{"id":1557,"date":"2003-12-03T14:47:13","date_gmt":"2003-12-03T19:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1557"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:35","slug":"protective-urges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1557","title":{"rendered":"Protective Urges (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong><\/span>A series of mishaps and an illness show the Cartwrights that it\u2019s not just Ben who has protective urges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T (11,425 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Protective Urges<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By Rona<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonest, Pa, I feel much better,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, listen, Pa, if Joe\u2019s volunteering to go back to work, don\u2019t stop him,\u201d Adam joked. \u201cIt\u2019s a novel occurrence and we might as well get the most out of him while he\u2019s willing!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shooting Adam a look, Joe tried very hard not to sniff, or wipe his nose. He had had a cold for over a week now, and although he had only taken time off work when it was at its height, he had been restricted to light duties around the yard and barn and he was desperate to get out and about again. His cough had gone and his head wasn\u2019t quite as stuffed, even though his nose was still running continuously, much to his disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, reluctantly. \u201cWe do need every hand for the branding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe grinned and managed to get in a surreptitious swipe of his nose while Ben wasn\u2019t looking.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they went out to the barn, Joe stuck his finger in his ear and swallowed hard in the hopes that he might get his right ear to pop. The left one had obligingly cleared the previous day, but the right one was holding out. It was so blocked that Joe sometimes didn\u2019t catch everything that was said when the person talking stood on his right side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have to do that?\u201d Adam asked, sounding disgusted. \u201cThe sniffing is bad enough without you pulling faces and poking your ears!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cI was trying to make it pop, but it won\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen leave it alone,\u201d Adam snapped. \u201cPoking it won\u2019t help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the advice, doctor Adam,\u201d Joe sneered. \u201cI\u2019ll be sure not to sniff when I\u2019m near you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness for that,\u201d Adam muttered. \u201cTry blowing your nose; it might help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring at his older brother, Joe did as he was bid, finding that it just made his ears more blocked than they had been and did nothing to stop the continuous drip from his nose. \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I take your advice,\u201d Joe grumbled as he saddled his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListen, you were the one who said he was fit to work,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cDon\u2019t start trying to weasel out of it now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not!\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI was poking at my ear quite happily without bothering anyone when you stuck your nose into things!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That was true, Adam reflected as he led his mount out of the barn. Joe hadn\u2019t actually complained until he had done as Adam suggested. Ah well, he thought, Joe would no doubt start complaining before the day was out and they needed every hand at the branding. He rode off as Joe came out of the barn, shooting his sibling a single glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI accept your apology,\u201d Joe mused to himself, and smiled slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Branding was hot, hard work. Adam and Hoss supervised at the fire, Hoss roping the calves while Adam branded them. Joe rode out with the men looking for strays. The cattle all seemed to know when branding was coming up and took to the brush. But Joe and the other cowboys were determined, and soon the calves were being brought in with their mothers in penny numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bringing in two bawling calves, with their mothers not noticeably quieter, Joe consulted with the hand doing the tally at the pen and found that they were down to a handful of beasts missing in that section. He rode over to where Hoss and Adam were having a drink and stepped down from the saddle before turning to tell them the good news.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned, Joe\u2019s head became suddenly light and he staggered wildly, almost falling into the branding fire. Only Hoss\u2019 quick reactions saved him from a nasty burn. \u201cHey, slow down there, little brother!\u201d Hoss scolded. \u201cJoe, are ya all right, boy? What made ya stagger like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI must\u2019ve turned too quick,\u201d Joe replied, shaking his head. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Hoss, honest.\u201d He sniffed, for his nose still hadn\u2019t stopped running.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen did you last eat?\u201d Adam asked, moving up to stand beside his brother. He thrust a canteen into Joe\u2019s hands and he drank deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt lunch,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAdam, I\u2019m fine, I just turned too fast.\u201d He smiled. \u201cWe\u2019ve got almost all the steers from this section. I\u2019m going out to look for the last few.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe ya should take a break,\u201d Hoss ventured, but Joe just rolled his eyes at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m fine.\u201d He mounted Cochise in one fluid leap and grinned at his brothers. \u201cYou guys just worry about gettin\u2019 these calves branded, \u2018cos I\u2019ll be comin\u2019 along with the rest real soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s ill,\u201d Adam stated with conviction as Joe rode away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shot his older brother a concerned look. \u201cHow d\u2019ya reckon that?\u201d he asked. \u201cHe looks all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning the look with amusement, Adam replied, \u201cHe\u2019s working hard. He must be ill!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Making a face, Hoss turned his back on his grinning older brother. \u201cLet\u2019s get on,\u201d he grunted. \u201cOr Joe\u2019ll be back with them calves jist ta shut ya up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The last few animals, not surprisingly, were more difficult to find. Joe began to cast his net wider, moving to the outer limits of this section of grazing. He was drawing closer to the lake when he heard the terrified bawling of a calf and the frantic lowing of its mother. Heading in that direction, Joe was surprised to find Cochise suddenly playing up. When he heard the growl of a mountain lion, he understood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breaking through the brush, Joe saw the lake stretched out before him. The calf was fleeing towards the water, with the big cat on its tail. The cow was struggling unsuccessfully to get to its feet. Joe took all this in at a glance and drew his rifle from its scabbard. He fired at the cat and although he didn\u2019t hit it, he diverted it from its purpose. The calf, terrified by the shots, kept running, and charged straight into the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t have time to worry about the calf right then. The mountain lion had turned and was looking at him, its ears laid flat against its head. Cochise danced nervously, but Joe held the horse as steady as he could while he aimed at the cat.<\/span><\/p>\n

He fired at the same moment that the cat lunged at him. Cochise reared, the shot went wide and Joe was dumped onto the ground. His rifle clattered from his hand and went off once more. The bullet gouged dirt into the big cat\u2019s face and it decided enough was enough, turned tail and fled.<\/span><\/p>\n

More relieved than he was willing to admit even to himself, Joe dragged himself upright and whistled piercingly for Cochise. The horse hadn\u2019t run far, for which Joe was thankful. It would\u2019ve been a long walk back to the branding pens!<\/span><\/p>\n

Catching and soothing the horse, Joe went to see how the cow was and discovered that it had a broken leg. There was nothing Joe could do for it, apart from put it out of its misery. He did that and then turned, remembering the calf.<\/span><\/p>\n

