Story Summary:  A new woman in Ben’s life stirs up conflict for Joe.
Rating:  G
Words:  13,380

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The Brandsters have included this story by this author in our project: Preserving Their Legacy. To preserve the legacy of the author, we have decided to give their work a home in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library.  The author will always be the owner of this work of fanfiction, and should they wish us to remove their story, we will.

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Family Ties

~~~“I can hardly wait till Pa gets home,” Joe grinned, passing a plate of scrambled eggs to Hoss. “He didn’t think we’d be able to gentle that stallion at all, let alone in just three days.”

“And I’m sure you won’t forget to mention that it was Adam who managed it, will you, little brother?” Hoss teased.

“Heck, no,” Joe grinned, turning to Adam. “But don’t forget I took a lot of the bite out of him first.”

“Yeah,” Adam feigned a frown. “And I have all the aches and pains to prove it.”

Joe and Hoss both laughed and were about to continue with the banter when they heard the front door open. All three got to their feet to greet their father.

“Welcome home, Pa,” Hoss beamed, clapping Ben on the back as he took his hat and hung it on the peg next to the door.

“We were beginning to think you’d decided to stay in San Francisco,” Joe teased.

“And knowing you were coming home to these two and their antics, who could have blamed you?” Adam added with a playful grin.

“It’s good to be home,” Ben smiled, looking at each of his three sons in turn. “I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

“Anything go wrong?” Adam asked, his expression going from teasing to serious in the blink of an eye.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” Ben assured him with a hand on his arm. “In fact, things couldn’t be more right.” He looked as though he was about to say more, but instead turned toward the dining room. “I haven’t missed breakfast, have I? I’m starved!

His three sons exchanged slightly surprised glances then followed him to the table. Once seated, Adam was the first to speak. “So tell us about it,” he suggested casually.

“About what?” Ben asked in a light voice, knowing he was evading the question.

“About the reason things couldn’t be more right,” Adam answered with a knowing smile. “What happened in San Francisco?”

Ben seemed to be considering his answer as he heaped eggs and bacon onto his plate. Instead of digging in, he folded his arms in front of him and looked around the table at the expectant faces.

“All the way home I thought about how to say it,” he began with a nervous laugh. “I guess the best way is just to come out with it.”

“Out with what?” Joe asked, smiling.

“What is it, Pa?” Hoss added, Ben’s obvious happiness infecting him as well. 

Adam didn’t say anything, his small smile indicating that he already had an idea.

“I’ve met a woman,” Ben explained in a quiet voice. “There’s no way to explain it except to say that it was like meeting a part of myself, a part that’s been missing for a very long time.”

Joe and Hoss both looked toward the other end of the table where Adam sat, then back at their father. “A gal?” Hoss asked, obviously pleased with the news. “Who is she? What’s she like?”

“Her name is Stephanie,” Ben answered, his tone soft as he spoke the name. “Stephanie Winegrove. She’s like a breath of spring air on a winter’s night. I never thought I’d feel this way again after Marie died, but…”

Joe looked down at his plate at the mention of his mother’s name, then looked up at his father once again, a small smile on his face. “That’s great, Pa,” he said sincerely.

Ben reached over and grasped his youngest son’s forearm as he looked into the expressive green eyes. “You know how much I loved her,” he said simply. “I’ve never looked to replace her, not once.”

“I know that,” Joe smiled in reassurance. “Really, I’m happy for you.”

Ben squeezed his arm, smiling with pride and gratitude. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“So, when do we get to meet this woman?” Adam asked, a coy smile playing around his lips.

“She’ll be here in a day or two,” Ben answered, picking up his fork and napkin. “She wanted to give me a chance to talk to the three of you. She didn’t think it would be fair to you to just show up unannounced.”

“Judgin’ by the smile on your face, I reckon she must be somethin’ special,” Hoss grinned. “Can’t wait to meet her.”

“I’d like to make this her home,” Ben replied gently. “I think you should know I’m going to ask her to be my wife.”

The three boys looked at one another, each smiling slightly. “Uh, Pa,” Joe began, turning his attention once more to his father. “After everything else you’ve said about her, that really didn’t come as a big surprise.”

Ben looked from Joe’s teasing smile to that of Hoss, then Adam before bursting into a hearty laugh. “No, I guess it didn’t at that.” As the boys joined in, they congratulated their father and urged him to tell them more about the woman who would soon be joining their family.

******

Hoss was chopping wood the next morning and Joe was stacking it neatly when Adam rode into the yard. Dismounting, the man in black tied his horse near the trough, then made his way toward his brothers, slapping some of the dust from his pants with his hat. “Where’s Pa?” he asked.

“In town,” Joe grinned, shaking his head slightly. “He said he had some things to take care of before the stage gets here tomorrow.”

Hoss stopped chopping and removed his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow. “I reckon he’s like a school boy with his first crush,” he laughed. “It sure is good to see him as happy as he is.”

Adam looked at Joe who was picking up the last few pieces of wood to add to the pile he’d created. “How do you feel about it, Joe?” Adam asked quietly. 

Joe turned to face his brother with an expression of slight surprise. “What do you mean how do I feel? Of course I’m happy. I want him to be happy as much as you two.”

Adam considered both the words and the sincere way in which they’d been delivered before allowing a smile. “Sorry,” he offered. “It’s just…”

Joe noticed his brother’s slight hesitation and offered a reassuring smile. “It’s just that she’s about to become the first woman around here since my mother,” he offered gently.

“Well, yeah,” Adam replied, shrugging slightly. “I just thought…”

“Well, don’t,” Joe assured him. “I think it’s wonderful. I think Ma would too.”

Adam smiled at the words. With a small nod, he replied, “Yeah, I think she would too.”

The moment was cut short as Ben rode into the yard. Turning, the boys watched him dismount and hurry toward them. “Did Hop Sing finish the room?” he asked anxiously. “Everything’s got to be just right. We don’t have much time.”

Hoss clamped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “The room’s perfect, Pa,” he grinned. “Hop Sing even said he’d put fresh flowers up there in the morning.”

“Good,” Ben nodded, stuffing his fidgeting hands into his pockets. “Flowers are good.”

“And he’s making a special dinner,” Adam added.

“Yes, dinner,” Ben mused distractedly. Suddenly, he looked up, his dark eyes wide. “Dinner! My suit!” Without another word, he hurried off toward the front door.

“Think he’ll make it to tomorrow?” Joe chortled as they watched their father’s back disappear into the house.

“I’m beginning to wonder,” Adam laughed, shaking his head. “Since his mind seems to be elsewhere, I think I’d better put Buck in the barn.” Still chuckling slightly, he took hold of both Sport’s reins and Buck’s and headed for the barn.

********

“Will you stop fidgeting?” Joe quietly urged Hoss as they stood waiting for the stage. 

“I can’t help it, Joe,” Hoss mumbled miserably. “We’ve already bin waitin’ an hour and this tie is bound to choke me plumb to death.”

“There it is!” Ben exclaimed, commanding the attention of his three sons. They watched the stage pull in and stood waiting expectantly as their father hurried to open the door.

The woman who stepped out to greet them was the picture of beauty. Thick auburn hair was swept gracefully up from a smooth, ivory complexion. Lively green eyes twinkled from under long lashes and her smile was warm and welcoming.

“Ben,” she smiled as he helped her to the ground. 

“Stephanie,” Ben greeted her, returning the smile and placing a hand gently on her arm. “I’d like you to meet my sons. This is Adam, Hoss and Joseph.”

“Ma’am,” the three boys responded in almost perfect unison. 

“Adam,” she smiled, taking the eldest son’s hand. “Your father has told me so much about you, about all of you.”

“Welcome to Virginia City,” Adam smiled, clasping her hand gently.

“Hoss,” she continued, moving down the line and taking Hoss’ hand. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all ours, Ma’am,” Hoss grinned. 

“And Joseph,” she finished, holding out her hand. “I feel like I know you all already.”

“Ma’am,” Joe greeted her, flashing his most charming smile.

Turning to Ben, she smiled affectionately. “I have to admit, Ben, I thought you were exaggerating when you first told me of your sons. Now I see you were actually being quite modest. You have three fine boys here.”

