Summary:  Sequel to “Every Purpose Under Heaven”. Ben hires newcomer Luke Thrasher but his ties to an old enemy of Joe’s shocks everyone and sets Joe up for murder charges. Rating MA, WC 52,000

Every Purpose Under Heaven Series:

Every Purpose Under Heaven
Another Season
Dru
All Our Yesterdays

Another Season

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose unto heaven”

Ecclesiastes

***

The fragrance of spring hung in the air full of the aroma of intermingled wild flowers and the scent of the rebirth of the earth. Nowhere was it more magnificent than the meadows that sloped down toward vast Lake Tahoe. The blueness of the lake reflected the sky and at times outshone even the majestic mountains that surrounded her shores. This was Ponderosa country the home of the Cartwright family. Well known for their honesty, integrity and the hard work that forged the large ranch that was their home.

It was a working ranch and the Cartwright’s were deeply involved in many different businesses. They owned stock in some of the richest mines in Virginia City and also provided timber for them. Lumber being one of their greatest assets, they shipped the immense Ponderosa pine wood to dealers throughout the country. And, even with all that, there was also the livestock business that the Cartwrights all took pride in. Raising large herds of cattle for shipping to eastern markets was something they did best. It had always been a tedious as well as lucrative task to raise the herd, sometimes even winter feeding them before the drive eastward to the dealers.

The spring drive had already been planned and each individual Cartwright had their own particular job to do. On this day, both Ben and his eldest son Adam had gone into Virginia City to hire new ranch hands for the drive. Due to the extremely good winter, the herd had grown to one of their largest ever, and drovers would be drastically needed.

At one end of the long table that had been erected in front of the mercantile sat Ben Cartwright. He was a large man with striking features. When not in his ranching garb he could be so finely dressed that he looked more like a politician than a rancher. On this occasion however, he had his working clothes on. The leather vest against a bright blue shirt gave him a working man’s appearance. But, his smile was that of a man who had paid his dues and continued to give back just as much as he had received in life.

“Next.” Ben called and a man stepped forward. Ben’s eyes checked him out. He seemed to be drover material and stood tall and confident as he reached out to shake Ben’s hand.

“Mr. Cartwright, my name is Luke Thrasher. Nice to meet you.” The two men shook hands and Ben handed him a sheet to fill out.

“You must be new around here, Mr. Thrasher.” Ben showed his warm smile to the stranger. “I don’t think we have ever met.”

Luke signed the roster and stared back at this potential employer. “I am new around here, Sir. In fact I am trying to make a new start.” He said with quiet tones and Ben noticed that the man’s head dipped down a little as he spoke.

“New start?” Ben replied.

“Yes, Sir. I am gonna be up front with you. I just got out of prison.” He stated and noticed Ben’s astonishment. “I didn’t kill no-one or nothing like that, honest. Just fell into the wrong circle of friends and all. They planned a robbery and I happened to be along. But, I served my time.’

“How long were you in prison?” Ben asked quietly, not wanting to embarrass the man.

“Served three of a five year sentence. Got off for good behavior. Sure wish you’d give me a chance, Mr. Cartwright. I promise you that I will work harder than anyone you have on your place.”

Ben thought a moment and then looked up into the man’s eyes, trying to read him. Ben saw truthfulness there. And, always choosing to give someone who really was trying to better themselves a break, Ben nodded. “You got yourself a job, Mr. Thrasher. Anyone who would admit what you did straight off deserves a chance. You paid your debt. Welcome.” Ben shook his hand again.

“Thanks. Oh and you can just call me Luke—I ain’t formal.” He smiled.

“Well, Luke—move on down to the end of that table and you will meet my oldest son Adam. He will get you all set and tell you what you will be doing.”

“Thank you—thank you, Sir.” Luke nodded gratefully and walked down to the end of the table.

Later that afternoon after the sign up table had been disassembled, Ben and Adam stood at the bar in the Silver Dollar Saloon rewarding themselves for their day of hard work.

“We did good, Pa. Got enough drovers and ranch hands to make the drive and still keep men staffed up at the timber camp.”

“Yes, I think this drive will be fine. Oh—what did you think about that Luke fellow? I didn’t get a chance to fill you in on him.” Ben sat his empty beer glass on the bar and saw Adam’s eyes watch a saloon girl walk by. “Adam?” Ben asked again.

“Oh—sorry, Pa.” Adam grinned. “Oh, Luke—yeah he’s okay—he told me about being in prison. Talks about it freely. I hope the other hands don’t give him a hard time about it though. Seems like a nice guy who just got involved with the wrong kind of people. Told me he has no family either.”

“We’ll watch out for him.” Ben nodded his intentions. “Well, let’s go see how Hoss is doing at the branding corral. Oh, and that little brother of yours—where did he run off to?”

“He’s supposed to be breaking those new broncs. But you never know about him. Spring is in the air and he might have a different kind of filly in mind right now.” Adam laughed and the two men walked out of the saloon.

Joe was late as usual in coming home for dinner. He had spent a great deal of time out at the breaking corral and he was hot, dirty and dusty when he finally entered the house. Walking gingerly over to the dining table, he sat down. At twenty years old he was stuck in between the wild kid stage and the determined man stage and it showed in all of his actions. You never got totally what you thought you would when you spoke to him. Sometimes he was funny and light hearted, and other times there was a deep introspective side of him that shunned people away. It hadn’t always been that way.

“Looks like them broncs rode you, Little Brother.” The middle son, Hoss smiled and patted Joe on the back bringing up a cloud of dust. Hoss was the middle child and always seemed to find his place being in the middle of everything. He distanced his two brothers often whenever they decided to go after each other’s throats. At three hundred pounds, Hoss was similar to a walking wall. But, despite his massive size, he had the heart of a saint and the tenderness of a lamb.

“Joseph, do you think you could wash up a little before coming to the table?” Ben asked irritated by the smell from the dust that still hung in the air.

“What’s the difference, Pa? Horse, cow, that’s what we all eventually smell like.” Joe laughed and watched his father shake his head amused and yet fighting for control of his youngest.

“Did you even bother to wash your hands?” Adam asked sighing at the sight of the young man.

“Naw—I like a little grit in my food, makes it go down better!” Joe was now on a roll and played to his captive audience.

“That’s it—Joseph—go in the kitchen and wash those hands!” Ben’s voice raised several octaves.

“I was only kidding, Pa. Geesh—of course I washed my hands, it’s just my clothes that are dirty and that should show you how hard I have been working around here.”

“Working—or rolling around in the dirt?” Adam said sarcastically and Joe tried to kick him under the table but his brother moved in time.

Just then there was a knock on the front door and Ben decided to answer it to get away from the rowdy behavior of his sons temporarily.

“Luke? You need something?” Ben asked as he let the man in.

“Guess I’d best be leaving, Mr. Cartwright. Wanted to tell you goodbye and thanks for offering me a place.”

“But why?” Ben asked bewildered as he stared at the forlorn appearance on the man’s face.

“The guys in the bunk house don’t want me there. Said they don’t like jail birds.”

Ben frowned, disappointed in the insensitivity of both his old ranch hands as well as his new ones. “Oh—they’ll simmer down once they get to know you. Why don’t you come on in and join us for dinner then I’ll go out and see what’s going on and straighten it all out.”

“I appreciate the offer, Sir. But, don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“No trouble at all—now come on in and join us.” Ben led the man to the table and went about introducing him to his sons.

“Of course you know Adam, then this is the next in line Hoss.” Ben watched as Hoss stood and welcomed the man heartily. “And this is my youngest son, Joseph.” Ben saw Joe stand but then a peculiar look framed his face and he did not speak. “Joseph?” Ben called trying to shake him out of the daze. “Are you going to shake hands with our new help? This is Luke Thrasher.”

Joe reached for the man’s outstretched hand and shook it. A strange feeling came over him that he could not understand. It was the feeling of complete and total fear.

“Nice to meet you, Joe.” Luke nodded to him.

“Yeah—nice to meet you.” Joe returned but his words came out strained and the other three Cartwrights noticed immediately that Joe’s previous levity was now gone.

“Hop Sing—bring out another plate.” Ben called into the kitchen and Luke took a seat next to Adam.

“Sure is swell of you all to be so kind to me. I promise you I’ll work real hard to make up for all that you have done.” Luke said as the cook set a plate in front of the new man. Hop Sing glanced over at Joe and he could feel the coldness in his eyes as he stared over at the man.

Ben watched as Hoss and Adam conversed with Luke. He seemed to fit right in and had made a great first impression. That was with everyone except Joe. He never said another word and excused himself before the dessert had been brought out.

Excusing himself momentarily as well, Ben walked out to the front porch where Joe was now standing by himself. “Joseph? What’s wrong?”

“Who said anything was wrong?” Joe responded quietly not looking at his father.

Ben turned his son’s face and stared into the eyes that he knew so well. “You want to try that again? Now tell me, the minute Luke walked in your whole disposition changed. It’s not because he was in prison is it?”

“No, Pa. I don’t care about anything like that, as long as he isn’t a murderer or anything I don’t have a problem.”

“Then what is it?” Ben continued to pry.

Joe shrugged his shoulders confused himself by his feelings. “Guess I’m just tired, Pa. Despite what Adam said I wasn’t rolling around in the dirt I was breaking a dozen broncs. Just need some sleep.”

Ben put his arm around Joe’s shoulder. “I know you have been working very hard, Son. And you don’t have to tell me you are tired I can see it. Why don’t you go and turn in?”

Joe nodded in agreement and they walked back into the house. Before Joe got to the first step his brothers called out to him. “Night Little Brother.”

“Goodnight.”

“Good to meet you, Joe.” Luke called over and saw Joe turn to stare at him once more. Joe felt a tingle go down his spine. It was the feeling one gets when walking alone in a graveyard in the dark.

“Yeah—you too.” Joe offered without much emotion and hurried up the steps.

Adam heard the sound first late that night, it had been so long since he had been awakened by a scream that he had to stop and think for a moment. Finally, he realized it was the sound of his little brother who was having a very bad nightmare. Adam pulled on his robe and made it to Joe first followed by Ben.

“Joe—” Adam shook his brother free him from the dream.

“Huh? What?” Joe was confused as he came out of it. “Oh—sorry—guess it was a bad dream.” Joe sat up in bed and looked over at the faces of Ben and Adam, who stood worried at the foot of the bed. “Hey—it was just a dream—I’m not a kid you know—just let me be. I don’t need a nurse maid—just some sleep.” Joe felt embarrassed, it had been a long time since he had awakened his family with a nightmare.

“Okay, then. Keep it down then will you? You almost gave me a heart attack.” Adam replied tersely and walked out of the room. Ben turned and followed his eldest son. They met out in the hall to discuss what had happened.

“Something is wrong with him, Adam.” Ben sighed.

“Ah, Pa—he’s always been prone to nightmares.”

“Yes, but did you see him this evening at dinner? That’s when I think it all started. Something’s on his mind and he just won’t tell me.”

“So, you think it’s playing out in his dreams?”

“Maybe—it has been a long time since anything like this has happened.”

“You worry too much—it’s probably just a passing thing. He tends to be a bit on the dramatic side don’t you think?”

“Sometimes—and sometimes so do you.” Ben patted Adam’s shoulder and they each left for their own bedrooms.

Hoss passed around the platters of food at breakfast the next morning after helping himself to the usual large portions that he needed to suit his appetite and large frame. Ben finished reading the Territorial Enterprise from the previous day and passed that over to Adam.

“You want me to wake Joe up, Pa?” Hoss asked staring at the empty seat next to him.

“Joseph already left for the day, Hoss. I got up just in time to see him heading off on Cochise.” Ben replied showing concern in his tone of voice.

Adam read his father’s careworn face and knew that he was, as was typical, worried about the youngest member of the family. “I bet he didn’t go back to sleep after that awful nightmare last night.”

“Huh? Joe had a nightmare? Where was I?” Hoss responded staring over at his brother.

“You were sawing logs as usual. Sometimes I think it would take a full fledged Indian attack to wake you.” Adam teased.

“There really isn’t anything funny about it.” Ben retorted, a bit angrily.

“Oh, Pa—the kid is fine. You got to stop worrying about him all the time.” Adam protested as he folded the newspaper closed and sipped at this coffee.

“Pa not worry about Little Joe? That will never happen.” Hoss stated and noticed a scowl shot over at him by the stern figure at the head of the table.

“Don’t you two have work to do?” Ben said standing, a signal that he was done with the conversation. He wondered if the jealousy the two other sons had always harbored against their youngest brother made them joke about him so much.

“Um, Hoss—looks like we’ve made Pa mad again. Let’s get out of here.” Adam stood and patted his father’s shoulder. He couldn’t resist one last remark. “Joe’s not a little kid anymore you don’t have to worry every time he has a bad dream.”

“You tell me that when you have three sons that you have raised by yourself.” Ben chided his eldest.

“If I had three sons, I guess I’d hope that they were all like me.” Adam joked to break the mounting tension. Hoss joined his brother at the front door and after strapping on their holsters the two men headed off to work.

Ben tended to the inventory sheets and balanced several statements and then decided he could use some fresh air. He mounted his horse, Buck, and turned the animal towards the eastern boundary of the ranch. Ben wanted to see how Joe was coming with the new string of horses. He also wanted to see if the young man was in better spirits than he had been the previous night.

Joe jumped down off of the side railing of the corral and slid into the saddle. Just as soon as his boots slipped into the stirrups the chestnut bronc took off. Joe spun with the animal round and round doing his best to stay on top of the bucking horse. Clouds of dust engulfed Joe’s body and blinded his eyes, but he held on. Five minutes later Joe was flung through the air and landed flat on his back staring up at blue sky.

Ben had watched the whole event from a distance, not wanting to reveal himself to his youngest and break his concentration. He fought hard not to rush over to the boy who now looked as if the wind had been completely knocked out of him. This was Joe’s favorite job, despite the bumps and bruises and sometimes broken bones, the young man was the best that the Ponderosa had as a bronc buster. Ben gave Joe time to slowly get to his knees and brush the dust from his chaps before he called over to him.

“Good ride, Son!” Ben stated as he approached him, reaching over to pat the boy’s back affectionately.

Joe returned his father’s smile and appeared at the moment to be very pleased with himself. He walked over to his canteen hanging on the gate post and took a swig. “I’m just about through here. So, what brings you out here?” Joe passed the canteen to his father who accepted it and took a drink.

“Oh, just wanted to get out of the house for awhile.” Ben tried to make his statement sound like the truth even though it wasn’t.

Joe didn’t buy into the story either. “Why do I get the feeling that you were checking on me? It’s not cause of that stupid dream last night is it?” Joe looked piercingly at Ben.

“No—nothing like that. If you are almost through, do you want to go see if your brothers need some help?” Ben changed the subject.

“Where are they?”

“They took Luke with them and are fixing the fences over by Cedar Creek.”

Joe’s mind flashed back to the thought of the new man that they had hired. He hadn’t been able to figure out yet why something deep inside him had found an instant dislike for the man.

“Well, sounds like they have enough help.” Joe returned and walked back over to the corral. “I’m gonna break those last two and then head on home. I think I need to turn in early tonight.” Joe said climbing back onto the railing.

“I’ll see you at home then, Joseph.” Ben conceded watching as Joe’s dark mood seemed to have returned. Ben started to walk away, but stopped and turned back. “Be careful.”

Joe gave a wry smile and laughed at his father’s worried demeanor. “It’d be better if you didn’t watch, Pa. Trust me.” Joe said and threw himself onto the next horse.

When dinner time rolled around that evening it was a lonely one for the head of the family. Joe had already come home and headed right up for bed looking totally exhausted. Adam and Hoss had sent word to Hop Sing that they were going into Virginia City and would be eating there. Ben sat alone and sipped his wine as Hop Sing came into the room to clear away his dinner plate.

“Hop Sing quit!” The little man snapped at his employer. “Leave for San Francisco in the morning.”

“Okay—” Ben paused and reached for the Chinese member of the family. “Why are you quitting this time?”

“Boys not eat, father barely eat—no need to cook. Need to go somewhere else!”

“Don’t worry, Hop Sing, Hoss will be here at breakfast and will finish not only this wonderful dinner that you prepared but all of his breakfast as well. You know those boys could not bear to see you leave. They would’ve ended up scrawny and toothless if they had been forced to eat food prepared by their father all these years!” Ben laughed and saw the foreign sunshine smile returning to Hop Sing’s face.

“Allight—but better everybody eat tomorrow. Little Joe too thin, he need to not work so hard, need to eat and let it stick to him.”

“Joseph will always be thin it looks like, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fill up on your food, Hop Sing. The boy just runs around so fast it doesn’t stay on him long.”

Hop Sing sang off some words in Chinese that Ben was very glad he didn’t know the meanings of. He was sure it wasn’t a friendly phrase and had heard it many times over the years.

“Pa! Thought you’d be in bed.” Hoss smiled as he walked into the living room late that night. Adam met Hoss by the settee and both sat down together.

“Oh-just trying to finish this book—I think I’ve been reading it for a month now and still haven’t figured it out.” Ben tossed his novel on the coffee table and glanced over at his sons.

“Did you two have a good time in town?”

“Sure did, Pa. We kinda felt sorry for old Luke—the other hands haven’t been to friendly to him since he got here. We took him to the International House for supper and then to the Silver Dollar for a beer. He sure is a likeable fellow.”

“And a hard worker, too!” Adam jumped in with his praise of the new hand. “He almost worked the two of us into the ground today. I don’t think he took a break either. You sure did a good thing when you hired him on. We could use a couple dozen like him.”

“I’m pleased.” Ben nodded. “He talk much about his past?”

“Yeah, he’s from Texas. His folks had a place there but they lost everything in a fire. His ma and pa are dead and he said he had a brother but he died awhile back. Don’t have no other kin, so when he got in that trouble he had no way to get out of it. Kinda a hard luck case.” Hoss frowned feeling sorry for the man.

“Well, I am happy that the two of you have kinda taken him under your wings, it shows that I raised you right. Everyone is entitled to a mistake along the way, and it sounds to me that he paid his debt and now wants to make something out of his life.”

“Joe turn in already?” Adam asked staring up the stairs.

“Yes, he was tired, probably from not sleeping much last night.”

“Hope he doesn’t wake me.” Adam replied and saw his father stare over at him.

Ben wondered why it seemed that the eldest son could be so unfeeling towards the youngest member of the family. Adam was always seemingly at odds with the boy and yet during times of trouble would be the first one to jump to Joe’s defense. Ben rationalized that it was the difference in their ages and the fact that a good portion of Joe’s earlier years had been spent only reading letters from his brother and not actually seeing him. The years back east in college seemed to have distance the oldest and youngest sons. Hoss had rejoined his relationship with Adam the moment he had walked in the door, coming back from Boston. Ben sighed. He knew it was something that the two young men would work out and perhaps someday admit to each other just how much they truly did care.

As Adam and Hoss stood ready to make it to the stairs there came a knock at the front door. Ben looked perplexed as he stared over at the grandfather clock by the front door. It was almost midnight and seemed odd to have such a late visitor. Adam made it to the door first and opened it to reveal Luke standing somewhat slumped over. Adam put his arm around the man’s shoulder and assisted him over to the settee.

“What happened!” Ben demanded seeing that the man had taken a pretty bad beating.

“Two of the fellows in the bunk house threw my stuff outside on the ground. When I went to pick up my gear, they jumped me. They said that prisoners didn’t need to sleep with honest folk.”

Ben’s eyes went dark and cold and he shot a glance at Adam. Adam read his father’s expression and nodded. He walked with Hoss outside to go and take care of the men who had beaten Luke.

“Seems like I’m nothing but trouble, Mr. Cartwright.” Luke sighed and felt his eye that was now partially swollen.

“Nonsense! Now let’s get you cleaned up. I want you to stay in the guest room tonight. We’ll have everything worked out by morning.” Ben insisted and led Luke to the room that stood just off of the dining room. He brought the man some medicine to put on his facial cuts and brought him some brandy to kill the pain.

“Now, you just get some rest. Luke, when someone works for us we consider them our friend. I promise you that everything will be fine in the morning, even if I have to fire half of the men in the bunkhouse.” Ben vowed and left the bedroom.

Joe washed off in the basin by his dresser feeling much better than he had for days. He had gotten a full night’s sleep and was well rested and eager to get outside in the fresh air. Buttoning his shirt and sweeping a brush through his curly hair he headed down the stairs.

“Morning, Pa! Morning brothers!” Joe greeted them all cheerily and sat down at the table.

“My—you are in a good mood! I guess that is what fourteen hours of sleep will do for a man!” Hoss kidded his little brother and Joe took a fake sweep past his nose with his fist.

“It is a nice day—no rain in sight. We can get lots and lots of work done.” Adam broke in.

“Yeah—well—” Joe started but stopped as he saw the guest room door open and Luke step out. Stunned Joe sank back hard in his chair, feeling as if his breath had been knocked out of him.

Ben, noticing Joe’s expression called over to him. “Joseph? Something wrong?”

“What’s he doing in there?” Joe spoke out sharply referring to Luke being allowed to stay in the guest room.

“He had some trouble in the bunk house last night. Why? What’s wrong with you?” Ben started to worry that Joe’s attitude would affect Luke. The man stood behind Adam’s chair speechless.

Joe stood and threw his napkin down on the table. “I’ve got work to do.” Joe muttered and hurried to the front door.

“He doesn’t exactly like me does he?” Luke turned to Ben for an answer.

“No —it’s not that. He doesn’t even know you, Luke. It’s just that he has been a bit moody here lately. Joe gets that way sometimes. Once you two get to work together and know each other things will be fine. Now sit down and have some breakfast.” Ben tried to be as reassuring as possible, all the while trying to figure out what had really gotten into his youngest son.

Joe tied Cochise up in front of the brightly colored house that stood by itself at the far end of Virginia City. Joe remembered all the times he had been to the familiar home of his friend Cassie. They had been schoolmates and later had even dated before deciding that what they had was a true friendship that didn’t need to go farther than that. Cassie was a beautiful girl, with dark curly brown hair and bright green eyes and the two of them had always made a stunning pair whenever they went out together. Joe opened the white picket gate and walked up the steps to the front porch. Just as he was ready to knock on the door he felt something hit him from behind. Spinning around he saw the mischievous smile of his dear friend.

“Hey—so now you are throwing things at me?” Joe asked feigning hurt as he picked up the kitchen towel that the girl had playfully thrown at him.

“My Pa doesn’t cotton to no strangers lurking around after his precious daughter.” Cassie giggled and then threw her arms around Joe’s neck giving him a peck on the cheek.

“Precious daughter? If he only knew about you!” Joe laughed and kissed her back. “So how’s my favorite girl?” Joe asked and led her over to the porch swing.

The young couple sat down holding hands as they moved the seat into motion.

“Oh—the usual—that darn Jim Brady has been pestering me to go to the spring dance with him.”

“Yeah—but you are holding out for Mr. Right, huh?” Joe teased.

“I had him once—but we decided to just be friends remember?” Cassie sighed still showing her amusement at her former beau.

“Well, I’ll tell you Miss Cassie—you were the only girl who ever beat me in arm wrestling—I was afraid if we got hitched that you might end up wearing the pants in the family and I’d have to do all the cooking and cleaning.” Joe laughed.

“Okay—so what brings you here, Joe? As happy as I am to see you I can tell something is wrong.” Cassie turned serious staring into the hazel eyes of the boy she had grown up with.

“Never could hide from you.” Joe nodded. “You sure you want to hear about this?”

“Yes—but it will cost you.” She smiled greedily.

“Uh oh—what’s the price this time?”

“You take me to the spring dance. Then once we are there, you go your way and I’ll go mine. You know—like we always do to throw them all off?”

Joe laughed loudly. “Don’t you stop to think how it hurts my ego to see the girl I bring to a dance off dancing with all the other guys?”

“Hey—you go off with the girls so it’s a fair trade.” She protested.

“Okay—it’s a deal. You are the prettiest blackmail artist in all of Storey County.”

“Okay now Joe—spill it. I haven’t seen you around much lately. I know you have been busy with round-up and all but I never see you at any of the parties anymore. The girls are all wondering what happened to you. You use to be the biggest wolf in town and now you just seem to just work.”

“Well—just haven’t had the time. And beside I ain’t interested in the girls in this town. They are all so phony. Nothing like you.”

“Stop flirting and tell me what is bothering you.” She countered staring at him harder.

“I don’t exactly know. I guess it kinda started the other day. Pa hired this new hand—his name is Luke. There’s just something about him. I can’t explain. Have you ever met someone that you just instantly hated?”

“No—don’t think so. Maybe you met him before somewhere and don’t remember.”

“I doubt that, Pa says he’s been in prison the last couple of years for getting involved with a bank robbery.”

“Maybe that’s it. Maybe it’s the thought of what he’s done in the past. Maybe you think it will happen again?” She asked trying to help her friend out of his worried expression.

Joe shook his head. “It’s more like something I feel in my soul—sounds stupid I know. But when I look at him I see evil. Now you are gonna laugh , right?”

“Never. I think if you feel this way then there must truly be something to it. Can you talk to your father about it? Maybe get him to keep you away from him?”

“Heck—he let him stay in the guest room last night—that doesn’t seem likely. Maybe I’m just crazy.”

“Oh—you know you are crazy—I know you are crazy—but what has that got to do with it?” Cassie hugged Joe’s neck to comfort him and shake him out of his dark mood.

“Hey—keep this up and no spring dance—I’ll just have that pesky Jim Brady here to pick you up!” Joe started to tickle his friend and she begged him to stop.

“Okay—I surrender. You do have a problem. If I were you I would just watch this Luke fellow and the first thing he does wrong go tell your father and get rid of him.”

“You are as smart as you are pretty.” Joe reached over and kissed the girl’s forehead. “So, we have a date then in three weeks. Don’t stand me up either.” Joe stood and started to walk off.

“You be careful—watch your back.” Cassie called after him and as she walked back into the house she began to worry about her friend and what his instincts were trying to tell him.

Ben Cartwright watched Joe’s expression that night as he came into the house. As soon as he caught sight of Luke sitting with Hoss in the living room playing checkers he turned and beat a fast exit out to the porch. Ben knew he had to address his son’s behavior and try to get to the bottom of it before it got even worse.

“Joseph—” Ben called and sat down at the table on the porch next to his son. “We were looking for you today. Where did you go?”

“I did my work.” Joe answered with irritation in his tone of voice.

“I wasn’t questioning that. I just wanted to know where you were. You know it’s not like you to just go off and not tell any of us.” Ben explained trying not to make it sound like an upcoming lecture.

“Okay—I went into town and saw Cassie. Then I went up to the branding corral and helped out there. Then I came home. Anything else you need to know?”

Ben grabbed Joe’s arm and forced his son to face him. “I have not done anything to you, why are you so sharp with me? And for that matter why have you been so nasty to Luke. He’s not done anything either. I think you owe me an explanation, Young Man.” Ben’s statement was now filled with some anger at the situation.

“I am not being sharp with you, Pa. But, I can’t understand for the life of me why you let that ex-con not only work for us but also sleep in our own house. And there he is in the living room now playing checkers with Hoss!” Joe swung his arm in gesture his temper starting to mount.

“You are beginning to sound like the three ranch hands that I fired today.” Ben retorted disappointed by his son’s behavior.

“Then why don’t you just fire me? Then you have your very own ready made son in there to take my place?” Joe stood and started to walk away but Ben stopped him.

“You have always been the type who welcomed people who had hit on hard times. Or have you forgotten about Danny Kidd? He was also an ex-con! You two became best of friends and even was his best man when he got married. Now why the deep hatred that I see in your eyes concerning Luke? You don’t even know him.”

Joe broke his father’s gaze and looked down helplessly. He didn’t know how to explain what he felt to his father. He had not yet figured it out himself. “I don’t want to argue with you, Pa. But, don’t expect him and me to get along. Keep him away from me and I won’t say anything to him.”

“I’m letting him stay in the guest room for awhile—just until the men in the bunk house cool down. I fired the ones who beat him up last night. Now, don’t tell me I am going to have trouble with my own son.” Ben tried to get his message across.

Joe took a deep breath and let it out slowly to try and stay the frustration he was feeling. The thought of Luke in the guest room bothered him more than anything else. And in all honesty, Joe had no clue why. “Can I go now?” Joe asked looking down at his father’s hand that still held on tightly to his left arm.

Ben released his grip and shook his head. “Mind your manners—I’m asking you.” Ben’s words came out softer this time and he tried to get a good look into Joe’s hazel eyes. He hoped he had broke through to him but wasn’t sure.

