{"id":12676,"date":"2007-10-13T21:24:22","date_gmt":"2007-10-14T01:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12676"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:19","slug":"a-moment-revisited-by-calim11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12676","title":{"rendered":"A Moment Revisited (by Calim11)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>The finale of the Moment series and What Happens Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (9,690 words)<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note: I want to thank everyone for requesting continuations to my \u201cA Moment\u201d series. It was intended solely as a one-act story which blossomed into six. I\u2019m so glad you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. Thanks for all the encouraging comments. Hope you like this final act.<\/em><\/p>\n

A Moment Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Moment<\/a>
\nA Moment Lost<\/a>
\nA Moment Later<\/a>
\nA Moment Feared<\/a>
\nA Moment Given<\/a>
\nA Moment Revisited<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Moment Revisited\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The afternoon sun ducked behind the slowly gathering clouds giving the current temperature a slight dip, enough to cause Adam Cartwright to pull up the collar on his yellow coat and button up the front. After all he\u2019d been through on this lovely trip to Bud Turley\u2019s, he wasn\u2019t planning on catching a cold on top of all the bumps, bruises, aches and pains he\u2019d already collected.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Damn, pride!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adjusting Sport\u2019s cinch brought a grimace to his tired face, leaving him to stand there looking off distractedly into the trees. He knew if he waited a moment or two, the stinging pain in his left hand would dull enough for him to continue.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Never wear just one glove while trying to break a crazy horse!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally able to move again, Adam finished the job and lowered the fender, pulling a few burrs from Sport\u2019s mane just as his brother, Hoss, came to stand quietly next to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa doin\u2019 all right there, older brother?\u201d Hoss whispered, hoping not to draw the attention of his father and younger brother standing a few paces away. \u201cI\u2019m askin\u2019 \u2019cause yer lookin\u2019 a bit peek\u2019ed. Squeeze yer cheeks or somethin\u2019 or Pa\u2019ll be all over ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Adam answered just as softly, running a hand across his face then looking back toward Hoss for approval.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow ya just look cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect then,\u201d Hoss grinned, drawing a lopsided one from Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This trip to visit Bud Turley had been like all the rest \u2013 a long trek through tree-filled country with magnificent views of mountains, valleys and meadows, all ending up on his 1500-acre ranch, The Sierra, nestled between two snow covered peaks and filled with foot high grass. Bud\u2019s wife, Claudine, found this large piece of land just outside Barrett\u2019s Pass some thirty miles north of the Ponderosa by looking for an errant colt nearly forty years before. They\u2019d staked their claim and The Sierra began its climb to a well-earned reputation for excellent horseflesh and fair dealings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright first met Bud on the last wagon train he, Adam and baby Hoss joined on their journey west. With Bud\u2019s three girls and Ben\u2019s two boys, they\u2019d hit it off and a lifelong friendship had been born. Each savored the others success, even though there was a bit of competition between the two that had morphed into a competition between Ben\u2019s sons and Bud\u2019s men as the two men got older. And while Ben claimed it was all in fun, the boys knew it meant more than that to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As to Bud, he just thought of it as part of life. The harder you fought for things, the easier it was to succeed, and living out here in this pristine wilderness that gave the impression of being out in the middle of nowhere, you fought for everything. When a little settlement sprouted up some ten miles to the east not ten months before, you\u2019d of thought the world was coming to an end, according to Bud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And so a good portion of the first two days of the Cartwrights\u2019 visit was filled with Bud\u2019s obvious dislike for progress or his yearning for, as he put it, \u2018the good old days\u2019 when you survived on the land and didn\u2019t need a General Store to support you through the winter. Whatever kept his mind off him, Adam went right along with it, sighing with relief that first night and then the second when he\u2019d made it to bed without mention of any type of contest that would surely kill him. Maybe Bud had grown out of these little escapades.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until that first weekend that it all started going downhill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Over the years, Adam wondered what it was that made his tongue disobey his brain out here in the wilderness. He\u2019d often thought it was the higher altitude but Denver never seemed to bother him. Perhaps it was the water but it was just as pure as what ran through the Ponderosa. He\u2019d even gone so far as to think maybe his hat was too tight! But he\u2019d had this hat long enough to break it in so that couldn\u2019t be it either. The more he thought on it, the less he understood, so he just gave up. But this time he had an ace in the hole – Hoss. He knew his brother would look after him and keep him out of harm\u2019s way because he\u2019d promised, and a Hoss promise was one to take to the bank.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss, on the other hand, was wondering if he\u2019d be able to uphold that promise. Oh, he was more than willing to do what was right to keep his wayward brother from killing himself, but that was proving difficult as the one-upmanship got worse as the days passed and he realized that, aside from tying Adam up and tossing him into the bunkhouse, there was very little he could do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course. both Joe and Ben hadn\u2019t really helped when they expressed their desire that Adam \u2018hold up the Cartwright name\u2019. Some help they turned out to be. Shaking his head in defeat, all Hoss could do was pledge to be there when it all came crashing down. And crash it did. Later he was heard to say it was like watching a train wreck \u2013 something horrible that you just can\u2019t take your eyes from.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All the boasting and bragging, done mostly by Ben himself, eventually led to how many horses could be broken in an hour. A shake of the hand, a quick whiskey to get started, and on they plowed. It wasn\u2019t until 20 minutes into it that Adam\u2019s brain finally detoured back into his head, awakening him to the fact that this fine spread filled with tough horses and tough men was probably going to kill him! In fact, before it was even over, he felt that those tough horses had run over him . . . more than once.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The cheering from the Cartwright clan was almost as loud as Bud\u2019s three girls and all his men for his foreman, Pete Sibbald, but all that noise only incited the already restless horses and made for much wilder rides than either Adam or Pete were used too. But on they rode, determined to prove they were better to their respective audiences, both getting dog-tired as the clock clicked slowly toward the top of the hour, each beginning to make mistakes as both were dumped to the ground time and again. Limping and dirty, they made their way back to the chute for more, the Cartwrights\u2019 yelling a bit more subdued the slower and more hunched Adam walked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was just before the hour was up when it happened. A particularly nasty bay began to sunfish then decided against it, turning left then right in quick succession, flinging Adam headfirst toward the corral fence. Putting out his left hand to break his fall, he could feel the splinters ramming into his ungloved hand right before his head made contact with not one but two rails, followed by a hard landing in that foot-tall grass outside the corral to lay unmoving. He didn\u2019t hear Ben immediately call a halt to the contest and concede on his son\u2019s behalf, nor feel Hoss\u2019 hands gently turn him over, or see the worry drop across everyone\u2019s faces . . . including Bud\u2019s. After a tense couple of minutes of trying to rouse him, Adam finally opened crossed eyes and tried to get up, Hoss holding him down. It was then Bud announced the hour was up before Adam left the saddle, thus completing the contest in his favor and awarding him all the horses broken within the timeframe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Easing him slowly to unsteady feet, Hoss