Summary: When a little boy is left in Little Joe’s care, he hopes to adopt him however problems arise which might prevent the adoption. A tale of love and loss. Rating T, WC 19,382

Calling Up Angels

“When God in his wisdom sends to the earth, calling up angels he sends down a birth.”

 

Ben Cartwright turned his head in time to see his youngest son, Joseph, running trying to flee from his pursuer.  The four-year-old boy was rapidly gaining on Joe and when he finally reached him, Joe swept the little boy up in his arms and they crashed down in the thick meadow grass laughing.

“Those two!”  Ben laughed and looked around the picnic blanket at the other spectators.  Both Kevin and Kay Patrick sat there smiling as they watched their toddler at play.  Hoss and Adam Cartwright wore smiles as well, watching their little brother cavorting with the youngster.

“Joe ain’t nothing but a big kid himself!”  Hoss joined in on the laughter and finished the last bite of his sandwich.

“You’re right, Hoss.  But, he sure does love that little guy doesn’t he?”  Adam replied.

“Heaven brought us both Joe and Joey.”  Kay smiled remembering back four years, it had been Joe Cartwright who had delivered her son.  She thought back on that terrifying day when her wagon wheel had broken, spilling her out on the road which led into Virginia City.  If Joe hadn’t happened by she was sure that both herself and her infant would have died.

“You couldn’t ask for a better Godfather than Joe.  But he does spoil our boy terribly!”  Kevin sighed.  “He never fails to bring the boy a gift every single time he stops by.”

“Well, it’s good for him.”  Adam broke in again.  “Since Joe was spoiled rotten by our father, it’s only fair he kinda passes on the tradition.”

Ben shot his eldest son a warning look in response.  While it was common knowledge that he had leaned toward giving his youngest a bit more than he had his oldest sons at times, Ben refused to admit it.  After all, Ben knew it was his last child so he felt it was only fair.

“Oh-oh, Adam-” Hoss started and gave a toothful grin.  “Looks like you struck a nerve.  Let’s you and me try and catch up with Joey and steal him from our own little brother!” Hoss stood and Adam followed his lead.  They headed down the hill toward where Joe was happily tossing the youngster in the air.

“You have fine sons, Ben.  And we couldn’t have asked for better neighbors or friends.”  Kay reached over and patted her friend’s arm.

“Well, to say it hasn’t been our pleasure would be an awful lie.  Your friendship as well as the love of your little boy has helped us all.  I just love to watch Joseph playing with Joey.  Sometimes I feel he missed out on having a younger brother or sister to play with.  Looks like he is making up for that now.”

***************

“Okay–Joey–this is the last time–you hear?  My arms are giving out on me!”  Joe protested and readied to toss the boy up into the air one final time.  Joey squealed in delight as he felt the wind at his face when he went airborne.  Coming down laughing, Joe again caught him safely in his strong arms.  The same arms which had helped to bring him into the world.

“Gain!”  Joey persisted, trying for a bit of a pout to urge Joe onward.

“Nope.  That’s it.  You are going to get sick–you just ate a little while ago.  Now wipe off that silly pout or I will pout myself.”  Joe said, and with that statement he made an awful face which made the little boy chuckle.

“Hey–there, Joey!”  Hoss called out and swept the boy up to his shoulders.  The boy threw his legs around the big man’s neck and knew it was time to play horsey.  “Ready to ride there, Partner?”  Hoss asked and started to pretend he was pawing the ground with his boot.

“Weady!”  Joey called out and Hoss started to gallop down the hill.

“Snatched my boy again, dad bern it!”  Joe frowned up at Adam and pulled himself to standing.

“Your boy?”  Adam asked teasing.  He knew how his brother felt about the kid.

“Hey–I am the Godfather you know?  So, when he’s with me he’s mine.”  Joe protested.

“Yeah–well don’t let Kevin hear that–he’ll take it the wrong way.”

“Oh–Adam–I’m only joshing.  I just love that little guy, he’s like a brother to me.”

“Now, Joe–you have no idea how pesky a little brother can be.”  Adam grinned remembering all that his youngest brother had put him through over the past twenty-three years.

“Surely, you’re not referring to me?  I’m sure that I was just as cute as Joey –now, wasn’t I?” Joe looked into his brother’s eyes for confirmation.

Adam just shook his head amused.  “You were never that cute!”

“That’s not what Pa says,” Joe laughed and threw his arm around Adam’s shoulder and started to walk up the hill.

“Pa doesn’t count, Joe.  Besides, I think our father still thinks you’re cute,” Adam slapped his brother on the back and watched as Joe got the hint.  The two young men ran up the hill, just as they had done so many times in their youth, always trying to prove who was the fastest.

By the time the two Cartwright brothers collapsed on the picnic blanket together they were out of breath.  This was the first time that they had made it to their destination in a dead heat.  Neither one had outshone the other.  Ben watched and listened to see how it would be addressed by his boys.

“Don’t get the idea that I’m slowing down, Joe.  I just ate too much,” Adam spat out still winded.

“Well, I’ve been tossing Joey for hours or I could’ve beaten you by plenty,” Joe bragged, though he was also fighting to catch his breath.

Ben shook his head amused at his two son’s constant rivalry.

“You BOTH are getting old,” Ben smiled down at them and they all laughed.

Kay and Kevin gathered up their belongings and put them in the back of their wagon as Hoss finally made it back with Joey.  He sat the little boy back down and patted his head.

“Horsey tired.”  Joey said to Hoss.

“Yep–horsey VERY tired!”  Hoss replied and walked over to help his father with the picnic basket.  The Cartwrights helped their father with the picnic supplies and then leaving him by the buckboard they walked over to say goodbye to the Patrick family.

“See you soon, Joey.”  Adam smiled and patted the little boy on the back.  Hoss ruffled the boy’s blonde hair and said his goodbyes and walked over to his horse.  Joe was the last to approach the boy.

“Joey–I’ll be by to see you sometime this week.”  Joe said and started to turn away when all of a sudden Joey flung himself into Joe’s arms.  Joe almost dropped the boy, surprised by his actions.

“NO!  Go wit you!”  Joey hollered.

Joe looked helplessly over at Kay.  He was a sucker for the kid’s big blue eyes and his mother knew what Joe was feeling.  Kay stepped down from the wagon and walked over to Joey.

“Joey–Joe has things he has to do.  He’ll come over later on.”  She tried to pry the boy’s arms off of Joe’s neck.

“No–now not later.”  Joey protested again.  Kevin shook his head part amused and part upset by the strong bond that Joe and Joey had.

Ben saw what was going on and reasoned that he was needed.  He knew that his youngest son had no willpower when it came to saying goodbye to the little boy.  Ben walked over to the wagon and stood next to Joe.  “Joey—your pa has to take you home and I have to take my little boy home.”  Ben grinned over at Joe, who was now rolling his eyes at the comparison Ben had made.

“–k–but bring Joe back–” Joey frowned and jumped into his mother’s arms.  Kay smiled at Ben relieved that he had broken up the goodbye scene.

Ben reached over and patted the boy on the head.  “I’ll bring him back to see you real soon.  But, looks like you could use a nap right now–” Ben paused and looked over at Joe and smiled.  “It looks like my little boy could use one too!”  He laughed and was echoed by Hoss and Adam.  The Cartwrights waved goodbye as the Patrick family pulled away.  Joe turned toward his father and grinned.

“You know, Pa–you are right–I could use a nap!”  Joe laughed and Ben patted his shoulder.

“Then that is what you are gonna have–that is–as soon as you get your chores done, Joseph.”  Ben stated sternly and walked back over to the buckboard.

Joe threw himself into his saddle and stared over at Adam.  “I thought you said Pa thinks I’m cute?  He didn’t fall for my nap request.”

“Maybe you are losing your touch, Kid.”  Adam replied with a grin and turned his horse toward the ranch.

*************

A week later the Cartwrights sat in their living room relaxing after another one of Hop Sing’s fine meals.  Hoss sat by the fireplace enjoying a heated game of checkers with his younger brother, while Ben glanced over the latest newspaper and Adam was deep into a new novel.

A knock sounded on the front door and everyone looked over at Joe, expecting him to get up to answer it.

“Since when am I the butler around here?”  Joe argued looking at the stares of his family.

“Respect your elders.”  Adam sounded off annoyed at the interruption.

“That’s the trouble around here–everyone is my elder.”  Joe complained and moved to the door.  Joe opened the door and saw Kevin Patrick.

“Kevin?  What brings you out here so late?”  Joe asked inviting him in.

“I kinda had a favor to ask you, Joe.”  Kevin replied and walked over to sit down next to Adam.  Joe followed and stared over at the man wondering what he wanted.

“Everything okay with Kay and Joey?”  Ben asked folding his paper and setting it on the coffee table.

“They are fine.  I kinda wanted to surprise Kay–it’s our tenth anniversary tomorrow.  I was hoping Joe would agree to watch Joey for a while.”

“Sure!”  Joe was eager to spend some time with the boy.  “You want me to come over there tomorrow night?”

“That’s not exactly what I’m asking about, Joe.  I would like to take Kay on a trip to San Francisco.  We’d be gone for two weeks, though.”  Kevin looked up to see how the men had taken his request.

“No problem!”  Joe was fast to answer.  “I’d love to.”  Joe patted Kevin on the shoulder.

“Well, you know Kay–she’s so dang protective of Joey–the only way I could ever get her to leave on this trip without him would be if you would watch him.  You know we trust you with him, and he loves you so much.”

Ben watched the conversation and wondered if his youngest son knew exactly what he was getting himself into.  Watching a toddler for a day was one thing, but two weeks would be a challenge, especially to Joe.

“You just tell Kay that Joey will be fine, just fine.  You want me to go get him?”

“No–we’ll bring him over tomorrow around noon if it’s okay with all of you?”  Kevin looked over at Ben and saw the concern on his face.  “It is okay with you isn’t it, Ben?”

Ben shook himself from his trance.  “Oh–yes–yes of course.  There’s plenty of us here to watch the boy.  You tell Kay we will be happy to have him.”

“Thanks–I really appreciate it!  Now to go home and surprise her with it!”  Kevin smiled and stood.  Joe walked him back to the door and said goodbye.  Turning back around he noticed the faces of the other three men staring over at him.

“What?”  Joe asked his family.

“Joseph—are you sure you can handle Joey for two weeks?”  Ben asked standing and approaching his son.

Joe laughed and gave a peculiar smile.  “C’mon, Pa!  How hard is it to look after a four year old?  He’ll be no trouble.”

Ben sighed knowingly and shook his head.  “If you think you are up to it.”

“Of course I am!  But, think I will turn in so I can get an early start getting things ready for him around here.  Goodnight!”  Joe said exuberantly and hurriedly ran up the stairs.

“He has no clue.”  Adam muttered and stood up and neared Ben.

“Well, we are all here for Joey, too.”  Ben replied.

“But, we are in agreement that this is Joe’s responsibility, right?”  Adam gave the hint of wanting his little brother to get a good taste at what being a big brother was all about.

“Yes–it’s Joe’s responsibility.  But, that doesn’t mean we won’t help him, right, Boys?”

“Sure thing, Pa!”  Hoss called over to his father.

“Adam?”  Ben raised his eyebrows in gesture.

“I want to see Joe handle this one–but I’ll help with Joey when he gets too much for him.  That will probably be after the first day.”  Adam chuckled.

“Have a little more faith in your brother.”  Ben stated firmly and saw Adam shrug his shoulders.

