyed the loving kindness of his new mother, her tender touch, her bright smile and shining eyes; even the sound of her gentle singing had warmed his heart. He had been so happy when his father had told him that Inger and he was to marry and that together as a family, they would travel across country to find the land that his father had dreamed of.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart had beat with joy when Inger gave birth to his new brother. For the first time in his life, Adam could relate to the other children; he had things in common with the boys that he had met along the trail and who traveled with them on the wagon train. He was no longer \u2018different\u2019 than the others were, and the feeling gave him a deep sense of satisfaction, for he was accepted as one of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had felt safe and secure in the love of his new family. His joy at having a brother had been the highlight of his life.\u00a0\u00a0 And he had sworn to himself that he would always set good examples and help care for the new infant, a promise that the young boy discovered would be a lifetime challenge filled with brotherly love and affection for his little brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And then suddenly, one bright sunny day, everything changed.\u00a0\u00a0 Inger was taken from them, and Adam watched unhappily as a new kind of sadness washed over his father. It was a despondency that Adam had never seen before, and the few times that he had caught his father weeping, had alarmed the young boy. Inger had brought such great blessedness to his father and to himself, and to see the man he loved more than anyone else in the world, fall to his knees and weep with such agony, frightened Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 He had wanted to cry as well, but with his father in such a dejected state of mind, there had been no time for his own tears, Hoss needed tending too, and it fell upon Adam to care for the infant. It was an overwhelming job for such a young boy, but Adam sensed that Ben needed time to come to terms with what had happened, and with no one else to help the family, Adam quickly accepted the responsibility.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, months later, Ben had pulled himself up from his grief and together with his sons, the Cartwrights continued on in their quest of building a new life, together in a new frontier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The days were long and hard. Hoss cried much of the time. It seemed that the baby was constantly hungry and nothing that Adam could do, to entertain the infant, satisfied the baby. Ben had explained to Adam, that Hoss, being nearly double the size of a baby his own age, needed more to eat than the normal sized toddler. Ben had begun to feed the baby from his own plate earlier than most mothers would have recommended, but the added tidbits seemed to fill the baby and satisfy his ever present hunger. By the time that Hoss had cut his first tooth, the toddler could eat almost as much as his older brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t know where he puts it all, Pa,\u201d giggled Adam one night while they sat around the campfire enjoying the site of the youngest family member as he stuffed the last bite of his supper into his mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had just finished with his supper and had begun to play with the morsels left in his plate. \u201cIf he keeps eating like that, he\u2019ll outweigh you and I put together, by the time he\u2019s five years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed, watching the infant trying to lick the crumbs from between his pudgy fingers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat might very likely happen, Adam. It\u2019s for sure your little brother is going to be a good sized man\u2026when he\u2019s grown,\u201d Ben had stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was as if he had taken a long look into the future and had known that someday, Hoss would be a man of enormous size.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow ever are ya going to keep him fed?\u201d Adam asked with wide eyes full of wonder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed a deep rich laugh. \u201cI\u2019m not sure, son. I suppose someday we\u2019ll just have to hire a cook to work twenty-four hours a day just to keep your brother filled up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam laughed softly and then turned away his head. His thoughts began to wander and with the wandering came a memory. The vision of a beautiful young woman, tall and graceful with blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds and who wore a smile so bright that it could light up an entire room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMama,\u201d the boy sighed downheartedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam swiped his sleeve across the front of his face and willed away the tears. When he glanced around at his father, Ben was busy cleaning the baby\u2019s face and had not seen the sudden rush of tears that had filled his eyes. Slowly, Adam got up from his seat at the makeshift table and began clearing away the tin plates and cups. He tossed the remains of water from his own cup, wishing he had something to drink besides water at every meal. He longed for a cold glass of milk, but there was only milk enough for the baby and even that was provided by one of the ladies who traveled along with them. She had a milk cow that gave plenty of milk but with a brew of seven children of her own, she was reluctant to share. She would however sell to Ben, for pennies, enough milk to last the baby for a day or two at a time. On several occasions, Ben had done odd jobs for the woman in exchange for the milk, but never had there been enough of a supply for both Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam knew his father felt bad about the lack of milk. He had seen the sad expression on his father\u2019s face more than once. Adam, gracious by nature, had repeatedly assured his father that he didn\u2019t mind not having milk to drink and agreed that it was more important that baby Hoss have the milk instead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben called as he climbed from the back of the wagon. \u201cIts almost bedtime, son.\u201d Ben smiled down at the raven-headed little boy and ruffled his hair. \u201cIt certainly has been a long day\u2026and tomorrow doesn\u2019t look as if it will be much shorter.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill we ever get there, Pa?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cHow much longer will we have to live in a wagon? I\u2019m tired of this ole wagon, I wanna live in a house like regular people and I wanna go to school and have friends like other boys my age and I wanna\u2026\u201d Adam stopped suddenly, aware that his father had grown quiet and had fixed his brown eyes on his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not knowing why, but something about the way his father was staring at him, caused Adam\u2019s chin to start quivering and tears filled his eyes. He stood before his father; his head bowed lowly, his heart suddenly filled with remorse. Adam felt the tender touch of his father\u2019s fingers on his chin, tilting his head upward and causing his tears to roll free from the corners of his eyes and down the sides of his cheeks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to complain\u2026honest\u2026\u201d Adam cried, before his father had a chance to mutter a word.