A/N: Here we go again with The Sound of Drums, the last installment of the Rossi family. I had fun writing this one – when I wasn't dealing with writer's block. As usual, I don't own Bonanza, only my OC. To all of you celebrating, have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy!

Added line breaks 2-20-21

"You really hadn't met the Rossi's yet?" Annie threw Candy a confused look. "I thought for sure you would have. Granted they arrived before you showed up out of the night, but Pa has had us drop in every now and then just to see how they're doing."

"Haven't had the pleasure," Candy replied, and thumbed back his hat. "We have had to deal with a lot of trouble over the past year or so."

"We can make introductions when we get there," Ben commented. He looked up and smiled. "Ah, there's Giorgio now." He waved, and the shorter Italian returned the gesture with a broad smile.

"Ben, my old friend. You must come and inspect the crop. Maria is putting the finishing touches on supper."

"When you put it like that, how can I refuse?"

"Come, come, my son will see to the horses." They dismounted and his attention landed on Candy. "And who is this?" His smile grew wider. "Has your lovely daughter finally found a man she would prefer to marry instead of shoot?" Annie choked and threw Candy a panicked glance. He grinned and shook his head.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Giorgio, but she's threatened to shoot me, too." The little man threw his hands in the air and released a string of Italian. Joe laughed.

"Pa, I'll help Lorenzo with the horses."

"One day, eh, Ben?"

"A man can hope, Giorgio."

"Never mind, I suppose, come, let us go inspect the grapes." He waved them into the long rows of neatly laid out grape vines, occasionally pointing out a different type of grape or an improvement to the process. His face lit up when he showed them around the cellar where he kept the aging wine in barrels.

"I must say," Ben shook his head in amazement. "You've done quite a lot in three years. I'm impressed. The Ponderosa didn't look half as nice at that particular point in time."

"It is all thanks to you, Ben." He waved them back outside and, gesticulating wildly, aimed them in the direction of the house. At least, Annie hoped they were going to the house. After all that walking, she was more than ready for supper. They broke through a small stand of trees and Rossi stopped in his tracks, beaming with pride. "What do you think? It is the Rossi's Ponderosa." Annie caught her breath.

It was nearly identical, smaller yes, but the main frame and detailing where the same, right down to the dark-stained logs and shingled roof. He'd even put in a small porch with rocking chairs. "I tried to build him just like yours. It's not so big and not so grandiose, but it's still a nice house."

"Giorgio, it's a fine house," Ben assured him. "A fine house."

"And the clothes, they're not so much Italiano." He motioned to his vest. Hoss chuckled.

"Oh, you look like a regular cowpoke." They all laughed and headed up to the trestle table laid out in front of the house.

"Regina, how are you?" She set the basket she was carrying on the table and shook Ben's hand. Hoss grabbed Candy's arm and tugged him over.

"This is, Candy, Regina, he's our foreman." Candy took off his hat with a smile that left Annie feeling suddenly cold. "Candy, this is Regina."

"Hi."

"Well, everybody, come on, sit down, I want you taste the wine." Giorgio motioned for them to sit and they took their seats while Maria finished bringing out heavy dishes wafting steam and wonderful smells. Annie sat beside Maria, on the other end of the table from Candy, who'd managed a seat next to Regina. "I want you all to taste the Vino di Ponderosa, which I name for my friend Ben Cartwright's ranch." he looked up from the jug. "With your permission."

"Of course," Ben laughed. "Thank you very much." Joe and Lorenzo ambled over and stood behind the table, having lost out on seats. Giorgio passed around glasses of the rich, purple-red liquid. "I'll drink to that. Vino di Ponderosa, huh?" He raised his glass.

"But I'm not finished." Giorgio stared down into his glass a moment. "The second reason I ask you is to tell you that when I live in Italy, I work the land, the land is not mine. The barone, who own the land, he come to me and say, 'Giorgio, someday, you gonna be my best man.'" He shook his head vehemently. "No. Giorgio Rossi is no one's man. I think all the time inside, I think, someday I go to America. I get my own land. I think …" he dissolved into Italian. Maria nodded and turned to them.

