{"id":4370,"date":"2010-04-28T02:33:04","date_gmt":"2010-04-28T06:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4370"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:55","slug":"a-near-perfect-courtship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4370","title":{"rendered":"A Near-Perfect Courtship (by Puchi Ann)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Little Joe Cartwright is surprised to find himself attracted to shy little Laurie Reynolds, the girl next door. \u00a0Although she isn’t the sort of girl that normally draws his attention, he’s beginning to wonder if she just might be the one true love of his life.<\/p>\n

Rated: K \u00a0WC 22,000<\/p>\n

A Near-Perfect Courtship<\/strong><\/p>\n

A hazy sun was moving toward its zenith when Little Joe Cartwright stepped onto the wooden porch of a small frame house.\u00a0 He swept off his braid-trimmed, sand-colored hat and finger-brushed his chestnut curls into casual order. \u00a0Then he rapped on the front door and stepped back. \u00a0When the door opened, he smiled dreamily at the girl framed in the doorway, as if admiring a portrait in some famous art museum, like his brother Adam said they had back East. \u00a0The girl was dressed in a simple shirtwaist of yellow gingham, covered with a crisp, white, pinafore apron with wide ruffles over the shoulders that looked like angels\u2019 wings to Joe.\u00a0 Her shining brown hair was tied loosely with a yellow ribbon.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Laurie,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d the girl greeted him brightly. \u00a0\u201cI was hoping you\u2019d be by today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I would if I could,\u201d Little Joe reminded her, \u201cand Pa was all in favor of me helpin\u2019 out. \u00a0Is your pa in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie nodded and whispered, \u201cAnd irked as can be that he can\u2019t get out and tend to what needs doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill down in his back, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but he\u2019s some better.\u00a0 Come in, Joe.\u201d \u00a0She moved aside so he could enter and then turned to speak to an older man sitting in a well padded chair near the fireless hearth. \u00a0\u201cPa, it\u2019s Little Joe Cartwright,\u201d she announced. \u00a0\u201cRemember, I said he might drop by?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing Laurie\u2019s father struggle to get out of his chair, Little Joe hurried forward.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, sir.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get up just for me.\u201d \u00a0He thrust out his hand and Mr. Reynolds gripped it in a firm handshake. \u00a0Leaving them to talk, Laurie slipped into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat, boy,\u201d the older man said, his discomfort evident as he settled against the pillows behind his back. \u00a0\u201cLaurie told me you offered to check my fence line for storm damage, and considerin\u2019 the state I\u2019m in and how short-handed I am, I\u2019m much obliged for the kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust bein\u2019 neighborly.\u201d \u00a0Joe shrugged before sitting in the straight-backed parlor chair upholstered in rose-print chintz. \u00a0\u201cFact is, I\u2019ve already checked your fences this morning, Mr. Reynolds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThought you might have.\u201d \u00a0Tom Reynolds leaned forward, wincing. \u00a0\u201cHow bad is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty bad,\u201d Joe admitted ruefully, \u201cat least on the south. \u00a0There\u2019s some damage on the east boundary, too, but not as much.\u201d \u00a0He didn\u2019t mention the north boundary, the one the Reynolds\u2019 ranch shared with the Ponderosa, because he\u2019d already repaired that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many new rails you figure I\u2019ll need?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe told him, adding, \u201cWe\u2019ve got, maybe, half that many already cut at the Ponderosa. \u00a0Pa says you\u2019re welcome to them, and you can pay them back in kind when you\u2019re able. \u00a0No need for money to cross hands between neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take your pa up on that offer,\u201d Reynolds said, his broad smile almost touching his bushy brown sideburns, which were flecked with a few stray strands of slate gray.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019d be happy to put \u2018em in place for you,\u201d Joe offered.<\/p>\n

Reynolds\u2019 lips pursed. \u00a0\u201cOld Pete Larabee\u2019s the only hand I got on the payroll, just now, and he\u2019s in no better shape than me. \u00a0Stormy weather does that to old bones, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe said, although he was only taking the man\u2019s word for it, since weather never affected his sturdy young bones. \u00a0He was surprised that Mr. Reynolds didn\u2019t have more hands than that, with roundup coming on, though this ranch had never been a large and prosperous spread like the Ponderosa. \u00a0Of course, there\u2019d been a lot of winter kill this year, so maybe the Reynolds\u2019 herd had been hit harder than he\u2019d realized and Mr. Reynolds was planning to let it rebuild, rather than market any steers this year. \u00a0If so, one old hand might have been enough until the storm hit.<\/p>\n

Reynolds stroked his chin thoughtfully. \u00a0\u201cWork needs doin\u2019 now, that\u2019s for sure. \u00a0Probably already lost some steers through the gaps.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, you have,\u201d Joe said soberly. \u00a0\u201cI shooed a couple back that were just across your line, but ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 to stop \u2018em from headin\u2019 right back where they were . . . and no tellin\u2019 how many are out wanderin\u2019 the territory.\u201d \u00a0He twirled his hat in his hands. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sure Pa\u2019d be willing for me to help you, but I might have to split my time between here and the Ponderosa. \u00a0Probably take two to three full days or parts of more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t pay you much,\u201d Reynolds said, feeling obliged to make the offer, although he knew the Cartwrights well enough to guess the response.<\/p>\n

Little Joe surprised him, though, when he flashed his infectious grin and said, \u201cI work for sugar cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds laughed heartily. \u00a0\u201cThat sounds more like the wages your brother Hoss would ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but he\u2019d want more of \u2018em. \u00a0I\u2019m a better bargain,\u201d Little Joe chuckled. \u00a0After a pause, he added, \u201cYou know I can\u2019t take your money, Mr. Reynolds; my pa would tan my hide if I took pay for helpin\u2019 a neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you will take dinner with us each day you work here, startin\u2019 right now,\u201d Reynolds said firmly, \u201cand the way my Laurie cooks . . . why, even Hoss might consider it fair pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0As Little Joe pulled the buckboard into the Reynolds\u2019 yard near noon the next day, he saw Laurie pumping water. \u00a0Springing down, he moved to her side and took the pail from her hand.\u00a0 \u201cHere, let me get that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie faced him, arms akimbo and scolded gently, \u201cAs if you weren\u2019t doing enough already, Little Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did quit early,\u201d Little Joe chuckled, \u201cso I guess I\u2019m not too wore out for a mite of chorin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither am I,\u201d Laurie said pointedly, but she couldn\u2019t keep from smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you wouldn\u2019t want to splash water all over that fetching frock, now would you?\u201d \u00a0Joe gave her a mischievous wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goodness, no!\u201d \u00a0Laurie was dressed exactly as she had been the day before, except the apron looked fresh. \u00a0She shook it, raising a fine white dust. \u00a0\u201cSplash water over all this flour, and I\u2019ll soon be coated in paste.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you\u2019ve been baking up my daily allotment of sugar cookies,\u201d Joe teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cHot rolls and apple pie, actually,\u201d Laurie said, \u201calthough there are still a few cookies left, if that\u2019s what you prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe licked his lips. \u00a0\u201cApple pie . . . now, that really is my favorite!\u201d \u00a0He hefted the pail of water and walked toward the side door to the kitchen, with Laurie falling into step beside him. \u00a0\u201cI sure hope I\u2019m not putting you to extra trouble, Laurie.\u00a0 You don\u2019t always have to put a feast on the table, like you did yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, I do,\u201d Laurie laughed. \u00a0\u201cThat was one thing Ma taught me: a working man deserves a hearty dinner to fuel his labor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was a great cook,\u201d Little Joe recalled, climbing the three steps to the door, \u201cand you do her proud.\u201d \u00a0With his free hand he opened the door and turned to see Laurie standing below him, touching a slender finger to the corner of her eye.\u00a0 \u201cSorry,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t mean . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie shook her head to dash the moisture from her eyes. \u00a0\u201cYou needn\u2019t be. \u00a0It was the thought of making her proud that touched me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still miss her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie nodded. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s been almost two years since she and my brother were taken with the fever, so I don\u2019t think of them every day now \u00a0. . . just when something brings her or Clive to mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a blunder-mouthed friend,\u201d Little Joe said ruefully.<\/p>\n

Laurie quickly skittered up the steps and laid her hand on his arm. \u00a0\u201cOh, no. \u00a0What you said meant a great deal to me, Little Joe.\u00a0 I thank you for it.\u201d \u00a0She moved through the doorway. \u00a0\u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe followed her inside. \u00a0\u201cWhere would you like the water?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere.\u201d \u00a0She gestured toward a small table beside the sink.<\/p>\n

Joe put the pail down and wiped his beaded brow with the back of his arm. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d best get out to that pump and clean up for dinner,\u201d he said, moving toward the door.<\/p>\n

Laurie\u2019s bell-like laugh tinkled the air.\u00a0 \u201cYou can wash up in here. \u00a0I\u2019ll even donate a bar of soap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might take a whole bar,\u201d Joe joked back.<\/p>\n

Laurie flicked his shoulder with a flour-sack towel. \u00a0\u201cWell, now, if it\u2019s a full bath you need, I will be sending you out to the horse trough!\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Joe could think of a snappy comeback, another voice called out, \u201cLaurie, someone in there with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Laurie called back. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s Little Joe. \u00a0He\u2019s just cleaning up for dinner.\u201d \u00a0She gave him a pixyish smile. \u00a0\u201cI guess you\u2019ll have to pass on the horse trough this time. \u00a0Pa\u2019ll want to talk to you about how the work\u2019s going.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was, of course, exactly the topic Tom Reynolds brought up when Little Joe went into the parlor. \u00a0\u201cI started with the worst breaks,\u201d Joe reported, \u201cso I used up rails faster than if I\u2019d just moved from one end to another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you did it that way,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n

Little Joe leaned forward, his forearms resting on his bent knees. \u00a0\u201cI thought I\u2019d better ask you how you wanted me to manage from here, though. \u00a0I thought I\u2019d use up what rails I have first, of course, get as many breaks as possible closed. \u00a0Then I can either try to round up your strays and hope they don\u2019t leak back through the smaller breaks or see about getting more rails and finish the whole line first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds\u2019 set lips skewed first one way and then the other as he chewed on the issue. \u00a0\u201cLike to get my cattle back on my own land . . . soon as you think they\u2019ll hold. \u00a0Gonna take time to chop trees and split enough rails to do the whole job, though. \u2018Course, if we don\u2019t do that first, you might just end up huntin\u2019 strays twice. \u00a0Don\u2019t like to abuse your time, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not worried about it,\u201d Little Joe said with a shrug. \u00a0\u201cPa said I could be over here as much as I\u2019m needed this week, but after that he\u2019ll have more for me to do at home . . . with roundup comin\u2019 up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds nodded his acknowledgement of the needs of a ranch for all hands during roundup. \u00a0He\u2019d even need to hire an extra man or two himself for that, since neither he nor old Pete were fit to bring a calf down for branding.\u00a0 \u201cTell you what, son. \u00a0Patch things as best you can this afternoon, maybe leave off the top rails if you\u2019re runnin\u2019 short, so you can cover more of the line. \u00a0Then if you have time, scout around some for strays. \u00a0Tomorrow we\u2019ll see about gettin\u2019 more rails. \u00a0You don\u2019t mind choppin\u2019 \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I mind. \u00a0It\u2019s one of my least favorite chores, \u2018cause Pa\u2019s so fond of dolin\u2019 it out as punishment.\u201d \u00a0He rubbed his chin between his left thumb and index finger in apparently deep contemplation. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll have to charge extra sugar cookies to sweeten that job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds threw back his head and laughed. \u00a0\u201cAll you can eat, boy, all you can eat. \u00a0You stop by here tomorrow morning, and I\u2019ll ride up with you, show you which trees I want cut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need for that, Mr. Reynolds,\u201d Joe said seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I\u2019m not so feeble I can\u2019t sit on a buckboard,\u201d Reynolds chided, \u201cand I\u2019m particular about which trees get cut on my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I know,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou and my pa think real similar about conservative cutting, and that\u2019s why you don\u2019t need to risk jarring your back on that buckboard. \u00a0If I just cut the way I know Pa would want it done on the Ponderosa, I can almost guarantee you\u2019d be satisfied.\u201d<\/p>\n

A warm glow filled the older man\u2019s brown eyes. \u00a0\u201cI reckon it would pay me to remember that I\u2019m dealin\u2019 with one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s boys. \u00a0All right, young fella, you just cut \u2018em the way your pa\u2019s taught you, and I \u2018spect I\u2019ll be satisfied. \u00a0Now, shall we see what Laurie\u2019s got laid out for us today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 As usual, the sun was still low on the horizon when Adam and Hoss Cartwright descended the stairs the next morning. \u00a0What was not usual was the sight of both their father and youngest brother already seated at the breakfast table. \u00a0In apparent need of support after such a shock, Adam grasped the newel of the stair post. \u00a0\u201cCan it be?\u201d he asked, his other hand groping for the strength of Hoss\u2019s brawny shoulder. \u00a0\u201cOur beloved baby brother up with the sun?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laid a solicitous palm across Adam\u2019s forehead. \u00a0\u201cWell, you ain\u2019t got a fever, so you cain\u2019t be seein\u2019 things. \u00a0Only one explanation I can think of.\u201d\u00a0 He cracked a wide grin. \u00a0\u201cOld Man Sun must have overslept this mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe stretched across the table to grab the platter of bacon. \u00a0\u201cI was gonna leave you some,\u201d he called, \u201cbut if that\u2019s how you\u2019re gonna act, I don\u2019t feel much inclined to generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss abandoned Adam and hustled across the room to rescue the bacon.\u00a0 Adam hurried after him. \u00a0While he had no concern whatsoever that Little Joe would gobble down a whole platter of bacon, Hoss was another matter altogether, and it didn\u2019t pay to leave one\u2019s interests unprotected at the Ponderosa table. \u00a0\u201cWell, well,\u201d Adam said as he spread his checked napkin in his lap, \u201cto what do we owe your rare and stimulating presence at the breakfast table, my boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe scowled at his eldest brother. \u00a0\u201cWell, it sure ain\u2019t so\u2019s I can enjoy your aggravatin\u2019 company!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys,\u201d Ben said in a warning tone.<\/p>\n

Adam acknowledged the admonition with a nod, while Joe took his father\u2019s caution to mean that he was supposed to answer his brother\u2019s question in a civil tone this time. \u00a0\u201cI just wanted to get an early start,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll be cutting timber for fence rails, and I\u2019d rather do it before the day heats up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood plan,\u201d Adam said, accepting a small plate of toast from Joe. \u00a0As he buttered it, he observed in a tone circumspect enough to avoid his father\u2019s censure, \u201cI must say, I\u2019ve been fascinated to see the evolution of your sense of civic responsibility, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brows knit together as he waded through what he considered unnecessary verbiage. \u00a0\u201cJust bein\u2019 neighborly,\u201d he said slowly, still not one hundred percent certain he\u2019d deciphered his brother\u2019s comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but to which neighbor?\u201d \u00a0There was definite teasing in the smirk Adam turned toward his brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss caught on quickly. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m guessin\u2019 it\u2019s the gal,\u201d he chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only see her at dinner,\u201d Little Joe argued, and even to him it sounded as ride-worthy as a three-legged horse.\u00a0 \u201cLaurie\u2019s a nice girl,\u201d he added and immediately winced at words that sounded like he\u2019d lopped another leg off that unfortunate pony. \u00a0Both Hoss and Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, she is,\u201d Ben inserted, \u201cand you boys will not make sport of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we\u2019re not making sport of her<\/em>,\u201d Adam assured his father, while twitching a smile at Joe. \u00a0\u201cWe were just wondering when little brother here intended to pop the question.\u201d \u00a0He expected a snappy retort from Joe and was surprised to see his brother nervously nibble his lower lip as he stared fixedly at his half-full plate. \u00a0Adam set down his knife and the toast. \u00a0\u201cAre you planning to ask her to marry you?\u201d he asked seriously.<\/p>\n

