Chapter Three: A Discussion and a Dream

After Violet and Joe went to the barn to get their horses, Adam, Ben, and Hoss were talking about Violet.

"What do you think of Miss Richards, Pa?" Adam asked.

"Well, I think she's a very nice young lady," answered Ben, "what do you think, Hoss?"

"She's a purty little gal, that's fer sure," said Hoss, "why you askin', Adam?"

"She's certainly pretty, but there's something about her that's not quite…right, I suppose," said Adam.

"What do you mean, Adam?" asked Ben, "she hasn't done anything wrong, has she?"

"No, she hasn't done anything wrong, Pa," replied Adam.

"Then, what's the problem?" asked Hoss.

"I wish I knew, Hoss," said Adam, "I just can't put my finger on it, but she just makes me uneasy."

131

The first stop on Joe and Violet's tour was the lake.

"What a beautiful view!" exclaimed Violet.

Joe agreed.

"It certainly is," he said.

They were right; the late afternoon sky cast pretty reflections on the mirror-like surface of the lake.

Without warning, Joe leaned over and kissed Violet. Violet was caught completely off guard, but she didn't resist it. Joe moved faster than she was expecting, but she supposed it would work better this way.

313

Ben and Hoss were playing checkers, and Adam was sitting in the blue chair. He was trying to read a book, but couldn't concentrate on the words. He couldn't stop thinking about Joe and Violet.

Finally, he put down his book, and said, "What's taking those two so long?"

The door opened, and in came Violet and Joe.

"Hi, everyone," said Joe.

"Hello, Joe," said Hoss, Adam, and Ben.

"Hello, Cartwrights," said Violet.

"Hello, Miss Richards," said Ben, Adam, and Hoss.

Hop Sing came in and announced that supper was ready.

"Won't you stay for supper, Miss Richards?" asked Ben.

"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright, I will," said Violet.

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After eating supper, Joe escorted Violet back to the hotel.

In the hotel lobby, Violet said, "I had a good time today, Joe. Thank you for inviting me to the Ponderosa."

"You're welcome," said Joe.

Violet kissed Joe on the cheek, and ascended the stairs to her room.

313

Joe returned home.

"Hello, Joe," said Ben.

"Hi, Pa," said Joe, "Violet made it to her room alright."

He went upstairs to his room.

"Pa, I reckon Little Joe's really smitten with Miss Richards," said Hoss.

"Obviously," replied Adam, sourly.

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Little Joe went to bed early. He dreamed about Violet.

VVV

Joe and Violet were walking along the lakeshore at sunset.

"This is the most loveliest view I've ever seen," Violet said.

"It is, isn't it?" asked Joe.

He and Violet kissed.

During the kiss, Violet took out a knife and stabbed Joe in the back with it.

VVV

Joe woke up.

What a strange dream, he thought.

Putting the dream out of his mind, he got out of bed and dressed.

313

At breakfast, Ben asked Hoss and Joe to go to town and get some things for Hop Sing.

"Sure, Pa," agreed Hoss and Joe.

A/N: So, what do you think? Leave me a review!