{"id":6011,"date":"2007-08-03T17:00:29","date_gmt":"2007-08-03T21:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6011"},"modified":"2026-02-11T10:19:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:19:23","slug":"presents-from-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6011","title":{"rendered":"Presents from the Heart (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>10th story in The Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 The Cartwrights celebrate Adam’s 12th birthday.<\/p>\n

Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0 Word Count=5313<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n

The Battle of Wills Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Begins<\/a>
\nEducation is More than 3R\u2019s<\/a>
\nThe Shadow of Jean deMarigny<\/a>
\nA Gift Horse<\/a>
\nNew Expectations<\/a>
\nRemembering Childhoods<\/a>
\nA Room Full of Memories<\/a>
\nA New Pattern<\/a>
\nNaming the Newest Cartwright<\/a>
\nPresents from the Heart<\/a>
\nLove\u2019s Labor<\/a>
\nBig Brother Lessons<\/a>
\nNo Regrets<\/a>
\nBaby\u2019s Breath<\/a>
\nEnnui<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Presents from the Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marie was sitting at her dressing table, preparing for the day. She was brushing her hair as Ben got dressed. \u201cAdam is twelve today,\u201d she said.<\/span>

\u201cI know that, Darling.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cDo you think his birthday present will finally arrive today?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI hope so. I\u2019ll go check with Mr. Anderson.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAre you sure he\u2019ll like it?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cOf course he will. Why wouldn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cPerhaps because I helped choose it.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAdam isn\u2019t that way at all, Darling.\u201d Ben came up behind his wife, placed his hands on her shoulders, and leaned forward to kiss the top of her head. Then he left the room to go downstairs.<\/span>

With a sigh, Marie went back to brushing her hair. Her husband seemed to be melancholy lately. Adam\u2019s birthday was the day her love\u2019s first wife died. She could empathize\u2014her first child died on the day of his birth. Fate could be so cruel\u2014a life for a life. Marie was glad that Ben had Adam to remind him of Elizabeth and the love he\u2019d had for her. There was nothing of Jean that lived on. Perhaps that was for the best. If her son had lived, Madame de Marigny would have taken the child from her at the first opportunity. She hoped Adam would like his present. And be more accepting of her.<\/span>

Ben had paused at the top of the stairs, listening to his sons, and quickly lost himself in thought. Twelve years ago his first love died and Adam had been given life. Sometimes it seemed the years had passed in the blink of any eye. Other times, one day could feel like a year. The day his oldest was born felt like that. He paced, he sat, he worried, he talked, and he listened. Suddenly, the cry of his son had sped time up again. But it raced by too quickly. There hadn\u2019t been enough time with Elizabeth at the end. Even though he thought life was over, he knew he had to tend to his newborn son. If she had been give the chance to live to old age with him and be childless or die young after childbirth, Ben had no doubt that she would choose dying young. He knew it was selfish to want her back when he should be grateful for the son she bore him. Why did God play such games with mankind?<\/span>

Ben was brought out of his thinking by the boys\u2019 voices. He came back to the present and went downstairs. \u201cGood morning, boys. Happy birthday, Son.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cGood morning,\u201d said Adam, \u201cand thank you.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMornin\u2019, Papa\u201d said Hoss. \u201cHop Sing made the best flapjacks ever,\u201d he said with a forkful approaching his mouth.<\/span>

\u201cAnd he made the bacon really crisp,\u201d added Adam.<\/span>

Sitting down at the table, Ben filled his plate and then his coffee cup. He raised the cup to his lips and watched his sons over the rim of the cup. Adam was dark in hair and complexion while Hoss was fair in both. Two wives dead and two sons alive. He wondered if Anne Marie was going to be a blond or a brunette. Hopefully, she would have her mother\u2019s beautiful green eyes.<\/span>

