Category: Short Stories
This category is for your Bonanza Short Stories from 500-999 words in length.
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch (A Bonanza Really Short Story) by JC
The Cartwright brothers – you know them, you love them, but let’s face it – after all these years things have gotten pretty predictable around the Ponderosa. It’s the same old story in a nutshell…
Rating: G WC: 563
Baubles (mcfair_58)
Summary: A barren tree and a string of glass beads bring two lonely men together on Christmas Eve.
Rated G
Word count: 4121
The Fifth Sunup (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: To fall meant capture. Capture meant death. And I wasn’t ready to die; not yet, not when my life had barely begun. Joe’s thoughts as he flees from the Lassiters in Five Sundowns to Sunup.
Rating: K
Word Count: 563
Part of the Five Sundowns to Sunup Series, links included within.
Home For the Holidays (by Southplains)
Summary: Inspired by a Pinecone prompt.
Rating: K
Word Count: 1400
A Cruel Sort of Kindness (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: “Pa’d once told us boys that a person shouldn’t go into marriage thinking that they could change their spouse; they’d only tear each other apart in the end. It was a piece of advice that I’d nearly forgotten.” A missing scene from the episode The Courtship.
Rating: K+
Word Count: 625
I Will Remember You (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: “…if anyone in the wide world had a reason to be angry it was me.” A WHB (what happened before) for the episode “The Stranger”. Leduque’s POV.
Rating: T (for language)
Word Count: 600
The Author (by Arien)
Summary: While working on her latest story, an author gets a surprise visit.
Rating: K+
Word Count: 778
Grandfatherhood (by AC1830)
Summary: Ben reflects on the wonder of being a father and a grandfather. A Father’s Day tribute.
Rating: K, Word count: 518
A Matter of Guilt (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: A WHIB (what happened in between) for the episode “A Matter of Circumstance”. Ben and Hoss worry and wait for word of Joe’s condition.
Rated: K+
Word Count: 975
Amy (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Gone was the awkward school girl I’d once known. In her place was an enticing young woman…. Joe’s thoughts after his first encounter with Amy.
Rating: T (a mild T for light language and hormonal, teenage thoughts)
Word Count: 554
Please Don’t Go (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: “I’d never thought much about my own death, but on the rare occasions that I did, I’d always imagined I’d be surrounded by my family when my time came. Now, as I watched Hoss ride away, I knew I wouldn’t even be afforded that luxury.” An extended/AU scene from the episode “Second Chance” Joe’s POV.
Rated: T (for mild language)
Word Count: 920
Mama’s Brooch (by Sierras)
Summary: Joe and his wife are having their first Christmas together. He would like to find her a special gift. Pa has an idea.
Rating: G 435 words
Note: This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.
Of Knights and Cowboys (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Abigail Jones always considered herself to be a sensible woman except when it came to Adam Cartwright, her knight in shining armor.
Rated: K
Word Count: 642
A Simple Life (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Marie takes a moment to contemplate her life: past, present, and future.
Rated: K+ for mentions of death
Word count: 592
The Facade (by SJRCartwright)
Summary: She walks in beauty – and in sorrow?
Rating: G
Word Count: 501