The little animal had managed to get itself out far enough that it was having trouble standing, but not so far that it would be difficult to catch. Or so Joe thought. But the stubborn little beast was thoroughly spooked by the lion and the shooting and Joe\u2019s every attempt to rope it fell short. The calf kept retreating, step by step, further out into the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, it floundered, and Joe realized that although every animal can swim, this one was too young and too scared to realize that. He couldn\u2019t stand by and let the calf drown, so he hastily shucked his hat, jacket, gun belt and boots and dived into the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the snowmelt still swelling the streams, the lake was icy. The cold water snagged the breath from Joe\u2019s body, but he kept going. In a few moments, he was beside the calf and dragging the little creature towards shore. At long last, the calf found its feet and, finally headed in the right direction, it trotted out of the water. Joe staggered after it and collapsed to the ground, worn out.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was far too chilly to stay there for any length of time and Joe slid his jacket and boots on and retrieved his hat and gun before mounting Cochise and roping the calf. He shivered all the way back to the pens as he dragged the orphaned calf behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d Adam asked, rising to his feet. Hoss, glancing up, swiftly followed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story,\u201d Joe hedged, handing the rope to one of the hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re soaked and filthy,\u201d Adam observed. \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m all right.\u201d Joe slowly told his story while Hoss sent a hand to get some hot coffee for his brother. Joe was glad of the warmth. The spring day had been fine, but it was afternoon now and it was cooling down, and the water had been freezing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better get home and have a hot bath,\u201d Adam ordered. \u201cWe don\u2019t want you coming down with another cold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that might slow the branding down,\u201d Joe agreed and twinkled at his brother. He sniffed pitifully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, Joe,\u201d Adam urged. \u201cWe won\u2019t be long. Thanks to you, we\u2019ve accounted for every head.\u201d He watched critically as Joe mounted his horse and rode off carefully before he sent a few hands to retrieve the carcass of the cow. There was no point in feeding all the vermin of the neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Riding on a wet saddle was not a pleasant experience, Joe reflected as he jogged homewards. He really wanted to travel faster, but knew that with the saddle being so slippery, he might well be heading for another fall. But that didn\u2019t make the ride any warmer and Joe was shivering well when he arrived home.<\/span><\/p>\n

The barn felt warm as Joe\u2019s chilled fingers struggled with the buckles on bridle and cinch. But he soon had Cochise settled, even if the grooming didn\u2019t last as long as usual. Then, with a martyred sigh, Joe headed for the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first glance, the place seemed deserted and Joe began to tiptoe across the room. He had shut the door very deliberately so as not to alert Ben, who might possibly be in the kitchen, but he hadn\u2019t got more than one foot on the stairs when Ben exclaimed, \u201cWhat in heaven\u2019s name happened to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe turned and gave his father a smile before launching once more into his story. Ben listened intently, his eyes searching Joe for signs of injury, but even he had to admit that his accident-prone son had come off lightly this time, with just a few bruises and a soaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter get out of those wet things,\u201d Ben suggested, when Joe had finished. \u201cI\u2019ll ask Hop Sing to heat some water for a bath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be nice,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d He was relieved to have got away without a lecture, but just before he turned the corner of the stairs, Ben\u2019s voice floated after him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNext time, be more careful!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Despite the warm bath and a roaring fire in his room, Joe still felt a little chilled when he went down to supper later on. Adam and Hoss had come home and over supper, the talk was of the mountain lion Joe had seen. Adam and Hoss had gone and scouted the tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a big one, Joe,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cAlmost 9 feet long, I\u2019d guess. You were crazy taking him on alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing down some chicken pie, Joe muttered, \u201cI didn\u2019t think he looked that big from where I was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have ta go lookin\u2019 fer him,\u201d Hoss sighed. \u201cAdam said he\u2019d come back an\u2019 eaten a good bit o\u2019 that heifer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen were you thinking of?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe sooner the better,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cA cat that big could decimate the calves if he got half a chance.\u201d He frowned. \u201cWe\u2019ll be finished the branding in a day or two. Perhaps, since Joe is feeling better, we could hunt the cougar tomorrow, and then help the men finish up the next day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chewing thoughtfully, Ben thought this through. Nodding, he agreed, \u201cThat sounds feasible. You boys can go hunting it tomorrow and I\u2019ll go down and help the men at the pens. I\u2019ve done all the paperwork I have to for the moment. But I can\u2019t spare you more than one day and please be careful, all of you. We\u2019ve got far too much to do for one of you to get injured.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa, we\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t let Joe out of my sight, I promise.\u201d He grinned at Joe, expecting a stinging retort, but Joe just gave him a bland smile in return, not having heard exactly what Adam had said.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the prospect of the hunting trip in the morning, none of them lingered by the fire that night. Joe was the first one to go up to bed. His right ear felt even more blocked than it had earlier in the day and Joe poked at it as he went into his room. His ear felt slightly hot and Joe hoped fervently that his unexpected duck in the lake wouldn\u2019t make his cold come back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was an early start the next morning. Joe\u2019s right ear was still blocked and he discovered that he couldn\u2019t hear anything out of it. He put it down to his dip in the cold lake but thought no more about it and didn\u2019t mention it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breakfast was soon over and the boys went out to saddle their horses. Ben hovered, not wanting to show his anxiety, but unable to hide it all the same. As his sons mounted up he said, \u201cBe careful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will, Pa,\u201d Adam assured him and cast a glance at his youngest brother. Ben understood completely. Adam would be watching out for both his brothers, but for Joe especially, as they had all noticed that he wasn\u2019t hearing properly. Ben had wanted to make Joe stay at home, but as Joe seemed to be all right otherwise, Adam persuaded him that Joe would come to no harm. After all, both he and Hoss were there to look after him, and all of them knew better than to split up when hunting a big cat.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a cold wind blowing that day and although the sun shone, it wasn\u2019t warm. They all had their jacket collars turned up.<\/span><\/p>\n

They started the hunt down by the lake where Joe had seen the cat. The tracks were easy to follow and by mid-morning, Adam thought they must be getting close to the cat\u2019s den. As the tracks led into the rougher high ground, they dismounted, tethered their horses securely and went on foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sudden, rank smell hit Adam\u2019s nostrils and he stopped, reaching out a hand to halt his brothers. They looked at him questioningly, until the wind shifted slightly and they, too, smelt the stinking remains of rotting meat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scouting the area, Adam skirted around the carcass of a deer and spotted a dark depression that could be a cave. He signaled silently again and pointed to what he had seen. Hoss and Joe both nodded and they went on, ready in case the cat should smell them and come out fighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were only about a foot from the cave when the cat appeared. It dived out of the cave, knocking Joe, who was nearest, off his feet, and fled down the hill. Adam pivoted and fired at it at exactly the same moment as Hoss. The cat had no chance and tumbled head over heels down the slope to lie dead at the bottom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had tumbled a bit down the slope, too and was just sitting up as Adam and Hoss reached him. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Adam demanded, fear roughening his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe replied, grinning. \u201cHe dead?\u201d He craned his neck to try and see the cat, and had to gulp hard as his head suddenly swam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d Adam asked, as Hoss caught Joe and supported him. Adam began to feel through Joe\u2019s curls, sure that his brother had banged his head in his fall. \u201cThe cat didn\u2019t claw you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured them, shaking Adam out of his hair. \u201cWhere\u2019s my hat?\u201d Spotting the errant headgear, he jammed it back on his unruly curls and scrambled to his feet, with Hoss assisting him. The bigger man didn\u2019t let go of Joe until he saw that his brother was steady on his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d Adam suggested and as Joe led the way, he nodded to Hoss, who nodded back. They would both keep a discreet eye on Joe, just in case. Twice in two days, Joe had had a lucky escape from the big cat. They were determined that he wouldn\u2019t have a third mishap while they were around.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was mid-afternoon when they reached the branding pens. Ben diagnosed success, both from their earlier than expected arrival back and the big, smug grins they wore. Going across, Ben smiled at them all. \u201cGood hunting?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d Adam agreed. He succinctly told the story, with Joe and Hoss nodding and adding sounds of agreement. Ben eyed Joe askance as Adam told of his youngest son\u2019s brush with the cat, but Joe just grinned at Ben, clearly unhurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell done,\u201d Ben praised. \u201cNow, do you think you could do some real work here for a while?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Hoss was quick to agree, while Joe and Adam exchanged resigned looks. They went to tether their horses before mucking in to lend a hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the end of the afternoon, Joe had decided that he was coming down with another cold. His nose was still running, although not quite as persistently as it had been for the past two weeks, and he was very hot, despite the cold wind. Spring, always a capricious season, was now threatening to turn back into winter and the rain that began to fall held a suggestion of sleet. They were all soaking when Ben called a halt for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The hot stew that Hop Sing had waiting for them was most welcome and they continued the thawing process in front of the fire with coffee. However, Hoss was quite perplexed when Joe didn\u2019t want to play checkers that night. \u201cYa all right?\u201d he asked. \u201cYa didn\u2019 bang yer head when ya fell after all, did ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, impatiently. \u201cI\u2019m just tired. I\u2019m fine.\u201d He aimed this last comment at his father, who was frowning at him. \u201cHonest, no bump, I\u2019m just tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben replied, mildly. \u201cNo need to jump on us, son, we were just asking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe apologized. He stood up and wavered slightly. \u201cI\u2019ll see you all in the morning.\u201d With a bright grin that belied his light-headedness, Joe went steadily upstairs to fall, exhausted, into his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben always cherished those first few minutes at the table alone in the mornings. Adam was usually next to appear, then Hoss, and lastly Joe. He smiled into his coffee as he saw Adam coming downstairs, with Hoss on his heels.<\/span><\/p>\n

