{"id":16272,"date":"2005-08-09T05:54:48","date_gmt":"2005-08-09T09:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=16272"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:40","slug":"hearts-afire-3-consequences-by-christy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=16272","title":{"rendered":"Hearts Afire #3 – Consequences (by Christy)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0Adam made choices when he left for college.\u00a0\u00a0Now eight years later, there is an empty spot in the hearts of Ben, Hoss and most especially Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0What will the final consequences of Adam\u2019s choices be and how will those consequences affect Little Joe and the Cartwright\u2019s?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0PG\u00a0for some violence\u00a0 (12,650 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Consequences<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben Cartwright\u2019s voice yelled. Joe Cartwright shrunk below his normal height at the sound of his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0Late again, he thought.\u00a0\u00a0How come he had dallied on the way home?\u00a0\u00a0He knew Ben hated him to be late.\u00a0\u00a0Joe couldn\u2019t help it.\u00a0\u00a0Today was one of the first beautiful spring days there had been this year.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help going for a ride on the way home.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately it made him late and his father was angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Joe greeted brushing down his pinto.\u00a0\u00a0Joe prized the animal.\u00a0\u00a0Ben came into the barn tired and angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, where have you been? Hoss had to do your chores and his again.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t you know he\u2019s been busy enough lately without taking on any more work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure, Pa. I know. It\u2019s just\u2026well Cochise and I wanted to well, er\u2026I dunno.\u00a0\u00a0We just got waylaid I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWaylaid? Joe, I thought you were becoming more responsible. At your age, Adam and Hoss were doing a great deal more.\u00a0\u00a0Why can\u2019t I trust you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Pa,\u201d Joe hedged.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry doesn\u2019t cut it, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Not this time.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re restricted to the yard and the house except for your chores for the next week.\u00a0\u00a0No riding unless it\u2019s to school and back.\u00a0\u00a0One more time late and we\u2019ll have a discussion in the barn that won\u2019t be this congenial.\u00a0\u00a0Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe mumbled.\u00a0\u00a0Ben returned to the house.\u00a0\u00a0Joe finished caring for Cochise.\u00a0\u00a0He always felt bad after his father\u2019s scoldings.\u00a0\u00a0Why couldn\u2019t he live up to Adam and Hoss? He never could, and since Adam was gone, well he really couldn\u2019t live up to the man, a man he could barely remember.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t fair, and still he missed Adam, a lot, just like he missed his mother.\u00a0\u00a0At fourteen he had lost more in his young life than was really fair that was true.\u00a0\u00a0Making his way from the barn to the house, he vowed to try harder, not just for himself but for Adam too.<\/p>\n

That evening when Joe was in bed, Hoss checked on his little brother before going to bed.\u00a0\u00a0A half hour later the young man wasn\u2019t surprised to hear his father knock on his bedroom door.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Pa,\u201d he called out. \u201cI aint asleep yet.\u201d Ben opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, mind if we have a talk for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa, why so serious?\u201d Ben gave a wan smile.\u00a0\u00a0Shutting the bedroom door behind him, he sat on the massive bed he had ordered most especially for his son when it became clear Hoss was going to be quite a large man, even larger than Ben himself.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was in his nightshirt, his blankets drawn up over him.\u00a0\u00a0Though spring was in the air, the Nevada nights were still cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to tell you I have to go to San Francisco next week.\u00a0\u00a0I was wondering if you thought you could handle Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, he\u2019s okay, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you let him get away with too much,\u201d Ben told him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe needs a little more discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, Pa, I aint that great on discipline, and specially not with Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I guess I aint Adam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you don\u2019t have to be Adam,\u201d he assured his second son.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam was good with teaching Joe, and helping me raise you boys, but Joe\u2019s your friend as well as your brother.\u00a0\u00a0Each of you boys has a special relationship with each other.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s all I can ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCeptin Joe doesn\u2019t listen always, I know, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0Guess I wish Adam was here to take charge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Son,\u201d Ben concurred. \u201cHoss, I\u2019m proud of you. You took over a lot of the work Adam used to do and your own from the day you finished school.\u00a0\u00a0I couldn\u2019t run this ranch without you.\u00a0\u00a0Nor would I want to.\u00a0\u00a0The ranch is for you and Joe someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I know whatcha mean.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben smiled.\u00a0\u00a0He patted Hoss\u2019 shoulder as he stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe Joe is just going through a stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, ya know Adam\u2019s birthday is coming up.\u00a0\u00a0I been thinking about it.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s gonna be four years this spring since he\u2019s gone.\u00a0\u00a0I was wonderin if Joe was thinking about that too?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben sat down again.\u00a0\u00a0For a few minutes, a range of emotions cross his face until he spoke in awe and grief.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour years,\u201d he said softly. \u201cHard to believe it\u2019s been that long.\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes I still expect him to come walking through the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0Me too.\u00a0\u00a0Ya know, Joe looks up ta me and I know that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss clutched his hands together as he went on. \u201cI looked up ta Adam somethin fierce.\u00a0\u00a0He was always there.\u00a0\u00a0If I don\u2019t think about the truth I can believe he\u2019s still in college.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never did have a service,\u201d Ben acceded. \u201cMaybe we should.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I just know losing Adam\u2026well aint never of us been the same since, and Joe was just a little fella.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll talk about it when I come back.\u00a0\u00a0Thank-you, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re a good man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw shucks, Pa,\u201d Hoss answered with a grin.\u00a0\u00a0Ben returned his son\u2019s grin, leaving the young man to get some much needed sleep.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss laid down remembering the days when Adam was home.\u00a0\u00a0He thought of Joe worrying that Adam would never come home and then he hadn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was different from him and Adam.\u00a0\u00a0He was curious, energetic, and sensitive.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss didn\u2019t know how to figure Joe out.\u00a0\u00a0He just hoped Joe would grow up a little.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019s patience was wearing thin.\u00a0\u00a0In some ways, so was Hoss\u2019.<\/p>\n

Over the next week, Joe did seem to improve.\u00a0\u00a0He was home every day after school.\u00a0\u00a0His chores were completed and he was his normal cheerful self until Ben told him he had to go to San Francisco.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Ya said ya didn\u2019t have to go away from the ranch probably till the summer,\u201d Joe objected standing up at the dinner table.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Joe,\u201d Ben ordered.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s eyes snapped at his son.\u00a0\u00a0Joe sat.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not fair.\u00a0\u00a0Why can\u2019t I go with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you have school, and Hoss needs your help with the chores.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Shortshanks.\u00a0\u00a0Besides we can have fun doing chores together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be out working all the time,\u201d Joe sulked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI hate it when Pa leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell it can\u2019t be helped, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0You know I have to travel for the contracts we set up.\u00a0\u00a0If I didn\u2019t do this, the ranch wouldn\u2019t be as prosperous as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what?\u201d Joe cried. \u201cSo what if we don\u2019t sell timber.\u00a0\u00a0The ranch is big enough. Why do we need more money? Why? It doesn\u2019t do this family any good does it? It won\u2019t bring Adam back will it or my ma or Hoss\u2019 or Adam\u2019s. I don\u2019t get it, Pa. What\u2019s so important about making the ranch prosper so much?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben was stunned by Joe\u2019s outburst.\u00a0\u00a0Joe threw down his napkin and ran upstairs.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss looked to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0I just don\u2019t know.\u201d Ben Cartwright was at a complete loss, something Hoss had seldom seen in his father before.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was strong, almost always there for his sons.\u00a0\u00a0This time\u2026he couldn\u2019t answer Joe\u2019s questions.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss didn\u2019t like it.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t like it one bit\u2026<\/p>\n

