Summary:\u00a0 When Hoss and Stacy get caught in a dangerous winter storm on their way home from a hunting trip, help comes from a strange old woman who claims to have known the family for a very long time.<\/p>\n
Part of the series begun in \u201cBloodlines,\u201d and includes the addition of a non-cannon character. This story follows “Between Life And Death.”<\/p>\n
Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (8,370 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Bloodlines<\/a> \n <\/p>\n Orenna<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/p>\n The moon rose, clearing the top most branches of the pine trees towering overhead. Large and rounded as the swollen belly of a woman very soon to give birth, she gazed down benevolently upon the earthly landscape of lake, forest, and distant mountain, blanketed under a pristine white quilt of new fallen snow. Her face, formed by the cast shadows of crater and mountain, was discernable in her enlarged, magnified state, as she hovered just above the treetops. Her gentle silvery light danced upon the ripples of the dark, brooding waters of the lake, and bathed Earth\u2019s snow covering with her gentle brilliance.<\/p>\n Hoss Cartwright silently watched as his young sister, Stacy, stepped out from under the canopy of interlacing tree limbs, branches and pine needles into a large meadow, stretching from the forest to the lake beyond. She looked up at the rising moon and lifted her arms.<\/p>\n A song rose from Stacy\u2019s lips, rising upward like gentle tendrils of smoke from a campfire, gently breaking the heavy silence of the wintery night. The words were Paiute, to Hoss\u2019 ears a collection of vowels and consonants strung together in a long line of unintelligible syllables. Even so, he knew from the sweetness of her simple, yet haunting melody, the reverence, awe, and gratitude in her tone, and uplifted arms, that her song was a prayer of thanksgiving.<\/p>\n As he stood at the edge of the forest, tending their horses, Hoss reveled in the abiding peace welling up from deep within, and permeating his entire being. In that peace, he felt as one with the land stretching out before him and all that called her home; with the moon, stars, sky overhead; with the family that nurtured and sustained him; and with The Creator, from whose hands all things came to be. The awe and gratitude stirring and filling Hoss\u2019 heart, prompted his lips and tongue to give voice to another prayer, one his father had taught him and his brothers many years ago:<\/p>\n \u201cOur Father, Hoss smiled upon hearing Stacy\u2019s voice, speaking softly, as she joined with him in praying the last line:<\/p>\n \u201cFor thine is the kingdom, For a moment, Hoss and Stacy stood together at the edge between forest and meadow, gazing up toward the heavens in silence, loath to break the mystical spell that had fallen upon them.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss, at last, softly prompted. \u201cTime we was moseyin\u2019 on home.\u201d He pointed upward toward the thin, translucent layer of cloud now stretching across the sky as far as the eye could see, veiling the Moon\u2019s face as she began her upward arc toward zenith, blurring her features. A halo of light, dim yet discernable, now encircled the Moon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be seein\u2019 more snow before the night\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy nodded mutely.<\/p>\n Hoss handed her the reins of her horse, Blaze Face, then turned and swung himself up onto the back of his own mount, Chubb. \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you were singin\u2019 a prayer of thanks just now,\u201d he said while attaching the lead, tethered to their supply horse, to his own saddle. \u201cThat song was too pretty to be anything else . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, exactly, WERE ya singin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a prayer to Great Spirit, saying thank you for the land, the plants, and the animals placed in our care,\u201d she replied. \u201cI also thanked Great Spirit for the buck we got . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU got,\u201d Hoss corrected. \u201cThat was mighty fine shootin\u2019, Li\u2019l Sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Big Brother. I also thanked the spirit of the buck for giving HIS life so WE can eat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard ya askin\u2019 that buck if it was all right f\u2019r ya t\u2019 shoot him,\u201d Hoss remembered. \u201cPaiute custom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a good custom. It reminds ME that I\u2019m part o\u2019 ALL the life on this earth, not somethin\u2019 set above \u2018n apart from it, the way too many folks seem t\u2019 think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSilver Moon and Chief Soaring Eagle taught me that. Pa\u2019s taught US that, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep. Pa sure has . . . . \u201d Hoss\u2019 thoughts drifted back to the many occasions their father fought tooth and nail against greedy business men who felt that the devastation and ruin of vast acres of land and the life upon it a just and fair exchange for the added weight of a few more coins lining their pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, when I sang my prayer to Great Spirit? I also asked for blessings on the spirit of this land we call Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Hoss favored his young sister with a bemused smile. \u201cWhat does the spirit of the Ponderosa do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe watches over the land, and everyone who lives on it,\u201d Stacy replied. \u201cThe animals, the plants, even US.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKinda like a guardian angel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Exactly like a guardian angel.\u201d<\/p>\n The peace that had surrounded and filled Hoss began to recede, as ocean waves pull back from the beach, flowing into the water of the next wave approaching. In its place, nebulous feelings of foreboding seemed to take root and sprout.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Li\u2019l Sister?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure that buck back there\u2019ll be enough to feed everyone coming to that party for Brunhilda\u2019s pa and son this Saturday night? I saw the guest list. I\u2019ll bet you guys invited at least half the people living in Nevada.\u201d \u201cNot by much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell don\u2019t you worry none about the food. That buck\u2019ll be plenty, along with the roast beef and roast pig Hop Sing\u2019s plannin\u2019 t\u2019 fix.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cA WHOLE roast pig?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep!\u201d Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWow!\u201d Astonishment quickly gave way to a happy smile. \u201cBrunhilda Odinsdottir\u2019s really special, isn\u2019t she, Big Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss returned Stacy\u2019s smile. \u201cYeah, she is, Li\u2019l Sister. REAL special.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou, uummm . . . gonna ask her to marry you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrunhilda \u2018n I ain\u2019t THAT far along,\u201d Hoss said sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sighed. \u201cSorry, Stacy, I didn\u2019t mean t\u2019 snap at ya just now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019M the one who should apologize,\u201d Stacy said contritely. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t be asking questions that are none of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell ya what! I\u2019ll accept YOUR apology, if you\u2019ll accept MINE.