{"id":4667,"date":"2003-01-22T23:53:45","date_gmt":"2003-01-23T04:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4667"},"modified":"2025-09-09T14:18:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:18:41","slug":"tangled-loyalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4667","title":{"rendered":"Tangled Loyalties (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Helping out at a friend’s horse ranch, Joe becomes entangled in a nasty rivalry, which could cost him his life.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,190 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tangled Loyalties<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI swear, Charlie, you are going to get me killed one of these days,\u201d Joe Cartwright laughed. He nudged Charlotte, who laughed, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have I done?\u201d she asked, in an innocent tone that fooled Joe not at all. He and Charlotte, Charlie as she preferred to be called, had been friends from childhood. Charlie\u2019s father was an old friend of Ben\u2019s. They had met while traveling by covered wagon to the West, and had remained close ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cA nice little mare that you wanted to keep as a saddle pony,\u201d Joe said, rolling his eyes. \u201cThat \u2018nice little mare\u2019 is the kind of chestnut mare that gives chestnut mares a bad name!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d Charlie said, giving him a playful shove. \u201cYou told me you liked challenging horses. So I gave you one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you didn\u2019t tell me that she had tossed the bronc buster so hard she broke his leg.\u201d Joe gave Charlie a long look. \u201cAre you sure you want to ride this horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly once you\u2019ve got her broken,\u201d Charlie returned. They both laughed.<\/p>\n

Coming across to the corral, Charlie\u2019s father, Jack Dixon, watched the two of them together. For a few years, he had hoped that Charlie and Joe would make a match of it, but they were more like brother and sister. Jack\u2019s wife, Charlotte, had died shortly after Charlie\u2019s birth, and she had been a late child anyway, born long after they had given up hoping.\u00a0 Jack worried about Charlie, and thought that Joe would have made her a great husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, young Cartwright!\u201d he called. \u201cI thought you came down here to work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Uncle Jack,\u201d Joe called back. \u201cI\u2019m just waiting for them to get the saddle on Charlie\u2019s nice little mare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Climbing onto the rails beside them, Jack looked at Charlie. \u201cAre you still set on riding that little hellion?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Papa, she\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Charlie scolded. \u201cJoe will get her broken no problem, won\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t ask him down here to kill himself,\u201d Jack protested. \u201cHe came as a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d shouted one of the hands, and Joe jumped down from the rails.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two carry on arguing,\u201d he said, walking away. \u201cI\u2019ll break the mare.\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n

Easing himself down onto the mare\u2019s back, Joe could see why Charlie wanted her. She was elegant and dainty, with a pretty head. She had a blaze and four white socks. In fact, she reminded Joe of a feminine version of Sport, Adam\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

Joe had come down to Jack\u2019s ranch to help out with the horse breaking, as the bronc buster had a broken leg. Jack ran a good horse farm, although Joe knew that he\u2019d been having some problems from a neighbor, who had also started up a breeding place not far away. He loved being with Charlie, who he thought of as a sister. They had fought fiercely all through their childhood, until they both hit their teens. Then, suddenly, they were virtually inseparable, and to see one was to see the other. But there wasn\u2019t a spark of romance between them. Joe could touch Charlie almost as impersonally as he could his brothers, and they teased each other mercilessly.<\/p>\n

Putting his mind firmly back on the job, Joe took a firm grip of the rope, and nodded. \u201cOkay,\u201d he said, quietly, and the men opened the chute.<\/p>\n

The mare shot out of the chute like a cork from a bottle, and Joe went with her easily. She began to buck in earnest, her legs as stiff as they could be. Joe went with her, but he knew this was going to be quite a battle. This mare had managed to get rid of riders before, and that always made them harder to break. Joe could sense her tiring, and she stopped bucking, and began to race madly round the corral. The outriders closed in, but Joe wasn\u2019t ready to give up. He snatched one leg out of harm\u2019s way as the mare tried to drag him along the rails.<\/p>\n

Sweat was pouring down Joe\u2019s face, but he still hung on. The mare was sweating too, the rope pounding the sweat into a white lather along her shoulders. She was tiring rapidly. Joe was really too big to ride her for long. Suddenly, the mare stopped stock still. Joe sat her warily, not believing that she had given up. He was right. She reared, higher and higher. Joe threw his weight forward, and she crashed to the ground. For an instant, she was still, then she began to buck again. Joe went with her.<\/p>\n

When the mare did capitulate a couple of minutes later, Joe could hardly see for the sweat running into his eyes. He slid carefully to the ground, and watched as the mare was led off by a wrangler. He wiped the sweat from his brow with a shaky hand, and turned to totter back to the rails.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that was wonderful!\u201d Charlie squealed, and threw herself into his arms, landing a kiss somewhere close to his right ear. Joe, caught by surprise, was almost bowled over by the petite girl\u2019s enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you I was wonderful,\u201d he murmured, almost too tired to talk. He didn\u2019t know how long he had been sitting on that horse, but it felt like hours. His body was wrenched every which way, and he desperately wanted a cool drink and a lie down. He forced himself to focus on her. \u201cI\u2019ll school her tomorrow, and the next day. Don\u2019t try and ride her until I say you can. She\u2019s pretty feisty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t, I promise,\u201d Charlie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough for today,\u201d Jack said. \u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you go up to the house and get a bath and some clean clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me, Uncle Jack,\u201d Joe agreed, and hobbled off, leaving Charlie to exclaim over her horse.<\/p>\n

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

As Joe worked on Jack\u2019s horses over the next few days, he became aware that Charlie wasn\u2019t always on the ranch. She came and went, without telling anyone where she was going. Joe was intrigued, but whenever he tried to talk to her about it, she would deny any knowledge of what he talking about. After a time, Joe realized that he was going about it the wrong way. He had been asking when Jack was in the room, and whatever Charlie was up to, she didn\u2019t want Jack to know about it.<\/p>\n

So, he waited until the next time she came down to the corral to see him school her mare. Joe was finally getting the horse going nicely, and thought that another week\u2019s work and she would be fit for Charlie to ride.<\/p>\n