The day before Ben went to San Francisco, Joe was still distant with his father.\u00a0\u00a0Ben tried to talk to Joe, but the boy wouldn\u2019t listen.\u00a0\u00a0He sulked staring into the fireplace, watching the glow of the flames rather than listen to his father.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder was not appreciated.\u00a0\u00a0The father retired to bed to get an early start in the morning though he probably wouldn\u2019t sleep much for worrying about Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Joe leaned against the stone fireplace angry and sullen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa know, Joe, I almost wish ya would go with Pa,\u201d Hoss commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCause at least I don\u2019t have to look at yer grumpy face.\u00a0\u00a0I hate ta say it, but I\u2019m a going to.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m ashamed a ya, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAshamed of me? What\u2019d I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s been through a lot, Joe, Ya know that.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s lost a lot, all our ma\u2019s and Adam.\u00a0\u00a0And now ya gotta sulk just cause he won\u2019t take ya with him.\u00a0\u00a0Did ya ever think he might want to ya ta stay fer yer own good\u2026and mine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss put away the checkers and the board he was using, leaving his brother open mouthed.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had never really talked to the boy that way.\u00a0Looking into the flames, Joe could see the fire and the flames that he believed orphaned him when he was six.\u00a0\u00a0A man with a grudge against Ben started a fire at the hotel the family was staying at in San Francisco and kidnapped Joe, letting Joe believe Ben, Adam and Hoss were killed in the fire.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could never forget how devastated he felt, and how alone.\u00a0\u00a0Thinking of how he felt when the letter came from Boston informing them of Adam\u2019s death from cholera was even more difficult. Hitting his hand on the wall lightly, he walked up stairs.\u00a0\u00a0His knock on Ben\u2019s bedroom door was soft.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d his father called out.\u00a0\u00a0Joe opened the door.\u00a0\u00a0Standing in the doorway, he saw that his father was sitting by the window, fully dressed, looking outside.\u00a0\u00a0Ben seemed surprised to see his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI, er\u2026ah came to say good night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get a good night\u2019s sleep, Son.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe took a few more tentative steps into the room.\u00a0\u00a0He looked down for a minute as Ben approached him.\u00a0\u00a0When the green eyes looked up, they locked on to the tender caring ones of a father who cherished him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t mean to give you a hard time.\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes I just feel like I\u2019m not going anywhere, and I\u2019m always being left behind.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben offered a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019ve felt left behind since the day you were born,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cAlways trying to keep up with your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s like I can\u2019t help it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there a time for everything. You\u2019ll grow up fast enough.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re only fourteen.\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s plenty of time.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe nodded.\u00a0\u00a0He had heard those words before.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know that, too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I\u2019m asking, Joe is for you to work on taking some responsibility and listen to Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0When you\u2019re his age\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m his age you\u2019ll still think I\u2019m a kid,\u201d Joe reminded him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to tone down the edge on his voice.\u00a0\u00a0Thankfully Ben didn\u2019t argue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I can\u2019t deny that. I still think of Adam as my baby,\u201d Ben replied automatically.\u00a0\u00a0For a second the air was tight between the two.\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt the tears in his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0They never spoke of Adam, maybe because it still hurt so much.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s face crumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d was all he could say.\u00a0\u00a0Ben enfolded his son in his arms.\u00a0\u00a0As the older man rubbed his back, Joe felt the love and warmth that emanated from his father.\u00a0\u00a0He leaned his head against Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll do the best I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe meant what he said.\u00a0\u00a0He planned to continue to work harder, to let his father know he could be responsible.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately good intentions didn\u2019t always work out the way Joe Cartwright wanted, and in the days to come, fate would change his life far beyond his control.<\/p>\n

[hr]<\/p>\n

Ben was in San Francisco longer than he anticipated.\u00a0\u00a0Joe and Hoss worked together with the men and the ranch foreman to make sure the work that needed to be completed was done.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was proud to see that his little brother was working like a man and relieved for the help.\u00a0\u00a0He even let Joe stay home from school for a few days to help out.\u00a0\u00a0He really did need him and if Joe didn\u2019t tell Hoss wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0When the telegram came that Ben was coming home, Joe went back to school and Hoss breathed a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

Riding to school the day before his father was due home, Joe was feeling pretty confident.\u00a0\u00a0He still hated going to school.\u00a0\u00a0One thing that motivated him while his father was gone was the hope that if he showed he could help out at the ranch, Ben would let him leave school early.\u00a0\u00a0He wasn\u2019t a scholar like Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Neither was Hoss, he snickered to himself.\u00a0\u00a0However, Hoss was plenty smart, sometimes smarter than Joe even if he did say so himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do ya think, Cooch? Think Pa will let me finish school this spring?\u00a0\u00a0Then I can stay at home and try to make up to Pa for Adam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s thought was so natural, he didn\u2019t even consciously acknowledge how it affected him.\u00a0\u00a0He shivered though as a cool breeze made him pull his coat closer.\u00a0\u00a0There were clouds in the sky with a threat of rain.\u00a0\u00a0What was the saying, Joe thought, April showers brought May flowers?\u00a0\u00a0Well they did need the rain.\u00a0\u00a0Joe slowed from a trot to a walk as he saw riders heading towards him.\u00a0\u00a0He only had time to observe the two men before they caught up with him.\u00a0\u00a0The two men perhaps in their thirties wearing typical ranch hand attire seemed friendly enough as they approached the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey there, Kid,\u201d one of the men said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re looking for a place called the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0Ya know it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, this road leads right to it.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m Joe Cartwright and my pa owns the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that right?\u201d The second man asked whipping out a gun, aiming it squarely at Joe\u2019s chest.\u00a0\u00a0The boy swallowed knowing he was suddenly in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf ya hurt me, my pa will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Kid. Mike take him,\u201d the second man ordered.\u00a0\u00a0Joe moved instinctively kicking Cochise with his feet and screaming like a banshee to make as much noise as he could.\u00a0\u00a0Cochise unfortunately was stopped by Mike\u2019s horse who blocked his way. Cochise reared.\u00a0\u00a0Joe held his seat but when he came down, he felt something hit his head throwing him off the horse.\u00a0\u00a0Stunned by the gun hitting him, and his body hitting the ground he was dimly away of the men yelling at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cStupid brat. Ya had ta do this the hard way.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt his body being turned over, his hands and feet tied, a gag being stuffed into his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa pull a stunt like that again and I\u2019ll kill ya.\u201d Joe wanted to scream when he was lifted up on a horse, his body slung over the horse like a sack of grain and then a blanket fell over him.\u00a0\u00a0It was dark and frightening.\u00a0\u00a0Pa! Pa! Hoss! His mind as he became more and more aware sorted out that he had no idea where he was going or what was happening.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t move, couldn\u2019t talk and could barely breathe for the gag in his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe kept saying to himself, knowing that no matter what happened, his father\u2019s world, as well as his own was being turned upside down again.<\/p>\n

They rode, the two men and their captive for what seemed to be forever.\u00a0\u00a0The men didn\u2019t talk much as far as Joe could hear.\u00a0\u00a0In some ways he was too miserable to really think.\u00a0\u00a0He kept his eyes closed because he got dizzy watching the ground pass him by as they trotted for miles without stopping.\u00a0\u00a0When they finally came to a halt, Joe was dragged off the horse and thrown to the ground where he hit the dust with a thud that took his breath away again.\u00a0\u00a0Before he could collect himself, he was blindfolded, the gag removed from his mouth.\u00a0\u00a0He found himself sitting up against a tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cKid, you still look like ya want ta defy me.\u00a0\u00a0Is that idea still on yer mind,\u201d the man asked.\u00a0\u00a0Joe remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked ya a question.\u00a0\u00a0Either ya answer me or you\u2019ll be sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell,\u201d Joe blurted, his mouth dry, his heart racing.\u00a0\u00a0For his effort, he was slapped hard across the face.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike, this kid reminds me of his brother.\u00a0\u00a0I reckon we got the right kid.\u00a0\u00a0Aint got no manners no how.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s attention was caught at the man\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d he hazarded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could ask your brother,\u201d the man taunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? That big guy we saw in town the other day.\u00a0\u00a0Nah not him,\u201d Mike said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt as though he\u2019d been kicked in the stomach.\u00a0\u00a0Adam? Adam was dead, dead in a cholera epidemic that ripped through Boston just a few weeks after his graduation from college.\u00a0\u00a0What did these men know about Adam?<\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t get it do ya, Kid? Well ya will soon.\u00a0\u00a0Here\u2019s some water.\u00a0\u00a0Drink it cause ya won\u2019t git any for a while.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt the tin cup lifted to his lips.\u00a0\u00a0It was cold. Joe drank eagerly.\u00a0\u00a0Too fast the water was taken away.\u00a0\u00a0He was picked up and thrown over the horse again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a ways to go, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0It won\u2019t be comfortable, but then that\u2019s as it should be.\u201d Mike said.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to struggle, but there was nothing he could do.\u00a0\u00a0Miserably, he laid still, trying hard not to vomit at the tortuous position and to be as brave as he could for his father\u2019s sake, and for his.<\/p>\n

