Chritmas Miracle On The Ponderosa
A Christmas Miracle On The Ponderosa
A Christmas Miracle on the Ponderosa by Kim Gean
The weather was getting a nip in the air. The mountains had snow on them and the view was wonderful. The Christmas season was in the air on the Ponderosa. With a new addition to the family it was sure to be a great Christmas. Peggy was getting really excited about Christmas, although Adam realized that when the day came Peggy was going to have a hard time with her mother being gone. This bothered Adam thinking about it because no matter what he said or did was not going to change the fact that Laura was dead and was never coming back. All he could do was love Peggy and make her feel that way, loved that is.
It didn't take long for everyone in the house to know that it was the first day of December.
Peggy ran into Adam's room at daybreak and jumped right in the middle of the bed. Adam woke with a start.
"Daddy! Daddy! Get up! get up!" Peggy yelled while jumping up and down on the bed. "Come on Daddy, Get up!" Adam raised up on his elbows and tried to get his eyes to focus. Peggy shook him again. "Get dressed Daddy get dressed."
"Peggy what is the all fired hurry to wake up. (?) It's Saturday." Adam took the back of his hand and rubbed his eye.
"Daddy, Christmas is coming and you said that we were going to go get a Christmas tree the first part of December and here it is the first part of December. So get up." Peggy jumped off the bed. She was heading for the bedroom door when she turned and ran back to the bed. She leaned over and gave Adam a kiss on the cheek. "Morning." She turned
and ran out the door.
Adam grinned, "Morning to you to Peggy." Adam laid back on the bed and was going to try to catch just a few more minutes of sleep when he heard.
"Daddy, you aren't back asleep are ya?"
Adam threw back the covers and sat on the side of the bed. He grabbed his pants and started getting dressed because he knew that they were going to find a tree today there was no way out of it. He could here Peggy running down the hall banging on all the doors and yelling.
"Grandpa, Uncle Joe Uncle Hoss! Get up it's Christmas time. We have to go get the tree." Peggy ran down the stairs hollering the whole time for Hop Sing. Adam walked out of his room and looked down the hall and saw three heads peaking out of three doors. All eyes were on him and all Adam could do was to shrug and give a smirk.
Chapter 2
Adam and Peggy rode in the buckboard while Ben, Hoss and Joe rode on their horses. The Cartwright family was heading out to find the perfect Christmas tree. Peggy was ecstatic. The other four were not showing as much enthusiasm as the young one.
"Pa, we didn't do this to you did we?" Hoss asked while yawning. "If'n we did I want to apologize to you right now."
Adam hearing this conversation didn't even give Ben a chance to answer, "Heck, Hoss we couldn't ever get you and Joe out of bed to do anything when you were little." Adam looked at Peggy and winked. Peggy grinned back.
"Seems to me that you two were pretty excited about Christmas starting around November or so." Ben added.
"Yeah, Hoss guess what I remember?" Joe said looking at Hoss.
"What's that Little Joe?"
"That we couldn't keep enough eggnog in the house at Christmas time. And we won't even talk about the sugar cookies will we?" Joe gave one of his hearty little high pitched giggles.
Hoss took off his hat and whacked his little brother on the head and Little Joe gave a little kick to Cochise and passed right by all the others with Hoss chasing after him. Ben, Adam and Peggy just laughed.
As they rode they noticed the air got a little chillier and the wind picked up. The clouds over head were giving signs that a snow fall was going to happen before very long. Matter of fact, a few snowflakes started to fall every once in awhile.
"Look Daddy, it's snowing' Peggy announced with much excitement.
"It sure is, isn't it sweetheart." Adam smiled at her and gave a little wink. Peggy slipped her hand up under Adams and laid her head on his arm and watched the few snowflakes fall. After about an hour Adam announced. "Well, here we are." Peggy started getting excited again jumping up and down, the springs on the buckboard were moving up and down like they were a teeter-totter. Adam locked the brake on the buckboard and jumped off and then helped Peggy off. Ben, Hoss and Joe dismounted and tied their horses to the back of the buckboard. "Well, there you go Peggy go find that tree." Peggy took off.
"This is going to be a good Christmas this year." He said with a smile as big and the state of Nevada. Joe slapped Hoss on the back.
"Yep it sure is. Lets go help her find that tree." Hoss nodded and off they went.
"Pa, I was thinking." Adam stuck his hands in his pockets and stood up real straight trying to stretch his back muscles. Ben looked at Adam as if to say 'thinking about what?' "We now have three kids in the house not just one." Ben threw his arm around Adam's shoulder.
"I was thinkin' that myself son." They looked at each and laughed. "Guess we better go find them shouldn't we?"
"Yeah we are gonna have to because," Adam reached behind the seat of the buckboard and grabbed the ax. "unless Hoss is gonna gnaw that tree down they are going to need this." Ben threw his head back and gave a boisterous laugh.
Ben and Adam started walking up the path that the other three had taken. They could see their footprints because the snow was really coming down now. What started with a few flakes soon turned into a small blizzard but no one was worried because they were only an hour from the house. "Wonder where they are?" Adam said looking around. As he turned back around, POW, he was it in the face with a snow ball, a small snowball but still a snowball. Joe started hysterically laughing as hard as he could and Hoss was roaring also. Peggy, on the other hand, looked mad. "Hey there Uncle Joe, whatcha think you’re doin' hitting' my Daddy with a snowball?" she said as she hurled one at Joe and hit him square in the chest. "There gotcha.," she laughed. Peggy picked up some more snow and made another one. Everyone was laughing and especially Joe because he thought that he had Peggy going.
"No one hits my daddy." Peggy turned and threw the snowball right at Adam and hit him right in the chin. "Except for me!" Peggy laughed. Adam took off after her in a dead run. Peggy couldn't out run him either. He grabbed her around the waist and flung her over his shoulder.
"Think you're smart don't ya little lady? I'll show you who the smart one is." Adam laughed.
"Who is that daddy? Hoss?" Peggy teased.
Giving a love pat on her bottom Adam said, "Oh you are gonna get it now."
"Adam you leave that girl alone she has some smarts." Hoss said as he lofted a snowball at Adam. Adam moved enough as not to get hit.
"I know that I am going to have a talk with this child. Hoss the smart one....yeah right." Joe smirked.
Ben was taking all of this in and remembered Christmases past when the boys were young. He remembered Marie and him bringing the boys here. The only difference though was that for the first time that he could remember he was actually seeing Adam having a good time. Maybe this is what Adam needed. A child to enjoy and to help him regain what he seemed to miss as a youngster. 'I wonder what this Christmas is going to bring? Happiness, true happiness for my oldest son. And a granddaughter for me.' Ben thought as the snowball that was meant for Joe hit Ben square in the chest. Everyone stopped and looked, hoping that Ben was going to find humor in this. "Ah, I see that I am going to have to show everyone here about snowball fighting," Ben said and he picked up a handful of snow. The Cartwright family enjoyed the frolic in the snow.
Hoss and Joe were taking the Christmas tree back to the buckboard to load it up and Adam was carrying an exhausted Peggy on his back.
"Now Little Joe you hold this bugger up there and let me get in the wagon and I will pull it in okay?" A muffled sound came from where Hoss thought was inside the tree. Hoss with a puzzled look on his face said, "Joe do you hear me?"
"Hhhhhmmmmffffff." was all that was heard and then the tree started shaking. A spitting sound came from the tree. "Gosh dang you Hoss." Joe's voice was heard but looking, you would swear that the tree was the one speaking.
"What did I do? I just told you to hang on to the dang tree till I could pull 'er in the wagon."
All of a sudden the tree started leaning and as the tree started to fall all that was heard was, "OH NO, NO, NO!" Joe's voice rang out. Hoss made a grab for the tree to no avail. The tree went down with Joe under it and Hoss was teetering on the back of the wagon and finally it happened. Hoss was now on the tree which was on Joe.
Ben and Adam had to laugh. Matter of fact they were both laughing so hard that they were holding their sides. "Daddy, why is Uncle Hoss laying on the tree and ..." Peggy looked around. "where is Uncle Joe?" Adam put Peggy down.
"H-h-he's...." Laughing so hard he couldn't speak, all Adam could do was point to the tree.
"Peggy he's under the tree," Ben answered as his roaring laugh filled the Sierras.
"SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF HERE! HOSS GET OFF THE TREE NOW!" The voice from within rang out from under the tree. Hoss managed to get up and Ben and Adam helped him to pick up the tree. Laying there spread-eagled in the snow was Joe....smashed into the snow with his hat plastered against his head. It looked like one of those cavalry hats that looks like it is on side ways.
The laughing got worse. Everyone was holding their sides and laughing and Hoss was trying to look sorry but that wasn't happening either. "Son, are you all right?" Ben asked reaching out to help him up.
"Fine Pa.....JUST fine." Joe said as he brushed the snow off of his clothes. "Next time I get in the wagon." Joe announced. They got the tree loaded and headed home. Within five minutes Adam noticed that there was a little blonde head laying against his arm sound asleep. Adam just grinned.
Chapter 3
The Christmas tree is now in place. Peggy stood back and looked up and up and up at the tree. "It's a big one isn't it!"
"Sure is short shanks." Hoss said as he picked her up so her little neck wouldn't break. "Just about the biggest tree we have ever had here, ain't it Pa?"
Ben was drinking a cup of coffee and sitting in the big blue chair, that had to be moved because of the tree. Ben nodded as he spoke, "Yes I do believe that it is Hoss."
"I'd say it is, after all I was under it!" Joe chimed in still picking needles out of his hair. "Ouch that one was stuck!" Joe pulled a big needle out.
"Well, Joseph, if you'd cut that hair maybe things wouldn't get stuck in it." Ben said with a raised eyebrow. Hoss broke out laughing and Adam just covered his mouth with his hand so no one would see him laughing.
"Daddy, when can we decorate the tree, huh?" Peggy said as she ran and jumped in his lap "Ugh!." Adam let out a grunt when Peggy hit his lap. In a low whisper and a cough. "When I get some wind back in me." Peggy looked confused but the other three knew exactly what he was talking about. Ben, Hoss, and Little Joe just all turned their heads because in away they could almost feel what Adam was feeling. They had to smirk.
Peggy hopped down off of Adam's lap and headed for the stairs. At the landing, she stopped and turned around and announced, "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Up the stairs she went.
"Oh I won't." Adam whispered squirming a little. The others busted out laughing.
"Mrs. Mac, oh Mrs. Mac," Peggy yelled while running down the hall. Mrs. Mac stuck her head out of Peggy's room.
"What are you yelling about little lady?" Mrs. Mac asked.
"Paper! I need paper." Peggy answered running past Mrs. Mac into her room. Peggy was searching and searching, throwing things this way and that. "Where is that paper?" Peggy turned and ran to the bed and dropped down on the floor and started looking under the bed. Mrs. Mac looked at Peggy struggling underneath the bed.
"What have you got hidden under there young lady?" Mrs. Mac asked kneeling down there.
"Ah ha, I found it." Peggy crawled out from under the bed. In her hand she had papers that had designs drawn on them. "This for the tree. We learned how to make chains at school for the tree. All I have to do is to make them." She jumped up and out the door and down
the stairs in a dead run.
"PEGGY stop running down those stairs before you.........." Ben shouted. Peggy jumped down the last three steps. "fall." Ben finished.
"Look, Daddy I found it. I am ..." Peggy held up the paper. "going to make a paper chain garland."
"I see. That will be pretty." Adam grinned from ear to ear. "You better get started then."
"I am." Peggy ran to the table and got all her supplies and started to work.
Chapter 4
The ground outside was completely covered in a solid blanket of snow. There was around a foot of snow on the ground when it came time to go to the barn for the chores. Hoss opened the door and looked out at the beautiful scene outside. "Y'all look at this, ain't it purty?" Everyone came to the door and took a look. Peggy wiggled her way to the door.
"Oh look it's deep," she chuckled. While everyone was looking at the snowfall, Hop Sing was setting supper on the table.
"You come eat now. Dinner get cold." Hop sing announced.
Hoss clapped his hands together and rubbed them together. "Dadburn it I was wondering when we were gonna eat." He headed to the table. Joe looked at Adam and Ben and they grinned.
"That's all he wonders about I think." Joe chuckled.
Everyone was pretty quiet at the dinner table. Peggy was really tired tonight. It had been a big day for her. She started nodding off and finally it happened. Right in the mashed potatoes. Peggy's little headed fell right into her plate. She jerked her head back up with a
start.
"Peggy, lets get you up to bed." Adam told her while scooting his chair away from the table.
"I'm okay really." Adam picked her up and took her napkin and got the dab of mashed potatoes out of her hair and headed to the stairs, by the time he reached the stairs her head was on his shoulder sound asleep. Adam took her to her room and put her in bed and gave
her a little kiss on the forehead.
Downstairs the rest of the Cartwrights continued their meal, "Pa, what are you going to get Peggy for Christmas?" Joe asked as he finished his dinner and laid his napkin on the table.
"I've been thinking about that and I'll be danged if I can think of something special. I've never had to buy for a little girl before. You boys were easy, Adam it was either music, books or something like that. You, Hoss, sack of candy usually worked good for you."
Ben looked at Hoss and pointed his fork at him. "Joe, you were easy...anything that you could use to torment your brothers is what you wanted, he finished with his fork pointing at Joe.
