{"id":38581,"date":"2021-10-26T21:58:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T01:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=38581"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:28","slug":"a-fathers-promise-by-harpistforhim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=38581","title":{"rendered":"A Father\u2019s Promise (by HarpistforHim)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: Following the events of the Prime of Life, Ben thinks everything has returned to normal\u2026 until his oldest son comes to him with open wounds Ben thought had long been healed. The missing conversation between Adam and Ben from my story \u201cNever Again.\u201d
\nWord count: 3,370 \u00a0Rating: G<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Never Again Series<\/strong>
\nNever Again<\/a>
\nA Father\u2019s Promise<\/a><\/p>\n

Written in honor of Lorne Greene for the \u201cMy Heart Belongs to Daddy\u201d Challenge.<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s note: This is the requested sequel to my story \u201cNever Again,\u201d a What Happened Between\/Next for the episode the Prime of Life. Reading that one first isn\u2019t necessary, however, it might help to have seen the episode before reading this particular story. Also, some of the emotions expressed by Adam in this story might seem a bit out of character at first, since his character is often the more emotionally stable one. I look at it this way: the old wounds and emotions addressed in this story have been festering inside Adam for many years, so I think we can allow the man a few tears every now and then. \ud83d\ude09 Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Father\u2019s Promise<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t heard his son come down, at first. In fact, it was a few minutes before Ben noticed the figure hovering in front of his desk, all hunched and hesitant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got a minute\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

On the outside, nothing appeared to be amiss. It was simply a son coming to ask his father a question\u2026 At half-past one in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he replied with a nod, shoving his work off to the side.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam pulled up a chair, Ben had to admit his eldest son\u2019s facade was well-crafted. Expression neutral, face calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Ben knew better. The secret lay in the eyes, and Adam\u2019s dark orbs swirled with a burden he was no doubt aching to release.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hands clasped, Ben spoke first when it became clear Adam wasn\u2019t going to say anything. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A brief moment of hesitation. A flash of uncertainty. Then, Adam glanced toward the discarded papers. \u201cAre we still on time to make the deadline?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cActually, we\u2019re now the slightest bit ahead of schedule.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhead?\u201d Adam\u2019s brows shot up. \u201cHow\u2019d we manage that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ask me. I might run the numbers, but I can\u2019t explain them.\u201d He flashed a smile, hoping to pass one on to his son. The expression didn\u2019t catch as Adam\u2019s face maintained its calculating creases. \u201cMust\u2019ve been the fact that I have three hard-working sons who know just how to run things when I\u2019m not there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If anything, this statement made the creases deepen. <\/span>Well done, Ben. Sometimes, you really don\u2019t know what to say, do you?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Inger always did\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d came Adam\u2019s mumbled response.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was meant as an encouragement only succeeded in darkening the overall mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben leaned forward a bit, studying his son closely now. It didn\u2019t look as if he\u2019d slept since they\u2019d arrived home that day. In fact, he wasn\u2019t sure his son had gotten very much sleep at all lately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut,\u201d he began, never taking his eyes off Adam, who kept his own stare fixed on the papers, \u201cyou and I both know you didn\u2019t come down here to talk about the trestle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Adam cracked a smile, though it lacked the mirth Ben was looking for. \u201cI\u2019m that obvious, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> almost two o\u2019clock in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At this, his son\u2019s gaze shifted over to the old grandfather clock, as if only just realizing the time. \u201cRight, uh\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And with the everlasting patience of a father, Ben waited. He could practically see the way his son\u2019s mind went into overtime, working out the best way to phrase his question. Adam had always possessed a certain eloquence of speech, one Ben had come to admire and even rely on over the years. It helped with negotiating contracts, making deals, and, far too often, getting his brothers out of tight spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t, however, seem to be helping Adam much at the moment. Whatever was on his mind required careful thought and consideration\u2014and words his son couldn\u2019t quite seem to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d his son began at last, voice thoughtful, quiet. Clearing his throat a little, Adam tried again. \u201cPa, I need you to\u2026 Well, I was wondering if you would\u2026 would do something for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam grew silent, his expression ever contemplative\u2014and still lined with those deepening trenches of hesitation\u2014Ben nodded, hoping he could coax whatever was on his son\u2019s mind out into the open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, it seemed as if Adam had a hard time looking at him. Now, Ben found his gaze locked in his eldest\u2019s intense and troubled stare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you\u2026\u201d Adam sucked in a breath and Ben found himself holding his own. \u201cWould you promise me something?\u201d Just when Ben thought he would have to pull more teeth, Adam continued, \u201cPromise me you won\u2019t do that again\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoping his confusion wouldn\u2019t show, Ben inclined his head. Before he could ask any clarifying questions, however, Adam pressed on, his hesitation morphing quickly into a rapid urgency to make sense of his request.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without making any sense whatsoever.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you promised once before, and I know you tried to keep that promise\u2014and I <\/span>know<\/span><\/i> it was a long time ago, so that\u2019s definitely a factor.\u201d As Ben was hit with one rapid-fire statement after another, he racked his brain to find something\u2014anything\u2014that would give him even the slightest clue as to what his son was going on about. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve taken that into consideration, believe me, but I always come to the same conclusion that it could happen again because it happened before\u2014and it happened now\u2014and I know you don\u2019t mean to do it, but you do\u2014do it, I mean\u2014and I\u2019ve been trying to reconcile myself with it\u2014really, I <\/span>have<\/span><\/i>\u2014but I can\u2019t\u2014\u201d Adam shook his head, elbows on the desk, his hands flying to his temples as if to massage away all the pain and confusion. \u201cI know it\u2019s stupid\u2014and I don\u2019t want you to doubt my faith in you\u2014but I just don\u2019t think I can get past this if you don\u2019t promise me you won\u2019t do it again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben interjected, hoping to stop another jumbled tangent, \u201cdo <\/span>what?<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam\u2019s gaze met his father\u2019s, drifting back up from his hunched position, Ben was almost certain he\u2019d heard his own heart shatter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbandon us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And for a moment, Ben couldn\u2019t breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n

