{"id":12127,"date":"2007-02-01T13:17:21","date_gmt":"2007-02-01T18:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12127"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:13","slug":"burden-of-guilt-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12127","title":{"rendered":"Burden of Guilt (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0When Joe is shot by an intruder, Ben blames himself for his son’s injury. Things go from bad to worse, deepening Ben’s burden of guilt.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 PG for Mild language (14,550 words)<\/p>\n

Burden of Guilt<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jarred from a deep sleep, Ben rolled over onto his back, opened his eyes and listened closely. There it was again\u2026the sound of someone walking around downstairs. Easing from of the bed, while still half asleep, he opened the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out the revolver he kept hidden there, for occasions such as this. As he silently made his way to the door, he checked the gun\u2019s chamber, being sure that it was loaded and ready to fire. Ben opened the door slowly, to avert the usual squeaking and then slipped softly into the hallway. Looking both ways, he noted that his sons\u2019 bedroom doors were all closed, a sure sign that the boys were sleeping soundly and had not been awakened by the noise downstairs.<\/p>\n

At the top of the staircase, Ben paused, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim light that emitted from the dying embers in the oversized fireplace located on the front wall in the main room of the downstairs. When he felt sure his night vision was clear enough, Ben moved to the landing. Noises around his office area drew his attention in that direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s down there!\u201d he demanded in a roaring blare.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the reverberation of breaking glass resounded as an echo to the older man\u2019s booming voice. The scurrying of feet and the clicking of heels on the hard wooden floor added to the unanticipated chaos in the room. Ben had stumbled blindly down the remainder of the steps, desperately trying to keep his balance all the while clinging tightly to the weapon in his right hand.<\/p>\n

From the hallway above, the sound of slamming doors and loud shouts added to ignite the fury down below.<\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP! I\u2019LL SHOOT!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n

From the front door, a loud blast rippled through the darkness. A shrill cry of agony sent shivers of fear coursing down the backs of the three young men racing down the steps. The door banged shut with a noise so loud that it rattled the windows, as Little Joe seemed to trip and tumbled to the bottom of the staircase, landing at his father\u2019s feet. Behind the youngest member of the family, Hoss and Adam somehow managed to keep their footing as they continued into the great room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth is going on?\u201d Adam said with a twinge of anger in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone broke into the house,\u201d Ben said in a rush as the wind expelled from his lungs. \u201cHoss, light the lamp\u2026Little Joe\u2026get up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stepped over his brother\u2019s still form to do as his father ordered, but Little Joe lay where he had fallen.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben said, suddenly aware of the soft moaning that arose from the young man lying in the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d Joe mumbled. \u201cI\u2019ve\u2026been\u2026shot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDEAR GOD! WHAT HAVE I DONE?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026quick, get some bandages and warm water\u2026Pa\u2026don\u2019t just stand there, help me get him on the settee!\u201d<\/p>\n

From the chaos of all that had just occurred, the level headed Adam Cartwright, Ben\u2019s eldest son, suddenly became the man in charge, keeping his calm composure even as he bent down and spied the pool of blood in which his youngest brother now lay. Together, Hoss and Adam gently lifted their brother\u2019s body from the floor and placed him on the settee. Ben bent down over his son, and quickly arranged the red satin pillow beneath the boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he cooed, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry son, I shouldn\u2019t have shouted out and frightened the intruder\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slowly opened his eyes, searching for his father\u2019s face. His hand reached out and quickly, Ben grabbed the groping fingers and held them warmly within his own hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot\u2026your\u2026fault,\u201d the wounded man murmured.<\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth to ward off his own anger at himself, the worried father disagreed. \u201cYes\u2026it was my fault and\u2026a foolish\u2026stupid thing to do!\u201d he scolded himself aloud to his son. \u201cAdam, fetch the doctor, hurry, and stop by the sheriff\u2019s office and let him know what\u2019s happened here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way,\u201d Adam responded, already heading for the door.<\/p>\n

Hoss, who was just then returning from the kitchen where he\u2019d gone to do his father\u2019s bidding, glanced quickly at Adam\u2019s retreating back and then, without spilling the sudsy water, set it on the table in front of the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gone for the doctor,\u201d Ben said as he began to rip open Joe\u2019s nightshirt in order to clean the bullet wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Hoss asked worriedly, watching his father closely.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced momentarily up at his middle son and slowly shook his head. \u201cNot good,\u201d he answered in a whispered voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cP\u2026a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here son,\u201d Ben told Little Joe. \u201cAdam\u2019s gone for the doctor, you just lie still and let me get this wound cleaned as best I can\u2026I\u2019m sorry, Joseph\u2026the bullet went deeply into your side\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard. His father and brother could easily read the pain in the hazel eyes that tried desperately to focus on them. \u201cIt\u2026was\u2026\u201d Little Joe stammered, this time, closing his eyes and allowing himself to drift into the dark abyss that beckoned to him to enter the sanctuary of painless blackness beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fainted,\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness\u2026at least this way, he won\u2019t suffer while I clean this wound,\u201d Ben responded.<\/p>\n

For the next several minutes, Ben busied himself with cleaning the wound in his youngest son\u2019s side. Only he was award of the gnawing guilt that had taken root in his soul and had begun to eat its way into his heart. Each time that Little Joe flinched or arched his back in pain, the guilt cut deeper into the older man\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I\u2019m so sorry, son,\u201d Ben, leaning down over the boy, whispered softly as he worked to squelch the blood flow from the opened wound.<\/p>\n

The worried father knew that Joe, in his unconscious state, was unable to hear the muffled apology. The burden of guilt had already taken root and the mumbled words continued to flow softly from Ben\u2019s shattered heart until, at last, he had the bleeding under control though his quilt had yet to be squelched.<\/p>\n

When he raised his head, he was surprised to see Hoss sitting along side of him on the heavy wooden table. His eyes, dark and brooding, Ben looked into the soft, compassionate blue eyes of his middle son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026didn\u2019t mean\u2026to get him\u2026hurt,\u201d he uttered lowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, placing his large, muscular hand down on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI know that\u2026so does Little Joe\u2026he don\u2019t blame ya none.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned his head, looking into the ashen face of his wounded boy. \u201cMaybe not Hoss, but I\u2026blame myself. I shouldn\u2019t have called out\u2026I should have just shot the son of a\u2026scoundrel,\u201d he said, changing his mind quickly as to what he might have called the intruder.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood silent, watching his father\u2019s agonizing expressions that flickered across his parent\u2019s weary face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we take\u2019em upstairs and clean him up\u2026Adam shouldn\u2019t be too long in fetching the doctor, Pa,\u201d Hoss said at last.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes never strayed from his wounded son\u2019s face, but he nodded his head. \u201cBe gentle, son\u2026\u201d he said as he stepped aside, allowing the bigger man to carefully scoop the smaller man into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2026hurry, bring us some more fresh water and clean bandages, we might need them again before Adam gets back with the doctor,\u201d Ben said as he rushed ahead of Hoss in order to reach Joe\u2019s bedroom and have the covers turned back so that Hoss could place his younger brother on the bed.<\/p>\n

For the next hour, Ben and Hoss worked at removing Little Joe\u2019s soiled nightshirt and cleaning the wound a second time where the stray bullet had pierced the young man\u2019s flesh. Finally, there was nothing left to do but wait. Ben leaned back in the chair that Hoss had pulled along the side the bed for his father; the elder Cartwright\u2019s eyes slowly closed, but he did not sleep. Hoss stood at the window, watching, waiting and praying that Adam would return soon with the doctor. Ben\u2019s thoughts were racing through his head, which had begun to hurt. He chastised himself for having been so foolish as to call out to the intruder and more so for arriving home much later than what he\u2019d told his younger son that he and his brothers would be. They had ridden over to Carson City early that morning to finish up on some cattle business with the promise of returning before dark. But as it were, things stood in their way of finishing business in a timely manner, thus forcing the three elder Cartwrights to arrive home long after Little Joe had retired for the night. Ben felt a sense of having betrayed his youngest son, putting the boy in danger, allowing his son to get shot and for the suffering the boy was having to endure. The burden of guilt weighed heavily on Ben Cartwright\u2019s tired shoulders.
\nAdam knew he was pushing his horse hard, but the lingering vision of his brother\u2019s painful expression, the flushed cheeks and the fear that shone in Little Joe\u2019s hazel eyes, was reason enough for his older brother to ride hard and fast. The night seemed darker than usual, the path hard to follow and the knowledge that his mount might stumble and fall, causing injury to both animal and rider, was pushed to the back of his mind as Adam pressed onward. The doctor was needed. Joe had lost an extraordinary amount of blood even before he had been on his way. A sense of urgency drove both rider and his steed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! ADAM\u2026ADAM CARTWRIGHT!\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of his name being shouted from the darkness caused Adam to pull back on the reins and bring his horse to a grinding halt. Sport spun nervously around in circles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa\u2026Boy\u2026easy,\u201d Adam called as he searched the darkness for the one who had called out to him.<\/p>\n

From the depth of blackness, a lone figure suddenly appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTate\u2026Tate Wills\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d the man said as he moved his horse close to Adam\u2019s. \u201cWhat on earth are ya in such a hurry for\u2026you passed me back on the trail and I\u2019ve been tryin\u2019 to catch up with you since\u2026somethin\u2019 wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate Wills was an old friend of his father\u2019s. He and Ben had known each other since before Little Joe had been born. Though the men weren\u2019t close, they had been neighbors throughout the years. Times had been hard for Tate, though Adam had never heard the man complain, even through the death of his wife and young son.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019s been shot, I\u2019ve got to get to town and fetch the doctor\u2026\u201d Adam rushed to say and then turned his mount toward Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord have mercy,\u201d Tate Wills moaned. \u201cAnything I can do?\u201d he called after Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026but thanks,\u201d Adam shouted over his shoulder just as he kicked his horse into action.<\/p>\n

Tate watched for a minute longer until Adam had disappeared into the blackness of night.<\/p>\n

\u201cBE CAREFUL, ADAM!\u201d Tate shouted, as if an after thought. \u201cMy, my\u2026tisk\u2026tisk,\u201d the man mumbled as his horse pivoted around. \u201cLet\u2019s pay my old friend a visit, Sunny,\u201d he said softly to his horse.
\n\u201cA rider\u2019s comin\u2019, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, turning from the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlone? Is it Adam?\u201d Ben glanced down quickly at Little Joe and then turned to join Hoss at the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir\u2026I\u2019d best go see who it is\u2026\u201d Hoss hurried from the room, leaving Ben to tend to his younger brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss jerked the door opened, startling the older man who was just about to knock.<\/p>\n

\u201cTate!\u201d Hoss said sounding surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026\u201d Tate greeted, his look of surprise disappearing. \u201cI ran into Adam a little while ago, he said that Little Joe\u2019d been shot\u2026anything I can do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed in relief as he stepped aside to allow his father\u2019s friend and neighbor to enter into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw\u2026but thanks, Tate. Pa\u2019s with Joe now. Ya said ya seen Adam\u2026was he on his way to town\u2026he\u2019s suppose to fetch Doc Martin\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026he flew passed me like I was standin\u2019 still,\u201d Tate said, almost chuckling. \u201cI had to chase after\u2019em for a spell, but I finally caught up to\u2019em. That\u2019s how I knew what happened so I decided to stop by and see if I could help out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we appreciate that Tate, but there ain\u2019t much we can do until the doc gets here,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t too sure, it all happened so dang fast. But from what Pa said and what little I seen, someone broke into the house. Pa must\u2019va heard some noise cause by the time the rest of us heard the commotion and got halfway down stairs, Pa was shoutin\u2019 at the top of his voice, a gun blast ripped through the dark and then the person was gone. Joe was lying on the floor, bleedin\u2019\u2026that stray bullet hit the boy in the side\u2026and\u2026naturally, Pa blames himself for gettin\u2019 Joe hurt,\u201d Hoss went on to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous\u2026it ain\u2019t his fault\u2026any ideay who it was that broke in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026it was too dark to see\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d the man muttered, glancing sideways and catching the look of deep concern on the younger man\u2019s face. He cleared his throat. \u201cReckon the boy\u2019ll be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, lost in thought, looked up at last. His blue eyes reflected the nagging fear deep in his gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, sir, the bullet went deep. Pa was gonna probe for it, but he decided to wait on the doc\u2026too risky he said, and said he\u2019d already done enough to hurt Little Joe,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

Tate put a reassuring hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cReckon ya pa\u2019s done right\u2026being too risky I mean\u2026well, Hoss, I gotta get home but if ya need me\u2026just send word.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026thanks Mr. Wills. I\u2019ll tell Pa that ya stopped by\u2026say\u2026by the way\u2026what brings you out so late anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate lowered his head and chuckled softly. \u201cNow don\u2019t ya go spreadin\u2019 it around Hoss, but see\u2026well\u2026I sorta got me a lady friend over towards Genoa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned knowingly. \u201cI see\u2026so\u2019s ya been courtin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate laughed softly, embarrassed, \u201cYa might say so\u2026but don\u2019t\u2026I don\u2019t want the entire county talkin\u2019 about it\u2026understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss opened the front door for Tate, still smiling. \u201cYes sir, I understand\u2026ya won\u2019t hear it from me, my lips are sealed,\u201d he said, a bit more light-hearted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Hoss. \u2018Member, if\u2019n ya need me, you know where to find me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will sir, and thanks again for stopping by\u2026hey\u2026by the way\u2026who\u2019s the lucky lady?\u201d
\nTate seemed to blush but then smiled broadly at Hoss. \u201cEmma Sue Rawlins\u2026she works at the caf\u00e9 on Main Street\u2026and if\u2019n I can get my affairs all straightened out\u2026Emma Sue just might become the next Mrs. Tate Wills\u2026but don\u2019t ya go tellin\u2019 no one!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled and winked at the man, \u201cDon\u2019t worry Mr. Wills, my lips are sealed!\u201d
\n\u201cAlright Adam, just give me a minute to get my bag,\u201d Doctor Paul Martin stated.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin had been a physician for many years, most of those years he had attended the folks in and around Virginia City. He and the Cartwrights were old friends. It had been a young Paul Martin who had put in an appearance in the wee hours of the morning, not more than nineteen years ago when Ben had sent word that his wife, Marie, had gone into labor and that things didn\u2019t seem to be going so well for the young mother-to-be. That night, Paul had fought long and hard to save the wife of his best friend and to deliver into his friend\u2019s waiting arms, a young, wee son whom the family quickly dubbed Joseph Francis Cartwright, lovingly referred to as Little Joe. Many times throughout the years, Paul had been called to the home to tend to some sort of injury or illness\u2026mostly for the youngest, most energetic of the four Cartwrights. Tonight was no different. The physician sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready Adam, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raced ahead of the doctor, who was driving his buggy. He was anxious to get home, to see how his brother was faring to let his father know that the doctor was on his way and would arrive soon after. But first he had to see the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go ahead Doc, I need to let Roy Coffee in on what\u2019s happening. I\u2019ll catch up to you.\u201d
\nHoss, hearing another rider, hurried down stairs and opened the door. His heart fell when he spied Adam alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s the doc?\u201d he said as he stepped out into the night. His voice sounded demanding.<\/p>\n

Adam, dismounting, paused to study his middle brother\u2019s face. He sensed Hoss\u2019 concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight behind me\u2026how\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d Adam said as he tossed his horse\u2019s reins over the hitching post.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good, Pa\u2019s real worried Adam. That bullet went deep\u2026too deep for Pa to probe for it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean he\u2019s still carrying that bullet?\u201d Adam was a bit surprised by the news. He\u2019d figured that by now, his father would have at least tried to remove the bullet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u2026Pa thought it best to wait for the doctor. He\u2019s really tore up, Adam\u2026about this. He blames himself for Little Joe gettin\u2019 shot and all\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam replied, hurrying inside. \u201cHow about waiting here for the doctor, I\u2019d like to check on Joe? Oh, by the way, Roy\u2019s on his way out too,\u201d he added as he scrambled for the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d answered Hoss, standing behind the sofa. \u201cThe kid\u2019s still unconscious though,\u201d he called as Adam took the steps in multiples.<\/p>\n

Opening the door softly, Adam slipped into the room and eased his way to the bed. Ben was bent over the bed, dabbing a cool, wet cloth on Joe\u2019s brow. He barely looked up when he sensed Adam standing behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bad, Adam\u2026where in blazes is that doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s on his way Pa,\u201d Adam explained as he touched his hand to his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe was right behind me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still cannot believe this has happened\u2026it\u2019s all my fault!\u201d Ben grumbled, aggravated with himself and sick to death with worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it\u2019s not! You\u2019re just making things harder on yourself than need be\u2026now stop thinking like that, it isn\u2019t doing Little Joe any good to hear you talking that way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Adam tried to comfort his father, seeing his youngest brother withering in pain even in his unconscious state, tore at his heart. He looked into his father\u2019s face and saw the torment there.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026please, don\u2019t let Little Joe hear you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s unconscious, he can\u2019t hear me!\u201d Ben retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well\u2026what on earth has happened here?\u201d Doc Martin entered the bedroom, followed by Hoss.<\/p>\n

Forgetting their anger, both Ben and Adam spun around and then stepped aside as the physician neared the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s his left side\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026yes\u2026I see,\u201d Paul exclaimed, examining the wound closely as he pulled back the cover that Ben had placed over his son. Lifting the makeshift bandage, he sighed heavily as he then placed his hand on Joe\u2019s brow. \u201cHow long has he been unconscious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost since it happened,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

Paul straightened, keeping his eyes fixed on Joe\u2019s face. When he turned, he hoped the worry that had suddenly washed over him was not evident in his expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll need to operate\u2026now,\u201d Paul stated firmly. \u201cI want all of you, except for Hop Sing, to wait downstairs\u2026please,\u201d he added after seeing the horrified expressions on the faces of the three Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI knew you\u2019d have to probe for that bullet\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to worry, Ben\u2026I\u2019ll let you know something the minute I\u2019m finished. I just want to do this while he\u2019s still unconscious\u2026less likely to hurt as much\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul gently ushered the men to the door and once they entered the hallway, he quickly closed it tightly. When he turned around, Hop Sing\u2019s dark almond eyes were watching him closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber three son\u2026not doing so well, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shook his head. \u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid not, Hop Sing. But with a little help from the man upstairs, maybe together, you and I can change that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing do whatever needed to help Lil\u2019l Joe\u2026\u201d Hop Sing lowered his head. It was no secret to the physician just how much the little oriental man loved his boss\u2019 number three son.
\n\u201cBen,\u201d began Roy, tapping his fingertips together. \u201cTell me what happened here tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned from the fireplace where he\u2019d been standing and faced the sheriff. \u201cDidn\u2019t Adam tell you?\u201d he asked in a gruff tone.<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s eyes widened slightly as he nodded his head. \u201cHe said someone broke into the house, you came downstairs, called out and the next thing any of you heard was a bullet ripping through the silence and then the sound of Joe falling down the stairs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you already know the story\u2026except that if I had just kept quiet, Joe wouldn\u2019t be suffering now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d Hoss said worriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you had anything to do with Joe getting hurt, Ben\u2026more so like his being in the wrong place at the wrong time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe so,\u201d growled Ben, \u201cbut I should have known better than to call out\u2026I should have known that an intruder would be armed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna be alright, Pa\u2026\u201d Adam said softly.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes became lumps of fiery coal as he spun around and glared at his eldest son. \u201cYou don\u2019t know that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and turned away to avoid the sharp retort that tickled the tip of his tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, any idea who the intruder might have been?\u201d Roy hurried to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I couldn\u2019t see a thing, it was too dark\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Adam\u2026what about either of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw\u2026like Pa said, it was too dark,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was behind everyone else, Roy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026was anything taken?\u201d the sheriff asked, looking around toward Ben\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

