Summary: \u00a0A prank, an accusation, and a journey to death’s door, shows all of the Cartwrights and a few others, just how lucky one man can truly be.<\/p>\n
Rating: \u00a0PG\u00a0 (19,650 words)<\/p>\n
One Lucky Man<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it Joe, I\u2019m finished with you. Get to the house!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019 to be sorry for! Why can\u2019t you just believe me for once?\u201d shouted Joe, angrily.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you in the house, now!\u201d Adam returned, just as angry. He pointed toward the house. \u201cMarch! Unless you want me to drag you inside myself?\u201d demanded Adam, ignoring his brother\u2019s plea of innocence.<\/p>\n
Joe stomped his foot and glared at his oldest brother, \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s eyes grew dark and he reached out, grabbing Joe around the arm and gripping tightly, pulled the resisting boy along with him toward the house. \u201cWouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet go of my arm,\u201d growled Joe, struggling to wrench free of the vise like grip that Adam\u2019s strong fingers held his arm in.<\/p>\n
Adam continued to the house, ignoring the wails of his youngest sibling. Hoss dropped his head, and slowly followed behind, dreading the confrontation he knew would be taking place in a matter of moments. He thought about returning to the corrals, but then thought better of it, Adam had demanded that he come along to face his father with him and Joe. Adam expected him to back up his story about how Joe had carelessly allowed a man to be injured. Hoss took a deep breath and sighed, would the boy ever learn how dangerous some of his practical jokes could really be?<\/p>\n
Ben was just coming from the kitchen when he heard the ruckus on the front porch. As his hand reached for the door, it was suddenly flung opened, nearly knocking his cup of hot coffee from his other hand. Quickly, Ben stepped back as Joe was literally forced into the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, in the world is this all about?\u201d demanded Ben, seeing the angry glares on all three faces of his sons.<\/p>\n
Adam looked at his brother; Joe was holding his head down, making it impossible for Adam to look at his face. \u201cWell?\u201d Snapped Adam, glancing at his father. \u201cAre you going to own up to it, or do I have to tell him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes swept upward to his older brother\u2019s face and then quickly glanced in his father\u2019s direction. \u201cI don\u2019t have anything to \u2018own up to\u2019, as you called it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh for Heaven\u2019s sake\u2019s Joe, don\u2019t add lying to your crime!\u201d snarled Adam, his hands resting on his hips.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s head pivoted around to face Adam, \u201cI\u2019m not lying, I didn\u2019t do it!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, boys, let\u2019s stop this arguing and someone just tell me what in blazes is going on!\u201d Ben demanded in a deep voice.<\/p>\n
When all three Cartwright brothers started talking at once, Ben scrunched up his face and shook his head in disgust. \u201cENOUGH!\u201d he bellowed at the top of his lungs so that he could be heard above the racket that Adam, Hoss and Joe were all making. Silence immediately followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, that\u2019s much better. Adam,\u201d said Ben, looking at his oldest, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you begin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam took a deep breath, glanced at Joe and instantly noted his little brother\u2019s sad eyes and quivering chin. \u2018I hate doing this to you pal, but this time you went too far,\u2019 thought Adam, his temper cooling somewhat.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, I\u2019m not tattling, but this is something that needs to be addressed.\u201d Adam cleared his throat and glanced at Joe a second time.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo on, please Adam,\u201d encouraged Ben, following Adam\u2019s gaze directed at Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s heart lurched, the boy looked so pitiful, Ben sighed and rested his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. Joe looked up at his father, his eyes filling with tears, his chin quivering.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe was playing another one of his infernal practical jokes, aimed at me, but instead of his little trick working on me, Seth Rawlins, got the blunt of it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new boy I hired a couple weeks ago?\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right, well, he got thrown from my horse and now has a badly sprained ankle, compliments of your youngest son,\u201d Adam explained, watching the dark anger mold its self into his father\u2019s features.<\/p>\n
Ben turned his attention to Joe, who stood silently, waiting for the barrage of words he knew would be aimed at him. Ben took a deep breath, and turned back to Adam. \u201cHow did the boy get hurt, I mean, why was he riding Sport in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sent him back to the barn to get some more bridles from the tack room, Sport was right there and I told him to just take my horse. Sport started bucking the minute that Seth mounted. When he got thrown, someone said that they saw Joe messing with the saddle, so while Hoss here took care of Seth, I checked\u2026\u201d Adam paused, glancing at his brothers. \u201cThere was a burr under the saddle\u2026and it wasn\u2019t there before, I had only been down at the corrals about ten or fifteen minutes when I told Seth to ride Sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t do it, Pa\u2026honest I didn\u2019t,\u201d Joe said before his father had even spoken to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHonest Pa, why can\u2019t any of you believe me\u2026I didn\u2019t do it!\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears and he quickly wiped them away before they had a chance to escape and roll down his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d said Adam, \u201cthree men saw Joe messing around with my saddle, right before this happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, what do you know about this?\u201d Ben asked, and watched as his middle son\u2019s eyes swept the room. \u201cSon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDadburnit,\u201d he muttered, looking at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry short shanks, but I was one of those who spied him. I cain\u2019t say for sure what he was adoin\u2019 Pa, but he sure \u2018nough was messing with Adam\u2019s saddle, Hank and Ray saw him first and called my attention to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben turned angry eyes on his youngest, \u201cWell, young man, what do you have to say for yourself, and please Joseph, do as your older brother suggested and don\u2019t add lying to your crimes?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n
Joe stood silent, his chin drooping as his fingers fidgeted with the button on his shirt. When he refused to answer or look up at them, Ben grasped Joe\u2019s chin in the palm of his hand and tilted his face upward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked you a question, young man, don\u2019t make me repeat it!\u201d growled Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the use of trying to explain? You always take his word for everything anyway!\u201d grumbled Joe, wrenching his chin free.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t take that tone of voice with me! Now answer my question and do it now!\u201d ordered Ben, his eyes growing dark.<\/p>\n
\u201cI dun told ya, I didn\u2019t do it, I noticed when Adam rode in that his cinch was twisted and while he was talking to Seth and the others, I just went over to Sport and untwisted it, that\u2019s all, honest Pa, I didn\u2019t put nuthin\u2019 under Adam\u2019s saddle. And I sure didn\u2019t make Seth get hurt. It ain\u2019t my fault if he can\u2019t ride a horse!\u201d snapped Joe, his eyes filling with tears once again.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t use that excuse Joe, you\u2019ve been after Seth ever since Pa hired him, and I don\u2019t know why, he\u2019s a good kid,\u201d Adam stated, shaking his head in disgust.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe? Seth has done nothing but try to run over me! He deserved what he got!\u201d Joe fired back at his brother. \u201cHe\u2019s a smart aleck and I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTHAT\u2019S ENOUGH!\u201d bellowed Ben. Turning to Joe, he grasped the boy\u2019s arm. \u201cYoung man, I am totally shocked at you. I cannot believe what you have done\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHUSH! Do not interrupt me when I am speaking, do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes sir, but Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJOSEPH! I mean what I say.\u201d Ben turned to Adam and Hoss, \u201cHas someone seen to Seth?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYessir, Hank went for Doc Martin. It\u2019s only a sprain, Pa,\u201d muttered Hoss softly, glancing at Joe, who was fighting back tears. \u201cIt ain\u2019t broke or nuthin\u2019, I checked him real good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben, still grasping Joe\u2019s arm, returned his attention to the sullen boy. \u201cWhen Paul is finished with tending to Seth, you and I are going to make a trip to the bunkhouse. You will apologize to Seth and to everyone else that saw what happened, is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe could not control his tears any longer and they slipped humbly past the long lashes and down his face. \u201cYes sir, but I still didn\u2019t to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam rolled his eyes, not daring to look at Hoss, whom he suspected was almost as upset as their younger brother was. Ben took a deep breath and sighed. \u201cJoseph, for how ever long that Seth is laid up, you will do his work, plus your own. You are restricted to the yard and house only, except when doing Seth\u2019s chores, and you are forbidden to go near the corrals, understood?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe, his voice thick with emotion, only nodded his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood, now go to your room,\u201d Ben pointed toward the stairs and released his hold on Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
Joe walked a few paces and then stop and turned back, facing both of his brothers. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you thought you saw Hoss, but you didn\u2019t see me put a burr under Adam\u2019s saddle. And Adam, you\u2019re a liar and I hate you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s anger reached the boiling point and he made a grab for his kid brother, nearly catching him. Joe saw the sudden movement and dashed quickly for the steps, taking them two at a time. Adam started up after him, but was halted by his father\u2019s bellowing voice demanding that he go no further.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, I don\u2019t know what\u2019s got into that kid, but I would like to turn him over my knee, he needs a good busting!\u201d retorted Adam, his eyes dark with discernment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAw Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam turned his wrath on Hoss, \u201cdon\u2019t \u2018aw Adam\u2019 me, stop taking up for him, don\u2019t you understand that what he did could have gotten a man badly hurt, or even worse?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben put both of his hands up to stop the argument. \u201cEnough,\u201d he said calmly. \u201cAdam\u2019s right Hoss, what your brother did was wrong, and he has to suffer the consequences of his actions. Seth might have been injured much worse than just a sprained ankle. And what if it had been Adam that had gotten thrown? No, Joseph was in the wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben started for the door but stopped and turned back to face Adam and Hoss. \u201cWhat bothers me, is why he denies it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReckon he was tellin\u2019 the truth? Maybe he didn\u2019t really do it?\u201d pondered Hoss aloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh come on Hoss, don\u2019t start that again. Of course he did it, you saw him, so did Hank and Ray. He\u2019s lying to cover his butt!\u201d Adam said, following his father outside. Hoss trudged along behind, scratching his head in thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam,\u201d said Ben as they walked together to the bunkhouse. \u201cIt isn\u2019t like Joe to just out and out lie to me, not when he knows he\u2019s caught red handed like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust ask Hank and Ray, they\u2019ll tell you the same thing Hoss told you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI intend too son, I intend too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben opened the door to the bunkhouse and stepped inside, Adam behind him and Hoss following a bit slower after his brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoys,\u201d greeted Ben, making his way to Seth\u2019s bunk. Seth was resting his head on the pillow, his eyes shut. \u201cSeth,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n
The young man opened his eyes and immediately tried to sit up.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, stay where you are,\u201d ordered Ben, gently pushing the young man back down. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m all right, Mr. Cartwright, it don\u2019t hurt, much,\u201d he tried to smile.<\/p>\n
Ben stepped to the foot of the bed and examined Seth\u2019s ankle. \u201cPretty bad sprain. You were lucky.\u201d Ben pursed his lips tightly and moved to pull a chair close to the bunk.<\/p>\n
The men stood in awkward silence not sure what to say or do as their boss made himself comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeth, I\u2019m sorry for what happened. It was a senseless accident and I assure you that my son will be punished for his actions. Don\u2019t worry about your work, Joseph will be doing that for as long as you are laid up.\u201d Ben stood to his feet and glanced around the room, then back at Seth. \u201cIf you need anything, anything at all, you let one of us know. Oh, and don\u2019t worry about the doctor\u2019s bill, I\u2019ll see to that. You rest now, Paul should be here shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright. I\u2019m sorry that Little Joe got in trouble. Please don\u2019t be too hard on him, he\u2019s just a kid, and\u2026well, it ain\u2019t been that long ago, I was his age,\u201d smiled Seth.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow old are you anyway?\u201d asked Ben, curiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost nineteen, sir, come July.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose that\u2019s not too far from fifteen,\u201d pondered Ben. \u201cThanks for being such a good sport about all of this. You take it easy, and don\u2019t get out of that bed, until the doctor says you can!\u201d Ben smiled down at the young man; the boy was sincere as best he could judge.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you men have work to do?\u201d Ben asked. The room suddenly came to life as men began filing out. \u201cHank, Ray, can I have a word with both of you? Hoss, you stay with Seth until the doctor comes, and Adam, check back down at the corrals and see how things are going there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Pa, see you later.\u201d<\/p>\n
An hour later, Joe still paced his room. The waiting was far worse than what he knew was coming. Sometimes he thought his father made him wait on purpose, as part of the punishment. Joe walked to the window and pulled back the sheers. Ben was headed back to the house and Joe knew that in minutes he would be forced into facing his father a second time. He sighed and turned away. \u2018Why won\u2019t ya believe me?\u2019 he muttered softly to himself, his whispered words directed to his father.<\/p>\n
