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 Six: Missy It Is
When Adam and Amanda walked back into the house, Adam got the third degree from Ben.
"What did you say to Hop Sing?" Ben said who was standing next to the table with his arms crossed. joe and Hoss tried hard to hide their laughter. "He's threatening to go back to China."
Adam laughed and said while putting Hop Sing's saddle bags on the sette, "He can't say Amanda's name."
"Adam tried to help him pronounce it, but he couldn't do it," Amanda said with a smile, "then Adam and I began laughing and he thought we were making fun of him." Just then Hop Sing came out of the kitchen.
"I not know how say name," Hop Sing said, "so Hop Sing call you Missy." That got all the Cartwrights and Amanda to laugh.
"That's just fine with me." Amanda said. Hop Sing bowed and started to clean off the dishes on the table.
"Thanks Missy," Hop Sing said "you fix food for my family."
"You're welcome Hop Sing." Amanda said, reaching towards a dirty dish to help Hop Sing.
"No, no, no," Hop Sing said grabbing the dish first, "you help enough." The little Chinese hurried to gather all the dishes before Amanda could make a grab for them again.
"It's good to have you home Hop Sing." Ben said, patting the man on the back as he walked by.
"Good to be home." Hop Sing said with a smile, as he went back into the kitchen.
"Well," Ben said, "you boys best get over to that fence we seen over near the west end, while I help Amanda with her things in the barn." Hoss and Joe stood up and headed for the door, stopping to put on their hats and gun belts.
"About staying here, Mr. Cartwright-" Amanda started but was stopped quickly by Ben's hand coming up. Adam, Hoss, and Joe stopped to listen as the conversation between their father and Amanda took place.
"I insist that you stay," Ben said "at least until that baby of yours is born."
"But-" Amanda started again.
"There will be no ifs, ands, or buts." Ben said with a smile, "besides it has been a long time since there has been a woman in the house, it'll be a nice change."
"Thank you," Amanda said walking over to Ben and giving him a hug, "you don't know how much this means to me." Ben was caught off guard when Amanda hugged him but quickly recovered and hugged her back.
"You're welcome sweetheart." Ben said. Amanda stepped back, a little embarrassed.
"Hey!" Mason yelled making everyone jump and look at him. "Where's my hug?" Everyone laughed as Mason got down from his chair at the table and ran over to Ben.
Mason wrapped his arms around Ben's legs and before Ben could reach down to pick up he was moving on to Joe's legs. Mason hugged everybody even Hop Sing, when he came out of the kitchen.
"Hop Sing could you watch Mason while we are outside?" Ben asked the little cook.
"Of course, Mister Cartlight." Hop Sing said taking hold of Mason's hand. "Come little one, Hop Sing show you how make biscuit."
With Mason taken care of the rest of them went outside. Sport, Chubb, and Cochise were tied to the hitching post, that some of the hands had saddled earlier that morning.
"Alright boys," Ben said, "I want that fence fixed today."
"Yes, Pa" They all three said each filling up their canteens in the water trough before they mounted up. Ben and Amanda watched as they all got on their horses.
"And be careful," Ben said, "those two men could still be on the Ponderosa somewhere, I'll go in to town later this morning and tell Roy about it."
"We'll keep a look at for them, Pa." Adam said, turning his horse around, "see you at lunch." With that, Hoss and Adam started off, Joe still at the hitching post.
"Amanda?" Joe asked. "later on today would you like to take a ride around the Ponderosa?"
"Well," Amanda said smiling up at Joe, "it depends on how the day goes."
"It's not a yes," Joe said, "but I'll take it as one." Joe turned Cochise around and quickly trotted off after his brothers.
"And be careful with that shoulder Joseph!" Ben yelled, which got a wave from Joe. Ben then sighed "Oh that Joseph." Amanda laughed as she had thought the same thing.
"Shall we get my things." Amanda said taking Ben's arm. Ben smiled down at the girl as he led her to the barn and thought.
'What a fine girl, she's one of the few I'd like to have as a daughter in law.'