{"id":13530,"date":"2016-12-12T14:52:59","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T19:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13530"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:21","slug":"believe-in-love-a-special-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13530","title":{"rendered":"Believe in Love – A Special Love (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Adam Cartwright and Peggy Dayton developed a special relationship that seemed to go beyond friendship. This is a WHN about the strength of that bond after tragedy strikes at Christmas.<\/p>\n

WC = 8882\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rating K+<\/p>\n

A Special Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prologue<\/strong><\/p>\n

The young woman carefully opened the wooden box.\u00a0 Inside were some treasures from her childhood – a cloth doll with red yarn for hair, a book of fairy tales, a leather bridle, and an envelope. She picked up the envelope and removed the paper from inside. It was the one piece of paper that meant more to her than anything else. She ran her fingers over the scrolling signature at the bottom, written almost ten years ago. She recalled how she had arrived at the place she had called home for those last ten years. The memories still carried a lot of sadness but there was also great joy.\u00a0 Now on this Christmas Eve, she sat on her bed to reflect how it all began, how she and Adam Cartwright had become a family.<\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caramel brown eyes stared out the window; sadly, longingly watching strangers strolling by, cabs and carriages rolling on. She hoped beyond hope to see the familiar face, the dimpled smile, the favorite black hat he once let her wear.<\/p>\n

Two seasons had gone by but it had seemed so much longer.\u00a0 Now it was almost Christmas.\u00a0 The little girl\u2019s only wish was to see him again, just one more time.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, come away from the window.\u00a0 Will will be here soon enough. I need you to set the table for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mommy.\u201d\u00a0 Peggy Dayton Cartwright sighed and slowly pushed away from her favorite spot at the front window of her home in San Francisco. If her mother only knew who she was really looking for she would not be pleased.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Outside, a hansom cab rolled to a stop across from a park in a quiet neighborhood.\u00a0 The occupant sat and watched a particular house.\u00a0 He\u2019d scanned the children at the park but not one caught his eye. He\u2019d been in San Francisco on Ponderosa business, which had concluded successfully.\u00a0 Now he was on his way to catch his stagecoach home.\u00a0 Having a little extra time Adam Cartwright decided to take a longer route to the depot.<\/p>\n

Another cab pulled up to the house.\u00a0 Its occupant stepped out, paid the driver, and jogged up the steps to the front door.\u00a0 Adam sat straighter, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blonde head of curls he remembered.<\/p>\n

The door opened, and the wrong person stepped out.\u00a0 She kissed the man then quickly pulled him into the house and closed the doo.<\/p>\n

Adam sank back into the cab, disappointment squeezing his heart.\u00a0 He took a deep breath then told the driver to move on.\u00a0 As the cab rolled by the house Adam craned his head to glance back, one last look.\u00a0 Ever so briefly he glimpsed a pretty blonde head with hopeful eyes staring out the window, straight at him.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Peggy finished her work at the table in time to greet her step-father with a stiff hug.\u00a0 As her mother pulled him into the kitchen, Peggy, forgotten once again, returned to her window seat.<\/p>\n

Spying a cab rolling slowly by, she leaned into the window until her nose touched the cold glass.\u00a0 A dark face peered around the cab\u2019s cover, a familiar face covered by a black Stetson with a silver-studded band.<\/p>\n

Peggy\u2019s hands flew to the window, wishing with that gesture that she could touch him.\u00a0 Tears rolled down her cheeks but a glimmer of warmth touched her heart.\u00a0 He did still care.\u00a0 He\u2019d stopped by just like he said he would.<\/p>\n

Sitting back, Peggy wiped the tears away.\u00a0 In her child\u2019s mind she knew there was hope; her Christmas wish might still come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, come wash up.\u00a0 Lunch is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mommy.\u201d\u00a0 Peggy glanced once more out the window.\u00a0 The cab was long gone but a small smile graced her lips as she turned to skip toward the table.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss relished the quiet house.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t happen very often.\u00a0 Ben and Joe had gone to a neighbor\u2019s ranch to look over some horses.\u00a0 With a cup of coffee Hoss settled into the chair by the steps with the newspaper.\u00a0 He wanted to catch up on the local happenings in town.\u00a0 From that seat he could also keep a casual eye on his older brother sitting in his favorite chair, quietly strumming his guitar.<\/p>\n

Everyone had noted how quiet Adam had been since he\u2019d returned from his trip to San Francisco.\u00a0 In fact the last few months had not gone well either, not since Laura Dayton had decided to marry their cousin Will instead of Adam.\u00a0 Hoss knew Adam was over Laura but something still bugged his brother and Hoss was determined to find out what it was.\u00a0 Everyone thought the trip away from the ranch would do Adam some good.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t been anywhere except to town once he\u2019d recovered from his fall.\u00a0 Hoss shuffled the paper and resumed his reading, glancing Adam\u2019s way from time to time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might as well speak your mind Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t look up but continued playing his guitar.<\/p>\n

Hoss smirked as he moved over to the fireplace, leaving his coffee and newspaper behind.\u00a0 He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared into the fire.\u00a0 \u201cJust wanna know what\u2019s got you so quiet.\u00a0 You\u2019re not usually so moody this time o\u2019 year, Adam.\u00a0 Has it got anything to do with Laura?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam set his guitar by the chair and studied one of the stones in the chimney.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence filled the room.\u00a0 \u201cWell then, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed, leaned his elbows on his knees and steepled his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Peggy.\u00a0 I can\u2019t get her out of my thoughts.\u00a0 When I was leaving San Francisco I stopped by their house, just to catch a glimpse of her.\u00a0 I wanted to make sure she was doing okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss saw several emotions cross Adam\u2019s face as he talked.\u00a0 He waited patiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw her in the window just as my cab drove past.\u00a0 She\u2019d seen me.\u00a0 She\u2019d looked so hopeful.\u00a0 Now I wish I\u2019d hadn\u2019t stopped.\u201d\u00a0 Adam raised his head and saw Hoss\u2019 sympathetic blue eyes watching him.\u00a0 \u201cI miss her, Hoss.\u00a0 That little girl worked her way into my heart and I can\u2019t let her go.\u00a0 Now that she had seen me I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve given her false hope of seeing me again.\u201d\u00a0 Adam blew out a sigh and leaned back into his chair.<\/p>\n

