Hi all!

This story is a sequel to Life Is An Ever Changing Journey, it's recommended to read that before this as it introduces the OC of Missie Cartwright and her back story.

I hope you all enjoy this new story, we've got quite the rollercoaster ahead as Missie and the Cartwrights navigate adjusting to having her around.

*Disclaimer*

I'm new to this fandom, I've only just started watching Bonanza recently and as I watched I started to wonder what it would be like if the Cartwrights had a girl in the mix (yes, I'm one of those fans lol)

I've read a lot of fanfiction since I found Bonanza and most of the stories I've read have followed the same line- Ie Ben had another wife after Joe's mother and she died and left a girl behind etc (Just my noticing that's all, no disrespect to those writers)

I decided I wanted to get away from that general storyline and come up with something different and unique that as far as I know no other author has posted yet. The stories I've read either go from one extreme to the other, a girl who's an absolute loose cannon who constantly wants to get her way and work with the men with no sense of being a lady or the Cartwrights constantly forcing a girl to stay in her 'place' in the home.

I wish to bring a new category to this fandom. A young, strong, capable female character who behaves like a lady in word and deed but one that can hold her own with the best of men. I want to get away from the typical stereotype of female characters written in this fandom and create one who is sweet as honey but has the heart of a lion. A character who doesn't take nonsense from no one yet is as ladylike, gentle and kind as they come.

I wanted to create her with a bittersweet backstory too, adding depth to how and who she is in the story. I wanted a character who could challenge the Cartwrights, mainly Ben as being the father and how he deals with the challenges her past brings with her. He won't be the only one challenged, each of the boys has to adjust to having a young girl around and it isn't going to be an easy journey for any of them.

As I have only watched to the 4th season so far there may be times when I don't write them exactly in character. I apologise in advance, I am trying my best to stay true to the brilliant characters that they are but at the same time bring a new side to them.

As mentioned in the summery, physical and mental abuse of a minor is a recurring theme of this story. Discression is advised if these topics are offensive to you.

I own nothing except my OC Missie.

*End Of Disclaimer*

Not much else to say except I hope you all enjoy!

Opening

'These cards sure ain't falling for us.'

'I'm sorry gentlemen.' Little Joe exclaimed as he picked up the cards he'd been dealt by the dealer. 'Today must be my lucky day.'

'Well it isn't mine, Mr. Cartwright. So let's cut the gab and start playing cards. I want to win back some of that money we've lost.'

'Alright Mr. Ballinger.' He flicked another bill onto the stack of cash in the table. 'Five dollars.'

'Cards?' The dealer asked after a moment.

'One.'

He looked at his partner and he threw back three onto the table. 'Three.'

'Dealer takes four.'

Joe raised his eyebrows and placed another bill on the pile. 'Ten dollars.'

'You're holding something pretty good, aren't you son?' He asked then added another bet to the table. 'Ten, and another ten.'

The dealer tossed his cards in. 'Ah it's too rich for me, besides, I'm busted.'

'Well, Mr. Ballinger I'll see that ten dollars.' He added more bills to the pile. 'And I'll raise you twenty.'

'Or maybe you've got them and maybe you ain't but I got to stand and make you show 'em. Mr. Cartwright, I'm out of ready cash but I'll make you a sporting proposition. You're into my partner and myself for one hundred and fifty dollars, I've got something outside that I'll put up. Double or nothing. Are you game?'

'Well that all depends on what you have outside.' He stood up. 'Let's go have a look see.'

'Good.' They walked outside and he pointed to a black horse tied up next to a chestnut and roan. 'How's that?'

Joe looked him over. The horse was standing with its head down, its back leg cocked half asleep. It didn't look like much, it was slightly on the skinny side but he could tell it just really needed a good feed. It certainly looked quiet enough, maybe even for Missie. 'I've seen better but it'll do.'

'You've seen better? Cartwright, you've been around a lot more then I thought.'

'Oh I'm a real good judge. You're pretty hard to fool me on a deal like this. That's nothing more then a child's pony.' The man walked back into the saloon and he looked at the horse a moment longer. Well, it'd do. Besides, he already knew he had a winning hand. He chuckled as he followed him back into the saloon, imagining the look on Missie's face when he told her he had a horse for her.

