{"id":3167,"date":"2005-03-13T00:02:36","date_gmt":"2005-03-13T05:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3167"},"modified":"2026-07-29T13:49:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:49:32","slug":"when-love-and-hate-collide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3167","title":{"rendered":"When Love and Hate Collide (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A woman looking to buy horses sees the start of a new romance for Joe.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (14,080 words)<\/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.<\/p>\n

When Love and Hate Collide Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Love and Hate Collide<\/a>
\nHow do I Love Thee?<\/a><\/p>\n

When Love and Hate Collide\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Just the man I wanted. Come here, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe smiled as he turned to face the excitable storekeeper, Mr. Mulvaney. The man had a heart of gold, but sometimes shopping in his store could be quite an adventure. He followed the little man to the other side of the shop. It was something of a squeeze to get past all the different barrels and boxes that he had stacked all over the floor. It was very nearly impossible to see from one side of the shop to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this here is Joe Cartwright, who I was tellin\u2019 ya about,\u201d Mulvaney was telling someone as Joe stepped into view. \u201cHis horses are the best in the area. Ask anyone! Ya want a horse, ya can\u2019t do better than git one from ol\u2019 Joe here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smothering a smile at birth at the notion of suddenly being \u2018old Joe\u2019 when he still hadn\u2019t shaken off the tag of \u2018Little Joe\u2019, Joe turned to look at the person who was the recipient of this sage advice. A beautiful woman stood there. She had rich auburn hair coiled at the nape of her neck and her coat and velvet hat were a rich plum purple. She had an aura of wealth about her; her clothes were very well cut and her white kid gloves immaculate.<\/p>\n

Joe took an instant dislike to her as she turned and looked him up and down as though he had just been scraped off the bottom of her shoe. \u201cHim?\u201d The woman looked back at Mulvaney. \u201cYou must be joking, surely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I ain\u2019t,\u201d Mulvaney assured her, practically jumping up and down on the spot. \u201cJoe\u2019s right good with horses. Why, that pinto o\u2019 his would\u2026would\u2026wash the dishes if he told it to!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was impossible to keep a straight face at that and Joe burst out laughing. He realized that the woman, to her credit, was laughing, too. Mulvaney must have put the mental picture with his words and sniggered. \u201cWal, maybe not quite,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not usually quite as dirty as this,\u201d Joe admitted, smiling, \u201cbut sometimes it\u2019s impossible to keep clean working on a ranch. My name is Joe Cartwright, as Mr. Mulvaney already told you, and I do sell horses. Can I help you\u2026?\u201d He paused as he realized that he didn\u2019t know this lady\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh Watson, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Joe tipped his hat to her. \u201cI\u2019m new to Virginia City and I would like a lady\u2019s riding horse and possibly a matched team for pulling a buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I can accommodate you,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhen can you come out to the Ponderosa to look at some horses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa?\u201d she repeated. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father\u2019s ranch,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI live and work there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould tomorrow morning suit?\u201d Leigh asked. \u201cI could rent a buggy and come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be fine,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cJust ask at the livery for directions; everyone knows the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil tomorrow, then,\u201d Leigh replied and favored both Joe and Mulvaney with a frosty smile. As she swept out, Joe remembered his chore.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a keg of nails,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019ll be down to join you as soon as I can, Pa,\u201d Joe reminded Ben as he held Buck\u2019s bridle while his father mounted. \u201cI hope I won\u2019t be too long with Miss Watson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake as long as you need, Joe,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIf she\u2019s going to buy three horses from us, you can take all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if she doesn\u2019t?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes twinkling merrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019d better get down to the south pasture like greased lightning, young man!\u201d Ben replied and they both laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough,\u201d Joe agreed. He let go of Buck and lifted a hand to wave to his father and brothers as they rode out of the yard.<\/p>\n

Left alone, Joe pottered around the yard, doing a few chores. He was just considering cleaning the tack when he heard a buggy approach and he went out into the yard to greet Miss Watson. \u201cGood morning,\u201d he called, crossing the yard to help her from the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d Leigh replied, eyeing Joe up and down. He was dressed in essentially the same clothing as the day before, but this set was clean. His tan shirt and pants were neatly pressed and his curls were brushed into a semblance of order. Having found out about the Cartwrights the previous day, Leigh was now attuned to see the indications of wealth; the well-cut clothes, the expensive, if plain, gun belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the instructions were clear, since you\u2019re here,\u201d he smiled, liking the riding habit that she was wearing. It was dark plum, a color she seemed to favor, and fitted like a second skin. \u201cI\u2019ll show you the riding horses we have here in this corral and then we can go down to the main corral afterwards, if that suits you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that will be fine,\u201d Leigh replied.<\/p>\n

The horses in the corral were sturdy cow ponies for the most part. Joe had bred and broken almost all of them and there was quite a smattering of pintos amongst them. He had separated Cochise and his mount was saddled and waiting patiently. Joe carefully caught each horse and told Leigh about them, but the disappointed silence told its own story.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to look at the others,\u201d Joe stated. He saw the surprise on Leigh\u2019s face. \u201cI was pretty sure that you didn\u2019t want one like this, but I wanted you to see all the horses we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI rather like this one,\u201d Leigh replied, putting a hand out to Cochise.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not for sale,\u201d Joe smiled. Cochise, having submitted to having his nose patted, moved slightly so he could nuzzle Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cThese horses are the ones we generally use as second horses when we need to, which is why they are here at the house. I\u2019ll take you down to the main corral now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The journey down to the main corral was essentially silent. Joe thought how much he didn\u2019t like Leigh Watson. She was still treating him like a servant and Joe didn\u2019t like that one little bit. However, he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself. He didn\u2019t have to like someone to sell them a horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you have so many pintos?\u201d Leigh asked, as they stood looking at the mass of horses in the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our stud horses is a pinto,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cHe lives wild out on the range and I round up his foals. They make excellent cow ponies and very good riding horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the horses, a tall skewbald, trotted over to the fence and insinuated his muzzle into Joe\u2019s hand. Joe smiled and stroked the silky ears, whispering to the horse. After a moment, he beckoned to one of the hands. \u201cLooks like Wanderer is sound again,\u201d he said. \u201cCould you take him back to the house corral? I\u2019ll bring him back into work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that one going back?\u201d Leigh asked. The brown and white horse was a very good looking individual.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been lame. Now that he\u2019s sound again, I\u2019ll take him back as my second horse.\u201d Crossing to the fence, he pointed to one of the horses, and a hand separated it and brought it over. \u201cI think perhaps this is the type of horse you\u2019re looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes.\u201d Leigh nodded and Joe asked the hand to bring the horse out of the corral. She walked around it, looking at the horse with knowledgeable eyes. The horse was a dark bay with a white star and one white sock on his near side foreleg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Dusk; he\u2019s eight, a gelding. He\u2019s broken to saddle, but hasn\u2019t carried a side-saddle before.\u201d Joe looked at Leigh with questioning eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer a side-saddle,\u201d she replied, coolly, as though Joe was particularly stupid to ask such a question. \u201cBut I can ride astride. Will that be a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all,\u201d Joe replied, equally coolly. \u201cWould you like to try him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly.\u201d Leigh watched with interest as Joe quickly saddled the horse, noting the way the horse reacted, seeing that it didn\u2019t try and nip as the cinch was tightened and admiring the way Joe handled the animal. She scorned Joe\u2019s offer of help to mount and swung into the saddle, settling herself, although she deigned to accept help in shortening the stirrups on the big Western saddle. She rode Dusk around the breaking corral in a walk, then a trot.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Joe asked, as she brought the horse to a halt beside where he sat on the corral rails.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seems very nice,\u201d Leigh answered, \u201cbut I would like to try him out in the open.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed. He jumped down and opened the gate. Leigh waited while Joe swung effortlessly into the saddle and they set out.<\/p>\n

Joe led the way to a meadow where he preferred to gallop his horses when breaking them. There was enough of an uphill slope on it to make stopping the horses easier if they ran away with him and the slope also helped make them fit and develop muscle. Both Dusk and Cochise knew where they were at once, and they fidgeted restlessly, but neither one refused to be quieted. Joe deliberately kept Cochise to a walk for several steps, then looked at Leigh. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she replied and touched her heel to the horse, loosening the reins as she did so. The power of the horse caught her by surprise, but she was an experienced horsewoman and was soon enjoying the exhilarating gallop. \u201cThat was wonderful!\u201d she exclaimed, as Dusk came to a dancing stop at the top of the hill.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe thought that Leigh suddenly seemed like a nicer person. \u201cIt was pretty good,\u201d he agreed. He turned Cochise and led the way back down.\u00a0 When they reached the bottom, he put Cochise into a lope and Dusk followed suit. They soon arrived back at the corral and Joe moved to help Leigh dismount.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take him,\u201d Leigh announced, before Joe could say anything. \u201cBut I would like to ride him side-saddle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t take more than a few days to get him used to it,\u201d Joe replied, pleased. \u201cWould you like to look at buggy horses now or wait for another time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow will be fine,\u201d she agreed. The camaraderie from the ride seemed to be wearing off and the cool, superior tone was reasserting itself. Joe felt a pang of dismay. \u201cI think I\u2019ll take just one buggy horse. I like the way this rented buggy handles, so I think I\u2019ll choose one about the same size.\u201d She gave Joe a superior smile. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want a pinto for it, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting back the retort that rose to his lips, Joe simply smiled. He went into the corral and located the horse he had in mind and led it over to the fence. The horse was a bright chestnut with a blond mane and tail. He was taller than Dusk and slightly heavier built. Leigh nodded and watched as Joe harnessed the horse to the buggy and she got in to try it.<\/p>\n

