Summary: Samantha Malloy returns to Virginia City to live with her two older brothers. They all grew up with harsh step-parents but Sam was the last to leave. Her brothers hope she finds healing at last as she settles into her new home and meets new friends, such as the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n
Rating: PG, Word Count: 8997<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A New Life<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/p>\n The stagecoach rolled to a stop in Virginia City as Samantha Malloy looked out the small window. Freedom, sweet freedom. The only gentleman on the stage opened the door and stepped out. He helped two other ladies out before assisting Sam who was the last to get off. She looked around with a grin on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cSam! Sammy!\u201d voices called out behind her.<\/p>\n Sam turned and saw her brothers. She ran to her oldest brother Fred and threw her arms around him.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, it\u2019s so good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/p>\n Fred let go of his sister as she turned to hug Levi. Levi wrapped his arms around her and pulled her off her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re so glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Levi said, setting her down.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Fred took a closer look at Sam and saw a faded black eye.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, what happened to your eye?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. Let\u2019s get your things,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re over there.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam pointed to her trunk and bag. The boys picked them up and took her to the buggy. Soon they were heading for the brothers\u2019 home outside of town.<\/p>\n Sam looked around as they rode. The scenery was vast and beautiful.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anything so open,\u201d Sam said in awe as they pulled up to the house.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not much but it\u2019s home,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s wonderful,\u201d Sam said as Levi helped her down.<\/p>\n They took her things in and to her room.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is your room. Do you need help with anything?\u201d Levi asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m all right. I\u2019ll get unpacked and be out in a minute,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right.\u201d Levi said and walked out.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you see her black eye?\u201d Fred whispered to Levi.<\/p>\n Levi nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a feeling it was Max,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think so too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish we could have gotten her out of that house after she graduated college,\u201d Levi said regretfully.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too. But you know we couldn\u2019t do that. We weren\u2019t set up like we are now. Even though Ben made me a ranch foreman we still weren\u2019t ready. You were just scraping by with the mine. What could we do for Sam then? It\u2019s just frustrating to know that she was under Max\u2019s thumb and we couldn\u2019t do a thing,\u201d Fred said rubbing his face.<\/p>\n \u201cFred? Levi?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n The boys looked at her. She was standing in the doorway playing with her necklace.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I talk to you?\u201d She asked uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. Come sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam went to the table and sat down. She was trying to gather her thoughts of their mother Martha, step-father Max and the twins William and Bobby and how they had treated her. Their father Marty had died from a tumor when Sam was about twelve. Martha had met Max at a social gathering. They courted and married a year after their father died. Then a year after that, the twins William and Bobby were born<\/p>\n \u201cThis is going to be hard to tell you. Max and Mother were terrible at home. I stayed at college through the holidays. I didn\u2019t want to go home. When I did get home after graduating, Max and Mother made life hell. They had fired all the help but Matilda. She had mostly taken care of William and Bobby when they were little. So she and I ended up doing the cleaning, cooking and whatever else they ordered us to do. The twins were just as bad when they got older. They\u2019re eight now. Max had me meet a man named Scott Whitaker. We got engaged and it was horrible. Oh, he\u2019d act nice to everyone but when we were alone, he\u2019d beat me. He tried to\u2026he tried to push himself on me. I hit him many times but he\u2019d hit me back. A week before we got married, he was killed in a carriage accident. Max and mother blamed me since I had been in the carriage. But something spooked the horse and the axle broke, throwing us both out of the carriage. After the funeral, Max gave me a few days before he forced me to meet another man, Tyler Rogers, and wanted me to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, Tyler Rogers, the kid who bullied you in school?\u201d Levi interrupted.<\/p>\n Sam nodded. \u201cHe is worse than he was in school if you can believe it. He was worse than Scott. Max and Mother didn\u2019t care how he treated me. They encouraged it. They said that I should be more compliant. I heard rumors about me which weren\u2019t good. I\u2019m not sure who started it but I hated it. The rumors were that I was a loose woman. But I\u2019m not. I never have been. I was humiliated and Max and Mother wouldn\u2019t do a thing to stop the rumors. Matilda had given me a letter you sent and I was ready to come out here. I wanted to start new. It was Matilda who sent the wire to you. She helped me pack my things and get out here. I tried to get her to come with me but she refused over and over. Heaven help her when they find out what happened,\u201d Sam explained.<\/p>\n Fred and Levi took in the news. Their hearts ached for their sister.<\/p>\n \u201cI hate that Max and Mother are like that. They\u2019re teaching William and Bobby how to hate us. I always thought Mother was bad when Father was alive but she\u2019s much worse with Max.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry we couldn\u2019t bring you out here sooner,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t feel bad. I heard you two talking. You\u2019re right about not being ready to have me come. I understand. I\u2019m not mad at either of you. It\u2019s about supper time. What can I make for you?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n Fred and Levi laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy, you just got in today and you\u2019re wanting to cook for us? How about we cook for you? Tomorrow we\u2019ll take you over to the Cartwrights to take their buggy back and you can meet them,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about them,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n Levi got up to fix dinner while Fred told Sam about the Cartwrights. \u201cYou know that Levi and I left while you were at college. Well Levi got a job at the mines. I didn\u2019t want to work there and saw Mister Cartwright signing men up to work on his ranch, so I signed up. I worked my way up and made it to ranch foreman. It took a while to do. They treated me like a family member too. Ben was married three different times. They each had a son but the wives died when their boys were babies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Mister Cartwright and his boys. Such sadness,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that hasn\u2019t stopped them from building the Ponderosa. They\u2019re a good family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait to meet them.\u201d<\/p>\n Over dinner they talked about other things happening around town.