As he turned the mare out into the corral, Joe smiled at Charlie. \u201cSo, are you gonna tell me what you\u2019re up to?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean,\u201d Charlie denied, blushing furiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try to fool me,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI know you too well. You\u2019re up to something, and I want to know what it is. Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re trying to break broncs yourself? Or roping some horses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, I\u2019m not up to anything,\u201d Charlie repeated, but she couldn\u2019t meet his eyes. Gently, Joe raised her chin, till she was looking at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry again,\u201d he ordered. \u201cI want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts Mark,\u201d she capitulated, which meant absolutely nothing to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Mark?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark Whittier, he\u2019s the son of John Whittier, who owns the other horse breeding outfit round here.\u201d Charlie ducked her head again, her tone defiant. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Uncle Jack doesn\u2019t know anything about it, does he?\u201d Joe said, understandingly. \u201cAnd you think he won\u2019t approve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he won\u2019t,\u201d Charlie declared. \u201cHe and Mr. Whittier don\u2019t get on at all; they\u2019re always fighting. I met Mark at a dance, and I ride over to see him. We meet at Dead Horse Canyon.\u201d She flashed a look at Joe. \u201cAren\u2019t you going to tell me off?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not your father, or your brother,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut I do think you ought to let someone know where you\u2019re going, just in case you have an accident. Sure, I think you ought to tell your father, but I can see why you haven\u2019t.\u201d Indeed, Joe knew from experience exactly what Charlie was going through. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy being Juliet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr Romeo,\u201d Charlie said, relieved that she had finally told someone. \u201cThis is like what you went through with Amy Bishop, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d Joe said, briefly, hoping that Charlie wouldn\u2019t push it. He still found talking about Amy quite painful, despite the passage of a few years.<\/p>\n

With a sigh, Charlie laid her head on Joe\u2019s shoulder. He put his arm round her and gave her a squeeze. They didn\u2019t need to say any more. Joe knew that any platitudes he might come up with wouldn\u2019t help, and she knew that Joe would be her ally, if she needed him.<\/p>\n

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

It seemed to Joe that now he knew where Charlie was going, she slipped away more often. He sometimes hoped she would introduce him to Mark Whittier, but she never asked him to go along, and Joe could see why. If she was serious about this young man, and he about her, the presence of another young man, neither brother nor cousin, would only complicate things.<\/p>\n

There was enough going on without more complications. Jack had been having troubles with horse thieves. They were highly organized, and only tried to steal the best horses. So far, Jack\u2019s men had held them off, but the thieves were becoming more daring, and they seemed to know exactly where to find the horses, even though they were moved regularly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost as though they were getting information,\u201d Jack complained bitterly to Joe one evening after Charlie had gone to bed. \u201cI wish I knew who was telling them. Most of my men have been here a long time, and it comes hard to distrust them. How do I fight this, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied, honestly. \u201cI\u2019ll take my turn on watch with the others, Uncle Jack. You go and get a good night\u2019s sleep. You\u2019ll hear if anything happens.\u201d The horses were stabled in the barn by the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do enough round here as it is, Joe,\u201d Jack objected, but Joe had his way, and went out to stand guard.<\/p>\n

It was dark and quiet, and Joe found it difficult to stay awake. He looked round at the positions the other men were in, and wondered if any of them were selling information. He didn\u2019t know any of them well enough to make any kind of character judgment, but he was concerned for Jack\u2019s sake. This kind of thing wasn\u2019t only unpleasant, it was dangerous, too. Out here in the West, feuds could too easily lead to murder.<\/p>\n

The night wore on, and Joe woke from a momentary doze, blinking to clear his vision. The moon had disappeared, obscured by clouds, and the wind was picking up. Joe shivered in his thin jacket. The men on watch would be relieved about 3 am, and Joe wished that it was already 3 am. The thought of a warm bed was extremely appealing.<\/p>\n

The attack, when it came, seemed to come out of nowhere. One moment, there was silence, the next, the air was full of gunfire. Joe snatched up his rifle and fired back at muzzle-flash. He had no way of knowing if he had hit anyone or not. He heard the sound of running feet, and fired at the sound. A bullet splintered into the wall beside him, and Joe ducked.<\/p>\n

A dark figure moved by the barn door, and Joe immediately fired at it. He was rewarded with a cry, and he jumped to his feet, and dashed towards the intruder. The man was on the ground, moaning and clutching his leg. Joe stopped beside him, and clicked the safety back on his rifle. He reached down, and yanked the bandanna from the man\u2019s face. \u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe demanded. He had never seen him before.<\/p>\n

There was the tiniest of sounds from behind him, and Joe half turned. He had the impression of something moving fast towards him, then it struck him on the head, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe?\u201d a voice said, and Joe wondered who it was. It didn\u2019t sound like Pa or his brothers, yet who else would be calling to him? He struggled to open his eyes, which each seemed to have hundred ton weights on the lids. He finally managed, and Jack\u2019s face swam in and out of focus. Joe\u2019s head hurt, and he couldn\u2019t think why.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Jack?\u201d he said, puzzled, and tried to move.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay still,\u201d admonished Jack, too late, for the pain had hammered Joe back to the ground. \u201cYou took quite a knock on the head there, boy. Just lie still. We\u2019ll get you inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surrendering to the blackness, Joe was unaware of when he was moved, but he came to again a short while later, to find himself lying on the bed in his room, with Charlie bathing his head with cool water. \u201cCharlie?\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe, thank goodness,\u201d Charlie cried, and threw her arms round his neck. The sudden movement set off a terrible hammering in Joe\u2019s head again, but he managed to stay conscious. However, he couldn\u2019t hold back a wince of pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, as Charlie let go of him contritely.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Charlie filled him in, and Joe remembered. \u201cI shot someone in the leg,\u201d he said. \u201cThe slug must still be in there.\u201d He wished his head would stop hurting. Even thinking hurt. He closed his eyes again.<\/p>\n