Hoss moved to sit on the table opposite his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI recollect how much Peggy looked up to ya.\u00a0 You helped her through some hard times after her daddy died.\u00a0 She was mighty cute to have around, that\u2019s fer dang sure.\u00a0 Did ya ask Laura if you could call on \u2018em or write ta Peggy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI never got a chance.\u00a0 You know how fast she took off with Will after I \u2018released\u2019 her from her obligation to me, and I wasn\u2019t exactly in the best of condition with my back injury to leave the ranch.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t heard from them since, except for that one letter from Will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyes lit up. \u201cWell, I guess that\u2019s the problem then.\u00a0 Neither of ya got ta say goodbye.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t no closure. Why don\u2019t ya go write to her? Maybe that\u2019ll help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t help but smile at Hoss\u2019 simple expression and suggestion. He rolled out of the chair and slapped his brother on the knee.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He headed upstairs having decided to create a Christmas card for Peggy.<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled as he watched Adam mount the stairs.\u00a0 After helping his brother he decided he needed a snack and a fresh cup of coffee so he meandered off to the kitchen to see what was left over from lunch.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cMommy, why do we have to travel so close to Christmas?\u201d\u00a0 Peggy tried to wrap her coat more tightly around her as the stagecoach rolled along the trail through the mountains. Laura drew in a breath and glanced across the coach at Will.\u00a0 His eyes were closed and his head leaned against the window frame, so no help there.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, I\u2019ve explained it too many times already.\u00a0 Will has to be in Reno after Christmas for a business opportunity and since he had to be gone over Christmas, he suggested we all go.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have a small celebration there and have our big celebration when we return home next week.\u00a0 Now please just rest and no more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy glanced at Will then the business man sitting across from her.\u00a0 He smiled at her but she just frowned then looked through the crack behind the window shade.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t think it was fair to be traveling two days before Christmas. They had just left Genoa heading toward Carson City, and she knew they would travel through Virginia City.\u00a0 Oh how she wished they could take some time to see Adam.\u00a0 But Will had already said they wouldn\u2019t have any time to stop.\u00a0 She reached a hand inside her small bag feeling for the envelope that contained the Christmas picture Adam had drawn for her.\u00a0 It made her smile and feel a bit closer to him. After a while she finally fell asleep, memories of the summertime with Adam floating in her head.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christmas Eve lunch at the Ponderosa was interrupted by several hard raps on the front door. Being the closest, Adam went to open it.<\/p>\n

\u201cTucker?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0 He invited the ranch hand in. By that time the rest of the family had gathered near the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, we was in town and the Sheriff told me ta git this to ya right away.\u201d\u00a0 Joe offered him some coffee to warm himself up.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shoved the paper into his father\u2019s hand and made for the stairs.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss read the telegram over Ben\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 All three were stunned at the news.\u00a0 Ben started shouting orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Hoss get the horses ready.\u00a0 Tucker get a pack horse ready.\u00a0 Can you ride with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell Charlie to get us some fresh horses and round up some other hands to ride along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou no shout.\u00a0 Hop Sing already working, packing food and supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ran up the stairs to get warmer clothes on. He passed Adam in the hall but neither said anything.\u00a0 Adam sailed down the steps with his saddle bags loaded with first aid supplies.<\/p>\n

As soon as Joe and Hoss changed to warmer clothes, eight men rode out, heading across the Ponderosa toward Carson City. As snowflakes drifted down onto the riders, Hop Sing slowly closed the door.\u00a0 He reached for the forgotten paper on the floor.\u00a0 Reading the words on it he gasped.<\/p>\n

Stagecoach accident. Stop. South of Carson City. Stop. Will Cartwright family listed as passengers. Stop. End.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He prayed for good news upon their return while he cleaned the food off the table.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Snowflakes and ice pellets flew through the air stinging the faces of each man as they rode.\u00a0 They pushed their horses hard until they reach snow-covered ground. After that Hoss and Tucker lead the group single file as they edged closer to the main road.\u00a0 Adam was impatient with the slowness of travel and gradually let Sport move more quickly, passing the other riders when the trail widened out.\u00a0 Ben was too far back to stop him so had to trust Hoss to keep Adam from riding ahead alone.<\/p>\n

Hoss did just that when Adam finally caught up to him.\u00a0 Every time he looked back to check on the group Hoss had noticed Adam was a little closer to the front.\u00a0 Now the brothers rode side by side.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 initial warning to Adam not to move any farther forward seemed to have worked.\u00a0 Adam knew as well as the rest of them that they were only a few miles from the main road but the trail to that point was a mess of snow and ice.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching the main road, the group rode at different speeds.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam led the way with Ben and Joe behind them.\u00a0 The four ranch hands brought up the rear with two pack horses loaded with food, blankets and medical supplies.\u00a0 The snow had stopped but the gray sunlight was fading fast.\u00a0 The riders hoped they would reach the accident site before it slipped behind the mountains completely.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Adam noticed the torches first, pointing them out to Hoss.\u00a0 The group pushed the horses to reach the site a few miles ahead.\u00a0 Reining their horses in, the Cartwrights dismounted and walked toward the sheriff of Carson City.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvenin\u2019 gentlemen.\u00a0 I\u2019m Sheriff Blaine. This is a closed area.\u00a0 What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, I\u2019m Ben Cartwright, my sons, and ranch hands,\u201d he announced indicating the men around him. \u201cWe received a telegram about the accident.\u00a0 It said a relative of ours was on board, Will Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 He shook Ben\u2019s hand and nodded to the rest of the men. \u201cPlease, come over to our camp, settle in.\u00a0 Some of my men will see to your horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss spoke up as they followed the sheriff. \u201cSheriff, we brought blankets, food and medical supplies, if\u2019n ya need \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s most gracious.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure we can use them.\u201d\u00a0 Once they reached the campfire, he turned to Ben and his sons, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, gentlemen. Please accept my condolences.\u00a0 There were no survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, having stayed close to Adam, felt his brother shift brushing against Hoss\u2019 arm. He laid a hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder to steady him.<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat, his voice came out deep and quiet, \u201cSheriff, can you tell us what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, have a seat.\u00a0 Jed, make up some more coffee for Mr. Cartwright and his men.\u201d<\/p>\n