Much as she didn\u2019t want to admit it, Leigh was impressed with the quality of the horses that Joe had shown her. She didn\u2019t like the pintos, thinking that they were too flashy and too much like Indian ponies, but the other horses had been very nice. Somehow, she hadn\u2019t thought she would find anything worth while from a working ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ll take them both, assuming the price is agreeable.\u201d Leigh slid down from the buggy and Joe took the horse\u2019s rein.<\/p>\n

\u201c$200,\u201d Joe told her.<\/p>\n

\u201c$100 a piece?\u201d Leigh shook her head. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t pay $100 for a driving horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nor would I,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cAnd you aren\u2019t. Dusk\u2019s price is $120. This one is $80. But if that\u2019s too much\u2026\u201d He began to unhitch the chestnut.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you implying that I can\u2019t afford your horses?\u201d Leigh demanded, her eyes flashing fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all,\u201d Joe responded coolly. \u201cI was merely saying that if the price is too high, perhaps you would like time to consider your options.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to buy my horses from you!\u201d Leigh cried, irritated. Joe Cartwright was only a cowboy \u2013 how dare he haggle with her?<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s right, you don\u2019t,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cThe choice is entirely yours.\u201d He stripped the harness from the chestnut and returned it to the corral. He then hitched the rented horse to the buggy and looked at Leigh. He wished she would just go away. At that point, he didn\u2019t care if she didn\u2019t buy either horse. In fact, he hoped she wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, $200,\u201d she capitulated ungratefully. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you on delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019ll bring the horses into town for you in a few days, Miss Watson. I\u2019ll bring a receipt with me. May I escort you back to the house? Perhaps you would like something cold to drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you. But I would appreciate you showing me the way to the road back to town.\u201d Leigh climbed into the buggy and settled her skirts, which were now dusty.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Joe agreed. He went over to Cochise and noticed that Wanderer, his other horse, was still in the corral. He quickly haltered the horse and led him out. The hand who should have taken the horse back waved to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take him up in a bit, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter, Fred,\u201d Joe called. \u201cI\u2019m going home anyway.\u201d He mounted and went over beside the buggy. \u201cReady?\u201d he asked. When Leigh nodded, Joe touched his heel to his horse and they set out. They didn\u2019t exchange a single word on the way. Joe drew rein and pointed to the road. \u201cThat\u2019s your way, Miss Watson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she answered, equally coolly. \u201cYou\u2019ll bring the horses in a few days?\u201d She mentioned where she lived and Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll see you then.\u201d She drove off without saying goodbye.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what, Cooch?\u201d Joe asked, when she was out of earshot. \u201cI hope I don\u2019t meet her regularly.\u201d The horse snorted, as though agreeing and Joe laughed. He continued on to the house.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow did it go?\u201d Ben asked, as Joe arrived at the south pasture.<\/p>\n

Sliding down from Cochise, Joe tethered him in the shade. \u201cShe bought two horses,\u201d he replied. \u201cI\u2019ve to school Dusk in a side-saddle for her, then take them over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how you can bear to sit in one of those saddles,\u201d Adam commented as he came up. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably why the horses have done better with me running that side of things,\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cI don\u2019t mind doing what\u2019s necessary to sell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, boys,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Pa, you know that\u2019s the truth,\u201d Joe flared. \u201cWe\u2019re getting a lot more eastern ladies coming out here and they want to ride side-saddle because that what they\u2019re used to.\u201d Joe\u2019s sudden bad temper evaporated. \u201cBesides, it\u2019s quite comfortable and a lot safer than riding astride.\u201d He shot Adam a glance full of mischief. \u201cYou might find it helps your back, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cI\u2019ll stick to my big comfortable Western saddle, thank you all the same.\u201d He eyed Joe speculatively. \u201cSo Miss Watson wasn\u2019t to your taste then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can say that again!\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cShe\u2019s the Ice Maiden and no mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might have to take a look at her myself,\u201d Adam mused.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to her,\u201d Joe replied and headed off to help with the branding.<\/p>\n

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

The next two days, Joe spent his time working Dusk in a side-saddle. Joe had felt like a complete idiot the first time he had tried one, but he soon grew used to it. It was a move that paid off, too, as quite a number of the more well-off eastern ladies who arrived in the area wanted a riding horse that was trained to carry a side-saddle. Joe had become used to the jibes from the hands while he did the work.<\/p>\n

Three days later, Joe set off into town with the two horses and the receipt. He found Leigh\u2019s house easily enough and hitched all the horses to the fence as he went to the door.<\/p>\n

To say Joe was taken aback when it was opened by a butler was something of an understatement. \u201cErr, I\u2019ve brought the horses for Miss Watson,\u201d he stuttered.<\/p>\n

The butler looked Joe up and down from the tips of his dusty tan boots to the top of his tan hat, via his tan pants and green jacket. It was clear that he found Joe lacking in gentility. Without a word, he shut the door in Joe\u2019s face. Blinking, Joe wondered what he ought to do. He was about to knock again when the door opened and Leigh stood there. \u201cMr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Watson.\u201d Taking a deep breath to keep his temper under control, Joe gestured to the fence. \u201cYour horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent.\u201d Leigh beckoned into the house. \u201cI\u2019ll just get the groom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The groom? Joe hoped his face didn\u2019t give away his feelings on this matter. He felt as though he had strayed into a romance novel set in England. He reached into his jacket pocket for the receipt. \u201cHere\u2019s the receipt,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course, the money. Wait there a moment, please.\u201d Once again, the door shut in his face. Joe was beginning to be seriously ticked off. He clenched his jaw and drew in another deep breath.<\/p>\n

It was only a minute before the door opened again and Leigh offered Joe two $100 bills. Joe took them and handed over the receipt. He put the money into his jacket and tipped his hat. \u201cGood day, Miss Watson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye.\u201d Leigh followed him down the path and Joe allowed her to precede him out of the gate, where she fondled Dusk\u2019s nose. As Joe mounted Cochise, he saw a skinny kid \u2013 who\u2019s name he couldn\u2019t remember \u2013 come from the back of the house. Joe turned his back without a second look. He was glad that his business with Miss Leigh Watson was finished.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou really mean you aren\u2019t going to see her again?\u201d Adam asked over supper that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI already said it a hundred times,\u201d Joe replied, wearily. \u201cWhen are you going to start believing me? I\u2019m not going to see her again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I might pay her a call,\u201d Adam smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel free.\u201d Joe took a bite of his meal. \u201cBut when you do call, make sure you\u2019re wearing a fancy suit and have your Boston manners with you. Or else you won\u2019t get past the butler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cButler?\u201d Adam echoed, raising an eyebrow. \u201cThe lady does have class.\u201d He winked at Ben down the table. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we have a butler, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have me,\u201d Joe replied around a mouthful of food. \u201cI always seem to answer the door.\u201d There was a slight edge to his voice.<\/p>\n

Unerringly hearing it, Ben decided to stop the ribbing before Joe lost his temper. \u201cWell, despite her class, at least Miss Watson seems to be satisfied with her horses. Well done, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d Under his father\u2019s praise, Joe began to relax. He didn\u2019t have to see Miss Watson again, and that suited him just fine.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWho is that?\u201d Adam asked. The Cartwright boys had gone stag to the dance, having been too busy over the preceding weeks with branding and haying to find partners. Now, they were standing by the punch bowl, watching the other young men dancing with the few available young women.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Joe asked glancing up. He followed Adam\u2019s gaze and winced. \u201cThat is Miss Watson,\u201d he told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a beauty,\u201d Adam commented appreciatively. \u201cI think I might have to dance with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he could even take a single step, Leigh spotted Joe across the room. It was a relief for her, as on her previous foray into Virginia City society, she hadn\u2019t known anyone and had had a miserable evening. She smiled and crossed the room, thinking that Joe brushed up rather well. She had been more than aware of how handsome he was, but in his crisp white shirt and dress pants, he was even more attractive.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright! How lovely to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Watson. May I introduce my brothers, Adam and Hoss?\u201d Joe fervently hoped that she and Adam would take to each other at once, but he was to be disappointed. Leigh thought that Adam was good looking, but too old for her and Hoss was far too tall, towering over her by more than a foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you do.\u201d Her greeting was absolutely polite and told them both exactly where they stood. Adam hid a smirk as Leigh calmly organized Joe into dancing with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see why Joe don\u2019 like her none,\u201d Hoss commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Adam agreed, his pride slightly hurt that she didn\u2019t recognize his superior social qualities. \u201cI guess Joe is stuck with her though!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure enough,\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cI didn\u2019 think o\u2019 that!\u201d He wandered over to the buffet to have a snack to keep up his strength as he watched the dancing.<\/p>\n

