Hi All,
Yeah, that's right! Chapter 15 here! So um... been stuck in bed for three weeks with bacterial pneumonia is no fun but hey, at least I've had time to finish this off. Will post the remanding chapters ASAP, but ya'll better go back and start reading from chapter 5. A 10 chapter update! I know, crazy right.
Anyway, thank you all for your reviews, I only just realized how long it has been since I posted on here and thought it was high time to update. This story is finished, just need to upload but bear in mind that it was over a year ago when I wrote it. If I had time, I would re-write things but I just don't have it so please bear with me if there's a few out of character moments or cringe worthy storylines (I am a lover of writing Whump, probably has been noticed by now though lol)
In Chapters 11 and 12, where Missie is working with the stallion, that is based of a technique I have been learning from an Australian horse trainer, called 4bp. 4 hours, wild stallion, riding a wild stallion with only a halter. If you don't believe me, look it up on YT. His 4 hour course is on there in its entirety to watch. No ropes, no whips, no abuse. Just gentle body language. There are videos of his children riding these wild brumbies (the Australian equivalent of a mustang) with just a string around the horses neck. Hopefully one day I'll have the opportunity to go and be at one of his clinics (you get to train your own brumby and take them home at the end!) but we'll see where life takes me. It's defiantly a better way of training then what was around during Bonanza's time period.
Anyway, just wanted to include that because of Missie working with the stallion and only being 12. I was reading an article about 4bp where it mentioned the founder's daughter was only 13 at the time when her father started training her to work with wild horses (under his guidance of course) so it's not too far-fetched and yes, contrary to popular belief, wild stallions are easier to train then the mares.
Enjoy, hope you guys review and I'll see you all again soon with the second half of the story.
Chapter 15
'Alright, that's it for today.' Missie exclaimed, running her hand over the stallion's shoulder as she brought him to a halt. 'Good job.'
'Well done Missie.' Adam praised, walking into the corral to pat the stallion as she dismounted. 'He's doing better everyday.'
'He is, he's going along beautifully.' She gave him a hug, the black nuzzling her gently. She'd been working with him for a little over a month now and the progress she had made with him was phenomenal. 'I still haven't been able to come up with a name for him yet though. I think of something but then for some reason or other I decide it's not suitable.'
'I'm sure you'll think of something.'
'I hope so, I'm getting tired of referring to him as 'the stallion' or 'the black' and I've really been trying to think hard of what to call him.'
'What about Nero?'
Missie scrunched her nose up as she loosened the cinch. 'He's no Nero, that's for sure.' She gathered the reins and they started for the barn. 'If you had to describe him, what words would you use?'
'Strong, spirited, intelligent.'
'That's why I'm trying to think of a name that would do him justice.'
'Why not just Spirit then?'
'I thought of that but I don't think that suits him either.'
'I think you're being a mite picky-' He teased, patting the stallion's rump as she led him into the stall. 'I think Spirit would fit him rather well.'
'Maybe, I'll think on it.' She replaced his bridle with his halter and tied him up then removed his saddle. 'It took me months to find the right horse for me Adam, I want to find the perfect name for him.'
Adam lent over the stall partition as his sister began grooming the stallion over. 'You've done a good job of taming the tempest. I never thought he'd be as quiet and gentle as he is now.'
'He just needed someone to believe and have faith in him.'
'You near worked a miracle with him.'
'I don't know if it were a miracle as such.' She chuckled, grooming the stallion's shining coat with long firm strokes. 'I just helped him to realise that not all humans are scary and terrifying, that they're not all going to hurt him-' She paused brushing him, her hand in mid air as a revelation came to her. 'That's it!'
'What?'
She turned to him with a huge grin on her face. 'Adam, you're a genius.'
'Thank you for the compliment-' He chuckled as she gave him a kiss on the cheek in her excitement. 'Just what am I being complimented for however?'
'Tempest.'
'Tempest?'
'It's the perfect name for him Adam.' She turned back to the stallion and repeated the name. The black knickered softly and she chuckled. 'I think he likes it.'
'Tempest.' He looked at the horse then nodded. The name did suit him. 'That'll be twenty five dollars for the suggestion.'
