Hi all,

I'd like to thank those who've taken the time to review. Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far and I appreciate your feedback. I'd especially like to thank Ms Sari for her review, thank you for your compliments and suggestion. I think I might have a couple typos with the your and you're unintentionally that I missed during editing and thank you for mentioning them. I'll try to keep a closer eye in future edits before I upload. Auto correct is great sometimes (this has all been written using my mobile) and is a right pain when you don't want it to correct something lol.

I'm also glad you think it's well written, this is my first Bonanza fiction I've written (and uploaded) and I've been concerned I hadn't been writing true to the characters natures. I'm quite the perfectionist and like having things just so which leads to me doubting if sonething I've written is good enough. As long as people enjoy it though I'm happy :)

Anyway, that's just my thoughts so far. Thank you all again and enjoy!

Chapter 10

'Wow Hoss, whose the pretty young lady sitting here? I didn't know we were expecting company'

Missie chuckled, looking up from the drawing she was working on as Hoss and Little Joe came into the house. 'It's me silly, Missie.'

'Pardon us Miss-' Hoss grinned as he hung up his hat and placed his hat on rack. 'We plumb didn't recognize you.'

'Very funny.'

'Where'd you get the dress?' Joe asked, coming over and taking a seat across from her. 'It suits you.'

'Adam brought it for me and some stuff so I can do lessons.' Carefully she pulled the page out of her paper tablet and held it out to him. 'What do you think?'

'It's right pretty.' Hoss exclaimed, looking over Joe's shoulder at the drawing. It was of a landscape, mountains overlooking a lake. 'Hey, that looks an awful lot like that spot on the edge of Lake Washoe, on the Ponderosa side.'

'That's part of your family's ranch too? Just how big is this place?'

'A thousand square miles.'

'I thought Adam was joking when he gave me that answer.' She chuckled. 'Do you think it's any good Little Joe?'

'It's better than anything I could have drawn. You've got a talent for it.'

'Thank you.' Missie smiled as he handed it back to her. 'I was going to give it to Adam as a way to thank him for the dress and my schooling supplies.'

'I'm sure he'll like it. I sure wouldn't mind a pretty girl doing a drawing for me.'

'Dinner almost ready.' Hop Sing exclaimed as he walked into the room. 'Boys go clean up.'

'There's my marching orders.'

She chuckled as Hoss and Joe left to go wash up, wondering for a moment where Adam and Ben were after they'd gone. Placing the drawing back securely in the back of the tablet to keep it safe she then flipped back to the other page she'd been working on. Picking up the pencil again she slowly started to shade in the woman's hair. It was tiring doing the drawing when her muscles were weak with disuse but at least it kept her mind off things she'd rather not think of.

'We'll round those calves up for branding later this week-' Ben remarked to Adam as they walked into the house, stopping to take off their hats and gunbelts just inside the door. 'You'll be around to help won't you?'

'Sure Pa.' He looked over at Missie and walked over to see her. 'How are you feeling?'

'Better, thank you.' She smiled up at him. 'It's nice to be out of that bed.'

'What are you working on?'

'Just a drawing. I got laid up with a broken leg a couple years ago and picked up drawing to pass the time.' She closed the tablet, pulling out the drawing she'd done for him. 'Close your eyes.'

He looked at her curiously for a moment then did what she'd asked. A piece of paper was placed in his hands and he opened them again and raised his eyebrow in surprise. 'Oh Missie, this is gorgeous. You drew this?'

She nodded with a smile, pleased he appeared to like it. 'It's yours, consider it thanks for the dress and the rest of the stuff you gave me.'

'I'll put it on the dresser in my room. Look at this Pa-' He remarked as his father returned from freshening up. 'Missie drew it.'

'My word Missie, you have quite a talent.' Ben complimented, glancing from the drawing to her. 'Where'd you learn to draw like that?'

'Six weeks in bed with a broken leg from falling off a horse. I almost died of boredom.'

'Have you drawn anything else?'

She contemplated for a moment then nodded, opening up the paper tablet. 'It's not finished yet but it's my Ma. I've got no photos of her, I wanted to draw her before I forget.'

'Dinner ready Mr. Cartwright.'

Ben handed her back the tablet as Hoss and Joe took seats at the table. 'It's very good Missie.'

