{"id":53159,"date":"2025-02-01T15:35:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T20:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=53159"},"modified":"2025-09-27T05:40:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T09:40:07","slug":"the-christmas-secret-by-harpistforhim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=53159","title":{"rendered":"The Christmas Secret (by Harpistforhim)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> A young Little Joe wants to know which of his brothers will be getting him a special gift for Christmas, but Adam isn’t in the mood for spilling secrets. A short holiday story set during the early years of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Rating: G\u00a0 Word Count: 739<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author’s Note: This story was inspired by a real conversation my sister had with our kid brother one Christmas. He is the perfect source for new Little Joe material.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Christmas Secret<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

December 1848<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam? Can I ask you a question?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s anything like your last question, save it.\u201d The eldest Cartwright boy resisted the urge to massage the bridge of his nose as his baby brother stuck his lower lip out in a pout. It was sickeningly adorable, but Adam wasn\u2019t about to cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not. Why\u2019re you always \u2018specting things like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Focusing harder on the book in front of him, Adam bit his lip, his only defense against the oncoming chuckle. \u201cI <\/span>suspect<\/span><\/i> things about you, Joe, because you\u2019ve proven time and time again that you can\u2019t keep your nose out of other people\u2019s business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you can\u2019t, either!\u201d The six-year-old accused, shoving a tiny finger in Adam\u2019s face. \u201cYou and Pa are always talkin\u2019 \u2019bout other people\u2019s business!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lord, give me strength,<\/span><\/i> Adam thought briefly as he closed his book, having given up on reading for the third time that evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because we\u2019re trying to <\/span>run<\/span><\/i> a business, Joe. Now, remind me when your bedtime is again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t go to bed yet!\u201d Panic seized the child\u2019s face and he latched onto Adam\u2019s sleeve. \u201cI still have to ask my question!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, for goodness\u2019 sake, Joe, <\/span>ask it!”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right! Don\u2019t rush me!”\u00a0\u00a0Pausing for a long moment to think, Joe gazed up into Adam\u2019s eyes and whispered, \u201cWho did you get for the gift exchange?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The question came as no surprise at all. In fact, Adam had been expecting it, waiting for it to find its way out into the open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he began, using up every ounce of patience left on the ranch, \u201cthat\u2019s the same question you asked ten minutes ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not! I rearranged the words!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still the same\u2014!\u201d Picking up his book once more, Adam sighed. \u201cNever mind. Why don\u2019t you go find Hoss or something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come on! Hoss won\u2019t tell me who he got! Come <\/span>on,<\/span><\/i> Adam, I just <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> to know! If you don\u2019t tell me, I\u2019m gonna die!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With all the indifference in the world, Adam turned the page. \u201cI\u2019ll be sure to bury you under that old climbing tree you love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Adam!<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clapping the book shut, Adam fixed a sly gaze on his little brother. \u201cAll right. I\u2019ll tell you who I got if you tell me who <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> got.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? But I forgot who I got!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2026 was a bit concerning. Nevertheless, Adam shook his head. \u201cGo ask Pa, then. He\u2019s supposed to be helping you with your gift, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he forgot, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Adam said slowly in a valiant attempt to rein in his irritation, \u201cthere\u2019s absolutely no way Pa forgot which name you picked out of the hat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he <\/span>did!<\/span><\/i> And now I don\u2019t know who I got\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, please.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Adam sighed as Joe worked up a few tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe if you tell me your person, then I can try ta guess who I got.\u201d Leaning close, Joe lowered his voice to a whisper. \u201cJust tell me real quiet in my ear. Hoss\u2019ll never hear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss isn\u2019t even <\/span>here.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is why he\u2019ll never know who you got! Come on, Adam, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It only took a brief moment for the idea to cement in his head. Mimicking Joe\u2019s conspiratorial whisper, Adam gestured for his brother to lean in closer. \u201cAll right. Come here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe pressed his face into Adam\u2019s coveted personal space, his eyes lit up like a thousand Christmas candles. It almost made Adam feel bad for what he was about to do next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t tell anyone,\u201d Adam whispered, \u201cbut I got Pa for the gift exchange.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And with that, he gave his brother a pat on the head before sauntering up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI <\/span>knew it!<\/span><\/i> I knew it all along!\u201d Joe exclaimed even as realization dawned on him seconds later. \u201cHey! Wait a minute!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam quickened his steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t draw Pa\u2019s name! He’s not even <\/span>part<\/span><\/i> of the exchange! <\/span>Adam!<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Escaping to the safety of the second floor, Adam swallowed down a laugh. Despite the distance, Joe and his eagle ears would be sure to hear it. It wasn\u2019t as if playing tricks on his baby brother was one of his favorite pastimes, but he couldn\u2019t have Joe\u2019s curiosity spoiling the gift exchange. Again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well,<\/span><\/i> he decided with a grin, he would just have to make sure to get Joe something extra special this year for the exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: A young Little Joe wants to know which of his brothers will be getting him a special gift for Christmas, but Adam isn’t in the mood for spilling secrets. A short holiday story set during the early years of the Ponderosa.
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