Chapter One<\/strong><\/p>\nShe looked out the window, sighed as she watched the heat waves shimmering in the late afternoon sun, and was doubly-thankful that she lived in a small-but-sturdy cabin that was cool inside.\u00a0 Turning to the dog that was sprawled on the floor, she smiled. \u00a0\u201cPlato, looks like it\u2019s gonna be another scorcher today.\u00a0 Not fit for man nor beast out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Plato rolled his eyes and groaned.<\/p>\n
The woman continued to speak. \u00a0\u201cMartin wanted to live way out here where it\u2019s quiet and peaceful but, Lordy, I wish he had chosen a spot that had trees for shade.\u00a0 Except for that little spring nearby where a few trees can grow, the place is absolutely barren; my garden won\u2019t even grow here when it gets this hot.\u00a0 Guess he didn\u2019t think about that.\u00a0 Of course, when he bought this land, it wasn\u2019t in the middle of a dang drought, so I reckon that I can\u2019t blame\u00a0him<\/em>.\u00a0 Underneath that dried-out surface is good soil\u2014if you can get\u00a0to<\/em>\u00a0it.\u201d<\/p>\nPlato stood up suddenly and ran to the window overlooking the horse trough; his perked ears and low rumble made the woman walk to his side.\u00a0 Plato was a mixture of who-knows-what dogs, but he was smart as a whip and served as an early-warning system.\u00a0 The woman now looked out the window and saw a beautiful-but-tired chestnut-colored horse, saddled and bridled, making his way slowly to the water trough where he guzzled his fill of the cooling liquid.<\/p>\n
Both the woman and dog fairly flew out the door and looked around.\u00a0 No rider.\u00a0 Anywhere.\u00a0 The horse stood still as the woman stroked his sweaty neck and talked softly to him.\u00a0 Then she turned to the dog. \u00a0\u201cPlato, this horse isn\u2019t a stray; he\u2019s not skittish or skinny so he\u2019s obviously been cared for.\u00a0 Whoever was riding him has run into trouble and probably needs help \u2013 if he ain\u2019t beyond help already.\u00a0 We gotta \u00a0do some searchin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
The barn, little more than a large lean-to, housed bales of hay and the woman\u2019s horse.\u00a0 As it was being saddled, the woman sighed and spoke. \u00a0\u201cAri, I do wish that this was a better place to keep you, but it is what it is.\u201d \u00a0Ari snorted as he was led outside and stood next to the chestnut horse.\u00a0 Walking quickly, the woman strode into the cabin, retrieved her rifle and an empty canteen, and then went back outside, dipping the canteen into the water trough to be filled.\u00a0 With the rifle in the scabbard, the canteen tied to the saddle horn, and with the chestnut\u2019s reins in her hand, the woman climbed onto Ari\u2019s back. \u00a0\u201cOkay, Plato, put your nose to the ground and let\u2019s do some backtrackin\u2019.\u00a0 Somebody\u2019s life might be in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
No matter his parentage, Plato could track\u00a0anything<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 which was how the woman managed to keep meat on the table most of the time.\u00a0 The dog sniffled and snuffled, nose to the ground, found a scent to follow and took off at a trot.\u00a0 In about an hour\u2019s time, Plato stood still and stared ahead.\u00a0 Shimmers of heat made the object ahead quite blurry \u2013 but it\u00a0did<\/em>\u00a0appear to be human, so the woman urged her horse into a gallop; her heart was in her throat when she realized that the \u201cobject\u201d was, indeed, human.\u00a0 A man.\u00a0 Lying face down on the earth \u2013 and not moving, even when being nudged by Plato.<\/p>\nLeaping from Ari\u2019s back, the woman rushed to the man\u2019s side and, with some effort, turned him over onto his back.\u00a0 His eyes were closed, his lips were cracked and dried.\u00a0 And there was a wound over his temple \u2013 not deep but caked with dried blood around the edges and into the hairline.\u00a0 Quickly fetching her canteen, the woman poured some water onto her handkerchief and dabbed at the man\u2019s lips.\u00a0 His eyes fluttered open but seemed unfocused. \u00a0\u201cMore,\u201d was all he could manage to say, so, little sip by little sip, the canteen was held to his lips.<\/p>\n
Muttering aloud: \u00a0\u201cPlato, this ain\u2019t the time to be askin\u2019 questions.\u00a0 We gotta get this man back to the cabin and out of the\u00a0sun!\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter Two<\/strong><\/p>\nFor almost three days, the woman tended to the man \u2013 wiping his face with cool water fetched from the spring, spooning meaty broth into his mouth when he seemed to be half-conscious, listening to his rantings when he slept.\u00a0 Nothing made any sense.\u00a0 There was no way to tell if this man was good or bad, friend or foe, and the woman kept her rifle with her at all times.\u00a0 Of course, Plato kept\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a0eyes open and watchful from a careful distance.<\/p>\n\u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n
Startled, the woman jumped slightly; Plato growled.\u00a0 Grabbing her rifle, the woman approached the sofa which the man occupied.\u00a0 He tried to sit up, put his hand to his throbbing head and then fell back weakly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re in my house.\u00a0 You apparently had some kind of accident.\u00a0 Plato and I found you.\u00a0 What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n
