{"id":12081,"date":"2004-12-01T08:17:41","date_gmt":"2004-12-01T13:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12081"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:18","slug":"a-brothers-love-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12081","title":{"rendered":"A Brother’s Love (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 An accidental shooting, a mindless threat muttered in a moment of anger and a family of men all result in a lesson well learned by two Cartwright brothers.<\/p>\n

Rated: PG (14,100 words)<\/p>\n

A Brother’s Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPut the gun down, now Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n

The angry young man was unaware that behind him, his older brother had crept silently. Only when Adam Cartwright reached out and wrapped his arms about his youngest brother\u2019s entire body, did Joe Cartwright become aware of his older sibling.<\/p>\n

\u201cLET GO OF ME!\u201d ranted Joe as he twisted and squirmed, trying to break free of the strong arms that held him prisoner.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO\u2026GET THE GUN, HOSS,\u201d shouted Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam was fighting to maintain his grip. Joe\u2019s arms were pinned to his sides, yet he still clung to the pistol in his left hand. Hoss moved in, reaching to take hold of Joe\u2019s left wrist and remove the pistol, which was loaded and the hammer cocked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the gun, Joe,\u201d ordered Hoss as he fought with the younger man.<\/p>\n

Adam spaced his feet wide apart, bracing himself against the squirming body of his brother who fought to free himself of both, Adam\u2019s hold and Hoss\u2019 advance.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe wrestled; arms and hands entangled themselves as each man became more determined to take control.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of me, you big ox!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, give me that\u2026gun,\u201d grunted Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT ON EARTH IS WRONG WITH THE THREE OF YOU? STOP THAT\u2026RIGHT NOW, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!\u201d bellowed a deep voice from behind.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s arms immediately dropped from around his younger brother\u2019s body. Hoss released his hands from Joe\u2019s just as Joe jerked free and spun around. The loaded gun, made a loud blasting sound just as Joe raised his arm. The older man\u2019s eyes widened in shock, his hand gripped his right side as his huge frame staggered forward and then slumped slowly to the ground.<\/p>\n

The three brothers watched in total disbelief as their father crumbled to the soil at their feet. Adam turned dark, blazing eyes toward the younger, of the three. His lips formed a snarl; his arm drew back as his fingers folded into a tight fist.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow look what you\u2019ve done, you little fool\u2026you\u2019ve shot your own father!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe, his eyes rounded in enormous hazel balls and clouded with instant tears, could only stand and watch, dumbfounded. Seconds later, Adam\u2019s strong fist sent the smaller man toppling over backwards and into the dirt. The now discharged pistol, flew from Joe\u2019s hand. Joe\u2019s body rolled over twice before coming to a stop. The startled boy laid face down, slowly turning to look over his shoulder at his two brothers who were now bent over the prone figure of his father. Joe was unable to move as the pair carefully lifted the one man whom Joe cared most about and watched as his brothers carried Ben, unconscious and bleeding, toward the house.<\/p>\n

Adam paused at the door and turned back to the boy who had just pulled himself to his feet. Joe had taken a few staggering steps toward the porch, but stopped instantly when Adam raised one hand and pointed a long slender finger in his direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Pa dies, you\u2019d better be a thousand miles away from here\u2026cause I\u2019m coming for you Joe\u2026and I promise you this\u2026I\u2019ll make you pay\u2026with your life if need be, for what you\u2019ve done!\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, the front door slammed shut. Joe stood, frozen, as if in a daze, unable to move, unable to think straight. The few last moments of his life seemed more like a dream, his mind was in a haze as he moved slowly with feet dragging, toward his horse, mounted up and rode off, into the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine, Adam. The bullet only grazed his side. It\u2019s a nasty cut but it should heal without any problems, baring any infection and I really don\u2019t think that will be a cause of worry,\u201d explained the doctor as he rose from the bed and faced the two worried young men who stood hovering over either side of the bed.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin turned to the China basin and quickly washed and dried his hands, turning back to Adam as he began to roll down his shirtsleeves.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll probably sleep most of the night, I gave him something for the pain, so don\u2019t expect much out of him until the morning. Then just see to it that he stays in bed for a week at least and takes it easy. I left some extra powders with Hop Sing, just in case he needs them to help him sleep\u2026see that he takes them,\u201d smiled the family physician.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father is almost as bad as Little Joe when it comes to being restricted to the bed\u2026say\u2026where is the lad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, who had been studying his father\u2019s face, glanced up, surprised as he glanced around the room as if looking for the one in question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026I haven\u2019t seen him since Pa got shot, I suppose he\u2019s\u2026Oh my God\u2026\u201d muttered Adam, rising suddenly from the bedside.<\/p>\n

He looked at his middle brother and, unable to meet the piercing blue eyes, quickly lowered his head, turning away and moving to the window, his breathing became gasps as realization hit him right in the face, moving downward and piercing his heart like an arrow.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled back the drapes, gazing blindly out at the darkness. He raised his head just slightly, catching his own reflection staring back at him in the glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bastard,\u201d he mumbled softly, looking eye to eye at himself.<\/p>\n

When the young man moved his hand, the heavy drapes fell back into place. Slowly Adam turned and forced himself to look at his brother, aware that the doctor was also studying his reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of Pa, Hoss\u2026I have to go after Joe,\u201d stammered Adam, rushing from the room without a backward glance at either man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning, Hoss stood in the doorway, watching as his older brother rode slowly into the yard. Hoss glanced over his shoulder, toward the top of the staircase and seeing no one, stepped outside, pulling the heavy oak door closed behind him.<\/p>\n

Hurrying, Hoss rushed over to Adam, waiting until his brother dismounted and turned around to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026did\u2019cha find\u2019em?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked beat, his face was drawn tight; dark rings circled his bloodshot eyes and dust covered the man\u2019s clothing from the top of his hat to the tip of his boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it look like I\u2019ve found him?\u201d he spit at Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss lowered his head, willing himself not to strike back at his brother with words that might hurt. Enough harsh words, spoken in a moment of anger, had already split his family and Hoss did not want to add fuel to the smoldering fire that he knew brewed beneath the surface of his elder sibling\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n

Adam, who had leaned his head wearily against his saddle, looked up and saw the hurt expression in the blue eyes that studied his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss\u2026it\u2019s been a long night and I\u2019m tired. I shouldn\u2019t have snapped at you, but to answer your question, no, I didn\u2019t find Joe. I\u2019ve looked everywhere that I thought he might be\u2026I even rode into town and talked to the fellas in the saloon; nobody\u2019s seen him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnitall, Adam. What\u2019cha gonna tell Pa? He\u2019s been askin\u2019 where ya two were,\u201d grumbled Hoss.<\/p>\n

The rotund face bore a worried expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you tell him?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t told\u2019em nothin\u2019\u2026I kept changin\u2019 the subject until he got so dang wore out that he fell asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. What\u2019s he doin\u2019 now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face and shook his head. \u201cTryin\u2019 to get outta bed, but Hop Sing\u2019s taken over\u2026he knows how to keep Pa from gettin\u2019 up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled slightly. \u201cHe\u2019s had enough experience keepin\u2019 Little Joe in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile faded and Hoss became serious once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay Adam,\u201d he said, following Adam to the house. \u201cWonder where Joe got to?\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair stopped outside the door. Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss, it\u2019s like the boy\u2019s vanished into thin air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna do, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss. I suppose I\u2019ll eat, get some rest and go out again looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand rested on the latch, his expression was grim.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish to God I\u2019d kept my mouth shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked into Hoss\u2019 blue eyes and the gentle giant noted that the mask his older brother usually wore to hide his inner most feelings had been misplaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hurt him, Hoss, badly\u2026he\u2019ll never forgive me\u2026and I can\u2019t say that I\u2019d blame him,\u201d Adam said in a thick voice. \u201cI\u2019m a jerk\u2026a low-life jerk\u2026that\u2019s all I am\u2026and to think of the times I\u2019ve cursed that boy for not keeping his mouth shut!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam made a mournful grunt and then opened the door, disappearing inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, you don\u2019t know where he is?\u201d demanded Ben.<\/p>\n

He lay amid an array of pillows, propped up with his back to the headboard of his wide bed. A tray with his untouched meal straddled his lap. Steam from the cup where Hop Sing had just poured coffee spiraled lightly into the air, unnoticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean\u2026I don\u2019t know where Joe is\u2026\u201d stammered Adam who stood at the foot of the bed, trying to avoid the dark angry eyes that he felt boring into him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What happened, Adam\u2026after the gun went off?\u201d Ben asked in a lesser manner.<\/p>\n

He refused to say \u2018after he had been shot\u2019, for he knew his being hit had been an accident, his son had not meant to shoot him, of that, Ben was positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember anything until I woke up this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chanced a quick glance in Hoss\u2019 direction, noting that his middle brother\u2019s head was bent low and that Hoss was fidgeting with a string on his shirt. The gesture did not go unnoticed by his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look at him, young man\u2026look at me when I ask you a question!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s head jerked upward; he was appalled that he had been spoken to in such a tone that made him feel like a little boy standing before his father accused of doing something wrong. His angry expression died as quickly as it had been born and Adam felt his body shutter. Hadn\u2019t he done something wrong? Isn\u2019t that why he stood, shamed, before his father and wasn\u2019t that the reason he was being forced to give an account for his actions?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say to Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think I said anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I saw the look on your face, Adam\u2026and I know you, now answer me\u2026what did you say to your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips stretched taunt across his face. Unable to bear looking at his father, he lowered his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told the boy that if you died\u2026I\u2019d make him pay\u2026with his life,\u201d Adam said, slowly raising his head and peering at his father from beneath thick lashes.<\/p>\n