“Goodnight, Pa.” Joe answered sullenly and slowly walked back into the house. As Ben followed his son he watched as he stopped at the staircase when Luke called out to him.

“Hey—Joe—want to play a game?” Luke asked smiling friendly at him.

Joe closed his eyes as the man’s question echoed in his head. Joe suddenly felt very ill and ran up the stairs and away from the confused faces left in the living room.

The bone chilling screams which emanated from Joe’s room late that night almost made Ben fall from his bed. He had never in his life heard that kind of gut-wrenching sound before. Ben threw on his robe and didn’t bother with his slippers. Bounding down the hall he almost collided with both Adam and Hoss who had made it to Joe’s door first. The three men charged into the room and saw Joe sitting up in his bed still screaming at the top of his lungs. Ben pushed past Adam and dove towards his youngest son. He grabbed him up into his arms.

“Joseph—snap out of it—it’s okay now—” He called but Joe continued to shriek at some unknown vision locked in his mind. Ben lightly slapped the boy’s face trying his best to bring him out of the awful dream. When that didn’t work he shook Joe’s shoulders sending his head bobbing back and forth and at last the boy stopped his shrills.

Both Adam and Hoss stood at the foot of the bed, their mouths hanging wide open in a panic at the sight of their little brother. Never in twenty years had Joe ever had this violent a dream, and it sent both brothers hurrying to be next to him offering comfort.

“It’s okay, Short Shanks—it ain’t nothing but an old dream.” Hoss whispered and rubbed the back of Joe’s neck.

“Let’s get him some water.” Adam said at a loss as to what to do this time. He poured a glass of water from the nightstand and passed it over to his father. Ben held the liquid up to Joe’s mouth but he refused it.

“I’m gonna be sick.” Joe moaned and jumped off his bed and hurried across the room. He bent over the basin and emptied his stomach.

Ben was totally distraught in seeing the effect the nightmare had on his youngest son. He neared Joe and placed a wet washcloth on the back of his neck as Joe continued to wretch up his guts. Ben turned and waived his other two sons out of the room. He was worried that their presence would make Joe feel in some way humiliated when he would have to face them the next day.

When Joe got to the point where he could again stand upright, Ben’s strong arms encased his shoulders and he led him back over to the bed. Joe moved up to the head board and flung his head back breathing rapidly. Ben moved to sit right along side of his son, also resting against the head of Joe’s bed. He wrapped his arm around Joe’s shoulder and could still feel the slender body shaking violently. By then Ben wasn’t at all sure if the boy’s condition was just caused by the dream or whether he perhaps was truly ill. Reaching up to caress Joe’s forehead he couldn’t detect any sign of a fever.

“You had some dream there, Young Man. How about you tell me all about it?” Ben whispered softly.

Joe swallowed hard fighting back the bile which still stung at the back of his throat. As his surroundings became more clear to him he fought with the embarrassment that he felt. Joe knew he was much too old to have nightmares and to have his family rush into his room at night to deal with them. It made Joe feel weak and a bit childish.

“I don’t remember what it was about—” Joe started and coughed into his hand. Ben patted him on the back and softly rubbed his shoulder.

“Nothing?” Ben replied.

Joe shook his head. “I know you can’t believe this—I have lied to you in the past when I’ve had nightmares—not wanting you to know what was going on in my head. But, this time I am telling you the absolute truth. I don’t see anything—remember anything—only the worst feeling of fright that I have ever felt.” Joe confessed and then his teeth began to chatter. A chill came over him and his shaking became far worse than before.

Ben pulled him closer and tried to calm his shivering son. “Why don’t you try to go back to sleep.” He said softly and felt Joe stiffen in response to the suggestion.

“I can never go back to sleep after one of these kinds of nightmares, Pa.” Joe insisted and began to sit up.

Ben pulled Joe back so that his head rested on his father’s shoulder.

“C’mon, Pa—” Joe protested. “I already feel like a kid bringing you in here because of a stupid dream—how’s it gonna look to Adam and Hoss if I curl up on your shoulder as old as I am?”

“They’re not here.” Ben replied and pulled Joe back. “I’ll just stay until you doze off.”

Joe reluctantly laid back again so that his face was buried between his father’s neck and his shoulder. He would never have admitted it, but it did make him feel safe and was just what he needed at the time. Joe could still feel the persistent dread that the nightmare had seared into his thoughts. Joe’s left hand clamped on the silk lapel of his father’s robe out of a habit long ago forgotten.

It took over an hour before Ben could feel the tenseness give loose and Joe sank down heavily against his left shoulder. He heard Joe’s breathing becoming less labored and noticed in the pale moonlight that shone through the curtain that his youngest was at last at peace. Ben settled back, despite what he had told his son, he had absolutely no intention of leaving him that night.

Late in the afternoon the next day, Adam appeared unexpectedly back at the ranch house. Ben met him at the front door expecting to hear that there had been some kind of trouble with the herd. Adam tossed down his hat and turned to face his father.

“What’s wrong?” Ben asked, almost afraid of what the answer would be.

“Nothing is wrong, Pa. Hoss and Joe are out fixing the last part of the fences at Cedar Creek and all is well with the herd. I just came from up there.”

“But, you’re back so soon? What’s going on?” Ben’s eyebrows narrowed as he searched his eldest son’s face. Adam wasn’t quick to respond; instead he walked toward the table in the study and poured two drinks. Walking back over to hand a glass of brandy to his father, Adam finally decided he would reveal why he had returned so early, and by himself this time.

“Will I need this?” Ben asked looking down at the brandy, still sure that Adam was holding something back.

“Let’s sit down. I’ve done some thinking on what’s going on with Joe. I wanted to speak with you privately about it, before he comes home.” Adam walked over to Ben’s desk and sat down in the chair. Ben moved to sit down next to him in his leather chair.

“Well, if you can figure that boy out I will commend you on your wisdom. I have been sitting here all day trying to erase the picture of Joe’s face from last night. I have never seen him so terrified.”

“Never?” Adam’s question came with a piercing look. His eyes held in them a reminder of something that had happened to his brother a little less than a year previous.

“What are you getting at, Adam?” Ben purposely tried not to follow along the lines of thought that his son had just laid down.

“You remember when Joe saw Luke walk out of the guest room for the first time? Remember his face? We have seen that same expression before, Pa.” Adam still didn’t come right out with what he was thinking, hoping that Ben would be the first to actually say it.

“Yes—I remember—what does that have to do with anything?” Ben’s response was a little sharper and he was starting to get agitated with his eldest son. He wondered why Adam wasn’t getting to the point of the matter.

Adam sighed and drank some more of his brandy seeking for control of his feelings and trying his best to put them into the correct and most appropriate words. “We haven’t had many guests stay in that room here lately—now have we, Pa? Not in the last year at least.”

Sudden and complete comprehension now hit Ben straight between his eyes. He tossed down what remained of the contents of his glass and walked stiffly over to get the rest of the bottle. Bringing it over to the desk, he filled his own glass again and then his son’s. The silence was deafening as the two men fought back their memories, neither one wanting to be the first to say the name that everyone had been forbidden to utter in the house.

Taking a deep and hurtful breath, Ben finally spat out the evil word. “Cade.”

That word stung like a toxin, poisoning his thoughts and sending a rush of adrenalin coursing through Ben’s body. Involuntarily clenching his hands, and his body becoming as stiff as the steel from a trap ready to slam shut Ben cursed under his breath.

“Maybe the fact that he saw Luke—coming out of there—and his mind recalling that it was a convict who had tormented him —well, maybe Joe’s mind couldn’t let go.”

Ben dropped his head feeling terrible just thinking on the fact that he had been the one who had invited Luke to stay. He worried that it was his fault that Joe had somehow been forced back into the horrible reminder of the assault that had almost killed him.

“He’s done so well—” Ben started and trailed off thinking back to those first few awful weeks after Joe had been assaulted by Cade. He remembered all too well the way his youngest son had wanted to end it all just to escape the haunted thoughts of what had taken place in the guest room. Ben had, himself, struggled with the painful memories of the times when he could no longer comfort his son and had to watch him battle his own demons.

“Has he?” Adam shook his head wondering if that really was the case. “He has buried the memories—locked them tighter than a drum to prevent the hurt from coming back. We all did the same! We went on as though the attack had never taken place.”

“We had to!” Ben protested and stood once more. “He needed us to forget.”

“We needed to forget.” Adam responded and the honesty of his statement struck a nerve in his father. Ben closed his eyes and remembered the terrible night that he could do nothing to prevent Cade from harming his son. He fought those memories always, praying that they would all disappear and things would be as they had before that awful night. Ben knew that it hadn’t just been his concern for Joe that made him try to bury the past. It was also a way to ease his own guilt for not having done anything during the attack but sit and listen to Joe’s screams. Even though he had been the one who had finally killed the evil man, it had never taken away the guilt and anguish Ben felt in his soul.

“Joseph needed to forget as well. Yes, I agree he isn’t quite the same as he was before all of it happened—” Ben stopped and Adam jumped back in.

“None of us are—nor will we ever be. But, suppressing what happened was bound to lead up to an episode like the one that went on in Joe’s room last night.”

“And you suggest what?” Ben frowned and sat back down at his desk and covered his face with his hands worried for his youngest son.

“Well, first of all I am gonna move Luke back into the bunk house. At least that’s a start. Then, well, I thought that I could catch up with Joe before he gets home tonight. Make up some excuse like you want us to relieve the hands watching the herd. Maybe I can get him to talk a little. Maybe if he thinks about it he will realize what is causing the nightmares—and maybe that will free him from them.” The intensity in Adam’s dark eyes burned straight through to his father’s heart. Ben knew that the oldest son was really concerned about the boy he most often fought with but loved and protected always.

“It’s worth a try. I am kinda worried about us opening up this can of worms. What if it takes him down again? What if it sets him off—like he was?” Ben’s voice found a tremble to it as he thought about how very close he had come to losing his son forever.

“Well—let me try at least. I’ll just talk to him—open the door in case he wants to talk about it. Maybe, Joe doesn’t even realize what is happening to him.”

Ben reached over and patted Adam’s shoulder. “Joe is lucky to have you as a brother.” He stated warmly understanding how difficult the task Adam had taken on would be.

“Yeah—” Adam stopped and winked at his father as he stood up. “Why don’t you tell him that sometime?” He laughed and headed out to find Joe.

Joe spread out his bedroll and prepared to settle in for the night. Casting a suspicious glance over at his oldest brother his mind wandered. He had reluctantly agreed to come with Adam out to the cow camp for the night, but all the while wondering exactly why his father had decided that the two of them should stand watch over the herd that particular evening. There were so many other hired drovers who could have handled the job. Joe sat cross-legged on the ground and set his tin cup next to him. The contents had gone cold and now the taste was much too bitter to finish.

“I got something to take the chill off, Joe.” Adam called as he reached into his saddlebags and approached his brother. He handed a bottle down to Joe and then spread his own gear out next to him.

“Tastes like rotgut.” Joe groaned after taken a good long swig.

“Thought that was what you liked?” Adam grinned as Joe passed the bottle back over to him.

“Okay—” Joe started and flashed his piercing green eyes directly at Adam. “So—what’s all this about?”

“Huh?” Adam feigned surprise at the question. “What are you talking about?”

The flames from the campfire danced their reflection in the eyes of the youngest Cartwright. Now his gaze burned as brightly as those same flames. “Pa didn’t just all of a sudden decide to send the two of us out here. So, go on, spill it. Why are we here?”

Adam sighed, realizing that his little brother wasn’t all that little anymore. He couldn’t be fooled as easily as he use to be when he was younger. Adam stared at the man emerging from the awkward years of being the baby of the family. It was hard for him to picture Joe in this way. He always thought of him as someone who needed his protection and guidance. Now, Joe was twenty years old and had already been through more life trials than a man three times his age.

“Joe, I wanted to talk to you. I thought out here we could be honest with each other.”

“Okay—now what is it? What deep revealing thing do you have in that ancient brain of yours? You planning to leave for New England again?”

Adam shook his head. Joe obviously had no clue as to the reason his brother wanted to be alone with him. “No—not that I haven’t thought about it, though. I wanted to talk about you.” Adam’s reply came out solemnly and Joe shot him a puzzled look.

“Me? Now what have I done?” Joe was quick to be on the defensive.

“Relax—Joe you always think I am out after you for something. Why can’t we talk the way you and Hoss do?”

“Because you are not Hoss I guess.” Joe laughed but then stopped when he saw how the remark wounded his brother. “Okay—I’m sorry. You know, Adam, you and I don’t share much of the same likes and dislikes—Hoss and I do. Then there is the age thing—” Joe trailed off feeling strange at trying to defend his closeness to one brother over the other one. “That don’t mean I don’t like you—it’s just that we are different.”

“I understand.” Adam nodded, wanting to get Joe off the defensive so he could get to the point of the conversation. “But, you are my brother—and despite anything that has happened in the past, I do care about you. And I do worry about you.”

Joe shifted uncomfortably on the blanket as he worried now as to where Adam was going with the talk. “Don’t worry about me, Brother—I am fine.” Joe insisted and drank again from the bottle.

“About last night, Joe—” Adam’s words were cut off as Joe suddenly jumped up and walked toward the campfire, his back towards his brother to escape his stare.

“Don’t even go there, Adam. It was just a stupid dream, one that I don’t want brought up again.” Joe fired off, his temper mounting at the mention of his nightmare. He was still greatly embarrassed at having brought his whole family into his bedroom with his screams.

Adam stood and approached his brother, not willing to give up so easily on the subject. “Joe, if you want these dreams to go away you are going to have to face what they are about.”

“And just how the Hell would you know what they are about? I don’t even know that!” Joe answered angrily turning to again face his brother.

“Joe—I think they are about Cade.” Adam blurted out.

Joe stepped back just as soon as that name was spoken. He felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him and he fought to catch his breath. Joe closed his eyes as a brief but concrete picture formed in his mind of his tormentor. He could not believe that his brother would dare to mention the man to him. It sent both anger and fear through his veins and he swallowed hard to try and speak.

“How dare you bring that up!” Joe shouted and reached for Adam’s shirt, taking it into his hands roughly. “This is even low for you!” Joe shoved Adam back and started for his gear to pack and escape what had happened.

“No—you are gonna hear me out! Then if you want to deck me I won’t even hit back.” Adam grabbed his brother’s arm and spun him back around to face him.

“Don’t touch me!” Joe warned and then heard those words come back at him. He remembered having said that to each of his family members before. Back at another time of his life when he had refrained from any physical touch. Joe dropped his head down and pictures flashed randomly in his mind going back to the previous year and all that he had experienced.

Adam watched Joe’s struggle with his pent up memories and wondered if he had indeed hurt his brother inadvertently. He loosened his grip and put his arm around the young man’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to hurt you—honest I didn’t. I just think that the things that you have blocked away are only now coming back with a vengeance. I thought that if you knew why they were in your head again that it would help to release them.”

Joe sat down on his bedroll and rested his head in his hands. Fighting to hold back his tears and maintain what little pride he still had, he listened to what his brother had to say.

“Luke coming out of that guest room—well, I think it brought all of this back to you. You might not even know it, but maybe that is why you took an instant dislike to him. I think the fact that he was in prison started these thoughts in your head. Then, once Pa moved him into the house—especially that room—well—you understand?” Adam kneeled down next to his brother and spoke earnestly, hoping to get his point across without any further harm.

Joe nodded his head but took his time responding verbally. When, at last he looked back into the brown eyes of his brother, he addressed the issue. “I know what you are saying, Adam. And for all I know you might be right. But, even if you are, it still doesn’t help. I’ve tried so hard to push these thoughts away so I could go on with my life. Now, if this is happening without me even knowing I’m doing it—well I am going to go back to the way I was. And this time I just might not come back from it.”

“Just acknowledging that it might be the reason for your dreams just may be enough to make them go away. That doesn’t put you back to the way you were, Joe.”

Joe sighed deeply and then asked, “Did you and Pa talk about this?”

Adam nodded; he had to be truthful if he wanted to gain his brother’s trust. “Yes, Joe, we did. Pa thinks it just might be the cause of your dreams too. That’s why I asked him to bring you out here.”

“Promise me something, Adam?” Joe asked, his voice breaking.

“What?” Adam reached over and touched his brother’s shoulder for comfort.

“Promise me you won’t say that name again. Not ever. And don’t let Pa or Hoss. I want it left buried—like he is. I need that.” Joe was now whispering and he dropped his head down to break his brother’s stare.

“Okay, Joe.” Adam replied shaking his head still worried for his little brother. He saw a fear in the young man that seemed to increase as their conversation had gone on. “If that’s what you need, then that’s what we’ll do. But, you need to let some of this go. Keeping it in may not prove to be the best thing in the long run.”

Joe reached for the bottle of whiskey and drank heavily. He wanted to again drown the memories that he carried always. Passing the bottle back over to Adam, Joe patted his arm to thank him, not being able to say the words. Sinking back against his saddle to rest his head, Joe pulled the bedroll around him and rolled onto his side, signaling his brother that the conversation was over.

The night up with the herd was peaceful and Joe did not wake in fear as he had so many nights in the past. Feeling refreshed and ready for the day, he made the morning coffee and left for other chores, bidding his brother goodbye. Adam hoped that his brother’s restful sleep was an indication that he had been listening to their conversation and maybe had found some significance in it. Adam also broke camp and headed to meet up with his other brother at the branding corral.

Joe stepped into the ranch house expecting to see his father. He called out for him but found nobody was at home. Joe had a strong urge to just talk with Ben, about nothing in particular, just feel his presence. Everyone knew that the youngest Cartwright had one main source of strength, and that was his father. They really didn’t even need to verbally converse, their bond came more from the feeling that the two of them shared. Joe suddenly felt the need and urgency to see Ben. He was just now starting to think of all that Adam had spoken of the previous night and it was eating at his insides and fighting its way out.

Looking over towards the dining room Joe’s eyes focused in on the guest room sitting just over to the left of the table. He hadn’t been inside the room for almost a year. Now, something pulled him over to the room, something Joe tried to fight against. Surrendering to his desire to find out if what Adam had said was true, Joe reached for the doorknob and opened the door. Only taking one step into the room, Joe peered around reflecting on how the room seemed different than it was the night he stood with his father and recalled what had happened with Cade. The furniture, obviously at Ben’s insistence, had been rearranged. Curtains were now brightly colored and even the quilt on the bed was new. Joe closed his eyes as an insurgence of memories flooded his mind. He saw the room as it had been, not as it now was. It was at that moment, as he relived some of his worst nightmares, Joe felt a hand on his shoulder.

Locked in his memories and still feeling the violence which had long ago taken place in the room, Joe spun around. His hand, locked in a fist, flailed out at his assailant. Landing on the floor of the dining room was Luke Thrasher. He dabbed at the blood seeping from his bottom lip, a confused expression on his face.

“What the heck was that for, Joe? I was just coming in to tell you that your father wants to see you over at Cedar Creek.. He sent me to get you.” Luke said, slowly making his way up from the floor.

Joe let out a deep and regret filled breath as he stared over at the other man. He knew that it was not Luke’s fault that his touch had brought back the vision of Cade. Joe looked down at the floor, embarrassment tinging the color of his cheeks.

“I’m sorry—I didn’t hear you—guess I’m just a little jumpy. I really didn’t mean to hit you.” Joe apologized, avoiding the other man’s eyes. He was sure that Luke would end up assuming the son of his boss either hated him or was totally insane.

“Hey—it’s okay—Joe—really—no harm done.” Luke said quietly and Joe finally met his eyes. “You and me just haven’t really gotten to know each other. I think your family are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I wish I could get you to give me a chance.”

Joe nodded solemnly that he understood why the man was feeling rejected. “I’ll try, Luke. Let’s go on out and see what my father wants.” Joe walked with the man to the front door.

Stopping momentarily, Luke looked back at Joe and said, “Hey—nobody has to know about this.”

Joe forced a brief smile. “Thanks.” He replied and they both left to meet up with Ben.

Joe noticed first the set of his father’s strong shoulders as he approached Cedar Creek. Ben was calling out orders to a half a dozen men and he didn’t seem to be very happy. Joe reined his horse and tried to hear all of what his father was saying. The only words he could pick up on were inept and lazy. Luke dismounted and tied his reins to the fence line and Joe followed suit. Ben did not notice the two men as they neared him, he was much too busy correcting his crew.

“Next time there will be some docking of the pay around here.” Ben stated firmly and turned around and cast his eyes on Joe and Luke.

“What’s wrong, Pa?” Joe asked stepping closer. He watched as the intensity in Ben’s dark brown eyes began to smolder at the sight of his youngest son.

Ben broke from his role of boss and a tired smile played on his face. He had been worried about Joe, and even though Adam had already informed him of the talk he had with his brother, it didn’t dispel his concern. Now, looking into the hazel eyes of his youngest son, his worries lifted some. Reading Joe’s face, he saw how the boy’s only concern at the moment was his father’s troubles.

“Well, those men down there didn’t set the holes deep enough for the fence posts and the fences came right down with the first cow that leaned up against them.” Ben shook his head still upset at the slip-shod workmanship of his newer men.

Joe pulled off his jacket and looked back at Luke. “How about we show them how to do it right, Luke?’ Joe called and Luke smiled and nodded his agreement.

Ben saw the looks between both young men and was somewhat surprised by his son’s new found attitude toward Luke. He stopped and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder.

“Joe—I’d kinda like to speak with you a moment first—” Ben started and Luke walked off to give them privacy. Ben led Joe over to where Buck was tied so they would be alone.

“What is it?” Joe asked noting the way his father had lingered before speaking.

“Nothing—not really. Just wondered how you are doing. Adam says you slept through the night last night. No more nightmares?’ Ben’s words were chosen carefully, intending to not sound too prying, but that was hard to do.

Joe broke his father’s gaze and shrugged his shoulders trying to shake off the truth of the matter. He especially did not want the mention of Cade brought up. He was sure that Adam would have told their father that, but whether Ben would heed the warning was another matter.

“Joe?” Ben repeated and tilted his head a little trying to force Joe’s attention and read what was in his son’s eyes now.

“No nightmares, Pa.” Joe paused and hoped his father didn’t see the shade of guilt that he wore because of what had happened at the house with Luke. “I’d better get to those fences.” Joe started to walk away but found Ben’s hand turning him back.

“If you need to talk—” Ben offered and Joe broke in on his statement.

“I know, Pa.” Joe finally looked into his father’s eyes and saw both worry and love. “I’m okay—maybe it was just a passing thing.”

Ben patted Joe on the back and smiled, he knew better than to believe his son at such times, but always had been amused by Joe’s rather awful acting skills. “See you back home later.” Ben turned and mounted Buck as Joe hurried off to help Luke and the other men reset the fence posts.

Ten days of arduous work had its rewards and that came on payday. Adam and Hoss paid the eager ranch hands and headed into the ranch house to clean up for a badly needed sojourn into Virginia City. Tossing down their hats they called over to Joe, who sat in the living room resting.

“Go get ready, Little Brother!” Hoss called across the room. “The four of us are gonna do some celebrating after the last few weeks of work we just finished.”

Joe turned and shook his head. “I’m beat. You all go without me.” Joe closed his eyes and rested the back of his head on the settee. He was tired, but that was not the reason that he didn’t want to go into town. The night had been planned with Luke in mind; the Cartwright brothers and Luke. Though Joe had tried his damndest to be cordial to the man, there was still the underlying current of dislike that pulsed through Joe’s veins.

Hoss casually strode across the living room floor and lifting his little brother like a sack of grain, headed up the stairs.

“Put me down you idiot!” Joe screamed in Hoss’ ear.

“Nope—you are gonna have a good time tonight if it kills you.” Hoss answered chuckling as he ascended the stairs with Joe slung over his massive shoulder.

Ben peered around from the kitchen just in time to see the antics of his two sons. A smile danced on his lips and he looked over at Adam who seemed equally amused.

“Looks like Joe is going into town whether he wants to or not.” Ben laughed.

“It’ll be good for him.” Adam turned serious and walked over to stand next to his father.

“He hasn’t had any more nightmares has he, Son?” Ben asked quietly.

“No, but there is still something weighing on him. At least he is trying to be friendly towards Luke now. Maybe a night to unwind will help.”

The Silver Dollar Saloon was at her rowdiest on Friday nights, especially once the drovers showed up with their pockets filled with wages begging to be spent on drinks and women. The four men tied their horses up to the front of the bar and strolled in. Lucky to find one remaining table, they took their seats and signaled Sam the bartender over.

“Four beers—oh and Joe is paying.” Hoss gave a toothful smile and patted his brother’s shoulder.

“Me?” Joe’s voice was high-pierced in surprise. “Why me?”

“Cause you made me drag you here—now you have to pay your dues.”

Joe tossed a few silver dollars on the table as Sam made his way back with the drinks.

“Don’t forget the tip.” Adam remarked and saw Sam’s hand come out right in front of Joe’s nose. Frowning, Joe placed another dollar in the man’s palm.

“Next round is on you, Hoss.” Joe mentioned and sipped at his beer.

“I’ll get the next one.” Luke interjected. “You all have been so great to me, I really never met folks as kind as you.”

“Nonsense.” Adam grinned and drank heavily of his own drink. “You are one hard worker, Luke. We are just glad to have found you.”

“Yeah—but stop working quite so hard. Pa is starting to get the idea that his own sons are loafers after seeing what you get done each day. You are giving us a bad reputation.” Hoss joked and Luke smiled at the way they made him feel wanted.

“Joe, there’s that new girl I was telling you about.” Adam whispered as the saloon girl walked by. “Isn’t she something?” Adam watched as she walked away and had to refrain from whistling at her.

“Yeah, but too old for me. Why don’t you invite her over, Brother?” Joe’s eyes twinkled as he attempted to egg his brother into another embarrassing situation. Joe loved to see how Adam would back down once he was actually confronted by some of the women that he ogled. In some ways Joe figured Adam was all talk and no action. But, he had surprised him occasionally and had actually left the bar with one or two. Joe figured it was probably a harmless thing. He reasoned that Adam had just taken the women out to stare at the stars so he could recite some of the infernal poetry he loved so much.

“I will just enjoy the view, thank you.” Adam winked at his little brother.

Finishing the first round of drinks Luke signaled Sam back over and ordered and paid for the next round. Once they were bought and paid for, the four men sank back in their seats to relax. Luke reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a cigar. Lighting it, he blew out a familiar aroma.

The smoke shot across the table and Joe was frozen in time. There was Cade standing before him, puffing on his cigar and blowing it purposely in his victim’s face. Joe scrunched his eyes closed as tight as he could trying to send the memory back into his head. He saw the living room of the ranch house, he saw the guest room, he heard his own screams.

“Cigar smoke bother you, Joe?” Luke called over to him, noticing the appearance on his face. Joe never responded, he could not come out of his haunted thoughts. Reality had stepped away leaving the past in the forefront of Joe’s tormented mind.

Adam and Hoss exchanged perplexed glances. After a few moments, Adam reached over and gently shook his brother’s arm. “Joe? Joe—you okay?’

Struggling back from the black depths of fear, Joe opened his eyes and stood up abruptly.

“I gotta go.” He insisted and hurried out of the saloon. Both brothers followed him and watched as Joe threw himself up into his saddle and left at break-neck speed.

“Now what the devil was that about?” Hoss asked confused.

“I don’t rightly know. Let’s give him a little while then we will go find the kid.”

Hoss reluctantly turned back into the bar with his brother at his side. His worried expression followed him back over to the table.

“Joseph?” Ben asked as he walked down the stairs. He had already donned his robe and slippers and was planning on turning in early when he had heard the rapid approach of Cochise. Now Ben saw a very different Joe enter the front door. This Joe was not the same one who had left several hours earlier. “What is it, Son?”

“Pa—I need to get away for awhile—by myself. I want to go up to Sheepshead and stay in the line shack there. I can ride the fence line and make repairs.”

Ben lifted Joe’s chin and stared into the troubled green eyes. He had seen the look before on the boy, but not in a long while. “Please tell me what happened?” He asked softly.

“I just need to get away.” Joe turned his head breaking his father’s stare.

“Joseph—talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I just have to get away from all of this for awhile, Pa. Please don’t make me go into it.”

“All of what?” Ben demanded an answer.

“This!’ Joe shouted and pointed around the room. “This house—these memories—I can’t take it right now! It’s all coming back to me and it’s making me crazy!”

“Running away—will that take the memories away?”

