Well here we are, Ben has met our leading ladies? And will they make an impression on him. I deeply apologize for the long wait. I have been organizing ideas and getting a big storyline together. You will see it emerge in the next few chapters. I am super excited about it and I hope you will be too. Once again thank you for all your support and reviews. I love hearing from everyone and seeing how much ya'll are enjoying my story. I have 3 big storylines planned out so we will soon get to see some action and danger and one of our stars in grave danger so keep reading to discover what will happen over the next several chapters. Chapter 9 will be a series of mini stories that will fast-forward us 3 months and open up the main story.
Adam looked back at the girls and his brothers. How was he going to explain this, he sighed, just then like a saving grace Joe walked by with Lila and Kathleen on his arms and Hoss following behind with the bags and Isabelle. Joe stopped beside Ben and Adam with a grin on his face, Hoss led Isabelle in.
"Ya'll may want to talk but it is much too cold out for these ladies." Joe looked to the girls," Let's get you two settled in, I just know you will love it here." Kathleen tried to stop and speak to Ben, but Joe dragged her inside before she had the chance. Ben, looking on in absolute shock rolled his eyes what have his boys gotten themselves into this time? Ben, grumbling to himself followed them inside with a concerned Adam walking in after. Inside Kathleen and Isabelle were in awe of the house, everywhere they looked they were surrounded by fine furniture and high class items.
"Wow Isabelle this is nice, much nicer than anything we've been around." Lila stood checking out the guns she was particularly impressed with the rifle collection.
Ben was still waiting for an explanation. He didn't want to make a scene with the ladies in the same room it just wouldn't be respectful. They seemed to be nice well behaved ladies. He studied them from a far as his sons ran around showing them the house and getting them situated. Ben first noticed the youngest one he presumed she was the youngest, because she still had a youthful face of teenage hood. She couldn't be any older than 14 and with that red hair he could tell she was one for trouble, sort of reminded him of Joseph. She had that same mischievous light in her eyes and held herself with great confidence. Was Joe flirting with her, and she was flirting back. Well Ben could tell Joe was not lacking for attention while he was away. Joseph was being very friendly with all of the ladies, like he had known them for years. Ben crossed his arms as he leaned up against the wall next to his desk, just what had Joe been up too these past 5 days. Ben made a mental note to himself to have a word with Joseph about how one was supposed to act around ladies. Next was the quiet blonde lady who hadn't left Hoss's side since she got here. Right away he could tell that Hoss was quite smitten with her and he could tell the young lady felt the same. She held herself the way a perfect lady should with elegance and grace and that smile. Why any man could be taken with that smile and his son sure had been. Studying her some more Ben came up with a few facts. She to was still quite young, not quite as young as the other lady but still a teen none the less. The girl had an aura of innocence and pure heart with the way she looked at the world around her. She held several similarities to the other two ladies so perhaps they were related. She also reminded him of one of his sons, it just once again happened to be another perfect match. Lastly Ben found himself observing the last lady. The one that had obviously caught the attention of his most reserved eldest son. She was the eldest of the 3 but could not be much older than the other two. This one however was different. She shared qualities of the other two but was more complex. She held herself with confidence, yet she showed vulnerability. Her bright green eyes showed intelligence, but also wear like she had been through battle and had only barely escaped with her life, the scars evident in her eyes. The one thing that fascinated him the most was the way she handled herself around Adam. She portrayed a strong self-reliant girl that tried to ignore or blow off on Adam who only looked at her with annoyance and frustration. Yet ever so often he noticed her look at him with longing? Adam did the exact same thing. Ben sat down in his chair and leaned back shaking his head at the scene before him. I sure have my work cut out for me this time.
Rising up from his chair Ben cleared his voice before speaking. "Hoss I would like you to show the ladies to their rooms upstairs, after you get them settled come back down her. Adam, Joseph we need to have a little talk." He stressed the last 2 words which made Adam and Joe both gulp in unison. Hoss leads the girls upstairs as they continually looked down to try and see what was going on, they could tell from Adam and Joe's faces that this wasn't good.
