Synopsis:\u00a0<\/b>A young Adam is determined to take part in guarding his father’s new herd of cattle. But is determination enough? \nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (1,025 words)<\/p>\n
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The Brandsters acknowledge that the authors are the owners of their stories.\u00a0 Should an author included in this project reach out to us and indicate they do not wish their work to be archived in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library, we will remove their stories.\u00a0 We would also be happy to change contact information for any authors who wish to continue to have their stories archived in the Library.<\/p>\n
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Night Guard<\/b><\/center> <\/p>\n
“Pa?”<\/p>\n
“Yes, son.”<\/p>\n
“Pa?”<\/p>\n
Without looking up the young father spoke again. “Yes, son”<\/p>\n
“Pa?”<\/p>\n
Pinching the bridge of his nose the man sighed. Closing the book in his lap and marking his place with his finger, he looked up. “What is it, Hoss?”<\/p>\n
“W..we…ll, Pa.”<\/p>\n
The chubby, little blond boy was perched at the top of the ladder leading to the loft he shared as a bedroom with his older brother, Adam.<\/p>\n
Adam was not at home; he had gone on an overnight trip with the foreman, Hank, to keep watch over the newly purchased herd of cattle that were to be the foundation of Ben Cartwright’s ranch. This was a very big step for Adam and his father was not at all comfortable with the decision.<\/p>\n
However, the boy had badgered and persisted until he had worn down Ben’s resistance with the help of the new hired hand, Sam and Hank.<\/p>\n
Ben Cartwright thought back to that very morning, the look on the face of his eldest son, Adam. Adam was all of nine years old with dark hazel eyes resolutely staring out from under his wavy black hair, nostrils flaring, fists clenched and his jaw set in that way of his.<\/p>\n
All these things pointed to the fact that, short of an all out war which would end in Ben resorting to a method both were sure to regret, physically and emotionally, he was forced to give in.<\/p>\n
Thus he did so only with reluctance and a list of rules and specifications so long Adam felt he would need an extra packhorse just to carry it. The ultimatum was that if for any reason any one of the rules was not followed to the letter, the consequence would result in a very “Necessary Talking to!” which always led to Adam being unable to sit. This said, Adam fought to swallow his disgruntled reply, and managed not to let his father see him roll his eyes as he indignantly rode off.<\/p>\n
Ben came back to the present, as he again looked up at the child, chubby pink cheeks, flushed, obviously still damp from runaway tears.<\/p>\n
“W…well. Pa,””Kin, I…” he swallowed a big gulp. “I…I..Cain’t sleep, thou’t Adam…I miss um’ somthin awful…”<\/p>\n
Ben smiled; he had been secretly counting to himself just how long it would take till Hoss made this request. The little boy had refused his offer of sleeping with him, allowing he was not a baby anymore.<\/p>\n
“Come on down, son,” he encouraged warmly; no other words were needed. The little boy scrambled down the ladder into his father’s waiting arms.<\/p>\n
“T-thankss pa…I’m…I’mm a big boy, now, but…but.. The..Wind…it!”<\/p>\n
“Yes, I noticed it.”<\/p>\n
“Think Adam’s ok, pa? He ain’t scared o’ wind is he pa?”<\/p>\n
“Not very often,” Ben nonchalantly agreed.<\/p>\n
“Do you miss ’em, Pa?”<\/p>\n
Hoss snuggled down as he asked this, curling up tight in his father’s lap. Safe now in the secure warmth of Ben’s strong arms, his head pressed in to his chest, lulled by the strong steady beat of the man’s heart.<\/p>\n
“Of course I miss him…. And……”<\/p>\n
Before he had the chance to finish they were interrupted by the sound of the latch being lifted; the front door of the cabin slowly opened just enough for a slim figure to edge in backwards, shutting the door not turning around. The two other people in the room watched, both startled and curious.<\/p>\n
“I..umm..” Came the hesitant soft voice. Then squaring his little shoulders he turned to face them. “Decided Hoss isn’t old enough to have to sleep all by himself…so..So..I..I came back…so he would not be scared.” His eyes challenged them to question him, his tone and posture attempted to appear confidant and grown up. Just then the wind outside set up a high pitched whine and built to a loud roar, rattling the windows.<\/p>\n
“I..” Ben coughed into his hand. “I see…of course…how very thoughtful,” his father nodded, choosing his words and mannerisms very carefully lest he cause the boy any more embarrassment. At the same time he could not deny his amusement, as he strongly suspected the real reason behind this generous unselfish gesture.<\/p>\n
Not sure what to do next, Adam cleared his own throat.<\/p>\n
“U h\u2026.I\u2026Id’…better get him up to bed; it’s kinda late fer him to be up…C..com’on Hoss,” he said as he took Hoss by the hand herding him towards the ladder. Hoss smiled happily and went willingly with Adam.<\/p>\n
“Oh, by the way, Hank ok?” Ben casually asked.<\/p>\n
The boy froze; his face paled just a little.<\/p>\n
“Oh, uh, yeah…sssure… he unnersatans my concern fer Hoss,” caught, he blushed.<\/p>\n
“I see,” his father’s one brow rose sharply over his dark brown eye. Adam played with his ear and shuffled his feet. Then ducking his head, spoke.<\/p>\n
“W..ell, ga..Nite…Pa..” he bid a hasty offering pushing his brother up the ladder in front of him in an attempt to escape from under his father’s knowing eyes.<\/p>\n
Ben sat back and watched the back of the boy as he retreated up the ladder to the safety of the loft.<\/p>\n
“Good night Adam…. Sleep well.. Son…” he called softly after them.<\/p>\n
Waiting a good long while, Ben let himself chuckle shaking his head knowingly. Up in the loft Adam sighed and undressing quickly, he slipped into his nightshirt, snuggling down right next to Hoss who was more than happy to have his big brother throw his arm protectively over him.<\/p>\n
“Nite, Adaam.. n’ thanks..”<\/p>\n
“Nite, Hoss…it’ it’s ok…” he whispered back. “That’s what big brother’s are for.”<\/p>\n
Ben got up and went to the door opening it just in time to see Hank, half hidden in the shadows among the great, tall, Ponderosa pines remount and touch the brim of his hat before turning to ride back to the herd. Ben nodded his acknowledgement and silent thanks. Closing the door quietly and securing the latch, he went back to his book.<\/p>\n
“Yes, you are getting grown up, Adam my son, but perhaps, just for the time being, Night Guard, on a dark windy night, is best left to those with just a little more experience.”<\/p>\n
Picking up his Bible, Ben took up where he left off.<\/p>\n