{"id":38455,"date":"2022-02-17T08:38:04","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T13:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=38455"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:07","slug":"is-it-love-by-missjudy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=38455","title":{"rendered":"Is It Love (by Missjudy)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> After a period of adjustment with Adam’s return from school, life has settled nicely for the Cartwrights … until a new storm cloud seems to be threatening Hoss’ usually good mood and ability to work. While refusing to interfere or pry, Adam does accept his father’s request to allow Hoss, if he’s willing, to talk about what’s bothering him while the two of them make a delivery. Adam discovers the cause of Hoss’ distraction, but also finds his brother’s longing to know more about the time Adam and Ben passed through a town in Illinois and met a beautiful young shopkeeper.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> G<\/p>\n

Word Count:<\/strong> 12553<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Is It Love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben looked up from his coffee when he heard voices at the top of the stairs, and smiled when Little Joe began bouncing down the steps in front of his oldest brother. He couldn\u2019t hear the conversation but it seemed cordial, with both sons chuckling.<\/p>\n

His smile arose from genuine relief over the strengthening relationship between these two following the unsettling storm cloud of animosity that had hovered over them for a time after Adam had returned from college. Little Joe, who at age 12, felt he had fully grown up in his brother\u2019s absence, summarily rejected any suggestions or discipline offered by the newly returned member of the family. What the boy had forgotten was Adam\u2019s hand in helping to raise him prior to going away to school, and especially his comforting care in the aftermath of Marie\u2019s death. He\u2019d also forgotten that this brother had postponed his departure by a year back then to keep the family from experiencing a second loss so close to the first.<\/p>\n

The smile turned into a grin as Ben thought further about his youngest. Joe\u2019s current attitude wasn\u2019t limited to Adam. The youngster also resented guidance from his father, the hands who directed his ranch work, Miss Jones at the new school in town and Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

The condition was viewed with tenderness by the father who understood his youngest son\u2019s wildly independent spirit. That didn\u2019t mean he allowed Joe\u2019s positions to go unchallenged, and liberally used what his sons had coined their father\u2019s \u201cnecessary\u201d reaction to their infractions. This included a stare-down of the culprit in question and vocal volume that could rattle glassware. They all knew that when their pa was that angry, it brought with it the demand for instant repentance, followed by corrective measures as were \u201cnecessary\u201d to make sure the behavior wasn\u2019t repeated. But they also knew there were gradients to his response and not every lapse of reasoning on their part engaged the full weight of his disciplinary arsenal. They respected his authority because they trusted that he was ultimately fair.<\/p>\n

Luckily his sons were far enough apart in age that he only experienced this teenaged, headstrong right-of-passage every six years. However, Adam and Hoss had in no way prepared him for Little Joe. While Adam\u2019s infractions were infrequent, his eyerolls over the outcome were legendary, getting him into more trouble for his reaction than for the actual deed. And there\u2019d been no issues with Hoss. He\u2019d gotten himself into trouble, but his easy-going personality allowed him to take most things, including punishment, in stride.<\/p>\n

For now, Ben intended to enjoy this familial period of grace that he\u2019d longed for since they\u2019d become a family of four again. As the boys continued down the steps, he changed his focus to his 24-year-old. Adam had been back for several tumultuous months: the upheaval during the first couple of that period resting squarely on Ben\u2019s shoulders. He brought his cup to his lips for a sip of coffee to disguise the grimace produced by the memories of his own adjustment to having said goodbye to a teenager five years earlier, and welcoming home a young man who\u2019d proven his intellect in school while looking to prove that his education and time away had been worth the investment.<\/p>\n

The differences between father and son had laid the base course of a wall, between them, torn down only when they\u2019d both finally found a way to listen and move forward.1 <\/sup>\u00a0Those issues had barely settled like dust on a table when Adam had drifted into an emotional pit, leaving those around him stymied by his change in nature. Ben, Hoss and Joe had soon realized the dark moods corresponded to days when mail arrived. Being a wise father who knew this particular son wouldn\u2019t disclose the cause of his disquiet, Ben confronted the behaviors, honestly explaining how Adam\u2019s actions were being perceived by those he lived and worked with. He followed this up by sending him on a cattle drive with instructions to work things out or face the crew\u2019s mutiny.2 <\/sup>He\u2019d returned a different man, with the admission that not hearing from a particular \u201cfriend\u201d from Boston had caused the surliness. Ben suspected he hadn\u2019t completely recovered from this friend\u2019s dismissal, but it no longer influenced his behavior.<\/p>\n

He sat back awaiting Joe and Adam\u2019s arrival at the table. With Joe\u2019s rebellion in ebb, and father and son adjusting to their changing roles, life on the Ponderosa had taken on a melodic hum.<\/p>\n

However, the absence of his middle son on the stairway, reminded him of a new dissonant chord upsetting that melody of late.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d Ben asked when the two took their chairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard him in his room, Pa, and knocked to say we were heading down. He didn\u2019t answer,\u201d Adam reported while filling his cup from the enameled pewter coffee pot. He looked towards the steps to make sure Hoss wasn\u2019t on his way before leaning in. \u201cIs something going on with him, Pa? He\u2019s distracted more than usual; quieter by his standards, and he\u2019s usually the first one to the breakfast table, not the last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, and then shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ve noticed it, but have no clue what\u2019s behind it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s getting sort\u2019a mean if anyone<\/em> mentions it, Pa,\u201d Joe said earnestly. \u201cHe told me to get lost yesterday when I asked why he was so slow cleanin\u2019 the barn.\u201d The boy laughed. \u201cHe\u2019s acting just like he did that time he was sweet on Sally Forsythe and she started seeing Jake Merlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think that\u2019s what it is, Pa? Even the men complained that he snapped at them yesterday when they called him out for daydreaming.\u201d Adam gave his father a smirking grin. \u201cI kind of recall you telling me I had to get past what was bothering me a while back. So \u2026 how are you going to handle this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head tipped as he listened for the sounds of footsteps above before he smiled at is eldest. \u201cI do have something in mind. You\u2019re taking supplies to the hands watching cattle in the last good pasture grass later this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd \u2026\u201d Adam encouraged when his father faltered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I want you to take Hoss along. He might talk to you easier than to me, especially if it\u2019s about a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat up straight, nearly tipping his cup when he set it off kilter on the saucer. He eyed his father suspiciously and gave him a half-lipped, incredulous snarl. \u201cThat is a conversation you<\/em> need to have with him, Pa. I can\u2019t figure out what to do about women for myself, much less for anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not saying you need to hold an inquisition or give advice. Just listen. We might be completely wrong about what\u2019s going on. You were gone when he went through that romantic disappointment Little Joe mentioned. I did speak to him then when his behavior became too churlish to ignore, and asked why he hadn\u2019t come to me if he had questions about courting a girl.\u201d Ben\u2019s cheeks turned rosy. \u201cHe told me he feared that if I got wind of him having feelings for a girl, I\u2019d start looking for signs of marriage and grandchildren, and he wasn\u2019t ready for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sip of coffee Adam had taken, nearly flew from his mouth with his father\u2019s admission. But in drawing a breath as he\u2019d laughed, the remaining brew drew into his windpipe. The coughing and laughing went on for an agonized minute before he could speak again. \u201cAll right, Pa. I\u2019ll keep an open ear, but if he tells me anything important; I\u2019m handing it over to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached for Adam\u2019s arm, and said a quiet, \u201cThat\u2019ll do,\u201d as the middle son appeared at the head of the stairway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat all the laughing about?\u201d he asked mid-yawn while beginning his descent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam nearly spit coffee in Pa\u2019s face when he choked on it,\u201d Little Joe supplied easily. \u201cYou should\u2019a seen Pa\u2019s reaction!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped to consider the information before starting down again. \u201cPa\u2019s just lucky Adam didn\u2019t have a mouthful of eggs or oatmeal stead of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, I am,\u201d Ben agreed, accepting his youngest son\u2019s fabrication with gratitude, along with a good deal of concern over how many times this son had come up with an equally convincing falsehood his father had accepted as truth.<\/p>\n

Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t it kind\u2019a strange that Pa sent both of us to deliver these supplies?\u201d Hoss mentioned as he removed his hat to scratch his head. \u201cHe never said nothin\u2019 about me going too when you volunteered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe rethought it, and decided you should come to watch for fence damage following that storm the other night,\u201d Adam replied while leading the team around a deep rut filled with water. \u201cI can\u2019t keep this wagon on the road and do that too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah. I forgot that already.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cYou\u2019ve been forgetting a lot of stuff lately. But from here on, keep a good eye. There will be posts that have sunk or tipped during that washout rain.\u201d He withdrew a small pad of paper and pencil from his shirt pocket and handed them to his brother. \u201cYou\u2019ll never remember where they are, so write down the nearest mile mark when you see a problem. Pa said the hands are meeting us halfway to exchange their empty wagon for our full one. I don\u2019t want them waiting for us, so we\u2019ll make as many repairs as we can before losing daylight on the way back, and then use your list to come back out tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two brothers rode in silence with Adam continuing to avoid the worst of the water-filled holes. Once on a smoother section of road, he glanced over and saw Hoss staring straight ahead instead of observing the fence line. Pulling the wagon to a stop, he nudged his brother and said pointedly, \u201cHoss! Look to your right. There\u2019s a three-post failure where the water undermined the holes. We just passed marker 2, so write that down.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tall young man faced his brother sheepishly. \u201cSorry, Adam. I just can\u2019t keep my mind on much lately. Pa should\u2019a sent Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe doesn\u2019t have the strength to dig post holes all day.\u201d Adam sighed. \u201cWe\u2019ll make a deal. If you pay attention until we meet up with the guys, we\u2019ll take a break and you can tell me what\u2019s on your mind.\u201d He turned away to grimace, before finishing his offer with a good dose of hope in his tone, \u201cThat\u2019s only if you want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cSend a rider to the house if you run short of anything else,\u201d Adam told Stuart, one of their long-time ranch hands. \u201cHop Sing can bring things when he comes out to fix a meal on Thursday.\u201d The two men shook hands. \u201cIs there anything you\u2019d like me to tell Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet him know the herd has settled in nicely and we\u2019ve only had to run after a few so far. The grass is good so we\u2019ll keep them up high for a week or two and then head \u2018em over to winter pasture.\u201d Stuart\u2019s face screwed up in thought. \u201cAsk Hop Sing to toss extra blankets and long-johns in the cook wagon. It\u2019s getting\u2019 chilly now.\u201d He nodded towards Hoss leaning against the empty wagon and lowered his voice. \u201cWhat\u2019s up with that brother of yours? He sick or something? Most times he\u2019d be over here tellin\u2019 some tall tale or joking around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s having a reflective day, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stuart\u2019s lips pulled left. \u201cWhat kind of day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLost in his own thoughts,\u201d Adam chuckled and gave the older hand a soft jab in the arm. \u201cAnd don\u2019t ask me what kind of thoughts, because I don\u2019t know.\u201d Adam waited for Stuart to climb to the driver\u2019s seat, and then gave the nearest draft horse a slap to the rump. \u201cSee you in a couple weeks. I didn\u2019t bring extra blankets, but the men might appreciate the chill-chasing bottles of whiskey I snuck in with the flour and cornmeal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had remained with the exchanged wagon after he\u2019d moved the tools they\u2019d brought for fence repairs, and looked at Adam with a confused expression when he joined him. \u201cIs Stu gone already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe pulled out a few minutes ago. C\u2019mon,\u201d he said as he pulled himself to the driver\u2019s seat. \u201cWe best get to those repairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

One mighty heave from Hoss brought the crooked fence post out of the muck while Adam shoveled out the worst of the mud and added drier soil to reset it. Despite a good amount of time passing, the brothers had only completed repairs on the downed fence nearest to where they\u2019d exchanged wagons.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, start talking,\u201d Adam commanded after circling the now straight post to tamp down the new dirt. \u201cYou\u2019ve already knocked me in the head resetting a fence rail, nearly took my toes off with the shovel, and backed into me so hard I fell over in the mud. It\u2019s not even lunchtime. If you keep this up, I\u2019ll be maimed or dead by the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry \u2018bout that Adam,\u201d Hoss replied penitently, hanging his head to his chest. \u201cBut I\u2019m glad I\u2019m with you, because what\u2019s got my head to whirlin\u2019 sort of involves you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam drew back and gave his brother a once over. \u201cHow can it involve me? I just got back from that long cattle drive to San Francisco, and don\u2019t recall having words with you before I left or since I returned.\u201d When Hoss said nothing, he looked up, noting the sun\u2019s position. \u201cIt\u2019s about noon. Let\u2019s have lunch and talk while we eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

After they polished off most of a chicken, a big bowl of potato salad, fresh-baked bread and a tin of cookies, Adam began stowing the dirty dishes and utensils while Hoss stretched back onto his elbows in the wagon bed and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it like to be in love?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n

The younger brother\u2019s question stalled Adam\u2019s cleanup for a moment, but he recovered his momentum as he thought it through. The query was too broad to have a simple answer, so he decided to narrow down what might be driving it. Hoss had just turned 17, so he was certainly old enough to be in love. Many of the kids they\u2019d grown up with when families had begun settling nearby had married soon after reaching their mid-teens.<\/p>\n

But Ben Cartwright did not push his boys to the altar. He encouraged them to marry only when they found a love to ensure a happy life and home.<\/p>\n

