{"id":2511,"date":"2004-06-02T22:58:14","date_gmt":"2004-06-03T02:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2511"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:35","slug":"power-of-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2511","title":{"rendered":"Power of Love (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Joe’s lack of interest in a new girl in town sparks a barrage of intimidation and tragedy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,160 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Power of Love Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Power of Love<\/a>
\nAt All Costs<\/a><\/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

Power of Love\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Racing into the yard, Ben Cartwright had his gun drawn, his face grim as he faced the scene that he had dreaded. All the way out from town he had convinced himself that his sons would be all right, that Bethany hadn\u2019t really sent men to extract the revenge she had vowed to get.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it was too late, he saw. Far too late. Adam lay in a crumpled heap by the corral fence. Hoss was stretched out on the porch and Joe\u2026 Swallowing, Ben wondered if he really could believe his eyes. Joe\u2026 was dead!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u201cSo who is she?\u201d Adam asked, as he passed by Cochise\u2019s stall in the barn, carrying Sport\u2019s saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe stopped fastening Cochise\u2019s cinch to look at Adam. \u201cWho?\u201d he asked, completely mystified. He couldn\u2019t see a single female of any description in the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour new lady friend,\u201d Adam replied, slinging the saddle onto his horse\u2019s back. Sport put his ears back and moved restlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat new lady friend?\u201d Joe queried. He moved so that he could see Adam\u2019s face more clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe one you\u2019ve been meeting in town,\u201d Adam responded. He glanced at Joe and saw the blank look on his brother\u2019s face, but he wasn\u2019t put off by this display of innocence. Joe was a consummate actor. \u201cCome on, no games, Joe. Just tell me who she is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf knew, I\u2019d tell you,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHonestly, Adam, I haven\u2019t the faintest idea what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d He watched his brother adroitly dodge a nip from Sport as the cinch was tightened. \u201cYou need to stop him doing that,\u201d he commented to Adam. \u201cA good smack on the nose will sort him out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSport doesn\u2019t mean anything by it,\u201d Adam replied, rubbing the mole-soft nose. \u201cAnd stop trying to change the subject; I want to know about this girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHell, so do I!\u201d Joe exclaimed. \u201cYou make her sound very intriguing. Tell me more about her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, for Joe seemed to be more annoying than usual, Adam took Sport\u2019s rein and led his horse out of the stall. \u201cYou met her in town on Tuesday when you were supposed to be collecting the mail,\u201d he explained, patiently. \u201cThen you were seen talking to her after church on Sunday. Now, does that ring any bells?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, you mean Bethany?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cBlonde hair, about so tall?\u201d He indicated a height about his shoulder level.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s her,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cSo tell me all about her. You seem to know her well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot well,\u201d Joe denied. \u201cIn fact, those two occasions you mentioned are the only times I\u2019ve met her. I said hello both times and on Tuesday, I pointed out the dress store to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh?\u201d Adam commented, clearly skeptical. \u201cShe couldn\u2019t find the dress store?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s new in town,\u201d Joe replied, defensively. \u201cAnd do you think I didn\u2019t recognize an excuse when I heard it?\u201d He walked back to Cochise and finished tightening his cinch. \u201cWhat\u2019s to tell?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean you don\u2019t have an assignation set up already?\u201d Adam asked in tones of disbelief. \u201cJoe, you are slipping.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to ask her out feel free, big brother,\u201d Joe replied, seriously. \u201cBut let me give you a word of warning first. Bethany\u2019s last name is Davis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Adam asked, after a moment. \u201cIs that meant to mean something to me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe led Cochise out of the stall and outside the barn. He swung effortlessly into the saddle while Adam mounted the more conventional way and Joe curbed his horse\u2019s forward movement. Sport was champing at the bit, too. \u201cDoes the name Bradford Davis mean anything to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It certainly did. \u201cAs in Bradford Davis, who somehow managed to stay out of jail, despite the evidence against him for arranging to kill the legislature of Nevada?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the one,\u201d Joe nodded. He allowed Cochise his head and the horse moved out of the yard at a brisk trot. Over his shoulder, Joe called, \u201cHe\u2019s Bethany\u2019s father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The brothers were working separately that day and Joe didn\u2019t return home for lunch, so Adam had to curb his curiosity until suppertime. He was laying in wait for Joe in the barn when his brother came home that evening, tired and dusty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t leave the story there!\u201d Adam exclaimed as Joe came into view.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe croaked. His throat was dry from all the dust he had swallowed as he moved the herd from one pasture to another. It had been a long day and he had forgotten about the conversation he\u2019d had with Adam that morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBethany Davis!\u201d Adam replied, exasperated. \u201cHow do you know about her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe started to untack his horse. \u201cTell you later,\u201d he croaked. \u201cWhen I\u2019ve cleaned up and had a drink.\u201d He began to brush his horse\u2019s coat and as the dust rose, Adam could see why Joe didn\u2019t want to talk just then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. I\u2019ll get Hop Sing to heat some water for you, shall I?\u201d Adam could see how tired his brother was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be great,\u201d Joe replied, smiling. His teeth shone through the dust on his face. \u201cThanks.\u201d He continued with his barn chores as Adam went over to the house. Bethany Davis, he thought. Now there was trouble with a capital \u2018T\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI met her in the street last Tuesday,\u201d Joe reported quietly. He was sipping a cup of coffee, sitting in front of the fire after supper. The warmth of the bath had almost lulled him to sleep, but Hoss had come in to tell Joe supper was ready, which kept him from nodding off. However, he was a few minutes behind the rest of his family and they had let him eat without asking questions. By then, Joe realized that Adam had told Ben and Hoss about Bethany and they were all eager to find out how Joe knew about her. \u201cI was going to get the mail when she stopped me in the street and asked where the dress shop was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe dress shop?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cWell, that\u2019s a new one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A grin lightened Joe\u2019s tired face. \u201cEspecially as we were standing right outside it, Pa,\u201d he laughed. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t in the least abashed about being caught out. Just introduced herself right out and asked who I was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid she know the name Cartwright?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she did,\u201d Joe replied, his tone slightly troubled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did she say?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe said, \u2018Is Ben Cartwright your father? He is one of the richest men in Nevada, isn\u2019t he? Not as rich as my father, of course. My father is famous; he\u2019s Bradford Davis.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat could I say?\u201d Joe asked, rhetorically. \u201cIt didn\u2019t matter, she just kept on talking, telling me how they\u2019ve just moved here and she doesn\u2019t know anyone really and was there a dance coming up soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA dance?\u201d Hoss frowned. \u201cThat\u2019s a funny thing ta say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was an unsubtle hint,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cShe wanted Joe to ask her out.\u201d He glanced at his youngest brother for confirmation. Joe nodded and drank some more coffee. \u201cAnd did you ask her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI just tipped my hat and excused myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about after church?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes.\u201d Joe looked uncomfortable. \u201cShe told me that her father would be hosting a dance at the hotel soon and that she wanted me to be her partner. I told her we would be starting round up soon and it would depend entirely on how that was going whether I could attend any dance during that time. She looked annoyed, so I added that we would be going on the cattle drive to Sacramento immediately afterwards. I don\u2019t think she was pleased.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you were hardly very tactful, were you?\u201d Ben demanded, slightly annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think tact would have got the message across.\u201d Joe\u2019s cheeks were suddenly flaming as he recalled the overly familiar way she had touched his behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are ya blushin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked, curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Joe responded. This, of course, drew enquiring looks from Ben and Adam, and eventually, Joe admitted that she had \u2018goosed\u2019 him. Even though a sly smile played over Adam\u2019s lip, both he and Ben understood why Joe was embarrassed. It was one thing coming from a saloon girl and there was no doubt that a young woman of their class should not know of gestures like that, let alone display them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joseph, I can\u2019t say I blame you for not wanting anything to do with this girl,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cHowever, do try and be more polite in future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe agreed, although he privately hoped that there wouldn\u2019t be any future encounters with Bethany Davis.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe gasped, his jaw hanging slack as the barman\u2019s words sank in. \u201cWhat do you mean, I\u2019m banned? What for? I haven\u2019t had a fight for ages! Cosmo, what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The rotund barman looked uncomfortable and a flush rose in his cheeks. By now, half the patrons in the bar were listening in avidly. \u201cJist what I said, Joe. The Silver Dollar\u2019s bin bought over an\u2019 the new owner says I ain\u2019t ta serve ya. Ya ain\u2019t even allowed in here no more.\u201d Cosmo genuinely liked Joe and it hurt him to have to be the one to tell him this news.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stunned, Joe turned away from the mahogany bar and met the eyes of various cowboys. Some were sympathetic, some were gloating. All were surprised. Sure, Joe was well known around the town for having a quick temper and he did sometimes get into fights. But no more than any other cowboy and usually for a good reason, not because he had had too much liquor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he still doing here, Cosmo?\u201d demanded a voice above the general hubbub in the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although he had never heard the voice before, Joe was suddenly sure that he knew who it belonged to. Slowly, he turned his head and met the cold gaze of the man standing on the stairs. \u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBradford Davis, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Davis replied, coming down the stairs and crossing to the bar. \u201cThis is my saloon and you aren\u2019t welcome here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just why is that?\u201d Joe enquired. His temper was on a slow burn and Joe took a deep breath, hoping to hold it in check. \u201cBecause I couldn\u2019t give your daughter a definite answer about her dance?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Davis didn\u2019t answer that question; he just shook his head sadly, as though Joe was suffering from some kind of delusion. \u201cYou have a reputation, Cartwright and I don\u2019t want your kind of person in my saloon. Now, I\u2019ll give you about 10 seconds to get out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I don\u2019t?\u201d Joe demanded, knowing that he had no choice, but unwilling to go quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

