![\"Ben-dining\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Ben-dining.jpg?resize=300%2C295&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nXxXxX<\/p>\n
When Joe opened the door, he immediately wished he hadn\u2019t. The man standing there disturbed him. Sure, he smiled broadly enough. He even extended his hand in a friendly greeting. But there was something about his eyes that turned Joe\u2019s blood cold. And the man\u2019s hand, when Joe reluctantly took it, had an odd grip, one that made Joe feel almost as though he had just been bested somehow.<\/p>\n
\u201cName\u2019s Carter,\u201d the man said, pumping Joe\u2019s hand with enough vigor to draw water from the well outside. \u201cCyrus Carter. That father of yours was almost like a brother to me way back when.\u201d He laughed\u2026but still his eyes seemed so cold. \u201cSure am pleased to find him again after all this time.\u201d Pulling his hand away, he patted Joe on the shoulder and stepped, uninvited, into the room. \u201cMighty fine place he\u2019s built here.\u201d He glanced at everything in sight and steadily made his way toward the fireplace. \u201cYes, indeed. Mighty fine.\u201d A moment later, he was seated in the red leather chair and grabbing an apple from the bowl on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cM-Mr. Carter?\u201dJoe stammered. He left the door open, feeling averse to closing it, and took a few hesitant steps toward the stranger. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but\u2026Pa\u2019s not here. He\u2026he rode into Virginia City, and won\u2019t be back for some time. You\u2026you could meet up with him there, if you\u2019d like. I could sh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNonsense!\u201d Carter\u2019s outburst spewed bits of apple in Joe\u2019s direction. \u201cI\u2019ve just ridden in from Genoa, for heaven\u2019s sake. I am not about to hit the trail again so soon. No.\u201d He settled back into the chair, sighing contentedly. \u201cNo, that\u2019s quite alright. I am more than patient. I shall wait right here for his return.\u201c<\/p>\n
Disappointed, Joe cast a longing look outside, wishing against hope that his pa was already heading back home. Then, still not bothering to close the door, he set about trying to be a good host for Ben Cartwright\u2019s uninvited guest.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
The first thing Adam noticed when he rode into the yard was that the front door was open. Wide open. The second thing he noticed was that the barn door was closed tight. \u201cJoe?\u201d he called out, scanning the area for any sign of his young brother. \u201cJoe!\u201d he shouted again, this time with less curiosity and more anger. \u00a0Little Joe was supposed to be cleaning out the barn, not airing out the house.<\/p>\n
Shaking trail dust from his hat, Adam stomped noisily and purposefully across the porch and through the door. \u201cLittle Joe! Why aren\u2019t you\u2014\u201d Adam\u2019s gaze fell upon a stranger sitting in Pa\u2019s chair and looking up at him with the devil\u2019s own grin. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d Adam offered, clearing his throat and forcing a softer tone. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t realize\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo harm done, my boy!\u201d The man rose, quickly crossing the room toward him. \u201cYou must be Adam, the oldest\u2014and your father\u2019s pride and joy, I\u2019m sure, judging by what your brother had to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy brother?\u201d Doubting the man\u2019s words, Adam cast a quick look around the room. He found no sign of Little Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, of course. The young man you were calling to just now. Why, he simply could not stop talking about how anxious he was for you to get home. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnxious?\u201d What was it about this man Adam found so disturbing? Or maybe it was the absence of Little Joe that was bothering him. He looked around again, this time noting that Joe\u2019s hat, jacket and holster were all missing.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuite,\u201d the stranger answered. \u201cClearly he looks up to you. I\u2019m afraid I made him a touch uncomfortable. He was eager for you to take over as my host. The name\u2019s Carter, by the way. Cyrus Carter.\u201d He held out his hand, but Adam was slow to take it into his own. \u201cA very old friend of your father.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow<\/em> old?\u201d Adam asked, noting a dull look in the man\u2019s eyes, something that might have been an early sign of cataracts\u2026or an indicator that the man had no interest in Adam at all, despite the otherwise cheerful smile he wore.<\/p>\nCyrus Carter winked. \u201cFrom the days of his cantankerous youth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why didn\u2019t Adam believe him? \u201cWell, as I\u2019m sure Joe told you already, our father won\u2019t be home for a few hours yet. I don\u2019t believe he was expecting any visitors today, otherwise he would not have\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter laughed. \u201cNo, he certainly could not have expected me. Even Ihadn\u2019t expected this visit. It came about quite\u2026well\u2026un<\/em>expectedly. I was in Carson City when I heard some men mention your father\u2019s name. Somewhere in the midst of all the shouting, I discovered this is where he had settled down. So, I rented a horse and\u2026. \u201d He shrugged. \u201cHere I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cWhat was the shouting about?