{"id":6824,"date":"2003-03-15T00:56:27","date_gmt":"2003-03-15T05:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6824"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:06:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:06:49","slug":"young-cartwrights-in-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6824","title":{"rendered":"Young Cartwrights In Love (by pkmoonshine)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong> The younger Cartwright children are in head over heels.\u00a0\u00a0 What are Ben\u2019s thoughts on the matter?\u00a0\u00a0 Part of the series begun in \u201cBloodlines,\u201d and includes the addition of a non-canon character.<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0T\u00a0 (10,650 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bloodlines<\/a>
\nThe Lo Mein Affair<\/a>
\nThe Wedding<\/a>
\nSacrificial Lamb<\/a>
\nPoltergeist II<\/a>
\nIndependence Day<\/a>
\nVirginia City Detour<\/a>
\nThe Guardian<\/a>
\nLi’l One<\/a>
\nYoung Cartwrights in Love<\/a>
\nSan Francisco Revisited<\/a>
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

Young Cartwrights In Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright stepped put onto the porch, with cup and saucer in hand.\u00a0\u00a0 As he lifted the cup to his lips to finish the remaining coffee, his dark eyes took in the vista spread out before him.\u00a0\u00a0 The sky at zenith was a bright azure blue, gradually lightening to a luminous turquoise at the horizon, delineated by the jagged line of far distant mountains.\u00a0\u00a0 There was not even the slightest wisp of cloud to mar its pristine appearance.\u00a0\u00a0 Brilliant yellow aspens and rich golden cottonwoods stood out in stark contrast against the deep, forest green hue of the ponderosa pines.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben could hear the gentle breezes singing softly among the high boughs of the pine trees and see them set the aspen leaves shimmering like the fall of gold dust.\u00a0\u00a0 Smiling, he took a deep breath, savoring the clean, crisp taste of the early morning air.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned and saw Hop Sing standing framed in the open doorway, with arms folded across his chest, leveling a dark scowl in his general direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Mister Cartwright doing outside and no jacket?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJacket?\u201d Ben echoed, favoring Hop Sing with a look of complete and utter bewilderment.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy in the world do I need a jacket?\u00a0\u00a0 I just stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCold this morning!\u00a0\u00a0 VERY cold this morning!\u201d Hop Sing sternly admonished the clan patriarch.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMister Cartwright and no jacket catch death of pneumonia.\u201d<\/p>\n

An amused smile tugged at the corner of Ben\u2019s lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, whatever happened to \u2018good morning?\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat on coat rack in house with Mister Cartwright jacket!\u201d Hop Sing replied without missing a beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not even YOUR scolding\u2019s going to spoil such a beautiful morning,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere IS everybody?\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing continued his tirade, as he followed Ben back into the house.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey turn invisible?\u00a0\u00a0 Breakfast almost ready and Hop Sing see no hide or hair of anybody!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid somebody say breakfast?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy emerged onto the top landing, freshly bathed and fully dressed.\u00a0\u00a0 This morning, she wore her brand new riding skirt, a brilliant royal blue, for the first time, with her favorite white blouse, clean, starched and freshly pressed.\u00a0\u00a0 The jacket, matching the skirt was draped over her arm.\u00a0\u00a0 Her long, luxuriant hair, hued as the raven\u2019s wing, was neatly woven into a single French braid.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreakfast almost ready, Miss Stacy,\u201d Hop Sing replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m about ready to keel over from starvation!\u201d\u00a0 Stacy declared, as she bounded down the steps two and three at a time.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c \u2018Morning, Pa . . . \u2018Morning, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Miss Stacy,\u201d Hop Sing greeted the youngest member of the Cartwright family with a warm smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0 How come SHE gets the good morning, and all I<\/strong> get is a load of grief?\u201d Ben demanded in mock tones of melodramatic outrage.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Stacy not go out in cold morning air and no jacket,\u201d Hop Sing returned with a defiant glare.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBesides!\u00a0\u00a0 Miss Stacy prettier!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed out loud.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t argue with you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Stacy said, as she impulsively gave the family\u2019s chief cook and bottle wash washer, occasional physician, and second father a big hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cRose perfume smell very nice on Miss Stacy,\u201d Hop Sing said, returning the hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing, except it\u2019s not perfume,\u201d Stacy said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s that rose bath oil Teresa and Adam sent me last Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice,\u201d Hop Sing murmured, as he made his way back to the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cVery, very nice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in a good mood this morning,\u201d Ben observed as he and Stacy walked over to the dining room table together.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could I NOT be in a good mood this morning, Pa?\u201d she queried, with a dreamy smile on her lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s such a gorgeous day outside . . . perfect for going into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben strongly suspected that raging winds, a blinding snow storm, and sub-zero temperatures would also qualify as a perfect day for riding into town, ever since young Jason O\u2019Brien started work at the Virginia City branch of the post office.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2019s right about one thing.\u00a0\u00a0 That rose scent IS very nice,\u201d Ben said, as he and Stacy took their places at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Pa,\u201d Stacy said.\u00a0\u00a0 She reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea what\u2019s keeping your brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard Hoss moving around in his room,\u201d Stacy replied, with a puzzled frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe sounded a little upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u00a0\u00a0 How can you be so sure Hoss was upset?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard him use \u2018dadburn it\u2019 three times in one sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced over at her sharply.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy Rose Cartwright, so help me, if you and Joseph were listening at the keyhole again . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t necessary.\u00a0\u00a0 I could hear him loud \u2018n clear as I walked by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe door to HIS room was closed.\u00a0\u00a0 If he\u2019s in there, he\u2019s being awfully quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell me he\u2019s not up yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d Stacy said with a shrug.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to get a move on, if he expects to ride into town with us,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 He rose, and set out on a direct course for the bottom of the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJOSEPH . . . . \u201d he bellowed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRISE \u2018N SHINE!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Morning, Pa,\u201d Joe stepped out on the top landing, fully dressed, washed, and hair combed, \u201cno need to shout!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was up bright \u2018n early this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe descended the stairs at a slower, and more dignified pace than his younger sister had a few moments earlier.<\/p>\n

Ben quietly\u00a0 noted the clean, freshly pressed and starched white shirt, the faint sheen of hair cream, and scent of old bay rum after-shave, as Joe walked past him at the bottom of the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what burr\u2019s worked it\u2019s way up under Hoss\u2019 saddle?\u201d Joe queried aloud, as he and Ben took their places at the dining room table.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI heard a whole long string of dadburns and doggones when I passed his room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I hope you haven\u2019t been teasing him about Brunhilda Odinsdottir again,\u201d Ben said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou went a little too far the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that crack about the baby carriage and HER being named Virginia City\u2019s father of the year WAS a bit out of line,\u201d Joe admitted ruefully, \u201cbut, I must\u2019ve apologized for it at least a thousand times since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you two SURE you haven\u2019t said or done anything to get your brother riled up?\u201d Ben asked, looking from one to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot me, Pa,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t think of anything,\u201d Stacy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, whatever it is, it must really be something to get your brother that riled up so quickly,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen he comes in, it might be a good idea for you both to be on your best behavior, until we get to the bottom of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Stacy agreed.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded solemnly.<\/p>\n

