{"id":13821,"date":"2003-09-27T05:28:32","date_gmt":"2003-09-27T09:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13821"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:42","slug":"payback-for-a-kill-by-jennyd-helenb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13821","title":{"rendered":"Payback for a Kill (by JennyD & HelenB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A WHN for Credit for a Kill.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (15,700 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n
\n
\n

In the episode \u201cCredit For A<\/span> Kill\u201d Joe and his crew of workers finish branding 250 head of calves a week ahead of schedule. As a reward Ben gives Joe a week off. Joe says he wants to go to Elkton because that\u2019s where the prettiest girls live. While he\u2019s there he intends to see how a friend Morgan Tanner is.Morgan has a crippled right hand from an accident.<\/p>\n

While Joe is visiting Morgan on his ranch, a man tries to steal Morgan\u2019s horse. Both Joe and Morgan shoot at him, killing him. The dead man is Luke Jordan,<\/span> there is a two thousand dollar reward on him, dead or alive. Morgan\u2019s intention is to share the reward with Joe, as they don\u2019t know who\u2019s<\/span> bullet actually killed him.<\/p>\n

In a saloon, Joe meets a young woman who plays the piano there called Lorna Medford she is from Cobyville, Ohio. She left there because she fell in love with a man named Richard and his family thought she was only after their money. Lorna left to prove that she could make it on her own. Joe then has a run in with a big mouth named Casey Rawlins. Rawlins tries to goad Joe into a gunfight. Joe uses glasses of beer to prove a point to Rawlins. He tells Rawlins to put a glass in front of him and Joe puts one in front of himself. The aim is to see who can shoot the others glass first. Joe is so fast he beats Rawlins by a long way and tells him he \u2018would have died of a real bad case of slow.\u2019 Casey Rawlins leaves feeling foolish.<\/p>\n

Luke Jordan\u2019s three brothers Virgil, Walt and Boon come to town. Joe knows they will want revenge on the man who killed their brother and he tells Sheriff Fenton that he is claiming the whole two thousand dollars as it must have been his bullet that killed Luke Jordan because Morgan is not used to using his left hand and his aim would not have been accurate. Rawlins tells the Jordan\u2019s that it was Joe who killed their brother. Morgan and his wife Martha argue over Joe\u2019s claim on the money, she feels Morgan is not standing up for himself<\/span>. Joe enters the livery stable to get his horse, the fire bell sounds and the liveryman rushes off so Joe is alone. The door closes shutting Joe in,<\/span> he knows who it is \u2013 the Jordan brothers. In the shootout that follows, Joe fires through the loft floor hitting Boon Jordan. Sheriff Fenton arrives. Joe shoots Virgil and Walt is shot by Sheriff Fenton.<\/p>\n

Later, Joe says goodbye to Sheriff Fenton and Morgan. Morgan is told by the sheriff that Joe opened an account for him at the bank and put two thousand dollars in it. Morgan now realizes why Joe was claiming to have been the one that killed Luke,<\/span> he wanted to protect Morgan from Luke\u2019s brothers.Joe stops to say goodbye to Lorna. She tells him that she is going to Dayton to meet Richard.<\/p>\n

Later, Joe arrives home at the Ponderosa and when Hoss asks if anything special happened, Joe says he\u2019ll tell them about it at dinner. He then tells his father that \u2018the next time I ask you for a week off,<\/span> don\u2019t give it to me.\u2019 And now the story continues.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PAYBACK FOR A KILL<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s what happened,\u201d said Joe, as he looked at his father who was seated in his usual chair. Joe had just finished telling his father and brother what had happened while he was in Elkton visiting his friends Morgan and Martha Tanner.<\/p>\n

Ben was shaken at how close Joe had come to being killed. After he found his voice again, Ben asked, \u201cWere they all killed, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, two of them were only wounded. Sheriff Fenton said I\u2019ll have to go back to Elkton in about a month when the circuit judge comes though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019ll say one thing for you, little brother,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cyou<\/span> sure know how to make a holiday exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled wryly. \u201cI could have done without the excitement.\u201d Joe felt his fathers eyes on him and looked over at him, seeing the intense look on his father\u2019s face, Joe said, \u201cI\u2019m all right Pa, honest. I haven\u2019t even got a scratch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe, but when I think what could have happened, I \u2026\u201d Ben started to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, cutting his father off. \u201cIt\u2019s over, Pa. Don\u2019t<\/span> worry about it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou still have to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff Fenton said that it should be very straight forward. He thinks that with their record they\u2019ll be going to prison for a long time. I don\u2019t even have to think about that for a month anyway. So,\u201d Joe said, ready to change the subject, \u201cwhat\u2019s been happening here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The talk turned to what had happened on the ranch while Joe was away and both Ben and Joe tried to put the events of Elkton behind them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

As Joe lay in bed that night he couldn\u2019t stop his thoughts from once again returning to what had happened in Elkton and he thought back to when Morgan Tanner had first come to work on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan had quickly proven to be a top hand. Joe had only been fourteen when Morgan started work on the ranch but Joe liked the man instantly because although Morgan was older than Joe he never talked down to him. As Joe grew older and started work on the ranch full time the friendship grew.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed and sat up,<\/span> it was no good trying to sleep. He got up and went down to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting at the table, the coffee grew cold as Joe just stared into the cup. His thoughts turned to the day Morgan\u2019s arm had been hurt. Joe shook his head, was it really only two years ago? It seemed longer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was now in charge of the horse breaking. One afternoon as the rest of the men stood at the fence watching and cheering him on, Joe attempted to break a new horse. The horse had proven to be extremely difficult.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Suddenly Joe was flying through the air only to come back to the hard earth with a sickening thud.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

The next thing Joe was aware of was a shooting pain in his head. He opened his eyes only to quickly close them as the pain intensified.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Morgan patted Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cIt\u2019s<\/span> okay, Joe, just lie still. I sent Sam for your Pa and the buckboard,<\/span> they\u2019ll be here in a minute.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe started to attempt to sit up, \u201cI don\u2019t need a \u2026.\u201d He stopped as a wave of nausea hit him.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Morgan held him firmly down, \u201cDon\u2019t move.\u201d He looked up with relief as he heard the sound of the buckboard coming. \u201cYour Pa\u2019s here.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Within moments Joe heard his fathers<\/span> voice and felt gentle hands running over his body. \u201cI think you\u2019re right Morgan, nothing feels broken.\u201d Joe felt his father stroke his arm. \u201cJust relax, Joe, and we\u2019ll get you home. I\u2019ve sent Sam in for Paul\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need a doctor, Pa, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be the judge of that, Joseph.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 **********<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

