{"id":12155,"date":"2003-10-01T17:57:15","date_gmt":"2003-10-01T21:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12155"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:42","slug":"from-dreams-to-reality-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12155","title":{"rendered":"From Dreams to Reality (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Eight years after falling in love with a woman whose husband he killed, Joe comes face to face with a young man who once promised to avenge his father.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 PG (14, 125 words)<\/p>\n

Gossamer Dreams Series<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Gossamer Dreams<\/a>
\nFrom Dreams to Reality<\/a><\/p>\n

From Dreams to Reality<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, lookit Pa, Joe finally made it home,\u201d sang Hoss happily as he pointed in the direction of his younger brother\u2019s pinto.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s about time that rapscallion got back, he\u2019s just a week overdue!\u201d fumed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had been worried sick about his youngest son. Joseph had been sent to Salt Lake City on business for the ranch and was supposed to finish up there and come right straight back home with the needed documents. Ben was anxious to speak with the boy and find out what had delayed him. And it had not better be a pretty face, concluded Ben privately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have just gotten home,\u201d Adam said as he tied his horse to the hitching rail next to Cochise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do ya think that?\u201d Hoss asked as he joined his brother on the opposite side of Joe\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis horse is lathered\u2026Joe knows better than to leave his mount standing like that without tending to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice had a ring of sarcasm to it. He rubbed his hand down the front of his younger brother\u2019s horse and held his hand out for Hoss to see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss said nothing at first but raised his brows in question and gave Adam a disbelieving look. \u201cThat ain\u2019t like Joe\u2026why\u2026that boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with that lad?\u201d stormed Ben as he ran his hand down Joe\u2019s horse in the same matter as Adam had done. \u201cJust wait until I get my hands on that boy, come on!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned and marched angrily toward the house. Adam and Hoss swapped worried looks with one another and hurried to follow after their father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stormed into the house and paused at the credenza. \u201cJOSEPH!\u201d he bellowed as he hung his hat on one of the pegs behind the front door. \u201cJOSEPH!\u201d Ben shouted a second time, adding more volume to his already deep voice. He unbuckled his gunbelt and folded it up, carefully placing it on the credenza. Adam and Hoss were doing the same.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is that boy!\u201d growled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard his father shouting for him and he tried to raise his head, but he was too tired from riding non-stop and going without food for the better part of two days. And the wound in his right shoulder had been hurting like blazes, ever since Adrienne had beat her fists against his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All three of the older Cartwrights exchanged puzzled glances and then hurried to the settee. Ben gasped when he spied Joe lying on his back on the couch. Immediately the concerned father noted the worn, troubled expression on his youngest son\u2019s face and he knelt down on one knee, his hand gently brushing Joe\u2019s colorless face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, what\u2019s happened to you, boy?\u201d Ben said, his anger had vanished when he had seen his son and the look of despair on the young face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Oh Pa!\u201d cried Joe as he raised his left hand and tried to grab for his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took Joe\u2019s hand in his. He gave Adam who stood behind the settee, looking down at his brother, a confused look.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I didn\u2019t want to kill him\u2026but he made me\u2026and I didn\u2019t know\u2026it was her husband\u2026Petey\u2026he\u2026hates me now and wants\u2026to kill\u2026me. Oh Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t know he was her husband!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The tears streamed from Joe\u2019s face as Ben gathered his son into his arms and held him. Joe clung tightly to his father as he buried his face against his father\u2019s chest and cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, what on earth are you talking about\u2026who did you kill\u2026and who is this Petey fellow that wants to kill you?\u201d Ben asked as he cradled Joe tightly. Ben started to move Joe but stopped when he cried out in pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy shoulder,\u201d muttered Joe, flinching slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he\u2019s been hurt,\u201d Adam said, as he peeled back Joe\u2019s jacket and began unbuttoning the shirt that covered the wound in Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy Joseph,\u201d soothed Ben. He watched as Adam moved aside Joe\u2019s clothing and then peeled away the bandage so that they could see the wound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been shot,\u201d muttered Hoss who stood over Ben\u2019s shoulder and looked down at his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also been tended to,\u201d Ben added. He gently ran his hand over the area where the bullet had been removed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we know why he took so long in getting home.\u201d Adam glanced at his father and then looked up at Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, can you tell us what happened son? Who shot you\u2026and why?\u201d Ben questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had laid his head back down on the red pillow. His face was drawn and his features tight. The last teardrops slid down his face and he sniffed loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter now\u2026it\u2019s over,\u201d Joe said solemnly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pushed himself up into a sitting position. Ben moved to the table in front of the settee and sat down in front of Joe. Adam circled the couch and sat down on the arm, watching his brother. For several moments Joe was quiet and refused to look into the faces of his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he sniffled again, Ben reached out and placed his hand on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go to bed son, you look as if you could use a few hours sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up, into his father\u2019s eyes and nodded his head. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cI think I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right then, you do that. I\u2019m going to have Adam ride into town and fetch Doc Martin though. I want him to take a look at that shoulder. I don\u2019t see any infection, but it has been bleeding some. It looks as if a couple of the stitches have broken loose, and I\u2019m sure you\u2019re feeling some discomfort from it,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt does hurt some\u2026but Adr\u2026\u201d Joe stopped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t bring himself to speak her name\u2026just thinking about her and what he had done to her and her children was more than he could bare to think about just yet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d whispered Joe with a quivering chin, \u201ccould I go to my room now, Pa? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you can\u2026Hoss, why don\u2019t you help Joe get to bed? I\u2019ll be up shortly,\u201d Ben had turned to his middle son and motioned with a nod of his head towards Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa. Come on Short Shanks, let me help ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, on your way out, have one of the hands tend to Joe\u2019s horse for him, please,\u201d Ben said as he watched Hoss help Joe up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cWonder what happened to him?\u201d Adam said to his father when Ben turned to face him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose the boy will tell us, when he\u2019s ready. Right now I\u2019m more concerned about this Petey fellow that Joe claims wants to kill him.\u201d Ben reached his hand out and placed it on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cTell the men to keep an eye opened for any strangers or anything unusual, until we know more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa. I\u2019ll have Hank post a couple of guards close to the house, just in case. I\u2019ll send Paul right out and while I\u2019m in town, I think I\u2019ll stop by Roy\u2019s and tell him what\u2019s going on,\u201d Adam informed his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, son. Maybe Roy has a poster on this Petey fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss waited until his brother had stripped down to his long johns and then handed Joe his nightshirt. Joe took the offered clothing from his brother\u2019s hand, glancing quickly into Hoss\u2019 blue eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Hoss,\u201d Joe muttered, as he worked the garment over his head with only one hand and finally managed to slip his arm left arm into the sleeve. His right arm still encased in the bandage, that Adrienne had wrapped about his wounded shoulder, he left covered by his nightshirt. He did not bother to remove his long johns, but instead, pulled back the cover and sat down on the side of the bed. Hoss still stood silently, not quite knowing what to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it hurt\u2026your shoulder I mean?\u201d Hoss said at last.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned troubled eyes upward and peered into his brother\u2019s face, failing to notice the concerned look that Hoss\u2019 wore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been shot, what do you think?\u201d snapped Joe as he leaned back and swung his legs onto the bed. \u201cOf course it hurts!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss bit his lip at the same time that he lowered his head. He shrugged his shoulders and was about to turn to leave when Joe\u2019s hand touched his arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Hoss\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to sound so snappy,\u201d Joe said softly. He glanced up at his brother, who was watching him from beneath lowered lashes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026it\u2019s alright Short Shanks, it was a dumb question anyway,\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo it wasn\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe paused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hoss looked Joe fully in the face, he could see the unhappy lines that had furrowed deep into his brother\u2019s brow, and he wondered what, besides the wound in his little brother\u2019s shoulder, had caused such unhappiness. He longed to ask, but dared not. It was the sudden rush of tears that filled the hazel eyes that tore at the big man\u2019s heart and they warned him not to push his brother for any explanations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Pa\u2019s sent for the doc, he\u2019ll be here soon and then he\u2019ll give ya somethin\u2019 for the pain,\u201d Hoss said encouragingly. \u201cI know it ain\u2019t none of my business, but I just want ya to know, if\u2019n ya wanna talk about what happened to ya\u2026well\u2026I mean\u2026huh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Hoss, I know what you\u2019re trying to say, and I appreciate it\u2026honest\u2026but right now, I\u2019d really rather just sleep. I\u2019ve ridden steady for nearly two days, and I\u2019m bushed,\u201d Joe said wearily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He buried his head deeply into the soft pillows and gave his brother a forced smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to tell anyhow\u2026I was shot, and some woman dug the bullet out\u2026that\u2019s all there was to it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes had taken on a faraway look. His brother, forgotten, as Joe lost himself