A Fervent Wish

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you, a modern day person, be transported back when, to the Ponderosa? And meet Ben, (Pa), Adam, Hoss and little Joe? It's a fervent wish and dream of mine. What if someone did have the luck to do that, what would they do?

Emily wandered around the backyard, bored. She'd been on YouTube too much, lately, watching her favorite TV show, Bonanza. Mom had finally said, time for a break and to go take a walk or something.

Emily sighed. She'd just finished one of her favorite episodes, El Toro Grande and her mind was still on what had just happened.
They are so good, it's amazing. She thought to herself. And I LOVED the ending, where Hoss and Joe are telling Adam all about the trip and keep saying…and then this happened…but it wouldn't have happened had this happened…and then Joe did this…Oh, my gosh, they're too good! Emily laughed out loud. I can't get enough of them! Esp-"
 "Emily, honey, go do something!" her mom called from the porch. "Go for a walk, stir up your blood! You need to get some fresh air!"
"Yes, Mom." Emily rolled her eyes and started around the house and down the driveway. Their house was near a busy street, with no sidewalk, so she trudged along, staying well in the ditch, down the road. There was a stop sign and then the road ended in a dead end.

Emily crossed the road and kept moving, a little faster now. She was coming up to the neighbors' pasture, which ran along almost all of the dead-end road, together with a big field. Emily always liked coming this way because she liked to watch the horses in the pasture. There were always horses, whether boarding for the time being, or actually living there. There'd once even been a black and white pinto. Oh, he hadn't looked exactly like Little Joe's horse, Cochise, but she could imagine he was. She had tried to feed him some grass, but he hadn't come up to her.

But today, there no pinto, just a brown horse that looked sorta like Adam's. Emily leaned over the fence and waved to the horse. "Hey there, Sport!" she called, then laughed at herself. It was silly. Silly, but fun. The horse paid no attention. Emily shook her head and walked on.

The pasture ended and the field began. Emily turned, and let her eyes sweep over the field; the rolling hills and the blowing grass made a beautiful picture and the trees in the background were all pines. Why, if she imagined hard enough, she could see them galloping across the Ponderosa, right here.
It was so beautiful! Emily took a deep breath and then, an excited smile crossing her face, she turned abruptly and raced out onto the field.

The wind blew the whisps of her hair around and sucked her breath away. She jerked the scrunchie out of her hair and let it flow wild, free.
"I'm freee!" she shouted to the winds. "Here I am, this is me!" she raced on, pretending she was riding across the prairie, racing to catch up to the horses in front. She was gasping for breath now and finally collapsed against the trunk of a tree, up on a hill.
"Oh, if only I could have been born way back when." Emily sighed, leaning back. "If only I could have actually known the Cartwrights, and had my own horse. If only, if only! I wish I could."

The sun was warm, and she was worn out. Gradually her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep…..

"Hey!" a hand was shaking her shoulders. "You ever gonna wake up?"
"Mmm…" Emily mumbled, moving her head slightly. "Go….away…"
"Aw, c'mon." the voice said, sounding oddly familiar. "Wake up!"
"What time is it?" Emily muttered, her eyes fluttering open. Then, she froze. A boy's face was right next to her own, watching her with interest. He had green eyes that sparkled with energy and dark curly hair that peeked out around his hat. His face was tanned and as she opened her eyes, he smiled a cheerful, infectious smile at her. Emily stared, her heart in her mouth.
It couldn't be.
Emily blinked and drew back slightly, trying to see the boy better. He was wearing a black hat, tipped jauntily on his head, a bandana thing around his throat and an all too familiar blue jacket. All in all, it was the splitting image of Little Joe Cartwright, whom she had just been watching on YouTube not half an hour before. And he was right here, in front of her.