<\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/p>\n The next day, Levi went to the mines while Sam and Fred went to the Ponderosa. They rode to the front of the house and Fred pulled the horses to a stop. There was a big man that walked out of the barn. Fred helped Sam down then saw the big man.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, how are you?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m good. I\u2019m surprised to see you here today. I figured you\u2019d be getting your sister settled,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cShe came in last night. This is my sister, Sam. Sam, this is Hoss Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam had been partially hidden behind Fred. She was nervous around Hoss because of his size. He looked like he could hit someone and leave marks. She\u2019d remember not to cross him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you, Sam,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you too,\u201d she replied shyly.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2019s in the house if you want to see him,\u201d Hoss said, turning to Fred.<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss led the way and Sam still stayed behind her brother.<\/p>\n Hoss opened the door and called for his father. An older man walked out from his office and had a big grin on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, it\u2019s a surprise to see you. You didn\u2019t need to get the buggy back so soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I figured I would. This is my sister, Sam. Sam, this is Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you, Sam. We\u2019ve heard a lot about you from Fred.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam looked at her brother then Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you too, Mister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, call me Ben. Fred, would you, Levi and Sam like to have dinner with us this Friday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we\u2019d like that. Thank you. We\u2019d best get going. I just need to get my horse from you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, before you go, we have something for Sam,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething for me?\u201d Sam asked, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, come out to the barn,\u201d Ben led the way.<\/p>\n They walked in the barn and Ben brought out a Palomino horse.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is for you. When Fred told us you\u2019d be coming to live with them, Hoss suggested getting you a horse. He picked out the finest horse we have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why?\u201d The words slipped out of Sam\u2019s mouth before she could stop herself.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cOut here you need a horse. We wanted to surprise you with it and welcome you to Virginia City,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. It\u2019ll take me awhile to pay you back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSam, it\u2019s a gift. You don\u2019t pay us back. We\u2019re glad you\u2019re here and that we finally get to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n She took the reins from Ben and walked the horse out.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hoss,\u201d Sam said when she walked by him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n She got up on the horse and followed Fred home.<\/p>\n After taking a few days to settle in, Sam had got a job working at the mines doing the cooking with the other women. There were other women doing laundry. She had enjoyed it so far. Levi walked up to her while she was washing dishes.<\/p>\n \u201cHey there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sam jumped and sliced the palm of her right hand with the knife. She dropped it in the water and held her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Sammy, I\u2019m so sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to startle you. Here, let me look at it,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n He got the dish towel next to Sam and put it on her hand. She sucked in her breath as he put pressure on it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe may have to take you to Doctor Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n He led her to their horses and helped her up. He got on his horse and they headed to town.<\/p>\n Paul looked at her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re lucky it wasn\u2019t too deep so it won\u2019t need stitches. This\u2019ll sting but it\u2019ll keep any infection from setting in.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul poured something on her hand. Sam tried not to scream with the pain. She grabbed her skirts and tightened her grasp on it. After he let it dry, he bandaged it.<\/p>\n \u201cJust keep an eye on it and be careful. Here\u2019s something for the pain too,\u201d Paul said handing her a brown bottle.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Doctor,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n Levi paid him and they left.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get you home,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n She nodded and they headed home.<\/p>\n When they got home, Sam went to take a nap. Fred walked in the door and Levi told Fred what happened when he got home.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we should cancel dinner with Ben and Hoss tonight,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cI forgot about that. Yeah, we should,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s not. It\u2019ll be alright,\u201d Sam said from the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, are you sure? How are you feeling?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all right. Let\u2019s go. It would be rude to cancel at the last minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re sure,\u201d Fred said, blowing a breath out.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got an hour to get ready,\u201d Levi said looking at the clock.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll change,\u201d Sam said and went back to her room to change.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a stubborn one,\u201d Fred whispered to Levi smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cShe takes after you,\u201d Levi jabbed back.<\/p>\n Fred playfully shoved his brother.<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/p>\n Sam listened to the menfolk talk during dinner. She was never invited into the conversations at home so she kept to her own thoughts. She followed the same pattern tonight although Ben and Hoss tried to engage her a few times. Fred was talking to Ben about the ranch while Levi was talking to Hoss about the mines and activities in town. Sam was trying to use her left hand and was glad it was meatloaf instead of soup. It was less of a mess. She hoped that nobody was watching her. Hoss had been watching her at different times and wanted to help her but didn\u2019t want to embarrass her. Hoss kept to his conversation with Levi.<\/p>\n After dinner, they went to the living room and talked more. Sam excused herself and went outside. She needed to get out into the fresh air. She held her throbbing hand trying to block the pain. Sam heard footsteps behind her and before she could stop herself, she turned and punched whoever was behind her. She heard the groan and saw in the dim light of the lamps that it was Hoss. Her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped. He was doubled over trying to get his breath back.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Hoss, I\u2019m so sorry. You startled me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss got his breath back and he stood his full height. Sam then flinched waiting for him to hit her. Instead of hitting her, he took her right hand seeing the blood on the bandage.<\/p>\n \u201cYour hand is bleeding. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n He led her to the kitchen through another door so as to not draw attention to them. Hoss found a clean bandage and took care of it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got quite the fist,\u201d Hoss said smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry about that. It\u2019s just defense now when I get scared. I\u2019m surprised you didn\u2019t hit me back. You had every right to,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n Hoss looked at her sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, I could never hit a woman. A man should never raise a hand to a woman.\u201d<\/p>\n He finished tying the bandage and led her back outside. They sat down. Sam felt Hoss looking at her and she turned and he was looking at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you staring at me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I guess I didn\u2019t realize I was.\u201d<\/p>\n The front door opened. The two stood as they saw Ben, Fred and Levi walking out.<\/p>\n \u201cHere you two are,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were just enjoying the evening,\u201d Sam said nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be going. Thanks again, Ben, for supper,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, may I help you on your horse?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n The two walked to her horse and he helped her up.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Malloy siblings waved as they left.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, do you have feelings for Sam?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. She\u2019s a nice gal with a good punch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI accidentally scared her and she punched me in the stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what her brothers told me she\u2019s been abused so it\u2019s not surprising she\u2019d react that way. They taught her to fight when they were younger. They felt I should know. I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll tell you more in her time,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded, still watching where they had left. Hoss really had thought she was beautiful.<\/p>\n Sam\u2019s hand got better and she was back to work. Levi told her and Fred about a baseball game coming up.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy, we need you to play for us,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you\u2019re the best player I know. You played for your college team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was just women playing. We never played against the men,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n \u201cAw come on, Sammy. It\u2019ll be something nobody has ever seen in the west,\u201d Levi pushed.<\/p>\n Sam looked at Fred. \u201cWhat do you think, Fred?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s up to you. I\u2019d like to see you against the men. They all think that women should stay in the kitchen,\u201d Fred replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll do it,\u201d Sam sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat! Let\u2019s go out and practice,\u201d Levi said jumping up from the couch and running outside.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d think he was ten years old again,\u201d Sam joked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is. Let\u2019s go outside,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n They both joined their brother to practice.<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/p>\n The day of the baseball game came. Everyone in town came to watch the game. Word spread like wildfire that a girl would be playing baseball with the men. Sam looked at the men and became nervous.<\/p>\n \u201cLevi, are you sure this is a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. You\u2019ll be great,\u201d Levi said patting her shoulder.<\/p>\n The game started and everyone cheered or jeered at the players. Sam was the fourth player up. There were three men already on base. Sam got up to base and got ready. She missed the two pitches which made the men catcall worse. Sam hit the third ball which had flown past the men in the field. All four ran to home. Everyone cheered.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you, you could do it,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n The game continued and towards the end Levi\u2019s team beat the other team 6-0. Sam even pitched a no hitter which surprised the men that a girl could throw so well. After the game, many of the men came up to congratulate Sam. Sam finally had enough of being mobbed and left. Hoss had seen the game and was impressed at how she played. He knew his brothers would never believe this. He figured they should be home within the evening or the next day. It would be great to see their reactions. \u201cYou\u2019re joshing. A girl playing ball with the men?\u201d Joe scoffed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s been to college and plays baseball? Educated women should not play games like that with men,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n Joe nudged his brother. \u201cAw, come on Adam. Why not? That\u2019s something I\u2019d like to see.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n Hoss just smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe him and I didn\u2019t see the game,\u201d Ben said, walking by the boys to go to his office.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere does Sam work?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s been at the mines helping the ladies but she just got a job as a telegrapher. Mister Hooper gave her a job there after the game,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re kidding,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he\u2019s not. I was in town today and Sam was there,\u201d Ben confirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to meet this girl,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n Hoss saw the gleam in Joe\u2019s eyes and rolled his.<\/p>\n Sam had been working as a telegrapher for a month and enjoying it. It was better than working at the mines. Not that she didn\u2019t like it but this was a tad easier. She had gained celebrity status after the baseball game. Everyone wanted to see the girl who could play baseball just as well as a man. It became an annoyance after a few days. She had even made the papers which escalated the status more. There were some who told her to stay home and let the men play ball. She learned to ignore those men.<\/p>\n Due to her new job she had decided to move into town. It was easier to get to work and her brothers could have their space back. They argued with her to stay but she wanted her independence. She found a boarding house and moved in.<\/p>\n Sam had seen Hoss at different times. He\u2019d pop into the office to say hello. Fred had told her that Adam and Joe had got home from the cattle drive but they hadn\u2019t left the ranch since they got back. She had yet to meet them. The bell jingled as the door opened. She looked up and saw Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss. how are you? I was just thinking about you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was. I realized I hadn\u2019t seen you since the ball game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. It\u2019s been busy on the ranch. I have been wanting to see you. My pa is having a dance this Saturday night. He invited your brothers and I wanted to invite you,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Sam could tell he was nervous.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to, Hoss. Thank you. I\u2019ll come with my brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned to leave then turned around but looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there anything else I can help you with?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh, wondered if you wanted to do dinner with me after work?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam was surprised he\u2019d ask her to dinner.