Chapter 6

Ben had parked the buggy out in front on the mercantile. His plans were to drop off the order before running his other errands. He hooked Jingle's reins to the hitching post and then scrambled around to help Gertie down from the buggy. Gertie was about ready to jump when Ben caught her just in time. "Whoa there, l've gotcha." He grabbed Gertie's tiny waist and helped her down. They walked up two small steps onto the porch of the mercantile as Ben nodded and greeted people that were exiting the store. The wind had started to kick up and just as Gertie was opening the door to the mercantile the wind caught it and flung it back right out of her hands, but Ben being pretty vigilant was able to catch it just in time before it banged and startled all the patrons inside.

"Sorry, Mr. Cartwright." Gertie looked concern for what might be the repercussion of her clumsiness, but when Ben just squeezed her shoulder she released a sigh of relief.

"Howdy Major, Angie." Ben greeted taking a note out from inside his jacket.

"Ben."

"Mr. Cartwright." Major's daughter Angie greeted and then eyed and spoke to Gertie. "Hi ya, Gertie." Gertie just silently waved as she stared at the jars upon jars of candy on the counter. There were jelly beans, black and red licorice, peppermint sticks, taffy, sweethearts and a few other hard candies that she had never had the opportunity to try. As Ben and Major chatted some Gertie slowly walked down the length of the counter looking over each jar. Even though Gertie didn't notice Ben was watching her very step.

"I have an order that needs to be filled Major." He said still keeping his eyes on the young child.

"Of course Ben." Major took the piece of paper from Ben's hand and started looking over it. "Ben I'm afraid that there are a few things on here that I will need to order."

"Yeah, yeah, that's fine. If you can just get together the other stuff on the list, I'll be back in about an hour of so for it."

"That sounds great Ben. I'll put Angie on it right away."

"Thanks Major." Ben lowered his voice and flashed a big grin. "And Major, can you add some licorice and a pound of jellybeans to that order." Major smiled looking down at Gertie and then chuckled.

"Of course Ben."

"We'll be back in bit." He started to move away from the counter when he noticed that Gertie was still fixated on the candy. "Gertie?" Gertie pulled her eyes off of the candy and noticed that Ben was waving for her to come. She quickly left the counter of sweets and moved up alongside Ben. As they moved down the aisle Ben nodded to some ladies that were coming in as he and Gertie were leaving. "Ladies." The ladies nodded in return but as Gertie was leaving she overheard the two ladies giggle by the acknowledgment from Mr. Cartwright and then she heard one say to the other, "When do you think he'll ever be interested in marrying again? He's just so handsome." Gertie couldn't help but smirk at the comment, because to her Mr. Cartwright wasn't really the handsome kind, now Little Joe on the other hand. But Gertie's day dreaming of Little Joe was soon interrupted by Mr. Cartwright's voice. "Come along Gertie." Gertie hadn't realized that she had stopped moving but when she spotted Mr. Cartwright motioning for her to come she pick up her pace and galloped on ahead to catch up with him. "Something catch your fancy back there?" He asked as she drew closer.

"No Sir. Just day dreaming I guess." Ben just smiled as he led her into the bank. As they entered both Ben and Gertie were taken back at the amount of people needing to do banking today. He joined the shortest line and waited with Gertie right by his side. He made some small talk with his friends and neighbors that were also waiting. When it was his time he stepped up to the counter with Gertie still attached to his hip.

"Hello Fred, busy today, huh?"

"Hi Ben. No complaints here about being busy, No Sir, not one." Fred reached over the counter and took the satchel full of money that Ben had pushed across the counter. "And who's this pretty little lady you've got with you today?" Fred asked while counting the stacks of bills just offered up for deposit.

Ben leaned an elbow against the counter and tipped his hat back and smiled down at the little girl who was trying to hide herself behind the broad man. He reached over with one hand and gave Gertie a gentle nudge forward so that Fred could get a better look at her. "This Fred is Gertrude Callahan, daughter of Jack Callahan. You remember Jack? He was a good friend and hired hand for us." Fred nodded his head as his fingers glided between the bills.