"I didn't torment anyone. They picked on me Pa. Hoss and Adam was always doing something to me." Joe said completely serious.
Hoss slapped the table and gave a hearty laugh. "Little Joe you don't remember things very well do ya?" Adam had now made it back down the stairs.
"What’s so funny?" Adam asked picking his napkin back up off the table and placing it back on his lap.
"Ah Adam, Joe is telling how you and me tormented him when he was growing up." Hoss answered.
"Well, you did." Joe looked at Adam.
"Seems to me that the ornery one around here was you little brother," pointing his finger at Joe. "Guess you don't remember the time that you got the slingshot for Christmas when you were around 8." Adam questioned.
"Yeah I remember the slingshot for Christmas. Your point is?" Joe gave a cock of the eyebrow and a smile. "Tell how you took it and wouldn't let me have it."
Ben is looking at all three of the boys, completely in the dark about what happened to the sling shot.
"The reason I took the slingshot was because when Pa was gone to Carson City, you took and shot the window out of the dining room trying to shoot a bird that you had been warned about not doing." Joe's face dropped.
"Sshhh." Joe nodded his head at Ben. Hoss started chuckling. Hoss and Adam both knew that they never told Ben about the incident because they knew that Ben would have gave Joe a tanning.
"I don't remember hearing about this." Ben set his coffee cup down with a thud. Joe jumped.
"Now, Pa...." Little Joe started.
"Then I think when I took it away from you and put it up, you in your infinite wisdom found it and then took it to school and shot the teacher's horse when he was leaving after school, and the horse reared up and Mr. Eriksen fell off and broke his arm." Adam looked at Hoss,
"Isn't that right Hoss?" Adam winked at Hoss.
"Yep, that’s right Adam." Hoss said.
"Why in the world wasn't I told about any of this?" Ben looked at Adam and then to Joe.
"Well, Pa, after all I was 20 at the time and I handled the situation." Hoss started laughing. Joe looked down and the memory was back all too vivid. "After I went to retrieve your youngest son from school and paid the doctor for fixing up Mr. Eriksen , I brought him home
and gave him a tanning with your razor strap and then I made him break the slingshot, pay for the window, apologize to Mr. Eriksen, and then he was restricted to the ranch till you came home." Joe wiggled uncomfortably in his chair as the memory of that whipping came back to haunt him.
"Pa, you know after Adam gave him that whippin' he was the best kid there ever was anytime you had to leave on business." Hoss informed Ben.
"Okay, okay enough let's get back to Peggy." Joe coyly said. "What are we getting her for Christmas?"
"Well, I have been looking around and I have found a little sorrel filly that is going to be perfect for her. Jake Workman has it, he’s holding her at the livery in Virginia City." Adam told them.
"Okay then I could get her a new saddle to go with her new pony." said Hoss.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Hoss." Ben smiled, then frowned. "Well, what are we going to get her Joe?"
Joe looked down at the table and smiled. "A slingshot maybe?" He looked at Ben out of the corner of his eye. Ben gave him THE LOOK then started laughing along with Hoss and Adam.
Chapter 5
The next morning Peggy woke before anyone else and she wanted to get started working on the paper chain garland that she had started the night before. She got everything that she needed and went to work. It wasn't long until she ran out of glue and needed some more. She didn't want to wake Adam up. Mrs. Mac had rode to town with Hop Sing the night before to take care of a sick friend, while Hop Sing was going to visit family. Hoss was not an easy person to wake up and Ben was not going to want to help her with making a paper chain so the only one left was Joe. She walked quietly up the stairs and tip toed into Joe's room. She walked over to the bed and gently shook him and whispered. "Uncle Joe?" No response. "Uncle Jooooe." She sang in his ear. That woke him up. Joe jumped up with a start.
"Huh, wh-hat’s the matter?" he looked over and seen Peggy smiling at him. He laid back on the bed and threw his arm over his eyes. "what time is it Peggy? What's the matter?" Peggy kneeled next to the bed and laid her chin on her arms that were folded on the side of
the bed and looked at Joe.
"I need some help Uncle Joe." Joe raised his arm and gave Peggy a squinted look from under it.
"Help with what?"
"I am outta glue and I was wondering if you'd get it for me." She turned her head so it was laying on her arms and looked right at Joe giving him that pouty look that ten years get when they ain't getting their way.
"Glue?" Joe raised up on his elbows and looked at Peggy. "Peggy, what do you need glue for at this time of morning. And why didn't you wake Adam?" Joe asked trying to focus.
"I want to get the garland done before Daddy gets up and I need some more glue." Peggy was getting a little upset at having to repeat everything to him three times.
"Okay, okay, go downstairs and I'll be there in a minute." Joe said yawning.
"Thanks Uncle Joe." Peggy left his room and headed back to her work.
"Yeah." Joe mumbled to himself as he tried to get out of bed. This was not going to be a good day for Joe. He got up to put his pants on and then started to loose his balance and began to fall and stubbed his toe. "Ouch!" Joe yelled while trying to grab his foot. He sat back down on the bed and inspected his sore toe. "well, good I've probably broke my toe over glue." Joe said to himself. When the throbbing stopped he finished putting his pants on. When he went to the dresser to get his shirt the drawer was stuck. "oh, good now what is wrong with this dang drawer?" Joe pulled and pulled and nothing happened. On the last attempt he pulled with everything that he had and the drawer came flying out, the clothes flew through the air, landing in disarray on the floor and all over Joe. Joe landed on the bed with the drawer landing on his other toe. Joe grabbed the clothes off his head and moved the drawer to the bed and grabbed his other foot and inspected his other toe. "Dadburn it! That one's gonna leave a mark." Joe stood up and grabbed a shirt whipping it around his upper torso. He then sat back down on the bed to put his boots on, having second thoughts realizing with both his big toes hurt, tight boots would not be a good idea, so he went down stairs with his feet covered in socks. Arriving at the landing midway down the stairs, Joe saw Peggy sitting at the kitchen table calmly waiting for him.
"Morning Uncle Joe.” Peggy said grinning at him as she sat at the table waiting patiently.
"yeah morning." Joe said as he hobbled down the rest of the stairs. Joe hobbled over to Ben’s desk opening the left bottom drawer he withdrew the glue for Peggy. He came hobbling back and sat the glue down on the table. "There you go." Joe looked at the cute little face looking up at him and he had to smile.
"You want to help me with this paper chain Uncle Joe?" Peggy was already starting to work again on her project.
"Yeah sure, heck I'm already up might as well." Joe patted her on the head and sat down to help her.
Joe and Peggy worked and worked trying to finish the garland for the tree. Joe finished his chain, because he ran out of paper, and sat it in the big red chair to dry. Ben came down the stairs and seen them and smiled at the site at the table. "Morning." Ben said to them as he walked over to the table.
"Morning." They both said at the same time.
"What are you two up to this morning?" Ben said while standing behind them and putting one hand on each chair and leaning himself over the table to see.
"Grandpa, Uncle Joe is helping me to finish my chain." Peggy turned her head to see him.
"That's real nice sweetheart really nice." He looked at Joe. " and may I add I have never seen you do such good work Joseph."
"Yeah, thanks Pa." Joe looked over his shoulder at his father who was trying to remain serious.
"Think I'll get some coffee." Ben headed for the kitchen. While Ben was getting some coffee the other two Cartwrights showed up. Hoss looked like he wanted to still be in bed and Adam looked like he was ready to tackle the day with vigor. They both walked over to the table to see what was going on.
"Hi Daddy. Look what me and uncle Joe have been doing." She held up some of the garland. "see?"
Adam looked at the paper chain. "That's so good babe." He kissed her on the top of the head. Ben came walking out of the kitchen with his coffee. "Morning' Pa."
"Morning boys." Hoss nodded to his father and headed to the kitchen to rustle up something to eat.
Ben went over and sat down in the big red chair and enjoyed his coffee. Ben didn't notice the chain that he had sat on, not then anyway. Adam got himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table with Peggy and Joe.
"Joe, what were you doin this morning? Sounded like you were tearing something up." Adam tried to take a drink of coffee and whistled when he noticed how hot it was and he burned his mouth. "sheesh this is hot." Hoss was whipping up some of his famous flapjacks. And the aroma was filling the house. "Peggy you better get the table cleaned up so we can eat some breakfast." Adam was now blowing in his coffee cup to cool the coffee down.
"okay Daddy." Peggy started cleaning everything up. She had no longer got it cleaned then Hoss came out of the kitchen and placed a plate of flapjacks on the table. It wasn't another 5 minutes before the table was completely ready for breakfast. Everyone was seated at the table with the exception of Ben. "Grandpa, breakfast." Peggy said to her grandfather. Ben nodded standing up he started for his chair at the head of the table when there was laughter that no one can imagine. Stuck to Ben's backside was the chain that Joe had placed in the chair earlier to dry. It was dry all right. Dried to Ben Cartwright's backside. At first everyone was stunned. Joe hid his face for more then one reason, the first of course was so not to laugh and the second because he is the one that put the wet chain in the chair. Hoss's eyes got really big and he couldn't help himself he roared throwing his head back and giving that Hoss Cartwright laugh and Adam immediately took his napkin and placed it in front of his face so Ben wouldn't see him laughing.
"What is everyone laughing about?" Ben quizzed. No one can say anything because they are all laughing. All Hoss could do is point. The same with everyone else. Not even Peggy could tell her grandpa that he had a 3 foot tail stuck to his bottom. It was pretty though with little designs on each chain. Ben looked behind him and could not believe what he was seeing. "What the ....." he reached behind and tried to pull it off put that chain was stuck really, really good. "okay, who put something with wet glue in my chair?" Peggy and Joe looked at each other. "Well?"
"I did Pa, I wasn't thinking. I am so sorry." Joe hopped up and was going to pull Ben's so called tail off. "Joseph stay away from me. You will tear my pants." Ben said with authority.
"P-pa?" Adam asked. Ben threw a look at him. "I think maybe we could c-cut it off." Adam said trying his hardest not to laugh but he had to smirk.
"I don't think so. I will go upstairs and try to get this TAIL off." With that Ben headed for the stairs with his tail trailing behind him.
Chapter 6
The days started getting long for Peggy. The excitement of Christmas and all. But there was one thing that bothered her, she sat on her bed thinking what was she going to get everyone for Christmas. She didn't have any money so she couldn't buy anything. What was she going to do. Then the candle lit in her mind. 'I'll work for the money. I should have thought of that sooner.' Peggy jumped up and ran down the stairs, when Ben heard the running little feet coming down the stairs, he put down the paper he was reading and watched. "Peggy, I have told you time and time again not to run down the stairs." Peggy stopped when she heard Ben's voice.
"Sorry grandpa." She walked over to Ben. He was back reading the paper again. Peggy stood there and put her arms behind her back and wiggled her arms about a little bit. Ben looked up to see her looking at him.
"Is there something that I can help you with Peggy?" Ben asked folding the paper and putting in on table.
"Well, I need to talk to you." she said shyly.
"Well, why don't you hop up here..." Ben helped her on his lap so as not to have the same problem that Adam had the other day. "And tell me what is bothering you." Peggy sat there for a minute deciding what to say.
"Grandpa I don't have any money." She looked right in his eyes. "I have to get my Daddy something for Christmas and I don't have any money."
Ben took his finger and thumb and rubbed his chin. "Well, I see where you have a problem then young lady." Peggy nodded. "Well, what are you wanting to get him for Christmas?"
Peggy tilted her head to one side and scrunched up her face. "Not really for sure, but it has to be nice though." Her eyes got really wide. "What about a........." She shook her head no. "Naw that won't work." she sat up really straight on Ben's lap, "What about a........." She slumped back down and she shook her head no. "That won't work either." Ben was trying not to laugh at her dilemma. "okay Grandpa what I really want to get Daddy, is this gun daddy was looking at in the General Store and it had a white handle on it." Ben raised his eyebrows. "and I could have his initials put on it too."
"Don't you think that would a tad expensive for a little girl to buy?" Ben inquired.
"It's on sale for $12.00 Grandpa couldn't I do some work for you and make the money." Peggy asked while she looked at him with those big old blue eyes.
"I'll tell you what I'll do Peggy." Peggy paid close attention to what Ben was saying. "You do some chores, extra chores around here and however much money you make I'll match it for you so you can get the gun for your father."
"Really? You would do that Grandpa?" Peggy threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
Ben laughed and hugged her back. "Yes I will."
"Thanks Grandpa." Peggy hopped down off of Ben's lap and started up stairs.
"Hey, where ya going?" Ben hollered as she was running up the stairs.
"Gotta change clothes so I can get busy with my chores. Want to get started making money." With that up the stairs she ran.
"Don't run up the......" Ben heard her door shut. "stairs."
Chapter 7
As the days past Peggy was busy all the time. As soon Adam was out of her sight she would do the chores that Ben had arranged for her to do. She got done with her chores as Hoss was heading to town and she asked to go with him. Of course Hoss said okay. When they got in town Peggy immediately went to the General store. Peggy had her faced pressed up against the case that housed the gun that on Christmas was going to be Adam's. Hoss was getting the supplies when he noticed that Peggy had not moved. "Short shanks whatcha lookin' at?" Hoss walked over to see. Peggy pointed to the gun in the showcase. "Hmmm, why are you looking at a gun for Peggy, you gonna shoot someone?" Hoss laughed as he said it.
