Summary:  This is the sequel to my first story written for the Summer Camp Challenge.  Please read “Enough” first to fully understand “More Than Enough.”

Rating K+  Word Count: 4952

Enough Series:

Enough
More than Enough

It is important to read my first fan fiction, “Enough,” prior to reading “More than Enough.”  Both stories were written as a part of the Summer Challenge:  Camp in the Pines.  This was a very important challenge as the participants gave me the courage to write a story for fan fiction readers.  Thank you to all writers and story tellers at Bonanza Brand. 

More than Enough

“Hoss!  What are you doing here?  How did you find me?”  Joe yelled as he ran across the yard to stand in awe of his brother.  “I saw you in the room that night but I thought I was just dreaming,” he said staring up at the most beautiful sight he’d seen in a while.

“Well, Punkin, I’m so glad to see you, I could just  . . . . “  And he did; Hoss grabbed Joe in his arm and squeezed as if he would not let go.

“Hey, now, we just got him sorted out with the damage to his ribs.  Don’t you go and mess him up again,” Nick said smiling at the antics between the two brothers.  Folding his arms across his chest, and leaning his head to one side, he studied the two and marveled at the vast differences in appearance.

“Sorry, Joe. I ain’t hurtcha none did I?” Hoss asked as he settled his brother on his feet again.

“No, you can’t hurt me no matter how hard you tried.  It just ain’t in ya,” Joe responded squeezing his brother’s arms.  “And if you did, I wouldn’t mind ‘cause I’m so doggone glad to see ya, Hoss.  I’ve missed you something awful,” Joe said.  Tears sprang to his eyes as Hoss drew Joe into his shoulder, concealing the emotion that threatened to topple Joe’s carefully constructed image.

“Hoss, let me introduce you to everyone,” Joe said extricating himself from his brother’s strong arms.

“Well, Joe, I think I know these folks quite well, seeing as how I’ve been hanging around here for nigh on to  six weeks keeping my eye on ya,” Hoss said sheepishly.

“What?  You’ve been here for six weeks?”  Joe looked thunder struck when the realization that home was so close to him for such a long time.  “Ramrod, you knew my brother was here?”

“Well, Nevada, we all knew,” Nick said rubbing the back of his neck and clearing his throat.  “We, uhmm, thought it best that you decide when you were ready to go home rather than some overbearing, overly protective big brother who thinks you need a mother hen.  So we just, uhmm, sat on ole Hoss here ‘til you were ready to go home.  If we had to wait another month or two, well Hoss would have just had to wait,” Nick Barkley responded resting his hands on his hips.  “Now, if you two don’t mind, I’m going to gather the men and we’ll get to our day’s work.  Joseph Cartwright, I’m glad I had the pleasure to know you and your big brother here and I certainly do plan to get down to Virginia City to make sure they’re treating you the way a man should be treated.  And Hoss, you can tell that other brother that I’ll be keeping my eye on him.”

With that said, Nick Barkley barked out an order, slapped his hat on his head, patted Joe on the shoulder and was off.  Joe just looked on in amazement as he realized that, although he had more than enough people looking out for him, he had just earned himself yet another mother hen.  Fortunately, this one lived many, many miles away.

“And that goes for me as well,” Mrs. Barkley quietly said as she stepped to her house guest.  Taking his arm, she escorted Joe to Cochise and gave him a peck on the cheek.  “I’ve enjoyed the few days you’ve been a guest in my home and I hope we get a chance to meet again soon.  Hoss, please take care of him and make sure the both of you get home to your father.  I know he must be worried sick right now.  Please go before I demand that you both stay a little longer.  I would love for you to me Audra and Jarrod,” she said.

“Well, I guess me and little brother here must be on our way,” Hoss said smiling and shaking his head as the dust settled from Nick’s departure.   “Thank you, again, for all you done for Joe here.”

