Summary: \u00a0Adam and Hoss are lost and must make their own way home on different paths.<\/p>\n
Rated:\u00a0T (13,885 words)<\/p>\n
\u00a9 June 2005 \u2013 Updated: May 2007<\/em><\/p>\n Feedback is appreciated<\/em><\/p>\n The One Somewhere in the Night<\/strong><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Part I<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss Cartwright<\/strong> squinted into the sun that shone down upon him.\u00a0 He was laying flat on his back at the bottom of a ravine.\u00a0 Unsure how he\u2019d gotten there, he lay still, collecting his straying thoughts, thinking it might be wise to at least sit up.\u00a0 Little did he know what a chore that would be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Starting with a slight roll to the right he came to an abrupt stop as the sun whizzed about his head, the thudding of his heart pounding in his ears as his blood rushed through his body as if on some important mission.\u00a0 He shut his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My, this might take an hour or two.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a few moments he tried again only to be sidelined this time by the bones in his left arm grinding together to pull a cry from him.\u00a0 Dropping his head to the ground he wondered how many more stars could dance before his eyes before everything went dark, and sighed.\u00a0 Choosing to stay in this position lest another heavenly body cascade towards him, he tried glancing about without moving hoping that might provide him with some information.\u00a0 His sight fell on Chubb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Standing silently next to his master, head hung down, Chubb looked just plain miserable.\u00a0 The saddle hung unnaturally from his back and he was covered in dust and dirt, cuts and lacerations could be seen oozing blood down his hind legs.\u00a0 Funny markings in the dirt behind him drew Hoss\u2019s attention, taking in the evidence of the long slide they\u2019d both taken down the side of the ravine and a thought occurred.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wasn\u2019t there someone with me or was I alone?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pondering on the matter just made his head hurt more so he decided to do the next best thing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs anyone here?!\u201d he shouted, the words rumbling about him.\u00a0 Chubb\u2019s head came up at his master\u2019s voice and he turned, ears forward, and stepped toward him with a welcoming nicker.\u00a0 No other answer met his call.\u00a0 \u201cWell, at least yer here boy.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tentatively reaching up a trembling hand, he rubbed Chubb\u2019s head.\u00a0 Now he might not know where he was or why they\u2019d taken a plunge into a ravine, but he did know one thing – he\u2019d better get up for both their sakes.\u00a0 The air was getting colder by the minute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Surmising the distance from where he lay to the nearest rock to be a quick scramble, Hoss pushed himself slowly to his knees and crawled towards the slope in one swift movement, daring the heaven\u2019s to descend upon him again.\u00a0 Grabbing hold of the rock, nausea worked its way up his throat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now is not the time to lose my lunch.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swallowing repeatedly and running a hand through his hair to distract himself, he found a large lump at the back of his head, fingers trailing through the blood that collected there and trickled down his neck.\u00a0 Neckerchief in hand, he carefully dabbed at the wound, the effort making him suck in a breath followed by a random thought of where his hat might be.\u00a0 Surprised at himself, he chuckled and returned thoughts to something a bit more important \u2013 standing up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStand still fer a minute, Chubb, \u2018til I can git my bearin\u2019s,\u201d he stated grabbing onto the trailing reins and slowly inching to his feet using the rocks to balance himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ground wiggled this way and that in an obvious attempt to knock him flat but he was bound and determined not to give in. \u00a0Gritting his teeth, he held on until the wavering stopped then smiled.\u00a0 Two great feats accomplished in the space of thirty minutes \u2013 he\u2019d gotten his feet under him and he hadn\u2019t thrown up!\u00a0 That was enough to make anyone happy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOk, boy,\u201d he began, holding tightly to the reins.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see if\u2019n both of us can walk.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finding his own legs shaky but working, he peered back at his horse as they moved making sure\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a0legs were working despite his obvious injuries.\u00a0 He smiled again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, lookee there ol\u2019 Chubb.\u00a0 You and me could go square dancin\u2019 we\u2019re so light on our feet.\u201d\u00a0 Chubb shook his head and Hoss clapped him on the neck, a cloud of dust rising from his coat to make him cough.\u00a0 He needed to do something for his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spying snow within scooping distance, Hoss applied it to Chubb\u2019s injuries who skittered away from the touch until Hoss\u2019s calm whispering settled him, his ministrations leaving bloody water to drip through his fingers.\u00a0 Satisfied that was all he could do at present, Hoss moved onto himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leaning back against the saddle and easing out of his jacket, he dropped it to the ground. \u00a0Pulling his belt off next, he made a sling and slipped his injured left arm through it.\u00a0 A cursory glance at the rest of him didn\u2019t produce any worry so he turned an eye to Chubb, adjusting the blanket and saddle then the cinch, tossing the reins back over his neck to complete the package.\u00a0 Awkwardly mounting, he sat for a spell, making sure he was going to stay put, then craned back his head one last time to view the top of the ravine.\u00a0 He was sure he\u2019d lost something besides his hat but he just couldn\u2019t remember what.\u00a0 He shrugged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll come ta me.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go home, Chubb.\u201d\u00a0 He let the animal go at his own pace and the two slowly disappeared out of the ravine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Floating over a field of white, the sound of a flock of birds singing their hearts out in the nearby trees came to him and he wondered what that was licking his forehead.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright slowly opened his eyes to a soft muzzle and a long tongue on his face.\u00a0 He smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see you, Sport,\u201d came his whisper as he raised a hand to comfort the animal only to gasp at the sharp pain that that simple movement caused.\u00a0 It was then he noticed the pounding in his head that was increasing with each passing second and he could feel something dripping off his ear.\u00a0 Wishing for a brief moment to be floating once again over that beautiful white field without a care in the world, he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just for a moment.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His hopes of a peaceful slumber were crushed when Sport butted him on the shoulder and his eyes shot open.\u00a0 Snorting in his face to show visible breath to his master, Sport butted him again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGetting cold, I see,\u201d Adam commented realizing that the ground beneath him\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0numbing his back and legs and the breeze above him\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0becoming quite icy.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t exactly a good idea to just lie here and freeze to death.\u00a0 His tombstone rose before his eyes \u2013 \u2018Adam Cartwright – Froze to death being a dumbass\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chuckling, he raised his arm again, slowly this time, with the intent of finding out what was dripping off his ear.\u00a0 Finding a deep slice on his forehead, he drew back bloody fingers.\u00a0 The blood was already coagulating in the cold air so at least he wouldn\u2019t bleed to death before he froze to death \u2013 a point in his favor.\u00a0 Looking up, he discovered the sun hanging a bit lower in the sky then spied big fat clouds gathering to the north.\u00a0 Snow was coming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, old man,\u201d he said to Sport.\u00a0 \u201cI believe we\u2019d better make haste if we\u2019re to beat the weather.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if I can get up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Attempting to roll over was pointless since the ground seemed to move with him as he tried.\u00a0 Disconcerting as it was, he knew he couldn\u2019t let a little thing like gravity stop him from his goal and tried again, this time with a little help from Sport bouncing his muzzle off his shoulder then butting up against his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Resting on his left side with eyes tightly shut, his breath came in quick gasps and groans as his head planted itself firmly upon the earth.\u00a0 He was sure his brain would explode any time now from the pounding hammers on display at this very moment.\u00a0 Taking a second to gather what little thoughts remained in his head, he opened his eyes then quickly shut them at the sight they beheld.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, shit,\u201d he cursed, that word summing up his present situation very well thank you.\u00a0 The object of his curse had made his stomach flip-flop so much he thought it might bounce right out of his mouth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe I didn\u2019t see what I thought I saw.\u00a0 Open your eyes!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Obeying himself, open they popped and he cringed.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t been mistaken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, shit,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What had so flustered him wasn\u2019t the fact that his right pant leg was bloody and ripped to the knee or that his shin was bent at an awkward angle.\u00a0 What got him was the ragged bone poking out of his skin over the boot.\u00a0 His racing heart made his headache worse and threatened the lunch he\u2019d had not too long ago so it took a moment to realize that despite this injury nothing else hurt but his head.\u00a0 Odd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt must be the cold,\u201d he mumbled knowing that if he didn\u2019t work fast he really could bleed to death.\u00a0 Taking long deep breaths of the chilly air, his foggy mind began to clear.\u00a0 \u201cCalm yourself and think.\u201d\u00a0 Ah, two very important things to do in a crisis.\u00a0 Taking another moment he decided it was time to put his addled brain to work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first and only thought that arrived was something he would normally dismiss outright but seeing as he had no other choice it seemed to be the only way around his current situation and the thought made him queasy:\u00a0 setting his own leg.\u00a0 For that he would need a brace for his foot, a cabinet full of whiskey and whole lot of willpower.\u00a0 Being that he was lying on the cold hard ground over a day\u2019s ride from home without a bottle of booze in sight, all he had to work with was willpower.\u00a0 It would have to do.\u00a0 Direction decided he slowly righted himself to rest on his elbows, scanning the area for something to anchor his leg.\u00a0 A rock pile a few feet away gave him an idea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grimacing at the effort it took to roll onto his knees, still feeling uneasy that nothing else hurt, he crawled toward the rocks finding exactly what he needed within minutes of searching \u2013 two rocks worn through by years of weather creating an almost perfect \u201cV\u201d.\u00a0 Easing his injured leg between them he sat his other foot on the rock to the left.\u00a0 One good push and they could get a move on.\u00a0 He was ready.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOk, let\u2019s do this,\u201d Adam said more to himself than to Sport who watched with great interest.\u00a0 \u201cOne . . . two . . . three.\u201d\u00a0 Nary a muscle moved.