"Nope, that is what I am going to get Daddy for Christmas." Peggy said her eyes never loosing sight of the gun.
"Peggy that is $12.00 where is a little girl like you gonna get that kinda money?" Hoss quizzed.
"I'm working for it, but I'm not sure that I will have the money in time." Peggy looked up at Hoss.
Hoss could tell that Peggy was upset. He kneeled down to her level and looked in the case also. "What about If’n' I have old George hold that gun for you. Then you wouldn't have to worry about someone else getting it and you could order the letters and that way we know that it'll be ready by Christmas. Whatcha think?" Peggy looked at Hoss and smiled.
"Do you think we could do that Uncle Hoss?" Hoss picked Peggy up.
"Sure. George, Peggy here needs to talk to ya for a minute please."
George walked over to Hoss and Peggy. "Ma'am what can I help you with?" George winked at Hoss.
"Sir, could you please hold this for me I want it for my Daddy for Christmas." Peggy grinned really big and Hoss winked at George and smiled.
"Well, you want this for Adam huh? He's going to love this very much I would guess." George took the gun out of the case and laid it on the counter so Peggy could get a good look at it. "It's a nice looking gun ain't it?" Peggy smiled and ran her finger along the grip so gently. She nodded as she did.
"George, could you put his initials on it for me please?" Peggy looked up from the gun straight at George.
"hmmmm..his initials huh? Well I don't know about that." He smiled while he looked at Hoss. "I guess I could manage that."
"Thanks George." Peggy was so excited now that she was almost ready to bust. Hoss got in his pocket and pulled out two dollars to hold the gun. He gave the money to Peggy and she gave it to George. "Here you go George."
"Well, now thank you ma'am." George winked at Peggy. Peggy and Hoss left and headed home.
Chapter 8
The moon was high in the sky with a ring around it which according to Hoss meant that there was some bad weather that was heading in. Peggy was sitting in her rocking chair looking at the moon and oblivious to the fact that Adam had entered her room.
"Peggy?" Adam said softly as not to startle her. There was no response. "Peggy?" Adam said a little louder. Peggy turned and gave him a smile.
Adam walked over and kneeled down next to the chair and patted her arm that was resting on the arm of the chair.
"What's the problem sweetheart. You haven't said two words all evening." Peggy shrugged her shoulders. She turned and looked back out the window. Adam looked out the window to see if he could see what she was looking at. All he could see was the moon. "Peggy, you know that there isn't anything that you can't tell me don't you?" She nodded.
Adam got up and picked Peggy up out of the chair and he sat down and put her on his lap. "Now look Peggy something is bothering you so why don't you tell me about it ok?" Peggy leaned back against his chest and sighed.
"I can't." She replied simply.
Adam started rocking the chair, "Why?" He asked. Peggy shrugged again. "Why don't you tell me what is wrong and then I will read some more in the book that we started the other night okay?"
Peggy turned her head to look at him. "Daddy, it's hard to explain." Adam held her close.
"Well, why don't you try and between the two of us maybe we can figure it out, okay?"
Peggy now has tears starting to flow. "I want....." Peggy stopped.
"What is it that you want Peggy? Whatever it is I will try my hardest to get it for you, okay sweetheart?" Adam hugged her tight. She just cried harder knowing that this was one thing that he could not accomplish.
"I want my mother." Peggy cried. Adam had a shocked but understanding look on his face. He hugged her tight and she put her arms around his neck and cried and Adam shared the tears also knowing the hurt of not knowing his own mother.
"Peggy, I know the hurt that you are feeling. I understand...believe me I do. You know that my mother died also. Even Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe know the feeling that you are feeling right now. There is an emptiness in your heart that can never be filled again." He pushed Peggy back to be able to see her face. He placed his hands, one on each side, of her face and with his thumbs he wiped away a few tears. "But you know something?" The tears had subsided some, her breathing was heavy with a few little hiccups. She shook her head no. "See you are lucky in the fact that you had your mother for 10 years. My mother died the day that I was born. I never knew my mother at all, I never got to listen to her read me a story, or kiss my hurts away, or see me go to school or anything that you have been fortunate enough to have in your memories. The only things that I have are the stories that my father told me about my mother. Hoss was the same way. Inger died, when he was a baby. He doesn't remember anything except the memories that Pa and I have told him. Now, Joe, he got to have his mother until he was five years old. Still though he doesn't remember much about her either. Again it is all memories that have been told to him from me, Pa and Hoss. There is no one in this house that doesn't know exactly how you are feeling. But you know something?" Peggy shook her head no. "You have four people in this house that love you very much. And I will always be here for you. No one could love you anymore than I do and I am proud that you are my daughter."
Peggy put her arms back around his neck again and hugged him tight. "I love you too Daddy." He patted her on the back. She pushed back and looked at him and asked, "Daddy I was wondering' something?"
"What might that be?" Adam asked with a little grin on his face. Actually he was wondering 'what is she going to come up with now.' Peggy hopped down off of his lap and got in her dresser and pulled out a picture frame that she looked at then placed it against her chest and folded her arms over it. She walked over to Adam. "Whatcha got there sweetheart?"
She looked at the frame one more time and then showed it to Adam. Adam was a little surprised at what the picture was. It was a picture of Laura and Adam taken after they announced their engagement. "I was wondering if you would mind if I put this picture out." She stood beside the chair and watched him looking at the picture.
Adam's mind drifted back to the day that he asked Laura to marry him after being run down by the Bonner brothers. Then he remembered the house that he was building for them, all of them, to be a family in. The house is just like it was, half built and that is way that it will stay. Then he seen the accident in his mind, the accident that changed his life forever and that thought sent a chill down his spine. If the accident hadn't happened would things have changed like they did or stayed the same? That is a question that had bothered Adam ever since. Then Adam's mind drifted to when he found out that Laura loved Will, Will was in the barn and packing and Laura was talking to him and Adam was listening outside the door. He heard those words that was spoken by Laura, 'Will, I will always love you.' Then Adam thought of the words that he spoke to Laura, the last words that he ever spoke to Laura, 'See I don't need you.' Adam knew when he said those words that it was a lie and that he would always need and love her, and he does to this day. Adam snapped out of his thoughts when he felt Peggy patting his arm and saying, "Daddy, daddy are you all right?" Adam looked down at Peggy and smiled. "Is it ok Daddy? Can I put it up?"
Adam nodded, "You sure can sweetheart." Before she can take off Adam grabbed her by the arm and winked, "Thanks Peggy, for letting me remember the good times" Peggy placed the picture of her mother and "father" on her night stand.
Chapter 9
The wagon was running out of control and the screaming was unreal. The horses were running wildly and the wagon was bouncing all over the road. Peggy saw that Will was trying to gain control of the runaway horses. She then heard her mother screaming she had a hold of Peggy and was squeezing her tight. The horses took the curve so fast that the wagon was on 2 wheels. After the wagon took the curve it hit with a thud. She saw Will look over the edge of the cliff and Peggy knew that a wreck was going happen and kill them all. Peggy heard Will yell "JUMP!". Her mother was frozen in her seat and Will grabbed Peggy and threw her out of the wagon as the tongue of the wagon broke loose and the wagon careened over the cliff. Peggy rolling on the ground heard the screams of her mother and step-father as they vanished over the side.
Peggy woke with start hearing her mothers screams. She was sitting straight up in bed shaking and crying. The vision that she just had was so vivid that it seemed that it was only yesterday. Knowing that she couldn't go back to sleep she headed for her fathers room. She opened the door quietly and walked softly over to his bed. She just stood there for a moment the tears streaming down her face. Adam was laying on his side with his arm outstretched. Peggy kneeled down beside the bed and laid her head on his hand.
Adam woke and saw his daughter sobbing. "Peggy, what's the matter?" She said nothing just sobbed and raised her head off of his hand. Adam pulled himself up and got to a sitting position on the side of the bed. Peggy still said nothing just raised up and threw her arms around his neck and continued sobbing uncontrollably and he pulled her onto his lap. "Honey, what's wrong did you have a nightmare?" Adam inquired while patting her on the back. She nodded yes while still crying. "Can you tell me what it was about?"
All Peggy could get out was the word "Mommy!"
Adam knew immediately what the nightmare was. Peggy had stopped crying so hard now and was beginning to relax just a little in the reassurance of her father's arms. "Would you like for me to take you back to your bed now or would you like to stay here with me?"
Peggy was still clinging to Adam's neck with one hand and the other hand had a death grip on the color of his night shirt as he was trying to push her back just a little to see her face. All Peggy could say was "Stay."
Adam knew that this was going to be a long night but he didn't mind. "Okay you can sleep with me." Adam picked her up and placed her gently on the bed and she still doesn't want to let go of him. He has to pry her fingers from his collar and from around his neck. "It's going to be ok. I am right here and I'm not going anywhere." With that Peggy let go of his collar and settled down into his bed and the sobbing was now reduced to a few tears and a couple of deep breaths once in a while. As Adam covered her up he realized just how much she was hurting and wished that he could help her more but didn't know how except to be there for her. Adam then got into bed and as he got situated Peggy grabbed his arm and laid her head on it and snuggled down with a deep sigh. Peggy now felt safe and could let herself drift back into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 10
The weather outside was getting really cold. The wind was barely noticeable. The Cartwrights were heading for church in Virginia City. "After church can we go look at Crystal Lake?" Peggy asked her father.
"Don't you think that it is a little chilly to be looking at the lake?" Adam asked. He had his arm around her in the back of the buggy with Joe sitting on the other side of her and Hoss and Ben in the front.
"I don't want to stay long I just wanted to see the lake froze over that is all. Please?" Peggy said while laying her head against his arm and looking up at him.
"Yeah, Adam can't we look at the lake huh could we huh, huh?" Joe chimed in trying to help Peggy out. Adam threw Joe a look. Joe gave one of those cute little grins that he gives when he is being ornery. Ben and Hoss were looking at each in the front grinning at each other.
"Well, I suppose that we could stop by there for a few minutes only on the way back if there is no objections from the front." Adam announced all the while he was thinking about how much it was going to cost for all the medicine and doctor bills to cure the pneumonia that they were going to get.
"Thanks Daddy." Peggy gave Adam a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah thanks Daddy." Joe answered. The look that he received from Adam was 'shut up'. Joe laughed and laughed and then the me in front of the buggy started laughing.
"I give up." Adam said while shaking his head. Then a smile came across his face.
The church service couldn't get over quick enough for Peggy. She wanted to go sliding on that ice. She thought that she might have trouble with Adam on letting her do that. He did tend to be a little over protective sometimes. Finally it was time to stand for the benediction. 'almost over...thank goodness.' Peggy thought to herself.
Church was now over and out the door she headed and was the first one in the buggy. When the rest of the family made it she was chomping at the bit to get going. "Come on. Let's go." Everyone just looked at her and laughed. They all had forgotten what it was like to have and impatient child that wanted to do something. "Okay, we're coming, we're coming." Ben said as he got into the buggy. Hoss grabbed the reins and they were on their way to the lake.
The scene at the lake was one of beauty. Although the trees were bare their beauty with the snow and ice on them made they look like something out of a painting. The lake was frozen and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds above to shine on the lake. Hoss pulled the buggy to a stop and Peggy practically jumped over Adam's lap to get out of the buggy. "Hold on a minute Peggy let me get out first. Hey ouch." It was to late Peggy was already out of buggy stepping and trampling on his feet all the way. Joe, started to giggle. Another look was shot Joe's way from his older brother but Joe didn't care because he had already hopped out the other side of the buggy. "I told you that we had more then one child to raise didn't I?" Adam slapped Ben's shoulder as he exited the buggy. Hoss and Ben followed suit.
Peggy and Joe was already down at the lake. Joe took off running and slid on the ice. He went sliding across the ice. And by the grace of God he didn't fall and bust his butt. Peggy was amazed at the sight of her uncle sliding around on the ice. "Daddy, can I go sliding with Uncle Joe? Please daddy." Peggy ran back to Adam as she was yelling this. Adam, Hoss and Ben are just now making it to the pond. She grabbed his arm and started tugging. "Joseph! Stop that right now. Look what you have done!" Joe turned to quickly when he heard Adam's yell and fell on his backside. Hoss is laughing at the sight of his younger brother lying on the cold ice, spread eagled with his hat lying two feet from his head. Ben looked at the sight and had to laugh also. "See, Peggy, you can get hurt trying that without knowing the proper way of ice skating."
Joe raised up on his elbows with a disgruntled look. "What in the sam hill do you mean by proper way of ice skating may I ask?"
Adam rolled his eyes and walked down closer to the pond. He placed his hands on his hips and replied, "In case you don't remember little brother I did go to school back east. In the east they skate with ice skates. Therefore, I learned how to....." Joe looked at Adam with raised eyebrows and a scowl on his face.
"Oh, here we go again. Adam Cartwright CHAMPION ice skater." Joe sarcastically yelled back to his brother. "I can remember when we were kids that you weren't any better at this then the rest of us."
"Ice skate." Adam finished. "And for your information Joe I was pretty darn good. You see in Boston they had...." Adam turned back to Peggy as to tell her. "a pond in the middle of town. That was located in a pretty little park. On Sunday afternoons during the winter you could find most of Boston skating on this pond." Adam started walking back to Peggy. "Back east you wore special boots to skate on the ice."