Joe heard the clicking of his father\u2019s boots as Ben climbed the stairs. By the time that the gentle knock sounded on the thick door, Joe stood, facing his father as Ben entered the room. He noted that the anger had left his father\u2019s face and the knowledge allowed him to breathe easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph,\u201d greeted Ben, watching his son\u2019s face and noting the worried expression that crossed the youthful features. \u201cSit down, please.\u201d Ben pointed to his son\u2019s bed, where Joe did as instructed. Ben pulled the chair close, where he was facing his son and watched the mixture of emotions that played across the young face.<\/p>\n
\u201cSon, I have just come from the bunkhouse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes sought his father\u2019s. \u201cIs Seth okay?\u201d he inquired meekly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he\u2019s going to be laid up for a few days, but it was just a sprain.\u201d Ben paused and watched as Joe swallowed, knowing that his son was fighting to control the tears that he could see gathering in the wells of the hazel eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad,\u201d he muttered, wiping away the dampness.<\/p>\n
\u201cSon, I want more than anything to believe what you say. But under the circumstances I have to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben stopped. Joe had raised his head and the look that he wore tore at his father\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I understand what you\u2019re going to say, you think I\u2019m guilty, just like Adam and Hoss and the others.\u201d Joe stood to his feet and walked to the window, his back to his father. \u201cAnd you think I lied.\u201d Joe spun around, the tears rolling down his cheeks. \u201cI can\u2019t convince you otherwise, I see that, so if you\u2019re gonna wallop me, just do it\u2026I don\u2019t care, do what you have too, but I\u2019m telling you, I didn\u2019t do it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s chin quivered, he sniffed his nose and ran his sleeve underneath to wipe the moisture away. Joe chanced a glance at his father and saw that Ben had dropped his head and appeared to be thinking. Several moments he remained as such before turning his attention back to his son.<\/p>\n
\u201cSit down, please,\u201d Ben pointed to the edge of the bed where Joe had been sitting before. Ben waited until his son had sat down. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what to believe, had there been no witnesses, I might have believed you, son. But three different men, your own brother included, all told me the same thing. They have no reason to lie about what they saw. What am I to think?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe shook his head sadly. \u201cI would think that you would believe your own son,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
Ben raised Joe\u2019s chin, \u201cJoe, Hoss wouldn\u2019t tell me a lie about this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe pulled back from his father\u2019s gentle hold, \u201cbut I would, is that what you\u2019re saying? That you believe Hoss and not me? I should have known you would take his and Adam\u2019s word over mine! So what else is new?\u201d Joe knew that he was pushing his luck but he figured that at this point he had nothing to lose.<\/p>\n
Ben stood to his feet, his anger returning once more. \u201cThat will be enough young man. You will march down stairs right this minute and go straight to the bunkhouse and do some apologizing! Now go!\u201d Ben pressed his opened hand against Joe\u2019s back and gave a gently push. \u201cMarch!\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe had no other alternative but to do as directed. Slowly, trying to prolong the enviable, he descended the stairs. He could sense his father behind him and chanced a quick glance at Ben\u2019s face. His father was mad, it was plain to tell and Joe looked away.<\/p>\n
When they had reached the bunkhouse door, Joe stopped, hesitating. \u201cDo I have to do this? Ain\u2019t doing his chores punishment enough?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n
Ben saw the near timid look and his heart softened somewhat. \u201cJoseph, I didn\u2019t ask you to do this, I told you to do it. You owe the boy that much, wouldn\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t owe him nuthin\u2019. I didn\u2019t do anything to him,\u201d Joe pushed opened the door and went inside.<\/p>\n
Several of the men had finished with their work and sat around the table playing cards. The doctor had come and gone, assuring all of them that Seth\u2019s ankle was just sprained and that the young man would be fine in a few days. All heads turned at once to see who had just entered. When they spied their boss and his youngest son, the room became deathly quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben urged in a soft voice.<\/p>\n
Joe gave his father a sickened look and approached Seth\u2019s cot. Seth, his eyes turning to Ben and then back to Joe, straightened himself up, bracing the weight of his body on his elbow as he waited for his apology.<\/p>\n
Joe took a deep breath and held it. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry you got hurt,\u201d he stammered and then quickly turned away and started toward the door.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s hand found his son\u2019s upper arm with a firm grip, stopping the fleeing boy in his tracks. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t much of an apology, young man,\u201d muttered Ben, his eyes lit with anger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I was sorry he got hurt what else\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t apology for what you did\u2026\u201d began Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did what ya said Pa,\u201d groaned Joe, not caring that he had an audience. \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna say I\u2019m sorry for something I didn\u2019t do.\u201d With that, Joe broke free of his father\u2019s restraining hand and ran from the building. Once outside, the tears that he had been fighting to control found their way down his face.<\/p>\n
Ben stood in shock at his son\u2019s words and actions. He became aware of the restless stirring of the men in the room and without a word, followed after his son. Ben found Joe leaning against the fence railing and moved to stand behind him. In the fading light, Ben could see the trembling shoulders and heard the soft whimpers that his son made. He placed each of his large hands on each of the slender shoulders turning Joe around to face him. With one hand, he cupped the quivering chin and tipped the curly head upward. He saw the sadness in the depths of Joe\u2019s eyes, the doubt that lay behind the sadness and his heart melted. Tenderly, he pulled Joe into an embrace and wrapped his arms about his son.<\/p>\n
Joe only resisted slightly, giving in to his frustrations he welded his body to his father\u2019s. Ben felt Joe\u2019s body shudder and felt Joe press his head against his chest as Joe wrapped his arms about his father\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026Pa\u2026but\u2026but\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s words were drowned out by his sobs.<\/p>\n
Ben held his son while Joe struggled to regain control. The weeping stopped at last, but Joe refused to move from his father\u2019s arms. \u201cJoseph,\u201d whispered Ben and felt Joe move slightly. His hand caressed the back of his son\u2019s neck tenderly. \u201cIt\u2019s over, its behind us now, let\u2019s just move on. Come on son, let\u2019s go inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe pulled back and looked up at his father sadly. \u201cIt\u2019s not over Pa, not until I can convince you that I didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d Joe turned and ran toward the house, slamming the door as he closed it behind him, and leaving his father to walk alone to the house.<\/p>\n
For the following week, Joe worked hard. His day began at dawn and ended long after the sun had set. His heart was heavy with despair; he had yet to convince his family of his innocence. It seemed to Joe that Adam and Hoss avoided him, but when he confronted his father about it, Ben assured him that was not the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, it\u2019s been nearly a week, and neither one of them have given me the time of day,\u201d Joe explained one day when Ben had joined his son while Joe was mucking out the stalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cSon, I\u2019ve explained it to you, your brothers have just been busy, that\u2019s all. They haven\u2019t ignored you on purpose, they only\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe stopped mucking and turned to his father. \u201cPa, don\u2019t make excuses for them, I\u2019m not blind, they barely even speak to me\u2026the only one they say hello to is Seth, they\u2019ve gotten real friendly with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe began raking out the stall again, working swiftly to ward off his hurt. \u201cMaybe they would have been happier if he had been their brother instead of me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben rested his hand on the back of his son\u2019s neck and eased the boy around to face him. \u201cThat\u2019s nonsense, and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe started to speak but stopped when he noticed his brothers ride into the yard. \u201cHere they come now, you watch, I\u2019ll prove it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The words were no more out of his mouth when Adam and Hoss entered the barn together. They were in deep conversation, laughing at something that had happened earlier. The instant they spied their father and younger brother, the older brothers sobered quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Pa, Joe,\u201d said Hoss as he led Chubb into his stall.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d greeted Adam, smiling and then turning to his younger brother, only nodded his head.<\/p>\n
Ben watched with slowly building ire. Joseph had been correct, his brothers were purposely slighting him. \u201cJoseph, go to the house please,\u201d Ben said in a calm voice, giving the youngest of his sons an encouraging smile.<\/p>\n
Joe opened his mouth to say something but seeing the irritated look on his father\u2019s face and the way in which Ben was watching his brothers, he changed his mind. Joe set the rake aside and hurried from the barn giving a quick glance at his brothers before pulling the door almost closed behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s he going? He hasn\u2019t even finished with his chores yet,\u201d grumbled Adam, casting his eyes over his shoulder at Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sent him to the house,\u201d Ben said as he moved closer to the stalls where Adam and Hoss were just finishing with their horses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to have a word with both of you, without Joe,\u201d stated Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d questioned Hoss, \u201che in trouble again, so soon?\u201d he flashed Adam a knowing look and then looked at his father. The scowl that he saw on Ben\u2019s face caused his smile to die instantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he is not.\u201d Ben had his fingertips tucked into the pockets of his trousers and he swayed gently back and forth.<\/p>\n
Adam cut his eyes over to Hoss and met his gaze. Hoss had his head lowered and suddenly looked nervous. With the toe of his boot, he kicked at the dirt floor and then gulped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ain\u2019t in trouble, are we, Pa?\u201d he asked meekly.<\/p>\n
Both young men studied their father\u2019s face. Ben seemed to be pondering his son\u2019s question and the length of time that he took before finally speaking had made his middle son to start fidgeting. Adam stood silent, studying his father, knowing that Ben had something important on his mind and was sorting out just how to say what he intended for them to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u2019m ready, Adam,\u201d Ben said sharply, turning from them and moving to close the barn door completely.<\/p>\n
Hoss glanced again at his older brother and shrugged his shoulders, his eyebrows raising slightly. Adam just shook his head, not knowing why their father had them cornered in the barn. Trapped thought Adam to himself, wondering what he and Hoss might have done to anger their father.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam, Hoss\u2026\u201d Ben started, returning to stand in front of his sons. \u201cDo you boys believe in forgiveness?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019 blue eyes widened, and he scrunched up his nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepends on what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d said Adam, wondering what his father was leading up too.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah Pa, some things are easier to forgive than others\u2026why?\u201d questioned Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m talking about your younger brother,\u201d snapped Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss seemed surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have more than one younger brother?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw Pa, you know I don\u2019t, but what\u2019s with Joe?\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cHas he been moping around, complaining again?\u201d Adam ventured. \u201cCause if he has he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he isn\u2019t complaining, he has however brought to my attention the way that both of you have been ignoring him, and he feels\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJealous\u2026that\u2019s what he is. Little Joe is jealous of our friendship with Seth. Well, I happen to like the boy, he\u2019s a hard worker and a good sport, and after what Joe did to him, I just…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam, stop right there! Maybe Joe is a little jealous, maybe he feels just a little bit left out. You\u2019ve taken a liking to one of the hired men, you treat him better than you treat your own brother, or so it appears from Joe\u2019s point of view. Look at it from his way of seeing things, Joe did something wrong, he\u2019s making his penitence, but both of you have been acting like Joe committed a crime or something. Just a few minutes ago, both of you came in here laughing and talking a blue streak, until you saw your brother, then you clamed up. You barely even acknowledged that he was here and I want to know why? Are you still mad at him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss shuffled his feet, shaking his head back and forth. \u201cNaw\u2026I ain\u2019t mad at him, just a little put out with him, that\u2019s all,\u201d muttered Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw Pa, it\u2019s just\u2026well\u2026you tell\u2019em Adam, you\u2019re better with words than I am,\u201d Hoss stammered, giving Adam a pleading look.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay Adam why are you still mad at him?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cPa\u2026the kid just needs to grow up. Can\u2019t we have friends without him always making us look like we\u2019re the bad guys? We\u2019re not little boys, we\u2019re grown men and we like to do grown up things, with grown up friends, more our age. Why does he have to be the center of everything? We have our own lives, he has his and we\u2019re just tired of Little Joe always wanting all the attention from everyone, including us. We don\u2019t tag along with him when he does things with his pals, and we don\u2019t want him tagging along with us every time we want to be with our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s lips had made a fine straight line across his face and he eyed each of his sons. \u201cIs that right?\u201d he said softly. \u201cWell just let me tell you something\u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat boy worships both of you. He admires and respects you Adam, and you Hoss, he considers you, his very best friend. And you will hardly give him the time of day. So he\u2019s still a boy, he acts and thinks like a boy, like a boy\u2019s supposed too. In one breath, you tell him to grow up and in the next breath, you talk down to him, if you even speak to him at all.\u201d Ben was angry; he was shaking his finger at both of his sons.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want it understood right this minute, there will be no more! Do you hear me? I expect you to treat him with the proper respect, and don\u2019t you dare forget that he IS your brother, like it or not!\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t forgotten that, Pa. But when you demand that we treat him with respect, you should demand that he give us the same respect in return. I\u2019m tired of hearing his whining and watching him mope around like he\u2019s lost his best friend or something and I\u2019m tired of the dirty looks I get every time that I so much as look his way. And his smart mouth, if he were my son, I\u2019d\u2026\u201d Adam suddenly realized what he was saying and that he had raised his voice to an uncommon high. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa,\u201d he added quickly, \u201cbut I think Hoss and I need a break from our little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s not going to happen, not for a couple of weeks anyway. I have to go to Genoa for several days. I want both of you to see after your brother, but I want it understood that you are to discontinue the way that you have been treating him. Do I make myself clear?\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYessir,\u201d Hoss muttered in a humble voice.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s anger was still very near the surface and he shot Ben a dark look. \u201cFine, great, just what I need\u2026a whole week to run after my baby brother. Well, all I can say, is, he better behave himself, or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr what? Or nothing, young man. You will treat him with respect and you will be pleasant to him. I will speak to him about his actions as well. I trust that both of you will be fair in your dealings with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was not a request, it was an order, and both Adam and Hoss were very much aware of the fact. Both watched as their father turned and left them to ponder his words.<\/p>\n