As everyone settled down with hot coffee the Sheriff filled them in on what he knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday morning, when the stage stopped in Genoa they were warned of icing and snow on the road northward.\u00a0 They changed horses and decided to push on. This morning we got word from a traveler that the stage had gone over an embankment.\u00a0 I gathered my deputies and the doctor, and rode out.\u00a0 We found the site.\u00a0 The stage company confirmed four passengers, two men, a woman and a child, plus the driver.\u201d\u00a0 Silence filled the darkness as the Sheriff paused.\u00a0 The fire popped and snapped and the deputies\u2019 voices could be heard in the distance. Adam jumped up and moved away from the fire.<\/p>\n

Ben kept his eyes on his son for a moment then asked the sheriff, \u201cWhere are the bodies now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe driver survived but was badly injured, doc wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d make it. We only found the adult passengers and they\u2019ve been taken back to town, pending identification.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t find the child.\u00a0 It\u2019s possible he or she is under the coach.\u00a0 It\u2019s a mess; the coach went over the edge and apparently rolled several times before landing on its side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam moved further away from the fire.\u00a0 Ben signaled with his eyes for Hoss to stay close to his older brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, we know three of the passengers, Will Cartwright, his wife Laura, and daughter Peggy.\u201d\u00a0 Ben paused a moment to regain his voice.\u00a0 \u201cWhen would we be able to see the accident site?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first light Mr. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at each face there.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re all welcome to make camp here.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be eating in about an hour.\u00a0 If you need anything I\u2019ll be at the other fire.\u00a0 I ask that no one go to the site without me or one of my deputies with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and shook hands with the sheriff.\u00a0 He inclined his head to Joe, indicating for him to get their camp set up. Adam returned and silently helped with the setup and to see to the horses.\u00a0 Once he had his food he sat off to himself to eat, then settled into his bedroll for the night. The others followed shortly after, knowing they would have an early start to a difficult day.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christmas Day dawned bright, clear and cold over the Sierras.\u00a0 Hoss was the first Cartwright to awaken, or so he thought.\u00a0 He said a silent prayer of thanks for the special day then asked for help for all of them in facing what was to come.\u00a0 Rolling over to stretch out his cold, stiff muscles, he noticed an empty bedroll.\u00a0 He had purposefully slept next to Adam but must have slept too deeply since he never noticed his brother getting up.\u00a0 Hoss laid his hand on the blankets, finding them cold.<\/p>\n

He rolled to his feet and scanned the campsite for his brother.\u00a0 Not seeing him he began to explore the two camps and around the horses.\u00a0 That\u2019s when he saw that Sport was gone.\u00a0 Hoss quickly made his way back to his camp.\u00a0 Ben and Joe were up so he told them Adam was missing.\u00a0 Hoss went to saddle his horse while Ben and Joe went in search of the sheriff.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Blaine was drinking some coffee as he waited for breakfast to be served.\u00a0 He stood as Ben and Joe entered the camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning gentleman.\u00a0 Care for some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you.\u00a0 Sheriff, my oldest son, Adam, is missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blaine held up his hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo he\u2019s not.\u00a0 He met up with one of my men on guard duty.\u00a0 Both of them rode out about half hour ago to the site.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss rode up at that point and said he was going on to the site.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t wait for an answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, it seems something more is going on here.\u00a0 Your son, Adam is it? He was already on his horse when my deputy stopped him.\u00a0 Seems your son wasn\u2019t taking no for an answer, so Doug rode with him.\u00a0 That was before full sun up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached for a cup and poured coffee for him and Joe.\u00a0 \u201cSheriff, the missing girl was, is, very special to Adam.\u00a0 They had developed a unique friendship over the summer.\u00a0 I\u2019m certain he\u2019s quite worried about Peggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Blaine nodded.\u00a0 \u201cListen, we\u2019ll have breakfast in just a bit.\u00a0 We\u2019ll leave right after that if that\u2019s okay with you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded once then headed back to their camp with Joe to make some plans for the day. They needed to be prepared to help Adam in the event Peggy\u2019s body was found, or if it wasn\u2019t found.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

After tying Chubb to a tree, Hoss stood on the ledge and looked down onto the scattered debris.\u00a0 His eyes misted over as he thought how quickly one\u2019s life could change.\u00a0 He watched Adam and the deputy each walking slowly over the debris, in a pattern of circles that would take them further out from the center, away from the crushed stagecoach.<\/p>\n

Hoss carefully made his way down the embankment and met up with Adam.\u00a0 He and Adam locked eyes for a moment then Adam spoke, his voice husky and just above a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t under the coach. As you can see there are footprints everywhere, Doug and I,\u201d he indicated the deputy, \u201care trying to fan out to see if she walked away from the site.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stepped around Hoss and continued his search.<\/p>\n

Hoss surveyed the wreckage more closely then the surrounding terrain.\u00a0 He tried to put himself in Peggy\u2019s shoes.\u00a0 If she could walk how would she get out of the ravine?\u00a0 How would she even know where to go?\u00a0 An idea struck him and he quickly climbed back up to the road.<\/p>\n

An hour later Ben, Joe and all the other men came upon Hoss sitting on a log by the road.\u00a0 Ben and Joe dismounted.<\/p>\n

