{"id":11406,"date":"2015-07-16T00:11:51","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T04:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11406"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:10:49","slug":"competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11406","title":{"rendered":"Competition (by Belle)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0No man\u00a0deserves all the attention.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (6,025 words)<\/p>\n

Competition Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Competition<\/a>
\nComeuppance<\/a><\/p>\n

Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Terrance Liddell Coletrane knew he was a catch. Of this, he was quite confident. He\u2019d built his small tailor shop into a prosperous enterprise sufficient to employ a shop assistant as well as a Chinese girl to cook and clean for him; his rooms above the store were comfortable and well-appointed, and he had enough education to be interesting, but not enough to ruin him.\u00a0 Moreover, Terrance was as physically fit as any reasonable person could expect from a man who spent much of each day crouched over a work table cutting, pinning, and sewing men\u2019s garments. And if his chin was a bit weak, the strength of his character more than made up for it.<\/p>\n

Yes, indeed, Terrance had everything a girl could want in a man. Sadly, despite his many sterling qualities, he hadn\u2019t found the woman wise enough to recognize his worth. Naturally, he\u2019d given the problem a great deal of thought, and he\u2019d come to the conclusion that Virginia City itself bore the greatest responsibility.<\/p>\n

In any other town, young ladies would have sweetly fluttered their lashes while softly giggling at his genteel wit. In any other town, he would have been in high demand at dinner parties and small soirees.\u00a0 In any other town, Terrance\u2019s fine characteristics and solid prospects would have been enough to quickly find a respectable young lady\u00a0of acceptable features and fortune. However, in the Comstock, where the number of ladies of the marrying sort was woefully small, Terrance\u2019s sterling qualities were simply lost in the crowd of miners, saloon keepers, brewers, shop owners, drifters, general ne\u2019er do wells, and, of course cowboys<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Cowboys.\u00a0 The very thought of the arrogant rascals set Terrance to grinding his teeth.<\/p>\n

Why any self-respecting girl would be taken in by the rustic charms of men who busted up the two-bit saloons when they weren\u2019t keeping company with a bunch of cows, Terrance swore he would never understand.\u00a0 Yet, somehow, the girls swooned over these miscreants as if cowboys had invented dashing appeal.<\/p>\n

Well, perhaps not every<\/em> cowboy. He would admit that most cowboys were regular guys who seemed to get an average amount of feminine consideration. A few of the lot were seedy, smelly, and flea-bitten.\u00a0 Not even the most addled lass seemed to find those fellows attractive. However, there was one example of the breed drawing far more than his fair share of attention and adoration\u2014Little Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Terrance had ample opportunity to witness the phenomenon as the youngest Cartwright was a frequent visitor to Virginia City.\u00a0 Whenever in town, Joe Cartwright would bestow the favor of his charms on the citizens\u2014graciously nodding to friends and acquaintances, courteously tipping his hat to the married ladies, and destroying the good sense of the maidens with impertinent winks and brilliant grins.\u00a0 In reward of those efforts, those maidens nearly swooned at a mere glance from the man and competed ferociously for Cartwright\u2019s attentions. And did Cartwright appreciate such attentions? Not likely! The man seemed to flit from girl to girl as a bee sought nectar from a field of flowers.<\/p>\n

It was just unfair that one man should attract so much regard at the expense of others.\u00a0 Frankly, Terrance was more than a little sick of Joe Cartwright, and it was only the considerable amount of business the Cartwrights provided his shop that kept Terrance from confronting the rascal and denouncing him as a cad.\u00a0 As it was, Terrance profited nicely from the suit jackets, trousers, satin vests, and other assorted items the Cartwrights were in the habit of purchasing from his shop. And although he hated to admit it, Terrance could almost make his living just from mending and reconstructing Little Joe Cartwright\u2019s green jacket.\u00a0 The man had an alarming propensity for both violence and accident.<\/p>\n

So, Terrance strived to be stalwart and philosophical about the situation. After all, Joe Cartwright wouldn\u2019t remain a bachelor forever, and as Mother always said, every pot had its lid.<\/p>\n

Terrance might have fumed silently for years over the situation if it hadn\u2019t been for Moira Gallagher.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

