Summary: The first short stories written on Bonanza Trail Riders – April 2018.\u00a0 The participating writers are identified at the beginning of their contribution.<\/p>\n
Rating: G, Word Count: 4142<\/p>\n
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This is the first story challenge on Bonanza Trail Riders – April 2018<\/span><\/p>\n ~o~<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s quote from the episode Springtime<\/em>:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the Springtime a young man\u2019s fancy likely turns to thoughts of…well, many things. The Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n The snows are finally gone and the flowers are blooming. This is a short, short story challenge – no more than 400 words. It can be a complete story or a vignette.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n ~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n BettyHT<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Spring was in full bloom with the promise of summer wafting in on every warm breeze. Staring at puffy white clouds with Hoss and Little Joe, Ben felt some of the heaviness in his heart lift finally. Almost a year since they had lost Marie, in a short time, Adam would be leaving to go to college in the east. However that thought brought some of the heavy feeling back because for the past few weeks, Adam had been inexplicably irresponsible. Late for meals, missing deadlines, and forgetting chores he had promised to do, he had not been able to give any kind of satisfactory answer any time Ben had questioned him about any one of the incidents. Instead, Adam had been evasive and almost defensive making Ben suspicious but he didn\u2019t know of what. He had tried to give him one more chance that morning to explain himself, but he had stood silent as usual and refused to answer. So Ben had been forced to issue his ultimatum, which he already regretted to some extent.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you cannot explain yourself, then you will stay here and catch up on the work you have missed while I take the boys on a picnic to the lake as promised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n At that point, he had seen something in Adam that looked like he wanted to explain or at least ask to come with them, but then the mask slid over those patrician features of his and there was no communication. He had only said he hoped they had a good time although the words were said without emotion in that flat tone he used when he didn\u2019t want to give anything away at all. His oldest son was a puzzle to him most of the time, and he knew that if he had included him in the outing, he would have had the best chance of drawing out what was troubling him or going on in that labyrinth of his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s enough of staring at the clouds trying to guess what they are. We should get going to the lake for our picnic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss looked nervous but made a request. \u201cPa, can we stop by Marie\u2019s place first?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n They did, and found all the brush cleared away and the spot landscaped with bright spring flower plantings, rosebushes budding out, and a stacked stone bench.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPa, who done this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Peej (ACSPeej)<\/b><\/p>\n The Cartwright brothers, despite the occasional heavy Spring rains, had tended to their outside chores religiously.\u00a0 Pa, who had been gone on business for a week, had charged them with being totally responsible.\u00a0 Hop Sing, who had also been gone for a week to visit cousins, had admonished the three brothers to <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> make a shambles of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKeep house clean.\u00a0 Mop floors.\u00a0 Wash clothes,\u201d the housekeeper had said as he made his departure.<\/span><\/p>\n At the present moment, Adam, the practical one, sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got our outside work done but…inside…\u201d\u00a0 His voice trailed off as he surveyed the mess around him.<\/span><\/p>\n With a sigh, Joe squeaked.\u00a0 \u201cHow could this possibly have happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Looking at the muddy boot prints all over the floor, Hoss sounded morose.\u00a0 \u201cPa and Hop Sing\u2019ll be back <\/span>tomorrow<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And thus it was that three grown men made the decision to do the annual Spring cleaning. <\/span>Themselves<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 All three brothers scattered in different directions, opting for different chores.\u00a0 Heading upstairs, Joe grinned to himself.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s room hadn\u2019t been used; Adam tended to be much neater than his siblings. \u201cPiece of cake,\u201d Joe thought to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss elected to mop the floor downstairs.\u00a0 How hard could <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> be?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Big brother Adam was left to tackle the kitchen \u2013 he knew that only <\/span>he<\/span><\/i> could be trusted to get the plates and cookware absolutely clean.<\/span><\/p>\n Many hours later, the house was back in order.\u00a0 Unfortunately, in their efforts, each man sustained injuries.\u00a0 Joe learned that picking up dirty clothes from everywhere and then having to wash them all at once left his hands and knuckles scraped and bloody.\u00a0 Not faring well himself, Hoss slid on the wet floor and then tripped over the mop bucket, taking a hard fall on his backside.