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got yourself a deal, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Brother and sister lapsed into a companionable silence, as their horses carefully made their way through newly fallen, virgin snow.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright, supper ready!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben abruptly stopped his pacing behind the settee mid-stride and glanced up sharply. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin say Mister Cartwright must eat! Mister Cartwright big man! Doctor say big man must eat, get back strength.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s sharp gaze deepened into a dark, angry scowl. \u201cHop Sing, I SAID I wasn\u2019t hungry,\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n Hop Sing\u2019s defiant glare matched Ben\u2019s measure for measure in ferocity. \u201cDoctor say Mister Cartwright must eat, Hop Sing make sure Mister Cartwright eat! Supper ready!\u201d<\/p>\n A short, curt, exasperated sigh exploded past Ben\u2019s lips. \u201cOh, alright! I\u2019m coming!\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing abruptly turned heel and ambled back toward the dining room, muttering a string of terse, clipped Chinese syllables under his breath. \u201cThanks a lot, Pa,\u201d Joe quipped as he stepped inside. \u201cIf I go out and come back in again, do I rate a more enthusiastic greeting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can do without your sarcasm, Joseph Francis!\u201d Ben snapped, shivering against the cold air wafting through the open door. He quickly unbelted his robe and drew it around himself closer. \u201cAnd would you please shut that door, for heaven\u2019s sake? It\u2019s cold enough in here already without you trying to heat up the whole great outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe tried his best not to smile. \u201cGlad to see you\u2019re feeling better, Pa,\u201d he said, as he gently closed the door, \u201cand maybe . . . . just maybe, if you curled up in that chair over there next to the roaring fire Hop Sing\u2019s got going in the fireplace, instead of pacing a trench in the floor behind the settee, you\u2019d be warm as toast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cI\u2019m . . . a little worried about Hoss and Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe removed his gun belt and placed it on the credenza next to the door. \u201cPa, they\u2019re fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey said they\u2019d be home this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey said MAYBE they\u2019d be home this afternoon,\u201d Joe corrected. He hung his hat on the peg beside the front door, then started to unbutton his coat. \u201cYeah, it just started a few minutes ago.\u201d Joe divested himself of scarf and gloves.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t happen to see your brother and sister along the road coming in . . . did you?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cPa, Hoss and Stacy both know those forests and mountains like the backs of their hands. They also know bad weather signs. They\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing say supper ready five . . . ten minutes ago!\u201d The Cartwright family\u2019s chief cook and bottle washer stormed back into the living room, his face a veritable angry thundercloud. \u201cNow supper cold! Go out in garden!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Hop Sing, I, uhhh . . . guess my coming in distracted Pa from the supper table,\u201d Joe apologized.<\/p>\n \u201c \u2018Bout time Little Joe get home!\u201d Hop Sing scolded. \u201cHop Sing coop up all day with stubborn, cantankerous ****!\u201d The word was Chinese. He noted with perverse satisfaction that Number Three Cartwright Son had turned nearly white as a sheet with its utterance. \u201cHop Sing fix supper, now Hop Sing throw supper in garden!\u201d he continued his rant. \u201cHop Sing quit! Go live with number nine cousin in San Francisco!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed and rolled his eyes, not envying Hop Sing one bit for having spent the better part of the day enduring Ben\u2019s company alone. \u201cHop Sing, you\u2019ll do nothing of the sort! Tell you what? Why don\u2019t you go in, heat up our supper and bring it to Pa and me over by the fireplace, where it\u2019s warmer?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing angrily threw up his hands, then returned to the kitchen, again muttering a long string of clipped Chinese syllables.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d sure love to know what he\u2019s saying,\u201d Ben angrily groused under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cNo you don\u2019t, Pa . . . trust me,\u201d Joe said as he placed his hands on his father\u2019s shoulders and steered him toward the warmth of the fireplace.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n What began as an occasional fine dusting of snow filtering down through the interlacing tree branches had intensified into a steady fall of tiny flakes, obscuring visibility to vague shadows of gray fading to black. Hoss and Stacy rode close, side-by-side, carefully guiding their horses, Chubb and Blaze Face, through the ever-deepening snow.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Li\u2019l Sister?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow far away are we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the weather\u2019d held, I\u2019d say about an hour, maybe less,\u201d Hoss said somberly. \u201cBut the way it\u2019s comin\u2019 down now . . . we may need t\u2019 seek shelter \u2018fore long, if this keeps up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no! Hoss, we\u2019ve gotta make it home!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will, Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot eventually . . . TONIGHT! We promised Pa, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably wearing a trench in the floor behind the settee right now,\u201d Stacy murmured dolefully.<\/p>\n \u201cNo probably about THAT!\u201d Hoss had to agree. Though he felt deep regret at the prospect of prolonging their father\u2019s anxiety, the two he felt the sorriest for were Joe and Hop Sing. Pa in his \u201cbrooding mother hen aspect\u201d\u2014 a phrase coined by Adam many years ago\u2014 made co-existence difficult at best. Couple that with the cantankerous, stubborn mule he inevitably turned into in the early recovery stages of illness . . . Hoss shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis may sound kinda crazy, but I can\u2019t shake the feeling we\u2019re being watched.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf YOU\u2019RE goin\u2019 crazy, Li\u2019l Sister, then I reckon I am, too,\u201d Hoss said grimly. \u201cI\u2019ve been feelin\u2019 that since the snow really picked up hard. Chubb, Blaze Face, \u2018n Billy Boy have been actin\u2019 kinda spooky, too. Y\u2019 got your rifle loaded?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep alert. Could be the scent from that deer carcass we got strapped t\u2019 Billy Boy\u2019s been picked up by a hungry cougar or lone wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep alert, Hoss, but I\u2019m NOT feeling somebody out to eat us,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cI feel like were being watched by . . . well, by someone who loves us very much.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n The sound of someone pounding on the front door roused Ben from the light slumber into which he had been lured by the blazing warmth and mesmerizing dance of leaping flame in the massive gray stone fireplace before him. He threw aside the afghan placed over his lap by a thoughtful youngest son, and started to rise.