Emily gave a little squeal and backed away. Her terrified eyes took in her surroundings. She was not in a field anymore, there were no houses or roads. Well, there was a road, but it was a small dirt one and there were trees all around. Further off in the distance, she could see mountains rising. Emily blinked. She had been sure there had been no mountains there before.
"Where…who…..what…who are you?" she finally managed to gasp. The boy was looking concerned. "My name's Joe Cartwright. I found you sleeping here-" he didn't get any further. Emily scrambled backwards with a faint shriek. "Joe Cartwright! You're…you're Little Joe!"
"Yup." The boy nodded, smiling, his white teeth showing. "How do you know? What's your name?"
"Oh, my!" Emily said faintly, staring at him. "It can't be! You can't be here! Where am I? What happened?"
Little Joe shrugged. "You're on the Ponderosa. Our land. I don't know what happened. You were sleeping here when I came up. You ok? What's your name?"
"The Ponderosa!" Emily opened her mouth, then closed it. "In Nevada!"
"Yup." Little Joe nodded. "Why? You expecting to be somewhere else?"
Emily didn't answer. She suddenly pinched herself hard. It hurt. She took a deep breath. "I can't believe it! You've got to be kidding me! I'm in Nevada, on the Ponderosa! I'm with Bonanza!"
"Well, you're on the Ponderosa all right." Little Joe told her. "I guess it's a bonanza, but I don't know what you mean by being 'with it."
"No…no…I mean….it's a TV show." Emily stammered. "You know it?" It was a stupid question, but she didn't know what else to say.
"What's a TV show?" Little Joe wrinkled his forehead in confusion, looking so much like himself on the episodes on TV, it made Emily take a quick breath and step back, her heart beating hard. "And…..and you're…..you're Little Joe! Little Joe Cartwright!"
"Yes." Little Joe nodded again, looking concerned. "Are you all right? How do you know me?"
"You've got to be kidding! I can't believe this!" Emily said. "I've….I've dreamt about this, I've imagined this, but I never thought it'd come true!" she exclaimed. "I'm on the Ponderosa! Wait." She looked imploringly at him. "This…this isn't a joke, right? I am awake, aren't I? You aren't just dressed up like Little Joe, are you?"
"No, yes, no, well, I'm dressed as I am." Little Joe was the one now stammering. "You're not dreaming."
"If this is real…." Emily said, shaking suddenly, her eyes bright. "Touch me! Take me to the ranch house." Emily took a deep breath. "Show me…Cochise!"
"Cochise is right there." Little Joe gestured behind him. The black and white pinto was standing there, his ears turned forward, listening, and watching the two. Emily's eyes grew big. "Cochise? Your horse…" she breathed. "Oh, he's wonderful." She leaned forward, towards him, drinking him in.
Little Joe sat back on his haunches and pushing back his hat, ran his fingers through his hair in that manner Emily knew so well. "You know, you're not making sense. How do you know my horse?" he asked, puzzled. "You're talkin' awful strange, miss. Who are you? Where'd you come from?"
Emily turned and catching the familiar gesture Little Joe always did when he was puzzled, laughed out loud. "Oh, I love it when you do that!"
"Do what?" Little Joe's hand froze in mid air and he stared at her.
"Run your hand through your hair like that." Emily chortled, feeling a little hysterical. "Oh! My name is Emily…Emily Shirley."
"Well, hullo, Emily Shirley." Little Joe grinned, and tipped his hat. "And may I ask, where did you come from?"
"From….from Minnesota." Emily said slowly. "I was…..was just there a minute ago. I'm not sure how I got here."
Little Joe looked surprised, and Emily watched him, loving the looks that crossed his face. It was really him! It was really him.
Little Joe shook himself, then said, "Well, I'd best be taking you to the ranch house. Maybe you're suffering from sunstroke or something. Are you feeling ok?"
"I'm a little…..jumpy." Emily said, hesitatingly, "I am a little surprised, I guess."
"I guess." Little Joe gave her a peculiar look and stood up suddenly. "Come on, you can ride behind me. That is, if you have no other place to go?"
"Oh, can I go with you?" Emily stood up, looking scared now. "I haven't any place to go."
"Sure." Little Joe grabbed the saddle horn and swung upon Cochise. Emily watched adoringly, smiling to herself, her eyes shining. Whatever this was, it was wonderful.
Cochise started to prance off, but Little Joe spoke softly to him and pulled him back. Emily walked hesitantly up to him and he put his hand down and pulled her up behind him.
The touch seemed to make sparks flow up her arm, and it sent a warm feeling through Emily's whole body. She closed her eyes for a second and felt lightheaded for a second. Then, it stopped, and she gripped him around the waist and hung on, heart pounding with excitement, wonder and joy. She was riding Cochise, hanging on to Little Joe, going down the road to the Ponderosa ranch home.
Little Joe turned his head slightly as they moved forward, and asked, "So you don't know how you got here?" he asked curiously.
Emily shook her head. "No." then, to avoid further questioning, she asked, a bit timidly, "Can….can he gallop?"
"Cochise? Sure he can. Want to?" Little Joe asked. Emily took a deep breath and nodded. Little Joe grinned and gave a little chuckle, "Ok." Then, he clucked to the horse and Cochise moved forward, faster and faster. Pretty soon, they were galloping down the dirt track, the wind whistling past.
Emily clutched Little Joe around the waist, sucked in her breath with excitement. She didn't dare lean around him, so she looked up, watching his shoulders move under his blue coat.
Oh, it was wonderful. Heavenly! She was riding Cochise, with Little Joe, and they were galloping down the road.
Little Joe slowed Cochise down presently and turning slightly, asked, "How'd you like it?"
"Oh, it was wonderful!" Emily breathed. "Oh, I do love Cochise!"
"How'd you know his name?" Little Joe asked. "You seem to know a lot about me and him."
"I….I've just heard about you." Emily said, which was true. "I've heard a lot about you, actually, and I've always wanted to meet you."
"Oh yeah?" Little Joe smiled. "Who'd you hear about me from?"
"Oh, lotsa people." Emily shrugged. Then, daringly, she said, "Especially from Hoss."
"You know Hoss too?" Little Joe twisted in the saddle to look at her. "How come?"
"Like I said, I've heard a lot about your whole family." Emily smiled at him. She just couldn't help it. He was so handsome, so enduring.
"Hmm.." Little Joe's lips tightened in a thin line. "What's he said about me?" he tried to look grim, but his eyes were twinkling. Emily smiled again. "I've heard that you can drive him nuts, but he loves you more than anything. And you feel the same about him."
Little Joe shot her an odd look. "You sure do know a lot about us." He said. "Do you know Hoss personally, or just from hearsay?"
"Hearsay mostly." Emily said, a little scared of what he might think.
"I see." Little Joe turned around again. "Well, here we are." He slowed Cochise down.