"Oh, yes, I remember Jack. Gosh child, you've grown some since I've seen you last. How is Jack doing these days? I haven't seen him in here for about a month or so now." Gertie couldn't help but gravitate back towards Ben's leg at the mention of how her father was doing. She could feel the sting of tears welling up in her eyes and she desperately tried to fight them while hiding her face into Ben's leg. She couldn't see anyone's but she heard Ben clear the lump in his voice before he responded back to the teller.

"I'm afraid that there was an accident out at our ranch about a week ago, and Jack took a pretty bad spill causing his lungs to collapse." Ben didn't need to say anymore for Fred could tell by the solemn look of Ben's face and the reaction of the little girl that there hadn't been a good ending for Jack.

"Ben, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't know. I would have never brought it up." Ben slowly reached his hand around and stoked the back of Gertie's head. He could feel the child's tiny body trembling.

"It's alright Fred."

"Is there anything Catharine and I can do for you or the children?"

"No, no. We're fine. I appreciate the offer though." Ben continued to caress the trembling child and was hoping that Fred would hurry up with the transaction so that he could get Gertie out of there as quick as possible.

Fred lowered his voice and passed Ben his transaction slip. "What about the children? I would say you have enough on your plate without adding two youngins to it." Ben gave a slight nervous chuckle to that, knowing there was indeed some half-truth to his statement.

"Actually that's my next stop; Roy was sending telegrams up North to see about some possible relatives. Other than that we know of no one else. So until we hear anything, they'll be staying with us for a while." Fred nodded his head understanding the circumstances that Ben was in.

"Good luck, Ben. Just let Catharine and I know if we can do anything to help."

"Will do. Thanks Fred." Ben tucked his banking receipt in the front of his tan vest and slowly placed his hands on Gertie's shoulders to turn her around and head her out towards the walkway. They had gotten to just about the doors when Ben heard Fred calling out to him.

"Ben! I just remembered something." Fred motioned for him to return back to the counter. He glanced down at Gertie and gently patted her shoulder.

"Stay right here. I'll be right back." Gertie nodded her head and Ben waltzed back over to Fred.

"Ben, I just remembered that Carlton Douglass was in here earlier this morning and we got talking about the sad news that him and his wife Charlene got last week. See they were set to adopt a boy and girl from Sacramento and it fell through. They're looking to take in some children. Maybe they would be willing to take the Callahan children off your hands." Ben's muscles in his face tighten, for he didn't know Carlton Douglass very well, but what he did know of him was he tended to favor the liquor a little too much for Ben likes. And as a result from not being able to hold his liquor very well, Ben knew for a fact that Carlton had seen the inside of the Virginia City jail one to many times because of it. Ben couldn't shake that thought out of his head and politely thanked Fred for the suggestion, but declined the offer.

"Thanks Fred. I'll keep that in mind, but for now I think we'll sit tight and wait for Roy to come up with some information." Ben strummed his fingers against the counter still thinking about the Douglass' and then nodded to Fred as to say good-bye. Once Ben started moving away from the counter he noticed that Gertie was wringing her mittens in her hands, a sign of nervousness Ben thought. Ben didn't want the little girl feeling nervous for being left alone by the door so he quicken his pace and in a little of four strides he was now within arms distance from her. "One down Gertie, only two more to go, and then we'll head on back to the Ponderosa and see how that brother of yours and my sons made out with moving those bulls. What do you say about that?" Sara gave a quick nod of agreement and as soon as she did, Ben placed his hand in between the girl's shoulder blades and guided her out the door. "Let's go visit with Sheriff Coffee, shall we?" Ben led the way while Gertie kept up with his pace. She made sure to follow along even though the wind was blowing dust and dirt around in swirls making her eyes itch and burn from it all. Ben noticed her rubbing at her eyes so he stepped in front of her trying to block it from entering any further. Gertie couldn't help but to send the older gentleman a warm smile, appreciating the small gesture. The instant Ben spotted the smile he couldn't but help to feel his heart expand for this little girl. Is this what it would have felt like to have a daughter he wondered as he reached for her little hand to guide her across the street to the jailhouse. The two didn't exchange any words while Ben opened the door to the jail. He held it open while the little girl scooted in and was relieved when she felt the warm air hit her cold body. She inched in closer away from the door and the cold but was startled when she heard a deep voice rang out.

