Summary:  Joe and Baker meet again, but this time under difficult circumstances.

Rated: K (17,680 words)

Baker’s Brat Series:

Baker’s Brat
Baker’s Dozen
Baker’s Legacy
Baker’s Destiny

 

Baker’s Destiny

Sequel to “Baker’s Legacy”

The dim light from the campfire outlined the shadows in the clearing and made them dance eerily around the men.  One of them took a swig from a bottle of whiskey before handing on to the man next to him, wiped his mouth on his sleeve and then looked around at the others. “So it’s agreed then?” he said. “From what I saw of the size of that operation up there in the hills there has to be a big payroll coming soon.”

 

 

 

“And all we gotta do is wait fer it,” chuckled the man next to him. He frowned as the whiskey bottle was suddenly yanked from his hand. “Hey! I ain’t finished with that yet!” he snarled and tried to grab it back again.

 

 

 

The man who had grabbed it gave him an evil look that was heightened by the long scar that ran down one side of his face. “Keep your hands to yourself,” he said, swigging a generous mouthful from the bottle. “Why here?” he asked when he’d finished. “Why this place … of all places?”

 

 

 

“What do ya mean …. of all places?” asked the first man.

 

 

 

“I don’t mean anything by it,” said the man with the scar quickly. “It just seems to me that any team that big is going to be paid an awful lot of money …”

 

 

 

“Which is gonna be ours,” interrupted the second man, successfully grabbing the bottle this time.

 

 

 

“ …. which is going to be heavily guarded,” snarled the man with the scar. “Any fool can see that.”

 

 

 

“Well I ain’t any fool,” snapped the first man. He looked around the campfire again. “Well? Are we in or out? I say we go for it.”

 

 

 

Several others voiced their assent and the man with the scar shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant fashion. “All right,” he said. “Whatever brings the money in is fine by me.” He sat silently staring into the fire oblivious to those around him who continued to laugh and joke together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

Ben Cartwright sat back in his chair and studied his eldest son’s face for a moment. “I know you’re quite capable of managing it Adam, all I’m saying is that it doesn’t hurt to have extra protection with such a large amount, that’s all. We can’t be too careful and that’s no reflection of your capabilities to do the job.”

 

 

 

Adam nodded. “All right Pa,” he said with a smile. “If it makes you feel better, then I’ll take a few men with me.”

 

 

 

Ben nodded and returned the smile. “Thank you,” he replied. “And yes … it will make me feel much better.” He stared at the papers in front of him for a moment. “You know son, this latest shipment of lumber has really made a difference. It has freed up our reserves to put some extra money into the mine this year.”

 

 

 

Adam nodded in agreement. “And the replanting up on that slope should take care of any land slippage,” he reminded his father. “Once we’ve paid the men we should be able to concentrate on bringing the cattle in for branding.” He stretched his arms over his head as he sat on the end of his father’s desk. “I might get Hoss to organise that,” he said. “Joe will be busy with that string of horses for another week or two …. not that his mind has been on that too much,” he added.

 

 

 

Ben gave his son a studied look for a moment. “He’s doing all right with them,” he said shortly. “He’ll have them ready in time.”

 

 

 

“Oh, I know he’ll do a good job with them,” replied Adam. “It’s not the finished product I’m talking about Pa. Everyone knows he’s a great horseman. I’m talking about the way he goes about it though.” He returned Ben’s look with a frustrated one of his own. “I just think that if he concentrated on the job in hand, he’d get things done a lot quicker. He can’t concentrate on one thing for any given length of time.”

 

 

 

“Son, I think you’re being a bit hard on your brother,” interrupted Ben, putting up his hand to silence Adam. “His way of doing things may not be your way, but he gets the job done and that’s all that counts.” He smiled at his son. “He’s not a boy any longer,” he said. “We have to give him the chance to do things his way.”

 

 

 

“That’s just my point,” protested Adam. “He’s not a boy … he’s a man grown … yet he still acts like a kid most of the time.”

 

 

 

“He’s got a lot of mischief in him still, I’ll grant you that,” said Ben with a nod of his head. “But I have a feeling that Joe will always be a bit of a character, no matter how old he gets.”

 

 

 

“He needs to grow up,” said Adam tersely. “Learn to act responsibly.” He pointed a finger at his father. “I’ll wager that he offers to help me with getting the payroll just to get out of a day’s work,” he added. “Joe is ….”

 

 

 

“Did I hear my name?” asked the young man in question as he opened the front door with a loud crash. “I hope you’re saying something nice, older brother.”

 

 

 

“Joseph!” said Ben angrily. “Could you please watch the way you swing that door? One of these days it’s going to come off it’s hinges!”

 

 

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Joe automatically. It seemed to him that no matter how old he got, his father would always find something to say that made him feel like a kid again. He reached backwards to close the door, but at that moment Hoss tried to step through the open doorway and the door swung straight back onto his face.

 

 

 

“Ow!” Hoss yelped, stepping backwards and rubbing his nose. “Thanks a lot Joe!”

 

 

 

Joe grinned at his brother. “Just doing what Pa told me too,” he said cheekily. “Can’t help it if you’re in the way.” He sauntered over to his father’s desk. “So, what were you saying about me?” he asked.

 

 

 

“We weren’t talking about you kid,” said Adam shortly. “We were actually discussing the payroll for the men on the lumber job.”

 

 

 

“Don’t call me kid,” said Joe automatically, as he always did when Adam used the term. It seemed to Ben that is was always a running battle between them as Joe tried to prove himself to his older brother and Adam tried to remember that his youngest brother was now a man. Joe sat down on the other edge of Ben’s desk and gave his brother a dark look, while Hoss came to stand behind him, still rubbing his face. “You want me to get the payroll from the bank Pa?” Joe asked.

 

 

 

“I’m getting it from the bank tomorrow,” interrupted Adam quickly, giving his father a knowing look which Ben chose to ignore. “It’s not your concern.”

 

 

 

“Sor…ry,” said Joe, making a face at his brother. “I was just trying to help.”

 

 

 

“You were just trying to get out of work for a day,” said Adam accusingly. “And get into town while you’re at it.”

 

 

 

“You want me to help?” volunteered Hoss before his younger bother could reply. “I don’t think that one person should carry all that money Adam.”

 

 

 

Adam stood up. “What is it with this family?” he asked. “I can handle a simple payroll, you know.”

 

 

 

“But it’s a very large one son and as I’ve already said, it’s better to …” said Ben.

 

 

 

Adam held up a hand to silence everyone. “I know, I know,” he said. “And I’ve already agreed to take a couple of men with me Pa. I understand that you think that I should.” He looked across at Hoss. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll take Bert and Will. That should be enough.”

 

 

 

“Take Harry as well,” said his father. “I can spare him and I’d rather there were four of you.”

 

 

 

Adam nodded. “OK,” he said. “Will do Pa.” He stood up and gave both of his brothers a meaningful look. “Well, I’m going to the lumber mill,” he said. “Some of us have work to do.”

 

 

 

Hoss looked slightly shamefaced as Adam left the room and after a moment’s hesitation, he also turned and left without a word. Joe, however, continued to sit on his father’s desk and grin at him. Ben sat back in his chair and stared back at his youngest son. “Well?” he said finally.

 

 

 

“I was just thinking that older brother Adam needs to lighten up a bit,” said Joe. “He takes things too serious you know Pa.”

 

 

 

“It’s his nature,” replied Ben, thinking yet again about how different his eldest and youngest sons were. “Are you going to sit there all day Joe, or do you have work to do as well?”

 

 

 

Joe shrugged. “Yeah,” he admitted. “Those horses are coming along real nice Pa.” Ben waited. “OK,” Joe said finally. “I’ll get back to it then, I guess.” He reluctantly stood up and headed for the front door as Ben grinned and then got back to his own paperwork.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baker sat by the large rock and stared down at the trail below him in silence. On the other side of the pine trees he could see the outline of blue water that he knew to be Lake Tahoe and his mind wandered back some years to the very first time he’d seen it with Joe. The kid had been so proud to show him around that day and he remembered the way his green eyes had shone with the delight of showing his friend his home. Baker had to admit, even now, that The Ponderosa was a mighty fine place and one that he would be proud to own if it had been his.

 

 

 

He frowned and shook his head fiercely to ward off the memories. Who was he kidding after all? It wasn’t for the likes of him to own anything like The Ponderosa, for it was only people like the Cartwrights who ended up having the good things in life. His own life was one of hardship and pain and he had learnt not to expect anything good to come from it any more. He felt a bitter and hard core inside him that had been there for so long that he wouldn’t have known how to shift it, even if he had wanted to.

 

 

 

“What’s up with you?” snarled a voice beside him as Tom shifted his position to look across at him.

 

 

 

“Nuthin,” Baker snarled back. “Just wish that Cartwright would hurry back with that payroll so we can get this over with.”

 

 

 

Tom chuckled. “He took three men,” he said, spitting on the ground beside him. “Do you believe that he took just three men for that amount of money? This is gonna be easy pickings.”

 

 

 

“Cartwrights got more money than sense,” said George behind them. “They don’t deserve ta keep it.” He scanned the horizon for a sight of the men they were waiting for. “In fact ….” He leant over and whispered something to Tom who chuckled again and then nodded.

 

 

 

“What?” said Baker in an irritated tone.

 

 

 

“Nuthin,” said George, stealing a glance at Tom and shaking his head slightly. “Private joke.”

 

 

 

Baker glared at him and then turned to stare at the lake again. It was always like this, he reasoned. He might have ridden with these men for the best part of two years, but he always felt like an outsider. His eyes narrowed as he stared across in the direction of the Cartwright ranch house and he fingered the long scar on his face thoughtfully. Why was it that some folks seemed to have everything and he had nothing? He remembered the last time he’d come here to try and find the missing pieces of his past and put together the puzzle that was his life. He’d been struck at the time how close the Cartwrights were and observing them as a family had hardened his heart to such things, for no matter how hard he tried to pretend, such things weren’t for him. He had been a loner then and he was a loner now. Family and friends weren’t for him.

 

 

 

That fool kid had insisted on trying to make him remember things, even when it had become clear to everyone that he wasn’t ever going to. In the end, Joe, who wanted him to be as he used to be, had begun to irritate him. However, Baker knew that the man he’d been back when Joe knew him, whoever that man was, had disappeared forever. He didn’t remember the Baker that Joe had tried to remind him of and he knew now that he never would. He was a different man and the kid’s attempts to force him into what he had been before had only made it clearer to him that he was changed forever.

 

 

 

He fingered the scar again and a part of him cringed inside as he recalled the hundreds of looks that he’d seen during the past few years as people glimpsed him for the first time. There was no way he could have expected to live a normal life and to have what people like the Cartwrights had, looking like this. People just naturally cringed away from him and he didn’t blame them. He’d gradually found himself immune to others’ opinions over the years and felt himself a better man for it. After all, why open yourself up to people only to eventually be hurt by them?