He\u2019d noticed her the moment she\u2019d stepped off the stage.\u00a0 On the way back to his shop after a quick lunch, Terrance had stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the most enchanting woman he\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0 Strawberry blond curls were barely contained beneath the bonnet framing a lively face decorated with just the faintest trace of golden freckles.\u00a0 A modest traveling costume emphasized her slender figure becomingly. \u00a0Waiting for her baggage, she shaded her eyes with a delicate, gloved hand and peered eagerly at her surroundings.\u00a0 When her wide eyes briefly met his own, Terrance was both ecstatic and terrified by the smile she sent his way.<\/p>\n

He was never quite sure how he managed to find himself at her side; he couldn\u2019t recall setting his feet on the path.\u00a0 However, he was right at hand when the stage coach driver tossed down the suitcase Terrance accepted on her behalf.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllow me, miss,\u201d Terrance said placing the bags on the ground. \u201cWelcome to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir.\u00a0 You are very kind.\u201d\u00a0 Her voice was lovely, soft and lilting with a charming Irish accent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was no problem,\u201d Terrance paused to clear his suddenly dry throat. \u201cAre you meeting someone I might fetch for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t think that will be necessary. My aunt should be along directly.\u00a0 I\u2019m Moira Gallagher.\u201d\u00a0 The young lady offered her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to meet you,\u201d Terrance replied gallantly. The warmth of her fingers against his own had the puzzling effect of disrupting his ability to breathe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Terrance Liddell Coletrane.\u00a0 My shop . . . I have a shop . . . \u00a0um, of . . . for gentlemen . . . their clothing and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stop rambling, idiot! <\/em><\/p>\n

Miss Gallagher attempted to peer over his shoulder in the direction he was indicating.\u00a0 Rising up on her tiptoes, she placed her hand momentarily on his arm for balance. When she spied his storefront, she released his arm and stepped back. Moira seemed about to speak when catastrophe struck.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Gallagher?\u201d he heard a voice behind him.<\/p>\n

Terrance didn\u2019t see his nemesis; but he recognized the signs of his approach.\u00a0 Miss Gallagher\u2019s lovely pink lips formed a perfect \u201cO\u201d while her hazel eyes grew wider and darker.\u00a0 As Joe Cartwright drew even with the pair, Miss Gallagher\u2019s gaze drifted to the vicinity of her feet when she wasn\u2019t looking through fluttering eyelashes at the interloper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry I wasn\u2019t here to meet you when you arrived.\u201d Tipping his hat, Cartwright gently took the lady\u2019s hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright. Your aunt asked me to escort you to the house.\u00a0 Are these your bags?\u201d\u00a0 Confidently, Joe tucked Moira\u2019s hand in the crook of his arm and hoisted the baggage easily with his other hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeautiful day, isn\u2019t it? Nice to see you, Terrance.\u201d\u00a0 Cartwright flashed his signature grin.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Gallagher, your aunt\u2019s house is just down the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a backward glance, the couple left Terrance standing there on the street with a stunned look on his face and a hole in his chest where his heart used to reside.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Although Terrance wasn\u2019t known for patronizing saloons in the middle of day, that afternoon seemed a good time to start.\u00a0 Seated at a table in the back, he nursed a bottle of whiskey through the remainder of the afternoon.\u00a0 Nobody paid him any mind; he figured he didn\u2019t look like someone who wanted any company. Finally as the light filtering through the windows softened to signal the end of the day, one of the girls ambled over in his direction. Fancy ladies weren\u2019t really his territory, but Terrance was in the mood to take a risk.<\/p>\n

Della sat down with a swish of satin and a gust of cheap perfume. She tipped whiskey from his bottle into the glass she carried and smiled at every one of his boozy jokes.\u00a0 Just as Terrance was beginning to understand the attraction of these establishments, he caught Della sweeping sideways glances at the bar. What\u2019s so darn fascinating?\u00a0 <\/em>When he caught sight of the familiar green jacket, the swallow of whiskey he had in his mouth went down wrong.\u00a0 He sputtered and choked while Della pounded his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, honey, let me get you a glass of water.\u201d\u00a0 Della was sashaying to the bar before he could protest.\u00a0 She sidled up against Cartwright so as to ask the barkeep for water. He delivered a glassful right away, but she\u2019d lost interest in Terrance as soon as she\u2019d lost herself in Cartwright\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Terrance waited and watched, mostly because he couldn\u2019t seem to look away. Clearly, Della was gone for good.\u00a0 By thunder, what had his life come to when he couldn\u2019t keep the attention of a woman actually paid to entertain the customers?<\/p>\n

