Author's note: I don't own Bonanza characters just Amelia, Catherine and Lucinda Sheppard. Hope you enjoy it.
Amelia: 10 Joe: 16 Hoss: 21 Adam: 27
The Widow
Chapter 1 Departure
Ben and his sons were preparing to leave for a Cattle Drive down to Arizona leaving ten year old Amelia to stay with a widow neighbor name Lucinda Sheppard.
Ben's only daughter he had with his fourth wife Catherine who he had married years after Marie died. Catherine had died from an influenza epidemic that also killed Lucinda Sheppard's daughter Malinda and had affected Amelia who was just a baby and survived. Since then Lucinda was plotting revenge against Ben out of envy that his daughter lived and hers didn't.
"While I'm gone I expect you to be good for Miss Sheppard" said Ben as he was putting his coat on by the burro where he and the boys kept their hats and gun belts. "I will" said Amelia who had on a pink and white dress, brown shoes, and had her dirty blonde hair lying down touching her shoulders. Ben looks into her beautiful green eyes and smiled. She had her mother's features but had a heart of a Cartwright.
Like her older brothers she too was stubborn and hot-headed but she was also very mature, resourceful in some cases a bit naïve but she was a sensitive child. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her family and there was nothing they wouldn't do for her.
It was hard for the boys and Ben to leave Amelia but they knew that she was is safe hands with the widow. "Pretty soon I won't be able to call you my little girl" said Ben affectionately. Amelia blushes. "Pa I'm always gonna be your little girl" insisted Amelia with a smile.
She loved being the only girl in the house because of all the attention her father and brothers gave her but she also found difficulties especially having three older brothers who were quite protective of her but she knew it was because they loved her.
"I wish you could come with us" replied Ben feeling guilty for leaving her but Amelia gives him a reassuring smile. "Now Pa you know as well as I do that a Cattle Drive isn't safe for a girl my age".
Sometimes Ben couldn't help but be amazed on how mature Amelia was for a ten year old. "Besides a few days without my brothers would do me some good," teased Amelia. Ben laughs.
Little Joe, Hoss and Adam walk in after hearing the commit. Joe turns back at his brothers as they walk from the stairs across the room to where their father and sister stood. "I guess someone's not gonna miss us" teased Hoss. "Of course I am" said Amelia. The boys smile satisfied. "Without you boys here on the Ponderosa it would be dull then again it would be a nice break from the chaos you boys stir up" teased Amelia.
The boys' smiles disappeared. "And for everyone in Virginia City" chimed in Ben with a laugh. The boys look at each other visibly trying not to be amused by the truth their father and sister said. "Very funny" said Adam trying not to smile.
They all walk out of the house and stopped to say their goodbyes. "Bye darling you mind what I said" said Ben as he bent down to kiss Amelia on the cheek. "Don't worry Pa I will" said Amelia. Ben smiles as he steps aside for his sons to say goodbye. "You take care of yourself Mia and keep out of trouble ya hear" teased Hoss. "I'm not the one you need to be worry about Hoss" said Amelia eying Little Joe with a mischief smile. Hoss laughs.
Adam taking his cue from his sister's remark and places his hand on Joe's shoulder. "Don't worry my dear sister I'll keep an eye on him" taunted Adam winking at her. Joe looks from his brother to his sister. "Thanks a lot" said Joe not amused. Hoss kisses Amelia on the head and walk over to his horse. "See ya in a few days sweetheart" said Joe he leans over and kisses Amelia on the cheek.
He walks away leaving Amelia and Adam who have a very close relationship facing each other finding it hard to say goodbye even though they would see each other again. Mia has a close relationship with each of her brothers but they were different from each other.
Joe and Amelia love teasing each other without taking it too far. They had the same love for horses and life. Joe loved having a little sister who had similar interests as him but sometimes hated having her following him around. He could never deny about how much he loved her even when he gets infuriated at her.
Hoss on the other hand never minded it when Amelia followed him around; on the contrary he quite loved it. He love showing Mia the different parts of the ranch and having her observe him while he was working. Sometimes he even let her help him with his chores (just the fun ones) like feeding the animals, cleaning the saddles, and grooming the horses. Sometimes he would take her on picnics and fishing by their favorite spot at the lake. Hoss love seeing his sister happy and enjoy spending time with her.
Adam and Mia's relationship was quite special. Not only was he her older brother but he was also her friend. She would go to him with her problems at school and he would advise her on what to do. Adam even helped her with her school work and taught her how to read and write when she was four.
Sometimes Adam had to disciple her when Ben was out of town and when she was misbehaving. After he would spank her, he would sit her on his lap and explain to her why he did it and they would talk about it. Now Adam wouldn't normally tell his family that he loved them on a day to day basis, but he did when it came too Mia especially before he goes on a business trip or after they have a fight. He wanted her to have that reassurance that even though when he's away or mad at her he still loved her.
Amelia looks at Adam trying to put on a brave face. "Promise you'll write?" asked Amelia hopingly with a sad smile. Adam smiles as he squats down to Amelia's eye level and takes her hands in his. "I promise shortcake" said Adam. Amelia smiles she loved it when Adam calls her 'shortcake' it was his special nickname he had for her. "I love you" said Amelia. Adam smiles he lets go of her hands and opens is arms for her to hug him. "And I love you". Adam then kisses her on the forehead as he straightens up. The four men mounted onto their horses and waved to Amelia as they rode out of the yard.