{"id":5322,"date":"2003-06-04T00:33:05","date_gmt":"2003-06-04T04:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5322"},"modified":"2025-09-09T14:32:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:32:38","slug":"homecoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5322","title":{"rendered":"Homecoming (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>After many years, Adam returns home. How will his return affect him and his family? This is set roughly about season 12 of the show.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,380 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

Homecoming<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time, Joe,\u201d the man said, coolly. He glanced up at the younger man on the pinto horse.<\/p>\n

Gazing back impassively, Joe Cartwright nodded. \u201cA very long time,\u201d he agreed. There was nothing friendly in his tone. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d He dismounted and looked around the yard. There didn\u2019t appear to be anyone else around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m doing here?\u201d returned the other impatiently. \u201cThis is my home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Adam?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cSince when?\u201d\u00a0 He turned on his heel and led his horse into the barn, leaving his oldest brother standing there with his mouth open. It wasn\u2019t the welcome Adam had expected.<\/p>\n

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

Following Joe into the barn, Adam leant against the door, his arms crossed, watching as Joe cared for his mount. Joe didn\u2019t look at his brother, or show any signs that he was aware the man was there. Adam took the chance to examine Joe more closely, for 6 years absence had brought a lot of changes to his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

He saw a young man in his late 20s, slim of build, but muscular with it. Joe\u2019s shoulders were broader than they had been when Adam left, and there was a new depth of maturity to his face, but his legs were just as long and slim, and his waist was still circled by the same old black leather belt he\u2019d always worn. The most noticeable change was the way Joe wore his hair and the hints of grey in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s with the long hair?\u201d Adam asked, unable to keep silent. \u201cHas Pa decided to let you become a Mississippi riverboat gambler after all?\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Adam an unfriendly look, Joe said, shortly, \u201cit\u2019s my hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to be touchy, kid,\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cBut when I left, Pa would never have let you go around looking like that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t say,\u201d Joe responded, and continued brushing the glossy black and white coat of his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cDifferent pinto,\u201d Adam noted, belatedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise had to be put down,\u201d Joe offered. \u201cI called this one Cochise after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Adam said. He knew how much Joe had loved that horse. Joe just shrugged, his back determinedly to Adam. \u201cWhere\u2019s Sport?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Joe\u2019s movement faltered. He stopped and turned round. \u201cYou must not have got that letter,\u201d he said, awkwardly. \u201cHe got colic, got cast in his box and when we found him next day, he was dead. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Sport had not been Joe\u2019s favorite horse, for although he was flashy, he was bad tempered and wasn\u2019t all that well trained, and there were few men on the ranch who were willing to ride him. Joe had never had any problems riding him, and so had found himself delegated to keeping his brother\u2019s horse fit after Adam left.<\/p>\n

Adam felt a pang of regret. \u201cI\u2019d kind of hoped he\u2019d still be here,\u201d he admitted. Joe said nothing, just resumed his steady brushing.<\/p>\n

There was a rush of hooves in the yard and a dark-haired man appeared in the doorway of the barn. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d He stopped as he saw Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Candy?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Still eyeing Adam askance, Candy stepped in, leading his horse. \u201cJust wanted to tell you that the last of the foals are separated, and the boys are turning the mares loose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great,\u201d Joe said. He watched as Candy led his horse into the stall next to Joe\u2019s and began to untack. \u201cCandy, this is my older brother, Adam. Adam, this is Candy Canaday, our foreman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPleased to meet you,\u201d Candy said, thrusting out his hand. He wasn\u2019t a handsome man, having something of a lantern jaw, but he had a friendly grin that changed his face completely. \u201cI\u2019ve heard a lot about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not from me,\u201d Joe added. \u201cJust before you start worrying, big brother, Hoss is the one who\u2019s been singing your praises.\u201d He dropped his brush and headed out of the barn. Candy looked embarrassed, as well he might, and Adam wondered what had happened to the friendship that he and Joe used to share.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Adam followed Joe outside and he was half way across the yard when Ben and Hoss rode in. For a moment, Ben peered at Adam in disbelief, then threw himself from his horse to take his oldest son into his arms. \u201cAdam! What a surprise! Why didn\u2019t you let us know you were coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Adam answered, extracting himself from his father\u2019s embrace. \u201cI thought I\u2019d surprise you, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Adam, I\u2019m right glad to see ya,\u201d Hoss said, thumping his older brother on the shoulder. Adam staggered slightly, but Hoss didn\u2019t notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Adam agreed, seeing the changes the years had wrought in Hoss. His brother\u2019s hair was thinning on top, and he looked heavier than he had been when Adam last saw him. But his face was unchanged; the genial smile and the gap-toothed grin were the same as ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome into the house,\u201d Ben said, putting his arm round Adam\u2019s shoulder. Ben looked the same as he had always done. His silver hair was just as thick, and if there were a few more wrinkles around his eyes, they were only visible close up. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, son,\u201d Ben went on, warmly.<\/p>\n

