A small flock of sheep mill in the background; a Border Collie yapping as he runs laps around them. Mr. Phillips and his boys ride around as well, counting heads.
A thundering of hooves signals the approach of horses, and three young women top the crest of the hill, stopping before the camera. Two of the girls are on horseback; the third is seated in a gig drawn by a tall gray.
The red haired girl on the liver chestnut speaks first, her voice happy and awed.
LORENA ---- It's so beautiful. Like - paradise!
VERA, driving the gig, casts an impatient glance at Lorena.
CASSIDY ---- That's the Ponderosa.It IS beautiful.
LORENA ---- The Ponderosa? You mean that's not your land?
VERA ---- No, the Cartwrights own the Ponderosa. A thousand square miles of country on Lake Tahoe.
CASSIDY (adds) ----
You should meet the Cartwrights sometime, Lorena. They are really nice people. A couple of weeks ago, we went over there for dinner. We got to go riding, picnicking and swimming.
LORENA ---- You all went?
CASSIDY ---- Well, most of us. Adam, Joe and Hoss took the boys and Vera and me out riding for a bit while Dad and Mom talked to Mr. Cartwright about the cattle business. And boring grown-up things like that.
LORENA ---- And Mrs. Cartwright?
CASSIDY ---- Oh she's dead. They're all dead.
LORENA (looking shocked) ----
What?
VERA ---- The three Mrs. Cartwrights all died a long time ago.
LORENA ---- They aren't - they aren't MORMON?
CASSIDY (laughs) ----
Oh no. But each of the boys had a different mother.
VERA ---- Mr. Cartwright was widowed three times.
LORENA (in disbelief) ----
There are no women on the ranch?
CASSIDY (laughs again) -----
No. We're the closest women around.
VERA (mumbles) ----
Count your blessings.
CASSIDY ---- What?
VERA ---- Nothing.
LORENA (hesitates, confused) ----
Soo...are these young men, um, handsome?
VERA ---- Oh brother...
CASSIDY (simultaneously) ----
Oh yes. At least, Vera thinks so.
Vera picks up the reins and urges her gelding around.
CASSIDY --- Sorry! I was just kidding...I haven't forgotten Sancho!
Vera says nothing. Her horse breaks into a trot, heading back down the hill.
LORENA ---- What was that about?
CASSIDY ---- (gives her a strange look)
Oh...nothing. Nothing at all.
She turns her own mount and Lorena, still looking puzzled, follows her.
FADE TO BLACK.