A/N I got this idea off the episode Three Brides for Hoss.
Chapter One
The stagecoach rolled along the road that led to Virginia City carrying three passengers…a businessman from Carson City, his wife of ten years and a black haired, twenty year old woman, named Marcy Carpenter from Maryland. While the businessman, a balding fellow by the name of Tom Miller, and his wife had visited with her a little, there hadn't been much conversation. Truth be told, Marcy was rather nervous as she thought on the reason for her trip out west, a trip her family and friends were telling her she was crazy to make.
"You've never met this man," her father was beside himself as he paced back and forth in his study. "This Erick Cartwright, or Hoss as he calls himself, could be nothing more than a scoundrel!"
"Now papa, I had a detective check him out. He's no scoundrel!" Marcy politely chastised her father, and then told him everything that the detective had told her. "I'll be fine. The Cartwrights have a solid reputation as good people."
Her father relented, knowing she was of age and there was nothing he could do to stop her.
Marcy might not have been as nervous only, while stopping over in Carson City, she'd heard some rumblings about an Irishman and the mess he'd created for Hoss. She didn't know how much truth was in the rumblings; how much of it was in the alcohol the men had been drinking. So, to play it safe, Marcy decided to send a second telegram before leaving Carson City. If Eric Cartwright had sent for her, the second telegram would simply confirm what he already knew. If he hadn't, he'd have the time to deal with the shock, and she could decide what to do next. Marcy inwardly sighed. As long as he had really sent for her, there would be no problem. Only, if he hadn't, what on earth was she going to do? Her father might have relented and backed off, only he'd made it crystal clear what would happen if she came home still not married or with a divorce on her hands. "Let me not be crazy for coming to Nevada" she silently prayed.
~oOo~
Hoss and is father stood on the boardwalk waiting for the stagecoach. Hoss was as jumpy and scared as he'd been the day three women had showed up at the Ponderosa claiming to be the wife he had advertised for. When two of the women had run off with two of the ranch hands and the third had married the man responsible for creating the mess in the first place, Hoss and his family had thought the whole event to be a closed chapter in their lives. And then the telegram had arrived.
"Pa, what if there are more women coming?" Hoss had an almost comical look of fear upon his face as he asked the question.
Ben shook his head. "I talked to *Chester. He assures me only four women replied to the ad he put out." He then paused and then asked, due to the comments Hoss and Little Joe had been exchanging before Hoss and Ben had left the house to come to Virginia City, "What are you going to do when she gets here? I mean, you're not seriously thinking to enter into such a marriage?" That part, the fact that Hoss had gone from being horrified at the thought that he just might be stuck with a wife to actually entertaining the notion, had Ben concerned and confused. It might have been different if he could see the reason for the change only he couldn't.
Hoss hooked his thumbs over the top of his pant pockets and shrugged. "I dunno, though reckon iff'n I'm to be honest, I'm thinkin' on it. Though, guess I can't decide either way until I talk to this Marcy gal and let her know what happened and see if she's willin' to give me the time to think about it." He knew his father wanted more than that for an answer, only how was he supposed to explain something to his father when he, Hoss, didn't truly understand why he'd changed his mind…or if he really had. Before Ben or he could say another word, the stagecoach rolled in.
Ben shook his head as the stagecoach stopped and the businessman climbed out, helped his wife out and then, politely, helped Marcy out.
"Thank you, sir," Marcy smiled wide, only to have the smile quickly replaced by more serious look once she turned and saw Hoss and his father. From the letter in her pocket, she knew who both men were. "Hoss?" She asked cautiously as she took a step forward.
Hoss felt bad for the young woman who stood in front of him. She couldn't stand over five feet four inches and looked more scared than a jackrabbit cornered by a fox than anything. He figured it was because she'd traveled so far to meet a total stranger. "Um, yes, ma'am that's me. And this here is my pa, Ben Cartwright." Hoss nodded towards Ben. "And you're Marcy Carpenter?"
A smile spread from one corner of her fact to another. The man didn't seem angry or upset to see her. Maybe that was a good sign. "Yes, I am." She couldn't help but fidget slightly.
"Our buggy is at the livery stable." Hoss smiled as he picked up her luggage; the driver had sat it down moments after the coach had stopped. "Why don't we go get it? We can talk on our way out to the Ponderosa."
Hoss might have missed the look of concern that was in his father's eyes; concern that was as bright as the noon day sun, due to having his eyes on Marcy…but, the young woman had no problem seeing it. "He feels the same way as my father," she thought, feeling a weight pressing down upon her shoulders, as she walked alongside Hoss. All she could do was hope she hadn't made the biggest mistake in her life.
~oOo~
A/N If the character who started the mess wasn't named Chester…blame you tube and my hearing. Also, back in the 1800's a single woman would not travel by herself. However, I didn't remember that fact until after I had two chapters written ...and I wasn't about to rewrite everything to fit a second character in.