As there was usually a hiatus before Joe appeared, Ben wasn\u2019t too surprised that there was no sign of his youngest son. Putting his napkin onto his plate, Ben thought he would go and wake Joe when there was a horrendous smashing sound from upstairs. \u201cWhat on earth?\u201d Ben exclaimed, jumping to his feet. Exchanging glances, Adam and Hoss quickly rose and hurried in their father\u2019s wake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throwing open the door to Joe\u2019s room, Ben looked in stunned disbelief at the scene that greeted him. Joe was hunched on his knees, retching painfully into the basin from his dresser. The ewer lay smashed in a pool of water around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurrying over, Ben knelt carefully by his youngest son. \u201cJoe? What happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifting a pale, sweaty to face to Ben, Joe squinted at him. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. \u201cI don\u2019t feel so good.\u201d His body heaved again and Joe was sick once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing at his other sons, who stood frozen in the doorway, Ben ordered, \u201cGet Doc Martin. And bring me another basin and something to clear up this mess.\u201d He tenderly held Joe while his son retched hopelessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Joe\u2019s sickness eased and Ben wiped his mouth with the damp cloth Adam had brought. \u201cCome on, Joe, let\u2019s get you back to bed,\u201d Ben suggested, trying to lift Joe to his feet. Joe was hot, and there was blood on the back of his left hand where the flying porcelain from the ewer had caught him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t\u2026 stand,\u201d Joe panted, resisting with all his might. He had his eyes closed, Ben saw. \u201cI\u2019m too dizzy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben nodded and between them, they carried Joe over to his bed. As Ben tucked him in, he saw that Joe had cut his foot, too. Adam removed the noisome basin and came back with an empty one that he positioned strategically on the bed before he set about sweeping up the broken ewer and mopping up the water. Joe lay back, looking pale and wan. Ben stroked his head gently. \u201cHow do you feel now, son?\u201d he asked. \u201cLess dizzy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. The whole room seemed to be spinning around him and he had double vision that made everything worse. \u201cAnd there are two of everything, and it\u2019s a bit blurry, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave some water,\u201d Ben suggested, at a loss to know what else to suggest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019k,\u201d agreed Joe, and allowed Ben to lift his head while he took a couple of cautious sips. It was a relief to be lying down again, as he at least knew that he was staying in one position when on the bed. Otherwise, his vertigo made him feel as though he was moving in a different direction to the walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It seemed an interminable wait for Hoss to arrive back with Doc Martin and was in fact all of four hours. The doctor hadn\u2019t been in his office and Hoss had had to go hunting for him. Joe roused from a restless sleep as he sensed the movement in his room. He groaned horrifically as the room immediately swung into motion around him. His hand groped for the basin and if Ben hadn\u2019t helped him, Joe would have brought up the water he had drunk all over his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the spasm was over, Paul Martin crowded in close to examine Joe. \u201cKeep him sitting up, Ben,\u201d he instructed as he looked Joe over with a professional eye. Ben began to tell Paul all Joe\u2019s symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

From what he had seen, Paul already had an idea what was wrong with Joe, but he checked him out thoroughly to be sure. But Joe\u2019s right ear was bright red, hot and tender to the touch. Peering in, Paul could see the delicate membranes were badly inflamed, suggesting a severe ear infection. He looked closely into Joe\u2019s eyes, but saw nothing out of place there. Allowing Joe to lie down again, Paul continued his examination by checking carefully around Joe\u2019s abdomen, but apart from a slight tenderness over his stomach, caused by the hopeless retching, Joe\u2019s abdomen was fine. He looked at the cuts Joe had on his hand and foot, but they were superficial.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d he started, straightening up. \u201cJoe has a very severe ear infection, which is causing the vertigo \u2013 dizziness,\u201d he explained to Hoss, who looked puzzled, \u201cand is probably also responsible for his double vision. Joe\u2019s eyes are fine; there\u2019s nothing wrong with them. The dizziness should settle as the infection starts to clear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do for him?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGinger tea should help a bit with the nausea,\u201d Paul began, thoughtfully, his eyes still on Joe. The young man was desperately pale. \u201cYou need to keep his fluids well up if he keeps throwing up. Don\u2019t offer him anything solid in the meantime. Let his stomach settle. The ginger should help with that. Tincture of goldenseal dripped warm into his ear three times a day should help with the infection.\u201d He sighed. \u201cBut really, with an infection as bad as this, time is the only cure. Keep him warm and still.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo gruesome tasting medicine this time?\u201d Joe whispered, trying valiantly to appear more like himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone smiled. \u201cI didn\u2019t say that!\u201d Paul protested. \u201cIn fact, here it comes now; some quinine to help with that fever you\u2019ve got.\u201d He glanced at Ben. \u201cDon\u2019t be too worried if it doesn\u2019t stay down; Joe\u2019s fever isn\u2019t that high and I don\u2019t expect it to get any higher.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After searching in his bag, Paul found a small vial of the goldenseal tincture and showed Ben and the others how to heat it up. \u201cTest the warmth on Joe\u2019s arm,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe ear is very sensitive and the tincture must be the same temperature as Joe\u2019s body. It\u2019s a bit like testing a baby\u2019s bottle. If Joe doesn\u2019t feel it particularly, it\u2019s the right heat.\u201d He demonstrated and soon was dropping the solution into Joe\u2019s ear. He popped a tiny bit of cotton into the outer part of the ear to stop the tincture running out. \u201cI\u2019ve only got a small amount, so you\u2019ll have to go into town for some.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Paul,\u201d Ben replied, his relief almost overwhelming. He had thought there was something dreadfully wrong with Joe. An ear infection seemed quite minor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs your ear sore, Joe?\u201d Paul asked, observing the tightened lips of his patient.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMm,\u201d Joe agreed, closing his eyes again. It was much easier when he couldn\u2019t see two of everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to give him something to help him sleep,\u201d Paul told Ben. \u201cWhen he wakes up, give him the ginger tea. If the nausea abates, then you can think of offering him some food. Otherwise, keep to fluids only.\u201d Paul mixed up a sedative which Joe drank, then waited while it took effect. Joe was soon slumbering peacefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be in for quite a task looking after him,\u201d Paul mentioned as they went downstairs. \u201cEar infections can be unpredictable in how long they last. Don\u2019t let him wander about alone, whatever else you do. The danger of him losing his balance and falling downstairs is very real.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll watch him,\u201d Ben promised and Paul nodded, knowing that they would.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