'You boys make a deal?'

'We sure did. Alright Cartwright, let's see them.'

Joe tossed his cards onto the table with a smile. 'Queens over tens.'

'I thought you was bluffing.' The man tossed the cards onto the table and placed his hands on his hips.

'Oh no, no. I was quite serious about it.' He picked the cash up, stacking it up to put back into his pocket. 'Well, thank you very much for a profitable card game.'

The two men looked at each other with a knowing smirk, following after the young man after he'd left the saloon. Ballinger rested against the post of the saloon as young Cartwright untid the black stallion and led him down to the livery stable. 'A child's pony.'

'Is that what he called the Devil? A child's pony?'

'He certainly did.' He replied with a smirk. 'And am I glad that's the last of that mean critter. Come on, we best get out of town before he realises he just brought himself more trouble then he can handle.'

Chapter 1

Missie looked over the four horses tied up to the front of the fence carefully, working over each one with her thorough gaze. There were three mares and a gelding, the girl starting over the closest one. She started at its head, checking its teeth and determined the mare was about twelve years old. A good age, not too old but on the other hand could start to go downhill in a couple years.

'Your Missie is going over those horses with a finer comb then most men.' William Briggs exclaimed with a touch of annoyance and admiration at the same time. 'If I knew she was going to be this thorough I'd have never agreed to you coming over and would have just sent you one.'

Ben chuckled, his arms folded as he watched Missie run her hands down the mares leg. 'I've learnt that when it comes to horses that girl knows more about them then even I do.'

'You should keep a rein on that young girl, she's an outspoken one that one. Women should be seen and not heard.'

'I'm afraid I disagree with you on that one.' The girl had gone to the mares back legs, feeling along its rump then spending some time on its hock. 'A woman needs to be able to stand up for herself.'

'That's what men are for, they take care of their women folk. I make sure Molly knows her place.'

Ben didn't reply to him on that, watching Missie continue on with her inspection of the stock. After sometime in silence he turned back to William when the girl moved onto the next horse. 'What's the story with these four?'

'The first one there, the roan, a man passing through sold her when she came up lame and brought another horse. She's good and quiet, all four are. Suitable for a lady which is what you are after.'

'Yes, I am but ultimately it's up to the girl. It'll be her horse.'

'Your going to spoil her Ben, mark my words.'

'Mr. Briggs, this gelding has heat in both front forelegs. I just thought you should know.'

'See what I mean?'

Ben had to stifle a chuckle. It was a well known fact that Briggs tried to pass off horses as being better then they were if a person didn't know what they were looking for.

'Well, I don't have all day to stand here and wait for her to make her mind up. I'll be in the barn.'

Missie glanced up as the man left and Ben walked over to her. She sighed as she stood up, patting the gelding on the rump. 'Pa, these horses are all unsound. That mare has a bowed tendon, near side back. This gelding has been sored on the opposite side so his lameness isn't visible and the other two mares aren't much better.'

'I thought as much.' He replied with a look of unamusement. 'Briggs here hasn't got a name as a horse dealer for nothing.'

'No, I can see that.' She went over to the third mare, starting with checking its mouth. 'This one is close to twenty. Good horses with miles still left in them my foot. Ladies horses? I think not. They're just too bone tired to argue with a rider.' She went over the mare more quickly then the last two and moved onto the last one. 'None of these are suitable. That first one wouldn't last more then three days before going lame and these three are almost fit to drop. I don't think we're going to find anything decent here Pa.'

'No, no your right.' He sighed, placing his hand on her shoulder as they walked towards the barn to tell Briggs their verdict. 'Mr. Briggs, Missie finished looking over the horses outside and they're not what she's looking for. Would any of the horses in here be for sale?'

'I don't think any would be suitable for a young lady like her-'

'Sir, if I may speak for a moment?' She interrupted and continued. 'Look, I've been on a ranch most of my life. My Pa taught me everything he knew about horses and I've been breaking in horses for the last couple years. I can handle a spirited horse if that's what your concerned about that. What I'm asking is to be offered a horse you would sell a gentlemen if he came looking for one for ranch work.'