held onto his brother, wrapping an arm about him as Bud approached. Holding out a hand to the dusty, disheveled and bleeding young man, Bud waited as Hoss pushed up Adam\u2019s hand, then heartily shook it, congratulating Adam on winning the contest. Adam squinted at Bud, trying to keep his spinning eyes in focus and thought he saw a sparkle of . . . could it be . . . respect in those gray eyes? He wasn\u2019t sure but figured he could clarify the truth the next time they made this trek, for he wasn\u2019t foolish enough not to think there wasn\u2019t going to be<\/u><\/em> another trip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mumbling something incoherent in response, Adam had no choice but to let Hoss half walk, half drag him back to the house where Claudine Turley shooed out the men, gave her husband a hard look, and took charge of Adam for the rest of the day. No one was allowed near him (even his father) until two days later and even that was supervised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And now, after saying their goodbyes and heading on home, Adam was within spitting distance of his bed and, after spending the last three nights sleeping on the hard ground and his collection of bruises upon bruises, he just wanted that luxury NOW! And home was a lot closer than Virginia City, which was where his father apparently wanted them to go. Or at least, that\u2019s what Adam thought he\u2019d said. (His ears still rung a bit.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . do you say?\u201d came the remainder of Ben\u2019s question to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d came out before Adam could stop himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, son?\u201d Ben asked, still a bit concerned about that bang on Adam\u2019s head and the deep bruise that was turning a wonderful shade of green and yellow across his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fortunately, Hoss stepped in. \u201cHe\u2019s fine, Pa. Now what was ya sayin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, Hoss.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Narrowing his eyes, Ben watched Adam a bit longer, thinking he looked cold, then shook off the thought. \u201cI said how about we go into town and I\u2019ll treat everyone to a round of beers. Need to celebrate our victory over Bud. What do you say?\u201d Ben finished, smiling away at his family. Adam gave Hoss a pained look as he turned back toward Sport.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m game, Pa,\u201d Joe piped up ready to go on another trip already.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

That boy never seems to run out of energy.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like fun, Pa,\u201d Hoss started glancing at his older brother, \u201cbut I\u2019m thinkin\u2019 Adam and I are gonna head on home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEverything all right?\u201d Ben asked worry again clouding his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019 wrong, Pa,\u201d Hoss answered, patting Adam on the back who carefully pulled himself into the saddle, re-wrapping the lead rope attached to his string of five horses about the pommel. \u201cWe havta put up these horses. Don\u2019t wanna drag them all the way into town and back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s true,\u201d Ben conceded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just admit that Bud wore you out?\u201d Joe said, giving Adam a wicked smile. Hoss shifted a glance toward Adam as he checked his own string of horses then mounted, pulling his coat closed against the afternoon chill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam just smirked at his younger brother. \u201cI admit to nothing, little<\/u><\/em> brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right then,\u201d Ben said with a shake of the head. \u201cJoe and I\u2019ll go pick up the mail and check in with Roy, then come on home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell Roy hey,\u201d Hoss said as Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave fun,\u201d Adam added with a slight wave as he gratefully followed after Hoss on the road toward home. Joe moved on ahead as Ben watched the two for a few seconds then turned Buck toward Virginia City, smiling when he heard Adam\u2019s clear deep voice rise in song, Hoss joining in as they rode away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back, Ben,\u201d came Isaac Bloom\u2019s high-pitched voice, holding out his hand for the elder Cartwright to pump. The banker was always happy to see his biggest depositor \u2013 morning, noon or night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIsaac. Good to be back,\u201d Ben said as he returned the handshake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m gonna go collect the mail,\u201d Joe called as Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll meet you over at Roy\u2019s,\u201d Ben answered, turning back toward Bloom. \u201cI hope it\u2019s not too late to make a deposit, Isaac.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bloom smiled happily. \u201cIt\u2019s never too late for you, Ben,\u201d Bloom answered leading him toward the bank\u2019s doors, smiling from ear to ear. Stepping aside to allow entry, Bloom\u2019s smile faded a bit when he realized he\u2019d lost Ben\u2019s attention. Peeking around him, he spotted the Sheriff running towards them at a quick clip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s running,\u201d Bloom noted, fidgeting with his watch fob as Ben abandoned the banker and moved toward his friend. \u201cHe never runs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d Ben called, his walk turning into a trot, seeing Joe out of the corner of his eye turning Cochise and heading back for them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen! Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Roy,\u201d Ben answered, grabbing hold of his friend as he came to a sliding stop, leaning over to catch his breath. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy held up a hand to give him a moment as Ben traded looks with Joe, who\u2019d dismounted and hurried over, both waiting impatiently for Roy to continue. Bloom was right \u2013 Roy never ran unless it was important.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff coughed a few times then straightened up fixing Ben with a serious stare. \u201cI got news, Ben, and it ain\u2019t happy news neither,\u201d he said, taking off his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked, not knowing if he should be worried or terrified.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Red Twilight, Ben,\u201d Roy began, a cough stopping him for a moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Red?\u201d Joe asked, his heart suddenly doing the two-step in his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The news hit them square between the eyes and Ben\u2019s brows flew up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, you said Red was killed in an accident,\u201d Joe stated, all the lightheartedness from their trip gone in an instant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s what I was told,\u201d Roy answered, looking at them both. \u201cI even sent a telegram ta the warden ta make sure that nothin\u2019 had been missed. Everythin\u2019 was covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened then?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was as hard as nails as all the old fears raised their ugly head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said before, Red was on a prison work detail and a landslide took out the wagon he and three other inmates was in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know all that, Roy,\u201d Ben exclaimed. \u201cWhy do they think he\u2019s alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was three guards and four inmates. Seven bodies was found. The tally matched. Well, it turns out there was another guard. He was headin\u2019 home and since the work detail was goin\u2019 his way . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe hitched a ride,\u201d Joe filled in as Roy nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one knew \u2018til about a week ago when a cousin came ta visit that guard at his new place and found no one had been there. He started checkin\u2019 and found he\u2019d left the prison the same day as Red\u2019s work detail. Someone finally put two and two together when the friend described the guard \u2013 about the same height and looks as Twilight, with a head full of red hair. That\u2019s all they needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy Lord,\u201d Ben cursed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt gets worse, Ben,\u201d Roy answered catching Ben\u2019s eye. \u201cI gotta telegram from the Sheriff over in Genoa just yesterday. Mary Wickham was found dead, stuffed in a barrel – strangled. The boardin\u2019 house proprietor said someone came callin\u2019 last week and that she hadn\u2019t seen Mary in a few days and, by the description . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRed Twilight,\u201d Joe stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Roy answered, looking directly at Ben. \u201cWe know he ain\u2019t smart enough ta disappear and start a new life. He ain\u2019t forgot what Hoss did ta Willie and he\u2019s gonna remember that Adam\u2019s testimony helped send him ta prison. I reckon he\u2019s gonna come gunnin\u2019 fer yer boys, Ben.\u201d As soon as the words left Roy\u2019s mouth, Ben\u2019s eyes grew wide and connected with Joe, who turned and vaulted aboard Cochise, hurrying to retrieve Buck. \u201cWhere are they, Ben?\u201d Roy called to Ben\u2019s retreating form.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe left them,\u201d Ben tossed over his shoulder. \u201cWe left them on the road home not an hour ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no sayin\u2019 he\u2019s gonna be there waitin\u2019, Ben,\u201d Roy said, trying to calm the situation as he followed after him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there\u2019s no sayin\u2019 he won\u2019t. We\u2019ve been gone. I\u2019m sure he knows we\u2019re back and I\u2019m not going to let my boys ride right into a gunfight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen, are you sure Mr. Twilight will come back here?\u201d Bloom nervously asked, fidgeting with his glasses now as Joe tossed Buck\u2019s reins to his father. \u201cHe\u2019s free.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe ruined his life, Isaac,\u201d Ben explained as he mounted. \u201cHe wants revenge, plain and simple. Damn! We just got everything back into place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me git my horse, Ben,\u201d Roy called, \u201cand I\u2019ll come out ta the ranch with ya just ta make sure. Don\u2019t go nowheres ’til I git back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not waiting, Roy!\u201d Ben yelled as he followed Joe down the street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy cursed under his breath and high-tailed it toward the livery.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This is too much running for one day.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A big, fat yawn overtook Adam just as they made the yard of the ranch house, bringing a smile to Hoss. His brother\u2019s singing had stopped about ten minutes before and Hoss knew without even turning around that he\u2019d fallen asleep in the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Poor Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss just didn\u2019t know what it was about Bud Turley that so bamboozled him. Hoss suspected Bud was<\/u><\/em> a bit worried this time when Adam laid there like a wet sack of flour before he came to, asking to be put on another horse, and felt that this time, Bud might actually have gained some admiration, real admiration, for his older brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam, on the other hand, was thinking only of his nice soft bed to ease the aching body that came with that admiration. The thought brought him a faint smile then a frown when he remembered they still had to put up the horses. Maybe he could talk Hoss into taking care of them. Chuckling, he knew he wouldn\u2019t let these horses go untended, especially Sport. It wasn\u2019t in his nature to let his favorite mount want for anything and he needed a good rubdown after this long trip as much as Adam needed a close encounter with his pillow.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Okay, maybe a kinda sorta partial rubdown would do for now.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Easing stiffly out of the saddle, Adam limped after Hoss as they led their bounty to the corral at the side of the barn, urging the horses through the gate. He broke up a nearby hay bale and tossed it inside as Hoss filled the water trough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Watching them settle in, Adam was struck with a flicker of pride. Even though he\u2019d been breaking horses for years, it always made him feel like he\u2019d accomplished something when a few weeks down the line these horses would carry men safely to their work and prove themselves worthy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThese are fine lookin\u2019 animals, Adam,\u201d Hoss said as he leaned on the corral railing next to his brother. \u201cYup, ya done good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe\u2019s already picked out the best ones for his breeding program.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy\u2019s gotta passion for that, don\u2019t he? Once Pa gave the go ahead, he took off and didn\u2019t look back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hate to admit it but he\u2019s a fine judge of horseflesh.\u201d The words had barely left Adam\u2019s mouth when he turned toward Hoss and waited. Feeling those dark eyes upon him, Hoss glanced over noting the intense stare. \u201cYou will<\/u><\/em> keep that under your huge hat right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss answered, a bewildered look scrunching up his face that slowly relaxed to one of understanding. \u201cAh, right. Don\u2019t want him gettin\u2019 a big head.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d Adam answered as he yawned again and rubbed his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa want me ta put \u2018em up?\u201d Hoss offered, pointing to their mounts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam opened his mouth to accept then reconsidered just as his stomach growled. \u201cI\u2019ll make you a deal. If you go get Hop Sing started on supper, I\u2019ll start Chubb. I\u2019m awful hungry,\u201d he said rubbing his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss smiled broadly, noting his own belly grumbling. \u201cJust give me a minute,\u201d he answered, tossing Chubb\u2019s reins over Adam\u2019s shoulder and hurrying toward the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clicking to Sport, the three headed toward the barn, Adam smiling as he heard Hoss calling for Hop Sing even before he\u2019d cleared the front door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leading Chubb to his own stall, Adam released the cinch and slid the saddle from the Morgan\u2019s back. Placing it on its rack, he beat out the blanket against the stall and ran it over Chubb a few times before draping it over the saddle, replacing his bridle with a halter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go anywhere,\u201d Adam said patting him on the neck. \u201cHoss\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Running a hand over Chubb\u2019s rump, he slowly limped toward Sport, seeing him already waiting in his own stall. Letting loose a small laugh, Adam patted the big chestnut and unhooked the chest collar then reached for the cinch. \u201cYou know,\u201d he began sliding the saddle off Sport\u2019s back, \u201conce I get cleaned up and feel halfway descent, I\u2019ll bring you both some sugar and apples. What do ya say?\u201d Both animals snickered and he grinned. They deserved to be treated special.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Humming, Adam picked up a currycomb and hurriedly ran it along Sport\u2019s coat trying to get at least some of the top layer of trail dust off him as quickly as possible. Yawning again, he stretched, trying to work out the kink in his back, wondering if the little headache that sat behind his eyes would soon blossom into something bigger before he could get himself to bed. \u201cTo bed, to bed,\u201d he mumbled, ears perking up as someone entered the barn behind him. He didn\u2019t even turn around. \u201cWhat\u2019s Hop Sing got planned? Anything special?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends,\u201d came an all too familiar voice, making the hairs on Adam\u2019s neck stand on end and his hand stop in mid-motion. In an instant, the fatigue that hung from him evaporated like rain on a hot day and he swallowed, trying to push his heart back down into his chest. All those doubts, all those nagging feelings that both he and Hoss shared were true.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Why did I let Roy talk me into accepting it?! I knew better!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly, Adam turned, confirming with his eyes what his ears were telling him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRed Twilight,\u201d came out as a harsh whisper, drawing a pleased smile across that crazy man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it nice ta be remembered,\u201d Red answered, moving into the barn, his gun aimed directly at Adam\u2019s chest. \u201cSeems like old times now don\u2019t it, Cartwright?\u201d Red began feeling like he had all the time in the world. \u201cYou standin\u2019 there with your mouth open and me holdin\u2019 a gun on ya feels like time repeatin\u2019 itself, givin\u2019 me another chance ta get it right I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t get away with this,\u201d Adam finally said, wondering where Hoss was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think I will, Cartwright. I\u2019ve got more in my favor this time. Ya don\u2019t have your kid brother waitin\u2019 ta jump me and that other brother of yours, the one that killed Willie, well, I got him wrapped up tight in the house ta do with as I please. Once I kill you, ain\u2019t no one gonna save him this time, not even that Chinaman.