Neither Hoss nor Adam said anything for quite sometime, but returned to their duties. Hoss broke the silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose we ain\u2019t been too nice to him lately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss\u2026oh, what\u2019s the use! The boy wins every time.\u201d Adam leaned his arm against the post and glared at Hoss. \u201cHe manages every time to wrap our father around his little finger. I don\u2019t know how he does it, but he does. I don\u2019t understand why Pa can\u2019t see through his little charades, it\u2019s like he\u2019s blinded to every thing that Joe does. And, to make matters worse, we\u2019re going to be stuck at home baby-sitting for better than a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I nearly forgot. Doc said Seth could get up some if he was careful and we were going to take him into town Saturday night. Dadburnit, I promised Seth I\u2019d buy him a couple\u2019a beers at the Bucket of Blood. He\u2019s about gone steer-crazy havin\u2019 ta stay cooped up,\u201d groaned Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we gonna do Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeats me, but I\u2019ll think of something,\u201d answered Adam, his mind already conjuring up how they could slip away to town and not be bothered with their youngest brother.<\/p>\n
Ben found Joe lying across his bed and thought that at first, the boy might have fallen to sleep. \u201cJoseph?\u201d he called in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n
Joe was instantly on his feet. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa, I didn\u2019t hear you come in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben smiled and placed a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoseph, I\u2019ve just come from having a talk with your brothers. I let them know that I did not like the way in which they have been treating you. I think you will find that things will be much better from now on, at least I hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid they say why they were still mad at me? I bet it\u2019s because I won\u2019t admit to having put that burr under Adam\u2019s saddle.\u201d Joe turned his back to his father and walked to the window. Down below, he could see Adam and Hoss talking with some of the men, and groaned inwardly when he spied Seth join the group. He cringed and felt the sting of tears when Hoss slipped his arm about the limping man\u2019s shoulders in a brotherly manner. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll never admit it, cause I didn\u2019t do it,\u201d he said, letting the curtains fall back into place and blocking, from his vision, the scene down below in the yard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to go away for a few days, son,\u201d Ben said, without commenting on his son\u2019s statement, he had been hearing the same words for a week now and had begun to think that perhaps Joe had been telling the truth in the first place. \u201cI\u2019m leaving Adam in charge, and I want you to behave yourself while I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe spun around, shock etched into every line on his face. \u201cGoing away?\u201d he uttered, suddenly feeling as if his whole world was crumbling at his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right son, I have to go to Genoa on business, I\u2019ll be gone about a week, maybe even a little longer.\u201d Ben was surprised when he saw the expression on Joe\u2019s face turn to one of total dismay.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026please Pa\u2026can\u2019t Adam\u2026or Hoss go instead?\u201d stammered Joe, feeling very alone. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to go!\u201d The tone of his voice had risen slightly and he feared he would be sick to his stomach.<\/p>\n
Ben stepped nearer and placed a reassuring arm around his son\u2019s shoulder. He was surprised to feel the tiny tremors that coursed through the boy\u2019s body. \u201cJoe, why are you so upset? Your brothers will be here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy brothers? Oh, that\u2019s just great, you saw the way they treated me\u2026please Pa, don\u2019t go, or better yet, let me go with you! Please Pa\u2026please.\u201d Joe flung his self into his father\u2019s arms, no longer able to hold back his tears and not caring one iota that he was begging and acting very much like the little boy that his brothers claimed him to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph\u2026please calm down,\u201d whispered Ben, his hand gently rubbing up and down Joe\u2019s back. The action only seemed to give the boy more reason to press himself against his father\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, they hate me\u2026they\u2019re mad at me\u2026please, please don\u2019t leave me here alone\u2026please Pa, let me go with you,\u201d cried Joe, clinging tightly to Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, I\u2019ll be busy with meetings and all, I won\u2019t have time\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Pa, I\u2019ll be good\u2026honest, I\u2019ll do everything you say. If I have to sit in the hotel all day long while you go to those meetings\u2026I won\u2019t even complain\u2026I promise\u2026I just don\u2019t want to stay here\u2026with them. Please Pa\u2026I\u2026I need to be with you! I don\u2019t wanna stay with them,\u201d his words broken as he sobbed and pleaded with his father.<\/p>\n
Joe couldn\u2019t stop his tears, his body trembled and when he turned his head upward to look at his father, Ben\u2019s heart melted. He understood his son\u2019s unhappiness, had he not been witness to the scene in he barn, he might have thought that his youngest son was exaggerating. But the forlorn look in the sad hazel eyes, told of his son\u2019s misery. Ben brushed back the wild curls from his son\u2019s brow and smiled down at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know Joe, I think you and I do need to spend some time together, just the two of us. What do you think about us taking a couple of days to do some fishing, after I finish my business? We could pick up some supplies in Genoa before heading back and camp out along the way, I happen to know of a perfect spot. How about it?\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally Pa? You mean it? I can go with you? Honest? Oh golly, Pa, thanks.\u201d Joe hugged his father tightly, his head pressed against Ben\u2019s chest. \u201cThank you, Pa\u2026I\u2026I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben smiled to himself, pleased that he had agreed; Joe needed time away from his brothers, and his older sons needed their time away from their younger brother as well. It was perfect, for all of them and Ben hoped that by the time he and Joe returned things would have gotten back to normal.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou best get your things ready, that is, if you still want to go?\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I? You better believe I do,\u201d Joe grinned, wiping away the tears from his face. \u201cThanks, Pa, I know we\u2019ll have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust as long as you understand Joseph, that it\u2019s \u2018business before pleasure\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I understand Pa, honest,\u201d smiled Joe as he turned to his dresser and began pulling out shirts and pants and tossing them in a pile on the bed. Ben laughed, glad to see his son smiling again. It had been a hard week, not only for Joe, but also for all of them. Adam and Hoss\u2019 attitude toward their younger brother bothered Ben and he knew it troubled Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as you\u2019re finished packing, get to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,\u201d Ben said as he walked to the door. \u201cGood night son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe barely glanced up at his father, so intent was he to finish tossing his clothes into the satchel. \u201cNight Pa,\u201d he called as he shoved the drawer closed.<\/p>\n
Ben watched for another moment and then slipped out the door. As he started down the hall, he wondered what Adam would say when he was informed that Joe was to accompany him on his business trip. Somehow, Ben felt as if Adam and Hoss would be relieved to be free of the burden of tending to their brother. Their presumed lingering animosity at Joe, worried Ben, it wasn\u2019t like either of them to hold a grudge, but that was what he had seen taking place. He would try once more to rectify the problem before leaving in the morning. He hoped to restore harmony to his home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all I have to say on the matter, he\u2019s going with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss and Adam stared at each other, unable to voice their thoughts to their father. Ben had been adamant about taking Joe with him on his business trip and had told them so in no uncertain terms.<\/p>\n
Ben moved from the fireplace to his desk where he sat down, glancing at his two older sons. It saddened him to see the looks of relief that the two young men had tried so hard to conceal when he had made his announcement. It upset him that both of them seemed to still be at odds with their younger brother. Joe had made good his punishment, but even now Ben worried that it had been unjust, for gnawing in the back of his mind was doubts as to the boy\u2019s guilt. But who, if not Joseph, had put the burr under Adam\u2019s saddle, and why? Ben wondered if he would ever know the truth, but his heart felt certain that Joe had been telling him the truth and allowing the boy to accompany him to Genoa was in some small way, a token of his faith in his son. Ben sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n
\u201cSir?\u201d replied Adam, glancing at Hoss and then moving to stand in front of his father\u2019s large oak desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that you, and Hoss,\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes sought his middle son\u2019s face. \u201cDo not approve of my taking Joe with me\u2026no, don\u2019t deny it\u2026I know that both of you think he should be made to stay here and finish out his punishment, and under different circumstances, I would agree. But I have been having doubts as to his guilt\u2026something tells me that Joseph has been telling me the truth all along.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Pa\u2026why can\u2019t you see…\u201d started Adam but hushed when his father held up his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam, he has been adamant about the fact that he did not do it. I, personally, now believe that he was telling the truth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if\u2019n Joe didn\u2019t do it, who did and why?\u201d questioned Hoss, joining his father and brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, I thought maybe Adam could answer that,\u201d stated Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe? How would I know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe one of the men holds a grudge against you for something and wanted to pay you back. But then when it backfired, they were afraid to come forward,\u201d Ben said, searching his mind for reasons that might make someone do such a stupid thing and take a chance on a man getting seriously injured.<\/p>\n
Hoss scratched his head in thought. \u201cYa know, I hadn\u2019t thought about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was Joe who the others saw messing with my saddle, there wasn\u2019t time for anyone else to do it, Joe\u2019s guilty Pa, face the facts. And as for you taking him with you, I hope you know what you\u2019re doing, cause he\u2019s a trouble magnet.\u201d Adam turned away and started for the stairs. Halfway there, he paused and turned around to face his father. \u201cMark my words, something will go wrong, it always does with Joe around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben shook his head and rubbed the weariness from his eyes. Hoss scrunched up his face and sat down in the chair in the corner. \u201cPa\u2026I want to believe Joe as much as you do, but\u2026aw\u2026doggoneit Pa\u2026I don\u2019t know what to think anymore. Hearin\u2019 ya tell it, makes me believe Joe wasn\u2019t lyin\u2019, but when Adam explains it, well\u2026dangit\u2026it sounds like Joe is lyin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben gave Hoss a small smile. \u201cI know son, I\u2019ve wrestled with the same doubts for days now. I know that Adam is convinced that Joe is guilty, and that\u2019s part of the reason I agreed to let Joe go with me. He\u2019s unhappy\u2026and he\u2019s hurt Hoss. He thinks neither of you cares anything about him, and he\u2019s somewhat jealous of the fact that the two of you seemed to have taken Seth under your wing. Joe thinks you care more about Seth than you do about him, and it hurts his feelings\u2026I know what you\u2019re going to say son, that it isn\u2019t so, but to your younger brother, that\u2019s the way he sees it and that\u2019s the way he feels.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Pa, it ain\u2019t true\u2026Joe\u2019s just\u2026just\u2026\u201d stammered Hoss, searching his thoughts for the right word.<\/p>\n