Hoss, as if on cue, entered into the dining room, fully dressed, with a murderous scowl on his face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDadburn it, Stacy Rose Cartwright, the next daggum time you decide t\u2019 use your dadburned rosy smellin\u2019 bath oil, you\u2019d better doggone sight be takin\u2019 your bath LAST!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOops!\u00a0\u00a0 Sorry \u2018bout that, Big Brother,\u201d Stacy squeaked, as Joe burst out laughing.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly raised his napkin to his mouth to cover the smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can just thank your lucky stars you\u2019re my sister instead o\u2019 my brother,\u201d Hoss growled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOtherwise, I\u2019d be moppin\u2019 up the corral with ya, \u2018bout now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wisely refrained from pointing out that if Stacy HAD been his brother instead of his sister, Hoss would not likely be sitting at the table now, literally smelling like a rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you want to know what I<\/strong> think?\u201d Joe asked, grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hoss replied, seating himself in the chair between his brother and their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that stuff smells even prettier on YOU than it does on The Kid,\u201d Joe teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cLi\u2019l Joe, Stacy may be my sister, but YOU sure as shootin\u2019 ain\u2019t!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss rose very slowly.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, drawing himself up to full height, he turned and glared menacingly down at his younger brother, still seated in the chair next to his.<\/p>\n

\u201cOops!\u201d Joe squeaked, as he tried unsuccessfully to slink under the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Boys, that\u2019s enough,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss, sit down.\u00a0\u00a0 Once you get out to the summer pasture and start rounding up calves, you\u2019ll smell like beef cattle in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss murmured reluctantly, as he dropped back down in his chair.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered the dining room, carrying two large serving bowls, one filled with fluffy yellow scrambled eggs, the other with fried potatoes and sweet red peppers.\u00a0 Ben picked up the bowl of fried potatoes, while Hoss and Stacy made a grab for the scrambled eggs.\u00a0 Stacy successfully snagged the bowl of scrambled eggs a split second before Hoss could close his own massive hands around it, and spooned out a generous serving onto her plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaggum it, Li\u2019l Brother, I\u2019m confused,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 There was an impish gleam in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you?\u201d Joe queried, all wide-eyed and too innocent.\u00a0 \u201cSo tell me, Big Brother, WHY are you confused?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought sure that people head over heels in love were s\u2019posed to LOSE their appetites,\u201d Hoss teased, as he and his younger brother both turned their attention to their sister.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, now that you mention it,\u201d Joe agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 A smile born of pure and simple mischief slowly spread across his face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLittle Sister, you\u2019ve been packin\u2019 it away like there\u2019s no tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing returned, carrying a large serving platter heaped with sausage, bacon, and strips of fried ham.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf love make Miss Stacy eat, I hope Miss Stacy stay in love for good long time,\u201d he declared with a broad grin, as he placed the food on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad SOMEONE around here\u2019s happy,\u201d Stacy quipped, as she took the bowl of fried potatoes from her brother, Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep\u00a0 givin\u2019 ol\u2019 Hoss here a run for his money at mealtime, Kid, I\u2019m gonna be calling you BIG sister, \u2018fore long,\u201d Joe retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith chi like Miss Stacy got, we call you BIG JOE first,\u201d Hop Sing declared with an emphatic nod of his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMiss Stacy need more meat on her bones.\u00a0\u00a0 She much too thin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo THERE, Grandpa,\u201d Stacy said sticking her tongue out at Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe stuck his tongue out at her, then thumbed his nose for good measure.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh!\u00a0\u00a0 I just now this very second remembered something . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Stacy demanded warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have this letter addressed to Stacy Rose,\u201d Joe said, with a devilish grin.\u00a0 He reached into his shirt pocket and drew out a folded blue envelope.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJason gave it to me the other day and asked me to give it to YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe OTHER DAY?\u201d Stacy echoed, as delicious thoughts of drowning the youngest of her three older brothers in the trough outside began to dance merrily through her head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve had that all this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt . . . kinda . . . slipped my mind,\u201d Joe said with a naughty grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgetfulness is a sign of advancing old age, GRANDPA,\u201d Stacy retorted.\u00a0\u00a0 She made a mental note to tell Jason he could trust Hoss, or maybe even her father to deliver personal mail, but never Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take the letter now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so fast, Miss Stacy Rose . . . Sugar Lips!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShu-Shu . . . Sugar Lips?\u201d Hoss echoed, his face turning beet red.<\/p>\n

Stacy, much to her chagrin, felt the sudden rush of blood to her own face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDid he really . . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely you don\u2019t think I\u2019D call you Sugar Lips,\u201d Joe replied, still grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, if you don\u2019t give my letter right now, YOU are a DEAD MAN!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to catch me first!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe leapt to his feet and bolted for the stairs.<\/p>\n

Stacy was out of her chair like a shot.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c . . . uuhhh, Pa, may I be excused . . . briefly . . . please?\u201d she asked through clenched teeth, all the while glaring at Joe\u2019s steadily retreating form.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, but keep it very brief,\u201d Ben said nonchalantly, while buttering his toast.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want your breakfast getting cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Stacy immediately set off after her fleeing brother at a dead run.<\/p>\n

At the table, Ben and Hoss heard Joe\u2019s infectious giggle burst forth like the rapid fire of a Gatling gun and echo through out the second story.<\/p>\n

\u201cGRANDPA, I WANT THAT LETTER, AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW . . . OR ELSE!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOR ELSE WHAT<\/strong>, SUGAR LIPS?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSugar Lips?\u201d Hoss repeated the words again with a grimace of complete and utter distaste.\u00a0\u00a0 Two large crimson dots still colored his cheeks.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, Li\u2019l Joe\u2019s got no dadburn business readin\u2019 Stacy\u2019s, uuhhh . . . . PERSONAL mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t?!\u201d Hoss echoed, looking over at his father incredulously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben shook his head, and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow c\u2019n ya be so sure, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, in the second place, I<\/strong> know for a fact that Jason O\u2019Brien has too much class to address the woman he loves as Sugar Lips,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLeastwise, he\u2019d better!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in the first place, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe envelope was still sealed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOoh boy!\u00a0\u00a0 When she finds THAT out, she\u2019ll really kill \u2018im,\u201d he said chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh well, you know what they say about pay backs, Hoss . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT,\u201d Stacy\u2019s voice could be heard loud and clear below, \u201cIF YOU DON\u2019T HAND OVER THAT LETTER RIGHT NOW THIS MINUTE, SO HELP ME, I\u2019M GONNA BURY YOU SO DEEP, PA WILL NEVER<\/strong> FIND YOUR REMAINS.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019 GOTTA CATCH ME FIRST, SUGAR LIPS, HONEY!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI WILL . . . DON\u2019T YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT<\/strong> . . .\u00a0 SWEET JOEY STUD MUFFIN!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHEY!<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 HOW\u2019D YOU . . . WHERE . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gazed up at the top of the steps, too stunned to speak.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSweet . . . Joey . . . Stud Muffin?!\u201d he echoed, upon finally finding his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss affirmed, with an embarrassed grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Lilly Beth\u2019s pet name for \u2018im.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean to say your brother\u2019s girl actually calls him . . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s scowl deepened.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m beginning to think I\u2019ve been overly protective of the wrong child,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered the dining room with a pot of freshly brewed coffee.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0 Where Little Joe and Miss Stacy?\u201d he demanded, with an indignant frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpstairs,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey sound like dadburn cattle stampede!\u201d Hop Sing declared, as he placed the coffee pot on the table between Hoss and Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 He returned to the kitchen, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed out loud.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss, I think maybe enough\u2019s enough,\u201d he said, at length, as his mirth began to fade.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWould you mind going up and fetching them back down?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Hoss said rising.<\/p>\n