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

Much to his surprise, Joe found he was enjoying Leigh\u2019s company. Never having made an issue of how much money a person had, or where they came from, it hadn\u2019t occurred to Joe that Leigh thought that way either. Leigh had known for some time that the Cartwrights were wealthy, but this was the first real sign that she had seen.<\/p>\n

Having been born and brought up in Boston, the only child of wealthy parents, Leigh had never wanted for anything in her life. Her mother had died when Leigh was 15 and she had taken on running the house while her father set about working himself into an early grave. He died when Leigh was 20.<\/p>\n

Although well known in Boston society, Leigh had a hankering to travel, so she sold the house and set off to spend six months in Europe. She had thoroughly enjoyed herself, but when she returned, she found that all her old friends had moved on and got married. Many of them were about to become mothers for the first time and Leigh felt left out. In a fit of pique, she decided to start afresh somewhere else, not realizing how hard that would be.<\/p>\n

Virginia City sounded like an adventure to her; a place where she could discover who she was and perhaps find a husband. If it was too rough a place, she could always move on to San Francisco. There were always options for an independently wealthy young woman.<\/p>\n

Making friends had been harder than she had expected and the only person she really knew was Joe. It was such a relief to find someone she knew at the dance that she let down her guard and Joe began to enjoy himself. By the end of the evening, he wanted to see Leigh again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to come for a ride with me tomorrow?\u201d Joe asked, as he escorted her home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like that very much,\u201d Leigh replied. As she went into her house, populated only with the servants she hired, Leigh allowed herself to imagine Joe, dressed in a smart suit, living there with her. The image pleased her very much.<\/p>\n

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

It was something of a disappointment when Joe arrived the next afternoon in his usual tan pants and green jacket combination. Just for a change, he was riding Wanderer, the skewbald pinto he had collected from the corral the day she had bought Dusk and Red. However, Leigh was keen to get out and have some company that she didn\u2019t have to pay for.<\/p>\n

They went to the lake. Joe helped Leigh down from Dusk and tethered both horses. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you riding your usual horse?\u201d Leigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I\u2019d give Cochise the day off,\u201d Joe replied, lazily. \u201cAnd Wanderer needed the exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWanderer is an odd name,\u201d Leigh probed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a long story behind it.\u201d Joe smiled as Leigh pressed him to tell her. \u201cWhen he was just a two year old, my brothers and I were working with the colts. We were leading Wanderer and two others along a narrow path when a storm hit. I fell off the edge of the path and was pretty banged up. Wanderer ran off and appeared at the ranch a few weeks later, hence his name. He\u2019s very like Satan, his sire and for a while, I debated about keeping him for a stallion, but I decided against it in the long run. So I gelded him and broke him to saddle. Now, he\u2019s my usual second horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a story,\u201d Leigh smiled. \u201cHow much of it is true?\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cAll of it!\u201d he insisted. \u201cI don\u2019t lie, Leigh. I broke my arm and leg, some ribs and had a serious concussion.\u201d He shuddered slightly as the memory of those first days after the accident came back to him. \u201cI nearly died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Leigh responded. \u201cTell me about Satan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relaxing slightly again, Joe told her about his attempts to break Satan, and his decision to let him go, and how later on, Satan had saved his life. Then he told her about War Bonnet, the Medicine Hat horse he had bred from Satan and what had happened to him. Leigh listened quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pretty accident prone, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I am,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cThe family always says that I\u2019m an accident waiting to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t sound too worried about that,\u201d Leigh observed.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe replied, \u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d He smiled at her. \u201cTell me about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I haven\u2019t led an interesting life like you have,\u201d she denied. Quickly, she sketched in her background. Joe listened with obvious interest, which flattered Leigh. \u201cVirginia City is not quite what I expected,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose things seldom are,\u201d Joe commented. \u201cBut I hope you\u2019re going to give us a chance to make you feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d Leigh jumped to her feet. \u201cCan we ride some more?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Joe rose and helped her to mount before swinging effortlessly into the saddle in his usual manner.<\/p>\n

For a while, they raced each other, reveling in the feel of the wind, the power of the horses and the joy of being young. But Joe was more attuned to his horse\u2019s needs and he pulled Wanderer up before Leigh was ready to stop. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Why have you stopped?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horses are getting tired,\u201d Joe commented mildly. \u201cI\u2019ve got a long ride home later and I want my horse in good condition when I get there. They are pretty hot and need a chance to cool off.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sulky set to Leigh\u2019s mouth told Joe that he had said something that she didn\u2019t like and he stifled an impatient sigh. Instead, he turned Wanderer towards the town and was irritated when Leigh led the way at a faster pace than he thought was appropriate. She grudgingly slowed down when she realized that Joe wasn\u2019t keeping up with her, but there was no conversation between them as they rode back to town.<\/p>\n

Eddie, the kid she had hired as a groom, came to collect Dusk as she slid from the saddle before Joe could help her. \u201cThank you for the ride,\u201d she said, stiffly. Without waiting for a reply, she went into the house. Joe simply gazed after her. He had been right, he thought. He really didn\u2019t like Leigh Watson at all.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey, Joe, ain\u2019t that yer lady love?\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the herd, Joe squinted through the dust to see where Hoss was pointing. \u201cLooks like it,\u201d he called back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought you weren\u2019t going to see her again?\u201d Adam queried, coming up beside Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and me both,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cI\u2019d better see what she wants.\u201d He pulled Cochise around and detoured around the herd before riding over to where Leigh was sitting. \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d Leigh smiled. \u201cHow have you been?\u201d It might not have been two weeks since they had last seen each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cBusy,\u201d Joe responded, wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was wondering if you would be good enough to escort me to the ball on Saturday?\u201d For a minute, Leigh looked young and vulnerable and Joe\u2019s heart went out to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d he agreed. \u201cI\u2019ll come and pick you up, shall I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be wonderful.\u201d Smiling shyly, Leigh tried to overlook Joe\u2019s dusty condition. \u201cDo you always work for your father?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe nodded. He glanced around, clearly proud of his home. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine doing anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever go to college?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? No, that\u2019s Adam, my older brother that you\u2019re thinking of there.\u201d Joe laughed. \u201cNo thank you, I prefer to be out in the open air, not stuck in a classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see.\u201d The comment was oddly neutral and Joe glanced back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no reason. I was just wondering why you worked here on the ranch, not in a bank or an office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reminded once again of their differing backgrounds, Joe made an effort to be patient. \u201cI never wanted to do anything different than I am now,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cI couldn\u2019t bear to be stuck in an office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew a cowboy before,\u201d Leigh murmured.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Joe replied, \u201cWell, you\u2019ll meet plenty of cowboys around here, that\u2019s for sure!\u201d He patted Cochise\u2019s neck, for his mount was growing restive. \u201cI\u2019ll collect you at 7.30 on Saturday, if that\u2019s all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you.\u201d Turning away, Leigh drew rein for a minute, watching Joe riding back to his job. He was so handsome and graceful. She knew she was very attracted to Joe. Could she bear to live in such a rough place forever, she wondered, not even realizing what she was doing. Joe was the first good-looking and wealthy young man she had met in Virginia City. She didn\u2019t know how she felt about him, but he fitted the criteria that she had been taught to judge young men by. Love had not come into her education at all.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSure you\u2019re not smitten?\u201d Adam asked as Joe tied his string tie neatly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows?\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for her, Adam. I think Leigh is lonely. But I\u2019ll introduce you to her again if you like. You\u2019re more her type than I am. I don\u2019t work in a bank or an office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I.\u201d Adam picked up a bottle from the top of Joe\u2019s dresser and examined it closely, as though he had never seen anything like it before. \u201cSo why are you taking her to the dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I think she might be quite nice if I can get through her prickly defenses,\u201d Joe replied, taking the bottle from Adam and setting it down. \u201cIts only one night. If it\u2019s a disaster, I\u2019ll take her home early.\u201d He looked at Adam. \u201cWhy are you so interested anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cPerhaps I think you\u2019re in deeper than you expect.\u201d He patted Joe briefly on the shoulder. \u201cI don\u2019t want to see you hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Touched, Joe ducked his head. \u201cThanks. But I\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019m not involved with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d But Adam looked anything but convinced as he followed Joe from the room.<\/p>\n

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

Both Joe and Leigh had a good time that evening. Leigh was working hard to project herself in a way she seldom did and Joe thought he was making strides with his charm offensive. He began to wonder if Adam perhaps was on to something. It was usually Joe who was thought of as the intuitive son. At the end of the evening, Joe thought he would rather like to get to know Leigh better.<\/p>\n