\u201d Adam asked, more disturbed by what the man hadn\u2019t said than by what he had.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, just some nonsense about a gold strike or some such thing. You know how it is. The poor and downtrodden are always trying to blame men like your father for their troubles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam tensed. \u201cWhat were they saying, exactly<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\nThe man laughed again. \u201cYou two truly are brothers, aren\u2019t you? You sound just like that young Joe. And he<\/em> sounded just like that father of yours all those years ago when he pitted himself up against an entire herd of angry teamsters who had\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cWhere is Joe?\u201d Adam asked, finally. \u201cWhy did he leave you alone here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, to defend your father\u2019s honor, of course! Once he heard the accusations, there was no\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat<\/em> accusations?\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cSome rubbish about your father ordering a young man killed for trespassing. A drunken old man was upset over losing his son; that\u2019s all. But you know how easy it is to stir up an angry mob.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you let Joe ride into that mess alone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, come now! The ride will cool his head. I know all about his sort. Why, you\u2019re father\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not talking about my father!\u201d Adam found himself shouting. \u201cI\u2019m talking about his seventeen-year-old son! Don\u2019t you get it? That drunken old man you\u2019re talking about could be just angry enough to figure my father deserved to lose a son exactly like he did!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be so dramatic. Of course, no one would\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou clearly don\u2019t know very much about the west.\u201d Adam turned his back on the man. \u201cWhen my father gets here, be sure to tell him exactly why his sons<\/em> have left you here alone!\u201d When he slammed the door behind him, he found himself wondering why Joe hadn\u2019t done that very same thing. But the thought died almost as quickly as it had formed. Not even Little Joe was hot-headed enough to ride off so recklessly without at least waiting to argue with his family about what should be done. Or was he?<\/p>\nXxXxX<\/p>\n
Hoss rode into the yard feeling about as tired as he ever could. And hungry. He\u2019d caught the aroma of beef and potatoes a full thirty minutes before getting close enough to taste it. Even so, he took his time settling Chubb in the barn. He couldn\u2019t figure why his brothers\u2019 horses were missing, but his thoughts were too focused on supper to try figuring about it too hard. Pa wasn\u2019t back yet either, but that wasn\u2019t unexpected. Between talking to Hiram and goin\u2019 to that Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting, he\u2019d be plumb tuckered out by the time he got home. And hungry.<\/p>\n
Smiling, Hoss opened the front door and took a long, welcome whiff of that fine meal. Only then did it occur to him that Hop Sing was off on another visit with a cousin. Who in Sam Hill could\u2019ve done all that cookin\u2019<\/em>?<\/p>\nMore curious than concerned, he made his way to the kitchen to find a man about a head shorter than he was wearing Hop Sing\u2019s apron and busying himself mashin\u2019 up some potatoes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell!\u201d the stranger greeted him enthusiastically. \u201cYou must be the middle one, Hoss!\u201d He wiped his hands on the apron and then thrust out his right hand to shake Hoss\u2019s. \u201cYou really are as big as they said!\u201d There was something about his grip that made Hoss squeeze even tighter than usual, tight enough to send some men to their knees. But this stranger didn\u2019t even stop smilin\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn\u2019 who are you?\u201d Hoss asked when the stranger offered nothing further.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, yes! Cyrus Carter at your service! I\u2019m an old friend of your father\u2019s! I hope you don\u2019t mind my taking over the kitchen, but I figured that father of yours would be in need of a good meal tonight, what with all the\u2026.\u201d He turned toward the stove, looking nervous. Or worried. \u201cAll his troubles.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat troubles?\u201d Hoss felt his brow pull down so hard it almost gave him a headache. Or maybe it was this stranger that was causin\u2019 all that poundin\u2019 in his head.<\/p>\n