“They have their moments,” Ben beamed with a combination of love and pride. “As you’ll see once you get to know them. Right now, I think we’d best get started for the Ponderosa. It’s still quite a ride and I’m sure you must be tired.”

“I’ll get the bags, Pa,” Hoss offered. Once he’d loaded them into the back of the buggy, he took Chubb’s reins from Joe. 

Ben helped her into the buggy before climbing into the seat beside her. “Just wait until you see the Ponderosa,” he breathed. “She’ll take your breath away.”

“I can’t wait,” she smiled, squeezing his arm lovingly. With that, Ben coaxed the horses into action, the three boys following in behind.

********

Dinner was a pleasant affair with Stephanie hearing many amusing and touching stories of life on the Ponderosa.

“I can hardly believe any of this,” she finally stated, looking tenderly into Ben’s eyes. “It’s like starting a whole new life.”

“Yes, it is,” Ben replied, taking her hand. “And the best part is, we’re starting it together.”

Adam cleared his throat gently and once he had both his brothers’ attention, nodded toward the door.

“We’d best go check on the stock,” Hoss suggested, getting up from the table. “It’s a good life, but there’s always somethin’ to be done. If you’ll excuse us, Ma’am, Pa.”

“Please, call me Stephanie,” she urged, her eyes dancing.

“Right, Miss Stephanie,” Hoss smiled bashfully.

Adam and Joe also excused themselves and all three headed out the front door.

“They’re very dedicated, aren’t they?” she mused after they’d gone.

“Yes, they are,” Ben smiled knowingly. “But I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s really no stock to check on out there. The only herd on the Ponderosa at the moment is way up in the north pasture.”

She looked at him blankly for a moment before gleaning his words and laughing lightly. “In that case, I think we’d best make sure their thoughtfulness wasn’t wasted.”

Ben got to his feet and took her hand, pulling her gently to a standing position before leading her to the sitting room. Once she was settled comfortably on the settee, he took a seat beside her and took both of her hands in his.

“Stephanie, I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but I hope you know how much I truly love you.”

“I do, Ben,” she replied softly. “Because I love you too. I think I knew it the first moment we met. After that week in San Francisco, I was sure of it.”

Ben smiled and squeezed her hands lightly. “Tomorrow, I want to show you around the Ponderosa. Once you’ve seen it in all its splendour, I hope you’ll come to love it as much as we do.”

“I already love it,” she smiled. “I don’t know when I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful.”

He got down on his knee by her side, looking deeply into her eyes. “This isn’t the moment I’d planned,” he admitted with a nervous smile. “But here, in the glow of your love, my heart feels as though it may burst.” He paused a moment to search her eyes. “I want you to stay here with me, Stephanie. I want us to share the rest of our lives here, together.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. After opening it, he held it out to her, his eyes filled with the promise of tomorrow. “I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked first at the ring and then at his expectant expression. “Yes,” she smiled, touching his face gently. “Yes, Ben. I will marry you.”

********

Ben had been concerned that two weeks wouldn’t allow Stephanie enough time to plan things the way she wanted to, but she had assured him on more than one occasion that she already had everything she needed.

“We already have the most romantic setting all around us,” she smiled, gesturing around them at the Ponderosa. “Even with years of planning, I couldn’t have picked a more perfect place to start a new life. As long as you’re there, and Adam and Hoss and Joe, everything will be complete.”

“I’ll be there,” he’d assured her, slipping his arms around her waist. “Every moment for the rest of your life.”

He’d been about to kiss her when Joe walked into the room.

“Sorry,” he grinned, trying to feign a sheepish look. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Ben chuckled lightly and kissed his bride-to-be on the cheek before turning to his son. “No apologies necessary,” he smiled.

“I just came in to let you know I’m going to Virginia City. That wheel just can’t take another repair. We’re going to have to replace it.”

“Fine,” Ben nodded. “Order it from Charlie and tell him we need it as soon as possible, will you?”

“Sure thing,” Joe nodded, heading once again for the door.

“Uh, Little Joe?” Stephanie called as he reached the door.

“Hmm?” he responded, turning to face her.

“I was wondering if I might ride into town with you,” she suggested hopefully. “I still have a few things to take care of before the wedding.”

“Sure,” Joe smiled. “I’ll get the buggy ready.”

“Not on my account, I hope,” she smiled. “I mean, if you weren’t planning on taking the buggy, I can ride Shadow.”

Joe glanced at his father and smiled slightly. The black mare had been an engagement gift from Ben and each of them had noticed that she never missed an opportunity to ride her.

“That all right with you, Pa?” Joe asked, still smiling.

“I don’t see why not,” Ben shrugged. Turning to Stephanie, he added, “But if you’d rather, I could go into town with you.”

“Ben,” she smiled, tilting her head slightly to one side. “There are some things a bride has to take care of herself.”

“Of course, darling,” Ben laughed lightly, coming forward to kiss her on the cheek. “You go along with Little Joe. I’m sure I can find something to do around here while I await your return.”

“I’ll go change,” she beamed. Turning to Joe, she promised, “I won’t be a minute.”

“I’ll saddle the horses,” Joe grinned, opening the door.

Ben sighed contentedly as he watched her hurry up the stairs. He’d been only slightly worried about how Joe would react to his taking yet another wife, but now he realized his concerns had been unfounded. With a smile of pride, he turned to his desk and the business waiting for him there.

********

“Do you need some help?” Joe asked as they dismounted and tied their horses to the post in front of the general store.

“I’ll be fine,” she smiled. “Go ahead and do whatever it is you need to do. I’m just going to pick up a few things and run a few errands. How about we meet back here in say, an hour?”

“Sounds good,” Joe smiled, nodding and touching the brim of his hat. “I’ll see you then.”

After ordering the wheel and being assured by Charlie that it would be in within the week, Joe went to pick up the mail. 

“Sorry, Little Joe,” the elderly man behind the counter informed him. “Mail’s not come in yet. Stage is late.”

Joe glanced at the clock on the wall. “Over an hour late,” he murmured. Turning back to the other man, he flashed a smile. “No problem. I’ll be in town another hour or so. I’ll stop by again before I leave.”

Since he still had considerable time to kill before meeting up with Stephanie, he decided to pay a visit to his favorite saloon. As he was about to go in, a familiar sound caught his attention and he turned to see the stage making it’s way slowly into town. His curiosity piqued, he went to meet it.

“Problems, Billy?” he called up to the driver once the coach had stopped in front of the station.

“Nothin’ serious, Little Joe,” Billy replied as he jumped down from his seat. “Broke an axel ‘tween here and the last Way Station. I done fixed it good ‘nuff to get it this far, but I’m gonna need a new one ‘fore I leave.”

While Billy explained the situation, the passengers disembarked from the stage, most of them looking weary from the extended length of the trip. Joe recognized them all as residents or frequent visitors to Virginia City except one, a sharply dressed gentleman who shot Billy an icy glare before taking his bag and heading for the hotel.

“I’m ‘fraid some didn’t take well to the delay,” Billy muttered, looking after the man.

“Well it wasn’t your fault,” Joe assured him. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“I’m just glad he ain’t goin’ no further,” Billy chuckled wryly. “You don’t know how glad I was to find he’d be stayin’ here in Virginia City.”

“Thanks a lot,” Joe grinned good-naturedly. “Nice of you to wish him on the rest of us.”

“Better you ‘n me,” Billy chortled, slapping Joe on the back. “I’d best go see to that axle.”

“I’ll be in the saloon,” Joe informed him. “While you’re waiting for Johnny to fix it, stop in and I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Ain’t never said no to a free drink,” Billy smiled. “I’ll meet you there.”

Chuckling to himself, Joe continued on his way to the saloon.

It wasn’t long before Billy joined him and they were both enjoying a cold beer. Only a moment after that, the stranger from the stage also entered the saloon and took a table in the corner, immediately pulling a deck of cards from his jacket pocket. Billy noted his presence with an expression of slight disdain before turning his attention back to Joe. “So what’s new out on the Ponderosa?” he asked. “Your Pa and brothers doin’ well?”

Joe smiled. “You might say Pa’s doing more than well. He’s getting married a week from tomorrow.”