\u201cA boy, Hoss\u2026he\u2019s just a boy, and he thinks like a boy, he has feelings like a boy that are easily hurt. And he cries like a boy,\u201d Ben paused, remembering how Joe had cried and begged not to be left behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cCried? Joe\u2019s been cryin\u2019?\u201d asked Hoss, surprised at this bit of information.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and his reasons for it broke my heart.\u201d Ben stood to his feet, facing Hoss. He wasn\u2019t angry, just regretful. \u201cHe didn\u2019t want to stay here\u2026with you or Adam\u2026because he was afraid of the way he would be treated. And after what I witnessed earlier in the barn, I can\u2019t say that I blame him. I\u2019m disappointed in you and your older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss hung his head, fighting to control the unstable emotions that had threatened to surface. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026I never meant to hurt the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben heard Hoss sniff and knew that the largest of his three sons had spoken the truth. \u201cI hope not, son. The boy worships the ground you walk on, you surely must realize that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss finally looked up and met his father\u2019s gaze. \u201cYessir, I know\u2026I reckon I jist forgot fur a while. I\u2019ll apologize to him in the mornin\u2019 and I\u2019ll tell him I ain\u2019t put-out with him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you son, I know it will make him feel better. Joe can be sort of pesky at times, but he isn\u2019t malicious enough to hurt someone on purpose. He just doesn\u2019t think things through before he acts, that\u2019s all. Hoss, it\u2019s all part of being a boy, someday\u2026and I hope not anytime soon, that little boy will be gone and we\u2019ll wonder where the time went and what happened to him. I happen to love the little scamp just the way he is, and I hope that little boy in him stays around for a long time, cause once he\u2019s gone, that\u2019s it\u2026he\u2019s gone for good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss stood to his feet, \u201cYeah, it would be sorta quiet around here without him,\u201d he smiled. \u201cNight, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood night son, sleep well.\u201d Ben watched as Hoss climbed the stairs. He wished that Adam had been as understanding, but then Adam was always the most bullheaded of all three of his sons. Ben blew out the lamps and muttered to himself, \u2018wonder where he gets it?\u2019<\/p>\n
Hoss was true to his word. Standing idle at the foot of the steps, he waited until Joe emerged from his room. When Joe spied Hoss, he paused, unsure of why his brother seemed to be waiting for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning,\u201d smiled Joe when he had reached the foot of the steps.<\/p>\n
\u201cMornin\u2019 Short Shanks,\u201d Hoss returned. \u201cJoe\u2026um\u2026could I talk to ya for a minute?\u201d he stammered, his head bent low while his fingers twisted a tread on his vest.<\/p>\n
Joe, who had passed by his brother, stopped and turned around. \u201cYou want to talk to me? Why, why now? What do you have to say to me all of a sudden? Ain\u2019t Seth speaking to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019 lips twisted into a grimace. \u201cAw\u2026cut it out Joe. I jist wanna tell ya that\u2026I\u2019m sorry Joe, for the way I been atreatin\u2019 ya.\u201d Hoss raised his head just enough to look at his brother\u2019s face. He saw the deep frown that wrinkled his little brother\u2019s brow and he took a deep breath and continued. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean ta hurt ya feelin\u2019s or nuthin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh\u2026is that why you\u2019ve ignored me for a whole week, and is that why you\u2019ve taken up with Seth? Did Pa make you apologize? Well, did he?\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly, he did say ya had you\u2019re feelin\u2019s hurt and suggested that\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, well thanks for nothing, big brother. I don\u2019t need your apology! In fact, I don\u2019t need you!\u201d Joe was fighting back his tears and quickly turned, leaving his brother to stare at his back and wonder what he had said to earn Joe\u2019s wrath.<\/p>\n
\u201cDadburnit, Little Joe, get your ornery butt back here. All I was adoin\u2019 was tryin\u2019 ta tell ya I was sorry, that\u2019s all,\u201d shouted Hoss as he stomped across the room after the boy.<\/p>\n
He caught up with him at the door and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm, spinning him around. \u201cNow ya stand still and hear what I gotta say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe tried to wrench his arm free. \u201cLet me go, you big ox. I don\u2019t care what you have to say. I don\u2019t want to listen to you, why don\u2019t you just go find Seth and say it to him, he\u2019s all you care about anyway. You and Adam don\u2019t give a damn about me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe finally freed his arm from Hoss\u2019 tight grip and rushed out the door, his tears nearly blinding him as he ran toward the barn to saddle his horse. He stopped at the door and wiped away the dampness from his face before entering.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, morning, son,\u201d smiled Ben when he spied his youngest son. \u201cI\u2019ve got the horses saddled, are you ready to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe forced his face into a smile. \u201cI sure am, Pa. I can\u2019t wait to get started. Can we leave now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben laughed at his son\u2019s eagerness. \u201cIn just a minute. I want to say goodbye to your brothers first. Come on.\u201d Ben handed Joe the reins to his horse and taking Buck\u2019s, led the way from the barn and into the morning sun.<\/p>\n
Adam and Hoss stood together propped against the hitching rail and watched as their father and Joe walked slowly across the yard to where they stood. Joe purposely avoided looking at Hoss. He glanced at Adam, but his older brother was listening to what their father was saying. For the lack of anything better to do, Joe mounted up and waited for Ben to do the same. Joe tried to hide his sad expression from his middle brother, his insides were twisting and fluttering, tying his stomach in knots as he fought with his emotions. He caught Hoss\u2019 eye, and quickly turned his head to keep from seeing the sorrow in the blue eyes that stared at him. Joe swallowed and wiped away the tears that threatened to spill forth.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, with any luck, I\u2019ll be in and out of there in, hmm\u2026no more than four or five days. After that, your brother and I are going to do some fishing. We should be home in about ten days at the most,\u201d explained Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood luck with the contract, Pa. Be careful,\u201d he added, glancing at his youngest brother, who was not paying any attention.<\/p>\n
Ben followed Adam\u2019s eyes and the insinuation rubbed him the wrong way. \u201cI think I can handle whatever trouble might come along, if it does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s eyes sought his father\u2019s face and instantly realized that his father understood his implication. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know perfectly well what you meant,\u201d snapped Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll see you boys in a few days. Let\u2019s ride, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nudged his mount into step beside Ben\u2019s horse. As they rounded the corner of the barn, Joe glanced over his shoulder at his brothers. Both Hoss and Adam had already turned around and were headed back to the house. Joe took a deep breath and let it out slowly, he was glad for the chance to get away for awhile, but deep, deep down, he knew he would miss his two brothers. He felt detached from his family, and he unexpectedly wished that he had not been so unkind to Hoss, who had at least tried to make amends with him.<\/p>\n
Hoss stopped just short of the doorway and glanced over his shoulder and watched as Joe rounded the barn following behind their father. He hated to see his brother leave with hard feelings between them. He had wanted to make up with the boy, his father\u2019s words last night had struck a soft cord in his heart and he had wanted to make sure that Joe knew he was truly sorry for his words and actions. Hoss sighed; he couldn\u2019t really blame Joe for not wanting to hear what he had, had to say. Hoss realized that both Adam and him self had been acting unjustly and though Adam had tried to cover it up, Hoss knew that deep down inside, his older brother had wanted to make amends with the boy as well. Now it was too late, Joe would be gone for several days and Hoss knew that at this time he would do nothing but stew about the situation until the boy returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou going to stand outside all morning, or are you going to go to work?\u201d laughed Adam, who had been watching his brother. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? You aren\u2019t going to tell me that you are actually going to miss the little pest, are you?\u201d he said, resting his hand on Hoss\u2019 massive shoulder.<\/p>\n
Hoss wrinkled up his face and gave Adam a tiny smile, \u201cWell, ta be honest, I suppose I will miss him, some. I tried to make up with him, but he wouldn\u2019t have none of it. Cain\u2019t say I blame him, we\u2019ve been sorta hard on the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam sobered a bit and turned away from his brother. \u201cI suppose.\u201d He started toward his father\u2019s desk, but stopped and turned back to face Hoss. \u201cLook Hoss, I don\u2019t mean to be so hard on Joe, but it galls me that he gets away with so much, especially with Pa. I know Joe\u2019s not a bad kid, he\u2019s really good compared to some of the other young boys hereabouts. It\u2019s just\u2026just that his pranks get a little out of hand at times, and he\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a boy?\u201d smiled Hoss. \u201cThat\u2019s the way Pa explained it to me last night, Adam. Joe\u2019s still a kid, he doesn\u2019t realize that what he does can get folks hurt or mad or the like. He\u2019s a boy, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam pressed his lips tightly together and raised his head just enough to smile at his brother. \u201cYou\u2019re right Hoss, Joe is just a boy. I guess I shouldn\u2019t have treated him so poorly. I\u2019ll make it up to him when he gets home, maybe I\u2019ll even take him to San Francisco with me when I go\u2026that is, if Pa will let me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFat chance\u2026Pa probably won\u2019t ever trust us alone with that scamp again.\u201d Hoss laughed and slung his arm across his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWe both know that Pa loves that boy more than he loves his own life, or us\u2026sometimes.\u201d Hoss tossed his head, \u201cI love the boy too Adam and ya know ya feel the same way about him!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t remind me!\u201d Adam groaned good-naturedly. \u201cNow get out of here, I have work to do and so do you!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee ya later, big brother!\u201d Hoss slapped Adam\u2019s back and headed out the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, we made it just in time for my first meeting. Why don\u2019t you go on over to the hotel and get us a room,\u201d smiled Ben, digging in his pocket for some money. He counted out several dollars and handed the bills to his son. \u201cSign us in and tell the clerk that we will be staying the rest of the week. And then get some rest, I shouldn\u2019t be too long and when I\u2019m finished, we\u2019ll get a bite of supper.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe flashed his father a happy smile. \u201cSure Pa, I could use some sleep, and a bath,\u201d he laughed. \u201cToo bad we got caught in that down pour this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I could certainly use a nice hot bath, but it\u2019ll just have to wait until I finish with today\u2019s business. I\u2019ll see you later, son,\u201d Ben dismounted from his horse and handed the reins to his son. \u201cWould you see to the horses? Tell the man at the livery that I\u2019ll be by later to pay him, make sure they get extra rations while you\u2019re at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will, Pa, if I have too, I\u2019ll stable them myself to be sure it\u2019s done right,\u201d Joe said in a serious voice.<\/p>\n
Ben caught the gleam in his son\u2019s eyes and smiled. It had been a glorious two days, having Joe along with him and Ben had not regretted his decision in the least at bringing his son. Joe appeared to have begun relaxing and before long had started talking non-stop. Ben chuckled; his son was a joy to be with and Ben felt as if their relationship had become stronger by the bonding.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you Joseph, I knew I could count on you. I\u2019ll see you in a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBye, Pa, I\u2019ll meet you at the hotel,\u201d Joe grinned and led the horses toward the livery.<\/p>\n
By the time that Ben had finished with his meeting and made his way to the hotel, he was bone weary and more than ready for that hot bath. As he entered the lobby, he was surprised to see his son slowly making his way down the stairs.<\/p>\n
Joe smiled broadly when he spied his father. \u201cOh, hi Pa. I was just coming down to order you some bath water. I figured it was about time for you to get done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben slipped his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulders and returned the gesture. \u201cThanks son, I appreciate that.\u201d Ben turned to the clerk but before he could utter a word, the clerk replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have the wash room ready for you in just a few minutes, Mr. Cartwright. I\u2019ll have the bell boy let you know when it\u2019s available.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, my son and I will be in our room. Come on Joe.\u201d Ben turned back to his son and followed the boy up the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019d your meeting go, Pa?\u201d asked Joe once he and his father were inside their room.<\/p>\n
Ben tossed his hat on the bed and began to untie his gunbelt. \u201cIt went very well. I think Mr. Carlson will agree to everything in the contract, at least he seemed pleased with it so far. How about you, did you take care of the horses for me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sure did, I rubbed them down myself and made sure that they had extra rations, just like you told me,\u201d smiled Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good boy, Joe, I knew I could count on you.\u201d Ben was just about to say something else when the bellboy knocked on the door. \u201cGuess my bath is ready. I\u2019ll be back shortly, you get yourself ready and we\u2019ll go down to the dining room as soon as I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben gathered his clean clothes and opened the door, startled to find Mr. Carlson standing before him. \u201cOh, Edward,\u201d laughed Ben, \u201cI thought you were the bellboy, do come in.\u201d Ben stepped aside and allowed the elderly gentleman to enter the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my son, Joseph,\u201d Ben introduced, \u201cJoseph, Mr. Carlson, the gentleman I am working with on the new timber contract.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSir,\u201d greeted Joe, extending his hand.<\/p>\n
Mr. Carlson grasped Joe\u2019s hand in his and shook it vigorously. \u201cHello, son, please to meet you,\u201d he smiled. Mr. Carlson turned to Ben. \u201cWell, Ben, I knew you had three sons, but you didn\u2019t tell me they were so young and good looking, I might add.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe felt his face reddening and glanced at his father. Ben was smiling his approval. \u201cI think all three of my sons are rather good looking. Joseph is my youngest son and takes after his mother more than he does myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe must be a fine looking woman. You are a lucky man, Ben,\u201d Edward said and smiled again at Joe. \u201cI\u2019d like to meet your wife sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother\u2019s dead, sir,\u201d Joe said before Ben had a chance to explain. \u201cShe died when I was very young.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry to hear that, I apologize. I can only imagine how proud she would have been had she been around to see what a handsome fellow her son has become.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, sir,\u201d muttered Joe, casting his eyes at his father. Ben was smiling at him and Joe felt himself relax.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat brings you to see me, Edward?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes, I\u2019m sorry, I do tend to get sidetracked at times. Jerome, William and myself are having dinner at the Emerald Palace tonight and wondered if you would care to join us?\u201d Edward said, glancing at Joe who had moved to gaze out of the window.<\/p>\n
