It was now very early morning but the sun wasn’t even up yet. Eddy sat up, she wasn’t sure what had woken her, but she knew that she had awoken in a cold sweat and her heart was going a mile a minute. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself down. She looked around the room and could just make out faint outlines. Like her sister, who was lightly snoring away.

Eddy carefully got out of bed, so as not to wake Sam. She bent down and pulled her boots on and then put her gunbelt on. She walked over to the basin on the dresser and washed her face. As painful as it was, she cleaned the wound around her eye. She looked at herself in the mirror and fixed her hair. Once that was done she grabbed the key to the hotel room. Then as quietly as she could, she opened the door, snuck out and closed and locked the door behind her.

Eddy made her way down the stairs and out of the hotel. She found herself standing on the boardwalk. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but a walk sounded nice.

It wasn’t long after that she found herself walking into the Red Horse saloon. She walked over to the bar and looked at the bartender. “Howdy, Ted.” She said, leaning on the bar.

“Eddy?” Ted asked, frowning.

“Yep.”

Ted Paine smiled. He grabbed a glass and a bottle of whiskey. Then placed them down and poured her a drink. Eddy took the glass and downed it. Then looked around the bar. There were a few people scattered around, but it was pretty much empty.

Ted leaned forward, “I thought I’d never see you back here.” He smiled, “Where’s your sister?”

“Sleeping at the hotel.” Eddy answered and poured herself another glass. She held the glass, looking down. What Sam had mentioned about Dawson was rolling around in her head.

“Can’t sleep?” He asked, “You used to only end up in here when you couldn’t sleep.”

Eddy didn’t answer right away and took a sip of her whiskey. “Ol’ times.”

“What’s buggin’ ya, sweetheart?”

“The fire.” She said softly. “I’m so sure that Mark Dawson is behind it.” She added. Ted was one person that, when she couldn’t sleep and something was bugging her, she ended up talking to him. Bouncing things off of him and got a drink.

“What makes you so sure?”

She took another sip from her glass. “He was always after Pa for the Thunderbolt. Heck, you know that. And well, Cal has always been out to get Sam.”

“So Mark was after Frank’s land. That’s not enough to commit murder and do a land grab.”

She thought for a moment. “Ted, if it wasn’t Mark then who was it? We didn’t have problems with anyone else here in Trinity. None that I know of.”

“O’ay, then what more do you have to prove that it’s Mark? Or Cal for that matter.”

Eddy slammed the rest of her whiskey down. “Someone’s building on our land.”

Ted filled her glass back up. “Is it the Dawsons?”

She sighed, “Don’t know yet.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure whoever’s building on the land might have something to do with the fire.”

“Yeah, but then who killed Jake?” She asked, and the thought that he was gone, brought tears to her eyes.

Ted shook his head, “Sweetheart, I haven’t heard a mention of that since those two strangers with ya brought him in.”

“What have ya heard?” Eddy asked and took a sip of her whiskey.

“Well, I have heard that Mark Dawson has put out a 20 thousand dollar reward to any information on who burnt down the T-Bolt.”

Her jaw dropped. “20 thousand?”

“Yep,” The overweight bartender replied. “He’s dead set on finding out who did it. He’s even in the process of getting a fire investigator in from the east.”

Eddy looked down at her half a glass of whiskey. It was starting to hit her, the whiskey that is. She looked at him. “Thanks.” She said and downed the rest. She placed her hand on Ted’s shoulder. “Put it on my tab, I’ll pay it before we leave.”

“Anytime, kiddo.”

————————————————–

Eddy swayed out of the Red Horse and staggered down the boardwalk toward the hotel. In hindsight maybe drinking whiskey on an empty stomach wasn’t the brightest idea she’d ever had.

As she reached the front door of the hotel, it opened and Joe stepped out into the chilly night, pulling his coat firmly around himself.

At that moment, Eddy stumbled on the bottom step and Joe reached out and caught her. “Hey, looks like you have two left feet there.” he said, smiling down at her.

Eddy looked up when she heard his voice. “Joe, Joe… sweet Joe.” she said as he helped her stand on her feet again.

“Have you been drinking?” he asked. As he got closer to her, the smell on her breath answered his question.

“Just one. Okay, maybe three.” she slurred.

Joe chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you back upstairs to bed.”

“No, no, no. Let’s go for a walk.” she said as her feet decided to give out on her at that very moment.

“Honey, you’re having trouble standing up. I don’t think you can really go for a walk right now.” Joe replied, helping her right herself again.

Eddy sighed. “Sam’s right you know.”

Joe’s brow furrowed. “About what?”

“Dawson.” Eddy said, sitting down on the steps. “You know he put out a reward.” It was more a statement of fact than a question.

“Really?” Joe asked, sitting down beside her.