 

 

 

Years of drifting from one town to another had hardened him until he really didn’t know who he was anymore. Getting jobs had been hard looking as he did, for no one wanted to hire someone who looked as if he couldn’t be trusted. The army had left him with nothing but a small pension which had soon run out, so it wasn’t until he’d met up with George, Tom and the others that he’d made anything like a decent living. He’d drifted into a life of crime without a backward glance, for he knew in his heart that he was owed something in this life and he sure as anything wasn’t going to get it in any other way.

 

 

 

He knew he had nothing and had come to feel that those that had, like the Cartwrights, were put on this earth to provide him with what he needed. Somewhere in the back of his mind he still remembered that they’d tried to help him once, but the way he was now, Baker needed no man’s help. He would rather take for himself than rely on the pity and charity of anyone and the fact that he had a history with this family meant nothing to him now. The Cartwrights had money and he needed money. It was as simple as that.

 

 

 

Still, in spite of all that, he hoped that he wouldn’t have to kill any of them to get it. He’d breathed a sigh of relief when they’d all watched Adam and the others ride away from the ranch earlier that day, for he had been dreading the decision he’d have had to make if it had been Joe. The kid irritated him, but he wouldn’t have wanted to see him dead. Much easier to kill his brother if he had to, for Adam was a man he had only met briefly once. Any meetings between them prior to that were in the dark recesses of his mind and not remembering them meant that they just didn’t exist to him.

 

 

 

He saw Joe as an irritating youth who wanted him to be something he wasn’t. When the kid had gone on about their past together it had simply been a reminder of what Baker had lost and he found himself anxious to leave the Cartwrights behind in his life. Dumb luck had brought him here to Nevada and fate had dealt him a hand which he now had to play through to the end. If someone was hurt in the process, then Baker reasoned that it was meant to be. He gripped his gun tightly as he continued to stare at the trail below him, oblivious to the whisperings of the men behind him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Bristol, the bank manager, tucked the last of the bills into the saddlebag and then handed it to Adam. “Here you are Adam,” he said. “I’m sure glad to see that you’ve got a few men with you. That’s an awful lot of money.”

 

 

 

Adam took the bag. “You sound like my father,” he said with a grin.

 

 

 

“Well your father is right,” said George. “You can’t be too careful with that amount of money.”

 

 

 

Adam raised his eyebrows in response. “I suppose you’re right,” he admitted. “Only I happen to think that four armed men only calls attention to it.”

 

 

 

George shrugged. “You can’t have it both ways, I suppose,” he said. “Just be careful son, that’s all I’m trying to say.” He walked to the front door of the bank with Adam. “One of these days we might to able to pay crews with bank drafts or some other method,” he said wistfully. “It would sure save a lot of anxiety having to give people so much cash at one time.”

 

 

 

“Well unfortunately, I can’t really see that lumber crew settling for anything but cash,” replied Adam, patting the saddlebag. “Most men don’t trust anything but cold hard cash, I’m afraid. Don’t worry though, as soon as I get back to the lumber camp this is going to be divided up between that crew and everyone will be happy. One short ride to the camp and it will be done.”

 

 

 

“Good luck,” said George as Adam walked out into the sunshine. “Tell your father I said hello.”

 

 

 

Adam nodded as he mounted up onto his horse. He slung the saddlebag on the horn of his saddle and motioned to the three men waiting there for him. “Let’s go fellars,” he said. “The sooner we get to that camp the better.” He led the way down the main street of town as George Bristol watched from the bank doorway.

 

 

 

In spite of his words, Adam knew that his father and George Bristol were right in some respects. As they rode, he thought about the bank manager’s words and wondered if there would ever come a time when cash became less important to a man than an equivalent amount written on a piece of paper. He hoped so, for the business world would be a lot better off and the job of ranchers who had to pay itinerant workers would be a lot easier. As he rode, he was so busy ruminating about such things, that when Harry Black rode up beside him and began to speak, he jumped slightly.

 

 

 

“Sorry,” he said to the hand. “Bit jumpy I suppose.”

 

 

 

Harry made a face. “I think we all are,” he said. “I’ll be glad when we reach the lumber mill and can hand all that money over.” He grinned at Adam. “I think that things will be hopping in town tonight once all the men get their hands on those wages.”

 

 

 

Adam chuckled. “I’m sure you’re right,” he said. “The saloons will be ….” He never got to finish the sentence, for at that moment two shots rang out and Harry slumped forward in his saddle, blood dripping down the front of his shirt.

 

 

 

Adam’s initial instinct was to reach out to stop the man falling from the saddle, but in the split second that he looked at his face he knew that he was already dead. Hard as it was to turn away from him, Adam knew that he could do nothing for the other man and so he swung his horse around immediately, his mouth open to shout instructions to the two remaining men behind him. His eyes widened as he noticed that Will Cummings was also lying on the trail, a large pool of blood already spreading on the back of his shirt.

 

 

 

“Ride for cover!” shouted Adam and followed Bert towards a clump of trees in the distance. Suddenly, two men rode out in front of them and Adam cursed under his breath as he brought his horse to a halt. The four men sat for a moment eyeing each other off.

 

 

 

“Hand it over,” snarled one of the men, holding out his hand. “Slow and easy.”

 

 

 

Adam reached for the saddlebag and handed it to the man who grabbed it eagerly. As the second man covered them with his rifle he opened the bag, looked inside and then nodded. “It’s the money,” he said and then turned to Adam and Bert again. “Drop your guns,” he said shortly. “Slow and easy.”

 

 

 

Adam slowly reached for his gun and dropped it onto the trail below. “You’ve got the money,” he said, staring at the man with the saddlebag. “No need to ….”

 

 

 

A shot rang out and startled his horse. Unprepared as he was for the movement, Adam felt himself sliding off the saddle and made a grab to steady himself, but it was too late. He hit the ground with a thud as his horse took off and as he opened his eyes he looked up to see Bert, his smoking gun still in his hand, hit the ground beside him. Adam rolled over and reached for his own gun that was lying on the trail a few feet away, but even as his hand closed over it he felt a sharp pain in his stomach and everything went black. The sound of another shot rang in his ears and he groaned softly as consciousness left him.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoss scanned the horizon quickly, his jaw set tight as he took in all that was before him on the plain leading out to the distant mountains. He motioned with his hand slightly before speaking. “That way,” he said shortly, pointing to the left. “Alan …. with me.”

 

 

 

The three men nodded, knowing exactly what was in the big man’s mind. Alan Prendergast followed Hoss to the right as the other two hands swept around to the left and began the painstaking task of covering every inch of the flat terrain in front of them. No words were needed to be spoken as each of the four men rode slowly ahead, as each of them knew how important their task was and how much depended on its success. None of them wanted to find the bodies of any of the four men, especially since the brother of one of them was amongst them, but each of them knew from the moment that Adam’s horse had run into the Ponderosa front yard without him that the chances of finding four dead bodies was a real possibility.

 

 

 

Alan glanced quickly at Hoss who was riding a few yards to the right of him, noting his tense facial features and the white knuckles as his large hands gripped the reins of his horse. He wondered for a moment how he would feel if it was his own brother that they were searching for and pushed the thought aside quickly, as one which was too painful to contemplate.

 

 

 

Hoss didn’t glance up as he urged his horse ahead, his eyes intent on scanning the ground for any sort of clue, no matter how small, that might give him an indication what had happened to Adam. He was usually a man of gentle thoughts and kind deeds, but right now his heart was steely and his thoughts murderous as he considered just what he might do if he came across what he dreaded finding.

 

 

 

He sure hoped that Pa had been able to contain Joe when he told him, for his younger brother’s temper was legendary and he hated to think of Joe going off half-cocked if given the chance. When Adam’s horse had ridden in, Hoss’ heart at sunk at his first sighting of it, for he knew without a doubt that anyone who rode as horse as well as his older brother would never have lost his seat in the saddle without real good cause. Even now, Hoss flinched inwardly as he considered what that cause might be.

 

 

 

He had found himself in his own saddle without realising that he’d even mounted up and the sight of his father’s distraught face as he looked up at him haunted him still. Joe had been out with his beloved horses at the time and Hoss had faintly heard his father’s words about riding out to get him before wheeling his horse around and galloping off. His mind was so focused on finding Adam that everything else had seemed to happen as if from a distance, and it wasn’t until he ridden a few miles that he’d realised that there were three men following him. Whether his father had sent them or whether they’d heard the shouts from the yard as Adam’s horse had ridden in, Hoss didn’t know. All he knew was that they were there to help him find his brother and soon Pa and Joe would join them.

 

 

 

The thought that his brother could be seriously hurt or worse kept running through his mind as he forced himself to ride forward slowly and Hoss could only pray that Adam was alive. His senses were so completely focussed on finding his brother that Alan had to actually ride over to him and touch him on the arm before he looked up and saw the other two men gesturing and shouting at them.

 

 

 

“They’ve found something Hoss,” said Alan, already turning his horse towards the other men.

 

 

 

Hoss followed suit and within seconds the four of them were looking down at the bodies of Harry and Will on the trail in front of them. Alan pointed towards a clump of trees in the distance where three horses were standing quietly chewing on the grass. “The others must be here somewhere,” he said. “That’s Bert’s horse with the other two. He and ….” His voice trailed off as he looked at Hoss’ face and he swallowed as he thought about how the man might react when they tracked down the other two bodies. “We’d better keep looking,” he said finally, for want of something more to say.

 

 

 

Three of the men urged their horses forward, but Hoss stayed in the same position for a full minute looking down at the bodies, his mind refusing to grasp the implication of what they meant. “Hoss!” He looked up at the sound of his name and urged his horse forward slowly, this time willing himself not to look at what might be on the ground in front of him.

 

 

 

As he reached the three men a few yards away, he forced himself to look down and then let out his breath in a sigh as he realised that the third body on the ground wasn’t that of his brother, but Bert.

 

 

 

“He’s alive,” said Alan, dismounting from his horse.

 

 

 

Hoss was out of the saddle in an instant and rolled the man over so that he could see his face. “It’s OK now Bert,” he said, holding the man’s head in his arms. “We’re gonna look after you now. Everything’s OK.”

 

 

 

Bert looked up at him, his eyes narrowed against the fierce sun. “What?” he said finally.

 

 

 

Hoss took off his hat and fanned the man’s face with it. “It’s OK now,” he said. “What happened? Who did this?”

 

 

 

Bert shook his head slightly. “Don’t know,” he said. “Adam …” He closed his eyes momentarily and then opened them again. “Adam …. gave them …. the money.”