“I’m not running away. I am just going up to ride fence for a few days. Now let me go get my gear. I want to get out of here before the others come back home.”

“Did someone do something? Say something? You have to tell me or I can’t help you.” Ben pleaded with his son for the answers to his questions. Joe dropped his head down to his chest and tried for some control which wasn’t fast in coming.

“Pa—remember when I was little—I asked you if there were ghosts? Remember you told me they didn’t exist?” Joe’s voice trembled as he spoke in a grim whisper.

“Yes—I remember.” Ben nodded wondering what Joe was referring to.

“They do, Pa. They do.” Joe stared up into his father’s sympathetic eyes and it wasn’t until that moment that Ben finally understood. Ben wrapped his protective arms around his youngest son and pulled him close.

“What brought him back, Joseph?” Ben whispered knowing it was Cade who had been haunting his boy.

“I don’t know—but I need to get away from it. You understand?”

“I understand.” Ben nodded and Joe broke free. Tears streamed down Joe’s cheeks as he dashed toward the staircase. Ben stood, crestfallen at the sight he had just witnessed. Cade was once again back in their lives and this time it wouldn’t be as easy to get rid of him.

Coming through the ranch house door, an hour after Joe’s departure to the line shack, were a very worried pair of brothers. Adam was first to spot their father and notice his careworn face as he stood to meet them.

“Have you seen Joe?” Hoss asked his father and saw how the man’s face took on an even more distressed look to it.

“He was here. He left out about an hour ago for Sheepshead. He suddenly decided he wanted to ride fence and be alone.” Ben paused and looked from one son to the other. “So—you both want to tell me what happened in town?”

The three men settled in the living room to discuss all that had happened that evening and try to decipher what had gone wrong.

“He was fine, Pa. Laughing and teasing Adam about the saloon girls one minute and then all at once he was in another world.” Hoss shook his head in dismay.

“Surely something happened to do that to him.” Ben protested and began the worried pacing back and forth in front of the great fireplace.

“I can’t think of anything. “ Hoss replied and stared over at Adam for support.

“What about you, Adam? Any idea of what set Joe off?”

Adam folded his arms across his chest and turned pensive. He closed his eyes trying to review all that had been said at the table to try to pin point something. He remembered Joe’s facial expression, how it had turned so cold and far away right after Luke lit his cigar.

“It won’t make any sense to you, Pa, but it was almost like right after Luke lit his cigar that Joe changed.” Adam remarked still confused by his brother’s sudden change.

Ben sat down stiffly in his chair. Shooting a look at both of his sons he reflected on Adam’s words. Closing his eyes to take his thoughts back to the family’s encounter with Cade, Ben became aware of the fact that neither son knew about the man’s affinity towards cigars. Ben could still see the way Cade had strode casually across the living room right after he had assaulted Joe. He had nonchalantly turned and lit his cigar from the flames of the fireplace as though nothing had happened in the guest room. Ben knew that the simple act of lighting a cigar by Luke had thrust Joe once more into the vivid memories that burned in his soul. Hoss had been injured that dreadful night and had no recollection of what had happened. And Adam had been in Virginia City at the time of the terrible event; only having come home as the convicts had started to ride out. Ben shook his head remorsefully. Only Joe, Ben and Cade’s partner Sam now knew of what had truly happened that night. Sam was back in Yuma Territorial Prison, whereas Joe and Ben were only prisoners to their own memories of the events that had taken place there in the house.

“Cade smoked cigars.” Ben finally choked out the words and saw his two sons drop their heads down. They now knew what had set Joe back and in their own hearts hated that they had not understood how he was feeling.

“I guess Luke reminded him again of something he has suppressed.” Adam nodded his understanding of the situation at hand. “Want us to go on up there and see if he is okay?”

Ben shook his head and turned introspective. He could feel Joe’s pain, as he bore it as well. The helplessness of the situation made Ben sigh in frustration. “Let him be. He needs some time by himself.”

Adam and Hoss sat in shock at their father’s acceptance of Joe’s absence. They knew how troubled Joe was and that would take its toll on both their brother as well as the father who loved him so.

“You sure?” Hoss eyes burned their question into his father’s heart.

“A few days. Just a few days, then we’ll go on up there.” Ben fought the internal desire to ride out in the dark of night to be with his youngest son. He knew he had to give him some time to try on his own first. It was hard to let go, but Ben knew he had to for Joe’s sake.

Two days and nights of solitude up at the line shack had settled Joe’s nerves a bit. He tried to force away all thoughts of anything other than the repairs, which had been needed, to the miles of fence line at Sheepshead. The first night had brought him confused nightmares but the second night he had slept straight through without any dreams at all.

Joe turned pensive as he sat back and sipped his coffee the third night of his stay. He tried to piece together what was bothering him in order to come to terms with it. He knew he couldn’t go back home unless he accomplished that task. He yearned to be back at the ranch house around all of those who loved him. But, he knew in his heart that they could do nothing to take away the memory of Cade which had suddenly returned to him. Joe wondered why he felt so haunted by past memories. In his struggle to lead a normal life, he had pushed aside the terrible ordeal and pretend that Cade’s assault had just been an awful nightmare. He purposely chose not to think of it as something that had really happened. It was safer to his well being to pretend it had really never taken place. This had been easily accomplished with the help of his father and brothers. They, too, had kept the memories at bay in order to help Joe. Now Joe worried that if Cade had returned to him that he might filter down to the rest of his family. Joe shook his head to erase that awful thought. He knew that the attack, which he had endured, was really, just as Ben had insisted, and attack on the whole Cartwright family.

Sitting alone at the little table in the cabin Joe closed his eyes to try to mentally remove the sights, sounds and smells of the man who had victimized him. It was at this moment that a knock sounded on the door. Thinking it was probably a worried father, or a brother or two, Joe stood and anxiously walked to the door. Part of him wanted them to go away, but the greater part of him was so glad that they cared. Turning the doorknob and pulling the wooden door forward, Joe was shocked to see Luke Thrasher standing there in front of him.

“Luke? What are you dong here?” Joe asked, still not stepping aside for the man to enter the room.

“Just thought maybe you’d like some company. Oh—and I brought this!” Luke smiled warmly and handed Joe a bottle of whiskey. Joe looked at it, and despite the over-all urge to tell the man to leave, he bid him to come inside.

“It’s kinda late isn’t it?” Joe mentioned as they sat at the table and he handed Luke a cup.

“Yeah, well I kinda was hoping we could talk.” Luke replied and accepted the drink that Joe poured.

Joe looked into his own cup and moved the liquid around nervously before taking a sip. He tried not to fall back into the drinking problem that he formerly had. Joe figured that the whiskey might at least bring forth the real reason that Luke had decided to pay him a visit.

“What’s on your mind?” Joe’s tone turned serious, and he tried to read the other man’s eyes. They seemed so dark and cold and did not match the broad smile that the man often wore.

“I’m gonna be leaving here soon, Joe. I sure have enjoyed meeting you all, but it’s time I moved on.”

“Where are you going?” Joe tried not to reveal his hidden joy at the thought of the man leaving. Though Joe had always tried to pretend he liked the man, there was just something about him that he couldn’t fully trust.

“I’m about to come into some money so I am going to go start a spread of my own. Thinking about Utah or thereabouts.”

“Have you told my father or my brothers yet?”

“Naw—guess I feel funny about saying goodbye. You know Joe being with your brothers almost helped me to stop thinking about my own brother for awhile. You are lucky that they are still with you. You have no idea how it hurts when your only brother—your only living relative is gone.” Luke drank more and Joe saw that there was indeed real pain on Luke’s face. Joe felt a twinge of sorrow for the man. He poured Luke more whiskey and the man continued.

“Me and my brother were a lot like you and yours. We were only half-brothers, Adam told me about each of you having different mothers. Well, my brother and I had the same Ma but different fathers.”

“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t want to even think about how I would feel if I lost one of mine.” Joe confessed thinking of the bond that he shared with both Adam and Hoss.

“I sure do miss my brother. But, you know, I found out that you met him once. Did you know that?” Luke made direct eye contact and Joe’s expression showed confusion.

“I did? What was his name?” Joe countered.

Luke placed his cup on the table rather abruptly and forced a look on Joe that had all of a sudden become menacing. “Cade. Cade Burroughs.” Luke announced and enjoyed what the word had done to Joe.

Joe’s mouth dropped open and he let out an involuntary gasp. The vein on the side of his neck began to pulse so hard he felt he would faint from the pressure to his head. Joe fought to take it all in and figure out the game that Luke was now playing with him. Standing up and forcing his chair backwards Joe finally spoke.

“You get the hell out of here!” Was all Joe could come up with at the time, but his true instincts had taken over as he reached for his gun and pointed it at the man who still sat at the table.

“Not till I’m done. Trust me you had better listen to me, it’s worth your while to sit down and shut up and let me tell you how this game is played.”

Game—my God! He sounds just like his brother. This is the part that I couldn’t figure out—this is the unseen reason for my nightmares. This was the reason for the things Luke said, the cigar—the guest room—everything! He planned this all out. Joe thought to himself as he tried to control his finger on the trigger of his Colt revolver.

“What do you want?” Joe finally spat out.

“Well, at first, I wanted to kill your old man. I met up with my brother’s friend Sam when I was finishing out my time in Yuma Prison. He told me about the whole thing. Well, I figured since it was Ben who had killed my brother that it was Ben who must die. Then I decided—well hell—I’d just kill all four of you. But, I changed my mind after getting to know them all. You know I don’t hold it against them anymore. No—it really wasn’t their doing. It was all your fault! If you hadn’t gone off about what happened between Cade and you then your kin wouldn’t have gone after him. Hoss recovered, the money that they took wasn’t enough to really even affect you all. So, I figured I’d kill you.”

“Try it.” Joe gave a deadly smile. At that moment he looked forward to burying Luke in an unmarked grave just like his brother Cade.

“I said I figured I’d kill you. But, I changed my mind. No—instead, I will just get you to give me some money. Enough for me to start over, you owe me that much anyway. So I guess about three thousand dollars ought to be a big enough grub stake for me.”

Joe laughed out loud staring viciously at Luke. “Yeah—sure! I’ll give you three thousand dollars! You are just as stupid as your brother was; and will end the same as him too.”

Luke sadistically grinned. He readied to tell Joe the reason why he was sure that he would indeed get paid. “Joe—I have been doing a lot of digging around since I got here a month ago. Besides ingratiating myself with your family, I learned a lot of interesting facts about you and my brother.”

Joe’s trigger finger twitched nervously and he had to fight with all the control he had left in his body to resist killing Luke as he went on. A sadistic smile creased Luke’s mouth which was a replica of the one Joe had seen a year ago on Cade’s face.

“Seems no-one knows about what went on in that little guest room in your house. Well, no-one other than your family, Sam and myself now. You done real good at keeping it all a secret and protecting that wonderful image with all the towns folks. Now what do you think they would think about you if they heard the truth?”

“The truth!” Joe shouted and pointed his gun at the man’s head. “The truth that your brother was a deviant bastard? You mean that truth?”

Luke stood and squared off with Joe, totally disregarding the gun in the other man’s hand. “Well—that may be your version of the truth. Mine, however, will be a mite different. I’m going to paint a totally different story about you and my brother. I promise you that when I am done those people in Virginia City will see you in a whole new light!”

“You are as sick and twisted as that brother of yours. No-one will believe your filthy lies!” Joe argued and Luke responded with laughter.

“You sure of that Joe? Is it worth risking? Cause if it is I will go on out tonight and just see how many people will believe me.”

Joe closed his eyes feeling a deep sickness in the pit of his stomach. Despite the fact that almost everyone in town knew and respected Joe and the rest of the Cartwrights; Joe worried that there just might be some who would eagerly choose to listen to Luke’s vile rendition of what happened with Cade.

“But, if you decide that it’s not worth the risk, you bring me the three thousand dollars by dusk tomorrow and I will leave and never return.”

“Like I could trust you!” Joe yelled and came close to letting a bullet fly out of his weapon.

“You can trust that if I don’t have that money tomorrow that I will be in town that same night.” Luke threatened. “Now—I think I’ll just stay out here tonight. You go on back to the ranch and get the money. Dusk tomorrow right here. And don’t sick your father or brothers on me, or I will make you very sorry.”

Joe grabbed his holster and coat and hurried out of the room. He made it just to the corral before emptying his stomach. The evil was back, and this time it was in the form of Cade’s brother.

Ben turned the doorknob and peered into his son’s room. He almost thought he had imagined hearing his youngest son returning the previous night but wasn’t sure. Glad to see Joe laying there asleep on his bed, Ben walked closer. The sun cast it’s rays through the curtain and onto the young man’s face. Trying to block the arrival of morning Joe threw his arm over his eyes and moaned. Ben sat down next to his son on the bed and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“You got in awfully late, Joseph. Are you all right?” Ben whispered and saw Joe slowly drop his arm down and turn toward his father’s voice.

“I guess it was around three when I got here.” Joe replied groggily. He stared up at the concerned man sitting next to him. Joe remembered now all that had taken place the previous night and knew what he had to do. He wished with all of his heart that he could just fall into Pa’s strong arms and spill out the terrible details. Joe wanted the pain and the worry to go away. Knowing how so many times in the past that his father had fought his son’s battles and even killed his worst enemy, made Joe wish even harder that he could just give it up to him. But Joe couldn’t do that this time. Luke had made this personal, and he still remembered his threats about bringing in his family in on the blackmail.

“You still look exhausted, Son.” Ben reached down and, out of habit, pulled the covers up around his son. “We were all going out to the herd today for a while. But I can stay if you want me to?”

Joe knew that would be the last thing he would want of his father that day. There was a matter of getting a hold of three thousand dollars, and Joe would need to do it when no-one was around. “No, Pa. You all go ahead. Think I will get a couple more hours, then I’ll join you.”

Ben nodded and brushed the hair off Joe’s forehead without ever even thinking about it. It was what Ben did to show affection in his own way and to let his son know he was still there for him. “Okay, Joseph. You go on and go back to sleep. I’ll see you later on.” Ben stood and watched as his son rolled onto his side and started to fall back off to sleep.

Joe kneeled on the floor by his father’s safe and slowly began the series of combinations to open it. He felt odd in doing this. He was, for all intents and purposes, stealing money from his own father. Joe had no choice and would worry about explaining it at a later time; after Luke had left for good. Joe pulled back the heavy steel door and opened a leather satchel. Counting out the money he needed, Joe put away the rest of it and closed the door again.

Securing the money in his coat, Joe’s memory took him back again. He remembered now so vividly calling out the combination to Sam the night he and Cade had stormed the ranch. Joe winced his eyes as tight as he could to force the flash-back away. He had to stay focused on what had to be done. Joe knew he would not be able to keep his promise to his father. There was no way he could go out to the herd and make it up to the Sheepshead line camp before dusk.

Joe strapped on his holster and pulled his hat down over one eye. There was nothing he could do now but go on with the scheduled drop off. He knew that if he had come clean about it to his father that Ben would insist on not paying. It would not have been because of the money, just the mere principal of falling victim to a blackmail scheme. The idea of it repulsed Joe as well, but he had been painted into a corner and only saw one way out.

Joe dismounted in front of the line shack and checked his six-shooter. He wanted to make sure that if Luke gave him any more trouble that he would be ready to end it promptly. Stepping inside the cabin Joe spotted Luke sitting at the table tilted back in the chair smiling at his visitor.

“You made it! And just in time. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.” Luke laughed sarcastically and reached for the money that Joe tossed on the table.

“Now get out of my life!” Joe threatened and let his hand rest alongside his holster for effect.

Slowly and methodically, Luke counted the bills until he was sure they were all there. He stuffed them inside of his jacket and looked once more at Joe. “Joe, I am sorry to do this. Really I am, but I kinda miscalculated. I need five thousand dollars not three. So, you are gonna have to go back and get the last two.”

“Damn you!” Joe yelled and started to lunge toward the other man but saw Luke pull his gun from its hidden spot under the table.

“Don’t make me kill you. It would be a stupid mistake. I would be out the other two thousand and your Pa would be out one son. Now, you bring me that money by tomorrow at noon. I’ll be at the outskirts of Virginia City on the east road. If you are there with the money I will ride out, then and there. You will never see me again—to tell you the truth I never want to see you either. If you’re not there with the money I will ease my way into town and tell everyone I meet about you and my brother. I can be very convincing you know?” Luke stood and threatened once more.

Joe turned angrily out of the cabin slamming the door behind him. If Luke hadn’t had his gun Joe was sure he would have forgotten all that his father had taught him over the years and would have shot down the other man in cold blood. Joe swung up into his saddle and spurred Cochise away from the line shack before he had the chance to change his mind and kill Luke.

No-one had seen Joe’s return the previous night and it was only the presence of Cochise in his stall that let them know that he had come home. When Ben had gone up the stairs to check on his son, he found Joe’s door locked. Calling into the room, Ben had been answered by Joe and told to go away. Reluctantly, Ben had decided to leave his son alone and wait for the right time to have a talk with him.

Adam and Hoss had gone out the next morning and worked on stacking the hay in the barn. They wanted to be around when Ben got the chance to talk to their brother. Neither man knew exactly what had been going on the past few days, but there had been the mention by their father of some money missing from the safe and they knew it had to be Joe who had taken it.

Joe made his way down the long staircase and turned toward his father’s study upon hearing his name called. Numb from the events of the previous two days, Joe ventured over to where Ben sat at his desk.

“Yeah?” Joe asked frowning at what his father was about to ask.

“Sit down, Joseph.” Ben addressed his son sternly and shot a long hard glance at him. He could see the dark circles under Joe’s eyes and the complete look of anguish on his face. Joe sat down and broke his father’s stare by forcing his eyes on the wood flooring.

“I have already asked both Adam and Hoss what I am about to ask you, so don’t think you are being singled out. There is some money missing from the safe. Three thousand dollars to be exact. I just wanted to find out if you knew anything about it.”

“I took it.” Joe remarked flatly. He had no intention of lying to his father about the money though he was not about to tell him the real reason for taking it.

“Would you like to tell me why?” Ben asked feeling somewhat annoyed with the way his son wouldn’t even face him.

Joe thought for a few minutes. He knew it would have to be a real good believable lie that he would have to come up with. “I had some gambling debts. I had forgotten about them but the ones I owed didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it, but I was going to when I got the chance.”

Ben stood and walked to the corner of his desk and folded his arms to his chest. He shook his head more in sadness than in anger. “Joseph—” He started and reached down to redirect Joe’s eyes toward him. “I know that you are lying to me. I have no idea why, but I know you are lying. You haven’t even been in a poker game in ages—now how about the truth?”

Joe closed his eyes blocking the intensity shooting from the brown eyes of his father. He truly hated lying to the man. He truly wished he could just spit out the truth and let Pa take over and do something to Luke. But he knew that Luke might very well tell his vile story as he had threatened, and beyond that Joe wasn’t at all sure if the family would ever be safe with that evil man loose on the ranch.

“It was a while ago—Pa—I promise that somehow, I will pay you back. It will take me awhile, but I will.” Joe struggled to keep his guard up. He couldn’t let his father see the haunted truth in his misty eyes.

“Money? This isn’t about money, Joseph. It is about truth and telling me what is going on with you.” Ben insisted trying to break through to his youngest.

“The truth is that if I don’t come up with another two thousand dollars today that these guys I owe will come after me. I was going to come to you about it—but didn’t know how.”

“So now you are saying that you are into them for five thousand dollars?” Ben asked exasperated. He now put his hands on his hips and started to get upset.

“Yes, that’s what I am saying.” Joe stood and looked up seriously into Ben’s eyes. “Will you loan me the rest?”

“I’ll give you the rest.” Ben corrected and kneeled down to open the safe. Counting out two thousand dollars he stood back up and reached for Joe’s left hand. “Here.” Ben said and placed it in the boy’s palm. “I know you are lying to me, I can’t imagine why. I thought you trusted me. Evidently I was wrong.” Ben’s voice broke from the hurt that it displayed.

“I’m sorry, Pa. It won’t happen again. I do trust you—but sometimes—” Joe could not continue with his statement. His throat had a lump in it from what he was doing and how he was hurting someone he loved by lying to him. “I’m sorry.” Joe whispered and turned and hurried out of the house before his father could see the tears as they left his eyes.

Adam watched as Joe all but ran out of the ranch house and mounted his horse. He brought up a cloud of dust as he shot past his brother heading the other way. Adam walked briskly into the house to find out what was going on with his brother.

Ben sat at his desk, his head in his hands emotionally spent. He didn’t have the foggiest notion of what was going on with Joe. He only knew that the boy was in some kind of terrible trouble and was trying his best to handle it all on his own. Ben worried about all of the days that his son seemed to be at his wits end. He knew it was taking its toll on Joe and that he was close to the breaking point. That didn’t take away from the hurt Ben felt in hearing his youngest son lie blatantly to him, nor did it explain his actions. It only led to more worry as to what he could do to help pull him back to safety.

“Pa?” Adam called to shake his father free of his troubled thoughts. “What’s going on with Joe? Did you ask him about the money?”

“Yes—he took it. He said he had some gambling debts. He also asked me for two thousand dollars more to settle up with the men he owes.”

“And you believed that?” Adam returned in total disbelief as he sat down on the corner of his father’s desk.

“No, of course I didn’t. But he was so adamant about needing it, I had to give it to him.” Ben sighed wearily and noticed Adam’s face take on a frustrated appearance.

“How about I follow him and see what this is all about?”

Ben stood wearily and put his hand on his eldest son’s shoulder. “Can you keep out of sight? I don’t want Joseph to know.”

Adam laughed at the thought of what his father was asking him. “C’mon, Pa! I’ve been following that kid for twenty years now. You put me in charge of him since he was old enough to crawl across the floor. I’ll just watch and see who he meets up with. Then I will come back and let you know.”

“Thank you.” Ben smiled at the young man who had more than done his share of protecting Joe over the years.

Adam did not respond in words. He simply nodded and headed out of the house to follow his youngest brother.

Cochise seemed to sense the urgency of the ride out to Virginia City. He kept the fast pace that his rider urged by tapping lightly at the horse’s sides. The rider and horse made it to the appointed spot just as the sun was dead up in the sky. Joe spotted Luke’s horse as it approached from the other direction. A few minutes later the chestnut steed was side by side the pinto.

“Good timing!” Luke announced and reached over as Joe removed the money from his jacket. Luke counted it , as he had done before and then looked back over at his nemesis. “A deal is a deal. This is where we part.” Luke nodded and stuffed the money into his saddlebag.

“The next time I see you, I will kill you.” Joe’s words came out filled with the intense and pure hatred he felt for the other man.

Luke grinned in response to the threat. “Didn’t you say that very thing to my brother, Joe? But you didn’t do it, it took your Daddy to do that for you. I’m leaving—maybe some time we will meet up and you can see if you’re man enough to follow through on that threat?” Luke’s laughter froze Joe’s blood, and he watched as the man rode off away from Virginia City.

Joe reached down, patted the pinto’s neck, and spoke to him. “It’s over, Cochise. Let’s go home.” Joe turned the horse back toward the Ponderosa.

Adam had witnessed the money drop off but had been too far away to hear what the two men had said in their conversation. He only knew that it didn’t seem like a friendly encounter. Adam waited in the tree line until Cochise had passed and then also turned back to the ranch to talk with his father.

Dinner that evening was a quiet one for all of the Cartwrights. Though Joe was present he didn’t speak. He pushed his food around on his plate but ate little. Adam and Hoss kept their eyes intent on the troubled young man in front of them. And Ben waited and wondered just how he would broach the conversation he would need to have with his youngest later. Joe did not suspect that the other three men at the table now knew exactly what he had done with the five thousand dollars. He only thought on how he was going to try to get back in his father’s good graces after having lied to the man. Joe also wondered how he was going to forget all that had happened with Luke. He prayed that the man had done as he had promised and left the area for good.

“Well, I’m for bed,” Hoss announced standing up and shot his older brother a look. Adam keyed into it and knew it was a signal to leave their brother alone with their father now.

“Yeah—I’m beat. Goodnight, Pa. Goodnight, Joe.” Adam said and he and Hoss walked away from the table.

“Joseph? You don’t seem very hungry.” Ben commented and Joe finally looked over at him.

“Guess I’m not. Think I’ll turn in too.” Joe replied and pushed back his chair.

“I need to speak with you first.” Ben countered and stood up. Without another word he headed toward his study and Joe knew he was expected to follow suit.

When Joe sat down in the chair by his father’s desk he noticed the look in Ben’s eyes. It was a look he had seen so many times in his life, and it meant that the truth was now going to be demanded and not simply asked.

“Did you pay off those men?” Ben started, not breaking his stare into the hazel eyes.

“Pa—we’ve already gone through this once today. Can we just bury it now?” Joe said almost pleading for release from another go round about the lie that he had told Ben.

“I’m afraid not, Son. This one can’t just go unaddressed. I know you gave the money to Luke. And now I need you to stop with the lies and tell me the truth.”

Joe’s face gave way to the complete shock he felt after hearing what Ben had said. He had no clue as to how his father could have found out about him giving the money to Cade’s brother.

“How—how did you find out?” Joe little more than whispered.

“That does not matter. Now out with it. And just to let you know, the two of us are going to sit here all night if we have to until I hear the truth.” Ben was serious in his tone now and unrelenting in his questions.

“I paid him to leave. Okay?” Joe started to raise his voice in anger at being put on the spot. “That’s the truth. Leave it alone now.” Joe stood up and his father blocked his path so he couldn’t run off anywhere.

“All right—you paid him to leave. I believe that part—as I see it on your face now that you aren’t lying. But, now you are going to tell me why.” Ben’s voice also went up several octaves matching Joe’s temper.

“What the hell does it matter? I did it—it’s over! I told you I’d pay you back. Now drop it!”

“It’s not over, Joseph. Not till I know what is going on. Why did you pay him five thousand dollars to leave? I would have sent him packing if I knew you were so troubled by his presence here. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

“Sense?” Joe broke out in a stream of bitter laughter. “My whole damn life doesn’t make any sense so why should any of this?”

“What did he do to you? What did he say to you?” Ben clutched Joe’s shoulders and begged his son to release the secret he was keeping. “Was he black mailing you about something? I know no other reason you would have done this.”

Joe looked up at his father and he didn’t even have to verbally respond to Ben’s final question, as he could see that he had hit the target. Joe fell into his father’s arms and cried.

“Please, Pa—please don’t ask me anything more. I just can’t take it. I’m trying to fight just to keep from losing what little sanity I have left. Please let this be. It’s over—it’s over.”

Ben sighed deeply as he stroked the back of Joe’s head and felt his son’s quivering continue. Though he wanted so badly to find out what had happened with Luke, Ben decided it really wasn’t worth putting his boy through any more anguish. He prayed that it was as Joe had said, over.

“Okay—it’s okay now. We’ll just forget it. All I care about is you and I can’t bear to see you this way. Maybe with Luke gone your nightmares will go away too? I still don’t know why he brought all of this back in your mind—or what he did. But, I want you back the way you were before he showed up here. I want to see you smile again.”
Joe’s thoughts were of two very different things at that moment. First, was the thought of how protected and safe he felt with his father holding him and telling him that it would all be okay. The next thought was how he would ever be able to push aside the two distinct and horrible memories of both Cade and his brother Luke.

“Let’s get you up to bed. Hopefully you will get a full night’s sleep now that it’s all over.” Ben whispered and walked with his son up the stairs.

Three peaceful days followed the one where Joe had paid Luke and had the confrontation with his father. Joe had tried his best to get back to the way that he had been before Luke had come into his life. It was a major task, but one Joe knew he needed to accomplish in order to push aside the remaining memories of Cade as well. The other three Cartwrights kept a watchful eye out for the youngest member. They wanted to be sure that he was not falling into the deep depression that he had in the past when reliving his nightmare with Cade.

The spring dance came up a little too quickly for Joe, but he knew he had promised Cassie that he would escort her to it, and he always kept his promises. Joe finished dressing and appeared in the living room just as Adam and Hoss were preparing to leave.

“We’ll meet you a little later, Joe.” Hoss said as he pulled on his coat. “Adam’s got to buy me them three beers he owes me first.”

“Yeah.” Adam nodded and reached for his hat. “That’s the last time I ever make a wager that Hoss can’t drink three beers in under a minute too!” Adam laughed and the two oldest sons left for Virginia City.

