{"id":13846,"date":"2006-05-27T08:52:11","date_gmt":"2006-05-27T12:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13846"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:25","slug":"door-to-the-past-by-helenb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13846","title":{"rendered":"Door to the Past (by HelenB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Sequel to The Closed Door.\u00a0 Joe crosses paths with the men who were involved in his kidnapping. And what is the secret Joe’s family are keeping from him?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (24, 025 words)<\/p>\n

The Closed Door Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Closed\u00a0 Door<\/a>
\nDoor to the Past<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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In my story \u201cThe Closed Door\u201d Joe was kidnapped during a robbery gone wrong at the Ponderosa. Four men were involved, including Danny Kidd \u2013 they were part of a larger gang. One of the men was killed and Danny explained how he had come to be involved. The rest of the gang got away. The story continues six months later\u2026.<\/p>\n

Door to the Past<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019ve got everything you need?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded patiently. It was about the fifth time that his father had asked the same question that morning. Joe had been very ill for a long time after he\u2019d been shot by one of the men who had then kidnapped him. This was his first long trip away from the Ponderosa since then and his father couldn\u2019t stop himself from worrying.<\/p>\n

Joe understood and smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Ben put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders and squeezed gently before they both walked outside.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s horse Cochise was saddled and Joe tied his bedroll and saddlebags on while his brothers waited, mounted on their horses. He mounted and turned to wave to his father. \u201cBye, Pa. See you in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cLook after yourself, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three brothers turned their horses. \u201cSee you tonight, Pa,\u201d Hoss called before they rode out.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss rode as far as the turn off to the main road with Joe. After they pulled their horses to a stop, Adam said, \u201cGood luck with the contract, Joe. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll do fine,\u201d he smiled and added, \u201cAnd try to stay out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do anything we wouldn\u2019t do,\u201d Hoss joked as he punched his little brother lightly on the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not making any promises that I might not keep,\u201d Joe laughed and before his brothers could reply, turned his horse and called out goodbye as he rode away.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed. Adam shook his head and grinned, then turned to Hoss. \u201cWell, we better get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When Joe Cartwright rode into the town of Silver Flats, he looked around until he found a sign locating the boarding house. He rode over and after tying Cochise to the hitching rail, walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson, a plump woman in her sixties answered the door. Seeing the young man standing there she asked, \u201cCan I help you? Are you after a room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Joe answered, \u201cMy name\u2019s Joe Cartwright and I \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson cut him off excitedly. \u201cLittle Joe!\u201d she exclaimed, looking him up and down, \u201cYou are so tall now. I can\u2019t believe you were once the little boy who sat on my knee,\u201d she grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and pulled him inside. \u201cCome in, come in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Joe looked at her, \u201cI\u2026.\u201d he paused, not wanting to hurt the woman\u2019s feelings by telling her that he didn\u2019t know who she was.<\/p>\n

The woman smiled kindly. \u201cYou don\u2019t remember me, do you?\u201d when Joe shook his head, she continued, \u201cWell, I\u2019m not surprised. It\u2019s been a long time. You were five years old when I last saw you. My name\u2019s Laura Anderson. My husband Daniel and I lived near you and your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Old memories tugged at Joe and he suddenly realized who she was. \u201cAunt Laura!\u201d The woman seemed to glow with happiness that he remembered her.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome through and lets sit down. I want to hear all the news about what you\u2019ve been doing.\u201d Laura Anderson led Joe into the sitting room and once she had him seated with a cup of coffee and a large piece of cake, she sat down, ready to hear all the news about the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Joe told her what had happened over the years and the woman listened with interest, asking questions.<\/p>\n

The Andersons had been good friends of Ben and Marie\u2019s. The memories Joe had of them were faint but he remembered the comfort he\u2019d found in Aunt Laura\u2019s arms after his mother had died. Then suddenly a few months later she was gone, too. His father had explained that the couple had sold up and moved away. The Cartwrights had never heard from them again.<\/p>\n

When Joe finished talking about himself and his family, he asked, \u201cHow have you been, Mrs Anderson and what about Mr Anderson?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson reached over and patted Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cI\u2019d like you to call me Aunt Laura, like you used to, if that\u2019s all right with you?\u201d Joe nodded and she said, \u201cYour Uncle Dan is out right now visiting a couple of friends. He\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you ever write and tell us where you were living?\u201d Joe asked, \u201cWe could have visited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears came to Laura\u2019s eyes. \u201cI wish that had been possible.\u201d Joe wondered curiously why it hadn\u2019t been possible but thought it would be rude to ask. \u201cDan and I were not lucky enough to be blessed by children,\u201d Laura said quietly, \u201cI wish I could have seen you grow up. I wanted you so badly. I\u2019d have given anything to have kept you as mine.\u201d She stared at Joe with such intensity that he felt uncomfortable and he wasn\u2019t sure what she\u2019d meant by her words.<\/p>\n

Laura drew her eyes from the young man\u2019s face, feeling she\u2019d said the wrong thing. Quickly she said, \u201cI mean, I wish I could have had a little boy just like you. How long can you stay?\u201d she asked, trying to change the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be here for about a week. I have some business with a man named Mr Weems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be so good to have you here,\u201d Laura said, happily. \u201cI\u2019ll show you to your room and you can wash up. We\u2019ll be eating in one hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When Joe came downstairs he could hear arguing coming from the kitchen. A man\u2019s voice said, \u201cI made a promise, Laura. I can\u2019t break it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson replied, \u201cIt\u2019s been years, Dan. It can\u2019t hurt anyone now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe started to turn, intending to go upstairs again, feeling he had intruded. Laura came into the room and saw him, she called, \u201cLittle Joe, Uncle Dan\u2019s home. Come and say hello.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling a bit awkward about the argument he\u2019d overhead, Joe walked through into the kitchen. \u201cHello, Mr Anderson,\u201d Joe said as he came in and saw the man sitting at the table.<\/p>\n

Mr Anderson didn\u2019t say anything for a moment, then as if making a decision, he stood up and held out his hand, \u201cIt\u2019s Uncle Dan to you, Little Joe. It\u2019s good to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Sir,\u201d Joe replied as he shook the man\u2019s hand. They talked in the kitchen for a while and then when all four of the boarders were seated at the dining room table, they went though into that room and joined them.<\/p>\n

\u201cGentleman,\u201d Dan said, \u201cI\u2019d like you to meet a very good friend of mine, Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was about to greet the men when one, who was sitting with his back to Joe, spun around to face him. Both men stared at each other in shock. After Joe had been kidnapped he\u2019d killed one of the men but the other two hadn\u2019t been caught. When Danny Kidd described the two men who were with him that day, Carl Willis and Mark Simmons, Joe had realized that although he didn\u2019t know them by name, he did know who Danny was talking about as he\u2019d seen those men at times when he\u2019d been in Carson City. The Cartwrights and Sheriff Coffee had continued to look out for the men but neither of them had been sighted again, until now.<\/p>\n

The man pushed his chair back, knocking it over in his rush. He ran for the back door. Joe was after him in a moment.<\/p>\n

Two of the other men who were sitting at the table got up and ran to the back door with the Andersons to see what was happening outside. Mrs Anderson screamed as the man known to her as Richard Smith drew his gun and fired at Joe. The bullet missed and Joe fired back.<\/p>\n

After it was over, Joe looked down at the body. The four people who had watched from the door rushed over to him. \u201cAre you all right, Little Joe?\u201d Mrs Anderson asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. He looked at Mr Anderson, \u201cYou better get the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dan was about to go when he saw the sheriff coming towards them. \u201cHere he comes now. Must have heard the shots. You haven\u2019t got anything to worry about though, Little Joe. We all saw how he drew on you first. You killed him in self defence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened here?\u201d Sheriff Luke Taylor asked when he reached the group gathered around the dead body. He was a young man, only a few years older than Joe. This was his first job as a sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was self defence, Sheriff,\u201d Dan Anderson said. He explained to the sheriff what had happened.<\/p>\n

The sheriff looked at Joe and asked, \u201cWhy did he run? Do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cSix months ago some men tried to rob my father at our ranch, the Ponderosa. It\u2019s near Virginia City,\u201d the sheriff raised his eyebrows in surprise, he\u2019d heard of the Cartwrights and the Ponderosa. \u201cThey kidnapped me. That\u2019s one of the men, Mark Simmons,\u201d Joe looked at the sheriff, \u201cYou can wire Sheriff Coffee in Virginia City to confirm my story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheriff Luke Taylor looked over at Mrs Anderson. \u201cHe arrived in town about a week ago, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson nodded. \u201cYes, he said his name was Richard Smith. He came here to the boarding house here with Frank Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s he?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson looked around and realized that one of her boarders hadn\u2019t come outside. \u201cHe was at the table with us. It\u2019s strange that he didn\u2019t come out to see what was happening, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt certainly is,\u201d the sheriff agreed, \u201cDid you recognize him?\u201d he asked Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, we think there were ten men all together in the gang but only three were at the house that day when they took me. I don\u2019t know what the others look like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we need to have a talk to Frank Carter,\u201d the sheriff said. He looked at Joe, he\u2019d only just met the young man but his instincts told him that Joe was a man he could trust. \u201cCome with me. The rest of you wait here, just in case he tries to shoot his way out, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going inside the two men looked around, seeing no one. They carefully made their way upstairs. Checking the rooms, they found one where clothes were flung all over the bed and floor. \u201cLooks like someone left in a hurry,\u201d Sheriff Taylor said. \u201cQuick! Let\u2019s go to the livery.\u201d The men ran down the stairs and rushed to the livery. They were just in time to see Frank Carter lead his horse out and mount up. As he turned, he saw the sheriff and Joe. His hand moved for his gun. Sheriff Taylor and Joe pointed their guns at him. The sheriff called out, \u201cDon\u2019t even think about it!\u201d Carter was not about to give up and he spurred his horse. Sheriff Taylor fired, the bullet hit Carter in the arm and he fell from the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cDumb move,\u201d the sheriff said as he looked down at the injured man. \u201cI warned you not to make it.\u201d He pulled the man roughly to his feet.<\/p>\n

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

Once the doctor had patched Carter up, Sheriff Taylor started to question him. The sheriff soon discovered that not only was there no honor among thieves but no loyalty either. Carter couldn\u2019t wait to turn in the other men in the hope of getting a better deal for himself. He told the sheriff and Joe that there had been ten men in the gang and that four of the men, Willie Day, Clyde Walters, Steve Webber and Mac Ryder had been killed the month before in an attempted robbery. Sheriff Taylor was going to send a wire to the town where it happened to check the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cWillie Day and Mac Ryder they were in charge. When they died Carl Willis took over,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Luke Taylor glanced at Joe and saw the frown on his face at the mention of Willis\u2019 name. \u201cYou know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know him all right,\u201d Joe answered, \u201cHe was one of the men who came to the Ponderosa that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Luke said, \u201cthere\u2019s four dead last month, Carter here locked up and Richard Smith or Mark Simmons or whoever you want to call him dead, that leaves four still out there somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cThree. When I was kidnapped, I managed to get away. One of them, Tom Parkinson, died when he was chasing me. Went over a cliff.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff raised an eyebrow, he\u2019d already worked out that this young man could look after himself. \u201cWith a bit of help?\u201d Joe simply shrugged and the sheriff nodded in understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cCarl and Tom were tight. Carl\u2019s still lookin\u2019 to pay you back for that,\u201d Carter said, \u201cAnd it looks like payback time is comin\u2019 soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Sheriff Taylor asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you agree to tell the judge that I helped you. I\u2019ll tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll tell us or I\u2019ll make sure the Judge knows that you wouldn\u2019t help us,\u201d the sheriff said angrily. He made a threatening move towards the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere!\u201d Carter shouted, \u201cThey are coming here to meet up with me next week. Next Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u201d, Joe looked at Sheriff Taylor, \u201clooks like we have time to plan a little welcome party.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

With Carter now locked in a cell, and the door from the cells into the office shut, Joe and the sheriff talked privately.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they will come after you when they find out you\u2019ve killed another one of them now?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. After Joe had escaped and killed one of his kidnappers, there had been rumors around town that the gang was going to get even with him. At first Joe\u2019s family had kept that from him but feeling Joe had a right to know they had finally told him. \u201cThere was talk when Parkinson died that they were going to come after me. It didn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke leant back in his chair and steepled his fingers. \u201cI see,\u201d he frowned, \u201cBut from what Carter just said they were planning to. You need to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re beginning to sound like my father,\u201d Joe joked but seeing the serious look on the sheriff\u2019s face, he agreed, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Four days later, Joe sat in the sheriff\u2019s office talking. Sheriff Taylor had talked with their prisoner Carter again. He\u2019d found out the names, Hank Carson and Paul Simpson, and descriptions of the two men who would be coming into town with Willis. He\u2019d wired nearby towns to warn them to look out for the three men and there was a marshal on the way. Marshal Tom Stewart was due to arrive the following day. \u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to wire your family and tell them what\u2019s happening?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you so adamant about it, Joe? From what you\u2019ve told me about your family and what I\u2019ve heard about you Cartwrights, I think they\u2019d want to know. They\u2019d want to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two young men had spent a lot of time together over the last few days. Joe had met with Mr Weems and the timber contract had been agreed to. Ben had told Joe that when the contract was signed, he was to take a few days off before starting the long journey home. Joe had wired his father to tell him the deal was done, the contract signed and he would be starting home next week. Now with free time, Joe often accompanied Luke on his rounds of the town for something to do and Luke had started eating most of his meals at the boarding house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess being the youngest I\u2019ve always felt I have to prove myself. Like the nickname Little Joe,\u201d Joe shrugged, Luke had asked why the Andersons called him Little Joe and Joe had explained that it was what his family had started calling him from when he was born and it had stuck with him, \u201cNo matter how old I am, I will always be Little Joe to them. Pa and my brothers are always ready to step in whenever they think I need help,\u201d Joe laughed ruefully, \u201ceven when I don\u2019t think I need it. It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t appreciate it. I do. But they\u2019ve been worse since all this started. They\u2019ve been so worried that Carl Willis and the others would come after me. This is the first time I\u2019ve made a trip away from home alone since I was kidnapped. It took me weeks to persuade Pa to let me come here to handle this deal. They\u2019ve all become so over protective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke nodded understandingly. \u201cYou\u2019re afraid that if they find out Willis is on his way, they\u2019ll come. And they\u2019ll feel they were right to be over protective.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cI need them to know I can handle my own problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Luke started, \u201cI have to tell you\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had walked over to the window while they talked and he looked out. He saw a face he knew, Carl Willis. Willis was with two other men. The three dismounted and tied their horses to a hitching rail across the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuke!\u201d Joe called, interrupting his friend, \u201cIt\u2019s Willis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re two days early!\u201d Luke shouted. He looked out the window and saw the man that Joe indicated was Willis. Looking at the other two men, he said, \u201cThe descriptions fit the ones Carter gave us of Hank Carson and Paul Simpson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cThey\u2019ll probably start looking for Carter and Simmons. They\u2019ll get suspicious when they can\u2019t find them in town.\u201d Luke and Joe watched as the men walked into the general store.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Luke asked, \u201cDo we take them now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we have any choice. We don\u2019t know what will happen if someone in town tells them about the dead man or the one we have in jail. We can\u2019t take the chance of someone getting hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ll take them when they come out of the store then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Luke quickly went over to the store and stood out the front, one on either side of the door. They had their guns ready as they heard footsteps coming towards the door from inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Sheriff!\u201d one of the townspeople suddenly called out from across the street, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a scuffle and shouting from inside the store. \u201cDamn,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet off the street!\u201d the sheriff called and waved his arms, knowing they\u2019d been given away.<\/p>\n