 

 

 

Hoss nodded, for the money was the least of his concerns at the moment. “Adam?” he said. “Where is he Bert? Where’s Adam?” He looked up again and noticed that Alan and the other two men had ridden off and were still searching for the body of his brother. His heart lurched and he turned to Bert again. “Bert?” he said. “Was Adam shot?”

 

 

 

“Yeah,” said Bert, closing his eyes again. “We all were. He …. gave em the money.” He reached out and gripped Hoss tightly on the sleeve with one hand. “Hoss ….”

 

 

 

Hoss fanned the man’s face again. “Shh,” he said. “Just settle down Bert. It’s gonna be OK.”  His words sounded hollow even to himself, as he tried to visualise telling his father and brother that Adam had been killed. He steeled himself to hear the dreaded shout at any moment that the men had found his brother’s body.

 

 

 

“They took … him,” said Bert, gripping Hoss’ sleeve even tighter than before.

 

 

 

“Took him?” Hoss gave Bert a startled look. “What?”

 

 

 

“They took Adam,” said Bert, gasping now to breathe. “They …” He pointed to the far-distant mountains before speaking again. “That way.” He shoved a piece of paper into Hoss’ hand and sighed deeply before closing his eyes. Hoss felt the life go out of him as he held him in his arms and he lay the man’s head down on the dusty trail and covered his face with his hat. He stood up and looked down at him for several seconds before turning to where the men were searching and motioning to them.

 

 

 

As he waited for them to reach him, Hoss unfolded the piece of paper in his hand and read the simple note. Alan drew his horse to a halt beside him, looked down and noted that Bert was dead and then turned to Hoss again. “What?” he said.

 

 

 

Hoss handed him the note to read, his eyes never straying from the mountains in the distance. His jaw was set and his eyes were narrowed as he continued to stare at it for several seconds before he spoke. “I’ve got to ride back to Pa and Joe,” he said simply. “You three take care of the bodies.” He took the piece of paper from Alan and put it in his pocket before mounting up and riding back the way they’d come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben turned and put up his hand as sheriff Roy Coffee entered the building. “I know what you’re going to say Roy,” he said, before the other man could speak. “But I’m doing this and that’s all there is to it.”

 

 

 

“Ben,” began Roy. “I knew ….”

 

 

 

George Bristol stepped forward. “Gentlemen, don’t you think it would be better to have this conversation in private?” he said. “You’re welcome to use my office,” he added, pointing to the door.

 

 

 

Ben nodded. “Thank you,” he said shortly. “But while we’re in there just get that money together George. I want to ride out of here as soon as I can.”

 

 

 

George nodded as Ben, Roy, Hoss and Joe headed into his office. As soon as the door was closed, Roy turned to face Ben. “I knew you’d go off half-cocked,” he said. “As soon as Hoss told me what was happening I ….”

 

 

 

Ben held up his hand again. “I’m not going off half-cocked,” he said abruptly. “I am simply doing what I have to do to ensure my son’s safety Roy. There is no way that I’m going to risk Adam’s life for the sake of money.”

 

 

 

Roy looked frustrated. “But that’s exactly what I’m talking about Ben,” he said. “You know as well as I do that handing over that money isn’t going to guarantee that they’ll let Adam go. You’ve been through enough of these situations to know that men like this aren’t exactly honest and trustworthy. Why, that ransom note might be a hoax and you know it. Adam might already be …” He stopped, not wanting to voice what they both were thinking. Adam might already be dead and they both knew it. Hoss had said that his brother had been shot, so who would know if he’d even survived that or not?

 

 

 

Ben sighed. “I know,” he admitted. “But when it’s your own flesh and blood Roy ….” he said. He glanced at Hoss and Joe before continuing. “I have to do this,” he said. “If there’s any hope that giving them the money will mean that Adam is released, then I have to do it.”

 

 

 

Roy nodded. “I know,” he said. “Only I have a job to do Ben. It’s my responsibility to make sure that these men don’t get away and I aim to do my job.”

 

 

 

“No!” Ben glared at his friend. “On no account Roy! I’m not going to risk Adam’s life.”

 

 

 

“Ben ….”

 

 

 

“They said to come alone and that’s what I intend to do,” continued Ben as if he hadn’t even heard the interruption. “None of you ….” He looked around, “…. and that includes you two boys,” he said firmly, “ …. are coming with me.”

 

 

 

“But Pa,” protested Joe, stepping forward. “You can’t go alone. One of us should come with you.”

 

 

 

“I’m quite capable of looking after myself,” said Ben. “Now I need to get that money.”

 

 

 

“Ben!” said Roy, standing in front of the doorway and effectively barring it. “Listen to me. I’m not suggesting that I come with you, just saying that I should take a few men and be ready for after they release Adam.”

 

 

 

Ben hesitated. “If they see you ….” he said and then stopped and shook his head. “I can’t risk Adam’s life,” he said firmly. “I go alone.”

 

 

 

Roy shook his head, just as firmly. “I’m afraid that you don’t have a choice, my friend,” he said. “You can’t stop me. It’s my job to catch these men and I aim to do it.” He stared at Ben for a moment and then put his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “Do you really think that I’d do anything to risk Adam’s life?” he said. “I’ve know him since he was a boy Ben and there’s no way I’d go against what you’re about to do.” He smiled. “Besides, I’ve been at this game long enough to know what I’m doing. I assure you that they won’t have a clue that I’m there in the background.”

 

 

 

Ben nodded. “All right,” he said finally. “I trust you Roy, but only a few men.”

 

 

 

Roy nodded. “Five,” he said.

 

 

 

“And me,” said Hoss, stepping forward.

 

 

 

“And me,” echoed Joe. “We’re not letting you go without us sheriff.”

 

 

 

Roy looked at both of them and then nodded. “All right,” he said. “Meet me at the back of the livery stable in ten minutes. I’ll get a few other men rounded up.” He looked at Ben again. “You be careful,” he said. “And don’t ride out until we’re ready. Understand?”

 

 

 

Ben nodded. “Understand,” he agreed. “Now I’m getting that money.”

 

 

 

“Pa?”

 

 

 

Ben stopped as Joe spoke. “Yes?” he said.

 

 

 

Joe swallowed. “I never really meant what I said about Adam,” he said.

 

 

 

Ben looked confused. “What?” he said.

 

 

 

Joe swallowed again. “You know … how I’m always saying stuff about how he’s too serious and all that? I was only funning.”

 

 

 

Ben put his hand on his son’s shoulder and looked deeply into his eyes for a moment. “I know son,” he said. “And he knows it too.”

 

 

 

“I hope so,” said Joe. “Because I’d hate anything to … well … I just would want him to know that I ….” His voice trailed away as he found himself unable to finish the sentence.

 

 

 

Ben looked at Joe and then Hoss and then finally back to Joe again. “Nothing is going to happen to your brother,” he said firmly. “Now let’s get that money boys.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam rolled onto his side gingerly, sending a shot of pain through his stomach and side as he did so. An involuntary low groan escaped him and made the men sitting by the fireplace look sharply in his direction. “He’s alive,” one of them muttered without much interest.

 

 

 

Adam tried to sit up, but the pain was too bad and he couldn’t manage it. He closed his eyes until the pain had subsided a little and then opened them again, blinking against the light of the fire a few yards away. Everything seemed to be swimming in front of his eyes and he didn’t know for sure what was real and what was in his imagination.

 

 

 

He tried to move his arms and legs slowly and found to his surprise that he wasn’t tied at all, figuring that his captors thought that he was too weak to run anyway. Ruefully he considered that they were right, for if someone had given him a gun and pointed him in the direction of a horse he doubted very much if he could have even made a move to leave here.

 

 

 

He put his hand on his stomach where the pain was emanating from and felt that his shirt was sticky with what he thought was probably his own blood. He tried to focus for a moment and remember what had happened, but all he could think of was the pain that seemed to be taking over his whole body.

 

 

 

“Water,” he croaked softly as he held out his hand towards the fire. “Water … please ….”

 

 

 

The men looked across at him, but no one moved. “He’s gonna die,” George said in a matter of fact tone, after a moment or two.

 

 

 

Tom shrugged. “No great loss,” he said.

 

 

 

George stood up and picked up a canteen. “Nope,” he said, walking over to Adam and bending over him. “Better if he’s alive until we get that money. You never know with old man Cartwright. I’ve heard tell that he’s full of tricks.” He pulled the stopper off the canteen and put it to Adam’s lips, allowing the injured man to drink a few sips.

 

 

 

“He’d better not be,” said another man and Adam turned his head to look at the face with the long scar running down the side of it. For a moment he felt as if he had seen him before, but the pain suddenly came back with a vengeance and the thought was quickly dispelled from his mind. “Any tricks from him and this one dies,” the scar-faced man said.

 

 

 

Tom chuckled as he spooned some of the stew they had been cooking into his mouth greedily. “He dies anyway,” he said.

 

 

 

Baker jerked as he turned to face him. “What?” he said.

 

 

 

George came back to sit near the fire again. “He’s right,” he said. “We’ve been talking about it Baker. No point in keeping him alive once we’ve got the money and are clear away from here.” Baker said nothing. “It makes sense,” insisted George as he glanced at Adam again. “That’s if he stays alive long enough.”

 

 

 

Tom shrugged again. “No matter,” he said. “Old man Cartwright won’t know if he’s alive or dead nohow, so it don’t make much difference.”

 

 

 

Baker glanced over at Adam and at that moment Adam’s eyes opened and a spark of recognition was evident within them. He lifted his head slightly and stared at the man. “Baker?” he said softly.

 

 

 

Baker flinched in spite of himself and turned away.

 

 

 

“You know him?” George snarled. “How come you ain’t said so before?”

 

 

 

“No need.” Baker spat into the fire. “It doesn’t make any difference.”

 

 

 

Adam held out a hand towards the man as he blinked his eyes several times to try and focus on Baker’s face. “You’re …. Baker,” he said softly. “Joe’s …. Baker.”

 

 

 

Baker stood up and faced him. “I ain’t no one’s Baker!” he spat at the man lying near him. “Just shut up!” He stormed off towards the horses, leaving a puzzled George and Tom looking at each other.

 

 

 

“What was that all about?” asked Tom finally.

 

 

 

George looked at him thoughtfully. “Ain’t sure,” he said. “But I think we’d best watch our friend Baker real close.”

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben sat on his horse and waited. Every movement of a bush or tree in the wind sent his heart beating a little faster as he waited for someone …. anyone  …. to make an appearance. In his heart he prayed for his son, himself and his other two sons who were waiting some distance behind him, hoping that they would all come out of this unhurt … but in his head he concentrated on remaining composed and in control, at least outwardly.

