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Re: A Treasure Trove of Goodies with a Beautiful Blessing Too (2026)

Ben's eyes softened as he looked down at her, his arm tightening gently around her shoulders while he brushed a thumb across the tears on her cheek.
"Darlin'," he said warmly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "for a woman who claims she's tired, you sure do know how to keep an old rancher on his toes."
He chuckled quietly at her teasing about women using sex to their advantage and shook his head.
"I figured that out a long time ago. Problem is, by the time a man realizes what's happening, he's already surrendered and doesn't even mind."
His eyes twinkled mischievously.
"And for the record, I ain't ever complained about anything I've gotten out of those outlaw powers of yours."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Not the meals. Not the smiles. Not the way you somehow manage to make every room brighter when you walk into it."
Then his expression grew softer still.
"And certainly not the three little miracles we're waiting on."
His hand remained resting over hers on her belly.
When she called him a strong, sexy cowboy, Ben actually laughed, a deep, genuine laugh that rumbled from his chest.
"Strong, maybe."
He glanced at his gray hair.
"Gray? Definitely."
Then he looked directly into her eyes.
"But if the most beautiful woman I've ever known still sees me that way, who am I to argue?"
His voice lowered affectionately.
"Truth is, Lynda, every time you look at me like that, I still feel like the luckiest man who ever climbed into a saddle."
He listened to her idea about Hop Sing dressing as a leprechaun and immediately chuckled.
"Oh, I would pay good money to see Hop Sing's face when you suggest that."
He could already imagine it.
"Though I suspect the grandbabies would absolutely love it."
Then she admitted that she'd fallen for him the moment she saw him.
The smile on Ben's face slowly faded into something deeper.
Something quieter.
More emotional.
He reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Funny thing is," he said softly, "I remember the first time I saw you like it happened yesterday."
His eyes never left hers.
"And I knew right then there was something special about you."
He swallowed.
"Didn't know you'd become my wife."
His hand squeezed hers.
"Didn't know you'd become the mother of my children."
Another squeeze.
"Didn't know you'd become the best friend I've ever had."
His voice grew thick with emotion.
"But I knew my life was about to change."
Then, when she asked if they could stay like that a little longer, Ben smiled immediately, as though the answer had never been in doubt.
"Sweetheart, we can stay like this as long as you want."
He carefully shifted, making sure she was comfortable against his shoulder.
"The ranch will still be there."
Another gentle kiss landed on her hair.
"The party can wait."
His hand slowly rubbed over hers and the babies beneath it.
"And right now, the only place I want to be is right here with my wife and our girls."
He settled back into the couch, holding her securely against him.
"So you close those beautiful eyes and rest."
His voice became a whisper.
"I'll be right here when you wake up."

Re: From Long Ago and Far Away Our Love Brought Us to Our Wedding Day

Ben glanced down at her and smiled so softly it almost hurt.

"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, brushing his thumb over her wedding band again. "There ain't an ugly stick in Nevada strong enough to do that."

He kept his voice low, not wanting to wake her fully, but unable to stop talking to her. Seeing her curled against him in his truck, wearing his ring, exhausted from becoming his wife, did something deep to him.

By the time the ranch house came into view, lanterns were glowing in the windows, and Ben could already see shadows moving around inside.

Home.

Their home now.

He slowed the truck near the front porch and looked down at Lynda again. For a moment, he didn't move. He just watched her sleep, memorizing the way she looked on their wedding night.

Then he leaned down and kissed her temple.

"Lynda," he whispered. "Darlin'... we're home."

He smiled as she stirred against him.

"And for the record," he added gently, "you look beautiful. But I'll give you a minute to fix whatever you think needs fixing before the boys come stampedin' out here like a pack of wild cattle.

Re: Going From Graduation and Retirement to Separation and Divorce

Ben looked at her hand in his, then up at her tired face.

For a moment, his jaw worked like he had a dozen things fighting to come out.

Then he let out a slow breath.

"Stubborn wife of a stubborn cowboy turnin' doctor, huh?" he said softly, trying for a smile.

He squeezed her hand, but his voice was rough.

"I don't know if I can eat. Coffee, maybe. But I don't want to be too far from Adam."

His eyes flicked toward the hallway where they had taken his son.

Then he looked back at Lynda, and the fear in him softened into concern.

