A Hold on a Cartwright's Heart
I do not own Bonanza or any of the characters, except for Amanda and Mason, they are mine. Adam is 32, Hoss is 27, and Joe is 20. No copyright infringement is intended this is just written for fun and pure enjoyment of the reader
Chapter Four: Mason
The next morning Adam was the first one up, as usually. He made himself a cup of coffee and settled in his father's favorite red chair. He picked up the abandoned book on the table, and attempted to read it again.
It had been a good ten minutes, when out of the corner of his eye he seen the guest bedroom open. He seen a little blonde head come out slowly, Adam watched as Mason tiptoed his way to the kitchen. Adam couldn't help but smile, he decided just to see what the kid would do so he pretended to read, all the while watching Mason.
Adam flipped the page, and Mason stopped dead looking at Adam. Mason's eyes were wide but when he realized that Adam hadn't noticed him, he made his way towards Adam. Mason was right in front of Adam, when Adam decided to take notice of the boy, he lowered his book.
"Well, looks like someone is up early." Adam said with a smile.
"Wha' cha readin'?" Mason asked placing his hand on Adam's knee.
"King Arthur." Adam said, picking up the book again and showing Mason the title.
"With the knights?" Mason asked with excited eyes, then he looked down sheepishly, "will you read to me?"
"Of, course." Adam said laughing. Then without asking Mason scrambled up into Adam's lap and made himself comfortable. Adam couldn't help but remember when Joe use to curl in his lap and let him read to him, he missed it. Adam cleared his throat and began reading.
Amanda woke up to the drone of a speaking voice, she layed still as she collected her surroundings. She smiled as she noticed that the voice belonged to Adam, and he was reading from King Arthur. 'Mason would love that.' Amanda thought as she rolled over to wake up Mason. Her hand found only empty air, she gasped and sat up quickly.
"Mason!" Amanda said loudly. She heard Adam stop reading as she swung the blankets off of her legs to get out of bed. She was almost to the door when she heard Adam speak.
"Looks like your mama is looking for you." Amanda sighed as she opened the door, and seen Mason in Adam's lap. They both looked up and Mason climbed down from Adam's lap and ran to Amanda wrapping his arms around her legs.
"Good morning, Mama." Mason said looking up. There was a sound of the stairs and Ben appeared at the top.
"Is everything alright," Ben said. "I heard Amanda."
"Everything is fine, Mr. Cartwright." Amanda said patting Mason's head.
"Well, that's good." Ben said, then he looked at Adam, "it's your turn to wake up Joe."
Adam sighed, "Alright, Pa." Adam got up and headed up the stairs passing his father who was on his way down.
"My youngest Joseph, isn't a morning person." Ben said laughing.
"Mason isn't either," Amanda said looking down at Mason, "only sometimes."
"Would you like some coffee or tea?" Ben asked as he walked across the living room.
"No, thank you," Amanda said, "but if I could Mr. Cartwright, make breakfast for you and your boys."
"You don't have to do that." Ben said.
"It's alright, I want to." Amanda said smiling.
"Well if you insist." Ben said "the kitchen is this way." Amanda followed Ben into the kitchen and Mason climbed up into Ben's chair and opened the book Adam had been reading to him.
This is how Ben found him when he came back out with his coffee. He sat down on the settee, and watched him for a moment.
"Is it a good book?" Ben asked. Mason jumped but then smiled at Ben.
"Yes, sir." Mason said. "that nice man was reading to me."
"That's my oldest boy Adam," Ben said "and I have two more sons Hoss and Little Joe."
"I met them yesterday, when the doctor was here." Mason said "but I didn't know Adam's name, I like Adam."
Ben smiled and took a sip of his coffee. There was a thump from upstairs and the sound of Hoss' and Adam's laughter.
"Gosh darn it!" they heard Joe yell. There was a thunder of footsteps could be heard as Hoss and Adam came running down the stairs followed by Joe waving one of his boots over his head.
"Boys," Ben said sternly standing up, "we have guests." All three boys stopped and looked down in embarrassment.
"Sorry Pa." they all said. Mason laughed and then so did everyone else.
"Well boys Miss Amanda has volunteered to fix us breakfast." Ben said sitting back down. Hoss' eyes lit up and he smacked his lips.
"Is your mama a good cook?" Hoss asked Mason. Mason nodded with a big smile on his face.
"She's the best cook in the world." Mason said.
"I'll take your word for it." Hoss said heading back up the stairs followed by Joe.
"Adam?" Mason asked. Adam looked over at Mason. "will you read to me again."
"Sure, sweetheart." Adam said picking Mason up and settling back down into the position they were in earlier that morning.