Adam saw his father inhale sharply and saw the fire that burned in his dark eyes. Swallowing, Adam straightened to his full height and forced himself to meet the angry glare of his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou threatened to kill him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not in so many words\u2026but yes, if you had died, I suppose that was what I meant at the time\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa, I didn\u2019t mean it, not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben spoke slowly, his voice control.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all you said to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam let the air rush from his lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI called him a fool and then I hit him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes, shaking his head gently from side to side. When the moment of anger passed, he looked squarely at his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you realize son, that what happened out there was an accident\u2026Joe didn\u2019t mean to shoot me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that!\u201d snapped Adam, taking a deep breath to replenish his air supply. \u201cNow\u2026I knew it then, too\u2026but I was stunned and angry at his carelessness. I said things I shouldn\u2019t have\u2026I know that and\u2026I\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t mean them. But when I saw you fall, the blood\u2026I\u2026I guess\u2026I just\u2026lost it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Ben\u2019s turn to let the air rush from his lungs, and he did so. When he spoke, his voice was calmer, for the anger had suddenly vanished.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blinked and raised his head again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to find your brother and apologize to him\u2026bring him home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Pa\u2026I promise,\u201d Adam said in a remorseful tone. \u201cI honestly didn\u2019t mean what I said to him, I hope you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do\u2026I know you would never intentionally hurt your brother\u2026physically or verbally, but son\u2026sometimes, words cut far more deeply than the sharpest knife. And I can assure you, Joe is hurting, he\u2019s frightened by what\u2019s happened and I know the boy well enough to know that he holds himself at blame for that bullet striking me. Poor boy, he probably believes he killed his own father!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss flinched at the words. Adam shuddered, lowering his head in remorse for having spoken in such a cruel manner to the young man whom he had helped to raise. In his heart, Adam knew that no matter what Joe might have done in the past, this most recent incident was an accident and he\u2019d have to find the boy soon, before Joe let himself believe the worst. Adam knew his brother\u2019s deep feelings for their father and he knew Joe well enough to know that if the boy believed he was responsible for his own father\u2019s death, Joe might do something\u2026no, thought Adam, I won\u2019t let that happen, this is my fault, not Little Joe\u2019s\u2026and I have to tell him so. I have to find him and make him understand that I didn\u2019t really mean what I said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave right away, Pa,\u201d Adam said after a long pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son, I know you\u2019ll find him and work things out. Tell him for me, when you do find him, that I\u2019m alright\u2026and I\u2019m not angry with him, I know it was an accident. Please tell him to come home, where he belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I will,\u201d Adam promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was still dark when Adam entered the barn and began to saddle his horse. The sun had not yet risen over the tops of the mountains and would not make an appearance for at least another hour, determined Adam. Once Sport was saddle, Adam led his mount from the barn, walking slowly across the yard to the side porch where he had set aside his bedroll and the small amount of supplies he would take with him.<\/p>\n

As he tied his bedroll to the back of his saddle, he became aware of a presence behind him. He turned, surprised to see his father standing there, coffee cup in hand and looking a bit too pale for his liking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be out of bed, Pa,\u201d Adam said as he finished tying the little leather straps that held his gear in place behind the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you moving about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned to face his father. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to wake you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was already awake, in fact, I\u2019ve been awake most of the night,\u201d said Ben, taking a sip of his coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo have I,\u201d Adam said with a solemn look.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips twitched slightly. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, his head low, raised up enough to be able to see into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to bother you\u2026it\u2019s just that\u2026\u201dAdam sighed deeply, his eyes took on a distant look as he turned his head away to gaze at the surrounding darkness.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like I\u2019m saying \u2018I\u2019m sorry\u2019 a lot lately,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo little words, and sometimes they are about as hard to say as \u2018I love you\u2019,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

Adam turned back, studying his father\u2019s face intently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, Pa\u2026I haven\u2019t said those words in a long time either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben downed the last of his coffee and smiled warmly at his son. As any concerned father would, he slipped his arm about the young man\u2019s shoulders; his tone was gentle and reassuring, yet firm and full of implication.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, when you find your brother\u2026tell him both,\u201d Ben said in a near whispered voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d mumbled the drunken young man as he staggered along the boarded walkway, bumping into first one person and then the next.<\/p>\n

The persons passing by either stepped aside or risked being bumped by the distasteful man. Several stepped clear into the gutter to keep from making contact while others just stopped and stared. The women snarled up their noses and turned their heads to avoid even looking at the dirty, unshaven man that tottered along.<\/p>\n

Across the street, an older man watched with disapproval as he arranged supplies in the back of his buckboard. Moments later he was joined by another man who looked like a younger version of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisgusting, isn\u2019t it, Pa?\u201d the young man asked, watching the drunk trying to get on his horse but not having much luck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d the man said, climbing into the seat and taking the reins and waiting until his son had joined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have learned though, Thor, not to make snap judgments\u2026one never knows what the underlying causes are that make a man to do the things he does. Giddy up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The father and son duo had hardly moved down the street then they were forced to stop suddenly. The young drunk\u2019s horse spooked and bolted, tossing his rider into the dirt.<\/p>\n

Buck Reilly pulled back hard on the reins, stopping his team of bays minutes before trampling the downed rider. Quickly Buck jumped from the wagon and elbowed his way through the crowd of men and women who had gathered around the motionless figure.<\/p>\n

Buck kneeled down, gently turning the man over. He gasped softly, glancing up at his son who knelt on the opposite side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he dead?\u201d Thor asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026just unconscious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carefully Buck ran his hands along the man\u2019s sides, his legs and then he smiled in relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2019s broke. Help me get him into the back of the wagon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWagon! Pa\u2026what are you going to do?\u201d Thor said in a whisper as he glanced around to see if anyone had heard his father\u2019s request.<\/p>\n

Buck raised the man upright and with little effort, gathered the unconscious figure into his arms and started toward the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at him, son\u2026he\u2019s only a boy\u2026I\u2019m taking him with us\u2026now go get that pinto; tie him to the back and let\u2019s get home,\u201d Buck said firmly.<\/p>\n

Thor shook his head, but did as his father had instructed and went after the man\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

Buck had made the stranger as comfortable as he could amid the supplies that claimed most of the space in the back. When his son finished tying the pinto to the wagon, Buck took the blanket from the boy\u2019s bedroll and covered him with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa\u2026sometimes I can\u2019t figure you out,\u201d Thor said after the pair had ridden for a while in silence. He glanced back at the young stranger, who had yet to awaken.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why is that?\u201d grinned the father, doing the same checking on the boy as his son had just done.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026you don\u2019t even know that kid, yet you gather him up and take him home with you like he was one of us\u2026why?\u201d asked Thor, studying his father\u2019s profile as they rode along.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll tell you Thor\u2026he\u2019s some man\u2019s son, that\u2019s why. And if that were you back there instead of him, I\u2019d could only hope that some gentleman would do the same for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa\u2026I\u2019ve never been that drunk before\u2026he\u2019s completely stoned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you didn\u2019t have the reasons to be stoned\u2026that he apparently does,\u201d explained the father.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but then maybe he just likes the bottle,\u201d Thor answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026something\u2019s made him want to get drunk\u2026there\u2019s something that he\u2019s trying to forget\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa, come on\u2026how do you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, look at him, son\u2026he isn\u2019t just a run of the mill kid. Take a good look at his clothes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re dirty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re expensive\u2026and look at his horse and gear\u2026whomever he is, the boy\u2019s certainly not a street urchin, that\u2019s for sure\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Thor turned around and studied the young man\u2019s face, his soiled clothing and then looked back at the pinto that trotted along behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got all that, just from looking at him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck laughed. \u201cI was a lawman for too many years, son. In my line of work, it pays to be observant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll keep our eyes opened, Adam, good luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Charlie, see you, Mitch,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Adam turned his mount around and rode off, leaving Charlie Devlin and his son, Mitch, standing in the doorway of their barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure, son, you have no idea where Little Joe might have taken off to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, Pa\u2026I ain\u2019t seen Joe in over a week. But I can tell you this much,\u201d Mitch said, turning back to his chores.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d his father asked as he followed his son into the barn.<\/p>\n

Mitch turned to look up at his father; his expression was one of bewilderment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t like Joe to run off\u2026especially if he thought his father was hurt, regardless of the fact it was his fault\u2026no, something else caused Little Joe to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie stopped to ponder his son\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder what on earth drove him off?\u201d he said aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright probably,\u201d Mitch said, with a grunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth do you mean by that, boy?\u201d Charlie demanded.<\/p>\n