Looking startled, the stranger\u2014Cyrus Carter\u2014gave his attention back to Hoss. \u201cOh, that\u2019s right. You wouldn\u2019t know, would you? I guess when I told your brothers, I just expected\u2026or I figured\u2026.\u201d The way he fumbled for words made Hoss\u2019s head pound even harder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019d you tell my brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a terrible accident up at that timber camp of yours. Just dreadful. I heard about it on the road out here. Your brothers went there straightaway to see what they could do to help. But the oldest one, Adam? Yes, Adam. He insisted that your father didn\u2019t need to worry about anything. He and Joe\u2026and\u2026and you, of course\u2026would see to it all the injured men were taken care of. He told me to do whatever I could to keep your father right here at home, tired as he\u2019s bound to be after all those meetings he had to attend in town.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam said that?\u201d Suddenly Hoss was as worried about Pa as he was about this mess at the timber camp. He found himself torn about what to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe surely did. I guess your father hasn\u2019t been feeling too well lately. Adam didn\u2019t want to see him get too worked up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa\u2019s feelin\u2019 sorely?\u201d Funny, Hoss hadn\u2019t noticed. But Adam\u2026well, Adam was more observant about things like that, wasn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy\u2026yes. You didn\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t reckon I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, perhaps your father and Adam were both trying to keep it quiet, so as not to worry you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe.\u201d It still seemed odd to Hoss, but\u2026yeah\u2026maybe they\u2019d do that.<\/p>\n
The stranger patted him on the arm. \u201cNow you\u2019d better head on up there and help your brothers. I would hate to have your father decide he should ride out with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2026I guess he\u2019d want to, if he saw I was still here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would, indeed!\u201d The stranger\u2019s smile was placating\u2026and unnerving. \u201cNow, you\u2019d better run along before he gets home!\u201d<\/p>\n
When Hoss rode out again, he kept an eye out for his father before the trail split off into the trees. Part of him wanted to risk having Pa see him. Something sure seemed funny about all this. But if the accident up at that timber camp was as bad as that stranger said, they were bound to need Hoss\u2019s strength to help set things right again\u2026even if that strength was a bit diminished for lack of food. That cookin\u2019 sure had smelled good.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s ride back to the Ponderosa had taken the edge from most of his anger, but the stress from the afternoon\u2019s meetings was still weighing heavily on him. Why agenda topics that should amount to simple decisions tended to swell into ridiculous arguments, he would never understand. He was tired and anxious for the comforts of his chair, his pipe, his hearth\u2026his home. With any luck, one of his boys would already have seen to supper. He couldn\u2019t remember whose turn it was tonight. He didn\u2019t much care, either. As long as someone cooked something, he would happily take his seat at the head of the table and dig into whatever meal was served him with relish.<\/p>\n
But when he went to settle Buck into the barn, he discovered the other stalls empty. His sons were gone. All of them. Or\u2026at least their horses were.<\/p>\n
Gone or not, someone had, in fact, cooked something. The aroma wafting out to him from the kitchen was already making his mouth water in anticipation. Yes, someone had cooked. His boys must be home, after all. The horses had probably been secured in one of the outer corrals. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time his sons had opted to give their horses a bit of freedom before finally bedding them down for the night.<\/p>\n
Content in his logic, Ben let the last of his concerns slip off of his back, and entered the house feeling eminently pleased to be home<\/em>.<\/p>\n\u201cAh, Benjamin!\u201d A strange voice called out to him with a volume that nearly rattled Ben\u2019s bones. \u201cI have been waiting anxiously for your arrival! How good it is to see you again!\u201d With a smile that seemed as wide\u2026and cunning\u2026as that of a snake-oil salesman, the stranger confronted Ben and extended his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben said, still somewhat startled as he tentatively took the man\u2019s hand. \u201cHave we met?\u201d<\/p>\n
The stranger\u2019s eyes widened, his mouth curling into a narrow \u2018O\u2019. \u201cOh, you\u2019re pulling my leg,\u201d the stranger decided, laughing coldly. \u201cIt\u2019s only been\u2026what? Forty years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cForty\u2026.\u201d Ben studied the stranger\u2019s eyes, the roundness of his face, the tightness in his jaw. And he saw\u2026nothing that looked familiar. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to forgive me. I\u2019m afraid my memory just isn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh! Now I am offended! Shame on you, Benjamin Cartwright! Forgetting your brother in crime!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBrother in\u2026.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cI have no idea what you\u2019re talking about, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSir?\u201d The stranger laughed again. \u201cSir?\u201d he repeated. \u201cOh, now that\u2019s rich! I\u2019m not sure anyone has ever at any other time in my life called me, \u2018sir\u2019!\u201d He glanced around him, taking in Ben\u2019s coat and hat. \u201cBut where are my manners? Come in, sir. Please, do come in and make yourself comfortable.\u201d The stranger moved further into the main room.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake myself\u2026.\u201d Every bit of Ben\u2019s earlier anger came back at that moment. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d He followed the stranger without bothering to remove his coat. \u201cYou are in my<\/em> home; I am not in yours!