When they got back to the ranch, Morgan helped Ben to get Joe upstairs and after Joe made another attempt to convince his father he wasn\u2019t in need of a doctor, Morgan laughed and said to Ben, \u201cI\u2019ll leave him to you and get back to the corral.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Ben nodded but before Morgan got to the door Joe said, \u201cMorgan, leave the black for now.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d Morgan replied as he left.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that the one you got thrown from?\u201d Ben asked as he sat down next to Joe.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I don\u2019t know if we\u2019re going to be able to break him, <\/i>Pa.<\/i>\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know my feelings about that, Joe. If you consider it too dangerous, don\u2019t do it. The money we\u2019d get for the horse isn\u2019t worth it.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Joe had known his father would give that answer. Truth be known, Ben would have preferred him not to break any horses but he knew how much his youngest son loved doing it so there was no way he could stop him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Paul Martin finally arrived and reassured Ben that although Joe had a severe concussion, given a couple of weeks he would be as good as new. Joe was resting while his father saw Paul Martin out, when he heard the sound of horses entering the yard and then something going on downstairs. A few minutes later, Ben came upstairs.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d Joe asked sleepily.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been an accident, Joe,\u201d Ben said as he sat down on the bed.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Morgan,\u201d Ben replied simply, putting his hands on Joe to stop any attempt to rise.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe tried to ride the black, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHow bad is it?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s his arm, Joe. It looks pretty bad. It\u2019s<\/span> lucky Paul was still here. Try not to worry.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Joe jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning his head he saw his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pa, I didn\u2019t hear you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing down here, son? Can\u2019t sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coped well,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe nodded, \u201cHe\u2019s very grateful that you helped him buy that piece of land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI would have liked to do more for him but he was determined to make it on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he decided he wanted to buy that place I thought it might be too much for him. I think it\u2019s been really tough but he\u2019s making a go of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled as Ben replaced his cup with a hot cup of coffee. \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s bothering you about Morgan, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,<\/span> everything I guess. He gave up horse breaking when Doc Martin said he couldn\u2019t risk breaking his arm again because it would probably never set right and then of course he had to go and rebreak<\/span> it. You\u2019ve seen him Pa,<\/span> he\u2019s never going to get any use back in that arm.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re right about that but Morgan hasn\u2019t let that stop him, he\u2019s still managing to run that ranch of his. I think he\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was already finding it hard and now this thing with the Jordan\u2019s had to happen. Of all the ranches around why did Luke Jordan have to pick Morgan\u2019s to try and steal a horse from.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake your own advice Joe,\u201d Ben said trying to lighten the mood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEarlier you said that it was over, you were right, it is. Now things can get back to normal and for you young man that means work so finish<\/span> your coffee and go and get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben just smiled and sat with Joe in companionable silence until they both finished their coffee and walked upstairs together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins waited for his chance. When Sheriff Fenton had to go to the saloon to sort out some trouble, Rawlins stepped unnoticed into the jail, going to the back cells where the two prisoners were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Virgil Jordan growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can help you,\u201d Rawlins replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Interested, Virgil slowly sat up on his bunk, \u201cWhy would you want to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we both want the same thing,\u201d Rawlins said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Virgil asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo see Joe Cartwright dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil and his brother Walt looked at each other in silent agreement, they had nothing to loose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your plan?\u201d Virgil Jordan asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have most of it worked out,\u201d Rawlins said, \u201cbut I\u2019ll need a diversion. Something that will get the sheriff away from here long enough for me to get you out and to give you a good head start.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about a fire?\u201d Walt Jordan smirked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Virgil Jordan laughed, fire was the Jordan brother\u2019s trademark, \u201cwhen you\u2019re onto a good thing stay with it, I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins nodded. \u201cI think that\u2019ll work. When I\u2019m ready to do it I\u2019ll make sure there\u2019s a couple of horses tied up near here, go to the other end of town, start the fire and then run back here. While everyone\u2019s fighting the fire, I\u2019ll let you out. By the time the sheriff gets back here and gets a posse together you\u2019ll be long gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do we find Cartwright though?\u201d Virgil asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get him here,\u201d Rawlins replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Rawlins said, \u201clike I said, I\u2019ve got it all worked out. When I get you out of here ride straight down the main road, when you come to a fork, go right. You\u2019ll come to a meadow with a stream. Cartwright will be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou better not be<\/span> setting us up,\u201d Walt said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe only person I\u2019m setting up is Cartwright. I\u2019ll teach him for making a fool out of me. Just be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins left, quickly stepping out of the jail before Sheriff Fenton returned. He had just gone around the corner when the sheriff stepped out of the saloon and headed towards his office. He knew he shouldn\u2019t leave the jail unattended when he had prisoners like the Jordan\u2019s locked up but there was little else he could do when he didn\u2019t have a deputy. Walking into the office and checking the back jail he was relieved to find everything as he\u2019d left it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After leaving the jail, Casey Rawlins made his way back to the saloon, thinking about the plan he was about to put into action. His thoughts were only of revenge, he didn\u2019t even consider the trouble he could find himself in if it was discovered what he\u2019d done.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he sat there, Rawlins pulled a telegram out of his pocket and reread it. This was the key to what his whole plan was built around. It was the telegram that Lorna had left on the table when everyone had rushed outside to watch what they assumed was going to be a gunfight between Joe Cartwright and the Jordan brothers. Rawlins had been the first one back in the saloon, disappointed that Joe hadn\u2019t been killed,<\/span> he\u2019d seen the piece of paper lying on the table and picked it up to read it out of curiosity. He couldn\u2019t say why, because he didn\u2019t know but for some reason after he\u2019d read it, he\u2019d put it in his pocket. He\u2019d watched as Lorna came in and looked for it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, as he reread it, he went over his plan again. He couldn\u2019t believe how everything seemed to be falling into place for him. Fate he was sure,<\/span> was on his side. Lorna had left on the stage to meet Richard in Dayton, as Richard had asked her to do in his telegram but she hadn\u2019t gotten very far. The stage had broken an axel and the driver and few passengers on board had been forced to ride the horses back to town. The blacksmith was sick so the axel couldn\u2019t be fixed. The only thing they could do was wait<\/span> for the next stage that was due in a week. Rawlins nearly laughed out loud, it couldn\u2019t have worked out better for him if he\u2019d planned it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins had been in the saloon and overheard when Lorna had told the owner that she wouldn\u2019t be working for him again, she\u2019d already quit when she left to go to Dayton, her plans had changed but she was still leaving. She\u2019d contacted Richard telling him she was stuck in Elkton and he had replied telling her to stay there, he would be there soon. Casey Rawlins had continued to sit there thinking about his next move.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins was beginning to think that his plan was going to unravel. Richard Hawthorn had arrived in town. He and Lorna were leaving on the stage tomorrow. Rawlins hadn\u2019t been able to get Richard on his own but his patience finally paid off. He watched as Richard took Lorna back to her room and then he went for a walk around town. Ducking into an alley, Rawlins waited for Richard to pass him and then he struck him on the back of his head, knocking him out. Leaving him lying out of sight Rawlins ran for his buckboard, bringing it over. He wrapped Richard in an old blanket and threw him into the back. Casey Rawlins drove out of town as fast as he could and he continued until he reached an old abandoned cabin about an hour away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard was just starting to regain consciousness when they reached the cabin so Rawlins worked quickly. He blindfolded Richard and then tied him to a chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard shook his head as he came to. \u201cWho are you? What do you want with me?\u201d he asked, the fear was apparent in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to do what I say. If you do, I\u2019ll let you go unharmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do whatever you want,\u201d Richard replied. He was very frightened. He\u2019d been raised in luxury all his life. He\u2019d never had to fight for anything before and most certainly, not his life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins untied Richard\u2019s right arm from the chair and placed a pencil and paper on the table in front of him. Then he said, \u201cI\u2019m going to take your blindfold off, look straight ahead and don\u2019t try to look at me or I\u2019ll have to kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do anything you say,\u201d Richard said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins stood behind the frightened man, pressed a gun into his back and said, \u201cPick up the pencil, you\u2019re going to write someone a little note.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Lorna frowned as she opened the door. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she asked, she was expecting Richard but he was late.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be like that, Lorna. You better be nice to me if you want to see Richard again,\u201d Casey Rawlins replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about? What do you know about Richard?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know a lot of things. Why don\u2019t you let me in and we can talk about them,\u201d he pushed past Lorna without waiting for an answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna closed the door and said, \u201cI\u2019m not in the mood for games, Casey. What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have something for you,\u201d Rawlins said, handing her a piece of paper, \u201cread this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna read the message that Casey Rawlins had made Richard write. \u201cWhat is the meaning of this? Where is Richard?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll in due time,\u201d Rawlins smirked, \u201cif you want to see him again\u2026\u2026\u2026.alive, I want you to do exactly as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna struck Rawlins hard across the face. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins rubbed his face and glared at Lorna. \u201cDon\u2019t do that again, or you\u2019ll be sorry.\u201d He grinned as Lorna looked at the paper again. Along with the message he\u2019d told Richard to write, Rawlins had also told him to write something only Lorna would know so that she would be sure it was really from Richard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna read the message again. She knew it was definitely from Richard, the message told her to do whatever this man asked her to do. Richard also said,<\/span> he hoped to see his beautiful dreamer soon. He always called her that. When Lorna saw those words she knew<\/span> the note was from Richard and that he must have been forced to write it, so he was in danger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to get Joe Cartwright to come here. I don\u2019t care how you do it. Just get him here and make him stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou ask too many questions. The less you know the better it will be for you\u2026..and Richard.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe walked into the house that evening, looking forward to a good meal. Ben greeted them as they came in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello boys, how did things go today? Get everything done?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cwe\u2019ve just got to see to that last section of fence tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, sounds like you got a lot done today,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before anything further could be discussed about the day, Hop Sing started banging things on the table. \u201cCome eat while food still hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cComing Hop Sing,\u201d Hoss said as he hurried towards the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben said, \u201cI was in town today, there was a telegram for you from Elkton.\u201d Ben walked over to his desk to get it and handed the telegram to his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe opened it and started to read it as Ben walked over towards the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat down and when Joe didn\u2019t say anything, he asked, \u201cWhat is it Joe? Bad news?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, walking over to his family he sat down at the table. \u201cNo, it\u2019s from a girl I met in Elkton.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Hoss said and smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe threw his napkin at his brother. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t like that. Her name\u2019s Lorna Medford. She was real nice. I wonder what she\u2019s still doing in Elkton?<\/span> When I left she said she was going to Dayton.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t she say?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she just asks if I can come to Elkton. She says it\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell the trials only a couple of weeks away, you can see her then,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe says it\u2019s important, Pa. I can\u2019t wait that long. I know I\u2019ve just had a holiday but\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The thought crossed Ben\u2019s mind to jokingly tell Joe that Joe had told him the next time he wanted time off not to give it to him but he could see the young man was troubled by what Lorna could want to see him about so he cut him off and said, \u201cIt\u2019s all right son. You go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled and said, \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton looked up as the door to his office opened. \u201cJoe, what are you doing here? Trials still a while away yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Joe replied as he sat down. I got a message from Lorna asking me to come. Do you know where she\u2019s staying?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s at Murphy\u2019s boarding house. Is there something going on between you two?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably none of my business but from what I\u2019ve heard around town her fiance is here. At least he was up until a few days ago and then he just seemed to disappear. I don\u2019t know if they had an argument and he left or what happened. Just thought you should know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cThanks,\u201d standing up he said, \u201cI might go over and see her now then. I just thought I\u2019d better let you know I was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAppreciate it,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cI\u2019ll be glad when the trials over and those two are locked up properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stepping out of the door, Joe looked up the street until he spotted the building he wanted and then he walked towards Murphy\u2019s boarding house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright slowly stepped down from the stage from San Francisco. He felt a little apprehensive returning home, as he knew that the news he was about to give his family would upset them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For the last year Adam had taken time away from the Ponderosa to think about what he wanted to do with his life in the future. It had been difficult telling Pa initially that he had needed some time away from his home and his family. He was aware that they could not truly understand his feelings, as they were all so satisfied with their life on the Ponderosa and never looked much farther for their fulfillment. For various reasons he had decided that he was not yet ready to return home permanently,\u00a0he wanted to continue traveling for a while and possibly spend some more\u00a0time furthering his studies.\u00a0Adam had wanted to return home to explain to his family the reasons for his decision\u00a0in person. He didn’t feel it was something he could convey fully using a letter and although he probably didn’t want to admit it, he had missed his family this last year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had\u00a0continually found himself missing\u00a0his fathers\u00a0quite understanding. Whenever something was troubling him, he knew Pa\u00a0had always been there to talk\u00a0the problem through with or to just listen if that\u00a0was what Adam needed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe were not only his brothers. They were also his best friends. In Hoss he missed his brothers<\/span> quiet companionship. Always so comfortable with each other, sometimes there was no need for words because they knew immediately what the other was thinking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And Joe.<\/span> Adam missed the fun\u00a0and laughter that his youngest brother brought to his life. Even in his darkest hours, Joe had been able to cheer Adam up. But that was not to say that Joe couldn’t be relied on in a serious situation. Adam knew\u00a0neither of his brothers would ever let him down. His fear now though was that they would feel he was the one letting them down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam knew his family would not stand in his way and would accept his decision. After all they only wanted what was best for him. At the same time though he knew this was not the outcome they had wanted him to reach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss had been working in the barn all morning and had not heard the sound of a horse ride up. Adam surprised them when he walked into the barn, unexpectedly<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pa, Hoss,\u201d Adam greeted them with his hand held out.<\/p>\n

