{"id":13774,"date":"2017-02-12T05:10:33","date_gmt":"2017-02-12T10:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13774"},"modified":"2025-10-01T16:51:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T20:51:41","slug":"the-guardian-what-the-heart-knows-by-jc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13774","title":{"rendered":"What the Heart Knows — aka The Guardian (by JC)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: A fateful encounter at the river leads to a revelation for Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0 (3,471 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

(The Guardian)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright had never imagined drowning in the Truckee River, but as his limbs succumbed to the inevitable he felt no bitterness, no desperation, only the quiet resignation of a man who had given his best and lost.<\/p>\n

As one acquainted with danger and death, he had pictured his demise in a number of ways; a bullet, an arrow, a cave-in, even an unlucky bounce from a horse. But not this.<\/p>\n

If he’d had the energy, he might have laughed at the irony. It seemed silly, in retrospect, chasing after that hat. So what if it was new? Why couldn\u2019t he have just let it go? Joe had always accused him of being tightfisted with his money. Maybe his youngest brother was right. He regretted teasing him about Wendy Milford the day before. He wished he could tell him tht. He wished a lot of things.<\/p>\n

He had always heard that a person\u2019s life flashes before him right before he dies. It seemed to be true. So many moments came back to him with such clarity, poignant images resurrected from the ashes of memory.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s warmth next to him in the wagon at night on the trail; Inger\u2019s cool touch on his feverish forehead, her lilting voice like a lullaby; Hoss\u2019s chubby hand in his; Marie\u2019s infectious laugh; Little Joe\u2019s curly head on his shoulder; his first real Christmas; his first horse; his first kiss. There was Pa\u2019s bear hug welcoming him home when he returned from college; Hoss\u2019s grin across the dinner table, Joe\u2019s irrepressible giggle. \u00a0Finally, a woman\u2019s face — freshly scrubbed and beautiful, eyes lit from within by honest love and simple faith. She held out her hand to Adam, and he took it.<\/p>\n

It’s not bad at all.<\/em> If people knew, maybe they wouldn’t be afraid.<\/em><\/p>\n

His mind yielded along with his body, anxiety and regret ebbing with the release from physical pain. He did not feel the sun retreat as the water closed above him, nor did he feel his lungs expire. His only sensation was an incredible lightness, as if he was a feather borne on a breeze, and in the calm of darkness, he floated.<\/p>\n

Whether it was seconds, minutes or hours, he couldn\u2019t say, for he had no concept of time or space or anything else except a peace he had never known before.\u00a0 The blackness abated, and he felt the light, as though he were lying in the sun with his eyes closed.\u00a0 Its gentle warmth infused his body even to the tips of his fingers and toes, which until that moment he had quite forgotten.\u00a0 This renewed awareness was discomfiting, and his first instinct was to resist and return to the tranquil nebula, but the command to consciousness was too strong.\u00a0 His chest heaved, his body retching in agony as if to turn him inside out.\u00a0 A pair of hands secured him on his side while his lungs purged themselves of the river. \u00a0The drumming in his ears subsided, and a faint wheezing grew louder, the sound of his own breathing.<\/p>\n

He was alive.<\/p>\n

Something as soft as a whisper brushed his cheek.\u00a0 He lifted one eyelid, then the other, enough to discern the outline of a woman kneeling beside him. He tried to speak but lacked the strength.<\/p>\n

She put a finger to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t try to talk,\u201d she murmured. \u201cYou must sleep now. All is well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sleep, yes.\u00a0 He was exhausted, more tired than he had ever been in his life; dead tired. \u00a0He closed his eyes and felt her hand smooth his brow\u2026her\u2026she\u2026who? Regina?<\/em>\u00a0 Maybe he was already dreaming.<\/p>\n

~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n

A pungent smoky aroma roused him, and he woke wrapped in a quilt next to a crackling fire.\u00a0 He propped himself on one elbow and looked around.\u00a0 His clothes lay spread out on some adjacent rocks.\u00a0 The woman was nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello?\u201d\u00a0 His voice echoed in the still night, silent except for the pop and hiss of the flames.<\/p>\n