 

 

 

To the casual observer, he would have looked like a man who didn’t have a care in the world, sitting on his horse as he stared into the distance. Only his dark eyes and constantly darted back and forth across the clearing and the whites of his knuckles as they gripped the reins told a different story.

 

 

 

Ben thought through all the things that could go wrong before he had Adam safely out of this mess. He knew that someone would eventually come, for the lure of this much money would be too hard for men like that to resist. He hoped that they would have Adam with them, for if not the dilemma of knowing that his son’s life was in grave danger would be heightened if he handed over the money without first glimpsing the boy. Yet to refuse to hand it over first was also an opportunity for the kidnappers to risk Adam’s life even further.

 

 

 

For a moment, an image of his eldest son at a young age flittered through his mind and a sharp stab of pain pierced his heart. When his sons were small he had found it so much easier to protect them from the travails of life, their small worries easily soothed by a father’s comforting word or touch. But now that they were grown men he found impossible to shield them from the hurts that life out here in the west constantly threw at them all. He would have given anything at that moment to have held his small Adam in his arms again and be able to comfort him, yet all he could do was sit here and wait and hope and pray that his son was in fact still alive.

 

 

 

For he knew that, although he had been mortally afraid to voice it, his son could already be dead. There was no guarantee that these men would have bothered to keep him alive until they had possession of the money and all Ben could do was sit here and hope that they had. For a man of action it was the hardest thing in the world to ask, and yet he did it for Adam’s sake. One wrong move now and they might both pay the price.

 

 

 

Ben would be completely at their mercy when they appeared, and try as he might to bargain with them, he knew that he had no option but to follow their lead. Even so, it galled him to have to sit here and wait like this. Ben Cartwright was a man who was used to taking control of situations and he hated having no power over his own safety, or that of his son’s.

 

 

 

He thanked the Lord that Hoss and Joe weren’t here with him, for one son in danger was enough for any man to cope with at any given time. Knowing Joe’s volatile nature, Ben could only hope that Hoss was able to keep him under control while they waited. Hoss was a man to be relied upon, always calm and controlled in a crisis, whereas Joe … even though now he was a man grown … had a hot temper. Ben supposed that he got that from him, for his own temper had often got the best of him throughout the years. Time and experience had taught him to control it, just as he was doing now. He hoped for Joe’s sake that his son would also learn to do the same thing but in the meantime, he always relied upon Adam and Hoss to keep their impetuous younger brother under control when needed.

 

 

 

The movement of a small bird caught his attention for a second and his eyes darted around the surrounding undergrowth yet again, but he saw nothing else move. Ben clenched his jaw in a determined fashion as he continued to wait.

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam continued to stare at the man seated on the other side of the fire until Baker could stand it no longer. “What?” he snarled.

 

 

 

“Fine man you turned out to be,” said Adam.

 

 

 

“Shut up!” said Baker.

 

 

 

Adam shook his head slightly. “We would have helped you if you needed it,” he said. “There was no need for any of this.”

 

 

 

“You know nothing about it!” Baker spat on the ground near the fire as he glared at Adam. “You and your blasted family! I’m sick of hearing about how you Cartwrights have some sort of bond with me or something. That kid brother of yours ….” He spat on the ground again.

 

 

 

“That kid brother of mine always looked up to you,” Adam reminded the man.

 

 

 

Baker shook his head. “I never asked him to,” he declared. “He needs to get over it.” He pointed his finger at Adam. “And you need to shut up if you know what’s good for you.”

 

 

 

Adam shut his eyes as a wave of nausea overcame him.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe scratched his face thoughtfully as he shifted his position behind the rock. “I don’t care what Sheriff Coffee says,” he whispered to Hoss who was beside him. “I still think that we should get a bit closer.”

 

 

 

“Roy knows what he’s doing,” whispered back Hoss. “He’s done this lotsa times before, Joe.”

 

 

 

“Yeah, but how many times has someone got hurt while he’s doing it?” whispered back Joe. “I don’t want Pa or Adam being one of those people Hoss.”

 

 

 

“None of us do Joe,” replied Hoss, his face showing clearly how anxious he was. “But we just gotta trust that Roy and Pa know what they’re doing.”

 

 

 

“And what if Pa gets shot while we’re just sitting here?” persisted Joe. “Or if Adam gets hurt … or worse?” H looked over his shoulder. “I think you and me should go around the other side of this clearing and get a better look at what’s happening.”

 

 

 

“You just stay put,” said Hoss firmly. “Pa said to stay in the background and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do.”

 

 

 

Joe glared at his brother for a moment and then looked around the side of the rock. “It’s real quiet out there,” he said after a moment. “Do you think that Pa’s given them the money yet?”

 

 

 

“I dunno,” said Hoss. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

 

 

 

Joe glared at him again. “When?” he said. “When we hear the shot that says that they’ve killed him?” He shuffled away from his brother. “I don’t care what you think, Hoss,” he said. “I’m gonna get a better look.”

 

 

 

“Joe!” said Hoss, reaching for his brother, but only grabbing onto the space where Joe had been seconds before. “Get back here!”

 

 

 

Joe scrabbled over to the bushes alongside them. “I’ll be real careful Hoss,” he assured his brother over his shoulder. “I won’t do anything stupid.”

 

 

 

“That’ll be the day,” muttered Hoss angrily as his brother disappeared into the undergrowth. He considered following him for a moment and then shook his head. His family would need him here if something happened in that clearing, for one thing his father had instilled in him was to always have a backup in situations like this. Hoss considered himself that backup and just prayed that wherever he was now, Joe would have the sense to stay hidden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

Still he waited.

 

 

 

It seemed like an eternity since he’d arrived here and Ben wondered if he’d been on view to the kidnappers ever since he’d appeared. It was quite likely that they’d been watching him, waiting to make sure that no one else was around before exposing themselves. The thought that they might be at this moment watching him made Ben’s skin crawl, yet he continued to sit still as if he had not a care in the world.

 

 

 

Suddenly, a quick movement caught his eye and he turned his head to see two men on horseback ride out of the brush. “Hand it over,” said one abruptly, holding his gun on Ben. His companion didn’t even glance in Ben’s direction, but turned his horse to scan a complete circle around the clearing. He continued to watch the bushes, intent on firing at anything that might come out of there in an instant. “Hand it over Cartwright,” said the first man again, reaching out for the bag that was draped over Ben’s saddle-horn.

 

 

 

Ben held up the bag. “I want to see that my son is all right,” he said.

 

 

 

“Hand over the money first,” said the man and made a grab for it.

 

 

 

Ben let the bag go. “I want to see my son,” he repeated as the man opened the bag and checked its contents.

 

 

 

“I reckon it’s all here,” he snarled to his companion, ignoring Ben’s comment. Both men turned their horses, anxious to leave the spot as quickly as possible.

 

 

 

“Wait!” shouted Ben. “You’ve got your money, now where’s my son?”

 

 

 

One of the men hesitated. “You’ll get him back when we’re outta here,” he snarled.

 

 

 

Ben’s blood ran cold, knowing full well that the moment the men had disappeared, Adam’s chances of survival were greatly diminished. “Wait!” he shouted again and spurred his horse forward.

 

 

 

The second man reached out with his rifle and clubbed Ben on the head, startling his horse and sending him spinning to the ground. At that instant Joe flung himself from the bushes nearby and made a run for the man, grabbing his rifle and attempting to pull him from his horse. They struggled for a moment or two while the first man looked on in amazement, for it seemed as if the young man had appeared from nowhere. Suddenly he regained his thinking and pointed his pistol at Joe.

 

 

 

“Get back!” he cried. The sound made Joe hesitate for a moment which was all his opponent needed to get the better of him. He hit him with the butt of his rifle in the stomach and Joe doubled up in pain, falling to his knees with the impact. The man turned his rifle again and pointed the firing end at Joe, but stopped as his partner shouted out to him.

 

 

 

“No!” the man cried. “Let me have him!” He hit Joe on the side of the head with his rifle butt this time and Joe slumped to the ground next to his father.

 

 

 

“Leave them,” said the first man, his eyes swivelling around the bushes in case of further attack. “Come on!”

 

 

 

The man on the ground hesitated, slung Joe up over his shoulder and draped him over the front of his saddle before mounting up again. “The old man will pay twice this time,” he snarled. “We got us double insurance now.”

 

 

 

“It’s not worth it,” said the first man. “Leave them!”

 

 

 

The second man shook his head, turned his horse and rode off with Joe bouncing over his saddle. After a moment’s hesitation, the first man did the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You fool!” shouted George angrily as Tom dumped Joe’s unconscious body onto the ground. “What did you go and do that for?” He kicked Joe in his frustration as he glared at the man. “Never could follow orders, could you?” he snarled. “All you had to do was get the money and get out of there!”

 

 

 

“This one came at me,” said Tom defensively. “Anyway, I figure that we’ve got two of em to bargain with now,” he added. He indicated the saddlebag. “If old man Cartwright can get that kind of money in such a quick time, then how much do ya think he’s gonna pay up for two of his precious boys instead of one?”

 

 

 

George shook his head. “You always was too greedy fer your own good,” he said, kicking Joe’s unconscious body again in his frustration.

 

 

 

“It’s all here,” said Tom, fingering the money happily. “Look Baker!” But Baker’s eyes were not on the money. Instead, he stood staring down at Joe’s body in front of him. “What’s wrong with you?” snarled Tom.

 

 

 

“Nothing,” shot back Baker. “I agree with George. You should have just got the money and got outta there.” He grabbed the saddlebag and looked inside. “I say we get out of here now before we’ve got every man in this district looking for us,” he added.

 

 

 

“Hold on there,” said George. “What’s done is done and old man Cartwright ain’t gonna send no one gunning for us with two of his boys here. Besides,” he glanced over at Adam who was lying motionless near the horses. I reckon maybe it’s a good thing, now that I come to think on it. That one sure don’t look like he’s gonna last much longer so we might need this one for insurance.”

 

 

 

“I don’t get it,” said one of the other men. “What insurance?”

 

 

 

George spat on the ground. “You really think that Ben Cartwright is gonna let us just ride outta here?” he said. “He knows this country like the back of his hand and we’re gonna need some insurance to get us back to Arizona country. I was counting on taking that one,” he jerked his thumb over to Adam. “But seems a better idea to take this one instead,” he said. “Much easier to take a living body than a dead one. Once we’re clear of here we’ll get rid of him then. Tie him up near the other one Baker. We’ll wait until dawn and then we’ll ride.”

 

 

 

Baker hesitated for a split second and then glanced at the money in his hand. He handed it back to Bert and then bent down and pulled Joe by the arms over to where an unconscious Adam lay. Deftly, he tied his hands behind his back, looping the rope then so that he could tie the other end of it around his feet. When Joe was securely bound, he stepped back and stared down at the two Cartwright brothers before turning his back on them and striding off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

Adam groaned softly as he came back to consciousness once again. Even though he longed to slip back into that pain-free comatose state, something inside him willed him to open his eyes and take a hazy look around. It was as though he was seeing everything from a long distance away and the sounds and smells around him were part of a dream.

