{"id":12513,"date":"2016-01-22T09:04:39","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T14:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12513"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:10:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:10:23","slug":"je-taime-ma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12513","title":{"rendered":"Je T’aime, Ma (by pulitzer2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Eleven-year-old Adam never wanted another stepmother, but now that Marie is on the Ponderosa – and six months’ pregnant – there’s little he can do but be polite and try not to think of the beloved stepmother he lost. But when Ben goes away on a business trip and Marie is injured, Adam must ride alone for help. Along the way, he realizes that things have a way of becoming precious<\/span>, even when we don’t intend them to.<\/p>\n

Rating: K \u00a0Word Count: 12,446<\/p>\n

Je T\u2019aime, Ma<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Sarah Hendess<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Ponderosa Ranch
\nTerritorio de Alta California, Mexico
\nApril, 1842<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his arms as his father double-checked the cinch on his horse\u2019s saddle. The morning air was icy, and Adam wished he had put on his coat like his stepmother, Marie, had suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really gonna be gone a whole month, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright glanced over his shoulder at his oldest son. \u201cYes, son. At least three weeks, anyway. It\u2019s a good four or five days to San Francisco, and then I\u2019ve got to close that timber deal and hire some men for our cattle drive this summer. Then another four or five days home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? You think San Francisco will be part of the United States soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben furrowed his brow. He patted his horse\u2019s neck and lumbered over to his son. \u201cI think everything from here to the ocean will be part of the United States soon. We\u2019ll either buy it from Mexico, or they\u2019ll give it up.\u201d He laid a hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat\u2019s bothering you, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s intelligent hazel eyes snapped up and caught his father\u2019s gaze. He shifted his weight. \u201cNothin\u2019, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

A happy squeal issued from the small ranch house behind them, and father and son smiled at one another. Clearly, Marie had just caught hold of Adam\u2019s five-year-old brother, Hoss, and attacked him with tickles. Even at six months pregnant, Marie was quick on her feet. Ben gave Adam\u2019s shoulder a squeeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry, son. I\u2019ll be home in plenty of time for your birthday, and well before the baby comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes darkened. Babies were bad news for his family. His own mother had died giving birth to him, and Hoss\u2019s mother had been killed by Indians only weeks after Hoss\u2019s birth. Adam had spent the past few months trying to forget about his forthcoming sibling, but it was harder now that Marie\u2019s belly was getting so swollen.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t wanted another stepmother in the first place. Hoss\u2019s mother, Inger, had been the only mother Adam had ever known. After she died, there had been no opportunity for either Ben or Adam to grieve. They were among hostile Indians in the middle of Nebraska, and they had a new baby to care for. So they buried Inger and carried on. Then six-year-old Adam had become his father\u2019s primary helpmate and like a second parent to Hoss. A rush of heat still surged through Adam\u2019s chest whenever he remembered Ben bringing Marie home last summer. Ben had gone off to New Orleans on business and had returned with a new wife without a word to Adam. In an instant, Adam had gone from being his father\u2019s partner to being just another eleven-year-old boy who was always getting reminded to wash behind his ears. Then at Christmas, Ben and Marie had announced that Adam and Hoss would be getting a baby brother or sister the following summer. It was supposed to be a fantastic surprise. And for Hoss, it was. The pudgy little boy had thrown his arms around both Ben and Marie \u2013 whom he had started calling \u201cMa\u201d the instant she\u2019d arrived on the Ponderosa \u2013 and then spent the next several minutes running excited laps around their tiny living room. Adam had shaken his father\u2019s and stepmother\u2019s hands, congratulated them, and then cracked open the new book he\u2019d received.<\/p>\n

Marie stepped out onto the porch just then, Hoss clutching her hand. Both of them were pink-faced and giggling. Adam\u2019s smile returned. Hoss deserved a mother, and Marie was a good one to him. While he preferred to keep his own distance, Adam was grateful to her for loving Hoss so well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you about to leave, mon ch\u00e9ri?\u201d she asked Ben as he strode toward the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I\u2019ve got everything.\u201d Ben swept an arm around Marie\u2019s waist and drew her to him. They both laughed as he bounced off her belly. Ben leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. \u201cYou sure you\u2019ll be all right with these two rascals while I\u2019m gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss answered for her. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa. I won\u2019t let Adam get in no trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled again and ruffled his youngest son\u2019s blond hair. Hoss jumped up at him, and Ben swung him into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goodness, you\u2019re getting heavy!\u201d Ben grunted. He gave the boy a quick hug and set him right back down. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna outweigh me any day now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam decided this was probably true. His five-year-old brother already weighed as much as he did, and there was no doubt that in a few years, he\u2019d be head-and-shoulders taller, too. Hoss Cartwright was on track to be as big as a grizzly bear.<\/p>\n

Ben gave Marie another kiss and then returned to his horse, where Adam was still standing. He looked down at him and stuck out his right hand. The left corner of Adam\u2019s mouth turned up in a half smile as he shook his father\u2019s hand like men should.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the man of the house while I\u2019m gone, Adam. You take care of your mother and brother, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood man.\u201d Ben smiled at Adam and chucked him under the chin before swinging onto his horse. With a final wave to his family, Ben turned his horse down the trail leading away from the house.<\/p>\n

Adam let out a wistful sigh as he watched his father disappear on his tall, black stallion. With his father\u2019s permission, he was allowed to ride Ben\u2019s second horse, but it was no secret that Adam wanted a mount that was truly his own. One he could saddle up anytime he wanted and explore the vast expanse of the Ponderosa Ranch. Ben had bought 100,000 acres off the Mexican government for a song about three years ago. Since then, he\u2019d increased his holdings to 350,000 acres, and he wasn\u2019t done yet. Adam knew he\u2019d never get to see it all without his own horse.<\/p>\n

When Ben had vanished from view, Adam turned to Hoss and Marie. \u201cHoss, did you get the eggs already?\u201d The little boy nodded. \u201cAll right. Let\u2019s get those stalls cleaned out, then.\u201d Adam started for the barn, but when he didn\u2019t hear any footsteps behind him, he turned around. Hoss was still on the porch, looking questioningly up at Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you have to mind him even when your father is home,\u201d Marie gently reminded Hoss. \u201cSo that goes double when your father is away. Go on.\u201d She gave Hoss a little nudge. The boy trudged down the porch steps, a scowl on his face and his hands jammed in his pockets.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t like cleanin\u2019 out the stalls,\u201d Hoss grumbled. \u201cThey smell like poo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam bit back a laugh. \u201cThat\u2019s the problem, you goose. The animals don\u2019t like it, either.\u201d He slung an arm around his little brother\u2019s shoulders as they ambled toward the barn.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam kept Hoss busy until lunchtime and then let his little brother play for the afternoon while he continued fussing about. There wasn\u2019t much that really needed to be done, but Adam was relishing being in charge. He brushed Ben and Marie\u2019s horses until they shone and then spent the next ten minutes sweeping all the horse hair out of the barn that he and Hoss had cleaned so carefully that morning. If he\u2019d remembered the horses were blowing their winter coats, he would have brushed them outside. He tried to brush their milk cow, too, but patient though she was, Bessie let her disdain for the currycomb be known with a loud, indignant \u201cMOO!\u201d right in Adam\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