"And you," he added quietly. "You look like you're about two steps from fallin' over."

Ben reached up and brushed his thumb gently along her knuckles.

"I'm angry," he admitted. "Not at you. Not really. I'm angry because I can't fix this. I'm angry because my boy is back there and all I can do is sit in a chair and wait while my wife carries the weight of savin' him."

His voice cracked just a little.

"And I'm scared, Lynda."

He swallowed hard, trying to pull himself together.

"But I trust you. More than I've ever trusted anybody."

Ben finally stood, still holding her hand.

"So yes. I'll go with you. I'll drink coffee. I'll try to eat. But only if you sit down too. No doctor voice. No pretendin' you ain't tired."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"For ten minutes, you're just my wife. And I'm just a frightened old cowboy who needs to hold your hand."

Re: The Cartwrights Cruise Turned Nightmare Turns to Survival

Ben stirred at the sound of Phoenix's cry, his eyes fluttering open for only a moment before Lynda's soft voice reached him through the haze of exhaustion.

"Shh... it's okay Benny. I got this one."

He felt her kiss against his cheek and let out a tired sigh.

"You sure?" he mumbled, barely awake.

But by then she was already moving, and the warmth beside him slowly disappeared as she slipped from the bed.

Ben tried to sit up anyway. For a second he managed it. Then his body reminded him exactly how little sleep he'd had over the past several weeks.

The next thing he knew, his head had fallen back against the pillow.

A couple of hours later, the bathroom door quietly opened.

Ben's eyes blinked open immediately.

Fatherhood had apparently replaced his ability to sleep through anything.

The room was dim except for the soft glow of the nightlight. He could see Lynda carrying Phoenix against her shoulder while gently patting the little girl's back.

"How'd she do?" he whispered.

Lynda smiled tiredly.

"Hungry. Very hungry."

Ben chuckled softly.

"Sounds familiar."

Lynda rolled her eyes affectionately.

"She's your daughter."

"That explains it."

As if on cue, a tiny burp escaped Phoenix.

Both parents froze.

Then they laughed quietly.

"There it is," Ben whispered proudly. "That's my girl."

Phoenix immediately scrunched up her face and began fussing again.

"Oh no," Ben groaned dramatically. "And there's her mother."

Lynda shot him a look.

"Careful, Cartwright."

Ben grinned.

"See? Definitely her mother."

The familiar sound of another baby stirring came from the bassinets.

Then another.

Ben slowly looked toward the girls.

Lynda slowly looked toward the girls.

Silence.

Then Bella's cry rang through the room.

A second later, Abby joined in.

Ben closed his eyes.

Lynda closed hers too.

"Well," Ben said, rubbing his face, "there goes the peaceful part of the night."

Lynda laughed.

"The peaceful part ended three daughters ago."

Ben pushed himself out of bed and walked over to the bassinets before either baby could fully work themselves into a fit.

"Now hold on there," he whispered, lifting Bella into his arms. "Your sister doesn't need any help waking the whole ranch."

Bella immediately stopped crying.

Ben looked over at Lynda with a victorious smile.

"You see that? She knows who her daddy is."

At that exact moment Bella let out a loud wail directly into his ear.

Lynda nearly doubled over laughing.

Ben winced.

"I take it back."

Abby was now beginning to fuss harder as well.

Lynda stepped beside him and gently touched his arm.

"Why don't you hand me Bella and take Abby? I'll get these two fed while you keep this little lady company."

Ben carefully passed Bella over and gathered Abby into his arms instead.

The tiny girl immediately settled against his chest.

His expression softened.

No matter how exhausted he was, moments like this never got old.

Across the room, Lynda sat in the rocking chair with Bella while Phoenix rested contentedly against her shoulder.

For several minutes the nursery was filled with nothing but soft whispers, sleepy baby noises, and the gentle creak of the rocker.

Ben looked over at his wife and daughters.

The ranch, the cattle, the endless responsibilities—they all seemed very far away.

Right now there was only this.

His family.

His beautiful wife.

And three little girls who had completely stolen his heart.

"I love you, Lynda," he said quietly.

Lynda looked up from the babies and smiled.

"We love you too, Ben."

Ben felt his throat tighten.

Abby yawned against his chest.

Phoenix was already drifting back to sleep.

Bella was finally calming down.