Missie laughed, returning to thoroughly grooming him down. 'Aren't we the shrewd businessman? I thought brotherly advice was free of charge.'
'Alright, for you my dear I'll make an exception.'
'Thanks older brother.' She switched sides and her brother went to fill the stallion's feed bucket for her. 'What should I get Pa for Christmas Adam?'
'Christmas? It's still a few months away. Aren't you thinking about it a bit early?'
'Well it'll be my first Christmas here, I wanted to try and make it special. You all have done so much for me, I'd like to show my appreciation.'
'You don't have to buy us gifts to show us that honey.' He replied softly, returning with the feed and poured it into the trough for the black. He placed the bucket aside and joined the girl, picking up another brush to help her groom him. 'We know you appreciate us, that's all we can ask for.'
'I know but I really want to make it special. It's going to be my first Christmas with you as my new family, my first Christmas without my Ma or siblings-'
Adam placed his hand on her shoulder as she sniffled. 'I know it's hard, isn't it?' She nodded as she kept brushing the stallions back. 'I remember the first Christmas after we lost Joe's Ma. It does get easier over time honey, it's only normal when special occasions come around to think about those that are no longer with us.' His sister nodded again. 'What did you used to do for Christmas?'
'When we were in Boston it was like any other day, my father didn't believe in celebrating the birth of Christ. My Ma would tell us the Christmas story though and Miss Mina, our old nanny, would bring us a couple candy canes to share. After she passed when I was six I would try and do odd jobs to earn money to keep the tradition. After Ma married Edward, Christmas became quite the celebration. We'd go out and find a tree and decorate it, have Christmas carols and Edward would read the Christmas story. We'd have presents too, one year I carved with Edwards help a Noah's Ark set with a boat and all the animals for us all to share. What do you guys do?'
'About the same thing, we'll all go out and find a tree and put decorations up and such. Pa reads the Christmas story on Christmas Eve and then A Christmas Carol. You should see Hoss and Little Joe on Christmas morning, it's the only time he gets up early.'
Missie chuckled. 'I can't wait to see that. My little sisters were always the first up on Christmas morning, they didn't remember much of life before Ma marrying Edward but they loved Christmas. I did try to make it special for them in Boston because I knew what they were missing out on. I used to go around and look at other people, how they spent Christmas. In the slums though no one wanted to celebrate, they just were trying to survive.' She sighed softly, thinking back to one time where she was standing out in the snow watching a family celebrating Christmas. She pushed the memories aside however and looked back up at Adam. 'What do you want for Christmas?'
'Me? I think I've got everything I want right here.' He pulled her in for a hug and she giggled as she hugged him back. 'But if you really want to get me something I can never have too many books.'
'I'll keep that in mind. What about Pa? What does he like?'
'I honestly don't know what he wants for Christmas, I haven't even thought that far for myself yet.'
'What about Hoss and Little Joe?'
'Hoss is easy, just bake him something.' The girl finished brushing over the stallion then put his blanket on before they started back to the house. A chilly breeze was blowing, dead leaves dancing about and being crushed underfoot as Fall made its presence known. 'Little Joe, well, one year I got him a stuffed dog. He still has that old thing.'
'Oh I'm sure he'd love it if I got him one of those.' The house was warm and inviting as they walked in, both of them removing their jackets to hang up and Missie went to warm herself in front of the fire. 'I've got it!'
'Another idea?'
She nodded. 'Why don't we give Pa a present from all of us? We can all chip in and buy a really nice photo frame and I can do a drawing of all of us to give him.'
'That's actually a very good idea Missie.'
'So you're in on it?'
'I'll speak to Hoss and Joe when I have a chance.'
'Thanks Adam. Now I just have to think about what I'm going to do for the rest of my favourite brothers.'
'I thought I was your favourite brother.' He teased.
'Of course you are.' She snuggled up to him and giggled. 'Your my favourite favourite brother.'
'And you're my favourite little sister.'
'You alright Missie? You've been a staring at that same page for a half an hour now.'
Missie chuckled, looking up at Hoss as he crouched down next to her seat and she placed the book aside. 'I'm fine, just thinking big brother.'