He was surprised to hear his son speak ill of his friend\u2019s oldest son, he had always regarded Adam Cartwright with great respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026nothing, Pa\u2026ya just gotta know Adam to understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you make it sound as if it was his fault Joe\u2019s disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost likely it was\u2026look Pa\u2026everyone knows how Adam treats Joe\u2026he always acts like he\u2019s better\u2019n Little Joe. He\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie\u2019s eyes rounded as he stepped closer to his son, placing his hand on the rake that Mitch held.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wait just a minute, young man. Adam Cartwright is a fine man\u2026he is not such a prideful man that he\u2019d place himself above anyone, let alone his family. And\u2026I happen to know that he cares very much for his brothers. True, he and Joe have had their moments, but remember, there\u2019s nearly twelve years difference in their ages, why\u2026Adam\u2019s more like a father to Joe than an older brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026and that\u2019s been part of the problems between them\u2026he treats Joe like he was kid instead of a grown man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for heaven\u2019s sake Mitch, he\u2019s barely nineteen\u2026to Adam who is over thirty, that is a kid,\u201d declared Charlie.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe to you and Mr. Cartwright, and even Adam, but not to Little Joe\u2026and Pa, sometimes Adam says things to Joe\u2026things that hurt, cut to the core\u2026things he says in anger that should never be said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike your brothers used to say to you. Yes, I suppose that could happen, especially in a case where someone gets hurt\u2026like Joe\u2019s gun going off and Ben getting shot. But Mitch, Adam didn\u2019t mean those things\u2026if he said anything that is\u2026and he is the one out looking for the boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich means that Adam is the main reason why Joe\u2026doesn\u2019t want to be found,\u201d concluded Mitch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The wagon hit another rut in the road and this time the young man in the back moaned softly. Both Buck and his son, Thor, turned around to look.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coming around,\u201d Buck said, pulling the team to a stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you stopping?\u201d Thor questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see,\u201d grinned the knowing father.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026oh\u2026my stomach,\u201d groaned the man in the back as he tried to rise up. \u201cHelp me,\u201d he grumbled, holding his stomach, \u201cI\u2019m gonna be\u2026Aww\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright had barely made it off the pile of supplies before loosing what little was in his stomach. Again and again the boy gagged, spewing the hot bile onto the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHand me the canteen, son,\u201d Buck said to his son, holding out his hand while watching the stranger heave repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Once Joe had finished, he straightened up, wiping the residue off his lips with the sleeve of his shirt. He leaned weakly against the back of the wagon and slowly raised his head enough so that he saw the older man and the younger man watching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Buck said, offering the canteen to Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t drink any, unless you want to be sick again, just swish it around in your mouth and then spit it out,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d muttered Joe, eyeing the pair slightly before taking the proffered water receptacle.<\/p>\n

Joe did as instructed and filled his mouth, swishing the water about for several seconds and then, turning his head, spit it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he said again.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling better?\u201d the older man smiled.<\/p>\n

Joe scrunched up his face and barely shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gazed around at his surroundings and then again at the father and son team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere am I?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

The older man laughed softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir\u2026can\u2019t say that I do\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t remember much of the last couple of weeks,\u201d Joe said and then turned away to avoid looking at the man.<\/p>\n

Something about the way the gentleman looked at him, something in the man\u2019s dark eyes, his mannerisms and the deep sound of his voice reminded Joe too much of the man he had loved with all his heart and whom\u2026he had so recklessly killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name\u2019s Buck Reilly, this here is my son, Thor,\u201d Buck said, introducing himself and his son.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the younger man.<\/p>\n

\u201cThor?\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShort for Thornton\u2026it was my mother\u2019s maiden name,\u201d the younger man smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are?\u201d Buck tempted.<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed and looked away again. \u201cJoe\u2026Car\u2026ter,\u201d he lied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell now, Joe Carter, you look as if you could do with a good hot meal. When was the last time that you ate?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAte?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked to be thinking. He could barely recall the last decent meal he\u2019d had. It must have been lunch\u2026almost two weeks ago. He remembered now, it was the afternoon before\u2026before\u2026<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at the man who was waiting for an answer and who watched him closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a while,\u201d confessed Joe.<\/p>\n

Buck smiled warmly, patted Joe on the shoulder and nodded toward the back of the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet in, you\u2019re going home with us,\u201d he ordered gently as he climbed into the seat once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026don\u2019t want to put you out none, sir\u2026I\u2019ll be alright. Just let me get my horse and I\u2019ll be on my way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t son, I said you\u2019re going home with my son and I and I meant it. And as for putting me out\u2026don\u2019t worry, with all the boys running around my house, one more sure won\u2019t matter, will it Thor?\u201d laughed the kind hearted man.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it won\u2019t matter, Pa. Just get in Joe, it ain\u2019t no use arguing with my Pa\u2026he knows how to control boys, he\u2019s only got five\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive?\u201d Joe stammered. \u201cYou have four brothers?\u201d he questioned as he climbed into the back of the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Thor laughed. \u201cAnd I\u2019m the youngest\u2026I just turned twenty last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you stand it?\u201d Joe said in amazement.<\/p>\n

\u201cStand what?\u201d Thor asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll those men bossing you around all the time, telling you what to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, its not so bad\u2026most of the time, I just ignore them\u2026except for my oldest brother, Chad\u2026that\u2019s short for Chadwick\u2026that was my grandmother\u2019s maiden name,\u201d laughed the young man. \u201cChad is second in command, after Pa that is\u2026so what he says is law, unless Pa says different. He\u2019s a lot older than I am\u2026he\u2019s thirty,\u201d laughed Thor and then continued, \u201cBut with Tuck, he\u2019s next to me\u2026we\u2019re real close, he\u2019s my best friend\u2026Tuck is twenty-two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind began to wander. He had a best friend too, Hoss\u2026Golly how he missed the big man.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Simon and Sam\u2026they\u2019re both twenty-six, twins\u2026so when it comes to the chores, we just naturally all pair off; me and Tuck, Pa and Chad, and Si and Sam, so it makes for pretty good working conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your mother\u2026where does she fit in?\u201d asked Joe, curious about this family of men and the woman that tended to their daily needs.<\/p>\n

There was a long moment of silence when neither the father nor the son spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d muttered Joe, \u201cI\u2026didn\u2019t mean to pry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026you\u2019re not prying, son. You had no way of knowing\u2026my wife is dead. She passed about four years ago, when Thor here was about sixteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to be, death is something that we all will have to face someday. No call to dwell on the fact, it\u2019s guaranteed,\u201d the man said with certainty. \u201cWhat about you, Joe\u2026you got any family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily?\u201d Joe repeated the word to himself.<\/p>\n

His expression left one thinking that perhaps the young man had lost his best friend\u2026which according to Joe, he\u2019d lost everyone who had meant the most to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone to speak of,\u201d he said in a trembling voice.<\/p>\n

Buck glanced back at the young man who had lain down on top of the supplies and closed his eyes. He noted the tiny droplets of sweat that had beaded on the boy\u2019s brow and the way in which Joe\u2019s hands trembled slightly. He knew the handsome young stranger was lying, but he had no clue as to the reasons why the boy would deny his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too bad, Joe,\u201d Thor said. \u201cAs much as my brothers aggravate me at times, I\u2019d not take anything for them. They\u2019re a great bunch of men\u2026I\u2019m proud of my family\u2026besides, when the chips are down\u2026I have four brothers who stick up for me\u2026there\u2019s nothing like a brother\u2019s love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck, touched by his son\u2019s words, smiled softly to himself as he glanced over his shoulder. Joe had folded his arm over his eyes, blinding out the sun\u2019s rays, but Buck noted the quivering chin; a pang of sadness for the boy washed over him at the sight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026please\u2026I\u2019m tired, I haven\u2019t been out of my saddle for more than a few minutes at a time in over two weeks,\u201d Adam complained as he tossed his hat on the credenza and turned around to face his father. \u201cI\u2019ve been to Dayton, Carson City, Reno, I went into Sparks and over to Fallon and back to Silver City\u2026no one has seen him\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa, I just don\u2019t know where else to look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam lowered his body into the chair and allowed his head to rest against the back. He sighed deeply, watching his father poke at the dying embers of the fire.<\/p>\n

At last Ben turned and faced his son. A look of hopelessness, that Adam had not noticed before, shown in the dark chocolate eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has to be somewhere,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah Pa, but where?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss had joined his father and brother in the great room after hearing Adam\u2019s voice. He nodded to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look beat, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Hoss\u2026I\u2019m bone weary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly, smiling at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t even welcome you home son, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben said, sitting on the corner of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright, Pa, I know how worried you\u2019ve been. How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch better, thank you. I\u2019ll be ready to ride out with you once you\u2019ve rested. With two of us searching for Little Joe, we can cover twice as much ground as one man\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo of you? What about me\u2026I\u2019m going too,\u201d Hoss said firmly.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben both looked up at Hoss who stood over them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa ain\u2019t leavin\u2019 here without me,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d began Ben, \u201csomeone has to stay here and look after the ranch\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you stay! I mean\u2026umm\u2026I just meant, ya really ain\u2019t feeling as good as ya\u2019d like Adam to think ya are, and I think ya should stay here and let me and Adam go find Joe\u2026\u201d Hoss stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do no such a thing\u2026\u201d Ben retorted. \u201cHe\u2019s my son, and the boy thinks I\u2019m probably dead by now\u2026there\u2019s no telling what\u2019s running through that head of his\u2026no, I\u2019m going\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Hoss is right, I can see you aren\u2019t completely well yet. Why don\u2019t you let Hoss and I go\u2026besides, what if Joe decides to come home\u2026and you\u2019re not here? Don\u2019t you want to be here, just in case?\u201d Adam tempted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, then it\u2019s settled,\u201d Adam said quickly, rising. \u201cI\u2019m going to bed, Hoss, we\u2019ll leave first thing in the morning. Right now I want one good night\u2019s rest in my own bed before I go another mile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled sheepishly at his brother and then nodded to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Pa\u2026you made the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, Adam bounded up the stairs, fringing more energy than he actually felt.<\/p>\n