\u00a0 \u201cCoward,\u201d he grumbled as Sport nickered, making him scowl.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see you try this,\u201d he retorted as Sport nickered again flinging his head up and down.\u00a0 Adam just knew he was enjoying himself.\u00a0 \u201cHa, ha, ha.\u201d\u00a0 An eagle call pulled his attention to watch its northward flight partially obscured by those incoming clouds.\u00a0 Determination on his face, he turned back to his leg.\u00a0 \u201cOk, get a move on, Cartwright.\u00a0 Just push!\u00a0 One . . . two . . . th . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As \u2018three\u2019 barely became a formed word, his left foot pushed, his right leg caught as expected and the bone disappeared back through the skin as if it\u2019d never been displaced.\u00a0 Oh, his lofty idea of the cold numbing his pain quickly flew out the window as a wall of fire descended and a hearty scream rose disturbing the birds from their perches.\u00a0 Their angry cries followed him as he lost a quick battle to stay conscious and fell back to the cold hard ground to drift back over that field of white.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright\u2019s head snapped up from the contract he\u2019d been studying and shivered.\u00a0 An overwhelming urge to go to the front door propelled him out of his chair and, in four big steps, he found himself looking out into the yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat the matter?\u201d Hop Sing asked peeking his head around the corner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben said with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cI just got a . . . shiver.\u00a0 Thought I heard something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSounded like someone shouting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d\u00a0 Ben just shrugged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProbably nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBoys be home soon,\u201d Hop Sing encouraged then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWorry too much.\u201d\u00a0 He headed back to his kitchen as Ben grinned, then returned his gaze out the front door.\u00a0 Something or someone had called . . . he was sure of it.\u00a0 Shaking his head, he closed the door and moved back to the chair and the contract.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part II<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The feeling of something cold and wet on his face made his brow furrow.\u00a0 When it continued he decided he should open his eyes and see what it was – it was snowing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sport whickered as he approached, Adam making sure the tumble he\u2019d taken hadn\u2019t injured his legs . . .\u00a0 He started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe tumble?\u201d\u00a0 Glancing around it suddenly came rushing back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019d been four men who\u2019d fallen on them just as a snow squall struck when they\u2019d been returning home from a two day venture to the line shacks, and gunplay ensued.\u00a0 They\u2019d run, Hoss taking down two men, Adam another, until surefooted Sport tripped and fell, rolling over him before he could get clear of the saddle.\u00a0 Lying stunned he\u2019d heard more shots then Chubb\u2019s scream of fright, lifting his head in time to see both he and Hoss disappear over the very rock pile in which he now lay.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eyes wide, he frantically hunted for any evidence of his brother\u2019s whereabouts.\u00a0 There was nothing, not even a trail . . . except for . . .\u00a0 His breath caught at the sight of a very familiar hat lying before him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, God,\u201d was heard as he realized the possible implications.\u00a0 \u201cHoss!\u00a0 Hoss!\u201d\u00a0 Struggling to remove his leg from the rocks, he crawled toward his brother\u2019s hat grasping it tightly, knowing he\u2019d have to climb to the top of the pile to see for himself what lay at the bottom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As quickly as he was able, he worked his way up the rocks, grunting and panting until he thought he\u2019d pass out, finally cresting the pile to peer into the 15\u2019 drop.\u00a0 Staring into the lengthening shadows that inundated the area produced nothing but strained eyes and more headache.\u00a0 Cupping hands over his mouth, he shouted his brother\u2019s name over and over until the pounding in his head forced him to stop.\u00a0 He had to get down there.\u00a0 He had to find his brother!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Desperate for some way down, his searching eyes landed on a break in the rocks.\u00a0 Knowing nothing would keep him from finding his brother, he turned to find Sport watching him from a distance.\u00a0 Preparing to call him over, a trail of blood leading up to his position on the rocks brought his attention back to his wound.\u00a0 Hoss could wait a few more minutes.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do to collapse before he could even get to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pulling off his arm out of his jacket, he yanked at his shirt sleeve until the stitching gave way.\u00a0 A blast of cold air crept through him and he quickly donned his jacket, stretching the sleeve about his shin as tightly as he could bear, then tugged a bandana from his pocket and wrapped that about the sleeve. \u00a0As he tightened his makeshift bandage, the world became a kaleidoscope of color and raw pain attacked him turning his knuckles white as he clasped onto the rocks.\u00a0 He willed himself to stay conscious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can\u2019t pass out now!\u00a0 Have to find Hoss!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As his breathing regulated, he managed to call Sport to him and grabbed a stirrup, hauling himself onto his good leg.\u00a0 Not giving in to the dizziness that filled him, he leaned against the saddle and grabbed the pommel, pulling himself up until he could catch the left stirrup then drag his injured leg over the side.\u00a0 Clipping the saddlebag made him gasp and grab Sport\u2019s mane in hopes of not tumbling back to the ground as his world spun.\u00a0 It worked and, moments later, he managed to gather the reins and right himself, urging Sport through the break and onto the dodgy trail beyond.\u00a0 The waning light made the going difficult but Sport picked his way carefully along the dim trail as snow continued to fall, Hoss\u2019s hat forgotten behind them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ll buy him a new hat.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Craning his neck as they descended, his eyes missed nothing, cursing his luck at the deep shadows that filled the ravine.\u00a0 If he\u2019d only awoken an hour earlier this would\u2019ve been much easier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If wishes were horses . . .\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shrugging off the thought he let Sport maneuver them around the large rocks that populated the area soon to arrive at the spot where Adam had seen slide marks.\u00a0 He suddenly looked away.\u00a0 Now that he was here what if he found Hoss?\u00a0 What then?\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deal with it then!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Steeling himself, he turned back and was surprised to find . . . nothing.\u00a0 No man, no horse, no nothing.\u00a0 This didn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 Thirty minutes later, he\u2019d searched every bit of the ravine and still there was nothing except . . . there\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0something near the first place he\u2019d stopped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Using his rifle, Adam leaned over and picked up what looked like a jacket . . . Hoss\u2019s jacket.\u00a0 Relief washed through him.\u00a0 He\u2019d been here.\u00a0 Hoss had been here but where was he now and why hadn\u2019t he come looking for him?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss!\u201d he yelled.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you?!\u201d\u00a0 No comforting answer meet his ears just an echo of his own voice pounding at his head.\u00a0 He shivered.\u00a0 The temperature was dropping again.\u00a0 Sliding on his brother\u2019s jacket the added warmth spread across his bruised chest and arms reminding him that Hoss didn\u2019t have this small luxury.\u00a0 Slipping the rifle back into its scabbard, he patted Sport\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he headed home to get help.\u201d\u00a0 Sport snuffled and flung his head up.\u00a0 \u201cLike we should be, I know,\u201d he answered with a half smile.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if we hurry we might catch him on the road.\u00a0 Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two headed out, the same nagging thought interrupting his relief \u2013 why hadn\u2019t Hoss come looking for him?\u00a0 They\u2019d both been attacked, both went down and yet he was the only one left behind.\u00a0 Had Hoss been knocked senseless and didn\u2019t know where he was or who he was?\u00a0 The failing light made it impossible to see any tracks along the trail.\u00a0 Maybe Hoss had ridden off in another direction?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStop,\u201d he chastised, Sport\u2019s ears flicking back.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t do to make stuff up just to fill in the blanks and besides it was making his headache worse.\u00a0 He rubbed his forehead, careful of the gash, and scrunched down further into Hoss\u2019s coat.\u00a0 Even if his brother had a concussion and wasn\u2019t thinking straight he surely would\u2019ve headed home.\u00a0 Wherever else would he go?\u00a0 Chubb would see him through; get him where he should be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tears filled his eyes.\u00a0 What if he couldn\u2019t find him?\u00a0 What if he\u2019d lost him to the snow and the night?\u00a0 How would he tell his father and brother that he, the oldest, the one responsible, had lost his brother?\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 Doubt was a horrible thing.\u00a0 It gave nothing but torment and let in thoughts that were normally held at bay by his analytical mind.\u00a0 He decided that his thinking process was not only slowed by the cold but by a 2-ton horse rolling over him.\u00a0 The faster they moved along this trail the sooner he\u2019d find his wayward brother and the sooner they\u2019d get home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He grinned then satisfied that, this time at least, he\u2019d outsmarted his brain and talked himself into believing what could be the only outcome.\u00a0 That wouldn\u2019t last long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A wolf picked her way through the tall trees, her white coat blending nicely with the surrounding snow and her breath leaving a frosty trail in the air as she moved.\u00a0 Smells of blood and death were everywhere and she thought there might be an easy dinner for her kits as four dark shapes strewn about the snow came into sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Licking her lips and starting forward, a sound made her duck behind a tree, her vigilant eyes noting someone leaping from an approaching horse near one of the shapes then moving onto the next, then the next until finally coming to a halt as the fourth shape loomed.\u00a0 A wail began startling the wolf back undercover.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJimmy!\u201d came the cry as the man dropped to his knees, hands gently turning the shape onto its back and hoping against hope it was still alive.\u00a0 The sight of a red muffler struck against the man\u2019s eyes and he gasped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy Lord, Jimmy, what\u2019ll I tell Ma?\u201d\u00a0 Blood streaked the white face from the bullet hole in his forehead while dead eyes gazed upward.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019ll I tell Ma?\u201d he repeated pulling Jimmy into an embrace, burying his face against his neck.\u00a0 So much time together, so many days spent fishing and hunting, all gone in an afternoon.\u00a0 He looked up, seeing what his brother saw with the last of his sight thinking it was a barren rock filled dirt hole that didn\u2019t deserve to be his brother\u2019s last resting place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened, Jimmy?\u00a0 This was an easy target, easy money.\u00a0 Four again\u2019 two.\u00a0 Better odds than I give ya to live past five what wit\u2019 yer breathin\u2019 an\u2019 all.\u00a0 Ma was right.