“We’ll see.”  Adam sighed and walked back over to his book.”

**************

By the time breakfast was over the next morning, Joe had already been up for hours trying to get his chores done early.  He wanted to be able to devote himself totally to his Godson.  Ben watched in amusement as his son started to get a little nervous as the Patrick’s wagon appeared coming into the front yard.

Ben and Joe walked outside and before Joe could make it all the way to greet the visitors, Joey jumped down out of his mother’s lap and ran straight over to Joe.

“We can play!  I stay with you!”  The boy said excitedly and Joe reached down and pulled him up into his arms.

“That’s right, Joey.  You get to stay with me a little while.”  Joe grinned and walked the boy over to his parents.  “Now you give your ma and pa a big kiss and tell them to have a good time.”  Joe handed the boy back up into the wagon.

“Be a good boy.”  Kay said kissing her son goodbye a bit misty eyed.

“We’ll be back soon, Joey.”  His father said and kissed his son on the forehead.

“Bye!”  Joey called and jumped back down.  “C’mon, Joe–we have to play now!”

Joe shook Kevin’s hand and kissed Kay on the cheek.  “I’ll take good care of him.  You both go and have a good time.”

“Thanks, Joe.”  Kevin nodded and put his arm around his wife.  “Let’s get out of here before you start bawling.”  He smiled and handed Joe down Joey’s suitcase. They turned the wagon as Ben waved goodbye.  He then turned and watched as Joe threw the boy up in the air.

“Okay–time to play!”  Joe said, sounding as excited as the four-year-old.  Ben carried the suitcase toward the house as he saw Joe take Joey over to the front porch.  As he approached the two of them Ben smiled broadly when he noticed that Joe had already set up some cowboy and Indian figures on the table and was already showing Joey how they would play the game.  Ben sighed.  Had it been so long ago that he had played the same game with his curly headed youngest son?  Now, there he was, a young man. ****yes, Joseph—you remember how, don’t you?  How many times did I sit out here with you and play cowboys and Indians?  Never enough****Ben walked into the house with the angst that touches every parent when they realize their children were growing up far too fast.

**************

The first day of Joey’s visit was a full one.  Not only did Joe play relentlessly with the toddler, but Hoss had taken him off for a while, and even Adam had sat down to read to the little boy.  Ben had done his share of watching Joey, too, and had even taken him into the kitchen for some cookie theft.  It was all done under the amused eyes of Hop Sing, who had also missed having a youngster around.  When the cook had caught a fleeting glimpse of the little blonde curly haired Joey sneaking away, he couldn’t help but be reminded of Little Joe.  When Joe was very small he also had blonde curly hair.  The years had darkened the hair, but the curls had remained intact.  Hop Sing laughed to himself when he thought of all the cookies that his Little Joe had pilfered over the years.  It had always been a compliment to his own cooking ability and he enjoyed the enthusiasm in which all of the Cartwright boys had shown as they raided the kitchen in their youth.

“Time for bed, Joey.”  Joe said and lifted the boy from off of his lap.  He had read Joey’s favorite book, The Little Red Hen, so many times that he knew it by heart now.

“No–gain!”  Joey protested and tried to crawl back up.

“No, now you have to get to sleep.”  Joe said sternly and turned just in time to see Ben smirking at him.  He knew what his father was thinking.  It was very odd to hear himself saying the same things to Joey that Ben had said to him in his youth.  “Up to bed.”  Joe addressed the little boy again only to see him pout at the thought.  “No, pouting either, Young Man—” Joe stopped as he heard Ben laugh out loud now.  Joe rolled his eyes at his father who was enjoying so much the inter-play and rebellion with Joey that was taking place.

“Oh, Joseph?”  Ben called walking over toward the two of them.  “I think you need to go to bed—Joey–how about getting my boy to sleep for me?”  Ben grinned.

“K—Joe–go night-night.”  Joey said staring into Joe’s eyes.

“Good idea!” Joe grinned and winked back over at his father, showing his thanks for the help.  He carried Joey up the stairs and into the spare room next to his own.

*****************

Joe helped get Joey cleaned up and then pulled his nightshirt over his head and lifted him up and put him on the bed.  He pulled down the heavy comforter and slid the boy underneath.

“You sleep well, Buddy.”  Joe said and kissed him on the forehead.

“No–talk to God now.”  Joey argued and Joe felt a bit embarrassed that he had forgotten all about nightly prayers.

“Sorry—almost forgot.  Okay climb down, I’ll kneel here with you.”  Joe helped the boy down and he leaned up against the bed and folded his hands in front of him and bowed his head.  Joe followed suit.

“God bless Mommy and Daddy and the animals and my toys.  Oh, and God bless Joe.”

Joe ruffled the boys head of curls and whispered, “Let’s throw in something for my family too, okay?”

“God bless Carwites—-and Hop Sing too.”  Joey said and then stood back up.

“Good job!”  Joe smiled and put Joey back into the bed.  He walked over to the door and looked at the youngster.  “See you in the morning.  Love you.”  Joe called over and then walked out closing the door.  Joe leaned against the doorframe outside, feeling a bit emotional.  The first day was over and all was well.

“Joe!”  Came the scream from behind the door.  Joe bolted into the room and Joey was sitting up in the bed.  He looked petrified.

“What’s wrong, Joey?”  Joe asked sitting down on the bed.

“Don’t like this room.”  Joey started to cry.  Joe lifted his chin and looked into the boy’s big blue eyes.

“Why don’t you like this room?”  He asked worriedly.

“Too big–too big for me.  It cares me–”

“You mean it scares you.”  Joe corrected.  Joey had trouble saying words that started with the letter s.

“Cares me, Joe.”  Joey cried.

Joe looked around the room and sighed.  It was rather large for such a little boy.  A little boy who had never been away from his folks overnight.  Joe pulled him up into his arms.

“Now, I tell you what.  My room isn’t near this big.  How’d you like to bunk with me?”

Joey nodded his head and Joe carried him into his own room next door.  When he put Joey on the bed, Joe surveyed the room.  With his bed sitting away from any wall Joe worried about the boy falling off the bed in his sleep.

“You lay there.  I gotta do some fixing up.”  Joe said and pulled his chair from his desk over next to the bed on Joey’s side.  It still didn’t seem right.  “I’ll be right back–gotta go get one more chair.

Joe walked across the hall and pounded on Hoss’ door.  Hoss came out, dressed in his nightshirt rubbing his eyes.  “What do you want, Joe?  I was asleep!”  Hoss protested.

“I need your chair–bring it out here for me.”

“My chair?  Why?”  Hoss asked confused at being awakened for such an odd reason.

“Just do it, okay?”  Joe sighed tiredly.  Hoss walked over to his own desk and pulled the chair across the room and handed it to Joe.

“Now can I go back to sleep?”  Hoss yawned.

“Sure, Big Brother–sorry I woke you.”  Joe smiled and closed Hoss’ door.

***************

Ben stood in Joe’s doorway watching the young man arranging the chairs just right so that Joey would not be able to come out of that side of the bed.  He tried to stifle his laughter as he watched.  When Joe was finally done he caught a glimpse of his father staring over at him.

“Oh–hi–Pa.  Um–Joey thought his room was too big so he’ll bunk in here.”  Joe explained.

“Rather strange time of night to decide to rearrange furniture, Joseph.”

“I–I was–” Joe started to explain but then caught the grin on his father’s face.  “Don’t you even think about talking to ME about being over-protective!  You know who I learned it from!”  Joe laughed and Ben nodded.

“Goodnight, Joey—goodnight—Pa.”  Ben said a bit of sarcasm coming out with a great deal of affection behind it.

**************

Joe was sleeping very soundly the next morning, content under the heavy quilt comforter and his head cradled by the goose feather pillow.  Then he felt something at his right eyelid.  Tiny fingers pulled on it looking for the eye that was sure to be underneath.

“Joey?” Joe muttered confused.  “What are you doing?”

“I wake up, you wake up.” The boy said happily.

“Ugh – let me sleep a while longer.”  Joe pulled the pillow on top of his head to shut out the light.  At that moment Joey jumped on Joe’s abdomen hard.

“Time to play!” Joey protested, unaware that he was knocking the wind out of his sleeping friend’s lungs.

“Joey!  I can’t breathe—give me a minute!”  Joe sat up and peered into the wide-awake face of the little boy.  It shook him from his complaints about lack of sleep to see the little boy’s big smile on his face.  “Okay–we’ll get up.”  Joe sighed and lifted Joey to the floor.  “Let’s get you cleaned up and into some clothes.”  Joe led Joey over to the wash basin and helped him to rinse his face off.  Next he went to the little boy’s suitcase and drew out some fresh clothes.  He helped him on with his pants and shirt and then set him back on the bed to place the socks and shoes onto the wiggling feet.

“C’mon–stop moving.”  Joe complained and giggling was the response from Joey.  “At this rate it will be supper time before we get downstairs!”  Joe finally got the shoes on the correct feet and tied the laces.  Then he set about getting his own clothes on.  Standing in front of his mirror Joe ran a brush through his own curly hair and stared down at Joey.

“Me next!”  Joey pointed at the hairbrush. Joe kneeled down on the floor and ran the brush softly through the boy’s blonde unruly hair.

“Okay–let’s go eat before Hoss has it all gone.” Joe smiled and lifted the boy into his arms.

All heads turned from the dining room table as Joe and Joey descended the stairs.  They made their way over and saw that a chair had been rigged up with some books on it to bring the boy to table level.  Joe placed the boy there next to him.

“Up earlier than usual ain’t you, Little Brother?” Hoss teased and Joe shot him back an unamused look.

“And how are you today, Joey?”  Ben smiled at the little boy.

“Fine–want to play.”  Joey shot back and all of the Cartwrights laughed.

“First you eat, Joey.  Then I’m gonna take you out with me to check on the herd.”  Joe responded as he tucked the napkin under the boy’s little chin.

“Want coffee.”  Joey said pointing over to the coffee pot in front of Ben.

“Now–Joey, you can’t have coffee.”  Joe said shaking his head.

“Why?”

“Well–” Joe stammered to think of a good reason.  “Well-it will stunt your growth.”

“That’s right, Joey.”  Adam jumped in on the conversation.  “See Hoss and I didn’t drink coffee when we were little but Joe did.  That’s why he is so much smaller than us.”

Joe shot Adam a sneer at the comparison.

“That true?”  Joey asked looking back into Joe’s eyes.

“Well–no it isn’t really true.”  Joe sighed not knowing what to say.

“Then I get coffee!”  Joey was back to his original request.

“Here’s some milk for you, Joey.”  Ben passed the glass down the table.  “You want to be big and strong, don’t you?”

“Like Hoss?”  Joey asked.

“Yes–just like Hoss.”  Ben nodded and saw the boy take the glass.

“Hoss drink lots of milk–Joe you need to have this.”  Joey handed the glass to his friend and laughter filled the room.

“It’s far too late for me now, Joey–I’ll just have coffee thank you.”  Joe shot a glance around at the amused faces of his family and Ben passed down a cup of coffee to his youngest son.

***************

Joe rode Cochise carrying in front of him the four year old boy.  They checked on the cattle and rode around for a while before coming back.  When they arrived back home, Hoss and Adam were standing by the porch and both men walked over to Cochise.

“Hand him down here.”  Adam called up to Joe.  Joe reluctantly handed the boy down into Adam’s strong hands and then dismounted.