II<\/p>\n

The stagecoach carrying Ben Cartwright rolled into town an hour late due to a steady downpour.\u00a0\u00a0He was eager to get home to his sons.\u00a0\u00a0When he got of the coach, he was surprised and instantly concerned to see Sheriff Roy Coffee and Hoss waiting for him.\u00a0\u00a0Not seeing Joe, even though it was the middle of the day and logically he should be at school, Ben knew\u2026knew in his sinking heart that suddenly weighed a ton that it was Joe who was in trouble.\u00a0\u00a0Running up to the covered porch of the hotel, Ben greeted Hoss with fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss cried with evident relief.\u00a0\u00a0The big bear of a man enveloped his father in a hug, a hug that spoke volumes.\u00a0\u00a0When Hoss stepped back, he wiped away a tear.\u00a0\u00a0Ben worked hard to control his emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? What\u2019s happened? Where\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I don\u2019t know where he is.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s left for school yesterday and we caint find him.\u00a0\u00a0We done looked from town to the ranch and all we found was Cochise.\u201d Ben swallowed the urge to grab Hoss and ask him how his brother could go missing.\u00a0\u00a0He had to remind himself, that if something happened to Joe, it wasn\u2019t Hoss\u2019 fault.\u00a0\u00a0Joe rode every day to school and back on his own.\u00a0\u00a0He was away from home at least ten hours a day.\u00a0\u00a0In a very few minutes Roy and Hoss informed Ben of Joe\u2019s disappearance the day before.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss wasn\u2019t even aware the boy was missing until he failed to show up after school.\u00a0\u00a0A ride into town found Cochise chomping on some grass halfway to town.\u00a0\u00a0Rain during the day washed away any hope of tracking Joe.\u00a0\u00a0They had no idea where Joe was. Only one fact stood out.\u00a0\u00a0Joe would not have left Cochise willingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, there hasn\u2019t been a ransom note, no strangers in town, any other clues?\u201d Ben asked trying to keep his knees from giving out on him.\u00a0\u00a0Roy spoke as he shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, Ben, nothing at all.\u00a0\u00a0The rain isn\u2019t helping, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0We have no idea which direction Joe was taken in or if he went himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t go of by his self!\u201d Hoss cried in anger. \u201cI tole ya that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right, Roy.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wouldn\u2019t just leave.\u00a0\u00a0He had no reason to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to think of every possibility, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Ben ground out.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat are we doing?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It took everything the father had in him to ask logical questions.\u00a0\u00a0He wanted to get on a horse and ride home to find Joe waiting for him there.\u00a0\u00a0The fact that there were no leads as to where his son was was already driving him to distraction.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, there isn\u2019t anything to do!\u201d Roy told him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ve looked everywhere we can think of.\u00a0\u00a0We haven\u2019t found Joe and we have no clues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s somewhere,\u201d Ben insisted. \u201cWhat if he\u2019s hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, if he didn\u2019t leave of his own accord, you know he was taken.\u00a0\u00a0If he was injured, it would have been near the road between here and your ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wonders off sometimes\u2026Maybe by the lake or his mother\u2019s grave?\u201d Ben pleaded knowing the answers before he asked.\u00a0\u00a0He looked to Hoss, a big man with a child\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we looked.\u00a0\u00a0I aint slept since Little Joe went missing.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2026I don\u2019t know where else ta look.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben had to concede his second son looked physically and mentally exhausted.\u00a0\u00a0Around the three men, life in town went on, but none of them understood how Ben Cartwright felt.\u00a0\u00a0Physically the father ached for his son.\u00a0\u00a0He remembered again the fire in San Francisco, how he had gone into shock rather than face that his boy was dead for while Joe believed his family was dead, Ben, Adam and Hoss thought they lost Joe in the fire.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had been only six then. Now he was fourteen, but the age made no difference. Ben shook himself.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t give into his fears.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t do that now.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss needed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben mumbled in his worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Hoss asked. Ben shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Son. I was just thinking.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go home and we\u2019ll start a search for your brother.\u00a0\u00a0Roy, we won\u2019t be doing anything but looking for Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Could you put out a missing person\u2019s poster on Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready done, Ben. Hoss and I got them out this morning.\u00a0\u00a0We offered a reward of $500.00.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that doesn\u2019t work, we can increase the reward,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf there are any men in town who want some work, I\u2019m willing to pay to have them look for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere might be a few men,\u201d Roy nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll send them out to the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t want anyone to take advantage of a tough situation.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0All Ben could do was nod his assent.\u00a0\u00a0He put his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026isn\u2019t there anything else we can do while we\u2019re here.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe Joe\u2019s in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you say that?\u201d Ben demanded hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Hoss returned. \u201cI just thought\u2026oh heck.\u00a0\u00a0I just wish I knew how to find Joe. He\u2019s in trouble, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0He has to be or he\u2019d be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Hoss, but we have to get home so we can figure out where to look for your brother, check out every place he would go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he didn\u2019t go anywhere willingly. I know he didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was on the verge of tears again.\u00a0\u00a0Ben didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0\u00a0He simply hugged his son as Hoss had hugged him, hoping to give the young man a sense of solace.\u00a0\u00a0Ben lifted his saddle bags over Buck and mounted while Hoss got up on Chubb.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, you hear anything, anything about Joe, please come and get us, day or night, you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0We all love Joe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben turned for home with Hoss at his side.\u00a0\u00a0It was a long fruitless ride home.\u00a0\u00a0Every minute Ben expected Joe to call his name or come running or laugh, anything to tell him he was alive.\u00a0\u00a0But there was nothing and the father and son arrived home alone with no Joe in sight or anywhere else for that matter to their sorrow and grief a grief that would live for eternity for them both\u2026if Joe like his brother Adam never came home.<\/p>\n

[hr]<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s captors rode for a period of time that seemed interminable to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He dozed fitfully. They stopped in some kind of cabin for the night, leaving Joe lying against one side of the cabin tied down to something, he wasn\u2019t sure what.\u00a0\u00a0They left the gag in, but untied his legs, leaving his hands tied and his eyes covered.\u00a0\u00a0After giving him some water, they left him alone.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was becoming terrified.\u00a0\u00a0Where were they talking him?\u00a0\u00a0Through the long night, the boy prayed and hoped Hoss would find him.\u00a0\u00a0He knew it was too soon for his father to find him since Ben wasn\u2019t do home yet.\u00a0\u00a0When the morning came, the men didn\u2019t seem too concerned about time.\u00a0\u00a0They\u00a0\u00a0threw Joe up on the horse again and set off.\u00a0\u00a0This time they only rode for a few hours.\u00a0\u00a0Unable to see, Joe tried to reach the knots in the rope that tied his wrists, but was unsuccessful.\u00a0\u00a0He was soaked by rain, and freezing cold.\u00a0\u00a0The blanket was lifted off him, and the gag taken out. Arms lifted him out off the horse, throwing him over shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere we are, Kid, end of the road, at least for you,\u201d Pat hissed at him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe hit the ground with another hard thud.\u00a0\u00a0He tried to sit up even as he spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What\u2026do you mean?\u201d he demanded, unable to keep the fear out of his voice, but still defiant.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Mike,\u201d Pat said without answering his captive. \u201cLet\u2019s get this over and done with.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe was completely helpless.\u00a0\u00a0He felt pure terror surge through him. He was going to die.\u00a0\u00a0These men were going to kill him just as they said they would.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d he screamed. \u201cSomeone help me, please. Pa! Pa!\u201d He kicked and yelled as Mike told him to be quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cStupid Kid. Doesn\u2019t know it\u2019s hopeless.\u00a0\u00a0Aint no one out here going to hear his hollering.\u00a0\u00a0Too late for that.\u00a0\u00a0Ya can thank Adam Cartwright for cutting your life short.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s heart thumped, his mind rebelling against reality.\u00a0\u00a0He wanted to fight, to fight for his life, but there was nothing he could do. He was helpless.\u00a0\u00a0With the blindfold on he could see nothing, only smell the two men who needed a bath.\u00a0\u00a0With the rain pattering down on them, their voices were truly chilling to a boy who had known nothing but kindness and love in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpose yer wondering why we brought ya all this way when we coulda killed ya back in Virginia City.\u201d Pat said as Joe coughed and sputtered trying to catch his breath.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0\u00a0Pat bent down, lifting his head by the hair.\u00a0\u00a0Joe bit his lips to keep from crying out. Pat spoke with venom and hatred.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam killed my brother on this very spot.\u00a0\u00a0So I figured this would be a good place fer ya to meet yer maker, only I aint as merciful as yer brother. I aint a going to make your death as easy as my brother\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0Adam Cartwright put a bullet in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong,\u201d Joe cried out.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam\u2019s dead.\u00a0\u00a0He died four years ago. Whoever killed your brother wasn\u2019t Adam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s head was released and he found his temple buried in the mud again.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiar.\u00a0\u00a0All Cartwrights must lie.\u00a0\u00a0Yer father must be real proud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you the truth,\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cPat, what if\u2026well what if he\u2019s telling the truth.\u00a0\u00a0Then we kill him and find out it wasn\u2019t Adam Cartwright killed Ritchie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe killed him all right. Now let\u2019s git to it, Mike. It\u2019s wet and I\u2019m hungry.\u201d Joe tried to move away using his legs for traction.\u00a0\u00a0He was almost to his feet when Pat landed a boot in his stomach.\u00a0\u00a0Collapsing, Joe gasped for air.\u00a0\u00a0He felt himself being tied to a tree with more ropes.\u00a0\u00a0His body was held up by the ropes, his head held high with a leather band that cut into his flesh.\u00a0\u00a0In the darkness each sound was enough to startle him. A fist hit Joe\u2019s head, a foot met his stomach and a rifle butt cracked his ribs.\u00a0\u00a0At first the boy bit his lip to keep from crying out until he drew blood.\u00a0\u00a0Then his screams filled the air and the men kept on with their beating.\u00a0\u00a0The last thing Joe heard was his own voice crying piteously for his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Pa, help\u2026\u201d A final hit to his head caused the darkness to descend and the boy was finally free of his pain.\u00a0\u00a0His body was left where it had been tied, soaked in the rain, bruised and battered and dying alone in the wilderness for no reason other than pure hate.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/p>\n