Hoss led the girls upstairs to the first 3 rooms. For now they were putting all their stuff in the first room.
"Well ladies, I do hope this will do alright fer now."
Isabelle smiled at Hoss and with a slight blush," It's perfect Hoss; we do greatly appreciate everything that your family has done for us." Lila rolled her eyes and walked toward the windows to look outside.
Hoss looked down at the floor as he blushed, it wasn't something he often did but Isabelle just seemed to bring out his softest side. As Isabelle and Hoss shared a moment Lila began to gag.
"Oh come on you two I don't want to lose my lunch." Lila walked over to Hoss and shoved him out of the door slamming the door in his face. Hoss could now hear the intense conversation going on downstairs. He really didn't want to get involved in that yet so he decided to take a detour to his room first.
"Oh Kathleen isn't it lovely here, why I can't remember the last time I saw such lovely things." Isabelle was examining the dresser and the mirror.
Kathleen wasn't paying any attention to her sister, her mind was thinking back to the ride over here with Adam. He was so kind and considerate to her today. Maybe she had been wrong about him all this time. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
Noticing her sister was daydreaming Lila decided to mess with her a bit. She saw a pair of scissors on the banister next to the bed and snuck over behind Kathleen's back. Isabelle saw her and started to say something when Lila put her finger to her mouth to signal her to be quiet. Oh Isabelle hated when her sister pulled pranks, but she just couldn't betray her, besides Lila is always the one that has helped her get out of some big troubles in the past. So she shut her eyes and turned around. Lila put the scissors about 2 inches up from the trip and *SNIP* down fell the hair and around came a very angry Kathleen. Kathleen immediately noticed the scissors and upon looking down saw her hair on the floor. She put two and two together and searching for the snipped gap in her hair found it. Her mouth flew open and her temper sky rocketed.
"WHAT IN THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE!"
Isabelle saw that look in her sister's eyes. Kathleen was ready for war. Her eyes were alight and her nostrils flaring. Both hands were in tight fists and she stood on her toes slightly leaning forward. Lila just stood there were a smirk on her face, she knew how to control Kathleen's temper and use to do this quite often as a game. Isabelle took a few steps back and crouched down into the corner she held onto the edges of her blue dress and covered her eyes and ears.
"Awe what's the matter sis; I thought you could use a little trim with you all over Adam now days you must maintain your beauty ." Lila grinned even wider.
"You Cut My Hair."
"Yes I did."
"Why?" Kathleen seemed to drag that word out forever.
"I thought it would be fun, it was, I love seeing you all riled up."
"You little bitch."
Lila jerked her head to look at her sister with wide shocked eyes."
"What did you just call me?"
Kathleen took a step toward Lila and put her head closer to Lila's," You heard me."
Lila narrowed her eyes into slits and shoved her face at Kathleen." Say it again I dare you."
Isabelle who had been watching in the corner crouched down further," Oh dear this is about to get very bad very quickly."
"Bitch, Ba iiTch CHa." She smiled seeing the fury rise in her sister's eyes. That was all it took for Lila to take a swing at Kathleen which made contact with her sisters cheek. Kathleen fell against the wall and within seconds Lila was on top off her hitting her over and over again. Kathleen was able to get her feet in place and kick Lila off of her straight in the gut. Lila doubled over in pain with the wind knocked out of her was in a perfect position for Kathleen. She grabbed a handful of hair and pulled Lila up and took a nasty swing at her lip and nose. She let Lila fall to the ground and proceeded to dust off her dress and dab at her cheek thinking the fight was over. Lila recovered and tackled her sister from behind. Kathleen fell face first onto the corner of the table cutting into her forehead. They rolled on the ground for a bit trying to gain the upper hand. Isabelle could tell this was one of the more serious fights that her sister's had got into. Isabelle made the risky decision to request some assistance on this matter. She crawled out of the corner and avoided the swings of her sisters and ran out the door and took off down the stairs.