At that, Davis raised his eyebrow and looked over Joe\u2019s shoulder, smirking. Slowly, Joe turned, and wasn\u2019t in the least surprised to find two large men looming over him. He looked them up and down then turned back to Davis. \u201cTwo?\u201d he sneered. \u201cYou flatter me, Davis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0Mister<\/em>\u00a0Davis to you, Cartwright!\u201d Davis snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expressionlessly, Joe looked back, holding Davis\u2019 gaze. He wasn\u2019t intimidated, although he knew he should be. He didn\u2019t want to leave so ignominiously, but he knew he had no choice. However, he held Davis\u2019 gaze until the other blinked and jerked his head. Joe took only one step before he felt a massive hand on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spinning, Joe managed to catch the first man unawares, but the other was ready for him. As Joe\u2019s fist grazed the bigger man\u2019s jaw, the second man ploughed his fist into Joe\u2019s stomach, following up swiftly with an upper cut to Joe\u2019s jaw that lifted the slighter man off his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, the patrons of the bar were on their feet, watching the beating silently. None of them were going to make the mistake of interfering with Bradford Davis. Joe didn\u2019t stand a chance. When the thugs threw him out of the door into the street, he was bruised, bleeding and unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

His return to consciousness wasn\u2019t pleasant. Neither of Joe\u2019s eyes would open properly and he found it remarkably difficult to breathe through his nose. He tried to move and let out a fearsome moan. \u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d he heard a voice say.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe tried to think whose voice it was, as it sounded familiar. He squinted vilely and finally sorted out his focus to see that Doctor Paul Martin was leaning over him, looking concerned. \u201cDoc?\u201d he croaked. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I want you to tell me,\u201d Paul replied, glancing fractionally at the other occupant of his office \u2013 Sheriff Roy Coffee, who had found Joe in the street. \u201cCan you remember?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm,\u201d Joe began and swallowed painfully. His mouth hurt and when Paul gave him some water, he realized that his lip was split and very sore. \u201cI went\u2026 for a drink. Davis told me\u2026 I was banned. When I\u2026 didn\u2019t leave\u2026 fast enough\u2026 he set his goons on me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Paul soothed. \u201cIt\u2019s good that you can remember. That means no concussion. You just lie still, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d Joe protested and tried to sit up. His body rebelled instantly and he flopped back, groaning and clutching his ribs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can you never do what you\u2019re told?\u201d Paul chided, going back to Joe. \u201cLie still, Joe. You\u2019ve got a couple of broken ribs and I don\u2019t want you moving until I\u2019ve wrapped them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his head down again, Joe bit back another groan and closed his bruised and swollen eyes. He heard steps and opened his eyes again to see Roy Coffee. \u201cI sent fer yer pa, Joe,\u201d he told the injured man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to press charges,\u201d Joe whispered. He found it difficult to get the words to come out properly over his sore lip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there ain\u2019t no point, boy,\u201d Roy told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Despite the pain, Joe managed to sit up this time. His head pounded and the pain in his chest took his breath, but Joe was too angry to notice. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me Davis has bought you, too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough o\u2019 that!\u201d Roy scolded and he sounded really angry. He fixed Joe with a glare that Joe returned at full wattage, despite the injuries to his face. \u201cI ain\u2019t bin bought by nobody, boy an\u2019 don\u2019 ya forgit it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His jaw jutting, Joe didn\u2019t let Roy\u2019s gaze go. After a moment, when they both just glared at each other, Roy explained. \u201cJoe, I cain\u2019t find no witnesses ta say that ya didn\u2019t start that fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shocked and disbelieving, Joe thought back to the faces he had seen in the saloon. \u201cBut there were friends of mine in there,\u201d he protested. \u201cWhy won\u2019t they say anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo scared, I reckon,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cAfter all, they seen what happened ta ya when ya defied Davis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that bad,\u201d Joe replied, with the bravado that came as naturally to him as breathing. The statement might have had more credibility if he hadn\u2019t groaned at the end of it, as he tried to move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Paul asked. He sounded angry, too, Joe realized, and he squinted up at the doctor. \u201cSo that\u2019s why I\u2019m going to have to take stitches in this gash on your hairline. You\u2019ve got broken ribs, too and I\u2019m surprised you can open your eyes at all, Joe. Your lower lip is badly split and I\u2019m thinking of taking a stitch in it, too. And you say it wasn\u2019t that bad?\u201d Furious, Paul glared at his patient. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky it\u2019s not a lot worse, Joe Cartwright!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaken by the doctor\u2019s anger, for Joe had never seen him anything but calm, cool, collected and in control, Joe stared at him, open-mouthed. \u201cDoc…\u201d he ventured, but another glare shut him up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, your eyes are in a bad way,\u201d Paul went on, deliberately trying to frighten him.\u00a0 \u201cYou could have been blinded!\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t say that it was his fear of this very occurrence that had roused his anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, Joe submitted as Paul stripped off his torn shirt and firmly bandaged his ribs. Every breath was torture for Joe, but he tried to keep his groans to a minimum. He obediently took the painkiller offered to him and lay as still as he could for Paul to take stitches in his head and lip. He had never felt pain like it when Paul put the single stitch in his lip and the world went very grey for some time. When Joe finally surfaced again, he saw Paul was holding more bandages. \u201cWhat are those for?\u201d he asked warily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHolding ice packs on your eyes,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to try and reduce the swelling round your eyes so I can check if your eyes are damaged or not. I know you can see a bit, Joe, but your eyes are too swollen to allow me to examine them.\u201d He picked up the icepacks, already wrapped in cloth to prevent them burning Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, doc\u2026\u201d Joe protested, but he knew it was useless. In a very short time, the icepacks were held in place with the bandages and Joe was reduced to a dark world. He hated not being able to see, even if his eyesight was not what it usually was and he especially hated the way that Roy and Paul began to talk about him as if he was not there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen should be here afore long,\u201d Roy commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cJoe\u2019s going to need help to get home. I\u2019d really prefer that he stay here, but if I know Joe, he\u2019ll have Ben agreeing to him going home before you can say \u2018Jack Robinson\u2019.