The words\u2014so simple, yet so full of anguish\u2014stole his breath away and he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever catch it again. In a flash, scenes from the past week pummelled his mind. Gabe, the camp, the workers, the accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, the <\/span>tragedy.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And his sons\u2026 Their desperate faces, pleading with him to get back up and fight. To be the father he always had been\u2014the one they needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The one I couldn\u2019t be. Not then.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sure, not then. But what about now?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Yes, there were still times he wanted to close off the world again. To hide beneath his bathrobe and take a step back from it all\u2014his only assurance that his carelessness wouldn\u2019t hurt anyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, it was tempting to slip back into that blurry state, and yet, he knew he couldn\u2019t. And he <\/span>wouldn\u2019t.<\/span><\/i> Not again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not when his son just said something like <\/span>that.<\/span><\/i> Something so absolutely soul-crushing that he couldn\u2019t find the words to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had the words, though. Even when they were a jumbled mess of anguish and anxiety, Adam always seemed to have the words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d he was saying when Ben finally tuned back in, shaking away the dull buzzing that clouded his mind, \u201cit\u2019s not that I don\u2019t have faith in you or that I can\u2019t trust your word when you give it\u2014there isn\u2019t anyone who believes in you more than I do.\u201d He was rushing through the explanation like a defendant running out of time to plead his case. It made Ben\u2019s head spin and sent cracks tearing through his heart. \u201cBut I\u2019ve watched this happen twice now, and I\u2019m only thinking of Hoss and Joe. He was so young last time, he couldn\u2019t possibly understand. Even now, he\u2019s still so young, and he needs you more than anyone. You just can\u2019t keep\u2026 Well, if you could just promise that you wouldn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben hadn\u2019t moved fast enough to save Gabe, and that would haunt him until his dying day, but he was <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> going to move too slow to save his son. Three large strides had him out of his chair and around the desk, closing the distance between them as he pulled Adam into a tight embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s reaction was immediate, sucking in a sharp breath and melting into his father\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d It was so quiet, Ben almost thought his ears were playing tricks on him. Then, he felt Adam\u2019s grip tighten ever-so-slightly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I just\u2026\u201d Another shaky breath. \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026 I just can\u2019t seem to\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence shrouded the room after that as father and son clung to each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben found his thoughts racing beyond all manner of comprehension.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twice.<\/span><\/i> Adam had said he\u2019d done this <\/span>twice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