Adam had felt the drive to get a good education before even considering marriage. The years prior to leaving for Boston had been filled with study and preparation, and he\u2019d been resolved that once in school, he couldn\u2019t allow the distraction of a romantic interest. Despite this, he\u2019d met a young woman in Boston and had fallen in love. Luckily, they\u2019d only been able to see one another on weekends when they\u2019d both been free to visit their relatives: Adam\u2019s grandfather, and Melinda\u2019s aunt who\u2019d lived next to Abel Stoddard. They\u2019d both had goals to complete when he\u2019d graduated, precluding marriage then, but they\u2019d vowed to keep in touch and reunite in a few years when those goals had been fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Their promises hadn\u2019t withstood the distance and separation, and he\u2019d never heard from her after leaving Boston. The experience had left him doubting that he had actually been \u201cin love,\u201d yet he\u2019d resolved that it had been real. Something had happened he couldn\u2019t account for, so for now he carried the memory of her in his heart. He certainly remembered how that love had made him feel, and despite his disappointment that things had gone wrong, he resolved that he wouldn\u2019t slip into the trap of marrying as merely a step taken towards adulthood. He would wait until he felt that same sense of being whole with someone again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a particular girl you\u2019re developing feelings for?\u201d he asked, once his own memories faded from his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a gal all right, but I\u2019m not sure how I feel about her, and that\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trying to keep Hoss from seeing any reaction, he leaned over to picnic basket to secure the top as his eyebrows rose while sighing quietly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I haven\u2019t paid more attention, but I haven\u2019t a clue who you\u2019ve been seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Jenny Mason, from that family what settled just outside of the town last year. You seen her at your comin\u2019 home party.\u201d Hoss\u2019 face changed from his scowl to a toothy smile. \u201cShe\u2019s got golden hair, and\u2019s as tiny as a field mouse. We really only see <\/em>each other when there\u2019s a party we\u2019re all invited to or when a preacher comes through and we all go to church.\u201d He blushed. \u201cShe told me at your party that it would be all right if I stop by their house, so I sometimes go by their place when Pa sends me to town. But I never stay longer than to just say hi and bye.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat smile on your face proves you like her. Are you thinking you\u2019d like to take this from running into her now and then and brief stops, to courting her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, Adam!\u201d The answer was followed by a long, heavy sigh and an audible swallow. \u201cI like things like they are for now. It\u2019s been fun getting\u2019 to know her a little bit at a time. But the other day, she talked about us gettin\u2019 married\u2014I mean like it was a done deal or I\u2019d already asked her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s brows drew together. \u201cHave you given her an indication you saw this as \u2026 um \u2026 the resulting outcome?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 head moved side-to-side. \u201cI sure didn\u2019t. We\u2019re always around other people when we see each other, and we ain\u2019t so much as held hands or done nothin\u2019 more than casual talk about the weather. I\u2019ve only seen her company manners, and don\u2019t know how she feels about nothin\u2019 includin\u2019 me until the other day when she said sort of said we was engaged. I\u2019m confused, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what you\u2019ve said, I think you\u2019d like to know her better, but you\u2019d need to let this develop a lot more before you\u2019d be anywhere near a proposal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly! Shouldn\u2019t I feel that I can\u2019t live without her sort of thing if I loved her \u2026 you know \u2026 be imaginin\u2019 a house of my own with a wife and family anytime she comes to mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Securing the basket to the sideboards with twine, he leaned against the open gate and looked up at his brother. \u201cLove takes different forms, Hoss. It doesn\u2019t have to be the wide-eyed longing for home and hearth that happens in a romance novel. Sometimes it takes years for feelings to develop and deepen. Other times it happens fast and powerful as a lightning strike or it might be feel more like a spring breeze blowing all your fears and cares away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you just said sounded really nice, but I got no idea what it meant.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older brother laughed. \u201cSure you do. Just think about Pa. He loved my mother for years, but waited to marry until he\u2019d proved he could take care of her properly. But with Marie, he was struck immediately by her fiery personality, and knew they would make life better for each other. You remember how close Pa and Marie were: how good she was to us and how different Pa was because of her.\u201d A sheepish grin enveloped Adam\u2019s features as he added, \u201cIt might have taken me a little longer to accept her kindness, but I always respected her and saw the difference she made.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and smiled. \u201cI do remember all that.\u201d The smile drooped to a forlorn frown. \u201cFrom the little Pa talks about our mamas, it seems like yours was smart like you; tiny and sort a delicate like a flower, but fierce enough to stand up to one a them East Coast hurricanes I done read about. And Marie was fiery like you said, but like a warming fire, not an out\u2019a control blaze that burns everything around it to ashes. When she and Pa looked at each other I always felt safe \u2026 you know \u2026 like everything was gonna be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got that just perfect, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what made Pa marry my<\/em> mama, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked while sitting up straight. \u00a0\u201cOne time he said Mama sort of chased him til he caught her.\u201d After another long sigh, he said. \u201cYou done told me \u2018about\u2019 my mama before, Adam. But could you tell me what you saw back then and how you felt when you was with her \u2026 I mean way back at the beginning?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s first inclination was to brush off Hoss\u2019 question; declare a return to work and suggest he have this conversation with their father. Yet he was uniquely aware of what, and why, Hoss was asking this. Their father had always \u201cdescribed\u201d their mothers to them. They were kind, beautiful, gentle, caring, adding that their sons were \u201cmuch like them.\u201d \u00a0Adam had followed this same script in talking about Inger with Hoss. But with Marie, they\u2019d seen how she\u2019d embodied the wonderful things they remembered about her character. It had left Adam wanting to know more about his mother than his father seemed able to relate. As he\u2019d begun to plan for college, he\u2019d also decided that he\u2019d return to Boston in hopes of getting an education regarding Elizabeth Stoddard as well.<\/p>\n

The last few years with his grandfather had accomplished that. Abel hadn\u2019t gotten rid of his daughter\u2019s things, allowing Adam to feel her presence in that house. He hadn\u2019t stayed in his mother\u2019s room where he\u2019d been born, but he\u2019d gone in there whenever he\u2019d wanted to \u201cfeel closer\u201d to her. He\u2019d touched the books she\u2019d read, nearly feeling the warmth of her fingers on the pages. It didn\u2019t stop at her doorway though. The artwork and nick-knacks she\u2019d favored graced the walls and shelves throughout the house. His bed was covered with a quilt she\u2019d sewn, and on chilly evenings spent talking to his grandfather in the parlor, he\u2019d wrapped himself in an afghan she\u2019d crocheted.<\/p>\n

Even bottles of the perfume she\u2019d used were on her dresser, still as sweet as they\u2019d been on the day Elizabeth Stoddard Cartwright had passed from the earth. Beyond the physical reminders, Abel readily shared stories of his daughter that emphasized both her serious and funny sides. Added to that, he\u2019d met friends of his mother who\u2019d painted a clear picture of the girl and woman they\u2019d known.<\/p>\n

The empty vessel in his heart regarding his mother had filled. It didn\u2019t surprise him that Hoss fought the same emptiness. He didn\u2019t have as much to offer Hoss as he\u2019d found in Boston, and even if the young man would set out on a pilgrimage to find out more, the truth was that they\u2019d lost track of Inger\u2019s brother Gunner who\u2019d set out on his own adventure at the same time they\u2019d left for Missouri.\u00a0 A journey might show Hoss where his mother was buried at Ash Hollow, but there\u2019d be few in the Sangamon Valley who\u2019d remember the lovely shopkeeper.<\/p>\n

Adam looked squarely at his dilemma. He was loathe to speak of feelings, preferring the exactness of science and logic. Yet he realized that he was the only <\/em>one who could offer his brother a clearer view of Inger Borgstrom from the perspective Hoss needed.<\/p>\n