“Ma’am, I’ll make sure our path’s cross again.  Maybe in the spring our families can meet in San Francisco,” Joe answered as he hugged Mrs. Barkley.  “I’m going to miss you, too, and I’ll wire you when we get home.”  With a swing mount and a tip of his hat Joseph Cartwright turned Cochise and pointed his horse’s nose in the direction of home.  “Hoss, let’s get to it.  We have a lot of road to travel before nightfall!  Yeeehoo . . . .”  And with that excited shout Joe put the Barkley Ranch at his back and the Ponderosa in his sights.

Hoss eventually caught up with Joe and they began the long journey back toward Virginia City.  Knowing that there would be many days and nights he would spend with Joe, Hoss held all questions and discussions about Joe’s time away until later.  He was just glad the see the black and white pinto and feel the close companionship he always enjoyed with his little brother.  Hoss smiled quietly as he looked to his left, feeling the familiarity to which he was accustomed.

Their journey took three weeks of travel, with the brothers stopping in small towns along the way to purchase supplies or have a good meal in a boarding house or saloon.  Finding a bed that was more comfortable than the camps they set up along the way was a treat every now and then.  Hoss and Joe enjoyed their trip home, with much laughter, hunting, fishing; all the things they missed during Joe’s time away.

At night, the crispness of the air let Hoss know that they needed to push further each day so that they could be home before the first heavy snow. They were within a week from the ranch house on Thanksgiving Day and had their meal with strangers in a boarding house.

“Hoss, do you think Pa’s still upset with me for leaving the way I did?” Joe asked as they sat on the beds in the boarding house.  The fullness from dinner and the warmth in the room made Joe’s eyelids dip slowly.

Looking at his handsome brother across the room, Hoss smiled and said, “Joe, Pa was not angry with you at all. He was upset with Adam, the hands and the fact that you didn’t come to him.  Pa was sad because he couldn’t help you with the situation and that you were hurting and alone.  He was upset that he didn’t stop Adam from riding you and felt that had he done so, that dust up would not have happened.”

“I was wrong for leaving the way I did. I just couldn’t face Adam or the hands who were there.  I didn’t know what they told the other men in the bunkhouse that evening and I was afraid to face them, too,” Joe answered as he played with the knots tied in the quilt he lay on.  “I was more embarrassed that I cried in front of them than what Adam said.  The longer I stayed away, the harder it was for me to turn around and go home.”

“How did you manage to make it all the way to Stockton, Joe?” Hoss asked as he, too, began to feel the effects of a full belly.  A long yawn let Joe know that this part of the tale would have to wait ‘til later.

“It’s a long story, Hoss and I’m too sleepy to tell it and you’re too sleepy to hear it.  Let’s talk tomorrow morning when we head out,” Joe asked rolling over on his side and tugging at the quilt.

“Good idea, Joe.  Get some sleep and we’ll talk in the morning,” Hoss answered.  He lay there listening to the sounds of the house and hearing Joe’s breathing even out.  Getting quietly out of his bed, he moved to stand above his brother and watched him sleep.  Hoss pulled the quilt up to cover Joe’s shoulder and patted him on top of his head.  He thanked God for their journey and for helping him reach his brother and bring him home.  “We’ll be back home in a few more days, Little Joe.  Just a few more days,” he said.

Joe gave Hoss a full understanding of his travels and people he interacted with during the time he was away.  On the way home, Joe answered all the questions Hoss had and found himself drawing even closer to this brother than he was before he left home.  He opened his heart fully to Hoss who listened attentively and gave Joe ideas about how to handle some of the issues he wrestled with.  Joe did not think their bond could have been tighter, but now he knew different.  He and his brother made a tighter connection to each other than they ever experienced.  As they prepared the final camp before arriving home, Joe replayed the events that led to this evening in his mind.

So much had happened to him as he travelled; the people he met and worked with were important in his live now and he felt richer for having met them all.  Replaying those places in his mind made him smile, shake his head, and chuckle quietly to himself.  The elderly lawyer he worked with for a few weeks made him smile.  Joe had never worked in an office before and he enjoyed the conversations with Attorney Jenkins at night as he talked about the books he read, encouraging Joe to read them as well. He took Mr. Jenkins on outings in the carriage and they talked incessantly about horses and breeding operations and processes.  Joe was impressed with Mr. Jenkins knowledge of different kinds of horses and how to strengthen a herd.  Mr. Jenkins enjoyed his young companion’s enthusiasm and interest in all the topics they discussed.  Joe gave Mr. Jenkins a purpose again as he shared his vast knowledge with this very bright young man.