The man pondered the question. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know who you are?\u201d \u00a0The woman frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know where you come from or where you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u00a0 I…I can\u2019t remember\u2026\u201d \u00a0Then he added, \u201cMy ribs hurt.\u00a0 My head hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman snorted. \u00a0\u201cYeah, well that\u2019s what happens when you fall off your horse, bruise your ribs and have what looks like a bullet wound that grazed your temple.\u201d \u00a0Silence. \u00a0\u201cYou ain\u2019t runnin\u2019 from the law, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know…I just don\u2019t know.\u201d \u00a0With that, the man closed his eyes and fell asleep.<\/p>\n
The woman looked at the dog. \u00a0\u201cPlato, it seems we\u2019ve got a problem.\u201d \u00a0Plato whined.\u00a0 The woman\u00a0sat\u00a0back in her comfortable chair, pulled a coverlet over her, and drifted off into yet another troubled sleep.<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
For two more days, the woman tended to the man, not knowing what side of the law he was on.\u00a0 She had time to take stock of him as she watched him as he slept: \u00a0handsome \u2013 even with the dark whiskers that seemed to be growing rapidly.\u00a0 Hazel eyes \u2013 from what she could see during the times when his eyes were actually open.\u00a0 Barrel chest with a thick mat of black hair that went from his neck all the way downward.\u00a0 Muscular \u2013 so he apparently was no stranger to hard physical labor.\u00a0 His holster was not some cheap old thing: \u00a0the expensive leather seemed to be hand-tooled, something that Martin wished for.\u00a0 Of course, there was a gun in the holster also. The black shirt and pants, as she had washed them, were of good quality and were now folded neatly on the shelf by his side.\u00a0 And he had a good bit of money in a gold money clip.\u00a0 No bum, this man.\u00a0 But who was he?\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019d look different after a clean shave\u2026<\/p>\n
As she fetched Martin\u2019s shaving cup, soap and razor, the man awoke and\u00a0sat\u00a0up, still needing the support of the pillows behind him but he was obviously stronger now.\u00a0 Lifting the covers to swing his legs over the side of the sofa, the man realized that he was wearing nothing and, at a glance, realized that his clothes were on a shelf.\u00a0 Suddenly modest, he swung his legs back under the covers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember taking my clothes off,\u201d he almost stammered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u00a0didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I<\/em>\u00a0did.\u201d \u00a0Her answer was straightforward.<\/p>\nThe man took a deep breath and wished he hadn\u2019t; his ribs, wrapped in a long bandage of sorts, protested as his chest expanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not broken,\u201d the woman explained as she\u00a0sat\u00a0down in the chair next to the sofa. \u00a0\u201cThey\u2019re bruised.\u00a0 Probably from falling off your horse.\u00a0 They\u2019ll heal pretty quick if you take it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man looked at the woman curiously.\u00a0 Long brunette hair loosely tied at the back of her neck, a man\u2019s shirt and pants, a belt and boots.\u00a0 Tall for a woman. She wasn\u2019t what he would consider a beauty but she certainly was on the attractive side.\u00a0 The shirt and jeans couldn\u2019t hide the fact that she undoubtedly was the owner of the feminine curves that appealed to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou<\/em>\u00a0took off my clothes?\u201d \u00a0The man felt another sweep of modesty.<\/p>\n\u201cHad to,\u201d came the reply as the woman stirred the shaving soap into a lather.\u00a0 Her rifle was at her side, as always.\u00a0 A dog of nondescript parentage\u00a0sat\u00a0by her side.<\/p>\n
The man closed his eyes.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know who\u00a0he<\/em> was, didn\u2019t know who she<\/em> was, and had no idea where he was or why he was there.\u00a0 His head hurt, his ribs were sore, and he was naked<\/em>! That thought caused him to blush slightly.<\/p>\n\u201cOh, get over yourself,\u201d the woman snorted. \u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s no need for embarrassment.\u00a0 Besides, it was easier to wrap your ribs without fighting against a nightshirt.\u00a0 I took the bandage off your head\u00a0yesterday.\u00a0 Looks like you came close to having a bullet in your head.\u00a0 Now hold still; you need a shave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can probably do that myself,\u201d he said obstinately.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot with such shaky hands; you\u2019re liable to cut your own throat \u2013 and then all this effort I\u2019ve put into keeping you alive will have gone to waste.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre we married?\u201d he asked as the woman began lathering his face.<\/p>\n
She rolled her eyes. \u00a0\u201cNot hardly.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know who you are and\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0don\u2019t know who you are either.\u00a0 Now hush or I\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0cut your throat.\u201d<\/p>\nThis woman, with her sea-foam green eyes, was definitely in charge.\u00a0 And she gave him a good shave, followed by a big bowl of some kind of stew.\u00a0 She spoke again. \u201cBy the way, my name is \u2018Mike\u2019.\u00a0 And, since you say you can\u2019t remember your own name, I\u2019ll just call you \u2018Dan\u2019.<\/p>\n
