{"id":2491,"date":"2004-09-01T22:26:28","date_gmt":"2004-09-02T02:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2491"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:26","slug":"sunshine-and-shadows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2491","title":{"rendered":"Sunshine and Shadows (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A WHN for Shining In Spain. Joe is pining for Wendy, so Ben finds a reason to send him to San Francisco. But things don’t go exactly as Joe planned.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(12,330 Words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Thanks as ever to Claire for the title!<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunshine and Shadows\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben said, softly. He didn\u2019t get an immediate response. Joe seemed completely unaware of his father\u2019s presence, as he gazed off into the distance. \u201cJoe?\u201d Ben repeated, slightly louder this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time, Ben\u2019s voice penetrated Joe\u2019s mind and he blinked, and turned. \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very quiet,\u201d Ben noted, sitting down in a chair by the table on the porch. Joe kept leaning on the porch pillar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking,\u201d Joe replied, trying to sound more cheerful than he actually felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThinking about Wendy?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a sudden rigidity about Joe\u2019s stance that did not escape Ben\u2019s notice. Ever since the first of the stages, run by Wendy\u2019s father, Taylor Daniels, had arrived in town, Ben knew that Joe had been thinking about Wendy. He had thought about her a lot in the preceding six months, while Mr. Daniels built up his new business. But over the last few days, Joe had been extremely preoccupied and Ben thought it had to do with Wendy. So he waited patiently for Joe to answer him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ve been thinking about Wendy,\u201d Joe admitted, sighing heavily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making an interested sound, Ben waited for Joe to go on. After a moment, Joe obliged. \u201cI knew that I wouldn\u2019t hear much from Wendy while she and her father were getting to know each other,\u201d he began. \u201cBut I had hoped that when Mr. Daniels came out to open the new depot, Wendy would come with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So he was right, Ben thought. Although Joe had hidden his feelings from Wendy, he had had a harder time hiding them from his family. Joe had been more than half way in love with the girl when she had left to go to San Francisco with her father, but he had let her go, knowing that Wendy had a lot of growing up to do, yet hoping that she would come back to him. \u201cI see,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cDid you speak to Mr. Daniels?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Joe replied. He leaned his head on his right arm, which was leaning on the pillar. \u201cHe was busy when I was there and he just said hello. He was pretty distracted, so I decided that it was better not to bother him.\u201d Joe shrugged, trying to convince himself that it didn\u2019t matter, when it really did. \u201cAnd he went back to San Francisco before I got the chance to talk to him again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you going to do?\u201d Ben asked, after Joe was silent for a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe made a moue. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted. \u201cPerhaps this is Wendy\u2019s way of telling me goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really believe that?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe repeated. \u201cI don\u2019t think Wendy really knew how I felt about her. She was very young,\u201d he added, although he was not that many years older than her.<\/span><\/p>\n

That was certainly true. Wendy had been enchanting, but very immature for her 19 years. But before Ben could say any more, Joe went on. \u201cI\u2019ll write to her, I guess, and ask her what\u2019s going on.\u201d He tried to sound casual about it, but failed. Forcing a smile, Joe straightened. \u201cGood night, Pa.\u201d He went inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning an elbow on the table, Ben gazed sightlessly into the distance, as Joe had done. He thought he had better conjure up a reason to send Joe to San Francisco before he ate his heart out. He rose, wondering why love was never easy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A couple of days later, as they sat down to supper, Ben looked pointedly at Joe. \u201cAfter supper, you\u2019d better get packed, young man,\u201d he announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked surprised. \u201cPacked?\u201d he echoed. \u201cWhy? Where am I going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow, you\u2019re catching the noon stage to San Francisco,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cYou\u2019re going to look at a horse for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, Joe knew what Ben was up to and he didn\u2019t know whether to thank his father or lose his temper. \u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d he began.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa nothing,\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cI want you to go and look at a horse that I\u2019ve been offered. If it\u2019s good enough, I want you to buy it and bring it home. If not, well, that was a chance we couldn\u2019t pass up.\u201d He smiled at Joe. \u201cAnd I hope you\u2019ll have enough manners to present my compliments to Taylor Daniels while you\u2019re there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Hoss should go,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the expert on horses, little brother,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201c\u2019Sides, I got enough ta do right here at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Meeting Ben\u2019s eyes, Joe tried one last time. \u201cPa, you don\u2019t need to do this,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know I don\u2019t,\u201d Ben replied, quietly. He nodded. \u201cYou go, son and look at that horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe capitulated, not sure if he wanted to leap with joy or sneak off and cry somewhere. But one thing he knew; he would be on that stage the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe spent the journey to San Francisco vacillating between hope and despair. His traveling companions changed at every stop, and he felt increasingly lonely. The stagecoach was delayed and it was already dark when Joe finally arrived in San Francisco. He made his way to the Plaza Hotel, where his father had booked him a room, ate and fell straight into bed, exhausted.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he woke next morning, it was almost eight am, but nobody at the hotel looked twice at him as he went in for a late breakfast. Joe dawdled as long as he could, but finally, he knew he had to make a move. He wasn’t due to go out and see the horse until the next day, so he decided that he would go to see Wendy at once. There was no point in putting it off any longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not knowing the city that well, Joe got lost a couple of times en-route, but passers by were quick to help him, and he found himself standing before a modest home a short time later. Gathering up his courage in both hands, Joe went up the path and knocked on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as he was thinking there was no one home, the door opened and Taylor Daniels stood there. \u201cJoe Cartwright!\u201d he cried. He thrust out his hand and began to pump Joe\u2019s hand enthusiastically. \u201cWhat are you doing here? Come on in! How good to see you! How\u2019s your father? I had hoped to see him when I was in Virginia City last month, but time was against me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s fine, thank you, sir,\u201d Joe replied. He felt extremely awkward, although he wasn\u2019t entirely sure why.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome in, sit down,\u201d Daniels gushed and Joe began to realize that Daniels was the source of his discomfort. He had never seen the older man behave like this, although their acquaintance was short. \u201cCan I get you some coffee?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you, sir.\u201d Joe decided to come straight to the point. \u201cI was hoping to see Wendy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At once, the animation died out of Daniels\u2019 face and he sat down abruptly. Joe copied him, sensing that what he was about to hear wouldn\u2019t be to his liking. \u201cWendy,\u201d Daniels sighed. \u201cJoe, she isn\u2019t here. A few weeks ago, she eloped with her young man and I haven\u2019t seen them since.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cWendy? That doesn\u2019t seem like her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising, Daniels began to pace. \u201cHe was a good looking young man, and he was idealistic, with lots of big dreams. Wendy fell passionately in love with him, and when he came asking for her hand in marriage, I said I wanted her to wait another couple of months, just to be sure that this wasn\u2019t some passing infatuation. I don\u2019t know exactly what happened, but when I came home from the office that night a few weeks ago, she had gone and there was a note left on the table. She said that he was going to build her a castle, one where the sun always shone, like the castles in Spain I had talked about when she was a child.\u201d Looking at Joe, the younger man could see the despair on the father\u2019s face. \u201cMy dreams that filled her childhood have come back to haunt me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere they married?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes,\u201d Daniels nodded. \u201cRight here in town. But they haven\u2019t been seen since.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said, awkwardly. He rose, wanting only to get out of there, for his own heart was breaking. Daniels wasn\u2019t the only one with shattered dreams. \u201cI hope you hear from Wendy soon.\u201d Joe swiftly made his escape, not looking back. Daniels, sunk in his own misery, barely noticed him leaving.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he walked back to his hotel, Joe forced himself to look back on the time spent with Wendy. He had to admit that he had built a lot of dreams on the things she had said to him while staying at the Ponderosa, but she had given him no real sign that she felt the same way about him as he felt about her. Even those kisses had not been kisses from a woman in love. Wendy was an idealist and a dreamer and Joe recognized that perhaps he had not been the man she was looking for. Joe was too real, too practical and Wendy had been looking for a dreamer. Joe\u2019s dreams were too substantial for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting alone in the hotel suite, Joe wished there was a way he could speak to Ben, share his misery with his father and thereby gain some comfort. But there wasn\u2019t and Joe didn\u2019t want to send a wire with the bad news. Closing his eyes, Joe mourned his lost love alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The night passed \u2013 well it passed. Joe would rather forget about it completely. He rose the next morning and looked at his reflection dispassionately in the mirror while he shaved.\u00a0 The eyes looking back at him were somehow less green than usual, and they had dark circles under them, but Joe thought he looked relatively human. Certainly, no one looking at him would realize the depths of the disappointment that he had suffered the day before \u2013 he hoped.<\/span><\/p>\n

