{"id":12250,"date":"2002-12-01T07:34:50","date_gmt":"2002-12-01T12:34:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12250"},"modified":"2025-09-09T14:10:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:10:39","slug":"love-oh-love-oh-careless-love-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12250","title":{"rendered":"Love, Oh Love, Oh Careless Love (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/strong> It’s just as the song implies, “Gonna cry tonight, and cry no more”.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong> G (5,250 words)<\/p>\n

Thanks to Michael Landon for recording this wonderful song<\/em><\/p>\n

Love, Oh Love, Oh Careless Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe slipped into the dark shadows of the trees and watched as his ladylove slid from her horse.\u00a0 As Joe watched, Matt Cunningham stepped from his own shadowy hiding place into the soft moonlight and when Isabella Rose stood face to face with him, her arms entwined themselves about her lover\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

The tears that Joe had fought so hard to control, slipped silently down his face as he watched Isabella turn her face upward, her rosy lips ready to meet the lips of the man who held her in his embrace.<\/p>\n

Joe wiped the dampness from his face, his heart shattered into a million pieces.\u00a0 He had cried for four days, ever since Isabella had humiliated him in front of all his friends at the Bucket of Blood Saloon.\u00a0 The memory of those shocking, eye-opening words, spit at him from the woman whom he had given his love, brought fresh tears to his eyes while he stood alone in the darkness.<\/p>\n

Joe turned away from the scene before him, unable to allow his heart to suffer any more misery.\u00a0 He vowed that he would give himself the right to cry tonight, but afterwards, he would cry no more.\u00a0 He had turned his back on his father and brothers, all for the love of this woman who had used him, toyed with his emotions and who had ended up breaking his heart.<\/p>\n

His father had been right, his brothers had warned him, but he had paid no heed to their words.\u00a0 He had thought his family too righteous, too judgmental, and too critical of Isabella.\u00a0 Pa had told him that she was too old for him, he too young for her.\u00a0 Adam had warned him that this woman was too worldly, he too innocent, and Hoss had said nothing more than to take it slow, get to know Isabella first, before giving away his heart.<\/p>\n

He had ignored them all, turned his back on his pa and his brothers.\u00a0 Now, heartbroken and humiliated, he had no other recourse than to admit to himself that they had been right.\u00a0 Some how they had known all along that he was out on a limb and that one day soon, his heart would suffer the consequences of his careless love.\u00a0 Joe mounted his horse slowly, his usual spring bounce approach to mounting his steed forgotten in his heartache.\u00a0 The need to face his family bore down on his soul, the urge to throw himself into his father\u2019s comforting arms, pulled him toward his home.<\/p>\n

Family, that was all any man truly needed, he told himself.\u00a0 There, he was loved unconditionally, he was respected, revered almost, but mostly and most comforting of all, he was never judged harshly for his mistakes.\u00a0 Joe gave one last glance over his shoulder, Matt had lowered Isabella to the ground, his body covered hers, his lips locked onto hers, and Joe turned away, no longer able to feel the love for this woman that he had felt before.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not in his room, Pa,\u201d Adam explained to his worried parent.<\/p>\n

