{"id":22856,"date":"2019-06-12T02:45:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T06:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=22856"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:39:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:39:40","slug":"a-moment-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=22856","title":{"rendered":"A Moment in Time (by JulieS)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> Ben\u2019s life is in danger and so the boys devise a plan to get him out off the ranch without him knowing the real reason why. The task falls upon Hoss and Candy, who both realise that it\u2019s going to be hard to keep Ben safe and in the dark. (18th story in the series)<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> PG<\/p>\n

Word Count:<\/strong> 6711<\/p>\n

The Way Things Are Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Way Things Are<\/a>
\nHistory has a Habit<\/a>
\nWhen you Least Expect It<\/a>
\nThere\u2019s Always Something<\/a>
\nThe Choices we Make<\/a>
\nLooks Can be Deceiving<\/a>
\nOne Thing or Another<\/a>
\nJust One of Those Days<\/a>
\nNothing is What it Seems<\/a>
\nYou Can\u2019t Keep an Old Lawman Down<\/a>
\nTimes Like These<\/a>
\nThe Nature of Life
\n<\/a>Unexpected Changes
\n<\/a>Out on a Limb
\n<\/a>A Time to Decide
\n<\/a>The Company We Keep<\/a>
\nWhen Opportunity Knocks<\/a>
\nA Moment in Time<\/a>
\nTo Live in Society<\/a><\/p>\n

A Moment in Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

The door to the barn closed and the three men left inside breathed a collected sigh of relief as they began to relax. Hoss thumped the saddle he was standing next to and grunted, which brought a brief smile to the faces of his brothers. He gazed at his brothers thoughtfully for a moment before he himself broke out into a small grin. \u201cPa\u2019s still got that knack of knowin\u2019 when to pick the right time to turn up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he sure has. Poor ol\u2019 Clem.\u201d Joe shook his head briefly before he continued, \u201cFor a moment there I thought he was going to tell Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame here.\u201d Adam ran his hand through his hair. This was something that none of them had expected. Time was of the essence. \u201cWhat we\u2019ve got to do now is come up with a believable excuse to get him to leave the Ponderosa for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe moved over to an upright barrel and sat down on it. \u201cIt has to be a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cYup and one that\u2019ll keep him busy while he\u2019s away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I see it, we gotta figure out which one of us will be the one to talk Pa into taking this little trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam adjusted his position against the post he now leaned against. \u201cYou\u2019re right Joe and it has to be someone who has a good reason as well as the time to go with Pa.\u201d He cast a sideways glance to Joe and then to Hoss, who just stared at the floor as his right foot shifted back and forth. Adam then returned his glance back to Joe and raised one eyebrow.<\/p>\n

After a quick nod, Joe cleared his throat. \u201cIf that\u2019s the case, it can\u2019t be me. I just bought a hotel and it would look pretty suspicious if I were to suddenly drop everything to go on a trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there\u2019s no way that I can go since Tom starts school next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s right Adam. I\u2019d forgotten all about that.\u201d Joe frowned briefly as he looked at Hoss, whose head was still lowered. Whatever it was that was down there must be mighty interesting, Joe thought to himself, but now was not the time to ask Hoss about it – there were more important things at hand. Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, he was caught by surprise as Hoss quickly raised his head and spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright you two, there\u2019s no need to railroad me into this. I kinda figured it was goin\u2019 to be me, so I\u2019ve come up with a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flew wide opened in mock surprise. \u201cYou have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have little brother.\u201d Hoss began to pace the floor. \u201cI\u2019m just going to have to go on my research trip earlier than I expected to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour research trip?\u201d Adam stood up straight. \u201cIs this the one you were telling me about the other week that you\u2019re thinking of going on next year?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad. Not bad at all.\u201d Adam walked over to Hoss and patted him on the back. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cNo thanks necessary. I\u2019ve got the only legitimate excuse to leave town at the moment. You two will have your hands full just helpin\u2019 Clem out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut your job won\u2019t be easy either. Pa\u2019s still hard to fool and then there\u2019s the problem of keeping an eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve thought about that too Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled as he got off the barrel and made his way over to his brothers. \u201cSeems you\u2019ve got everything worked out. Is there anything you want us to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