With nothing better to do, Joe went off to view the horse his father was interested in buying. He hired a horse at the livery, since the stables were outside the city. The day was cool and overcast and the nag he was riding had had many years of hard work and was dull and spiritless. After half-heartedly trying to make it remain in a lope, Joe allowed the beast to pick its own pace and the slow walk suited his mood. In consequence, it was almost noon before he arrived out at the stables.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright,\u201d he introduced himself to the nearest man. \u201cI\u2019m here to see Mr. Shaw.\u201d A few minutes later, Joe was being shown into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPleased to meet you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Shaw said, shaking Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cHow\u2019s your father? I haven\u2019t seen him for a few years, but when I saw this stallion, I thought of him at once. He says that you are in charge of the horses at the Ponderosa now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, sir,\u201d Joe replied, trying to hide his pride. \u201cPa speaks very highly of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing at his pocket watch, Shaw nodded. \u201cLunch will be at one, so we\u2019ve got time to go and view the stallion before we come back and have something to eat. Then we can talk business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very kind of you, thank you, sir,\u201d Joe smiled. He followed the man out of the house, wishing that he could just see the horse and go. He wasn\u2019t really in the mood for being sociable, but it would have been terribly rude to just leave and Joe had been brought up to have manners.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stallion was everything that Joe looked for in a good stud horse. He wasn\u2019t overly big \u2013 no more than 16 hands \u2013 but very well put together. He was a rich bay, with beautiful black points. There was a small star between his eyes and he held his neck proudly. \u201cWhat\u2019s he like to handle?\u201d Joe asked, his tone not displaying any real interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning, not fooled by Joe\u2019s dispassionate question, Shaw replied, \u201cLike any good one, he has his ways, but he\u2019s not prone to biting or kicking. He\u2019s very ticklish around his stifle, so you have to go easy when grooming him there, but other than that, he\u2019s got a lovely nature.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaddle broke?\u201d Joe asked, hoping the answer would be yes. He had no desire to try and take an unbroken stallion all the way back to the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Shaw nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s rising six. Would you like to see one of his foals?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe answered, although he knew as well as anyone that the foal could belong to any stallion on the place. It was an uncharitable thought, given that Ben was friends with Reginald Shaw, but Joe knew all the tricks.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the instant he saw the foal, Joe was convinced that the stallion was its sire. It was a miniature of the stallion, even down to the star between the eyes. Joe watched the foal, fuzzy with the first growth of winter coat, gamboling around the paddock and knew he wanted that stallion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s have lunch,\u201d Shaw proposed and Joe agreed. His heart, he noticed with surprise, had begun to feel a bit lighter. \u201cSo what do you think of the horse?\u201d Shaw asked, as they walked into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks all right,\u201d Joe hedged. \u201cBut I won\u2019t know until I ride him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling and nodding, Shaw showed Joe where he could wash up and pointed out the dining room. \u201cCome and join us as soon as you\u2019re ready,\u201d his host told him, and went off to freshen up himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly cleaning up, Joe went over to the dining room and got the shock of his life. \u201cWendy,\u201d he breathed, looking in disbelief at the blonde girl sitting at the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Wendy looked astonished. She also looked older, more polished than she had when Joe had last seen her. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was about to ask you the same thing,\u201d Joe replied, ignoring the glowering young man sitting beside Wendy. \u201cI went to see your father yesterday and he told me you had\u2026\u201d Belatedly, Joe realized why Wendy was here and why she was sitting with the man, whose glare was darker than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father?\u201d Shaw echoed. \u201cWendy, you told me your father was dead.\u201d He looked shocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not quite true,\u201d Wendy admitted. \u201cHe lives in San Francisco and he had forbidden me to get married.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s worried about you,\u201d Joe told her, thoroughly disgusted that she could have done such a thing, and perplexed by the changes in her. The Wendy he had known six months before would never have entertained such a thought. \u201cHow could you do that, Wendy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d the young man interposed. \u201cWendy is my wife now and as such, she has passed out of her father\u2019s control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my son, Reg,\u201d Shaw belatedly introduced Joe. \u201cAnd I gather you know my new daughter-in-law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy stayed with us on the Ponderosa for a while earlier this year,\u201d Joe answered, softly. There was an uncomfortable silence, as Joe studied Wendy, trying to see if there was a visible change to explain her change in attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was during this pause that lunch was served and Joe found himself persuaded to sit down and eat, although the atmosphere could be cut with a knife. Reg was deliberately making himself unpleasant to Joe, as though he could sense that there had been more to Joe and Wendy\u2019s relationship than just friendship. Shaw senior was clearly very embarrassed by the whole situation but there was really nothing that could be said to ease things.<\/span><\/p>\n

At long last, lunch was over. Reg rose from the table, kissed Wendy possessively and disappeared outside. Shaw cleared his throat. \u201cJoe, I\u2019ll just go and order the stallion saddled for you,\u201d he remarked and hurried away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Left alone with Wendy, Joe studied her. \u201cYou\u2019re just as lovely as you were,\u201d he remarked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going back,\u201d Wendy replied. \u201cFather has become so boring. I thought we would travel and live in a lovely house, a great shining palace. Instead, he works all the hours of the day and at night is too tired to do anything. I haven\u2019t been anywhere else since we arrived here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, Joe thought of the number of times Wendy had mentioned her father\u2019s dreams and realized that the dreams meant more to her than the man. \u201cAnd Reg?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReg is going to make my dreams come true. He knows how to make dreams happen without working so hard all the time. Look!\u201d She gestured around her. \u201cI already have a lovely house. We\u2019re going to travel, Joe and then have lots of lovely children.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if the dreams don\u2019t come true this time?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cDreams are wonderful things, Wendy, but they need to be worked at. Your father\u2019s dream of that stage line has come true, but he\u2019s worked for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be different with Reg,\u201d Wendy insisted, not willing to entertain thoughts that it might not be. She didn\u2019t want harsh, cold reality intruding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope for your sake it is,\u201d Joe replied. He suddenly pitied Wendy, for all that she appeared to have everything. She was a child playing at being an adult. Her childhood had been colored by the ideas of her father’s never-ending dreams and she was unable to face reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