in the memory of the gentle hands that had tended to his wound with such compassion. He closed his eyes, seeing again the image of Adrienne\u2019s face when he had placed his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. Just as quickly, the image faded and was replaced by another\u2026the face of the man he had been forced into killing\u2026the face of Adrienne\u2019s husband, Josh Deavers. Miniature droplets of water trickled silently down Joe\u2019s face. Quickly, he brushed them away, but not before his gentle-hearted brother had seen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced up to see if Hoss had noticed, but Hoss, seeing the tears, had quickly turned his head. \u201cI think I\u2019ll rest for awhile,\u201d Joe said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss forced himself to smile at his brother. \u201cSure Joe\u2026do ya need anythin\u2019 fore I go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d Joe answered and then turned onto his side, away from Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside, deep within the walls of his soul, his heart was crying out, shattered by the thoughts of the grief he had unintentionally brought to the woman and children that he had come to love so deeply. Yes, he needed something, but nothing that his tender-hearted brother could offer him\u2026nothing that his father, or Adam could give him that would take away the pain in his heart. Only one person could do that for him, but she had made it plain that she hated him and cared not that her words had torn into his heart and soul with more ferocity than what the bullet had ripped opened his flesh. Joe sighed deeply, filled with longing and closing his eyes, slowly allowed the weariness to consume him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell Ben, all I can tell you is that whomever tended to Joe\u2019s shoulder, did a mighty fine job. He\u2019s a lucky boy, from what he told me, he might have died had that lady and her two children not happened along when they did,\u201d smiled Paul Martin, Virginia City\u2019s only physician, and one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s best friends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he is, he\u2019s exhausted, physically\u2026and I might add, emotionally, but under the circumstances, that\u2019s all to be expected. A couple of days in bed, and he\u2019ll be his old self again.\u201d Paul smiled and placed his hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cDon\u2019t fret yourself, Papa, Joe\u2019s seen worse times\u2026and whatever is eating at him, will pass\u2026you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head in agreement and gave his friend a weak smile. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right Paul, but the boy seems mighty unhappy\u2026and it goes deeper than just being shot and left to die. There\u2019s a lot more to this than what he\u2019s willing to tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes Ben, there is\u2026a lot more\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say anything to you?\u201d Ben asked quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no\u2026just that he was shot protecting himself and that whomever it was that tried to rob him, was killed. He did tell me that a woman with two small children found him and that it was she that removed the bullet from his shoulder, he said she saved his life. That\u2019s all he\u2019d say about what happened. When I asked him about the man that he killed and the woman, who helped him, he clamed up tighter than a drum, refused to talk to me anymore. He just turned his head and closed his eyes\u2026I took that as my dismissal,\u201d laughed the doctor softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to worry Ben, when he\u2019s ready, he\u2019ll tell you,\u201d Paul said reassuringly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply and nodded his head once more. \u201cI hope so, he\u2019s hurting\u2026inside\u2026I see it in his eyes.\u201d Ben pinched his lips tightly together. \u201cI don\u2019t like to see him so sad, it breaks my heart\u2026especially when I have no idea what\u2019s causing it,\u201d muttered Ben as he glanced from the doctor\u2019s kind face to the top of the stairs as if he expected to see his youngest son standing there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul picked up his bag and started toward the door. \u201cI have a feeling it has something to do with that woman who saved his life\u2026but then, I\u2019m only supposing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you say that?\u201d Ben walked slowly to the door with his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul laughed lightly. \u201cBecause he\u2019s young\u2026because a boy like Joe carries his heart on his sleeve,\u201d grinned the doctor. \u201cAnd because I hear it in his voice when he says her name\u2026my bet is, Joe fell in love with her\u2026and for whatever reason, she broke his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul walked out onto the porch and gazed upward at the sky. He turned then and smiled at Ben. \u201cSend word if you need me\u2026and Ben\u2026give Joe time\u2026it\u2019s a great healer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Paul, I\u2019ll try to remember that\u2026and you\u2019re right, time does heal all,\u201d agreed Ben, smiling for real this time. \u201cThanks for coming out,\u201d he called as Paul turned his buggy around and headed back to town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d Ben greeted Joe. He\u2019d been looking for his son and had found him sitting alone on the side porch. Joe glanced up when he heard his father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI missed you at breakfast earlier,\u201d Ben said as he took a seat at the table. He sipped his coffee and then sat the cup and saucer down in front of him as he watched his youngest son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t hungry,\u201d Joe said and then turned to look at his father. \u201cI guess I haven\u2019t had much of an appetite since I got home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve hardly eaten anything at all, since you came home,\u201d Ben commented. \u201cI\u2019ve been worried about you Joseph, I thought maybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026honest, I didn\u2019t mean to cause you to worry,\u201d Joe said sadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He rose to his feet and leaned against the pillar, his back to his father. For several moments he said nothing as he gazed out across the yard. Ben sat silently, waiting for his son to find the words that he knew the boy was searching his heart for.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI loved her, Pa,\u201d Joe said at last. He glanced over his shoulder and found Ben watching his back intently. \u201cAdrienne\u2026she\u2019s the woman who found me. She saved my life,\u201d he explained. He turned away from his father, afraid that Ben might see the swell of tears that had flooded his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe was beautiful, kind, compassionate and caring. Any man would have to be blind, not to see her as she really was. I think I fell in love with her the very moment I saw her. She was like a vision\u2026so lovely\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moved back to his chair and sat back down. He kept his head lowered for just a brief moment and then looked into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe was married\u2026but her husband had been gone for some time. She wasn\u2019t sure if he was ever coming back or not, and she had two small children, a little girl and a boy, about eight years old.\u201d Joe took a deep breath and then continued. \u201cJosh\u2026her husband had gone to Salt Lake City for their winter supplies, Adrienne and the kids were alone, until they found me. I had been shot and had lost a lot of blood\u2026I\u2019d be dead now, if she hadn\u2019t come along and saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben could see the inner pain that was forged onto his son\u2019s face as Joe tried to tell his story. \u201cI\u2019m glad that she came along when she did, son. But would you mind telling me, how did you come to be shot?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben saw Joe take a deep breath and let it out slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was camped for the night\u2026and this stranger came by. He seemed nice enough, so I didn\u2019t think anything about him. We shared the fire, a cup of coffee and a few beans, and then I turned in for the night. Sometime later, something woke me up, that\u2019s when I found this guy going through my saddlebags.\u201d Joe saw his father\u2019s brows draw together into a frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t get anything, I stopped him before he found the papers\u2026but we did fight. That\u2019s when he shot me. I managed to get to my gun and shout at him, but when he turned around, he pointed his gun at me\u2026I\u2026shot first\u2026and killed him,\u201d Joe said as he got up and moved away some.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI buried him the best I could with this shoulder like it was. After that, everything is sort of fuzzy\u2026I don\u2019t remember much, except waking up at Adrienne\u2019s place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned back around and looked straight at his father, his expression showed his despair. \u201cI found out a few days later, when I was better, just how desperate Adrienne and her children were. There was practically nothing at all left in the house to eat. She had no money because her husband had taken it all with him for supplies, she killed the last rooster just so that she could fix me broth\u2026she used the last of her flour for bread\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice faltered and he had to brush his hand over his face to wipe away the moisture that seeped from his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, none of that was your fault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know that Pa, but you don\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen explain it to me,\u201d Ben said as he stood to his feet and came to stand in front of his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I couldn\u2019t help myself\u2026I knew she was married, but\u2026I let myself fall in love with her\u2026and her children. I wanted to take care of them\u2026I wanted\u2026I\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s head dropped and Ben heard his son groan softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe raised his head, Ben saw the trembling chin and the tear filled eyes that searched his face for understanding.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe man I killed was\u2026her husband,\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The news caught Ben off guard and he inhaled deeply. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know it at first. I had given her part of the money I had and sent her to the trading post for a few supplies\u2026while she was gone, wild dogs got after their milk cow. I had to borrow her husband\u2019s rifle to scare the dogs off, that\u2019s when I saw a picture of Adrienne and her children, with her husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe willed himself not to cry. \u201cI recognized him as the man I had killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pinched his lips together tightly and placed a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. He understood his son\u2019s dilemma then. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joseph, I can only imagine how that must have made you feel\u2026especially after all that Adrienne had done for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI had to tell her, Pa,\u201d Joe said in a soft voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced up at his father, \u201cIt was the hardest thing I\u2019ve ever had to do\u2026I never meant to hurt her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you had no way of knowing that the man who tried to kill you was her husband, and son, you were right in telling her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know that\u2026but\u2026now she\u2026hates me. And Petey\u2026that\u2019s her little boy, he didn\u2019t like me at first, but after I saved the cow and ran the dogs off, he started warming up to me. Then when Adrienne came back from the trading post and I told her about her husband, well\u2026he hates me now as well.