Lofting himself onto the wagon bed too, he backed against the sideboards facing the young man. \u201cI was only 5, so my memories are heavily coated with cobwebs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine, Adam. I \u2026 I just get to wondering sometimes how she acted, not what she was \u2018like\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Adam took a deep breath. \u201cA little background is necessary. After more than four years of saving up and waiting for me to get older after we left Boston, Pa declared we were ready to head across the Mississippi and join a wagon train. We stayed in Ohio with Uncle John that last winter, heading west across Illinois come spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another deep breath settled the scenes flashing through his thoughts of what had come next. \u201cYou need to know that when Pa and I pulled into that crossroads town in the Sangamon Valley, he was empty as a man could be. He never let me know how bad things were, but I\u2019d gotten old enough to pick up on some of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d he feel that way?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to guess a little at this, because I was far too young to realize it back then, and I\u2019ve pulled it all together from what I\u2019ve learned in the intervening years. As a widower, there\u2019d have been no expectation that Pa keep me with him, especially not travelling so far for a fresh start. Most thought he\u2019d leave me with Abel or another relative while he made the trip and then send for me once he was settled. But Pa wanted me with him to experience all of that trek.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard Pa say that many times. You don\u2019t recall much from them first years?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBits and pieces. I believe his intent was to head straight over to Missouri from Boston, but he realized quickly it would have been a mistake with a baby or toddler to watch over, and he needed to earn money to keep us going without using the nest egg he\u2019d set aside for the passage west. I remember boarding houses and one job he had in particular, but mostly I just remember always being together. What I came to know was that Pa\u2019s intention for taking me along brought one of three reactions. Some admired him for his devotion both to me and his dream. These were usually the ladies who ran the boarding houses where we lived, and they were so good to us. The next reaction were the behind-the-back whisperers who judged him to be a bad father, risking my life in taking me along so I\u2019d see him as some heroic figure. But the absolute worst were those who\u2019d shake their heads in pity at the \u2018poor man\u2019 trying to raise a child on his own while so deluded as to think he could accomplish his dream. The worst part of the judgment and pity was that those folks never took the time to see what a good job he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 cheek rose in a knowing grimace. \u201cWe all know how much Pa hates for someone to pity or judge us. He\u2019s always said there ain\u2019t no reason for it, cuz we always done the best we could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it exactly. But this explains what happened when he met your mother. We\u2019d been traveling some weeks through foul weather and had lost one of our horses when it slipped in some mud and hurt its leg. Spring had started nice enough in Ohio, but it had turned unendingly rainy, and this part I remember clearly.\u201d Adam shivered involuntarily. \u201cEverything was wet. We rode in wet clothes; slept under covers that felt damp and we often couldn\u2019t find dry wood for fires so we lived on jerky and bread so moldy, we could barely find any parts that weren\u2019t blue and hairy. It followed that I\u2019d get sick. The fever and cough wouldn\u2019t go away, and Pa knew I had to bed down somewhere dry and warm or I would get worse. He\u2019d heard there was a small town ahead and promised to stop there as long as he could find a job. He did, and then used his last few coins to buy bread at the general store there and get a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was Mama\u2019s store.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure was. What she saw on the outside was a man needing a bath, clean clothes and a shave, and when I came inside because I\u2019d started feeling worse, she saw a man needing all those things who also had a hungry, sick child. She didn\u2019t turn her nose up at us; she came to check my forehead and look at my throat, and prescribed something she had to help with the fever. I can still feel her warm, soft hand on my forehead and cheek when I remember that day, and I was instantly smitten.\u00a0 Pa, on the other hand \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought she was one a them who pitied you because she judged him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe so. This was to be our final push to the wagon trains in St. Joe, and yet it was harder than any leg of the trip before this. Pa had me for company, but I also reminded him of someone he\u2019d loved and lost. And maybe he was just sick of not having enough money and always facing something else to contend with. He was tired from driving through mud all day and then staying up half the night worried about me being sick. By the time we got to that town, he seemed almost hard with it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by Pa bein\u2019 hard?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t smile. He was grumpy and short with me. And when he came to the wagon with the news of his job, he looked like he\u2019d been in a fight. He needed a warm bed and a good night\u2019s rest as much as I did, but after getting me settled, he went to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Mama really pity him?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m betting her cut of bread and ladle of milk were generous for what Pa could pay. Then she offered the medicine for free, and Pa snapped at her about paying his own way.\u201d Adam leaned forward to make sure Hoss was looking directly at him. \u201cI didn\u2019t understand any of this back when it happened. Kids don\u2019t consider motive or put labels on kindness; they just accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a minute to consider where to go next. \u201cI wasn\u2019t much older when I truly began to sense those judgments directed towards both me and Pa. But Pa had been experiencing it for nearly five years by that time, and he\u2019d built high walls to handle those sideways glances; the judgmental tsks and then the pity that followed. That day, the last thing he wanted from a beautiful blonde shopkeeper was charity or pity. But Pa judged Inger too, and he was dead wrong. She was genuinely kind, and saw more than a disheveled man. Your mother saw into people\u2019s hearts, Hoss, and she saw Pa\u2019s pain, but also his love for me. She liked what she saw, and was interested in us. The amazing thing was that she didn\u2019t let his grouching stop her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow soon did Pa start liking Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

The older brother chuckled. \u201cIt took a little before he admitted it to himself. I was in bed for a couple days, so Inger brought more medicine, and stayed with me for a while after she closed her shop for the day and Pa was still at work. We played games that I always won until I figured out that she was letting me win. She read me books from her store, or let me read them to her, telling me I was so smart, and she\u2019d sing until I drifted to sleep. Pa walked in when she was there and we were listening to my mother\u2019s music box. It upset him, but your mother handled him so kindly, and asked him to supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThings musta changed then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey did. She invited both of us on a picnic the following Sunday.\u201d Adam looked upwards and became quiet. \u201cThat was one of the happiest days I ever spent. And by the time the picnic ended, I knew Pa liked Mimi a lot. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot you called her that.\u201d<\/p>\n

A nod. \u201cIt was a Swedish term for Mama. After the picnic, Pa and I both went to the Borgstrom house for dinners.\u201d A sly smile passed to his middle brother. \u201cMimi was a good cook, and her favorite things to make are your favorite things to eat. There\u2019s got to be some heavenly connection in that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChicken and dumplins?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe made the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

How \u2018bout sweet taters and roast pork with applesauce?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup. And the best pie ever.\u00a0 Pa said her secret ingredient was love.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother\u2019s description of his mother\u2019s cooking made Hoss smile broadly. \u201cAint that just somethin\u2019. I wish I could\u2019a tasted it.\u201d The smile became a look of longing. \u201cWhat was it like goin\u2019 to Mama\u2019s house for dinner, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa always made sure I washed up and put on my best set of clothes, and when I walked through the door of the Borgstrom house, your mother would lift me up, twirl me around in a circle, and tell me how glad she was to see me. I wasn\u2019t a big kid, but it took some mighty effort to do that. Then she\u2019d take my hand and help me climb onto the big book she\u2019d put on my chair so I could sit higher. It was a dictionary, and she\u2019d always have a word picked out from it that I had to learn before she\u2019d give me my supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed when Hoss gave him a sour look. \u201cI can see that wouldn\u2019t have appealed to you, but I liked it. After Pa and Inger married, she took over my lessons. I\u2019d always been curious about things and caught on easily, but with Inger as my teacher, seasoning each lesson with the same kindness as her cooking, I grew to love learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad Mama had somethin\u2019 to do with you bein\u2019 so smart. So \u2026 what happened next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019d tuck a napkin under my chin and fill my plate with a reasonable amount of food so I could have dessert. I could remember eating like that in some boarding houses and at Uncle John\u2019s place, but my most recent memories of food came from Pa\u2019s efforts. He was not a good cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed hard. \u201cDid he ever cook a meal that wasn\u2019t burned?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so\u2019s I recall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened after supper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d play outside while she and Pa cleaned up and they either sat on the porch steps or we\u2019d all take a walk together. When it got dark, Inger tucked me in on the sofa, with a kiss for sweet dreams. Pa would carry me back to the boarding house later, asleep on his shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long did that go on? I always thought Pa married Mama fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seemed a long time to me then, but was probably only a week or two before they did get married. Pa worked with her at the store until Uncle Gunner sold it, and we packed up for Missouri. I sort of recall something bad happening around that time too. But all I remember is that Uncle Gunner got hurt and Pa and Mimi argued. It scared me, but she said not to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time you ever said anything about this!\u201d Hoss exclaimed as his eyes flew wide open. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI honestly don\u2019t know, Hoss. It just came back to me as I was talking. I don\u2019t think Uncle Gunner liked that his sister wanted to marry Pa, but I don\u2019t know why. Your mama was sad that night, and Pa went to find Gunner, but then there was a doctor and a constable and loud words exchanged and Pa left while Mimi looked ready to cry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t remember nothing more than that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Hoss. I didn\u2019t even remember that much until a few minutes ago. But it ended quickly when your uncle got better and must have told what had happened. After that he liked Pa and was happy for his sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking so many questions, but thank you for answerin\u2019 me and not makin\u2019 me feel dumb fer wantin\u2019 to know. Here\u2019s another one; do you think we could talk to Pa about what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cYou know his feelings about this sort of thing. He says that bringing up past bad memories does no one any good. We are only to learn from what happened, but not relive it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do ya know that for sure? Have you ever tried askin\u2019 him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot about this \u2026.\u201d Adam grinned and rolled his eyes. \u201cBecause I only just remembered it. But when I was in Boston, I got an inkling that there had been trouble between Pa and Abel around the time I was born. One of his old crew we\u2019d met at a pub got more talkative with every glass of beer, and brought up something bad Abel had done after losing command of his ship. \u00a0Grandfather eyed the guy with a black stare and the subject was dropped. On the way home that night, after Abel had imbibed enough to loosen his judgment along with his tongue, we passed the harbor and saw the Wanderer at anchor. It felt to me like he needed to confess something as he began speaking about how he was ashamed of how he\u2019d behaved towards Pa after the owners of the ship had sacked him only because they\u2019d wanted \u00a0a younger man at the helm. I could have encouraged him to say more, but it felt wrong to take advantage of the situation. I changed the subject and he never brought it up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I\u2019m guessing you asked Pa about it since getting\u2019 back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. He was proud that I\u2019d not forced Abel to say more, and said that everyone will face dark times when we might respond in ways that are so unlike us. He actually used himself as an illustration of that, pointing out how he pretty much abandoned us for weeks after Marie died, leaving me and you to run the farm and care for Joe. He concluded by saying he wouldn\u2019t want that to define who he was. He did tell me a little more about Grandfather losing his ship to the unscrupulous new owners of the company, and how he\u2019d felt lost at first. But all I needed to know was that Abel faced his missteps squarely and became an even better man, and that\u2019s the man I got to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see him sayin\u2019 that.\u201d Hoss said while nodding. \u201cI s\u2019pose he\u2019d say the same thing about whatever trouble happened with Uncle Gunner too. You know \u2026 that it wasn\u2019t what he wanted to remember about them times, and it all worked out for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure did. I remember that day we left. I was in the back of the wagon, Pa and Mimi up front, and we said goodbye to Uncle Gunner. That\u2019s when he told us that if they had a son, they should call him Hoss like people called him: a big friendly fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could meet Uncle Gunner one day,\u201d Hoss pronounced with a longing expression before shaking his head. \u201cJust one more question, and I\u2019ll stop. What was it like having Mama with you, instead of just you and Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face held the wistful look his brother\u2019s held moments earlier. \u201cIt was \u2026 nice. No matter how long a day we\u2019d had or how tired she was, Mimi told me bedtime stories and listened to my prayers. Every night after supper she\u2019d \u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s cheeks turned pink as he silenced.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d she do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile Pa tended to the horses, Mimi would sit with me by the fire and wrap her arms around me as we\u2019d talk about the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYer sayin\u2019 she snuggled you?\u201d The younger brother laughed. \u201cI can see why yer blushing, Adam. You ain\u2019t never taken well to bein\u2019 snuggled in the years I\u2019ve know\u2019d you.\u201d Hoss sobered instantly when he saw Adam sigh and look away. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to make fun.\u201d He swallowed hard. \u201cIt must\u2019a been hard to lose them times after Mama \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMimi was naturally gentle and caring. She made me feel safe, and there was something about being around her that made everyone feel happy and want to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s just what I felt with Joe\u2019s mama. Pa was good with us, but she brought a softer side outa everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam allowed the silence to linger a minute to see whether his brother was satisfied. When Hoss remained quiet, he made a final offer. \u201cWe can\u2019t do this just yet because Pa would birth a steer if we\u2019d both ask to be gone a few months over the summer. But \u2026 one day if you want to, we\u2019ll go to Ash Hollow and visit your mother\u2019s resting place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you visit your mama\u2019s grave back in Boston?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few times,\u201d Adam answered truthfully. \u201cThe cemetery wasn\u2019t far from Abel\u2019s house, so I passed it often.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pursed his lips and squinted. \u201cDid it bother you to go there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suspecting what Hoss was getting at, Adam answered honestly. \u201cI paid my respects, but I was staying in the house where she\u2019d grown up and married Pa. I remembered her being alive there, whereas the cemetery made me remember that she \u2026 wasn\u2019t.\u201d He saw Hoss nod his agreement. \u201cAre you saying you\u2019d rather remember your mother alive for now, the way I described my time with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoping that this conversation had found an ending, and that there was work to be done, Adam said, \u201cI recall this conversation starting out with you wondering what it feels like to love someone. Did any of this help with that?\u201d<\/p>\n

