Bonanza "Remember Me."

Chapter Four

Joe had taken his father's advice by “courting” Alice as if they were starting over again and in the process, he finds himself able to smile and laugh again just being with her and forgetting the horrible accident or the fact she doesn't remember him. He was creating new memories with her, but a part of him still wanted her to remember the life they had together before the accident.

Joe is holding Alice's hand as they come across a bed of white flowers. He stops and bends down to pick one up and then hands it to her. “For you.” She smiles and takes it and then sniffs it when Joe then takes it back and says. “Here.” He then puts it in her hair. “Beautiful.” He says. She smiles and then looks into his eyes as he pauses and then gently brushes her hair back before he finds himself leaning into her and she does the same as they then kiss. He hopes the kiss will ignite some spark in her memory. He takes her face as he continues to kiss her, hoping and praying she'll remember him, almost willing her to remember him. He then pulls away as he opens his eyes to see the spark he was hoping for, but she only gives a small smile with not even a hint of remembering who he really is. He tries to hide his disappointment as he then tells her. “It's getting kind of late, why don't we uh..head back to the ranch.” She nods and they then start walking back over to the buggy.

The next day, Alice is walking along the Ponderosa ranch as she comes up to the stable. Meanwhile, one of Ben's new ranch hands, Charlie, comes out of the barn with an empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. He attempts to take another drink when he notices the bottle is empty and he tips the bottle and then throws it out. He then looks over and sees Alice and he gives a smug grin as he wipes his mouth and then staggers over to her.

Alice has her hands wrapped around the railing when she hears a rugged voice say to her. “Morning, ma'am.” Alice turns her head to see Charlie walking towards her. She gives a small smile as she says back to him. “Good morning.” “How are you doing this fine morning?” He asks. “Fine, thank you.” She replies. He then looks at her and grins as he says to her. “You're a might’ pretty woman.” Alice starts to tense up a bit as he then tells her. “I don't see how you could be with one of them high and mighty Cartwright's.” “They've been very kind to me.” She says. “Why of course they are!” He says. “You and me, we just another charity case to them.” He then points his finger at her. “But you..yeah, you're special to them and you don't even know why, do ya?” He chuckles. Alice looks at him puzzled as he then says. “Anyway, forget bout’ him. How's about you and me go and have a drink, honey, huh?” Candy walks out of the barn as she replies. “No, thank you, I think you've had enough. If you'll excuse me.” She starts to walk away when he gets in front of her and says. “Hey, hold on a minute now, I’s just tryin’ to be friendly with ya, that's all. Now how's about that drink, huh?” He attempts to put his hand on her and she moves her shoulder away from him as she says to him, sternly. “I told you I wasn't interested, now if you'll kindly leave me alone.” Candy then shouts. “Charlie!” Alice turns and hurries inside the house as Charlie turns around and sees Candy as he says. “Oh..hey there, Candy, I didn’t see you standing there.”

Candy walks up to him as he asks. “Charlie, what do you think you were doing?” He places his hands on his hips as Charlie replies. “Oh, I’s just being friendly to Joe's woman there.” Candy then responds. “I know what you were doing, Charlie and you're very lucky Joe wasn't there to see it or else we'd be carrying you out of here in a pine box right now.” “Oh, I wadn’t doin' anything wrong.” Charlie tells him. “Charlie, she's a married woman!” Candy replies in exasperation. Charlie then says in frustration. “Oh, she don't even know who he is! I don’t see no harm in..” “She's also our boss's daughter-in-law, so I want you to stay clear away from her, alright?” Candy tells him in a bit of a stern tone. “Oh, you can't tell me to do nothin’, you ain't one of them Cartwright's.” Charlie responds. Candy then sighs and tells him. “Then you're leaving me no choice. I convinced Ben to hire you, so you're my responsibility. And I'm gonna have to let you go. I'll have Ben gather what he owes you.” He starts to walk towards the house when Charlie shouts out. “Well, we'll see what Cartwright has to say about that now, huh?” Candy turns around as he holds his hand up to him. “Charlie, go..sleep it off.” He waves him off and then walks over to the house as Charlie turns and walks back into the barn.