Joe handed his brother a ham biscuit and a thermos of coffee.\u00a0 Ben touched Hoss on the shoulder and gave him an inquiring look.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe weren\u2019t under the coach.\u00a0 Adam an\u2019 the deputy are checkin\u2019 the area tryin\u2019 to find her footprints.\u00a0 I came up here hoping to find some tracks but\u2026..\u201d He just shook his head.\u00a0 He finally ate the biscuit and drank the coffee, thanking Joe with a weak smile.<\/p>\n

By lunch time, no tracks had been found.\u00a0 There were just too many extra tracks in the area that kept them from finding those belonging to a seven year old girl.\u00a0 After they had had lunch, everyone headed back to the site to begin collecting all the personal belongings they could find.\u00a0 Adam leaned against the coach, holding a small cloth doll he had found. He looked around from time to time as he mindlessly fingered the red yarn hair on the doll.\u00a0\u00a0 No one approached him, but his father and brothers kept a watchful eye on him while they worked.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

The little girl ran then walked, then ran some more.\u00a0 She stood in what sunlight she could find to get warm then moved again. She had seen the no trespassing signs so she knew she was on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 She had no idea how long it had been.\u00a0 All she knew was that she needed to get help.\u00a0 Peggy no longer felt the cold.\u00a0 Her need for help and her fear from the scene of the accident drove her onwards to find Adam.<\/p>\n

Something bright and sparkling caught her eye as she cleared some trees.\u00a0 Climbing around some rocks for a better look, she recognized what it was.\u00a0 The lake, the big beautiful lake.\u00a0 She knew Adam\u2019s house was near the lake.\u00a0 Hope and excitement gave her tired, frozen legs more energy.<\/p>\n

She began to run again, following a trail near the lake.\u00a0 \u201cJust follow the lake, just follow the lake.\u201d\u00a0 It became her mantra over the next several hours as the sun slowly crossed over her and headed toward the mountain peaks on the far side of the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust follow the lake\u2026..\u201d\u00a0 She pressed on.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

The morning after Christmas, the Cartwrights entered Carson City.\u00a0 Ben had sent the ranch hands home while the family rode into town to identify the bodies found at the site.\u00a0 Arriving at the undertakers, Ben went in alone.\u00a0 It only took a few seconds to confirm two of the bodies belonged to Will and Laura.\u00a0 Turning away, he leaned heavily against the door frame and closed his eyes, the shock of the accident suddenly becoming reality.\u00a0 His heart began to fill with so many emotions while his head filled with all the details of the will, their property, and everything else.\u00a0 His final thoughts were of Peggy and where she could be.<\/p>\n

After checking with the sheriff and claiming the last of the personal effects, the four men began their trip home.\u00a0 Adam was sullen and withdrawn.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss took turns riding near him but no one spoke as they made their way across the snow-covered hills of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had just returned from the store house, bringing in some meat to prepare for dinner.\u00a0 Tucker, upon his return to the ranch, told Hop Sing all he knew about the accident and that the family would return by nightfall.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s heart broke for the family, but especially Mister Adam over the missing child.\u00a0 Each time he chopped the meat or cut some vegetables he said a prayer for the family and for little Peggy, that she might be found.<\/p>\n

After he dumped all the ingredients into the large pot and set it on the stove to boil, Hop Sing took a broom and cloth out to the living room to give it a good cleaning before the family arrived home.\u00a0 He was sweeping and chattering to himself when he heard a loud \u2018thump\u2019 at the front door.<\/p>\n

He laid the broom down and went to get a spare gun from the side table.\u00a0 Leaning against the door he ask who was there but got no answer.\u00a0 He slowly opened the door and looking down onto the snow-dusted porch, he saw a small mound of cloth.\u00a0 Moving closer, he bent down and pushed the fabric aside.\u00a0 He gasped and fell backwards, then clambered up to reach for the bell on the porch.\u00a0 He gave it a few loud rings then ran back to the bundle and picked it up. As he carried it into the warm room a blonde head drooped over his arm.<\/p>\n

He laid the child on the settee then ran to retrieve some blankets to make a bed by the fire.\u00a0 He quickly removed her wet clothes and boots, and wrapped her up into a blanket.\u00a0 While he settled the child by the fire, Tucker and Charlie ran into the house, guns drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, what\u2019s the trouble?!\u201d\u00a0 Tucker holstered his gun when he saw Hop Sing helping someone on the floor by the hearth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s missing girl, Peggy.\u00a0 She need doctor and lots of help.\u00a0 Too cold, too cold.\u201d\u00a0 The cook shook his head sadly as he returned to his tasks.<\/p>\n

Charlie sprang into action running outside to send someone to get the doctor.\u00a0 He and Tucker then began heating water for a warm bath for the child.\u00a0 Another ranch hand sat with the child in his lap, rubbing her hands and feet while Hop Sing prepared some broth for her.\u00a0 He assigned the ranch cook to watch the stew pot so the meal for the family wouldn\u2019t be overcooked.<\/p>\n

Hours had passed, and Hop Sing sat in Ben\u2019s red chair, his head propped on his hand and his eyes closed. Peggy slept in his lap. Doc Martin sat at Ben\u2019s desk, his head down, resting.<\/p>\n

In the bleak pre-dusk light, four exhausted men rode slowly into the Ponderosa yard.\u00a0 Ranch hands came out to take care of the horses and supplies.\u00a0 The men lumbered across the snowy\u00a0 yard to the porch.\u00a0 Adam opened the door first, stepped inside and stopped moving.<\/p>\n

Joe, not paying any attention, ran into his back. \u00a0\u201cHey Adam, get moving!\u00a0 It\u2019s cold and I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a tentative step forward. Joe pushed around him, groused at his brother then stopped in his tracks.<\/p>\n

