Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters.
Only thing I can lay claim to is the characters "Mariah", "Jacob" and the old man "Jim"...along with the storyline.
For Jacob's Sake
Chapter Eight
Scene Thirteen
Adam sat on the couch talking with Little Jacob, "I am sorry, son," he put his hand on the lad's shoulder, "I never meant to make you think I was mad at you."
"I know," Little Jacob was grinning; he was happy his father was at least smiling at him now, "Uncle Hoss explained it to me."
Adam's eyebrows turned down slightly, "He did? What exactly did he tell you?"
Little Jacob was all smiles as he'd repeated what his uncle had told him, "You never acted scared; I thought you never were."
Adam relaxed, "Oh boy, that is not the case. In my life time I have been scared or extremely concerned many times. There is something I should explain," 'Help me with my words' he sent a silent prayer upwards, "right now there is a very bad man running around. None of us trust him. Guess we just did not want you to go and get so scared that you would get it into your head to go into hiding."
"We would all be scared again if I did that, huh?" Little Jacob got up on his knees and wrapped his arms around his father, "I will not go hiding on anyone only," he hesistated for a second then asked, "Could I at least camp out on your bedroom floor?"
Adam started chuckling and gave his young son a hug, "I think that could be very easily arranged."
Seeing Little Jacob with his arms wrapped around his pa's neck made Ben and Little Joe smile. They hated disturbing the scene. Ben cleared his throat. Adam and Little Jacob looked over towards the kitchen.
"What is it?" Adam let go of his son and stood up.
"Jim wants to talk to you, I and Mariah," he nodded towards the room where the old man lay, "Little Jacob can stay with Joseph."
When Adam started to away from the front room, Little Jacob grabbed his arm, "Thanks for talking to me, pa."
Adam turned back and smiled down at his son, "You are very welcome."
0O0
"What do ya think they are talkin' 'bout?" Jacob was a bit nervous but he tried not to show it. Still his uncle saw right through him. The only time he started talking 'like that' was when he was uncomfortable.
"I reckon if we need to know they will tell us," Little Joe did his best to assure the young boy. It seemed to work as Little Jacob picked up one of his many books on King Arthur and began reading. It was all Little Joe could do not to bust another gut laughing. His nephew was sitting in Adam's 'chair' with his feet kicked up on the small foot stool that sat in front of him. His late brother may have born his father's name but it was Little Jacob that acted so much like him. At least, from everything Adam had ever written-or said-about Adam Jr. he thought so.
SCENE FOURTEEN
Mariah sat at the foot of the bed Jim lay in; Ben sat in a chair against the wall and Adam stood in the corner of the room nearest the window. He had not let his guard down since finding out who the bank teller really was.
"I hope ya know, Mr. Cartwright," the old man was talking with great effort while he looked at Ben, "I wish no harm to your son. It is just that he is more capable of defendin' himself than Little Jacob is. William Jones is like his father; tricks everyone into thinkin' he is real nice then rips them off or worse. I could not prove that last part in any court of law but I cin still feel it." he pointed to his heart.
Ben had not felt so mixed up in a long time. The old man was right still, "What do ya think, Adam?" He wasn't about to tell a man near forty years old what to do.
"Are you willing?" He looked at Mariah.
She shrugged her shoulders, 'It is easy enough to do. All your pa and I have to do is make sure any of the women who like to wag their tongue hear us arguing over the fact that I went and found a way around Aunt Jane's will and have turned the land over to you. Uncle Jim has to be right though; Mr. Jones has not made a move yet because of Little Jacob's age. Once he thinks the land is yours? It will be your life that is in danger."
Adam turned his eyes back at the window, "It will be better than having to worry about keeping a nine year old boy from harm. If anything happens to me though," he looked at Mariah, "will you raise him? I mean, as long as you can. If it becomes absolutely necessary Hoss and Melinda could take him in. That is if Little Joe hasn't succeeded in getting Rosa for a wife."
Ben chuckled, "He barely got her to go out on one date, I do not think we have to worry about whether or not they will get married."
Adam only grinned and looked at Mariah, "He will always have a home with us," she did her best not to the fear that something might actually happen to Adam. Little Jacob needed him more than he needed Ben or herself.
"Mariah..." Jim's eyes opened wide and she flew to his side.
"What is it?" She reached out and laid her hand on his shoulder. There was nothing. She held back a cry as Ben quickly checked the old man's pulse.
Slowly he turned his head and looked at his wife, "He is gone." 'Thank goodness those two made peace with each other before he passed on'.
Adam rested his head against the wall 'He sacrificed his life to bring my son home. Please give him a good place up there. Now to set things in place and get Mr. Jones to show his hand!'