“Yep. And he’s even bringing in an invest… investi… you know a fire bug guy.”

“Maybe it’s to take suspicion off himself. I mean if he brings in his own guy, he can pay him to say whatever he wants, right?”

Eddy’s brain was in a fog. Between Sam, Ted the bartender, the whiskey and now what Joe was saying, she truly didn’t know what to believe.

Joe looked over at her and saw her eyes beginning to close. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you up to bed.” he said as he stood up and lifted Eddy into his arms.

Eddy snuggled into him, “He put out a tw… twen… twenty thousand dollars out.”

Joe looked down at her. “Really?”

Eddy nodded. “Yep.” She said as she closed her eyes.

He smiled as he pushed the doors open, still holding her in his arms. As he made his way up the stairs she glanced up at him. “I love you, Little Joe.”

“I love you too.” He said. He got her into her room but made sure to be quiet, as Sam was still asleep. He gently placed Eddy in the bed and covered her up. By the time she was covered up she was out herself. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

——————-

The next morning, Eddy found herself with a major headache. She grabbed her pillow and pulled it over her head.

Sam, who was sitting up, looked at Eddy. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked, putting on her boots.

“Shhh… don’t breathe so loud.” Eddy mumbled from under the pillow.

Sam stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “You didn’t!” She said, raising her voice. She pulled the blanket off of her little sister. “Eddy Rose Parker!”

“Shhh…” Eddy whined. “And don’t use my full name.”

“You went down to the saloon again didn’t you?!” She asked, pulling the pillow away from her little sister.

“Sam…” Eddy groaned sitting up. “I feel like I have a stampeding herd of cattle running around in my head.”

“That serves you right.” She said, looking at her little sister. “When will you learn, you’re too young to go in there. Besides, look at what it does to you.”

The young Parker had her head in her hands. “Look, I couldn’t sleep. After what you said last night, I had to do some thinking.”

Sam couldn’t help but frown at her little sister. “And all you got for your thinking was a hangover,  wasn’t it?” She asked, as a knock came to their door. “Yeah?!” Sam called out.

Eddy winced, turned and looked as the door opened. Joe and Hoss walked in. “How you gal’s feeling?” Hoss asked, smiling.

“My head hurts.” Eddy moaned and laid back down on the bed. She reached for the pillow but Sam pulled it away from her.

“Serves you right.” Sam mumbled.

Joe laughed and walked over to the bed. He sat down and looked at Eddy, “Well, you did have a little too much to drink last night.”

“Drink? What were ya thinkin’ goin’ out in the middle of the night?” Hoss asked as he walked over to Sam. He put an arm around her shoulders and then gave her a kiss.

Eddy closed her eyes, “Aw, Hoss, not you too.”

Joe shook his head and helped her sit up. She leaned into him as he spoke. “Did you tell them what you told me last night?”

“Oh right,” Eddy said and looked at the group. “Ted told me that Mark Dawson has a 20 thousand dollar reward out for any information that leads to the arrest of whomever set fire to the Thunderbolt. He’s also trying to get a fire investigator from the east out here.”

“What?” Sam and Hoss asked in unison.

“Yeah, apparently he’s pretty set on catching whoever did this.” Eddy answered.

“Or to throw suspicion off himself.” Joe added.

“I’m starting to think we’ve been looking in the wrong direction.” Sam stated.

“Now hold on, Sam, I’m still not convinced of his innocence.” Eddy replied.

Hoss looked between the girls. “How about we have this talk downstairs over some breakfast. I’m powerful hungry this morning.”

Sam looked at Hoss. “Sounds good to me. I could definitely go for something to eat.”

“You two go ahead.  I’m not in the mood for food right now.” Eddy said.

“Joe?” Hoss asked, looking at his little brother.

“Go on. I’ll stay here with Eddy.” he said, glancing at her.

“You can go with them, Joe.” Eddy insisted.

“No, I’ll stay here.” he stated.

Hoss shrugged and he and Sam went in search of Ben and Adam and some much needed breakfast.

“Okay, now that they’re gone, what do you have planned?” he asked, looking at her intently.

“What makes you think I have anything planned?” Eddy asked, innocently.

“You may be able to fool Hoss and Sam but it takes a lot to get one over on me. I know you’re planning something.”

Eddy sighed. It did, however, amaze her that Joe knew her so well in so little time. “Fine. I’m planning on going out to see Dawson.”

“And you were gonna go alone?” Joe snapped.

“I figured if I was alone, he’d be more open to talk to me.”

Joe stood up from the bed. “Well, if you want to go see him, I’m coming with you.”

“Joe…”

“I either come with you or you don’t go at all.”

“Fine.” she replied. She knew she lost and she really wanted to speak to Dawson. “Guess I got no choice.”

“No, you don’t.” Joe smirked.