Billy leaned back in his chair and flashed Joe a look of sincere surprise. “Your Pa’s tyin’ the knot agin?” he asked incredulously.

“Sure is,” Joe grinned. “To a woman he met in San Francisco. Miss Stephanie Winegrove. She’s here in town now, taking care of some of the last minute details.”

“Well I’ll be durned,” Billy breathed, unable to keep a pleased smile from spreading across his face. “You give your Pa my best wishes will ‘ya?”

“Sure will,” Joe beamed. 

Billy raised his glass. “And in the meantime, how’s about a toast to the happy couple.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Joe smiled, raising his own glass and touching it to that of his companion. 

********

By the time the hour was up, Joe had collected the mail and was ready to head back to the Ponderosa. He lingered a moment in front of the general store, casually looking up and down the street for signs of his father’s intended before going inside.

“Hey, Little Joe,” Ernie grinned from behind the counter. “Miss Winegrove was in here earlier. Sounds like it’s going to be quite the wedding out there.”

“I’m sure it is,” Joe smiled back. “I was supposed to meet her here. Did she say where else she had to go?”

“She mentioned the hotel,” Ernie replied. “Said she had some friends coming in for the wedding and wanted to know the best place for them to stay. I think she went down there to make arrangements.”

“Thanks,” Joe nodded. Leaving the store, he headed in the direction of the hotel. Expecting to find her at the desk in the lobby, he was surprised when she was nowhere in sight. 

“Hi, Jack,” Joe smiled at the man behind the desk. “I’m looking for Miss Winegrove. Was she here?”

“Still is, Little Joe,” Jack answered, nodding his head. “She went up to check on the rooms for her friends. Rooms 14, 15 and 16.”

“Thanks,” Joe nodded, already heading for the stairs. Once on the second floor, he made his way to the end of the first corridor and turned the corner only to stop dead in his tracks. The man and woman before him quickly took a step away from one another but not before Joe had a chance to catch a glimpse of what could only be construed as an intimate embrace.

“Why, Little Joe,” Stephanie smiled nervously. “Whatever are you doing here?”

Joe looked at the man, instantly recognizing him as the one who’d arrived by stage only an hour earlier. Turning his attention to Stephanie, he didn’t bother trying to force a smile. “I was about to ask you the same question,” he replied in a low voice.

“Forgive me, Little Joe,” Stephanie suddenly exclaimed. “This is Charles Dunn, a dear friend of mine from San Francisco. Charles, this is Ben’s youngest son, Joseph.”

“Mr. Dunn,” Joe nodded, not bothering to offer his hand. Turning to Stephanie, he added, “I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to head back to the ranch.” 

She glanced at Charles briefly before flashing a nervous smile at Joe. “No, I’m ready now. Everything is arranged that can be at this point. I’ll go down with you.” She turned to Charles and toned her smile down somewhat. “Goodbye, Charles. It was good to see you again.”

Without another word, she hurried past the two men toward the stairway. Joe looked at the stranger for a moment before turning to follow her without so much as a word to Mr. Charles Dunn.

Once downstairs, he stopped Stephanie as she was about to leave the hotel and guided her gently to a spot in the corner of the lobby where they wouldn’t be overheard. “Just what was that all about?” he demanded, his voice angry.

“I can explain,” she replied hurriedly. Looking around the lobby, she whispered intently. “But, please Little Joe, not here.”

He gazed at her for a moment, trying to discern the myriad of emotions he saw in her eyes. “Let’s go,” he finally stated, stepping aside to allow her access to the door. Once outside, they walked to the horses and mounted without a word to one another.

They were a mile out of town when Joe reigned Cochise to a stop beside a large tree. Turning to his future stepmother, he didn’t bother trying to hide the anger in either his voice or his expression. “You said you can explain,” he stated simply. “This is your chance.”

She dismounted and began to pace, nervously wringing her hands as she tried to think of the right words.

“I know what you saw,” she began, “but it’s not what you think. There’s nothing between Charles and I. There was once, a long time ago, but not now.”

Joe dismounted and tied both horses to a low branch. “So that was a good-bye kiss I witnessed,” he stated sarcastically.

“It was he who kissed me, Little Joe, not the other way around,” she insisted, her voice hinting at imminent tears. “Please, you have to believe me.”

He turned to face her, his expression a mask of anger and distrust. “You didn’t seem to be resisting too hard from where I stood,” he pointed out. 

She whirled around, her face in her hands as she tried to hide her tears. Joe watched her back for a moment before asking in a quiet, but determined voice. “Do you love my father?”

She turned instantly to face him once again, seemingly oblivious to the tears on her cheek. “Yes,” she answered without hesitation. “I love your father more than anything in this world. I just …” She allowed her voice to trail off while she struggled with the words. “I had to be sure,” she finally whispered. “There was a time in my life when I would have given anything for Charles to take me back. When I saw him today and he told me he wanted me, I had to be sure.” She paused for a moment, trying to gauge his reaction. “Can you understand that, Little Joe?”

“And are you sure now?” he asked, obviously untouched by the tears or the words.

“Yes,” she nodded, biting her lip to hold back a sob. “I made a mistake, Little Joe. And I’m sorry. If I could take back those few moments, I would, but I can’t.”

“No, you can’t,” Joe agreed flatly.

She was silent for a moment. “Are you going to tell your father what you saw?” she asked quietly.

He considered the words for a moment, torn between his anger at her and his desire not to impede his father’s happiness. “I don’t think that’s my job, do you?” he finally asked.

“I don’t want to hurt him,” she whispered. “Please, Joe. Can’t we just forget what happened? I made a mistake and I should have to pay for that.” She searched his face for any sign that she was getting through. “But your father shouldn’t. Are you willing to deny him a lifetime of happiness for the sake of a fleeting transgression?”

He struggled against her words and the guilt they invoked. He knew his father was happy, happier than he’d seen him in a long time. He didn’t want to ruin that for him, especially if what she was saying was true. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, he lowered his eyes to the ground briefly. “No,” he muttered.

“I’ll make him happy, Little Joe,” she whispered, new tears shining in her eyes. “I promise you that.”

He looked up to search her face for the sincerity he hoped he’d find there. “I hope so,” he finally murmured. Untying the horses, he moved to help her into the saddle. “We’d best get back,” he stated flatly.

With that, they continued on the ride, each silent in their own thoughts as they drew nearer to the Ponderosa.

********

Joe stabled the horses while Stephanie went inside. He wasn’t anxious to be in the same room with his father at the moment, worried that he wouldn’t be able to hide the struggle within. He didn’t like keeping things from his Pa, especially something that held the potential to be so important. But on the other hand, he didn’t want to hurt his father needlessly. Deciding to give Stephanie the benefit of the doubt, he finished up in the barn and headed for the house. 

Ben got to his feet as his son came in. “Did you order the wheel?” he asked, a smile playing around his lips as his intended slipped her arms around his waist.

“It’ll be in by the end of the week,” Joe answered, hanging his hat on a peg by the door and avoiding eye contact with the upcoming addition to the family. “I’m going to wash up for dinner,” he stated, starting for the stairs.

********

Dinner was a pleasant affair for everyone except Joe. Not only could he not make eye contact with Stephanie, but he couldn’t even bring himself to look at his Pa. When he finally decided he could take no more, he excused himself under the pretence that he was worried about one of Cochise’s legs.

Once in the barn, he busied himself with brushing his horse, even though he really didn’t need it. Spending time with Cochise often allowed him the opportunity to clear his head and think things out. Even after an hour of brushing and thinking, he was no closer to a solution to his problem.

“Brush him any longer and he’s not going to have a coat at all,” Adam drawled from the doorway.

Joe turned to see both of his brothers standing there watching him. “Did you two come out to check up on me?” he asked edgily while he put down the brush.

Adam and Hoss glanced at one another before moving further into the barn. “No, we’s just trying to give Pa and Miss Stephanie a little privacy,” Hoss replied.

“But judging by that comment and the way you were at dinner, maybe we should be checking up on you,” Adam answered. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Joe replied miserably.

Hoss raised an eyebrow and glanced at Adam before making his own attempt to draw their little brother out. “You ain’t bin ‘xactly good company since you and Miss Stephanie came back from Virginia City,” he pointed out. “Somethin’ happen we should know about?”