Adam dropped his saddle bags to the floor and ran over to Hop Sing.\u00a0 He knelt and gently laid his hand on Peggy\u2019s head and whispered her name.\u00a0 Her eyes fluttered open for a second, long enough to recognize the face in front of her.\u00a0 She smiled weakly, and closed her eyes again. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she turned into Hop Sing\u2019s arm to continue sleeping.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing awoke at that moment and offered to let Adam take Peggy.\u00a0 Adam quickly removed his jacket and gun belt then settled into the chair with Peggy curled up into his lap. Joe, Hoss and Ben found Paul at the desk and listened to him and Hop Sing explain the events of the day.<\/p>\n

As Hop Sing retreated to the kitchen to get dinner on the table, Hoss and Joe headed up to their rooms to change clothes. Paul reflected on the situation, \u201cI\u2019m simply stunned, Ben.\u00a0 I can only say it\u2019s a miracle she\u2019s here and alive.\u00a0 She was very cold when I arrived but Hop Sing and the men had done well to begin warming her up slowly.\u00a0 She should recover fully, physically, but it will take a few days.\u00a0 For tonight, take turns holding her.\u00a0 The body to body warmth will help her own temperature stabilize.\u00a0 After that settle her in a bed but keep the room at a constant warm temperature.\u00a0 By day after tomorrow she should be able to sit out into the room with all of you.\u201d\u00a0 Paul paused and looked over at Adam and Peggy in the chair.\u00a0 He smile and half chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI hazard a guess that Adam\u2019s not moving from that spot for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not until morning.\u00a0 We\u2019ll move her to a bed then.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll all be keeping an eye on them both tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned back to his friend.\u00a0 \u201cListen Paul, it\u2019s dark and too icy for you to travel tonight.\u00a0 Stay here for the night.\u00a0 You can check on Peggy in the morning then return to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul turned to the window and noticed for the first time how dark it had become.\u00a0 \u201cThanks Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take you up on that offer.\u00a0 I had no idea it had gotten so late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you to your room and see you here for dinner in a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded, gathered his medical bag and followed Ben up the stairs.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe were just heading down but Ben cautioned them to stay quiet.\u00a0 The brothers nodded, and proceeded\u00a0 toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

During dinner, Ben offered to hold Peggy to give Adam a chance to eat and then change his clothes.\u00a0 After settling down again with the child in his lap, he reluctantly agreed to let his father and brothers relieve him for short periods throughout the night.\u00a0 By morning, Adam agreed to settle Peggy in the downstairs guest room.\u00a0 Someone stayed with her constantly, knowing that when she woke up, she would easily be confused and distraught after all that had happened to her.<\/p>\n

Paul waited until after breakfast to try to wake her up so he could assess her condition.\u00a0 Adam sat on the bed, gently rubbing her arm and whispering to her to open her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, sweetheart.\u00a0 It\u2019s Adam. Open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned and mumbled, then rolled to her side.\u00a0 Adam stroked her hair and continued to call to her but she refused to wake up.\u00a0 He turned his eyes up to Paul, worry registering in his features.\u00a0 \u201cPaul, is this normal?\u00a0 For her not to wake up after all these hours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be, Adam.\u00a0 She\u2019s had a bad shock, plus the exhausting trip to get here.\u00a0 Just let her sleep.\u00a0 Whoever stays with her should try to talk to her, tell stories, read, play music.\u00a0 Those things will help her more than silence at this point.\u00a0 But I caution you.\u00a0 Be prepared for her to be distraught, anxious, even fearful.\u00a0 Don\u2019t mention the accident unless she does.\u00a0 For a while, let her guide the conversation.\u201d\u00a0 He laid a caring hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI know how special she is to you, Adam.\u00a0 I think it best you be the one to do any explaining if she has questions or concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared blankly at Paul, briefly recalling the time her mother had asked, begged him to\u00a0 help her understand that her own father had died.\u00a0 Now he carried that burden again.\u00a0 He cleared his mind of the memories and nodded, then looked back at the sweet, peaceful face of the little girl he had so longed to see again. He gratefully accepted this new responsibility – to care for her and help her through the coming time of mourning.\u00a0 Right this moment, he was all she had in the world and he would be there for her.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI just want you to tell her the truth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen she\u2019s older, not now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLaura, I know you love Peggy, maybe too much, but just because Peggy\u2019s a child, doesn\u2019t mean you should underestimate her.\u00a0 Children do adjust to the problems of life and death. I know.\u00a0 I had to when I was a child.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

——<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to tell her the truth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you tell her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Laura. It\u2019s got to come from you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

“No, Adam, you\u2019ve helped me so much, you can help her too.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Laura, you\u2019re the child\u2019s mother and you have to do it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, please.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, I\u2019ll see what I can do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

——<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t wanna go that way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAre you afraid?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Peggy nodded.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Peggy shrugged.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, are you afraid because you know that your father\u2019s dead?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Peggy rode off.<\/em><\/p>\n

——<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Mommy, no, he\u2019s dead, he\u2019s dead. He\u2019s never coming back.\u00a0 Never, never.\u00a0 Stop it.\u00a0 I know Mommy, I know\u2026..I love you, I love you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s head rolled off his fist, startling him awake.\u00a0 Disoriented for a moment, he drew in a deep breath and released it slowly.\u00a0 Visions of his dream still lingered like wispy cobwebs in his exhausted mind.\u00a0 He could vividly recall his conversation with Laura from nearly a year ago, when he discussed Frank\u2019s death with her and how he helped Peggy deal with her father\u2019s death.\u00a0 Running a hand over his eyes, he realized it must be nearly midday.\u00a0 He looked toward the bed and saw Peggy watching him.\u00a0 He slowly moved his chair closer to the bed and smiled at the little girl who had captured his heart so long ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, hello, Peggy.\u00a0 How are you feeling?\u201d\u00a0 He slowly reached for her hand and held it loosely in his.\u00a0 All she did was look around the room then settle her eyes back on Adam.\u00a0 Adam suddenly remembered the cloth doll he had found in the wreckage.\u00a0 He was pleased with how well Hop Sing had cleaned it up.\u00a0 \u201cHold on, I\u2019ve got a surprise for you.\u201d\u00a0 He moved to the dresser to get the doll.\u00a0 As he approached the bed he held it out to her.<\/p>\n