The room door opened, and Joe opened his eyes and looked over. Jack came in, looking concerned, but finding a smile when he saw Joe awake and aware. \u201cJoe. I\u2019m glad to see you looking better,\u201d he said, warmly. \u201cYou gave us quite a fright out there. How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Joe said, but he didn\u2019t sound convincing, even to his own ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor will be here soon,\u201d Jack assured him. He leant over to look at Joe more closely. \u201cHmm, it\u2019s still bleeding a little,\u201d he said, and Joe became aware for the first time that he had more than just a bump on the head.<\/p>\n

It was only after the doctor had been, and bandaged Joe\u2019s head, that Joe remembered to tell Jack about the man he\u2019d shot. This was news to Jack, and he was able to catch Paul Martin to tell him about it. Paul would keep an eye out for someone shot in the leg, and tell the sheriff. He also promised to alert Ben about Joe\u2019s injury, and assure him it wasn\u2019t serious. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the draw backs, and advantages, of being the only doctor in the district,\u201d he joked. \u201cYou meet your patients everywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty miles from home,\u201d Joe complained to Charlie, \u201cand I still can\u2019t get away from Doc Martin!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could\u2019ve been seriously hurt,\u201d Charlie protested. \u201cJoe, when we saw all that blood on your head, we thought you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI was just making a joke.\u201d His eyes drifted shut again. The pain medicine Paul had given him was starting to work, and the headache was going away. He felt incredibly sleepy. He tried to say something else to Charlie, but sleep claimed him.<\/p>\n

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

For the next couple of days, Joe spent a lot of time sleeping. He had a mild concussion, but he was soon up and around again. There had been no further raids on the ranch, but Joe knew that Jack was still worried. He knew that whoever was harassing him wasn\u2019t just going to go away.\u00a0 Once Joe was up and around again, Charlie resumed her secret trips to meet Mark. Joe had tried again to persuade her to tell Jack everything, but she refused.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I, when he\u2019s arguing with Mark\u2019s father?\u201d she cried, and Joe couldn\u2019t dispute her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think you should tell him, though,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to argue with you, Charlie; I\u2019m just saying what I feel.\u201d He watched as she rode off.<\/p>\n

That night, the raids began again. This time, the raiders didn\u2019t get close to the house, thanks to the full moon that shone brightly out of a cloudless sky. However, the moon would be gone in a few days, and they all expected the worst.<\/p>\n

There had been no word from the sheriff about anyone shot in the leg, and Joe had no real memory of what the man looked like. Thin, and perhaps tall, but that was all. He didn\u2019t think he\u2019d be able to identify the intruder if he saw him.<\/p>\n

However, an unpleasant suspicion was now playing in Joe\u2019s mind, although he didn\u2019t say anything to anybody. But the next time he saw Charlie sneaking off to meet Mark, he mounted up and followed her. Dead Horse Canyon wasn\u2019t far from Charlie\u2019s home, and Joe circled around to get there before her. He hid in some brush, and waited.<\/p>\n

A young, fair-haired man rode up, and Charlie appeared moments later. He jumped down from his horse, and helped her down from hers. He swept her into a passionate kiss, and Joe averted his eyes. He felt guilty for spying on them, but he knew of no other way to prove his theory. He desperately hoped he was wrong.<\/p>\n

Before long, Charlie was chattering away to Mark, and Joe thought how it sounded as though she was talking to him. There was the same ease in her voice, and with a sinking heart, Joe realized that Charlie was in love with Mark. It was too late for her to back away from this relationship without a great deal of hurt, and the last thing Joe wanted was to hurt her.<\/p>\n

Then, Mark began to ask Charlie about the raids, and where the horses were being kept now, and how many men there were guarding them. Joe knew at once that what he had feared was true. Mark was somehow in on the raids, and the person who had unintentionally been giving the information was Charlie. Joe put his heel to Cochise, and they burst through the foliage.<\/p>\n

To say the young couple was startled was an understatement. Charlie gaped at Joe as though she had never seen him before. Mark jumped to his feet, and reached for his gun. His hand had barely brushed it before Joe\u2019s gun was drawn. \u201cDon\u2019t bother,\u201d Joe said, softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what are you doing?\u201d Charlie asked, jumping to her feet.<\/p>\n

Holstering his gun, Joe stepped down from Cochise, and tethered him loosely to a bush. His gaze never wavered from Mark. \u201cDon\u2019t you know what he was doing, Charlie?\u201d he asked, the pain evident in his voice. \u201cHe was pumping you for information. Your Pa wondered how they always knew where the best horses were. You told them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, no!\u201d Charlie denied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts true,\u201d Joe said, watching Mark closely. \u201cWhy do you suppose there haven\u2019t been any raids for the last two nights? Because you\u2019ve been at home, taking care of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not true!\u201d she cried. \u201cMark, tell him!\u201d She looked at the young man she loved, and saw on his face that every word Joe said was true. \u201cNo, Mark! Please, no!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Charlie,\u201d Mark snarled, glaring at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll be Joe Cartwright, of the famous Ponderosa ranch.\u201d He flicked a glance at Charlie. \u201cShe never shuts up about you, boy, but its me she loves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Charlie,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI hoped I was wrong. I never wanted to hurt you, you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sobbing, Charlie looked at Mark. \u201cHow could you?\u201d she sobbed. \u201cMark, I love you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could I?\u201d he repeated. \u201cCharlie, you are the heir to that ranch of your father\u2019s. That\u2019s how I could. I want that ranch out of business, and I was getting all I needed from you! Did you really think I loved you? Well, you were wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a strangled cry, Charlie threw herself on Mark, determined to inflict some physical hurt, as he had emotionally hurt her. Joe, seeing her intent, made a move to stop her. Mark caught Charlie by the arm, and slapped her hard across the face. Joe saw red, thrust Charlie out of the way, and swung for Mark.<\/p>\n

They battled back and forth, as Charlie sobbed on the ground. Mark and Joe were well matched for anger and determination. Finally, Mark tripped Joe, as Joe staggered back after a punch to the face, and Joe fell heavily to the ground, winded. Mark drew his gun, and Joe froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Charlie screamed, and launched herself at Mark.<\/p>\n

As cool as a whistle, Mark changed his stance and shot her at point blank range.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie!\u201d Joe cried, and scrambled to his feet. Mark swung round and pulled the trigger. Joe collapsed at his feet.<\/p>\n

Not pausing to check either person, Mark calmly mounted his horse, and rode away.<\/p>\n

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

Joe had no idea how much time had passed before he revived. He lay on the ground and stared at Charlie\u2019s body in horror before he rolled over and vomited painfully. There was no question Charlie was dead. Joe had seen more dead bodies than he really wanted to, but Charlie\u2019s shook him rigid. She was so young, and so small and dainty. It was obscene that she had been murdered like that.<\/p>\n

It took four attempts to get to his feet. Joe glanced down, and saw that the right side of his jacket was soaked in blood. He felt strangely light-headed, but didn\u2019t realize that he had been badly injured. He whistled, and Cochise came to him, and so did Charlie\u2019s little chestnut mare. The sight of the mare almost reduced Joe to tears.<\/p>\n

Awkwardly, Joe untied his bedroll, and dropped the rough wool over Charlie\u2019s body. With the gaping hole in her chest decently covered, Joe felt a little more able to cope. He couldn\u2019t seem to use his right arm properly, but he finally got the body securely over the mare\u2019s saddle. The mare shied away from the smell of blood, but Joe was determined.<\/p>\n

Mounting Cochise, Joe felt his head swim alarmingly. He leaned forward, and took some deep breaths, and gradually his head steadied. He heeled Cochise into a walk, and headed slowly towards Jack\u2019s place. He didn\u2019t allow himself to think about what he was doing, or the grief he\u2019d have to face once he got back there. He just made Cochise take one step after another, and concentrated on staying in the saddle.<\/p>\n

By the time he reached Jack\u2019s place, Joe was barely clinging to consciousness. He knew they had been gone for a long time. When Cochise came to a stand still, Joe opened his eyes to see why. Jack\u2019s anxious face swam into focus, and Joe couldn\u2019t choke back the tears any more. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he gasped, and toppled off his horse in a faint.<\/p>\n

The men rushed to pick up Joe, as Jack took Charlie\u2019s body in his arms. He stood and sobbed, cradling his only child. But even at that moment, he couldn\u2019t bring himself to wish that it had been Joe that died. He couldn\u2019t wish what he was feeling onto another person. He stood there and sobbed, until his foreman came and gently led him into the house. Charlie\u2019s body was taken from him, and after a single, sickened look, the man sent for the sheriff and the doctor. Jack sat in his chair, and cried.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThe bullet went straight through,\u201d said a voice, so close to his ear that Joe flinched.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it tore up the muscles real bad,\u201d said another voice. \u201cBut at least the slug ain\u2019t in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know when, or even if, the doc\u2019s gonna get here,\u201d said the first voice. \u201cLet\u2019s strap up his shoulder and arm in a sling, and hope for the best. I done cleaned it out.\u201d Hands were on Joe\u2019s shoulder, and the pain shot through his arm. He cried out.<\/p>\n

After a moment, Joe\u2019s eyes opened, and he looked at the two ranch hands who were firmly bandaging him up. Joe\u2019s head swam, but he managed to focus on one of them. \u201cHow\u2019s Jack?\u201d he croaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s pretty cut up,\u201d one of them said.<\/p>\n

Squeezing his eyes closed, Joe fought back the tears. He had shed enough of them on the long ride back from Dead Horse Canyon. \u201cMust tell him,\u201d Joe whispered, but one of the hands gave him a drink. Joe eagerly gulped the cool water.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve lost a lot of blood, Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cYou just rest till, the doc gets here. Meantime, let us doctor you as best we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe protested, but as the bandage was pulled tight around his shoulder, he couldn\u2019t bear the pain any more. It felt like his shoulder had exploded, and he sank into welcoming darkness.<\/p>\n

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

When he next woke, Joe felt better. His right arm was totally immobilized, and Joe struggled into a sitting position. Once he was upright, he discovered that he wasn\u2019t as much better as he had first thought. His head was still inclined to swim if he moved too fast. He saw the glass of water sitting on the bedside table, drank it down.<\/p>\n

Glancing at the window, Joe saw that it was growing dark. He wondered how Jack was, and felt a pang of grief. A few tears escaped his control, and he wiped them away. \u201cOh, Charlie,\u201d he whispered. \u201cWhy did it have to happen to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

It suddenly occurred to Joe that he hadn\u2019t told Jack who had murdered Charlie. He threw off the covers and slid to the edge of the bed. He still had on his pants, and his shirt, boots and gun were lying on a chair across the room.<\/p>\n

Before he could attempt to get up, a shot sounded outside, and within moments, there was clearly a fight going on. Gritting his teeth, Joe made the attempt to stand. His head swam, and he sank back down, breathing heavily. His shoulder was on fire.<\/p>\n

The bedroom door burst open and Jack came in, followed by his foreman. \u201cJoe! Thank goodness you\u2019re awake. You\u2019ve got to get to Virginia City and get the sheriff.\u201d Jack snatched up Joe\u2019s shirt, and helped the young man thread his left arm though the fabric. He pulled the other side round Joe\u2019s shoulder and buttoned one button. He didn\u2019t seem to notice that the material was ripped and bloody.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Jack,\u201d Joe gasped, but Jack didn\u2019t allow him time to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to do this for me, Joe,\u201d he urged, helping Joe into his jacket. He hauled Joe to his feet, and buckled on his gun belt. \u201cYour horse is outside. You\u2019ve got to get the sheriff, Joe. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe breathed. His face was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and his legs felt as wobbly as a newborn colt\u2019s. Jack supported him downstairs, and outside, where Cochise was waiting. Joe wanted more than anything to rest, but he wasn\u2019t offered the chance. Jack pushed him onto the horse, and handed him the rein.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet the sheriff,\u201d he said again, and gave Cochise a slap on the rump. \u201cGo, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The journey to Virginia City was a nightmare for Joe. From behind, he could hear the gunfire, and he thought he ought to be back there fighting with Jack and the men. However, he had been charged with fetching the sheriff, and he was determined to do it. It didn\u2019t occur to him to wonder why Jack should send an injured man to do this, when he had plenty of able-bodied hands available to him. He just set his teeth and rode on.<\/p>\n