'Whatcha thinkin about?'
'Oh, nothing really.'
'Come on. You know you can tell ol Hoss what the matter is, don't you? That face your wearing doesn't look like the one whose thinkin of happy thoughts.'
She glanced over at Ben and Adam then motioned to the door. 'I've got to go check on Tempest and Lilly before I head to bed, why don't you come join me?'
'Make sure you bundle up warmly young lady-' Ben glanced up from his newspaper as they started to the door. 'It's chilly out there tonight.'
'I know Pa. I won't be long either.' She put on her jacket and Hoss followed her out to the barn. 'I can't think of what to get Pa and Adam for Christmas.'
'You and I are in the same boat lil sis. I was kinda hoping you might have some ideas for me.'
'You've known them both longer than I have, I'm only just starting to find my footing around here.'
'Your doing a darn good job of it too.' He closed the door to the barn behind them and joined Missie as she rubbed her stallion down. 'It'll be like you've always been here soon.'
'I hope so.'
'Somethings really got you bothered, hasn't it?' Hoss questioned kindly, his big hand on her little shoulder. 'What's the matter?'
'Oh I don't know.' She sniffed, Tempest nudging her softly with his velvet muzzle. 'I guess I still feel out of place.'
'That's not what's really goin on, is it?'
Missie shook her head after a moment. 'I don't want to hurt any of you by saying it but I'm really missing my family. I feel bad for feeling this way because you've all been so good to me-'
'You just stop right there honey.' He interrupted gently. 'You aren't hurting us by you missin your family. I know how much they must have meant to you, it's only natural to miss them. It doesn't mean your not grateful for the family you've now, your allowed to miss them and don't listen to anyone who says otherwise.'
'Thanks Hoss.' She smiled sadly as he stroked her cheek gently. 'Sometimes I just don't know what to do or say, I don't want to talk about them much because I'm worried it'll be taken the wrong way. I don't want to be always seen as to be talking about my problems either.'
'You've gotta stop worryin what people think about you sweat pea. People are always gonna have an opinion. You can't keep everyone happy. If you need to talk about what's bothering you, you come look ol big brother up, okay?'
'Okay.'
'Good girl. What's started all this though?'
'Twins birthday.'
Hoss understood straight away what she meant. 'Birthdays are awful hard, aren't they?'
She nodded. 'I missed Ma's birthday and now the twins because I'm too chicken to go visit them.'
'Don't speak of yourself like that. I know that place don't hold the best of memories for you. You don't have to go there if you don't want to.'
'I want to but I don't think I can. I feel bad because I haven't been there to visit them.'
'They'd understand lil sis. Sides, they're here with you. In your heart and mind.'
'I know.' She sighed, resting her head against the stallion's neck. 'Maybe you could go there for me? Take some flowers out there.'
'I would but I'm pretty busy right now helpin with gettin the ranch ready for winter.'
'That's alright, I understand.'
'I could talk to Adam though, I heard Pa sayin somethin about him going over to Silver Hill for a contract. Maybe he could stop by there on the way.'
'You'll talk to him? Thanks Hoss.'
'Your welcome Lil Miss. Feelin any better now?'
'I am. I still haven't got any ideas what to get Pa or any of you for Christmas yet.'
'Adam told me bout your idea for Pa's present. I think it's a great idea.'
'I want to give him something else too, something special. Just from me.' She left the stallion, going over to the opposite side of the barn to check on her mare. 'But I can't think of anything.'
'What would you have given your step father?'
'Oh, probably a knife or a pair of saddlebags. I was planning on making him a buckskin coat last Christmas but I couldn't hunt myself a decent buck.'
'Why don't you do that for him then?'
'You think he'd like that?'
'I'm sure he would.'
'How am I going to get a buck though? If I were back home I'd be able to go hunting by myself but out here it's so different. I still don't really know my way around here either.'
'You're learnin, don't worry. I'm sure Little Joe wouldn't mind takin you up hunting.'
'Really?'
'You'd have to ask him of course, and Pa but I think they'd probably let you go.'