“Adam! Son,\u201d Ben said, ignoring the outstretched hand and pulling his eldest son into a hug. \u201cWhy didn’t you tell us you were coming home? This is a wonderful surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling back from the embrace, Adam replied, \u201cI am not so sure you will feel that way when I explain why I am here, Pa.\u201d He was finding it very difficult to look either his father or brother in the eye.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Having been shown to Lorna\u2019s door, Joe knocked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna opened the door and Joe immediately noticed the wary look on her face, she smiled when she saw Joe standing there. \u201cJoe,\u201d the smile faltered and then just as quickly it was back on her face, \u201cCome in,\u201d she said as she opened the door wider.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything all right?\u201d Joe asked as he came in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s<\/span> fine, Joe. Sit down,\u201d Lorna waited until Joe was seated before she continued, \u201cI\u2019m sorry to send for you the way I did but I really needed to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe noticed Lorna\u2019s hesitation and that strange look on her face again that made him wonder what was wrong but then it was gone to be replaced by a smile and she said, \u201cThings didn\u2019t work out with Richard.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Why not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna sat down next to Joe and then said, \u201cI think I love someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was confused about why Lorna had asked him to come and see her, telling him it was important and now she was discussing this. Then suddenly, understanding hit him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had never allowed himself to think about Lorna in a romantic way. From their first meeting in the saloon her words had always reflected her deep feelings for Richard. Joe had thought more about helping her than any feelings they may have shared together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was shaken from his thoughts as Lorna moved closer to him on the settee. She was not normally forward in her dealings with men but in this instance she knew she had limited time to convince Joe that she had real feelings for him and in turn she knew she would be helping save Richard\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna needed Joe to care for her as a woman quickly. She needed to develop his trust so she could entice him to accompany her to the meadow as Casey Rawlins had instructed her to. She only had two days or Richard would be killed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna\u2019s voice was soft and low as she asked Joe if he had feelings for her. She rested her body against his to which Joe\u2019s body instinctively reacted and he put his arm gently around her shoulders, drawing her even closer. Their eyes made contact and without realizing their lips met, Lorna\u2019s lips were soft and inviting and Joe felt a desire surge through him that took his breath away. They embraced in a long, tender kiss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwights<\/span> had an enjoyable reunion over dinner. When Hop Sing had heard of Adam\u2019s return he had prepared all of Adam\u2019s favourite foods. Ben and Hoss had spent time filling Adam in on all that had happened during his absence from the Ponderosa. Adam had been shocked to hear of Joe\u2019s encounter at Elkton with the Jordan Brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had only spoken briefly about what he had been doing while away. Ben and Hoss\u00a0of course already knew about Adam’s travels from\u00a0the many letters he had sent home.\u00a0Adam found it difficult to broach the subject of\u00a0why he had returned home as he knew it would lead to telling his father and brother\u00a0that\u00a0he wasn’t back to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally over coffee Pa sensed that Adam had something on his mind and that he needed to release it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, son, you mentioned when you arrived that we may not be happy with your reason for being here. Do you want to talk about this with us?\u201d Ben and Hoss waited silently until Adam had sorted out his thoughts and the words he would use.<\/span><\/p>\n

After Adam finished explaining\u00a0that he had only come back to visit and not to stay he waited for his father and brother to digest the information. Their reaction was better than he thought it would be. Of course they were visibly upset and shocked but deep down they had been half expecting such information, especially after some of the letters they had received from Adam during the last year, stating how happy he was\u00a0with the new direction his life was taking and the many new things he was experiencing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had thought that after\u00a0a year’s break away from the Ponderosa he’d\u00a0be ready to settle down to ranch life again but here it was, a year later and he knew he still wasn’t ready.\u00a0Much to Adam’s relief his father and brother understood.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most startling piece of information Adam imparted was that he had to be ready to leave for <\/span>San Francisco<\/span> in only two weeks\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa suddenly thought of Little Joe, he had to be told!<\/span><\/p>\n

They couldn\u2019t wait for him to return as Ben was almost certain that he wouldn\u2019t come back to the Ponderosa now before the trial.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe would be devastated if he returned home only to learn about Adams visit and his subsequent news, knowing he had missed what might be his only opportunity to see his oldest brother for some time.<\/span><\/p>\n

After some discussion it was decided that all three Cartwrights would ride to Elkton to see Joe. They all knew that he would need all their support when he found out Adam\u2019s news.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 **********<\/span><\/p>\n

The following day Joe and Lorna spent most of their time together. Joe was still unsure of his feelings for Lorna and felt a certain apprehension on her part, mixed with her almost overzealous pushing of herself towards him. He just couldn\u2019t put his finger on it but he felt there was something not right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They had enjoyed dinner that evening at a restaurant in town and then slowly walked arm in arm back to Murphy\u2019s Boarding House in the moonlight. It was such a beautiful night that they sat on the swing on the porch rather than going inside. Joe realized that his feelings for Lorna were changing. He had enjoyed being with her today. She made him feel so relaxed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they shared an embrace Joe could feel his heart beating faster, he instinctively ran his hands over her smooth neck and shoulders and down her arms, coming to rest around her petite waistline. Lorna\u2019s fingers had found the soft curls at the back of Joe\u2019s neck, which she was gently massaging. Desire took over and they were lost to the moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins stood for a moment and watched as the flames took hold. He didn\u2019t linger though knowing that time was of the essence. He sprinted down back alleys and then stood hidden in shadows so he could watch the front of the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton looked up as the door opened, \u201cMorgan, come in. What brings you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just in town, Tom, thought I\u2019d call in. I\u2019ve been looking for Joe but it looks like he\u2019s gone off somewhere with Lorna.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s been seeing a bit of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly they were interrupted by shouts coming from outside. \u201cFire.<\/span> Fire, spreading fast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check it out,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said quickly, \u201cyou stay here. I don\u2019t want to leave them unguarded.\u201d He nodded towards the back room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After Sheriff Fenton left, Morgan stood in the opened doorway for a moment and watched as people ran up the street to help fight the fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Rawlins swore as he saw Morgan. Picking up a bag he had hidden in the corner he then ran around to the back of the jail and pulled a box over to the barred windows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil heard the noise at the window and when he saw Rawlins he said, \u201cWhat are you playing at. Get us out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t. The sheriff left someone guarding the place for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you do anything right,\u201d Virgil snapped. \u201cGive me a few minutes. I\u2019ll get him back here. You sneak in and knock him out from behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins nodded and hurried off to do as he was told.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan was drawn to the cells by the sounds of shouting. It appeared the Jordan brother\u2019s were arguing. As he walked back there, Morgan saw Virgil grab his brother through the bars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Running over he shouted, \u201cHey, you two break it up. I \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He got no further as something solid came down on his head. Rawlins put his gun back in its holster, the butt of it having done its job.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell don\u2019t just stand there. Open the door,\u201d Virgil said angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins ran back into the office for the keys and then returned to release the Jordan\u2019s. Opening the door of the first cell he thrust a bag into Virgil\u2019s hand, \u201cHere are some supplies. You haven\u2019t forgotten our deal?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright\u2019s as good as dead,\u201d Virgil Jordan replied. He nodded to the man at their feet. \u201cTie him up, gag him and lock him in one of the cells before he comes to. Then get out of here. Is Cartwright where you said he\u2019d be?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rawlins nodded. \u201cOne more thing,\u201d he said as the Jordan\u2019s started to leave, \u201che\u2019s unarmed, only he doesn\u2019t know it. I had Lorna take the bullets out of his gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil grinned evilly. \u201cI might have been wrong about you. You can do something right after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