But as they made their way to the buggy, a drunken cowboy staggered across the street and bumped solidly into Leigh. \u201cShorry,\u201d he slurred, and grinned into Leigh\u2019s face. \u201cYer a pretty lil gal. Wanna come home wi\u2019 me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Literally drawing aside her skirts, Leigh pushed the man away. Joe caught his arm and sent him off in another direction with a joke. He turned back to Leigh and was surprised by the look on her face. She looked furious. \u201cI want him arrested!\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh, he didn\u2019t mean anything by it,\u201d Joe soothed. \u201cDusty often gets a bit worse for wear on a Saturday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know him?\u201d Leigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe works for us,\u201d Joe replied, trying to hand her into the buggy.<\/p>\n

Whirling, Leigh glared at him. \u201cYou\u2019re condoning his drunkenness?\u201d she cried. \u201cJoseph, really!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s harmless,\u201d Joe replied, holding tight to his temper. \u201cLook, nothing happened. Come on, I\u2019ll take you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I want to be taken home by someone who associates with drunks.\u201d She gathered her shawl tighter around her slender shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t leave you alone in the street,\u201d Joe objected, although he was once more fast coming to the conclusion that he didn\u2019t want to see Leigh Watson ever again. \u201cGet in the buggy, Leigh and let me take you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sulking, Leigh decided that she didn\u2019t really want to take the risk of meeting another drunk and allowed Joe to help her into the buggy. They rode in silence. \u201cGoodbye,\u201d Leigh said, as Joe handed her down.<\/p>\n

Deciding to make one last effort and not have the night spoiled by this memory, Joe said, \u201cLeigh, Dusty didn\u2019t mean anything. And you are a pretty lil gal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you think that is a compliment?\u201d Leigh snarled and snatched her hand rudely out of Joe\u2019s and marched towards the house, head held high.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did actually,\u201d Joe called after her. She didn\u2019t look back and as the door closed with a bang, Joe shrugged. That was it! He definitely didn\u2019t want to see Leigh Watson again.<\/p>\n

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

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

Turning, Joe saw Leigh Watson hurrying across the street. He drew in a deep breath, but managed not to grimace, which had been his first reaction. \u201cLeigh.\u201d He kept his voice non-committal.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I wanted to apologize.\u201d Leigh paused to catch her breath, then went on in a more composed manner. \u201cI was wrong to make such a fuss over nothing. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Always prepared to meet a person half way, Joe was pleasantly surprised.\u00a0 \u201cI did mean what I said,\u201d he offered. \u201cI do think you\u2019re a \u2018pretty lil gal\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forcing a smile, Leigh curtseyed. \u201cThank you, sir.\u201d She still didn\u2019t think it was much of a compliment. \u201cAm I forgiven, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Joe agreed. He started to turn away to go into the store, but Leigh stopped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t think I\u2019m too forward\u2026\u201d She stopped and drew a deep breath. \u201cBut would you take me riding again?\u201d She saw the hesitation on his face. \u201cI need to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe said, slowly. He couldn\u2019t imagine what it was Leigh wanted to say, but he could see from her face that it was something she didn\u2019t want to discuss in town. He thought quickly around what they were doing on the ranch. \u201cThe day after tomorrow, in the afternoon?\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, fine.\u201d Leigh smiled nervously and left. Joe stood staring after her. What was it she wanted?<\/p>\n

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

They had been riding for some time before Leigh indicated that she was ready to talk. Joe helped her down and tethered the horses. Even so, it was a few minutes before Leigh summoned up the courage to start. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to say this,\u201d she began, looking up at Joe from under her lashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust say it,\u201d Joe advised her. \u201cI usually find that\u2019s best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo forthright,\u201d Leigh murmured. \u201cAll right. Joe, I\u2019m\u2026 very taken with you. In fact, I think\u2026 I\u2019m in love with you.\u201d Before Joe could say anything in reply, Leigh leaned forward and kissed him.<\/p>\n

Her kiss told Joe a lot. It was the kiss of an innocent, someone who had not yet felt the pull of sexual arousal. He kissed her back gently, then, when she didn\u2019t pull away, more firmly. Leigh leaned in to him, sighing unawares. Joe moved closer, twining his hand into her hair and his tongue requested entrance to her mouth. After a momentary hesitation, she allowed him and her timid tongue flickerings showed that she was a quick study.<\/p>\n

Sitting up, Joe watched Leigh\u2019s reaction. She licked her lips unconsciously and her hand went to her hair, patting it to make sure it was in place. \u201cThat was your first kiss, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Flushing, Leigh glanced at him obliquely. \u201cWas it that obvious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly to me.\u201d Joe reached out and caressed her cheek. \u201cYou\u2019re not sure, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she breathed. \u201cI really like you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I like you,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut let\u2019s take this slowly. I don\u2019t think you\u2019re sure if you love me or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do\u2026\u201d Leigh started then stopped. Joe was right. She had no idea what love really was. Joe put his fingers on her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take it slow,\u201d he repeated. He kissed her again.<\/p>\n

Feeling agitated as Joe drew away, Leigh cast about for something to do. \u201cCan you show me your horse, Satan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would love to, but I don\u2019t know exactly where to find him,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe\u2019s not tame and living in a corral and the Ponderosa is a big place. But some day, I promise.\u201d And with that she had to be content.<\/p>\n

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

They saw each other regularly once a week. Joe began to wonder if he was in love with Leigh. She could be so thoughtful and charming and they fought like cat and dog. When he was away from her, Joe could see that they didn\u2019t get along, but when they were together, her soft kisses would chase away the doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you never wear a suit when you\u2019re coming to see me?\u201d Leigh complained one evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know it was a requirement,\u201d Joe shot back.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m clean, presentable. What more do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to wear a suit,\u201d Leigh snapped back. \u201cSurely it\u2019s not too much to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a lot of time between finishing work and coming here to see you as it is,\u201d Joe replied, his temper rising. \u201cWasting time to put on a suit would cut down the time we have to spend together. What difference does it make what clothes I\u2019m wearing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look like a ranch hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a ranch hand.\u201d Rising, Joe jammed his hat back on top of his unruly curls. \u201cGood night, Leigh.\u201d He turned and walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget the dance on Saturday!\u201d Leigh called after him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I could!\u201d Joe shot back.<\/p>\n

On the way home, he wondered if he wanted to take her to the dance.<\/p>\n

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

The dance ended in a fight, too. Leigh was jealous because Joe had asked another young lady to dance. They bickered all the way home and Joe didn\u2019t come to take her riding the next day. In fact, he avoided her all week, until she turned up at the ranch late one afternoon and Ben was forced into the embarrassing duty of entertaining her until Joe appeared home. Leigh was taken aback by his appearance, for Joe had spent the afternoon clearing out a waterhole and was filthy from the waist down.<\/p>\n

Irritated by her sudden appearance, Joe agreed to see her the next afternoon just to get rid of her. He had gone to get a bath, not knowing that Leigh had ridden home trying to convince herself that the Cartwrights must have other servants apart from Hop Sing, who was too familiar with his employers for her taste.<\/p>\n

They went riding the next afternoon, but neither of them had much to say. Leigh stopped Dusk under a shady grove of trees and frowned as her usually well behaved mount refused to stand, circling around anxiously. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d Leigh asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Joe replied, for Wanderer, too, was playing up. Cochise was having a well-earned day off. \u201cCome out from under the trees. It might be a big cat.\u201d Leigh gasped. \u201cIts probably not,\u201d Joe assured her, \u201cbut better be safe than sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leading the way, Joe took them well away from the trees and it was only when they stopped that they discovered the reason for their horses\u2019 unease. Satan and his band were grazing in the meadow and Satan had come to investigate the new horses.<\/p>\n

Normally, Joe had few problems with Satan. The stallion was used to Joe and usually left him alone, provided Joe didn\u2019t try to touch him. He generally ignored Cochise, but Wanderer was different. It didn\u2019t matter to Satan that both the strange horses were geldings. He just wanted to get them away from his mares. And then his attention focused on Wanderer.<\/p>\n

Later, Joe was never sure if Satan recognized himself in the younger horse. Certainly, Wanderer was physically the mirror image of his sire. Perhaps it was just his smell; perhaps it was something more elemental. But either way, Satan was determined to get rid of both horses, starting with Wanderer.<\/p>\n

Realizing the danger at once, Joe slid down from Wanderer\u2019s back. It was rare nowadays that he could make Satan listen to him, but he had to try. Even if all he did was scare the stallion away, it would be worth it. Joe threw his rein to Leigh and walked slowly towards Satan, who reared.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy now, big fella,\u201d Joe crooned. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to hurt me, do you? Come on, calm down. Easy there.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, the big skewbald pawed the ground, snorting, clearly uncertain. Then, in a movement so swift it was blurred, he lunged at the geldings, knocking Joe to the ground with his shoulder. Leigh screamed. Joe scrambled to his feet at once, unhurt.<\/p>\n