'Of all the-' He grumbled, looking at her then sighed. 'Alright young lady, there might be a couple at the back. Come this way.'

They started after him, passing horses tied up in the stalls. She glanced at them as she went past, stopping as a chestnut called out, turning her head as far as the rope tying her to the wall would allow. She gasped, seeing the blaze running down her face and hurried to her. 'Lilly. Oh Lilly-' She squeezed into the small stall, untying her quickly and backed the mare out, the mare limping something terrible. 'What's happened to you girl? What's happened?'

William and Ben stood back as the girl patted the horse, running her hands over her as the mare nuzzled her hair. 'The girl knows the horse?'

'I'm assuming so. Where'd you get her?'

'About a couple months back from a guy with a few horses that came through, I've been hiring her out to folks wishing to take a bugugy out. Last month she was injured in an accident and I've been waiting to see how she went.'

'How much would you want for her?'

'Ben, you don't want that horse.' He scoffed. 'She's got three hooves in the grave. I've kept hiring her out to try and make back what I paid for her.'

'You kept working her while she was injured?'

He shrugged. 'The folks that hired buggies aren't exactly fussy about the horses that pull them.'

'Easy girl, easy.' Missie soothed as the mare pinned her ears back, obviously touching a sore spot on her shoulder. The mare's back, shoulder and neck were tense and tight, thick patches of scar tissue she could feel beneath her skin. Lilly nuzzled her and knickered softly, tears running down her face. There was no way the mare would ever be sound enough to be ridden again.

'You okay Missie?'

She nodded as Ben gently put his hand on her shoulder. 'He say what happened to her?'

'Buggy accident. He's kept working her though.'

'Feel here Pa-' She placed his hand on the worst of the mares shoulder. 'That's all scar tissue. She'll never be sound again, the damage that's been done can't be reversed.'

'You don't think there's any hope for her at all?'

'She might be sound enough eventually to be a broodmare, she's got good bloodlines but she would never be able to keep up with a hard days work again. I've seen this before Pa, I know what I can do to help her but there's only so much that can be done for her.'

'Would you like to try?'

She looked up at him. 'I can't ask you to buy a horse that can't be ridden or earn her keep.'

'Your not asking, I'm offering.' He replied softly. 'Missie, I can see how much she means to you. I am offering to buy her for you.'

The girl rubbed the mares nose as she pressed against her. 'I don't want her to be kept working, it's not right. She needs to be looked after, not worked to death. I'll work off how much it costs you to buy her, I promise.'

'You needn't worry about the money, I'm sure I can make a deal with our friend Mr. Briggs.' He wasn't happy at all with the mans treatment of the horse but the only thing he could do about it right then was make sure the mare would be looked after. 'I'll go speak to him, you take her out to the horses. We'll have to take it slow with her to get her back home.'

'Thank you Pa.' He left and she ran her fingers through the mares thick but knotted mane. 'I'm sorry this has happened Lilly, you'll be looked after now though, I promise.'

Adam looked up from untacking his gelding that evening, seeing Little Joe riding back into the ranch yard leading another horse. His brother halted his horse beside his and he gave the black a pat as Joe dismounted. 'Where'd this come from?'

'Won him in a poker game.' Joe replied proudly, giving the stallion a pat. 'I thought he'd make a good mount for Missie with a few good feeds. He's dead quiet, he's just a big child's pony.'

'Hmmm.' He murdered, running his hand over the stallions back. The stallion was standing half asleep with his head down and back leg cocked. He had to admit the horse did look quite good, it would appear that all he needed was some more meat put on his bones. 'How old?'

Joe looked at the stallion's teeth. 'Four year old.'

'Is he broken in?'

His brother shrugged. 'I assume so, I didn't ask.'

'So you won a horse in a poker game and didn't bother to ask about it's history.' Sometimes it was hard to believe he was related to him. 'How'd you know it's not stolen?'

'Gee Adam, I was only thinking how he'd be good for Missie.' Joe sighed, realising how stupid he'd been in accepting the horse without questioning it's history. 'I know how hard it's been for Pa to find her a horse, they've been searching for ages. I just thought he'd be perfect for her.'

