Summary: Unrequited affection, if not actually love, permeates this prequel tale of the Cartwrights as a church social becomes an unexpected source of disappointment and frustration for some, and wonder for others.\u00a0 Written for the 2025 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.
\nRating: K+\/T
\nWord Count: 13,275<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cUnrequited love is the infinite curse of a lonely heart.\u201d <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What a friend we have in Jesus, <\/p>\n The final hymn swelled, and those members of the congregation standing near the Cartwright pew enjoyed hearing Ben Cartwright\u2019s oldest son Adam\u2019s clear, true baritone floating below his littlest brother Joseph\u2019s tenor and Rob Middleton\u2019s five daughters\u2019 voices in the next pew behind theirs.<\/p>\n Directly behind Adam was the eldest Middleton daughter Margaret, a beautiful young lady of 20 years, with warm brown hair and dark brown eyes.\u00a0 Her sweet soprano blended beautifully with Adam\u2019s baritone. When the hymn ended and he closed his hymnal, Adam turned slightly, his dimples showing as he smiled at her in appreciation, mouthing \u201cnice job!\u201d\u00a0 She flushed prettily, and closed her own hymnal, jostled slightly by her next younger sister, Melanie, in an unbecoming plain skirt (a bit too tight) and blouse (a bit too loose), her hair unattractively pulled so tightly her eyebrows could barely wiggle, and a wry moue on her face, making googly eyes and batting her lashes at the older girl.\u00a0 Meg glared at her sister, making Mel snort with humor and shake her head. Laura Middleton Collins, Rob\u2019s widowed sister, who\u2019d lived with her brother and kept his house since her sister-in-law\u2019s death roughly eighteen months earlier, rolled her eyes, gathering her reticule and prayer book.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, girls, anybody\u2019d think you were brought up in a barn,\u201d muttered Rob Middleton, shaking his head sternly at his two oldest daughters, as his three younger girls tittered with laughter.\u00a0 Joanie, Little Joe Cartrwright\u2019s age, met eyes with her friend, grinned and winked at him and he returned the grin, only to turn around abruptly when his father firmly smacked the back of his head.<\/p>\n The two beleaguered fathers exchanged exasperated smiles as they ushered their families out of their pews and into the aisle.<\/p>\n On the ride home, Ben quizzed young Joe, 13, on Pastor Davis\u2019 sermon discussing the Gospel of John 15 as they rode gently, side by side, and was only slightly irritated that Joe\u2019s awareness of the teachings of the day\u2019s preaching was spotty at best.\u00a0 It had been hot and sticky in church this morning, and Ben had a pretty good idea that Joe was more interested in getting home to change into cooler clothes and perhaps head down to the fishing hole than he was in trying to stay awake during the heat of the service.<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam had dropped behind a little, gently walking their horses in the August heat.<\/p>\n \u201cIf that\u2019d been us<\/em><\/strong> givin\u2019 Pa them answers\u2026\u201d Hoss whispered to his older brother with eyebrows raised.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled. \u201cWe\u2019d have been memorizing Bible verses all afternoon,\u201d the oldest Cartwright son finished for him, just as quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cAn\u2019 doin\u2019 it standing up!\u201d hissed Hoss, with a grin, making his brother snort.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you two whispering about back there?\u201d called Ben, good naturedly.<\/p>\n \u201cJust the text from today\u2019s preaching, Pa.\u00a0 You know\u2026 \u2018Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends,\u2019\u201d<\/em> quoted Adam, seriously, and winking surreptitiously at Hoss, who ducked his head to keep from erupting in laughter.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled and shook his head, not hoodwinked in the slightest, but feeling generous.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, I think this afternoon, I\u2019d like you to take a Bible out to the fishing hole with you and study that passage from John while you\u2019re waiting for the fish to bite. I\u2019ll question you on it at supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n The other three Cartwrights laughed, and Ben gently sidled Buck to the side, clearly inviting Hoss and Adam to walk their mounts up alongside.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026 you and young Meg Middleton sounded particularly good singing together this morning,\u201d Ben observed, keeping his expression innocently blank.<\/p>\n Adam flushed slightly.\u00a0 \u201cMeg has a very pretty voice, I agree,\u201d he observed, calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly one she wants to hear her<\/em><\/strong> song is Pastor Davis, though, from what I hear,\u201d sniggered Joe, elbowing Hoss in the ribs, who chuckled, earning him a dirty look from his oldest brother, and making their father fight to keep his lips from curving into a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Little Joe,\u201d snapped Adam. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be talking about a young lady like that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike what?\u201d demanded Joe, stung. \u201cI was just repeatin\u2019 what Joanie told me in Sunday School!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHonestly, Pa, your son<\/em> -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, all right, all of you settle down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, now! I didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForgive me, Hoss,\u201d amended Ben with a chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, Joseph, stop it. Keep up the nonsense, Joe, and your trip to the fishing hole will be a dream that won\u2019t<\/em> come true.\u00a0 Am I clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe muttered.\u00a0 When Ben turned Buck toward the cut off for home, the boy leaned forward to see beyond Hoss, riding between them, and stuck out his tongue at his oldest brother, who glared back.\u00a0 Poor Hoss just sighed, shaking his head and raising his eyes heavenward.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Mel Middleton came into the bedroom she shared with her younger sister and wearily sank before her dressing table mirror.\u00a0 Quickly she unpinned her hair and sighed in relief as the brutally tight bun was released and cascades of riotous curls sprang free from captivity.\u00a0 Wincing she rubbed at her scalp just as Bonnie entered the room, setting her prayer book on her own desk.\u00a0 She sighed and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, Mel, why do you insist on pulling your hair so tight?\u201d she commiserated gently.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s got to hurt to have it pinned so!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt does,\u201d her sister grumbled, shaking her head and allowing her hair to fall past her hips.\u00a0 \u201cBut at least people can\u2019t see how curly it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Bonnie smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cAnd why is that a sin?\u201d she asked tenderly, coming up behind her sister and stroking her head. \u201cI\u2019d give anythin\u2019 to have your beautiful curls.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d give anythin\u2019 to hand \u2018em off to you,\u201d Melanie snorted, reaching up and patting her younger sister\u2019s hand, then rising to her feet and turning so that Bonnie could unbutton her bodice for her. \u201c\u2018Beautiful,\u2019 my eye.\u00a0 They make me look like I got struck by lightnin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Bonnie laughed and shook her head. \u201cYou work so darned hard to not look like a girl,\u201d she chuckled, working on the long line of pearl buttons in the back of her sister\u2019s bodice.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes me no good,\u201d the older girl said bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cMy best use in this family isn\u2019t as a beauty, since you and Meg have that<\/em> tied up.\u00a0 Thanks, Sissy.\u201d\u00a0 She quickly stepped out of the skirt and petticoats, then slipped out of the sticky bodice.\u00a0 Once freed she breathed in relief. \u201cOooh, that\u2019s better.\u00a0 Goodness but it\u2019s hot!\u201d\u00a0 She reached for her pants and chambray work shirt.\u00a0 \u201cNope, my role is Pa\u2019s right hand, Bonnie.\u00a0 You and Meg will have to be girly enough to cover for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Bonnie set the petticoats and skirt on her sister\u2019s bed and glanced at the book on the table on her side of the bed.\u00a0 \u201cA new book?\u201d<\/p>\n Mel looked up from buttoning her shirt and smiled. \u201cYes!\u00a0 Mr. Dickens\u2019 latest,\u201d she nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n Bonnie opened the front board and the first few pages. \u201c\u2018It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,\u2019\u201d the younger girl read, frowning in bemusement.\u00a0 Melanie smiled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the art of comparison, Bonnie\u2026 he\u2019s comparing England and France at the time of the Revolution.\u201d<\/p>\n Bonnie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cYou and your books,\u201d she smiled.\u00a0 She slyly glanced at her sister.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright bought that book last week at the mercantile, too, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n Melanie flushed slightly, taking the book from her, closing it and setting it back on the table, then stomping her feet into her work boots.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if he did?\u201d she asked, loftily.\u00a0 She quickly bound up her hair, more loosely this time, readying herself to go out to do the afternoon chores, and sped out the door.<\/p>\n Bonnie sighed after her.\u00a0 She knew her sister dreamed of the oldest Cartwright son, sharing his love of the printed word\u2026 and also knew that his interests rested on their older sister, Meg. \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>If only Mel could see how beautiful she is and understand that she\u2019d have a better chance of getting Adam to pay attention to her if she\u2019d just LOOK like a girl!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Shaking her own head, Bonnie changed into a house dress and slipped on her apron to go downstairs to help Aunt Laura prepare the big Sunday meal.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Early Tuesday morning, Ben Cartwright walked down the main stairs, rolling up his shirtsleeves, pleased to see \u2013 for once! \u2013 all three of his sons on time at the breakfast table.\u00a0 \u201cWell, this is a pleasure!\u201d he said with a smile as he crossed the great room.<\/p>\n Adam glanced up from his copy of the newest Charles Dickens\u2019 novel, questioning, and hastily closed his book \u2013 reading at the table was something that irritated his father to no end.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss, his head tilted, puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one having to go roust your little brother out of bed,\u201d he grinned, winking at Joe and patting his shoulder on his way to his seat.<\/p>\n The youngest Cartwright grinned reaching for the platter of fried eggs Hop Sing had just deposited on the table as his employer sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t wanta risk goin\u2019 hungry from big brother over there eatin\u2019 everything,\u201d Joe confided, impishly.<\/p>\n \u201cHa ha ha,\u201d snorted Hoss, pointing at him with his fork. \u201cYou\u2019d best watch yer step, Short Shanks. Pa\u2019s got you workin\u2019 with me on that fencin\u2019 out by north meadow, y’know.