Ben walked in from the kitchen and cast a look over at Joe. He was dressed in his best suit and was a handsome sight to behold. Joe rarely had gone to any dances or parties in the past year and Ben had made it a point not to address that issue. He figured that Joe would get back into the swing of dating when he was good and ready.

“I am so happy to see you going out tonight, Joe. It’ll do you good.” Ben smiled as he approached the boy.

“Yeah—well—I don’t really feel like going. But you know I promised Cassie, and she would come after me with a gun if I stood her up.” Joe responded only half joking about his friend.

“Well, I am still pleased. Now go and have a good time. Fletcher has hitched up the buggy and it’s all ready for you.”

“Thanks, Pa.” Joe nodded and tried for a faint smile to try to reassure his father that he was all right.

A typical Saturday night at the Silver Dollar Saloon meant loud music, a lot of conversation filling the air and a packed house of rowdy cow hands and miners to liven the place up. And it was a typical Saturday night as Hoss and Adam strode into the saloon and found a place at the bar.

“A beer for me—oh and three for my brother here.” Adam laughed as he gave Sam his order.

“One at a time, Brother. I ain’t in no hurry this time!” Hoss corrected and accepted the mug that Sam pushed in front of him.

Adam sipped his beer and looked around the room amused by all the activity. “I think half the men here are already drunk and it’s not even eight o’clock yet.”

“Think you’re right. Guess they couldn’t find dates for that dance, huh?” Hoss grinned.

“Well—we don’t have dates either but that’s not going to stop us, right?”

“Never has—hey we got to go and check on Joe in a little while. Sure am glad he is finally getting out a little.” Hoss stated as his thoughts went back to his little brother.

“Yeah—it has been awhile.” Adam nodded and then felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and saw the man standing next to him who was trying to get his attention. It turned out to be Steve Malone one of the cow hands from a neighboring ranch.

“Did I hear you say that your brother Joe is going to a dance?” He asked and Adam could smell the pungent odor of stale alcohol on the man’s breath.

“Yeah—what about it?” Adam asked bewildered by the question.

“Now why would he do a thing like that? Not to see the ladies I’m sure.” Steve answered and let out a deep laugh and his friend joined in.

“No—I hear tell that Joe has his eyes on other things.” The other man threw in to the conversation.

“Mind telling us what the big joke is?” Adam asked starting to get irritated.

“Maybe he went to check out the ones who are bringing the girls instead?” Steve continued.

“Yeah—that’s why I ain’t going myself! Don’t want him asking me for a dance!”

With that statement two sets of fists went flying. The Cartwright brothers lit into both of the cowhands with a vengeance. Hoss grabbed Steve up, lifted him over his head, and slammed him down to the floor. Adam sent a right cross at the other man’s face and he fell into the next table spilling the contents of the drinks that had been on it. Then the three cowboys who had been at that table charged the Cartwright brothers and they, too, were sent flying across the room. Sam charged out from behind the bar protesting the melee.

“Don’t bust up my saloon—you boys take this outside!” He pleaded with them all.

Steve charged Adam this time and the two of them went flying out the swinging doors and crashed into the street. Hoss followed and watched his older brother pummel the man.

Finally letting up on Steve, Adam fought for control of his temper. He kneeled down next to the man on the street and pulled him up by his shirt. “Now you tell me why you said those things or I will be forced to turn my brother on you to finish what I started.” Adam warned.

Steve spit out the blood from his mouth and coughed trying to bring air back into his lungs. “A guy was in here yesterday. He told us all what your brother Joe is really like. It was that hand of yours—the one that was in prison.”

“Luke?” Hoss gasped and kneeled next to his brother so he could hear better.

“Yeah—that’s him. He said that he had a brother named Cade and that him and Joe—well—” The man stopped at that point afraid of what his next words would cost him.

“His brother!” Adam yelled and turned to look directly at Hoss. “He said Cade was his brother?”

“Yeah—he also said your brother Joe and him had been awfully close—if you know what I mean? And that once your Pa found out what Joe had been doing with the man that he tracked Cade down and killed him to keep the truth from ever coming out.”

“Them’s lies, Steve!” Hoss said viciously and wanted to punch the man again. Adam pulled Hoss back.

“Who all did he tell?” Adam asked the cowboy.

“He told everyone who would listen to him. Then those people told other people—and now it’s all over town.” Steve pulled himself to standing, now totally sober after the violent beating he had taken.

“We gotta get to Joe.” Hoss whispered worried about what would happen once Joe got to the dance. The two untied their horses and rode to the end of town.

Joe pulled up in front of Cassie’s house and tied off the reins. He jumped down from the seat and hurried toward the door. Realizing he was a little late, he didn’t want to make the girl mad. Bounding up the stairs Joe pounded on the front door. When it opened Joe stood face to face with the girl’s father.

“Mr. Brendon, is Cassie ready?” Joe asked and the other man started to close the door, but not before Joe spied Cassie sitting on the couch. She appeared to be crying.

“I’ll speak with you outside.” Cassie’s father insisted and closed the door.

“Is she okay?” Joe asked worried about the scene he had just witnessed.

“Joe, you are not to ever see my daughter again. And don’t let me catch you coming around here!” The man stated angrily.

“Huh? Mr. Brendon—what’s wrong? What’s happened?” Joe pleaded for an answer.

“Go away or I will get the sheriff.” The man said and walked back into the house and slammed the door.

Joe stood outside for several minutes wondering just what had gone on and why the man would turn on him the way he had. Joe had always been welcomed to the house and as far as he knew Mr. Brendon liked him. Sighing and trying to recover from the shock of the situation, Joe decided to go to the dance. He hoped that someone there would know what was wrong with Cassie.

Joe walked through the doors of the huge livery stable which had been converted over that evening for the spring dance. The place was absolutely packed and Joe had trouble making his way across the room to where his best friend, Mitch Devlin, stood. Joe threw his hand on Mitch’s shoulder as he always had. But, this time Mitch was quick to push the hand away.

“Leave me alone will you, Joe?” Mitch whispered and his eyes looked around with the hope that no-one had seen Joe’s gesture.

“What the hell is wrong?” Joe spat back angrily. “What’s eating you anyway?”

“Just leave me alone.” Mitch replied and briskly walked away from his former friend.

Hoss and Adam had just arrived in time to witness the rejection of their brother, and they rushed over toward him to take him to safety.

“Joe—we gotta talk to you—” Hoss started and saw Joe begin to walk the other way.

“Not now—I gotta go find out what is wrong with Mitch.” Joe said but Adam grabbed his arm to pull him back.

“Joe—something has come up. We have to talk to you outside.” Adam’s words came out sharply.

“What’s wrong?” Joe asked his eyes searching both men’s faces.

“Just come on.” Adam insisted and they sandwiched Joe between them as they headed for the door.

Once outside Joe noticed that Adam’s horse, Sport, was already tied up behind the buggy Joe had driven to the dance. He turned around and faced his brothers.

“Nothing happened to Pa—did it?” Joe was worried that it would have to be something that awful to have the two of them rush him out as they had.

“No—Pa is fine. Get in the buggy.” Adam stepped into the rig and Joe reluctantly also got in. Hoss mounted his horse to follow close behind his brothers.. Adam sent the team of horses forward. Every time Joe would ask Adam a question he told him he would tell him soon. Adam’s intentions were to first get his brother on Ponderosa land and then reveal to him what had happened in town.

“Whoa.” Adam called to the team and pulled the reins back. He tied them off and watched as Hoss dismounted and approached the buggy. Joe had his fill with waiting for answers to his numerous questions. Temper flaring, he shot an unfriendly glance at Adam.

“Now tell me what the hell is going on!” Joe yelled and watched as his brothers looked at each other and then back at him.

“We’re going to have to try to talk about this calmly, Joe. A whole lot has happened and first we are going to need some facts from you.” Adam started and noticed Joe’s facial expression turned to confusion.

“Facts? What facts?” Joe replied.

“When did you find out that Luke was Cade’s brother?”

Joe’s mouth dropped wide open. He could not understand how Adam had that information, the information he had tried so hard to keep from them all. “How did you find out?” Joe finally responded, his voice starting to tremble.

“That five thousand dollars that you paid him—was it to keep him from letting everyone know who he was?” Adam persisted needing to know all that Joe had hidden from them.

Joe stepped down from the buggy and started to walk away from his brothers.

“Not this time!” Hoss yelled and grabbed Joe forcing him back over to the buggy.

“Leave me alone!” Joe shouted fighting Hoss all the way.

“We have to know!” Adam yelled insistently. He saw how the situation was going to get out of hand as Joe was forced to finally come clean with it all.

“Yes—he came up to Sheepshead to the line shack. He told me then. So I paid him to leave. Now what is all this about and how did you find out? You’d better start talking, Adam!” Joe warned.

“You paid him to leave so that he wouldn’t say anything about what happened with Cade, right?” Hoss jumped in and tried to bring some sense of calm to the conversation.

Joe turned and looked into Hoss’ blue eyes. It was then that Joe realized what must have happened. He could read on Hoss’ face how badly the big man felt for him. Joe closed his eyes as tears started to come out involuntarily. It all was starting to make some kind of horrible sense to him. He thought back on what had happened at Cassie’s house and later on with Mitch.

“He did it anyway.” Joe sobbed and felt Hoss’ arms around him pulling him toward his massive chest.

“We’ll fix it Short Shanks.” Hoss promised, but looking over at Adam, it began to dawn on him that there wasn’t going to be any easy fix of the situation now that the whole town had heard Luke’s awful rendition of the story. Adam stepped down from the buggy and joined his two brothers.

“How did you know?” Joe finally asked staring over at Adam.

“Let’s just go home.” Adam replied softly not wanting to put more on his little brother at the moment. He could see that the boy was just about ready to emotionally snap.

“Tell me!” Joe yelled and broke from Hoss’ embrace.

“A couple of guys in the saloon.” Was all that Adam could get out before Joe started to run away into the woods.

“Grab him, Hoss!” Adam yelled and the two men ran after their brother. It took a good ten minutes to catch Joe, and it was only accomplished by splitting up and catching him as he rounded a corner.

“Let me go!” Joe screamed as he battled Hoss’ grip.

“Do it, Hoss.” Adam insisted and Hoss knew what he was being told to do.

Killing him on the inside, Hoss reared his fist back and knocked his brother out cold. It had to be done. They knew that Joe was beyond all reasoning and it was the only way to get him to settle down long enough to get him home. Adam caught the boy as he fell back and carried him over to the buggy. Hoss wiped a tear from off his own cheek as he watched Adam lift Joe into the seat and send the team onward.

Ben put down his book after hearing the horses outside. He stared over at the grandfather clock and was puzzled as to why his sons had returned so early. Walking to the door he saw Adam come in first followed by Hoss with Joe carried in his arms.

“What happened?” Ben all but shouted as he looked at his unconscious son.

“Hoss—go get him in bed. Then come down and we’ll all talk.” Adam directed his brother and then reached for his father’s arm. “Let’s sit down, Pa.”

Ben reached out to touch Joe’s face as Hoss walked by. “He’s hurt!”

“He’ll be okay. He’s just going to be out awhile.” Adam replied seeing the anguish on his father’s face as he watched Hoss carry the boy up the stairs.

Hoss was quickly back after making Joe comfortable in his bed. He walked over to join the other two men by the fireplace. Reluctantly Ben sat down and looked up at both of his sons.

“Out with it. Who did that to Joseph?” Ben demanded an answer.

“I did, Pa.” Hoss responded with heavy remorse in his voice.

“What!” Ben exploded.

“Don’t blame Hoss, Pa. Just hear us out. This is not going to be pleasant. Hoss, go bring us some whiskey from the cabinet.”

Hoss brought back a bottle and three glasses and poured for his family and instantly began to drink from his own glass. He ached at the thought of hitting his little brother, even though he knew he had to do it for Joe’s own good.

Ben knew that the choice of whiskey over the usual brandy meant bad news and he braced himself to hear it as Adam began.

“Now we know why Joe disliked Luke from the start. Somehow the kid could sense it.”

“Sense what?” Ben shot back.

“Luke is Cade’s brother.” Adam announced and saw his father fall back into his chair as if he too had been hit.

“His brother! No—he can’t be.”

“He is. And he black mailed Joe. It wasn’t a case of just paying him to leave either. He told Joe that if he didn’t pay him that he would spread an awful rumor about what happened between him and Cade.”

“The poor kid—he’s been through hell—and not for the first time either! Now what happened in town?” Ben still had trouble fathoming what exactly was going on. He still couldn’t get past the idea of Luke and Cade being brothers.

“Well, looks like Luke doubled back after leaving. Yesterday he went into town and told an ugly lie about Joe. And he told it to a whole lot of people.”

Ben dropped his head down in his hands. He could not fight back the tears this time. He could no longer give the appearance of the strong father that his sons were so use to seeing. He was devastated by all the news. Now on top of the guilt he had carried due to Cade’s assault on his son, he would also carry the guilt of having hired on the evil man’s brother.

“It’s all my fault.” Ben whispered and Adam and Hoss were quick to gather around him for support. “I brought him here—I hired him. My God—I even put him in that guest room. What kind of father am I?”

“No—Pa!” Hoss replied adamantly. “Don’t say that! You didn’t have any way of knowing. Not no more than me or Adam did! I sat right here and played checkers with that bastard! The only one who could tell that there was something evil about him was Little Joe. Don’t blame yourself.” Hoss patted his father’s shoulder unable to stand to see how distraught he was.

“Joseph—Joseph—” Ben repeated and shook his head back and forth. “This will kill the boy. We almost lost him the last time. He didn’t even want us to know what Cade had done to him. That was hard enough even though he knows how much we love him. What will having the whole town knowing this do to him?”

“Unfortunately it isn’t even the truth that they now know. Luke concocted an awful story. He said that Cade and Joe were together because they wanted to be together. As if Joe was a willing participant. He said when you found out about it that you tracked Cade down and killed him just to keep the truth from leaking out.”

With Adam’s final words Ben leapt to his feet. “Oh he did, did he? Well, I guess I will just do the same now! I guess I’ll go hunt him down like the liar he is and shoot him down. This time no fair fight like I did with his brother!” Ben yelled. Neither son had ever in their entire lives seen the enormity of the hatred, which emanated from their father at that moment.

“Pa—first things first! You know we have to somehow get through this. Losing our control is not going to help Joe.” Adam insisted and Ben looked deeply into his son’s brown eyes. It seemed odd to hear his own words being used against him. Now it was Adam being the levelheaded member of the family. Ben came back to his senses and couldn’t help but feel proud of all he had taught his sons.

“I’m sorry.” Ben replied and put his arm around Adam’s shoulder. “I just don’t know what to do now. How are we going to get Joe through this one? When he finds out that the whole town knows about this—” Ben was caught short as Hoss jumped in.

“He knows. That’s why I had to knock him out. He was just blindly running away, Pa. We knew he would either get hurt or—” This time Hoss stopped his own sentence not wanting to mention what was really on all of their minds at the present.

“Or hurt himself.” Ben finished his son’s statement. He knew what each son was thinking, because he thought along those very same lines. Joe came so close to suicide after Cade’s attack, that it was a miracle that he wasn’t already lost from them forever.

“What are we gonna do?” Hoss asked feeling totally lost and scared at what would happen next.

“Damage control.” Adam announced seriously. “We will have to address what Luke told everyone to set them straight.”
“Even if we tell them the whole truth—it still reveals the fact that Joseph was assaulted by that man. Just that in itself will harm him more than I believe he can take.”

“There’s nothing else to do, Pa.” Adam countered. “We can’t take back what Luke said, we can only correct the facts.”

Ben sighed deeply knowing his eldest son was right. That did nothing to stop the aching in his heart when he thought of Joe. Ben reached down and drank more whiskey trying to numb his senses enough to be able to find some control. He looked back at both of his sons and nodded. “We will talk more in the morning. You both have had an awful experience as well. You brought Joe home and kept him from more hurt. You did your part. I will try to do mine. I’m going to go sit with him. You both turn in.” Ben set his glass back down and felt both Adam and Hoss’ arms around his shoulder giving him the strength he now needed to go upstairs.

Ben pulled the chair close to his son’s bed and sat down wearily. He looked over and could see that Joe was still very much out of it. Ben closed his eyes and sought out God’s help. He did not exactly know what to pray for this time, as he saw no real resolve to the situation other than praying that it all had never happened. Give my son the strength he is going to need to fight this one more time. Hasn’t he had enough pain in his short lifetime? Help me to get through to him and to protect him from the evil that keeps finding its way back in his mind. Make the ghosts go away. Lord, help me put this family back together. Ben prayed and waited for Joe to wake up.

Dawn the next day found Ben finally giving up to exhaustion and falling to sleep in the chair. He had kept vigil all night, watching for even the faintest stirrings in the bed. Adam and Hoss had peeked into the room and saw the sight they had seen so many times in the past. Their father had the patience of Job when it came to dealing with their little brother and his troubles.

Joe pulled his hand up to his face and rubbed his sore jaw as he started to awaken. He saw his father sound asleep next to his bed and bits and pieces of the night’s events started to form together in his mind. Struggling to sit up, Joe fought back his groan. The stirring in the bed were enough to awaken his father.

“Joseph?” Ben called out as he moved from his chair and sat down on the side of the bed.

Joe propped himself up against his headboard and looked over at his father. He really did not know what to say and just waited for Ben to begin.

“Jaw hurting?” Ben asked as he watched Joe move it around to loosen it. Joe just nodded his response. “I’ll get you something for it, to take the pain away.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Joe whispered and looked away from his father’s eyes.

Ben was not sure where to start. He knew they had to talk about what had happened but really wasn’t at all sure if Joe was strong enough emotionally at the present to handle it.

“They told you.” Joe said reading Ben’s actions.

“Yes—they told me. But, I’d kinda like to hear the rest of it. Do you want to tell me?”

“Luke is Cade’s brother. They had different fathers, that’s why the name Thrasher didn’t clue us in. He met up with Sam in Yuma Prison. After Sam told him what happened to his brother, Luke decided to come here and kill you. Then he said he was gonna kill all of us. But, he later changed his mind. He decided that you all were so nice to him that it really wasn’t your fault. Luke said it was my fault for putting up such a fuss about what Cade did to me. Like if I had just told you all to forget it Cade would still be alive.”

Ben shook his head in disbelief at the story he was hearing. “Go on.”

“He decided instead of killing me that he would blackmail me. Said that if I didn’t get the money that he would go and spread some wild story about Cade and me. First he told me three thousand dollars. Then, when I brought that to him he said he needed another two. That’s when you found out. I couldn’t tell you the truth. Luke said I’d be sorry if I brought you in on this. I took that as being a threat against you and Hoss and Adam. So, I paid him and he rode off.”

Joe pulled himself off of the bed and walked over to his bureau and rinsed his face off in the basin next to it. Drying his face on the hand towel he turned back around to continue. “I was just stupid enough to believe that he was gone and that all was well. Then I went to pick Cassie up and her father met me at the door and told me I could never see her again. Then he slammed the door in my face without telling me why. I went over to the dance to see what was going on. I didn’t even think about the possibility that Luke had returned and told his lies. That’s when I went to find Mitch. He all but ran away from me—like he didn’t want to be seen even talking to me. That’s when Adam and Hoss showed up. Well, you know the rest.”

Joe sat back down on the bed next to his father and again dropped his head. Ben had tried to keep silent so that Joe could get his story out uninterrupted. His heart was in his throat as he listened to the awful events his son had endured already. Ben put his arm around his son’s shoulder and tried to gather his thoughts before addressing the matter. He was amazed that Joe was able to tell his rendition without raising his voice or breaking down. Looking at the boy now all he saw was a person who was numb. Joe wore a totally blank and hopeless face.

“I don’t know what to say this time, Joseph. I am so upset at myself for bringing that man here. I would rather die than to bring more pain into your life. But, it looks like that’s exactly what I did.” Ben whispered full of total desperation.

Joe simply shrugged his shoulders as if nothing really mattered anymore. “Not your fault, Pa. He was hell bent on coming here anyway. Hey—at least he didn’t assault me—there’s always a bright side, right?” Joe tried to hide under the attempt at humor, refusing to show the crushing weight that he felt in his heart.

Ben turned Joe’s shoulders to force his attention. “Let it out.” Ben told him.

“Let what out?” Joe responded as if he had no clue to Ben’s meaning.

“I know how this is killing you—don’t pretend—not with me.”

“I have nothing left inside, Pa. Honestly—just nothing. Let the world do what it wants with me, I can’t fight any longer. I give up—I surrender to it now.” Joe’s words sounded flat and without feeling of any kind. Ben knew that was worse than if Joe had screamed or cried. As long as the boy had emotions he was still alive; without those he was as good as dead.

“I’ll take care of it, Joe. I promise you I will. You don’t have to fight this any longer I will do your fighting for you until you are ready.” Ben pulled Joe close and could still feel the absence of emotion. Joe did not cling to his father, Ben felt no tears drift down from his son’s eyes as in the past. He was rigid and devoid of anything except hopelessness.

“There’s nothing you can do now. Everyone knows, you can’t take back Luke’s words.” Joe insisted.

“I can set them straight.” Ben argued against his son’s logic.

“Set them straight? How? Oh, I know—yeah go into town and tell everyone I’m not really deviant. Yeah—just tell them I was raped by one. That will make it go over so much better.”

Ben pulled Joe back and looked into his dull eyes. Joe had never ever used the word rape before when he had referred to what Cade had done to him.  And now here he was spitting out the term like it meant nothing to him. Ben knew this was the worst of all signs. Wondering if it was true that Joe had somehow emotionally snapped, Ben sought out something to say in response to test the frightening theory.

“Joseph—do you know what you just said?”

“Yeah—I know. We can all just stop pretending now, okay? It worked for a while though, didn’t it — like I hadn’t been tied down on that bed and raped by that bastard?   We were just one big happy family totally back to normal! Yeah—like nothing ever happened to me, right? Oh—and the guest room—I saw how you redid it. Nice touch, but the ghost is still there so you needn’t have bothered.”

“Joe—” Ben whispered, his fear now increased by Joe’s reaction.

“Time to face facts as they say, huh? Take the blinders off—call a spade a spade and all that. I was raped by Cade Burroughs—right here in my own house. If I had just let you all bring him back for trial we would’ve gotten it all out a year ago. But, no I had to get my father to go kill him. Bad move on my part, cause it sent his ghost back to get me. And we all know you can’t kill something that’s already dead.” Joe started to laugh and the sound of it sent shivers up his father’s spine. “What’s wrong, Pa? It is rather funny when you think about it isn’t it? I mean Cade’s brother being welcomed into our guest room! You gotta admit that was a nice touch on Luke’s part. He planned it all nice and neat and you all just walked right into his trap. He was sleeping soundly in that room while I was up here dealing with Cade’s ghost.”

“Adam!” Ben yelled as he opened Joe’s bedroom door. He waited till his eldest son made it up the stairs. “Get Doc out here.” Ben demanded and turned back into the bedroom to keep a close eye on Joe. There was something very badly wrong and Ben prayed that somehow the family would be able to handle it.

Doctor Martin had ridden out to the Ponderosa in his own carriage alongside of Adam Cartwright. He had expected to be summoned out to the ranch as he had also heard the rumors that were spreading like a disease all over Virginia City. Adam filled the doctor in on all of the events leading up to the previous night. Doctor Martin simply shook his head in response. He knew that there would be little that he could do for Joe medically, but felt he could offer both the boy and his family moral support through yet another crisis.

Entering the house, Hoss greeted the two men at the door. Paul Martin shrugged out of his coat and looked up at the big man before him. It had always amazed him how such an enormous person, such as Hoss, could look so sensitive and almost little boy like when one of his family members were in trouble.

“Let’s go on up.” Hoss announced and saw Paul shake his head.

“I want to speak with Ben before I see Joe. Will you go and get him please?”

Hoss gave a bewildered look but then turned to do as he had been asked. A few minutes later a very tired looking Ben Cartwright appeared coming down the stairs.

“Thanks for coming, Paul.” Ben said reaching out to shake the man’s outstretched hand.

“Let’s sit down a moment before I go check on Joe. We need to talk.”

Ben moved over to the settee and Adam and the doctor sat down and faced the worried father.

“I heard some of the rumors yesterday, Ben. I was going to come out here last night to speak to you about it but I had an emergency and couldn’t get away. When Adam came to me earlier I was just about ready to head out here anyway.”

“What did you hear, Paul?” Ben asked, almost afraid to hear what the doctor was about to relay.

“Well, I heard that Cade’s brother passed on a story about what happened here at the ranch. He certainly changed the real facts around. I couldn’t believe that anyone would believe his lies. Unfortunately, there is some innate desire in mankind to believe the absolute worst about someone. It is a sickness that no medicine can cure. The first thing I thought of was Joe, and what this would do to him. I can still remember how angry he was at me for letting you know what Cade had done to him that night. He thought back then that if no-one knew other than him and Cade that he could handle it. He didn’t want you to know because he was so worried that you would think differently of him. A totally normal response at the time. I thought that all of this was buried. I’ve watched Joe struggle with what happened and witnessed his triumph over the horrible event. Now, I can just imagine how the boy feels. Adam told me he tried to run off last night—in the middle of the woods just to escape what he had heard.”

Ben folded his arms across his chest blocking as best he could the immense anger he felt towards both Cade and his brother Luke. Adam had said it best a year ago in response to Ben’s having killed the person who had attacked Joe; too bad you can only kill someone once. That thought continued to haunt Ben, and now, he wanted to go after the other brother and end his life as well.

“So, what shape is Joe in now?” Paul finally asked seeing Ben’s eyes growing colder by the minute.

“He’s totally numb. He never shed a tear—never yelled—never even changed his facial expression when he told me all that had happened. He has truly given up. I am terrified as to the meaning of his actions—or should I say lack of any action. He told me nothing matters anymore.”

“I was afraid of that.” The doctor sighed and shook his head discouraged. “Let me see him now.” Paul now stood and followed Ben and Adam up the stairs and into Joe’s bedroom.

Hoss sat by the bed while his little brother just laid there. He had his arms tucked under his head and a fixed stare on the ceiling above him. When Hoss saw the others walk in he stood and moved aside to let the doctor sit down.

“Joe? You feel like talking to me a minute?” Paul asked quietly.

Joe turned his face toward the man and shot him a peculiar smile. “Oh—sure. What do you want to talk about? Hear any good stories in town lately?”

Paul looked over at Ben and his eyes displayed his heightened concern for his patient.

“Joe, you know we will all do everything we can possibly do to stop the lies that Luke told. There are a lot of folks who don’t believe what he said about you.”

“And oh so many who do.” Joe chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. I see the way all of you are looking. You think I’m going to kill myself or something, right?” Joe said calmly and sat back up, swinging his legs over the side of his bed.

“No-one said that, Joseph.” Ben tried to put his son at ease momentarily.

“You didn’t’ have to, Pa. I see it in your eyes. Oh—and in your eyes, Doc—and Adam’s and even Hoss’. Well, I’m not going to kill myself. Why should I? Because all of Virginia City thinks I am—” Joe trailed off and his face changed to the appearance of someone deep in thought. He finally began again. “What is the correct term-can’t think of anything other than deviant. Is that close enough, Doc? Or is there some better word for a man who has been with another man?”

Paul stood up and went for his medical bag. He drew out a bottle of pills and walked over to the night stand to pour a glass of water. He did not like the idea of drugging his patient, but felt that Joe was so close to the breaking point that he needed sedation.

“Take this.” The doctor said handing Joe both the water and the pill.

“Oh—is this the cure?” Joe laughed again. “This is what will make everything better?”

“Take it.” Paul instructed once more. Joe tossed down the pill along with the water and leaned back on the bed.

“I feel better already. Now why don’t you go see a patient who needs some real help? Maybe you can start with Cassie’s father. He didn’t look too well to me last night when I got there. For some reason he looked like he was about to have a stroke when I knocked on that door. Oh—then you might want to check on Mitch—there was something wrong with him too. I think he thought I had something contagious. That must have been why he pushed my hand off his shoulder. We are such good friends—I am sure that had to be it.”

“You three go on downstairs. I’ll stay with Joe until he calms down.” Paul said and stared at each of the other men. His face gave away the sign that he wanted to be alone with his patient. Reluctantly the three other Cartwrights left the room.

Paul could see Joe’s eyes start to cloud up and his eyelids begin to sink a bit. The medicine was obviously taking hold now.

“Joe, now we can talk privately. I want to dispel any notions that you have. There is nothing wrong with you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I told you that before, and I mean it even more right now. You are turning all of this back in on yourself. You did that last year and it almost killed you. You can’t do it again. You have to try and hold on.”