\u00a0 Ya ain\u2019t cut out fer this line o\u2019 work.\u00a0 Yer still too young.\u00a0 I shoulda sent ya packin\u2019 the minute ya joined me on the road but I liked yer company, I surely did.\u00a0 Ya made me laugh.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled his brother away from him then, returning him gently to the ground smoothing out his jacket and tightening his muffler.\u00a0 He smiled, patting him on the chest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow don\u2019t go frettin\u2019 none \u2018cause I\u2019m goin\u2019 after them two.\u00a0 They\u2019ll pay fer what they done.\u00a0 You can bet yer last dollar on that one, Jimmy.\u00a0 Ya\u2019ll see from up there when I take \u2018em down.\u201d\u00a0 He crossed his brother\u2019s hands over his chest and closed his dead eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll bury ya right next to Pa, right under the cherry tree.\u00a0 Ya always liked it when the cherry blossoms fell in the yard.\u201d\u00a0 He laughed a bit.\u00a0 \u201cI hated it since I had ta clean it up \u2018til ya got old enough for me ta pawn it off on ya.\u201d\u00a0 He wiped tears from his face with his dirty sleeve then stood and looked about the area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was no visible evidence of what happened or where the two murderers had gone but his roving eye did catch something out of place by the rock pile.\u00a0 Curious, he scrunched through the snow and picked it up, turning the object in his hand. \u00a0It was a hat and not just any hat but a white ten-gallon hat.\u00a0 One of the two had worn a hat like that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His eyes traveled up and down the rock pile looking for anything that might point him in the right direction, finding the break and a barely discernible trail stretching beyond it.\u00a0 Angrily tossing the hat aside, he headed toward his horse, his steps taking him back to his brother where he paused.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ya go nowheres, Jimmy.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back ta take ya home.\u201d\u00a0 Quickly mounting, he eyed his brother one last time and headed toward the trail.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The wolf waited a minute or two then scurried out from behind the tree.\u00a0 Dinner still waited and her kits were still hungry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part III<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s stomach grumbled and visions of Hop Sing\u2019s roast beef and those glorious biscuits came to mind.\u00a0 Damn, he could even smell it.\u00a0 \u2018First law of survival \u2013 food\u2019 his father would say.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I ain\u2019t near starvin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Chubb\u2019s ears flicked back toward his master\u2019s voice who was startled to hear it himself.\u00a0 Looking about to see if he\u2019d been caught talking to himself, he suddenly remembered he was out in the cold alone, a cold that seeped into every joint, every muscle, even making his eyes hurt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The concept of time had flown from him.\u00a0 How long since the ravine or even if he was headed in the right direction passed through his head but didn\u2019t perch.\u00a0 Chubb was walking in a specific direction, or so he thought, so why should he even suspect that he wasn\u2019t headed home to a nice warm stall and a full bucket of oats.\u00a0 Oats.\u00a0 Oatmeal.\u00a0 Now that sounded good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The idea of food was dislodged from his disengaged thoughts as a groan escaped him.\u00a0 Rubbing his forehead and grimacing at the intense pain that had settled in his neck, he tried to squint away the sparkles filling his vision.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What is that anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blinking didn\u2019t work so he squinted again, straining through the darkness at the lights that bobbled then disappeared then relit themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s just the moon.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His addled brain clogged with a large cotton ball was obviously interfering with his common sense.\u00a0 It was snowing and the sky was overcast.\u00a0 There was no moon in sight.\u00a0 But he seemed satisfied and closed his eyes for a short second only to find himself slowly sliding from the saddle as Chubb unexpectedly stumbled.\u00a0 A weak grab for the pommel missed and he landed with a soft thud in the snow, rolling over to catch sight of Chubb continuing on without him.\u00a0 Calling out came to mind but it never made it to his voice which probably couldn\u2019t have gotten past his chattering teeth anyway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dadburnit!\u00a0 Joe\u2019s gonna eat everything before I can get home!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deciding that being left out in the cold, both figuratively and literally, was for the birds, he managed to stand and continued down the road after Chubb\u2019s disappearing form.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019ll keep him from eating everything.\u00a0 Jest keep walkin\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His feet moved on their own.\u00a0 No instructions were coming at them to keep them moving but somehow, after walking for who knew how long, his foot struck a wall, a wall that turned into a barn . . . his barn as a matter of fact.\u00a0 And, what do you know, but there stood Chubb near the closed barn door waiting to be let in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks fer waitin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He probably should take Chubb inside, get his saddle off and clean up his legs, but those lights from the house were terribly inviting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So it wasn\u2019t the moon.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee how\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0like bein\u2019 left out in the cold,\u201d he tossed over his shoulder as he headed for the warmth offered before him.\u00a0 Chubb ignored him and turned back to the barn door.\u00a0 Hearing Buck inside, he fiddled with the latch until it swung open.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ah, warm at last.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss noticed nothing behind him.\u00a0 All he could think about was getting inside; getting close to that fire he knew burned brightly in the hearth; nearer the kitchen where Hop Sing was sure to have something to eat.\u00a0 But the door kept moving further away.\u00a0 Reaching out in hopes of bringing it closer only tipped him off balance and down he went, falling flat to bang his head on the stoop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Who put the door here?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Darkness came and he gratefully accepted it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWould you look at that,\u201d Joe said to Charlie Porter as the two made their way into the yard.\u00a0 The barn door stood wide open, Chubb standing sullenly inside.\u00a0 \u201cMy brother says to me last week how come I haven\u2019t picked up after myself and\u00a0he<\/em>\u00a0doesn\u2019t even put up his own horse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Charlie\u2019s smile faded when his eyes moved from Joe to Chubb.\u00a0 Something wasn\u2019t right.\u00a0 Dismounting, he made his way to the animal and ran a hand down one of his hind legs.\u00a0 He pulled away a bloody hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, he\u2019s had a fall,\u201d he announced holding up the evidence.\u00a0 Jumping off Cochise, Joe watched as Charlie ran a hand down Chubb\u2019s other leg.\u00a0 \u201cBoth legs right up the back like he slid down something.\u201d\u00a0 They exchanged a look and Joe turned swiftly toward the house, his quick step turning into a run at the sight of a shape in the snow near the front door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss!\u201d he yelled kneeling next to his fallen brother as the side door popped opened to reveal both Hop Sing and Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat big ruckus?\u201d Hop Sing called as Ben pushed past him and hurried toward his fallen son as Joe and Charlie eased him onto his back.\u00a0 \u201cGet into house,\u201d Hop Sing ordered running to open the front door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Between the three of them, they got the big man to his feet and half-carried, half-dragged him to the guest room off the dining room.\u00a0 Stripping him, they piled blankets and hot bricks over him, Hop Sing brewing tea and handing out washcloths and water basins to clean off the dirt and dried blood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin,\u201d Hop Sing ordered and Charlie was out the door leaving them to take care of the big man until help arrived.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa . . .\u201d came a whispered voice.\u00a0 Ben leaned in close.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here, son,\u201d he answered pulling the blanket up closer to Hoss\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid Joe . . . eat all . . . the roast beef?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe questioned as Ben shushed him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, what happened?\u201d he asked seeing his middle boy struggle to focus on him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam didn\u2019t . . . didn\u2019t stop him?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dadburn that Adam.\u00a0 He knows I like Hop Sing\u2019s roast beef.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s not here, Hoss,\u201d Ben answered.\u00a0 \u201cHe was with you.\u201d\u00a0 Worry washed over Hoss\u2019s face.\u00a0 He grabbed at Ben\u2019s sleeve and stared up at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought . . . I thought he was here . . . thought he was home.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was confused.\u00a0 He\u2019d been sure Adam was home.\u00a0 He remembered leaving . . .\u00a0 Wait.\u00a0 Wait a minute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My God!\u00a0 Was that what I forgot at the ravine?\u00a0 Did I leave Adam behind?\u00a0 He could be . . .<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, son.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s not here.\u00a0 He was with you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh, Lord.\u00a0 How am I going to tell Pa I left him behind?\u00a0 What kinda brother am I?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI . . . I lost him,\u201d finally emerged, tears in his eyes, the weight of that statement hitting him in the gut.\u00a0 \u201cI left him behind.\u00a0 Oh, Pa, . . . Pa, I didn\u2019t mean too. \u00a0I thought . . . thought he was home.\u00a0 I\u2019m awful sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hoss,\u201d Ben said trying to quell the growing fear in his stomach as he rubbed Hoss\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy did I . . . I leave him?\u00a0 He\u2019s . . . probably hurt.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got ta . . .\u201d\u00a0 He thought about getting up, getting Chubb and heading back out but the thought never made it to any other part of his body.\u00a0 He\u2019d left Adam to die up on Henderson\u2019s Ridge.\u00a0 He\u2019d left his own flesh and blood, alone, possibly hurt, and there was nothing he could do.\u00a0 Except . . .\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHen . . .\u201d he began, the word trailing off despite his best efforts to get it off his tongue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d\u00a0 Ben hadn\u2019t caught the word spoken so softly.\u00a0 He watched him try to speak, desperate to make up for leaving his brother behind but no other sound emerged and his eyes slowly slid shut.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben sighed then lowered his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Joe asked tossing another blanket over his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHen,\u201d Hop Sing provided.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHen?\u201d Joe repeated, tucking in the blanket around his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHenderson\u2019s Ridge?\u201d Hop Sing suggested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one way to come home from the east ridge,\u201d Joe supplied.\u00a0 \u201cThat must be where Adam is.\u201d\u00a0 He stood up and headed for the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, where are you going?