It was as if a light had come on in everyone\u2019s head. The three Cartwrights glanced first at each other and then toward Ben\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

Ben walked quickly to the area. \u201cEverything happened so quickly, Joe getting shot and all, I never took time to look,\u201d he told Roy.<\/p>\n

All the men gathered around the desk and waited as Ben searched the top, moving things around and then pulling out drawers, closing them and suddenly, spinning around to look down at the safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the intruder tried to open it,\u201d he said, squatting down in front of the iron box. His fingers moved slowly over the cool metal door, pulling gently at the handle. The door to the safe failed to open.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems he didn\u2019t have time to attempt to work out the combination,\u201d he said, standing up and facing the men. \u201cBut it\u2019s been tampered with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in there?\u201d the sheriff questioned. \u201cI mean, was there enough money to warrant a robbery attempt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe payroll,\u201d Hoss said quickly. \u201cThe miners and the crew at the lumber camps are due to be paid\u2026tomorrow,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2026how much money, exactly is in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral thousands of dollars, Roy\u2026do you want to see it?\u201d Ben responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t need to\u2026but I\u2019d feel better if\u2019n you\u2019d open it up and make sure the money\u2019s all there\u2026that is, if\u2019n ya don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind,\u201d Ben answered, already turning the dial. The other men in the room were standing over the senior Cartwright when Ben pulled the heavy door of the safe opened. They waited anxiously, swapping glances between them. Each one heard Ben gasp as Ben starred blankly into the empty box.<\/p>\n

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

Slowly, Ben rose and turned, holding the moneybox out to his son. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026empty!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d stammered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s impossible,\u201d Adam proclaimed, snatching the little metal box from his father\u2019s trembling fingers and glancing inside to see for himself whether his father was imagining things. \u201cDamn!\u201d he muttered, looking into the disbelieving eyes of his middle brother.
\n\u201cBullet in deep?\u201d Hop Sing asked as he stood over Little Joe\u2019s bed holding the lamp high in the air in order to give more light for the doctor to conduct his surgery.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery deeply, Hop Sing,\u201d Paul Martin stated, taking half a second to swipe his shirtsleeve across his sweaty brow. \u201cIt\u2019s been a very long time since I\u2019ve seen a bullet do this much damage. Hop Sing help me turn him over just a little. I\u2019m going to make an incision here, in his waistline and see if I can reach the bullet that way,\u201d Doc explained as he and Hop Sing turned Joe enough so that the physician could do what needed to be done in order to get the slug that threatened to claim the life of his best friend\u2019s youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to need more water and bandages,\u201d Paul stated in a solemn tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get\u2026be back quick\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing hurried down the stairs to the kitchen to heat more water and to fetch more clean bandages.<\/p>\n

The men waiting anxiously for news turned when the upstairs door shut. Ben was at the bottom of the stairs by the time his servant descended.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed more clean water and bandages,\u201d the little Chinese man stated as he attempted to pass.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait just a minute,\u201d Ben said, restraining his friend by placing a hand on Hop Sing\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHow is he\u2026what\u2019s taking so long\u2026did the doctor get the slug out\u2026answer me Hop Sing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam said softly, placing his own hand over his father\u2019s and gently removing the elder Cartwright\u2019s grasp on their old friend. \u201cHe needs to get the things the doctor wants\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLit\u2019tle Joe not awake. Doc dig for bullet but not have luck, he cut into Lit\u2019tle Joe\u2019s belly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The color drained from Ben\u2019s face and his dark eyes suddenly turned black. Fear was evident in every fine line of the worried father\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt alright, Mr. Cart\u2019lite\u2026Doctor Paul know best. You try not to worry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHOP SING!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI go now, doctor need me,\u201d Hop Sing explained as he trotted by and into the kitchen. Ben and the others watched silently as Hop Sing rushed back through the living room. This time, no one stopped him from returning to the sick room.
\nIt seemed like hours to those that waited anxiously, before the physician reappeared. Worried eyes and frightened expressions greeted Paul Martin as he descended the wide steps, stopping on the last one to face the most worried of all, the father, Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s resting right now,\u201d Paul explained right away. \u201cAnd he\u2019ll sleep for several hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be alright?\u201d Ben quizzed. \u201cDid he wake up at all\u2026has he asked for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben, he hasn\u2019t awakened, therefore, he\u2019s not asked for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019ll be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I won\u2019t lie\u2026that bullet was in deep\u2026and it wasn\u2019t easy to remove. I had to make an incision right about here, near his waist in order to probe for the bullet. I was lucky, here\u2019s the slug,\u201d he explained as he dropped the slug into Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cRight now, what he needs most is rest\u2026to give the body time to start healing it\u2019s self. I can\u2019t and I won\u2019t, make you promises I can\u2019t keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that suppose to mean?\u201d Adam said in a demanding tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that I\u2019ve done all I can, at this point leastways, now the rest is up to your brother.\u201d Paul turned to face Ben for the second time. \u201cHe\u2019s young and healthy Ben, and he\u2019s a fighter\u2026that\u2019s all in his favor. The most we have to fear right now is infection, so I\u2019ve instructed Hop Sing on how to care for the incision and the entry point and how to change the bandages and when. I\u2019ve left him some sleeping medicine and some pain killers\u2026in a few hours, when Little Joe wakes up enough to do so, we\u2019ll see what he can hold down as far as food is concerned,\u201d the kind family doctor explained.<\/p>\n

The sighs were loud, but each man knew within their hearts that the trusted doctor had done his best and would continue to do so until such a time that the youngest Cartwright\u2019s fate was determined.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go sit with him?\u201d Ben asked with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured you\u2019d want to,\u201d smiled Doc Martin. \u201cGo ahead, I\u2019ll feel better knowing that a family member is with him at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned and started up the steps but was halted by his old friend\u2019s hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2026don\u2019t blame yourself\u2026Little Joe wouldn\u2019t want you to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d sighed Ben. \u201cBut I can\u2019t help but think\u2026what if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t think like that. Things happen, accidents happen\u2026\u201d paused Paul. He smiled warmly. \u201cGo on Papa\u2026I know your heart\u2019s up there\u2026but take turns, let Hoss and Adam sit with Little Joe as well\u2026understand? I don\u2019t want another patient!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s smile was forced and his eyes failed to respond. His old friend, the physician, knew him all too well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will\u2026I promise!\u201d he said sternly and then hurried on his way.
\nBen watched from the upstairs bedroom window as his friend Tate Wills rode into the yard. He had completely forgotten that his neighbor had stopped by the very night of the break-in after meeting Adam on the road, to inquire about Joseph. He sighed, remembering the visit of three nights ago when Tate had approached him about a loan to pay back taxes and to make much needed improvements on his place. Ben had promised the man that after he had his crews and ranch hands paid, he\u2019d see what he could do to help out. Then the break-in and the mysterious disappearance of the money in the safe and most of all, the shooting of his youngest son, Ben had completely forgotten the promise. He assumed that Tate was here now, to inquire about both, Joe and the forgotten loan.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at his sleeping son and softly whispered to Hop Sing, who had just brought in some fresh water in which to bathe Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, we have a guest\u2026please stay with Joseph and I\u2019ll be back just as soon as I can,\u201d he muttered and then slipped quietly from the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Wills, come on in,\u201d Hoss greeted the elderly man. \u201cWhat brings ya out this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Wills, removing his hat and smiling friendly like, at Hoss. \u201cI just came to inquire about Little Joe\u2026and\u2026to speak with your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTate! Welcome,\u201d Ben greeted as he came down the steps and crossed the room, taking the older man\u2019s offered hand. They shook firmly. Tate noticed how tired and worried Ben appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ben. Ya lookin\u2019 mighty tired\u2026how\u2019s the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am tired, but\u2026I\u2019ll survive. Joe\u2019s resting, sleeping still. The doctor said he\u2019d sleep for several hours. Thanks for asking. Won\u2019t you have a seat? Hoss\u2026how about getting out the brandy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026no\u2026don\u2019t go to any trouble,\u201d Tate said, shaking his head. \u201cI can\u2019t stay but a minute or two\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense\u2026I need a drink\u2026and I\u2019ve never known you turn down a good brandy,\u201d grinned Ben. He turned to Hoss. \u201cPlease, son, the brandy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss quickly did as his father had asked and minutes later the three men were enjoying the fine liquor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026this sure is good tastin\u2019 Ben,\u201d commented Tate. \u201cSay, Ben\u2026any leads on who it was that broke into your house?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed what was in his mouth and set the little glass on the table. \u201cNo\u2026Roy\u2019s working on it though\u2026however, there isn\u2019t much to go on since we weren\u2019t able to provide him with much information,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s too bad. I\u2019m sorry to hear about your loss\u2026and your boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hadn\u2019t mention the fact that they\u2019d found the safe locked but the money gone. For now, until they could figure out just how the money came to be missing, he, Adam, Hoss and the sheriff had decided to keep the information quiet for awhile. He just nodded his head in agreement.<\/p>\n