Wanderer tore his rein from Leigh\u2019s hand. Dusk whirled around and half reared.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here and get help!\u201d Joe cried. \u201cLeigh! Get help!\u201d Joe sensed rather than saw Leigh giving Dusk his head and the bay gelding raced away.<\/p>\n

But Wanderer had turned and was preparing to meet the challenge that Satan had thrown down. With a groan, Joe knew he had to stop the fight. Wanderer may have been a stallion for several years, but he was no longer and stood no chance against his sire. Satan was the veteran of many a fight and although one day his crown would be taken from him by a younger horse \u2013 possibly one of his own colts \u2013 today was not going to be that day. The horses rose on their hind legs to meet each other and Joe heard the thud as their bodies collided.<\/p>\n

He moved without thinking, running at the horses, screaming at the top of his lungs. For a long instant, he thought his effort was wasted, but Wanderer, already bleeding from various bites and kicks, turned tail and fled and Joe suddenly found himself Satan\u2019s target.<\/p>\n

There was no doubt that the stallion could kill a man. One blow from a hoof on Joe\u2019s unprotected head could easily cave in his skull. Joe dodged a vicious swipe from a foreleg and reached for his gun. He would fire a shot into the air and if that didn\u2019t work, if he was forced to, he would shoot the horse. Joe\u2019s heart contracted at the thought, for he loved Satan.<\/p>\n

As he brought the gun up, he partially dodged a bite, which ripped the shoulder out of his jacket and shirt, and took a chunk of flesh with it too. Joe dropped the gun and gasped for air. On the periphery of his vision, he saw the stallion coming for him again and dodged, but not in time. A hoof crashed down on Joe\u2019s arm and he felt it shatter. A scream was ripped from his throat.<\/p>\n

Again, the big body brushed past, knocking Joe to the ground. This time, he didn\u2019t get up. He tried to reach for his gun, but Satan was between him and it. There was nothing Joe could do to protect himself. Satan had a killing rage running through his veins and Joe was the only target he had left. Satan charged at him and Joe did the only thing he could. He curled up tight.<\/p>\n

The move confused the stallion, which ran right over the top of Joe. Normally, a horse would do anything possible to avoid standing on a living creature. Satan was too intent on killing Joe to swerve and although his raking teeth missed, his hooves did not.<\/p>\n

Running right over the top of Joe, Satan skidded to a halt before stopping to look behind him. His quarry was down, but the stallion was confused. His nostrils had caught Joe\u2019s scent and memories were invading the horse\u2019s brain. He snorted uncertainly before walking slowly over to Joe and putting his head down to snuff softly at the unmoving man on the ground.<\/p>\n

Snorting, Satan backed away. The familiar smell of Joe was mixed with the sharp tang of blood. Satan snorted and backed off. When the human didn\u2019t get up, the horse turned and walked a few feet back towards his mares before swinging around again. Still, Joe did not move, so Satan, with the equine equivalent of a shrug, headed off back to his family at a smart trot.<\/p>\n

Joe did not stir.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhen do you expect Joe back?\u201d Adam asked as they sat down to supper. Joe\u2019s seat was empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had thought he would be back by now,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe told me he wasn\u2019t going to be long.\u201d He caught the glance that his older sons shared. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d he asked. \u201cWhat don\u2019t I know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNuthin\u2019 really,\u201d Hoss denied. \u201cWe don\u2019 know anythin\u2019 that ya don\u2019 know, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d Ben asked, when nothing more was forthcoming. \u201cDo I have to drag it out of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Another glance was traded across the table and Adam took up the challenge this time. \u201cBut we wonder if perhaps Joe isn\u2019t going to come home with some news for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNews?\u201d Ben looked perplexed. \u201cWhat kind of news?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on how you look at it, it could be termed \u2018good news\u2019,\u201d Adam replied. When Ben continued to look blank, he elaborated. \u201cJoe might be getting married.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Shaking his head Ben started to laugh. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t know where you got that idea from, but Joe isn\u2019t going to marry Leigh. Trust me on this. If he was, he\u2019d have told me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Joe thinks he isn\u2019t going to marry Leigh,\u201d Adam agreed. Ben frowned at him. \u201cBut I think Joe has more feeling for her than he realizes. I think Joe is in love with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRubbish!\u201d Ben turned his attention to his meal, but he couldn\u2019t stop thinking about Adam\u2019s idea. As Joe\u2019s absence stretched into the evening, Ben began to fear that Adam was right. Joe was hours late \u2013 surely he wouldn\u2019t come home, announce to them that he was getting married and then escape to bed? No, Joe would never do a thing like that, he consoled himself. Would he?<\/p>\n

When at last they heard hooves in the yard, Ben practically leapt out of his seat. He was going to chew Joe out good and proper for not coming home for supper. He had Ben worried. But more than that, Ben hoped that he would be able to see from Joe\u2019s face if there was news to be shared \u2013 good or bad.<\/p>\n

So it took a few seconds for the reality of what he was seeing to penetrate Ben\u2019s preoccupied state. It was Joe\u2019s horse, but it wasn\u2019t the same horse that had left there that afternoon bearing his youngest son. That horse had been young, dancing with the urge to run. This horse was dragging a leg, bleeding from bites, with its head down near its knees in exhaustion.<\/p>\n

A great fear rose in Ben\u2019s heart as he went to catch Wanderer. He could see at once that the young gelding had been in a fight with a stallion. \u201cEasy, fella,\u201d Ben crooned, catching the reins. Wanderer was too exhausted to try and avoid being caught. \u201cAdam, Hoss, quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d Adam gasped. Hoss at once went to the horse and gently stroked its head, avoiding touching the torn ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cA stallion,\u201d Hoss replied, grimly. \u201cBetter git him bedded down an\u2019 tend them bites.\u201d He took the rein from Ben and then it registered. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

For another long second, they all stood there, then Adam hurried to the barn to hitch a team to the wagon while Hoss led the injured horse inside. He stripped off the saddle and bridle, gave the poor creature some hay and shouted for a hand to come and tend it further. Wanderer would have to recover without Hoss\u2019 tender care, for the time being at least.<\/p>\n

While his sons did that, Ben hurried into the house and gathered up blankets, water and lanterns. The summer nights stretched long, but it would still be dark when they found Joe \u2013 if they found Joe.<\/p>\n

They had no idea where to look for him.<\/p>\n

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

There was pain all over. Joe tried to move, but his body refused to obey his mind. Breathing shallowly through his mouth, Joe tried to sort out which bits of him hurt most, but it was difficult to tell. He was lying on his right side, his face buried in the lush grass. His left arm lay at an odd angle on the ground beside him. Joe blinked as he remembered Satan turning on Wanderer. He could remember falling to the ground, but nothing after that. From the way he hurt, Joe thought perhaps that might be a bonus.<\/p>\n

Moving very slowly, Joe freed his right hand from under his body and gently probed his ribs. It hurt to breathe, but Joe didn\u2019t think any ribs were broken. He tried to sit up, but a blinding pain shot through his head and he flopped back down, his head spinning. He retched a couple of times, but nothing came up. Raising a tentative hand, Joe felt the gash on his forehead and guessed that perhaps a hoof had caught him a glancing blow.<\/p>\n

Deciding that sitting up was not an option, Joe continued on his exploration of his injured body. His back hurt like the very devil, especially around his kidneys and when Joe moved his legs, he guessed that his right leg was broken either just below the knee or at the ankle. It was difficult to tell for the pain was all encompassing.<\/p>\n

Catching his breath again, Joe lay quietly until the worst of the pain died back. It was clear that he wasn\u2019t going to get out of this by himself, but Joe was fresh out of ideas for helping others to find him. Biting back a groan of pain and despair, Joe closed his eyes for a moment.<\/p>\n

Later, he realized that he must have either fallen asleep or passed out again, for when he woke, the sun had moved around and something was glinting in the grass a short distance away.<\/p>\n

It was his gun!<\/p>\n

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

His gun couldn\u2019t have been lying more than five feet away, but from Joe\u2019s perspective, it was as far away as the moon. But once his attention was on it, Joe couldn\u2019t think of anything else. Surely he could move five short feet? He stretched ineffectually, knowing that he couldn\u2019t reach from where he was lying and only a warning stab from his back, ribs and arm told him that he was over-doing it.<\/p>\n

Come on, Joe think!<\/em>\u00a0he chided himself.\u00a0You\u2019ve got to work out how to get there. One small bit at a time.<\/em>\u00a0He moved his good left leg into a position where he could use it to push with and stretched out his right arm. Bracing himself as best he could, Joe pulled and pushed himself a few inches along the ground.<\/p>\n

The pain was appalling. Joe was forced to rest, dragging in great draughts of air, trying not to be sick. The thought of moving another few inches was daunting. Joe didn\u2019t know how long he rested before he found the courage and physical resources to move another few precious inches.<\/p>\n