The younger brother nodded while running his shirt sleeve across his face to capture the dewiness lingering at the corners of his eyes from hearing about his mother. \u201cSeems like love don\u2019t need the perfect situation, does it? It just needs two people who care a lot and trust each other no matter how good or bad life gets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it in a nutshell!\u201d Adam used Hoss\u2019 conclusion to dig deeper. \u201cTell me more about the disturbing conversation with Jenny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up straighter as it was now his turn to remember. \u201cI stopped by Jenny\u2019s house a couple weeks back on her birthday to drop off a bag of candy I\u2019d bought at Cass\u2019 store. She seemed to like that I\u2019d done that, so I asked her to take a walk with me, thinkin\u2019 if we was alone, she\u2019d give me a little thank you kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hold her hand on the way or try to kiss her once you were away from the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. Fact was she kept a good distance between us, even after we sat on a bench by their pond. I had to get going since Pa was waiting for the parts I\u2019d gotten in town, so I finally asked if I could give her a peck on the cheek before goin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hadn\u2019t meant to laugh, but it shot out unbidden as he pictured Hoss\u2019 awkward attempts at a little affection. Hoss\u2019 shyness was legendary, and he felt bad for the guy, especially when these boy-to-man changes had come so easily to him. He\u2019d gotten his first passionate kiss as a young teen, and he hadn\u2019t needed to \u201cask\u201d for it. His kissing proficiency had grown nicely as there\u2019d always been young ladies willing to participate in a little harmless smooching.<\/p>\n

His mind returned to his brother who at 17, had needed to \u201cask\u201d for a kiss even after giving this girl a gift. \u201cDid she allow that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 head hung. \u201cNope. She said she liked me and the present was nice, but she couldn\u2019t kiss me because she couldn\u2019t even think about marryin\u2019 me yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older brother\u2019s jaw slacked in surprise. \u201cDo they belong to a strict religion that prohibits physical contact before marriage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. What surprised me was that a while back, before Jenny started talkin\u2019 to me at your party, I saw her holdin\u2019 hands with Mark Fleming and they was headin\u2019 towards that place they call Kissin\u2019 Rock just outside town.\u201d Hoss\u2019 face screwed into a knot. \u201cMaybe she didn\u2019t like him as much as me, and didn\u2019t see him as the marryin\u2019 type.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Adam kept his laugh to a low chuckle. \u201cThat makes no sense, Hoss.\u201d The wounded look his comment brought made him soften his tone. \u201cI just mean something\u2019s off. She\u2019s obviously not shy about offering affection to someone else, but then can\u2019t accept a kiss on the cheek from you because you\u2019re not engaged?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyebrows rose as he shrugged.<\/p>\n

Adam drew a long breath, knowing he had to get to the bottom of this or his brother might become even more shy about approaching a girl he liked. \u201cIt\u2019s not wrong to kiss or hold hands with a person you like, Hoss. It\u2019s how you find out whether your feelings can grow past the stage of friendship. As far as you and Jenny; you weren\u2019t asking her to abandon her chastity. It might even be different if you had a reputation for amorous dalliances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed as his expression softened and his cheeks turned rosy. \u201cI only done kissed one other gal before. I wrote you about that. Becky was a gal I might have wanted to marry one day, but her family moved on. I wasn\u2019t even aware that Jenny really liked me, until she came up at your party all smilin\u2019, and hangin\u2019 around me. That\u2019s when she said I should stop by if I was passin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer invitation implied an interest in seeing you again.\u201d Adam\u2019s cheek rose warily. \u201cBut you\u2019re saying that nothing more has happened since my party other than you stopping by her house a couple times when you stayed only a few minutes? She never invited you to come for supper or arranged a picnic for the two of you? And you never took her for a carriage ride or asked her to the ranch while I was gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand your confusion.\u201d Something from the beginning of this trip began to nudge him for consideration. \u201cWhat did you mean earlier when you said I played a part in that conversation with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah.\u201d Hoss leaned forward again. \u201cAfter Jenny refused to kiss me without bein\u2019 engaged, she got to lookin\u2019 all sad, and said it was even worse because we couldn\u2019t even make our engagement official until her sister was married and there ain\u2019t much chance of that.\u201d He shifted his position on the wagon bed like he\u2019d discovered a burr in the seat of his pants. \u201cYa see \u2026 Claire is some past 20 already, so there aren\u2019t many single men her age in these parts. So, um \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cThis is where I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chewing his lip, Hoss\u2019 cheeks began turning from pink to crimson. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to say nothing to you about it, but now that you asked \u2026. Jenny thought that since you got along well with Claire at your comin\u2019 home party, maybe I could ask you to start callin\u2019 on her. She figured all you needed was a nudge and you\u2019d come to see what a good wife she\u2019d make, and propose in no time. Once that happened, Jenny and me could do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite the plan,\u201d Adam stated firmly as his cheeks set in stone and his eyes grew dark. \u201cYou should have told me or Pa about this right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew if you liked Claire, you\u2019d already be seein\u2019 her. I didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019 hopin\u2019 it was jest one of them gal things she\u2019d forget.\u201d He grimaced when he met his brother\u2019s stern stare-down. \u201cI didn\u2019t stop there after that, but why is it when you don\u2019t want to see someone, ya always do! Pa sent me to town the other day, and there she was in the store. First thing she asked was whether I\u2019d talked to you.\u201d He punched his left fist into his right palm. \u201cExplain to me why gals get to makin\u2019 plans about <\/em>us without askin<\/em>\u2019 us first?\u201d<\/p>\n