\u00a0 As for Adam, a slippery cast iron frying pan landing on one boot came close to crippling him.\u00a0 But the house was finally clean.<\/span><\/p>\n The next day, Ben complimented his sons on keeping the house so neat and for tending so well to ranch business.\u00a0 But Hop Sing, whose eyes missed nothing, intuited the truth:\u00a0 Joe\u2019s hands were red and wrinkled.\u00a0 Hoss sat down way too gingerly.\u00a0 Adam limped badly.\u00a0 Too many injuries all at the same time were a dead give-away.\u00a0 Hop Sing smiled and, with a mental picture in his head, he decided to take a vacation <\/span>every<\/span><\/i> year during Spring cleaning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n AC1830<\/b><\/p>\n Springtime Treasure<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSpring here. Open windows, new air chase bad air out. Everybody clean rooms. Hop Sing make sure later no dust.\u201d The Chinese cook waved his rag at the stunned Cartwrights. When no one moved, he frowned and swept his broom at their feet. Ben, Hoss, and Joe fled upstairs followed more slowly by Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou know my room is spotless.\u201d Adam sidestepped to avoid having his backside swatted by Hop Sing\u2019s rag. Heading upstairs, Adam shared a smile with his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n While a cool breeze wafted through his bedroom window and late morning rays brighten the space, Adam strummed his guitar. A quiet knock interrupted the peaceful moment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Peering around the door Ben slid into the room. \u201cI take it you\u2019ve finished cleaning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam nodded, continuing to play his guitar. When Ben remained silent, Adam noticed he held a few books. \u201cWhat are those?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n As Adam leaned his guitar against the nightstand, Ben pulled a chair around and sat down. \u201cI was cleaning out my old sea trunk; hadn\u2019t opened it in years. I found these under my uniform.\u201d He held them out for Adam to take.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are more but I thought you\u2019d like to begin with these.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Dark eyebrows rising in curiosity, Adam took the books. The patterns on the covers were faded and the leather binding was split. Gently laying the two bottom books aside Adam reverently opened the top one and began reading.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>I have met the most wonderful man. He\u2019s tall, has the warmest brown eyes and the deepest voice. Thoughts of him fill my waking hours and my dreams. Alas, he is a sailor on my father\u2019s ship so my dreams are all I have at the moment. I don\u2019t know if Father would approve of my heart\u2019s desire but I know Ben will keep his promise and convince him that we would make the most wonderful couple. The ship is due to arrive tomorrow after being gone for months. I am so impatient to see him again, to be held in his strong arms and become lost in his soulful eyes. Oh Benjamin, my love, may the waves speed you back to me post haste\u2026..<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n As late afternoon sunlight crept across the floor, Adam reclined on his bed. Ben had silently left hours before, but Adam was unaware. He was miles and years away, lost in his mother\u2019s stories.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hart4Ben<\/b><\/p>\n Conflicted Hope<\/span><\/p>\n A prequel vignette for Bitter Water<\/span><\/p>\n Ben was casually sipping his punch when Andy McCarren entered the social with his son Todd. The neighbors exchanged pleasantries before Todd excused himself to find a dance partner. The widowers stood watching couples gliding across the floor. It had been a longer winter than some. By the number of people attending, the long anticipated spring social, a celebration of the release of winter\u2019s grip, was a success. Many in the room had their eyes on a tall dark-haired Cartwright that they had seen little since his return from Boston last fall.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben smiled as he watched Adam whirl Virginia Keith around the room with dexterity and grace. It made Ben wonder how many ladies his son had been involved with during the four years he was away. Totally absorbed in the moment, Ben took no notice that Andy was observing his fatherly pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe cuts a fine figure on the dance floor that Adam of yours. I\u2019m sure your pleased as all get out to have him back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Startled out of his reverie, Ben stammered, \u201cOh — yes, Andy. Thank you. Yes, it\u2019s so good to have Adam home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVirginia Keith is a lovely young woman –make some fortunate man a wonderful wife.\u201d McCarren offered his friend a wry smile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, she would, but let\u2019s not go putting the cart before the horse. My boy\u2019s got a mind of his own. And even if that were the case, I\u2019d probably be the last one to know if Adam has his way!