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled, shaking his head. \u201c\u2018Working\u2019 might be a bit of a misnomer,\u201d he observed, his lips twisted in a gentle smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI work as hard as anyone!\u201d protested Joe, hotly.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss chuckled at each other; Lord, but that boy could get feisty faster than anybody they\u2019d ever met!<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, let\u2019s not start the day with an argument, all right?\u201d suggested Ben, blandly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, my deepest apologies,\u201d said Adam, an angelic smile on his face as he sipped his coffee, and winked at Hoss, who snorted into his glass of water.<\/p>\n Joe grumbled until his father cleared his throat, eyeing him sternly as well.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got in fairly early last night, you two,\u201d he glanced at his older sons, as he poured himself a cup of Hop Sing’s good, aromatic coffee as well.\u00a0 \u201cNot enough going on in town last night to keep you interested?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah,\u201d offered Hoss, spearing two sausage patties with his fork.\u00a0 \u201cWarn\u2019t nothin\u2019 goin\u2019 on at the Silver Dollar. Oh!\u201d He sat up suddenly. \u201c\u2019Cept I did hear that Mr. Middleton took a real bad spill yesterday!\u201d His fork finished its journey back to his plate, and he reached for one of Hop Sing\u2019s feather-light biscuits.<\/p>\n Both Adam and Ben looked up, surprised, and glanced at each other. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d demanded his father.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Middleton, he had a hard fall breakin\u2019 horses,\u201d nodded Hoss, seriously, buttering a biscuit.\u00a0 \u201cI heard Tom Brandon \u2013 you know him, Pa, one of Mr. M\u2019s hands? \u2013 heard ol\u2019 Tom say that Mr. Middleton busted his leg… bad thigh bone break.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t mention it last night,\u201d said Adam, frowning and setting down his knife.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, musta forgot,\u201d shrugged Hoss, buttering his biscuit.<\/p>\n Ben sat back, frowning.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that\u2019s a shame,\u201d he said, concerned.\u00a0 \u201cI know Rob Middleton\u2019s got a big horse contract to fulfill.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam finished chewing a bite of ham and lay down his fork.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if I went over and helped them out for a few days?\u201d he asked, seriously. \u201cMaybe, if I can help Hank Vickers get things caught up, they won\u2019t lose out on that contract?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re more interested in Meg than them horses,\u201d sniggered Joe.<\/p>\n Adam glared at him, but even Ben and Hoss tried to keep their grins to a minimum.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Joseph,\u201d said Ben calmly.\u00a0 \u201cNot a bad idea.\u00a0 Hoss\u2026 suppose I go out with Joe today and the next week or so to work on that fencing, and you and Adam both see how you might be of help to the Middletons?\u00a0 They\u2019ve only got the three hands and they\u2019ll be up to the hub with chores, much less working on that contract.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s pained expression wasn\u2019t lost on Hoss, who knew that today his little brother wouldn\u2019t get away with one tenth of the slacking off he, himself, would have allowed. Hoss grinned to himself.\u00a0 \u201cSounds good to me,\u201d he nodded, thinking of Bonnie Middleton\u2019s honey blonde hair and big brown eyes. She\u2019d been one of his friends at school, and was one of the few girls around who didn\u2019t scare him half to death.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyes sparkled at the idea, thinking how he might come up with a way to talk Meg into a picnic.<\/p>\n Joe pouted. \u201cAw, heck, Pa, all Adam\u2019ll do is wanna spark Meg and -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d warned Ben.\u00a0 \u201cWhat Adam does with his spare time is none of your business.\u00a0 And any one of the Middleton girls would be a lovely catch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh!\u201d snorted Joe, rudely. \u201cMel Middleton? You gotta be kidding!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0 Three voices all echoed dismay.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s true!\u201d he protested.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s as ugly as a new-shorn sheep!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam threw up his hands in frustration and raised an outraged eyebrow at his father, while Hoss struggled to keep a straight face and Ben looked pained.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she is\u2026\u201d finished Joe, his voice small, realizing he might have stepped a bit over the line.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and I are going to be having a serious conversation about what are and what aren\u2019t acceptable\u00a0 observations about the fairer sex this week while we\u2019re working on fence lines, young man,\u201d Ben growled at his youngest son, making the younger boy wince while his older brothers shook their heads, again marveling that when it came to their littlest brother, Pa\u2019s belt didn\u2019t seem to get nearly the same amount of time out of his belt loops as it had when they<\/em> were younger.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cMiz Mel, I ain\u2019t so sure \u2018bout this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be, Hank, I\u2019m sure enough for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman pulled on her gloves and fastened the belt buckle of the chaps she\u2019d found in the tack room around her waist, then began securing the ties around her legs.\u00a0 \u201cTommy, move that cayuse into the chute, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2019m, Miz Mel,\u201d responded the young ranch hand, his eyes wide in horrified wonder.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Rob, he ain\u2019t gonna like it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s gonna like it even less if we haven\u2019t got those horses broken to meet our contract,\u201d she replied coolly, straightening up.\u00a0 \u201cHank, you know I can do this, because you\u2019ve SEEN me do this.\u201d She turned and headed for the chute.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am, I did and yer daddy just about tore me a new one for lettin\u2019 you!\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman stopped mid-stride on her way to the gates, and she turned abruptly on her bootheel. At nearly five feet and nine inches, Melanie Middleton was exactly as tall as the middle-aged foreman, and he felt the blaze of her fiery eyes as she turned them on him, full bore. \u201cWell, my daddy<\/em> is laid up with a broken leg and three broken ribs, if you hadn\u2019t noticed!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware, Miz Mel, and you<\/em> <\/strong>know, full well, it was from him havin\u2019 ta chew gravel!\u201d snapped back the foreman, pointing at the corral. \u201cDoin\u2019 just what you\u2019re about to do now, ya fool kid!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know I have more strength in my legs than he does\u2026 more than you do, come to that!\u00a0 And even if I didn\u2019t, I\u2019d still have to try!\u00a0 Otherwise, this ranch is in deep trouble.\u00a0 Now are you gonna help me or are you going to continue to throw roadblocks in my path, Henry?\u00a0 Because if it\u2019s the latter, you can march up to the house and grab your lunch so you don\u2019t have to watch!\u201d The last was snapped out as sharply as a whiplash.<\/p>\n Helplessly he met her glare, then hung his head, his shoulders sagging.<\/p>\n Eyebrow arched, she nodded once.\u00a0 \u201cWe ready, Tommy?\u201d she demanded, eyes still glaring at her foreman.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2019m.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d\u00a0 She turned then and her long legs easily navigated the slats of the fencing and she slowly lowered herself into place, carefully placing herself in the saddle.<\/p>\n You\u2019d best hope you know what you\u2019re doing, Melanie\u2026 or you\u2019ll be in the bed beside Pa in there, and THEN what?!<\/em><\/p>\n In the house, Meg and Bonnie were readying the spinning wheel for carded wool, while Aunt Laura gently kneaded several set-ups of pie crust, planning to use up the peaches and apples needing badly to be cooked before they turned.\u00a0 All three started in surprise when two pairs of pounding feet pelted up the porch steps and through the kitchen door as Joanie and Prissie ran in. Rolling her eyes, Laura went back to her work.<\/p>\n \u201cAuntie Laura! Meg! Come quick!\u00a0 Mel\u2019s gonna ride a bronc!\u201d cried little Prissie, her wail sharp as a tack.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?!\u201d<\/p>\n Meg raised her head to hear her father bellow from his room upstairs, where he was confined to bed\u2026. But since it was his leg that ailed him and not his ears, Priscilla\u2019s shriek had reached him on the second floor. She looked worriedly at her aunt.<\/p>\n Eyes wide, Laura Collins\u2019 head snapped up from the pie crust she was rolling out and glanced quickly at her two youngest nieces as they bubbled over like pots of boiling water in their excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, my sacred Aunt,\u201d she muttered dropping the rolling pin to the table and hurrying to the door, wiping her hands on her apron. \u201cYou, Joanie and Prissie, go on upstairs and tell your father I said to stay put, that I\u2019m handling it!\u201d she ordered the younger girls sternly, and rushed out the door.<\/p>\n As Aunt Laura, Meg and 16-year-old Bonnie hurried down to the corral they saw the main event was already underway.<\/p>\n Her heart in her throat, Laura bit her lip, gripping the top rail of the fence.\u00a0 Meg, more sanguine, leaned against the railing and watched, studying Mel\u2019s form.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s doing well,\u201d offered Bonnie, in quiet reassurance, he eyes tracking her sister as she made a darned good ride.\u00a0 \u201cShe really does know what she\u2019s doing, Aunt Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s going to break her neck!\u201d the woman ground out.\u00a0 She spied the foreman, Vickers, further down the fence line and strode to him. \u201cHave you lost your mind?! What in all that\u2019s holy do you think you\u2019re doing, allowing that girl in there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Allowin’?\u2019\u201d Hank shook his head, snorting, his mouth twisted. \u201cYou\u2019ve met her, ain\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d he demanded, pointing at the girl. \u201cMiz Laura, you know damn \u2013 beg pardon, ma\u2019am \u2013 darned<\/em> well that with that<\/em> one there ain\u2019 no allowin\u2019<\/em> goin\u2019 on! Due respect, ma\u2019am, but that dog won\u2019t hunt!\u201d<\/p>\n And as quickly as that, the ride came to an end as Mel steadied the animal to a slower gait.\u00a0 As one of the other hands came up alongside, she quickly released her feet from the stirrups and swung around on her backside to allow her long legs to let her slide behind the other rider, as the hands cheered and clapped for her.<\/p>\n \u201cGood ride, Miz Mel!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThassa way it\u2019s done!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDone yer Daddy proud, ma\u2019am!\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded at the men, refusing to allow the slightly pulled muscle in her back to let a grimace show on her face, but her eyes widened as she saw Aunt Laura at the siderail, her face white\u2026 with fear or rage, Mel couldn\u2019t tell.<\/p>\n Oh, hell\u2019s bells.<\/strong><\/em> Mel sighed and strode to the fence line. \u201cNow, Aunt Laura, before you -\u201d she started.<\/p>\n \u201cInside.\u201d<\/p>\n Rage, then.