The road was still wet, the trail muddy, droplets of water dripping off the leaves of the trees he rode under.\u00a0\u00a0Nearing the river, the man pulled his horse to a stop, speaking gently to him.\u00a0\u00a0He loved horses.\u00a0\u00a0His pa always said a rancher took care of his horses, good care because you depended on them.\u00a0\u00a0Letting the horse lap at the water, he filled his canteen.\u00a0\u00a0Water tasted fresh, cool and fresh, Adam thought to himself as he drank his fill.\u00a0\u00a0Putting the cap on the canteen, he turned, catching sight of something\u2026something grisly bound around a tree.\u00a0\u00a0Shivering, Adam blinked.\u00a0\u00a0He realized it was starting to rain yet again.\u00a0\u00a0Droplets blurred his vision.\u00a0\u00a0Pulling the horse\u2019s reins, he stumbled across the dirt and grass, coming to kneel in front of a body leaning against a tree.\u00a0\u00a0He could see now, rope held the body securely to the tree.\u00a0\u00a0There was blood on him, his head leaning forward and Adam was certain he was dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d he breathed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adam clenched his fists. He hated brutality and this man\u2019s condition was an outrage to him.\u00a0\u00a0Taking his bedroll, Adam placed it on the ground.\u00a0\u00a0Next he untied the rope that held the young man to the tree.\u00a0\u00a0Flinging it away, he caught the dead weight as it fell to the side.\u00a0\u00a0Dark hair covered the face.\u00a0\u00a0With deft respect, Adam picked up the man, placing him gently on the blanket.\u00a0\u00a0In death, as in life, all mankind deserved respect.\u00a0\u00a0The bloodied face came to view only for a moment before Adam covered him with the blanket.\u00a0\u00a0In a feeling of angst for the loss of one who seemed so slight and young, he placed him over his horse, then climbed up into the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not alone any more, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sorry you had to die this way.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Why\u2026why was this affecting him so much, Adam wondered.\u00a0\u00a0Why was his chest on fire with anger and disgust?\u00a0\u00a0Riding through the rain, Adam found the going hard.\u00a0\u00a0It was cold almost icy to him.\u00a0\u00a0As the afternoon waned, the time passed by as if each minute were an hour, Adam wasn\u2019t sure if he could go on.\u00a0\u00a0Finally, to his relief, he found an abandoned cabin.\u00a0\u00a0To his dying day, he\u2019d never know why he did what he did, but he was glad he did.\u00a0\u00a0As soon as he got off the horse, he lifted the burden of the dead boy taking him into the cabin, depositing him on the floor when he could not find a bed.\u00a0\u00a0Thankfully there was a lantern inside, along with a fireplace and table and chairs.\u00a0\u00a0Adam brought in his saddle bags which had some jerky and biscuits he\u2019d bought in town.\u00a0\u00a0There was actually some wood in a lean to on the side of the cabin where he put his horse.\u00a0\u00a0Finally with a warm fire going, his water and food, Adam collapsed on the floor with exhaustion.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Pa,\u201d he said quietly trying to nibble on the jerky. \u201cI wish you were here.\u00a0\u00a0I wish I knew how you and Hoss and Joe were doing.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m coming home, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m coming home.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Looking over to the body on the floor, Adam wondered if he should just bury the man, but he deserved a name, didn\u2019t he? Didn\u2019t he? Adam remembered how he had been left for dead, and knew his own family believed he was dead.\u00a0\u00a0The least he could do was take this boy to the next town and try to find out his identity. Lying down, the man fell asleep before he knew it, covered only by a wet blanket.<\/p>\n

Dreaming, he was dreaming, dreaming of a time long ago when he was safe, when he lived with his father and brothers and nothing and no one could hurt him.\u00a0\u00a0Moving restlessly on the floor, Adam called out for his father, called out for him but did not hear a response.\u00a0\u00a0Suddenly it was as if his father was in the room.\u00a0\u00a0He could see him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam cried sitting up.\u00a0\u00a0Ben appeared to be searching for something or someone, his chocolate colored eyes pleading for help as he called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Joseph, answer me.\u00a0\u00a0Joe! Where are you, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam repeated, but his father was gone.\u00a0\u00a0Shivering, Adam realized the fire was gone now, gone and so was his father.\u00a0\u00a0His own brown eyes wondered around the room, to rest on the blanketed corpse he had rescued from the harsh elements outside.\u00a0\u00a0With a sigh, the young man walked over, kneeling beside the blanketed form.\u00a0\u00a0With light coming through the windows, he could see better.\u00a0\u00a0Taking off one side of the blanket and then the other, he adjusted his eyes to take in the dark hair, the battered face he could not recognize.\u00a0\u00a0It was hard to tell how old the boy was, but it seemed as if he wasn\u2019t full-grown.\u00a0\u00a0So young to die, so young to be called home.\u00a0\u00a0Again Adam thought it was all such a waste.\u00a0\u00a0Hoping to find some identification, Adam sifted through the young man\u2019s pockets, ignoring the blood, and the battered body. There was nothing in the front pockets of the boy\u2019s pants, but when he turned over the still form, he found what he thought was a locket of some kind.\u00a0\u00a0The object was familiar, as if he knew it by heart without ever seeing it.\u00a0\u00a0His fingers enfolded it, felt it, knew it before he ever looked at it until it was in the palm of his hand, until he had returned the man to his back.\u00a0\u00a0Finally looking down, his heart pounding, his mind drowning in confusion, Adam admitted he knew exactly what he was looking at, exactly\u2026Joe! Joseph!<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease God,\u201d he mumbled.\u00a0\u00a0His chest constricted in an agony that was hounding him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d He put the locket in his own pocket, and turned to the\u2026corpse.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam cried now. \u201cNo, no, Joe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t recognized him, hadn\u2019t recognized his own brother!\u00a0\u00a0Pushing back the now dried curly hair, Adam found it difficult to see past the bruising, cuts and swelling.\u00a0\u00a0It had to be Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Sitting back on his knees, Adam knew that once again he had left his father down.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Little Buddy.\u00a0\u00a0I never would have thought, never could have realized you would be here.\u00a0\u00a0How\u2026how did this happen?\u00a0\u00a0Where\u2019s Pa and Hoss? How did you get this far from home? Joe\u2026I can\u2019t\u2026can\u2019t do this.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam barely knew what he was thinking.\u00a0\u00a0He could think only of getting Joe home.\u00a0\u00a0His father\u2026their father, Pa had to be crazy with fear and worry for Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He stared, couldn\u2019t help staring at the swollen face. Someone had beat his little brother to death.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s chest felt as if a horse\u2019s foot were crushing it.\u00a0\u00a0The pure anguish made him want to scream.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI promised you I would come home and now\u2026now you\u2019ll never know.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Finally, screwing up his courage, the big brother\u2019s fingers traced the injuries to the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0As his hand touched the face, Adam sustained a second shock, this one setting his soul on fire.\u00a0\u00a0Was the boy alive? His skin was rough, beaten, hurt, but\u2026miracle of miracles it was warm!<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he whispered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe, can you hear me? Little Buddy?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0In a rush of motion, Adam Cartwright moved.\u00a0\u00a0In minutes he stripped off Joe\u2019s damp clothes.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s arms, legs, back and chest were a mass of bruises and cuts.\u00a0\u00a0Adam ignored the urge to vomit at the beating Joe had sustained.\u00a0\u00a0Why? Why had they done it? Who had done this?\u00a0\u00a0Moving to his saddle bags, Adam took out a towel and night shirt.\u00a0\u00a0He used the blanket he had used during the night to cover the thin body.\u00a0\u00a0Joseph, Joseph, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0Adam found a bucket in a corner of the room.\u00a0\u00a0Using it, he went outside to get some water.\u00a0\u00a0A water barrel was still there and he filled the bucket, then put the water in a metal pot to warm up over the fireplace.\u00a0\u00a0He was lucky to find what he needed as there was little enough in the cabin, no food, no other furniture and just a few cups in the cupboards.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I have to get you home,\u201d Adam went on.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m just going to clean you up.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He talked out loud but inside he was cursing the delay.\u00a0\u00a0If he\u2019d known last night that this was Joe, that he was alive\u2026he should have pressed on, should have got him home should have got him medical attention.\u00a0\u00a0Quickly he cleaned off the blood and the dirt.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s moan when he touched his bruised ribs told Adam that some had to be broken.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled the night shirt over his brother.\u00a0\u00a0As he laid the boy back down, Adam was shocked to see Joe\u2019s green eyes watching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0\u00a0He grabbed his throat.\u00a0\u00a0It was a sign Adam knew well. He turned his brother to the side so he could vomit.\u00a0\u00a0Rusty colored vomit spewed forth.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was bleeding inside.\u00a0\u00a0Using a cool cloth he wiped the boy\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m here. I\u2019m going to getcha home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe gasped. \u201cYou are\u2026alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe. I can only guess what you thought. I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0\u00a0Now just rest. I\u2019m going to get some water for you.\u00a0\u00a0Then I need to make a travois and get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe cried.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo\u2026too far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? What are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurt,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cSick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe, but we can get you home. You know Pa.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s probably searching through the whole state to find you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s face was swollen, his lip fat, and one eye almost swollen shut.\u00a0\u00a0Adam helped him drink some water.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026needs ya, Adam,\u201d Joe told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa needs both of us,\u201d Adam insisted. \u201cJoe you are not giving up on me, do you hear?\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t come all this way to bury you!\u201d Joe stared up at him until Adam was treated to one of those giggles that could only come from Joe, a giggle accompanied by a moan.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBossy\u2026so bossy,\u201d Joe giggled. \u201cOh, it hurts.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam breathed a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou scared me, Brat,\u201d he swatted with his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe apologized.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam\u2026Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Buddy.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll make a deal with you.\u00a0\u00a0I won\u2019t be too bossy if you promise not to die on me.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t think I can explain that one to Pa.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe seemed to consider.\u00a0\u00a0Nodding his head Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood man,\u201d Adam praised. \u201cYou have grown up so much, I didn\u2019t even recognize you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a kid anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026still a kid but you\u2019re growing.\u00a0\u00a0Joe, I\u2019m going to make a travois.\u00a0\u00a0Then we\u2019re going to get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Pa will be so glad,\u201d Joe told him.\u00a0\u00a0The green eyes were tender as Joe rested his gaze on his brother.\u00a0\u00a0Adam leaned down kissing the boy on the forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou rest.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam pulled the blanket over his brother, and then hurried to accomplish his tasks.\u00a0\u00a0When he came back he was worried sick to find that Joe had vomited again and was now unconscious.\u00a0\u00a0Something was wrong inside, Adam knew.\u00a0\u00a0After putting the blanket on the travois and then tying Joe onto the contraption, Adam pulled the second blanket over him.\u00a0\u00a0Thankfully it had finally stopped raining.\u00a0\u00a0By the time he was ready to leave the cabin the sun was halfway up the eastern sky telling Adam it was mid morning.\u00a0\u00a0The Ponderosa was at least several hours away.\u00a0\u00a0What if Joe died before he got him home?<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, God, please,\u201d he begged.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t let Little Joe die.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s just a boy.\u00a0\u00a0We love him so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