It was fully dark before he reached his goal. Slumping down, Joe tried to still the shaking in his body, but couldn\u2019t. He was growing cold as the dew settled onto the grass, yet he was sweating from exertion and pain. The sky was clear, the stars beginning to twinkle as the twilight purple hue gave way to velvet blue.<\/p>\n

Reaching out, Joe took his gun into an unfamiliar grip, closing his right hand around the pearl handle. He closed his eyes for a moment. The gun felt surprisingly heavy, attesting to his own tiredness and the damage that had been done to his muscles. Clicking off the safety, Joe fired three shots in the air.<\/p>\n

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

There were tracks everywhere and Hoss had no idea which ones were the newest. He scouted around, hunting for the ones that would show a horse dragging a leg, and eventually found them. By then, Ben\u2019s patience was shredding fast. The tracks wavered around all over the place, but Hoss was soon following them confidently. When it grew to dark to see, Hoss dismounted and followed the tracks on foot, holding a lantern close to the ground to aid his search. None of them spoke.<\/p>\n

The shots, when they came, startled them all and they froze in place. \u201cD-did you hear that?\u201d Ben stuttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cThey came from that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking up the team, Ben urged, \u201cAnswer him, Adam. Let him know we\u2019re coming.\u201d Nodding, his eldest son did just that.<\/p>\n

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

The answering shots came as a complete shock to Joe. He hadn\u2019t dared to hope that there was anyone close by \u2013 not at this time of night. Hope leant him strength and he scrabbled to pick up his gun once more and fired off the last three rounds he had. Again, the answering shots came and they sounded nearer.<\/p>\n

Squinting, Joe peered into the darkness, but it was quite some time before his weary eyes picked out a light coming his way.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHere!\u201d Joe winced as the shout pulled at his sore ribs. \u201cI\u2019m here!\u201d He couldn\u2019t even wave at them, although it wasn\u2019t until later that Joe realized that they wouldn\u2019t have seen him waving in the dark anyway!<\/p>\n

But at last they were there right beside him and Ben was jumping down from the wagon seat, looking anxious. \u201cJoe! Oh my goodness! What happened?\u201d He knelt by Joe. \u201cWhat hurts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat doesn\u2019t?\u201d Joe replied, smiling, although he could feel tears of relief standing in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get you home, son,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cAdam, pass me a blanket!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy arm\u2019s broken,\u201d Joe panted. He suddenly felt light-headed and clutched at Ben, not realizing that it was relief that was causing it. \u201cAnd my leg or ankle. I\u2019m not sure.\u201d Joe\u2019s head flopped to the ground and he could hear his words were slurred. He blinked furiously, but to no effect. He fainted.<\/p>\n

Shaken by his son\u2019s sudden descent into unconsciousness, Ben groped frantically for a pulse and was relieved to find it throbbing away erratically under his fingers. \u201cHe\u2019s just fainted,\u201d he reported. \u201cLet\u2019s take the chance to get him into the wagon. Be careful, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, they lifted Joe and carried him to the wagon. Ben wrapped a blanket securely around him and placed another on top of him. Adam used his knife to cut away Joe\u2019s boot and they surveyed the damaged ankle as best they could from the light of the lantern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll drive,\u201d Adam offered, as though anything on earth could have separated Ben from Joe at that point. Ben was settled in the back of the wagon, with Joe\u2019s head cradled on his lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoon as we hit the road, I\u2019ll go an\u2019 git the doc,\u201d Hoss stated. He mounted and they began to retrace their steps.<\/p>\n

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

It took them almost three hours to get Joe home. The jolting of the wagon sent rivers of pain through his broken limbs and although he tried to keep his pain to himself, a couple of cries escaped his control at particularly rough bits. Throughout, Ben soothed Joe and tried to make him as comfortable as possible, offering him regular sips of water and not pressing him to talk. Joe clutched Ben\u2019s hand with his good hand and kept his eyes shut a good deal of the time.<\/p>\n

Joe fainted again as he was lifted from the wagon and he didn\u2019t rouse until he was on his bed. Sweat beaded his brow and Ben gently wiped it away. \u201cIt hurts,\u201d Joe breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. The doctor won\u2019t be long,\u201d Ben crooned. He offered Joe a drink, but Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I need to pee,\u201d he whispered, flushing crimson with embarrassment.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben replied, steadily, and got the pot out. However, neither of them were prepared for the blood-stained urine and Joe paled dramatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d he gasped. The pain while he had been urinating had been awful. He was already dreading the time when he would need to go again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted, troubled. \u201cThe doctor will be here soon.\u201d He realized how useless those words were, but it was all he could offer. He pushed the chamber pot under the bed, out of sight. He knew the doctor would have to see it, but he wasn\u2019t sure if he could bear to continue looking at it.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t have long to wait for Dr Paul Martin, who made his appearance within the next half hour. Ben had managed to get Joe\u2019s clothes off by the simple expedient of using a pair of scissors and cutting them off and Joe was resting as easily as he could under the circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell me what happened, Joe?\u201d Paul asked, as he sat down on the edge of the bed and looked closely at the young man.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh and I were out riding. She wanted to talk, but the horses were nervous. Then Satan appeared and he turned on the horses. I sent Leigh for help while I tried to distract Satan. He and Wanderer were fighting. Wanderer ran off and Satan turned on me. He bit me and broke my arm\u2026\u201d Joe swallowed and Ben wiped his face. \u201cI fell over and I don\u2019t remember anything after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty safe to say that Satan ran over you,\u201d Paul commented, spying one of many hoof-shaped bruises. He felt carefully around Joe\u2019s ribs, but like Joe himself, concluded that they were just bruised, not broken.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel pretty pulped,\u201d Joe agreed, catching his breath as Paul gently probed under his back. \u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d he begged before he could stop himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, I\u2019ve got to look. Ben, help me turn him over.\u201d Paul eased Joe onto his right side and looked impassively at the massive amount of bruising over both kidneys. There was no way for Paul to tell if either kidney was ruptured. Only time would reveal that. \u201cYou\u2019re very badly bruised back here, Joe, that\u2019s why it\u2019s so sore,\u201d Paul told him, helping him lie down again gently. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben interrupted. He drew Paul aside and pointed to the pot. Paul looked at it, but it gave him as much relief as it had given Ben and Joe worries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ve been lucky, Joe,\u201d Paul told him, seeing the grimace at the word \u2018lucky\u2019. \u201cYour kidneys are badly bruised, as I said, but they don\u2019t appear to have ruptured. I know its frightening seeing all that blood, but it should go away fairly soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a relief,\u201d Ben sighed. He had feared that it somehow signified that Joe was dying.<\/p>\n

Setting Joe\u2019s badly broken arm and ankle was the next order of business and Paul soon had Joe slumbering. Ben watched as Paul began to manipulate the bones and glanced away. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing Leigh went for help,\u201d he commented, trying to keep his tone conversational. \u201cOtherwise, you might have taken longer to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pausing, Paul looked over at Ben. \u201cI never saw Leigh,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cI met Hoss on the road. I had just popped out to see old Mr. Rawlings because I was quiet this evening. His place isn\u2019t far outside of town, and I was just leaving there when I met Hoss. So I guess I was a few miles closer than usual. But I never saw Leigh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStrange,\u201d Ben mused. \u201cJoe was meeting her quite early this afternoon. I was expecting him back for supper. And from what Joe said, they didn\u2019t have the chance to talk. But that would mean that Joe was lying out there\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off in horror.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026for hours,\u201d Paul concluded and they looked at each other in disbelief.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam asked, as they came downstairs later, grim faced. \u201cIs it Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the way you mean,\u201d Ben replied. He sat down wearily and Hoss went to fetch them both a cup of coffee. \u201cJoe\u2019s sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what is it?\u201d Adam looked suspiciously from Ben to Paul and back again.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s wait for Hoss,\u201d Ben suggested. Adam\u2019s frown deepened.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us,\u201d Adam demanded, as soon as Hoss set down the tray with cups and coffee on it. He accepted a cup of coffee without being aware of it and his impatience was emblazoned on his face for all the world to see. \u201cWhat about Joe? He is going to be all right, isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, given time, Joe will be fine,\u201d Paul replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe discovered that Joe had his run-in with Satan earlier this afternoon,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cJoe says Leigh was with him at the time and he sent her to get help.\u201d It was clear from the blank expressions on his sons\u2019 faces that neither of them saw the significance of this. \u201cI thought that was why Paul was found so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, that ain\u2019t it,\u201d Hoss corrected him. \u201cI met Doc Martin\u2026\u201d The penny dropped and Hoss looked utterly appalled. \u201cYa mean Leigh didn\u2019 send Doc Martin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cI had a quiet day today and so I went out to see old Mr. Rawlings. I had just come from his house when I met you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit,\u201d Hoss muttered sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to me that we\u2019re all jumping to conclusions here,\u201d Adam observed angrily. \u201cNone of us know for sure that Leigh made it home safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we don\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cWhat chance have we had to find out? Paul and I only realized when Joe was already under the anesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of us needs to go to town then,\u201d Adam replied. He rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you stay here, Adam.\u201d Paul rose as well. \u201cI do have to go back to town, and I\u2019ll check in with Roy as soon as I get there. You stay here, just in case your Pa needs you. After all, he has to sleep sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