The three men came out of the store. Paul Simpson held an arm around the neck of the storekeeper, holding the man to him. Willis held the storekeepers daughter to him. A gun held to her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou!\u201d Willis spat when he saw Joe, \u201cI might have known! Drop your guns or they die!\u201d When Luke and Joe hesitated, he pressed the gun harder and the young woman screamed and pleaded for them to do as he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it!\u201d Willis demanded.<\/p>\n

Joe and Luke glanced at each other and then slowly put their guns down on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHank, get the guns,\u201d Willis told the man who wasn\u2019t holding a hostage, he then jerked his head in Joe\u2019s direction. \u201cAnd then tie him up.\u201d Hank Carson moved forward to do as he\u2019d been ordered. Joe\u2019s hands were tied behind his back and he was then pulled over to a horse. Luke watched in horror as a rope was tied tightly around Joe\u2019s neck and he was told to mount up. Joe struggled but out of the corner of his eye he saw the terror on the faces of the storekeeper and his daughter. He didn\u2019t want to be responsible for getting them hurt so he mounted. The other end of the rope was then tied to the saddle horn. Hank Carson mounted a horse next to Joe.<\/p>\n

Carl Willis dragged the young woman over to the horses, knowing it would be too much of a struggle to get her mounted and not wanting to waste time, he said, \u201cTry to follow us and he\u2019s dead!\u201d he jerked his head in Joe\u2019s direction. Pushing the young woman to the ground, he quickly mounted behind Joe and rode out. Hank Carson was right beside them.<\/p>\n

The last man, Paul Simpson, pushed the storekeeper away from him but as he was mounting, the horse reared throwing him heavily to the ground. Sheriff Taylor moved towards the man but the horse reared up again and when it came down, the hooves struck the man on the ground, killing Simpson instantly. Sheriff Taylor grabbed the reins.<\/p>\n

People rushed to help the storekeeper and his daughter Emma to their feet and escorted them home.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Luke Taylor stood in the street, his mind racing. He believed that Carl Willis had been serious when he\u2019d said that he would kill Joe if they followed but he also knew Joe\u2019s life was in danger if he didn\u2019t go after them. He was about to shout out to the men around to start getting a posse ready when Laura Anderson ran up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just heard what happened,\u201d Mrs Anderson clutched at his arm. \u201cIs Little Joe all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke tried to calm her down. \u201cHe was when they left. Don\u2019t worry, Mrs Anderson. I\u2019m getting some men together to go after them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Three men rode into town from the other direction. Seeing everyone standing around in the street it was obvious something had happened.<\/p>\n

Hoss turned to his father. \u201cWhat do ya think has happened, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, anxiety starting to gnaw at his stomach that something had happened to his youngest son. They rode towards the gathered people and Ben\u2019s heart almost stopped when he spotted what appeared to be a body on the ground. When he got closer, he was relieved to see that it wasn\u2019t Joe.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Sheriff Taylor replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright,\u201d he nodded towards the two men with him, \u201cand these are my sons Adam and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright,\u201d Luke said with relief, \u201cthank goodness you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a wire telling me that Joe needed us,\u201d Ben said anxiously, \u201cAnd you haven\u2019t answered my question. What\u2019s going on here? Where is Joe, is he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very sorry to have to tell you this,\u201d the sheriff said, \u201cbut Carl Willis came into town with two of his men. One of them is dead,\u201d he nodded at the man on the ground, \u201cI\u2019ll explain how it all happened later, but they\u2019ve taken Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTaken Joe!\u201d Ben shouted, \u201cWhat do you mean they\u2019ve taken my son! When! Where did they go!\u201d Ben shouted his questions one after the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just happened,\u201d Luke replied, \u201cI\u2019m getting some men together to go after them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go then!\u201d Adam yelled impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d Luke said, \u201cWe have to be careful. They said they\u2019d kill Joe if anyone followed. I believe they mean it,\u201d he swallowed hard, \u201cWillis is mounted behind Joe. Joe\u2019s hands are tied behind his back, they tied a rope around his neck and then tied it to the saddle horn.\u201d<\/p>\n

The color drained from Ben\u2019s face. \u201cIf Joseph falls or Willis pushes him\u2026.\u201d his voice trailed off. They all knew what a fall from the horse would do to Joe tied the way he was. Ben tried to pull himself together. \u201cLet\u2019s go! We\u2019ll keep the group small. Just the four of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheriff Taylor nodded in agreement. \u201cI\u2019ll get my horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

None of the Cartwrights noticed the woman who had stood near them, quietly listening. She now walked over to the other side of the street and stood out of sight, watching them.<\/p>\n

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

The last two gang members, Carl Willis and Hank Carson were riding hard to make their escape. Joe was finding it a struggle to stay mounted but he knew the other two men didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n

The sheriff and the Cartwrights weren\u2019t far behind. The trail was easy for them to follow, the fleeing men making no effort to cover it.<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled his horse to a stop, the others did the same. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re far behind them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cBut how do we get Joe back? We can\u2019t just rush them and hope that things work in our favour. It\u2019s Joe\u2019s life we\u2019re risking. We have to have some kind of plan to stop them.\u201d Ben\u2019s fear was that his son would die because of their efforts to save him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best thing we can do is to try and cut them off,\u201d Luke said, \u201cThey seem to be following this trail. Two of us could cut around and block them off. We\u2019ll have them between us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not much of a plan but I agree,\u201d Adam said, \u201cIt\u2019s the best we can do. They won\u2019t keep Joe alive once they have no more use for him.\u201d Adam knew they\u2019d all been thinking the same thing but he was sorry he\u2019d said the words aloud when he saw the look on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Ben drew in a deep breath. \u201cAdam, you go with the sheriff and get in front of them. Hoss you stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know they\u2019re not far in front of us from here,\u201d Sheriff Taylor said, \u201cSo if you keep up the same pace you should be about ten minutes behind them.\u201d He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time. \u201cWe\u2019ll plan to cut them off in one hour so try and get as close as you can to them by then.\u201d Ben checked his own watch as Adam and Luke rode away.<\/p>\n

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

The news hadn\u2019t been well received when, six months earlier Carl Willis had to tell the leaders of the gang, Willie Day and Mac Ryder, that the planned robbery at the Ponderosa had gone very wrong. Willis had wanted to go after Joe Cartwright but he\u2019d been over ruled. The others thought it was better to cut their loses and run.<\/p>\n

When Day and Ryder had been killed and Carl Willis took over leadership of the remaining men, he planned that one day in the near future, they would make a return visit to the Ponderosa. But Willis had been unable to set his plans into motion, as it turned out he\u2019d been the one almost caught in a trap and he was furious. Willis urged his horse faster. As soon as he knew they had gotten away safely, he intended to make Joe pay. They rode on.<\/p>\n

Carl Willis rode around a bend and saw two men up ahead blocking the road.<\/p>\n

The man with Willis, Hank Carson, pulled his gun from his holster. Sheriff Taylor fired and Carson fell from the saddle. He was dead before he hit the ground.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes had opened in surprise at the sight of his brother and new friend up ahead. Willis turned his horse and Adam and Luke could not fire for fear of hitting Joe. Before they could do anything to stop him, Willis had ridden back around the bend, out of sight of Adam and Sheriff Taylor. Willis pulled his gun from his holster as he rode.<\/p>\n

When Carl Willis saw the two men coming the other way, he knew he was caught but he was determined they wouldn\u2019t take him alive.<\/p>\n

From the corner of his eye, Joe saw Willis raise his gun to fire. It was pointed at his father and his brother, Hoss. Without any thought for his own safety, Joe pushed himself back into Willis, causing them both to fall from the horse.<\/p>\n

The next few seconds seemed to last for hours for Ben and Hoss. Willis had fired as he fell but his aim had been knocked off by Joe and the bullet went harmlessly by.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, God, no!\u201d Ben cried in horror when he saw Joe fall. The horse Joe was on was frightened and started to run.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Hoss screamed, raising his gun he was about to fire at the horse, knowing he needed to stop it anyway he could.<\/p>\n

Suddenly Adam and Luke appeared. They were closer to Joe than Ben or Hoss and they immediately rode to the horse. Adam reached over and grabbed the reins, pulling it to a stop. Both men dismounted. Luke rushed over to Carl Willis who was reaching for the gun he\u2019d dropped. Luke kicked the gun away and pointed his own gun at the man\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Adam was trying to calm the horse, anxious to check on Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss rode carefully up, not wanting to spook the horse and quickly dismounted. Ben\u2019s hands shook and his stomach churned as he moved towards his youngest son who lay still on the ground.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss knelt down and Ben\u2019s shaking hands reached out to check Joe\u2019s pulse. \u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d he said, amazed that he was able to say those words but very fearful about the injuries Joe might have suffered. Ben quickly checked Joe over. The rope had bitten savagely into his neck and wrists. His right arm was broken and his shoulder dislocated. He had cuts and bruises all over from being dragged.<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled out a pocket knife and as quickly as he could he cut the rope away from Joe\u2019s neck and wrists.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Taylor tied Carl Willis up and then took the reins of the horse from Adam. With Joe free, Luke pulled the horse away from him and then turned to face the family.<\/p>\n

Grabbing a canteen, Adam trickled some water into his brother\u2019s mouth and wet a kerchief, wiping the young man\u2019s face. There was no response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to get him back to town,\u201d Ben said, \u201cget him to a doctor. I\u2019ll take him on my horse with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think we should put him on a horse, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, concerned they might hurt him more.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll take too long to make a travois or get a wagon,\u201d Ben didn\u2019t take his eyes from his young son\u2019s face, \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to take that risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe\u2019s very lucky,\u201d Doctor Peter Johnson said after he finished patching Joe up. \u201cFrom what you\u2019ve told me, it\u2019s a miracle he survived the fall.\u201d He looked at the family who had all insisted on staying while he worked and chose his next words carefully. \u201cThere is some damage to his neck. We\u2019ll just have to wait and see how serious it turns out to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean more than just the bruises and welts that we can see?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the doctor agreed. \u201chis throats very swollen,\u201d he paused for a moment but knew he had to tell them, \u201cIf his vocal cords are damaged he may never speak again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss walked over and knelt by his brother\u2019s bed, he reached out and gently touched Joe\u2019s left arm. \u201cAt least he\u2019s alive,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

The doctor spoke again. \u201cHis other injuries, although painful are not life threatening. He\u2019ll be all right with time. We\u2019ll just keep bathing the cuts and watch for infection.\u201d Joe\u2019s shoulder was back in place and his arm set. All the cuts and scratches had been thoroughly cleaned. Joe had started to wake when the doctor had begun to work on him. Doctor Johnson had used ether to knock him out again, wanting Joe to keep still while he worked. \u201cI think he\u2019ll sleep for hours yet,\u201d he told the worried family.<\/p>\n

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

It was the next day before Joe stirred. Ben leant forward in his chair when Joe began to move. \u201cJoseph, Son. It\u2019s Pa. Can you hear me? Joseph, come on, open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally Joe\u2019s eyes flickered open and focused on his father. Joe\u2019s lips formed the word, \u2018Pa,\u2019 but when he tried to voice the word there was only silence. He tried again, not understanding why he couldn\u2019t make himself heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d Ben squeezed his hand. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, it will be all right,\u201d Ben kept repeating the words over and over again. It took a long time to calm Joe down but he was still drowsy and feeling very unwell and despite his anxiety, he finally went back to sleep.<\/p>\n

Once Joe was asleep, the elder Cartwrights eyes all turned towards the doctor. \u201cIt might just be because of the swelling. We\u2019ll have to wait until that goes down before we know if it\u2019s permanent. Probably a week or so. Just give him cool drinks and keep cold cloths around his neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

An hour later when Joe woke again, he once more became distressed when he couldn\u2019t talk. Ben sat on the edge of the bed and squeezed his son\u2019s left hand comfortingly. \u201cI know it\u2019s frightening, Joe, but you must try and stay calm. Do you remember what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. He remembered falling from the horse but had no idea what had happened after that.<\/p>\n

Ben looked into Joe\u2019s eyes and knew the question his son most wanted to ask. \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said, gently, \u201cyour throat is swollen that\u2019s why you can\u2019t talk at the moment,\u201d although he couldn\u2019t speak the words Ben knew Joe wanted to know when he would be able to speak again. Ben wanted to promise that he would talk again when the swelling went down but he knew he couldn\u2019t lie. \u201cThe doctor doesn\u2019t know if your throat is permanently damaged. We\u2019ll just have to wait. Try not to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes scanned the room, relief evident on his face when he saw his brothers. \u201cWe\u2019re all fine, Joe,\u201d Ben said a he pushed the hair away from Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cSheriff Taylor is fine, too. He\u2019s been very worried about you. We all have.\u201d Ben\u2019s hand kept brushing the hair back as he said, \u201cThe gang\u2019s all taken care of now Joe, they\u2019re finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe clutched his father\u2019s arm and mouthed the question, \u2018Sure?\u2019<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYes, son. I\u2019m sure. Carl Willis is locked up in the jail with the one you caught. All the others are dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam poured a glass of water and Ben supported Joe while Adam helped his young brother to drink. When Joe had finished, Ben laid him back down and rearranged the sheet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all over now, son. All over. Try and go to sleep. We\u2019ll be right here with you,\u201d Ben rubbed his hand gently up and down Joe\u2019s arm trying to sooth him. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Joe,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cI wish you hadn\u2019t done it. I\u2019d rather have given my life. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was still very weak and tired, he wanted to ask what his father meant but he just couldn\u2019t keep his eyes open. He was soon asleep. A few minutes later, Luke opened the door and came in. \u201cSorry I didn\u2019t knock,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cI didn\u2019t want to disturb Joe.\u201d Ben waved the apology away and Luke asked, \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t talk,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut we\u2019re hoping he\u2019ll be all right once the swelling goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke was shocked at the news. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry,\u201d he said, feeling guilty that he\u2019d let Willis ride away with Joe, \u201cIf only I\u2019d been able to stop them from taking Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Ben said, \u201cWe don\u2019t blame you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke was comforted by the words but they didn\u2019t stop him from blaming himself. \u201cIs there anything I can do to help?\u201d Luke asked. \u201cAre you going to stay here with him or I can take you over to the boarding house where Joe has a room? I have someone watching the jail for me so I don\u2019t have to go straight back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor walked in and heard the last part of the conversation. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more medically that I can do for your son, Mr Cartwright and I may need this room for other patients,\u201d he said, \u201cHe\u2019d probably be more comfortable in his room at the boarding house anyway. When he wakes up again you can take him over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sure he\u2019ll be all right?\u201d Ben was reluctant to take Joe from the doctor\u2019s while he still looked and felt so ill.<\/p>\n