Little Joe didn\u2019t respond until his father spoke his name questioningly, diminutive included. \u00a0Then he lifted his head and said, \u201cOf course not. \u00a0We ain\u2019t even courtin\u2019 . . . yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The last word had been tacked on so softly that it was barely audible, but they all heard it and for a moment could do nothing but stare at one another. \u00a0Then Adam asked, his voice grave, \u201cIs that what all this eagerness to work over at the Reynolds\u2019 place is about, to make her father feel obligated to let you court his daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head jerked up as if on the receiving end of an uppercut to the jaw.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u201d he cried. \u00a0\u201cOne\u2019s got nothing to do with the other. \u00a0I\u2019m helping him because he needs help, pure and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear that, Joseph,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut if you do ask Tom Reynolds\u2019 permission to court Miss Laurie, it might be best to make that clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shoved his chair back and jumped up. \u00a0Tossing his napkin onto the table, he barked, \u201cWhy do old folks always have to complicate everything?\u201d and stormed out of the house.<\/p>\n

Hoss gave a low whistle. \u00a0Adam\u2019s eyes wandered from his father\u2019s face to that of his brother. \u00a0\u201cOld folks?\u201d he asked in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Face set in angles as sharp and solid as his axe blade, Little Joe slammed the tool into the trunk of the tree, wrenched it free and again attacked the resistant wood. \u00a0All around him lay the evidence of how earnestly he\u2019d tried to vent his fury on the hated chore, but it only added up to dismal failure. \u00a0Perspiration poured over his bare torso, for he had allowed himself no rest this morning, and the sweltering sun had shown no mercy. \u00a0As the tree fell, he paused long enough to wipe the sweat trickling from his forehead into his eyes and finally took a long, slow breath. \u00a0It was pointless, of course, this punishing himself for what those three maddening older Cartwrights had said. \u00a0It wouldn\u2019t hinder them from teasing him just as hard at supper as they had at breakfast; it would just leave him too tired to ease off the hair trigger of his temper.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How could they, though? \u00a0How could they make sport of him and the girl he . . . loved?\u00a0 Did he love Laurie? \u00a0He\u2019d said as much to Pa the other night, but he\u2019d said it so many times before that he wasn\u2019t sure he could trust his own heart. \u00a0Maybe that\u2019s what was fueling his family\u2019s doggone humor, too, memories of all those other times he\u2019d professed love for some sweet little gal, only to decide a week later that some other pretty little thing was the true love of his life. \u00a0Was Laurie that, the true love of his life? \u00a0He had a strong feeling that she might be, but the feeling needed testing.\u00a0 He knew one thing for certain: he didn\u2019t want to hurt her. \u00a0She was too special . . . had always been too special . . . to risk hurting.<\/p>\n

Knowing that he\u2019d more than earned a break, he wedged the blade of the axe into the stump of the felled tree and dropped to the needle-strewn earth near it. \u00a0He lifted a pinecone and began absently peeling away its prickly scales. \u00a0He smiled softly as he remembered the first time he\u2019d taken any particular notice of Laurie. \u00a0She\u2019d been in school with him from the beginning, but it had been easy to overlook such a shy, quiet girl, especially when he wasn\u2019t interested in girls at all back then. \u00a0If he\u2019d given her any thought, he\u2019d probably just written her off as a goody-two-shoes, not a lick of mischief flickering in her dreamy eyes.<\/p>\n

Then Miss Jones had given them that horrible Valentine\u2019s Day assignment, the one that had landed him smack in the middle of trouble, just because he\u2019d decorated his with a picture of Cochise. \u00a0Shucks, who did he love better back then? \u00a0But Miss Jones had acted like he\u2019d committed sacrilege against holy matrimony or something, and, Pa being busy at home, Adam had had to work some of his special magic with words to break him out of Miss Abigail\u2019s jail that day.<\/p>\n

It was when he got home and had a chance to open all the valentines from his friends that he\u2019d first thought there was more to Laurie than he\u2019d suspected.\u00a0 The girl could draw! \u00a0She\u2019d sketched a real nice picture of him and Cochise on her valentine, which also told him that she was a girl with more sense than sentiment. \u00a0Her admiring the beauty of a horse like Cooch proved it. \u00a0After that, he\u2019d carried her books home from school a few times, but then he\u2019d started noticing other girls, the kind with long blonde ringlets and eyes as blue as Tahoe, and he\u2019d sort of forgotten about mousy little Laurie with the wavy brown hair. \u00a0Never once thought of sparking her to a barn dance or a church picnic.<\/p>\n

Now, as he tossed aside the peeled pinecone and leaned back on his elbows, he couldn\u2019t think of anything else. \u00a0There was a box social coming up the end of the week, too. \u00a0He\u2019d had more than one girl hinting at how her box of goodies would be wrapped, but he hadn\u2019t promised anyone yet that he\u2019d bid for hers. \u00a0Maybe he should do a little detective work and see what Laurie\u2019s would look like . . . or maybe not. \u00a0Maybe she\u2019d read it as a commitment to court. \u00a0He wasn\u2019t sure he was ready for that yet, and he\u2019d sure hate to disappoint her if she thought the evening meant more than it did. \u00a0Maybe he\u2019d best keep his mouth shut . . . and maybe he\u2019d best get back to chopping trees. \u00a0He jumped to his feet and reached for the axe.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Little Joe finished his last bite of blackberry pie and leaned back in his chair as his tongue wiped the last drop of sweet juice from his lips. \u00a0\u201cMiss Laurie, you are plumb spoiling me with these daily feasts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie laughed. \u00a0\u201cI might believe you if I hadn\u2019t seen the spreads Hop Sing lays out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does a fine job,\u201d Little Joe admitted, \u201cbut that\u2019s about the best blackberry pie I\u2019ve ever tasted, his included. \u00a0You packin\u2019 that in your box for the school social or the apple, like you made yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n

Long lashes veiled the girl\u2019s eyes. \u00a0\u201cI . . . don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be going, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mouth dropped open.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, you gotta.\u201d \u00a0Embarrassed by the earnestness so evident in the way he\u2019d said those words, he grabbed his napkin and blotted his mouth, mostly to give himself something to hide behind. \u00a0\u201cI mean, you wouldn\u2019t want to cheat some lucky fellow out of that blackberry pie . . . or apple . . . and it\u2019s in a good cause.\u201d \u00a0The proceeds of the auction of the box suppers would be used to purchase new desks to replace the sadly worn ones that had been in the schoolroom long before he and Laurie had attended there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but . . .\u201d \u00a0Her voice trailed off as she took a furtive glance at her father.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long ride,\u201d Tom Reynolds said, \u201cbut if I\u2019m up to taking you by Saturday night, I sure will, darling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa,\u201d Laurie said with an understanding smile that communicated her complete confidence in his love, \u201cbut I wouldn\u2019t want you to push yourself on my account. \u00a0There\u2019ll be other socials.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, but this one\u2019s special,\u201d Little Joe argued.<\/p>\n

She cocked her head at him, a silent invitation to explain why.<\/p>\n

Joe scrambled for a reason and couldn\u2019t come up with one. \u00a0\u201cI mean . . . well . . . that is, I . . . I just hate to see you miss a good time, and having sampled your good cooking this week, I just know your box would bring a high price in the auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her father chuckled. \u00a0\u201cIf the young fellows knew what we know, you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe said and then flushed as that earnestness crept in again. \u00a0\u201cAnd . . . well, if it\u2019s only a ride you\u2019re needing, Laurie, I\u2019d be right proud to give you one. \u00a0As a neighbor, it\u2019s practically on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie\u2019s eyes had sparkled for a moment, and then the light faded. \u00a0\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know,\u201d she said slowly. \u00a0\u201cI\u2014um\u2014wouldn\u2019t want to interfere with any other plans you\u2019d made.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s cheeks reddened even more. \u00a0\u201cI haven\u2019t made any plans . . . except to attend. \u00a0Please come, Laurie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u201d\u2014she dragged the word out thoughtfully\u2014\u201cI guess we could ride together . . . as neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah . . . as neighbors,\u201d Little Joe chimed in softly.<\/p>\n

Tom Reynolds looked from one young person to the other and adopted Little Joe\u2019s device of blotting his lips with his napkin to hide his perceptive smile.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0As Little Joe guided the buggy south, he was feeling just a mite perturbed with both his family and himself. \u00a0His brothers had hooted raucously when he\u2019d trotted out his \u201cbeing neighborly\u201d explanation for why he needed the buggy for the box social, and even Pa hadn\u2019t kept a straight face as he had assured Joe that, of course, he was welcome to use the family rig to drive their neighbor to the charity event.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt certainly makes for convenience,\u201d Adam had stated loftily with an exquisitely arched eyebrow.<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s brows had drawn together at that, knowing there was always more behind Adam\u2019s words than their simple meaning, especially when they were accompanied by that exasperating eyebrow arch.<\/p>\n

Seeing his little brother\u2019s perplexed expression, Adam had spoken more plainly. \u00a0\u201cMakes it much easier to know which box to bid on when you escort it to the social.<\/p>\n

Hoss had outright guffawed at that.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right, older brother. \u00a0Ain\u2019t a doubt in my mind but what that\u2019s behind all this neighborliness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that at all!\u201d Little Joe had protested before storming out with rafter-raising cackles echoing in his wake.<\/p>\n

The further he\u2019d gotten from the house, the less upset with the other three Cartwrights and the more disconcerted with himself he\u2019d become.\u00a0 Who was he fooling? \u00a0Himself, he supposed, if he honestly thought he was giving Laurie a ride for any reason other than wanting her company, but had he said that to her, straight out?\u00a0 Oh, no. \u00a0He\u2019d skirted all around it with this notion of their going \u201cas neighbors,\u201d and now he felt stuck with it because he didn\u2019t have any idea what Laurie\u2019s true feelings were. \u00a0Was she hoping that he\u2019d bid on her box or was there some other fellow she\u2019d rather share it with?<\/p>\n

Of course, the couples weren\u2019t supposed to pair up until the auction did it \u201cby chance,\u201d but almost everyone made plans ahead of time. \u00a0Hoss, for instance, knew exactly what Bessie Sue Hightower was packing to tempt his appetite, and Abigail Jones had dropped Adam a hint at church on Sunday as to what her box would look like. \u00a0That made it easier for him to avoid it like the plague, of course, same as Pa would that of the widow Hawkins, if he could figure out which box supper belonged to her. \u00a0Joe\u2019d had plenty of hints thrown his way, too, but hadn\u2019t decided exactly whose box he wanted to bid on until today, and now he wasn\u2019t sure that box wasn\u2019t already spoken for. \u00a0Laurie\u2019d never seemed like the kind of girl who\u2019d have a string of fellows lined up for her attentions, but more than once he\u2019d dallied around, taking some girl for granted, only to learn after he\u2019d made his choice, that she\u2019d given up on him and agreed to let some other man squire her around. \u00a0Yeah, as close to his vest as he\u2019d played his cards for this social, he was the one likely to end up left out in the cold with the widow Hawkins or, worse, Abigail Jones.<\/p>\n

With a shudder at that prospect, he reined up in the Reynolds\u2019 front yard and barely had time to jump out of the buggy before Laurie came down the steps. \u00a0His heart fluttered for a moment, realizing she must have been watching out the window for him, but then it plummeted. \u00a0If anything, that was just more proof that she didn\u2019t think of this night as anything special, for if she\u2019d thought he was calling on her, she\u2019d surely have waited for him to knock at the door and collect her like a proper gentleman. \u00a0No, coming out alone like this was a sure sign that she was trying to be accommodating, not keeping her neighbor waiting even long enough for simple courtesy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs something wrong, Little Joe?\u201d Laurie asked hesitantly as she stood at the bottom of the steps.<\/p>\n

Feeling the frown lines that his wrestling thoughts had traced across his forehead, he consciously relaxed them and plastered a smile on his face. \u00a0\u201cNot a thing,\u201d he assured her. \u00a0\u201cJust wasn\u2019t expecting you to meet me out here in the yard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to delay you,\u201d she said with a tight smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re always so thoughtful,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

Her lips relaxed then. \u00a0\u201cNo more than you,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

He reached for the box in her hand. \u00a0\u201cHere, let me take that for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed lightly as she handed it to him.\u00a0 \u201cSee what I mean? \u00a0Thoughtful.\u201d<\/p>\n

He made an elaborate show of stowing it carefully beneath the buggy seat, which gave him a good chance to study how it was decorated . . . just in case. \u00a0Not as fancily fixed up as some girls might have done, but he admired the simplicity of the plain white box, tied with a ribbon matching the one in her hair. \u00a0Like her hair, the box\u2019s ribbon had a sprig of lilac tucked into it. \u00a0He was sure he\u2019d spot it, no matter how many fancy boxes tried to outshine it.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

He spun around quickly, flushing at the realization that he\u2019d been doing exactly what aggravating Adam had predicted.\u00a0 \u201cOh, sorry, Laurie. \u00a0Let me help you up.\u201d \u00a0He reached for her hand and assisted her into the buggy. \u00a0\u201cYou look beautiful tonight,\u201d he said as she settled her skirts on the seat. \u00a0So beautiful that she almost took his breath away, in fact, but he couldn\u2019t bring himself to say words that sounded so artificial. \u00a0She was dressed in her Sunday best, in a ruffled frock of lavender calico. \u00a0Her hair was curled into a mass of soft brown ringlets, tied back with ribbon, and the fading afternoon sun brought out its golden highlights. \u00a0\u201cYou smell real good, too\u2014the lilac, I mean,\u201d he sputtered hastily, kicking himself for the awkward compliment. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2014it suits you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very kind,\u201d she replied, veiling her violet eyes with long, silky lashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very truthful,\u201d he said with a grin. \u00a0\u201cMy Pa took pains to teach me that.\u201d \u00a0He gave his backside a slight rub and was delighted to hear her tinkling laughter in response. \u00a0Walking around the back of the buggy, he climbed in beside her. \u00a0He clucked at the team to get them moving, turned to her and asked, \u201cSo, which is it: blackberry or apple?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She blushed prettily. \u00a0\u201cApple . . . and some sugar cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

His heart started to flutter again. \u00a0He\u2019d told her apple pie was his favorite, and the addition of the sugar cookies that had come to have special significance for them made it even more likely that she\u2019d packed that box with him in mind.\u00a0 Was it too much to hope? \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s . . . nice,\u201d he stammered awkwardly. \u00a0\u201cUh . . . I mean . . . whoever gets that box will be a lucky man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said a little stiffly and looked away. \u00a0\u201cMy, isn\u2019t the weather perfect for a picnic this evening?\u201d she commented absently.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yes . . . yes, it is,\u201d Little Joe responded, feeling suddenly as inept as a kid out with a girl for the first time. \u00a0If this had been any other girl, any of the dozens he\u2019d squired to parties before, he\u2019d have made some smooth remark about her eyes shaming the sun with their shining, but this evening he just couldn\u2019t seem to make small talk at all. \u00a0The ride was mostly silent, with only the most innocuous of comments passing between them.<\/p>\n

