The food Hop-Sing brought me was light and just the fare I needed. He also managed to find a smallish nightgown for me to put on. It was most definitely intended for a man, but after wearing men's clothing for days, I was not about to be finicky. I pulled it over my head and climbed into the first bed I'd been in since leaving San Francisco.

My stomach full, I dropped right off to sleep and didn't even dream. The sun was shining on me when the sound of riders finally roused me from my slumber. I dragged myself out from under the blanket and walked to the window. From my vantage point, I could see a group of men were riding away from the house, none of them the four Cartwrights I had met the previous night.

Shaking my head, I turned away and spotted clothing resting on the foot of my bed. I discovered they were a small men's shirt and trousers. I carried them to the wash basin. Lukewarm water waited for me there, evidence the cook had been in earlier. I washed my face and dressed in the outfit.

My stomach growled, a familiar sound to my ears, and I decided to see about finding some breakfast. When I reached it, I hesitated to open the door. What would I find outside? I would admit that I was a little uneasy about being seen in men's clothing. I wasn't wandering around a forest anymore.

Gathering my courage, I laid my hand on the doorknob and turned it. The door opened easily and I stepped through. My steps became more and more uncertain as I made my way towards the front door.

"Good morning, Rosemary," the kindest of voices said from behind me. Gasping, I whirled around, my heart leaping to my throat. Immediately, the large man took off his hat. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"N-no, it's alright," I managed to respond. If I had been paying attention, I would have heard him coming. I offered a slight smile, which made him grin broadly. "I must have over-slept..."

"Now, don't you think like that," he said, taking a slow step forward. I firmly told myself not to flinch; that he wouldn't hurt me. "You needed the rest. You done been through quite a bit, more than a purty thing like you should have to go through. No one would have said a thing if you'd have slept all day."

"I'm not used to sleeping so long, or so comfortably."

My confession, which had left my lips before I could reconsidered, made the delight on his face dim. "I reckon that's true," he said. After a moment, he brightened again. "And I figure you must be hungry now too. I'll take you to Hop-Sing and he'll get you whatever you want."

"Oh, no! I don't want to be any trouble-."

"No trouble at all! In fact, Hop-Sing will be happy to have someone new appreciate his cooking." The man held his arm out. I stared at him, hesitating. His expression softened. "I ain't gonna hurt you."

I knew that and I forced myself to nod. These people were helping me. I had no reason not to trust them. I reached out and linked my arm with his. His chest puffed up as though he were proud, and he laid his other hand on mine. "You ain't got nothing to fear from us, Miss Rosemary."

Even if I tried, I couldn't keep the smile from my face as I looked up at him. His face was so kind, and his blue eyes held the most gentle expression I had ever seen. "Thank you, sir."

"Sir? You can just call me Hoss, Miss Rosemary."

"Hoss?" I repeated. Hop-Sing had mentioned it before, but I had assumed it was merely the Chinese man mangling a more normal name. "I've never heard of that before."

Hoss guided me to the front door. "Oh, I was born with proper name like any other person, but I got to be so big, my family just took to calling me 'Hoss'. Now that's all anyone calls me." he explained, as he opened the door. "Sometimes I don't even remember the name my mother gave me."

Such an outrageous statement drew a laugh from me. Looking pleased with himself, Hoss steered me into the kitchen where Hop-Sing was already hard at work with preparing the meals for later in the day. The Chinese man broke into a wide grin and urged me to have a seat while he cooked me some breakfast.

"It wouldn't be polite for us to just watch her eat, Hop-Sing, so I think you ought to make a little extra for me to join her," Hoss said in a pointed way, earning a glare from the cook.

"Mister Hoss have work. Need stay out of Hop-Sing kitchen!" the little man said sharply.

From my seat at the table, I could only glance between them, uncertain who would win out. When Hop-Sing spun around and began gathering supplies, all the while grumbling under his breath, Hoss faced me with a smile. "Nothing makes Hop-Sing feel appreciated than for someone to ask for more," he informed me.

"Oh, here's where you got yourself," the youngest of the Cartwrights said as he entered. He snatched up a slice of bread from the counter. "I should have known you'd come looking for a snack. It's been a whole three hours since you last ate. You must have been about to waste away."

Startled, I couldn't keep from flinching at the new voice. Hoss glared at his brother. "Lil' Joe, you know better than to go barging into rooms like that," he said chidingly. "We have a guest, you know."

Joe Cartwright's eyes moved to me, and he looked startled. "Oh, sorry," he apologized. His gaze flicked over me, and a mischievous grin appeared on his face. "I must say, I wish that look were popular among other ladies."

My cheeks flushing, I looked down at my masculine attire. "Now, Joe, why'd you have to say something like that?" Hoss demanded. "Don't you listen to a word he says, Miss Rosemary. Our brother Adam says his mouth speaks before his brain understands what's going on, most of the time."