A sudden crash, followed by a sickening dull thud upstairs, froze Ben and Hoss in their places.\u00a0\u00a0 They exchanged anxious glances, then turned their attention back toward the stairs in time to see Joe and Stacy descending, single file, with their faces averted to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy?\u00a0\u00a0 You two alright?\u201d Ben queried anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, Pa,\u201d Joe said contritely, looking up.\u00a0\u00a0 His right eye sported the beginnings of a potentially lurid black and blue shiner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had nothing to do with it, Pa, honest,\u201d Stacy said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an accident,\u201d Joe admitted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI slipped on that throw rug in my room, fell, and hit the dresser.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned away from his younger brother, laughing uproariously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLi\u2019l Joe, ain\u2019t nobody in the whole wide world\u2019s gonna believe THAT story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just thought of something . . . . \u201d Stacy said, as she slipped back into her chair.\u00a0\u00a0 She looked over at her big brother, seated at the table directly opposite.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re gonna spend all day rounding up calves, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure am,\u201d Hoss affirmed with a curt nod, \u201cand I\u2019d better be daggoned sight be smellin\u2019 like \u2018em real quick!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Big Brother, now I\u2019M confused!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI had no idea confusion was so contagious,\u201d he quipped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo tell me, Little Sister, why are YOU confused?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Hoss\u2019 gonna be smelling like beef cattle at the end of the day, why\u2019d he even bother to take a bath this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t none o\u2019 yer business, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,I<\/strong>, for one, happen to think it\u2019s a real good question,\u201d Joe said with a sly grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell YOU, like I just told her . . . it ain\u2019t none o\u2019 your business!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt couldn\u2019t possibly have anything to do with the fact that Brunhilda Odinsdottir and some of HER hands are helping out with this round up, now . . . could it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburn it, Li\u2019l Joe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0*********<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . that\u2019s your usual order, Ben, plus the extra flour, sugar, and lard . . . that comes to a grand total of fifty two dollars and seventy-three cents,\u201d Amelia Jared said.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWould you like me to add that to your tab?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThen, if it\u2019s not too much trouble, would you mind giving me a grand total as to how much I owe you?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to get my tab paid up before I have to put in for winter supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble at all, Ben,\u201d Amelia quipped with a saucy grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEspecially when it comes to money.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Her smile faded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll fetch Virgil and Burt out here to help you load, whist I tally up your tab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to trouble Virgil and Burt,\u201d Ben protested.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJoe and I can . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He glanced behind him, expecting to see his youngest son sitting in the driver\u2019s seat of the buckboard.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe was nowhere to be seen.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow where did that boy get himself off to?\u201d he wondered aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I saw Lilly Beth dragging him off in the direction of the parlor, while I was measurin\u2019 out the corn meal, and YOU were talkin\u2019 to the O\u2019Brien boy,\u201d Amelia replied with a smile . . . .<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my poor Sweet Joey Stud Muffin, that eye looks horrible,\u201d Lilly Beth Jared winced daintily.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAbsolutely horrible!\u00a0\u00a0 Does it . . . oh, My Sweet Darling, does it hurt very much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it still hurts, Lilly Beth,\u201d Joe said, gazing longingly into her big green eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSometimes the pain is just . . . unbearable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to be the absolute bravest person I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately for me Lilly Beth, you\u2019re a real easy sight on sore eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lilly Beth Jared had a thick mop of light brown ringlet curls that cascaded just beyond her shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0 Today, she had combed her hair away from her face and secured it at the nape of her neck with a green ribbon that matched her dress.\u00a0\u00a0 She had also been blessed with the enticing figure of a dance hall girl, with ample bosom, small waist, and curving hips that not even the simple house dress she wore could completely hide.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my poor brave love stallion, that poor li\u2019l eye o\u2019 yours\u00a0 makes ME hurt, too, just lookin\u2019 at you,\u201d Lilly Beth murmured softly.\u00a0\u00a0 She reached up and gently caressed his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019 know, Lilly Beth, I think maybe a little more of that, umm . . . . painkiller of yours might help . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Lilly Beth leaned over and kissed him soundly on the lips.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe\u2019s arms, impelled by instinct circled her waist and shoulders, pulling her closer.\u00a0\u00a0 Lilly Beth willingly allowed him to draw her into his embrace.\u00a0\u00a0 The heady combination of her lips on his, and her body, warm and pliant, pressed up real close, sent Joe\u2019s senses reeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel now?\u201d Lilly Beth asked, as her lips moved to the nape of his neck.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes went round with astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the pain any better?\u201d she purred.<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . I\u2019m n-not in pain any . . . any more,\u201d Joe said, struggling to sit up.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI feel kinda dizzy\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen maybe you should lie back down, My Sweet Joey Stud Muffin.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Lilly Beth gently, yet very firmly, shoved Joe back down on the cushions.\u00a0\u00a0 Before the youngest Cartwright son realized what was happening, she had started to unbutton his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cLilly Beth, wh-what\u2019re doing?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe demanded, his hazel eyes round with shocked astonishment and a healthy dose of sheer terror.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you were dizzy, My Great Big Hunk of Handsome Stud Muffin,\u201d she cooed as her deft fingers continued down the line.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI kinda thought maybe, if I, uh loosened your shirt, you could . . . well, you could BREATHE better, maybe NOT feel so dizzy?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLILLY BETH?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was her mother.<\/p>\n

The pair immediately separated, each sliding to his or her own end of the settee.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe, with heart slamming hard against his throat, labored to button his shirt.\u00a0\u00a0 Beads of sweat dotted his brow, despite the cool temperature within.<\/p>\n

On the other end of the settee, Lilly Beth\u2019s entire body went limp, reminding Joe of his father\u2019s description of ships\u2019 sails when the wind suddenly dies.\u00a0 \u201cYEAH, MA?\u201d she yelled back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU \u2018N JOE CARTWRIGHT FRONT \u2018N CENTER!\u201d Amelia bellowed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHIS PA\u2019S READY TO LOAD UP!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYES, MA\u2019AM.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The girl made no effort to hide her regret.<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

Lilly Beth, with head bowed and shoulders sagging,\u00a0 stepped from the Jared domicile into the general store, with Joe Cartwright following close behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice visiting with ya, Joe,\u201d she drawled, those big, wide, dewy green eyes stuck to his face like glue.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was WONDERFUL visiting with you, too, Lilly Beth,\u201d Joe said, still grinning from ear to ear, as much from a profound sense of relief as from pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cHate t\u2019 see you go so soon.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She exhaled a long, melodramatic sigh.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s grin faded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Lilly Beth, me, too,\u201d he said too quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, duty calls, I\u2019m afraid.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa can\u2019t load the wagon all by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCorrection, Joseph Francis,\u201d Ben said, his scowl deepening upon catching sight of lipstick smeared on his son\u2019s shirt collar, \u201cPa absolutely refuses to load the supplies by himself.\u00a0\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen\u2019ll I see you again, Sweet Joey Stud Muffin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLilly Beth!\u00a0\u00a0 How many times do I have to tell ya NOT to call me that in front of my pa?\u201d Joe hissed, his cheeks and the tip of his nose suddenly sporting a very healthy, ruddy complexion.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when\u2019ll I see ya next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . g-guess I\u2019ll, uuhh . . . see you . . . the . . . uummm, next time I\u2019m in town, Lilly Beth,\u201d Joe said evasively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen\u2019ll THAT be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe . . . next time . . . I\u2019m . . . in . . . town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you then, My Dearest Darling Sweet Love Stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLilly Beth, please!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe was afraid to look over at his father.<\/p>\n