\u201d<\/p>\nWithout turning, the stranger went to the fireplace, grabbed a poker and began turning logs.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, sir<\/em>!\u201d Ben said, coming along beside him. \u201cWould you be so kind as to give me your name<\/em>?\u201d Ben said the words gruffly, feeling in no mood for hospitality\u2014particularly since he\u2019d no intentions of being a host to anyone for the evening.<\/p>\nIt was another moment before the man turned to face him again\u2014this time with eyes cold enough to make Ben forget about the heat from the fire. \u201cMy name?\u201d he asked in a low voice that was almost a hiss. \u201cI\u2019ll give you my name, all right.\u201d He rose to his full height, which was still a head shorter than Ben, and raised the red-hot poker before him, pointing it like an epee at Ben\u2019s chest. \u201cAllow me to re-introduce myself, Mr. Benjamin Cartwright. I am Cyrus Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCyrus Carter,\u201d Ben mouthed the words, barely saying them aloud as he sought his memories for any familiarity. \u201cCyrus Car\u2014\u201d It came to him like a punch that knocked his breath away. He took a step backward without thinking.<\/p>\n
Cyrus Carter laughed. It was a long, deep belly laugh that pushed Ben back another few steps.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out,\u201d Ben said in a soft but harsh voice. \u201cI said get out of my house<\/em>!\u201d His voice rising with each word, Ben felt rage and fear intermingle within him. He wondered again about his sons, and then found himself grateful they truly did<\/em> appear to be gone.<\/p>\n\u201cNow, Benjamin!\u201d Carter said with that snake-oil smile again. \u201cYou simply must be more gracious to your host. I went to a great deal of trouble to make you your last meal, after all!\u201d His laughter enveloped Ben like a slime-coated tarpaulin that had been left too long by the lake. The smells from the kitchen changed then, too, reminding Ben of decay and death\u2026and the screams of thirteen men trapped on a burning ship in the middle of the harbor while Cyrus Carter rowed away\u2014 with a dazed Ben Cartwright lying cold and numb\u2026and safe\u2026in the bow.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
Adam was angry, confused and admittedly concerned. There\u2019d been no sign of an angry mob in Carson City. Nor had there been any sign of Little Joe. He was starting to believe he\u2019d been swindled, and that angered him all the more. Whoever Cyrus Carter was, friend of Pa\u2019s or not, Adam was going to see to it that he\u2014<\/p>\n
Spotting another rider racing toward him on the road, Adam\u2019s thoughts shifted back to concern, as beneath those clouds of dust he caught sight of a green jacket and a paint pony.<\/p>\n
That racing rider was very clearly Little Joe.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
\u201cYou<\/em> started that fire!\u201d Ben accused. \u201cYou intended to kill them all along!\u201d<\/p>\nCyrus\u2019s grin never faded. \u201cIt makes no difference. You were in on it. All of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe, in the beginning, yes. Because you tricked me, just like you tricked all the others. I was young and impressionable\u2026and foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop this pretending!\u201d Carter shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019re leading me to believe you\u2019ve<\/em> come to believe your own lies! Lies that left me rotting in prison for thirty years while you built yourself an empire!\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou deserved every one of those thirty years. You cheated people out of their life savings, having them invest in a cargo you never had any intention of purchasing; and then you burned that cargo\u2014and all those men along with it\u2014only because you couldn\u2019t steal it for yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a good plan. We could have made a fortune, you and I. Do you have any idea what kind of prices the silk alone would have fetched for us? But you ruined it! I would have paid back my investors tenfold, and<\/em> had the crew happily unload it for me if you hadn\u2019t pushed things!\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have paid anyone a penny, and you know it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cyrus Carter shrugged and nodded. \u201cWhy should I have? If they were stupid enough to believe me, it was their loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben pointed sharply at him. \u201cThat<\/em> is why I pushed<\/em> things! For a while I was stupid enough to believe you. I wasn\u2019t about to let you swindle anyone else, ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cSo you swindled me, instead?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told the truth. I informed the captain you were a fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would have killed me for that, and you know it! You knew it then<\/em>, too! You wanted<\/em> them to kill me!\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said sadly, shaking his head. \u201cThe captain would have gotten you safely off that ship and into the constable\u2019s custody before he told his crew.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter smiled again. \u201cYou remember that captain, do you? Remember how he had his evening meal all laid out for him, with all that fancy serving wear?