Joe heard his father hesitate. Quickly he turned and faced his father. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go ahead, Pa? I can eat in the dining room, I don\u2019t mind, really,\u201d Joe offered; though he had been hoping to spend the evening alone with his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm\u2026I don\u2019t know,\u201d stammered Ben, glancing from Joe\u2019s face to the face of the man whom he hoped to have sign his document. Ben turned to Mr. Carlson. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what Edward. I would love to join you and the others, maybe later, after supper. We could have a couple of drinks. I did promise my son I would have supper with him. Besides, I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d want to turn a fifteen-year old loose on his own at this late hour. Surely you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course I understand. You and the boy have supper and then you can join us later. How does nine o\u2019clock sound?\u201d Edward offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds fine to me, Joe, you don\u2019t mind, do you son?\u201d Ben had turned to Joe just in time to see his son\u2019s face brighten.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, that\u2019s fine with me. I was planning on turning in early anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben held the door as Edward started to leave. \u201cI\u2019ll see you gentlemen around nine, then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll look forward to it Benjamin, good night Joseph.\u201d Mr. Carlson placed his hat on his head and tipped it at Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood night, sir,\u201d Joe called as Ben shut the door.<\/p>\n
Almost instantly a sharp rap sounded on the other side of the door. Ben pulled it opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Cartwright, your bath is ready,\u201d the bellhop informed the senior Cartwright.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, I\u2019ll be right there.\u201d Ben turned to Joe, shaking his head, \u201cWhew\u2026this certainly has been a long day, I\u2019ll be back in just a little while, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake your time, Pa, I did. Oh, don\u2019t let them put any of that Lilac stuff in your water. I didn\u2019t know what it was and I dumped half a bottle in my bath. Boy, did I ever get some funny looks when I got finished and went downstairs, especially from the ladies,\u201d Joe grinned.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s laughter could be heard all the way down the hall, and Joe smiled.\u00a0\u00a0 He loved the sound of his father\u2019s deep rich voice, especially when he laughed. Joe walked to the window and pulled back the drapes, watching the activity on the street below. Joe caught a glimpse of a big man who had just exited the saloon and Joe had to look twice, for the man favored his middle brother. The vision suddenly took Joe\u2019s thoughts home and to his brothers. He wondered how Adam and Hoss were faring and if they missed him. Probably not, he reasoned, they had Seth to keep them company. Joe allowed the drapes to fall from his hand as he turned and settled himself down in the middle of the bed.<\/p>\n
What was it about Seth that disturbed him so much? The young man had not really done anything to him, but something about the stranger had rubbed him the wrong way ever since he had come to work for them. Joe sighed and shut his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2026Joseph, wake up son,\u201d Ben urged as he gently nudged his son.<\/p>\n
Joe rubbed his eyes and pulled himself up onto the side of the bed. \u201cSorry, Pa, guess I was more tired than I thought. I didn\u2019t mean to fall asleep,\u201d he said as he stood up and crammed his shirttail into the waist of his pants. \u201cYou ready to go eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are,\u201d smiled Ben, slipping his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulder as they walked out the door together.<\/p>\n
Ben and Joe made their way to the dining room and quickly found a seat. Ben had to smother a laugh when Joe ordered his supper, which consisted of a large steak, potatoes, bread and apple pie.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you keep eating like that son,\u201d laughed Ben as Joe chewed on a huge bite, \u201cyou\u2019ll be as big as Hoss in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe cast his eyes at his father, a smile creeping onto his face. \u201cNo way, I\u2019ll never be able to match his size,\u201d laughed Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease son, don\u2019t talk with food in your mouth,\u201d Ben gently reprimanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh sorry,\u201d said Joe, his fork halfway to his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll not be long tonight son. I\u2019m beat and want to get in bed fairly early. I wouldn\u2019t even bother going to meet the others except that I think it would be good for business. Are you sure you don\u2019t mind staying alone for just a little while?\u201d Ben asked his son.<\/p>\n
Joe shook his head, swallowing what was in his mouth before speaking. \u201cNaw, I don\u2019t mind, Pa. You do whatever it takes to win that contract; I know what it means to you. I plan on turning in early anyway,\u201d smiled Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks son. I\u2019ll probably be gone in the morning before you wake up I have some early morning meetings over at the lawyer\u2019s office. Sleep for as long as you like and then get yourself some breakfast, just have it put on our tab. Afterwards you are free to do what you wish\u2026as long as you stay out of trouble and the saloon, do you understand?\u201d Ben gently ordered in a voice that told Joe that his father meant every word he said. \u201cIf I find out that you disobeyed me, we\u2019ll go straight home after I finish my business and forget our little fishing expedition.\u201d Ben stared into his son\u2019s face, waiting expectantly.<\/p>\n
Joe saw the seriousness in his father\u2019s expression and gave his father one of his most angelic smiles. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Pa, I promise, I\u2019ll not get into trouble, I won\u2019t go near the saloon cause I\u2019m looking forward to just you and me getting to do some fishing. You can count on me, honest. I heard some fellas talking earlier today that some guy is bringing in some new mustangs down at the corrals. I thought I\u2019d just mosey on down there and watch, that is, if it\u2019s okay with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben returned the smile; he couldn\u2019t help but smile at the boy\u2019s enthusiasm. \u201cJust stay out of the way, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will, Pa. Hey, are you going to eat the rest of your pie?\u201d he asked watching his father set his fork to the side of his plate.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s voice filled the room with laughter, \u201cGo ahead, help your self, Little Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw Pa,\u201d laughed Joe.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s happy laughter joined in with his son\u2019s. When Ben glanced up, he was surprised to see several sets of eyes watching them, but he didn\u2019t mind, he was proud of the fact the he and his son were able to laugh together. He turned and watched as Joe shoveled the last bite of apple pie into his mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, I just want you to know how glad I am that you convinced me to bring you along. I\u2019ve enjoyed your company, son, tremendously,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks Pa, I have too, enjoyed being with you, I mean.\u201d The smile suddenly left Joe\u2019s face and he dropped his chin.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben said softly, \u201cwhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe, his lips pressed tightly together, lifted his head and looked at his father. \u201cI just wish\u2026I mean\u2026I wish it could be like this all the time\u2026you know\u2026just you and me,\u201d he stated in a quivering voice.<\/p>\n
Ben studied his son\u2019s young face and then placed his hand gently on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cWhat about Adam and Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s chin fell to his chest. \u201cThey don\u2019t care nothing about me, least ways, Adam don\u2019t.\u201d Joe looked into his father\u2019s dark eyes, \u201che hates me\u2026and I don\u2019t understand why\u2026I know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know anything, young man,\u201d Ben said, his voice filled with compassion. \u201cYour older brother does not hate you\u2026he happens to care very deeply for you. Adam is just so\u2026so Adam,\u201d smiled Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s so much older in his ways than what he should be son, and I suppose most of that is my fault. But he means well, he wants the best there is for you, and in so doing, I suppose that he expects too much from a boy your age. You have to understand Joe, what it was like for your brother when he was boy, growing up in a man\u2019s world. His childhood was so different than yours was, Adam never had all the advantages that you enjoy, there fore he thinks and does things differently than you do. But hate you? No, never, your brother loves you like you were his own son, and sometimes that has caused problems between myself and your brother,\u201d Ben explained, and then smiled at the memories his words brought to mind.<\/p>\n
Joe seemed lost in thought as he pondered his father\u2019s words. After several moments, he smiled at his father. \u201cYou best get going Pa, it\u2019s almost nine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben realized that Joe had closed the subject of his brother\u2019s feelings about himself. Not wanting to put a damper on the evening, Ben smiled and pushed back his chair. \u201cI\u2019ll walk with you to the room and then I\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe also pushed back his chair, giving his father a frown. \u201cI don\u2019t need you to do that Pa, I\u2019m not a baby. You go ahead, I\u2019ll go straight to our room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben nodded in agreement. \u201cOkay son, I\u2019ll see you in a little while.\u201d Ben wiped his mouth and picked up his hat. \u201cGood night, Joe, sleep well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks Pa, I will. Have fun,\u201d he called as Ben started for the door.<\/p>\n
Joe pushed in his chair, glanced around the dining room, caught a pretty girl\u2019s eye, and smiled, nodding his head at her at the same time he winked his eye. The girl blushed and quickly lowered her lashes. Joe laughed lightly and started up the steps. He was totally lost in thought and had no idea that his father had stuck his head around the door and watched, being sure that his son had made it safely to his room. When Ben heard the door open and close, he sighed in relief and went about his way.<\/p>\n
Ben returned much later than he had intended. He was bone weary from the long day, but deeply satisfied in his mind that all was going his way with gaining the contract. Mr. Carlson, William Bradford and Jerome Stillburg were admirable men and Ben enjoyed doing business with them.<\/p>\n
Joe stirred slightly as Ben closed the door and began undressing in the dim light that filtered in from the street below. He tossed back the covers and crawled in next to his son, who snored softly. Ben smiled to himself, thinking of the numerous times that he had slept side by side with his youngest son, and how the boy usually thrashed from one end of the bed to the other. He smothered a soft laugh; they had arrived so late in the afternoon that only one room had been available and in that room was only one bed. Ben sighed, hoping that he would be able to get a few much needed hours of sleep. Closing his eyes, it was only minutes before the eldest Cartwright was fast asleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben was jolted from his sleep by fraying arms that struck him in the chest. He bolted upright trying to gather his senses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI DIDN\u2019T DO IT!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s eyes sought his son\u2019s face in the early morning light, just before dawn. The boy obviously was in turmoil as he fought with his demons. Quickly, Ben grabbed the arms that threatened to strike out a second time at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph\u2026Joseph,\u201d Ben called in a calm voice. \u201cWake up, son\u2026Joe, come on sweetheart, wake up. That\u2019s it, that\u2019s it,\u201d Ben encouraged.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes struggled to open as he sought the comforting sound of his father\u2019s voice. \u201cPa?\u201d he cried, the tears overflowing at last.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here son, you were dreaming,\u201d Ben whispered as he gathered the trembling body of his son into his arms. \u201cAre you all right now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe allowed himself to be held for several moments by his father before pulling back and looking into his father\u2019s face. He sniffed his nose and wiped his eyes dry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay, now,\u201d he muttered and returned his head to his pillow. \u201cI was having a nightmare, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWant to tell me about it?\u201d Ben asked as he replaced the covers around Joe and laid back down next to his son.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026it wasn\u2019t nothing. I\u2019m sorry I woke you, Pa,\u201d Joe said, turning to his father.<\/p>\n
Ben offered a tiny smile, \u201cIt\u2019s all right son. Why don\u2019t you turn over and try to go back to sleep, we still have a couple of hours before daybreak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe did as he father suggested and turned his back to Ben and snuggled down into the warm blankets. \u201cNight, Pa,\u201d whispered Joe.<\/p>\n
Ben turned toward Joe, placed his arm protectively across the still form and whispered his own good night. Ben, though he tried, had just begun to drift off when the sound of his son\u2019s soft crying, brought him back to the present.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really didn\u2019t do it,\u201d Joe whispered incoherently as he slept.<\/p>\n
Ben raised himself up, just enough to see his son\u2019s face and to know that the boy was indeed talking in his sleep. Ben settled back down, his arm still embracing his son, and thought about the words that had been whispered. For a long time, Ben held his son, unable to go back to sleep as the haunting words tore at his heart. Joe was still troubled by what had happened days ago, that much Ben was sure of. Even in his sleep, the boy was proclaiming his innocence. Ben groaned softly, Joe had been telling them the truth all along, of that his father was now certain. Promising himself that he would have a talk with the boy soon, Ben fell into a troubled slumber, waking just as the sun was beginning to peek over the tops of the far distance mountains.<\/p>\n
Ben tossed back the covers, glancing to assure himself that Joe was still sleeping. As quickly and quietly as he could, so as not to wake his son, Ben dressed and hurried from his room. He would meet with the others, hopefully signing the contract by early afternoon, make his stop at the bank and then gather their things so that he and Joe could be on their way. Ben smiled; everything was going according to schedule and with any luck, by this same time tomorrow, he and Joe would be enjoying some fishing along the banks of the Carson River.<\/p>\n
Ben smiled to himself; he was a lucky man. Edward Carlson had reminded him more than once of that the night before. Seems as if the older gentleman had been quite taken with Joseph, Ben recalled, thinking on the man\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