“Look here, Joey!”  Hoss called over and the boy spotted the results of both Adam and Hoss’ labor of the morning.  They had fashioned a rocking horse with a saddle and a bridle.  The boy excitedly mounted his new horse.  Joe smiled and winked at both of his brothers.

“Now–don’t you take him out too far, Joey.”  Joe laughed and watched the boy rock back and forth exuberantly.  Joe turned his attention back to Hoss and Adam.  “Thanks.”  He nodded and they patted him on the back.

“We figured it was just what you needed to keep him out of your way for a while.  Now you can get on with your chores.”  Adam smiled as he pointed over to the woodpile.  “Pa wants you to get that pile cut and hauled into the house.  Joe sighed and walked over to get the axe.  Now he had to get to his own special kind of play.

Ben walked out on the front porch almost an hour later.  He could see Joe at work splitting the wood obviously unaware that Joey was missing.  He walked over to Joe.

“Joseph—have you lost something?”  Ben raised his eyebrows.  Joe looked up bewildered and then glanced around.

“He was just here a minute ago, Pa.”  Joe replied and dropped the axe down.  “How far could he get in such a short time?”

“Well, one time I turned my back and found you half way up a mountain.”

“Oh–great!”  Joe responded and started to search frantically around the yard, yelling for the boy.  Ben watched as Joe seemed to increase his panic and then decided it was enough of a lesson for his son.

“Joseph–” Ben walked toward the barn and grabbed Joe’s arm turning him around.  “Joey is sound asleep on the sofa.  Hop Sing found him laying over by the back door a little while ago and fixed him up a bed in the living room.”

“Gee, Pa!  You trying to give me a heart attack or something?”  Joe replied with both anger and relief.

“No—but I am trying to make you aware that you can’t let him out of your sight.  He’s just a little boy.  And as we all know–they can get in a lot of trouble.”  Ben’s remark struck home for Joe.

“I’m sorry—I need to figure out how to do my chores and keep an eye on him.”

“Well, you’ve cut enough wood.  We’ll think of something.  I have to go into town for a while.  You go on in and see to Joey.  Unfortunately, as I recall, naps don’t last very long!”  Ben patted Joe on the shoulder and walked off.

****************

After Joey had awakened from his nap, Joe sat by the fireplace with him and read him another one of the many story books he had brought with him.  When Joey got bored of that he wanted to play again and walked over to Ben’s desk.  He pointed up at Ben’s ledger and inkwell.

“Toys!”  He called excitedly.  Joe walked over to him and led him away.

“Now, Joey, those are not toys.  They belong to my father and you need to leave them alone.  I’ll tell you what, you come over here and sit down by the fireplace and play with your cowboys and Indians and I will get you some cookies.”

“K–I play.”  Joey smiled and walked over to the coffee table and started to play with his own toys.

Joe talked with Hop Sing for a couple of minutes.  The cook wanted to tell Joe he needed to watch over the little boy better than he had.  He told Joe about finding Joey out on the porch asleep.  Joe apologized and promised to keep a better eye on the little boy and then headed out to the living room with cookies and milk.

As Joe turned the corner coming in from the kitchen he noticed that Joey was no longer in the living room where he had left him.  Joe set the milk and cookies on the table and hurried toward his father’s desk.  He hadn’t made it in time.  Joey was up in the chair, the inkwell in his hand and the contents from it all over Ben’s inventory book.

“Joey!”  Joe screamed and neared the boy.

“Uh oh.  Made mess.”  Joey said and then turned his big blue eyes on his angry Godfather.

“Now I told you not to touch that!”  Joe said still upset.  He ran to get a towel from the kitchen and started mopping up the mess.  The first two pages of the book were ruined.  And it was a brand new ledger book that Ben had just completed filling out that morning with numerous figures.  Joe shook his head knowing how upset his father would be.

“Joe mad at Joey?”  Joey asked his lip quivering.

Joe’s heart melted and his anger faded away at the sight before him.  “No–not mad.  Just don’t want you to disobey me.  You have to listen to me from now on.  If you promise that you will I won’t punish you this time.”  Joe replied pulling the youngster up into his arms and staring into the eyes once more.

“Promise. I sorry.”  Joey nodded, glad to be off the hook.

“Okay–now you go back to those Indians and I will try to clean up this ink.” Joe put the boy down and patted him on the back.  The little boy happily went back to his toys.

************

Right before dinner time, Ben made it back to the ranch.  He hung up his hat and looked across the room.  Joe was sound asleep in the big blue chair by the fireplace with Joey curled up next to him.  Ben smiled at the sight.  As he approached Joey put his finger to his lips.

“Quiet—Joe’s night night now.”  Joey whispered.

“It’s not quite time for night night.”  Ben replied and shook Joe’s shoulder.  Joe opened his eyes and gave an embarrassed grin.

“Oh–guess I kinda dozed off.”  Joe said and looked at both Joey and his father.

“Dinner will be ready soon.  Why don’t you go and get Joey washed off?”

“Sure, Pa.  C’mon, Little Buddy.”  Joe said and grabbed the boy’s hand and headed toward the stairs.

It was a little while later that both Adam and Hoss arrived home, and they made their way to the living room sofa to relax before dinner.  As Joe and his charge made it to the top of the staircase a loud sound bellowed from Ben’s study.

“Joseph!”  Ben yelled and Joe and Joey looked at each other.  Joe knew what Ben would be saying next.

“Yeah, Pa?”  Joe asked innocently as he made his way down the stairs.  Both Joe and Joey approached the desk.

Ben held up his blackened ledger book and looked at both of them.  “Who did this?”  Ben asked the anger apparent in his tone.

Joe cast a look at Joey and then spoke up.  “I did, Pa. I’m sorry.  I knocked the ink over.”

Joe lied in order to keep Joey and himself out of further trouble.  He knew Ben would be upset that Joey had been playing around his desk and also mad that Joe had not kept a better watch on the little boy.

“Oh?”  Ben asked raising his eyebrows in gesture.  “Then I guess you were also the one who drew these pictures in this other one?”  Ben handed Joe the other ledger that had been alongside of the ink soaked one. There were pictures drawn inside the pages.

“I did that.  I draw good.”  Joey announced proudly.

Ben bent down and picked Joey up and sat him on the desk.  “Well, at least there is one honest Joe around here.  Now, Young Man, I don’t want you playing around my desk.  Is that understood?”  Ben tried not to sound too commanding considering the boy’s age.

“Your toys?”  Joey asked innocently and Ben grinned at the idea.

“Yes, Joey.  My toys.  So, you will not touch them, right?”

“No–not touch your toys.  I promise.”  Joey nodded and Ben sat him back down on the floor.  Joey hurried over to Adam and Hoss and took a seat next to them on the sofa.  Joe started to do the same but Ben caught his arm and stopped his progression.

“As for you, Joseph.  You should have watched Joey better.”  Ben admonished him.  “And I would think twice before you lie in front of him.”

“Yes, Sir.”  Joe replied knowing his father was right.

“Now as for my “toys”, you will sit here after dinner and rewrite the pages that were ruined.”

“Pa —I have to take care of Joey.  You know–give him his bath and stuff.”  Joe tried to weasel his way out of the monotony of copying his father’s figures down on the ledger.

“No problem, Joe!  I’ll give Joey his bath and Hoss will help.”  Adam called over, wanting to see Joe try and squirm out of redoing his father’s work.

“Thanks a whole lot.”  Joe said flatly.

“My pleasure.”  Adam laughed as he saw Joe shake his head knowing he would be up half the night with his project.

“Now, let’s eat.”  Ben grinned and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder to let him know that he was forgiven for his errors of the day.

***************

Ben paused before going into his own bedroom that night and opened the door to Joe’s room a crack to peer in on the sleeping duo.  Joey head was nestled under Joe’s chin and his arm wrapped around his neck.  Ben shook his head and smiled.  He reasoned that both of the two boys had learned a lesson or two that day.  His own son had learned how hard it was to tend a toddler and Joey had learned not to play with other folk’s toys.  Ben closed the door quietly and walked into his room feeling a bit proud of his youngest son.

**************

The first week of Joey’s stay passed by very quickly.  He blended right into the normal activities at the ranch and with the four Cartwrights and Hop Sing to keep their eyes on him, he had avoided getting in too much trouble.  When Saturday came Joe had taken with him a picnic basket and Joey down to the shore of Lake Tahoe.  He wanted to spend some one on one time with the boy who was growing very close to his heart.

After Joe and Joey were done eating their lunch, Joe carefully walked the boy out to the rocks that spanned out into the lake.  He carried with him a satchel with a surprise in it.

“Now tell me!”  Joey called excitedly pointing at the hidden surprise.

“Okay–now you sit there on that rock and don’t move.  I don’t want to have to dive into that cold water and fetch you out.”  Joe said and set the boy down.  Joe kneeled alongside of the bag and drew out two boats with sails.

“Boats!  Give me!” Joey squealed happily. Joe sat down and showed him both of the hand carved boats that he had taken great pains to fix up for the boy.

“Okay–look on this one it says your name–” Joe began pointing at the sail.

“Joey!”  The boy called out.

“And this one has my name.”  Joe pointed to the other one.

“What that say?”  Joey looked confused at all of the letters on Joe’s boat.

“It says “Godfather”,” Joe smiled.

“What that mean?  You are Joe.” The boy asked confused.

“Yes–I am Joe–and I am your Godfather too.”

“What Godfather mean?”

“Well—it just means that I take care of you when your folks aren’t around.  You know kinda look after you?”  Joe tried his best to come up with a way to explain his cherished title.

“You God’s father?”  Joey asked even more confused.

Joe shook his head and now wished he had just written the name Joe on the sail.  “No–just that God kinda brought me to you–and well–I’m kinda like a father.  Not like your real pa–just kinda.”

“Love you, Godfather.”  Joey said and hugged Joe’s neck.

“I love you too, Joey.”  Joe closed his eyes feeling very emotionally attached to the little boy. “Hey–let’s put them in the water.  We will see if they work.” Joe reached down and gave the two boats a push.  His own boat took off but Joey’s just sat in the water and didn’t move.

“Don’t work.”  Joey frowned.  Joe reached into the water and retrieved the little boy’s boat.

“I guess I have to work on it a little bit.  Let’s just watch mine right now, okay?”

“K.”  Joey said and cuddled closer to Joe.  They watched as the boat went farther and farther out into the lake until they could no longer see it from shore.

Joe and Joey sat there together for a long while.  Joe thought back to all of the times he had sat on that very same rock in both good times and bad.  He hoped Joey would remember this day as being a good time.  Joe gathered up the boy’s boat and carried Joey back to the shore.  It seemed like the ending to a perfect day.

************

After supper that night, Adam had arrived back from Virginia City and had hastily called his father out to the front porch to talk in private.  He had some bad news, and he wanted Ben to hear it first.  When the two men walked solemnly back into the house Adam called over to Joey.

“C’mon, Little Buddy, I am gonna read you a couple of stories.”  Adam held out his hand for the little boy to take. Joe looked up slightly bewildered.  He could see his father’s worry creased face and wondered what Adam had been talking to him about.

“C’mon, Hoss, why don’t you join us?”  Adam said and gave his brother a look which read that he wanted his father and Joe to be alone.

“Sure–I just love that story about the little red hen!” Hoss laughed and walked with both Adam and Joey up the stairs.

Joe stood and approached his father.  “What’s wrong, Pa?”

“Joseph – lets you and I go out onto the porch,” Ben answered and turned to walk outside before Joe could ask any further questions.  Joe followed outside and walked over to the far side of the porch where Pa had stopped and sat down on the top step.  Joe sat down next to him.