This time, it was Adam who went into town with the doctor and he eventually returned home with the goldenseal solution. He found Ben alone in the house, apart from Hop Sing. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d he asked, looking around, although his middle brother was hard to miss when he was in a room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe went off to help with the branding,\u201d Ben replied. He rose and took the tincture from Adam. \u201cThank you, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d Adam asked. He tossed his hat onto the credenza.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill sleeping,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cHop Sing has made up the ginger tea for him and there\u2019s some broth there if he feels up to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid Paul give you any idea how long this might last?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cHe didn\u2019t say much to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way to tell,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut this complicates things, Adam. We\u2019ve still got the branding to finish and we\u2019re behind now. Plus, we need to move the herd to fresh grazing soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou let Hoss and I deal with that,\u201d Adam told his father firmly. \u201cYou concentrate on getting Joe better. Do you suppose this has anything to do with him getting wet the other day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul said it\u2019s more likely because he hasn\u2019t quite been able to shift that cold he had, but I\u2019m sure the soaking in icy waters didn\u2019t help.\u201d Ben sighed again. \u201cI know this isn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault, but the timing is bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do have some good news,\u201d Adam ventured. \u201cI hired a couple of new men while I was in town. They came into the store looking for work. They are experienced with cattle, so I offered them jobs. We could do with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben approved. \u201cI trust your judgment. Bring them up to the house when they arrive and I\u2019ll get their names put in the book.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey should be here by dark,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI told them to come here. Their names are Bart and Nathan Connelly.\u201d He smiled at Ben. \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this, like we\u2019ve got through everything else, Pa. Don\u2019t worry. Joe\u2019ll be as right as rain in no time, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, for Adam was offering hope, Ben nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right, son,\u201d he agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and give Hoss a hand,\u201d Adam smiled, picking up his hat. \u201cSee you at supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Adam left, Ben took the tincture into the kitchen to leave beside Joe\u2019s ginger tea. Then he made his way upstairs and sat down at the bedside of his slumbering son, waiting patiently for him to waken.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe\u2019s awakening didn\u2019t show any improvement in his condition and he was hopelessly sick again, just moments after opening his eyes. Ben shouted for Hop Sing to bring the ginger tea, but the pungent smell made Joe retch again.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a bit, Joe\u2019s stomach settled and he was able to take a sip of water. By experimenting, he discovered that his sight was marginally better if he kept one eye closed. Any movement of his head brought the nausea back, but eventually, he was able to sip the tea. Ginger wasn\u2019t his favorite flavor, but after a time, he did feel a little less sick.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry for being a nuisance, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not a nuisance,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cThis isn\u2019t something you could help, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re so busy,\u201d Joe went on. \u201cYou don\u2019t have time to mollycoddle me.\u201d His tone was curiously bitter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only time I mollycoddle you is when you\u2019re ill,\u201d Ben pointed out. \u201cYou don\u2019t give me a chance, otherwise!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI bet Adam wouldn\u2019t agree,\u201d Joe muttered, almost under his breath. He had heard Adam accuse Ben of mollycoddling him the previous week, when he had been off work. Adam had got a flea in his ear that morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam doesn\u2019t like to be mollycoddled,\u201d Ben pointed out. \u201cNot even when he\u2019s really ill. But just in case you hadn\u2019t noticed, Joe, you and Adam are different people. As I pointed out to him last week. I gather you overheard that conversation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe murmured. He only remembered at the last possible moment not to nod his head. Even the thought made him feel sick. He closed his eyes, as fighting to make sense of the blurred, duplicated world he now inhabited was making his head ache. \u201cWhen am I going to feel better?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I don\u2019t know the answer to that, son,\u201d Ben told him, regretfully. \u201cIt seems to be a pretty bad infection. Hopefully just a few days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A sigh was his only response. Joe didn\u2019t want to voice the thoughts circling in his head. He didn\u2019t know if he could bear a few days of this. His ear hurt all the time and the vertigo was appalling. The double vision was just the last straw. It meant he was unable to even read to pass the time. Joe wanted to scream out about the unfairness of it all, but he couldn\u2019t. Complaining wouldn\u2019t get him anywhere; it would just use up the energy he needed to keep still. He could feel tears burning behind his closed eyelids and he willed them away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watching Joe, Ben could almost read his thoughts. He knew that he\u2019d once had earache as a child; time had robbed him off the memory of it, but he was sure it hadn\u2019t been as severe as Joe\u2019s was now. That Joe felt extremely ill was plain to see and Ben wished with all his heart that he could do something to help his son. \u201cIs there anything I can get you?\u201d he asked, softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks,\u201d Joe replied, briefly, but Ben could hear the tears in his voice. He put his big, warm, hand onto Joe\u2019s arm and moved his thumb in small, comforting circles. Eventually, the tense muscles under his hand relaxed, and Joe slept once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cMr. Cartlight!\u201d Hop Sing opened the door to Joe\u2019s room and beckoned imperiously to his employer. Ben had been trying to read, but he put his book down and went out of the room. Joe was still sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Hop Sing?\u201d he asked. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing wrong. Men come to see you.\u201d He gestured to the stairs and Ben remembered Adam saying he had hired two new men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, thank you.\u201d With Hop Sing following behind, Ben went downstairs. He paused a moment to look at the men, who were gazing around. He smiled at them as he descended the stairs. \u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBart Connelly,\u201d said the oldest looking one, doffing his hat. \u201cThis is my brother, Nathan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Offering the men a seat, Ben went over the wages he offered. Both men nodded. \u201cYou\u2019ll take orders from my son Adam, who hired you, my middle son, Hoss, myself, or my youngest son, Joe.\u201d Ben frowned slightly. \u201cYou can\u2019t miss Hoss; he\u2019s a big guy wearing a tall white hat. But right now, Joe is laid up, so it might be a while before you meet him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, sir,\u201d Bart agreed. He seemed to talk for them both, Ben thought, amused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, come and make your mark.