From behind Joe, Reg spoke coldly. \u201cMy father says the horse is ready for you, Cartwright.\u201d He went over to Wendy and put his arm around her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Wendy,\u201d Joe said, as evenly as he could manage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell Father where I am,\u201d Wendy begged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI must,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cHe has a right to know where you are.\u201d He cast a glance at Reg and repressed a shudder at the look in the other man\u2019s eyes. \u201cGoodbye,\u201d Joe offered and swiftly left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The stallion was every bit as good as Joe had hoped and after he had put it through its paces, he spent almost an hour haggling over the price until both he and Shaw were satisfied. By now, it was well into the afternoon, but Joe refused an invitation to stay for dinner. One uncomfortable meal had been enough! He used the excuse that he wasn\u2019t too familiar with the road back and preferred to ride it in daylight. Shaw willingly accepted the excuse and didn\u2019t press Joe to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounted once more on the hired nag, Joe set out for San Francisco. He had no trouble finding his way back and stabled the stallion in the hotel stables once he had returned the hired horse. Making arrangements to get a saddle and bridle for the stallion, Joe then went, had something to eat and retired for the night. He didn\u2019t sleep much, disturbed by thoughts of Wendy and what might have been.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning, Joe was hollow-eyed and yawning, but he was determined to set out for home that day. He had breakfast, paid his bill and collected the stallion. Then he turned his horse towards Daniels\u2019 home and went to tell him that Wendy had been found.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was completely unaware that he was being followed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

There was no reply at Daniels\u2019 house. Joe walked slowly back to his horse, frustrated. He had no idea where Daniels\u2019 office was, and although he could probably find out easily enough, he didn\u2019t want to waste the whole day. Rummaging in his saddlebags, Joe finally found a scrap of paper and a pencil and scribbled a message. Joe shoved it under the door and sighed. He had done everything he could; now it was up to them what happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Joe walked back to his horse and fondled the soft nose for a moment, before unhitching the rein and preparing to mount. He was vaguely aware of someone else in the street, but paid no attention until something hard poked into his back. \u201cDon\u2019t move, Cartwright,\u201d a semi-familiar voice warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

A hand lifted his gun from his holster as Joe slowly raised his hands. The stallion\u2019s rein was taken from him and the horse snorted, moving sideways as it sensed the sudden tension in the air. \u201cMove,\u201d the voice ordered and the gun gave Joe another hard poke in the back. Joe did as he was told, racking his brain to try and place the voice. This was someone who knew him, so it seemed logical to Joe that he knew this person, even if not well.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was made to walk down the street and round the corner, where a closed carriage was waiting. It was only when Joe saw the brand on one of the carriage horses that he remembered where he had heard the voice before. \u201cWhy are you doing this, Reg?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The street was deserted. If Joe was going to escape, he would have to rely solely upon himself. He started to turn his head, but as he did so, he was shoved hard against the carriage. \u201cKeep your eyes to the front,\u201d Reg warned him. \u201cAny sudden moves and I won\u2019t be responsible for what my associate will do with that gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The gun traveled up to rest against Joe\u2019s temple and his hands were pulled behind him and tightly tied. A blindfold covered his eyes and then Joe heard the carriage door open and he was shoved inside, stumbling on the steps that he could no longer see and sprawling on the floor. Immediately, he felt his feet being tied and he began to struggle. There was a curse and then something smashed down on Joe\u2019s head and he tumbled into darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

When he woke, his head was throbbing. Joe groaned and tried to open his eyes. He realized that he was still blindfolded, and his chin was resting on his chest. Lifting his head, Joe tried to find a surface to rub his head against to dislodge the cloth over his eyes, but there didn\u2019t seem to be one close by. As his grip on consciousness improved, Joe became aware that something was different. When he was knocked out, his hands had been tied behind him; now, they were tied to something above him and his shoulders were protesting the uncomfortable position. Struggling to free himself, Joe then discovered that he was seated cross legged, Indian style, on the ground, and each ankle was tied to the opposite thigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ropes were securely tied and there was really no point in struggling, but Joe did anyway. The ropes didn\u2019t move a single inch. He was well and truly trapped. Slumping in his bonds, Joe tried to work out what was going on. He knew Reg Shaw had kidnapped him, but he couldn\u2019t for the life of him guess why. Surely not because he didn\u2019t want Wendy\u2019s father finding out where she was? That didn\u2019t make sense. Some sort of ransom? Joe somehow thought that was unlikely, but he couldn\u2019t think of another reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was uncertain how long he had been sitting there when he heard a door open. The air around Joe was cold and damp and there had been a slight echo when Joe had tried shouting for help, suggesting that it was a large empty building. Two sets of footsteps came towards him, echoing off a hard floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re awake,\u201d Reg\u2019s voice noted. \u201cThat\u2019s good. How do you feel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you care?\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cWhy are you doing this, Reg?\u201d Joe desperately wanted to ask what they were going to do with him, but bit back any more questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doing it to teach you a lesson, Cartwright,\u201d Reg hissed, spitefully. \u201cYou\u2019ve managed to ruin my life, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI met you briefly yesterday afternoon,\u201d Joe scoffed. \u201cHow could I possibly have ruined your life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A hand grabbed Joe\u2019s collar and pulled him up slightly. \u201cYour appearance ruined our plans,\u201d Reg growled. Joe could feel the man\u2019s breath hot on his face. \u201cPa believed that Wendy\u2019s father was dead and he was more than happy for us to live in the house and help him with the stud. We had everything we wanted and then you came along and spoiled it for us.\u201d Reg gave Joe a shake. \u201cPa cut off my allowance, and told me I have to find somewhere else to live. He ordered us to go and see Wendy\u2019s father, and beg his forgiveness. Him! That milksop, who couldn\u2019t live up to Wendy\u2019s dreams!\u201d Reg shook Joe again, and Joe could barely hold back a groan as the motion put more strain on his already sore shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see how any of this is my fault,\u201d Joe denied, stubbornly. \u201cYour own lies caught you out; my appearance was just chance. And I don\u2019t see how this is going to make things better for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dropping the front of Joe\u2019s jacket, Reg fumbled in his jacket for a knife, which he used to slice through the ropes on Joe\u2019s legs. Joe was surprised by the action, but before he could speak, or move, he felt his hands rising further into the air as whatever they were tied to was lifted. Joe scrambled to get to his feet, swaying dizzily as he was hauled up too abruptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The upwards movement stopped when Joe\u2019s feet were just barely touching the floor. He felt nauseated as he swung from his arms, and swallowed hard to keep from regurgitating the contents of his stomach. He was aware that someone was fumbling with his boots and socks, exposing his bare feet to the cold, damp floor and he struggled weakly, kicking out as best he could. That earned him a back-handed slap that set his head reeling in the opposite direction. By the time Joe was fully aware again, his feet were tied tightly together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you how this is going to help me,\u201d Reg told him, once again speaking from a distance of about an inch from Joe\u2019s face. Joe turned his head. \u201cFirst, I\u2019m going to make you sorry you were born, and then, I\u2019m going to leave you here to die while I take that magnificent stallion and use it to make my fortune.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good horse, but it\u2019s not going to make your fortune,\u201d Joe replied, still hoping he could talk Reg out of whatever course of action he was set on. He wished he could see what was going on; he might have a chance of escape, then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you can\u2019t see that,\u201d Reg sneered. \u201cBut then, I have no doubt that you are an\u00a0honest<\/em>\u00a0man.\u201d He made the word honest sound distasteful and Joe thought that perhaps it was, for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father didn\u2019t get to where he is today by illegal means,\u201d Joe jibed back, rashly.<\/span><\/p>\n