\u201d Paul\u2019s tone was wry. \u201cSo I might as well just let him go. It\u2019ll save on the arguments. Roy, what are you going to do about Davis?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do?\u201d Roy asked. \u201cHe ain\u2019t done nothin\u2019 that I can charge him with, Paul. Its only Joe\u2019s word against Davis\u2019 an\u2019 I bet them men o\u2019 his would stand up an\u2019 say whatever he wants in court.\u201d The cynicism in Roy\u2019s voice took Joe\u2019s breath away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to let him take over the town are you, Roy?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t gonna git away with anythin\u2019 illegal,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cBut ya know Davis\u2019 kind, Doc. They somehow manage ta keep jist within the law.\u201d Roy sighed heavily. \u201cThere ain\u2019t nuthin\u2019 I can do then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what\u2019s at the back of this attack on Joe?\u201d Paul demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, Joe was growing sleepy, the pain medication doing its work, but he spoke up. \u201cI said I couldn\u2019t take his daughter to a dance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Paul asked, disbelief in his tones. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe denied. He swallowed. \u201cShe told me that her father was having a dance and she wanted me to take her. I said it would depend on round up and the cattle drive and she was angry.\u201d Joe tried for a lopsided grin, but it ended in a wince of pain as his sore lip pulled against the stitch. \u201cGuess I shouldn\u2019t be so attractive to women, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s no reason to ban you from the saloon or have you beaten up,\u201d Paul objected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps it is to him,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cAfter all, this is the man who tried to burn down the hotel where the legislature was meeting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was found not guilty of that,\u201d Roy reminded Joe, although he didn\u2019t sound in the least convinced. \u201cThe jury cleared him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time it was Joe\u2019s cynicism that made the other men catch their breaths. \u201cYeah, and none of my friends just saw me being beaten up for no reason, either, did they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

When Ben arrived in town, Joe was sleeping, still with the melting ice packs bandaged firmly over his eyes. Quite naturally, Ben was horrified at this, and Paul hastened to explain what he was doing. The voices woke Joe, who tried to turn over, forgetting for the moment that he wasn\u2019t his usual self. He groaned and clutched at his ribs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d Paul soothed, going over to his side, with Ben close on his heels. \u201cTake it slowly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel, Joseph?\u201d Ben asked, taking his son\u2019s hand. Joe\u2019s fingers immediately tightened over his.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Paul told Ben what Joe\u2019s injuries were and began to unwrap the bandages from Joe\u2019s eyes. The swelling had gone down a bit from before, but Ben still gasped. Joe slit his eyes open and peered blearily at Ben. \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d he offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to help you sit up and then I\u2019m going to try and examine your eyes,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cLet me know if you get very dizzy. And I\u2019m sorry, but this will hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe accepted help to sit up and was grateful when Ben sat just behind him, allowing Joe to lean against him. Paul fetched his instruments from his desk. Joe sat still, trying to keep his eyes as far open as possible. It seemed to him that Paul took a very long time to check him over and a growing disquiet crept through his body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d he asked, as Paul finally sat back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I can see, there \u2018s no permanent damage,\u201d Paul replied. As Joe started to smile \u2013 once more forgetting the sore lip \u2013 he added, \u201cAs far as I can see. Joe, that doesn\u2019t mean your eyes are fine. I simply can\u2019t see into them well enough to judge for sure. They are extremely bloodshot, which isn\u2019t a surprise and until the swelling dies down and the hemorrhaging has cleared up, I want you to keep your eyes covered. It should only take a couple of days, and I know that you\u2019ll hate it, but I\u2019d far rather be safe than sorry.\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s knee. \u201cDon\u2019t look so dismayed. I\u2019m fairly sure your eyes are okay, but, like I said, better safe than sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoroughly dismayed, and struck dumb for the moment, Joe sat silently as Paul bandaged his eyes again and gave Ben instructions for care of his other hurts. Joe hated being dependent on his family and he felt a burning hatred towards Bradford Davis.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The next couple of days were a real trial for Joe, but he bore the indignities as best he could and was rewarded when Paul came out and took the bandages off his eyes. The swelling had gone down and Paul was able to confirm that there was no permanent damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Released, Joe went outside to visit with Cochise and Paul accepted a cup of coffee from Ben. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening in town?\u201d Ben asked, for none of them had been able to spare the time to go in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making a face, Paul took a sip of his coffee to buy himself some time. However, it didn\u2019t make the telling any easier. \u201cThere are so many stories going around the town about Joe,\u201d he sighed. \u201cThe incident in the saloon has grown out of all proportion and Joe is coming off worst, not surprisingly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why Davis is doing this,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cDoes he really think a few nasty stories are going to make Joe do as he wants?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only person who can answer that is Davis,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut I think he\u2019s become so used to getting what he wants \u2013 however it happens \u2013 that he expects everyone to cave in immediately. Of course,\u201d he added, trying to lighten the conversation, \u201che\u2019s never met a Cartwright before!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what it reminds me of?\u201d Ben asked, smiling briefly. When Paul shook his head he went on, \u201cIt reminds me of what happened when Sam Bryant was running the town and we testified against Farmer Perkins. Everyone was running scared and when Bryant thought that he wasn\u2019t going to get his own way, he tried to manipulate my sons by kidnapping me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think it\u2019ll come to that this time, do you?\u201d Paul asked, soberly, for the same thought had crossed his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted, but his tone was grim. \u201cI hope not.\u201d He gazed at the door for a moment. \u201cIf he\u2019d only bothered to find out about Joe, he would realize that forbidding Joe to see Bethany would have got the results he wanted in no time at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, if anything, are you going to do?\u201d Paul asked, knowing that passively waiting was not Ben\u2019s style.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben met his friend\u2019s eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll have to talk to him,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