Near suppertime, Adam scrambled up into the hayloft to feed the horses. He chucked hay into the stalls and was about to climb down the ladder and go back to the house when he heard high-pitched mewing coming from one corner of the loft. He tiptoed over. When he was nearly to the corner, he dropped to his hands and knees and finished his approach at a crawl. Pushing aside some hay, he revealed a fat black cat lying on her side, a litter of tiny kittens nursing greedily at her belly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGretel!\u201d Adam exclaimed, breaking into a grin. \u201cYou\u2019ve got yourself a family! Congratulations!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had brought Gretel and her male counterpart, Hansel, home from a trip to Eagle Station two summers ago, but this was their first litter. Adam glanced around but didn\u2019t see the burly orange tomcat.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably strutting around the ranch, pleased to pieces with himself,\u201d Adam muttered. He turned back to Gretel and counted five kittens: two jet-black like her, two orange like Hansel, and one calico. They couldn\u2019t have been more than a day or two old \u2013 their eyes weren\u2019t even open yet. He smiled at the calico, who was a little smaller than the rest. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna be Hoss\u2019s favorite,\u201d he told the kitten. Then he caught Gretel’s gaze. \u201cI\u2019ll leave you be. You take good care of these babies.\u201d Still grinning, he crossed the loft, scampered down the ladder, and dashed to the house.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss was beside himself with joy when Adam told him about the kittens over supper.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we go see \u2018em tonight, Adam? Can we? Can we, please?\u201d The boy\u2019s cherubic face glowed as he bounced up and down in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost dark,\u201d Adam said. \u201cWe\u2019ll look at them tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face fell, but only briefly. \u201cTell me all about \u2018em again, Adam!\u201d he begged, his eyes shining.<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled and told him for the fourth time about the five little kittens.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey boys or girls?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t look that closely. They\u2019re only a couple days old. Gretel would get real upset if we started poking at them already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I remember hearing that calicos are almost always female,\u201d Marie said as she began clearing dishes from the table. Adam sprang from his seat, took the dishes from her, and jerked his head toward the table, indicating that she should sit back down. \u201cThank you, Adam. Anyway, I just wish I could see them tomorrow, too. But I don\u2019t suppose I should be climbing up and down that ladder in my condition.\u201d She sank back into her chair and gave out a little laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they\u2019re big enough, Ma, we\u2019ll bring \u2018em down so you can see \u2018em,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cHow long do you think that\u2019ll be, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam returned from setting the dishes in the kitchen. He shrugged. \u201cAbout a week, I guess. Once their eyes are open, Gretel probably won\u2019t mind so much if we pick them up. But like I said, we go poking at them right now, and she\u2019s gonna get real upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when Gretel gets upset, people get hurt,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwright boys had learned that lesson the hard way. Last summer, Adam had accidentally startled Gretel while she was sleeping in the woodpile behind the house. Hoss rushed in to rescue his brother from the terrified cat, and both boys had emerged from the skirmish scratched to pieces. They were much more careful around the woodpile after that.<\/p>\n

After supper, Hoss helped Marie wash the dishes, and Adam enjoyed a few quiet moments in the living room. The air had grown cold again after the sun had set, so he built a small fire in the fireplace and stretched out on the hearthrug with a sketchpad and a pencil. Adam liked to draw. He could draw passable portraits of people and animals, but it was buildings that really caught his fancy. With a new baby on the way, the Cartwrights wouldn\u2019t be able to stay in the small two-bedroom ranch house forever, and Adam spent hours sketching ideas for a bigger house. He was so caught up in his most recent design that he barely noticed when Marie and Hoss joined him in the living room. Hoss paged through Grimms\u2019 Fairy Tales<\/em> \u2013 he couldn\u2019t read much yet, but he loved looking at the illustrations \u2013 while Marie picked up her knitting. Adam couldn\u2019t understand why Marie was knitting so much. The baby was due in July \u2013 not really the time of year that one needed wool socks. But it seemed to make her happy, so he said nothing.<\/p>\n

A half hour passed, and Adam was about to tell Hoss to wash up for bed when Marie let out a little \u201cOoh!\u201d and clapped her hand to her belly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys! Come here, quick! The baby\u2019s kicking!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scuttled across the sofa and slipped his hand under Marie\u2019s. His face split into a huge grin and he let out a squeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Adam, the baby kicked me! You gotta come here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had looked up but hadn\u2019t budged from the hearthrug. He was pretty sure he\u2019d die of embarrassment if he put his hand on Marie\u2019s stomach. Besides, he\u2019d felt Hoss kick plenty of times through Inger\u2019s belly. And he didn\u2019t like thinking about Inger. It made him feel like there was a belt tightening around his chest and squeezing all the air out. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he told Hoss. \u201cYou enjoy it.\u201d He turned back to his sketch. Hoss shrugged and laid his head in Marie\u2019s lap, giggling madly as his unborn sibling kicked his cheek.<\/p>\n

When the baby settled down a few minutes later, Marie sent Hoss to the boys\u2019 bedroom to get ready for bed. When the sound of Hoss banging around for a nightshirt wafted down the hallway to the living room, Marie turned to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe baby will probably move around again soon, if you\u2019d like to feel it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, but thank you, Ma\u2019am.\u201d He turned to his sketch once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam fought against the squeezing in his chest. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, sweetheart, you can-\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam forced out a yawn. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, please, Ma\u2019am, I\u2019m awfully tired. Think I\u2019ll turn in early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s face fell, but she quickly plastered on a smile. \u201cAll right. I\u2019ll be in to say goodnight in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam zipped down the hallway toward his and Hoss\u2019s bedroom, his sketchbook clutched in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatcha doin\u2019, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked as his older brother burst into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoin\u2019 to bed. What else would I be doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt my bedtime? You feeling all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling fine. Just tired. Get in bed, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five-year-old obediently climbed into the top bunk of the bunkbeds he and Adam shared. Adam changed into his nightshirt and washed his face at the basin in one corner of the room. He tried to hurry so he could pretend to already be asleep when Marie came in, but he wasn\u2019t quite fast enough. Marie knocked on the door just as he crawled under the covers. Hoss, of course, called her right in. Marie smiled as she entered the room and crossed to the bunkbeds. Hoss leaned over the top bunk to hug her.<\/p>\n

Marie gave him her usual goodnight wish in French: \u201cBonne nuit, mon ch\u00e9ri. Je t’aime.\u201d She kissed Hoss\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, too, Ma!\u201d Hoss said. He nuzzled under his covers and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

Marie bent down with some difficulty and pulled the covers up around Adam\u2019s shoulders. \u201cGoodnight, my darling. I love you,\u201d she repeated, again in French.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

Marie gave him a sad smile and brushed a dark lock of hair off of his forehead. She hesitated for a moment, and Adam was afraid she was going to kiss him, too, but she just patted his shoulder and left the room. He rolled over and closed his eyes, the sensation of Marie\u2019s soft hand lingering on his brow.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t wait until after breakfast the next morning to see the kittens, so as soon as the brothers were dressed, Adam took him out to the barn. He knew he should insist they complete their morning chores first, but Hoss\u2019s excitement was infectious.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go charging over there,\u201d Adam instructed as he let Hoss climb the hayloft ladder ahead of him. \u201cWait for me.\u201d The ladder groaned under their combined weight as Adam followed Hoss into the loft. Some of the rungs were rickety, too, which Adam hadn\u2019t noticed the previous evening. He frowned. If the ladder were protesting him and Hoss together, it couldn\u2019t be any safer for Ben. Adam finished his ascent wondering if his carpentry skills were advanced enough to build a new ladder without his father\u2019s oversight.<\/p>\n

Hoss clapped a hand over mouth to muffle his shriek of delight as Adam pushed aside the hay in the corner to reveal Gretel and her babies. The kittens were nursing again, and Gretel blinked up at them with sleepy eyes. Adam could have sworn she looked smug.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam, they\u2019re so cute!\u201d Hoss whispered. \u201cOne, two, three, four, five, just like you said!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how to count,\u201d Adam replied with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna name \u2018em all?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose that depends on whether they\u2019re boys or girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell which are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

Praying that Gretel wouldn\u2019t attack him, Adam very slowly reached out one finger and lifted the tail of one of the orange kittens. He stared, his head cocked to one side. Wrinkling his brow, he dropped the thin orange tail and raised the one attached to the calico. Stumped, he checked every kitten before turning back to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t tell,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hoss giggled. \u201cYou don\u2019t know the difference between boys and girls?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the difference!\u201d Adam huffed. Ben had had that talk with him a couple years earlier, and besides, they lived on a cattle ranch. The animals made the difference quite plain. Ben hadn\u2019t had much to tell Adam that the boy hadn\u2019t already seen for himself. \u201cThey\u2019re just too small. We\u2019ll have to wait until they get a bit bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s shoulders slumped. \u201cMaybe we can at least name that one.\u201d He pointed to the calico. \u201cMa said most calicos are girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. What do you want to name her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face in thought so hard that Adam thought his head might pop. \u201cPatches,\u201d Hoss said at last. \u201c\u2018Cause she looks like a little patchwork quilt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled. It wasn\u2019t very inventive, but Hoss had a point. \u201cAll right, then. Welcome to the family, Patches Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, do you think I can hold her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re lucky Gretel let me touch her. You better wait at least another day or two. Besides, she\u2019s eating. How would you like it if some giant picked you up in the middle of your breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot very much,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cI do like breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too. Let\u2019s go get some.\u201d<\/p>\n