Enough was enough. Terrance pushed his chair abruptly away from the table, scraping it loudly across the floor.\u00a0 He clutched the half-empty bottle against his chest and stumbled out the swinging doors onto the street.\u00a0 Vigorously shaking his head in the cool evening air didn\u2019t help much, but he managed to stagger his way down the street to the shop without incident.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

A rather satisfactory dream featuring a triumphant Terrance soundly kicking Little Joe\u2019s ass was interrupted around midnight by someone pounding on his shop\u2019s alley door.\u00a0 Lifting his aching head from the cradle of his arms, Terrance responded as courteously as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cG\u2019way!\u201d<\/p>\n

The infernal racket failed to cease; in fact, it became even more insistent. Armed with liquid courage, Terrance charged to the door, ready to send the intruder on his way. Jerking the door open revealed a tall stranger outfitted in worn garments that hung on his lean frame. Bushy dark eyebrows and a head of greasy hair shadowed a face so pale as to have never seen day of sunshine.<\/p>\n

Must be a miner<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you?\u201d Terrance growled.<\/p>\n

Ignoring Terrance\u2019s churlish attitude, the miner boldly shouldered his way into the workroom.\u00a0 He paused to smirk at the mess Terrance had made\u2014cloth, pins, and scissors swept aside to make room for the nearly empty bottle and glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake my advice, friend.\u00a0 Never drink alone.\u201d With that, the miner pulled a chair up to the table and drew another bottle from inside his jacket.\u00a0 Waving Terrance to a chair, the man sloppily poured himself a drink and tilted the chair back on two legs as he tossed the drink back.<\/p>\n

Terrance remained standing, unsteady but upright, and wondered how in the dickens he was going to evict this buffoon. The miner kicked a chair over inviting Terrance to sit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw what happened today,\u201d the miner smacked his lips after emptying his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a fact?\u201d Terrance said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s no crime to sit in a saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw what happened at the stage coach,\u201d the man replied, \u201cand then<\/em> I saw what happened in the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Terrance felt a flush warm his neck and ears.\u00a0 If this miner had seen what happened, how many others had witnessed his humiliation?\u00a0 Was he a laughing stock?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d the miner drawled, \u201cEvery man expects a little competition when it comes to the ladies.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t be any fun, otherwise.\u00a0 Know what I mean?\u201d\u00a0 When Terrance shrugged, the miner chuckled.<\/p>\n

Abandoning his whiskey for the moment, the miner picked up a pair of shears, opening and closing them idly, testing the edge against the side of his thumb.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, women ain\u2019t got no sense. So, some men take advantage of their silliness, don\u2019t they? Pretty boys like Joe Cartwright, for instance.\u201d\u00a0 Terrance nodded firmly at this. \u201cSome fellers just need taken down a peg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you care?\u201d Terrance asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDudes like him make me mad. I couldn\u2019t buy a dance at the last social for all the gals moonin\u2019 over him. In the long run, it won\u2019t matter much to me \u2018cause I don\u2019t plan on settling down here.\u00a0 But, I would be willing to help the right feller to\u2014you know\u2014balance things out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Terrance finally sat.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much, just a prank really. Something to make Mr. High-and-Mighty a little less pretty and a lot more humble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019 to worry about. He gets a little roughed up, learns a little lesson. Cartwright ain\u2019t no kid. What\u2019s he gonna do? Cry to the sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got brothers.\u201d It might be all right to start a feud with the Cartwrights if you were just drifting through town, but Terrance was going to have to live with the aftermath of the prank.<\/p>\n

The miner shifted forward in his seat a bit, fixing Terrance with a look that might as well have shouted, \u201cDon\u2019t be such a sissy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, this is your chance to get some of your own back. I guarantee if you take Cartwright down a peg the girls will look at you different.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t it time things changed?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a little queasy feeling in the pit of Terrance\u2019s stomach. He wasn\u2019t sure if it was the whiskey or his conscience, but doggone it, the miner was right. It was time for things to change.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of prank?\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Terrance had never been a man who\u2019d sympathized with self-inflicted aches and pains.\u00a0 However, on the morning following his hours of over-indulgence, he found he possessed a good deal more compassion for those who had suffered as he was doing.\u00a0 His head ached so badly, his stomach behaved so mutinously, his eyesight turned so unreliable that Terrance barred the door, closed the shutters, and took the day off.<\/p>\n

