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 Eight: Scared
Amanda screamed a heart wrenching scream as Ben crumpled to the ground and picked Mason up, ready to run. The attention of the two men was on the rider that had his gun drawn coming up the road.
"Hold it," the tall man said, "I got my gun aimed at your heart." The rider stopped and Amanda noticed he had a sheriff's badge on.
"I'm the sheriff of Virginia City, " he said "and I seen what you just did, now that's terms for arresting the both of you."
"Not if you're dead." The short man said smiling wickedly. Then it was silent, you could almost see the static in the air as the sheriff and the two men waited for the other to make the first move.
Amanda seen Ben's gun lying on the ground just a few feet away from her. She slowly edged her way over to it with the fear that one of the men would turn around and kill her. She bent down and picked it up, then cocked it making the men turn around.
"Now the fight is fair." Amanda said confidence starting to overcome her, but she was still scared out of her mind.
"Woman, do want to go to an early grave?" the tall man asked.
"If it means saving my son and Ben's life, then yes." Amanda said, clinging a little tighter to Mason. She glanced over to the sheriff and pleaded with her eyes to do something and she noticed he had a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Now drop your guns fellas," the sheriff finally said getting the attention of the men again. "I don't want to shoot you."
"Don't make me laugh old man." The tall man said. "I can shoot faster than you."
"Well I bet I can shoot faster than you." A voice said behind Amanda, everyone jumped, except for the sheriff. Amanda glanced over her shoulder and seen the three Cartwright brothers atop their horses, guns pointed at the two men. Amanda sighed with relief.
"I suggest you do as the sheriff tells you." Adam said venom dripping from every word. The two men looked at each other and knew there was no way out this time. They threw down their guns and put up their hands defeated.
"Looks like we made it just in time, Roy." Hoss said looking down at his injured father.
Roy nodded as he got down and so did the Cartwrights. Amanda still aimed her gun at the men, not taking any chances. Hoss walked over to the men to help Roy, while Joe bent down to check on his father, and Adam walked over to Amanda.
Adam gently took the gun from Amanda's hand which automatically pulled Mason's head into her shoulder. Without even realizing it, Amanda leaned into Adam, who wrapped his arms around her, and she cried.
"It's ok now." Adam said soothingly, stroking her hair.
"I was so scared, Adam," Amanda cried into Adam's chest, "I thought for sure we were going to be killed."
"Well, everything is over now," Adam said, "you'll never have to be afraid again; I'll make sure of that."
"We'll all make sure of that." Hoss said, walking over to Adam and Amanda after putting the cuffed men onto their horses which were being held by Roy.
"Boys, you get your father back to the house," Roy said "I'll take these two to jail and send Doc Martin out this way."
"Thanks Roy." Joe said looking up from his kneeling position next to his father. Roy got up on his horse and headed to town. Ben then moaned and Hoss knelt next to Joe.
"Pa are you ok?" Hoss said. Ben sat up really quick, then moaned again and grabbed his head in pain.
"Hoss? Joe? Adam?" Ben said looking around with confused eyes, "Are Amanda and Mason alive?"
"We're fine, Ben." Amanda said, now stepping away from Adam and handing Mason to Adam, who, in turn, buried his head into Adam's shoulder. Amanda walked over to Ben and knelt down on his other side.
"Roy, the sheriff, showed up," Amanda said, "then the boys showed up." Ben looked at his boys and then smiled.
"You boys always seem to show up just in time to save the day." Ben said. This got slight chuckles from the three boys and Amanda.
"Well come on, Pa," Hoss said grabbing hold of Ben's arms, "let's get you back to the house."
Ben let Hoss pick him up and put him in the back of the buckboard. Hoss tied Chubb to the back of the buckboard and climbed into the seat.
Joe swung himself up on Cochise. He flinched as his shoulder gave him pain.
"You ok, Joe?" Amanda asked.
"I'm fine," Joe said, "just a little sore." Amanda nodded and then walked over to Adam ready to take Mason back.
"Can I ride with Adam, Mama?" Mason asked his head still on Adam's shoulder. Amanda looked at Adam and he smiled.
"It's alright with me." Adam said.
"Ok," Amanda said, "just be good." She held an excited Mason as Adam climbed up on Sport. Amanda handed Mason up to Adam, then got in the buckboard next to Ben.
Then their little posse was headed back home.