in 1858; on Tuesday, January 26th
« Yes, I do... »
Pronounced by an assured, firm masculine voice. Answer given to famous question
« Do you take, Adam Cartwright for your lawfully wedded husband ?»
On this cold but sunny day, Francesca Ellen Gale, the 21-year-old daughter of Joseph Gale trapper of fur, and of Eliza. She is an american indian of the tribe Walla Walla, daughter of the Nez Percés chiefs. She married a man from Virginia City one of the most eligible men of the time. She won his heart with her strong character and rare elegance. She and her parents started a quiet life in Virginia City, a small city in full expansion. Her family had to face terrible events, and they had stories to tell during winter parties. They were able to tell how they avoided the terrible earthquake of Strong Tejon, January 9th, 1857. Joseph Gale and his family were hurt in the collapse of their home and their lives were only saved thanks to the father's cool-mindedness. He pushed his wife and his children outside the walls which were shaking dangerously...
***** in Ponderosa
Ben was sitting down comfortably , his hands crossed behind his neck, gazing at the ceiling, with a vacant look, lost in his own thoughts. A month had past. It was one month since his son Adam had emptied his room and had left home... Adam and his wife Francesca had settled on the land of the Ponderosa ranch, in a wooden and stony home that Adam had previously built... A home full of originality symbolizing the love existing between this ingenious engineer and this extraordinary woman, with her rich cultural past... Their home was round. Several windows had been put so that the sunlight entered the main room throughout the day. There was a large bedroom on the ground floor and three bedrooms upstairs to welcome the future children of the couple. More than one had been surprised by this unusual home, and even more surprised, to say the least, by the unconventionnal wedding of the eldest son of Benjamin Cartwright. But the Cartwright family had never been stopped from doing what they wanted to do by other people's negative comments.
****later
Ben was riding on his horse in the plain. He was coming back from Virginia City, an important business had kept him away from home and it was already late evening. He was hurrying to get back to the ranch, not at all wanting to stay outside on such a cold dark march evening.
« Go on Buck, be brave, the hardest is over... I know , you've got frozen legs... You'll soon be in the barn with the hay. »
Ben stroked the neck of the horse, already thinking about the warm meal, Hop Sing would have prepared for him.
« I can't wait for us to be home. »
The thin gloves he was wearing gave him very little protection against the cold... Fortunately the wind didn't get any stronger, it was already blowing hard enough when he had left Virginia City. He turned up as high as possible the collar of his thick topcoat and tightened a little more the wool scarf around his neck... A greenish-grey wool scarf, which Marie had given him on the morning of their first Christmas together.
-Wahooooooooooo, Buck, easy...
No time to finish his sentence. Surprised, scared, Buck reared and threw Ben on the soil. The fall was spectacular, fortunately the snow softened it... Ben leaned up on his elbow, feeling dazed from the fall he shook his head from left to right to regain full consciousness.
-ouch...
He felt a violent pain when he moved his left hand, he managed to stand up. He made a quick analysis of his situation. He was alone in the snow, with a sore, perhaps fractured wrist and no more horse...Not a pleasant situation but it could have been worse. He knew, Buck would be able to ride back to the ranch or come back to him. The Cartwright animals were all exceptionnal animals and all had this sixth sense.
Ben now had to walk, he forced his way through the snow ... Buck's tracks were very clear so he could easily follow them. But Ben wondered about what could have scared his horse he had known Buck for a long time and the horse had never been so nervous before. Something must have frightened him... Ben hadn't heard any gunshots, nor seen anything worrying. But Buck had probably reacted to something.
Suddenly, Ben saw a dark mass coming towards him... A wolf, obviously alone. An old solitary male. He didn't look very aggressive and just walked past him.
Ben thought, he had been a very lucky guy, the animal must have eaten before coming accross him.
«I was lucky , I would have been a good meal. »
Ben continued his slow progress home, still alone in the snow, without a horse and without a weapon . In fact he prefered to be in that poor situation, rather than to be safely at home, waiting for one of his sons . He had spent so many hours getting anxious because one of his boys had not come back to the nest. And even though Adam was now standing on his own two feet, and Hoss and Joe would soon be doing the same, he was always keen to know that his sons were safe and sound. People could say, that Ben Cartwright had mothered them a little bit too much, but the truth was that he had always been there for his three sons. He was one of the happiest menin the world, with only one regret not to be with someone to share that happiness. Sometimes this sadness would tighten his throat so much that he couldn't issue a sound... But no, he never complained; he kept this for himself.