Ben paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, the tips of his fingers hooked into the waistband of his trousers.\u00a0 The anxious father looked up into the dark eyes of his oldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact Pa, Joe\u2019s not even here, he\u2019s gone,\u201d Adam continued, not looking forward to giving his father the last result of his observation.\u00a0 \u201cHis clothes are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hands moved to his hips, an angry scowl exchanging places with the worried look he had but moments ago worn.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in blazes are you trying to tell me, that your younger brother has run away?\u201d demanded Ben, his voice deep with emotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, Little Joe ain\u2019t run away,\u201d began Hoss, always the first to speak up in defense of his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right Pa, Joe\u2019s just moved into town and we all why,\u201d Adam said and then wished he had rephrased his last statement.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes turned a deep shade of ebony and his thick silver brows moved to the center of his forehead, and Adam knew that his father struggled to keep his wrath from overflowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust who does that scamp think he is, defying me like that?\u201d Ben roared.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, calm down, please,\u201d muttered Adam, but stopped when Ben turned his dark eyes onto him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me to calm down!\u00a0 That boy will be the death of me yet, what with his smart mouth and defiant ways.\u00a0 You just wait and see what I do to him when I get him home, go saddle my horse!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grabbed his hat from the peg behind the door and began strapping on his gun and holster.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, please, wait just a minute,\u201d Adam took his father by the arm and gently turned Ben around to face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen Pa, as much as I hate to admit it, Joe isn\u2019t a kid anymore.\u00a0 He\u2019s not a boy, he\u2019s a young man and he thinks he\u2019s in love.\u00a0 Pa, the kid is nineteen he isn\u2019t twelve anymore.\u00a0 Give him a chance to stand on his own two feet.\u00a0 I know, we are all aware of the fact that he\u2019s gonna get hurt, and I hate to see that happen.\u00a0 We all know how it feels to be hurt by someone that we think we love, it\u2019s happened to all three of us.\u00a0 But Joe has never had it happen to him and no matter how much we want to protect him from that kind of heartache, we can\u2019t step in,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right Pa, Joe has to learn how to deal with it in his own way,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you see Pa, if you make him come home, he will resent you for it, he will turn away from you.\u00a0 But if you permit him to do this on his own, and then he comes home, he would have learned something from it.\u00a0 Pa, remember when I wanted to go away to college?\u00a0 Remember how you felt, and how I felt when you wouldn\u2019t give me the chance to prove to you that I was ready?\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s how Little Joe feels right now, he wants to prove to you and us and to himself that he is ready for this kind of challenge.\u00a0 He\u2019s trying hard to please all of us, and yet he has the need to please himself as well.\u00a0 It\u2019s only natural Pa, the kid\u2019s growing up.\u201d\u00a0 Adam took a deep breath and continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s gonna be hurt, we all know what kind of woman Isabella Rose is, but he has to find that out on his own.\u00a0 Pa, you have tried to teach him all of his life to stand on his own two feet, don\u2019t cut him down now, not when he is so close to being the man he really thinks he is, let him do this, for himself, please Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and glanced from one son to the other.\u00a0 \u201cTell me something son, where is it written that a man\u2019s sons should be wiser than he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled, his dimples making his face to look so boyish to his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa, for the last thirty-one years of my life, from the day I was born, you have taught me everyday what it takes to be a man.\u00a0 You have given me the foundation by giving me your love, your wisdom, understanding, encouragement, and respect.\u00a0 When I was ready to fly, you let me try me wings and because of you, I not only was able to fly, I could soar.\u00a0 Joe deserves nothing less than what you have given to Hoss and I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss wanted his turn to share his thoughts with his father and to add to Adam\u2019s request to give their younger sibling his much deserved freedom of choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019s had the same upbringing as older brother and I have had.\u00a0 He\u2019s a wild, restless spirit that yearns for his freedom.\u00a0 If\u2019n ya was to go fetch him home, ya\u2019d a be ropin\u2019 that spirit, breakin\u2019 it like the boy breaks his mustangs.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t right Pa, to squelch his spirit, cause Joe\u2019s the way he is because of that untamed zest for life and because of the three of us.\u00a0 He\u2019s a part of all of us Pa, we\u2019d only be hurtin\u2019 ourselves if\u2019n we went after him.\u00a0 Let him fall if\u2019n he has\u2019ta, he knows we\u2019ll all be there for him when he finally gets back up on his feet.\u00a0 He knows he can count on us, let him prove it to us and to himself.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be all right, Pa, cause he\u2019s your son.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled, showing the gap between his teeth and then laughed when Ben slipped both arms around each of his son\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Adam, and you Hoss.\u00a0 I know you\u2019re right, Joe needs to do this in his own way, regardless of what we think.\u00a0 I only hope he does remember that we love him, far more than what that woman does,\u201d smiled Ben, \u201cand, I hope he knows just how lucky he is to have brothers like the two of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might forget it for a little while Pa, but Joe knows,\u201d added Adam with a smile of his own.<\/p>\n