Unfortunately, Mr. Jenkins fell ill after Joe was there for a month or so and passed away in his sleep one night.  Having no family to take care of his estate, Joe closed up the office and the large house and after the funeral, mounted Cochise and left.   He carried the pain of that loss in his heart as he travelled, alone, to his next destination.  Joe’s heart broke as he recalled that he was the only one there to mourn Mr. Jenkins’ passing and Joe smiled knowing that he made the gentleman’s last days on earth enjoyable.  Tears rolled down his cheeks that evening as he made camp, alone in the dark.

Joe shook his head as he remember the ranch with the wild hands where he learned to play a better hand of poker and  watched men drink themselves to a stupor every night.  Joe stayed on this ranch for a few days as he didn’t like the atmosphere of disorder, drinking, and the general lack of cleanliness. He then found his way to the Barkley ranch and to a family that was now his and he claimed them with joy and pride.

Joe’s experiences since he left home were more than enough to let him know that his happiness would be found in one place-back on the Ponderosa.  His eyes closed, relishing the feelings as he remembered finding out that Hoss had been following him since he left home that day.  My brother stayed away from home to make sure I was safe. Again, Joe chuckled quietly to himself as sleep consumed him.

Joe was awakened by the brilliant sunlight peeking through the boughs of majestic Ponderosa pines that gave the ranch its name.  Hoss stirred nearby, and so began the final day of travel.  The brothers were within two hours of the ranch house and could not wait to reach the confines of their home.

“Hoss, I’m not waiting for you to cook beans and bacon this morning.  I’m going home,” Joe said as he quickly gathered his bedroll and prepared Cochise for the ride to the barn.

“I’m with you, Punkin,” Hoss said. “I can’t wait to get to that table for lunch this afternoon.”

“Let’s go, then.  I just gotta get home now,” Joe said feeling the anticipation of reuniting with the rest of his family course through his system.  Tears burned at the back of his eyes as emotions of all sorts surfaced and Joe fought hard to contain them.  Fear at seeing Adam again and not knowing what that reunion would be was present, but the overwhelming joy at seeing his father and feeling the strength of the embrace he had known all his life pushed aside the fleeting feelings of fear.

“I got to get to my Pa,” Joe said as his voice trembled.  Tears rolled down his cheeks as he attempted to wipe them away.

“Easy there, Punkin.  We’ll be there shortly,” Hoss said as he tried to help Joe collect himself.

Taking a deep breath, Joe swung smoothly into the saddle and took off for home.  Riding at an easy gallop, he passed all the familiar sights.  Hoss followed behind also enjoying the scenery and especially the flash of black and white as he watched Cochise easily manage the familiar trail.

When the road opened to a wide meadow, Joe drew Cochise to a slow walk.  Along the edge of the meadow stood Sport, indicating that Adam was working nearby.  Taking in a deep breath, Joe waited for Hoss to catch up with him.

“I’m going to talk to my brother,” he said as he straightened his back and squared his shoulders.   “Stay here and we’ll come to you when we’re done.  I want to go home to Pa without him knowing that I’m here,” he said.

“Joe, we’ll do this however you want.  I’ll just wait right here ‘til you’re ready,” Hoss responded.  With a nod and a tight smile, Joe turned Cochise and headed toward Sport.  Adam’s horse responded with a whiney and a toss of his head and Cochise acknowledged the familiar stable mate in like manner.  As the horses greeted each other, Joe ground tied Cochise and went in search of his brother.  It took a brief moment before he found Adam marking trees.

“Adam,” Joe said.  His brother turned to face the little brother that he had not seen for over six months.