He had come to accept living alone, he had pleasant moments with friends and family, but lonelyness was always there at the end of the day when he was alone in his room. He was in his big cold bed and couldn't enjoy the pleasure of being in the arms of a woman he loved.
At this moment he started to think about Joan, who had left him, she had gone far from Ponderosa; far from him... He would be lying if he said that he had let her leave without any regrets. She had chosen to go to wait for her baby in her tribe. She had left shortly after the death of her husband. He had been killed in the saloon by a man. The man his own mother had paid to ruin his wedding. Poor Henry.
Ben was hoping that someone had taken care of her. He had thought so often about her and her baby.
******** Later
-Come in quickly...
Adam with an energic voice just gave those orders. As his frozen exhausted father came inside, he closed the door. At this moment Adam noticed that his father wasn't alone, he was carrying somebody.
- Lay him on the sofa.
Ben had had just enough strength to walk towards Adam's house.
-Pa, you must remove your jacket and your shirt. Come close to the fire, and drink that hot coffee, it will warm you. »
« Son, don't talk to me that way, I'm not a child ».
Ben didn't accept the imperious tone from his eldest son
-Pa, please, do what I say ... You're frozen. I don't want you to be sick. »
Ben Cartwright did what he was told to do. His jacket was almost frozen around his body.
-You know son, I can resist to the cold ».
-Pa, you know very well that a bad flu can kill a man in only a few days. The stronger men are, the more their lungs are thin. Do you remember Carl, the way he died after having been in the cold ?
-Yes, yes... all right, I've got the message... »
Ben removed his shirt and pointed with his finger to the flannel binder he had put around his waist.
-Look at this, Adam. With that, I'm not cold. »
But Adam didn't look at his father, he started to rub the body lying on the sofa. He called his wife :
-Francesca, bring me a cover, please. »
Adam touched the body on the sofa, took off the outdoor clothes, including the broad scarf and only then did he recognise the person who had been brought there by his father.
« But it's... Joan.
As Ben heard the name, he stopped drinking his coffee and came close to the sofa :
-Joan, can you hear me ?
He looked at her with anxious eyes. She started to move, started to open her eyes, pointing her finger towards the pile of clothes and blankets that Adam had just taken off her.
-the blankets, quick, please, look inside them.
Adam and Ben did not understand. She sat up, agitated, and moved her arms to reach the pile of covers that Adam had just put on the ground. Delicately, he opened it, as if it were a precious present, he removed the topcoat, the blankets and three shawls.
-Pa, look !
Ben bent over and looked : there was a baby. Adam gently touched the baby's cheek.
-His skin is warm, pa. Baby seems to be fine. Pa, how could this baby have survived in the cold and in the snow ?
-Only God knows , son.
He smiled at Joan, a smile full of tenderness.
-Your son is alive, Joan. Joan, trust me. He is fine.
-Not he, she... It is Rozene Cassandra. »
And she touched her baby; she stroked her little girl's cheek. The baby opened her mouth, moved her arms.
*****
Ben finished a second cup of coffee, he was now wearing Adam's shirt, Francesca had brought clothes for him. She was now close to her husband, smiling at the baby and her mom. Both were fine. Explanations would come later. She noticed the baby was wearing clothes with indian drawings.
******
Ben did not spend the night at Asibikaashi, Francesca's and Adam's home. They named it after a sacred legend about a spider called "Asibikaashi." It would protect the children of the tribe by weaving its web above the place where they slept. Bad dreams, bad thoughts and bad vibrations would remain hung in the web and would be destroyed by the morning sun.
Ben borrowed one of Adam's horses and rode to the Ponderosa. He went down from his horse and walked towards the ranch. Joe ran towards him. Hoss and Hop Sing quickly followed as they hurried to welcome him.
"Ah, there you are, pa. How do you feel?", Hoss asked.
« I'm fine, son, thanks"
"Did you spend the night outside?"
"No, I was at Adam's house. It is a long story, boys, a very long story. Let me come in and I'll tell you everything."