\u201d He opened the book at the right page, wrote their names and pushed the book towards them. He was interested to see that they could both sign their names, as many of the men he hired could neither read nor write. Their handwriting was rounded, and clumsy, as though they hadn\u2019t had much schooling, but you didn\u2019t need an education to push cows. Ben pointed out the bunkhouse to them and shut the door behind them, promptly forgetting about them completely.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cNice house,\u201d Nathan commented to Bart as they went over to the bunkhouse. He had a thin, whiny-sounding voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReal fancy,\u201d agreed Bart. \u201cWhat we heard in town was right; the Cartwrights got plenty o\u2019 money.\u201d He sniggered. \u201cI reckon this place is gonna suit us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at his brother, Nathan grinned. \u201cI reckon it is,\u201d he replied and they went off down to the bunkhouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cDid you see those two men?\u201d Adam asked, over supper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did,\u201d Ben replied, reminded. He was a little preoccupied as he ate, thinking about Joe, who had been violently sick a short time after eating some of Hop Sing\u2019s broth. The ginger tea didn\u2019t seem to be helping and he had winced miserably as the drops of tincture were put into his ear. \u201cThey seem all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll keep an eye on them, until they\u2019re settled in,\u201d Adam assured him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did it go out there today?\u201d Ben enquired, making an effort. He felt dog-tired. They all did.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother day should see us through it,\u201d Adam responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we sure do miss Joe bringin\u2019 those cows in,\u201d Hoss remarked. \u201cHe\u2019s right good at findin\u2019 their hidin\u2019 places.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe men are doing fine,\u201d Adam replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019 say they wasn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cI jist said they ain\u2019t as good at it as Joe, is all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence fell for a few minutes, then Ben spoke up again. \u201cI\u2019m going to send over to Bill Haynes\u2019 place and ask him to wait a few weeks before he sends those horses over to be broken.\u201d He chewed for a moment as Adam and Hoss looked at him, waiting for him to go on. \u201cHe said it wasn\u2019t urgent, but if Joe shouldn\u2019t make a quick recovery, and Bill needs those horses done, will you do them, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Having seen where his father was going, Adam was prepared for the question, but it didn\u2019t make it any easier to agree. \u201cOf course,\u201d he replied and applied his attention to his plate. Adam would never admit to anyone \u2013 sometimes not even himself \u2013 how relieved he had been when Joe showed such talent for horse-breaking. Somewhere along the line, Adam had unknowingly hurt his back doing it, and now found that even one ride per day left him limping painfully for days. Since aches and pains were associated with old men, Adam never admitted to having any, but he always knew when it was going to rain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help ya, Adam,\u201d Hoss volunteered and Adam smiled at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right, Hoss, you don\u2019t have to if you don\u2019t want to,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cBesides, Joe will probably be driving us nuts tomorrow, insisting that he\u2019s well enough to get out of bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be tomorrow,\u201d Ben sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam joked, \u201cit\u2019ll be the day after branding is over!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But Ben\u2019s sense of humor wasn\u2019t working too well right then. \u201cAre you implying that your brother is lazy?\u201d he demanded, angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taken aback by the tone, Adam gazed at Ben open-mouthed for a second before remembering he had food in his mouth. He shut it with a snap and swallowed hastily. \u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t!\u201d he protested indignantly. \u201cI was making a joke.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben apologized.\u00a0 He looked down at his empty plate in surprise, for he couldn\u2019t remember eating more than one bite. \u201cI\u2019m tired, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me sit with Joe this evening, Pa,\u201d Adam offered, trying to make amends for his bad joke. \u201cYou go and get some sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not that tired,\u201d Ben objected. \u201cBesides, you\u2019ve been working hard today, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go to bed now, I\u2019ll waken you at midnight,\u201d Adam promised. \u201cAnd that way I\u2019ll get a decent sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben accepted. \u201cI\u2019ll do that. But you waken me, son.\u201d He wagged his finger threateningly at Adam before rising and going upstairs to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A short time later, Adam made his way to Joe\u2019s bedroom. As he went in, one green eye opened and Joe looked at him without any expression. Then the eye closed again and Adam tried not to feel hurt, as Ben had said that Joe was mostly shutting the world out so he didn\u2019t have to see it spinning and doubled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s getting some sleep,\u201d Adam said, conversationally as he sat down with a book. \u201cHe\u2019ll sit with you again later. Hoss has gone to bed, too. We\u2019ve hired a couple of new men, but Hoss says no one\u2019s as good as you at finding the cows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice,\u201d Joe replied, tonelessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing is bringing you up something to eat,\u201d Adam went on. \u201cAnd Pa says its time for your drops, so Hop Sing is bringing those up as well, once he\u2019s heated them.\u201d The only answer to this was a grunt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disgruntled, Adam settled in to read until Hop Sing appeared a few minutes later with the tray of soup and the hot tincture. Carefully, they helped Joe sit up and Adam fed him the soup while they waited for the drops to cool enough. Later, Adam would regret his decision, but it seemed eminently sensible at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting the basin aside, Adam gently pulled Joe over to lean against him as Hop Sing administered the medicine. Joe clutched Adam\u2019s arm throughout, as he felt like he was liable to fall off the bed any moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll done,\u201d Adam assured him as he allowed Joe to lie back down.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he hadn\u2019t been quite as slow and careful as he should have been and Joe heaved upright, desperately spewing over the side of the bed. He mostly missed the basin that rested by Adam\u2019s feet, but he sure didn\u2019t miss Adam\u2019s boots!<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaping to his feet, Adam let out a disgusted yelp. Joe flopped back on the bed, oblivious to what he had done, just knowing that he felt very ill once more. His left hand clutched the edge of the bed as it seemed to gyrate wildly in circles, threatening to spill him out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened and Ben came charging in, his hair disheveled, and his dressing gown only partially closed. Hoss was hot on his heels. He still wore his pants and boots, but had shucked his shirt, in preparation for going to bed. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben demanded, clearly still half asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam denied, realizing that Joe had not meant to throw up all over him. \u201cJoe just lost his supper, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Following his older brother\u2019s disgusted gaze, Hoss couldn\u2019t restrain a whoop of pure glee as he realized the source of Adam\u2019s discomfiture. \u201cHe got ya good there, big brother!\u201d he cried, as tears of glee filled his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring ferociously at Hoss, Adam hissed, \u201cGet a cloth, will you?\u201d He sent another glare to Ben, who, having come awake enough to grasp what had happened, looked as though he might laugh, too!<\/span><\/p>\n