Joe seemed to be considering his options for a moment. “That’s just it,” he finally grumbled. “I’m not really sure what happened.”

“Why don’t you tell us about it,” Adam suggested. “Maybe we can help.”

He looked at both of his brothers, trying to decide exactly what he should tell them. “Do you both think Pa’s doing the right thing?” he finally asked.

“Getting’ married, ya mean?” Hoss frowned. “If’n that’s what he wants to do, I reckon there ain’t no harm in it. You know Pa, he wouldn’t have gone off and asked her if’n he didn’t think it was the right thing.”

“But what if he’s wrong,” Joe insisted intensely. “What if it’s a mistake?”

It was Adam’s turn to frown at their younger brother. “What’s on your mind, Joe?” he asked directly.

Joe struggled with the answer to that question. There were so many things racing through his mind at the moment, he didn’t know where to begin. Finally, he opted for the one thing that seemed to be uppermost in his thoughts. “I just don’t want to see Pa get hurt, that’s all,” he finished wearily.

“And you think that’s what’s gonna happen if’n he marries Miss Stephanie?” Hoss asked.

“I don’t know, Hoss,” Joe sighed. “I just wish I could be sure.”

“You seemed sure yesterday,” Adam pointed out, remembering how well Joe had gotten along with Stephanie from the very start. “What happened to bring about these doubts?”

Joe thought about how uncomfortable he’d been at dinner. He didn’t want to put Adam and Hoss in the same predicament. “Let’s just say I do have doubts,” he finally replied. Making eye contact only briefly with his brothers, he added, “I’m going to bed.”

Once he’d left the barn, Hoss and Adam contemplated the situation quietly for a moment. “What do you make of that, Adam?” Hoss asked. 

“Something obviously happened on their trip to town,” Adam mused. “He’s pretty upset.”

“And he wouldn’t even look at Pa at supper,” Hoss added, “So it must be serious.”

“He’ll work it out,” Adam assured his younger but much bigger brother.

“And what if he can’t?” Hoss frowned, realizing that it could make for a strained household if that were to be the case.

Adam turned to look at him for a moment. “I don’t know,” he admitted.

********

Joe was up bright and early the next morning. Though he’d gone to bed fairly early, he’d found it difficult to sleep with everything on his mind. The one conclusion he’d come to in the wee hours of the morning was that he should have handled things differently in town. He’d said nothing to Charles Dunn, despite what he’d witnessed. Truth be told, he’d been too surprised, perhaps even shocked at what he’d seen to think straight. But now that he’d had time to think about it, he knew there was something he had to do.

As he crept quietly down the stairs, he was glad there was only silence coming from the kitchen. If Hop Sing had already been up, he would have tried to talk him into waiting for breakfast. As he thought about supper the night before, he realized he didn’t want to sit through another strained meal. He’d grab something to eat in town. 

There were two reasons that he headed straight for the hotel. It was the best place in town to get breakfast, and at this time of day, it was the place he was most likely to run into Mr. Charles Dunn. One was a sure thing, the other just a hunch, but one that paid off.

He walked slowly toward the table where Dunn sat eating his breakfast. When the newcomer looked up, a smile of recognition spread across his face.

“Mr. Cartwright,” he nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Would you care to join me?”

Joe hesitated for a moment, then took a seat across the table from the other man. “Mr. Dunn,” he acknowledged. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

“Oh?” Dunn replied, raising his eyebrows. “I must say that comes as a bit of a surprise.”

“Does it?” Joe asked pointedly.

Dunn pushed his food around on the plate for a moment before putting down his fork and leaning back in his chair. “No, I guess it doesn’t at that,” he answered with a small smile. “What’s on your mind, Mr. Cartwright?”

“You and the woman my father’s about to marry,” Joe informed him coolly. “I need to know that he’s not making a big mistake.”

“Stephanie is quite a woman,” Dunn shrugged slightly. “I can’t see how anyone would think marrying her could be a mistake.”

“It is if she doesn’t love him,” Joe replied flatly.

“Did she tell you that?” Dunn asked, looking only mildly surprised.

“She didn’t have to tell me anything,” Joe reminded him. “I saw you together, remember?”

He thought about the words for a moment. “What exactly did she tell you?” he asked.

“That it was over between the two of you,” Joe answered. “And that she needed to know that for sure.”

“And you didn’t believe her?” Dunn asked, eyebrows raised. 

“I wanted to hear it from you,” Joe stated evenly.

Dunn frowned thoughtfully for a moment. “Seems to me, she was pretty sure when she left me in San Francisco.” He could see the slight flicker of uncertainty flash through Joe’s eyes and allowed a small smile. “Or did she tell you it was the other way around?”

“Just how was it?” Joe asked without directly answering the question. 

“I thought we were in love,” Dunn replied without hesitation. “But it seems she had set her sights higher. A man of my means wasn’t what she was looking for, not for marrying, anyway.”

Joe’s jaw clenched as he listened to the words. “What exactly are you saying, Mister?” he asked in a low voice.

Dunn leaned forward in his chair. “If you want to know if she loves your Pa, I can’t tell you that,” he replied. “But I’d be willing to hazard a guess that it wasn’t love that drew her to the prominent Ben Cartwright in the first place.”

Joe could feel his temper rising with each word, but he managed to keep it in check. “And just what are your plans, Mr. Dunn?” he asked coldly.

“You mean do I have any intentions of seeing her again?” he clarified. “No. I’m taking the stage back to San Francisco tomorrow morning. I won’t be seeking her out before then if that’s what you want to hear. I didn’t know she was engaged to be married until I got here and heard you talking in the saloon.”

“But you knew when you kissed her in the hotel,” Joe accused.

“As a matter of fact, I went to her with the same questions you came to me with this morning. I thought if I reminded her of what we once shared, she’d realize that money and position weren’t everything. I love her, Mr. Cartwright. I’ve loved her for a long time, but your father can give her that and much more.” He paused briefly, and when he continued, his tone was one of sadness and resignation. “I can’t compete with that.”

Joe considered everything he’d heard and reluctantly admitted to himself that it had done nothing to erase the suspicion from his mind. “I’ll leave you to your breakfast,” he murmured, getting to his feet.

“Mr. Cartwright,” Dunn said, rising from his chair and extending his hand. “I meant what I said. She’s a good woman. If she truly does love your father, he’s a lucky man indeed.”

Joe could see the sincerity in the man’s eyes and felt a pang of compassion for his situation. Shaking the outstretched hand, he managed a small smile. “Thank you for your time,” he said with a small nod before turning to leave the room, his own breakfast forgotten.

******** 
By the time he got back to the ranch, breakfast was over and everyone was busy with the day’s activities. His father was working at his desk as he came through the front door.

“Good morning,” Ben greeted him with only a slight frown. “You must have been up and out quite early.”

“I had something to take care of in town,” Joe murmured, avoiding all but the briefest eye contact. He was about to head into the kitchen for a cup of coffee when he spied Stephanie standing in the doorway, a cup in her hand. “Miss Stephanie,” he greeted her, his voice barely audible. Without anything further, he moved past her toward where Hop Sing was busy in the kitchen. She turned and followed him.

“In town so early?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light. “I do hope you had a chance to eat.”

“Hop Sing make one breakfast,” the Chinese man reminded them in a stern voice. “Who here, eat. Who no here, no eat.”

“It’s all right, Hop Sing,” Joe assured the man. “I just want some coffee.”

Stephanie glanced furtively at the cook, knowing she couldn’t say anything in his presence but desperately wanting to ask Joe about his reasons for going to town. “I hope you got everything accomplished that you needed to,” she offered sweetly.

Joe made his first real eye contact with her since their talk on the way home the day before. “Not really, Ma’am,” he said simply before turning to leave the room.

He went straight to the sideboard by the door and drained the cup of the hot liquid before calling over his shoulder to his father. “I’m going out to give Adam a hand with that fence in the south pasture.”

“Fine,” Ben replied distractedly. 

Stephanie watched the short exchange from her spot in the dining room. Her gaze took in Ben’s deep involvement in the ledgers before flitting back to where Joe was already disappearing out the door. Quickly, she followed, closing the door behind her before tracing his steps to the barn.