Ben looked somewhat perturbed and his expression made Hoss snicker.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, young man\u2026I\u2019m not sure how you and your brother managed to sucker me, but I\u2019ll have you know\u2026I haven\u2019t agreed to anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on a minute\u2026you were right, son, I\u2019m not feeling as spry as I\u2019d like and the fact that Joe just might come home\u2026is reason enough for me to want to be here when he does,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

The smiled died seconds later and the sadness was more evident.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m worried sick about him, Hoss\u2026and I miss the boy something fierce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss puckered up his lips and with a gentleness that was surprising for a man of his size, Hoss pulled his father into a hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know ya do, Pa\u2026so do I, but we gotta keep believin\u2019 that he\u2019ll come home. And if Adam and I have any luck findin\u2019 the boy, he will, I promise ya\u2026we won\u2019t come back without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son\u2026I look forward to that day when I see him ride right up to the front door,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe raised his head and peered over the top of the wagon the second it stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here,\u201d called Thor as he jumped from the wagon.<\/p>\n

Joe sat up and scooted to the end of the wagon, where he sat and watched as young men of various ages came from every building on the place and began circling the wagon, all staring at him.<\/p>\n

Buck had moved to the back as well and smiled a greeting at each one of his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys,\u201d he said in a loud voice, \u201cthis here is Joe Carter\u2026he\u2019s gonna be having supper with us tonight\u2026so, who\u2019s ever turn it is to set the table, add another plate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck turned back to Joe, smiling. \u201cDon\u2019t let them get to you, son, I know you\u2019re not feeling up to snuff right now,\u201d Buck said with a knowing wink. They\u2019ll introduce themselves and then Thor can show you where to put your things. You can stable your horse in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said, glancing around at the men who had gathered to meet the stranger.<\/p>\n

One by one, the young men stepped up to Joe and quickly shook hands with him, telling him their names and then, just as quickly, excused themselves to carry off the supplies and to finish their chores. When the last young man stepped forward, Joe glanced up, hesitating briefly when he peered into the hazel eyes of Thor\u2019s oldest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Chad\u2026guess you figured out by now, I\u2019m the oldest,\u201d Chad said in a deep voice than instantly jolted a memory from the back of Joe\u2019s mind. The man eyed Joe suspiciously and in a way that made Joe feel uneasy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you,\u201d muttered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019re you from?\u201d Chad asked, stepping back and folding his long arms across the middle of his chest. Another memory was stirred.<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed. \u201cAround\u2026here and there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you\u2019re a bum\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe felt himself bristle at the comment but before he could make a retort, Chad continued on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about ranching\u2026can you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty\u2026and yes, I can ride, rope and brand anything on four feet\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRide\u2026it doesn\u2019t take much to ride a horse\u2026but how are you at riding a wild horse\u2026ever\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs good as you\u2026maybe even better,\u201d Joe said, his ire beginning to show.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe when you\u2019re sober enough\u2026I\u2019ll let you prove it,\u201d sneered Chad.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes turned dark, his anger was evident now as he jumped off the end of the wagon and straightened to his full height.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so drunk I can\u2019t still sit a horse\u2026I\u2019ll show you right now\u2026if you have a wild one that needs busting\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we have plenty of wild mustangs, Carter, but now isn\u2019t the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, Chad smiled and surprised Joe by offering his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like you kid\u2026you\u2019ve got spunk\u2026and around here, you\u2019re gonna need plenty of it\u2026friends?\u201d grinned Chad.<\/p>\n

Caught off guard by the man\u2019s change in attitude, Joe glanced at Thor who was grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it, Joe\u2026Chad\u2019s always testing people\u2026he don\u2019t mean nothing by it, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pinched his lips tightly and eyeballed the second man for several seconds and then took the offered hand into his.<\/p>\n

Chad grinned, surprised at the strength he felt in the slender fingers of the stranger. Perhaps, Chad concluded, there was more to the boy than what was showing in the unshaven, unclean appearance and slightly inebriated condition of the newcomer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThor, why don\u2019t you show your new friend where he can clean up,\u201d Chad ordered in a friendly manner. \u201cSupper will be ready in about half an hour\u2026hope you don\u2019t mind beef stew and cornbread, Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026sounds good,\u201d answered Joe as he untied Cochise\u2019s reins from the back of the wagon and moved to follow Thor toward the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d whispered Thor with a sly smile, \u201cwhen you sit down to eat, brag a little on Chad\u2019s cooking\u2026beef stew and cornbread is about all he knows how to make\u2026and tonight it\u2019s his turn to do the cooking\u2026and if we don\u2019t brag, he gets his feelings hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced back at the man who stood on the front porch watching Thor and himself. Joe turned to his new friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t strike me as the type to get his feelings hurt very easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not in most things, but when it comes to cooking\u2026seems like Chad was the only one of us men folk who doesn\u2019t have the gift\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe gift?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we\u2019re all pretty fair cooks, even Pa\u2026but not Chad\u2026so\u2026just tell him the stew\u2019s good,\u201d Thor warned with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that\u2026but how did he know I was\u2026hung over?\u201d Joe asked as he followed his friend into the spacious barn and led his mount to the empty stall that Thor indicated.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut your things in that back room, there\u2019s a cot and everything except fresh water\u2026we\u2019ll get that later. And as for Chad\u2026he\u2019s been hung over a few times himself, Joe\u2026and he\u2019s nursed the rest of us through our share of hangovers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe peered over the top of his horse\u2019s back at Chad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess that\u2019s typical of an older brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, Chad\u2019s always been around when one of us needed him. He\u2019s more like a second father to me and Tuck\u2026Si and Sam are just sort of stuck in the middle. But Chad\u2026well, he can be a pretty tough taskmaster at times, he\u2019s a lot like our pa, but he\u2019s fair and he\u2019s good to have around when you need someone to talk to,\u201d Thor explained. \u201cI couldn\u2019t ask for a better older brother, not saying that there\u2019s anything wrong with Si and Sam\u2026but, well, you wouldn\u2019t know what I mean, not having any brothers of your own\u2026but you\u2019ll learn, if you stay around here for a spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned his head, unable to meet his friend\u2019s dark eyes. His thoughts flew home\u2026home\u2026where he longed to be, home\u2026where he could never go again. Joe swallowed the knot that had developed in his throat and hurried to finish so that he could wash up and eat. His stomach had been gurgling for the past hour, reminding him that it was long over due for a meal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSit here Joe,\u201d Buck said, pointing to the place on his right, at the end of the table. \u201cSince you\u2019re left handed, you won\u2019t be jabbing the man next to you,\u201d he said, smiling at his guest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said as he sat down and glanced around the table at each man present.<\/p>\n

He waited until everyone was seated and when each man present bowed their heads, Joe did the same. Buck Reilly\u2019s prayer was simple; he blessed the goodness of the Lord, his family and the bounty spread out on the table\u2026and he thanked the Man upstairs for their new found friend and asked that Joe be made to feel at home.<\/p>\n

Joe raised his eyes just barely, so that he could scan the group. His eyes briefly met Chad\u2019s and instantly Joe lowered his head, a bit unnerved to know that Mr. Reilly\u2019s oldest son had been watching him.<\/p>\n

What was it about Chad that made him feel slightly uncomfortable, pondered Joe? What was it about this entire family that left him feeling\u2026empty\u2026that was it, thought Joe\u2026empty, as if he had no one in the entire world and these six men, even though they were father and sons and brothers\u2026had everything, they had each other. Joe sighed deeply, catching the attention of the elder Reilly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you feeling alright, Joe?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine\u2026my stomach is a little queasy, that\u2019s all,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry eating something\u2026but eat slow, son\u2026your stomach won\u2019t be able to handle a lot,\u201d Buck warned. \u201cI\u2019ve been in the same shape myself a few times\u2026I learned the hard way,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the warning, I\u2019ll take your advice,\u201d Joe answered and then held his bowl up for Buck to spoon some of the stew into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026where are you from?\u201d Si, who sat across from Joe, asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026you can\u2019t be from around here, or we\u2019d know it,\u201d laughed Sam, Si\u2019s twin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d Joe said, looking down into his bowl.<\/p>\n