"Howdy, Ben." Roy greeted the two while reaching to refill his coffee cup from the stove. "Would you like a cup?" He offered.

"Hi, Roy." Ben replied as he took his hat off and placed it in a chair in front of the man's desk. "I'll take you up on that. I'm afraid old man winter might be knocking on our door step sooner than we hoped."

Roy chuckled as he filled a cup for Ben. "I'm afraid you might be right about that Ben." He met Ben half way across the room and handed him his coffee. Ben sipped slowly and let out a little moan of pleasure, just what he needed to hit the spot. "So Ben, what's brought you to town on a day like this?"

"Just some errands that needed to be done. I sent the boys out this morning to move some bulls, so it left me and Gertie here to do them." Ben glanced over to see what Gertie was doing. She had moved a few feet away from Ben and her eyes were wide as she took in everything inside the jail.

"One of those errands wouldn't happen to be checking on those wires that you had me sent, now would it?" The two shared a grin and their eyes both darted over to Gertie who had moved herself closer to the stove to warm her tiny frame of a body.

"Well Roy it has been weighing on my mind some."

"I'm sorry Ben; I don't have much to report out. I sent a wire to the sheriff in both Portland, and Bangor but haven't heard a word back from either of them." Roy noticed that Ben stiffen and his face had a firm frown displayed across it. Roy hated to have to deliver such news but he also knew that he needed to be honest with him, after all they were friends. "Ben, you know these things can take time. It could take months for those sheriffs to get word out there and then back to us." Roy stepped closer to Ben so that the rest of the conversation could be heard just between the two of them. He lowered his voice and moved his body sideways so that his back was now towards the little girl, "And Ben, if they do find family it could take some time to prove it and to set up arrangements. As your quit aware, it's a long journey from Maine to here."

"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of that." Ben moved to gather up his hat from the chair and then shuffled over to place his cup down on the tray by the stove. There he wrapped his strong arm around Gertie's shoulder trying to offer up some comfort. He guided her back over towards the door, keeping a firm hand on her. "I appreciate you checking on this Roy. Please let me know the minute you hear something."

"Ben, the second I hear something, I'll send word. You can count on that."

Ben waved and shoved his big calloused hands back into his leather gloves and motioned for Gertie to do the same. She easily slipped one mitten on but fumbled trying to get the other one. Ben watched and gave her time to try to figure it out without rushing in, but when she continued to fumble he bent down and gently helped the girl pull it on. "There." He said smiling. He ruffled the top of her bonnet and then they entered back out into the brisk wind. "Just the mercantile and we're good to go." Ben waved to a few people they passed on the way to the mercantile, and they quickly stepped inside. There were a few ladies shopping and looking at fabrics. Ben tipped his hat towards them as he ushered Gertie towards the counter were Major greeted them.

"Sorry Ben, we got busier than I had expected. It will just be a few more minutes." Major apologized and continued to bustle around the story. Ben leaned on the counter noticing that Angie was helping Mrs. Turner with some fabrics and that Widow Spencer was mumbling about not being able to reach an item on the top self. Ben took it upon himself and moved on over to help Widow Spencer, leaving Gertie to drool over the candy jars.

"Here June let me help you with that." Ben reached over the older lady and grabbed a spool of rope for her.

"Why thank you Benjamin. That was very thoughtful of you. I've been standing her for at least 5 minutes now waiting for some assistance. I think Major needs to consider hiring on some more help." June was known around town as a bitty old thing. Since the death of her husband in the war, she has turned into a pretty sour person.

"Now June, you know it's not normally this busy. I think that this cold spell is driving people to get serious about preparing for winter."

"Benjamin Cartwright, I swear has there ever been a time in your life where you're haven't looked on the bright side of things?"

"There's been a few times." Ben admits lightly. It wasn't until Ben heard a cry from Mrs. Turner's baby that his attention turned back to Gertie. He had almost forgotten that she was with him.

"Gertie, come here child." Gertie quickly obeyed and rushed over to get to Ben's side. He placed both hands on her shoulders. "June do you remember Gertie Callahan?"

"Benjamin, that child should be going by her given name, not Gertie, that's a terrible name!" He immediately felt Gertie tense up under his hold. Widow Spencer was very opinionated and didn't once hesitate to say exactly what she was thinking, but Ben was going to make sure that she heard what his thoughts were as well. And right now his main focus was to make sure that he protected Gertie's feelings.