Tate stood to his feet, reaching for his dusty hat he\u2019d tossed down beside him. His head was bent low and when he looked over at Ben, it was with downcast eyes. The old gentleman spoke lowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026um\u2026suppose that losing the money means ya can\u2019t\u2026um\u2026give me that little loan we talked about a few days back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hated for even his old friend to know for sure about the moneybox and the missing contents. Thoughts shot through his mind at a reckless pace, trying desperately to come up with an answer. After several awkward moments he straightened his back and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTate\u2026I\u2019ll tell you what I\u2019ll do, I\u2019ll have Adam ride into town in the morning and have a talk with Mr. Furrow at the bank and set something up for you. He can have some papers drawn up\u2026something that we can both agree on. You\u2019ll have your loan\u2026and be able to pay your taxes and have a little something left over to fix things up a bit. How\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate smiled broadly, obviously relieved. He stretched out his hand, offering it to Ben who took it. The men shook on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I could count on you, Ben\u2026you\u2019ll never know just how much this means me to\u2026though I\u2019m a bit disappointed that we couldn\u2019t work something out between the two of us\u2026you know\u2026a gentleman\u2019s agreement?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked down and sighed softly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Tate\u2026but for now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026that\u2019s alright Ben. I\u2026um\u2026expect to be coming into a goodly amount of money soon\u2026I can pay the loan off then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrows rose slightly and he stole a quick glance at Hoss. He hadn\u2019t heard that Tate Wills had any money coming to him. He was somewhat taken back.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026I\u2026didn\u2019t realize you had rich relatives?\u201d he stated somewhat off-handedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026well\u2026I have an aunt back in St. Louis\u2026she sent me a wire sometime back saying that my uncle wasn\u2019t in the best of health and that he wanted me to have something to remember him by. I gotta be honest, Ben, it couldn\u2019t have come at a better time\u2026ere\u2026not that I wanted my uncle to pass, understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sure\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, what with the back taxes coming due and the place falling down around me\u2026well\u2026you know\u2026you understand\u2026I\u2019ll pay you back just as soon as I can\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on the old man\u2019s shoulder and smiled down at him. \u201cDon\u2019t fret Tate\u2026I\u2019ll have Adam make the loan for 60 days\u2026will that give you enough time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u2026that\u2019ll be just fine and dandy. Well, Ben, I gotta be goin\u2019, I got to feed the stock and whatnot\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss walked their neighbor to the door and bid him good night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have Adam meet you first thing in the morning. You be careful on your way home, it\u2019s getting dark\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ben\u2026I will. You take care of that boy of yours\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Tate, we\u2019ll do our best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shut the door and turned towards the stairs, he was anxious to return to Joe\u2019s bedside. Hoss, who had been standing in front of the fire moved to speak with his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d he said, scratching his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son\u2026what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ya find it rather peculiar?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, looking a bit puzzled by the question, shrugged. \u201cFind what peculiar?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Wills\u2026well, not him, but the fact that he still had an uncle living\u2026I mean\u2026ere\u2026Tate\u2019s older than you, Pa\u2026how dang old do ya reckon his uncle is?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking even more puzzled, Ben shook his head. \u201cHoss\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026ninety maybe\u2026I really don\u2019t have time right now to ponder the fact, Joseph needs me,\u201d he said as he made his way up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed, shrugged his massive shoulders and returned to warming his backside in front of the fire. Minutes later the door opened and Adam entered. He instantly spied Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026how\u2019s the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026most likely will for sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose. Say, wasn\u2019t that Tate Wills I saw leaving a few minutes ago?\u201d Adam asked as he moved into the room and to the fireplace where he turned to warm his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026he came by to check on Little Joe. Adam\u2026did you know that ole Tate had an uncle\u2026probably ninety years old, that just died and left him a bundle of money?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his hands together and then turned his backside to the warmth of the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I suppose that\u2019s not unusual, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019 really\u2026just wonderin\u2019. Oh, by the way, Pa wants you to meet Tate at the bank in the mornin\u2019 and set up a loan for him\u2026just until his inheritance gets here. Pa said for about 60 days\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said he just inherited a bundle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did\u2026or so Tate says, but the loan\u2019s to pay the taxes and fix up his place\u2026just until the money get to him,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright\u2026I\u2019ll go up and talk to him about the amount\u2026and I want to see how Little Joe\u2019s doin\u2019\u2026you coming?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2026I wanna see how he\u2019s faring too.\u201d
\nIt was in the wee hours of the morning when Little Joe first began to stir, waking his father who sat slumped over in the over-sized chair by the bedside.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben said softly as he gently caressed the young man\u2019s face. \u201cCan you wake up, son\u2026your Pa\u2019s right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moaning lowly, Little Joe tried to respond to the familiar voice. His eyelids fluttered and finally the dazed man was able to open his eyes just enough so that he could make out his father\u2019s face looming before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe muttered in a voice that was obviously weak from both his condition and the medication.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son\u2026I\u2019m here,\u201d Ben said, smiling after hours of intense worry. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026hurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know son, but the doctor left some medication for the pain\u2026and something to help you rest,\u201d Ben hurried to explain, already mixing the pain powder in a glass of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026medicine\u2026need\u2026to\u2026tell you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026we\u2019ll talk later son, when you\u2019re better\u2026here take this,\u201d Ben said, gently lifting his son\u2019s head and putting the glass to Joe\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

The glass was practically knocked from Ben\u2019s hand by Joe\u2019s who tried to push his father away.<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joseph\u2026you need to take this first, we can talk later, now, please do as I say,\u201d Ben stressed that his son was so persistent.<\/p>\n

Unable to argue with his father, Joe allowed the glass to return to his lips and drank the bitter tasting formula. Ben carefully lowered Joe\u2019s head back down onto the pillow.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere, that\u2019s good\u2026now you can rest. The medicine won\u2019t take long, son; soon you\u2019ll feel more comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard the boy sigh. He watched Joe\u2019s face carefully and how already the medicine was making his son sleepy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026know\u2026\u201d the drowsy young man mumbled.<\/p>\n

Puzzled, Ben moved in closer in order to hear Joe\u2019s mumbled words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know\u2026what do you know, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was momentary pause before Joe answered, though his answer was so muted by the weariness of his voice, that his father was barely able to understand what was being said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2026I know\u2026who\u2026sho\u2026.\u201d Unable to finish the sentence, Joe\u2019s eyes closed and once more the young man was lost to a world of blackness where nothing mattered at all to him.<\/p>\n

Ben straightened up and stood quietly over the sleeping form and totally unaware that Adam had entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben jumped as if frightened and spun around.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Adam claimed. \u201cDidn\u2019t mean to spook you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026that\u2019s alright, I suppose I was deep in thought,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed. I heard you talking\u2026did Joe wake up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced back down at his sleeping son and then sat back down in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but only for a moment\u2026just long enough to take some painkiller.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam crept close to the bed and for several seconds, watched the changing expressions on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did say anything?\u201d he asked his father, turning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked him how he felt and he said he was hurting\u2026so I gave some of the medicine Paul had left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d Adam inquired, noting the troubled expression on the older man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Ben\u2019s eyes rested on Adam\u2019s face. \u201cNo\u2026he said he wanted to talk. I\u2019m afraid I didn\u2019t give him much of a chance\u2026now I kind of wish I had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2026what did he want to talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, Adam,\u201d Ben said, rising and walking across the room to peer out into the darkness of night. \u201cIt was hard to understand him, his voice is so weak\u2026but it sounded as if he was trying to tell me,\u201d Ben took a deep breath and turned around again, meeting Adam\u2019s intense gaze. \u201cI think he was trying to say that he knew who it was that\u2026and then he went out again and couldn\u2019t finish telling me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he knew who\u2026who what?\u201d growled Adam, not angry with his father, but angry at not knowing what it was that his kid brother was trying to tell them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it Adam, I don\u2019t know what he was trying to say! Like a fool, I wouldn\u2019t let him talk when he first woke up, when he was better able\u2026this is my fault\u2026again\u2026\u201d Ben grumbled in deep disgusted tone of voice.<\/p>\n

Ben was beside the bed again, fiddling with the hem of the blanket, straightening an already neat cover.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam said softly. \u201cHe\u2019ll wake up again in a little while\u2026you can ask him then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026if he can even remember what it was he was trying to tell me. He\u2019s so drugged up Adam\u2026his mind might even be playing tricks on him\u2026but\u2026what if\u2026what if he was trying to tell me who it was that was in the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely, Pa\u2026it was too dark\u2026I couldn\u2019t even make out who it was, Hoss said he didn\u2019t even see anyone and you said\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what I said!\u201d snapped Ben. \u201cBut what if??\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed deeply, feeling the frustration that emitted from his father. \u201cThen if that was so, we can do nothing right now, Pa but wait\u2026and\u2026when I go into town in the morning to meet Tate\u2026I\u2019ll let Roy in of the fact that maybe\u2026just maybe, Little Joe knows who the shooter was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben let the air expel from his lunges, taking in another gulp of air to refresh himself. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to snap at you\u2026but I just can\u2019t shake this burden of guilt I\u2019m feeling\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, Pa\u2026try not to be so hard on yourself\u2026no one, not even your youngest cub over there, blames you\u2026don\u2019t blame yourself,\u201d Adam said, trying to reassure his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasier said than done I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Ben answered.
\n\u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d Adam asked as he stood at the door donning his hat and then his gun belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026I guess I forgot to mention, he\u2019s gone over to Genoa to see about some mares that Gil Norton just got in\u2026he\u2019ll be back late this afternoon,\u201d Ben, who had taken a break from sitting with Joe in order to have breakfast with his eldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Adam said in a teasing voice, \u201cthere goes the stock line,\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Adam, your brother knows more about horses than any man I know,\u201d Ben argued in his middle son\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed. \u201cI know\u2026say, I won\u2019t be long in town. Do you need anything else other than to fix up that loan for Mr. Wills?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I can think of\u2026you might stop by and tell Doc Martin that Little Joe woke up last night\u2026oh, and see the sheriff about what we talked about last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, as soon as I meet Tate at the bank\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam opened the door and stepped into the morning light. The air was crispy, causing Ben to shiver slightly as he stood on the porch watching Adam cross the yard to the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget to get the mail, son,\u201d he reminded Adam as the younger man began to mount up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t. See you tonight, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a safe trip,\u201d Ben called out.
\nTate Wills wasn\u2019t hard to find. He was waiting for Adam just outside the bank. Adam had barely time enough to dismount when Tate approached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019 Adam,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026Adam\u2026ya don\u2019t have to fret none about that loan,\u201d stammered Tate, gazing off at something down the street.<\/p>\n

Adam stopped short of stepping onto the boardwalk and studied the older man.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Tate scratched his head, glancing sideways at Adam. \u201cI done got my money\u2026you know, the inheritance I was lookin\u2019 to git\u2026well, it already came in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam knew his surprise must have shown. The time when Tate had told his father about the upcoming inheritance and the time it took to arrive were somewhat surprising.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Gosh\u2026well, do you have enough\u2026not that it\u2019s any of my business, but do you have enough to cover your taxes and make the repairs to your place?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/p>\n