There was bacon and bread on a plate, along with a canteen, obviously intended for him.\u00a0 Whoever she was, she seemed to know what he needed.\u00a0 He was certainly hungry.<\/p>\n

When he had eaten, she still had not returned.\u00a0 He wondered if his clothes were dry.\u00a0 He secured the quilt around him with one hand while he crouched to examine them with the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re probably still wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t heard her approach, and the sound of her voice startled him, nearly setting him back on his heels. He instinctively gathered the quilt a little closer as he stood up and turned around. \u00a0He realized he was probably being foolish, because after all, she was the one who\u2026and she had already\u2026but he blushed nonetheless.<\/p>\n

She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you up.\u00a0 How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u201d\u00a0 He stared at her.\u00a0 She was petite, not much over five feet tall, probably no more than a hundred pounds.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t have pulled him from the water so there must have been someone else, but she was the woman who spoke to him before.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour appetite seems healthy,\u201d she said, picking up the empty plate.<\/p>\n

He was further embarrassed that he had forgotten his manners.\u00a0 \u201cForgive me,\u201d he apologized.\u00a0 \u201cIt was very good, thank you.\u00a0 I\u2019m just a little confused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought I was someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou talk in your sleep, Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

She knew his name.\u00a0 He supposed he must have told her, though he did not remember.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you seem to have me at a disadvantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn more ways than one, I think.\u201d\u00a0 She eyed the quilt around his waist in amusement as she brushed past him.<\/p>\n

He felt himself redden again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll feel more like yourself when you put these on.\u201d\u00a0 She handed him his clothes with a sympathetic smile.<\/p>\n

The warmth in her eyes dispelled his self-consciousness.\u00a0 He smiled. \u201cThank you\u2026\u201d \u00a0He still didn\u2019t know her name.<\/p>\n

\u201cCeleste,\u201d she said over her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

His clothes were completely dry, without a trace of dampness\u2026but just moments ago\u2026\u00a0 \u201cHow did\u2026?\u201d\u00a0 He looked up but she was gone again.<\/p>\n

~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam searched the sky. \u00a0There were no stars, no moon — no light at all beyond the campfire circle.\u00a0 He had no idea where he was, for any distinguishing landmarks were lost to the darkness.\u00a0 He reasoned he couldn\u2019t be far from the river, but when he strained his ears no sounds came, none; and nothing moved.\u00a0 He had never known a night so empty.<\/p>\n

He slept again, and this time when he woke she was there. He watched her as she stirred the fire, coaxing the dying embers back to life. \u00a0He decided she was probably younger than he first imagined; in the fire\u2019s glow, her face seemed almost childlike, soft and unlined.\u00a0 Her chestnut hair hung in loose waves to her shoulders, tucked behind one ear, and the eyes he thought were brown appeared in the light to be blue. So far, all she had told him was her name. He didn\u2019t know where she came from or how she happened to be out here alone, but he knew she was no ordinary mountain girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cCeleste.\u201d It was an unusual name, lovely, almost lyrical.<\/p>\n

She smiled, a smile so intimately familiar he had a sense of remembering something he couldn\u2019t possibly know.\u00a0 D\u00e9j\u00e0 vu, the French called it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have questions,\u201d she said, dropping down beside him.<\/p>\n

He had a lot of them. \u201cHow did you pull me from the river? You couldn\u2019t have done it alone, so there must be others but I haven\u2019t seen or heard anyone else since I\u2019ve been here, and I don\u2019t even know where \u2018here\u2019 is\u2026what is this place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did have help pulling you from the river, and \u2018here\u2019 is not really a place, at least not one you\u2019ll find on any map.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her answer was not what he expected.\u00a0 He was in the middle of somewhere\/nowhere, in the black of night with a strange\/ familiar girl who talked in riddles. \u00a0I must be dreaming\u2026or crazy\u2026or\u2026. <\/em>His fingers closed around her arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou are real.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely, and you\u2019re not crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was sure he didn\u2019t say that part aloud \u2013 was she a mind reader too? \u201cI don\u2019t understand any of this, but I know you somehow.\u201d It wasn\u2019t just her smile; he had looked into those deep-water eyes before.\u00a0 \u201cWe have met, somewhere else \u2013 haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