He turned around briefly as he heard her enter the barn, then went back to saddling Cochise without acknowledging her presence.

“You talked to Charles,” she stated quietly.

“Does that bother you?” he asked tersely.

“That depends,” she replied. “What did he tell you?”

Joe paused a moment before turning to face her. “That he loves you,” he answered.

“And I love your Pa,” she stated firmly. “What does it matter how Charles feels about me?”

“That depends,” he repeated her own words back to her. “Do you love my father for the man he is or for the kind of life he can give you?”

“Does it matter?” she retorted. “As long as I love him?”

“It does to me,” Joe replied flatly. “And I’m sure it would to my father.”

She was silent for a moment, fidgeting nonchalantly with the edge of her saddle before turning to face him once again. “I make him happy, Joe. Like it or not, you can’t deny that. Whether or not I love him the way you want me to really isn’t important, is it?”

“And when he finds out?” Joe demanded. “Don’t you even care how much it’s going to hurt him?”

“There’s no reason he has to find out,” she returned. “He wants to marry me, Little Joe, and I’ll be a good wife to him, that’s all that matters. Do you really think passion and romance is what he’s looking for at this point in time? He’s had that more than once in his life and it gave him three sons that he cherishes more than anything else in this world. Do you think any woman, no matter how much or how deeply she loves him is ever going to be able to compare to that?”

Joe averted his gaze for a moment while he thought about her words.

“What he needs now is someone to grow old with, someone who will always be by his side, even after the three of you are married with families of your own,” she continued. “I can be that person, Joe. Do you really want to take that from him? Would it make you happier to know he was going to spend the rest of his days alone?”

A movement in the doorway caught their attention and they both looked over to see Ben entering the barn. “Joe, I thought you’d be halfway to the south pasture by now,” he smiled. “Is something wrong?”

Joe glanced at Stephanie briefly before forcing a small smile. “No, Pa,” he answered. “We were just talking about the wedding.”

“I just wanted to make sure no one had been left off the guest list,” Stephanie smiled, slipping an arm around Ben’s waist. “I want all your friends and neighbours to be able to share in our happiness.”

“They’ll soon be your friends and neighbours too,” Ben reminded her with a smile, putting his arm around her and giving her a slight squeeze.

Joe took note of the gesture, then looked away, a gnawing feeling of guilt tugging mercilessly at his conscience. “I’d better get going,” he announced, leading Cochise out of the stall. Without another word, he was on his way to meet Adam in the south pasture.

******** 
They worked side by side, with no more than a few words exchanged between them until they decided to take a short break.

“I see you’ve still got a lot on your mind,” Adam stated casually as they both went for their canteens.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Joe murmured.

“Are you ready to talk about it?” Adam asked.

Joe looked at him for a moment. “What do you think Pa is looking for in this marriage?” he finally asked.

Adam shrugged while he considered the question. “What anyone’s looking for, I guess. Love, companionship, trust and respect.”

Joe nodded slowly while he thought about the words. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke in a quiet voice. “She doesn’t love him, Adam.”

Adam frowned slightly. “What makes you think that?” he asked.

Joe proceeded to fill him in on everything, from the kiss he’d witnessed to the conversations he’d had with both Charles Dunn and Stephanie herself.

Adam didn’t say anything right away and Joe looked over at him in an attempt to determine what he was thinking. 

“Pa needs to know,” Adam finally stated. “Whether he decides he still wants to marry her or not, he has the right to know exactly how she feels.”

“I know,” Joe sighed. “I just don’t know what to say to him.”

“That shouldn’t be your responsibility,” Adam assured him. “She’s got to tell him exactly where he stands and let him be the one to decide whether or not that’s enough for him.”

“She doesn’t have any intention of saying anything to him,” Joe informed his brother. “She thinks it’s enough that he loves her, regardless of the fact that she doesn’t feel the same way.”

“She’s wrong, Joe,” Adam asked quietly. “Pa deserves more than that.”

Joe thought about it for a moment. “I know,” he replied miserably. “I just don’t want to see him hurt, that’s all.”

“He’ll be hurt in the long run if he marries her,” Adam pointed out. “Contrary to Stephanie’s misguided beliefs, a marriage with that kind of foundation can never be a happy one.” He paused for a moment. “Do you want me to talk to him?”

Joe took a deep breath and shook his head slightly. “It wouldn’t be fair to you to send you to Pa with a second-hand account of my suspicions,” he acknowledged. 

“From what you’ve told me, it sounds like your suspicions are well founded,” Adam pointed out. “I think Pa would want to know, even if the truth does hurt. It’s far better than living a lie for the rest of his life.”

Joe nodded, knowing his brother was right but still not looking forward to the conversation. “I’ll talk to him,” he promised. “Thanks, Adam.”

“I can finish up here,” Adam suggested. “Why don’t you go on back to the house. The sooner this is all out in the open, the better for everyone.”

Joe nodded grimly and went to get Cochise. As he made his way home, he felt marginally better for having talked to his brother about the situation. Still, he dreaded the look in his father’s eyes as he learned the truth about his bride-to-be.

********

By the time he’d reached the house, he had decided to give Stephanie the opportunity to be the one to talk with Ben. He doubted it would lessen the pain any, but his father deserved to hear the truth from the woman he loved. 

As he led Cochise into the barn, he noticed his father’s horse was gone. He also noted that Shadow was still in her stall. Without bothering to unsaddle his own mount, he headed for the house.

“Little Joe,” Stephanie exclaimed, getting up from the settee as he entered. “I didn’t expect you back quite so soon.”

“Where’s Pa?” he asked.

“He went out to check on things with Hoss,” she explained. “He should be back any time now.”

“We need to talk,” he informed her grimly. “Despite all you said earlier, I can’t sit back and watch you leading my father on like this. Either you tell him how you really feel, or I will.”

“And just what are you going to tell him?” she asked, her temper rising in the face of his ultimatum. “Surely you can’t claim to know how I feel.”

“Do you love Charles Dunn?” he asked her pointedly.

“We’ve already been over this,” she sighed in exasperation.

He crossed the room to take her by the arm. “No, we haven’t,” he argued. “We discussed how he felt about you, but not the other way around. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love him.”

She glared at him, her glance dropping briefly to his hand on her arm. “Charles Dunn is nothing to me,” she spat. “How I felt about him in the past has nothing to do with the way things are now. I’m marrying your father, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember,” he growled. “I also remember seeing you and Dunn together. Am I supposed to just forget that?”

“Is that what this is all about?” she hissed. “I told you it meant nothing. Why can’t you just let it go?”

“Because it’s my father’s life we’re talking about,” Joe snapped angrily.

“That’s right!” she retorted. “It’s your father’s life. I never tricked him into falling in love with me, but he did. And now he’s asked me to marry him and I’m not stupid enough, or naïve enough to turn him down just because his spoiled little boy doesn’t want to share his daddy with anyone else.”

Joe felt his grip on her arm tightening as his anger rose and he immediately released her. His jaw clenching, he struggled to regain control over his emotions. “Are you going to tell him or am I?” he finally asked in a cold voice.

She was dismayed at his words and decided on another approach. “I’m sorry, Little Joe,” she apologized, laying a hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean what I said. These last few days have just been so crazy with the wedding plans and everything. I do love your father, you have to believe that.”

“Why?” he demanded, still angry. “Because you suddenly believe it?”

“Because after our earlier discussion, I had a chance to really think about everything,” she answered, her voice deceptively sweet. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him now. He’s come to mean everything to me. I don’t care about the ranch or the money; it’s just not important anymore.”

Joe’s frown deepened as he looked into her pleading eyes, though it did nothing to dispel the anger he still felt. “It was important enough this morning,” he reminded her flatly. “Am I supposed to believe this sudden change of heart?”

He saw a flicker of something akin to defiance in her eyes before her expression was cloaked once again in a mask of dismay. Brief as it was, it was enough to convince him that her new attitude was nothing more than a well-acted performance. 

“I don’t know what else I can do to convince you,” she lamented sadly. 

He couldn’t help a wry smile at the irony of her words. “Oh, you’ve convinced me,” he assured her dryly. “The only question now is, when are you going to tell my father the truth?”