Emily twisted to the side to look past him. She gasped and her heart almost stopped beating. It was as if she had stepped into one of the episodes. They were in the cleared space of the driveway of the Ponderosa ranch. The barn was to the right of them, looking just like it did in the show. And directly in front of them, was the house. Emily stared at it, breathing hard now.

It was the same cool log structure it was in the TV show, in all the episodes. The small kitchen to one side, the porch and the rocking chair Little Joe had tripped over in the episode, The First Born. The door was the same, the knocker right smack in the middle of it.
Then, to her everlasting amazement and wonder, Hop Sing walked out, hurled a pail of water into the bushes near the kitchen and marched back in.

The blood drained from her face. She was feeling stunned, and wonderfully overjoyed. It was scary, not knowing how this was all happening, but now that she was in it, she was enjoying it immensely.

Little Joe directed Cochise to the hitching post and swung off. Then he turned and held up his hands for her. Emily stared down at him, her mouth open slightly. Then, her eyes bright, and smiling, she turned and let herself slid down to him and he gripped her around the waist and lifted her off and set her down on the ground.
"Oh, thank you!" Emily gushed, then grabbed the hitching post. Her knees weren't quite steady yet. Little Joe was wrapping Cochise's reins around the post. Emily looked around. She had to stretch her arm forward to assure herself that she was actually there, and not just watching this all on a screen. Her fingertips swept air, not touching any screen or mirror. It was real. She was actually right there, and Little Joe Cartwright had just helped her down off Cochise, just like he'd helped many other ladies off horses in the TV show.

Little Joe turned from Cochise and then Ben Cartwright stepped out of the house. "Joe! Little Joe! Come here a moment!"
Emily jumped a little. There was Ben, Ben Cartwright. The father of Adam, Hoss and Little Joe, right there, in person. She was startled and also a little scared. In the TV show, Ben always seemed a little fierce to her.
"Comin' Pa!" Little Joe called. He started forward, motioning her forward also. "Come on and meet my Pa."
They walked up to the house and Little Joe said, "Pa, we got a visitor!"
"Oh?" Ben turned, looking down at Emily.
"This is Emily, Pa. Emily Shirly." Little Joe said. "Found her up the road a bit, sleeping." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, behind him.
"Emily?" Ben smiled courteously at her. "Welcome, Emily, to our home." He seemed a little lost for words, but Little Joe quickly filled him in. Emily just stared at him.
"She seems a little confused to how she got here and everything, Pa." he said. "She doesn't know how she got here, but she says she's heard a lot about us. She knew who I was."
"Oh? You know us?" Ben asked, turning to her.