Ben started telling of his adventure. He told them about the fall, the meeting with the wolf and delivered a complete narration of Joan's rescue.
"How is she?"
"She is fine, Hoss. She is resting at your brother's home, and we will be able to go and visit her soon."
"I am very impatient to see her. I missed her so very much," added Hoss, as he was obviously filled with emotion.
"In fact, Joan has had her baby and I've just met the most adorable little girl I have ever seen," Ben said .
"She has had her baby? She has had a girl?" yelled Joe.
"Yes, but don't worry, she was wrapped up so warmly that the cold didn't even nip at her nose. She was so well wrapped up in blankets and the tartan from her mother that I didn't even see her."
"Pa..."
« I was very surprised, Hoss, I didn't expect this either."
"But I don't understand, pa. You found her where...on the track?"
"Practically, she was huddled up behind a rock. After Buck threw me, I followed his tracks and accidently found her. I think she was trying to come to the Ponderosa."
"But why?"
"I don't know Joe."
"You sure seem happy to see her again."
"It would be a lie if I said I wasn't. It wasn't goodbye forever."
"Yes, she has come back." Hoss replied.
As Francesca came through the door, she said to Joan with a quiet voice:
"Sorry, did I disturb you?"
"No, come in. I was just getting up."
"No, no...stay where it is warm. Would you like a cup of good milk? Do you want some coffee?"
"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry, can you tell me your name, I've forgoten.
"Francesca."
Francesca sat down in a chair close to the bed. As she was straightening her dress, the baby's cries broke the silence in the room. Joan pulled back the covers and got up to go to see her daughter.
"I think my coffee will have to wait. This little girl wants to eat now."
"No, don't get up...I'll bring her to you. Your daughter is so cute. I hope I'll soon be expecting a baby. A girl or a boy.
« I am sure Adam would like to have a son...a future Cartwright."
Francesca smiled.
"Well, he will have to accept what the good Lord will give us."
"Yes, of course."
Francesa took the baby in her arms and brought her to Joan. She unbuttoned her dress and gently turned the baby's head to her chest and the baby started to suckle. Soft whimpering sounds came from the baby as the warm milk slightly appeared in the corners of the baby's mouth.
"I would like some coffee with milk now, please."
"I will get you some."
"Thank you, Francesca."
Joan lovingly placed her hand on Francesa's forearm, she looked at her, no words were spoken.
**************
Two weeks later.
The snow had covered the ground, it was now cold. The winter was long and hard but inside was warm and the minutes were filled with laughter from two very happy people, outside snow was falling all around the Ponderosa pines , in the silence of the cold night, thousands of stars were shining in the dark sky.
Baby Rozene-Cassandra didn't know the difference between night and day , and it was very hard on Joan. She was very tired. Even if they were grumpy because they didn't get enough sleep, Ben and Joan were enjoying the magic of their love.
*********Joan and Ben were awakened by the soft crying of their baby who was hungry. It was breakfast time for the baby, only after that could Ben and Joan enjoy their coffee and pancakes Hop Sing had prepared for them. Joan was in a mischievous mood as she said, "Did you take my hand during the night ?"
Ben smiled with delight and said, "I was awake and you looked so lovely while you were sleeping."
Joan looked at Ben and said "This is quite a funny honeymoon, isn't it?"
Ben looked at Joan lovingly as he said, "I have the beautiful moonlight above me and now I have you with your creamy white skin next to me. Your skin is so soft and you are so beautiful my darling."
Joan started to cry, tears of happiness, tears of joy and pleasure at hearing such words spoken by the man she loved she loves and who loved her. Ben's words were sort of healing for her sore heart. Long-buried feelings were coming alive again, long-forgotten feelings, as she was being held in Ben's strong arms. With the death of her husband a part of her had died too and with Ben she was feeling alive again. Joan had given birth only a few weeks ago , yet these last few months had seemed like a mist to her. The winter had set in and established its landscape with snow and frozen lakes and a small baby had been born. She hadn't been fully aware of what she had been doing, she had just done what she had to. But since she had found Ben again, she felt last she was coming alive again and getting back into the control of her everyday existence. It was so good to feel his strong arms around her because even if she was feeling a lot better, she still had moments of depression, when the brightness of her smile would sudenly be transformed into a clammy darkness, plunging her into the depths of despair and then she had to rest. But the depression was becoming less and less when she thought about the past. The previous months had been filled with silence, moments of sadness and pain, when she had had the impression that she was withering like a wilting flower. She really had touched the depths. After she had been like a tightrope walker who had lost his rope, she was able to say, that now she had survived all the ordeals, she could only be stronger. Everybody had their share of hardships in life and she had to face what the Lord had sent her.