Adam had changed, Ben thought. He was older and heavier, and balding. He got that from his mother\u2019s side of the family, Ben decided, for his hair was as thick as ever. Joe seemed to be the only one of his sons who was not going bald. Reminded, Ben looked round for Joe, surprised that he wasn\u2019t in sight. However, when they went into the house, he saw Joe sitting on the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook who\u2019s home, Joe,\u201d Ben called, unaware that Joe had already seen him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cHi, Pa, Hoss. Have a good day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt were a great day, little brother,\u201d Hoss told him. \u201cWhat about you? Get them foals done, did ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll done,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cPa, Candy says the mares were turned loose. We\u2019ll start handling the weanlings tomorrow and we should be ready to let them into the pasture in a couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, although his attention was mostly on Adam. \u201cAdam put your bags into your old room. Supper should be ready soon. Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chinese factotum scurried out of the kitchen. Over the years, Joe had decided that this was the diminutive cook\u2019s way of giving the impression that he was working at top speed on something much more important than anything the Cartwrights could want or need. However, on this afternoon, he forgot about being busy and just stood looking at Adam. \u201cMistah Adam!\u201d he said, and bowed reverentially.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam replied, warmly. \u201cSo you haven\u2019t gone back to China yet.\u201d They laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuppa ready soon,\u201d Hop Sing announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better freshen up then,\u201d Adam said, and took his bag and climbed the stairs slowly. Just before he reached the top, the door opened and he glanced back to see Candy come in and throw his hat and gun down on the credenza, as they all did. Adam realized, with a shock, that he had done it himself without thinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvening, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Candy said, casually. \u201cI\u2019d better go and get washed up. I wouldn\u2019t want Hop Sing mad at me again.\u201d Everyone downstairs laughed, and Adam suddenly felt left out. Telling himself that was ridiculous, he continued to his room.<\/p>\n

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

Nothing had changed. The furniture was exactly as he had left it, and his books still lined the shelves. Opening the armoire, he saw the few clothes he had left behind were still hanging there. A strong smell of mothballs wafted out. The surfaces were all dusted. The tiny hint of mildew on the mirror above the dresser was still there.<\/p>\n

Dumping his bag onto the chair, Adam sat down on the bed. There was a knock on the door, then Ben\u2019s head appeared round it and he smiled at his son. \u201cI brought you some water,\u201d he said, and put the ewer into the basin. He glanced around the room. \u201cHow does it feel to be back?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a way, as though I\u2019d never left,\u201d Adam replied, honestly. \u201cAnd in another way, I feel as if I\u2019ve been gone forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand that,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cSupper in a few minutes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be there,\u201d Adam smiled and he went to wash up as Ben left the room.<\/p>\n

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

Conversation over the supper table revolved mostly around Adam\u2019s travels. Adam had been a little surprised that Candy seemed to be living in the house, but he figured it wasn\u2019t his business. He took his usual seat at the foot of the table, opposite Ben. Candy sat beside Joe, who, as always, sat at Ben\u2019s right hand. Hoss sat on the other side.<\/p>\n

The food was as good as Adam remembered, and he had another helping of peach pie, as he told them about Paris, Milan, Rome, London, Stockholm, Copenhagen and the many other places he had been in the last 6 years. The others plied him with questions, the only exception being Joe. He listened closely, but didn\u2019t ask anything, and didn\u2019t offer any opinion.<\/p>\n