Emily swallowed and tried to say something, but no words came out. Ben said, concerned, "She looks a little pale. You said she doesn't know how she got here? Maybe she's sick. Are you feeling ok, Miss?"
"I…I…" Emily finally managed to make her voice speak. "I'm just a little surprised. I…you see…I have heard so much about you…sir…and I…." her voice died away. Ben did not seem surprised. "Quite a few people do know about us." He nodded. "We're rather a big name in these parts. But come, you look tired. Let's go inside and you can sit down and rest. Hop Sing can get you some tea." He put his arm around her shoulders and gestured to the door.
"I…I think I'm ok now." Emily took a deep breath, still feeling a little lightheaded.
"Some of Hop Sings' tea'll put you to rights." Little Joe grinned at her. "And be sure to be appreciative! He's threatened to leave already twice today."
"Oh, I know." Emily grinned back. His grin was infectious.
"You do?" Little Joe looked slightly surprised. "Do you know Hop Sing?"
"I've heard of him." Emily assured him. She was feeling better know, and wanted to go inside. More than anything, she wanted to see the inside of the ranch house, where Adam, Hoss and Little Joe had grown up in, to actually set foot in that famous house.

Ben led the way into the house. Emily followed him and Little Joe followed her. Emily almost dead as she stepped into the house. Her mind was screaming. This isn't real! This can't be happening! It can't be Little Joe and Ben Cartwright right here, looking at me! I can't be in the house! This can't be their home! It just can't be!"

Ben shut the door, then called loudly, "Hop Sing!"
The little Chinaman came scurrying out, looking angry, "Why you always yell!" he said. "Hop Sing have ears! He heal!"
"Hop Sing, a visitor." Ben told him, raising his hand. "I apologize. Please, bring us some tea."
"Tea? Tea for who?" Hop Sing looked around suspiciously. Ben stepped to one side. "For Miss Emily Shirley, here." He gestured to her.
Hop Sing looked at her and his round, good natured face lit up in a grin. He bowed to her. "Yes, Hop Sing get some tea for missy. Light away!" he turned and hurried off. Emily watched him go, her eyes sparkling delightedly. Then, she directed her gaze to the inside of the house and shiver went up her spine. There was the little table beside the door where the Cartwright's gun belts always were. The cool old fireplace right in front of her, the table and the chairs near it, the checkerboard on the table. The same one Little Joe always beat Hoss on. Emily looked at it, her eyes big. There was the dining table, with the cool chairs. The stairs going up to the bedrooms, the ones Hoss had fallen down in the episode The Flapjack Contest and the same ones Little Joe had crashed through in the episodes Hound Dog and Vengeance. The blanket was there and Ben's desk was to her right, around the corner. Emily moved forward slightly to look at it.
Then, Little Joe said, "C'mon, have a seat over here, Emily. Then maybe you can tell us what happened to you."
"Patience, Little Joe, patience." Ben said gruffly. "She'll tell in her own good time. She seems to be in shock right now."
"I….I just love your house!" Emily breathed, taking a seat in the high backed chair to the right of the coffee table. Joe threw his hat over to the table near the door and flopped down on another chair. Ben took a seat across from her. "So, Emily, where are you from?" he asked, crossing his fingers, while Hop Sing hurried in, carrying a tray. He set it in front of her and poured her some tea. Emily took it, grinning at the cook. Hop Sing grinned back. "Yup, take eet all, lille missy. Good for you."
"Thank you, Hop Sing." Emily replied, delighted to talk to him like she knew him. "It's very good."
Ben cleared his throat and Emily turned to him. "Um…I'm from Minnesota, sir." She said, slowly. "It's up north and to the east of here."
"I see." Ben nodded. Little Joe looked up from his pa to her, "How'd you get here?" he asked curiously.
"Joseph." Ben said warningly. "I will question her."
"I'm sorry Pa, I'm just curious." Little Joe said, a hurt look on his face. Ben turned to Emily and Emily cleared her throat. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but answered readily enough. "I…I'm not sure. I went for a walk and I lay down and fell asleep. The next thing I knew, Little Joe was shaking me and telling me to wake up."
"You sure didn't wanna wake up." Little Joe laughed, settling himself in the chair and setting his booted feet on the table in front of him. Emily glanced at him, hiding a smile and wondering when Ben would notice.
Ben frowned as he looked at her. "You say you don't remember anything about traveling here?" he asked. "Maybe you're suffering from amnesia. I've heard of that."
"Amnesia." Little Joe said thoughtfully. "That's when you can't remember who you are, right Pa?"
"Yes." Ben glanced at his son, a reproving look on his face, and noticed the table. "Joseph! How many times have I told you-"
"—to get my feet off the table." Little Joe dropped his legs down with a thud, a guilty look on his face. "Sorry, Pa."
"Hm." Ben pursed his lips, eyeing him. Emily giggled and they both turned to her, surprised. "I love when you do that!" she said, smiling. "It's one of the best things about the show!"
"You like it when I put my feet on the table?" Little Joe could not have looked more surprised or shocked. Ben himself looked startled. "How…" he started to say, then stopped and began again, "When you say that, it sounds as if you have seen Little Joe do that several times. What-?"
Emily interrupted him. "I just mean, I like when Little Joe does it and you scold him. He does it so often." She giggled again.
"And that's another thing." Little Joe said, sitting up. "How come you know so much about us? You might be suffering from amnesia and can't remember anything from your own past, but you seem to know plenty about ours!"
"How did you know about us?" Ben asked. "I mean, you seem to know Hop Sing and about our place and plenty of other things."
"Yeah, you knew who Cochise was." Little Joe pointed out. "Are you a gypsy?"
"No." Emily shook her head. "I've….I've just heard so much about you guys."
"And another thing." Little Joe said. "You talk strange. Like what you just said. You guys. I've never heard that before."
"It's….it's the way we talk, where I live." Emily said hastily.