"That means I am honorary Americano." Ben nodded slowly. Giorgio laughed.

"I think all the time America. I dream America. Then, five years ago today … I become American citizen," he finished with a broad smile. They all smiled back. "Now you can make applause."

"It's a celebration, then. Cheers!" Ben raised his glass.

"I'm still not finished." They all looked at each other and set their glasses back on the table. Giorgio studied his, deep in thought. "To me, the wine is like mirror of America's heart. I look inside and I see the faces of many friends. I see much hard work and sorrow, but I also see the future for the world. I see freedom for everybody. And trust." He kept staring into the wine. "And now I come to another reason why I ask you here."

There was more?

Giorgio set his glass down and retrieved an envelope from under the edge of a platter. "Now I return the trust which my friend Ben Cartwright gave to me when he lend me money to buy the wine press." He handed it to Ben with a smile. "Is United States money, good at any bank." They shook hands.

"Thank you."

"Cheers." Hoss raised his glass.

"Uh, I'm not finished." They set their glasses back down. Annie rested her chin on her hand. "And now, I want to tell you that this is only the beginning for Giorgio Rossi and Son. We gonna make wine." He picked up his glass and shook it for emphasis, to the point she was afraid it might splash over the rim. "Everybody in the whole world gonna know about the Vino di Ponderosa! Now we can drink, because I finish. I sit down."

"Cheers." They toasted, and finally drank. She wasn't much for wine, but it was good. Ben shook his head slowly.

"Giorgio, there's … there's nothing I can add to what you've already said." He stood. "Except to say that we're all very happy and proud that you're not only a neighbor, but a friend." He offered his hand, and the two men shook.

"Cheers," Joe called out.

"I'll drink to that," Candy added. An approaching horse interrupted the festive mood. Annie glanced over her shoulder and found a man leading an Indian on a rope. Her pa and Rossi both stood, faces set, and met the man in the yard.

"Howdy. My name's Joe Sabin." Her pa yanked the rope over the Indian's head. "I bought the Trainer outfit, my land borders this place."

"Why you put a rope on this man? He's no animal." Giorgio burst out.

"Ask him."

"He not believe this man told me I could drink at spring," the Indian stated in a calm, flat tone. Ben looked at Rossi.

"Did you tell him that, Giorgio?"

"I say he can camp and drink. It's my land and my water." Sabin sighed from atop his horse.

"You won't have it long, Mr. Rossi, if you let every ragged reservation jumper that comes along dip into it."

"What is this reservation jumper?" And he was building up a head of steam to rival a locomotive. She'd seen this play before. Ben folded his arms and sighed.

"That's someone who stays away from the reservation."

"There's only one man and one horse," Rossi protested. "How much can they drink?" Sabin nodded at the Indian.

"This one's got a teepee set up. And a squaw and a young'un moved in. There's another brave waiting up on the butte and he probably wants to move in with a squaw and family."

"Still, two families. All right, there's still enough water."

"That's not the point," Sabin explained. "These Indians are off the reservation. Now, you know what that can mean, Mr. Cartwright."

"Yes, I know. I'll … I'll explain it to Mr. Rossi."

"Nobody have to explain it to me." His voice rose. "It's my land and my water." Those hands were flying in true Rossi style. "The Indians, they stay on my land." He stepped forward and caught the Indian by the shoulders. "It's all right, Red Sky, you can go. Go back to your wife and family." The Indian clasped his shoulder and took off. "You stay on the land, drink the water!" Rossi called after him while Sabin struggled to control his horse spooked by the Indian's flight. "And you, you no make trouble." That finger pointed at Sabin, then at himself. "I'm United States citizen, I know my rights. You know who's going to get off my land? You!" Sabin stared at him in silence, then turned his horse and rode away.

Ben and Giorgio returned to the table, the little Italian still fuming and muttering to himself. His son lit the candles in the paper lanterns hung in the trees, then they began to pass the plates. Annie found it hard to eat, her focus drifting down the table to where Candy sat next to Regina, the two of them laughing and talking easily, his eyes returning to the pretty brunette again and again. Her grip on the fork tightened and she forced herself to look away.

