Returning Home

Posted byBeppinaPosted inUncategorized

By Beppina

Finally, I’m home.

The house looked the same, all was quiet. I couldn’t see any horses but that doesn’t mean Pa, Hoss and Candy were out on the range. Hauling my cases up onto the veranda I looked around. The air smelt fresh and clean, just a slight odour of pine wafting across the yard. Not even the scent of Hop Sing cooking dinner.

After almost three months away I was so happy to be home. Just breathing the Ponderosa air invoked my senses. It reawakened in me why I loved this place and had no wish to leave.

My hand rested on the latch, I gave it a slight twist and pushed into the house.

“Who’s there?” Pa’s voice called out from behind his massive oak desk.

“Me, Pa. I’m home.”

Pa was at my side before I passed through to his office. His smile was the only greeting I needed.

“Welcome home, Son. We weren’t expecting you until next week.” Pa’s arms wrapped around me in a warm welcoming hug.

My bags were swiftly put to one side. I will get them sorted later. I know Hop Sing will not appreciate the dirty linen I have acquired while travelling home.

“Where is everyone?” I asked and glanced around the familiar room.

“Hoss and Candy are out fixing fences. They’ll be back for dinner. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you back home and resuming your chores.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they will,” I replied, accompanied by a roll of my eyes.

Hop Sing came trotting into the room, his slippers flip-flopping against the wooden surface. He chattered on in Chinese telling me it was good I was home, and that he had missed me. Pa soon sent him off to prepare dinner. I had no doubt it would be a feast of my favourite foods to celebrate my return.

“So, what was Boston like? How was the wedding?”

“Great, Pa. It went well. I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.”

“And Adam?”

I restrained from snorting back my laughter. “Older brother is just fine, Pa. Older and greyer but fine. He sends his love.”

The nod of Pa’s head acknowledged his eldest son’s good health, “Give me a few minutes and I’ll be done here.” He waved across to the pile of papers covering his desk.

“I’ll go wash up and have a half-hour nap while you do if that’s ok?”

With a wave of his hand, I was dismissed, “Go, go.”

My room seemed small compared to the palatial accommodations I had been acquainted with in Boston. The window was flung wide open to let the afternoon breeze wiffle through. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the dust motes dancing on the current of air. My bed with fresh linen and plumped pillows, was almost too inviting to resist. Keeping my boots from the covers I lay back in its soft comfortable embrace. For a moment I studied the ceiling, every crack and mark remained the same and with a contented sigh I closed my eyes and let my being relax.

A rapid pounding on my door soon woke me from my snooze. A voice that could only belong to my brother Hoss broke the tranquillity of my rest.

“Come on, sleeping beauty,” his words echoing through the door as he pushed it open, “dinner is ready.”

“Welcome home, Joe,” I greeted with a grin. “It’s good to see you.”

Big brother towered over me; a hand reached down to grip my own as he pulled me to my feet.

“Good to see you back, Short Shanks!” as I was gripped in his huge bear hug.

“Glad to be back, Hoss, umm, would you put me down now, please?”

Side by side, with one meaty arm across my shoulders, we descended the stairs. Candy and Pa stood waiting at the table eager to sit and eat.

“Welcome home, Joe.” Candy pumped my hand, “It seems like forever since you went back East.”

“Candy,” as we pulled into a hug, “good to be home.”

As I had expected, Hop Sing had rustled up some wonderful food. I will never know how he managed to do it with such little notice. It was a veritable feast and fit for a king. We all ate far more than we should and at the end, we sat back with scarcely room for dessert.

Throughout dinner, I had been feeding them little tales of my journey; some of the places I had passed through, others where I had stopped for a night or two. I had so much more to share, but I was weary. Boston was a long train and coach ride away and to be truthful after Hop Sing’s superb meal, I was shattered.

Apple cobbler was swiftly followed by coffee and Pa’s best brandy. I don’t think I’ve eaten so much since leaving Adam’s home and now I was done for.

“Checkers, Joe?” Hoss asked as he pulled the board to the low oak table.

“Not tonight, Hoss, thanks. I don’t think I can concentrate. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Candy?” It wasn’t many minutes before their game was underway. Pa settled back in his blue chair. The dancing flames caught the silver-white shine of his hair as he fixed his pipe, while the dried wood popped and crackled as the fire consumed it log by log. The room held a tangible peace about it. We were where we should be, safe within its walls and warmed at its hearth.

“Are you going to tell us more about your trip, son?”

“Not tonight, Pa. Don’t worry, you’ll hear all the news and gossip before the week is out. You’ll be regretting letting me go by then.”

“You look tired, Joe. How was the journey home?”

I chortled, “Tiring, Pa. Very tiring.”