'Your heart was in the right place but your head has some catching up to do.' He clapped him on the shoulder and took the stallions lead. 'We'll take him to the corral out back and let him settle in, give him some feed and see how he goes. I wouldn't mention this to Missie just yet, we don't know if he'll even be suitable for her.'

'Alright, thanks Adam.'

'Don't thank me yet, if this horse turns out to be useless you've only got yourself to blame.' He glanced back at the stallion, noticing he was stumbling a little as he led him to the corral. The stallion looked to still be half asleep as he followed him as quietly as a lamb. Either he was the quietest stallion he'd ever seen or there wasn't something quite right with him.

He opened the gate to the corral and led the horse in, closing it behind him then unclipped the lead and turned him loose. The horse just stood there and he frowned as he walked away. Something wasn't quite right with him but he couldn't put a finger on it.

The stallion was still standing there in the same place when he returned with an armful of hay and pail of oats. He placed it down inside the fence, calling the horse over and the stallion did so after sometime. It took some of the hay then settled down to eat while Adam watched. Maybe he was just tired, he looked like he'd had a rough time of it lately and he wondered what his story was. He stayed for sometime then went to fetch him some water.

As he filled the buckets from the well Ben and Missie returned, leading a mare who was limping something awful. What on earth- He left the bucket and walked over as they dismounted. 'Where'd this come from?'

'It's Lilly Adam.' Missie replied softly, rubbing her neck. 'My mare. Pa brought her from Mr. Briggs, he kept working her even though she's hurt.'

He glanced at his father and Ben nodded to give his agreeance to the girls explanation. 'What happened to her?'

'Buggy accident.' Ben turned to the girl. 'Go set up a stall for her in the barn, she's going to need to rest after that long walk.'

'Alright Pa.' She handed him the lead rope. 'I won't take long.'

He ran his hand down the mares neck after the girl had left, Adam doing his own inspection of the mare. 'I couldn't leave her there after seeing Missie with her, that girl's been through enough already.'

'Do you think there's anything that can be done for her?'

'I'll get Hoss to have a look at her. Missie said she knows how to treat it but he can help her.'

'She's only five years old.' Adam exclaimed after a moment, looking at her teeth. 'If she'd been rested after the accident she probably wouldn't be as bad as this.'

'You and I both know how William looks after his horses.'

'Yeah.' He agreed, running his hand over her shoulder again. 'I take it you're still no closer to finding her a horse.'

'Either they're unsound or too wild or she has a problem with them.' Ben took a glance towards the barn where the girl had dissapeared. 'If Daisy wasn't close to needing to be retired I'd just give her that mare.'

'Maybe Missie is just being too picky.'

'She said she knows what she's looking for and is happy to take her time to find it. There's no other horses for sale around here that I know of at the moment, we've been to look at every one at some time or another.'

Lily laid her ears back as his hand ran over a really tense, hot spot in her shoulder. 'What about taking her out of town to find a horse? I'm sure I'd be able to find her one in San Francisco.'

He contemplated the suggestion for a moment. 'I'll think about it.'

'Little Joe brought a horse back earlier too, a stallion-'

'A stallion?'

'Won it in a poker game.' He finished his examination of the mare, patting her neck lightly as he gave his father his full attention. 'It's out in the corral out back.'

Ben raised his eyebrows. 'What do you think of it?'

'I don't know yet, I just left it there to see how it goes. I'll let it settle and rest for a couple days then see how he is.'

'Alright, I've got a stall ready.' Missie exclaimed as she walked back out to the mare. 'What do you think of her Adam?'

'Well, she's a nice horse but she's pretty banged up Missie.'

'I know, I thought as much. I just wanted another opinion.'

'Do you know where Hoss is Adam?'

'He should be around here someplace, he mentioned something about fixing one of the wagons.'

'I'll go see if I can find him if you'd stable Buck.'

'Sure Pa.' He took the reins of Buck and Daisy. 'Alright Missie, let's go take care of these horses.'

'Dinner's almost ready.' Little Joe exclaimed as he walked into the barn, going over to the stall where Missie was working on her horse. 'What's that your mixing up?'