Joe smiled into the face of the beautiful Isabella Rose.\u00a0 Never in his life had he ever seen a woman more beautiful, except for his own mother, and Joe ruled that not to count, for all young men thought their mothers beautiful. He leaned down and placed his lips over hers, and his body trembled slightly as she returned his kiss.<\/p>\n

Joe had brought her to his favorite place, up near the lake where he had gone all of his life when things troubled him or when he had just wanted to be alone, away from his older brothers who constantly pestered him.\u00a0 He often came here when he had been in trouble with his father, or when his father had one of Ben\u2019s infamous little discussions with him, when his butt needed a reprieve from his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Joe smiled; thank goodness he was now too old for his father to turn over his knee.\u00a0 Joe had a pretty good suspicion that Ben would not be happy with him when he found out that his youngest son had moved out of the house and into town, despite Ben\u2019s ranting that he stay away from Isabella.<\/p>\n

Joe dismounted and tied Cochise\u2019s reins to a low hanging branch.\u00a0 He slowly made his way to the small opening that hid his hideaway from prying eyes and lowered his body onto the pile of soft pine needles.\u00a0 Joe wiped the moisture from his eyes, and leaned back against the trunk of a huge Ponderosa pine, closing his eyes tightly against the memory that had shattered his heart.\u00a0 Her words had been cruel, cutting him to the very core and it took all the courage he could muster to walk away from her rather than to throw himself at her feet and beg her to love him.\u00a0 Joe reflected back to that day, now almost a week ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe Cartwright,\u201d laughed Isabella as the men gathered around them to watch the fall of the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Everyone, the men that is, that had known Isabella, knew her for what she really was.\u00a0 All but one and that was Ben\u2019s youngest son.\u00a0 He was going to learn, the hard way.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think I could love you?\u201d taunted Isabella, who had allowed one of the older men to pick her up and set her on the bar where she could face the lovesick boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you did,\u201d muttered Joe, not caring who heard him.<\/p>\n

Isabella laughed loudly and Joe turned to look into the faces of the crowd when they joined in her laughter.\u00a0 It was then that Joe first realized that he had an audience.\u00a0 The young woman tossed her head backward and she held her arm across the front of her stomach as her laughter filled the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to be kidding, Little Joe.\u00a0 You are nothing more than a boy, a kid!\u201d she giggled.<\/p>\n

Joe felt the redness creep from beneath his shirt as it made its way upward to his face and he dropped his head to hide his embarrassment.\u00a0 How could she say such things?\u00a0 He had believed her every word when she had whispered words of love in his ear when he had kissed her.\u00a0 He believed she had been sincere, but now\u2026now she was destroying him and in front of everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I want a man, I want a real man, not a little boy, Little Joe!\u201d she rebuked him, adding emphasis to his name in a most mocking manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that?\u00a0 I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU THOUGHT?\u00a0 Did you men hear that?\u00a0 Little Joe thought\u2026thought what dearie,\u201d she turned her attention back to the young man standing before her, \u201cthat I, Isabella Demont, could love a boy?\u00a0 A child?\u201d she sneered.<\/p>\n

The room erupted with gales of laughter and Joe felt himself being elbowed by those standing closest to him.\u00a0 He wanted nothing more than to lash out, to strike the beautiful face of the woman whom he had given his heart too, but his upbringing would not allow him to do so.\u00a0 He glanced around him, every face in the room had their eyes turned toward him, and suddenly Joe felt as if he were the little boy that Isabella spoke of and not knowing exactly why, he wanted his father.<\/p>\n

Joe stepped back from Isabella as she slid down from the bar and into the arms of one of the men who stood nearby.\u00a0 Brazenly, she let her body mold to the cowboy and when his lips pressed against hers, Joe ran from the building, the laughter of the onlookers ringing in his ears.<\/p>\n