Peggy eyed it for a moment, then reached up to take her favorite doll from him.\u00a0 Adam watched as she carefully smoothed out the white dress and pinafore and ran her fingers over the red yarn hair.\u00a0 Finally, she hugged the doll tightly.\u00a0 After several moments she stopped and reached for Adam.\u00a0 He sat on the bed to let her climb into his lap.\u00a0 As his arms wrapped around her, his heart filled with love for this small child, now an orphan.\u00a0 Both were content to just sit together for a long time.<\/p>\n

When Adam was ready to conclude that Peggy had gone back to sleep, he heard the smallest of whispers from her, \u201cAdam, are you really here?\u201d<\/p>\n

His strong arms tightened around her, \u201cYes, Peggy, I\u2019m really here.\u00a0 You\u2019re on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pushed away from him so she could see his face.\u00a0 Tears freely ran down her cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u00a0 Mommy and Will are in trouble, they\u2019re hurt bad. We need to go now and help them.\u201d She struggled to get her feet on the floor.\u00a0 Adam let her go but quickly she collapsed being still so weak.\u00a0 He knelt down to help her but she scrambled away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam we have to go.\u00a0 Mommy wouldn\u2019t answer me.\u00a0 Her eyes were open but she wouldn\u2019t talk to me!\u201d\u00a0 Peggy was beginning to panic.\u00a0 She clambered around the room trying to get to her feet.\u00a0 Adam bolted toward her to keep her from pulling the dresser over, as she was using it to try to stand.\u00a0 He scooped her into his arms to console her.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, sweetheart, listen to me.\u00a0 You need to rest right now.\u00a0 Your mother and Will…\u201d\u00a0 he tried to think of what to say, \u201cwe know about them. They have been taken care of.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get you back to bed.\u00a0 We can talk later after you rest some more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy struggled to free herself but had no strength left.\u00a0 She collapsed in Adam\u2019s arms and he laid her gently on the bed.\u00a0 His heart was torn.\u00a0 He wanted her to know the truth but now wasn\u2019t the time to deal with that.<\/p>\n

Peggy didn\u2019t fight him.\u00a0 She grabbed her doll and rolled away from Adam.\u00a0 He pulled the covers over her and stroked her hair, praying silently for knowledge of how to help her. Just as he had settled back into his chair, Peggy suddenly rolled over and startled Adam with a knowing expression.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re gone aren\u2019t they, Mommy and Will?\u00a0 Just like my Daddy, they\u2019re gone.\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly she grew frantic, kicking at the covers and crying out.\u00a0 Adam moved to the bed and pulled her to him.\u00a0 She kept repeating, \u201cThey\u2019re gone\u2026they\u2019re gone\u201d over and over as her voice grew more panicked then finally more weary.<\/p>\n

Adam rocked her back and forth, slowly caressing her head.\u00a0 Her deep sobs were slashing at his heart, forcing him to release his grief along with her.\u00a0 Behind him, Ben stood in the doorway, having heard the commotion within the room.\u00a0 Tears coursed down his face at the sorrow and love he was witnessing between his son and this child.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Over an hour later, Ben went back to the room to check on his son and Peggy.\u00a0 Earlier he had quietly closed the door to let Adam and Peggy grieve in private. Now he just wanted to make sure everything was alright.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t heard a sound out of them for that hour.\u00a0 He also knew that they should be getting hungry as the midday meal had come and gone for everyone else.<\/p>\n

Ben paused for a moment, then slowly opened the bedroom door.\u00a0 What he saw warmed his heart so much he had to gasp to breathe. Adam was stretched out on the bed with Peggy laying in the crook of his arm, her head against his shoulder.\u00a0 Both were sound asleep.\u00a0 Ben crept in and pulled the forsaken blanket over both of them, then he backed out.<\/p>\n

Closing the door he turned and nearly ran into Joe who took a noisy bite out of an apple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatcha doin\u2019 Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh.\u201d\u00a0 He grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and pulled him into the main room.\u00a0 \u201cKeep your voice down.\u00a0 Adam and Peggy are both sleeping.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a tough hour for both of them.\u00a0 It seems Peggy knows what happened to Will and Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe dropped into the blue chair.\u00a0 \u201cOh no.\u00a0 Adam told her already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think she figured it out.\u00a0 It was quite a commotion for a while.\u00a0 But now I think they\u2019ll both be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a pretty bright little girl, Pa.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think anyone could\u2019ve kept it from her for long.\u201d\u00a0 Joe took another bite from his apple and studied the Christmas tree, fingering one of the ornaments.\u00a0 \u201cPa, when are we going to celebrate Christmas?\u00a0 Hoss is about to have a conniption fit to see what\u2019s in the presents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled inwardly but kept his face neutral.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you too, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 I\u2019ll speak to Adam after he wakes up and can get something to eat. Remember Joe, we still have the funeral to attend, which by the way has been set for tomorrow afternoon. I think perhaps we should postpone our Christmas celebration for a few more days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grew somber as he tossed the apple core into the fire.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, guess I hadn\u2019t thought of that.\u00a0 Well, that would give us a few days to get some things for Peggy too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea Joe.\u00a0 Let me speak with Adam first though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pushed himself out of the chair.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, okay.\u00a0 I best get to the evening chores.\u00a0 Reckon Hoss should be back from checking the herd soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben merely nodded as he was already working on some ideas to help them all get through the next several days.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Ben was thankful the weather had cleared for the funeral.\u00a0 It was cold but at least it wasn\u2019t snowing.\u00a0 A few Virginia City residents had attended the graveside service but had remained at the periphery out of respect of the family. Peggy was emotionless throughout.\u00a0 She never let go of Adam\u2019s hand and when the service was over she stood by the graves refusing to move.\u00a0 Adam whispered to her; she nodded and he stood back a few paces.\u00a0 He indicated for the rest of the family to head back to the carriage.<\/p>\n