Ben had urged her to marry quickly saying he would raise Henry's child as his own. Joan explained why she had left the tribe, deep down, part of her felt that she wasn't completely fulfilled. That's why she had taken the risk of leaving her tribe alone with her baby. But Ben had welcomed her with his strength, he had dispelled her doubts from her mind, her remorse, her guilt and had decided to trust his heart. And already she felt broken heart was healing, in fact Ben's feelings were so strong, that he was able to come down her mind with his wise words, heal her wounds with his tender kisses and time would would do the rest.
Finally baby Rozene-Cassandra had started sleeping in her own bed and not in her mother's arms or in the parent's bed. When she was sleeping deeply you could see two or three black hairs in her little clenched fists, her mother's hairs that she would grab while she was feeding and which would stay trapped in her little chubby hand until she would let go of them when relaxing in her bath.
In the half-light of the bedroom, Ben leaned over to hug her and kiss her on the nose. He always had been able to protect people, especially women, and this one was in need of affection, after all the bad time she had had to face. But even the sorrow and the pain she had showed courage and determination and Ben was proud of this slip of a woman possessed by such an extraordinary will to live. She was able to convince everybody that life was worth living whatever
happened.
"Let me hold you in my arms, you can trust me. I'll always love you and I will always be there for you »
Ben put his hands around her and kissed her again. She pressed herself even more tightly against him, she snuggled against his chest. She was so close to his chest that she could hear the beating of his heart. She felt deeply moved and all her body seemed to be tingling with so many differents emotions rising from deep down in her guts. Unable to stop herself, he stretched up on her tiptoes to catch yet another kiss from her tall and handsome husband unable to stop herself.
" Another one ? You're as insatiable as your daughter... There's no way of stopping you"
Ben put his hands on her cream colored dress and started to caress her back tenderly, she slowly started to open the first button of his light grey shirt. She had forgotten the extreme pleasure of such moments, the sensations that you could feel deep down in the hollow of your stomach, when you let your hands explore the body of the man you love. She undid the last button and slowly opened Ben's shirt and slowly let her fingers run around on his broad hairy chest. She explored every corner of his chest. She was trembling a little overwhelmed by the first waves of pleasure. She couldn't resist his caresses and kisses and only in a few seconds they were carried away by the passion. He was holding her by her waist and was pulling her closer and closer to him, she kissed him for a long time on his naked body, a never-ending kiss. When she got to his waist she stopped and looked up at him. She noticed that his eyes were closed ready to savour every seconds of that moment. His grey shirt was open revealing his broad chest, she just wanted to let her fingers wander over these solid shoulders , to feel the muscles of her beloved one contract at the touch of her caresses. Ben kissed tenderly she who had become his wife, their tongues mingled playfully, sometimes flying, sometimes searching. It was if their lips were welded together. Then he placed tender kisses on the chin of his sweetheart. His kisses became more passionate as he went lower down her throat, his tonguer wandered eagerly on that skin that he had missed so much. He gently nibbled her tender throat with his tongue or gentle kisses. Joan proffered her throat throwing back her head. Her long dark hair fell down onto the bed. Her flesh prickled with desir. She slid her fingers under the shirt of her loved one gently caressing his skin and his pectoral muscles. She pulled aside the material covering his body and began to cover it with kisses playing with her tongue, gently titillating the sharpness of his teeths. Her hands wandered caressing his firm body.
*****
Joan woke up the next day feeling more alive than ever. Rozene'-Cassandra was crying : she was hungry.
"Our little young lady would like some milk," Ben said, taking the baby in his arms and placed her on the bed by her mother.
"I love the way you carry her in your arms, Benjamin. Whenever we are in your arms, nothing can happen to us. I know she feels that way too."
While she was holding her baby close, she whispered, "You will eat right now, sweetheart."