'I will, that's a great idea Hoss.' She covered a yawn, turning away from her mare. 'I think it's past my bedtime.'
He chuckled and they started back to the house. 'Now that's settled, I've just gotta think about what I'm gonna get you.'
'You don't have to get me anything-'
'I ain't ever had a little sister to spoil so give me a chance.'
'Alright, alright.' She giggled as they walked back into the living room. Hoss helped her out of her coat and hung it up beside his, the girl picking her kitten up off the couch to head to bed. 'Alright, I'm going to bed.' She gave each of her brothers a kiss on the cheek and Ben went with her upstairs to tuck her into bed.
Adam placed his book on the table as Hoss sat down beside the fire. 'What was that all about?'
'Little talk between a brother and sister, nothing you need to concern yourself with.'
'I've had those talks with Missie before, she's not trying to rope you into anything is she?'
'If she wanted to do that, she'd have gone to Joe.' He glanced over at his brother cleaning his pistol. 'You two are thick as thieves.'
Joe grinned. Yes, he and Missie did get along like a house on fire. Mostly their plans consisted of pranking their older brothers whenever possible. 'Guilty as charged.'
'One of these days you're going to get her into more trouble then she can get herself out of little brother.'
'Hey, I'd say things with that stallion turned out rather well.'
'You were just lucky they did. I'd still like to get my hands on those men who lost him to you.' He turned back to Hoss. 'So what was Missie saying?'
'Not much, just talkin bout her family. Her sister's birthday.'
'I see.'
'You wore Missie out again Adam.' Ben announced with a chuckle as he came down the stairs. 'She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.'
'She worked hard on the fence today, she did a really good job.'
'That's good to hear.' He picked his pipe up off the mantle and returned to his seat. 'She did seem rather quiet at supper.'
'Her twins birthday, I'm guessin today.' Hoss explained. 'You've got to go over to Silver Hill sometime soon don't you Adam?'
'I was planning on it, yes. Why?'
'I thought maybe you could go drop some flowers off at their graves for Missie. She's really hurtin something bad that she can't go there herself.'
Adam thought about what his brother had suggested for a moment. moment. 'It's not far out of my way, I'd be happy to go do that for her.'
'That'll help her mood for sure, thanks older brother.'
'Don't mention it. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of the idea myself. Now, while you're both here and Pa's not, I've something to run past you.'
'Hey Adam, I packed you some sugar cookies for lunch.' Missie proclaimed proudly, carrying a cloth bag of food out to him as he readied his horse for his journey. 'I made them yesterday with Hop Sing.'
'Why, that's very thoughtful of you.' He tossed her hair, the girl chuckling as he added the bag to his saddlebags. 'I'm about ready to go, other than saying bye to Pa I haven't anything else I need to prepare.'
'You sure it's no bother doing this for me?'
'None at all. Where's the flowers?'
'I've got to go pick them. If you're ready to go, how about you come pick them with me?'
'I'd like that.' He smiled and brother and sister headed around the house to the garden out back. There weren't a whole lot of flowers since it was fall and the girl sighed. 'What's wrong?'
'There's not really anything nice to pick.' She looked over the wilted and withered flowers. 'I guess it'll have to do but. There's nothing else.'
'Maybe your older brother can help.'
'You've got a bouquet of flowers hidden in your jacket?'
'No.' He placed his arm around her waist and they started back to where his horse was tethered. 'But I did come across some wildflowers the other day and not too far from here.'
'Really?'
'Go saddle up your horse, I'll go tell Pa where we're headed.' Missie grinned and hurried to the barn while he continued on to the house with a chuckle. She was sure something, her energy and enthusiasm that came with girlish innocence were considerably catching. Since she'd come into their family the girl had brought something they hadn't known to be missing into their lives. Charm, innocence, beauty. She was able to bring the best out of each of them with her presence and it was clear to anyone to see that they all adored her.
'You ready to head out then?'
'Not quite.' He closed the door behind him, his father buckling up his gun belt in preparation to go out. 'I was going to take Missie to the meadow that's got wildflowers. It won't take long.'
'There's nothing in Hop Sings garden?'
'Not much, it really is the wrong time of year for flowers but we should be able to come across something decent for her family.'
