Summary: Elizabeth Steward has known the Cartwrights for a long time. When she is going to their ranch one day she finds something that isn’t all that pleasant, especially for Little Joe. What she doesn’t realize is that that will set off a chain of events that might lead to the death of a Cartwright or maybe even herself. Will they all survive? (This is in a non-cannon character’s POV)

Rated- K+  Word Count- 3,095

 

More than a Mountain Lion

 

 

I’m out on Clementine early in the morning, around seven, going to the Ponderosa Ranch, when I hear a gunshot, not a mile, or so, from where I am. Being me, the curious one, I go and investigate. Right when I get over there, Clementine starts to get nervous. “Calm down girl. It’s okay,” I say to the distressed mare.

Once, I get over to the scene of the crime I hear Little Joe Cartwright yell.“Hey! Who is that!”

I jump off Clementine’s back and run over to Joe, and at that same moment he passes out from the pain. He has long cuts down his arms that look as if they could have been made by knives. Mud stains his pants and shirt that show that he was rolling on the ground with something on top of him. To me these are tell-tale signs of being attacked by a mountain lion.

*****

Five hours later, at the Ponderosa Ranch House, the doctor comes down the stairs.

“Is he alright, Doc?” asks Hoss.

“He’s gonna be fine Hoss, he’s a strong boy you know,” claims the doctor. “Ben, come here a second.”

“Yes doctor,” says Ben as they walk into the study.

“Ben, it’s Joe,” says the doctor.

“What about Joe, you said he was going to be alright,” gasps Ben.

“Yes, I know I did, but if that boy doesn’t get some decent doctoring he’s gonna die,” the doctor explains.

“What do you mean ‘he’s gonna die’? I mean, he’s a strong boy,” says Ben.

“Ben, that lion broke off one of his ribs, and now I fear the rib – if not treated properly – will puncture his left lung,” says the doctor warily.

“Can’t you help him?” asks the father.

“Sorry to say it, but no,” answers the doctor, “You’ll have to wire a surgeon in San Francisco and see if he can spare the time for a surgery here.”

*****

That night as I’m keeping a silent vigil, I drift off and I dream of the day Little Joe Cartwright and I met all those years ago.

*****

It’s my very first day of school in Virginia City and I made sure that my mother ironed my Sunday dress the day before, so I could wear it today. My dress is blue and has little white flowers all over it; there is a white-collar with lace around the edge. The sleeves aren’t long, and are puffy. I have my thick brown hair down, with a little bit tied back with a blue ribbon. 

It might not seem that big of a deal going to a new school, but there is a certain boy I want to impress. Little Joe Cartwright. I have never met him in person, but I’ve hung around in the shadows enough to know that he’s the best boy in the world. He isn’t just handsome; his laugh is so infectious, his smile so bright. The way he holds the door for older women is so charming. I love the way he jokes around with his friends. 

Walking into the school yard I suddenly feel all alone. Where do I go? I decide to go straight into the school-house to tell the teacher of my arrival. 

I walk in to see three boys standing with their backs to me. Who are they? They are in here, but there is no teacher in sight. 

“Um…hello? Where’s the teacher?” I ask making my presence known to them. 

The boys turn around and I quickly recognize them as Mitch Devlin, Seth Pruitt, and the very own Joe Cartwright! Their faces looked battered. They have dirt all over them. Mitch and Joe quickly take my arms and seat me in the front seat. 

“We haven’t seen you around. Where do you live? My name’s Little Joe and this is Mitch. Over there is Seth. What’s your name?” 

“Well…My pa just bought a ranch and I haven’t had much time to get into town. My name’s Elizabeth Steward, but everyone calls me Lizzy. Nice to meet you three. But I really need to see the teacher. Where is she?” 

“Well…Lizzy…I guess it was kinda a coincidence that all our pa’s were in town at the same time; After Joe here got into a fight and we had to help him, Miss Jones was all ‘Well I’m so glad all the fathers are in town’!” said Seth. 

“Oh you poor dears! Look your lips are busted and bleeding! Now you three sit here and let me clean you three up.” 