*********Virginia City...Spring Ball April, 1858
"Hey, Hoss, you've just come at the right time. I have something important to tell you"
Little Joe quickly got up from his chair and went towards his brother who was carrying two glasses of punch.
"Wait two seconds, Joe, cuz I'm just taking this punch to a lovely girl. I'll come back quickly cuz I want to introduce you to her.
Joe turned around...
Hoss came back later with a glass of punch in one hand and a pretty girl on his arm. At the moment when he started to speak, he was interrupted by the young lady's voice.
"Leslie Amelia Countmaker, what are you doing here?"
"Hi, Angela."
"Don't « Hi Angela » me! I asked you a question" Leslie, the party's over, little girl."
Angela pulled Leslie by the arm across the room.
"I would have at least liked to try to dance," Leslie mumbled.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing."
"What the hell are you doing here? You have no right to be here. YYour'e not old enough to come to the dance,young lady. Have you any idea of the sticky situation you're in?"
"I'm not a little girl anymore. I've..."
"Don't use that tone with me, Leslie."
Little Joe looked over at his brother with a frown on his face.
"you see older brother, that's just my luck the cutest girl I have met at this dance turns out to be the youger sister of your dancing partner. It's so unfair!."
" Yeah and it seems to me that your girlfriend wasn't even supposed to be there," Hoss said, as he glanced over at Amelia.
"You know what, Hoss, your partner is an Adam Cartwright in a petticoat."
"Don't say that she's just being responsible for her sister, that's all.."
"Oh, yeah, that's how you call it! I call it being bossy! Girl or boy, elders have a habit of making their youger siblings' lives miserable."
"Well, maybe that's because the younger ones have a tendancy to get into unbelievably difficult situations. You know that Leslie came to this dance without her sister or mother knowing."
"Yes, and I think that's great and quite daring on her behalf. She seems to me to be an amazing girl, just right for me.."
"Now listen, little brother, I've to stop you there. You're only sixteen, and this little gal is barely fourteen. You need to wait a bit, and knowing you, you'll forget her soon."
Joe became angry, very excited he shook his fist at Hoss.
"Take that back now!"
Joe was furious, clenched his fists ready to make his brother swallow his offensive words.
"Hey, calm down,Joe.," said Hoss. Hoss grabbed his hat and elbowed his way through the crowd to the door to reach the girls.
The young girl turned around, as she did, Leslie tried to escape, but the grip on her arm was solid.
"Don't even think about it, young lady. We're going home now."
Hoss stopped.
"Can I walk you home?"
"Of course, Mr. Cartwright."
"Oh drop the Mr. Cartwright and call me Hoss."
Hoss then turned to his brother.
"Joe, you go straight home."
"But, Hoss, I wish , I..."
"Joe, if you know what's good for you, I suggest you get home right now and no dirty tricks ... you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Hoss grabbed Chubb's halter and tied his reins to the rear of the buggy. Then he helped Leslie and Angela into the buggy and shook the reins for the horses to go. Eventually they pulled up in front of the Countmaker's ranch.
"It was a very nice evening,Angela. I'm sorry we weren't able to dance more."
"Oh, don't be sorry. It was this young lady's fault and she'll be very sorry for herself when I've got done with her! »
Hoss touched the brim of his head and smiled. Joe's words came back to him. Yes, Angela certainly was like Adam, but he was very fond of her and she was lovely. He was very glad that he wouldn't have to wait a long time for her because he was 22 and Angela 20 so Pa wouldn't hestitate to let him marry.
*****Back at the Ponderosa, Ben and Joan were drinking coffee , baby Rozene' was sleeping soundly after having been fed. Ben turned his head towards the door, he had just heard the sound of a horse gallopping outside.
"Oh, the boys are back early. I hope everything is alright."
Joan put her hand on her husband's forearm and said, "Be patient, Ben, you'll soon know.
But Ben had already stood up, had put his coffee cup down and was rushing outside.
" everything alright, boys?"
"Yes, Pa, everything's fine, no problem..why?
"Well, you've come back a lot earlier than usual. It's barely 9 o'clock!"
"Let's just say our dancing partners had a little problem."
"Problem ? What do you mean?"
"Well..."
"Eric!"