\u201d Joe paused for a minute to catch his breath. \u201cHe swore that someday he\u2019d find me\u2026and kill me for murdering his pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joe,\u201d Ben said with compassion, \u201che didn\u2019t mean that, he was only speaking out of anger, and hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head in agreement. \u201cI don\u2019t blame him Pa\u2026I would have felt the same way. But it was what she said that hurt me\u2026and I suppose it hurt because I thought she loved me as well. I was being foolish though, for she loved her husband. When she screamed at me that she wished that she had never found me and that I had bled to death and the buzzards had picked my eyeballs out\u2026\u201d Joe made a soft groaning sound. \u201cI wished I had died\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you can\u2019t mean that?\u201d Ben said, shocked at his son\u2019s proclamation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did then Pa. You should have seen the pain in her eyes, the grief that she was suffering\u2026don\u2019t you understand? I caused all of that, I took from those kids, their father\u2026I took from her the man she loved and needed and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, listen to me,\u201d Ben said as he took Joe by the shoulders and gripped them firmly. \u201cYou didn\u2019t know he was her husband, you were only protecting yourself\u2026his death, and her loss was not your fault! From everything that you\u2019ve just told me, all that happened was his fault, you were just as innocent in all of this as that woman and her children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re right, Pa\u2026but it still doesn\u2019t take away the hurt I feel for what happened to them.\u201d Joe wrenched free of his father\u2019s grasp and stepped back. \u201cI loved her\u2026so much so, that there were days that I hoped\u2026and prayed\u2026that her husband would never come back\u2026and then, when I found out that I had killed him\u2026the guilt\u2026it wouldn\u2019t go away. It still won\u2019t\u2026I feel as if somehow\u2026I willed this to happen. I know it sounds dumb, but I can\u2019t help what I feel. I can\u2019t help feeling as if I\u2019m to blame for everything that\u2019s happened to them. I don\u2019t know what Adrienne will do now\u2026she had nothing, except the food that she got from the trading post and the five hundred dollars I put on the table when I left. It was all I had, I know it was yours, Pa\u2026but I couldn\u2019t leave her without any money and I wasn\u2019t about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you couldn\u2019t son, I wouldn\u2019t expect you to leave the woman destitute and her children hungry, you did the right thing, Joe,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll pay ya back, Pa\u2026honest\u2026\u201d wept Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about the money, son,\u201d whispered Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The tears that Joe had fought so hard to control finally won as they began to roll gently down his face. Ben stepped forward and gathered his weeping son into his arms and drew him to his breast, holding him until Joe had cried himself out. When he had shed the last tear, he pulled away from his father and tried to smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Pa,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026I can\u2019t honestly say that I know just how you feel, but in a way, I do\u2026I\u2019ve been in love a few times in my life\u2026and not all of those loves have been rewarding. But you\u2019re young and someday\u2026you\u2019ll find the right woman, and when you do, everything will be as it should be, you\u2019ll see,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, Pa. I just wish\u2026I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just wish that it hadn\u2019t ended the way it did, I mean, with Adrienne and her children, especially Petey, hating me\u2026and blaming me,\u201d Joe said in a small voice. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose I would have felt any different than they did, but knowing that they hate me, when I still love all of them\u2026well Pa\u2026it hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know it does, son, but give it time. Who knows, one day, God willing, maybe they will learn to forgive themselves for what they think you did to them,\u201d Ben slipped his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulders and smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, Pa\u2026but right now, I would be satisfied with forgiving myself,\u201d muttered Joe as he allowed himself to be led inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have nothing to forgive yourself for, son. You were only protecting yourself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I was referring to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen what?\u201d Ben stopped walking and turned to look at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was in love with another man\u2019s wife\u2026that\u2019s not right, Pa\u2026I should never have let myself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you can\u2019t help what you feel in your heart\u2026it\u2019s what you do with those feelings that counts. And you didn\u2019t do anything wrong\u2026and later, with time, you might find out that what you believed was love\u2026real love, was instead, compassion for what they were having to endure. In your condition, at the time, her care, the fact that she saved your life, and then learning of their needs\u2026it could all be mistaken as the kind of love that you thought it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe studied his father\u2019s face for several long moments. Could his father be correct? Had he mistaken compassion for true love? Somehow, Joe didn\u2019t think so, but for now, it offered a smidgen of comfort to his trouble soul; only time would tell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EIGHT YEARS LATER<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE!\u201d Shouted Hoss as he entered the house. \u201cHEY, JOE!\u201d he shouted again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s all this shouting about?\u201d grumbled Ben as he rounded the corner from the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hi ya, Pa,\u201d grinned Hoss. \u201cI was just lookin\u2019 for Joe, there\u2019s someone here to see\u2019em,\u201d Hoss said with a twinkle in his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s a girl\u2026ere I should say woman\u2026and mighty fine lookin\u2019 too,\u201d he babbled merrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell why on earth didn\u2019t you invite her in, for Heaven\u2019s sake,\u201d growled Ben as he started to the door to invite Joe\u2019s guest inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, hold on a minute, the lady said she\u2019d rather wait outside\u2026hmm\u2026said she wasn\u2019t sure if\u2019n Joe would be too pleased to see her. JOSEPH!\u201d Hoss bellowed loudly, making Ben cringe at the sound that caused the windows to rattle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d snapped Joe from where he stood at the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d been getting dressed and stopped at the top step to button his shirt. When he finished, he picked up his boots and carried them in one hand until he reached the last step.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy all the shouting?\u201d he asked while sitting down in the blue chair. He glanced up at Hoss who stood grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d grumbled Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa got company, they\u2019s awaitin\u2019 for ya outside,\u201d snickered Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCompany? At this hour?\u201d Joe seemed truly surprised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, it\u2019s nine o\u2019clock,\u201d Ben said. \u201cMost people are usually up by this time of morning.\u201d He couldn\u2019t resist smiling at Joe who cast him a disgruntle look.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He ignored his father\u2019s statement, refusing to be pulled into an argument at this ungodly hour of the morning. \u201cWho is it and what does he want?\u201d Joe asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say it was a he\u2026in fact he\u2019s a she\u2026a right purty little filly, too,\u201d grinned Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA woman?\u201d Joe stared at his brother and then glanced at his father. \u201cWho is she, did she say?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure \u2018nough\u2026said her name was Mrs. Adrienne Davers\u2026Deavers\u2026somethin\u2019 or other like that, and she has a couple of young\u2019uns with her too, and she said to tell ya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes opened wide in surprise and he quickly got to his feet. \u201cAdrienne Deavers?\u201d he repeated. He glanced at his father, shock still showing in his expression. \u201cShe\u2019s really here\u2026and wants to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss he-hawed loudly and nodded his head. \u201cThat\u2019s what she said, and she doesn\u2019t look like the type that likes to be kept waitin\u2019 little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBetter go see what she wants, son,\u201d Ben encouraged with a small smile. He could see the mixture of wonder and fear that had ebbed itself onto his son\u2019s handsome features.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhew\u2026\u201d sighed Joe and then turned toward the door. He glanced back over his shoulder at his father. \u201cDo you remember who she is?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI remember, son\u2026just remember what I told you back then\u2026time heals all wounds. Maybe hers has healed by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped at the door. Ben could see how his son\u2019s hand trembled when he reached for the latch. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to say to them,\u201d Joe admitted, worriedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello, for openers,\u201d smiled Ben. \u201cThen just let her do the talking, obviously that\u2019s why she\u2019s here, she has something to say to you.\u201d Ben opened the door for his son, \u201cGo on, son, you\u2019ve waited a long time for this day.\u201d Ben briefly rested his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and then stepped aside to permit Joe to pass.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe eased slowly through the opened door and walked out onto the boarded porch. He heard the door close softly behind and willed himself not to turn around and look. His eyes scanned the yard, a buggy was parked next to the hitching rail and the horse\u2019s reins were laced around the pole, but the woman and her children were nowhere to be seen. Cautiously, as if he feared what he might find, Joe walked further into the yard and looked around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was leaning over the fence at the corral, pointing out the new colt to her children. Joe heard her gentle laughter and his heart went into spasms at the sound of it. He stopped, mid stride to catch his breath. He was surprised at how rapidly his heart was beating and how, when he looked at them, his hands were shaking. Adrienne was still the essence of loveliness. If anything thought Joe, she was more beautiful than he had ever imagined her to be. No doubt, the years had been kind to her, for she seemed to have a glow about her that simply took Joe\u2019s breath away. Suddenly, Adrienne turned. Her eyes locked with Joe\u2019s and for a brief moment, no one spoke, for time had stopped and neither was aware of anything in the world around them except for one another.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the knot that had developed in his throat and moved closer to the lovely woman. His rapid breathing, he willed to return to normal as he smiled at Adrienne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello Adrienne,\u201d he finally managed to get out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello Joe\u2026\u201d she stammered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe noted the rise of pink to her complexion as she averted her eyes from his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to see you, again,\u201d she said, raising her head slightly to peer at his face. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re surprised to see me\u2026and no doubt you\u2019re wondering why I\u2019m here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSurprised is probably not the right word\u2026shocked would be more like it. And yes, I am wondering what has brought you here\u2026but\u2026it is good to see you again, whatever the reason, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t take his eyes off her. He felt somewhat foolish, standing there gawking at her like some love sick schoolboy, but all the old feelings had come rushing back at him the moment her eyes had met his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before either of them could say another word a young man and a younger woman joined them. The boy stood silent, staring hard at Joe, but the young girl smiled pleasantly at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the girl smiled. \u201cRemember me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRemember you? Of course I do, Sarah Beth\u2026my, how you have grown. Why\u2026you\u2019re just as pretty as I remembered you to be\u2026no\u2026I do believe you are prettier,\u201d smiled Joe who took her dainty hand in his and kissed the back of it gallantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026Little Joe\u2026I do believe you are flirting with me!\u201d Sarah Beth dared to tease.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started laughing and then Sarah Beth and her mother joined him. Only Petey remained without a smile to brighten his face. After Sarah had given Joe a hug, Joe turned to the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello Petey,\u201d Joe said in a thick voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The harsh words that the eight-year old had flung at him during their last meeting suddenly flashed in Joe\u2019s thoughts. The boy had declared his hatred of him and had promised to kill him\u2026and from the grim look on the boy\u2019s face, Joe was positive that Petey still felt the same.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPete,\u201d corrected Petey, refusing to take Joe\u2019s extended hand in his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPete\u2026I stand corrected,\u201d Joe said in a firm voice. He dropped his hand, glancing quickly at the boy\u2019s mother, who was speaking softly to her daughter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve grown some,\u201d Joe said absently and for the lack of having anything else to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a man<\/em> now,\u201d Pete declared in a deep voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes sought the boy\u2019s face. The way Petey emphasized the word man had not gone unnoticed by Joe. It had been a warning, of that, Joe was positive, and he silently vowed to heed the warning. Petey might only be sixteen now and not fully grown, calculated Joe, but the boy had already filled out and stood as tall as some full grown men that he knew. Joe glanced at the boy\u2019s hands and knew that once balled into tight fists, the kid would be a force to reckon with, especially if the boy knew how to use them in a fight, and something about the boy\u2019s stature told him he was right in his assumption.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe could only wonder at the reasons that brought this family back into his life\u2026were there motives that he should be leery of? Or\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, Adrienne, I didn\u2019t hear what you were saying,\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He chided himself for having not been paying attention to what Adrienne was saying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it you were saying?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was only saying that the reason why I came here was because\u2026well\u2026\u201d her voice trailed off until she stopped talking altogether. When she raised her eyes to look up at Joe, he could see the silent plea for understanding.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cChildren,\u201d she said, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you both wait in the buggy\u2026I need to speak to Mr. Cartwright privately, and then, we\u2019ll be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sarah Beth smiled at Joe and then her mother. \u201cYes mother,\u201d she said politely. \u201cIt\u2019s been nice seeing you again, Little Joe,\u201d Sarah said as she curtsied and then climbed into the buggy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe returned the smile and tipped his hat at the pretty young girl. \u201cMy pleasure, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey had stood rooted to the spot and had refused to move. He glared at Joe with dark eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPete\u2026please\u2026wait for me in the buggy,\u201d ordered Adrienne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She waited, fearing that her son would not abide by her wishes. Adrienne was well aware of the animosity that still simmered within her son. Perhaps bringing him here, with her, had not been such a good idea after all. She had been hoping to rectify things between herself and Joe Cartwright; it had been long overdue, but once finding out the truth about her husband, she had been hard pressed to admit that she had been wrong in blaming Joe for Josh\u2019s death. At first, she had made up excuses as to why she couldn\u2019t face him. And then, as the years slipped slowly by, it became easier and easier to forget how she had hurt Joe by accusing him and making him to be the one to carry all the guilt for her husband\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But with the passing of the years, her son\u2019s hatred seemed to deepen and by the time Petey had grown into the young man he was now, the hate was so deeply rooted in his heart, that Adrienne feared for her son\u2019s future. She had sent him away to school, but he\u2019d only returned home, barred from attending the academy or any of the other schools that she had found for him. There had been fight after fight, each time Petey pounding some poor boy until this last fight, when Petey had beaten a much bigger boy nearly to death. The school had threatened to press charges against her son, but Adrienne had begged and pleaded with the dean not to do so. She had even gone as far as promising to go away, taking her son with her to get professional help. That was where she and her family were headed\u2026to San Francisco where she had found a doctor that promised to help her son overcome his inner demons. The stop in Virginia City had sparked her memory. She recalled having heard Joe mention that he lived on a ranch somewhere near Virginia City, so Adrienne had decided to stop and set the record straight with Joe. Little did she realize the amount of hatred that she had awakened in her son\u2019s soul, or what that loathing might lead the boy to do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey gave Joe one more antagonizing glare and without a word went to the buggy where he climbed in and sat sullenly in the seat next to his sister.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne turned to Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Joe\u2026but Pete\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo need for you to apologize for the boy, Adrienne,\u201d Joe said as he took her arm and led her away. \u201cI know he hates me\u2026and I understand why,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cThough I was hoping that by now\u2026he\u2019d\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t Joe. Pete\u2019s hatred goes very deep, and to be honest with you, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s just you that he hates,\u201d Adrienne said. She glanced back toward the buggy at her son. \u201cI believe a part of him hates his own father for what he did.\u201d She looked up into Joe\u2019s eyes and studied his expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe found out later\u2026after you had gone\u2026that you were telling us the truth, about why you had to kill Josh.\u201d Adrienne separated herself a bit from Joe and then turned to look again at him. \u201cI suppose I knew, deep down, that you were telling the truth about what happened, I just didn\u2019t want to believe it\u2026not of Josh. You see Joe, I loved him\u2026no matter what he\u2019d done and blaming you\u2026letting you carry the guilt\u2026was easier for me than to admit the truth about my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne placed her hand on Joe\u2019s arm; her eyes had filled with tears. \u201cI\u2019m truly sorry for that Joe\u2026for hurting you as I did, for letting you live all these years thinking that you were to blame, when in truth, you did what you had to do because you were forced into it. Can you ever forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath to steady himself and with one finger, wiped away the lone tear that escaped from Adrienne\u2019s dark eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was nothing to forgive you for, you were hurt, you were grieving and I knew that what you said to me was spoken out of anger. I did forgive myself\u2026but it took me a long time to do so. I did blame myself for what happened, for what I believed I had done to you and to the children and it took me a lot of sleepless nights before I got over that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry Joe, I should have come here years ago\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you? I mean\u2026\u201d Joe brushed his hand gently down the side of Adrienne\u2019s face. \u201cSurely you knew I loved you?\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne pulled away and turned her back to Joe. \u201cI knew\u2026perhaps in my mind that\u2019s why I didn\u2019t come here before now\u2026at least that was one of the reasons.\u201d She turned to face Joe. \u201cI knew that if I had come\u2026I would have to admit the truth about a lot of things\u2026about Josh, about how I felt about you\u2026and about myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout me? How did you feel about me?\u201d Joe inquired of Adrienne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He placed both hands on Adrienne\u2019s shoulders and held her so that she could not turn away from him again. With one hand, he tipped her chin upward so that he could look into her eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer me,\u201d he insisted in a husky voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe saw Adrienne swallow and try to avert her eyes. \u201cLook at me\u2026please,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I was falling in love with you, Joe. I\u2026felt as if I had been unfaithful to my husband.\u201d Adrienne\u2019s eyes sought Joe\u2019s. \u201cI loved him, honestly\u2026but I was so lonely\u2026so frightened. The children and I were all alone\u2026and then I found you\u2026I\u2019m sorry Joe\u2026I should never have let you kiss me, I should have never let you hold me, or\u2026or allow you to fall in love with me.\u201d Adrienne pulled free of the tender hands that held her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was a married woman\u2026with two children\u2026it was wrong of me to encourage you. It was wrong of me to hurt you and to blame you and then to send you away like I did\u2026oh, Joe\u2026I\u2019m so ashamed.\u201d Adrienne covered her face and began to weep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe, his stomach in knots, gathered the sobbing woman into his arms and held her tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t cry,\u201d he whispered. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. \u201cYou have nothing to be ashamed of,\u201d he murmured softly. Joe raised Adrienne\u2019s head for the second time and this time, he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt the sudden rush of passion as it swept throughout his body and Joe found himself clinging to the woman he had once loved. He buried his face in her long dark hair, sucking in the light fragrance of her perfume as he did so. He felt her body surrender itself to his and for a brief moment, he stopped breathing. Their bodies molded together as Adrienne\u2019s arms encircled themselves around Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdrienne\u2026my love,\u201d Joe whispered in a thick, passionate tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unexpectedly, Adrienne broke free from Joe\u2019s arms and moved several paces away, surprising, and disappointing the man that had held her so tenderly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d she stammered, \u201cplease\u2026don\u2019t,\u201d she cried as Joe came forward. Adrienne held her arm out, stopping Joe at arm\u2019s length from her. \u201cI didn\u2019t come here for this\u2026I came only because I wanted you to know that I was sorry for all the misery I caused you\u2026and I was hoping to hear you say that you forgive me\u2026and Petey for hurting you so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adrienne\u2026I still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she said in a troubled voice, \u201cdon\u2019t say it, please\u2026just say you forgive me and then I\u2019ll go\u2026please Joe\u2026there can never be anything between us, except friendship,\u201d she said with a weak smile. \u201cDon\u2019t you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t understand,\u201d Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, nothing has changed, not really\u2026except for the fact that I know you were telling us the truth about what happened. But the truth remains; you killed my husband\u2026even if in self-defense, but when my children look at you\u2026they don\u2019t see the wonderful man that I know you to be\u2026they only see the man who killed their father. I have to think of my children, Joe\u2026I\u2019m all they have, and\u2026they\u2019re all I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne began walking slowly toward the buggy where her children were waiting. Joe walked along beside her, unable to find the words that he carried in his heart. When they reached the buggy, Adrienne stopped and turned to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Joe, for understanding\u2026and for forgiving me,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have to go? I mean\u2026please Adrienne\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe, I have to go\u2026I have to find help for Petey. He has to learn how to forgive, if he doesn\u2019t soon, his hatred will only be the death of him\u2026and I fear for his well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne raised up on her tiptoes and kissed Joe on the cheek. Gently she brushed her hand along the side of his face. \u201cGood bye, Joe,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe held her arm briefly as he stared into the eyes that had haunted his dreams for months after he and Adrienne had parted ways nearly eight years ago. He wanted to say something, but his emotions would not allow him to form the words. Joe nodded his head and then helped Adrienne into the buggy. As she picked up the reins, Joe stepped back out of the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood-bye and thank you for understanding,\u201d he heard Adrienne whisper for the second time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tipped his hand to his hat, nodded at Sarah Beth and glanced at Petey. Sarah Beth smiled slightly at him, but it was the dark angry glare on the young man\u2019s face that took Joe by surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee ya \u2018round, Cartwright,\u201d Petey mouthed softly as Adrienne drove the buggy from the yard and out of Joe\u2019s life forever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReady to ride, son?\u201d Ben asked Joe when Joe finally met him outside. Ben was tightening the cinch on his saddle when Joe joined him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo I have a choice?\u201d grumbled Joe as he checked his own cinch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gazed over the top of his saddle at his son. Joe\u2019s mood had been as such since Adrienne and her children had left two days ago. And from the tone of Joe\u2019s voice, Ben surmised that his youngest son\u2019s mood would not be much better than it had been the day before or the day before that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou could always stay here and muck out the barn and pout some more,\u201d Ben said without looking away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s expression changed suddenly as his father\u2019s words sunk in. He raised his head and met his father\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to snap at you\u2026it\u2019s just that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son\u2026I understand how you feel, but please, won\u2019t you put it aside for now. Brooding about it won\u2019t change things, Joe. She gone, and it\u2019s not likely that you will ever see her again. What once was is over\u2026or as she said, it never was meant to be. It\u2019s time, Joseph, to let her go,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He understood his son\u2019s pain and disappointment, for he had loved before, women who had not returned that love, and it hurt, it always did. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time, nor the last that Joe\u2019s young heart would be broken, but he would survive, Ben had.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, Pa,\u201d Joe smiled. \u201cYou usually always are,\u201d he said and then giggled lightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled knowingly at his son and then mounted up. \u201cMount up then\u2026and let\u2019s ride, there\u2019s work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were miles from the ranch when the first bullet whizzed by their heads. The fencing they were working on was tossed to the ground as Ben and Joe both sought cover.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see where that shot came from?\u201d Joe called out to his father who hunkered down behind a tree a short distance from where Joe lay sprawled out on the ground behind a large rock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d shouted Ben as he peeked from around the trunk of the tree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just then the sound of a shot split the air between them and Ben was forced to duck back his head as the bullet embedded itself in the trunk of the tree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere,\u201d Joe shouted, pointing to a large boulder about three hundred yards away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He waited until the unidentified man peeked over the top of the boulder he was hiding behind and fired, then Joe returned the fire. He saw the man\u2019s hat fly from his head and he turned to grin at his father, but Ben wasn\u2019t grinning back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA!\u201d shouted Joe the instant he saw his father sprawled on the ground. \u201cPA!\u201d yelled Joe a second time and still no response from his father. Joe glanced up at the rocks but could not see the man who had opened fire at them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe made a mad dash from the place where he had been hiding, over to the tree where Ben had been crouching. What Joe saw made his heart stop. Ben was lying face down in the grass, unmoving. Joe slipped behind the tree and gently, with fear pumping through his veins, turned his father over, onto his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Joe as he gazed around him and then slipped his gun into his holster. Quickly he began ripping away the shirt that covered Ben\u2019s arm where the bullet had creased his flesh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe said worriedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben groaned and then opened his eyes, seeing his son\u2019s anxious face looming over him. He forced a smile. \u201cI\u2019m alright, son,\u201d he muttered. \u201cGuess I didn\u2019t duck fast enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only a flesh wound, Pa, but we better get you back to the ranch and let Doc Martin have a look at it,\u201d Joe said as he ripped a strip from Ben\u2019s shirt to use as a bandage. \u201cThere, that should hold it until we get home. Think you can walk?\u201d Joe asked as he started to rise to help his father to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes grew suddenly wide and he raised one hand to point at something behind Joe. \u201cSon, lookout!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was too late, as Joe turned to see what his father was pointing at, he felt a sudden blast of pain to the back of his head; instantly everything went black.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa and Joe must be back already,\u201d Hoss said, looking over at his older brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stood to his feet and started to the door, Adam rose as well and followed after his brother. Hoss pulled opened the front door and was startled to see a woman standing in front of him. He recognized her as the woman who had come by a couple of days ago to visit with Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d Hoss floundered, as the woman, weeping, fell into his arms. \u201cMa\u2019am\u201d stammered Hoss a second time, looking around frantically for Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked as if he was lost with the sobbing woman clinging to him and the expression on his face when he finally found his older brother, begged for help.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get her to the settee,\u201d Adam said, taking the woman\u2019s other arm as together he and Hoss led the distraught woman to the couch. Gently they guided her around until she was sitting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMrs\u2026Deavers, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Adam asked the weeping lady. \u201cHoss, pour her a brandy,\u201d he ordered. \u201cPlease, Ma\u2019am\u2026what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam demanded in a gentle but commanding voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy son\u2026my son\u2026he\u2019s gone\u2026gone\u2026\u201d sobbed Adrienne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGone?\u201d puzzled Adam, glancing up at Hoss who handed Adam the wineglass and then stood with his hands crammed into his pockets.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne accepted the goblet of wine and took a sip. \u201cYes\u2026he got very angry with me\u2026and he\u2019s gone\u2026gone after Little Joe.\u201d She looked straight into Adam\u2019s eyes without even blinking as she hurried to explain.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPetey swore that he would kill Joe\u2026oh please, Mr. Cartwright\u2026you have to help me find Petey before he does something that he will regret for the rest of his life!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam cast anxious eyes over at his brother and stood to his feet. \u201cHoss, get the horses saddled, and some men ready to ride,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdrienne, when was the last time that you saw your son? I thought you left Virginia City two days ago?\u201d Adam asked. He went to the credenza and began putting on his gun and holster. He grabbed his hat from the peg and arranged it on his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe did leave. We were on our way to San Francisco and stopped over in Carson City. Petey slipped out of our hotel room and stole a horse. I knew he was coming back here, all he talked about on the stage was how he wished he\u2019d killed Little Joe when he had the chance.