<\/p>\n \u201cI would love to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Hoss looked up surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, really,\u201d Sam said smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come pick you up when you\u2019re off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss walked out but took another look at her through the window and smiled. Sam smiled too. There was something about Hoss that she liked. Maybe it was just him and nothing specific. Could she really fall for him after what she had been through with Scott and Tyler? Would he be kind and caring now and then turn when they courted or even married? Would he beat her? Too many questions started swimming around in her head and she sat down and held it wishing them to stop.<\/p>\n That night, Hoss and Sam went to dinner and had a wonderful time. Sam was still apprehensive about him but yet something told her he was a good man. Afterwards, he walked her home but they sat outside on the porch swing to talk.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, um,\u201d Hoss started but stopped.<\/p>\n He wanted to know more about her but he felt he\u2019d be prying.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Sam asked, looking at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI shouldn\u2019t ask. It\u2019s not polite to pry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to know about my life in Boston?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it Fred told you and your father a bit about me?\u201d<\/p>\n Again came the nod.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think I\u2019ll be angry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n She took his big hand in her small ones.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I want you to know I am not mad at you for wanting to know. You should know. We are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n She told him about her home life including Scott and Tyler.<\/p>\n \u201cThat all really happened to you?\u201d Hoss asked in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cIt did. I don\u2019t know what you think of me now. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if you thought me a hussy,\u201d Sam chuckled.<\/p>\n Hoss couldn\u2019t help but laugh. He found her laugh infectious.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t call you that or even think it. I knew you were a great girl from what I had heard from Fred. I think you\u2019re wonderful,\u201d he said in awe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re joking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not. I have thought about you all this time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. I know I\u2019ve seen you sometimes but Pa asked if I was starting to have feelings for you. At first I said no but now I think I may. He asked if it was because of what Fred had told us and only liking you because I felt bad for you and wanted to help in some way. I can\u2019t say whether the feelings I have are because I still feel bad or if they\u2019re genuine,\u201d Hoss admitted.<\/p>\n Sam smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, you\u2019re pretty easy to fall for. I was scared of you at first because you\u2019re so big. I thought oh no don\u2019t make him mad because he can squash you. Hoss, can we take things slow and see where it goes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sam wanted to kiss him so bad but she resisted the urge. Especially after she just told him to take it slow.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let you go in. I\u2019ll see you on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n The two got up and hugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait,\u201d she said and went inside.<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/p>\n The dance was in full swing when Sam and her brothers arrived. Music was playing and couples were dancing. Sam and her brothers walked in the house. Those who weren\u2019t dancing saw the siblings and waved their greetings.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s Hoss,\u201d Fred said pointing to the big man by the staircase.<\/p>\n Hoss saw them and broke into a big grin. He made his way through the crowd to the Malloy siblings.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you,\u201d Hoss said to them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re glad we made it. Levi here took forever to get ready. You\u2019d think it was the womenfolk who took a long time. In our family it\u2019s Levi,\u201d Fred teased.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I\u2019ve gotta make a good impression on these ladies,\u201d Levi joked back.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to dance?\u201d Hoss asked Sam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Hoss is sweet on our sister,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cI figured that out days ago,\u201d Fred replied, not taking his eyes off his sister and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Why didn\u2019t you say anything?\u201d Levi asked, trying to not shout.<\/p>\n Fred then turned to Levi and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he\u2019s hardly kept his mind on his work since he took our sister to dinner\u201d<\/p>\n Levi smacked Fred\u2019s arm. \u201cYou could have told me,\u201d he said irritated then chuckled.<\/p>\n He then went to find a girl to dance with.<\/p>\n After the music was over, Hoss led Sam to the punch bowl. Adam, Joe, Fred and Ben were there. Levi was off flirting with a girl he just met.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Joe, meet Sam. Sam, these are my brothers Adam and Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust Joe, Ma\u2019am.\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve heard a lot about you,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope all good,\u201d Sam said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard you\u2019re a ball player,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you get into it?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMy brothers taught me growing up, we played at school and I played on a team when I was in college.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou went to college and played ball?\u201d Adam asked, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cSure. There was a woman\u2019s team there. They thought it was good exercise for the women.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure looks like it,\u201d Joe said slyly, looking her up and down.<\/p>\n Sam stiffened at his words and him looking at her. Now she wasn\u2019t sure about Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, stop it,\u201d Hoss hissed.<\/p>\n He could feel Sam getting uncomfortable about Joe\u2019s remark and looking her up and down.<\/p>\n \u201cI need some air. Excuse me,\u201d she said and walked out.<\/p>\n \u201cWay to go, Little Joe\u201d Hoss said and shoved his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did I do?\u201d Joe asked bewildered.<\/p>\n Adam just shrugged.<\/p>\n Hoss went outside and found Sam by the corral. Tears streamed down her face.<\/p>\n \u201cSam?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam quickly wiped the tears from her face before facing Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I just didn\u2019t like how Joe was towards me. I know he doesn\u2019t know anything but I just didn\u2019t like the feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. Joe\u2019s a flirt but he don\u2019t mean any harm. May I hug you?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Sam nodded and Hoss enfolded her into a tight hug.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to go in or stay out here?\u201d Hoss asked when they pulled away.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go inside,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n He held his arm out and she took it as they went back in.<\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/p>\n Hoss and Sam spent more time together as the days went on. Hoss even talked Sam into playing ball. It was just Hoss\u2019 family and Sam\u2019s brothers. Adam still felt that an \u201ceducated woman\u201d could never really play ball, but he kept those thoughts quiet in front of Sam. Hoss pitched to Sam and she whacked it over the house. Adam was stunned and Joe ran for the ball. When he came back, he cheered for her.