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam swallowed down the bile that rose in his throat. It\u2019s hard when you realize you\u2019re on your own, that you\u2019re the only hope to save someone you love and you know this will probably be the end of things. Many things go through your mind, many thoughts and moments and then your mind settles and all fear leaves as if it had never been. Adam took a shallow breath and his heart suddenly calmed and his mind went to work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The layout of the barn washed through him and all the possible obstacles raised their ugly head. The barn door was out because any direct run for freedom would be cut off with a quick bullet from Red\u2019s gun; Sport and Chubb stood behind him and he didn\u2019t want to endanger their lives by ducking into their stalls. The only open area was a catchall stall to his left, filled with hay, a tack box and a few barrels of tools. There was nothing to hide behind, nothing to use for cover.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Damn!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was here, Adam remembered, that time slowed before giving him the luxury of thinking through what was about to happen and changing his tactics, knowing that Red would empty his gun this time, just to make sure the job was done. But for this moment, time moved right along and was about to take him with it. He squeezed his hands into fists and winced as his nails touched his sore left palm and his fingers dug into the currycomb in his right.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

What if . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All the while Adam\u2019s mind worked furiously, Red watched him, wondering why he wasn\u2019t saying anything, wasn\u2019t asking after his brother. The slight fear he\u2019d seen at the beginning was gone, replaced with determination, and it bothered Red. This Cartwright was looking at him like he didn\u2019t matter, even though he had the drop on him. Worry flirted with anger in Red.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

No Cartwright, this one or any other, will ever pass judgment on me again!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t ya got nothin\u2019 ta ask me?\u201d Red asked, his gun never wavering from its target.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brought out of his musings, Adam narrowed his eyes. \u201cLike what?\u201d he calmly asked, as if he was wondering about the weather.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red\u2019s eyes narrowed as well. \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know. How about what I\u2019m gonna do ta that big ox once I\u2019ve killed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be here to care,\u201d Adam answered with a shrug, raising Red\u2019s dander even further.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut ya care now, Cartwright. I ain\u2019t never seen a family that cared as much. Ain\u2019t natural.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c \u2019Cause it ain\u2019t supposed ta be that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou had it with Willie.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your brother took him away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not wanting to venture into that territory just now, Adam turned slightly to lean against Sport\u2019s stall. \u201cHow\u2019d you escape?\u201d came the question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red\u2019s brow furrowed, betraying his interest. \u201cIt was a plain old simple act of nature,\u201d he began, thinking it didn\u2019t make much difference if he answered the question or not. This Cartwright was still dead. \u201cLandslide plowed right into the side of the prison wagon. Seemed I was the only one left alive. So I did what any self-respectin\u2019 fella would do at a time like that \u2013 swapped clothes with a red-headed guard, took the only horse I could find, and left.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you run? You could\u2019ve been in Mexico by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said at the trial, I\u2019m gonna kill ya if it\u2019s the last thing I do. I just didn\u2019t think I\u2019d have me a chance so soon but lookee here.\u201d Red smiled, feeling a bit more in control, the look sending a shiver through Adam. \u201cAnd it seems you and me, well, we\u2019ve played this little game before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you lost,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, for a time I lost but now here you stand, my gun pointed at you. Don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be missin\u2019 this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you waiting then?\u201d Adam asked, surreptiously moving the comb past the tie-down on his gun and lifting it ever so slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red just shrugged, that simpering smile lingering on his face, not noticing Adam\u2019s movement. \u201cThought I\u2019d just savor the moment,\u201d he answered. \u201cWe get so few of those in our lifetime. Ever notice that? Ever notice how life just seems ta pass by and, bang, yer old and dried up, with nothin\u2019 ta show for it. Don\u2019t seem right. But when I run across a moment like this, well, I take my time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what moment would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, you becomin\u2019 worm fodder of course. That\u2019s mighty pleasant, if ya ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one\u2019s asking,\u201d Adam quipped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red barked a laugh at him. \u201cDon\u2019t need ta ask, not when I\u2019m the one pointin\u2019 the gun. Naw, this is just for me and my brother. Once you\u2019re all dead, I\u2019ll be on my way. But right now, I\u2019ll take my time. I took my time with your brother when I back-shot him. Had ta find the right place, the right time to get him in my sights and pull the trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you didn\u2019t kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI learned my lesson there. Aim higher.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAiming higher didn\u2019t work with me,\u201d Adam countered, wondering if reminding him of this fact was going to get him killed quicker.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou moved and that ain\u2019t fair,\u201d Red responded, his smile fading. \u201cYou were supposed ta just stand there and take it like a man so I could get my kill. I\u2019d a finished it too, if it weren\u2019t for yer kid brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that kid beat the tar outta you; had you dead to rights until I stepped in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t\u2019ve killed me. He\u2019s too law-abiding. All you Cartwright\u2019s are,\u201d Red said with disgust.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot that day,\u201d Adam admitted, switching the comb to his left hand and hiding the wince as it scrapped against his injured palm. \u201cI thought he was gonna kill you and, by the looks of things, I should\u2019ve let him. You\u2019re a lucky man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLuck never shined on me \u2018til that landslide. Before that, though, Willie and me was left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam watched Red as his eyes moved from him for an instant as he thought on his dead brother, bringing Adam\u2019s thoughts to his own. Hoss wasn\u2019t coming and he didn\u2019t know if he could keep Red talking much longer. Time was running out and the tack box was going to have to stand in for an object to hide behind. His hand gripped the comb as his body tensed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWillie was a good man,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cHe didn\u2019t deserve a brother like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anger filled Red\u2019s face. \u201cWhy you . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d made a decent life for himself until you came along and destroyed that memory, left Mary to grieve alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary was a whore!\u201d he spat. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t any good for my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWillie loved her!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I killed her!\u201d Red shouted. Adam\u2019s eyes grew wide, bringing a smile back to Red\u2019s face. \u201cShe ratted on me at the trial. I couldn\u2019t let her get away with that, just like I can\u2019t let you get away with it. It was your testimony that sealed my fate, Cartwright. A man don\u2019t get over that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam narrowed his eyes. \u201cSo pull the trigger already. Talking me to death isn\u2019t going to work.\u201d A look crossed Red\u2019s face and Adam heard the hammer draw back as clear as if it was held to his own ear. Now was the time. \u201cHOSS! LOOK OUT!