As he placed his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, he nodded. \u201cYeah, there\u2019s one thing I want you to do. Convince Candy to go along. He won\u2019t listen to Adam and there\u2019s a chance that he won\u2019t listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m about the only one he\u2019ll believe at the moment.\u201d Joe sighed. Everything was now even in a bigger mess ever since Jane Talbot had returned. Candy was under the impression, as was most everybody else, that Adam was just biding his time before he declared his intentions where the woman was concerned. However, Joe knew that Adam had no intention of pursuing his interest in her for a very long time if ever and somehow, he would have to let Candy know that without giving anything away.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cUhh.\u201d Joe smiled briefly at Adam. \u201cSorry, was just thinking of how I was going to tell Candy that he has to go on a trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright.\u201d Adam frowned a little. He could understand why Joe needed to give some thought to breaking the news to Candy. Two days earlier, Candy had confronted him down near the lake. Candy had let Adam know in no uncertain terms that he planned to fight for Jane. Adam had had to give the impression that he was still interested. The conversation had ended with Candy declaring that the best man was going to win.<\/p>\n

A quick snort escaped as Adam remembered the way Candy had looked. Candy was deadly serious of that there was no doubt. It would have been intriguing to see what would have happened if he was at liberty to pursue Jane. His current assignment and Leslie had put an end to any ideas that he had had about the lovely Miss Talbot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you two have finished whatever it was you were doin\u2019, I think we should set this plan into motion. The sooner we get Pa out of here the better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Joe and Adam shot an apologetic look at Hoss. Adam was the first to speak, \u201cYou\u2019re absolutely right, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded in agreement. \u201cThere\u2019s only one thing I need to know before we embark on our plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, who had already started for the barn door turned around and looked at Joe. \u201cAnd what would that be, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you one of you kindly tell me what, exactly is this research that you plan to do is?\u201d<\/p>\n

The three of them laughed. As they walked outside, Hoss and Adam told Joe all he needed to know.<\/p>\n

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

Candy pulled his horse to halt and took his hat off. He wiped his brow with his right forearm before putting his hat back on. As he gently kicked his horse, to continue the journey, he wondered for the umpteenth time how he managed to let Joe talk him into taking this trip with Hoss and Mr. Cartwright.<\/p>\n

A slight chuckle escaped as Candy remembered that every objection, he had put up had been successfully countered by Joe \u2013 even the one about Jane. Now that was a puzzle. Joe had seemed so certain that Adam wouldn\u2019t go anywhere near Jane while he was away. How could Joe be that certain when he himself knew that Adam would most likely take the first opportunity, he had to make a move?<\/p>\n

Hoss shifted in his saddle and looked over his left shoulder at Candy. It had taken some doing but he had never doubted Joe\u2019s knack for talking anybody into anything and everything. He shifted his gaze to his father, who rode next to him on the right. Pa seemed to be in deep thought and that worried him. After clearing his throat, he spoke, \u201cHow you doin\u2019 Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned a little. An odd question given the circumstances. \u201cI\u2019m fine, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good. I just thought for a moment that you might\u2019ve been regretting comin\u2019 on this trip with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No. I don\u2019t regret spending time with any of my sons. We haven\u2019t been able to spend much time with each other since you got married. I\u2019m glad you asked me to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa. It\u2019s just that you seemed to be in deep thought and it kinda worried me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorried you?\u201d<\/p>\n

To avoid the real reason why he was worried, Hoss paused for a moment as he thought of a plausible answer. \u201cWell in the past when you\u2019ve been quiet it\u2019s because of some sort of trouble so I was hopin\u2019 that there wasn\u2019t any.\u201d<\/p>\n