His father collected his hat off the rack and they walked out into the yard. Missie was leading her stallion out of the barn and she smiled when she saw them.
'Pa alright with me coming with you?'
'Of course, you go along and enjoy yourself.' Ben smiled, the stallion sniffing his hands gently. If anyone had said the stallion would be one of the quietest, gentlest horses they had on the ranch back when Missie had started work with him he'd have called them insane. 'When you're finished come find me, I'll be out checking how the firewood cutting is progressing.'
'Sure Pa.'
He turned to his son, shaking his hand. 'Have a good trip son.'
'Thanks Pa.' Adam turned to Missie. 'You ready to go?'
She nodded and mounted her horse, waiting with her father for Adam to mount. Her brother was soon ready, coming up beside her and she nudged Tempest forward. 'I won't be long Pa.'
He waved as they rode out of the yard. 'Have fun sweetheart.'
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the meadow and Missie tethered Tempest up to an old stump beside Sport. 'You were right about the wildflowers.' She smiled, casting a glance over the surrounding terrain. Various wildflowers were growing alongside the thick grasses, the girl looking up at Adam. 'Come on, you pick some with me.'
'Oh alright.' He agreed with a grin, stifling a chuckle as he thought back to his college friends and his brothers. They'd both laugh him to scorn if they saw him trailing after a young girl, picking flowers with her. On the other hand though he didn't mind, the girl's smiles and joyous laughter more than payment enough to him. 'Here's some nice ones.'
Missie trotted over, her long skirts brushing through the grass. 'These are nice.' Her brother had found some pretty purple ones and she picked a few to add to her bouquet. 'I'll know where to come for flowers from now on. These ones here are gorgeous Adam.'
'You should see it in the Spring, it's fairly a blanket of colour.'
'I can imagine.' She grabbed a piece of twine from her pocket and wrapped it around the stems to hold the bouquet together. 'Alright Adam, I think this'll do. I don't want to make you late any more than you'll already will be.'
'Don't you worry about me being late, I'm not expected there until tomorrow anyway.' He reassured her as they started back to the horses. 'You be good while I'm gone you hear?'
'I'm always good older brother.'
'You keep saying that but I'm yet to see it.'
Missie laughed, punching him playfully in the arm. 'I'm an angel compared to other people in this family.' By that she meant the very mischievous and accident prone Little Joe. 'How long will you be gone? It's like you're always coming and going again.'
'I'll be back in a few days. Once winter comes and we're all stuck at home you'll get tired of me very quickly.'
'I could never be tired of my older brother but I'm sure you get tired of me.'
'Never.' He took the bouquet and stashed it carefully in his saddlebag. Goodbyes to her reminded him of going away when Joe was her age. They both had hated saying goodbyes but were both too stubborn to admit it. 'I'll be back before you know it.'
'I'll hold you to it.' They embraced warmly and he kissed her forehead as she pulled back. 'You be careful now you hear?'
'I will be.' He untied his gelding, mounting as he looked back at her. 'Stay out of trouble now.'
'I will.' She went over to her stallion, patting him as she watched Adam ride off towards the horizon, watching till she could see him no more. She sighed heavily, Tempest nudging her as she untied him and started walking through the grass. She let her fingertips touch the stalks she was walking through, her stallion ambling slowly behind snatching up a mouthful here and there. While she was thankful Adam was going to visit her family on her behalf she felt bad she couldn't go there herself. She just couldn't bear to stand in front of their graves just yet, somehow doing that would make it all real.
Missie picked some more flowers soberly, thinking of many things as she made her way through the meadow. She hated it when Adam had to go away, she understood why he must go but that didn't mean she had to like it. Out of her three brothers Adam was definitely her favorite. He was strong yet gentle with her, he made her feel safe. He was her rock. She was closest to him too, a strong bond they shared that she had with no other. He was her brother, she was his sister. Nothing could change that in her heart.
Another bouquet picked but a smaller one then the one she sent with Adam went into her saddlebag. While she didn't have a mother any longer she hoped her father might appreciate some nice flowers. Of course she wouldn't give them to him in front of the men, she didn't wish to embarrass him. Tempest snorted eagerly as she mounted and she let him into a slow gallop back towards the trail, leaving the meadow and her thoughts behind.