\u201d Adrienne rushed to Adam and grabbed both of his hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Mr. Cartwright\u2026Adam\u2026he\u2019s just a boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s as big, if not bigger than my little brother\u2026he\u2019s full of hate and he\u2019s most likely armed. I\u2019m sorry Ma\u2019am, but in my thinking, that makes him a very dangerous man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam opened the door and then turned to Adrienne. \u201cYou wait here until I come back. Hop Sing will stay with you. My father and Joe went to the south end of the ranch to do some work on the fence. Hoss sent one of the men for the sheriff, if he shows up here, you tell him that\u2019s where we\u2019ve gone. I want to make sure that both of them are okay, and to warn Joe that your son is looking for him. You\u2019ll be safe here, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam added in a kinder voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He noted the frightened look on her face and paused, one last time. \u201cPlease, try not to worry, I\u2019ll do what I can to help your son\u2026and my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relief washed away the worried look in Adrienne\u2019s dark eyes and she forced herself to smile at Joe\u2019s oldest brother. \u201cThank you Mr. Cartwright\u2026I pray that my son, and your brother will both be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded his head and touched his hand to his hat and then rushed to his horse. Hoss had the horses ready and about four of the ranch hands had joined them. Quickly Adam mounted up and headed the small group of men out of the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam led the group of men straight to the fence line where he knew his father and Joe were planning on working. What he found, filled his heart with dread. His father’s horse stood grazing nearby, Joe\u2019s was nowhere to be found. The tools that had been used were scattered about in the dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss slid from their horses. Hoss studied the ground, looking for signs that might give them a clue as to what had happened. He glanced up at Adam, a look of fear in his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLookit Adam, blood, one of them\u2019s hurt,\u201d he said, rising to his feet. \u201cHere, two sets of tracks,\u201d Hoss said as he walked along, studying the ground. \u201cAnd here\u2026looks as if a scuffle took place\u2026oh Lordy, Adam, lookit yonder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was pointing to a crumpled figure lying motionless in the grass. He dropped Chubb\u2019s reins and took off at a run, running, as fast his heavy frame would allow him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d cried Hoss the second he reached his father\u2019s body and sank to the ground. Gently, he turned Ben over onto his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d muttered Hoss as he gently brushed the dirt particles from his father\u2019s face. Ben groaned softly, but refused to open his eyes. Blood seeped from the wound in his right arm and from the gash over his left eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam dropped to his knees. He had grabbed the canteen and immediately wet his neck scarf with the cool water and began wiping his father\u2019s brow. \u201cPa, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026\u201d moaned Ben. \u201cMy head\u2026hurts,\u201d he whispered in a voice filled with pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEasy,\u201d Hoss instructed as he helped his father into a sitting position.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened? Who shot you?\u201d Adam questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, we were working on the fence when\u2026someone started taking shots\u2026at us,\u201d Ben managed to get out while flinching as Adam dabbed away at the cut on his father\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see who it was? Was it the Deavers boy?\u201d Adam asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned troubled eyes on Adam and studied his face. He was trying to remember, but everything was so fuzzy, it was hard to tell. He placed a hand to his throbbing head and groaned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026I can\u2019t be sure\u2026you\u2019ll have to ask Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly Ben straightened and glanced quickly from Adam to Hoss, a frightened look on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Where\u2019s Joe\u2026Adam!\u201d Ben grabbed his oldest son\u2019s arm. \u201cHe hit Joe on the back of his head and knocked him out\u2026I tried to help him\u2026but the boy\u2026yes, now I remember, it was the Deavers\u2019 kid. We struggled and that\u2019s the last thing I remember\u2026he must have knocked me out!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell where\u2019s Joe now, Pa?\u201d Hoss glanced around as if expecting to see his kid brother appear out of no where.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me up,\u201d he ordered his sons as he tried to stand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once up, he swayed slightly and both Adam and Hoss had to clutch his arms until he was better able to stand on his own. Ben moved his head slowly around, as if looking for his youngest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026where\u2019s Joe? Mrs. Deavers came by the house and told us that her son was set on killing Joe\u2026we have to find him!\u201d Adam said urgently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head was pounding and thinking straight was next to impossible. He pinched his eyes tightly closed. When he opened them, he looked at Adam as if seeing him for the first time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2026he must have taken Joe with him,\u201d Ben said and then groaned again. \u201cHelp me to my horse\u2026we have to find your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going any place except home, Pa. You\u2019re in no condition to ride\u2026I\u2019ll have one of the men take you back to the house\u2026Hoss and I will find Little Joe,\u201d Adam ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked doubtful at first but then agreed. \u201cAlright son,\u201d he muttered, looking at Adam and then at Hoss. \u201cYou boys be careful\u2026that kid may only be sixteen, but he\u2019s dangerous\u2026he hit both of us pretty hard, there\u2019s no telling what he\u2019s liable to do to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ya worry none, Pa, we\u2019ll find Joe. Ya jest get home and let Doc take a look at your head,\u201d Hoss said as he helped Ben mount up. \u201cSeth, ya take Pa back to the ranch and send someone for the doctor\u2026we\u2019ll be home soon as we find Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe woke to a throbbing pain in his head. It was dark and when he tried to move, he found that his hands and feet had been bound tightly with coarse thick rope that burned his wrists when he tried to move. He was lying on his stomach and his arms were pulled up behind his back and his legs were bent at an odd angle and tied to the rope around his wrists. Moving was impossible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe coughed to clear his dry throat but the action caused his throat to feel as if it were on fire. The burning sensation from the hot acid that filled his mouth, brought a sudden rush of water into his eyes and he pinched them tightly to keep the tears from dripping down his face. When he opened them, he tried to look around the dingy room where he was being held prisoner but it was so dark that he could barely make out a thing in the room. And it was quiet, very, very quiet and the eerie silence gave Joe an uneasy feeling. He shivered for it was cold in the room and the room seemed large, too large to be in a house, or shack and Joe couldn\u2019t help but wonder where he was and how he got there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He tried to recall what had happened. He remembered that he and his father had been working on a fence when someone had started taking pot shots at them and they had been forced to dive for cover. Joe\u2019s heart began beating rapidly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d he muttered to himself, surprised that his voice echoed slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had been struck in the arm by one of the bullets and he had rushed to his father\u2019s side. The injury had only been a flesh wound and Ben had not been hurt too badly, much to his youngest son\u2019s relief. But then Joe recalled his father pointing up at something or someone behind him, most likely the man who had been shooting at them. Before Joe could turn around, he had been knocked on the head with something hard and with such force that he had fallen unconscious immediately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to move enough to lessen the pain in his arms and legs, but it seemed the more he squirmed, the tighter the ropes became. Joe lowered his head onto the floor and tried to collect his thoughts. If his father had not been hurt too badly, where was he now, pondered Joe. Had the man who attacked them, taken his father prisoner as well, and if so, what had happened to him? These thoughts worried Joe, for he knew he was alone in this dark place where there was no light, no sounds and obviously, no one else here with him. He tugged once more at his ropes but it was useless, there would be no escape and he sighed heavily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The soft sounds of someone walking aroused Joe\u2019s attention and he tried to focus his eyes in the direction from which the sound was coming. He could see nothing through the thick blackness that surrounded him, until the soft glow of a light could be seen. Joe watched the light sway from side to side, casting grotesque shadows along the walls. It dawned on Joe then as he watched the light grow larger and brighter, that he was in a cave and not in a building as he had first expected. That would account for the stillness and the chill that he had been experiencing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe waited until the man had come close enough to him that he could look up at the man\u2019s face. His own face showed an expression of shock as he stared into the blue eyes of the man that towered over him. Joe sucked in a deep breath of air to fill his lungs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPETEY!\u201d he groaned loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right Cartwright, I told you I\u2019d get you\u2026and now I have you\u2026and I\u2019m going to kill you!\u201d laughed Petey nervously as he placed the lantern off to the side and pulled up a stool and sat down next to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey\u2026you can\u2019t mean that\u2026your father\u2019s death was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSHUT UP! I know why you killed my father\u2026or so you\u2019ve said!\u201d snapped Petey as he jumped to his feet and kicked Joe in the side, which caused Joe to cry out in pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe struggled to breathe, the toe of Petey\u2019s boot had jabbed him in the ribs and Joe feared that one rib might have cracked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to listen to me\u2026don\u2019t do this\u2026think about your mother,\u201d Joe moaned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey had moved and Joe turned his head trying to keep an eye on the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI am thinking about my mother\u2026if it hadn\u2019t been for her, I\u2019d have killed you a long time ago\u2026you know\u2026you ruined our lives\u2026don\u2019t you?\u201d Petey growled as he sat back down on his stool in front of Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced up at the boy. Petey had his revolver in his hand and was spinning the chamber around. He saw Joe watching him and he smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know how to use this\u2026it took me a long time to learn and hours of practice, but I\u2019m good, real good.\u201d Petey spun the chamber one more time and then twirled the pistol around his finger, plopping it back into his holster.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s my father?\u201d Joe asked suddenly, taking the boy by surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey spun around and glared at Joe but said nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was hit in the arm, where is he?\u201d Joe asked again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He watched the color on the boy\u2019s face drain, leaving his complexion a milky white. The strange expression on the boy\u2019s face gave Joe a sick feeling deep down in his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey,\u201d he said with more calm than he was actually feeling. \u201cWhat have you done with my father?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow should I know?\u201d the boy stammered and moved out of the light where Joe could not see him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t hurt too badly. You only nicked him,\u201d Joe said, trying to draw the information from the boy. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t even bleeding too badly\u2026Petey\u2026\u201d Joe gulped, fear beginning to force the hot bile into his throat. \u201cMy father\u2026what happened to him, after you hit me on the head?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the boy laugh and twisted his head around trying to see where Petey had moved. A moment later, the boy moved back into the light. Joe watched the face twist into a deep frown and listened as Petey drew in a deep breath. The boy\u2019s eyes looked as if they had filled with tears and Joe could only wonder as to why.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hit him after I hit you,\u201d Petey stammered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s stomach did a flop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe tried to stop me from taking you\u2026I warned him that I was going to kill you, for what you did to my family. I was trying to get you on your horse, that\u2019s when he tried to jump me\u2026he wouldn\u2019t let go of my arm, so I clubbed him on the head with a limb I picked up.