Lilly Beth blew him a kiss.\u00a0\u00a0 Her lips, sensuously puckered, were a standing open invitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome along, Joseph,\u201d Ben said in a tone that brooked no discussion of any kind on the matter.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood afternoon, Lilly Beth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mister Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lilly Beth exhaled a long, melancholy sigh, then returned to her family\u2019s domicile.<\/p>\n

Ben and Joe loaded the buckboard in short order.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll that remains is the business I need to take care of at the bank,\u201d the former said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the mail?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cStacy said SHE\u2019D drop by the post office,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason works there, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d Joe asked, frowning.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo . . . uuhhh, Pa, you want ME to g\u2019won over to the post office and fetch Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019ll be necessary,\u201d Ben replied, noting the murderous scowl on his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I trust Jason O\u2019Brien,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHis family and ours have been friends and neighbors for many years.\u00a0\u00a0 To be perfectly honest, I was very much relieved when it became clear that the first young man your sister\u2019s fallen in love with turned out to be Jason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI KNOW Jason\u2019s a fine young man, Pa, but\u2014 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, let me ask you something,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo you trust Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I do!\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d trust her with my life!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019d trust her with YOUR life, doesn\u2019t it make good sense to trust her with her own?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe lapsed into silence, not quite knowing what to say.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, I love Stacy very much,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Son,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to see her hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I, any more than I want to see you, Hoss, and Adam hurt,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, you know . . . looking back, it seems all the times I tried my hardest to keep the four of you safe were the times I think I failed the most . . . and ended up hurting you far worse in many ways than you would have been if I hadn\u2019t tried to be so protective.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Pa,\u201d Joe said contritely.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI promise not to go within a hundred feet of the post office.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI guess, truth to tell, I\u2019m probably telling more on me and Lilly Beth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo comment,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe returned his father\u2019s smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI . . . appreciate you not pointing out the obvious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I didn\u2019t need to,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow Hop Sing, on the other hand, may NOT be so magnanimous when he sees that lipstick on your collar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOops!\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may yet end up buried so deep I\u2019ll never find your remains, Young Man,\u201d Ben said, chuckling.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs there any business you need to take care of while we\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a matter of fact, yes,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam and Teresa have an anniversary coming up.\u00a0\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d kinda look around, see what I can scare up in the way of a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go on ahead, Joe,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI have that banking to take care of, which shouldn\u2019t take any more than an hour.\u00a0\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we meet back here then?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf one or the other of us hasn\u2019t caught up with your sister by THAT time, we\u2019ll BOTH go to the post office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds like a plan to me, Pa,\u201d Joe said, smiling.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSee you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

Ben found Stacy waiting when he emerged from the bank an hour and fifteen minutes later, with mail in hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo tell me . . . is Jason going to be your escort for the dance next Saturday night?\u201d Ben asked, as they made their way back toward the general store and their buckboard.<\/p>\n

Stacy froze mid-stride.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa, h-how did you know he w-was going to\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ran into him at the general store earlier, while Mrs. Jared was getting the flour and sugar together for me,\u201d Ben replied with a smile, \u201cthough I think it more likely HE actually ran into ME, and not by accident either.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJason asked me if it was alright for him to ask you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn answer to your question, yes, he IS going to be my escort for the dance on Saturday night,\u201d Stacy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 She slipped her arm through Ben\u2019s as they walked and impulsively gave his hand a gentle squeeze.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks for letting him ask me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, I didn\u2019t have the heart to say no,\u201d Ben confessed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll bet it\u2019s taken him the better part of a month to work up the nerve to ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u00a0\u00a0 How do you figure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been in Jason\u2019s shoes a few times myself,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou may not believe this, Young Woman, but I WAS his age ONCE, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take your word for it, Pa,\u201d Stacy said lightly.<\/p>\n

Ben and Stacy walked together, arm in arm, in companionable silence for a few moments.<\/p>\n

Jason O\u2019Brien had been working at the Virginia City branch of the Post Office since the start of summer, putting by most of his earnings toward finishing his college education.\u00a0\u00a0 He and his sisters, Crystal and Susannah, lived with their widowed father, Houston \u201cHugh\u201d O\u2019Brien.\u00a0\u00a0 Susannah and Stacy were roughly the same age.\u00a0\u00a0 Jason was a few years younger than Joe Cartwright, and Crystal, a young widow herself with two young sons, was the same age as Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 The O\u2019Briens owned and ran a small, but lucrative cattle ranch, north of the Ponderosa, named Shoshone Queen in honor of Hugh\u2019s late wife, Angelina Thundercloud Woman, a full blooded Shoshone, who had died from complications surrounding the birth of Susannah, the youngest.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything interesting in the mail?\u201d Ben asked, at length.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is,\u201d Stacy replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn addition to the usual assortment of bills and advertisements, there\u2019s a small package for Grandpa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mister Cartwright . . . Stacy,\u201d Kirk Sutcliff greeted father and daughter, as he strutted toward them from the opposite direction.\u00a0\u00a0 He was a tall, well built young man, with broad shoulders, tapering down to a narrow waist and washboard flat stomach.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His bright, blue eyes, cleft chin, square jaw line, that thick mane of sandy blonde hair were marred by an arrogant sneer, that seemed to have made a permanent mark on his lips.<\/p>\n

Geoffrey Sutcliff, Kirk\u2019s father, owned and collected rent on upwards of half the land and buildings in the business district along Virginia City\u2019s Main Street.\u00a0\u00a0 Kirk\u2019s mother, Constance, was of a considerably wealthy family back east, old money as commonly referred to among the gentry of high society.\u00a0\u00a0 Between the two family resources, the Sutcliffs numbered among the top five wealthiest families in the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Kirk,\u201d Stacy returned the greeting in an ice-cold tone that sent an involuntary shiver down the length of her father\u2019s spine.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded politely.<\/p>\n

Kirk fell in step along side the Cartwright daughter.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo, are you an\u2019 your family going to dance on Saturday night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how\u2019s about lettin\u2019 ME be your escort for a change, instead o\u2019 that half-breed you\u2019re always hangin\u2019 around with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Stacy turned toward her father speaking in that honey-sweet tone that generally bode no good for the immediate, foreseeable future, \u201cwould you mind holding these for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t wait for an answer.\u00a0\u00a0 She placed the mail, and the bag containing her own purchases into Ben\u2019s outstretched hands, then without further eloquence, she pivoted, and with the deadly swiftness of a striking rattler, lashed out, striking Kirk hard on the left cheek.\u00a0\u00a0 The force of her blow sent the astonished young man reeling into the street, where he landed ignobly on his backside.<\/p>\n

A dark, angry glare knotted Kirk\u2019s brow.\u00a0\u00a0 His hand quickly moved toward the inside pocket of his jacket.<\/p>\n

Stacy, however, moved faster, pulling a pearl handled derringer that once belonged to her mother from her own pocket, and taking deadly aim at a central point of his anatomy, located directly below the belt buckle.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t even think about it,\u201d she said in a low, menacing tone.<\/p>\n