\u201d he shouted, getting the response he was looking for. Red turned . . . but not far enough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Too late to change his plan, Adam tossed the comb at Red\u2019s face and drew his gun, firing as he leaped. Adrenaline fueled his jump and he missed the tack box by a good eight inches, slamming against a barrel of shovels instead. His shot went wide, slicing through Red\u2019s arm instead of his head. The comb, however, found its mark and Red\u2019s resulting jerk backward redirected his shot into Sport\u2019s stall, tossing the unfettered animal into a frenzy — screaming then rearing and bolting forward, knocking Red off his feet as he fled the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Adam inched up the wall, wrapping his left hand about his right to steady his shaky aim at the crazy man on the ground who responded in kind. Both guns fired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red spun on his knees as a bullet caught him in the shoulder, and thoughts of a grin began on Adam\u2019s face only to die away at the sudden impact that shoved him hard against the barn wall. Feeling every inch of Red\u2019s bullet burrow down the right side of his head, his knees gave way and he hit the ground, falling onto his hands, elbows locking as he refused to give up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blinking blood out of his right eye, Adam reached back for the barrel to pull himself up when a fist connected with his chin, sending him flat, arms and legs declining to cooperate this time. A swift kick knocked his gun into the hay and a grasping hand grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him halfway up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is for my brother!\u201d Red shouted into his face punching him again. \u201cAnd this is for the trial!\u201d Another punch landed. \u201cAnd this is just for me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red let Adam go with the last punch and smiled as his head bounced off the ground. Raising a boot, he landed it on Adam\u2019s chest, shoving out any remaining thoughts of moving from his pain-wracked body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grabbing at the offending object, Adam made a feeble attempt to push it off, but his strength was failing and his arms slid to his sides.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red leaned in close. \u201cWell, now,\u201d he began, wiping blood from his nose and aiming his gun at Adam\u2019s head, \u201cI don\u2019t see any of your brothers runnin\u2019 ta save your sorry hide. You\u2019re all by your lonesome. Got any big words to fling at me before we say adios?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took shallow breaths. He was sure every one of his ribs was cracked and prayed that some miracle would occur to save his brother since he obviously couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t . . . you won\u2019t get away with this,\u201d Adam stated, fighting to breathe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red laughed. \u201cOh, I\u2019ll get away with it, Cartwright,\u201d he said, a smile firmly back on his bloodied face. \u201cI\u2019ll get away with killin\u2019 you and that big ox, then I\u2019ll take out that kid brother of yours. I\u2019ll give him a taste of what he gave me, only this time he won\u2019t be walkin\u2019 away like I did. No, he\u2019ll land face down in his own blood until it all seeps outta him. Then only your old man\u2019ll be left. He\u2019ll shrivel up and blow away without his sons around him and then no one will remember the name Cartwright \u2018cept by lookin\u2019 at a tombstone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red stiffened and Adam struggled to raise his head to drag glassy eyes to the owner of that voice and a sigh of relief moved through him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI always remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Keeping his gun trained on Adam, Red\u2019s eyes skirted to the side. \u201cYou shoot me, Chinaman, and I shoot him. Your choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His choice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing hesitated, indecision running through him, the gash over his right eye oozing blood down his cheek to drip onto his ripped shirt, an injury received from the butt of Red\u2019s gun as it rained down upon him just before Hoss came calling for supper. Gripping the double barreled shotgun in both hands, Hop Sing\u2019s focus shifted between Adam and this interloper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His choice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What kind of choice was it \u2013 lose Adam or lose Hoss. Neither choice was acceptable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Chinaman,\u201d Red continued. \u201cI\u2019m gettin\u2019 an itchy finger here. Make a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShoot . . . him,\u201d Adam wheezed, gasping as Red pressed down harder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet, Cartwright, and let the man think,\u201d Red ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever . . . he chooses,\u201d Adam began, not taking his eyes from Hop Sing\u2019s, \u201cwill be . . . the right choice.\u201d He turned his gaze back to Red. \u201cAnd you\u2019ll be dead . . . either way,\u201d he finished, the stars floating around him beginning to coalesce into a solid mass, making it more and more difficult to follow what was going on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take my chances,\u201d Red answered, pulling back the hammer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Glancing one final time toward Hop Sing, Adam let his head drop to the ground. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, mama,\u201d slid from him as he gave in to the dark that beckoned, unwilling to watch what he knew was coming. He\u2019d already seen it a dozen times in his dreams.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing shuddered as those three words floated over, dropping on him like a veil to thrust him back to the great room where Adam confessed to Hoss how he\u2019d let their mama down by not protecting her son. He\u2019d heard it all from the kitchen, felt the remorse and guilt from both boys, and he longed to hug their cares away. Instead, he brought them cookies and quickly left to hide his true feelings from those he loved1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And loved them, he did, these boys whom he\u2019d known since childhood, seeing them still as youngsters always underfoot – one eating his food with great gusto, another listening to his stories of home and one living life to the fullest. He would protect them always. And now here was his chance to fulfill one son\u2019s vow to make sure another son lived, even if it meant his own life was forfeit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If not to save one, then to save the other.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How can I save both?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt his own heart slow to a steady rhythm, felt his own terrified breaths calm as the weight of the shotgun lightened in his hands and a single thought penetrated his indecision.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

If I move to side . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The whoosh of time maneuvering itself back on track filled him as that pivotal thought passed through, and he unconsciously leaned ever so slightly to the right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy choice,\u201d Hop Sing whispered and squeezed the trigger, the smoke from the barrels curling upward in his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Somewhere in the dark, a loud boom threatened to pull Adam from his stupor, making him aware enough to note something whiz past his head and strike the ground next to him. Suddenly, any remaining air pushed from him as a solid weight landed across his chest. He decided it was much safer in the dark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But his world was continually changing and the weight disappeared and hands moved over him, a buzzing sound permeating the blackness. Weakly, he fought against those hands, only to stop as the buzz coalesced into a familiar alarmed voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Adam, please tell me I no kill you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hop Sing? <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Please!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam? Not Mister Adam?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Opening his mouth to answer didn\u2019t work so he pried open heavy eyelids instead, to find his own hands pressed against Hop Sing\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt me. Hop Sing. I no kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam attempted a smile, not knowing if he was successful, and let his hands drop away. \u201c. . . not . . . dead . . . yet,\u201d came his groggy answer as he finally found his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Instinct pulled the Chinaman\u2019s hand to Red\u2019s discarded gun and he turned a fearful aim at this new danger lurking at the barn door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, there! I ain\u2019t trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMister Hoss!