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n Growling in frustration, tall Melanie Middleton stalked, straight-backed, past her tiny aunt and strode toward the house, with the older woman and two sisters following along like a goose and its goslings.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n As Hoss and Adam trotted their mounts toward the Bar M ranch house on the eastern border of their land and the Middletons\u2019, below Washoe Lake and halfway between their homestead and Carson City, Adam noticed how quiet Hoss had become.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s got you so tight lipped, little brother?\u201d he asked, with a gentle smile.\u00a0 \u201cSomething bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah, not really,\u201d answered Hoss, settling himself in his saddle, annoyed with himself to have been caught out.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Hoss,\u201d chuckled Adam, shaking his head. \u201cYou\u2019re as transparent as glass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled at him. \u201cYou\u2019re sweet on Bonnie Middleton.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 face burned crimson and he frowned, staring straight ahead. Dadburn, how\u2019d he always do that?\u00a0 It was like that dadblasted older brother o\u2019 his could see right inside his head!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a lovely girl, Hoss,\u201d said Adam gently.\u00a0 \u201cAnd she could do a helluva lot worse than you, younger brother.\u00a0 You\u2019re pretty special, too, y\u2019know.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss snorted, going redder if at all possible.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled and shook his head. \u201cJust screw up the courage and ask her out.\u00a0 What\u2019s the worst that could happen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe could say \u2018no.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah\u2026 but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, nothin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIf\u2019n she says no, that\u2019s it.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna wait until somethin\u2019 maybe comes up that ain\u2019t too personal-like.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam frowned. \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I <\/em><\/strong>don\u2019t know, do I?\u201d expostulated Hoss, spreading his hands wide.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 Whoa\u2026 little brother really does have it bad!\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cOkay, okay, don\u2019t bite my head off,\u201d he said blandly, with a small smile.<\/p>\n Hoss calmed a bit and sighed. \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cLook,\u201d said Adam, gently, \u201cI\u2019ll let you be, but you really do need to start believing in yourself.\u00a0 Because I\u2019ll tell ya, Little Brother\u2026 you don\u2019t give yourself anywhere near the credit you should.\u201d<\/p>\n And with that he let it ride, and the two Cartwright brothers continued on to the threshold of the Bar M in companionable silence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they trotted into the ranch yard, they saw Hank Vickers just finishing a bronc ride, getting the animal well under control in a short amount of time.\u00a0 They dismounted out of the line of sight of the man or the animal and tied up their mounts at the hitching rail then walked over to the corral, watching and cheering the man along with the other two Bar M hands.<\/p>\n \u201cNice ride, Hank,\u201d offered Adam, as the man made his way back to the fence.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam, good of you,\u201d he smiled, climbing up and over the fence rail.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brings you two out here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, younger brother, here, heard about Mr. Middleton\u2019s accident last night in town from one of your hands,\u201d said Adam seriously, \u201cand Pa and we wondered how we might be able to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n Vickers\u2019 eyebrows rose.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t the Ponderosa got enough going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t got so much goin\u2019 on that we can\u2019t help out them as has been a good neighbor,\u201d smiled Hoss, his sunny smile making Hank smile in return.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that shore is kind of you,\u201d he nodded, quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThe Boss\u2019s been lower\u2019n a snake\u2019s belly, thinkin\u2019 \u2018bout all that ain\u2019t gittin\u2019 done.\u00a0 Miss Mel, she\u2019s been doin\u2019 her best, but -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfternoon, Adam! Hoss, good to see you,\u201d smiled Laura Collins as she stepped out onto the porch, wiping her hands on her apron.\u00a0 \u201cWill you have some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s kind, Mrs. Collins,\u201d nodded Adam, \u201cbut we\u2019re just here to find out from Hank how we can help out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelp out?\u00a0 You mean, your pa sent you over to -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d grinned Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, praise the Lord, maybe Rob will finally be able to lie back and rest without fretting,\u201d she sighed, in relief.\u00a0 \u201cHank, you come on in, too, for coffee and pie and we can talk about it, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTalk about what?\u201d<\/p>\n All of them heard the suspicious voice of Melanie Middleton as she came out onto the porch, rolled up her shirtsleeves and tucked her shirttail into her pants.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, Melanie, those pants -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre a lot easier to work in than a blasted skirt,\u201d the girl finished brusquely. \u201cTalk about what?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam forced himself to keep his lips from twisting into a grin.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and I have come over to talk about how we might lend a hand while your father\u2019s laid up.\u201d<\/p>\n The girl\u2019s grey eyes \u2013 surprisingly pretty grey eyes, Hoss realized with a start, with thick, inky black lashes \u2013 widened.\u00a0 Then narrowed, ominously.\u00a0 \u201cThe Middletons aren\u2019t seeking charity,\u201d she said sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cGood, because we aren\u2019t offering any,\u201d replied Adam, coolly.<\/p>\n \u201cMelanie!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWell, we aren\u2019t, Aunt Laura!\u201d the girl replied, firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThank you most kindly, Adam, but we take care of our own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo good to allow a neighboring ranch to assist, hm?\u201d<\/p>\n Vickers bit his lip and lowered his eyes, struggling to keep his lips steady.<\/p>\n Blushing hotly, the girl clamped her jaws together and pulled her work gloves on. \u201cExcuse me, I need to get some hay loaded,\u201d she muttered coldly, and stalked past them.<\/p>\n Hoss watched her go, admiring her grit, even if she wasn\u2019t particularly biddable.\u00a0 Girl\u2019s got a lotta spunk\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI apologize, Adam,\u201d started Laura tiredly, pushing a curl off her hot forehead. \u201cThat girl\u2019s going t\u2019 be the death of me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, ma\u2019am, there\u2019s no need.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, c\u2019mon in for that coffee and pie so we can talk.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n As the service drew to a close (thankfully!<\/em> thought most of the youngsters and the elderly in the congregation, about to expire from the stifling heat), Pastor Davis closed his bible and gripped the sides of the lectern, smiling out at his flock.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, for our last announcement today, the Ladies Auxiliary would like to let everyone know that because we have some supplies that really need to be used up soon, there\u2019s going to be an unexpected treat this coming Saturday night.\u00a0 A social, complete with orchestra and refreshments!\u201d<\/p>\n A surprised and excited wave of murmurs bubbled through the church as everyone thought of the fun to be had the following weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, everyone put a good polish on your dancing shoes!\u201d laughed the Pastor, an engaging young man who\u2019d done a lot of good work in his three years here.\u00a0 A young bachelor, the good ladies of the church were doing their level best to find him a wife, since no man of the cloth should try to do this kind of work without a good woman at his side.\u00a0 Well, according to most women, no man doing any<\/em> kind of work should be without a good woman, making any bachelor in the surrounding environs fair game to the ladies\u2019 matchmaking skills!<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone, please turn in your hymnals to number 473\u2026 My Trust Is in the Lord,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 said Pastor Davis, a broad smile on his handsome face, the smile growing slightly wider as he glanced down at young Margaret Middleton in the second row.\u00a0 As the elderly organist, Miss Deever, pressed her foot to the organ pedal and her hands to the keyboard, the lively hymn\u2019s tune swelled, and the congregation boisterously joined in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My trust is in the Lord: Lo, sinners bend the bow <\/p>\n Adam leaned slightly to the side and nudged his littlest brother into paying attention to the lyrics with a stern glance, earning him rolled eyes from the thirteen-year-old.\u00a0 Adam repaid the glance with a \u201cbetter me than Pa!\u201d look, that made the boy hasten to straighten up and obey.<\/p>\n Hoss, on Joe\u2019s other side, fought a grin and focused on the pulpit to keep from laughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What can the righteous do, <\/p>\n Meg gazed up at the pulpit, imagining herself in a bridal veil and standing across from the blond and blue-eyed, handsome young pastor.\u00a0 Since his arrival, she\u2019d been thoroughly smitten, and though he\u2019d been kind, he\u2019d not been overly attentive to her\u2026 any more to any other daughter of a parishioner.\u00a0 But she knew he liked her\u2026 she just knew<\/em> it! And this time, by heaven, she\u2019d figure out a way to get him to be her escort to the social!\u00a0 Meg Middleton was done with waiting.\u00a0 At 20, she had no intention of being a spinster.<\/p>\n And, miracle of miracles!\u00a0 Their eyes met.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Lord in Zion dwells, <\/p>\n Pastor Davis\u2019 voice faltered just slightly as the electric spark between the two was nearly palpable.\u00a0 Most people didn\u2019t notice, either focused on the words on the pages of the hymnals or riding herd on wiggly little ones, except for Laura Collins, who knew this hymn by heart.\u00a0 She stifled a grin as she saw what appeared to be Cupid\u2019s arrow finally<\/em> flying between Meg and Nick Davis, grateful that perhaps, at last, the young man would be able to put aside his shyness with the fairer sex and step up!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Lord the righteous proves; <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright had only half his attention fixed on the hymn, though his strong bass voice hit each note and uttered all the words of the lyric without fail.\u00a0 He was thinking about the upcoming social\u2026 and feeling a very unexpected stirring.\u00a0 To be sure, he\u2019d had opportunities for female companionship since Joe\u2019s mother, Marie, had died (he was a man, after all!), but he rarely took advantage of them.\u00a0 The level at which he felt himself thinking of and drawn to a certain lady disconcerted him and made him blush slightly.