"Special boots?" Peggy asked. Joe walked off the pond and was walking to the rest of the family. He gave Adam another one of those looks 'the know-it-all' look.
"Yes, Hon, the had special boots with metal blades on them." Adam informed her while he threw a glance at Ben.
"Peggy I remember wearing ice skates and skating on the little pond that my family and I had on our little place." Ben told Peggy.
"REALLY?!" Ben nodded yes. Joe can't believe that his father is in on this too.
"OK, Adam why don't you trot yourself right on at to that pond and show us how they do it back east and then I will show you how we do it on the Ponderosa."
"I just told you that I skate with ice skates not with my boots." Adam replied with a look of 'you don't know what you are talking about'.
Hoss is trying to keep his smirks to himself because he is afraid that the battle of the wills is about to commence.
"Come on Daddy show me please." Peggy pleaded while she tugged on his arm. Adam looked at Peggy and smiled. "Pleeeaze Daddy, come on." Peggy started pulling him back to the lake.
"Okay, okay." Adam said with a smile and a cocky glance to Joe.
"I hope he falls right on his butt." Joe mumbled as he followed them to the lake.
Hoss leaned over to Ben, "Oh, this is gonna be good." Hoss whispered in Ben's ear.
Ben gave Hoss a sideways glance, "Don't under estimate your brother." Ben knew that he had seen Adam skate before and he also knew that Adam was not one that was going to give his youngest brother the satisfaction of seeing him fall or anything like that. Adam and Peggy have now made it to the lake and Joe was right on their heels.
"Ok, brother let it rip." Joe told Adam sarcastically. Adam tipped his hat to his brother and smiled and took off. A running start and then a couple of spins. It was a lot different trying to do the moves with boots then with the skates. The speed was not there and the control was harder . The good thing was that Joe didn't know the difference.
From the middle of the lake Adam yelled, while spinning, "Boy if I had skates I could really show you a thing or two Joseph." Joe had never been able to anything except run and slid and now, of course, Joe wanted to try what his brother was doing because there was no way on God's snow covered earth that Adam was going to be able to do something that Joe couldn't do.
"That don't look so hard to me." Joe yelled running onto the ice. Joe got a good run going and then jumped in the air trying to land on one foot so he could spin. Needless to say when Joe hit the ice on his one foot his foot went the opposite direction that the rest of his body went and bang on the ice he went. Joe just laid there for a minute. Adam and Ben went running and sliding to him. Hoss and Peggy watched from the bank of the lake. Hoss started laughing until he noticed that Joe was still laying there. "Hey, are you all right little brother?" Hoss yelled from the bank of the lake.
"Joseph, are you all right?" Ben asked raising Joe's head. Joe nodded yes and Ben gave Joe a helping hand up. Ben looked back at Hoss and nodded that Joe was okay.
"I told you that you had to watch what you were doing that skating was different the just sliding around." Adam helped pull Joe to his feet also. Joe shot Adam a look.
"I'm all right. Just hurt my pride is all." Rubbing the back of his anatomy. Joe gruffly said.
Peggy could not stand it any longer she had to get out on that ice. She took off running and started sliding. About that time Adam looked up and seen Peggy getting ready to slam into him. "Help! STOP me someone." She went sliding past Adam and as she went flying past Adam reached out and grabbed her arm and she came flying backwards and he then picked her up and started spinning her around. Peggy laughed with glee.
Ben smiled at the sight and Joe just scowled. "showoff." Joe mumbled.
"What did you say Joe?" Ben asked.
"Oh, I said I wish that this snow would melt off.....cause I am tired of winter as of today." Joe headed back to Hoss.
Ben just had to chuckle he knew exactly what Joe had said. "Yeah, I bet you do Joe." Ben said to himself.
Peggy and Adam slid around on the ice for a little bit and then everyone headed back to the Ponderosa because after all it was cold and Hop Sing would have Sunday lunch on the table.
Chapter 11
Christmas was drawing near and there was excitement in the air. Adam was having a hard time trying to keep things hidden from Peggy. He was working on a cradle for the baby dolls that she was sure to get for Christmas. Adam was sanding the end of the cradle when he heard "Daddy." coming from outside the barn. Adam quickly moved the cradle into the feed box in Sports stall and brushed the evidence off of his clothes. He grabbed the hay fork and started to give Sport some hay just as the door flung open. "Here you are. I've been looking all over for you Daddy." Peggy said just a little annoyed at not knowing the every movement of her father.
Throwing some hay into the box Adam looked surprised, tried to anyway, "Really? I've been out here the whole time doing some chores." Adam put the hay fork up and walked over to Peggy. She is standing there with her hands on her hips trying to look grown up and Adam had to smirk at the sight. "My don't we look serious." He reached down and picked her up. "What seems to be the problem?"
"I need some help." Peggy said still very serious. "I am trying to make something for grandpa and I can't get it to work right." Adam cocks an eyebrow.
"Hmmm. Well, this sounds like a very serious problem. Let's go into the house and see what we can do about the problem." Adam started for the house with Peggy still in his arms.
"Whatcha making' for Grandpa?"
"Tobacco pouch." Peggy answered. They enter the house and see Ben coming out of the dining room with a cup of coffee. Adam put Peggy down. "Head on up to your room and I'll be there in a minute to help ya out ok?" Adam instructed her giving a nod of his head to the stairs. Peggy nodded and up she went.
"What's going on son?" Ben said as he walked past Adam heading for the desk to finish the paperwork that he was working on.
"Christmas is what is going on I do believe." Adam followed him and sat down in the chair in front of the desk. "Pa, I need a favor." Adam looked over his shoulder to make sure that no one was listening at the top of the stairs. In a whisper, "I have to get that cradle finished and I was wondering if you could keep Peggy busy tonight after supper. I am almost done just putting the finishing touches on it now."
"Well, I suppose that I could do that but what am I supposed to keep her busy with?" Ben asked sitting back in his chair holding his coffee cup and saucer.
Adam rose out of his chair. "Well, whatever it was that you used to keep Joe busy with when it was Christmas." Adam said as he headed for the stairs.
"Cute I used you and Hoss for that job." Ben said as he seen Adam take the stairs two at a time waving his hand in the air at his father. Up in Peggy's room he seen her working feverishly on this tobacco pouch. Adam walked in and sat down on the floor next to Peggy.
"What seems to be the problem Sweetheart?" Peggy held up the tobacco pouch and she scrunched up her face at the sight in front of her. Adam choked back the giggle that was trying to escape from his mouth. "You see Daddy it looks funny." She handed it to Adam. Adam looked it over and over, turning it from one side to the other.
"Well, Peggy there is only one problem that I can see." He looked and turned the pouch over again. "See, I think the problem is that you have accidentally sewed the side if the pouch to the top of the pouch...It's easy to fix we can take care of this in a jiffy." Adam showed Peggy how to take the stitches out and how to sew it together.
Chapter 12
One week left to go. The anticipation was about to get to Peggy. She had finished the pouch, finally, she had made little cards for everyone and made a candy jar, with the help of Mrs. Mac, to put the candy in that she was getting for Hoss. Joe's present was a new pair or pants with belt loops. Peggy had worked along and hard doing the extra chores to pick up the gun she had put back for Adam. She finally had enough money to go and get the gun. "Grandpa? Oh, Grannnndpa?" Peggy yelled as she was running through the house. No answer. Peggy stopped and looked in every room but no Ben. "I have to get to town and get Daddy's gun." Peggy said to herself. 'Ah, outside I bet.' Peggy thought to herself. She threw the door open and headed straight for the barn. "Grandpa, are you out here?" Ben came around from Bucks stall.
"What is it Peggy?" Ben answered. He was hanging Buck's bridle on the hook outside of his stall. Peggy came to a halt and looked around cautiously. Ben did the same thing, although he was wondering why. "What do you need Peggy?"
Whispering, "I need to go to town Grandpa. Can we go huh, huh? Please?"
"Calm down honey, why are you wanting to go to town now for?" Ben squatted down in front of her.
"I have to get Daddy's gun. Please can't we go today. I want to wrap it and put it under the tree. Come on please." Peggy was kicking the barn floor dirt with her boot.
Joe came riding in with Adam and Hoss. Peggy looked around and seen them ride in. She put her finger to her mouth and went "SSSSHHHHHH." Ben smiled and nodded. Joe came walking into the barn. Adam and Hoss were hitching their horses to the hitching rail.
"Hey , what's gonna on here?" Joe asked while taking the saddle off of Cochise.
"I have to go to town and get Daddy's present." Peggy whispered.
"Oh." Joe whispered back winking and Ben. "How are you going to get there?"
"I asked Grandpa to take me but he ain't said one way or the other." Peggy looked back out the door of the barn and seen Adam and Hoss laughing and walking toward the barn. "Oh no, here he comes." Peggy put her finger to her lips again.
"I'll get them into the house and Joe you take Peggy in to town, I'll think of something to tell Adam." Ben said. Joe nodded to Ben. Out the door Ben went catching both boys by the arms and turning them around. "Boys, ah , come with me I have something to show you in the house." Adam and Hoss are stunned.
"B-but Pa we have something to...." pointing over his shoulder to the barn. "do in the barn." Hoss said.
"The barn will have to wait." Ben gave them a wink. Both boys are clueless.
Peggy and Joe watch until everyone is in the house. Joe hitched Betsy to the buggy and they headed to town.
In the house Adam took his hat off and threw it on the side bar. "What was all that about?" Ben walked over to the over stuffed chair and sat down. Hoss walked to the coffee table and grabbed an apple. Adam sat on the arm of the couch. "Yea Pa, what was all that about?" Hoss chimed in, Ben could do nothing but smile.
"It's Christmas time. And someone had to go to town. Ben answered. Hoss was eating his apple and in between bites he said. "Thought I was supposed to take her to town?"
"She told me that I was to take her to town." Adam said with a puzzled look on his face.
Ben was looking back and forth between both of them. Ben was getting a kick out of this.
"But, Adam.." Hoss started while taking another bite out of his apple. "I was to go with her to pick up your Christmas present."
With a raised eyebrow. "Oh, really Hoss, and what might that be?" Adam inquired.
Ben looked at Hoss, not sure what Hoss was going to say.
"To get your....." Hoss looked at Adam and frowned. "Dadburn it Adam."
Adam just smiled knowing that with just a little work he could get Hoss to spill the beans like he used to when he was a boy.
Joe and Peggy walked into the General Store. Peggy looked at Joe and started to cry. Joe bent down and took a hold of Peggy's arms. "Peg, what is wrong?" She grabbed him around the neck.
"Uncle Joe, I forgot my money." she sniffled. "I can't get Daddy's present." She was really crying now.
"Peggy, It's ok I'll get it for you. It's ok." Joe patted her on the back. "OK?"
Peggy leaned back and looked at Joe. "You will? You'll loan me the money, Uncle Joe?" Joe smiled at Peggy and wiped her tears and nodded yes.
"Come on lets get your Dad's present" Joe takes her by the hand and they headed for the counter.
George saw them coming and walked up to Joe and Peggy. "What can I do for you little lady?" George gave Joe a joking wink.
"I need to pick up Daddy's gun." Peggy announced.
Joe's eyes got big. 'A gun? Hope I got enough money on me for that!' Joe thought to himself.
George nodded, "I'll get it for you ma'am." George went and retrieved the gun. The gun was wrapped in a suede cloth. George opened the cloth to reveal the pearl handled gun with "AC" on the grip in gold. Joe whistled and Peggy had a smile as big as Lake Tahoe.
"How much do we owe ya George?" Joe asked while taking his wallet out of his coat pocket.
"Nothin'." Peggy looked at Joe and Joe looked at Peggy. "Ben came in and paid it in full about a week ago.
Joe let out a relieved sigh.
"Yep, Ben said that he owed this little lady some money and so he paid for the gun." George looked at Peggy "Would you like me to wrap it up for you?"
Peggy nodded yes. "Yes please." George smiled and took the gun and rewrapped it in the suede cloth. Peggy went and started looking at all the things in the General Store. She stopped and was looking at a slingshot when Joe came up behind her.
"Whatcha lookin at Peggy?" Joe said as he walked around and was now standing beside her. Joe picked up a toy boat and was looking at it.
"Boy, would I like one of these." Pointing to the sling shot.
"Ah, a slingshot huh?" Joe looked at Peggy. Peggy picked it up and was looking at it. "Tell ya what if you want it. I'll get it for ya and call it an early Christmas present."
Peggy got excited. "Really, you mean you'll get it for me?"
Joe was glad that he could buy it, because he knew that Ben and Adam would not approve of presents before Christmas. "Sure take it over to George."
"Okay." She ran over to George and then ran back to Joe and gives him a hug. She ran back and gave the slingshot to George. George handed Peggy the gun wrapped up all nice and pretty. Joe walked over to the counter.
"How much do I owe ya George?" Joe asked.
"Oh Little Joe two-bits should cover it." George handed Peggy a peppermint stick. "There ya go honey."
"Thank you George!" She grabbed the candy and started eating it right away. Joe put two-bits on the counter.
"Thanks Joe." George took the money and put it in the drawer.