<\/p>\n \u201cStay still, Pa,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy in the world would Hoss and Stacy be knocking on the door?\u201d Ben wondered aloud, punctuating his query with a big yawn.<\/p>\n \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/em> Joe wisely refrained from voicing that sentiment aloud. He quickly crossed the distance between the blue chair he had occupied scant seconds before, and the front door. \u201cWho is it?\u201d he asked tersely, while deftly removing his gun from its holster.<\/p>\n \u201cCandy.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe immediately replaced his gun and opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry to be coming around so late, Joe,\u201d Candy immediately apologized. \u201cJust wanted to let you know we\u2019re back from mending those fences along the north pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just getting back?\u201d Joe asked, noting with dismay that the snow fell thicker and heavier, with no let up in sight.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe cast a quick, furtive glance over his shoulder at his father, still seated on the settee in front of the fire, still blazing in the fireplace. \u201cYou didn\u2019t happen to see any sign of Hoss and Stacy out there . . . did you?\u201d he asked, taking care to keep his voice down.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t see hide nor hair of \u2018em, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Candy said, an anxious frown knotting his brow. \u201cI thought they were supposed to be back earlier on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were. Pa\u2019s been worried sick all night, and I\u2019m getting a mite concerned myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, your brother and sister are sensible level headed people. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ve taken shelter somewhere along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Candy. Hopefully this storm\u2019ll clear out by morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven if it doesn\u2019t, they took along enough food to last \u2018em a couple of days. They\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cI know. I just hope I can convince Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t envy you THAT task, Joe,\u201d Candy said somberly. \u201cSee you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night.\u201d Joe closed the door, then took a deep breath, mentally bracing himself to face his father, staring over at him anxiously from his place on the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d Ben demanded, as Joe turned to face him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was Candy. He wanted to let me know that the men just returned from fence mending duty along that north pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Hoss and Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed. \u201cThey . . . didn\u2019t see \u2018em, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben bolted right out of his seat. \u201cI\u2019m getting dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat for?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cIt\u2019s time the two of us turned in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to go out and look for your brother and sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver my dead body!\u201d Joe growled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d best not stand in my way, Boy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, will you for heaven\u2019s sake, listen to reason? That snow\u2019s coming down so hard, you can\u2019t see your hand in front of your face,\u201d Joe said tersely. \u201cYou go out there now, you\u2019ll end up with pneumonia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! The only place YOU\u2019RE going within the next few minutes is upstairs to bed! And you\u2019re gonna stay there until morning, if I have to hogtie ya!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, I\u2019ll thank to keep a civil tongue in your head when you\u2019re speaking to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll address you with civil tongue when you start using your head,\u201d Joe rounded on his father furiously. \u201cIf you sat down and thought about things for a minute, you\u2019d realize that Hoss and Stacy had the good sense to seek shelter hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss told me he and Stacy intended to head west! Toward Tahoe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe told ME the same thing. So what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHERE, Joseph, as in WHERE are they going to find shelter? We have no line shacks out that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have WOODS, Pa. That means trees! If need be they could tie together a bunch of tree branches and make a lean to for shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Hoss as well as I do. When it comes to food he over packs every bit as much as a young lady off on an over night trip somewhere. He and Stacy probably have enough to last \u2018em clear into next week. They\u2019ll be ALRIGHT, Pa, and they\u2019ll be home, too . . . safe \u2018n sound, once this snow storm clears out.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s anger quickly evaporated in the harsh light of reason. Joe was absolutely right on all counts. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Son,\u201d he murmured contritely.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, too, Pa,\u201d Joe said, his father\u2019s apology taking much of the angry wind from his own sails.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were also right when you said it\u2019s past time we turned in,\u201d Ben added, with a wan smile. \u201cI\u2019m going up. You coming?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a little while,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m going to wait \u2018til the fire dies down a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf Hoss and Stacy happen to arrive home while you\u2019re still up . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll wake you if they do, Pa. That\u2019s a promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better. Good night, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Billy Boy spooked first. The big gelding whinnied, then reared, snapping the line tethering him to Hoss\u2019 saddle. Once free, he bolted right through the middle between Hoss and Stacy, moving at a full, panicked gallop. The sharp tugging of Billy Boy\u2019s lead, pulling against Hoss\u2019 saddle set Chubb off in nearly the same instant. Less than a second later, Blaze Face began to rear and bolt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, Blaze Face, whoa!\u201d Stacy yelled. Squeezing tight with her thighs and grasping the reins for dear life, Stacy desperately labored to halt Blaze Face\u2019s blind, reckless flight through the forest. His terror finally abated, after a seeming eternity, leaving both horse and rider exhausted, gasping for breath.<\/p>\n As her breathing gradually resumed its normal pattern, Stacy suddenly realized she was alone. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n No answer.<\/p>\n \u201cHOSS!\u201d<\/p>\n Still no answer.<\/p>\n With heart in mouth, Stacy quickly dismounted, half climbing-half falling out of the saddle. She turned, searching for the tracks she and Blaze Face almost certainly left in their frantic wake. There was nothing. The falling snow had filled everything in that quick.<\/p>\n \u201cHOSS!\u201d she shouted again, this time at the top of her lungs.<\/p>\n \u201cChild?