She smiled again. 'Thank you sir.'

Adam took the books off her lap, placing them down on the table. 'I'll bring you over your dinner.'

'Thank you Adam.' The girl sat back against the pillows, moving herself so she was more lying down then sitting. She was tired, really tired. It surprised her too, she hadn't done much either except for the drawings. Every muscle in her body felt tired, so bone dead tired-

Adam chuckled softly when he saw the girl lying asleep on the couch, returning to the table to eat with his family. 'She's gone and worn herself out.'

'She told us you brought that dress for her-' Joe started between bites of his lamb roast. 'Now why would a gentleman like yourself buy her a dress like that?'

'Because she doesn't have anything else to wear.' He knew his little brother was goading him but he was determined not to give him the pleasure of him knowing that. 'She needed something to wear and that happened to be the only dress in her size at the general store. I also brought her a slate, paper tablets and readers to start her lessons.'

'How come she gets to have lessons at home and I had to go to school?'

'Joseph, eat your dinner.' Ben interrupted sternly. 'Adam, I wouldn't go getting attached to her. We don't know yet if she'll be staying or not. It's her decision if she wants to stay.'

'I sure hope she stays-' Hoss helped himself to more mashed potatoes. 'I rather like her.'

'That might be the case, we might like her but we don't know if she likes us. How do you think she's feeling at the moment? She's lost her family and she's with strangers who are men to add to it, she mightn't want to stay.'

'If she chooses not to stay Pa, where will she go?' Joe questioned.

'She's got no family, the only other place for her would be an orphanage.'

'I sure hope she decides to stay here then.' Hoss replied, glancing over at her where she lay on the couch. 'She's really somethin, that's for sure.'

She is. Adam agreed in his thoughts, stealing a glance at her as the conversation turned to another topic. Her brown curls cascaded over her shoulder as she slept, her arms hugging the blanket up under her chin. She looked like an angel asleep, so innocent and peaceful.

'Adam?'

He turned back to his father, unaware that he'd been trying to speak with him. 'Sorry Pa. What were you saying?'

'I was saying that since Missie's able to be moved now to the guest room, perhaps I might have my room back?'

'Sure Pa, sure.'

'Besides, the fact she won't be able to get down the stairs with that leg of hers should keep her in bed.' He helped himself to the remainder of the gravy. 'I'll be out of town for a couple days to go and check out Missie's story for the sheriff, I expect to be back in time to round up the calves. While I'm gone, Adam will be in charge.'

'Like he always is.' Joe mumbled underneath his breath. 'Why can't I be it for a change?'

'Because you're not the oldest, younger brother.'

'But you're going to be busy with Missie, aren't you?'

'I will be yes, but I'm sure you boys can handle the work while I slave over the desk and keep things running smooth and efficiently.'

'Slave my foot.'

'Quieten down boys, you'll wake Missie.' Ben cautioned with a glance in her direction. It didn't appear their noise had disturbed her. 'Now I want you two to keep out of trouble while I'm gone you hear. We've got enough trouble on our hands with Missie. Until her father and the men who murdered her family are caught she's not safe. One of you will need to be with her at all times. We don't want to worry her but at the same time we can't be too careless. I don't want you mentioning anything about this either to her, she doesn't need more to worry over. Understood?'

'Loud and clear Pa.'

'Yes sir.'

'Yes Pa.'

'Good. I'll be a sight happier once this problem is dealt with.'

'Just be careful too Pa-' Adam interjected. 'We don't want to bring attention to the fact she's staying here.'

'I know that, I spoke to Roy about my concerns but unless they're caught Missie won't be safe.'

'I guess it's just a chance we're going to have to take.'

Ben nodded. 'I'm afraid so.' They continued to eat in silence and he motioned towards the girl once he'd finished his meal. 'You best go wake her Adam and get her to eat if you're finished, her food will be cold if you don't.'

'Sure Pa.' He picked up Missie's plate and walked over to the couch, placing the plate on the table then knelt down beside her. Gently he placed his hand on her shoulder to wake her. 'Missie, Missie it's dinner time.'

The girl's eyes flickered open, the girl stifling a yawn. 'I must have dozed off.'

'That you did. You've got roast lamb and vegetables and I think Hop Sing might have some donuts for dessert.'

'Sounds lovely.'