He felt his stomach begin to churn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow old are you, Joe?\u201d Tuck inquired. \u201cYou don\u2019t look more\u2019n seventeen or eighteen,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNineteen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long ya been on your own? Man, I\u2019ve always wanted to travel around, see the world\u2026what places have ya seen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa got a girlfriend, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to your family? Don\u2019t you have anyone, not even a brother or a sister or what about your ma? Is she dead too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d they die, Indians?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sure is a nice pinto you ride\u2026you raise him?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s come you were drunk when Pa and Thor found you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head had begun to pound and his stomach was churning and gurgling something fierce and he felt that if he took another bite, he\u2019d be sick, right here in front of all these men. And he wished to God that they\u2019d stop asking him so many noisy questions, and why on earth did they want to know so much about him and just how was he going to ever be able to explain why his father was dead and why his older brother hated him and planned on killing him and didn\u2019t they know that it tore his heart out, seeing his father lying on the ground, covered in blood and the hurt and pain in Hoss\u2019 sad, frightened eyes\u2026<\/p>\n

The world in front of him began to spin out of control, the pounding in his head was unbearable and the noise level had reached a near screeching pitch\u2026Joe dropped his spoon and grabbed his head with both hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cSHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!\u201d shouted Joe, shoving back his chair and standing to his feet.<\/p>\n

He backed up, clinging to his head as if in excruciating pain. Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to stare in shock at the young man. Buck pushed back his own chair and moved around the corner of the table, placing his hand gently on Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLEAVE ME ALONE!\u201d shouted Joe.<\/p>\n

He lowered his hands, staring, with wild eyes, at the man before him. It was then that Joe realized\u2026Buck Reilly reminded him of his father! The same deep voice\u2026the dark eyes\u2026the gentle touch. A sob caught in the back of Joe\u2019s throat.<\/p>\n

Buck instantly noted the wild, frightened and painful expression and the heavy sadness in the hazel depths of his guest\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe was breathing rapidly, gasping. His brow was dotted with beads of moisture and Buck saw how the boy\u2019s hands trembled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d sobbed Joe, fighting back the tears.<\/p>\n

He took a long deep breath and let it out slowly, turning to glance quickly around the table. He told himself that he had to get out\u2026leave\u2026get away from this family of men who only deepened his desire for his own\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he repeated, turning to face his host. \u201cI\u2019ll get my things out of the barn and\u2026go,\u201d he said in broken words.<\/p>\n

Joe turned and hurried out the door, leaving the six men staring at his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDang,\u201d muttered Sam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that all about?\u201d Si asked, not sure what had actually happened to cause the scene that their guest had just made.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys\u2026Joe\u2026obviously is sick\u2026and he\u2019s hurting. Something has hurt that boy a great deal. And what he needs right now is a friend\u2026or maybe six friends. Should we let him ride off\u2026or ask him to stay?\u201d Buck questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay\u2026I like him,\u201d Thor said without hesitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d seconded Tuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does seem to be in some kind of emotional distress\u2026why don\u2019t you offer him a job. I\u2019d like to see what he can do on ole Thunderbolt, once the kid\u2019s feeling himself again,\u201d smiled Chad.<\/p>\n

Everyone else agreed, as he knew they would, and when Buck smiled and went out the door, the five younger men followed their father to the barn.<\/p>\n

Buck entered first, seeing Joe putting the saddle across his horse\u2019s back. Joe looked up briefly as the man approached. The boys lingered outside, listening.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be out of here in ten minutes,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n

Buck moved until he was standing on the opposite side of Cochise and could look Joe in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe raised his head; his eyes were dark.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop calling me that\u2026I\u2019m not your son\u2026I\u2019m\u2026no body\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t always no man\u2019s son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flashed red.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I am now!\u201d he declared, pushing his horse out of the stall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s eating at you\u2026Joe\u2026but I\u2019d like to help you, if you\u2019d let me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe paused just long enough to study the man\u2019s face for a fraction of a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? I\u2019m nothing to you\u2026or to anyone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause\u2026I like you\u2026we all like you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t\u2026you just feel sorry for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe finished tying his bedroll onto the back of his saddle. He leaned his arms across the back of his horse and glared at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t\u2026don\u2019t waste your time feeling sorry for me\u2026I don\u2019t need your pity,\u201d he snarled as he grabbed the reins and began leading his horse out into the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t, Joe\u2026you seem to have enough self-pity of your own\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stopped instantly and turned around. The words struck a cord within his heart. The man sounded just like his father\u2026even his methods were the same as his own father\u2019s. He swallowed hard, lowering his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, son\u2026I\u2019d like for you to stay\u2026all of us would. They\u2019re standing outside\u2026you can ask them. We need another good man around here\u2026there\u2019s always plenty to do\u2026now tell me you don\u2019t need a job or any money?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was silent for a long moment, aware that Buck Reilly\u2019s five sons had moved into the barn and stood behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re offering me a job?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026if you\u2019re interested,\u201d smiled Buck.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can start working the mustangs, just as soon as you\u2019re feeling up to it,\u201d offered Chad, making a crooked little smile.<\/p>\n

Joe noted for the first time, the dimples in the man\u2019s cheek\u2026the image jarred lose another memory. Barely about to speak, Joe nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright\u2026I could use a few dollars, but only on one condition?\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat might that be, Joe?\u201d Buck ventured to ask.<\/p>\n

Joe straightened up, swallowed and quickly glanced at all the men around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more questions\u2026please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright son, you\u2019re entitled to your privacy\u2026we\u2019ll let you do the telling, when you\u2019re ready, but you have to answer one question for me\u2026and you have to be completely honest, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you a wanted man\u2026are you running from the law?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone in the barn with Joe was quiet, waiting to hear what Joe\u2019s answer would be.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I\u2019m not running from the law\u2026and\u2026as far as I know\u2026I\u2019m not wanted anywhere, except maybe\u2026here,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

It was the truth, as far as he knew, reasoned Joe. With Pa dead\u2026Adam would be looking for him\u2026he promised, but hopefully, he wouldn\u2019t be easy to find\u2026this far from home, at least for a while. He\u2019d work for this man who had taken him under his wing\u2026long enough to save up some traveling money, and then he\u2019d head\u2026somewhere\u2026far away, a thousand miles away Adam had said, so that he could try to forget what he had done.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it\u2019s a deal\u2026you work for me as long as you like, or until you get ready to move on. When I\u2019m not here, you report to Chad\u2026he\u2019s second in command\u2026and Joe\u2026I want you rested and in good health before you start breaking horses, so until I say when, you will do light work, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes brightened slightly, but he still did not smile\u2026smiling was a thing of the past\u2026something he didn\u2019t do anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, now, come back inside\u2026supper\u2019s getting cold and I want you to eat something nourishing\u2026you\u2019re too puny\u2026a good strong wind could blow you away in one puff!\u201d teased Buck.<\/p>\n

\u201cTuck, you and Sam get in here and put this boy\u2019s things up\u2026Chad, go heat up that stew\u2026the rest of you, get back to the table!\u201d<\/p>\n

Men scattered in all directions, laughing and teasing each other as they hurried to do their father\u2019s bidding. A pang of homesickness swept over Joe leaving him feeling as if he were all alone, even amid half a dozen men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next couple of days, Joe spent working around the barn. He cleaned all the stalls and tidied the tack room, repaired a harness and a bridle that he had found lying on a table in the tack room, and he stacked some hay that had been left on the back of the flat bed wagon. Buck had found other odd chores to keep him busy and to keep his mind off his troubles, for which Joe was most grateful. By evening, he was usually too tired to do anything other than eat and then go straight to bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Joe,\u201d Buck called as Joe bid the family good night.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, sir,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cSee you fellows in the morning,\u201d he called to the Reilly boys who were scattered about the main room doing different things.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Joe,\u201d they all called at once.<\/p>\n

When the door closed, Buck turned back to his family. On his face he wore a slight frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d Chad asked.<\/p>\n

Buck sat down in his chair and picked up his paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Chad laughed softly. \u201cNow Pa\u2026I know you better than that\u2026it\u2019s Joe isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck lowered his paper, aware that all five of his sons was watching him and waiting for an answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys go on to bed\u2026your brother and I have some things we need to discuss?\u201d Buck ordered gently.<\/p>\n