The man felt a peculiar-but-short buzzing in his brain.\u00a0 Something\u2026slightly familiar?\u00a0 But he looked at the woman and smiled as the razor lightly touched his whiskers. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve never known anybody named \u2018Mike\u2019 who looks as good as\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0do.\u201d<\/p>\nRolling her eyes, she applied the razor a tad more vigorously. \u00a0\u201cMy father wanted a son but got stuck with me.\u00a0 He taught me how to hunt and fish and how to be independent.\u00a0 Dan: The name suits you.\u00a0 Kinda like Daniel in the lion\u2019s den, I suppose.\u201d \u00a0Wiping away the last of the shaving soap, she scrutinized her work. \u00a0\u201cWell, Dan, at least you look more human now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0feel<\/em>\u00a0more human.\u00a0 Thank you, ma\u2019am.\u201d \u00a0He flashed another smile.<\/p>\n\u201cNot \u2018ma\u2019am\u2019.\u00a0 Just \u2018Mike\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
An eye roll from the man. \u00a0\u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I mean \u2018Mike\u2019.\u201d \u00a0Then, with a glance at the dog: \u201cWhat\u2019s\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a0name?\u201d<\/p>\nMike collected the shaving things and went into the kitchen, being sure to take the rifle with her. \u201cPlato,\u201d was her succinct answer as she spooned stew into a big bowl, bringing it to this unknown man and placing it on the small table next to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t sneak food to Plato.\u00a0 You need every bit of it for yourself.\u00a0 Now eat.\u201d<\/p>\n
He meant to ask more questions but, after consuming the hearty stew, he felt sleep overtake him.\u00a0 His last vision was of the woman washing out the soup bowl and the shaving items and then disappearing into another room and closing the door.\u00a0 She had the rifle with her. Dan slept then, a good and healing sleep unmarred by bad dreams.<\/p>\n
Chapter Three<\/strong><\/p>\nThree days later, Dan had made great strides in his recovery.\u00a0 Well, his ribs were still sore but his headache was gone; except for his loss of memory and sudden flashes of things that he either saw or didn\u2019t understand, things were going quite well.<\/p>\n
It was this morning when Mike awoke, rose, donned her usual jeans and shirt, and proceeded into the kitchen.\u00a0 Dan wasn\u2019t sitting up or moving around as he had been over the last few days, and Mike\u2019s heart fell.\u00a0 Maybe he just got up and left?<\/em>\u00a0 Looking out the window into the front yard, she felt a slight thump of her heart as she spied Dan tinkering with the water-trough pump.\u00a0 With an unexpected jump in her heart, she opened the front door, hands on her hips.<\/p>\n\u201cAnd just what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d she asked in her straightforward manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m tired of doing nothing to earn my board and keep,\u201d Dan answered with a grin. \u00a0\u201cI gathered eggs for breakfast but can\u2019t say much for the chickens\u2019 attitudes.\u00a0 And this pump needed attention, so Plato and I decided to fix it.\u201d \u00a0Plato wagged his tail in agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBreakfast in ten minutes.\u00a0 Don\u2019t make me have to ride herd on you.\u201d \u00a0That being said, Mike turned, closed the door and found a bowl of eggs on the table.\u00a0 She hummed as she began preparing breakfast.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t hummed in a long time\u2026<\/p>\n
Looking at Plato, Dan muttered good-naturedly. \u00a0\u201cWhat was\u00a0she<\/em>?\u00a0 An army General?\u201d<\/p>\nPlato\u2019s response was to roll around in the dirt, legs in the air.\u00a0 It seemed as though he might be laughing.<\/p>\n
Dan liked her.\u00a0 He liked her way of saying what she felt, of meaning what she said.\u00a0 Her brusqueness didn\u2019t bother him \u2013 he figured she might be more bark than bite.\u00a0 He liked the way she looked, the confident way she carried herself.\u00a0 So quickly did a picture flit through his mind that he wasn\u2019t sure whether it was real or not: \u00a0a woman\u2019s face, a woman with brown hair and twinkling eyes.\u00a0 Shaking his head, Dan washed his face and hands, gathered up the tools he had discovered in the barn, returned them to their proper place, and headed toward the house.\u00a0 Plato beat him there.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I help with anything?\u201d \u00a0Dan didn\u2019t know if he could cook or not but there must be\u00a0something<\/em>\u00a0he could do.<\/p>\n\u201cSet the table,\u201d came Mike\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n
Being close to what looked like a very tall pantry, Dan opened its door.\u00a0 What he saw took him by surprise: \u00a0a wedding dress!\u00a0 Before he could say anything, Mike brusquely spoke. \u00a0\u201cWrong cabinet.\u00a0 Dishes are over there.\u201d \u00a0She pointed to a smaller cabinet and then turned her back.<\/p>\n
As bidden, Dan set the table and continued to stand as Mike filled each plate.\u00a0 Then, as Dan pulled out her chair for her to be seated, Mike was again terse. \u00a0\u201cI can sit down by myself.\u00a0 Been doin\u2019 it for a long time now.\u201d \u00a0So Dan\u00a0sat; Plato flopped down on the floor and sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess you\u2019d want to know about that dress,\u201d Mike began. \u00a0\u201cI was married for three months.\u00a0 Martin was a good man \u2013 honest, hard-working, funny.\u00a0 A dreamer and philosopher.\u00a0 The best man in the world, and we were so happy. We bought this land together, began farming it, had a few cows and horses.\u201d \u00a0She paused to think.\u00a0 Dan said nothing \u2013 just watched her face and saw the pain in her eyes.<\/p>\n