The only person who did not know what was so funny was the cause of the whole thing. Ben went round to the other side of the bed to clean Joe up and offer him a sip of water as Adam eased out of his boots and went to take them outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want it to stop!\u201d Joe cried in anguish, as Ben stroked his head. \u201cWhy won\u2019t it stop?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The cry almost broke Ben\u2019s heart. It was then that it occurred to him that Joe didn\u2019t just have a sore ear; he had a very serious condition that was making him very ill. He couldn\u2019t imagine what it must be like to have a throbbing ear, appalling vertigo and double vision. All three things were alien to him. Ben had thought that the worst that might happen was that Joe\u2019s hearing was slightly impaired. But now, the vision of Paul Martin\u2019s grim face came back to haunt him, and he began to wonder if this was something that Joe would get over, or if he would be left like this forever. There was so much they didn\u2019t know about the working of the ear. How would Joe cope if his balance was forever disturbed?<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing the unwelcome thought away, Ben glanced up to see his two older sons standing there, open mouthed, looking at Joe. He realized that this was the first inkling they\u2019d had that Joe was very ill.<\/span><\/p>\n

How blind they had all been.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Eventually, they got Joe settled for the night. He had been unable to stomach any more food and hadn\u2019t drunk enough water to please Ben, who was terrified that Joe wasn\u2019t getting enough fluid. However, as his son\u2019s body finally relaxed into sleep, Ben slumped back into his chair, exhausted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo and get some sleep,\u201d Adam insisted. He had cleaned up the mess on the floor and Hop Sing had kindly taken his boots away to clean up for him. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine for a few hours, Pa. But you\u2019re exhausted and need to sleep.\u201d As Ben looked as though he would put up a fight, Adam added the clincher. \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to get sick, too. Joe needs you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cThanks, son.\u201d He rose and left the room, reflecting that Joe did indeed need him right then. He was too ill to even manage to use the chamber pot alone and Ben was well aware of how much that embarrassed his fiercely independent youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sank into the seat Ben had vacated and looked at Joe. His brother\u2019s face was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes, as though he wasn\u2019t getting enough sleep. Remembering Joe poking at his ear a few days earlier, he wondered if he shouldn\u2019t have sent Joe to the doctor then, and perhaps the infection wouldn\u2019t have been so bad. But Joe had seemed well – and then Adam\u2019s head lifted. He remembered Joe staggering and almost falling into the fire, and his dizziness after being knocked over by the cat. Were those signs he had missed? Adam silently berated himself for not seeing, but in truth, he had never known anyone with an ear infection and couldn\u2019t be expected to know the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the night wore on, Adam fell asleep in the chair and the next thing he knew, Ben was shaking him awake and dawn was lighting the sky. \u201cHave you been there all night?\u201d Ben whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing his eyes, Adam glanced around the room and nodded. He hadn\u2019t meant to fall asleep, but exhaustion had taken over. Joe was lying on his side and a grimace of pain suggested that he was close to wakening. Adam hoped that the good night\u2019s sleep might have helped his brother\u2019s condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising stiffly to his feet, Adam stretched out the kink in his back and winced. Sleeping in a chair wasn\u2019t the best thing for his back. At that moment, Joe\u2019s eyes opened and he peered blearily at Adam and Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re you feeling, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, going over to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing one eye, Joe replied, \u201cThe same.\u201d His fist tightened on the covers and he winced as his ear started throbbing again. In actual fact, Joe wasn\u2019t sure that the room hadn\u2019t slowed its whirling slightly, but as he still felt nauseous, he couldn\u2019t swear to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

He lay there with his eyes shut, listening as Ben and Adam walked about the room. He had no idea what they were doing and at that moment, didn\u2019t care. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a minute, Joe,\u201d Ben told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe replied, still with his eyes shut. He listened until he heard the door close, then cautiously opened one eye to make sure the room was indeed empty. Only then did he allow the tears to come. Joe didn\u2019t think he could ever remember feeling as bad as this before. Even though he knew that it had only been a couple of days since this started, to Joe it seemed as though it had always been this way. Despair washed over him. Ben had said it might be several days before he began to feel better. What if Pa was wrong? What if this lasted more than several days? Joe didn\u2019t know if he could bear it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overwhelmed with despair, Joe threw back the covers and staggered to his feet. The room was spinning faster now, and Joe risked opening his eyes for a moment. His vision was blurry and distorted and he desperately wanted to get away from it. He thought that if he could just get outside for a few minutes, he would feel much better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Somehow, Joe made it across his room without falling, although he had to lean heavily against the wall for a moment before he opened the door.\u00a0 He swallowed hard before he lurched in the direction of the stairs, still stubbornly determined that fresh air would make him feel instantly better. Joe knew in his heart that it wouldn\u2019t, but he felt he had to try.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily for Joe, Hoss came out of his room at that moment and saw his brother stagger drunkenly towards the stairs. \u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss didn\u2019t hesitate. He thundered down the hallway and grabbed the back of Joe\u2019s nightshirt just as his brother\u2019s balance gave way at the head of the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a horrible second, Hoss feared that the fabric wouldn\u2019t hold and he frantically reeled Joe in while Ben and Adam raced across the great room to see what was going on.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then Hoss had him, and wrapped his arms around Joe, who went limp, leaning into Hoss\u2019 comforting bulk. He knew that Hoss was not actually gyrating and allowed himself to relax into his warmth. His despair began to ebb away and he admitted to himself that he had just been incredibly foolish and if it hadn\u2019t been for his brother, he would have had an unfortunate accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, Punkin?\u201d Hoss demanded, clutching Joe as tightly as he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGonna be…sick,\u201d Joe responded and Hoss moved with speed stunning for a man of his build. He had Joe whisked off his feet and back in his bedroom, and the basin thrust under his chin in a matter of seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you thinking of?\u201d Ben demanded, as he tucked Joe back into bed after his sickness had eased. \u201cYou could\u2019ve broken your neck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe replied, wretchedly. \u201cBut I just couldn\u2019t stand it any longer and I thought that if I could just get some fresh air, I would feel better.\u201d He ran a shaky hand over his eyes, blotting away the tears that threatened. \u201cI\u2019m sorry; I know it was stupid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s first reaction had been anger, but it drained away as he got an idea of how wretched Joe was feeling. \u201cIts all right,\u201d he soothed. \u201cNo harm done, thanks to Hoss. But, Joe, promise me you won\u2019t do that again. Please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d Joe replied, such a depth of hopelessness in his voice that Ben felt tears in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing at his older sons, who stood in the doorway, Ben saw that Hoss was blinking back tears of his own, while Adam looked angry. Ben could understand that anger; it was the natural response to fear and he was railing against the fates that had laid his brother low.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Nothing much changed over the next few days. Joe grew progressively thinner as he was unable to keep anything down. Paul Martin had come out a few times, but there was little he could do. The odd thing, as he explained to Ben out of Joe\u2019s hearing, was that Joe\u2019s ear was now looking much better. His hearing in it had returned properly, and the redness was dying away nicely. So why were there still signs of infection? It was a complete mystery.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Ben struggled to keep cheerful in the face of Joe\u2019s despair, Adam and Hoss managed to finish the branding and were now preparing to move the herd to fresh grazing. The two new men, the Connelly brothers, were working out better than they could have hoped and it wasn\u2019t long before Adam decided they didn\u2019t need to be supervised all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWe\u2019ll be gone until after dark,\u201d Adam told Ben over breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Ben nodded. He looked tired, Adam thought, feeling a pang of pity. Ben was having to deal with the brunt of Joe\u2019s illness alone. \u201cBe careful, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, we will,\u201d Hoss promised. He, too, was worried about Ben. At the moment, it seemed like they were away from dawn to dusk and although Joe no longer needed anyone sitting with him at night, he knew that Ben often got up and went through to check that Joe was all right.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they rode off after breakfast, Hoss muttered, \u201cDadburnit, Adam, I feel right bad about leavin\u2019 Pa alone all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut what can we do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could get Charlie an\u2019 Dave to finish the last of the move, an\u2019 we can come home early.\u201d Hoss beamed at Adam and his older brother couldn\u2019t help but smile back. Hoss looked like a little kid.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Adam replied. \u201cThere have to be some perks to being the boss, apart from working all the hours of daylight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They both felt better knowing that they could do something concrete to help their father, even if it was just to insist he have an early night.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cMuch as I hate to say it, seeing as how it\u2019s a huge risk,\u201d Ben commented, \u201cI feel constrained to point out that you haven\u2019t been sick at all today, young man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither I have,\u201d Joe agreed, sounding surprised. He risked looking at Ben with both eyes open. His vision was still blurred, but it was better than it had been. \u201cI don\u2019t think the room is spinning now,\u201d he added. \u201cBut it\u2019s still kinda tilted over to one side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich side?\u201d Ben asked, as though that made any difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt depends which eye is open,\u201d Joe replied, solemnly. He wondered why on earth Ben started laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the indignant look on Joe\u2019s face, Ben spluttered, \u201cI think you might be on the mend, son!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A great hope sprang onto Joe\u2019s face and caused his green eyes to sparkle like peridots. \u201cDo you really think so?\u201d he cried and the mixture of hope and despair were almost too much for Ben to bear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d he replied, softly. He gently ruffled Joe\u2019s hair, a pleasure he had been denying himself for the last week while Joe was so ill. \u201cYou haven\u2019t been sick, your ear isn\u2019t sore any more and now you say that the room isn\u2019t spinning. That seems like an improvement to me, Joe.\u201d He smiled ruefully. \u201cOf course, that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s going to be an instant cure, so you just stay in bed, young man! No more escapades at the top of the stairs. My heart isn\u2019t up to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled. It was the first time Ben had seen his smile in a week and he delighted in it. After a few minutes, he noticed that Joe was beginning to look sleepy. As that was the\u00a0 first meal that Joe had been able to keep down since he became ill, Ben reasoned that his full belly was making him drowsy and quickly suggested that Joe have a nap. Joe agreed without any resistance and snuggled into the pillows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be downstairs doing some paper work,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cI\u2019ll leave the door open. Shout if you need anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed and closed his eyes. It didn\u2019t take long for sleep to sweep over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Charlie and Dave agreed to Hoss\u2019 plan so quickly that the brothers wondered if they shouldn\u2019t have taken the whole day off! However, they were cheered by the thought of stopping early and surprising Ben. They divided the men up, some staying with the main body of the herd and others scouting around for strays, and got to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Safe behind the foliage where they had been sent, Bart and Nathan watched as the Cartwrights rode out with the herd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll give it an hour or two,\u201d Bart instructed his younger brother. \u201cThen we\u2019ll mosey on back ta the house an\u2019 help ourselves. Adam said Joe\u2019s still sick an\u2019 his pa\u2019s takin\u2019 care o\u2019 him. Joe ain\u2019t gonna be well enough ta stop us, an\u2019 we can give the old man what for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Bart,\u201d whined Nathan. All his life, he had done what his older brother told him, because it was safer that way. Bart could get riled, and there was often no knowing what had annoyed him. Nathan had discovered that it was easier to just do as he was told because that way he wouldn\u2019t get the blame. Somehow, it never quite seemed to work out that way, but Nathan had decided that as a child and believed in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