Adam could see how tired the girl was, frowning slightly as he touched her forehead. She was a little warm again but he couldn't tell if she'd a fever or not. 'Missie, how are you feeling?'

'Really tired. I think talking to the Sheriff plum wore me out.'

Of course. He kicked himself inwardly for not thinking of that. 'Well how about you have your dinner and then I'll take you to bed.' The girl nodded. She must be tired to not complain about going back to bed. He grabbed the girls plate, feeding her himself. 'You still need to rest Missie, you're still very weak.'

'I wanted to get the drawing done for you.' She replied between bites of her meal. 'I think I might have overdone it.'

'Just a little I think.' He agreed. Slowly the girl finished everything on her plate, her eyes half closing on her by the time it was emptied. He placed the plate aside as Hoss walked over, a bowl in hand with some donuts.

'You want some desert young Missie?'

'Thank you Hoss but I think it's time for me to go to bed.'

'You aren't feelin poorly again are you Miss?'

'I'm alright, just really tired.' She gave him a small smile. She was starting to like Hoss already. Despite his size she could tell he had a caring spirit and he really was a gentle giant. Somehow, against her expectations, she was really starting to like them. 'Thank you for thinking of me Hoss but what I need right now is to get some sleep.'

'Alright, I hope you're feelin better come mornin.'

'Come on then Missie-' Adam placed the blankets aside and gently picked the girl up. 'Let's get you to bed.'

'Good night Missie.'

'Good night Mr. Cartwright, Little Joe.' She smiled, her head resting on Adam's shoulder. 'Tell the cook I enjoyed the meal.'

'I will. He'll be happy to hear it.'

Adam started up the stairs, the girl yawning softly. 'Pa wants his room back so you'll be going into the guest room next to mine from now on.'

'I was in your Pa's room? I didn't mean to put anyone out-'

'It's okay Missie, don't worry about it. It was just easier having you downstairs and close to everything then up here.' He opened the door to the room up, the sunset casting a soft light about the room. 'You'll be able to look out the window at the barn now, you can see the horses in the coral.'

'Hmm.' She mumbled softly, the combination of having a full stomach and her intense desire to fall asleep making her very sleepy indeed. He placed her down softly on the bed as she yawned again. 'Pardon me.'

He chuckled. 'You are really tired, aren't you?' She nodded as he unbuttoned her dress, slipping it off her nightgown. Grabbing a couple more pillows he helped her get comfortable and laid her down. Her eyes were closed before her head had hit the pillow. He felt sorry he had to check her wounds and tried not to disturb her as he looked them over. Her wounds were healing well, still red and swollen but there weren't any signs of infection again. Carefully he bandaged them again then tucked her in under the covers. The girl didn't stir once, already in a deep sleep from exhaustion. Closing the curtains he glanced back at her then left the room. The girl might be healing physically but he had a feeling that emotionally and mentally the girl had a long way to go.

'Nice of you to join us Slim.' The man remarked, glancing over his shoulder at the man as he dismounted his horse. 'What'd you find out? More than Ross I hope.'

'Well, I might have found something of interest.' He replied as he knelt down across from him at the campfire. 'You know I've been in Virginia City the last week, well, I've been able to find some information on your daughter.'

'Good-' He purred as he ran his thumb over the handle of his mug. 'Very good. What exactly did you find out?'

'Well, there's this Cartwright guy who owns a ranch called the Ponderosa-'

'Just cut to the point, I don't have the energy to listen to a long winded explanation.'

'Sorry sir, my apologies. As I was saying, this morning one of them came into the general store while I was getting supplies and brought a dress and Muguffy readers.'

'So?'

'I did some asking around, a few rounds of drinks sure gets men talking. He only has three sons. He doesn't have any daughters.'

'So what? Your going to need more proof then that I'm afraid.'

'Well-' He grinned, thrilled with his own geniousness. 'I have got a couple ideas. I was wondering if perhaps they needed another ranch hand. I could find out for sure if the girl is there, find out how they work and what their schedule is then we can plan your next move.'

He nodded after a moment, pleased with the man's plan. 'Very good Slim, I like your work. You know, if you're right and you can deliver the girl to me I might just consider making you my right hand man.'

Slim's grin widened. 'Anything you say. I promise I won't disappoint.'