——————————————————-

Joe and Eddy had picked Cochise and Cashe up from the livery and were now making the trek out to the Dawson ranch. They were lucky that they had managed to get out of town without Sam or Joe’s Pa and brothers seeing them.

They rode past the front gate of the ranch and dismounted when they reached the house. “Looks like no one’s around.” Joe said.

Eddy looked around the large ranch. There was a large red barn on the east side with a horse corral connected to it. On the west side was an orange grove and both Joe and Eddy could smell the citrus in the air.

“Can I help you?” a voice said from behind them.

They both spun around and saw a man, of about fifty, wearing a leather apron and long leather gloves. They could tell by his attire that he had been shoeing a horse.

Eddy recognized the older man. It was Gus Rankin, Dawson’s foreman. “Gus? You remember me?” she asked.

Gus walked closer and instantly recognized her. “Oh, of course. You’re the young Parker girl. Miss Sam’s sister.”

“That’s me. Is Mr. Dawson around?”

“He’s not receiving any visitors today. Just lost his son, you know.”

“Yeah, we know.” Eddy replied. “You sure we can’t speak with him.”

“I wouldn’t advise it. Maybe you can come by tomorrow.”

Eddy looked at Joe and he looked at Gus. “Look, sir, we really need to speak with Mr. Dawson now. You see, we’re not sure how much longer we’ll be in town.” Joe said, hoping he had convinced the man.

Gus sighed. “Alright, just give me a minute.” he said and stalked off toward the large ranch house.

Joe and Eddy followed Gus up to the house but waited outside on the porch. A moment later, Mark Dawson appeared in the doorway. He was a man of average height, with a lean build, salt and pepper hair and hazel eyes. He looked like the older version of Cal. “Eddy, my dear, please come inside.” he said, moving to the side so that she and Joe could enter.

As they walked inside, Joe looked around stunned at his surroundings. Just inside the front door was a huge foyer that had a large fountain in the middle and two winding staircases going to the second floor on either side of it. This house was definitely more luxurious than the Ponderosa but then he and his family didn’t really need anything this extravagant.

“Please, come to my office.” Dawson said, leading them down a long hallway. They entered the office, which was decorated with expensive furnishings and artwork. Dawson turned and looked at Joe. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”

“Joe Cartwright, sir.” he said, shaking Dawson’s hand and then he and Eddy sat down in two chairs in front of Dawson’s desk.

Dawson sat in his chair behind it. “I’m surprised that you came here.” He said, turning his attention back to Eddy.

Eddy took a breath, “Mr. Dawson…” she started, but couldn’t find the words.

Dawson took it upon himself, “I’m sorry about your parents and what Cal did the other day. I had no idea what he had planned until Sheriff Walker told me.”

Eddy looked from Joe to Dawson. She was shocked. “Thank you. I hate to be so blunt, seeing as how you just lost your son, but we need answers.”

“I understand.” The older man said. “Ask away.”

Joe looked at Eddy and then Dawson. “Why all the help? I mean the reward, the wire to get a fire investigator.” Joe asked.

Mark Dawson looked down at his hands, “Frank and Loretta,” he started and looked at Eddy, “Your parents, were very good people. I hold them in high respect. I saw what they had done for the Thunderbolt, and well, I wanted to share that. I wanted the land yes, but I also wanted them to continue running the Thunderbolt. I guess what I’m saying is, I wanted to have my cattle graze on the same land as your parent’s cattle were. Like a joint venture.”

Eddy looked at him, “Pa would never sell to you.”

“Yes, you’re right there. He never did back down. Even when I offered him double what the land was worth.” The older man stated. “However, when I found out that the ranch had been burnt down and that your parents were killed, I was horrified. I couldn’t believe it. And because I respected your parents as much as I did and might even go as far to say that I considered them close friends, I wanted to find out who had done such a horrid thing. That is why I have done what I have done.”

Eddy and Joe shared a look. “Who do you think done it then?” Eddy asked.

Mark looked down at his papers. “I’m not sure. That’s why I have the reward money out.”

Joe took a chance. “What about your son?”

“Cal?” Mark asked softly, “My son… my worthless son.”

This caught the two off guard. “Worthless?”

“Yes, worthless. He had no interest, no respect, nothing but what he wanted for himself. And all he could think about was Sam. I should have seen it from the beginning. That there was going to be problems. But I had hoped, that by him working on the ranch more that he would get over it, that he would turn around and help. Help find out who did this. But it didn’t work. And for that I am sorry. For you and your sister’s pain. For him sending those two.. those… for sending Rooster and Billy after your sister and the pain they’ve caused.”

Eddy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was shocked to say the least but now hearing Mark Dawson’s side of things, maybe Sam was right, maybe they had been looking in the wrong direction all this time. She stood up, “Thank you, Mr. Dawson.”