He studied her face, trying to recall where and when. He had a feeling it must have been a long time ago.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I know I should remember, but I can\u2019t. Tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid you wouldn\u2019t believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause some truths can\u2019t be told; they have to be discovered. And sometimes remembering is forgetting.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was talking in riddles again. Maybe she was the crazy one. His affinity for this unusual stranger edged toward frustration.<\/p>\n

Her laughter surprised him. \u201cDon\u2019t be angry, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not angry, I\u2019m confused.\u00a0 It was a simple question \u2013 why couldn\u2019t you just give me a simple answer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll questions are simple.\u00a0 It\u2019s the answers that most people have trouble with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go again. Woman, would you please make sense?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the problem with people like you, Adam.\u00a0 You want a rational explanation for everything.\u00a0 You\u2019re blessed with a brilliant mind, but sometimes your thinking gets in the way of your seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow would you know that or anything else about me?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cPatience; you\u2019ll know everything in time.\u00a0 First, let me say it\u2019s never wrong to question something, but you should be prepared to accept the answer even if it doesn\u2019t fit your expectations.\u00a0 Only a small part of this world is discerned through the five senses, the ones you rely on almost exclusively. Some people think it\u2019s irrational to believe in something they can\u2019t see, but just because they can\u2019t see it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not there.\u00a0 Perceptions are not necessarily truths.\u00a0 In fact, perceptions can blind a person.\u201d\u00a0 She paused.\u00a0 \u201cThe first step toward true vision is forgetting what you think you know.\u00a0 The answer you\u2019re looking for is not here,\u201d she said, tapping his forehead, \u201cit\u2019s here.\u201d She placed her hand on his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some things only the heart knows, Adam.\u00a0 A child can see them clearly.\u00a0 When I look at you I see a man, but I feel the heart of a boy. A boy who needed so much yet asked for so little; a boy who took on a man\u2019s burden too soon, hiding his tears in the dark so his father wouldn\u2019t see; a boy who wandered too far away from the wagon train one night\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

His heart beat beneath her hand, and he saw himself in her eyes as she spoke.\u00a0 Five years old, lost in the woods on one of the blackest nights he had ever known, huddled at the base of an oak tree, shivering and crying. That was where Pa and the others found him the next morning \u2013 without so much as a scratch on him.\u00a0 It was miracle, they all said, that the wolves hadn\u2019t gotten him.\u00a0 Mr. Mahan had a killed a big one the night before, and Adam had heard the pack. At first, he had been terrified, but for some reason he had stopped being afraid, and he had fallen asleep without feeling the cold.<\/p>\n

Now he knew why.<\/p>\n

Sleep, little one\u2026all is well.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was you,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI dreamed about you so many times after that night I convinced myself that\u2019s all you were, just a dream.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t believe you were real.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but you did.\u201d\u00a0 Her smile was tender.\u00a0 \u201cYour mind may have dismissed me, but your heart always knew; and that\u2019s why you recognized me. That night in the woods wasn\u2019t the first time you saw me. Now that I have the chance, there\u2019s something else I want to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took his hands, and the warmth of her touch spread through his entire body.\u00a0 \u201cI was with your mother the day you were born.\u00a0 She prayed for an angel to guard the son she knew she would not be able to raise herself.\u00a0 I peeked over her shoulder as she cradled you in her arms, and you looked up at both of us and smiled.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been mine ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wept for reasons he could not fathom as she cradled his head in her lap, stroking his hair and consoling him as she did that dark night so many years ago. He slept again, until she nudged him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

One question remained, though he didn\u2019t fear the answer.\u00a0 \u201cAm I dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked amused. \u201cNo, though Jeremiah said it would serve you right, chasing after that silly hat.\u00a0 He was kidding, of course.\u00a0 Still, you really should be more careful, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Jeremiah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone who has been around a lot longer than I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how long would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