Kirk blanched.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes went round with sheer horror.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I EVER hear you refer to Jason O\u2019Brien, his sisters, OR his nephews by that particular turn of a phrase again, so help me, I WILL hurt you so badly, you\u2019ll be singing soprano in the church choir again,\u201d Stacy said, her eyes smoldering with white hot fury.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCuh-cuh-cuh, uuhhh, clee, clee . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy accepted Kirk\u2019s terrified babbling for an affirmative.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBe thankful you didn\u2019t say that in front of Jason,\u201d she added in a cold tone, as she returned the derringer once more to the pocket of her jacket.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHE wouldn\u2019t have let you off with a warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMuh, muh, muh\u2014Mister C-Cartwright, are you gonna l-let her guh-guh-guh get away w-with . . . . aren\u2019t you gonna . . . ?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m NOT going to reprimand or in any way censure my daughter,\u201d Ben said, leveling a dark, thunderous scowl of his own at the young man still sitting in the street.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn this instance, I agree with her one hundred percent.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused, allowing his words to sink in.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI would also advise you to be mindful of who you insult in MY hearing as well.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019M not inclined to give warnings, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kirk Sutcliff remained where he was, rooted to the spot until the Cartwrights were long past and well out sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think HE\u2019S going to ask to escort you to the dance on Saturday night, or anywhere else, ever again,\u201d Ben remarked wryly, as they continued on their way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s best news I\u2019ve heard all day, Pa,\u201d Stacy quipped with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs for that derringer, Young Woman, I don\u2019t recall giving you permission as yet to routinely carry a loaded weapon,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said it was loaded?\u201d Stacy asked in all innocence.\u00a0\u00a0 She fished it out of her jacket pocket and handed it to her father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll be . . . . \u201d Ben looked up at her astonished.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s . . . NOT . . . loaded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI left it with Mister Simpson [i] for some maintenance and repair a couple of weeks ago,\u201d Stacy explained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI picked it up today while you and Grandpa were at the general store.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy Rose Cartwright, I\u2019m beginning to think you\u2019re living proof of that old saying about the female of the species being more deadly than the male,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI sure hope young Jason knows what he\u2019s letting himself in for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacy smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think you need to worry about THAT, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget, he grew up with two sisters.\u00a0\u00a0 Crystal and Susannah can be pretty feisty, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very true,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cespecially when it comes to protecting those they love the most.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Between Hugh\u2019s Shoshone Warrior Princesses and the Fighting Irish Knight Errant presently walking by his side, Ben couldn\u2019t help but pity the poor fool who sought to bring any kind of harm to the O\u2019Briens or the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d he said, \u201clet\u2019s find your brother, and go home,\u201d he said, placing a fatherly arm about her shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d Stacy agreed, placing her arm about his waist.<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

Ben and Stacy found Joe lounging against the side of the loaded buckboard, with arms folded across his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time you two showed up,\u201d Joe said, as his father and sister approached.\u00a0 He uncrossed his arms and stretched.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re gonna end up getting Jason fired if you keep having these long conversations with him at the post office, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0 Y\u2019 know that don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and YOU\u2019RE gonna get Lilly Beth locked in her room for the next ten years,\u201d Stacy quipped, noting that the buttons of his shirt were in the buttonholes preceding.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh geeze loo-weeze!\u201d Joe exclaimed, as he glanced down at his shirt in utter dismay.\u00a0\u00a0 He seized the lapels of his open jacket in both hands and pulled them together to cover his errantly buttoned shirt.<\/p>\n

Ben pointedly cleared his throat.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEnd of conversation, subject closed . . . unless I<\/strong> choose to bring it up at a later time.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The warning glare on his face gave strong promise of such a possibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo!\u00a0\u00a0 What did we get in the mail today?\u201d Joe asked, quickly changing the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a package for YOU, Grandpa,\u201d Stacy said, trying her hardest to sound casual.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u00a0\u00a0 What was in it?\u201d Joe queried with an impish grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow should I<\/strong> know?\u201d Stacy returned in mock outrage.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean to tell me you didn\u2019t take it to Mrs. Braun at the International Hotel Restaurant and bribe her to steam it open for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI most certainly assuredly did NOT!\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben reached into the pocket of his jacket and drew out the package.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHere it is, Son,\u201d he said, placing the small package in Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew York City,\u201d he read the postmark with a bemused expression on his face, shrugged, then made move to pocket the package.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to open it?\u201d Stacy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes sparkled with impish delight, as he resolutely shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cY-you\u2019re not?\u00a0\u00a0 Really?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy began to regret NOT having bribed Mrs. Braun to steam it open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll open it . . . later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow MUCH later?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOohhh . . . after supper . . . maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter supper!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was all Joe could do to keep from laughing out loud at the comical look of disappointment on his baby sister\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 On impulse he put his arm around Stacy and gave her a big bear hug, feeling a measure of relief in the knowledge that, despite the seemingly swift rate his sister seemed to be maturing into a beautiful young woman lately, something of the child yet remained.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy Rose Cartwright, I love you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to let me see what\u2019s in that package are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, but NOT today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy NOT today?\u201d she pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, Little Sister, THIS happens to be a birthday present,\u201d Joe said as he tucked the package safely into the inside pocket of his green jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor whom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor YOU, Miss Nosey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-but . . . my birthday\u2019s not until next month,\u201d Stacy said dejectedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Joe said, unable to quite keep back the amused smile trying so hard to break forth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re just plain gonna have to wait until then to find out what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it animal, mineral, or vegetable?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo hints,\u201d Joe said firmly, then gave in and smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut, I will tell you this, Little Sister.\u00a0\u00a0 When you open it, you won\u2019t be disappointed . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

The deep, reverberating chime of the grandfather clock downstairs striking the hour of two . . . in the morning . . . roused Ben from a fitful slumber.\u00a0\u00a0 He rolled over from his back onto his side, hunkering down under sheets, blanket, and quilt.\u00a0\u00a0 Settling his head back down into the downy softness of his pillow, he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him once again.<\/p>\n

Downstairs, the clock chimed the quarter hour, then the half hour.<\/p>\n

Ben threw aside the covers with a disgruntled sigh, and sat up, placing his feet down on the floor one at a time.\u00a0\u00a0 He rose, and by the silver light of the near full moon, grabbed his dark maroon robe off the bedpost, from which it hung.\u00a0\u00a0 He stepped into his slippers, kept on the small rug next to his bed, while slipping his robe on over his nightshirt.<\/p>\n

If the stroke of midnight was the witching hour, then the stroke of two must be the father\u2019s hour.\u00a0\u00a0 Whenever his mind centered on his children, the sound of the grandfather\u2019s clock downstairs, striking the hour of two a.m. never failed to rouse him from slumber, whether it be deep or light and fitful, as it had been tonight.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe a glass of brandy and a good book will help me back to sleep,\u201d<\/em> he mused silently, as he deftly tied the sash of his robe and stepped out into the hall.\u00a0\u00a0 That new book Adam had sent him for his birthday a couple of months ago still sat on the coffee table, unread, except for a cursory glace at the preface.<\/p>\n

As he made his way down the hallway toward the stairs, he paused in front of the door leading to Joe\u2019s room, standing slightly ajar.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben paused for a moment, his fingers lightly touching the door, debating.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s prerogative,\u201d<\/em> he decided, finally, with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEven if we BOTH live \u2018til he\u2019s a hundred, he\u2019ll STILL be my baby boy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Stepping from hall into Joe\u2019s bedroom, Ben\u2019s nose immediately picked up the faint, lingering, aromas of hair cream and old bay rum after shave mixed with the pungent herbs Hop Sing had used to make up that poultice to ease the pain and bring down the swelling around Joe\u2019s eye, the end result of slipping on a throw rug and banging his face against the edge of his dresser.\u00a0\u00a0 The lamp on the night table burned low, as had been Joe\u2019s custom since that terrible afternoon, they laid his mother to rest, nearly twenty-two years ago now.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes strayed from the lamp to the small photograph of Marie, set in a frame of filigreed silver.\u00a0\u00a0 An emerald green hair ribbon, one that Marie had given to her young son, had been carefully laced through the opening of the delicate, lacy filigree.\u00a0\u00a0 Those fleeting thoughts of Marie brought to mind Joe\u2019s current romantic interest, Lilly Beth Jared . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cPIECE OF CAKE, SWEET JOEY STUD MUFFIN!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Stacy\u2019s words, part of the teasing banter she and Joe had exchanged yesterday now, just before breakfast, returned in the dark hours of nascent early morning to haunt him.\u00a0\u00a0 Initially those words, that turn of phrase had left him so shocked, so flabbergasted, words momentarily deserted him.<\/p>\n