“Joe, oh thank God, Joe!” Adam said as he dropped his tools and headed toward the brother he longed to see.  Grabbing his brother and pulling him close, Adam hugged him tightly.  “I’m so sorry, so sorry Joe.  I didn’t mean to hurt you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me, brother.” Adam said holding Joe tightly.   Uncharacteristically, Adam Cartwright let the granite wall of control crumble and he wept as he held onto Joe.  “I’ll never hurt you again, never,” he said through the tears and emotions that consumed him at the moment.

“Adam, Adam,” Joe cried as he, too, held on to his brother.  Tears that were an expression of the emotions surging through him were allowed to flow unchecked and uncontrolled.  “Done, Adam.  It’s done.  I’m home, Adam, I’m home.  All I want is my family, my home.  It’s all done and over,” Joe said as he and Adam continued to cling to each other.

“Hoss, you’re here, too.”  Adam said as Hoss moved quietly to join his brothers.

“Yea, older brother, I’m home,” Hoss answered.

“Forgive me, Hoss. I’m sorry I hurt Joe the way I did and I know I hurt you, too,” Adam said as he reached out the pull the third brother into the embrace.

“It’s over, Adam.  We’re home to stay and it’s over,” Hoss said as he grabbed Adam’s arm and pulled both brothers into the strength of his embrace.  “Pa’s waiting for us somewhere and I think it’s time we go find him,” Hoss said releasing the two men.

“Pa’s at the house working on the books.  I left him about an hour ago so I know he’s still at it.  Let’s go home,” Adam said.

The Cartwright brothers ended their journey home and found themselves looking down on the ranch house from a distant vantage point.

“I’m home,” Joe said as he led the brothers toward the ranch house.  Just as he rounded the barn, Joe saw a sight that he had denied himself for months.  His father walked out onto the porch and shoved his hands into his pockets.  Leaning against the post near the door, Ben Cartwright looked up to see the black and white that he longed to see for months, followed by Sport, and then Chub.  All three horses with all three sons together.

“Joseph,” he whispered quietly as he took a deep breath and moved to greet his sons.  “Joseph,” was all he could say as his throat tightened and tears ran down his face.  Joe dismounted easily and walked into his father’s open arms.  Ben pulled Joe to him in a crushing embrace that conveyed the depth of love and joy he felt.  No words were needed as the thoughts and feelings were transmitted from one heart to the other in the tight embrace.

“Joe, let me look at you, boy.  Are you alright?” Ben asked.

“I’m better than fine, Pa.  Hoss took good care of me like always,” Joe answered.

“Hoss, come here, son.  I’ve missed you,” Ben said as he pulled his much larger son into a strong embrace.  Even though Hoss was a large man, Ben was able to embrace him, too, with a strength that conveyed his feelings.  Hoss responded by holding onto his Pa the way Joe did.  He did not release the embrace until he felt his father relax his hold.

“Hop Sing!” Ben called over his shoulder.

“Why you yell? All time yell Hop Sing name.  You yell, Hop Sing go back to  . . .” Hop Sing responded as he came from the kitchen door and entered the yard.

“Mr. Hoss, Little Joe?  Boys come home.  Boys come home!” He walked slowly to stand in front of Joe, wiping his hands on his apron, the cook opened his arms and embraced Joe.  “Little Joe come home, Hop Sing very happy.  Not go back to China now, Hop Sing stay and take care of Little Joe,” he said.  “Little Joe and Hoss hungry.  Hop Sing make breakfast and lunch.”

Walking to stand in front of Hoss, Hop Sing wrapped his arms around the big man.  “Hop Sing glad you home, Mr. Hoss.  Good son to go take care of Little Joe.  Happy to cook again, family whole with no missing pieces.  House noisy, boots on floor, boys come in from work every day, Hop Sing cook much food, Mr. Hoss eat all, Hop Sing very happy,” he said as turned and headed back to the kitchen leaving the Cartwrights in a flood of Cantonese.