The brothers grinned at each other, and Adam carefully pushed the hay back into place to conceal Gretel and her babies so they\u2019d feel safe. The boys picked their way back to the ladder. Hoss was about to clamber down, but Adam held out an arm to stop him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go first,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not so sure about a couple of these rungs.\u201d Adam made his way slowly down the ladder, jiggling each rung to test its soundness. A couple of them could stand to be replaced, and one truly concerned him. It was beginning to splinter. Usually the Cartwrights looked for such signs of wear on their equipment each year when winter broke, but the winter had been especially hard that year. Come spring, they\u2019d been so busy repairing walls and roofs that the hayloft ladder must have gotten overlooked. \u201cWatch out for this rung here near the middle,\u201d he called up to Hoss. \u201cI don\u2019t trust it. Skip it if you can.\u201d Hoss nodded and made his way down slowly, stretching one leg as far as he could to skip over the damaged rung. Once he was safely on the ground, he and Adam raced each other back to the house, which was already emitting the delicious scents of bacon and eggs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam?\u201d Hoss puffed as they reached the porch. Adam could easily outrun his little brother, but he\u2019d made sure their race had ended in a tie.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019ya think we\u2019re gonna get a baby brother or a baby sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I suppose the odds are even.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you hopin\u2019 for?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cocked his head and studied Hoss\u2019s eager face. \u201cCan\u2019t say I\u2019ve thought about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want a little sister,\u201d Hoss said thoughtfully. \u201cAlready got you, so a sister would even things out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good point. But I guess we\u2019ll get what we get, won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019ll be a girl. Ma says I\u2019m so cute I can get just about whatever I want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cCome on, buddy. Let\u2019s get that breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss slipped his plump hand in Adam\u2019s as the brothers headed inside.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The days passed quietly on the Ponderosa while Ben was away. The half dozen hired hands were out on the range rounding up and branding cattle, so it was just Marie, Adam, and Hoss at the house. Adam tended the horses and cow while Hoss took care of the chickens. Adam was sorely tempted to saddle up his father\u2019s second horse and go for a long ride, but he knew better than to venture out on the range alone and unarmed. While Ben would forgive him for borrowing the horse, he\u2019d tan Adam\u2019s hide if he discovered the boy had taken one of his rifles without permission. Adam knew Ben kept the key to the rifle cabinet in his top desk drawer, but he was to access the firearms only in a true emergency. He hoped he\u2019d soon get a rifle of his own \u2013 maybe even for his birthday next month \u2013 but until then, the best weapon he had was a slingshot. He could probably scare away a wolf or even a mountain lion with it, but it would be no match for the Indians who were growing increasingly hostile as more and more white settlers poured onto their land. So instead of riding out and exploring, Adam stayed home and designed plans for a new hayloft ladder. He knew that something as simple as a ladder didn\u2019t really need a formal design, but if this was going to be his first solo foray into carpentry, he wanted to get it right.<\/p>\n

About two weeks after Ben\u2019s departure, Adam\u2019s plans were ready. There was some lumber in the barn leftover from their repair work earlier that spring, and Ben always had a healthy supply of nails on hand. So one rainy afternoon, Adam headed out to the barn to begin construction. It took longer than he\u2019d expected, probably because he measured everything four or five times before he began cutting his pieces. It was two hours before he\u2019d gotten all of his pieces cut, and Adam knew he\u2019d run out of daylight before he could complete his project \u2013 he still needed to sand everything before he started assembling the ladder. But he was happy with pieces he\u2019d crafted. He didn\u2019t have a lathe, so the rungs would be flat instead of round, but he figured that would be easier to keep a foothold on anyway. He was gazing proudly down at his work when the barn door creaked open behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t done, Hoss,\u201d he called without turning around. \u201cThis is gonna take longer than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Adam,\u201d Marie replied.<\/p>\n

Adam jumped and whirled around. \u201cOh! Hello, Ma\u2019am. I\u2019m sorry. I assumed you were Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled. \u201cA logical assumption. But I\u2019ve been making cookies this afternoon, so you can guess where your brother has been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, both at Marie\u2019s comment and at the plate of chocolate cookies she carried.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are for you,\u201d she said, holding the plate out to him. \u201cYou\u2019ve been working so hard out here, I thought you might like a snack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you very much, Ma\u2019am!\u201d Adam took the cookies from her and crammed one in his mouth. They were still warm, and Adam closed his eyes as he savored the sweetness. He had to admit that Marie made the best cookies he\u2019d ever tasted. He thought she\u2019d turn and leave, but when he opened his eyes, she was still there smiling at him. Adam shifted uncomfortably. \u201cWould you like one?\u201d he said at last, offering her the plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, thank you. I shouldn\u2019t. I had several while I was baking them.\u201d But the way she stared at the plate reminded Adam of Gretel right before she pounced on an unsuspecting mouse. \u201cOn second thought, I suppose I could have one more. You know, for the baby.\u201d She snatched a cookie from the plate.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s discomfort transformed instantly into amusement, and he laughed. Just after the first of the year, whatever nausea the baby had been causing Marie vanished and left a raging appetite in its wake. Marie was forever justifying her increased eating habits by claiming it was \u201cfor the baby.\u201d When Hoss had tried to make the same claim to get a second helping of dessert one evening at dinner, Ben had had to explain that wasn\u2019t how it worked.<\/p>\n

Adam polished off the rest of the cookies as only a boy on the brink of puberty could and handed Marie the empty plate. \u201cThank you again, Ma\u2019am. Those were delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie accepted the plate with the same sad smile she\u2019d worn when she\u2019d tucked Adam into bed a couple weeks earlier. \u201cAdam,\u201d she said softly. \u201cI know you\u2019re reluctant to call me \u2018Ma,\u2019 and I understand why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s chest tightened, and he gnawed on his lower lip. He did not want to talk about Inger. Especially not with Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut maybe we could think of something else,\u201d Marie continued. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to consider me your mother, but we are family now. I just thought that something a bit less formal than \u2018Ma\u2019am\u2019 might be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam found himself unexpectedly curious. \u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s green eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, but the way she searched for words told Adam she hadn\u2019t thought that far. She had probably expected him to shut her out at the very suggestion. \u201cWell, the French word for \u2018mother\u2019 is \u2018m\u00e9re,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cMaybe we could try that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s chest tightened again. \u201cMaybe. I\u2019ll think about it. But right now I really need to get these pieces sanded.\u201d He gestured to the wood scattered about the barn floor.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s face fell. \u201cAll right. We\u2019ll be eating in about an hour.\u201d She turned and headed out the barn door.<\/p>\n

The tightness in Adam\u2019s chest suddenly leapt to his throat, making a hard knot. \u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d he called after her. Marie turned. \u201cMaybe after supper, Hoss and I could bring those kittens down for you to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled again. \u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d She closed the door softly behind her.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After supper, Adam helped Hoss and Marie with the dishes so they could get out to the barn sooner, though Hoss was bouncing so vigorously with excitement that he wasn\u2019t much help. When all the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, the trio set out for the barn. It had stopped raining, so even though the evening was growing cold, they took their time strolling across the front yard. Adam and Hoss each carried a lantern, and Hoss kept his free hand wrapped tightly around one of Marie\u2019s. Adam smiled at the pair of them. With Hoss\u2019s blond hair, he could have actually been Marie\u2019s son. Ben Cartwright was hardly a small man, so that could explain Hoss\u2019s size. Adam ran his free hand through his own black locks and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething wrong, Adam?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ma\u2019am. I\u2019ll, uh, I\u2019ll go pull out the milking stool for you to sit on.\u201d Adam dashed ahead and ducked into the barn.<\/p>\n