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Andy gave Ben a sideways glance. \u201cSpring is a time for new beginnings. Romances can blossom just like the flowers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben chuckled. \u201cAndy, I believe you are a romantic at heart. Sounds like you need to find yourself a partner and get out on the floor yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n McCarren slapped his thigh. \u201cWell, these old legs don\u2019t work so well anymore. I\u2019ll leave the dancing to Todd. Have a good evening, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Andy walked away to converse with other friends. Ben\u2019s eyes settled once again on Adam and Virginia before moving to her father, Len, who was deep in discussion with the movers and shakers of the town. For the moment, Ben chose to tamp down any reservations he had about being connected to the Keith family. It was a time for breathing in fresh spring air and reveling in the hope of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Muffingstuffin<\/b><\/p>\n It was Springtime again on the ranch, a time of rebirth, and Little Joe was curious!<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhere do sisters come from Adam?\u201d asked seven year old Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d said Adam,looking up from his book.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019d sisters come from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat kinda idiotic question is that? asked Adam<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,… but I wanna know…. cos I want one\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou want one what?\u201d mused Adam<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA sister….Willie Blewitts got one, and I want one too\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam put his hand on his mouth to suppress an uncontrollable smile, looked down to his brother who barely came up to his waist, and said;<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cListen Butt Brain. There are some things that you don\u2019t wanna know \u2018til you\u2019re older. Now go and do somethin\u2019 useful instead of hanging around here askin\u2019 darn fool questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c…but you said when I\u2019d done my chores that you\u2019d play with me, you said I could look at your guitar…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c Yeah, well I\u2019ve changed my mind. Go play outside……….git\u201d said Adam ,kicking the boy\u2019s butt playfully ,steering him toward the door.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go ask Hop Sing where I can get a sister, he\u2019ll know \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo, don\u2019t do that\u201d said Adam masterfully.\u201d\u201d You wouldn\u2019t understand anyways\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCan you get me a sister, or not is all I wanna know.I told Willie I\u2019d get one and show it to him after school tomorrow..I just gotta get one by then..Pleeeeeease Adam. Just tell me where to go and I can get one myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam was desperate to finish his book and thought the only way he was going to get any peace was to have a serious talk to his youngest brother. He was a pain at the best of times but this was really getting on his nerves.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCome here Buddie\u201d he said beckoning the child toward him with a crooked finger..\u201dSit down, and listen, and don\u2019t interrupt me until I\u2019ve finished, and WHEN I\u2019ve finished, there\u2019ll be no more questions….deal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDeal\u201d said the boy, and they shook hands.<\/span><\/p>\n About ten minutes later Little Joe stood up, turned around very slowly and made his way outside, without saying a word. His face was ashen ,his eyes were staring and fixed, and his mouth was open wide, his jaw almost down to his chest.The look of horror on his face said it all…………….He knew now, where sisters and indeed brothers, came from….<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n AH83<\/b><\/p>\n I have to first do a huge shoutout to AC for helping me with this story!<\/span><\/p>\n Springtime Love<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was springtime on the Ponderosa and Hoss was in love but he had a problem. He\u2019d met a girl at a Christmas dance and had fallen in love with her. Her name was Lydia. She was a sweet girl. She had curly red hair and green eyes. Hoss had asked her to dance and she accepted. They had talked and found out that they enjoyed many of the same things, especially animals. They began courting a week later. And that\u2019s when the snows started and didn\u2019t stop till April. They\u2019d only seen each other a few times since Christmas due to the bad winter.<\/span><\/p>\n Now it was Spring. The snow was finally gone and Hoss and Lydia could see each other again. They had gone riding through some of the trees on the Ponderosa and looked at the blooming flowers and the blooms on the trees. They found a grove of trees and got off their horses tying them to a tree limb. The couple walked slowly hand in hand and enjoyed the singing of the birds. There was a large rock where Hoss led Lydia and she sat down.<\/span><\/p>\n He took his hat off and played with it. She gently took his hat from his hands and set it by her.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been good to see you and be with you again. I want to say somethin\u2019 but not sure if it\u2019s too soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Lydia\u2019s heart soared when he asked her to go riding. She had thought of nothing but Hoss during those long winter months since she met him. Lydia had fallen in love with him that night. She loved Hoss and wanted to marry him, but she wasn\u2019t sure how he felt.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTake your time. Just say what\u2019s in your heart Hoss.\u201d She encouraged him with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLydia, I\u2026I was wondering if you\u2019d marry me?