\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy whirled in her tracks and found herself staring into the craggy, careworn face of an old woman, with light, smoky gray hair, as long as her own, pulled back and cinched at the nape of her neck with a leather tie. She wore no hat or scarf. Her only wrap was a cape, which she kept drawn around her thin, frail body.<\/p>\n \u201cChild, can you spare me a morsel of food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have much, Ma\u2019am, not since Billy Boy, our supply horse bolted,\u201d Stacy replied. \u201cBut you\u2019re welcome to what ever I have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome, Child. You\u2019re shivering. My home is there . . . . \u201d the old woman pointed, \u201cjust through those trees.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to find my brother,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cWe were separated when something, probably a hungry wild animal panicked our horses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother . . . is he a big fella, with one o\u2019 them ten gallon hats?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI found him . . . back there a piece.\u201d Again, the old woman pointed. \u201cHe\u2019s fine, Child. He\u2019s in my house right now waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he alright?\u201d Stacy queried anxiously, as she fell in step along side the old woman.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sprained his ankle when he fell off his horse. Otherwise, he\u2019s fine.\u201d The old woman smiled. \u201c \u2018Cept for bein\u2019 worried sick about YOU.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy silently followed the old woman as she made her way through the trees, leading Blaze Face behind her. She was astonished to find that the group of trees had somehow formed a copse in the shape of a near perfect circle. At the outer edge, on the other side, she spotted the rounded form of a house made of earth and rock, not unlike the Navajo hogan.<\/p>\n \u201cYou g\u2019won inside, Child,\u201d the old woman said, as they stepped to the edge of the tree circle. \u201cI have a place around back to stable your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, I can stable Blaze Face, if you\u2019d show me where, exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re pert near soaked through to the skin, Child. Y\u2019 need t\u2019 get yourself in out of this wet \u2018n cold, \u2018fore y\u2019 find yourself down sick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cB-but . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can manage, Child. I\u2019m a whole lot stronger \u2018n I look. Now git on inside with ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-Yes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cYou\u2019ll find what food I have in my saddle bags.\u201d<\/p>\n The old woman nodded mutely, then led Blaze Face around to the backside of the earthen bungalow.<\/p>\n Stacy hurried on inside the old woman\u2019s house, and found Hoss waiting, as she had promised. He sat on the floor on a fur rug, his back propped against the far wall, his ankle bandaged. With a cry, borne of vast, profound relief, Stacy ran across the large room and dropped down on the floor beside him. \u201cHoss! Thank God!\u201d she half sobbed as she threw her arms around his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cAmen to that, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss murmured as he gathered his young sister in his arms and held her close for a moment. \u201cYou alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am NOW. How \u2018bout YOU, Big Brother? The old woman said you had a sprained ankle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m gonna be limpin\u2019 around for the next few days,\u201d Hoss said ruefully. \u201cIt all happened so fast. I didn\u2019t even have time to realize Billy Boy\u2019d panicked n\u2019 ran, when all of a sudden, Chubb got spooked. One minute I was on HIS back, the next I\u2019m on the ground flat on MINE. How\u2019d you do with Blaze Face?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he was NEVER gonna stop running! I stayed with him, though. How I don\u2019t know . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Hoss grinned. \u201cThat saddle o\u2019 yours must be made o\u2019 some kinda glue, instead o\u2019 leather. I\u2019m sure glad you managed t\u2019 stay with Blaze Face, Li\u2019l Sister, \u2018cause it\u2019s a long way from here back to the house on foot.\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened, and the old woman entered, carrying Stacy\u2019s saddlebags and canteen. \u201cI found three cans o\u2019 beans and a can o\u2019 corn,\u201d she announced as she shook off the snow that had piled on her shoulders and in her hair. She looked over, making eye contact with Stacy. \u201cThis\u2019ll make a real fine dinner for the three o\u2019 us. Would you mind giving me a hand, Child?\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy gave Hoss one last reassuring squeeze, then leapt to her feet. \u201cMy name\u2019s Stacy,\u201d she said by way of introduction, \u201cand I\u2019ll do what I can to help, but I have to warn you. I\u2019m not much of a cook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do the cookin\u2019, Stacy. I just need YOU to fetch \u2018n carry . . . startin\u2019 with a can opener. You\u2019ll find it in m\u2019 tool box over yonder, by the door.\u201d She pointed.<\/p>\n Stacy located the toolbox and threw open the lid. \u201cHere it is!\u201d she announced a moment later.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Stacy. I go by a lotta names, but you c\u2019n call me Orenna.\u201d She took the can opener from Stacy and set to work opening the cans. \u201cThere\u2019s a bottle o\u2019 wine right over here, lyin\u2019 just outta m\u2019 reach. If you c\u2019n hand that up to me . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere you are, Miss Orenna.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Now hangin\u2019 up above me\u2019s a mess o\u2019 dried herbs. I\u2019ll tell y\u2019 which ones I need . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna, that was one real fine meal,\u201d Hoss complimented the chef with a weary smile, after scooping up the very last morsel from his dish.<\/p>\n \u201cNever dreamed canned beans \u2018n corn could taste so good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Big Brother here said, goes for me, too,\u201d Stacy said.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLookin\u2019 around, I don\u2019t see much here in t\u2019 way o\u2019 food,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cIf y\u2019d like, after this storm\u2019s over, we can fetch y\u2019 back some supplies from OUR larder.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo need, Hoss, I can well manage, but thank you very much for your generous offer.\u201d Orenna looked over at Hoss and smiled. \u201cThis storm\u2019ll be well over by tomorrow mornin\u2019. The Spirits o\u2019 the Sky \u2018n Wind told me so. By the time y\u2019 wake up, the sun\u2019ll be shinin\u2019 with nary a cloud in the sky. I\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuite sure,\u201d Orenna said firmly. \u201cNow why don\u2019t I gather up these dishes . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU stay still, Miss Orenna,\u201d Stacy said as she deftly rose to her feet. \u201cI\u2019LL take care of the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou needn\u2019t do that, Stacy. You\u2019re a guest in my home, after all . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and a GOOD guest makes him or herself useful,\u201d Stacy said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t argue with her, Miss Orenna,\u201d Hoss advised with a smile. \u201cThat li\u2019l sister o\u2019 mine can be more stubborn than an ornery ol\u2019 mule, when she takes a notion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks a lot, Big Brother,\u201d Stacy retorted good naturedly, as she finished gathering together all of the dishes and eating implements.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna, how long you been livin\u2019 round these parts?\u201d Hoss asked, as Stacy set to work cleaning the dishes.<\/p>\n \u201cI been around for a very, very, very long time, Hoss. Long before your pa, even.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked over at their hostess, surprised. \u201cYou know our pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve met on a number of occasions, one way or t\u2019 other. He\u2019s a good man. Been real good to the land, \u2018n all us what calls her home. I knew he was that kind when he first came with you \u2018n Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2019 mean . . . you \u2018n I\u2019ve met before?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou was just a wee tyke, then, but I used t\u2019 come visit, \u2018n we\u2019d take walks, you \u2018n me.\u201d<\/p>\n Her words stirred up vague shadows from the deepest depths of his memory, as elusive and intangible as the smoke rising from the fire in the center of the house up to the hole in the roof directly above. Images formed, for the briefest of seconds, before returning to their true forms of smoke and mist. Hoss tried desperately to hold on to the images as they formed, only to discover that the harder he tried, the quicker they slipped right through his fingers.<\/p>\n Orenna looked over at Hoss with a kind, indulgent smile. \u201cAs I said, you was a wee tyke, Hoss. You\u2019ll remember when the time\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just hope PA\u2019S gonna be alright,\u201d Stacy said quietly, as she finished cleaning the dishes. She stacked them, clean and dry next to the fireplace, before rejoining Orenna and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cI told Pa we might be back this afternoon,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just getting over a bad bout of cold,\u201d Stacy continued. \u201cBeing worried about the two of US can\u2019t be helping him any.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . an\u2019 now, we don\u2019t even have that buck t\u2019 show f\u2019r it,\u201d Hoss sighed. \u201cThe critter that spooked our horses probably needed t\u2019 eat that deer meat more \u2018n WE did, though I feel real bad about loosin\u2019 Billy Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur stock horse, Miss Orenna,\u201d Stacy added.<\/p>\n \u201cHorses generally have a knack for findin\u2019 their way home,\u201d Orenna said quietly. \u201cDon\u2019t be surprised if y\u2019 find Billy Boy there, waiting. And, Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Orenna?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t YOU worry none \u2018bout your pa. He probably WAS a trifle anxious at first, but I\u2019m sure along the way, he\u2019s figured out that you two\u2019d take shelter somewhere. When he looks out his window \u2018n sees them blue skies come mornin\u2019 he\u2019s gonna know the pair o\u2019 you\u2019ll be home soon after, safe \u2018n sound.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Miss Orenna,\u201d Stacy said gratefully, knowing, somehow that the old woman spoke true.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry you had t\u2019 loose out on your first kill like y\u2019 did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cH-how\u2019d you know . . . .?\u201d<\/p>\n Orenna smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re young yet. I kinda figured this might be your first huntin\u2019 trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell . . . like Hoss said, the critter that got it probably needed it more \u2018n WE did,\u201d she said philosophically, \u201cand besides, I can still TELL Pa and Joe all about it. Hoss can vouch for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s gettin\u2019 on late an\u2019 the pair o\u2019 YOU still got a long trip ahead o\u2019 ya in t\u2019 mornin\u2019,\u201d Orenna said. \u201cIf \u2018n I\u2019m not here when y\u2019 git up? I\u2019ll leave y\u2019 a spot o\u2019 breakfast next t\u2019 the fireplace. Stacy, you\u2019ll find Blaze Face in t\u2019 stable out back saddled \u2018n ready t\u2019 go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Miss Orenna,\u201d Stacy said.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you f\u2019r everything, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss added gratefully. \u201cYou probably ended up savin\u2019 our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe Cartwright woke up the following morning as the silver gray light of dawn filtered in through the windows, driving the dimming shadows of night back into their corners. He winced against the stiffness in his back and neck, as he struggled to rise from prone to sitting. He realized, belatedly, that he had fallen asleep on the settee downstairs.<\/p>\n The sound of horses outside immediately captured his attention. Joe leapt to his feet, bolted across the room and threw open the front door. For the space of a few seconds, each one a dreadful eternity, he stood rooted to the sport staring at Billy Boy and Chubb. There was no sign at all of Blaze Face, or of the horses\u2019 human companions.<\/p>\n \u201cH-Hoss? Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n There was no answer.<\/p>\n \u201cOh d-dear God,\u201d Joe murmured softly, upon realizing his brother and sister were not there. With heart thudding wildly against his chest, he darted out of the house and across the yard to take a closer look at the two horses.<\/p>\n Both Billy Boy and Chubb had been running through the storm, probably through the better part of the night, judging from the way their coats were caked with snow and ice. It was a miracle the horses made it home at all. By all rights, they should be lying dead somewhere, from exhaustion and the cold. Billy Boy\u2019s back legs and rear end were smeared with blood. Joe grabbed hold of Billy Boy\u2019s halter and held on for dear life as the muscle and bone in his legs turned to rubber. He could feel the acrid, telltale sting of tears burning in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Joe spat angrily, forcing back the torrent of fear and grief that threatened to inundate him. \u201cLater.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced up sharply, and found himself staring into the anxious faces of Candy and Hank.<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard the horses,\u201d Candy said. \u201cWe thought maybe . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Joe felt his heart plummeting to his feet at Candy\u2019s words. \u201cNo,\u201d he curtly shook his head. \u201cI . . . I had hoped you were going to tell me Hoss \u2018n Stacy were in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not. I haven\u2019t seen hide nor hair o\u2019 Blaze Face, either,\u201d Hank said somberly.<\/p>\n \u201cHank . . . Candy, I\u2019d like you both to saddle your horses,\u201d Joe said, blinking again against the tears stinging his eyes. He fell silent for a moment, long enough to take several quick, shallow breaths, and swallow. \u201cSaddle Cochise, too, if you would.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe slowly, reluctantly turned and glanced up. He saw his father, as he knew he would, leaning out of his open bedroom window, clutching the edges of his dark maroon robe close around himself against the frigid cold without.