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben knelt down on one knee and pulled the unhappy child into his arms, holding him tightly against his breast. His large hand cupped the back of the boy\u2019s neck as Ben engulfed his son\u2019s tiny body tightly against his own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the one that\u2019s sorry, son. I know you have missed out on so much\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, honest Pa\u2026someday, things will be different, I know\u2026caused you promised me\u2026and you always keep your promise.\u201d Adam buried his face in the fold of his father\u2019s neck. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026just\u2026that\u2026\u201d Adam began to sob.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just what son\u2026tell Pa what it is that has you so upset tonight?\u201d encouraged Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gently pushed Adam back so that he could see the boy\u2019s eyes. With his thumbs, he wiped dry the tears that stained the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell your Pa what\u2019s troubling you, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sniffed his nose and then looked into his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cNothing,\u201d he stammered softly, sorry now that he was the cause for the worried look that his pa wore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, come over here and let\u2019s sit by the fire.\u201d Ben took Adam\u2019s hand and guided him to the warmth of the fire where he sat down in one of the chairs, pulling Adam up onto his lap. Immediately, Adam laid his head down on Ben\u2019s shoulder, sniffing his nose again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026why did God let Mama get shot with that arrow? And why did He let her die? Didn\u2019t God know how much we loved Mama\u2026and needed her?\u201d muttered Adam in a tiny voice that rang with sadness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d been wondering those very things ever since Mama had died and had wanted to question his father about it, but had been afraid that the questions would cause his Pa to start crying, until tonight. Tonight, he had to know why God allowed things like that to happen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt a catch in his throat; he had, on more than one occasion asked himself those very same questions. He had not gotten any answers, other than things like that just happened, there didn\u2019t need to be a reason, other than that\u2019s the way God planned things. But how do you explain to an eight-year old, who had just a few weeks earlier, lost the only mother he had ever known, that sometimes, God just worked like that?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Adam,\u201d Ben began hesitantly, \u201cI can\u2019t give you a definite answer to your questions. I\u2019ll be honest with you though and tell you that there have been many nights that I\u2019ve asked myself the same things.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have?\u201d Adam said, surprised that his father might also question God.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly\u2026when we loose someone we love, it\u2019s just human nature to ask why. We know that God, because we trust Him, has a plan for our lives. We don\u2019t always know right away what that plan is\u2026we don\u2019t understand sometimes, when certain things happen to us, but we have to keep believing that God in His supreme wisdom, knows what\u2019s best for us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut how can God think it best for us, not to have Mama with us\u2026I mean\u2026Hoss don\u2019t got no Mama\u2026I\u2019ve lost two mamas and you lost two wives. That don\u2019t seem fair to me, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, son,\u201d Ben pressed the tiny head to his heart and rested his chin on the boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLife often does not seem fair, son. But it is what we make it. Now we can spend the rest of our lives being angry with God for our unhappiness, or we can be thankful that He allowed us to have those special times with our loved ones before He called them home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rearranged Adam on his lap so that he could look into the boy\u2019s face. \u201cYou see son, a part of living is dying\u2026we live so that we can die\u2026and when we die, we live forever, in Heaven. It\u2019s the natural way of things, it\u2019s the way that God\u2019s plan works. He doesn\u2019t mean for us to be sad when someone we love dies, but that we rejoice because that loved one, your mama and Hoss\u2019 mama, live in Heaven now with God and the angels. And God promises us that if we\u2019re good, someday we will see your mama again. We can spend our days being unhappy, or we can do what your mama and Inger would have wanted us to do\u2026and that\u2019s to go on and live our lives and be happy and try to be the very best men that we can be. Do you understand, son?\u201d Ben smiled at his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The tears had dried, but the sad expression remained and it caused Ben\u2019s heart to beat with compassion for the child.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so\u2026but Pa\u2026I know you\u2019re sad\u2026and that makes me sad. Will we ever be happy again, I mean like when Mama Inger was still alive?\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes had misted and Ben feared that the boy might start crying again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gave his son a big smile and pulled Adam to him, locking the boy in a tight hug. \u201cOf course we\u2019re going to be happy, son. Why, right now, I\u2019m happy just holding you in my arms and knowing that I have a son\u2026no, two sons, that would make any father proud. I am happy Adam. I\u2019m happy that you and Hoss are mine. I\u2019m happy that God gave the two of you to me, so that when I\u2019m feeling unhappy, all I have to do is look at the two of you, and be thankful that God saw fit for each of you to be born\u2026to be my sons. For that I thank God, every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben kissed the top of Adam\u2019s head and then smiled when he felt the boy\u2019s arms slip around his neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlright Pa, if you\u2019re happy, I\u2019m happy.\u201d Adam leaned back and smiled at his father just before giving Ben a kiss on his cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rose to his feet, Adam still in his arms. \u201cTime for bed, little man\u2026and I promise you son, it won\u2019t be much longer that you will have to live in this wagon, at least not out on the trail like this. I\u2019ll find us a place to settle\u2026I promise you, Adam,\u201d Ben smiled as he cuddled his son tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam giggled and then turned serious once more, a trait that Adam, unknowingly at this time, would follow him throughout his lifetime.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Pa, just promise me one thing, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnything, Adam, anything,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ever leave me\u2026don\u2019t ever die like mama did\u2026promise me?\u201d A sob caught in the boy\u2019s throat as he locked his arms tightly around his father\u2019s neck and buried his face to muffle his sobs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI promise Adam, I won\u2019t willingly leave you\u2026ever,\u201d Ben managed to muttered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love ya, Pa\u2026\u201d the frightened boy murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, son,\u201d Ben said as he pulled back the flap at the back of the wagon and crawled inside, his son still held lovingly in his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stormed from the house. It was no use, trying to reason with his father. It was too late anyway; his pa had married that woman and nothing that the boy could say now would change the fact. Marie was his new mother, his and Hoss\u2019 and they were expected to treat her with respect at all times. Adam made a scowl and kicked at a clump of dirt as he made his way to the barn. He was angry, and hurt and he struggled to keep the tears from collecting in his eyes. His father had gone off, leaving him and Hoss in the care of a neighbor and had been gone for what seemed like forever to the two young boys. To make matters worse, when their father had finally made it home, Ben had brought back a new wife, and new mother for his sons, thus robbing the boys of their joy at having their father home again and to themselves as before.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shoved back the barn door, sealing off the outside world as he hurried to climb up the ladder to the loft. It was his favorite place to go, when he was troubled or sad or just plain not feeling well. It seemed to him that lately, he had been spending a lot of time in the loft. Ever since Ben had returned and brought that woman into their home, Adam had found little to make him happy. The day she had arrived had been the day that his joy with living had been snatched from him. There had been nothing but arguments between him and his father. It seemed to the eleven-year old that his father had taken that woman\u2019s side over his in nearly every disagreement that had arisen. And it cut the boy to the very core of his heart and soul for he believed that his father had somehow betrayed him and his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam buried himself into the deep pile of hay that had broken lose from the bales and covered himself until he was practically hidden from view, had anyone been searching for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018She might be your wife, but she\u2019ll never be my mother,\u201d grumbled Adam softly to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He let his tears roll from his eyes and for several minutes the young boy allowed himself to be just that, a young boy. He cried until there were no more tears left to cry and then he brushed back the hay and stood to his feet. Carefully, Adam picked the dry straw from his hair and his clothes and then slowly started down the ladder. He was only about halfway when the rung broke and Adam felt his body falling through the air. With a thud that knocked the wind from his lungs, Adam crashed to the ground. His head banged against the hard packed earthen floor while everything above his head began to spin. The boy opened his mouth to scream for help, but the barn had sudden grown pitch black and then there was nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026Adam\u2026can you hear me, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From somewhere far beyond his darkened world, Adam could hear his name being called. He struggled to return to the world from hence he came, but here in the world of darkness, he had found peace from his worries, calm from the turbulent world of bickering and he refused to allow himself to leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026Adam\u2026please\u2026open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There it was again, that familiar voice that called out from beyond to him. It was a deep voice, though laden with fear, for the voice seemed to tremble.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTry son\u2026please Adam\u2026come back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam could hear the sob that caught deep within the throat of the one who called out to him. The voice was pleading with him, with such urgency that Adam allowed himself to move closer to the sound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t hear me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Ben, please\u2026keep trying\u2026you have to keep talking to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face twisted into a distorted expression. There was a strange voice that pierced through his dulled senses and captured his attention. Something about the voice annoyed him, making him want to retreat deeper into his own world, yet the tone, a softer, more expressive voice, had been filled with compassion. So he lingered between worlds, waiting, struggling with some deep seeded longing that he had no concept to its meaning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Adam, open your eyes\u2026your Pa\u2026and I\u2026need you to come back to us, darling\u2026we love you, Adam\u2026please\u2026try.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The voice seemed to drip with sweetness, drawing Adam from his darkened world of obscurity like honey draws bees to the hive. His long thick lashes fluttered slightly and his head moved from one side and then to the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa needed him\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, we love you\u2026I hope you can hear me\u2026We have a secret to share with you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s world had begun to lighten; the darkness was beginning to fade. The voice had a secret\u2026yet what could be so alluring as to draw him from his haven\u2026what could she possibly tell him that would entice him to return to a world of hurt and anger, of mistrust and disappointment? But his curiosity had been sparked, and slowly\u2026Adam returned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, open your eyes, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he heard his own voice cry out to the one who had always brought such love and compassion to his life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled at Marie and then brushed his fingers through the dark strands of black hair. \u201cI\u2019m here son\u2026welcome back,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie dabbed at the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She pressed her hand lovingly on her husband\u2019s arm to give him her support.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026my head\u2026it hurts,\u201d muttered Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His hand raised slightly and Ben was quick to grasp the smaller one into his own. Ben choked back his tears as he placed himself next to his son on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know son\u2026that\u2019s why you have to remain completely still,\u201d Ben encouraged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes drifted closed for a moment and then reopened. His eyes searched the room and then stopped when he found the lovely face of his stepmother smiling down at him. Adam tried to smile, but the effort was in vain. Instead his eyes filled with water but he forced the tears not to come.