Chapter 3
Ben and the boys walk in the house and into the living room.
"I want to know what's going on with you and Amelia. When she came home she was clearly angry about something and then I see a bruise on her arm. She wouldn't tell me what happen so I'm now asking you three" said Ben sternly but he was mostly worried about his daughter and the tension that was building between her and her brothers.
Adam and Hoss were confused this was the first they heard of it. "I can explain Pa" said Joe apprehensively. "You gave your sister that bruise?" asked Ben shocked.
"Of course not Pa. Amelia ran into Bobby Palmer in town and he was manhandling her. I pulled him away from her and now she's mad at me" said Joe confused.
"She's mad at us to" said Hoss. "Why would she be mad at you and Adam?" asked Ben confused. "Hoss and I were giving her a hard time about going to mend fences" said Adam.
"I know I'm gonna regret asking this but what did you say to her?" asked Ben. "We told her that mending fences was no job for a little girl" said Hoss feeling guilty. "Uh no" said Joe. "What?" asked Adam. "I told her she couldn't handle someone like Bobby Palmer by herself" said Joe.
"Because she's a little girl?" asked Ben. "Yeah" said Joe feeling guilty and ashamed.
Ben shakes his head in disbelief. "You three need to understand that even though Amelia is your younger sister she's not a little girl anymore. You three have been seeing her as just a little sister for so long that you neglect to realize that she's growing up. She can take care of herself"
The boys exchange glances realizing that their Pa was right. "What do you think we should do?" asked Hoss. "I think you boys can answer that question yourselves" answered Ben he walks out of the room and into the kitchen leaving the boys feeling guilty.
Later that evening the boys were playing chess while Ben was sitting on a chair reading a book. Amelia walks in. "Hey Pa I'm going out tonight so I won't be home for dinner" announced Amelia.
"Where you going?" asked Ben curiously. "I have a date with Josh tonight" replied Amelia excitedly. The boys perked up from their chessboard and started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Amelia not amused. "Nothing Amelia" said Hoss trying to stop laughing. Deciding to ignore her hysterical brothers she turns to Ben "I'm going to get cleaned up and get ready for my date" said Amelia.
Ben nods and she hurries up the stairs. Ben then turns to his sons who have stopped laughing and gives them a disappointed look.
"Sorry Pa" said the boys in unison. In minutes Amelia comes down wearing a turquoise blue dress. Ben watches her with pride and smiles. "You look absolutely beautiful just like your mother" said Ben.
"Thanks Pa" beamed Amelia as she walks over to her Pa. "I won't be out late Pa" informed Amelia she kisses her father's cheek then walks to the door and puts her shawl on. "Have a good time" said Ben.
Amelia walks out the door after saying goodbye to her brothers.
Chapter 4
Josh and Amelia were sitting by the lake under the moonlight and stars overlooking the lake.
"It's a beautiful night" said Amelia. Josh turns to her and puts his arm around her. "It's even more beautiful with you here" said Josh. Amelia blushes and smiles.
They lean toward each other about to kiss when they heard horses riding towards them.
"Uh oh" said Amelia. "What's the matter?" asked Josh. "That could be my brothers" said Amelia.
Josh looks at her confused. "Your brothers why would it be your brothers?" asked Josh.
"They've been overprotective of me lately" said Amelia. Bobby and his friends rode up to them. "What do we have here" said Bobby.
"What do you want Bobby?" asked Josh annoyed. Bobby mounts off his horse and walks over to them. "Amelia where's your protector Little Joe?" taunted Bobby.
"He's home why?" asked Amelia suspiciously. "No reason just surprise is all" said Bobby. "Surprise about what?" asked Josh.
"Surprise that her brothers let her be alone with a boy even though they don't trust you" stated Bobby cruelly.
"My brothers trust me they're just a bit over protective of me that's all" said Amelia defensively. "Whatever you say Cartwright" said Bobby rudely.
"This has been fun talking to you Palmer" said Josh sarcastically. "But we're on a date".
"A date with this promiscuous tramp Joshie boy you can do better than that" said Bobby provoking Josh and Amelia.
Amelia charges toward him and Bobby shoves her back slamming her to the ground. The sleeve of Amelia's dress that covered her right arm ripped open from under her shoulder to her elbow.
Josh helps her up. "Are you alright Mia?" asked Josh concerned. "I'm fine I want to go home" said Amelia. "Sure no problem" said Josh.
He walks her over to their wagon they climbed in and rode away.
At the Ponderosa it had been hours since Amelia left for her date and the boys were sitting in the living room. Ben walks down the stairs in his robes surprise to see his sons' waiting for Amelia.
"Boys I think you should go to bed. Amelia would be home soon" said Ben. "We can't sleep until she does" said Hoss.
They heard a wagon riding in the yard. The boys immediately got up and walk outside to see who it was. Josh had pulled up to the house and was helping Amelia off the wagon when the boys walk up to them.
Adam notices Amelia's ripped dress then glares up at Josh angry. Adam walks up to him and grabs him by the collar. "You ripped my little sister's dress" accused Adam.
Hoss and Joe look at Josh with angry looks on their faces then turn to Amelia who was shocked. "Adam I can explain" said Josh nervously. Adam punches Josh in the jaw knocking him to the ground.
Amelia rushes to him. "Josh honey you ok?" asked Amelia concerned. She looks at his face relieved that there wasn't any blood. She then glares up at her brothers.
Ben hurries over to them and saw Josh getting up from the ground with Amelia helping him. "What the heck happen?" demanded Ben dismayed. "I'll see ya tomorrow Mia" said Josh he kisses her on the cheek then climbs back on the wagon and rides out of the yard.
"I hope you three are satisfied you just beat up my boyfriend for no reason" snapped Amelia furiously. "Didn't he ripped your dress?" asked Joe confused.
"No he didn't if you three idiots gave him a chance to explain you would've known that instead of acting like jackasses" yelled Amelia her temper flaring. "Calm down Amelia" suggested Ben trying to calm his daughter down.
"I can't Pa I had enough of this" said Amelia she storms to the house with the men following her. They walk into the living room. "Who ripped your dress?" asked Ben concerned.
"It was Bobby I'm too riled up to explain" said Amelia. She turns to her brothers who were looking at her nervously. They've never seen her so angry before.
"I don't know what to say. You three have been such a pain lately. Telling me what to do and telling me what not to do. Thinking I am a helpless little girl. I'm not a little girl anymore!" said Amelia.
"Look I know you love me and that you're just looking out for me and I appreciate it but you three have crossed the line this time. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me as the only girl in a house full of men?" asked Amelia almost in tears.
They look at her sheepishly. They had no idea what she how hard it is for her being the only girl in the house and they were feeling ashamed that they never thought of it.
"You know what the worst part of all of this?" asked Amelia trying to reframe herself from crying. They look at her waiting for her to tell them.
"Bobby was actually right for once you three don't trust me you never have and I'm willing to bet that you never will" said Amelia now crying making the boys feel even worse than the already do.
She then walks over to her Pa who was standing by the fireplace. "I'm sorry that I have to do this to you Pa but they left me no choice" said Amelia.
"About what sweetheart?" asked Ben trying to prepare himself for what was about to come. "I'm leaving the ranch" announced Amelia. Ben looks at her surprise and shock as were the boys.
