Chapter Five

Fredrick and Mary had reached the edge of the Ponderosa thanks to the directions a gentleman who they'd met on the road. They bought their wagon to a stop, and sat there looking over the landscape. For Mary's part, the scenery, with its scattered trees, tall grass and a boulder here and there, was simply breathtaking. However, when it came to Fredrick, he found himself feeling as if someone had reached out and hit him in the stomach. He couldn't help but wonder if he should know this land called the Ponderosa. If that was the case, if he did indeed know this place, did he know the gentleman called Ben Cartwright? With that thought in his mind, he began to realize the he wanted to know who he was, even if he never remembered. Only problem was, there was no one around to ask any questions to. As he thought on it his head began to hurt. Before he knew it, he was grabbing his head and actually crying out in pain.

This reaction naturally frightened Mary, and she hurried and wrapped her arms around her husband, speaking softly to him as she did so. "Are you all right, Frederick? Maybe, once we get to this Ben Cartwright's home, we should have him send for a doctor, yeah?" After all, seeing no reason for her husband's behavior, Mary naturally worried there was something seriously wrong. She had no desire to neglect what could be a major medical issue, only to find herself a widow out in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles away from the only home she knew.

Fredrick took a deep breath, removed his hand from off his head and looked up. He wondered what to tell her as he felt sure that, as far as a doctor went, there was nothing that could be done. This being the case, why bother anyone in the medical field? "I'm fine," he answered as he turned his eyes away from the landscape and looked into his wife's upturned face, "Don't worry. Let's just find this Ben Cartwright's home." He lifted the reins in his hands and brought them down upon the horses just hard enough to give them the message they needed to move forward, yet not so hard as to hurt them. Hurting animals was not his habit, as the critters seemed to be attracted to him wherever he went.

"Yeah, I think that is a good idea." Mary answered as she laid her head upon his arm, though she continued to glance at him now and then, just to make sure he was all right.

~oOo~

Ben was sitting and working at the table that was on the porch when Adam rode up to the house and dismounted from his horse. He set down his pencil. He would have smiled, only Adam held a telegram in his hand. "Hello, son, I didn't expect you until later this afternoon." That was Adam's normal time of day for stopping by. Then again, the telegram might have something to do with it.

Adam, who had ridden into town that morning on some unexpected business, didn't answer until he too was sitting down. For a moment he said nothing, which had Ben greatly concerned. Finally, Adam spoke. "It's from Little Joe." He handed the telegram to his father.

Ben frowned. Little Joe was suppose to have been back a week ago, but sent word that his father in law had grown worse and Alice had wanted to stay 'just a little while longer'. He feared the telegram only held bad news. He found this to be partially true as he opened the telegram and read:

Father in law died yesterday STOP Staying until after funeral maybe up to three weeks STOP Maybe a tad bit longer STOP. Will let you know STOP Let me know if Hoss returns STOPS Don't worry STOP We are fine STOP

Ben felt his heart go out to his youngest son and daughter in law. While they had not been close knit friends with her father, there had still been a strong bond there. To lose such a bond was devastating, as Ben very well knew. Of course, if Little Joe and his family were staying in California for a little while, at least they would only have to worry about Adam's children saying something to Hoss when he arrived. That is, if this Frederick was indeed his middle son returning. He said as much and asked his oldest, his voice filling with great concern, "Do you think your children will be able to keep their mouths shut if it is him?" Okay, he was thinking specifically of nine year old Kristine. If they were to be honest, she could be just as bad as Gideon at times. Though, if a contest was held, Gideon would beat his cousin hands down.

Adam chuckled as he leaned forward a little and answered, "I don't know. You know how children are though, I promise, Laura Ann and I have more than one serious conversation with them since getting the Vandervorts letter." He wasn't surprised when his father started smiling, even chuckling a little. Adam continued talking. "I guess all we can do is hope they can. At least, until we get a chance to talk to him and his wife." He paused and then, due to a thought had come to him while he was talking, suggested that when the Vandervorts arrived, if it was Hoss that had bought the land Ben was holding for them, that Ben simply ask Fredrick if he would want to be told who he was.

Ben leaned back and thought on the suggestion had just made. He had to admit the idea had merit. The Martins had only said not to push his son to remember, if it was him. On the hand, if they did as Adam had just suggested, and Hoss said yes, what harm could it do? "Maybe…" Ben started to say, only to hear the sound of a wagon approaching. He and Adam quickly stood up, bracing themselves for what might be.