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered softly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean all those nasty things I said to you, Marie,\u201d stammered Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie sat down on the opposite side of the bed and smiled down at the boy who seemed to be struggling hard not to cry. With fingers as gentle as any that had ever touched his flesh, Marie caressed the cheek of her stepson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry too, Adam. I never once thought about what you or Hoss might feel or think when I agreed to marry your father and come here, to the Ponderosa to live. I should have thought ahead\u2026I should have known that you especially, would think I was trying to steal your father from you. But that\u2019s not true darling, I love your father\u2026and believe it or not, I love you and Hoss just as much as if I had been your real mother,\u201d Marie proclaimed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced by the gentle pressure of the woman\u2019s fingers to his lips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me finish, please. Adam, I know I can never take the place of your real mother, or Inger, I wouldn\u2019t want to, I would never attempt too. But what I would like more than anything in the whole world is for you to let me love you and hopefully one day, you could find it in your heart to return that love. My dream is the same as your father\u2019s\u2026and that\u2019s that all of us can live together in love and harmony, respect and consideration for one another\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all I\u2019ve ever wanted son,\u201d began Ben. \u201cWas for the four of us to be a family. You asked me once, a long time ago, if I thought we could ever be happy again. Well, Adam, now is our chance\u2026mine, and yours, and Hoss\u2019 and Marie\u2019s\u2026and son\u2026Adam\u2026\u201d Ben paused and looked expectantly at his wife. Marie smiled and nodded her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, with a baby on the way\u2026don\u2019t you think it\u2019s time to put aside our animosity and take advantage of what God has given to you, Hoss and myself\u2026and accept Marie as\u2026a friend\u2026who loves us\u2026all of us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced quickly from his father\u2019s face to the expression on Marie\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA\u2026baby?\u201d stammered the boy. \u201cA\u2026real\u2026baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Marie laughed softly. \u201cYes son\u2026a real baby\u2026a little brother, or maybe this time, a little sister. Would you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam felt his eyes fill with tears. How could he not be happy? Just the expression of sheer joy that graced his father\u2019s face was enough to tell him that this woman sitting on the bed next to him\u2026this new mother, had brought nothing but happiness to his beloved father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smeared the tears across his face and smiled; his face dimpled and when he raised up, his arms found their way around his father\u2019s neck. For several long moments he remained as such.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Pa,\u201d he said in a muted whisper. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you loved her so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam,\u201d Ben muttered in a choked voice. \u201cIt is possible for me to love all of you\u2026that\u2019s the wonder of why God gave us all hearts and His only desire is to fill each of them with all the love He can give us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam released his father. His face was still stained with remnants of tears when he turned to Marie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t promise you anything, Marie,\u201d Adam said shyly, \u201cother than I promise to try harder at being respectful to you and I\u2019ll honestly try to be more of a help and not make you cry anymore.\u201d Adam\u2019s wee voice faltered briefly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I\u2019ve been so mean to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam,\u201d cried Marie as she leaned down and kissed his brow. \u201cAll I ask of you right now, is that we be friends\u2026what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his father and then back to Marie and nodded his head in agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but that doesn\u2019t mean that I won\u2019t still get mad at you, sometimes,\u201d the boy smiled with a cheeky grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be mad at you some too, but that\u2019s okay, just as long as we make up!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen it\u2019s settled?\u201d Ben asked hopefully, looking from one to the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie smiled down at Adam and the boy returned the smile. Both turned to Ben and nodded their heads.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Life after Adam\u2019s accident improved greatly to say the least. The boy kept his promise and tried hard to help Marie on a daily basis while still keeping up with his own chores. During the times that he spent in his stepmother\u2019s company, Adam learned a great deal about why his father had fallen so much in love with the beautiful woman.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was easy to talk to and Adam noticed right away that whatever he had to say, she listened. Never was there a time that Marie was so busy that she could not stop whatever she was doing and hear what Adam had to share. Marie spent extra time with her newfound friend, helping him with his schoolwork. Adam had been so far behind the other children when he had started school, but Marie was determined that her son would soon catch up and possibly surpass the rest of the glass. Adam enjoyed those times with Marie, and he worked hard and strove to please her and his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before the extra effort began to show and one afternoon, Adam burst through the door, excitement etched into every fine line on his young face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Marie!\u201d Adam shouted as he flung the door wide and rushed inside. The house was silent and Adam paused briefly before running to his father\u2019s desk, hoping that Ben would be there, but he was not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMARIE!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy hush\u2026now!\u201d barked Hop Sing from the top of the stairs. \u201cMissy Cartwright not feel well, she sleep\u2026and little boy, Hoss also napping. Mister Adam go play outside\u2026\u201d ordered the family servant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts\u2026you go!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam, his chin drooping, tossed his things onto the settee and marched out the door. He was disappointed to say the least. He had scored the highest possible grade on the arithmetic test today at school and had been filled with excitement that had bubbled over. Adam had rushed home to share the good news with Marie, who had spent several hours with him the night before, going over the difficult problems until she had been sure that he felt positive that he knew how to work them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLater,\u201d he promised himself as he made his way to the barn to start his afternoon chores.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Briefly he wondered where his father had gone and then remembered that Ben had promised their neighbor, Mr. Devlin, that he would help the man repair the roof on his barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had been working steady but paused when Hop Sing entered the barn. Immediately he spied the worried expression on the little man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Hop Sing?