And for the first time all night, everything felt peaceful again.  

Re: A White Christmas Tragedy Brings a Special Christmas Gift (2025)

Ben swallowed hard, looking back at Lynda before he finally answered Laura.

"Fair?" he said quietly, voice rough from exhaustion. "Laura, it's the fairest thing I've heard all night."

He rubbed a hand over his face, then reached for Lynda's hand again like letting go even for a second hurt him.

"I know I look awful," he admitted. "I feel awful. But every time I close my eyes, I see her getting worse. I hear the doctor's voice. I think about those babies..." His voice broke. "And I can't make myself move."

Ben looked at Laura then, his eyes red and tired.

"When Hoss was hurt, I remember telling you to rest. I remember thinking I was helping." He gave a weak, sad smile. "Turns out I was just being a stubborn old fool who didn't understand until now."

He squeezed Lynda's hand gently.

"I'm scared, Laura," he whispered. "More scared than I've been in a long time."

Re: Celebrating Romance Heals Love and Chocolate Heals Everything Else (2026)

Ben watched her with that soft, helpless kind of smile only Lynda could pull out of him, even when she was being stubborn enough to make his blood pressure climb.

"Well," he said slowly, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorway, "first off, you ain't puttin' in any order with Hop Sing unless that order includes you sittin' still."

His eyes twinkled.

"As for me, I'll take roast beef if he's got it. Ham if he doesn't. Coffee, black." Then he pointed a finger at her, though there wasn't an ounce of real sternness in it. "And you are not wheeling yourself all over that kitchen looking for five-hundred-dollar noodles with fancy dirt shaved on top."

He walked over to her, gently catching the handles of her chair before she could get too far.

"Black truffle," he muttered, shaking his head. "Woman, I run cattle, not a palace in Paris."

But the teasing faded a little as he bent down beside her, his hand covering hers on the wheel.

"And for the record," he said softly, "you don't have to do anything special for me. You already are something special for me."

His gaze dropped briefly to her belly, then returned to her face.

"You and those three little girls are all the gift I need."

Re: The Great Ponderosa Easter Egg Hunt (2026)

Ben's face softened the moment Lynda called herself helpless.

"Now you listen to me," he said gently, but with that firm Cartwright tone that meant he would not hear another word of nonsense. He took her hand between both of his. "You are not helpless. You are carrying three little girls, and somehow still finding the strength to worry about Hop Sing, the eggs, the grandchildren, and whether or not you frightened me."

He leaned closer, his dark eyes warm.

"And as for being too good to you?" Ben shook his head. "Lynda, sweetheart, I thank God every day that you let me love you."

He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"You deserve every bit of fussing this family gives you. Every blanket. Every pillow. Every cold drink. Every panicked Cartwright running in circles."

Just then, from the kitchen, Hop Sing's voice rose loudly.

"Too many eggs! Too many babies! Too many Cartwrights asking questions!"

Ben sighed, then looked back at Lynda with a small grin.

"The eggs appear to be under military command."

He stood, still holding her hand until the last possible second.

"And yes, I'll get you something cold and icy to drink. And if Hop Sing throws a spoon at me, I'll consider it a small price to pay."

Before he left, Ben bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then rested one hand tenderly over her belly.

"You three behave for your mother," he murmured to the babies. "She's doing more than enough."

Another little kick answered him.

Ben chuckled softly.

"Stubborn already. Definitely Cartwrights."

Re: A Mother's Day to Remember with Three Unexpected Gift (2026)

Ben's face went soft under her hand, his fear still there, but wrapped in love.

"Oh, you're special all right," he said, voice rough. "Stubborn, impossible, beautiful... and apparently determined to give me three heart attacks before breakfast."

He kissed her palm, then turned sharply.

"Hoss!"

Hoss nearly dropped the pile of towels. "Yes, Pa?"

"Come here. Your ma needs carried to the truck."

Hoss was at her side in an instant, gentle despite his size. "Don't you worry none, Miss Lynda. I got you."

Ben stayed close as Hoss carefully lifted her, one arm behind her back and the other under her knees. Ben walked beside them, one hand never leaving Lynda's shoulder.

"And yes," Ben added quietly, answering her earlier question, "I was scared every time. With Adam. With Hoss. With Joe. With Jennie and Andrew. Every single time." His voice cracked a little. "But this time... this time it's you. And three babies. So yes, I'm scared."