A warm smile appeared on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to worry about. I was actually thinking about why you decided that you wanted me to come along on this particular trip. I know that you\u2019re perfectly capable of deciding whether or not Saul Shepard\u2019s cattle will be good breeders or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa but I wanted you to come \u2018cause since they\u2019re gonna be mixin\u2019 with the Ponderosa\u2019s best \u2013 and you are still in charge of the Ponderosa \u2013 that I shouldn\u2019t do this without makin\u2019 sure that you approve as well. Besides, you haven\u2019t been off the ranch for a while now and I thought that a trip like this would do you good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ben could reply, Candy rode up to his left side. \u201cYeah, Mr. Cartwright it was \u2018bout time you went away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head to the left and in a voice that held a bit of sternness, he answered, \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. The hands were beginning to think that your tough boss act was for real.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss let out a loud laugh. He was soon joined by both Ben and Candy.<\/p>\n

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

Simon Wright left out a huge sigh of relief as he spied the old miner\u2019s cabin located a couple of miles outside of Virginia City. It hadn\u2019t been hard to get away from the rest of the Ponderosa hands. Most of them were too oblivious to the fact that he had taken this opportunity to part ways with them. His job was done and now all he had to do was give the information to his employer. The payment he was about to receive would help wipe away the two months of dirt and pain that came with being a ranch hand.<\/p>\n

As he stepped up onto the landing that was situated at the front of the building, a loud creak heralded his arrival. He winced as he hoped that it hadn\u2019t annoyed his employer. The littlest thing could set the man off at any moment these days.<\/p>\n

The front door to the cabin flew open, taking Simon by surprise. A light then appeared. \u201c\u2019Bout time you got here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I couldn\u2019t just take off whenever I felt like it,\u201d Simon said with a hint of displeasure in his voice, as he made his way past the big man who held the lamp.<\/p>\n

Before the big man could answer back, another voice came from the dimly lit corner of the room. \u201cNow Parker, our friend Simon here is right. To just take off would have aroused suspicion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Simon smiled as he went over to the other man in the corner. \u201cI got the information you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd did they leave like I predicted they would?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep but two of them stayed behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose don\u2019t matter as long as he was one of the ones to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright was one of them.\u201d Simon shifted his stance. The clothes Simon was wearing weren\u2019t the type he was used to. He preferred the best that money could buy and not these poor excuses. All that these clothes had given him was a damn rash that made him itch like crazy.<\/p>\n

His eyes moved over to Parker. The buffoon stood near the wall to the left of him in his usual state of disrepair. For the life of him, Simon couldn\u2019t understand what his employer saw in the man. The smell alone was enough to turn him off. Still, Parker probably served his purpose \u2013 you wouldn\u2019t want to get on the wrong side of him.<\/p>\n

After a few moments, Simon rubbed his hand through his thick brown hair. That was another thing he hated about this job \u2013 his hair felt like grease. It was time to go and since his employer wasn\u2019t going to ask, he would have to tell the man the rest. Simon cleared his throat. \u201cCartwright, his son Hoss and the ranch foreman, Canaday are on their way to Reno. They should be there for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. That will give me plenty of time to do what I have to do.\u201d The man looked Simon up and down. \u201cI suppose you want what\u2019s due to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simon nodded. \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, I won\u2019t keep you waiting.\u201d The man motioned to Parker, who placed down the lamp on a nearby side table and then moved to a position behind Simon. The man smiled. \u201cDeal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parker grunted as he grabbed both of Simon\u2019s arms. Simon suddenly began to realise what was about to happen. He began to struggle but Parker tightened his grip and lifted him off the ground. Pleas of mercy began to spew from Simon\u2019s mouth as Parker turned around and proceeded out the front door.<\/p>\n

The man, seated in the corner, closed his eyes and turned his thoughts to the matter at hand. A moment in time was all that it would take. Just one moment and Ben Cartwright would know the years of pain and sorrow that he had brought down upon her.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThat makes two in a row. You know we should do this more often.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we shouldn\u2019t.\u201d Hoss\u2019 brows knitted in frustration as he watched Candy scrape in the pot in the middle of the table.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed as he looked up from the book he was reading. \u201cI thought that you would have learned your lesson years ago Hoss after that incident with that racehorse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI for one, am glad that he didn\u2019t,\u201d Candy said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice, \u201cWant another hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Hoss stood up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. Candy had taken all his spare cash and the bank wouldn\u2019t be open again until Monday. He walked over to the window of the hotel room and looked down onto a street that was full of Saturday night revelers. They had arrived in Reno yesterday afternoon and spent today checking out Saul Shepard\u2019s stock. It was only about eight o\u2019clock and already his night had ended. As Hoss turned back to face the interior of the room, he saw a chess set on a table in the corner. He smiled a little. \u201cHey Pa, how \u2018bout we play a game of chess?\u201d<\/p>\n