Joe hurried to the hotel where he had been staying since leaving home more than two weeks ago.\u00a0 His hands trembled as he fought to get the key in the lock and it took him several tries before he was successful in getting the door opened.\u00a0 Once inside, Joe jerked his jacket from his body and flung it across the room, nearly knocking over the lamp that sat on the chest of drawers on the opposite side of the room.<\/p>\n

Angrily, he paced the room, unaware of the tears that clouded his eyes and threatened to spill over.\u00a0 Three times he walked the length of the small room and on the fourth about face, stopped at the wall and slammed his fist into the oak panels of the thick wooden door.\u00a0 Pain shot from his knuckles up into this arm and moved quickly into his shoulder.\u00a0 Joe groaned; his tears finally succeeded in flooding his eyes to the point that they rolled slowly downward and dripped from his chin.\u00a0 His weeping caused him to turn to the bed where he lowered himself to the edge, rubbing the soreness in his fist.\u00a0 Giving in to his heartache, Joe lay down and turned his face into his pillow where his sobs could be muffled from those persons on the opposite sides of the walls.<\/p>\n

How could he face his friends?\u00a0 He had been humiliated and embarrassed in front of everyone.\u00a0 How could he face his family?\u00a0 What would he tell them?\u00a0 He had no doubt that before morning, everyone in Virginia City, and the surrounding area, would know what had happened in the saloon.\u00a0 He could see them now all of them, laughing at him, poking fun at him and calling him names.\u00a0 Would he ever be able to hold his head up again or walk down the street without someone remembering?<\/p>\n

Why had she led him on so?\u00a0 He had given her his heart; he had loved her unconditionally.\u00a0 He knew of Isabella\u2019s reputation.\u00a0 His father thought that he was blinded by his love for the beautiful lady, but he knew better.\u00a0 To him, her past had not mattered; he had loved her in spite of it.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes, her face danced before them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are so sweet Little Joe, where have you been all of my life?\u201d she had cooed to him as he held her in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cI have never known anyone like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe leaned his head down and placed a kiss on her lips. His arms embraced her and he felt his heart beat rapidly, his desire for the sensuous woman nearly driving him beyond his control.\u00a0 Isabella Rose returned the impassioned kiss with one of her own.\u00a0 Her head reeled with pleasure and she swayed slightly to better position her body against his.\u00a0 He wanted her, she was sure, and she enjoyed the feeling of his body entwined with hers as she moved seductively, toying with his desire to posses her.\u00a0 She had played the game before, he was not the first, nor would he be the last.\u00a0 Isabella thrived on it, seduction was a game she loved, and she had never failed to be the victor.<\/p>\n

Suddenly the boy pushed away, his face flushed, his brow beaded with tiny droplets of water as he backed away.\u00a0 She had smiled at him, and advanced toward him, her hand outstretched as she let her finger tips trace the outline of his lips.\u00a0 She had almost laughed at the look of lust in his eyes and she knew that given a little more time, she would be able to have her way with him.\u00a0 Isabella wondered briefly what it might be like to conquer one of the mighty Cartwrights.\u00a0 Her unexpected laughter startled both of them and Little Joe seemed to snap out of his trance as he quickly brushed his lips across hers and backed out of the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Isabella,\u201d he had stammered as he found the doorknob and opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back,\u201d he promised, and he had returned, many times after that first night.<\/p>\n

Joe turned over onto his back.\u00a0 He had wanted her, he remembered, more than any thing in the world, but he had always been a gentleman.\u00a0 His body had begged for him to give in to his desires, and though he came close to tossing aside everything that his father had taught and preached to him about a man being able to keep his emotions under control and though he longed to satisfy his desires, Ben\u2019s words of wisdom was a constant reminder of his honorability.<\/p>\n