“Okay, now what is it, Pa?”

Ben put his hand on his son’s shoulder and looked into his eyes.  Joe witnessed the sadness that his father’s brown eyes were reflecting long before he spoke.  “Joseph, there has been an accident.  Adam was in town when the word came.  There was a fire–in the hotel where Kay and Kevin were staying–” Ben was cut short by Joe.

“No!  Don’t tell me this, Pa!”  Joe started to stand up to leave but Ben’s strong hand caught him and forced him back down.

“Now, Joseph, you need to be strong—for Joey’s sake.  His parents are dead.”  Ben fought to release the terrible news.

“No–Pa–it can’t be!  It just can’t be!  Are you sure?  Maybe they got out in time?”

“Joseph they are dead.  It has been confirmed by the doctor in San Francisco.  I know this is hard on you–it’s hard on us all.  But you have to pull from deep inside of yourself for Joey’s sake.”

Joe dropped his face down in his hands and wept.  He couldn’t fathom the idea of his two friends being gone.  He couldn’t bear the thought of them leaving Joey an orphan. Ben put his arm around Joe’s shoulder for comfort.

“How am I gonna tell him, Pa?”  Joe sobbed.  “How am I supposed to tell him his ma and pa are dead?”

Ben thought back to the tragedies in his own life and remembered the times he had to tell his sons such awful news.  “It will be hard, Joseph, but you have to do it.”  He whispered.

“I can still remember—remember when you pulled me onto your lap when I was around Joey’s age.  You held me tight and told me my mother was dead.  I’ll never forget that moment.  Now I have to tell that little guy that his ma and pa are both gone.”

“You made it through, Joe–so will Joey.”  Ben replied and Joe forced his gaze back on his father.

“I made it through because I had you!  But, if I hadn’t had you I think I would have just died too.”

“And Joey has you, Son.  He loves you so.  Let him know that you are there for him.  That’s all you can do.  But, you have to pull yourself together now.”

Joe brushed back the tears from his eyes knowing that Ben was right.  He had to be the strong one this time, no-one could do it for him.  He slowly stood up.

“I’m gonna go wash my face.  Then I’ll go and tell him.”  Joe stopped and reached down and squeezed his father’s shoulder.  “I thank God every day that he didn’t take you, Pa.”  Joe’s voice trembled and he turned and walked into the house.

**************

After composing himself, Joe made his way up to his room. He paused in the doorway and watched as his two brothers played with Joey on the bed.  Joe wondered if the boy would ever be as happy again once he was told the truth about his parents.  He approached his brothers and Adam looked up and saw that his brother now knew what was going on.  Adam ached at the thought of what his little brother would have to do.

“Hey–who’s playing with my boy?”  Joe asked and smiled at Joey.

“Hoss and Adam–we read story, we play.”  Joey smiled.

“Oh–yeah–these two are great with playing.  I remember them playing with me when I was your age.”  Joe shot a glance at both of his brother’s and they could tell that he was thanking them for what they had done for the boy. “How about you and I talk for a while?  That okay?”  Joe asked sitting down on the bed.

“K.”  Joey nodded and Adam and Hoss stood back up.

“Goodnight, Little Buddy.”  Adam smiled and patted the boy’s head.

“Sleep tight.”  Hoss winked at Joey and then shot Joe a glance that he understood what would happen next.  The two older brothers left the room and Joe pulled Joey up to the head of the bed, his head resting on Joe’s chest.

“Joey–you have a good time today?”  Joe whispered trying to get the words straight in his head.

“Yep–I had fun.  I like it here, you all play with me.”

Joe hugged Joey tighter and fought back his tears.  “Joey–your ma and pa–they take you to church all the time don’t they?”

“Yeah–that’s where God is.”  Joey nodded.

“Well, yes–God is there–but God is really everywhere.  Even right here and now he is looking at you and me.”

Joey stood on the bed and looked up to the ceiling, a confused look creasing his young face.  “I don’t see him!”

Joe pulled Joey back down.  “You can’t see him but he is still there–trust me.  Now, do you know anything about angels?”

“Angels fly and they have halos and they are pretty and they help God.”

“You are so right, Joey.  That is exactly what angels do–they help God.”  Joe bit at his bottom lip to continue.  “Sometimes God needs new angels because heaven is a big place.  So, when he needs new ones he looks to earth and tries to find the very best people for the job.  They can’t just be regular people–they have to be truly special people.  Then, he calls them up to heaven and they are with him forever and ever.”

“Can I be an angel, Joe?”

“Someday, but for right now you are needed to stay here and just be a little boy.  But, Joey, God has decided on his next angels.  And, he has chosen your ma and pa to join him in heaven.”  Joe stopped to see the little boy’s face.  At first it was a picture of confusion and then tears started to form in Joey’s eyes.

“Tell God bring them back.”  Joey said, his voice starting to tremble as he was starting to figure out his parents were gone for real.

“Joey—God needs them right now–” Joe was cut off.

“I need them–Joe–please tell him send them back.  I don’t want be by myself. I cared!”

Joe pulled Joey into a tight embrace and could feel the little boy’s tears fall down onto his own neck. “I know you are scared, Joey.  But, you don’t have to be.  You will see both your ma and pa again sometime–I promise you.  And right now, even though you can’t see them they can see you.  And they are smiling at you and waving to you.  And you will never ever be by yourself, I promise you.  I will always be with you.  I told you that your parents made me your Godfather, well, they knew I loved you that’s why they did it.  So, I don’t want you to ever worry about being alone, because that’s not going to happen.  You understand?”  Joe pulled the boy back so he could see into his eyes.

“You take care of me?”  Joey asked his voice shaking.

“Always.”  Joe answered and pulled him back into his arms.  Joey cried in Joe’s arms until he fell asleep.  Joe waited until the boy was asleep and then the tears finally came down his own cheeks.  At that moment Ben appeared in the doorway and looked in at the scene.  He had been standing outside the door throughout Joe’s talk with the boy.  His heart was full, as he heard how eloquently his youngest son had handled telling the boy the sad news.  Ben peered around the doorway and Joe caught sight of him.

“I couldn’t have done better myself.”  Ben whispered and Joe’s face lit up with the compliment as his father walked back out of the room.

**************

The next day was Sunday, and the Cartwrights got into their best suits to make their way to church.  Joey rode in the carriage with both Ben and Joe and he seemed to be a bit withdrawn.  They tried their best to point out interesting sights to the boy to help take his mind off the sad news of the previous day, but it was not working.

Before the service began, Joe left Joey in the hands of his family and went to the back of the church to talk to his long-time friend and minister, Reverend Hastings.  After he filled the man in on all that had happened the tender-hearted pastor changed his prepared sermon to address the existence of angels.  As he gave his sermon he could see Joey’s eyes light up.  The boy was thinking of his parents flying overhead so happy and so free of all the cares of the world.  It seemed to be doing the trick, and by the time they had all sang the last hymn Joey’s spirits seemed much better.

When they filed out of the church, the Reverend paused and bent down and picked the little boy up in his arms.

“My goodness, Joey!  You are getting to be such a big boy!  Looks like the Cartwrights are taking mighty good care of you.”  The preacher smiled.

“Ma and Pa are in heaven, so Joe is my Godfather and gonna take care of me.”  Joey announced happily.

Reverend Hastings kissed the boy on the forehead, happy to see his sermon had helped the boy some.  “That’s right, Joey.  Your parents are both angels now so they will still be looking after you too!  But, for right now, you couldn’t ask for a better Godfather than Joe.”

Joe walked over and nodded to the preacher his thanks for all he had done.  Then he reached over and Joey jumped into his arms.

“Go play now!”  Joey said happily and saw Joe grin.

“That’s right, we are gonna go play now.”  Joe turned and shook Reverend Hastings hand.  “Thanks.”  He smiled and the preacher nodded back to him.

**************

Sunday flew by, all the Cartwrights had filled it with as much fun as they could for the little boy.  Hop Sing had cooked Joey his favorite meal and had helped get him cleaned up for bed.  Joe sat up in the room with Joey until he had finally given in to exhaustion from all of the playing he had done and fell to sleep.

Joe made his way down to the living room where his family was gathered by the fireplace.

“Did he finally go to sleep?”  Ben called over to Joe.

“Yeah, he was plum worn out.”  Joe said as he made his way over to the others.  He stood there for a moment and tried to gather his thoughts.  Joe had something very important to discuss with his family.

Ben caught sight of Joe’s face and knew he was having trouble.  “Something on your mind, Joseph?”

“Yes, Sir.  But I need the whole family to hear it.  Just a second.”  Joe walked over to the kitchen and brought Hop Sing out with him.  “I have something to ask you all, since it doesn’t just affect me you all need to hear it.”

Hop Sing smiled at Joe, he had already guessed what Joe was about to ask.  He moved with Joe over next to the others.

“I want to adopt Joey.”  Joe spat out quickly, trying to get up his nerve.  He was worried how they would all take the idea.  “I know what you all are thinking right now.  You still think of me as “Little Joe”, but I am twenty-three years old now.  I know what I am getting into here.  And I don’t take this lightly.  I know this will mean a big change around here for all of us.  But, it’s something I really want to do–no–something I really need to do.  I want to know what each of you think about it.  Hop Sing?”  Joe turned to his dearest friend first.

Chinese sunrise appeared on the cook’s face.  For he was far more than a cook to them all, he was a real member of the family, and he knew it.  He hugged Joe and then spoke, “Raise one Little Joe–can help raise another Little Joe.”  He gave his blessings and Joe misted up a bit.

“Okay–so far so good.”  Joe smiled and then looked over at Hoss.  “Hoss?”

Hoss folded his arms across his chest and gave the appearance of being deep in thought.  Then he broke into a toothful smile.  “Heck, I’ll help you any way I can, Short Shanks.  I reckon you can do as good a job as anyone else at raising that little boy.  You have my full support.”

Joe nodded his head at Hoss’ faith in him.  “Thanks, Brother.  Adam?”  This was the one that Joe was most worried about of the two brothers.  He held his breath waiting for Adam to reply.

Adam got up from off the sofa and stood to stare directly into Joe’s hazel eyes.  For the first time in his life, Adam did not see a kid standing in front of him.  He saw a strong determined young man.  “You just had to prove me wrong, didn’t you?  I was so sure that you would shirk your responsibility with Joey and go run off into town or something leaving us with the load around here!  But, no, you stayed and you handled the boy better than even I could have.  I think the kid would be very lucky to have you for a father, Joe.”

Joe did something he rarely had; he reached over and hugged his oldest brother.  His praise meant the world to him at the moment.  Ben looked at Joe and Adam, and his heart felt very full at the sight of them.  It seemed as though a little child had at last removed the wedge that had always existed between his youngest and oldest sons.

“Thanks, Adam.”  Joe said releasing him from his embrace.  Next, he looked over to his father.  “I waited until last to ask you, Pa.  I know some of the things that you must be thinking.  I know you are worried about me.  No surprise in that–you always have been, I guess.  But this time I promise you that I know what I am getting myself into and I welcome all the happiness and heartache that comes with being a father.”

It was Ben’s turn to stand.  Instead of walking towards his son he turned his back on him and faced the fireplace.  Joe stood there feeling both hurt and stunned, he had so hoped that he would have his father’s support and approval.

“Pa?”  Joe whispered as he neared him.  Ben turned and brushed back the tears that had left his eyes.  He broke into a smile and hugged his youngest son.