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be r-right there, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be out here, waiting,\u201d Candy promised. \u201cYou want us to roust up any of the other men?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cGet Mitch to stable Chubb and Billy Boy,\u201d he ordered. \u201cWake Jacob, Jack, maybe a couple of the others. Tell \u2018em to dress, get their horses saddled. I want to move out as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Candy and Hank nodded. The former took charge of Chubb and Billy Boy while the latter ran toward the bunkhouse.<\/p>\n Joe took a moment to steel himself for the ordeal that lay just ahead, before turning heel and walking resolutely toward the house. Inside, he found his father waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He took a long, slow, very deep breath. \u201cPa, Chubb and Billy Boy turned up in the yard just now.\u201d He was amazed at how calm his voice sounded in his own ears. \u201cAlone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlaze Face?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo sign. Candy, Hank, and I are going out with some of the men to search.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and Stacy are alright, Joe,\u201d Ben said quietly, with deep conviction. \u201cSon, I promise you . . . your brother and sister are alright. G\u2019won now, and bring them home. You\u2019ll find them on the road that runs between here and Tahoe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cO-Ok, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe left the house with a heavy heart, half fearing that his father had, at some time during the night, slipped over the edge of sanity. How else could he be so sure Hoss and Stacy were alright in the face of two lone horses? At the same time he felt a keen measure of guilty relief. If Pa wanted to believe Hoss and Stacy were fine, so be it. For now, anyway! That would at least guarantee that he would stay put long enough for Joe to do what he had to do. Outside, Candy, Hank, Jacob, and four other men waited with their horses. Cochise was also saddled and ready to ride, as Candy and Hank had promised.<\/p>\n The men rode in grim silence, back tracking the prints left by Chubb and Billy Boy. With each step, a hand of stone closed tighter and tighter around Joe\u2019s heart, bringing an iciness within far colder than the freezing cold and biting winds with out. He had a vague awareness of Candy riding close along side, to his right, casting the occasional anxious furtive glance, without intrusion. Hank followed on his left, a few yards behind. Somewhere beyond the growing stone and ice, in that part of his heart the would always, no matter what, remain flesh and blood, Joe felt a measure of gratitude for Candy\u2019s and Hank\u2019s presence, and their strength.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Candy\u2019s voice cut through his grim thoughts, through all the ice and stone, like a hot knife through butter. \u201cWh-what is it?\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cLook.\u201d Candy pointed.<\/p>\n Joe turned and saw a two people, riding one horse. The sun\u2019s glare, reflecting off the white snow had reduced them to mere shadows. Still, he felt an odd quickening inside. Dared he actually hope?<\/p>\n \u201cHELLO!\u201d Candy shouted as he peered ahead at the two riders and horse.<\/p>\n \u201cCANDY?\u201d That was Stacy. \u201cHEY, GRANDPA! THAT YOU?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe never heard her greeting. He was busy egging Cochise on, to a full gallop. Candy, grinning from ear to ear, hung back, as did the more taciturn Hank. The four men with them followed suit.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cTh-thank God!\u201d Joe murmured softly, those simple words a genuine, heartfelt prayer of deepest gratitude, as he gently squeezed Stacy\u2019s hand and touched Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ok, Joe?\u201d Stacy queried anxiously, as she peered into his weary, careworn face. She also noted his eyes, sparkling with more brightness than usual, blinking excessively.<\/p>\n \u201cI will be.\u201d Joe managed a half decent smile for the benefit of his older and younger siblings. \u201cI . . . I\u2019m afraid I feared the worst, when . . . . \u201d He broke off suddenly, unable to speak.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Chubb \u2018n Billy Boy showed up without us?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Joe glanced over at his big brother sharply. \u201cYes. H-how\u2019d you know?\u201d Joe looked over at Hoss, his brow knotting into a bewildered frown. \u201cWho\u2019s Miss Orenna?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe old woman who lives in the woods,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cShe gave us shelter last night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no one living in those woods, Stace,\u201d Joe said, looking from his brother to his sister in complete bewilderment.<\/p>\n \u201cSure there is. I\u2019ll take you back and show you, if you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnother time, Kid,\u201d Joe said firmly. \u201cRight now, we\u2019ve gotta get home. Pa\u2019s waiting. He seemed in a patient enough mood when I left, but ten\u2019ll getcha one it won\u2019t last long. Hoss, why don\u2019t we shift you over to Cooch here . . . and give Blaze Face a respite?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea, Li\u2019l Brother,\u201d Hoss agreed, \u201cseein\u2019 as how we been travelin\u2019 since sun up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve gotta be careful,\u201d Stacy warned. \u201cHoss sprained his ankle when our horses panicked . . . and Chubb dumped him.\u201d<\/p>\n With able assistance from Joe, Stacy, and Candy, Hoss managed to move from Blaze Face\u2019s back to Cochise. The return home took far less time than the ride out, or so it seemed to Joe. Traveling with a lighter heart, one made entirely of flesh and blood, certainly lightened the load.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, you and Hoss g\u2019won in the house,\u201d Joe said, as they rounded the barn and rode into the yard between the barn door and the house. \u201cWe\u2019ll stable Blaze Face.\u201d<\/p>\n The instant Hoss and Stacy stepped up onto the front porch, the front door opened. Ben stood just inside waiting. He deftly helped his returning son and daughter remove coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, then with Stacy\u2019s assistance, settled Hoss on the settee with his injured ankle propped up on the coffee table, resting comfortably on the largest, softest cushion in the house. Ben sat down on the settee next to Hoss, and invited Stacy to sit down on the empty place on his other side.<\/p>\n Hop Sing, grinning from ear to ear entered, bearing a tray with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. \u201cMister Hoss . . . Miss Stacy, Hop Sing glad you back.\u201d He placed the tray down on the coffee table and parceled out the large mugs, generously filled, first to Stacy, then Hoss. \u201cDrink up, Miss Stacy . . . Mister Hoss! Best drink when hot!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo argument from ME,\u201d Stacy declared, as she contentedly sipped from the mug in hand.<\/p>\n Hop Sing turned, favoring Ben with a dark, withering glare in Ben\u2019s general direction. \u201cYou, too, Mister Cartwright. Drink up while hot!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben flinched under Hop Sing\u2019s intense scrutiny. \u201cHop Sing, I . . . I must\u2019ve apologized a thousand times since last night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright . . . Mister Hoss, Little Joe, and Miss Stacy all very bad when sick, but YOU worse! MUCH worse! Million times worse!