\u201cPa?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>

\u201cHmm?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>

\u201cAin\u2019t ya been listenin\u2019?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Son. What are we talking about?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWorkin\u2019 with the horses. Is Adam old enough now to work with \u2018em?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWe\u2019ll see. That\u2019s a lot of responsibility.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI can handle it, Pa. You know that.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWe\u2019ll see, Son. Right now, you just concentrate on your breakfast and then your chores.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d replied Adam, feeling a little disappointment.\u00a0<\/span>

Marie came downstairs to see Adam pushing food around on his plate. \u201cGood morning, mes fils. Happy birthday, Adam.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cGood morning, Ma\u2019am. Thank you.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMornin\u2019, Mama.\u201d<\/span>

Hoss passed the bowl of eggs to his mother. She took a few spoonfuls and put them on her plate. \u201cAin\u2019t ya hungry, Mama?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cNot very much.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAin\u2019t the baby hungry?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cLet your mother eat,\u201d said Ben with a look for his younger son.<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/span>

Looking over at Adam, Marie noticed his frown. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, mon fils?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cSurely something is troubling you.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cNo, Ma\u2019am. May I be excused?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cOf course,\u201d she answered. Ben shot her a look.<\/span>

Adam got up and said \u201cCome on, Hoss. Let\u2019s go start on chores.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI can be excused, too?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>

\u201cOui,\u201d answered Marie. The younger boy got up and then followed his older brother out to the barn.<\/span>

\u201cWhat\u2019s troubling Adam?\u201d Marie asked her husband.<\/span>

\u201cHe asked if he could help with the horses. I told him I\u2019d think about it. He\u2019s too young to be doing that kind of work.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYou\u2019ve treated him as a man for so long, Mon Cher, that he is insulted to be thought of as a boy.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cBut he is a boy, Darling. At least that\u2019s what you\u2019ve been telling me for the last several months.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHow is working with the horses more dangerous than working with the cattle?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThe horses are worked in the corral, so it\u2019s a more confined space. If he were thrown, he could hit the fence or a horse could stomp on him.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAdam is an excellent horseman. Surely he could work with the horses.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cBut these are unbroken horses, Darling. What if he was bucked off and broke his back and never walked again? What then?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWe would help him adjust. Life goes on, Mon Cher.\u201d<\/span>

Ben pulled his napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table. He then went over to the window and looked out. Marie could see the tense set of his shoulders. She stood, went over to him, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cWhat\u2019s troubling you, Mon Cher?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cNothing,\u201d he said brusquely.<\/span>

Marie grasped her husband\u2019s arm in hers and laid her cheek against his upper arm. \u201cWhy are you so troubled by Adam wanting more responsibility?\u201d<\/span>

Ben sighed loudly. \u201cWhat if something should happen to him, Darling?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cNothing is going to happen to our son, Mon Cher.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHow do you know? What if he has a weak heart like his mother? What if he takes on too much and becomes sick? What if\u2026what if he\u2026died?\u201d Ben paused for a deep breath and added, \u201cHe\u2019s all I have to remind me of her.\u201d<\/span>

Marie knew exactly what her husband was saying. If her son had lived, she would have a physical reminder of Jean. She squeezed her husband a bit tighter. \u201cAdam is a very healthy boy. He\u2019s even run the Ponderosa when you\u2019ve been away. He lives for responsibility. Can you not give him a task with the horses?\u201d<\/span>

Ben sighed and continued to look out the window. Putting his arm around Marie\u2019s shoulders, he drew her closer. She laid her cheek against his chest and slipped an arm around his waist. She wouldn\u2019t press him to let Adam work with the horses. If the work was that dangerous, he should have time to think on it.<\/span>

Out in the barn, Adam and Hoss were grooming the horses. Hoss was surprised by Bonnie\u2019s size. The mare was expecting her first foal in several months.<\/span>

\u201cDo ya think Bonnie wants a boy or a girl?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>

\u201cI don\u2019t think it matters to her.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThen why does it matter to Mama so much?\u201d<\/span>

\u201c\u2019Cause people are different.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHow come?\u201d<\/span>