At the same time
"Well boys who would like to start explaining first?" Ben was sitting back in his chair with his pipe. He had his legs crossed and was drumming his left hand on his desk as he looked from one son to the next. Adam and Joe stood across from one another, their faces in deep concentration. Joe lifted his face as an idea hit him.
"Alright Pa I'll begin," Ben studied his son trying to predict what he was going to say. Which was a waste and Ben knew it no one could predict what Joe would do or say. Adam looked over at Joe with curiosity for he had not heard the full story either just what he had come in on.
Joe began his story of being chased and robbed by bandits and how he got shot. He went on to tell how he just barely found the girls house and how they took excellent care of him. Sometime during the story of his first day working on the farm Hoss joined them. Adam and Hoss took over explaining how they came to find him and how they had met the girls and convinced them to leave with them. After they finished all was silent as Ben contemplated what had been said.
Adam spoke up first," So you see Pa we couldn't just leave them out there by themselves."
"Of course you could have. Didn't you say they had been out there on their own for 5 years. Obviously they could be self-sufficient."
"But Pa they're just women, you was the one that always was a tellin' us that we was suppose ta look out fer 'em and help out. This was just our way of helpin'."
"And just what did they think about your helping them?" Ben raised his eyebrow as he waited for an answer.
All 3 of their faces dropped at this as they remembered the first night and the fight that had erupted between Adam and Kathleen over this same matter.
"Well they didn't quite agree at first, but they have come around." Ben just shook his head, deep down he knew his boys were right, but he just didn't think he was ready to handle a situation just as this one with 3 unruly girls.
"Boys I just don't think we can care for 3 young girls in this house, we do still have to run the ranch."
"They aren't all children Pa, Lila is as she is only 15, but she can be mature when she chooses to be. Isabelle and Kathleen are grown women."
"Joe is right Pa, Kathleen is 23, and yes that is still young, but she has raised her sisters she is more than capable of helping out around here, it won't all be on you we can help out."
"They are right Pa, and you ain't lived Pa till you tasted Isabelle's cookin' why she'll give Hop Sing a run for his money."
Ben just stared at his boys and their pleading eyes, he knew he would live to regret this, or well he hoped he lived long enough too." Alright they can stay boys, but they will follow my guidelines and rules. Now bring them down so I can get some formal introductions."
"HOSS! ADAM, LITTLE JOE! I NEED YOUR HELP!"Isabelle came running down the stairs as quick as she could, she ran right into Hoss who luckily caught her. She was gasping for air and for a few minutes everyone thought she had been attacked.
Hoss got down on one knee to look her in the eyes, he lifted her chin to speak to her," What's the matter little gal? Are ya hurt?"
Isabelle could only shake her head till she caught her breath," No Lila and Kathleen," she had to stop to catch her breath," They is up there rippin' each other to shreds." Just then they heard Lila yell. Adam and Joe took off upstairs to break up the fight. Ben took Isabelle from Hoss so he could join. Ben's only thought was that he was right. It hadn't been 5 minutes and he already regretted his decision.
Adam and Joe entered a war zone. Chairs were overturned and clothes were scattered around as were other random objects. Lila had Kathleen pinned to the floor and was ramming her head into the floor boards. Joe rushed over and grabbed Lila by the waist pulling her off of her sister. Lila kicked and swung her arms around trying to get away from Joe, but Joe held on steady. Adam was down by Kathleen's side as soon as the coast was clear checking her wounds, Kathleen's face was already swollen around her cheek bones and lips as bruised started to form. Somehow her eyes had avoided injury, her lips weren't so lucky. She had several scraps and cuts along her arms and legs that Adam noticed. The only major worry was the deep cut on her forehead. Adam grabbed a cloth that was nearby and started to apply pressure.