They were still about a quarter mile from WashoeLake, where the auction and subsequent picnic were to take place, when Laurie said, \u201cYou can let me out any time now, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

He frowned across at her. \u00a0\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her fingers twisted her calico skirt. \u00a0\u201cI mean, if you\u2019d rather not have the other girls know that you drove me in, I could walk the rest of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

His frown deepened.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Laurie.\u201d \u00a0Then an awful thought struck him. \u00a0\u201cUnless you\u2019d rather not have the other fellows thinkin\u2019 that we came as a couple.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up quickly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no. \u00a0I didn\u2019t mean . . . I mean . . . I was thinking of you.\u201d \u00a0Her voice faded, and her eyes again fixed on the folds of her skirt.<\/p>\n

His smile was tender as he lifted her chin with two fingers. \u00a0\u201cThen, don\u2019t be silly,\u201d he said softly. \u00a0\u201cLet \u2018em think what they will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her violet eyes glistened, and her lower lip trembled as she nodded wordlessly. \u00a0They pulled up next to the line of other buggies and horses lining WashoeLake, and Little Joe helped her down. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll need my box,\u201d she said when he stood there, holding her by the arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh . . . yeah . . . sure.\u201d \u00a0He reached under the seat and handed it to her. \u00a0White . . . lavender ribbon . . . sprigs of lilac.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d best get it over to the table,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. \u00a0I\u2014uh\u2014guess I\u2019ll see you afterwards . . . if you don\u2019t get an invite elsewhere, I mean.\u201d \u00a0He fumbled with the horses\u2019 harness to hide the crimson creeping over his cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you give one elsewhere . . . well, don\u2019t worry about me,\u201d she said, eyes fixed on the lilac adorning her box. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sure someone will see me safe home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll see,\u201d he mumbled, exhaling gusty exasperation with himself as soon as she\u2019d walked away. \u00a0\u201cBoy,\u201d he grunted to the horse, \u201cI sure handled that well, huh?\u201d \u00a0He secured the animal and then walked toward the southern edge of the lake, where a few poplars and cottonwoods provided shade. \u00a0Not that it would be needed much longer. \u00a0Already the sun was shooting rosy rays at the horizon, and soon it would sink and leave the paired couples to picnic under the full moon and the twinkling stars.<\/p>\n

He spotted his friends Mitch and Tuck and ambled over to greet them. \u00a0\u201cFine spot for the social,\u201d Tuck observed. \u00a0\u201cNot that the Ponderosa wouldn\u2019t be a prettier one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Easing his hands into his back pockets, Joe chuckled. \u00a0\u201cTahoe\u2019s a prettier lake, to be sure, but this one\u2019s a sight more convenient for folks from Virginia City, especially for an evening social.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd pretty enough in its own right,\u201d Mitch threw in. \u00a0WashoeLake couldn\u2019t compare with the majestic beauty of Lake Tahoe, of course; they all knew that. \u00a0The shoreline offered next-to-nothing to catch the eye, but the waters themselves were a sheet of shimmering sapphire, and the waxy golden buttercups that hid among the tule shoots at the northern end were lovely to look at on a summer night like this one.<\/p>\n

\u201cLake ain\u2019t nothin\u2019, compared to all that prettiness,\u201d Tuck said with a grin as he aimed his chin toward the platform where all the girls were depositing their boxes. \u00a0\u201cGot your eye on a special one?\u201d he asked his friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo or three I wouldn\u2019t mind sampling,\u201d Mitch said, grinning back. \u00a0\u201cSort of depends on how high the bidding goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame here,\u201d Tuck said, \u201conly in my case I\u2019m likely to get outbid for anything I\u2019d really like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I get fixed up first and got anything left, I\u2019ll loan you some,\u201d Mitch offered. \u00a0He glanced over at Joe and when he got no response, cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? \u00a0Oh . . . yeah, sure,\u201d Joe said absently. \u00a0\u201cSame here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitch shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re mighty pensive, Joe. \u00a0You got your sights set on any particular pretty up there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d \u00a0Joe gave an overly elaborate shrug.\u00a0 \u201cNo, \u2018course not.\u201d \u00a0Remembering his remark to Laurie earlier about how his pa had taught him truthfulness, he figured that if he\u2019d been younger, Pa might have well and properly dusted his britches for the whopper he\u2019d just uttered. \u00a0\u201cThat is to say, it\u2019s more a matter of setting my sights away from certain boxes, if you get my meaning.\u201d \u00a0That one was worthy of nothing less than a full blown \u201cnecessary little talk\u201d!\u00a0 But the stratagem worked. \u00a0All ears, the other two leaned in as Little Joe detailed what he knew about the boxes of Bessie Sue, since no one would want to bid against Hoss, and of Abigail Jones, with whom none of the three would be caught dead on a starlit picnic. \u00a0He mentioned the hints a couple of girls had given him about how their boxes would be dressed, but assured them that he didn\u2019t care if they outbid him for those.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Mitch asked. \u00a0\u201cI hear tell Becky Saunders bakes a \u00a0mean pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrefer mine sweet,\u201d Joe chuckled. \u00a0\u201cUh-oh, we better get over there. \u00a0Looks like the mayor\u2019s mounting the platform to start the bidding.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the auction began, Little Joe craned his neck, trying to spot Laurie\u2019s box and finally gave up. \u00a0Just like that girl to let other gals push their boxes forward while hers got buried behind all the flashy furbelows and fancy fixings! \u00a0Well, he\u2019d just have to show some patience and hope hers wasn\u2019t too far down the line.<\/p>\n

His eyes widened when the mayor held up the most garishly decorated box on the table. \u00a0He didn\u2019t know it for a fact, but he\u2019d have bet even odds on that one belonging to Clementine Hawkins, \u2018cause it looked like it belonged in a circus. \u00a0Pa must have figured it out, too, \u2018cause he studiously ignored the entire auction for the gaudy thing. \u00a0No one would know for certain until the auction ended and the couples matched up, but Joe was sure he saw a look of disappointment cross the widow\u2019s face when a bewhiskered old miner nabbed that box.<\/p>\n

One by one, the boxes were bid on and bought, some for large prices, some for a pittance. \u00a0No one but Hoss bid on Bessie Sue\u2019s, either out of respect for him or lack of interest in that big-boned gal, if they guessed the box was hers. \u00a0He bid high, anyway, to honor her and to support the cause. \u00a0Pa and Adam didn\u2019t get as free a ride, but both had deep enough pockets to insure that they got the boxes they wanted. \u00a0Joe could only hope they\u2019d chosen well, since he didn\u2019t have a clue who those particular boxes belonged to.<\/p>\n

Abigail Jones\u2019 box came up for auction, and Little Joe groaned when he saw one of their own men, Hank Meyers, come up the winner\u2014or, to his mind, loser\u2014of that one. \u00a0\u201cGuess you didn\u2019t think to give him the word, huh?\u201d Mitch snickered.<\/p>\n

Mouth skewed sourly to one side, Joe shook his head. \u00a0\u201cHey, that\u2019s Becky\u2019s box coming up now,\u201d he advised. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll put in a bid, to keep in her good graces, but it\u2019s yours if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, buddy,\u201d Mitch said, and grinned broadly when he was able to snare the box of his choice. \u00a0He stuck close by, to see if Tuck would need his help, but the shy young man was able to pay his own bill. \u00a0\u201cWhose is that?\u201d Mitch demanded.<\/p>\n

Tuck shrugged. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t know.\u00a0 I\u2019m just takin\u2019 my chances tonight. \u00a0I sort of liked the way it was dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood a way of choosing as any,\u201d Little Joe said, \u201cif you got no particular leaning one way or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, either you got no particular leaning any direction or you\u2019re waiting for something special,\u201d Mitch accused. \u00a0\u201cYou ain\u2019t put in nothin\u2019 but token bids all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot my eye on one,\u201d Joe admitted, \u201cand I think it\u2019ll be comin\u2019 up soon now.\u201d \u00a0He\u2019d finally spotted Laurie\u2019s box at the opposite end of the table from where the mayor was picking them. \u00a0Just his luck, hers would be one of the last to go. \u00a0If he didn\u2019t get it, he\u2019d have precious little left to bid on. \u00a0There were more fellows here than girls, too, so he just might end up left out in the cold, eating from the general table supplied by the married folks and those too old to care about mating up. \u00a0Serve him about right, he figured, to spend the night serving a bunch of toothless grannies. \u00a0What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive<\/em>. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t remember what writer had said that, but he felt tangled enough in falsehoods tonight to deserve whatever web he landed in.<\/p>\n

Finally, the mayor lifted the white box tied with lavender ribbon.\u00a0 \u201cSweet and simple,\u201d he said.\u00a0 He leaned over and sniffed. \u00a0\u201cSmells delightful, young gents, and there aren\u2019t many dinners left. \u00a0Better bid while you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty dollars!\u201d Little Joe called out, walking closer to the platform, with Mitch and Tuck trailing in his wake.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhose is it?\u201d Tuck asked in a stage whisper that Joe ignored.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty five!\u201d called another fellow.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-seven-fifty,\u201d hollered another, who dropped out of the bidding as soon as Little Joe overbid him with a shout of \u201cThirty!\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man bid thirty-five and Joe countered with forty, scrambling through his pockets to make sure of exactly what he had.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat fellow bidding against you\u2014his pa owns the Gould and Curry,\u201d Mitch observed.<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave a grim nod, his mouth tightening even more when the other man bid fifty dollars \u00a0What on earth had made a fellow with pockets that deep wait this long to put in a bid? \u00a0Had he been waiting specifically for Laurie\u2019s box?\u00a0 Had she told him what to look for, like other girls had Joe himself? \u00a0Well, no sense holding back; either he had enough to outbid that fellow or he didn\u2019t, and it was time to find out. \u00a0\u201cFifty-seven dollars and forty-eight cents,\u201d he yelled and winced at the roar of laughter that rose from the crowd. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t possibly have announced any louder the exact contents of his pockets.<\/p>\n

Predictably, the mine owner\u2019s son raised the ante to sixty dollars. \u00a0Little Joe tried to spot Laurie\u2019s face, to see if she looked pleased or disappointed. \u00a0Seeing the mayor glance his direction, he started to shake his head; then he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard his brother\u2019s voice say softly, \u201cBid sixty-five.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have it,\u201d Joe said tersely out the side of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you do,\u201d Adam said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have sixty dollars; do I hear sixty-five?\u201d the mayor asked, eyes on Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSixty-five,\u201d Little Joe called back quickly.<\/p>\n

The bidding continued, fast and furious, with Little Joe glancing inquiringly at his big brother and getting his nod of approval before each bid he made. \u00a0The plain white box reached a price of $105 before the other man decided it couldn\u2019t be worth that much and with a shrug let Little Joe take it.<\/p>\n

Adam reached into his pocket and counted out the additional amount his younger brother needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said, taking the money as inconspicuously as he could. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019ll take me a month of Sundays to pay you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u00a0\u201cMore like a year of Sundays, the way you handle money.\u201d \u00a0He clapped his brother on the shoulder. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. \u00a0I got mine at a bargain and planned to donate more, anyway. \u00a0Besides, Laurie deserves better than that snivelblot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned at the phrase his brother had picked up from Annie O\u2019Toole. \u00a0It seemed suited, in his mind, to that rich mine owner\u2019s pasty-faced son.<\/p>\n

Adam gave him a wink and made his way back to his own group of friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat whose box it is, Laurie Reynolds?\u201d Mitch asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe said, eyes narrowing. \u00a0\u201cYou got something to say about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitch shrugged in the best imitation of nonchalance he could conjure. \u00a0\u201cJust never figured her for the type of girl you\u2019d favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she is,\u201d Joe said curtly.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a real sweet girl,\u201d Tuck put in hastily, \u201cand she sure favors you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat girl don\u2019t?\u201d Mitch snorted. \u00a0Long ago he and Tuck had accepted the fact that their friend Little Joe Cartwright could have any girl he wanted, but he never made them feel like they were taking his leavings, even when they squired some girl they\u2019d seen drool over him a dozen times.<\/p>\n

When all the boxes had been auctioned off, the men paid their bills and collected their boxes. \u00a0Then the girl who had packed each one joined the man who\u2019d purchased hers. \u00a0In most cases there was a conspiratorial exchange of smiles; in others, astonished looks of either delight or chagrin.<\/p>\n

Little Joe feigned a look of surprise. \u00a0\u201cOh, is this yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie gave him a chiding shake of her head. \u00a0\u201cYou know it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u00a0\u201cI should after studying it so hard when I stowed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad,\u201d Laurie murmured, long lashes veiling her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Joe whispered back. \u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s get the rig and drive up to the north end of lake, all right? \u00a0It\u2019s prettier there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d she said as she took his arm.<\/p>\n

As they walked toward the line of buggies, they met Seth Pruitt and his partner for the evening, Sara Edwards. \u00a0\u201cCongratulations on the most valuable box of the evening, Laurie,\u201d Sara said with sincere warmth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never imagined it would go so high,\u201d Laurie said with open-faced wonder, \u201cbut I\u2019m glad it did, for the sake of the school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just surprised you had that much on hand, buddy,\u201d Seth chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurprised you had any at all,\u201d Joe jibed back. \u00a0Jokes about their perennially empty pockets were a time-honored tradition between him and Seth. \u00a0Joe might be a rich man\u2019s son and Seth an orphan, but they both came from households where they were expected to earn every cent they spent.<\/p>\n

With laughing wishes for an enjoyable evening, the two couples separated. \u00a0Little Joe handed Laurie into the buggy and then climbed up beside her. \u00a0He gathered the reins in his hand, smiled at her and guided the horse north along the edge of the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sky\u2019s so clear tonight,\u201d Laurie said, gazing upward. \u00a0\u201cYou can count every star.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI only count two,\u201d Little Joe said, grinning when she turned to him with a puzzled expression. \u00a0\u201cOne in each eye,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlatterer,\u201d Laurie chided with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo such thing,\u201d he insisted. \u00a0He fumbled the reins for a moment and added, \u201cOr if it is, it\u2019s honest flattery.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blushed prettily and looked away, not knowing how to respond.<\/p>\n

They reached the north end of the lake and he helped her down. \u00a0Then he reached into the buggy and brought out a blanket to spread on the grass. \u00a0They both dropped onto it, and she started to unpack her box. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just fried chicken, potato salad and watermelon pickles,\u201d Laurie said with a demure smile. \u00a0\u201cI hope it\u2019s worth that princely price you paid.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pursed his lips, trapped in indecision.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething wrong, Little Joe?\u201d Laurie asked with concern.<\/p>\n

He nodded slowly, soberly. \u00a0\u201cLook, Laurie, I don\u2019t want to be dishonest with you.\u00a0 You\u2019re too special for that.\u201d \u00a0He licked his lower lip as he leaned forward. \u00a0\u201cYour box\u2014to me, it was worth every penny I bid . . . but it wasn\u2019t my money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Laurie said quietly. \u00a0She flushed when he cocked his head inquiringly. \u00a0\u201cI . . . saw Adam behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The left side of his mouth lifted in a half-grin. \u00a0\u201cYou were watching?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd hoping . . . since we\u2019re being honest,\u201d she whispered, eyes darting away lest they reveal even more than her candid words.<\/p>\n

He reached over and stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. \u00a0\u201cAnd I was hoping just as hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cReally. \u00a0I\u2019m through playing games and telling fibs.\u201d<\/p>\n