The doctor nodded. \u201cI won\u2019t be far away. If you do need me, just send for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, he looked over at his eldest son, \u201cAdam, can you go with the sheriff and see if you can get a couple of rooms for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and fix it up now, Pa,\u201d Adam said and left with Luke.<\/p>\n

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

Luke opened the door of the boarding house and walked in. He\u2019d been coming over so frequently since Joe had moved in, Mrs Anderson had told him to stop knocking and just come in like one of her boarders. Adam followed him in.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Anderson,\u201d Luke called, \u201cMrs Anderson are you home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura Anderson came out of the kitchen where she\u2019d been trying to keep busy. Her eyes were red and it looked like she\u2019d been crying. Luke had been keeping her informed on how Joe was doing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuke!\u201d she cried, \u201cHow\u2019s Little Joe? Is there any more news?\u201d Joe rarely introduced himself to people as Little Joe so Adam was surprised to hear the woman call his brother by that name. Mrs Anderson caught sight of Adam. \u201cAdam, how is he? Is he going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at the woman in confusion, wondering how she knew who he was. As he looked at her, he realized there was something familiar about her. He thought about what Luke had called her, Mrs Anderson, and he suddenly realized who she was.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Anderson!\u201d Adam exclaimed, \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time. I\u2019m surprised you recognized me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still look the same despite the years and I did see you earlier when you arrived in town with your father and Hoss. How is Little Joe?\u201d she asked again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t talk at the moment. The doctor\u2019s not sure but his throat might be permanently damaged. He may not be able to ever talk again,\u201d Adam replied, his voice almost breaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Laura put her hand to her mouth in shock, \u201cOh, no,\u201d she sank onto a nearby chair. Burying her face in her hands she wept. Adam knew then how much the woman still cared about his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Anderson,\u201d Luke knelt down beside the chair, \u201cThe doctor said that we can bring Joe over here, said he\u2019d be more comfortable here than at the doc\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman wiped the tears away as she got up. \u201cI\u2019ll get his room ready. I\u2019ll\u2026.\u201d She caught sight of Adam\u2019s face and stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you own this boarding house?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we do,\u201d a man\u2019s voice said and Adam turned to see Daniel Anderson coming into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Pa will want to bring Joe here,\u201d Adam stated firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Luke asked, confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019s been staying here with us. He knows who we are,\u201d Laura looked pleadingly at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t remember what happened. What you did,\u201d Adam replied coldly. He turned to Daniel, \u201cYou made my father a promise. I thought you were a man of your word. Obviously I was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time, Adam. Can\u2019t you let it go?\u201d Dan asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam spat the single word out furiously.<\/p>\n

Luke looked around the room, seeing the sadness on Laura Anderson\u2019s face and what appeared to be guilt on her husband\u2019s. The only expression on Adam\u2019s face was anger. He knew the Andersons had known the Cartwright family years ago and could only assume the problem between them had to do with the past but for now Luke knew they had to worry about the present.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s really no where else to stay in town, Adam,\u201d Luke said, \u201cThere are some rooms above the saloon but that would be very noisy. Joe wouldn\u2019t be able to get much rest there. I\u2019ve got a room next to my office. It\u2019s only small but you\u2019re all welcome to stay there. I just don\u2019t think Joe would be very comfortable with all of us squashed in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned with indecision and Luke said, \u201cJoe would be most comfortable here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to talk to my father and see what he wants to do,\u201d Adam said, he turned and walked out of the boarding house.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d Luke asked.<\/p>\n

Laura once again sank down onto the chair. Tears flowed from her eyes as she said, seemingly to herself, \u201cBen won\u2019t bring Little Joe here. He\u2019ll take him away. He\u2019ll take Little Joe away from me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Adam walked back to the doctor\u2019s office, going over and over in his mind the best way to tell his father who owned the boarding house and who Joe had been staying with while he\u2019d been in town.<\/p>\n

Adam quietly opened the door to the room where his brother was and seeing Joe still sleeping said, \u201cPa, can I see you out here for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Adam motioned with his head. \u201cOut here please, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned, wondering what was wrong. He signalled for Hoss to stay with Joe and went out to talk to his eldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked as he closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Pa,\u201d Adam nodded to a chair in the outer office.<\/p>\n

Ben refused the chair and asked, \u201cAdam, what on earth is wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve just been to the boarding house and spoken to the couple who own it.\u201d Adam took a deep breath, knowing there would be an explosion when Ben found out. \u201cPa, it\u2019s the Andersons.\u201d<\/p>\n

The name registered with Ben but he was unwilling to accept it. \u201cNot Dan and Laura Anderson?\u201d he asked disbelievingly. Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

Ben clenched his hands into fists and took deep breaths, trying to calm down, then a thought struck him. \u201cJoe\u2019s been staying there?\u201d Once again Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat woman!\u201d Ben\u2019s voice rose in anger and Hoss opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ben realized how loudly he must have yelled and quietly said, \u201cDid I wake Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned from the door and checked before answering, \u201cNo, he\u2019s still asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome out here for a minute, Hoss,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Hoss carefully closed the door behind him. He wanted to find out what had caused his father to be so angry.<\/p>\n

Ben paced the floor. Adam turned to Hoss and asked, \u201cHoss do you remember Daniel and Laura Anderson who used to live near us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cAin\u2019t likely to forget \u2018em after what happened. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re here,\u201d Adam said, \u201cMr and Mrs Anderson own the boarding house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned and looked at the closed door behind which lay his young brother, as though he was checking on the boy. He then looked back at Adam. \u201cAre we going to take Joe there?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben answered firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no where else, Pa. Only rooms above the saloon and Luke has one room next to the jail, he said we could sleep there but that\u2019s going to be no good for Joe, it would be too cramped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll manage,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe reasonable, Pa.\u201d Adam pleaded, \u201cThink of Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cut him off. \u201cI am thinking of Joe. I will not let that woman near him again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cyou know how much Joe means ta me. I\u2019d never do anything that I thought might put Little Joe in danger. You know that don\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, wondering where Hoss was going with this conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best place for Joe to recover is at that boarding house. I hate what they did, but Pa, there\u2019s nowhere else to take Joe where he\u2019s going to be comfortable. At least we know Mrs Anderson will help us look after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben kept his voice down so that he wouldn\u2019t disturb Joe but the anger was clear when he spoke. \u201cLike she helped us last time!\u201d Ben spat the words out and Hoss almost flinched at his father\u2019s anger. \u201cAre you saying that we should just forget the pain she caused us? The pain she caused Joseph. Just forget what she did, pretend it never happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant, Pa,\u201d Hoss said. Ben could see how hurt he was and was sorry he\u2019s taken his anger out on his middle son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Hoss,\u201d Ben said, patting the big man\u2019s arm, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Son. What do you think, Adam?\u201d he asked, turning to his eldest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t forgiven her for what she did or Dan either,\u201d he paused for a moment, \u201cBut that\u2019s a lot of years in the past. I think Hoss is right. I really don\u2019t think we have any other options.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he agreed, \u201cAdam, go and tell her we\u2019ll bring Joe over.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Sheriff Taylor answered the knock on the boarding house door, he\u2019d just been about to go back to the jail. \u201cAdam, come in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam walked inside and asked, \u201cWhere are the Andersons?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the sitting room. Mrs Anderson\u2019s very upset. She says she\u2019s sure your father won\u2019t bring Joe over here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Adam replied, worried about the attachment the woman so obviously held for his young brother. \u201cI need to see them,\u201d Adam continued, \u201cwe\u2019ll be bringing Joe over later when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam,\u201d Mrs Anderson said from the doorway, having heard the last part of the conversation, \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful. I\u2019ll go and get his room ready.\u201d She started to hurry away and then stopped and turned back. \u201cYou will need rooms too, of course,\u201d she said, as if just realizing Joe\u2019s family would be staying with him.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at her for a moment before answering. \u201cWe\u2019ll just need one extra room. Two of us can share that while the other is with Joe. That way he\u2019ll never be alone,\u201d he looked pointedly at the woman and she blushed before hurrying away.<\/p>\n

Luke was about to ask what had happened to cause the obvious bad feelings Adam had for the woman but before he could ask, Adam said, \u201cI better get back to Pa and help him get Joe ready. I\u2019ll see you later, Luke.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

A few hours later Joe woke, his father was sitting in a chair by his bedside and leant forward. \u201cHow do you feel, Son?\u201d Ben asked automatically and then regretted his words immediately, knowing there was no way Joe could answer him. Trying to work out a way to ask questions that Joe could answer he said, \u201cDo you feel up to us moving you?\u201d When Joe nodded, he continued, \u201cWe\u2019re going to take you to the boarding house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and Ben was able to understand the word his son mouthed, \u2018Home.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben gently stroked his sons left arm. \u201cAs soon as you\u2019re well enough we\u2019ll take you home but you\u2019re not up to the trip yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe realized he wasn\u2019t wearing anything except bandages. He pointed at himself and then tugged at the sleeve of his father\u2019s shirt. Ben looked blank for a moment and then understanding dawned and he shook his head. \u201cNo, you don\u2019t need clothes, we\u2019ll take you over in a wagon.\u201d Joe shook his head, no.<\/p>\n

Ben moved and sat down on the side of the bed. \u201cI won\u2019t argue about this with you, Joseph. I know how sore you must be. You\u2019re covered in cuts and bruises.\u201d That Joe didn\u2019t try to argue further with his father to get his way was testament to just how much he was hurting.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss organized the wagon. Joe was carefully wrapped in a sheet and Hoss carried him out to the well padded wagon. When Joe had tried to sit up he had realized there was no way he was even going to be able to walk out to the wagon.<\/p>\n

Pulling up outside the boarding house, Hoss lifted Joe out. He tried to be careful of his brothers wounds but when Joe winced and bit his lip, Hoss felt awful that he was hurting him, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Little Joe,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson was waiting at the door. \u201cThrough here,\u201d she said and the Cartwrights followed her inside and into one of the rooms.<\/p>\n

Hoss gently put Joe down on the bed and Mrs Anderson brushed past Hoss as she went to Joe\u2019s bedside. She stroked his cheek softly. \u201cDon\u2019t you worry about anything sweetheart. I\u2019ll take care of you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat and Laura turned quickly, seeing the frown on his face. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow but Ben felt that he had to at least thank the woman for letting them stay there. \u201cThank you for letting us stay here, Laura,\u201d he caught sight of her husband standing at the door, \u201cDan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to thank us,\u201d Laura said quickly, \u201cI\u2019m so pleased to be able to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ignored the comment. \u201cLaura, will you leave us alone so we can get Joe into bed properly and make him more comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Laura, leave them be,\u201d Dan said. Daniel Anderson was unable to look any of Joe\u2019s family in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can help,\u201d Laura ignored her husband and leant down to adjust Joe\u2019s pillow.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben said firmly, \u201cWe\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blinked, surprised at the tone of voice his father was using.<\/p>\n

Laura didn\u2019t seem offended though and said, \u201cWhile you\u2019re doing that then, I\u2019ll go and make Little Joe something to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor said it\u2019s going to be hard for Joe to swallow for a while,\u201d Adam said, \u201cI think he\u2019ll only be able to manage some cooled soup at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve got some soup on. I\u2019ll just get it ready and let it cool.\u201d She bent down and kissed Joe on the forehead. \u201cI won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe noticed the dark looks that passed between his father and brothers and wondered what was wrong.<\/p>\n

When Laura and Dan left, Ben shut the door and turned to Joe. He started to unwrap the sheet. With his arm free, Joe grabbed his father\u2019s wrist and then let go and made a writing motion with his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he wants to write something,\u201d Adam said and Joe nodded, pleased that his brother had understood.<\/p>\n

\u201cLater,\u201d Ben said, \u201cRight now we\u2019re\u2026.\u201d pulling the sheet away, Ben was surprised when Joe knocked his hands away and used a finger to write firmly in the air. Knowing this was a battle he wasn\u2019t going to win, Ben turned to his eldest son. \u201cAdam can you get Joe some paper and a pencil.\u201d Adam quickly left to get what his brother wanted and was back within minutes.<\/p>\n

Ben was regretting that he\u2019d denied Joe\u2019s first request for the writing materials, knowing it might be the only way Joe would be able to communicate with them ever again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joseph,\u201d Ben said as he and Hoss worked to unwrap the sheet and get Joe into bed. Ben put pillows behind Joe\u2019s back to help him to sit up. \u201cI\u2019m just worried about you. I wanted to get you comfortable but I shouldn\u2019t have brushed off what you wanted to tell me. I\u2019m very sorry, Son. Can you forgive me?\u201d Joe reached out and squeezed his father\u2019s hand and Ben knew he was forgiven.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Joe,\u201d Adam put the paper on Joe\u2019s lap and handed his brother a pencil.<\/p>\n

The elder Cartwrights watched as Joe wrote the words, Are you angry<\/strong> with me, and looked back at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben said immediately, shocked at the words. \u201cOf course not. Why would you think I was angry at you?\u201d<\/p>\n

You all seem to be angry<\/strong>, Joe wrote.<\/p>\n

Ben realized that his son had picked up on the tension between them and the Andersons. \u201cI promise we\u2019re not angry at you, Joe. Not at all,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d Adam said, \u201cYou\u2019ve done nothing wrong so we certainly aren\u2019t angry at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right short shanks,\u201d Hoss added, \u201cThat\u2019s just plumb silly to go thinkin\u2019 things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we\u2019ve got that straightened out, young man,\u201d Ben said lightly, \u201chow about I go and see if that soup is ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and touched his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s sore,\u201d Ben said sympathetically, \u201cbut you have to eat. Just try a little bit, hmmm,\u201d he encouraged. Joe nodded. \u201cGood boy,\u201d Ben patted his son\u2019s arm, pleased that Joe had at least agreed to try and eat something.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it, Pa,\u201d Hoss, left the room to get his brother\u2019s soup.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Anderson,\u201d Hoss said, as he walked into the kitchen, \u201cPa sent me to get the soup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Laura turned to him, \u201cyou used to call me Aunt Laura. You can again if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dan stood near his wife, waiting anxiously for Hoss\u2019 reply. He felt overwhelmed by guilt every time he had to face a member Joe\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and I haven\u2019t called you that since the day we found out\u2026.\u201d he trailed off and then said, \u201cWell, we haven\u2019t called you that in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura looked away. \u201cI was just going to take Little Joe\u2019s soup in to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it cool enough?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Laura replied, \u201cI sat the bowl in some ice water to cool it. I don\u2019t think it will be very appetizing cold though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss screwed his nose up with distaste, agreeing but he also knew Joe needed nourishment. \u201cHe has to eat,\u201d he said as he picked up the bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take it in,\u201d Laura said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss stopped her, \u201cI\u2019m sorry but I think my Pa would prefer I take it in.\u201d Disappointment washed over Laura Anderson\u2019s face and her husband took her into his arms.<\/p>\n