If Ben thought that seeing Bradford Davis was going to be easy, he soon learned otherwise. Despite repeated calls at the man\u2019s home, office and the Silver Dollar, Ben was unable to track him down. He suspected that Davis was at home at least once that he called, but he couldn\u2019t prove it and it wasn\u2019t a crime to avoid an unwanted guest.<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, the whispering campaign had reached the ranch and they began to find that some of the new hands they were hiring for roundup were there just to look at Joe and point the finger. One or two of the more foolhardy ones made comments about Joe within his brothers\u2019 hearing, or the hearing of long-term ranch hands and paid for their rashness.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem didn\u2019t just stay on the ranch. Joe was finding that whenever he went to town he was subjected to a barrage of stares and snide comments, especially when he went to one of the other saloons.\u00a0 On one occasion, a new assistant in the mercantile refused to serve him altogether and a nasty scene was avoided only by the return of the owner.<\/span><\/p>\n

And everywhere he went in town, Bethany seemed to be nearby. Joe became suddenly adept at finding other exits from stores and saloons, but he suspected that it wouldn\u2019t do him any good in the long run. There seemed to be a network of men whose sole mission in life was keeping Bethany informed of Joe\u2019s whereabouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ironic thing, Joe reflected as he led Cochise out of the side door of the livery, was that he would have been interested in Bethany simply because she was a pretty girl. He wondered how long it would be before Davis started taking stronger measures and buying up all the stores in town, so that the Cartwrights were unable to buy the things they needed. So far, it just been him who had been targeted, as far as they could tell, but none of the other Cartwrights had attempted to go near the Silver Dollar and Joe had found that many of his friends had abandoned the Silver Dollar as their favorite drinking establishment when Joe was banned. Joe appreciated their silent support, but none of them was prepared to say what they had seen in the Silver Dollar that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long was it going to go on? Joe wondered. He was getting depressed by the constant surveillance and he couldn\u2019t understand why Bethany would want a man who so clearly didn\u2019t want her. Was she simply so spoiled that she thought she should get whatever she set her heart on? Joe didn\u2019t know the answer to that nor was he sure he wanted to know the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounting Cochise, Joe drew a deep breath before heading his mount out into the main street. He wished there was a way to get from the livery to the road leading to the ranch without going through town, but, unfortunately, there wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

His horse hadn\u2019t taken more than two steps when the four men stepped out into the alley. Joe immediately pulled Cochise to a halt, eyeing the armed men warily. He had no doubt whom they worked for and he thought he recognized one of them from the fight in the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThrow down your gun, real careful like,\u201d one of them ordered. \u201cThen get down off your horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing he had no choice, Joe did as he was told, then dismounted, loosely holding Cochise\u2019s rein in his hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s this about?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a message for you, Cartwright,\u201d the spokesman replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve got until roundup is over. If you haven\u2019t asked Miss Bethany out by then, your family is going to pay for your mistake, one by one, until you rectify it. Do you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh sure,\u201d Joe replied, angrily. \u201cI understand that Bethany wants me but can\u2019t understand that I don\u2019t want her. You give her a message for me. Tell her to leave my family alone, or there\u2019ll be trouble!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s going to be trouble before then,\u201d the man responded and even as Joe ducked to reach for his gun, the man jumped him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Struggling desperately, Joe was no match for the four men and he found himself held in a vice-like grip. He tightened his stomach muscles, preparing for the beating he knew was coming. However, it didn\u2019t happen. The spokesman stepped forward and slowly holstered his gun. He kept his eyes on Joe throughout, seemingly amused at his prisoner\u2019s struggles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first payment on your mistake,\u201d he breathed and drew a large Bowie knife from under his jacket. Joe struggled even harder, to no avail. He watched as the knife came closer and closer to him and then the tip bit into the flesh under his chin. \u201cRemember this warning,\u201d the man went on, as he took the knife away. The tip gleamed wetly with Joe\u2019s blood. \u201cThe next payment will be a death.\u201d He laid the blade flat against Joe\u2019s face and smiled. Slowly, he turned the knife until the cutting edge was laying down Joe\u2019s cheek. Joe was barely breathing. \u201cBut not your death, Cartwright. A member of your family.\u201d He increased the pressure and sudden pain ran through Joe\u2019s face and he could feel blood spilling out of the perfectly straight cut that ran from his eye to his jaw.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pain was excruciating. Joe caught his breath and gritted his teeth the better to bear it. He stiffened as his arms were dragged behind him and tightly bound. The he was lifted onto Cochise and his feet tied to the stirrups. His gun was dropped back into his holster. The knife was now resting against his ribs. Waves of pain from his face made him dizzy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need that distraction now,\u201d the spokesman said, and one man disappeared out of the alley. \u201cDon\u2019t say a word, Cartwright,\u201d Joe was warned. \u201cI can kill you just as easily as that.\u201d He snapped his fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could think of anything to say, there was a loud explosion. Cochise shied and it took all Joe\u2019s not-inconsiderable skills to stay mounted. From the street, he could hear shouts of alarm and the sound of running feet. Moments later, the man who had set the distraction came back and nodded. Joe\u2019s horse was led out of the alley and trotted down the street. The pace was horribly painful to Joe\u2019s face, and he was reeling when they reached the edge of town. There had been nobody to see his passing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow just remember what you were told, Cartwright,\u201d he was reminded. \u201cYour family will die unless you make the right decision.\u201d An almighty slap on the rump sent Cochise speeding towards home before Joe could muster his strength to say anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa?\u201d Ben turned as he heard the soft voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Adam?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crossing the porch to stand by his father, Adam leaned against the roof support. \u201cI wondered if you were all right, that\u2019s all,\u201d Adam replied. He studied Ben\u2019s face. \u201cWorried about Joe, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben admitted, too tired to even try and make a joke out of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe can look after himself,\u201d Adam assured his father. \u201cHe\u2019ll be home soon. You know how many side alleys he\u2019s traversing these days to keep away from Bethany.\u201d Adam tried to lighten the mood, but Ben wasn\u2019t biting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what worries me,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cThat among other things.\u201d He looked up to meet his oldest son\u2019s brown eyes. He could read the worry in them quite clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do about this?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI just don\u2019t know.\u201d He fell into a troubled silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was troubled, too. All his life, it had seemed that Ben knew what to do in any given situation. But not this one. The realization that his father was merely human made Adam love him all the more. He briefly rested his hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019ll all work out somehow,\u201d he comforted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d sighed Ben. He made an effort to shake off his melancholy. \u201cWhere is Joe? I thought he\u2019d be home long ago.\u201d Again, their eyes met. \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose he\u2019s in trouble, do you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam scoffed, but he didn\u2019t quite pull it off. He suddenly did think Joe was in trouble. \u201cI\u2019ll get the horses,\u201d he offered and Ben nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