A hint of mischief twitched her lips. \u00a0\u201cYour pa will be so proud!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed back as he reached for a drumstick. \u00a0\u201cWon\u2019t he, though? \u00a0And Miss Jones might be, too, if I could remember who wrote that line about lies building a tangled web.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018What a tangled web we weave\u2019?\u201d\u00a0 She mused for a moment. \u00a0\u201cI think that\u2019s Sir Walter Scott, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould have known,\u201d he said as soon as he\u2019d swallowed his first bite of the savory chicken. \u00a0\u201cScott always was a favorite of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMine, too,\u201d Laurie said, offering him the potato salad. \u00a0\u201cIvanhoe<\/em> was my favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, my fair Lady Rowena,\u201d Little Joe said, flourishing the chicken leg as if it had been a sword to defend medieval womanhood.<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m afraid I saw myself more as Rebekah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked puzzled. \u00a0Then his face lightened in sudden assurance. \u00a0\u201cOh, you mean because she had dark hair like yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Laurie laughed aloud. \u00a0Then the sound suddenly faded and she said quietly, \u201cNo, it was because she could never have the man of her dreams, and neither . . . I thought . . . could I.\u201d \u00a0She fixed her gaze on her lap.<\/p>\n

Little Joe reached for her hand. \u00a0\u201cMe?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Her eyes glistened. \u00a0\u201cThis is a night for honesty, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery night a night for honesty, between us,\u201d he promised. \u00a0\u201cI will, if you will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tossing her ringlets, she gazed forthrightly into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, then. \u00a0Yes, Little Joe Cartwright, from the time we went to school together, I dreamed of . . . nights like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d he admitted frankly. \u00a0When he saw her face fall, he gently reached over to raise her dipping chin. \u00a0\u201cI was a fool,\u201d he murmured, \u201cnot to see you before, but I\u2019m seeing you clear now, girl, and I\u2019d like to see you more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs neighbors?\u201d she couldn\u2019t resist teasing. \u00a0\u201cMaybe I could arrange to knock some more fencing down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he moaned with exasperation, more at himself than at her.\u00a0 He scooted closer to her. \u00a0\u201cNo, Miss Laurie Reynolds, not as neighbors\u2014and definitely not to mend more fences! \u00a0I\u2019m asking if I can come calling . . . serious like. \u00a0I can\u2019t say for sure yet that what I feel for you is the kind of love that ought to be between man and wife, but I want to find out. \u00a0That\u2019s what courting\u2019s about, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaken beyond words, she could only nod at first, but finally said, \u201cYou\u2019ll have to ask Pa\u2019s permission. \u00a0He\u2019s old-fashioned that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will\u2014soon as I get back from roundup,\u201d Joe said. \u00a0He grasped her hand, and the hundred-dollar dinner sat forgotten between them. \u00a0They feasted, instead, on the hopes and dreams gleaming in each other\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201cBoy, where is your head?\u201d Adam demanded with totally justifiable curtness. \u00a0This was, after all, the third time this afternoon he\u2019d had to call his young brother\u2019s attention back to the task at hand, namely pushing the herd the final few miles into Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Little Joe mumbled. \u00a0Despite his new propensity for honesty, he could scarcely tell his older brother that his head was in the parlor of a certain ranch house just south of the Ponderosa. \u00a0\u201cSorry, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll think sorry if this herd starts to run,\u201d Adam growled through gritted teeth. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re getting close to town now, and you know what that means . . . or should!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded brusquely. \u00a0Being close to town increased the odds of some sudden sight or sound spooking the cattle. \u00a0Every man needed to be on his toes, and he had to admit he hadn\u2019t been. \u00a0For most of the drive, in fact, he\u2019d been acting like a green kid on his first trail assignment, instead of the top hand he\u2019d been considered for the last couple of years. \u00a0Adam had every right to be irked with him, but Joe knew it was more than just annoyance; Adam was worried that someone might get hurt\u2014especially worried that that someone might be his empty-headed baby brother. \u00a0Joe sat straighter in his saddle and looked steadily into his brother\u2019s brooding eyes. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll do better, Adam. \u00a0Thanks for the warning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s brows knitted together into a straight, perplexed line. \u00a0Accepting a rebuke this meekly was totally out of character for his little brother, but Joe looked sincere. \u00a0\u201cAll right, then; see that you do,\u201d he said and wheeled his horse around.<\/p>\n

A satisfied grin lifted one corner of Joe\u2019s mouth. \u00a0Leaving his big brother at a loss for words was a rare pleasure. \u00a0That\u2014and staying alive\u2014made it worthwhile to take his mind off Laurie Reynolds for another hour or so.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Two sets of boot heels, one discernibly heavier than the other, clicked along the boards lining J Street, the main business district in Sacramento. \u00a0The lighter pair halted abruptly, and its owner stared into the nearest shop window\u201cHave you plumb lost your mind, Joe?\u201d his companion asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for something,\u201d Little Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

Hoss snagged his brother\u2019s elbow and dragged him a few feet down the walkway. \u00a0\u201cLittle brother, if I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d think you\u2019d been drinkin\u2019. \u00a0There ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 in that store you got need of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for me,\u201d Joe scoffed. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s for a present.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s mouth scrunched in contemplation.\u00a0 \u201cFor Laurie?\u201d \u00a0Seeing his little brother\u2019s eyes go all dreamy, the way they had all along this trail drive, Hoss took firmer hold of Joe\u2019s biceps. \u00a0\u201cJoe, you can\u2019t buy her a dress; it ain\u2019t proper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Joe snapped, \u201cbut they sell other things in there, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone you oughta be thinkin\u2019 about,\u201d Hoss snorted, pulling his brother further down the street. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019d do better in the general store\u2014get her a nice hair ribbon or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHair ribbon!\u201d Joe shouted. \u00a0\u201cGood lands, Hoss; she can get that for herself in any store back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stopped and looked at his brother, mouth scrunching up again. \u00a0\u201cGotta be something special, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Joe sighed, eyes all dreamy again.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his brother\u2019s arm to bring his attention back. \u00a0\u201cSo, what did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged awkwardly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know. \u00a0That\u2019s where you got to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe!\u201d Hoss screeched.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you,\u201d Joe squawked back, oblivious to the heads turning their direction. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re older.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss dragged his brother into a nearby alley. \u00a0\u201cOlder, maybe,\u201d he said, \u201cbut you got more experience with gals than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come on, Hoss,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve bought presents for Bessie Sue, ain\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snorted. \u00a0\u201cBessie Sue\u2019s sensible: she was always satisfied with a hair ribbon or such like. \u00a0If you\u2019re aimin\u2019 higher than that, I ain\u2019t the Cartwright you ought to be consultin\u2019: you need Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe winced in obvious pain. \u00a0\u201cI ain\u2019t exactly in Adam\u2019s good graces right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss squeezed his brother\u2019s shoulder between iron fingers.\u00a0 \u201cYeah and with good reason. \u00a0I ain\u2019t never seen you act so feather-brained around cattle, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave him a sour smile.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I know. \u00a0Which is why I can\u2019t ask Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled. \u00a0\u201cWhich is why you gotta ask Adam. \u00a0Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 gonna sweeten his attitude toward you like you lookin\u2019 up to him. \u00a0Ole Adam kinda thrives on that sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe mused, one side of his mouth lifting in almost crafty remembrance of the times Adam had saved his hide with either Pa or Miss Jones. \u00a0Oh, how older brother had relished the hero worship that generally followed such rescues! \u00a0\u201cHoss, you\u2019re right!\u201d he declared, with a slap to the big man\u2019s back. \u00a0\u201cSoon as Adam gets back from finalizing that cattle sale, I\u2019ll hit him up for his help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Hoss agreed, beaming with satisfaction that his advice had been accepted. \u00a0\u201cNow, how about that beer we started out for, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll even buy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lips puckered out, Hoss slowly nodded. \u00a0With success like this, maybe he\u2019d just consider going into the advice-givin\u2019 business.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0What\u2019s the occasion?\u201d Adam asked over dinner at the Orleans Hotel, where they were staying. \u00a0As Hoss had predicted, he had been flattered into complete forgiveness by Little Joe\u2019s request for help and, typically, was analyzing the question from all sides before expressing his opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cOccasion?\u201d \u00a0Little Joe stared back at him with glazed eyes.<\/p>\n

Adam exhaled with gusty exasperation. \u00a0It helped to understand why his kid brother had been so distracted on this trip, but it was still wearisome to deal with. \u00a0\u201cYes, Joe, the occasion, the purpose of the gift,\u201d he explained with strained patience. \u00a0\u201cIs it her birthday, for instance?\u201d \u00a0He shook his head almost immediately. \u00a0\u201cNo, that\u2019s in the spring, isn\u2019t it? \u00a0Well, then, is it to thank her for all the meals you took at her house recently . . . or something more special?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, more special,\u201d Little Joe affirmed at once with a quick bob of his head. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u2014it\u2019s\u2014well . . . don\u2019t laugh, okay?\u201d \u00a0He fumbled with his fork, dropping it atop his apple pie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am the soul of seriousness,\u201d Adam vowed, propping his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his curled fingers.<\/p>\n

Little Joe cut a glance at Hoss, who adopted such a sober demeanor that it ended up looking comical, instead. \u00a0That was normal for Hoss, though, so Joe took a deep breath and said, \u201cWhen we get home, I\u2019m gonna ask her pa if I can court her, and I wanted to have something to give her to\u2014well\u2014to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo mark the beginning of your courtship?\u201d Adam queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe said, relieved to have it put into just the right words.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, considered briefly and then said laconically, \u201cJewelry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of jewelry?\u201d Joe pressed. \u00a0\u201cI mean, is there some special kind for sayin\u2019 . . . what I want to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo special stone or type, if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d \u00a0Adam stroked his chin thoughtfully. \u00a0\u201cIt needs to be something simple,\u201d he advised, adding with a wicked grin, \u201cwhich, given your present penuriousness, is about all you could handle, anyway. \u00a0I know the contents of your pockets, almost to the penny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho don\u2019t, after that box social?\u201d Hoss cackled, making heads turn in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged in sheepish acknowledgement of that remark\u2019s validity. \u00a0\u201cI got wages comin\u2019 from the drive, don\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a fair-sized bonus,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t earn one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably true,\u201d Adam conceded, \u201cbut it\u2019s yours nonetheless, same as all the other hands. \u00a0You can\u2019t spend it all, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe demanded. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s my money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared at his brother with pursed lips. \u00a0\u201cFor two very good reasons,\u201d he said finally. \u00a0\u201cFirst, because you\u2019ll want to have some funds left over to squire her around, at least enough to take her to dinner sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh . . . yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd more importantly,\u201d Adam continued didactically, \u201cbecause you want the gift to convey affection, but not complete commitment. \u00a0Save the expensive jewelry for your engagement . . . if this goes that far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Joe said, sitting up straighter. \u00a0\u201cSo, will you come with me, help me pick something nice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut could we please finish our desserts first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone right we\u2019re gonna finish dessert!\u201d Hoss declared in tones that left no doubt that, with him, picking some doodad for a gal definitely took second place to a well-baked pie. \u00a0Laughter and some time-honored jibes about his appetite even managed to take Little Joe\u2019s mind off Laurie for a quarter of an hour.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Little Joe\u2019s knuckles hung poised before the door to the Reynolds\u2019 ranch house as he made a conscious effort to slow his rapid breathing and his pounding heart. \u00a0No need to be nervous, he told himself. \u00a0It\u2019s just a simple question, and the worst he can do is say no. \u00a0Trouble was, he didn\u2019t think he could handle no, not when his whole future with Laurie depended on her pa saying yes to what he was about to ask. \u00a0His breathing seemed more regular, and he figured there wasn\u2019t much hope for his heart until this was over, so he rapped on the door and then fidgeted while he waited for someone to answer.<\/p>\n

He had expected it to be Laurie, but for some reason, maybe the darkness outside, it was Tom Reynolds who opened the door. \u00a0\u201cGood evening, sir,\u201d Little Joe managed to squeak out. \u00a0\u201cI hope it isn\u2019t too late for a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, no, son,\u201d the older man said, opening the door wide. \u00a0\u201cYou know you\u2019re always welcome here. \u00a0Back from roundup, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Little Joe said as he entered and removed his hat.\u00a0 \u201cJust in this afternoon.\u201d \u00a0Rather late in the afternoon, too. \u00a0In fact, he\u2019d barely had time to take a bath before suppertime, and hadn\u2019t been able to break free of the family until that was over, regardless of the fact that he\u2019d barely touched his own plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaurie,\u201d the older man called as he showed Joe to a chair near the fire, \u201cwe\u2019ve got company.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiping her hands on her apron, Laurie appeared in the doorway from the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Little Joe,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cGood to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet us some coffee, would you, girl?\u201d her father asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no. \u00a0Don\u2019t go to any trouble for me,\u201d Little Joe urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble,\u201d Laurie said with a smile. \u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s coffee left from supper . . . and sugar cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The twinkle in her eyes was matched, momentarily, by one reflected in Joe\u2019s; then he remembered why he was here, and his breath caught in his throat again. \u00a0\u201cI\u2014uh\u2014guess you\u2019re wondering what I\u2019m doing here, this time of the night,\u201d he stammered, turning his gaze back to Mr. Reynolds.<\/p>\n

Reynolds took a slow draw on his pipe, which served to hide the slight upward twitch of the left corner of his mouth. \u00a0\u201cFigured you were just bein\u2019 . . . neighborly,\u201d he drawled with a straight face.<\/p>\n

Little Joe flushed at the reminder of his previous excuses for coming here.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir. \u00a0I-I mean, yes, sir; of course, I always want to be neighborly . . . \u2018cause you are such a good neighbor and\u2014and well, I\u2019d like to be a better one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t rightly see as how you could,\u201d Reynolds declared with studied dullness. \u00a0\u201cYou Cartwrights have always been all I could ask for in neighbors, and the help you gave me awhile back was more than I would have asked, even from neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was happy to do it,\u201d Little Joe said earnestly. \u00a0He saw Laurie come back in, carrying a tray, and rose to take it from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said. \u00a0Then, blushing prettily, she added, \u201cIf you will excuse me, I need to finish up the supper dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sure,\u201d Little Joe agreed readily. \u00a0If there was one thing he didn\u2019t need for this conversation, it was a witness, especially one as involved in its outcome as Laurie. \u00a0As he set the tray down on the table between him and Mr. Reynolds, his eyes moistened at the sight of the sugar cookies. \u00a0Laurie\u2019d known when he expected to be back from roundup, of course, but she couldn\u2019t have known for sure that he\u2019d show up here the night he got back. \u00a0The cookies were her sign that she\u2019d been looking forward to this night as much as he had, and that bolstered his courage. \u00a0He waited until the girl disappeared back into the next room and then said, \u201cAbout that help I gave you awhile back, Mr. Reynolds . . . I just wanted you to know that it\u2019s got nothing to do with why I\u2019m here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Reynolds asked with apparent guilelessness as he reached for one of the two cups of coffee on the tray. \u00a0\u201cWell, I never actually thought it did, son. \u00a0Now, you were sayin\u2019 something about bein\u2019 a better neighbor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe said, trying desperately to remember what he\u2019d said earlier. \u00a0\u201cWell, not a better neighbor, exactly. \u00a0More\u2014more than just a neighbor, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp yourself,\u201d Reynolds said, gesturing toward the tray.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014no; I mean, thank you, but not just yet.\u201d \u00a0Joe edged forward in his chair. \u00a0\u201cYou know what I mean, about bein\u2019 more than a neighbor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom Reynolds had a good idea, but also possessed an ornery streak just wide enough to enjoy seeing the young man squirm. \u00a0\u201cWhy, no, son. I haven\u2019t a clue.\u201d \u00a0Taking a sip of coffee, he cast a covert glance at Little Joe over the upturned cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean . . . well . . . can I court your daughter?\u201d \u00a0Little Joe winced, and his shoulders tightened. \u00a0\u201cThat didn\u2019t come out right,\u201d he muttered with self-exasperation. \u00a0He\u2019d gone over how to present his case all the way home, earning a few moderate rebukes from Adam for his dreamy-headedness, but every word he\u2019d memorized so carefully had flown out of his head the minute he knocked on the door.<\/p>\n

