{"id":47177,"date":"2003-12-31T03:58:36","date_gmt":"2003-12-31T08:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47177"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:39","slug":"the-loyalty-of-brothers-by-kimberley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47177","title":{"rendered":"The Loyalty of Brothers (by Kimberley)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: A case of misplaced loyalty threatens the Cartwrights.
\nRating:\u00a0 Teen
\nWords: 4,865<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Faces of Love Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love Has Many Faces<\/a>
\nThe Loyalty of Brothers<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

The Brandsters have included this story by this author in our project: 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

\n

The Loyalty of Brothers<\/strong><\/p>\n

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


\n\u201cAny idea who packed the wagon?\u201d Joe asked his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was Clem,\u201d Ben answered, taking off his hat and wiping his brow. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Joe sighed, looking around. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a couple hundred calves, a nice hot fire\u2026\u201d He paused for effect, trying to hide a smile of amusement. \u201cAnd no branding iron.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo branding\u2026\u201d Ben sputtered. \u201cYou\u2019re not serious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I am,\u201d Joe chuckled. \u201cSo either we start explaining to these cows why we brought them here under false pretenses, or someone is going to have to go back and get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClem,\u201d Ben growled under his breath as he slapped his leg with his hat. \u201cSometimes I have to wonder about that boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s young, Pa,\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cAnd I think just a tad anxious to prove himself sometimes. He\u2019ll fall into the routine, just give him some time to get adjusted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben sighed, shaking his head. \u201cHe\u2019s a good boy. I guess I\u2019ll just have to send him back for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, maybe I\u2019d better go,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cI can get back a lot faster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben thought about the time they were already going to lose. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a point there,\u201d he agreed smiling ruefully. \u201cFine. Go and get back as quick as you can. But don\u2019t break your neck in the process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back before you know it,\u201d Joe grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMeanwhile,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll explain things to your brothers.\u201d Then, frowning slightly, he added, \u201cAnd the cows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t hide his amusement at the situation any longer and giggled as he mounted his horse and headed back to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

By the time he reached the supply room, he was wishing he\u2019d grabbed something to eat from the wagon before he left. After attaching the iron to his saddle and watering Cochise, he headed for the house to grab a couple of apples for the ride back.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he came out of the kitchen, he caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye. Before he had a chance to reach the gun at his side, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head. The last thing he saw was the floor rushing up to greet him before his senses were filled with an inky blackness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Groaning slightly, he opened his eyes and tried to reach his hand up to inspect his throbbing head. Only then did he realize he was tied to the chair, his arms pinned behind him. Squinting, he tried to focus on the blurry image before him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you and what do you want?\u201d he demanded in a steady voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho I am ain\u2019t important at the moment,\u201d the man replied. \u201cQuestion is, who are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe merely glared back at him until he felt the barrel of a gun at his head. Now he knew there were at least two of them. Who knew how many others were elsewhere in the house. \u201cJoe Cartwright,\u201d he stated flatly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man in front of him gestured to his accomplice and Joe felt the gun being withdrawn as the second man moved into his field of vision and sat on the corner of the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis must be your lucky day,\u201d the first man grinned evilly. \u201cIt ain\u2019t you we\u2019s after.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust who are you after?\u201d Joe asked defiantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHear tell he\u2019s a big feller,\u201d the first man answered. Then, grinning, he added, \u201cI guess that shoulda told us right off it weren\u2019t you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s jaw clenched as his captors shared a laugh at his expense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat big\u2019un,\u201d the second man prodded, \u201che your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want with him?\u201d Joe asked, evading the direct question while he tried to determine their intentions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer the question,\u201d the first man instructed flatly. \u201cThe one they call Hoss. Is he, or is he not, your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked from one to the other and back again before answering. \u201cYeah,\u201d he finally hissed through clenched teeth. \u201cHe\u2019s my brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell then I expect this is going to work out just fine,\u201d the first one smiled wickedly. \u201cYou see, Hoss Cartwright killed our brother, so now we\u2019re going to kill yours\u2026 just to kinda even up the score, you understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe frowned at the words. \u201cAnd just who is Hoss supposed to have killed?\u201d he asked grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cName\u2019s Bostal,\u201d the man answered, eyes narrowed as he watched for a flicker of recognition in Joe\u2019s eyes. Once he saw it, he grinned again. \u201cI see that name means somethin\u2019 to ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBill Bostal,\u201d Joe answered flatly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive the man a gold star,\u201d the second man grinned. \u201cYou see, Jack and me figure you owe us one brother. You might say we\u2019re here to collect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an accident,\u201d Joe stated firmly. \u201cHoss didn\u2019t intend to kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAccident or no,\u201d Jack glared. \u201cBilly\u2019s just as dead.\u201d Turning his attention away from his hostage for a moment, he nodded toward the door. \u201cGo put his horse in the barn, Tom. We don\u2019t want to raise any suspicions should anyone come out this way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom left to do as instructed and Joe spent the time sizing up the man before him. \u201cNo one is coming,\u201d he smiled wryly. \u201cThey\u2019re branding up in the north pasture. Might not be anyone around here for two or three days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon we can wait another coupla days for what\u2019s comin\u2019 to us,\u201d Jack shrugged. \u201cThe way I see it, somebody\u2019s gonna come lookin\u2019 for you sooner or later. I don\u2019t imagine a place this size stays empty for long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t reply as he knew it was true. Once his pa realized he\u2019d taken too long, he\u2019d send someone after him\u2026 maybe even Hoss. He swallowed hard as he thought about what could happen if his brother were to walk in unaware of the situation. Silently, he vowed to himself that he\u2019d do whatever was necessary to see that the possibilities flashing through his mind didn\u2019t come to pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben looked up at the sun and breathed an exasperated sigh. He\u2019d figured on Joe being back by now. As it was, he was paying men to keep a herd of young cattle from straying off, apparently for no good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo sign of him?\u201d Adam asked as he and Hoss approached their father who was peering off into the distance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied with just a faint tinge of worry to his voice. \u201cI thought he\u2019d be back more than an hour ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe shoulda bin,\u201d Hoss agreed, frowning slightly. \u201cYou know how Little Joe rides.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what worries me,\u201d Ben sighed grimly. \u201cThere\u2019s some rough terrain out there. For all I know he\u2019s lying somewhere between here and the house with a busted leg or worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not borrow trouble,\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cThere\u2019s just as good a chance that he got delayed by something at the house.\u201d He tried to keep his voice light, but couldn\u2019t hide the fact that he, too, was beginning to worry. \u201cWant me to ride back for him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be dark in a few hours,\u201d Ben muttered, glancing at the sky. As he pondered the possibility that his youngest son might be injured, he nodded his head. \u201cMaybe you\u2019d better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe had no choice but to listen to the two men talk as he sat, still bound, to the chair. From their conversation, he now knew for certain that there were only two of them. Not that the information did him much good in his current situation, but at least if it came down to Hoss having to tangle with them, two was bound to prove more advantageous than ten.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d worked on his bonds, trying to loosen them enough to move his arms, but whichever one of the Bostal brothers had tied him knew how to make a good strong knot. Accepting the fact that he wasn\u2019t going to be able to depend on the use of his arms or legs, he focused on the things he could use: his eyes, ears, voice and mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither of them was really much size-wise. Jack was the taller of the two, but lanky, while Tom was a bit shorter and stockier, though the guns they wore and their apparent willingness to use them made up for whatever they might be lacking in size. Joe didn\u2019t suspect they\u2019d have a chance in a fist-fight with Hoss, even two on one, but he also knew Hoss wasn\u2019t likely to enter the house suspecting anything and that in itself would put him at a terrible disadvantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you plan to do?\u201d he asked in a low voice of his two captors. \u201cShoot him the minute he walks through that door?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that wouldn\u2019t be quite fair, would it?\u201d Jack smiled maliciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen again, it weren\u2019t fair what he did to Billy neither,\u201d Tom added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you,\u201d Joe grated. \u201cWhat happened with your brother was an accident. Hoss pushed him and he hit his head. He didn\u2019t mean to kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what\u2019s fair about a man that size pushin\u2019 around other folks?\u201d Tom challenged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBill was beating his wife,\u201d Joe pointed out angrily. \u201cWhat\u2019s fair about that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d Jack exclaimed, jumping up from where he sat and striding across the room to point his gun in Joe\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at the barrel, holding his breath for an instant before raising his gaze to meet Jack\u2019s. \u201cIt\u2019s the truth,\u201d he finally stated evenly. \u201cHe was drunk and beating his wife. Hoss was just trying to stop him, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack was breathing heavily as he struggled with his rage at the words he was hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBill never hit a woman in his life,\u201d he informed Joe. \u201cHe was a good boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was,\u201d Joe concurred, stressing the second of the two words. \u201cHe got in with a bad crowd and started drinking and gambling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForget it, Jack,\u201d Tom grinned from the other side of the room. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna say whatever he can to save his brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack thought about those words for a moment before taking a step backward and lowering his gun. \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d he smiled slowly. \u201cYou\u2019d say anything, wouldn\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just telling you the way it happened,\u201d Joe reiterated. \u201cIt\u2019s the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas you there?\u201d Tom challenged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a moment to look from one to the other before answering. \u201cNo,\u201d he stated quietly. \u201cI wasn\u2019t there, but I know my brother. He wouldn\u2019t lie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we know ours,\u201d Jack nodded. \u201cAnd Hoss Cartwright is going to pay for what he done\u2026 with his life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The conversation was cut short by the sound of hoofbeats approaching. Tom immediately jumped to his feet and ran to the window. \u201cIt\u2019s one man,\u201d he informed his brother. \u201cCan\u2019t tell if he\u2019s the one we want or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll give him a chance to tell us once he\u2019s inside,\u201d Jack smiled ferally. \u201cBut that\u2019s about the only chance he\u2019s gonna get.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind whirled. From where he was, he had no idea whether or not it was Hoss. Frantically, he tried to think of something, even as he heard footsteps outside the door. He glanced at the gun pointed at him and then at the door as it began to open. \u201cHoss!\u201d he shouted at the last minute. \u201cDon\u2019t come in!\u2026\u201d The rest of his warning died on his lips as the butt of Jack\u2019s gun connected with the side of his head, allowing the darkness free reign once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam heard the warning, and drew his gun even as he swung upon the door and dove for cover on the porch. \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he called in the direction of the open doorway. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe won\u2019t be answerin\u2019 anytime soon,\u201d a man\u2019s voice hollered back. \u201cAnd if you ever want to see your brother draw another breath, I\u2019d suggest you give up the gun and join our little party.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Adam cursed fiercely. He knew Joe was in there, he\u2019d heard his voice. How many were with him, he didn\u2019t know, nor did he know their reasons for being there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d he demanded. He\u2019d heard no gunshot, so he had to believe that Joe was still alive inside the house. Now it was up to him to make sure he stayed that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir,\u201d another man\u2019s voice responded. \u201cFirst you give up your gun and come inside, then we can get better acquainted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam searched his mind desperately for a solution to his current predicament. Glancing over at where Sport stood, he had no doubt he\u2019d be able to make it to the horse and ride for help, but he couldn\u2019t guarantee that his younger brother would still be alive when he got back. On the other hand, he knew the layout of the house as well as anyone. Maybe if he could make it onto the roof, go through one of the upstairs windows and surprise them from the rear\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTime\u2019s runnin\u2019 out, Cartwright!\u201d the first man called. \u201cI\u2019m gonna count to three and then I\u2019m puttin\u2019 a bullet through your brother\u2019s pretty little head. One\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam knew he didn\u2019t have time for his last plan, and wasn\u2019t sure what Joe\u2019s chances would be if he chose to rush the door. The fact that they hadn\u2019t killed him yet was a good sign, but he still didn\u2019t know what they were after. Maybe, if it was just money, he\u2019d be able to negotiate with them and save both Joe\u2019s life and his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d he shouted, \u201cI\u2019m throwing my gun into the doorway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, he did as promised, tossing the weapon to a spot where they\u2019d be able to see it through the open door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut your hands up where we can see \u2018em,\u201d the man yelled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam did as he was told and within moments saw a man cautiously approach the open door. When he caught sight of Adam, he levelled his gun at him before bending slowing to pick up the weapon in the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the man instructed with a nod of his head. \u201cInside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam walked through the door, hands still raised as his eyes darted around for any sign of Joe. After taking a few more steps, he saw his brother unconscious and tied to a chair, a thin stream of blood running down the side of his face. Only after confirming, by the rise and fall of Joe\u2019s chest, that he was still alive did he fix his gaze on the man holding the gun at his brother\u2019s head. \u201cWho are you and what do you want?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou first,\u201d Jack grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright,\u201d he answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother brother,\u201d Tom drawled. \u201cHow man of you are there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam glanced sideways at the man who was speaking, unwilling to take his eyes from his brother for long. \u201cThree,\u201d he answered shortly. \u201cBut you knew we were brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe was hopin\u2019 you was the other one,\u201d Tom grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want with him?\u201d Adam asked calmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss Cartwright killed our brother,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cJoe here can tell you all about it when he wakes up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean if he wakes up,\u201d Adam corrected grimly. \u201cThat looks like a nasty wound.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he should have kept his mouth shut,\u201d Jack snapped. \u201cI done told him we wasn\u2019t after anybody but Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you won\u2019t mind if I check on him,\u201d Adam pressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe my guest,\u201d Jack grinned, taking a few steps away from Joe and aiming his gun at Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Adam made his way to where Joe sat. \u201cJoe?\u201d he called softly, patting his brother on the cheek. When he got no response, he inspected the bleeding lump on his head. \u201cDid you have to hit him so hard?\u201d he demanded angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got a hard enough head,\u201d Tom replied nonchalantly. \u201cIt only took him a few minutes to wake up the first time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the words, Adam ran his hand gingerly through his brother\u2019s hair and discovered the other lump on the back of his head. As he brought his fingers away, he noticed they were stained with blood. \u201cLet me untie him and put him on the settee,\u201d he suggested firmly. \u201cYou cracked his skull pretty good. If someone doesn\u2019t tend to him in short order, he could die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He waited while Tom and Jack exchanged glances. \u201cWe told you, the only one we\u2019re interested in is Hoss,\u201d Jack finally explained. \u201cI guess there ain\u2019t no harm in untyin\u2019 him at this point.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took his cue and quickly undid the ropes. As Joe slumped over, he caught him easily in his arms, picking him up effortlessly and carrying him to the settee. Once he\u2019d gently lowered him down, he grabbed the blanket from the back and covered him. \u201cI\u2019ll need some water,\u201d he instructed without looking up, \u201cand a cloth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack was silent for a moment, realizing for the first time that he may have killed an innocent man. \u201cCheck the kitchen,\u201d he told Tom, still holding his gun on Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once he had the basin of cool water beside him, Adam went to work cleaning the wounds on Joe\u2019s head. His brother groaned softly as he gently washed the blood from his hair and scalp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s OK, Joe,\u201d he soothed gently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe croaked. \u201cHoss\u2026 \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam assured him \u201cDon\u2019t worry about him. Just get some rest and get well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBostal\u2026\u201d Joe managed as he struggled against the darkness threatening to close in on him once more. \u201cBrothers\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he lost the battle against unconsciousness, his older brother looked up at the man still holding the gun. \u201cSo that\u2019s it,\u201d he stated wryly. \u201cYou\u2019re Bill Bostal\u2019s brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Jack concurred. \u201cAnd we\u2019re here to kill your brother just like he killed ours, nothin\u2019 more, nothin\u2019 less.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother\u2019s death was accidental,\u201d Adam informed them forcefully. \u201cNot to mention in self-defence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve heard them stories,\u201d Tom interjected. \u201cJust fancy tales to keep the Cartwrights out of harm\u2019s way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re going to kill him in cold blood?\u201d Adam hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll give him the same chance he gave Billy,\u201d Jack assured him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about Little Joe?\u201d Adam persisted. \u201cWhat kind of chance did you give him? Cracking his skull while he was tied to that chair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t mean for anybody else to get hurt,\u201d Jack responded. \u201cOnce we get the justice we came for, we\u2019ll be on our way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t justice,\u201d Adam spat, \u201cIt\u2019s cold-blooded revenge and murder. And let me tell you right now, if Joe dies or you kill Hoss, there\u2019s not a place on this earth where you\u2019re going to be able to hide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA Bostal doesn\u2019t hide from what he\u2019s done,\u201d Tom replied. \u201cWe\u2019s in our rights to kill the man who killed our brother. As for the boy, we didn\u2019t mean him any harm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat difference do you think that\u2019s going to make if he dies?\u201d Adam asked fiercely. \u201cLet me send for the doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s gonna die, he\u2019s gonna die,\u201d Jack pointed out in a flat voice. \u201cNothin\u2019 the doctor can do now is gonna change that, you know it and I know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s it,\u201d Adam concluded grimly. \u201cIn the end, it doesn\u2019t really matter who you kill, does it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t murderers,\u201d Jack replied in the same flat voice. \u201cIf he dies, I reckon we\u2019ll have to face up to that. Like we said, we\u2019s only after Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stirred slightly and Adam turned his full attention back to his brother. \u201cTake it easy, Little Joe,\u201d he murmured quietly, his soft tone in stark contrast to the one he\u2019d used with the Bostal brothers. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe whispered, grimacing against the pain in his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t warn you in time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never have to apologize to me, Joe,\u201d Adam frowned slightly. \u201cYou did all you could.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out for Hoss, will ya?\u2026\u201d he began, swallowing hard as he struggled to stay awake. \u201cDon\u2019t let them get him too, Adam.\u201d With that, his eyes closed and he was out once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam whispered around the lump in his throat. \u201cThey won\u2019t get him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSomething\u2019s wrong, Hoss,\u201d Ben stated grimly as they stood by the fire. \u201cThey should have been back hours ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if something did happen to Joe, Adam maybe had to send for the doctor and such. That takes some time, I reckon,\u201d Hoss replied in an attempt at reassurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam would have sent word back here,\u201d Ben shook his head slightly, dismissing the idea. \u201cHe knows we\u2019re waiting. If he was able, he would have sent word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t like the sound of those words \u2018if he was able\u2019. Without further need for clarification, he stated, \u201cI\u2019ll saddle the horses, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

By the time the first rays of sun began to chase away the pre-dawn darkness, Adam knew that his father must already realize something was wrong. He didn\u2019t know what would happen, but he knew he\u2019d have to be ready for it. He sat on the table beside where Joe slept, his head in his hands as he went over things in his mind. They\u2019d put his gun on the desk, not an easy reach, to be sure, but one that he\u2019d already considered many times in his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had flitted in and out of consciousness all night long, sometimes more lucid than others. At one point, he even called him Addy, a childhood name he hadn\u2019t used since he was a small boy. The familiar moniker had tugged at his heartstrings and deepened his resolve not to let any further harm come to his little brother at the hands of the misguided men in their midst.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they heard the sound of horses approaching, the Bostal brothers jumped to their feet, guns ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a whole lotta them,\u201d Tom stated, anxiously shooting a glance at his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said there was just the four of you livin\u2019 here,\u201d Jack accused Adam angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I say,\u201d Adam shrugged in a gesture of mock congeniality. \u201cWe have a lot of friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna do now, Jack?\u201d Tom asked. \u201cWe wasn\u2019t expectin\u2019 this. We was only supposed to get the one that killed Billy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you stop that babbling and let me think?! Jack snapped. Then, turning to Adam, he gestured with his gun. \u201cYou! Go out there and tell them everything\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam stated flatly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo as I tell ya!\u201d Jack shouted, waving the gun dangerously in Adam\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t do it,\u201d Adam repeated, crossing his arms across his chest. \u201cYou\u2019ll just have to shoot me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll do it, too!\u201d Jack stated, levelling the gun at Adam\u2019s chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd as soon as you do, every one of those men will be in this house,\u201d Adam pointed out calmly. \u201cWhat kind of chance do you think you\u2019re going to have then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jack seemed to be considering the words for a moment, then, changing his tactics, he turned to his brother to discuss their options. Adam glanced at his gun on the desk and at the men jabbering to one another by the fireplace. The only thing that gave him cause to hesitate was the fact that his already-injured brother would be directly in the line of fire.
\nWhen he heard his father\u2019s voice calling to them from outside, he realized he had to act immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

With lightening speed, he dashed toward the desk, his eyes focused on the gun, his ears ignoring the sound of the first shot as it whizzed past his shoulder. Grabbing the weapon, he dove to the floor, rolling once before coming up with his gun aimed at the intruders. Two shots rang out, their sound mingling with those coming from the Bostals and the blur of men rushing through the door. In a heartbeat, it was over. Both Bostal men had been wounded but were still alive. With a sigh of relief, he got to his feet just as Pa and Hoss rushed to his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked anxiously. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Adam reassured him with a clap on the shoulder before hurrying toward the settee and his little brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

His heart sank as he noticed the boy was no longer there, but rather sprawled on the floor. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed, pushing the heavy table effortlessly out of the way to kneel by the still form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss were there in a second, just as anxious to know the young man\u2019s condition. Adam rolled him over gently, looking for any sign of a gunshot wound. \u201cAre you hit, Joe?\u201d he asked gently as his brother\u2019s eyelids fluttered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe shots,\u201d Joe murmured sleepily. \u201cYou\u2019re always telling me when the shooting starts, get down\u2026 I got down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at him in stunned silence for a moment before breaking into a hearty laugh. Without a thought, he planted a brotherly kiss on Joe\u2019s forehead as he cradled him in his arms. \u201cYou crazy kid,\u201d he muttered, still chuckling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMatt, go to town and get Doc Martin out here,\u201d Ben instructed one of the hands who were still guarding the two intruders. Addressing two more of the men, he continued, \u201cJeb, you and Abe load these two on the buckboard and take them in to Sheriff Coffee.\u201d Once he was sure his orders were being followed, he turned his attention back to his sons. \u201cEvery year,\u201d he heaved a heavy sigh. \u201cEvery year branding time seems to be more trouble than the last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hoss brought a tray to Joe\u2019s room and was relieved to see him awake and sitting up in bead, a white bandage wrapped around his head. \u201cHop Sing says you need to eat all of this,\u201d he announced sternly. He sat the tray on Joe\u2019s lap and lowered himself to the chair beside the bed. \u201cThat\u2019s a nasty coupla lumps you got there, little brother,\u201d he pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t feel much better from the inside than the look from the outside, let me tell you,\u201d Joe grimaced good-naturedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss lowered his gaze to study his hands for a moment. \u201cIt\u2019s causa me that you got them, Joe.\u201d He raised his blue eyes to meet those of his brother. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, it wasn\u2019t your fault,\u201d Joe assured him with a hand on his forearm. \u201cThe Bostals just have a twisted sense of justice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss smiled, grateful for the words. \u201cJust the same, I\u2019m glad they didn\u2019t hurt ya worse than they did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and Adam are always telling me what a hard head I have,\u201d Joe smiled in reassurance. \u201cI guess it\u2019s times like this when I\u2019m glad I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFunny, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Hoss frowned thoughtfully. \u201cThe way three brothers from one family and three from another can be so different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought about it for a moment. \u201cYeah, I guess it is,\u201d he concurred. \u201cAt the same time, I\u2019m not so sure we\u2019re all that different in some ways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow d\u2019ya mean?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted revenge for their brother,\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cThey were willing to do whatever they had to to get it. I don\u2019t reckon I\u2019d want to believe it if anyone told me you or Adam had turned into a woman-beating drunk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t reckon I would neither,\u201d Hoss mused. \u201cAnd I guess if something happened to you or Adam, I might be just as bent on revenge, I s\u2019pose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d want justice,\u201d Joe added. \u201cThat\u2019s the difference.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cI reckon we\u2019re lucky we grew up in a family that taught us that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then Adam entered the room. \u201cWell, both Bostals will live to stand trial,\u201d he informed his brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Joe breathed. Then, as though the thought just occurred to him, he frowned. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t remember a lot about last night, just snippets here and there. Doc Martin says that you likely saved my life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shrugged modestly, a small smile playing around his lips. \u201cI didn\u2019t seem to have anything better to do at the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now that we know yer gonna be all right, I reckon Pa will want us to be getting\u2019 back to them cows,\u201d Hoss announced, getting to his feet. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how lucky you are, little brother,\u201d he teased. \u201cLayin\u2019 up here in bed with Hop Sing fussin\u2019 over ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know me,\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cAnything to get out of a day\u2019s work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His two older brothers left the room, but seconds later, Adam poked his head inside once more. \u201cBy the way,\u201d he smiled mischievously. \u201cI was never really sure who broke my brand new pocketknife when we were kids. Thanks for clearing that up.\u201d With a wink, he was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The smile faded from Joe\u2019s face as the door closed once again. Something told him that once he was well, he\u2019d have to answer for the confession he\u2019d obviously made in his state of delirium. Closing his eyes and leaning back against the pillow, he let out a worried groan.<\/span><\/p>\n

The End.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: A case of misplaced loyalty threatens the Cartwrights.
\nRating:\u00a0 Teen
\nWords: 4,865<\/p>\n

Many Faces of Love Series, story links within<\/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_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1009,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-drama","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":506,"today_views":0},"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","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49892,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49892","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":0},"title":"The Savage (WHN) (by Katie)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"August 6, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An alternate ending to the episode, The Savage Rating:\u00a0 Teen\u00a0 (775\u00a0 Words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46841,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46841","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":1},"title":"The First Day of Spring (by Adamfan16)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 6, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0This is an expanded Bonanza Bit I did this spring, to the title prompt. Adam deals with homesickness while away at college. Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 550","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49277","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":2},"title":"The Cartwright Family (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0A cute new song about the Cartwrights Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 270","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12952,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12952","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":3},"title":"What We Didn’t Choose (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"May 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Exploring -- what makes you who you are?\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (650 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Didnt-pay-to-be-Ben.jpg?fit=467%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14355,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14355","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":4},"title":"Cartwrights Forever (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"June 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A tribute in rhyme for everyone who loves the Cartwrights, especially those who love to write about them. Rating: \u00a0G \u00a0(560 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":29102,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29102","url_meta":{"origin":47177,"position":5},"title":"Thoughts on Leaving – a poem (by KateP)","author":"KateP","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A Bonanza poem, the title explains it all. 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