\u00a0 Get a hold of yourself, Cartwright!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>was his stern thought.<\/p>\n But somehow, he couldn\u2019t shift charming and pretty Laura Collins\u2019 image from his mind\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For righteous is the Lord, \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>Pastor Davis stood at the door, shaking hands and wishing everyone a good week.<\/p>\n \u201cWonderful sermon, Pastor,\u201d smiled Ben Cartwright, shaking his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d nodded Nick Davis.\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s hard to beat Ecclesiastes 9 in a ranching community,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n Cartwright chuckled and herded his boys ahead of him, allowing the next parishioners to exit the church.<\/p>\n When the Middletons reached him, Davis clasped Mrs. Collins\u2019 hand. \u201cI was so sorry to hear of Rob\u2019s accident, Mrs. Laura,\u201d he said seriously.\u00a0 \u201cDoctor Martin says the break was a clean one, though, and should heal well, I hear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we\u2019re thankful for that,\u201d nodded Laura with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cHis spirits aren\u2019t too bad, either, especially since the two oldest Cartwright boys came over this week to help around the ranch. He\u2019d been so worried about a horse contract that the ranch holds.\u201d<\/p>\n Pastor Davis noticed Melanie blushing slightly and frowning at the tips of her shoes.<\/p>\n Pastor Davis nodded and his glance traveled to Meg.\u00a0 \u201cYes, the Cartwrights are good neighbors,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cMiss Middleton\u2026 erm\u2026 would you\u2026 could I ask you to stay after for a moment?\u201d<\/p>\n The five Middleton daughters\u2019 jaws dropped, though Mrs. Collins smiled, and winked surreptitiously at the pastor, gathering the four younger girls firmly in tow toward the surrey she\u2019d driven to church herself this morning.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The Middleton parlor was awash in excitement that afternoon, as Meg pilfered through the lace and button box, looking for appropriate trim to \u2018dress up\u2019 her best gown for Saturday night.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd here I thought for sure you\u2019d be going with Adam Cartwright,\u201d said Bonnie, with a wink at her Aunt Laura.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s certainly interested in you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright?<\/em>\u00a0 Heaven forbid,\u201d scoffed Meg, tossing her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with Adam?\u201d asked Aunt Laura, innocently, and glancing surreptitiously at Melanie, who was frowning at the stud book, appearing to not be listening but actually had her ears perked for all she was worth. \u201cHe\u2019s certainly handsome\u2026 a good dancer.\u00a0 And a very, very nice boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, nothing really, he\u2019s just a bit of an odd stick.\u00a0 All those books, and that fancy education o\u2019 his and his high-falutin\u2019 manners,\u201d Meg observed, a little callously.\u00a0 \u201cI know he doesn\u2019t mean to seem snooty, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor heaven\u2019s sake, just because the man can read words beyond \u2018dog\u2019 and \u2018cat\u2019 is no reason to turn your nose up at him!\u201d snapped Melanie, suddenly.<\/p>\n Surprised, both Meg and Bonnie turned to stare at her, while Laura smiled down at the hem she was stitching.<\/p>\n \u201cBesides, your precious Pastor Davis reads a great deal, too!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s different!\u201d retorted Meg, hotly.\u00a0 \u201cHe reads the Bible<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLikely manages to read more than that, sister dear!\u201d Mel grumbled, slapping shut the stud book and stalking out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, for heaven\u2019s sake, what ails her?\u201d demanded Meg, shaking her head and looking from her aunt to her younger sister.\u00a0 When there was no response, she exhaled in exasperation and flounced upstairs, a few options of lace in her hands to lay against her gown for comparison.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s got absolutely no idea that her sister pines for young Cartwright, has she?\u201d sighed Laura to Bonnie after both older girls were fully out of earshot.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a clue,\u201d corroborated Bonnie, reaching for the pile of mending and her sewing basket by the hearth.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cHere, now, Hoss! You shouldn\u2019t be liftin\u2019 that alone, son!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m obliged, Mr. Vickers\u2026 That thing\u2019s as heavy as a widow\u2019s heart,\u201d <\/strong>he grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead and neck.\u00a0 \u201cCouldja just slide that block inta place for me? Couldn\u2019t quite manage it with one hand.\u201d Hank quickly slid in beside the youngster, who grinned at him as the man offered additional muscle to lift the heavy wagon\u2019s rear axle, wagon and all, to rest squarely on a woodblock.<\/p>\n \u201cI dessay,\u201d said Hank, dryly, eyebrow raised and shaking his head in wonder at the strength of the boy after he\u2019d done as he was asked.\u00a0 He then glanced behind the youngster at the pile of already straightened out horseshoes in astonishment at the amount of work the boy\u2019d got done.\u00a0 The fact that the young man had already got most of the work done on repairing the wagon wheel that\u2019d been sitting broken for nearly a month \u2013 and which Hank hadn\u2019t even asked him to help with! \u2013 made him plan to definitely have strong words with his own hands, the lazy varmints!\u00a0 This boy was showing up men twice his age!\u00a0 \u201cSon, I swan, you\u2019re better\u2019n any two hands we ever had on this ranch!\u00a0 Sure you ain\u2019t interested in joinin\u2019 up with the Bar M?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n \u201cI think my Pa might have somethin\u2019 t\u2019say about it,\u201d chuckled Hoss, gesturing at the tar bucket and brush nearby.\u00a0 \u201cSir, if you\u2019ll be good enough t\u2019 lather\u2019up that axle, I\u2019ll lift \u2018er agin and you can slide that there wheel on.\u201d<\/p>\n As the two men labored to reseat the wheel, young Bonnie Middletown came down from the house, a pitcher of iced lemonade and two glasses in her hand.\u00a0 \u201cAunt Laura thought you fellas might be a bit parched,\u201d she smiled as they dusted off their hands, grateful that the wheel was on and spinning well.<\/p>\n \u201cGirl, you\u2019re a sight I\u2019m glad t\u2019see!\u201d declared Hank with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Miss Bonnie\u2026 you take a peek at the corral on your way by?\u00a0 Adam ain\u2019t lettin\u2019 Miss Mel get busted off, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n She chuckled and handed him his glass, eyebrow raised. \u201cHank, have you ever known any man, \u2018sides Pa, able to tell Melanie anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue \u2018nough,\u201d he sighed, taking a grateful swallow.\u00a0 Sometimes, not even her Pa!<\/em> \u201cLord, but that\u2019s welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll say,\u201d agreed Hoss, smiling shyly at the girl, accepting his glass.\u00a0 \u201cI sure do thank you, Bonnie.\u00a0 Looks awful good.\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned at them both, nodded, and headed back to the house.<\/p>\n Hank watched Hoss watch her and smiled slyly.\u00a0 \u201cPretty little gal,\u201d he offered, in a voice that was far too innocent.<\/p>\n \u201cShe shore is,\u201d agreed Hoss, absently, his eyes watching her slim figure sway its way back to the house.\u00a0 After a moment, he realized that silence had fallen.\u00a0 Hoss started, and glanced at the older man, standing there grinning at him, amused, and blushed furiously, turning back to the remaining branding irons that needed straightening or repairing while Hank chuckled.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n That night, as Melanie and Bonnie readied for bed, Bonnie noticed Melanie was more subdued than usual.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything wrong?\u2019 she asked, gently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy should there be?\u201d muttered Mel as she brushed her long curls.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you with your chin draggin\u2019 on the ground is a real good start,\u201d replied Bonnie, seriously.<\/p>\n Mel glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, don\u2019t get mad at me, I\u2019m just worried for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t,\u201d the older girl snapped, setting her hairbrush down with a slap on the dressing table and rising, heading to her side of the bed.\u00a0 Normally, Melanie would read for half an hour or so, but tonight the girl climbed into bed and turned on her side away from her sister.<\/p>\n Remember the words her older sisters had shared Sunday afternoon, Bonnie hesitantly climbed into bed as well.\u00a0 And would have simply lain down and gone to sleep\u2026 until she heard the unmistakable sound of Melanie struggling not to be heard crying.<\/p>\n Without a word, Bonnie curled up behind her and wrapped her arm around her sister, until Mel gave up any pretense of hiding her tears, sobbing into her pillow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, honey?\u2019 whispered Bonnie, her heart breaking for this dearest of her older sisters.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Bonnie, my heart\u2019s gonna break, I swear it is,\u201d she sobbed softly.<\/p>\n Bonnie rested her chin against her sister\u2019s strong shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d she asked, very gently.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t surprised when her sister nodded silently.<\/p>\n \u201cHoney\u2026\u201d Bonnie hesitated, then decided she had nothing to lose.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, you might have a better chance of Adam seeing you instead of Meg if you let yourself, just once, look like a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, what\u2019s the point!\u201d the girl choked, trying to wipe at her streaming eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not pretty, I\u2019m not accomplished, I\u2019m not …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t understand how you can say that, Mel!\u201d declared Bonnie, honestly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re beautiful!!\u201d\u00a0 She abruptly sat up in bed and pushed her legs off the bed and hurried around to her sister\u2019s side, literally grabbing her sister\u2019s arm and pulled her out of bed, dragging her to the dressing table.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat in heaven\u2019s …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hush!\u201d Bonnie snapped as she struck a match and lit the lamp on the dressing table.<\/p>\n Startled by her sister\u2019s tone, Melanie complied.<\/p>\n As the light bloomed, all Mel saw was a blotchy face and rumpled hair.\u00a0 She winced and turned away.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d snapped Bonnie, again, suddenly reaching for the hairbrush. She went to work.<\/p>\n In moments, she\u2019d quickly and efficiently arranged his sister\u2019s hair in a way the girl had never seen before and her jaw dropped slightly.<\/p>\n Looking back at her was a reflection of a softer, attractive hairstyle that flattered her slim face, somehow allowing the beautiful, hollowed cheekbones and high forehead to be flattering instead of garishly manipulated as her usual, too-tight hairstyle had done. Her lovely brows, no longer distorted by the tightly pulled hair, accentuated the quite honestly beautiful, sooty, thickly lashed grey eyes.