"Thanks again George." Peggy and Joe headed home. On the way home Peggy was pretending with her slingshot. "POW!" She pulled it back again, "POW" Joe started to chuckle.
"Hey you got pretty good form there kiddo."
"Wait until I get something to shoot with and then you'll see what I can do." Peggy announced.
"Hey, Peggy, you have to be careful with that thing. You never shoot it at anyone or at anything like the house." The memory of the dining room window that he broke many years before popped into his mind. "Especially windows." Joe slapped the reins on the horse's back a couple of times. "Come on boy."
Hop Sing was placing the last of dinner on the table. "Little Joe and Missy not back yet? Dinner be cold." The little China man was bouncing around the dining room. "You come eat. They eat cold."
Hoss looked at Adam and Ben smiled. They all headed to the table. As soon as they sat down they heard the buggy pull up within five minutes the lost ones had returned. The first thing that Peggy did was run and put Adam's gift under the tree. Joe went straight to the table.
Chapter 13
The next morning Adam came walking down the stairs buttoning up his shirt. Ben was working on the books at the desk. "Son, is there anyway that you could go to town and pick up Mrs. Mac.?" Adam walked over to the desk and was tucking his shirt in his pants. "Jake came in from town and said that Mrs. Mac was going to be ready to come back today."
"Sure Pa, I need to pick up some things that I promised Peggy that I would get. She is a little upset with me about not being able to go but she started coughing last night and I think that it is too cold to make the trip to Virginia City. I thought that she would have gotten everything done yesterday with Joe but she informed me last night that she wants to pick up Joe's since he was with her yesterday." Adam headed around the stove to go put on his hat and coat to go to the barn and do his chores before breakfast.
"Adam?"
Adam turned around and peeked back around the stove. "Yes Sir?"
"Do you think that you could pick up something nice for Mrs. Mac I forgot to do that when I was in town.?" Ben looked at Adam.
"Sure thing Pa, I don't know how we would have got along without her these last few months." Adam headed back to the sidebar again. He snapped his fingers and turned and came back. "Hey, ya Pa?" Ben looked up from the books that he had went back to work on. "Morning." Adam smiled at Ben and got his hat and coat and went to the barn.
Ben looked at the pictures sitting on his desk of the three women in his life that gave him the greatest gifts in the world, his sons. 'Elizabeth, Adam is a fine man and he is trying so hard to be a good father. Look after him too, ok?'
Peggy sat in her room and watched Adam leave for town. Joe stopped in her door way and seen her sitting by the window. Joe walked into her room and walked over to her, "Whatcha doin' Peggy?"
Peggy turned and Joe could see that she had tears in her eyes. "Nothin'" She turned back to look out the window. Joe put his arm around Peggy. "Daddy went to town without me. He said that it was to cold to make the trip. . ." She put her hand to her mouth and coughed real big. "to Virginia City."
"Well, maybe he was right you know that is a nasty little cough that you have." Joe said while he patted her on the head. Peggy just kept looking out the window. "Hey, Peggy, what did you do with that slingshot that we bought yesterday?" Peggy turned and looked at Joe and a mischievous smile showed up on her face. Peggy went to her bed and stuck her hand under the mattress and pulled out the slingshot. She handed it to Joe.
"Didn't think that daddy would like the idea much." Peggy smiled as she walked back over to Joe and handed him the slingshot. "Would you teach me how to shoot it Uncle Joe? Would ya please?"
Joe winked at her. "Sure get bundled up real good and I'll met ya outside ok?" Peggy nodded and Joe walked out the bedroom door. Peggy rushed around trying to get her coat and hat on she searched and searched for her gloves. She couldn't find them anywhere. 'where are they' she said to herself. Peggy searched in her dresser, under her bed, in her closet, and no gloves. All of a sudden she thought, 'I know where they are' Peggy ran out of her room and ran downstairs and around the corner of the stair rail. Peggy had stuffed them under the stairs because she hated those gloves and she hated wearing them. But Peggy knew that if she got caught without them after not being able to go to Virginia City Adam would be really upset. She grabbed them and pulled them on her hands and ran out the front door.
"Uncle Joooooooooe?" Peggy shouted. Joe peeked his head out of the barn. Peggy saw him and ran to the barn. "Whatcha doin?" Peggy was exercising her vocal cords again.
Joe put his finger to his lips. "Shhhhhhh." Joe looked around to make sure that Hoss and Ben weren't around anywhere. Joe grabbed her by the arm and pulled her farther in the barn. "Not sure that Pa would like me teaching you how to use a slingshot. Let's go around the side of the house and maybe we won't be seen." Joe grabbed the target that he had made and out the barn door they snuck.
Around the side of the house Joe placed the target up against a tree. Peggy was taking it all in and Joe walked back to her and pulled the slingshot out of his pocket. Joe picked up a small rock that he had gathered up while Peggy was looking for her gloves.
"Okay, Peggy, this is how you shoot a slingshot." He placed the rock in the slingshot and pulled back and aimed and let go. The rock missed the target ricocheted off the tree and veered right through the dining room window. The window shattered. "Uh-Oh" Joe's face scrunched up and he gave that little boy look. Joe turned to look at Peggy and she was GONE! Peggy was running around the house and before she hit the front door there was a thunderous sound coming from the broken window.
"JOSEPH!" Joe slowly turned around and saw his father's head looking through the broken window.
"S-s-sorry Pa." Joe quickly placed the slingshot behind his back.
"Get in this house now!" Ben hollered. Joe nodded and slowly headed toward the house.
Peggy entered the house just as Ben pulled his head back into the house. "I DIDN'T DO..." Peggy saw her grandfathers face, "it." She decided that maybe she should just shut up, when she saw the look on her grandfathers face. Joe came slowly walking in, with his head hanging just about as low as someone can hang a head.
Hop Sing came running in from the kitchen. "What happen?" Hop Sing looked at the broken window. "Where, where is the window Mr. Cartlight?" Hop Sing asked while sticking his head out of the window. "Window all broke. It cold in here."
Ben looked at Hop Sing with a flustered look. "I know that it is cold in here. Go tell Hank to get some wood and put it over this hole before we catch our death."
"I no care for five sick people. NO I tell Hank right now." Hop Sing went out to tell Hank
Peggy took her hat, coat and gloves off and headed to her room to put them up. As she started to the stairs she heard Ben.
"Peggy CARTRIGHT STOP RIGHT THERE." Peggy froze in her tracks and slowly turned around to see Ben standing by the side bar pointing his finger at the couch. Joe tried to sneak around behind Ben and Ben caught sight of him and threw him a glance and he pointed to the couch. Joe went to the couch and sat down and kept his head down because he knew what was going to happen.
Ben walked back and forth in front of the coffee table. First he'd look at Joe then he would look at Peggy. After him doing this for about five minutes he stopped and looked them straight in the eye with his hands placed firmly on his hips those jet black eyes looked cold. "What in the hell were you two thinking about?" Neither Peggy or Joe said a word. "WELL?!" They both jumped at the tone in his voice.
"P-pa, it wasn't Peggy I shot the window out." Joe looked up at Ben. Ben was still standing in the same pose. "You see Pa, I bought her a slingshot at the store yesterday and she was depressed because..." Joe looked at Peggy and then back at Ben, "she couldn't go to town with Adam. So I t-thought...." Ben interrupted Joe.
"You thought that you would teach her how to shoot out the window huh?" Ben said with his voice raising.
"No, Pa I was going to show her by hitting the target....but the rock ricocheted." Joe sorrowfully said.
Peggy now started coughing pretty hard and both men stopped and looked at her. She had placed her hand over her mouth and tears had started to well up in her eyes. Ben walked around the coffee table and sat down in front of Peggy. She was still coughing and Ben reached around and started to pat her on the back. This didn't seem to help much. After a minute or so the coughing subsided. Peggy took a deep breath and looked at Ben. "Sorry grandpa."
"You have nothing to be sorry about Peggy. It wasn't your fault." Ben reached up to feel her forehead. A worried look came across his face. Her forehead was hot. Ben shot a glance to Joe. Joe immediately picked up on the signal. "She is burning up." Joe reached over and felt her forehead also. Joe looked at Ben with a concerned look. Ben picked Peggy up. "Come on Peggy let's get you up to your room and into bed." Ben took Peggy upstairs. Joe heard Hank at the side of the house. He went outside to help board up the window.
Ben got Peggy upstairs and was putting her in bed. As he was covering her up she looked up at Ben. "Grandpa, I am sorry about the window. If I hadn't wanted the slingshot maybe Uncle Joe wouldn't be in trouble now and the window wouldn't be broken." Ben could see her eyes welling up with tears.
Ben brushed her bangs off of her forehead. "Don't worry your pretty little head about anything. It's gonna be all right." He pulled the covers up around her neck. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Matter of fact I am going to send him to town right now and get a new window." He smiled down at Peggy. "Is there anything that you can think of that you might want?"
"No, I just want my daddy."
"He'll be home in a little while honey." Peggy nodded and smiled at Ben. "I will be right back." Ben walked down the stairs and ran into Joe heading up the stairs. He grabbed Joe by the arm and stopped him. "Come here Joseph." Joe turned and followed Ben to the kitchen. In the kitchen Hop Sing was starting to fix dinner. Hoss came in the side door. He had been working on a Christmas project of his own. "Hop Sing would you please start some broth?" Hop Sing spun around and looked up at Ben.
"Broth? Why we need broth Mr. Caltlight?" Hop Sing asked while all the time getting the pot ready.
"Peggy is not feeling well." With that statement Hoss and Hop Sing both looked at Ben surprised.
"I knew it. I told you sick, going to be sick...." Hop Sing gave Joe a mean look. He pointed the spoon that he had in his hand at Joe. "Break window and Missy get cold and she sick...." Hop Sing performed some more fake coughing and sneezing this time. "@*#$*@#@#$&**$##@#@#" Chinese words are flowing now. Ben motioned for the boys to follow him so they could talk and Hop Sing could throw his fit in peace. When Hoss walked into the dining room he did a double take. He pointed to the broken window. "Hey, Pa, what happened to the window?" Joe gave him a look to shut up.
"Your brother broke the window with a slingshot." Ben answered while he walked into the living room.
Hoss looked at Joe and had a smile on his face. "Not again! Didn't you learn anything little brother?" Joe just looked at Hoss and daggers were ready to shoot out of those hazel green eyes.
"Enough Hoss." Ben said. Hoss nodded and walked on into the living room and sat on the hearth. "Joe, I want you and Hoss to go to town and get a glass for the window and find Adam and tell him that Peggy is sick and wants him. Tell him that he might want to bring the doctor back with him. She sounded like she might be trying to get pneumonia. A look of panic showed on the boys faces.
"We are on our way Pa." the boys said in unison. They hitched up the buckboard and headed toward Virginia City.
Chapter 14
Adam had his arms loaded down with the Christmas presents that he was sent into town to get plus the ones that he had bought to give to Peggy, his brothers and father. He crossed the street with his arms filled with packages when all of a sudden he heard his name yelled from down the street. "ADAM?! HEY, ADAM." the voice was that of his brother Hoss. Hoss and Joe pulled the buckboard to a screeching halt. Adam went on over to the buggy to put the packages in. Joe jumped out of the buckboard and ran up to Adam.
"What are you two doing in town?" Adam asked as he handed Joe some of the boxes and started putting the others in the buggy.
"Ada...." Joe started to speak but Adam interrupted.
"Are you trying to sneak a peek at your Christmas presents?" Adam grabbed some more of the boxes Joe was holding.
"Adam, I have some...." Joe tried again to tell Adam what was going on.
Adam gave a chuckle, "you two amaze me...just like to little kids that ..........."
"ADAM, PEGGY IS SICK!" Joe shouted and Adam turned to Joe with a stunned look on his face.
"What? She's sick what’s wrong, where is she?" Adam threw the rest of the packages into the buggy.
"Adam, Peggy, wants you back at the ranch." Hoss told him. Adam got into the buggy and started down the road.
"Pa said that you better bring Doc. Martin with you." Joe called out after him.
Adam went to Doc. Martins house and told him to meet him at the ranch and headed home.
Ben was up stairs with Peggy when he heard the buggy pull up out front. Ben walked to the window and looked out to see Adam heading for the front door. Ben turned back to Peggy, "Your daddy is here." There was not much excitement on Peggy's face due to the fact that she was feeling worse. Ben walked out the door and headed to the top of the stairs where he saw Adam taking the stairs two at a time. When Adam reached the top of the stairs he stopped and looked at Ben.
"How is she Pa?" a concerned look showing on his face. Ben placed his hand on Adam's shoulder.
"Well, son, she is not doing to good. Did you see Doc Martin?" Ben asked his distraught son.
"Yeah, he's on his way." Adam headed to Peggy's room. Upon entering he saw that she was asleep and there was sweat beads all over her forehead. Adam walked quietly over to the bed and sat down gently as not to disturb her. He noticed the cloth that Ben had been using to try to keep her fever down. Adam rewet the cloth and wrung it out and started to wipe her face and forehead. Peggy, slowly opens her eyes to see her father sitting beside her. "Hi, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Peggy started coughing really hard. She couldn't stop. Adam lifted her head up to see if she could get any relief. It wasn't helping. Peggy started to gasp for air. Adam could hear her wheezing. Finally the coughing subsided and Adam laid her head back on the pillow and her eyes got really big and she started to gasp for breath. Very weakly Peggy said, "D-d-daddy." she rested for a minute and then continued, "I- I can't b-b-breathe." Adam yanked her to a sitting position.
