Protection
Amelia was setting the table for lunch when the four miffed men walk in through the door. "Hopsing said lunch would be ready soon" said Amelia.
"I ain't hungry" announced Hoss was he made his way across the living room and plopped down on the blue chair. Amelia looks at his surprise Hoss was always hungry.
She looks over at her father and her brothers who look like they didn't have much of an appetite either which was rare of them two.
"What happen did you boys get kicked out of the Saloon or something?" teased Amelia. "I wish it was something like that" said Joe in a down tone as he sits down at the settee.
"What happen?" asked Amelia in a serious tone. "I'm afraid we have some bad news for you" said Ben. Not liking the way he said it or her brothers' silence Amelia knew that it wasn't good at all.
"It seems that John Carter might be in town" said Ben. "I know I saw him yesterday" said Amelia shocking everyone in the room.
"Well I guess you want to know why he's not in prison" said Ben. "I couldn't hurt" said Amelia not knowing how the news would impact her.
"He had been released on good behavior" said Ben. Amelia's face drooped and she drops the napkins on the floor.
"What do you mean by good behavior? He didn't have good behavior before he went to prison. Why did he go to prison he should of been hanged?" yelled Amelia.
"We know he should have. We're as angry about it as you are" said Joe.
"Since we know that he's back I think it's a good idea that you shouldn't be alone not in town or anywhere on the Ponderosa" advised Ben.
"Pa I understand that you want to keep me safe but you don't have anything to worry about. I can take care of myself" said Amelia. The boys exchange unconvinced glances.
Amelia eyes them passing off looks and ignores them then turns to her father. "I'm not afraid of John Carter. I wasn't scare of him then and I'm not now. I appreciate your concern but I can take care of myself" insisted Amelia.
"I have no doubt in my mind that you can but it'll make me feel better knowing that you are safe if someone is with you" said Ben.
Knowing that there was no point in arguing about it Amelia reluctantly agrees. "Ok Pa to make you happy I won't go anywhere by myself" said Amelia solemnly.
Ben smiles appreciatively and the boys were surprise that she didn't put up a fight like she would normally do.