He regretted his words a moment later when a fist buried itself in his stomach. Joe was caught completely by surprise and he struggled to catch his breath before another blow found him. He gasped in pain as something very solid crashed against his ribs and before he had caught his breath from that assault, the object clattered against his arm. Pain spiked up his arm and Joe let out an animal cry of pain. Someone laughed and another fist buried itself in his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReg!\u201d The shocked female voice brought the proceedings to a standstill. Joe could hear his own breath sobbing in his ears, hear the other men\u2019s harsh breathing and although he was grateful that Wendy\u2019s arrival had saved him from a worse beating, he was now fearful for her safety. \u201cReg, what are you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy, this has nothing to do with you,\u201d Reg responded. \u201cGo home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t!\u201d Wendy cried. \u201cReg, this is wrong! You\u2019ve got to stop\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy, it\u2019s his fault we have to live in a rented room,\u201d Reg yelled. He swung another punch at Joe, which landed just above his ribs. \u201cHis fault our dreams are ruined!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they\u2019re not!\u201d Wendy sobbed. \u201cYour father will let us go back home again, Reg, I know he will.\u201d She sounded utterly bewildered and Joe thought that this violence was completely beyond anything she had ever experienced in her whole life. Reality was crashing in on top of her and Joe hoped she would be able to stand the strain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy, use your eyes,\u201d Reg snarled. \u201cDo you think father would let me come home if he ever saw this? Do you really think I\u2019m going to let Cartwright go?\u00a0He\u2019s ruined us!<\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe flinched away from the scream and he prayed that Reg hadn\u2019t hurt Wendy. As he heard running footsteps, he tried once more to rub the blindfold off against his arm, and Reg\u2019s unnamed associate once more swung the solid object and this time it struck Joe\u2019s thigh hard enough to numb the leg. The very next instant, Joe\u2019s leg refused to hold his weight and he was left swinging painfully from his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Belatedly, Joe realized that Reg was back. The other man was panting and angry. He grabbed Joe by the hair, yanking his head up. \u201cThis is all your fault, Cartwright,\u201d Reg growled. \u201cWendy never had to know and now you\u2019ve spoiled it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou spoiled it,\u201d Joe mumbled and received a backhand slap that split his lower lip. \u201cI haven\u2019t done anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to die!\u201d Reg promised and he began to punch Joe harder than ever. Joe, unable to maintain any balance, swung from his arms, the pain growing worse every moment. A sudden blow to his back swung Joe round awkwardly and the grip that Reg had on his shirt brought the movement to an abrupt stop and Joe felt something tear in his shoulder. He let out a banshee yell and a split second before something struck him on the head, he clearly heard a police whistle from outside the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sank into unconsciousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Hoss offered as he came into the house and threw his hat down on the credenza behind the door. He glanced over at his father, who was standing as if frozen by the fireplace. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got a wire from Taylor Daniels,\u201d Ben replied, slowly. He was still holding the paper in his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTaylor Daniels?\u201d Hoss echoed. \u201cDon\u2019 tell me Little Joe has gone an\u2019 married Wendy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up at last, Ben slowly shook his head. \u201cIt seems that something has happened to Joe,\u201d he replied, his voice strained. \u201cTaylor says he\u2019s in hospital.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHospital? Is it serious?\u201d Hoss\u2019 genial face was a picture of concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben answered, in the same, strained voice. \u201cTaylor doesn\u2019t say. He asks me to come with all haste.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019 with ya,\u201d Hoss declared. \u201cWe can set out at first light.\u201d He put his hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder and squeezed gently. \u201cDon\u2019 worry, Pa, Joe\u2019s tough. He\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Ben agreed, but he didn\u2019t sound in the least convinced.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The buzzing in Joe\u2019s head wouldn\u2019t go away. He finally cranked open an eye and winced at the sudden light. It took a moment for his focus to sort itself out, but when it did, Joe realized that he was in a small room that he had never seen before.\u00a0 He frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re awake at last,\u201d a voice commented from beside him and Joe slowly rolled his head over to look at the person who had spoken.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2026 are you?\u201d Joe asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. \u201cWhere\u2026 am I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in a hospital,\u201d the man replied. \u201cI\u2019m Doctor Evans. Do you remember what happened? Do you know your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026was\u2026 beaten up,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026 Joe Cartwright.\u201d He tried to ease his position on the hard bed and immediately a chorus of protest rose from his abused body. He couldn\u2019t prevent a groan escaping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood, so you do remember,\u201d the doctor replied, sounding pleased. \u201cI was worried you might not, since you had a nasty knock on the head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did\u2026 I get\u2026 here?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe police brought you in,\u201d Evans explained. \u201cApparently a Mrs. Shaw alerted them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy,\u201d Joe breathed, unaccountably relieved that she was all right.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe told us that you could afford to pay your bill, which is why you are in a room,\u201d Evans went on. \u201cOtherwise, you would be in a charity ward. Was she correct?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe grunted. \u201cWhat\u2019s\u2026 wrong with\u2026 me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered when we\u2019d get to that,\u201d Evans smiled. \u201cApart from the bump on the head, you\u2019ve got a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and more bruises than you can shake a stick at.\u201d A faint smile passed across Joe\u2019s torn lips. \u201cAre you in pain, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Given the number of times he\u2019d winced or groaned since wakening, Joe thought he might be on doubtful grounds if he said no, so he nodded gingerly. He was desperately thirsty, too. \u201cCould I\u2026 get a drink?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Evans responded. He went to the door and beckoned to someone outside the room and a few moments later, a young nurse came in. She poured some water from a pitcher into a glass that Joe hadn\u2019t noticed before and then helped him drink. She didn\u2019t need to tell Joe to go slowly. He didn\u2019t have the energy necessary to gulp the water down as he really wanted to do. In the meantime, Evans had disappeared and Joe wondered where he had gone. However, that question was answered a few minutes later, when the man returned with a syringe. He smoothly shot the contents into Joe\u2019s thigh and smiled. \u201cThat\u2019ll sort out the pain for you, Mr. Cartwright, and when you waken again, you should feel a little better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There were dozens of questions Joe wanted to ask, but he was exhausted. The drug spread through his system, and his eyes drooped closed. He was asleep again in minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The few days it took them to get to San Francisco seemed endless to Ben. Hoss did his best to keep his father\u2019s spirits up, but he was almost as worried about his younger brother as Ben was. It was a considerable relief to finally see the city come into view.<\/span><\/p>\n