"Baby, is that better?" Adam was holding her in his arms. Peggy, exhausted, her head fell backwards.
"D-d-daddy, I can't breathe. Help me daddy." Adam kept holding her head up so her air passage will be clear.
"PA! PA! GET UP HERE NOW!" Adam shouted. Ben came running and burst through the door.
"What's wrong son?" Ben saw Peggy in Adam's arms and with her head laid back over his left arm. Her eyes are closed and she is laboring for each breath. "My god what is wrong?" Ben ran to the bed. He looked and watched. After a few minutes of watching Ben said, "Adam I believe that she has pneumonia. Of course I am not a doctor."
"Where is that doctor!" Adam is still holding Peggy up. About that time they hear a buggy pull up in the front. Ben ran over to the window. Who he saw was Hoss and Joe. "Is it the doctor?" Ben turned to face Adam and Adam seen by the look on Ben's face that it wasn't the doctor. "Who is it?"
"Your brothers." Ben said as he walked back to the bed. Peggy was starting to cough again.
"Pa, hold her up a minute and let me get behind her and she can lean up against me." Ben took ahold of Peggy. Adam went around to the other side of the bed and sat against the headboard and Ben laid Peggy back against Adam's chest in a sitting position. "Where is Paul? He said that he would be right behind me."
"I don't know son, I'll go see if Joe and Hoss know anything." Ben headed out the door.
Peggy was coughing really hard and Adam could hear her rattling in her lungs. Adam rubbed her hair off of her forehead and she weakly looked up at him. She tried to smile. "Just rest Peggy, just rest. I ain't gonna go anywhere." Peggy started wheezing again. Adam pulled the covers up around her neck and she just laid back against his chest and tried to sleep.
Downstairs, the boys were entering the house as Ben came down the stairs. "Where is the doctor?" Ben asked.
"Pa, Burke came in with a gunshot wound to the chest and the Doc said he would be here as soon as he could." Hoss informed him.
"How is she Pa?" Joe asked taking off his hat and coat.
Ben shook his head, "Not very good. Adam is up there with her now. She is having a hard time breathing." Ben looked at Joe. "Did you get the glass for the window Joseph?"
"Sure did Pa, going to fix the window as soon as we check on Peggy ok?" Joe and Hoss head for the stairs. The all went up the stairs and what they saw frightened them. Peggy was laboring to breathe.
Hoss walked over to the bed and he looked at Adam and could see the fear on his face. Hoss checked her fever. She was still hot. About that time she started having another coughing fit again. "you know something I think what this little lady needs is to have a tent put over her with some hot steam, remember Pa like we did last year to that little filly? Cleaned her lungs right up, just have to keep doing it through the night though" Adam looked at Ben and Hoss grimly, nodding his head in agreement, willing to do anything he could to make Peggy better.
Hoss ran down the stairs to get Hop Sing started on the boiling water. Joe went to work on the window and Ben got blankets to make a tent with.
"D-daddy?" Peggy said weakly.
"Yes honey?" Holding her tight as she started to cough again. "Rest don't try to talk."
"I l-l-l o....." she started wheezing again. "love you." Exhausted she laid her head back.
Peggy was asleep that fast. "I love you too Peggy." Adam whispered as he laid his head on top of hers.
In a few minutes Ben came back in with the blankets. Joe followed with a hammer and some nails. The hammering startled Peggy and she jumped. "What us that? What are t-they doing?" she tried to get out but the effort was exhausting her.
"It's okay Hon, they are making a tent so that we can help you breathe easier." Adam looked at Ben and Joe with panic. They knew what he meant....HURRY! They nailed one end of the blanket right above the head board of the bed. Hoss came in with a tin tub that he sat next to the bed. Peggy started coughing again this time her little chest and stomach sank in from trying to cough up the mucus that was evidently stuck in her lungs. She started to choke. "GET THAT WATER UP HERE....WE CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER." Adam shouted. Hoss headed with Joe downstairs to start bringing up the water. Adam had to get situated so he scooted over to the edge of the bed, dropped his right leg off the side while Ben held Peggy up. The whole time she was still coughing.
Adam reached to Peggy and grabbed underneath each arm and Ben grabbed her legs and they brought her back against Adam's chest again so she would have the elevation. Hoss and Joe came running up with two buckets each of boiling water. Ben draped the blanket over Adam and Peggy's head and the boys poured the water into the tub.
"NO!" Peggy screamed. Being under the blanket where she couldn't see scared her. Peggy started to fight Adam. Adam wrapped his arms around her tight to keep her under the blankets. Peggy couldn't stand the blanket being so close to her face. "Get me out of......h- here. I am suffocating!" She was weak but Adam still had a hard time trying to hold her from tearing down the blanket.
"Pa, get something to prop the middle of this thing up a little, I think that will help. Hurry I am having a hard time trying to keep her from tearing it down." Adam informed Ben. Peggy was weak but she had renewed strength from some where. Joe hearing Adam's request knew what they needed and out the door he ran. In a few minutes he was back with all things a pitch fork. Hoss and Ben looked at him like he was crazy.
"What in blazes are you going to do with that Joe?" Hoss asked perplexed.
"This!" Joe raised the blanket up and raised the pitchfork over his head and brought it down with all his might right into the floor, then, Hoss seeing what he was doing grabbed the hammer and gave it a few whacks so to knock it into the floor do be a little more sturdy.
They placed the blanket over the pitchfork and that gave the tent some dimensions and it was not right down on her face.
Peggy started to settle down just a little bit. She didn't feel like she was being suffocated quite so much. The steam was thick under that blanket. "Breathe nice and slow Peggy, nice and slow." Adam placed his hand on her forehead and pulled her forehead to his chest. Peggy tried to but all she could do was cough. "Pa, get a pan or something I think we might need it later." Adam knew that when and if this congestion ever turned loose it had to go somewhere and he wanted to be prepared. In a few minutes from under the edge of the blanket came a water basin. Adam set it beside him on the bed within hands reach. "Anything else you need son?" Ben asked.
"Nothing right now Pa, just keep that water comin' and............" Peggy's body lurched foreword, her head rolled to the side and she was coughing uncontrollably. Adam sat up and patted her on the back. "find out where that doctor is." Adam noticed that there was white foamy phlegm at the corner of her mouth. He grabbed his handkerchief out of his back pocket and wiped her mouth. The more he wiped the more it came. "PA! GET ME A TOWEL OR SOMETHING HURRY!" Ben ran to the linen closet and brought back a towel and raised the blanket and saw that Peggy was nearly unconscious. He handed the towel to Adam and Adam wiped Peggy's mouth with the clean towel and then wrapped his handkerchief in it and handed it back to Ben. "Pa, she seems to be getting worse." Adam now has tears in his eyes. Peggy had stopped coughing now and Adam leaned back against the head board and gently brought Peggy's now limp body back against his. Ben saw the fear in Adam's face.
"Don't worry son, give this time to work. It's only been a little while." Ben tried to console his oldest son.
"I sure hope so Pa." Adam said through the tears.
"Adam, I am going back downstairs and check on the boys. They should be ready to bring up some more boiling water." Adam nodded and Ben went downstairs.
Within a few moments the boys were back and were pouring the boiling water into the tub. This routine kept going most of the night. Around midnight Ben came back into the room to check on the status of Peggy. He had drifted off asleep down stairs waiting for the Doctor to show up. Upon entering Peggy's room he noticed that things sounded rather quiet. Ben softly walked over and lifted the edge of the blanket to noticed that Peggy's breathing had quieted down. She was not laboring to breathe as much as before. He also noticed that both Adam and Peggy were asleep. Peggy was still leaning against Adam with her head against his chest and Adam had his arms wrapped around Peggy's stomach and Peggy had her hand on his.
Ben closed down the blanket and sat in the rocking chair next to the window. He pulled out of his pocket the watch that he had carried since his time with Elizabeth. He opened it up and there has a picture taken on their wedding day. Ben's mind started to drift to the day that Adam was born, Ben remembered how happy they both were to have a son. Then Ben's mind shifted to the time when they didn't know whether Adam was going to live or not. Ben had been sitting in the same boots that his son was now sitting in. He knew the fear in Adam's heart. He remembered that same feeling. But Ben also knew that Peggy was going to be all right because with the love that Adam had for Peggy nothing could possibly happen.
Chapter 15
The next morning, the rooster started crowing as the sun rose, shining it’s yellow beams through Peggy’s window directly into Ben’s face, where he was sleeping, waking him from his slumber. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and then stretched his arms and legs out. He looked over to the bed, thinking it had been a long time since he heard anything from under the blanket. He walked over to the bed and raised the blanket to see that Adam and Peggy were still asleep, neither one had moved all night. Ben took down the blanket and when the light hit Adam he woke with a start and blinked his eyes a couple of time, then looked at Peggy realizing that she was still leaned up against him he looked at Ben and Ben smiled.
"Son, I think she is better so why don't you go downstairs and get a cup of coffee?"
"I hate to leave her." Adam said while stretching his arms. Peggy moved when she felt Adam move. She moaned a little bit and then tried to turn over. Adam gently raised her up long enough to be able to get off of the bed. He laid Peggy back down on the bed and then covered her up. Adam felt her forehead and she was still warm but not as much as she had been the previous night. Adam did notice however that his shirt was drenched from the steam and the fact that her fever had lowered some. "She sounds a little better doesn't she Pa?"
Ben placed his arm around Adam's shoulder. "Yes she does son." Hoss and Joe entered the room and saw that Adam was awake. "Boys, could you please get this tub out of here."
"Sure thing Pa, how’s she doing, Adam?" Hoss asked as he walked over to the bed to take a gander at Peggy.
"Better I think. Let's go downstairs and get some coffee. And then I better come back up and sit with her. I don't want her to wake up and I'm not here." Adam walked to the basin and splashed some water on his face.
Hop Sing came into Peggy's room and announced, "Breakafast is ready. Missy feeling better Mr. Adam?" Adam nodded. "You eat I stay with Missy ok? Go on I watch Miss Peggy." Adam knew that he needed to at least to get a cup of coffee.
"Okay, I guess you are right lets get something to eat." Adam said as they all headed down stairs.
After breakfast the boys went out to the barn to do their chores. Adam went out also, he needed to get out of the house for awhile. Hop Sing was staying with Peggy and Ben was there also, so he knew that she was in good hands.
"Joe, have you gotten all of your shopping done?" Adam asked trying to make conversation. Joe, leaning on the hay fork and thinking about the question that was just asked of him.
"Hmmm, let me see..." raising a finger, "Hoss...yep got his..." raising another finger, "Pa, yep got his..." raising a third finger, "Peggy, yep got hers..." raising his pinkie as to show four fingers, "Hop Sing, yep got his..." Joe took and thrummed his four fingers on his chin.
"Seems to me that I am missing someone, but I can't for the life of me remember who it is." Joe's eyes got really big and a big old smart alec grin showed up on his face. He raised his thumb to make five. "Oh yeah Adam, nope ain't got you nothin' buddy." Joe started laughing and Hoss was watching this and gave one of his hearty laughs. Adam had to smile at his little brothers antics. The sound of a buggy arriving in the front yard made all three of them look out the door. It was the doctor. Adam ran out to meet Paul.
"Adam I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get here but there was an emergency right after you told me about Peggy." Paul explained while disembarking from the buggy.
"Paul, I’m worried about her. We made a tent with steam last night she couldn't breathe and her fever was high and she had phlegm that she was coughing up." He told Paul as they walked into the house.
"Hmm pneumonia, I would assume. Let's take a look at her shall we." Adam nodded as they headed up to Peggy’s room. In Peggy's room they saw Hop Sing and Ben in her room. Peggy was still asleep and Ben was wiping her forehead with a cold cloth. Ben moved from the bed when he saw Paul. "Let's see what we have her." Paul opened his bag and removed his stethoscope. He listened to her chest and back. Removing the stethoscope from his ears. "Yep, the girl has Pneumonia alright ...The tent was the thing to do. Has she coughed anything else up this morning?" He looked at Ben and Adam and they both nodded no. "Well, I am not going to candy coat this she is one sick child and she is not out of the woods yet." He got into his bag and got out some powder. "Mix this with half a cup of water and give it to her every four hours. It will help with the fever and put hot cloths on her chest, as hot as she can stand. That will help to break up the congestion.” Peggy, still is unconscious. “How long as it been since she has been awake?"
"Since about nine last night." Adam answered as he walked to the bed and sat on the edge of it looking at Peggy and he took her hand and softly rubbed it. Adam couldn't face Paul to ask this question, but he knew that he had to ask it, "Paul, is she going to.........?" Adam couldn't bring himself to say 'die'.
"Adam, she could, but lets take it one day at a time shall we?" Paul looked at Ben and Ben knew that there was a good possibility that Peggy could die. "I will be back tomorrow. I need to get back to town and check on my other patients. If you need me before then just let me know okay?" Paul patted Adam on the back. Adam doesn't turn around he just looked at Peggy and nodded that he understood. "Walk me down Ben?" Paul grabbed his bag.