He saw the anger flash in her eyes even as he heard the door behind them open. Before he had a chance to turn, she burst into tears while simultaneously slapping his face with enough force to snap his head to one side.

“What’s going on here?” Ben demanded from the doorway.

Before Joe could respond, she was hurrying to Ben, throwing herself into his arms as she sobbed inconsolably. “I’m so sorry, Ben,” she cried. “He just said the most awful things. I …” She raised tear-filled eyes to meet his. “I don’t think I could possibly marry you, knowing how he feels towards me, Ben,” she whispered as though her heart was breaking. “I’m sorry.” With that, she turned and hurried toward the stairs, still crying as she climbed to the second floor.

Ben stared after her in dumfounded confusion for a moment before turning to Joe with questioning eyes.

“I’m sorry, Pa,” Joe mumbled, his gaze meeting his father’s only briefly before dropping to the floor. “I didn’t intend for you to walk in on that.”

Ben’s initial shock had started to turn to anger. “Just what were these awful things you said to her?” he demanded.

Joe hesitated briefly, shifting his weight in an uncomfortable manner before replying. “I told her I didn’t think you should marry her,” he summed it up.

“You what?” Ben asked incredulously.

“I can explain, Pa,” Joe offered miserably.

“Oh you can, can you?” Ben bellowed, giving his newfound anger full reign. “Well let me explain something to you, young man. You are my son, but that doesn’t give you the right to make personal decisions in my life. Whom I do or do not choose to marry is my business and mine alone, do you understand me?”

“But Pa…” Joe interrupted, attempting once more to explain his side of things.

“But Pa nothing,” Ben cut him off, crossing the floor to stand directly in front of his youngest son. “Now whether you like it or not, Stephanie is going to be a part of this family and I expect you to show her the respect that position accords. Now you march up those stairs and apologize this minute,” he concluded harshly.

“I can’t do that, Pa,” Joe replied, his own anger growing. “If you want to marry a woman like that, it’s your business, but she isn’t fit to command my respect.”

He didn’t even see the hand, but he certainly felt it as it connected squarely with his cheek. The sound of the slap echoed in the room for a moment as time seemed to stand still. He’d had his share of spankings as a child, all deserved and well-intentioned. He’d even exchanged blows with his brothers on different occasions, but his father had never before raised a hand to him in anger. As he slowly turned his head to meet his father’s gaze, he saw his own pain and shock mirrored there.

“Joe,” Ben breathed, “Joe, I’m sorry.”

Though the physical pain had been minimal, the aching in his soul was something he wasn’t sure he’d ever be rid of. Without a word, he turned and strode purposefully toward the door, oblivious to the sound of his father’s voice calling to him. All he could hear in his mind was the sound of the slap, the sound that told him that his father had chosen sides, the sound that had driven a wedge between them that they might never recover from. 

“Where are you off to?” Hoss asked as they passed in the yard. When Joe didn’t respond, Hoss turned to frown in his little brother’s direction. Knowing something was wrong, he followed Joe into the barn. “What’s the matter?” he asked as he took in the set to Joe’s jaw and the pain and anger in his eyes.

“I’ll be in town,” Joe managed around the lump of emotion in his throat. Without another word, he led Cochise quickly from the barn and vaulted into the saddle before heading off at a full gallop. Hoss watched him disappear around the corner of the barn and almost instantly heard Adam’s voice calling to Joe. A moment later, Adam appeared from the direction in which the youngest Cartwright had gone. His expression was one of concern as he dismounted and looked at Hoss.

“Where’s he going?” he asked.

“To town,” Hoss replied grimly. “Somethin’s wrong, Adam. I ain’t never seen Joe look like that.”

Adam looked thoughtfully toward the house, his frown deepening. “Come on,” he said, tying Sport to the railing instead of stabling him. “Let’s ask Pa.”

They found their father staring into the unlit fireplace and exchanged a worried glance as they took in the slump of the normally broad shoulders. “Pa?” Adam ventured cautiously. “What’s wrong?”

Their concern intensified as their father slowly turned to face them. Neither could remember the last time they’d seen him look so haggard. The glint of unshed tears in his eyes was evident and both hurried to his side. “What is it, Pa?” Hoss insisted gently. “What happened?”

Ben’s eyes took on a hauntingly confused look as though struggling with the answer to his son’s question. Finally, in a voice barely audible, he replied, “I hit him.”

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances of surprise and confusion. “You what?” Adam demanded tensely, knowing the circumstances a bit better than Hoss. 

“Joe?” Hoss asked, his expression belying his surprise. “You hit Little Joe?”

The words seemed to have the affect of a physical blow and Ben recoiled slightly. “Not once in all these years have I ever had cause to raise my hand to you boys,” he murmured in an almost dreamlike tone. “A father doesn’t settle disagreements with his sons in such a manner.”

Adam considered the words briefly allowing his initial anger to diffuse slightly. “Joe knows that,” he assured his father. “He just needs to cool down a little, that’s all.”

“Yeah,” Hoss agreed, trying to muster a smile. “You know what he kin get like.”

They noticed their father’s silence and wondered if he’d even heard their words. “What happened?” Adam asked quietly.

Ben looked at him as though just realizing he was there. “He upset Stephanie,” Ben replied with an air of detachment. “All I wanted him to do was apologize.”

“Don’t forget, Pa,” Hoss offered. “There’s never bin another woman here since his ma. Maybe he’s just havin’ a hard time adjustin’ to it all.”

“I should have seen that,” Ben chastised himself. “I was so relieved when he seemed to accept her that I didn’t even realize there was a problem. I’ve been both blind and insensitive.”

Adam listened to the exchange and took a deep breath. “Did you talk to Stephanie?” he asked, a slight edge to his voice. “What did she have to say about what happened?”

Ben shrugged slightly as though dismissing the question. “Only that Joe said some terrible things to her.” He paused a moment as though remembering the scene. “Then she said she couldn’t marry me.”

“That don’t sound like Little Joe,” Hoss frowned. “He wouldn’t say nothin’ bad to Miss Stephanie ‘less he had a good reason. Even then, he just wouldn’t say it.”

“Did Joe tell you exactly what he said to upset her?” Adam asked.

Ben shook his head slowly, his expression full of regret. “I didn’t give him a chance, “ he admitted. “We exchanged some harsh words and before I knew it, I’d …” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the statement. 

Adam was about to say something further when Stephanie appeared at the top of the stairs. As the three men watched, she made her way down, offering a fragile smile as she joined them in the sitting room. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she offered. “I just wanted to apologize to Little Joe. I shouldn’t have slapped him the way I did. Is he here?”

Hoss and Adam exchanged another surprised look while Ben shook his head. “I’m afraid he’s gone into town,” he explained. “Stephanie, I think we need to talk.”

Adam and Hoss took their cue and proceeded to excuse themselves. “I think we’d better ride into town and check on Little Joe,” Hoss suggested.

“Please tell him how sorry I am about everything that’s happened,” Stephanie asked, her expression one of remorse. 

“Will do, Ma’am,” Hoss smiled with assurance.

Adam said nothing and merely looked at Stephanie for a moment before following Hoss out the door. Once in the barn, he ran his hand through his hair with a heavy sigh. “I think you should go after Joe,” he concurred with Hoss’ plan. “But I’d better stay here in case Pa needs me.”

Hoss paused in his task of saddling Chubb and turned to face his older brother. “I reckon they’re both hurtin’ some. I never thought I’d ever see the day when Pa hit Little Joe. What do you reckon Joe coulda said to make him that mad?”

“I think it had more to do with Stephanie than either Pa or Joe,” Adam sighed. He proceeded to tell Hoss about the conversation he’d had with Joe earlier in the day.

“I can’t hardly believe it, Adam,” Hoss murmured once he’d heard the account. 

“She had us all fooled,” Adam sighed. “If Joe hadn’t seen her with another man, none of us would have suspected a thing and the wedding would have went off as planned.”

Hoss frowned at the words. “Is that other guy still in Virginia City?” he asked.

Adam picked up on his thoughts immediately. “You’d better go find Joe,” he stated grimly.

********

Joe headed straight for the saloon after tying Cochise to the railing. He knew he should eat something, but the pain in his heart was too great to allow for thoughts of food. As he entered through the swinging doors, he noticed most of the men were gathered around one of the tables. Without bothering to wonder why, he headed straight to the bar.