Tate\u2019s eyes beamed as he smiled broadly at Adam. \u201cYep\u2026I\u2019d say I do Adam. That and more, praise the Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate\u2019s excitement was infectious and Adam grinned. \u201cGood,\u201d he said, \u201cuse it wisely Mr. Wills\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh don\u2019t ya worry ya self none, boy. I aim on doin\u2019 things right, this time,\u201d the old gentleman boasted. \u201cTell ya pa I said thanks just the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, he\u2019ll be glad to hear the good news. Well, I need to go on down to the sheriff\u2019s office and have a little talk with him,\u201d Adam explained as he untied Sport\u2019s reins from the hitching post and began walking down the street, leading his mount.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind if\u2019n I tag along?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, suit yourself,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

The men walked side by side, chatting until they reached the sheriff\u2019s office. Roy was just coming from his office and almost collided with the pair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam, Tate\u2026I didn\u2019t see ya! How ya doing?\u201d Roy said, greeting the men with a friendly smile and handshake.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, thanks,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d chirped Tate.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay Roy, Pa asked me to drop by and see you\u2026he wanted you to know, Little Joe woke up around three this morning and tried to tell us something,\u201d began, unaware that Tate had moved a wee bit closer so that he could hear what was being said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo kiddin\u2019? What was it that Joe was tryin\u2019 to tell your father?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

Another man joined them on the boardwalk just as Adam began to tell the sheriff what they suspected Joe of trying to tell them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019 Adam, Roy\u2026Tate. Say, how\u2019s your brother, Adam?\u201d Silas Martin, a neighbor of the Cartwright\u2019s asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Mr. Martin. Little Joe\u2019s doing a bit better\u2026thanks for asking,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it ya was it you were about to tell me?\u201d Roy asked, slightly put out about the interruption.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s just it Roy, Pa\u2019s not real sure, but he believes that Joe was trying to tell him who it was that had shot him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa mean he seen who done it?\u201d Roy asked, shocked by the information.<\/p>\n

The two older men, Tate Wills and Silas Martin, swapped bewildered looks as they leaned in closer in order to hear better.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what Pa can make of it, Joe said, \u2018I know who\u2026\u2019and then he fell back asleep. Pa\u2019s almost certain Joe was trying to tell him that he knew who was in the house,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cPa just wanted you to know\u2026we\u2019ll keep you posted, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great Adam, if Joe actually saw the shooter, it certainly would make my job easier. It\u2019s hard tryin\u2019 to track down an intruder when no one has a clue who might have done it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine\u2026but hey, I need to be going, Pa wanted me to stop by the doc\u2019s office and tell him Joe\u2019s been trying to wake up and\u2026oh yeah\u2026I need to stop by and get the mail. You take it easy, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will and\u2026tell your Pa, I\u2019ll try to get by later today\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

When Adam turned around, Tate and Silas both had left. He looked up and down the street but the elderly men was nowhere to be seen.
\nThe gnawing in the pit of his stomach caused the big man to inhale sharply. His massive hand rubbed across the center of his belly as he glanced up at the sun to check the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m dang near starved to death,\u201d he muttered to himself.<\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright paused briefly and glanced up the street, opposite from where he\u2019d just finished his business with Gil Norton. The mares he\u2019d been looking to buy would be delivered by the end of the week. Meanwhile, Hoss had grown hungry and had decided to stop off in town on his way home to fill the emptiness in his gut. He had a certain place he was looking for and since Genoa wasn\u2019t a big place, it was only minutes before he found himself seated in a comfortable spot in the Laid Back Caf\u00e9 just off the main street.<\/p>\n

Hoss had only seconds to wait before a friendly but older woman greeted him and asked for his order.<\/p>\n

\u201cA beef steak and potatoes\u2026and some of these fresh carrots\u2026and I\u2019ll have a piece\u2026no\u2026two pieces of that apple pie, like that fellow over there\u2019s havin\u2019\u2026please, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said, smiling up at the lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlrighty\u2026it\u2019ll be right out,\u201d the waitress replied, returning the friendly man\u2019s smile.<\/p>\n

True to her word, it was just minutes before the lady returned and placed his meal on the table before him. \u201cIs there anything else I can get for you?\u201d she asked politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d mumbled Hoss, his mouth already full.<\/p>\n

The lady smiled in return. \u201cThen I\u2019ll check back with you in a few minutes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026wait\u2026\u201d Hoss said, swallowing what was in his mouth at the same moment.<\/p>\n

The waitress paused, waiting. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo ya happen to know a lady\u2026well, I mean\u2026a friend of mine is\u2026oh, shoot\u2026what I\u2019m tryin\u2019 to say is\u2026is there a lady by the name of Emma Sue Rawlins\u2019 that works here?\u201d Hoss finally managed to ask.<\/p>\n

The waitress seemed a bit surprised as she eyed the giant of a man, but she smiled just the same. \u201cI\u2019m Emma Sue\u2026why\u2026am I suppose to know you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hoss said, shaking his head. \u201cWell, I mean\u2026not personally\u2026but ya know a friend of mine\u2026\u201dhe stated, his merry blue eyes twinkling mischievously.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and who might that be?\u201d Emma Sue asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss almost blushed. He remembered that Tate\u2019s courtship with this woman was supposed to be a secret and he suddenly was hesitant.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026a friend of mine\u2026over in Virginia City\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma\u2019s blue eyes widened even further. She appeared to be thinking for she barely knew anyone from Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cTate Wills\u2026\u201d Hoss said quietly. He noted the furrows that suddenly appeared in the woman\u2019s brow. Unsure what to say, Hoss began muttering lowly. \u201cI know, ma\u2019am\u2026Tate said it was sort of a secret\u2026you and him\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to embarrass you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmbarrass me?\u201d Emma Sue proclaimed in a voice that seemed loud to Hoss. \u201cMy goodness boy, you\u2019re not embarrassing me\u2026I\u2019m just trying to figure out who the blazes is Tate Wills!\u201d she laughed. \u201cI ain\u2019t never had myself a secret admirer before, just wait until Sam hears about this!\u201d she laughed as she turned to go.<\/p>\n

Puzzled, Hoss reached out and touched Emma\u2019s arm. \u201cWait a minute,\u201d he said politely. \u201cWho is Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma Sue, her hands on her hips turned to face Hoss. He noted the merriment in the lady\u2019s dancing eyes. \u201cSam is\u2026my husband\u2026and I don\u2019t know no Tate Wills\u2026never heard of the fellow!\u201d she proclaimed as she hurried back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Stunned and not knowing what else to say, Hoss quickly finished his supper, anxious to return home\u2026where things were more normal, or so he thought to himself.
\nAdam stopped at the post office, waiting for the man in front of him at the little window, to finish his business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell howdy, Adam,\u201d Pete, the postmaster, greeted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pete\u2026I\u2019m here for the mail,\u201d Adam said, smiling at the man behind the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t run yet, Adam\u2026sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Adam, taken off guard by the comment, could only gaze at the man in wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry\u2026but the stage\u2019s late coming in. Just got a wire about half an hour ago saying it won\u2019t be in until this evening. You expecting something special\u2026I could have a messenger bring it out to the Ponderosa later tonight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026no\u2026nothing in particular\u2026just the regular mail. Don\u2019t trouble yourself, Pete, someone will be in tomorrow to get it,\u201d Adam said as he turned to go.
\n\u201cI just don\u2019t understand why he lied about it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then, the door opened and Adam appeared. \u201cWho lied\u2026and about what?\u201d he asked of his father and middle brother who were both standing in the center of the living room.<\/p>\n

Removing his hat and then his gun belt, Adam quickly joined the pair. \u201cWell\u2026who lied?\u201d he asked a second time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss here thinks Tate Wills lied to him about having a\u2026sweetheart over in Genoa,\u201d chuckled Ben, glancing sideways to check Hoss\u2019 reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no thinkin\u2019 to it, Pa,\u201d Hoss said defensively. \u201cTate told me plain that he was courtin\u2019\u2026Miss Emma Sue Rawlins\u2026\u2019ceptin\u2019 she ain\u2019t Miss, she\u2019s Mrs\u2026married she said\u2026to a man named Sam Rawlins!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you probably misunderstood, Hoss,\u201d Ben said. He took a sip of coffee from the cup he held in his hand. \u201cI need to check on Little Joe,\u201d he said, moving towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so sure about that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Ben and Hoss paused and turned to look at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s come?\u201d Hoss inquired, curious.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026to be honest with you\u2026I think I caught Tate Wills in a lie as well,\u201d Adam explained, sitting himself down on the edge of the wide wooden table that sat in front of the massive fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Adam\u201d Ben, also curious as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs it were,\u201d began Adam. \u201cI met Tate this morning at the bank like you asked me to do\u2026and he informed me that he no longer needed the money\u2026the loan\u2026in order to pay his taxes and fix his place up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally\u2026why?\u201d Ben wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you remember he mentioned that he was inheriting a large sum of money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I recall him saying something along that line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTate said the money came in\u2026just that morning. So I didn\u2019t have to make him the loan,\u201d explained Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he lied about that? Why would he do that?\u201d Hoss puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say he lied about that,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen just actually, what are you saying?\u201d Ben wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m saying, Tate claimed his inheritance had just come in that morning but when I went by to pick up the mail, Pete told me that the stage hadn\u2019t come in\u2026and\u2026that it was late, and wouldn\u2019t come in until this evening\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Tate lied about\u2026I don\u2019t understand, Adam\u2026just what did Tate lie about?\u201d Hoss quizzed.<\/p>\n

The air in Adam\u2019s lungs expelled. \u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d he growled. \u201cNot exactly\u2026I mean\u2026he claimed to have received his money\u2026but how\u2026if the mail hadn\u2019t even arrived? We knew\u2026just last night\u2026that he was expecting his inheritance\u2026how\u2019d he get it so soon without\u2026the mail even running? Who gave him the money?\u201d<\/p>\n