 

 

 

He turned his head to the left and saw the fire still flickering nearby in the dark night. There were several men still clustered around it, but they were deep in conversation and didn’t even glance his way as he moved. He turned to the other side and saw a figure lying beside him. For a moment or two he tried to focus on it, for something about the clothing seemed familiar to him, but for the life of him he couldn’t seem to remember why.

 

 

 

Suddenly it came to him in a rush and he reached out a hand feebly to touch the green jacket of his younger brother. “Joe?” he whispered. “Joe?”

 

 

 

Joe didn’t move. Adam tried to turn further to the right, but the pain from his stomach prevented him from moving too far. He tried to grab hold of his brother’s jacket, but found that he didn’t have the strength to even do that much. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the situation, wondering why Joe would be here and when he opened them again he found himself looking into a pair of brown eyes that stared at him unblinkingly. “Joe?” he said again and then realised that the eyes didn’t in fact belong to his brother at all.

 

 

 

Baker continued to stare at Adam for a moment without speaking, so that finally it was Adam who was forced to break the silence that was between them. “My … brother,” he whispered. “He needs help.”

 

 

 

Baker’s eyes narrowed as he glanced over at the unconscious Joe and then back to Adam. “Well he ain’t getting any from me,” he said.

 

 

 

Adam looked up at the man. “Why?” he said in a low voice. “Why … are you … doing this?”

 

 

 

“Money,” replied Baker. “Simple as that. You Cartwrights got money and I’ve got none. That’s all there is to it.”

 

 

 

“But … you’re Joe’s Baker,” said Adam, trying to fight of the feeling of nausea that had suddenly came over him. “Don’t you … care?”

 

 

 

Baker snorted. “Nope,” he said. “I don’t.” He gave Adam a contemptuous look. “And I ain’t no one’s Baker cept my own,” he declared. “Specially not his!” He gave Joe a slight kick and then stood up to leave.

 

 

 

“Wait!” said Adam in a louder voice, but Baker simply continued to walk away.

 

 

 

Adam reached out to touch Joe again. “Joe,” he said. “Joe! Wake up!” But Joe didn’t move.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoss looked at the doctor anxiously as Paul Martin bent over Ben lying on the bed. “Is he hurt bad Doc?” he asked, when he could bear the suspense no longer.

 

 

 

Paul stood up and took his stethoscope out of his ears. “He has a severe concussion Hoss,” he said. “Which is why he’s still unconscious.”

 

 

 

Hoss bit his lip. “That ain’t good, huh?” he said, looking down at his father. It was so strange to see Ben Cartwright so still and quiet, for he was a man who was always in control and lying here on the bed so still made Hoss’ blood run cold at the sight of what it could mean.

 

 

 

Paul shook his head. “No, it isn’t,” he said. “I won’t lie to you Hoss. The longer he’s unconscious the more serious it is, I’m afraid.”

 

 

 

Hoss ran his fingers through his hair and looked out of the window in frustration, then turned to stare at his father again. He felt as if he were being torn in two with his brothers out there somewhere in trouble and his father lying here.

 

 

 

Paul noticed the look on his face. “Any word?” he said.

 

 

 

Hoss shook his head. “No,” he muttered. “Roy and the rest of em are still out there. He promised to send word if they …” He swallowed as he considered exactly what it was that they might find. “ …. If they find Adam or Joe,” he finished. He slammed his fist on the dresser next to him. “Damn fool kid!” he said suddenly. “It weren’t enough that Adam was in the hands of them devils and now Joe has to go and ….”

 

 

 

Paul put his hand on the big man’s shoulder, sensing his frustration and pain. “What’s done is done Hoss,” he said. “You can’t change things now, so there’s no point in trying. The important thing is getting your two brothers back safe and sound and …” he indicated the unconscious man on the bed next to them. “ … and your father,” he said.

 

 

 

Hoss nodded, the pain he was feeling reflected in his eyes as he looked at the doctor. “I just don’t know what to do,” he admitted. “Pa needs me, but so do Adam and Joe.”

 

 

 

“I’ll stay here with your father,” Paul assured him. “Hop Sing and I will look after him Hoss. Your place is out there with Roy and the others at the moment.”

 

 

 

Hoss shot him a grateful glance. “Are you sure?” he asked.

 

 

 

Paul nodded. “Yes,” he said firmly. “It’s what your father would want and you know it. Besides ….” He glanced down at Ben again. “Until he wakes up, then there’s absolutely nothing you can do for him here. You go.”

 

 

 

Hoss nodded and bent down over his father’s body. “I’m gonna go now Pa,” he whispered into the unconscious man’s ear. “The Doc and Hop Sing are gonna look after you fer a while. I’m gonna go and get Adam and Joe back.” He hesitated for a brief moment. “I promise I’m gonna bring em back safe Pa,” he said, his voice cracking slightly with the emotion of what he was feeling. “I promise Pa.”

 

 

 

He put his hand on Ben’s cheek for a moment, nodded to Paul and then turned to leave the room without another word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The moon was high above the small camp by the time that Joe finally opened his eyes. He immediately tried to move his arms and legs, but realised instantly that he was tied securely and it was impossible. He groaned slightly, more out of despair than discomfort for although he couldn’t move, the ropes that bound him weren’t tight enough to be causing him too much discomfort. Whoever had tied him up had known just how tight to make them so that he couldn’t loosen them, but without attempting to be cruel about it.

 

 

 

His throat felt parched and his head ached where he’d been struck by the gun barrel, but as he lay there considering his position he figured that these things were minor compared to the danger that he felt himself in. He remembered seeing his father fall to the ground just before he’d come to his aid and even though he knew that he was in danger himself, his foremost concern was for his Pa. He rolled over to face the other way and rolled into someone lying beside him.

 

 

 

At first he thought that it was his father, but a second glance told him that it was … “Adam!” he said anxiously. “Adam! Are you OK?”

 

 

 

Adam opened his eyes and gave his brother a slight grin. “So you decided to join us again?” he said. “About time.”

 

 

 

Joe tried to return the grin, but failed. “Are you OK?” he repeated. “Where are we?”

 

 

 

Adam closed his eyes momentarily and then opened them again. “I’m hurting some,” he admitted.

 

 

 

Joe’s eye flickered down to the front of his brother’s shirt and he noticed with horror the large dark stain that was spread over the entire front of it. “You’ve been shot!” he exclaimed.

 

 

 

“No kidding?” said Adam. “I was wondering where all this pain was coming from.”

 

 

 

Joe was silent for a moment as he tried to turn his head to observe his brother’s injury. “Any idea where we are?” he said, ignoring the pain that shot through his head as he moved it.

 

 

 

Adam shook his own head slightly. “No,” he answered. “All I know is that they …” he indicated the small group of men near the fire. “ .. they’ve been talking about the best … way out of here.” He didn’t add that he heard several of them arguing that he should be left here and Joe, as the healthier of the two brothers, be taken as hostage when they did leave. He looked at his brother. “Explain to me how you ended up here with me?” he asked, a touch sarcastically.

 

 

 

“Well you know me,” Joe admitted. “I can never take orders. I was trying to look out for Pa, but I reckon I only made things worse.”

 

 

 

“Pa?” Adam asked sharply. “Is he OK?”

 

 

 

Joe hesitated a moment before nodding. “I think so,” he said. “Actually …. I don’t know to be honest. There was a fight and the last time I saw him, he was on the ground. He wasn’t shot though …. at least I don’t think so. I don’t remember that much.” He gave Adam a mournful look. “Seems like we’re all in a bit of a mess, don’t it?”

 

 

 

Adam nodded. “Seems so,” he said and then looked across at the men again. “Joe, there’s something I have to tell you,” he said. “One of those men is ….”

 

 

 

“You two shut up!” snarled one of the men by the fire. “Quit yer yapping!”

 

 

 

“My brother is hurt,” Joe shouted back at him. “Untie me so that I can tend to him.”

 

 

 

The man snorted. “Yeah right,” he said. “And have you jump us when we ain’t looking? No chance!”

 

 

 

Joe looked from one face to another pleadingly, but not one on the men gave him anything more than a disinterested stare until his eyes reached the last man’s. He noticed how the brown eyes flinched away from his and for a moment he wondered why until recognition registered in his brain and he gasped. “Baker!” he said.

 

 

 

Baker drew back until he was in the shadows. George turned to him swiftly. “How come he’s calling you by name?” he snarled. “You seem ta know these Cartwrights Baker?”

 

 

 

Baker shrugged, still avoiding looking at Joe. “Long time ago,” he admitted. “No matter now.”

 

 

 

“Well, it better not be,” said George, pointing his finger accusingly at him. “You ain’t got a history with these folks I hope?”

 

 

 

“I gotta a history,” admitted Baker. “But none that matters much.”

 

 

 

“But Baker ….” protested Joe.

 

 

 

Baker stood up and walked towards Joe, looking down at him. “You shut up!” he snarled. “There’s nothing between us that matters any more. I told you that the last time I met you and I meant it!”

 

 

 

Joe’s jaw dropped. “But …” he began, incredulously.

 

 

 

“But nothing,” interrupted Baker. “Get it into your head once and for all that I don’t remember you from those days you kept telling me about. I don’t care about you and I don’t care about your family, so quit going on about it.” He kicked Joe on the thigh and turned away, snatching a whiskey bottle from Tom as he walked past him.

 

 

 

Joe lay staring after him for a moment in silence.

 

 

 

“He’s a changed man Joe,” said Adam quietly. “He’s not the same man you used to know.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded. “Obviously,” he said in a bitter tone, still staring after Baker. After a moment he turned his head to look at his brother. “I’m sorry Adam,” he muttered. “I guess I made everything worse.”

 

 

 

“Save your speeches for Pa when we get out of this mess,” replied Adam. “You’re going to need them then.”

 

 

 

“If we get out of this,” replied Joe morosely.

 

 

 

“We’ll get out of it,” said Adam in a determined voice. “We have to.”

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoss rode out from the clump of trees and pulled his horse to a halt. “Anything?” he said to Roy Coffee, not bothering to waste any time on a greeting.

 

 

 

Roy scratched his face. “We hadta stop when it got dark,” he said. “But soon as it’s light we’ll be on our way again.” He gave Hoss a sympathetic look as the man dismounted, wondering how he must be feeling with his two brothers in danger and his father hurt. “How’s ya Pa?” he asked.

 

 

 

“Not sure,” Hoss replied. “Doc Martin’s with him now.” He looked across the clearing, his jaw set and his eyes narrow. “When I catch up with them varmints I’m gonna kill em with my bare hands,” he snarled.