“Joseph, I am so very proud of you.  You know I will do everything I can to help you with Joey.  Let’s check with our attorney tomorrow and make sure there are no other relatives who could claim the boy.  Then, we will go about making him your son.”

“Thanks, Pa.”  Joe whispered, choked up himself by his father’s response.  “Well, I’m gonna go check on him–make sure he’s okay.”  Joe smiled and walked to the staircase.  He paused and turned back around to stare at the four people who had raised him.  “Thanks.”  He said and hurried up the stairs.

“He’s sure taken on a handful, hasn’t he?”  Adam sighed and sat back down.  “I was kinda worried there for a while about your reaction, Pa.  You sure you are okay with this?

Ben sat down in his chair and looked over at both of his sons and found a grin taking over his face.  “Yes, I am fine with Joseph’s decision. And besides–the way things are going around here it just may be the ONLY way I will get a grandchild!”  Ben teased and his sons laughed at the thought.

***************

Joey ran to the front door and grabbed Joe by the legs.  He looked up at him pathetically in one final attempt to stop him from leaving.

“Take me!”  Joey insisted.

Joe kneeled down and stared into Joey’s big blue eyes.  “Now I told you that Pa and I have to go into town.  You are not going to be alone Hop Sing is gonna watch you.”

“Wanna go with you!” Joey insisted once more.

It was at that moment that Hop Sing, who had heard the exchange of words, came around the corner from the dining room.

“Joey–you help Hop Sing–we feed chickens now then we make cookies.”  Hop Sing said reaching for the boy’s hand.

“Cookies?”  Joey said with a note of excitement in his tone.

“Many cookies.”  Hop Sing smiled, glad to have saved the day.

“K–Joe—I go help Hop Sing–” Joey nodded.

Joe hugged the boy and stood back up and grinned over at the cook.  Hop Sing surely had a way with children, Joe thought back to his own childhood and the many times Hop Sing had taken him in under his protective wings.

“I’ll be back soon, Joey, you be good now, you hear?”

“I be good.”  Joey smiled and walked away with the cook.

“Now–if you are ready?”  Ben laughed after watching the long goodbye between his son and the little boy.

“Yes, I am finally ready.”  Joe grinned over at his father and grabbed his hat.

*************

Randolf Hill opened the door to his office and beckoned the two Cartwright men inside.

“Ben–Joe–what can I do for you?”  He asked sitting back down behind his desk.

“As you probably know, both Kay and Kevin Patrick were killed in San Francisco the other day.  They left their son, Joey, with Joseph to watch over.  He is the boy’s Godfather.”  Ben started and Randolf shot a look over at Joe.

“Yes, I heard the sad news.  Roy went over to the Patrick ranch this morning to see if he could find some information on next of kin.  But, what is it you want?”

“I want to adopt Joey.”  Joe stated bluntly and waited to see the attorney’s reaction.

“I see–Joe, do you know how hard that might be?  You are a single young man you know.”

“I know, but with my family’s help, I don’t see anything that a judge would object to.  Kay and Kevin left the boy with me, and he loves me.  I love him even more and will do everything in my power to give him a good life.”

Randolf stood and approached the front of his desk and looked down at the two expectant faces before him.  “I’m sure you would take care of the boy, Joe.  But the court may want the boy to be placed with a married couple –and not raised by a single man.”

Joe turned to look at his father and a peculiar smile filtered down onto his lips.  “Well, now Pa raised me without the help of a woman.  And I must say I came out pretty good!”

Both Ben and Randolf laughed at the way Joe had come out with his comparison with typical humility.

“Well, that’s subject to opinion.”  Randolf winked at Ben and sat back down.  “Seriously, I would have no objection to representing you, Joe.  I do think you are well based, and a good man.  Maybe a bit wild in your “younger days”, but a solid citizen now.”

“Then you will push this through?”  Joe asked hoping the procedure would not be long and drawn out.

“I will start the paperwork, but remember there just may be a relative somewhere.  Let’s check into that first.  If no-one comes forward I will file the request with the court.”  Randolf nodded and jotted down a couple of notes as he spoke.

“Thank you–thank you very much.”  Joe said standing and he reached to shake the attorney’s hand, as did Ben.

“I’ll be in touch soon.”  Randolf nodded as the two Cartwrights turned to walk out of the office.

************

Joe and his father walked out onto the sidewalk and he stopped abruptly.

“Ready to go home?”  Ben asked noting the peculiar look on his son’s face.

“Um–I’d like to go over to the mercantile for a minute before we go back.”

“For what?”  Ben asked confused, he figured that Joe would want to get right back to Joey.

“I want to get a little something for Joey.”  Joe smiled sheepishly.

Ben threw his arm around Joe’s shoulder and stared into the hazel eyes. “Now you aren’t planning on spoiling the boy, are you?”

“No–just want to check and see if there’s something he needs, Pa.”

“Sure.” Ben laughed and turned and walked with his son down to the store.

Once inside, Ben watched as Joe looked at many items, mainly toys for his Godson.  Every now and then Joe would look up and hold a toy in his hand and point at it for his father’s approval.  Ben simply shook his head knowing it was not going to be easy to stop the shopping spree his son had planned for the little boy.  When Joe had paid his bill, Ben lingered a moment before joining Joe outside of the store.

“Okay, Joseph, show me what you have.”  Ben grinned as Joe exuberantly opened his bag to reveal a stuffed bear, candy, and a new shirt. Ben laughed.  “I guess you do plan on spoiling him anyway.”

“Yeah–well–what have you got there, Pa?”  Joe asked suspiciously, looking at the bag Ben now held in his own hand.  Ben paused a minute as a flush of guilt took over his face.

“Just a couple of things.”  Ben commented and Joe reached for the bag.  He opened it to discover several toys and a cowboy hat.

“Ah ha!  Now, what were you saying to me, Pa?”  Joe chuckled at the presents that his father had bought for the little boy.

“Think it will fit?”  Ben asked holding up the little hat.

“Yeah, Pa–I think it will fit!”  Joe replied with a big grin taking over his face.  He wrapped his arm around his father as they walked back to the buckboard.

***************

Once back at the ranch house both men were greeted at the door by both Hop Sing and Joey holding a plate full of cookies.  Joe swept up the boy in his arms and grabbed a cookie and handed the plate to his father.

“These are the best cookies I have ever had!” Joe said munching on one and winking over at Hop Sing.

“We play in kitchen!”  Joey called over to Ben.

“You play well, Joey–these are mighty fine cookies!”  Ben replied and then patted the cook’s shoulder, who smiled in response to the compliment.

Joe took Joey over to the couch and sat down. He opened up the bag and handed Joey’s gifts to him and the little boy’s eyes grew bigger and bigger with each surprise.

“Thanks!”  Joey smiled up at Joe and then Ben joined them and handed Joey his bag.  The boy looked like it was Christmas morning as he pulled out each item. When he got to the hat he put it on his head and it sank down over his ears.  Both Ben and Joe laughed at the sight.

“You’ll grow into it,” Ben nodded and tried to straighten it up some.

“Presents–I like presents!”  Joey said loudly.

“Okay–that’s for being a good boy.”  Joe nodded and Joey hugged him and then walked over to Ben and hugged him as well.  Ben closed his eyes and it was almost like remembering back to his own boys when they were little. It made his heart swell with joy feeling the little arms around his neck.

“Hate to break this up–” Came Adam’s voice from the dining room.  “But, Joe, we need your help with the new horses.  Think you can break away for a couple of hours?”

Joe looked over to his father wondering what he would do about Joey.

“Joseph–you go on with Adam.  I will watch Joey for a while.”

“You sure?”  Joe asked standing up, an apprehensive look to his face.

“Yes–now get to work. Joey and I are gonna play.”  Ben smiled and lifted the little boy up and walked towards his desk.  Ben showed all the signs of being a very contented grandfather.  Joe turned and walked away, following Adam outside.

***************

It was more than four hours later that a very dusty Joe walked back into the ranch house.  He had done more than his share of bronc busting and it showed in his slower motions.  His two older brothers, having pity on their younger brother, had offered to stable his horse as well as their own.  Joe turned toward the fireplace and saw his father sprawled out on the floor face up.  Panic taking over his face, Joe ran to his aid.

“Pa!”  Joe cried out and kneeled alongside the fallen patriarch.

Ben opened one eye and whispered.  “I’m dead–go away.”

“Huh?”  Joe asked totally confused.  It was at that moment that Joey came out from behind the chair and blew across his pointer finger.

“I shot him!”  Joey smiled.

“What!”  Joe exploded and suddenly became aware of what was going on.  It had been a game, and obviously Joey had won.

“You can get up–you not dead.”  Joey said kneeling alongside of Ben.

“Okay–but you almost got me that time!”  Ben laughed and sat up.  “Help me up.”  Ben held his hand and Joey pulled.  Ben pretended that Joey’s strength had yanked him off of the floor.  “Thanks.”  Ben smiled and patted the little boy’s head.  It was then that Ben spotted all three of his sons staring his way.  “Something wrong?”  He asked.

“No–nothing.”  Adam and Hoss said in unison amused at seeing their father playing as he had in their youth.

“Don’t shoot my pa.”  Joe pretended to be ill with Joey.   “At least not before supper, okay?”  Joe laughed and Joey smiled up at him.

“Let’s eat.”  Ben called over to them all and walked toward the dining room.  The afternoon of playing with Joey had increased his appetite.

************

The next day Joe had called Adam over to Ben’s desk and his older brother wondered what was going on.  Joe had acted a bit secretive that morning as Hoss had taken Joey out on a ride.  Ben had gone out to check on some supplies, so it was just the two of them now all alone.

“Okay, Joe, what do you want?”  Adam questioned and sat down next to Joe who was sitting in his father’s chair at the desk.

“I’ve been thinking.  You helped draw up the plans for this place–what would you think about looking them over and seeing if we could make a doorway between my room and the room next door?  I know I have to get Joey into his own room soon, and I figured it would be a whole lot easier if I had a door that would open into his room.”

Adam laughed heartily at the protective side of his baby brother.  “Joe, there already is a door going out into the hall, isn’t that enough?”

Joe shook his head adamantly.  “No–I want to be able to hear him if he wakes up.  I want him to be able to just walk in if he needs me.”

Adam put his hand on Joe’s shoulder and sighed.  “Don’t you think you should ask our father before you start knocking holes in the walls?”

“If you show Pa how it could be done, he will take it a whole lot better.  Show him where the support beams are and maybe he won’t frown on it.  You know how he feels about your talents!”  Joe winked at Adam.

“You trying to sucker me, Joe?”  Adam asked suspiciously.

“Naw–but I could use you on my side with this one.  How about it?”  Joe’s green eyes burned into his brother’s deep mahogany ones.

“I’ll go find the plans.  But, you, my dear brother, are gonna be the one who brings it up.  I will back you if need be.”

“Thanks!”  Joe jumped to his feet excited by the support.  “Between you and me and Joey’s big blue eyes, Pa doesn’t stand a chance!”

************

That evening before either Joe or Adam had the chance to approach Ben with the reconstruction idea, a knock sounded on the front door.  Hop Sing opened the door and Randolf Hill entered.  His face looked grim and the Cartwrights all worried as to the reason for his late-night visit.

“Come and sit down.”  Ben called over to their attorney, and he walked over to the settee and sat next to Hoss.  Joe was on the bottom step of the staircase, having just succeeded in getting Joey to sleep.