But neither of them had taken more than one step when they heard the sound of hooves and Cochise trotted into the yard, with Joe slumped along his neck. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben exclaimed and hurried over to catch the horse\u2019s reins. \u201cJoe, what happened to you?\u201d Ben gasped, as he realized that Joe was tied hand and foot. \u201cAdam, help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The blood soaking into Joe\u2019s shirt collar alerted Ben that his son was injured and he raised a shaking hand to gently tip Joe\u2019s hat aside. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed, his face pale, apart from the slender line down his left cheek, and the dried blood that caked his face and neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither Ben nor Adam could speak. They quickly cut Joe free and Ben pulled his son into his arms. Joe\u2019s head lolled back as Ben carried him into the house, where he laid him on the settee, calling for Hop Sing to bring water and medical supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The line of the cut on Joe\u2019s cheek was perfectly straight. It had already stopped bleeding and didn\u2019t start again, even when Ben washed away the dried blood from along its edges. While Joe gritted his teeth, Ben put a bandage on it to keep it clean. \u201cI\u2019ll go into town and get the doctor,\u201d he said and the tone of his voice left no one in any doubt that Ben was furious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, please,\u201d Joe whispered, reaching out and catching Ben\u2019s sleeve. \u201cHe said that one of you would be killed if I didn\u2019t do as I was told.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis has gone far enough, Joseph!\u201d Ben chided sternly. \u201cI\u2019m going into town to get the doctor out here and I\u2019m going to have words with Bradford Davis while I\u2019m there!\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s hand and tried to disentangle it from his sleeve, but Joe was hanging on fiercely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, please!\u201d Joe begged and Ben could see fear in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be safe here,\u201d Ben soothed him, not understanding that Joe was not afraid for himself; he was afraid for his family. \u201cAdam and Hoss will look after you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Those expressive green eyes widened and Joe tried to sit up. \u201cPa, please, no!\u201d he cried. \u201cDon\u2019t go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going!\u201d Ben declared firmly and managed to free himself from Joe. He paused for a minute to caress his son\u2019s head, for he could see the tears threatening to fall. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right, son and you\u2019ll be safe here with your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go!\u201d Joe pleaded as Ben left, but his pleas were in vain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The ride into town did nothing to quench Ben\u2019s anger; if anything, he was even angrier when he arrived. His first port of call was the doctor\u2019s office, but Paul wasn\u2019t there and Ben had to hunt around for quite some time before he found someone who knew where the doctor was. However, he was out at a ranch on the other side of town, where the owner had had a bad fall and Paul was not expected back any time soon. Since he wanted to speak to Bradford Davis, Ben asked his informant to go and ask the doctor to go to the Ponderosa as soon as he got the chance and tipped him handsomely to do so. That taken care of, Ben decided he\u2019d pay a visit to Roy Coffee and apprise him of the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sheriff was in his office and he listened gravely as Ben told of the attack on Joe. He shook his head in disgust when he heard about the explosion. \u201cI thought there was somethin\u2019 fishy about it,\u201d he muttered, more to himself than to Ben. \u201cAn\u2019 everybody were there gawpin\u2019, so there likely ain\u2019t anyone who seen Joe, is there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben agreed, impatiently. \u201cRoy, I\u2019m going over to talk to Bradford Davis right now, and then I\u2019m going back home. I realize that there\u2019s nothing you can do about the attack on Joe, but I\u2019ve had enough and I\u2019m going to try and sort this out now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Ben, ya jist be careful,\u201d Roy warned. \u201cYa shouldn\u2019t go over there all riled up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I waited until I\u2019m not riled, Roy; Joe will be old and grey!\u201d Ben retorted and left. Roy sighed, for he really couldn\u2019t blame Ben for feeling the way he did. Roy was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a check on his temper as Davis appeared to be taking over his town and there was nothing that Roy could do about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside, Ben drew a deep breath before mounting Buck and riding to Davis\u2019 house. He walked briskly to the door and knocked. A butler opened it and looked down his long nose at Ben, who wasn\u2019t in the least intimidated. \u201cI want to speak to Bradford Davis, and I won\u2019t take no for an answer.\u201d For whatever reason, the butler stood back and admitted Ben, leading him into an over-crowded parlor where Davis sat with Bethany, his daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was the first time Ben had seen either of them face to face. Bethany was a beautiful girl, with long blonde hair and big blue eyes. She had a peaches- and-cream complexion and a neat figure. But her eyes were cold and calculating and there was something in her expression that gave Ben pause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Davis himself was a male version of his daughter, older and heavier but still attractive. Looking at him, Ben wondered if he just imagined the ruthlessness in his face, but then he realized that Davis\u2019 smile didn\u2019t reach his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d Davis said, smarmily. \u201cTo what do I owe the pleasure of your company?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you already know that,\u201d Ben replied. He hadn\u2019t been invited to sit down, but he did anyway. \u201cI want you to stop harassing my son, Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarassing your son?\u201d Davis echoed, lifting an eyebrow. \u201cWhat makes you think your son is important enough for me to harass?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, your attitude towards him so far,\u201d Ben replied, coldly. \u201cLet me tell you, Mr. Davis, I won\u2019t tolerate it.\u201d He glanced at Bethany, who was listening avidly. \u201cMy son told your daughter the truth. Right now, we are in the middle of roundup and free time is at a premium. Next week, we will be taking our cattle to market and will be gone for anything up to three weeks. Quite how my son was supposed to make a firm commitment to anything happening during this time is beyond me. However, his polite refusal seems to have triggered this vendetta against him and I am at a loss to explain why.\u201d Ben returned his gaze to Davis. \u201cI don\u2019t appreciate having my family threatened, Mr. Davis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you trying to say here, Cartwright?\u201d Davis asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said what I meant,\u201d Ben replied, mildly, although he longed to grab Davis and shake some sense into him. In truth, he wouldn\u2019t have objected to knocking some sense into him, but his common sense wouldn\u2019t allow him to do that. \u201cOur doctor has catalogued Joe\u2019s injuries and will be coming out to treat the knife wound on his face. Let\u2019s stop this now, before someone gets killed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Davis smirked. It wasn\u2019t a pleasant expression and Ben knew instantly that his mission had failed and he had quite possibly made everything worse. However, he met Davis\u2019 gaze levelly and refused to be intimidated. \u201cThe sheriff is also well aware of what is going on,\u201d he concluded. \u201cLet\u2019s stop this foolishness now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo late!\u201d Bethany hissed, spitefully before her father could speak. \u201cYour precious sons won\u2019t have the chance to come to my dance now or ever. They\u2019ll all be dead before you get home!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben stared at her, hardly able to believe that those words were coming from a girl of about seventeen years of age. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d he demanded, angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBethany?\u201d Davis queried, rising to his feet. \u201cWhat do you mean? What have you done?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling up at her father, Ben saw the hardness disappear out of Bethany\u2019s blue eyes, to be replaced with a little girl softness. The transformation was eerie. \u201cWhy, Daddy, I only did what you do all the time,\u201d she simpered. \u201cI told the men to go out to the Ponderosa and kill the Cartwright boys. Oh don\u2019t worry,\u201d she went on, seeing the look of horror on her father\u2019s face. \u201cNobody will know it was us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaken rigid, Ben barely heard Davis whisper, \u201cOh Lord, what have I done?\u201d All Ben could think was that his sons were in danger. \u201cBethany, why?\u201d Davis begged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted Joe,\u201d she replied. \u201cI always get what I want, Daddy. You make sure of that. But I wanted Joe and I wanted him weeks ago. You haven\u2019t given him to me, so I told the men what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you tell them?\u201d Davis all but screamed at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told them to give Joe a serious warning this afternoon,\u201d she answered. \u201cAnd when they told me that Joe was still defying me, I told them they would have to follow up on my warning and go and kill Joe\u2019s brothers. I told them to do it this afternoon, but since Joe said he doesn\u2019t want me, I\u2019ve decided that I don\u2019t want him, either and I told the men to kill him, too. If I can\u2019t have him, no one can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The most chilling thing about her statement, Ben thought, in an oddly detached manner, was the matter of fact tone of voice that Bethany used. He noticed that Davis was as pale as Ben felt. He knew he couldn\u2019t stand there a moment longer. His sons were in danger and Ben had to get to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned to leave the room, Bethany asked, \u201cDaddy, what\u2019s wrong? You do this kind of thing all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pausing, Ben turned to look at the other man. Davis\u2019 mouth hung open and his eyes were haunted as he realized what his lifestyle had done to his only child. \u201cI hope you\u2019re satisfied,\u201d Ben hissed. \u201cDo you see what you\u2019ve taught your daughter? Are you proud of yourself?\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for an answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Racing into the yard, Ben Cartwright had his gun drawn, his face grim as he faced the scene that he had dreaded. All the way out from town he had convinced himself that his sons would be all right, that Bethany hadn\u2019t really sent men to extract the revenge she had vowed to get.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it was too late, he saw. Far too late. Adam lay in a crumpled heap by the corral fence. Hoss was stretched out on the porch and Joe\u2026 Swallowing, Ben wondered if he really could believe his eyes. Joe\u2026 was dead!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Not knowing which son to go to first momentarily froze Ben to the spot. Then Hoss groaned and stirred and sat up, clutching his head. Sliding from Buck, Ben said, \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing over, Hoss squinted at Ben. \u201cPa, see ta Joe,\u201d Hoss urged. \u201cI\u2019ll git Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben needed no further urging. He ran across the yard to where Joe lay, a knife in his gut, his arms spread-eagled. He looked dead to Ben, with no signs that he was breathing at all. His heart contracted in fear. \u201cJoe!\u201d he whispered, anguished.<\/span><\/p>\n

