I love going to watch my brothers break in the horses but I wasn't allowed to break any. Pa says it's because it's too dangerous for someone my age to do it and because it wasn't a job for girls to do.
I didn't mind that I didn't have to do it. I always found it too dangerous and scary. Sometimes when I watch my brothers I get nervous that they would get hurt and sometimes they have but it never was anything serious and I'm for one grateful for that.
I rode up to the corral and watch my brothers working waiting for the right time to get their attention. Adam turns and notices me.
He, Hoss and Joe walk over to the corral fence where I was. "What cha doing over here little sister?" Hoss asked. "Pa sent me to get you" I said.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Joe asked worriedly. "Oh no it's nothing like that. Aunt Martha just arrived at the house" I said. "What is she like?" Hoss asked curiously.
"I don't think I made a very good first impression. She didn't like what I'm wearing or that I work on the ranch instead of in the house. She's under the impression that Pa isn't doing a good job raising me" I said.
"I'm sure that it's not as bad as you think it is" said Adam. "C'mon lets go see what Aunt Martha is like".
The boys climb over the fence and mounted on their horses and the four of us ride back to the house together.
Ben walks in the house with Martha. Martha looks around the living room and was impress but she wasn't gonna let Ben know that.
She thought her sister was a fool to marry a man like Ben Cartwright who had been married three times and had a child in each marriage. Martha didn't trust Ben Cartwright and blame him for her sister's death.
She hated the fact that her sister married a man like him and hated it even more when she found out that they had a daughter together.
After her sister's death, Martha was convince that Ben was inadequate to raise Amelia seeing how he had no experience and she found it rather inappropriate that Amelia live in a house with five men and depended on them to raise her.
Martha was determined that Amelia should be raise by a woman instead of her father and brothers. "This is a very nice house Ben although it can use a woman's touch" said Martha maliciously.
Ben ignores her comment. "Amelia is growing up real fine Ben. She favors Catherine very much though it must be hard on you to raise a girl all by yourself" said Martha.
"Amelia isn't like most girls around here. She wants to be treated like her brothers but she knows there are certain things she can't do. She knows how to act like a young lady should but she doesn't want any special treatment. She's a very bright girl one of the top students in her class" said Ben proudly.
"Is she thinking about going to college?" asked Martha. "No she likes where she is. She wants to work on the ranch like her brothers" said Ben. "And you don't have any objections to that? Ben you and I both know that a woman's place isn't on the ranch it's in the house" said Martha sternly.
"I agree but I'm not gonna force my daughter to do something that she doesn't want to do" said Ben firmly.
Just then the boys and I walk in and we look at each other. We all know that we just walk into a heated discussion between Pa and Aunt Martha though we had no idea what it was about.
Pa notices us and smiles. "Martha these are my sons Adam, Hoss and Little Joe" Pa said. I could see how proud he was of them and I know he is proud of me too.
Martha was astonished from what I could tell. I guess she never seen handsome men before not that I'll ever call my brothers handsome especially to them but I know my brothers caught the eyes of many girls in town.
Even some of my friends have crushes on them especially Little Joe. A lot of them are jealous that I have him for a brother and they think that I'm the luckiest girl in the territory to have brothers like them.
I don't need anyone to tell me how lucky I am to have them for brothers I know I am and I hope they feel the same way about me. I know the younger sister's job is to pester and annoy her brothers but I'm not like that (at least I hope not).
Sometimes we get into spats like normal brothers and sisters do but we always make up afterwards. We never leave an argument hanging in the air.
My brothers do what older brothers do they protect me and keep me from harm. Sometimes that annoys me but I know that they always have my best interest at heart and if I ever forget that Pa always reminds me.
I have the best Pa in the world and no one is ever gonna tear me away from him, the boys and the Ponderosa. These are where my roots are and they are the world to me. I love Pa and the boys. I love the Ponderosa and even though it's meant for a future for my brothers I'm gonna do everything I can to help protect it and take care of it.
"These are your sons Ben?" Martha asked astonished. "Yes they are" Pa said. "They're very handsome I'm sure they take after their mothers" said Martha.
"Thank you ma'am" the boys chorused. "Martha why don't I take you upstairs and show you to your room" said Ben.
"Thank you Ben you're a gentlemen I hope you rub that quality on your sons. It would be a petty if they didn't take after you in that department" snarled Martha coldly.
Ben smiles trying to hold his temper and walks Martha up the stairs. Once they were gone I glance up at my brothers. "See what I mean?" I asked them curiously.
They nod their heads. "I hope her visit isn't gonna be too long" said Joe. "Let's make the best of it and if she says anything that may come off as a criticism or rude just let t go" advised Adam.
"Easier said than done big brother" said I said and walk into the kitchen.