After checking into their hotel, they made their way to Taylor Daniels\u2019 home. Ben greeted him with barely disguised worry and Daniels didn\u2019t prolong the agony. \u201cI\u2019ll take you to Joe,\u201d he offered at once, picking up his hat and coat. \u201cWendy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wendy that appeared looked much older than Ben remembered her looking. There were dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she hadn\u2019t been sleeping much and she couldn\u2019t meet Ben\u2019s eyes. Ben wondered what was troubling her. She silently slipped on her coat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to explain what happened,\u201d Daniels said, as they settled themselves in a hansom cab. He quickly sketched in Wendy\u2019s elopement and Joe\u2019s surprise discovery of her. Then he explained about the row there had been, and Reg\u2019s decision to go after Joe. \u201cWendy ran from the warehouse and by chance met a policeman. He went with her to the warehouse and they found Joe there, unconscious.\u00a0 They got him to hospital, where he\u2019s been ever since.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Ben asked. Vaguely, Ben wondered what Wendy had been doing at a warehouse, but the question vanished out of his head and it was something he never learned the answer to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too bad,\u201d Daniels responded. \u201cBroken arm, dislocated shoulder, and lots of bruises. He\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for helping Joe,\u201d Ben said to Wendy, reaching out to touch her hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoiding Ben\u2019s eyes, Wendy drew back so he couldn\u2019t touch her. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault,\u201d she replied, almost inaudibly. \u201cSo I had to do something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Perplexed by Wendy\u2019s attitude, Ben met Daniels\u2019 eyes. \u201cWhere is your son-in-law now?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know,\u201d Daniels admitted. \u201cWe know he stole Joe\u2019s horse, the one you had sent him out here to buy, but he hasn\u2019t been seen anywhere.\u201d Daniels shrugged, embarrassed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Taylor,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cAnd it sounds like Joe\u2019s going to be just fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All the same, Ben hurried into the hospital and identified himself to the doctors, who led him to the room where Joe was. For all the recital of his injuries, Ben wasn\u2019t prepared for what he saw. Joe was pale, and his face was lumpy with bruising, his lower lip badly split. His right arm was encased in a plaster cast and in a sling. His bare chest was dotted with bruises and when Joe moved, he saw a huge black bruise covering almost the entire right hand side of Joe\u2019s ribcage. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Joe\u2019s face lit up with a delighted smile. \u201cPa!\u201d His gaze went over Ben\u2019s shoulder as he saw his brother appear. \u201cHoss!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel, son?\u201d Ben asked, sitting down carefully on the bed and putting his hand on Joe\u2019s. Joe returned the pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter than I did a few days ago,\u201d Joe replied, honestly. \u201cMy head doesn\u2019t hurt now.\u201d He decided that it might be prudent not to mention the vomiting that the concussion had given him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about everything else?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s settling, I guess,\u201d Joe responded. His shoulder was still sorer than he would have liked, but since the break and the dislocation were on the same side, he supposed that it was only natural that it would hurt more than usual. And they had only that day put on the cast, trying to allow his shoulder a bit of healing time, but the added weight was making the shoulder throb again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen can ya git out a here?\u201d Hoss asked, rumpling Joe\u2019s already unruly curls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making a face, Joe replied, \u201cWell, when someone brings me some clothes and pays the bill. I had money, but most of it was in my saddlebags and they were stolen along with the horse.\u201d He sounded angry and a scowl settled on his handsome features. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa, but Reg Shaw stole the stallion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as you are safe, that doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cAnd let me see what I can do about getting you out of here.\u201d He smiled and rose, squeezing Joe\u2019s hand once more. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting down in the chair by the bed, Hoss examined Joe more closely. \u201cYa don\u2019 look as if it were a few days since ya were brought in here,\u201d he commented, somewhat tactlessly. \u201cYa still look pretty beat up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing an amused smile, Joe replied, straight-faced, \u201cIt\u2019s the nurses. You\u00a0really<\/em>\u00a0don\u2019t want to get on their wrong side.\u201d He was even more amused to see Hoss look indignantly towards the door and bristle. But when his brawny brother rose, looking as though he was going to go and sort out the nurses, Joe decided the joke had gone far enough. He put out his good arm to stop his brother. \u201cHoss, that was a joke,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Hoss muttered, abashed. He suddenly gave Joe a suspicious look. \u201cWhy d\u2019ya say that then?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Joe replied, \u201cBecause telling me I look bad might not be what I want to hear after four days in here!\u201d He sighed, melodramatically. \u201cI can\u2019t look that bad!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes ya can,\u201d Hoss replied. He realized belatedly what he had just done and looked at Joe, wide-eyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, I think,\u201d Joe giggled. It hurt to laugh, but at least it no longer hurt to breathe, which Joe counted as a big plus.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was more of a relief than Joe cared to admit that his family were finally here. Taylor Daniels had visited regularly, keeping Joe up to date with the hunt for Reg Shaw. Joe had been grateful for the man\u2019s care and concern and very thankful that he had sent for Ben, but Daniels wasn\u2019t the person Joe wanted to see while he was ill. Joe wanted his family and he had tried very hard to hide how bad he felt from Daniels. He was pretty sure he hadn\u2019t succeeded, especially the first day, when he was so sick. Joe had always hated hospitals for their lack of privacy and this stay hadn\u2019t endeared them to him either. At the moment, Joe\u2019s most pressing want was to get out of the hospital. Then he wanted to find the stallion and go home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss kept Joe entertained with news about what had been happening on the ranch until Ben reappeared with clothes for Joe. Getting dressed proved to be something of a challenge, but with Ben\u2019s help, Joe was soon fully clothed, although he had grinned when he realized he was wearing one of Ben\u2019s shirts. His own wouldn\u2019t have gone over the cast and sling he was wearing, but Ben had thoughtfully brought clothes from the ranch for Joe and his boots were in the closet. His other clothes had been covered in blood and dirt and there had been no money to get them cleaned. Joe had been hard pressed to keep paying the hospital bill.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking slowly, and supported by both Ben and Hoss, Joe left the confines of his hospital room for the first time in nearly a week and stopped abruptly at the sight of Wendy, sitting waiting with her father. He was completely shocked by the sight of her, for he had not seen her even once. He knew, from Daniels, that Wendy had raised the alarm and undoubtedly saved his life, but when she hadn\u2019t come to see him, he assumed that she had either disappeared again, or had returned to the Shaws\u2019 ranch. \u201cWendy,\u201d he breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing, Wendy looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Joe,\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concerned, Ben glanced at Joe\u2019s face. He didn\u2019t think this was the best time for them to get involved in any blame-laying, but although his son was pale, Joe looked all right. \u201cWhat are you sorry for?\u201d Joe asked gently. Unconsciously, he leaned more heavily on Ben. \u201cSorry that you saved my life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not!\u201d Wendy flared and her eyes flew to Joe\u2019s face, only to see that he was smiling gently at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you have nothing to be sorry for,\u201d Joe told her. \u201cThis wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this isn\u2019t the place,\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cJoe needs to get back to the hotel and rest.\u201d He smiled at Wendy. \u201cI hope you\u2019ll come to see Joe later,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Wendy replied, flustered, her eyes still fixed on Joe\u2019s face, trying to see if he meant what he said, or was just being kind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for saving my life,\u201d Joe said and the sincerity of his tone couldn\u2019t be doubted. Wendy let out a breath she didn\u2019t know she\u2019d been holding.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe was helped away, Wendy looked at her father. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Daddy,\u201d she whispered, tears streaking her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had taken Taylor Daniels a while to become accustomed to living with Wendy, but he had been a fast learner. Reaching out, he pulled her into a tight embrace. \u201cI love you,\u201d he told her. \u201cEverything is forgiven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The short journey to the hotel tired Joe more than he had expected, but he resisted Ben\u2019s attempts to make him go to bed and instead lay on the sofa in the sitting room of their suite. \u201cWhat are you going to do about finding the horse?\u201d Joe asked, as soon a late lunch had been served. He was surprised at how hungry he was, as his appetite while in hospital hadn\u2019t been good. There again, neither had the food, he thought ruefully!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to leave it to the police,\u201d Ben replied, firmly. \u201cAnd if that means we never get it back, then that\u2019s what it means, Joe. I\u2019m not having you risking yourself for a horse.\u201d Not that it would have been the first time his headstrong son had done just that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe began but Ben interrupted him immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts, Joseph,\u201d Ben declared sternly. \u201cLook at yourself. It\u2019s been a few days since you were beaten up and you are still black and blue.\u201d He frowned heavily at Joe. \u201cI mean it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe replied, sulkily, but he hoped to be able to talk Ben around. He thought he might know how to find the stallion. He continued to eat, now planning how he was going to persuade Ben to do as he wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lulled into a false sense of security, Ben tucked into his own meal, almost as hungry as Joe, since worry had taken its toll on his appetite. Hoss, on the other hand, wasn\u2019t in the least taken in and eyed Joe for a moment before applying his attention to his meal. He would await the outcome of this game with interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A good night\u2019s sleep and a whole day\u2019s rest saw Joe feeling much more like himself. The good food at the hotel was putting color back in his cheeks and being restored to his family had done Joe more good than any medicine. His restless nature kicked in as he began to feel his strength coming back and the following day, he persuaded Ben to allow him to go out for a walk.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fresh air tired him more quickly than Joe expected, but he was still determined to start looking for his missing horse. All he had to do was shake off his loving watchdogs and put his plan into action. Joe felt frustrated that Ben wouldn\u2019t even listen to his plan and was prepared to write off the money. It wasn\u2019t a vast sum, but Joe felt there ought to be a principle involved here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince you\u2019re feeling better, Joe,\u201d Ben smiled at dinner that night, \u201cI\u2019ll go down to the stage office in the morning and book our tickets home. I won\u2019t make it right away, but in a couple of days. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds great, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, truthfully. It did sound good; Joe wanted to get home. And it meant he would have a chance to sneak out the next day and put his plan into action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss will keep you company,\u201d Ben decreed. \u201cIf you need anything, he can help you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure can, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss agreed. He cast Joe a look full of meaning, but Joe blithely ignored it. \u201cYa can play me at checkers. I ain\u2019t had a game since ya left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not wanting to commit himself to anything, Joe just smiled. He lingered over a cup of coffee after dinner until Ben rose, saying he wanted some fresh air. Hoss decided to join him, but Joe said he\u2019d just wait in the lobby. It was the chance he\u2019d been looking for and he immediately went to the desk clerk. \u201cAre there many horse ranches around here, apart from the Shaws?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would expect most ranches use horses,\u201d the man replied, snootily and Joe stared him down. He knew he didn\u2019t look his best, what with the multi-colored bruises and the fact he was still wearing Ben\u2019s shirts, but he was determined not to let the clerk talk to him that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI meant ranches that breed horses,\u201d Joe replied, his tone frosty. The clerk got the message.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly two that I know,\u201d he answered, his tone obsequious. \u201cBut I can find out if there are any others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, please do that,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cAnd give the reply just to myself, not my father or brother, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Joe was amused that he had finally been recognized. He nodded slightly and moved away, and none too soon, for Ben and Hoss came back inside at that moment and together, they climbed the stairs to their suite.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Getting rid of Hoss proved much harder than Joe had anticipated. He did everything he could to persuade Hoss to go out, but to no avail. His older brother sat stolidly in the sitting room of the suite and refused to budge. At length, in desperation, Joe decided to tell Hoss the truth. \u201cI want to find the horse,\u201d he blurted and immediately, Hoss turned to look at him, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are ya plumb crazy?\u201d Hoss demanded. \u201cPa\u2019ll skin ya alive! Ya ain\u2019t hardly out o\u2019 the hospital and yer wantin\u2019 ta go an\u2019 git inta trouble. The answer is no!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, come on, big brother,\u201d Joe wheedled. \u201cDoesn\u2019t it bug you that Pa spent all that good money on a horse that he\u2019s never even seen? I feel really bad about it. It\u2019s my fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo it ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss replied, stubbornly. \u201cIt\u2019s that there Reg Shaw\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d be doing Wendy a favor if we found Reg, too.\u201d Joe decided that a change of tack was called for. \u201cIf we found him, she could talk to him \u2013 make sure he understands what he\u2019s done.\u201d Joe was slightly surprised that he hadn\u2019t seen Wendy again. He imagined that she must feel pretty bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow would it help Wendy?\u201d Hoss enquired. \u201cIf\u2019n he\u2019s caught, he\u2019ll go ta jail fer what he done to ya, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Oddly enough, Joe hadn\u2019t thought of that. He sighed and looked down and Hoss hid a smile. He knew how much Joe wanted to find that horse and he thought perhaps it would do the younger man good to do so, even if it brought Pa\u2019s wrath down on them both.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d ya think ya\u2019d find them?\u201d he asked, and Joe\u2019s head came back up at once.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI asked the clerk to find out how many horse ranches there were near here,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cWe could go to them and find out if they had been offered the horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse might already a bin sold ta them,\u201d Hoss pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Reg is quite that stupid,\u201d Joe replied, seriously. \u201cI think even he\u2019d realize that he\u2019d have to wait a few days for the fuss to die down before he tried to sell it on. And even if he has sold it, I think he\u2019d be planning to steal it back after a day or so and then sell it on again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss agreed, after giving it some thought. \u201cBut ya can take the blame when Pa is furious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Joe cried, jumping to his feet. His enthusiasm was dampened slightly when he had to ask Hoss\u2019 help to put on his boots and gun belt, but his spirits rose again as they left the suite. Joe knew Ben would be furious, but he would deal with that when the time came. He was sure he\u2019d be able to talk Ben round.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The buggy ride to the first ranch taxed Joe more than he was prepared to admit. He tried to keep a cheerful fa\u00e7ade for Hoss, pretending that his arm wasn\u2019t aching miserably, that he wasn\u2019t exhausted by the short journey. However, Hoss knew his brother well and there was nothing Joe could do to hide the paleness of his face. \u201cYa all right, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked, as he halted the buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo ya ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss contradicted. \u201cYa ain\u2019t feelin\u2019 good at all, judgin\u2019 by the color o\u2019 yer face. This weren\u2019t a good idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re here now,\u201d Joe retorted, angrily. \u201cMight as well have a break before we go on, and ask if the horse has been offered for sale here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere ain\u2019t no point in gittin\u2019 angry with me,\u201d Hoss rebuked Joe mildly. \u201cI\u2019m jist worried about ya, that\u2019s all. That\u2019s what brothers are fer, ya know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to snap at you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here now,\u201d Hoss smiled. \u201cSo come on, young\u2019un, I\u2019ll help you out of the buggy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not that helpless,\u201d Joe retorted, smiling slightly, but he accepted Hoss\u2019 help all the same. Together, they walked up to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