To his utter astonishment, Joe moaned slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Falling to his knees, Ben tentatively felt for a pulse. It was there, weak and thready, but there. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cJoe?\u201d He looked at the knife sticking so obscenely out of Joe\u2019s body and saw the blood pooling on the ground. There wasn\u2019t as much blood as Ben had expected to see and he grasped this frail tendril of hope with both hands. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he soothed, even though he knew Joe was deeply unconscious. \u201cThe doctor will be here soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d came Hoss\u2019 fearful voice. Ben turned and saw his middle son standing behind him, blood streaming from a scalp wound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Hoss,\u201d Ben urged, rising to grasp his son\u2019s arm. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d He looked over at where Adam lay against the corral fence and was relieved to see that Adam\u2019s eyes were now open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bin shot,\u201d Hoss reported. \u201cBut the bullet went right through his shoulder. I reckon he\u2019ll be all right, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese fellers came ta the house,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI were out here when they arrived an\u2019 one o\u2019 them shot at me. I didn\u2019 git a chance ta fight back, Pa. Next thing, one o\u2019 them hit me real hard from behind. I dunno what happened after that.\u201d He closed his eyes for a moment and Ben saw once again how white-faced Hoss was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou sit here with Joe while I check on Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa,\u201d Hoss protested. \u201cWe need ta git the doctor out here fer Joe. Unless he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s alive,\u201d Ben immediately interrupted. \u201cHe\u2019s hurt bad, but he\u2019s alive. Don\u2019t worry, Hoss, Doc Martin is on the way already. I asked him to come earlier.\u201d He eased Hoss to the ground beside Joe and took another anxious look at his youngest son before hurrying over the yard to his oldest. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Adam replied. He tried to smile, but he was clearly in a lot of pain and it didn\u2019t quite come off. \u201cPa, those men\u2026 They were\u2026 too quick for me. I tried to keep Joe safe.\u201d Adam moved slightly and winced. \u201cSorry.\u201d He bit his lip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s alive,\u201d Ben told Adam. \u201cHe\u2019s gravely hurt, but he\u2019s alive.\u201d Gently, Ben moved aside the torn, bloody shirt and looked at the bullet wound in Adam\u2019s right shoulder. It was ragged and bleeding, but as Hoss had said, the bullet had gone straight through. \u201cLet\u2019s try and get you into the house, Adam,\u201d Ben suggested. He pulled his son to his feet and supported him inside the house, where he made Adam lie down on the settee. It was only then that he realized that he hadn\u2019t seen Hop Sing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurrying into the kitchen, he found the Chinese cook sitting on the floor, holding his head and moaning. Hop Sing quickly assured his employer that he would be all right and he got to his feet, determined to start boiling water and preparing for the doctor\u2019s arrival. Satisfied that Hop Sing hadn\u2019t suffered any serious injury, Ben went back outside to sit with Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