He leaned close as they reached the door.

"But I'm also the happiest man alive."

Re: A Treasure Trove of Goodies with a Beautiful Blessing Too (2026)

Ben couldn't help but laugh softly against her lips, his blue eyes sparkling with pure mischief as he listened to her lay out exactly how "optional" this whole grandbaby celebration had supposedly been for him.

"Oh, sweetheart, now I know the truth's finally coming out," he teased warmly, brushing the tip of his nose against hers. "You didn't hold a gun to my head... you just threatened a far crueler punishment." His grin widened as he kissed her again, slow and affectionate. "A lonely bed and no pretty wife curled up against me? That's enough to make any man surrender immediately."

His large hand stayed spread protectively over her belly while his thumb stroked softly back and forth against her skin, already comforting the babies without even realizing he was doing it.

"And for the record," he added in that deep, loving tone of his, "I'd build ten more playgrounds, throw a hundred more parties, and cook enough food to feed the whole Nevada Territory if it made you smile the way you are right now."

But then she mentioned her surprise again.

Ben narrowed his eyes slightly, suspicious already.

Now that look on her face? That was dangerous.

"Lynda Cartwright..." he said slowly, pointing a playful finger at her while trying—and failing—not to smile. "That tone right there is exactly the tone a woman uses before her husband ends up standing in front of the entire family embarrassed half to death." He shook his head dramatically. "And somehow I just know Adam's going to enjoy every second of it."

Still, despite his teasing, his eyes softened immediately when she rested her hand over his.

The mention of their unborn babies already knowing how loved they were hit him straight in the chest.

Ben looked down at her belly for a long moment before leaning down and pressing the gentlest kiss against it.

"Well," he murmured softly toward the babies, "your mama may be an outlaw mastermind, but your daddy's gonna love you little ones with everything he's got."

Then he lifted his gaze back to Lynda, emotion shining plainly in his eyes.

"You have no idea what it does to a man hearing you say things like that," he admitted quietly. "Every time you call me a good father... every time you look at me like I'm still the same strong cowboy I used to be..." He smiled faintly. "Makes me feel about twenty years younger."

When she started assigning jobs, Ben chuckled low in his chest.

"Oh, I already know Joe's going to turn decorating into complete chaos," he muttered knowingly. "And if Jennie and Laura are involved, there's going to be ribbons, flowers, and enough candles to light the whole ranch."

Then his brow lifted curiously.

"And now I'm real concerned about whatever special job you've got planned for Hoss," he said cautiously. "Because anytime you women start smiling like that, one of us men usually ends up wearing something embarrassing."

When she called herself a beautiful outlaw and him her law-abiding cowboy, Ben outright laughed this time, full and warm and happy.

"Sweetheart, there has never been a day in my life where I stood a chance against you," he admitted lovingly. "And truth be told? I never wanted one."

The laughter faded into something softer as she ran her thumb across his knuckle and told him nothing would ever change who he was to her.

Ben's entire expression melted.

He lifted her hand slowly and kissed her palm before holding it against his chest, right over his heart.

"And you," he whispered tenderly, "will always be my home."

Re: From Long Ago and Far Away Our Love Brought Us to Our Wedding Day

Ben's smile softened as he glanced down at the ring on his hand.

"Lynda..."

His voice went thick, full of emotion.

"You had our first ride put on these rings?"

He looked over at her, eyes shining as the truck rolled toward the Ponderosa.

"Darlin', I don't want new rings. Not ever."

He lifted her hand and kissed her wedding band gently.

"This is perfect. More than perfect. You put our beginning, our faith, and our promise all in one place."

He chuckled softly when the cans rattled behind the truck.

"And as for that convoy behind us... let 'em follow. Let the whole territory see that Ben Cartwright just married the finest woman God ever put on this earth."

When her voice grew sleepy, Ben's expression turned tender. He shifted just enough to hold her closer while keeping one hand steady on the wheel.

"You rest against me, Mrs. Cartwright," he murmured. "There'll be plenty of dancing tonight. And yes... I intend to dance with you like you're my queen."

His thumb brushed over her fingers.

"But later, when the music fades and everyone goes home... I'm going to hold you close and thank the Lord all over again that you're mine."