\u201d he quickly asked as he put aside his rake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing go find father\u2026Missy not feeling verily well\u2026you go to house, play with little brother,\u201d explained Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026isn\u2019t having the baby now, is she Hop Sing?\u201d Adam asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot know\u2026best if wee one not come\u2026it too early\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing rushed around the barn, saddling a horse to ride. \u201cBoy go to house now\u2026I be back soon, with father\u2026and doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing led the gentle mare from the barn and climbed up onto the horse. With a smile at the boy, he nudged the mare into action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam waited until Hop Sing had rounded the corner of the barn, out of site before going to the house. He pushed the door opened and closed it quietly behind him. As he started to the stairs, he stopped suddenly, seeing Hoss sitting on the landing. The pudgy little boy\u2019s face was streaked with tears, and his chin quivered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy ya crying, Hoss?\u201d questioned Adam as he settled himself down, next to his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m scared\u2026Mama\u2019s makin\u2019 funny noises, Adam\u2026and they\u2019s ascarin\u2019 me,\u201d the tearful boy cried. \u201cShe sounds like she\u2019s ahurtin\u2019 somethin\u2019 fierce.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes wandered to the top of the stairs and then back down at his little brother. Seeing the frightened expression on the rotund face, the tear filled eyes, and the quivering chin, Adam placed his arm around the trembling shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be alright, Hoss. Pa\u2019s gonna be here soon and he\u2019ll know what to do,\u201d Adam said in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The soft moans coming from his parents\u2019 bedroom had grown louder and had begun to filter down the hall and descend the steps where the two young boys huddled together in growing fear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAGGGGGGH!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 blue eyes opened wide with fright and he pressed his trembling body as close as he could get to his older brother. \u201cWha\u2026wha\u2026what was that?\u201d he whimpered in a tiny voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was Marie\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pulled free the tangle of arms and legs that had managed to wrap themselves around him and stood up. Looking up the stairs, fear showing on his own face, Adam gulped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou sit right there, Hoss, and don\u2019t you move one inch. I\u2019m going to check on Marie\u2026I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam ruffled his brother\u2019s blond hair and slowly made his way up stairs and down the hall to his father\u2019s room. He stopped at the door, not sure if he was doing the right thing or not, for Hop Sing had warned him against disturbing his stepmother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gently he rapped on the door, and waited. When no response came forth, Adam pushed the door open. He was filled with apprehension and a measure of fear for what he might find. The room was void of light except for the fading rays of sun that filtered in from the window. Adam could barely make out the form of Marie\u2019s body where she lay buried beneath a pile of blankets. The sounds of low moaning filtered across the room, reaching his ears. Hoss had been correct in his assumption; Marie did sound as if she were in great pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarie?\u201d Adam whispered in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026Adam\u2026\u201d came the reply from the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam saw Marie turn her head slightly so that she could see him. She raised her hand and waved at him, meaning for him to come closer. Slowly, with rising fear, Adam inched closer to the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026are you all right?\u201d Adam asked in a trembling voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His mother looked so weak, so drained of color. Gone from her face was the smile that had always before been present. Her eyes appeared dull, the sparkle no longer shining in their depths. Pain had branded her features and Adam could not stop the flow of tears that appeared without his consent and streamed down the front of his face with a will of their own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cry, darling\u2026I\u2019m going to be fine\u2026once the doctor gets here\u2026you\u2019ll see,\u201d Marie tried to smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome here Adam,\u201d Marie asked. \u201cSit down\u2026here,\u201d she patted the bed next to her and waited until Adam had sat down. Tenderly she took his hand into hers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust sit with me for a minute\u2026and hold my hand\u2026please?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gulped and nodded his head. For several minutes, both were quiet. Marie closed her eyes and then when a rush of pain washed over her, she opened them wide and tightened her grip on the boy\u2019s hand. When she squeezed, it hurt, but Adam refused to let this woman, whom he had come to love, know of the pain in his hands. He summed it up to nothing in comparison, seeing the pain that she now suffered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it hurt much\u2026being in labor, I mean?\u201d he asked her in a whispered voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie turned her sweat-dampened face toward him and forced a smile. \u201cYes, dear\u2026very much,\u201d she moaned. \u201cBut\u2026it\u2019s a labor of love. Once the baby gets here\u2026all this pain will be forgotten\u2026OHHH!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes were wide with wonder as he watched his father\u2019s wife struggle with the pain that swept through her body. He held her hand within his two until the contraction ended and jumped from the bed to pour water into the china basin. He took a cool, damp, cloth and laid it on her forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Marie muttered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026promise me something\u2026please,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat back down on the bed and watched how Marie strained to speak between breaths. The contractions were coming harder and quicker and lasting longer and Adam feared that Hop Sing would not get back with his father or the doctor before Marie had the baby.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you want me to promise you?\u201d Adam asked, not sure what his stepmother expected of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She strained to make a smile for the boy. \u201cI just want you to promise me\u2026that if\u2026if\u2026anything should happen to me\u2026that you will help your father take care of this baby. You\u2019ve become a wonderful, trustworthy and loyal young man, Adam\u2026I\u2019m so proud of you, and I know you will do great things with your life. But I want this baby to be as much yours as your father\u2019s and mine\u2026but I need you to promise me that you will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026I swear to you\u2026I\u2019ll always be here for the baby. I promise you, I will look after him\u2026ere\u2026her everyday of his life if he needs me to. Please, don\u2019t worry\u2026please?