I do NOT own Bonanza or any of the original Cartwright characters.

Star's Hope

Chapter Six

Brooke lay in the bed she and Ben shared looking up at the ceiling. She'd tried to relax and go to sleep, but the mystery of the opened door weighed heavily on her mind. It might not have, only she'd been the last one to use it and she had shut it. Who had used it? Why? What did they want from the Cartwrights? These were just a few of the questions that ran through her mind. She couldn't seem to get herself to settle down because of it.

Ben opened his eyes and rolled onto his side. He too had been unable to sleep, but not because of a barn door. "We'll be fine. You need to relax. This tension can't be good for the baby." He lay his hand upon his wife's ever so slightly, bulging abdomen. Give her another month, and he was sure her condition would no longer be able to be hidden. After all, conditions like hers could only be kept in the dark so long.

"Mitchell. Mitchell was here. Mitchell come back." She didn't know how she knew it, but she did. The thought terrified her. She couldn't shake the feeling he would only bring sorrow and trials her family. Why was he like he was? What had happened in the man's life to turn him so bitter? She wanted to know, but didn't. All she knew was she wanted to feel safe again.

Ben slid his arm behind her back and, with the help of his other hand, turned her on her side and pulled her close. He didn't know if she was right or not, but he knew she believed every word she said; that alone gave him the motivation to hold her close and reassure her everything would be all right. "We'll be fine. If it was Mitchell, if he tries anything, he'll have to answer to the boys and me."

Brooke slid her arms around her husband's waist and held on. She needed to feel secure; he did that for her. He always did. "Love me, Ben," she whispered as she ran her hands up and down his back. Ben had a long day ahead of him, but found himself pushing all thoughts aside as he pulled her head slightly back and lowered his head. Work could wait.

While Ben lost himself in the fire he and Brooke were building, Hoss was outside talking to Candy and Little Joe while Star played near his feet. She had a way of doing that, sticking close to him even when she was playing. He, too, was concerned when it came to someone being on their property. Actually, it wasn't being on their property that was the problem; it was the fact that they were probably up to no good that bothered him. In all honesty, it bothered all three men.

"Who would have cause to come here behind our backs?" Little Joe wanted answers, and he wanted them yesterday.

Hoss' mind rolled a few names around in head. After a while he, like Brooke, came to the same conclusion. Relating the small incident that took place during the town celebration, Hoss looked at Candy and Little Joe. "Mitchell ain't 'xactly been sociable like with us since pa married Miss Brooke and adopted Star. It's got to be him."

Little Joe scratched the back of his neck. Unbeknownst to the rest of his family, Little Joe had more a tad bit more knowledge of Jason Mitchell than he'd told anyone, as he'd met him a few times while serving in the Civil War. With what he knew about the man, Little Joe wondered if the man had really sunk low enough to cause them trouble simply because he had come out against the union between Ben and Miss Brooke. No, if it was Mitchell, there had to be more reason than a mixed marriage. He was going to find out. "I'm going for a ride," he said and headed for Cochise who stood tied to the fence connected to the barn.

Hoss and Candy weren't sure they liked the idea of Little Joe riding off by himself. After all, the man tended to be a tad bit accident prone. What with Rosa expecting, Hoss and Candy didn't figure she needed an injured man to take care of. "Any work I have to do can wait. I'm going with you. Star go back inside." Hoss headed for Chubby.

When Star started to follow Hoss, Candy picked her up and shook his head. "Your pa and ma would tan all of us if I let you follow them. You heard Hoss; it's back inside for you." Candy headed in only to have Star start crying. It broke all their hearts, but they couldn't have her following them around. Once Candy disappeared inside, Hoss and Little Joe headed out.

Candy had intended to simply hand Star over to Miss Brooke and head out after the boys. It didn't take him long to figure out Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright were busy and that he'd be better off keeping the child entertained himself, but how? It was then he saw a letter on the table in front of the couch. It was addressed to Ben Cartwright family and Candy; it was from Adam. "Well, Star. Looks like your big brother has wrote us a letter. Want me to read it to you?"

Star started clapping her hands as her eyes began sparkling. She loved it when her big brother wrote, even if she was still a bit mad at him for leaving in the first place. "Adam! Read!" she agreed as she wiggled out of Candy's arms and climbed onto the couch. The eager expression on her face was almost enough to make Candy want to start laughing. Then again, he didn't dare. She might really start hollering; that would not be pleasant. It wasn't long before he had the letter opened and was reading it out loud to Star.