It seemed to Ben that an inordinate amount of time passed before the doctor arrived, but later he decided that it couldn\u2019t have been more than twenty minutes or so. But that was still too long for Ben\u2019s peace of mind as he watched over Joe, who remained unconscious, although the bleeding seemed to have stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jumping down from his buggy, Paul Martin hurried over to Ben\u2019s side. He felt Joe\u2019s pulse and nodded. \u201cWe need to get him inside at once,\u201d Paul commented. \u201cIs Hoss here to help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and Adam were injured, too,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cHoss took a bad knock on the head and Adam was shot in the shoulder. Hop Sing was knocked out, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, it\u2019s up to us, Ben. Easy does it.\u201d He slipped one hand under Joe\u2019s shoulder and the other under his knees. Ben, on the other side, copied him and they carried Joe carefully into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the great room, Hoss started to rise as he saw his brother carried into the house, but Paul Martin shook his head. \u201cJust sit right back down, Hoss and stay there!\u201d he ordered. \u201cYou\u2019re too shaky on your feet to help us. Keep an eye on Adam for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon, Joe was lying on his bed, looking deathly pale. Fresh blood was oozing out of the wound again. \u201cBen, get me some towels and hot water, please. Then go downstairs and tend to your other sons while I removed this knife.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Paul\u2026\u201d Ben protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his hand on Ben\u2019s arm, Paul met his gaze squarely. \u201cBen, trust me on this. You don\u2019t want to see this operation. I can\u2019t promise to save Joe\u2019s life, because I don\u2019t know what kind of damage the knife has done, but I will do my very best. Should anything happen, I\u2019ll call for you at once. But I can\u2019t do this with you in the room.\u201d He patted his friend\u2019s arm. \u201cPlease, Ben, it\u2019s for the best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With one more anguished look at Joe, Ben went to get the things Paul needed. He brought them to the room and lingered for a moment, stroking Joe\u2019s hair in that familiar gesture. Then, silently, he left the room and didn\u2019t look back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The silence in the room was palpable. Adam dozed restlessly on the settee. Hoss sat slumped in the blue velvet chair at the foot of the stairs and Ben gazed blankly into the fire. It seemed that Paul had been upstairs for a very long time, but no matter how often Ben looked at the clock, he could detect no movement of the hands. Not that it would have mattered; he had no idea what time it had been when Joe was taken upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

At long last, footsteps were heard on the stairs and Ben found himself standing at the bottom looking up, his heart thumping painfully against his ribs as he waited to hear what Paul would say. The doctor\u2019s face was drawn and tired and Ben didn\u2019t know how to interpret what he saw. \u201cPaul?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was tricky,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cVery tricky. But I got the knife out and it didn\u2019t do too much damage. There was a little internal bleeding, but not much and I got it stopped. Joe\u2019s going to be very sore, but as long as infection doesn\u2019t set in, he\u2019s going to be fine. He\u2019ll be weak for quite some time, and I don\u2019t want him to set foot out of that bed for at least a week.\u201d He allowed a small smile to cross his lips. \u201cBut he\u2019s alive, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you!\u201d Ben breathed. He wanted nothing more than to dash up those stairs and sit with his son, but he had other sons who needed him, too. He hesitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brushing past Ben, Paul had a quick look at Hoss\u2019 head. \u201cGood thing you Cartwrights all have hard heads,\u201d Paul commented. \u201cJoe had had a knock on the head too, Ben, probably when he fell. He did waken up before I gave him some ether. Hoss, go to bed and have a good sleep. I\u2019ll come and waken you in a couple of hours.\u201d He patted the big man on the shoulder and pointed to the stairs. \u201cAnd don\u2019t get up before tomorrow!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Paul went over to Adam, who was sitting up slightly. \u201cLet\u2019s have a look at you.\u201d He pulled the shirt away and examined the wound closely. \u201cA good clean and a few stitches will put you right,\u201d he announced. \u201cI can manage that without your help, Ben, so off you go and sit with Joe. He\u2019ll be coming round soon.\u201d He slid an arm under Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCome on, Adam, let\u2019s get you to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben came over to help, but Adam was much steadier on his feet than he had been earlier and Paul waved him away. \u201cI can manage, Pa,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cYou go and see to Joe.\u201d He watched Ben mount the stairs before giving Paul a small smile. \u201cThat was very adroitly done,\u201d he complimented the physician.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cI\u2019ve had lots of practice!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