He sat as quietly as possible in the gloom of his shop attempting to separate real memories from tipsy fantasies. Lordy, what had he done?\u00a0 Not only had he drunk himself sick, he\u2019d agreed to partner in some hare-brained prank with a man he\u2019d only just met. The previous night had not been an example of his finest hours.<\/p>\n

In fact, he was having serious second thoughts about the whole plan. After all, it seemed a bit childish to punish Cartwright for being popular with the ladies. With the advantage of a clearer head, Terrance decided he could let bygones be bygones. He just had to go find the miner and let him know of his decision.<\/p>\n

The first few minutes in the glaring sunlight were unexpectedly painful. With a hand against the porch post, he breathed through his misery and began his search.\u00a0 Mere steps from his storefront he came face-to-face with the lovely Moira.<\/p>\n

His heart skipped a beat at her beaming look of recognition. His complaints vanished in the warmth of her smile. Gallantly, he shook her hand and inquired after her health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Coletrain. I am very well.\u201d Moira dimpled prettily at his attention. She accepted the offer of his arm, and they strolled down the street together. He couldn\u2019t remember ever feeling so happy. They were chatting amiably about the fashions in gentlemen\u2019s waistcoats when Moira\u2019s casual question shattered his bliss.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Coletrain,\u201d Moira asked, \u201cI was wondering if you had any notion of the next time Little Joe plans to visit Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

She must have seen the impact of her question because she excused herself quickly from his company with a story of a forgotten errand for her aunt. As Terrance watched her walk away, all thoughts of remaining the bigger man evaporated.\u00a0 If it meant Little Joe Cartwright would feel just a bit of the pain Terrance was experiencing, the tailor decided he could be a very small man indeed.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

On the day of the prank, Terrance was in a fever of anticipation. Unable to concentrate on work, he failed to calculate Mr. MacKay\u2019s bill correctly resulting in a rather embarrassing conversation, and THEN he ordered GRAY damask satin rather than GREEN damask satin from the textile man. Terrance wasn\u2019t even able to locate his favorite shears and had to make do with an older, inferior pair.<\/p>\n

As the hour drew near for Little Joe to arrive to pick up his father\u2019s suit, Terrance became even more muddled.\u00a0 Finally, he sent his assistant home and puttered around his shop alone. He lit the lamps as the afternoon began to give way to evening, unlocked the back door and waited. Visions of Little Joe limping back to town clad only in his long underwear, footsore, filthy, and properly chastened helped him pass the time enjoyably.<\/p>\n

When the bell on his shop door rang at Joe Cartwright\u2019s entrance, Terrance\u2019s nerves were pulled so tight he nearly jumped out of his skin. As usual, Cartwright was all smiles and vacuous charm.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrance! How you doing? Sorry to make you wait. It\u2019s a long ride from the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m happy to oblige you, Little Joe. I have your father\u2019s suit in the back room, all safe and sound. Would you like to step back here with me?\u201d\u00a0 Terrance was in a cold sweat he hoped Little Joe wouldn\u2019t notice. No customer was ever asked to go to the back room\u2014would Joe get suspicious?<\/p>\n

Apparently, Little Joe wasn\u2019t the suspicious type. He merely shrugged and followed Terrance.<\/p>\n

He waved Little Joe to precede him through the door into the cluttered workroom, lit only by the meager light filtered from one dimmed lamp. The cowboy had hardly stepped over the threshold before Terrance heard a thud quickly followed by the sound of something (someone!) hitting the floor.<\/p>\n

Turning up the light, Terrance was appalled at the sight of Joe Cartwright motionless on his floor.\u00a0 A gash at the back of the man\u2019s skull was already forming a small puddle of blood beneath his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you done?\u201d Terrance demanded.\u00a0 \u201cYou were going to wave a little chloroform under his nose\u2014you weren\u2019t supposed to kill him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t dead,\u201d the miner replied calmly. A hunk of polished granite Terrance kept as a fabric weight was now slick with blood. \u201cThis was easier.\u201d He tossed the soiled object onto a nearby table.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, this is too much,\u201d Terrance told him. The miner scoffed at his squeamishness, not deigning to reply.\u00a0 Instead, he eased the door open before clapping Terrance on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrab his shoulders while I catch hold of his feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe wasn\u2019t a big fellow, but he was certainly heavier than he looked. It took Terrance a couple of attempts to get a good grip under Joe\u2019s shoulders in order to lift him high enough for the pair to shuffle out the back door and load his limp form into the back of the waiting rig. By the time they had Cartwright settled out of sight, Terrance\u2019s shirt front had absorbed more than a little of Joe\u2019s blood.<\/p>\n