Once Marie was settled on the stool, Adam and Hoss climbed up into the hayloft and collected the kittens. Adam winked at Hoss as he tucked three of the kittens safely into his coat pockets. Hoss giggled and followed suit with the other two. Gretel didn\u2019t protest, but she did follow them to see where her babies were going.<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful of that bad rung, Hoss,\u201d Adam reminded his little brother as they made their way back down the ladder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, Captain!\u201d Hoss replied. Adam shook his head. Hoss loved echoing the nautical terms their father still used from time to time.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s face shone as the boys pulled kittens from their pockets.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow precious!\u201d she cooed. Gretel wound around Marie\u2019s ankles, purring proudly. The blond woman reached down to pat her. \u201cThey\u2019re beautiful babies, Gretel,\u201d she said. \u201cEspecially this one.\u201d She held up the little calico for inspection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Patches,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWe ain\u2019t named the others yet \u2018cause Adam don\u2019t know the difference between boys and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face burned despite the cold night air. \u201cI know the difference!\u201d he insisted. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t tell before because the kittens were so small!\u201d<\/p>\n

A ghost of a smile crossed Marie\u2019s face despite her biting down hard on her lower lip. \u201cI expect we could probably tell now,\u201d she said. \u201cLet\u2019s see, shall we?\u201d She and Adam started checking under tails. When they\u2019d finished their inspection, they had counted three boys and two girls. The calico and one of the black kittens were both girls, while the two orange and the second black were all boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta name them!\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we should,\u201d Marie agreed. \u201cBut maybe we could think of names back inside the house. It\u2019s really getting cold out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d Adam agreed. The weather was unseasonably cold for mid-April. The temperature on some nights still fell to freezing, and tonight felt like it would be one of those. \u201cCome on, Hoss. Let\u2019s put these kittens back, and then you two can go inside and start thinking of names while I milk Bessie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll lead her out and tie her for you, shall I?\u201d Marie said. \u201cSince I can\u2019t climb that ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam returned the kittens to their pockets and made their way back into the hayloft. As soon as they were settled in their corner, Gretel plopped onto her side, and all five kittens started nursing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey sure are hungry little things, ain\u2019t they?\u201d Hoss observed.<\/p>\n

\u201cReminds me of you,\u201d Adam replied. He laughed as Hoss stuck out his tongue at him. \u201cLet\u2019s climb back down. Get you back to the house where it\u2019s warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust another minute, Adam. I wanna watch the kittens some more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cAll right. Not too long, though. I don\u2019t want to have to explain to Pa when he gets home why you\u2019re frozen solid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned back. \u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam patted his little brother on the shoulder and climbed down to the barn floor. Marie had already tied up Bessie, so Adam pulled the stool up alongside the cow and started milking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like some tea when you come inside?\u201d Marie asked. She laughed as Adam wrinkled his nose. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I always forget you don\u2019t like tea. Maybe some hot chocolate instead? I have some chocolate left over from making those cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned up at her. \u201cThat would be-\u201d A shriek from the hayloft interrupted him. Hoss had started to climb down the ladder but apparently had forgotten about the rotting rung in the middle. He set his foot down on it a bit too hard and crashed right through, losing his balance and plummeting the remaining few feet to the barn floor. The five-year-old landed with a loud \u201cOof!\u201d as the wind got knocked out of his lungs.<\/p>\n

Marie and Adam both screamed and lurched toward the little boy. In his haste, Adam kicked the milk bucket with his left foot, knocking it into one of Bessie\u2019s hind legs. Already startled by all the hollering, the usually placid cow let out a frightened moo and kicked backward. Marie, who had already taken several running steps toward Hoss, caught the flying hoof squarely in the small of her back. She let out a cry as she pitched forward and landed hard on her pregnant belly on the wooden floor.<\/p>\n

Adam stood frozen for a second, not knowing whom to help first. Hoss aided his decision by drawing in a ragged breath and spitting out a word that Ben would have tanned his hide for using. Adam rushed to Marie and dropped to his knees next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d His voice trembled. \u201cMa\u2019am, are you all right?\u201d His heartbeat was so loud in his ears that he could barely hear her reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Marie gasped, rising to all fours and clutching her stomach. \u201cI\u2019m all right, Adam.\u201d She turned her face toward him and gave him a tight smile. \u201cBessie just gave me a little surprise, that\u2019s all. Is Hoss all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced over to where his brother was frowning over a new hole in the elbow of his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank God.\u201d Adam helped her to a sitting position. She was still clutching her stomach, but she was breathing more normally. \u201cLet\u2019s go inside. I think we\u2019ve all had enough adventure for one evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Adam said. \u201cHoss, help her inside. I\u2019ll be in as soon as I get Bessie put away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away from his torn jacket, Hoss finally noticed Marie sitting on the barn floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa!\u201d he cried, scrambling over to her. \u201cMa, what happened?\u201d Tears spilled from his bright blue eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBessie kicked her,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cBut she\u2019s all right. Just help her inside, ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, and the two boys helped Marie to her feet. She panted a few times as she stood, but she seemed steady enough. Hoss took her by the hand and, grabbing one of the lanterns, led her slowly out of the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam stood and watched them leave, but as soon as the barn door closed behind them, he sat heavily down on the milking stool and started trembling all over. He was supposed to be taking care of Marie and Hoss, and in the space of thirty seconds, both of them had nearly met with disaster. He reached up one hand and gave Bessie a reassuring pat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, too, girl?\u201d he asked. \u201cI know you didn\u2019t mean to do it. Sorry I startled you.\u201d He glanced down at the creamy liquid seeping into the floorboards. \u201cGuess I ruined the milk. Oh well. Hoss won\u2019t die without it between now and tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing up, he untied the animal and led her to her stall. Giving her one last pat, he slipped out of the barn and headed for the house.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d made it only halfway across the yard when a coatless Hoss tore out of the house, screaming his name.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Adam! You gotta hurry! Somethin\u2019s wrong with Ma!\u201d<\/p>\n

The hair stood up on the back of Adam\u2019s neck, and he didn\u2019t wait for Hoss to explain further. He sprinted toward the house and burst through the door without bothering to knock the dirt from his boots first. Marie wasn\u2019t in the living room, so Adam tore down the hall to her and Ben\u2019s bedroom. For the first time in his life, he barged in without knocking.<\/p>\n

Marie was lying on her side on the bed, facing the door. Her legs were curled up, and she clutched her belly. Beads of sweat glistened on her pale face, and her eyes were scrunched tightly closed. Adam froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d He licked his lips. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s eyes fluttered open, and she gave Adam a wan smile. \u201cYes, sweetheart, I\u2019m all right. Just a little sore where Bessie kicked me.\u201d Her voice trembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re holding your stomach. Bessie kicked you in the back.\u201d Sweat broke out along Adam\u2019s hairline.<\/p>\n

\u201cPain moves around sometimes. Like when you bump your elbow and your hand tingles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wanted desperately to believe her, but just then, Marie cried out and clutched her stomach even more tightly. Adam\u2019s legs went rubbery, and he gripped the nearby dresser for support.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Adam is the baby comin?\u201d Hoss whimpered. The little boy had a death grip on the back of Adam\u2019s coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Adam replied bracingly. Then, at a whisper, \u201cPlease, not yet.\u201d He knew enough about babies to know that one didn\u2019t have a hope of surviving at only six months.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, what\u2019re we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed hard and stared as his stepmother let out another wail. Hoss dashed over to her and gripped her hand until the contraction eased.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere, you see?\u201d Marie panted. \u201cI\u2019m all right. The pain\u2019s gone now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, fetch her some water,\u201d Adam said. Hoss dropped Marie\u2019s hand and sprinted from the room. Adam\u2019s eyes met Marie\u2019s and held her gaze. \u201cYou\u2019re not all right. Something\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Adam, really. I just need to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss returned with the water before Adam could argue. Adam helped her into a sitting position, and some of the color returned to her cheeks as she sipped the water. Adam relaxed. Maybe she really was all right after all. But ten minutes later, just when Adam felt it safe to leave the room, Marie dropped the glass and hunched forward, biting her lip so hard that a trickle of blood dribbled down her chin.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s jaw clenched. He knew what he had to do. \u201cI\u2019m riding for the doctor,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, no! It\u2019s too far!\u201d Hoss cried. \u201cIt\u2019s almost six hours to Eagle Station!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do it in five if I ride hard,\u201d Adam said, his eyes never leaving Marie\u2019s doubled-up figure. A familiar tightening gripped his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t allowed to ride all that way by yourself,\u201d Hoss argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa told me to take care of you two, so that makes me allowed. I have to go, Hoss. It\u2019s what Pa would do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at his older brother with tears streaming down his cheeks. \u201cPlease don\u2019t leave me,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