The going was slow.\u00a0\u00a0Adam had to stop several time to check on Joe.\u00a0\u00a0To the older brother\u2019s sorrow Joe seemed to be in a great deal of pain.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s torment became a nightmare to his brother for every time they hit a rough spot, Joe cried out.\u00a0\u00a0Finally Joe called for Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Still at least a half day from the Ponderosa, Adam knelt beside the travois.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, come on Buddy, we\u2019re going to make it home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam\u2026it hurts,\u201d Joe gasped. \u201cPlease\u2026I can\u2019t go on.\u00a0\u00a0I can\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0Oh God, I\u2019m scared.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam wanted nothing more to pull Joe in his arms and hug him, but he knew if he gave into his emotions, his little brother would breathe his last.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s face was as white as a sheet, his forehead perspiring with either pain or fever, Adam wasn\u2019t sure which.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I don\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0\u00a0We have to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s hand clasped Adam\u2019s shirt, the hazel eyes pleading with his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d The boy was barely conscious. \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026keep my promise.\u00a0\u00a0I can\u2019t\u2026Tell Pa\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! I don\u2019t want to hear talk like that. Joe! Oh my God.\u201d Joe projectile vomited a large amount of blood that covered Adam\u2019s shirt.\u00a0\u00a0When he was finished the boy collapsed holding his side and crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam make\u2026it stop,\u201d Joe pleaded the tears falling down his cheeks.\u00a0\u00a0Adam ripped off the blanket covering Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Lifting Joe\u2019s shirt he gapped at the huge bruise covering Joe\u2019s left side.\u00a0\u00a0Gently, palpating the abdomen, Joe\u2019s scream cut through the air as his brother\u2019s hands pressed down. To Adam\u2019s relief, the boy lost consciousness.\u00a0\u00a0Adam knew now what was wrong and what had to be done.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d hoped to avoid this, but there was no other way.\u00a0\u00a0He brushed back the dark curls and touched the smooth face, still free of stubble in its youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0God forgive me for what I\u2019m about to do.\u00a0\u00a0I love you, Joe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0With a heavy heart and terrified Adam started to untie Joe from the travois\u2026There was no help for it.\u00a0\u00a0There was only one thing to be done for Joe\u2026and Adam was glad that at least he could spare his father and Hoss from committing the act that might very well kill his baby brother once and for all.\u00a0\u00a0He only hoped that if Joe died, his father would forgive him\u2026or would he?<\/p>\n

IV<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was watching the sun set.\u00a0\u00a0It had been three days since he arrived home to find Joe missing.\u00a0\u00a0Just a few hours before he and Hoss had ridden into the yard, weary, exhausted from a fruitless search.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was cleaning up.\u00a0\u00a0Ben couldn\u2019t believe his life had come to this.\u00a0\u00a0All his hard work, his dreams for his sons.\u00a0\u00a0Losing each of his wives had been like having his heart ripped out.\u00a0\u00a0Then the day the letter came from Boston telling them Adam was dead, buried in a mass grave with other victims of a cholera epidemic, his very soul felt as though it were shattered into a million pieces and now Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Where could that scamp be?\u00a0\u00a0Ben had to smile recalling the days when Joe and Adam scrapped together fighting as to who was in charge, and yet the boys loved each other dearly.\u00a0\u00a0In some ways it was Joe who suffered the most at the loss of his oldest brother.\u00a0\u00a0Ben still shivered when he felt Joe\u2019s small hand in his, the ten year old leaning against him in this very spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him he wouldn\u2019t come home, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0Remember?\u201d Joe said in his child voice. \u201cI just knew he wouldn\u2019t, but I didn\u2019t want him to die!\u201d Ben gathered the boy in his arms, comforting him as best he could.\u00a0\u00a0Watching the sun\u2019s rays set off to the west, Ben called on his son, not for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Adam, Son.\u00a0\u00a0If you can hear me, help me.\u00a0\u00a0Help me find your brother,\u201d he pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s face appeared to Ben as he spoke, not the young man he had seen last, but an older man, his dark hair receding just a little from the high forehead, the boy wearing black, black shirt, pants, boots and hat.\u00a0\u00a0He was on a horse, a horse that pulled a travois behind him.\u00a0\u00a0Ben closed his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was helping him. He was! Opening the chocolate colored orbs again, Ben stumbled a little.\u00a0\u00a0His vision focused.\u00a0\u00a0Was it an apparition? Was it a ghost? Who was it?<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice whispered behind Ben.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPa? Pa, do ya see what I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a ghost, Hoss. I was talking to Adam. It\u2019s a ghost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam\u2019s voice called out.\u00a0\u00a0The voice was real. \u201cPa! Come quick! Hoss. It\u2019s Joe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The sound of his youngest son\u2019s name moved Ben to move when his mind wouldn\u2019t accept the obvious.\u00a0\u00a0With Hoss rushing after him, Ben hurried to the travois where Little Joe lay unconscious.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s dark curls were dirty and matted, his face pale though his cheeks were bright with fever.<\/p>\n

\u201cTarnation! Joe! Hey, Punkin.\u201d Joe\u2019s nonresponsiveness was deafening to the two men.\u00a0\u00a0The bruises on his face spoke for themselves.\u00a0\u00a0Ben stood as Adam took off the ropes that held Joe in place.\u00a0\u00a0Gently Adam lifted his brother into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, can you send one of the men for the doctor.\u00a0\u00a0I had to do surgery. Joe needs the doc quick,\u201d Adam ordered.\u00a0\u00a0He clutched Joe to him while Ben and Hoss stared. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben breathed. \u201cI was just\u2026\u201d The words floated off in amazement.\u00a0\u00a0Ben came to life in the next few seconds uncertain how two miracles had just been given to him, but quickly determined to keep them both alive.\u00a0\u00a0He patted Hoss\u2019 back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, do as your brother says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrother? Whooeee!\u201d Hoss hollered. \u201cI\u2019ll go myself, Pa, and fly all the way there.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s home! Whoooeee!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The big man enveloped his brothers in a hug then rushed off before Adam could say a word.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s eyes rested on his sons, Adam\u2026Adam\u2026Adam and Joe! It was like a dream.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me, Pa, honest.\u00a0\u00a0Joe needs to rest and I guess I do too.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben still could barely breathe.\u00a0\u00a0With slow purposeful movements he put his hands on Adam\u2019s shoulders, his eyes locked on his son\u2019s until he put his hand through Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s hurt bad, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I had\u2026I had to do surgery.\u00a0\u00a0He was bleeding inside.\u00a0\u00a0He hasn\u2019t wakened since and that was yesterday.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice clearly looked for direction. Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him inside and cleaned up.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll take care of both of you. You\u2019re home now. Hop Sing!\u201d Ben allowed Adam to take his brother into the house.\u00a0\u00a0Adam didn\u2019t hesitate to hurry up the stairs to his brother\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0Ben pulled down the blankets and sheets.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing, having come out of the kitchen was momentarily stunned and now weeping a little at Adam\u2019s return spoke insistently.<\/p>\n