The owner of the ranch, Owen Harris, was in, and looked surprised when Joe explained why they had come. \u201cI know Reginald Shaw, senior,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve never met his son, but if he came here offering me a horse, I would probably jump at the chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo he hasn\u2019t been here,\u201d Joe replied, feeling suddenly deflated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe might be here now,\u201d Harris replied. \u201cJust before you arrived, my foreman told me he\u2019d met someone in town earlier, who would be coming by today to show us a horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At once, Joe looked excited and Hoss winced. His younger brother was already sure that this mysterious man was Reg Shaw and if it wasn\u2019t, Joe would be extremely disappointed. Being of a placid nature himself, slow to anger and quick to forgive, Hoss could never understand how his younger brother could stand living on the extremes of his nerves all the time. Joe had settled down slightly, being a little less volatile than when he was younger, but he could still go from deliriously happy to deeply depressed within the space of a few heartbeats.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if it is Shaw?\u201d Hoss asked, unsure what Joe intended to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe arrest him!\u201d Joe declared, as though Hoss was being particularly stupid.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa got a broken arm,\u201d Hoss reminded Joe, bluntly. \u201cAnd Shaw done that ta ya. He\u2019s dangerous, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would be happier if the sheriff was here,\u201d Harris admitted. \u201cWait just a moment.\u201d He disappeared out of the room and Joe glared at Hoss. Hoss returned the look calmly. He was going to make sure that Joe didn\u2019t get hurt again.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Harris returned. \u201cThe mysterious seller hasn\u2019t shown up yet,\u201d he reported, \u201cbut he told my foremen that it would probably be later this afternoon before he got here. If you are agreeable, I\u2019ll send one of my men into town and get the sheriff to come, just in case.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great!\u201d Joe enthused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 if it wouln\u2019 be too much o\u2019 an imposition,\u201d Hoss added, \u201cperhaps he could take a message ta our Pa an\u2019 tell him where we\u2019re at.\u201d He shot a glare at Joe, to match the one Joe had just shot him. \u201cHe worries, \u2018specially when Joe here ain\u2019t bin well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see a problem with that,\u201d Harris smiled. \u201c I can understand that. I\u2019m a father myself. You gentlemen wait here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