 

 

 

“You just simmer down now Hoss,” said Roy, flinching from the look in the other man’s eyes. “There’s a right way to do this and a wrong way. You know that if your Pa were here, he’d be telling you to do this the right way.”

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. “You’re right,” he snapped. “Only I can’t help but think of Adam and Joe out there …” His voice trailed away and he gave the sheriff a hard look. “If either of my brothers are hurt then I’m gonna finish this my way Roy. That’s all there is to it.”

 

 

 

Roy placed a hand on Hoss’ shoulder. “They’ll be fine Hoss,” he said. “I just know they will. You go and get yourself a cup of coffee now.”

 

 

 

“We’d better pray that they are OK,” said a low voice beside the sheriff as Hoss moved away. “Otherwise there’s no telling what he’s likely to do.”

 

 

 

“Keep an eye on him,” replied Roy. “I don’t want no mistakes with this, or someone’s likely to get themselves killed when we catch up with them men.”

 

 

 

“Do you really believe that the Cartwrights are still alive Roy?” asked the man.

 

 

 

Roy shrugged and chewed on his moustache. “I dunno,” he said. “I sure hope so though. One thing’s fer sure though … they’re gonna need at least one of em fer their insurance outta here. Let’s just hope that they decide to keep both of em alive if they ain’t dead already.”

 

 

 

“Well I’d hate to be one of em if they have killed Adam or Joe,” said the man. “From the look in Hoss’ eyes he’s out fer blood.”

 

 

 

“Watch him,” repeated Roy. “Pass the word along to the other men too.” He stared at Hoss for a while as the man walked away from him. It had always seemed to Roy that Hoss was the most mild-mannered of Ben Cartwright’s sons, yet the sheriff knew that when he was riled he was capable of a toughness that few people ever saw. And nothing riled Hoss Cartwright more than someone threatening his family. Roy nodded slightly as he made up his mind to watch out for Hoss as well as the rest of the Cartwrights that were in danger in all of this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe watched Adam sleeping, his mind a whirl of emotions as he tried to come to terms with what Baker had said to him earlier. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand what would have possessed the man to say such things and all he could think of was that he was trying not to let onto his companions that he was a friend to the Cartwrights. Joe hoped with every passing minute that Baker would come over to himself and Adam and do something … anything … to help them get out of this mess.

 

 

 

But his hopes were in vain as the hours slipped away and it became obvious that Baker wasn’t merely putting on an act. Joe figured that the group of men were waiting for first light to make a move, for this country could be unforgiving to anyone who didn’t know it well and in the dead of night a man would have taken his life in his own hands merely by attempting to ride through it without knowing where he was going.

 

 

 

If Joe had been given the chance he could have easily made it to safety, for he knew the area well with all its crevasses and mountain trails. All he needed was for Baker to untie him and he knew that he possibly could have slipped away with Adam and made it out of here, but Baker never came near him. Instead the man sat on the other side of the fire drinking from the whiskey bottle, as one by one his companions fell asleep.

 

 

 

Joe lay and glared at him, his anger mounting with each passing hour. Adam didn’t seem to be moving at all, and was either in a deep sleep or worse and the very thought that he could nothing to help his brother nagged at Joe more than his own safety.

 

 

 

Finally, he could keep silent no longer and he rolled over to face Baker. “Well?” he spat out. “Are you going to just sit there and watch my brother die?” Baker shrugged and took another swig of the whiskey. “Don’t you care?” snapped Joe. “After all my family has done for you?”

 

 

 

Baker spat on the ground. “And what exactly is it that they’ve done?” he snarled. “Not much that I can remember.”

 

 

 

“But that’s just it,” said Joe. “If you could remember back then ….”

 

 

 

“Quit that!” interrupted Baker. “I told you before that I’ve had enough of all that. I’m not the man you knew back then and I never will be, so stop going on about it!” He gave Joe a frustrated look. “You’re the most ornery fellar I’ve ever come across Cartwright with all that kinda of talk! You’d just better shut up if you know what’s good for you, because I’m getting mighty sick of it!”

 

 

 

Joe lifted his head and stared at the man. “So you’re just going to let Adam die?” he asked. “What kind of man have you become?”

 

 

 

Baker shrugged again. “You just don’t get it, do you? This is me now Joe. I’m not the kind of man you want to know, so don’t bother worrying about it. As for your brother there ….” He indicated Adam with his thumb. “I never knew him much, so it doesn’t matter much to me.”

 

 

 

“But you knew me!” insisted Joe. “We were friends Baker! Doesn’t that count for anything?”

 

 

 

Baker threw the bottle of whiskey onto the ground and stood up. “I might have known you once, but I don’t now!” he said angrily. “Just shut up or I’ll shut you up permanent!” He strode away from the fire and headed into the shadows, leaving a shocked Joe staring after him.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a long night for the two Cartwright brothers as they struggled to keep each other positive in light of their troubles. Joe, in particular, was very anxious about Adam and it frustrated the life out of him to have to lie next to his brother and listen to his groans without being able to help him in any way.

 

 

 

Adam, for his part, tried unsuccessfully to hide his pain from his brother as he drifted in and out of consciousness, but it was beyond him. By the time dawn was approaching he was covered in a light sweat and his breathing had become ragged.

 

 

 

“Adam?” said Joe as the men in the camp around them began to wake and stir. “Can you hear me?”

 

 

 

Adam’s eyes flitted half open. “Yes,” he said, with difficulty.

 

 

 

“I’ve been thinking,” continued Joe. “I reckon they’ll be moving off soon. When they come over here they’ll have to untie my feet if they want me on a horse and that’s when I can ….”

 

 

 

Adam’s eyes opened fully. “No,” he said weakly. “Don’t take any chances Joe. There’s too many of them.”

 

 

 

Joe snorted. “I can handle it,” he said confidently and Adam grimaced.

 

 

 

“Don’t be a fool kid,” he said.

 

 

 

“Don’t call me kid,” said Joe, automatically. His eyes flitted around the camp as he watched the men organising themselves and their horses. Now that it was light enough to see, they obviously meant to get going and he hoped that one of them would approach him soon. He mentally calculated how far it was to the nearest rifle that was sitting on a saddle on the other side of the fire and wondered just how long it would take him to lunge towards it.

 

 

 

“If they just untie my legs, then I can reach that rifle,” whispered Joe. “Even with my hands tied I’ll be able to …”

 

 

 

“Joe … no!” said Adam, trying desperately to remain conscious. “It won’t work!”

 

 

 

“Trust me,” said Joe, eyeing off the rifle. “I can …” He stopped as George walked around the fire and approached them. “My brother is worse,” said Joe, looking up at him. “Untie me so that I can tend to him.”

 

 

 

George shook his head and then looked down at Adam. “No point,” he snarled. “Baker!” Get over here and shoot this one! We’re taking the young one with us.”

 

 

 

Joe’s eyes widened. “No!” he shouted.

 

 

 

“You shut up,” snarled George as he bent down and began to untie Joe’s legs. “He ain’t no use to us like that. Now shut up or you’ll get a bullet in you too. I can take you injured or healthy … it’s all the same to me.”

 

 

 

He ripped the ropes off Joe’s feet and pulled him to a standing position. “Move,” he said, pushing him towards the horses.

 

 

 

“Leave him,” Joe pleaded with the man. “My brother can’t hurt you now, so just take me and leave him here.”

 

 

 

“So he can talk when your old man finds him?” said George, with a slight chuckle. “I don’t think so. We’re gonna leave him all right, but we’re gonna leave him dead.” He looked over his shoulder again. “Baker! Hurry up and shoot him!”

 

 

 

Joe looked pleadingly at Baker. “You can’t!” he shouted. “Baker … please … no!”

 

 

 

Baker gave Joe a contemptuous look and picked up a rifle. “Shut up!” he said and turned towards Adam.

 

 

 

Joe lunged forward towards the man, but George reached out and punched him, sending him sprawling at Baker’s feet, in front of Adam. “Get out of the way,” snarled Baker, aiming his rifle directly at Joe. “That brother of yours would only slow us down and I don’t aim to leave him here to rat on us. Move!”

 

 

 

George bent down to pull Joe out of the way, but Joe kicked out at him and sent him sprawling in the dirt as well. He reached out with both hands that were still tied together and pulled on Baker’s trouser leg. “Why are you doing this?” he screamed at him. “Leave my brother alone!”

 

 

 

Adam feebly tried to lift his head and the movement cause Baker to turn sharply. In that instant, Joe gave a mighty tug on the man’s leg and pulled him off his feet. For a few moments they rolled around in the dirt together.

 

 

 

Behind him, Joe heard a shot ring out through the air and out of the corner of his eye saw George lunge towards him and then fall heavily to the ground. More shots rang out, but the two men fighting became oblivious to all that was going on around them as they fought for control of the gun. Joe, hampered as he was by the fact that his hands were still tied together, was getting the worst of it, and it wasn’t long before Baker had seized the gun again and was rising to his feet. He kicked Joe savagely in the stomach, sending him rolling over and over in the dirt until he came to rest next to George’s body.

 

 

 

Baker gave him one last glance before turning the barrel of the rifle towards Adam, still lying motionless on the ground. Joe reached out and grabbed George’s gun from his holster. “No!” he shouted as Baker aimed. He fired one shot and Baker slumped to the ground, blood pouring from his chest.

 

 

 

Joe lay motionless for a few seconds, his mind trying to register what had just happened, then he dropped the gun and crawled over to Adam. “Adam?” he said anxiously, cradling his brother’s head in his arms. “Are you OK?”

 

 

 

Suddenly the gunfire around him ceased and he looked up from Adam’s face in surprise to see Roy Coffee and several other men coming out from behind some rocks at the side of the clearing. They picked their way through the tangled mass of dead bodies that were between themselves and Joe. “Are you all right Joe?” shouted Roy.

 

 

 

Joe nodded, but was silent as he looked down at Adam’s face and then across to Baker who was lying next to him. Roy bent down and put a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “How’s Adam?” he asked.

 

 

 

Joe looked back down at his brother’s pale face again. “I’m not sure,” he admitted.

 

 

 

Suddenly there was a shout and Joe looked up again to see his brother Hoss barrelling towards them. “Joe!” Hoss yelled, sinking to his knees beside his two brothers. “Are ya OK Joe? Tell me that you’re OK.” He held his brother’s face in between his two hands and looked at it intently.

 

 

 

“I’m fine,” replied Joe, shaking his head out of his brother’s grasp. “But Adam …. Hoss, he’s hurt bad.”

 

 

 

Hoss nodded and without a word picked his older brother up in his arms and stood up while Joe watched him. “I’ll take him on my horse,” said Hoss and turned away, carrying Adam with as much ease as if he’d been a child.

