Fan-Fiction Last Ponderosa Ma

Bonanza- based on Is There Any Man Here

Scene 14

The light in the room number 20 would have been shining brightly - only the occupants had the white curtains closed. Tuttle was pacing wildly back and forth fuming over Harry being the one in mortal danger and put total responsibility onto Alan. Therefore it was understandable that Alan was defending his part in what had happened.

"It's not my fault Harry interrupted Ben's hand and asked to give the first toast. Nor did I guide his hand to the wrong cup." Alan glared. "I put that stuff you gave me in the one you told me to. So, quit blaming me." He finished with his hands flapping upwards and asked what he was so worried about. "It's not like anyone knows we were plotting against Ben and Jennifer. They won't connect the poison to us. And even if they suspect they can't prove anything."

As the two men hashed out another plan Celeste, Alice and Britta all went to put flowers on Marie's grave and then headed up to where Emily was buried. The flowers Celeste had planted on her last visit was in full bloom. Alice laid the last flower down and turned to Celeste.

"What do you honestly think of Ben marrying Jennifer?" Alice would rather have died than to withhold support from her future father-in-law, but -truth be told- the age difference had her highly concerned and she wasn't sure it was right.

"I think…" Celeste sat down on a nearby rock. "…I have no room to talk." That made Britta bite back a chuckle.

"And you?" Alice faced Britta -who she'd heard swallow the laugh.

"Honestly?" Britta shrugged her shoulders. "It's not something I could ever picture doing myself, but I'm not Jennifer and Ben seems happy - so why make a fuss?"

"I guess I just worry she'll regret it and end up ditching Ben." Alice sighed and sat down herself. "And the last thing I want to see is Joe's father hurt."

Celeste thought over what Adam - and his brothers - had said about Jennifer. She thought over what Ben had told her about the newest Ponderosa Ma, and she reviewed how Jennifer had conducted herself since the meeting with Adam's wife. Finally, she spoke up.

"I honestly would be shocked if that day ever came." Patting her skirt Celeste looked at Alice. "Have you ever really, I mean really studied Jennifer when she's around Ben?"

"No. I guess not." Alice admitted.

"I haven't been around long, but even I can see she's a whole different person. Her smile is wider, her eyes sparkle more, and even when Ben's being stubborn she doesn't lose patience. I really think that when hard times hit she'll stick by him." Celeste stood up and walked to where Alice sat and squatted down. "Even when he's old and bedridden. So, why not keep supporting them. And if the day you fear comes at least Ben would know you and Little Joe were there for him."

"You're right." Alice grinned. "Let's get back before Hoss eats our share of the food."

"Amen to that." Britta hopped on her horse -as did the other two- and headed back to the main house.

Scene 15

Ben stood with Jennifer bidding farewell to Adam and Celeste. The two would head out to San Francisco to do business and then head back to Australia. Australia - it was so far- and Adam's father let a sigh escape his mouth. Adam heard and gave his father an extra hug.

"I do love you, Pa - but this life simply isn't for me." The eldest Cartwright was assured his father knew that.

"Still doesn't mean I don't find myself missing you." Ben then hugged Celeste and then stepped back with his arm around his bride. It was only when the stagecoach left did the two turn around.

"Tuttle." Ben muttered and pulled Jennifer close.

If the young banker had intended to cause trouble it was thwarted by Sheriff Coffee stepping outside and putting himself between the stuck up snob and the Cartwrights. "Might want to keep your hand near you gun." Roy spoke softly. "That young know-it-all may yet have a gun trained at my back, or your front."

Tuttle had indeed planned to provoke a fight - but with Roy turning to face him as he got closer the fellow put his plans on hold.

"I see you and Jennifer made it back to town." Someone really needed to yank that man's nose out of the air.

"Yes, came to see Adam off." Ben didn't budge, nor would he let Jennifer move herself - a fact she did not argue with.

"I'm sorry to hear about your father." Tuttle put on his best sympathetic smile - no one was fooled. It was all over town how Harry had taken a turn for the worse and how he was now having another argument with the Grim Reaper.

"I'm sure you are." Jennifer managed to speak politely - but the icy undercurrent could be felt by all four.

"I think you'd best go your own way." Roy advised Tuttle.

"Just being neighborly." The man threw out the 'fact' but did not hesitate in turning around and leaving.

