{"id":49597,"date":"2024-09-18T19:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T23:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49597"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:37:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:37:15","slug":"we-all-need-a-backup-sometimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49597","title":{"rendered":"We All Need A Backup Sometimes (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/strong>Canon refers to Ben leaving the Ponderosa for a time after Marie’s death. This story presents a possibility for how Adam managed during this time. (This is an Old Ned story.)<\/p>\n

Rated: T\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 2721<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We All Need a Backup Sometimes<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Slapping his hat against his leg and spitting at the ground, he glared at Adam Cartwright\u2019s back as Adam walked away.\u00a0 \u201cIf they think that I\u2019m gonna take orders from some kid who’s green as grass and not even shaving every day, they\u2019ve got another think coming!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned read the faces of the ranch hands gathered outside of the bunkhouse, placed his hands on his hips, and spoke with a low growl.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you\u2019re planning to take orders based on the giver\u2019s age now, are ya, Peter?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Peter Faulks turned his gaze toward Old Ned.\u00a0 No one knew the old man\u2019s actual age, but anyone on the Ponderosa would acknowledge that he was the oldest man working for Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cYou of all people should be choking on the idea that that boy is gonna be running this ranch for\u2026well, for who knows how long.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cFor as long as it takes.\u201d\u00a0 Old Ned did not elaborate on what <\/span>it<\/span><\/i> was; every man there knew why Ben Cartwright was taking an extended business trip.\u00a0 Old Ned\u2019s gaze swept the faces around him.\u00a0 \u201cBoss is gonna be gone, and his eldest is gonna be givin\u2019 orders.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cEldest!\u201d Peter spit the word out of his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cIt weren\u2019t a month passed that I heard ya threaten to redden that eldest\u2019s backside, and now you\u2019re telling us to bow down…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAin\u2019t telling nobody to bow down.\u00a0 A month ago, the missus was up to the house not lying cold in a grave by the lake.\u201d\u00a0 Old Ned drew in a slow breath.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no man here taken three women from his bed to the grave, so I ain\u2019t of any mind to listen to your opinions of how the boss is dealing with it.\u201d\u00a0 Those closest to him heard Ned\u2019s teeth grind together.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s sure that Adam is young and still between hay and grass, but he knows more than ya\u2019ll might think.\u00a0 I should know; I taught him most of it, so when it comes to the ranch, orders will be orders.\u201d Old Ned spit at the ground.\u00a0 \u201cTruth be, we all know most of the orders Boss gives \u2018fore he gives \u2018em.\u00a0 If we all do what we know needs doing, well, Bucko won\u2019t need to be giving that many orders at all.\u201d\u00a0 A few of the men murmured varying degrees of agreement.\u00a0 Old Ned\u2019s hand went to his chin and rubbed the stubble there.\u00a0 \u201cAnd\u2026well, if he gives an order that don\u2019t set with what ya know needs doing, well, just bite your tongue and come to me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exchanging glances, the men came to a silent agreement.\u00a0 If Old Ned spoke, the boy would listen.\u00a0 All any of them wanted was for the Ponderosa and their jobs to continue as before.\u00a0 The men drifted into the bunkhouse, and Old Ned settled into a chair on the porch before calling out to the boy he had seen standing back in the shadows.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHoss.\u201d\u00a0 The boy stepped forward.\u00a0 \u201cCome here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hoss came to stand before Old Ned with his chin touching his chest.\u00a0 \u201cI weren\u2019t eavesdropping; well, not really.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned reached out and pressed Hoss\u2019s chin upward.\u00a0 \u201cReally or not, you\u2019ll not be repeating anything ya heard.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir, I won\u2019t.\u00a0 Not a word.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned\u2019s hand slipped around to settle on the back of the boy\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t never gonna be the same, child, but it will get better.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cPa\u2026\u201d\u00a0 The syllable faded away as Hoss chewed on his lower lip.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cMost things get easier the more ya do \u2018em; a few though just get harder and harder.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hoss nodded agreement and then sniffled.\u00a0 Old Ned squeezed gently and simply waited.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Ned, did ya ever have a wife?\u00a0 Ya ain\u2019t never said nothing about a wife.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned\u2019s gaze left the boy\u2019s face and roamed over the horizon.\u00a0 \u201cGuess I\u2019m worse than your Pa about pushing that kind of hurt away down deep.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hoss closed the gap between them and lowered his voice to a whisper.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry ya lost her; I know she was a real fine person.