\u201c\u2019Cause we think about things like that.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMaybe Bonnie thinks about it and jest cain\u2019t tell us.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI doubt it.\u201d<\/span>

Hoss was silent for a few minutes as he watched Bonnie munch on some hay. \u201cWhat kind of cake do ya want?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYellow with white frosting.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYa don\u2019t want chocolate?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019d rather yellow.\u201d<\/span>

Hoss looked a little sad for a second and said, \u201cBut Hop Sing makes really good chocolate cakes.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMaybe he\u2019ll make one for your birthday.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cBut that ain\u2019t for a while yet.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMaybe he\u2019ll make one for Anne Marie\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhen\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span>

Adam shot Hoss a surprised look. \u201cIt\u2019ll be the day she\u2019s born.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhen\u2019s that gonna be?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMarie says it\u2019ll be a while yet.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cIt sure takes a baby a long time to get borned.\u201d<\/span>

Ben walked in the barn to hear Hoss say that. He assumed his son was talking about Bonnie. \u201cBe patient, Son. Maybe she\u2019ll have the baby during the day so you can watch and help.\u201d<\/span>

Adam turned a bright red and began coughing.<\/span>

\u201cYa really think I can help?\u201d asked Hoss with excitement in his eyes.<\/span>

\u201cBill said you helped with a birth while Adam and I were in New Orleans. I don\u2019t see how this one would be any different.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYa think it\u2019ll be the same?\u201d<\/span>

Adam\u2019s coughing got worse.<\/span>

\u201cAre you okay, Son?\u201d Adam just waved his hand and gasped for air.<\/span>

\u201cWhy would the birth of Bonnie\u2019s foal be different than any other mare\u2019s?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI dunno. But will Anne Marie\u2019s be like that?\u201d<\/span>

Ben suddenly realized why Adam was red and sputtering for breath. \u201cI doubt it. But hopefully Dr. Martin will help Mama.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cBut you said I could help,\u201d the boy said with a pout.<\/span>

\u201cI think it would be better if you and Adam helped Hop Sing instead. He\u2019ll be very busy helping Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cSo if we help Hop Sing, we\u2019ll be helpin\u2019 Mama?\u201d<\/span>

With a smile, Ben said, \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/span>

Hoss puffed out his chest and said, \u201cMe and Adam\u2019ll help Hop Sing. Won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/span>

Adam was finally able to get his breath again. \u201cSure, Hoss.\u201d<\/span>

Ben ruffled Hoss\u2019 hair and then went to get his saddle.<\/span>

\u201cWhere\u2019re ya goin\u2019, Papa?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019ve got to go into town to check on some contracts.\u201d<\/span>

Adam looked at his father suspiciously and said, \u201cBut it\u2019s Friday. Mr. Wood closes his office early on Friday.\u201d<\/span>

Thinking quickly, Ben replied, \u201cMr. Wood agreed to open his office for me.\u201d He could tell, though, that Adam didn\u2019t really believe him. Concentrating on saddling his horse, Ben hoped Adam would go back to his chores. This present was supposed to be a surprise.\u00a0<\/span>

Ben put the bit in his horse\u2019s mouth and got the bridle on. Adam had gone back to finishing up his chores. He felt relieved that the boy wasn\u2019t asking more questions. Finishing up, Ben led his horse out of the stall. \u201cGo on inside and keep an eye on your mother. Keep her from doing too much.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d replied both boys.<\/span>

Ben led his horse out of the barn, mounted up, and headed for town.<\/span>

The boys finished the barn chores and went to the house. Adam hoped he could sit and read. Hoss hoped he could help with something.<\/span>

Marie was dusting the big room with a feather duster when the boys came in. \u201cCan I do that, Mama?\u201d asked Hoss. The boy had never shown any interest in housecleaning before, so Marie suspected that Ben had told him to be helpful. She knew Hoss truly wanted to help, so she handed the duster to him. He ran it across furniture without really getting the dust off, but Marie couldn\u2019t criticize.<\/span>