As the miner settled himself to take the reins, Terrance returned to the store just long enough to grab a hat and lock up his store.\u00a0 As they drove out of town, he wondered how things had gotten out of hand so quickly.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

Terrance sat up as they passed the little copse of trees a mile out of town.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on\u2014that\u2018s the spot we talked about!\u201d<\/p>\n

But the miner showed no inclination to listen to Terrance\u2019s protest and instead urged the horse to move even faster.<\/p>\n

Despite the bone-jarring pace, Terrance hadn\u2019t heard even a whimper from their captive. He might not have had much experience in these sorts of undertakings, but it didn\u2019t take a genius to figure out that he\u2019d been bamboozled by the miner.\u00a0 Terrance knew he was in more trouble than he had ever contemplated in his life and could only grieve that he hadn\u2019t gotten smarter about his partner a whole lot sooner.<\/p>\n

Finally, the miner halted the buggy at the entrance to an old mine.\u00a0 A hobbled horse loitered nearby. \u00a0Never having much need to explore the countryside, Terrance had no idea where they were and couldn\u2019t have found the place on a bet or a map.<\/p>\n

Without a word, the miner dragged Joe out of the rig and slung him roughly over a shoulder. Ducking low at the entrance, Terrance followed the miner into a cavern already lit by a burning lamp and furnished with a couple of crates and sack of supplies. He watched as Joe was trussed up hand and foot before being propped against the rock. Satisfied with his handiwork, the miner finally acknowledged Terrance as he liberated a bottle of whiskey from his stash.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks about right, don\u2019t he?\u201d sneered the man. Anyone with an ounce of compassion would never agree that the bloodied, bound young man looked \u201cabout right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you done? This isn\u2019t what we agreed!\u201d Terrance shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it\u2019s what we agreed, boy. You wanted Joe Cartwright punished for what he\u2019s put you through, didn\u2019t ya? You wanted to take the shine off him, right? I\u2019d say he doesn\u2019t look so shiny now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The miner paused to give Little Joe a sharp slap across the jaw, finally prompting some sign of life as Joe groaned and attempted to roll away from his attacker.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that!\u201d Terrance hollered.\u00a0 \u201cHe isn\u2019t fighting back, and his pa will have our hides for bringing him back hurt. We\u2019re only playing a prank, for Heaven\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n

In lieu of a proper reply, the miner spat noisily into the dirt and grinned at Terrance\u2019s snit.<\/p>\n

Terrance\u2019s chest heaved in righteous indignation. His fists were clenched as he adopted the commanding tone he was sometimes forced to use with his shop assistant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have decided that I no longer require your help in this matter. You may be on your way.\u201d\u00a0 It was a manly, forthright statement in no way blemished by the slight tremble in his voice.<\/p>\n

Somehow, Terrance was not entirely surprised when the miner ignored his directive.\u00a0 Even so, the miner\u2019s evident amusement was infuriating.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like your friend \u00a0. . . has plans of his own, Terrance,\u201d muttered the captive at their feet.<\/p>\n

For the briefest time, Terrance had forgotten all about Little Joe.\u00a0 Apparently the miner was also surprised to hear from Cartwright.\u00a0 However, the scoundrel recovered quickly and crouched in front of the Cartwright \u2013the better to sneer in the cowboy\u2019s face. Joe\u2019s head was lolling back against the rock wall, and the eyes glaring back at the miner were noticeably unfocused. Despite his infirmity, a quick intake of breath and widened eyes alerted Terrance to the fact that Little Joe recognized the miner.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrance, ya really know how to make friends,\u201d Joe slurred.\u00a0 \u201cI gotta say I never expected you to be party to a kidnapping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a kidnapping,\u201d Terrance sputtered.\u00a0 At Joe\u2019s skeptical expression, Terrance felt the need to change the subject. \u201cHow do you know this miner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not a miner,\u201d Joe explained gently. \u201cThis here is Cal McWhorter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cal McWhorter. The name didn\u2019t ring any bells, at least not at first.\u00a0 However it did awaken some vague memory of a depraved act, some hideous cruelty.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe cut Rose Welles,\u201d Joe supplied helpfully.\u00a0 \u201cHis prison sentence must be up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, now he remembered.\u00a0 Cal McWhorter had abused one of the many Virginia City saloon girls in a most shocking way before disfiguring her face with a hunting knife. The trial had been a sensation. Although Terrance had not attended the trial for business reasons, he remembered McWhorter had claimed the girl had thrown him over for another man . . . Terrance\u2019s heart sank as the final puzzle piece fell into place.\u00a0 McWhorter had blamed Little Joe for the loss of the girl\u2019s affections.\u00a0 The tailor was pretty certain the man had even threatened Cartwright right there in the courtroom.<\/p>\n