\u201d Petey laughed but the sound had a sick ring to it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey\u2026\u201d Joe could see the strange look that came into the boy\u2019s eyes and he knew that Petey had not finished telling him what had become of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey squatted down in front of Joe, a twisted smile tugging at his lips. \u201cI hit him hard\u2026much harder than I hit you. The blood gushed out, all over his face\u2026and he fell down, in the dirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s breathing became labored as he pictured his father lying face down in the dirt, his life\u2019s blood seeping from the gash in his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s dead, Cartwright\u2026I killed him, just like you killed my father,\u201d Petey said in a strained voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Joe. \u201cNo\u2026why? Why Petey\u2026he never did anything to you\u2026you didn\u2019t even know him!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe made me do it\u2026\u201d sniffed Petey. \u201cI told him I didn\u2019t want to hurt him, I only wanted you\u2026but he wouldn\u2019t listen, so when he made a grab for me\u2026I hit him.\u201d Petey\u2019s tear filled eyes overflowed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you see\u2026he forced me to do it, Joe. I was only protecting myself\u2026just like you. Ain\u2019t that what you said you were doing\u2026when you killed my father?\u201d shouted Petey. His voice sounded high pitched and shrill and bordered on hysteria.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt his body tremble in fear and dread, surely the boy was lying to him. \u201cPetey\u2026are you sure\u2026I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019m sure\u2026his head cracked opened and\u2026and\u2026\u201d he stopped and looked down at Joe. \u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe saw Petey gulp and watched the miniature beads of water roll slowly down the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told ya\u2026it was self-defense, just like\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo Petey, my father was only trying to help me. He would never have hurt you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he did\u2026I\u2026have to kill you Joe\u2026I have to make you pay for what you did to my father.\u201d Suddenly Petey burst into laughter. \u201cI killed your father\u2026just like you killed mine. It don\u2019t feel so good, does it Cartwright\u2026to know that your old man is dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pinched his lips tightly together and lowered his head to the ground. His body shook with rage and at that precise moment, he was glad that his hands were bound tightly for he feared had they not been, he would have choked the life out of the one who stood before him laughing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Quite unexpectedly, Petey dropped to his knees in the dirt before Joe. \u201cI\u2026didn\u2019t mean\u2026to\u2026honest Joe, ya gotta believe me\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to hit him so hard,\u201d wept Petey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe, stunned, could only stare in disbelief at the sobbing lad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey, untie my hands,\u201d Joe said, forcing his voice not to break.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was on the verge of falling apart, but he willed himself to be strong. The only way he could get out of this mess was to convince the boy that he could help him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey stopped crying for a brief moment and stared at Joe. \u201cUntie you? What do you take me for, a fool? I brought you here to kill you\u2026and I plan on doing just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey pulled his pistol from his holster and looked from it to where Joe lay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do this Petey\u2026let me help you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d snapped Petey as he twirled the chamber around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother needs you, boy\u2026if you kill me, they\u2019ll hang you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI said shut up!\u201d Petey stood to his feet and walked a few paces away and then returned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Sarah Beth\u2026what kind of life to you think she\u2019d have\u2026knowing that her brother killed a man while he was hog tied?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey, once more on his knees and facing Joe, slapped Joe\u2019s face. \u201cSHUT UP!\u201d he screamed as he grabbed a handful of Joe\u2019s hair and pressed the end of his pistol to Joe\u2019s temple.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI killed your father, true I didn\u2019t mean to kill him\u2026but I do mean to kill you,\u201d Petey said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey\u2026if it really was an accident\u2026then nothing will happen to you, but if you kill me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the trigger click as Petey cocked the pistol. Joe\u2019s body shook with unbridled fear as he felt Petey pushed the tip end of the pistol barrel deeper into his temple.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll hang anyway\u2026your brothers will see to that\u2026so what difference will it make if I kill you\u2026they can only hang me once!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t have to hang\u2026\u201d Joe gulped and closed his eyes. \u201cPetey\u2026please\u2026don\u2019t do\u2026this,\u201d moaned Joe softly. He could feel the blood surging in his veins as he pleaded with the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear God\u2026Petey\u2026put the gun away\u2026now before you do something you\u2019ll only regret later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey had begun to cry softly and Joe felt the boy\u2019s fingers as they loosened the grip on his hair. He started to move but the movement caused Petey to tighten up his hold on his prisoner\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move!\u201d snarled Petey as he jabbed the pistol hard against Joe\u2019s temple for the second time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe flinched. \u201cTake it easy Petey\u2026\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He could see the boy\u2019s hand shaking and see by the expression on the young face how the boy fought with his inner self.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe knew that if he did anything to frighten the boy the gun might go off, and if it did\u2026it would spell the end to Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to kill you\u2026don\u2019t ya understand Cartwright? No one knows that I killed your pa, only you\u2026and I can\u2019t let ya live now\u2026not even if I wanted to. You\u2019re the only one that knows I done it\u2026I gotta kill ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t son\u2026do as Joe asked, and put down the gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey spun around at the sound of the deep voice coming from behind him. He was startled to see Joe\u2019s two brothers standing in the soft glow of the lantern light. He glanced down quickly at Joe, who had pushed himself away as far as he could, and then looked back at Adam who stood poised to draw his gun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was evident by the confused look on Petey\u2019s face that he was unsure of what action to take. Adam dared to take a step nearer the frightened boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP!\u201d shouted Petey, \u201cor I\u2019ll kill him!\u201d He pointed the cocked pistol at Joe while keeping his eyes fixed on the other two men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to do that\u2026not really Petey\u2026give me gun.\u201d Adam stretched out his hand, waiting, but Petey refused to lower or hand over his gun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO! You don\u2019t understand\u2026I killed your father\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo you didn\u2019t boy\u2026our father is fine\u2026honest. He has a pounding headache, but he\u2019s not dead,\u201d explained Adam who had just taken another step forward without the boy even realizing it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re lying\u2026I hit him\u2026I saw the blood. He wasn\u2019t moving\u2026he\u2019s DEAD!\u201d screamed Petey. He had begun to cry and for a fraction of a second he looked away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took another step and was now within an arm\u2019s reach of the boy. Petey\u2019s head popped up and he pointed his pistol at Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t come any closer, mister,\u201d he snapped at Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey was so busy keeping his eyes on Adam and Joe that he had been unaware that Hoss had slipped in behind him and was now standing only a few feet away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the gun Pete,\u201d Adam ordered, his hand still extended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He moved his eyes to glance over Petey\u2019s shoulder at Hoss who had moved even closer. Petey saw the way that Adam\u2019s dark eyes moved and he turned quickly to look over his shoulder. When he did, Adam made a grab for the gun and was able to jerk it free of the boy\u2019s fingers. Petey screamed out in anger and turning back to Adam made a dive at the oldest Cartwright son, knocking him off his feet. Together, Adam and Petey fell to the ground, arms and legs entwined around one another as they grappled for the pistol which had been knocked free of Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey\u2019s hand managed to lock around the pistol but Adam took the boy by surprise and delivered a much-deserved punch to the boy\u2019s chin. The pistol went flying through the air and landed with a thud at Hoss\u2019 feet. The big man bent quickly and retrieved the gun just as Adam locked his arms about the struggling lad\u2019s body and held him tightly, the boy\u2019s arms pinned down along his sides. Petey kicked and screamed until he wore himself out and then fell against Adam\u2019s chest, weeping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026mean\u2026to hurt\u2026him\u2026honest,\u201d sobbed Petey. \u201cI wasn\u2019t going\u2026to kill\u2026ya\u2026Joe. I was only gonna\u2026scare\u2026ya,\u201d Petey continued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had untied his younger brother and was helping Joe to his feet. Joe rubbed at his wrists where the ropes had burned into his flesh. He stepped up to the weeping boy and turned him from Adam until Petey faced him. Joe cupped the quivering chin with one hand and tilted Pete\u2019s head upward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026Joe\u2026honest\u2026please\u2026please,\u201d he said in a wee voice. \u201cHelp\u2026me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey\u2019s legs gave out and the boy slumped against Joe. Quickly, Joe scooped the boy up into his arms and looked at his brothers. Hoss noted the painful expression on Joe\u2019s face<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa alright, little brother?\u201d Hoss inquired as he took the boy from his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I have a cracked rib,\u201d he muttered and then gave both a weak smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two sure are a sight for sore eyes,\u201d he said. \u201cAdam\u2026Pa\u2026is he really alright?\u201d he asked fearfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine Joe, the doctor\u2019s with him now. You okay, other than that rib?