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 Ten: Confrontation

It had been a week since Adam had arrived home and Mason had pulled his little stunt. Mason had been following Adam around ever since that day. Adam didn't mind, he was getting more attached to the boy, and also getting closer to Amanda.

Amanda still hadn't told Adam how she felt; she was working up the courage to do so. Today was the day, she decided. Every one was sitting in the living room drinking coffee, after lunch. Hoss and Joe, with Joe sitting on the table, playing checkers as usually, Adam in his chair with Mason on his lap, Ben was in his chair, and Amanda was sitting next to Hoss on the settee.

"I think that colt could use a name besides horse." Hoss told Mason, looking up from the board.

"She'll get a name soon;" Mason said "I just haven't thought of one yet." Hoss laughed and looked back at the board.

"Hey wasn't there a piece right here." Hoss said looking up at Joe, who was looking at him innocently.

"Hey it's not my fault you can't keep track of your pieces." Joe said with a smile.

"Dag burn it, Little Joe." Hoss said giving Joe a push. Joe caught himself before he fell on the floor. Ben cleared his throat, and gave them both a look they both knew.

"Sorry, Pa." They both said.

"Adam?" Mason asked, looking at Adam from his place on his lap, "Will you come out with me and help me name my horse."

"Of course, Mason," Adam said, helping him down from his lap before standing up, "we'll be in the barn if you need us."

"Alright, son," Ben said, "just remember we still need to make sure we have everything ready for the spring cattle drive."

"Yes, Pa." Adam said taking Mason's hand and walked over to the door. He grabbed a hat the looked just like his, but it was smaller, and put it on Mason's head. He put his on, and then he and Mason walked out the door.

Amanda waited a couple seconds after the door had been shut before she excused herself.

"I'm going to go see if Mason and Adam need any help naming that horse." Amanda said standing up, hoping she didn't give too much of her intentions away.

"Ok, dear." Ben said. There was no doubt that Ben knew she wanted to be alone with Adam, he could see it in her eyes.

Joe looked up at her and nodded then looked back down at his game. 'So he knows too' Amanda thought heading towards the door. 'I hope he understands.'

She walked outside into the April afternoon, with a smile set on her face. She was so nervous but she had to do it, she needed Adam to know how she felt. She could hear Mason laughing as she approached the barn followed by Adam's laugh.

"That name fits just fine." She heard Adam say as she walked into the barn. Mason saw her walk in and ran to her.

"Guess what I named her, Mama?" Mason said tugging at her hand to bring her closer to the little brown horse with one misshapen white spot about the size of tea saucer, on its left shoulder.

"What, my darling." Amanda said following her son to stand next to Adam, who was holding the horse and petting its neck.

"Cloud." Mason said smiling from ear to ear.

"The name is perfect." Amanda said noticing that the white spot looked like a cloud. Mason smile got wider as he let go of her hand and began petting his horse.

"Adam, can I talk to you." Amanda said not believing that she had just started the conversation she had wanted to have for a long time.

"Of course you can," Adam said looking up from Mason at her, "what's on your mind."

Amanda took a deep breath. "You." She said. It was a simple word but a powerful one. Adam looked at her a little surprised but Amanda could see some sort of relief in his eyes, but also a little sadness. Had he wanted to have this conversation too, and what was the sadness?

Adam sighed before he said. "Look Amanda I know you like me and I like you-." He stopped not really sure what to say next.

"But?" Amanda asked the word hanging in the silence. Adam shifted uncomfortable with what he was about to say.

"I think I'm too old for you," Adam said, "you are Joe's age-" Amanda cut him off.

"I don't care how much older you are than me," Amanda said hotly, her emotions escaping from her, "I like you not Joe."

"I know that," Adam said, "I just think you should find someone closer to your age."

Amanda couldn't believe what she was hearing, didn't Adam like her, and he said he did, so why was he saying these things.

"Are you pushing me away?" Amanda asked softly, stepping away from Adam.

"No." Adam said realizing just how much Amanda liked him, no loved him. Now he didn't know what to say to her. Before he could say anything else she turned around, grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him.

Adam was shocked he had never had a woman kiss him first, it took him a second to recover, but he kissed her back. He let go of the horse and put his hands on her hips.

When they pulled apart, they looked at each other both surprised. Amanda blushed and began to pull away, but Adam pulled her closer and this time he kissed her.

When they pulled apart this time they both had smiles on their faces, Amanda set her head on Adam's chest, and Adam set his chin on her head.

Mason laughed, making them both jump out of their skins. They had forgotten that someone besides then was in the barn.

Cloud had gone back to stand by its mother, and Mason was standing beside Adam and Amanda looking up at them. Adam picked him up and grabbed Amanda's hand.

"Come on," Adam said "I need to go over some stuff with Pa, about the cattle drive." Amanda nodded she didn't care where they went as long as they were together, she was happy.