\u201d Hop Sing called quickly, pulling his aim as the big man lumbered over and sank down next to his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, ya all right?\u201d Hoss asked, wincing at the damage before him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . Hoss . . ,\u201d came the whisper, sure he smiled this time as he felt his brother clasp his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me, brother. Better late than never,\u201d Hoss quipped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . Red . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s dead, Adam,\u201d Hoss answered looking over at the bloodied corpse, sightless eyes staring up at him. \u201cHe\u2019s finally dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . Hop . . . Sing . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI here, Mister Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he shot \u2018im good. I\u2019m right proud of him,\u201d Hoss nodded as he drifted back to the sight of Hop Sing, smoking gun in hand, as he staggered from the house. \u201cI hate ta think what woulda happened if\u2019n he hadn\u2019t been here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . good . . . man,\u201d Adam mumbled, giving Hop Sing a half wink, the barn becoming darker about him. Maybe a little nap would be . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cADAM! HOSS!\u201d Ben\u2019s urgent voice sounded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIn here, Pa!\u201d Hoss called, wincing at the effort, seeing Adam doing the same as their father and brother ran toward them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood God,\u201d Ben cursed kneeling next to his oldest, hands reaching for his head. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lazily, Adam blinked up at his father. \u201c. . . missed . . . fun . . ,\u201d he gave him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben quickly pulled off his bandana and wadded it up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRed\u2019s dead, Pa,\u201d Hoss announced as Joe put up his own gun and hovered near him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben answered, catching sight of both his middle son and Hop Sing\u2019s bloodied faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing took care o\u2019 us,\u201d Hoss explained holding his father\u2019s gaze. \u201cRed cain\u2019t hurt us no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEverythin\u2019 all right in here, Ben?\u201d Roy asked as he loped in, gun in hand, eyeing Red\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben answered truthfully turning back to Adam, noting the bloody nose and split lip to go along with the swelling on his face and the bullet crease to the side of his head. \u201cAdam, son, it\u2019s all over,\u201d Ben comforted pressing the bandana against his boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Something appropriate formed on Adam\u2019s lips but a sudden stabbing pain swept through him, making it virtually impossible to form any intelligent words other than a sizable hiss. This new round of pain was all his body could take and his brain shut down, sending him back into the welcoming dark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben called, watching his son\u2019s eyes roll up and his head loll into his hand. For a fleeting moment, he cringed at the thought that he\u2019d been too late again. But the steady rise and fall of his boy\u2019s chest slowed Ben\u2019s frantic heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna have a scar,\u201d Roy said as he patted Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThat bullet done tracked the same path as the one before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness he have hard head,\u201d Hop Sing added as Ben produced a humorless grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I hate that we have to keep finding that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t have ta worry no more, Ben,\u201d Roy said as he nodded toward Red\u2019s body. \u201cThis one\u2019s finally dead and we\u2019re all lookin\u2019 at the man hisself, so there can\u2019t be no wrong claims this time. And don\u2019t you go worryin\u2019 about nothin\u2019, Hop Sing,\u201d he said, directing his attention to the little man as he and Joe helped Hoss to his feet. \u201cYou was protectin\u2019 the family and the homestead. Seems ta me ya had no other choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI had choice,\u201d Hop Sing answered, \u201cand I took it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy smiled at him. \u201cAlways good ta have choices. Well, I\u2019ll take Red off yer hands, Ben, and send Paul out here. You just take care of yer family. We\u2019ll do the paperwork later. Joe, help me with this piece of trash.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGladly,\u201d Joe answered, the two of them hefting Red\u2019s body out of the barn and over his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s finally over,\u201d Ben whispered, resting his hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cReally over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help ya with Adam, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, barely able to stand on his own feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Joe interceded when he returned to the barn. \u201cHop Sing, get him inside. You both need to sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Joe . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGit!\u201d Joe ordered, pointing toward the house and fixing his big brother with a glare. Watching the two amble off, he turned back to his father. \u201cCome on, Pa,\u201d Joe began kneeling next to him. \u201clet\u2019s get Adam inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get Adam inside and get him ready for Paul. Come on.\u201d Urging his father to stand, Joe grabbed his brother\u2019s legs while Ben hooked his arms under Adam\u2019s shoulders. Together they carried him across the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you Cartwright\u2019s ever just stub a toe?\u201d Paul Martin asked as he sauntered into Adam\u2019s room and dropped his bag on the side table. Eyeing each of them, he returned his attention to the one in bed and sat down, fingers deftly maneuvering around his patient\u2019s head, shaking his own as he caught sight of the large bruise running across Adam\u2019s forehead. He glanced at Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFell into a fence,\u201d was all Ben would admit to as Paul glared at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to know,\u201d the doctor mumbled, noting the large bruise forming on Adam\u2019s chest as he ran hands along his ribcage then began rummaging through his bag. \u201cWell, he\u2019ll need stitches again. That bullet took the same course as the last one. No doubt he\u2019ll be seeing double again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have any broken ribs,\u201d Paul added, \u201cbut we\u2019ll keep an eye on this bruise on his chest. And he\u2019s got a couple of nice lumps on his head this time.\u201d He turned a hard eye toward Ben. \u201cThis is what happens when you roughhouse in the barn.\u201d Ben returned the look then they both smiled. \u201cJoe told me what happened. At least that part of your life is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMister Hoss hurt, too, Docta Paul,\u201d Hop Sing intoned, drawing both Ben and Paul\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019, Paul,\u201d Hoss answered from the chair near the window, holding a bloody towel to his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me be the judge of that,\u201d Paul answered, feeling around Hoss\u2019 head then noticing the blood on Hop Sing\u2019s face. \u201cWell I can\u2019t believe the most accident-prone Cartwright doesn\u2019t have a mark on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled. \u201cJust lucky I guess,\u201d he answered as Paul nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get started. Hop Sing, you take Hoss to his room and both of you wait for me there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Docta Paul, you need . . .\u201d Hop Sing began as he pulled Hoss to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou<\/u><\/em> are a patient now, Hop Sing,\u201d Paul said with a point of his finger. \u201cDo as I tell you or face my wrath,\u201d he intoned in a deep voice. Hop Sing merely nodded and, grabbing his charge, slowly left the room. Paul turned back to see Ben absently pulling hay from Adam\u2019s hair and traded looks with Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been down this road before, Ben,\u201d Paul said touching his friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThe boys will be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know. It was just so close this time and Hop Sing . . .\u00a0 What he had to do . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was protecting his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut at what cost?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe did what had to be done. Be thankful for that,\u201d Paul answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been thankful for his presence. I guess I should tell him that more often.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, tell him as soon as he\u2019s had a good night\u2019s sleep,\u201d Paul urged. \u201cNow, let me take care of Adam before I start on the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing had, indeed, been there. It seemed each time his boys needed him, he wasn\u2019t!, thought Ben. When Red first interrupted their lives, he\u2019d let Hoss go away on his own and had almost gotten killed; then he\u2019d left to get the deputy and Adam had nearly been killed. Now, he was going to Virginia City to have a beer and both his boys were nearly killed. A beer!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mentally berating himself over things that were out of his control was ridiculous. Ben could hear Adam telling him that. What was important was that Red Twilight couldn\u2019t hurt them anymore. That moment had ended; had ended because Hop Sing made a choice and for that he would always be grateful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

