Leo (Romancing the Ponderosa Book 3)

Chapter 1

Pullin' up in front of the general store, I climb off the buckboard an' am 'bout to go in when I hear two drunks hoopin' an' hollerin' out in front of the saloon. Lookin' over at them, I start to shake my head, but I freeze. There's a little gal runnin' across the street right towards their buckin' horses. Without even thinkin', I run after her, hopin' that I can grab her before she's trampled.

She lets out a little scream as my arm wraps around her belly. Liftin' her up outta the way, I carry her away to safety. Walkin' towards the buckboard with her, I look over my shoulder when I hear a little voice a shoutin', "Cherry, Cherry darlin', where are you?"

"Ovah here, Jeff!" The little gal in my arms shouts back. A little boy with yeller blonde curls comes runnin' up beside me. Bendin', he puts his hands on his knees tryin' to catch his breath. I sit the gal up on the buckboard bench while I wait for him to get his breath so he can tell me what this is all about.

"Hey, mister, you just saved my little sister's life! Thank you! If it wasn't for you she'd be about as flat as one of Ma's pancakes."

"I'm just glad I saw your little sister when I did." I put my hands on my hips. "I figure you were supposed to be watchin' her an' she got away from you, didn't she?"

"Yes, sir. I'm real sorry that she did, but you see, she's always runnin' off. Not just on me either but on Ma, too." He shakes his head at her. "Well, I best be gettin' on back. Ma's waitin' on us."

"Hold on a minute." Reachin' up, he tries to get her off the seat despite the fact that the top of his head doesn't reach the underside of the bench, so I pick her up instead. "How about I go with you? That way you won't lose her again on the way back. Anyhow I think it's only fittin' that I meet your Ma."

"Ok, mister... what's your name?"

"Hoss. Hoss Cartwright." I point for him to lead the way.

"Horse?" He grabs my free hand as he leads me along.

"No, just plain Hoss."

"That's sure a funny name for a man."

"What's your name, little buddy?"

"Jeff Tirk and that's Cherry."

"Cherry, hmm, like the fruit?"

"Yeah, but her real name is Evangelina. We just call her Cherry."

"Well Cherry, you're a lot like me then." Turnin', I look at her an' she smiles up at me, her purty blue eyes all scrunched up.

" 'Ow?" She asks in a little high pitched baby voice.

"Well, you see, people call me Hoss but my real name is Eric. Hoss is my nickname like Cherry's your nickname."

"Me tink me 'ike 'Oss betta."

"I do too, sweetheart." I look between the two of them tryin' to figure out their ages. "How old are you two, anyhow?"

"Me two!" She holds up two pudgy fingers.

"And I'm five."

"Purty young to be runnin' around town all by yourselves, don't you think?" I can't help but wonder what kinda ma these kiddos have.

"Ma was busy with our luggage at the stage station and Cherry ran off, so I went to find her."

"I figure your Ma's probably worrin' herself into a fit right about now." Walkin' up to the stage station I see a purty blonde gal pacin' up an' down the sidewalk. Hearin' my boots, she turns towards me.

"Oh, there you two are!" She grabs Cherry off of my arm an' wraps her in a tight hug. "Don't you two ever run off again, do you hear?!"

" 'Es, Ma."

"Yes, ma'am, but I had to find Cherry." He tugs on her sleeve. "Ma, Hoss here saved Cherry's life. She almost got trampled by horses again."

"Sir, I'm very thankful that you were able to save my daughter's life. I don't know how to repay you."

"Oh, don't worry about it, ma'am, it was nothin'. I'm just glad that I saw her an' was able to get to her in time." Takin' off my hat, I hold it between my hands. "Now, ma'am, if you'll excuse me I've got some business that needs tendin' to."

"Oh, of course! But wait, what is your name? I don't think you told me."

"Cartwright, ma'am. Hoss Cartwright."

"I wish we could have met under happier circumstances, but it's been a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cartwright. My name is Leona Tirk and I'm sure you already know my children's names."

"Yes'um, that I do." I put my hat back on and tip it in her direction. "Now if you'll excuse me, ma'am, I'll be on my way."