“Hold on? Hold on to what?” Joe whispered still showing no emotion on his face. “My reputation? Hold on to that? Wait—I have a bad reputation now, don’t I? My pride? Oh—wait—don’t have that anymore either. What little I had left was stripped from me last night in town. You know in a way Luke did to me exactly what his brother did to me a year ago. Funny isn’t it? How you can be raped by words too.” Joe finished his statement and then he fell off to sleep.

Doctor Martin sat by the bed even longer than he had to. He couldn’t shake the things that Joe had said. He couldn’t erase from his mind the way Joe had showed a total emptiness to him. The Cartwright spunk was gone, the Cartwright pride was gone, now in a large sense Joe Cartwright was gone. Paul reached over and checked

Joe’s pulse. It was strong, yet slow due to the tranquilizer. By the feel of the heartbeat Paul knew that somewhere in Joe’s chest was a strong heart which for the time being at least, had a large break in it. A break caused by a horrible lie and the fact that so many people had chosen to believe it.

The three oldest Cartwrights sat downstairs wondering exactly what was taking place upstairs between Joe and the doctor. They didn’t expect a miracle, but they all hoped that somehow Paul would be able to penetrate the wall that Joe had put up. When the doctor appeared at the top of the stairs they could all tell that it hadn’t been accomplished. Paul wore a tired frown on his face as the made his way over to them.

“He’s asleep.” Paul stated flatly and sank down into a chair.

“Well? What do you think?” Adam was the first to ask.

Paul shook his head frustrated by all that had happened and also Joe’s apparent loss of feelings. “For the time being I am going to suggest that we keep him somewhat sedated. I’ll leave these pills with you, Ben.” Paul said and handed over the medicine bottle. “It will be just enough to prevent him from harming himself. Give him one in the morning and one at night. In the meantime we have to squelch these rumors somehow. Any suggestions on how?”

“I could go and thrash everyone in Virginia City!” Hoss replied, and though it sounded like a lark, witnessing the big man’s facial expression they all knew it was a threat to be taken seriously.

“No, Son, that’s not the way.” Ben stated and dropped his hand down on Hoss’ shoulder. “I know you feel that way—we all do right now. But, we have to come up with something else.”

“I’ll ride back with Doc, Pa. Let me see exactly what is being said. I have a couple ideas myself.” Adam stood ready to get into town to try to help heal his brother’s tarnished reputation.

“No fights—and no guns, Adam.” Ben warned as both Adam and Paul walked to the door.

“Not unless I have to.” Adam replied and pulled on his coat. “Let’s go, Doc.”

“I’ll check on Joe tomorrow, Ben. You need to get some rest. Hoss, see to it that your father gets in a nap.” Paul said and saw Hoss nod his head in agreement.

“I’ll see to it.” Hoss replied.

Adam and Paul left for Virginia City and Ben reluctantly walked up the stairs to lay down. He knew he would be needed later once Joe was awake.

The line shack was dark and foreboding but something inside of him beckoned Joe forward. When he reached for the doorknob he heard the laughter coming from inside the cabin. Before Joe could push the door forward, it automatically opened itself and four hands reached for him pulling him inside the darkened room. The flickering light from a small candle revealed two large shadows on the rough hewn walls; reflecting giant proportions of his captors. Then, the pungent, stomach turning smell of cigars stung Joe’s nostrils. He fought his way toward escape but the hands of the two demons pulled him further into the cabin and threw him up against one of the walls.

“No!” Joe screamed as he continued to struggle to break free.

“It’s time for the game, Joe. You thought it was over, but it has only just begun.” The voice rang out deadly and then was followed by maniacal laughter.

“Who are you?” Joe pleaded for an answer. The two demons stood in the darkness.

“Take a good look.” One voice cried out and the flame from the candle in his hand brought forth the evil face of Cade.

“No! No! You are dead!” Joe screamed and tried to close his eyes to block the vision.

“I’ll never be dead as long as I am in your head. And I’ll be there till the day you die!” Cade laughed and reached up and stroked Joe’s paralyzed cheek. “ It’s been a long time, Joe. A long time.”

“Damn you! Go away!” Joe shouted and fought again to break free.

“No—never! Now for the game. Do you remember how it is played, Joe? I’ll show you how in case you have forgotten. Of course this place is not as comfortable as that guest room in your house, but it will suit my purpose just fine.”

“Kill me!” Joe begged for his release from the torture that was to come.

“I already have.” Cade laughed again and blew his cigar smoke in Joe’s face sending forth a round of violent coughing from the prisoner. He started to tear at Joe’s clothing but was interrupted, and turned around toward the voice.

“Let me have him first.” Came the voice of the other demon.

“Sure—what are brothers for anyway?” Cade replied and handed the candle over to the other man.

“Remember me, Joe?” The voice of Luke Thrasher broke through and Joe stared into the same cold eyes that he had seen before in Cade.

“I paid you! You liar! You said you’d leave me alone!” Joe cried and tried once more to break away from the hands that held him pressed up against the wall.

“I just couldn’t leave—I never got to play the game! My brother tells me you play it so well. It’s my turn to have you now.” Luke set out a stream of laughter as he stroked the other side of Joe’s face.

“No!” Joe shouted and his voice echoed his panic as he turned his head to try and free his face from the touch. He clawed at the two demons who pulled him to the floor.

“Joseph?” Ben whispered, still stroking his son’s face to try and bring him around. He had witnessed Joe’s tossing and turning in the bed, and though Joe had not screamed out, Ben knew that something was holding him down in his dream. The boy’s face was contorted as if he was flinching away from something or someone. “Wake up, Son.” Ben tried again.

Joe blinked his eyes and let out an involuntary gasp as though he was struggling to breathe. As his vision cleared he saw the face of his father. Joe looked around the room almost expecting to see the two demons who had visited him in his dream.

“Joe? You okay?” Ben asked as his son slowly sat up in the bed. He watched as his son’s haunted eyes shot around the room.

“Ghosts.” Was all Joe could say in response. He covered his face with his hands and rocked his head back and forth. “I am going insane.” He muttered.

“No—no you aren’t. It was just a dream.” Ben reassured and sat down next to his son.

“Asleep or awake they are haunting me, Pa. Make them go away.”

Ben stared into the intense green eyes that pleaded for help. His heart broke at the thought that this time he had no idea how to make his son feel safe. Ben pulled him into his protective arms and held the boy tightly, fearing what would happen if he ever let him go. “Give me a little time, Joseph. I’ll find a way to make them go away—I promise.” Ben whispered as he wondered just how he would be able to keep that promise.

“Beer.” Adam Cartwright stated and cast a glance around the bar. It was not packed as it had been on the previous night. Only a few men sat at the far end of the saloon. They had looked up as Adam had entered but then went on with their quiet conversation. Sam handed Adam the beer and looked at him hard. He knew why Adam had come into town and he hated to think about what it would do to his saloon.

“Sam, talk to me. I need some facts.” Adam stared over at the bartender he had known for years. They went back a long time, long before Joe was old enough to follow him into The Silver Dollar for a drink.

“It’s been awful around here lately.” Sam sighed and chose his words carefully, not wanting to set the other man off. “That Luke fellow sure wanted to stir up trouble.”

“Do you know what he told everyone? I mean specifically?”

Sam started to nervously wipe the bar top with his dish rag. He had been put on the spot, but knew Adam would not cease with his questioning until he knew all of the sordid details.

“You really want to hear this?” Sam little more than whispered.

Adam nodded his head and set down his beer. “I have to know. So I can address it.”

“Luke told most of the people in here that Joe had known his brother for a long while. That they had been together before—” Sam broke off, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Go on.” Adam demanded trying to control the increasing rage he was feeling.

“He said that when Cade broke out of jail it was to come and get Joe and take him with him. That Joe knew all along that he was coming and was willing to go along with him. He said that the fact of the matter is that Joe was not assaulted by Cade, that he was just kinda renewing their relationship but things went haywire once your father found out. He said Joe gave Cade the money and helped him to escape. That’s when your pa went after him. He said your father killed him just to prevent the awful details about his son from getting out.”

Adam gripped his beer mug tightly in his fist summoning the strength to fight off his anger. “What about you, Sam? Did you believe that story?”

“Adam, I have known your family most of my life. I ain’t the kind to believe something awful unless I know it for a fact. Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of people in this town who just love scandal. They have been having a field day with this. I don’t get in on their conversations, but there is no way I can stop them.”

“Thanks.” Adam reached over and patted Sam’s shoulder. “At least we have some good people in this town.”

“Just some?” Came a voice from behind Adam. Adam spun around to see who it was. A smile spread across his face as he looked into the eyes of an old friend.

“Sam! Oh—wait—we call you Mark now don’t we?” Adam clapped the man on the back and pulled him by his arm up to the bar.

“Call me anything but late for dinner.” The other man laughed. Adam ordered two more beers and took them over to a table so they could talk more privately.

“What brings you back here anyway? The Territorial Enterprise in need of a good reporter?”

“I just returned from a trip to St. Louis. Those crazy folks wanted to give me some type of journalism award. You know I’d much rather have a bottle of good old Virginia City rot gut instead!” The man grinned at Adam and then read his face and saw the trouble that could not be hidden. “ I’m going to stay and help out Luther with the paper for a few weeks. You know—hone my former skills a little? So, heard any good stories?”

Adam knew Mark already knew the latest gossip, being a long time reporter it was second nature to the man. “So you heard?” He asked.

“Your little brother was the one who helped me settle on the name Mark Twain, remember? I know the kid; you don’t have to explain anything to me. But, I would like to help in some way. I know how this disgusting story is spreading. What can I do?”

“You are a good friend, we are lucky to have you in our corner. But, I haven’t got a clue as to how to stop this other than fighting every loud mouthed gossip in this town.”

“The pen as they say—is mightier than the sword—and a whole lot easier to clean once it’s been used.” Mark chuckled at his own joke.

“You start to think on it, Mark. Maybe between the two of us we can do something to help Joe.”

“I sure would like to get my hands on that Luke fellow.” Mark turned suddenly serious as he thought on the source of the rumor. “Hanging is still allowed in Virginia City isn’t it?”

“Yeah—and I would pull the trap myself.” Adam nodded. He watched as Samuel Clemens, also now known as Mark Twain, took out a small notebook and started to jot things down. “What are you doing now?”

“Got some ideas for a little story I am planning to write.” Mark gave a wry smile as Adam watched the genius at work.

Joe sat on the settee in the living room almost half asleep. He had been given, and taken willingly his second sedative of the day. Joe knew why they were trying their best to keep him calm. He knew how close he was to giving up the cause and ending his life. For two days he watched in drugged confusion the comings and goings of his family. Once and awhile, he would catch a whisper as to what was going on in Virginia City. But, most of the time, the conversations were purposely kept away from the mention of both Cade and Luke.

Joe stared over at his father who seemed to be only half reading the book in his lap. He saw how every now and then Ben would shoot a quick glance over to make sure he was okay. Joe was afraid to drift off to sleep, as it would once again summon the ghosts back. He hated what the demons were doing to himself and to his family.

“Think I’ll go upstairs now.” Joe called over to Ben and watched as he immediately stood and approached him.

“Let me help you.” Ben responded and grabbed Joe’s arm to steady him. Normally the action would have sent a protest that he could do it himself, but this time Joe welcomed his father’s strong arm. There was another motive as well. Joe did not want to go into his bedroom alone.

Ben lit the lamp on Joe’s nightstand as Joe slipped into his bed. After nights of horrible dreams, Ben knew better than to leave his son in the dark.

“How about I stay until you doze off?” Ben asked and saw Joe shake his head.

“It really doesn’t matter if you stay or not, Pa. You know as well as I do that the ghosts will be back as soon as I shut my eyes. God how I wish the doctor could give me something to make them go away.” Joe responded fighting back tears.

Ben settled into the chair, disheartened by his son’s statement.

“Joseph, Cade is dead. Luke is gone. Try to shut them out of your thoughts.”

“I’m twenty years old and I am terrified of ghosts. Kinda funny isn’t it?” Joe laughed at the irony of what he had said.

“We all have ghosts at times, Son. But, the mind is a powerful weapon against them.”

“A sane mind you mean.” Joe corrected, once again challenging his own sanity.

“You are troubled, not crazy.” Ben admonished his son.

“Troubled and crazy maybe.” Joe sighed and rolled away from his father’s stare.

Joe had thought it all out and decided he needed some time alone to think things through. He wanted to ride off somewhere and be totally alone. That feat could not be accomplished in his sedated condition. Biding his time, Joe waited and figured out what he would do in order to get the chance to leave.

“Here you go.” Ben said and handed Joe the medicine. Joe had just finished eating and he knew that this was coming. It was time to take the sedative and go back into the mindless state that they had all determined was best for him for awhile. Joe cupped the pill in his hand and drank the water Ben had offered. Then he settled back on the settee.

Ben watched from across the room at his desk. Joe had nodded off, his head propped up on the arm of the sofa. Quietly moving across the room, Ben reached for the Indian blanket and covered his sleeping son. Hoss and Adam walked in and Ben motioned them to be silent. He waved them over to his study and they all sat down.

“You think it’s safe to leave him?” Hoss asked as he shot a glance at his slumbering brother.

“He’s out cold. We won’t be gone long. Adam and I will go into town and talk with Mark and you need to check on the progress of the herd, Hoss. Hop Sing will keep an eye on Joseph till we return.” Ben whispered.

Joe waited patiently until the other Cartwrights left the house. Next step was to wait until Hop Sing appeared to check on him. The cook came in shortly thereafter and stared down at him. Joe felt the cover being pulled up around his shoulders and then heard the man pad his way back into the kitchen. Stealthily Joe moved to the hat rack and retrieved his coat, hat, and holster. Being careful not to make much of a sound, he opened the door and hurried outside.

Joe rode Cochise for several hours before he came to the bridge that crossed Miller’s Pond. He dismounted and ground tied the horse’s reins. Joe made his way over to the wooden structure and walked across it until he got to the center of the bridge. He sat down, his legs hanging over the edge. Joe looked at the water below and could tell how the early spring rains had made the pond much deeper than usual. The bridge was only around ten feet above the water line from where Joe sat. He fought the urge to leap, knowing that it would be foolish a thought. If he was going to end his life it would have to be another way.

While Joe sat in silent consternation, he didn’t notice the sound of a rider as they approached from the south. It was only after he heard the boot steps that Joe finally broke from his trance and turned to see Cassie walking toward him. The girl sat down next to him and the two young people did not speak for a while.

“You don’t need to be here.” Joe suddenly broke the awkward silence. “What would your pa say?”

“He’d say I was a disobedient child.” Cassie tried to joke, but saw the sadness on her friend’s face and she stopped. “I’ve been so worried about you, Joe.”

“How can you stand to even be around me?” Joe asked, his voice breaking.

Cassie reached up and turned Joe’s face to stare into the green eyes of the boy who had been her first love. “I don’t believe any of the things that folks are saying. I know you far too well.”

“You just don’t know.” Joe replied letting his head drop back down ashamed and embarrassed to address what had happened.

“Joe, I have known all this past year that something had happened to you. I just didn’t know exactly what. I hoped that you would tell me, but did not want to pry. There is something missing in your smile and your laughter. You are a good one for pretending, but I have always seen right through you. What happened to you—was that what made you stop coming around? Was it what made you stop going to parties and dances?”

“Yeah—I didn’t want to be with anyone.”

“Except me, right? Why?”

“Because I am safe with you. We ask nothing of each other more than friendship.”

“If you feel this way, then why don’t you tell me what really happened? It can’t be nearly as bad as the awful rumors going around.” Cassie persisted trying to rid Joe of the burden of his secret.

“What they have said—you know —that Cade and I were—” Joe stopped and struggled with the words.

“I know you weren’t.” Cassie finished her friend’s statement. Joe found the courage to look into her emerald eyes and tried his best to be strong.

“Cade did things to me. Bad things. They said that I was a willing participant—but I wasn’t. He tied me up.” Joe’s voice shook as he revealed the truth. “It was hard enough trying to deal with what he did to me. And back a year ago I wanted to die.”

“And now?” She asked worry in her tone.

“Now I want to even more. I can’t believe that this has happened. All the people I thought were my friends—they believe the worse now. I am trying to defend myself from something I can’t even face myself.”

“You were attacked, you were a victim. Joe, there’s nothing for you to feel ashamed of.” Cassie put her hand on Joe’s shoulder for comfort. It broke her heart to see him so distressed, so willing to give up on life.

“You remember Sarah McNeely don’t you?”

Cassie thought back and recalled the young lady who had been so popular in town. Cassie remembered how in earlier years Sarah had been close to marrying Adam. That was before the girl had been raped. Before she had lost her battle to cope with the brutality of her assault and had killed herself.

“Yes—I remember.” She replied softly.

“She was attacked by a man. As horrible as that is—well—at least it was a man—and she was a woman. This is so much worse. You just don’t know how I felt—and now everyone knows about it.”

“Joe, it wouldn’t matter one way or the other. That kind of an attack is terrible no matter whether you are a man or a woman. Sarah was a wonderful person—but she wasn’t as strong as you!” Cassie tried to get her meaning across and to give Joe some form of encouragement in her compliment.

“I just want to die.” Joe whispered and wiped away a tear. He hated to break down in front of Cassie but he could not hold back.

“Turn it back on Luke, Joe! You are blaming yourself when it’s that rotten scum that caused all of this.”

“How will that help?” Joe asked now looking directly in her loving eyes.

“Why don’t you find him and beat the stuffing out of him? Hey—he has it coming for the lies he told. Maybe that will help you bring back part of your pride. That’s the Joe I know—that’s the Joe that I love.”

Joe pulled the girl into his arms and hugged her. He brushed his hand through her hair and kissed her softly on the cheek. “I love you too. Even though it looks like all of my other friends have turned against me—it doesn’t matter as long as you believe in me.”

“I always will.” Cassie whispered and Joe pulled her up and walked her back to her horse.

“Thanks for finding me.” Joe said as he helped her up into the saddle.

“What are you gonna do now?” She asked, a bit of worry in her soft voice.

“I’ve got to go and beat the stuffing out of someone.” Joe forced a smile that was returned by his friend.

“Just be careful, okay? Oh—knock him around for me too!” Cassie laughed and turned her horse back towards town.

Joe mounted his horse and rode off to track down the man who had blackmailed him and spread the vicious lies.

All three of the eldest Cartwrights arrived back at the ranch house at the same time. If they had taken the time to stable their horses they would have seen that the pinto was missing from its stall. Instead, they dismounted and walked in the house anxious to see how Joe was doing. Hop Sing met them at the door and started right away to send a string of Chinese words at them. Though none of them had the slightest idea of what the man was saying, it was easy to tell by the agitated inflection of the phrases that Hop Sing was very upset.

“Slow down—slow down!” Ben said and put his hand on Hop Sing’s shoulder. “Now speak in English will you?”

“Little Joe—he go! Hop Sing check on him, then start dinner cooking. When back to check he not on sofa. Hop Sing run out to barn and find he leave already.”

Ben’s confusion showed on his face as he turned toward his sons. “I gave him the medicine. It should have kept him out of it all day. I don’t understand.”

Adam walked around to the settee, he already had his suspicions. Pulling back the pillow where Joe had been sleeping he spotted the pill that had been stuffed there by his little brother.

“Joe obviously had other plans.” Adam called across the room holding the pill in full view.

Ben and Hoss moved forward and they both had the same worried expressions on their faces. They all were under the same impression, that being, Joe might indeed harm himself.

“Where do you think he’d go, Pa?” Hoss asked and was answered by a shrug.

“Not into town—but I haven’t a clue. Adam? Any ideas?”

Adam thought for a few minutes, he had spent most of his adult life tracking down his youngest brother. He knew all of his hiding places, and there were quite of few of them on the ranch. “We need to split up. I’ll check the line shack up at Sheepshead. Hoss, why don’t you check up by Marie’s grave? Pa—it’s a long shot but why don’t you go talk to Cassie. She’s always been there for Joe in the past, helping him. Maybe she has some clue to where he’d go.”

Without a verbal response, each man left for their assigned duty. As they mounted their horses, the looks on their faces would have given away the dread that they all felt in their hearts.

Hours later, Ben Cartwright appeared at the Brendon home. He remembered vividly what his youngest son had told him had happened with Mr. Brendon several nights ago. Ben fought for control of his emotions, he was there only to see Cassie and not to get into a fight.

Ben knocked on the door and was well relieved to see Cassie appear. The young lady stepped outside and closed the door behind her not wanting her father to hear their conversation.

“Cassie, I’m sorry to trouble you, but I am concerned about Joseph. He left earlier today and we haven’t seen him. I was wondering if you knew where he is —or perhaps could give me some idea of where you think he would run off to.”

“I saw him today, Mr. Cartwright. He was up at Miller’s Pond. We sat and talked awhile.” She answered watching the facial expression on Ben’s face.

“How was he?”

“He was pretty upset, he really had me worried—” She did not finish her statement as Mr. Brendon opened the door and stepped out.

“Cartwright, I don’t want you here worrying my daughter. I heard what you said about your boy. If I were you I’d just let him go. He has disgraced your family enough don’t you think?” Mr. Brendon was terse in his statement and Ben walked over to him.

“Cassie go inside.” Ben said cooly, he did not want the girl to see what was going to happen next.

“Get off my property.” Cassie’s father stated firmly facing off against Ben.

Cassie refused to leave the two men, but she did step back.

“Not until I do this!” Ben yelled and threw a punch at the man which knocked him to the floor of the porch. Looking down at Mr. Brendon, Ben put his hands on his hips ready for the next round. “If I ever in my lifetime hear you say another slanderous statement about my son Joseph, I will drag you from one end of this town to the other! It’s folks like you who have spread this idle gossip about my boy. You need to learn the facts before you judge a person.”

“Oh? And you are going to stand there and tell me that your son did not have a relationship with Cade Burroughs?” Mr. Brendon replied heavy of sarcasm.

“I’m not going to tell you anything. You don’t deserve a reply. You think whatever you want. But, you’d better not let me hear it come out of your mouth!” Ben turned his attention back to Cassie. “I’m sorry, Cassie, I didn’t come here looking for trouble. I just wanted to find my son.”

“He went off to find that Luke fellow. I thought that if he could get even with him that it might help. I’m so sorry—it was probably the worst thing to suggest.” Cassie apologized fighting back tears.

“You care about Joe, you have nothing to be sorry for. At least we have somewhere to start looking now.” Ben hurried down the porch steps and mounted his horse. He turned back to the Ponderosa to let Hoss and Adam know where Joe was heading.

That same old instinct that had a year ago lead Joe to find Cade was back in full force. After doing some checking around in Carson City he had learned that the man left that morning and headed back toward Virginia City. As Joe rode into the night his thoughts were of what Luke now had in mind. He figured that the man might just stop in town again to see what damage had been done due to his lies.

Joe spotted the campfire from a distance. It seemed Luke had bedded down for the night only a couple of miles from Virginia City. Not wanting to fall victim to the same way he had been captured by Cade, Joe thought carefully on how he was gong to enter the campsite. After securing Cochise’s reins to a scrub bush, he pulled his gun and approached from behind the tree line. As he carefully crept forward he saw Luke was sitting right in front of the fire drinking whiskey from a bottle. Luke turned around after hearing the sound of a gun cocking. He cast his eyes on Joe Cartwright, and instead of trying for his gun lying next to him he simply smiled at the other man.

“Joe! Good to see you! I have been waiting for you. Want something to drink?”

Joe walked over and kicked the bottle out of Luke’s outstretched hand.

“Now why you go and do that? Here I was being nice and all.” Luke laughed at the intensity on Joe’s face. “Hey, you want to go into Virginia City with me? I was planning on going there tomorrow anyway. We could go have a few at the bar and hear what the towns folks have to say? Seems like somebody spread some wild story about you.”

“I’ve come to kill you, Luke. Pick up your gun.” Joe stated , and the seriousness in his statement reflected in his eyes.

“Gee you sure hold a grudge long don’t you?” Luke laughed again and stood up. “I don’t need no gun to kill you.”

Joe looked at the man and tossed his own gun down to the ground. “Neither do I.” Joe hissed back and then lunged at Luke.

The fight began. Joe knocked Luke down onto his back and punched him unrelentingly. Luke managed to wrap his hands around Joe’s throat and the pressure of his grip was enough for Joe to start to cough. Joe struggled to release the hands and Luke caught him with a fist to his eyebrow, sending Joe falling back.

Then Luke got on top of his enemy and knocked Joe’s head into the hard ground trying to render him unconscious. Joe fought with all the anger he had in his body that had been pent up for over a year. He pulled his legs up and kicked at Luke’s chest sending him once again falling backwards. Then Joe dove on top of him and they rolled around in the dirt. As they got close to the campfire, Luke got his hand on his gun. Pulling it up he stuck it to Joe’s chest. Joe grappled against the weapon as they continued to roll on the ground. Suddenly, the explosive sound of a bullet echoed against the night air. Joe felt the dead weight on top of him and saw Luke’s eyes roll back in his head. After one final gasp, Luke Thrasher lay dead. Joe pushed the man off of him and stood shakily. He stared down at the demise of his evil nemesis.

Joe found Luke’s canteen and poured water into his hands to wash the blood off of his face. He tended the large gash that fell across his right eyebrow, trying to stop the flow of blood that ran down into his eye. Joe walked over and looked down at Luke. It was only then that Joe realized what would happen next. He thought on the fact that he would have to explain how the man had been killed. The reality now hit Joe that there might even be a trial to prove that it was self-defense. The fear of that thought sent Joe away from the campsite and off to get Cochise. Joe knew there was no way possible that he would be able to face a courtroom full of people who already thought the very worst of him. He had to hide out, he had to somehow figure out what to do. Joe rode off into the darkness.

Sheriff Roy Coffee stretched out on the cot in the jail house. It was already midnight and the man was exhausted. Though, he had not had a major crime in the town for several months, just carrying on his regular duties was wearing the lawman out. He felt as though old age was creeping up on him, but refused even the thought of retirement.

Just as Roy started to doze off, the door to the jail burst open and two men entered.

“Roy! There’s been a murder!” One of the men called over to the sheriff. Roy slowly pulled himself up from the cot.

“Now hold on there. Stop the infernal shouting and tell me what is going on.”

“Luke Thrasher. Me and Pete just found him on the outskirts of town dead. He’s been shot.”

“Jessie, did you and Pete see anyone around where you found him?” Roy asked and sat down at his desk. He already had his own suspicions, and he said a silent prayer that he was wrong.

“No. Whoever did it lit right out. Luke wasn’t completely cold when we got there.” Jessie responded and then Pete bent over the desk and looked straight into Roy’s eyes.

“C’mon, Roy—we all know who did it. It was Joe Cartwright.”

Roy stood up abruptly and anger took over his normally peaceful face.

“Now don’t you go starting rumors. We ain’t got a bit of fact that Joe was even around when this happened.”

“Oh—I see! The Cartwrights can go and just gun people down and nothing is ever done about it. Just like when Ben went out and gunned Luke’s brother Cade down in cold blood and no-one even blinked around here!” Pete yelled at the sheriff, full of animosity toward the rich and powerful Cartwright family.

“Ben Cartwright shot Cade in a fair fight! He even got himself winged in the arm during the gunfight. I checked it all out and Doc corroborated their story of what happened.” Roy was equally angered by the lies that had been spread concerning the family he knew and trusted.

“Sure! Like they don’t have Doc in their pockets either!” Pete retorted.

“What do you want to do, Roy?” Jessie broke into the battle between the two men.

“You go on out and get Clem. Tell him I need him here to watch the town while I get a posse together.”

“I’m going too! To make sure you bring Cartwright back for trial!” Pete swore.

“I choose my own men, Pete. And I make it a point not to take any hot-heads along. Jessie go get Clem.” Roy turned his back on the two men and strapped on his holster. What have you gotten yourself into now, Little Joe? Roy thought to himself. His instincts had also told him that Joe was indeed involved. Part of Roy could not blame the kid, he had heard the vile rumors that the dead man had spread all over town. He knew that the fact of the matter was that the story had upset him so much that it would have been one hundred times more devastating to the one the rumor was about.

Joe pulled himself gingerly out of his saddle and looked around. He had chosen the most desolate hideout he could think of. It was a line shack that stood on the remote northwestern border of the Ponderosa ranch. Joe wondered if Luke’s body had been found yet. If it had, Joe reasoned that there would surely be a posse formed and he would be the most likely suspect.