During the wait for the sheriff and Ben to arrive, Joe fell asleep on the settee. Hoss kept him company, while Harris got on with the business of running a horse ranch. Joe was wakened for lunch and felt rather embarrassed to have dozed off, but Harris was charm itself and eased Joe\u2019s discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after lunch, Ben arrived and Joe immediately felt a worm of discomfort in his belly. Ben was glowering and anyone who had been on the receiving end of that glare would have sympathized with Joe. His father was not happy and he intended to let his son know that. Joe swallowed nervously, suddenly wondering if his good idea had been all that good in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d he offered tentatively, as Ben entered the sitting room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t \u2018hi Pa\u2019 me,\u201d Ben growled. \u201cHave you got any idea what went through my mind when I got back to the hotel and discovered that you weren\u2019t there?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was steadily rising, although he had had every intention of keeping it down when he first arrived. \u201cAnd I suppose you talked Hoss into coming with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, I couldn\u2019 let him come hisself,\u201d Hoss mumbled. \u201cJoe did try ta come without me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe retorted, and it was only then that Hoss realized that he had dropped Joe right in it with those careless words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you got to say for yourself, young man?\u201d Ben demanded. He loomed over Joe and despite himself, Joe felt a qualm of fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to worry you,\u201d Joe replied, wretchedly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. But I wanted to get the stallion back for you, and to find Reg, as well.\u201d Quickly, Joe rushed on, providing Ben with the same arguments he had used with Hoss that morning. It was difficult to tell if his rationale found favor with Ben, but Joe doggedly kept going. Finally, he ran out of things to say and concluded, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to worry you, Pa, but it\u2019s all my fault that the horse was stolen and I wanted to get it back for you and find Reg for Wendy. At least she\u2019ll know where he is and won\u2019t always have to keep wondering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was silent for several moments. He kept his dark eyes on Joe, seeing the fatigue on his son\u2019s face, the pain that he couldn\u2019t quite hide and the sincerity behind his words. Joe always had been one for doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, and this seemed to be another instance of that. Ben should have been warned by the way Joe reacted when he discovered the horse was missing.\u00a0Horses<\/em>, Ben thought.\u00a0It always comes back to horses<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

At length, he sighed. \u201cI can\u2019t say I\u2019m happy about it, Joe, but I understand why you did it,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI just hope we don\u2019t regret this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, too,\u201d Joe whispered. He smiled as Ben sat down beside him and Hoss breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared Ben would lose his temper completely and order Joe back to the hotel. Hoss could just picture Joe\u2019s jutting jaw as he defied their father.<\/span><\/p>\n

The waiting was not pleasant and Joe\u2019s impatient nature wouldn\u2019t let him just sit. He was soon pacing away his energy, and although he would sit down when urged to by Ben, he never stayed sitting for long. The sheriff, who had been disgruntled at being summoned, had become more pliant when Harris had plied him with good food and warm coffee. However, he was making noises about returning to his desk when several hours had passed and there was no sign of Reg.<\/span><\/p>\n

But just as they were giving up hope, a couple of horsemen rode up to the house, leading a bay stallion. \u201cThat\u2019s Reg,\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cAnd our horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou people stay out of sight,\u201d the sheriff instructed. \u201cI\u2019ll deal with this.\u201d He walked importantly through the house to the back door, where Harris had gone to meet the men.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exchanging a single look, the Cartwrights, to a man, ignored the stricture and followed in the sheriff\u2019s wake. Ben kept Joe and Hoss back out of sight as Harris shook hands with Reg, listened to his spiel and then bent over to examine the horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe knew, it was a magnificent horse and Harris quickly agreed to buy it. As soon as the deal was struck, the sheriff appeared. \u201cYou\u2019re under arrest!\u201d he told Reg, dramatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite being briefed on the injuries that Reg and his partner had inflicted upon Joe, and having seen the results for himself, the sheriff hadn\u2019t really believed that Reg was dangerous. He had been so sure of himself that he hadn\u2019t even drawn his gun. Reg\u2019s henchman took immediate advantage of that, drew his weapon and fired.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was luck that sent the bullet into the door frame, scant inches from the sheriff\u2019s body. Belatedly, he drew his gun. Meanwhile, Reg was reaching for his mount\u2019s reins, knowing that he had to get out of there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s getting away!\u201d Joe cried and heedlessly threw himself out of the door, down the steps and at Reg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben cried, drew his gun and raced after his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one smooth, chilling, movement, the henchman turned and fired at Joe. The bullet struck Joe, gouging a furrow along his right side, and embedding itself in Reg\u2019s chest. They crashed to the ground and Joe rolled off Reg, clutching at his bleeding side, groaning in pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The inept sheriff had managed to draw his gun, but his aim was hopelessly off and he missed the henchman. Ben, meanwhile, was hurrying after Joe and the henchman shot at him, too, as he mounted his horse. He missed and Hoss, standing on the back porch, fired cleanly and the man fell from his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben knelt by Joe, reaching gently to see the extent of the wound. Hoss leaned over his father’s shoulder. A single glance had been all that was necessary to see that Reg was dead. He lay on his back, his eyes wide open and unseeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right?\u201d Hoss asked, anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet something to staunch the bleeding,\u201d Ben ordered, not replying.\u00a0 \u201cQuickly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe right back,\u201d Hoss promised. He glanced around. Harris was looking rather bewildered, but he saw at once what Hoss needed and moments later thrust towels into Hoss\u2019 hands. \u201cThanks,\u201d Hoss grunted and hurried back to Ben. \u201cHere, Pa.\u201d He gave the towels to Ben, who immediately started to wipe the blood away. Joe groaned. \u201cHow is he?\u201d Hoss asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s quite as bad as I first thought,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut he needs to see a doctor.\u201d Ben gave Joe a reassuring look as Joe clutched at his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Pa!\u201d he begged. \u201cIt hurts!\u201d Again, Joe grabbed Ben\u2019s arm, trying to relieve the pressure on his wound that was sending rivers of agony through his side. \u201cPa, please.\u201d He tried to writhe away, but Ben prevented the movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cBut you\u2019re bleeding a lot and I need to stop it. Just lie still, son. We\u2019ll get you to a doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing that there was nothing he could do for Joe, Hoss straightened, glancing around. The sheriff was examining both the bodies, Harris was soothing the stallion\u2019s nose and the ranch hands were milling about excitedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s your horse, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Harris said, coming over, somehow sensing that this would cheer Joe up. \u201cAll in one piece and quite a beauty, I might add.\u201d He saw the spark of interest in Joe\u2019s pain-filled green eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d care to sell him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot after\u2026 what I\u2019ve\u2026 gone through\u2026 to get him\u2026 back,\u201d Joe panted. He tried to laugh, but it turned into a groan of pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling down at the brave, determined young man, Harris put a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll get a wagon ready to take you back to town,\u201d he added quietly. Ben nodded his thanks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was foolish,\u201d the sheriff commented tartly as he came over. Joe didn\u2019t try to reply. He blinked, trying to keep the pain at a manageable level. \u201cDo you know who that other feller was?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe panted. \u201cI\u2026 never saw\u2026 him before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d the sheriff replied, obviously disappointed. \u201cThought you said there were two men who beat you up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing, Joe bit his lip for a moment as he summoned the strength to answer. He felt remarkably ill. \u201cI was\u2026 blindfolded,\u201d he explained, his voice thin and strained. \u201cI recognized\u2026 Reg\u2019s\u2026 voice, but I\u2026 never saw\u2026 them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo more questions,\u201d Ben decreed. \u201cJust relax, Joe. We\u2019ll get you to a doctor soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Joe clenched his teeth to stop another moan of pain getting away from him. He could feel Ben\u2019s hands pressing down on him and another hand caught his left hand, offering comfort and support. Joe knew it was Hoss, from the size of his hand alone. The massive hand squeezed his smaller one and Joe squeezed back, feeling reassured from that small movement. He didn\u2019t know that the weakness of his own grip caused his older brother immense worry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gradually, Joe felt himself slipping into darkness as the blood loss made itself known and he welcomed the warm darkness, for there, he felt no pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The blood loss was severe and Joe found himself back in the hospital for a few days until he was a bit stronger. The wound wasn\u2019t very serious once the bleeding had stopped and took no more than a dozen stitches to close. Ben cancelled the stage tickets home.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe was released from the hospital, with strict instructions to rest, he was very subdued. Initially, Ben put it down to exhaustion, but after a couple of days when Joe slept almost all the time, he began to wonder. Physically, Joe looked a little better; he was still too pale and tired easily, but he was definitely on the mend. When questioned, Joe admitted that he hadn\u2019t slept well in the hospital and had hated being wakened so early each day. That had raised a wry smile from both Ben and Hoss, who knew that Joe was not a fan of early mornings! But even so, Joe was still entirely too quiet for Ben\u2019s liking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joe?\u201d Ben asked one morning, as Joe sighed for the umpteenth time in a few short minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Joe replied, listlessly. He gazed out of the window from his place on the chaise lounge that had been positioned there especially for Joe, so that he could look out onto the busy street below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem like nothing to me,\u201d Ben probed. \u201cAre you in pain?\u201d Ben dreaded that the answer would be yes, for it was at least another three hours before Joe could get any more pain medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe answered, politely. Obviously making an effort, he asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s down checking on the stallion,\u201d Ben replied. At once, an expression that Ben couldn\u2019t place shot across Joe\u2019s face and was gone. His eyes fled guiltily from Ben\u2019s. \u201cJoe?\u201d Ben questioned, gently. \u201cTalk to me, son,\u201d he coaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a long moment, Joe met Ben\u2019s gaze and Ben feared that Joe would deny that anything was wrong. But something \u2013 and Ben didn\u2019t know exactly what it was \u2013 pushed Joe into confiding in his father. \u201cThat horse cost two men\u2019s lives,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cI didn\u2019t want them to die, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you didn\u2019t,\u201d Ben replied, stoutly. \u201cI never thought you did, Joe and neither did anyone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That brought a smile to those too-pale lips, but it was swiftly gone. \u201cBut they died because I wanted to get the stallion back,\u201d Joe blurted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey died because they were shooting at a lawman and several innocent people who were trying to reclaim stolen property,\u201d Ben said, sternly. \u201cEven if you hadn\u2019t been there when they were caught, they would still have died, Joseph. Horse stealing is a hanging offence.\u201d Ben crossed over to sit beside Joe. \u201cDid you pull the trigger that killed either of those men? No. Did you behave foolishly? Yes.\u201d Ben softened the sting of his words with a smile. \u201cBut if you hadn\u2019t done what you did, Reg might have got away and the sheriff might have been shot by him. Who knows? None of us can say what might have been, Joe and you have nothing to recriminate yourself for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Wendy?\u201d Joe asked, after a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know the answer to that one, Joe,\u201d Ben admitted at once. \u201cI don\u2019t know if she\u2019ll blame you or not, but given what she did when she found Reg trying to beat you to death, I don\u2019t think there\u2019ll be a problem. And if you want to know what Wendy will do now, then I don\u2019t have an answer there, either. I\u2019m pretty sure Wendy won\u2019t know the answer to that. Don\u2019t worry about Wendy, Joe. She isn\u2019t your responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up at Ben through damp, tangled lashes, Joe smiled slightly. \u201cI wanted her to be, you know,\u201d he sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s what I intended when I came out here. I was going to ask her to marry me.\u201d He dropped his eyes, but not before Ben saw the heartbreak there. \u201cBut that isn\u2019t gonna happen now, is it, Pa? It\u2019s the wrong time to ask her, just for a start, and the fact that she married another man tells me that she didn\u2019t feel the same way about me as I felt about her.\u201d Joe leaned his curly head against Ben\u2019s shoulder and another sigh shook his slender frame. \u201cI guess it\u2019s really over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it is,\u201d Ben agreed. They sat like that for a long time, until Joe, the burden lifted from his shoulders, relaxed into a deep, healing sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Another week passed before the doctors said it was all right for Joe to travel. Ben was relieved, for Joe had begun to complain about being cooped up, a sure sign that he was recovering. He had most of his usual color back, although he was still in pain if he moved too quickly. But all in all, he was much more like the Joe that Ben and Hoss were used to seeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Ben made the trip to the stage office to book tickets home. They would travel at the end of the week and Ben planned to take it in easy stages, forcing Joe to rest if need be. He was as anxious to get home as Joe, not just to sleep in his own bed, but to take up the reins of his business again. He missed the routine of his days.<\/span><\/p>\n