McWhorter finally spoke up, \u201cTailor, watching your face while you put that all together was as good as seein\u2019 a show at the Opera House. I guess you see now why I was so all set on helpin\u2019 you make an example of this one.\u201d\u00a0 Terrance was unable to find the words to reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think you\u2019d mind me borrowing these.\u201d As McWhorter spoke, he drew Terrance\u2019s missing scissors from inside his jacket.\u00a0 Opening the shears wide, he slid the edge of one the blades down the ragged jacket.\u00a0 A thin slice of fabric fell to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaturally, I had to hone the edge a mite.\u201d\u00a0 McWhorter noticed Terrance\u2019s horrified expression.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t fret, boy.\u00a0 I\u2019m aimin\u2019 to let you have a turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me have a turn? I\u2019ll have no part of this . . . betrayal!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetrayal!\u201d thundered McWhorter, the word echoing around the cavern.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t betrayed you. This \u2018un here has been tempting every woman in town to betrayal. Nothin\u2019 would have happened to Rose if she hadn\u2019t betrayed me. But she\u2019s just a silly woman; he\u2019s the one to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t kid yourself, McWhorter. Rose was never your girl; she was scared to death of you. It turned out she was right to be scared.\u00a0 It\u2019s just too bad you survived prison.\u201d Joe was running his mouth and fighting the ropes as if he had a chance of breaking free to pound the wretch. \u201cYou touch me, and you\u2019ll find yourself right back in prison.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, that\u2019s where you got it all wrong.\u00a0 If anyone goes to prison for takin\u2019 care of you, it\u2019s gonna be the tailor, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

McWhorter stepped up to Terrance, eyeing his \u201cpartner\u201d smugly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about it, tailor. Young Cartwright\u2019s blood is all over your store. Hell, it\u2019s all over you.\u201d McWhorter jabbed at Terrance\u2019s stained shirt. \u201cI bet plenty of people saw him go into your store. Nobody saw me.\u00a0 Everybody in town knows you hate Cartwright. Nobody in town even knows I\u2019m out of prison. I can ride out of here and leave you with the body, and you\u2019ll hang for murder . . . unless I go back to town with you and help you organize things.\u201d<\/p>\n

The depth of trouble his jealousy and stupidity had wrought stole Terrance\u2019s strength.\u00a0 He leaned against the cavern wall, eyes closed, picturing the consequences McWhorter described.\u00a0 It was all true; every scrap of evidence\u2014including the scissors McWhorter clutched in his filthy hands\u2014would point directly at him.\u00a0 No one would believe his story of being duped by a murderous accomplice.\u00a0 He sank down to the ground, afraid he was going to be sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t got the stomach for it?\u201d McWhorter sneered. \u201cDon\u2019t matter.\u00a0 Just sit there, and stay out of my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

McWhorter resumed his crouch in front of Little Joe who twisted and kicked at the madman. Easily dodging out of harm\u2019s way, McWhorter grabbed a handful of Joe\u2019s hair and forced his head back. Laying the scissors\u2019 edge against Joe\u2019s face, he pressed the sharp blade into the soft skin next to his mouth until bright red blood appeared and dripped from the wound. Joe continued to struggle, grimacing but silent despite his pain and rage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink you\u2019re a tough guy?\u00a0 We\u2019ll hear from ya before long, won\u2019t we?\u201d McWhorter promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna stand for this, Terrance?\u201d Joe called out. \u201cYou gonna let this guy cut me up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStand for it, Cartwright?\u201d McWhorter asked. \u201cHim and me have been lookin\u2019 forward to this.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the rest of his life, whenever Terrance reflected back on that day, he would never be able to explain precisely what propelled him out of that corner.\u00a0 He certainly hadn\u2019t thought it through. He had no affinity for Cartwright; he barely knew the man. The thought of eternal damnation never crossed his mind. His only clear impression had been a vision of Moira Gallagher\u2019s smiling regard dissolving into horror at his crime.<\/p>\n