\u201d He pointed to the head of Ben\u2019s fancy table, where he had carefully set out all of Ben\u2019s best serving wear. \u201cThat captain thought he was special\u2026just like you do, now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that why you killed him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t kill him! I just shut him up for a while to stop him from telling his crew!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then you set fire to his ship\u2026and left him there to die.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI should have left you there to die, too!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed, nodding sagely. \u201cExcept you wanted to shift the blame to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chuckling softly, Carter shook his head. \u201cYou and your good name just wouldn\u2019t be sullied. Well, now it\u2019s your turn, captain<\/em>. I\u2019ve waited a long time for this.\u201d<\/p>\nXxXxX<\/p>\n
Joe let out a whoop and a holler when he saw Adam waiting for him on the road. \u201cDon\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever been gladder to see you, brother!\u201d he said breathlessly when he reined in.<\/p>\n
But Adam didn\u2019t seem too pleased at all. \u201cWhere\u2019ve you been?\u201d he asked coldly.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenoa.\u201d Joe was still grinning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat on earth were you doing in Genoa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking for you.\u201d He reconsidered his words, realizing he\u2019d been looking for something<\/em>, but he sure hadn\u2019t actually wanted to find his brother. \u201cWell\u2026sort of.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYou knew I wasn\u2019t going to Genoa! Why would<\/em> I?\u201d<\/p>\nJoe chuckled. \u201cI had no idea why! But the stranger told me about a fella he thought might be you, and\u2026.\u201d Suddenly Joe didn\u2019t want to talk about it. He didn\u2019t even want to think<\/em> about it. His insides had been all churned up all the way to that town from thinking about it. He cleared his throat, swallowed bile, and pressed on. \u201cAnd, well, if it was<\/em> you, I couldn\u2019t let\u2026I mean I couldn\u2019t\u2026.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\nAdam gave him one of those suspicious looks of his, crumpling his brows down just so and narrowing up his eyes. \u201cWhat did the stranger tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n
That look didn\u2019t bother Joe at all. What did<\/em> bother him was what the stranger had made him think. \u201cWell, he\u2026he got me talkin\u2019 about you, and\u2026and then he asked me to describe you\u2026and\u2026well, then he got this funny sort of worried look on his face an\u2019\u2026and he told me he thought that may-maybe this fella in Genoa might be you.\u201d<\/p>\nSomehow Adam\u2019s brows came down even lower. \u201cJoe? What fellow in Genoa?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe gulped. \u201cHe said when he was there someone found a man by the side of the road. He\u2019d been bushwhacked, left for dead. They brung him in to the doctor, but he never did wake up and no one knew his name. Stranger said the man was dyin\u2019, and\u2026well\u2026he thought it might be you.\u201d Joe shrugged again while he toyed with the reins in his hands. \u201cIf it was\u2026I didn\u2019t know how it could<\/em> be, but if it was\u2026and he seemed so certain\u2026and\u2026well\u2026.\u201d Joe took a deep breath and looked his brother in the eye. \u201cAdam, if it was<\/em> you, I just couldn\u2019t leave you there alone like that!\u201d<\/p>\nAdam let out a heavy sigh, like he wasn\u2019t nearly as relieved as Little Joe. \u201cBy stranger,\u201d he said softly, \u201cyou don\u2019t happen to mean Cyrus Carter, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah! That\u2019s him! Did you go to the house? Did you meet him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what\u2026what\u2019d he say?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me you\u2019d gone to Carson City to face off an angry mob!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe? Why would I go off by myself to face an angry mob?\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaking his head, Adam finally managed a small smile. \u201cBecause you\u2019re hot-headed and stubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI may be hot-headed and stubborn\u2026sometimes\u2026but I\u2019d never be that<\/em> hot-headed and stubborn!\u201d<\/p>\nAdam\u2019s smile grew wider. \u201cI know. I thought<\/em> I knew that, anyway. But Mr. Carter had me convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cWhy would he send me off to Genoa and you off to Carson City?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. But I don\u2019t like it, either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam met his gaze. \u201cAnd Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRace you back?\u201d<\/p>\n
All Adam had to do was nod once, and Joe was kicking his heels into Cochise\u2019s flanks. It\u2019s a good thing it was a good day for a good, fast ride.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
They were nearly to the house when they ran into Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere you two been?\u201d Hoss asked, looking every bit as suspicious as Adam had earlier.<\/p>\n