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

Sheriff Luke Taylor came over to see Joe the next day. He walked into the room as the family were discussing the telegram Ben had received.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder who it was who sent us that wire to come here?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know who sent it and right now I don\u2019t care. I\u2019m just very glad that they did.” Ben looked at Joe. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you send for us, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe made no attempt to communicate an answer, Ben said, \u201cIt was because you wanted to prove you didn\u2019t need us, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grabbed his paper and quickly wrote, It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t need you. I just wanted to show you that I could handle my own problems. That I can look after myself.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when did I ever say you couldn\u2019t?\u201d Ben asked gently. \u201cJoe,\u201d he looked into his son\u2019s eyes, \u201cI wish I could make you understand that you don\u2019t have anything to prove to me, your brothers, yourself, no one. There\u2019s no shame in asking for help. Accepting help doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t handle your own problems, that you are incapable of looking after yourself. Some problems are just impossible to handle alone and that\u2019s what family is for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wrote, I didn\u2019t want you to worry.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben leant closer, \u201cI\u2019ve worried about you since the moment you were born and I\u2019ll continue to worry about you until I draw my last breath. I love you, that\u2019s why I worry. That\u2019s why your brothers worry. We care about what happens to you. It\u2019s not because we think you can\u2019t look after yourself. You\u2019ve more than proved that you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if you\u2019re upset about your family coming, Joe,\u201d Sheriff Taylor said quietly, then looked at Ben, \u201cI talked to Mrs Anderson about it, told her I was thinking of sending you a wire. She tried to talk me out of it, said Joe wouldn\u2019t appreciate the interference since he\u2019d already said he didn\u2019t want to send for you. But I was worried things would go wrong and I thought you had a right to know that Joe was in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was you who wired me?\u201d Ben asked and when Luke confirmed it with a nod, Ben smiled and held out his hand, shaking Luke\u2019s hand he said gratefully, \u201cThank you so much, Luke. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke turned to Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t be angry, Joe. I\u2019m sorry but I just had to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wrote something and handed the paper to his friend. Luke smiled with relief as he read, I\u2019m not angry. I\u2019m glad you sent the wire, Luke. Thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben suddenly frowned as he thought about what Luke had said about Laura Anderson trying to talk him out of sending the wire that would bring Joe\u2019s family to Silver Flats. All Ben could think about now was that Laura Anderson had tried to keep them away from Joe and that could have cost Joe his life.<\/p>\n

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

A week later, time had brought some improvement in Joe\u2019s condition. Although still sore, he was able to get up and move around. Self conscious about the marks still visible around his neck, Joe had refused to leave his room. Ben had solved the problem by loosely tying one of his bandanas around his son\u2019s neck. Joe had lost weight but the doctor was confident that now he\u2019d started to eat solid food again he would soon gain it back. The main concern of everyone was that Joe still couldn\u2019t talk.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights were discussing the trial of Carl Willis and Frank Carter that was due to start in two days. The prosecutor had come to talk to Joe but the young man became increasingly frustrated at not being able to communicate the way he wanted to. Finally he\u2019d had enough and pencil and paper went flying across the room.<\/p>\n

Ben picked up the writing implements and turned to the prosecutor. \u201cI think Joe\u2019s had enough for today,\u201d the tone of his voice told the prosecutor there was no room for negotiation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come back and see you tomorrow, Joe,\u201d the prosecutor said. Joe\u2019s face was turned away and he didn\u2019t acknowledge that he\u2019d heard. Ben waited until the man had left and then went and sat by his son.<\/p>\n

Joe slowly reached for the pencil and paper and wrote the words, I\u2019m sorry.<\/strong> He kept his head down and Ben reached out and tilted his son\u2019s face up so he could look into Joe\u2019s eyes. Ben saw the tears the young man was trying to hide.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be sorry for,\u201d Ben said understandingly, \u201cI know how frustrating it is for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched as Joe wrote, I don\u2019t want to have to use this forever<\/strong>, and pointed bitterly at the paper. The previous day, the doctor had told Joe and his family that with Joe\u2019s continued inability to talk even with a lot of the swelling now down, he believed that the damage was permanent. It had been a hard thing for them all to accept.<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at the paper and read the words aloud. He squatted down beside his brother and put a hand on his knee. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to,\u201d Joe looked questioningly at his older brother. \u201cYou did a wonderful job of teaching Annie Croft sign language a while back,\u201d before Joe could protest, Adam hurried on, \u201cWe are hoping just as much as you are that the doctor is wrong, that it\u2019s only temporary,\u201d Adam gently patted Joe\u2019s knee while he talked, \u201cAs much as we are hoping for the best, we have to accept the outcome may not be what we want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled a chair up next to his brothers and sat down so that he could look into Joe\u2019s eyes. The big man\u2019s own eyes were filled with tears at his younger brother\u2019s unhappiness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss choked the words out. He wiped a sleeve across his face and looked at his father. Both men had been filled with guilt since Joe had been hurt. They both blamed themselves. \u201cYou were trying to protect us. I wish you hadn\u2019t a done it, little brother,\u201d Hoss said sincerely.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened and he looked from his brother to his father, seeing the guilt they both felt. Suddenly Joe remembered what Ben had said after telling him that Carl Willis was locked up. \u2018I\u2019m so sorry, Joe. I wish you hadn\u2019t done it. I\u2019d rather have given my life. I\u2019m so sorry.\u2019 He\u2019d intended to ask what his Pa had meant but the words had slipped to the back of his mind. Now Joe realized that his father and Hoss both felt responsible for the loss of his voice.<\/p>\n

Joe wrote, I\u2019m glad this happened to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben started, confused, \u201cI\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and wrote, If it was a choice between one of you getting hurt or this happening to me, there really was no choice to be made. Joe pointed to his neck and then wrote, This was worth it. Please believe me!<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d Ben swallowed the lump in his throat.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked away and when he was able to get his emotions under control, he turned back to his brother. \u201cThen let us do this for you, Little Joe.\u201d Hoss knew he\u2019d carry the guilt forever if Joe never spoke again and he vowed to himself that he would always stay by his younger brother\u2019s side to be his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we all learn to sign, it will be a lot easier for you to communicate, Joe,\u201d Adam said, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was reluctant to agree, believing that if he started using signs it would mean he was accepting that he might never speak again and he wasn\u2019t ready to accept that yet. But he\u2019d been honest when he\u2019d told his family that he would rather be the way he was now than have one of them hurt or killed. Joe looked at his family and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Adam patted his brother\u2019s knee again and stood up, \u201cYou can start by teaching us the signs that you know and when we get home, I\u2019ll get some books and we\u2019ll learn more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to start now, Joseph?\u201d Ben asked, he thought it was a good idea but he didn\u2019t want Joe to feel like they were forcing him to do it.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, wrote the word, Pa<\/strong>, and then made the sign for it.<\/p>\n

Hoss had always hated schooling but he\u2019d walk to the ends of the earth if there was something there that would help his little brother. Nothing was too much bother so Hoss watched intently, determined that this was something he would learn to do without complaint.<\/p>\n

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

A few hours later the family took a break. Joe knew a lot of the signs needed but was finding it difficult to make them all with his right arm broken and his shoulder still sore. Still, he did manage to show them a lot. He\u2019d kept up with his signs because whenever Joe was near the Croft place he always called in and saw Annie and her father. Joe and Annie \u2018talked.\u2019 There was a lot to learn though and it was going to take time. Ben, seeing Joe was getting tired, had suggested a break. Adam and Hoss walked down to the saloon while Ben stayed with Joe.<\/p>\n

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

The expected marshal had come and gone. Seeing that everything was now under control he had left Sheriff Taylor in charge of the prisoners.<\/p>\n

At the jail, Sheriff Taylor told Carl Willis to step to the back of the cell and when he did, Luke opened the door, put a plate of food down on the floor and then shut and locked the cell door. He repeated the process with the other prisoner, Frank Carter.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Luke Taylor had just gone back into his office when he heard shouting from the cells. He went running in and saw Carl Willis lying on the floor, his hands clawing at his throat. \u201cHe\u2019s choking! Help him! He\u2019s choking!\u201d Frank Carter shouted.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Taylor quickly unlocked the cell door and ran in. He bent down to help the man. He felt a fist crash into the side of his head. He started to black out and was punched again. He collapsed onto Carl Willis and was roughly push off when Willis stood up.<\/p>\n

Carl Willis laughed. \u201cStupid fool. I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d be dumb enough to fall for that.\u201d He grabbed the sheriff\u2019s gun and keys and released Frank Carter from his cell. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Willis called.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Carter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cartwrights are at the boarding house,\u201d Willis replied, as though it was now obvious where they were going.<\/p>\n

Willis and Carter took their own guns from the office and then carefully made their way to the boarding house.<\/p>\n

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

There was a knock on the bedroom door and Ben opened it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Little Joe might like something to eat,\u201d Laura Anderson said, pushing past Ben. Joe was in bed, just starting to go to sleep when he heard the woman come in. He sat up and leant back against the bed head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was just going to sleep,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was tinged with anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, darling,\u201d Laura walked over to the bed, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to wake you. I made some custard especially for you and thought I\u2019d bring it in.\u201d She put the tray on Joe\u2019s lap. Although he was eating solid food, his throat could still only tolerate soft soothing foods so Laura had spent a lot of time cooking things he might like and Joe was grateful to her.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around and realized his pencil and paper were on the other side of the room so he signed the words he wanted to say.<\/p>\n

The woman smiled but looked confused and Joe looked at Ben waiting for his father to tell Laura what he\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe learnt sign language to teach a young deaf mute girl. He\u2019s started to teach us some of it. Joe said, Thank you,\u201d Ben hesitated before adding, \u201cAunt Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s wonderful,\u201d Laura clapped her hands together, \u201cWill you teach me, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was about to nod in agreement but Ben snapped at the woman. \u201cThere\u2019s no point. The doctor said that Joe\u2019s well enough to make the trip home now in a wagon so as soon as the trial is over, we\u2019ll be leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears came to Laura Anderson\u2019s eyes, she put a hand up to her mouth to stop the sob escaping and ran from the room, crying.<\/p>\n

Joe leant over the side of the bed, put the tray on the floor and glared at his father. Ben tried to ignore the look and nodded to the food. \u201cEat that and then try and have a rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and in his anger started signing so quickly, Ben had no idea what he was saying. Ben went over and got the paper and pencil, handing them to his son. \u201cI can\u2019t keep up yet, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grabbed them from his father and wrote, Why are you always so nasty to Aunt Laura?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not your Aunt,\u201d Ben replied, saying nothing more.<\/p>\n

You didn\u2019t answer my question<\/strong>, Joe wrote.<\/p>\n

Ben ran a hand over his face, wondering if he should tell Joe what had happened all those years ago to cause his hated for the woman. And yes, Ben admitted to himself, even after all these years, it was still hatred he felt for her. And he was angry about Laura trying to talk Sheriff Taylor out of sending for them. He hadn\u2019t confronted the woman about it because he knew if he did, all his old anger would spill out as well.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and started, \u201cJoe, there\u2019s something\u2026.\u201d he was interrupted when the bedroom door crashed open and Mrs Anderson stood there. Carl Willis stood behind her, a gun held to her head.<\/p>\n

Willis forced Mrs Anderson into the room. Frank Carter followed them in and shut the door.<\/p>\n

Joe stared at them in shock. Carl Willis had hired a lawyer to defend him at the upcoming trial, that\u2019s how he\u2019d found out where the Cartwrights were staying. He\u2019d also found out something else and looking at Joe he asked cruelly, \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Cartwright? Cat got your tongue?\u201d he laughed at his joke.<\/p>\n

Ben felt his anger grow at the taunt and glanced at Joe, hoping his son would hold his temper. He then looked back at Willis and said, \u201cLet the woman go. She\u2019s done nothing to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willis ignored him and pointed his gun at Joe. \u201cGet up. I\u2019ve never shot a man who\u2019s been lying down but if you don\u2019t hurry up, they\u2019ll be a first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben knew none of the other boarders were home and Daniel Anderson was down at the store so he couldn\u2019t rely on help coming from them. \u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Ben asked, trying to hide the anxiety he was feeling for Joe\u2019s safety. He looked across the room at his gun that was too far away to be of any use.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think, old man,\u201d Willis spat. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting for months to pay your whelp back for what he did.\u201d Willis pushed Mrs Anderson away from him and waved his gun at Joe. \u201cGet up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was still very sore. He slowly pushed the sheet and blankets covering him off and got up from the bed but suddenly his knees buckled and he sank to the floor. Ben reached for him but in that instant something went flying across the room and Carl Willis was hit flush in the face with the bowl of custard.<\/p>\n

Before Ben knew what was happening, Joe was back on his feet and charging at Carl Willis, slamming into him. Both men fought for possession of the gun.<\/p>\n

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

On their way back to the boarding house, Adam and Hoss saw Sheriff Taylor stumble from his office, blood streaming down the side of his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam shouted as he rushed over with Hoss right behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWillis and Carter escaped,\u201d Luke said, knowing there would be time for further explanations later.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at each other. \u201cPa and Joe!\u201d Hoss exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Adam had the same thought. \u201cWill you be all right?\u201d he asked the young sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Luke said, pushing them on their way. \u201cGo! Go!\u201d he said urgently.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam ran. They had almost reached the front door when they heard a shot from inside.<\/p>\n

Frank Carter ran out the front door and started firing. Adam shot him. Sparing a brief glance and seeing the man was dead, he ran into the house with Hoss. Neither brother worried about their own safety, their only fears being for their father and young brother.<\/p>\n

Carter had panicked when Joe had attacked Willis. He\u2019d run from the room when the shot had sounded, not waiting to see who the bullet had struck.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss burst into the room. Mrs Anderson stood near the wall. Carl Willis lay on the floor dead, custard covering his face. Joe stood over Willis, the gun hanging limply from his left hand. Ben was standing next to Joe, an arm around his son\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n

Adam reached for the gun and pulled it from his brother\u2019s hand. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded but could feel himself starting to tremble from the shock and exertion.<\/p>\n

