Bonanza Fan Fiction
Based on Is There Any Man Here
I do NOT own the copyrights to the show Bonanza or any
Of that show's characters
This is myversion of the Episode titled Is There Any Man Here. And I DID ALOT of the show in the first four chapters.
Scene 7
Jennifer knew Tuttle wouldn't leave without talking to her, but she wasn't about to go talk to him alone and asked Little Joe to go with her. "I can't explain why, I've handled him with one hand before, but there's something telling me to have someone by my side - or at the very least - outside the door." Little Joe had been more than willing to accompany her as his father had his hands full with Harry and showing the other men how to properly -and safely- run the pump. Therefore, the afternoon sun found Jennifer and Little Joe climbing the stairs which would lead to Tuttle's room.
Tuttle had been fuming all morning. He had up until half an hour ago - when more then one telegram was received - let himself be deluded into thinking he could hold the threat of destroying Ben over Jennifer's head. But the messages clearly stated Cody had indeed been right -the rancher had more connections than anyone had ever realized. Therefore he'd come with an idea one he planned on carrying out - if Jennifer did not agree to marry him. A knock came on the door and Tuttle had the door opened.
Jennifer stood facing Tuttle -not telling him Little Joe was right outside the door. "Jennifer, come to your senses. You are a highly talented woman, we could do great things together. Out here all your abilities would go to waste." Tuttle spoke on and on convincing himself more than anyone else that Jennifer really needed out of Virginia City.
"The marriage you speak of Tuttle would be heaven for you and hell for me." Jennifer did not mince her words. "Ben has more manners in his pinky than you have in your whole body." Keeping her tone even she refused to back down. Tuttle -forgetting his plan- found himself losing his temper and slapping her hard across the face. The sound sent the door flying wide open.
"Hit her again and you'll have to answer to me and my family." Little Joe pulled his gun when Tuttle's friend reached for his. "I wouldn't suggest that. Come on, Jennifer, let's get you back to Pa." Little Joe did not lower his gun until they were down the stairs - even then he kept a eye wide open until they were clear of the hotel.
"I'll find a way to get even." Tuttle hissed out the window. Alan -who had treated as if he weren't even in the room coughed.
"Oh, Alan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean t neglect you." Tuttle turned from the window.
"I suggest if you are planning revenge you wait to see what happens between Ben and the woman first. Acting too soon could very well get you killed." Alan could have cared less who got killed - as long as he had a dollar in his pocket he was a happy camper.
Scene 8
Ben was furious when he heard what Tuttle had done. It was true he wasn't sure about marrying Jennifer, but no woman deserved to be hit simply for turning down a proposal of marriage. "It's all right, Ben." Jennifer laid a hand on the man's arm. "I'm fine. Let's go for a ride."
A ride sounded good and Ben drove Jennifer over the Ponderosa. Her enthusiasm for his dream - and the land- was clear and sincere. Ben found himself smiling and laughing in a way he'd forgotten.
"I feel light-headed today." Jennifer's smile filled with more sunshine than Ben thought possible.
"Maybe, it's the high altitude?" Ben asked with amusement in his voice.
"Or - maybe- it's the company." Jennifer's happiness spilled over to Ben who found his own smile matching that of his companions. "I remember one other time I felt this way."
"When was that?" Ben asked with the amusement still being held in place.
"Trip Oceanside park." Jennifer turned and found Ben chuckling.
"I tried to teach you how to sail and we both fell in. Got drenching wet." Jennifer laughed with Ben as they then went and set out a blanket for a picnic under a very large tree.
The next few days found Jennifer accompanying Ben to many places. Every time Tuttle saw them he fumed. If that man hadn't had the connections he did Tuttle would have squashed him in a heartbeat. He hadn't been able to haul Jennifer off and keep her locked up until she came to her sense due to Little Joe being with her - not to mention he'd let his temper distract him.
"Bide your time." Alan advised -yet again- your revenge will come but only if you bide your time." The end of the day found Tuttle still fuming and Ben back at the house with Jennifer. The look in her eye as everyone went to bed prompted the man to suggest they have a night cap and talk.
