I do NOT own Bonanza or any of the original Cartwright characters. *Jamie is introduced here, but obviously I've changed his circumstances and, since I have never been able to catch his last name on You Tube, I've had to make one up. If I'm right? I think I'll go into shock.

Star's Hope

Chapter Nine

The wind was just starting to pick up as Brooke headed for the door. Before she even reached it, Ben had it opened for her. When she headed outside; he did too. After having one person or the other following her, or keeping an eye on her from a distance, Brooke had had it. She wasn't stupid nor was she blind. She knew something was up, and she suspected Mr. Mitchell was behind the need for concern. Only, what was she supposed to do about it? Hide in the house until the day he grew up? That wasn't an option nor was this. "Ben, please," Brooke turned and looked at her husband. She could see the love and concern he had for her in her eyes. "I not child. Speak to me. Why you keep eye all time on me? Why sons do this?"

A part of Ben didn't want to tell her. He didn't want her upset, not in her condition. He was afraid if she knew the stress would prove too much for her. All he wanted to do was protect her, yet he knew he couldn't always do that. No one had that ability, and no one would ever have it. He looked up her face as he pondered these things. He could tell she wasn't going to let it drop. Taking a deep breath, Ben began speaking. He kept it short and brief. In his mind's eye, there was no need to elaborate. "I don't trust him," he finished speaking and hoped his wife would understand his and the boys' reactions.

Brooke lay one hand upon her slightly bulging abdomen and held her husband's left hand with the other. His right hand rested on the back of her shoulders as they stood on the porch as the first raindrop hit the ground. Ben had fast learned his wife had a fascination with rainstorms; that is, as long as they were extremely bad ones. Together they stood and enjoyed the smell of the fresh rain. The peace they felt watching the storm was something both wished they could bottle and keep. Alas, both knew that was impossible.

"He try again," Brooke spoke as she moved her hand off her abdomen and clasped Ben's with both her hands instead of one. "He not want me here." She looked up into the face of her husband, hoping and praying he'd be able to see the love and admiration she had for him. "No matter what he do. He never take my love for you." Her eyes reached out and grabbed his as she spoke.

Ben found himself holding onto his wife as tightly as he could; well, as tightly as he could without hurting her. He still couldn't believe he'd been given such a blessing a fourth time. His heart overflowed with love for Brooke, Star, and the unborn child Brooke now carried. No! He wouldn't just step aside and let Jason Mitchell, or any other man for that matter, take her from him. "Maybe, he will," he pulled back slightly and looked down upon her, "But, if he does, he'll find out the only thing he's done is open the gates to…" he paused as he knew what he wanted to say only Brooke did not approve of 'such words'. That being the case, he thought for a moment then finished, "to the worst place possible."

Not everyone was enjoying the storm the way Ben and Brooke were. More than one choice word floated through the air as Luke Cunningham and the young orphan boy (he as actually sixteen) he'd hired to travel with him to Nevada hurried to put up the tent they'd brought with them. The storm had caught Mr. Cunningham by surprise, so he claimed. Truth of the matter was, the red headed Jamie had tried to warn the man, but he'd refused to listen.

"This blasted weather! It would act up right now. I was supposed to be to my friend's home by now!" Luke was yelling and throwing a temper tantrum. Jamie Hardy was not impressed. He'd seen the man act this way time after time. If it weren't for the fact that the man had paid him in advance, Jamie would have just walked away. As it was, he made up his mind to leave once he'd kept his end of the bargain and not to accept any more money from this man. It would only keep him tied to an unfit boss.

"We're going to have to travel faster than we did today," Luke said as he drove the last peg into the ground and hurried inside the shelter they'd just put up, "We have to make my friend's place by Wednesday night or he'll sell those horses he's holding for me. So, make sure you don't sleep in! I don't want to have to wake you up."

Jamie, working on getting his bedroll laid out, had his back to the man. He rolled his eyeballs as Luke made the statement. HE had not been the one sleeping in and causing them to get behind in their travels. Mr. Cunningham had been the late riser, due to his consumption of alcohol! Still, to keep peace with the man he had to keep working for, Jamie simply nodded and answered, "Yes, sir." He then slipped into his bedroll.

Jamie lay and listened to his boss snore. He would have been asleep too, but he'd been getting an uncomfortable feeling all day. The feeling said something major was going to be happening and that he, Jamie, would have a very serious choice to make. It made him uneasy; he didn't like not knowing what was coming, especially if it was that major. He sighed and did his best to relax. After all, there was nothing to do at the moment but sleep.