Ben tightened his hold. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Son,\u201d he said quietly. Looking at his older sons he said, \u201cYou boys take care of things in here. I\u2019ll take Joe into the other room.\u201d Ben looked down at the body of Carl Willis lying on the floor and felt no sorrow at the man\u2019s death. He was glad it was finally over and they didn\u2019t have to worry anymore. There was no possibility that Willis or his men could ever hurt Joe again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help you, Pa,\u201d Hoss reached out to help support his brother, \u201cThen I\u2019ll go and tell Luke everything\u2019s all right here and come back and give Adam a hand.\u201d Adam watched as Joe was helped from the room and he then turned to Mrs Anderson. \u201cMrs Anderson, you\u2019re not hurt are you?\u201d he walked over to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m fine,\u201d the woman replied shakily.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help you to your room and you can lie down,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Laura shook her head, \u201cI\u2019m all right. I\u2019ll help you clean up. I\u2026.\u201d She broke off as she looked at the body lying on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam said firmly, \u201cYou go and rest. Hoss and I can manage here.\u201d He helped her to her room.<\/p>\n

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

Later that evening, the Cartwrights sat at the dining room table. The other boarders had eaten earlier and retired to their rooms so the Cartwrights had some privacy.<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson was feeling much better and was happily getting their food ready. When she brought some dishes through and put them on the table, Ben asked, \u201cLaura, will you get Dan and come and sit down with us? We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Laura returned from the kitchen with her husband, the Cartwrights stood up and waited until Laura was seated and then sat down again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very sorry that us bringing Joe here endangered you,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t be silly,\u201d Laura replied quickly and sincerely. \u201cNo one could have known what would happen and I wanted you to stay here. It was Joe\u2019s quick thinking that saved us,\u201d she looked lovingly over at him, \u201cYou\u2019ve turned into such a fine young man. Your mother would be so proud.\u201d She wiped a tear from her eye and then forcing herself to be strong, stood up and said, \u201cNow, you must all be hungry. It\u2019s been a long day. I\u2019ll finish bringing the food in so you can eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLaura\u2019s right,\u201d Dan replied as his wife left to get more food, \u201cdon\u2019t blame yourselves. We are both so pleased that we were here to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

After they\u2019d eaten the main meal of stew, Laura brought in some dessert. She placed some cake in front of Ben, Adam, Hoss and Dan and a bowl of custard in front of Joe. \u201cEat it this time, Little Joe, don\u2019t throw it,\u201d she said jokingly. The three older Cartwrights laughed and Laura said, \u201cI was so frightened at the time but now when I think about it I can\u2019t stop laughing. I know I shouldn\u2019t joke about it, after all those men did die, but I can still see him standing there, his face covered in custard. It was funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting next to Joe, Adam immediately turned to him when he felt the touch on his arm that signalled him that Joe wanted to say something. Adam had caught onto the signs much quicker than his father or Hoss so he spoke aloud to tell the others what Joe was signing. \u201cIt could have been worse for him. I could have thrown the\u2026.\u201d Adam suddenly stopped talking and started to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrown the what?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Laura realized what Joe had said and her mouth started to twitch with laughter, she quickly excused herself and was followed by her husband. Their laughter could be heard coming from the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrown the what?\u201d Hoss asked again.<\/p>\n

Ben also guessed what Joe had said and knew he should reprimand him for talking about such things at the table and in front of a lady but he was laughing too much to say anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrown the what!\u201d Hoss asked once more, this time in frustration as he looked around the table and wondered what his family was finding so funny.<\/p>\n

Adam managed to get the words out between laughter. \u201cThe chamber pot.\u201d<\/p>\n

A grin broke out on Hoss\u2019 face and then he joined in the laughter as he got the joke.<\/p>\n

Once they\u2019d finally gotten themselves under control, Hoss pretended to be angry. \u201cWhat did you have to say something like that for, Joe? You\u2019ll put me off my food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tapped Adam\u2019s arm and once again Adam read his signs aloud. \u201cNothing could put you off your food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled but then quickly joined his father and older brother in laughter again.<\/p>\n

Ben watched his youngest son, so pleased to see him joking with his family. Ben had been afraid that Joe would start to feel isolated from them and he knew now that they\u2019d made the right decision in starting to learn how to sign. He knew it would still be very hard for Joe because the only ones he would be easily able to communicate with would be his family. But it was a start.<\/p>\n

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

The next day, Adam, Hoss and Joe went over to see Sheriff Taylor, they were making preparations to leave and wanted to say goodbye and then they had to pick up some supplies.<\/p>\n

Mrs Anderson was in the kitchen of her boarding house when Ben went in to talk to her. \u201cLaura,\u201d he called and she turned from the stove and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, can I get you something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder how much longer Joe will be?\u201d Laura asked.<\/p>\n

Ben noticed that Laura had said she wondered when Joe would be returning not all three of the boys. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he answered, \u201cThey have a few things to do,\u201d he paused and then added, \u201cWe\u2019re leaving tomorrow, Laura.\u201d The woman quickly turned away and kept her back to Ben. He knew she was crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew you\u2019d have to go home. I just wish you weren\u2019t leaving so soon. I\u2019ve so enjoyed having Little Joe here with me. I knew I couldn\u2019t keep him forever,\u201d she said sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tried though, didn\u2019t you!\u201d Ben snapped. He saw Laura\u2019s shoulders slump and felt guilty for his words. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Laura. I shouldn\u2019t have said that. It\u2019s been very good of you to let us stay here and you\u2019ve been a great help with Joe. I really do appreciate it. It\u2019s just\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura turned to face him. \u201cIt\u2019s just impossible for you to forgive me,\u201d Ben started to shake his head in denial but Laura held up a hand to stop him. \u201cNo, don\u2019t deny it, Ben. I\u2019ve had a lot of time over the years to think about what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura walked over and stood in front of Ben. \u201cMy only excuse is that I love him like he\u2019s my own. I truly believed that what I did then was the best thing for everyone,\u201d before Ben could interrupt and protest, she continued, \u201cBut I was wrong. So very wrong. All I did was hurt everyone. I\u2019m just so glad that Little Joe doesn\u2019t remember. Please don\u2019t tell him, Ben. I don\u2019t want him to think badly of me. To hate me for what I did to him. Please don\u2019t tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

A movement from the doorway caught their attention and both turned and saw Joe standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too late for that,\u201d Adam said from beside his brother, \u201cIt has to be told now.\u201d Joe stared at them all wanting to ask what was going on. The frown on his face showed his anger and confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we all need to talk,\u201d Ben said, \u201cCome and sit down, Joe.\u201d Ben pointed to a chair at the kitchen table and then nodded at Adam and Hoss who were still standing at the door. \u201cBoth of you, too. This involves us all.\u201d Adam and Hoss walked over to sit down, Hoss taking a seat protectively next to Joe. Ben sat down at the head of the table so he could also be near Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his youngest son. \u201cI know you remember spending time with Laura and Dan when you were a child. We all had some good times together.\u201d Joe nodded and Ben reached over and gently squeezed Joe\u2019s left wrist, keeping his hand there, he continued, \u201cBut something happened two months after your mother died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked questioningly at his father, his eyes asking what his voice couldn\u2019t. He wanted to know what had happened that was so terrible.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and started to tell the story, \u201cOne Friday morning, Adam took you over to the Anderson place\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura Anderson was waiting at the door when Adam rode up holding his five year old little brother in front of him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you riding up,\u201d Laura said, walking out to meet them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam swung down from his horse and then reached up and pulled Joe down, placing the little boy on his hip while he talked. \u201cAunt Laura,\u201d Adam said, \u201cPa wants to know if you can look after Little Joe for us today. We know it\u2019s short notice but Hop Sing had to go into town last night to look after a sick relative and the rest of us are busy. If it\u2019s a bother, we\u2019ll\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense,\u201d Laura interrupted, reaching for the little boy, \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s never any bother for me to have.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe turned his face into his brother\u2019s body and clung tightly to him. \u201cWant to stay with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you do, little buddy,\u201d Adam said gently, \u201cBut I have a lot of work to do today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can help,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam stroked Joe\u2019s back. \u201cAnd you are always a big help to me but I have to go to the mine today and it\u2019s just too dangerous to take you with me.\u201d Ben was thinking about buying some shares in a mine and he wanted Adam to take a message up there with some questions he had.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be good,\u201d Joe cried.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam bit his lip, torn with indecision. Ben had some meetings in town, he\u2019d only just started being interested in ranch business again after the death of his wife, Joe\u2019s mother, Marie. Hoss was at school. Usually Hop Sing would look after Joe when the family was busy. That morning with Hop Sing unavailable, Ben had been going to take Joe into town with him. Adam had suggested taking Joe to the Andersons. He knew it would be a long day of meetings and he thought his little brother would get bored. Now he regretted the suggestion and wished he\u2019d let his father take Joe with him, seeing how upset the child was. Joe had always willingly spent time with the Andersons, the couple having no children of their own loved the little boy and truth be known, spoilt him. But since his mother\u2019s death Joe had hardly let his family out of his sight.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura gently stroked the back of Joe\u2019s head. \u201cDon\u2019t you want to stay with me, sweetheart? I could really use your help. My garden has so many weeds in it and I was hoping you would help me with it. Then later we can saddle my horse and go to see Uncle Dan, he\u2019s out fixing a fence. Would you like that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe sniffed and Adam pulled a handkerchief out and wiped his brother\u2019s nose. Joe turned to Mrs Anderson, \u201cCan we go and see the beavers?\u201d Whenever the Cartwrights visited the Andersons, Joe\u2019s family always took him down to see the beavers at the river. Joe loved to watch them play.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura nodded. \u201cOf course we can,\u201d she reached for him and Joe reluctantly let go of his older brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll come back for me?\u201d Joe looked pleadingly at Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam reached over and ruffled the boy\u2019s hair. \u201cOf course I will. You be good and I\u2019ll see you later this afternoon, all right?\u201d Joe nodded and Adam mounted up, waved and rode away.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Ben was in a meeting when there was a knock on the door and one of the men went to answer it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff Coffee,\u201d the man said, \u201cCome in. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee looked over at Ben Cartwright and said, \u201cI need to speak to you, Ben. It\u2019s bad news.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked, his anxiety rising, \u201cThe boys\u2026.\u201d His mind started racing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee considered Ben a good friend and he hated to be the one to tell him such awful news. Looking around the room and seeing the other men looking in his direction, he thought it would be better to talk in private. \u201cIt might be better if we talk outside, Ben.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, tell me now!\u201d Ben said anxiously.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m real sorry, Ben. John Dawson just rode in. He was doing some work out at the Anderson place with Dan,\u201d Roy stopped unable to go on.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what\u2019s happened!\u201d Ben shouted, as he walked towards Roy Coffee.<\/em><\/p>\n

The sheriff looked away from Ben unable to face him knowing the devastation the news he was about to give would cause Ben. \u201cLaura took Little Joe down to the river. With the recent rain we\u2019ve had that river\u2019s running fast,\u201d Roy swallowed, \u201cLittle Joe fell in, Ben. He\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face paled, if not for the desk he suddenly leant on for support, his legs would have given way. One man stood and put a hand on Ben\u2019s back in sympathy. Ben ignored the gesture and stood straight to face Roy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Ben asked, \u201cWhat do you mean he\u2019s gone?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been about four hours, Ben. Laura, Dan and John Dawson, they\u2019ve been up and down that river lookin\u2019 for the boy but they couldn\u2019t find him. Dawson said Dan was worried about Laura and sent her home but he\u2019s still out there looking.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben brushed past Roy and headed for the door. \u201cI have to go. I have to get out there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, Ben,\u201d one of the men gathered for the meeting called, knowing he spoke for everyone there, he said, \u201cWe\u2019ll go with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said gratefully, rushing from the room.<\/em><\/p>\n

The men all knew there was little possibility of finding the boy alive but at least they could find the body so Ben could have the comfort of giving his son a decent burial.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s thoughts weren\u2019t on finding a body though. He wasn\u2019t ready to accept that his child was dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee went to see Doctor Paul Martin, to ask if he would come out to the Andersons with them. He knew if they didn\u2019t need the doctor for Little Joe Cartwright they would need him for the boy\u2019s father.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam had finished at the mine earlier than he\u2019d expected to. He decided that since he was close to town and school was almost finished, that he\u2019d go there so he and Hoss could both ride over to the Anderson place to pick Little Joe up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam was slowly riding down the street when he saw his father come out of one of the buildings. \u201cPa!\u201d he called, \u201cI didn\u2019t think the meetings would be finished\u2026.\u201d his voice trailed off when he saw his father\u2019s face. He dismounted and hurried over. \u201cPa, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When Adam reached him, Ben clutched his eldest son\u2019s arm. \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s fallen in the river. They can\u2019t find him!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam shook his head, his heart racing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re on our way out there now to look,\u201d Ben said urgently, \u201cI have to go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll get Hoss and we\u2019ll follow you out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

About to hurry away, Ben stopped. In his panic he\u2019d forgotten Hoss. \u201cNo,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cTake Hoss home. He shouldn\u2019t be there.\u201d Ben wanted to believe they would find Joe alive but if they didn\u2019t, Ben didn\u2019t want to risk Hoss being the one to find his little brother\u2019s body.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam said firmly. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019ll be able to keep Hoss away once he knows what\u2019s happened. You go on, Pa. We\u2019ll catch up.\u201d Still holding Adam\u2019s arm, Ben squeezed it, trying to comfort them both, he then ran for his horse.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam quickly rode over to the school, getting there just as the school day ended and children ran out the door. \u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss called happily when he saw his older brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

Before Hoss could say anything, Adam said, \u201cQuick, Hoss, saddle your horse. We need to go. I\u2019ll explain on the way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss wanted to ask what was wrong but by the urgency in his older brother\u2019s voice, he knew it was something serious so he didn\u2019t waste time. Hoss ran to the barn where the horses were kept, saddled his horse as quickly as possible and hurried out to Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam wanted to get Hoss out of town before he heard the news from someone else. Once they were out of town, Adam pulled his horse to a stop. Hoss did the same.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam reached over and put a hand on his brother\u2019s arm. Knowing there was no easy way to tell him, he said, \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s fallen in the river at the Anderson place.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss stared at Adam, for a moment he waited for his older brother to continue, waited for Adam to tell him that Joe had been pulled out and he was fine but when Adam didn\u2019t continue, Hoss felt like his heart was breaking.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss started to cry and asked, \u201cIs he\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam interrupted the words. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been found yet,\u201d he saw the hope leap into Hoss\u2019 eyes. He knew his next words would destroy that hope but they had to be said, \u201cThere\u2019s not much chance that he\u2019ll be found alive, Hoss. You know that river it\u2026.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice broke and he couldn\u2019t go on. Like Hoss, despite knowing that if Joe hadn\u2019t managed to get to the bank within the first few minutes of falling in he wouldn\u2019t have survived, Adam wasn\u2019t ready to accept they\u2019d lost him from their lives.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to get out there and help them look.\u201d Hoss spurred his horse into a run not waiting for an answer. Adam quickly followed.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Ben rode his horse hard all the way to the river on the Anderson ranch. John Dawson had told him where Laura had said that Joe had fallen in so when he reached that spot he flung himself from his horse and started searching the bank, calling for his son.<\/em><\/p>\n