 

 

 

Joe looked across at Baker and then reached out to touch the man, his eyes widening as a small groan escaped from him. “Baker?” he said and turned the man’s body over so that he was facing the sky. “Baker? Can you hear me?” he asked, wincing as he saw the large bloodstain that covered the entire front of Baker’s shirt.

 

 

 

There was no response from the man on the ground, but it was obvious that he was still breathing. Joe sat and stared down at him for a moment, his mind still trying to come to grips with what had just taken place.

 

 

 

Roy Coffee jerked his thumb at one of the men. “Get into town and get some horses out here,” he said, looking around the area. “We’re gonna need em to get these bodies back to town. He bent down and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “You stay here Joe,” he said kindly. “I’m nearby if you need me son.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded without looking up. He knew without anyone saying it that by the time the man got back with the horses, that Baker would be one of the bodies they would be needed for. The man was bleeding too badly and it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened, for nothing could save him now. He looked up as Hoss came to stand beside him. “It’s Baker, Hoss,” he said, indicating the man lying beside him. “He was one of em. He was going to shoot Adam.” His eyes misted over and he looked up at his brother pleadingly as if he could do something to change that fact.

 

 

 

“I’ll look after Adam,” said Hoss, giving Joe a compassionate look. “You’ve done all you can fer now Joe.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded, considering for a moment how everything around him seemed to be happening in slow motion. “What about a doctor?” he said. “He needs tending real quick Hoss.”

 

 

 

“Doc Martin’s already at the house with Pa,” said Hoss. “I’ll get Adam there as quick as I can.”

 

 

 

Joe’s eyes widened suddenly. “Pa?” he said, urgently clutching at his brother’s sleeve.

 

 

 

Hoss patted the hand. “Doc seems to think he’ll be OK,” he lied. “Just took a nasty hit on the head is all. “Don’t you worry Joe, I’ll get Adam back there real quick and he’ll be looked after.”

 

 

 

Joe ran his fingers through his hair as he glanced across at Hoss’ horse on which their brother was half-sitting, slumped over the saddle. “I need to come too,” he said in a low voice. “Adam ….”

 

 

 

“ … has me to look after him now,” said Hoss. “You come when you can Joe.” He glanced down at Baker on the ground in front of them. “When it’s finished,” he added.

 

 

 

Joe nodded. “It don’t matter what he’s done Hoss,” he said miserably. “A man deserves to have someone with him when he dies,” he said.

 

 

 

Hoss nodded and patted Joe’s shoulder before turning towards his horse. Joe dimly heard the voices of the men around him as they began to gather up the bodies, his eyes all the while trained on Baker. He lifted the man’s head and placed his hat under it, not knowing what else he could do for him. The gesture seemed so futile, yet comforting in some way.

 

 

 

Baker’s eyes flitted open and he stared up at Joe for a moment. “What …” he looked around. “Joe?” he said.

 

 

 

“Keep still,” said Joe. “You’re bleeding.”

 

 

 

Baker looked down at his torso, which by now was fully drenched with his blood. “I’ve been hit,” he said in wonderment.

 

 

 

“Yes,” said Joe simply, for there was nothing else to say.

 

 

 

Baker looked up at him. “Joe?” he said. “Tell me the truth kid. Is this it?”

 

 

 

“Yes,” said Joe again, for any man deserved to know the truth at a time like this.

 

 

 

Baker closed his eyes again with a sigh. “I’m glad,” he said softly. “Glad that it happened like this.”

 

 

 

“Glad?” asked Joe.

 

 

 

The eyes opened again and the man on the ground stared up at him. “Joe,” he said. “You don’t understand, do you?” He smiled suddenly, a gesture that took Joe totally by surprise. “Joe,” he said, clutching at the other man’s sleeve. “Remember what I told you once when you were captured by those Paiutes? That you had to hang in and not die on me? Seems like I need to say that to myself right about now.”

 

 

 

“Yeah but that was ….” Joe’s eyes widened and he gave Baker an incredulous look. “What?” he said, after a moment. “When we were captured by the Paiutes? You remember that?”

 

 

 

“Seems like it,” said Baker, closing his eyes again. “Kind of ironic isn’t it, that I’d remember that now.”

 

 

 

Joe bent down so that his face was close to Baker’s. “What else do you remember?” he said anxiously. “Anything else?”

 

 

 

Baker opened his eyes again. “I remember you peeing on me when I first found you,” he said, trying to smile. “You were a right pain.”

 

 

 

Joe felt the tears pricking at his eyes with the bittersweet joy of Baker finally remembering after all this time. For so long he’d wanted him to be the Baker that he knew back then and for so long he knew that the man wasn’t the friend he’d remembered him to be. And now that he was dying …. and he was the one who had shot him …. he was beginning to remember. Joe shook his head with the injustice of it all. “I’m glad you’re remembering,” he said, for want of anything else to say.

 

 

 

Baker nodded slightly and grimaced at the pain that shot through his body at even that slight movement. “Yeah,” he said. “At least I can die a friend now.”

 

 

 

Joe brushed the tears away that were threatening to spill over onto his cheeks now and clutched Baker’s hand tightly. “I’ve always been your friend,” he said. “I never stopped.”

 

 

 

“But I did,” replied Baker. “I’m sorry Joe. I didn’t mean ….”

 

 

 

“Of course you didn’t,” interrupted Joe quickly. “I know that.”

 

 

 

“Adam?” said Baker, trying to turn his head and look around.

 

 

 

“Hoss has taken him,” said Joe. “He’s getting him to a doctor.”

 

 

 

“I hope he’s OK,” said Baker. “He tried to tell me ….” His voice trailed away and he gasped with the pain that was washing over him. “You’re a lucky man Joe,” he said after a moment. “You’ve got family that love you.”

 

 

 

“I know,” said Joe, squeezing Baker’s hand even tighter. “Baker … I’m sorry. About shooting you I mean. I didn’t ….”

 

 

 

Baker held up his hand. “I was asking for it kid,” he said feebly. “It was me or your brother and you chose right Joe. You had to do what you did and I don’t hold any anger towards you for it. If anyone here needs forgiveness … it’s me.” He coughed suddenly and a trickle of blood oozed out of the side of his mouth.

 

 

 

Joe reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face clean and a small object fluttered to the ground as he did so. He picked it up, looked at it and then gave Baker a slight smile. “You remember this?” he asked, holding it out.

 

 

 

Baker looked at the small piece of rawhide. “No,” he said. “Should I?”

 

 

 

“I gave it to you once,” explained Joe. “And you gave it back to me years later. I got it from the Indians when I was a little kid … I was wearing it the first time you ever found me.”

 

 

 

Baker’s eyes lit up momentarily. “I do remember,” he said. “You wore it around that mess of curly hair you had. I used it later on to tie up your letters for all those years.”

 

 

 

Joe turned it over in his hand and looked at it. “I carry it in my jacket pocket all the time,” he said. “It’s silly really, but it always helped me remember you.” He smiled. “It’s been through Hop Sing’s wash more times than I can recall. He was always going on about it, but he always made sure I got it back each time.” He held it out for Baker to see. “You take it,” he said.

 

 

 

Baker shook his head and another coughing fit overcame him. “No,” he said, when he was able to talk again. “You keep it Joe. It isn’t any use to me now. Nothing is.”

 

 

 

“Don’t talk like that,” snapped Joe. “Now that you can remember …”

 

 

 

“Nothing has changed,” interrupted Baker. “It’s my time Joe and that’s all there is to it. I just wish …” He coughed again, blood running freely down his chin now. “You’ve grown into a fine man Joe and I wish … that I could be around to see you in the future.”

 

 

 

This time Joe didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that were falling and a few of them splashed onto Baker’s shirt and mingled with the blood there. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry that it had to end this way.”

 

 

 

“So am I kid,” said Baker. “So am I.” He closed his eyes again with a sigh and Joe shook him slightly.

 

 

 

“Stay with me Baker,” he pleaded with the man. “Don’t go yet!”

 

 

 

Baker’s eyes fluttered half open again and he opened his mouth, but no words came out. For a couple of moments the two men stared at each other and then Joe spoke again.

 

 

 

“Thanks Baker,” he said. “Thanks for everything. I always loved you Baker … and I guess it’s OK to say that now.”

 

 

 

“Yeah …. It’s OK,” said Baker. His eyes fluttered closed again. “Goodbye Baker’s Brat,” he whispered.

 

 

 

Joe felt the man’s body go limp under his touch and he bent his head and sobbed quietly for a minute or two. “Goodbye Baker,” he said when he was able to speak again. “Safe journey.” He lay the man’s body down on the ground again and swallowed as he stared down at it. After a moment he reached out and ran a finger down the long scar on the side of his face and then straightened up again and looked towards the sky which was lightening now with the rosy glow of a new dawn.

 

 

 

Joe’s heart was empty as he stood up and turned towards Roy Coffee and the other men. Without a word he walked towards them and stood there, not quite knowing what to do next.

 

 

 

“You follow Hoss home son,” said Roy, coming to stand beside him. “You’re needed there right about now. Me and the others will finish up here.”

 

 

 

Joe looked at him without seeing him and nodded without knowing what he was doing. Without a word he walked over to the horses, his eyes swimming with tears with each step that he took.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Adam should be fine in a few days,” Paul Martin said as he reached the bottom step. “The bullet wasn’t in too deep and I think the infection is under control now.”

 

 

 

Ben breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” he said fervently.

 

 

 

Paul reached over and fingered the bandage on Ben’s head. “How are you feeling? Any more dizziness?”

 

 

 

Ben shook his head and brushed the doctor’s hand away impatiently. “I’m fine,” he said. “It’s Adam I was so worried about.”

 

 

 

Paul nodded and then walked over to Joe who was seated on the sofa with Hoss. “How about you, young man?” he asked. “I think I should take a look at that head of yours as well.”

 

 

 

“I’m fine,” Joe echoed his father as he gave Paul a frustrated look.

 

 

 

“You Cartwrights!” laughed the doctor. “Its just as well you’ve all got hard heads, is all I can say.” He stretched in a tired fashion. “I’ll take you up on that offer of a bed for the night if it’s still available Ben,” he said. “I don’t relish driving back to town at this time of night and it will give me a chance to check on Adam first thing in the morning before leaving.”

 

 

 

“Of course,” said Ben, dragging his eyes away from the staircase where he’d been staring up to the top floor and Adam’s bedroom. “Hoss? Would you show Paul the guest room please?”

 

 

 

Paul held up his hand. “I know where it is Hoss,” he said. “I’ve been in there a time or two, remember? I would appreciate some coffee though, if that’s all right?”

 

 

 

“I’ll get some from the kitchen,” said Hoss and followed Paul out of the room.

