Canon refers to Ben leaving the Ponderosa for a time after Marie’s death. This story presents a possibility for how Adam managed during this time. (This is an Old Ned story.)

This is a compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West.
Rating: K+ Words: 2274

Summary: Instead of excitement and joy over Adam’s imminent return from school in Boston, unexpected emotions and personal fears leave the Cartwrights struggling in their welcome. This story is comprised of chapters told from a family member’s POV.

Rating: G

Words: 26442

Adam’s last weeks at college back East have him dealing with accolades, accusations, rivals, revenge, and possible expulsion.
Rating: Teen for mature references Word count: 7,942

Summary: This prequel is set a few weeks before Adam’s departure for school.  A simple request to pick up Little Joe from a neighbor’s home where the little boy is playing, ends up bringing Adam into a world of confusion over what’s going on with the wife of his father’s oldest friend.

This is the first of 2 prequels, the first taking place in the weeks before Adam left for college, and the second story showing his return. Both take a fun, yet serious look at how the Cartwright family faces problems.

Rating: K    Word Count:  26419

Summary: It was just an April Fool’s Day prank gone wrong.
Rating: General    Word count: 897 This was written in response to a forum challenge.

Summary: When Joe goes through old memories, it dawns on him that he hadn’t considered how different his oldest brother’s childhood was from his own. With the help of a few old trunks of treasures, Joe learns more about Adam’s past and how, despite their distinct upbringings, they both share a history that will forever be intertwined.
Word Count: 2,820   Rating: G

Summary: Marie wants a party, but it doesn’t end as she hoped. However, the man who caused the party to end finds his plans don’t go well at all either.
Rating T  Word count 2,698

Summary: Whether on land or sea, the North Star offered guidance to a young dreamer. Now it offers comfort and points to home for another young dreamer. 

Rating: G, Word Count: 4676

Summary:  Faced with the trials of heart failure, young Adam Cartwright embarks on a journey of courage and resilience, drawing on the memories of the mother he never knew and the solidarity of his loving family to confront his limitations and cherish every moment of life. Rating:  K+ Word Count:…

Summary: Jess, George, and Sally left the people they loved, including the Cartwrights. After six long years, Jess has returned to Virginia City, running from the man who forced them out of their homes in the first place: her own father. What will happen when she meets Adam again? Will the memories of their past come rushing back, or will they be forced to face a future without each other?
Rating: K+ Word Count: 22,507

Summary:  Adam finds himself in a different world as he faces a rite of passage.
Rating:  G
Words:  8,650

Summary: Adam intended to introduce his youngest brother to good literature, but you know Little Joe – instead of culture, he found trouble!  
Rating:  G
Words:  4,500 
Written for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar

Summary: Seventeen year old Hoss gets entrusted to collect the payroll from the bank and get home. Simple as that, or is it? 

Rating: G, Word Count: 11,298

Summary:  Though many people choose to write a story for the Advent Calendar, members are free to choose how they wish to respond to their prompt.
Drawn for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar.