HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1MONSTER2!

This story is a gift to my "padawan" who I have had the great pleasure of mentoring over this past year. I have also had the honor of introducing her to a wonderful show called "Bonanza", one she greatly enjoys and inspired this literary birthday present.

I also wish to thank Vernacular Jargon for their help and awesome beta skills with my first mutli-chapter Bonanza fic.

DISCLAIMER: I own no rights to the Cartwrights.

Enjoy ...

Chapter 1

Joe swung the ax, splitting what felt like his thousandth log. It had to be near a hundred degrees out and not even the warm breeze brought any relief from the heat. His back ached and sweat stung his eyes, but he wasn't thinking about that. The only thing on his mind was how much he wanted to beat his over-sized brother into the ground. That is, if he ever showed up.

"You still here?" Adam asked, coming up from the barn. "I thought you had a girl waiting."

"I did," Joe snapped, splitting another log with a bit more force than necessary.

"Ah," his older brother nodded. "Hoss isn't back yet?"

"What do you think?"

Adam dropped his gaze and the action hit Joe like a punch to the stomach. He really had no right to snap at Adam. It wasn't his fault certain parties couldn't keep a commitment. But it had taken him weeks to get permission to call on Bessie Sue, and Hoss knew that. So why hadn't he come to take over the chores like he promised? Still, it wasn't fair to take his frustration out on his other brother.

"Sorry," Joe muttered.

"Don't worry about it," Adam shrugged, clapping him on the shoulder. "If it makes you feel any better, he was supposed to help me with the south fence yesterday."

"You mean he wasn't there either?"

Before Adam had a chance to answer, the subject of their discussion rode up with a backboard full of supplies. Funny though, since he had just gone to town for a bag of sugar. Now what could he need with all this?

"Well, you made quite the haul today," Adam commented, looking over the load. "Did you at least get the sugar?"

"Dadburnit, I knew I forgot something," Hoss sighed. "Well, I guess I will just have to go back tomorrow."

"Like you went out today?" Joe questioned, embedding the ax in a log. "And yesterday … and the day before …"

Hoss didn't reply as he climbed down and started to unhitch the horses, causing Joe to share a look with Adam. His middle brother had been unusually quiet the past few days, that is when he was around. Something was up and he was sick and tired of pretending it wasn't.

"Hoss, what's going on?"

"Nothing," he replied firmly. "I just forgot the sugar."

"For three days?" Adam pointed out.

Answering with only a scowl and some incoherent mutterings, Hoss led the team back to the barn. Knowing they weren't going to get much out of him now, Joe headed back to the wood pile. Picking up the ax, he felt each muscle he had worked over the last few days. Whatever Hoss was doing he better finish it quick … if he knew what was good for him.

*A*D*A*M*

Sitting down to supper, Adam couldn't help but notice the tension at the table. Aside from his father, it seemed everyone in the house was in a bad mood. He knew what, or rather who, had Joe riled up, but he had yet to figure out what was on Hoss' mind. And Hop Sing, his bad moods came every other day, so that was nothing special. However, when their cook's attitude effects their dinner it was something to worry about.

"Hop Sing," Ben called, looking down at his plate. "Where's the meat?"

"Meat all gone," he huffed.

"It can't be," Joe exclaimed. "We butchered some beef just a few days ago."

"Hop Sing set smoked beef aside, it all gone now. Yesterday Hop Sing have salt pork, it all gone. Chicken, duck, whatever Hop Sing cook all gone by supper. You want meat, you stop people from taking it."

While he stormed out of the room, Adam looked down at his own plate. Salad and bread: good for an appetizer but hardly a meal. Stranger though, was that Hoss was eating it without complaint. Granted the look on his face did all the complaining for him, but no protest was heard. Curious …

"Now," Adam started, resting his chin on his folded hands. "Who could have possibly taken all that meat?"

All eyes turned to Hoss who slowly stopped eating. The look in his eyes quickly turned to guilt and they had their answer. But even though his brother could out eat a platoon, he was usually pretty good about leaving some for the rest of them. What had changed?