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned\u2019s hand moved to pat the boy\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cThe finest, Hoss; she were the finest.\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cGuess Boss and I\u2019ve got that in common too.\u00a0 We\u2019re both good at choosing fine women to wed.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cShe thought a lot of you too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned looked into the eyes of the boy before him and placed his hand against Hoss\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cYa know how much she loved you boys, don\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYa know Boss loves ya all too?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThen ya\u2019ll help ya brother until he comes home.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cGood boy.\u201d\u00a0 The old man\u2019s calloused hand patted the young cheek gently.\u00a0 \u201cLet me know iffen he needs more.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI will.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGood boy.\u00a0 Off with ya now.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded and turned on his heel.\u00a0 Old Ned cleared his throat a few times and watched the stars come out for a while.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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CCCCCCC<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMr. Ned.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ned turned at the sound of his name.\u00a0 \u201cI…\u201d\u00a0 Hoss swallowed and cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cYa told me…\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s voice faded and was lost in silence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I\u2019ve told ya would fill a book.\u00a0 You\u2019re gonna have to give me a bit more to work with.\u201d\u00a0 He walked closer and put his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cQuit worrying and tell me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI can\u2019t help worrying, Mr. Ned.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I come to you.\u00a0 Ya said to tell ya if, well, if Adam needed… I\u2019ve tried Mr. Ned, really, I have… but I just… I can\u2019t be…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t nobody can expect a little brother to stand in for a pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hope came into Hoss\u2019s eyes at the old man\u2019s understanding.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s just it, Mr. Ned.\u00a0 Adam… well, he\u2019s trying to be … to fill pa\u2019s shoes.\u00a0 He\u2019s trying hard and doing real good for me and Little Joe and the ranch.\u00a0 The ranch is doing fine, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThings are being seen to; the ranch is doing fine.\u00a0 Ya remember I said I\u2019d see to that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYea, I do.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t worried \u2018bout the ranch.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what\u2019s fretting Adam the most. Something bigger is weighing him down.\u00a0 I can\u2019t get him to even talk to me.\u00a0 I… he ain\u2019t cried, Mr. Ned, not once.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t cry in front of you or Little Bit.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI know he wants to be strong for us, so we won\u2019t be… won\u2019t feel… l, well, Little Joe\u2019s scared about things, and he don\u2019t even know half the reason he is.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cGoing on is a scary thing, man or boy.\u00a0 Bucko\u2019s known that for a long time, he…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHe\u2019s there for us, Mr. Ned, but … well, Pa\u2019s hardly been…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYour Pa\u2019s grieving deep, son.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAdam\u2019s grieving too, but…\u00a0 I think he\u2019s pretending to himself he ain\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s voice became a soft sob. \u201cHe needs Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned pulled the boy into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cAll you boys do.\u201d\u00a0 He patted Hoss\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you\u2019ll be having him again.\u00a0 It\u2019s just gonna take some time, so, like Adam is doing for you and Little Bit, I\u2019ll just have to do for him and get Bucko through \u2018til the Boss takes up the reins again, and he will, son; he will.\u201d Old Ned felt Hoss\u2019s arms tighten as the boy hugged him back.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI know he will.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss squeezed again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I know ya can.\u201d\u00a0 He stepped back and smiled at Ned. \u201cThat\u2019s why I came to ya.\u00a0 Danged if I know why I waited so long.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned\u2019s hand moved to cup Hoss\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cWas ya worried Bucko\u2019d be mad ya told anybody he needed some help, needed somebody?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHe won\u2019t like it.\u00a0 I… I don\u2019t like being at odds with my brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned patted the cheek beneath his hand.\u00a0 \u201cHe may be a mite put out with ya, but it\u2019ll pass quick.\u00a0 Iffen he fusses, just let him have his say and go on like ya listened but know ya done what was needed for him like he\u2019s always done for you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CCCCCCC<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBucko!\u201d \u00a0Adan turned and saw Old Ned holding the reins of both Beauty and Old Sam. \u00a0He walked over to the old ranch hand. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhat do you need, Ned?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWe\u2019re going for a ride.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBut I…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIt weren\u2019t a question. \u00a0It weren\u2019t a suggestion. \u00a0Hop Sing is seeing to the young’uns. \u00a0The hands got their orders, so mount up.\u201d \u00a0Ned tossed Beauty\u2019s reins to Adam and mounted Old Sam.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam sighed, shrugged, and did as he was told. \u00a0Obedience to Old Ned was as ingrained as obedience to his father. \u00a0\u201cMay I ask where we\u2019re headed?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNope.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam rolled his eyes but only because he was following Ned. \u00a0Adam suspected early on where they were going, and knew their final destination as soon as the lake came in sight. \u00a0He considered simply turning and going back to the ranch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t even think on it, Bucko. \u00a0It ain\u2019t like I don\u2019t know where you\u2019d have to end up. \u00a0You can’t be thinking you nor me is too old for me to be teaching ya lessons in respect.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNed, I… it wouldn\u2019t be disrespectful.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI\u2019m in charge of the ranch.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWe ain\u2019t discussing the ranch. \u00a0This ain\u2019t ranch business. \u00a0It\u2019s personal business, and personally I ain\u2019t any more likely to let sass, disrespect, or disobedience go then I\u2019ve ever been.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cFine then.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cUm, yes, sir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s better.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>They arrived at the gravesite, slipped from the saddle, and ground tied the horses. \u00a0Old Ned walked over to the single grave with its wooden cross and bundle of wildflowers. \u00a0Adam stood next to the horses staring out at the lake.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cMissus always loved the view from here.\u201d \u00a0Old Ned knelt, reached out, and brushed away the pine needles that had gathered at the base of the cross.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam turned toward the grave noticing the fresh flowers. \u00a0\u201cYou brought the flowers earlier?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNo, not these.\u201d \u00a0Ned looked over his shoulder at the seventeen-year-old. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve brought others. \u00a0Hop Sing has; Hoss and Little Bit too. \u00a0\u00a0Some of the hands when they\u2019re up this way check to see that things are as they should be. \u00a0Missus was a good woman.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cPa\u2019s ordered a carved stone marker. \u00a0It\u2019s due to be delivered end of next week. \u00a0I saw the invoice.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAre you thinking to wait for your Pa to be home before having the placing?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI… I don\u2019t know… \u00a0I don\u2019t even know when that might be.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHave ya heard from Boss?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cA couple of telegrams. \u00a0Just business and where he is.\u201d \u00a0Ned heard the bitterness that edged the boy\u2019s words.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cCome over here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam sighed but came and sat next to where the old man knelt.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTold some of the hands that I didn\u2019t want their opinions on some things \u2018cause they ain\u2019t never walked in the boss\u2019s shoes. \u00a0Grieving three wives is…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI know…\u201d \u00a0It was a harsh and guttural utterance. \u00a0\u201cI know how hard it must be for Pa. \u00a0I do; really, I do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBut ya been wondering if he knows how hard it is mourning three mothers.\u201d \u00a0Ned settled on the ground and placed his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u00a0\u201cI remember when the missus came.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNed…\u201d \u00a0It was a plea the old man had the strength to ignore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cShe was some different from the rest of the few ladies there were around here, but anyone could see the love between Boss and her.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI knew Pa loved her. I knew she loved Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIt were a good while \u2018fore ya knew you loved her. \u00a0Those first months…\u201d \u00a0Ned shook his head. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam\u2019s fingers clenched and pulled grass from the sod beneath him. \u00a0\u201cI told you I hated her. \u00a0I… I even told her.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTook time but ya come around. \u00a0Can ya deny ya told her you loved her more times than that?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNo, but I… \u00a0I don\u2019t think I said it enough. \u00a0Women…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWomen are more needing of the words, I agree, but ya showed her more than once just as she showed you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam turned his face away from Ned\u2019s eyes. \u00a0\u201cI… she…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned reached out and turned Adam\u2019s head to his gaze. \u00a0\u201cShe knew ya loved her, Bucko; don\u2019t ya never doubt that. \u00a0She told me when she was carrying Little Bit that \u2013 and these are her words- you and Hoss \u201cbrought joy to her life.