She soon arrived up at the logging camp, slowing her stallion to a walk as she looked around at the men working. Tempest shied a little at one man wielding an axe and she placed her hand on his shoulder to reassure him. 'Easy boy. It's alright. We're just going to find Pa.'
'Howdy Miss.'
'Morning Miss.'
She smiled at the hands that greeted her but made no reply, guiding her horse on towards a large tent where Buck was tied up outside. After her last encounter with one of the hands she'd given the rest a wide berth. Except for old Hosea of course, he couldn't resist a good opportunity to tell a story while mending a harness or checking stock. She dismounted her stallion, patting his neck as she tied him up then went inside the tent. Her Pa and a couple other men were talking, going over some papers on a desk. They looked rather involved in their work and she stood back quietly so she didn't disrupt their concentration.
Finally they finished, Ben noticing her standing in the doorway and dismissed his men. 'How'd it go my girl?'
'Adam's on his way. I found plenty of flowers, I even picked you some. I left them in my saddlebag though, I think your workers would have quite the laugh if they saw me give them to you.'
'Oh don't you worry about them-'
'I wouldn't wish to embarrass you. I know how hard it can be sometimes with having hands. Some just have a chip on their shoulder no matter how nice you might be to them.'
'Truer words were never spoken.' He closed the map he'd been looking over and stood. 'When did you become so knowledgeable about these things?'
'I soon learnt when Pa couldn't run the ranch after he got thrown off a horse in the middle of a stampede. I was ten at the time, I had the foreman's help but that was it. Most didn't take kindly to taking orders from me.'
'You sure had a time of it on that ranch.'
'I did but I wouldn't exchange what I learnt for the world.' They mounted up, riding out of the camp. 'Where are we headed now Pa?'
'We'll go see how Hoss is getting along with the haying.'
It was midday when Adam finally arrived at the location marked on the map Hoss had given him. He looked around the deserted landscape, except for him no life stirred the quiet, desolate trail.
The wagon had been pulled off the trail and he dismounted near it, tying Sport up to the wheel. The canvas covering was gone, the rotting bare bones of the wagon standing as a tribute to the carnage that had taken place. He couldn't help but notice the wagon had been well made even with the condition it was in.
He started away from the wagon in the direction Hoss had told him they'd buried the folks, not taking long to find it. He came across the large depression in the ground, righting the cross they'd put up that had fallen over. The family had been buried together in one large grave, Adam taking off his hat in respect as he knelt down beside the cross. He placed the bouquet at the foot of the cross, saying a few words then rose and returned to his horse.
He was about to mount the horse when something in the wagon caught his eye. Empty boxes and barrels were what was left of their belongings but there appeared to be something wrapped up in an oilcloth beneath a broken box. There was no harm in seeing what it was, was there? He moved the box aside, picking up the bundle and unwrapped the cloth. Two books were inside, one a large family bible and the other a smaller, thinner volume without a title.
Flicking the book open he glanced over the page and began to read. It appeared to be a log of some sort, a journal perhaps. The author spoke of things such as the weather and stock numbers but when his eyes landed on the word Missie he played closer attention. It was Edward's journal, the girl's step father's private thoughts laid out on paper in front of him.
It didn't feel right, reading through the thoughts of the deceased and he closed the book up, wrapping it once more with the bible in the oilcloth. How it hadn't been ruined or found by someone else rather surprised him. It was over six months now since the wagon had been abandoned, it was close to a miracle the weather hadn't turned it into a soggy mess.
'Guess we found something we didn't expect to find.' He remarked to Sport, the gelding sniffing him as he placed the package in one of the saddlebags. He glanced around once more but there was nothing else that caught his interest and he mounted. Riding away from the wagon his thoughts turned once more to Missie. Being there where it had happened brought a new sense of reality to him. It was nothing short of a miracle that the girl had lived through the attack, it would have been so easy for another body to be lying in that grave. Instead however she was safe and waiting for him back home, unexpecting however what he had found there in the wagon.