Adam put his hands on Hoss\u2019s shoulders and crouched down so they were eye-to-eye. \u201cShe needs a doctor, Hoss. Now you\u2019re the man of the house while I\u2019m gone. You keep her in bed and keep her quiet. I\u2019ll be back as soon as I can. I promise.\u201d He stood, and Hoss flung his arms around his waist, buried his face in Adam\u2019s coat, and sobbed. Adam patted the back of the boy\u2019s blond head. \u201cIt\u2019ll be ok, Hoss. I\u2019ll come back with the doctor, and he\u2019ll get your ma all fixed up.\u201d Hoss nodded, and Adam pried his arms away. He turned to Marie, whose contraction was easing. \u201cHoss is gonna take care of you, Ma\u2019am. I\u2019ll be back quick as I can.\u201d He shot out of the room before Marie could protest. He heard the bed squeak as she rose, but then she gasped again. Another squeak from the bed, and Adam assumed she had sat back down.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease lie still, Ma,\u201d he heard Hoss plead. \u201cAdam\u2019ll be back quick as lightnin\u2019 with the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his way through the living room, Adam paused next to his father\u2019s desk. Taking a deep breath, he opened the top drawer and removed the key to the gun cabinet. \u201cIt\u2019s an emergency, Pa,\u201d he whispered as he unlocked the cabinet and took out a rifle. It was one of his father\u2019s smaller rifles, but he couldn\u2019t reliably handle one of the big ones. Better to have a gun he could manage than one that would blast him backward if he fired it. He loaded the weapon and grabbed a box of extra bullets. Then, buttoning his coat up all the way to his chin, he snatched up his hat and dashed out of the house.<\/p>\n

He decided well before he reached the barn which horse he was going to take. Marie\u2019s little bay mare was quicker, but his father\u2019s burly chestnut gelding had more stamina \u2013 a trait Adam needed in a horse tonight. With four white socks and a white blaze down his nose, the gelding was a magnificent animal, and Adam hoped to own one like him someday. Tonight, however, his trembling fingers fumbled with the straps as he tacked up the horse \u2013 especially attaching the rifle scabbard \u2013 and the gelding gave him a reassuring little bump in the chest with his velvety nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta ride fast tonight, Apollo,\u201d Adam whispered. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019m gonna have to ask a lot of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse snorted, and Adam led him out of the barn. A Quarter Horse, Apollo was seventeen hands high, and Adam had to heave himself up hard to swing into the saddle. Not for the first time in his life he hoped he\u2019d grow at least as tall as his father someday. With one last glance at the house, he gave the horse a swift kick and shot off into the night.<\/p>\n

If not for the full moon that night, Adam never would have known which way he was going. But the silvery orb cast a bright spectral light on the landscape as Adam and Apollo charged southward down the trail. Despite the light, Adam started at every shadow, every rustle of a tree branch as they bounded past. He\u2019d never ridden this far \u2013 nearly thirty miles \u2013 alone, and certainly never at night. His father was very strict about the boys staying close to the house after dark. There were too many dangerous animals who would be all too happy to make a meal out of a little boy. Not to mention the local Indian tribes who were known to carry off white children as recompense for warriors whose lives were lost in skirmishes with the ever-increasing European population in the region. Adam reached forward and rested a hand on the butt of his rifle. He tried to calm himself with some deep breaths, but the night air had turned icy, and each inhalation made his lungs scream. He wished he had brought a scarf. Or at least heavier gloves. He wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever be able to unwrap his half-frozen fingers from around the reins.<\/p>\n

Even though they slowed to a jog after half a mile or so, Adam knew that he had to rest Apollo eventually. After two hours\u2019 hard riding, he reined the animal to a stop next to a stream. The powerful horse was hardly winded, and Adam patted his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood boy,\u201d he whispered as the horse slurped up water from the stream. A branch snapped behind them, and Adam lunged for his rifle. He ripped it out of the scabbard and whirled around, expecting to see a bear, or a mountain lion, or a fierce Paiute.<\/p>\n

Instead, he spent the next ten seconds being chastised by a fat raccoon before it waddled away and disappeared into a clump of scrub brush. He sagged against Apollo in relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might have told me it was just a raccoon,\u201d he said. He tried to laugh, but the sound was shaky, way too close to weeping for Adam\u2019s comfort, and he clapped his jaw shut. Deciding they\u2019d rested long enough, Adam returned the rifle to its scabbard and climbed back into the saddle.<\/p>\n

The next three hours were worse than the first two. The air had grown even colder \u2013 it had to be below freezing now \u2013 and Adam cursed himself for not dressing more warmly. His coat was buttoned all the way up, but underneath, he was wearing only a cotton shirt. With an hour left to go, he started shivering. He soon felt himself getting drowsy \u2013 he couldn\u2019t last much longer without finding shelter. When the first tiny golden glow of Eagle Station appeared on the horizon, Adam kicked Apollo back to a gallop and tore into the little town at full speed.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been to Eagle Station a half a dozen times with Ben, and he knew the doctor, a young fellow fresh out of medical school, lived in a cabin at the end of town. If you could call a trading post, a blacksmith\u2019s shop, and a doctor\u2019s surgery a \u201ctown,\u201d that is. Adam yanked Apollo to a halt in front of the doctor\u2019s squat little home and leapt from the saddle. His frigid knees gave out, and he fell hard to the ground. With apologies to Apollo, Adam reached up and gripped the saddle\u2019s girth to help him haul himself to his feet. Too tired to protest, the gelding stood still while the boy stood up, gave him a final pat on the neck, and hobbled to the cabin door. He\u2019d never ridden so far or so hard in one clip, and Adam felt lucky he could even walk. He knew he wouldn\u2019t be able to sit down comfortably for several days \u2013 and he still had another thirty miles to ride back home.<\/p>\n

He flinched as he pounded his cold, stiff knuckles on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Martin!\u201d he hollered. \u201cDr. Martin, please, it\u2019s an emergency!\u201d<\/p>\n

He hammered on the door for a full minute before he heard footsteps on the other side. The door creaked open a couple inches, and a single brown eye peered out at him as he stood on the porch, his teeth chattering. The eyebrow shot up, and the door flung open all the way. Without a word, the doctor grabbed the collar of Adam\u2019s coat and yanked him inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan alive, son, it\u2019s below freezing out there!\u201d Dr. Martin exclaimed as he wrenched at the buttons of Adam\u2019s coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, it\u2019s not me!\u201d Adam protested as the doctor ripped his coat from his shoulders. A young woman, wrapped in a thick dressing gown, rushed into the tiny living room. Her eyes went wide when she spotted the shivering boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMary, stoke the fire, please. Then start the kettle for some tea. This child\u2019s half frozen.\u201d Dr. Martin checked the tips of Adam\u2019s fingers and ears and then started rubbing his chest and back to get the blood flowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, sir, it\u2019s my stepmother!\u201d Adam\u2019s voice shook as the doctor\u2019s ministrations nearly threw him off balance. \u201cShe\u2019s injured! Please, sir, she\u2019s\u2026 she\u2019s\u2026\u201d He could barely bring himself to say the next words. Thrilled as the Cartwrights were about the upcoming baby, pregnancy wasn\u2019t something one discussed in polite company. \u201cShe\u2019s in a family way,\u201d he finished, his voice barely louder than a whisper.<\/p>\n