\u201d Ben asked never taking his eyes from Hoss\u2019s face as he continued to clean it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna find Adam,\u201d Joe stated wondering why his father would be asking that question.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 You\u2019re staying here and waiting for the Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, he could be hurt, or . . . worse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen I should be going.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling his gaze from Hoss, Ben glared at Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd how are you going to track him in the dark?\u201d\u00a0 He eyed his youngest, his own desire to light out after Adam barely under control.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t even know if that\u2019s what he meant to say.\u00a0 Henderson\u2019s Ridge would be out of their way, take an extra day to get home.\u00a0 He might have meant Hennissey Falls.\u00a0 We have to wait until he wakes again, see if we can get a clearer picture of where they were.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd what if that\u2019s too late for Adam, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 It was harsh but he had to say it.\u00a0 Time spent waiting on a cold night like this could spell death for the one somewhere in the night.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s jawed worked as his heart beat faster at the thought of his eldest buried in snow and freezing to death.\u00a0 He fought back the picture in his mind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll wait.\u201d\u00a0 Turning back, he continued to wash Hoss\u2019s face, praying that he was making the right decision, hoping his son would find his own way home before time ran out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part IV<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s head fell forward and he jerked awake nearly falling from the saddle.\u00a0 It was completely dark now and he could feel bits of snow hitting his face as the night breeze whipped the flakes about.\u00a0 His back went rigid when it suddenly occurred to him he might have missed Hoss while he was dozing.\u00a0 Should he turn back?\u00a0 He had no idea how much time had passed or how far they\u2019d come.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDamnit!\u201d he cursed, the force of air used making him sway a bit in the saddle.\u00a0 Grabbing the pommel he was determined not to fall off for there was no guarantee he\u2019d be able to get back on.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s face popped into his mind with a raised finger pointing at him followed by a shake of the head.\u00a0 \u2019You left me behind.\u00a0 What\u2019ll Pa say?\u2019\u00a0 Another notch on his guilt belt, a belt he knew well.\u00a0 He\u2019d vowed to Inger to protect Hoss, forever and always, and now he\u2019d fallen asleep.\u00a0 What a stupid way to fail.\u00a0 What a stupid reason to relate to the father and brother left behind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was my responsibility and I decided to take a nap.\u00a0 I\u2019m the oldest.\u00a0 I should be the one that doesn\u2019t return.\u00a0 How could I be the one to survive?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n These musings weren\u2019t helping and he forced them aside.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t missed Hoss along the road.\u00a0 He\u2019d had a large lead on him and was probably sitting in front of a roaring fire enjoying Hop Sing\u2019s roast beef and not leaving any for him.\u00a0 He smiled at that.\u00a0 As long as Hoss was home, with a full belly, happy he\u2019d be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rubbing Sport on the neck and thinking they should probably liven up the pace now that he was over his guilt trip, the distinct sound of a bullet whizzing past his ear and ricocheting off a nearby tree solidified the thought.\u00a0 Sport whinnied and fled as another bullet blew by.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Racing off the trail and through the snow, Adam managed to glance back once seeing a lone rider following after them firing another shot.\u00a0 Ducking seemed to make him feel better even though he hadn\u2019t a clue which direction the bullets were flying, and held on for dear life as Sport maneuvered through the dark clearing a fallen log\u00a0he<\/em>\u00a0hadn\u2019t even seen.\u00a0 Down they came on loose gravel beneath the snow, Sport searching for solid ground, sliding about until he found it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another shot rang out and Sport faltered, sliding to the bottom of the short incline instantly gathering himself to leap a small stream at its base.\u00a0 Instead, he leaped into it, toppling over as they both landed in the freezing water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their pursuer followed the same path but his horse failed to see the log causing both horse and rider to tumble down the length of the incline and slid to a silent rest a few feet in front of them.\u00a0 Adam fumbled for his gun, numb fingers pulling it from the water as soon as he saw the stranger roll onto his knees.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHold it right there, mister!\u201d Adam ordered, hoping his chattering teeth hadn\u2019t taken anything from the flinty voice he\u2019d been attempting to use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa got me,\u201d came the answer as the man sat back on his haunches glaring at this murderer before him.\u00a0 Adam raised his other hand to steady the wobbly gun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019d you . . . why\u2019d you take a shot at me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy brother\u2019s layin\u2019 dead aways back,\u201d he said tossing a look over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI cain\u2019t help but think yer the one that put \u2019im there.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Good answer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was self-defense,\u201d Adam countered cocking his weapon as the man pulled something from the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t matter.\u00a0 He\u2019s still dead and I aim to avenge him.\u201d\u00a0 Right to the point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s your right,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes it is.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The man fired.\u00a0 Adam fired a second later.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s snowing real hard, Pa,\u201d Joe said stating the obvious while watching his father roll up a thick blanket and stuff food into his saddlebags.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin\u2019s here and I\u2019m going to find Adam,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019re you gonna look?\u00a0 Hoss hasn\u2019t made any sense since we found him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe said Henderson\u2019s Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe said Hen.\u00a0 You said yourself that could be Henderson\u2019s Ridge or Hennesey Falls.\u00a0 Either one will take half the night to get there . . . and it\u2019s snowing real hard, Pa,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I\u2019m going.\u201d\u00a0 The tone.\u00a0 Joe knew that tone well and knew what it meant \u2013 no more talking.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf it was too dark for me to go looking for him why isn\u2019t it too dark for you?\u201d\u00a0 There, he\u2019d said it.\u00a0 Ben glared him, hating the idea of his youngest throwing his own words back at him.\u00a0 He tightened his muffler and buttoned up his coat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou stay here in case Adam comes home.\u00a0 Charlie and some of the men have already started out for Hennessey Falls.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride to Henderson\u2019s Ridge and work my way back.\u00a0 You take care of your brother and do whatever Paul says.\u201d\u00a0 Joe debated with himself about reiterating his statement then decided against it.\u00a0 \u2018Do as I say not as I do\u2019 popped into his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d was the only answer he could give.\u00a0 Grabbing the door as Ben tossed it back, he watched his father disappear into the barn.\u00a0 One thing he didn\u2019t like was staying behind when his family was in trouble.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou come, Little Joe,\u201d Hop Sing called motioning him toward the guest room.\u00a0 \u201cSit with brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be right there,\u201d he answered closing the door and moving to the window behind Ben\u2019s desk to watch his father leave.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trying to reason with himself over what he was about to attempt, Ben pulled open the barn door and dropped his saddlebags to the floor.\u00a0 He shouldn\u2019t be going out in the dark, in the snow because he was sure to miss something, but he couldn\u2019t just sit at home and wait.\u00a0 He was not the sitting type.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reaching for Buck\u2019s saddle blanket, his eye caught Chubb standing dejectedly in his stall.\u00a0 Sidling over he spoke softly to him and ran hands up and down his soft muzzle then patted him on the neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks for bringing him home,\u201d he whispered, returning to Buck to stretch the blanket over his back then reached for his saddle, stopping in mid-grab.\u00a0 There was something . . .\u00a0 Buck snorted and so did Cochise moving his attention to them.\u00a0 Both had their ears forward, their heads canted sideways as if listening, listening to something far off.\u00a0 Chubb joined in and all three stared at the open door.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, Ben listened too then jumped a foot when all three horses began neighing . . . loudly!\u00a0 Joe flew into the barn as Buck stomped the ground and Cochise pulled on his lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Pa?!\u201d he asked, running hands down Cochise\u2019s neck to calm him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something . . .\u201d Ben admitted, stepping out into the yard.\u00a0 A stiff breeze whisked through the trees around the house and yet there seemed to be something else on the air.\u00a0 \u201cListen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both strained to hear whatever was drifting on the wind and catching their horse\u2019s attention.\u00a0 The breeze died and the horse\u2019s quieted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere,\u201d Ben said eyes bright with discovery.\u00a0 Something was there, a distant call coming from down the road.\u00a0 \u201cDid you hear that?\u201d\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t answer but ran back into the barn.\u00a0 Ben followed, the two bridling their mounts and racing out to the one calling out somewhere in the night.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part V<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was it.\u00a0 This was as far as the both of them were going to get this night.\u00a0 Too much had he asked of Sport, the poor animal simply stopping and sinking to the ground.\u00a0 Numb from the cold, it didn\u2019t bother either of them that they were sitting in a snowdrift by the side of the road especially when they could\u2019ve been sitting in the middle of the road.\u00a0 Adam thought about it for about a second then decided he couldn\u2019t move anyway so they\u2019d stay right where they were.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wrapping frozen arms about himself to try and stave off his uncontrollable shaking through the only heat source he could find, he leaned against his beloved Sport.\u00a0 His eyes felt scratchy and dry and oh, how he\u2019d yelled at himself for leaving his canteen with his saddle a few million miles back.\u00a0 No matter.\u00a0 Wet clear through he figured the both of them would catch pneumonia and die before morning and that would be it.\u00a0 At least he wouldn\u2019t have to face his father about Hoss, have to say those words that would echo in his ears forever – he\u2019d lost his brother.\u00a0 Small comfort checking out early but he\u2019d take what he could get.\u00a0 It would be a blow to lose two sons but at least Pa would still have Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With nothing better to do than freeze to death, his mind kept going back to the last few hours and was thankful the stranger\u2019s shot had gone wide and his hadn\u2019t.\u00a0 Shaken though his aim was he\u2019d nailed him and watched as the man fell face first into the water taking great pride in the fact that in the dark, nearly frozen, he\u2019d gotten his man.