Adam sat down in his chair, opened his book, and began reading. Hoss began talking about birthday cake. \u201cAdam says he wants a yellow cake with white frosting. I tole him I wanna chocolate cake.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cIt\u2019s Adam\u2019s birthday, mon fils, so he gets to choose the cake. On your birthday, you\u2019ll get to choose.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHop Sing makes real good chocolate cake.\u201d<\/span>

Adam decided to compromise so he wouldn\u2019t have to listen to Hoss anymore. \u201cI want a yellow cake, but it\u2019s okay with me if it has chocolate frosting.\u201d<\/span>

Hoss\u2019 smile nearly went ear to ear. \u201cThat\u2019s very generous of you, Adam.\u201d He shot her a grin and went back to reading his book. As predicted, Hoss stopped talking about the cake.<\/span>

Ben rode into town on his true errand. He knew Adam had seen through his excuse of going to see Hiram. At least the boy had manners enough to not say he knew a lie when he heard one. Hopefully, Adam would like this present. He and Marie had telegraphed Abel Stoddard in Boston with their request. Abel was only too happy to pitch in as well as ship the gift out to Nevada Territory. That had been three months ago. Surely the present would arrive today.<\/span>

Abel must miss his grandchild. He had had his daughter in his life longer than Ben had, though both were devastated by her death. If Elizabeth hadn\u2019t wanted to share her husband\u2019s dream of going West, Ben would have probably stayed in Boston with Abel. But the man insisted that his son-in-law go West after that dream and make sure that Adam grew into a fine man. Ben felt guilty for taking Adam away; there was no guarantee that the child would survive the journey or that Abel would still be alive when he could afford to send his son back East.<\/span>

Adam had grown into a quiet, observant, and responsible young man. Ben had difficulty seeing his oldest as a boy\u2014Adam had had to work hard and shoulder a lot of responsibility for so long that he didn\u2019t behave as a boy. Hoss, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying his boyhood. He played hard at every opportunity. Ben often wondered if Adam would know what to do if he was told he could play for twenty-four hours straight. His son would probably just read a book\u2014that was his idea of fun.<\/span>

Marie wanted her husband to ease up on the responsibilities Adam carried. Her argument was that the foreman took care of the day-to-day tasks that kept the ranch running and Hop Sing ran the household with an iron fist. Outside of his daily chores, Adam shouldn\u2019t have to work from sunup to sundown. Instead, he should do the things that he wouldn\u2019t have time to do as an adult.<\/span>

Ben realized he tended to think Adam would have plenty of time before he had adult responsibilities. But the combination of Marie\u2019s pregnancy and Adam\u2019s birthday had Ben worried. He couldn\u2019t help but think about that fateful day twelve years ago when his child was born and his wife died. In those twelve years, Ben had seen all sorts of people\u2014young and old, well off and poor, male and female\u2014die from diseases, violence, accidents, and natural causes. The West could be violent (nature tended to be worse than mankind) and there were few doctors available to help the sick or injured. Adam had always been strong, but there might come a day when an accident could take his life. What would he do without his oldest son by his side? A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. He shook his head and took a deep breath. Surely it must be unlucky to think such things.<\/span>

Seeing Virginia City up ahead gave Ben a feeling of relief. Now maybe he could stop thinking. He dismounted in front of the mercantile, tied the horse to the post, and went inside. \u201cGood morning, John.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cGood to see you, Ben,\u201d answered John Anderson, proprietor of the mercantile. \u201cI have a package for you.\u201d Mr. Anderson went through the curtain to the back and returned with a brown-paper wrapped parcel. He set it on the counter.<\/span>

Ben reached for it and pulled it closer. \u201cI thought it would be larger than this.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThat\u2019s what was delivered for you on yesterday evening\u2019s stage.\u201d<\/span>