When Morgan Tanner awoke he found himself tied up and gagged in a cell. The Jordan\u2019s were gone. He was angry with himself for allowing it to happen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After the fire was under control Sheriff Fenton walked into his front office. When he saw no sign of Morgan he began to get a very uneasy feeling. \u201cMorgan!\u201d he called. When there was no answer he walked into the back room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing Morgan in the cell and the keys laying on the floor he hurried to pick them up and unlock the cell. He removed the gag and as he untied Morgan he asked automatically, \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d Although it was clear what had happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone hit me from behind,\u201d Morgan said as the sheriff helped him to sit up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Morgan said as he felt his head, \u201cjust a bump on the head.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea who<\/span> it was?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see a thing. I\u2019m sorry, I should have been more careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault. I should have known the Jordan\u2019s would pull something like this. They obviously had someone start that fire for them. But who?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All of a sudden Morgan jumped up and said, \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? Do you think Joe Cartwright did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not but the Jordan\u2019s might go looking for him. We have to warn him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ll take the time to look for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as they\u2019re concerned they think Joe killed two of their brothers. I think they\u2019d take the time to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton nodded,\u201d You go and see if you can find him, tell him what\u2019s happened. I\u2019ll get a posse together.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Lorna sat together on a blanket they had spread out on the grass near the stream. Lorna placed her hand on Joe’s thigh and leaned closer to him as her lips sought his. Soon they were entwined in each other\u2019s arms. Lorna ran her hands down Joe’s back, stopping at his holster, her hands came around to his front and started to undo the buckle. “You don’t need this on,” she said as she tugged it off. Joe made no reply as he felt the passion surge through him and all thoughts of everything else were gone. “I love you, Joe,” Lorna said passionately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe suddenly pulled back. He found it hard to resist Lorna but he knew he had to stop now before they went too far. He wasn’t sure of his feelings for her and he didn’t want to take advantage of her.\u00a0He didn\u2019t know Lorna that well but in the short time they\u2019d spent together he was beginning to feel the first stirrings of love. He felt there was something she was holding back from him though, he was sure of it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna too was struggling with her feelings. She knew she was truly falling\u00a0in love with Joe. She hadn’t wanted him to stop. She’d wanted him as much as she knew he had wanted her. But then there was Richard. He was depending on her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two of them continued to sit on the bank and talk. After a while they laid back and with the warm sunshine on his face Joe started to grow sleepy, he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna watched as Joe’s breathing signaled he was in a light sleep. Carefully she reached for his holster that lay beside her. Slipping Joe’s gun from\u00a0his holster, she removed the bullets and then replaced the gun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna was feeling terribly guilty about what she was doing. Joe had been so nice to her, a real gentleman. The other men who had come into the saloon where she\u2019d worked had only been after one thing from her. Joe was different. He was special. Lorna moved her head and just watched Joe as he lay beside her with his eyes closed. She didn\u2019t know what Casey Rawlins was planning but she knew it wasn\u2019t going to be good. Rawlins had come to see her again after Joe had arrived in town. He\u2019d told her to get Joe to come out here with her today. She shuddered as she thought of what she\u2019d just done. By taking the bullets out of his gun, she\u2019d virtually left Joe unable to protect himself. Suddenly she knew she couldn\u2019t go through with it, not even to save Richard, she just couldn\u2019t do it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes, seeing the look on Lorna\u2019s face he immediately sat up and pulled her into his arms, asking, \u201cLorna, what is it? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna pulled away from him and stood up, pulling Joe up with her. \u201cWe have to get out of here now,\u201d she said urgently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t got time to explain, Joe. I\u2019ve done something terrible. I promise I\u2019ll explain it all to you later but we have to get away from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Lorna both turned at the sound of horses<\/span> hooves thundering on the ground. They saw two people riding hard towards them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe reached for his holster and put it on. Lorna grabbed Joe\u2019s hand and tried to pull him over to their horses but suddenly the riders were between them and the horses and both Joe and Lorna recognized them. It was Virgil and Walt Jordan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to keep calm, drawing his gun he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know how you escaped but I\u2019m taking you back. Drop your guns now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t expecting the reaction he got. The Jordan\u2019s started laughing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walt turned to Virgil. \u201cWhat should we do? Just kill him now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Virgil replied, \u201clet\u2019s take them both with us. We can have some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Virgil started to reach for his gun, Joe squeezed the trigger of his gun and was shocked at the empty click that sounded from it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil and Walt laughed harder when Joe pulled the trigger again. Virgil pulled his gun and said to Walt, \u201cGet them on their horses and tie their hands to their saddles.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d Lorna whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was then that Joe realized the magnitude of Lorna\u2019s betrayal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s gun slipped from his hand as Walt Jordan pushed him towards the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long until the group of four were<\/span> on their way heading further away from Elkton.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Morgan searched around town, asked some questions and then ran back to the sheriff\u2019s office, inside he spoke to the sheriff. \u201cI\u2019ve looked all over town and there\u2019s no sign of Joe or Lorna. I spoke to old Pete and he said he saw them riding out of town a few hours ago.\u201d They continued to talk about what their next plan of action should be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss rode into Elkton and noticed a crowd gathered outside the jail. Making their way over there they dismounted and Ben asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Jordan\u2019s escaped,\u201d more than one man answered him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs the sheriff inside?\u201d Ben asked, dismayed at the news. When he received nods in return to the question the Cartwright\u2019s pushed through the crowd and into the office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Morgan said as he rose from the chair he was sitting in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Ben asked immediately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton looked to Morgan for clarification of who these three men were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan was surprised to see Adam but he knew now wasn\u2019t the time to ask about his return. He nodded to the Cartwright\u2019s and said, \u201cThis is Joe\u2019s family. His father Ben Cartwright and brothers Adam and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was in no mood for introductions. \u201cI asked a question and I want an answer. Where\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben,\u201d Morgan replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam could see Ben was about to explode and stepped in. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening here? They said outside that the Jordan\u2019s had escaped.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s right. It just happened, not more than two hours ago. I\u2019m getting a posse together but Morgan and I were just discussing if it might be better to wait until morning. It\u2019s almost nightfall now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Joe?\u201d Ben asked, \u201cHas this got anything to do with why you don\u2019t know where he is?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said, \u201che\u2019s been seeing a bit of a girl in town here, Lorna Medford. They went riding today and they haven\u2019t returned yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if the Jordan\u2019s came across them?\u201d Hoss asked worriedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s likely,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not but it is possible,\u201d Ben said, \u201cYou should be out there now,<\/span> there\u2019s no telling what could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d just end up stumbling around in the dark, possibly destroying the trail but if we wait, we might be able to follow it tomorrow,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMuch as I hate to admit it, Pa, he\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss said dejectedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did they escape in the first place? How could you let that happen?\u201d Ben turned furious eyes on the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my fault, Ben,\u201d Morgan said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow is it your fault?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a fire up the south end of town, we think now that it was a ruse to get everyone away from here, including me,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cMorgan was here and I asked him to keep an eye on things while I checked it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s turned their eyes to Morgan waiting for him to take up the story. \u201cSomeone snuck up behind me, knocked me out. Next thing I knew Tom was shaking me awake. I can\u2019t tell you how sorry I am, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned back towards Sheriff Fenton, \u201cSo you think the fire was deliberately lit?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPretty sure.<\/span> After we got it out I came back here and found Morgan locked in one of the cells. I\u2019d say whoever planned it thought no one would be here and then when Morgan was here, the only thing they could do was knock him out. They probably thought a shot would be heard otherwise he\u2019d likely be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey tried to kill Joe before,\u201d Adam said, having being filled in on what had transpired in Elkton by his father and Hoss, \u201cdo you think they\u2019d just ride off and not try to find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to know there\u2019s going to be a posse after them. I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll hang around trying to find him,\u201d Sheriff Fenton replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI pray you\u2019re right,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben paced the hotel room floor. They were waiting for Joe in his room and with each passing hour they became more worried. By eight o\u2019clock Ben was beyond worried. \u201cIt\u2019s pointless to pretend that nothing\u2019s happened to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff and Morgan were waiting with the Cartwright\u2019s and Sheriff Fenton had someone at Murphy\u2019s boarding house incase the missing couple went back there. Sheriff Fenton asked, \u201cIs it possible that Joe\u2019s decided to spend the night with the girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous,\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and glanced at his father before answering, \u201cNo, even if that were the case they\u2019d have come back to one of their rooms, they wouldn\u2019t spend the night out in the open.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton nodded. \u201cI had to ask. I think the best thing we can do is to get some sleep. We\u2019ll leave at first light in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss grunted their agreement. Ben was too preoccupied to answer. By daylight it might be too late to save Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After Sheriff Fenton left, Morgan said, \u201cI\u2019ll get a room here. I had a friend ride out to tell Martha what was happening and he took her to a neighboring ranch, thought it\u2019d be safer for tonight. I\u2019ll ride with you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Morgan,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cIf your feeling up to it we\u2019d appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not much after all Joe\u2019s done for me,\u201d Morgan said. Before anyone could comment Morgan left to go and get a room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

True to his word, by first light Sheriff Fenton had the posse ready to ride. The posse was made up of twelve men, including the Cartwright\u2019s, Morgan and Casey Rawlins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins was beginning to worry. It had seemed so easy at first. His plan had gone off without a hitch but now he couldn\u2019t stop thinking about the things that could go wrong. Once the Jordan\u2019s found Joe and Lorna, Lorna would know he\u2019d been involved in their escape. If she survived, Casey Rawlins knew that at the very least, he\u2019d go to prison. He could only hope the Jordan\u2019s would kill her as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once they were out of town, Hoss did his best to follow the trail the two escaping men had left. One of the horses they\u2019d stolen had a distinctive print. Rawlins cursed the fact that he hadn\u2019t known that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After riding for a while the posse suddenly saw someone riding towards them, waving and yelling to get their attention. The posse stopped and watched him warily, their hands ready at their guns. Then Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cIt\u2019s all right it\u2019s<\/span> Dave Pierson. He\u2019s from the Circle K Ranch. They could see he had someone mounted on the horse behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Dave Pierson pulled his horse up beside the posse Sheriff Fenton recognized the man sitting behind him, it was Richard Hawthorne.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Dave? Where\u2019d you find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFound \u2018im tied up in the old Wilson shack.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton looked at Ben and said, \u201cIt\u2019s Richard Hawthorn. Lorna Medford\u2019s fiance.<\/span> I thought he must have left town, he disappeared about a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins moved behind one of the other men trying to keep out of sight. He didn\u2019t think Richard would recognize him but he didn\u2019t want to take any chances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened? Who tied you up out here?\u201d Sheriff Fenton asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Richard was still clearly frightened by the experience. I was just walking around town one day and someone knocked me out, next thing I knew I was tied up and blind folded.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t see who did it?\u201d Sheriff Fenton asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard shook his head. \u201cNo. Is Lorna all right? She must be so worried about me. Did they ask her for a ransom?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cthis is the first I\u2019ve heard of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re wasting time,\u201d Ben said impatiently, \u201canything could be happening right now and we\u2019re here doing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know how you must feel, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Sheriff Fenton started.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben interrupted him. \u201cNo you don\u2019t know,\u201d he said angrily, \u201cit\u2019s not your son who\u2019s missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to find out what\u2019s going on here,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said patiently. He turned back to Richard. \u201cDo you have any idea why someone would kidnap you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe made me write a note to Lorna, telling her to do whatever he told her to or I\u2019d be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you see the kidnapper then?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cHe must have removed the blindfold so you could write.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard shook his head. \u201cHe stood behind me. I couldn\u2019t really tell if it was day or not blindfolded like I was but it seemed like he came back everyday. He gave me food and water and time to take care of things, then he tied me up again but I never saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard squinted<\/span> his eyes and Sheriff Fenton knew that after being in darkness for so long the sunlight was bothering him. \u201cYou go on back to town,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cBut before you go there\u2019s something you need to know. Lorna\u2019s missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Richard asked, shocked. \u201cIs she all right? Where can she be?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find her, you just go back to town and wait there,\u201d the sheriff replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard nodded, \u201cI guess that\u2019s the best thing for me to do. I have been through a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s exchanged glances. It seemed strange to them that Richard didn\u2019t put up more of a fight to go with them to help search but they could tell he was used to an easier way of life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Ben said as he spurred Buck into motion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

When the posse arrived at the spot where Joe and Lorna had picnicked, the Cartwright\u2019s hearts sank. The blanket and food lay scattered around but no sign existed of the young couple.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Searching the area, Adam found something. \u201cPa,\u201d he called, \u201clook<\/span> at this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The others gathered around to see what he had found. Passing it over to his father, Ben held the item in his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s gun,\u201d Ben said as he looked in the chamber, \u201cit\u2019s empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no blood around,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cand no sign of\u2026.\u201d he stopped,<\/span> he didn\u2019t want to say what they were all thinking. The search could be for bodies now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking around a bit more Hoss pointed and said, \u201cFour horses rode off that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the Jordan\u2019s have made Joe and Lorna go with them,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss agreed. \u201cLooks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it was a mistake not to start looking for Joe yesterday,\u201d Ben said angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a couple of things in our favor,\u201d Adam said, \u201cThey obviously aren\u2019t very good at covering their tracks, they haven\u2019t even tried and we know Joe will be doing all he can to slow them down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s still alive,\u201d Ben said,<\/span> his voice breaking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is. I know he is,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded, praying that it was true.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The posse rode all day and by nightfall the Cartwright\u2019s worry had grown even more. If Joe were still alive, how long would the Jordan\u2019s keep him that way? Ben wanted to keep going but common sense told him that the men and the horses needed to rest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That night, although Ben closed his eyes and tried to sleep, he spent most of the night awake. Before the sun had made it\u2019s<\/span> appearance for the day Ben had the posse up and on their way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam was right, Joe was doing everything he possibly could to slow the Jordan\u2019s down. As Joe\u2019s horse once again began to lag behind, Virgil became infuriated. Pulling his gun he pointed it straight at Joe and said, \u201cI don\u2019t need to keep you alive. Try and slow us<\/span> down one more time and it\u2019ll be the last thing you do. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe didn\u2019t answer, Virgil Jordan cocked the hammer of his gun and repeated, \u201cUnderstand?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe gritted his teeth as he replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil released the hammer and nodded as he holstered his gun. \u201cGood. Get moving then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As darkness started to set in Walt said, \u201cThe horses need a rest, Virg.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil agreed. \u201cYeah.<\/span> We\u2019ve been riding pretty hard. If there is a posse behind us they\u2019re going to need to stop too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they found a place to make camp, Virgil reached up and roughly pulled Joe from the saddle. Joe bit back a groan as he hit the hard ground. Walt helped Lorna down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil pulled Joe up and started to shove him over towards some trees. \u201cSit down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Lorna and Joe sat down, the Jordan\u2019s untied their hands. Pulling their arms behind them they were tied to trees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna waited until the Jordan\u2019s had moved away before trying to talk to Joe. It was the first time they\u2019d had a chance to really talk since they\u2019d been taken captive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Joe. This is all my<\/span> fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe said nothing, she tried to explain. \u201cCasey Rawlins came to see me. He had a note from Richard. He told me that if I didn\u2019t do what he wanted, that Richard would be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRawlins,\u201d Joe said angrily, \u201cyou helped that loud mouth set me up?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know what he planned, Joe. He just told me to get you to come to Elkton and then he told me where and when to get you to come on the picnic with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my gun?<\/span> He told you to take the bullets out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Lorna replied quietly, ashamed of what she\u2019d done. \u201cI know it was a terrible thing to do Joe, but I couldn\u2019t risk them hurting Richard. I didn\u2019t know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have told me the truth then. I\u2019d have helped you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna struggled to keep from crying. \u201cI wish I had. I love you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLove me!\u201d Joe practically spat the words out, \u201cCome on, Lorna, the games over now you don\u2019t have to keep pretending.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the truth, Joe. I know you have no reason to believe me now not after all I\u2019ve done but I do love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at Lorna. The doubt clearly showing on his face.<\/span> He didn\u2019t want to talk about it anymore. He knew they had to get away from the Jordan\u2019s, he doubted the Jordan\u2019s would keep them alive much longer and he knew what they probably planned to do to Lorna when they\u2019d finished setting up camp. As much as he disliked her at the moment, Joe knew he had to do what he could to save her from that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked across to where the Jordan\u2019s were, making sure they couldn\u2019t hear and said, \u201cWe have to get away from them tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow?<\/span> What can we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf one of them comes over here and unties us so that we can eat, flirt with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Lorna asked shocked, \u201cJoe, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?<\/span> It shouldn\u2019t be too hard for you,\u201d Joe said bitterly, \u201cIt\u2019s not like you haven\u2019t done something similar before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t. I\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe cut her off. \u201cWe haven\u2019t got time to talk about this now. Just do as I say and let\u2019s hope it works.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna didn\u2019t know what Joe\u2019s plan was but she was willing to go along with him. \u201cOkay,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil and Walt had finished heating up some beans. Walt nodded towards their captives. \u201cAre we going to feed them?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil grunted. \u201cBe a waste of good food but might as well give \u2018em one last meal I reckon. Untie \u2018em and let \u2018em eat but keep your eye on \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walt took a plate of beans over to the two young people and put it on the ground as he untied them. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He untied Joe first and Joe watched out of the corner of his eye what happened next. Walt squatted down behind Lorna to release her hands, when they were free she brushed a hand down the front of his pants and let it rest on his thigh. Thank you, that feels so good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walt pulled her around to face him and roughly kissed her, letting his hands roam over her body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tensed, he was about to make a move to try and get Walt\u2019s gun when there was a shout from across the camp and Virgil stormed over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell do you think you\u2019re doin\u2019?\u201d He pulled Walt away from Lorna, \u201cShe\u2019s mine first.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSays who?\u201d Walt said angrily, shoving Virgil.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to say. That\u2019s just the way it\u2019s always been.\u201d He raised<\/span> his fist, punched his brother and the fight was on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe grabbed Lorna\u2019s hand and whispered urgently, \u201cRun!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took a few minutes for the Jordan\u2019s to realize what had happened and by then Joe and Lorna had escaped into the trees and the Jordan\u2019s knew there would be no finding them in the dark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is your fault,\u201d Virgil shouted angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t put it on me. You\u2019re as much to blame. I was just havin\u2019 some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter.<\/span> They won\u2019t get far on foot. We\u2019ll get \u2018em in the morning and believe me, they\u2019ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Lorna ran for as long as they could but it was hard going in the dark and they stumbled and fell often, it wasn\u2019t long until Lorna could go no further. She pulled on Joe\u2019s hand, stopping him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I can\u2019t go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll rest for a while but then we need to get going again. They\u2019ll be on horseback in the morning when they come after us and it\u2019s going to be easy for them to find which way we\u2019ve gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to get away from them,\u201d Lorna cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe put his arms around her and held her to him. \u201cOf course we will. \u201cWe\u2019ll be all right. They won\u2019t look for us for long. They won\u2019t have time. The posse can\u2019t be far behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