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Adam, I knew I could depend on you.\u201d Marie\u2019s grasp tightened somewhat around Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Almost bashfully, Adam looked at Marie. \u201cYou know\u2026at first, after you and Pa told me about the baby, I was sorta\u2026\u201d Adam dropped his head and swallowed. Marie\u2019s fingertips tipped his chin upward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJealous?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t refrain from smiling. \u201cHow\u2019d you know?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just did\u2026it\u2019s okay, Adam, it\u2019s natural for an older sibling to be jealous at first, when a new baby arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d she smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door opened without warning and both Adam and Marie, turned to see who had entered. Hoss stood in the doorway, his chubby little fingers crammed into his mouth. His face was stained with tears as he approached the bed cautiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI got ascared, Adam,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, little buddy,\u201d smiled Adam. \u201cMarie\u2019s just having a baby, that\u2019s all\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if this woman is having a baby, I\u2019d suggest that the two of you march yourselves right down those stairs and wait for your papa to get home\u2026now scoot,\u201d smiled Paul Martin, the local physician.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYessir,\u201d replied Adam, taking Hoss by the hand and leading him from the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam hesitated at the door and turned around to face Marie. \u201cI\u2019ll see you later, Marie,\u201d smiled Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He dropped his brother\u2019s hand and ran back to the bed. Marie raised up just enough to take the boy into her opened arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Mama,\u201d he whispered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, son,\u201d she cooed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben returned home to find his two sons seated next to each other on the settee. They turned at the sound of the door and looked, with frightened eyes as their father entered the house. He was surprised at the silence that filled his home and his eyes automatically scanned the stairway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026mama\u2019s gonna have a baby,\u201d muttered Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben moved to the couch with his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he smiled, glancing over his shoulders as the muted cries floated downward. \u201cSo Hop Sing has said.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An upstairs door banged shut and Ben rose to his feet. Hop Sing scurried down the steps and brushed past the expectant father, on his way for more hot water. Ben glanced at his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d he said as he ran up the steps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul was just emerging from the master bedroom and nearly collided with his patient\u2019s husband. Ben was quick to note the worried expression on the doctor\u2019s face. His hands reached for the physician\u2019s arms, grabbing him tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor?\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s having a hard time, Ben. The baby\u2019s breach\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d sobbed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen, listen to me\u2026the baby isn\u2019t very big\u2026and it\u2019s nearly a month early\u2026it isn\u2019t likely that the infant\u2026can endure a long, strenuous labor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood in opened mouth shock, unable to put voice to his words. He took a deep breath of air and swallowed. \u201cWhat are you trying to say, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul pinched his lips tightly and lowered his voice to a whisper. \u201cI won\u2019t lie to you, what I\u2019m saying, Ben, is that the baby might not be strong enough to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anger, mixed with fear, washed over Ben Cartwright\u2019s features. \u201cNo\u2026you do everything possible to save that child\u2026do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2026of course I will, but Marie\u2026she isn\u2019t very strong, Ben\u2026she might give out before the baby can be born\u2026and if that happens\u2026well, anything is likely to go wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor took Ben by the arm and led him away from the room. \u201cPlease, go downstairs and wait with your sons\u2026they need you right now. They\u2019re terribly frightened, you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you\u2019re right. But please, just let me have a word with my wife\u2026and then I\u2019ll do as you say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Ben, but don\u2019t stay long,\u201d smiled the doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben agreed and slipped quietly into the room. A short time later, he emerged. Tears had filled his eyes and when he paused, standing beside of the doctor, his hands trembled as he grasped the other man\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2026do whatever you have to do\u2026I\u2019ve already lost two wives, my sons have each lost a mother\u2026I\u2019m not sure that we can\u2026can\u2026go through it\u2026again,\u201d mumbled Ben in broken words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The hands on the clock seemed frozen to one spot as Ben glanced for the hundredth time in that direction. He paced the narrow area between the middle table and the large stone hearth until he felt as if he had worn a path on the carpet beneath his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glanced at his sons who lay snuggled together on the settee where they had fallen to sleep. Ben smiled at the picture, his two sons, so alike yet so different. In his mind he tried to imagine the face of this new baby and whom the infant might most likely resemble.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He glanced at Adam, so dark and handsome, so much the picture of his mother, Elizabeth, and then at Hoss whose looks and personality were cut from the same pattern as his second wife\u2019s family. It was hard for Ben to picture in his mind, this new infant. The doctor had told him that the child was small, so perhaps it would take after Marie, for she was a petite woman with a fiery temper that was quick to explode and at the most inconvenient of times, smiled Ben to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A loud wailing screech shattered Ben\u2019s thoughts as the sound pierced the silence of the house. Ben started toward the steps and then stopped at the foot of the stairs. Behind him, a child cried out in fright and Ben rushed to the small boy\u2019s side and gathered the weeping lad into his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026Hoss\u2026it\u2019s okay,\u201d soothed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut that was Mama,\u201d sobbed the six-year old.