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.