Broken Heart and Healing

"Why is Josh in handcuffs?" asked Emily confused. Amelia looks at her friends. "He was the one who hire the convicts to hold up the school" informed Amelia.

"WHAT! Why would he do something like that?" asked Melanie shocked. Emily touches Amelia's arm comfortingly. "I don't know and at this point I'm glad that I don't. It'll hurt more if I did" said Amelia.

"I'm sorry Amelia I know how much you loved him" said Emily feeling sorry for her best friend. "I loved the man he was not the man he is know" said Amelia. She hugs Emily and Melanie then she walks over to her horse.

Ben walks over to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. Amelia turns and smiles at him. She then mounts up as did her family and they rode out of town.

The next morning Amelia was at the shore of Lake Tahoe leaning on a big boulder rock looking at the water. Hoss walks up to her. "I figure you might be here" said Hoss.

He had been looking for her all over the ranch and was happy that he had found her safe and sound. He could tell that she had been crying and it broke his heart.

Amelia turns to him and smiles at him. "I'm fine Hoss" she tried to reassure him but it was a lie. She wasn't fine she was the same as she was the night before heartbroken.

Hoss could tell that she wasn't fine but he decides to play along that she was. "I know but Pa's worry about you. You left the house early this morning and haven't been seen since".

"Yeah well I didn't want to feel like the family has to look after me. I just wanted some time to myself" yelled Amelia angry. She looks at Hoss. "I'm sorry Hoss I didn't mean to yell at you like that" said Amelia.

"Don't need to apologize fer that. If it helps fer ya ta yell at someone you can yell at me" offered Hoss. "As much as that is tempting I can't yell at you it's not your fair. You're not the one who hired convicts to hold up the school and then have them blown it up" said Amelia in a frustrated tone.

She started to tremble and looks up at Hoss with tears in her eyes that were ready to fall. "Why would he do that Hoss?" asked Amelia.

"I don't know sweetheart I wish I could tell you that he had a reason for doing it but there might be a reason for what he did" said Hoss trying to comfort his sister.

"It's my fault" stated Amelia feeling guilt.

"Awe Amelia honey it ain't your fault. You did nothing wrong I know you're hurting right now but what happen wasn't your fault. You did a good thing last night you saved the children and got Emily out of there just in the nick of time. You should be proud of yourself for that. I know I am and so is Joe and Adam especially Pa" said Hoss.

Amelia looks at him and smiles. "Thanks Hoss" said Amelia. "C'mon Hopsing is making your favorite dessert homemade apple pie" said Hoss.

Amelia smiles "You go on ahead Hoss I think that I'll stay here for awhile" "Do you want me to stay here with you?" asked Hoss.

"I think I'll like to be by myself for a while if that's alright" said Amelia. "Sure I'll see ya at home" said Hoss. He walks over to her and kisses her on the head.

He then walks back to where his horse was mounts on and rides away.

At the house Ben, Adam and Joe walk out of the house when they heard someone riding toward the yard. "I bet that's Hoss" said Joe.

"I hope he found her. She's got me terribly worried" said Ben worriedly. "Pa I'm sure she's fine besides it wouldn't have done her much good to be mopping around the house with a broken heart" said Adam.

"I suppose I just hate seeing her so sad and lonely" said Ben. "We hate it too Pa but she'll be alright after all she has us" said Joe. Ben glances at his sons and smiles.

Hoss rode in the yard alone. "Did you find her Hoss?" asked Ben anxiously. "Yes sir she's at the lake" said Hoss mounting off his horse.

"Is she alright?" asked Adam. "She's alright Adam just heartbroken" said Hoss. Amelia rides in the yard mounts off her house and walks over to her Pa and brothers.

They look at her hoping that she was feeling better. "I don't know about you fellas but I'm gonna have some apple pie" said Amelia acting like herself again. The boys and Ben look at each other glad that they had their Amelia back.

"Sounds good to me" said Hoss dashing to the door. Ben, Amelia, Joe and Adam exchange glances and started to laugh. Joe puts his arm around his sister and Adam puts an arm around Joe and they walk in the house behind Ben.

The End