With an embarrassed chuckle, Ben said \u201cMy former father-in-law could be tight but I know he wouldn\u2019t be when it comes to his only grandchild. I made an assumption about what would be coming.\u201d Looking at the twine and writing, Ben asked, \u201cWould you mind removing this paper and string and rewrapping it? After all, this is Adam\u2019s birthday present.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019d be happy to do that for your son. Free of charge. Do you have any errands to run while you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI think I\u2019ll go get a beer. I\u2019ll be back in fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cSee you then,\u201d said Mr. Anderson.<\/span>

Ben left the mercantile and went to the Silver Dollar. He went in and paused just inside the entryway to allow his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Going over to the bar, he got a beer and went to an empty table. He began thinking again as he sipped his beer. Adam seemed to be accepting his step-mother. He was certainly more tolerant of her now than in the beginning. Marie had been making an effort to be more of a friend than a mother. She was very aware that he considered Inger to be his mother and compared everything she did to the woman who had cared for him as if he had been her birth-child. Marie didn\u2019t appreciate being compared to a dead woman, but Ben knew that she held her tongue because he had loved Inger.<\/span>

As Ben sipped his beer, he thought about Adam\u2019s request to work with the horses. The boy just couldn\u2019t understand his father\u2019s objection to the request. But horse breaking was dangerous work\u2014men frequently broke arms, legs, and backs when bucked off or stomped on. A broken back could mean life-long paralysis and dependence on others for care. He didn\u2019t want that for his son.<\/span>

While Ben sipped his beer and thought, Roy entered the saloon. He saw Ben sitting alone, so he went to the bar, got a beer, and walked over to his friend. \u201cHowdy, Ben. Yer lookin\u2019 mighty glum. Is everyone all right?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHave a seat, Roy. I\u2019m just thinking about something Adam wanted.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAin\u2019t today the boy\u2019s birthday?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYes. He asked me this morning if he could help break the horses.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhat didja tell him?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI told him I\u2019d think about it. He wasn\u2019t too pleased with my answer.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI s\u2019pose not.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cIt\u2019s such dangerous work, Roy. What if something happened to him?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAccidents kin happen at any time. He could git hurt jest muckin\u2019 out the stalls. Adam\u2019s responsible enough ta not do somethin\u2019 stupid.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019m more worried about the horses. They can be quite unpredictable. What if he was thrown into the fence or bucked off and trampled?\u201d<\/span>

Roy took a sip of his beer. He and Mary had never had any children. Adam was the closest he would ever get to having a son of his own. The boy had to run the Ponderosa while his father was away. He had a good head on his shoulders and wasn\u2019t the daredevil type. If he was disappointed to hear his father\u2019s response, he must feel that was considered too young or inexperienced.<\/span>

\u201cYa gotta let him work with the horses someday.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhy now? Why not in another three or four years?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHe don\u2019t have ta ride \u2018em ta work with \u2018em.\u201d<\/span>

Ben raised an eyebrow. \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cCouldn\u2019t he work with one of the hands on the chute? He won\u2019t be in the corral or ridin\u2019 another horse in there. He\u2019ll be up on the chute fence.\u201d<\/span>

Ben gave a slight nod of his head while he thought on this. That would be one way for him to work with the horses and learn from the more experienced hands. \u201cThat\u2019s certainly a possibility. Thanks, Roy.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cAdam jest likes ta work. You should be proud ta have a boy like him.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI am. It\u2019s just that I\u2019ve seen what can happen to horse breakers. I don\u2019t want to see Adam hurt that way.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cGettin\u2019 hurt is jest part of life. You can only do so much ta keep him safe. He\u2019s gotta use common sense fer the rest.\u201d<\/span>

Ben snorted and nodded his head. He finished off his beer in a big swallow and then said \u201cI\u2019ve got to go to the mercantile before I head home. Thanks for the advice.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cCome by mah office b\u2019fore ya leave. I got something\u2019 fer Adam.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have to do that, Roy.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI wanted to. Jest come by the office.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we go now? I\u2019ll go to the mercantile after. Unless whatever it is happens to be too big to carry?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cLet\u2019s go on down the street then.\u201d<\/span>