During the night, Joe began to run a temperature, and Paul anxiously checked the wound on his stomach, but there was no sign of infection and by daybreak, his temperature was falling again. Joe had opened his eyes briefly during the night and had accepted water, but hadn\u2019t spoken. However, as dawn broke, his eyes flickered open and he gazed blearily at Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself,\u201d Ben replied, leaning in close. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA bit strange,\u201d Joe murmured. \u201cLike I\u2019m floating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben replied, \u201cThat\u2019s the morphine.\u201d Paul had given Joe quite a hefty dose of it to tide him over the first few hours of consciousness. \u201cDo you remember what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A frown crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cThose men came again, Pa. Hoss was outside and we heard him shout and when Adam opened the door, he was lying on the porch. Adam went for one of the men and they fought, but another one shot him.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cHe got hit in the shoulder, but it\u2019s not serious. He\u2019ll be up and about later on.\u201d He knew instinctively the next question and answered it before Joe could even form the words. \u201cAnd Hoss is fine, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Relief caused Joe to relax on the bed and his eyes closed for a moment. Opening them, he went on with his story. \u201cI went for my gun, but I wasn\u2019t quick enough. Two of them caught me and dragged me outside. One, the one who did all the talking in the alley, told me that Bethany didn\u2019t want me any more and that if she couldn\u2019t have me, no one could.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes closed again and he swallowed convulsively. Ben took his hand and Joe\u2019s fingers tightened around his. \u201cAnd then he stabbed me,\u201d he whispered. A lone tear trickled down his cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing Joe telling the story brought it all vividly to life for Ben, far too vividly for his liking. It had been bad enough knowing that his sons were in danger as he rode home. It was worse to know what they had faced without him there to help. This time, Davis had gone too far, and Ben was going to see that those men were stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, it\u2019s all over now,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be just fine, I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He sat there for a long time, just stroking Joe\u2019s arm, until his son slipped back into a healing sleep. Rising stiffly, Ben went to check on the rest of his family and found that Adam was getting dressed with some help from Hoss, who looked back to his usual self. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d they chorused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been awake and talking,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe told me what happened.\u201d He drew in a deep breath. \u201cHow are you both this morning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter,\u201d Adam answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben nodded, relieved. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go into town and speak to the sheriff and I\u2019d like you boys to keep an eye on Joe. Paul said he\u2019d be back later just to check him out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to press charges,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI saw Davis yesterday and his daughter admitted to both of us that she sent those men after Joe, and then after you all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBethany ordered this?\u201d Adam gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied, grimly. \u201cShe had seen her father doing this kind of thing all her life and didn\u2019t see why she shouldn\u2019t do it, too.\u201d Thinking back, Ben remembered the look on Davis\u2019 face. \u201cI don\u2019t think he had realized what his lifestyle had done to his daughter.\u201d Sighing, he rolled his tired shoulders. It had been a long night. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he didn\u2019t have to make the ride into town, for Roy Coffee arrived before Ben had even got out of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul came an\u2019 reported the gunshot wound,\u201d he told Ben. \u201cThat\u2019s the law.\u201d He accepted a cup of coffee and sat with Ben at the table while the other man finished his breakfast. Ben told Roy about his visit to Davis the previous afternoon and Roy was soon back on his horse, riding back to town to arrest the men involved and Davis\u2019 daughter. Ben, relieved of the need to ride to town, went to bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cGone?\u201d Ben looked stunned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Roy confirmed it. \u201cYep. Lock, stock and barrel, Ben. There ain\u2019t a sign o\u2019 them anywheres. The house is unlocked, the furniture is all there, but all their clothes and horses are gone. Cosmo said that Davis came in and told him the Silver Dollar is up for sale. Cosmo is to find a buyer and put the money in an account in the bank and Davis will get it \u2018later\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about his bully-boys?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTook them with him, as far as I can make out,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cThey\u2019re gone, at any rate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo now what?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve sent out wanted posters,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cAfter all, they are wanted for attempted murder. But I don\u2019t know when, or even if, we\u2019ll hear anythin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t there anything else you can do?\u201d Adam demanded angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d Roy asked. He could understand Adam\u2019s anger very easily. He felt it too. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a posse out lookin\u2019 fer them an\u2019 we didn\u2019 find anythin\u2019. There ain\u2019t nuthin\u2019 more I can do, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s that then,\u201d Adam commented after Roy left.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better tell Joe,\u201d Ben murmured and went back upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was asleep when Ben went in, but he was moving restlessly and within a few minutes had wakened. Ben helped him to pee and then gave him some more painkillers, since he was still very sore indeed. Having to do these things angered Ben, because he now knew that the people who had done this to Joe would probably never be caught. It made him feel very impotent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe asked, quietly and just for an instant, Ben wished Joe wasn\u2019t so sensitive to atmosphere and unspoken thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDavis, his daughter and their men have disappeared,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cVanished without trace.\u201d He watched Joe, but his son didn\u2019t have the energy to spare in impassioned outbursts and took the news more quietly than Ben had expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

At length, Joe spoke. \u201cWhat made her think she could do that and get away with it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know,\u201d Ben replied, for this was a subject he had spared a lot of thought about that day. \u201cBut Davis had been doing shady things all her life and I think Bethany had grown up thinking this was the way everyone behaved. She was certainly very spoiled, but that doesn\u2019t explain why she did this. I wish it did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHer father seemed to have a lot of power,\u201d Joe commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAnd he used that power the wrong way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cHe should\u2019ve used it to show Bethany the power of love, like you have with us, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben was struck dumb.\u00a0Compliments from your children are always the hardest to take<\/em>, he thought, wryly. \u201cThank you,\u201d he stuttered finally. Joe gave him an angelic smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

They were silent for a while longer as Ben once more mused over Davis\u2019 reasoning. Then Joe spoke again and voiced the thought Ben had been trying to not think of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019ll come back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no answer for that except the truth, however unsatisfactory and disquieting it was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the Power of Love Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

At All Costs<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Joe’s lack of interest in a new girl in town sparks a barrage of intimidation and tragedy.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,160 words)<\/p>\n

Power of Love Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2480,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7595,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7595","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":0},"title":"She Left (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Adam\u2019s love is leaving him. Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 599 The Wheelchair Series The Wheelchair She Left","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6493,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6493","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":1},"title":"We Dance (by MissJudy)","author":"missjudy","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This was a poem I wrote shortly after Pernell Roberts death, remembering his accomplishments and wonderful character. It's not sad! Those who love Adam or Pernell or any of his other characters will understand exactly what I'm writing about. Sweet dreams! \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0200","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/the-friendship3.png?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6200,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6200","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":2},"title":"What Do You Want in A Man (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"June 27, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A poem I wrote for the Man In Black's birthday. Rated:\u00a0K+ (260 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":3},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5400,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5400","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":4},"title":"The Last Bullet (by BnzaGal)","author":"BnzaGal","date":"February 28, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: An afternoon turns tragic. Rated:\u00a0K+ (670 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Bad-Day1.png?fit=628%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Bad-Day1.png?fit=628%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Bad-Day1.png?fit=628%2C478&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3778,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3778","url_meta":{"origin":2511,"position":5},"title":"A Letter to Adam (by Meg)","author":"Meg","date":"November 20, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Amelia writes a letter to her departed brother informing him on the on goings of the Ponderosa including the scams and trouble Little Joe and Hoss had gotten themselves into. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,210 words) Amelia Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2511","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=2511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2511\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}