Why should she care if he was interested in Regina? He'd been dealt so much heartache why shouldn't he get another chance?

"Mrs. Rossi, I'll take some more of that chicken bolognase," Hoss said between mouthfuls.

"Hey, Hoss, sei good in Italiano, huh?" Maria laughed, the rest of the family laughing with her. Except Giorgio. He sat at the head of the table and stared down at his mostly full plate, arms crossed over his chest.

Joe said something she failed to catch that had the others laughing. Giorgio muttered under his breath, filling the silence after the laughter died down.

"It make me so mad." His hands flew. "He tie up my friend the Indian like an animal. Make me lose my appetite. It spoils whole feast. I can't eat!" No one said anything for a moment. Candy swallowed and glanced sideways at Regina.

"You lose your appetite, too?" She bit her lip.

"What happened to the Indian was a bad thing." Candy nodded and took another bite. Maria wiped her mouth with her napkin.

"Come on, eat, Giorgio."

"Oh, I can't." He stared down at his plate again and Annie became aware of the sound of drums drifting on the night breeze, joined quickly by singing. He looked back over his shoulder and finally smiled. "Huh. Listen to the Indians, how they sing. Hm. They're very happy, huh?" He laughed and adjusted his vest. "Makes me very happy, too. I gotta sing for you." He broke out in some Italian song and Annie buried her face in her hands.

Enthusiastic, yes. A good singer, no.

"Again, thank you so much, and I like the house very much." Ben leaned down from the saddle and shook Girogio's hand.

"Excuse my Girogio, but you know how he is," Maria said with a laugh. Annie shifted in her saddle, watching Candy helping Regina clear the last of the dishes from the table. She wasn't the only one who noticed, either.

"Candy?" Ben called, and their foreman whirled around.

"Yeah?"

"Don't stick around too long, make a pest of yourself."

"I'll be right along." Ben nodded and they said their goodbyes, then headed out of the yard. Aside from Joe and Hoss trading a few pointed looks on the way, the trip home was quiet. But once the horses were put up and they were in the house, that all changed.

"I do believe ole Candy has got his sights on a girl." Hoss rubbed his hands together. Joe cackled. Ben shushed them both.

"It's Candy's business, not ours. Both of you, it's time for bed, six o clock comes early. You too, Annie."

"Yes, Pa." She followed her brothers upstairs, the sound of hooves in the yard piquing her interest. He hadn't stayed long, had he? Probably Giorgio's doing. She was brushing her hair when the door closed and his boots rang on the stairs. She lowered her brush and stared at her reflection in the dresser mirror.

She should be happy he was moving on from Anne at last, and really, she was. But all she could think about was how every single previous attempt had gone bad. Her grip tightened on the brush. Well, that was what she was for.

Candy was absent from the breakfast table the next morning. She didn't bother to ask, figuring he'd ridden over to see Regina again. Her chest tightened and she stabbed at her eggs with more force than was required.

"Something wrong?" She looked up to find Ben watching her, that eyebrow raised.

"No, Pa." She set down her fork and pushed back her chair, laying her napkin on her plate. "I'd better get started checking that fence line up on the ridge." She hurried to the door, snatched up her hat and gun belt, then darted outside.

It took only minutes to saddle Reno, then she was flying without wings as they soared across the Ponderosa, the wind tugging at her hair and the gelding's mane. Reno snorted and dug in when she pushed him faster, leaning low over his neck.

Why couldn't she be happy for Candy? God knew he deserved a woman in his life after all the trouble he'd seen. How could she be that jealous that he was getting what she'd never have?

She pulled Reno up and jumped down, tramping through the tall grass on her way into the trees. She ground-tied Reno a few feet in and sat down with her back to a giant Ponderosa pine. Her head tipped back and she stared up at the rolling clouds. "I wish you were here, Ma." She plucked grass and shredded the stems, letting them fall and twist in the wind. "You'd know what to do."