The corners of her mouth turned up. \u201cOh, let\u2019s just say a lot longer than you and leave it at that.\u201d \u00a0She paused, as though listening for something. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s time for you to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me.\u201d\u00a0 It was more a wish than a request, because he already knew the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid it doesn\u2019t work that way. When you need me, I\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill I remember this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say.\u201d\u00a0 She tilted her face toward his, her smile wistful.\u00a0 \u201cI can tell you this. You may not consciously remember, but no one who looks into the eyes of an angel ever completely forgets.\u00a0 So the next time you get the feeling you\u2019ve met someone before, perhaps you have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her lips brushed his; he felt her warmth all around him and within him, lifting him until he floated once more in a sea of light.<\/p>\n

~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n

A hum and a murmur became a man\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s it.\u00a0 Come on back, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam squinted up at the weathered face leaning over him.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s grizzled features creased into a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWell, glad you could join us, friend.\u00a0 Think you can sit up and take some supper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat up, noting the blanket draped over him.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are my clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still pretty full of the river, I reckon, though we got most of it out of you.\u00a0 Son, you were near drowned when we found you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the last thing I remember was getting caught in the rapids.\u201d\u00a0 Adam rubbed his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you were snagged in some brush when we came up on you.\u00a0 Lucky for you; a few more feet and you would\u2019ve been a goner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I was.\u201d\u00a0 He extended his hand to the stranger.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m very grateful to you for your help.\u00a0 My name\u2019s Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJem Smith.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced up at a young girl approaching with a plate of stew.\u00a0 \u201cThis here\u2019s my niece, Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Adam, accepting the plate from her. \u00a0Pretty, he thought.\u00a0 Nice smile. \u00a0The stew smelled delicious and he was hungry, but he didn\u2019t want to be impolite. \u201cAren\u2019t you going to eat?\u201d he asked as she sat down across from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already eaten.\u201d\u00a0 She inclined her head toward the man\u2019s back as he walked away.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a dear, but he gets a little impatient sometimes.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t like to stand around waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019ve probably held you two up today.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to be.\u00a0 We\u2019re not in that much of a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where are you headed?\u201d\u00a0 He asked between mouthfuls.<\/p>\n

She shrugged, \u201cWherever the wind blows.\u00a0 I never know until we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

It seemed like an odd life for a young girl. \u201cWhat does your uncle do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little of this, a little of that.\u00a0 Enough to get us by until it\u2019s time to move on. Since it\u2019s just the two of us, we don\u2019t need much.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.<\/p>\n

It was pleasant, just listening to her talk.\u00a0 He decided she must be older than she looked. Suddenly he became aware that she was very attractive and he was wearing nothing but a blanket.\u00a0 She, however, seemed completely at ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He was grateful when Jem brought him a shirt and trousers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jem nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t want you to catch cold out here tonight.\u00a0 Better get to bed, Mary C. We got a long day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam handed her the empty plate.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for the food, and for your company.\u00a0 I enjoyed both very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u00a0 Sleep well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d he called after her. \u201cMary what — what does the \u2018C\u2019 stand for?\u201d<\/p>\n

She hesitated for a moment before answering.\u00a0 \u201cChristmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMary Christmas. You\u2019re joking, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

~*~<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam slept soundly and woke the next morning feeling like a new man.\u00a0 He supposed there was nothing like a brush with death to make a person appreciate life.\u00a0 He certainly had a lot to be thankful for, not the least of which was the kindness of the two strangers who had rescued him.\u00a0 Not only had they saved his life, Jem had also tracked down his horse.\u00a0 Adam patted Sport\u2019s neck as the gelding\u00a0nuzzled him.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we ought to be heading for home, huh boy?\u00a0 Pa will worry if we\u2019re not back by tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook Jem\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t thank you enough for all you\u2019ve done for me.\u00a0 I wish there was some way I could repay you.\u201d\u00a0 The old man had already refused his offer of money, even though Adam felt\u00a0sure he could use it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d said Jem, grinning. \u201cJust pass it on, friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be sure and do that. \u00a0If you\u2019re ever near Virginia City, I hope you\u2019ll stop at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 You\u2019ll always be welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary handed him a small bundle.\u00a0 \u201cBread for your journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you have somethin\u2019 else for Mr. Cartwright?\u201d asked Jem.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I almost forgot,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She returned with a mischievous grin, holding something behind her back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you got there?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.\u00a0 His eyes widened when she handed it to him. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you found it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a mighty fine hat, son,\u201d said Jem.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hang on to it if I were you.\u00a0 I figure it\u2019s worth a lot more now than when you bought it, considerin\u2019 what it nearly cost you to get it back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam fingered the battered brim, a solemn reminder of his narrow escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really should be more careful,\u201d said Mary.<\/p>\n