The boys stood up, bid their father and older brother good night and headed off in different directions. Only Thor remained in the room with Buck and Chad.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you want something, son?\u201d Buck asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026if you have something to say about Joe\u2026I\u2019d like to hear it. I have a couple of things I\u2019d like to discuss with you concerning Joe, myself,\u201d Thor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then, son, sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck waited until Thor was settled and then urged him to speak up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa\u2026I was just wondering about something. Have you noticed that Joe never laughs\u2026he doesn\u2019t even smile\u2026and\u2026he doesn\u2019t carry a side arm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Chad and Buck swapped knowing looks.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve noticed that. I have no clue about why the boy doesn\u2019t carry a gun, but as for not laughing or smiling\u2026I contribute that to his deep sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder what happened to him\u2026to make him so sad?\u201d Thor pondered aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be several things,\u201d Chad said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould, but I think his sadness has something to do with his family\u2026or his lack of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Pa, what makes you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Chad, have you ever watched him when we\u2019re all together? It\u2019s like the boy is standing at a window, looking in at us. His eyes take on a far away look, as if he is remembering a time, perhaps not so long ago. And he especially watches you, yet he doesn\u2019t want you to see him doing so. It\u2019s almost as if\u2026he likes you, but holds you at arms length. I think you remind him of someone,\u201d Buck explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve not noticed him watching me, except once, that first night at supper, when you were saying the blessing. But I have seen him watching you, Pa\u2026perhaps you remind him of his father?\u201d suggested Chad.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be. Has he said anything to you, Thor, about his family?\u201d Buck asked his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not a word, but then I haven\u2019t asked him either. I\u2019m almost afraid to even hint about his past, especially after he asked us not to question him. I get the feeling that whatever is eating at him, he\u2019d just as soon forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026so do I,\u201d agreed Buck. \u201cWell, boys, I\u2019m off to bed, I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Chad, I think if Joe feels up to it, you can let him try his luck at Thunderbolt,\u201d smiled Buck. \u201cJust don\u2019t let him over do it\u2026I certainly don\u2019t want to see him get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be glad to hear that, Pa. I caught him watching the stallion earlier today and he said he could hardly wait to give him a workout. I think the kid likes horses best of all\u2026and for sure, he knows a lot about them, being so young, it surprised me. But someone taught him\u2026and taught him well. I did ask him where he learned so much about horses but he just said he picked it up here and there,\u201d Chad told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let him have a try, it might make him happy enough that he might even crack a smile\u2026and I\u2019d like to see him do that. He\u2019s a nice kid, I like him\u2026and I\u2019d give fifty dollars if I knew what he was running away from,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think he\u2019s running away from something, Pa?\u201d Thor asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntuition, son, too many years as a sheriff. I can usually tell when someone has something to hide, and your friend is certainly a man who is hiding a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, shouldn\u2019t you ask him?\u201d Chad asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not yet. Whatever it is, I think it\u2019s something that he\u2019s done\u2026probably by accident, I don\u2019t think there is a mean bone in his body enough so that he would do something bad to someone on purpose. I think whatever is eating at him was an accident, but we\u2019ll wait and see. Now, I would suggest that we turn in for the night\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Pa\u2026good night. Good night Chad,\u201d said Thor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight kid\u2026sleep tight,\u201d Chad smiled.<\/p>\n

When Thor left to go to bed, Chad started to do the same, but his father held him back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on a minute, Chad\u2026I have something I want you to see,\u201d his father said as he moved to his desk and opened a drawer from which he pulled out a paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at this,\u201d Buck said, handing the folded paper to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d the young man asked, glancing down at the print.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a paper that I picked up in town the other day\u2026it\u2019s from Virginia City, read the article on the second page.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chad turned the newspaper to the page and quickly scanned the articles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhew\u2026it says here they\u2019re offering a thousand dollars reward for information leading to the whereabouts of one, Joseph Cartwright, age nineteen, hazel eyes, curly chestnut hair, missing since September 21st.\u00a0\u00a0 It goes on to say that the young Cartwright is left handed and rides a\u2026black and white pinto\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Chad, his eyes wide, stared at his father. \u201cThat sounds like our new friend, Joe Carter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026and, it plainly states that he has family in Virginia City\u2026then if he has family\u2026why did he tell us he didn\u2019t have any?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t really say he didn\u2019t have family, son, he only said, none worth mentioning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026even I\u2019ve heard of Ben Cartwright\u2026he\u2019s a very wealthy man, he has the biggest spread in the Nevada Territory\u2026and once he was even thinking of running for governor\u2026why would Joe\u2026run away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose only Joseph Cartwright or Joe Carter could answer that question for us,\u201d Buck commented, taking the paper from his son and folding it back up, placing it in the drawer of his desk, that he locked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to ask him?\u201d Chad wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not right away. I don\u2019t want you to mention the article to him either, or ask any questions. For right now, we know he\u2019s safe and well cared for. If he suspects we know about him, he\u2019ll take off and if he does that, it will be that much harder for his family to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they don\u2019t have any idea where he\u2019s at\u2026unless you sent his father a wire?\u201d Chad said and then smiled at the gleam in his father\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe spun around when he heard the door open softly. He was surprised to see Chad standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knocked, but I guess you didn\u2019t hear me,\u201d offered Chad, moving into the little room that had become Joe\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n

Joe swiped his hand across his face, drying the telltale signs of his unhappiness, from the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was\u2026busy,\u201d stammered Joe. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Chad said, holding out a folded blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026I thought you might need an extra blanket, it\u2019s suppose to get colder tonight and you have to admit,\u201d he said, glancing around at the room, \u201cthis isn\u2019t exactly the Palace Hotel,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes scanned the room and then he took the offered blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he muttered, turning his back to Chad and then spreading the blanket out, across his bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t like me much, do you kid?\u201d Chad dared to ask.<\/p>\n

Joe spun around, surprised by the remark.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a lucky guess, I suppose,\u201d Chad said, sounding very much like another older brother that Joe would just as soon forget.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call me that!\u201d snapped Joe angrily. \u201cI\u2019m not a boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t call me that either!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Joe\u2026have it your way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Damn, thought Joe, does he have to use the very same words as his own brother? The man and his family were beginning to drive him nuts and he suddenly wished that he had not agreed to stay here.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa said to tell you, if you feel up to it in the morning, you can have a chance at Thunderbolt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the first expression of joy that Chad had seen on the young man\u2019s face since coming to the ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2026he said to take it easy though, and not over do it\u2026he doesn\u2019t want to be responsible for you getting hurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine\u2026honest,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then\u2026see you in the morning,\u201d Chad said with a kindhearted smile. \u201cSleep tight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night\u2026\u201d Joe called as Chad shut the door.<\/p>\n

Joe jerked the door opened and called after the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026ere\u2026Chad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah Joe?\u201d Chad responded, letting the boy think his slip of the tongue had gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really dislike you\u2026its just that you\u2026remind me of someone\u2026that\u2019s all. Oh,\u201d said Joe, turning back, \u201cthanks for the extra blanket\u2026good night.\u201d<\/p>\n

For several moments, Chad stood in the doorway wondering about the unknown man, Adam\u2026who was he, how did fit into Joe Carter\u2019s life? Chad\u2019s thoughts lingered on the strange young man who had somehow managed to work his way into all their hearts\u2026for it was certain that everyone, including\u2026or especially his father, was taken with the young man. What was it about Joe Carter, or Cartwright, whichever one his name really was\u2026that had appealed to all of them? Was it because he was so young and vulnerable\u2026or was it because they all knew he was hurting over something or someone in his life? Who could that someone have been\u2026could it have been this man, Adam, and if so, what was it that had put such gloom into one so young? He could only guess for he would do as his father wished, and not ask any questions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRIDE \u2018EM JOE!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSTAY WITH HIM!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYEPEE!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Every man on the fence was cheering the young rider on. For Joe, it was the first time in weeks that he could completely forget all the horrid things that were wrong with his life. On the back of the wild stallion, clinging tightly, Joe could think of nothing else but hanging on for dear life. The stallion was large, strong and full of determination, just like his young rider. It was a contest of power and wills\u2026will the horse succeed in throwing the willful rider, just as determined to stay in the saddle as the horse was of removing him? Or would the boy suffice and ride the stallion to the end?<\/p>\n

\u201cOHHH!\u201d shouted several of the men as they watched Joe fly through the air and then land with a thud onto the hard packed earth.<\/p>\n

Seconds later, Joe was on his feet, grinning from ear to ear as he approached the fence where the entire Reilly family waited for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at that, Pa,\u201d whispered Thor as he watched Joe dust the dirt from his chaps. \u201cHe\u2019s actually smiling!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure is\u2026shh\u2026great job, Joe!\u201d Buck said as Joe hopped across the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nothing,\u201d he said cheerfully. \u201cThat was the best ride I\u2019ve ever had\u2026golly, I sure wish Hoss could have seen me!\u201d Joe chirped, unaware of the name he had just let slip.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026is that a who, or a what?\u201d laughed Sam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe said, his smile beginning to fade.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you wished Hoss could have seen you make that ride\u2026who is Hoss?\u201d Sam repeated the name.<\/p>\n

The others stood around Joe in a circle, each straining to hear the young rider\u2019s response.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes had grown dark and his smile died completely. He dusted off his hat with his hand and then plopped it back down on his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of your business!\u201d he barked at the group and then elbowed his way through the circle, hurrying to get away from the gawking group of busybodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026excuse me,\u201d muttered Sam. \u201cI reckon that boy needs a lesson in manners\u2026and I\u2019ve half a mind to teach him one,\u201d mouthed Sam, his own eyes narrowed with anger. \u201cJust who the hell does he think he is, anyway?\u201d he continued as he headed toward the barn.<\/p>\n

Chad reached out his arm and placed his hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave the boy alone, Sam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! He\u2019s done nothing but whine around and bark at all of us since the first day here\u2026and I\u2019m tired of it,\u201d snapped Sam, jerking away from Chad and marching on, toward the barn.<\/p>\n

The others followed; all wanted to see what Sam was going to say to the new wrangler, and half hoping to see a good fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026you can\u2019t let Sam do this\u2026Joe is just now beginning to come around\u2026a fight could send him packing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, but maybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A ruckus in the barn broke out immediately and by the time that Chad and his father had made it to the door, Joe and Sam were going at each other like two, ole red roosters in a cockfight. Thor and the others had formed a circle around the two men, making any hope of a retreat, impossible.<\/p>\n