"Are you alright?" Kathleen winced as Adam pressed into her head.
Brushing his hand away," I am fine Adam, really."
"Now will you just hold still Lila?" Joe struggled to pin her down into the chair as Hoss entered and offered his much needed assistance. Lila's face and body were much the same as Kathleen's except Kathleen had managed to give Lila a black eye that was beginning to swell. Joe took a damp cloth from Hoss and began to clean up Lila who was still fuming. Hoss luckily had Lila's hands pinned down.
"Now will one of you care to explain to me why ya'll are fighting?"
"She called me a bitch!" Lila was quick to answer as she freed her hand and pointed to Kathleen. Kathleen rolled her eyes at her sister's quick response to half the story, always the same that Lila. She took a damp cloth from Adam that he had retrieved and started to clean up her face.
The boy's faces went white with shock, that was language they didn't dare use freely, much less a lady speaking as so. Adam turned to look at Kathleen who sat there with a grim look on her face. It was taking everything in her to control her temper.
"Kathleen, is she telling the truth?"
"Yes," she said coldly.
"Why did you call her that? It is completely inappropriate for a lady to use such language."
Kathleen grabbed the chunk of her hair that had been cut and held it up for them to see. Adam rolled his lips as he understood, somewhat. Lila just sat content with a sly grin on her face in Joe's arms.
"Lila what would possess you to cut your sisters hair?" Gosh I feel like I'm babysitting 3 year olds.
Lila simply shrugged," It was fun and I knew it would piss her off."
Adam had had it, he grabbed up Lila," I'm going to take you down stairs so ya'll can introduce yourselves to my Pa, then you and I are going to go out to the barn and have another little talk."
Adam turned to look at Kathleen and in a sarcastic tone," Do you object this time?"
"Not at all." Hoss helped Kathleen up who was a little dizzy and between the 3 of them, they got the ladies downstairs. Ben looked on in shock and horror that 2 little girls had caused so much damage to themselves, the boys never fought that bad. With gritted teeth," What happened?"
Before Lila could speak Adam spoke up," Lila here thought it would be funny to cut her sisters hair."
Ben turned his glare toward the red head name Lila," Well Lila, is that how it went?"
Lila was determined she wasn't going to be the only one to get in trouble this time," Yes but Kathleen called me a bitch." She said it again and Ben almost choked on his coffee.
"We do not speak like that in this house. You may have been able to get away with that before but as long as ya'll are living under my roof you will follow my rules." All three nodded and whispered "Yes sir."
"Now since this is your first night here I will let you two off with a warning, but know that next time I won't go so easy" Once again the girls nodded and Adam held a smug look off in the corner.
Hop Sing emerged from the kitchen," Suppah is ready Mistah Cartlight, you eat now, oh "Hop Sing noticed the girls standing before Ben's desk, he thought they looked awful skinny," We has guest? Why you no tell Hop Sing, now I must go make more food, Hop Sing go back to China no respect here." The little cook stormed off grumbling and yelling rambles in Chinese.
Ben rose from his chair and motioned for everyone to join him in the great room. Adam sat down in his favorite chair, as did Ben. The girls sat down on the settee. Kathleen sat closest to Ben as she expected to lead most of the conversation. Hoss and Joe sat on the edge of the stone fireplace.
Ben leaned back getting comfortable before he began," Well girls since ya'll will be staying with us for a while why don't you tell me about yourselves?"
Kathleen cleared her throat and sat up straight before beginning," I am Kathleen Roberts; these are my sisters, Isabelle and Lila. We are originally from Carson City, but after our parents passed away I moved us to a little farm outside of Virginia City. We have been there for the past 5 years."
"How did ya'll manage a farm out there, did you have workers?"
"No sir we ran it by ourselves."
Ben was very intrigued by this statement. He couldn't imagine 3 young ladies running a successful farm all by themselves. "You mean to tell me that you 3 ran a farm all by yourselves for 5 years with no outside help whatsoever?"