They had a leisurely morning, dozing in the warm spring sunshine, then, after eating some jerky for lunch, they rode off towards the house. They dismounted before entering the yard, and went quietly across to the front door. Bart drew his gun, so Nathan copied him. Nodding approval, Bart boldly threw open the door and went in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was sitting by the fire, reading a book. His paperwork was done and since Joe was still asleep, he had decided to take the chance to relax for a while. In fact, his head was starting to nod when the door burst open, and he looked up, disorientated, into the barrel of Bart\u2019s gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As they stopped for lunch, Charlie, the foreman went over to Adam and Hoss. \u201cLook, why don\u2019t you two go back now? Give yer Pa a real break. We can manage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, because he was indeed tempted, Adam began to protest, \u201cBut, Charlie\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Charlie chided kindly. He jerked his head in the direction of the house. \u201cScoot!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Hoss urged and Adam gave in gracefully. They turned their horses and rode off at a ground-covering lope, feeling like kids let out of school early. Hoss glanced at Adam and a moment later, both horses stretched out into a gallop as the brothers raced each other home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJist shut up,\u201d Bart advised him. \u201cThat way you won\u2019t get hurt an\u2019 we won\u2019t have ta hurt yer boy upstairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Anger flared within Ben, but he kept control of his temper, knowing how vulnerable Joe was right then. He couldn\u2019t risk them hurting Joe. He eyed Nathan for a moment, but the younger man was waiting for instructions from his older brother. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMoney,\u201d Bart replied, scathingly. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have much money in the house,\u201d Ben ventured. \u201cBut you can take what I do have and get out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t give orders here, old man!\u201d Bart shouted. His face flushed dangerously as he became quickly angry.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was something in Bart\u2019s eyes that told Ben he was dealing with an unpredictable killer. He suddenly realized that neither he nor Joe would be alive when Bart and Nathan left. \u201cPlease just take the money and go,\u201d Ben said, in a reasonable tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bullet buried itself in the floor by Ben\u2019s foot and he flinched. \u201cI said, you don\u2019t give the orders!\u201d Bart repeated. \u201cNow get that money!\u201d He grabbed Ben by the arm and hauled him out of the chair. He gave the older man a push towards the desk and Ben stumbled across, hoping desperately that Joe hadn\u2019t been wakened by the shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upstairs, Joe had been lying awake for a while, just drifting. It was such a relief not to feel the room spinning around and Joe felt his body relaxing. Sleep was tugging at him again when the shot sounded from downstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Panicking upright, Joe had to pause for a moment as his head swam dizzily. He breathed deeply through his nose until the sensation passed. For a moment, he thought of shouting to Ben, but quickly discarded that idea. Ben would not be so foolish as to clean a loaded gun and the only other reason Joe could think of for shooting in the house was not comforting. There was trouble!<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving as quickly and quietly as he could, Joe found some clothes and quickly dressed. He didn\u2019t bother with socks or boots, as he wanted to stay silent. When he was dressed, Joe cautiously made his way to the door, alarmed by how much his head swam when he was upright.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no one in the hall and Joe went on silent feet to Adam\u2019s room, where he knew his brother kept his favorite rifle. Joe picked it up, surprised to feel the rifle heavy. He realized that his muscles were shaky from all the time he had spent in bed. He quickly loaded the rifle and stuck some more bullets into his breast pocket. Then he made his way to the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

From his vantage point in the shadows, Joe could make out two people by the desk. How he wished his eyesight was back to normal! One of them was Ben, Joe was positive, by his father\u2019s white hair. He had less than no idea who the other man was, and at that point it didn\u2019t matter. What did matter was saving his father\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as he was about to step forward and challenge the intruder, another man spoke from out of Joe\u2019s sight and he froze, barely breathing. This complicated things, but Joe was still determined that they wouldn\u2019t harm Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben slowly rose from in front of the safe, some bills in his hand, the second man came into view. Joe didn\u2019t hesitate. He stepped boldly into view and ordered, \u201cHold it right there!\u201d His voice was calm, cold and menacing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caught off guard, Bart gaped up at Joe. Ben took the chance and crashed his hand down on Bart\u2019s gun hand. The gun clattered to the floor. Ben backed away, ready to bend down and reach for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