The doctor paused and held Adam at arm\u2019s length. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam related the story of Bessie kicking Marie and Marie\u2019s subsequent waves of pain. Dr. Martin was already gathering up his medical bag by the time Adam finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur ranch, sir. The Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPonderosa?\u201d The doctor wrinkled his brow. \u201cPonderosa, Ponderosa\u2026\u201d His eyes popped in sudden recognition. \u201cThe Ponderosa! You must be, uh, um\u2026\u201d He snapped his fingers a few times. \u201cCarter! You\u2019re Carter\u2019s boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, Cartwright! All right, young Cartwright, you sit here and warm up while I get dressed.\u201d He gestured to his dressing gown and slippers before disappearing through a door Adam presumed led to the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Martin had gotten the fire roaring quickly, and Adam sat so close to it that he could feel his hair curl. But he didn\u2019t care. It was warm. Every joint in his body ached as the blood flow returned, and he felt himself growing sleepy again. And no wonder. As he sat there in front of the fire, the clock on the mantel struck the half-hour. Adam glanced up at it. One-thirty a.m. He\u2019d made it in almost exactly five hours. His thoughts wandered homeward, and he sent up a silent prayer that Hoss and Marie were doing all right. He didn\u2019t want to think about what it would do to poor little Hoss if Marie lost the baby right in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you have to pick now to go to San Francisco, Pa?\u201d he whispered. A hard lump rose in his throat, and he scrubbed at his face with both hands.<\/p>\n

Light footsteps approached, and a soft hand alit on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve brought you some tea,\u201d Mary Martin said gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am.\u201d Adam tried not to wrinkle his nose as he accepted the kind young woman\u2019s offer of his least-favorite beverage. He took a tentative sip and smiled as he realized she\u2019d loaded it with sugar. It wasn\u2019t enough to fully mask the bitterness, but it was tolerable. And hot. That first sip sent a tendril of warmth right down into his belly. He tried to smile, but his eyes were welling up, and he had to wipe at them with the back of one hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou poor thing, you must be exhausted,\u201d Mary said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have a guestroom, but I\u2019ll bring you a pillow and some blankets. We keep this fire going, and you\u2019ll be quite comfortable out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at her and gave his head a little shake. \u201cThank you, ma\u2019am, but I have to get home. I promised my little brother I\u2019d be back as quick as I could. It would scare him half to death if Dr. Martin showed up without me. Besides, he\u2019ll get there faster with me leading the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary looked like she wanted to protest, but Dr. Martin burst out of the bedroom just then, buckling a gun around his hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, the young man says he\u2019s going back with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam set his jaw and unblinkingly met the physician\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care how cold it is, sir. I have to get home. I promised my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin disappeared into the bedroom again and reemerged carrying a heavy woolen shirt. He tossed it to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut this on at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

That stupid lump in his throat tried yet again to make his eyes leak, and Adam chomped down on his lip as stuffed his arms through the shirtsleeves. The shirt was way too big for him, but it would certainly keep him a lot warmer than he\u2019d been on the way there. He rolled the cuffs up until he could see his fingers again and then hurried back into his coat, hat, and gloves. Mary produced a scarf and wrapped it around Adam\u2019s nose and mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to your family,\u201d she said with a smile. She rose and kissed her husband goodbye. Promising not to wait up for him, Mary waved as Dr. Martin and Adam stepped outside into the frigid night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to saddle up my horse,\u201d Dr. Martin said, beckoning Adam to a tiny, two-stall stable next to the cabin. He caught sight of Apollo and frowned. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve got to get you a fresh one. You\u2019ll kill that poor animal riding him home tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scurried over to his father\u2019s gelding and unwrapped his reins from the hitching post. Leading the horse, he followed Dr. Martin to the little stable. Though it was a matter of minutes for Dr. Martin, an eternity passed in Adam\u2019s world as he untacked Apollo and put his saddle and bridle on a black-and-white paint gelding while Dr. Martin saddled up his buckskin. At long last, they were ready, and the pair set off at a jog for the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Three hours in, they stopped at the stream where Adam and Apollo had rested earlier. Adam glanced around, but there was no sign of the raccoon that had startled him. There was, however, a fresh set of mountain lion tracks, and Adam shivered at the thought of how close that cat must have been to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, son?\u201d Dr. Martin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, sir. Just anxious to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor nodded and mounted back up. Adam followed suit and led him once more in the direction of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

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

The first rays of dawn streaked across the sky as Adam and Dr. Martin galloped into the Cartwrights\u2019 front yard. Adam slid from the saddle before his paint had come to a complete stop. His knees tried to give out again, but he was prepared this time and grabbed hold of the hitching post to steady himself. Shaking out each leg in turn, he bolted through the front door ahead of Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?!\u201d he shouted. \u201cMa\u2019am?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Dressed in his nightshirt, Hoss toddled out of Ben and Marie\u2019s bedroom, rubbing his eyes with the back of one fat little hand. \u201cAdam! Adam, you didn\u2019t get ate up!\u201d He launched himself at his brother and threw his arms around Adam\u2019s waist. \u201cWe thought a cougar done got you for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not this time.\u201d Adam prized his brother\u2019s arms off him. He hated ripped the little boy off him like that when Hoss was clearly so relieved to see him, but there was a more pressing matter at hand. Waving at Dr. Martin to follow him, Adam took off down the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?!\u201d he called as he darted into Ben and Marie\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n

Marie was asleep, but her eyes snapped open at the sound of Adam\u2019s voice. \u201cMon dieu! Adam! Adam, thank God!\u201d Tears rolled down her cheeks as she leapt from the bed with as much alacrity as a six-months-pregnant woman could muster. She wrapped her arms tightly around him and buried her face in his hair. \u201cI was so worried about you.\u201d Her voice was muffled in Adam\u2019s dark locks.<\/p>\n