Adam waited patiently for Peggy. She spoke in low tones for a few minutes then bent down to lay evergreen branches on each wooden box.\u00a0 Taking a step back she turned, and finding Adam waiting for her, she walked to him and took his hand.\u00a0 As they followed the path to the carriage, Peggy looked back once, then craned her head to look at Adam.\u00a0 He was looking straight ahead but then glanced down at her, smiled and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back then fell into step with him.<\/p>\n

The evening was quiet.\u00a0 After dinner, everyone settled by the fire to read or play some checkers.\u00a0 Peggy sat on the settee to look at a Christmas book with Adam.\u00a0 Hop Sing brought out hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. He set a cup and plate out for Peggy at the low table.<\/p>\n

\u201cMissy sit here and enjoy treat.\u00a0 Come kitchen if need more.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s smile was so friendly Peggy couldn\u2019t help but smile back, just a little.\u00a0 She glanced at Adam who nodded then she scooted to the table.\u00a0 Silence returned to the room as everyone enjoyed the treats.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, why haven\u2019t the presents under the tree been opened?\u201d\u00a0 Peggy watched Adam\u2019s face as she waited for the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess we\u2019ve been waiting for the right time to do it.\u201d\u00a0 He quickly made eye contact with Ben who picked up on the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, Peggy.\u00a0 How about we plan it for tomorrow night?\u00a0 I think we\u2019re all a bit tired tonight, right boys?\u201d\u00a0 Joe and Hoss nodded agreement.<\/p>\n

Peggy seemed to accept the answer, because she went back to eating her cookies without further comment.\u00a0 Ben did notice her head seemed a bit lower than before. A few minutes later she pushed her plate aside and stood to face Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll go to bed. Good night Adam.\u201d She leaned over to kiss him on the check.\u00a0 She said goodnight to everyone else as she went to her room.<\/p>\n

After the door closed, Ben spoke quietly.\u00a0 \u201cAdam are you agreeable for Joe and Hoss to purchase some gifts for Peggy as we discussed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 I\u2019ve made a list.\u00a0 I\u2019m planning to tell Peggy that we still have Traveler, her pony.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have to get a new saddle for him but it will need to be ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can do that tomorrow for ya, if ya\u2019d like us to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thanks Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He removed a piece of paper from his pants pocket and handed it to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for getting these.\u00a0 I hope it will help Peggy feel a part of everything tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it will, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben puffed on his pipe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m ready for bed.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stood and headed for Peggy\u2019s room. \u00a0As she stepped back to let him in he reached down and scooped her up into the air and gently laid her on the bed.\u00a0 After pulling up the covers, he knelt by the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady for your prayers?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u00a0 I miss them you know.\u00a0 It was hard to leave them today.\u201d\u00a0 Her voice quivered and her eyes teared up.<\/p>\n

Adam moved to sit on the edge of the bed.\u00a0 He brushed a stray curl off her face and dried a tear that trickled down her cheek. \u201cI know pumpkin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy tried to smile.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019m glad I have you, and your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too, darling. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy moved into Adam\u2019s embrace and stayed there until she fell asleep.<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Peggy finally emerged from her room the next morning she found Ben at an empty table sipping a cup of coffee and reading some papers.\u00a0 Ben stood and pulled out a chair for her.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Miss Peggy.\u00a0 Did you sleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy wasn\u2019t feeling very cheery but couldn\u2019t help but smile at Ben\u2019s rather flamboyant greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so. Did I miss breakfast?\u00a0 Where\u2019s Adam?\u201d\u00a0 She looked around the room, concern changing her brief smile to a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s doing some chores.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe left early for a trip to town.\u00a0 It\u2019s just you and me for a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Peggy could respond, Hop Sing brought out a plate of food for her and a glass of milk.<\/p>\n

\u201cMissy eat all food, then can help Hop Sing in kitchen.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded once and returned to his domain.<\/p>\n

Peggy ate her breakfast quietly and asked to be excused when she finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, take your dishes to the kitchen and see what Hop Sing wants you to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d\u00a0 She mumbled as she passed behind Ben.\u00a0 Ben could only smile as he already knew that she would have a good time in the kitchen today.\u00a0 Hop Sing would keep her busy making Christmas delights, so the rest of the family could get things ready for their Christmas Celebration.<\/p>\n

When Adam returned to the house for dinner he winked at Ben to let him know the \u2018gift\u2019 in the barn was ready to go.\u00a0 As he warmed himself at the fire he heard laughter and giggles coming from the kitchen.\u00a0 Adam looked to his father with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy\u2019s been in there all day.\u00a0 It\u2019s done my heart good to hear that little one laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tiptoed to the doorway but before he could see anything, Hop Sing jumped out at him with a rolling pin.\u00a0 Adam backed up against the table hands in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay out. No see until dinner time.\u00a0 Go now or chop-chop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scurried back to the fireplace as Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have warned me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd miss the fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then Joe and Hoss blew into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s getting cold out there.\u00a0 I think I froze my nose off.\u201d\u00a0 Joe quickly peeled his layers off and ran to the fireplace pushing Adam aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got it all done.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss leaned in to whisper to Adam. \u201cEverything\u2019s in the barn.\u00a0 We can bring them in after dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, now.\u00a0 Peggy\u2019s still in the kitchen and won\u2019t be out until dinner is served.\u00a0 I\u2019ll help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and donned his coat again. In a matter of minutes new presents were hidden under the tree and four men sat around the fire casually reading.\u00a0 One little girl was none the wiser when dinner was served.<\/p>\n

