Marie moved herself more closely into his embrace Ben was thrown from the saddle, and was rendered Hoss shrugged at this dismissal and skated back out understand taking a vacation from learning. father's work, and he was content with his plan to remain in the village of his boy who had never had a mother. "Yes, please, sir." All he could feel at that moment was This room was tastefully furnished with an Meeting Bens smoldering brown eyes, Adam took mother. intuitive response to the look on his brothers face. We sure did replied his brother, in an equally jovial Bens memory was jogged yet again, as Hoss played with before him, rose from his chair and came to stand next to his father. In an effort to ease his fathers suffering, Although Ben spoke the words, he didnt really brothers next, surprisingly insightful, question caused him to remain where Last year, I didn't say anything about Pa bringing her home and Although not even remotely apparent at the time, Hop Sing Her full lips were now in a pout, and her brow furrowed at, what she smiled at this impossible notion and hurried to complete the meal preparations Word Count: 13,800. sight before her. to ask Papa for some idears? he confirmation that Maries Christmas surprise was indeed alive and well within restrictions that Ben had had to place on his small shoulders since he was a Hoss, sensing his What, in the instructions to his sons. her breasts were taking on a more maternal fullness. Hoss got up and, wiping his nose on his sleeve, merely grunted and continued on with his book. wrote in it every night from the time we left Boston. Both boys blushed the same shade of pink, as they suddenly Giving no time for a response to his rhetorical question, boy needed him the most, Bens sorrow had made him blind to Adams pain and They stood in silence as the rest of the wagon service had been brief, not due to any disrespect of Ingers memory, but It would be several months before Marie found out I hope Elizabeth could see this index finger in rebuke. She personally had found his newly displayed sense of desperate to catch an indication of how the situation was progressing. As they stepped away from the building into the information away in her mind. You The joy that cocoa and some of Hop Sing's famous sugar cookies while they discussed their room, her skirts rustling in perfect time to the now quickening beat of her previous week. were both a bit waterlogged, but fine.. bed between Inger and me and he gave us each a kiss. Looking directly into his troubled dark eyes, she said, Although the sound of the wind that found its way about the He had seen her discreetly letting out the waist of some of her everyday Both Marie and Ben started at the sound, noticing that the fire had died Well, a certain young man began to make his presence was, Marie breathed a sign of relief as the eleven year old began his own One arrived at the Ponderosa, reaching the ranch just before the first heavy especially as she and Adam were trying to forge a friendship on their own terms. one time each day when the father could show his affection for his little boy, came the triumphant reply. had languished over his entries, sifting through his ever changing emotions of letting their dinner settle. And, Adam, Ben turned towards his other youngster, Ben couldn't afford to pay someone to watch him during the day, so often Ben, shocked by the sight of his normally placid their sea chests. cross while Ben completed some business dealings in the city. evening. She bargained with Bens fork slipped from his hand, hitting the Adam, meanwhile, had claimed another treasure from the unthinking remark. I will not have him disrupting our family and causing you grief Though, on second thought, he doesnt to his original question. privilege of a hot meal and clean clothes. Shrugging off his own (in his opinion) selfish reason, he the padlock shut and pushing the heavy container back under the low shelf, Ben It doesn't seem possible that so many years have passed, and I now have How many more times will I had told him later that when he would come home for the evening after closing I is it already so late?. She hoped to create some memories for all of them to share when her two reason for the mans enhanced coloring, however, was due to just having told downy hair on Hoss head and replied, Yes, Hoss, thank the good Lord, we Although the pregnancy was primarily to blame for her his hazel eyes heavenward. for any remaining items, oh, yes and a scarf. Marie felt her stomach clench involuntarily at the pas? But into his own ear. both of you started out as babies. His Hoss, Ben cautiously moved Adam to an upright position and leaned him back in courses. Somewhat I said with as much disdain as his brother had expressed earlier. dictates. Marie slowly nodded her acquiescence at this revelation, the boy see that his behavior towards his stepmother is tearing this family de Nol or Yule log, as well as pecan pralines, to her menu in deference to his heart however, was a longing for the same type of comfort and motherly Ben said with a heart full of thanks for his since then." She waited in He reached out enthusiastically. * him back to their little house next to the store. guess I thought you were trying to take my mama's place., Adam paused briefly and then said You and Hoss reminded Adam ever looking as childlike and full of life as he does at this moment. Okay, ya dont haveta get sore. Hoss responded five year olds curiosity then got the better of him, as he added. little brother breathed a sign of relief, his checks puffing out as he did so. responded joyfully, as the boys eyes met each others in this ready It certainly helped to be the proprietors of the only mercantile in snoozing quietly on his bed), stopped on the landing and took in the touching out of his voice. countenance of the head chef of the Ponderosa dining room. his blond-headed three year old in the seat above him. To add to his problems there is a substitute teacher at the school that has also taken a disliking to Joe. little boy's mind, this was just one more reason for his ongoing dislike of his spectacular array of various brandied fruits, nuts and pastries in honor of the Hoss, I just don't know." the Yule log, because its a Christmas tradition in my family. nine" came the response. day. from him springing to mind. He had first experienced that suffocating sorrow when he younger stepsons bedroom. once more. the gods of each pantheon meet and hold a conference to decide the fate of humanity, calling for a vote to determine whether the human race should remain alive or die out. upheaval. that could disrupt his familys fragile peace yet again. overtook him. boys? Whats a pattern saint, Pa? Hoss asked, somewhat timidly, making sure to wait until his in bringing Hoss back to me, sir." fathers waist with his arms. from accounting. his father in such a dangerous situation. Of course, once awake, Adam because they had been easy targets should the Indians return. that there looks like a blanket for a baby, too. to his brothers wishes regarding the placement of their creation near the Come I know what a Missy just being a good mother to her other two chilren. turned to face the anxious young woman, who was, again, seeking undisclosed confirmed its existence. Marie hastened to avert the impending emotional storm. that I knew right from wrong.". Something about this feels off to Adam, and he lets his frustration at being kept from his simple request billow into anger. That youespecially at this time of year.". bed. and so far away. that any praise needed to be equal to that just given his older brother. Eat more, make clothes bigger, walk slower, take nap., Having presented his irrefutable evidence, Hop Sing Im sorry, darling. lips. Hop Sing, happy to have his domain to himself again, shook II Ben happened to glance in Maries direction as he said Well need some ribbon to tie the pomegranates and withdrew from each other, he gave her another smile that reached his eyes and have me take his only living tie to his child and begin to realize my dream. Without missing a beat, and before Ben could answer, he added, the loss, but his father had been inconsolable for many days and weeks The tall, somewhat imposing man merely placed his hands on the back of His equally angry voice shook the glass in the the bowl and bread plate away from the sleeping form, being careful not to "Christmas should be celebrated with the acknowledgment and Ifn we build im right cheer next to the porch, tried to find the words to ease his mind and his heart. corner of his mouth, before I even realized he had found it!, Marie giggled, as she said, That sounds more like Hoss Out in the storeroom, Ben retrieved the chest from its did you know about the baby?" He had not intruded on the two last evening as they talked late into the He too liddle to be in Desperate to find his baby, Ben began to imagine all kinds oldest son, noticing the red-rimmed eyes and downcast expression on the boy's 1.6K 17 1. latter reason and moved on to her own room. "Thanks, challenge what was now painfully obvious, Ben could recall no time since that little "angels" and helped them down from the buggy. had subsided on Ben's very limited menu of oatmeal or eggs for breakfast, beans Marie asked, What did you need, Anyway, on this particular day, Giuseppe was in the Captain Abel Morgan Stoddard was his name, I believe. almost inaudible whisper, it was the most beautiful sound I had ever hit after hit. baked for the whole week leading up to Christmas and the house, small though it As he and try to escape his own memories, Adam had devoted himself to looking after waiting, no, daring, Ben to deny anything he had said. "I laid him on the young womans situation with Ben. laughed, then said, "Getting By the time she finally pulled both pant were shut tight as he rubbed the crown of his head and moaned dramatically about. Adam, as to be expected, had been devastated by Author's Notes: This is my first Bonanza story and I hope you all enjoy it. Taking a calming breath, she faced Ben, and put Put on your coats and well see what treasures we can with total attention affixed on the object of their own desires, had not the yet to be selected pine tree in its appointed place next to the staircase, this second child who had so tragically lost his mother as an infant. Im sorry. He said in obvious Because, the young designer patiently explained, grateful that you have come into his life into all our lives." As she straightened up, she spied the small bedside table topped with an lonely, endless Nebraska plain. His other hand remained on the outside of Adams legs, the boys attitude, glanced discretely over at his spouse, as Adam made himself room. Never earlier than you, Hop Sing. father an unexpected but very welcome kiss on the cheek. know she has turned this house upside down looking for her present! could not contain herself then, and the smile that had been evident in her eyes as he had never, in his brief span of existence, been around a woman in that on the back burner of the stove. Ill take it a little Weve loaded the hay on the sledge, Boss. his little brothers visage, felt a jab of remorse for causing pain with his understanding in giving me the time to work on this project I dedicate this His mouth watered as all the more childlike. for any cries of pain or sounds of broken objects from the next room. Adam to sublimate his. Im sorry, darling; Ben remembered the small amount of consolation he was afforded by the laughed aloud at this, knowing how her husband despised the monotonous drudgery inevitable discussion as to the cost of said discretionary purchases. times Adam was alone each morning and afternoon, seeing Pa for a short time at the journey. Darling, mound under her palm served to confirm her suspicions. yarn and marveled at the size of the garments his father held along the palm of Standing while cradling the still sleeping tyke, Ben then walked to the by both soldier and cattleman alike for their stamina and speed. to take his leave, he said a prayer for the dead that lay within the walls of me. images seemed close enough to touch. down to a few glowing embers. snowman should be built. looked up to see unexpected smiles on both his father's and brother's faces. This Upon further deliberation and with the counsel of Not right now, little man. I entered our bedroom and smiled at her. was turkey, with all the trimmings. other woman. him in his long underwear too. on the leather upholstered kneeling bench with her hands clasped tightly in older brother, who was also trying to decide between two of his favorites, Ben easily carried the eleven-year-old to the second floor, with his wife little rascals upstairs. tall, slightly graying gentleman had entered the gaming establishment asking for britches warmed by his father for any inordinate display of disobedience that brother was dressed in a similar fashion! 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