\u201d \u00a0Ned watched Adam\u2019s eyes brim as the boy swallowed repeatedly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cShe\u2019s gone… she won\u2019t ever… I… I miss her so much.\u201d \u00a0Adam\u2019s voice broke as his breathing became gasps, and Old Ned drew the boy into his arms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cLet it out, Bucko; let it out. \u00a0Old Ned knows, and he ain\u2019t never gonna say nothing to no one else about it.\u201d \u00a0Adam buried his head in the old man\u2019s chest and sobbed. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned offered no more words but simply held the boy and softly patted his back until the emotion drained away and the sobbing ended. \u00a0Adam raised his head and immediately turned away to once more stare at the lake.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNo shame in tears of grief, boy. \u00a0A man would have to have a heart of stone, an empty soul, to have none.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI have to… I need to be strong for the boys.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYour brothers know you\u2019re a strong one; tears ain\u2019t gonna wash away what they think of ya.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cPa…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWould have never gone if he didn\u2019t know deep inside how strong and near a man his eldest was.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI wish he hadn\u2019t been so sure then.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHe\u2019ll be back soon as he can.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI want him now.\u201d \u00a0Dejection and frustration poured from Adam\u2019s words.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cShould I send a telegram for him to come back?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam jerked back around and glared at Ned. \u00a0\u201cNo, no, don\u2019t even think on it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Old Ned cocked his eyebrow. \u00a0\u201cIs that an order, Bucko, from the man in charge?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam dropped his eyes. \u00a0\u201cNo, no, sir, it\u2019s a request. \u00a0I don\u2019t … I don\u2019t… it\u2019s all I can do for him, Ned. \u00a0It\u2019s all I can do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAnd it\u2019s a fine gift, Bucko, a fine gift. \u00a0Now, listen to me, you\u2019re a fine boy but a boy still. \u00a0We\u2019ll let your Pa have the time he needs as long as I see ya coming to me when ya need to. \u00a0That you\u2019re not trying to hide away the grief and the need and do it all alone. \u00a0Even with your Pa away, you\u2019re not alone. \u00a0We have an understanding?\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThen I\u2019m going to walk down by the lake for a bit before we ride on home.\u201d \u00a0Ned walked away and let the boy have some private time. \u00a0\u00a0Then they mounted the horses and began the ride home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNed, what did you tell the hands about me being in charge?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned cleared his throat and spit. \u00a0\u201cMostly that I taught ya all ya needed to know to take charge.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAnd?\u201d \u00a0Old Ned gave no reply. \u00a0\u201cAnd that you\u2019d let me know anything else I needed to learn?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned shook his head. \u00a0\u201cNear enough.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI thought so. \u00a0I expected more backlash. \u00a0Besides, I haven\u2019t ever known you not to do what you thought was your job, and you\u2019ve always thought tending me was part of your job.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBoss and you both know I\u2019ve had your back plenty of times and that that ain\u2019t likely to change.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNo more likely than you no longer thinking you can take me in hand and whittle my backside back down to size.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ned turned his head to see the soft grin on Adam\u2019s face. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019d be best that ya remember that I ain\u2019t never gonna change my thinking about that no matter how growed ya get to be.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI know.\u201d \u00a0Adam\u2019s smile widened. \u00a0After a few minutes Adam spoke again. \u00a0\u201cI think we\u2019ll wait on the placing until Pa gets back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSounds right to me. \u00a0Who knows, he may make it back \u2018fore that headstone even comes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAnd if he doesn\u2019t, we can wait.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cRight, and see to what needs to be seen to. \u00a0All of them that loved her together.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 ESA, ESH, family, grief, Old Ned<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Canon refers to Ben leaving the Ponderosa for a time after Marie’s death. This story presents a possibility for how Adam managed during this time. (This is an Old Ned story.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":36396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1009,41,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-hurtcomfort","category-prequels","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Lake-Tahoe.png?fit=600%2C398&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49597","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\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49597"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49597\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}