A long clear laugh disturbed the silence as Adam\u2019s mood relaxed \u201cNow that\u2019s a question for the ages, brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think she\u2019ll let this go if I keep ignorin\u2019 her, Adam, and things can go back to the way they were?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blew a breath through pursed lips while shaking his head. \u201cThis has the markings of manipulation at a higher level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJenny\u2019s parents have a problem. One daughter is older, unmarried and getting to the point where she\u2019ll soon be considered too long in the tooth. None of this is her fault. The Masons saw a new entrant into the pool of bachelors when I got back, and since you and Jenny were already friends \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I get it now,\u201d Hoss said excitedly. \u201cIt was easier to get me interested in Jenny, cuz I already liked her some. Then they figgered I\u2019d do whatever it took to get her, includin\u2019 a little matchmaking between you and Claire.\u201d The young man groaned as though punched. \u201cThat don\u2019t seem fair to any of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not, but it\u2019s not as malicious as some parents get. Before I left for school, a girl I knew only as a friend, just like you and Jenny, was forced by her parents to stage a compromising situation with me so her father could \u2018catch us\u2019 and force a marriage.2<\/sup> He needed help on the farm and figured it was cheaper to marry his daughters off than hire help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stared open-mouthed. \u201cGeesh. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Adam blushed. \u201cYou know how Pa always lectures us about not doing anything we\u2019ll enjoy for a minute and regret for a lifetime? Well, I\u2019d never done anything but talk to that girl before that day and so when she told me there were kittens in the hayloft if I wanted to see them, I went along. Once there she became very forward, putting urges in my head I\u2019d never had before. But something about the whole thing felt wrong and I pretty much \u2026 ran away.\u201d He laughed along with his brother at his admission. \u201cIt was a clumsy move, but not one I regret. \u00a0She confessed later what she\u2019d been trying to do, and why. It made me ill to think her parents would have ruined my life to get a farmhand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened with Jenny don\u2019t seem so bad as that.\u201d Hoss huffed and shook his head. \u201cStill it weren\u2019t right neither for her folks to plan something for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, but their plan could never have worked even if you had been smitten by Jenny. They didn\u2019t account for the Cartwrights keeping sound boundaries about what we\u2019d ever ask each other to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The frown on Hoss\u2019 face set deep. \u201cDo you think Jenny was just usin\u2019 me to get to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly you can figure that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Jenny have qualities beyond being pretty that attract you to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s nice, but like I said; We ain\u2019t never talked about much of anything important \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like the chance to know her better without any pressure?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. But how?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get back to work.\u201d Adam suggested as he slid to the edge of the wagon and jumped down. \u201cWe\u2019ll work our way home, and talk to Pa about it after dinner. This is a scheme that strikes at our family in a way he should know about it. He\u2019ll know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben waited for the last black checker to be jumped in the game between Little Joe and Hoss before rising from his chair to declare, \u201cIt\u2019s time for bed, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

The youngster eyed his family with a suspicious squint, before glancing back at the clock. \u201cIt\u2019s not even eight, Pa. What\u2019s the rush?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo rush, son; I just don\u2019t want you to start another game. It\u2019s a school night, so get washed up and make sure all your books and homework are ready to go for the morning. Then you can read in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d Hoss agreed as he finished putting the checkers in the box and then stowed the game in the credenza. \u201cYou didn\u2019t do that last night and had all of searching for your books this morning until you remembered you\u2019d read your assignment outside and stashed the things back in yer saddlebag.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy blushed, but reclaimed his bravado quickly. \u201cI admit that, but I have a suspicion you three want me gone so you can talk behind my back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had remained mute, but now raised his eyes from his book page to grin at his youngest brother. \u201cSuspicion always haunts the guilty mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed deeply. \u201cDid you come up with that or get it from one of your books.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShakespeare. Henry VI. But it does apply so well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throwing his hands up, Joe headed towards the kitchen, stopping only to look over his shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s time to hit the privy and get to bed when Adam starts his brainy talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Even with declaring acceptance of his fate, it took another 10 minutes before the three older Cartwrights heard Joe\u2019s bedroom door shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa know he\u2019s gonna try listenin\u2019 at the door,\u201d Hoss told the others.<\/p>\n

Ben considered Hoss\u2019 thought and agreed. \u201cLet\u2019s sit around the table instead of in here,\u201d he suggested as he moved to the dining area. \u201cThe ceiling is lower so the sound doesn\u2019t carry.\u201d Bypassing the table, he checked the kitchen and found the pewter pot still warming on the stove, and brought that back with three mugs.<\/p>\n

Seeing what his father had brought out, Adam stopped at the sideboard and withdrew a bottle of good whiskey, holding it up. \u201cFlavoring,\u201d he told the others with a grin.<\/p>\n

Once settled, Ben wasted no more time. \u201cAdam mentioned you\u2019d like to discuss what\u2019s been bothering you lately, Hoss, and that it involves him as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sent Adam a sour, pleading look. \u201cI think Older Brother can explain it faster and better\u2019n I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bearing out his brother\u2019s estimation, Adam had the story clearly laid out in minutes, and posed the question, \u201cWhat do we do about this, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst off, I\u2019m proud you came to me for advice. I agree that this young lady isn\u2019t acting on her own. In its most innocent from, there could be a pact between sisters where they agreed to help each other towards a common goal. If that was the case, they\u2019d more likely arrange an \u2018accidental, but well-planned meeting\u2019 to include all four of you. If it went well, there\u2019d be further meetups until they knew whether Adam would follow through on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben addressed his next words to Hoss. \u201cBut this was an ultimatum. Using a card game as an analogy; they\u2019re playing their bluff, hoping you\u2019ll raise the pot with your brother to stay in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like the way you said that, Pa,\u201d Hoss told the group. \u201cSo how do I play my hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be best if you\u2019d go there and call them on it by laying your cards on the table. Invite Jenny onto her porch where you\u2019re both in plain sight, and tell her plainly your brother is not a poker chip you can play to keep seeing her.\u201d Ben laughed softly when he saw Hoss\u2019 complexion turn white. \u201cBut we all know you\u2019d get so flustered if she started to cry that you\u2019d end up proposing for yourself and Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stricken Hoss began to pink up again, \u201cAin\u2019t that purely the truth!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTurning to Adam, Ben asked, \u201cIs there any possibility that you would be interested in seeing the sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!?\u201d Adam stood abruptly and walked behind his chair. \u201cWhy would you ask that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just a question, son. Sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s certainly pretty, Pa,\u201d Adam said as he sat. \u201cI want a woman who reads and studies regularly; isn\u2019t afraid to have or argue an opinion, and keeps up with current events. That\u2019s not Claire. But it doesn\u2019t mean another man wouldn\u2019t find her interest in gardening, sewing and making a home, exactly what they wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrow rose, taking his cheek along for the ride. \u201cDo either of you know any single men in this area close to Claire\u2019s age?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure don\u2019t,\u201d Hoss offered. \u201cMaybe it is best if I just stay clear of Jenny and this will all go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Father and eldest son locked eyes for a moment in silent understanding. \u201cThe Masons are good people who find themselves unable to solve a problem. But they fired a canon across the bow of the Ponderosa, and I don\u2019t intend to let it go unanswered.\u201d<\/p>\n