\u201c#3 Son velly dirty,\u201d he said. \u201cI get hot water, soap.\u00a0\u00a0#1 Son dirty too. He take bath!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam chuckled looking down at his worn clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I am that, Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0Soon as Little Joe is settled, I\u2019ll take a bath.\u201d Hop Sing said something in Chinese then hurried away.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was already stripping off Joe\u2019s tattered clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy God,\u201d the father breathed.\u00a0\u00a0His eyes met Adam\u2019s again.\u00a0\u00a0Adam, stoic and silent simply met his father\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho did this to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Father. I found him like this.\u00a0\u00a0I thought\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s voice quivered. \u201cI thought he was dead when I first found him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Clearly Adam had difficulty telling his story.\u00a0\u00a0Ben put him instantly at ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll discuss it later, Son.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s get your brother comfortable.\u00a0\u00a0I wish he\u2019d wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Adam sighed in agreement.\u00a0\u00a0Within a short time, Joe was bathed, his body showing even more of his bruises and the torment he had undergone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks almost as helpless as he did when we found him after the fire, Pa,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cRemember how small and frail he was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes I do,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0\u00a0Again, Ben\u2019s hand brushed through Joe\u2019s dark curls.\u00a0\u00a0Those curls were so like his mother\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0Ben could never forgot those months when he believed his youngest child had been killed in a fire.\u00a0\u00a0When the little boy was finally found he was unconscious in a physician\u2019s office, nearly starved to death.\u00a0\u00a0His life could have ended then.\u00a0\u00a0It hadn\u2019t and Adam\u2019s reference to that past event made Ben realize that if Joe had survived then, he would now. He had to.\u00a0\u00a0Ben could not lose his son now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice reached him slowly. Finally the older man looked up.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s hand was on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go take a bath and get cleaned up.\u00a0\u00a0Will you be all right with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse I will, Son.\u00a0\u00a0Your clothes are all still in your room.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve grown so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa. I\u2019ve got clothes.\u201d Ben stood hugging Adam close.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought\u2026Adam, I missed you.\u00a0\u00a0We grieved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I know.\u00a0\u00a0Go and get cleaned up and eat something. You\u2019re far too thin.\u00a0\u00a0Tell Hop Sing I could use some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd some soup or something,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI missed you, Pa.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben reluctantly let his son go.\u00a0\u00a0Turning back to Joe, he took the boy\u2019s hand in his.\u00a0\u00a0His words fell on deaf ears or so he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother\u2019s home, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Adam is home.\u00a0\u00a0Now it\u2019s time for you to come back to us.\u00a0\u00a0Do you hear me, Son?\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s time to wake up.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Holding the boy\u2019s hand in his, feeling his heart break, Ben waited in vain for Joe to wake.<\/p>\n

[hr]<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin\u2019s examination of Joe was thorough.\u00a0\u00a0When he turned to Ben and Hoss, and a weary Adam sitting on the bed, he gave a big sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean, Doc?\u201d Hoss asked first. \u201cIs the little fella gonna be all right?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss\u2019 blue eyes in his broad face bespoke of his worry and fear for the boy.\u00a0\u00a0Dr. Martin tried to give the man a reassuring grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss, thanks to Adam here, I think he is.\u00a0\u00a0You did pretty fine work, Adam, specially for an amateur.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just did what I observed the mine doctors do,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell you\u2019re a good observer.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll have to put in some more stitches, but the incision is clean and there\u2019s no internal bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why hasn\u2019t he wakened?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that\u2019s the problem,\u201d Dr. Martin admitted. \u201cHow long do you think it was before you did surgery on Joe, the time between when he was injured and when you intervened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0\u00a0He was with me at least twenty-four hours.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m not sure, another day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a long time, Adam, for internal bleeding, specially from a spleen.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s possible Joe suffered brain damage and that\u2019s why he hasn\u2019t awakened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean\u2026\u201d Adam started as Hoss and Ben exchanged glances.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou mean he may never wake up? I waited too long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you aren\u2019t a doctor.\u00a0\u00a0The fact you even knew what to do was a miracle.\u00a0\u00a0What I\u2019m saying is we just have to wait and see.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s all we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Adam,\u201d Ben told his son, putting a strong hand on the man\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t found him, he\u2019d be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, Adam, he wouldn\u2019t a had no chance without ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I should have done the surgery sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Adam.\u00a0\u00a0You did the best you could,\u201d Dr. Martin told him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf you take a guilt on this, it won\u2019t help Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He needs your strength now, not your guilt.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam looked to his father and Hoss, and then back to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0The boy was still pale, his young face so bruised, his body still battered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll all be here for him,\u201d Ben told his old friend.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019ll wake up.\u00a0\u00a0You wait and see.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dr. Martin nodded providing the family with an encouraging smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come back tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s just take this one day at a time.\u00a0\u00a0We don\u2019t want to jump to conclusions.\u00a0\u00a0Adam, I can\u2019t say how glad I am to see you home.\u00a0\u00a0You have no idea how you were missed.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam shook Dr. Martin\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0If he\u2019d been Joe or Hoss, the doctor probably would have hugged him, but Adam was a law unto himself, far more conservative than his brothers or father.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor left the house with Hoss seeing him out.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Ben stayed by Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam called sitting on the double bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe, we\u2019re home.\u00a0\u00a0Remember you made a deal with me?\u00a0\u00a0I promised you I wouldn\u2019t be bossy if you didn\u2019t die.\u00a0\u00a0I haven\u2019t told you what to do, but I\u2019m asking Buddy. I\u2019m asking you not to leave us.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t come home for that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s hand on Adam\u2019s back made the young man look up.\u00a0\u00a0Identical chocolate colored eyes locked on each other.\u00a0\u00a0As Hoss stepped into the doorway, his big heart ached and rejoiced at the same time as father and oldest son hugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be sorry, Son.\u00a0\u00a0You got Joe home.\u00a0\u00a0You got yourself home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Big Brother.\u00a0\u00a0Where ya been? How come ya didn\u2019t come home before now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss walked into the room.\u00a0\u00a0He stood at the end of the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Adam joined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I know you have a lot of questions.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe they could wait until Joe\u2019s a little better and I\u2019ve gotten some rest.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0At that, Adam felt his knees give out.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss moved quickly catching his brother in his arms.\u00a0\u00a0Ben moved just as quick, his hand touching Adam\u2019s forehead, checking him over just a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s exhausted,\u201d the father decided.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy don\u2019t you take him to bed, Son?\u00a0\u00a0Make sure he\u2019s warm.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll stay with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink I\u2019ll be sitting with Big Brother for a spell,\u201d Hoss nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf he aint the purtiest thing I ever seen.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben almost laughed and might have if it weren\u2019t for his gnawing worry for Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He watched till Hoss disappeared with Adam, then turned back to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0As Adam had, he sat down on Joe\u2019s bed.\u00a0\u00a0Taking the thin hand in his, the father counted his blessings\u2026and prayed for one more in silence.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