\u201d he mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that Hoss? I didn\u2019t hear you.\u201d Lydia reached for his hand to stop it shaking.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss looked at her and melted with her smile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLydia, will you marry me?\u201d he spoke with more confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOf course I will, Hoss!\u201d Lydia said jumping up and hugging the big man.<\/span><\/p>\n The wedding was set for a few weeks later. The ceremony was held outside among the flowers and blossoming trees. Hoss and Lydia couldn\u2019t have been any happier as they started their lives together as husband and wife.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tampa<\/b><\/p>\n Ducks<\/span><\/p>\n Crouching at the pond’s edge, they watched as the new family tested the water.<\/span><\/p>\n “Watch the papa duck swim around.”<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWow. How does he go so fast, Adam?,\u201d Joe asked. \u201cWhy don’t he make big splashes when he swims, like I do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen the duck goes in the water, his feet go straight down.\u201d Adam demonstrated by holding his hands downward into the water. \u201cBecause his feet are webbed, he pushes the water behind him like this,\u201d he explained, paddling his hands. \u201cA duck’s feet are always under water so they don\u2019t splash. When it gets hot this summer, we’ll go into the pond and watch beneath the water. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n Joe looked duckward again. \u201cWhat happens to the babies when they grow up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey’ll join other ducks and fly some place warm for the winter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWill they ever come back ?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the spring,\u201d Adam predicted.<\/span><\/p>\n Late afternoon was closing in, the sun beginning to drop, and so too the temperature. The two boys snuggled back against a pair of large sun-baked rocks and listened to the birds. Adam’s arms encircled Joe as they quietly watched bugs dip into the water and baby ducks climb the bank behind their mother. He pointed toward a lone possum that waddled down to the opposite shore for a drink.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAdam, are you the smartest person in the world?,\u201d Joe suddenly piped up.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam laughed. \u201cNot even close. That’s why I want to go away to school, to learn new things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAre you going away for the winter like the ducks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWill you come back in the spring?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI’ll try.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe whirled around, clutching Adam’s shirt. \u201cNo. Don’t leave. What if Papa goes away? Me and Hoss’ll be alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Fear reflected from a little face that should have been too young to truly understand it. Adam hugged Joe tightly, then ruffled his hair.<\/span><\/p>\n “If anything ever happens to Pa, I will be here. I promise. But, you don’t need to worry. Nothing’s going to happen.”<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou promise you’ll come back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes. I’ll come back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou’ll go away like the ducks but come back like them too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou’ll come back,\u201d Joe murmured.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMmm-hmm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou’ll come home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Listening to his brother’s soft, reassuring voice, Joe settled back into Adam’s arms and the anxiety that had gripped his small heart for so many months began to relinquish its hold at last.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lizabeth<\/b><\/p>\n Seven-year-old Hoss came barreling in the door after school, causing Ben to reprimand him for the noise. The boys were very late on their first day back after the long winter. Adam had been difficult since Ben had unexpectedly come home married to Marie. Although he had warmed towards his stepmother since Joseph was born last fall, sometimes Adam was so close-mouthed about his thoughts that it was infuriating.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben hoped he hadn\u2019t done something to irritate the teacher the first day back at school. Actually, that didn\u2019t make any sense because his oldest son had been looking forward to returning to school for weeks. Before the worried father let his imagination run wild, wondering about what mischief his boys had gotten into, he barked, \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s puttin\u2019 up the horses. Told me to come inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you two late?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSome of the bigger boys said something mean, and Adam fought them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs he alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAnything that will make him forget the long, hard winter and think of all the fun and good times that lie ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s time for ranch work, Spring cleaning, visiting with neighbors, romance, picnics, Spring floods.
\nLet your imagination run as free as a Spring breeze, wherever your flight of fancy takes you.<\/span><\/p>\n
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