Summary:   Can Joe convince his brothers to take part of a new race Virginia City is hosting this month?

Word Count:  513  This is my answer to October’s C&S and the Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.
Rated: K

                                                                       The Race

October 2013 C&S words are:

• Outhouse
• Race
• Ugliest
• Artistic
• Imagination

“Come on, Adam. Please, Hoss,” begged ten-year-old Little Joe. “It’ll be fun, lots of fun.”

“I don’t know, Joe. It’s a big undertaking.” Adam looked to his younger brother for support and realized none would be coming from that corner.

Hoss glanced at Joe who was looking at him with his already patented puppy-dog look. “Ya know Big Brother, it could be a like Little Joe says. After all you could put that new college education to some use. What with that artic—artox. . . You know imagination.”

Closing his eyes, Adam shook his head. “I think the word you’re looking for is artistic.”

“Yeah that.”

“They even have a racetrack down C Street. There’s  votin’ on diff’rent types. Ya know, like the prettiest, funniest, and ugliest. You can draw up how it looks, I’ll put all the stuff on it and ride in it too, while Hoss pushes it. Can’t you hear it now? The Cartwright brothers win the first annual outhouse race. We’ll make history!” The youngest Cartwright pulled out all the stops and used every ounce of charm he had on his oldest brother. He knew he had already won Hoss over when he first mentioned the races. “Please.”

Looking between his two brothers, Adam could do nothing but sigh and give in. “Alright, alright I give up. I’ll start drafting it right after dinner.”

“I’ll go get everything we need.” Joe jumped from the settee and ran out the door before anyone could say ‘boo!’

They might have stopped him if they knew the precise meaning of his words.

~~~~

Joe finished tying the rope to his saddle horn, making sure the knot was secured. “Okay boy, pull.”

Taking hold of the reins, he guided his horse forward until the rope pulled taut. He was so caught up with encouraging his horse that he failed to hear the pounding and shouts that echoed through the air.

“Come on, Copper, you can do it. Just a little bit more.”

A resounding screech of nails being wrenched from wood split the air seconds before an almighty yell resonated from behind him.

“JOSEPH!”

Ben Cartwright stood on the wood foundation where their outhouse once stood, his face beet red, eyes blazing, and if it were possible steam would have been blowing out his ears.

Swallowing hard, Joe glanced sheepishly at his father.  “Um, hi Pa. Whatcha doin’ in there?”

“What am I doing in here? What the devil do you think I’m doing!”

When he saw his father take a step forward, he mounted his horse, his fingers worked urgently to remove the knot before riding away at a gallop.

“YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, JOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT!” bellowed Ben.

“Sorry Pa, got chores to do.” Joe knew self-preservation was his highest priority. He was certain a tanning was in store for him when he saw his father next, but it wouldn’t be even close to what he would get at the moment if he hung around. “Oh boy, I shoulda checked to make sure no one was in there.”

Chapter End Notes:

As always a huge thank you to Cheaux for being a wonderfui and forgiving beta. She humors me every month when I have the audacity to send it to her at the last minute. You’re the best, Cheaux.