I do not own Bonanza or any of the original characters. Thanks to my Beta Reader, though all mistakes are my own.

A/N Yes, I am very well aware Candy and Adam were not on the series at the same time, but he got put in here anyway. Yes, he's foreman,

A Place to Belong

Chapter Ten Scene

Scene Nineteen

If people were to describe the man, Gary McCarron, if those people were being honest, they'd say he was a man full of greed, liquor and lust. He was born to a successful gambler with a taste for fine wine and one particular saloon girl; Gary had chosen to follow in his father's footsteps, sort of. He gambled, but was unsuccessful, hung around the saloons, spent time with any saloon girl desperate enough and drank beer. He sat in the corner of the saloon drinking with one of his friends, another unsuccessful gambler by the name of Hank Miller, a tall thin brown haired gentleman who looked like a strong wind could easily push him over.

"Can ya believe that?" Gary was hissing as he talked, "Those Cartwrights and their foreman are defendin' a half breed! What's wrong with 'em?" he took a swallow of his beer.

Unlike his friend, Hank was not quite as cold, nor did he have his mind totally in the dirt. "Maybe, whether or not you like it, she ain't like Lilly or Willow." Lilly and Willow were two women with whom Gary had had dealings; both were of mixed blood.

"Whose side are you on? I told ya, that gal is a half-breed!" Gary had to fight to keep his voice low. Used to getting what he wanted when it came to liquor and woman, the man was not in a good mood.

Hank stood up, "I suggest you forget the girl and find someone else. There's plenty to choose from." He walked away leaving Gary to wallow in self-pity and anger.

0000

Star was running around the yard 'chasing' Hoss and Little Joe when Candy came around the corner. He had to stop and laugh; the sight was just too much. "You're late!" Little Joe said as Star attached herself to his leg, "birthday party's already started."

Candy laughed, "And who says it's her birthday?"

"Pa," Hoss said, "he went to town and talked to an attorney. The man made it legal. I mean, it's like pa said, sis has to have a day to celebrate her birthday."

Candy shook his head and headed for the house, "Only girl who will be able to grow up and honestly deny her true age." That sent Hoss and Little Joe into fits of laughter and since they were laughing, Star laughed too.

Once Candy had stepped inside and shut the door, Ben looked up from his desk. "How did things go in town?" he asked concerned that their 'friend' from the night before might have caused some trouble.

"Fine," Candy threw his hat down upon the credenza and walked over to the desk, "Where's Brooke?"

Ben leaned back in his chair, "Upstairs taking a nap. She's been running herself ragged so I insisted she lay down."

"Then may we talk?" Candy sat down on the chair in front of his boss.

Scene Twenty

Brooke walked down the stairs surprised to see Candy sitting on the chair she always saw Ben sitting in. Ben was nowhere in sight. She thought Candy had gone to Placerville with Adam. Candy stood up when he saw her, "I was hoping we could talk." He pointed to the couch. Unlike the time Adam wanted to talk to her, Brooke had her eyes wide opened. She figured she knew what was coming.

"What you want?" she held her hands on her lap and looked at him. She appeared to be calm and collected, but the truth was she was quite nervous; she wasn't the only nervous one. Candy was too.

"Look," Candy put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath, "I know your uncle meant well when he sent you here to take care of Star and, well, to be Mr. Cartwright's woman but," he fidgeted again. In fact, he was so nervous he didn't see the grin spreading over Brooke's face. She'd never seen a man so nervous before, not on her account anyway. However, the grin was gone in seconds so he did not see it, "I'd like to see more of you, I mean," he quickly changed his words as a shocked look came upon her face, "I don't mean," he put his right hand on the back of his neck, "I mean, I'd like to take you to the dance in town tomorrow night. Mr. Cartwright, his sons and their dates will be there; Star can come too."

Brooke stared at him. True, she found herself confused at the feelings she had for Ben and for Candy, but she had never thought that Candy wished to get to know her better, "What Ben think?"

Candy smiled, "Mr. Cartwright knows; I've talked to him already. Only question is," he tilted his head slightly, "Is will you go to the dance with me?"

Brooke looked at her hands then looked back at Candy, "I not dance with Ben if I go with you. See two men wrong."

Candy shook his head, "It's a town social. We can go to the dance together, but, since we're not seeing each other on a regular basis, you can dance with who you want to." It was the truth, okay so he hoped he could get her to dance the majority of time with him. It didn't really matter though, if he got her to go with him.

Brooke stood up and walked over to the window. Ben's words came back to her and rang in her ears. "There will be plenty of dances and other such activities over this next year. Why not take that time to get to know each other, time to see what will happen? Things may, indeed, work out between us, but you may very well find yourself wanting something else." She had to admit Candy stirred something inside of her, but Ben did too. She was confused and hated it.

"Well?" Candy asked again, trying hard not to sound impatient; he didn't want to sound like he was pushing her.

"I go," she turned around to see a smile spread over Candy's face on, "I dance Ben too. You understand? "

"Never thought I'd be competing with Mr. Cartwright" Candy thought but only smiled and said, "I understand."