A Hold on a Cartwright's Heart
I do not own Bonanza or any of the characters, except for Amanda and Mason, they are mine. Adam is 32, Hoss is 27, and Joe is 20. No copyright infringement is intended this is just written for fun and pure enjoyment of the reader
Chapter Five: More of the Past and Hopsing
They were all seated down at the table and Amanda was putting the platter of bacon on the table. Mason was talking Adam's ear off about how he wanted to be a knight.
"I want to be just like King Arthur," Mason said, "the best king around."
"Well you can't be a king on an empty stomach." Amanda said setting a plate full of eggs and bacon in front of Mason.
"Yes Mama." Mason said picking up a piece of bacon and putting it in his mouth. Joe snickered, which received a glare from Ben.
"Pa?" Adam said. "Do I need to go into town to pick up Hopsing?"
"No," Ben said "he told me he'll rent a horse in town."
"Who's Hopsing?" Mason asked through a bite of eggs.
"Mason, mind your manners." Amanda said. Mason nodded and looked down at his plate.
"He's our cook." Hoss answered smiling at the boy.
"Is he better than my mama?" Mason asked looking up at Hoss. Amanda sighed and rolled her eyes, making Adam laugh to himself.
"Well I don't rightly know," Hoss said "maybe when Hopsing gets back we can have a little cook off."
"I don't think so Hoss," Amanda said smiling at Hoss, which received a smile back. She put down her napkin and took a drink of water before standing up. "Please excuse me but I need some fresh air."
"Of course, dear." Ben said.
Amanda walked out the front door and sat on one of the chairs on the porch. She put her arms on the table and her head in her hands. She sighed.
'What am I going to do?' Amanda thought to herself 'I really want to stay here with the Cartwrights, but I don't think I should, not with Adam around.
'I know I should be grieving for my husband but it's just really hard with how Adam looks at me and how Mason took to him so fast.'
Just then Adam walked out and seen Amanda with her face in her hands.
"Are you ok?" Adam said, placing his hand on Amanda's shoulder.
"Yeah I'm fine," Amanda said "I'm just thinking."
"What about?" Adam asked sitting in the other chair beside her.
"About what I'm going to do," Amanda "I can't stay here."
"Of course you can," Adam said leaning forward, "my father will insist you stay, especially in your condition." Amanda looked up at Adam with questions in her eyes.
"Your father doesn't need a burden like me and Mason to hang around her when you have the ranch to run." Amanda said.
"Who said you were a burden?" Adam asked looking her straight in the eyes. Amanda looked away.
"Well I did, I just lost my husband and I'm not even grieving," Amanda said "I mean there is a part of me that did love him. I tried to make the marriage work, even if he promised me fake things.
"I know he loved me, he even loved Mason. Mason never really liked him, I don't know why; Todd was always so kind to him. He tried to be a good father." Amanda looked again at Adam. "You know you are the first man ever that Mason has actually taken a great liking to."
"Really?" Adam said smiling. "Well he does remind me of Joe when he was younger."
"What are you talking about, Joe still young." Amanda said laughing.
"And still wild as ever." Adam said also laughing. They heard the sound of a horse coming in the yard.
"Must be Hopsing." Adam said, standing up, and sure enough the little Chinese man came riding up to the house, on a horse that was much too big for him.
"Welcome back Hopsing," Adam said as Hopsing climbed down from the giant beast, "did you have a good trip."
"I did Mister Adam." Hopsing said. "all cousins ok."
"That's good," Adam said walking over to Hopsing and helping him with his saddle bag. "Hopsing this is Amanda.
Hopsing looked up and seen Amanda sitting on the porch. "Oh hello, Miss Ah-muh-duh." Hopsing said bowing.
"It's Amanda, Hopsing." Adam said holding back a laugh. "A-man-duh."
"That's what Hopsing say A-muh-duh." Hopsing said putting his hands on his hips. Adam then started laughing.
Hopsing threw his hands up in the air and started yelling. "I not home 2 minute and you make fun of Hopsing!" And with that Hopsing stormed into the house yelling in Chinese the whole way.
Adam looked at Amanda and they both started laughing.