The thought even made Ben\u2019s brow wrinkle with wonderment. Adam glanced back and forth between his father and his brother, watching both as they puzzled through the disturbing thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam\u2026\u201d he said softly as he turned to climb the stairs. \u201cI certainly have never known Tate Wills to lie before\u2026I don\u2019t understand why he would be doing so now. But it\u2019s not any of our business\u2026I need to see about your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

A moment later, Ben was gone from sight. Adam and Hoss heard the upstairs bedroom door close and knew that it would be several hours before either of them would see their father again, unless they too visited the sick room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d Adam asked after a brief silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still sleeping. Doc came by and gave him some more medicine and checked the wound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI went by to see him while I was in town, but he wasn\u2019t there. Guess he was here instead,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cWhat did he say about the wound?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc said that it seems to be getting a little infected, which of course is worrying Pa some,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound good,\u201d Adam said, concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc put some medicine on it and said he thought maybe they found it soon enough\u2026why\u2019d ya reckon Tate Wills lied to us, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked suddenly.<\/p>\n

Adam watched the worried expression that crossed his brother\u2019s face and shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026I\u2019m just wondering though, where\u2019d the old man get that much money?\u201d Adam said more to himself than to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t rightly say,\u201d Hoss responded, \u201cbut it does sound strange\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Adam, agreeing. \u201cHow\u2019d he get the money when the mail hadn\u2019t even come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

For several long moments, the two young men were lost in their own private thoughts. At last, Adam stood and stretched.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026don\u2019t suppose\u2026naw\u2026never mind,\u201d Hoss grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose what, Hoss\u2026that Tate had anything to do with the missing payroll?\u201d Adam said firmly. He watched as Hoss rose slowly from the hearth and met his gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d ya\u2026know I was\u2026goin\u2019 ask ya that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know\u2026I was wondering the same thing,\u201d Adam Cartwright answered.<\/p>\n

There was another long pause and then Hoss spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa\u2026reckon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head at the same time he shrugged his shoulders. \u201cI\u2026can\u2019t imagine how he\u2019d pull it off\u2026or\u2026when. It certainly wasn\u2019t the night the intruder was here\u2026the money was already gone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 blue eyes rounded in enormous blue lakes. His voice was low, almost a whisper when he spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr was it?\u201d
\nDozing lightly in his chair near the bed, Ben was awakened by a soft voice calling out to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026I\u2019m here, son,\u201d he said in a low voice. \u201cWelcome back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben noted how pale and drawn his son\u2019s face appeared and how the dark circles beneath the eyes made the boy\u2019s expression even more pallid. When Joe\u2019s hand extended upward, searching for a familiar touch, Ben was quick to grasp hold with both of his larger hands. Joe\u2019s palms were damp with moisture.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I need\u2026to\u2026tell you\u2026\u201d Joe muttered weakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026it can wait, you need to rest\u2026you\u2019re so very weak\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I\u2019m\u2026fine\u2026really Pa\u2026I know who\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPA! PA! Come down here\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s tone sounded urgent as he stood at the bottom of the steps and called out.<\/p>\n

Sighing and torn between the urgency downstairs and the need for Joseph to tell him what was on his mind, Ben gently placed Joe\u2019s hand on the cover and patted it tenderly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I\u2019ll be right back son\u2026\u201d he said as he walked backwards toward the bedroom door, his eyes never leaving the haggard face.<\/p>\n

Joe inhaled deeply. \u201cBut\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d he said though it came out only as a muted whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back, I promise,\u201d Ben said as he disappeared through the doorway and into the hall.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed heavily as he struggled to push back the heavy quilts and sling his legs over the side of the bed. His head felt light for a moment and he was forced to remain perched on the edge of mattress to give his head time to stop spinning. Downstairs he could hear voices. His father\u2019s deep voice could be heard over the others though Joe was unable to make out what was being said. Struggling to push himself up from the bed, Joe staggered towards the door, grasping the chair and then the table to brace himself against falling. By the time he was able to pull open the heavy door, the voices below had stopped. From the partially opened window, Joe knew that whomever had come calling was now standing outside with his father and brothers finishing their conversation. As a wave of nausea washed over him, Joe suddenly regretted his weak attempt at getting out of bed. He inhaled deeply, trying to ward off the sick feeling gathering in the pit of his stomach and began inching his way back to his bed. Once back beside the bed, he all but fell into the soft folds of the mattress, leaving the blankets dangling over the edge. With sweat dotting his brow, Joe closed his eyes, took another deep breath and succumbed to the drowsiness that overtook him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why Roy needs all three of us to come into town,\u201d Ben grumbled, unwilling to leave Joe alone for such a long period of time.<\/p>\n

Silas Martin shrugged his shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t know Mr. Cartwright, \u2018ceptin\u2019 he asked me to fetch you and your boys for\u2019em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d stammered Ben, glancing toward the upstairs window that was Joe\u2019s. \u201cI\u2026can\u2019t leave my son alone\u2026he\u2019s been wounded and\u2026and, our housekeeper\u2019s already in town helping out a cousin\u2026he left earlier today\u2026so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright, Mr. Cartwright\u2026I\u2019ll stay with the boy until you get back. Won\u2019t be no problem\u2026\u201d Silas explained.<\/p>\n

Ben seemed hesitant as he shook his head. \u201cI\u2026just don\u2019t know\u2026Joe was about to tell me something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can keep, Pa\u2026Roy\u2019s probably found out who broke into the house and stole\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHOSS!\u201d barked Ben. He gave the boy a stern look, telling Hoss he\u2019d said enough in front of their neighbor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Hoss muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just ride into town and see what Roy needs. Silas here has offered to stay with Joe\u2026he\u2019ll probably be sleeping anyways,\u201d Adam suggested as he placed a quieting hand atop his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips were pressed tightly together, making them to appear thinner than what they actually were. \u201cI suppose it would be alright,\u201d Ben said half-heartedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll saddle the horses,\u201d Hoss rushed on to say, already turning towards the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you in,\u201d Ben said to the messenger as he led the way into the house. \u201cHe\u2019s upstairs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Silas followed Ben up the stairs and into the room. Ben went straight to the bedside. It was evident that Joe had tried to get out of bed and for a moment Ben almost changed his mind about going into town.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s sleepin\u2019 like a baby,\u201d Silas said softly as he watched Ben straighten Joe\u2019s legs out and then pull the blankets up and over the sleeping boy.<\/p>\n

Tenderly, Ben brushed back a stray lock of chestnut curls that had fallen onto Joe\u2019s brow. \u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t get out of this bed,\u201d Ben said, straightening himself but never allowing his eyes to wander from his son\u2019s face. \u201cHe\u2019ll probably sleep the entire time, just as Adam said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry yourself none, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ll stay right here with\u2019em and make sure he don\u2019t do nuthin\u2019 he ain\u2019t suppose to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at the man with a twinge of doubt but turned without another word and left the room. Silas made himself comfortable in the chair that remained beside the bed and watched the sleeping boy. An uneasy feeling gnawed at Ben\u2019s gut. He wasn\u2019t quite sure what it was that made him feel that way. As he mounted his horse, Ben turned again to glance up at the front window. Against the darkness of the night and the light that burned within the room, he could see the silhouette of his guest, Silas Martin and knew the man was moving about the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou comin\u2019 Pa?\u201d Hoss called out.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed heavily, trying to shake the uneasy feeling. He wheeled his horse around and following his two sons, the trio headed for town.
\nThe lone figure of a man knocked on the heavy wooden door. With his rapping, the door opened slightly, for it had not been shut tightly. The man allowed himself to step just within the entry, calling out softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello? Mr. Cartwright?\u201d He waited for an answer but receiving none, inched deeper into the room. The room was empty, seemingly sounding hollow as he walked across the wooden floor towards the stairs. There he stopped, resting his hand on top of the post.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026are you up there?\u201d With no answer coming down to him, he eased his way up the steps, taking them slowly, one at a time. About halfway up, one of the steps squeaked. He paused, almost frozen to the spot. Something wasn\u2019t right. His heart suddenly began to beat wildly, a sense of dread mingled with a dull feeling of doom. He inhaled deeply, death filled his nostrils, causing him to rush ahead toward the first door on the right, the one he knew to be Little Joe\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n

With a sudden rush of force, he shoved the door opened, stopping dead in his tracks. His mouth flew opened, but no words came out though he felt as if he were screaming, but in truth, he\u2019d been stunned into silence by what he was seeing.<\/p>\n

On the bed, where Little Joe Cartwright was suppose to be, a man dressed in dark clothing appeared to be straddling the middle of the bed. The man on the bed turned and glared at him, evil and wickedly the man\u2019s eyes seemed to bore right through him. Tate felt a cold chill of fear race through his entire body, causing him to shiver slightly. The man appeared to be struggling with what was supposed to be Little Joe\u2019s pillow, pushing it deeply into the mattress at the head of the bed.<\/p>\n

A muted groan sounded from beneath the pillow, jarring Tate from his stupor. \u201cWhat the hell\u2019s goin\u2019 on here! Where\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d he demanded of the man as he hurried forward to the bed. His eyes opened wide, startled to see his old friend, his neighbor\u2026<\/p>\n

A grunt and then an arm, fraying loose from beneath the blankets brought a dash or realization to the situation. Tate Wills in that moment knew that this man\u2026his friend and neighbor not only to himself, but to the Cartwrights as well\u2026was trying to\u2026to\u2026murder Joe Cartwright!<\/p>\n

Tate sprung into action, throwing his body onto the back of\u2026the man attempting to kill the youngest Cartwright. Tate put the man into a headlock and pulled back, struggling to wrench the man, whom he now realized was straddling the entrapped body of Ben\u2019s youngest son, beneath the blankets that held him prisoner.<\/p>\n

