Category: Hurt/Comfort
The Truth Be Told (by Wrangler)
Summary: There’s trouble brewing when Pa accuses his youngest of coming home drunk on several occasions but Little Joe insists he’s innocent. The truth proves to be unpredictable. Rating T, WC 13,401
It Was Just One Second (by AC1830)
Summary: How long does it take to change a life forever? Joe Cartwright finds out it only takes a second. Written for the 2025 Michael Landon’s Birthday Challenge – pick a period of time, from a second up to a year, that changed Joe Cartwright’s life forever.
Rating: T, Word Count: 1101
Thirst (by bonanzagirl)
Summary: A Halloween story, told by Joe and Hoss. Joe gets into trouble while Hoss does everything to fix things again.
Rating: PG Word count: 9000
When October Goes (by Wrangler)
Summary: Ben disowns Little Joe; Adam fights him in town and Hoss ignores him. Now everyone wants to know why. The reason lies in October.
Rating T, WC 41,844
The Declaration (by Pat D in PA)
SUMMARY: An older brother mourns his believed failure in keeping a promise. Written for the 3rd Quarter 2025 Chaps and Spurs Writing Challenge.
RATING: K/G WORD COUNT: 1,335
If Your Heart Cries Out Tonight (by Wrangler)
Summary: Little Joe reflects back to when he challenged an important decision that his father made. Now, at seventeen, he discovers why Pa was right.
Rating T WC 10,225,
Hellbent, Population – 98 (by Wrangler)
Summary: On a layover in the town of Hellbent, Ben and Joe find out that there are ghosts in ghost towns. Now they recount their story to Hoss and hope he believes them. Rating T WC 16,326
I’m Already There (by Wrangler)
Summary: Little Joe doesn’t know what to do with himself when Pa is delayed and can’t make his seventeenth birthday. A simple sweet tale.
Rating T, WC 3326,
Sick Love (by bonanzagirl)
Summary: Joe wants to end a relationship, but the girl has other ideas.
Rating: PG-13 Word count: 10600
The Trapper (by bonanzagirl)
Summary: Joe’s encounter with an old trapper turns into a harrowing adventure that tests his courage, endurance, and creativity.
Rating: PG Word count: 14600
Not Til We Find Him (by Patina)
Summary:. A missing son, a father’s search. A WHIB and WHI for The Crucible.
Rating: T Word Count: 5,353
Remember When (by Wrangler)
Summary: Ben recalls a bittersweet moment from the past when a special gift from Little Joe caused a big misunderstanding. (A rare shorter story)
Rating T WC 2,568,
The Zephyr (by Wrangler)
Summary: When a man seeking revenge traps Pa in a mine, Little Joe races against time to find him. Adam, Hoss, and Hop Sing must then rescue them both.
Rating T, WC 23,175
The Fragrance of Violets (by McFair)
Summary: A shadowed room, thick with the scent of incense, reverberates with the whispers of the Ancestors. What do they seek, and can anyone defy their mystic call? For He Xing—known to the white man as Hop Sing—questions crowd the silence, yet only one answer emerges, undeniable and unyielding. Xuè hǎi xuè chóu. Blood revenge.
Rating: T+ Word Count: 55,685
The Verdict (by bonanzagirl)
Summary: A Saturday night visit to the saloon has terrible consequences for Joe.
Rating: PG Word count: 7900