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026but the doctor is with her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sounds of a baby\u2019s cry reached their ears and Ben spun around to look up at the doctor who stood smiling down at the three. Ben gave Hoss a quick hug and too scared to voice his question, he moved slowly toward the stairs and waited until Paul had reached the last one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood to one side, Hoss still clutched his father\u2019s hand and Ben opened his mouth\u2026trying to form his words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor laughed lightly and pressed a firm hand to Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCongratulations, Ben, it\u2019s a boy\u2026one of the prettiest\u2026if you don\u2019t mind my saying it like that, but he\u2019s one of the prettiest baby boys I\u2019ve yet to have the pleasure of bringing into this world!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA\u2026son\u2026\u201d stammered Ben turning to his boys. \u201cDid you hear that, Hoss, Adam, you have a new baby brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Marie and the baby are both fine, Ben\u2026it\u2019s like a miracle. The baby\u2019s small, but he sure does have a set of lungs on him. I have a feeling that this little tyke is going to rule your world!\u201d laughed the kind-hearted doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face beamed with happiness as he smiled down at his sons. \u201cMay we go see them?\u201d he asked, almost timidly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you may, just not more than a couple of minutes,\u201d agreed Paul.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded in agreement and then quickly led the way up the stairs, followed by two very excited little boys.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood with his head bowed; Joe\u2019s face was buried deeply within the folds of his neck. Next to him, Hoss leaned his body heavily against their father, who looked as if he might drop at any minute. The preacher was saying something, but Adam could barely make out the words that were being uttered. Joe’s soft crying was drowning out the minister\u2019s prayer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026\u201d Adam whispered to the small boy in his arms. Adam placed his hand to the back of the boy\u2019s head and cradled it against his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s my mama going?\u201d sobbed Joe softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo heaven, Little Joe\u2026to be with my ma and Mama Inger,\u201d whispered Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t want her to leave me\u2026why did she have to go, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause God needed her there\u2026in heaven with Him,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we needed her too\u2026and I luv her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know little buddy, so did we\u2026me\u2026I loved her too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nearly choked on his words. It had taken him a long time before he finally realized that he had come to love his father\u2019s third wife as much as he had loved Inger. The truth had hit him full force, the night that his little brother, Joe had been born. How odd that he remembered it now, as Marie was being lowered into the ground, that he had on that special night, declared his love to her and had called her Mama for the first time. How odd that he held in his arms, the son that had nearly cost her, her life when Little Joe had been born.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam felt the tiny arms embrace his neck and felt the dampness of his shirt where Joe\u2019s tears had stained the fabric. He clung to the tiny boy as if his life depended on it. The sounds of the dirt being dropped into the open grave sounded in his ears. It was his turn; his father had nudged him along.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stooped and picked up a handful of dirt and followed the person in front of him around the grave. He stopped and raised his hand, allowing the fine particles of soil to slip between his fingers and fall gracefully into the open ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI promised you Mama, that I\u2019d always look after your son\u2026I\u2019ll make that same promise, again, today\u2026never fear for this boy\u2019s well-being, for I\u2019ll be there for him\u2026always\u2026I give you my word\u2026as your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam placed another, smaller clump of dirt into his little brother\u2019s hand and then guided Joe\u2019s palm over his mother\u2019s grave. He gently forced open the tiny fingers until the dirt floated downward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to say anything before we go?\u201d Adam whispered to the unhappy child. He saw his brother swallow and then fill his lungs with air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood bye, Mama\u2026I luv ya!\u201d cried Little Joe who could no longer contain his tears as he turned his face back into the fold of his brother\u2019s neck and wept loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Years later, Adam sat in his father\u2019s red chair and stared across the room at the boy, now a young man, that he had sworn to look after, such a long time ago. He smiled as he watched his brother, dozing in the blue chair. Joe had turned out to be every bit as \u2018pretty\u2019 snickered Adam softly, as Doctor Martin had deemed him to be, twenty years earlier. But as for ruling his father\u2019s world\u2026the doctor had only been right, up to a point. It had taken every trick in the book and then some, for his father and himself to keep the boy on the straight and narrow, but they had managed. As Adam\u2019s eyes sought his brother\u2019s face, he knew, deep down in his heart, that Marie would have been proud of her little boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rose slowly from his chair and strolled out onto the porch. The night sky was aglow with billions of twinkling stars, but Adam\u2019s eyes found the brightest one of all. It was Marie\u2019s star\u2026the one she had promised would shine the brightest when he needed to talk to her, he would know exactly where to find her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gazed upward, his eyes fixed on the star that Mama had deemed hers, and he smiled. His eyes filled with unannounced tears, surprising himself at the show of emotions his pondering had forced him to feel. He had been unaware until that moment, just how much he missed his stepmother, and just how much of an impact she had had on his life. Adam sighed deeply, wiping his opened palm across his face, unaware that behind him, his youngest brother stood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s really shining tonight, isn\u2019t she, big brother?\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surprised to be caught at such a vulnerable moment, Adam spun around, facing his brother. \u201cI\u2026I\u2026yes, yes she is, Joe,\u201d Adam stammered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Adam, what today is, don\u2019t you?\u201d Joe asked as he leaned his back against the fence and studied his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know, Joe\u2026I never forget this date\u2026I never forget that, in a wink of an eye, her life and all she meant to me\u2026to us\u2026was snatched away.\u201d Adam leaned forward on the fence railing, standing close to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced at Adam. \u201cYou loved her too\u2026didn\u2019t you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned to Joe, his heart had somehow managed to creep into his throat and he found speaking difficult, but he nodded his head in response to his brother\u2019s question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes Joe, I loved her\u2026oh, I didn\u2019t at first\u2026I didn\u2019t even like her\u2026but later, after I found out that she was carrying you\u2026I learned first to like her. She asked me to be just her friend and take things from there. She never asked more of me than what I could give to her. Did you know that?\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was when her labor started early\u2026Hop Sing had gone to find Pa and the doctor, and I was left alone with Hoss and your mother. I sneaked into her room, cause I could hear her crying out in pain and I had to know for myself if she was all right or not. She asked me to stay with her and to just hold her hand.\u201d Adam smiled at Joe. \u201cI was scared to death that you\u2019d decide to make your entrance before the doctor got there,\u201d Adam laughed softly and then continued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the doctor arrived, Marie and I had a long talk, it was then, right before you were born, that I realized just how much your mother had come to mean to me. I told her for the first time that night, that I loved her\u2026and she told me that she loved me. I called her Mama too, for the first time. I\u2019ll never forget the smile that graced her face or the happiness that shown in her eyes right then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced up at the brightest star again. \u201cYou have no idea, Joe, how many times I\u2019ve sat beneath the stars and talk to your mother, our mother, or the things I\u2019ve told her\u2026about myself\u2026Pa\u2026Hoss\u2026you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned and faced his brother, smiling so that his face showed the dimple on his left cheek. \u201cYeah\u2026you!\u201d he laughed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGreat\u2026you\u2019ve probably told her about all the times you\u2019ve saved my hide when I\u2019ve gotten myself into a fix and couldn\u2019t even get myself out of it, haven\u2019t you?\u201d Joe grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s laughter was gentle as he slung his arm over Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cI didn\u2019t have to tell her about those times Joe\u2026she already knew. It was the times when you were never aware that I was close by\u2026when I was busy keeping a promise made twenty years ago, that\u2019s what Mama and I talked about.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHeh?\u201d Joe said, scrunching up his face. \u201cWhat are you talking about\u2026ya ain\u2019t makin\u2019 any sense now. When were you there, that I didn\u2019t know about\u2026and what promise did you make and to who\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhom\u2026Joe\u2026whom. And it\u2019s none of your business. It\u2019s between a special angel and myself\u2026that\u2019s to whom. Now come on, it\u2019s way past your bedtime,\u201d laughed Adam who had locked his fingers around Joe\u2019s neck and was playfully pulling the younger man along with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou need you\u2019re beauty rest little brother, you\u2019re beginning to get wrinkles\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWrinkles!\u201d stammered Joe. \u201cWhere? Show me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, next to your eyes, they\u2019re called crow\u2019s feet\u2026or at least that\u2019s what the women call them\u2026and these lines right here, by your mouth are called laugh lines\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCrow\u2019s feet? Laugh lines? Golly Moses\u2026what can I do about them\u2026and how\u2019s come you don\u2019t have any? HEY PA!\u201d shouted Joe as Adam laughed softly at his brother\u2019s antics and closed the door, but not before glancing one last time up at Marie\u2019s star.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The star seemed to smile down at Adam and just as the young man started to turn, the star moved, shooting across the sky and leaving a fiery trail of glittering gold in it\u2019s wake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n

November 2003<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Growing up was never easy, but it did have its rewards…just ask Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 G…tissue alert for those with tender hearts!\u00a0 (8,660 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":6685,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[30],"tags":[14,15],"class_list":["post-12108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prequels","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3298,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Screen-Shot-2014-05-04-at-4.30.52-PM.png?fit=464%2C289&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12737,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12737","url_meta":{"origin":12108,"position":0},"title":"Ghost Wagons (by GinnyF)","author":"Ginny F","date":"October 23, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Tall tales?\u00a0Ghost Stories?\u00a0 Or did it really happen? Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (850 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14013,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14013","url_meta":{"origin":12108,"position":1},"title":"Black and Gold (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"April 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Rumors and sightings are flying around town about a dark creature roaming the hills of the Ponderosa. \u00a0Will the Cartwrights find out what it is? \u00a0What is Adam\u2019s connection to the creature? 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Written for the Sept 1 Pinecone challenge and expanded for inclusion here. Prompt: Whisky for my men, beer for my horses (by Scott Emerich\/Toby Keith).\u00a0 Contains phrases from both the song and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"newspaper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12019,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12019","url_meta":{"origin":12108,"position":3},"title":"Two Thousand Miles (by pbeaking)","author":"pbeaking","date":"June 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: This story is centered around what it was like for 7 year old Adam out on the trail with his Pa. It covers the two thousand mile journey they made with others traveling west in search of their new life. It describes their heartaches and joys and feelings of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Adam"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Adam","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1016"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Adam-and-Ben-2.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48039,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48039","url_meta":{"origin":12108,"position":4},"title":"Fourth of July Fun (by AH83)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"July 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam gets a Fourth of July surprise. 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The episode Journey Remembered was a very sanitized version of the hardships these pioneers would have encountered so this story is about bringing a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}