\u00a0 Ego beware?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh, why not?\u00a0 I\u2019m going to die so why not appreciate my marksmanship one last time.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next task proved more disconcerting.\u00a0 Coaxing Sport to his feet took some doing but when he finally stood Adam found the reason for their headlong rush into the stream \u2013 he\u2019d taken a bullet to the right flank.\u00a0 Anger flared but quickly dissipated.\u00a0 No use wasting what precious energy he had left on a dead man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deciding not to ride Sport home, he\u2019d pulled the saddle from his back and walked on a few paces.\u00a0 The two of them limping along put a smile on Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0 The walking wounded returned from the wars.\u00a0 They must be a sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Patting Sport on the neck, he proceeded to pull congealing ice crystals from his mane when, suddenly, he dropped to his knee, a distinct crunching sound filling the night as a few inventive curse words left his mouth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d he managed as he regained a normal breathing pattern and a tight hold on his tongue.\u00a0 \u201cSo walking might not be such a good idea.\u201d\u00a0 He would never make it home like this.\u00a0 Managing to regain his footing, he clutched Sport\u2019s mane and patted him on the neck.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, boy, but I can\u2019t make it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eyeing his master, Sport exhaled in his face, the hot breath feeling good for the moment it lasted.\u00a0 Adam smiled and took that as an okay to scramble onto his back, the two stumbling off into the night more or less in the right direction.\u00a0 Of course, Adam didn\u2019t have a clue which way was up but trusted Sport to get them home.\u00a0 Two hours later his mount officially gave up and quietly eased himself to his knees taking Adam right along with him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hunkering further down into his coat, Adam shut his eyes.\u00a0 It would be so easy to just give in and let the cold take over; fall back into a long dark sleep until eternity was done with him. \u00a0But his mind had other ideas.\u00a0 \u2018Never give up\u2019 came in the form of his father\u2019s voice echoing about his head and his eyes popped back open. \u00a0\u2018When everything appears hopeless and you\u2019ll probably go to the great beyond before the sun rises, never give up!\u00a0 Fight until there\u2019s nothing left and then fight some more\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNever give up,\u201d he mumbled, Sport giving him a snort.\u00a0 He glanced toward his friend and rubbed his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had to be there for Sport, had to be there until the end whether it was on this road or back home.\u00a0 They\u2019d been through so much and always came out the other side.\u00a0 And, even though this time seemed to be the one time that it wouldn\u2019t end up in their favor, his presence was all he had to give.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, old man,\u201d he said hoping to give him something.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll make it home, don\u2019t you worry.\u201d\u00a0 Sport whickered and gave Adam a look.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never lied to you.\u00a0 We\u2019ll make it home.\u201d\u00a0 He turned back around and Adam could\u2019ve sworn he saw him roll his eyes.\u00a0 It made him grin that quickly faded as Sport tensed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A whinny, long and loud, erupted from him and Adam came to his knees, following his gaze into the darkness of the road before them, the swirling snow dancing amongst the trees producing phantom shapes rising out of the frosty air.\u00a0 A stiff wind rustled the leaves so loudly he couldn\u2019t hear anything else and thought Sport had lost his marbles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just the wind, old man,\u201d he said, settling back onto the cold ground and leaning his head against Sport\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cJust the wind.\u00a0 Let me rest a bit then I\u2019ll go get help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A few moments later as his head hit the ground, he shot upright wondering what the hell he was doing sitting in a snowdrift when Sport snorted, once again drawing his attention to something in the night.\u00a0 This time the wind was silent and what he heard made his slow mind fly to the gunman.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe I\u2019m not such a good shot after all.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frozen fingers protested as he grabbed for his gun, dropping it as it cleared the holster.\u00a0 Scrambling to pick it up, the distinct sounds of horses approaching closed in around him sending him into a panic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I killed him!\u00a0 Shot him dead in the river.\u00a0 See what boasting does for you!\u00a0 Wait.\u00a0 Wait . . . calm down.\u00a0 Now isn\u2019t the time to think such things.\u00a0 Bravado may yet win the day.\u00a0 Here goes nothing!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStop . . . right . . . there!\u201d he shouted hoping his hoarse voice sounded somewhat confident as he finally wrapped dead fingers about the gun and pointed it aimlessly into the night.\u00a0 The sounds kept coming.\u00a0 Apparently not confident enough.\u00a0 \u201cI said . . . STOP RIGHT THERE!\u201d\u00a0 Movement ceased and he could make out . . . two horses snorting in the darkness, their breath visible but not their riders.\u00a0 Two horses?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 His wavering aim locked on the voice, finally seeing two figures emerge from the dark.\u00a0 This didn\u2019t make any sense.\u00a0 There\u2019d been only one man after him.\u00a0 One man!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m in trouble now!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour . . .\u00a0 your brother tried to kill us!\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cIt was self-defense!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sport nickered and the strange horses answered and, for an instant, Adam thought he was conspiring with the enemy but, at this point, maybe Sport knew better than he did.\u00a0 Then the men split up.\u00a0 He thought he\u2019d been in trouble before.\u00a0 There was no way he could cut down both men, not now, not after sitting in the cold for Lord knows how long.\u00a0 There was only one choice available to him \u2013 pick one and hope the other ran away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Choosing the closest one, Adam watched the man take cautious steps, hands away from his own weapon no doubt secreted beneath his heavy coat.\u00a0 The other one snuck around behind.\u00a0 He was doomed.\u00a0 He pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hollow sound of the hammer falling on an empty chamber filled him with dread.\u00a0 Trying again only produced the same results and he glared at the gun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Damn!\u00a0 My one chance to go out with some respect and the damn thing won\u2019t work!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thoughts of tossing the worthless weapon at the man never made it to his fingers so he just stared at the offending item.\u00a0 He must\u2019ve failed to reload at the stream.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDamn,\u201d he cursed.\u00a0 He\u2019d failed Sport and he\u2019d failed himself and he had no strength left to care.\u00a0 He closed his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam,\u201d came the voice again, softer, closer.\u00a0 \u2018Never give up!\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ah, shut up, Pa!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s your Pa,\u201d came the voice again.\u00a0 He blinked.\u00a0 He could\u2019ve sworn that was his father\u2019s voice but that just couldn\u2019t be.\u00a0 It was his mind playing tricks on him, reminding him of home and the warmth of family.\u00a0 What a way to go.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, it\u2019s your Pa,\u201d he repeated.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s brow furrowed and he looked up, squinting into the face peering down at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve come to take you home, son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pa?\u00a0 It is him.\u00a0 Well, I\u2019ll be damned.\u00a0 What\u2019s he doing out here?\u00a0 Did I just try to shoot my father?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe and I have been looking for you and Sport,\u201d Ben continued still collecting his breath, his heart beating loudly in his chest.\u00a0 Adam had just tried to shoot him, not once but twice, and Sport sat quietly on the ground.\u00a0 Both were unnatural occurrences.\u00a0 Step lightly.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is waiting for you at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He looked again into his father\u2019s concerned face. \u00a0\u201cDid he eat all . . . the . . . roast beef?\u201d he asked his thin voice barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAh . . . no,\u201d Ben stammered glancing at Joe who shrugged, deciding to play along this time.\u00a0 \u201cHe left some for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that\u2019s a first.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam snorted and a small smirk lit his face then quickly faded.\u00a0 That can\u2019t be right.\u00a0 How could Hoss be home?\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t found him. \u00a0He shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe thought he\u2019d lost you,\u201d Ben continued.\u00a0 Lost.\u00a0 That\u2019s right.\u00a0 Roast beef be hanged!\u00a0 He\u2019d lost Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019d lost his brother and now he had to tell his father.\u00a0 He was supposed to die before he had to tell his father what he\u2019d done.\u00a0 God how he hated this part.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe . . . fell,\u201d Adam whispered closing his eyes, reliving the sights and sounds, his father\u2019s words flown from his memory.\u00a0 All he knew was the pounding of his heart through his icy veins and the guilt that raged within him.\u00a0 \u201cI looked . . .\u201d he began, emotion filling his voice, cold tears in his tired eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI looked for him, Pa.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t . . . I couldn\u2019t find him.\u201d\u00a0 Ben kneeled next to Adam and grabbed onto his shoulders, shaking his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, son.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t lose him.\u00a0 He\u2019s at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI never . . . passed him . . . on the road,\u201d he said as if Ben hadn\u2019t spoken and rubbed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI fell asleep.\u00a0 Damnit to hell, I fell asleep!\u201d\u00a0 It was beginning.\u00a0 The cold was settling into the home stretch and shutting everything down including the making sense part of his brain.\u00a0 The look on his father\u2019s face told him that much.\u00a0 He tried again.\u00a0 \u201cI fell asleep and must\u2019ve . . . passed him on the road,\u201d he said finishing the thought, an urgency filling him.\u00a0 \u201cWe have to . . . to find him before its too late!\u00a0 He\u2019ll freeze out here!\u201d\u00a0 Making a feeble attempt to rise, he failed, Ben realizing his boy was beyond coherent thought and nothing he said would make it through.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, son,\u201d Ben began trying to get Adam to focus on him.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll find him.\u00a0 We\u2019ll find Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled then trying to convince him that all would be well, but Adam knew better.\u00a0 There was nothing left to say that would make a difference but he felt he had to try.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, Pa . . . I\u2019m . . ,\u201d he cried daring to look at the man he\u2019d failed, breaking down completely, all his pretense of hope gone, all the \u2018never give up\u2019 mantra leaving him in one fell swoop.