Adam shared a glance with Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s a long story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about you?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cThat stranger send you off somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019s brow came down lower, just the same as Adam\u2019s had. \u201cThe lumber camp. He said there was an accident. Lots of men hurt. Said you two had already gone on up there to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me guess,\u201d Adam started, \u201ceverything was just fine and no one knew what you were talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n
Sighing, Adam looked toward the house. \u201cWe\u2019d better get in there and find out just what he\u2019s said to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOr\u2026done,\u201d Joe added, gulping. \u201cYou know, he had a grip like\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss answered, his own gaze, hard as stone, directed at the house. \u201cHe sure did.\u201d And then Hoss kicked Chubb\u2019s flanks hard enough to beat both Joe and Adam home.<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
Pa was seated at the table by the time the three brothers barreled their way through the front door, guns raised and ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about time you boys got home,\u201d Pa said, keeping his eyes on the plate in front of him\u2014the family\u2019s best china\u2014and stabbing his fork into a juicy steak.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d Adam asked, dumbfounded, as he turned a slow circle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph,\u201d Pa said, ignoring both and still looking at his food.<\/p>\n
Joe looked at his brothers, knowing he was as confused as they were. \u201cY-yeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I need to teach you again about the difference between being kind to strangers and being taken<\/em> by them?\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cM-Mr. Carter?\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, Pa looked up. He nodded. \u201cMr. Carter,\u201d he echoed sharply.<\/p>\n
Joe smiled nervously. \u201cWeren\u2019t just me, Pa. A-Adam and Hoss, they\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Joe,\u201d Pa answered. \u201cYou\u2019re right. You were all swindled. All three of you.\u201d He threw his napkin down on the table and approached them. \u201cNow, if you wouldn\u2019t mind, I have a package I would like for you to deliver to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA package?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll find it in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want all of us to go?\u201d Joe asked, feeling a grin start to form and unable to hold it back. \u201cTo Virginia City? Tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Joseph. I do. But not<\/em> to the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\nJoe\u2019s grin died. \u201cBut if we\u2019re already there\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo saloon,\u201d Pa repeated. \u201cNow, if you would, kindly retrieve that package\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cCain\u2019t we eat first?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I want you to leave now. I don\u2019t want that package out there any longer than absolutely necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam met Joe\u2019s gaze and then rolled his eyes as a slow smile showed he\u2019d already figured all this nonsense out. \u201cThis package<\/em> doesn\u2019t happen to have a name, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cYes. It does.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYa\u2019 mean,\u201d Hoss started, \u201cCyrus Carter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019d he do, Pa?\u201d Joe decided to ask then. \u201cDid he try to send you off somewhere, like he did us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Joseph. He cooked supper.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSupper?\u201d Hoss asked longingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then he tried to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every one of the brothers stiffened, eyes going wide in alarm.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou all right, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019d you stop him?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n
But Adam smiled. \u201cLet me guess. You swindled him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pa\u2019s cold look softened. He even smiled. \u201cYou might say that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019d ya\u2019 do it?\u201d Joe asked, confused.<\/p>\n
Pa sighed. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really matter.\u00a0 What does<\/em> matter is he didn\u2019t succeed. And you boys are home, safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201c\u2019Cept you\u2019re sendin\u2019 us out again,\u201d Joe said sheepishly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure you ought to eat that food?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cSeeing as how he tried to kill ya\u2019, an\u2019 he cooked it, an\u2019 all?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis<\/em> food, I cooked. Because I was hungry. His<\/em> food is outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019m mighty hungry, too, Pa.