Mike continued. \u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s a town \u2013 or what passes for a town \u2013 a few miles away.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t much there, still isn\u2019t, but we could sell some of our animals or barter for goods or whatever.\u00a0 Martin meant to do so many things here \u2013 build a big barn and corral, harvest garden crops and hay or alfalfa \u2013 but he never got around to doing what he wanted.\u00a0 He left here one day to trade a milk cow for some pork; he didn\u2019t get far.\u00a0 The cow came back without Martin or his horse, so I went lookin\u2019 for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was silence in the room as both Mike and Dan ate slowly.\u00a0 Dan knew she had more to say and he wanted to hear it.\u00a0 Finally, she spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found him almost right away.\u00a0 He was still alive but just barely.\u00a0 Whispered to me that the horse got spooked by something and ended up falling before Martin could jump clear.\u201d \u00a0Pause. \u00a0\u201cAnyway, Martin looked at me with that funny crooked grin and said that building the barn would have to wait for a while.\u00a0 And then he…just…died.\u201d \u00a0Mike\u2019s shoulders sagged slightly, but she shed no tears.<\/p>\n
Dan felt a lump in his throat.\u00a0 All he could say was, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike looked at Dan and saw the tenderness in his eyes and on his face. \u00a0\u201cIn case you\u2019re wonderin\u2019, this land is mine now.\u00a0 Well, mine and Plato\u2019s and Aristotle\u2019s.\u00a0 There\u2019re still some cattle roaming around with our brand; neighbors nearby help me round up a few every now and then, and we take them to town to sell.\u00a0 You might not be able to tell it, but the wheat\u2019s been planted; I\u2019ve got a good root cellar with plenty of food.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never leave here \u2013 it\u2019s mine, and I\u2019ll make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan tilted his head. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t doubt that you will.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got the guts to make it work.\u201d \u00a0Pause. \u00a0\u201cUh, Plato and Aristotle?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike almost giggled. \u00a0\u201cI told you that Martin was a philosopher.\u00a0 His favorites were the Greek ones.\u00a0 He named the dog; my horse got dubbed \u2018Aristotle\u2019; his horse was \u2018Socrates\u2019.\u00a0 I had to sell him a few \u00a0months ago \u2013 got me a good price, a good rifle, and a whole bunch of cured ham.\u00a0 And, if you\u2019re wonderin\u2019, I know how to\u00a0use<\/em>\u00a0that rifle; I can keep meat on the table.\u00a0 And I sure can shoot a stranger if I need to.\u201d \u00a0The innuendo was there.<\/p>\n\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it for a minute,\u201d Dan grinned as he finished his coffee. \u00a0\u201cPoint well-taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both man and woman cleared the breakfast dishes and then washed and dried them in companionable silence.\u00a0 Dan felt happy and relaxed.\u00a0 Mike felt the same way \u2013 but stronger.<\/p>\n
*****<\/p>\n
Many miles away, four Cartwrights\u00a0sat\u00a0and listened to Sheriff Coffee. \u00a0\u201cBen, the posse has tried to find Adam for two weeks now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what more we can do…\u201d \u00a0His voice trailed off.<\/p>\n
Sighing, Hoss spoke softly. \u00a0\u201cPa, ya know that I\u2019m a good tracker.\u00a0 But I cain\u2019t find where them tracks lead over all that dry land.\u00a0 I done tried mah best but mah best jist ain\u2019t good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSon, I know that you\u2019ve done your best; we\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0have.\u00a0\u00a0Nobody<\/em>\u00a0can follow signs that just aren\u2019t there.\u201d \u00a0Ben\u2019s face was pinched with pain.<\/p>\nRoy shook his head. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve sent telegrams to every sheriff all over everywhere to be on the look-out for Adam.\u00a0 Or for his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Roy, there are so many small towns that don\u2019t even\u00a0have<\/em>\u00a0a telegraph office.\u00a0 Some of them don\u2019t even have a sheriff.\u00a0 You know how stubborn Adam can be \u2013 he knows what he saw and nobody could stop him.\u00a0 By the time you got the posse together, Adam had a good, long head-start.\u00a0 He was the only one who could recognize…\u201d \u00a0Joe was at a loss for words.<\/p>\n\u201cTell me.\u201d Roy looked overwhelmed, \u201cWe got the other two and justice was done. What more can I do?\u00a0 What more can\u00a0we<\/em>\u00a0do?\u201d<\/p>\nThe fourth Cartwright said one word: \u00a0\u201cPray.<\/p>\n
Chapter Four<\/strong><\/p>\nBam! Bam! Bam!\u00a0<\/em>The noise awakened Mike from her sleep, and she looked up to try to find the source of all that infernal noise.\u00a0 Over her bed, a shingle moved, morning light shone in \u2013 and so did Dan\u2019s grinning face.<\/p>\nPulling her covers up to her chin, Mike \u2013 trying to sound irritated but failing miserably \u2013 demanded to know what in the world Dan was doing on her roof, right over her bed.<\/p>\n
Grinning, Dan replied. \u00a0\u201cI noticed that the roof needs to be re-shingled in several places.\u00a0 Thought I\u2019d handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rolling her eyes, Mike\u2019s response was, \u201cWell, go somewhere else to make all that noise!\u201d<\/p>\n
The hole in the roof blocked out the light and then reopened. \u00a0\u201cGood morning!\u201d Dan smirked.<\/p>\n
\u201cUgh!\u201d \u00a0Mike threw a knick-knack at the ceiling, but her anger was a pretense \u2013 and Dan knew it, chuckling to himself as he put the new shingle into place.<\/p>\n
Mike couldn\u2019t help but smile as she stretched out in her bed for a moment.\u00a0 Her feelings for Dan were growing more and more each day but she still had no idea who he was or whether he was a good man or a bad one.\u00a0 She settled on \u201cgood.\u201d \u00a0She dressed quickly, opened her door and giggled as she saw the bowl of eggs on the kitchen table. \u00a0\u201cI guess even the chickens have gotten used to you,\u201d she said to herself, trying to stifle another giggle.<\/p>\n
Until Dan\u2019s arrival, Mike had gotten used to eating only two small meals a day: \u00a0breakfast and supper.\u00a0 And she had been lonely and had eaten only enough to keep her going.\u00a0 Things were different now because Dan was here \u2013 and she cared for him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t\u00a0want<\/em>\u00a0to, but she did anyway.\u00a0 Preparing three meals a day had become a joy to her, a joy she hadn\u2019t felt since Martin was alive.\u00a0 Her life, after Martin\u2019s death, involved gathering eggs from the chickens, mucking out the lean-to in which Aristotle resided, keeping her rifle clean so that she could keep some kind of meat on the table, and trying to fix whatever absolutely needed to be fixed if she had the knowledge to do so.\u00a0 She faced endless days that occasionally drove her to ride into town just to see if people actually existed.\u00a0 And to barter for things she really needed.\u00a0 Sometimes she would ask the nearest neighbors for help \u2013 and would receive it – but her fierce independence was a major factor in stopping that.\u00a0 Very seldom did she have visitors; she didn\u2019t enjoy chit-chat, gossip or rumors anyway.\u00a0 Dan now made her life feel full.<\/p>\nDespite the lingering discomfort in his ribs, Dan had taken to fixing things.\u00a0 The first was the pump at the water trough.\u00a0 Martin had meant to run a line into the kitchen, but that never happened.\u00a0 Because of Dan, Mike now had water that ran to the sink.\u00a0 The barn had needed repair, the roof over the house had needed attention, and the lean-to had been enlarged enough to hold three separate stalls and a large area to store more hay or alfalfa \u2013 or both.\u00a0 Dan seemed to know exactly what to do to make improvements but still didn\u2019t know\u00a0how<\/em>\u00a0he knew.\u00a0 He just\u00a0did\u00a0<\/em>those things.<\/p>\nLate in the afternoon, he went out hunting and came back with a load of deer meat.\u00a0 Together, man and woman cut the meat into various pieces \u2013 some for eating now, some for cooking and then storing, some for drying into jerky.\u00a0 Mike saved a portion for a roast for the next night because she wanted to soak it in some special sauce overnight but she cooked the backstrap for\u00a0tonight\u2019s meal.\u00a0 Any other fresh meat was wrapped snugly several times and then stored in the cold, snow-melt waters of the creek.<\/p>\n
Dan was sitting in the chair, braiding leather into an extra bridle, when he heard Mike\u2019s pained \u201cOw!\u201d He was at her side immediately as she held her burned fingers and gestured to the hot pan on the stove.\u00a0 Gently, Dan took her hand to observe the wound and, in doing so, found himself holding her hand a little too long.\u00a0 The look that passed between the two was warm.\u00a0 And tender.\u00a0 Did it offer a promise of more?\u00a0 Slowly drawing her hand from Dan\u2019s grasp, Mike chastised herself aloud. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t remember when I\u2019ve done such a stupid thing.\u00a0 I knew that pan was hot and grabbed for it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan, a little discombobulated by the sudden rush of closeness he had felt, could say only that it wasn\u2019t as bad as it could have been.\u00a0 The skin hadn\u2019t blistered and would likely heal very quickly.\u00a0 Hmmm\u2026 \u00a0There was that \u201cbuzz\u201d in his head that reminded him of a burn he had years before that was tended to by…by whom?<\/p>\n
Chapter Five<\/strong><\/p>\nThe atmosphere around Mike\u2019s house had begun to change \u2013 for the better.\u00a0 Gone was the awkwardness that she had felt before while in Dan\u2019s presence; he had stopped distancing himself from her.\u00a0 Plato even seemed different \u2013 more settled and peaceful.<\/p>\n
As the venison was cooking, Mike had an idea which, at first, she considered silly.\u00a0 But the idea won out as she strode into her bedroom and pulled a skirt and blouse out of her armoire; neither had been worn in a long time; she wasn\u2019t sure she should try it now.\u00a0 But she did anyway.\u00a0 With a last look in the old mirror, she opened her door and swept into the living room.<\/p>\n
Dan, sitting in a chair and braiding yet another rein, looked at her, eyes wide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d Mike asked tersely. \u00a0\u201cHaven\u2019t you ever seen a woman in a dress before?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan found his voice. \u00a0\u201cI guess I\u2019d forgotten how good it looks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, don\u2019t get any ideas that this is for\u00a0you<\/em>,\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\nDan tried to keep a straight face. \u00a0\u201cOf course not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flustered by the appreciative look in Dan\u2019s eyes, Mike checked on the venison which wasn\u2019t quite ready.\u00a0 So she\u00a0sat\u00a0on the arm of a comfortable chair and studied Dan\u2019s face. \u00a0\u201cWhere will you go? It must be lonely not knowing who you are or where you came from.\u00a0 What will you do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan considered this question. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t have any answers.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019ll just get work where I can find it.\u00a0 Maybe I\u2019ll run into someone who knows who I am.\u00a0 I might be married; I might have a home and a family…\u201d \u00a0He paused and changed the subject. \u00a0\u201cI heard you walking around a lot\u00a0last night.\u00a0 I wondered what was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike snorted. \u00a0\u201cAs a matter of fact, I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0<\/em>sleep well.\u00a0 It might have dawned on somebody to see what was the matter.\u00a0 Of course, I\u2019d have shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d came Dan\u2019s answer with a snarky grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd why\u00a0not<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\nDan looked pointedly close to the bedroom door. \u00a0\u201cUh, you left your rifle behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike was caught: \u00a0She\u00a0had\u00a0<\/em>forgotten the rifle.\u00a0 Nor could she remember when she last took it into her bedroom with her. \u00a0\u201cYou went all the way around the mulberry bush\u00a0last night, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cI guess I did,\u201d Dan admitted. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t sleep much either.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking a deep breath, Mike spoke quietly. \u00a0\u201cYou need to make up your mind whether to go or stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean I have a choice?\u201d \u00a0Dan looked surprised.<\/p>\n
As Mike sighed and rose to check the venison, Dan held her arm and stopped her. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d like to stay,\u201d he said simply, quietly.<\/p>\n
Both Mike and Dan knew that a kiss was imminent \u2013 a kiss that would mean something special.\u00a0 With their lips so close that they could feel each other\u2019s breath on their cheeks, time stood still.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, the house!\u201d shouted a voice from outside.\u00a0 Plato growled and then barked.<\/p>\n
Angry at the poor timing of a stranger\u2019s arrival, Mike stomped to the door and opened it. \u00a0\u201cWho are you and what do you want?\u201d \u00a0Her voice was harsh.<\/p>\n
\u201cName\u2019s \u2018Pete.\u2019 \u00a0I mean ya no harm, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to water my horse and, if you can spare a biscuit or two, I sure would \u2018preciate it.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t et for two days.\u201d<\/p>\n
A soft rain was beginning to fall; the air had a chill in it.\u00a0 Thunder rolled in the distance.\u00a0 Mike just couldn\u2019t turn the man away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater your horse and then put him over in the empty stall.\u00a0 Wash up and come inside and have dinner with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
No sooner had Pete done as he was told, the skies opened up, bringing water to a parched land.\u00a0 Pete opened the door, removed his hat and had no idea what to do next.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name\u2019s Mike.\u00a0 This here is Dan.\u00a0 Now sit and eat.\u00a0 Afterwards, you can bed down in the barn; there\u2019s plenty of hay.\u201d \u00a0Dan and Pete sized each other up and decided that there was no threat lurking anywhere.<\/p>\n
As usual, when food is very good, there is little talk.\u00a0 The only thing Mike could find out about Pete was that he was from \u201canywhere and everywhere\u201d, and that he could do \u201c\u2019most anything in the line of work.\u201d \u00a0He ate like a starving man. After the meal, the hard rain had stopped and, with a heartfelt \u201cthank you\u201d to both Mike and Dan, Pete headed out to make a dry place for himself in the hay.<\/p>\n
As they had so many times before, Mike washed the dishes while Dan dried them.\u00a0 And, without warning, Adam put his arms around Mike. \u00a0\u201cI\u00a0want<\/em>\u00a0to\u00a0stay<\/em>.\u201d \u00a0The kiss that had been thwarted earlier took place now \u2013 gently, tenderly, with a touch of promise.<\/p>\nFlustered once again, Mike managed a quirky smile. \u00a0\u201cI have some sleep to catch up on.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
She headed toward her room but was stopped by Dan\u2019s words: \u201cAren\u2019t you forgetting something?\u201d He was looking directly at the rifle, still propped where it had been earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just sit there and braid that leather \u2018til it gets to be a hundred feet long!\u201d \u00a0Again, she had forgotten about the rifle and was now embarrassed that she deliberately didn\u2019t pick it up.\u00a0 There was a small glimmer of hope that Dan might actually come into her room, into her bed and\u2026<\/p>\n
But that didn\u2019t happen.\u00a0 What\u00a0did<\/em>\u00a0happen was that Dan\u2019s whistling the tune to \u201cThe Mulberry Bush\u201d kept her awake.\u00a0 Snatching the bedroom door open, she stamped her foot. \u00a0\u201cHow can a body sleep with all that noise?\u00a0 Now\u00a0hush up<\/em>!.\u201d \u00a0This elicited a snarky grin from Dan, so she closed the door with a bang.<\/p>\nDan had smiled to himself when Mike closed the door but he also wondered what would happen if he chose to\u00a0open<\/em>\u00a0that door during the night.\u00a0 Did he want her?\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 But, after that, what could he offer her?\u00a0 He knew he could repair or build things, he obviously could ride because he had a horse; maybe he was a cattle drover?\u00a0 He had tried on his gun and holster when Mike was outside; they fit him comfortably and the gun felt balanced and somehow familiar.\u00a0 Was he within the law or outside of it?\u00a0 With all kinds of questions running through his mind, he fell asleep in the wooden chair, the braided reins still in his hands.<\/p>\nWhile he slept fitfully, sounds and pictures flashed through his mind: \u00a0a man\u2019s deep voice, a high-pitched giggle, an oversized hat, a big house, spooning lovingly around a woman and feeling a very deep love; a man with pigtails who muttered in Chinese; two houses \u2013 one large and one a little bit smaller; a woman\u2019s tears; a dead body.\u00a0 All of these were pieces of a puzzle except that they didn\u2019t fit.\u00a0 They were just pieces of a larger picture.\u00a0 But of\u00a0what<\/em>?<\/p>\nChapter Six<\/strong><\/p>\nMorning came.\u00a0 The rain from the night before had stopped and, though the\u00a0sun\u00a0was shining brightly, the temperature was much cooler. Pete had obviously made an early departure. At breakfast, Dan was still haunted by the memories of the night before.\u00a0 But he looked at Mike and felt a warmth in his heart as well as an easy smile on his face.\u00a0 He had to admit that he was happy here, but had he been happy before he met Mike?\u00a0 Mike heard his slight sigh, saw the furrow in his brow, and she felt fear \u2013 the fear that he might remember who he was and would leave her.\u00a0 Well, she had lived without him before his arrival and she could live without him again \u2013 but she didn\u2019t want to, so she closed her mind to such negative thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, good grief!\u201d she muttered as she looked out the window. \u00a0\u201cHere comes another rider.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you said hardly anybody came by here,\u201d Dan replied as he looked out the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the truth.\u00a0 Martin chose an out of the way place where our nearest neighbors wouldn\u2019t be right up under our noses.\u00a0 Now we\u2019ve had\u00a0two\u00a0<\/em>different folks in less than twenty-four hours.\u00a0 This place is busier than Virginia City on a\u00a0Saturday\u00a0night!\u00a0 Sit down and finish your lunch.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see who\u2019s riding in.\u201d \u00a0She grabbed her rifle and walked out the door to the watering trough to meet the newcomer.<\/p>\nIt wasn\u2019t the fact that Dan had let Mike go outside by herself to meet a stranger.\u00a0 It was her reference to \u201cVirginia City\u201d that made the hair on the back of Dan\u2019s neck stand up.\u00a0 Those words\u00a0meant<\/em>\u00a0something to him.\u00a0 But what did they mean?\u00a0 He watched through the window as Mike and the man talked; Mike put something in her pocket, the man tipped his hat, climbed into his saddle and rode off. But Mike didn\u2019t come right into the house; she turned her back to the window and stood motionless, her shoulders slumped.\u00a0 Walking slowly, she came back inside.<\/p>\n\u201cWho was that?\u00a0 What did he want?\u201d Dan queried as he leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cA deputy from White Butte \u2013 about three hours away.\u00a0 He\u2019s looking for two men: \u00a0One is a bank robber and the other is\u2026\u2026..Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dan was stunned as Mike slowly handed him two pieces of paper \u2013 telegrams that the tiny town of Tall Tree hadn\u2019t received because there was no telegraph office there.\u00a0 Slowly, Dan read each one and felt the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.\u00a0 Mike\u2019s heart fell as she saw the recognition on Dan\u2019s \u2013 Adam\u2019s \u2013 face.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to go,\u201d Adam said tersely. \u00a0\u201cThis is important.\u00a0 I\u2019ll explain later.\u201d \u00a0Strapping on his gun and holster, he bolted from the house, quickly saddled his horse and rode off.\u00a0 The tracks of two horses were easily followed in the drying mud.\u00a0 Maybe he would get there in time \u2013 to do\u00a0what<\/em>?<\/p>\nTears blinded Mike\u2019s eyes but she had to find Dan.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t call him \u201cAdam\u201d – it was just too foreign for her.\u00a0 With Plato at her side, with rifle in hand, she saddled Ari and took off at a gallop, following the trail of what now turned out to be\u00a0three<\/em>\u00a0horses.<\/p>\n*****<\/p>\n
Adam arrived just as there was a shoot-out between deputy and bank robber.\u00a0 The latter slumped to the ground just as Adam quickly dismounted and ran toward the deputy.\u00a0 Of course, the dying man was Pete; Adam recognized him as one of the bank robbers and as the murderer of the bank\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been chasing him for weeks.\u00a0 I got a good look at his face when he shot me, must\u2019ve thought he\u2019d killed me as I fell off my horse, and then he rode away and left me to die.\u00a0 Had it not been for Mike, I\u00a0would\u2019ve<\/em>\u00a0died.\u201d \u00a0Adam rubbed his head where the bullet had only grazed him.<\/p>\n\u201cYou\u2019re sure this is the man?\u201d the deputy asked. \u00a0\u201cI gotta know before I take his body in and send out telegrams that he\u2019s been caught and is dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was deep. \u00a0\u201cBefore I knew that the bank had been robbed, he ran into me and almost knocked me down.\u00a0 I got a good look.\u00a0 But the face that I remember most was when I chased him and got close enough to see for sure.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t focus on his gun and, despite the fact that we were at a full gallop, he looked at me and laughed.\u00a0 Then he pulled the trigger.\u00a0 I\u2019m not likely to forget that look for a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deputy listened but had a few more questions. \u00a0\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re Adam Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure.\u00a0 Ben is my father; my two brothers are Hoss and Joe.\u00a0 Our housekeeper is Hop Sing.\u00a0 We live outside of Virginia City on a spread called the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure do fit the description in the telegram.\u00a0 I reckon your family will be joyful when you get home.\u00a0 Sorry it took so long to get to Miz Mike\u2019s, but there\u2019re a lot of little towns in between her place and White Butte.\u00a0 You\u2019re lucky to be alive, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d \u00a0Then, \u201cI\u2019ll help you load Pete\u2019s body on his horse and then I\u2019ve got to talk to Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking from man to woman, the deputy wisely kept his mouth shut.\u00a0 With a \u201cgood luck to ya,\u201d the deputy turned his horse and rode away.\u00a0 Which left Mike still sitting on Ari\u2019s broad back with Plato sitting beside them, whining, as if he knew the pain that two people were in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to go back,\u201d Adam said slowly. \u00a0\u201cThat bank robber killed a man.\u00a0 I promised to find him and bring him back to Virginia City.\u00a0 I have a family \u2013 my father, my brothers, and…and…my wife.\u00a0 She\u2019s carrying our child.\u00a0 It was her father who was murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike, through the lump in her throat, could say only, \u201cI never should have brought you home.\u00a0 But I\u00a0did<\/em>.\u201d \u00a0Looking directly into Adam\u2019s eyes, she made one last comment. Then she turned abruptly and galloped off into the distance, Plato in hot pursuit.<\/p>\n*****<\/p>\n
The reunion at the Ponderosa was as the deputy had predicted: \u00a0joyful.\u00a0 But it would be quite a while before Adam could forget Mike\u2019s final words before she rode away: \u00a0\u201cIt ain\u2019t easy to find two good men\u2026.and lose \u2018em both.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Finis<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0All because of a bank robbery.\u00a0 Sigh, oh what could have been. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0Words:\u00a0 1,650<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":14944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":488,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bank-robber.jpg?fit=225%2C224&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":60837,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=60837","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":0},"title":"The Mysterious Drover (by ACSPeej)","author":"acspeej","date":"November 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam's the Trail Boss, like so many times before.\u00a0 But just who is this mysterious drover? Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 \u00a0Words:\u00a0 39,300","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":48249,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48249","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":1},"title":"BTR Sourdough Starters #19 – November 2019 (by BZTrailriders)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"November 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Use \"Brandy (you\u2019re a fine girl)\", \"Good Time Charlie\u2019s Got The Blues\" for inspiration. Rating: G, Word Count: 2981","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":62756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=62756","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":2},"title":"Lady in Waiting (by VickiC.)","author":"vickic","date":"March 6, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A young lady invites the Cartwrights to her birthday party and then waits for the right man to ask her to dance.\u00a0 But who is the right man? Rating\u00a0 G (2,450words)","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\/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":45963,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45963","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":3},"title":"Faith, Hope, and Love (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"October 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: At the center of the story is a tragedy (based on a historical event) that leads Adam into a romance and into an adventure.\u00a0 The results of both will determine his future on the Ponderosa. Rating: T\u00a0 Word count: 13,614","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\/2021\/10\/Faith-Hope-and-Love.jpg?fit=500%2C497&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47113,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47113","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":4},"title":"Cartwright Romance #1 – Truth Be Told (by Emmy)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 31, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Story Summary:\u00a0 A romantic tale centering on eldest Cartwright son Adam and the town's new schoolteacher, Katherine O'Fallon. Rating and Reader Alerts:\u00a0 PG, mild language Words:\u00a0 11,875 Cartwright Romance Series, links to stories included within.","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\/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":59994,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=59994","url_meta":{"origin":41250,"position":5},"title":"Saucy Sally Picks a Pocket (by CareBear)","author":"CareBear","date":"September 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Saucy Sally has a birthday wish that will take a fortune to fulfill. 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Rating: MA\/R (language, sexual situations & descriptions) Word Count: 13,039","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}