'Clay poultice.' She replied and looked up from the bucket she was mixing it in with her hands. 'Her muscles are inflamed, this will help ease that and her pain. Once the inflammation comes down I'll start massaging her to break the scar tissue down.'

'Awful lot of work for a horse you won't be able to ride.'

'I know but she's worth it.' She added a little water to the bucket. 'My Pa gave her to me on my tenth birthday, I broke her in by myself. She means too much to me. What would you do if Cocheise was hurt? Wouldn't you try to fix her?'

'Of course.'

'It's the same for me and Lilly.' She stood up and went over to the mare, speaking softly to her as she started to spread the cool clay over her hot muscles. 'Can you hand me a horse blanket? I'll rug her to help the clay not go off so soon.'

He nodded and grabbed a blanket lying over one of the stall walls. 'Here.'

'Just place it on the barrel, I'll be a little bit before I finish here.' The mare flinched a little as she touched a tender spot and she waited for a moment before continuing again. 'I think Pa's annoyed with me.'

'Why would you say that?'

'Because it's been a some time since we started looking for a horse for me and I still haven't found one.'

'I don't think he'd be annoyed. It takes time to find a really good horse.'

'Don't I know it.' She finished placing the poultices on and covered the mare with the rug. 'Alright, she's got her dinner, let's go get ours.'

He glanced at her clothing as they walked towards the house. She was covered in dust and mud, her hands covered in the clay. 'You best get washed up first.'

'Oh I thought I'd sit down at the table with you all like this.' She teased as he opened the door for her. Her father and brothers were already at the table waiting for her. 'I'll just be a moment to wash up, you start without me.'

'You best hurry then-' Adam replied as she went up the stairs. 'It's roast pork and you know that's Hoss's favorite. There'll be nothing left.'

'I'll be back in a moment.' She promised and dissapeared inside her room. She closed the door behind herself, taking a deep breath as she rested against it for a moment. So many emotions were running through her, sadness, anger. That poor mare down in the barn had brought back a mountain of memories for her. She remembered her Pa giving her to her, his smiling face as they stood beside the corral watching her pace the fence with impatience. She'd been a spirited filly, it'd taken her some time to break her in under her father's watchful eye. She closed her eyes, still seeing his face in her mind. God, she missed him.

She moved over to the basin after standing there for a moment, washing her dirty arms and hands with the coarse soap. She'd been living with the Cartwrights nigh to five months now if she was right by her guess. The ache inside at the memory of her family was starting to fade overtime but seeing the mare again brought it all back. She could hear her sister laughter as she let them ride her mare, her brothers teasing the day they'd covered her from head to tail in green paint they'd found. It'd taken ages for her to wash that out. She chuckled a little as she wiped her arms and hands. They were good memories, even in they were hard to think of some times.

'I hope there's still roast for me.' She exclaimed as she returned downstairs and took a place at the table. 'You didn't eat it all while I was gone, did you?'

'No Ma'am, I left you a couple bites.' He motioned to the platter where a little piece of roast sat by its lonesome. 'It was mighty good I might add.'

'Oh stop your teasing Hoss.' Adam interjected, something in Missie's eyes telling him there was something wrong. He passed her a plate with her dinner on it, complete with her share of the roast. 'Here you go.'

'At least some people in this family remember there's an extra member at the table. Thank you Adam.'

They ate in silence for sometime, Ben turning to the girl once he'd finished his dinner. 'How's that mare of yours now?'

'She's mighty sore and stiff, I hate to think he was working her in her condition. She wouldn't have lasted much longer if she stayed there, she wouldn't have been able to walk at all. Her muscles keep tearing because they haven't had a chance to heal properly and they've healed with scar tissue because of that and not reciving the care she needed. She'll be on stall rest until the inflammation in her muscles reduces then slowly I'll build her excersise back up with hand walking. If I'm careful I think I'll be able to get her sound enough to be bred in the spring.'

'Whatcha going to use on her?'

'Well I've got clay poultices on her right now.' She replied to Hoss as she scooped out the remainder of the mashed potato onto her plate. 'Then I'll use a mixture of vinegar and parrifin or spirits if I can't get that.'

'You thought of comfry?'

'I haven't heard of using that but I'm willing to give anything a shot.'

'You think that will work?' Adam asked, resting back against his chair.