"I had nothing to do with it, pa, and neither did Little Joe."
"Well, when you start standing up for your little brother, it's a bad sign. Quickly go and take care of your horses and we'll talk about this later inside. »
Joe and Hoss were sitting on the settee, Ben was leaning against the fireplace, staring at his two sons. Joan came back downstairs after going to have a quick look at her daughter to check that she was all right.
"Not to worry, she's fast asleep, so I'll get some rest too. Good night boys."
Hoss and Joes answered at the same time.
"Goodnight, Joan », the two boys replied together.
Ben turned to look at his sons...
All right now, who can tell me what's happened?
Well, Pa, it's a bit complicated...
"I know, Hoss, with you it is always complicated. But I think I'll manage to follow what you have to say. So get on with it."
"Well, everything was going well at the ball and I danced with a young lady called Angela Countmaker. Her family have just moved here. Joe came over to introduce me to his new friend and she just happened to be the younger sister of Angela. Angela didn't know that her sister was at the dance..."
"Oh,I see, and just how old is her younger sister?"
"Maybe, 13 or 14 years old, something like that."
"So she was at the dance on the sly then? And what happened next ? "
-Well, Angela was very annoyed and upset that her sister was there. So I offered to take them both back homeand I told Joe to go straight home which is what he hurried to...
to not do apparently, since you both got back here together! It seems to me yo owe us an explanation, Joseph. Just were did you go ? What have you got to say for yourself?
"I'm sorry, Pa. I had something else to do."
"All right...I've heard enough! Go to your room!"
"Yes sir."
Joe headed up the stairs with a sad expression on his face
"You should get to bed also, son." Ben said to Hoss.
"I sure hope I didn't make matters worse, pa."
"No, son. Off you go to bed.
"Goodnight, pa."
"Goodnight, son."
Ben knockedon Joe's bedroom door. As he went in, Joe didn't stand up, like usual. Ben saw his son sitting on his bed, his head between his hands. Ben decided to show more understanding than sternness and sat down close to his son, putting his right hand on his shoulder.
"What is wrong, son? Have you done something that you are not proud of? I can tell by looking at your face you are upset about something. Is there anything you want to tell me ? "
Joe nodded his head.
Pa, I didn't think she'd do it. We talked about the party and said it would be a lot of fun.I told her . I would really like to see her there but it was just for a joke!"
"Did you know that she wouldn't have permission to come to the dance?"
"Not really, I just said it would be great if she could is new at school, and she's nice and she doesn't have many friends yet and...
"Yes, and you both seem to have a knack of getting into trouble." Ben said with an ironic smile.
Joe looked surprised.
"You are not mad at me, pa?"
"No, the only thing I am angry about is that you didn't come straight homewhen Hoss told you to. I have a pretty good idea where you went. You went to see this girl's parents with the intention of speaking to intention to speak to them?"
"Yes, you're right"
"Well, even though you told her that it would be fun at the dance and that you would be there, it was her decision to go against her parents' wishes . She is the one who has to face up the consequences of her actions.
"You know, pa, sometimes I envy Hoss and Adam being a few years older. Adam has Francessca, and you are married to Joan now. I even think that Hoss may marry Angela someday. I really like this girl and think that she might be the one I could marry someday."
"Well,that's pretty quick... Alright, when you're old enough to marry. You'll just have to be patient! That day will come quick enough, son.
"Already that'll be complicated because she won't be able to go out for a month."
-Well, for now, you can just talk to her at school.
"This will all work out, Joe. Now it is time for you to go to sleep."
"Thanks, pa."
"Thanks for what?"
"For not punishing me, and for understanding , how I feel about Leslie."
Ben stood up and ruffled Joe's hair.
"It seems strange to think that one day you'll get married and leave the ranch. I'll need a little time to get use to the idea."
"But you will still have Rozene here."
"Of course, that makes me very happy, but still, you can't replace one child by another. It's already been hard with Adam gone. I know he's very happy, but the household is not the same without him... luckily he is not very far away.
****on the morning.
-my lovely little princess.
Joan was holding against her breast. She could feel her soft skin against her and she really was enjoying the moment when Ben arrived. He put his hand on the baby : .
- I'd forgotten, that a baby could be so small..
-Ben, she's not so small...