By the time he reached the city, he was running a good going temperature, and was barely clinging to consciousness. He rode up to the sheriff\u2019s office, oblivious of the stir his condition caused. When he reached his goal, he pulled Cochise to a halt, and slid from the saddle. His legs refused to hold him, and he toppled to the dirt street.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d said a voice, and Joe raised his eyes to see his father bending over him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he said, and blinked the sweat out of his eyes. \u201cMust\u2026 tell\u2026Roy.\u201d He swallowed. \u201cJack\u2026 under\u2026attack.\u201d His head bobbed, and he couldn\u2019t bite back a groan. \u201cCharlie\u2026 dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

By this time, they had attracted quite a crowd, including Roy Coffee, the sheriff, who had come out to see what everyone was gawping at, and had heard what Joe said. \u201cI need a posse,\u201d he shouted. He bent over Ben, who cradled Joe in his arms. \u201cGet him over to the Doc, Ben,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to take you to the doctor\u2019s. I\u2019ll try not to hurt you, son.\u201d Ben looked worriedly at his youngest son. Joe\u2019s face was pale, but for two spots of hectic color in his cheeks. He was covered in sweat, and was hot to the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad\u2026 to\u2026 see\u2026 you,\u201d Joe muttered. Secure in the knowledge that Ben was nearby, Joe slid off into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

Sliding his arm under Joe\u2019s knees, Ben prepared to lift him, and looked up in surprise when another pair of hands appeared on Joe\u2019s other side. He looked into Adam\u2019s concerned brown gaze, and nodded. Between them, they lifted Joe gently, and carried him across the street to the doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Paul said, in surprise. He was just reading a note, and frowning. \u201cHow did Joe get here?\u201d he asked. \u201cI was just reading a note asking me to go out to Jack Dixon\u2019s place to treat him for a gunshot wound\u2026\u201d He jumped forward to peer at his patient. \u201cLay him down on the table,\u201d he said, urgently.<\/p>\n

It took them only moments to strip off Joe\u2019s jacket, and Paul cut his shirt off, before doing the same to the sling and bandages round Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cOh no,\u201d Ben breathed, as he saw the damage to Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh caliber bullet, at close range,\u201d Paul muttered to himself. \u201cIt\u2019s done a hell of a lot of damage.\u201d He immediately began to gather up the things he would need. \u201cBen, it would be better if you waited in the other room,\u201d he said, firmly, and ushered both Ben and Adam out.<\/p>\n

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

Later, Ben couldn\u2019t even hazard a guess as to how long he and Adam waited. But finally Paul came out. \u201cI\u2019ve repaired the damage, and I don\u2019t think his mobility will be hampered too badly. But there was a lot of damage, and whoever looked after him didn\u2019t clean the wound out thoroughly. It\u2019s showing signs of infection already, and Joe is running quite a temperature. If he rode here from the Dixon\u2019s place that was about the worst thing he could have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we take him home?\u201d Adam asked<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this stage, he probably shouldn\u2019t be moved at all, but he would be more comfortable at home, surrounded by familiar things, and it would be easier for you to nurse him.\u201d Paul ruminated for a moment. \u201cAll right, take him home slow and easy. Keep his temperature down, and give him plenty of fluid. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood, and is weak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d Ben said, fervently, and went to sit with Joe while Adam arranged a buckboard to get him home.<\/p>\n

Sitting by Joe, Ben wondered what on earth had happened, that Jack had sent Joe, in the condition he was in, to get the sheriff. Had Joe really meant what he said about Charlie being dead? A shudder ran down Ben\u2019s back, as he thought of the pain Jack must be feeling at the loss of his daughter. How had she died? How had Joe been shot? Who had shot him? They were all questions without answers, at least until Joe was well enough to answer them.<\/p>\n

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

The questions were shelved as he and Adam took Joe slowly home, and transferred him to his own bed. Hoss had been shocked by the appearance of his youngest brother, and anxiously quizzed Ben as to what had happened. Thanks to the pain relief Paul had given him, Joe had slept throughout the long journey home, but he began to mutter and thrash about shortly after they got home. Ben put cold cloths on Joe\u2019s head, noticing the healing scrape along his son\u2019s hairline, and realizing that this was the head injury he had heard about from Paul earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a start, Ben realized that Joe had woken, and was looking at him. His green eyes were dulled with pain. \u201cI\u2019m right here, Joe,\u201d Ben said, raising his son\u2019s head to help him drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere am I?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt home,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cPaul has treated your shoulder. Just rest now and get well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts,\u201d Joe said, his face tight with pain. \u201cI\u2019m hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben soothed, and wiped Joe down once more. He saw that Joe had drifted back to sleep again, and was thankful. The more Joe rested, the sooner he\u2019d regain his strength.<\/p>\n

All that evening and night, the Cartwrights took turns sitting at Joe\u2019s bedside, fighting his fever as best they could. Joe muttered and moaned in his delirium, but the words weren\u2019t coherent. The least touch or movement of his injured shoulder caused him to cry out. When morning came, all three were hollow eyed.<\/p>\n

About mid-morning, Paul came out to check on Joe, and was so concerned by his condition, that he unwrapped the shoulder and looked at the wound again. It was red and inflamed, and there was a thick crust of yellow pus along it. He had no choice but to open it up again, and clean out the infection.<\/p>\n

Finally, Joe was still once more, his face as pale as Ben had seen it in a long time. Sweat beaded on his brow and upper lip, and his curls were damp and tangled. He looked about 16. \u201cIs he going to be all right, Paul?\u201d Ben asked, as he stroked the damp hair back from Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul answered, wearily. \u201cHe\u2019s young, which is in his favor. Now that the infection is out, I hope his fever will break soon, and then he\u2019ll be on the mend.\u201d He eyed his somnolent patient. \u201cCome with me, Ben,\u201d he said, and drew him out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy got back late last night from the Dixon\u2019s,\u201d Paul said, drawing Ben even further away from Joe\u2019s door. He knew only too well that patients who appeared to be asleep or unconscious often heard things. \u201cJack was dead, his place burned to the ground, and the horses gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was so white, that Paul pushed him into a seat. He crouched beside his friend, while Ben tried to absorb the news. \u201cCharlie?\u201d Ben said, at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben, she\u2019s dead, too. She had been shot at point blank range. She must have died instantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho could have done such a thing?\u201d Ben whispered, savagely. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cPerhaps, when Joe is recovered, he might be able to help us. I\u2019m so sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI must tell the boys,\u201d Ben said. He got to his feet, and looked in on Joe for a moment, before resolutely squaring his shoulders and going downstairs. Paul followed him, and stayed until Ben had told both Adam and Hoss, and he was convinced that none of them needed treatment for shock. Then he quietly let himself out, and none of them noticed him leaving.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cOh, Charlie,\u201d Joe groaned. \u201cCharlie, no. Don\u2019t, please.\u201d He writhed on the bed, and winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d Adam said, changing the cloth on his head. \u201cTake it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

It had been 2 days since Joe was brought home, and his fever still burned high. Paul had been out twice a day, and had drained the wound again. It now looked better, and was starting to lose the redness around it. Paul was hopeful that Joe\u2019s fever would break soon. However, in the meantime, he was still delirious, and needed constant attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s not worth it,\u201d panted Joe. \u201cNo, don\u2019t tell him. NO!\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes flew open, and he looked at Adam without recognition. \u201cCharlie!\u201d Tears poured down his face, and Joe shuddered. Adam wondered if Joe was reliving Charlie\u2019s death and fervently hoped that wasn\u2019t so. \u201cMark, no!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, buddy,\u201d soothed Adam, wondering who Mark was. \u201cJust rest, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a sigh from the young man on the bed, and he clutched at the air. Adam caught his hand and held onto it. Joe clutched fiercely, and fell into a deeper sleep. After a time, his grip loosened, and his hand dropped back to the bed. Adam flexed his fingers, and changed the cloth again.<\/p>\n

The door opened, and Ben came in. \u201cHow is he?\u201d he asked, in an undertone. It was close to three am.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bit calmer just now,\u201d Adam answered, stretching. \u201cHe seems to be sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting his hand on Joe\u2019s head, Ben stroked his hair for a moment. \u201cI think he\u2019s cooler,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Rising, Adam also put his hand onto Joe\u2019s head. \u201cYes, I think he is,\u201d he agreed, sounding pleased. \u201cLet\u2019s hope this continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hope so,\u201d said Ben, fervently. He patted Adam on the back. \u201cGet some sleep, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Pa,\u201d Adam said. He hesitated in the doorway and looked back. Ben was sitting by the bed, stoking Joe\u2019s arm in a soothing rhythm. Adam said a brief prayer for his brother\u2019s recovery before going off to bed to fall into an exhausted sleep immediately.<\/p>\n

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

Round abut mid-morning, Joe\u2019s eyes fluttered open, and he looked round blearily. His shoulder hurt, but it didn\u2019t seem so bad. Ben was standing looking out of the window, his arms crossed over his chest. Joe thought he looked tired. \u201cPa?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Turning instantly, a warm smile split Ben\u2019s face. \u201cWell, it\u2019s about time you woke up, young man,\u201d he said, cheerfully, and came over and sat down. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d He waggled a finger at Joe. \u201cAnd don\u2019t say fine; I want the truth, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a bit sore,\u201d Joe said. \u201cAnd I feel real tired.\u201d He looked round again. \u201cHow did I get here?\u201d he asked. \u201cThe last thing I remember is Roy\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought you home after Paul fixed up your shoulder,\u201d Ben said. \u201cYou spoke to us after we brought you home. Don\u2019t you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mutely, Joe shook his head. He licked his lips, and Ben offered him a drink, which Joe took gratefully. He lay back on his pillows. Ben patted his arm. \u201cI\u2019ll go and get you some broth. Hop Sing made if for you. Try not to go back to sleep, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed. He sighed. The pain in his shoulder was constant, and he was glad it was immobilized. Even the thought of moving his arm made it throb more.<\/p>\n

There was the sound of feet in the hallway, and Joe looked expectantly at the door. He wasn\u2019t disappointed, because it opened, and Hoss and Adam came in. Hoss was beaming, and Joe felt himself responding, although his smile lacked its usual brilliance. \u201cHi there, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss boomed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Hoss,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cHi, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, yourself,\u201d Adam said. He looked closely at Joe, while smiling warmly at him. \u201cLast time I saw you, you were finally cooling down. If you\u2019d just done it a little sooner, we\u2019d have all got more sleep last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said, contritely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m teasing, buddy,\u201d Adam said, ruffling Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n

By the time Joe had eaten the broth, he was very tired. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but it was a battle he was destined to lose. Ben helped him lie down again, and watched as sleep claimed his youngest again. He beckoned to the others to join him as he left.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas Joe said anything?\u201d Adam wanted to know, as they went downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t even remember that he was at home. I didn\u2019t want to push him. He\u2019ll talk about it when he\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might not be soon enough for Roy,\u201d Adam pointed out. \u201cWe need to find out if Joe knows who might have done that to Jack.\u201d Adam\u2019s anger was apparent in his tone. \u201cAnd besides, if the person who did this discovers that Joe is still alive, he might come after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I haven\u2019t thought of that?\u201d Ben enquired, no less angrily. \u201cJack was my friend, too. But we have to think of Joe\u2019s well-being right now. He\u2019s been very ill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon you have ta ask Joe next time he wakens, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, earnestly. \u201cIt ain\u2019t no good puttin\u2019 it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said, wearily. He sat down and rubbed his eyes. \u201cWhen Joe wakes up again, I\u2019ll ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhittier?\u201d Ben repeated. \u201cI don\u2019t know them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never met the father,\u201d Joe said, softly. His head was down, a sure sign of distress. \u201cThe son is called Mark. Charlie had fallen in love with him, and was meeting him secretly at Dead Horse Canyon.\u201d His voice cracked and he swallowed hard against the tears that rose in his throat. Ben gripped Joe\u2019s arm compassionately. \u201cAfter I got hit on the head, Charlie stayed close to the ranch, looking after me. There weren\u2019t any raids those nights. But as soon as I was up again, Charlie sneaked off. I followed her.\u201d Joe looked up miserably at Ben. \u201cI felt bad, but how could I tell her what I thought?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you think?\u201d Ben asked, gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Charlie was telling them where to find the horses.\u201d A tear slipped free and ran, unchecked, down Joe\u2019s cheek. \u201cI was right; she was telling him! She didn\u2019t realize, Pa. She talked to him like she talked to me. She\u2019d fallen in love with him, and was telling him all her secrets, and he was taking advantage of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI confronted them. Charlie was hurt, as you\u2019d expect, and she turned on Mark. He slapped her. I dove for him. We fought. I fell over, and he pulled his gun. When Charlie made to stop him shooting me, he shot her at point blank range.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice faltered and he broke down into sobs. Ben gathered him into a comforting embrace.<\/p>\n

When Joe\u2019s grief had run its course for the time being, Ben gently washed his face. Joe found it very comforting to be treated like a small child. He lay back, exhausted. \u201cDo you want to rest now?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said, bravely. \u201cI want to finish it, Pa.\u201d He took a drink. \u201cWhen he shot Charlie, I lunged at him again, and he shot me. When I came to, I took Charlie back home. Later, Jack came and said that I had to go for the sheriff. I didn\u2019t think of it, but he must have wanted me gone when the fight started.\u201d He looked at Ben, tears in his eyes again. \u201cAnd he died. He saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were like a son to Jack,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cHe\u2019d lost Charlie; he wouldn\u2019t have wanted to lose you, too, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a time, Joe slipped back into a deep sleep. Ben rose stiffly, and left the room quietly. Downstairs, Adam was sitting at the desk doing the books. He glanced up, and saw by Ben\u2019s face that Joe had told him what happened. \u201cWas it someone we know?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said, sitting down. Adam rose from the desk and came over to join him. \u201cSomeone called Whittier, Joe thinks.\u201d Slowly, Ben told Adam the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to go into town?\u201d he asked. \u201cOr do you want Roy to come out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll send for Roy,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI just feel we all should stay close to home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny particular reason?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cOr just the feeling that Whittier might come after Joe to finish what he started?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt worries me,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s no secret in town that Joe is on the mend. Paul has said as much. From what Joe says, the Whittier ranch isn\u2019t that far away from Jack\u2019s place.\u201d Ben\u2019s face was heavy with sorrow as he thought of his friend.<\/p>\n

After a moment\u2019s silence, Adam asked, \u201cDoes Joe know that Jack and Charlie have been buried?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI told him.\u201d He sat for a moment longer, then got to his feet and went outside to send for the sheriff.<\/p>\n

Gazing into the flames, Adam thought of Charlie and Jack. He could see the appeal Mark had for Charlie. She had always loved \u2018Romeo and Juliet\u2019, and had been very curious about Joe\u2019s involvement with Amy Bishop. She had lived quite a sheltered life, and the idea of being Juliet for real must have been overwhelming. What tangled loyalties she must have felt when she realized she\u2019d been duped. She loved and trusted Joe, as a brother, but she was in love with Mark, and must have given him her trust. It must have been difficult for her to believe he had betrayed her like that. It was a sad end for two very nice people. With a melancholy sigh, Adam returned to his paperwork.<\/p>\n

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

They were sitting down to supper when there was a loud crash from upstairs. \u201cWhat on earth?\u201d Ben said, half rising.<\/p>\n

Jumping from his chair, Adam grabbed his gun and raced upstairs. He threw open the door to Joe\u2019s room and went in, taking in the situation at a glance.<\/p>\n

His youngest brother lay on the floor, groaning with pain. He had landed on his injured shoulder, and was finding it difficult to catch his breath. Standing over him was Mark Whittier, gun in his hand. As Adam burst into the room, Mark whirled, and fired at Adam, who dived to the floor to avoid being hit. He fired back, but missed.<\/p>\n

By this time, Joe had gathered his scattered wits, and threw himself across the floor at Mark, who was aiming at Adam again. It was a scenario that was horribly familiar to Joe, and he was determined that nobody else that he loved was going to get killed by this madman.<\/p>\n

Caught by surprise, Mark crashed his gun into the base of Joe\u2019s neck as Joe hit him about the waist. Blood spurted from the wound, and Joe fell unconscious to the floor. Mark regained his footing and looked round for Adam, bringing his gun up to fire again.<\/p>\n

He was too slow. Joe\u2019s impetuous rush had given Adam the time he needed, and he didn\u2019t miss this time. Mark went down, and he didn\u2019t get back up. Slowly, Adam crawled to his feet. He had cracked his elbow off the sharp corner of Joe\u2019s bureau, and it was bleeding slightly. However, Adam wasn\u2019t aware of any discomfort. All his attention was fixed on his brother, who was sprawled, bleeding, on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d exclaimed Ben\u2019s voice from the doorway. He hurried over to where Adam was tenderly lifting his brother. \u201cAre you all right? Is Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI\u2019m all right. I think he might be dead.\u201d He inclined his head to the young man on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is checking outside,\u201d Ben said, anxiously looking at the injury on Joe\u2019s neck. It was just at the vulnerable bit where his neck and shoulder joined, and it was bleeding profusely. Ben snatched up a cloth and held it against the wound. The bleeding gradually stopped, and they saw that the gash wasn\u2019t serious. Ben then had a look at Adam\u2019s elbow. The cut there wasn\u2019t deep, and had stopped bleeding already.<\/p>\n

Heavy footsteps announced Hoss\u2019 appearance. \u201cThere were riders a bit away, Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cBut they rode off when they heard the shootin\u2019.\u201d He glanced at his brothers. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, thanks,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cHoss, could you get rid of him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, and picked up the body and took it away.<\/p>\n

Movement from the bed drew their attention back to Joe, and they looked at him in time to see his eyes opening. He focused on Adam. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, and then winced as the pain rocketed up his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to you, I am,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cBut you scared me out of ten years\u2019 growth!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was like Charlie all over again,\u201d Joe said, tears suddenly streaking his face as his relief overcame him. \u201cI couldn\u2019t let him kill someone else I love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that Mark Whittier?\u201d Adam asked, and Joe looked at him blankly for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho did you think it was?\u201d he asked, puzzled.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Adam shook his head. \u201cJoe, you\u2019re the only one who ever met the guy. I just wanted to make sure there wasn\u2019t another homicidal maniac determined to kill you out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not funny,\u201d Ben reproved, but Joe was grinning. Adam\u2019s comment had relieved the tension in the room.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, they heard hoofs in the yard, and shortly after that, Roy Coffee appeared in the room. He took statements from them all, starting with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was asleep,\u201d Joe began. He leaned unconsciously against Ben as he spoke. \u201cI felt a hand on my arm, shaking me. When I opened my eyes, Mark Whittier was there, and he had his gun in my face. He hauled me upright, and shook me. Then he pushed me, and I fell out of bed onto my sore shoulder. Mark laughed.\u00a0 He was just aiming at me when Adam came in.\u201d Joe glanced at his older brother, and was met by a steady, reassuring brown gaze. \u201cHe shot at Adam and missed. He went to shoot him again, and I dived at him. I couldn\u2019t let him kill someone else I love, like he killed Charlie. I jumped him, and he hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was knocked out,\u201d Adam took up the story smoothly, and Ben hugged Joe close, feeling him shiver with delayed shock. \u201cI shot at Mark, and hit him. Joe was bleeding, and unconscious. I have no doubt that Mark was here to kill Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a clear case of self-defense,\u201d Roy said. \u201cNo need to worry on that score, boys. I\u2019ll get a posse out and round up Whittier senior, and see what I can find out. Thanks, Little Joe.\u201d He nodded to Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll see myself out.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Roy left, Hoss looked at Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll get ya somethin\u2019 warm to drink, Punkin,\u201d he said, and went out of the door. He was back quickly with a pot of hot coffee, and they all sat around drinking the warming liquid in companionable silence. Joe\u2019s shivers gradually abated as the warmth spread through his body, and he was soon stifling a yawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll let you sleep, Joe,\u201d Ben said, taking the cup from Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Joe,\u201d Hoss said. He ruffled Joe\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Hoss,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Joe,\u201d Adam said. He leaned his arm on the bed head, and looked down at Joe. \u201cThanks for saving my life tonight, little buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t called me that in a long time,\u201d Joe noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you too big to be called Little buddy?\u201d Adam asked, smiling. \u201cIt certainly wasn\u2019t the little kid I remember in here tonight, fighting for my life. If I\u2019m ever in a tight corner, Joe, I couldn\u2019t ask for anyone better to be with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Compliments from Adam were rare, and Joe treasured them more because of that. \u201cI have to thank you, too,\u201d he said. \u201cYou saved my life. I don\u2019t know how you knew to get up here, but I\u2019m glad that you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps it was that crash as you fell out of bed,\u201d Adam joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. \u201cIf Hoss hadn\u2019t been sitting at the table with us, I\u2019d have thought he\u2019d fallen out of bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks a lot, big brother!\u201d Hoss said, trying to sound offended, but failing dismally. Joe was grinning broadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s enough,\u201d Ben said, ushering Adam and Hoss out. He knew what they could be like when they all got started. He sat down beside Joe again. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe asserted. There was still a shadow on his eyes, and Ben waited to see if Joe would mention whatever was bothering him. After a moment, he did. \u201cIt was just the way it had happened with Charlie,\u201d he said. \u201cI watched him murder Charlie, and I thought I was going to have to watch him murder Adam. I couldn\u2019t have lived with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie\u2019s murder wasn\u2019t your fault,\u201d Ben said. He could see Joe didn\u2019t believe him. \u201cShe was in love with Whittier. She thought he loved her, too, and it\u2019s natural to tell things to the people we love. She would\u2019ve found out eventually, Joe. There isn\u2019t a good way to hear news like that, but it\u2019s probably best if it comes from someone you know loves you for yourself, and has always loved you. That\u2019s probably why she believed you at once. She knew that you didn\u2019t have a hidden motive \u2013 you weren\u2019t in love with her, and she wasn\u2019t in love with you.\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cCharlie was young, and inexperienced. She loved the idea of being Juliet. You said so yourself. To her, it must have seemed wildly romantic to have a conflict of loyalties like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cShe wanted to be loyal to us all.\u201d He thought about it some more. \u201cWhat a tangle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot every tangle can be sorted out without hurt,\u201d Ben advised. \u201cYou did what you thought was right.\u201d He thought the conversation had gone on long enough. \u201cYou get some sleep, now,\u201d he said. \u201cGood night, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Pa,\u201d Joe said. He snuggled down among the pillows. In the days that came, Joe would grieve for his friend, but he had made his peace with her death, by saving the life of his brother. Joe would never know quite why, but as Ben said, some tangles can never be sorted out.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Helping out at a friend’s horse ranch, Joe becomes entangled in a nasty rivalry, which could cost him his life.<\/p>\n

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