\u2018A fine son, you have there Cartwright,\u2019 Carlson had told him. \u2018Mighty fine. If my son had lived, he would be about the same age as your boy, or thereabouts. Yes sir, you are a lucky man, Cartwright, I hope you know that.\u2019<\/p>\n
Ben had smiled, \u2018Yes, I assure you, I am well aware of the fact. Joseph is a good boy, and I am very proud of him, in fact, I\u2019m very proud of all three of my sons.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018As well you should be. It\u2019s plain to see that you have raised the boy right. He\u2019s very respectful and…I might add, it\u2019s quite obvious that the boy has great respect and admiration for his father,\u2019 Carlson had commented. \u2018Yes sir, if I\u2019ve said it once, I\u2019ll say it again, you\u2019re one lucky man, Cartwright.\u2019<\/p>\n
Ben finished his breakfast and hurried down the street, greeting early morning shoppers as he passed them. He was first to enter the lawyer\u2019s office but only had to wait minutes before being joined by his fellow business associates, Mr. Stillburg, Mr. Bradford and Edward Carlson.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Benjamin,\u201d smiled Carlson, \u201cJerome, William,\u201d he greeted the others. \u201cShall we go inside and conclude our business?\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlson held the door opened and allowed the others to enter first. Once inside, formalities were taken to wind up the last lingering wordings to the contract. Each man took his turn to sign his name to the document, sealing the deal. Mr. Carlson smiled at each of them, his eyes lingering on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Ben, I am happy that we have come to terms and I am most pleased to be able to do business with you,\u201d he stood to his feet and shook Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cWelcome aboard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben clasped the man\u2019s hand in his and returned his smile. \u201cThank you sir, I know we will get along just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat now Cartwright? I mean, are you planning on staying around Genoa for a while?\u201d Carlson inquired, \u201cCause if you are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben was quick to answer, \u201cNo, no, I promised my son that we would take a couple of days and do some fishing before heading back to the Ponderosa. I aim on keeping my promise to the boy,\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. A father should always keep his promise to his son. Shows the boy that you are a man of your word. I like that, Cartwright!\u201d Edward turned to the others. \u201cWell, men, if you will meet me at the bank in about\u2026say\u2026half an hour, we will finish our business and then you will be free to be on your way,\u201d he smiled, watching Ben\u2019s face. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want you to keep that boy of yours waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben nodded his head, \u201cSpeaking of which, I\u2019d better go find him and give him the news. Thank you again, Edward, for everything.\u201d Ben extended his hand and waited for Edward to do the same. Both men clasped the other\u2019s hand in their own and shook it.<\/p>\n
Ben stepped out into the warm sun and stood, giving his eyes time to adjust to its brightness. He glanced up one side of the street and then the other, studying his surroundings. As his eyes became accustomed to the light, he started up the south side of the street heading for the corrals. As he made his way into the street, he was suddenly and unexpectedly forced to jump back as four riders galloped carelessly down the center of the main street.<\/p>\n
Ben glanced up into the face of the nearest rider, catching the man\u2019s eye as horse and rider galloped past. The man was tall and gangly, his clothes covered with dirt and dust and Ben, noting the evil smirk on the man\u2019s face, decided to let the incident pass without commenting.<\/p>\n
As Ben stepped up onto the walkway, he glanced again over his shoulder at the four men and watched as they entered the saloon on the opposite side of the street. The man, whom had nearly knocked Ben to his feet, turned and caught Ben watching him. He paused and then smiled, tipping the brim of his hat at Ben. Ben turned, ignoring the man\u2019s gesture and moved on toward the corrals, where he knew Joe would be watching the men bringing in the new mustangs.<\/p>\n
Ben found his young son straddling the fence, watching with excited eyes as the men herded the group of wild horses into the corral. When Joe spotted his father, the boy waved his hand in the air as Ben hurried to join his son.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi ya, Pa,\u201d beamed Joe. \u201cAren\u2019t they something?\u201d he asked, the excitement causing his voice to be high pitched.<\/p>\n
Ben pulled himself up to sit on the top railing, next to his son and smiled warmly at Joe. \u201cThey sure are. Look at that one.\u201d Ben pointed to a pretty black and white pinto that seemed to stand out from the others.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe sure is a fine looking animal,\u201d commented Joe, studying the horse as he paced nervously about the corral with the other animals. \u201cSomeday, I\u2019m gonna have me a pinto, just like that one, maybe even better,\u201d smiled Joe, looking up into his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Ben couldn\u2019t help but notice the happy twinkle and the longing in his son\u2019s hazel eyes. \u201cI bet you will son,\u201d Ben laughed and turned his attention back to the horses.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey Pa, I almost forgot, how\u2019d it go this morning?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well, very well indeed. We got the contract,\u201d Ben said proudly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great Pa, I knew you would do it,\u201d he flashed a smile in his father\u2019s direction. \u201cDoes that mean we can leave now, I wanna get to those fish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben slapped his son\u2019s back gently. \u201cAll I have to do is meet with Carlson at the bank in about half and hour. Why don\u2019t you go back to the hotel and collect our things? I\u2019ll be along shortly to settle our bill and then we can pick up what we need at the mercantile and then be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe jumped down from the railing and dusted the back of his trousers off. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll wait for you out front. But Pa\u2026hurry, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes Joseph, I promise, I won\u2019t take any longer than absolutely necessary,\u201d Ben chuckled as he parted company with his son.<\/p>\n
Joe rushed back to the hotel and gathered their things, carrying them down to the lobby. After informing the desk clerk that his father would return in a little while to settle up, Joe hurried to the livery stable and readied their horses. As he led their mounts across the street to the hotel, he glanced down toward the bank, noting the four peculiar looking characters that lingered outside of the bank\u2019s doorway. Joe paused, watching as one man spoke to the others and then led the way inside, followed by two of the men. One man remained on the walkway, glancing nervously about him. Joe shrugged his shoulders, and continued back to the hotel where he tethered the horses to the hitching post.<\/p>\n
Joe made himself comfortable in one of the available rocking chairs that were placed on the porch outside of the hotel\u2019s lobby. After what seemed like hours to the anxious boy, Joe rose and strolled leisurely down the boardwalk toward the bank. It was taking his father an awfully long time thought the boy who was yearning to be on his way. Joe knew his father had told him to wait at the hotel, but Joe was becoming concerned, for he had been watching the front of the bank and it appeared that no one had come out in the last several moments.<\/p>\n
As he neared the entrance, the man who had been standing in front of the establishment glared at him, causing Joe to pause briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t go in there just yet, if\u2019n I was you, kid,\u201d snarled the obnoxious man.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go where I please,\u201d snapped Joe, stepping around the man and grabbing the doorknob.<\/p>\n
Joe pushed the door opened and stepped inside. Everything and everybody within the boy\u2019s view seemed to freeze as all eyes turned in his direction. Suddenly and to Joe\u2019s surprise, he felt his body shoved to the side, falling in his attempt to remain on his feet. A blast ripped the air, shattering the silence of the room as a body staggered and fell at his feet, blood spraying onto his clothing.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes frantically searched for his father\u2019s face, finding it looking up at him from where Ben laid at his son\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cPA!\u201d screeched Joe, realizing that it had been his father who had shoved him out of harm\u2019s way and who had taken the bullet meant for him. Joe screamed again, as he groped for his father\u2019s body turning the pain filled eyes away from the ruckus.<\/p>\n
Around him, bullets where flying, people were screaming and shouting and Joe was hardly aware of the body which covered his own, protecting him from the skirmish that was taking place in the bank.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, it was over, the robbers having scattered, had managed to make off with most of the bank\u2019s money. Only one man lay dying in the floor, held tightly against the pounding heart of his weeping son, Ben Cartwright, who had sacrificed his life for that of his son\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Pa, please\u2026please\u2026\u201d wept Joe as he rocked back and forth, his beloved father clinging desperately to life. Joe glanced at the hole in the middle of his father\u2019s chest, the blood oozed slowly, draining the man of the precious liquid of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2026I\u2019m sorry\u2026I\u2019m so sorry\u2026\u201d sobbed the boy uncontrollably.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone get this man to the doctor,\u201d shouted a voice from behind Joe. Joe barely felt the tender hands that grasped his shoulders and gently pulled him to his feet as several men gathered around Ben and lifted his body carefully from the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cPA!\u201d bellowed Joe, resisting the hands that restrained him. Tenderly he felt his body turned from the sight of his father being carried from the bank. The hands pressed his head against the chest of the man who held him and wrapped themselves about his body in a protective manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh\u2026take it easy now, son, everything will be all right,\u201d said a deep voice that spoke in a calm that belied the anxiety rippling throughout the man\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
Joe finally turned his head upward and peered into the blue eyes of his father\u2019s new associate, Edward Carlson. \u201cYou try to calm down, Joseph, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nodded his head, \u201cMy Pa\u2026I\u2026gotta go\u2026with my Pa\u2026please\u2026oh please let me go\u2026with him\u2026.\u201d Sobbed Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll take you over to the doctor\u2019s office, but first Joseph, calm down,\u201d encouraged Edward, slipping his arm about the shoulders that trembled and leading the boy from the bloody scene inside of the building.<\/p>\n
It was all the elder man could do to keep up with the terrified youth. Joe all but ran the distance from the bank to the where his father had been taken. As Joe shoved opened the office door, he caught a glimpse of his father lying on the table in the back room. The doctor was ripping away what had remained of the shirt Ben wore and was barking out orders to the nurse who aided him. When he glanced up, Joe was standing in the doorway his eyes wide with fear, his face damp with tears that had overflowed and his body shook.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome away from the door,\u201d Mr. Carlson ordered gently as he guided Joe to a chair. \u201cI\u2019m sure the good doctor will allow you to see your father later, but right now he has a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe merely glanced at Edward, allowing himself to be lowered into the chair that Mr. Carlson had pulled out for him. \u201cYou pull yourself together now young man, your father is going to need you very soon. You hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe was struggling to control his sobs as he continued to focus his eyes on the door that separated him from his father. It seemed like hours before that door finally was opened and the doctor stepped into the waiting room.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s my Pa?\u201d Joe asked the minute the doctor shut the door. \u201cIs he gonna be all right, when can I see him?\u201d he demanded as he stood to his feet.<\/p>\n
The doctor placed a calming hand on Joe\u2019s arm and glanced at Edward Carlson and turned back to Joe. \u201cYour father is in very serious condition, son. I\u2019m afraid it doesn\u2019t look good. Are there other family members that we should notify?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes instantly filled with tears and when he blinked they rolled timidly down his upturned face. \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d he all but shouted. \u201cMy Pa ain\u2019t dying is he?\u201d wailed Joe.<\/p>\n
Again the doctor sought the other man\u2019s face and sadly the physician shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry son, it would take a miracle now to save your father.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO! NO! NOT MY PA! NOT PA!\u201d bellowed Joe, wrenching his arms free from the doctor\u2019s gentle hold. Joe cast wild, frightened eyes around the room and ran for the door that barred him from seeing his father.<\/p>\n
Joe tore into the dimly lit room where Ben lay motionless on the narrow bed where the doctor had placed him after removing the bullet that threatened to end his life. Joe, his face ashen in color, approached the bed cautiously until he stood over his father\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
Joe gasped at the sight of his father\u2019s face. Ben\u2019s features were void of any color. His lips appeared slightly blue and when Joe reached for his father\u2019s hand, the flesh was anything but warm and soft.<\/p>\n
Joe sank to his knees, weeping. \u201cOh Papa,\u201d he cried, laying his head against his father\u2019s and his lips brushing against Ben\u2019s ear. \u201cPlease Papa\u2026you can\u2019t leave me\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026honest\u2026I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d he sobbed. \u201cI love you Pa\u2026I love you so much\u2026please, please\u2026you can\u2019t die!\u201d<\/p>\n
Time passed slowly for the grieving boy as he watched his father struggling to cling to life. Joe refused to budge from his spot next to Ben\u2019s bed. The boy had fallen to sleep several times during the long hours that he maintained his vigil at the bedside. Each time, that he dozed, his arm was carefully laid across his father\u2019s upper torso, placed close enough that his fingers could brush the clammy flesh of his father\u2019s face and gently, lovingly, finger the fragments of silver hair that clung to Ben\u2019s brow. Joe\u2019s lips stayed pressed to his father\u2019s ear, hoping, praying that his words would somehow pull his father from the depths of his unconscious state and return to him. Joe cried for hours, his guilt of not obeying his father\u2019s order to wait for him at the hotel, eating away at his heart. Joe blamed no man for his father\u2019s injury but himself and his inner hate was destroying the boy whom his father had given his life for.<\/p>\n
