I ran as fast I could into the house. Pa was coming from the kitchen when he saw me running in the house. "Amelia" he called but I was so upset and rattled I didn't hear him and ran straight up the stairs then I slam my bedroom door collapsing onto my bed.
Ben was puzzle and was about to walk upstairs when he heard the front door open. He turns to see that it was Martha walking in casually. Martha was quietly pleased to see Ben's confusion sensing that Amelia had not said a word to him.
"Why Ben what's the matter?" she asked. "I don't rightly know Amelia ran in here like the devil was after her. Did something happen when you were at the lake?" he asked.
"Not that I can recall Ben. You know how girls are at this age they get upset for no reason or at nothing at all" Martha said. "Then you wouldn't mind telling me why you are really here?" said Ben.
"I don't know what you are suspecting Ben but I assure you I came here to get to know my niece" said Martha playing it cool in which Ben wasn't buying at all.
"Well I better go up and check on her" he said and walks up the stairs.
I felt someone sitting beside me and I dreaded the thought of it being Aunt Martha. I turn my head and look to see my father or the man I thought was my father. God this was so painful to think that the man I knew since the day I was born wasn't my father.
"Darling what's the matter?" he asked me. I could hear the concern in his voice and it broke my heart because I couldn't tell him without crying and I didn't want to hurt him.
"It's nothing" I told him hoping it would give him the message that I didn't want to talk about it but naturally it didn't.
"Really it's nothing I just want to be left alone. I'm fine really" I fibbed. I could feel him getting up. He leans over me and kisses me on the head.
"I love you" he says to me before walking out of the room. As soon as the door closes I buried my head in my pillow and cry.
Ben walks downstairs just as the boys were walking in the house. They could see the worried look on their father's face and start to fear that something was wrong.
"What's the matter Pa" Adam asked worried. "Your sister is up in her room crying and she won't tell me what's bothering her" said Ben.
"Surely that's not all yer worry about Pa" said Hoss. "She hasn't called me Pa since she walk in the house and she won't look at me without crying" said Ben worriedly.
"I'm sure it's nothing Pa maybe she just can't talk about it" said Hoss. "Or maybe she can't talk to me about it" said Ben.
"You want me to go up and talk to her Pa. She usually confides in me when she's upset" said Joe. "You can try son but don't push her if she doesn't want to talk. I don't want her anymore upset than she already is" said Ben.
Joe nods his head and walks up the stairs to his sister's room. He
knocks on the door and opens it. I pop my head up again hoping it was him again.
I was relieved to see that it was Little Joe. I sit up on my bed and he sits down next to me. He could tell that she was crying and hoped that she would let him help her.
"It might help if you talk about it. I'm a very good listener you know comes with the job of being a big brother" he said. "I don't know where to start" I told him.
"I have to ask you something and I know it might sound dumb and confusing but I need an honest answer" I told him. He touches my shoulder and I look up at him.
"You can ask me anything sweetheart" he said. I took a deep breath and decided to come right out and say it. "Am I really your sister?" I asked.
Joe is taken back and looks at her. "Of course you are why you ask?" he asked. "Just forget I said anything" I said sheepishly ashamed. Joe is confuse and asks me why.
"I can't talk about it" I told him. Joe gets up and stands before her. "When you are ready to talk about it let me know I'll be here. Whatever it is has you really upset and I like to help if I can" he said.
"If it helps I won't say anything" Joe said he was about to walk away but stops and sits back next to me. He takes my hand in his and lifts my chin up and I look in his eyes.
"I love you sweetheart never doubt that" he said. I start to cry and I knew that he should know what Martha said.
I give him the letter and he reads it. I could see the disbelief on his face. "I didn't want to believe it honest" I begged him. Joe looks at me and I could see compassion and sympathy on his face.
He asked me if that was why I was upset and I nod my head. He asks me who gave me the letter and I told him that it was Martha.
Just then my door opens and Hoss and Adam walk in.
"Sorry we didn't mean to disturb you but we were wondering if everything was alright?" Hoss said. Joe looks at me his glaze asking me if it were alright if he shows the letter to them and I nod my head yes.
Joe hands them the letter. They read it and look at us in disbelief. "It's not true is it? Please tell me that it isn't true" I begged them. Hoss and Adam look at each other.
"Who gave you this letter, Pumpkin?" Hoss asked. "Martha gave it to her" Joe said. "Did she say anything to you?" Adam asked me. "She told me that you all were keeping a secret from me and she told me that I wasn't a Cartwright. She gave me that to prove it" I explained.
"We should tell Pa about this" Adam said. "No we can't if he finds out I had believe that letter it's gonna hurt him" I told them. Father or no father I can't disappoint him or hurt him. He had given me so much.
"Amelia he's really worry about you" Joe said. "You need to tell him what's going on". "He's gonna hate me for even considering that letter was the truth" I told them.
Hoss sits on the bed next to me. "Honey Pa won't hate you. You are as much a Cartwright as we are. Pa is the blood that holds us together; Adam is the brain and muscle that keeps us strong; I'm the heart of our family; Short-shanks here is the spirit and you are the love that binds us together. Without you we are not complete we're not a family without you" Hoss said.
"He's right shortcake we love you" said Adam. I smile and I knew that they were telling me the truth. "I love you too and I'm sorry for believing that letter" I told them.
Adam tells me that it's alright because they would believe it too if they were in my shoes which made feel a whole lot better. I am so lucky to have brothers like the ones I got and I am never gonna doubt their love for me ever again.
"Has Martha been dropping hints to you about why she came here to visit?" asked Joe. "No all she asks me is how I like living in a house full of men. She doesn't like me living here she doesn't think it's suitable for a young lady" I told them.
"Pa suspects Martha is up to something" said Hoss. "Do you?" I asked him. "We don't know Martha all that well but it goes without saying I don't trust her" Hoss said.
"Neither do I" Adam and Joe said in unison. "I think we need more facts before we can go under the assumption that she is up to something" said Adam.
"I think we should tell Pa what's going on" I told them. "We'll let Pa know that you're coming down to talk to him" said Hoss. "Thanks boys for everything and I am really sorry for letting Martha get to me" I told them.
"Don't sweat it shortcake" Adam said. I walk over to them and hug them. they hug me back and walk out of the room.