Entering the cabin Joe ached with the movement of sitting down at the table. He was bruised up from the fight with Luke and his eyebrow throbbed from the cut that still bled. Finding a candle and some matches on the table, Joe lit it and frantically tried to figure out what to do. He knew he needed to get in touch with his family, but not at the risk of running into the ones who would be out looking for him. Joe reached into his jacket. His billfold was still inside of it and Joe found a dollar bill. He placed the bill on the table, and with the burnt end of the match he had just used, scribbled one word.

Cochise pawed at the ground as if he knew his master would be coming for him. Joe stepped out of the cabin and made his way over to the horse. He placed the dollar inside of his saddlebag and then paused and stroked the pinto’s neck.

“Go home. You have got to find Pa. You have never failed me before, my friend, don’t fail me now!” And with that statement the horse snorted almost as though he understood how much trouble his owner was in. Joe patted the pinto’s hind quarter and sent him on.

Ben, Adam and Hoss had turned in early. They knew that they needed to find Joe before he had the chance to do anything to Luke or to himself. Deciding to get an early start in the morning when the boy’s tracks would be more easily traced they had all gone to bed.

Ben heard the loud knocking on the door first. He pulled on his robe and met both of his sons out in the hallway. None of them spoke, knowing such a late visitor would surely mean trouble, they rushed down the stairs. Ben flew the door open and stared down at Roy Coffee. He could tell by the man’s expression that the news concerned Joe.

“Sorry to get you boys out of bed—but I need to speak to Little Joe.” Roy said and was led into the house. He glanced around the room. He had already spotted the green jacket being absent from the other coats that hung on the coat rack. “He is here isn’t he, Ben?”

Ben bit at his lip, feeling in his heart that his son would probably be needing an alibi for whatever had summoned the sheriff to the ranch. “No, Roy, Joseph is not here at the moment. What’s all this about?”

“Luke Thrasher has been murdered. Two men found him a couple miles from town. Whoever did it lit out.” Roy explained.

“Why you asking about Joe?” Hoss jumped in willing to defend his little brother no matter what he had done.

“Hoss—we all know what has been going on in town. No sense pretending. That Luke fellow spread some awful stories about Joe. And, thought personally I wouldn’t blame him for killing Luke for what he did, it is my job to bring the kid back for trial.”

“Trial.” Ben spoke the word like it was a bitter poison. He knew that would be the only reason why his son would have fled the scene. Joe would never be able to handle sitting through a trial where both of his ghosts would be let loose.

“If you know where he is, Ben, you need to tell me now. There’s a bunch of hot-heads following this posse and I don’t know how safe it is for Joe right now. I want to bring him back in one piece.” Roy’s concern for the other man’s son showed on his weary face.

“He might have gone up to Sheepshead—the line shack up there is one of his known hide-outs.” Adam broke in on the conversation. Ben and Hoss shot him a confused look. They felt he was betraying Joe and it showed on their faces as they looked back over to Roy.

“Okay—we’ll try there first. If Joe makes his way back here, you need to let me know.” Roy said and paused to look into the worried father’s eyes. “Ben, you know I’ll do everything in my power to bring Joe in unharmed.”

Ben reached for Roy’s shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. “That goes without saying, Roy. Let me know the minute you find him.”

“I will.” Roy answered and turned quickly to return to the posse that waited outside.

Ben spun around to address his oldest son. “Why in Heaven’s name would you tell him where you think Joseph is?” Ben demanded.

“Because I know Joe wouldn’t be there. It will buy us some time to find him, Pa.” Adam replied a bit upset that his father would even think he would betray his brother.

“I’m sorry, Son.” Ben apologized. “I am not thinking too straight right now.”

“It’s okay, Pa.” Adam nodded his understanding of the situation and looked over at his brother. “Let’s all get dressed and go find the kid.”

Walking into the darkness of the front yard, the three Cartwrights, now dressed and ready, spied two horses approaching. A rider appeared leading another horse. It was Cochise.

“I think this animal belongs to you folks.” Mark smiled as he dismounted.

“Where did you find him?” Ben was quick to ask checking the condition of the horse.

“A mile back—he was heading out here and so was I, so thought we’d join forces.”

“Then you know about Joe?” Adam asked walking over to the man.

“The whole town knows now. Isn’t it funny that when there is bad news people rally around to hear it? I saw the posse when it left and got the drift of what had happened. You know I love a good story myself.”

“You came to help, didn’t you?” Adam smiled over at their friend.

“Just name it! It won’t be the first time I aided and abetted someone on the run.”

“Pa! Look here!” Hoss called after checking Joe’s saddlebag. He handed the dollar bill to his father and they walked over to the front porch light to examine it.

“Something’s written on it. Very faint—but I can see it.” Ben handed it over to Mark to see.

“Oblivion? Now what the heck is that—I mean other than the obvious meaning?”

The three Cartwrights all knew what the message meant. They filled their friend in on the code.

“It’s what the boys named a line-shack. No-one goes there other than one time a year. Joe is up there.” Ben addressed the note.

“Well—let’s go!” Hoss insisted but his father caught his arm.

“Wait—if we all go up there it will be easier to spot us. I’ll go. Maybe the three of you could try and lead the posse away from that part of the ranch to give me time to help Joseph.”

Mark looked over at the pinto and his grin broadened. “Your brother have another one of those jackets around here?”

“Huh?” Hoss asked confused.

“I see—” Adam grinned as well, he understood where Mark was going with his question. “I’ll go get his blue one.” Adam turned back toward the house.

“What are you both talking about?” Ben countered.

“Me on a pinto! And I don’t exactly look like the young man—but at a distance—it may be enough to draw that posse!”

“That could be dangerous.” Ben warned, he knew how some members of the posse might start to get a little gun happy.

“Oh—yeah—but what fine material for a story!” Mark chuckled and handed his horse over to Hoss.

Within a few moments time, Adam, Hoss, and Mark Twain on a pinto, rode out to distract the posse. Ben Cartwright mounted his horse and headed up to Oblivion to find his son.

Joe quickly blew out the flame from the candle as he heard a rider approaching. He hurried to the farthest end of the cabin and sank down to the floor and waited. When the door opened Joe could not make out who the visitor was so he remained quiet.

“Joseph?” Ben called out in a whisper.

Joe sighed relieved that his father was the unseen guest. He pulled himself off of the floor and approached the table. Lighting the candle Joe stared into his father’s eyes.

“Look at your face!” Ben exclaimed. “You have one heck of a gash over that eye!”

Ben reached gently across the table to touch it. Joe flinched and pushed his father’s hand back away.

“That’s the very least of my troubles, Pa. I’m glad you came.”

Ben sat down across the table from his son and knew it was time for an explanation.

“Tell me what happened.”

“I killed Luke. Is there a posse out there yet?” Joe asked nervously.

“Yes, Roy has already been by. Adam told them to go up to Sheepshead—that they would find you there.”

“I owe him a thank you—but you’ll have to be the one to tell him for me.”

“Tell me about it, Joseph.” Ben reached over and grabbed his son’s hand to show his support. No matter what the boy had done, even going as far as killing the man in cold blood, would never break the bond of love that he held in his heart towards his youngest.

“He was waiting for me, Pa. Like he knew I would come after him. Guess him and Cade were a whole lot alike. They both knew when I was following them. We got into one hell of a fight. I wasn’t wearing my gun, in case you have any doubts at this point.” “You know I’d never think the worst about you. Now go on.”

“Well, we fought hard. We were rolling around on the ground. Luke happened to grab his gun. We wrestled with it and it went off. Shot him in the chest. Funny—died kinda like his brother didn’t he? I remember Hoss telling me you shot Cade right through his heart.”

“That’s self-defense, Joseph. Why did you run?”

“You know why I ran, Pa. You know as well as I do that there would be a trial. I am not going through that. If you have plans to bring me in, I’ll tell you right here and now I won’t go. I’ll take a gun to my head first.” Joe warned and his expression was dead serious.

“We don’t have a choice in this now, Joseph. You know that. And if you are planning to kill yourself, do me the favor of shooting me first. I’d never live through burying you anyway.” Ben now had tears in his eyes as he thought about the possibility of Joe being gone forever.

“You told me many times—throughout what happened with Cade—and later with Luke that you’d help me in any way. Did you mean it, Pa?”

Ben nodded solemnly. “Of course I meant it. But, what can I do if you insist on not turning yourself in?”

“I need money. I need safe passage.” Joe replied. He had thought all of his plans out while waiting for his father to come to him.

“Passage? Passage to where?”

“I am going to San Francisco-and from there by ship to Europe. I either start my life over or end it right here.”

“You know that if you leave—if you run from these charges that you would never be able to come back?” Ben’s voice broke at the thought of what his son was even suggesting.

“I know that, Pa. If you don’t think it’s already killing me to know that I’ll never see you again—you are wrong. I just don’t have a choice. Seems like life has decided to take away from me all that I was—all that I cared about—and now all of those I love.” Joe fought not to cry, but the tears involuntarily drifted from his eyes.

Ben walked around the table and pulled Joe into his arms. The they both wept. Ben knew what he had to do, and yet he didn’t think he had the internal strength to let his youngest son go. But the thought of Joe taking his own life over-powered the idea of him leaving the country.

“Either way I lose you, Joseph. I don’t think I can bear this.” Ben fought for control of his voice but it came out as broken as his heart.

“I know I am putting you in an awful position, Pa. You have never gone against the law.”

“My son has never been in jeopardy this way before either. I’ll do whatever I have to for you, Joseph. Even if it means saying goodbye to you.” Ben hugged Joe tightly and he could feel the sadness coming through from his son’s heart.

“Then get me what I need now. I don’t have much time. I’ll stay here until you return.” Joe broke from his father’s embrace. He had to pull away, he knew if he didn’t he would never be able to say goodbye.

“I’ll be back soon.” Ben replied and turned toward the door. Suddenly the overwhelming emotion of what was going to happen forced Ben back over one last time. “I just want you to know that doing this—letting you walk out of my life is the hardest thing I have ever done. It’s only because I love you so very much that I can do it.”

Joe grabbed his father and held on. “I love you, Pa. No matter where life takes me you will always be in my mind and in my heart.”

Ben had to push himself away this time. He all but ran to the door as tears flowed down his cheeks. Mounting Buck, Ben turned back toward the ranch house to make preparations for his son’s departure to Europe.

It was right before dawn that Roy turned his posse away from Sheepshead and headed back down toward the ranch house himself. He had the suspicion that Adam had intended all along to lead him on a wild goose chase. While understanding why he had done that, it still angered the lawman. He wanted to find Joe before the other men who were out and about on their own did. Roy had earlier sent three of his six men off in another direction and now he could see up in the distance that they were returning. He pulled his horse to a halt and waited until they caught up with him.

“See anything?” Roy called over to the other men.

“Yeah—we followed three horses. One of them was Joe’s pinto.”

“Find him?” Roy asked anxiously.

“Naw—it was Hoss and Adam and guess who was riding Joe’s horse?”

“No idea.” Roy frowned at yet another ploy by the Cartwrights to throw him off the track.

“Mark—you know that writer fellow.”

Roy tried to hold back his laughter. But, the thought of the city fellow who always dressed in a suit riding around pretending to be the youngest Cartwright tickled his fancy.

“Well, let’s head back to the ranch house. I have a bone or two to pick with Adam.” Roy stated and before he could kick at the sides of his mount, two more riders approached. He saw one of them was the rabble-rouser Pete Timmons who had the night before found Luke’s body.

“Seen old man Cartwright a little while ago!” Pete yelled out over to Roy and the other posse members. He was coming down from that old line shack up on the timber line. I bet he met up with Joe there!”

“Joe with him?” Roy asked knowing that his good friend was about to get himself into trouble for aiding and abetting his son.

“Naw—but if we go on up there I just bet you we’ll find Joe!”

“Let’s go.” Roy paused and looked at the over-anxious Pete. “You can come along if you want—but I will tell all of you right now-no guns! I am bringing that boy back alive!”

The posse headed out towards the cabin known as Oblivion.

Ben dismounted in front of the ranch house. His heart was still in his throat at the thought of what he had to do in order to protect Joe from being forced to go to trial. He walked into the house and saw Adam, Hoss and Mark waiting for him. “What did Joe say, Pa?” Hoss was quick to ask.

“Self-defense. They fought and then struggled over Luke’s gun and it went off.”

“But he can’t go to trial—is that it?” Mark asked after witnessing Ben’s sorrowful countenance.

“The rumors that Luke spread about him along with the awful details of what really happened the night with Cade would all come out in testimony. Joe said he’d rather kill himself than sit through that. He means it.” Ben looked back and forth between the three men.

“What are his plans?” Adam asked reading his father’s face and knowing that Joe had intentions of leaving.

Ben looked over at Mark and paused to get his words together. “Mark, maybe you should leave. What I am about to reveal will put all those who hear it as being accessories to a crime. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Mark gave his most eloquent smile and replied, “Trouble is synonymous with Twain! I am up for anything that the law wants to do to me. You can write stories just as well from the inside of a cell, and from what I hear tell they even furnish you with paper!” He laughed trying to break up the dread that hung in the air.

“Joseph wants safe passage to San Francisco. From there he will board a clipper ship to Europe.”

“What!” Hoss exploded. “You ain’t gonna really let him leave are you, Pa?”

“I have no choice!” Ben yelled, the anguish of the decision getting the better of him.

“He’ll never be able to come back. Does he know that?” Adam asked quietly trying to diffuse his father.

“Yes, he knows that. I haven’t got time to sit around and discuss this. I have to send a wire to a captain I know who will help us. Mark—you could send it for me. Maybe go into Carson to do it?” Ben asked.

“You write it, I’ll send it.” Mark nodded.

“Adam, I need you to go with Mark to Carson too. A withdrawal from that bank would not be as noticed. Have them wire the money to the San Francisco branch. We’ll transfer ten thousand dollars. That will keep Joseph for a while—” Ben trailed off as he felt the reality of it starting to get to him. He was setting up his son for a new life in a whole other part of the world. A life that he would not be able to share in. Ben pushed aside his tears and walked into his study. He jotted down the message to his friend in San Francisco and handed it to Mark. Hoss neared his father as Adam and Mark left for their assignments.

“What can I do?” Hoss asked feeling more than a bit choked up.

“You can go with me when the arrangements are made. Right now I want you to find that old trapper you know that lives up on Thunder Mountain. He can get Joe safely across the Sierras through trails that would be impossible to track. Tell him I’ll pay him what ever he wants.”

“Ned will do it for free—he always liked Joe—the boy was one of the few people who didn’t run away from him because of his looks and his strange ways.”

“Joseph always had a good heart—” Ben stopped and put his head in his hands. “We have got to let him go, Hoss. There’s no way out of this now. You know I don’t want this anymore than you or Adam.” Ben was now asking for his middle son’s understanding.

Hoss put his arm around Ben’s shoulder and whispered. “We know, Pa. If this is what Joe needs from us then we gotta do it. Besides—hey Adam’s been to Europe before—so have you! It’s my time now. Soon as he gets there I’ll go see him.”

“Thank you, Son.” Ben looked up into the misty eyes that were Hoss’. He knew that the young man was trying to ease his father’s mind despite how awful he was feeling himself.

Dawn was just appearing on the horizon as the group of nine men approached the line shack where Joe was in hiding. Roy lifted his hand to stop the procession right before they entered the front yard of the cabin.

“You men let me handle this.” Roy stated firmly. He dismounted and led his horse up to the hitching post, tying it there. Stepping up onto the porch he called into the cabin.

“Joe! It’s me—Roy! C’mon out we know you are in there. Let’s go into Virginia City and straighten this mess out!”

Joe lifted his head off of his arms. He had been slumbering at the time. Joe reached for his gun and his heart raced at the thought of being taken back into town. Having no concern for his own safety, and succumbing to the feeling to flee, Joe ran across the room and dove head first out of the window shattering the glass.

“There he goes!” Pete yelled and ran his mount after the escapee before Roy could even turn around.

“Let him be!” Roy yelled chasing after them both on foot. Pete fired off a shot which found its target. Joe fell to the ground and screamed out in pain.

“Damn you!” Roy cursed at Pete. “You put that gun down or I will shoot it out of your hand! I am the sheriff here!”

Pete holstered his gun and the other men approached the scene. Roy carefully looked over Joe’s injury. The bullet had passed through Joe’s right leg, splintering the bone.

“Let me help you, Joe.” Roy said as he wrapped his neckerchief around the wound to staunch the flow of blood.

“If you really wanted to help me, Roy, you would’ve let Pete kill me.” Joe replied wincing from the pain.

“No need to talk like that, Boy, we’ll get you into town and get you all fixed up.”

“In town and into a jail cell.” Joe answered coldly.

“I ain’t got no choice in that, Joe. But, I’m sure we can straighten this whole mess out.”

Roy helped pull Joe to standing and wrapped the boy’s arm around his shoulder and led him over to Pete’s horse. “Now you get down off there, I am gonna borrow that horse of yours for awhile.”

“What!” Pete shouted. “I don’t want the likes of him anywhere around my horse.”

Roy drew his gun and pointed it directly at the other man. “If you don’t want me to file charges against you then you’ll do what I told you to do. You went against the instructions of a duly appointed officer of the law. I am sure I can find something in one of them law books to arrest you for.”

Pete dismounted and handed the sheriff his reins. He then shot an ugly glance at Joe as Roy helped him up into the saddle. “I’ll ride back with Cliff. And once you have Cartwright in your jail I expect you to have my horse curried. Don’t want none of those deviant germs anywhere around me or my animal.”

Roy looked into Joe’s eyes and saw what little life that they held in them fade away. His heart went out to the boy. This was the one part of his job that he hated. In Roy’s mind and heart he didn’t blame Joe for running from the horrible things that had been said about him. Now Roy knew he was bringing him back into town to face far worse gossip.

“Let’s go.” Roy called out as he mounted his horse. He rode right next to Joe in hopes that he could provide some solace to the boy.

Ben hurried outside the ranch house after hearing the frantic shout of his name. There, dismounting from his horse, was one of their ranch hands; Jim Bowers. The man ran right up to his employer breathing heavily.

“I came as soon as I saw it—Roy brought Joe into town. The posse caught up with him. He’s been shot!”

“What!” Ben exploded in anger. “How bad is it?” Ben asked rushing to retrieve his hat and holster at the front door.

“He got shot in the leg. I heard someone say that Pete Timmons did it. I figured you’d want to know right away.” The man followed Ben over to Buck.

“Thanks for coming out so fast.” Ben replied swinging up into his saddle.

“Anything I can do, Mr. Cartwright?”

“Yes—try to get to Hoss before he gets all the way up Thunder Mountain. Tell him to meet me in Virginia City. I’ll send a wire to Adam in Carson City.” Ben called as he sent Buck into a fast gallop.

Roy could hear the loud footsteps as they walked up the front steps to the jail. He knew it had to be Ben Cartwright. Roy stood from his desk just in time to see his prediction was correct.

“Where’s my son!” Ben demanded. The long ride into town had only fueled the worried father’s anger at the thought of the boy having been shot.

“Simmer down, Ben. He’s going to be okay. Doc is back there with him now.”

“How did this happen? Why did you let Pete get off a shot at Joe?” Ben questioned relentlessly.

“Now just a darn second, Ben Cartwright. “ Roy fumed at the implication. “If you hadn’t let your sons lead me around like a rube maybe I could’ve caught up with Joe sooner and prevented this. Don’t go blaming me or I will file some charges against you for harboring a fugitive.” Roy threatened and then saw Ben’s face flush.

“I’m sorry, Roy. I’m just about at my wits end right now. I know that you did your best and you did get Joseph to safety. Forgive me.” Ben apologized and Roy could see the sincerity on the other man’s face.

“Don’t reckon I blame you, Ben. I know what you have been going through with Joe here lately. Doc even mentioned that Joe had threatened suicide in the past. I didn’t know none of that.” Roy’s voice returned to it’s normal tone now .

“We have to keep an eye on the boy, Roy. Don’t leave him alone in the cell.” Ben warned not knowing what Joe’s next move might be.

“You and the boys can come and go as you like. Between the three of you and me too we will watch that he doesn’t do anything to harm himself. You ready to go see him now?”

Ben nodded and started toward the back but Roy stopped him abruptly.

“Going to have to take your gun, Ben. Some of the folks here in town already think I give you preferential treatment.”

“I understand.” Ben replied taking off his holster and handing it to the sheriff. The two of them walked to the back of the jail house to where Joe was being tended by Doctor Martin. Roy unlocked the door and let Ben inside.

“How is he?” Ben asked as he neared the head of the cot where Joe was now spread out.

“He’s hurting a bit. I just got finished suturing that gash on his forehead. His leg is fractured, but not too badly. The bullet when clean through.”

Ben reached down and put his hand on his son’s forehead and Joe’s eyes slowly opened.

“Pa—” Joe started and blinked back tears.

“It’s going to be all right, Joseph. You just rest easy.” Ben turned and looked at the doctor, concerned for his son’s condition.

“I gave him a sedative. He should be out soon. Roy says the inquest will be held day after tomorrow. I’ll bring him some crutches to make it easier for him to get over to the courthouse.”

“I hope they allow crutches in prison.” Joe interrupted and shot a hard glance at both his father and the doctor.

“Joe—you are not going to prison.” Ben corrected. “You will be cleared of all of this as soon as you tell your story.”

“No—I am NOT going to tell my story. I am pleading guilty to murder charges. They will lock me up and throw away the key. Either that or hang me—either way it gets me out of testifying!”

Doctor Martin shook his head at the idea of Joe refusing to testify. He lifted up his medical bag and stood. “I think I’ll leave the two of you alone. I’ll be back later to check on that leg to see if it’s setting properly.” The doctor motioned for Roy to let him out. Paul figured that both father and son had a round or two to fight before the sedative took over.

Ben sat down on the cot next to Joe and put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I did everything I told you I would, Joseph. I had Adam and Mark go into Carson City to wire a friend of mine in San Francisco to get you on a ship. I also had Adam wire you some money to be waiting for you. I sent Hoss up to Thunder Mountain to get Ned the trapper to help you reach your destination. The posse just happened to be a bit faster than our plans.”

“Why are you telling me all of this? What difference does it make now?” Joe shot back feeling all the planning had been a waste of time.

Ben reached down and forced Joe to gaze into his eyes. “You asked me to do something for you that took all the strength I had in my body to do. And my heart for that matter. But, I was doing it for you. Now, I need the same kind of favor from you.”

“Don’t ask me to testify, Pa. I told you I’d rather die.” Joe’s voice shook knowing what his father was getting around to now.

“I want you—no I NEED you to testify. Prove your strength to me now. Prove to me that neither Cade nor Luke nor the contemptuous people in this town have beaten you! Show me the real Joe Cartwright. He’s been trying to fight his way out from under all of this for a year now. I want to see him again!”

“A year?” Joe laughed. “Not quite, Pa. You know when it will really be a year? The day of the inquest just happens to be the very same day a year ago that I was attacked by Cade. How appropriate that I am further humiliated on the same day this year!”

Ben shook his head and his ire gave way to his tenderness as he grabbed Joe’s hand and squeezed it for strength. “It’s time to humiliate them now, Joseph. Make them all pay for what they have said about you. For that matter you might as well rid yourself of the ghosts of Cade and Luke the same way. If it falls on the anniversary of Cade’s attack so be it! It will just be more reason to get it all out and address it once and for all.”

Joe’s eyes clouded due to the medication and also the tears that had welled up in them. He fought to remain conscious. “I don’t think I can do this, Pa.” He cried.

“Do it for me. If I could let you walk out of my life because it was what you needed, then you can stand up and testify knowing it’s what I need from you now.”

“I have to think on it.” Joe mumbled and fell off into an exhausted sleep.

“Yes, you think on it.” Ben sighed knowing Joe was far from hearing his voice now. He reached up and stroked the hair off of his son’s forehead and closed his eyes in prayer.

The next Cartwright to make their appearance to the Virginia City jail house was Adam. He had receive his father’s telegram as he was preparing to wire the money for Joe to the San Francisco bank. Adam hurried to get Mark and they both rode hastily to see what had happened. Mark returned to the newspaper to work on his story, leaving Adam to go check on his brother.

“Your father is still in there with him.” Doctor Martin stated as he saw the eldest son enter the office. “I was hoping either you or Hoss would get here soon. I need to get Ben over to my office to lay down a bit. He is totally exhausted and I am worried about his health.”

“How’s the kid?” Adam asked as he removed his holster and handed it to Roy.

“Physically he will be okay. His leg has a fracture, but it’s his emotional state that has us all concerned. When last I spoke to him he insisted that he would plead guilty to avoid testifying. Said he’d rather go to prison or hang than to tell his story.” Paul sighed at a loss of what to do.

“I’ll sit with him until Hoss shows up. You get Pa to rest awhile when I send him out here. The last thing any of us needs is for something to happen to him. The strain of the last few weeks is really getting to him.”

Paul nodded and Adam was led to the back of the jail. Ben still sat by the cot with his youngest son. He seemed to be in almost a trance like state and didn’t hear his oldest call out to him at first. Roy opened the cell and Ben responded only to the hand on his shoulder.

“Adam? You made it here pretty fast.” Ben said standing up and trying to get the kinks out of his back.

“Let me sit with Joe awhile. You need to get some rest before you fall out.” Adam stated worried over his father’s appearance. Ben looked haggard and old, not like the father he knew.

“If Joe wakes up—” Ben started but Adam broke in.

“If he wakes up I will be right here. Did you send someone for Hoss?” Adam asked sitting down in the chair Ben had vacated.

“Yes—he should be here soon.”

“You go on and lay down. Doc has a bed waiting on you.”

“Let me know if he comes around.” Ben replied as he reached for Joe’s arm and patted it as though the slumbering boy would get the message that his father would be right back.

“He’ll be fine.” Adam nodded and Ben reluctantly left the cell followed by Roy.

Adam stared over at his bruised and broken youngest brother. His heart went out to the kid. He wondered, as he had so many times in the past, why Joe always had to be tested by fire. Adam reflected back on all of the events of the past year.

Joe’s immense strength had carried through despite the awful treatment he had received by fate. Adam sighed deeply wondering if there was any more of that Joe Cartwright gumption left in the boy. He knew it would take an enormous amount of it to be able to hold up at the inquest. In deep reflection, Adam doubted if he, himself, would be able to address what had happened if it had been him instead of his little brother who had been assaulted. He reached over and brushed his hand through Joe’s hair, something he rarely allowed himself to do. Adam felt he had to keep a certain distance from those green eyes and boyish good looks or he would succumb to the boy’s wishes to run away again. He knew that he had to remain strong and aloof in a way, or else he would break the boy out of jail himself.

“You are so strong, Joe.” Adam whispered, even though he knew Joe could not hear his words at the time. “You have no idea how proud I am of you. I wish you did. But, praise is not what you need right now. You need someone to tell you what you have to do. If we give in to you, and help you leave, we risk losing you forever. No-one is willing to say goodbye to you, not Hoss, not Pa—and believe it or not—not me!”

Adam settled back into his chair and kept vigil over his brother.

Hoss had been half- way up the mountain in search of his trapper friend when Jim reached him with the news of Joe’s capture. He rode as fast as Chub would take from him to get to his brother. It was just turning dark when he arrived at the jail house.

“Where’s Joe?” Hoss all but shouted as he entered the office. Roy turned from the stove and poured Hoss some coffee.

“Now settle down, Hoss. You drink this and then you can see him. I think he was just starting to wake up when I checked on him a little while ago.” Roy tried to sooth the weary rider and handed him over the coffee.

Hoss accepted the drink and settled down into the chair by Roy’s desk. “Jim says he was shot. How bad?”

“Leg wound—Doc said he’d be okay in a few weeks if he stays off of it.” Roy replied sinking down into his own chair. The lawman was as exhausted as Ben had been after a night of riding and worrying about his prisoner.

“Pa in there?”

“He’s over at Doc’s—before you go getting upset—he’s just laying down a spell. He’ll be back soon. Adam is in there with your brother.

“There’s gonna be a trial ain’t there?” Hoss asked knowing what the ramification would be to his brother.

“An inquest, Hoss. Day after tomorrow. If your little brother will just go there and tell the prosecutor what he told me happened then there’s no way he will be held over for trial. It was purely self-defense. But, that mule-headed kid doesn’t want to do that. Said he’d rather hang or go to prison.” Roy answered totally exasperated at the thought.