“What’s wrong?”  Joe asked making his way over to the rest of the family.

“I got a telegraph today.  It’s from Kay Patrick’s sister.”  Randolf handed it to Ben who read it quickly and then handed it to Joe.

“She’s coming right out.  Should be here in just a couple of days.”  Randolf stated bleakly.

Joe read the telegraph several times before speaking.  “Can she do this?  Can she just come and take Joey?”  He asked, worry bleeding out in his questions.

Randolf nodded.  “She is the only living relative on either side.  Kevin had no other relatives neither did Kay.  I am afraid she can, Joe.”

“No–she can’t!  Joey’s mine!”  Joe shouted and Ben walked over to quiet him down.

“Joseph, legally she is the next of kin.  I’m afraid there is nothing we can do if she decides to take Joey.”  Ben put his arm around his son’s shoulder for comfort, but Joe instantly pushed it away.

“No!  I will tell her–he needs me!  He wants to live here!”  Joe yelled and walked out of the house slamming the door in his wake.

“I was afraid of this, Ben.”  Randolf sighed and shook his head.  “I know how attached he has grown to the boy.”

“We all are.  But especially Joseph.  Do you think Kay’s sister could be persuaded to let us keep the boy?”

“Not according to that telegraph.  She wants him.”

“Pa–I’m going out to talk to Joe.”  Hoss stated and walked out of the house without waiting for his father’s approval.

Hoss met his little brother on the end of the porch.  He was sitting with his head cradled in his arms. Hoss sat down next to him and threw his arm around Joe’s slender shoulders.

“It will be okay, Joe.  Let’s wait and see what happens before we panic.”  Hoss crooned soothingly.

“Hoss–I love that little guy.  He trusts me–he needs me!  None of you understand what he means to me.”  Joe whispered as tears left his eyes.

“You are wrong there, Little Brother, we’d have to be blind and stupid not to see the love that is there.  Joey loves you more than anything.  You got to try to be strong.”

“Strong?  That little boy has gone through hell, and now that he is finally starting to come back from it someone wants to take all of us away from him!”

“You know what Pa always says, let the troubles of the day take care of themselves.  He is still here, and he still loves you. Don’t forget that.  And don’t let Joey know how bad you are hurting right now.  It would be so much harder on the little guy to see you sad.”

Joe looked into his brother’s compassionate eyes and replied, his chin quivering, “Hoss, I am not a good actor, you know that.  How am I supposed to pretend that my heart is not breaking?”

“Right now I consider you that boy’s pa–think about it.  How many times has our own father’s heart been broken?  Think about how he always hung on for us.  Let that strength get you through this.”

“I’ll try.”  Joe nodded and wiped away his tears.  “I think I’ll go for a walk.”  Joe stood and walked out into the darkness.  Hoss watched as the slender form faded into the blackness.  His heart ached for what he knew Joe was going through.

*************

The next week Joe found the strength and the courage to pretend that nothing had happened.  He spent long days with Joey.  Ben had decided to free Joe from his routine chores to allow him the time he needed to be with the boy.  Joe and Joey did everything together.  They played games, they ran races, they rode on Joe’s horse every day.  Joe felt as though he was trying to give the boy a lifetime worth of memories in a short period of time.  Inwardly, Joe decided to do everything in his power to try and convince Kay’s sister that the boy would be best left with the Cartwrights.  He went over things daily in his mind; every strategy he could think of to prove his case.  Joe believed in his heart he could change the woman’s mind once she finally arrived.

************

Ben was in Virginia City to greet the noon stage.  He hurried to the stagecoach as it pulled up to its stop in front of the ticket booth.  Watching as people began to depart, Ben wondered how he would feel once the lady was in full view.  The last passenger out was Karen Chase, Kay’s sister.

“Mrs. Chase?”  Ben asked as he reached for her hand.  He really didn’t have to ask the question as Karen seemed to be a mirrored image of Kay.

“Mr. Cartwright?”  She asked as she looked into the dark brown eyes.

“Yes, Ma’am, Ben Cartwright.”  He nodded and helped her down.  He then signaled for her bags, and the driver handed them over to him.  “I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“Yes, Mr. Cartwright.”  Karen nodded.

“It’s Ben.”

“Thank you.  And please call me Karen.  Where is Joey?”

“He’s back at our ranch.  I had hoped we could talk a little on the way to the Ponderosa.  Catch up on things?”

“Does he know I am coming?”  Karen asked as they made their way over to Ben’s wagon.

Ben tossed the luggage into the buckboard and helped the woman up into the seat.  “We did tell the boy that his aunt was coming for a visit.”

“I have heard about you and also your sons.  Kay wrote me often.  I only got to see Joey once when he was first born.  I so much want to see him.”  Karen misted up as she thought about her sister.  “I hurt so deeply over the loss of both my sister and brother -in- law, it’s only the fact that Joey will be with me that helps me to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ben sent the team of horses forward and thought on all that the woman had already said.  He waited until they were on Ponderosa land before he began his plea.

“Karen, you know that my son, Joseph, is Joey’s Godfather don’t you?”  Ben started.

“Yes, Ben.  I also know that your son brought Joey into the world.  I know that both my sister and brother- in- law thought the world of Joseph.”

“Joseph was very fond of them as well.  Honestly, Joseph loves Joey as if he were his own son.  And the boy looks to him as a father now.  Is there any chance that you would agree to let Joe raise Joey? “

Karen reached over and touched Ben’s arm gently.  “I understand, Ben.  And if I could I would.  But I need Joey.  My sister always told me that if anything happened to her, she wanted me to raise the boy.  I promised her and I have to keep that promise.  I have a wonderful husband and a five-year-old who can’t wait to have a brother.  You see Joey will not be considered my nephew; he will be treated like a son.  I am so sorry if this will hurt your son.  I will be eternally grateful for all he has done for the boy.  But Joey needs to come home with me.”

Ben sighed deeply.  He could not blame the woman for her determination to take Joey back to live with her, and yet, he knew the horrible damage that it would cause Joseph.   He could tell by Karen’s actions, her eyes, and her voice that she was not just sincere, but also deeply earnest in all that she had said.  Ben sent the horses into a faster pace; he knew what would happen next.

*************

Hoss met his father and his passenger in the front yard. He helped with Karen’s luggage and tried his best not to stare at the woman.  He did notice right off how much she favored her sister and it made Hoss’ animosity toward her lessen.

“Nice to meet you, Hoss.”  Karen smiled and Hoss nodded toward her.

“Where’s Joey?”  Ben asked looking toward the house.

“Joey got in a heap of mud a little while ago, Joe is upstairs getting him cleaned up.”

“He will surely like playing with my son, Alex, he too has a fondness towards making mud pies.”  Karen remarked as Ben led her into the house followed by Hoss.

Ben showed Karen to the sofa and called for Hop Sing to bring out some tea for the visitor.  A few moments later, Joe appeared on the top stair holding Joey in his arms.  Joe drew in a deep breath.  He so badly wanted to just head back up into his room with the boy, but he knew he had been seen.  Slowly Joe made his way to the bottom landing and set Joey down.  The little boy stared over at the woman who was looking his way.  With a burst of energy Joey sprinted over to Karen.

“Momma!”  Joey cried and fell into her outstretched arms.  Ben and Joe exchanged hurtful glances at the sight before them.  Joey had no idea that his aunt looked so much like his deceased mother.

“Joey, I am your mother’s sister, Karen.  We were only one year apart in age, but we did almost look like twins.”  Karen explained as she brushed the hair from the boy’s forehead and planted a kiss there.

“What’s twins?”  Joey asked looking up into the woman’s calm face.

“Twins–well they are two babies that are born at the same time that look like each other.”

“Like kittens?  Baby kittens look the same.”  Joey replied.

“Well— maybe a little bit like kittens, I guess.  I am so happy to see you, Joey.  The last time I saw you, you were only a baby.”

“I got borned on a road, Joe is my Godfather and he brung me.”  Joey said enthusiastically and then reached back for Joe’s hand.

“Very nice to meet you, Joe.”  Karen held out her hand.  Joe closed his eyes for a minute fighting back the anger he harbored toward the woman who wanted to take Joey away.  Finally, for Joey’s sake, he shook her hand and then sat down across from his father.  Hop Sing brought out the tea for Karen and Joey sat down next to her on the sofa.

“I understand you have done a whole lot of things while you were here, Joey?”

“We play, we ride horses, we sailed boats.  Only my boat wouldn’t sail, but Joe’s boat sailed way way far out until we couldn’t see it.”

Joe stood abruptly and left the house, he could no longer fight back his tears.  It had been like watching the boat sail away again, only this time that boat was Joey.  He knew this was the first day toward the long grueling process of fighting Karen for the little boy.

“Where Joe go?”  Joey asked Ben.

“Oh–he had some things he had to do in the barn.  Why don’t you sit there and talk to your Aunt Karen, then maybe you can show her your toys?”

“You like to play?”  Joey asked Karen and she smiled warmly and hugged the little boy.

“Yes, I love to play. And I have a son who is just a year older than you, he loves to play as well.  He is your cousin Alex.”

“Cousin?”  Joey asked confused by the word.

“I am your aunt so since he is my son, he is your cousin.”  She tried to explain.

“My ma died.”  Joey turned suddenly sad.  “I was her son, and my pa’s son.”

“I know you are sad, Joey.  I am sad too.  You think maybe we could be sad together?”

“K–then we can play.”  Joey said and rested his head on his aunt’s shoulder as she pulled him into her lap.

Ben walked into the kitchen leaving Karen alone with Joey.  He could already see the bond between the two of them starting to form.  As happy as he was for Joey, his heart ached thinking about the little boy leaving them all and the effect that it would have on Joseph.

***********

It took a great deal of persuasion on Ben’s part to get his youngest son to join the family at the dinner table that evening.  Joe reluctantly gave in but insisted on being seated next to Joey.  Karen sat on the other side of the boy as they ate their meal.  The conversation was full of interesting facts about Karen’s hometown in Maryland.  She told them all how it was the place of both her and her sister’s birth.  Kay had married and headed out west, while she had married her childhood sweetheart and remained.  She talked about the dairy farm they had, and also of her husband’s job with the local newspaper.  All the information seemed geared toward letting the Cartwrights know how well Joey would be taken care of, but Joe didn’t see it that way.  With each word, Joe felt the knife to his heart twist in deeper till he was almost unable to breathe.

“Time for your bath, Joey.”  Adam said and stood from the table.

“I’ll give him his bath.”  Joe insisted but Karen jumped in.

“Actually, Joe, I was hoping to speak with you. “

Joe looked over at Adam and nodded as his brother reached out his hand for Joey to take.  “I’ll get him all cleaned up, and then Joe is gonna read you some of the new stories he bought you.”  Adam said nodding over to Joe that he understood how hard this was on him.

Once Adam left the table, an awkward silence permeated the air.  Karen could read Joe’s face and knew he was both hurt and mad over her being there.

“Can we talk now?”  She finally had the courage to ask.

“Outside.”  Joe replied flatly and stood from the table.  Karen met Joe at the door, and he opened it and they both stepped out to the front porch.

*************

“Joe–” Karen started and reached for his arm tenderly.  “I know how hard this is on you.  I can see how much you love Joey and how much he loves you as well.  But, Kay made me promise that if anything were ever to happen to her and Kevin that I would raise the boy.”

“Yeah–well–they left the boy with me.  They knew I would take care of him.  They named that boy after me and made me his Godfather.  So, I guess they wanted me to have some say so in his life too!”  Joe retorted full of anger.