The other men had caught up to Ben and when Adam and Hoss reached the river, they wasted no time in joining them in the search. Adam kept Hoss with him as they scoured the bank and edges of the river. Suddenly up ahead of them Hoss saw their father. Running to him, the boy threw himself into his father\u2019s arms. \u201cOh, Pa,\u201d he sobbed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben held him tightly in his arms, feeling the boy tremble. Adam joined them and after a moment, Ben gently pushed Hoss away from him, still holding onto his son\u2019s arms in comfort. \u201cWe have to keep looking, boys.\u201d They both nodded solemnly.<\/em><\/p>\n

About half an hour later they met up with Daniel Anderson who was coming the other way. Walking towards Ben, he said, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Ben. So sorry.\u201d Ben only had eyes for what Dan held in his hands.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Dan\u2019s left hand he held a boot that just that morning, Ben had pushed onto the small foot of his son. In his right hand he held a little hat that had been a birthday present from Adam to his youngest brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Ben,\u201d Daniel said again as Ben took the boot and hat from his hands. Ben walked past Dan without a word and kept searching, clutching the small clothing tightly in his hands.<\/em><\/p>\n

Some of the men went to get lanterns and when darkness fell, the search continued.<\/em><\/p>\n

By midnight most of the men had gone back to their homes, believing there was no hope of even finding the body. Ben and his two eldest sons would not leave the river. They continued searching and calling for the little boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee approached Doctor Martin. \u201cPaul, we have to talk to them. As much as I hate to say it, there\u2019s no hope.\u201d Roy Coffee had a soft spot in his heart for Ben\u2019s youngest son and felt great sorrow at the boy\u2019s death. He knew the child couldn\u2019t have survived and that they might never find his body, it was probably tangled somewhere deep in the water.<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul nodded sadly. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben walked along the water\u2019s edge, not feeling the cold wind that blew, his thoughts only of Little Joe. He had his lantern held up and repeatedly called his son\u2019s name.<\/em><\/p>\n

When Adam and Hoss saw Roy Coffee and Paul Martin approach their father, they walked over to join them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Paul said gently, \u201cyou can\u2019t go on like this. You\u2019re exhausted. It\u2019s cold. It\u2019s too dark to\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben cut him off angrily. \u201cMy son is out here somewhere in the dark and the cold and you expect me to just walk away and leave him. How can I go home to a warm bed and leave him out here,\u201d Ben looked into his friend\u2019s eyes and the doctor saw his despair, \u201cI can\u2019t leave him out here,\u201d Ben said quietly, almost to himself, \u201che\u2019ll be so afraid out here all alone in the dark. I can\u2019t leave him out here all by himself. I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite the pleas of Roy Coffee and Paul Martin they could not get the family to leave the river, they both reluctantly returned to town with the last of the men.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

By daylight, Ben was on the verge of collapse. Adam and Hoss weren\u2019t faring much better.<\/em><\/p>\n

After getting a few hours sleep, Roy Coffee and Paul Martin went back out to the river, they found the Cartwrights still searching.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben saw them coming and looked away. He knew they would try to convince him again to stop searching.<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul and Roy walked slowly over to Adam and Hoss who were a bit further down stream to Ben. \u201cBoys,\u201d Paul said carefully, \u201cI know it\u2019s a hard thing to face but you have to accept that Little Joe is dead. You have to help your father accept it. He\u2019s going to need you both now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam turned away and looked out at the water. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault. It was my idea to bring Little Joe over here for Aunt Laura to look after him. Pa was going to take Joe into town with him. It\u2019s all my fault.\u201d Adam brushed away the tears that started to fall.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben had walked over towards the small group, intending to tell Roy and Paul that he knew what they had come to say but he didn\u2019t want to hear it. Now he stopped as he heard what his eldest son said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben said, gently putting a hand on his back, \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Son. There\u2019s no way you could have known something like this would happen. Please don\u2019t blame yourself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam slowly turned and looked into his father\u2019s eyes, seeing that the older man\u2019s eyes held sadness but no blame towards him. \u201cIt\u2019s nobody\u2019s fault. It was an accident,\u201d Ben said. Looking over at Hoss, Ben held out his arm, Hoss went to him and his father hugged him close. As much as his heart ached for his youngest son, Ben knew he had to think about his other boys now. They needed to rest. \u201cIt\u2019s time we went home, boys,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss opened his mouth to protest but out of the corner of his eye he saw Adam shake his head. The brothers looked at each other in silent agreement. This was terribly hard on their father, they would do nothing to make it worse. As hard as it was they would go home and try to accept that there was now no hope of finding their little brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights turned at the sound of hoof beats and saw Dan Anderson riding towards them. When he reached them, he dismounted and said, \u201cI didn\u2019t know if you would still be out here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just going home now,\u201d Ben said sadly. Dan looked away, unable to meet Ben\u2019s sad gaze. \u201cDan, how did it happen?\u201d Ben felt he needed to know but he hadn\u2019t had a chance to ask until now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still avoiding Ben\u2019s eyes, Daniel replied, \u201cLaura said that Little Joe wanted to see the beavers so they came down here to the river. Little Joe went closer for a better look and before Laura could grab him, he fell in. John and I were working on a fence over in that direction,\u201d he pointed behind them, \u201cLaura came to get me but by the time I got here there was no sign of him. I\u2019m so sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is Laura?\u201d Paul Martin asked, \u201cI\u2019ll call in and see her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Dan shouted and everyone looked at him. He took a steadying breath, \u201cNo,\u201d he said again, this time more quietly, \u201cThere\u2019s no need for that. Laura wants some time to herself.\u201d He looked at Ben for a moment and then looked away, \u201cShe\u2019s not up to seeing anyone right now. Please understand, Ben, she can\u2019t face you right now. Just give her some time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben nodded, \u201cPlease tell her we don\u2019t blame her, Dan. As I just told Adam, it was an accident, nobody\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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

For the next week it seemed like life went on for the Cartwrights but it wasn\u2019t really living. There was no joy or laugher, no happiness in their lives. They existed, nothing more.<\/em><\/p>\n

That first day when the family had returned home they had found Hop Sing waiting for them. News always seemed to spread quickly to the Chinese community so it wasn\u2019t surprising that Hop Sing had heard the terrible news.<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite Ben\u2019s assertion that no one was to blame they all had feelings of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben truly didn\u2019t blame Adam. He knew the boy had just been looking out for his young brother and had made the suggestion because he thought Joe would enjoy the day more at the Andersons rather than been stuck inside all day but oh, how Ben wished he\u2019d taken the child with him. Alone at night when he waited for sleep that wouldn\u2019t come, in Ben\u2019s mind he could hear Little Joe crying for him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam found himself constantly thinking of \u2018If onlys.\u2019 If only he had let his father take Joe into town. If only he\u2019d taken Joe with him when the boy had pleaded to stay with his big brother. If only\u2026.It was nearly driving Adam mad.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss hadn\u2019t returned to school yet. He often broke down in tears, finding it impossible to accept life without his little brother. Hoss had always looked out for the small boy and even though he knew there was nothing he could have done to prevent it, the guilt persisted that he hadn\u2019t been there when Little Joe needed him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Guilt weighed heavily on Hop Sing, that if he hadn\u2019t been away that day, Little Joe would have stayed home with him. He would have been safe. He would still be alive.<\/em><\/p>\n

The family had found themselves unable to stay away from the river. This morning, just as they had everyday for the last week, Ben, Adam and Hoss searched for Little Joe. Ben saw Adam suddenly turn away and walk towards his horse. \u201cAdam,\u201d he called, walking over to him, \u201cAre you going home?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa. I\u2019m going over to see Aunt Laura.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea. You know what Dan said when he called over to see us a few days ago.\u201d In the last week the Cartwrights hadn\u2019t seen Laura at all. Dan had stopped by a couple of times but he always seemed in a hurry to leave. Ben felt like the couple were avoiding them, in a way he understood it, knowing that Laura must hold herself responsible for what had happened. \u201cShe\u2019s not ready to see us yet.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not ready to see us!\u201d Adam snapped, \u201cShe owes us an explanation, Pa. How could she have let him get so close to the water!\u201d Adam turned back to his horse and leant his head down on the saddle as he cried, \u201cOh, Pa. How could she have let him fall in!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben put an arm across his son\u2019s shoulders and squeezed, feeling the comfort he needed, Adam turned into his father\u2019s arms. Adam had been trying to be strong for his family and he felt the weight lift a little now that he\u2019d finally expressed his grief. Ben turned to check on Hoss and saw him walking along the waters edge. He guided Adam over to a tree and they sat down underneath it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel bad for blaming her, Pa, but I can\u2019t help it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI have the same feelings. I told Dan to tell Laura that we didn\u2019t blame her because I know we shouldn\u2019t. I know it was an accident. But like you, I do blame her.\u201d He patted Adam on the leg and left his hand there while he spoke, \u201cIt\u2019s not fair to her though. As hard as it is we must let the blame go. We must accept it for what it was. A terrible accident.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam nodded but couldn\u2019t bring himself to say he agreed. \u201cI know Uncle Dan told us how it happened but don\u2019t you want to hear it from Aunt Laura, Pa.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I do, Son, but I\u2019m sure Laura\u2019s feeling over whelmed with her own guilt right now. Upsetting her more by making her talk about it won\u2019t change anything.\u201d \u2018It won\u2019t bring my little boy back,\u2019 Ben thought to himself.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam stood up and wiped the tears away. \u201cI need to get away for a while, Pa.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben understood. He knew the time had come to stop searching but he couldn\u2019t seem to make himself stop. The strain was getting to them all. He knew Adam needed a break. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take a ride for a while.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cI won\u2019t be long, Pa,\u201d he said, getting up and walking over to his horse. Ben waved and watched him ride away.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Adam had every intention of doing as his father had suggested. He was just going to ride for a while but without even realizing it, he found himself turning his horse in the direction of the Anderson house.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam could hear screaming and crying when he rode into the yard, for a moment he thought it was his imagination. Adam didn\u2019t know that late at night, Ben heard Joe crying for him. Had he known, he would have understood. Every night since they\u2019d returned home without Joe, the little sleep Adam had managed to get was restless. He had nightmares about Joe falling in the water and heard the terrified screams of his little brother. Sometimes the screams seemed so real that when he woke he rushed to get out of bed to go to Little Joe\u2019s room to comfort him, thinking the boy was having a nightmare. Then suddenly he\u2019d remember that Little Joe was gone and it was a living nightmare the family had been left to endure.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam pulled his horse to a stop as he heard the words, \u201cI want my Pa!\u201d Adam\u2019s heart leapt, there was no doubt in his mind who was shouting. He jumped from his horse and ran for the front door. He grabbed the handle and flung the door open.<\/em><\/p>\n

Held in Laura Anderson\u2019s arms was Little Joe Cartwright.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe!\u201d Adam shouted excitedly. When he saw his brother, Joe held out his arms to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura stared at Adam, shocked to see him there. Over the cries of Joe she hadn\u2019t heard him ride up. She took a step back but Adam immediately moved forward and pulled his little brother from her arms.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe buried his face in the crook of his brother\u2019s neck and shoulder and sobbed. Adam\u2019s heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to leap from his chest. He gently rubbed his brother\u2019s back, trying to calm him down. \u201cWhen did you find him?\u201d he asked Laura breathlessly, \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura backed away from them, shaking her head, suddenly she turned and ran from the house, calling for her husband.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam sat down on a chair and carefully started to pull Joe back from him, wanting to make sure he was all right. Joe resisted, clinging to him. Adam gently persisted, whispering words of comfort. Finally he got a good look at the boy. He\u2019d already felt by holding the boy, that Joe had lost weight and his first look confirmed it but he was relived when he didn\u2019t see any obvious injuries. Joe\u2019s face was red from crying and streaked with tears.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam pulled the boy back towards him and cuddled him, revelling in having the child in his arms again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam had no idea what had happened, he assumed that Joe must have somehow gotten himself out of the river and had been wandering, lost. He thought Daniel must have come across the boy earlier that day. He couldn\u2019t understand Laura Anderson\u2019s reaction but right at that moment it didn\u2019t matter to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you to Pa,\u201d Adam smiled at his brother, \u201cPa\u2019s going to be so happy to see you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

At the mention of his father, Joe stopped crying and pulled back excitedly, looking at his older brother\u2019s face, \u201cYou\u2019ll take me to Pa now?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam ran his fingers through his brother\u2019s hair, brushing it away from his forehead, he softly kissed him and promised, \u201cRight now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam wanted to ask Joe what had happened, where he\u2019d been but the boy was still so upset, he thought the best thing to do was to get the little boy to their father. Adam stood and with Joe on his hip he walked out the front door.<\/em><\/p>\n

Laura Anderson had run to get her husband who was working nearby. They were hurrying back to the house when the two brothers came outside. Laura broke away from her husband and ran towards them screaming, \u201cYou can\u2019t take him! He\u2019s mine! You can\u2019t take him!\u201d Laura reached them and tried to pull Joe from his brother\u2019s arms. Joe screamed and clung tighter to Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam had never hit a woman before but he shoved her away as hard as he could, knocking her to the ground. Laura scrambled to her knees. Dan rushed up to her, kneeling next to her, he held onto his wife\u2019s shoulders. \u201cWe have to let Adam take him, Laura. He\u2019s not ours to keep.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDan,\u201d she sobbed, \u201cPlease don\u2019t let him take my little boy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam looked at the couple in shock. His mind racing as he tried to work out what had been going on.<\/em><\/p>\n