"Sure Paul." Ben gave one final glance at Adam and Peggy and then slapped Paul on the back and they headed downstairs.
Ben walked Paul out to his buggy. "Ben I wish that there was more that I could do, but Peggy is a very sick little girl." Paul stepped up into the buggy and grabbed a hold of the reins. "Ben, prayer....it is now in the hands of the man upstairs." Paul took his finger and pointed upward. Ben nodded.
"Thanks Paul." Paul tipped his hat and drove off. Ben stood in the cold for a moment looking up to the window that was Peggy's room.
"Pa?" Ben didn't even notice that anyone was calling his name he was deep in thought. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned as he heard "Pa?" it was Joe and Hoss. They had heard the doctor leave. "What did the do have to say Pa?" Hoss asked as he looked up to where Ben's eyes had now went back too.
"Said she was a pretty sick little girl and........" Ben's voice trailed off. After a moment Ben turned to look at both boys. "Pray...Pray to God to save her." With that Ben placed his hands in his pockets and walked to the house.
In Peggy's room Adam was wiping her forehead with a cool cloth. "Peggy, Hon, you have to fight. You have to fight this don't give up." Adam rinsed the cloth once more and wrung it out and wiped her face again. The only sound was the low sound of the wheezing that indicated that there was still pneumonia in her lungs.
Adam finished wiping her face and placed the cloth back in the basin. He slid his hands in his back pockets and walked over to the window and looked out at the cold Nevada sky. 'Laura, I am trying to take care of our daughter, but I am going to need some help. I can't loose her....' a tear dropped off of his cheek and hit the window sill. 'I lost you and I just can't loose her. I love her so much. I have such big plans for us. Please, Laura, please take care of Peggy.' These were the thoughts that were running through his mind, silent prayers, some would say. Adam walked back over to the night stand beside the bed and picked up the picture of him and Laura, he looked at the picture and traced the outline of Laura's face in the picture with his finger. "Please." He sat the picture back down and sat on the edge of the bed.
Chapter 16
Christmas Eve was nearing, the next day actually, and there was not a lot of change in Peggy. What few times she came to were racked with coughing spells, but there was one good thing, the fever had dropped drastically. Everyone in the household sighed a small sigh of relief. She was not out of the woods yet, but it was a step in the right direction. That evening Adam was bringing some broth up to her and he was going to try to make her stay awake long enough to take a few sips of the broth, he knew she needed nourishment. When he entered the room he was shocked to see her looking at him. A smile came across his face.
"Well, look there, you are awake." He walked over and set the tray on the night stand. He sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "How are you feeling babe?"
"Dad-dy..." She started coughing again. When the spell subsided she finished. "Waiting for Christmas so I can give you your present." She smiled weakly.
"All I want for Christmas is for you to be better," He picked up her hand and held it in his. "That would be the best Christmas present that I could have."
Peggy turned and looked out the window and saw that it was snowing. She pointed to the window. Adam turned and looked. "Snowing." Peggy said weakly.
Adam nodded, "Yep sure is." Adam turned back to look at the night stand and then he looked at Peggy, "Ya know, you really need to try to eat something." Cocking his head towards the bowl of broth that was setting on the table." Peggy scrunched up her nose at the thought and frowned then shook her head in disagreement. Adam picked up the napkin and laid it across her chest and then picked up the bowl of broth and the spoon. Adam dipped up some of the broth on the spoon and started toward Peggy's mouth and she closed her mouth tight. "Come on babe, you have to get something in your stomach or you are not going to get any better." He put the spoon up to her mouth and she sipped a little of the broth from the spoon. As soon as the broth hit her stomach she put her hand to her mouth and Adam knew immediately what was going to happen and he reached for the basin. He no sooner got the basin to Peggy, he knew that she wasn't going to be eating anymore of the broth tonight. When she was done. He wiped her mouth with the napkin and laid it back on the tray with the broth. "I'm sorry Peggy. I really am sorry, I shouldn’t have forced you to eat when you didn't want to." Peggy snuggled back down in the bed and Adam covered her up nice and warm. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead and then picked up the tray . "I'm going to take this back downstairs and then I'll be back okay?" He winked at Peggy.
"Okay." She rolled her head over and closed her eyes. Adam left, when he got to the bottom of the stairs he was bombarded with questions.
"How is she doing tonight?" Hoss asked setting down the cup he was drinking from on the dining room table.
"Did she eat anything Adam?" Joe asked.
Adam walked to the table and started to set the tray down when Hop Sing came in from the kitchen. "Hop Sing, would you please take this to the kitchen and please take a clean basin up to Peggy's room?" Hop Sing nodded and took the tray. Adam sat down at the table and Hoss poured him a cup of coffee. "She can't keep anything down." Hoss finished pouring the coffee. "Thanks, Hoss." Adam took a drink of coffee. "Pa, I am beginning to wonder when she is going to get over this." Adam put both of his elbows on the table and held the cup with both hands and looked at Ben over the rim of the coffee cup. "She can't keep anything down and if she doesn't eat how is she going to get stronger?"
"Son, her fever is broke and that is a good sign, all we have to do is give her some time." Ben was trying to reassure Adam but not sure he believed what he was telling his son himself. All of a sudden Ben snapped his fingers. "you know what I think?"
"What's that Pa?" Joe said looking at Hoss and then Adam.
"Broth is pretty rich, she needs something that is going to soothe her stomach. Hot tea, that is what she needs. She should be able to keep that down, with a little bit of honey in it." Ben smiled at the boys and even Adam thought that it was a good idea. Hop Sing came out of the kitchen on his way to get the basin in Peggy's room. "Hop Sing would you put some water on for some tea please?"
"Yes Mr. Caltlight." Hop Sing went back into the kitchen.
"I hope that you are right Pa." Adam said as he sat his cup down. Rising out of his chair. "I better get back up there and see how she’s doing." Hop Sing emerged from the kitchen one more time with the clean basin under his arm and a tray with the hot tea on it. Adam saw the little China man trying to carry everything. "Here Hop Sing give me that tray." Adam took the tray and him and Hop Sing went up the stairs into Peggy's room. Peggy was looking out the window at the falling snow. Adam sat the tray down on the night stand. "Peggy?" Peggy didn't acknowledge him. She raised her hand to her face to wipe away the tears were trickling down her face. Adam walked around to the other side of the bed and saw that Peggy was crying. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "What's wrong sweetheart?" He took his hand and placed it on the side of her face wiping away her tears with his thumb. Peggy quickly sat up and threw her arms around Adam's neck and buried her face along side his neck. "Sweetheart what is the matter are you feeling worse or is there something else that is bothering you?"
"I am going to be sick for Christmas aren't I? I am tired of being sick. I want out of this room and go downstairs." Peggy cried. She started to wheeze from getting upset.
Adam patted her back and smoothed her hair. "Now, you listen here, you are getting better and everything is going to be fine don't you worry about it." Hop Sing had fixed the tea and had it ready.
"Peggy, look at me." Peggy didn't move. "Look at me." Peggy lifted her head up and looked at Adam. "Do you want to try something that I think will make you feel better? I think you will be able to keep this down and it will make your stomach feel better also." Peggy just scrunched up her face. "Come on and give it a try." Peggy put her head down and he lifted her head to look at him again. "You would try it for me wouldn't you?" Peggy gave Adam a slight grin and nodded.
Hop Sing handed Adam the cup of tea that he had just fixed. "You drink this up Missy. Make you feel better." Peggy sat herself up in the bed and Adam handed her the cup and she took a slip, reluctantly. Everyone waited with baited breathe to see if the tea was going to stay down. It did! "Daddy, this is good. I like this tea." Peggy took another drink. Adam looked at Hop Sing smiled and winked. Peggy drank the whole cup and handed the cup back to Adam. "Can I have some more please?"
"Are you sure?" Adam asked as he walked around the bed and started to pour another cup.
"Yes I am." Peggy smiled at him. She felt good about having something in her stomach that was actually going to stay there. After another cup Peggy was ready to go to bed.
Chapter 17
The Sun glistened down on the snow covered yard of the Ponderosa ranch house. The pines were covered from top to bottom. The scene was something out of a painting. The aroma from the kitchen woke everyone in the household. There was coffee brewing and there was bacon sizzling on the stove as the tiny cook was bustling around the kitchen. It was Christmas eve and Hop Sing was going to give the day the best start that he could.
Thirty minutes later everyone started making an appearance down the stairs. The first was Joe, running down the stairs and stopping at the front door and opening it to inspect the weather outside. “Bbbbrrrrrrr." Joe said as he closed the door and decided he really didn't care what the weather was like outside. Joe went on into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. "Morning Hop Sing."
"Morning Little Joe." Hop Sing was busy getting the rest of the breakfast going.
Joe walked back into the dining room and sat down in his chair. He was enjoying the peace and quiet reading the paper that was now one week old. The next thing that Joe heard was Hoss coming down the stairs. "Morning' little brother how are you this fine brisk morning?" Hoss asked with a chipper laugh.
"So much for peace and quiet this morning." Joe mumbled to himself.
"Aye?" Hoss didn't understand what Joe was mumbling about. "What did you say Joe?" Hoss sat down and the table and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Said, nice and quiet this morning" Answered Joe with a smirk on his face.
The boys were enjoying their coffee waiting for the rest of the family to rise and shine. Adam woke and looked out the window and seen the snow falling. 'Hope this lets up enough for me to go and get Peggy's horse today.' Adam thought to himself. "Doesn’t' matter if there is ten foot of snow outside, she is going to have that horse.' Adam started getting dressed.
Peggy was already awake and standing by the window looking at the snow fall. Adam opened the door and seen her at the window. Peggy turned when she heard the door open. "Morning' Daddy." Adam stood there in amazement.
"What are you doin out of bed young lady?" Adam said as he walked over to her. He reached down and picked her up. "Are we feeling better this morning?" Peggy threw her arms around his neck and laid her head next to his chin and the both looked at the window. "Well, you seem to be feeling better."
"A little better I guess." Peggy paused for a minute. "Daddy do you think that Santa Claus will be able to make it with all this snow?"
Adam had to smile, "Santa can make it through all kinds of weather because he is magical." He looked her in right in the eye. "Didn't you know that?"
"Forgot I guess." Peggy sheepishly said. Adam turned and started walking back to the bed.
“You get back into bed and stay covered up or you won’t be in any condition to see what Santa is going to bring you.” Adam put her back in bed. “You stay right here and I am going to go get you something for breakfast, think that you could eat something this morning?” Adam asked while covering Peggy up.
“Hot tea and maybe some crackers. . .” Peggy’s voice trailed off. “Maybe just the tea don’t want to press it.”
“I think that crackers would be okay hon.” Adam tucked the covers around her and headed for the door.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Peggy.” Adam turned and looked back at Peggy.
“Think I could eat downstairs?” Adam leaned up against the door jam his arms across his chest.
“Hmmm. I’ll tell ya what, you stay in bed today and rest and I would say that you could come down tonight for Christmas eve dinner.” Adam winked at her.
“Okay Daddy.” Adam walked out the door. “Dadddddddddy?”
Adam held on to the door jam and leaned back into the room. “Yeah?”
“When will dinner be?” Peggy smiled.
Adam had to laugh, “Goodness, breakfast isn’t even over yet and you are wondering about dinner.” Peggy had a little frown on her face.
Adam walked out into the hall and he saw Ben coming out of his room and he waited for Ben. As Ben approached he asked, "How is she this morning." pointing his finger towards Peggy's room.
"Seems to be a little better." Adam slapped Ben on the back and lowered his voice, "After lunch I am going to head to town and pick up Peggy's horse." Adam looked toward the closed door of Peggy's room. "I told her that if she stayed in her room and rested that she could come out for dinner." Adam told him in a whisper. Ben raised his eyebrows and smiled. They went down stairs for breakfast.
Adam spent all morning putting the finishing touches on Peggy's presents. He went to the tree and placed the wrapped non-Santa presents under the tree. In his pocket he pulled out a small package that no one knew about. This present was going to be the grand finale of Peggy's Christmas. Adam was deep in thought when his concentration was broken by the opening of the front door and the laughing of his brothers. Joe and Hoss came in with snow all over them. Adam quickly put the small package under the tree before they saw him.
"Here, Hoss, let me help you get that snow off." Joe took his hat off and hit Hoss on the top of the head. Needless-to-say, Hoss's hat was now smashed down on his head. Joe giggled at the sight.
"Dadburn you, Little Joe." Hoss took off his hat and preceded to hit it against his chest and legs trying to get the snow off. Hoss looked over and seen Adam takin' all this in. "Hey, Adam, how is Peggy this afternoon?"
Adam raised from in front of the tree, "She's taking a nap." Adam walked over to the boys and started to put his gun belt on.
"Hey brother, where you going?" Joe asked as he was taking his coat off.
"Gotta go to town and pick up Peggy's horse." Adam put his coat on and buttoned it up, grabbed his hat from the hat rack and placed it on his head giving a little extra tug on the front brim. "I'll be back by dinner." Adam opened the door and the cold air rushed in.
"Dadburn it!" Hoss complained as he shut the door.
Traveling to town took longer then normal because of the wind and the snow. The wind was blowing the snow sideways. Sport was not liking this trip at all. "Come on Boy, let's just get to town and get back shall we?" Adam patted Sport on the neck.