"Well, that might be true June, but Gertrude likes going by Gertie. It was the nickname given to the child by her father." June marched right over and grabbed Gertie by the chin and turned her face from one side then to other, as if she was examining every speck. "How old are you, child?"

"Seven." Gertie mumbled trying to shake from the firm grip that Widow Spencer had on her chin.

"Seven? Huh? You're an awful runt for seven. Aren't you feeding this child Benjamin? I know that Chinese cook of yours can surely prepare a good meal, just look at Hoss for pete sakes." Ben let out a small chuckle, but before he could come to Gertie's defense she continued on her rant. "What are you doing still with this child anyhow? Your ranch is no place for a young lady, if we can call her that. Look at these rags. Benjamin, really you haven't thought to buy her a new dress or two?" Gertie had held her tongue as long as she could possibly stand it. She knew full well that Mr. Cartwright still had a strong hold of her shoulders but what he didn't know is she could wiggle her way out of any hold, just ask Ephraim. And just like a snap of a branch, Gertie had wiggled her way out from Ben's hold and marched toe to toe to Widow Spencer. She looked the lady straight into her gray eyes and gave a small snarl and then brought her foot up as high as she could and smashed it down with as much force as she could muster. It landed with a loud thud right on the Widow Spencer's left foot.

"Ouch! Heaven's Sake Child!" June yelled getting the attention of everyone in the store at that moment. But Gertie matched her yells.

"How dare you! You know nothing about me! And for your information I like my name and I like my clothes. And I don't care what you think!" At that point in time Gertie's Irish temper had arrived at full force. She had knocked her bonnet off and her arms were flaring as she yelled. The child's face and ears were now the shade of a red delicious apple. Ben was completely mortified. He knew that she had a fierce temper, but this was a complete shock.

"Gertie! That's enough!" Ben grabbed ahold of the child, but she was still fighting with all her might.

"You're nothing but an old bitty, and if you knew what was good for you, you would just learn to keep that big trap of yours closed."

"Gertie! I said that's enough! You will stop this instant!" Ben couldn't believe how much force he had to use to keep this little spit fire under control and from striking Widow Spencer again.

"Benjamin Cartwright you need to get control of that child." June cried out while trying to hold her foot. Meanwhile Major was bringing over a chair for her to rest in.

"Here Ms. Spencer, please have a seat."

"She's a devil child, I tell you. No wonder you can't find a home for her Benjamin. That child needs a firm hand, and some strong discipline. Can I trust that you will take care of that?" Widow Spencer hissed.

"I'm not a devil child; you're a devil woman, saying such horrible things about me." Ben spun Gertie around and with a stone cold face and low tone he spoke to Gertie.

"Gertrude Callahan you will march yourself out to the buggy and you will stay there until I come." Gertie was steaming with anger. Maybe going outside to wait for Mr. Cartwright and away from this horrible woman sounded like a good idea to her.

"Benjamin Cartwright I demand an apology!" Ben looked back at Widow Spencer who was being looked after by both Major and Angie now.

"Gertrude, apologize to Ms. Spencer." Ben demanded before letting Gertie leave. But Gertie just stiffen and crossed her arms against her chest and pierced her lips together.

"I'm waiting child!" June shouted at the little girl, but Gertie didn't budge. How could she? She wasn't the least bit sorry for what she had done or said.

Ben got real low so that his mouth was right up to Gertie's ear. "Gertie, we're all waiting. Now apologize to Ms. Spencer." As Gertie dug her heels into the floor, Ben raised his voice, "Now!"

With her fist clinched and teeth locked together so tight she somehow managed to get out. "I can't!"

"You can and you will." Ben spoke sternly. Gertie could start to feel the tears well up and she refused to let neither Ms. Spencer nor Mr. Cartwright witness her tears of anger.