As his father spoke, Adam remembered something that made him smile. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll confront their scheme in a reasonable way, Pa, but there may be a way out of this. There are<\/em> eligible bachelors around these parts. And one of them spent most of the afternoon of my party talking with Claire after I\u2019d excused myself to mingle with other guests. Every time I looked towards the barn; she was with Clancy while he watched after the horses for our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw that too!\u201d Hoss said excitedly. \u201cClancy\u2019s a nice guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s just as shy as you are, Hoss.\u201d Ben added. \u201cBut he isn\u2019t a drifter, and he\u2019s been saving his wages in hopes of buying land for a farm during the two years he\u2019s worked for us. I\u2019ve already promised him a few good acres when he\u2019s ready. The fact that his younger brother works here too has kept him on the straight and narrow. They\u2019re both nice young men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019ve come to a conclusion,\u201d Ben said when neither son spoke further. He stood, gathering the coffee pot and mugs. \u201cI\u2019ll go to see the Masons tomorrow. After clearing the air, maybe I can plant a few seeds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cCharley, Emma,\u201d Ben greeted the Masons as he pulled Buck to a stop in their yard and tipped his hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brings you out this way, Ben?\u201d Charley asked the man atop the buckskin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk, Charley.\u201d Ben looked next at Emma. \u201cAll three of us need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

He saw the furtive looks pass between the couple as they walked inside. Emma\u2019s hands were shaking so hard, the empty cups clattered in the saucers as she brought them to the kitchen table. Not wanting a mishap with hot coffee, Ben suggested he fill the cups while she headed back to the cupboard for sugar and spoons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you\u2019ve been making plans for my sons,\u201d Ben began without preamble once they were all sipping Emma\u2019s good brew. \u201cI\u2019d like to clear up a few things about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charley attempted an incredulous reaction as he huffed and postured like an irate rooster. His bravado ended when Emma placed her hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou best tell us what you heard, Ben,\u201d she said in a voice that denied her anxious exterior.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss hasn\u2019t been himself lately, and he finally told Adam and me that your daughter Jenny suggested she couldn\u2019t become \u2018engaged\u2019 to him or apparently even let him give her a peck on the cheek until her sister was on the way to the altar. The solution to this dilemma rested in Hoss presenting his brother in tribute to become Claire\u2019s groom.\u201d He stopped to gage the Mason\u2019s reaction. \u201cWhat made this so unsettling, is because Hoss is adamant he never gave Jenny any indication of being ready to court her or propose. Her ultimatum came out of nowhere.\u201d Ben stopped, laid his hands flat on the table and continued, \u201cExamining this deeper, I see a plan originating further up this family\u2019s chain of command.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma blushed until she was the hue of a ripe beet. \u201cIt never dawned on us that Claire would be older than most of the single men out here. She should have stayed with relatives back east to find a husband before joining us.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cThis \u2026 absence of opportunity \u2026 is not her fault, yet people feel entitled to call her names like spinster or old maid behind her back and even \u2018tease\u2019 her about how the only other old maid in town is Miss Jones, but at least she has a career. There\u2019s been some who\u2019ve been so rude as to suggest our daughter is somehow soiled or unfit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople can be cruel. I\u2019m sorry to hear that Claire has suffered at their unkindness.\u201d Ben\u2019s statement was sincere. His mind slipped back to the many times his family had experienced similar crudeness. There\u2019d been suggestions that he and his sons were tainted with bad luck as evidenced by the loss of three wives and mothers. Hoss had been teased and tormented simply for being taller and heavier than others his age, and Adam had faced judgment from those who couldn\u2019t understand his intelligence and talked behind his back, declaring him odd or damaged as well. He drew from his thoughts as he heard Emma continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d heard you had an older boy away at school when we first settled. And when you invited us to welcome him home, and saw Adam being so nice to Claire, we had Jenny work a little on Hoss, thinking he was easier to bring around first. It was a harmless way to \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet two Cartwrights instead of one with a little underhanded persuasion?\u201d Ben\u2019s smile wasn\u2019t unkind even as he twisted what Emma was about to say into a more truthful statement.<\/p>\n

Charley finally spoke. \u201cThere was no intent to hurt them, Ben. Your boys and our girls are all nice kids who might have made good partners. I felt so helpless when I\u2019d see Claire crying over the things people said. She doesn\u2019t want to go to town or parties any more. When we saw Claire and Adam talking, we decided we had to act because the longer the boy was home, the more likely he\u2019d begin seeing someone, and why couldn\u2019t that someone be Claire. We only wanted Jenny to ask Hoss to remind his brother that he\u2019d enjoyed being with our daughter.\u201d This time Charley blushed. \u201cUnfortunately, after Hoss stopped coming around, we asked Jenny just what she\u2019d said, and realized she\u2019d come on too strong, and had probably scared both your boys off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate that you\u2019ve seen the error in your plan, and didn\u2019t push further. Hoss likes Jenny, but that\u2019s all he feels now. And Adam will never be part of any deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to worry,\u201d Emma said with a sigh as she stood to clear the table. \u201cCharley and I decided I\u2019ll take the girls to San Francisco for the winter months. It\u2019s Claire\u2019s fondest desire to have a husband, home and children. I\u2019ll give her a little time to find a suitor there, but if that doesn\u2019t happen quickly, she\u2019ll need to find a position in a shop or with a seamstress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes began to twinkle. \u201cMaybe you\u2019ve not looked in the right places for an eligible young man in this area.\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n

Charley sat taller in his chair. \u201cI hope you\u2019re not suggesting what I think you are, Ben. I don\u2019t want her settling for some drifter or saloon rat just to get married.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma crossed her arms and pinned Ben with an evil stare. \u201cI agree with my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all young men who come here as drifters want to stay drifters,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cThere\u2019s one in particular, named Clancy who wants to settle down and has already saved enough money to buy land. My boys saw him talking with Claire at the party, and thought they were getting on very well. The problem is that he\u2019s shy, and ranch hands often feel they aren\u2019t equal to the people who are part of the community. Clancy attends church when he\u2019s not away with a herd; he doesn\u2019t drink or gamble; looks after a younger brother who also works for us, and clearly liked being with your daughter.\u201d Ben gave the Masons a chance to think this over before asking, \u201cWould you give Claire a chance with Clancy, or any other decent guy who works in these parts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou swear there are good men in your bunk house?\u201d Charley demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just in ours.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes began to shine again. \u201cThere\u2019s a dance in town next Saturday. I\u2019ll make sure Clancy attends and you bring Claire. Since the boy is so shy, I\u2019ll mention that she\u2019s the young woman he talked with at the Ponderosa, and he should go say hello.\u201d He winked. \u201cNature might take its course when there\u2019s no pressure. And if he isn\u2019t Claire\u2019s cup of tea; I\u2019ll introduce you to other nice guys who would love an invitation to dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

,<\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/strong> (Two months later)<\/p>\n