With bad grace, Adam agreed to stay on the ranch. They saw the doctor out, then Ben shut the door and leant against it for a moment. \u201cWhy are you so angry?\u201d he asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou assumed Leigh had left Joe there and didn\u2019t get help,\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t assume anything of the kind,\u201d Ben replied sharply. \u201cYes, we might have thought that initially, as we got used to the idea of your brother lying out there, alone and badly injured, for several hours. It seems to me that you\u2019re angrier on Leigh\u2019s behalf than on Joe\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh, Adam deflated. \u201cIt\u2019s not that, Pa,\u201d he said, wretchedly. \u201cI suppose I was just trying to protect her in case Joe does want to marry her.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cStupid, I know. I am angry for Joe, though.\u201d He sighed again. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for sounding off at you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorry does strange things to us all, son,\u201d Ben forgave him. \u201cI\u2019d better go and sit with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come and relieve you in a few hours,\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 I\u2019ll relieve ya few hours after that,\u201d Hoss concluded.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, no, it never occurred to me that Joe really meant for me to get help,\u201d Leigh told Roy Coffee, the sheriff, earnestly. It was still quite early and she was wearing a dark green dressing gown, her hair in a loose knot. \u201cAfter all, he works with horses all the time. He knew what he was doing, surely and he could handle the stallion. It\u2019s his horse, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to decide if Leigh was actually stupid or just incredibly naive, Roy shook his head. \u201cWith a wild stallion, ya can never tell what might happen,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cJoe was hurt right bad, Miss Watson, an\u2019 not found till after dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear!\u201d Leigh exclaimed, her hand going to her mouth. \u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he will be, in time,\u201d Roy answered. \u201cI ain\u2019t seen him myself.\u201d Roy didn\u2019t want to say too much in case he frightened Leigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better go out and see him,\u201d Leigh murmured. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get a chance to talk yesterday. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, but not sure what else to say to her, Roy allowed himself to be ushered out of her house.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cEasy,\u201d Ben coaxed as he helped Joe lie down on the bed again. He looked worriedly at Joe\u2019s white face. \u201cThat bad, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe grimaced. \u201cPa, it\u2019s like\u2026 like\u2026 like peeing broken glass,\u201d Joe explained. He was past embarrassment now, just relieved that it was over for another few hours. He wiped the sweat from his head with a shaking hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake this,\u201d Ben urged, offering Joe the painkiller that had been left behind for him. Joe hated the painkillers, but he willingly downed this one and then obediently drank the water Ben gave him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrinking so much is only making everything worse,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard the doctor.\u201d Ben tucked the covers around Joe again. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to drink plenty of water to help flush all this through your kidneys.\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cIt\u2019ll be better soon, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Joe sighed, worn out by the pain. He put his head down on the pillows that were propping him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam stuck his head around the door. \u201cJoe\u2019s got a visitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA visitor?\u201d Ben echoed, glancing at Joe, who looked as surprised as he felt. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet her in,\u201d Joe nodded. Ben and Adam shared another glance. They had not yet told Joe their suspicions about Leigh. They couldn\u2019t, until they found out what had happened to her.<\/p>\n

The door opened again and Adam stepped back to let Leigh go past him. She looked around Joe\u2019s room with obvious interest, noticing the furnishings and the pictures on the wall, although she didn\u2019t like the portrait of the Indian, which she thought had scary eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll wait in the hall, Joe,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cCall me if you need me.\u201d He joined Adam outside and shut the door firmly behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t we eavesdrop?\u201d Adam asked, only half in jest.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben replied, firmly and dragged Adam a few feet down the hall.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d Leigh offered. She didn\u2019t rush to his side; instead, she continued her assessing look around his room. \u201cThis is a nice room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring this, Joe smiled. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, fine.\u201d Leigh finally sat in the chair by the bed. She seemed surprised by the splints on Joe\u2019s arm and the covers placed over the fireguard to keep their weight off the broken ankle. \u201cThe sheriff said you had been hurt.\u201d She frowned. \u201cWhat exactly happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSatan trampled me, when I got his attention off Wanderer.\u201d Joe frowned, for Hoss had told him the horse wasn\u2019t doing so well.<\/p>\n

Dismissing this, Leigh turned her attention to the reason she had called. \u201cJoe, I wanted to talk to you yesterday,\u201d she began. Joe blinked at the sudden change of subject. \u201cI know this is forward of me,\u201d she colored prettily, \u201cbut I was thinking that we should get married and you could come to live in my house and get a job more suited to your standing in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe wondered if the mild concussion he had sustained had suddenly affected his hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know the man should do the asking, but I love you, Joe. We\u2019d be so happy living together in town, with you working in the bank maybe.\u201d Leigh had their future all planned out in her head.<\/p>\n

At that moment, Joe realized that although he could allow himself to fall in love with Leigh, they had no future together. She could be utterly charming, but they didn\u2019t get along for more than a few minutes at a time. Joe didn\u2019t actually like Leigh and he couldn\u2019t live the life she envisioned for him. She wanted him, but she wanted him to fit the image she had. There was no way they could be together if she wanted to change him. \u201cLeigh\u2026\u201d he started, but she wasn\u2019t listening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could see your family regularly, Joe. They could come to dinner once a month. That would be nice, wouldn\u2019t it? And we\u2019d have a large family. I\u2019ve always wanted a lot of children.\u201d In fact, Leigh wasn\u2019t sure she wanted children at all, but she had been told by various people in town that Joe was very good with children and was sure he would want some of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh!\u201d Joe reached out and put his fingers to her mouth. The position hurt his bruised ribs, but he had to silence her. It wasn\u2019t fair to allow her to carry on. \u201cLeigh, I can\u2019t marry you,\u201d he said, more gently. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but it would never work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Leigh demanded. She was too shaken to cry. \u201cI\u2019m rich, you\u2019re rich. You just need to let me teach you how to live more genteelly and then everything will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it won\u2019t,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m never going to give up working on the ranch. Face it, Leigh, I\u2019m a ranch hand and that\u2019s that. I would die if I was shut up in an office somewhere. Leigh, I\u2019m sorry, but we\u2019re finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re not stupid!\u201d Leigh protested. \u201cYou can do the books here, so why not work in a bank?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m not a banker,\u201d Joe told her. \u201cI\u2019m a ranch hand. I work with horses and cows and I come home tired and dirty and smelly. This is my life and I love it. We are not going to get married. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence fell. Leigh looked at Joe, tears standing in her eyes but not falling. A lady didn\u2019t cry in public. \u201cIs this because I didn\u2019t get help yesterday?\u201d she asked at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe had no idea what she was talking about.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday,\u201d she repeated, as though Joe was an idiot. \u201cI didn\u2019t get help, because I didn\u2019t really think you needed it. Is that why you\u2019re saying this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Something inside Joe curled up and turned over. He felt sick and desperately tired. \u201cNo,\u201d he replied. \u201cI think you should go, Leigh. Goodbye.\u201d He swallowed and turned away, hoping that she couldn\u2019t see his face.<\/p>\n

Uncertainly, Leigh rose and walked over to the door. She glanced back, but Joe had his face turned away. \u201cI won\u2019t be leaving town,\u201d she ventured. \u201cSo perhaps I\u2019ll see you around.\u201d<\/p>\n

She waited in vain for an answer.<\/p>\n

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

His curiosity was consuming him, but Ben didn\u2019t let it show as he saw Leigh coming out of Joe\u2019s room. \u201cMiss Watson?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Leigh replied composedly.<\/p>\n

Taken aback, Ben hurried after her to show her out. Adam was downstairs, but it seemed the height of bad manners to let Leigh make her own way through the house, so Ben escorted her, not speaking. He searched her face for some clue as to how she was feeling, thinking that would give him a clue as to how Joe would be when he went back into his room. But there was nothing. Leigh\u2019s face was as expressionless as ever.<\/p>\n

Rising to his feet as Leigh came downstairs, Adam glanced at her, then Ben, who shook his head. Still in silence, Leigh walked over to the front door and waited while it was opened for her. Adam went out to help her onto her horse, for which assistance she thanked him politely and then Leigh rode away without a backward glance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think happened?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. He turned back to the house and Adam hurried after him. Ben glanced at him as he started to climb the stairs. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t think you should come with me,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cLet me find out what happened first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Adam agreed, although he was disappointed. He really wanted to hear first hand what had happened. Resolving to wait with whatever patience he could muster, Adam went over to look at the books.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t long before he was sitting there, watching the stairs, the books forgotten.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe? Ben hesitated as he went in the door. Joe\u2019s face was turned away.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe turned round to look at Ben, who winced at the pain on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI thought I might be falling in love with her,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