<\/p>\n Even though her skin was still mottled from her crying, in amazement, Melanie could see \u2026 well, could see someone else who\u2019d been hiding there all along.<\/p>\n \u201cSee?\u201d Bonnie whispered gently, patting her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Bout a year ago, you suddenly went from ugly duckling to swan, Melanie, but for some reason you just couldn\u2019t see it.\u201d She leaned down, and her own lovely face smiling beside Melanie\u2019s no longer mocked a \u201cplain jane\u201d countenance beside her, but a beauty in its own right. \u201cYou\u2019re lovely, Sissy.\u201d<\/p>\n In wonder, Melanie touched her own face and then her face crumpled in tears\u2026 of joy and wonder this time instead of grief.<\/p>\n Then her expression grew resigned.\u00a0 \u201cBut he wanted to ask Meg,\u201d said Melanie, quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m no man\u2019s second helpings,\u201d she sniffed, her pride refusing to allow her to contemplate vying forAdam\u2019s attentions.<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u00a0 Then be some other man\u2019s,\u201d said Bonnie, nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cWho, for heaven\u2019s sake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me think on it.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n On Tuesday morning, Bonnie was out, spreading corn for the chickens and gathering eggs, when she was surprised to hear hoofbeats. Who could be coming so early? She wondered and came around the corner of the barn.\u00a0 She saw Hoss Cartwright riding in alone.\u00a0 Eyebrows raised in surprise, she nonetheless smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Hoss!\u201d she greeted him. \u201cGoodness, but you\u2019re here bright and early!\u201d<\/p>\n He looked dreadfully uncomfortable, making her wonder what could be wrong, as he dismounted and slapped his reins around the hitching post.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 uh\u2026 I wanted\u2026 I mean\u2026 I needed\u2026\u201d\u00a0 he stammered, then reached a hand up and pushed his big sugarloaf hat a little further back on his head, scratching his forehead and sighed.<\/p>\n Lordy, but this is awful.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 \u201cBonnie, I guess I should just come out with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Alarmed, she set down her basket of eggs and came to him. \u201cGoodness, Hoss, whatever is the matter?\u201d she asked, worriedly.<\/p>\n He manfully pulled in a deep breath, and closing his eyes, spit it out in a rush.\u00a0 \u201cBonnie-wouldja-be-so-kind-to-let-me-escort-ya-to-the-social.\u201d\u00a0 And exhaled, as though he\u2019d held his breath while the dentist pulled a tooth.<\/p>\n Stricken, Bonnie flushed.\u00a0 Oh, dear\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026 Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Hearing her voice, he opened his eyes and wilted.\u00a0 \u201cYeah\u2026 I guess it were a pipe dream,\u201d he muttered, turning to his horse to lead it to the barn and start working.<\/p>\n But her hand shot out and clasped his arm. His blue eyes, filled with sadness and hurt, gazed down at her.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hoss, it wasn\u2019t a pipe dream,\u201d she said gently.\u00a0 \u201cBut\u2026 well, you and me, we\u2019re good friends.\u00a0 Real good friends, have been since we were little,\u201d she said earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never thought of you\u2026 that way.\u00a0 I like you, a whole lot, Hoss.\u00a0 But not \u2026 that way.\u00a0 And I wouldn\u2019t never want to lead you on to think I did,\u201d she said very gently.<\/p>\n And though he was saddened, it was still heartening to hear her say such things. \u201cYou ain\u2019t mad I asked?\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled tenderly. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad.\u00a0 I\u2019m flattered.\u00a0 Any girl\u2019d be lucky for you to ask her,\u201d she said humbly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a special fella, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n He sighed.\u00a0 Yeah\u2026 so special I ain\u2019t got a date for the dance\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m \u2018bout to help Aunt Laura fix some breakfast,\u201d she said tentatively.\u00a0 \u201cCan I fix you some ham and eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head. \u201cNo\u2019m\u2026 I et breakfast \u2018fore I left the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Thank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said softly, and led Chubb into the barn.<\/p>\n Feeling wretched for having hurt his feelings, Bonnie watched him go, helpless.\u00a0 And then, suddenly, the niggling of an idea began to form\u2026<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Adam slapped his work gloves against his pants leg to free the trapped dust and then tucked them into his belt, sighing slightly.\u00a0 He\u2019d managed to get through the afternoon without a bad toss, which \u2013 frankly \u2013 amazed him considering he\u2019d not had his attention fully on the job at hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Adam!\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry but I\u2019m afraid Pastor Davis has already asked to escort me to the social,\u201d Meg had said, a somewhat arch and thoroughly undisguised happy expression on her face that belied her words.<\/p>\n But Adam Cartwright had spent a lifetime learning how to hide his true feelings. He grinned in congratulations. \u201cHow nice!\u201d\u00a0 he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m really glad you\u2019ll have an escort, even if I can\u2019t be the lucky fellow.\u00a0 Afternoon, Meg.\u201d\u00a0 He touched his hat brim, winking at her, and walked back toward the corral.<\/p>\n But once he\u2019d turned away he felt his cheeks burning.\u00a0 Fool!\u00a0 You should have ridden over and asked her Sunday afternoon!<\/em><\/p>\n After giving himself time for a short walk alone to get his feelings back under control, he turned to the corral to finish off the few horses that were on his roster to work with.\u00a0 When he reached the corral fence, he was surprised to see Hoss there.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t seen him at all today, since his younger brother had left very early that morning from home.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere the heck were you this morning?\u201d he asked, his tone more critical than he\u2019d intended.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you care?\u201d snapped back Hoss, totally unlike him, to the point that Adam stopped open-mouthed.<\/p>\n But Hoss had the grace to look abashed. \u201cSorry\u2026 guess I\u2019m\u2026 well, I ain\u2019t in so good a mood, sorry to take it out on you.\u201d<\/p>\n Frowning, Adam studied his younger brother. \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n The younger boy shrugged.\u00a0 Adam glanced at the corral and saw the other hands were readying to ride the next horse, so he had a few minutes. He sidled a little closer to his brother, and, resting his arm on the railing, turned to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2026 what\u2019s the trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n At first he got no answer, but more gentle prodding finally pried loose an accusatory, \u201cWell, you was wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot the first time today,\u201d Adam answered morosely.\u00a0 \u201cBut what in particular am I wrong about as far as you\u2019re concerned?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked Bonnie.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam winced. \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n The older brother sighed and leaned against the top run of the fence, mirroring his younger brother\u2019s stance.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if it\u2019s any consolation, I\u2019m in the same boat.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss glanced to his side. \u201cMeg said no?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPastor Davis already asked her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Both brothers, each trapped in their own thoughts, had their eyes on the corral but neither registered the good ride the bronc buster delivered, instead replaying their own defeats in their memories.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Tiredly, Ben Cartwright came in the front door, worn out after a day of riding the fence line with young Joe, making repairs where needed.\u00a0 While Joe was definitely helpful, he missed having Hoss\u2019 or Adam\u2019s physical strength to assist with the heavy work of pulling wire tight and anchoring it to fenceposts.\u00a0 And, to be frank, keeping the thirteen-year-old focused on the work at hand was a challenge in and of itself, but if anyone was up to the task, it was Ben Cartwright. As a result, it was a very weary Joseph that trudged in after him, more tired than he\u2019d been in ages.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, go ask Hop Sing to draw a hot bath please and get yourself into it.\u00a0 You can get cleaned up before supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I don\u2019t even think I want to eat, I\u2019m so tired,\u201d Joe complained softly.\u00a0 \u201cAll I want to do is go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear you,\u201d chuckled Ben, ruffling the boisterous curls \u2013 good Lord, but he needs a haircut again!\u00a0 Seems like we just had that battle a week ago! <\/em>\u201cBut you\u2019ve got most of the dirt from that range on you and Hop Sing won\u2019t appreciate having it transferred to your bedding.\u00a0 Go on, now, do as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe muttered, and glumly headed into the kitchen.<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Ben hung up his hat and placed his rolled gun belt on the credenza, noting Adam\u2019s and Hoss\u2019s already in place.\u00a0 They must have finished up a little early today at the Bar M, he thought, and turned as he heard his middle son\u2019s heavier step on the stairs.\u00a0 Hoss was coming down, obviously after having done his own washing and changing into a fresh shirt for dinner.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Pa,\u201d smiled Hoss, \u201cyou look \u2018bout done in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI feel \u2018bout done in,\u201d sighed Ben, wearily sinking into his red leather chair by the hearth and leaning his head back, closing his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cChasin\u2019 after Little Brother \u2018bout as tirin\u2019 as chasin\u2019 steers?\u201d grinned Hoss.<\/p>\n Before Ben could respond, said little brother exclaimed a hurt, \u201cHey!\u201d as he made his way back to the great room.<\/p>\n Hoss laughed. \u201cI\u2019m just joshing, Short Shanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe snorted, but good naturedly.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Hop Sing was all bent outta shape sayin\u2019 he ain\u2019t got time since Adam already had him heat up water for him<\/em>, and that I could wait until after supper.\u201d\u00a0 He plunked himself onto the settee and propped his dirty boots on the oak table, leaning his head back to rest.<\/p>\n \u201cFeet off the furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n As Joe did as he was bid, abashed, Ben shook his head, his eyes closed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019d sure be nice to feel as though I run my own house,\u201d he grunted, but not really upset.\u00a0 Frowning, he opened one eye and glanced at his middle son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam upstairs?\u201d\u00a0 Usually, if his eldest was cleaned up after work he\u2019d be down here enjoying a good book or playing his guitar.<\/p>\n Hoss hesitated, glancing over at Joe who was leaning back on the settee and half-asleep.\u00a0 \u201cYeah\u2026 \u2018bout that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n At that tone, both fatherly eyes opened completely.