'I don't know. If it doesn't and she's in too much pain then she'll have to be put down.' Her face was expressionless as she pushed her plate away and stood up. 'If you'll excuse me I need to go check on how the clay is going.'

'I'll go with her Pa.' He added after she'd left. 'See if she needs any help.'

Missie closed the door behind her as she walked into the barn, lighting a lanturn to illuminate the dark space. She lit a couple more, carrying one to the barrel outside the mares stall and placed it down, giving Lilly a pat. 'How's that feeling girl?' She coed softly, running her hand down the mares face. Lilly lifted her head, blowing softly into her face and she chuckled. 'Oh is that right? You must be feeling better then.'

Adam walked in, leaning against the post as the girl took the blanket off the mare. 'How's she looking?'

'Well, with the poultice you can tell by how it dries where the worst injuries are.' She didn't glance back at him as she replied, looking the mare over instead. 'The patches that are still damp are where the inflammation is, it helps pinpoint the exact areas.'

'Looks like she's got a lot then, judging off that.'

'This side is definitely the worst. She must have stumbled and rolled or something, her muscles are twisted almost. Whatever happened, it was a bad accident.' Her examination finished, she pulled the blanket back over the mare's back and neck. 'There's not much else I can do right now except keep up with the clay and use water treatments with her until that swelling goes down.'

'Well I'll try and give you a hand when I can.' He offered, picking up the lantern. 'Why don't we go for a walk and do some stargazing?'

'There's nothing else that can be done with her tonight so I guess so.' She blew the other lanterns out and followed him back into the ranch yard. 'Where are we going?'

'The pond is lovely at night this time of year.'

'Only if you promise not to throw me in.'

'Alright, I promise.'

'Good.'

He chuckled as they walked through the trees down to the pond behind the house. 'Why are you so scared of being thrown into the pond?'

'Because I can't swim. I never learnt how.'

'I'll teach you then sometime. Being able to swim is something everyone should be able to do.'

'I'll think about it.' They reached the pond and sat down on the grassy bank, Adam blowing out the lantern. The moonlight reflected off the water as a soft breeze rippled the surface. It was peaceful, quiet. 'Your right Adam, this is gorgeous at night.'

'I come here when I need to think sometimes.' He replied carefully, looking down at the girl. 'I know something is on your mind. Would you like to talk about it?'

She sighed, picking at the grass beside her. 'Just memories. I remember the first day I saw her, Pa kept her hidden in the back corral amongst the other horses he'd brought in so I didn't see her till my birthday. He took me out that morning after I got my presents inside and there was this filly whose coat shone like morning sunrise and had the fire to go with it. She was a spirited filly, it took almost two months to break her in. Pa helped but it was me who did the work. I remember one time my brothers got stuck into a can of green paint. Poor Lilly looked good to them to redecorate, her coat was green despite my best efforts to get the paint out till she shed it in the spring.'

He laughed. 'That'd have been something to see.'

'It was, me riding around on a green horse. Let's just saw though the boys had a little talk from Pa about that trick, and Pa never left paint in their reach again. Seeing Lilly reminded me of some of those memories. In the moment you don't think that one day you'll look back on that as a memory, you don't cherish it until you realize you'll never have it again. If one thing losing them taught me, its to never take those you love for granted.' She was silent for a moment, pulling the piece of grass apart. 'You all have been so good to me, it's helped ease the pain a little.'

Adam placed his arm around her, the girl snuggling up against him. 'I know how the past few months have been hard for you.' Missie nodded, the girl shivering a little as a cool breeze blew. 'We best head back to the house, it's getting cold.'

'Alright.' She agreed and stood up, Adam taking off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders as they made their way back. 'Thank you.'

'Your welcome.' He put his hand around her waist to steady her as the girl stumbled on an exposed tree root. 'Careful there.'

She chuckled, regaining her footing. 'What would I do without you?'

'Well right now you'd probably be face down on the ground.' He teased with a grin but turned serious as they neared the house. 'Missie, I know that this mare means a lot to you, I'll help you with her anyway I can.'

'Thank you Adam, that means a lot to me.'

He kissed the girl gently on the forehead. 'That's what family is for.'