Sweet Joey Stud Muffin?!<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 affirmation had also surprised and startled, for he had no awareness of having spoken aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Lilly Beth\u2019s pet name for \u2018im.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cY-you mean to say your brother\u2019s girl actually calls him\u2014?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m beginning to think I\u2019ve been overly protective of the wrong child . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Lilly Beth Jared.<\/p>\n

She had a voluptuous, womanly figure, a mop of luxuriant, chestnut brown ringlets, that framed an elfin face with its slightly upturned, pixie nose, those great big, luminous emerald green, \u201ccome hither\u201d, eyes, and a pair of full sensuous lips that seemed to be in a perpetual state of pouting or puckering, as in puckering up for a kiss, to commend her.<\/p>\n

But little else.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gonna end up getting Jason fired if you keep having these long conversations with him at the post office, Kid . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c . . . and YOU\u2019RE gonna get Lilly Beth locked in her room for the next ten years.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh geeze loo-weeze!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

An anxious frown deepened the creases of Ben\u2019s brow as he remembered Joe\u2019s shirt this afternoon, when he and Stacy caught up with him at their buckboard, fastened . . . or perhaps DONNED . . . in great haste, as evidenced by its buttons in the button holes preceding.<\/p>\n

Fast.<\/p>\n

That was his mother\u2019s word for girls like Lilly Beth Jared.<\/p>\n

Fast.<\/p>\n

As in watch out for the fast ones, Benjamin.<\/p>\n

He could hear her voice speaking very clearly, as she had spoken then, despite the passage of more years now than he cared to count . . . despite the fact that she had been laid to final rest a few years before Adam was born, in the same little cemetery where Elizabeth was buried.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out for the fast ones, Benjamin!\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ll find them waiting in every port.\u00a0\u00a0 After many, many months at sea in the company of other men, they\u2019ll seem to you a paradise.\u00a0\u00a0 Just you remember even Paradise had its forbidden fruit and a serpent to guard it well.\u00a0\u00a0 Watch out for the fast ones.\u00a0\u00a0 They could be trouble.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Trouble.<\/p>\n

His mother\u2019s euphemism for what most of the people with whom he was acquainted these days, referred to as a shotgun wedding.<\/p>\n

Ben slowly, quietly crossed the expanse of floor between the bed where Joe slept blissfully, half wishing that he would take up with older women again, as he did when he was younger.\u00a0\u00a0 At least the Julia Bulettes, the Lotta Crabtrees, the Julia Grants, and even the Adah Menkens of the world offered intelligence and a worldly sophistication that magnified and enhanced mere physical womanly beauty.\u00a0\u00a0 Such women never grew old, they aged, like the finest vintage of wines.<\/p>\n

Women like Lilly Beth Jared, however . . . grew old.<\/p>\n

Ben stood for a moment gazing down on his youngest son, who lay on his back, head turned slightly toward the window, with mouth open, snoring softly.\u00a0\u00a0 So much for that age-old assertion that the boy NEVER snored.\u00a0\u00a0 He carefully pulled up the quilt, tucking it around Joe\u2019s shoulders, and gently smoothed back that unruly lock of hair that seemed to be forever falling down into his face.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben smiled, then, acting purely on impulse, leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

Joe stirred.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019night, Pa,\u201d he murmured very softly, before once more settling back into the arms of deep slumber.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night . . . Little Joe,\u201d Ben whispered softly in response, noting that it had been a good long time since he had called his youngest son by that particular moniker.<\/p>\n

Ben quietly let himself out of Joe\u2019s room and moved down the hall, pausing a dozen steps later in front of the closed door to Stacy\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf I\u2019m going to check up on one . . . . \u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 He opened the door and stepped inside.\u00a0\u00a0 The soft light of that near full moon shone in through the window, gilding the entire room with its silvery luminescence.\u00a0\u00a0 Except for the absolute coldest of winter days, Stacy had insisted on sleeping with the curtains wide open, from the first night she had ever slept in this house . . . .<\/p>\n

“The walls and the dark choke me, Pa,\u201d he remembered her saying the morning after that first night.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hafta see the sky, and Grandmother Moon, and the stars.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cChief Red Hawk, a very old friend of mine, once told me that the stars are the spirits of our ancestors and our descendants,\u201d Ben replied with an indulgent smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe also told me that they watch over all of us, who live on the earth, from their place in heaven.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSilver Moon told me that, too, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 She exclaimed, her entire face lighting up like that very first ray of sunshine that finally, inevitably pokes its way through the clouds after the last drops of rain have fallen . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben also remembered Stacy\u2019s words to Dio, Adam\u2019s daughter, the day Adam and his family left to return to their home in Sacramento . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t WANNA go!\u201d Dio sobbed.\u00a0\u00a0 She wrapped her small arms around Aunt Stacy\u2019s waist and clung for dear life.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t wanna leave Grandpa, \u2018n Guinevere, \u2018n Uncle Hoss, \u2018n Uncle Joe . . . \u2018n I \u2018specially don\u2019t wanna leave YOU, Aunt Stacy . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDio, I want you to listen to me.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben heard Stacy\u2019s voice speaking to her distraught niece once again, quiet and gentle, yet very firm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter where we are . . . no matter how far apart we are from each other, every night, we can look up and see Grandmother Moon and the Stars, all Spirits of Those Who Came Before and Will Come After.\u00a0\u00a0 Every night, they smile down on us and watch over us, too.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So when you look up in the sky tonight and see them smiling down on YOU, remember that they smile down on Grandpa, Guinevere, Uncle Joe, Uncle Hoss, and me.\u00a0\u00a0 That will keep us all close until you come back to visit next summer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember Aunt Stacy,\u201d Dio had eagerly promised . . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben smiled, remembering the first letter he had received from Adam, after they had reached Sacramento:<\/p>\n

\u201c . . . . that first night, when Dio said her prayers, after she said the Our Father, better known to you and me as The Lord\u2019s Prayer, she offered a prayer to Grandmother Moon, asking her to send you, Uncle Hoss, Uncle Joe, Aunt Stacy, and Guinevere a smile for her . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben realized then that whenever he had to be away, whether it was a few days on the trail, overseeing the vast Ponderosa, or on longer trips to places like San Francisco, that Stacy looked to the night sky and remembered him.\u00a0\u00a0 Like Dio, Stacy, too, had no doubt offered prayers to a loving and benevolent Grandmother Moon asking her to smile down on him.\u00a0\u00a0 Although she missed him very much when he was gone and was always very glad to see him when he returned, perhaps that explained why, she rarely feared his leaving, as Joe had for many years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill she think of Jason O\u2019Brien, after he returns to school, when she looks up the night sky?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Ben wondered silently.\u00a0\u00a0 He would, frankly, be very surprised if she did NOT.<\/p>\n

What will happen to Stacy and Jason when he does return to school? \u00a0\u00a0Will absence truly make their hearts grow fonder?\u00a0\u00a0 Or would they gradually drift apart? What if hers was the heart that grew fonder, and his the one who forgot?\u00a0\u00a0 Ben had known many young men, whose hearts, lured by the siren call of learning, of all the cultural offerings of a big city from its opera houses and art galleries to its saloons and brothels, and of meeting a great diversity of people from virtually all walks of life . . . ended up drifting irrevocably from the young women waiting for them back home.\u00a0\u00a0 Granted, most of those young women recovered from their broken hearts, met, and married someone else, but the initial grief borne of that love lost still wounded deeply.<\/p>\n