The two men got up from the table and went outside. They walked side-by-side to the office. Once there, they went inside and Roy crossed over to his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a badly wrapped package and handed it over to Ben.<\/span>

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you come out and have supper with us?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI don\u2019t wanna intrude.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYou won\u2019t. We\u2019ll all be happy to have you with us.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI cain\u2019t make it.\u201d Roy blushed a bit and looked at the floor.<\/span>

\u201cWhy not? What are you trying to hide?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019m havin\u2019 supper with Miss Jansen.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThe seamstress?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYup.\u201d He blushed some more.<\/span>

Ben clapped Roy on the shoulder and said, \u201cI hope you have a good time. She\u2019s a nice lady.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cShe sure is. Be sure ta give that ta Adam and give mah best ta Marie.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI will. I\u2019d better be going.\u201d Ben then left the office with Roy\u2019s package in hand. Arriving at the mercantile, Mr. Anderson had the parcel nicely wrapped. \u201cThank you, John.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMy pleasure, Ben. Tell Adam happy birthday for me and give my best to Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI will. Good-bye.\u201d Ben left Virginia City and headed for home.<\/span>

Roy was absolutely right. Adam had a good head on his shoulders and wouldn\u2019t take unnecessary risks. He had nothing to prove to the hands. They knew he was responsible, good with the cattle, and capable of making sound decisions.<\/span>

Arriving home, Ben was in a better mood. He dismounted and led his horse into the barn. Hoss was inside feeding hay to Bonnie. \u201cHi there, Son. How\u2019s Bonnie doing?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cShe\u2019s doin\u2019 good, Papa. She ain\u2019t complained any.\u201d<\/span>

Ben chuckled as he pulled the saddle from his horse. \u201cWhy would Bonnie complain? Isn\u2019t she comfortable?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMama was complainin\u2019 today. I thought expectin\u2019 a baby might make Bonnie complain too.\u201d<\/span>

Ben found his hand tensing on the curry comb. \u201cWhat was Mama complaining about? Is she hurting?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cShe said dustin\u2019 was a waste of time \u2018cause more settles when somethin\u2019s cleaned off. And she made some funny faces after lunch. Kinda like the ones you make after ya eat too much cabbage.\u201d<\/span>

Ben let out the breath he\u2019d been holding. He had thought Marie might be having some complications. Her first pregnancy had been very difficult and she was surprised that she had managed to carry that baby the full term. So far with this baby, she hadn\u2019t had too many problems. Ben kept waiting for problems to start. He worried that he\u2019d lose his wife and child if something went wrong.<\/span>

Finishing up, he pulled the packages from his saddlebag and went over to Hoss. Putting his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder, he said, \u201cLet\u2019s go on in, Son. Let Bonnie get her rest.\u201d<\/span>

With a few strokes to Bonnie\u2019s nose, Hoss turned to leave the barn. \u201cAre both of those fer Adam? Didja bring me anything? Do ya think he\u2019ll like his present? What didja get fer him?\u201d<\/span>

Ben had to stifle a laugh. Hoss could be quite the blabbermouth, so he and Marie hadn\u2019t told the boy what they were getting Adam. It wouldn\u2019t have been too hard for Adam to pry the information from his brother.<\/span>

Father and son went inside and Ben set the packages on the sideboard. \u201cI\u2019m home.\u201d<\/span>

Marie came out of the kitchen and gave her husband a kiss. \u201cGo into the kitchen, mon fils. Hop Sing has some frosting for you.\u201d Hoss\u2019 face lit up as he sped for his treat.<\/span>

\u201cAre you feeling all right, Darling? Hoss told me you were making funny faces.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Mon Cher. Just a few pains as the baby moved. She\u2019s becoming quite active. Maybe this Western air gives her more energy.\u201d<\/span>