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was great, Sammy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShow them how you pitch,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n She took the ball from Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy took my ball,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n Ben laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Joe your turn to bat,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n Joe smiled and grabbed the bat. Fred stood behind Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t need to stand there, Fred, I\u2019ll hit the ball,\u201d Joe said smugly.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be so sure about that,\u201d Fred replied.<\/p>\n Sam pitched and Joe missed.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, Sammy that\u2019s great. So Adam, what are your thoughts about educated women and baseball?\u201d Joe asked smugly.<\/p>\n \u201cI was wrong,\u201d Adam admitted and tipped his head to Sam.<\/p>\n \u201cGlad I could change your mind,\u201d Sam said with a smile.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n The town had another ballgame for the Fourth of July. Everyone turned out for the game. Even Adam and Joe wanted to watch the game. Again, Sam\u2019s team won. Later that evening, the Cartwrights and Malloys joined the \u201cSam, I uh, wondered if you want to go courting with me?\u201d Hoss asked nervously.<\/p>\n Sam was relieved by the question. \u201cI\u2019d love to,\u201d she replied, surprised by her own reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss pulled her into a hug and then kissed her.<\/p>\n A few months later at work, Sam was working on a telegraph for a lady in town when the bell over the door jangled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be with you shortly,\u201d she said, not looking up from what she was writing.<\/p>\n When she finally looked up and saw Tyler Rogers standing behind the woman, she gasped but tried keeping her composure while helping Missus Singleton with her telegraph.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Missus Singleton, it\u2019ll be a dollar,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you so much for helping me, Sam. I always appreciate your help,\u201d the older woman said with a big grin on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome. I hope you have a good day and tell your daughter hello for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n Missus Singleton left.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing here? How did you find me?\u201d Sam hissed at Tyler.<\/p>\n \u201cWell this is a surprise reaction for your fianc\u00e9,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not your fianc\u00e9e and never was. You didn\u2019t answer my questions. What are you doing here and how did you find me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour father told me where you were. Seems that a certain servant told him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not my father. And what did Max do to Matilda?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe beat her. She finally told him everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Anger rose in Sam. Then guilt. She had left Matilda there to face Max alone. How she wished Matilda had come with her.<\/p>\n \u201cI had to come get my fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned over the counter towards her. Sam drew back.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you I\u2019m not your fianc\u00e9e. I have my own life here and a beau.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA beau? You\u2019re a nothing, Samantha. You need someone to dictate what you do and beat you into submission when you don\u2019t follow what your husband says.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I’m nothing then why are you here wanting me to marry you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not need you. Not then. Not now. Not ever,\u201d she spat.<\/p>\n Tyler slapped Sam in the face. Just as Sam fell backwards and hit her head on a chair the door opened. Hoss stood there watching the whole thing. He didn\u2019t know who this man was but he did not treat Sam that way. Hoss grabbed his shoulder and spun him around and punched him. Tyler fell on the floor unconscious. Hoss then went to Sam and checked her pulse. It was beating. He then checked her head. There was some bleeding. The door opened and Roy walked in. Hoss stood up to see who it was.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, glad to see you. This man beat up Sam. I don\u2019t know who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. I\u2019ll get him up and take him to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy knelt by Tyler and shook him awake. Hoss took Sam to Paul.<\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/p>\n Paul looked Sam over and put a bandage around her head. Sam was coming to.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy, how are you?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI hurt,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou had a nasty fall when that feller hit you. Who was he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, this isn\u2019t time for questions,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Doctor Martin. His name is Tyler Rogers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t he the feller you told me about. The one Max wanted you to marry after Scott died?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam nodded and regretted that move. She held her head and groaned. Hoss took her hand and gently squeezed it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in jail right now. Roy happened to come in and I told him what I saw. You\u2019ll have to tell him about Tyler. But it\u2019ll be done when you are feeling up to it. You\u2019ll need to tell your brothers too,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I\u2019m going to hate what they\u2019ll say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want, I can ride and find them,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, please stay with me,\u201d Sam pleaded without thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. I won\u2019t leave you,\u201d Hoss said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll send for your brothers,\u201d Paul said and left the two alone.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, I\u2019ll admit I\u2019m surprised you wanted me to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam chuckled. \u201cI am too.\u201d<\/p>\n She then told Hoss what Tyler told her. Hoss was still holding her hands and squeezed harder in anger.<\/p>\n \u201cOw, Hoss, let go.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss let go and felt guilty.<\/p>\n \u201cSam, I am so sorry,\u201d he apologized and kissed her hands.<\/p>\n Fred and Levi came to the doctor\u2019s office and saw Sam.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened, Sammy?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n Sam told them what happened.<\/p>\n \u201cTyler is here?\u201d Fred asked in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFred, may I talk to you for a minute?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n The two went out of the room.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, I\u2019m worried about Sam. I worry about this Tyler feller. If he\u2019s capable of harming her before and now, what makes any of us think he\u2019ll stop because he\u2019s in jail? I wouldn\u2019t doubt it if he got out,\u201d Hoss said worriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree,\u201d Fred sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. We can\u2019t hover over her; she’d kill us for that,\u201d Fred chuckled. Hoss chuckled too. Fred put a hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll figure it out.\u201d he reassured soberly.<\/p>\n The two went back to be with Sam.