The sun was high in the sky and Reno had made a rather large bare patch in the nearby grass by the time she stood up and gathered his reins. "Might as well get to it." She climbed back into the saddle and rode off up towards the ridge line. If she was late to supper, she'd never hear the end of it.

Scout was in the barn when she put Reno up that evening. She eyed the chestnut, wondering how long Candy had been courting his new lady friend when he should have been tending to Ponderosa business. Ben would notice if he let his work slide. Annie headed for the house and walked inside just as everyone else sat down to supper.

Oops.

"Trouble, Annie?" Ben started to stand. She shook her head and laid her hat and gun belt on the old sideboard.

"Just took my time, Pa. Reno needed a good ride." She ducked into the kitchen to wash up, hands in the air as she slid past a scowling Hop Sing. He folded his arms and stood right behind her until she was finished and slipped back out of his domain.

She took her seat beside Candy and bowed her head as Ben offered the blessing. Plates were passed and she dug into her supper. Ben spooned up some chicken and cleared his throat. "And how was your day, Candy?" Their foreman chuckled and set down his fork.

"Mr. Rossi rode out to see Red Sky. He was praying with his family and Mr. Rossi thought it was beautiful, like a poem, he said. He told them they could stay as long as they liked, but there was a little misunderstanding. Now they think he gave them the land instead of just letting them stay for a while."

"What did he say to that?" Joe asked through a mouthful of chicken.

"Well, he tried to explain and I think he thought it was fixed when they said they'd use the land. I told him they still think he gave it to them, but you know how he is better than I do. He started waving his hands around and talking in Italian. Red Sky showed him corn he was going to plant and then Mr. Rossi decided he was going to show them how to plant it since he was a farmer with farmer's hands, just like his father and his father's father." Candy attempted to mimic Giorgio's accent. "Then he asked if they had any questions and Red Sky just looked at him and asked why. He said the Indians had showed white men how to plant corn a long time ago. So, all of a sudden, Mr. Rossi's got urgent business with his grapes," Candy waved his hands around and imitated Giorgio, "and away we go." They all burst out laughing.

"Imagine trying to teach an American Indian how to plant corn." Ben slapped the table.

"He clean forgot why we came in the first place."

"Once a farmer, always a farmer," Joe said on a laugh.

"That's a good one," Hoss agreed. Annie shook her head and scooped up another bite. A knock came at the door and Ben hurried to answer it.

"Howdy, Ben Cartwright."

"Oh! Hello, Giorgio." Annie turned in her chair to watch as the two men shook hands.

"I bring you some wine." He pointed pointed at Candy. "I bring you a message: Regina, she says say hello." Ben laughed and Giorgio gave him a funny look. "I say something funny?"

"No." He clapped him on the back and ushered him inside. "Boys, Annie, step outside for a little while, please. I'd like to talk to Giorgio." They stood and filed past. Giorgio nodded at all of them.

"Nice to see you all again."

Hoss closed the door behind them and they stood around on the porch. "Should we go in the barn?" Candy asked with a glance back over his shoulder. "I'm figuring Mr. Cartwright's going to ask him about sending Red Sky back to the reservation and that's liable to get … heated."

"Might could be you're right." Hoss frowned. "Let's us move back a ways." They ended up gathered around the hitch rail, Annie petting Giorgio's bay gelding. Nothing happened for a few minutes, then raised voices drifted through the walls, ending with an especially loud declaration by Giorgio.

"Nobody tell Giorgio Rossi his brother is going to go, is going to stay except Giorgio Rossi!" The door flew open and slammed behind the irate little man. They scattered from the hitch rail and he scrambled onto his horse, muttering vehemently in Italian, and shot out of the yard.

"Well." Joe folded his arms over his chest. "That went well." Hoss rubbed his hands together.

"Reckon we can go back and finish supper?" They wandered back inside and found Ben seated behind his desk, drafting a letter. "Something wrong, Pa?"

"I hope not, Hoss. He couldn't make himself tell them to leave and now he's mad at me when I told him they had to go or it would become dangerous for everyone." Ben sighed. "Go on and finish supper, I seem to have lost my appetite."