“You know why, Roy. After them no good gossips here in this town spread all them awful lies about him! How would you feel? Then, to have to sit there and tell everyone things that you can’t even say to your own family—would you be able to do that?” Hoss looked piercingly at Roy and saw the sheriff’s face flush.

“I don’t reckon I can answer that, Hoss. Don’t reckon any of us really knows how we’d handle this. But, I do know that he’s too good a kid to throw his life away for nothing.”

Hoss stood and removed his holster and handed it to Roy. “Let me see him.”

The two men walked to the backroom and Roy opened the cell for Hoss.

“Hey, there Big Brother.” Hoss called over to Adam who now stood.

“Hoss—glad you are here. Joe is just starting to wake up.” Adam smiled very grateful to have some back- up for what Joe might end up putting them both through.

“Hey there, Short Shanks!” Hoss smiled as Joe slowly opened his eyes. “I hear tell that you had yourself one heck of a night last night. Now why’d you go get yourself shot?”

Joe pulled himself up, and winced at the throbbing pain in his leg. He leaned back against the wall of the cell for support. Staring over at his two brothers he read their faces and knew what they were thinking and how worried they were. And there was Hoss! Smiling at him like everything was fine. Joe shook his head in disbelief.

“That damned Pete is a lousy shot!” Joe called over at Hoss cynically. “If he’d of got me in the heart this whole mess would be over.”

Adam and Hoss exchanged tired expressions. They knew how prone Joe had become to suicidal thoughts recently and it was still pouring out in his statements.

“Now cut that out!” Adam said angrily. “If I hear this stuff anymore I think I’ll just do it for you! You are here, you are alive, and you are gonna go to that damn inquest and get it all over with once and for all!”

“Leave me alone!” Joe yelled back, his anger now peaking.

Adam walked closer to his youngest brother. He had to shake the boy out of his self-destructive mood, despite how awful he felt for Joe, Adam knew it had to be done.

“No I won’t leave you alone! And this blasted nonsense about you leaving for Europe! What was that all about? You want to make our father an accessory to a crime? That was really low, Joe. Sometimes I honestly feel that you care only about yourself. How do you think we would feel never seeing your ornery hide again?”

“YOU would be happy!” Joe sneered at his oldest brother. “I’ll admit Hoss and Pa would miss me some—but it would make your day to see me gone!”

Adam gathered a fist full of Joe’s shirt and was almost ready to punch him when Hoss grabbed his hand.

“We are suppose to be helping Joe, Adam—not beating him to a pulp!” Hoss reprimanded.

“I think he could use some beating myself—knock some sense into him! Joe—I swear if you ever again tell me that I don’t care about you I will beat the absolute hell out of you! If you don’t know it by now then you haven’t paid any attention in twenty years! Now, stop the sulking, stop the whining and stand up for yourself! Cade and Luke humiliated you! The gossips in this town did the same thing! It’s time to get even! I know what a vicious tongue you have in that mouth of yours—let it loose on them—not us!”

Joe dropped his head down in his hands and Hoss put his arm around his shoulder. “We love you, Joe, we ain’t about to lose you. Even this hothead older brother of yours wants to help you. “ Hoss cajoled his brother.

The sound of a throat clearing itself loudly made all eyes turn toward the cell door. There, standing with hands on hips, was Ben Cartwright. He looked like their father now, after having had some rest. Ben was his normal commanding self as he shot a disciplinary glance at each of his sons.

“Nice to see you boys getting along so well.” He called out heavy of sarcasm.

“Pa—we was—” Hoss started but his father cut him off.

“I heard it all, Hoss. Now, if my oldest sons will join me for dinner, Doc wants to examine my youngest.”

Roy pulled the door open and, a bit sheepishly, Hoss and Adam walked out. The doctor sat down next to his patient. Before turning to leave, Ben called back in toward Joe.

“I will be back in a little while, Joseph. We still have some things to get straight.” Ben’s voice seemed stern in tone and that fact surprised his son.

The three oldest members of the Cartwright family sat over dinner at the International House. The first few minutes that they had been together had been unusually quiet ones. Ben waited for an explanation for what he had witnessed at the jail. He shot another meaningful glance at his eldest son, and waited for the response.

Adam accepted the glass of wine that the waiter had brought him and sipped it while looking over at Hoss. He knew if anyone could run interference for him it would be Hoss who so often held the job as the peacemaker of the family. Hoss noticed his brother’s eyes and the way they pleaded with him to speak up.

“Oh—Pa—Adam was just trying to get through to Joe. He wasn’t really starting no trouble.” Hoss said calmly.

“It seemed to me as though he was asking for a fight.” Ben countered and again stared over at Adam.

“Something has to be done, Pa!” Adam protested angrily. “This suicide watch is getting old. We have to shake him out of it. If it makes him mad—then all the better. When that kid gets mad nothing in life can hold him back.”

“He’s hurting. Can either of you blame him? Do you know what going to that inquest is going to do to him?” Ben closed his eyes as the scene appeared in his mind. Joe sitting on the witness stand telling all that had happened between him and Cade.

“We know that, Pa.” Hoss nodded and reached over and grabbed his father’s arm.

“But, if he stops fighting, there’s a good chance he will not testify. We can’t force him you know? He could go to prison—or worse!”

“I suppose you want to go break him out of jail?” Adam asked still upset by the tone of voice his father had used with him.

“Not that I haven’t thought about it!” Ben replied and then settled down. “I know you have Joe’s best interest at heart—both of you. But, it is so hard to sit with the boy and tell him what he needs to do. I don’t rightly know if I could do it myself.”

“Joe ain’t like you, Pa. Or neither Adam or me for that matter! Look at what he has already survived. That kid has more strength than the three of us put together. Don’t sell the kid short. Joe can do this!” Hoss was adamant in his statement which gave off the intense pride he held for his little brother.

“Hoss is right, Pa. And it did occur to me—and probably Hoss too—that we could go bust him out of Roy’s jail. But, that won’t solve anything. He has not just been running from the law or the gossips. Joe has been running from his ghosts. Maybe facing them down will make them leave.”

Ben folded his hands and thought on all that Adam had said. He knew that his sons were right. “We have to keep an eye on him. I want one of us with him all the way up to the inquest. I’ll stay tonight and one of you relieve me in the morning.” Ben stated and finally started eating his meal.

“We’ll watch him, Pa. He has one more day and we get this mess over with.” Hoss said hoping that it would truly be over by then.

“What are you gonna say to him?” Adam asked staring into his father’s dark brown eyes. He knew that for Ben to be tough with Joe would take a whole lot of strength on his father’s part.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll take him over some dinner once we are through. Maybe by then I’ll come up with something.” Ben returned, unsure of how to handle his youngest anymore.

Ben returned to the jail just as Doctor Martin was leaving. The two old friends stood out on the porch to discuss Joe’s condition. Paul looked exasperated and Ben could tell that his youngest son must have been on his worst behavior while he was away.

“Roy’s in there with him. I told him that he needed some rest and Clem will take over in a little while.” Paul began.

“How is Joe?” Ben almost hated to ask the loaded question.

“Bitter, depressed, all the things he was a year ago in my opinion. There’s no easy fix for it this time, Ben. Joe has got to testify. I only hope he is strong enough to do it. He is still insisting he’d rather die than to face going in front of all those people.”

“Any suggestions?” Ben asked wearily and leaned against the front door of the jail.

“I wish I knew. Just keep someone with him. With that leg being busted I don’t think he could try to escape. But, he has fooled us before, I wouldn’t take any chances with him.”

“I’m staying with him tonight. Hoss and Adam will come in tomorrow morning.”

“Good. I will check on him tomorrow too. Good luck.” Paul sighed and patted Ben on the shoulder and walked away.

“I brought you some dinner.” Ben called over to his son and Roy unlocked the door for him to enter.

Joe frowned, food was the last thing on his mind at the time. He had tried to get some pain killers off of the doctor but the man had refused his request. At the present time Joe would have settled for a bottle or two of rot gut to take his mind off what was happening.

Ben set the food down on the tray that Roy had brought in. Joe turned on the cot and pulled his right leg out in front of him to stretch it out.

“Leg bothering you?” Ben asked hoping for some conversation other than the pending inquest.

“My leg?” Joe laughed. “No that is not what is bothering me, Pa. Hey—where’s Adam? He and I weren’t done fighting yet.”

“Hoss and Adam went home. Your brother wasn’t trying to fight with you, Joseph. He was just trying to get a point across to you that he cares about you.” Ben replied and his statement brought forth more laughter from Joe.

“If he cares—or you for that matter—you would help me to escape.” Joe stated harshly and looked into his father’s eyes. “You were gonna help me before. You still can.”

Ben reached over and grabbed Joe’s arm a bit rougher than he had intended. But, it did get the boy’s attention. “I was wrong for even trying to go along with that before. There’s nothing left to do now but to face up to this.”

Joe jerked his arm away madly and moved further down on the cot. “Oh—sure—let me go ahead. Let me go and do what all of you want me to do. You want to tell me how I will ever be able to come into this town after I tell my story? You think I’ll ever be able to stare into the faces of all of the people who have spread the horrible stories about me?”

Ben moved over to sit next to his son on the cot. While fighting to do as Adam had suggested by being firm, he still could not let go of the heartbreak he felt over what Joe had to do. Ben wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulder. Joe tried to break free and move away but Ben’s grip became like a steel vice. He refused to release his hold.

“Now I want you to hear me out, Joseph. I understand why you are mad. I guess you have every right to be at this point. But, let me tell you how it’s going to be.” Ben started and Joe looked away. Even though he could not free himself from his father’s embrace, he could look away from his penetrating eyes; the eyes that knew him better than he knew himself.

“You are going to go to the inquest. You will defend yourself from not only the murder charge, but also from the terrible lies that Luke said about you. Once you have done that, I will make you a deal.” Ben stopped on purpose to see if he had peaked his son’s interest. Joe finally turned his face toward his father, wondering what deal he was referring to.

“What?” Joe muttered in response.

“I will sell the Ponderosa.” Ben remarked and saw Joe’s facial expression go lax.

“Sell the Ponderosa? Why?” Joe finally asked, his hazel eyes full of desperation at even the thought of his father giving up all he had spent his lifetime building.

“We will start over. Any where in this country that you want to. Even in Europe if you have a mind to go there.” Ben answered, his sincerity showed on his own face and in his eyes as well.

“Because I have tarnished the Cartwright name, right? Because none of you want to face the town either.” Joe’s words came out with a coldness to them. It was what he truly believed at the time.

Ben turned Joe’s face back towards him and glared into his eyes again. “You have never made any of us anything but proud. You have not done anything wrong. Joseph—until you start to believe that yourself you won’t ever be able to rid yourself of your ghosts. I spoke with your brothers. They are in full agreement that if leaving this place is what you need to go on with your life after the inquest then that’s exactly what you can do. But, whether you like it or not—we are going with you.”

Ben felt the stiffness in Joe’s posture go limp and he knew what his statement had meant to the boy without being told. Joe rested his head on his father’s shoulder giving in to the emotion. At least for the moment he felt secure and loved.

“I wouldn’t want you to do that, Pa. The Ponderosa is your life.” Joe whispered, his anger having left him only with remorse for his bad behavior.

“You are my life. You and your brothers. As long as I have all of you, I would be content living anywhere. You don’t have to make your mind up now, Son. But, when all of this is over, we’ll talk and you can decide where you want to be.”

Joe closed his eyes wondering now if there would ever be a place where he wouldn’t have the memories or ghosts of both Cade and Luke. He knew the way that things were being set up, that it looked like he would be going to the inquest. The thought still knotted up his stomach. But, at least for the time being he was with his father and was safe from the outside world.

Roy Coffee was just returning from his badly needed night off. The events of the past couple of days had worn him thin. As he walked up the steps leading to the jail house, he met up with Hoss.

“What you got there, Hoss?” Roy asked looking at the covered basket that the big man held in his arms.

“A present for Joe from Hop Sing. He fixed him all of his favorites for breakfast and sent me to deliver it.” Hoss answered as the two men stepped inside.

“Morning, Roy.” Clem Foster called over from the desk. “You get any sleep?”

“Yeah—I am all rested now—you go on home and get some shut-eye.”

As the deputy left, Roy cast a somewhat suspicious eye again toward Hoss. “You wouldn’t mind me checking that basket out would you?”

Hoss chuckled at the thought. “Now, Roy—you don’t think I brung Joe a gun or something in here do you?” Hoss handed over the basket.

“You Cartwrights have been playing kinda loose with the law here lately. I still haven’t forgotten that wild goose chase you and Adam sent me and my posse on the other night.” Roy said as he lifted the cloth that covered the dishes Hop Sing had sent. “Okay—you can go on and take it in to your brother now. Just hand me over that holster first.”

Hoss unstrapped his gunbelt and tossed it over to the sheriff. Roy set in on his desk and grabbed the keys. The two of them walked toward the back of the jail. They saw that Joe was wide awake as they both approached the cell. Ben, however, was sound asleep on the cot; Joe having moved over to the chair.

“Looks like Pa is doing a good job keeping an eye on you!” Hoss smiled at his brother.

The voices awoke the sleeping father and he sat up trying to figure out where he was. Once the disorientation wore off he stared over at Joe.

“I don’t remember falling to sleep. When did I go out?” Ben yawned and rubbed at his eyes.

“I think it was about three lectures ago, Pa.” Joe answered with both wit and sarcasm bleeding out in his response.

Ben stood and pointed over to the cot. “You get over here right now. You are the one who is supposed to be resting.”

Joe slid over onto the cot as Hoss entered the cell, placing Hop Sing’s food in front of the boy. “Hop Sing went all out for you, Joe. He sent all of your favorites.” Hoss smiled and sat down next to his brother.

Joe pulled back the cloth and inspected the contents of the basket. After a few minutes he looked up at the three men and said, “Damn!”

“What? What’s wrong?” Hoss asked puzzled.

“No file—no gun—” Joe remarked casually.

“Oh—no. Not that again. Joseph—” Ben started back over toward his youngest son.

“Just kidding, Pa.” Joe stopped his father’s progress. “Well—kinda.”

“Hoss, do something with your brother will you? I’m going to go back home for a little while.” Ben shook his head wearily. Joe’s statements had come off as though they were in jest, but he was never really sure of the boy’s intent anymore.

“See you later.” Hoss called and watched both Roy and his father leave.

Joe tried to eat some of the food Hop Sing had sent, but his heart wasn’t quite in it. He kept passing Hoss what he didn’t want and his brother accepted it willingly.

“You hardly ate anything.” Hoss fussed as Joe leaned back against the wall of his cell.

“I ate enough.” Joe replied and closed his eyes as a pain shot up from his leg.

“You hurting, Buddy?”

“Yeah. Guess my leg is kinda waking up on me now. It will be okay.”

“Want me to get Doc?” Hoss’ worry came out in his question.

“No—I think Doc is kinda mad at me right now. I kinda gave him a hard time yesterday.”

“When haven’t you given that man a hard time?” Hoss laughed loudly. “He’s got a tough hide. I’m sure he ain’t too mad with you.”

“Hoss—” Joe started and forced his gaze on his brother. “I’m scared, I mean really scared. Pa wants me to testify—I don’t want to let him down. I don’t want to let any of you down. But, the thought of tomorrow worries the hell out of me. What if I break? What if I just can’t speak? “

Hoss patted his brother’s shoulder and returned the gaze. He saw the same hazel eyes that had looked up at him when he had first held his brother as an infant. He remembered all of the past crisis in Joe’s short life and had seen the way he had struggled to overcome any obstacle. Now, looking into those same eyes, Hoss only saw fear. The tough brilliant hues of green had smoldered casting back a darkness that seemed to fade into nothingness. Hoss knew that was because that was what his brother had been feeling; a vast nothingness. Now, he had turned those eyes on his big brother and was almost begging for help. Hoss had an aching in his heart just thinking about the next hurdle that had been set up for his brother. A hurdle that he wasn’t sure that Joe could clear.

“All of us get scared at times, Joe. I know you look at me and see this huge ox of a man who doesn’t seem to have anything that scares him. But, I have fears just like you. What you may not see is the belief I have in my little brother. The faith I have in you has never been challenged. I know that just the thought of getting up there and looking into all of those faces is worrying you. But, you are going to have three faces staring back at you who know what you have gone through. Just look at us, get your story out and let it be done and over with one last time. Then—” Hoss paused and wrapped his arm around his brother and gave him a quick squeeze. “Then if anyone ever says another thing about what happened to you I will personally break them in two!”

Joe sat in thought between tears and laughter at what his brother had said. He tried to draw from the strength of the gentle giant at his side. He knew that Hoss would always be in his corner and was a great power to be reckoned with if turned loose.

“Okay, Big Brother, I give you my permission that after the inquest you can beat the hell out of anyone who gets in my face.” Joe broke into an affectionate smile and playfully jabbed his brother in the ribs. The two brothers sat and talked for hours, trying to pass the time knowing that the next day would be the hardest one that either of them had ever seen.

Roy led another visitor in to see Joe. This was the only visitor besides Doctor Martin that the sheriff didn’t have to order to take off a gun. It was Reverend Hastings. Joe looked up as the man approached.

“Uh oh. I’m in for it now.” Joe muttered to his brother Hoss. “Come to see the condemned man?” Joe asked as the preacher was let into the cell.

Reverend Hastings grinned at his friend’s peculiar sense of humor. “No, don’t quite think you are condemned, Joe. But, I would like to speak with you.”

Hoss stood up and let the reverend sit down in the chair. “I’m gonna grab some lunch. I’ll be back in a little while.” Hoss made his excuse to give Joe time alone with the man.

Joe stared over at the minister and frowned. “I guess you’ve heard what has happened right?”

Reverend Hastings reached over and touched Joe’s arm affectionately. “Yes, unfortunately it seems that Satan has been busy in this town here lately. You do know that baring false witness is a sin, one that a whole lot of people will have to seek forgiveness for.”

“And now you are gonna tell me that I should turn the other cheek , right? Forgive those who despitefully use me? Or maybe you are gonna tell me that line about to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose unto heaven! I guess this is just another season, huh?” Joe shot back, angered at the thought of the gossip that had spread all over Virginia City.

“No, Joe, that was not what I was going to say. You know even Jesus had his limits. Remember when he found those people in the temple selling and gambling? He whipped the tar out of them as I recall. You have every right to be both hurt and angry at this point. I was just hoping that all of this didn’t put you back to where you were last year at this time. Of course back then I had no idea of all the anguish that you had suffered. But, you found God—or rather he found you. I hope he is still with you.”

“I don’t blame God—if that is what you are getting at. I blame this town. I blame all of the people who have known me and my family and still chose to believe the horrible things that Luke told them.”

“Here.” The reverend handed Joe a small Bible. “I have a few passages marked for you. I believe you may see the pertinence in them right now. The first one is Psalm fifty-five. Why don’t you read it?”

Joe fumbled with the book but finally found the passage that had been marked for him. He read verses thirteen through fifteen and then looked up at the minister. “How true. I guess this kind of thing is as old as the world, huh? People back-stabbing others. But, when it’s someone that you trusted—” Joe stopped as his throat choked up when remembering his encounter with both Mitch and Mr. Brendon.

“This will sound a bit trite, but you need to remember that carpenter’s son. He did nothing but good deeds. He helped the poor, cured the sick, and spoke only of love for each other. And look what happened to him.”

“You are forgetting that he forgave his accusers, I am far from that kind of perfect.”

“It also says in the Bible that when someone rebukes you to stamp off your feet and walk the other way. Don’t let the evil in others bring you down to their vile level. You are too good a person, Joe.”

“What’s this other one?” Joe asked going to the last bookmark.

“Something I want you to remember when you go in to that inquest tomorrow. Keep it in your heart to help ward off the hurt you will feel.”

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous. It is not inflated, it is not rude. It does not seek its own interests, it isn’t quick-tempered. It does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” Joe finished his recital and looked up into the reverend’s compassionate eyes.

“You will have people there who love you, Joe. Remember that. No matter what else happens, the same ones who walk in there with love for you will walk back out with the same love for you. Love never fails.”

“Thank you.” Joe replied, knowing that the reverend was referring to the three other Cartwrights and a few others who cared about him. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“I’ll be there too, Joe. And I am going to have one scathing sermon to give to my parishioners on Sunday.” Reverend Hastings shook Joe’s hand and Roy came to let him out.

Adam Cartwright had come into town for two reasons. First of all he wanted to track down his brother Hoss and find out how Joe’s spirits were. Then, he wanted to go over to the newspaper and check on the project that Mark had been working on. After accomplishing both missions, he sent Hoss back to the ranch and walked over to the jail for his turn to sit with his brother.

“Oh great! Your turn, huh?” Joe smirked as Adam was let into the cell. “I guess nobody read the do not disturb sign I hung outside.”

Adam laughed at his brother’s biting wit. He knew that although Joe was protesting, he also showed in his eyes that he was glad to see his oldest brother. Adam sat on the cot next to Joe and tossed his hat upside down on the floor in front of them. Joe looked at him oddly, not understanding the gesture. Then, Adam reached into his coat and pulled out a deck of cards.

“Remember this?” He asked and flew a card sailing across the room, it landed inside the hat. This brought a quick smile to Joe’s face. His memories of tossing cards with his brother as a kid was still vivid. “Here.” Adam said and handed Joe a card.

“Move it over. That’s too close.” Joe protested and Adam moved the hat to the end of the cell.

“There!” Joe yelled as his card sailed inside the hat. “I always was better at this than you.” He laughed.

“That’s because you have had much more practice than I have. I remember all the times that Pa sent you to your room. This is what you always did to pass the long hours.”

“Thanks for reminding me of my former transgressions.” Joe returned sarcastically and flew another card over to his brother’s hat.

“How are you doing?” Adam finally got the nerve up to ask.

“Just great. The hours are just flying by. I can hardly wait for tomorrow.”

“Well, it’s getting dark now. You don’t have long. Have you figured out what you are going to say?” Adam’s questions held concern in them. He wanted his brother to take the time to think it all out so he would be prepared.

Joe eased back against the wall and dropped the remaining cards down on the cot. He thought awhile before responding. “Yeah— I am going to give them what they want. They want all of the sordid details, then by God that is what they will get. At least I will be saying it to their faces, much better than what they have done to me.”

A sound from outside the cell window stopped the conversation. Adam stood and peered out. Even though the alleyway was now almost totally dark he made out the figures of Pete Timmons and his drinking buddy Hank Lincoln. The two men stood under the window and began their taunting.

“Sure can’t wait to see Joe on that stand tomorrow!” Pete laughed and swilled his bottle of whiskey. “Glad I didn’t kill him. Now we get to see him squirm when they ask him what he was doing with that Cade fellow!”

“Oh yeah! “ Hank broke in. “What will those Cartwrights do once the real story is out about Joe? If I were them I’d send him packing!”

Adam looked down at Joe. He saw the former brightness in the boy’s eyes flicker and go out. Joe closed his eyes against the taunts and his stomach churned. He knew these were the kinds of things that the people he would have to face in court would be thinking.

“Will you excuse me for just a moment?” Adam said formally and called for Roy.

“What is it?” Roy asked and then before Adam could respond he heard the outdoors conversation himself. “I’ll go run them loud mouths off!”

“No, Roy. You stay with Joe, I’ll have a word or two with them.” Adam replied. Roy saw in the dark eyes of Joe’s oldest brother that he was going to do more than just talk to the men outside. He opened the cell and let Adam out.

“Yeah, I reckon you could use some fresh air, Adam.” Roy winked and Adam nodded.

Within a few brief moments the sound of fists could be heard inside the cell. Adam was pulverizing the two men who had dared to say things about his little brother. Hearing the commotion, Joe was brought out of his torment and pulled himself up onto the cot so he could get a better view. He leaned heavily on his left leg, sparing the broken one from the weight of his body.

“You get down from there, Little Joe!” Roy protested moving toward him. “Your father ain’t forgiven me for the other leg yet—you might fall and have another one broken.”

“No—Roy—this is too good to miss!” Joe found a smile taking over his face as he watched his brother unleash the wrath of two men on the tormentors.

Roy could not resist the idea of seeing Pete getting his just deserts and he climbed up on the cot next to Joe to get a good look. He saw Adam send one man flying against the boxes in the alley and the other against the brickwall of the adjoining store. “You know, being the sheriff and all I really should stop this.” Roy whispered over at Joe trying to hide the gleam in his eyes. “But, that would mean leaving you alone in here, and I promised your pa that I’d keep and eye on you.”

Joe grinned, he knew that Roy’s excuse was as lame as his own right leg. Both of the two men leaned against the window as Adam dealt Pete the final blow sending him sprawling in the dirt at his feet.

“You still have something to say about my brother?” Adam asked kneeling down grabbing Pete’s shirt roughly in his hands.

“No—stop —I’ve had enough already!”

“Oh—” Adam paused momentarily and then helped Pete up. When the man was eye-level to him Adam gave him another blow to his face sending him back down. “That is for the bullet you put in my brother’s leg!”

Adam dusted his pants off and then looked at the joyous faces of both his brother and the sheriff. He bowed at the waist eloquently and turned and walked away. Roy and Joe made their way off of the cot as Adam made his way back into the cell. He strode back over to where Joe was now sitting and calmly picked up the deck of cards. He sailed one across the room and handed one to his brother. Joe revelled in his brother’s ability to act like he had been out for a Sunday stroll.

The night was waning and Joe and Adam were just sitting in the cell now, each caught up in their own thoughts and worries about the inquest. They looked up as Roy brought in another visitor. This time it was their friend and former decoy Mark Twain. The man wore his familiar white suit and highly ornamental beige Stetson. Roy opened the cell door and Mark made his way over to the chair.

“Been a while Joe!” Mark held out his hand and Joe took it.

“Adam told me of your exploits with the posse Sam—oh I mean Mark.” Joe laughed.

“You are getting me confused of who I am today.” Mark chuckled. “You have

provided me with so much good material I probably will owe you some money if any of this gets published.”

“Well, don’t publish my story. Word of mouth will carry it all over the territory as it is.” Joe frowned at the thought.

“I brought you some nerve medicine.” Mark grinned and opened up his coat. Out from inside the lining came a bottle of whiskey. “Sorry I couldn’t fit any glasses in there.”

Joe reached for the bottle and took a swig. “Don’t need glasses with rot gut.” Joe replied and passed it over to Adam.

“Ah-the elixir of the gods.” Adam remarked after taking in some of the contents. He passed it back to Mark.

“Well, beats that champagne sissy stuff that they serve back east. Out west we drink like real men!” Mark said and took a healthy swallow and passed it back to Joe.

“So, what brings you here?” Joe asked suspiciously. “Need more material?”

“No, got plenty. I’ve got something real special planned but it is a surprise.”

“Not another frog story?” Joe questioned, remembering the one that Mark had told him a long time ago when they first met.

“No, this one’s about crows.” Mark answered and reached for more whiskey.

“Crows?” Adam asked bewildered. He thought that Mark had been busy writing something that would address the horrible treatment his brother had received at the hands of the towns people.

“You’ll see.” Mark stated cryptically. “Joe, I’m not going to that inquest. I don’t need to. Just want you to know that I will be with you in spirit. You have a lot of guts, Kid. Let them gossips have it will you?”

“Oh yeah.” Joe nodded and drank more. He was starting to feel a little light headed and it was a good feeling. The whiskey was taking over and his nerves were, indeed, calming.

“Here’s to giving them a taste of their own medicine!” Mark toasted and drank more and passed it around one final time. The three men polished off the bottle and then Mark left to go back to his preparation of his story for the next day.

Ben looked through the bars of the cell that held both of his sons. Adam was asleep in the chair snoring and Joe was spread out on the cot. A smile creased the father’s lips at the sight. Roy let him into the cell and Ben shook his eldest son’s shoulder lightly.

“Pa?” Adam said somewhat groggily. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m going to stay the night. Why don’t you go over to the hotel. Hoss has gotten both of you a room. That way we will be ready for the inquest. He brought you and Joe a change of clothes too.”

Adam stretched and looked down at his brother. “He’s been out awhile. Mark brought us over some joy juice and it knocked the kid out cold.”

Ben shook his head. He was not annoyed this time to see that Joe had too much to drink. He figured the boy deserved it. “I’ll see you in the morning, Son.” Ben said and sat down in the chair. Adam made his way out and over to the hotel for some badly needed sleep.

“Pa?” Joe called out. The sound of Adam leaving had brought him around. He started to sit up and put his hand to his head.

“Headache?” Ben asked trying not to smile at the reason for the question.