With Tuttle gone Ben helped Jennifer up into the carriage and drove off. His smile was pleasant enough but his wife knew he was keeping a sharp eye out for any movement that might mean death. A glint off a hill made Ben lower one hand in preparation to pull a gun, but it turned out to only be s silver buckle dropped by someone in too much of a hurry to stop. It was that thought - the 'someone'- that refused to allow them to relax until they got home -behind closed doors.

The first week of the month had been quiet, but the last three totally hectic and the therefore Ben was thankful the house was quiet once again as he gathered Jennifer in his arms. "Finally, a time to ourselves." He titled his wife's head and lowered his own. "Would you be so kind as to help me feed a hunger?" Jennifer willingly complied.

Ben's statement was why the only ones Hop Sing found at the dinner table was Little Joe and Hoss. When the man -out of habit- asked where Ben was. Hoss couldn't resist putting on a very serious face - Little Joe took the hint and matched his older brother's look.

"Shortshanks and I figure it this way. We think Pa has a very serious health issue and our new Ma is taking care of it." It was all Little Joe could do not to bust a gut at how serious his brother was being.

"What that? What Boss have?" Hop Sing really did need to stop and think - something he was normally very good at.

"Jennyitis." That was it Little Joe lost it -as did Hoss. It earned them a glare from Hop Sing who disappeared into the kitchen - embarrassed for not knowing that upfront.

"What do you think Pa will say when he founds out what we said?" Little Joe asked with a smile only to sober up when Ben's voice spoke from the top of the stairs.

"Said what to whom?" Their father walked down the steps as Hoss confessed what he'd told Hop Sing.

Ben would have chewed out Hoss good - only - how do you chew one's son out when their new stepmother is chuckling herself? "Don't egg these sons of mine on." Ben spoke as firmly as he could and was happy when Jennifer bit her lip.

Jennifer's lip may have been bit but her eyes were roaring - a fact not missed by her stepsons. It was something that made them unable to look at Miss Jenny. It only took a second for Ben to see the laughter in everyone's eyes and relent in seeing the humor himself.

"You're impossible." He finally said to Hoss and Little Joe - in a tone that set everyone to laughing; even Hop Sing who had gotten past being embarrassed.

"Sorry, Hop Sing." Hoss smiled apologetically - who really did feel awful at making their cook turn red in the face. "I reckon I oughta have kept the smart remark to myself."

"No, funny. Honest. I not think. You make joke. Very funny." Hop Sing's easy forgiveness of their faults was one of many reasons he was still employed by Ben.

Ben turned serious and informed them he was sure Tuttle would not be long in making his next move. "He was itching for a fight in town. I could tell. Fact is…" The man who knew in his heart of hearts that he had the last Ponderosa Ma by his side led out a huge breath of air. "…I've sensed him clawing at the door for the past couple of days. Every instinct I possess tells me he's going to make a move soon. And…" shrugging his shoulders. "…I think it's going to involve more than one gun. Which is why I sent Candy on an errand. One he should be getting back from soon." As if on cue, a knock came at the door.

"Ben, You already know Flying Eagle." Candy nodded towards the Paiute who had known Ben for a very long time. "And this is Running Fox." Running Fox was a Goshute Indian who also knew Ben.

"Candy told you what is going on?" Ben asked the men as he stood up from the table.

"Yes. He say Tuttle bad man. Say he try to kill you just because you marry pretty woman. He say man would be happy to see woman dead." Running Fox had met Tuttle just once - and that was one time too many in his book.

"What you need from us?" Flying Eagle wanted to help in any way he could.

"I need one of you stay here with Jennifer and Little Joe." The fact his gun hand had been hurt and was now in a wrap was as wide-spread news as Harry's turn of health. The other one I need to keep on the road leading to pasture where Hoss and I will be working with the cattle - he'd be our warning eyes." Ben then turned to Candy. "Do you mind helping whoever doesn't stay here keep an on the roads around the pasture we are working at.?

"Sure." Candy liked the boss and didn't want to see him hurt.

Ben stood up and started to say something, but then decided it would better to keep his mouth shut for the time being as Jennifer looked worried enough as it was. "I'll be all right." He leaned down and kissed the top of his bride's head. "You'll see."

"Be careful, Ben." Jennifer spoke softly when the door shut and she was left with Little Joe and Running Fox.