Adam stood stiff as a stone gargoyle, his arms straight down at his sides. Marie had often opened her arms to him but had never forced an embrace on him like this. To his surprise, he had the urge to put his arms around her, too. But that hard lump welled up in his throat again, and he gently shook her off and took a step back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought the doctor, Ma\u2019am.\u201d He ran a hand through his hair, trying to regain his dignity.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin stepped forward, his right hand extended. \u201cMrs. Cartwright, Adam here told me about your accident. With your consent, I think I should examine you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s jaw clenched, and she put her hands on her hips in a stance that Ben lovingly referred to as her \u201cCajun standoff.\u201d Adam was terrified she was going to send the doctor packing, but she glanced at him, and her eyes softened.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d she relented. \u201cAdam, go get ready for bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bed sounded heavenly, but he couldn\u2019t go just yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Ma\u2019am. Soon as I take care of the horses.\u201d As Ben liked to say, a good rancher always saw to his horses before himself.<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head. \u201cYou are your father\u2019s son.\u201d She smiled. \u201cJust be quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was. The cold had kept the horses from sweating too badly, so Adam was able to pat them down and blanket them both in a matter of minutes. The doctor was still in with Marie when he returned to the house, so he slipped into his and Hoss\u2019s room to change into his nightshirt. Hoss attacked him with another bear hug, and this time, Adam let his brother hang onto him for a while before that knot in his throat told him he\u2019d better step back. He pulled off his shirt and trousers and dropped his nightshirt over his head. Hoss giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour nightshirt\u2019s too short.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced down. Hoss was right. His nightshirt ended a good six inches above his ankles. Adam shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh well. Pa will notice soon enough and get me a new one. S\u2019pose as long as my trousers still fit, I\u2019m all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss giggled again, and Adam was about to drop onto his bed when he heard Marie\u2019s door open. He and Hoss shared a brief wide-eyed glance before tearing out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy there, boys!\u201d Dr. Martin said, catching them before they knocked heads trying to get into Marie and Ben\u2019s bedroom at the same time. \u201cIt\u2019s all right. Your ma and the baby are just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss cheered and wriggled free of Dr. Martin. He raced into the room and hopped onto the bed next to Marie. He rested his cheek on her stomach. \u201cYou hear that, Baby?\u201d he addressed her belly. \u201cYou\u2019re ok!\u201d He rolled onto his back and giggled with delight.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at his little brother, nodded to Marie, and led Dr. Martin to the living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is she, really<\/em>?\u201d Adam asked in a low voice when they were out of earshot of the bedroom. He drew himself up to his full height, which at not quite twelve years old, wasn\u2019t very tall. \u201cIt\u2019s all right. You can tell me. I\u2019m in charge here while my father\u2019s away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin\u2019s eyes twinkled. \u201cAdam, she\u2019s fine. Her and the baby both. Really<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that pain she was having\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs normal for a woman in her condition who suffers a blow like she did. It certainly can indicate a problem, and you did the right thing riding for me, but in this instance, she\u2019s fine. A few more months, and I see no reason why you won\u2019t have a perfectly healthy baby brother or sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed hard. Maybe he should have Dr. Martin look at his throat. That dang lump was really becoming a problem. The young physician reached out and squeezed his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told her to stay in bed for the next week, just to be safe, but apart from a pretty ugly bruise on her back where that cow kicked her, she\u2019s ok. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chomping down hard on his increasingly sore lip, Adam nodded. He took a deep, shuddering breath. \u201cThank you very much, Dr. Martin. Oh, hold on.\u201d He raced back to his room and retrieved the doctor\u2019s woolen shirt. \u201cThank you for letting me borrow this. Made a world of difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor smiled and accepted the shirt. \u201cI was planning to come up this way to visit another rancher later this week. I\u2019ll bring your horse back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face fell. \u201cOh, the horses!\u201d He glanced down at his truncated nightshirt. \u201cGive me a minute, please, sir. I\u2019ll get my britches back on and get your horses ready for you. Maybe you should take my stepmother\u2019s. Yours are probably pretty tired, and-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can handle saddling a horse,\u201d the doctor interrupted. \u201cAnd those two will be fine for the way home. We won\u2019t be riding hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. My father should be back in a week or two. He\u2019ll come down to Eagle Station and settle your bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good. Get some sleep, son. You look pretty ragged. If I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d say you\u2019d been riding through the cold for the last ten hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and assured the doctor he would rest. Thanking him one last time, Adam showed Dr. Martin to the door. With the door latched behind the doctor, Adam took another shuddering breath and headed down the hallway.<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie\u2019s door was ajar, and Adam poked his head in. Hoss was snuggled up in bed next to Marie, his eyes drooping. He must not have slept very well last night if he was more inclined to go back to sleep than ask for his breakfast. Marie spotted Adam in the doorway and beckoned him in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just wonderin\u2019 if you needed anything before I went to bed, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he said as he crossed the room and stood next to the bed.<\/p>\n

Marie beamed up at him. \u201cNo, thank you, sweetheart.\u201d She paused, searching for her next words. \u201cYou know, I-\u201d She cut off abruptly and clapped a hand to her stomach.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s guts did a somersault, and he was about to race outside and holler for Dr. Martin to come back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe baby\u2019s kicking!\u201d Marie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. \u201cQuick!\u201d This time, she didn\u2019t give Adam a choice. She threw back the covers, grabbed Adam\u2019s wrist in a surprisingly strong grip, and pressed his hand to her belly.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face burned \u2013 even the tips of his ears went red. He tried to pull back, but Marie had a death grip on his wrist, and he didn\u2019t want to hurt her by ripping his hand away. He tried to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am, I-\u201d<\/p>\n

Three quick thumps against the palm of his hand stopped him dead. He glanced up at Marie, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. She smiled at him and loosened her grip on his wrist. His chest heaved as that lump in his throat tried to choke him again. Before he could stem the flood, his face crumpled, and he burst into tears.<\/p>\n

Adam stood there in his too-short nightshirt, his hand still pressed to his stepmother\u2019s belly, and cried \u2013 great barking, bone-rattling sobs that he knew made him sound like a sick cow but he could do nothing to stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam!\u201d Marie said, tears welling up in her eyes, too. She sat up and slipped an arm around his waist. She gave a little tug to draw him to her. Adam tried to resist, but his rubbery legs refused, and he collapsed onto the bed next to Marie. He buried his face in her shoulder and continued to sob, nearly twelve years\u2019 of heartbreak, anger, and fear pouring out of him.<\/p>\n

On Marie\u2019s other side, Hoss\u2019s blond head snapped up, his eyes wide in alarm. He\u2019d never seen his older brother fall to pieces before. \u201cMa! What\u2019s wrong with Adam? Is he sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled at Hoss as Adam continued to soak the sleeve of her nightgown. \u201cNo, mon ch\u00e9ri, he\u2019s not sick. He\u2019s exhausted. And sometimes when you\u2019re this tired, there\u2019s nothing you can do but cry.\u201d She turned back to Adam and curved her arms around him. \u201cAnd no wonder you\u2019re tired,\u201d she whispered to him as his bawling began to slow. \u201cYou must have had a terrible night. Oh, my sweet boy. Thank you for taking such good care of me. You were so brave. Your father will be so proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot brave,\u201d Adam hiccupped into her arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam lifted his head a fraction of an inch. \u201cI\u2019m not brave,\u201d he sniffled. \u201cI\u2019m not brave at all. I was so scared the whole way!\u201d A fresh wave of sobs washed over him, and he buried his face in Marie\u2019s shoulder again.<\/p>\n

Marie stroked his hair with one hand as she used her other to pull the blankets up over them both. \u201cBravery isn\u2019t the absence of fear, sweetheart. Bravery is doing what needs to be done no matter how frightened you are. And you were very brave tonight.\u201d She leaned down and kissed his temple. \u201cSleep now, mon ch\u00e9ri. You have earned it.\u201d She softly hummed a French lullaby she often sang to Hoss.<\/p>\n

Unwittingly, Adam snuggled up against Marie and closed his eyes. With her arms still wrapped around him and her lips soft on his forehead, he let the weariness of his sleepless night overtake him.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blinked awake. Daylight flooded the room and burned his eyes. He snapped them shut again. \u201cPa?\u201d he repeated. He tentatively cracked open one eye and glanced around. He could have sworn he felt his father\u2019s presence, but Ben wasn\u2019t there. He rolled over and caught a whiff of the pillow his head rested on. The faint scent of Ben\u2019s aftershave wafted up. That must have been what he\u2019d sensed. Adam sat up and rubbed his eyes with one hand. He was surprised to find himself in Ben and Marie\u2019s bed. What was he doing there? Slowly, the memories of the previous night returned. He let out a groan and pulled the blankets up over his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh good, you\u2019re awake!\u201d Marie\u2019s shining face popped around the door. \u201cHoss and I have made lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam ripped the blankets from his face. \u201cMa\u2019am! You\u2019re supposed to be resting!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled. \u201cI have been, I promise. I only got up a half an hour ago. All we made were some sandwiches. Nice and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s stomach rumbled at the mention of sandwiches, but there was another matter he had to address first. He cast his eyes down and picked at a loose thread on the quilt. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I fell apart last night \u2013 well, this morning, I guess. Suppose I got a little over-tired. It won\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie crossed the room and gently tilted his chin up so he had to look at her again. \u201cDon\u2019t ever apologize for having feelings, Adam. You handled more last night than any other eleven-year-old boy I\u2019ve ever met could have done. So don\u2019t apologize for being a little overwhelmed by it all. There\u2019s no shame in that.\u201d She kissed his forehead, and Adam didn\u2019t draw back \u2013 for the first time, he didn\u2019t want to. \u201cNow come have some sandwiches. You\u2019ve got to be half-starved.\u201d She smiled at him again, and Adam smiled back. He threw back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time is it, anyway?\u201d he asked as he stuffed his feet into his slippers.<\/p>\n

\u201cNearly two o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMan alive!\u201d Adam patted his hair to try to flatten the pieces that always stuck straight up in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Marie said with a little laugh. \u201cIt\u2019s chilly outside, and you and Hoss kept the bed so toasty warm that none of us wanted to wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam flushed at this mention of how he\u2019d fallen asleep cuddled up next to Marie, but, strangely, the shame was wearing away. Besides, his stomach\u2019s angry growling reminded him that he hadn\u2019t eaten in nearly twenty-four hours. He followed Marie out to the table, which sat in a little alcove off the living room.<\/p>\n