\u201d Hop Sing turned heel and ambled back out toward the kitchen, trailing a long string of Chinese invectives behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was THAT all about?\u201d Stacy wondered aloud, her eyes momentarily glued to Hop Sing\u2019s retreating back.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I wanna know,\u201d Hoss said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t,\u201d Ben said ruefully. He slipped one arm around Stacy\u2019s shoulders, and the other around Hoss\u2019 and hugged them close for a moment. \u201cI want to hear all about your hunting trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish you could\u2019ve seen the buck we shot, Pa . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYOU shot, Li\u2019l Sister,\u201d Hoss corrected her with a proud smile. \u201cHe was a big \u2018un.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEight points, Pa! One of the points was chipped, though. Unfortunately, we lost \u2018im when our horses spooked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figure a cougar got \u2018im. The buck that is! Stacy \u2018n I found cougar tracks this mornin\u2019, right near where we think the horses spooked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a wonder that cougar didn\u2019t get Billy Boy, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEight points, spooked horses, cougar tracks, Billy Boy?\u201d Ben echoed, looking anxiously from one to the other. \u201cSounds like you two had quite a night. I think maybe you should start again . . . from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Stacy proceeded to recount the details of their hunting venture, coherently, and in chronological order, up to the place where their horses spooked.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and I ended up spending the night with a friend of yours, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned. \u201cReally? Who?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, I\u2019m afraid the name doesn\u2019t ring a bell,\u201d Ben said, shaking his head. \u201cWhat was her last name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna said she\u2019d been livin\u2019 in those woods since long before you, me, \u2018n Adam came, Pa,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cThe way she talked about ya, well, she sounded like she knew ya real well.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben silently wracked his brains, searching his long memory for anyone bearing even the slightest resemblance to Miss Orenna. He turned up nothing. \u201cMaybe if you tell me what she looks like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s an old woman now, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cA real old woman! But from the look of her, she couldn\u2019t o\u2019 been all that young when we first came here, t\u2019 Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed, and shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but for the life of me, I just can\u2019t seem to recall ANYONE named Orenna. Where did you say she lives?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the woods headin\u2019 east away from Tahoe,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cGot herself a real cozy house made o\u2019 earth, not too far from where our horses spooked.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo am I!\u201d Stacy declared with an emphatic nod of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . Stacy . . . there\u2019s no one living in those woods,\u201d Ben protested, looking from one to the other skeptically, as if they had both taken not only leave of their senses, but of their very sanity. \u201cThere CAN\u2019T be!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I tried to tell \u2018em.\u201d It was Joe, he stood over beside the front door, removing his hat and coat.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Orenna WAS there, Grandpa, and so was her house,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cIf SHE hadn\u2019t been . . . I\u2019m not so sure Hoss and I would be HERE, not the way that snow was coming down . . . and a cougar, scaring away our supply horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis makes no sense,\u201d Ben mused aloud, shaking his head again in complete and utter bewilderment. \u201cSurely . . . I\u2019d know about someone living in the woods, who had been there before we came.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, there\u2019s somethin\u2019 else about Miss Orenna that don\u2019t quite make sense,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWhen we got t\u2019 talkin\u2019 after dinner, Miss Orenna said she used t\u2019 come \u2018n visit, back when I was real li\u2019l,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cShe told me the two o\u2019 us took walks together. When she said that . . . . \u201d his brow knotted into a puzzled frown, \u201cshe stirred up somethin\u2019 familiar inside.\u201d<\/p>\n A faraway look stole over Ben\u2019s dark brown eyes, prompting a wistful, nostalgic smile. \u201cYou know, Son . . . the way you and Stacy have been talking about Miss Orenna kind of reminds me of an imaginary friend you used to have, back when the three of us, Adam, you, and I, came. She was an old woman, too, who came, sang to you, took you for walks. But, HER name was Renn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWren?\u201d Stacy asked. \u201cLike the bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Li\u2019l Sister, NOT like the bird,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cIt was RENN . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly his eyes went round, bulging right out of their sockets. His jaw dropped. \u201cI-I just thought o something! Renn could be short f\u2019r ORENNA!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Big Brother! It could!\u201d Stacy agreed.<\/p>\n Ben digested everything his son and daughter had told him about the old woman living in the woods in thoughtful silence. At length, he glanced over at his youngest son, seated on the coffee table near Stacy. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat drawing I have framed on my dresser. Would you go get it, please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Pa. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever told YOU this, but when we . . . Hoss, Adam, and I . . . first arrived in Nevada, my friend, Chief Red Hawk, came with his medicine woman, Owl Woman,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe wanted her to do a medicine journey, to contact the guardian spirit of this land, the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n An amused smile tugged at the corner of Ben\u2019s mouth. \u201cI was getting ready to stake out a claim to the first parcel of land for what\u2019s become the Ponderosa. The paperwork had been drawn up, and I had paid the necessary fees. I think maybe Chief Red Hawk wanted to make sure the guardian spirit approved of us before I put my name to the dotted line.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas Owl Woman able to contact the Ponderosa\u2019s spirit guardian?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe claimed that she did,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ponderosa\u2019s guardian spirit must have approved of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled. \u201cAs a matter of fact, yes. She did. Owl Woman also told me that the Ponderosa\u2019s spirit guardian had called out to me over \u2018great distance and throughout many years.