Adam woke the next morning, the sun peaking in his window telling him he had slept all night long.\u00a0\u00a0For a second, the dark haired man wondered where he was until he saw his own books lining shelves over his desk, and inhaled the sweet scent of pine that wafted in through his open window.\u00a0\u00a0Home.\u00a0\u00a0He was home after eight years.\u00a0\u00a0It couldn\u2019t be true.\u00a0\u00a0Could it? It was. It was.\u00a0\u00a0In a flash, Adam remembered Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He got up, performing a morning ritual that was routine for him.\u00a0\u00a0In minutes he had dressed in his dark clothes and hurried down the hall to Joe\u2019s room where he found his father sitting in a chair, his gray haired head resting on the bed where Joe lay motionless except for his chest which rose and fell quietly.\u00a0\u00a0Adam stepped into the room, his heart heavy.\u00a0\u00a0As his footsteps fell, eyes darted open.\u00a0\u00a0Adam proceeded to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered so as not to wake his father.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Joe whispered back, his eyes flickering with fatigue.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2026what happened?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam brushed back the curly dark hair in the same manner his father would.\u00a0\u00a0Joe grinned at him with just a hint of mischief in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou came home, Joe. You kept your promise and came home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe\u2019s gaze shifted from Adam to his father.\u00a0\u00a0Moving his hand, Joe touched Ben\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPa!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0As if in slow motion, Ben Cartwright lifted his head.\u00a0\u00a0Adam wondered if the older man thought he was hearing a ghost.\u00a0\u00a0Certainly his face, drawn, and white with his fatigue showed his surprise at hearing Joe\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Joe\u2019s awake.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben moved in a flash, sitting on Joe\u2019s bed, taking his hand in his.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph? Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I made it.\u00a0\u00a0I made it home thanks ta Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure did.\u00a0\u00a0Your brother saved your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThought I was dead for sure,\u201d Joe mumbled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd Adam only bossed me a little.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Buddy.\u00a0\u00a0What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t\u2026go away again,\u201d Joe pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0Adam felt his heart constrict at the desperate sound of Joe\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI thought\u2026we all thought you were dead and I thought it was my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben cried in surprise. \u201cOh, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard.\u00a0\u00a0Adam could tell it was hard for the boy to admit how he felt.\u00a0\u00a0It was funny.\u00a0\u00a0The boy was becoming a man, Adam could see.\u00a0\u00a0The little boy who used to smother him with hugs and slobbery kisses was now far more hesitant about admitting to his emotions.\u00a0\u00a0Adam wasn\u2019t sure if that was a good or bad thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s okay to talk about,\u201d Adam encouraged.\u00a0\u00a0Sitting in the chair Adam\u2019s heart went out to Joe who moved a little moaning with his discomfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben cried. \u201cAdam get me a glass of water please.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam moved as his father had in quick steps.\u00a0\u00a0After pouring a glass from the pitcher on Joe\u2019s dresser, he hurried back to the bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHelp me get him to drink.\u00a0\u00a0Paul left some powders here for the pain.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben poured the powders from the packet in the drawer of the nightstand.\u00a0\u00a0Together they lifted the boy with a gentleness that was inspirational.\u00a0\u00a0Still Joe clutched his stomach and cried out.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! It hurts.\u00a0\u00a0My ribs too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou took quite a beating, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Come on and drink this.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019ll help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Pa,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cIt\u2019ll taste bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will only take a second and then we\u2019ll get you some fresh water, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0Or do you want to suffer?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe frowned.\u00a0\u00a0With Adam supporting his back and his father holding his head, he drank the medicine down.\u00a0\u00a0Adam moved in the bed so Joe could lean against him while Ben got some fresh water.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was holding his breath Adam realized and it scared him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreathe Joe!\u201d Adam ordered. \u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe finally managed to gasp some air, relaxing against his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts so bad,\u201d Hoss came into the room just as Joe finished drinking the water.\u00a0\u00a0Adam started to get up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, please don\u2019t. I feel better with you here,\u201d Joe protested.\u00a0\u00a0The boy was light.\u00a0\u00a0Adam barely felt his brother\u2019s weight against his strong lean frame.\u00a0\u00a0Ben put the pillows behind Adam and helped both the boys get comfortable.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss stood at the end of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAint that a sight fer sore eyes, Pa?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam and Joe are home!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey sure are, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam encouraged again. \u201cJoe, you have to take deeper breaths.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re barely breathing.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s concern and Hoss\u2019 were evident as they hovered over the two brothers.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s eyes were closed.\u00a0\u00a0Adam slapped Joe\u2019s wrist and the hazel orbs shot open wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d he cried.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019d ya do that for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you to breathe deeper.\u00a0\u00a0If you don\u2019t you\u2019ll break my promise to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already broke your\u2019s,\u201d Joe grumbled.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss and Ben exchanged confused looks until went on.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAlready bossing me around.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s laughter was music to the men\u2019s ears and apparently Joe\u2019s too as he grinned at his father and Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what big brothers are for, Buddy.\u00a0\u00a0Besides, we\u2019re home now.\u00a0\u00a0What else am I going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as you don\u2019t go no where, don\u2019t care,\u201d Joe admitted.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPa, don\u2019t let him go away.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s hand on Joe\u2019s leg was strong and firm.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s eyes were closing in sleep as Ben spoke, his dark brown eyes gazing fondly at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Adam will be here when you wake up or else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll dump him in the trough if he tries to leave,\u201d Hoss put in. Adam shot Hoss a look that said, I dare you.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss grinned. \u201cWelcome home, Big Brother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Welcome home indeed, Adam thought until he relaxed on the bed with Joe and realized that there was no place in the world like home and for now he hoped he\u2019d never have to leave again, never again.<\/p>\n