But when\u2014<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Images of Marie and all those long, blurry months after flashed before his eyes at dizzying speeds. Adam looking after the boys in his absence. Adam taking care of the ranch. Adam taking Joe to school and putting both boys to bed, even when he wouldn\u2019t be getting any rest himself for another few hours. Adam dealing with the gossip in town. Oh, Ben had heard some of it when he\u2019d returned from that dark hole he\u2019d buried himself in for so many months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy\u2019s too young to be runnin\u2019 things all by hisself.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hear Ben Cartwright left his oldest son to run his ranch for him while he was gone? Isn\u2019t he only seventeen?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he was sixteen\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s much older than that, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI bet Adam made certain those sweet boys were taken care of.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, the poor dear. Seems he\u2019s always there to pick up the pieces.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Adam\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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

Always <\/span>Adam.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Since Boston, Adam had been his rock. The mere presence of that little baby had kept Ben from sinking into despair after the loss of Elizabeth. Then, as the boy grew, he became more than an adorable face\u2014he became Ben\u2019s steadfast companion. Always understanding, always helpful and encouraging. Adam had been\u2014and still was in many ways\u2014his rock. A steadfast presence in the swirling storms of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, that rock was crumbling. Perhaps it had been for some time and Ben just hadn\u2019t noticed. Maybe it had been slowly chipped away by memories and emotions that were never addressed. Emotions kept hidden for fear they might only add to the turmoil and make things worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, son,\u201d Ben breathed. \u201cYou have nothing to apologize for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But Adam was already pulling out of the embrace, hands swiping at his eyes with a swift yet fierce vengeance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just\u2026\u201d Clearing his throat, Adam spoke now as if they were merely having another conversation about the trestle. \u201cI don\u2019t doubt you, Pa. I never have. I just need your assurance that it won\u2019t happen again. I\u2026 For my own peace of mind, I just need to hear you say it, even if you don\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven if I don\u2019t\u2026\u201d With a sigh, Ben shook his head, then gestured to the living room, where a warm fire ate away at the last of the logs. \u201cCome on. I think we\u2019d better sit down for a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, Adam followed his father to the settee and they both sat down together, one on each end. His gaze drifted to the dying fire and Ben took a moment to examine his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, everything seemed to be just fine and dandy on the outside. Adam\u2019s appearance boasted a neutral expression, focused eyes, and relaxed body language. From the looks of things, they could\u2019ve been sitting down to have a nice glass of whiskey before bed. Normally, Adam would pull out a book. Ben would observe his son and enjoy the peace for a few moments before grabbing a newspaper or a book of his own and settling in for the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time, however, as Ben observed his son, he could almost hear the gears grinding in Adam\u2019s head. Thinking, processing, trying to arrange his next words in the most effective combination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a breath\u2014one that wasn\u2019t as steadying as Ben hoped it would be\u2014he tried to maintain some semblance of control over his voice. \u201cIt seems I owe you an apology.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Pa, I didn\u2019t mean\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben just held up a silencing hand. \u201cNo, Adam, you had your turn to apologize. Now it\u2019s mine. Though, I\u2019m still not exactly sure what you thought you had to apologize for in the first place.\u201d A defense lingered on the tip of his son\u2019s tongue, he could tell, but he wouldn\u2019t let Adam make any more phony apologies until he had his chance to speak his piece.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot just for what I put you boys through this last week,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cbut for leaving like I did all those years ago. Now, before you make up some sort of fool excuse for me, let me finish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam, for his part, settled deeper into the cushions, his lips tightly pursed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t make excuses for my actions because there aren\u2019t any. Causes, yes. Explanations, maybe. But excuses?\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cNo. No, son, don\u2019t even try. I owe you an apology, plain and simple.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Marie died\u2026\u201d A sigh emptied his lungs as he thought of her beautiful face. So many memories, so much lost time\u2026 \u201cI took more than my fair share of time to grieve, and in doing so, robbed you of yours. How could you grieve properly when you had so much to take care of in my absence? You\u2019re right: I abandoned you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts and survey his son. Though his mouth remained firmly shut, Adam\u2019s body language made it clear he was busting at the seems to speak his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou, Hoss, Joe. I abandoned you all. And not just once, but twice now. For that, I\u2019m truly sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive an old fool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we forgive you, Pa,\u201d Adam replied, speaking for his brothers\u2014as was his habit even in their absence.<\/span><\/p>\n

