It’s Only a Year – The Worst of Consequences – A Lesson in Choice #3 (by MissJudy)
Summary: 17 year old Adam has proven himself to the Ponderosa ranch hands after a summer of hazing, and is finally enjoying his his last year home before leaving for school. But his life takes a dramatic turn when he is menaced by a new addition to the crew, and must decide whether the man is serious in his sinister intent, or it’s just another attempt to test his mettle. Once Adam decides which it is, he makes choices that bring him into conflict with his father and lead to the worst of consequences.
Rated: K+ WC 16,000
It’s Only a Year Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
A Prayer in the Night (by MissJudy)
Summary: Ben stands vigil as thirteen-year-old Adam lies near death with a raging fever. The father blames himself and questions his ability as a parent while offering a prayer to give his own life to spare his son’s. A stranger helps Ben face his fears and understand that parenthood takes courage and help from unexpected places.
Rated: K+ WC 4600
Recipe for Disaster (by Patina)
Rating: K+
Word Count=6396
Summary: Joe finds a mysterious apple pie recipe with directions that must be followed. Happy Early Birthday, Devy!
The Hostage (by Camera Chic)
Summary: Just a very short story about what one brother would do for the other one.
Rating: PG for violence (1,650 words)
How To Say Goodbye (by JoeC)
Summary: There comes a time when we need to say goodbye to a beloved person
Rating: K+ WC 1300
Warnings: Character death
The Prodigal (by slaine89)
Summary: A fight with Adam causes fifteen-year-old Joe to leave the ranch, and events take a turn for the worse, making it impossible for him to return home whether he wants to or not.
Rated: K (29,195 words)
The Prodigal Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
Half a Man (by HazelMom)
Summary: Hoss fights his family while they fight for his life.
Rating: K+ (15,371 words)
(Author’s note: Characters appear from several episodes including The Scapegoat, The Tax Collector, The Wild Ones, Gift of Water, The Good Samaritan, Half a Rogue, Lothario Larkin, Enter Thomas Bowers, and Once a Doctor.)
It’s Only a Year – The Castor Oil Caper – Lessons in Humility #2 (by MissJudy)
Summary: 17-year-old Adam is learning some hard life lessons. He returns home from a cattle drive where he’s been forced to subsist on beans and endure hazing by the hired hands intent on making him prove his worth, to find his father away, Hoss ill and Little Joe in a state of panic. The results involves some very bad decisions, a dose of castor oil given in an all-out battle of wills, and hurt feelings. This story takes a serious turn when Hoss’ attempt to give his brother a “taste of his own medicine” goes horribly wrong.
Rated: K+ WC 11,300
It’s Only a Year Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
Does the Heart Ever Heal (by TracyT)
Summary: Three years ago, Adam Cartwright left the Ponderosa. As Hoss and Joe struggle to help Ben with his depression, a chance encounter in a nearby town just might be the answer they’ve been waiting for.
Rated: K+ WC 52,500
One Step Closer #1 – For Love’s Sake Only (by MissJudy)
Summary: Adam promised Laura that he’d be back for their engagement party. But he’s delayed and during that time, he unexpectedly meets his first love – a young woman he knew in Boston. After an evening spent talking, they realize that they still love each other, yet they know that it can’t make a difference. Life and time have sent them in opposite directions and they part again, while wondering what might have happened if they had taken one step closer. This is a what happens during, and after the episode, Triangle.
Rated: K+ WC 10,000
One Step Closer Series, links to all the stories within the series included.
Mistaken Identity (by ljlover2001)
Summary: Written in response to the Valentine’s Day chaps and spurs challenge
Rated: K+ (5,115 words)
Purgatory (by freyakendra)
Summary: After Joe is attacked by Apaches in an incident that threatens a fragile peace, he is left hanging somewhere between life and death, between Heaven and Hell, and, more importantly, between Army soldiers and Apache warriors on the verge of war. How long must his family watch before the risk of waiting outweighs the risk of action? With Ben facing the ultimate sacrifice, Adam drawn into a fight to the death, Hoss preparing for the worst, and Joe praying for the unthinkable, this is a tale of strength, courage and the limits of human endurance.
Rating: T WC 9600
Caught in a Mouse Trap (by Terri)
Summary: Adam and Hoss find themselves in a tricky situation. Who can be to blame? Watch out, Joe!
Rated: K+ WC 4300
Hope Springs Eternal (by Doolittle)
Summary: WHN/Missing Scene – The Hopefuls. My first ever fanfiction story for Bonanza.
Rating: G (3,900 words)
When Sorrows Come (by Doolittle)
Summary: WHN “The Crucible”
Rating: T (9,925 words)