“You have done exactly as they would have wanted. You and your entire family have done more than we all could have hoped for.  I am not detracting from that, Joe.  But, Joey belongs in a family.  He will have a father in my husband Mark, and a brother in my son Alex.”

“And what am I to the boy?  You don’t think he has looked to me as a father?”

“I know he has.  But he needs a complete family.”

“Oh, I see!  Because I’m not married, I can’t give him a complete family?  Well, I’ll tell you what—give me a day or two and I will go into town and find an old girlfriend and get hitched.  Then–then will I be able to keep Joey?”

“You need to let him go, Joe.  I know that sounds easy to say, I know it’s not.  Do you have any idea how I am hurting over the loss of my only sister?  She was my only living relative too!  Just her–and now Joey.  I need him too.  He is my last connection to my sister.  I am asking you—no, I am begging you not to fight me on this.  Neither of us wants to hurt Joey, and if you fight that’s exactly what will happen.”

Joe looked down at the porch, trying to stay the pain he was feeling.  When he looked back up he could see tears leaving Karen’s eyes.  “What do you want from me?”  Joe whispered.

“I want you to give me some time alone with Joey to get him use to me.  We will be leaving in a few days, and he needs to feel comfortable with me before we go.”

“So, what do you want?  Want me to just ride out now?  Want me to turn my back on the one person who has become my whole life? Is that what you want?”

“I just want a little time, that’s all.  Will you do that for me, Joe?  More importantly, will you do that for Joey?”

“Go ahead, you read to him.  You tuck him in.  Hell, put him in your room from now on!  Anything you feel you need.  While you are at it you can explain to him why I will never see him again once you take him away.”

“Joe, that’s just not true.  I want you to come and see him. I will write you all the time, and once he is older he can write.  And I will bring him out here sometime too.  It’s not the end of your relationship.”

“It’s the end of me being his father.”  Joe replied and walked away.

************

Ben sat next to the fireplace deep in thought.  It had been two hours since Adam had turned Joey over to Karen to tuck in bed and Joe was still nowhere in sight.  He imagined what the conversation outside had been about.  Ben knew his son so well; he knew the young man had pleaded to keep Joey.  He could also sense the determination of Joey’s aunt and knew that Joe’s pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

Ben stepped out onto the front porch just as Adam came out of the barn.  Adam strode across the front yard, and he wore a very tired expression on his face.

“Have you seen Joe?”  Ben asked as Adam climbed up the porch steps.

“He’s gone back to his normal hiding place, and he was very perturbed at me for trying to talk him down.”

“The hayloft?”  Ben asked but already knew the answer.  Adam just nodded, patted his father on the shoulder and walked into the house.

*************

Lighting the lantern and nearing the ladder which led up to the hayloft, Ben stopped to recall all the times in his son’s twenty-three years of life that he had done this very thing; comforted Joseph in times of despair.  Ben slowly reached the top rung and pulled himself to standing.  Bringing with him the light, Ben made his way over to Joe and sat down next to him on the floor.  He didn’t speak; he simply put his arm around his son’s shoulder and waited.

“You go on to bed, Pa.  There’s nothing you can do.”  Joe whispered.

“As I recall those are the same words you said to me the last time you were up here.  You know from past experience that I will not leave.  I think you have been climbing up here since you were Joey’s age.  Back then I simply carried you down and into the house.  Unfortunately, you are too big, and I am far too old to do that now.”

“Right now, I don’t ever want to come down anyway.  I don’t want to go into that house; I don’t want to see that woman.  I want to sit up here and pretend that all of this isn’t happening.”

“What did she say?”  Ben asked softly.

Joe forced his gaze on his father and his anger flashed in his green eyes.  “You know what she wants me to do, Pa?  She wants me to give her some time alone with Joey!  She wants me to allow the two of them to bond in some way before she snatches him from me forever!  She is heartless.”

Ben thought for a few moments and then responded, “Joseph, you wouldn’t want her to just jump on a stage tomorrow and drag Joey away when he’s not ready would you?”

“He’ll never be ready!”  Joe argued.

“And neither will you.”

Joe dropped his head down and realized Ben’s point in his statement.  Joe knew he was just as worried about his loss as he was Joey’s loss.  “Pa–you don’t understand.  Ever since the first day I held that little boy he has been a part of me.  Probably the best part of me.  I helped give him life–and he brought back my life to me.  I felt God was showing me something that I hadn’t seen before, maybe a purpose or something I don’t know. “

“I know, Son.”  Ben whispered and remembered back to the time of Joey’s birth and how it had pulled his own son up from the depths of despair.

“You don’t know what letting him leave will do to me!  You don’t know how hard it is to say goodbye!”  Joe insisted.

“You are wrong there, Joseph.  I know the feeling very well.  I remember when Adam left for college, part of me went with him.”

“But, he came back, Pa!  It’s not the same.”

“Well—I also remember taking one of my sons to a hospital in San Francisco once and leaving him there never knowing if I would ever see him again.  I remember saying goodbye to him that day broke my heart.”  Ben turned Joe’s face to see the intensity in his eyes.

Joe understood what Ben was referring to.  He had been the son who had been forcefully committed to that hospital suffering from severe addiction to morphine.  At that time no-one knew if he would recover, and Ben had been ordered to leave his son and return to Nevada.

“I’m sorry for that now, Pa.  I know what I have put you through over the years.  If I made you hurt to any degree like I hurt right now, I feel awful about it.  But I did come back to you.  Joey will be out of my life forever.”  Joe said and tears started to fall from his eyes.

“Joseph, he will never be out of your life, not ever.  You will always be a part of him and he will be a part of you.  I’m sure they will let him see you.  I know it’s on the other side of the country, but you can visit.”

“Yeah–that’s what she said too.  She also said that she will bring him here to visit sometime.  But Pa—it will never be the same!  Right now, I am his father.  By the time he gets to living with them he will have a new pa.”

“And you are worried that he won’t love you?”

“No–I am worried that he will forget me.”  Joe replied and then put his hands up to his face and wept at the thought.

Ben pulled Joe into his arms and felt his body tremble as his sorrow poured out along with his tears.  “Joey will never forget you, Joseph.  You needn’t worry.  God had a reason for all of this, Son.  Right now, none of us see it, maybe we never will.  But you two were brought together the day that you delivered him and the bond will forever be there.  Trust me on this.”

“I wish now it had never happened.  This is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life.”

“That’s what love is all about, Joseph.  The joy of birth and the hurt from letting go of the ones you love for their own sakes.  By you helping Joey to be okay with this move is the biggest gift you can give him now.  It’s also the hardest thing you have ever done, I know.  But you love that boy far too much to see him hurt over leaving you.  Don’t you?”

“He needed me. Pa.  He needed me from the day he was born.  No-one has ever needed me like that. He put his whole faith in me.”

Ben smiled and hugged his son.  “I think you may be a little bit wrong on that theory, Joe.  I need you too, so do your brothers.”

“Not like Joey.”  Joe shook his head.  “Doing this–letting him go–it’s killing me.”

“You will survive, you are tough.  Perhaps the toughest Cartwright ever born.  But, that’s just a proud father’s opinion.  Now, you have to make this move to keep Joey from hurting forever.”

“I’ll try–for Joey’s sake–not for that woman’s sake though.  I will never like her.”

“Let it go, Joseph.  Your anger is not with her, it’s with the situation.  She does love Joey too you know?”

“Never as much as I do.”  Joe corrected his father.

“Then prove it by letting him go.”

Joe stared into the deep brown eyes of his father and knew in his heart that Pa was right.  Ben could see he had broken through to his son; the anger was now softened on the boy’s face and sadness replaced it.  “Now, how about helping your father down out of here?”  Ben smiled and stood and reached for Joe’s hand.  Joe took it, as he had done so many times, and hoped he would draw from it the strength he would need to get through what would happen next.

***********

Joe laid in his bed all that night tremendously missing the presence of the little boy who had so often fallen asleep curled up next to him.  There was just Joey’s stuffed bear in the bed now.  Karen had taken Joe up on his off-handed remark to take the boy into her own room.  Joe prayed for slumber, but it would not come.  As the sun’s first rays shot through his curtain, Joe knew he was in for one long day.

Pulling Cochise out of his stall, Joe tightened the cinch and was ready for a fast getaway.  He had hoped to be long gone by the time Joey noticed his absence.  The plan failed as the front door to the house flung open and Joey ran into the yard screaming Joe’s name.  He ran over to Joe at the barn door and clung to his legs.  Joe looked up and saw both his father and Karen running out to take Joey.  Joe knelt down and hugged the boy, then he knew what he had to say.

“Joey–I have to work all day.  It’s not the kind of thing I can do with you, so your aunt is gonna play with you today, okay?”

“You play too!”  Joey replied loudly.

Joe stood up and caught sight of his father.  Ben was waiting to see if Joe could put himself last for Joey’s sake.  “Can’t, Joey.  Now you go on over there and show Karen all the toys that Hoss and Adam made for you.  You have to show her how well you can ride your rocking horse!”

“You come with me.”  Joey tried once more.

Joe swung up into his saddle as Karen reached for Joey and pulled him into her arms.

“I’ll take good care of him, Joe, you go on and do your work.  Your father has told me all about your great abilities with horses.”  Karen smiled but it was not returned.  Joe kicked at Cochise’s sides and hurried out of the yard.  He could no longer handle the scene that his leaving was causing.

***********

Adam saw the pinto fly past him and he turned his horse to follow his brother.  He had been waiting on Joe, wondering how he would handle leaving Joey for the day.  His instincts had been correct as he noticed the look Joe wore when he had passed him.  Joe didn’t stop his fast gallop across the meadow.  He rode at break-neck speed, and Adam was now worried that Joe would be hurt. Adam sent Sport forward trying to catch up with his brother.

Adam reached out with his right hand to cup Cochise’s bridle, stopping the horse abruptly.

“Leave me alone!”  Joe shouted.

“No, sorry I can’t do that.  You don’t need to be alone right now so I am afraid you are stuck with your oldest brother for the day.”

Joe dipped his hat over his eyes so Adam wouldn’t see his tears. “I want to be alone.”

“Let’s go over to Miller’s Pond.  I have something for you.”

Joe frowned; he knew from past experience that his oldest brother could not be talked out of something once he had set his mind to it.  Reluctantly Joe nodded and followed Adam down to the pond.

“Let’s go sit on the bridge.”  Adam stated as he dismounted.  Joe stood his ground.

“Okay, what is it, Adam?  You know I want to be alone, but you insist on forcing your company on me.  So, what do you have to show me?”

“Wait here.”  Adam grinned and then walked behind a tree and then reappeared carrying two fishing poles.  “It’s been a long time since the two of us just goofed off and went fishing.”  Adam handed Joe one of the poles.

“Oh–so this is just to take my mind off the fact that my son is going away?”

“No.”  Adam replied quietly and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder.  “This is so we can both sit and talk and maybe catch a couple of fish.”

Joe followed Adam to the center of the bridge and sat down.  He was still a little annoyed that Adam would think that spending a day fishing would help in any way.  Joe’s mind was on far more important things.  Both men cast their lines into the water and waited.

“Joe, I don’t know if I can ever again think of you as just a kid.  I have spent my whole life picturing you that way, but now it has changed.  You’ve done such a wonderful job with Joey; I have watched you with the boy.  It’s almost as though I have watched you grow up these last couple of weeks.  I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you.”