A slight smile tugged at Ben\u2019s mouth in light of his son\u2019s ready gift of forgiveness, yet he couldn\u2019t quite bring the expression into bloom. Not yet. Not when so much still weighed heavy on his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he continued. \u201cJoe\u2019s young, and I\u2019d like to think that he still needs me from time to time, but you said you were only thinking of Hoss and Joe. You\u2019ve told me what they need, now I\u2019d like to hear what <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam merely lifted a brow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou may be the oldest, but you\u2019re not invincible. And you\u2019re not any less deserving than your brothers because of it. Now, tell me, when you think about <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>, what comes to your mind? What do you need, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s reply was too quick. \u201cNothing, Pa. I have everything I need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A knowing expression lifted Ben\u2019s brows. \u201cSo what you said earlier, that didn\u2019t mean anything?\u201d Adam\u2019s gaze fell to the floor. \u201cTalk to me, Adam. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here right now. As your father, that\u2019s what I\u2019m here for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time, a thoughtful expression clouded Adam\u2019s face and his gaze drifted to the far wall behind Ben\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you could do it?\u201d Adam asked after a moment, his voice quiet, almost meditative. \u201cI know you\u2019ve always taught us to \u2018let our yes be yes and our no be no,\u2019* but do you think you could promise me? I need\u2026 Well, it\u2019d be reassuring to hear, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Ben could make any sort of reply, Adam pressed on. \u201cI know you were still here this time around, but it felt as if you weren\u2019t. You were so unlike yourself, you might as well have been gone. And I know this slump didn\u2019t last nearly as long as it did last time, but\u2026 Well, I missed you, Pa. It\u2019s\u2026 hard. To watch someone you care about so much go through something like that. It\u2019s even harder when you know you can do anything about it\u2014that you can\u2019t help them like you want to. I don\u2019t need much,\u201d he closed with a sigh, \u201cI just need to hear you say it. It\u2019ll help me sleep better at night, at the very least.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben reached out for his son\u2019s hand and held it tight. \u201cAdam, I promise that I will <\/span>never <\/span><\/i>abandon you or your brothers again of my own free will. And I\u2019m sorry that I put such a hole in your heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Between a series of rapid blinks, Adam nodded. Nothing came out when he opened his mouth, but that didn\u2019t keep him from trying. Not normally vulnerable to emotions, the sight of Adam\u2019s eyes watering over brought tears to Ben\u2019s own dark orbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blowing out a sigh, Adam nodded again. \u201cThank you,\u201d he managed at last.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the very least I can do, after everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At this, Adam smiled. \u201cAnd yet it means more than you\u2019ll ever know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was so much Ben still wanted to say; to ask. After all these years, Adam hadn\u2019t forgotten what happened after Marie. The memories and emotions had lingered under that calm exterior, and now Ben had awakened them with the events of the past week. <\/span>You old fool. How could you not see? How could you not see what was right in front of you? All this time.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Right in front of you\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Why had Adam decided to come to him now? What had given him the push he\u2019d needed? <\/span>And why didn\u2019t he come to me sooner?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Knowing his son, Ben might never discover the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even after all these years, Ben was certain Adam hadn\u2019t told him everything he\u2019d gone through during his father\u2019s absence. All the problems that could have arisen with the ranch hands simply because he wasn\u2019t his father. All the hard days and long nights. All those months, having no one to go to for help. No shoulder to cry on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because who do you go to when you\u2019re the one at the top?<\/span><\/p>\n