“Hi, Little Joe,” Bernie smiled. “Beer?”

“Make it a whiskey,” Joe muttered, throwing some money down on the bar. A cheer went up from the group in the corner, but Joe barely noticed as he waited for his drink.

“Big game,” Bernie nodded in the direction of the table as he poured amber liquid into a glass. “Some new guy. Came into town yesterday. I think he’s only lost two hands in the last four hours, but everybody wants a shot at him anyway.”

It took a moment for the words to register. “Yesterday?” he repeated.

“On the stage,” Bernie nodded. “He sure has this place stirred up since he’s been here.”

Joe didn’t answer, but turned and walked slowly toward the group of men. Peering over the shoulder of one of them, he was able to see the men sitting at the table. He recognized them both, one as a fairly successful area rancher and one as the man he’s spoken to in the hotel restaurant that morning. As he listened, his jaw clenched in barely controlled anger.

“Seems I win again, Mr. Philips,” the newcomer drawled. “Whoever would have guessed my little trip to Virginia City would prove so profitable.”

“The trip ain’t over yet,” Philips replied amicably. “I still have a chance to win my money back.”

“I’ll be leaving your fair town tomorrow, my friend,” Dunn chuckled. “But from here I’ll be going to Carson City for a spell. Feel free to look me up if you’re so inclined.”

“Well you haven’t left yet,” Philips reminded him. “Deal.”

Joe pushed his way through the crowd until he was standing at the edge of the table.

“Little Joe,” Philips exclaimed with a smile. “Can we deal you in for a hand or two?”

“No thanks, Mr. Philips,” he muttered, his eyes on Charles Dunn. “I’d like to talk to Mr. Dunn.”

Dunn leaned back in his chair and offered a crooked smile. “Why, Mr. Cartwright. I thought we’d said all there was to say this morning.”

“Well I have a few more things to say now,” Joe grated. “On your feet.”

Dunn’s smile merely widened, though it failed to reach his eyes which remained cold and defiant. “Go home, boy,” he drawled. “Back to your daddy and your new ma.”

Joe’s fists clenched at his side. “Everything you said this morning was a lie,” he accused, refusing to directly address the snide remark. “You have no intention of going back to San Francisco.”

Dunn seemed to be considering the words for a moment. “Actually, I’ve decided since our little chat that Carson City might be a nice place to settle down.” He locked his gaze with that of Joe’s. “Don’t forget, I do have a very close friend living in the area.”

Joe knew he was referring to Stephanie and hoped, for his father’s sake, that no one else did. “I should have taken care of you this morning,” he grated flatly. “Get up.”

Bernie had been listening to the conversation and quickly interjected with his own concerns. “I don’t want any trouble in here, Little Joe.”

“Then perhaps Mr. Dunn would care to join me outside,” Joe challenged.

Dunn got to his feet and adjusted his jacket in such a way as to reveal the two silver-inlaid guns he wore. “Are you sure that’s what you want, Cartwright?”

Joe’s gaze flitted from the man’s face to the guns and back again without so much as a trace of uncertainty. Dunn had taken him for a fool and was at the root of the strained relationship with his father. Nothing was going to change his mind at this point. “I said outside,” he stated.

The crowd parted to allow Dunn access to the doors. “Whatever you say, Cartwright,” he grinned wickedly.

Joe followed him into the street while the rest of the saloon’s patrons spilled out onto the boardwalk. All eyes were on the two men who stood facing each other, each waiting for the other to make a move. No one even turned as they heard a horse approaching. As Dunn reached for his guns, a voice could be heard calling Joe’s name before the sound of shots sliced through the afternoon air.

Hoss dismounted and hurried to his brother’s side. “Joe!” he exclaimed, swallowing as he saw the red stain spreading on the younger man’s shirt. Looking up at the crowd gathered, he shouted. “Somebody get the doc!”

********

Adam stayed outside for what he considered to be an appropriate amount of time, allowing his father an opportunity to speak with the woman who seemed to be at the heart of all their recent problems. By the time he chose to make his way into the house, Ben was again alone in the sitting room.

“Pa?” he ventured cautiously. “Can I talk to you?”

“Hmm?” Ben murmured distractedly as he turned from the fireplace. “Of course. What is it?”

“It’s about Joe,” Adam began, crossing the room to stand beside his father.

“I can’t think of much else myself,” Ben sighed wearily as he lowered himself into his favorite chair. “How could I have been so careless? I have never once allowed my anger to control my actions. Why now? Why with Little Joe?”

Adam took a seat on the table in front of his father. “Did you talk to Stephanie?” he asked quietly.

Ben nodded slightly. “She’s all right. She understands how Joe must feel, we both do. Neither of us wants to cause him any unhappiness. Stephanie doesn’t want to take the place of his mother, not in Joe’s heart or in mine. I just wish I had explained that to him instead of flying off the handle like I did.”

Adam frowned slightly as he considered the words. “Stephanie isn’t the first woman you’ve shown an interest in since Marie died,” he pointed out gently. “Have you ever known Joe to have such feelings of animosity toward any of them?”

“No,” Ben sighed. “Maybe it was the idea of me getting married again after all these years.”

Adam ran his hand through his hair in sheer frustration. “Don’t you think Joe wants to see you happy? Don’t you think we all do?”

Ben frowned at his son’s outburst. “What do you know about all of this, Adam?” he asked, his voice regaining the tone of authority Adam was used to.

“Joe doesn’t think Stephanie is the woman for you,” Adam agreed, “but not for the reasons you think. It has nothing to do with you getting married, it has everything to do with you being happy.”

“Go on,” Ben stated firmly.

Adam took a deep breath. “He saw her in town with another man yesterday,” he relented wearily. “They were… well let’s just say they appeared to be more than just old friends.”

Ben’s raised his chin slightly at the words. “Is he sure of what he saw?” he asked, hiding the pain the words had caused.

“Sure enough that he asked her about it,” Adam answered. “She told him that it was over between the two of them, that she just had to be sure.”

“I see,” Ben responded, nodding once. 

“There’s more, Pa,” Adam continued almost reluctantly. “Joe went into town this morning to talk to this other man, a guy by the name of Charles Dunn. Dunn told him that he loves Stephanie, but that he couldn’t give her the kind of things she wanted, the kind of lifestyle she is looking for.”

“You mean the kind of lifestyle I can give her,” Ben murmured in defeat. After a brief pause, he asked one more question. “Did she say she loves this Charles Dunn?”

“I don’t know,” Adam admitted quietly. “I sent Joe back here to talk to you about it. We thought you needed to know.”

Ben got to his feet. “Saddle my horse,” he stated. “I’m going to find Little Joe.” He paused a moment, looking toward the stairs. “Just as soon as I clear a few things up here.”

Adam nodded wordlessly and went to do as instructed.

Ben climbed the stairs and hesitated only a moment outside of her door before knocking. When she opened the door, she smiled as though she didn’t have a care in the world. Seeing his expression, her smile faded slightly. “What is it, darling?”

“Why didn’t you tell me Little Joe saw you with another man in town yesterday,” he asked, getting straight to the point.

She looked appropriately shocked. “What? Another man? Ben, whatever are you talking about?”

“Charles Dunn,” Ben stated grimly. “What does he mean to you, Stephanie?”

“Ben, I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about,” she replied nervously. “We both know how Little Joe feels about our wedding. Isn’t it possible that he’s making up this absurd story just to tear us apart?”

Ben felt the last flicker of hope die as her words permeated the air. “No,” he stated quietly. “It isn’t possible. You obviously don’t know Little Joe.” He paused for a moment, “And I obviously don’t know you.”

He turned away from the door only to have her stop him with a hand on his arm. “All right,” she exclaimed in a voice laden with panic. “But it’s not what you think, darling. Charles Dunn is an old friend. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time.”

“He loves you,” Ben stated. “Not as a friend, but as a woman. He told Joe that he couldn’t provide you with the kind of lifestyle you were looking for.”

“And Joe told you,” she surmised sadly. “I can’t believe you’d think so low of me, Ben.”

“Joe didn’t tell me anything,” Ben stated, his anger growing. “He didn’t want to have to be the one to point out what a fool I’ve been.”