Over coffee, they sat in front of the fire, but tonight, the checkers board didn\u2019t come out as Adam told them of the buildings he\u2019d helped design in London and the friends he\u2019d made world-wide who had all helped him secure work. It all sounded very glamorous, as Hoss remarked. \u201cDadburnit, Adam, if\u2019n you ain\u2019t bin everywheres,\u201d he said, admiringly. \u201cAll them places in Europe. Is the English weather as bad as they say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorse,\u201d Adam commented, wryly. \u201cIt seems to rain most of the time. And they told me it\u2019s worse in Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m going to bed,\u201d Joe said, as the clock struck 10. \u201cI have an early start in the morning. G\u2019night, everyone.\u201d He rose and made for the stairs, not pausing to hear any replies.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s going was the prompt that Hoss and Candy needed, and they headed up a few minutes later. That left Adam and Ben, as it had often done in the old days. Adam stirred. \u201cGuess I\u2019d better let you get to bed, too,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no rush,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI did want a few words alone with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Adam said, warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to tell you why I think Joe is being so cold towards you,\u201d Ben said. He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. Adam\u2019s dark eyes never wavered from his face. \u201cA lot has happened to Joe since you left, Adam. Not all of it has been good. I wrote you about it, but it seems you haven\u2019t had all our letters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know about Sport,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get the letter telling you that Joe had been trampled by a horse?\u201d Ben asked. When Adam shook his head, Ben went on, \u201cOr the one where I told you he\u2019d been bushwhacked and shot in the back? Or the one where I told you he\u2019d been blinded in an accident?\u201d Again Adam shook his head, unable to speak.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Ben sketched in the details of each incident, leaving Adam quite shaken, even though he could see Joe was all right. \u201cIt was especially hard on Joe when he was blind,\u201d Ben said, quietly. \u201cHe so wanted you to write, and you didn\u2019t.\u201d He glanced at his son. \u201cJoe was hurt when you left, Adam. He knew why you wanted to leave, but he hoped you would come back quickly. At first, he lived for your letters, but as they became fewer, he stopped looking for them. I think he was afraid to hope you\u2019d write in case he was hurt when you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean not to write,\u201d Adam admitted, wretchedly. \u201cBut I was busy and somehow I didn\u2019t do it as often. I never thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll come round,\u201d Ben assured his son. \u201cYou just have to give him time and remember that he isn\u2019t a child any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that,\u201d Adam promised, and they went up to bed.<\/p>\n

But it was some time before Adam slept.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, Adam was last to the table. Ben was the only one still there, but the discarded plates told Adam that Candy, Joe and Hoss had all eaten and gone to work. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize I had slept so late,\u201d Adam excused himself as he sat down. \u201cIt must be the country air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cThe boys all have work to be getting on with, and you must have been tired after your journey yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything you want me to do today?\u201d Adam asked, forking bacon onto his plate and pouring a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing in particular,\u201d Ben replied, airily. \u201cJust have today to settle in. Joe\u2019s left a horse for you in the barn. He says that you should like it.\u201d A smile played over Ben\u2019s lips and was gone. He pushed his chair back. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go and speak to Candy about a few things. See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Adam answered. He chewed slowly, wondering what on earth he would do. He\u2019d expected to be thrown straight back into the life of the ranch, and yet here he was, being treated like a visitor. With a start, Adam realized that the others had become used to his absence, and the jobs he\u2019d thought of as his were being covered by someone else. He hadn\u2019t expected that, although he should have. Well, when he saw Pa later, he would offer to help with the books. He knew Pa would be grateful to have a break from them.<\/p>\n

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

The horse was similar enough to Sport to have been his twin. Adam swallowed the lump that had risen unexpectedly in his throat. Joe was barely talking to him, yet had picked out a horse that he knew Adam would like. He put his hand out to the horse, wary in case it nipped, but the animal just sniffed, and then allowed Adam to fondle his muzzle.<\/p>\n

A short time later, Adam rode out of the yard. The horse was well schooled, with a responsive mouth, but plenty of spirit. Adam was impressed. In one of his letters, Ben had told Adam that Joe was selling more horses to people round about who didn\u2019t have the time or skills to break and train their own mounts. Proudly, he had told Adam that a \u2018Joe Cartwright finished horse\u2019 was worth a lot of money in Virginia City. If this was the quality of work Joe was producing, he could quite see why, Adam ruminated.<\/p>\n

He found Joe down by the breaking corrals. He and Candy were methodically separating the weanling colts, haltering them and then letting them go. Each colt was stroked and fussed over after the halter was on, calming them and teaching them that humans weren\u2019t their enemies.<\/p>\n

Sitting watching from a distance, Adam could see that Joe was the expert there. Candy could clearly handle the colts, but Joe was the one who calmed them down. It was a time consuming process, Adam knew from past experience, but it was essential to a well-mannered horse.<\/p>\n