“Now that don’t have to happen, we’re fine. We’ve been in fights before,” said Mitch. 

“That’s not that bad of an idea Mitch. Maybe if our pa’s see us not lookin’ so bad we’ll be let off easier. Come on Lizzy I’ll show you where the pump is,” says Joe. 

And at that we went out side. 

***** 

I’m brought back from my reverie by hearing Joe shout.

“No! Get off of me! Stop!”

“Little Joe!” I yell, “It’s gonna be all right, the lion’s gone.” But he keeps on. “Hoss! Adam! Come quick!” I scream, while Mr. Cartwright is, also, busy trying to comfort his nineteen-year-old son.

“What is it Miss Lizzy?” Hoss bellows as he burst through the door.

“It’s Joe, he woke up, but he won’t stay still!” I wail. “Come here and hold him down,” I direct, but by then he and Adam were already holding his arms down. “Joe, sweetie it’s all right nothing’s going to hurt you anymore; will you look at me dear?” I say as calmly as I can manage.

“Lizzy, is that you?” cautions Little Joe.

“Yes, it’s me,” I reassure.

*****

When it was just Mr. Cartwright in the room with me I decided that I should tell him the truth.“Mr. Cartwright. Can I tell you something?” I ask.

“Yes Lizzy?” he answers as he looked up from his injured son.

“Uh, nothing,” I sniff, “It’s not important.”

“Elizabeth what’s wrong?” he asks as he lifted my slumped head. That’s when I couldn’t hold it back anymore.

“Oh, Mr. Cartwright! He told me not to tell you,” I confess.

“Who told you not to tell me what?” He wondered all the while perplexed.

“Joe woke up right after Doc Martin left,” I spilled, “But he told me not to tell you!” By then I had already woken up Joe and he is fretting over why I am crying and Mr. Cartwright, I could tell is getting a little upset himself.

“Lizzy, what’s wrong?” asks Joe not having a clue what had happened while he was asleep. “Oh Little Joe, it’s okay, go back to sleep now. I’m sorry I woke you up,” I comfort.

“Now Lizzy if I’m not mistaken you’re not the one to cry unless you’re hurt or—” he doesn’t finish his sentence, because he drifts into a deep sleep once again.

“Lizzy, what did he say when he woke up?” Mr. Cartwright worries.

“Pa, not now. Miss Lizzy how ‘bout you go and sleep in the guest room down stairs, you look tuckered out,” said Hoss, who had materialized at the door.

I yawn. “Fine.” I say.

*****

“Lizzy—Lizzy?” coaxes Adam while tapping my shoulder.

“What?” I ask.

“It’s time to wake up sleepy head!” Adam jokes.

Suddenly I realize it isn’t day any more. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” I demand of the tall man beside me.

“Now Pa was the one who wouldn’t let me!” said Adam, defending himself.

“Well, let’s go see him, but before we do anything, can I tell you something in private?” I ask tentatively.

“Sure, what about?” he asks as he seats himself in an armchair across from the bed. “Well, I don’t want you telling Hoss or your father; okay?” I caution.

“Okay, anything for you,” agrees the oldest.

“Well, it’s—” I am cut off by a rap at the door. “Lizzy? Adam? Are you two in there?” asks Mr. Cartwright through the door.

“Yeah Pa, we’re in here,” says Adam. He is obviously discouraged that he doesn’t get to hear what I have to say.

“Come in,” I say as I shoot Adam a dirty look for not inviting his father in himself. The door opens and Mr. Cartwright steps in, sits down beside me, and wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“Joe wants to see you Lizzy,” says the father. “He does?” I say as I go to the door. “Let’s go before he goes back to sleep!” I say.

That’s all I remember since; I start up the stairs in a hurry, then I hear a gunshot and see an inky stain seeping through the maroon dress I have on. The first thing I thought was, ‘Oh no! My new dress will be ruined!’ Then everything goes dark and all I can hear are voices for a while. “Adam! (shots fired) Get her to the (more shots fired) back into the room!” yells Mr. Cartwright.