By the time the night gave way to the dawn, Joe and Lorna hadn\u2019t gotten far. Lorna knew Joe could have gotten much further without her slowing him down. \u201cI can\u2019t keep going, Joe. You\u2019ll have a better chance without me. You go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe said without hesitation. \u201cWe stay together.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna dropped to her knees and started to cry. \u201cI don\u2019t deserve your help. Not after what I did. I do love you, Joe. I swear it\u2019s the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI realize now that what I felt for him wasn\u2019t love. I never felt for him what I do for you. Do you have any feelings for me at all?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Truthfully Joe didn\u2019t know what he was feeling and now wasn\u2019t the time to start thinking about it. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it later. Right now we need to go.\u201d He pulled her to her feet and it was then that they heard a horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pulled Lorna behind a large boulder where they crouched out of sight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil and Walt had split up. Walt was following the broken branches and tracks left by the two people trying to escape. Virgil had gone in a wider arc to try and cut them off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Walt rode past the outcropping, Joe suddenly sprang out at him, pulling him from the horse. Walt was stunned for a moment after he hit the ground and Joe used that to his advantage, he immediately reached for Walt\u2019s gun. In the struggle that followed the sound of a shot suddenly echoed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna screamed, worried that Joe had been shot, and then she saw him push himself to his knees and stand up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked down at the body at his feet and saw that Walt Jordan was dead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh great,\u201d Joe mumbled as he saw that the horse had bolted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna flung herself at Joe. \u201cI was so worried.\u201d He gently pushed her away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better hide the body. The other one must be around somewhere. They quickly pulled Walt\u2019s body behind the rocks and then set out on foot again. Joe now had Walt\u2019s gun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil had heard the shot and was riding towards where the sound had come from. Not far away the posse had also heard it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the posse approached the area where the shot had seemed to come from, Sheriff Fenton split the posse into four small groups hoping they would be able to surround the Jordan\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before the groups rode off, Sheriff Fenton said, \u201cGo quietly and hold your fire. We don\u2019t want to endanger Joe and Lorna.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the Cartwright\u2019s each went with a separate group. Morgan was in Ben\u2019s group, Sheriff Fenton with Hoss and Casey Rawlins in Adam\u2019s group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Lorna were running when suddenly Lorna screamed. Virgil had dismounted and snuck up on them, he now held Lorna in front of him with his gun pointed at Joe, he said, \u201cTake your gun out real slow and drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Lorna said, \u201c don\u2019t<\/span> do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Virgil tightened his arm that was across Lorna\u2019s throat and said, \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The posse was approaching the scene. Ben saw what a vulnerable position his youngest son was in and it felt like his heart would stop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a rustle in the surrounding bushes and Lorna realizing Virgil was distracted brought her foot back and kicked him in the leg as hard as she could, twisting away from him. In that moment Joe went for his gun and fired. Virgil went down. Almost at the same moment shooting erupted all around them and Joe was hit in the side, falling to the ground. It appeared that Virgil Jordan had shot Joe as he himself went down. Lorna rushed over to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s and Sheriff Fenton started to yell for everyone to hold their fire. In all the confusion no one even knew what they were shooting at. Once someone fired the first shot it had caused the other nervous men to start shooting at nothing, thinking they were being shot at. Adam was sure that first shot had come from someone in his group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold your fire,\u201d Ben yelled above the noise. Looking at his son who lay so still on the ground Ben knew he had to get to him regardless of the danger to himself. Ben didn\u2019t know where the other outlaw was, plus he knew he risked being accidentally shot by the posse but it was a risk that Ben was more than willing to take to help his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins knew if he wanted to avoid jail or the hangman\u2019s noose he had to get rid of anyone who knew of his involvement with the Jordan\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A bullet bit into the ground near where Joe lay and Lorna pressed herself tighter to him. Casey Rawlins took aim again and this time his bullet struck Lorna and she collapsed beside Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Heedless of his own safety Ben rushed to his youngest son\u2019s side, crouching over the young man to protect him as much as he could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at Lorna, Ben could see that she was still alive but the bullet had done terrible damage and he knew she wouldn\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The shouts of the Cartwright\u2019s and Sheriff Fenton were finally beginning to have some effect on the posse and the shooting started to slow. When it stopped the men started to slowly get to their feet. Hoss rushed to his father and young brother. Out of the corner of his eye Adam saw that Casey Rawlins still had his gun in his hand, held as if to fire and it seemed to be pointed at where his father lay with Joe. Adam still held his gun in his hand at his side. Bringing it up, he swiveled to face Rawlins. \u201cDrop it! Or so help me I\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton approached from Adam\u2019s left side and with the other men all standing around watching, Rawlins knew he had no option. He let the gun slide from his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Sheriff Fenton asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut I think he started the shooting and I just caught him now pointing his gun at Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton replied, \u201cWe\u2019ll sort it out. I\u2019ll watch him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were being shot at,\u201d Casey Rawlins mumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head disgustedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam started to move towards his family when the sheriff called, \u201cBe careful. We don\u2019t know where Walt Jordan is yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded. He saw that Hoss was no longer with their father and youngest brother. \u201cHow bad is he hurt,\u201d Adam asked as he dropped down to his knees beside his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s loosing a lot of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Pa,\u201d Ben and Adam both looked up as they heard Hoss and saw the bandages that he\u2019d retrieved from his saddlebag. Ben took them and did his best to staunch the flow of blood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d the Cartwright\u2019s heard Lorna say. Adam turned his attention to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust lie still,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill Joe be all right?\u201d Lorna asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t know the answer to that question right at that moment and thought a lie would be kinder. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lorna smiled. \u201cTell Joe I love him and I hope one day he can forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Adam could ask what she wanted Joe to forgive her for, Lorna\u2019s body shuddered and she drew her last breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was concentrating on Joe. Adam and Hoss looked up as the rest of the posse approached. Morgan knelt down next to the Cartwright\u2019s. \u201cOh, Ben.<\/span> I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and tried to sound more positive than he felt. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine. The bullet\u2019s gone straight through so we don\u2019t have to worry about getting it out. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood but I think it\u2019s slowed down now. We have to get him to a doctor though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at the amount of blood that covered his friend, Morgan feared he wouldn\u2019t survive, and then he remembered something he had to tell the others. \u201cI almost forgot,\u201d Morgan said, \u201cSteve and I just found Walt Jordan over there,\u201d he nodded towards the rocks, he\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was deep in thought. \u201cThat might have been the first shot we heard and if he was killed then, he wasn\u2019t around when the shooting was going on here.\u201d He nodded towards Lorna, \u201cIf that\u2019s the case then someone here killed her and wounded Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up in shock. \u201cCheck his gun,\u201d he nodded towards the body of Virgil Jordan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton walked over to the body and picked up the gun. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt hasn\u2019t been fired,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s glared around at the posse who shuffled their feet nervously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you all hadn\u2019t been shooting at shadows Joe would be all right,\u201d Hoss yelled angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam laid his hand on his brother\u2019s arm. \u201cHoss,\u201d he looked over at his father, \u201cPa, I don\u2019t know if Joe and Lorna getting shot was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded towards where Casey Rawlins was standing. The sheriff had confiscated his gun. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure those first shots from the posse came from my group and I saw Rawlins aiming at you and Joe just as the last of the firing was stopping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face was turning red with rage and Adam kept his hand on the big man\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you have to say for yourself?\u201d Ben asked Rawlins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t shooting at \u2018em. I thought we were been shot at that\u2019s why I was firing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll sort all of this out back in Elkton. Maybe Joe will be able to tell us something about what happened,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As everyone prepared to move out, Casey Rawlins kept casting surreptitious glances at the Cartwright\u2019s. He was silently cursing himself. The Jordan\u2019s and Lorna were dead. The only person left alive who might know of his involvement in breaking the Jordan\u2019s out of jail was the person he most wanted dead \u2013 Joe Cartwright. \u2018Damn,\u2019 thought Rawlins, \u2018If only I\u2019d been able to get a better shot at him, I\u2019d have killed him instead of just wounding him.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Jordan\u2019s were buried where they lay but Lorna\u2019s body was wrapped in a ground sheet to be taken back to town. Ben mounted his horse and moved back to allow his two oldest sons to hand the youngest up to him. Ben carefully wrapped an arm around him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They\u2019d been riding for about two hours when Ben felt Joe start to stir and push against his arm. He immediately tightened his hold and pulled his horse to a stop. Adam and Hoss stopped beside him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhh<\/span>, Joe. I know it hurts but try not to move,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s only response was to groan. He felt like his side was on fire and he couldn\u2019t seem to get his thoughts together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were able to get Joe to drink some water which Ben knew he needed, the worried father could feel the fever burning in Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The group of men continued on until they reached a stream where they stopped to refill the canteens and let the horses rest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben checked Joe\u2019s bandages and was dismayed that Joe was still bleeding. He repacked the wounds and replaced the bandages. Getting what water he could into Joe, the only thing he could do then was to sit with his son and offer what comfort he could. Adam went to refill the family\u2019s canteens, leaving one full one with Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moved his head and groaned as the pain washed over him. \u201cPa,\u201d he called weakly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben grabbed his hand. \u201cIt\u2019s<\/span> okay, Joe. I\u2019m right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flickered and he squinted as he tried to focus on his family. Hoss moved so that the sun was blocked from Joe\u2019s eyes and Joe sought his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs Lorna okay?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t know what to say. He didn\u2019t know how deep his son\u2019s feelings ran for the woman who they were taking back to Elkton to bury.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about anything, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his head slightly and looked around. \u201cShe\u2019s dead isn\u2019t she,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes Joe,\u201d Ben said as he pushed back the hair from Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss handed his father the canteen and Ben lifted Joe\u2019s head and helped him to drink. Then Joe asked, \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019ll talk about it later. Right now I want you just to concentrate on you,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI want to know now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben reached down and took his sons hand into his own, squeezing it gently. \u201cShe was shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned as if thinking about something and said, \u201cI sort of remember hearing shooting. But who was it, Pa. I thought I killed both of the Jordan\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe think one of the posse accidentally shot her, Joe. You too.\u201d<\/span> Ben didn\u2019t think Joe needed the extra worry that maybe it wasn\u2019t an accident. \u201cWe found one of the Jordan\u2019s behind some rocks. Did you say you shot him, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and his eyes started to close, he was so tired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo to sleep,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told Lorna that we\u2019d both get away,\u201d Joe was wracked by guilt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou did everything you could, Joseph. What happened is not your fault. You did everything right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just then Adam returned and knelt down next to Joe. \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe just stared at him, not believing what his eyes were telling him he was seeing. \u201cAdam,\u201d he said wonderingly as he reached to touch his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re not seeing things. It\u2019s really me.\u201d Seeing that Joe still looked confused he continued, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it now. We\u2019ll tell you all about it later. Right now you just remember that we\u2019re all here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how you all got here but I\u2019m glad you came,\u201d Joe said sleepily, his voice little more than a whisper and his family leant forward to hear what he said, \u201cbecause I need you.\u201d Joe took a deep breath and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked across at Adam and Hoss and said, \u201cHe\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three oldest members of the family found they all had to blink their tears away. Adam touched Joe\u2019s shoulder and said, \u201cI\u2019ll always come when you need me buddy.\u201d He cleared his throat and turned to Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe knows anything about how the Jordan\u2019s escaped?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about Rawlins?<\/span> If he did shoot Joe, why?<\/span> Why would he do something like that?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI might know the answer to that,\u201d Sheriff Fenton sat down beside the Cartwright\u2019s. He\u2019d left two of the posse members watching Rawlins. \u201cJoe had a run in with Casey Rawlins not long after he arrived in Elkton. I didn\u2019t actually see what happened but I heard the story enough times. It was all over town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRawlins tried to force Joe into a gunfight. For no other reason than that he wanted to look like a big man. From what I was told by people who saw it, your boy\u2019s very fast Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut I\u2019ve always tried to instill in Joe that a gun is a last resort. What did he do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe put a beer glass in front of Rawlins and one in front of himself. He told Rawlins one glass was Rawlins and the other was himself and the aim was to see who could shoot the others glass first. Joe shot the glass while Rawlins was still clearing his holster. Apparently Rawlins ran out of there with his tail between his legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A smile flickered on Adam\u2019s lips. \u201cGood on ya<\/span>, kid,\u201d he said quietly as he looked at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe really did all he could to avoid trouble. Rawlins just wouldn\u2019t leave him alone,\u201d Sheriff Fenton said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked down at his son and said, \u201cHe didn\u2019t tell me anything about that,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice held both love and pride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you let Rawlins join the posse if you knew there were bad feelings between him and Joe?\u201d Adam asked the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor a start, we don\u2019t know for sure that Rawlins has done anything. It could just as easy have been an accident by anyone in the posse. Everyone was been pretty free with their bullets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was him,\u201d Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins was standing with some of the other men. He\u2019d made sure he quickly turned his back when Joe had started to look around. He couldn\u2019t hear what was being said but it was making him very nervous. He thought the best thing to do now would be to wait until they got back to town, pack his gear and just take off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s and Sheriff Fenton decided they would ride through the night, just stopping for brief times to rest the horses. Ben wanted to get Joe to a doctor as soon as he could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Early the next morning, the posse was only a few hours away from town. They stopped for a break and as Ben wiped Joe\u2019s face over with a cloth the young man woke. When his sons<\/span> eyes flickered open, Ben smiled gently and asked, \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I got shot,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was kneeling down next to Joe and said, \u201cSounds about right to me then, Joe,\u201d Adam tried to joke.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his head and over Adam\u2019s shoulder he saw Casey Rawlins watching. For a moment Joe\u2019s thoughts were jumbled and then he remembered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam felt Joe\u2019s hand brush his leg and reached to take his brothers hand but he suddenly felt Joe pull his gun from his holster. \u201cJoe!\u201d he said urgently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam looked across to where Joe was pointing the gun and saw Rawlins push Sheriff Fenton in front of himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s hands trembled and Ben wondered that Joe even had the strength to keep a hold of the gun. He reached for it and said, \u201cNot like this, son. Whatever he\u2019s done, he\u2019s not worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss both held their breath as the gun wavered in Joe\u2019s hands and then to their relief Joe lowered it. Ben gently pulled it from Joe\u2019s grasp and handed it back to his eldest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stroked Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cWhat\u2019s this all about, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton pointed to a couple of men and said, \u201cKeep an eye on him. Don\u2019t let him so much as move,\u201d he nodded his head at Rawlins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Sheriff knelt down next to the Cartwright\u2019s to hear what Joe told them. Joe\u2019s voice was soft as he struggled to find the strength to tell them what he knew. When Joe was finished telling them what Lorna had told him, Joe\u2019s family were<\/span> furious and glared at Casey Rawlins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe should have let Joe put a bullet through him,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cNo. Let him stand trial. He\u2019ll hang for what he\u2019s done. He didn\u2019t only help the Jordan\u2019s to break out. He committed murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLorna?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded sadly. \u201cYes, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins started yelling. \u201cHe\u2019s lying. I had nothing to do with the Jordan\u2019s. Why would I help them? It doesn\u2019t make any sense. I tell you he\u2019s lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Fenton stood up and walked over to his horse, getting a rope. Rawlins started to panic. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this. Please I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d Rawlins continued to babble as everyone just stared at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff shook his head in both amusement and disgust at Rawlins. \u201cI\u2019m not going to hang you. Just tie you up. We wouldn\u2019t want you to escape before you had the chance to stand trial now would we.\u201d Sheriff Fenton pulled Rawlins\u2019 hands behind his back and tightly tied them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Casey Rawlins had a look of terror on his face when he realized what fate awaited him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter Rawlins?\u201d Adam said, \u201cDon\u2019t you know anyone that will want to break you out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s turned their attention back to Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s over now, Joe,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI should have killed him when he tried to draw on me in the saloon. None of this would have happened then. Lorna would still be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNone of this is your fault Joseph so you get those thoughts out of your head now. No one blames you for anything so I\u2019m certainly not going to allow you to blame yourself. You did exactly the right things. Do I make myself clear young man?\u201d Ben tried to keep his conversation with Joe light knowing how much pain and stress his son was feeling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and Ben smiled. \u201cGood. Now I think we\u2019d better get you back to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