So had she. Annie set her fork down after a few more bites and pushed her plate back. Hop Sing would be insulted, but she just couldn't eat anymore right now. If there was another uprising, or one of Red Sky's friends shot a rancher's cow, or worse, a ranch hand … things would get ugly, very fast. She left the table and sat down on the settee, picking up a discarded book she'd never had time to finish. Her brothers drifted over after they finished eating and they all sat around not doing much of anything for a while.

Candy headed upstairs, then came back down with his string tie on and went over to the mirror on the wall and began to comb his hair. Hoss and Joe exchanged teasing glances. "He's really a fine figure of a man, isn't he, Hoss?" She glanced up from her book with raised eyebrows. What were they doing now?

"Yeah. Yeah, he is. He's just rugged enough to keep from being pretty." Joe cackled and Candy threw them a grin.

"Have your fun, boys. I'm having mine." Ben looked up from his paper.

"Candy, I know you appreciate the fact that Regina's something very special."

"I'm just paying a call on the girl, Mr. Cartwright, I'm not courting her," He called over his shoulder. Annie almost dropped her book. He wasn't? But she'd thought … it seemed like ….

"Ah, yeah, but that's just the way it starts," Joe pointed out. "You get over there and you get to looking in them big brown eyes, and then …" He snapped his fingers. "The trap springs." Candy looked like he was going to say something, but a knock at the door silenced him. Since he was closest, he headed over to answer it.

"Regina! What's wrong?" He backed up and she came inside, arms folded over her chest, a dark glower on her pretty face.

"Oh, everything is wrong." Her hands flew into the air. "I don't even have house anymore, he hates me." She flung off her shawl and spun around, pointing at Candy. "He hates you, too." Ben set down his paper with a grim frown and abandoned his chair. "Like I'm five years old he treats me. Well, no more!" Her rant dissolved into Italian. "I won't go back, I won't."

"Well, simmer down now, Regina." Ben reached for her and she whipped around. "Let's sort this out."

"You hate me also!" Annie's eyebrows shot into her hairline and she traded glances with her brothers. What had happened at Rossi's?"

"Regina," Candy protested, "nobody hates you."

"Oh, Candy." She fell into his arms, wrapping hers around his back. "You love me, Candy, only you." She pushed him back a second and adjusted his collar while prattling on as fast as she could. "I work for you, I scrub the floors, I cook, I sew, anything." He had just enough time to shoot them a horrified look before she was at it again. "Maybe in the beginning we don't have so much."

"Yeah, but …" He threw them a pleading glance and Joe seized the opportunity.

"Oh, look, Hoss, he's speechless with joy."

"Yeah." They both laughed. Regina looped her arms around Candy's neck.

"Other young married people have less to start. Isn't it so, Mr. Cartwright?" Candy's face was a mask of pure horror. Ben started to speak, then tried again.

"Well, Regina, I think before people get married, they should get to know each other quite well. And marriage isn't based on economic problems …."

"But I love Candy very much."

"You do?" He stammered. She drew herself up.

"Of course I do." And then they were back to the Italian. "We love each other." She threw her arms around his neck again and hugged him. Candy threw her pa a pleading look that spoke of desperation. Ben cleared his throat.

"Um … Regina. Uh, Regina, look, dear." He managed to separate her from their stunned foreman. "Why don't you stay here overnight and then we can talk about this sensibly in the morning, huh?" He caught her arm and tugged her gently towards the stairs. "Come on, run along." He led her upstairs while the rest of them watched in stunned silence. Candy stumbled over to the settee, staring after Regina in a daze. Joe giggled.

"Well, I must say, Hoss, that the boy has a lot more charm than we ever gave him credit for."

"Yeah, and all wasted."

"Very funny." Candy put his hands on his hips and shook his head. Annie hopped off the settee and touched his arm. He looked down at her and started to speak, but nothing came out.

"Hey, you know that little cave up on the hill where we used to play?" Hoss nodded. "You know, with a feminine touch, that could be awfully homey."