<\/p>\n Tyler had been released from jail. He was able to pay his own bail. As time went on, he still pestered Sam. Sam grew frustrated and they\u2019d get into arguments and fist fights. Tyler was tossed in jail but out again. He was in contact with Max and Max would help as best as he could so far away. Sam tried her best to concentrate on work. She also spent much time at the Ponderosa with Hoss. Those were the times she wasn\u2019t frustrated.<\/p>\n Hoss took her to a little place on the Ponderosa where there was a pond. Not many knew where it was and he knew it was a place they could be alone and Sam could be away from Tyler. They were there on a hot summer day relaxing. There was a tree by the pond that Hoss was leaning against holding Sam. Sam loved being with Hoss and felt safe in his arms. They had talked about the goings on in town and the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u201d Sam looked at Hoss and saw his eyes were closed and his head against the tree. Sam smiled and kissed him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad you brought me here. I love this place,\u201d she said snuggling against him.<\/p>\n \u201cI am too,\u201d he said holding her tighter. There they fell asleep there under the tree.<\/p>\n The next day, Sam was at work sending a wire to someone back east for a customer. The door opened. She turned and saw Tyler.<\/p>\n \u201cTyler, will you leave? Why do you not listen to Roy and leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you\u2019re my property.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not your property. I belong to someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet you don\u2019t. You\u2019re not engaged to him. You\u2019re engaged to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou never proposed to me. I don\u2019t care what you say. I don\u2019t care what Max and Mother say. They have no hold on \u201cYou need to learn respect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s no way to show respect by getting beat up. The Cartwrights and my brothers don\u2019t beat me and I respect them. Now leave,\u201d Sam said angrily.<\/p>\n Tyler hit her in the face and left. Levi walked in a few minutes later and saw the black eye forming.<\/p>\n \u201cHoney, what happened? Wait, don\u2019t tell me. It was Tyler.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to get him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLevi, he\u2019ll just keep coming back. He hasn\u2019t taken hints from me or Sheriff Coffee. I\u2019m just going to have to deal with it now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSammy, you can\u2019t just deal with it. It\u2019s not right. What does Hoss say?\u201d Levi asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is just as frustrated as I am. When Tyler goes to jail he either bails himself out or Max sends him money. He doesn\u2019t listen to Roy. Levi, I don\u2019t know what to do,\u201d Sam said, frustrated and ran her hands over her face.<\/p>\n \u201cCome here, Sammy,\u201d Levi said, holding his arms out.<\/p>\n Sam came around the desk and hugged him.<\/p>\n After work, Sam rode to the Ponderosa to see Hoss. He wandered out of the house as she rode up.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy, how are you?\u201d Hoss asked with a smile.<\/p>\n He helped her down then saw the black eye.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll give you one guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTyler?\u201d She nodded.<\/p>\n Hoss sighed and hugged her.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019ll probably be too late to get the swelling down but let\u2019s try something anyway,\u201d Hoss said, leading her into the house.<\/p>\n She gave her greetings to the rest of the family as Hoss led her to the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, you don\u2019t need to do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know but I feel like I do.\u201d<\/p>\n He found some ice, chipped it and put the bits in a towel and handed it to Sam. She placed it on her eye and drew in a breath. After a while, the couple went for a ride to their special place. They didn\u2019t say much. Hoss didn\u2019t know what to say about everything. But he knew that just being there for Sam was all she needed. How he loved this woman for how strong she was and didn\u2019t take anything from anyone. He wanted to protect her so much but didn\u2019t know how.<\/p>\n Chapter 8<\/p>\n Hoss, Adam, Ben, and Joe had gone into town to get a beer after a long day of ranch work.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, are you gonna marry Sam? You\u2019ve been courting for a while now,\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n Hoss looked up from his mug of beer.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean you don\u2019t know? I know she ain\u2019t been hinting but she has that look about her,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Tyler is in the way. He won\u2019t get the hint or be told no when Sam has told him to leave. He\u2019s been awful to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that where she got that shiner?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 jaw twitched as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t he go back to jail?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah but he\u2019ll be back out like before. He won\u2019t listen to Roy when he\u2019s been told to leave town. He\u2019ll leave but he keeps coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does Sam think about all this?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s frustrated. It\u2019s stressing her out, along with her brothers,\u201d Hoss said, taking a swig of beer.<\/p>\n Just then there was a commotion outside. Hoss, his brothers, and the men in the saloon went to see what was going on. Hoss saw Sam trying to fight Tyler. Other men had tried to help, but Tyler would hit them too and the men gave up. Sam would get hit but get up and swing. She connected a few times on Tyler\u2019s jaw. He would just laugh. Hoss had had enough and went up behind Tyler and pulled him by the back of his collar. Ben went and helped Sam and took her to the doctor while Adam and Joe took their beers to watch Hoss fight Tyler.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a dandy, he sure can fight,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n Joe chuckled and took a swig of his beer.<\/p>\n \u201cShouldn\u2019t Roy be breaking this up by now?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard Roy and his deputy were called out to a ranch somewhere. Sounded like trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, that doesn\u2019t sound right. Why would they both have a reason to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n Before they could discuss it more, they saw Tyler hit Hoss hard.<\/p>\n \u201cGet \u2018im, Hoss!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n Adam pulled out his pocket watch after a while to check the time.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been going at it for thirty minutes,\u201d Adam said showing Joe the time.<\/p>\n \u201cWow. It does look like Tyler is slowing down,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n Adam noticed it and nodded. Hoss took one last swing and Tyler went down and stayed in the dirt. Hoss swayed to and fro getting back to his brothers then plunked down on the wagon tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Sam?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cPa took her to Paul\u2019s. We should take you there to get looked at,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n He handed Joe his mug and Joe ran the empty mugs back to the saloon and followed his brothers to the doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n The brothers dragged Tyler with them to have Paul look him over before he was sent to jail. Adam put Tyler in a corner. Nurse Maddie looked Hoss over.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Sam?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s in back. She got hurt pretty bad. The doctor is having to do surgery on her,\u201d Maddie said, dabbing the blood still oozing on Hoss\u2019 cheek. Hoss paled.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll be all right, Hoss.\u201d Maddie reassured seeing his look.