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m . . . so . . . sorry,\u201d he sobbed thinking that that would be an appropriate epitaph on his tombstone as he fell over, Ben catching his son\u2019s trembling body in his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, go get Doc Martin\u2019s buggy.\u00a0 Hurry now!\u201d\u00a0 Ben encircled his son in his arms and held him tight trying to give him some warmth, watching Joe gather up Cochise and sprint out of sight, leaving him to wonder if this was his oldest\u2019s last night on earth.\u00a0 Pulling the gun from Adam\u2019s trembling hand he saw two bullets left in the chamber, ice encrusting the weapon.\u00a0 The chamber hadn\u2019t been empty.\u00a0 \u201cLord help us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt never rains but it pours,\u201d Doctor Paul Martin quipped upon meeting Ben, Adam and Hop Sing at the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCareful of his leg,\u201d Ben warned as Paul took Hop Sing\u2019s place and the two of them half-carried Adam to his room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s so cold,\u201d Paul remarked as a blanket heaped Hop Sing hurried in behind them, complete with towels and warm water, rushing to stoke the fire for more heat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stoically he watched as Ben and Paul removed both coats from Number One son followed by his ripped shirt to reveal an angry bruise that stretched from his collarbone across his chest and around his ribs making them all wince at the sight.\u00a0 Hop Sing tossed a blanket over Adam as they laid him down, Paul gently placing his injured leg on a towel taking in the bandana and ripped pants.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, boy,\u201d he mumbled as he began to unwrap the makeshift bandage eliciting a small gasp from his teeth chattering patient.\u00a0 Glancing up, Paul saw Adam\u2019s eyes partially open but unfocused.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u00a0 Can you hear me?\u201d\u00a0 Trying to find some recognition in their hazel depths, Paul watched as he furrowed his brow.\u00a0 Was that his brother calling?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . ?\u201d was all he could manage between quick breaths as feeling began to worm its way back into his numb appendages.\u00a0 Ben maneuvered himself under Adam\u2019s head and shoulders cleaning the cut along his brow and pulling the blanket close to his chin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s here, Adam.\u00a0 You\u2019re both home,\u201d Ben calmly answered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHome . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Just close your eyes stupid and it\u2019ll all be over.\u00a0 No more cold.\u00a0 No more doubt.\u00a0 Just a nice long dirt nap.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese boys have been through the ringer, Ben.\u00a0 What did they get themselves into?\u201d\u00a0 Ben shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t get a straight story from Hoss and Adam said something about being attacked.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ll get down to it eventually.\u201d\u00a0 Paul positioned himself at the foot of the bed and placed a hand on Adam\u2019s leg making him suck in another breath and grab a handful of blanket.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019m going to remove your boot.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat . . ?\u201d\u00a0 Everything seemed to move in slow motion around him – words were filtered through cotton and movement through mud \u2013 and he couldn\u2019t seem to keep up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did he say something about my boot?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In one quick motion, Paul pulled off the boot and tossed it to the floor, sending a sudden wave of pain crackling through Adam\u2019s thawing body.\u00a0 Crying out his clenched fists nearly ripped the blanket from the bed, so wanting to curse a blue streak but his tongue didn\u2019t seem to be working.\u00a0 Paul then eased off the shirtsleeve and grimaced at the sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like he\u2019s been walking on it.\u00a0 There appears to be dirt in the wound as well.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThis is going to hurt like hell.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you give him anything?\u201d Ben asked holding onto Adam\u2019s struggling form.\u00a0 One thing Ben hated most was seeing his sons in pain.\u00a0 He watched as Paul shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a large lump on the side of the head and bruising along his temple.\u00a0 He no doubt has a concussion.\u00a0 I want him awake as long as possible.\u00a0 Besides, cleaning the wound will do the job quicker,\u201d he acknowledged, rubbing his chin.\u00a0 \u201cThe shin bone penetrated the skin and he obviously put it back in.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I could\u2019ve done that to myself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill it cause a problem?\u201d Ben asked trying not to look at the grisly injury, feeling Adam ease slightly under his grip, his short breaths lessening as sweat ran down his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt could,\u201d Paul continued.\u00a0 \u201cIt means dirt\u2019s been pushed into the wound and if I don\u2019t clean it thoroughly he\u2019ll get a whopping infection.\u00a0 May even lose the leg.\u201d\u00a0 Glancing quickly at Ben, he realized his error.\u00a0 \u201cBut we\u2019ll cross that bridge when we come to it.\u00a0 Hop Sing,\u201d he said looking away from his friend\u2019s worried face, the little man moving quickly to stand next to him.\u00a0 \u201cTake hold of his other leg and keep it steady.\u00a0 Adam,\u201d he tried again seeing him blink a few times at the sound of his voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to have to clean the wound.\u00a0 I won\u2019t lie to you.\u00a0 This is going to hurt plenty.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d\u00a0 When he didn\u2019t respond Paul grabbed Adam\u2019s chin and spoke to him again, making sure he had eye contact.\u00a0 \u201cDo you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If I didn\u2019t know better that was Paul Martin and he\u2019s talking to me.\u00a0 Focus!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A new pain lanced through him making him twitch and squeeze shut his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHurts . . . now,\u201d was all he could get through clenched teeth, tears rolling down his face.\u00a0 This warming up thing was for the birds, his body suddenly bursting back to life with a zeal he didn\u2019t appreciate.\u00a0 Even though he\u2019d dreamed of this moment he so wished he was still an icicle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt,\u201d Paul answered, nodding to Hop Sing.\u00a0 Adam glanced up to see his father smiling down at him.\u00a0 Had he made it home?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s almost over, son.\u201d\u00a0 Always reassuring, his father was.\u00a0 Always there for him and Joe and Hoss . . .\u00a0 Hoss!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wait.\u00a0 Wait, I have to tell Pa . . .<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWait . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Adam, this is going to hurt like the dickens,\u201d was followed by a ripping sound catching in his ears and moving his jumbled thoughts away from his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before he could utter another word or even register what he\u2019d just heard, a fireball barreled its way through his leg straight up through the rest of his body as if he\u2019d been struck by lightening.\u00a0 It ended its rush by exploding like a firecracker in his head pulling an anguished cry from him that echoed about the room as he arched his back and tried to get away from the devastating pain only to be held down until the full hands of darkness encompassed him and he gratefully let go.\u00a0 Here\u2019s where his mind could rest in a painless void without thought of losing his brother or disappointing his father.\u00a0 It was pure bliss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Collapsing back onto the bed his head lolled to one side, Ben ever grateful he\u2019d lost consciousness, himself barely able to watch Paul dig into the wound hoping to find every ounce of dirt possible.\u00a0 Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his anguished attention to Hop Sing grabbing a lamp off the table to hold over Adam\u2019s leg.\u00a0 Paul smiled his thanks and continued working.\u00a0 Returning his attention to his son\u2019s pale face, a new thought entered Ben\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAh, we\u2019ve one more patient for you, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t look sick earlier,\u201d he said as he continued to work.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is he anyway?\u201d\u00a0 Ben flashed a tired smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s sitting with Sport on the trail until he can get him to his feet.\u00a0 Worked on any horses lately?\u201d\u00a0 Paul smiled back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll these patients in one night.\u00a0 Maybe I should start charging overtime.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ben grinned despite himself.\u00a0 This long night would soon turn into a number of long days and nights of that he was sure.\u00a0 Hoss was suffering from hypothermia, a broken arm and a bad concussion but would soon be on his feet.\u00a0 But Adam . . . this boy was much worse and he could only pray that he would live these next few days.\u00a0 Both of his boys may be safe and sound at home, but the suffering was just beginning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He ran trembling fingers through Adam\u2019s sweat soaked hair and prayed he\u2019d see those beautiful eyes and that bright smile again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSend him home, Elizabeth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Part VI<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Snowflakes landed on his upturned face making him smile.\u00a0 Happiness and contentment flowed through him, warming every part of him despite the vast snowfield that surrounded him.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A distant sound pulled his attention to the left, then the right, then straight before him.\u00a0 It was his brother\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He was sure of it.\u00a0 Waiting, it came again, calling for him, nudging him forward. \u00a0Following that first step with another, he found himself suddenly at a tree line that hadn\u2019t been there before.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe I should go back?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The voice came again.\u00a0 It was like a beacon, a light brighter than the whiteness around him, drawing him forward and onto a road that moved into and through the trees.\u00a0 Leaves swirled about his feet as his brother\u2019s voice surrounded him.\u00a0 He recognized the tone.\u00a0 He was in trouble.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss!\u201d he called.\u00a0 He\u2019d lost him on the road. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m coming!\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0He wouldn\u2019t lose him again.\u00a0 \u201cHold on!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moving swiftly a wind swirled about him, the rustling of leaves practically shouting at him to run, leading him up a long hill as he grasped at the air before him in hopes of grabbing something tangible within.\u00a0 But it dissipated as he crested the hill, eyes catching sight of something else that slowed his steps.\u00a0 It was a tunnel of light with tendrils of yellow gold reaching into the trees, rushing up the hill to bathe him in its warmth.\u00a0 He looked again to see a figure beckoning to him.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere you are,\u201d he smiled in triumph.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hurrying toward the figure, his smile slowly faded along with his steps when he realized it wasn\u2019t his brother who waited but someone else, someone he\u2019d never actually met but knew instantly.\u00a0 The figure spoke, the soft voice drifting over him like a blanket as he came to a sudden stop.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello, Adam,\u201d reached his ears and his mouth fell open, his eyes hungrily tracing the face before him, the face he\u2019d looked at thousands of times as it stared out of that silver frame.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Could it really be her?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey sent me to meet you,\u201d she continued through a smile, her hands reaching out.