\u2019 Those were her exact words. Owl Woman was also a very fine artist as well as medicine woman. She drew a picture of the Ponderosa guardian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got it, Pa,\u201d Joe announced from the top landing, before bounding back down the stairs, two and three at a time. He crossed the distance separating his family from the bottom of the stairs and placed the small-framed charcoal drawing into his father\u2019s outstretched hands.<\/p>\n Stacy and Hoss edged closer for a better look. It was the portrait of a very old woman, with long, silver gray hair.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss! That\u2019s her!\u201d Stacy gasped, her eyes round as saucers. \u201cThat\u2019s Miss Orenna!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sure as shootin\u2019 is!\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cAn\u2019, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s also Renn. It\u2019s all comin\u2019 back t\u2019 me now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOwl Woman also told me that, according to the beliefs of her people, the spirits who guard the land also guard those who love the land,\u201d Ben said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cThen this Miss Orenna who supposedly looked after the two of you must be the spirit who guards the Ponderosa . . . and looks after US, too,\u201d Joe said. \u201cGiven all the facts, that\u2019s the ONLY explanation that makes any kind of sense to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one time, Li\u2019l Brother, I ain\u2019t gonna argue with ya,\u201d Hoss declared. \u201cMiss Orenna told us Billy Boy\u2019d make home safe \u2018n sound, an\u2019 she also told us the weather\u2019d be clear by mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe also promised Hoss and me that YOU wouldn\u2019t worry too much about us, Pa,\u201d Stacy said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cI DID have a few anxious moments . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA FEW, Pa?\u201d Joe quipped without missing a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe WAS able to convince me that the two of you were going to be alright,\u201d Ben continued, favoring his youngest son with a \u2018don\u2019t-you-dare-say-ONE-word\u2019 warning glare. Joe returned the glare with a smug \u2018cat-that-ate-the-canary\u2019 smile. \u201cBut when I woke up this morning, saw the blue sky, I somehow knew the two of you were alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust like Miss Orenna said, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing returned to the great room a few moments later to collect the empty hot chocolate mugs. \u201cMiss Stacy, Hop Sing almost forget. Old woman come to Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen, leave gift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d She frowned. \u201cA gift? That\u2019s strange . . . my birthday\u2019s passed and it\u2019s not Christmas yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStrange old woman,\u201d Hop Sing murmured, as he placed the mugs back on the tray. \u201cMust cross garden to reach kitchen door. Snow cover garden. Old woman make no foot prints.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy gasped. She looked up at Hop Sing through eyes round with astonishment. \u201cDid y-you say . . . that the old woman left . . . n-no foot prints?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo foot prints!\u201d Hop Sing readily affirmed. \u201cOld woman make no foot prints!\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy and Hoss exchanged glances through eyes round with astonishment.<\/p>\n A moment later, the former leapt to her feet. \u201cHop Sing? Where\u2019s the gift the old woman left?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing leave gift for Miss Stacy on table in dining room.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy slipped past Hop Sing and ran headlong toward the dining room. She returned a few moments later, smiling broadly, carrying a deer antler in each hand. \u201cHop Sing, the old woman who came to your door? She must have been Miss Orenna. These are the antlers from the buck I shot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow can you be so sure they\u2019re the antlers from the buck you shot, Little Sister?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cDeer antlers are . . . well, deer antlers.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy handed the right antler over to the youngest of her three older brothers for closer inspection. \u201cSee there, where the point\u2019s chipped?\u201d She pointed. \u201cThe buck I shot had that exact same chip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can vouch f\u2019r that, Joe,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019tcha g\u2019won, take the antlers up t\u2019 your room, \u2018n put \u2018em some place safe f\u2019r now? After this ankle mends, I\u2019ll make a mount to display \u2018em proper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be great, Hoss. Thanks!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an impressive keepsake from your first hunting trip, Stace,\u201d Joe said smiling. \u201cWhere do figure on hanging \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought about that,\u201d Stacy said with a shrug. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll hang them up in my room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just thinking of finding a place for them down here, and maybe put this picture with them,\u201d Ben said, casting a glance down at the portrait cradled in his hands, if it\u2019s alright with YOU, of course . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, it\u2019s ok with ME, Pa,\u201d Stacy said. \u201cJust out of curiosity, why do you want to keep my antlers and your picture down here? Any particular reason?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs a matter of fact, yes, there IS a particular reason, Young Woman. I figured that displaying the antlers and picture someplace prominent down here would help us think of Miss Orenna a little more often.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 January 2003 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Revised July 2008<\/p>\n Next Story in the Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Clarissa Returns<\/a> <\/p>\n All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are property of the author. 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. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n
\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
\nwhich art in Heaven,
\nhallowed be thy name.
\nThy Kingdom come,
\nthy will be done,
\non Earth as it is in Heaven.
\nGive us this day our daily bread,
\nand forgive us our debts
\nas we forgive our debtors.
\nAnd lead us not into temptation,
\nbut deliver us from evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nand the power,
\nand the glory,
\nforever.
\nAmen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHoss laughed out loud. \u201cYou exaggerate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe front door opened, drawing Ben\u2019s undivided, hopeful attention. \u201cOh. It\u2019s you!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBen noticed the generous dusting of white on his youngest son\u2019s shoulders for the first time. \u201cIs it snowing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJoe, who had mentally and physically braced himself to face the ferocious temperament of a mother tiger, crouched, ready to spring in defense of her helpless cubs, could only stare over at his father. Ben\u2019s surprising calm serenity had rendered Joe wholly and utterly speechless.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMiss Orenna told us, Li\u2019l Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHoss, are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n