Reynolds chuckled. \u00a0\u201cIt came out clear . . . better than all the pussy-footin\u2019 around you were doin\u2019 before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave him a sheepish half-grin. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll come straight out with it, then: I came to ask your permission to court your daughter, Mr. Reynolds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds set the coffee down, leaned back in his chair and folded his callused hands in his lap. \u00a0\u201cCourting\u2019s a serious matter, young man. \u00a0You know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, and I am serious about it,\u201d Little Joe assured him.<\/p>\n

The left corner of Reynolds\u2019 mouth twitched again. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve been serious a few other times in your young life . . . or so I\u2019ve heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s cheeks flamed crimson. \u00a0\u201cI\u2014I\u2019ve thought so a few times, but this is . . . different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds leaned forward, hands dropping between his knees. \u00a0\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe took a deep breath. \u00a0\u201cIt just feels . . . different . . . more solid . . . like it might lead to something lasting.\u201d \u00a0He raked edgy fingers through his dark hair. \u00a0\u201cI guess I\u2019m not putting this too well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tellin\u2019 me your intentions are honorable?\u201d Reynolds pressed.<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded slowly. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m telling you that I have strong feelings for your daughter. \u00a0I don\u2019t know, for sure, that they\u2019re strong enough for marriage, but I want to find out. \u00a0I want to know Laurie better, sir, and have her know me better, and if, after that, we both feel the same as we seem to now, then I figure I\u2019ll be coming to you to ask for her hand. \u00a0Is that what you mean by honorable?\u201d<\/p>\n

Reynolds finally smiled broadly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what I mean.\u201d\u00a0 He sobered then. \u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s the light of my life, you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Little Joe said. \u00a0He wanted to add that she was the light of his, as well, but sensed that the words might sound hollow, even false, in the face of a father\u2019s love for his child, the same sort of undying love he knew his own father felt for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a fine boy, Little Joe,\u201d the older man continued. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve always thought so, and I don\u2019t object to a young fellow sowing some wild oats. \u00a0Sowed some in my time, too . . . but I don\u2019t want you sowing them in my girl\u2019s heart. \u00a0That\u2019s tender ground, fallow ground. \u00a0Plant the right seed in it, and you\u2019ll harvest a bumper crop of the best any woman could offer.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes narrowed. \u00a0\u201cBut be careful how you plow it. \u00a0You hurt my little girl, and I\u2019m likely to tear you limb from limb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gazed directly into Reynolds\u2019 eyes. \u00a0\u201cI won\u2019t hurt her,\u201d he promised. \u00a0\u201cI won\u2019t lead her on, and if it\u2019s not going to work out between us . . . well, I think we\u2019ll both know it, sir, and I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll both be honest . . . but gentle . . . with one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you have my permission to court my daughter,\u201d Mr. Reynolds said formally. \u00a0Then he grinned. \u00a0\u201cNow, will you have that coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a cookie,\u201d Little Joe said, grinning back with relief. \u00a0\u201cAnd may I see Laurie for a few minutes? \u00a0Alone, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLaurie,\u201d Reynolds called. \u00a0\u201cThat all right with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her head slipped around the corner so quickly that she had to have been listening to, at least, the latter part of the conversation. \u00a0\u201cYes, Pa,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t you take Little Joe out to see that new filly?\u201d her father suggested.<\/p>\n

Little Joe sprang to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah. \u00a0Nothing I like better than seeing a new filly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing?\u201d Reynolds asked wryly with a sly wink. \u00a0\u201cOr maybe we\u2019re talking about two different fillies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Laurie scolded, wagging a finger at him. \u00a0She reached for the hand of her blushing beau. \u00a0\u201cCome on, Little Joe,\u201d she laughed, pulling him toward the door.<\/p>\n

As soon as they were outside, Little Joe exhaled audibly.<\/p>\n

Laurie tittered as she continued to pull him out into the yard. \u00a0\u201cWas it that dreadful?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHarder than any bronc I ever broke,\u201d Little Joe panted. \u00a0\u201cHey, the barn\u2019s that way,\u201d he protested as she led him toward the open meadow.<\/p>\n

Laurie stopped. \u00a0\u201cDid you really want to see the filly? \u00a0She\u2019s pretty, but . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned, finally. \u00a0\u201cWell, sometime, but I guess it is a different filly I have my eye on tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gazed up into his face, and it was as if all the stars in the heavens were reflected in her eyes. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a colt I\u2019d rather see, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a stallion?\u201d he asked, his head bending toward hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . sometime,\u201d she whispered as he pulled her into his arms. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

His lips brushed hers, tenderly at first and then with the yearning he\u2019d felt all along the trail home. \u00a0He sighed in satisfaction as he savored the honey of her lips. \u00a0He glanced back at the house, which still seemed all too close. \u00a0\u201cYou think it\u2019d be all right to walk out a ways?\u201d<\/p>\n

In answer, she took his hand in her right one as her left slipped into her pocket and drew out a sugar cookie. \u00a0\u201cYou didn\u2019t taste the ones I set out for you,\u201d she chided.<\/p>\n

Little Joe took the cookie, biting into it as they walked further into the meadow. \u00a0\u201cYou were eavesdropping,\u201d he accused with a twinkle in his eye.<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u00a0\u201cAnd thought you\u2019d never get down to business. \u00a0\u2018Bein\u2019 a better neighbor,\u2019 indeed! \u00a0I\u2019m afraid Miss Jones would declare that the strangest metaphor for love she ever heard!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe thought all my metaphors were pretty strange,\u201d Little Joe chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but you\u2019re getting better at it, my little colt,\u201d she said, reaching up to stroke his freshly shaven cheek. \u00a0\u201cMy stallion to be,\u201d she added in a whisper.<\/p>\n

Ripples of desire running up his spine, Little Joe again took her in his arms. \u00a0\u201cBut not as good as you, my little filly . . . my . . .\u201d \u00a0Again his lips sought hers, this time in a long, lingering kiss. \u00a0They finally broke apart, and his hand slipped into his pocket. \u00a0He drew out a small white box, tied with two lavender ribbons. \u00a0\u201cHoss said I should give you hair ribbons,\u201d he said, pointing to the bow, \u201cbut I wanted something more for my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carefully, she untied the bow and separated the ribbons. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll wear them with pride,\u201d she said. \u00a0Then, breath held, she lifted the lid from the box and gasped at what lay inside. \u00a0\u201cOh . . . Joe,\u201d she murmured dreamily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful,\u201d she said, and then asked shyly, \u201cPut it on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm-hmm.\u201d \u00a0He drew the pendant from the box and stepped behind her to latch it around her neck.\u00a0 \u201cThere.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see how it looks.\u201d \u00a0With gentle hands on her shoulders, he turned her to face him. \u00a0\u201cPerfect,\u201d he said in answer to the question in her eyes. \u00a0It wasn\u2019t quite the simple locket that Adam had advised. \u00a0The heart-shaped outline with a single, tear-drop pearl dangling from its apex had cost a little more than those, but Joe had known the minute he saw it that it was the perfect gift to commemorate this moment. \u00a0He playfully tapped the tip of her nose. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re branded now, my little filly. \u00a0That\u2019s to tell everyone you\u2019re my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

My girl<\/em>. \u00a0She\u2019d heard those words before, but only in her dreams. \u00a0Hearing them now, in the idyllic setting of a slow walk through a flower-dappled meadow under a starlit sky, they still seemed unreal. \u00a0She felt herself smiling and nodding at every word he said, though scarcely aware of what they were. \u00a0Something about a dance Saturday night, though it wasn\u2019t until she was alone in her bed that night that she realized that he\u2019d asked and she\u2019d accepted. \u00a0As she drifted to sleep, she wondered what the town would think of this drab little filly and that dazzling young colt frolicking around the dance floor together.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Laurie couldn\u2019t miss the looks of absolute shock when she walked into the dancing hall on the arm of Little Joe Cartwright. \u00a0She didn\u2019t blame the other girls for looking at them with envy, of course. \u00a0There was no occasion more coveted than a fireman\u2019s ball, and to be escorted to one by the most handsome man in the territory was the substance of many a young girl\u2019s dreams. \u00a0Laurie had held that dream close to her own heart for many years, without any hope of its fulfillment. \u00a0She\u2019d never been asked to such a prestigious dance by anyone, so to be here at all was thrilling; to be here with Little Joe, ecstasy beyond words.<\/p>\n

She stood spellbound at the entrance to what looked like a formal garden. \u00a0All around the perimeter were walkways lined with what must surely have been every cut flower and potted plant in Virginia City. \u00a0At the far end stood a trio of vine-covered trellises with benches beneath them. \u00a0On the stage just beyond sat the musicians, playing softly. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d she breathed in wonder. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re beautiful,\u201d he whispered in her ear, \u201cbut this is nice, too.\u201d \u00a0He drew her toward a table set to one side of the hall. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll need a dance card, my lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she picked one up and glanced down the list of dances. \u00a0\u201cWhich shall I put you down for, good sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of them?\u201d he asked with a naughty twinkle in his eyes. \u00a0Then he laughed at her dumbstruck expression. \u00a0\u201cNo, I know I can\u2019t be that selfish. \u00a0First and last for me, for sure, and sprinkle a couple more in wherever you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie nodded, secretly wishing she could write his name in for every dance. \u00a0It wasn\u2019t the way things were done, of course, but she couldn\u2019t help wondering if anyone else would ask her. \u00a0She\u2019d never exactly been a wallflower, but neither had she been one of the most popular partners at any local dance. \u00a0She\u2019d usually found herself tongue-tied, unable to make the witty conversation and cast the coy glances that more vivacious girls used to keep men dangling in attendance. \u00a0Such behavior seemed false to her; she\u2019d always hoped to be loved for her real self and not some more flamboyant imitation.<\/p>\n

She gazed gratefully at the man who seemed to accept her just as she was and showed him the lines on which she\u2019d written his name, five altogether.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect,\u201d he said, pleased with the addition of one more than he\u2019d requested. \u00a0Taking her arm, he asked, \u201cWould you care to stroll through the garden until the music begins for that first waltz?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would be delighted,\u201d she said. \u00a0As they walked among the flowers, she enthusiastically pointed out her favorites, bending occasionally to savor their scent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew you were such an expert,\u201d Little Joe remarked.<\/p>\n

Laurie laughed. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m not, really, especially not compared to my mother. \u00a0She loved flowers, knew them all by name and planted every kind she thought would grow out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember that,\u201d Joe recalled. \u00a0\u201cThere were always flowers on the table when we came to dinner, some I\u2019d never seen anywhere else.\u201d \u00a0They had reached the end of the hall, and as they passed one of the trellises, he spotted Mitch Devlin, sitting on the bench with Becky Saunders.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey there, Little Joe,\u201d Becky called, cocking her coifed curls at a coquettish tilt.\u00a0 \u201cYou weren\u2019t going to pass by without saying hello, now were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, Becky,\u201d Little Joe said smoothly. \u00a0\u201cYou know Laurie, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Becky barely gave the other girl a glance.\u00a0 \u201cOf course.\u201d \u00a0She whipped out her dance card and put on her most alluring smile. \u00a0Then she dropped her eyes demurely. \u00a0\u201cDear me, I\u2019m afraid I was presuming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe caught the roll of his friend Mitch\u2019s eyes, but kept a straight face. \u00a0\u201cNot at all,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d love to dance with you, if you have an opening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne or two,\u201d she giggled.\u00a0 \u201cHmm.\u00a0 How about the galop? \u00a0You need a lively girl for that.\u201d \u00a0She sent a significant side glance at Laurie, whose cheeks flamed crimson at the obvious intimation.<\/p>\n

Little Joe stiffened, but only for a moment. \u00a0Then he turned to Laurie and asked, eyes wide and innocent. \u00a0\u201cIs that one of ours, darling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Darling! \u00a0Nothing could have lifted her spirits like that one sweet endearment. \u00a0\u201cI . . . don\u2019t think so,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheck your card, dear,\u201d Little Joe urged. \u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to miss one with you.\u201d \u00a0He stroked her hair with an affectionate hand.<\/p>\n

Her eyes glistened as she made a slow perusal of her dance card, even though she knew by heart exactly which dances she\u2019d assigned to him. \u00a0\u201cWhy, no, Joe, I don\u2019t have you down for the galop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good!\u201d Becky declared with a flounce of her curls.<\/p>\n

With unaccustomed boldness Laurie spoke up, \u201cI suppose that means you\u2019re free for the galop, Mitch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears I am, Miss Laurie,\u201d Mitch replied gallantly, \u201cand I\u2019d be pleased to have you as a partner, unless you\u2019re already taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for the galop,\u201d Laurie said. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll just put your name down.\u201d \u00a0She looked at Joe and, seeing his encouraging smile, added, \u201cAnd we can be in the same set. \u00a0Won\u2019t that be fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t it?\u201d Little Joe said, giving her a surreptitious wink as he extended his arm. \u00a0\u201cShall we finish our tour of the garden, dear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, dear.\u201d \u00a0She dipped her chin prettily to the other couple. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll see you at the galop.\u201d \u00a0Once they were several paces away, she giggled. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe, were we terrible?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot nearly as much as someone else I could mention,\u201d he said with a scowl, wondering now what he\u2019d ever seen in Becky Saunders. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re not like that,\u201d he added, \u201cthrowing yourself at other men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did rather throw myself at Mitch,\u201d she tittered, \u201cbut he looked so abandoned that I forgot myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I love about you,\u201d he whispered. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re always forgetting yourself for someone else\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I might have been wanting to spite Becky as much as to help Mitch,\u201d she admitted with a rueful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d he drawled with an impish grin, \u201cand I enjoyed that every bit as much as you did!\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued their circuit of the room, stopping to chat with other couples they knew, including Joe\u2019s brothers and their ladies for the evening, and arranging exchanges of partners for various dances. \u00a0By the time they made their way back to the entrance of the hall, Laurie\u2019s card was almost full, but when Ben Cartwright walked up to her and asked if she had room for him, she was pleased to say that she did. \u00a0No sooner had she written his name on her card than the first dance was announced, and Little Joe proudly escorted her to the center of the dance floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoying yourself?\u201d he asked softly as they waltzed close to the flowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo much, Little Joe,\u201d she said, and the stars in her eyes verified the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d he murmured and said no more until the dance ended. \u00a0Then, with his left index finger he traced the outline of the heart-shaped pendant around her neck. \u00a0\u201cRemember, you\u2019re branded,\u201d he whispered. \u00a0\u201cI may have to let you dance with some of these other fellows, but you\u2019re mine, little filly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd pleased to be so, my handsome colt,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