He cleared his throat, nodding in sheepish agreement.<\/p>\n

There was a moment when she smiled that something flickered in his mind, like a shadow from a half-remembered dream \u2013 and then it was gone.<\/p>\n

He put on his hat and gathered Sport\u2019s reins. \u201cYou never did tell me.\u00a0 What does the \u2018C\u2019 really stand for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCeleste.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCeleste\u2026\u201d Adam repeated. \u201cThat\u2019s a name you don\u2019t hear every day \u2013 it\u2019s lovely, very poetic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her blue eyes crinkled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a family name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, goodbye Mary Celeste.\u201d He hoisted himself into the saddle and leaned over to smile down at her. \u201cI do hope I see you again someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile she returned was more than youthful beauty or a woman\u2019s charm; it was everything that was good and right about the world, and he took it with him as he rode away.<\/p>\n

He paused at the top of the ridge to look back at the river.\u00a0 Yesterday seemed like a lifetime ago.\u00a0 In a way, he supposed it was.\u00a0\u00a0 He had sense enough to know that he wouldn\u2019t be here if Jem and Mary hadn\u2019t come along at just the right time.\u00a0 What were the odds of that happening?<\/p>\n

Funny though, he didn\u2019t remember mentioning anything about the hat\u2026.<\/p>\n

Joe would get a kick out of that story.\u00a0 It would be worth telling, Adam decided, just to hear him whoop and holler.<\/p>\n

He nudged Sport forward.\u00a0 There was no need to rush; even at a comfortable pace, they would make it back to the ranch in plenty of time for supper.\u00a0 The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day, and he intended to savor every minute, all the way home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: A fateful encounter at the river leads to a revelation for Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Rating: T\u00a0 (3,471 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10253,"featured_media":12962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1005,23,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-mystery","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-32-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":false,"total_views":1663,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/W-canteen.jpg?fit=307%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15958,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15958","url_meta":{"origin":13774,"position":0},"title":"The Poetry of Ben and Adam Cartwright (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"February 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 With such a well of inspiration from which to draw, one could imagine them putting pen to paper on occasion.\u00a0 Ben's \"Journey to the Sea\" is an homage to his three wives; \"Girl in the Moonlight\" was composed by Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 Rating K+ (WC 290)","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Adam"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Adam","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1016"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-and-Adam-1.png?fit=629%2C435&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20275,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=20275","url_meta":{"origin":13774,"position":1},"title":"From Adam’s Pen (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"March 10, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Three poems in the voice of Adam Cartwright. Publish here in honor of the March Poetry Challenge though they have been individually posted elsewhere previously. rating: k+word count: 302","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":58146,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=58146","url_meta":{"origin":13774,"position":2},"title":"Treachery on the River (by SydneyFate)","author":"SydneyFate","date":"September 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam Cartwright faces danger on the Mississippi River. 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Rated: Family Friendly \/ Word count: 1085","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/serious-Hoss.jpg?fit=269%2C298&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10277","url_meta":{"origin":13774,"position":4},"title":"All Through the Night (by bahj)","author":"bahj","date":"October 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Left alone once again to pick up the pieces, Ben struggles to move forward after Marie's death, and finds comfort in the words to an old song. Rating K (1050 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Pine-Trees-Mist-01a.jpg?fit=575%2C970&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Pine-Trees-Mist-01a.jpg?fit=575%2C970&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Pine-Trees-Mist-01a.jpg?fit=575%2C970&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2166,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2166","url_meta":{"origin":13774,"position":5},"title":"A Light in the Darkness (by pony)","author":"pony","date":"December 8, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Adam Cartwright is coming home ... but the path is dark and lonely. Will there be a light at the end of the road? \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K (1,355 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13774","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\/10253"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}