“Is this like a warning or something?  Like–hey don’t turn back into a brat once Joey leaves?”

“You were never a brat, even if I have called you that before.”  Adam laughed.  “I just don’t want to see this destroy you.  I can imagine how all of this is weighing on you now.  I want you to know that I’m sorry, I wish I could do something about it.  I even talked to Karen last night for you, hoping I could get her to change her mind.”

“Guess it didn’t work, huh?”  Joe frowned at the thought.

“No—I’m sorry.  But, you need to remember we are all here for you.  And once Joey gets settled I would be glad to go with you to Maryland and visit him.”

Joe reached over and touched his brother’s arm affectionately.  “Thanks.  But, it’ll be awhile before I can go see him.  Karen wants him to get all settled.  I’ve done everything else she’s asked.  Guess she holds all the cards now.”  Joe stopped and looked out into the pond.  “Let’s just fish now, I don’t think I can talk about this anymore.”

“Sure.”  Adam nodded and cast his line in again.  Joe was there next to him, so he knew he was safe and not somewhere alone brooding over his loss.  Adam was content now, knowing Joe understood how he felt.

**************

Joe had spent the entire day with his brother Adam.  As evening fell, they ate dinner in Virginia City and then stopped at the Silver Dollar for a few drinks.  But, it was only inevitable that Joe had to at last face going home.  It was a long ride to the Ponderosa that evening.  Adam had offered to put up the two horses, and Joe slowly made his way back into the house.

Joe opened the door and the sight before him sent his breath from him.  There was Karen asleep in a chair by the fireplace with Joey snuggled up next to her.  They looked so natural, as though it was indeed Kay and her son.  Joe swallowed hard and part of the anger he had toward the woman faded.  Joey looked totally contented.  As Joe made his way over to the fireplace, Karen awoke.  She smiled at Joe and then nudged Joey.

“I told you he would be back soon.”  Karen whispered to Joey, who suddenly opened his eyes widely.

“Joe!” Joey yelled and hopped down out of the chair.  “I missed you!”

Joe held out his arms and the boy rushed into them.  “How’s my boy?”  Joe smiled and the little boy kissed him on the cheek.

“We play all day.  Aunt Karen plays good.  You know what?  She has a little boy too!  And she is gonna take me to play with him!”  Joey said exuberantly.

Joe pulled Joey into his lap, sitting down on the settee.  “Yes, I know that.  You will have lots of fun playing with him.”

“You come to!”  Joey insisted and saw Joe’s eyes turn misty.

“I can’t do that right now, Joey.  You are going to have a fun time.  I promise I will come to visit and you can visit here too.”  Joe fought back his grief to try and ease the little boy’s mind.

“But, I want you with me.  I cared!”  Joey insisted and started to form tears in his eyes.

“Now, no need for tears, Joey.  I’ll never be that far away.”  Joe said and knew it was a lie.

“But, you said you would take care of me.  You promised.”  Joey reminded.

Joe looked toward Karen hopelessly.  He had promised the boy he would never leave him and here he was agreeing to let him leave.

Karen walked over and sat on the settee next to them both.  “Joey, you know that Joe is your Godfather.  No matter where you are he will always be your Godfather and he will always watch after you.  He is going to come visit us and I promised that I would bring you back here to visit.  I will keep that promise.”

“But Joe be lonely without me.”  Joey said sadly and Joe hugged the boy fiercely.

“You will always be in my heart.  No matter where you are, no matter what you do.  If you ever need me, I will be there so fast that it will make your head spin.  But, Joey this is what is best for you.”

“You marry Aunt Karen then we all be together!”

Karen smiled at the thought.  “Joey, I am already married to your uncle Mark.  You will like him.  He likes little boys.  He will take you fishing and swimming and we even have some horses for you to ride on our farm.”

“But, why can’t Joe come?”  Joey looked piercingly at Karen.  She didn’t know what to say.

“Because I need him here.”  Came Ben’s voice from the dining room.  “Remember–I told you he is my little boy.  You don’t want me to be sad do you, Joey?”  Ben tried to get through to the child.

“K.  But you let him come and play with me–k?”  Joey tried to make a deal.

Ben reached down and drew the boy up into his arms.  “Of course, I will let him go to your new home and play with you!  But, that deal goes both ways–you have to come out here too–and play with all of us!”

“I will–promise!”  Joey smiled.

“Okay now that it is settled let’s get you up to bed.”  Joe said standing and reached for the boy.  Ben handed him over and Joe started for the stairs.  He turned around before reaching the second step and looked over at Karen.  “C’mon–let’s both do this tonight.”  Joe said and she smiled back over to him.

Ben watched as his son, Joey and Karen walked up the stairs together.  His chest swelled with pride over the way that his son had handled an awful situation.

**************

Wednesday came much too fast for all of the Cartwrights.  As they readied the buckboard for Joey’s departure a feeling of sadness hung in the air.  Ben elected to drive the wagon with Karen and Joey.  Joe decided to ride behind them.  Pa knew that decision had been made so his son could beat a fast retreat after seeing the boy off.  Adam and Hoss hugged Joey as they both lifted him onto the wagon.

“Now remember–next visit we are gonna teach you how to ride a horse of your own.”  Hoss smiled.

“I miss you–Hoss–I miss you too, Adam.”  Joey said sadly.

“This isn’t goodbye, Joey–this is just see you later.”  Adam corrected and adjusted the boy’s much too big hat that Pa had bought him.

“Bye!”  Karen waved to the two men as the wagon pulled out of the front yard.

“I sure am gonna miss the little tyke.”  Hoss admitted brushing back tears.

“Me too–but just think how Joe is gonna feel when that stage pulls away.”

Hoss shook his head.  “We are gonna have to do our best to help cheer him up.”

“Time, Hoss.  Time and seeing Joey again.  That’s the only thing that is gonna help our little brother.”  Adam sighed and Hoss nodded his agreement.

***************

Karen and Joey stood alongside the stagecoach.  The bags had been handed up to the driver, and it was time to depart.  Karen reached over and hugged Joe and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you.  I promise you I will take good care of him.  I’ll be in touch as soon as we arrive.”

Joe handed Karen a package.  “Put this in Joey’s room when he gets there.”

“What is it?”  She asked looking at the box.

“I told Joey that his ma and pa are angels.  It’s two angel figurines to remember that they are always with him.”

“You will always be with him, too.”  Karen said fighting back tears.

Ben lifted Joey into his arms one last time.  “Now, Young Fellow, you watch over your aunt on the way to your new home, okay?”

“K–” Joey smiled.  He then reached over toward Joe and Joe took the boy from his father.

“You be good you hear?  I’m gonna be checking in about you all the time.  And I will visit you in a few months.”  Joe whispered and hugged Joey, afraid to let go completely.

“I will – I love you Godfather,” Joey said and kissed Joe on the cheek.

“I love you too, Joey.  And I always will,” Joe replied and somehow found the courage to hand the boy over to his aunt.  The two entered the stagecoach and it began to pull away.

Ben and Joe waved goodbye as the stage became smaller and smaller disappearing from view.  Ben wrapped his arm around Joe’s shoulder and looked into his sad face.  Joe’s chin quivered and he closed his eyes to fight back the tears.

“I need to be by myself for a while, Pa,” Joe whispered breaking free of his father’s hold.  He hurried to Cochise and swung up into the saddle.  Kicking at the horse’s sides Joe sent his mount into a gallop.  Ben knew that Joe needed some time alone to think and come to terms with what had happened.  Reluctantly he walked back to the buckboard and sent the team forward and back to the Ponderosa.

**************

Ben had waited as long as any worried father could for his son’s return.  But when afternoon slipped by, and it was nearing sunset he mounted his horse and went off in search of Joe.  He had an idea as to where he would find him this time, and it turned out that he was correct as usual.  It was almost dusk when Ben led Buck down to the shore of Lake Tahoe.  He dropped his reins down next to Cochise and stared off toward the rocks that jutted out into the vast lake.  There, a solitary figure sat.  Ben made his way across the large smooth flat stones and over to his boy.  He had been to that very spot many times in the past.  His memories took him back to all of the upheavals in his youngest son’s life and how he had gone out onto the rocks before in the hopes of helping Joe through his troubles.

“I thought that I might find you here,” Ben said quietly and sat down alongside of the boy.

Joe looked over at Pa’s worry creased face.  Secretly he had hoped that his father would come and find him.  And, as usual, Pa hadn’t let him down.  “I’ve been here for a long time, Pa — just thinking.”

“About Joey?” Ben asked as he wrapped his arm around Joe’s shoulder.

“Yeah.  I can’t believe that he’s gone.  You know I hoped that I could raise him — kinda show him all of the things that you’ve shown me growing up?”

Ben smiled at the thought.  “Well, from what I saw, you will make a wonderful father someday.”

“Coming from you it seems strange to hear that.  I will never be the father that you’ve been to me.  You are the best.”

“Your time will come, Son.  And when it does, I know that you’ll make me proud.  Prouder than I am already.  And that’s saying something.  I know how hard today was for you, but you handled it in a way that was best for Joey.  That’s what a father has to do sometimes, Joseph, put himself last in order to help his children.”

Joe nodded and returned, “Is it worth all of this, Pa?  All the pain that goes with it?” He turned his hazel eyes on his father and the question burned through Ben’s heart.

“It’s worth all of the worry, all of the heartache, Joseph.  It isn’t always pleasant – I can attest to that!  But the joy far outweighs all of the pain.”

Joe thought on what his father had said.  He knew that someday he would come to believe it, just not today.  He still had a broken heart.  Joe reached into the lake and pulled up Joey’s sailboat.

“What do you have there?” Ben asked and Joe handed it over to him.

“It’s a boat that I made for Joey.  It never worked; I couldn’t get it to sail.  I was hoping to get the chance to fix it, but I ran out of time.”

“Well, let’s see,” Ben moved around some of the lines and straightened out the mast.  He then handed it back to his son.  “Put it back into the water.”

Joe knelt down and placed the boat into the lake and gave it a push.  It still just sat there unmoving.

“I have a lot to learn about ship building, Pa,” Joe sighed.

“You have lots and lots of time for that,” Ben laughed and hugged Joe.  “Can I persuade you into coming home now?  Your poor old pa is getting mighty sore sitting here on this hard rock.”

Joe sighed deeply; he knew it was time to go home but he dreaded it.  The house would seem so empty without his little boy there.  Finally, he gave into the inevitable and stood.  Joe reached down and offered his father a hand and Ben gratefully took it into his own.

Both father and son made their way back to shore.  As soon as they mounted their horses Ben called out to Joe and pointed toward the lake.  “Look there!”

Joe turned and saw Joey’s boat as it sailed off into the vastness of Lake Tahoe.

“You see there, Boy, you are a good ship builder after all!” Ben exclaimed proudly.

“Yeah – with your help,” Joe nodded.

“That’s what a father is for, Joseph.  Let’s go home,” Pa grinned and turned his horse.

Joe paused for a moment and watched as the boat sailed farther and farther away, finally disappearing from sight.  In his heart he knew that it was a sign that he had to let go of both the boat and the little boy who he loved so much.  Joe kicked at Cochise’s sides and caught up with his father heading back home.

The End

Written by: Wrangler.

(from an older Wrangler story, re-written 11-28-2025)

*** The characters of the Patrick family were introduced in the story “Every Purpose Under Heaven” ***

(Dedicated to the story consultant Rob, for always listening to my stories and me.  And to my son, Will, who never could say his “s’s” either when he was little.)