Bonanza
Broken Family
Ages: Amelia: 12 Joe: 18 Hoss: 24 Adam: 30
Trip to Town
Little Joe and Adam rode into town after returning from a business trip from Arizona Territory. They stop in front of the International House. "I'll save you a beer" teased Adam. "You better after all that riding" teased Little Joe he rides off to the bank while Adam dismounts off his horse and walks into the hotel.
He walks into the saloon that was connected to the hotel. He passes the restaurant and notices Joe's girlfriend Valerie with another man who he didn't recognized.
He had a bad feeling when he saw them but decides to brush it off as he walks up to the bar. "Hey Adam what brings you into town?" asked Burney the bartender.
"Joe's over the bank we came back from Arizona" said Adam. "Well what can I getcha?" asked Burney. "Two beers" replied Adam. He turns and notices Valerie with the mysterious man walking through the lobby passing the saloon doors.
Burney places the beer mugs on the bar and looks at Adam. "You know her?" asked Burney curiously. "She's little Joe's girlfriend" explained Adam. "That feller with her sure is heck ain't Joe" pointed out Burney.
Adam turns to Burney. "You know who she's with?" asked Adam. Burney shakes his head. "Don't say anything to Joe alright?" asked Adam. "I won't say a word" said Burney solemnly.
Adam pays for the beers and takes them then sits down at a table. He was contemplating on what he had saw and what he should do about it.
Apart of him knew that he owed it to his brother to tell him what he saw but the other part of him wanted to prevent his little brother who he loved more than anything from getting hurt.
Welcome Home
During the ride home Little Joe was getting suspicious as to Adam's quiet behavior. "Adam are you alright?" asked Joe concerned. Adam turns to him. "Why do you ask?" asked Adam curiously nervous.
"Because you haven't said a word since we left town" said Joe. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind" insisted Adam sheepishly. "Like what?" asked Joe curious. "I don't want to talk about it Joe" said Adam dropping the subject.
Sensing that something was bothering him Joe decides to respect his brother's wishes and leave the matter alone.
They rode into the yard just as little Amelia runs out of the house to greet them. "Adam! Little Joe!" cried Amelia excitedly. Adam and Joe mount off their horse and Amelia runs up to them.
Joe picks her up and kisses her on the cheek. "I think someone missed us" said Joe looking at his sister who was blushing. "I think so" agreed Adam.
"Did you bring me a present?" asked Amelia excitedly.
Adam and Joe look at each other. "What makes you think we did?" asked Adam smiling. "You told Pa that you were in your letter" stated Amelia.
Joe turns to Adam. "Whatcha think Adam? Should we give it to her?" asked Joe. Adam winks at him and then walks over to his saddle bag and pulls out a raggedy Ann doll and hides it behind his back.
He walks over to his brother and sister and pulls the doll from his back and hands it to her.
Amelia's face lit up as she takes it. "Thank you" she said looking up at her brothers and kisses them both on the cheek. "You're welcome shortcake" said Adam kissing her on the temple of her head.
"I'm gonna go talk to Pa" said Adam he walks over to the house. Joe then turns to Amelia who he was still holding in his arms. "Wanna help with the horses?" asked Joe. Amelia nods her head. Joe laughs and kisses her on the cheek before putting her down.
He takes his and Adam's horses and walks them into the barn with Amelia by his side.
Adam walks into the house and over to his father's study. "Hey Pa" said Adam. Ben gets up and shakes his son's hand happily.
"Welcome home son where's Joe?" asked Ben curiously. "He's out in the barn tending to the horses with Amelia's help" said Adam.
"I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you boys are home. Your sister missed you boys like crazy while you were gone" said Ben. "The feeling is mutual" responded Adam.
Ben smiles happily. "Pa can I talk to you about something?" asked Adam sitting down.
"Sure son" said Ben as he sits back down. "While Joe and I were in town I saw something that bothered me and I don't know what to do about it because someone I care about greatly might get hurt because of it" said Adam worriedly.
Ben knew there was one thing Adam cared about greatly and that was his family which made Ben curious to find out what Adam was talking about.
"What did you see Adam?" asked Ben. Adam takes a deep breath. "I saw Joe's girlfriend Valerie with another man at the hotel and something about it didn't feel right" said Adam not sure on how to explain it.
Ben looks at Adam concern. "Did you talk to Joe about this?" asked Ben concerned.
"I couldn't Pa. Things between me and Joe has been really good lately. We've not been fighting a lot and we're getting along better than we had in years. I don't know how to explain it Pa I guess me and Joe have come to a better understanding of each other. I don't want something like this to change that Pa. I don't want Joe to get hurt and I don't know what I should do" said Adam looking at his father desperately.
"I think you know as well as I do that you're gonna hafta tell Joe" said Ben. Adam nods not looking forward to that conversation.
Joe and Amelia walk in and over to them. Amelia walks over to her father. "Pa look what Adam and Little Joe got me" said Amelia excitedly showing his the doll. Ben smiles and looks up at his sons to show them his approval.
"That's wonderful darling" said Ben. "I'm gonna play with it in my room" announced Amelia as she hurries up the stairs to her room.
"That was a wonderful thing you boys did for your sister. You made her day by giving her that doll" said Ben proudly. Joe and Adam smile feeling proud of themselves.