For the next few days, Joe\u2019s family stayed by his side as he battled back to health. There were times when Joe\u2019s fever would rage and Ben feared at those times that he would lose Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the second night after getting back to Elkton, Ben sat with Joe trying to cool him down, talking to him as he wiped the cloth over him. \u201cDon\u2019t give up now, Joe. Fight hard. Don\u2019t let Rawlins have what he wanted.\u201d Hearing a noise behind him Ben turned and saw Adam and Hoss standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cMorgan and Martha are here again. I told them how sick Joe is but they said they just want to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded, \u201cTell them to come in.\u201d He then turned back to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan and Martha came into the room and walked over and stood next to the bed. Martha was crying and as she wiped the tears away she said, \u201cI feel so awful about the things I thought and said about Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up, confused. \u201cWhat are you talking about? What things?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe reward money.<\/span> I thought Joe was just after the reward money when he said it was him that had shot Luke Jordan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about. What reward money?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Joe tell you about Luke Jordan?\u201d Morgan asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust that he\u2019d been trying to steal a horse from you. You both fired and one of you hit him. And of course he told me about Jordan\u2019s brothers coming to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a two thousand dollar reward on him Ben,\u201d Morgan said, \u201cI was going to share it with Joe but he went to Tom Fenton and said he was claiming the reward because it was his bullet that had killed Luke Jordan. At first I couldn\u2019t understand why Joe would do that. It just didn\u2019t seem like Joe, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you think he did it to make the Jordan\u2019s come after him and not you?\u201d Adam asked. He and Hoss had stayed in the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know he did. He knew I\u2019d be no match for them. He was prepared to face up to the three of them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stared down at the young man who was restlessly tossing on the bed and said, \u201cIt seems there\u2019s a lot Joseph didn\u2019t tell me. He didn\u2019t say anything about what happened in the saloon with Rawlins or anything about the reward money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to the money?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cWho got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it,\u201d Martha cried still wiping her eyes, \u201cJoe put the whole two thousand in the bank for Morgan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t say a word to me about it, Ben,\u201d Morgan said, \u201cjust left me a note.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Martha lent down and kissed Joe on the forehead and said, \u201cThank you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan took his wife\u2019s arm and said, \u201cWell we better leave you. If we can do anything, anything at all, please let us know<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded as his friends left the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t the boy have told me anything about that.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s just it Pa,\u201d Adam replied, \u201che\u2019s not a boy anymore, he\u2019s a man. He\u2019s changed so much in the time I\u2019ve been gone. He didn\u2019t want any praise for what he\u2019d done. He just did what he thought was the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019m very proud of him,\u201d Ben said, preying that he would have the chance to tell his youngest son that very same thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It was the next day before Joe woke and was aware of what was happening around him. He opened his eyes and saw his father asleep in a chair beside the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben opened his eyes a few minutes later and smiled with relief when he saw his youngest son staring at him. \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said as he sat up and reached to feel his forehead. Feeling that Joe\u2019s fever had broken he asked, \u201cHow long have you been awake?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot long?\u201d Joe croaked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben immediately got him a drink and Joe drank thirstily. When he\u2019d finished Ben asked, \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBetter,\u201d Joe replied, looking around. \u201cPa\u2026\u2026..?<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben saw the confusion on Joe\u2019s face and squeezed his hand. \u201cWhat is it, Joe? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve been imagining things,\u201d Joe said uncertainly. \u201cIs Adam here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cHe is. He came to the Ponderosa to give us a surprise visit and we all decided to come to Elkton. You just lay there and I\u2019ll get him for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben quickly went next door to the room Adam and Hoss were sharing. They were all staying at the hotel, as there wasn\u2019t much room at the doctor\u2019s office. Ben was back in moments with both of Joe\u2019s brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they entered the room, Joe moved his legs, smiled and said, \u201cHey, brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat down carefully on the edge of the bed. \u201cI can\u2019t leave you alone at all, without you finding yourself in some kind of trouble, can I,\u201d Adam joked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMust have known you\u2019d be here to help me out,\u201d Joe replied and then he became serious as he stared at Adam. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you. I\u2019ve missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve missed you too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sat in the chair beside the bed and patted Joe\u2019s arm as he said, \u201cYou had us all really worried there for a while little brother. I thought you were going to up and die on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe grinned and said, \u201cThere was no need to worry. You should know by now Hoss that you can\u2019t kill a Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head amazed that the boys could joke about something so serious but then he found himself joining in their laughter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The following day, Joe’s family were<\/span> in\u00a0his room with him. Joe looked at his father and asked, “When can we go home, Pa?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Soon Joe.<\/span>\u00a0Once the judge gets here and Rawlins has stood trial, we’ll see what the doctor says.\u00a0We’ll leave\u00a0when the doctor tells us it’s all right for you to travel.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“I have to start breaking those horses for Mr. Carson when I get home,” Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben almost choked on the coffee he was drinking. “Joseph, you are certainly not going to be breaking any horses when we get home.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“But, I…”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. “No arguments.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at Adam and said, “I guess Adam could do it,” he smiled as he continued, “although<\/span> it has been a while, he might be out of practice.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked guiltily away and the room was filled with silence. Ben realized it was time for his oldest and youngest son to have a private talk. Clearing his throat\u00a0he said, “Hoss, let’s go downstairs and get something to eat,” he looked at his youngest son. “I won’t be long, Joe.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After his father and middle brother had left the room, Joe frowned and looked at Adam. “What’s wrong?” he asked, although he was beginning to suspect what was wrong. When Adam didn’t answer Joe said, “You’re not back to stay are you.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. “No.”\u00a0He had told his father that he wanted to be the one to explain to Joe that he would have to leave soon and he struggled to find the words to make his brother understand his reasons why he couldn’t stay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“I’ve really enjoyed the time I\u2019ve spent at sea Joe, but there are still so many places I want to visit, things I want to see and do.” When Joe looked away from him, Adam sat on the edge of the bed before continuing. “Joe, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I feel like I’m being torn in two.\u00a0I want to stay but I need to go\u00a0and it’s so hard to go away again, especially when you’re still not well but I’ve signed on to another ship. This one is sailing for France. I plan on staying there for a while, maybe do<\/span> some architecture work. I have to leave for San Francisco in four days.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“If it’s so hard for you to go then why don’t you stay?” Joe asked bitterly. “Why do you have to leave us?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Joe, please understand. It’s not you, or Pa or Hoss that I’m leaving. I’m trying to find something.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned curious eyes towards his brother and asked, “What?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“My own place in the world I guess and right now, that’s not on the Ponderosa.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath. “Do you think one day it might be?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“There’s one thing this last year away from all of you has made me realize,” Adam reached for Joe’s hand and squeezed it as he continued, “that the Ponderosa will always be home. When I’m away I miss you all so much. No matter where I go, it won’t be forever. I’ll come home.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe still wasn’t happy about his brother leaving but he knew it wouldn’t be fair to try and stop him either. He wanted Adam to do what would make him happy. He squeezed his\u00a0older brothers<\/span> hand back and said, “I hope you find what you’re looking for, Adam. Don’t stay away too long.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled and said, “I won’t. I promise.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam watched\u00a0as piece of mind washed over Joe, for his youngest brother knew\u00a0that a promise given by Adam would be a promise kept.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Each day Joe\u2019s health\u00a0improved a little until finally the doctor\u00a0allowed him out of bed to sit for several hours. Joe had begun to feel restless being confined to\u00a0bed\u00a0and he was relieved to be able to sit at the window which looked out over the main street of Elkton but it was with a mixture of bitter sweet feelings because it was the morning that Adam was to leave for San Francisco.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past few days Adam had spent many hours sitting and talking with his youngest brother. They had enjoyed each others company and Adam had tried to tell Joe of all the things he had experienced during his year away from the Ponderosa. Both\u00a0of them had tried to put to the back of their minds the fact that\u00a0Adam was leaving again so soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa and Hoss had helped Joe into a chair while Adam had finished his packing, ready for his trip. Luckily he had travelled light so it didn\u2019t take him long to complete this task.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was sitting looking out the window of the hotel room which was on the second floor when Adam finally came in to say his goodbyes. Pa and Hoss shared a knowing look and left the room saying they would meet Adam at the stage. Adam came up behind his brother who had not acknowledged him yet and finally crouched down next to Joe\u2019s chair and placed his hand on Joe\u2019s knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWell I guess I cannot put it off any longer little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can you know!\u201d said Joe, not daring to look at Adam but keeping his sight out on the street below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please don\u2019t make this any harder on me than it already is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u2026.,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice wavered with emotion, \u201cI don\u2019t want you to go\u2026.,\u201d Joe was having difficulty finishing his sentence, \u201cbut I understand your reasons and I will be waiting for you when you come home to us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe, you cannot know what your words mean to me,\u201d Adam tightened his hold on Joe\u2019s leg. He knew Joe wouldn\u2019t say any more, instead Joe\u2019s hand came to rest on Adam\u2019s shoulder giving a reciprocal squeeze which said more than any words could. The two brothers spent several minutes like this then Adam slowly rose, went to the door and giving one final look back he saw Joe\u2019s shoulders slump and his body shudder as he left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Down at the stage office Pa and Hoss said their farewells, both tried to make this as easy as possible on Adam as they could see the toll his farewell with Joe had taken on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stage went slowly down the main street of Elkton and as it did Adam dared to take one last look up to the hotel room window. Joe\u2019s eyes connected with his one last time and Adam silently mouthed the words, \u201cI\u2019ll be back.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s gaze followed the stage out of town. Pa and Hoss had been standing across from the hotel and both watched this exchange.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell son, looks like someone needs us more than ever today,\u201d and they made their way across to the hotel room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 **********<\/span><\/p>\n