The night dragged on for the heartsick young man.\u00a0 His first real taste of true love and where had it left him?\u00a0 Alone and heartbroken, alienated from his family and alone locked in a hotel room.\u00a0 His family had warned him, but he had turned his back on those who had truly loved him and walked out on them.\u00a0 Joe shivered from the coolness of the night breeze that blew gently at the curtains hung over the opened window.\u00a0 Down below he could hear the music and all the laughter and shouts that came from the barroom down the street and he moved to pull back the drapes and peer outside.\u00a0 The man who had held Isabella in his arms staggered from the doorway and ambled down the street, stumbling in his inebriated condition toward the livery where Joe felt sure his horse was stabled.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed, he had wanted to slug the bastard, but discretion was the better part of valor, his father and brothers had always told him.\u00a0 Why at that exact moment he had remembered the words, he would never know, but he had walked away, his head held high and his eyes focused on the barroom doors just ahead of him.<\/p>\n

Somehow, Joe managed to fall asleep and when the rooster crowed the next morning, Joe stirred from his slumber.\u00a0 His eyes laden with sleep, Joe forced himself from his warm bed and aimlessly stood before the mirror, gazing at his reflection.\u00a0 He looked like hell, he thought.\u00a0 His hair was mused, his face needed shaving and Joe knew he could use a bath.\u00a0 How many days had he wallowed in his self-pity, three, maybe four?\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t remember for sure.<\/p>\n

Joe ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed at the stubble on his face.\u00a0 It was time to move on with his life, he had cried himself to sleep for the last time.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t worth it, throwing away his life would prove nothing.\u00a0 He could never have her, he didn\u2019t think he even wanted her now.\u00a0 She had used him for her own gain, and then had cast him aside as if he had been nothing.\u00a0 Joe heard himself groan; he had been a fool, giving up his father and brothers for a careless love.\u00a0 He was going home, and if need be, he would beg his family to forgive him and if he had too, Joe swore he would get down on his knees and plead with his father to let him come home.\u00a0 He knew now that his father and brothers had been right about what would happen, they had known all along that he was in for a heartache, and they had been right.<\/p>\n

Joe gathered his things and quickly made his way down the hall to the bath.\u00a0 He would bathe, shave and put on clean clothes before going home.\u00a0 He wanted to attempt to wash away the unclean feelings that still plagued him, for he felt dirtied, used and he cringed at the thoughts that he had brought it all upon himself.\u00a0 Maybe Isabella Rose Demont had been correct, he was still a boy, playing at being a man.\u00a0 The thought unnerved him.<\/p>\n

Ben was just coming from the barn when Joe rode into the yard.\u00a0 He stopped and watched his youngest son as Joe dismounted and tied the reins around the hitching post.\u00a0 Ben walked slowly toward his son, noting the slump to the shoulders, the sad expression on the handsome face, the lack of sparkle to the hazel eyes.\u00a0 Joseph looked broken, thought Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam had come from Virginia City two nights ago with the news of what had happened to the boy.\u00a0 He had ventured into the saloon late on the same night that his younger brother had been persecuted by the woman whom he had so innocently given his heart to, and the talk of his persecution had reached his ears.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s so-called friends had made it a point to tell Adam of Joe\u2019s abasement and when all had been said and done, Adam had gone looking for the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Adam had found Joe at the hotel and had stood outside of his brother\u2019s room and listening with a heavy heart to the uncontrollable weeping from inside the room.\u00a0 Adam had not let his presence be known to his brother and had stood guard at his door until the next morning.\u00a0 The oldest brother, who had argued at such lengths with his father to allow his youngest brother to stand on his own two feet, now ached for the emotional battle that the boy was being forced to endure.<\/p>\n

Adam returned home and explained in detail to both Ben and Hoss all of which he had been told.\u00a0 Ben had yearned to go to his son.\u00a0 Thinking with a father\u2019s heart for his distraught child, Ben had fought the urge to see and hold his son, he had held back his desire to comfort and reassure Joseph and had instead, allowed the boy his time to grieve and to come to terms with his dissolution in his own way and in his own time. Now Joe stood before his father, his heart on his sleeve, tears in his eyes, looking so much like the little boy that he tried so hard not to be.<\/p>\n