Ben pulled her as close as her expanding waistline would allow. \u201cLet me know if I should send for the doctor. I don\u2019t want anything to happen to you or Anne Marie.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cDon\u2019t worry so much, Mon Cher. I\u2019ve been through this before. I\u2019ll know if anything goes wrong.\u201d She then kissed her husband and added. \u201cI promise to tell you when to get the doctor.\u201d<\/span>

He kissed her and then looked over the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s the birthday boy?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHe\u2019s having a bath. He fell into the pig pen when leaning over the fence to get the pail.\u201d She giggled as she remembered how funny he looked covered in slop and mud with bits of hay sticking to him. The fact that he\u2019d managed to laugh, too, made her laugh harder at the time. That\u2019s when the pains had come. She must have gasped or turned white because Adam took her arm and steered her for the house. The look of concern on his face touched her deeply. After seeing her settled on the settee comfortably, he had gone into the kitchen. Hop Sing came out with a cup of tea for her soon after. She\u2019d managed to shoo Hoss outside by telling him to check on Bonnie.<\/span>

Hoss came back into the room and announced, \u201cAdam\u2019s cake looks real good. And the frosting is really chocolatey.\u201d<\/span>

There were a few smears of chocolate on the boy\u2019s cheek. Marie went to him, pulled her handkerchief from her pocket, and cleaned her son\u2019s face. He squinted and tried to pull away. Ben watched with an amused smile. Marie was such a good mother to the boys. He was thankful that Hoss had been so accepting and Adam seemed to be more tolerant.<\/span>

The sound of footsteps got everyone\u2019s attention. Adam\u2019s wet hair was combed back from his face and already starting to curl. \u201cWould you like to open your presents now or after supper?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span>

\u201cDo it now,\u201d urged Hoss.<\/span>

\u201cIt\u2019s Adam\u2019s birthday, mon fils. He gets to choose.\u201d<\/span>

Adam stood there a bit dramatically, watching Hoss squirm. Finally, a huge smile appeared on his face as he said, \u201cI\u2019d like to open them now, if I may.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cHave a seat on the settee and I\u2019ll get them.\u201d<\/span>

Adam sat down and was immediately flanked by Marie and Hoss. He wasn\u2019t sure who was more excited\u2014himself or his brother. His father came over with two packages. Usually there was just one from Pa and Hoss. Now he was curious.<\/span>

Ben held both out, one in each hand. \u201cThis one is from Sheriff Coffee\u201d he said slightly raising his left hand.<\/span>

Surprised, Adam reached for it. Something from the sheriff? He gingerly opened the package and was surprised by the smell of leather. Pulling away the paper, he gasped at the sight of the intricately worked belt. The craftsmanship was amazing to behold. It must have taken the sheriff weeks to tool the floral design into the leather. \u201cMay I try it on?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Ben.<\/span>

The boy stood and threaded the belt through the loops on his jeans. He fastened it on the third notch and asked, \u201cHow does it look?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cMagnifique\u201d said Marie in admiration.<\/span>

\u201cReal good,\u201d said Hoss. He hoped the sheriff would make a belt for him, too.<\/span>

\u201cTurn around,\u201d said Ben. Adam slowly turned and the family took in the swirls and scrolls that made up the pattern. \u201cYou be sure to thank Roy properly next time you see him.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir!\u201d said Adam in a very pleased voice. He\u2019d never had such a fancy belt before. Maybe the sheriff could teach him how to do work like this.<\/span>

\u201cWould you like to open your other present?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d answered Adam. He carefully took the package from his father and sat down on the settee. This one was wrapped neater than the belt had been. The neatness made it a bit harder to open, but he finally got the paper off. He was looking at a small, mahogany case with his initials in one corner in gold lettering.<\/span>

\u201cThis is from your grandfather, your mother, Hoss, and me. Open it up.\u201d<\/span>

Adam turned the case over and then looked on the sides until he found the latch. Carefully undoing that, he slowly opened the case. Inside were colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a protractor, a ruler, and a small T-square. He gasped at the contents\u2014he could draw for hours with these.<\/span>

