Summary: When Joe Cartwright drags Candy over to the doctor’s office after a bar fight, he bumps into one of Hoss’ old friends.

Rated: K+ for brief mentions of violence    Word Count: 1,189

 

I Met a Friend of Yours Today

 

“Ugh! You know, you could stand to lose a few pounds.” I muttered under my breath as I carried my semi-conscious friend over the threshold and into Doc Martin’s office. A disgruntled moan was the only answer I received, but I paid it no mind; I had other, more pressing issues to worry about, namely finding Paul and getting the ranch foreman off of my back…literally.

“Here, let me help you.” A voice said right when I was afraid I might drop my burden, and the next thing I knew, a pair of slender arms reached up and took some of the weight from my shoulders. “Let’s get him into the exam room, all right?”

In no time at all, my friend was laid out on a cot, and the woman who had aided me—for a woman it was—slipped out of the room only to reappear again a minute later with a small, black medical bag in hand. She was not exactly what I would have called beautiful; the perfectly braided hair that was coiled around her head and matronly brown, calico dress made her look too much like a spinster schoolmarm and thoughts of Abigail Jones came to mind. There was a stubborn set to her jaw that spoke of a woman who was used to fighting for what she wanted.

“Er…thanks for the help, ma’am.” I said, “Is Doc Martin here?”

“No, Paul is not here. He’s out assisting Doctor Kim with a cholera outbreak in one of the mining camps. However, I am qualified to help your friend.”

“Of course, Mrs….”

“Charlotte. Charlotte Elizabeth Gallagher M.D. I’m Doctor Martin’s new business partner, and it’s Miss.” She glared up at me as if daring me to comment on her unmarried state or her choice of occupation, but my pa didn’t raise any fools.

I held out a hand which she shook once before letting go of it. “Nice to meet you, Miz Gallagher, I’m Joe Cartwright and this here is my friend, Candy Canaday, or—at least—what’s left of him.”

A flicker of recognition flared in her blue eyes. “Nice to meet you as well…Mr. Cartwright.” Clearing her throat, she turned back towards Candy, her expression melding into a professional mask. “Now, judging from that lovely contusion you have over your orbital bone, I’d bet my best bonnet you engaged in a bout of fisticuffs, Mr. Canaday.” she said.

Candy blinked owlishly up at her in confusion. “What?”

Miz Gallagher’s lips pressed into a firm line as if she was trying to suppress a smile. “A fight, Mr. Canaday, were you in a fight?”

“Oh, yes he was.” I replied for him, rubbing a tender spot near the base of my skull. “And what’s more, he dragged me into it. Candy, the next time you come up with a brilliant plan to take on half of the patrons in the Silver Dollar, remind me to let you fight your own battles. I’m far too old to be going at it knuckle and skull like some wet-behind-the-ears kid whose decided he’s man enough to go a few rounds with the big boys.”

“You? Old? Ha—ow! Don’t…make me…laugh.” he panted, trying to breathe through the pain in his ribs.
Okay, so maybe I wasn’t that old—although my hair was getting grayer every day—but the way my bones ached with the changes in the weather made me feel more like I was eighty-years-old instead of thirty-one.

“All right, that’s enough, gentlemen.” Miz Gallagher interjected. “Mr. Cartwright, would you mind waiting in the parlor while I see to your friend?”

With a nod, I skedaddled, leaving the woman to her work.

“How is he?” I asked when, a half an hour later, she slipped from the room and closed the door softly behind her.

“He has a concussion, three bruised ribs, and a few abrasions. Other than that he’s fine.” she replied, the corners of her mouth turning upwards slightly. “He’s resting right now, but you can take him home once he wakes up.”

“Thanks.”

An awkward silence fell between us. She fidgeted with one of the cuffs on her dress and I waited for her to say something…anything. When it didn’t seem like she was going to, I grabbed my hat off of the top of the coat rack. “Well, I have a few things I need to see to—”

Suddenly, she caught at my sleeve. “Mr. Cartwright, I know this might sound strange, but…you wouldn’t happen to be related to a man named Hoss would you?”

Puzzled, I nodded. “He’s my brother. How do you know him?”

Blushing, she scuffed a dainty booted foot against the wooden floor. “Well, you see….”

* * *

“Hoss! Hey, Hoss!” I cried, waving my hat as I drove the wagon up to the house and pulled the horses to a halt.

“Keep yer shirt on, I’m comin’.” he replied, shouting from somewhere in the barn. With a grin, I handed Charlotte down from the rig and then headed for the barn, throwing the doors wide.

“I met a friend of yours today, older brother, and you should get your sorry self out here before she turns into an icicle in this cold weather; Old Man Winter is almost here, you know.” I said, enjoying the confused look Hoss gave me.

“What? Who is it?”

I shoved him towards the open door.

“Go see for yourself, I’m not about to spoil your surprise.”

With a shake of his head, he did as I said.
The instant he caught sight of Charlotte, he halted.

“Hoss Cartwright?” she asked, taking a step forward; I slipped around them and started helping Candy out of the back of the wagon, but I couldn’t help but sneak a few peeks in their direction.

“Yes’m, that’s me.”

“Do you…do you remember me?”

He peered down into her face for a long moment before he reached out and plucked off the battered men’s hat that perched on top her head.

“Charlie Gallagher, look at you!”

With a laugh, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“You do remember me!” she said, and he released her, chucking her lightly under her chin.

“Don’t see as how I can forget about you, seein’ as you and yer sister led me on a wild goose chase through desert country. Have you been stayin’ out of trouble?”

Her eyes glinted with amusement. “Oh you know me better than that. I’m a Gallagher, and Gallaghers are always getting into trouble!”

~ The End

 

Author Notes: This was written for the “Bonanza Ballad” challenge on Bonanza Boomers. I was given the song title “I Met a Friend of Yours Today” by George Straight and had to incorporate it into a story.

Also, in case you didn’t recognize her, Charlotte “Charlie” Gallagher, was the oldest of the little girls from the Bonanza episode “Gallagher’s Sons”.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

 

 

Tags:  Candy Canaday, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright