{"id":40152,"date":"2022-10-09T20:53:34","date_gmt":"2022-10-10T00:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40152"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:00","slug":"knight-rider-by-ac1830","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40152","title":{"rendered":"Night Rider (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary – Adam is the Man in Black but he also is a Man of the Night. Many times we see him heading out for a ride after the sun has set. These vignettes explore some of the reasons he\u2019s a Night Rider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WC – 2064, Rating – K<\/p>\n

Read More <\/p>\n

Night Rider<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ride 1\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

A Difficult Farewell<\/b><\/p>\n

The blackness of night nearly steals away my sight to where I can just make out the darker shadows of small trees and large rocks that outline the edge of a cliff in front of me. I rein my horse to a stop and close my eyes. The blackness doesn\u2019t change but my other senses increase, reaching out like invisible tendrils in the chilled night air. The crashing of waves below the precipice and the strong salty air remind me how close I am to the edge yet these sensations bring calm to my restless soul, allowing my mind to wander where it may.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure when this habit of riding at night truly started. All I know is that it brings me comfort, peace, and rest; things the daylight cannot provide. As a child I knew nothing of a home with a roof over my head. Sure, Pa and me, and later Hoss, stayed in the occasional boarding house or army barracks, but most of my young life was spent outdoors – sleeping in the wagon or under the stars with Pa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After our house was built, I was still drawn to the outside at night, whether it was sitting on the porch, leaning against the corral rail, or riding my faithful horse across the land. I guess it\u2019s in my blood to desire the cool air after a hot sweaty day, or to see my familiar friends, the stars, watching over me. I guess that\u2019s why I stay up so late at night despite having a dawn wake up call. The night and I are close companions. We understand each other in ways that no human can understand me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tonight is one of those<\/span> times that I find it difficult to understand my feelings let alone share them with anyone.<\/span> My life at college has been exhilarating and exhausting. When I arrived I thought it would never end. And now the end is here. Living with my grandfather made all the difference to me, getting me through these different and difficult years. Through his stalwart support and hearty lust for life he taught me to stand firm in my values and to meet life head on. Sometimes I think I learned more from him than I did from my professors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It has been a glorious day with the graduation ceremony, a party with my friends, and a special dinner with Grandfather. I even felt the presence of Pa, Hoss, and Little Joe through the gifts they\u2019d sent months before and which Grandfather had hidden away until this very day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After dinner, Grandfather and I indulged in a bit of brandy and quiet reflections. As the clock chimed ten he turned in with a smile and loving pat to my back. However, being too wound up to sleep, I saddled a horse a friend had loaned me and rode out to the coastline. Although I can hear the waves breaking over the rocks, I can\u2019t see the water. It\u2019s a moonless night, causing the sea to be blacker than the sky. Above me, the stars twinkle and blink as if they\u2019re happy to see me. Taking a deep breath of the salt air brings a smile and I feel my furrowed brow softening. Stretching out on the soft grassy hillside, while my horse quietly nickers and grazes nearby, I seek out my constellation friends and allow the night air to caress my skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My heart is full of joy for all I\u2019ve accomplished and for all the people who have become stanchions in my life. Yet there is a sadness underneath. In a few days I will say farewell to Grandfather and my life here, and begin my long journey home. But isn\u2019t this home too? I have made a few lifelong friends and I have my grandfather, the only link to my mother, but across the country my father and brothers await my return.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A soft muzzle and snort of hot breath in my face reminds me it\u2019s getting late. Mounting my horse I lift my gaze to the starry sky one last time, realizing I am not the same person I was when I arrived here. Now I am a man with two homes, two lives. I now belong to the world and it is spread before me as a delectable feast. Feeling the wind in my face as I ride through the countryside toward the city, I am free and joyful, filled with life and dreams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ride 2\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

A Defining Moment<\/b><\/p>\n

The thundering hooves pound the gravel trail drowning out my clanging thoughts. My heart hammers out the same rhythm as I become lost to myself. Just before the sun disappears behind the mountains, I give my horse his head and in freedom, he chews up the miles with his long, graceful, powerful stride. Oh, if only I could be free like that. I lean into his neck to become one with him. His long mane whips my face as my body rocks to match his. Closing my eyes I sink into the sensation of pure joy and freedom. My faithful steed and I are one with each other and one with the land. Peace descends into my troubled soul until there is no more room for the pain. Peace, rest, calm, joy. Nothing else matters when I ride with abandon across the land.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A jolt forces my eyes open. Heaving sides and slower steps tell me the wild run has ended. As I sit back into the saddle I pat my friend on his damp neck and walk him to a stream for a drink. As my feet hit the ground reality surges up through my body and seizes my heart. It was never meant to be. That\u2019s what I keep telling myself. Over and over, each time \u2018the one\u2019 walks out of my life. But this time I walked, or rather rode, away. Why? Oh how I long for an answer. Did she really love me? Could I love her?\u00a0 Our lives were completely different and there just wasn\u2019t enough time to find out. I\u2019d been gone too long from home and was needed there. I couldn\u2019t make a snap decision to stay longer with ranch responsibilities pressing, and I couldn\u2019t bring her along, what would my family say to learn she served drinks in a saloon? But that didn\u2019t matter to me since she was so much more. She had a big heart for downtrodden souls, that\u2019s how we met. But she also was intelligent, spunky, and oh so independent. She was a vivacious woman who lit a fire in me.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning against a tree I let my thoughts run away with the trickling stream as it gurgles its way through the land. What happened to my life, my dreams? What have the years done to me? Women drift in and out of my life yet none stay. This last one entered my head, and was working her way to my heart but I turned away. Squeezing my eyes shut, I lose myself to the breeze, the babbling brook, the nicker of my horse as he seeks the sweet grass. Other visions enter my head and swirl around like a windstorm, visions of her golden hair and gentle green eyes, her soft smile and seductive lips. I reach for her and\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Warm breath tickles my face. Letting my eyes drift open, the vision vanishes and is replaced by my horse\u2019s head. The sky beyond him has turned indigo. Rising with a sigh and a chill in my bones, a new thought from the maelstrom in my mind has settled into my heart. It\u2019s time to go. Not just back home, but back out into the world. I have more dreams to seek out, and maybe one will be fulfilled. The ride home is slow and filled with planning. It\u2019s time for me to find a new home and life, a new dream. I need to feel freedom once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ride 3\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

A Delightful Return<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clop-clop, clop-clop. The rhythm is comforting and peaceful. I know this trail so well I could drive it blind, and in the dark that\u2019s about what I\u2019m doing. The small lamps on either side of the carriage offer little help. Although there\u2019s a nip in the air, I left the top down so I could peek at the stars through the tall pines. Those riding with me have gone silent. I assume they are dozing after our long travels. While I find the horses\u2019 gait and the sway of the carriage relaxing, my mind is too keyed up to be sleepy. It has been a long time since I\u2019ve ridden this trail, too long in fact. So much has changed in my life and I have to wonder how much has changed with my family and home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Home. A place where one lives as a member of a family. In that sense I\u2019ve had many homes, but this place is my first real home, and I am returning to it as my roots are here. At least that’s what my middle brother said to me when I left. I\u2019ve traveled many places these last few years yet from time to time felt the call of the pines and the mountains. Seeing the vast ocean, other lakes and rivers, my eyes yearned to see the blueness of the lake behind my first home. I\u2019ve met many supportive people and made many friends, yet none could compare to my father and two brothers. Actually, that\u2019s three brothers now as there is one I have yet to meet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A third brother, the youngest of them all. What will it be like to have another brother in his teens? And my youngest brother is a big brother. I have to laugh at that vision. But hey, he has grown into a resourceful and dependable man. I\u2019m sure he can handle it quite well. I\u2019m flummoxed by all the changes since I\u2019ve been gone. I can\u2019t help wondering what if anything has stayed the same. Who am I kidding? If I\u2019ve changed so much it would make sense that my family and home have too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The reins tug at my hands and I realize we are climbing. Up ahead the trees part and I can see moonlight spilling onto the trail. Slowing the horses to a stop at the crest of the hill, I have to take a moment to behold the view. The stars are twinkling in the chilled autumn air and the moon smiles down on the house with its lighted windows and a lamp on the porch. The scene is inviting and makes my heart thump against my chest. Beyond the log home, I can barely make out the shimmering lake, sparkling in the moonlight. All the sights I hoped to see again and they are welcoming me home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I lift my arms to flick the reins and feel movement to my left. \u201cIs everything alright, Adam? Why did we stop?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I lean over to kiss the top of my wife\u2019s head. \u201cEverything is just fine, my love. We stopped because we are home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Home. I\u2019ve had so many dreams in my lifetime and many homes, but now I am complete. My final dream came true with my wife and children, and now I am bringing them home. My life is not over – there are more adventures to be had, I\u2019m sure – but I am free and joyful. I am complete. As I draw my wife into a warm embrace, I feel an embrace from the night as well. Looking up, I smile at the stars shining down upon this night rider, my friends forever guiding me through life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An owl hoots nearby and I hear stirrings from the back seat. It\u2019s time to complete this journey. Home and family await. I snap the reins and the horses sense my enthusiasm to approach the house. Pulling into the yard, the front door swings open as I exit the carriage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s out there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa. I\u2019m home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary – Adam is the Man in Black but he also is a Man of the Night. Many times we see him heading out for a ride after the sun has set. These vignettes explore some of the reasons he\u2019s a Night Rider.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WC – 2064, Rating – K<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":40153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1005,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":911,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Broken-Ballad.jpg?fit=711%2C639&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15609,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15609","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":0},"title":"A Voice in the Night (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"December 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar - Day 9\u00a0 Summary:\u00a0 On this of all nights, an unexpected voice offers comfort to an weary traveler. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (1,460 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47384,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47384","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":1},"title":"Daemon (by AMG)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"January 1, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A tale of a man and a horse. Rating:\u00a0 PG Words:\u00a0 2,450","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7704,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7704","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":2},"title":"Night Ride (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Young Adam has an encounter while out on a night ride. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a02719","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/red-night.png?fit=299%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48263,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48263","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":3},"title":"BTR Sourdough Starters #26 – June 2020 (by BZTrailriders)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"June 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Ride Like the Wind - Use this photo (Adam and Joe racing in The Hayburner) for inspiration for your scene or story.\u00a0 Rating: G, Word Count: 1676","rel":"","context":"In "Sourdough Starter"","block_context":{"text":"Sourdough Starter","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1323"},"img":{"alt_text":"Preserving Their Legacy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10697,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10697","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":4},"title":"Tears of Growing Up #2 – First Ride (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"March 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A companion story for Tears of Growing Up.\u00a0 Two years have passed since Ben and Joe stood outside the corrals watching Adam and their wranglers tame wild horses. Now, it\u2019s finally Joe\u2019s turn. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (2,305 words) Tears of Growing Up Series, links to stories within the series are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/saddle-bronc.png?fit=216%2C233&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5499,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5499","url_meta":{"origin":40152,"position":5},"title":"And Hell Rode With Him (by EPM)","author":"EPM","date":"October 31, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Its late October and the boys are out on the range. Will a stranger take one of them away? 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