Without being aware of how he got there, Ben found himself sitting on the bed, clutching Joe\u2019s hand. He didn\u2019t say anything, but his silence coaxed Joe into continuing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t, not really,\u201d Joe went on, his voice a bit stronger as he mastered his emotions for the moment. \u201cI was attracted to her, but that was all. I was just convincing myself that I was falling in love.\u201d Joe drew in a deep breath. \u201cYou know the worst thing, Pa?\u201d Ben shook his head mutely. \u201cI don\u2019t even like her.\u201d Joe bit his lip. \u201cHow could I think that I loved her if I didn\u2019t like her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLove and like are not the same thing,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cI love you boys devotedly, but I don\u2019t always like the way you behave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeigh claims she loves me,\u201d Joe went on, having absorbed that bit of fatherly wisdom. \u201cBut she doesn\u2019t love me as I am. She loves what she wants me to become,\u201d he added bitterly. \u201cShe wants me to get a job in a bank or something, and wear a suit all the time.\u201d Joe laughed but there was no mirth in the sound. In fact, he sounded close to tears. \u201cCan you imagine that, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben admitted. Although Joe enjoyed dressing up when the occasion required it, he was at his happiest in his usual tan shirt and pants, mounted on a horse and galloping across the Ponderosa\u2019s wide acres. Leigh had wanted to tame the wildness out of Joe, not understanding that the wildness was as much a part of Joe as his green eyes and curly chestnut hair. He was suddenly intensely sorry for the girl who thought that she had to change the man to suit some internal picture she carried.<\/p>\n

Silence fell, broken only by Joe\u2019s ragged breathing as he tried to control his tears. He was too tired to face this, but it had been thrust upon him and he had to deal with it. \u201cShe didn\u2019t send for help, you know,\u201d he whispered. \u201cShe didn\u2019t think I needed help.\u201d His voice was bitter again. \u201cShe seemed surprised to see me like this, Pa. Roy had told her I was injured, but I don\u2019t think she had believed him. She didn\u2019t even ask how I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was probably fortunate for Leigh that she had gone, as Ben had the sudden urge to throttle her. Why had she not thought to send word to someone? Did she realize that Joe could have died out there? Did she even care, for all her protestations of love?<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I\u2019d never met her!\u201d Joe cried. He felt an intense burst of hatred, which died away when it collided with the memory of his near love for Leigh, leaving him exhausted. He would never be able to forgive Leigh for what she had done, but he no longer felt anything stronger than dislike for her. His eyes closed and within a little while, Joe was asleep.<\/p>\n

Ben rose and quietly left the room. He felt battered by too much emotion. He desperately wanted to give Leigh a good solid talking to. He would set her straight on a few things, he vowed. But then he shook his head. There was no way he could say anything to Leigh, but he could perhaps relieve his feelings by thinking them!<\/p>\n

Walking slowly downstairs, Ben wasn\u2019t really surprised to see both Adam and Hoss sitting in the great room. They looked up, their faces full of tension and Ben sighed. They would have to be told. He moved slowly to his chair and sat down heavily. He watched, almost dispassionately, the play of emotions across his sons\u2019 faces as he told them what Leigh had \u2013 and hadn\u2019t \u2013 done.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t she realize Joe could have died out there?\u201d Adam objected, surprised to find himself pacing the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your voice down,\u201d Ben chided. \u201cJoe\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t there\u2026 I mean\u2026 Can\u2019t Roy do something about this?\u201d Adam asked, not altogether sure what he meant. He felt that someone, somewhere, ought to take Leigh to task for not getting the help Joe had asked for, but he suddenly wondered if he was being foolish. Was there any law that covered a situation like this?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you suggest?\u201d Ben replied, wearily. \u201cShe didn\u2019t set out to kill Joe, and she didn\u2019t ask someone else to kill him. She was just ignorant. You can\u2019t legislate against ignorance, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPity,\u201d Adam remarked, darkly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very quiet, Hoss,\u201d Ben noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno what ta say,\u201d Hoss admitted. He raised troubled blue eyes. \u201cPa, is Leigh gonna move away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, softly.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow\u2019re you feeling?\u201d Ben asked, after Joe had had time to come to himself after wakening.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe knew his father wasn\u2019t asking about his physical condition. He thought around the subject for a minute or so, his eyes glazing over slightly as he probed his feelings. \u201cRelieved,\u201d he replied at last. \u201cAnd a bit foolish, too. How could I possibly have thought that I might love Leigh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone gets fooled by their emotions sometimes, Joe.\u201d Ben helped Joe settle his broken arm more comfortably on the pillow that was there to support it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I tell you she doesn\u2019t intend to leave town?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you hadn\u2019t. But that doesn\u2019t mean that you will see her, Joe,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cAfter all, how many times did you run into her before this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA couple,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI allowed my head to be turned by a pretty girl, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not the first that happened to, son and I doubt if you\u2019ll be the last.\u201d Ben was getting worried about where this conversation was going.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell.\u201d Joe drew in a deep breath and winced. \u201cI\u2019m not going to worry about her, Pa. She\u2019s not worth it. I\u2019ve been stupid and I\u2019ve paid the price and I\u2019m not going to waste any more time on her, Pa.\u201d He made an effort to smile. \u201cSorry, no daughter-in-law this time, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling back, Ben replied, \u201cYou\u2019ll find the right girl one day, Joe. Now, how about something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cI\u2019m starved.\u201d He kept the smile on his face until Ben was out of the room. \u201cI only wish it was that easy to forget her and what she did to me,\u201d he admitted aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard that,\u201d Adam declared, coming in. \u201cWho said it would be easy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one, I guess,\u201d Joe stammered, blushing at being caught talking to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll take as long as it takes,\u201d Hoss added in his usual matter of fact manner. \u201cYa cain\u2019t hurry things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe agreed, feeling rather pressurized.<\/p>\n

But having given Joe their support, neither brother seemed inclined to push the issue and Joe was relieved that there was nothing further said. \u201cHow\u2019s Wanderer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComin\u2019 around real good,\u201d Hoss beamed. He had feared for the young horse\u2019s life the night before, but somewhere along the line, Wanderer had turned the corner. \u201cI reckon he\u2019s gonna be jist fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll probably be better before you are,\u201d Adam commented, in that heartless way that only brothers can. \u201cHe at least knew better than to take a stallion on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe started it!\u201d Joe objected. \u201cAnd left me to finish it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems ta me like Satan finished it,\u201d Hoss mused. \u201cI know ya reckon yer part horse, but that part don\u2019t include the things ya need ta fight a big stallion like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill,\u201d Adam went on, ignoring the spluttering noises Joe was making, \u201cJoe could have bitten Satan back. Isn\u2019t he the one who bit a horse one time when it bit him on the butt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d nodded Hoss. \u201cI remember him tellin\u2019 us that was a sure fire way ta git them ta stop nippin\u2019. Wonder why he didn\u2019 do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine,\u201d Adam replied, blandly and grinned at Joe, who had stopped trying to protest and was just drumming his fingers on his bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, kick a man when he\u2019s down,\u201d Joe complained. A mischievous grin crossed his face. \u201cOf course, it\u2019s the only time you two slow-pokes can catch me.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a wordless shout from his brothers as Ben opened the door and came in. He thought for a moment that Adam and Hoss were trying to kill Joe, but realized that they were just playing \u2013 but carefully, because of Joe\u2019s injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to pretend that you three are grown up?\u201d he asked, but none of them were taken in by his tone; they knew he was just kidding.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just jealous because you weren\u2019t here,\u201d Adam accused him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, they\u2019re ganging up on me again,\u201d Joe whined, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.<\/p>\n

Smiling as Hoss started to add his two pence worth to the discussion, Ben thought that Joe would be all right. It would take him time to get over both his injuries and Leigh, but he would do it. Leigh would eventually move on, Ben thought, and Joe would forget her entirely. Things would be back to normal.<\/p>\n

For a second, Joe looked pensive and Ben knew those moments would come, but less and less frequently. Then the smile came back and although Joe was still bruised and battered, he looked happy.<\/p>\n

As Ben settled Joe for the night a bit later, Joe had another of those pensive moments. \u201cAll right?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Fathomless green eyes looked at Ben. \u201cWhat if Leigh doesn\u2019t accept that it\u2019s over?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

A sense of foreboding swept over Ben, but he pushed it away. \u201cDon\u2019t borrow trouble,\u201d Ben advised him. \u201cOf course she\u2019ll accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

But neither of them was convinced.<\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the When Love and Hate Collide Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

How do I Love Thee?<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 A woman looking to buy horses sees the start of a new romance for Joe.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (14,080 words)<\/p>\n

When Love and Hate Collide Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":9628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Summer-Camp-Picture.jpg?fit=400%2C477&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167","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=3167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}