They moved from partner to partner, often smiling at each other across the room when they weren\u2019t dancing together. \u00a0The galop came early in the program, and Little Joe took pride in how \u201clively\u201d a dancer his frisky little filly proved to be. \u00a0Apparently, other men noticed, too; for soon after that, she was surrounded by several requesting a dance. \u00a0She accommodated them all, handsome and homely, suave and clumsy, until her dance card was filled. \u00a0Handsome and suave definitely described Joe\u2019s brother Adam as he spun her around in the schottische, but she was pleasantly surprised to see what a fine dancer their other brother was. \u00a0\u201cI never realized you were so light on your feet, Hoss,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like dancin\u2019 a lot, Miss Laurie,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re good at it,\u201d she insisted. \u00a0\u201cI hope Bessie Sue isn\u2019t unwell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said, spinning her under his arm. \u00a0\u201cI just ain\u2019t partial to havin\u2019 my toes trod on, so I asked Miss Ellen, instead. \u00a0She\u2019s lighter on her feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. \u00a0So who will win your heart?\u201d she teased. \u00a0\u201cThe good cook or the dainty dancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u00a0\u201cI like \u2018em both, but I\u2019m still just a boy, sowing my oats.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed. \u00a0\u201cThen you\u2019ll never lack for oatmeal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss guffawed so hard he missed a step, but quickly adjusted and swept her into the correct position. \u00a0\u201cMiss Laurie, there\u2019s a lot more vinegar to you than I ever figured. \u00a0Sort of helps me understand what you see in my ornery little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie gave him a chiding shake of her head, but she smiled as she did. \u00a0She knew perfectly well how close all the Cartwright brothers were and that Hoss fairly doted on his younger brother, so she didn\u2019t take the label seriously. \u00a0But for Hoss to banter with her like this, the way Clive always had when he was alive, made her feel like family and dream of the day\u2014if it were ever to be\u2014that she might call him brother.<\/p>\n

That warm feeling of acceptance was magnified when Ben Cartwright claimed his dance, the next-to-last of the evening. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re looking very pretty tonight, Laurie,\u201d he complimented smoothly, but sincerely. \u00a0\u201cI hope that young rapscallion of mine has been treating you well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been a perfect gentleman,\u201d Laurie said, adding, \u201cas always.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cReally? \u00a0That was never my experience with that young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could he be otherwise, with you as a father?\u201d Laurie offered with a saucy jut of her chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlatterer,\u201d Ben chuckled. \u00a0\u201cYou do know how to warm a father\u2019s heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the truth?\u201d she said, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cFor that\u2019s what I told. \u00a0He\u2019s a fine young man, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said, bowing as the music ended. \u00a0\u201cI agree, but don\u2019t tell him I said so. \u00a0I see he\u2019s coming to claim you for the final dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be our little secret,\u201d she assured him, leaning close.<\/p>\n

Little Joe waved to his father as the older man moved away and then took Laurie\u2019s hand. \u00a0\u201cWhat were the two of you having such a whispered conference about?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, secrets,\u201d she replied with a beguiling smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecrets, huh?\u201d\u00a0 His forehead came to rest against hers. \u00a0\u201cPa\u2019s a great man, but much too old for you,\u201d he advised softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d she whispered back, adding as she touched the pendant around her neck, \u201cI know whose filly I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe laughed in delight as he took her in his arms for the waltz. \u00a0When the music ended, he took her arm.\u00a0 \u201cReady to go in to dinner? \u00a0I hear the firemen have outdone themselves for this year\u2019s spread\u2014everything from oysters on the half-shell to strawberries and ice cream.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m hungry enough to eat everything from oysters to strawberries,\u201d she giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case we\u2019d better beat Hoss to the table,\u201d he jibed, and she wagged her finger at him in rebuke.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Over the next few weeks the territory became increasingly aware that Little Joe Cartwright and Laurie Reynolds were a steady couple. \u00a0The young man who had previously been known to escort a different girl to each community event was now seen only in her company. \u00a0The eligible young women of Nevada did not greet the news with jubilation. \u00a0Some offered only silent envy, sighing for opportunities lost; others loudly wondered what he saw in \u201cthat little nothing.\u201d \u00a0Such words were, of course, uttered where Laurie might be expected to overhear them, but they didn\u2019t sting as they once would have. \u00a0She had long since overcome her latent feelings of insignificance, and whatever small vestiges remained vanished whenever she remembered that the young man who could have had any woman in the territory of Nevada had chosen her.<\/p>\n

Little Joe took a lot of good-natured ribbing from his brothers, but they seemed to gradually accept the notion that their fickle little brother meant business this time, while Ben noticed, with satisfaction, that his youngest son seemed steadier in every way. \u00a0He\u2019d always been a good worker . . . when he chose to work. \u00a0Now, however, he didn\u2019t need prodding, but did all that was asked of him, as well as occasionally helping out at the Reynolds\u2019 place. \u00a0Other than an occasional night out with his brothers or his male friends, he spent all his spare time with Laurie, generally on quiet picnics for two or church socials or, as summer passed into autumn, at high-stepping harvest shindigs.<\/p>\n

He was saving his money, too, not squandering it in late-night poker games. \u00a0Building a nest egg?\u00a0 Ben hoped so. \u00a0Not that he wasn\u2019t willing to set the young couple up in housekeeping, of course; he\u2019d long since promised each of his boys a piece of land, when the time came, and that would extend to a house with all the pots and pans needed. \u00a0Still, it showed maturity and strength of intention if Joseph were making preparations of his own. \u00a0Ben had secretly laughed that night, months back, when his youngest had come in from repairing their fence line to declare, \u201cPa, I think I\u2019m in love.\u201d \u00a0Having heard those words so often before, he hadn\u2019t taken them seriously, but now he fully believed them and couldn\u2019t wait for the day he welcomed his first daughter into the family.<\/p>\n

He thought the moment for that announcement had come one autumn afternoon when Little Joe returned from Sunday dinner at the Reynolds. \u00a0At first the boy had nonchalantly asked, \u201cHoss upstairs snoozin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had chuckled and nodded. \u00a0Unless work was pressing, Sunday afternoons were times of rest at the Ponderosa, and Hoss frequently took his rest literally, with an old-fashioned nap, unless his younger brother trapped him into a checkers match. \u00a0Adam typically lost himself between the pages of a book, while Ben preferred a quiet smoke as he turned the pages of his Bible.<\/p>\n

That question answered, Little Joe had moved to his father\u2019s side and asked, \u201cCould I talk to you, Pa . . . private-like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s head rose, and his eyes met a significant look in his direction. \u00a0\u201cMeaning I should read in my room, I presume?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n

Sensing that his younger brother was serious, Adam immediately closed the book, his finger holding the place.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t mind.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned as he stood up. \u00a0\u201cJust don\u2019t forget to call me for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned back. \u00a0\u201cIt won\u2019t take that long . . . unless Pa\u2019s been takin\u2019 lessons in long-winded from the preacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never needed lessons in that,\u201d Adam observed and at his father\u2019s half-hearted scowl took the stairs at a trot.<\/p>\n

Once Adam had rounded the upstairs corner, Little Joe, hands tucked in his back pockets, faced his father. \u00a0\u201cHow\u2019d you know, Pa?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an inquisitive eyebrow, and Little Joe uttered a short laugh at himself. \u00a0\u201cThat you were in love, I mean.\u201d \u00a0Ben gestured toward the settee with his head, and Joe sat down, leaning forward with his forearms on his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not much of an answer, son,\u201d he said with a smile, \u201cbut the truth is that no one else can tell you that. \u00a0When it\u2019s right, you\u2019ll feel it in your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe pursed his lips thoughtfully and then said, \u201cI like Laurie, Pa; I like her a lot, but she\u2019s sure different from other girls I\u2019ve sparked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrows twitched as he recalled some of the girls his youngest had sparked over the last few years. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing,\u201d he observed. \u00a0He paused and added with a chuckle, \u201cSo long as you like the differences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned then.\u00a0 \u201cI like them.\u201d\u00a0 His brow furrowed. \u00a0\u201cI guess it\u2019s just that I hear the things other folks say\u2014girls, mostly\u2014about her not being right for me . . . not as full of enough spice and sparkle as . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs them?\u201d Ben supplied with an amused quirk of one side of his mouth.<\/p>\n

Joe laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah. \u00a0Yeah, I know that\u2019s jealousy talkin\u2019, but I guess it makes me doubt whether I know my own heart . . . especially when I remember all the girls I once thought I loved . . . maybe still think I loved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLoved?\u201d Ben queried. \u00a0\u201cPast tense?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s gone,\u201d Little Joe murmured, his voice laced with pain.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart wrenched, and he knew instantly the girl in his son\u2019s thoughts. \u00a0\u201cAmy,\u201d he said with certainty.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded mutely.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still grieving for her, son?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head as his loosely laced fingers dropped between his knees. \u00a0\u201cNo, I\u2019m past that . . . as much as a person ever gets past losing someone he cared about. \u00a0I just find myself wondering whether that was real love . . . or whether this is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think it has to be one or the other?\u201d his father asked, head cocked to one side.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up. \u00a0\u201cDoesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s right eyebrow arched involuntarily, but it effectively communicated his amusement. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re asking that of a man who married three times?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t think of that! \u00a0Maybe because I always think of my mother as the love of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs she was,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cand Inger before her and Elizabeth before her.\u201d \u00a0He leaned forward to rest a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d he said earnestly. \u00a0\u201cThere isn\u2019t necessarily only one love in a man\u2019s life . . . although it\u2019s important that there be only one at a time!\u201d he chuckled and then grew serious again. \u00a0\u201cI could have happily spent my entire life with any one of them, but that evidently wasn\u2019t God\u2019s plan. \u00a0I didn\u2019t love the others less . . . or more.\u00a0 Just differently.\u201d \u00a0He settled back in his armchair. \u00a0\u201cSo, do you love Laurie less than Amy . . . or more . . . or just differently?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was silent for a minute and then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know. \u00a0They\u2019re not that different, come to think of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded reflectively. \u00a0\u201cBoth sweet, quiet girls . . . with just enough spice and sparkle to catch your eye . . . and maybe hold your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I\u2019m just using Laurie to take Amy\u2019s place, do you, instead of loving her for herself?\u201d Joe said. \u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t ever want to do that to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only way I know to find the answer is to continue courting her,\u201d Ben advised. \u00a0\u201cUntil you can answer that question, you\u2019re not ready to think about marriage, son, because that is for life . . . or as long as God gives you together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe said, standing. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll give it some more time.\u201d \u00a0He chuckled. \u00a0\u201cI guess I\u2019d better tell Adam he\u2019s welcome back downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u00a0\u201cYou might want to roust Hoss out of bed, too; it\u2019s not long \u2018til supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, there\u2019s a change! \u00a0Me rousting him out of bed!\u201d \u00a0He moved toward the stairs and took them two at time, hoping that rousting Hoss out might require a splash of cold water in the face. \u00a0Such rare opportunities were not to be missed, and after all, turn about was fair play.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Hoss leaned his forearms on the top rail of the corral fence, next to the spot where his younger brother perched on it. \u00a0\u201cYou reckon Adam\u2019s got anyone special he\u2019ll be cozyin\u2019 up to tomorrow evening?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cFor the barn dance? \u00a0I think older brother leans more toward city gals, Hoss. \u00a0He\u2019ll probably either ride into town or go home with Pa after he shames us all with his barn raisin\u2019 abilities.\u00a0 Why? \u00a0Ain\u2019t you got enough girls on the string with Bessie Sue and Ellen without chasin\u2019 after one of his?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t got them,\u201d Hoss grumbled. \u00a0\u201cOnce Bessie Sue found out I took Ellen to the fireman\u2019s ball, she threw a hissy fit and said she wouldn\u2019t have me on a plate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, she\u2019ll settle down,\u201d Little Joe said. \u00a0\u201cShe always does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot by tomorrow,\u201d Hoss moped.<\/p>\n

Little Joe shrugged. \u00a0\u201cSo take Ellen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss heaved a heavier sigh.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t. \u00a0I ran into her pa out by the east line yesterday and he said she\u2019s ailin\u2019, so I was just tryin\u2019 to figure out who might be left for me to shine up to.\u201d \u00a0He gave his younger brother a lop-sided grin. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m supposin\u2019 Laurie\u2019s spoke for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone right!\u201d Little Joe laughed. \u00a0\u201cBut you can have a dance or two with her . . . and there\u2019s always old lady Brewster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks a heap,\u201d Hoss grunted. \u00a0The widow Brewster was seventy-five, if she was a day, and had two left feet to boot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, here he comes,\u201d Joe announced as a rider shot out of the chute on an unbroken bronc. \u00a0\u201cRide \u2018im, Adam!\u201d he shouted exuberantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cRide \u2018im!\u201d \u00a0Hoss echoed the encouragement and leaned in to watch his older brother master the rambunctious horseflesh. \u00a0The way Adam\u2014Joe, too, for that matter\u2014handled a horse always seemed like pure poetry to Hoss and a heap more pleasurable to read than the kind that came in books. \u00a0He broke horses himself from time to time, of course, but mostly he left it to his brothers. \u00a0He\u2019d never had the gift for it that either Adam or Joe did, but then, he thought with a grin, they didn\u2019t have his gift with animals in other ways. \u00a0It evened out.<\/p>\n

The horse bucked and reared, but Adam stayed with him, his body in synchronized motion with the animal until it slowed and he swung a leg over and dropped to the ground as the wranglers grabbed the horse\u2019s reins and led it away.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeautiful!\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n

Halfway to them, Adam halted long enough to make a sweeping bow and kept walking toward the fence. \u00a0\u201cYour turn, bronc buster,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat . . . again?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe feigned shock. \u00a0\u201cWhich one\u2019s up next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bay stallion,\u201d Adam said. \u00a0\u201cBe careful,\u201d he added with a sober look.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways am,\u201d Joe returned with a cocky grin that belied the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter mind what he says, Joe,\u201d Hoss put in. \u00a0\u201cThat one\u2019s got ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe touched his hat in acknowledgement of the warning and walked toward the chute. \u00a0He eased into the saddle on the stallion, wrapped the reins around his hand and told the wranglers to let him go. \u00a0They did, the chute gate opened, and the bay charged into the open corral. \u00a0From one side to the other, the big horse raced, bucking and rearing to rid himself of the man attached to his back, but Joe\u2019s lithe body rose and fell with each movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cPure poetry,\u201d Hoss whispered to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm,\u201d Adam acknowledged and then called out to Joe, \u201cRide him! \u00a0Stay with him, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink he\u2019ll ride him to a standstill?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u00a0\u201cNot that one . . . and he\u2019d better not try.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe, of course, was not noted for his exercise of great caution, but he had too much respect for an animal like this to bring him on too quickly. \u00a0When he\u2019d taken the stallion as far as he deemed wise for a single ride, he nodded to the wranglers, who came alongside, holding the horse steady while Joe sprang off. \u00a0Just when he seemed clear, however, one of the hands lost his grip on the animal, and it sidestepped toward Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe yelped as the stallion\u2019s hoof slammed down on his boot, and he stumbled away, losing his balance and falling to the ground. \u00a0Adam leaped the fence and ran forward, and while Hoss climbed over more slowly, he was only seconds behind his older brother as he knelt at Joe\u2019s side. \u00a0\u201cJoe! \u00a0You hurt?\u201d the big man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet him out of here,\u201d Adam ordered crisply, nodding his approval of the quick way the hands had gotten control of the stallion and led him away.<\/p>\n