The day they were leaving, they took their luggage down to the stage office. A boy from the hotel was going to bring the stallion along just before they were due to leave. Ben had hired a buggy and they were going out to see Wendy and her father to bid them goodbye. Ben had briefly spoken to Daniels a day or two after Reg had been killed, but it hadn\u2019t been a long conversation and Wendy\u2019s name had never been mentioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they neared Daniels\u2019 house, Joe became quiet, dreading seeing Wendy, not knowing what her reaction was going to be. He was keyed up, anxious to get home and he fidgeted restlessly beside Hoss. \u201cCalm down, young\u2019un,\u201d Hoss soothed. \u201cWe ain\u2019t gonna be stayin\u2019 fer long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLong enough,\u201d Joe replied, morosely. He felt his muscles tense as Ben pulled the buggy horse to a halt. He accepted help to get down from the buggy and looked up to see Daniels watching him from the door of the house. Joe felt a flush creep up his cheeks. He hated to be almost helpless.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d Daniels offered and led them into the parlor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wendy was sitting by the fire. She looked pale and subdued, biting her lip nervously. \u201cHello, Wendy,\u201d Ben said, at once, trying to put her at her ease. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t go home without coming to say goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Daniels invited, trying too hard to act normally. \u201cCan I offer you something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you,\u201d Ben replied, for them all. \u201cWe can\u2019t stay too long. Wendy, I\u2019m sorry about Reg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Wendy\u2019s voice was devoid of all emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was an embarrassed pause. \u201cHow are you, Joe?\u201d Daniels asked, heartily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, thank you, sir,\u201d Joe lied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be all right, Taylor, thank you for asking. But Joe always tells you he\u2019s all right when you ask how he is,\u201d Ben corrected, with a mock frown at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing at Joe, Wendy spoke up. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry you got hurt, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault, Wendy,\u201d Joe replied, suddenly even more uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes it was!\u201d Wendy shouted, startling them all. She jumped to her feet. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t been so stupid as to marry Reg you wouldn\u2019t have been hurt!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendy\u2026\u201d Joe started, but he had no idea what to say. He looked helplessly at Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not responsible for Reg\u2019s actions,\u201d Ben stated firmly. He wondered if this was the first time Wendy had mentioned her feelings, or if Taylor had been unable to deal with it. \u201cYou did not make him do the things he did. It is not your fault!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very kind,\u201d Wendy murmured, but Ben couldn\u2019t tell if she believed him or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising, intending to make some social remark about needing to leave to catch the stage in time, Ben was horrified when Daniels said, \u201cAt least you can put all this behind you, Wendy. You can pretend it never happened and start afresh. Forget all about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stunned and embarrassed, the Cartwrights were frozen in place, unable to believe what they were hearing. Even if that was what they privately thought, none of them would have said it to the young widow who, regardless of her feelings towards the man at the end, had loved him enough to marry him a couple of months before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Wendy\u2019s head came up and she deliberately looked at everyone in the room. Joe could feel his face burning. He desperately wanted to be anywhere but there at that moment. It was a moment he would remember in stunning clarity until his dying day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0At last, Wendy\u2019s gaze came to rest on her father. \u201cI\u2019ll never be able to forget,\u201d she told him, quietly. \u201cYou see, Father, I am with child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for Shining In Spain. Joe is pining for Wendy, so Ben finds a reason to send him to San Francisco. But things don’t go exactly as Joe planned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(12,330 Words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":3495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/godshands.jpg?fit=1133%2C717&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}