“Inside, boys, let’s go inside,” Pa said as he pulled Joe to him again.  The reunion continued through lunch and on into the night as Joe recounted his adventures and described the people he met.  Ben sat and listened to the stories Joe shared that included the heartbreak of losing a friend in the attorney.  His Joe found friends so quickly and they really cherished him as well as evidenced by the overflowing guest room.

“Joe, before you turn in, there are some things that have been sent to this house from people we didn’t know.  I placed them in the guest room for your return.  The most recent ones came from Stockton and they are not be opened until Christmas day.  There are some others packages, scores of crates, and letters from an attorney. If you want we can take a look now or wait until tomorrow,” Ben said.

“I’m tired now, Pa.  Tomorrow morning after breakfast we can take a look at it all,” Joe said yawning.

“Hop Sing have warm bath ready for little Joe.  Water heating for Mr. Hoss,” Hop Sing said from the kitchen.  “Boys rooms ready for bed when time to go to sleep.”

“Thank you, Hop Sing.  I sure did miss you when I was away and not because you’re a good cook.  I just plain ole missed you,” Joe said as he headed for his bath.  Hop Sing began chatting away in his native language and Joe laughed and responded in Cantonese.

“That boy never ceases to amaze me,” Ben said.  “He left home and endeared himself to people all along the way, so much so that we have a room full of things they sent him.”

“Well, I’m headed up to bed, boys.  I’ll see you in the morning.  Let’s sleep a little late if you want.  I’m sure Hoss and Joe will need it.  Then we can have breakfast together and see what’s in the boxes in the guest room.

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Adam said.  “Goodnight, Pa.  I’ll lock things up and turn in soon.”

“Good night, son.  By the way, how are you and Joe?”

“Better than when he left.  I made some horrible mistakes with him and I apologized for them.  I think we’re just fine, Pa, just fine,” Adam said as he smiled.  “I feel better tonight than I have since my little brother left home because of me.  I caused everyone a lot of unnecessary pain and I am so sorry for that.  But like Joe said, it’s done and we’re whole again.  Good night, Pa.”

The beds were comfortable and warm that night.  Hop Sing made sure Joe was at peace before he turned in, patting him gently on the head.  As Joe closed his eyes, he heard the door open and felt the weight of someone sitting on the side of his bed.

“Joseph,” Ben said looking down at his son.  He reached down and pulled Joe into his arms and held him close as he rubbed his son’s back.  Rocking back and forth, Ben cried into Joe’s hair, thanking God for returning his son to him.

“I love you, Pa.  I’m sorry I left like I did.  I’m home now and we’re fine,” Joe said trying to sooth his father as he accepted the embrace as he did when much younger.  He gave his father the latitude to hold him close until he relaxed his embrace.  Laying his son down, Ben bent down and kissed Joe on the forehead.  “If you leave me like that again, it won’t be Hoss who comes to find you, boy, it will be me,” Ben admonished as he wiped the tears from his face.  “And won’t you look silly with you old Pa following you around the countryside until you decide to come home?” Ben laughed.

“We should try that one day, Pa.  You know, just the two of us.  We could run away from home and have an adventure,” Joe said sleepily.

“You can count on it, son.  One day, we’ll just do that.  Good night.” Leaving the room, Ben looked back at the sleeping form of his youngest and began plotting their escape that would happen in the spring.  “Yep, Joseph, we will do exactly that.”

Breakfast the next morning was a noisy affair, with Hop Sing bustling around the table, making sure Joe and Hoss had all they needed.  He cooked his best breakfast for them that morning and was planning a big dinner with some of Joe’s favorite dishes.  There would be no work done on this day as Ben wanted to keep all three sons close to him.  He wanted to enjoy their togetherness and banter.  Ben Cartwright wanted to enjoy his boys.

“Now, let’s go to the guest room to see what is in those boxes and packages,” Hoss said pushing away from the table.

The family members all moved to the guest room.  As Ben opened the door, Joe was faced with rows of boxes stacked to the ceiling around the room.   The bed was covered with small packages and letters.

“Where did this come from?  How did it get here?” Joe asked.