\u201cLET GO! YOU\u2019RE KILLIN\u2019 HIM\u2026YOU DAMN FOOL\u2026.\u201d Bellowed Tate as he twisted and pulled on the man until at last the man lost his grip and turned his wrath on the man behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI GOTTA KILL\u2019EM, YA IDIOT!\u201d shouted the would-be murder. He felt Tate\u2019s arm lessen the hold on his neck and he took advantage of the opportunity to ball up his fist and punch Tate square on the chin.<\/p>\n

Startled by the blow, Tate\u2019s body fell backward causing him to fall from the bed. Joe, gasping deeply for air to fill his starving lungs, tried to push the intruder from the bed, but in his weaken state his effort was futile. The man, still intending to kill the boy, slugged Joe hard on the left side of his face. Joe groaned as his upper body fell back against the pillows.<\/p>\n

But he was just conscious enough to see the man grab the other pillow and start downward towards his face. Joe\u2019s right arm flew upward, warding off the man\u2019s attempt while his left fist made a weakened attempt at punching the man\u2019s chin. The sound of the man\u2019s laughter as he knocked Joe\u2019s arm away, left Joe with a sudden dread that this would be the night he died. Unable to free himself from his blankets and having no more strength to fight the man, the thought raced through his head that his father would, in all probability, blame himself for this, his son\u2019s dead, as well as blaming himself for Joe\u2019s getting shot. Joe could not allow that to happen. He moaned as a wall of pain from his injury attempted to devour his body, pushed himself upward and tried to shove the pillow away. For a brief moment, it appeared that he might be successful, but then his strength, which was nothing, evaporated into thin air. The man, pushing downward, was forcing Joe back into down onto the bed, the back of his head pressed into the other pillow\u2026<\/p>\n

It was growing dark\u2026all light had vanished\u2026was his eyes opened or closed? He really couldn\u2019t tell. He couldn\u2019t breath either. His head hurt\u2026there was ringing in his ears. His lungs burned, his chest ached. He could feel himself slipping away\u2026further\u2026further\u2026 Off in the distance, he could hear voices\u2026soft voices, muted, like whispering\u2026Oh God\u2026when will the pain cease? Suddenly, Joe was able to open his eyes\u2026but something wasn\u2019t right\u2026WHAT?? He saw his bed\u2026and the two men, one bending over his prone body, pushing heavily on the pillow that Joe knew covered his face. And the second man\u2026who was that\u2026oh\u2026that was Tate Wills\u2026what was he doing? He\u2019s struggling with\u2026with\u2026NO\u2026that couldn\u2019t be\u2026but it was\u2026and he was trying to\u2026kill him. No\u2026wait, I\u2019m already dead\u2026I\u2019m\u2026floating\u2026NO\u2026NO\u2026I can\u2019t be dead\u2026poor Pa\u2026PA! PA! HELP ME!! I DON\u2019T WANT TO DIE\u2026.NOT LIKE THIS\u2026NOT WITH YOU BLAMING YOURSELF\u2026.PA! ADAM\u2026HOSS\u2026SOMEONE\u2026HELP ME!!
\n\u201cWhat in blazes!\u201d stormed Ben as he rushed into the room, shocked at what he was seeing. Behind him, Adam and Hoss thundered into the room as well. Ben had convinced his sons that something wasn\u2019t right. He\u2019d had a gut feeling that had churned in his stomach that he should not have left Joe alone with their neighbor and thus had returned to the ranch, and apparently just in the nick of time, or was he?<\/p>\n

Adam moved swiftly, grabbing Tate from the bed and flinging him to the floor. Hoss was on the second man and roughly jerked him from the middle of the bed, spinning the man around to face him and then delivering a solid blow to the man\u2019s upper jaw. The man was knocked across the room, Hoss close behind, grabbing him up from the floor and with a fist of steel ready to strike, froze in mid act as the sound of his father\u2019s deep voice blared loudly\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH! DEAR GOD, JOE\u2026COME BACK TO ME\u2026TO US\u2026YOU CAN\u2019T DIE\u2026NOT LIKE THIS\u2026PLEASE SON\u2026COME BACK!\u201d<\/p>\n

Over head where he floated, Joe watched the entire event take place, Adam\u2019s removal of Tate\u2026did his brother actually think that it was Tate who was trying to kill him? And Hoss grabbing\u2026the man, I can\u2019t believe that\u2026and slinging the man across the room as easily as if he\u2019d been a scrape of garbage. But it was the sound of his father\u2019s voice, sopping, pleading, beseeching of him, not to die\u2026to come back to him\u2026 The sound of his father\u2019s wailing tore at the core of his heart. How could he deny the man\u2026the man who had given him life? But here, in the place of in-between, where the light was warm and inviting, he felt no pain, no misery\u2026he could breathe freely, his chest didn\u2019t hurt; his lungs had stopped burning, even the pain in his side from the bullet wound had stopped hurting\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026please\u2026I\u2026I\u2026can\u2019t bear to lose you\u2026\u201d Ben\u2019s head was bent low near the boy\u2019s as his work-worn hands gently stroked his son\u2019s ashen face. \u201cI love you, Joseph, I\u2026need you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe felt the tug on his heart. He glanced upward. The bright light was beginning to fade. From far away, a soft, tender voice whispered to him\u2026 \u2018Go back to thy father, he needs you\u2026I can wait\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes and when he opened them again, he was back\u2026back from where ever he\u2019d gone and the face that loomed before him now was that of his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he murmured lowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?? Joe\u2026\u201d Ben\u2019s lips parted into a wide smile of pleasure and joy. \u201cYou\u2019re back!!\u201d he wept as he brushed the back of his hand gently across Joe\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

The boy forced a smile for his father. \u201cHe was\u2026trying to\u2026kill me\u2026\u201d Joe claimed in a weak voice. \u201cWith\u2026my pillow\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son\u2026your brother\u2019s stop them both.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard and slowly moved his head back and forth. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright, son\u2026it\u2019s over now and I\u2019m here. Adam and Hoss are taking those two into town, to Roy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Joe moved his head back and forth. He was so tired; the effort drained him completely after all he\u2019d just been through.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not\u2026Tate\u2026\u201d he muttered. \u201cHe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026it\u2019s alright son, we saw what was happening\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPA,\u201d Joe said in a gargling voice that stopped his father\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Joe\u2026what are you trying to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTate\u2026he\u2026was\u2026trying to\u2026save my\u2026life\u2026not kill\u2026me\u2026\u201d The air rushed from Joe\u2019s lungs as his eyes slowly began to close. \u201cIf\u2026he\u2026hadn\u2019t\u2026been\u2026here\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply, just as deeply as his thoughts formed in his mind. So, from what Joe was claiming, Tate Wills wasn\u2019t about to kill his son\u2026but stop\u2026a murder. But\u2026for what reason would\u2026someone want Joe dead? None of it made any sense to him. Quickly, Ben went to the bedroom window and pushed it opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cADAM\u2026Wait a minute,\u201d he called just as Adam and Hoss were about to leave the yard. \u201cI\u2019ll be right down\u2026\u201d Shutting the window and turning to Joe, he quickly pulled the blankets up around the sleeping young man and then hurried downstairs.<\/p>\n

Outside, Hoss and Adam were waiting with their prisoners. Both men had their hands tied together and then to the saddle horn of their saddles to prevent either of them from making an escape.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI have some questions first,\u201d he said as he walked up to Tate\u2019s horse. \u201cJoe said you were trying to\u2026save his life?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate, frightened nearly out of his mind, nodded his head instantly. \u201cYessir Mr. Cartwright\u2026why, I wouldn\u2019t hurt that boy for nuthin\u2019. I stopped by this evenin\u2019 to see how the boy was doin\u2019 but when I knocked on ya door, no one answered. I just let myself in\u2026I know it t\u2019weren\u2019t right, but I thought maybe ya was upstairs tending the lad. So I called out for ya, but ya didn\u2019t answer, so I just\u2026I just went on up to see for myself\u2026that\u2019s when I saw\u2026him\u2026in the middle of the bed, shovin\u2019 that pilla down on ya boy\u2019s face. All I done was to pull\u2019em off\u2026or\u2026I mean, I didn\u2019t do such a good job, but I tried. I t\u2019weren\u2019t about to let him kill ya son, Mr. Cartwright\u2026\u2019specially after how good ya been to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026that\u2019s what Joe said\u2026that you were trying to help him\u2026I appreciate that\u2026but just the same, I\u2019m sending you on into town with Adam and Hoss\u2026you can tell your story to the sheriff\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate nodded his head. \u201cYessir\u2026I understand, Mr. Cartwright\u2026honest\u2026I do, I\u2019d probably feel the same way as ya do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved to the other man\u2019s horse and stopped. His dark eyes grew dark with embedded anger at the man who refused to look down at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you have to say for yourself?\u201d he asked the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t sayin\u2019 nuthin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gently pushed his father aside as he reached up and grabbed the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father asked you a question, now if\u2019n ya don\u2019t want to eat my fist, I suggest ya show a little respect\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss could feel the shivers course through the man\u2019s body and saw the sudden fear that shown in his troubled eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, alright\u2026I admit it\u2026I was tryin\u2019 to kill the kid\u2026and with good reason!\u201d snarled the frightened man.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why\u2026what reason would you have to harm my son? What\u2019s he ever done to you?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cCause\u2026he\u2019s\u2026a\u2026Cartwright\u2026and I hate Cartwrights,\u201d the man grumbled, giving each of the three standing Cartwrights a look that bespoke loudly of his hatred toward them. \u201cYa Cartwrights always did think ya was better the rest of us folks\u2026rich sons-of-bitches\u2026the lot of you. Always braggin\u2019 about ya got and what we ain\u2019t got\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d proclaimed Hoss in defense of his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet the man talk, Hoss,\u201d Adam said as he stepped up to his captive. \u201cSo you hate us\u2026that\u2019s not reason enough to want to kill us, especially a nineteen year old boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s lips twisted into a snarl. \u201cEspecially the boy\u2026cause he\u2019s high and mighty\u2026talkin\u2019 down to me like I was nuthin\u2019 more\u2019n white trash\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? When did Joseph ever talk down to you? Why\u2026you\u2019ve know the boy almost his entire life. Joe\u2019s worked for you\u2026helping you fix your place up\u2026he\u2019s friends with your sons\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe refused me a loan\u2026said I wasn\u2019t a good risk\u2026said he needed collateral or somethin\u2019 like that\u2026said I couldn\u2019t have no money\u2026and he knew plenty well that the bank had already refused me\u2026so, I snuck into the house that night\u2026cause I was gonna steal the money\u2026I needed it bad like, Ben\u2026but then someone heard me and then someone shouted and the gun went off\u2026I\u2026I didn\u2019t mean no harm\u2026not then\u2026I just wanted that payroll ya always kept in ya safe this time of month\u2026t\u2019weren\u2019t no secret\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCause\u2026I knew he seen me\u2026the boy I mean\u2026he seen me\u2026he knew who it was that shot him\u2026and\u2026and\u2026I was afraid to go to jail\u2026so\u2026I reckon all this hate built up in me and then I seen Adam in town yesterday and heard\u2019em tell the sheriff that ya boy was tryin\u2019 to tell ya who it was that shot him\u2026so\u2026I\u2026I had to kill him. And I would have too\u2026if\u2019n this low down, sorry ass no account hadn\u2019t burst in on me like he had!\u201d snarled the man.<\/p>\n

