***** SEASON TEN *****

 Little Girl Lost

When he rose earlier that morning, Ben had no idea he would have his hands full with a ten-year-old ‘stick of dynamite’.

His work on the books was disrupted by a man shouting for him. He rushed to the yard; arriving at the same time as Joe, Hoss, and Candy. The Wells Fargo Express driver opened the door and reached inside. Ben startled, he had been delivered a wild, angry child.

On three previous occasions, he had had the pleasure of welcoming a child, but this child had no intention of accepting his welcome. Ben read the message tag previously attached to the girl’s jacket, while the boys tried to restrain her.  First Joe, then Hoss tried to use their strength to capture her; both of them failed miserably, even though they were good corralling horses and cattle.

But she was only a child. A little girl feeling unwanted, unloved; who only fought to defend herself.  Little did they know her feelings were caused by her own mother.

The Ponderosa allowed her to discover a new world, filled with great men who could give attention and love, including one great uncle who harbored no acceptance of such nonsense, nor tantrums.

By Mumu74

Five Candles

He’s alive! Joe sagged against the railing out front of the doctor’s office and drew in a shaky breath—feeling tears of relief pricking in his eyes. The courthouse was a total loss, but in the scheme of things, it didn’t matter so much. Sure, they’d have to dig through the rest of the rubble to pull out what documents they could find in the archives, but that could wait for a few days. After all, buildings were replaceable; people, on the other hand, were not.

Pa’s really, truly alive! For a few, agonizing moments, he had feared that he would never see his father again; despair had threatened to swallow him whole.

If he had stayed one minute longer with the doc as he took a look at Candy’s knee…well, some things were just not worth contemplating.

“Thank you.” he whispered, staring up into the night sky. “Thank you so much.”

And, as if in answer, a shooting star streaked across the velvety, black expanse of the heavens. With one last look in the direction of the courthouse, Joe turned, and stepped back into Paul Martin’s office.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, Lord willing, he and Hoss would take their pa back home.

By AnnieKCowgirl

Emily

My son had been shot, and Deputy Marshal McPhail had tried to convince his boss that Joe was part of the armed robbery and killing of two men. It didn’t help that McPhail’s wife, Emily, had lied and attempted to blackmail Joe into running away with her before all this started.

That woman, dang blast her scheming and conniving ways. How anyone could believe her after leading Joe on like she had, not telling Joe she’d married since the last time they met.

My son is honorable. If they knew him at all… At least the truth finally came out.

By BluewindFarm

~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~

“Joe? May I join?“

“Sure, Hoss.”

“How about another cup of coffee?”

“Thanks.”

“You wanna talk about it? I mean, you, you don’t have to.”

“It’s okay Hoss. It just feels so empty.”

“Yeah.”

“You know, for a short moment there in Virginia City the day we met again, I really thought we could go back to where I lost her and start all over again.”

“Will they stay in town?”

“I don’t know. But I think the ranch will keep me busy the next few weeks, maybe better the next few months. Well, how’s about a game of checkers?”

By Silver Sven

The Running Man

Cal Butler has developed the hardened look of a man used to getting what he wants at whatever the cost.  The deal he’s outlining involves money, land, and the promise of prosperity.  Some might even say it’s generous.  A business proposal is what he’s calling it.  Sitting across from each other in the hotel, we both know what it really is.  When I walk back over to the jail, I’ll be delivering a bribe offer.  I haven’t known Jess long but I hope he’ll see the truth.  If you can buy a man’s silence, his soul isn’t too far behind.

By CJTurtle4

~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~

“Oh!  Mr. Cartwright?”

Joe wearily paused half way up the stairs to his hotel room and glanced back.  The clerk was waving a piece of paper.

“I forgot.  This came in for you yesterday.”

Candy, who was trailing behind Joe, reached out to take it.  With his friend’s consent, he unfolded the message.  “Looks like we’ll be having some company,” he announced after reading it.

Joe’s shoulders slumped further.

“You alright?”

The pain and sadness he felt had nothing to do with the stitches in his arm.  He’d soon be the bearer of terrible news.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he muttered.

By CJTurtle4

To Season Eleven