The young man's face twisted with offense. "Hoss, you shouldn't spread such things around," he said. "Miss Lawson might believe you. Besides, I meant it as a compliment. She looks real pretty dressed like that."

The compliment only made me wish for a proper dress and I dropped my gaze to my hands. "No time for foolishment!" Hop-Sing declared, making me jump. "Why take up room in Hop-Sing's kitchen? Out!"

"Aw, Hop-Sing," both Cartwrights said at the same time.

Picking up the closest pan, Hop-Sig brandished it like a weapon. Hoss' hands came up and he backed up a few steps. "We're going, Hop-Sing, we're going," Joe said, swiftly hiding behind his larger brother.

Seeing them both retreated amused me enough that I regained my equilibrium. "Here, Missy," Hop-Sing said, placing a heaping plate of food in front of me. "Eat! Eat!"

Amazed at the quantity, I stared at it for a moment. "You don't have to eat it all if you don't feel up to it," the deep baritone I knew best of all made me look up. The dark haired man who could only be Adam, smiled as he entered. He went to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. Since Hop-Sing made no objection, I assumed this was acceptable.

"Are you feeling better today?" He asked as he settled into a seat across from me. He was careful to keep some distance between me and him, no doubt out of respect for my jumpiness.

"A little," I admitted. I picked up my fork and started on the eggs. Once I begun, I was hard pressed to control myself. A hand reached across the table and stilled me.

"I think it would be best if you took it a little slower," Adam said seriously, though still kind. "You don't want your stomach to object to too much food all at once."

He was right, and I put my fork down. I reached my hand for the cup of coffee Hop-Sing had poured for me. Something other than water was a relief and I inhaled the rich scent before I sipped it.

"I don't want to upset you, Miss Lawson, but there is something I would like to know," Adam said, getting my attention once again. "Would you be able to describe or show me on a map where you and your father were last camped? If so, we can send someone out to find some of your things, if they are still to be found, and make sure..."

His voice trailed away. "My father is laid to rest," I finished for him, my voice soft. I nodded, blinking away the tears that came to my eyes. "Thank you. I think so."

Adam nodded and stood up. "When you're ready."

Finishing the plate of food was impossible, and I had been forced to leave it, an act which was hard to do. Hop-Sing had taken it in stride, calling me 'Missy', and telling me I was welcome in his kitchen whenever I wished it.

I wandered out into the main part of the house, thinking to glean some kind of information about this family I had stumbled upon. The furnishings were decidedly masculine and hinted at there being an absence of a woman living there in some time. I approached the massive fireplace, marveling at it's size.

There was silence in the house, my barefeet making no sound as I moved to the desk. My attention went to the large map that hung on the wall. The colors were bright and had the words 'The Ponderosa' written boldly across it. I tilted my head to see how it would sit if the map had been positioned with north at the top.

"I'm afraid my son had a unique approach to drawing maps."

Mr. Cartwright, the oldest man of the family, came up beside me. I was proud that I kept from flinching. "It's beautiful," I said sincerely, watching him from the corner of my eye. "And large."

He smiled. "A thousand square acres," he said with well earned pride. He turned to face me. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." I sent a rueful glance at my clothing, but felt too embarrassed to mention what I was wearing.

"I am glad to hear it," he said, either not seeing my glance or too much of a gentleman to say anything on the subject. Silence fell between us for a moment. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

A blush heated up my cheeks. After what they had done for me already -rescuing me from the wilderness, feeding me, and allowing me to stay under their roof-, how could I ask for more? "Thank you."

"By any chance, were you seen while you were out in the forest?"

"I suppose I must have been," I admitted reluctantly. "I was careful not to be seen up close, or let anyone near, but I know of at least one man, an older miner, who definitely saw me. Not very long ago."

To my surprise, my admission made Ben Cartwright chuckled. "That explains it."

"Explains what?" I couldn't help but ask.

"A wild tale was printed in the newspaper about a wildman on the Ponderosa," he responded. "The article brought several people to investigate the rumor. Adam estimated it to be around five hundred, but I think he may have been exaggerating. In any event, some of our stock were frightened into a water hole and it took nearly all day to pull them all out."

The idea of cows stuck in water and mud made me want to giggle, but I suspected it wasn't a laughing matter. "A wildman?" I said, frowning as I thought back. "Someone saw me and thought I was a wildman?"

"That's it exactly."

I glanced again at my clothes and gave a slight shrug. "I suppose I can understand why."

Reaching over, Mr. Cartwright patted my arm in a fatherly way. "We'll have you put right soon enough," he said, his tone reassuring. He hesitated for a moment, dropping his hand. "Did Adam speak to you already?"

It hadn't been easy, finding the general location where Daddy and I had last camped. Seeing just how far I had walked was staggering but wasn't as far as I had expected. "Yes, he did."

"Good, good," Mr. Cartwright said. "If you'll excuse me, Rosemary, I must make sure my sons are keeping to their work."

With a smile, I nodded and watched him hurry out.