Stacy had suffered so much before coming to live here on the Ponderosa, having spent the formative years of her life among her mother\u2019s family, who, by and large, looked upon her as little better than an intruder.\u00a0\u00a0 They did what they felt to be their bounden duty by her, all the while making their resentment very clear.\u00a0\u00a0 She had left them at the age of six, fleeing in fear of her own life into the night, after having witnessed their deaths at the hands of an angry, embittered, insane uncle.<\/p>\n

Although her life among the Paiute clan of Chief Soaring Eagle was agreeable, she suffered the pain and grief of loss when forcibly separated from them, after the U. S. Calvary rounded them up and moved them on to a reservation.\u00a0\u00a0 Nearly a month of what had to be frightening uncertainty followed, having no family, none that anyone knew of at the time, and facing the dread prospect of one Mrs. Vivian Crawleigh and the Lucia Churchill Hayes Home for Orphans and Foundlings in Ohio.<\/p>\n

Now, she had come to care so much for and about Jason O\u2019Brien.\u00a0\u00a0 If, upon completing his education, he opted not to return home . . . to her . . . she would be devastated.\u00a0\u00a0 Such hardly seemed fair, given all that she had suffered during her brief span of years on earth.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben wished with all his heart that he might protect her from the agony of love unrequited . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, let me ask you something.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A conversation he had with Joe earlier, while they were in town, rose to mind and memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you trust Stacy?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I do!\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d trust her with my life!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019d trust her with YOUR life, doesn\u2019t it make good sense to trust her with her own?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI . . .\u00a0 Pa, I love Stacy very much.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Son.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to see her hurt.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I . . . any more than I want to see you, Hoss, and Adam hurt.\u00a0\u00a0 But, you know . . . looking back . . . it seems all the times I tried my hardest to keep the four of you safe were the times I think I failed the most, and ended up hurting you far worse in many ways than you would have been if I hadn\u2019t tried to be so protective . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing like having my own advice come back to haunt me,\u201d<\/em> Ben groused in silence, shivering in the chilled night air permeating Stacy\u2019s room, an unavoidable consequence of always keeping the curtains open.\u00a0\u00a0 He untied his sash and drew his robe closer about him, then walked over to the side of the bed where Stacy slept, on her side, facing the window.\u00a0\u00a0 He picked up the heavy quilt, lying across the foot of her bed, still neatly folded, and carefully placed it over her.\u00a0\u00a0 He pulled it up over her shoulder, then bent down to kiss her temple.\u00a0\u00a0 Like her brother in the other room, she, too, stirred but did not waken.<\/p>\n

After leaving Stacy\u2019s room, and closing the door behind him, he stepped over in front of the closed door to Hoss\u2019 room.\u00a0\u00a0 He paused, with his hand on the doorknob.\u00a0\u00a0 Tonight, Hoss would not be there.\u00a0\u00a0 This morning, he and Candy had gone with most of the other hands out to the summer pasture to begin rounding up the calves for branding.\u00a0\u00a0 Hugh O\u2019Brien and Brunhilda Odinsdottir, from the Shoshone Queen and Valhalla ranches, respectively, had accompanied Hoss along with men from their spreads.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss, in turn, would give them a hand with their own round ups.\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed softly, then turned and started for the top of the stairs a few yards away, at the end of the hall.<\/p>\n

He had scarcely taken half a dozen steps before abruptly turning back, seized by a sudden, nearly overwhelming desire to in some way be with his second son.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben opened the door and stepped across the threshold, pausing a moment to glance around the room.\u00a0\u00a0 The massive bed, with its towering headboard and posts, hewn from oak and stained a dark cherry-mahogany, dominated the entire room.\u00a0\u00a0 It was neatly made, with Hoss\u2019 green and white gingham nightshirt hanging from the bedpost closest to the door.\u00a0\u00a0 The hinged double frame sitting on his nightstand, on the other side of the bed held pictures of his own mother, Inger, and Marie, Ben\u2019s third wife and the only mother Hoss had known.\u00a0\u00a0 To this day, Hoss still referred to Marie as Mama.<\/p>\n

Ben walked over toward the bed, drawn by the folded quilt, draped across the foot.\u00a0 It was made many, many years ago now, by Hoss\u2019 maternal grandmother, when she was pregnant with Inger, Hoss\u2019 mother.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis quilt has traveled across two continents and an intervening ocean . . . . through many, many years of joys and sorrows,\u201d Ben mused silently as he sat down on the empty bed and gathered up the quilt in his arms.\u00a0\u00a0 It had graced the bed in which he and Inger spent their first night together, as husband and wife, he remembered with a wistful smile.\u00a0\u00a0 They and young Adam spent many nights huddled under it for warmth, as the three of them made the journey west.\u00a0\u00a0 When he saw Hoss for the first time,\u00a0 he, his mother, and Adam were wrapped up in the shelter of this quilt.<\/p>\n

Ben hugged the quilt close as Inger\u2019s face, smiling, so full of hope, rose with crystal clarity before memory\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 When he had knelt down and gathered all three of them . . . . Inger, Adam, and newly born Hoss . . . into his arms, the hope he had seen in her face mirrored the hope bursting in his own heart.\u00a0\u00a0 The future, THEIR future together, as a family, loomed just beyond the next rise along with the immanent fulfillment of the dreams he had so carefully tended and nurtured through countless long sea voyages, the death of his first wife, Elizabeth, and the years he and Adam spent drifting.\u00a0\u00a0 Inger, of course, never knew the fulfillment of that hope, of his dreams that she, during their all too brief time together, had come to share and embrace as her own.\u00a0\u00a0 Less than a month later, she lay dead in his arms, with the shaft of an arrow still in her back.\u00a0\u00a0 Yet a part of her gentle, indomitable spirit lived on in the person of their son, Hoss.<\/p>\n

As Ben placed the quilt back where he had found it, across the foot of Hoss\u2019 bed, carefully, almost reverently smoothing out the folds of the material, Inger\u2019s face blurred, then faded, leaving behind the face of their neighbor, Brunhilda Odinsdottir.\u00a0\u00a0 Hers was a strong face, the face of a Viking warrior, with its wide jaw, cleft chin, and sharp blue eyes, that mirrored the quiet, yet firm, rock like fortitude and strength that permeated her entire being.<\/p>\n

Like himself, Brunhilda had also left Boston, where her father, Doctor Odin Bj\u00f6rnson, taught courses in Norse mythology and the Icelandic Eddas at Harvard University, to travel west in search of a dream.\u00a0\u00a0 While Ben\u2019s dream grew from a desire to participate in the building of a new, and growing nation, Brunhilda Odinsdottir came seeking a place free of the many constraints placed on women,\u00a0 especially in the big cities back east, so that she might make her own mark on the world completely on her own terms.\u00a0\u00a0 Though Valhalla, Brunhilda Odinsdottir\u2019s spread, was smaller than most of her neighbors, it had in recent years become well known for its fine horse stock, second to none including the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