Daniel looked over his shoulder while he held Laura. \u201cGo, Adam. Take Little Joe to your father. I know there\u2019s a lot to explain. Tell Ben I\u2019ll come over and see him once I get Laura calmed down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam could feel Joe trembling, he was obviously frightened by the way Laura was behaving. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Little Joe. You\u2019re safe, I\u2019m with you,\u201d he whispered the words repeatedly as he put Joe up on his horse and mounted behind him. They could still hear Laura screaming as they rode away, \u201cDon\u2019t take him!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam kept his arms wrapped tightly around the boy held in front of him on the horse. Once they were well away from the house, Adam asked, \u201cLittle Joe, do you remember the day I left you with Aunt Laura?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you\u2019d come back for me but it\u2019s been a long time. Why did you take so long?\u201d Joe sobbed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, little buddy. Honestly, I am. It\u2019ll never happen again, I promise,\u201d Adam gently squeezed him and asked, \u201cCan you forgive me?\u201d Joe sniffed and nodded. Adam kept talking quietly, comforting him as they rode.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe calmed down and Adam wasn\u2019t sure if he should risk questioning him further, he didn\u2019t want to cause his little brother to start crying again but there was something he had to know. Something that had been nagging at him since he\u2019d found Joe at the Andersons. \u201cJoe, did you fall in the river that day. The day I left you with Aunt Laura?\u201d Adam held his breath while he waited for the reply.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo. We didn\u2019t go to the river.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam blew out his breath. He was furious at the Andersons but he hid it from Joe as he asked, \u201cWhat happened? Why didn\u2019t you go and see the beavers like you wanted to?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe leant back against his brother, comfortable in his arms. \u201cI fell asleep and when I woke up it was night time. Adam,\u201d Joe turned his head and looked up at his brother, \u201cAunt Laura took my boots and hat,\u201d Adam glanced down and noticed for the first time that Joe was only wearing socks, \u201cand she wouldn\u2019t let me go outside for all the time I was there. When I asked when you were coming for me she said she didn\u2019t know and when I asked her to take me home, she wouldn\u2019t. Why was she like that, Adam?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam said honestly, \u201cI think maybe she\u2019s sick. Did she hurt you, Little Joe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cShe was nice to me but I just wanted to go home.\u201d Joe looked around and realized that they weren\u2019t heading in the direction of home. \u201cAdam, I want to go home. You said I could see Pa. I want to see Pa now!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam felt relief that Joe was acting like his usual demanding little self and he replied, \u201cPa\u2019s not at home right now, Little Joe. He\u2019s down at the river. We\u2019re going there now, all right?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe nodded excitedly and started to squirm in the saddle. To the five year old it had been a very long time since he had seen his Pa.<\/em><\/p>\n

They reached the river and Adam started walking his horse along side of it, knowing they would eventually find Pa and Hoss walking along it somewhere up ahead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam and Joe saw their father at the same time. Adam dismounted and lifted Joe down before the boy could fall from the saddle in his rush to get down.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Pa!\u201d Little Joe called excitedly. Ben turned at the sound of the voice calling him. For a moment he stared disbelievingly at the small figure racing towards him. Then it was like his own feet grew wings and he ran to meet his youngest son.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben grabbed the boy up into his arms, hugging him tightly. \u201cJoseph, Joseph,\u201d Ben repeated the name over and over again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss further downstream, having heard the shouting, came running. Seeing his little brother alive and in their father\u2019s arms, he ran over to them. \u201cLittle Joe! Little Joe!\u201d he called.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not wanting to let his young son out of his arms but knowing Hoss would want to hold him, Ben sat down on the ground and put Joe on his lap. Hoss flung himself to the ground beside them and reached over to hug his brother. After a while, Hoss reluctantly released Joe and sat back. \u201cWhere did you find him?\u201d he asked his father.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cAdam just rode in with him.\u201d Ben and Hoss both looked to Adam but he shook his head, silently indicating they should leave the explanations to later. Ben didn\u2019t mind, explanations could wait.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his father\u2019s face and realized the man was crying. He reached his hand up and put it on his father\u2019s cheek as he said, \u201cI missed you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben put his hand over the small one on his cheek and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. \u201cI\u2019ve missed you, too, Joseph. So very, very much.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The wind blew over the water and Joe shivered. Adam took his jacket off and wrapped it around the thin frame of his youngest brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben was alarmed at the weight Joe had lost in the week he\u2019d been away from them. He stood up with Joe still clutched tightly in his arms. \u201cWe\u2019d better get this young man home,\u201d he tried to keep his voice light.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

There was another excited reunion when the family arrived home and Hop Sing saw who Ben carried inside.<\/em><\/p>\n

When Joe declared he was hungry, Hop Sing rushed to get him some soup. He looked so thin they didn\u2019t want to put anything heavy in his stomach. He was very tired and after he\u2019d eaten, Ben carried him upstairs and put him to bed for a nap. Ben had noticed the dark circles under Joe\u2019s eyes and was worried about them and his loss of weight. With Joe asleep, Adam quietly told his father how he\u2019d come to find Joe. Ben was furious at the couple. He sent Adam for the doctor and sat down beside the bed, anxiously watching Joe sleep while he waited for Paul to come.<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul Martin couldn\u2019t believe the news when Adam told him the child had been found alive. He hurried out to the Ponderosa with Adam. When they arrived, Little Joe was awake and declared that he didn\u2019t want the doctor looking at him but when his family told him they would stay in the room with him, he allowed Doctor Martin to examine him.<\/em><\/p>\n

The family waited nervously and were relieved when Paul finished the examination and said, \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine. He\u2019s very thin but some of Hop Sing\u2019s good cooking will soon fix that up.\u201d Adam had told Paul that it appeared that Joe had been with the Andersons for the last week but that they didn\u2019t know much else. \u201cHaven\u2019t you been eating?\u201d he asked the child gently.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI wanted to come home.\u201d Paul nodded understandingly. It only took a few more minutes for Joe to go back to sleep. Paul turned to the family, \u201cHe\u2019s obviously been fretting for you and hasn\u2019t been eating or sleeping.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sure he\u2019ll be all right?\u201d Ben asked.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Paul replied, \u201cNow,\u201d he picked up his bag, \u201cfrom what Adam told me about how Laura Anderson was behaving, I better get out there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Anger flared on Ben\u2019s face at the mention of Laura\u2019s name but he managed to keep his voice low so as not to wake Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s been going on out there but if they\u2019ve been keeping my son from me for all this time, you can tell them I intend to have them charged with kidnapping and anything else I can think of.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Late that afternoon, after Joe woke from his nap, all the family sat on the floor downstairs in the great room playing with Joe\u2019s toy soldiers. There was a knock on the door and Adam went to answer it. When he opened the door and saw who it was, Adam turned around and called, \u201cPa, it\u2019s Sheriff Coffee and Doctor Martin,\u201d he paused and his voice was cold when he said, \u201cand Mr Anderson.\u201d Adam stepped back and allowed the men to enter.<\/em><\/p>\n

The men came in and greetings were exchanged. Joe looked over at them and Dan called, \u201cHello, Little Joe, are you having a good game there?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe nodded silently and everyone noticed that he edged closer to his father. Ben slowly stood up, keeping himself protectively in front of the small boy. \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben looked at his middle son, \u201ctake Joe upstairs to play for a little while.\u201d Usually Joe would have protested that he wanted to stay downstairs but he seemed nervous now that Dan Anderson was there and willingly took the hand Hoss held out to him. Hoss led his brother upstairs and Ben waited until he heard Joe\u2019s bedroom door shut and then he turned to Daniel. \u201cWhat the hell has been going on?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Dan started slowly, finding it difficult to put into words what he wanted to say, \u201cThere\u2019s no excuse for what Laura and I have done, but please believe me when I say how sorry I am.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want your apologizes. I just want you to tell me exactly what it is you did do. Little Joe never fell in the river, did he?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Dan shook his head. \u201cLaura\u2019s always wanted children so badly and you know that Little Joe means the world to her. Well,\u201d he paused, \u201cLaura wanted to keep Little Joe as her son.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be serious!\u201d Ben said angrily, \u201cHe\u2019s my child not a possession you can just decide you want to keep. Do you know what you put us through? All this time you\u2019ve let us believe that Joseph was dead!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know it was a lie at first, Ben. I was repairing a fence with John Dawson when Laura came riding up on her horse, she said she\u2019d taken Little Joe to the river and he\u2019d fallen in. John and I went rushing down there. We searched and searched but couldn\u2019t find him. I thought he\u2019d drowned and I didn\u2019t want to risk Laura finding his body so I told her to go home and I sent John into town to tell Sheriff Coffee. I knew Roy would find you and let you know what had happened.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben and Adam didn\u2019t interrupt to ask questions, they just listened as Dan tried to explain why such a cruel deception had been played on them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t until I left the search late that night and went home that I found out the truth. I walked into our bedroom and found Little Joe asleep in our bed. Laura was sitting next to him. At first, I thought she\u2019d found him and I was about to go and tell you when Laura stopped me. She told me what she\u2019d done. She said she\u2019d given Little Joe a sleeping draught and put him to bed, then she went down to the river and put one of his boots and his hat on the bank so it would look like they\u2019d washed up there. Then she rode to tell me that he\u2019d fallen in.\u201d Dan saw the anger grow on the faces of Ben and Adam, he hurried on. \u201cYou have to believe me, Ben. I was so very angry at her when I found out the truth but she became so upset when I told her we couldn\u2019t keep him. She started to cry and said she wouldn\u2019t be able to stand it if I took him away from her, that life wouldn\u2019t be worth living,\u201d Dan hung his head, \u201cI know it was wrong but I couldn\u2019t bring myself to take Little Joe from her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you took him from me!\u201d Ben could contain his anger no longer. \u201cWhat is wrong with you! You can\u2019t take someone else\u2019s child just because you want one of your own. We were friends. How could you have done this? How could you let us believe that Joseph had drowned? Were you going to keep him locked in your house forever? How did you think you were going to get away with it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t planned, Ben. It just happened. Laura got some sleeping draughts off Doctor Martin recently because she was having trouble sleeping and she had some left over. When Adam brought Joe over Laura somehow convinced herself that Joe was an inconvenience to you now with Marie gone and she wanted him to know the love of a mother again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAn inconvenience!\u201d Ben raged, \u201cJoseph has never been an inconvenience. If Laura really cared for Little Joe she would never have done this to him. He has had enough turmoil and upset in the last months without being torn away from his family. As you said, Joe no longer has his mother here to love him but there is no one in this world who could love him more than his brothers and I do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam glared at Dan Anderson, knowing he would never think of the couple again as being like an aunt and uncle. \u201cMr Anderson,\u201d Adam said coldly, \u201cI took Little Joe over to your place, not because it was inconvenient for us to have him that day but because I thought he would enjoy the day more there. How dare you insinuate that we don\u2019t want him. You know that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Dan was very ashamed of what he\u2019d done. He looked at Ben and Adam and said, \u201cYou are right about everything you\u2019ve said. I know it\u2019s not enough but all I can say is, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee and Paul Martin had stayed silent. Now Roy spoke. \u201cWe have to decide what we\u2019re going to do now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to decide,\u201d Adam said angrily, \u201cThey both deserve to go to prison for what they\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLaura\u2019s in town right now with my wife. She can stay with us until we decide what to do. There\u2019s a place we can send Laura that I think will be better for her than prison,\u201d Paul Martin said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care what\u2019s better for her!\u201d Adam snapped.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t reprimand Adam for speaking so rudely, he knew how upset his eldest son was, he went over and put a comforting hand on his arm. \u201cIt won\u2019t hurt to listen, Adam,\u201d Ben turned to Paul and asked, \u201cDo you mean an asylum?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Paul affirmed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben had heard stories about how bad some asylums could be but in his mind there was no other option, they couldn\u2019t just let her go free. \u201cShe has to be locked away somewhere,\u201d he said, \u201cWe can\u2019t take the risk that she might do this again with someone else\u2019s child.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if this makes it better or worse but it wasn\u2019t just any child Laura wanted, it was Little Joe. I don\u2019t think she will do it again,\u201d Dan said quietly.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t be sure of that though,\u201d Paul Martin replied, \u201cAnd like Ben said we just can\u2019t take the chance. Maybe in time Laura will realize how terrible what she did was.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Dan?\u201d Roy Coffee asked Ben. \u201cDo you want me to take him in?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re angry, Ben, and you have every right to be,\u201d Paul Martin said, \u201cBut if Dan doesn\u2019t go to prison he\u2019ll be able to visit Laura and it might help her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cLet Dan go, but\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa!\u201d Adam shouted, \u201cYou can\u2019t just let him go free.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI know how you feel, son,\u201d Ben replied calmly, \u201cBut locking Dan up won\u2019t do anyone any good,\u201d he looked over at Daniel Anderson, \u201cThere are conditions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnything, Ben,\u201d Dan answered.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to stay away from Joe. I want you to sell your place. I want you to pack up and get as far away from here as possible. I never want to see or hear from you or Laura again. If one day Laura is released from the asylum, she is never to try to contact Little Joe or go anywhere near him ever again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have my word on it, Ben,\u201d Dan said sadly, \u201cI can\u2019t believe this has happened,\u201d he turned to Adam, \u201cYou boys have always meant a lot to me. I\u2019ll miss you.\u201d Adam turned away without a word.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dan swallowed hard and turned back to Ben. \u201cWill you buy my place, Ben? I know you\u2019ll give me a fair price for it and then I will be able to leave straight away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s what you want,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d Dan nodded, \u201cI\u2019d like to ask for one thing,\u201d when Ben waited silently, Dan continued, \u201cI\u2019d like to say goodbye to Little Joe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben angrily refused, \u201cJoe\u2019s frightened of you and Laura now. It\u2019s best to just make a clean break. We\u2019ll tell him you had to leave town unexpectedly. I\u2019ll get the sale papers drawn up and have them sent over for you to sign. Goodbye, Dan,\u201d Ben walked over to the front door and held it open until the man who had once been a good friend slowly walked out the door and Ben quietly shut it behind him.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

That night Joe had declared that he wanted to sleep with his Pa. That was a request Ben would not deny.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben had told Joe earlier that night about Daniel and Laura leaving and he seemed to accept the news well. Ben had thought Joe might be upset but it seemed their strange behaviors of the last week had made Joe a little unsure of the couple.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe rolled over and snuggled into his father\u2019s side. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered loudly, \u201cAre you awake?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben almost laughed, Joe\u2019s whispers were never quiet. \u201cYes, Joe, I\u2019m awake. What is it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Uncle Dan and Aunt Laura moving away, I won\u2019t be able to see the beavers anymore, will I?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben wrapped an arm around Joe and pulled him closer. \u201cOf course you will,\u201d he comforted, \u201cThat lands part of the Ponderosa now so you can see the beavers as much as you like.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cReally!\u201d Joe yelped excitedly and Ben was pleased he\u2019d been able to make the boy so happy.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, really. But there\u2019s one thing you must promise me,\u201d Ben felt Joe nod and he continued, \u201cYou must never, ever go down to the river by yourself, all right?\u201d Ben knew it was irrational but he worried about Joe being near the water. He knew it was something he would have to get over.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI promise. But you and Adam and Hoss will take me, won\u2019t ya?\u201d Joe asked.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben knew Daniel Anderson would be gone within the week so he suggested, \u201cHow about next Saturday? We\u2019ll all go and have a picnic there. How would that be?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait!\u201d Joe said excitedly and proceeded to talk about all the things he wanted to do on the picnic. Ben smiled as he listened, he didn\u2019t think they would be getting any sleep for a while, Joe was too excited, but Ben didn\u2019t mind, he could happily listen to Joe talk all night.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