After dinner, everyone gathered by the fire.\u00a0 Peggy helped Hop Sing bring out several trays of sweet Christmas pastries and spiced apple cider. Once everyone was served, Ben nodded and Joe stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Cartwright family it\u2019s tradition to have the youngest member pass out the gifts.\u00a0 That\u2019s usually my job, but Peggy, I was wondering if you would like to help me.\u201d\u00a0 He stepped over and held out his hand.\u00a0 Adam felt Peggy tense up beside him.\u00a0 He leaned over and encouraged her to help Joe. She stood up and timidly took his hand.\u00a0 Joe had her read the tags and he delivered the gifts to the right person.\u00a0 It went pretty quickly, especially when Joe tickled Peggy a couple of times to get her moving a bit faster.\u00a0 As they reached the back of the tree, Peggy stopped.\u00a0 She looked at a box then up at Joe.\u00a0 He smiled and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right Peggy, it\u2019s for you.\u00a0 So are the others back there.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you go sit down and I\u2019ll bring them over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy took the one package with her while Joe got the others.\u00a0 In all she had four presents sitting on the table in front of her.<\/p>\n

As Peggy began to cry, Adam put his arm around her and whispered, \u201cWe wanted you to feel special too Peggy. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.\u201d\u00a0 He hugged her and encouraged her to open the first gift.\u00a0 It was a book of children\u2019s fairy tales from Adam.\u00a0 She smiled and thanked Adam for the gift.\u00a0 After that everyone began opening their gifts.<\/p>\n

Peggy sat quietly looking at her book, while another doll and some clothes lay beside her on the settee and everyone else relaxed after all the gifts had been opened.\u00a0 Adam moved to the Christmas tree and reached behind it.\u00a0 Peggy was puzzled by his action until she saw what he had in his hand.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t move.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what to think.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeggy, there\u2019s a special friend longing to see you out in the barn.\u00a0 It\u2019s too cold tonight to go see him so I brought this in for you.\u00a0 Do you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She jumped up and ran to hug Adam nearly knocking him into the tree. \u201cIt\u2019s Traveler, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 You still have him?\u00a0 Mommy told me you\u2019d sell him.\u00a0 I knew you wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 I just knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam picked Peggy up and swung her around.\u00a0 The giggles and chuckles they shared made Ben, Joe and Hoss join in.\u00a0 As Adam put Peggy down again, she held onto his neck and whispered, \u201cI love you, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was too choked up to respond so he grinned and kissed her on the cheek.\u00a0 The rest of the evening was spent singing Christmas carols and drinking cider.<\/p>\n

Long after everyone had gone to bed, one little girl stared at the moonlight drifting across her room.\u00a0 Her head was full of so many thoughts and her heart so many feelings.\u00a0 As she drifted off to sleep, all of them began to melt away until only one thought and feeling remained.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t alone, she had a family.\u00a0 And she had someone really special who loved her, and she loved him.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

A month later, Peggy sat in a hallway in a big building in San Francisco.\u00a0 She was wearing her best dress and did her best not to fidget as she waited with Adam to see a man in a fancy office.\u00a0 Finally the door opened and she and Adam went inside.\u00a0 They sat in the two chairs in front of a big desk.\u00a0 The man pushed some papers toward Adam which he signed, one after another.\u00a0 Peggy couldn\u2019t believe how many there were.\u00a0 At last Adam was finished.\u00a0 He laid the pen down and stood up.\u00a0 Peggy followed his lead. Adam shook the man\u2019s hand as the man handed some of the papers to Adam.\u00a0 The man also shook Peggy\u2019s hand which confused her but she smiled and curtsied.<\/p>\n

Outside, Adam sat with Peggy on a bench.\u00a0 He was grinning from ear to ear.\u00a0 He hugged her and showed her the papers, where her name was and where he had signed his name.\u00a0 Then he lifted her face to look at him.\u00a0 Peggy heard his voice shake and saw tears form in his eyes but he was also grinning.\u00a0 \u201cPeggy, you are now my daughter and I\u2019m your father.\u00a0 I love you so very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peggy couldn\u2019t help but grin. She threw her arms around his neck in a big hug then sat back and took his face in her small hands. \u201cI love you too, Adam…Papa. Now we\u2019re family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, the man with black wavy hair in a black suit and the little girl with golden curls in a pink dress strolled down the street, hand in hand, heading for their hotel, and then home, to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peggy felt her bed move, which pulled her from her memories.\u00a0 She felt an arm rest lightly on her shoulders.\u00a0 Turning, she smiled at the warm golden-brown eyes of her father.<\/p>\n

She folded the paper away and put it back into the wooden box.\u00a0 \u201cI found my treasure box and got a little sidetracked.\u201d\u00a0 She put it back on a shelf by the window.\u00a0 When she turned back, Adam was still sitting on the bed with a bemused expression.<\/p>\n

He stood and took Peggy\u2019s hands in his.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe it\u2019s been ten years.\u00a0 I hope they\u2019ve been good years for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Papa\u201d\u00a0 She ducked her head shyly then looked back at him with a bright smile.\u00a0 \u201cThe best ever.\u00a0 I love you!\u201d\u00a0 She balanced on her toes to kiss him on the cheek.<\/p>\n

He drew her into a hug and kissed the top of her blonde head.\u00a0 \u201cI love you too, pumpkin.\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s go downstairs.\u00a0 The family\u2019s waiting dinner on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arm in arm, father and daughter left the room, ready to celebrate another Christmas together.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, Family, Peggy Dayton<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright and Peggy Dayton developed a special relationship that seemed to go beyond friendship. This is a WHN about the strength of that bond after tragedy strikes at Christmas.<\/p>\n

WC = 8882\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rating K+<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":13531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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":[23,41,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2729,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Adam-and-Peggy-by-pond.jpg?fit=700%2C525&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35279,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35279","url_meta":{"origin":13530,"position":0},"title":"Family Treasures (by Sierras)","author":"Sierras","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben and his young sons have received a box from Inger's brother Gunnar right before Christmas. 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