Adam stopped at the bottom of the stairs, running his index finger inside the starched collar of his white dress shirt to loosen his string tie without having to redo it. It worked enough that it no longer felt like a noose around his neck, and he continued to the front door where he stepped out into the crisp winter morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks to be a good day for a wedding,\u201d he told Hoss as he made it over to the edge of the porch where his brother was standing. \u201cAfter the snow earlier this week, I wondered if we\u2019d be able to host this after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLuckily it warmed up and cleared the roads enough to travel,\u201d Hoss replied as a shiver rippled across his shoulders. \u201cAnyone who wants to come should make it just fine. And since people know the Cartwrights put on a good feed, I\u2019d bet on a good turnout. Any chill they get on the drive will be chased away by Pa\u2019s fine liquor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam assumed a similar stance as Hoss, hooking his thumbs into the pockets of his dress pants as he took a look around the yard. The change from the warmth of the house to the cold outside produced a shiver in the older brother as well. \u201cThe men have things looking nice out here, and the Mason ladies did a great job making pine bouquets and garlands.\u201d He took a deep breath. \u201cI love the scent of fresh cut pine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pointed to a wagon near the barn. \u201cI was showin\u2019 the men where to put our horses out back so they could clean out the barn for later when the drinkin\u2019 gets heavier, the cigars come out and the ladies chase the men outside. I didn\u2019t see a wagon out in the yard when I went inside. Did someone get here already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJenny and Claire came over with their mother to drop off the food Mrs. Mason is providing. I guess they thought it better to change here than wear their wedding dresses in the wagon. They got here a few minutes ago and headed up to the guest room. I\u2019m sure we won\u2019t see them until it\u2019s time to make their grand entrance down the stairway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled widely. \u201cWho\u2019d a thought we\u2019d be havin\u2019 a double wedding on the Ponderosa today. Sometimes things that don\u2019t seem to want to happen, happen real quick-like when the situation is right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s breath created a foggy cloud as he laughed. \u201cIf by the situation being right, you mean Charley Mason seeing the opportunity to pay for one wedding instead of two; then it worked out splendidly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes sense, Adam. The same people would be involved in both weddings. I think the gals like the idea too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stroked his chin like a wise shaman considering the questions of the universe. \u201cNo second thoughts about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen everything turned out perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clancy waved at the brothers as he exited the barn. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go change now,\u201d he shouted as he passed. \u201cThey\u2019re done inside the barn, and the rest of them will get changed shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure looks happy,\u201d Hoss noted as the young man disappeared into the bunkhouse.<\/p>\n

Clancy\u2019s younger brother Jamie exited the barn next and waved as he ran by.<\/p>\n

\u201cJamie looks pretty happy too,\u201d Adam noted. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting that the Cartwrights boys were originally tagged to become grooms for the Mason girls, but the Clancy brothers asked the girls for their hands. I like being a best man a whole lot better for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo brothers marryin\u2019 two sisters ain\u2019t all that uncommon I suppose, but it\u2019s the first time it\u2019s ever happened on the Ponderosa.\u201d He laughed quietly as he nudged Adam. \u201cAnd probably the last time too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad it worked out. All it took was for Claire and Clancy to meet up at that dance for things to get moving. And then Jamie met Jenny and it worked out for them too.\u201d He rubbed his arms to ward off the chill, and turned directly towards Hoss. \u201cWe haven\u2019t had a chance to talk much since that day mending fence. I\u2019ve been gone on that beef sale and then getting the herd set for winter. When I finally came home and heard we were hosting the double wedding, I didn\u2019t want to bring anything up with Little Joe around for fear he\u2019d want to know the whole story \u2026 and then tease you about it. Does it bother you that Jenny is marrying someone else, or did you simply decide you didn\u2019t want to put more time into getting to know her?\u201d<\/p>\n

A blush brightened the middle brother\u2019s neck and cheeks. \u201cI went to the dance that next Saturday intendin\u2019 on getting\u2019 that kiss from her. She agreed to walk with me in the moonlight, and that\u2019s when I told her I wasn\u2019t ready to marry anyone yet, but I\u2019d sure like to hold her hand when we was together, and get a goodnight kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so good as you\u2019d think. She wasted no time telling me she didn\u2019t have them feelin\u2019s for me at all, and had done what her parents told her, hoping you would court Claire. Truth was she thought I was nice and did lots of kind things, but she had no thought of ever kissin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat must have stung.\u201d Adam\u2019s mouth dropped to a deep frown for his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso not so much as you\u2019d think. Honestly, I think I was more relieved than upset, and then Jamie came around lookin\u2019 for me cuz Pa needed something. I knew him pretty well since we\u2019re the same age and always hung together when we worked crew, so I noticed him lookin\u2019 all shy and moony when he said hello to Jenny. When I saw she was acting the same, I introduced them and went to find Pa. He came lookin\u2019 for me later and asked whether she was my gal. I said she was free and clear, and he should ask her to dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds like a rough evening, but it got you out of a fruitless situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt did more\u2019n that, Older Brother. After Jennie went off with Jamie, I saw Bessie Sue Hightower standin\u2019 alone by the door. You know her; she\u2019s taller\u2019n than all the gals, and even most of the guys around here, but she sure is put together good. I asked her to dance. Turns out she\u2019s got lots of callers despite her height, but isn\u2019t interested in getting\u2019 married right now any more\u2019n I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA match made in heaven?\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about that. What I do know was that when I walked her out to her wagon at the end of the dance, she grabbed me and gave me a decent kiss \u2026 right on the lips.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes popped open. \u201cAre you one of those \u2018suitors\u2019 now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe kind\u2019a scares me, Adam.\u201d Hoss shivered again, not from the cold this time. \u201cThe Hightowers are comin\u2019 to the weddin\u2019 today, so maybe I\u2019ll ask her to dance, and get another kiss for my efforts. But that\u2019s all I\u2019m gonna do fer now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be rooting for you!\u201d Adam\u2019s smile was wide and warm. He clapped Hoss on the back and steered him back towards the house. \u201cLet\u2019s go in and give Pa a hand. When I walked through, I could hear him from the kitchen trying to referee the battle of wills between Emma Mason and Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped inside the door as the warmth from a good hardwood fire enveloped him along with the scent of pine from the decorations. He grabbed Adam\u2019s arm and nodded towards the room. \u201cThem ladies sure did make this room into a kind of wonderland, didn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

The green boughs sprinkled with white paint to look like snow; bright red bows, and the holly branches still holding their fall berries, transformed the house. The furniture was removed or pulled aside for more floor space, and the room was decorated for Christmas except for the tree which would have taken too much space.<\/p>\n

Hoss sniffed. \u201cThat day we talked, you never told me what Mama and Pa\u2019s wedding was like.\u201d<\/p>\n

A soft smile washed over Adam\u2019s face as a memory he thought he\u2019d forgotten, fought for recognition. \u201cI can\u2019t remember a lot except a church, and then a picnic afterwards. What I do remember \u2026.\u201d He stopped to choose his words. \u201cWas not how it looked, but how it felt. Inger and Pa held hands, but they each held my hand too while they said their vows. I remember looking up at Pa, and saw him smiling. I told you how in those weeks between Uncle John\u2019s place and arriving in your mama\u2019s town, he\u2019d started to look beaten, grumpy and sad. I hadn\u2019t seen him smile in so long. But your mother saw beyond his grouchy bark to find a good man inside. That smile never left Pa\u2019s face on their wedding day or any other day we were all together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t that just something,\u201d Hoss breathed. \u201cLet\u2019s promise to not marry until we find someone who makes us smile so hard our cheeks hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and wrapped his arm around Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cThat\u2019s a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Little Joe \/ Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1 Background from my story, When Words are Hard to Find<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

2 Background from the story, Say Something<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: After a period of adjustment with Adam’s return from school, life has settled nicely for the Cartwrights … until a new storm cloud seems to be threatening Hoss’ usually good mood and ability to work.
\nRating: G<\/p>\n

Word Count: 12553<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":38456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hoss-and-Adam.jpg?fit=1079%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38455","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\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38455\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}