Anger over the cruel and careless works of a man so deranged by his own hatred burned in Ben\u2019s veins. He\u2019d like nothing better than to pull the old man down from the horse he rode and beat him within an inch of life. He had almost succeeded in doing what he\u2019d set out to do\u2026and for what, a few dollars, dollars that wasn\u2019t even in the safe at the time of the attempted robbery, which brought up other questions, where was the money and who had really taken it? Where was it now if this man hadn\u2019t stolen it, or\u2026had he?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about the money\u2026the money that is missing from my safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man looked away, refusing to meet the dark, angry eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talkin\u2019 about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLiar!\u201d growled Hoss, moving again towards the man.<\/p>\n

The man glanced down at the giant of a man and gulped. \u201cI don\u2019t\u2026if\u2019n I did know about it, or had it on me, I\u2019d sure not be here wastin\u2019 my time tryin\u2019 to kill a fool ass boy! Now, I wanna talk to the sheriff\u2026can we just go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss backed away and glanced over at his father who was studying his neighbor\u2019s face. He turned to Hoss and Adam and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Roy I\u2019ll be in, in the morning to discuss this with him,\u201d he ordered as he turned to go. Disgusted with the turn of events, the sense of betrayal by a supposed friend, the guilt of having been the cause of getting his youngest son injured and now the added pressure of his son\u2019s life having been endangered by this manic of a man was more than Ben could bear. Without another word, he returned to his son\u2019s bedside where he remained until early the next morning when he was awakened by the brush of hand on his.
\n\u201cPa\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes opened and suddenly he smiled. Joe was watching him closely, his smaller hand resting atop the older hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, good morning\u2026how are you feeling?\u201d Ben asked, covering Joe\u2019s hand with his other.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter\u2026at least I think I am,\u201d the young man said, offering a return smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood\u2026I\u2019m glad, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026about last night,\u201d Joe said hesitantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTate\u2026Pa he really wasn\u2019t trying to kill me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know son, he explained last night what was happening\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe squinted his eyes as if he were forcing himself to remember something.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d Ben asked. He scooted the chair closer to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething happened last night\u2026I\u2019m not sure I can explain it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you try?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was sleeping\u2026and then I was awakened, but\u2026I couldn\u2019t see anything and\u2026I couldn\u2019t move. I felt trapped, but\u2026worse\u2026I couldn\u2019t breathe but I didn\u2019t know why. I tried to struggle, but something was on top of me and I couldn\u2019t break free.\u201d Joe took a deep breath and continued. \u201cI felt myself slipping away\u2026I mean, I knew\u2026I knew I was dying\u2026smothering to dead\u2026 And then\u2026\u201d he gulped. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do anything about it and then suddenly, I was\u2026I know this might sound crazy to you, but\u2026I was floating\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe heard his father grasp. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I was floating\u2026I could see myself in the bed; I had stopped struggling\u2026but I could breathe again and all my pain was gone. I wasn\u2019t really afraid\u2026but I was confused about what was happening to me. I could see just as plainly as I\u2019m seeing you, I could see Tate fighting with\u2026Pa\u2026I don\u2019t understand this part. Why\u2026why would HE\u2026a man I\u2019ve known nearly all my life\u2026want to kill me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s a long story, but the short of it is, he was jealous, envious and greedy. He wanted money and we wouldn\u2019t give it to him. So, he decided to take it\u2026but the money wasn\u2019t there, it was already gone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d Ben paused, suddenly aware of what Joe had just said. He eyed the boy closely. \u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what?\u201d Ben was getting a bit confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat the money wasn\u2019t there\u2026in the safe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how? How could you know, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe almost laughed at the shocked expression on his father\u2019s face. \u201cI moved it\u2026I took it out of the safe after Silas Martin stopped by that night and begged me for money. When I told him no, he got mad\u2026really mad and stormed out of the house yelling at me that I\u2019d live to regret it\u2026so, I took the money out of the safe and hid it\u2026oh, by the way, it\u2019s in your room in that secret little box you keep tucked under the quilts in your wardrobe. Anyway, I was going to tell you about it when you got home that night, but you were so late coming in, that I went on to bed. I was going to tell you in the morning, but then\u2026well, everything else started happening and I didn\u2019t get the chance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes suddenly lightened and be began laughing. \u201cWhy you little scamp\u2026the money was right here all the time, under our very noses!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed softly, holding his mid-section as he did so. \u201cOh\u2026that hurts,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I made Silas so angry\u2026that when he came back that night, he intended to steal the money\u2026but instead, he ended up shooting me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, which by the way, he claims that was an accident\u2026he said when I yelled out, it startled him and the gun just went off,\u201d Ben explained and then sobered. \u201cJoe\u2026I\u2019m sorry son\u2026for getting you hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026it wasn\u2019t your fault\u2026honest\u2026don\u2019t fret over it. I\u2019m going to be alright\u2026honest,\u201d Joe hurried to comfort his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know son\u2026but I can\u2019t help blaming myself. I\u2019d never do anything intentionally to hurt you, or one of your brothers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that, Pa. Don\u2019t we?\u201d he said, looking up just in time to see his two older brothers entering his room.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we do,\u201d Adam said, smiling at his younger brother and his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess if none of you blame me, I\u2019ll have to try not to blame myself,\u201d Ben declared meekly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t Pa\u2026\u201d Joe stated. His eyes held a bit of concern that didn\u2019t go unnoticed by his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, son, I won\u2019t,\u201d he vowed, hoping deep within that could put the burden of guilt to rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took Silas to the sheriff, he\u2019s locked up and is now waiting for trial,\u201d Adam informed both Ben and Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben affirmed. \u201cOh, by the way\u2026I know where the missing money is!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss practically shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do\u2026where?\u201d Adam said just as surprised.<\/p>\n

Both Joe and Ben laughed. \u201cJoe took it out of the safe that night and hid it in my wardrobe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a long story, but for now, the money\u2019s safe, Joe\u2019s safe, which is most important, and\u2026a would be killer is locked up in jail\u2026\u201d Ben said with a lighter heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd,\u201d Joe added, \u201can accused man is free\u2026Tate Wills is a free man isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe, he\u2019s free\u2026after a lot of explaining,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Little Brother, it\u2019s like this\u2026Tate told me he was courtin\u2019 this here woman\u2026Emma something Rawlins, over in Genoa, but he t\u2019weren\u2019t cause she\u2019s married. He was just sayin\u2019 that cause he was really interested in Sherri Lou down at the Bucket of Blood Saloon but he didn\u2019t want anyone to know\u2026who knows why but then he didn\u2019t steal the money outta the safe like me and Adam done thought he did, but he did get his inheritance like the ole gent said he was gonna, but me and Adam didn\u2019t know that, that\u2019s why we figured he stole our money cause all of sudden he didn\u2019t need that loan Pa promised him\u2026but then we thought he lied about getting\u2019 an inheritance which in truth he didn\u2019t cause he did. Adam done thought the money came in on the stage that morning when in fact the stage hadn\u2019t even run yet, so we believed ole Tate done went and told us another lie, but he didn\u2019t cause the money he was expectin\u2019 came by special messenger, but we didn\u2019t know either that at the time, so he did get the money even though we thought he hadn\u2019t, which he really had\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence in the room as Hoss paused to take a deep breath. Adam had sat down in a vacant chair and glanced over at his father and Little Joe. Ben was standing at the head of the bed staring blankly at his middle son. Joe\u2019s expression was one of total confussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said, glancing down at his son.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his head upward to look into his father\u2019s dancing eyes. \u201cYeah Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me again about how you were floating up in the air\u2026and explain again, so your brothers will know\u2026just what did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe almost laughed when he looked over at Hoss. The giant\u2019s blue eyes were blue pools of curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe can float on air?\u201d Hoss stammered as he sat down on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

Adam folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head slowly from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, this should be a good one,\u201d he muttered to himself as he rolled his hazel eyes and prepared himself for what he believed to be another of his youngest brother\u2019s hair-brain explanations. At that moment, he wasn\u2019t sure who was worse, Little Joe or Hoss, but he listened just the same, glad that everything had worked out for the best.<\/p>\n

Much later, he\u2019d only admit that Joe\u2019s experience was quite a tail\u2026one that he refused to admit as being truth.<\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

February 2007<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0When Joe is shot by an intruder, Ben blames himself for his son’s injury. Things go from bad to worse, deepening Ben’s burden of guilt.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG for Mild language (14,550 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":6000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12127","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":3495,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SJS-Stories.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12134,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12134","url_meta":{"origin":12127,"position":0},"title":"In My Father’s House (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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