Three weeks later, Ben, Hoss and Joe were preparing to leave Elkton. The trial of Casey Rawlins had come and gone. He\u2019d been sentenced to hang and it had been carried out. The doctor felt it would be all right for Joe to ride home as long as they took it easy. Goodbyes had been said and now as Ben and Hoss packed their gear, Ben looked out the window. \u201cI thought Joe would be back by now,\u201d he said worriedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201che<\/span> said he just wanted to go for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but he\u2019s not supposed to over do it. You finish packing and I\u2019ll just go and find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss just nodded, knowing there was no use in arguing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben was becoming more worried as he walked around town and didn\u2019t spot Joe. Then he thought of where Joe might be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he approached the cemetery, Ben saw Joe sitting beside Lorna\u2019s grave. Ben walked over and sat down beside him. Putting his hand on his youngest sons back, Ben gently rubbed his hand across Joe\u2019s shoulders and said, \u201cI thought I\u2019d find you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to say goodbye.\u201d Joe wiped the tears from his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you love her, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think in a way I did but I never really got the chance to know her. She told me she loved me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at his father and Ben said, \u201cJoseph, just before Lorna died she told us to tell you that she loved you and she hoped one day you could forgive her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s why I feel so bad, Pa. When I found out what she\u2019d done, I hated her. She knew that and I never got a chance to tell her that I do forgive her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSome things don\u2019t have to be said, son. I\u2019m sure Lorna knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and looked once more at the grave as he said, \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood up and helped Joe to his feet. Turning him around, Ben brushed the dirt from Joe\u2019s trousers where he\u2019d been sitting and said, \u201cWe better get back to that brother of yours before he decides to leave town without us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe laughed and Ben continued, \u201cAre you ready to go home?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMore than ready, <\/span>Pa.<\/span>\u201d<\/span> Joe smiled as he replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders as they walked away from the cemetery and headed home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

September 2003<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for Credit for a Kill.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (15,700 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,13],"tags":[15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1113,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-9.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13822,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13822","url_meta":{"origin":13821,"position":0},"title":"Payback for a Kill (by HelenB & JennyD)","author":"HelenB","date":"September 27, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for Credit for a Kill. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (15,700 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\/Joe.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5501,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5501","url_meta":{"origin":13821,"position":1},"title":"Delusions (by EPM)","author":"EPM","date":"September 5, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0An old adversary returns to threaten the entire Cartwright family. 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This time, when the siege begins there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/game.jpeg?fit=445%2C317&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18367,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=18367","url_meta":{"origin":13821,"position":3},"title":"Only Fifteen (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"September 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A short WHN for 'He Was Only Seven' -- a moment on the way back home. Rating: G\u00a0 Word Count: 1863","rel":"","context":"In "What Happened Next\/Later"","block_context":{"text":"What Happened Next\/Later","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"joe, jamie","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/CB69AA25-C183-47EF-9157-5A752748AAE4.jpeg?fit=1200%2C923&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/CB69AA25-C183-47EF-9157-5A752748AAE4.jpeg?fit=1200%2C923&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/CB69AA25-C183-47EF-9157-5A752748AAE4.jpeg?fit=1200%2C923&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/CB69AA25-C183-47EF-9157-5A752748AAE4.jpeg?fit=1200%2C923&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/CB69AA25-C183-47EF-9157-5A752748AAE4.jpeg?fit=1200%2C923&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7257,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7257","url_meta":{"origin":13821,"position":4},"title":"The SJS (by lminzer)","author":"lminzer","date":"April 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Joe keeps getting kidnapped! But soon, scheming Joe finds a way to turn the situation to his own advantage. Until the unthinkable happens.... 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