Hoss was already seated at the table and was wolfing down a roast-beef sandwich. His mouth was full, so he gave Adam a little wave in greeting. Adam waited until Marie was seated to take his own seat, but as soon as his rear end hit the chair, he snatched up two sandwiches and crammed half of one in his mouth at once. He polished off the pair in record time and grabbed a third, and then a fourth, before he finally sat back and sighed contentedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not about to outgrow all your clothes, are you?\u201d Marie asked, her eyes sparkling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe already outgrew his nightshirt!\u201d Hoss blurted. He pointed to Adam\u2019s half-exposed shins.<\/p>\n

Adam gave Marie a sheepish grin and shrugged his shoulders. \u201cJust tryin\u2019 to keep ahead of Hoss,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest of luck,\u201d Marie replied with a giggle as she rose to clear the plates. Adam leapt to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get these, Ma\u2019am. You go lie back down. Doctor Martin told me you\u2019re supposed to stay in bed for the next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie groaned. \u201cThis is going to be a long week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok, Ma.\u201d Hoss patted her hand. \u201cI\u2019ll read you stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could bring in a couple of those kittens for a little while, too,\u201d Adam added. \u201cDon\u2019t think Gretel would mind if I borrowed them for an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, boys,\u201d Marie said, blinking back tears. \u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d She kissed the tops of both their heads and headed back to her bedroom.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss cleaned up the dishes, and then Adam got dressed and went out to the barn to do his chores. They were down to one horse, so it didn\u2019t take him long to clean out the stalls. Bessie hadn\u2019t been milked that morning and was mooing in discomfort, so Adam pulled up the stool and milking bucket.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you won\u2019t have much for us tonight,\u201d he said when he\u2019d finished. \u201cBut you should be back to normal tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before heading back inside, Adam inspected the old hayloft ladder. The rung that Hoss had broken was snapped clean in half, and Adam marveled that his little brother hadn\u2019t been injured when he fell. \u201cWe all got lucky last night,\u201d he mused. He glanced behind him at his unfinished ladder. Jutting his chin high in the air, he strode over and began assembling the pieces.<\/p>\n

An hour and a half later, Adam yanked the old ladder away from the loft and raised the new one in its place. Giving it a good shake to test its soundness, Adam began a slow ascent, jiggling each rung as he climbed. The ladder was solid and never wobbled. When he reached the loft, Adam puffed out his chest and marched over to the corner where Gretel lay with her kittens. The cat didn\u2019t protest as Adam pocketed Patches and one of the orange kittens and took them with him back down the ladder and over to the house.<\/p>\n

Marie was delighted when Adam delivered the kittens to her bedroom. She tried to get up to cook dinner, but Adam assured her that he could handle it. He\u2019d helped his father prepare many a meal before Marie had come to the Ponderosa. Dinner was nothing fancy \u2013 fried pork with some potatoes and johnnycake \u2013 but it was good. Marie even had seconds \u2013 \u201cfor the baby,\u201d of course.<\/p>\n

When Hoss and Adam had cleared away supper and the boys had taken care of the evening chores, including returning the two kittens to their mother, Adam sent Hoss to bed. Sleeping until one-thirty hadn\u2019t really compensated the little boy for barely sleeping the previous night, and he was yawning well before his usual bedtime. He didn\u2019t even protest when Adam told him to get washed up. Not quite ready for bed himself, Adam curled up in his father\u2019s armchair with a book. He was just getting lost in the story when Marie, who had been tucking Hoss in, wandered out to the living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing to bed, Ma\u2019am?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned. \u201cDoctor Martin said-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what Doctor Martin said, but I think the goal is for me to be resting. And is there really any difference between me sitting in bed and knitting and sitting on the settee and knitting?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had to admit there was not. Marie smiled at him and settled herself on the settee. Adam returned to his book, the pleasant silence broken only by the soft clicking of Marie\u2019s knitting needles.<\/p>\n

After several minutes, Marie put her hand on her belly, and let out a light giggle. Adam smiled behind his book. Whenever Marie did that, it meant the baby was moving around.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss thinks we\u2019re gettin\u2019 a sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam started at the sound of his own voice. He hadn\u2019t intended to speak.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s twinkling eyes shifted from her belly to him. \u201cDoes he now?\u201d she asked slyly. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged, surprised he didn\u2019t feel himself blushing. \u201cDon\u2019t know. Doesn\u2019t really matter, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose not.\u201d Marie gazed into the fire and laughed lightly. \u201cCan you imagine your father with a baby girl? I don\u2019t think the poor man would have any idea what to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snorted. \u201cJust imagine Pa going into the trading post at Eagle Station and asking for pink ribbons!\u201d He started laughing so hard that he nearly fell out of his chair. Marie joined in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019d be all right until the little girl became a young woman. The first time a young man came to call, Ben would end up on trial for murder!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Marie laughed at Ben\u2019s expense until tears streamed down their cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we better just hope for another boy,\u201d Adam hiccupped as he clutched his aching sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Marie agreed. She grew suddenly thoughtful, and she rubbed her belly with one hand. \u201cYou know, Adam, I want this baby to grow up speaking French as well as English. But it\u2019ll be hard since I\u2019m the only one around here who speaks French. I was wondering if perhaps I could teach you some French so you could help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face lit up. Ben had taught him well and provided him with crates of books, but his formal schooling had been haphazard. Teachers were few and far between in the territory, and there was not yet a schoolhouse nearby. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am!\u201d he replied eagerly.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled and pointed to the bookshelf. \u201cHand me that little blue book on the bottom shelf, please.\u201d Adam dropped his own book on the seat of his chair as he popped up and plucked the book from the shelf. He handed it to Marie, who patted the settee next to her. He dropped down next to her and scooted close to her side so he could look at the book with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can teach you to read and write French, too, if you like, but tonight we\u2019ll just start with speaking some simple phrases, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded his head so vigorously that his hair flopped into his eyes. He shoved it back with one hand and peered into the little book.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, then,\u201d Marie said. \u201cLet\u2019s start with hello. Bonjour!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBonjour!\u201d Adam repeated. Marie gave him an approving nod, and the pair spent the next forty-five minutes working through basic phrases.<\/p>\n

Adam was in his element, picking up new knowledge, and he didn\u2019t even notice when he started leaning against Marie or when she put her arm around his shoulders. But yesterday\u2019s long night and this morning\u2019s strange sleeping pattern wore heavy on him. Despite his interest in the little blue book, his eyes began to droop nearly an hour before his usual bedtime. Marie gave him a little shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s enough for tonight,\u201d she said, closing the book. \u201cTomorrow evening we can review all of this and learn a bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerci, madame,\u201d Adam replied with a grin. \u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled. \u201cI would, too. Go get washed up. I\u2019ll come in to say goodnight in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scampered down the hallway and washed his face and hands before pulling on the too-short nightshirt. He was just crawling under the covers when Marie slipped into the room. She made a production of tucking the blankets all around him, and Adam had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing aloud and waking Hoss. Despite the cold night, a warmth spread through him as Marie bent down and kissed his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cBonne nuit, mon ch\u00e9ri. Je t’aime,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

The hard lump Adam had battled all last night rose in his throat again, and he barely managed to croak out his reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cJe t\u2019aime, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears spilled from Marie\u2019s eyes as she kissed his forehead a second time and then slid quietly out of the room.<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Marie Cartwright<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Eleven-year-old Adam never wanted another stepmother, but now that Marie is on the Ponderosa – and six months’ pregnant – there’s little he can do but be polite and try not to think of the beloved stepmother he lost. But when Ben goes away on a business trip and Marie is injured, Adam must ride alone for help. Along the way, he realizes that things have a way of becoming precious, even when we don’t intend them to.<\/p>\n

Rating: K \u00a0Word Count: 12,446<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8061,"featured_media":5719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12513","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1732,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":57134,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=57134","url_meta":{"origin":12513,"position":0},"title":"The Old Man (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"June 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright started calling their elder brother \"the old man\" shortly after their father died and Adam took over the running of the Ponderosa as well as helping his stepmother raise his brothers. 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