Forget Me Not

Chapter Twelve

Ben watched as the wind started blowing like a mad man through the trees. Definitely not a good day to find for traveling; still, he and Joan really had no choice. It had been seven days and, from the looks of it, if they stayed at the campsite much longer who knows how long they'd be living in the cavern. He buttoned up his coat and took one last look at the place that had given them shelter when they needed it, and then turned to Joan and smiled. "Time for us to get home," Ben smiled and his eyes glowed as he looked upon the woman who had agreed to not only accompany him home but marry him as well. Then again, maybe he'd take her to town first, find a preacher and appease his sons with a private wedding at home. The last few days had truly tested his resolve to uphold his own moral standards, and Joan's virtue, as the attraction between the two of them was very strong. On top of that, the woman absolutely glowed with satisfaction and contentment.

Flashback

After spending what was turning out to be a sunny winter's day by the creek, Joan and Ben went about their nightly routine. They had caught some good game and ate well as they chatted by the fire. As curious as Joan, she had fired question after question about the ranch and the boys. Afterwards, they had each settled down for the night, yet neither one slept soundly. The night turned suddenly very cold and another winter storm threatened the snugness of the cavern.

Ben got up to stoke the fire while Joan, who had chosen to sleep in a bedroll instead of her regular "bed", lay on the other side of the fire. After watching Ben for a few minutes, she sat up to watch him."You, know," she said, "Two bodies on one Bear rug and with another one over them will keep out any winter freeze." It was true. She'd seen it done many time while living with the Paiutes, and it was cold outside. Okay, so she made the statement with a somewhat inviting tone.

"Will they, now?" smirked Ben, finding her flirtatious quip humorous, yet very inviting.

"Yes, just ask any old Bear round these parts; they will tell you it is so." She assured him, her brown eyes laughed at the idea of Ben trying to talk to any kind of bear.

Ben laughed out loud and added another log to the fire. Joan soon joined in. "I think, you best stay exactly where you are, and I'll put another log on the fire." Even though I could actually do with a little cooling off, he thought to himself.

Suddenly thunder rocked the sky and a bolt of lightning struck close to the caverns entrance, sizzling a nearby bush. Having never had lightening strike that close to her before Joan screamed and scuttled her way around the fire and, without thinking, jumped into Ben's arms.

Ben could feel her heart beating fast against his chest and tucked her in close as he stroked her hair and her arms; trying to sooth her sudden fear. Joan nestled her face into his neck, her nose and lips brushing the beating vein there. She'd never felt safer or more comfortable.

Ben, who found himself wanting more than to simply hold her, lowered his head, nudged her face from the crook in his neck and started kissing her passionately. It was an action Joan more than happy to return. As the two exchanged passionate kisses, Joan felt her heart start to beat just a little bit faster, as did Ben's for that matter. For a moment all rhyme and reason disappeared as they continued to explore each other's mouths and tastes, while caressing each other's bodies with their hands.

When Ben heard low mewing sounds from Joan and a low groan come out of his own mouth, Ben pulled back fully aware that the heat between them, and their desire for each other, was escalating, "I think we should stop. I don't think the man upstairs meant for that lightening to push us into each other's arms like this." He chuckled, in a bid to gain his control.

Joan, who had never felt such need before, looked disappointed, and Ben felt sure he detected a small pout. She crossed her arms and sighed. "Maybe not," she answered, "however, the fear of it put me into your arms."

Ben roared with laughter. "Yes, but now it's back to your own bed."

"But, Benjamin…" Joan was leery of more lightning stiking too close to the cavern and wanted to some security.

"No; but Benjamin," he ordered, in a mock sternness then grew serious. "I won't be able to pull back next time and, if you stay this close to me, there will be a next time. I won't have that until we're married."

Because she knew he was right and agreed, Joan conceded and went back to her bedroll where she put her bear skin and blankets together again, in order to make things more comfortable. She then began to slide underneath them, all the time mockingly glaring at Ben. Just before she fell asleep, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear. "Too bad, two bodies are always warmer than one."