The sun started to set on this Christmas Eve. Dinner was almost ready and Adam hadn't made it back yet. Ben went to Peggy's room to get her for dinner. "Peggy, get your robe and slippers on and lets go down for dinner." Ben grabbed her robe as she threw the covers off and started getting out of bed. He was helping her to put the robe on. "There ya go." He turned her around and tied the sash of her robe.
"Where’s Daddy?" Peggy looked down watching Ben tie her sash.
"He had some errands to run today. He'll be along." Ben finished tying the belt. "There, let's get those slippers on." Peggy slipped her feet into her slippers and took a hold of Ben's hand and they went downstairs for dinner.
Dinner came and went and no Adam. Peggy kept watching the clock then she'd pace over to the window and look out. The snow was now falling a lot heavier then it had been earlier. She walked over to the couch and plopped down. Ben was reading a book which he looked over the top of when he heard Peggy plop on the couch. Hoss and Joe were playing checkers. Joe looked over at Peggy, and seeing her concern decided to try to cheer her up.
"Hey, lady bug, want to play the winner?" Joe patted his chest, "Which will undoubtedly be me." Hoss looked at Joe with a raised eyebrow.
"I wouldn't bet on that." Hoss defended his checker playing ability.
Joe looked at Peggy and winked. "I would." Joe giggled and Peggy gave a small smile.
"Shouldn't Daddy be back by now?" the boys looked at Ben as did Peggy. "It's snowing really hard."
"Peggy, he'll be along, he just got held up." Ben tried to reassure her.
"He promised that he'd be home tonight and that he'd be here for dinner." Peggy started to cry and then she started coughing again. "Something has happened to him. I know it has." Ben got up and went over to the couch and sat down then he pulled her over on his lap.
"Now, settle down there before you get yourself into a coughing fit. We don't want that for Christmas do we?" Ben snuggled her up to his chest. Peggy was still crying. "Why don't you go up stairs and rest for awhile and we will wake you when Adam gets home." All Peggy could do was nod. Ben stood up while holding Peggy and carried her up stairs. He put her in bed. As Ben covered her up she kept looking out the window. "There ya go." Ben tucked her into bed. Ben leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Grandpa, do you think that Daddy is all right.?" She turned her head to look him square in the eye.
"Yes, Peggy I do." Ben patted her hand. "It is just slow moving in this snow. Don't worry he will be home shortly and then you and him can put out the milk and cookies for Santa. OK?" Peggy nodded. Ben walked out the door and pulled it to. He stopped outside the door. He could hear Peggy talking.
"Mother, please watch out for Daddy Adam, he’s late and I’m scared. Help him find his way home." Ben turned and left because it was a private conversation that Peggy was having between her, her mother, and of course God.
Chapter 18
Peggy snuck out of her room and crept down the hall to the top of the stairs. The clock was striking 9 p.m. She could see that everyone was starting to get worried also. 'I have to find my father' she thought to herself. She headed back to her bed room. She changed her clothes put on her coat, gloves and hat. She laid the note she had written on the bed. The she raised her window, climbed out on the roof and gently made it over to the tree that was her escape. She shimmied down the tree and ran to the barn to saddle Traveler. She walked Traveler out of the barn and headed out to look for her father. The moon was full this night and made it much easier to see.
Peggy rode and rode the wind was blowing hard and the wind chill factor must have been 15 below zero. The snow was still falling. Peggy wasn't sure where she was at but she thought that she was somewhere on the Virginia City road. She kept calling for Adam but to no avail. "Where Traveler? Where can he be? Why doesn't anyone else care that he is missing?" Peggy kept riding and riding. Every once in awhile she would yell out for Adam. After an hour, she knew that she was lost. She started crying, "What are we going to do now Traveler? We’re lost."
Adam came riding in around 10:30 p.m. Ben, Hoss and Joe ran to the door when they heard him coming on the porch. Ben threw open the door just as Adam was getting ready to open the door. Adam was wet and looked almost frozen. "Son, where have you been?" Helping Adam to get out of his coat. Joe reached up and removed Adam's hat and hung it up on the hat rack.
"H-hoss would you mind taking care of the horses." Adam's teeth were chattering. Ben helped Adam over to the fire place. He sat down on the hearth to let the fire warm him up.
"Sure Adam." Hoss went out to the barn to take care of the horses.
"How is Peggy?" Adam was now rubbing his hands on top of his legs to warm up.
"She was pretty worried that you weren't home. The only way that she would rest is if we promised to wake her up when you got home." Ben explained.
"I'm going up and get her." Joe ran up the stairs two at a time. Ben rubbed Adam's shoulders. At the top of the stairs, Joe started to yell, "Peggy, oh Peggggggggy." Joe walked up to her door. "Peggy, Adam is home." Joe opened the door and saw that Peggy was not in bed. He walked around the room and looked every where. Peggy was nowhere, as Joe was getting ready to leave he noticed there was a note laying on the bed. Joe picked up the note and as he read it his eyes got really big. Joe took the note and ran down the stairs. Ben was walking back into the living room from the kitchen with a cup of coffee for Adam. "Pa, Adam!"
"Joseph, what are you yelling about?" Ben asked while handing Adam his cup of coffee.
"This is what I am yelling about." He handed the note to Adam. Adam sat down his coffee and took the note.
Adam read the note, " I have gone to look for Daddy. I can't loose Daddy too. I won't be back until I have found him. Peggy." Adam's face dropped and Ben and Joe looked at each other. Adam jumped up and headed for the stairs he stopped and turned, pointing his finger at Joe, “get my horse saddled, I'm going to change clothes and then I am heading out to find my daughter." Up the stairs he went. Joe headed out the door, he ran right into the Hoss as he was heading out the door.
"Come on we got to saddle up the horses." Joe ran past Hoss, Hoss looked at Ben and Ben shook his head yes.
"What is going............" Hoss started, Joe grabbed Hoss by his vest and pulled at him.
"Come on would ya." Hoss followed Joe to the barn.
Chapter 19
Peggy was shaking terribly. The wind and snow was whipping through the pines. There were sounds that were unfamiliar to Peggy and she was scared. "Traveler, I'm scared." She pulled the collar of her coat up around her neck and looked all around. "where are we, where is daddy?" The tears started to flow. She gave a few quick little kicks to Traveler and he slowly started to move. "We have to find somewhere to get in out of this weather."
The Cartwrights headed out. None of them had idea one where to start to look for Peggy. They rode and rode and rode. The weather was getting worse. The wind had blown the snow over any possible tracks that might have been there before. "Maybe we should split up." Joe suggested.
"All that will accomplish is that someone else will be lost in this weather." Ben said with authority. Joe knew not to say another word about it. They kept riding.
Traveler stumbled and Peggy toppled off the exhausted little pony. She laid there for a moment and then she saw something that resembled a woman with a bright light illuminating from her. Peggy did not seem to be scared. The woman leaned down and held her hand out for Peggy to take. Peggy unafraid took the woman's hand and rose to her feet.
"Mother?" Peggy asked not believing what and whom she was seeing.
"Yes, Peggy it is I. I have been sent to help you." The woman smiled as she spoke. "Come with me I will help you." With that Peggy and the woman walked what seemed to be a few steps and there was a line shack. As they entered the shack Peggy noticed that there was already a fire going. The inside of the shack looked like it had been prepared for her. "Come over here and lie down and rest. I know that you have been sick and that you need to rest." Peggy removed her coat, gloves, and hat and laid down on the bed. She was beginning to warm up.
"Mommy, how did you know where I was. How did you know that I needed you?" Peggy asked as the woman was covering her up with a nice warm blanket. "Mommy, I miss you so much."
The woman sat down on the bed next to Peggy, "I miss you too, Peggy. But I know that you are safe and Adam will take care of you."
"Mother where is he? Is he all right?" Peggy had started to cry now.
The woman gently wiped her tears and replied, "Yes, dear, he is fine." The woman paused and looked up and then continued. "someone is watching over him tonight."
The snow has stopped and the sky is now clear. The horses are tired and they must rest so the Cartwrights stop and dismount. Adam dropped the reins and started to walk away, just to be by himself for a moment. The others looked on, but knew that he needed the time alone. Adam looked upward at the crystal star filled sky above him. Adam fell to his knees and put his head in his hands and started to speak to the only person that he knew could help him. "Dear God, help me find my daughter, I love her so much." Adam felt a presence he raised his head and saw a woman standing before him. This woman had a light surrounding her or so it seemed. The woman looked familiar but at first Adam couldn't place where he had seen her at before.
"Son, it will be all right." The woman spoke to Adam as she kneeled down in front of him "Trust me, I am here to help you."
Adam now knew who this woman was. It was his mother. "Mother?"
She reached down and took his hands in hers. "Yes, son it is me. I have been sent here to help you. Follow the star and the light and you will find your daughter." They stand together.
"What star and light, Mother?" Adam asked her.
She waved her hand in the air and the brightest star you have ever seen appeared with a brilliant light shining down. "Follow it Adam, follow it to your daughter." With that she faded away into the night.
"MOTHER? COME BACK." Adam said in a raised tone. Hearing those words the others looked at Adam perplexed.
"What is ..... or who is he talking to?" Joe asked with a surprised look on his face. Adam came running back to them.
"Come on I know where Peggy is." Adam vaulted on his horse and started riding towards the light. The others followed suit. As Ben caught up to Adam, Adam looked at Ben and said, "Do you see the light?" Ben looked at Adam with a confused look on his face until he noticed the light shining down from the heavens above. Joe and Hoss saw it also and couldn't believe their eyes. They followed the light to the little line shack which was engulfed by the radiant light. For some reason Ben pulled out his pocket watch and noticed that the time was now midnight, it was Christmas Day.
Adam leaped off his horse and ran to the shack and flung the door open to see Peggy sound asleep on the bed. Adam stood there for a instant and then walked over to Peggy. He brushed her hair off of her face and she woke and saw him knelt down beside the bed and reached up and grabbed him around the neck and hugged him. "Peggy, why did you run off? I was so worried about you."
"I was looking for you Daddy I was scared that something had happened to you." Adam kissed her on the top of the head. "Daddy, I saw Mommy she was here. She helped me. She said you would take care of me." Peggy is now shedding tears of joy as is Adam. "Do you believe me Daddy?"
Adam nodded and replied, "Yes, honey I believe you. My mother showed me where you were."
"You saw your mother too?" Peggy leaned back to see his face and she saw the tears in his eyes and the look on his face made her believe.
Ben and the boys were standing in the door way of the little shack. "It's Christmas now and what a miracle we have witnessed”. The boys nodded and Adam bundled up Peggy and they headed back to the ranch with the star leading the way home.
Chapter 20
Christmas morning Peggy ran into Adam's room and woke him by jumping on the bed. "It's morning Daddy, get up." Adam rubbed his eyes and started to say something but Peggy was gone knocking on the doors of the rest of the family. Adam got dressed and went down the stairs followed by three other sleepy people. The sight of Peggy standing and looking at all the gifts under the tree was a memory that none of them would ever forget.
Under the tree was a beautiful doll house, a sewing kit, two baby dolls, and a saddle. Peggy didn't know what to do first. She would pick up one thing and look at it and then pick up another and look at it and then she would just stop and stare. "I can't believe all of the toys that Santa left for me." she exclaimed.
"Peggy, why don't you come with me for a second and look at what I have to show you." Adam said as he picked her up.
"What is it Daddy?" Adam said no more just headed out the door to the barn. When he opened the barn door standing in the first stall was the sorrel mare that Adam had bought Peggy. When Peggy's eyes saw the horse she squealed with glee. "Is that for me?" Adam nodded and put her down and Peggy ran to the stall and the horse nudged Peggy with her nose. "Daddy, she is the most beautifullest horse that I have ever seen." She turned back to Adam and ran to him and hugged him really tight. "Oh thank you Daddy!" Adam picked her up and gave her a hug.
"What are you going to call your new horse, Peggy?" Adam asked.
"I think that I will call her Cricket." Peggy announced. She looked over at Cricket. "Hi Cricket."
"Peggy, it's a little cold out here lets go back in the house and see what else is under the tree." Adam carried her back into the house.
Everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ben loved his tobacco pouch and Hoss was ecstatic about his candy jar and Joe was in awe over his new pants with belt loops. The time had come for Peggy to give Adam his present. She handed him the gun and when he unwrapped it he look on his face was one of disbelief.
"Peggy, this is wonderful. Thank you so much." Peggy gave him a hug and Adam reached down beside the chair and the tree and got the special present. It was now time for it. Ben and the boys were watching the happy moments unfolding in front of their eyes. "Peggy, this present is a special one. I hope that you enjoy it." Adam handed her the small box.
Peggy took the box and then walked to the tree and under the tree skirt there was a present that she had hidden there weeks before. She handed this package to Adam.
"Daddy this is your special present also. Let's open them together." Adam accepted the gift and nodded his approval. They both opened their packages and Peggy found inside a heart shaped locket that when opened revealed a picture of her mother, on the back was engraved the words, 'Love, your father.' Peggy had tears in her eyes. Adam opening his found a pocket watch that when he opened it there was a picture of his mother also. Turning the watch over he saw the words, 'Love, your daughter'.
They both while looking at the pictures said, "Merry Christmas Mother."
The End
Copyright 1998 by Kim Gean. All rights reserved
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