*****

Then, I am really cold and in a field and on the other side was my horse, Clementine,  with a handsome man on her back. I want to go towards him, but he is shaking his head no. Why not? I want to go with you. It looks so peaceful and warm over there. If only I could get there and away from the pain.

I hear someone yelling at me and it strangely sounds like Adam. “Adam, where are you?” I yell.

“I’m right here, you just hold on, you’ll be all right,” replied Adam. Then, Clementine and the man are gone, my vision goes blurry, and then….. total darkness.

*****

“Lizzy!?” screams Joe from upstairs, but there is no answer. “Lizzy! Come on I know you couldn’t have gotten hurt!” Little Joe pleads.

“Joseph!” Mr. Cartwright yells up the stairs.

“Tell me how she is and I won’t be so loud, otherwise I’m gonna keep on yell’n!” hisses Joe.

“She’s fine,” his father assures, then whispers to himself. “How could I’ve let this happen. First, my son gets mauled by a mountain lion! Then, Elizabeth gets shot!”

*****

“Adam, Come ‘ere a minute,” whispers Hoss so their father wouldn’t hear. “Did Miss Lizzy tell you what Joe said?”

“No, but even if she did I wouldn’t tell you, because she told me not to,” replies Adam coldly. “When did she say that?” asks the middle brother.
“When I went to wake her up,” answers Adam.
*****

“Uh—” I groan.

“Lizzy! Stay awake,” urges Hoss.“Pa! Lizzy’s awake!”

“Lizzy, darling, here have some water,” insists Mr. Cartwright while pouring a glass of water, and holding it up to my lips.

“Uh! Why does my shoulder hurt?” I gasp.

“Some guys were tryin’ to rob us, I guess, and when you came out, and they shot you thinking you were a man tryin’ to get ‘em,” explains Hoss.

“Wait, but you weren’t there. Were you?” I question.

“No I wasn’t, I was meetin’ the surgeon, but Adam told me what had happened,” says the big man.

“Lizzy, are you okay?” worries the eldest brother.

“Oh. I don’t feel—” I’m interrupted by a fiery pain that felt like someone is sticking me with a hot branding iron. “Ahh,” I moan.

“Hang in there Lizzy,” Mr. Cartwright whispers into my ear as I start to faint. “Okay—” I say as darkness soon closes in.

“Doctor! We need to get that bullet out!” bellows Ben Cartwright.

“Mr. Cartwright, we can’t probe in her weak condition; the bullets just, too close to her rib cage,” explains the doctor.

*****

Mr. Cartwright stands outside the guest room door while Adam and Hoss wait with Little Joe upstairs. “What’s wrong big brother?” asks the youngest of the three.

“Why didn’t those guys have any bags?” answers Hoss.

“Well, I’ve been thinkin’ about that myself; I just don’t know,” says Joe.

*****

Hoss walks down stairs and over to his Pa, who is sitting in his red chair, and asks, “Pa? Will she be alright?”

“I hope so son,” answered Ben as he put a sympathetic hand on his middle son’s shoulder. “I sure hope so.”

*****

Slowly everything comes back to me. “Where am I?” I ask barely conscious.

“You’re at the Ponderosa Ranch,” says Ben Cartwright while putting a hand on my forehead.

“Why am I so hot?” I wonder aloud.

“You have a fever from the gunshot wound you have,” he answers in a melancholy tone of voice.

“I’m thirsty,” I complain, which is perfectly fine for a woman in my condition.

“Here,” comes the answer from Adam. “Lift her up Hoss.”

Soon, I am being lifted from my lying down position to a partially sitting one, and a glass of water is put to my lips.

“Now, don’t drink too much,” instructs Mr. Cartwright.

*****

After a week or two I am able to move around without too much help, but it will take Joe a couple more weeks to recover from his surgery. The doctor says I have to stay at the ranch for ‘observation’, so I pass the time playing checkers with Hoss.

“Hey Miss Lizzy, why don’t you rest for a while, you’re looking a lil’ tired,” says Hoss.

“Yes, I guess you’re right. I am a bit—” I don’t finish, because the room starts to spin around me. Then I faint.