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026 Adam ain\u2019t had the best day, Pa, let\u2019s leave it at that for the moment,\u201d said Hoss quietly, lifting his chin in Joe\u2019s direction.\u00a0 Taking the hint, Ben frowned and nodded.<\/p>\n Hoss and Ben chatted quietly about how much got done both on the Ponderosa and on the Bar M until Hop Sing came out and announced dinner was ready and for everyone to sit.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, go up and let Adam know dinner\u2019s ready, will you?\u201d sighed Ben, heaving himself to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, Pa,\u201d put in Hoss, uneasily. \u201cAdam said he ain\u2019t hungry tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Hands on his hips, Ben had had enough of this. \u201cHoss, what the devil\u2019s going on?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, sir,\u201d said Hoss uneasily, again glancing at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cOut with it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe asked Miss Meg to the social and\u2026 well, she turned him down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kiddin\u2019?!\u201d breathed Joe, popping up, suddenly wide awake.<\/p>\n Ben rubbed his hand over his face while Joe erupted with an infectious giggle.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Joseph!\u201d\u00a0 He stalked to the stairs but stopped on the half-landing. \u201cHop Sing didn\u2019t slave over a hot stove all day so that a bruised ego can halt everything.\u00a0 You two go ahead and sit down, I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He continued up the stairs at a good clip.<\/p>\n \u201cWhew! Reckon older brother\u2019s in for it,\u201d chuckled Joe, rising and heading to the table behind Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, shut up Joe,\u201d grunted Hoss balefully, his own tale of woe at Bonnie\u2019s kinder (well, kinder than Meg\u2019s version, anyhow…) turn down of his own invitation still rankling.<\/p>\n Surprised, Joe looked hurt.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s\u2019a matter with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just ain\u2019t as smart and funny as you think you are, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 An\u2019 you listen to me, Joseph,\u201d he said sternly, pointing a finger at the boy. \u201cYou leave Adam alone tonight, or the next time your feelin\u2019s are hurt I\u2019ll make it my business to make a whole lotta fun o\u2019 you<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss so rarely got upset with him that Joe felt especially hard done by and pouted as he slid into his seat.<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, nobody around here\u2019s got any sense of humor anymore,\u201d Joe complained quietly, as he opened his napkin onto his lap.<\/p>\n The two younger boys heard the door open upstairs. First, Ben\u2019s strides, as he stalked down the hall and stairs could be heard, and finally, more slowly, Adam\u2019s.<\/p>\n Hoss glanced in commiseration at his older brother, whose face was shuttered closed as he took his own seat, though his mouth was set in a thin, angry line.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n As his employer\u2019s call, the little Chinese man poked his head out the kitchen archway. \u201cIt appears my sons are all finally ready for dinner,\u201d declared Ben, forbiddingly eyeing his oldest and youngest sons.\u00a0 Both straightened slightly in their seats, sighing, each deciding to make the best of their situations. Ben nodded abruptly and turned to his remaining boy.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, would you please offer the blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Mel smiled at Hoss Cartwright as he handed up to her a repaired bridle, and several sets of repaired reins as she stood on a sawhorse and hung them carefully in the tack room.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve done good work on these, Hoss,\u201d she said, admiring the careful smithing done on the metal rings connecting the strips of leather.\u00a0 \u201cThey look good as new!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss smiled at her. \u201cOur foreman, Jake, is a dab hand at smithin\u2019\u2026 taught me a thing or two.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe taught you well,\u201d she nodded, studying the work and then hanging them up. She turned to get down, and he offered a hand to steady her as she readied herself to jump down.<\/p>\n Without thinking he reached up and instead grasped her waist, lifting her down effortlessly\u2026 and was surprised to note the tiny expanse of her waist.\u00a0 Somehow, in that shapeless man\u2019s shirt, he never imagined\u2026<\/p>\n Flushing, she quickly tucked her shirt into her britches. \u201cThank you,\u201d she said softly, in confusion.\u00a0 He, too, was abashed.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I shoulda asked first,\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n She flipped a hand up, reassuringly.\u00a0 She quickly reached for something, anything, to talk about to fill the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cI wondered what you thought about Flower.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother\u2019s mare, Flower. She\u2019s just about ready to foal, and I wondered if you\u2019d take a look at her?\u00a0 My Pa says you\u2019re good as any veterinarian when it comes to doctorin\u2019 animals.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss blushed with pleasure and followed the girl to the mare\u2019s stall.\u00a0 He gently talked to the mare and allowed his hands to gently roam over her body.\u00a0 \u201cShe sure does look like she\u2019s ready to drop any minute,\u201d he nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBut her eyes are clear and her breathin\u2019 sounds fine.\u00a0 She eatin\u2019 good?\u201d<\/p>\n The girl nodded, smiling tenderly and stroking the horse\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cFlower\u2019s an old hand at foalin\u2019\u2026 this\u2019ll be her sixteenth.\u00a0 But that\u2019s why I\u2019m concerned.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t plan on breedin her again at her age, but our stallion, Rocket, had other ideas,\u201d she said wryly.<\/p>\n Hoss chuckled. \u201cYes\u2019m.\u00a0 Well, if she ain\u2019t had trouble givin\u2019 birth afore, she shouldn\u2019t have too bad a time now.\u00a0 She\u2019s in real good shape for a mare her age.\u00a0 You take real good care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n Melanie nodded, stroking the animal with a gentle, faraway expression in her eyes. \u201cLike I said, she was Mother\u2019s\u2026 we take especially good care of Flower.\u201d<\/p>\n The two chatted for a bit longer about the other animals in the barn, not realizing that Bonnie had come up to the door and was listening, smiling as she heard them talk easily with each other.\u00a0 When it looked as though their conversation was about done, she quickly secreted herself around the corner of the barn, wanting to give Hoss some space.\u00a0 Her turning him down was still pretty fresh.<\/p>\n After he\u2019d saddled Chubby and bid Mel good evening, riding out to follow Adam, who\u2019d left a bit earlier, Bonnie slipped into the barn as Melanie finished scooping out oats for the horses.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s nice, isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Bonnie tipped her head to the side, raising an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, Hoss?\u00a0 Oh, Bonnie\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, \u2018Oh, Bonnie\u2019!\u201d she snorted. \u201cMelanie, you just had a lovely long conversation with the fella\u2026 more\u2019n you ever had with Adam Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n Startled, Melanie turned and looked at her in surprise.<\/p>\n Stamping her foot in irritation, the younger girl threw her hands up in frustration.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Melanie, get your head out of the clouds!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are!\u00a0 You keep wanting Adam Cartwright, your White Knight, to come and carry you away.\u00a0 Well, you\u2019re no damsel in distress, Melanie Middleton, and life ain\u2019t no fairy tale!\u201d<\/p>\n Flushing angrily, the older girl planted her hands on her hips, about to remonstrate, but clearly her younger sister wasn\u2019t finished yet.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Hoss speak the same language, Mel!\u00a0 You both like animals, you both understand ranching.\u00a0 So maybe he doesn\u2019t read all them books like Adam does, but he likes what you like!\u00a0 You speak the same language!\u00a0 So, TALK to each other!\u00a0 And you know what?\u00a0 Bein\u2019 able to talk together goes a long way to being friends with somebody!\u201d<\/p>\n And the younger girl stalked out of the barn, leaving her sister open-mouthed with consternation.\u00a0 And slowly, her mouth closed, her expression troubled.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Laura Collins stepped from the Mercantile with a large Nantucket lightship basket on one arm, filled to the brim with lighter-weight items, while lugging a large, 10-lb sack of sugar and two other items in the other, and gasped as she suddenly felt her grip on the items begin to slip.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, steady, there!\u201d<\/p>\n She suddenly felt the items in her arm lightened as a broad, strong arm snaked out to capture them and she looked up with relief into the smiling face of Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cOh, thank heaven,\u201d she breathed in relief. \u201cMy knight in shining armor.\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed and shifted, making his load more manageable. \u201cMay I help you take these things to your buggy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you so very much,\u201d she nodded with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine having to sweep up ten pounds of spilled sugar!\u201d<\/p>\n They walked up the plank sidewalk toward where her rig rested, just outside Dr. Martin\u2019s house and office.<\/p>\n Ben looked in concern.\u00a0 \u201cNot ill, are you, Laura?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, goodness no,\u201d she chuckled, shaking her head as she stowed her items. \u201cI\u2019m healthy as a horse!\u00a0 No, I stopped off to pick up pain medicine for Rob.\u201d\u00a0 She looked up at the big rancher with a warm smile. \u201cI can\u2019t thank you enough for lending us Hoss and Adam these last few days, Ben.\u00a0 It\u2019s truly put Rob\u2019s mind at ease.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense,\u201d pshawed Ben, flushing a little. \u201cThat\u2019s what neighbors are for!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, perhaps, but still, it\u2019s kind of you,\u201d she insisted.<\/p>\n Ben hesitated a moment, then remembered advice he\u2019d given his sons in the past to screw their courage to the sticking place and figured he\u2019d best practice what he preached. \u201cLaura, are you in a rush to get back home?\u00a0 Does Rob need that right away?\u201d He gestured toward the bottle.<\/p>\n Surprised, she looked down at the brown glass bottle in her basket, then shook her head. \u201cNo, he shouldn\u2019t run out until tomorrow or next day. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Ben swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cI wondered if I might tempt you to talk with me for a few minutes, perhaps over\u00a0 a cup of tea at Miss Grace\u2019s Tea Room?\u201d<\/p>\n Widening her eyes, Laura was taken aback. \u201cWell, I mean\u2026 I\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Then she looked at his kind face and smiled. \u201cOf course, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019d love a cup of tea.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just stow these items and drive the buggy over to Miss Grace\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Once inside, their order taken, Laura studied the man at her side curiously.