"Sounds pretty serious." Jennifer sat down and kept her smile on her face.
"Jennifer…" Ben sat across from his old friend's daughter. "…I'm flattered you'd want to marry me, but the age between us is wide. Have you seriously thought about this?"
"Yes, I have…" Jennifer spoke with strong conviction. "Over and over."
"But you are young enough to marry Adam, Hoss or even Little Joe." Ben's face showed he was overcome with disbelief she'd really want to marry an old man compared to one of his sons.
"First, Adam is already married to Celeste. Hoss is with Britta and I am positive -from what I hear- Alice has a very strong footing with Little Joe." Jennifer spoke softly - with a slight tease in her voice. Nonetheless she grew serious fast enough as she leaned forward and took Ben's hand. "I am young enough to be wife for one of them it is true, but I love you and I want to see us married." Her eyes softened. "Ben, if you lost all your money and had to live in a shack I'd still want to be joined with you." Her eyes never left his nor did they once waver.
With her look still in his mind he stood up paced the floor. "Jennifer, this is a masculine household. I have grown sons. I doubt they'd harbor resentment against you, but it might be felt nonetheless." Ben stopped by the short banister of and laid his hand on the bulb of the end post. "There are other problems we'd be dealing with."
"Ben, all marriages have problems. That is to be expected." Jennifer went straight to his side and laid her hand on his upper arm. "Have you changed your mind?"
"I haven't made up my mind." Ben practically threw up his hands. "I just…" Jennifer laid a finger once again on his mouth.
"Sleep on it, tomorrow is an important day." Jennifer was referring to the fact the deal would be sealed officially with her father and that she and Ben could focus on what she'd come out for.
"Every days important, Jennifer." Ben had spent the day trying to get her to see all choices were major and every day major.
"Yes, they are." Jennifer gave him a quick good-night kiss and hurried upstairs refusing to be dwell on any choice other than the one that would take her down the isle with Ben.
Ben didn't turn in. Instead he paced back and forth in the front room giving serious thought to Jennifer and marriage. He then would sit in the red chair with his head in his hands picturing his life without her. Needless to say it was far into the wee hours of the morning before he finally did turn in.
Scene 9
The sky changed from pitch black to bright and sunny with blue clear skies. Ben was outside near the barn feeling more nervous than he had since his wedding to Marie. He knew his sons had been out before breakfast doing their regular chores and wanted to be able to talk to them before they all sat down to the meal Hop Sing and Jennifer were preparing. The sounds of horses hooves mingled with the crisp morning air let him know his sons were arriving home on time.
"Hi, Pa." Little Joe grinned as he got off his horse.
"Morning, Pa. Figured you'd be inside." Hoss kept the words with Jenny to himself.
"Well, I …kind of… need to talk… to you two alone. It's about a very serious matter." Ben's jittery nerves showed and the boys easily guessed what was coming, but kept very solemn faces - on purpose.
"Okay, what is it?" Hoss asked as he crossed his legs and folded his arms. Little Joe sat on the bench and echoed his brother's question.
"Well, you see…" Ben once again stuck his hands in his pockets. "I've been up most of the night thinking on the matter…" His eyes darted to the ground and then back up and his sons. "And I've come to a decision - least I think I have and I'm hoping you boys will back me up on it."
"Well, what is it?" Little Joe asked keeping his serious face intact. And added when his father still hesitated. "Pa, we're full grown men, we can handle whatever it is that is so serious."
"Yes, of course." Ben took a deep breath. "I've decided to ask Jennifer to marry me."
"Okay." Hoss didn't even flinch.
"Ya, now, Pa… what was the serious topic you wanted to discuss?" Little Joe asked barely keeping his chuckle under cover, but when his father looked shocked that his boys weren't showing any signs of being surprised, or concerned, Little Joe lost it and busted up laughing -which made Hoss grin a mile wide.
" Well, Pa, this isn't exactly unexpected." Ben found himself laughing and grinning as his sons thumped him on the back and congratulated him.
'Now, let's go in to eat. I'm starved." Hoss getting that 'feed me' look made them laugh all harder.