Ben found his voice first.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome home son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the lump that squeezed his throat and slowly raised his head, seeing his father\u2019s dark eyes looking into his own.\u00a0 It was all he could do to keep from throwing himself into the arms that had always brought him such comfort and reassurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d began Joe, his voice quivering.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026you were right, all of you.\u00a0 Isabella was\u2026just as you said she would be.\u201d\u00a0 Joe blinked his eyes and the tiny beads of water began their downward descent.\u00a0 \u201cI loved her\u2026but\u2026she didn\u2019t love me.\u00a0 She never did, she just used me\u2026I was a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben whispered and stepped closer to his son.<\/p>\n

Joe had dropped his head, ashamed to face his father, but when he felt his father\u2019s loving touch, Joe stepped into Ben\u2019s embrace.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s arms closed around the trembling shoulders and for several minutes, he allowed his son to cry himself out.<\/p>\n

When Joe finally was able to regain control, he stepped back and looked into his father\u2019s eyes, unsure of what to say.<\/p>\n

Ben broke the strained silence.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, there is no reason for you to feel like a fool.\u00a0 When a man gives his heart to a woman, he doesn\u2019t expect it to be cast aside and trampled on, but on occasions it happens.\u00a0 In this case, it was destined to be, but under no circumstance should you think of yourself as a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I can\u2019t help it Pa.\u00a0 I guess deep down inside I knew you and Adam, and Hoss, were telling me the truth about Isabella, but I wouldn\u2019t listen.\u00a0 You were right, all of you, I guess I am still just a boy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s chin began to quiver and he stepped back from his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf loving someone makes you hurt like this, this terrible pain in your heart, this feeling of utter uselessness, then I don\u2019t ever want to be a man.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just stay a boy and I\u2019ll never let myself fall in love again.\u00a0 When love comes knocking at my door, I\u2019ll shut it and I\u2019ll lock it.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want that kind of love ever again.\u00a0 It hurts Pa, it hurts!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gathered Joe into his embrace for the second time and pressed his head against his heart.\u00a0 He sighed deeply, wishing he had some words of comfort for the ache that his child was bearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d Ben said at last.\u00a0 \u201cSomeday, when you least expect it, you will look up and there she will be.\u00a0 You might not know it at first, but in time, you will come to realize that this person is someone whom you love dearly, with all of your heart and what you are feeling right now, will be forgotten.\u00a0 In fact, when the perfect young woman gives her heart to you, you will even question yourself as to what made you think that you could have ever loved someone like Isabella Rose.\u00a0 Joseph,\u201d smiled Ben, \u201cGod has a way of helping us forget our foolishness and our broken pride, and someday son, God will send to you, the one He has chosen to be your true love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are young son, but you have taken a giant step at becoming a man.\u00a0 We all make mistakes, but we learn from them and we move on with our lives.\u00a0 I expect that you will do the same, am I right?\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe wiped away the tears and returned his father\u2019s smile.\u00a0 \u201cI guess so, Pa.\u00a0 I have learned one thing though.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI don\u2019t ever want to hurt someone like she hurt me.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I could ever be as cold and callous towards another human being like she was.\u00a0 It was cruel, and mean.\u00a0 I suppose you\u2019ve heard about what happened in the saloon?\u201d Joe questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard,\u201d said Adam who had joined his father and brother in the yard.\u00a0 \u201cNeedless to say, we didn\u2019t like what happened, but being a true Cartwright, we figured you could weather the storm,\u201d smiled Adam, resting his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head and then faced his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam, for calling you a liar.\u00a0 I was wrong, you were right, and I apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, a mischievous gleam coming into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026\u201d he paused and then pressed his fingers tightly into the flesh of his little brother\u2019s shoulder where he still maintained his handhold.\u00a0 \u201cWhat else is new?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT!\u201d Joe nearly shouted and then fell silent when Adam began to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, how many times do I have to tell you, it takes age and wisdom before a man can understand what makes a woman tick?\u201d smiled the older and wiser brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah Joe, and Adam still ain\u2019t got it figured out, otherwise, he wouldn\u2019t still be single,\u201d laughed Hoss from behind.<\/p>\n