"It's not funny anymore, it's just not funny!" Candy protested. Her brothers laughed.

"All right. All right." Ben stopped at the foot of the stairs and Joe shut up. For the moment. "Joseph, I want you to ride over to the Rossi's and tell them that Regina's here. They're probably worried about her. And tell them that we'll look after her real good until the smoke clears."

"Right." Joe headed for the door. Hoss stood as well.

"Hey, you know, Candy, maybe you ought to run up there and kinda calm her down a little bit."

"Hoss, how about you make some coffee for all of us?" Ben asked with a slight frown.

"Yes, sir." He headed for the kitchen and Candy shook his head.

"Mr. Cartwright … I don't …" He threw up his hands. "What do I do?" Ben ran a hand through his hair and shrugged.

"I'm open to suggestions."

"Mm." Regina shook her head and her hands flew into the air. "It's a question of balance. Only women know these things." And what was she – a steer? Annie sat down hard on the red settee – now between the fireplace and the dining table. "Uh, that chair belongs there, yes." What had she done to the place?

"I'm in the barn for ten minutes and this is what happens?" She threw Candy an incredulous look and he shrugged as he tossed a pillow onto the settee beside her.

"Turn the table just a little." Joe shook his head and rolled his eyes. Hoss looked annoyed and poor Candy … They shifted the table and Regina lit up. "There. There, that's it. That's it. Now, you see?"

The back of her neck itched and Annie glanced over her shoulder to find their pa standing in the kitchen doorway, eyebrows raised in confusion or amazement, she wasn't sure which. Then, she was distracted by Regina going to Candy and slipping her arm around his back. "See what a difference a woman's touch can make? We'll have a beautiful home, Candy."

It certainly wouldn't be functional. Annie measured the distance to the lamp from the settee and came up several inches, maybe even a foot, short. Too far to read comfortably. And the chairs … not to mention the table. How were they supposed to get past anything? "What am I Regina, chopped liver? This house already has a woman's touch." All morning spent listening to her prattle on about how happy she and Candy would be and now this. Anyone with eyes could see he was ready to run. "The furniture was fine where it was."

"You no want my help."

"You're darn –"

"Now, now –"

A knock at the door halted what would have likely become an argument. "I'll get the door," Ben said with a sigh. "That is if it hasn't been moved." He threw her a warning glance as he walked past. He opened the door and Lorenzo walked in, prompting Annie to smother a happy shout. Finally, they'd come to get her.

"Mr. Cartwright, I have come to work for you."

"Lorenzo!"

"Regina!" The siblings embraced and Annie grabbed the pillow and buried her face in it. If he tried to rearrange the barn, she'd hog tie him like a calf.

"It is good, Lorenzo." Her hands flew. "When Candy and I are married and we have a house, you can come and live with us, yes?" Wasn't that up to Candy, since it would be his house? She traded looks with her brothers, then they all looked sideways. His face was comical, to say the least. Clearer than any words, his eyes screamed help me. Annie hopped off the settee and grabbed his arm.

"Candy, there was a horse I wanted you to check but I saw all this and plumb forgot. Let's go." Regina pulled away from Lorenzo.

"Candy, where you go?"

"To check on a horse," he said with a shrug as he snatched his hat and tailed her out the door. They ran to the barn and Annie saddled Reno in record time, mounting up seconds ahead of Candy. "Where is this horse?"

"There isn't one, let's go before she figures it out." They trotted out of the yard. "If we stay gone past supper, she might have it out of her system by then."

"If I'm lucky," he muttered.

"Maybe Lorenzo will talk her into going home."

"I'm definitely not that lucky." He glanced back over his shoulder. "Where does she get the idea I want to marry her anyway?"

"Pa will talk sense into her, he always could with us."

"Might take longer than supper." Candy looked up at the darkening sky. "We stay out all night, I'll have a whole new problem."

"If a month in a mine shaft didn't bring out the shotgun, nothing will."

"I can think of a few things that would," he said with a grimace. Annie snorted.