In Hoss, Brunhilda had quite literally met her match.\u00a0 Both genuinely loved the beautiful land surrounding them, with its mountains, lakes, and great diversity of life, plant and animal.\u00a0\u00a0 They saw ownership of Ponderosa and Valhalla as a sacred trust to care and protect the lands placed in their care by virtue of deed and title.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Brunhilda also shared a rich Norse heritage, by virtue of Hoss\u2019 Swedish mother and Brunhilda\u2019s own Icelandic origins.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam and Teresa met Brunhilda last summer, when they came to visit along with their two children and Teresa\u2019s mother, Dolores di Cordova . . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, she\u2019s wonderful,\u201d Ben overheard conversation between his son and daughter-in-law, just before the starting gun for the annual Virginia City Race was fired.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope I have the chance to get better acquainted with her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf things work out the way I\u2019m hopin\u2019 . . . you \u2018n Adam\u2019ll have lots o\u2019 time t\u2019 get t\u2019 know Brunhilda . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Did Hoss at some point intend to ask Brunhilda to marry him?\u00a0\u00a0 Ben remembered fretting over that question for the better part of the week following the race.\u00a0\u00a0 As time passed, he had forgotten the incident, completely forgotten what he had overheard . . .\u00a0 until NOW.<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Teresa were favorably impressed with Brunhilda Odinsdottir of Valhalla.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe, was half in love with her, in the same way he was half in love with his sister\u2013in-law, Teresa, and Stacy absolutely adored her, often looking to her as a role model.\u00a0\u00a0 The only member of the Cartwright family with any sort of reservations regarding Brunhilda was himself.\u00a0\u00a0 Those reservations centered on her son, Frey Brunhildson, who lived with her father back in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrey is a very intelligent, very studious young man, more given to CEREBRAL pursuits,\u00a0 Mister Cartwright,\u201d he remembered her saying at a birthday celebration for one of their neighbors almost two years ago, now.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know as well as I that Boston offers much, much more in the way of resources to pursue those ends.\u00a0\u00a0 If I had brought Frey west with me, he would have been just as unhappy here as I was in Boston.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI . . . think I can see your point, Miss Odinsdottir, but . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what Hoss has told me, Frey is very much like your oldest son, Adam,\u201d she said very quietly, zeroing in on his thoughts with the same, uncanny precision Stacy did whenever he was troubled or worried.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor you . . . and for Adam . . . there was no alternative.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Even if there HAD been an alternative, the thought of leaving Adam permanently behind in Boston was unthinkable.<\/p>\n

Or WAS it?<\/p>\n

Ben had to admit those early years of drifting and uncertainty, of not having a home to call their own, or knowing where their next meal would come from, the summers Adam was forced to go barefoot because he had outgrown one pair of shoes and Ben simply couldn\u2019t afford another pair, had extracted a great toll, not only from himself, but from Adam as well.\u00a0\u00a0 Furthermore, Adam\u2019s intelligence, like Frey\u2019s, made itself manifest early on.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben had taught his oldest son his numbers, how to read, write and do simple arithmetic, but anything even remotely resembling a formal education was out of the question because of their constant moving about.<\/p>\n

The thing Ben most regretted was having robbed Adam of his childhood.\u00a0\u00a0 In the years before he had met and married Inger, Adam, more often than not, worked, too, upwards from eight to twelve hours daily, Monday through Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0 By the time Sunday came around, both of them were far too exhausted to indulge in such frivolous extravagances as play.\u00a0\u00a0 When Inger died, leaving behind an infant son, barely two months old, Adam, a few weeks shy of turning seven, had also stepped into the role of both father and mother, right along with Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 Eight years later, when his third wife, Marie, was tragically killed in a riding accident, seventeen year old Adam stepped in and assumed full parental responsibilities for TWO younger brothers, when his father\u2019s grief mushroomed into a deep, all consuming\u00a0 depression that stretched over the better part of the next two years.<\/p>\n

Those early years had left deep, festering wounds some of which persisted even to this day.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam had found a great measure of healing in going away to college, and in finally settling down in Sacramento several years later, where he had made for himself an excellent reputation as one of that city\u2019s finest architects.\u00a0\u00a0 His marriage to Teresa, and the subsequent births of Benjy and Dio, deepened that healing process, bringing in its wake a deep, abiding peace of mind and a measure of contentment Ben couldn\u2019t recall having ever seen in Adam\u2019s face in all the years he had lived on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

But . . . had there been someone, his parents, or his older brother, John, available to take care of Adam, while he went west to make his own fortune, would he have made the same decision Brunhilda Odinsdottir did regarding her own son, Frey?<\/p>\n

No!\u00a0\u00a0 Absolutely not!<\/p>\n

So HE liked to think, anyway . . . .<\/p>\n

Not even if he had known in advance of all the hardships and the tragedy both would suffer in the intervening years to come?<\/p>\n

The answer to THAT question didn\u2019t come so easily.<\/p>\n

Ben rose from his seat on the edge of Hoss\u2019 bed and walked over toward the window, its curtains closed.\u00a0\u00a0 He lifted one of the curtains and peered outside, looking up into the night sky.\u00a0\u00a0 The moon hung\u00a0 low in the western sky as her path carried her toward the horizon, away from the coming light of dawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeavenly Father,\u201d Ben prayed silently, \u201cplease watch over, keep, and protect Adam, Teresa, Benjy, and Dio, wherever they are, whatever they\u2019re doing tonight.\u00a0\u00a0 I also ask you to keep an eye on Hoss . . . AND Brunhilda.\u00a0\u00a0 Keep THEM safe, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

He started to lower the curtain, intending to turn from the window and head on downstairs to that glass of brandy and book waiting on the coffee table downstairs.\u00a0\u00a0 He paused, as his eyes fell once more on the moon, and lifted the curtain again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGrandmother Moon, from your high vantage point you can see all of my loved ones, no matter how far away some of them may be tonight.\u00a0\u00a0 Please smile down on all of them for me . . . and let them know that I love them very much.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 With that, and a satisfied smile, he left Hoss\u2019 room.<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/p>\n

\u201cNow where d\u2019ya s\u2019pose them two\u2019ve been all night long?\u201d\u00a0 Olaf Erikson, Vallhalla\u2019s chief cook and bottle washer, wondered aloud, as the dark of night slowly gave way to the gray-silvery light of dawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWHICH two?\u201d\u00a0 Candy asked, after gulping down the last of his second cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHEM two!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Olaf inclined his head toward Hoss, and his employer Brunhilda Odinsdottir, both seated together near the campfire, eating breakfast.<\/p>\n

As he poured himself a third cup of coffee, Candy duly noted how close Hoss and Brunhilda sat beside each other, the natural way in which they touched, how quickly and often they seemed to smile at one another.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll tell ya something, Olaf,\u201d he said, trying desperately to squelch the smile threatening to spread across his lips.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBen Cartwright\u2019s my employer, and I\u2019ve come to consider Hoss a very good friend.\u00a0\u00a0 Part of the joys of friendship includes knowing which things are plain and simply none of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYah, I kinda thought so,\u201d Olaf said with a knowing smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

March 2003<\/p>\n

Revised April 2006<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

San Francisco Revisited<\/a>
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n

[i]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Titus Simpson ran for mayor against his friend, Phineas Burke in Bonanza Episode #309, \u201cThe Last Vote,\u201d written by Robert Vincent.<\/p>\n

*********<\/p>\n

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are property of their respective owners.\u00a0 The original characters and plot are property of the author.\u00a0\u00a0 The author is not in any way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise, and makes no money from this work.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0 The younger Cartwright children are in head over heels.\u00a0\u00a0 What are Ben\u2019s thoughts on the matter?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0T\u00a0 (10,650 words)<\/p>\n

Bloodlines Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":8903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,4,3],"tags":[15,17,16],"class_list":["post-6824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-humor","category-romance","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1415,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Heart-01.jpg?fit=370%2C584&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":6824,"position":0},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. 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