\u00a0 He was nervous, clearly, and blushing slightly.\u00a0 This was so counter to the normally confident, take-charge rancher she\u2019d come to know in the last eighteen months here, since she\u2019d arrived after the deaths \u2013 within just weeks of each other \u2013 of her own beloved Mahlon and Rob\u2019s sweet, loving and funny wife, Caroline.<\/p>\n Rob held Ben Cartwright in such esteem, called him one of the smartest businessmen out there, but someone who never took advantage of a body.\u00a0 Honesty was something that Robert Middleton appreciated and lauded in his neighbors that possessed it. \u201cAnd God knows, there ain\u2019t as many that do as there should be,\u201d he\u2019d often observe with a grim look.<\/p>\n As Ben settled himself, Laura\u2019s mouth twisted in a teasing smirk.\u00a0 \u201cSo.\u00a0 What\u2019s got you all tied up in knots, Benjamin Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Startled, the man looked up, his lips parting, then he flushed just a little bit more and sighed, his own mouth settling in a hapless grin.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019d think I\u2019d have a bit of practice at this, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Further intrigued, Laura settled back in her chair and waited.\u00a0 Ben was just about to speak, when he got disconcerted all over again as Miss Grace suddenly appeared with a tray laden with their tea, sugar and cream and some scrumptious-looking shortbread and small cucumber sandwiches.\u00a0 Laura gave him a few minutes to settle his thoughts as she poured his tea and he stirred in sugar and cream and helped himself to a sandwich.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Laura, I supposed I\u2019d best just speak plain,\u201d he said finally after drawing in a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually best,\u201d she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve heard about the upcoming social the church is planning?\u201d<\/p>\n She chuckled. \u201cBen, I live in a house with five girls. I\u2019ve heard next to nothing BUT the upcoming social the church is planning.\u201d He must be wondering if Adam has asked Meg,<\/strong><\/em> she thought, a little sadly.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s probably not said that she turned him down.<\/em><\/p>\n He chuckled. \u201cWell, our house was pretty much the same,\u201d he admitted, with a grin.\u00a0 At least until a day or two ago\u2026<\/em> He stirred his tea and then firmly placed the spoon in his saucer.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so sorry Meg is being so addle-brained about this,\u201d she apologized, reaching for a piece of shortbread.<\/p>\n Startled, Ben looked up, frowning. \u201cMeg?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him then, and flushed, uneasy. \u201cOh, dear, I hope I haven\u2019t spoken out of turn.\u00a0 I know Adam asked Meg to go with him and she turned him down.\u00a0 Perhaps you didn\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat back, a little surprised, then his eyes narrowed and he nodded. \u201cYes, I did know that,\u201d he said with a small smile, remembering the strained Cartwright dinner table a few nights earlier. \u201cI\u2019m sorry it didn\u2019t work out.\u00a0 Meg\u2019s a lovely girl, and Adam was\u2026 well, quite smitten.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded, then frowned herself.\u00a0 \u201cBut.. if it isn\u2019t Adam and Meg\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head and gazed at her.\u00a0 \u201cLaura\u2026 I\u2019d be most honored if you\u2019d allow me to escort you to the social,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n Well, you could have knocked her over with a feather!\u00a0 Her jaw dropped in a very unladylike fashion, and at his expression she immediately snapped her mouth shut, flushing as crimson as the pillows on Miss Grace\u2019s decorative settee.\u00a0 \u201cOh\u2026 oh, my goodness, Ben, I \u2026 but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figured, here we are, two single, grown up people, each of us probably a little bit lonely even though we each live in houses with a passel of younger folk,\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 \u201cAnd perhaps it just might be nice for us to enjoy a little time together.\u00a0 No pressure, no claims on each other, just a nice, simple evening at an event sponsored by the church.\u00a0 I mean, what could be more wholesome than that?\u201d he smiled at her, a winning smile on his dear face.<\/p>\n But that smile faltered as he saw the expression in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAh.\u00a0 Well,\u201d he said softly, leaning back, \u201cI just thought you might find it fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Ben, you dear man,\u201d she sighed, leaning forward, and placing her hand gently on his. She bit her lip, trying to find the words to make him understand, and not be hurt.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 well, it\u2019s just too soon for me.\u00a0 Every time I hear music, I think of Mahlon and his silly, proud smile as he\u2019d lead me to a dance floor.\u00a0 Any time I\u2019m at a church picnic, it\u2019s all I can do not to weep to remember how much he used to love our pastor\u2019s wife\u2019s fried chicken, and how he\u2019d eat so much of it he\u2019d almost make himself sick.\u201d Her face was a picture of amused helplessness as she chuckled in memory but also found her eyes welling at that same memory of her husband\u2019s sweet, sheepish smile, even as he would queasily admit he ‘should have left that last chicken leg for someone else.\u2019\u00a0 It was these foolishly normal, silly things that caught her off guard, bringing to the surface the pain of his loss almost as sharply as the day he was killed, crushed by heavy barrels tumbling from a runaway dray. She shrugged her shoulders helplessly and dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief he gallantly presented to her.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps it\u2019s silly and childish of me, but I can\u2019t help it.\u00a0 I\u2026 I still miss him dreadfully, Ben, and I\u2019m afraid I\u2019d be no fit guest for you to squire. I\u2019m so, so sorry.\u201d Though her eyes welled again a little at hurting his feelings, her lips were firm.<\/p>\n His disappointment showed, but he also completely understood.\u00a0 Until he\u2019d allowed Inger in, it had been more than five long, lonely years before he could even bear to think of anyone but his beautiful Elizabeth on his arm for any reason whatever. \u201cMy dear, there\u2019s no reason to apologize.\u00a0 I understand, better than you realize,\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 \u201cBut I do hope you\u2019re planning to go over anyway, if for no other reason than to see the girls enjoy themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled and shook her head. \u201cNo, I\u2019m going to stay with Rob.\u00a0 He\u2019s still pretty much unable to get around beyond bed to chair, and one of the few pleasures he\u2019s getting is trouncing me at cribbage.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cBen, truly\u2026 thank you.\u00a0 And, if I may be so bold\u2026\u00a0 perhaps the next time the church has a social, I can give it a try.\u00a0 If so, I would be honored to be asked to dance.\u201d<\/p>\n He did smile then, and squeezed her hand, then both put their attention to their tea.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Friday was tomorrow, and Hoss felt good about what he and his older brother had helped accomplish these past two weeks.\u00a0 Between Adam and Mel, the Bar M was on track to meet their horse contract, and Hoss and Hank had handled all the blacksmithing and farrier work, as well as repairing tack to be ready for the horses to be transported.\u00a0 The Bar M hands could take it from here, no problem.\u00a0 Adam had already headed home, after finishing breaking his last animal.\u00a0 He was weary to the bone, and Hoss knew he\u2019d taken a couple of hard falls, though only from the other hands; God knew Adam would never share it.\u00a0 Hoss figured his big brother would be soaking in a hot bath, easing out some of the accumulated aches and pains of the week\u2026 including the one related to Meg Middleton\u2019s rejection of his invitation to the church social.<\/p>\n Hoss stretched out some of the kinks he\u2019d developed hunched over animals\u2019 hooves for the last three days and glanced toward the corral, hearing the steady but light drop of hooves in the dirt.\u00a0 He squinted and started over, smiling to himself to see Mel Middleton putting a pretty paint mare through her paces. \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Dang if that girl ain\u2019t got a dab hand with horseflesh.<\/em><\/p>\n His conversation with Bonnie a few days back no longer rankled.\u00a0 If he was honest with himself, he was glad to still have the girl as a good friend, grateful not to have lost that.\u00a0 But he was still lonesome for a partner for the social and sighed to himself, wondering if there would ever be a young lady who looked at him the way the gals looked at Adam\u2026 well, the gals other\u2019n Meg Middleton, anyhow\u2026\u00a0 He knew Adam meant to go stag and figured that\u2019s what he was resigned to have to do, as well. He wished he didn\u2019t have to go at all, but Pa said they had to go and support the church ladies.<\/p>\n Tiredly, he leaned against the railing, smiling to see Mel working so efficiently with the paint, her hand gentle but firm as she guided the animal.<\/p>\n When she clicked her tongue suddenly, the animal obediently slowed to a stop, making the girl smile broadly, and nod, approvingly.\u00a0 And Hoss was flabbergasted to note the difference in the young woman\u2019s countenance. That smile\u2026 it changed her whole face!<\/p>\n He could see she hadn\u2019t yet noticed him, and remained still\u2026 not really knowing why, but wanting to watch\u2026 to see what else he mightn\u2019t have noticed before.<\/p>\n She slowly walked up to the paint, talking to it softly in nonsense words that the animal understood \u2013 or at least the tone it understood \u2013 and the little mare leaned over and nuzzled the girl\u2019s neck making her chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cGood girl,\u201d she said calmly, stroking the long, pretty neck and then patted the horse\u2019s flank. \u201cG\u2019on, go get your oats,\u201d she chuckled, watching the animal walk toward the corral gate.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 breath caught as the setting sun\u2019s rays suddenly caught the glints of gold and amber in the girl\u2019s hair.\u00a0 He watched her reach up and release the severely tight knot of hair into surprisingly riotous curls as she shook them loose, allowing her hair to ripple down past her hips, and then drew it up into a long, high ponytail of her own, tying it loosely with a leather thong, the sun\u2019s light making the ringlets explode in reds, golds, and rich chestnut browns.\u00a0 She, too, was tired, he could see, and watched as she stretched.\u00a0 His lips parted in shock, he felt his body unable to help but respond to the normally shapeless shirt suddenly molding itself to her rounded breasts, her shirt tail coming loose at the waist, and allowing him to see how tiny that expanse was above her hips\u2026just as he\u2019d felt the other day, lifting her off the sawhorse.<\/p>\n Who\u2026 who is<\/u> this beautiful girl?!\u00a0 Where\u2019d she come from?\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t be the mousy, tomboy-hoyden Mel Middleton. This was\u2026 this was a beautiful woman! Could it honestly be he\u2019d just never seen her before for who she truly was?!<\/em><\/p>\n Astonished, he watched as she turned toward the house and saw him, her gentle face suddenly growing warm with friendship as she saw him.\u00a0 His heart swelled, responding to her warmth as much as his body had responded to her womanliness.<\/p>\n She waved at him and walked toward his stretch of fence.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss!\u00a0 I thought you\u2019d gone,\u201d she smiled. \u201cI know Adam left \u2018bout an hour back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2019m\u2026\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI was \u2026 just finishin\u2019 up in the barn after shoein\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026 well, to be honest, Hoss, I can\u2019t thank you and Adam enough for all your help this last fortnight,\u201d she said honestly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry I was so \u2026\u201d She shrugged helplessly, ashamed of her treatment of them when they\u2019d first offered their assistance.<\/p>\n He waved a hand. \u201cNo need to say nothin\u2019, Mel\u2026 we was glad to help.\u201d<\/p>\n Something crackled now in the air between them, something new\u2026 something exciting.\u00a0 And both felt it.<\/p>\n Melanie hesitated, flushing a little, and remembering Bonnie\u2019s wise words\u2026 \u201cMelanie, you -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I -\u201d<\/p>\n Embarrassed, they laughed after talking over each other.<\/p>\n \u2018You first,\u201d she smiled, nodding at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026 if you ain\u2019t already had someone ask\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pulled in a deep breath, shakily facing his fears, and started again. \u201cIf you ain\u2019t already been asked, wouldja like to go to the social Saturday night?\u00a0 With \u2026 well, with me, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n She tipped her head to the side, suddenly seeing the clear blue of his eyes\u2026 and the clear, still waters of his soul floating within them.\u00a0 He was such a good fella.\u00a0 He was kind, he was gentle.\u00a0 And he was very dear.<\/p>\n Take a chance, Melanie.\u00a0 Like Bonnie says\u2026 he likes what you like.\u00a0 And it seems he likes you<\/u>.\u00a0 So maybe it\u2019s time to like yourself as well?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss Cartwright,\u201d she said, very softly, touching a gentle, if callused, hand on his arm. \u201cI would be most pleased to go to the social with you.\u201d<\/p>\n As though he could barely believe his ears, Hoss\u2019 eyes widened in wonder.\u00a0 And then she laughed with joy to see his whole face light up with happiness.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Rob waited in the ranch house great room, his splinted leg propped up on an ottoman, a glass of wine in his hands as he waited for his womenfolk.\u00a0 He heard the giggles and laughter as they descended the stairs and his sister first came into the room.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you ready to see your lovely daughters?\u201d she smiled at him, coming over to sit in the chair beside him.<\/p>\n He grinned at her. \u201cReady as I\u2019ll ever be,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n First Bonnie came in, her sprigged lavender dress charming on her, and looking as wholesome and delightfully gentle as she always did.\u00a0 \u201cYou look scrumptious, sweetheart.\u00a0 You be careful some young buck doesn\u2019t carry you off tonight,\u201d he said with a smile.\u00a0 She truly was the one that looked most like his Caroline and seeing her brought his wife back to him for a short moment.<\/p>\n Next came Meg, a true classic dark beauty in blue and white, her creamy shoulders rising above a daring neckline.\u00a0 He raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou are<\/em> goin\u2019 to this social with the Pastor, ain\u2019t you?\u201d he asked dryly.<\/p>\n She laughed. \u201cOh, Pa!\u201d she scoffed, kissing the top of his head.\u00a0 \u201cAnd yes,\u201d she said softly, her eyes shining. \u201cI certainly am.\u201d<\/p>\n He clasped her hand, knowing how much she\u2019d wanted this and hoping it would be everything she\u2019d hoped for.<\/p>\n Then he turned, waiting for his last daughter to emerge.<\/p>\n Slowly\u2026 shyly\u2026 a tall, exquisite young woman entered the room and Rob gasped.<\/p>\n Melanie stood, tremulous, looking anxiously at her father, hoping she was acceptable, and didn\u2019t look a fool.<\/p>\n Bonnie and Aunt Laura had dressed her ringlets so that they bounced beautifully from a skillful arrangement at the top of her head, cascading down one side of her head to her shoulders.\u00a0 Aunt Laura had trimmed some of the length, eliminating some of the frizzy split ends, resulting in a healthy corona of chestnut beauty.\u00a0 Her golden-brown shoulders shone over her green dress, trimmed in black velvet, and Rob\u2019s eyes narrowed as he studied it and then his eyes popped wide in recognition.\u00a0 \u201cThat dress,\u201d he said in wonder and then smiled at her. \u201cThat was your Ma\u2019s, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n She beamed, grateful he wasn\u2019t upset.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir,\u201d she said softly, smiling at Meg and Aunt Laura.\u00a0 \u201cAunt Laura and Meg reworked it to fit me, since I\u2019m so much bigger\u2019n Ma was.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded, blinking suddenly and smiled at her. \u201cMaybe so, but just as lovely.\u00a0 Oh, Melanie\u2026 you look so much like your grandmother, my<\/em> ma.\u00a0 She was just like you.\u00a0 A real beauty, and there wasn\u2019t anybody who could tell her she couldn\u2019t<\/em> do something, either,\u201d he chuckled, reaching out a hand to her.<\/p>\n She came to him then and clasped his hand. \u201cAm I all right, Pa?\u201d she asked worriedly. \u201cI don\u2019t want to look\u2026 look\u2026\u201d\u00a0 she shrugged, helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, baby, you\u2019re more than all right,\u201d he chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re downright gorgeous.\u201d He wiped at his eyes. \u201cA father ain\u2019t supposed to say that to his children\u2026 makes \u2018em overly prideful, but in this case it\u2019s the God\u2019s honest truth.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at all three of his daughters, smiling in amazed and happy pride.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re all of you just plain beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n They heard hoofbeats and wheels in the yard and the girls excitedly glanced at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like your beaux have arrived,\u201d smiled Laura, sitting back contentedly while the girls chattered and went to meet their escorts\u2026 and found herself thinking, to her surprise, of a silver-haired man with eyes like dark chocolate\u2026<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine where that brother of yours has got to,\u201d grumbled Ben, in irritation, as he sipped his punch.<\/p>\n He and Adam looked dapper in their white shirts and black string ties, with fresh haircuts and shined boots. Also, kind of at loose ends with no ladies on their arms, not at all a usual occurrence for Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he just had to stop off for something and that he\u2019d meet us here,\u201d repeated Ben\u2019s oldest for about the third time. \u201cAnd remember, he didn\u2019t want to come at all at the beginning of the week, after Bonnie turned him down,\u201d he reminded his father.\u00a0 Neither did I,<\/strong><\/em> he thought, morosely.<\/p>\n Ben harrumphed and turned toward the doorway as it opened.\u00a0 He glanced quickly at Adam as he saw Meg Middlton come in on the arm of young Pastor Davis, who looked like he\u2019d been given the best Christmas present ever.<\/p>\n Adam sighed and forced himself to smile and nod at the two.\u00a0 And even he had to admit, they made a handsome couple and looked happy together, Meg so dark and Pastor Nick Davis so fair-haired and blue-eyed. They looked\u2026 well, they looked right<\/em>, he sighed. He realized that he\u2019d been in love with what he\u2019d \u2018created\u2019 her to be in his mind: voice of an angel (that was true enough) but imagining her to love books as he did (she did not), and enjoying engaging in spirited philosophical discussions (she did not).\u00a0 He\u2019d not really known the living, breathing, flesh-and-blood girl she actually was, a down-to-earth girl who thrived on being of service, and who honestly loved the young pastor of their church.\u00a0 He chuckled to himself, shaking his head at the romantic fool he\u2019d shown himself to be over this situation.<\/p>\n Meg and Nick were followed in by Bonnie Middleton, pretty as a picture in a lavender gown that blended beautifully with her honey blonde hair.\u00a0 She was alone but didn\u2019t seem unhappily so, Ben thought. At 16, she was like a gentle breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n But it was the next two to enter that shocked them, and everyone else in the room. A quiet hush fell as Hoss Cartwright came in with a tall, beautiful girl on his arm, a girl with a riot of shining copper and gold and chestnut brown ringlets cascading down over one of her shoulders.\u00a0 Her gown of a rich green trimmed in black was the perfect color to set off her tawny skin and her beautiful, thickly lashed grey eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s that with Hoss?\u201d asked Ben, astonished. She was familiar but he just couldn\u2019t seem to place her. \u201cI thought he was coming stag?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s jaw dropped, and then he grinned from ear to ear, shaking his head in wonder.\u00a0 \u201cThat, Pa, is Melanie Middleton,\u201d he said softly with an admiring look first at the girl, and then a warmly affectionate one at his bashfully proud younger brother. \u201cAnd it looks like Hoss is the Cartwright that won all the marbles.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes snapped wide in sudden recognition, and then he smiled broadly to see his normally bashful son looking\u2026 well, looking happy as a clam!<\/p>\n For Hoss Cartwright stood tall, his shoulders squared and his face beaming at the way people were looking at this gorgeous girl on his arm.\u00a0 As people buzzed around them, the girls exclaiming over Mel\u2019s dress, the men slapping Hoss on the back in congratulations, Adam watched and smiled to himself, pleased for the younger man.<\/p>\n The orchestra suddenly struck up a tune. As Hoss proudly led the tall girl to the dance floor and began a waltz, his dark older brother smiled fondly and shook his head.<\/p>\n Good for you, little brother\u2026 good for you.<\/em><\/p>\n ***The End***<\/p>\n Author\u2019s Notes:\u00a0 Written for the 2025 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.\u00a0 This year we played 7-card stud where we were dealt seven cards and had to use at least five of them.\u00a0 The words\/phrases I was dealt were:<\/p>\n An odd stick <\/p>\n
\n–Christina Westover<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAll our sins and griefs to bear!
\nWhat a privilege to carry
\nEverything to God in prayer!
\nOh, what peace we often forfeit,
\nOh, what needless pain we bear,
\nAll because we do not carry
\nEverything to God in prayer!<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHow say ye then to me,
\n“Now like a bird from peril haste,
\nAnd to your mountain flee?”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWith arrow fixed for flight;
\nAnd stealthily in darkness go
\nThe true in heart to smite.<\/p>\n
\nWhat can for them avail,
\nWhen all foundations are destroyed,
\nAnd all the pillars fail? <\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe Lord is throned on high;
\nHis eyes behold the sons of men
\nTheir hearts and ways to try. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nBut those who scorn the right,
\nWho love deceit and violence
\nAre hateful in his sight. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nHe loveth righteousness,
\nAnd with a gracious countenance
\nThe upright he will bless.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cHe likes what you like.\u00a0 You speak the same language!\u00a0 TALK to each other!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhew!
\nThat dog won\u2019t hunt.
\nAs heavy as a widow\u2019s heart
\nShe\u2019s as ugly as a new-shorn sheep
\nChew gravel<\/p>\n