Fisticuffs were never a part of Terrance\u2019s upbringing. His fighting skills were paltry, to say the least. Yet, he managed to topple McWhorter to the ground and roll him away from Cartwright.\u00a0 A benefit, perhaps, of never learning to fight properly was a complete disregard for the niceties of a fair fight. Terrence kicked, scratched, and bit with no regard for his dignity as Little Joe Cartwright called out encouragement. Yet, even equipped with the strength borne from true love, the outcome seemed dire.\u00a0 Terrance was not the only man there who knew how to fight dirty.<\/p>\n

Tangled in a painful embrace, Terrance concentrated on keeping the scissors turned as far away from his throat as possible. McWhorter was just as determined to finish the fight with the sharp blades fatally embedded in Terrance.\u00a0 If they had not rolled close enough to Joe to allow the captive to give the miscreant a hard kick in the back, events might have taken a cruel turn. As it was, the kick stole both McWhorter\u2019s breath and concentration. Fortune favored Terrance at that moment; when he managed to turn the weapon, McWhorter slipped in his attempt to retrieve the advantage and plunged the shears deep into his own heart.\u00a0 The criminal gasped his last breath as his life blood soaked into the dirt. Terrance pulled away in shock and exhaustion, took a moment to convince himself that the fight was indeed over, and then stumbled to the mine entrance to empty his stomach into a clump of grass.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrance?\u00a0 You all right, buddy?\u201d\u00a0 A weak voice floated out from the interior of the mine.<\/p>\n

Time to face the music. After a couple of shaky cleansing breaths, Terrance stumbled back into mine. Carefully averting his eyes from McWhorter\u2019s mortal remains, Terrance approached their victim. Little Joe was definitely not looking his usual, dashing self. A bloodied head, filthy clothes, sickly pallor and unfocused gaze had transformed Virginia City\u2019s most pursued bachelor into a pathetic shell of his former self. This was just what Terrance had wanted, had dreamed of. And the choking surge of remorse nearly sent him back outside.<\/p>\n

Sighing, he set about untying the ropes restraining Joe\u2019s wrists. Cutting the ropes would have been faster, but Terrance had no knife and using the scissors didn\u2019t bear consideration.<\/p>\n

Once the ropes were thrown aside, Terrance hoisted Joe to his feet and helped him outside. He eased the cowboy to the ground, fetched water, and politely ignored the resultant nausea Joe\u2019s head wound seemed to have induced.\u00a0 When all was quiet again, both men rested, silent, with their eyes on the darkening sky. The night air felt refreshingly cool; the darkness was calming. Terrance was sorely tempted to lie back and sleep\u2014and just deal with everything in the morning.\u00a0 But no, he had created this mess; it was up to him to put things right.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Terrance said, \u201cthat we need to head back to town. It\u2019s customary to tie the man across his horse, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave him there,\u201d Joe said. \u201cThe sheriff can come fetch him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, the sheriff.\u00a0 No help for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust so you, know\u201d Terrance said. \u201cI will turn myself in to the sheriff as soon as we have you settled with the doctor. I take full responsibility for the night\u2019s debacle, and . . . \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on,\u201d interrupted Joe, \u201cFull responsibility? You knew what McWhorter had planned? You wanted to kill me?\u201d Suddenly, Joe\u2019s face revealed concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Never!\u201d<\/p>\n