Once again, Ben lifted his head from his book and gazed for a moment at the chess set. He didn\u2019t really feel like a game and now that he had been interrupted for what seemed like the hundredth time, he didn\u2019t feel like reading his book either. Closing the book, he placed it on the table next to the armchair he was seated in. What he wanted to do was to get out of this hotel suite and getting some fresh air. \u201cNo son. Not tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded reluctantly. \u201cOkay, Pa.\u201d He paused for a moment before quickly speaking again, \u201cHow \u2018bout a game of cards?\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown appeared on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cNo, not that either.\u201d He stood up, stretched, and then made his way to the sideboard near the door. As he picked up his gun holster, he smiled. \u201cI\u2019m going out for a walk. I\u2019m sure you two can find something to do without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy shot a quick look of concern to Hoss, who did likewise in response. The two of them walked over to the sideboard and grabbed their guns.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what do you two think you are doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThought you might like some company, ain\u2019t that right Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. You\u2019d have more fun if we came along with you Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I\u2019d have more fun without the two of you.\u201d Ben picked up his hat and placed it on his head. He couldn\u2019t understand the sudden interest Hoss and Candy had in his social life. After a quick shrug of his shoulders, he made his way to the door and grabbed the handle. \u201cWell, I can\u2019t wait for you two all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that Ben was serious, both Hoss and Candy grabbed their hats and continued to buckle their gun belts as they followed Ben out the room and down the hall. They failed to see the smirk that appeared on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Once they had made it out of the hotel, Candy suggested that they go to the saloon across the street. The Two Trees looked impressive enough on the outside and they could hear the laughter and music that emanated from it. Ben and Hoss nodded once in agreement and the three of them made their way to the saloon.<\/p>\n

Upon entering the establishment, they had to wait for a moment while a small crowd dispersed from the bar. Hoss had begun to get pre-occupied by all the different things that were happening in the room and so that when Candy called him towards the bar, he failed to see a man, who had at that exact moment had turned from the bar with three beers in his hand. Before Hoss realised it, there were three beer glasses on the floor, and they were both covered in beer.<\/p>\n

Hoss wiped some of the excess beer of himself, as he began to apologise profusely to the man and offer to buy some more beers. The man, who had his head lowered as he attempted to wipe himself dry as well, stopped in mid-swipe as soon as he heard Hoss speak. \u201cOf all the places\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A confused look appeared on Hoss\u2019 face. The voice sounded familiar. As he watched the man raised his head, Hoss\u2019 eyes got wider and wider. \u201cOh Lordy, why here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy and Ben, who had both found a spare spot at the bar, were oblivious to what had just occurred. Upon Hoss\u2019 exclamation, they both turned around to see who Hoss was speaking to. Neither of them could work out why Hoss had reacted in this way until they saw Hoss\u2019 face get a look of grim determination as he uttered the words \u201cFred Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh great. Just great.\u201d Candy walked over to stand beside Hoss. \u201cLook we don\u2019t want any trouble. We\u2019ll pay for the beers and we can all be happily on our way.\u201d He began to reach into his vest pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble is all that you Cartwrights have ever been to me since the day we met,\u201d Fred grated out. He pointed his right index finger at Hoss\u2019 chest, \u201cBecause of your brother I had to leave town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Fred, any trouble was brought on by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I expect you, Cartwrights, to say. You all stick together like bees in honey. If it weren\u2019t for that interfering brother of yours, I would have had Jane Talbot and the witch would have been begging for more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Hoss could respond, Candy grabbed Fred by the collar with both hands and lifted him off the ground. \u201cI\u2019ll thank you not to ruin that good lady\u2019s reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fred smiled. \u201cOh, I see how it is. Well was she good as she pretends to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI warned you,\u201d Candy said vehemently as let his right hand go of Fred and used it to make a connection between it and Fred\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Some of the other men in the saloon, affected by the amount of alcohol they had consumed, took this as a sign to start a free-for-all fight. Within moments the sounds of laughter and music had been replaced by the sound of furniture being broken and glassware smashing to the ground.<\/p>\n