Sam had just hit Joe square on the jaw and sent the younger man tumbling backwards, into the arms of the man behind him. Si, grabbed Joe, held him upright and then shoved the staggering boy back into the ring where he received another wallop, this time, the men in the outer ring stepped back and let Joe fall to the ground.<\/p>\n

Dazed, Joe stayed where he had fallen, refusing to get up. The young men watched for a second longer and then converged on their brother as Sam marched out the door. Buck and Chad lingered behind.<\/p>\n

Joe moaned and then pushed himself upright, surprised to see Mr. Reilly and his son still there. Chad was the first to make an offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help you, Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust leave me alone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Chad glanced at his father and when Buck nodded his head toward the door, he left, reluctantly.<\/p>\n

Joe got to his feet, brushing off his trousers and then wiping his sleeve across his busted lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get something to put on that cut,\u201d Buck offered, going to a cabinet and getting some medical supplies. \u201cSit,\u201d he ordered, pointing to an empty crate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit,\u201d Buck ordered again, this time a bit sterner.<\/p>\n

Disgusted, Joe did as instructed and sat down, allowing Buck to tend to the cut over his eye and to his bleeding lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch\u2026\u201d complained Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat can\u2019t hurt too badly, can it\u2026not compared to how you\u2019re hurting inside\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy insides aren\u2019t hurting, my head and my mouth are\u2026not to mention the rest of me\u2026from getting thrown so many times\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch\u2026that does hurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me something\u2026Joe\u2026what\u2019s eating at you\u2026I mean really? You know\u2026I\u2019m a good bit older than you, and certainly a lot wiser in most things\u2026I just might be able to help\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe jumped to his feet and spun around, running his hand over his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your help, or anyone else\u2019s\u2026I don\u2019t want help\u2026understand?\u201d he snarled at the man, knowing that he\u2019d give his life to undo what he believed he had done.<\/p>\n

Despite his brave attempt, Joe\u2019s chin began to quiver and he was forced to turn away from the kind-hearted man. The events of recent weeks had magnified to unbearable proportions, weighing heavily on the slender shoulders and were just now ready to break the young man\u2019s reserve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just go away\u2026and leave me alone\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do that, Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to look back over his shoulder at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not\u2026I\u2019m nothing to you\u2026you don\u2019t even know me\u2026you have no idea what I\u2019ve done\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t know you\u2026not really, Joe\u2026but I feel like I do. I sense in you\u2026a goodness\u2026a certain amount of integrity, a loyalty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck saw Joe swallow hard and look away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019ve done, or what you think you\u2019ve done\u2026it doesn\u2019t matter, Joe\u2026I\u2019d still like to help you\u2026you can trust me, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh GOD!\u201d stammered Joe, walking away.<\/p>\n

He spun around, tears had filled his eyes and when he blinked, a lone droplet rolled down the front of his battered face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound just like my pa!\u201d Joe shouted. \u201cHe was always saying that, \u2018you can trust me, son, let me help you!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The tears dripped slowly downward; Joe moved away from the man and then turned around.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble was\u2026he couldn\u2019t trust me! I made sure of that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck gave the young man time to collect himself and then moved closer, placing his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. Joe stood with his head bent low. Buck could feel the tremors that surged through the young man\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026what happened to break that trust?\u201d Buck whispered softly.<\/p>\n

Joe slowly raised his head and looked into the compassionate eyes of the man whom he had come to respect. He swallowed the knot in his throat and opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to be stuck in the back of his throat.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head slightly, looking off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026killed him\u2026my own father\u2026I killed him,\u201d he said in a troubled, whispered voice that had been drained of all emotions.<\/p>\n

A sob caught in Joe\u2019s throat as the distraught youngster turned, leaning his head against a post and began to sob.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d murmured Buck. \u201cHow, Joe\u2026how did you\u2026kill him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an accident\u2026honest,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to\u2026I didn\u2019t even know he was there\u2026but the gun went off\u2026I was\u2026fighting with\u2026my brothers\u2026and\u2026the gun went off\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck listened intently to the broken words, giving Joe time to rid himself of the burden he had been carrying around on his shoulders for weeks now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2026were arguing\u2026Adam, Hoss and I\u2026I can\u2019t even remember what we were fighting about\u2026all I can remember is seeing my father\u2019s face\u2026his eyes\u2026he was looking right at me\u2026he knew\u2026\u201d sobbed Joe. \u201cMy father knew that I shot him\u2026but what he doesn\u2019t know\u2026\u201d Joe turned at last and faced the man behind him.<\/p>\n

Buck could see a multitude of grief and remorse on the young face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that I didn\u2019t mean it,\u201d cried Joe. \u201cAnd my brother\u2026Adam\u2026he promised to hunt me down\u2026and kill me himself if\u2026if\u2026pa died\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The sobs became too much, and Joe was forced to turn away again. He moved into the stall where Cochise munched on his bucket of oats, and began saddling his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Buck asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m leaving\u2026you don\u2019t really think that I could stay here\u2026not after what I just told you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI most certainly do, young man\u2026now get that saddle off that horse, you\u2019re not going anywhere\u2026I won\u2019t allow you to run away\u2026again,\u201d ordered Buck, grabbing the saddle from the horse\u2019s back and flinging it across the stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t stop me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to bet on that,\u201d Buck dared, taking Joe by the arm and trying to force him to follow along.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of me,\u201d shouted Joe, shoving Buck backwards.<\/p>\n

Buck stumbled back, tripping over the crate that he had used to sit on, minutes before. Joe heard the man\u2019s head crack against the wooden box and cringed inwardly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Reilly!\u201d shouted Joe, moving quickly to the man\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Gently, Joe lifted Buck\u2019s head. His fingers felt the warm blood that oozed from the gash in the back of the man\u2019s head. Joe\u2019s heart thumped hard, deep within his chest, fearing that the man was dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God\u2026not again\u2026please!\u201d sobbed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell\u2026what\u2019s going on in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe lowered the man\u2019s head, spinning around. Chad ran to his father, shoving Joe out of the way. Joe rose to his feet and backed up. Sam and Si, Thor and Tuck rushed into the barn, circling their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Sam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026Chad declared, looking back over his shoulder at Joe and the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam spun around glaring at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did this!\u201d he declared, pronouncing judgment on the young man.<\/p>\n

Joe, still somewhat in shock, shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026it was an accident\u2026honest\u2026he fell\u2026and hit his head\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ought to kill you!\u201d Sam bellowed, drawing his pistol and pointing it at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO! SAM, DON\u2019T\u2026\u201d Chad yelled. \u201cLock him in the cellar\u2026until we can get to the bottom of this. Thor\u2026ride for the doctor, bring back the sheriff\u2026Si, you and Tuck help me get Pa inside\u2026we\u2019ll deal with Cartwright later\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright?\u201d stammered Sam, glancing at Joe and then back at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Cartwright?\u201d Thor demanded, glaring at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHim,\u201d Chad said with a nod of his head toward Joe. \u201cGet him out of here Sam and then make sure he doesn\u2019t get away\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was too weary, both physically and mentally to put up a fight against the band of angry brothers. He wondered only briefly how Chad had known his real name. Defeated, Joe led the way to the cellar, at the other end of the barn and waited while Sam kicked aside the hay that was strewn about the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it,\u201d ordered Sam, jabbing his pistol into the middle of Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Joe obliged the man, bending down and pulling on the short rope that was attached to the hidden door in the floor. When the door was raised, Joe stood, looking down into the darkened hole.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, there\u2019s a ladder there, climb down,\u201d issued Sam.<\/p>\n

Joe made a quick glance around at the others, seeing Chad and his brothers carrying their father out of the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cMOVE IT!\u201d shouted Sam.<\/p>\n

Joe began climbing slowly down the ladder, into the darkened hole. His stomach was churning and rambling, as nausea washed over him. Once he was down, Sam pulled the ladder from the hole.<\/p>\n

Joe could barely make out the man\u2019s shadow standing over him. He heard Sam laugh in a disheartening manner and then the door over his head slammed shut. Joe\u2019s world had turned pitch black. He refused to move, his senses were dulled by the events of the last several weeks. He felt rejected and all alone\u2026and the one man whom he had always loved above anyone else, was dead\u2026and the other man, Adam, whom he had always depended, though he was just now realizing exactly how much\u2026hated him and was planning on killing him. But Joe didn\u2019t care, not any more\u2026death was better than living with the guilt that ate away at his heart\u2026he wasn\u2019t afraid of dying\u2026only of being alone and in the dark. At last, Joe sat down in the middle of the room and began the long wait\u2026sure that even here in the darkness that surrounded him, death would find him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was almost two days before the door in the floor was opened again. A thin ray of light filtered down from above, casting an eerie shadow on the crumpled form of the man who lay motionless in the deep cellar.<\/p>\n

\u201cJOE!\u201d shouted a man from the rim of the opening.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring me that ladder!\u201d ordered the man holding open the door.<\/p>\n

Thor hurried to do the man\u2019s bidding and quickly slid the ladder down into the hole so that man could climb down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold this light!\u201d<\/p>\n