At Terrance\u2019s vehement denial, Cartwright relaxed. \u201cWell, the way I see it, you saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s your concussion talking.\u00a0 Your life would never have been in peril if I had been less an idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no law against being dumb,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did<\/em> you plan to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Terrance thought hard.\u00a0 The original plan was a bit of a blur.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t . . . I can\u2019t exactly remember.\u00a0 Alcohol was involved. I will just say that at the time it seemed immensely satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although embarrassed by his confession, the giggle that erupted from his companion was contagious, and for a few moments the two men gave themselves up to laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never realized you hated me, Terrance,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Terrance huffed out a breath. \u201cI didn\u2019t . . . don\u2019t hate you, not really.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that it\u2019s ridiculous to try to compete for female attention when I\u2019m. . .\u201d and Terrance made a hopeless gesture toward his very ordinary self, \u201cand you are . . .\u201d followed by a sweeping motion that acknowledged the glory that was Little Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Joe looked completely flummoxed by his explanation.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah. You\u2019re kidding me, right? Moira Gallagher is right sweet on you; she can\u2019t stop talking about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Terrance turn to be flummoxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is too much!! What do you take me for?\u00a0 At our last meeting, Miss Gallagher made a point of asking about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brow furrowed in confusion, then smoothed over again in comprehension.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa has been handling some investments for Moira\u2019s aunt.\u00a0 I carried the paperwork to her before I headed over to your store.\u00a0 Believe me, Terrance, I\u2019m not the man Moira has her eye on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pure disbelief slowly changed places with budding hope. Terrance had never felt so giddy.<\/p>\n

She was interested in ME all along.\u00a0 All along, she was INTERESTED in me.\u00a0 ALL ALONG . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, damnation!\u201d Terrance groused.<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

It took the entire night to reach Virginia City.\u00a0 As suggested, McWhorter\u2019s body remained in the mine for the sheriff to retrieve. Since Terrance had no idea of their location, and Joe was unconscious during the first trip, they back-tracked their buggy\u2019s marks as best they could until Joe was able to orient them to familiar landmarks.<\/p>\n

Their pace was laborious, punctuated by frequent stops to ease Joe\u2019s aching head or queasy stomach.\u00a0 It gave them plenty of time to talk; or in Little Joe\u2019s case, to argue.\u00a0 In his uniquely convoluted way, Little Joe assured Terrance that he would be hailed as a hero for saving one of the Cartwright boys from a painful death. The facts regarding Terrance\u2019s participation in the event leading to the showdown were immaterial as far as Joe was concerned. Joe believed Terrance hadn\u2019t meant any real harm, he\u2019d come through for Joe when it counted, and everyone knew a fellow lost his common sense when women were involved.<\/p>\n

They met the Cartwrights with the posse just outside of town at dawn. Ben Cartwright\u2019s obvious relief at finding his son alive was clearly tempered with fury at those responsible for his boy\u2019s less than pristine condition. Fortunately, Joe\u2019s strength was adequate to the task, and his legendary gift of gab quickly surfaced.\u00a0 Within a few minutes, Terrance found himself the recipient of grateful handshakes from the father and oldest brother along with a congratulatory thump on the back from Hoss that nearly knocked the tailor out of the buggy. Terrance could only shake his head in wonder at the changes in his fortune.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you?\u201d Joe whispered as his father prepared to take Terrance\u2019s place in the rig. \u201cThis is nothin\u2019!\u00a0 Wait \u2018til the girls in town hear about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

XXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n

It was just as Joe had predicted.\u00a0 Terrance, who had long believed himself invisible to Virginia City\u2019s fairer sex, found himself frequently buttonholed by young ladies fascinated by the courage and audacity he\u2019d employed in rescuing Little Joe.\u00a0 Of course, it was a bit embarrassing, at least at first, to be the object of such rapt attention. With practice, Terrance was able to tell the story with suitable flourishes and just a little glossing over of troublesome details.<\/p>\n

In fact, at the annual Harvest Dance, Terrance\u2019s company was in such demand it was difficult to pay proper attention to Moira.\u00a0 Ladies bestowed such a degree of flattering attention even dashing Little Joe was feeling a little left out in the cold.\u00a0 Terrance wasn\u2019t even left in peace long enough to savor a cup of punch before being dragged yet again to the floor by a giggling lass.<\/p>\n

When he threw a backward glance at Little Joe, he could tell his friend was just slightly put out at the situation.\u00a0 Over the opening chords of the music, Terrance could hear Hoss\u2019s good natured ribbing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the problem, little brother?\u00a0 Can\u2019t stand the competition?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

Written for the 2015 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.<\/p>\n

My words were: \u00a0miner, prank, betrayal, kidnapping, tailor<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Competition Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Comeuppance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0No man\u00a0deserves all the attention.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (6,025 words)<\/p>\n

Competition Series, links to stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":13387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,40],"tags":[158],"class_list":["post-11406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-challenges","tag-pppt","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Joe-back.jpg?fit=313%2C502&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11406"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11406\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}