Hoss scooped Little Joe up into his arms and moved toward the fence. \u00a0Adam ran ahead and vaulted over the rails in time to take Joe from Hoss. \u00a0He eased the boy to the ground and said, \u201cWe need to get that boot off before the foot swells . . . unless you\u2019d rather I cut it off. \u00a0Might hurt less.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust pull it,\u201d Joe grunted.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t waste time arguing. \u00a0As gently as he could, he pulled the boot off his brother\u2019s foot. \u00a0\u201cHurt bad?\u201d he asked, seeing Joe wince.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts some,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you up to the house and take a closer look,\u201d Adam said, motioning to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can walk,\u201d Joe protested, although feebly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight as well do it the easy way,\u201d Hoss chuckled, and Little Joe made no further argument. \u00a0Not a good sign, as both older brothers knew from experience. \u00a0Hoss hurried his steps toward the house.<\/p>\n

Adam ran ahead to open the door. \u00a0Hoss came through and took his younger brother directly to the settee. \u00a0Having heard the commotion, Ben rose from his desk and moved toward his sons. \u00a0\u201cWhat happened?\u201d he demanded, fearing the worst, since with Joe, the worst was so often what he got.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss stomped my foot a mite,\u201d Joe jibed and then grinned, adding with a nod at his brother. \u00a0\u201cNot this one, the one with two left feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam having just peeled off Joe\u2019s sock, Ben sat on the table and took the boy\u2019s foot in hand, running probing fingers up and down its length. \u00a0Joe grunted a time or two as Ben increased the pressure of his fingers.<\/p>\n

Ben lowered the foot onto the pillow Hoss had conveniently provided. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s broken, son,\u201d he said, \u201cbut it\u2019s going to be painful for a few days. \u00a0Already starting to swell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few days,\u201d Joe moaned. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve only got \u2018til tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u00a0\u201cYou won\u2019t be dancing on that foot, my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nor helping with the barn raising, either,\u201d Adam observed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot fair to Laurie,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLaurie will understand, if she\u2019s half the girl I think she is,\u201d his father said firmly. \u00a0\u201cYou will be sitting right here tomorrow night with your foot soaking in a pan of Epsom salts, young man, and I\u2019ll have no argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe opened his mouth, thought better of it and then sighed, \u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0 Then he brightened. \u00a0\u201cWell, at least it solves your problem, Hoss,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

Hoss stared at him without comprehension. \u00a0\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour partner for the dance,\u201d Little Joe explained. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll see to it Laurie has a good time, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell . . . sure,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cif\u2019n that\u2019s what you want. \u00a0But you dead sure didn\u2019t have to go to these lengths to get me a partner, little brother. \u00a0I could have managed on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it,\u201d Joe said, smiling at last. \u00a0\u201cJust you remember, though: that little filly\u2019s branded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the pine tree brand?\u201d Adam inquired suggestively.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite yet,\u201d Little Joe said, knowing what his oldest brother meant, \u201cbut branded nonetheless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no rush,\u201d Ben assured him with a pointed glance at his eldest son. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a lifelong decision, so take your time and be sure, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but don\u2019t dilly dally too long, little brother,\u201d Hoss teased, \u201cor some other Cartwright just might slap a pine tree on your \u2018little filly.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t worried,\u201d Little Joe jibed right back. \u00a0\u201cShe ain\u2019t Adam\u2019s type.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone it! \u00a0I meant\u201d\u2014but Hoss never finished his sentence because the room erupted in laughter, and even if it was at his expense, Hoss couldn\u2019t resist joining in.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The following evening Little Joe sat in his father\u2019s well-cushioned chair, foot soaking in a warm solution of Epsom salts, and stared into the fire with a petulant, and seemingly permanent, pout on his lips. \u00a0Sulking, his father might have called it, but having seen quite enough of that expression throughout the day, Ben kept his nose buried in a book by Dickens. \u00a0His youngest was a notoriously poor patient and, if anything, had gone to extra lengths to prove it today. \u00a0He\u2019d insisted, for instance, that he was quite fit enough to nail a few boards on the Peters\u2019 barn, and when Ben had firmly said no to that, he\u2019d been outraged to learn that his father intended to stay home with him. \u00a0\u201cWell, I can scarcely trust you to stay put, can I?\u201d Ben had teased before pointing out that since Hop Sing was slated to help with feeding the workers at the barn raising, Joe would have been completely alone if his father went, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take care of myself,\u201d Joe had grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to my satisfaction,\u201d Ben had retorted with a look that said the discussion was ended. \u00a0Sulking and pouting had ensued for the rest of an increasingly long day.<\/p>\n

Both men looked up, startled, when the front door opened. \u00a0Only family did that without knocking, and both Adam and Hoss had left that morning for the barn raising and dance to follow. \u00a0Hoss\u2019s big frame filled the doorway, but as he stepped aside a vision in lavender silk swept past him and rushed to Little Joe\u2019s side. \u00a0Laurie dropped to her knees beside the pan of water. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d she murmured, looking at his foot.<\/p>\n

Little Joe cringed for a moment, for this was not the picture of himself he wanted his girl to carry with her. \u00a0\u201cWh-what are you doing here?\u201d he asked. \u00a0He turned accusing eyes on his older brother. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe danced a couple of times,\u201d Laurie assured him, laying a gentle hand on his knee. \u00a0\u201cKnowing how he loves it, I couldn\u2019t let Hoss give it all up for me, but I\u2019d rather be here, Joe, so please don\u2019t scold. \u00a0Does it hurt much, darling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Little Joe\u2019s countenance fell, and the boy who wouldn\u2019t, on pain of torture, have admitted the slightest discomfort to his father or brother, gazed at Laurie with drooping puppy eyes and nodded in mute misery. \u00a0\u201cOh, you poor thing,\u201d she soothed. \u00a0\u201cMay I see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, to the amazement of both Ben and Hoss, Little Joe nodded meekly and let her lift his foot from the water and begin to stroke it with skillful fingers. \u00a0\u201cThat doesn\u2019t hurt too much, does it?\u201d she asked as she continued the massage.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it feels . . . better,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I\u2019m dripping all over your lovely silk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just cloth,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019ll wash.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a towel,\u201d Ben said, gesturing toward the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Laurie said. \u00a0\u201cI see you\u2019ve thought of everything, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not quite<\/em>, Ben might have said, for he hadn\u2019t foreseen the girl\u2019s appearance. \u00a0Something about it, though, seemed so right. \u00a0He sat back, reminiscing, for the scene of domestic tranquility took him back to fireside moments with each of his wives. \u00a0Simple moments like this were what marriage was for, though he was sure younger men probably thought that what went on in the bedroom was the sole substance and purpose of marriage. \u00a0The physical bond was important, to be sure, but the communion of soul with soul that was happening before his eyes surpassed even that, and he rejoiced to see it happening for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how \u2018bout I pop us some corn?\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds lovely, Hoss,\u201d Laurie said. \u00a0She smiled up at her sweetheart. \u00a0\u201cAnd if you\u2019re feeling up to it, Little Joe, maybe we could have a game of checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halfway to the kitchen, Hoss halted. \u00a0\u201cBest watch out for that scoundrel, Miss Laurie,\u201d he warned. \u00a0\u201cHe cheats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie looked lovingly into Joe\u2019s face. \u00a0\u201cHe won\u2019t cheat me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever,\u201d Joe promised, and it was obvious to everyone in the room that he wasn\u2019t talking about checkers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Though not seriously injured, Little Joe\u2019s foot continued to plague him for the next couple of weeks, so his courtship with Laurie took a quiet turn. \u00a0In the first days she visited him at the Ponderosa, and as the soreness began to wane, he\u2019d ride over to the Reynolds\u2019 place for supper. \u00a0Consequently, they weren\u2019t alone much, but these were opportunities to grow better acquainted with each other\u2019s families. \u00a0Laurie began to loosen up, and the ease she\u2019d felt immediately with Hoss soon extended to the more formidable Ben and Adam, as well, while Little Joe developed a genuine appreciation for Tom Reynolds, a man of character as strong as his own father\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chores, including breaking the horses for an Army contract, had piled up, but Joe worked hard to get caught up, mostly schooling the horses his older brother had already broken. \u00a0Still, it was mid-November before he felt that he could request a few days off. \u00a0\u201cI need to ride over to Sacramento,\u201d he told his family as they gathered around the massive fireplace one evening after supper.<\/p>\n

Hoss had hooted, while Ben and Adam stared in incredulity. \u00a0Finally, Adam cleared his throat. \u00a0\u201cSurely, the date on the calendar has not escaped you,\u201d he suggested pointedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I know it\u2019s late,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo late,\u201d Hoss grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, son,\u201d Ben said. \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t want to risk being trapped on the wrong side of the Sierras.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Little Joe insisted, \u201cand it\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that important?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas presents,\u201d his younger brother said bluntly. \u00a0\u201cYou want something nice, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d a sight rather have you here, safe and sound, than anything you could buy me,\u201d Hoss snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not us he\u2019s thinking of,\u201d Adam suggested astutely.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow, knowing instantly that his eldest son had pegged it right. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sure Laurie will be quite content with whatever the merchants of Virginia City can supply.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t be,\u201d Little Joe pressed, squatting beside his father. \u00a0\u201cI\u2014I have something special in mind, something I saw last time we were in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe necklace?\u201d Adam inquired with a sly smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe grunted, head swinging toward his older brother. \u00a0\u201cI know you said it was inappropriate\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen,\u201d Adam interrupted with emphatic emphasis on the word. \u00a0\u201cIt was too early in your relationship for such an expensive gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not now,\u201d Little Joe challenged.<\/p>\n

Adam gave him a barely perceptible nod. \u00a0\u201cNot now . . . but you don\u2019t need to go to Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s nostrils flared. \u00a0\u201cMind your own business, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed abruptly. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s precisely what I am doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s brow wrinkled. \u00a0Sometimes there was just no understanding his book-dazed older brother. \u00a0Maybe he only meant that his younger brother\u2019s safety was his business . . . in which case, it really wasn\u2019t . . . but what was funny about that, anyway? \u00a0With a dismissive shake of his head, Joe turned back to his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I promise. \u00a0I\u2019ll ride straight there, make my purchase at the jeweler\u2019s and head right back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat loudly.\u00a0 \u201cThat would be pointless.\u201d \u00a0He paused only a moment before adding, \u201cIt isn\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head did a slow swivel. \u00a0\u201cHow can you know that?\u201d he asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u00a0\u201cBecause I bought it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe leaped to his feet. \u00a0\u201cYou bought it! \u00a0Knowing I wanted it? \u00a0I come to you for advice and you discourage me and then buy it out from under me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot precisely,\u201d Adam said with a sharp arch of his eyebrow. \u00a0His lips pursed into a half-smile, half-smirk as he waited for the light to dawn on his volatile little brother.<\/p>\n

It did, slowly. \u00a0\u201cYou bought it . . . for me?\u201d Little Joe asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u00a0\u201cTook a chance that your fancy wasn\u2019t fickle this time, so, as you see, this particular purchase is my business . . . since you\u2019ll be making it from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was the first to break out laughing, followed by Ben and finally Adam himself. \u00a0Little Joe smiled sheepishly and thanked his older brother for saving him a long, cold and ultimately fruitless ride to Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u201cYou sure you wouldn\u2019t rather handle this by yourself?\u201d Little Joe asked as he helped Laurie down from the wagon seat.<\/p>\n

She planted a palm on each hip. \u00a0\u201cLittle Joe Cartwright, you\u2019re not backing out on me now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe flicked a nervous glance at the austere building before them. \u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to scare the kids, when they\u2019re used to just you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScare the kids,\u201d she scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the one who\u2019s scared. \u00a0I never took you for a coward, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d he protested. \u00a0\u201cI just ain\u2019t so sure I\u2019m cut out for this sort of thing.\u201d\u00a0 His face brightened suddenly. \u00a0\u201cYou know who would be great, though? \u00a0My brother Hoss; he\u2019s got a real knack for managin\u2019 kids, and he\u2019d be glad to do it, too. \u00a0Let\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re here, and he\u2019s not,\u201d Laurie interrupted stubbornly. \u00a0\u201cThat makes you the man for the job.\u201d\u00a0 She pointed at the orphanage. \u00a0\u201cNow, git!\u201d<\/p>\n

No one in Virginia City would have believed that quiet little Laurie Reynolds could cow any man, much less a Cartwright, into submission, but Little Joe meekly moved toward the stone steps.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d she called, laughing as she added, \u201cYou forgot the box of goodies, my little Santa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe groaned as he moved to the back of the wagon. \u00a0\u201cYou ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 me into sportin\u2019 red underwear for that job!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly not,\u201d she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. \u00a0\u201cHoss really would be the man for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up in expectant hope of reprieve, but seeing her shake her head, he scowled and hefted the box from the wagon. \u00a0\u201cLead on,\u201d he said with a sigh of resignation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHiding behind a girl\u2019s skirts, are you?\u201d she teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the way,\u201d he grinned back.<\/p>\n

They entered and made their way to the dining hall, which was decorated with paper chains and holiday shapes cut from colored paper. \u00a0A tall tree stood at one end, its boughs garlanded with popcorn and gilded nuts from a local merchant. \u00a0\u201cNow what?\u201d Little Joe demanded as he set the box down on a table near the tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cUse the ribbon and tie the horns and whistles to the branches,\u201d Laurie ordered. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll tie on the dollies . . . unless you\u2019d rather.\u201d \u00a0She wagged a pocket-sized doll in front of his nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cHorns and whistles suit me fine,\u201d he said. \u00a0He touched the little doll with admiration.\u00a0 \u201cYou did a nice job.\u201d \u00a0While the boys\u2019 toys were donations from another merchant, he knew that Laurie had made most of the dolls herself, from inexpensive handkerchiefs, yet her artistic flair made them lovely, almost angelic little creations.<\/p>\n

She blushed at the praise. \u00a0\u201cJust see to it you do a nice job,\u201d she ordered lightly.<\/p>\n

He lifted his hand in salute. \u00a0\u201cYes, ma\u2019am!\u201d<\/p>\n

They worked side by side, alternating boys\u2019 and girls\u2019 gifts until they were all on the tree. \u00a0\u201cPerfect,\u201d she declared when they\u2019d finished.\u00a0 \u201cSee? \u00a0That wasn\u2019t so bad, was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t the part I was bothered by,\u201d he grunted. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s what to do when all the little rowdies come runnin\u2019 in.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed heartily. \u00a0\u201cOh, my goodness, Joe! \u00a0You act like you\u2019d never been around a child before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the youngest,\u201d he muttered. \u00a0\u201cI was the one givin\u2019 out all the experience in that department.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you did!\u201d she declared. \u00a0Then she laid an encouraging hand on his shoulder. \u00a0\u201cYou know perfectly well that the Ponderosa hosts a party for the orphans every year at Christmas Eve. \u00a0You must have\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeft all that to the older folks,\u201d he finished morosely.<\/p>\n