\u201d Adam asked as they turned to leave the cave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head. \u201cFine\u2026just fine, Adam,\u201d he laughed softly. \u201cLet\u2019s get this boy back to his mother. I know she must be worried sick about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe is. She came to the ranch and told us that he had run away from her and was intent on killing you,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cShe was frightened for him\u2026and you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped walking and took Adam by the arm, bringing him to a halt as well. \u201cShe was? She said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe\u2026she said as much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh\u2026well, I\u2019ll be,\u201d Joe muttered to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they all rode into the yard, Adrienne burst through the door and ran to her son. She grabbed him the second that his feet touched the ground and wrapped her arms tightly around his quivering body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPetey\u2026oh Petey, you\u2019re all right,\u201d she sobbed as she clung to her son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her eyes looked over the boy\u2019s head and sought Joe\u2019s. Adam and Hoss had moved away, taking the horses to the barn and giving Joe time to speak with the boy\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she mouthed to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe, his lips pinched tightly, only nodded his head, for the words that he wished to say were stuck deep in his throat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hurt anyone\u2026honest Mama,\u201d Petey cried. He glanced over at Joe who stood silently. \u201cJoe\u2019s brother could have killed me\u2026and I thought he was going to\u2026cause I killed his father\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo Petey, no, you didn\u2019t kill him\u2026Mr. Cartwright is going to be fine,\u201d explained Adrienne who still held her son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know that now\u2026but not then\u2026I was so scared Mama\u2026I didn\u2019t know what to do\u2026\u201d Petey began sobbing again and buried his face into the fold of this mother\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026don\u2019t cry son, everything will be okay,\u201d whispered Adrienne softly. She looked up at Joe, hopefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed down the thickness in his throat and placed a hand on the boy\u2019s trembling shoulder. \u201cYour mother\u2019s right Pete,\u201d Joe said. \u201cMy pa\u2019s gonna be fine\u2026and I\u2019m sure we can work something out with the sheriff\u2026about the shooting,\u201d Joe assured the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey turned from his mother to face Joe. He looked into Joe\u2019s eyes, seeing compassion instead of the hate that he had believed would be present.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mr. Cartwright\u2026I was wrong\u2026so wrong. For so long I wanted to hate you for what happened to my father…and I wanted to see you hurt like I was hurt. I wanted to kill you\u2026but then\u2026when I had the chance\u2026I couldn\u2019t do it. When I hit your father\u2026I got so scared\u2026I wasn\u2019t even aware what I was doing,\u201d stammered Petey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe placed his hand to cup the back of the boy\u2019s neck and gently pulled the sobbing boy into his arms. He fought to keep his own tears from running down his face as he tried to comfort the frightened boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petey entwined his arms about Joe\u2019s mid section and clung to him. \u201cPlease\u2026I\u2019m so sorry\u2026for everything,\u201d sobbed the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo am I Pete,\u201d Joe murmured softly, \u201cso am I.\u201d His eyes found Adrienne\u2019s and when she smiled slightly and moved nearer to him, Joe\u2019s arm sought to bring her into the hug as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d she whispered, \u201cfor bringing my son back to me\u2026and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say it, Adrienne,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two days later, Joe stood in the yard and watched as Petey loaded their things into the buggy. When the boy had placed the last of their belongings in the back, he turned to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say,\u201d he said in a small voice. He raised his head so that he could see Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to say anything, Pete. It\u2019s already been said,\u201d smiled Joe who placed a hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m just glad that everything worked out as it did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too. It was sure nice of your father not to press charges against me,\u201d Petey said. \u201cAnd\u2026for the sheriff letting me off so lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell Pete, we all learned from the experience. I just hope that you follow through with your promise to get help from that doctor your mother found in San Francisco,\u201d Joe said, smiling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI will\u2026I promise,\u201d agreed Petey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet he will\u2026I\u2019ll make sure of it,\u201d Adrienne said as she came up behind Joe and her son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She flashed a bright smile at both her son and at Joe. \u201cPetey, wait in the buggy for me\u2026I want to have a word with Joe before we go,\u201d ordered Adrienne as she ran her fingers through her son\u2019s blond curls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes Ma\u2019am,\u201d he smiled at his mother. Petey turned to Joe; the smile had faded somewhat. \u201cThanks again Joe, for\u2026everything,\u201d he said in a small voice. \u201cI\u2026ere\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right Petey. It\u2019s over now and in the past\u2026let\u2019s just leave it there,\u201d smiled Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. Well, see ya!\u201d Petey nodded his head and then did as his mother had asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He climbed into the buggy and watched as Joe led his mother a few steps from the wagon. He couldn\u2019t help but notice the strange expressions that each of them wore on their faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he saw Joe pull his mother into his arms and kiss her, Petey turned away. He could understand now, after all these years, why his mother loved Joe Cartwright as she did. He had found in the man, a true sense of understanding and compassion that he had never found in another man, not even his own father. And he had discovered that he loved Joe as much as he had ever loved his father, perhaps more so. The realization caused his eyes to swell with tears at what he had almost done to this special person and the Cartwright family\u2026not to mention how he had almost destroyed his own mother and sister by his hatred. He shuddered at the thoughts that invaded his mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I\u2019ll never see you again,\u201d Joe said in a thick voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Adrienne whispered as she allowed Joe to hold her in his arms. She tilted her head upward looking into the hazel eyes that searched her face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Adrienne? It doesn\u2019t have to be that way\u2026now that Pete\u2019s gotten over the hate\u2026we could\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The pressure of her fingertips silenced Joe as they pressed against his lips. \u201cNo, Joe\u2026\u201d she uttered. \u201cToo many things have happened\u2026we could never be happy\u2026not with all that happened between us. Please try to understand Joe, I could never truly love you like you deserved to be loved. And I have my children to consider\u2026Petey still needs a lot of help, and I don\u2019t think that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe silenced her words by pressing his lips tightly against hers in a deep passionate kiss that lasted several moments. When he pulled away, there were tears in his eyes that he refused to allow to escape.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere will always be a place in my heart for you,\u201d he whispered in a thick voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd one in mine for you, Joe Cartwright,\u201d she answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adrienne pulled away and returned to the buggy. Ben had come into the yard and stopped to stand next to his son. He watched as Joe stepped forward to help the young woman into her buggy and waved as she drove out of the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stood for several moments behind his son, waiting for Joe to speak. His arm rested across the back of Joe\u2019s shoulders. When Joe finally turned to face his father, Ben could see the tears that swelled in the hazel eyes. But instead of allowing them their freedom, Joe willed them away and offered his father a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d Ben asked softly, returning the smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I guess so,\u201d he grinned as he allowed himself to be lead toward the house. He stopped before reaching the door and smiled at his father. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor what son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His eyes never left his son\u2019s face, for deep down inside, he knew that his son was hurting and hated nothing more than to know that one of his boy\u2019s were aching for something that could never be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor not pressing charges against the boy\u2026 and for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026you don\u2019t have to thank me for anything. I understand why the boy did what he did\u2026he\u2019s young and he was frightened, that\u2019s all,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cI suppose if it had been me that someone had killed, you, or one of your brothers, might have reacted in much the same way. It\u2019s understandable; I\u2019m just pleased that he realized what he was doing to himself and his mother, before it was too late. Much of that, he owes to you,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026because in you, he found something of the man within his own self. He might not have realized it at the time, but he loved you, son. And I dare say, from now on, he will pattern his life after the way that he saw how you lived yours. Whether or not you see it son, you\u2019ve managed to become the boy\u2019s idol,\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? You\u2019re fooling\u2026you don\u2019t think the kid really looks up to me\u2026do you?\u201d Joe asked, surprised by his father\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you find that so hard to believe son?\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026no, not really\u2026I mean, after all, I am sorta special.\u201d Joe gave his father a cheeky grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben burst into laughter and hugged his son to him. \u201cYes Joseph, you are special, if to no one other than myself and your brothers, you are special\u2026very, very special.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n

October 2003<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Eight years after falling in love with a woman whose husband he killed, Joe comes face to face with a young man who once promised to avenge his father.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG (14, 125 words)<\/p>\n

Gossamer Dreams Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":5289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1289,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2951,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2951","url_meta":{"origin":12155,"position":0},"title":"The End (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"June 8, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It's the end. The end of everything--or is it? No KAOS in this story. Honestly! 700 words, rated K","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4275,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4275","url_meta":{"origin":12155,"position":1},"title":"To Reach for the Stars (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"October 27, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Some wounds heal with barely a trace; others leave scars too painful to touch.\u00a0 Can a father know the difference? Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC \u00a02200","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-angst.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12135,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12135","url_meta":{"origin":12155,"position":2},"title":"Prelude to Rebirth (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47067,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47067","url_meta":{"origin":12155,"position":4},"title":"Deep in December (by JC*)","author":"JC","date":"December 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A moment of reflection for Ben as he contemplates Christmas without Adam. Rating:\u00a0 G Words: 730 Written for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":12155,"position":5},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12155\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}