Author's note: The second of the stories that triggered Spirit Thief. :)) It was written for a picture challenge that had Hoss riding with a little lad beside him.

xxx

"Hoss, I've been thinking…"

Hoss grinned. The little lad sure was a lot like his father. As calm and well-behaved as he was, he also had the inquiring and curious nature of another Cartwright son.

"What's it then, Jamie?"

When the boy didn't answer at first, Hoss threw him a glance. He thought he knew what this conversation was going to be about. Some days ago, his father had brought up the topic of Christmas approaching, and since then Jamie had been unusually quiet, even for him. He had started to watch everyone in the family, his big dark eyes following every move and turn.

They had smiled at each other, remembering how Joe at that age had wanted to find out where his presents had been hidden, and tried not to let on anything.

"Hoss…"

Hoss grinned to himself. He cleared his throat, then nodded to Jamie to go on.

Then, as if he had been deciding whether to say anything or not, Jamie looked up and met Hoss' eyes straight on. His face was serious.

"If I want something to happen, and I think of it real strong and am a good boy…you think it will come true?"

"Sure." Hoss secretly wondered what kind of present Jamie wanted that he gave it so much thought. While the boy never really wanted anything for himself, he did accept gifts when they were offered to him.

Not wanting to have Jamie brooding too much, Hoss decided to cheer him up a bit.

"And know what? We will have a big tree, and lots of presents for everyone, and HopSing will cook a wonderful meal." At that, Hoss' stomach rumbled loudly with anticipation, and Jamie grinned.

Hoss laughed good-naturedly.

"Just think o' it, Little One. The pancakes and cookies, and the goose, and there will be music and singing, and candles everywhere. Just think of the sweets, and the tree and the reading of the Christmas story…" Hoss happily chatted on, without noticing that Jamie's face had become wistful again.

"Music", he muttered quietly, "yeah…," and followed Hoss home.

Ben addressed Jamie that evening after dinner. Seated in his red chair, he watched Jamie who sat opposite him, the book on his lap forgotten.

"Jamie, dear, is there something troubling you?" he asked softly. The boy lifted his eyes and glanced shyly at Ben. Then he nodded.

Inwardly Ben sighed. Sometimes he wished Jamie to be a bit more like Joe and just pour out whatever was worrying him, but obviously Jamie was just like his father, and not only in looks.

"Is it something to do with Christmas?" he ventured carefully.

Again Jamie nodded, but then he clutched the book and looked at Ben.

"Hoss said …," he swallowed, and went on, "Hoss said there would be music and…and singing at Christmas."

Ben smiled encouragingly at Jamie to go on, but he wondered where this was heading. They always had music at Christmas, and singing was as much a part of their tradition as the Christmas dinner.

Jamie clutched the book tighter. "I wanted…I wanted to ask you to sing my …," again he stopped, unsure of how to go on, but Ben suddenly knew what he wanted to ask. He stared at the fireplace, his thoughts a million miles away.

In his mind he saw a dark young man, amber eyes sparkling, singing to a small boy he held on his lap, his body glowing with joy and life. The living room had been ablaze then, with dozens of candles, filled with the fragrance of the Christmas tree and HopSing's wonderful meal, and his family had been safe. His family had been safe then.

A rough hand suddenly shook his shoulder, and Hoss' concerned eyes appeared in front of him.

"Pa? You ok?"

Ben blinked once, then looked up at Hoss.

"What…?

"Just came in as Jamie was heading outside and found you like this. Everything alright?"

Ben sat up at once and grabbed his son's arm, startling him. "Jamie is outside? Where did he go?"

"Just getting a breather. Looked a mite down, now that I think of it." Hoss cocked his head and regarded Ben who seemed lost in thoughts again. Then he looked up at Hoss and smiled sadly.

"I had forgotten," he said.

He rubbed a hand over his face, suddenly tired.

"He wants me to sing Adam's song at Christmas." Ben ignored Hoss' abrupt intake of breath and got up. "I'll go and talk to him."

Ben rounded the house and found Jamie at the back, staring hard into the distance.

He went to sit next to his grandson, and laid a hand on a frail trembling shoulder. When he spoke, he didn't look at Jamie.

"I remember when your father sang that song. His voice would touch my heart, would somehow find a way into it, and before I knew it I felt like I was going to burst with love and happiness. Then he would glance up at me, and smile, and I knew that he felt the same that I did."

Jamie looked at Ben, and if he was surprised to see tears in his grandfather's eyes, he didn't show it.

"I miss him," he said.

Ben's hand tightened. "So do I."

Then he turned to his grandson.

"I'm sorry that you can't hear him sing, Jamie." He brushed a soft cheek with his forefinger. "When he sang for you, the love in his voice would have made an angel cry."

For a moment, they didn't speak. Then Jamie laid a hand on his knee and stared at him through his long dark lashes.

"Will you sing it for me at Christmas? Please?"

Ben covered the little hand gently with his own and looked into the deep golden eyes as he answered.

"I will," he said. "I promise."

He laid his arm around the boy as he felt him snuggle against his side and felt the warmth and the tiny heartbeat under his hand.

I promise, he repeated quietly to himself, in the silence of the night.

And I won't forget.

----

The end