"Since you don't plan to do that, quit worrying. I can guarantee you they all want to run away, too. Joe just didn't think fast enough."

"Well, his timing never has been the best." They shared a laugh and kept riding. A loop up over the ridge line into the north range ought to work. Besides, they did keep the rest of the remuda up there so for all anyone knew they were checking on a horse instead of escaping the irritating presence of one Regina Rossi.

By the time they rode back into the yard, it was full dark, lit only by the moon. They put the horses up and headed for the house.

"Mr. Cartwright is going to kill me."

"He won't. Did you see that lamp? He won't be able to read his paper." The front door flew open when they were two feet away. Ben stood in the doorway, back lit by the oil lamps. "Hi, Pa."

"I was half afraid Georgio was taking up residence here, too." He stepped back to let them inside. "Maria showed up about an hour ago."

"What?" Candy buried his face in his hands. Annie rubbed her forehead.

"What does she want?"

"To be with her children."

"If she tries to take over Hop Sing's kitchen …" Ben's face darkened.

"That's what I'm afraid of. Get to bed, both of you. And Annie, stop acting like your brother all of a sudden. I expect it from him, but you? God help me if you start diving into trouble."

"Oh, Pa. You know I think everything through at least a dozen times before I do it." She went and hugged him.

"In ten seconds?"

"That one I might have cut out a few discussions."

"More than a few," he said archly. She shrugged. "Go to bed, maybe things will look better in the morning." He glanced around the room and shook his head. "Can't look worse than this."

"Dinner is gonna taste good, Pa," Joe said as he walked into the house the next day. Annie pushed in after him, her stomach rumbling.

"I wonder what Hop Sing's got ready," Hoss questioned. "I'm starved." They'd just hung up their hats and began to unbuckle gun belts when shouting drifted out of the kitchen. Annie closed her eyes. Please no. She glanced around the corner and found Regina standing awkwardly by the table, watching her mother and Hop Sing arguing in the kitchen doorway. Mrs. Rossi noticed them first.

"Mr. Cartwright, we're going to have a nice meal tonight. I make it myself."

"Today I make chicken with –" Hop Sing tried to speak over top of her but he wasn't having much luck. "Just like you like it."

"One at a time! Hold it!" Ben held up his hands. Mrs. Rossi dissolved into Italian.

"This man is no cook!" Annie choked. She gave it five seconds before he was threatening to go back to China. "Now, what does he know about Chicken alla Cacciatora? Or how to make a nice spaghetti with …" And there went the Italian again. "And the kitchen is no place for a man. It is a woman's place." Not in this house, it wasn't.

"Mr. Cartwright, she come into my kitchen. She taste this, she say no good. She taste that, she say no good. All the time come into my kitchen. I quit! I quit!" He wheeled around and stormed back into the kitchen, Mrs. Rossi retreating slower, still shouting in Italian. Regina glanced back and forth; Ben closed his eyes. Annie leaned back against the wall and sighed. Hoss shuffled over and rubbed his hands.

"Well, Pa, it looks like you got a little bit of a diplomatic problem on your hands, don't it?" Ben opened his eyes and parked his hands on his hips.

"I sure hope the plan I have in mind works out. If it does, this'll work out, too."

"Yeah, well, in the meantime, what'll we eat?"

"Sweet and sour pizza," he replied with a frown. Hoss' face twisted in a grimace. That's about what she thought, too.

"How about the hotel? I think they have pot roast today." Joe nodded and reached for his hat.

"I'm with you, sis. Candy, you coming? Lorenzo?" They all scurried out the door and collected their horses from the hitch rail. The door slammed and Ben stuffed his hat on his head.

"I'm coming, too." He swung into Buck's saddle with a glare. "You're not leaving me in that battlefield alone."

They were in the middle of dinner when the waiter brought Ben a note. He set his napkin on the table and read with interest. "Thank you." He pushed back his chair. "Now, we'll see if my plan works. Don't wait for me, just go on back to work and I'll catch up later." He grabbed his hat and left. Hoss shoveled another bite into his mouth and swallowed.