At that moment, the door opened and Joe was distracted. His gaze swung round to see who the newcomers were. Bart threw himself at Ben, knocked him out of the way and dove for the gun. Nathan paused, looking in horror at Adam and Hoss and began to lift his weapon. Adam drew and fired his gun in one swift motion. Nathan went down, bleeding from the leg.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching his gun, Bart turned it on the person who had destroyed his plans, and even as he pulled the trigger, Ben launched himself at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bart\u2019s first bullet went wide. Joe flinched away from the sound and lost his tenuous grip on his balance. He toppled forward as the second shot was fired and tumbled head first down the stairs, stopping in a crumpled heap on the landing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furious, Ben hit Bart with all of his might, and the younger man slumped down. Then Adam was there, pulling the gun from Bart\u2019s hand, and Ben staggered to his feet. \u201cJoe!\u201d he cried and hurried across to the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had reached Joe first, but he gladly relinquished his position to his father, who knelt tenderly by his son and looked anxiously at the blood on his head and shoulder. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d he demanded, but Joe was unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Adam and Hoss tied up the Connelly brothers, Ben continued to exhort Joe to waken and he was rewarded a minute or so later by a groan as Joe came back to consciousness. \u201cPa?\u201d he muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, son,\u201d Ben assured him, taking his hand while Joe squinted vilely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Joe asked. He wished he could see more clearly. Then he winced as his head began to throb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cMore to the point, how are you?\u201d He pushed aside Joe\u2019s curls and looked at the bleeding bump on his son\u2019s head. The second bullet had gone into Joe\u2019s right shoulder and Ben ripped Joe\u2019s shirt open to assess the damage. The bullet had gone straight through, and although Joe\u2019s shoulder was a mess and bleeding heavily, it wasn\u2019t as bad as it might have been. Ben breathed a sigh of relief and sent a silent prayer of thanks to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d Adam asked, coming over and peering at Joe over the banisters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m recovering,\u201d Joe responded, dazedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me get him upstairs,\u201d Ben smiled and between them, he and Adam helped Joe back to his room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Later that night, Ben sat once more by Joe\u2019s bed. His son was just coming round from the anesthetic he had had while his injured shoulder was put back together. Earlier, Adam and Hoss had taken the Connellys back to town, where Paul Martin had been obliged to operate on Nathan to remove Adam\u2019s bullet from his leg. It had been quite a long operation and it had been early evening before Paul had reached the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s going to be just fine, Ben,\u201d Paul assured the anxious father as he tidied up his instruments. \u201cAnd I gather he\u2019s feeling much better, since he was once more demonstrating his protective urges towards you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he hadn\u2019t been sick at all today, and he said the room was spinning less,\u201d Ben agreed, slightly absently. \u201cWill this bang on the head make any difference to that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, I\u2019m not sure,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cIt might, it might not. I can\u2019t say. This isn\u2019t like any ear infection I\u2019ve dealt with before. I\u2019ve never known the symptoms to linger for longer than the actual infection.\u201d He turned back to the bed as Joe groaned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, son,\u201d Ben urged, capturing Joe\u2019s hand as it drifted towards his shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t touch that!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe whispered. He opened his eyes and peered at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling, Joe?\u201d Paul asked, watching his patient\u2019s breathing and gauging if there was any concussion from the bump on the head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe replied. He licked his dry lips and Ben helped him to drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat exactly does \u2018fine\u2019 mean this time?\u201d Paul enquired, dryly, all too familiar with Joe\u2019s attempts to divert people away from his problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe room is still!\u201d Joe announced, triumphantly. \u201cMy eyes aren\u2019t as blurry and there\u2019s only one of you now, Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was indeed a cause for celebration, but Joe had been ill and soon the after-effects of his accident that afternoon and the excitement got the better of him and he fell asleep. Ben went down to see Paul out. \u201cThank you once more,\u201d he said, as he shook hand with his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning, Paul replied, \u201cI was going to say any time, but I would like the chance to sleep before I\u2019m called out here again?\u201d Ben laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Adam asked, as Ben shut the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a lot better,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cOh, he\u2019ll be sore for quite a while with that shoulder, but Paul hopes he\u2019ll be back on his feet soon. His balance and his eyes have settled down.\u201d He accepted a brandy from Hoss. \u201cAnyway, that reminds me. What were you two doing back here so early? Some disaster you haven\u2019t mentioned?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Exchanging glances, Adam and Hoss sighed in unison. \u201cThat\u2019s what you get for coming back early to lend your father a hand,\u201d Adam complained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLend a hand?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cWith what, exactly?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Little Joe,\u201d Hoss replied, earnestly. \u201cYa\u2019ve bin lookin\u2019 real tired lately, Pa, an\u2019 Adam an\u2019 me thought ya might like an early night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at Ben\u2019s scowling face, Hoss suddenly realized that he had been rather less than tactful. Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and resisted groaning aloud. He just knew that they were going to get the lecture about him being in the prime of life, and perfectly capable of handling his side of things\u2026 Adam could almost recite it word for word.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t to be. Shaking his head, Ben muttered, \u201cI wish you boys would learn to curb your protective urges a little bit. It almost got all three of you killed this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring at Ben indignantly, Adam retorted, \u201cWe\u2019ll curb ours when you curb yours, Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a deal,\u201d Ben twinkled. He rose and stretched theatrically. \u201cBut since you boys were kind enough to offer me an early night, I think I\u2019ll take you up on it.\u201d He stopped half way up the stairs. \u201cOh, and, boys?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d Hoss replied, suddenly anxious that there was something else they should have said, or not said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bother to wake me in the morning. You fellows just get your breakfast and go out to help with moving the herd. I\u2019m sure Charlie and Dave would like a day off, too.\u201d He smiled benevolently and disappeared from view before his laughter could escape.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glumly, Hoss looked at Adam. \u201cIt ain\u2019t bin much o\u2019 a day off,\u201d he moaned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam contradicted him. \u201cIts not every afternoon you get to fight with gun-wielding thugs in your own home, watch your little brother falling downstairs or get hoodwinked into giving the foreman and assistant foreman the day off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought o\u2019 that,\u201d Hoss responded, starting to smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam made a quick getaway.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0The infection that Joe had is called labyrinthitis. It is severe and can last anything from days, to weeks to months. Luckily there are much more effective antiemetics available these days.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0A series of mishaps and an illness show the Cartwrights that it\u2019s not just Ben who has protective urges.<\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T (11,425 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-1557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3646,"today_views":4},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2707,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2707","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":0},"title":"Grief (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"February 4, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A short piece reflecting on life after Hoss died. Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 (950 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\/12\/serious-Hoss.jpg?fit=269%2C298&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3790,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3790","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":1},"title":"Christmas Surprise (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"September 26, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Written originally for Bonanza Gold, here is a little tale of a surprise at Christmas, funnily enough! Rated:\u00a0 T (1,150 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/G-1-DVS.jpg?fit=574%2C690&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3156,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3156","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":2},"title":"Easter (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"March 24, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A short introspective piece as a son waits to hear if his father will live. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (1,075 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\/How-to-say-goodbye-Bilder-14.jpg?fit=712%2C528&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/How-to-say-goodbye-Bilder-14.jpg?fit=712%2C528&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/How-to-say-goodbye-Bilder-14.jpg?fit=712%2C528&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/How-to-say-goodbye-Bilder-14.jpg?fit=712%2C528&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6325,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6325","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":3},"title":"Best Laid Plans (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"May 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A rift between father and sons is healed in an unexpected way. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0 T -- WC \u00a0650","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\/bonanza16.jpg?fit=334%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":4},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":152,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=152","url_meta":{"origin":1557,"position":5},"title":"Alone (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"June 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 A moment in time in a special place. \u00a0 Rated K. \u00a0 \u00a0 (505 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\/202.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/202.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/202.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/202.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1557","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1557\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}