[hr]<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, where do you think you are going?\u201d Ben Cartwright hollered at his errant son three weeks later.\u00a0\u00a0Joe froze near the front door of the house and looked over at the desk where his father was working on the endless numbers in his accounting books.<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside?\u201d the boy hazarded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just who gave you permission to leave this house?\u201d Ben thundered.\u00a0\u00a0Joe cringed.\u00a0\u00a0Ben softened his voice at Joe\u2019s reaction. \u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I feel fine.\u00a0\u00a0If I don\u2019t get out of the house I\u2019m gonna go crazy. Please!\u201d Joe\u2019s pleading went straight to Ben\u2019s heart.\u00a0\u00a0In the first few weeks after Joe\u2019s ordeal, he hadn\u2019t protested Dr. Martin\u2019s ministrations or Ben\u2019s molly coddling too much.\u00a0\u00a0His one wish was to make sure his family was close by.\u00a0\u00a0The boy couldn\u2019t stand to be alone, even through the night when Adam usually slept next to him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe hated to not know where Adam was.\u00a0\u00a0In the third week, the boy grew restless, hating to stay in bed, more like his normal self.\u00a0\u00a0Now he was out right rebelling.\u00a0\u00a0Ben could hardly deny his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0You may sit on the porch but that\u2019s it, until the doctor clears you to be walking around the yard and barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d Joe was out the door so fast it was as if he\u2019d vanished.\u00a0\u00a0Well, he was fourteen and Joe Cartwright was always ready to be on the go.\u00a0\u00a0Ben went to the door and opened it, unable to resist checking on Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was doing just about what his father said, only he was already using his knife and whittling away on a piece of wood.\u00a0\u00a0Ben could figure Joe kept the knife in his room. As for wood, well that was easy enough to get just from the wood pile ten feet from the door near the kitchen entrance of the house.\u00a0\u00a0It was a good way to distract the boy.\u00a0\u00a0Ben went back to his work.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Hoss were out checking fences and would be back by supper time.\u00a0\u00a0Since Joe was better, tonight Ben determined he was going to ask Adam the questions that were gnawing at him, questions that had had to wait until Joe was ready to hear the story. Adam said he only wanted to tell the story once, and Ben had acquiesced though Hoss often pestered his brother.\u00a0\u00a0Adam good naturedly put him off.\u00a0\u00a0Something had changed about his dark son.\u00a0\u00a0Ben wondered what had brought about the change in his son who although always sturdy and dependable in the past had been a bit moody before he left for college, and now seemed far more at peace with himself.\u00a0\u00a0What had caused the change he wondered as he returned to work and quickly lost him self in frustrating numbers.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam rode comfortably home at the end of the day.\u00a0\u00a0Arriving at the barn, they saw Joe sitting in a chair outside.\u00a0\u00a0The boy waved to them, but wisely didn\u2019t come to greet them, Adam thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder how Pa let him out,\u201d Hoss mused dismounting Chubb.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but it\u2019s good thing or that boy was going to jump out the window next,\u201d Adam joked. Following Hoss into the barn with Sport whom he had enjoyed getting to know again, Adam\u2019s demeanor was calm and collected.\u00a0\u00a0The brothers worked efficiently to settle their horses and take care of the rest of the livestock for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, didja ever think who hurt Joe?\u201d Hoss asked out of the blue as they stepped out of the barn.\u00a0\u00a0Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t a clue, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0Joe hasn\u2019t spoken of the beating and I don\u2019t have the heart to ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe neither. Aint no\u00a0\u00a0one should suffer like he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he was dead when I found him, Hoss,\u201d Adam confessed coming to a stop half way to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind. I can tell you later.\u00a0\u00a0But it\u2019s a miracle he\u2019s sitting there on that porch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to you, Big Brother,\u201d Hoss assured him slapping Adam on the back with a big paw.\u00a0\u00a0Adam didn\u2019t really feel like taking credit for Joe\u2019s recovery.\u00a0\u00a0Dr. Martin had finished what he started.\u00a0\u00a0And Joe wouldn\u2019t have come so close to death if Adam accepted and did what needed to be done right away or if he\u2019d actually realized Joe was alive.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss\u2019 teasing of their youngest brother brought a smile to Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0It was over now, he told himself.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was getting better.\u00a0\u00a0Whoever hurt him was long gone\u2026but Adam knew that was just an excuse.\u00a0\u00a0Eventually they\u2019d have to find out who hurt Joe.\u00a0\u00a0They couldn\u2019t get away with what they\u2019d done.\u00a0\u00a0They couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Dinner was a sumptuous meal.\u00a0\u00a0For the first time Joe sat at the table with the family.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s appetite wasn\u2019t as good it usually was.\u00a0\u00a0He kept looking around the table, as if memorizing his father and brothers.\u00a0\u00a0How could he have stayed away so long he wondered to himself while eating Hop Sing\u2019s fried chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, biscuits, and baked apples?\u00a0\u00a0He was deep in his thoughts when Joe\u2019s unique laugh reached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s so far away, ya\u2019d think he was back in Boston,\u201d Hoss was saying. \u201cHey, Big Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you, Hoss. Sorry, Pa, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t matter, Adam,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you just about finished?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s nod was his answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u00a0\u00a0While Hop Sing brings our coffee, I wanted to ask you some questions, if you don\u2019t mind answering them.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam knew what was coming.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d put off his story as long as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to know about what happened to me after the cholera epidemic?\u201d he guessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that would be a start. You don\u2019t have to, Son.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s just your brothers and I\u2026well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was hard, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Onliest time I ever missed someone that bad was when Joe\u2019s mama died or when we thought we lost Joe in that danged fire.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s brown orbs drifted to his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? I think you\u2019re the one I owe the biggest apology to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? Why?\u201d Joe wondered in amazement.\u00a0\u00a0His dark curly hair needed to be cut and he still sported a few fading bruises on his handsome face, but Adam saw his little brother\u2019s hazel eyes were alert and pleased that Adam was thinking of him.\u00a0\u00a0Adam always could read Joe like a book but then he could do the same with Hoss. After all he\u2019d known them since they were born and helped raise them.\u00a0\u00a0He loved his brothers with a fierce devotion that he knew now came from his father.\u00a0\u00a0He sighed admitting to failures that he had only recently accepted before coming home.\u00a0\u00a0Joe sat back in his chair.\u00a0\u00a0Ben sipped on the coffee Hop Sing poured in his cup.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss relaxed in his chair and Hop Sing hung near the kitchen door listening.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you begged me not to go to Boston.\u00a0\u00a0You told me I wouldn\u2019t come back. Six years old and you were terrified I wouldn\u2019t come home, even though I promised I would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon I thought ya would disappear like my ma,\u201d Joe admitted.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThen when we got word ya died, I thought it was my fault, that my thinking you were going to die, killed ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I had lots of time to think while I was sick, and Adam, he talked to me a little.\u00a0\u00a0I know now I was kind of silly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmen,\u201d Hoss agreed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSilliest thing I ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to a ten-year old,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss seemed to think a minute and then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpose I cain\u2019t argue with that,\u201d the biggest Cartwright admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, anyway, it\u2019s not a terribly long story.\u00a0\u00a0I remember when the cholera first broke out in Boston.\u00a0\u00a0At the college we all banded together to nurse those who got sick first.\u00a0\u00a0When I came down with it, the school was overwhelmed.\u00a0\u00a0There were more folks sick than not.\u00a0\u00a0I got real sick, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0Never felt like that before or since.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t know about the mix-up that happened, how you got notice that I was dead.\u00a0\u00a0Somewhere along the line there apparently wasn\u2019t anyone else to take care of us, cause they moved us all to a church where hundreds of cholera victims were being taken care of.\u00a0\u00a0I was there for a long time.\u00a0\u00a0Problem is, when I woke up, I couldn\u2019t remember my name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut surely someone could identify you,\u201d Ben objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was chaotic,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe epidemic killed thousands.\u00a0\u00a0I had no identification on me.\u00a0\u00a0When I was strong enough, I left Boston with just the shirt on my back and a few dollars one of the church members gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy God,\u201d Hoss breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ended up working my way west. Pa, if I\u2019d remembered, it was quite a bit like you and me coming west all those years ago only I didn\u2019t have a kid with me.\u00a0\u00a0Made it a lot more lonely,\u201d Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was many a time when I wanted to give up, Adam,\u201d Ben concurred. \u201cYou were always the best reason for me to keep on going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine.\u00a0\u00a0Finally I ended up in the mining camps.\u00a0\u00a0One of the docs took me under his wing.\u00a0\u00a0We worked together helping the miners and their families through sickness and injury and death.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t pretty, but it was work and satisfying at that.\u00a0\u00a0I finally made up my mind I wouldn\u2019t mind being a doctor.\u00a0\u00a0I was headed east to maybe go to school when I got shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou what?\u201d Ben thundered as loudly as he had that afternoon when Joe was sneaking out of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, calm down,\u201d Adam pleaded. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut ya just said ya was shot,\u201d Hoss reminded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, actually pretty close to where I found Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I never even saw the kid.\u00a0\u00a0He just shot me from the back.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s easy countenance stiffened as he leaned forward over the table looking at Adam at the foot of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d ya do, Adam?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0Somehow, Adam thought there was more to the question than simple curiosity.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s face was a little pale and beads of sweat had broken out on his forehead. Adam decided to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet hit me more in the side and exited out the front, but the force of it pushed me down.\u00a0\u00a0I played dead, figuring somehow this had to be a robbery.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t want to die at that point.\u00a0\u00a0The man kicked me in the side, and still I didn\u2019t move though my hand was slowly going for my gun.\u00a0\u00a0When he pushed me over I shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidja kill him, Adam?\u201d Joe asked.\u00a0\u00a0Now Adam stiffened.<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse I did, Joe. It was him or me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe slumped back in chair.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Ben exchanged glances.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Buddy?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, Adam. Just go on. Honest.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe answered.\u00a0\u00a0The boy wasn\u2019t sulking, but he was definitely upset.\u00a0\u00a0Adam decided to finish the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much more to tell,\u201d he told the family. \u201cIt was the shock of the shooting that brought back my memory.\u00a0\u00a0I managed to get back to the last town I\u2019d come through a few hours from where I was hurt. I\u2019d worked in the town for a few months to earn some money to go east so a lot of people knew me.\u00a0\u00a0They got me to the doc\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0I couldn\u2019t tell him who I shot, but it was reported to the sheriff as self defense.\u00a0\u00a0There were two brothers who came to the doc\u2019s looking for me.\u00a0\u00a0Said I murdered the boy, but the doc sent them away telling them I\u2019d been shot by their brother and I\u2019d just defended myself.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam took a breath.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNever heard from them again. Soon as I was well I started towards home and that\u2019s when I found Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard from them,\u201d Joe blurted.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSit up, Joseph.\u201d Joe didn\u2019t sit up. He stood.\u00a0\u00a0He leaned against the chair, looking from his father to Adam and Hoss and back again.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, those were the men that kidnapped me.\u00a0\u00a0They said Adam killed their brother so they were going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face turned white.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, take it easy,\u201d Ben ordered coming to his son\u2019s side. Adam stood, so angry, his chair fell over backwards.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to reassure his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam it aint your fault.\u00a0\u00a0I tole them you wouldn\u2019t kill anyone.\u00a0\u00a0They weren\u2019t listening.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t your fault. It was their\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to find them,\u201d Adam hissed. \u201cThey have to pay for what they did to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, did you get a good look at them?\u201d Ben asked his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember much, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know their names,\u201d Adam told them.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe cried.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo, you can\u2019t leave not again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we have to find them, keep them from doing to someone else what they did to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care about what they did to me. I care about you!\u201d Joe insisted.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s hand was on Adam\u2019s shoulder. Adam saw then that Joe wasn\u2019t completely recovered from his ordeal.\u00a0\u00a0More importantly he wasn\u2019t ready for Adam to leave him again. Adam walked around the table. Joe was standing, trembling from head to foot in his own distress.\u00a0\u00a0Adam hugged the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Joe. I won\u2019t go looking for them yet, but we\u2019ll let the sheriff know their names, get a wanted poster out. How about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLong as you don\u2019t go nowhere, not yet, Adam, please,\u201d Joe pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0Adam saw the very real fear in Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0His little brother was so seldom afraid as a child.\u00a0\u00a0This fear of Joe\u2019s was new.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I won\u2019t go anywhere. I promise. Not for a long time.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s hug was suddenly as tight as Adam\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss and Ben watched the boys\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was home.\u00a0\u00a0His choices originally led him to Boston then back to the country he knew best.\u00a0\u00a0The consequences of his actions were still pulling at a boy\u2019s heart.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had almost died simply because Adam defended himself.\u00a0\u00a0What would happen in the future for the Cartwright\u2019s now that Adam was home?\u00a0\u00a0Would the men who attacked Joe ever be caught or would Joe convince his brother to leave those men out there so that no one, no one could ever hurt his beloved brother again.\u00a0\u00a0Those answers couldn\u2019t be answered that night, nor in the nights to come.\u00a0\u00a0All that mattered at that point was that the Cartwright\u2019s were whole again\u2026The rest of the questions would have to wait to be answered in the future that was just over the horizon for Ben Cartwright and his sons.<\/p>\n

~The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Adam made choices when he left for college.\u00a0\u00a0Now eight years later, there is an empty spot in the hearts of Ben, Hoss and most especially Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0What will the final consequences of Adam\u2019s choices be and how will those consequences affect Little Joe and the Cartwright\u2019s?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0PG\u00a0for some violence\u00a0 (12,650 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10662,"featured_media":15258,"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":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1705,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-traurig.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46851,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46851","url_meta":{"origin":16272,"position":0},"title":"The Voice (by Imogene)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"November 24, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A voice visits Joe during the night Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 1,520","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\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15705,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15705","url_meta":{"origin":16272,"position":1},"title":"The Letter (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"December 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: During the Christmas season, six-year-old Little Joe learns the importance of a letter and the impact it can have. \u00a0He learns too about consequences, and learns both lessons well. \u00a0Years later, the importance of a letter is still strong. \u00a0 rating = K \u00a0word count = 2593","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Christmas.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13833,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13833","url_meta":{"origin":16272,"position":2},"title":"Choices (by HelenB)","author":"HelenB","date":"May 27, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for First Born.\u00a0 Clay returns to the Ponderosa. 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