\u201d Hoss went on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure you are. So the sooner you go, the sooner you\u2019ll get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, fellas,\u201d Adam said, wrapping an arm around each brother. \u201cLet\u2019s do as he says and take that package of his in to Sheriff Coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd no saloon,\u201d Pa added before closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam said softly so only his brothers could hear him. \u201cThey serve beer at the International House, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss brightened. \u201cAnd steak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd steak,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd whiskey?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for you,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re only seventeen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I rode all the way to Genoa so you wouldn\u2019t die alone!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou what?\u201d Hoss nearly shouted.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarter,\u201d Joe and Adam said in unison.<\/p>\n
Hoss shook his head. \u201cWe sure do have a lot to talk about over supper.\u201d<\/p>\n
XxXxX<\/p>\n
~end~<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Old Reviews:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Reviewer: JoeC Signed starstarstarstarstar<\/p>\n
Date: 16 Jun 2013 03:29 am Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Now, that I call an interesting story. Your description about this Carter gave me goosebumps. With this story I thought how usefull mobiles are today. Fun read. Thanx for sharing. JoeC<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/p>\n
Thanks, JoeC! Yep! Mobile phones sure are life savers! It’s hard to think how we ever got by without them! But then…not having them allowed for some great suspenceful stories — both fictional and non-fictional. \ud83d\ude09<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: sklamb Signed starstarstarstarstar<\/p>\n
Date: 25 Mar 2013 09:50 am Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Now that was a spooky story and a half! Are you sure this isn’t Halloween? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
Enjoyed the different ways Carter managed to swindle the boys–and I can’t help wondering how on earth Ben was able to turn the tables! (Going to be an interesting conversation at the International House, that’s for sure!)<\/p>\n
Thank you so much for this well-distilled and delicious treat!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\n(I just noticed I have several un-replied-to reviews on this story! Forgive my lateness! ;)) Thanks, sklamb! I can just imagine that dinner conversation between the boys! As to Ben? He’s got genes to produce Adam’s smarts, Hoss’s strength and Joe’s quick thinking, so he’s got to have a chance to use all that once in a while! \ud83d\ude09<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: Cheaux Signed<\/p>\n
Date: 24 Mar 2013 05:07 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
You really did justice to the challenge in a way I never would have anticipated and kept me guessing all the way.\u00a0\u00a0 Well done!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/p>\n
Thanks, Cheaux (sorry for the late reply!) I had fun writing this one!<\/p>\n
Reviewer: Snuffybear Signed<\/p>\n
Date: 03 Mar 2013 08:39 am Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Excellent story-kind of creepy, a little humorous and a sneak peek into Ben’s past. Well done!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nThank you! (sorry for the late reply) I’m really glad you liked it! \ud83d\ude09<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: Sibylle Signed starstarstarstarstar<\/p>\n
Date: 02 Mar 2013 08:09 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Even it doesn\u00b4t really matter I would like to know what Pa did.<\/p>\n
A great, fascinating story.<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nYep, it would be interesting to hear Pa tell his story, wouldn’t it? Hmmm… \ud83d\ude09 I’m glad you enjoyed this! (sorry for the late reply)<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: Laurie Anonymous starstarstarstarstar<\/p>\n
Date: 01 Mar 2013 08:02 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
interesting take, thanks<\/p>\n
Reviewer: faust Signed<\/p>\n
Date: 01 Mar 2013 10:30 am Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Quite the ride between drama and comedy, well balanced and written in your usual captivating way. A brilliant read!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nThanks a million, faust! (sorry it took me so long to reply!)<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: dmc824 Anonymous starstarstarstarstar<\/p>\n
Date: 01 Mar 2013 09:56 am Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Great story! I love the surprise ending!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nThank you! I’m glad you liked it!<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: kima09 Anonymous<\/p>\n
Date: 28 Feb 2013 11:38 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Good story Freya. You had me guessing to the end.<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nThank you! I’m very glad you enjoyed it!<\/em><\/p>\nReviewer: BluewindFarm Signed<\/p>\n
Date: 28 Feb 2013 07:01 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Oh my, what a fun way to end the story and turn the tables on Ben’s warning against going to the saloon… Only the Cartwright three!<\/p>\n
Author’s Response:<\/em><\/p>\nThanks! I had fun writing it! Spent more time on it than I should have, but I enjoyed it! \ud83d\ude09 And yep! “The Cartwrights Three!” \ud83d\ude00<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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