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d Hoss murmured.<\/p>\n \u201cThere,\u201d she said, finishing up.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Maddie went to the back leaving Hoss and his family waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cI should go tell Fred and Levi what happened,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere they are now,\u201d Ben said looking out the window.<\/p>\n The Malloy brothers walked in.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were coming to see Sam. Some of the townspeople told us she was here,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Levi asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not sure. We just know that Sam and Tyler were fighting in the street,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope the doctor won\u2019t be long,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n Paul came out some time later and the men stood.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is she?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s lucky to be alive. She has some cracked ribs and one broken rib. That broken rib was close to puncturing the lung. I was going to look at Tyler. Did you bring him in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in the corner,\u201d Adam pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cListen, we need to go find Sheriff Coffee and Deputy Troy,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay here,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe figured you would,\u201d Adam said with a smile.<\/p>\n He gave Hoss\u2019s shoulder a squeeze of reassurance. Paul took care of Tyler while Hoss, Ben, and Sam\u2019s brothers went to see Sam. She was still unconscious. A blanket was over her body and her hand was bandaged. Her face was bruised.<\/p>\n \u201cFred, Levi, I am so sorry she was hurt. I blame myself,\u201d Hoss apologized.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, it\u2019s not your fault. We don\u2019t blame you at all,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but…\u201d<\/p>\n Fred turned to Hoss and put his hands on the big man\u2019s shoulder and looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cBut nothing, Hoss. Tyler has been a thorn in all our sides since he\u2019s been here. This time it stops. I know he\u2019ll end up killing her. This is Max\u2019s fault. I know he\u2019s pushing Tyler to keep going until she breaks and goes with him. We will do what we can to stop him,\u201d he said firmly.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and held onto that thought.<\/p>\n Chapter 9<\/p>\n Sam finally awoke an hour later. She saw her brothers, Ben, and Hoss sitting together talking quietly. Fred was the first one to notice her wake up.<\/p>\n \u201cSammy,\u201d he said in relief.<\/p>\n They stood and gathered around her.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow would you feel if someone bigger\u2019n you hit you?\u201d she teased.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cTyler tried to get me to go on the stage with him to go back east. I wouldn\u2019t. I fought him but he fought back and dragged me. Many of the men tried to help but he kept throwing them off,\u201d Sam explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere was the sheriff and deputy?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I heard something about trouble at a ranch. But nobody rode into town to get help. I don\u2019t know how they knew,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n Paul came back to see Sam.<\/p>\n \u201cGlad to see you awake, Sam,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen do I get out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be staying overnight, young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n Fred, Hoss and Levi looked at each other in concern.<\/p>\n \u201c Boys, I would like to talk to you outside,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n The three followed him out.<\/p>\n \u201cTyler vowed to kill Sam when she walked out of here. I don\u2019t want to scare Sam but would you three mind staying here overnight?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 jaw tightened. This trouble with Tyler had to end. After they spoke, they went back in to visit Sam.<\/p>\n Chapter 10<\/p>\n Later that night, Sam awoke to a noise. She knew her brothers were in the front of Paul\u2019s house while Hoss was with her. They had told her they\u2019d be staying overnight, and she knew it was because of Tyler. She heard Hoss\u2019 footsteps as he paced back and forth but when she heard a noise that wasn\u2019t Hoss, Levi or Fred, she became scared. She got her wits about her.<\/p>\n There was a bit of light from the lamp flickering. She saw a shadow coming from the backdoor. She sat up but \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShots were fired. Hoss is hurt and so is Sam. Sam, did you get hit?\u201d Levi asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I just jumped up too fast to get whoever was in the shadows. How\u2019s Hoss?\u201d She asked, gritting her teeth in pain.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine. Just gotta get the bullet out of his shoulder,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n Levi helped Sam up and she tried not to cry out in pain. He held onto her while she tried breathing normal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get something for the pain, Sam,\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n Fred came back in dragging in Tyler\u2019s body. Everyone stopped and looked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s dead. Sam, you shot him,\u201d Fred said in surprise.<\/p>\n Sam was in shock. She had actually killed someone. Relief then flooded her as she collapsed into Levi\u2019s arms and sobbed. She ignored the pain as she sobbed. Paul had given her some Laudanum to help her sleep then went to work on getting the bullet out of Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cLevi, it\u2019s over. It\u2019s finally over,\u201d she said over and over.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it is Sammy. You don\u2019t need to worry anymore. Now, go to sleep,\u201d Levi said softly.<\/p>\n Sam nodded and fell asleep.<\/p>\n The next morning, Fred went to the sheriff\u2019s office to tell him what happened the night before.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will happen to Sam?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. She won\u2019t stand trial or anything. It was justified. He fired shots and she was protecting herself and \u201cI\u2019m glad nothing will be filed against Sam. We don\u2019t hold you to blame either. Hoss blamed himself for her getting hurt. We\u2019ve had to tell him not to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow are Sam and Hoss today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re good. Sam\u2019s still pretty sore after moving so much last night. Levi and I told her we\u2019re thinking of keeping her at our place to keep an eye on her while she gets better. She argued and said she\u2019ll stay at her place. We got into it a bit. I told her that the landlady is too busy with others to take care of her. She ended up winning with the help of Doctor Martin who said she should stay in town so he can check on her,\u201d Fred chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, good. I\u2019ll check in on her from time to time, too,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Roy,\u201d Fred said and left.<\/p>\n Chapter 11<\/p>\n Hoss and Sam recuperated and healed. Sam finally felt free as she and Hoss continued courting. Trouble brewed again when Max came to Virginia City. Fred, Levi and Sam had been in town when they saw Max climb out of the stagecoach. Sam groaned. Fred held onto her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right. We\u2019ll go talk to him,\u201d Fred assured her.<\/p>\n They walked up to their stepfather.<\/p>\n \u201cMax, what brings you to Virginia City?\u201d Fred asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSamantha. We hadn\u2019t heard from Tyler for a while and since he never showed up at home, your mother and I figured I needed to come out here. Where is Tyler?