\u201cWe hope you like it,\u201d said Marie, breaking the silence.<\/span>

\u201cIt\u2019s perfect!\u201d he said in response. Spontaneously, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Her face flushed as she smiled happily. \u201cHow did Grandfather know I wanted drawing supplies?\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYour mother and I wrote to him and he was delighted to get you these. You must draw something for him when you write to him.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cI will.\u201d He ran his fingers over the pencils\u2014one red, one blue, one green, one yellow, and one charcoal black. Now he just needed paper.<\/span>

Hop Sing came in from the kitchen with a thin package. \u201cThis for you, Mistah Adam.\u201d<\/span>

Adam looked at the cook in surprise and gently took it. He opened it carefully and was surprised to see several sheets of paper bound by a red ribbon. Knowing how expensive paper was, he said, \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cCousin Numbah Four make in Chinese tradition. You use and make Hop Sing happy.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThank you! I will.\u201d<\/span>

Hop Sing bowed and returned to the kitchen.<\/span>

Adam smiled looking over the drawing supplies and the paper. There were so many things he could draw.<\/span>

Ben sat down on the coffee table and said, \u201cI have one more present for you, Son.\u201d<\/span>

Adam looked at his father in surprise. Where could it be?<\/span>

\u201cI\u2019ve decided that you can work with the horses.\u201d The boy let out a loud whoop and Marie looked at Ben in surprise. \u201cBut only up on the chute. I\u2019m going to talk with Bill about this and he\u2019ll let me know if you disobey me.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cThank you, Pa!\u201d Adam launched himself at his father and threw his arms around the man\u2019s neck. Ben was startled since Adam wasn\u2019t prone to physical displays of affection. Patting his son on the back, he said, \u201cYou do what the hands tell you and watch carefully. Someday, you\u2019ll be a horse breaker, too.\u201d<\/span>

\u201cYes, Sir! Thank you, Pa!!\u201d He pulled his arms from his father\u2019s neck and kissed Marie again. Then he turned to Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m gonna work with the horses, Hoss!\u201d<\/span>

Hoss\u2019s eyes were wide in admiration. His brother was gonna work with the horses. Maybe he could work with them too someday.\u00a0<\/span>

Hop Sing came back in the room and announced that supper was ready. Adam set his presents on the coffee table and walked with a slight swagger over to the dinner table. Ben and Marie couldn\u2019t help but notice and Marie had to work hard to stifle a laugh. Hoss followed his brother and tried to walk in a similar way.\u00a0<\/span>

Adam thought this had to be the best birthday ever. Once seated, he gave Marie a large, genuine smile. She must have convinced Pa to let him work with the horses. Maybe she really did love him.\u00a0<\/span>

The End<\/span>
August 2007<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Story in The Battle of Wills Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love\u2019s Labor<\/a>
\nBig Brother Lessons<\/a>
\nNo Regrets<\/a>
\nBaby\u2019s Breath<\/a>
\nEnnui<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>TT\u00a0<\/span>Anonymous<\/span>
Date:\u00a0<\/span>28 Nov 2008 09:12 pm\u00a0<\/span>Title:\u00a0<\/span>Presents From the Heart<\/span><\/p>\n

A sweet story, I am glad that Adam was able to have the birthday that he wanted. \u00a0Thank you for writing such a good story.<\/p>\n

Author’s Response:<\/i><\/p>\n

Thank you, TT, for letting me know you enjoyed this story.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

<\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a010th story in The Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 The Cartwrights celebrate Adam’s 12th birthday.<\/p>\n

Rating: K Word Count=5313<\/p>\n

The Battle of Wills series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":40380,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-6011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","tag-adam-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2343,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5730,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5730","url_meta":{"origin":6011,"position":0},"title":"A Gift Horse (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"March 2, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: 4th story in the Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 Ben announces at supper that he is going to buy a horse for Marie. 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