“Yeah—kinda. You don’t have to stay. I’ll be okay.” Joe argued.

“You just lay back down there, Joseph. Don’t even try to run me out of here, because you know I’m not going to listen.”

“I hope I’m doing the right thing, Pa.” Joe whispered. He gazed over at the person he trusted more than anyone else. “I hope that I hold up.”

Ben reached over and pushed the hair out of his son’s eyes. “You need a haircut.” He remarked.

“Why do I get the feeling that you just changed the subject?” Joe countered.

Ben stared into his son’s eyes and saw not just the man before him but also the little boy inside of the man. “Sufficient unto the day are the troubles therein.” He answered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let tomorrow take care of itself, Son. Right now you are here, you are safe, and you are with someone who loves you very much.”

“And tomorrow, Pa? Will tomorrow change how you feel about me?” Joe had to ask, he was terrified. He knew his testimony would be an awful event and would take its toll on all of those who cared about him.

“I’ll still love you tomorrow if that is what you are asking me. However, I will feel somewhat differently about you.”

“What do you mean, Pa?” Joe’s question was full of worry.

“Tomorrow I will be even prouder of you than I am today.” Ben reached over and hugged his son. “Now go to sleep.” Ben stated firmly and Joe reluctantly closed his eyes.

The next morning four men stood inside the office to the Virginia City jail. The worried expressions of those men told it all. Their concern and fear for Joe was heightened as the final preparations were being made for the trip over to the courthouse.

“What’s going on now?” Adam asked, him being the last of the four to arrive.

“Joe has just finished cleaning up and changing his clothes. Doc is in with him now.”

Ben replied and read the emotion on both of his oldest son’s faces.

Joe pulled the crutches up under his arms and looked over at the doctor. “Guess I am about as ready as I’ll ever be.” He stated flatly.

“You going to be able to handle those okay?” The doctor asked, referring to the crutches and the long walk to the end of town.

Joe laughed and patted Paul’s shoulder. “Not that I haven’t had practice with these before, Doc!” Joe reminded the other man of all of the many times he had been injured.

“Well, that’s true enough. You know, Joe, sometimes I think I have spent more time with you, patching you up, than your own father has.” Paul paused and then forced his gaze on the young man. “But, then you know how much I think of you. This town ended up being my whole life; patching people up, bringing babies into the world. I never had the time to marry or the joy of having my own children. But, if I had been lucky enough to have a son, I would have wanted him to be just like you.” The doctor smiled as he saw Joe’s eyes mist up a bit. “Of course I would hope that my son would not have been so accident prone!” He laughed to break up the tension in the room. Joe nodded that he accepted and appreciated Paul’s comments.

Ben walked into the cell and Paul turned to leave. “I’ll be there for you, Joe. Give them hell!” Paul winked and walked away. Ben looked into his son’s apprehensive eyes; he fought to think of something to say to the boy.

“If it gets too bad, Joseph—just look at me and avoid everyone else in the room.” Ben cautioned and Joe again nodded. Before they started out of the cell Ben turned and put his arm around Joe’s shoulder and said, “Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?”

Joe laughed from the thought of his father’s question. “Well, let’s see—I think you told me that four times last night and six times this morning.”

“Then, I guess you know it’s true, huh?” Ben grinned back.

“Yeah, Pa. I know it’s true.” Joe sighed and his thoughts raced to what was going to happen next.

“Let’s get this over.” Ben stated and assisted Joe out to the front room of the jail where all the others were waiting. Roy tucked his rifle under his right arm and reached for the door.

“Hey, Roy—you don’t think I’m stupid enough to try to run for it do you? I mean with these crutches and all—what’s the rifle for?” Joe asked as the sheriff turned back around.

“It ain’t for you. It’s to make sure we don’t run in to no trouble on the way over. Now let’s go.” Roy called over to the four Cartwrights and they made their way out to the porch.

“Joe!” Came a girl’s cry from across the street. It was Cassie. She ran over to where they all stood and hugged Joe so hard he almost dropped one of his crutches. “I have been so worried about you.”

Joe bent down and kissed his friend on the cheek, heartened by the fact that her love for him brought with it much faith. “Cassie—do me a favor? Don’t go to the inquest. I don’t want you to hear all of what I have to say.” Joe pleaded and Cassie looked up into his troubled eyes.

“I don’t have to go to that stupid inquest! I already know everything I need to about you. You are charming, smart, handsome and crazy. That’s enough for me.”

“Thanks.” Joe tried to force a smile but it lost it’s way before finding his mouth.

“It’s going to be okay, Joe.” Cassie assured. Joe nodded and then Roy led the way down the street.

In the entire history of the mining town known as Virginia City, there had never been such a crowd gathered for an inquest. The locals usually waited for the excitement and drama of an actual trial, leaving the inquest part as being a mere formality. This was not the case on the day that Joe Cartwright was brought into the Virginia City courthouse to address the issue of the death of Luke Thrasher.

Joe managed to maneuver to the front table and sat down next to the Cartwright’s attorney Benton Hill. The older man simply nodded to the young man and waited. The other three Cartwrights took their seats directly behind the defense table. They couldn’t help but notice the huge crowd that had gathered inside the courtroom. People were lined up along the walls, and it almost would appear that from the outside and into the streets that Virginia City was a ghost town.

The table for the prosecution held only one man, William Bell. He glanced briefly over at the defense as the judge entered the room. The courtroom of spectators stood as the man took his seat behind the oaken bench. This was not the regular judge of the town, but a new appointed official of the court who had only been in town for a little over a year. The judge was fairly young for his grand position, though his name gave way to the respect that he had already earned with the people of the town. Judge Lanier Wisdom stared out at the many faces who were waiting for him to begin.

“Due to the rather foreboding crowd, I will caution each one of you that I will have no talking in my court. Any distractions of any sorts will mean I clear everyone out other than the defendant and the prosecutor. This is merely an inquest. Until charged with the crime, I will not hear any disparaging comments regarding Joseph Cartwright. Now I understand from the defense that your client would like to make an opening statement to address the death of Luke Thrasher.”

“We would your honor.” Benton addressed the judge and then gave the nod to his client to take the stand. Joe paused as he reached for his crutches and shot a helpless look over to his father. Ben returned the look with a nod of the head, urging his son on.

Slowly Joe made his way to the witness stand, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest and his mouth going dry as sand. He sat down and deputy Clem Foster handed Joe the Bible. Joe put his right hand on the front cover as Clem said the appointed words. “Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?”

Joe nodded and replied, “I do.” Clem walked back to his seat next to Sheriff Coffee. Joe stared out at the multitude of spectators. He saw so many that he knew, ones he had grown up with, ones who had been to his home. Their faces were amassed in excitement and he could feel the anxious way they stared at him. There were some people so far in the background that he could not even see their faces, but he did spot his former best friend Mitch Devlin standing directly down the center aisle against the back door. Joe’s stomach tightened as did his throat. He fought to remember what he had chosen to say and tried to maintain the anger he felt at the betrayal of so many people he thought liked him.

“I am here today to clear some things up.” Joe started and looked around the room.

“It greatly touches me that so many of you showed up today, normally no-one shows up for a mere inquest. I feel greatly honored.” Joe’s biting remarks made some people shift in their seats. “I understand that you all came to see a show, to see how much pain I can tolerate. I will try not to disappoint you. The question seems to be whether I killed Luke Thrasher. There is a simple answer to that, and I will get to it in a little while. But, first I’ll have to take you all back a year in time. I have heard so many whispered stories of what happened a year ago, that I feel it is only fair that I get to address what you have all said about me. Besides, it does tie directly in to what happened to dear old Luke.” Joe closed his eyes as he started to sense the old familiar feeling. He felt Cade next to him, now accompanied by his brother Luke. Joe knew the ghosts had come to watch his humiliation. You don’t scare me anymore. Joe addressed the visions in his head and struggled to continue his statement.

Ben watched his son’s facial reactions and could tell from previous encounters, that Joe was experiencing another flashback. Ben prayed that his son could fight it this time. Adam and Hoss, sitting on either side of their father, reached over and they both rested a hand on Ben’s arms. They were together; they could handle it.

“A year ago four escaped convicts broke into the Ponderosa. They shot my brother Hoss.” Joe paused again as he saw Hoss fall to the ground as the shot went off.

“They pistol-whipped my father—” Joe could see Ben laying on the living room floor lifeless. “Then they tied us all up.” Joe forced himself to see Cade standing by the fireplace, cigar in hand taunting him. **c’mon Joe—you can do this—tell them what happened—make the ghosts go away****Joe pleaded with himself. “They looted our house, they stole money from our safe. Before they left, one of the men—Cade Burroughs—forced me into the back room. I tried to fight him off—but he over-powered me, forcing me onto the bed. That is when he—” Joe stopped and looked down at the floor, he could not look into anyone’s eyes this time, not even those of his father. “He sexually assaulted me.” Joe said in a voice filled with the terror that the assault had left him.

Something inside of Joe broke loose, it might have been the emotion of his testimony, or it might have been the regret he felt for living through his ordeal, but more than likely, it was the anger he had pent up in his soul that burned out of control for an entire year. This force made Joe suddenly look up, an intense countenance taking over his facial appearance. He was mad.

“Hell no! That isn’t what you folks came to hear now is it? No, you want the whole graphic details! You want me to tell you what it was like to be raped, don’t you? It excites you all—the awful scandal of it!” Joe was shouting but no-one moved or even breathed. “I have heard stories that Cade and I were lovers—yeah that probably was a good one over a few beers, huh? Oh, and that my father gunned him down to cover up the shame I brought to my family. Another creative lie! The truth of the matter is that I was tied with my hands behind my back, held down against my will.  But that isn’t as good a piece of gossip as the ones you all helped to create, is it?

And the fact that I begged that man to kill me—so that no-one would ever know what happened—no that doesn’t sound worthy enough for the good people of this town.” Joe stopped to try and gain his composure, he looked over at his father and brothers and could see tears streaming down their faces, caught up in the torment that Joe had endured.

“I wanted to die a year ago. When my family found out—it killed me inside. But, only they knew what happened—them and Doctor Martin. Somehow, I hung on. I rode out to find Cade with the hope of killing him. Unfortunately, he caught up with me first. My family got to the camp and rescued me. Now, here is another grand lie—you know the one you all said about my father? My father, though he could have easily just shot Cade in cold blood, instead handed the man a gun. They drew on each other, my father being shot in the arm. But, Cade died from the bullet my father sent through his blackened heart. Sorry to disappoint you all about that one, too! I fought my way back, I fought to put away the awful memories. Then, a month ago a man purposely came into our lives. He hired onto the ranch and ingratiated himself with my family. His name was Luke Thrasher. About a week ago I found out why he really came to the Ponderosa. He rode up to Sheepshead, to the line-shack where I was staying. He told me then that he was Cade Burroughs half-brother. He said it was my fault that Cade had been killed, that if I just hadn’t protested my attack that my family would have left it all alone.” Joe looked back over at Ben, who had not heard this piece of information before and the thought of Joe’s encounter with Luke made his blood go cold.

“He said instead of killing me he would blackmail me. He said that if I didn’t give him five thousand dollars that he would come into Virginia City and spread some awful lies about me and Cade. I could not bear the thought of that, even though I had no idea that so many of you would have fallen for the stories he told, just the thought of him doing it made me want to die.” Joe stopped again, pulling back again from the tears that were trying to push their way out of his eyes. He refused to cry, he refused to give this new set of tormentors their wishes. “So, I paid him and he left. But, as you all know he came back and told his lies anyway. And you all were so willing to listen to them weren’t you? I’ve known most of you my whole entire life. I still find it hard to believe that you wanted to hurt me this way.” Joe surveyed the room and saw one by one people dropping their heads down to avoid his piercing stare.

“I went after Luke Thrasher. I wanted to kill him, that part is the truth. When I reached his camp, he refused to pick up his gun. Instead, throwing down my own gun, we fought into the night. Rolling around on the ground, Luke was able to reach back and get his gun in his hand. We grappled with it and it went off. Funny thing—when I heard it go off I was so relieved! I knew that at least one of us would surely be dead—at that point, it didn’t matter to me which one. I ran away from the scene, even though I knew I could prove self-defense. I ran so I wouldn’t be here like I am today. I ran so I wouldn’t have to say the things that you have forced me to say. I guess I have learned that you can’t run away from things, they come back to haunt you.” Joe stopped and looked over to where Reverend Hastings was sitting.

Joe nodded over to him as he drew out the Bible from his jacket. “A friend of mine gave me this Bible yesterday along with some great words of encouragement. It’s because of people like him—and Doc and my family that I can say these things today. There is a verse from Psalm’s verse fifty-five that the good Reverend pointed out to me, I’m going to read it to all of you. Maybe then you will know how I feel about what you have put me through. Evil and Mischief are in its midst; treachery is in its midst. Oppression and fraud never depart from its streets. If my enemy had reviled me, I could have borne it. If he who hates me had vaulted himself against me, I might have hidden from him. But you, my other self, my companion and my bosom friend! You whose comradeship I enjoyed, at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God.”

Joe looked back up and at last the tears had come, this time he did not brush them aside nor will them away. He wanted those people who had spoken so ill of him to see the result of their evil tongues.

Ben’s heart broke again as he witnessed the pain that his youngest wore on his tired face. His testimony had pushed him to the limits of endurance. Ben fought the paternal urge to rush to his side, comfort him, and protect him from all of those around him. He watched and waited for Joe’s final words.

“Luke Thrasher was killed in a fight. It was self-defense. I have nothing further to say.” Joe tucked the Bible back inside his jacket and looked over at the judge.

“You may step down.” The judge whispered to the young man. Joe lifted up his crutches and made his way back to the defense table. “Any further statements?” The judge asked Benton Hill.

“Doctor Paul Martin wishes to address the court.” Benton replied. The judge again nodded as the doctor took the stand and was sworn in.

“I don’t think that I am even needed at this point. I believe that Joe Cartwright has cleared everything up. But, I feel that in the capacity, as the doctor of this town, I need to address both the deaths of Cade Burroughs and Luke Thrasher. I was present at the Ponderosa and tended Hoss Cartwright’s gunshot wound and also Ben Cartwright’s head wound. I also examined Joe.” The doctor paused to get his thoughts in order and to see what expression Joe was wearing on his face at the time. He saw Joe nod his permission for the doctor to continue.

“Joe’s injuries were severe ones. His wrists were raw from fighting to free himself during Cade’s attack. I examined him, he is not the first assault victim that I have tended in my career, but his injuries were some of the worst I have ever seen. The mere suggestion that what happened to that young man was in any way willing is the worst lie I have ever in my life heard. I have seen Joe fight back from the worst life has offered and I’ll tell you right now that I don’t believe anyone in this room could have accomplished that feat. He has shown more courage than the whole lot of you!” The doctor stopped again and showed his ire at the people who now hung their heads in shame. “As for Ben Cartwright having shot Cade in cold blood—well you know the man! Not that he didn’t want to I’m sure—I wanted to myself! But, Ben held off his other two sons and fought a fair fight.

I doctored that wound as well, the wound from Cade’s gun. Now, as far as Luke Thrasher. I examined that body myself when it was brought into town. He was shot at close range and his wound is consistent with Joe’s explanation. Also, I examined Joe Cartwright. His facial cuts and bruises show that he was in a rather nasty fist-fight. He also had powder burns on his chest, which also corroborates his story. I was sitting out there—with all of you a few moments ago and was amazed by the control that Joe was able to maintain. And, listening to his recital of that passage from the Bible reminded me of another verse.

I know what happened to Joe because I was there. But, even if I hadn’t been there I would never have thought the evil thoughts that you all did about him. The passage that I was referring to a minute ago goes something like this, “Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe”. I have nothing more to say.” Doctor Martin stepped down. As he made his way back to his seat he paused and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder and nodded to him. Joe read the affection on Paul’s face and he smiled up at his long time friend.

“Mr. Bell, I’ll hear from you now.” The judge addressed the prosecutor.

William Bell arose from his chair, turned toward Joe Cartwright and then addressed the court. ‘Your Honor, I find that there is not enough evidence to bind Joseph Cartwright over for trial. Furthermore, with the doctor’s statements, we find that all evidence proves that Luke Thrasher’s death was a case of self-defense. We move to stop this process and release Mr. Cartwright from custody.”

Judge Wisdom glanced around the room. It was the quietest verdict he had ever heard. There was no commotion from the vast crowd, no whispers, no outbursts. “I am glad that you agree that this was self-defense. Joseph Cartwright you are hereby released. And, I would like to make my own final statement before dismissing this courtroom.

When I came to Virginia City, at the urging of your own Judge George Wheeler, I was amazed at the wonderful way the townsfolk welcomed me and my family. It seemed to be a community full of love and warmth. The reason I planned to stay here was because of those beliefs. Now, looking at you all, and seeing first hand what you have done to this young man with your gossip and lies, I am not at all sure I will stay here. I will warn each one of you that there is a law that states you cannot spread lecherous stories about someone. This is called slander. The injured party can sue you and take everything you have. If I find that this continues, and is aimed in anyway at Mr. Cartwright, I will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. This inquest stands adjourned.” Judge Wisdom struck his gavel and hurriedly left the courtroom.

The vast sea of spectators filed out of the courtroom quietly. As they left, most continued to hang their heads with guilt. Joe’s family stood and gathered around him. With a pat to Joe’s back Benton left the room as well. Roy strode proudly over to the Cartwrights and addressed his former prisoner.

“Looks like you just made my life easier! Glad you won’t be staying at my place any longer.” Roy laughed and rested his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Still friends?” He asked staring over at the still misty eyed Ben Cartwright.

“Always.” Ben smiled and shook the sheriff’s hand.

All of a sudden the room was still, the only ones left were the four Cartwrights.

“You made us proud, Little Brother.” Hoss said patting his brother’s arm.

“You sure did, Joe.” Adam joined in as Joe stood from the table, fumbling with his crutches. Ben drew closer and hugged his youngest son.

“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” He asked and it sent a wry smile across Joe’s face.

“This makes it seven times today and four times last night.” Joe whispered against his father’s shoulder.

“Let’s go home.” Ben remarked as Joe broke from the embrace.

Joe shot a sharp look at his father and over to his brothers as well. “No, I’m going to go get a beer.” Joe stated emphatically and knew there would be a protest.

“Joseph—maybe this isn’t the best time to do that—” Ben began but Joe cut him off in mid-sentence.

“Why? Because a whole lot of the ones who were sitting in here a minute ago are going to be at the saloon?” Joe fired back, still caught up in some of his anger.

“Pa’s right, Joe.” Adam interjected. He wanted to spare his brother any more pain.

Joe forced his gaze directly into the dark worried eyes of his father. “I’m not hiding from this town any longer, Pa. I didn’t do anything wrong.” Joe said and the words struck a nerve deep in his own brain. He closed his eyes and saw the images of both Cade and Luke fade away.

Ben had been waiting for so long for Joe to realize that he really hadn’t done anything wrong, that when the words finally came forth from the boy’s mouth it almost shocked him. He draped an arm around Joe’s shoulder. “That’s right, Son, you didn’t do anything wrong. Let’s go get you that beer.” Ben replied and they all headed out of the courthouse. He knew that there might indeed be trouble waiting for them at the Silver Dollar, but it didn’t matter. Joe was strong now and Ben could see that the ghosts were no longer reflecting back in his son’s hazel eyes.

The saloon was as packed with people as the courthouse had been. There was a sudden hush of the crowd as the Cartwrights made it inside and took their seats at one of the tables. Sam was quickly over to them, and had brought with him four mugs of beer.

“These are on the house, Joe.” Sam smiled warmly at the young man.

“Thanks.” Joe nodded and watched as the bartender hurried away to tend the rest of the crowd. The Cartwrights sat in exhausted silence as bits and pieces of what had happened in the courtroom made their way around the room. Joe chose to ignore it all but his family was having a hard time pretending that they hadn’t heard.

“So—how’s the herd coming? Are you ready to move them yet, Hoss?” Joe asked sipping contently on his beer.

Hoss played along. “Yeah—I reckon that we will move them out the first part of next week. And I—” Hoss was stopped as a man approached. It was Pete Timmons again, and this time he was very drunk.

“I don’t care what they say! As far as I’m concerned you are still a deviant!” He spat out directly at Joe. Before the two brothers could get to their feet to take care of Pete, a fist flew out of the crowd knocking the drunken man to the floor.

All the Cartwrights looked down at Pete and then up at the man who had thrown the punch. It was Mr. Brendon, Cassie’s father.

“That doesn’t make up for what I did, Joe—but I hope it’s a start. I am so very sorry about my behavior and I’m asking you and your family to please forgive me.” The man spoke out in earnest and saw Joe’s anger go to sadness.

“I’ll try.” Joe replied and Mr. Brendon reached over to shake his hand. Joe rather reluctantly followed through with the gesture and returned the handshake.

“I’m glad, Joe. Not just because I realize what a fool I was but also because now maybe my daughter will start talking to me again! Cassie told me to tell you that as soon as that leg of yours heals she expects you to make good on that dance that she missed.”

“You tell her in a couple of weeks I will come and see her. If that’s okay with you?”

“You are welcomed anytime—anytime.” Mr. Brendon nodded and walked away.

Making a grand entrance, and loudly at that, came Mark Twain into the Silver Dollar.

“Hot off the presses gentlemen!” He yelled out and started to circle the room dropping off a newspaper at every table and several up at the bar. Finally taking a seat with the Cartwrights he smiled broadly at Joe and spoke. “Here’s that little surprise I told you I had for you youngster!” He handed Joe a paper. Joe stared at the large caption and then looked back at Mark confused.

“Oh—wait—let’s get someone with a loud mouth to read it to all of us. How about you, Adam? You are the great orator in this rowdy family aren’t you?” Mark grinned as he took a sip from Adam’s mug.

Adam grinned as he made a quick sweep at the story line and then stood. “Yes, I’d love to.” He stated anxious to turn loose some Twain genius on the gossips who filled the saloon. Taking a few steps up to the small stage, Adam called out to the crowd.

“The great author Mark Twain—or Samuel Clemens—whoever he is today—has written something in honor of the good people of this town. With your permission I will read it now.”

The saloon was suddenly quiet, the music and conversations had ceased. All eyes turned toward the oldest Cartwright brother and waited for the story to be told.

“Virginia City’s first annual crow eating gala will be held tonight at eight o’clock sharp. Only those with sharp tongues and idle time on their hands need to attend tonight’s ceremony. To honor all of those warm and caring citizens who went to a great deal of trouble to make sure that gossip ran rampant in our streets and homes, we dedicate this evening’s events. Now, lest it confuses you, I will tell you what we will be serving as our main course. We will have all the crow that you can possibly stuff down the openings of your faces. It will be difficult to swallow, but have no fear, it will be no worse than swallowing the vicious lies you spread throughout this town concerning one of it’s finest citizens. Now I refuse to name names, but that victim of your slander can often be seen in Virginia City with his two older brothers and his rather statesman like father. If that isn’t a big enough hint, the young man tends to wear a left handed holster, but is no kin to Billy the Kid!” Adam paused briefly to stifle his chuckle at the comparison of the two left handed young men. “The recipe for tonight’s grand meal is not difficult to make. I will tell you how to do it now, in case you want to whip yourself up a batch once you make it home. You take one innocent victim, add a large dollop of lies, mix well. Next you will need two evil and despicable brothers —beaten well—very well. Season with slander and vile whispers and the lack of human kindness. Crow portions must be large enough to encompass the large crowd of those who will need to eat it. Next, toss in a heavy dose of regret and sadness to the mix. Pour the mixture into a pan the size of Virginia City herself and cook for eternity in the fires of Hades. This recipe can be adjusted to suit any size town, if any other town can be found to harbor within it’s borders the kind of vicious statements that Virginia City claims the record for. Oh, one last thing to add. Be sure to bow your heads and say grace before consuming said crow dish, it is the least you can do.”

Adam stepped down from the stage feeling so much better than he had before reading Mark’s masterpiece. He clapped the author on the back and smiled at him.

“This calls for rot gut.” He grinned and signaled the bartender over with a bottle. Mark accepted the gift and then looked over at all four of the Cartwrights.

“Not my best piece of work—but one I sure as hell enjoyed writing!” He laughed and drank a shot of whiskey.

“Thanks.” Joe choked out, touched by what his friend had done, and how his brother’s recital had left the saloon as quiet as a church.

“Anytime, Joe.” Mark winked at the boy. “Hey—how about getting in some new trouble so I can have more material for a book?”

Ben broke in, “No, this is it. Joseph is going home and his life is going to be full of monotonous every day chores. He has had enough trouble in his twenty years.” Ben smiled and patted his son on the arm.

“I’ll drink to that.” Hoss laughed and finished his beer.

“Well, you had enough celebrating?” Adam asked Joe and saw him nod.

“Yeah—I’m ready to go home now.” Joe sighed. He was absolutely worn out by all of the day’s events.

Ben purposely drove the buckboard back to the Ponderosa, being sure to swing around to one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. He had told both Adam and Hoss that he needed to speak privately with their brother. Pulling the reins to an abrupt halt Ben stopped the wagon. Joe looked at the view. Though he had seen it a hundred times it still struck a nerve in his very soul.

“Why are we stopping?” Joe asked, secretly suspecting the reason behind his father’s long drive home.

“The horses need to rest.” Ben made the excuse and then retracted it. “No, I just wanted to talk to you alone, Son. I made you a promise as I recall. The other night I told you that if you would testify I would abide by any wishes you had concerning moving away. You kept your part of the deal—and very well may I add. I sat in awe of your spirit up there on that stand.”

Joe gave a sheepish grin, a bit embarrassed by some of the things he had said in his testimony. Joe stared back over to the lake and then back over at his father.

“What about China, Pa? We could go there and work for Hop Sing’s relatives! Now that would be a switch wouldn’t it?” Joe teased to break the tension of what his father was asking him.

“No kidding around now, Joseph. I need to know what you want to do. You name it.”

Ben put his hand on Joe’s shoulder and forced his gaze into the green eyes of his youngest.

“Well—I am sure there are other lakes as beautiful as this one, Pa. And you were right—as long as we are all together it really wouldn’t matter where we lived.”

“And?” Ben urged Joe out with it.

“And I still have qualms about what life is gonna be like around here now. But, you know since I am the only Cartwright that was born here—it would be a pure shame to have to leave the Ponderosa just because of some evil people. This land is part of me the way it is part of you and Adam and Hoss. You all belong here—so do I.”

Joe’s voice broke in his confession. He had finally accepted everything that had happened and was willing to stay and work through it.

“Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?” Ben smiled and hugged his son.

“Okay—what are we up to eight times today now?” Joe laughed and Ben chuckled and ruffled his hand through his son’s hair.

“You still need a haircut.” Ben stated firmly and sent the team of horses forward.

Epilogue:

The long exhausting day came to a merciful end. A bit more emotional that usual, each Cartwright bid each other goodnight and turned in for the evening. Ben had lingered a little longer than was required in his youngest son’s room. He fussed over Joe’s injury until the young man had protested enough to drive the father reluctantly into his own room. Joe laid on his bed, feeling very content to be home and not in Roy Coffee’s jail. Almost afraid to shut his eyes due to the worry of what may appear in his thoughts, Joe struggled to remain awake.

A little after midnight, Joe sat up abruptly in his bed. He had an all-powering urge hit him. Pulling on his shirt, but not taking the time to button it, Joe stood from his bed. Reaching for the pair of crutches Joe hesitantly made it over to his door. Knowing that the trip down the long staircase would be arduous, Joe prepared for a tedious trek to the living room.

Taking one step at a time and maneuvering his crutches as quietly as possible, Joe found his way to the last landing. It had taken almost twenty minutes. Once reaching the bottom floor Joe headed over to the guest room. Something inside of him urged him to go in there. He felt it would be his final test to see if, indeed, the ghosts were gone.

Turning the doorknob, Joe pushed his way into the darkened room. He found a match by the bedstead and lit the lamp. He then turned and surveyed his surroundings. His eyes circled the room and came to a sudden stop as they fell on the bed. Joe closed his eyes. He waited for the sights and sounds to return to him. He waited for the pungent odor of cigar smoke. Joe waited to hear the screams, which had echoed in his head so many times. He heard, saw, and smelled nothing.

Joe blew the light out once more and walked out of the room. As he stopped to pull the door closed, he sighed to himself peacefully. It was over.

The End

For You Mike

7-1-01

Next Story in the Every Purpose Under Heaven Series:

Dru

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

 

Tags: Family, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright