{"id":47135,"date":"2003-12-05T03:16:49","date_gmt":"2003-12-05T08:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47135"},"modified":"2026-07-31T09:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T13:08:08","slug":"the_homecoming_by_kimberley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47135","title":{"rendered":"The Homecoming (by Kimberley)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Summary:\u00a0 <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">Joe<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">is<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">reunited<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">with<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">a<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">childhood<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, adobe-helvetica, 'Arial Narrow';\">sweetheart<\/span><\/span><br \/>\nRating:\u00a0 Teen+<br \/>\nWords:\u00a0 3,500<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The Brandsters have included this story by this author in our project: <a href=\"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?page_id=40837\">Preserving Their Legacy<\/a>. To preserve the legacy of the author, we have decided to give their work a home in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library.\u00a0 The author will always be the owner of this work of fanfiction, and should they wish us to remove their story, we will.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Homecoming<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Hoss loaded the last of the sacks into the wagon as Joe slapped him on the back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;How about a drink before we head back to the ranch?&#8221; the youngest Cartwright suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">After taking a moment to secure the rope holding their supplies, Hoss turned to face his brother, the mischief in his blue eyes matching the boyish grin he wore. &#8220;That sounds like a durned good idea to me, Joe,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;I reckon I&#8217;ll even have one for you if you&#8217;d like.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The fleeting surprise on Joe&#8217;s face turned to amusement, as he shook his head in disbelief. &#8220;I think I can handle my own drink, thank you very much,&#8221; he chuckled. &#8220;Come on.&#8221; He was about to head across the street to their favourite saloon when he felt a strong hand on his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t think you can, little brother,&#8221; Hoss chuckled. &#8220;You promised Pa you&#8217;d send that telegram, remember? The way I see it, I&#8217;ll have time for two drinks before you even get back.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The amusement melted from Joe&#8217;s features as he remembered his promise. &#8220;Oh yeah,&#8221; he muttered sheepishly as he forced a small smile. &#8220;I forgot.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll meet you back here when you&#8217;re done,&#8221; Hoss grinned, returning his brother&#8217;s slap on the back. &#8220;And don&#8217;t worry, I&#8217;ll make sure I enjoy that beer of yours just as much as if you were drinkin&#8217; it yourself.&#8221; With that, he began to stroll across the street, obviously enjoying the amusement his younger brother&#8217;s predicament provided.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Yeah?&#8221; Joe called, struggling for a witty retort. &#8220;Well you just make sure mine&#8217;s cold!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t have it any other way!&#8221; Hoss called, raising a hand though not bothering to turn around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe watched him enter the saloon and heaved a defeated sigh. &#8220;Help Hoss with the supplies, Joe. Send the telegram, Joe,&#8221; he muttered petulantly under his breath as he headed toward the telegraph office. &#8220;Sometimes I wonder how they&#8217;d ever get along without me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The sound of frantic voices and gunshots pulled him out of his temporary moment of self-pity and he hurried toward the commotion, rounding the corner into an alley behind the land office. Immediately, his keen instincts took in the scene and determined what was going on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Hold it!&#8221; he called, drawing his gun in less time than it took the words to leave his lips. Even as he issued the warning, the stranger turned, pushing the woman away and drawing his own weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">In a heartbeat, Joe was on the ground, rolling out of the line of fire before bringing both hands up to fire four shots in rapid succession. In seconds, it was over and the stranger lay sprawled motionless in the dust.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Are you all right?&#8221; the woman asked, hurrying to his side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;That&#8217;s supposed to be my line, ma&#8217;am,&#8221; Joe replied, allowing a slight smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You&#8217;re hurt!&#8221; she exclaimed, touching the thin line of blood that ran down his cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe tentatively touched the small wound at his temple. &#8220;Just grazed me,&#8221; he assured her nonchalantly as he looked at the blood on his fingers. &#8220;Nothin&#8217; to worry about.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He raised his eyes to meet the woman&#8217;s anxious gaze, only then noticing the familiar features. &#8220;Trina?&#8221; he breathed in amazement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">She was silent for a moment, a smile lighting her face as recognition dawned. &#8220;Joe Cartwright,&#8221; she finally replied. &#8220;I almost didn&#8217;t recognize you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been years,&#8221; Joe laughed, hugging her affectionately. &#8220;We were what? Nine when you left?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Nine and a half,&#8221; she corrected, laughing as she returned the hug. &#8220;It&#8217;s good to see you again.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;So what are you doing here?&#8221; Joe asked, holding her at arm&#8217;s length to study her face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">She&#8217;d grown into a beautiful woman, but the sparkling, blue-green eyes still held memories of the trouble they&#8217;d managed to get themselves into as children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Her smile faltered and she glanced at the ground briefly before replying. &#8220;Father died a couple of months ago,&#8221; she replied in a quiet voice. &#8220;I guess I got a little lonesome for the past, and before I even knew it, I found myself on a stage headed for Virginia City.&#8221; Forcing a smile, she raised her eyes to meet his. &#8220;Saying it out loud, it sounds pretty pathetic, even to me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Not at all,&#8221; he replied, offering a reassuring smile. Then, glancing at the lifeless body of the man in the alley, he added, &#8220;And him?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; she shrugged. &#8220;He was on the stage, but he never spoke. I don&#8217;t even know his name. I was on my way to the hotel and he just grabbed me and tried to take my bag.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Their conversation was interrupted as Roy Coffee and a few other men hurried into the alley.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s going on here?&#8221; Roy demanded, his sombre gaze taking in the lifeless form on the ground.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;A thief, I expect,&#8221; Joe replied grimly. &#8220;Trina said he grabbed her and tried to take her bag.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Roy studied the young woman&#8217;s face for a moment before allowing his stern look to melt into a smile. &#8220;Trina Cassidy?&#8221; he exclaimed. &#8220;Well I&#8217;ll be darned. I haven&#8217;t seen you since you were a little thing with pigtails and a slingshot.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Trina laughed lightly, a melodic sound that made everyone feel warm and comfortable in her presence. &#8220;It&#8217;s good to see you Roy,&#8221; she answered. &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid those days are long gone. I haven&#8217;t even seen a slingshot in years.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m sure we still have one somewhere out on the Ponderosa,&#8221; Joe suggested with a smile. &#8220;You will stay with us, won&#8217;t you? Pa would have my hide if he found out I let you stay at the hotel.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;d love to see your father and brothers again,&#8221; Trina assured him. &#8220;But I didn&#8217;t come here expecting an invitation to stay on the ranch.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Well you should have,&#8221; he scolded good-naturedly. &#8220;You&#8217;re practically family.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;He&#8217;s right, Trina,&#8221; Roy added. &#8220;Ben wouldn&#8217;t hear of you staying here in town. I think you&#8217;d best take Little Joe up on his offer.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Little Joe?&#8221; she repeated, laughing lightly as she turned once again to her childhood friend. &#8220;Don&#8217;t tell me they still call you that.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Thanks, Roy,&#8221; Joe muttered, feigning an indignant look in the sheriff&#8217;s direction. Then, taking Trina&#8217;s bag in one hand and her arm in the other, he nodded at the body three men were removing from the alley. &#8220;You know where to find me if you need any more information.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">**********<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Dinner was a pleasant affair, with everyone laughing as Joe and Trina relived childhood memories.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I never knew a little girl who could get into so much mischief,&#8221; Ben laughed, shaking his head as they reminisced. &#8220;I wasn&#8217;t sure which one of you was a worse influence on the other.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;The way I remember it, they were pretty evenly matched,&#8221; Adam mused thoughtfully. &#8220;Though we never did find out which one was responsible for setting fire to the loft.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;It was her!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was him!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Everyone broke into new gales of laughter as the playful accusations were exclaimed in unison.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Thank you for dinner, Mr. Cartwright,&#8221; Trina smiled as they rose from the table. &#8220;And for letting me stay here. The Ponderosa holds many fond memories for me. It was like a second home to me as a child.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;And I hope it will be again,&#8221; Ben smiled warmly. &#8220;You&#8217;re welcome to stay for as long as you&#8217;d like.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; she replied again, hugging him fondly. &#8220;I hadn&#8217;t realized how much I&#8217;d missed everyone here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;We sure missed you too, Trina,&#8221; Hoss grinned. &#8220;After you left, me and Adam had to put up with Little Joe following us around everywhere. It sure was a might nicer when it was you he used to tag after.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Yes, indeed,&#8221; Adam sighed, shaking his head sadly. &#8220;Oh for the peaceful days of yesteryear.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Very funny,&#8221; Joe smirked good-naturedly. &#8220;Now if you&#8217;ll excuse us, we have a lot of catching up to do.&#8221; Turning to Trina, he offered his arm. &#8220;Can I interest you in a breath of fresh air?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Maybe a short one,&#8221; she smiled coyly. &#8220;It&#8217;s been a long day and I&#8217;m afraid I&#8217;m starting to tire.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;We won&#8217;t go far,&#8221; he promised<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;All night, then,&#8221; she accepted. Turning to Ben and the two older brothers, she bade them good night as Joe gently placed her shawl around her shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The evening sky was clear and Trina found herself looking up at the stars as though she hadn&#8217;t seen them since leaving for the East. &#8220;It&#8217;s beautiful,&#8221; she breathed. &#8220;I&#8217;d almost forgotten.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Yes, it is,&#8221; Joe murmured softly, his eyes not leaving her face. &#8220;Standing here like this, it&#8217;s like you never left.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;But I did,&#8221; she replied quietly, leaning against the rail as she turned to face him. &#8220;We&#8217;re not kids anymore, Joe. Things are so much more complicated now.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He frowned slightly at the wistful tone of her voice. &#8220;They don&#8217;t have to be,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Once you&#8217;ve been here for a while, you&#8217;ll love it like you used to. It can be your home again, Trina.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I never stopped loving it,&#8221; she replied with a smile. &#8220;Life in the city can never compare to this. I guess that&#8217;s why I decided to come back. Once Father died, it just didn&#8217;t feel like home anymore.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry,&#8221; Joe offered. &#8220;Your father was a good man.&#8221; He was quiet for a moment before broaching the question uppermost on his mind. &#8220;Did you leave someone behind?&#8221; he finally asked in a quiet voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">She turned to him, laughing lightly at the question. &#8220;No, Little Joe,&#8221; she replied in a teasing voice. &#8220;There&#8217;s no one waiting for me back there.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m glad to hear that,&#8221; he smiled, slipping his arm around her waist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You haven&#8217;t changed,&#8221; she laughed coyly, ducking out of his reach and through the fence to stand on the other side. &#8220;Do you remember when we were kids? Down by the stream?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You mean when I tried to kiss you and you nearly broke my arm?&#8221; he replied, feigning pain as he flexed his shoulder. &#8220;How could I forget?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m not quite the tomboy I was back then,&#8221; she assured him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;More good news,&#8221; he teased as he reached for her again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;But I could still break your arm if you forget your manners,&#8221; she returned, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll keep that in mind,&#8221; he sighed in mock dejection. &#8220;Well, Miss Cassidy,&#8221; he continued in his most formal tone as he bowed slightly. &#8220;I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;d like to turn in. May I escort you to your room.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You may, sir,&#8221; she went along, curtsying playfully. Taking his arm, she allowed him to lead her back to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Thank you, Little Joe,&#8221; she murmured as they neared the door. &#8220;For making me feel like I still belong here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;No matter what you say,&#8221; he returned in a slightly more serious tone. &#8220;A part of you never left.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">At his words, she reached up and brushed her lips lightly against his. &#8220;Good night.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Without another word, she let herself into the house and headed for the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He stood transfixed as he watched her float up the stairway, a lovely vision of the past returned to him. &#8220;Good night,&#8221; he whispered once she was out of sight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">**********<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The days passed quickly as the years apart melted away. In the short time she&#8217;d been at the Ponderosa, they&#8217;d managed to not only rekindle the friendship they&#8217;d once had, but to allow it to blossom into the sweet promise of something more.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I can&#8217;t believe it&#8217;s only been two weeks,&#8221; she sighed in contentment as they stretched a blanket out beside the stream. &#8220;At the same time, it really does feel like I never left.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He placed the picnic basket on the blanket before lowering himself to sit by her side. &#8220;That&#8217;s the way it is out here,&#8221; he replied softly. &#8220;It gets inside you and no matter where you go, you can never really leave it, not entirely.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Do you ever think of leaving?&#8221; she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Not me,&#8221; he shook his head with a smile. &#8220;Adam talks about it from time to time. I think maybe he believes there&#8217;s something more for him out there somewhere. Me, I belong here like the pines and the mountains. I&#8217;ll never leave.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;So if I come back fifty years from now, you&#8217;ll still be Little Joe of the Ponderosa,&#8221; she teased.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I guess I will,&#8221; he replied, studying her eyes. &#8220;But in order for you to come back in fifty years, you&#8217;d have to leave. I don&#8217;t plan on letting that happen.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Is that a fact?&#8221; she challenged playfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He was quiet for a moment, taking her hand as he studied her features. &#8220;I love you, Trina,&#8221; he murmured quietly. &#8220;When we&#8217;re together, it feels like the most natural thing in the world.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I know,&#8221; she whispered. &#8220;I feel it, too.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;We belong together,&#8221; he pointed out, touching her cheek lightly. &#8220;Like two halves of the same person.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;The same soul,&#8221; she added, &#8220;the same heart.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Trina,&#8221; he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. &#8220;Say you&#8217;ll marry me. Say you&#8217;ll stay here and live with me on this very spot forever.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Yes, Joe,&#8221; she whispered, tears shining in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As he bent his head to kiss her deeply, they shared a promise that mere words could never convey.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Though Joe had gathered everyone together for the big announcement, no one seemed very surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You mean you finally got around to asking her?&#8221; Adam asked in a tone of mock amazement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;We were figurin&#8217; we&#8217;d have to do the asking for ya, little brother,&#8221; Hoss teased.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Boys,&#8221; Ben warned in his fatherly tone. &#8220;Let&#8217;s not spoil the moment now that it&#8217;s finally here.&#8221; Moving to where Trina stood beside Joe, he took both of her hands in his and kissed her lightly on the cheek. &#8220;We&#8217;ll be proud to have you officially become part of the family,&#8221; he assured her warmly. &#8220;I always trusted my sons to make the right choice when the time came. I can&#8217;t think of anyone I&#8217;d rather have as a daughter.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; Trina beamed happily, tears sparkling in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Hoss and Adam took their turns to kiss the bride-to-be and shake their brother&#8217;s hand in a gesture of congratulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Are you sure, Trina?&#8221; Hoss asked, frowning as he studied Joe critically. &#8220;I mean, now that I look at him, he is just a little feller.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;She&#8217;s sure,&#8221; Joe replied, stepping between his brother and his fianc\u00e9e, only to have Hoss grab him in a bear hug.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Just funnin&#8217; with ya, little brother,&#8221; Hoss laughed. &#8220;You&#8217;re a lucky man, Little Joe.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;That I am,&#8221; Joe replied, turning once again to the girl by his side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re both lucky,&#8221; Trina added, slipping an arm around his waist. &#8220;I only wish Father were here to share in this moment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;s smiling his blessing on you both as we speak,&#8221; Ben smiled. &#8220;This calls for a celebration. Champagne for everyone!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The next morning, Joe and Hoss were preparing to go into town when Trina joined them in the barn. &#8220;Mind if I come along?&#8221; she asked brightly. &#8220;There&#8217;s so much to do before the wedding. I thought I&#8217;d look at some dresses and such.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t mind a bit,&#8221; Joe grinned as he kissed her good morning. &#8220;Can&#8217;t think of a better companion on that long ride.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll just pretend I didn&#8217;t hear that,&#8221; Hoss shot a look of mock indignation at his brother before turning to offer a bright smile to Trina. &#8220;Then again, he&#8217;s got a point. The ride will seem a lot shorter with some intelligent conversation for a change.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;And I&#8217;ll pretend I didn&#8217;t hear that,&#8221; Joe laughed as they hitched the horses to the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You two go ahead and look at whatever it is married people need,&#8221; Hoss suggested as they arrived in town. &#8220;I&#8217;ll check with Charlie about those horses and then I&#8217;ll meet you over at the mercantile.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Ok,&#8221; Joe agreed. &#8220;We&#8217;ll head over there as soon as I check for that telegram Pa&#8217;s been waiting for.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Fair enough,&#8221; Hoss nodded as he tipped his hat in Trina&#8217;s direction. &#8220;Try to keep him out of trouble, will ya?&#8221; he teased. &#8220;It&#8217;s a big job for me to handle on my own.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll do my best,&#8221; Trina laughed as they headed down the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">As they talked about wedding plans and where they&#8217;d build their house, they didn&#8217;t notice the commotion in the alley. Only the sound of gunshots brought them back to their surroundings. Without a thought, Joe headed into the alley as he had on that day only weeks ago. He heard another shot and a scream before blackness closed in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Joe?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">He could hear his name but couldn&#8217;t seem to focus on the direction of the voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Joseph!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Pa?&#8221; he replied weakly, struggling to open his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You&#8217;re going to be all right, son,&#8221; his father&#8217;s soothing voice broke through the fog that clouded his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Trina,&#8221; Joe whispered. &#8220;Where&#8217;s Trina?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;She&#8217;s in the next room,&#8221; Ben answered quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe allowed a slight smile of relief. &#8220;She&#8217;s probably worried out of her mind,&#8221; he said weakly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;You gave us quite a scare, young man,&#8221; Ben replied. &#8220;The doctor wasn&#8217;t sure you&#8217;d wake up at all.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll be fine,&#8221; Joe assured him, wincing as he tried to nod. &#8220;Tell Trina not to worry. The wedding will go on just as planned.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Take it easy, Little Joe,&#8221; Hoss suggested in a concerned voice.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I want to see her,&#8221; Joe insisted, trying to sit up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lay back,&#8221; Adam cautioned with a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. Turning to Ben, he added, &#8220;I&#8217;ll get the doctor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Bring Trina too,&#8221; Joe asked, lying back as his strength once again ebbed from him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Despite his attempts to fight it, blackness once again closed in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">When he awoke once again, Ben was by his side. As he allowed his gaze to move slowly around the room, he frowned slightly. &#8220;How&#8217;d I get here?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;We brought you out,&#8221; Ben answered, smiling slightly. &#8220;The doctor did everything he could in town. We thought you&#8217;d recover best back in your own room.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;How long?&#8221; Joe asked, struggling to remember all that had happened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Three days,&#8221; Ben answered. &#8220;But the doctor says you&#8217;re still going to need your rest. Don&#8217;t try to talk, just take it easy.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Trina,&#8221; Joe breathed. &#8220;Is she here? Can I see her?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Ben was silent for a moment. &#8220;How much do you remember, Joeseph?&#8221; he asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe frowned as he struggled to put the pieces together. &#8220;We went into town, me and Hoss and Trina. Hoss was going to talk to Charlie and Trina and I were going to check on the telegram and then shop for the wedding.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Wedding?&#8221; Ben repeated, frowning in concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry, Pa,&#8221; Joe forced a smile. &#8220;I&#8217;ll be up and about in plenty of time.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Joseph,&#8221; Ben began. &#8220;Do you remember the gunfight in the alley?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Sure,&#8221; Joe nodded slightly. &#8220;It was the same alley, by the land office. The same place where that guy tried to rob Trina the day she got here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;And when was that?&#8221; Ben asked. &#8220;Do you remember when that was, Joe?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;A couple of weeks ago,&#8221; Joe answered. &#8220;Really, Pa, I&#8217;m all right.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Joe,&#8221; Ben began. &#8220;Trina got here three days ago, not weeks ago.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe frowned again. &#8220;What are you talking about, Pa? She&#8217;s been here, staying with us. We&#8217;re going to get married.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Joe,&#8221; Ben repeated in a slightly firmer voice. &#8220;Trina got to Virginia City three days ago. Apparently a man tried to rob her shortly after she got off the stage. You tried to stop it and you were shot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe shook his head. &#8220;No. It was just a graze. Then we came back here and had dinner\u2026&#8221; He struggled to remember. &#8220;We fell in love, Pa. We made plans to get married\u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;No, son,&#8221; Ben argued gently. &#8220;Trina never made it back here. She\u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;What are you saying, Pa?&#8221; Joe demanded angrily. &#8220;Why are you telling me this?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Son,&#8221; Ben began, covering Joe&#8217;s hand with his own. &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry. Trina Cassidy died in that alley. You almost got yourself killed trying to stop it, but she&#8217;d already been shot when you got there. Clay Parker saw the whole thing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;No,&#8221; Joe whispered, shaking his head as he held his eyes tightly closed, oblivious to the pain throbbing in his temple. &#8220;No, Pa, you&#8217;re wrong. Clay&#8217;s wrong.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;I wish he was, son,&#8221; Ben assured him sadly. &#8220;We buried Trina two days ago, Joe.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">Joe felt his heart break as he allowed the words to sink in. &#8220;She came back, Pa,&#8221; he whispered after a long silence. &#8220;We always knew she&#8217;d come back someday, didn&#8217;t we?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">&#8220;Yes,&#8221; Ben nodded, his eyes shining with tears. &#8220;She came back, son. She&#8217;s home at last.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana;\">The End<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary:\u00a0 Joe\u00a0is\u00a0reunited\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0childhood\u00a0sweetheart<br \/>\nRating:\u00a0 Teen+<br \/>\nWords:\u00a0 3,500<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12436,"featured_media":41001,"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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47135","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\/12436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47135\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}