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

The sound of keys jingling bought Candy out of his deep slumber. He winced as he felt the pain that came from his lower jaw and left eye. Boy, he hoped that wouldn\u2019t last long. As he slowly opened his eyes and began to look around, he realised that he was in a jail cell. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned as he turned around. \u201cI\u2019m surprised that you don\u2019t remember. After you took care of Fred and his glass jaw, you backed up into that miner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiner?\u201d Candy gingerly sat up on the bunk he was on and placed his feet on the floor. He rested his elbows on his lap and lowered his head into his hands. \u201cOh\u2026I remember. Where were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was set upon by two brothers.\u201d Hoss rubbed the left side of his jaw with his right hand. \u201cThey got in a couple of good ones before I ended it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how did we end up in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, those two brothers had another brother and he happens to be one of the deputies here. When he turned up and seen what I had done, he promptly arrested me for disturbin\u2019 the peace. He then remembered his civic duty and asked who had started the fight in the place. Someone said that you did and since you didn\u2019t object, the deputy arrested you too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy sighed. \u201cDo you know when they will be letting us out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoon, I hope. The sheriff just released a few of the others they took in last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few moments, they both remained silent. Candy rubbed the back of his head with hand. \u201cHow did your father fare in all of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown appeared on Hoss\u2019 face. \u201cI was hopin\u2019 that you could tell me that. I lost sight of him the moment those two brothers started up on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI lost track of him way before that.\u201d Candy stood up and walked over to where Hoss stood near the bars at the front of the cell. \u201cYour Pa\u2019s probably over at the hotel dining room enjoying a peaceful breakfast without us,\u201d he said with a hint of humour in his voice.<\/p>\n

Hoss grimaced. A part of him knew what Candy said could be true but another part of him feared the worse. All he wanted to do was to get out here and make sure that his father was fine. \u201cYeah, I hope you\u2019re right.\u201d He paused for a moment and then said solemnly, \u201cI hope you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben shook his head again. Those cobwebs in his mind were still there but they weren\u2019t as bad as they had initially been. As he focussed his eyes, he became aware that he was seated in the middle of a dingy room that seemed to have no windows. Except for the shafts of light streaming in through the cracks in the timber wall, the room was dark.<\/p>\n

He had no idea how long he had been here for but as his head began to clear he realised that this was a place he didn\u2019t want to be in. Abruptly he tried to stand up, only to find that both his feet and hands were bound tightly and that any quick movements would bring a rush of pain.<\/p>\n

After the pain had subsided, Ben moved his head slowly around the room. The shafts of light were the only way of seeing what was in the room. Maybe just one them would illuminate something to give him a clue to where he was.<\/p>\n

Suddenly a door burst opened. The sudden rush of full light blinded him for a moment but as his eyes adjusted, he could make out a shadowy figure. As the figure approached, Ben had the feeling that there was something familiar about it. Before he could have a chance to work out who it could be, he felt a sickening blow to the head. The blackness that he had experienced earlier descended once again.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDang!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve exhausted every possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, \u201cYeah we have. They must have gotten him sometime during the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree.\u201d Candy grimaced. They had arrived back at the hotel to find that Mr. Cartwright hadn\u2019t been seen by the hotel clerk since last night, so both Hoss and he had initially assumed that Mr. Cartwright was still asleep in his room. When they got up there and found that his bed hadn\u2019t been slept in, they began to think the worse. Now after a few enquiries, their fears had been confirmed.<\/p>\n

With a lowered head, Hoss studied the ornate pattern of the rug that he stood on in the middle of the hotel lobby. He needed to push aside his worry and get to the business of locating his father. Problem was that his father would have been taken at any time last night and could be miles away by now.<\/p>\n