"I don't know about you, but I hope it works. This hotel food is okay, but it can't compare to Hop Sing's cooking."

"We'll find out when we find out," Joe said with a shrug. "Nothing personal, of course, Lorenzo." The other man shrugged.

"I like to eat, too." He turned to Candy. "When you marry my sister, remember one thing: if she is happy, you will eat well." Candy crushed his napkin.

"Thanks, Lorenzo." He looked around at the rest of them and pushed his plate back. "I think I'll head back."

"Me, too." Annie stood and followed him out to the street. He leaned against the hitch rail in front of the hotel and sighed heavily.

"What do I do?"

"I don't know." He spun around.

"I don't want to hurt her, but how else do I say it?"

"You may just have to say it and let her run to her mother." His face twisted.

"I was afraid you'd say that." He sighed. "Let's get back to work. I guess I'll figure that out tonight."

Ben met them all at the front door when they came straggling in for supper. Annie held her breath. He didn't look like whatever plan he'd come up with had failed. Far from it. He grinned. "It's time to celebrate, Giorgio's Indians have gone back to the reservation. That was my plan," he explained on the way inside. "Mr. Kettle and I persuaded the government to add the Crow Lake area to the reservation and Red Sky is taking his people there."

"Which means Hop Sing won't quit after all," Hoss said with obvious delight. Annie snickered and he frowned.

"No, he's not quitting. Wash up, everyone, Giorgio brought Vino di Ponderosa."

They took their seats and she settled beside Candy, putting Hoss on the end and Joe beside Lorenzo. And Mrs. Rossi on Candy's other side with Ben at the head and Giorgio beside Regina. Maybe they needed to order a larger table, with nine people, it was a tight fit.

Giorgio poured the wine and offered a toast in Italian. She raised her glass with the others even if she didn't know what she'd just toasted to. She threw a glance at Giorgio. For all she knew, they'd just toasted to Candy's wedding.

"And now I have an announcement to make about my daughter Regina." Her fingers tightened on her glass until she was afraid she'd snap the stem. He wouldn't. She glanced at Candy from the corner of her eye and noticed he looked terrified. Say something, she pleaded with her eyes. He swallowed hard.

"Oh, no! No, Papa." She blinked when Regina held up her hand.

"What?"

"I change my mind," she announced. Her mother muttered in Italian.

"Again?" She patted Candy's arm. "Ah, three times you change your mind." Hope brightened his face. Giorgio dissolved into Italian as well.

"What's the matter?"

"Candy's a good man, but not like Italian boy. I'd better wait for Italian," she said with a beaming smile. Candy sighed and Joe giggled. Annie saw red. Candy wasn't good enough now? She comes in, takes over the house, invites her brother to live with them, and now she changes her mind? She bit back a growl and fisted her napkin. Candy nudged her with his boot and she jolted out of her thoughts in time to hear the end of Giorgio's speech.

"I want to tell you, from now on, Giorgio Rossi's a changed man. No more fixes. For this I drink to myself."

"Well, in that case, I would like to say something." Ben stood. "I would like to drink to Giorgio Rossi. But, Giorgio Rossi must remain always as he is." He sat down to cheers and laughter. Hop Sing came in carrying a heavy dish that smelled wonderful.

"Chicken cacciatore!" he announced, and laid the plate on the table to rousing laughter. "Molto buono!" he added, and Joe almost spit out his wine. Lorenzo covered his face. Everyone laughed again.

"But he no look Italian," Giorgio added, which continued the laughter. Except Annie.

If she wanted to wait for an Italian boy, why encourage Candy in the first place? Why not just say she wanted an Italian? Annie was glad she'd never done a man like that. Why –

Candy nudged her foot again and she glanced sideways. He grinned and shrugged, raising his glass in a toast. She clinked hers against it and they shared a smile. Beyond Candy, Mrs. Rossi smiled, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at her husband. She said something in Italian, but whatever it was Annie didn't know.

Now that this mess was settled, the first thing she was doing was making sure her ma's settee went back where it belonged and the lamp with it.

Woman's touch indeed … who did she think had put it there to begin with?