\u201cPapa, please\u2026you gotta wake up now\u2026you hear me?\u201d whispered Joe in broken sobs that wracked his body. Joe leaned down and covered his father\u2019s face with kisses as his tears dripped onto Ben\u2019s cheeks. \u201cPlease Pa\u2026don\u2019t leave me like\u2026this. I ain\u2019t got\u2026 anyone else\u2026don\u2019t you understand\u2026\u201d cried Joe, \u201cAdam and Hoss\u2026they\u2019ll hate me\u2026for sure\u2026when they find\u2026out what\u2026I\u2019ve done\u2026this time\u2026Oh Pa\u2026please don\u2019t leave me all alone\u2026please\u2026please\u2026please\u2026come back\u2026to me\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice faded to a near inaudible moan as the words were wrenched from his heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long has the boy been like this?\u201d asked Edward Carlson, pulling the door softly to and turning to face the doctor.<\/p>\n
\u201cEver since Mr. Cartwright was brought in. The boy\u2019s not eaten a thing in nearly three days and he hasn\u2019t left his father\u2019s side but for just moments. The only time I\u2019ve seen him sleeping is when he\u2019s just been too exhausted to stay awake, and even then he lays his head next to his father\u2019s. I\u2019ve tried to get him to eat and lay down, but he refuses.\u201d The physician crossed the room to his desk and picked up a chart, studying it for a brief second.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Cartwright isn\u2019t getting any better Ed. In fact, I don\u2019t know what\u2019s keeping the man alive even now. Any other man would have died right away, what with an injury such as he\u2019s got.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edward Carlson sighed deeply. \u201cBen is a strong man, determined to beat all odds. If anyone can survive this, he can, and will. His other sons should be here any time. I sent them a wire explaining that their father had been wounded and that they were needed here as soon as they could arrange it. Watch out for the boy until they arrive will you? If he needs anything, anything at all, just send for me. I like the kid, he reminds me of Luke.\u201d The old man\u2019s lips twisted into a hint of a smile, and just for a fraction of a second, the doctor saw a twinkle in his friend\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
He patted the man on the back. \u201cLuke was a good boy, Ed, a good boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edward nodded his head; the sad look returning to the eyes and drowning out the spark that had flickered, however briefly. \u201cThat he was.\u201d Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he started toward the door. \u201cI\u2019ll let you know as soon as Cartwright\u2019s sons arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam and Hoss arrived within the hour, and headed straight for the doctor\u2019s office. Their worry and fear showed in the expressions that their faces bore as they pushed opened the door to the doctor\u2019s waiting room. The little bell attached to the door\u2019s frame tinkled softly, alerting the physician to the fact that someone needed him.<\/p>\n
As he entered the waiting room, Edward pushed his way into the office and turned to face the strangers. \u201cAre you Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Adam removed his hat and glanced from the doctor to the other man, a question showing on his weary face. \u201cYes, I\u2019m Adam Cartwright, and this is my brother, Hoss, and you are?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, my name is Edward Carlson, a friend of your father\u2019s. I was the one, who sent you the telegram,\u201d said Edward, offering his hand first to Adam and then to Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou father is in here, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the physician explained, his hand resting on the door handle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is Pa?\u201d asked Hoss anxiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cI better explain a few things before I allow you to see your father. Mr. Cartwright suffered a gunshot wound to the upper chest. I\u2019m afraid it is very serious. As of right now, he has not regained consciousness and sadly, does not appear to be improving. I\u2019ve done all I can do at this point. The rest is up to your father. The good thing is, he hasn\u2019t gotten any worse either. So we wait, I can keep him comfortable, lessen the pain all I can, but other than that, there is nothing more that I can do, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand, thank you. What about our younger brother, he was suppose to be with our father?\u201d questioned Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph?\u201d Edward interrupted. \u201cYour little brother is beside himself. He is devastated, you see, Mr. Cartwright, Adam, the boy blames himself for what happened to your father. It wasn\u2019t his fault honestly; it was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You see, that bullet was meant for your brother, not your father.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss and Adam swapped puzzled looks. \u201cWhat do ya mean, meant for our brother? How so?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boy wandered into the bank during the holdup, the thieves panicked, seeing as how someone walked in on their job, and when one man aimed his gun at your brother, your father shoved him to the floor and took the bullet instead,\u201d Edward continued to explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt tore the boy apart, seeing his father gunned down the way he was. He\u2019s not left your father\u2019s side since it happened.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boy\u2019s going to be sick himself, if he doesn\u2019t let me help him,\u201d the doctor told both brothers. \u201cCome on, I\u2019ll show you,\u201d he said as he led the way to Ben\u2019s room.<\/p>\n
The physician quietly eased the door open, allowing both Adam and Hoss to witness the scene inside the dimly lit room.<\/p>\n
Joe lay slumped over his father\u2019s body, as he had been for three days. The sound of his weeping could be heard in the near empty room. The sobs were broken and filled each brother with heart-wrenching compassion for the young boy who cried out to their father.<\/p>\n
\u201cPapa\u2026please\u2026open your eyes. I need ya\u2026Pa\u2026I ain\u2019t got no one else. I promise\u2026I\u2019ll be good\u2026please Pa\u2026you can\u2019t die. Did I tell ya\u2026Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t put that burr under Adam\u2019s saddle\u2026honest\u2026I didn\u2019t\u2026do it? Pa\u2026Adam and Hoss\u2026they don\u2019t want\u2026me any more\u2026OH PA! Please\u2026don\u2019t leave me\u2026you\u2026can\u2019t die\u2026Pa\u2026I need ya\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s sobs caused his body to shake, his breathing was labored and he was totally unaware that his brothers now stood behind him, each fighting their own tears as his words sliced their hearts in two.<\/p>\n
Adam, noting the term Joe had reverted to and had often used for his father when the boy had been much younger, ripped at the older brother\u2019s heart. When he could no longer endure his little brother\u2019s insistent pleas, Adam at last reached down, placing both of his strong hands gently on Joe\u2019s arms and pulled the boy to his feet. Adam turned Joe around, the tormented look in his little brother\u2019s eyes caused his breath to expel sharply from his lungs.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe,\u201d Adam whispered in a choked voice, stoking the boy\u2019s face with one hand.<\/p>\n
Joe tilted his head slightly upward, seeing for the first time his brother\u2019s face. Instantly his arms wrapped around Adam\u2019s middle and he buried his face as deeply into his brother\u2019s chest as was possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Adam, Adam, please don\u2019t\u2026let Papa die, please\u2026Adam, he\u2019ll\u2026listen to you\u2026he always does\u2026\u201d cried out Little Joe. \u201cDo something\u2026Adam\u2026hurry\u2026hurry\u2026OH PA,\u201d screamed Joe at the top of his lungs, \u201cTell\u2026him Adam\u2026tell him\u2026that he can\u2019t\u2026die\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s knees buckled beneath him and he slumped against his brother\u2019s breast. Adam quickly gathered the frail body into his arms, turning toward the doctor. \u201cDo you have some place where I can lay him down?\u201d<\/p>\n
The good-hearted physician quickly opened another door to a room that sided with the one where Ben was being cared for. \u201cIn here, there\u2019s a bed. Thank God you got here when you did,\u201d he said, stepping clear so that Adam could place Joe on the bed.<\/p>\n
Hoss followed Adam into the room and quickly pulled back the blankets, allowing Adam to place Joe down carefully. Joe had drifted into a semi-unconscious state, much to his brothers and the doctor\u2019s relief. Quickly, Adam pulled the boy\u2019s boots from his feet and covered him with the blanket.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll stay with Joe,\u201d instructed Adam, \u201cyou stay with Pa. I\u2019ll be right there once I\u2019m sure Joe will sleep for awhile,\u201d he instructed Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure \u2018nough,\u201d agreed Hoss, taking one last look at his little brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll give the boy an injection. This will help him rest,\u201d said the doctor, as he tapped the end of a long needle, sending a tiny spray of liquid into the air. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t let me come close enough to him before to inject him with this,\u201d smiled the doctor to Adam. \u201cHe fought me like a little bear cub the first time I tried, after that, I didn\u2019t bother the boy again. I figured it best to let him be.\u201d The doctor pulled the syringe from Joe\u2019s arm and patted Adam\u2019s back. \u201cIf you need me, I\u2019ll be out front, I have other patients to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, for everything,\u201d Adam said, brushing his face with his hands as soon as the doctor was out of sight.<\/p>\n
Adam glanced down at Joe as his eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. He brushed back locks of brown curls that had plastered themselves to his brother\u2019s brow. Adam leaned down, placing his lips to the dampened cheek and tenderly kissed the soft flesh.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry little buddy, for doubting you, and for making your life a living hell, and for putting you through this,\u201d whispered Adam. Adam\u2019s hand caressed his brother\u2019s arm, feeling the warmth of Joe\u2019s skin against his. \u201cI love you pal\u2026I\u2019m sorry that you think otherwise, and I\u2019m sorry for making you feel like I didn\u2019t care.\u201d A sob caught in Adam\u2019s throat and he had to swallow several times to remove it.<\/p>\n
Joe slept for several hours. More than once Adam left his father\u2019s bedside to check on his younger brother. Each time, he knelt beside Joe\u2019s bed and each time, he placed a kiss to the warm cheek or brushed back wayward curls from Joe\u2019s brow; and each time his throat became thickened with raw emotion that threatened to spill forth.<\/p>\n
The hours had past slowly, dawn was just beginning to break. Adam and Hoss dozed in their chairs, Joe lay sleeping and Ben still clung to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cPA!\u201d<\/p>\n
The scream jarred Adam from his fitful dreams as he fought to rub the sleep from his eyes. It was quiet in the room. Adam glanced at his father but saw no change in Ben\u2019s condition. Across the room, Hoss still dozed snoring lightly and Adam relaxed back in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u2018Must have been dreaming,\u2019 he told himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cPAPA! PLEASE!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam jumped to his feet and hurried into the adjoining room where Joe slept. As his eyes became focused by the soft glow of the lamp, Adam could see Joe struggling to free himself from the tangle of blankets. Tears coursed their way down the boy\u2019s face as Adam hurried to gather the frightened boy into his arms. Joe fought against the loving arms that had clasped themselves around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026no\u2026I have to go to him\u2026Pa\u2026I gotta help him\u2026\u201d cried Joe through his nightmare.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh\u2026take it easy Little Buddy. It\u2019s okay, now,\u201d soothed Adam. \u201cI\u2019m here Joe, can you wake up for me, pal?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2026Pa\u2026he\u2026can\u2019t die\u2026\u201d whined Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2026Joe\u2026come on buddy, open your eyes,\u201d encouraged Adam, rubbing his hand up and down the middle of his little brother\u2019s back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it, wake up.\u201d Adam smiled down into the tear stained face. \u201cTake it easy, Joe, you were just dreaming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes sought his brother\u2019s face. \u201cAdam\u2026Adam\u2026Pa\u2026is he\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam gently pressed Joe\u2019s face against his chest. Looking at the sorrow in the hazel eyes broke the older boy\u2019s heart, making it next to impossible for Adam to look directly at his brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2019s hanging on Joe, that\u2019s about all,\u201d Adam said truthfully. He heard the sob catch in his brother\u2019s throat and squeezed the boy a little tighter.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can\u2019t die\u2026not Pa\u2026\u201d whispered Little Joe, his words broken by his crying. \u201cPlease, I wanna see him\u2026please Adam.\u201d Joe turned his head upward so that he could see his brother\u2019s face. \u201cPlease? All I wanna do is look at him and\u2026be close to him\u2026Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam, his heart in his throat could only nod his head and motioned for Joe to follow him. Joe climbed from the bed and fell into step behind his brother. As Joe neared the bed where Ben lay, he felt his tears once again as they filled his eyes and blinded his vision. Joe stopped near the head of the bed and knelt down beside of his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d he whispered softly.<\/p>\n
The room was wrapped in colossal silence as if each person expected an answer from the bed-ridden man. No one stirred; the air was thick with expectancy, as man and boy waited.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
All eyes, even Hoss who had awakened, stared wide-eyed at Ben, whose eyes had, without warning, flickered opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph\u2026\u201d the mumbled name sounded again. Ben\u2019s fingers began moving, urging the boy to come close.<\/p>\n
\u201cPapa?\u201d cried Joe softly as he pressed his dampened cheek next to his father\u2019s. \u201cPapa,\u201d he said a little louder.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s long slender fingers wrapped themselves in the mass of dark curls and the weakened father forced his head to turn just enough so that his lips pressed against his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard\u2026you calling\u2026but I couldn\u2019t\u2026answer you,\u201d muttered Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d smiled Adam as he knelt down next to Joe and took his father\u2019s free hand into his own. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben forced his lips into a smile. \u201cNot\u2026so good, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowdy, Pa,\u201d beamed Hoss who had moved to the other side of the bed.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s eyes closed briefly and then flickered opened. The whole time, his fingers were caressing his youngest son\u2019s head. \u201cShh\u2026don\u2019t cry, sweetheart,\u201d whispered Ben, turning so that he could see Joe\u2019s face. \u201cPapa\u2019s not going\u2026to leave you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Pa\u2026I\u2019m so sorry\u2026I didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShh\u2026I know son\u2026I know. You\u2026didn\u2019t do anything\u2026wrong.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes closed a second time, this time they stayed closed.<\/p>\n