Candy placed his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll start on the east side of town. We could be lucky, and he might still be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Hoss said quietly as he raised his head. He swapped his hat from his right to his left hand and then ran his right hand through his hair in frustration. \u201cI wish that this one-time Pa had told us what had happened instead of keepin\u2019 it to himself. Maybe, then at least we\u2019d have something to go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what they say \u2013 beggars can\u2019t be choosers,\u201d Candy replied in a half-light tone. Hoss needed to keep his hopes if they were ever gonna have some chance of finding Mr. Cartwright alive and well. \u201cBesides from what I know of the man, he isn\u2019t likely to take your Pa too far away now is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 brows knitted together for a moment. Candy had a point. The man who had Pa had spent most of his life at sea \u2013 he would have no chance out there in the wilderness. \u201cYou\u2019re right. Time we got started.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The pain in his head was back – bigger and stronger than it had been the last time around. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut for a moment before slowly re-opening them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAah\u2026So you\u2019ve decided to rejoin us again Benjamin. I was afraid that Parker had done his job a bit too well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though he still felt groggy, he knew who the voice belonged to. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? Yes, why indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben lifted his head slowly and stared at the face of his captor. The room was illuminated by a kerosene lamp that had been placed on a table and Ben could almost make out the man\u2019s features. \u201cLook, Matt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Matthias Kendall raised his hand and stopped Ben in mid-sentence. \u201cNo, no Benjamin. This time around I\u2019ll do the talking. I don\u2019t want to hear your lies again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lies?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your lies,\u201d Kendall snapped back. \u201cLast time around you nearly had me convinced that you knew nothing but we both know that isn\u2019t the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Matt, but I told you the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendall grunted and then began to pace around the room as he tapped the fingers of his right hand on his chin. This moment had been a long time coming and it seemed that his old friend, Benjamin was still intent on playing the dumb fool.<\/p>\n

As he watched the man pace, Ben noticed that Kendall seemed to have grown much older over the last couple of months. Kendall\u2019s gait seemed to be a lot slower than it used to be and every now and then the light would highlight his white hair, which looked like it hadn\u2019t seen a brush in a long time. Ben lowered his head and shook it slowly. Whatever it was that was eating away at Kendall, it seemed to be eating away at the man physically as well.<\/p>\n

After a few more minutes, Kendall abruptly stopped and faced Ben. \u201cAlright, for the time being, we\u2019ll have it your way and therefore it is my solemn duty to remind you of what you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and waited for Kendall, as the man motioned to Parker. Parker grabbed the chair near the table and placed it in front of Ben. Kendall took his seat and waited for Parker to leave. When Parker had done so, Kendall turned his attention back to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember what she was like all those years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown appeared on Ben\u2019s face. So, this had something to do with a woman in their past. Ben was one hundred percent sure that it had nothing to do with Elizabeth \u2013 at least he hoped that it didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see by your reaction that you\u2019re still pretending that you don\u2019t know who I am talking about,\u201d Kendall stated in a tone that hinted at some of the anger that he held. \u201cDid you know that when you met her in New Orleans that it wasn\u2019t the first time, she had seen you.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Orleans? Ben stared questionably at him. \u201cLook, Matt, what does this have to do with Marie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie?\u201d Kendall abruptly stood up and, in the process, knocked the chair he had been sitting on, which then fell to the floor. \u201cStill you play games. Whatever my lovely Linda saw in a fool like you I will never know.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the mention of the woman\u2019s name who was at the centre of all this, Ben began to search his memories to work out who, Kendall had referred to. The realisation of who it could possibly be began to dawn on him. His eyes slowly widen as he gazed up at Kendall. \u201cYou\u2019re talking about Linda Chadwick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally,\u201d Kendall said with relief in his voice, \u201cYes my beloved Linda.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know that you knew her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I knew her. How could I not? She is my sister after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my sister.\u201d Kendall bent halfway to stare Ben straight in the face. \u201cYou remember what you did to her don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben silently remembered his last encounter with Lady Linda Chadwick. The woman had nearly ruined him and in the end, had gone mad to the point of slashing that painting of the two of them. The whole affair had left a bitter after taste that he still felt from time to time and was feeling right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see by the look on your face that you do remember.\u201d Kendall stood straight up again. \u201cShe fell in love with you from the first moment she laid eyes on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confusion swept over Ben once more. \u201cHow can she be your sister? When I first met her, her name was Lawrence, not Kendall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendall nodded. \u201cYes, I suppose I can understand why you might not have made the connection. Linda was the result of an unfortunate affair my father had with her mother. When I first found out about her, I wanted nothing to do with her. However, after I met her, I changed my mind. She was a very beautiful and charming woman,\u201d he paused for a moment and a brief smile flickered onto his face. \u201cDon\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she was beautiful and charming.\u201d Ben took a deep breath. The memories of the way it had been when he had first met Linda came flooding back. He had loved her then but in hindsight, not the way she had deserved. How could such a woman, with so much potential, end up the way she did? The thought saddened Ben and he knew that he was partially to blame. Now all he wanted to do was to find out more. Maybe in some way, Kendall would help him get rid of some of the guilt he felt. He gazed up at Kendall\u2019s face. \u201cYou said that New Orleans wasn\u2019t the first place she had seen me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t.\u201d Kendall briefly squeezed his eyes shut and then re-opened them. \u201cThe summer before you were married, she came to visit me. I decided to take her to that ball that the shipping company was holding and fully intended to introduce her to you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few moments, Kendall seemed to be lost in another world. Ben stared solemnly at the man and watched the emotions flicker over his face. As Ben continued to watch, part of him wanted to help make restitution and resolve the situation but another part of him knew that it was too late. What was done was done and nothing he could ever do was going to fix it.<\/p>\n