"I can't. My Papa taught me that you only apologize when you mean it. And I don't mean it! Not one iota!" Before Ben could grab a hold of the little girl she snuck out of his grasp and ran through the rest of the store and out to the sidewalk. There she pushed herself through the patrons and when she noticed Jingle she jumped into the buggy. As she sat there letting the cold air hit her bright red face she folded her hands together in her lap and willed the tears to go away. Meanwhile back inside the store Ben was embarrassed by Gertie's action that he just wanted his supplies and pay up his tab as fast as possible. Angie had found some ice for Ms. Spencer and she was tending to her injured foot, while Major moved over to attend to Ben.

"I'm real sorry Major. I just don't know what has gotten into that girl." Ben said rubbing his forehead.

"She did just lose her father not more than a week ago Ben. I'm sure she's trying to deal with all these changes." He piled the Cartwright's supplies into a few crates but couldn't resist holding back the chuckle when Ben raised an eyebrow at the man. "Now I should be the one to apologize Ben. But that Widow has needed to be put in her place for some time now. Who would have ever thought that it would have been done by a little girl?" Ben just shook his head in disbelief. Because even though Major was right, it was no place of that of a seven year old, that was for sure. It just wasn't proper. Ben paid his tab and took a hold of one crate while Major grabbed another to bring out for Ben. As the two moved away from the counter Ben could still hear Ms. Spencer muttering about Gertie. Ben stopped abruptly and took one good look at her.

"June, I know this might not mean much, but I hope that you can accept my apologies for Gertrude's behavior. Please know that I will be taking care of it. And you can expect to see us real soon for a direct apology from the girl."

"Benjamin Cartwright I hope that you set that girl straight. It's very clear that she needs to be taught some proper manners, especially how to respect her elders. What she needs is a firm hand. I hope that you will be able to carry that out Benjamin. And I will be waiting for that direct apology!" By this time Angie had managed to get June up out of the chair and over to the counter to cash her out.

The minute that Gertie spotted Ben and Major coming she knew that it was going to be a very long ride back to the Ponderosa. She dipped her head and was fidgeting with the edge of her dress as she pretended to not see or hear the men coming. As they approach she heard small talk between the two about the weather. She felt the weight of the buggy shift as men placed the two crates of goods in the back. She continued to hang her head, but not in shame, for she was proud of herself for standing up to that nasty lady and trying to put her in her place. But she could feel eyes bearing into her but still refused to make contact, and it wasn't until Ben spoke that she did so. "Gertie, look at me please." Gertie continue to run her fingers over her well-worn brown dress. "Gertrude you have already caused enough trouble for a life time, you best do as I ask." Gertie knew that Mr. Cartwright was right so she slowly picked up her head and looked between the two gentlemen who were standing outside of the buggy. "Gertie you will apologize to Mr. Barber for disrupting his business and for causing a scene." Gertie had always liked Mr. Barber and his daughter Angie, so the least she could do is apologize to him.

"I'm sorry Mr. Barber."

"You're sorry for what?" Ben pressured.

"I'm sorry for causing a disruption in your story." Gertie gave what seemed to be a sincere apology until she added, "But it needed to be done." Major tried holding back a smile and took the girl's apology to heart.

"Thank you for that apology Gertie. I'm just hoping the next time I see you in my store, I will see some better manners from you." Gertie nodded her head in agreement. Ben turned and shook Major's hand before departing.

"Sorry about all of this." Major held out the two baggies that he had pulled from his crate.

"Do you still want these?" Ben released a heavy sigh.

"She sure doesn't deserve them. But that doesn't mean that her brother doesn't." Ben snatched the two small bags from Major and stuck them back into the crates. As Ben was rounding the buggy to climb on up to his side he heard shouts and a young man riding to beat the bandit. Ben stopped to see what and who was causing this commotion. As the rider got closer he could hear his name be called out.

"Mr. Cartwright! Mr. Cartwright!" Ben squinted his eye to get a better look at the rider, and just as the sun disappeared behind a cloud Ben had clear view, Gabe McAllister.

"Gabe?" Ben shouted.

"Mr. Cartwright, you've gotta return back to the Ponderosa right quick."

"Gabe, slow down Son. What's so important that you have this horse here all lathered up with sweat?" Gertie was watching intently as Gabe and Mr. Cartwright were going back and forth, but what Gabe said next was all Gertie needed or wanted to hear.

"Mr. Cartwright it's the Callahan boy. He's ill. Adam sent me to fetch you and Doc Martin."

"Ephraim!" Cried Gertie.