She was about to say something when Adam’s voice interrupted.

“Pa!” he shouted from the bottom of the stairs. 

Ben recognized the urgency in his voice and hurried to the stairway. “What is it?” he asked solemnly

“Hoss sent Charlie Parker out to get you,” Adam answered in a grim tone. “Joe’s been shot.”

Thoughts of the conversation he’d been embroiled in forgotten, Ben hurried down the stairs and out the door. Adam already had both horses ready and Charlie handed Ben Buck’s reins as he mounted. Without even a glance back at the woman in the doorway, the three of them hurried off toward town.

********

“How is he, Doc?” Ben asked the moment he entered the doctor’s office.

“I don’t know for sure, Ben,” Doc Martin answered dismally. “I got the bullet out, but he’s lost a lot of blood.”

“Can I see him?” Ben asked. 

“Of course,” the doctor nodded. “Hoss is in with him now. You and Adam go right on in.”

They entered the back room to see Hoss sitting by Joe’s side, holding the unconscious man’s hand. As the door closed, Hoss looked up, his expression one of shock and disbelief. “I tried to stop him, Pa,” Hoss whispered around the lump in his throat. “I was just a second too late.”

Ben put a hand on his middle son’s shoulder as he tried to choke back his own emotions. “It wasn’t your fault, son,” he assured him.

Hoss got to his feet and allowed Ben to take his place by Joe’s side. 
“Joseph?” Ben coaxed gently. “Can you hear me, son?”

When there was no response, Ben lowered his head in a gesture of complete and utter despair. At the same time, Adam caught Hoss’ attention and nodded toward the door.

Once in the outer office, Adam asked Hoss what had happened.

“Bernie says that Dunn fella’s bin in the saloon gamblin’ all day,” Hoss explained. “When Little Joe came in and saw him, he said he wanted to talk to him. Bernie told ‘em he didn’t want no trouble in the place and Joe suggested they take it outside. Bernie figured Joe was just gonna fight him. It was Dunn upped the ante by showin’ his guns.”

“Doesn’t exactly sound like the man Joe described to me this morning,” Adam stated grimly.

“No, it don’t,” Hoss agreed. “Bernie says Dunn flashes those guns like he was born wearin’ ‘em.”

“Where’s Dunn now?” Adam asked.

“Doc’s got him in the other room,” Hoss replied. “Our little brother got in a good shot before…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

As though on cue, Doc Martin emerged from one of the back rooms. His expression was grim and he was shaking his head slightly.

“How is he, doc?” Adam asked.

“The bullet’s lodged against his spine,” the doctor sighed. “There’s no way I can get it out. I’ve already done all I can but I don’t think he’s going to make it.”

They heard a slight gasp and turned to see Stephanie standing in the doorway. Having overheard only the last part of the conversation, she assumed they were talking about Joe. “Little Joe?” she breathed, a hand to her mouth.

“I don’t know, Miss,” Doc Martin explained. “It’s too soon to tell.”

Just then Ben popped his head out of Joe’s room. “Doc!” he exclaimed with a sense of urgency. “Come quick. He can’t breathe.”

“I was afraid of that,” Doc Martin murmured as he hurried toward the room. “I’m going to have to drain the blood from his chest. You’d best wait out here, Ben.”

Ben nodded briefly as the doctor closed the door behind him. Looking around the room, he noticed Stephanie and his expression took on an angry addition to the grief and worry he was already feeling.

Stephanie looked slightly confused as her gaze traveled from the door Doc Martin had just entered to the one she’d seen him come out of earlier.

“Your friend, Charles Dunn,” Adam informed her coldly. “That’s who you overheard the doctor talking about.”

“Charles,” she breathed, her gaze locked on the closed door for a moment. As though suddenly realizing she was not alone in the room, she looked at Ben, trying to mask her horror.

“Go ahead,” he stated flatly, nodding toward Dunn’s door. “We don’t need you here.”

There was a finality in the statement that made his feelings quite clear, but she wasn’t yet willing to admit defeat. “Ben, I never wanted any of this.”

Adam and Hoss quietly left the office through the main door, opting to give their father some privacy while they waited for news of their brother’s condition.

“I’m sure you didn’t,” Ben agreed in a dull voice once they were alone. “All you really wanted was what our marriage could give you – wealth, position, security. The only thing you didn’t want was the one thing I wanted to give you most. You didn’t need it because you’d already found it in Dunn.”

“No,” she breathed, shaking her head slowly.

He took a step toward her, his eyes darkening as they bored into hers. “Tell me you weren’t planning to go on seeing him,” he accused in an icy tone. “Tell me my son isn’t lying in there merely because you’d finally figured out a way to have it all.”

The bluntness of his words tore through the fabric of lies she’d been so carefully weaving and she hung her head, allowing the tears to fall freely. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know it would turn out this way.”

They were interrupted by the doctor as he emerged from Joe’s room. “He’s breathing better, now,” he informed Ben, wiping his hands on a towel. “You may want to be with him in case he wakes up.”

Ben nodded once and cast a last, hard look in Stephanie’s direction. “My son needs me,” he stated. “Good bye, Stephanie.”

Adam and Hoss had heard the doctor’s voice and cautiously entered the office once again. “Go on in, boys,” Doc Martin nodded wearily. “There’s nothing any of us can do now but wait.”

They both glanced uneasily at Stephanie as they slowly made their way past her. She watched them disappear into the room before turning toward the other closed door. After wiping the tears from her cheeks, she sighed uneasily and reached for the doorknob with trembling fingers. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the pallid form of the man she loved and she realized, perhaps for the first time, that she didn’t want to lose him. Vowing to tell him that before it was too late, she quietly entered the room and closed the door behind her.

******** 
Doc Martin had brought a couple of cots into the office and had managed to convince Adam and Hoss to rest at least briefly throughout the night. There had been no change in Joe’s condition, but Ben sat by his side every minute, talking to him quietly as though willing him to hear the words. As the sun began to inch it’s way above the horizon, Joe finally moved his head, frowning slightly at the pain he was feeling.

“Pa?” he managed, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here, son,” Ben smiled, choking back his tears. “You’re going to be all right.”

“Dunn,” Joe whispered, his eyes still closed.

Ben looked at the doctor, only to see him shake his head slightly. Looking back down at his son, Ben frowned in concern. “Don’t worry about that now,” he instructed gently. “Just rest and get well.”

“So tired,” Joe murmured. 

“You lost a lot of blood,” Ben informed him, glancing up as Adam and Hoss entered the room. “But the doctor says you’re going to be just fine.”

Joe managed a small nod. After a moment, he struggled to open his eyes. Looking up at his father, he conveyed the torment he’d been feeling. “I’m sorry, Pa,” he whispered.

Ben felt his heart break at the words. “No, son,” he managed around the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry. I never thought I was capable of striking one of my sons. You tried to tell me what was going on and I just wouldn’t listen. Forgive me, Joseph.”

Joe managed a small smile and moved his fingers to grip his father’s hand weakly. “I love you, Pa,” he murmured as he lapsed once again into unconsciousness.

Ben blinked back tears as he gripped his son’s limp hand. “I love you too, son,” he whispered hoarsely.

Hoss inconspicuously dabbed at a tear in the corner of his eye while Adam turned to feign interest in one of the many gadgets on a shelf by the door. After a moment they looked uncomfortably at one another before turning their attention on their father. 

“Maybe you should try to git some rest, Pa,” Hoss suggested. “I’ll sit with Little Joe a while.”

Ben hesitated only briefly before getting to his feet and moving toward the door. Pausing, he looked back at where Joe lay and then at his two other sons. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again as he realized there were no words to describe his feelings.

“Are you going to be all right?” Adam asked gently.

Ben allowed a small smile as he realized his eldest son had inadvertently found the words he’d been looking for. “Yes,” he replied, his smile widening slightly as he clapped both boys affectionately on the shoulder. “As long as I have the three most important things in my life, I’m going to be just fine.”

The EndDisclaimer: No Cartwrights were actually slapped, or shot, for that matter, during the writing of this story. Likewise, no self-serving wenches were actually proposed to. Any resemblance to conniving, gun-toting gamblers, living or dead, is purely coincidental. 

~~~