Bonanza Fanfiction
I do not own the copyrights for Bonanza
Wait for Me
Ghostwriter1985
The wind blew softly through the Ponderosa Pine surrounding the Cartwright family cemetery. Adam sat in a buggy far enough away as to give his stepmother, Jennifer, time to visit his father's grave in private. However, he stayed close enough to help her if needed. She'd insisted on coming out though her own health was going downhill.
"I was supposed to go first." Tears slid down Jennifer's face which had long since acquired wrinkles. She gave a weak chuckle as she said he'd forgotten all his wives went before him, which meant he should have outlived her in spite of being so much older than she. Jennifer could have sworn she heard Ben chuckle.
"You and I were married for thirty-five years. Besides, it's my turn to do something first." His widow wasn't sure whether to threaten to wring his neck or laugh –she chose the second. Sobering quickly Jennifer spoke again.
"Guess you know by now Adam and Caroline made it back from Australia. They set sail on sheer inspiration and nothing else. And, guess you're having a great reunion with all your wives, Hoss, the loves of his life, and Joe." She sighed. "Joe and Alice's boys are helping Alice run the ranch now. Adam's children all stayed in Australia; he and Caroline are heading back themselves."
A large buck walked by, but never turned his head. A few other animals quietly passed by almost as if sensing they were intruding on a private moment. Jennifer gave a lopsided grin. "Brenda finally got engaged. Can you believe she married Nicolas Barkley; the famous California rancher? And BJ, he's working for Joe's sons." Her soft smile turned to a mile wide grin. "And Patricia, that third child we weren't expecting to have is something else. Town people think she's crazy, what with her farfetched ideas…like insisting someday someone will invent a way for man to fly. Still, she's faithful to our family and is real close to Sheriff Coffee's kin, wouldn't be surprised if she married one of the Coffee's." Tears started back up.
"I miss you miss you, Ben. Wait for me." With that she turned and walked to where Adam helped her up.
True to Jennifer's words the graves, including Ben's, had another member join them by the end of the month. It was Adam who then stood by the graves with Caroline waiting in the buggy. However, he did not say much, but stood in silence. Finally, he put his hat on and buttoned his coat.
"You can wait for me, but don't hold your breath to see me anytime soon. As much as I love, and miss you all, I don't feel like kicking any bucket. "He did not speak disrespectfully for he truly did love his family. However, he couldn't help but give a comical grin, "I can't afford to, I might break a toe." With that he left the graveyard and could have sworn he heard his father laugh and say they would wait for him, just as they had for Jennifer.