Just as he was about to speak up, Ben was stopped with a quick hand motion from Kendall. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Linda had insisted that I introduce you to her. She had spotted you the moment you arrived. However, just before I could, we saw you dancing with Elizabeth Stoddard. There was no denying that you were in love with Elizabeth \u2013 the look on your face showed it clearly. Poor Linda was devastated, and I took her home immediately. A few days later she apologised and told me that it was only a mild infatuation. I thought nothing more of it until I found out years later that she had managed to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben half-smiled and took a deep breath. \u201cI did care very much for Linda, but I realised that it wasn\u2019t meant to be. I was on my west to fulfil my dream and I knew that Linda would never take to it. I had thought that she had come to the same conclusion and that\u2019s why she encouraged Chadwick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe only encouraged Chadwick to make you jealous. By the time she knew she had made a mistake, it was too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown appeared on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re not. Chadwick, for the most part, cared deeply for her but alas you had a grip so tight on her heart that it was closed off to others \u2013 including me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Kendall could continue, the door to the room suddenly came crashing to the ground. Hoss rushed towards Kendall and grabbed him by the collar. \u201cIf you\u2019ve done anything to my Pa, I\u2019ll make you regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n

Hoss swung his head around slowly and meet his father\u2019s gaze. Without a moment\u2019s hesitation, he let go of Kendall and bent down to start the process of untying his father.<\/p>\n

Kendall, seeing that Hoss was busy, took this as an opportunity to make his escape but just as he reached the door, two deputies grabbed him by the arms and dragged him back into the room. They were followed by Candy, who slowly walked in. Candy looked around the room briefly before setting his eyes upon Hoss and his father.<\/p>\n

As soon as Hoss had finished untying him, Ben stood up and rubbed his wrists. He smiled warmly at Hoss. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks needed Pa,\u201d Hoss said with a hint of relief in his voice. To him, his father looked for the most part okay on the outside, but Hoss knew that what was going on inside was the thing that mattered the most. He placed his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder and with a look of concern on his face, spoke in a soft voice, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept for a headache I\u2019ve got from the bump on my head, I feel fine.\u201d Ben then turned his attention to Kendall, who was still being held by the two deputies. Kendall had the look of a man who knew that it was all over, but Ben knew that it wasn\u2019t quite that way.<\/p>\n

For a moment as Ben approached him, Kendall straightened up. Kendall\u2019s head then darted around the room very quickly. \u201cWhere\u2019s Parker?\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy stepped forward. \u201cIf you\u2019re talking about that big fella that was on guard outside \u2013 I\u2019m sorry to say that he resisted, and the deputies had to shoot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, he\u2019s dead then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Fraid so.\u201d<\/p>\n