“Well, Joe, all these boxes and crates arrived by several wagons a few weeks ago and the packages have been drifting in since you left.  We didn’t know what was going on so Pa and I just stacked everything in here until you came home.  Here’s a hammer, you best get busy,” Adam said leaning against the wall.

Taking the hammer, Joe opened the crate closest to him.  Removing the hay used to package the contents, Joe found scores of books.  Looking at the other crates, he assumed that the others contained books as well.  As he opened several others, he found volume after volume of beautifully bound books, some of then used, but most of them new and unread.

“Joe, who would send you a library?  Who did you meet that was well read to this level?” Adam asked as he brushed the books to clear away the packing materials.  His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion and amazement.

“Attorney Richard Jenkins.  I worked for him for a while and I told him about how there was no library in Virginia City and if the citizens didn’t own their books, they didn’t have books to read,” Joe answered.

“Here’s a letter from an Attorney Clive R. Cummings from San Francisco, Joe.  Maybe this will explain it,” Hoss said as he handed Joe a letter from the stack of packages on the bed.

Opening the envelope, Joe found a letter that was dated two weeks after the death of Richard Jenkins and a bank draft in the sum of $10,000.  Quickly reading the letter, Joe found that Attorney Jenkins left the money to Joe in his will with instructions to use the funds to build a library in Virginia City and to use the books to start the library collection.  Hoss handed Joe more letters from Attorney Cummings that contained information regarding a source of funds dedicated to the library and one fund source for Joseph Cartwright to finance the equestrian portion of the Ponderosa. The account would sustain the business for many years.  One letter informed Joe that he would need to return to San Francisco to meet with Attorney Cummings to hear the reading of the will as he was the only beneficiary of the Jenkins estate.

“Pa, this is more than enough for a library.  What on earth?  Adam?” Joe asked completely confused and bewildered by the gifts, the letter, and the summons to San Francisco.  “Pa, I didn’t know him long and he just gives all this to me?  I don’t understand any of this,” Joe said with confusion clearly displayed on his face.

“Joe, I’m just as overwhelmed as you are.  I mean, you are the one who met the attorney and caused this to happen.  We’ll have to sit down and figure this one out,” Adam said scratching his chin.  “I’m sure you’ll need to speak to Hiram about this as well.”

The other packages were from people he met on his journey. The final large package came from Stockton and the Barkley Ranch.  Joe opened it on Christmas Day to find a beautiful saddle, a handgun, a black Stetson hat, work gloves and hand knitted scarves for all his family members. The Barkleys sent bottles of wine from their wine cellar and Mrs. Barkley sent a bottle of brandy especially for Ben, expressing her desire to meet the man who raised such wonderful young men without the help of a mother.

As the snow settled in on Christmas Day, Hop Sing prepared a meal for the family.  The four men opened gifts and continued their tradition of enjoying Adam’s music, singing carols together, and gobbling down the wonderful cakes and cookies that flowed from Hop Sing’s kitchen all day.  The discussion about the development of the equestrian operation at the ranch was lively and energetic.  Ideas flowed around the table as the brothers chattered excitedly.  Joe sat quietly, thinking about Mr. Jenkins and his generosity.  “Pa, is it alright that I accept all this from Attorney Jenkins? No one has ever done this for me and I feel like it’s too much,” Joe said quietly.

“Son,” Ben said reaching out and taking Joe’s hand.  “I think you made this gentleman very happy the last few days of his life and you gave him a purpose for all the money he had saved.  We will comply with his wishes in building the library first.  After we go to San Francisco in the spring, we’ll decide about the rest,” his father answered.  These ideas put Joe’s concerns to rest for the time being and he dug into his meal with enthusiasm.  Soon he, too, chattered excitedly with his brothers for the remaining of the meal.

The Cartwrights spent the remainder of the evening planning the construction and opening of the Virginia City Public Library that would be funded by donations from the late Richard Jenkins, Attorney at Law.

Tags:  ESB, ESJ, Hoss Cartwright, JAM, JHM, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright, JPM, SJS