"That is exactly what I am telling you sir."
"See why we insisted they come stay here Pa?" Adam was now speaking. Kathleen only sighed she was all to use to the discrimination.
"I do see Adam; well ya'll will have no worried here. Ya'll can work from in the house with chores that are more suited for young ladies." Ben smiled at them. Kathleen grimaced and bit her lip to keep from lashing out. Why was it so hard to understand that they were doing fine before them? They didn't have to have any help. They did farm work just as easily as housework.
"Anyway Kathleen please continue telling about yourself."
"Well I'm 23 years old, I like to sew, work with horses, and sit down with a good book at the end of the day." Adam's ears perked up at the last statement. She might not be so bad after all.
"Isabelle would you mind?"
Isabelle sat up and smiled as she excitedly began," I'm Isabelle Rose Roberts. I am 18 years old and uhh well I love to cook. Kathleen never let me cook much after I set the house on fire that one time." Kathleen face planted her palm." I'm an artist and Kathleen has always called me an optimist."
Lila went next keeping her eyes on Joe the entire time," I guess I'm next, I'm Lila. I'm 15 and would say I'm my own person, I want to live my life my way and do things my own way on my own time. People tend to think I'm trouble and an unruly brat, but I don't really care. I'm just me and that's all I can be I won't change for anyone so people have to learn to accept me or ignore me." Everyone stared at Lila with open mouths. Ben knew exactly how the next few months would go. Lila would strike out and it was up to him to put her back on the right track that her life had gotten off of. He was sure Kathleen did her best for the girls, but with so much going on Lila's behavior was probably the last thing on her mind, so Lila grew up thinking she could get away with whatever and not be punished. Well he wasn't going to stand for it, he accept this challenge.
"Well ladies, I should formally introduce myself. I am Ben Cartwright and welcome to the Ponderosa I am honored to meet you and have you in our home. Make your own and if you need anything feel free to ask any of us. Lila I would like to have a word with you first thing tomorrow morning concerning you returning to school"
Lila stood up immediately anger covering her face," I don't need to go to school."
"I said we will discuss it tomorrow." Ben's face never changed nor did is calm assertive voice.
Lila sat back down in a huff.
"Suppah is ready now, leally leady."
"Oh great Hop Sing I'm 'bout starved" Hoss scurried over to the table forgetting about everyone else and reached for a plate when Hop Sing smacked his hand," No seconds night Mistah Hoss, girls must eat, they too skinny. You must share." Hoss pouted but agreed and sat down as the rest of the family joined him laughing. Adam and Joe pulled out Kathleen and Lila's chair. Kathleen was nervous and a blush raced across her face that wouldn't leave for the rest of the night. She felt so out of place, she had never had anyone pull out a chair for her and they all stood whenever she entered the room. No one had ever been so kind before. And Adam kept staring at her. Maybe he was looking at the bruises on her face. Just because she poured out he heart to him doesn't mean anything has changed, or has it? These thoughts raced across her mind as she lay in bed. It was so nice, yet strange to have her own bed again after 5 years of sharing with her sisters. Living here was going to be an adventure that was for sure, but she would make it work until she could get back out on her own with her sisters. She could make it work though they were taking them into town tomorrow to buy them new dresses; she hadn't had a new dress in years. And the food was so delicious Hop Sing would have her fattened up by the time she left. Ben seemed nice, strict but kind. Maybe he would be able to reach Lila in a way she couldn't. Kathleen yawned and turned over on her side to sleep, she was so tired from today and sleep quickly claimed her. She dreamed of her parents and of her life before the accident. One thing was different thought she dreamed of a guy she hadn't thought of in years and awoke in a cold sweat as she realized who it was.
In a cold ghastly whisper she barely breathed out the word," Duke?"
I hope you liked this chapter and please review. Oh and I want to hear everyone's opinion on who is Duke and what will he have to do with everyone and the upcoming story?