A slight moan escaped from Kendall\u2019s mouth before he answered, \u201cSo be it.\u201d He looked at the two men who held him. \u201cGentlemen, my time here is over \u2013 I shall take my leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Ben shouted. As he made a move towards Kendall and the deputies, Hoss held out his arm and grabbed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you need to rest. You can talk to him in the mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stared blankly at Hoss for a moment. There were so many questions that needed to be answered but he knew his son was right \u2013 he would need to have all his wits about him before he went another round with Kendall.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss shrugged his shoulders briefly. \u201cNow you know the story as I know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Pa hasn\u2019t said a word about it since?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a single one. Joe tried to get him to talk about it, but Pa just brushed him off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gazed at the front door. \u201cHe\u2019s probably outside thinking about what happened and in some way blaming himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019ll just go out and get some fresh air myself,\u201d Adam said as he began to rise off the sofa.<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled. \u201cAdam, do whatever you need to do to get him to open up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d As he made his way around the sofa, Adam stopped briefly to give Hoss a reassuring pat on the shoulder. He then made his way outside.<\/p>\n

After he had closed the front door behind him, Adam looked around the yard and spotted his father over near the corral.<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head to the right as he waited for Adam to approach. When he had heard the front door close, he knew it was his oldest son. He also knew why Adam had come out.<\/p>\n

When Adam reached his father, he glanced upwards. \u201cNice night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is.\u201d Ben took a deep breath. \u201cI suppose Hoss told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s not much more to add.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know that there is.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he turned to face Adam, Ben snorted. \u201cI guess there\u2019s no escaping it. All three of you will keep trying until I let it all out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled warmly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got that right.\u201d He paused for a moment before he continued. \u201cLook Pa we know that Kendall left you with a lot of unanswered questions. He was a very troubled man and taking his own life in the jail cell that night just proved it. Maybe it was a last-ditch attempt to make you pay for whatever it was he thought you had done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a feeling that it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few minutes, there was silence between the two men. Adam put both of his hands on the fence and gazed out over the corral. \u201cRemember that story you used to tell us about the sticks? How one stick by itself can break easily but together in a group it\u2019s unbreakable. Kendall was only one man. He was all alone in his misery and his hate for you. He had no-one to turn to and look what it did to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know but I just can\u2019t help blaming myself for what happened. I keep looking for the answers, but I can\u2019t find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it doesn\u2019t have to be this way.\u201d Adam pointed to the house. \u201cYou have me and two others in there. Together we can help you find the answers you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gazed at the house and then back at Adam. What Adam said had somehow made sense. He could feel the tears starting to well up in his eyes. \u201cYou know son, I think we should go inside and talk this thing out with your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam touched his father briefly on the arm. \u201cYou know Pa, there\u2019s one thing you can be sure of.\u201d<\/p>\n

A slight frown appeared on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cAnd what\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe and Hoss won\u2019t stop until they\u2019ve come up with an answer \u2013 and neither will I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied in a soft voice as turned to face Adam. He placed both of his hands on his son\u2019s arms and gave them a squeeze. After this gesture had been completed, Adam lifted his right arm and placed it around Ben\u2019s shoulders. \u201cC\u2019mon Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben responded and placed his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulders. As they made their way inside, Ben\u2019s thoughts took him back to Kendall and all that had happened. Deep down he knew that things will be all right but a part of him also knew that there would be times where he would stop and question Kendall\u2019s actions. However, Ben knew that after tonight he would have a ready answer.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Ben\u2019s life is in danger and so the boys devise a plan to get him out off the ranch without him knowing the real reason why. The task falls upon Hoss and Candy, who both realise that it\u2019s going to be hard to keep Ben safe and in the dark.<\/p>\n

Rating: PG<\/p>\n

Word Count: 6,711<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"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":[23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1440,"today_views":0},"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":19077,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19077","url_meta":{"origin":22856,"position":0},"title":"Studio Executives #4 – A Ponderosa Christmas . . . 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