\u00a0 Regaining some semblance of a brain, he stepped back and she lowered her hands but held his stunned gaze.\u00a0 \u201cActually, I begged them since I\u2019ve always wanted to meet my own son.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then it was true!\u00a0 It was her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cM . . . Mother?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0The word caught in his throat.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow . . ?\u201d\u00a0 Shaking his head, his logical mind had difficulty processing this new turn of events.\u00a0 \u201cHow can you be here?\u201d\u00a0 She smiled.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cActually, it\u2019s\u00a0<\/em>you\u00a0who are here where I\u2019ve been for many years.\u201d\u00a0 She waited while he worked it out.\u00a0 He narrowed his eyes.\u00a0 If this was truly his mother she\u2019d been dead for thirty years.\u00a0 If he was where she was then that meant . . .\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes grew large.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re between worlds, my son.\u00a0 Hoss is desperately calling for you.\u00a0 Can you hear him still?\u201d\u00a0 Thinking he\u2019d gone completely batty from the cold he thought he might as well play whatever game his brain was dishing out if it meant he could spend some time with his mother real or not.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s . . . fading in and out,\u201d he admitted.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen our time grows short and there are so many things I wish to say to you,\u201d she answered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve watched you all your life from a little boy on a wagon train with my Ben to the vibrant young man you\u2019ve become.\u00a0 I\u2019m so very proud of you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always wanted you to know that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He studied her face.\u00a0 It was as if the picture that sat by his bedside had come to life.\u00a0 She was beautiful and young and would always be that way for him.\u00a0 A small smile tugged at his mouth.\u00a0 Maybe he\u00a0<\/em>was\u00a0dead.\u00a0 That meant he would be with her, know her instead of living on his father\u2019s memories of her.\u00a0 Slowly he reached out shaky hands and she grabbed them, holding them tightly in her own.\u00a0 His heart beat faster.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMother, I\u2019ve . . .\u201d\u00a0 Words failed him and he pulled her into an embrace, emotion dropping them both to their knees, tears streaming down both their faces.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s all right,\u201d she said in a soothing tone, rubbing his back as he cried.\u00a0 \u201cEverything will be all right.\u201d\u00a0 Turning her head toward the light she sighed.\u00a0 Hearing this he pulled away and locked eyes with her.\u00a0 She brushed the hair from his forehead and wiped away his tears.\u00a0 \u201cThe last time I did this you were smaller than a bread box.\u00a0 Now you\u2019re big and strong and handsome.\u201d\u00a0 The smile slowly left her face.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now you must go.\u201d\u00a0 Shock registered on his face and she quickly reached up to caress his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t keep you here when Ben and the boys are calling.\u00a0 I can\u2019t be that selfish no matter how much I want to be.\u201d\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t believe it.\u00a0 After all these years and all the stories he\u2019d finally found his mother and now she\u2019d ripped out his heart.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u00a0<\/em>want\u00a0to stay,\u201d he declared not even considering what that meant.\u00a0 She shook her head.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou must return.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>They\u00a0need you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Forcing himself to his feet, he stared down at her, thoughts churning through his head.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They need me.\u00a0 When didn\u2019t they need me?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d he said turning from her and stepping away.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam . . .\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve given them my whole life,\u201d he continued anger permeating every word.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been responsible for them every step of the way.\u00a0 Held their hands, cleaned up after them.\u00a0 Lied, cheated and killed for them.\u00a0 It\u2019s\u00a0<\/em>my\u00a0turn now.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen why are you so worried about Hoss?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 He stiffened.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you dread telling Ben that his middle son is lost?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n How does she know that?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause . . . because I promised Inger,\u201d he said in a low voice.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs that all?\u201d\u00a0 He refused to answer.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I know you love them and they you.\u00a0 That\u2019s what a family does.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think I know that?!\u201d\u00a0 He was yelling at his mother.\u00a0 This is not what he wanted.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, he took a breath.\u00a0 \u201cI want to stay with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChoosing to stay when it\u2019s not your time is irresponsible.\u00a0 Yes, irresponsible,\u201d was her answer to his withering look.\u00a0 \u201cBen didn\u2019t raise you to be that way.\u201d\u00a0 He turned away then, different tears burning his eyes.\u00a0 She came up and laid a hand on his arm, softening her voice.\u00a0 \u201cThere was a time when I thought that having you here with me would be my greatest joy.\u00a0 But when I\u2019ve seen what your sickness or injury has done to them . . . I couldn\u2019t take you then nor do I want too now.\u00a0 We will have eternity, Adam.\u00a0 Let\u2019s not hurry up to get there.\u201d\u00a0 Reaching for her hand, he pulled it to his chest.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 I\u2019ve wanted this my whole life – to know you, to talk\u00a0<\/em>to\u00a0you and with you, to share all that I am and to learn all about you.\u00a0 It\u2019s what\u2019s been missing.\u00a0 Now that I have it you want me to leave it behind?\u201d\u00a0 She kissed his hand and looked into his sad eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Her heart broke at the look of abandonment on his face.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI love you, Adam, more than you\u2019ll ever know but, for your sake and theirs, you must return.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I want you to know everything I\u2019ve done.\u201d\u00a0 He felt like a little boy again who couldn\u2019t understand the word no.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI already do.\u00a0 I\u2019m with you every step.\u00a0 I keep you here,\u201d she said, touching her chest, \u201cas I know Ben does.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019ve no memories of my own, nothing but what Pa\u2019s told me . . . .\u00a0 It isn\u2019t enough.\u201d\u00a0 His voice was soft and plaintive.\u00a0 He knew he was losing this battle.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut it has to be until you and I can make new ones.\u00a0 We\u00a0<\/em>will\u00a0see each other again, my son, but it will be many years from now.\u201d\u00a0 Tears rolled down his face.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease . . .\u201d\u00a0 He was begging to be allowed to die and that floored him.\u00a0 The whole \u2018never give up\u2019, \u2018fight until the last breath\u2019 left him in a flash when confronted with this particular dream \u2013 knowing his mother.\u00a0 He had her in his grasp and didn\u2019t want to let go whatever that meant to his mortal body.\u00a0 She hugged him, an emotional embrace that tortured him with love.\u00a0 Tears touched his shoulder and he buried his face in her hair.\u00a0 There it was again – Hoss\u2019s voice.\u00a0 This time louder and more insistent and right behind him.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI love you, my son,\u201d she said, her voice becoming faint to his ears.\u00a0 \u201cAlways remember that.\u201d\u00a0 He panicked as his hand passed through hers.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo . . . wait!\u201d he shouted in a frantic voice.\u00a0 \u201cMother, wait!\u00a0 I want to stay!\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly control over his body wavered.\u00a0 \u201cMother, please!\u00a0 Please!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s voice overtook him, drawing him back up the hill, leaving him with a last look at the woman he\u2019d never known waving goodbye, the golden tendrils of light retracting toward her, shrinking into nothing as he moved back through the trees and back to the snowfield.\u00a0 \u201cI WANT TO STAY . . .\u00a0 I . . . \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c. . . WANT TO STAY!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Startled, Hoss jumped, letting go of Adam\u2019s shoulder as he shot straight up in bed, his labored breathing faster than normal, tears rolling down his face.\u00a0 Just moments before he\u2019d heard his brother\u2019s last breath leave him – leave the man who\u2019d helped raise him, who\u2019d always been there for him.\u00a0 And now he was staring into his glassy eyes shocked at the sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d he asked, realizing that even though his brother was looking at him he wasn\u2019t seeing him.\u00a0 Ben brusquely pushed him aside to grab hold of Adam, Hoss having no choice but to move off the bed and stand next to Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTake a breath, son,\u201d Ben urged watching Adam fight to suck in enough air to stay conscious.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, boy.\u00a0 You can do it.\u201d\u00a0 His lungs felt restricted and closed like he was under water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It must be all that ice melting in my veins.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?!\u201d Paul yelled as he raced into the room, his hair sticking out in every direction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe stopped breathin\u2019,\u201d Hoss softly answered holding onto the bedpost with his good arm.\u00a0 \u2018I . . . I yelled for him and shook him and he came back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet back to bed, Hoss, before you fall over,\u201d Paul ordered heading toward Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI cain\u2019t leave him, Doc.\u00a0 Not again.\u201d\u00a0 Paul looked at him then softened, nodding his understanding.\u00a0 He glanced then at Ben who\u2019d pulled Adam\u2019s head to his shoulder and placed his stethoscope on Adam\u2019s back, listening for any improvement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI heard someone yell \u2018I want to stay\u2019,\u201d Paul absently stated moving the cold disk across his patient\u2019s back.\u00a0 Ben felt Adam\u2019s gripping fingers on his sleeves and, with great effort, watched as he pulled his head up to look him in the eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c . . . saw . . .\u201d he began surprising Ben with his penetrating stare, Paul watching him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSsh, son.\u00a0 Take it easy.\u201d\u00a0 Shaking his head, he was determined to tell what he\u2019d seen lest he forget.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI . . . saw . . .\u00a0 I saw her,\u201d he finally managed between gasps.\u00a0 \u201cI spoke . . . with her.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He began to cough, his head falling back onto his father\u2019s shoulder, Ben holding him steady, rubbing his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019d he see?\u201d Joe asked, looking at Hoss.\u00a0 Stunned, Ben\u2019s eyes found the picture on the bed stand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElizabeth,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was confused but kept his mouth shut at Hoss\u2019s insistent look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was so much Adam wanted to say to his father but he felt guilty.\u00a0 Guilty about how selfish he\u2019d been, guilty about what he\u2019d said to her.