Joe turned frightened eyes up at Adam and then back to his father. \u201cPA!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam quickly placed his hand against Joe\u2019s back. \u201cHe\u2019s sleeping buddy, that\u2019s all. Come on, you need to get back in the bed as well.\u201d Adam helped his brother to his feet and tossed his arm around the quivering shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure, Adam\u2026that he\u2019s just sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPositive, now, let\u2019s get you back to bed.\u201d Adam smiled and gently guided the younger boy back to the other room. \u201cInto bed,\u201d he ordered gently holding the covers up until Joe had made himself comfortable. Adam placed the blankets around his brother and then sat down next to him on the side of the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, you saved Pa\u2019s life,\u201d smiled the older brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow? He really saved mine, cause that guy in the bank was going to shoot me,\u201d explained Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I know, but didn\u2019t you hear what Pa said? He said that he heard you calling to him. Joe don\u2019t you see, if you hadn\u2019t been here with him, begging him not to leave you, he might not have had the will to live. Thanks Joe,\u201d Adam gently allowed his fingers to brush away the lone tear that trickled down the side of his brother\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, for what Adam? I was scared to death, I just knew Pa was going to die and that I\u2019d be left here all alone and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam cupped his brother\u2019s chin with his hand, \u201cAlone Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe could not free his face from his brother\u2019s strong fingers, so rather than look into the dark eyes that scrutinized his face, Joe closed his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you really feel that way, little buddy?\u201d asked Adam softly.<\/p>\n
Joe nodded his head up and down unable to open his eyes and face his brother. The tears slipped from beneath the thick lashes and rolled unceremoniously down his face. Adam tenderly pulled his brother up into a sitting position and gathered the remorseful boy into his arms. Adam\u2019s chin rested atop the thick mane of hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry Joe, for hurting you. Can you ever forgive me?\u201d whispered Adam in a choked voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t do it Adam, put that burr under your saddle, I mean\u2026I didn\u2019t do it,\u201d muttered Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you didn\u2019t. I\u2019m sorry Joe for not believing you. I was wrong and I apologize,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, is this a private conversation? Or can anyone come in?\u201d Hoss asked from the doorway.<\/p>\n
Joe raised his head and gave a smile to his middle brother. \u201cYou can come in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, I got some good news. The doc just took a look at Pa and said it might take a while, but it looked like Pa was gonna be all right in time,\u201d Hoss brushed his massive hands across his round face. \u201cIt sure \u2018nough was a miracle, doc said. And he gives Joe the credit too, cause Joe never left Pa\u2019s side the whole time. He just sat there and talked Pa back from death\u2019s door, sure\u2019nough,\u201d beamed Hoss, as he repeated the phrase.<\/p>\n
Hoss lowered himself on the opposite side of the bed and smiled broadly. \u201cShort Shanks, what\u2019d we ever do without ya?\u201d Hoss tousled the top of Joe\u2019s head, causing the boy to giggle.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, Joe felt his body pushed down, against the bed and held there. Twenty fingers began tickling his body until Joe began giggling loudly. He squirmed and tossed about, trying desperately to free his body of the gentle torture.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop, stop\u2026oh please\u2026don\u2019t\u2026you\u2019re gonna make me pee!\u201d Squealed the youngest of the Cartwright brothers, happily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Hoss, let him up. I think he\u2019s too old to be having an accident,\u201d laughed Adam as he helped Joe straighten himself in the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet some rest squirt, I\u2019ll see you in the morning,\u201d smiled Adam as he followed Hoss from the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cNight Punkin,\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cNight Adam, night Hoss\u2026hey\u2026I love ya, both of you!\u201d called Joe, watching his brothers as they stopped and turned around to look at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love you too, you little scamp, now get to sleep!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam shut the door, glancing at Hoss who was watching him, a hint of a smile on his corpulent face. \u201cWell, it\u2019s the truth, I do, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss gripped Adam by the top of the shoulder. \u201cI know it, so does everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen Cartwright, you\u2019re one lucky man. I know I\u2019ve said it a million times, but it\u2019s true. You\u2019ve got to be about the luckiest son of a gun that ever walked the face of the earth. Why just look at you, sitting up in that bed the way you\u2019re doing. Why who\u2019d have guessed it, most men would have just given up and died,\u201d exclaimed Edward Carlson who had stopped by the little clinic to visit his new business partner.<\/p>\n
Ben smiled and nodded his head, turning slightly to study his youngest son\u2019s face, briefly. He turned to his company, \u201cI know I\u2019m lucky. You see, I had all the reasons in the world to want to live.\u201d Ben motioned for Joe to come sit next to him on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promised to take this young man fishing, and I aim to do just that.\u201d Ben turned and smiled at Joe, slipping his arm about the boy. \u201cJust as soon as the doctor tells me I\u2019m well enough to travel, Joseph and I are going fishing, aren\u2019t we son?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sure are Pa,\u201d laughed Joe, leaning back on Ben\u2019s pillows and placing his head on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, what about us?\u201d Hoss asked with a certain amount of anxiety. \u201cWe like to fish, too ya know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben glanced at Joe and together they started laughing. \u201cNot this time Hoss. Sorry, but I owe this trip exclusively to your little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw shucks,\u201d Hoss groaned, but the light in his eyes belied the mock frown on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay brother, there\u2019s lots of work to do back home, plus there\u2019s a dance coming up in a week or so, and I happen to know a tall, handsome blond, blue-eyed woman who is still waiting for you to ask her to that dance.\u201d Adam winked at Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBessie? Oh lordy, Adam I plum forgot! Oh no, that little filly\u2019ll have my head for sure. Come on,\u201d Hoss jumped up from the bed and started toward the door.<\/p>\n
Adam rose from his chair, an odd expression on his face. \u201cWhere are we going, Hoss?\u201d he said, glancing around at the faces in the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cHome\u2026that\u2019s where, home, if\u2019n I don\u2019t get home and ask Bessie Sue to that dance, why\u2026well\u2026I\u2019d sure hate to see what she\u2019d do to me. Well, ya comin\u2019 or not?\u201d shouted Hoss as he began flinging his things into his valise. \u201cDid Mary Ann say yes, when ya asked her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMary who? Oh, you mean Mary Ann\u2026Mary Ann\u2026OH NO! Hoss, I forgot to invite her! Come on, quit wasting time, Pa, we gotta get home. Joe you take care now and make sure Pa doesn\u2019t over do it. HOSS, come on boy, aren\u2019t you ready to go yet?\u201d shouted Adam, flinging open the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019, I\u2019m comin\u2019\u201d yelled Hoss as he rushed from the room.<\/p>\n
The room erupted into laughter as his family and Edward watched Hoss in his frenzy to pack and catch up with Adam. The door banged shut, jarring everything in the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cYep Cartwright, you\u2019re one lucky man!\u201d laughed Carlson.<\/p>\n
THE END<\/p>\n
March 2003<\/p>\n
Epilogue: Several days later, a very rested Ben and Joe returned home. They were greeted happily by Adam and Hoss which each gave their younger brother a much-deserved hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood ta have ya home, Short Shanks,\u201d smiled Hoss as he glanced at his father. \u201cAnd you too, Pa,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat to be home, isn\u2019t it son?\u201d Ben said, slipping his arm around Joe and pulling him close. \u201cIn fact, it\u2019s good to be alive!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to have you both home, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes that mean you missed me?\u201d giggled Little Joe.<\/p>\n
Adam turned, giving Joe a mock frown, and then started laughing, \u201cYeah kid, I missed you,\u201d he said truthfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonest\u201d\u201d Joe seemed surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonest,\u201d admitted Adam. \u201cHey, Joe, there\u2019s a letter for you, it\u2019s on Pa\u2019s desk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA letter? For me?\u201d he asked as he hurried toward the house.<\/p>\n
Joe ran to his father\u2019s desk and quickly searched for the letter addressed to him. He shuffled through the small stack of mail before finding it and then studied the return address for several minutes before ripping open the envelope.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s it from son?\u201d questioned Ben as he peeked over his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
Joe turned and looked first at his brothers and then his father. \u201cSeth Rawlins.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeth? But I thought\u2026\u201d started Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe quit Pa. Hank said he left the day after we got the wire about you getting shot. Didn\u2019t give Hank a reason, just said that it was time for him to move on,\u201d explained Adam.<\/p>\n
Ben scratched his chin and sat down in his desk chair. \u201cHmm\u2026that\u2019s strange. I thought the boy liked working for us.\u201d Ben then turned to study Joe\u2019s face; the boy seemed upset with the contents of the letter.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, is something wrong?\u201d Ben questioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not really, maybe you better read this,\u201d he said and handed the letter to his father.<\/p>\n
Ben glanced at the heading, scanned the faces of his sons, and turned his attention to the words scribbled on the paper as he began to read aloud.<\/p>\n
Dear Little Joe,<\/p>\n
I was sorry to hear about ya \u2018re Pa. I hope by now he is better and that the two of ya have arrived back home. As ya can see, I ain\u2019t workin\u2019 for ya Pa no more. I thought that after what I dun, I\u2019d best be on my way and gone fore ya got back home. What I\u2019m tryin\u2019 ta tell ya is, it was me that put that burr under ya brother\u2019s saddle. I dun it just as I was mountin\u2019 up. I don\u2019t know \u2018xcatly why I dun it, I guess I was just jealous, cause ya seemed to have it all and I ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019. Meanin\u2019 family and the like. You\u2019re Pa sure is one lucky man, and ya\u2019re one lucky kid, to have a father like ya got and two brothers what\u2019s always lookin\u2019 out for ya and all. I hope ya know that.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sorry kid, for causin\u2019 ya so much misery. I hope ya can forgive me someday, I didn\u2019t mean fur ya\u2019re brothers to get so mad at ya and all, tell\u2019em for me, that I was the one what did it, especially Adam, cause he was the maddest at ya.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m goin\u2019 back to Texas. Igot my Pa and my little sister down there, and I gots some I\u2019m sorries ta say ta them as well. Hope they\u2019re as understandin\u2019 as ya family is, cause I see now that I miss\u2019em a bunch.<\/p>\n
Maybe we\u2019ll meet up again someday, if\u2019n we do, I\u2019ll let ya take a punch at me for what I dun to ya. See ya \u2018round Little Joe.<\/p>\n
Seth Rawlins<\/p>\n
Ben folded the paper up and handed it back to Joe. For several moments he studied his youngest son\u2019s face, unable to find the right words to express his feelings.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like we\u2019ve all made some mistakes,\u201d he uttered softly.<\/p>\n
Adam and Hoss nodded their heads as well, both watching Little Joe. Joe suddenly stood to his feet, cramming the letter into his shirt pocket. He turned so that he could see all three faces of his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want all of you to know, I guess sometimes I can really mess up pretty badly. But I would never do anything to hurt any one of you, ever, leastwise not on purpose. You\u2019ve all I\u2019ve got, even though for a while I was afraid I didn\u2019t have anyone, but I was wrong. I know now, that no matter what I do, no matter how badly I mess up, I\u2019ve always got family that will still care about me and love me, I hope,\u201d laughed Joe lightly.<\/p>\n
He sniffed his nose and smiled at each of them, \u201cIn the words of our father,\u201d Joe gave a slight bow at his father, \u201cIt\u2019s over, it\u2019s finished, and it\u2019s in the past, now let\u2019s move on!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam shook his head, laughing, \u201cYou know kid, listening to you just now, assures me that Pa and I have done a right good job at raising you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s with this, Pa and I, thing?\u201d laughed Ben, rising and drawing Joe into the folds of his arms, \u201cHe\u2019s my son, not yours!\u201d he laughed, \u201cI get the credit for him turning out so well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh gee, thanks, does that mean that every time he messes up, I get the credit?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCredit, blame, call it what you will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, leave me out of this one\u2026he\u2019s my kid brother, and I\u2019m happy with just that. Come on, I\u2019m hungry, beat ya to the table,\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/p>\n
Ben, Joe and Hoss raced to the table, leaving Adam to ponder the words of his father.<\/p>\n
\u2018Blame\u2026great\u2026just what I need\u2026now if he had said credit\u2026\u2019 Adam ceased his mumbling as he slid into his place at the table. He glanced around at his family, his eyes fixing on his younger brother. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said, taking everyone by surprise, \u201cso that you\u2019ll always know, if I ever have a son of my own, I want him to be just like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d smiled Adam, \u201cYou\u2019re one lucky man, I hope I\u2019m as lucky!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLuck has nothing to do with it son, it\u2019s in the breeding,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in the what?\u201d asked Joe, his face a puzzle of different expressions.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever you mind boy, just eat your vegetables!\u201d<\/p>\n
The End\u2026..For sure this time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary: \u00a0A prank, an accusation, and a journey to death’s door, shows all of the Cartwrights and a few others, just how lucky one man can truly be.<\/p>\n
Rating: \u00a0PG\u00a0 (19,650 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":9859,"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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12258","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=12258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12258\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}