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

Epilogue<\/u><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t figure out who was building something so early in the morning. Why he hadn\u2019t even heard the rooster crow and someone was hammering on something big. It just wasn\u2019t right!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The noise kept up, building to a crescendo, and he just couldn\u2019t take it anymore and thought he should open his eyes and take umbrage with whoever was making such a racket!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably Little Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But opening his eyes proved a bit difficult. He kept at it, trying until a sliver of light penetrated, producing a tight band of pain that threatened to pop his head right off his neck. That just wouldn\u2019t do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhhhhhhh!\u201d came out through clenched teeth, the only sound, apparently, he could make at that moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instantly, shuffled steps approached and hands moved upon him as he peeked through long lashes to see nothing but shadows leaning over him. Opening one eye a bit further delivered a scene that nearly tossed him from the bed – eight blurry faces doing a rendition of a bucking bronco directly on top of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clamping shut his spinning eye, he felt it coming and shot a hand to his mouth. Vaguely feeling someone lifting him just before he let go, he poured out whatever lay fermenting in his gut. A warm soothing hand stroked his back and a cool wet cloth draped across his neck as his retching continued until he thought he\u2019d just die. The urgent need to stop finally reasserted itself and, with great heaving breaths, he pushed his stomach back into place, having nothing else to concentrate on except the pulsing thump that bounced throughout his overwhelmed besieged head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhhhh,\u201d he groaned again, with a bit less force, and burrowed deeper into the pillow beneath his head, a cool hand pressing lightly against his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSsh, everything\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben whispered, sure that anything louder would send his boy back to the basin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few moments of short quick breaths, soon to slow, a single eye opened again, trying to focus on just the two faces looking at him and wondering why time would play such a cruel trick and send him back to a world that contained double of everything. He closed his eye again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . .\u00a0 seems . . ,\u201d He started wincing at the grating sound of his own gravely voice, \u201c. . . seems familiar.\u201d Joe\u2019s high pitched giggle shot through him and he braced for a hammer to fall. And it did with a resounding crash.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

That boy\u2019s voice could break glass!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, ssh!\u201d Ben whispered, holding a stiff finger to his mouth as Adam cringed beneath his grasp. Hoss smacked Joe across the arm and the laughter faded. \u201cYes, it is familiar, son, and, as you know, it will get better. But right now . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like . . . warmed-over horse . . .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Hoss interjected, rubbing his own head in sympathy, thankful he\u2019d been spared the double vision now visiting his brother but wishing his headache would go away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cYour left eye is swollen shut and you\u2019ve got a big bruise on your chest. So just relax. Now, I\u2019m going to lift you a bit,\u201d he explained, carefully raising Adam\u2019s head and holding a glass to his lips. \u201cDrink.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doing as he was told was far easier than thinking on his own and he drank the bitter liquid informing his queasy stomach to stay put.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat should help with the headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he mumbled as Ben settled him back onto the pillow. Adam turned into his hand, its coolness radiating throughout his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFeel better?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMmm.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the hammers began to ease slightly, Adam remembered that the hand holding his head was the same one that pulled him onto a wagon, was the one that held him when Inger died, and held his own when he\u2019d left for college. All those memories flooded him, soon to be pushed aside by a determined smiling face with white knuckles wrapped about a gun pointed at his head, Hoss nowhere in sight, and Hop Sing\u2019s smoking gun not two feet from him. His eye popped open and he bolted upright shocking Ben almost off the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d came his shout, startling both of his brothers to their feet as Ben shushed him and held on tightly to shaking shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, brother,\u201d came Hoss\u2019 voice as he grabbed Adam\u2019s outstretched hand and squeezed hard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re . . .\u00a0 He didn\u2019t . . . ?\u201d He couldn\u2019t seem to finish a question as he tried to merge Hoss\u2019 two faces topped with a white bandage into one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe just popped me one over the head. That cain\u2019t do me no harm. Ya know that.\u201d Adam just stared and held onto his warm hand. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSettle back now, son,\u201d Ben tried but Adam wasn\u2019t through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . sorry . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t . . . couldn\u2019t stop . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t matter none. Ol\u2019 Hop Sing was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing . . .\u201d\u00a0 Adam closed his eye and shuddered a bit, the pain that was receding beginning to rush back. \u201cHop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The little man quietly approached and touched his shoulder. \u201cRight here, Mister Adam,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam squinted at him and his bandaged head. \u201cAll right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing fine,\u201d came the answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . awful . . . choice,\u201d he tried, his breath coming in quick gasps as more pains made themselves known.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt work, Mister Adam. Your vow intact.\u201d He patted Adam\u2019s shoulder knowing he didn\u2019t know what he meant . . . at least not yet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instead those damn hammers were taking up his concentration as they rushed to the forefront and arced through his head like a thunderbolt, making him grab his father\u2019s shirt in a tight grasp.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben folded him into his arms. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, son, just relax. Hoss is fine. Hop Sing is fine. Joe is fine. Red Twilight is dead. It\u2019s all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Everyone\u2019s fine. Red is dead and everyone\u2019s fine.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He kept repeating that like a mantra, using it to steady himself, feeling the magic of Paul\u2019s pain medication begin to take a more solid hold.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was over. No longer did he and Hoss have to look over their shoulders; no longer did they have to pretend all was well. Red was dead. They were alive.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