\u00a0 It was his job to be the responsible one and it was something he did without question because he loved them all.\u00a0 She\u2019d understood even though he hadn\u2019t.\u00a0 So he\u2019d been given a gift of insight into his own psyche through a conversation with his dead mother.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019d keep that to himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The calming touch on his back finally caught up with him and he began to relax, giving in to sleep that pulled at him as he rested in the protective embrace of his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen,\u201d Paul said, lightly touching his friend\u2019s arm and pulling him from his reverie, pointing toward Adam.\u00a0 Holding his son\u2019s head, Ben carefully eased him back onto the bed, bunching the pillows to prop him up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, he couldn\u2019t\u2019ve seen . . .\u201d Joe began, still confused.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course not, Joseph,\u201d Ben answered a bit too quickly, moving off the bed to get out of Paul\u2019s way.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the fever talking.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Keeping his face neutral, he avoided their eyes and stuffed hands in his pockets, watching Paul work.\u00a0 \u201cYou two go back to bed.\u00a0 It\u2019s still my watch.\u201d\u00a0 They both looked at him, keeping their places at the end of the bed.\u00a0 Their brother had just died and miraculously returned to them.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t know if they wanted to leave so soon.\u00a0 \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure ya don\u2019t want us ta stay, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked uncertainty in his voice.\u00a0 Ben turned at the tone seeing the stricken look on his face.\u00a0 It was then he remembered nearly pushing him from the bed and away from the brother he thought he\u2019d lost.\u00a0 It made his heart sick.\u00a0 Somehow Hoss had saved Adam, brought him back from wherever he\u2019d been and for that he\u2019d been pushed away.\u00a0 He clasped his boy\u2019s arm and smiled warmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou go on,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still recovering yourself.\u00a0 I\u2019ll call you if I need you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, I . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right now, Hoss.\u00a0 What\u2019s lost has been found.\u00a0 Go on.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded and followed Joe to the door.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNight, Pa,\u201d they both said, quietly leaving.\u00a0 Ben sighed when the door clicked shut and moved silently to stare out the window.\u00a0 That was Adam who\u2019d spoken to him not the fever, he was sure of it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Could it be true?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHis lungs sound a bit clearer,\u201d Paul began.\u00a0 \u201cHe still has a fever but it doesn\u2019t appear to be as high as this morning.\u201d\u00a0 Moving to his leg he pulled back the dressing.\u00a0 \u201cThis looks a bit better, too.\u00a0 I believe he\u2019ll keep the leg.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI lost him, Paul,\u201d Ben began as the good doctor carefully maneuvered Adam\u2019s leg back under the quilt.\u00a0 \u201cHe was gone for a moment and all I could do was watch.\u00a0 If Hoss hadn\u2019t grabbed him, called to him . . .\u201d\u00a0 His voice trailed off as he shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSometimes all it takes is a shout or two,\u201d Paul admitted, pulling the quilt up to Adam\u2019s chin, replacing the cloth on his forehead and turning to his friend, running a hand through his own disheveled hair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo divine intervention?\u201d Ben asked, stepping back towards the bed to look upon his sleeping son.\u00a0 Paul chuckled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs a doctor I\u2019ve seen many things, divine and otherwise.\u00a0 I don\u2019t question whatever works.\u201d\u00a0 He patted Ben on the arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou get some rest.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to have to take care of another Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019ll sit with him awhile.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shook his head.\u00a0 Paul put up his hands knowing it was a losing battle.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be next door if you need me.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and returned his attention to his eldest, looking small and fragile as Paul quietly closed the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Touching Adam\u2019s stubbly cheek, he was still warm, sweat still stood out on his face.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t over but he knew the worst was past.\u00a0 He pushed back damp hair from Adam\u2019s forehead and, tiredly, returned to his chair, picking up the book that\u2019d fallen to the floor when he\u2019d heard that last terrible breath that brought his world crashing down around him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How many nights had he sat by Adam\u2019s bedside throughout his life wondering if he\u2019d ever see the morning?\u00a0 These last four days had taken a toll on all of them.\u00a0 The fevered delirium calling for Hoss and Sport, the possibility of his leg being amputated and his breathing becoming more labored and shallow had stolen many years from Ben.\u00a0 His prayers and calls for help to Elizabeth to send their son home nearly defeated him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elizabeth.\u00a0 Glancing at the portrait of his first wife smiling out for the world to see, he carefully picked up the frame, outlining her face with his fingers.\u00a0 Adam always kept this by his bed to see her each evening and each morning.\u00a0 His breath caught and tears began to fall as he thought again of the morning that almost never came for his beloved son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Elizabeth, for sending back our Adam,\u201d he cried, holding the frame close to his chest.\u00a0 Whatever it took to keep his son alive, even believing in ghosts, was good enough for him.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Epilogue<\/strong><\/p>\n The weight of the quilt across his shoulders entered his brain first followed by a warm shaft of light trailing across his face.\u00a0 He slowly opened his eyes.\u00a0 The sun shone through a window, his window he noted in his own room.\u00a0 How had that happened?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A familiar sound erupted from the left.\u00a0 Lifting his head as far as he could, the sun reflected off the frame that surrounded the portrait of his mother filling his head with a memory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Had it all been a dream?\u00a0 That beautiful face replete with a dazzling smile just for him . . . had it all been a figment of his fevered imagination?\u00a0 Lingering between life and death he\u2019d finally met his mother who hadn\u2019t pushed him away as he so callously thought but given him a valuable lesson by sending him home to be where he needed to be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The noise came again and his gaze shifted to something else of great value \u2013 his brother Hoss sprawled in a chair, head back, mouth open, snoring loudly.\u00a0 The sight caught him by surprise.\u00a0 Lying back, he stared at the ceiling waiting for the sound to disappear.\u00a0 He\u2019d not found Hoss on the road.\u00a0 How could he be here?\u00a0 Tempting fate, he reached out an arm not daring to look again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d he called in a scratchy voice barely above a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cHoss,\u201d he repeated a bit stronger, his searching hand knocking a glass of water from the side table.\u00a0 It splashed across his brother\u2019s feet and his head jerked up, stopping him in mid-snore.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDadburn it,\u201d he mumbled, cringing as the cold water soaked his socks.\u00a0 Leaning over to pick up the glass he saw a hand reaching out to him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d he said as his face lit up, grabbing the searching hand and moving off the chair to sit on the side of the bed.\u00a0 Adam pulled Hoss\u2019s hand towards him and smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re . . . alive.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d never been more relieved to see anyone in his entire life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cO\u2019 course, big brother,\u201d Hoss smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m too ornery ta die.\u00a0 You, too, I reckon,\u201d he continued, \u201cbut it was mighty close.\u00a0 We was all worried.\u00a0 \u2018Specially Pa.\u00a0 Ya scared him so.\u00a0 Heck, ya scared us all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d was all he could say, Hoss pulling his hand from Adam\u2019s and feeling his forehead.\u00a0 It was still a bit warm but some of the color was returning to his face.\u00a0 He picked up the fallen cloth and gently ran it across Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSport\u2019s on the mend, too.\u00a0 Doc Martin got the bullet out and he\u2019s bedded down real nice waitin\u2019 fer ya ta get back on yer feet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam started at the comment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy . . . leg . . .\u201d he began raising his head to see what the doctor had left him.\u00a0 Hoss easily pushed him back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCalm down, big brother.\u00a0 It\u2019s still there.\u00a0 Soon you and Sport\u2019ll be ridin\u2019 the range again raisin\u2019 cane with the rest of us Cartwright boys.\u201d\u00a0 Adam relaxed back onto his pillow, sleep tugging at him like an anchor.\u00a0 He looked into Hoss\u2019s eyes and grasped his hand again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought I\u2019d . . . lost you.\u00a0 It . . . scared me,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe, too.\u00a0 When I finally remembered you was with me, well, I thought I\u2019d left ya behind.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t like bringin\u2019 home news like that.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss put a grin back on his face.\u00a0 \u201cBut we found each other and we\u2019re gonna be fine.\u00a0 And, when we\u2019re both fit, hows about you and me goin\u2019 on a fishin\u2019 trip, just the two of us.\u00a0 What do ya say?\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d . . . like . . . that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0 Now, ya better get back ta sleep afore Joe finds out yer awake.\u00a0 He might just put ya ta work.\u00a0 What with both of us down he\u2019s gotten a big head since Pa put him in charge.\u201d\u00a0 Adam gave a small laugh which turned into a cough, the effort dragging on him.\u00a0 Hoss steadied him then pulled the quilt back up under his chin.\u00a0 \u201cGo on now.\u00a0 Close them purty eyes of yourn and dream somethin\u2019 nice.\u00a0 Yer still a sick boy and ya need yer rest.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes . . . Ma,\u201d he answered slowly drifting back to sleep, a grin still on his face.\u00a0 They\u2019d found each other.\u00a0 Everything would be all right.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss sat there awhile watching his brother sleep.\u00a0 The sickness that had clogged his lungs had broken up and the infection in his leg was nearly gone.\u00a0 It would be a number of weeks before he\u2019d be back on his feet and a couple of months before he\u2019d be back to his old self but Hoss could wait.\u00a0 As long as he had his brother to go fishing with all was well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carefully disengaging his hand, he returned to his chair, settling his injured arm across his chest, eyes falling on Elizabeth\u2019s picture.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t question what Adam had seen and never would.\u00a0 Whatever had brought him back was enough for him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Miss Elizabeth,\u201d he whispered, laying his head back and closing his eyes, thinking of fish dangling off the line.\u00a0 \u201cWe owe you one.\u201d<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/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 <\/p>\n