 

 

 

Ben put his foot on the bottom step and held onto the banister as he continued to look up the stairs. “I’ll just go on up and see how your brother is doing,” he said over his shoulder to Joe and then hesitated as he noticed his youngest son staring intently into the fire. “Joe?” he said, turning around to face his son. “Are you all right?”

 

 

 

Joe dragged his eyes away from the mesmerising fire. “I’m OK Pa,” he said. “You go on up to Adam.”

 

 

 

Ben walked over to him. “You don’t look OK,” he said, with a concerned look on his face. “What’s the matter?”

 

 

 

Joe shook his head. “Nothing,” he said in a low voice. “Adam needs you Pa. You go on up to him.”

 

 

 

Ben sat down. “Your brother will need me when he wakes up,” he said. “Until then I have a feeling that you need me more. What is it?”

 

 

 

Joe gave his father a slight smile. “You always know, don’t you?” he asked.

 

 

 

Ben smiled back. “That’s what fathers are for,” he said. “Talk to me boy.”

 

 

 

Joe stared into the fire again. “He knew me,” he said softly. “At the end, just before he went, he knew me Pa. He called me Baker’s Brat just like he used to.”

 

 

 

Ben put his arm around his son’s shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. “I’m glad,” he said simply.

 

 

 

There was silence for a full minute as they both stared into the fire. “Why Pa?” said Joe finally. “Why was he like that? What could make a man change so much? I mean, I know that he didn’t remember who he really was until right before he died, but last time he was here …” he looked at his father. “Last time he was here, he wasn’t like that. He didn’t know who he was, but he wasn’t all bitter and twisted inside like he was this time.”

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. “It was beyond his control son,” he said. “Life does that to people sometimes and Baker was … well, he’d had it hard these past few years, I suspect.”

 

 

 

“We would have helped him if he’d asked,” Joe protested. “There was no need for him to have it hard! You told him that he had a place here whenever he wanted it.”

 

 

 

Ben nodded. “Yes,” he said. “But he didn’t want that. He needed to make his own way in the world and even though he made some bad choices, in his mind he was his own man.” He squeezed Joe’s shoulder again before continuing. “I think that it was God’s plan for him Joe. Every man has his destiny and this was Baker’s. None of us know what our lives are going to be or where they are going to lead us. All we can do is to take what comes and work our way towards our destiny … whatever that may be.”

 

 

 

“You make it sound as if it doesn’t matter what we do with our lives,” said Joe bitterly. “Like we can’t make our own choices.”

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. “I don’t mean it to sound like that,” he continued. “We need to be aware of life’s obstacles and work through them of course, but …” He sighed. “Well, let’s just say that sometimes God has a plan in mind for us.”

 

 

 

Joe shook his head. “No,” he said firmly. “Look what Baker had become Pa. He wasn’t the Baker I knew.” He stared into the fire again. “When I think back to the man that I knew all those years ago when I was a little kid,” he said softly. “He was so wonderful to me then and I admired him so much.”

 

 

 

“Hold onto those memories son,” said Ben gently. “Remember him as he was then, not as he’d become now.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded thoughtfully and was silent for a moment. “I just … I just think I should have tried harder Pa,” he said. “You know?”

 

 

 

“There was nothing you could have done Joe,” his father assured him. “He was bound and determined to shoot Adam from what you’ve told me. You saved your brother’s life son and you should be proud of yourself for that. I know that I am.”

 

 

 

Joe sighed again. “I had to do it Pa,” he said. “I know that. It was him or Adam and …” He swallowed. “I couldn’t let him do it Pa,” he said. “Not to Adam. Not to my brother.”

 

 

 

“I know,” said Ben. “You have nothing to be sorry for son.”

 

 

 

“Then how come I feel so guilty?” asked Joe bitterly. “I feel as if I should have been able to stop this.” He hung his head and stared at the floor. “I don’t believe that God would have planned for this happen,” he said bitterly. “I don’t believe that Baker was meant to die like that.”

 

 

 

Ben searched his heart for the right words to say to his son. “Joe, we don’t always understand why things happen,” he said finally. “Sometimes we just don’t understand.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded. “Yes,” he agreed. “Pa?” he looked up at his father. “Can we bury Baker on The Ponderosa?” he asked. “I think that he’d like to be here.”

 

 

 

“I think that he would too,” said Ben, smiling at his son. “Of course we can.” He stood up. “I’ll go to Adam now,” he said. He bent down and squeezed Joe’s shoulder one more time before adding. “Joe?”

 

 

 

Joe looked up. “Yeah Pa?”

 

 

 

“Don’t let this hold you back from life son,” he said. “You have your own destiny to fulfil and no matter what has happened to Baker, he would want you to go on with your life.”

 

 

 

Joe smiled. “I know,” he said. “Don’t worry Pa. I’ll be fine.”

 

 

 

Ben turned and walked to the staircase while Joe stared into the fire again, its mesmerising flames drawing his eyes closer as his tired mind allowed itself to finally relax.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe entered the room cautiously. “You awake?” he said in a soft voice.

 

 

 

Adam opened his eyes and tried to focus on who was speaking to him. “Yes,” he said as Joe’s face came into focus. “Just resting.”

 

 

 

“I’ll leave if you want me to,” said Joe.

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. “No,” he replied. “I’m getting bored up here.”

 

 

 

“Well Doc Martin says that you can get up in a day or two,” said Joe, sitting down on a chair beside the bed. “Hop Sing said to bring this broth up for you.”

 

 

 

Adam motioned with his hand. “Put it on the dresser,” he said. “I’ll have it later.”

 

 

 

Joe put it where his brother had indicated. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

 

 

 

“Better,” admitted Adam. He tried to move in the bed, but flinched as a shot of pain went through his stomach. “Some,” he added ruefully. He glanced up at his brother who was giving him an anxious look. “I’ll be fine,” he said in typical Cartwright fashion and was rewarded by an easing of the tension on Joe’s face. “I never got the chance to thank you for saving my life,” Adam said after a moment. “That was a gutsy thing you did back there kid.”

 

 

 

Joe shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “That’s OK,” he said casually.

 

 

 

“No, I mean it Joe,” persisted Adam. “I know what it cost you to do what you did. I mean …. it being Baker and all.”

 

 

 

Joe nodded. “Yeah,” he said simply. “You know what Adam? I’ve been thinking. You were the reason why I met Baker all those years ago … you know, when you went to Boston and I thought I could go and find you.” Both brothers chuckled at the memory of the small, determined boy who had taken off in that way. “And,” continued Joe after a moment. “You were the reason why I … why I killed him in the end.” He stared into space for a moment. “Just seems kinda strange in a way,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Like you were all tied up in … well ….”

 

 

 

“His destiny?” prompted Adam.

 

 

 

Joe jerked. “That’s the word that Pa used too,” he said. “He said that what happened was Baker’s destiny.”

 

 

 

“I agree,” said Adam. He patted Joe’s hand in a rare show of affection. “No matter what happened Joe, you did well kid,” he added.

 

 

 

“Don’t call me kid,” said Joe automatically.

 

 

 

Adam grinned at him. “You know that I don’t mean anything by that,” he said. “I really think you’ve grown into a fine man Joe.”

 

 

 

Joe shrugged, trying to appear casual about his brother’s words, but Adam noticed that his eyes lit up regardless. “I know you don’t,” he said. “Just like I don’t mean anything by it when I call you old,” he said with a grin. “Or when I talk about how you’re losing your hair.” His grin became quite cheeky and he stood up before Adam could swat him one. “Well, you’d better get some rest,” he said. “And don’t forget that broth or Hop Sing will have your hide.”

 

 

 

“You sound like Pa,” observed Adam. He smiled as his brother left the room and then the smile faded and he reached up to finger his dark hair thoughtfully.

 

 

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Well who woulda thought it?” said Joe, staring down the steep hillside as he spoke. “Who would have thought that it would come to this in the end Baker?” He turned to face the wooden cross beside him and flinched at sight of the freshly dug grave that still smelt of the earth that had been dug to accommodate the wooden box that they had lowered into it that very day.

 

 

 

Joe was silent for a moment as he thought back over all the years and the times that he and Baker had shared together since they’d met. He remembered the young corporal who had looked after him as a small child and how kind he’d been to the little boy. He remembered the young officer and how much he had admired him. He remembered the sad and lonely man who had searched for his past with no success. And finally he remembered the bitter man who had threatened the very core of Joe’s life …. his family.

 

 

 

Joe closed his eyes as he tried to make all the images of the Baker that he’d know merge into one, but opened them again as he realised the futility of such a thing. It was as if Baker had been several people and nothing would bring everything he had known about the man together into one memory that he could hold onto.

 

 

 

“Maybe Pa is right?” he said softly as he laid his hand on the freshly dug grave. “I’d rather remember you like when I first met you anyway.” He grinned as he thought of the young soldier who had tried to look after the frightened little boy all those years ago and his eyes misted over as he heard once again in his mind the words that Baker had said to him in those early days when they’d first met. Stuck with you, he’d said and Joe remembered how he’d felt the same at the time. “I guess we’re stuck with each other now for ever,” he said ruefully.  “I’m glad that you’ll be staying here on The Ponderosa though,” he continued. “I’ll come and talk to you lots Baker and tell you all the goings on in my life. I promise. We’ll always be friends.”

 

 

 

It was funny how life turned out, he mused. Some people come into your life and then go away again, but they change you forever just by having been a part of you in that time that you have with them. He felt that way about Baker. The man might be dead, but there would always be a little bit of Baker inside Joe for as long as he was alive.

 

 

 

He stood up and looked down at the grave for several minutes before reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a small piece of rawhide. He looped it around the wooden cross at the top of the grave and tied it securely. “There,” he said. “It’s yours again Baker.” He thought of the yellow army gloves and bandanna that a small boy had been given all those years ago and which he still had in his dresser drawer at home in his bedroom, knowing that each time he looked at them he’d be reminded of the man who’d given them to him and of the good times they’d shared together.

 

 

 

It was like his Pa had said. “Remember the good times,” Joe said out loud. “Hold onto those memories and Baker will always be with you. That’s what Pa told me and he’s right. I’ll remember how we were together in the good times.”

 

 

 

He smiled down at the grave. “Goodbye Baker,” he said before turning towards his horse. “I’ll be back to visit.”

 

 

 

As he mounted up and turned his horse towards the house, he looked over his shoulder for a moment before riding off down the trail. As the sound of his horse’s hoof beats receded into the distance and the stillness descended once more onto the tranquil spot, a slight breeze stirred the tops of the trees and a soft voice mingled with the sound of the pines whispering in the breeze. If Joe had still been there, he might have caught the words …….  Goodbye Baker’s Brat.

 

The End