{"id":15317,"date":"2017-09-19T11:17:57","date_gmt":"2017-09-19T15:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15317"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:04","slug":"a-good-life-by-psw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15317","title":{"rendered":"A Good Life (by PSW)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 An afternoon lull with new family.\u00a0 Written for the October 15th Pinecone Challenge, and expanded (very slightly) for inclusion here.\u00a0 Prompt\/lyrics:\u00a0 Some of it’s magic; some of it’s tragic, but I had a good life all the way.\u00a0 (Jimmy Buffett)<\/p>\n

Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 563<\/p>\n

Scenes From Our Next Life Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like You Were<\/a>
\nYounger<\/a>
\nA Good Life
\n<\/a>Time and Change
\n<\/a>Home
\n<\/a>Warm Milk and Memories<\/a><\/p>\n

A Good Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

She hummed while she dusted.\u00a0 To Ben the two didn\u2019t go together, but he had never seen his new daughter-in-law anything less than content in her daily tasks.\u00a0 He had his suspicions regarding her past, and he didn\u2019t care for them\u2014Lina was a good girl, and he didn\u2019t like to think of her as unhappy or afraid or, the Lord forbid, abused.\u00a0 Joe hadn\u2019t told him anything, and Ben hadn\u2019t asked.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t even sure how much Joe truly knew.\u00a0 It was none of his business, really, unless and until Lina or his son made it so.\u00a0 Whatever the reason for her perpetual quiet cheer, however, the soft Spanish melodies were a daily balm to his heart as they wove throughout the great room and down the stairs and from above the sudsy dishpan in the early afternoon lull.<\/p>\n

He noticed when she fell silent.<\/p>\n

For a moment he remained in his chair at the dining room table.\u00a0 (Hop Sing would be livid if he scratched the gleaming wood, but it was the only good place to lay out the pieces of a rifle for cleaning and be sure to find them all again.\u00a0 The cook had gone to town\u2014what he didn\u2019t know wouldn\u2019t hurt him.)\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t so much that the song had stopped, he finally decided.\u00a0 All noise of furniture moving and dusting and footsteps had ceased as well.\u00a0 Curious, Ben laid the gun aside and rose, drifting into the great room.\u00a0 He found her sitting on the corner of his desk, studying the photographs of his three wives lined across its edge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind.\u201d\u00a0 Lina smiled, lifting the picture of Elizabeth to run a light finger along its frame.\u00a0 \u201cThey were so beautiful, all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, an answering smile lifting his own countenance.\u00a0 \u201cThey were, thank you.\u00a0 And why would I mind?\u00a0 They\u2019re there to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lina\u2019s cheeks dimpled, and she set Elizabeth back into the row with Inger and Marie.\u00a0 \u201cDoes it hurt you to remember them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he assured her.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s been a long time.\u00a0 And there were a lot of good times, too, that I have no intention of forgetting.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded, her eyes far away.\u00a0 Ben wondered at the sadness flickering in their depths \u2026 but the next moment it was gone.\u00a0 \u201cWhat a tale you have to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

He grinned, allowing his gaze to rove over his three lost loves.\u00a0 His mind took him back to each of them in an instant.\u00a0 \u201cSome of it\u2019s magic,\u201d Ben agreed softly.\u00a0 Then he sighed, touching Inger\u2019s frame.\u00a0 \u201cSome of it\u2019s tragic.\u00a0 But,\u201d he assured the suddenly solemn young woman before him, \u201cI had a good life all the way.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t change it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her eyes sparkled.\u00a0 \u201cWill you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a long<\/em> story, and I\u2019m sure you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all at once!\u201d\u00a0 She laughed too, brushing past him in a rush of skirts and curls.\u00a0 \u201cCome!\u00a0 You continue with your cleaning, and I will bring us coffee, and you will tell me today of your Elizabeth.\u00a0 The others will have their own days.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was absurdly flattered.\u00a0 It was a long time since anyone had asked after these particular memories.\u00a0 \u201cWell \u2026 if you\u2019re sure \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Catalina paused on her way into the kitchen, flashing that bright smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhat girl doesn\u2019t love a good romance?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next story in the Scenes From Our Next Life series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Time and Change<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 An afternoon lull with new family.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 563<\/p>\n

Scenes From Our Next Life Series, links to stories of this series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10468,"featured_media":15316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-short-stories","category-challenges","wpcat-8-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2090,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/IMG_2560.jpg?fit=685%2C627&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15204,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15204","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":0},"title":"Younger (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"September 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A quiet, light moment among family. Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 519 Scenes From Our Next Life Series, links to stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14447,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14447","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":1},"title":"Like You Were (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"July 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Ben reflects. \u00a0 Rating: K \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 530 Scenes From Our Next Life Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_2126.jpg?fit=844%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_2126.jpg?fit=844%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_2126.jpg?fit=844%2C609&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_2126.jpg?fit=844%2C609&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40828,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40828","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":2},"title":"The Fifth Sunup (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"February 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: To fall meant capture. Capture meant death. And I wasn\u2019t ready to die; not yet, not when my life had barely begun. Joe's thoughts as he flees from the Lassiters in Five Sundowns to Sunup. Rating: K Word Count: 563 Part of the Five Sundowns to Sunup Series, links\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15774,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15774","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":3},"title":"Home (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"December 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Candy realizes that some things do change. Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0Word count: 640 Scenes From Our Next Life Series, links to stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Short Stories"","block_context":{"text":"Short Stories","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=8"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15723,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15723","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":4},"title":"Time and Change (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"November 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam reflects. Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0Word count: 754 Scenes From Our Next Life series, links to stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Short Stories"","block_context":{"text":"Short Stories","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=8"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/CF6B97F4-6BBD-4149-BCA4-8B2B5E3AD24C.jpeg?fit=634%2C627&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/CF6B97F4-6BBD-4149-BCA4-8B2B5E3AD24C.jpeg?fit=634%2C627&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/CF6B97F4-6BBD-4149-BCA4-8B2B5E3AD24C.jpeg?fit=634%2C627&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16184,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=16184","url_meta":{"origin":15317,"position":5},"title":"Giving You (by Foreverfree)","author":"Foreverfree","date":"March 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What love is all about - inspired by Joe -\u00a0my favorite Cartwright. My entry for The\u00a0World Poetry Day 2018. Rating: K Word count: 82","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"joe","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}