Disclaimer: I do NOT own the rights to Bonanza. The only character that is
mine is Marilyn. This was a fan fiction I did for another site, but was never
quite satisfied with, so I went ahead and redid it. I don't think, since this if
fan fiction, I can get in trouble for plagiarism, if I can, good grief, let me
know and I'll yank it.
I always wondered 'what if the woman that had shown up was legally
Ben's wife. So, I started writing. Yes, I changed her name, no, she's not
from where the other lady was from, and she doesn't have anyone else
involved, but still that is where I got this idea from. I also did not watch it
THAT much, so, the speech in this story is not going to match what was on
TV, at least not a lot.
The stagecoach's wheels rattled something fierce as Marilyn hung onto
the side of the contraption. She'd never cared for traveling much, but
sometimes you just had to do what you had to do. And since Ben had been
the one to pay for the trip out west it wasn't like she was in a position to
choose the mode of transportation she used.
Benjamin Cartwright. She really didn't know that much about him, hadn't
even really met him, but that one time at the hotel where she'd been visited.
He'd seemed nice enough, and had talked quite a bit about his sons Adam,
Hoss, and Little Joe. Personally, she thought it dumb to call anyone over
eighteen little. That opinion was stated loud and clear and the man had
cracked up laughing, so, it wasn't like they'd rubbed each other the wrong
way.
"My sons are grown, but I still think they could use some female influence
at the ranch." He'd gone on and admitted he'd overheard the older woman
talking to her. "I believe she said it was 'high time you got married'. He
gave an understanding smile when Marilyn made a face, but went on
anyway, "I'll admit I'm not the catch you probably dreamed of as a little
girl, but I'm healthy, strong and a hard worker. I have three grown sons all
able to help me with the Ponderosa, even have a cook named Hop Sing. If
you wanted to all you'd have to do is host social events. How about
marrying me and I send you out west? I'd join you later, after my business
is done here?"
Marilyn had been reluctant, it wasn't in her nature to take up an offer of
marriage with a complete stranger. However, her mother's words still rang
in her ear. Maybe, the matriarch was right after all. It wasn't like she had any
prospects here in Boston anyway. So, yes, had ended up being the answer.
He'd easily convinced her mother a proper dowry was in order, and
suggested a hefty amount of money, she, herself, had balked, but her
mother said it was only natural, and readily consented to wire it to his ranch.
Ben claimed he just didn't trust that kind of stuff and suggested he take it
and bring it on after he was done.
The money had been dealt with between the man, and her mother, while
she'd gone to get a preacher. The man had attempted, and failed, to persuade
her mother that maybe the man should be checked out first. Mrs. Walden
had just waved him off. That was how she'd ended up on this coach, with a
driver who needed to find a new occupation.