Lips held in a taut line, she shook her head. \u00a0\u201cThen it\u2019s high time you did your part.\u201d \u00a0With calm authority, she took his arm. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t worry: I\u2019ll protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better,\u201d he said, looking completely serious. \u00a0When the \u201clittle rowdies\u201d did come rushing in, he flinched in wild-eyed terror, but Laurie hurried forward to meet the children, kneeling in the floor and letting them throw their arms around her and chatter their news since her last visit. \u00a0Little Joe swallowed the boulder in his throat and stepped cautiously forward. \u00a0Laurie smiled at him and suggested that he tell the boys about the time he\u2019d won the Founders\u2019 Day footrace against so many older and bigger boys. \u00a0The boys, especially the youngest and smallest, hung on Joe\u2019s every word, and the older boy soon forgot his own insecurity in the face of their open acceptance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were wonderful with them, Little Joe,\u201d Laurie praised as they walked back to the wagon later that afternoon. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll make a fine father someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat what this was? \u00a0A test of my potential as a father?\u201d he asked, trying to keep his voice playful.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course not,\u201d she scolded, grabbing and shaking the lapels of his green jacket. \u00a0\u201cI always knew you\u2019d make a wonderful father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways?\u201d he asked softly, bending over so his lips hovered close to her own.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways,\u201d she said, smiling as she stepped back, for she didn\u2019t intend to put on a kissing performance for the young faces pressed to the windows inside the building. \u00a0\u201cAt least, since I first met your father. \u00a0The apple doesn\u2019t fall far from the tree, as they say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never live up to that,\u201d Little Joe said seriously. \u00a0\u201cPa\u2019s the best there is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMine, too . . . and Mama,\u201d Laurie said, \u201cbut as long as we aim for heights like that, I think we\u2019ll do all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Little Joe murmured. \u00a0\u201cI think we just might.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Noise filtered through the front door of the Ponderosa, as furniture was pushed back to open the floor for the dancing to follow, but it couldn\u2019t compete with the racket out in the yard. \u00a0There, the children from the orphanage were piling into hay-filled wagons for the long drive back to town. \u00a0Most of them would be asleep before they crossed the Ponderosa boundary, but they\u2019d been treated to a fine Christmas Eve celebration with the best food they\u2019d eaten\u2014well, since the same party last year. \u00a0They each clutched a paper horn filled with candy, and each claimed a hug or kiss from Laurie and Little Joe before they\u2019d consent to mount their wagon, the bigger boys demanding a handshake, to preserve their manly dignity.<\/p>\n

The process took a long time, so when the young couple finally stood alone beneath the stars, music had already started to drift through the door left ajar for their return. \u00a0\u201cThe dancing\u2019s started,\u201d Laurie whispered with a fond look toward the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not go in just yet,\u201d Little Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

She laughed lightly. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s cold out here, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s go into the barn,\u201d he suggested and then laughed at her surprised expression. \u00a0\u201cI promise to be a perfect gentleman,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI trust you,\u201d she said, stepping into the crook of his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t stay long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could stay forever,\u201d she said, laying her head on his shoulder, \u201cbut I suppose . . . for propriety\u2019s sake . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

His cheek caressed the top of her silky head. \u00a0\u201cUmm . . . I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

They entered the barn, and he lighted a lantern; then he stood admiring her in the soft light. \u00a0\u201cBeautiful,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

She gave her lavender skirt a rustling swish. \u00a0\u201cIs this the dress you meant?\u201d she asked, referring to his whispered direction at church the previous Sunday to \u201cwear something purple\u201d to the party.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that color,\u201d he replied with a mysterious smile.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted it to match this.\u201d \u00a0Slowly, he drew from his pocket a small box and presented it to her. \u00a0\u201cEarly Christmas present.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much early,\u201d she laughed, referring to the lateness of the hour. \u00a0She took the box in her hand, looking somewhat abashed. \u00a0\u201cI slipped yours under the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I wanted you to have this tonight . . . for the dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s a fresh dance card,\u201d she teased, knowing full well that no such formality would be practiced tonight. \u00a0\u201cIs it already filled out with your name on every line?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid of the small white box. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d she gasped as she lifted the silver chain and let the necklace dangle from her fingers. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful . . . so delicate.\u201d \u00a0Amethysts formed a cluster of tiny grapes, topped by a curling silver vine with a couple of tiny emeralds, suggesting leaves.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you,\u201d Little Joe said. \u00a0\u201cI wanted it for you the minute I saw it. \u00a0Just had to wait awhile before I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recognition of the costliness of the gift, sparkling eyes gazed lovingly into his own. \u00a0\u201cI should say you shouldn\u2019t have,\u201d she murmured, \u201cbut I\u2019m so glad you did.\u00a0 I love it, Little Joe. \u00a0Help me with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He took the necklace and, stepping behind her, fastened it around her neck. \u00a0\u201cI love you,\u201d he whispered, lips brushing her neck. \u00a0Turning her toward him, he pressed his lips against hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d she sighed, sinking into his embrace. \u00a0For a moment . . . an eternity, they rested in each other\u2019s arms, drinking nectar from each other\u2019s lips, and then, still in disbelief that this long-cherished dream could be coming true, she drew back slowly. \u00a0\u201cWe should go back in, if I\u2019m to show off this beautiful treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should,\u201d he agreed, although he looked as reluctant as she. \u00a0Then he added with a laugh, \u201cBefore your pa comes after me with a buggy whip.\u201d \u00a0He slipped his arm around her and led her from the barn. \u00a0Stars seemed to twinkle in approval in the clear sky above, reflected in the eyes of the young couple moving toward the warmth and music of the house.<\/p>\n

\u00a0* * * * *<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Little Joe\u2019s mouth gaped open as Laurie removed her woolen cape and handed it to him.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s new,\u201d he babbled. \u00a0She\u2019d already had the cape on when she\u2019d walked into her parlor earlier, so he hadn\u2019t seen the dress until now, and it was stunning, far and away the richest fabric he\u2019d ever seen her wear.<\/p>\n

Laurie touched the cluster of amethyst grapes at her throat. \u00a0\u201cI wanted something worthy of this,\u201d she murmured, eyes dipping shyly for just a moment and then rising frankly to gauge his reaction. \u00a0\u201cIt matches better, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Joe said dreamily. \u00a0He was no great hand at matching colors, but even he could see that this deeper shade of violet suited the necklace better than the lighter lavender silk she\u2019d worn a week before. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s . . . elegant. \u00a0Matches your eyes, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurie laughed. \u00a0\u201cIsn\u2019t that why you chose amethysts, to match my eyes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Little Joe said with a wry smile. \u00a0\u201cI just thought they looked like you, so . . . yeah, maybe that\u2019s what was tickling the back of my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

She cupped his face between her hands. \u00a0\u201cYou are such a man,\u201d she chided playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are such a woman,\u201d he leaned close to her ear to whisper. \u00a0\u201cI love this on you,\u201d he said, touching the necklace, \u201cbut I sort of miss my brand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRide over any day of the week, and you\u2019ll see it,\u201d she said. \u00a0Her finger touched his, which still rested on the cluster of grapes. \u00a0\u201cThis is special . . . for parties, but I love wearing your brand . . . every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

He almost asked her, there and then, to wear his brand, the name of Cartwright, every day for the rest of her life, but a public dance floor was not the setting he wanted for that conversation. \u00a0Suddenly subdued, he asked, \u201cShall we dance, my love?\u201d<\/p>\n

Color rose in her cheeks, for he\u2019d never used that particular endearment for her before. \u00a0Somehow, it seemed more intimate than his usual \u201csweetheart\u201d or \u201cdarling,\u201d or \u201cmy filly,\u201d his favorite designation.\u00a0 Had she known that Little Joe had always heard his father address his mother as \u201cmy love,\u201d the term would have carried even greater significance. \u00a0As it was, she was still so overcome by emotion that she could only whisper yes, but as he led her to the dance floor, he didn\u2019t seem to notice the unaccustomed apprehension that flickered in her adoring eyes. \u00a0It was only there for a moment, however, and they spent the night dancing in each other\u2019s arms, with him surrendering her to other partners only as often as propriety dictated.<\/p>\n

Neither had much appetite when the New Year\u2019s Eve ball ended, so they barely touched the refreshments and left early. \u00a0\u201cTired?\u201d Little Joe asked as the buggy entered the foothills after crossing the valley from town.<\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u00a0\u201cI wish this night could never end.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled at her. \u00a0\u201cAh, but then how could the new year begin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven so,\u201d she whispered and fell silent, as she had been for much of the drive toward home.<\/p>\n

He moistened his suddenly dry lips. \u00a0\u201cI only asked because I was wondering if you\u2019d mind swinging by the lake. \u00a0It\u2019s . . . beautiful in the moonlight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d she said, though he had to lean close to hear it.<\/p>\n

They traveled up into the hills, again in silence. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re very quiet tonight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been quiet,\u201d she said, looking at the surrounding trees as if they were the most fascinating scenery she\u2019d seen in her entire life.<\/p>\n

Not this quiet<\/em>, he might have said, but that wasn\u2019t the conversation he wanted to have. \u00a0He decided to follow her example and save his words until they reached the lake. \u00a0When they arrived, he helped her down and they walked along the shore for a few minutes, savoring the soft lapping of waves on the sand and the moonlight reflected on the water rippling toward them. \u00a0Finally, he stopped and turned to face her. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about the new year,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u00a0\u201cMaking resolutions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that.\u201d\u00a0 He took her hand. \u00a0\u201cI want this year to include the day I make you mine. \u00a0I\u2019m asking you to be my wife, Laurie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her free hand flew to her lips. \u00a0Suddenly pale, she stepped back. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe, I . . . I should have known, should have seen this coming, but I didn\u2019t think . . . I hoped . . . it wouldn\u2019t be . . . quite . . . so soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked dumbstruck for a moment. \u00a0In all the months they\u2019d spent together, he thought he\u2019d learned to read her heart, but this had taken him completely by surprise. \u00a0\u201cYou need more time to think about it?\u201d he asked slowly.<\/p>\n

Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t marry you, Little Joe. \u00a0Oh, I\u2019m so sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n

Being turned down by any girl was something he\u2019d never experienced; to be turned down by this one, something he\u2019d never expected.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI thought you loved me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d she sobbed, \u201cwith all my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t want to marry me?\u201d \u00a0He shook his head in confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I want to marry you!\u201d she cried. \u00a0Her next words were barely audible, because she\u2019d buried her face in her hands, but he heard them. \u00a0\u201cBut I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled her hands away. \u00a0\u201cIs it your pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

She gasped, amazed that he\u2019d so quickly discerned the problem, and nodded in silent misery.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think he\u2019d give his consent?\u201d Little Joe asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cHas he said so? \u00a0\u2018Cause I thought him and me were gettin\u2019 along just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

No, he hadn\u2019t discerned anything, after all, Laurie realized. \u00a0Her eyes sought the heavens, seeking help in explaining what she was feeling. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019d consent,\u201d she said. \u00a0\u201cHe thinks the world of you, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

He exhaled in frustration. \u00a0\u201cLaurie, try making sense,\u201d he said bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure I can,\u201d she admitted. \u00a0\u201cMy feelings are all twisted inside, torn two directions at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s sort them out together then,\u201d he said gently, reaching out to stroke her hair with a soothing hand. \u00a0\u201cJust tell me what you\u2019re feeling. \u00a0What two directions are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

She calmed down a bit, though tears still shimmered in her eyes. \u00a0\u201cI love you; I want nothing more than to marry you, to make a home for you, to bear your children, to grow old together, but . . . I don\u2019t think I can be that selfish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause . . . of . . . your pa?\u201d \u00a0He was trying to piece together what she\u2019d said, but so far nothing made much sense.<\/p>\n

She nodded miserably. \u00a0\u201cHe\u2019d be all alone, Little Joe, all alone in that house.\u201d<\/p>\n

He closed his eyes in pain. \u00a0\u201cHow long have you been feeling this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears streamed down her face now.\u00a0 \u201cJust this week. \u00a0I was so\u2014so blinded by love before that I didn\u2019t think of anything but my own happiness. \u00a0It was something he said Christmas Day, about this probably being our last Christmas together, that set me thinking, but it really wasn\u2019t until you asked me just now that I knew I couldn\u2019t do that to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Laurie, we\u2019d see him every Christmas,\u201d Little Joe said. \u00a0\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t let him spend that day alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure of that,\u201d she said, \u201cbut it\u2019s not just the holidays.\u201d \u00a0Her eyes pleaded for understanding.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you see? \u00a0With Mama and Clive gone, he\u2019d be alone, every day, once I left.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stepped closer and took her hand. \u00a0\u201cLaurie, do you honestly think your father expects . . . or even wants . . . for you to give up your own happiness, just to stay home and take care of him? \u00a0\u2018Cause that sure isn\u2019t the man I\u2019ve come to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head. \u00a0\u201cOf course, he wouldn\u2019t. \u00a0But he\u2019s given so much to me, my whole life, and it\u2019s selfish of me to put my happiness above his need.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t think I can.\u201d \u00a0Each word of the final sentence came more slowly than the one before.<\/p>\n

Little Joe rolled his eyes in frustration. \u00a0\u201cLaurie Reynolds, you are the most pigheadedly unselfish person I\u2019ve ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you listen to me now,\u201d he insisted. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a problem, I grant you, but if we marry\u2014and I do know that, for you, it\u2019s \u2018if\u2019 right now\u2014we\u2019re gonna face all kinds of problems. \u00a0Every young couple does, but they solve them\u2014together\u2014and so can we.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment hope sparked in her eyes, but then she dropped her gaze to the ground. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t see any solution,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Little Joe pressed her hands tightly. \u00a0\u201cMe, either, right now, but we\u2019ll find one.\u00a0 I promise we will.\u201d \u00a0When she still kept her veiled gaze downward, he reached out and lifted her chin. \u00a0\u201cLaurie, do you trust me?\u201d he asked tenderly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Little Joe . . . with my life!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

The left side of his mouth quirked up in a quizzical half-smile. \u00a0\u201cJust not with your father\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her response was the one he least expected: she laughed. \u00a0\u201cOh, Joe, when you put it like that . . . I am being foolish, aren\u2019t I?\u201d \u00a0Laughing again, this time in relief, she flung herself into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, I trust you! \u00a0With my life . . . with the lives of our children to come . . . and with my father\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my girl,\u201d he said, holding her close. \u00a0\u201cLook, I know I don\u2019t feel the kind of love for your father that I feel for my own . . . yet . . . but I do care about him. \u00a0I wouldn\u2019t want to see him hurt and alone any more than I\u2019d want that for Pa. \u00a0We\u2019ll work it out\u2014and it\u2019s not like we\u2019re movin\u2019 off to San Francisco or some such place.\u201d<\/p>\n

She drew back, holding his hands and smiling up at him. \u00a0\u201cI believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled her a step closer and gazed earnestly into her upturned face. \u00a0\u201cSo, will you wear the Cartwright brand . . . \u2018til death do us part, little filly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour brand\u2019s been on my heart a long time,\u201d she said, \u201cand I\u2019ll be proud to wear it where the whole world can see . . . from now until forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took her in his arms again and pressed his lips to hers with the fervent heat of branding iron against sizzling flesh, while waves splashed at their feet and the cool moon above bathed them in a glow almost as radiant as that which shone in their eyes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The End<\/p>\n

\u00a9 April, 2010<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Little Joe Cartwright is surprised to find himself attracted to shy little Laurie Reynolds, the girl next door. \u00a0Although she isn’t the sort of girl that normally draws his attention, he’s beginning to wonder if she just might be the one true love of his life.<\/p>\n

Rated: K \u00a0WC 22,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":2680,"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":[3],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-4370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-romance","tag-joe","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1709,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/son4son1.jpg?fit=1341%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7631,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7631","url_meta":{"origin":4370,"position":0},"title":"Tarnished Armor (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Hoss's deceit tarnishes his armor in Emily's eyes. 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