Adam turned on his middle brother, making Joe to start giggling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am single because I choose to be,\u201d muttered Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa single because no decent woman would have ya,\u201d snapped Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cTake that Mary Ann gal\u2026she told me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slid his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulders and smiled.\u00a0 Whispering he turned his youngest son toward the house, \u201cLet\u2019s let your older and wiser brothers fight this out amongst themselves.\u00a0 I\u2019m hungry, how about you?\u201d whispered Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe wrapped his arm about his father and allowed himself to be led inside.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m starved and if we hurry, we can get to the table before Hoss figures out that it\u2019s supper time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe allowed his father to enter the house in front on him.\u00a0 Glancing back over his shoulder, he smothered a giggle, Adam and Hoss were standing nose to nose arguing about the women in their lives.\u00a0 Joe scratched his head, closed the door and silently vowed never to look at another woman as long as he lived.<\/p>\n

His vow was broken a week later when he stood with his father on the platform of the stage depot and waited for Ben\u2019s longtime friend, Jeremiah Peabody, to arrive.\u00a0 Little did the youngest Cartwright know how Jeremiah\u2019s only daughter would affect his life, for love was about to wrap its fingers about the heart of the most desirable young man in Virginia City\u2019s history, and Joseph\u2019s ideals about love, would forever change his life.<\/p>\n

The End
\nDecember 2002<\/strong>
\nCareless Love<\/em><\/p>\n

Love oh love, oh careless love,
\nLove oh love, oh careless love,
\nLove oh love, oh careless love,
\nI\u2019ll tell you what careless love can do<\/p>\n

It\u2019s gone and broke this heart of mine
\nIt\u2019s gone and broke this heart of mine
\nIt\u2019s gone and broke this heart of mine
\nIt\u2019ll break that heart of yours sometime<\/p>\n

I cried last night and the night before
\nI\u00a0cried last night and the night before
\nI cried last night and the night before
\nGonna cry tonight and cry no more<\/p>\n

I\u00a0love my brothers and my papa too
\nI love my brothers and my papa too
\nI love my brothers and my papa too
\nI left them all for loving you<\/p>\n

You see what careless love can do
\nYou see what careless love can do
\nYou see what careless love can do
\nMake you leave your brothers and your papa too<\/p>\n

Well I\u2019m home again won\u2019t roam no more
\nDon\u2019t want no careless love no more
\nDon\u2019t want no love, no careless love
\nWhen that love comes knocking I\u2019ll shut the door<\/p>\n

Oh Love, oh love, oh careless love
\nDon\u2019t want that careless love no more.
\nDon\u2019t need that careless love no more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 It’s just as the song implies, “Gonna cry tonight, and cry no more”.<\/p>\n

Rated: G (5,250 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":14203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","category-romance","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1125,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6628,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6628","url_meta":{"origin":12250,"position":0},"title":"Forever – The Love of My Life – #3 (by Rider)","author":"Rider","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Alice think about their relationship on the eve of their wedding. 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Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (1,650 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2948,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2948","url_meta":{"origin":12250,"position":3},"title":"Fools Rush In (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"February 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is a what happened instead for a scene in The Lady from Baltimore and a what happened next after the Bannings left story. Word Count: 1,023\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LfB.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4111,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4111","url_meta":{"origin":12250,"position":4},"title":"My Bonanza Poems (by ViveAdam)","author":"ViveAdam","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0I gathered here a few poems that Bonanza inspired to me \u00a0 Rated: K \u00a0WC \u00a01300","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2920,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2920","url_meta":{"origin":12250,"position":5},"title":"Springtime Memories (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"May 18, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0It's the day before a big event, past and present, in Joe's life, and he shares it with someone special.\u00a0 Word Count: \u00a0 1,832\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12250","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=12250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}