All this and more, Ben ached to talk about. There were so many little threads he hadn\u2019t tied with his son, and it had taken this conversation for him to realize it.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Adam had already moved on. He was making small talk about the trestle again, expressing his disbelief that they were ahead of schedule and the relief he\u2019d feel when it was all over.<\/span><\/p>\n

The time for emotional vulnerability had passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a new theater troupe coming to San Francisco in a couple weeks.\u201d The comment was off-handed; Adam might as well have been discussing the day\u2019s weather. \u201cRead about it in the paper.\u00a0 If I\u2019m not mistaken, I believe they specialize in Shakespearean productions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben knew his son better than that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Joe and Hoss could think of better ways to spend their break\u2014once the trestle\u2019s done, of course,\u201d Adam continued. \u201cBut, I don\u2019t know. I think it\u2019d be interesting to see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d Ben leaned back, feigning deep thought and consideration. \u201cAfter how hard I\u2019ve been working you boys lately, I think we\u2019re all due for an extended trip out of town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s smile was subtle; the joy in his eyes unmistakable.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a comfortable silence settled between them, Ben went to grab a bottle of his good whiskey and two crystal glasses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo the trestle,\u201d Adam said, raising his glass in a toast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben just smiled. \u201cTo my sons. In all the world, there\u2019s none finer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd no father better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure about that, but he nodded all the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small <\/span>clink<\/span><\/i> echoed through the room as the edges of their glasses met.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe the time for vulnerable discussion had passed for now, Ben mused, but that didn\u2019t mean it was gone forever. As he enjoyed a quiet drink with his eldest son, he contented himself by reviewing what he\u2019d learned that night.<\/span><\/p>\n

His eyes had been opened, and while it was tempting to dwell on the past\u2014hoping in vain that he could take back the damage he\u2019d done to his son\u2014he would purpose himself to be more aware going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let them never feel abandoned again.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Please, God, help me never to repeat the past.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Help me to be more clear-sighted; to notice the subtle signs of distress and hurt.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And if it be in Your will, let my heart break instead of theirs. Give me their hurt so they don\u2019t have to bear it. Let me take it from them however I am able.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Please, God,<\/span><\/i> he finished as he studied his son, <\/span>let them never feel abandoned again.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

* Matthew 5:37, NIV Bible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0APM,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Grief<\/p>\n

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

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

Summary: Following the events of the Prime of Life, Ben thinks everything has returned to normal\u2026 until his oldest son comes to him with open wounds Ben thought had long been healed. The missing conversation between Adam and Ben from my story \u201cNever Again.\u201d
\nWord count: 3,370 \u00a0Rating: G
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After reading the story to Hoss while they waited for a horse to foal, Ben finds evidence of a page that was removed and remembers that it's kept with personal papers.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adams-English-Scenic2.jpg?fit=450%2C436&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=27","url_meta":{"origin":38581,"position":5},"title":"Weekend Dad (by Adam’s Lover)","author":"Adams_Lover","date":"April 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A modern day Adam Cartwright story, but all of the Cartwrights are also included throughout. 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