Thor held the lantern as directed, high over his head so the man could see to descend. When the man was completely down, Thor passed the lantern to his father and climbed down into the dark cellar.<\/p>\n

\u201cBRING ME THE LAMP!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Joe\u2026come on boy\u2026wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n

The man held Joe\u2019s head in his lap, tenderly patting the dirty face with his opened hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it\u2026come on buddy, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyelids fluttered and then his eyes opened, forming thin, narrow slits. The glow of the lamp caused him to scrunch up his face, preventing him from seeing the face of the man who held him so tenderly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026it\u2019s alright now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The deep voice was so familiar\u2026Joe strained his eyes, trying to make out the face behind the voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d stammered Joe, trying to bring his eyes into focus. \u201cNo\u2026no\u2026it can\u2019t be,\u201d cried Joe in a weak voice that rang with indifference.<\/p>\n

He struggled to escape the arms that cradled him so compassionately. Joe had thought he had wanted to die, but now\u2026with death holding him in his arms, his spirit had begun to fight against his demise.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright, buddy, I\u2019ve come to take you home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKill me\u2026kill me\u2026that\u2019s what\u2026you\u2019re here to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Joe\u2026that\u2019s not true\u2026I didn\u2019t mean those awful things I said to you\u2026I\u2019m going to take you home\u2026to Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d cried Joe, calming slightly as he turned his head and gazed into his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s dead\u2026\u201d sobbed Joe weakly, \u201cI killed him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026don\u2019t you understand, Joe\u2026Pa\u2019s not dead\u2026he didn\u2019t die\u2026he was only wounded, he\u2019s fine now,\u201d whispered Adam, pulling Joe\u2019s body tight against his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026why didn\u2019t he\u2026come\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026because I wanted to be the one to find you, Joe\u2026and I wanted to be the one to say I\u2019m sorry\u2026and that I was a cad for treating you like I did\u2026I wanted to be the one to ask you\u2026to beg you, if need be\u2026to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, his voice thick with emotion, sighed deeply as he leaned down close so that he could whisper and the two men with him could not hear what he had to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026love you\u2026kid\u2026come home with me, Joe\u2026I\u2019m asking you\u2026please, come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam helped Joe into a sitting position. The boy was weak from hunger and thirst and drank eagerly of the canteen that was offered to him. When he had satisfied his thirst, he turned, seeing Buck Reilly for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Reilly,\u201d stammered Joe, \u201cyou\u2019re alive\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and so are you, thank God. I\u2019m sorry about this Joe\u2026I was out for several hours and just a short time ago woke up. The boys told me they had you locked up down here. They thought you hit me from behind or something\u2026I couldn\u2019t believe it\u2026I\u2019m horribly sorry, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought you had attacked him,\u201d Thor explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI set them straight right away though, didn\u2019t I young man?\u201d Buck said, glaring at his son. \u201cLet\u2019s get this boy out of here and into the house\u2026he\u2019s probably starving to death too,\u201d the man grumbled as he helped Adam get Joe on his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy now, buddy,\u201d Adam cautioned as he wrapped Joe\u2019s arm about his shoulders so that he could half carry his brother up the ladder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That night, Adam and Joe shared a bed together in Buck Reilly\u2019s own private quarters. Joe rested beneath the thick pile of covers as Adam sat nearby in an overstuffed chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure Pa\u2019s alright, Adam? And he knows it was an accident\u2026he doesn\u2019t hate me?\u201d asked Joe for the umpteenth time.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s soft laughter was a welcomed sound to the drowsy young man who fought against going to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Pa is fit as a fiddle, or should be by now\u2026and yes, he knew right away that it was an accident, he\u2019s never been mad at you\u2026only me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026why was he mad at you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked remorsefully at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said some pretty nasty things to you, Joe\u2026things that should have never been said. I\u2019d give just about anything to be able to take them back. Pa knows about those things\u2026and he was furious with me, as he should have been. But he knew that deep down inside of me\u2026I didn\u2019t mean them\u2026\u201d Adam made a dull little laugh and then continued. \u201cI could never\u2026kill you\u2026Joe\u2026I can\u2019t even believe I said such a thing\u2026it was a stupid thing to say; about the dumbest thing I\u2019ve ever said really,\u201d Adam said a grunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway\u2026I honestly wasn\u2019t aware that I had even uttered anything so foolish, until Doc Martin asked where you were and I turned around and right then, I realized what I\u2019d done. Needless to say, little buddy, I felt like an absolute fool\u2026I left right then to find you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you find me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve it or not\u2026Pa wired me at the hotel I was staying at in Wellington, saying that he had gotten a wire from a man in Hawthorne claiming that you were working for him, on his ranch. So I left right away and came here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Reilly\u2026but how did he know to wire Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed softly. \u201cPa ran an ad in the Enterprise, posting a thousand dollar reward for information on your whereabouts. Mr. Reilly said he picked the paper up in town\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the way down here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone must have left it behind\u2026who knows\u2026but it served its purpose, Joe. I\u2019m glad I found you\u2026my butt was getting numb from having to ride so much\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026I thought you said you loved me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026well, we all have our moments of weakness, you know,\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam had stood up and moved to the window. His back was to his brother; that gave him time to collect himself. Joe didn\u2019t know just how much he was loved or missed or just how deeply his oldest brother hated himself for driving a wedge between them as he had. It would take a long time to repair the damage, Adam was certain. He wondered if his kid brother would ever fully trust him again, and the not knowing for sure was something that cut him to the core and something that he would have to learn to live with.<\/p>\n

Adam turned around to look at Joe, but Joe had fallen to sleep. The sight made Adam smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow, little buddy, I\u2019m taking you home\u2026and in the morning\u2026I\u2019m going to start proving to you, that you can trust me again\u2026I\u2019ll go to the ends of the earth, if need be, to make you trust me,\u201d whispered Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam blew the flame out in the lamp. The room was covered in darkness as he slipped off his boots and then his trousers and crawled into the bed next to his brother. He could hear the gentle sound of Joe\u2019s breathing as he laid his head on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. He couldn\u2019t really see anything in the dense darkness when he turned his head toward Joe, but he could picture the boy\u2019s face in his mind and he smiled anyway, Joe was snoring softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Little Joe\u2026sleep well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EPILOGE:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A week later, the pair rode up to the front of the ranch house that had been home to both for years. When the door opened and Ben walked out into the sunlight, his face was aglow with happiness as he approached his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to Joe first, beaming with joy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Joseph,\u201d he muttered in a voice, thick with emotion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to be home, Pa,\u201d Joe said as he stepped into the opened arms that waited for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben encased his son tightly against his breast and held Joe for several long moments, cherishing the happy reunion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he at last released the boy, his eyes were dancing with wet tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou look beat\u2026both of you\u2026welcome home Adam,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam offered his father his hand and when Ben placed his into his son\u2019s, he pulled Adam into a hug as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are tired, it was a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026yes, I\u2019m sure it was\u2026come on inside, Hop Sing\u2019s just put supper on the table. I know you both must be starving\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if\u2019n they ain\u2019t, I sure am,\u201d laughed Hoss, grabbing Joe in a hug and spinning him around in a circle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he put Joe down, they walked together toward the house. Ben held back slightly to have a private word with his eldest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt went fine, Pa\u2026Joe was in pretty bad shape when I got to him, but\u2026I\u2019ll explain all that later\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI mean between the two of you, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t explain the relief I felt, Pa\u2026when I found Joe\u2026I was overcome with emotion. He thought I was there to kill him\u2026he believed that you were dead. Pa\u2026I\u2019ll never be able to forget the look on his face\u2026he was actually afraid of me. It took some doing to convince him otherwise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cObviously you did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I did\u2026I told him I was sorry\u2026and\u2026\u201d Adam hesitated briefly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was sure that he wouldn\u2019t believe me\u2026especially after the things I said, but I took your advice and told him that\u2026I loved him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he believed you son, if you spoke sincerely\u2026there\u2019s nothing like a brother\u2019s love, Adam, and I\u2019m sure Joe felt what was in your heart\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you two\u2026hurry up!\u201d shouted Joe from the doorway. \u201cWe\u2019re starving!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed and turned to Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it odd, Adam, some things never seem to change!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow well I\u2019m beginning to understand that\u2026but I know one thing that I hope never does change\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026and what might that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2026I hope he stays just like he is, right now\u2026full of spirit, full of vitality and happiness\u2026laughter\u2026mischief\u2026it keeps you and I young Pa\u2026don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYoung? Take a good look at his hair Adam, do I look young to you?\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not what\u2019s on your head Pa, it\u2019s what\u2019s in your heart\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen I hope your brother never changes either, Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA! ADAM!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re coming, we\u2019re coming!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

December 2004<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 An accidental shooting, a mindless threat muttered in a moment of anger and a family of men all result in a lesson well learned by two Cartwright brothers.<\/p>\n

Rated: PG (14,100 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":9860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":4747,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-4.jpg?fit=387%2C387&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15348,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15348","url_meta":{"origin":12081,"position":0},"title":"Joe Cartwright – Magician! (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"October 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"SUMMARY: A Bonanza story celebrating that fun side of Michael in his role as Joe Cartwright. Make it scary, funny, or dramatic . . . or all three! 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