My vow is intact . . . oh, that\u2019s what Hop Sing meant.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, Hop Sing<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A small smile barely touched his lips just as he felt himself getting heavier, felt his hands loosen from his father\u2019s shirt and finally let go. It was time to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben raised a hand to the back of Adam\u2019s head and gently eased him onto the pillow, a hand lingering on his boy\u2019s face for just a moment, careful of the bruises, evidence of the danger they\u2019d recently found themselves in. He straightened Adam\u2019s hair around the bandage on his head and sat back thinking how lucky they all were once again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI go start dinner,\u201d Hop Sing announced, his hand resting on Hoss\u2019 back as his eyes lingered on Number One son a moment longer than necessary before he stepped away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing,\u201d Ben called reaching out for him, looking into those caring eyes, those eyes that had seen their fair share of Cartwright life. \u201cThank you. Thank you for their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A lump formed in his throat and Hop Sing nodded. \u201cThey my life too,\u201d was all he said as he made a quick retreat. \u201cDinner. Fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They all watched him leave then silently turned away, each lost in their own thoughts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wish he didn\u2019t have to . . .\u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s like his own, Pa,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cMe and Joe, too. I couldn\u2019t help. He was the only one who could. I\u2019m just glad Adam taught him how ta use a shotgun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a couple of years ago wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe asked leaning against the end of his brother\u2019s bed. \u201cWhen he went out to Bud\u2019s with Pa and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cCora Turley surprised Hop Sing one day by shootin\u2019 an egg outta a nest some twenty paces away. Didn\u2019t put a crack in it. She claimed that\u2019s the only way ta collect robin\u2019s eggs so\u2019s ya don\u2019t get pecked. Well, Hop Sing wouldn\u2019t stop pesterin\u2019 ol\u2019 Adam \u2018til he\u2019d showed him how ta shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan he do that?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cShoot an egg out of a nest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t rightly know, but whatever he learned, I\u2019m gonna thank ol\u2019 Adam once he gets his bearin\u2019s. It sure came in handy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich reminds me,\u201d Ben began, smoothing out his son\u2019s bedcovers as he pulled up a chair and settled in. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be seeing double again and have a mean headache for awhile, so I don\u2019t want any shouting in the house for a few days. All right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh, we know what ta do this time,\u201d Hoss began, his eyes shifting over to Joe. \u201cOr not to do, as the case may be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe piped up with a shake of his head. \u201cWe won\u2019t mess with his head this time and jump around the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brows practically lifted off his head at that statement. \u201cYou did what?!\u201d Ben asked, pulling his gaze from his oldest to his youngest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Realizing his confession was about to get him put on the floor, Joe stepped away from his brother\u2019s bed and gave his father a sickly smile, his mouth opening and closing but no words coming out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWeren\u2019t nothin\u2019, Pa,\u201d Hoss quickly interjected stepping in front of his brother to maneuver him toward the door. \u201cJest somethin\u2019 he was . . .\u00a0 Weren\u2019t nothin\u2019, Pa. We\u2019ll go see if\u2019n Hop Sing needs any help with dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Motioning Joe out the door, Hoss shielded him as Ben harrumphed, then turned back toward Adam to watch him sleep. A little color was seeping back into his son\u2019s pale visage to offset the stark white bandage about his head. He let out a heavy breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Red Twilight was dead, in the ground dead, and would haunt them no longer. His boys were safe all because Hop Sing was there.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what\u2019d\u2019ja go and say that ta Pa for?\u201d came Hoss\u2019 attempted whisper from the hall perking up Ben\u2019s ears. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna think ya really did that ta poor ol\u2019 Adam.\u201d Pause. \u201cYa didn\u2019t did ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo. That\u2019d be cruel,\u201d came Joe\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see that look, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat innocent one that always gets me<\/u><\/em> in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere it is again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow don\u2019t ya go draggin\u2019 me into this. I ain\u2019t coverin\u2019 for ya,\u201d Hoss said as his voice began to fade off. \u201cI\u2019m still recoverin\u2019, ya know. Ain\u2019t got time for yer shenanigans.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I didn\u2019t do anything. I swear!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t wanna hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and grabbed a book off the nightstand, eyeing Adam one more time. \u201cYou boys will be the death of me yet,\u201d he muttered. \u201cBud always said having girls was much easier. I\u2019m beginning to believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1<\/sup><\/em> Scene from Part 3 of the \u201cA Moment\u201d series –\u00a0 \u201cA Moment Later\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 The finale of the Moment series and What Happens Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (9,690 words)<\/p>\n

A Moment Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,13],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1980,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12673,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12673","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":0},"title":"A Moment Later (by Calim11)","author":"Calim11","date":"June 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 What Happened Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d* Rating:\u00a0 T (2,800 words) A Moment Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12671,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12671","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":1},"title":"A Moment (by Calim11)","author":"Calim11","date":"April 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0 What Happened In-Between\/What Happened Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d Rating:\u00a0 T (3,230 words) A Moment series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15204,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15204","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":2},"title":"Younger (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"September 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A quiet, light moment among family. Rating: K\u00a0 \u00a0Word Count: 519 Scenes From Our Next Life Series, links to stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_2442.jpg?fit=766%2C639&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12672,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12672","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":3},"title":"A Moment Lost (by Calim11)","author":"Calim11","date":"May 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 What Happened Next for the episode \u201cVengeance\u201d Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (4,250 words) A Moment Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":809,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=809","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":4},"title":"RIP Mr Cartwright (by mumu74)","author":"mumu74","date":"November 19, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: To Kill A Cartwright \"november Challenge\" Rip Mr Cartwright Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (741 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-1.jpg?fit=234%2C234&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16110,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=16110","url_meta":{"origin":12676,"position":5},"title":"Love For A Moment (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"March 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Love comes unexpectedly to Hoss Cartwright, leaving a bittersweet memory. A poem inspired by \"The Newcomers\" (Season One) written by Thomas Thompson.\u00a0 (Written for the World Poetry Day 2018 Challenge) Rating: G\u00a0 (550 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Hoss Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Hoss Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1006"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Hossb.jpg?fit=444%2C339&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12676","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\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12676\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}