\u201d Max asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he\u2019s in the cemetery,\u201d Fred replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would he be there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was killed a month ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKilled? How? By whom?\u201d Max demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was shot by Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam moved slightly behind Fred.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Samantha murdered her fianc\u00e9? How dare you girl!\u201d Max shouted and lunged for Sam.<\/p>\n Fred blocked his path as Levi pulled Sam out of the way.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a murderer, Samantha! I\u2019m surprised you are walking free!\u201d Max yelled.<\/p>\n People were starting to look at them.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was in her right to kill him. He tried to kill her and her beau. Sheriff Coffee even said that she was protecting them,\u201d Fred explained.<\/p>\n \u201cBeau? She can\u2019t have a beau. Tyler was her fianc\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he wasn\u2019t. He never was,\u201d Sam finally spoke up.<\/p>\n Max glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHe nor Scott treated me right. I didn\u2019t deserve how they treated me. I am much happier here. And you are welcome to leave,\u201d Sam said angrily.<\/p>\n Max tried again to get at Sam and Fred grabbed him by his collar and shoved him onto the stage which was still there.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can go back home. You are no longer welcomed here. We don\u2019t want any part of your family. Good-bye,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n The driver climbed on and the stage left.<\/p>\n \u201cGood riddance,\u201d Fred muttered.<\/p>\n Hoss had seen the whole thing and walked up to the siblings.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Hoss. What brings you to town?\u201d Fred asked happily.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy. I just wanted to come see Sam. Who was that feller you were talking to?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was our stepfather Max. He said he hadn\u2019t heard from Tyler for a while so he decided he needed to come check things out. He wasn\u2019t any too happy finding out Tyler\u2019s fate. He threatened our little sister, and I told him he was no longer welcomed here and to go home,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n Hoss looked at Sam then back at Fred.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re all fine after your meeting,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just fine. You\u2019re welcome to take Sam off our hands. She\u2019s been like a burr,\u201d Fred teased.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Fred,\u201d Sam said playfully swatting him.<\/p>\n Hoss held out his arm to Sam and she took it. Fred and Levi looked on.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is going to propose to Sam,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n Levi looked at him shocked.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he asked me about it yesterday while we were working on the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy you? Why didn\u2019t he talk to both of us?\u201d<\/p>\n Fred looked at him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause, little brother, I am the oldest.\u201d<\/p>\n Levi shoved his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she couldn\u2019t have picked anyone better,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n Chapter 12<\/p>\n Hoss took Sam to their secret spot and they sat enjoying each other’s company. They sat silently watching the water.<\/p>\n \u201cSam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked over at him. He had a ring out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve loved you since I first met you. And fell in love more and more since. Will you marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam\u2019s eyes grew wide.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss! Yes, I\u2019ll marry you,\u201d she said and hugged him tight then kissed him.<\/p>\n He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her again.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go tell our families,\u201d she said in excitement.<\/p>\n The wedding was two months later at the Ponderosa. Sam was the happiest she had been since she had arrived in Virginia City. At the reception, Fred and Levi pulled Sam aside to talk to her.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a different you. We haven\u2019t seen you this happy before,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you had told me I\u2019d come to Virginia City and meet a wonderful man who treats me like a lady, I\u2019d have told you, you were crazy.<\/p>\n She hugged both of her brothers tight. After the reception, the newlyweds headed to San Francisco. The Cartwrights and Malloys watched them leave.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe our baby sister is married,\u201d Fred said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to a good man. Something she deserves,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re happy to have you in our family officially.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Hoss and Sam got in the stagecoach heading to San Francisco. Sam looked out the small window thinking of when she rolled into Virginia City to start a new life. She smiled to herself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you smiling about?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just thinking that when I came to Virginia City I was looking to start a new life. I never could have imagined it would include a gentle and loving man like you. I\u2019m so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss replied, \u201cAnd I\u2019m the luckiest man on earth.\u201d<\/p>\n He hugged her tight and kissed her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Brandsters.\u00a0 The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.\u00a0 Brand it happy to offer this story a new home.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: Samantha Malloy returns to Virginia City to live with her two older brothers. They all grew up with harsh step-parents but Sam was the last to leave. Her brothers hope she finds healing at last as she settles into her new home and meets new friends, such as the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n Rating: PG, Word Count: 8997<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12475,"featured_media":62121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12475"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48152"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48152\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/62121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nHoss told his father and brothers about the game a couple of days later.<\/p>\n
\ntown for a potluck dinner and fireworks. Hoss led Sam away from the families to talk to her privately. Sam was nervous being led away from people. She knew he wouldn\u2019t harm her but still felt uncomfortable being alone with a man. Hoss stopped and turned to Sam. The moonlight was bright so she could see a bit of his face.<\/p>\n
\nme anymore. Why would anyone want to be with someone who abuses them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nregretted it when her ribs exploded in pain. A shot fired and Hoss fell. Sam stumbled out of bed as another shot fired. She saw Hoss\u2019 gun next to him. She grabbed it and fired a few shots at the shadow. As she saw the shadow fall, Fred and Levi ran in, guns drawn. Fred turned up the lamp more and saw Hoss lying there and Sam holding her ribs trying to breathe. Fred ran to the backdoor and Levi went to Sam. Paul came in.<\/p>\n
\nHoss. I\u2019m just sorry I wasn\u2019t there to stop the fight that afternoon. The report of someone being in trouble was false. I guess it was Tyler’s way of getting us out of town,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n