Just then another loud thunder clap could be heard. Ben looked up towards the top of the cavern, "I'm trying Lord, I'm trying…"

End Flashback.

Yes, it was definitely time to head home. Once outside, Ben and Joan untied their horses. As they saddled up their horses, both Ben and Joan looked at the sky and sighed. It was once again looking as if the clouds might have another meeting only this time Ben was sure the next storm would bring snow. It was like someone was telling them the same thing the wind was; if they were going home, they'd best make a run for it. It was a message that neither he nor she chose to ignore.

"I hope your sons will accept us." Joan laid her hand on Ben's upper arm as she stood next to her horse. As much as she loved Ben, she wanted no trouble for either one of them from his children either, even if they were full grown men.

Ben thought on his sons. He was sure Hoss would accept the union between Ben and Joan the easiest as he simply had a compliant nature around him. Little Joe might rant and rave for awhile, but Ben was sure he'd settle down soon enough. When it came to Adam, he would be skeptical but polite. It might take him awhile to, but Ben was sure even Adam, with his thick English skull, would welcome Joan into the family as a stepmother rather than an adopted sister.

"Don't worry about it." Ben pulled her to him and gave her a passionate kiss and then pulled back. "They'll be fine. They'll be happy for us; I'm pretty sure of it." He helped her up and onto the horse. Not that she needed the help, just because he wanted to give it.

Joan was too far too lost on cloud nine to care about the help being given. If anything, it felt great to have someone love her and even better to have that someone be Benjamin Cartwright. Once Ben was in his saddle, the two headed down the path that led away from the cavern and would, eventually, lead them back to his family.

~too~

Adam stood on the porch with his hands in his pockets, his mind on his father. He, his brother, and the others who had come to the Ponderosa were starting to run out of areas in which to search. It made him nervous as he had begun to realize that if his father was still alive and there was a chance he had to have gone into the higher mountains of the Ponderosa. Not knowing that was indeed the case, and not knowing his father was on his way back, left Adam to worry that they'd not be seeing their father any time soon. And, if his father had fallen victim to anything else out there….Adam stopped his train of thought. He had too; he had to hold onto the hope that one of their friends would find him.

When he heard heavy footsteps approaching him, Adam wasn't surprised to turn his head and see Hoss walking up beside him. Nor was he surprised by what came out of Hoss' mouth.

"Do you think we'll find him before the snow hits, Adam?" Hoss wasn't that comfortable with the idea of their father being out there somewhere, possibly hurt or even dead. That idea that Ben might be hurt or dead had been tossed around, as they had not received any further communication from James Kendall.

Adam didn't answer for a few minutes. Would they? He sure hated to think of his father stuck in the mountains someplace when the first winter snow hit. That would make for a far too dangerous situation. Just when Hoss was ready to repeat his question, Adam answered, "If we're blessed enough, we will. Roy is going to gather some more men tomorrow and go hunting while we take the few ranch hands we have this time of the year and go look. Who knows, maybe he'll come home on his own and save us all some trouble." Okay, so Adam didn't know how much he believed that last part only he could always hope. He had too. Without hope he would go crazy; they all would. Nothing more was said between the brothers, though they continued standing on the porch for another solid fifteen minutes.

~oOo~

James let out more than one choice word as he sat in a hotel room in Carson City. He'd spent days searching for Mr. Cartwright and then, in disguise, had gone into Virginia City to see if anyone was talking about the man. When he'd overheard two men talking and found out Ben Cartwright was still missing, he'd gone back out and searched for another day. Finally, he'd decided to lay low in Carson City for awhile. If Ben Cartwright was still alive, he'd make it home sooner or later. James could decide what to do in the meantime.

The more he thought on Mr. Cartwright and the way he'd escaped, the angrier James got. Why did Mark have to run off like he had? He'd need a tracker and Mark was one of the best. James was sure if he'd still had him, there would have been no need to waste time up in the mountains searching for Cartwright. Oh well, he'd told himself as he pushed his horse towards Carson, for now he best remember to be glad he still had his horse and that Mr. Cartwright and his sons could be dealt with later; that is, if Ben Cartwright was still alive.