Chapter 6

Amelia hurries out of the house and sees Joe walking out of the barn.

She runs over to him and hugs him. Joe was surprise by the gesture and wonders what cause the sudden change in his sister’s attitude.

Joe returns the hug and holds her tightly in his arms. He miss being able to hold her and was glad that he was able to do it again.

Joe pulls away from her after holding her for a while. Amelia looks up at her brother and could tell something was bothering him.

“You alright Joe?” she asked concern. “What do you care?” asked Joe harshly.

Amelia looks at him surprise by his harsh tone but she knew that she had it coming to her.

“Because you’re my brother and I care about you” she answered hoping that he would let her apologize to him.

“I’m sorry I’m just in a bad mood” said Joe apologetically sincere. They walk over to the porch and sat down on the steps.

“Because of me?” asked Amelia. Joe looks at her and shakes his head. “No not because of you. I broke up with your teacher” said Joe.

Amelia was aghast and felt ashamed for the way she acted and blames herself for ruining her brother’s happiness.

“This is all my fault” said Amelia full of guilt. Joe looks at her and lifts her chin up so she can look at him.

“It isn’t your fault it’s mine” reassured Joe. “How come you broke up with her I thought you loved her?” asked Amelia confused.

“I do love her but it wasn’t worth what I was losing” said Joe smiling when he saw how confuse his sister was.

He takes is sister’s hand in his. “My fling with your teacher was hurting what you and I have and I didn’t want it to fall apart because I was a jerk and a horrible big brother” said Joe.

“You’re not a horrible brother Joe. I am a horrible sister. I’m so sorry for everything” said Amelia in tears.

She touches her brother’s hand. “You’re my brother and you’ll always be. I don’t hate you and I could never hate you. I love you Little Joe”

Joe smiles as he listens to his sister apologizing to him.

“I don’t wish that you were dead and I’m really sorry for saying that”. Amelia breaks down into heavy sobs.

Joe opens his arms out to her. “Come here” he said comfortingly. Amelia hugs him and cries on his shoulder.

Joe strokes her hair and rubs her back.  “Hey it’s alright…Shh…Now” he consoled.

Once he felt her relax he pulls away from her taking both of her hands in his.

“I’m very sorry for hurting you the way I did and I’m sorry for betraying your trust. I don’t blame you for being angry with me” said Joe full of emotion as tears watered his eyes.

“You have to know that nothing is more important to me than our special bond. I love you more than anything. You’re the most important girl in my life besides my mother and I’m so sorry you thought otherwise” he choked tears dripping down his cheeks.

“I have no excuse for what I did but I promise you I’m gonna do my best to never hurt you like that again alright” he said in a shaky voice.

Amelia nods her head and Joe hugs her. “I love you” he said full of emotion. “I love you too” said Amelia. Both were relieve that they worked things out.

Ben, Hoss and Adam were standing a few feet away listening to the conversation and walks over to them. “Everything alright?” asked Ben curiously.

Joe and Amelia got up and turn to face them. “Everything’s great Pa! I got my sister back” said Joe happily. “And I got my brother back” added Amelia.

“I’m very relieved to hear it” said Ben beaming with happiness and love. “Maybe now everything would go back to normal around here” teased Adam happy to see his brother and sister getting along again.

“I’ll be careful about that Adam with these two around it’s anything but normal” teased Hoss. They all laugh and the three of them walk away giving Joe and Amelia some space.

“Let’s not let this happen again” said Amelia. Joe nods his head in agreement. “Why don’t we go fishing tomorrow just the two of us” said Joe.

“I would like that” said Amelia. Joe smiles and was about to walk away when Amelia stops him.

He turns back around to face her. “I just wanted you to know that I really am sorry for everything” she said sheepishly.

“I know that sweetheart. I don’t want you to feel guilty about anything everything’s fine between us” assured Joe.

Amelia smiles relieved and walks over to him. “I love you” she said. “I love you too” Joe said as he leans over and kisses her on the cheek.

Weeks past and things had gone back to normal (whatever normal is) on the Ponderosa.

Joe and Amelia made amends and their relationship blossom even though it wasn’t exactly like it was before but both were glad at where it was.

Joe slowly managed to gain back his sister’s trust and Amelia managed to never doubt her brother’s love for her.

They had learned about trust and just how much they loved each other and never take fragrant it the special relationship they shared.  

And both Cartwright’s couldn’t be happier.

 

The End

Next Story in the Amelia Series:

The Talk
Cartwrights Stick Together

 

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