Chapter 3

Amelia had spent most of the morning riding around the ranch thinking about what her brothers had said and thinking about her fight with Joe. She was no longer angry with him but couldn’t bring herself to face him still feeling ashamed about the things she had said.

Despite what she was feeling Amelia rides back home to fix things with Joe.

At the house Ben was reading over lumber contracts in his study when he heard the door shut. Amelia walks through the living room and over to her father’s desk.

“Hi Pa have you seen Joe I need to talk to him” said Amelia. Ben looks up at his daughter. “He’s up in his room” said Ben. Amelia hurries up the stairs and to Joe’s bedroom door.

She knocks on it. “Joe can I come in.? I just want to talk please” Joe opens the door and lets her in.

“Hi” he said as he walks over to his desk. There was some awkwardness in the room. Amelia sits on the edge of the bed and looks at her brother.  “I’m sorry Joe” she said in a soft voice full of guilt.

Joe looks over toward his sister who was fidgeting her hands on her lap as her green dank eyes fell to the floor. “I…am….I know that we haven’t talked… and I don’t think I can live another day let alone the rest of my life without talking to you”

Joe looks at her aware that she had something that she wanted to say but couldn’t find the words. Joe gets up and moves a chair across from her and sits down facing her.

He looks down at her fidgeting hands and he holds them in his. Amelia looks up at him surprise and she could see in his eyes nothing but love and guilt.

“I’m sorry that you heard me saying that I hated you. I know it must’ve have hurt you deeply to hear me say that and I am sorry. I was upset and angry but most of all I was scared. If I could take those words back I would and if I could take back the hurt and guilt you feel for what happen I would”

“Baby…I did the most terrible thing anyone could do. I laid a hand on the most special girl in my life. I hurt my very best friend and worst of all was that the person I hurt the most was the one I love the most in the whole world. I hurt my precious baby sister and for that I can never forgive myself” said Joe full of sorrow as his voice cracked.

He looks at her “I really scared you didn’t I?” Amelia nods. “Scared you enough to be afraid of me?” he asked the anguish of not knowing was killing him inside but he had to know in order to fix it.

Again Amelia nods her head ashamedly. Joe immediately lets go of her hands and pulls her to him cradling her in his arms. He softly strokes her hair.

“I’m so sorry honey…I’m so sorry” he sobbed unable to control his emotions that he had bottle up began to unravel as did Amelia’s. After a good cry they pull away from each other.

“Are you alright?” he asked her as he caressed her cheek. “Yeah, you?” she asked. “Yeah” he said.

“I love you” Amelia told him. It had been awhile that she had said that but it felt good for the both of them. Joe smiles warmly “And I love you…very much”.

Amelia wraps her arms around his neck both were glad that they could make amends. They pull away and Amelia looks at him. “You’re my best friend”. Joe smiles and touches her cheek. “And you’re mine”.

Just then there was a knock on the door, Hopsing, their Chinese cook, opens the door. In the doorway was Roy Coffee.

“Hello Sheriff would like some coffee?” asked Hopsing. Roy shakes his head. “No thanks Hopsing I’m not here for a social visit. Is Ben around?” asked Roy.

After hearing his name being mention Ben walks out of the study and over to the foyer to greet their visitor. “Hello Roy what can I do for you?” asked Ben as they shake hands.

“Well Ben I came here on official business. Is Little Joe around?” asked Roy.

“I’ll go get him” said Ben he walks over to the stairwell as Hoss walks over to the sheriff. “Is Little Joe is trouble?” asked Hoss concerned. “I’m afraid so” said Roy.

“Joseph! Come down here” called Ben. Joe appears at the top of the stairs with Amelia and saw his pa, brothers and Roy.

He walks down and over to his Pa and they walk over to Roy and Adam.

“What’s this all about?” asked Joe curiously. “I’m afraid you have to come to the jail with me” said Roy officially.

“What for sheriff?” asked Amelia calmly. “Apparently Little Joe had too much to drink got in a fight in the saloon and beaten Carl Simmons to death” said Roy.

Ben turns to Joe to hear his side of the story. “I didn’t beat him to death. Yes he and I fought but I didn’t kill him. When I left he was getting up off from the floor” said Joe trying to keep his temper down.

“I’m sorry Joe but without any evidence to prove your story I have no choice but to arrest you” said Roy.

Amelia quickly looks at her father with pleading eyes begging him to do something. She didn’t want to see her brother be taken away to jail for something she knew he didn’t do.

Ben turns to Roy. “Roy, we’re gonna have dinner soon. I promise that after we eat I’ll bring Joe to town” said Ben.

Roy thinks for a moment. “Alright Ben, I trust you just make sure it’s not too late” advised Roy.

Ben nods his head appreciatively. “Thank you Roy” said Ben as he walks with Roy out the door.

Amelia walks over to Joe. “Joe” said Amelia with a shaky voice.

Joe turns his head to her surprise to hear her say his name. “I want you to know that I know you’re not capable of beating a man to death” said Amelia nervously.

Joe smiles at her glad that she had forgiven him and believed in him. He was once again her hero. He leans forward and kisses her on the forehead.

The sign of affection didn’t go unnoticed, Ben and the boys were glad to see that they made up.

Later that evening after they had dinner, just as Ben had promised the Cartwright’s rode into town up to the sheriff’s office. Roy looks at Amelia before taking Joe to the jail cell.

“Amelia the judge wanted me to tell you that he wants to see you right away” said Roy. “What fer?” question Hoss confused.

“No idea he just wanted me to tell her that he wanted to see her” said Roy.

“In that case I should go with you” said Ben. “I’ll be fine by myself Pa besides you should stay here with Joe” said Amelia.

Joe looks at her “Don’t worry about me little sister I’ll be alright Pa should be with you” assured Joe.

“We’ll be back later son. We know you’re innocent” said Ben.

“Thanks Pa” said Joe gratefully. “Don’t worry about me Joe I’ll be fine” said Amelia.

“I hope so” said Joe. Ben, Adam, Hoss and Amelia walk out of the sheriff’s office.

Everyone was wondering why the judge wanted to see Amelia.