Chapter 2
Mary had said nothing at all during the ride to the ranch house which seemed a never ending journey to her, but Adam kept trying to reassure her by talking to her and telling her of his home, which he said was called the Ponderosa, and that he lived there with his father and two brothers. When at last they came to the Ponderosa, which Mary had thought must be a small cabin-type house in the middle of nowhere, she looked up in surprise at seeing such a beautiful and large ranch house.
Adam slipped down off Sport and helped Mary down.
"This way if you please" Adam invited, as he led Mary towards the front door, taking her by the arm.
Mary stopped in her tracks and tried to pull herself away from Adam. "I'm not goin' in dere with you" she stated. "How can I trust ya, I don't even know ya."
"You'll have to trust me. I'm not letting you go 'til I've sorted your arm out"
"Very well then, but I'll leave as soon as you completed your task." Mary announced.
They went through the front door and Adam placed his hat on the sideboard. He went to go immediately to the kitchen, but turned around and said to Mary, "Please make yourself at home, while I fetch some warm water and a bandage." He turned again and went into the kitchen while Mary looked on in surprise at his leaving her alone. She couldn't believe he trusted her to stay there.
She looked towards the fireplace which was directly in front of her and slowly walked around the settee to get a closer look. She marvelled at the size of it and thought how right it was for this room. She turned around and surveyed the rest of the room. Her intake of breath was audible, thankfully only to herself. She walked toward the stairs and looked at all the rifles there. There were so many. Mary turned once more and found herself looking at a grand-sized desk and chair covered in green leather. She walked towards it and stopped suddenly as out of the corner of her eye she saw a large bookcase on her right. She stared wide-eyed and overwhelmed at seeing so many books patiently waiting on the shelves for someone to take out and read. Mary was amazed to see such a collection of books out here in the back of beyond. Mary managed to hold back her tears. She could not take her eyes from them. Then her thoughts turned to her staying here for just a little while after all. She could use her arm as an excuse.
Adam now returned with the warm water and bandage which he put on the low table by the fire and asked Mary to come over and sit in the chair.
"I'll have your arm sorted in no time. Then I can take you back to wherever is most convenient for you if that is what you want?" he offered. "Or you could wait and have supper with us before we venture forth."
"Actually, me arm has started to hurt more now and has become difficult to move, so I might just stay a while longer" she announced.
While Adam was tending to her arm he noticed she bit her nails. "I see you bite your nails." he stated. "No…." then hurriedly said, "so, what's it to you mister?"
But was interrupted from further comment when the main door opened to admit three male persons one laughing his head off, which came to an abrupt halt when he saw what was going on near the fire.
"Uh, hi, Adam." said Hoss. "What's goin' on?" "What's happened here" said the tall, silver grey haired man.
"This is Mary Kelly, Pa" Adam answered, "and this, Mary, is my Pa, Ben Cartwright. The other two are my brothers Hoss, he's the big one and Little Joe."
Mary simply nodded her head, not wanting to have to speak to them and acted to show she couldn't care less.
"Mary had a little accident and hurt her arm. But it's going to be okay in a few days." Adam told them. "She is going to stay with us while her arm mends, if that's alright with you Pa?"
"Of course, we have a spare room for guests and would be pleased to have you stay with us Mary, for as long as you wish". Ben said in his usual hospitable style.
"Good" said Mary. "I trust your accommodation will be suitable. I'll go to this room now if someone will show me the way."
Adam had finished tending her arm and looked at her with raised eyebrows, as did the rest of the family.
"I'll show you where the room is" Adam offered, walking up to the stairs and inviting Mary to follow him.
When they were both out of sight, Joe voiced his opinion of Mary saying, "Well she was certainly very grateful to you, Pa, wasn't she!"
"Maybe she's just shy and doesn't know what to say." Hoss offered, sympathetically.
"But everyone, surely, knows how to say 'thank you.' Don't they Pa"
"I would have thought so, but perhaps she has never been taught these things." Hoss suggested. "It sometimes happens you know."
They all turned towards the sideboard and started removing their gun belts, hats and jackets. All famished and wanting their supper.
Upstairs in the guest bedroom:
"I hope you like your room, Mary." Adam said, opening the door and ushering her into the room.
"It'll do me I suppose. At least I won't be in it for long."
"Well it's nice of you to show such gratitude. Perhaps a little rest will help stem your rudeness. I'll call you in time for supper." Adam left the room, trying his best to curb his temper.