At that moment, the door opened and Adam and Hoss walked in. Emily jumped slightly and looked at them both, her heart speeding up again. Of the three, Little Joe was her favorite, her hero, but she still liked Hoss and Adam. And now, here they were.

"Hey there, brothers!" Little Joe called, not even looking around. "How was it?"
"Heavenly. You weren't there." Adam said calmly.
"Hey!" Little Joe protested, twisting around, "Hoss, that ain't true, is it?"
"I'm afraid it is, little brother." Hoss grinned and nodded. "It was so quiet and peaceful, a cow stumbled and we jumped like frightened rabbits. My, but I'm hungry! Where's Hop Sing!" he started for the kitchen.
"Who's this?" Adam had seen Emily. Ben, who had stood up when they came in, said, "This is Emily Shirley, boys. Emily, these are my sons, Adam and Hoss."
"Hi!" Emily grinned at them. Adam nodded. "Hello. Welcome to the Ponderosa. What are you doing?"
"Hullo, Miss Shirley." Hoss waved to her. "Glad to meet ya!"
"Glad to meet you too!" Emily said brightly. "You hungry, Hoss?"
"You bet I am." Hoss nodded. Little Joe interrupted. "That's nothing new." He shot Hoss a teasing look and Hoss glared at him. "Anyway, I found Emily here, back down the road a bit. She was sleeping and she doesn't even remember getting here." He raised his eyebrows at his older brothers.
"Where'd you come from?" Adam asked.
"Up north." Emily answered, feeling shy. She'd never liked Adam as much as the others; he'd always seemed so abrupt and cold in the TV show. "I don't remember anything about getting here. I wish I could. I don't know how to get back either."
"Do you have any relatives in Virginia City?" Ben asked. Emily shook her head. "No. I don't know anyone, really. I've just heard of you guys."
"There's those words again." Little Joe commented. "You guys. It sure is odd."
Emily blushed. "That's just the way we talk up north." She said.
Adam shot Joe a look. "There's nothing wrong with 'you guys'." He said shortly.
"Well, it's almost dinner time." Ben announced. "Let's have dinner and then we can discuss what to do."