The following Saturday, the family went down to the river for their picnic. Ben had spent most of the last week at home with Joe. Things were slowly getting back to normal though. Roy Coffee had come out to see Ben and informed him that Dan Anderson had left town and Laura had been sent away to an asylum many miles away.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben held his youngest son\u2019s hand as they stood on the bank of the river. Joe laughed as he watched the beavers and took a step closer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hand immediately tightened on the small one held within his. He noticed that both of Joe\u2019s brothers reached to stop him as well.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben knew it would take a long time for them to recover from what had happened. He knew he wouldn\u2019t be able to hold the boy\u2019s hand forever, to keep Joe with him for every minute of the day, that one day he\u2019d have to let go. But Ben wasn\u2019t ready to start letting go yet and he knew he wouldn\u2019t be ready for a long time yet. He reached down and swung Joe up into his arms. Little Joe put his arms around his father\u2019s neck and hugged him tightly. \u201cI love you, Pa.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Tears came to Ben\u2019s eyes and he rubbed the little boy\u2019s back gently. \u201cAnd I love you, Joseph. Very, very much.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben felt his older sons move closer to him and they both reached out to touch their little brother as though needing to confirm he was really back with them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben looked at each of his sons and smiled. \u201cI love you all,\u201d he said quietly and reveled in having all of his boys with him.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

There was silence in the room when Ben finished telling the story.<\/p>\n

Dan Anderson had come into the room while Ben was talking and stood quietly listening next to his wife. Now, Joe stared at the Andersons, shocked at hearing what they\u2019d done. Joe stood up and Laura reached for his hand, he pulled it back and started to walk away.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, please,\u201d she begged, \u201cI did it because I love you. Please don\u2019t hate me.\u201d Joe didn\u2019t stop or turn back, he just walked away. He could still hear her calling as he shut the bedroom door. \u201cPlease don\u2019t hate me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura put her face in her hands and cried. Dan tried to comfort her. The elder Cartwrights quietly excused themselves and went to talk to Joe.<\/p>\n

Opening the bedroom door, Ben found his son packing. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u2018Leaving,\u2019 Joe signed and turned back to his packing.<\/p>\n

Ben knew Joe was very upset about what he\u2019d just heard and he spoke calmly. \u201cIt\u2019s too late to leave now, Joe. We\u2019ll leave in the morning like we planned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head firmly and when he turned to face his father, Ben saw the tears shining in his son\u2019s eyes. \u2018I\u2019m sorry,\u2019 Joe signed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to apologize for,\u201d Adam said, \u201cYou aren\u2019t responsible for what they did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reached for his paper and pencil, knowing it was too hard to sign what he wanted to tell his family. I\u2019m sorry for what they put you through. I\u2019m sorry that I don\u2019t remember it and that I didn\u2019t understand why you were so angry with the Andersons. I know now.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben comforted, he put an arm around his young son\u2019s shoulders and led him over to the bed, sitting down beside him, \u201cDon\u2019t feel bad for not remembering. As far as you knew, we\u2019d just left you with them for that week. We discussed telling you the truth because we didn\u2019t want you to think we would just leave you with someone else like that for so long. Doctor Martin thought it was better that we didn\u2019t tell you, he suggested we wait and see how you settled down after a few days back with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t let us out of your sight at first,\u201d Adam added, \u201cbut after promises that it wouldn\u2019t happen again, you just seemed to forget about it after a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

I remember other times we spent with the Andersons, picnics and things. Why don\u2019t I remember that week?<\/strong> Joe wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked Paul about it,\u201d Ben said, \u201che told me that he thought it was something you didn\u2019t want to remember so you somehow just blocked it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was glad when you didn\u2019t remember it. I was so afraid you\u2019d hate me because I was the one who left you with Mrs Anderson and told you I was coming back for you later that day.\u201d Adam needed his brother to understand, \u201cI was coming back for you, Joe, just like I promised.\u201d<\/p>\n

I know<\/strong>, Joe wrote, It\u2019s not your fault. You couldn\u2019t have known what she would do. I\u2019m glad I had you looking out for me. All of you.<\/strong> Joe looked at his family, wanting them to know he didn\u2019t blame them at all.<\/p>\n

There was a knock on the door and Adam opened it to find Daniel Anderson standing there. Adam stepped back and allowed him to enter the room. Dan cleared his throat, not finding the words easy to say. \u201cI know I have no right to ask any of you for anything but I have to ask for Laura\u2019s sake.\u201d He looked at Adam, \u201cI know you wanted me to go to jail because you thought it wasn\u2019t fair that I got away free after what I\u2019d put you all through. It wasn\u2019t free, Adam. I\u2019ve paid a price every day. Every day I feel the guilt of what we did. Laura spent two years in the asylum and from when she got out, she has prayed that one day she would be able to, at least in a small way, try to make up for what she did. I\u2019ll regret what we did until the day I die.\u201d Dan Anderson turned to Joe, \u201cShe just wants to know that you don\u2019t hate her. Please don\u2019t leave here with things the way they are. Please.\u201d He walked from the room and shut the door behind him, leaving the family to think about what he\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and blew it out. \u201cAlthough I\u2019ll never forgive them, I guess if I\u2019m honest, in the last couple of days my feelings have softened a little towards them both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame for me,\u201d Hoss agreed, \u201cAnd they have helped us out this last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked questioningly at his father, wanting to know what he thought.<\/p>\n

Ben had always taught his sons not to hang on to hate but despite the passage of years this was something Ben had never been able to forgive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will never forgive either one of them for what they did,\u201d Ben looked at his youngest son, \u201cthe distress they caused you because you couldn\u2019t understand why we didn\u2019t come and get you that day. The pain they caused your brothers and I by allowing us to believe for a week that you,\u201d Ben drew in a deep shuddering breath, the words painful to say, \u201cwere dead.\u201d Ben looked into Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cThey were the worst days of my life. I blamed myself for not keeping you with me, for not keeping you safe. I\u2019m sorry I allowed her to keep you away from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears pooled in Joe\u2019s eyes at the obvious pain his father still felt at remembering those days. He wrote the words, You didn\u2019t allow it, Pa. I know without a doubt that had you known I was there you would have come for me. The three of you have always done the best you could for me. I can\u2019t imagine what my life would have been like without you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben read the words and looked into Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cI found it so hard to let you out of my sight after we got you back,\u201d he glanced at Adam and Hoss and then looked back at Joe, \u201cyour brothers were the same. For years we wouldn\u2019t let anyone other than Hop Sing look after you. We\u2019d take you out on the range with us rather than risk leaving you with someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou put a stop to it though,\u201d Adam told his brother, \u201cYou were about nine and you wanted to spend the night at Mitch Devlin\u2019s house. You begged and begged until Pa finally agreed. Poor Mrs Devlin, after Pa took you over he spent about two hours questioning her before he left you there,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed too at the memory of that day but then he looked at Joe and quietly said, \u201cI needed to be sure you were going to be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

I understand<\/strong>, Joe wrote and reached out to lay a hand on his father\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand over Joe\u2019s. \u201cI said I\u2019ll never forgive them and I meant that but I am grateful for their help here. We\u2019ll probably never see them again and I think it would be a kindness to both of them if we left without bad feelings.\u201d He looked at each of his sons. \u201cBut that\u2019s up to each of you to decide for yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next morning, Daniel and Laura Anderson were waiting as the Cartwright family started to carry their gear out.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss put the saddlebags they were carrying down on a table. Adam held out a hand to Mr Anderson. \u201cGoodbye, Uncle Dan,\u201d the couple\u2019s eyes lit with hope at the use of the word uncle. After shaking hands, Adam hugged Mrs Anderson, \u201cGoodbye, Aunt Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura hugged the young man tighter and whispered, \u201cThank you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Uncle Dan,\u201d Hoss followed his brother\u2019s lead and shook the older man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, boys,\u201d Dan looked at both Adam and Hoss, \u201cIt\u2019s been so good to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hugged Mrs Anderson. \u201cGoodbye, Aunt Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Hoss,\u201d Laura fought hard to hold back the tears.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss picked up the saddlebags and went outside.<\/p>\n

Ben shook hands with his former friend. \u201cThank you for letting us stay here, Dan. We really do appreciate it. I\u2019m sorry about the trouble with the Wilson gang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel waved the apology away. \u201cLike I told you before, Ben, we\u2019re just glad we could help. It\u2019s been wonderful to see you and the boys again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned to Mrs Anderson. \u201cI appreciate you helping us to look after Joe, Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been no trouble at all, Ben. I wish you\u2019d consider staying here longer. Joe\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben broke in softly, \u201cNo, Laura. It\u2019s time we went home. Goodbye.\u201d He stepped away and went to wait at the door while Joe made his goodbyes.<\/p>\n

Joe held out his hand but Dan gently pulled him into a hug. \u201cI promised your father that Laura and I would stay away from you. As hard as it was for both of us we kept our promise but I\u2019m so pleased we\u2019ve had this chance to see you again.\u201d Dan Anderson released the young man and stepped away, allowing his wife to take his place.<\/p>\n

Laura tenderly laid her hand on the side of Joe\u2019s face and then pulled him to her, holding him tightly. As she hugged him, she said, \u201cI\u2019ve prayed everyday that God would lead you to my door one day. I am going to miss you so much, Little Joe. It\u2019s been so good to have you here. To see what a wonderful man you have turned out to be.\u201d Laura swallowed. \u201cI know I did a dreadful, dreadful thing but I\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled back from her and held up his hand to stop her. He reached into his pocket and handed Laura a piece of paper with six words written on it. I don\u2019t hate you, Aunt Laura.<\/strong> After what she\u2019d put his family through, he couldn\u2019t bring himself to say he forgave her, this was the best he could do.<\/p>\n

Laura pulled him into a hug again. \u201cThank you, my dear. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gently pulled away, made the sign for goodbye and walked away from the couple. When he reached the door, his father put a hand around his shoulders and they walked out together. Crying, Laura started to follow after them but her husband put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. \u201cLet him go, Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben helped Joe into the wagon, insisting he lay down in the back. Ben climbed into the back with him. Hoss pulled himself up onto the seat to drive, slowly he started down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you, Joe,\u201d Sheriff Luke Taylor called from the door of his office. He had a bandage around his head but apart from a headache he was suffering no other effects from being knocked out by Willis. \u201cGet ready for a visit from me soon!\u201d Joe smiled and waved back.<\/p>\n

Adam on his horse, rode beside the wagon, leading his family\u2019s horses.<\/p>\n

Laura Anderson watched them leave from the window. She kept looking down the street long after they had gone from her sight.<\/p>\n

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

Four months had gone by since the Cartwright family had returned home to the Ponderosa Ranch. In those months, Joe had never gone into town alone. He only went in if his father or one of his brothers was going as well. His family knew that Joe was still embarrassed when he was asked something and had to write his answer down or try to make himself understood by signs.<\/p>\n

Around the ranch, Joe was managing well. There had been no trouble with the hands. Joe was well liked and respected. Some of the hands had even started learning how to sign.<\/p>\n

Although his brothers had tried many times to get Joe to accompany them into town for a social or for a night at the saloon, Joe always refused. Ben hated to see that change in his normally gregarious son. He knew that Joe still hadn\u2019t truly accepted that the loss of his voice was permanent. The truth was, none of them had. Ben knew the time was coming though when they would no longer be able to pretend to themselves that it was only temporary. He hoped that with more time, Joe would accept the way his life was now and not feel uncomfortable around people outside of the family.<\/p>\n

The family had just started eating their evening meal and Ben was trying to think of a way to convince Joe to go to the next dance with his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPass the potatoes please, Pa,\u201d one of Ben\u2019s sons asked.<\/p>\n

Ben picked up the bowl and then dropped it in shock when he realized which one of his sons had made that request.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 hand froze with a fork half way to his mouth.<\/p>\n

In the process of having a drink of water, Adam sprayed a mouthful across the table.<\/p>\n

Three pairs of shocked eyes stared at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben reached over and clutched his youngest son\u2019s arm. \u201cWhen did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been trying everyday,\u201d Joe said quietly, his voice was weak but Ben couldn\u2019t stop smiling at the sound of it, \u201cThere was always nothing but yesterday it started coming back. It was so hard to talk at first. I could hardly say anything. I went to see Doc Martin today. I wanted to be sure I wasn\u2019t imagining things,\u201d Joe laughed self consciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Paul say?\u201d Ben asked, gently squeezing Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat it should come back as good as it was before. He said it just sounds funny now because I haven\u2019t used it for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cI don\u2019t think it sounds funny, little brother. I think it\u2019s the best sound I\u2019ve ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely!\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s already a lot better,\u201d Joe said happily. \u201cI was talking to Cochise all the way home,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing was standing at the door, listening. Finally he decided it was time for the family to start eating again. He came into the room, \u201cLook at mess,\u201d he said, pointing at the table covered with the broken dish, splattered potato and water. \u201cHop Sing clean up. You eat before food get cold.\u201d The voice sounded angry but there was no mistaking the tears of happiness in the little man\u2019s eyes. He picked up the broken dish and before going back to the kitchen, paused at Joe\u2019s side and put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cHop Sing very happy,\u201d he said before hurrying away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you heard the man,\u201d Ben said, \u201cLet\u2019s eat. And Joseph,\u201d he looked at his youngest son, \u201cJust this once, I won\u2019t mind if you talk with your mouth full.\u201d Everyone laughed and started to ask Joe questions just to hear him talk. Ben rejoiced at the sound of the voice he\u2019d feared he would never hear again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

May 2006<\/p>\n

Note. The characters of Annie Croft and her father are from the Bonanza episode \u201cSilent Thunder.\u201d The character of Danny Kidd is from \u201cThe Friendship.\u201d The Character of Mitch Devlin is from \u201cBetween Heaven and Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/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 Sequel to The Closed Door.\u00a0 Joe crosses paths with the men who were involved in his kidnapping. And what is the secret Joe’s family are keeping from him?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (24, 025 words)<\/p>\n

The Closed Door Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10321,"featured_media":13256,"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":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3391,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12163,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12163","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":0},"title":"Heart of Clay (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: While being held prisoner by a gang of bank robbers, Joe makes contact with a man from his past.\u00a0 Confused by why this certain person is associated with the bandits, Joe struggles to put the pieces of the puzzle into one.\u00a0 Not until much heartache later is the truth\u2026","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\/PDVD_1807.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\/PDVD_1807.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PDVD_1807.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PDVD_1807.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4948,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4948","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":1},"title":"Danny (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"April 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0The Cartwrights become embroiled in a young widow's fight to protect her baby from her in-laws' attempts to gain custody.\u00a0\u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a030,600","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\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":2},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 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\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4653,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4653","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":3},"title":"Unwilling Accomplice (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"February 19, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe walks into a bank robbery and is taken hostage. To his horror, he is forced to go along on other robberies. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(12,154 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\/bank-robber.jpg?fit=225%2C224&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13845,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13845","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":4},"title":"The Closed Door (by HelenB)","author":"HelenB","date":"July 27, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben says something to Joe that he didn't think he would ever say to one of his sons. Rating:\u00a0 T The Closed Door Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13978,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13978","url_meta":{"origin":13846,"position":5},"title":"The Abduction (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: While working on the Ponderosa, Little Joe is kidnapped. Word Count: \u00a05700 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}