*****

When I wake up, I see the doctor beside me talking to Mr. Cartwright, showing him a bottle of gross looking liquid, and Hoss is on my other side holding my hand with his other hand holding the newspaper. “Hoss, shh, don’t tell anybody,” I whisper loud enough for only him to hear.

“Yeah?” the gentle man whispers back while squeezing my hand a little tighter.

“When Little Joe woke up those many weeks ago he told me he was bushwhacked by the person he beat playing poker at the silver dollar, and that’s who sent the people to shoot me!” I confide with the large man.

“But, what does that have to do with you getin’ shot?” asks Hoss.

“He told me it was Andrew Gravest and I guess he thought I was going tell, and Hoss, he has men everywhere, and now he’s going try to kill you!” I quaver, “You need to go hide out somewhere!”

“Nope, I’m stayin’ here with you and Little Joe ’til you two are as fine as frog hair,” he answers with an inexpressive tone.

“But Hoss they’re going kill you!” I say. And Mr. Cartwright notices that I am awake.

“Lizzy, how do you feel; why are you crying?”

“Well, sir, when Little Joe woke up after Doc Martin left he told me he had been bushwhacked by Andrew Gravest, and I guess he thought I was going tell, so he shot me with the intention of killing me! And now they’re going kill you, too!” I wail in response. There was a silence in the room that sent a shiver up my spine. ‘Was I that loud?’ I think. Then I see him.

*****

“She’s right ya know Cartwright,” agreed Andrew Gravest with a gun pointed at my head. I see Little Joe at the top of stairs, because the door is open, but Andrew sees him too.“Joe, don’t move or else Miss Elizabeth Steward meets her late relatives!”

“Little Joe, it’s fine! Don’t do anything” I scream. But, instead of listening, he’s waiting for our captor to look away. “Please don’t shoot me,” I say.

“Shut up!” He snarls, all the while not taking his eyes of Joe long enough for him to pull his hidden arm out from behind the wall to shoot.

“Please, don’t shoot me,” I repeat.

“Shut up!” He yells.

“Please, don’t shoot me,” I repeat again.

“Now, if you don’t shut up, I’ma gonna shoot you!” He warns, while he stares at me for a long time with hate filled eyes.

*****

Then there’s gunshots; one goes through my leg and the other goes through Andrew Gravest’s chest. As quick as I had awoken from the state of being unconscious, I slip back into the feeling of being freezing cold.

“Lizzy!” screams Joe.

“Joseph, she can’t hear you,” states the father.

“Is she…” stutters the nineteen-year-old boy.

“No, she’s just unconscious,” says Ben.

“It’s all my fault,” murmurs Joe. “If I hadn’t gone to town, Andrew would’ve never wanted to kill me!”

“True Shortshanks, but you sure didn’t do it on purpose,” consoles Hoss. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” says Joe looking up at his older brother.

*****

“Thank you all for this.”

“Aww. No problem Lizzy. You and your family would have done the same for us,” says Hoss.

“Yeah Lizzy.” Joe replies as he reaches up to kiss me. I kiss him back and, with a clucking noise, my father drives me back home.

*****

Still there standing in the yard Joe is talking with his pa. “Do you think she’s the one Joe?”

“Yeah Pa. She’s the one.”

“When are you going to ask?”

“Tomorrow.”

*****

The next day, I’m sitting on the porch swing when Joe arrives. “Why Joe! Just what are you doing here?”

“I had to ask you something important.”

“Now what could that be?”

“Well,” he says sitting on the swing next to me. “I was thinking that, we’ve known each other for long time. Am I right.”

“Yes Joe, of course you’re right. Since we were fourteen.” I responded not having a clue what he was getting at.

“Well, and I’ve been courting you since we were sixteen.” Joe says in a nervous way.

“Joe come on. Get to the point.” I say getting anxious.
“Well, I think I know what I feel, and what you feel. So Lizzy, will you marry me?”

“Yes Joe! Yes!” I say as I start crying out of pure joy.

“Are you sure? I mean we can make it a long engagement if you don’t feel you’re ready for it yet.”

“Joe I’ve never been more sure about one thing in my whole life!” I assure him. Then, he draws me in close and we share a long passionate kiss.

~The End~