“You can have a late morning tomorrow. I doubt Hoss or Candy will mind another day of doing your chores.”

At that comment, two heads, one fair and one dark, popped up from the checkerboard and an audible groan floated across the room.

“Okay, okay,” I capitulated, “I’ll join you tomorrow morning. Just don’t expect me too early.”

Hoss’s chuckle rumbled across, “You never get up early, Joseph, why start now?”

I was too tired to think of a smart answer, so left it at that.

I sat back on the settee. The fire cast bright lights and deep shadows about the room. The scent of pine wood smoke and Pa’s pipe tobacco mingled in the air. The faintest smell of dinner and coffee lingered long after we had finished. These were just some of the things I had missed during my time away. Pa was engrossed in his newspaper, though it seemed he had read the same page for the last ten minutes. He wore a small, contented smile. I wondered just what he was thinking.

Temptation almost got the better of me as I went to put my feet up on the low table. Pa’s eyebrows raised as he cast a warning eye in my direction. He had been waiting for my move and I had obliged him.

“Sorry, Pa.”

He returned to reading the same page of the paper, the smile wider and now obvious.

I would tell them of Boston, of Washington. Of the President and English Duke, I had met. The opulence of the wedding I had attended with Adam. Of how Adam and I had managed to stay friends for the whole of my stay. I had so much to share, but not tonight. Tonight, I wanted to enjoy the familiar closeness of my Pa, Hoss, and my friend Candy. Storytelling will wait for another day.

I was home. Everything was right in my world.

The End.

Published by Beppina

I have loved Little Joe Cartwright since the year dot! Bonanza was my favourite western as a child, especially the Joe centric episodes. I came to fanfiction writing quite late in life, so I am still learning. I hope you enjoy my work.

41 thoughts on “Returning Home”

    1. Thank you reading and commenting, Polly, Joe is home and right back in the heart of his family, just where he belongs.
      Chrissie 😀

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. I’m happy you enjoyed my little tale. It was fun to write Joe in a reflective mood.

      Chrissie 😀

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  6. Thank you for this lovely story, Chrissie! I had never read it before, and I found it so warm and intimate. I breathed in the atmosphere you created and enjoyed Joe’s feelings when he returned home. His home and his family are to which he is intimately and inextricably linked. Thanks!

    Marcella

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    1. Grazie mille, Marcella. Sono contento che ti piaciuta la mia storia e che tu abbia sentito le emozioni di Joe quando sei tornato a casa.

      Chrissie 😀

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Bev. Yes there is no place like home and for Joe it will always be The Ponderosa.

      Chrissie. 😀

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  11. Home on the Ponderosa beckons wonderful memories and calmness. Joe is happy just to return home for some peace and quiet.

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    1. Thank you for reading and taking time to comment. Even for our Joe there is no place like home. Chrissie 😊

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  12. Love this story! Sometimes it’s nice to not have a lot of drama and angst and just picture a lovely evening with family and friends, as well as the temptation to put your feet up, LOL!

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    1. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment, Jenni. I’m pleased you enjoyed my little snapshot of life with Joe and his family. Chrissie, 🙂

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  13. An interesting take to reverse the challenge. You gave us a charming scene of Joe’s return, Chrissie. Good job.

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    1. Thanks for reading, June. The picture didn’t speak to me of Joe going away, but of returning so I had to go with that. It was a change from my usual ‘Kill a Cartwright/friend’ stories. Chrissie. 😉

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      1. What a heartwarming story! There’s nothing quite like returning home after being away. I only wish I could hear Joe’s stories of his time away too. It certainly sounds like he had a grand time!

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        1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Rachel. I’m sure Joe had a brilliant time while away at Adam’s. Maybe sometime in the future he will share some of his experiences.

          Chrissie 😀

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  14. I enjoyed this story very much! Like others mentioned – no high drama just warm family togetherness – love that. Of course, my mind naturally was wandering to what it was like for Joe in Boston . Maybe some future story ?😉 Irene

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Irene. I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. There is a chance I will do a follow up as I have some ideas lurking in the back of my mind. I just need apply myself. 🤔😊

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    1. How did I not reply to your comment, Pat? Very remiss of me and my apologies. It was a challenge I enjoyed doing. Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Chrissie. 😀

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  16. Nice light, sometimes funny story. I liked the images you conjured up in my head, the smells and impressions.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it. I’m pleased you enjoyed this little snapshot of a story. Chrissie. :0

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  19. What a sweet story. No great drama, no one getting hurt, just a lovely reunion and a wandering son returned to the bosom of his family

    Little Joe forever

    Lynne

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Lynne. I just tried to show Joe’s thoughts and emotions on being home after an extended trip away. Chrissie 🙂

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting. It is much appreciated and I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. Chrissie. 🙂

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