"Hoss?" Ben started.

"I'm sorry, Pa," he said, poking at his vegetables. "I … uh … I was just hungry."

"Hungry?" Joe repeated in disbelief. "You were so hungry you ate all our beef, salt pork, chicken, and duck?"

"Well, no one ever said he ate it alone," Adam pointed out.

No sooner had the words been spoken that Hoss got up muttering something about making sure he fed the horses. Not that he got far when Ben caught him by the wrist. Still, the reaction was just what Adam had been looking for.

"Hoss," Ben started firmly. "Sit back down and tell us what this is all about."

"Yeah," Adam chimed in with a grin. "Who is she?"

"She?" Joe's eyes went wide. "You mean all this is about a girl?"

Based on the color of his brother's face, it was. Hoss slumped back down in his seat and sighed. It looked as though they were finally going to get some answers.

"You don't know her," he said finally. "I've been … helping her out for a few days."

"Hoss, if you needed the supplies you could have just asked," Ben stated, all the anger gone from his voice.

"Yeah," Joe added. "We would have been happy to help … what did you say her name was?"

"I didn't," Hoss answered, glaring at their youngest brother. "I'm taking care of it so you all don't need to worry."

"Why all the secrecy?" Adam wondered. "Worried that we might try to steal her away?"

"No, I … I just can't talk about it right now. She's new in town and doesn't like strangers."

"We're hardly strangers," Ben pointed out. "We're your family."

"I know, it's just … it's just too soon. Alright?"

Taken aback by the forcefulness in his brother's tone, Adam shared a look with their father. Though he clearly agreed that there was something wrong with the situation, Ben let it slide and suggested they all get back to their supper. The rest of the meal passed in awkward silence and as soon as they were done Hoss headed out to the barn. Adam waited only until he heard Chub ride away before dragging Joe out after him.

"You expect to keep tracking him in the dark?" his brother asked after nearly an hour of slow riding.

"Do you want to find out what's going on or not?"

With an exaggerated sigh, Joe fell silent as they continued to follow Hoss' trail. It appeared he was heading out toward one of the line shacks. But why would he be hiding a girl out here?

"Adam," Joe whispered. "I think I heard something."

Getting off the trail, Adam and Joe hid behind some trees just in time to see Hoss ride pass. As soon as he disappeared around the bend, they sent off down the trail at a much quicker pace. Now that they were not worried about their brother catching them, there was no need for stealth. It only took them a few minutes to reach the line shack. Sure enough, a lamp was lit inside.

"Why would he hide a girl out here?" Joe questioned.

Still wondering the same thing, Adam dismounted and headed for the shack. He had barely reached the porch when door cracked open.

"Papa?" a small voice called. "Is that you?"

Stunned, the two brothers found themselves looking down at a small girl, no more than seven years old. She had hair the color of gold and wide eyes as green as the Ponderosa in summer. Was this Hoss' secret girl?

"Uh … he stammered. "Hello. I'm-"

He took half a step forward and the girl started to scream. Nearly back peddling into Joe, Adam tried to calm the child down, but the only answer he got was the door slamming in his face.

"I guess Hoss was right about her not liking strangers," Joe shouted over the noise.

"Hey!" another voice yelled before he could answer.

Turning, they saw a very angry Hoss climbing off his horse. This was going to be fun to explain. Fortunately, his brother didn't seem in the mood to deal with them and went straight to the shack.

"Hannah!" he called. "Hannah, it's me!"

The door flew open and the teary eyed little girl nearly jumped into Hoss' arms. He bent down on his knee so that her feet stayed on the ground as he soothed the child.

"It's alright, sweetheart," he whispered, tenderly stroking her hair. "Papa's here now and ain't nobody gonna hurt you."

So, what do you think of "Hoss' secret girl?"

Feedback is always welcome while I prepare the next chapter (which will be posted tomorrow.)