How long he sat there, Adam was never sure, but he guessed it to be about half an hour. Finally he put his heel to his mount and rode over. Joe glanced up and Adam could see tension creep into his brother\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning,\u201d he called, stopping just outside the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019,\u201d Candy responded. He went to corner the next colt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to thank you for the horse,\u201d Adam continued, trying not to be disconcerted by Joe\u2019s silence. \u201cHe\u2019s lovely. I don\u2019t know when I last rode such a well schooled animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

A grin broke out on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhen you last rode Cochise?\u201d Joe hazarded. \u201cBecause Sport was anything but well schooled, brother. You have to admit that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody made you ride him,\u201d Adam objected, for his grief over the death of his horse was still fresh. \u201cHe was my mount, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPity you didn\u2019t remember that when you went off to Europe and left him behind,\u201d Joe retorted and walked away, leaving Adam speechless.<\/p>\n

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

The house was empty when Adam returned. He had seen Hop Sing outside hanging up sheets, but he didn\u2019t seek him out. He put away his horse and went inside. He could hardly believe the venom in Joe\u2019s voice when he delivered that last shot. Perhaps it hurt more because it was true, he thought. He hadn\u2019t thought about who would look after his horse when he left. What else had he not thought about when he left?<\/p>\n

A knock on the door roused him from his reverie and Adam went over to answer it. A tall, thin older man stood there. He looked suspiciously at Adam, who didn\u2019t recognise him. \u201cWho\u2019re you?\u201d the man demanded, and Adam almost laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright,\u201d he replied, politely. \u201cCan I help you Mister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d repeated the man. \u201cOh, you\u2019re the older brother? The one who left? Right. I\u2019m Jeff Dunn. Is Joe around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s down at the corral,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cCan I help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I need to see Joe. It\u2019s real important.\u201d Dunn began to turn away.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I could help,\u201d Adam persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know where the corral is,\u201d Dunn replied. \u201cI\u2019ll just go down there an\u2019 talk to Joe. He\u2019s the only one who can help.\u201d He glanced over his shoulder, suddenly aware that he\u2019d been abrupt. \u201cI hope you enjoy your vacation,\u201d he added, and swung up onto his horse\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Closing the door, Adam went back to resume his seat. Someone coming to the house who didn\u2019t want to see Ben, but had to see Joe. When had that happened? Was Joe taking on some responsibility at last? Adam wondered. He made a mental note to mention the man to Joe at lunch, just in case he hadn\u2019t gone down to the corral.<\/p>\n

Restlessly, Adam wandered over to the desk and saw a familiar ledger lying there. It wasn\u2019t, of course, the same one that he had last worked on, but Ben always bought the same type of book and the very feel and touch of it were familiar. Unable to resist, Adam opened it and got another surprise. Although most of the writing was Ben\u2019s, a good proportion of that writing was Joe\u2019s distinctive backward slanting hand. Reading through each entry, Adam felt again the distance between himself and his family \u2013 a distance he had created. Joe\u2019s book-keeping was neat, legible and accurate. The receipts from the sales of horses were impressive; the herd seemed to be growing more and more valuable with each year that passed and the timber operation was going full steam ahead.<\/p>\n

The front door shut and his father\u2019s voice called, \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Pa,\u201d Adam replied, still looking in the ledger. He suddenly felt awkward. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said, as Ben came into sight. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t help myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be sorry for,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cA third of this ranch will still be yours when I\u2019m gone. You\u2019re entitled to know how we\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has Joe been helping with the book work?\u201d Adam asked, setting the ledger down and closing it. \u201cThat must take some doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all,\u201d Ben denied. \u201cYour brother took on a share of the book keeping quite willingly. I would guess he\u2019s been doing it for 5 or 6 years now. He began about that time I got the flu, and he\u2019s kept it up.\u201d Ben smiled as he shrugged out of his coat. \u201cHe\u2019s very good at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to say its come as a surprise to me,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cJoe was always terrible at math in school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that,\u201d Ben disagreed. \u201cHe could always do the work, he just didn\u2019t desperately want to. In retrospect, I don\u2019t think the local school was the right place for Joe. He\u2019s too bright. They weren\u2019t able to give him the kind of challenges he needed to make him interested in learning. His teacher from the Institute commented on how quickly he learned to read Braille.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBraille?\u201d Adam repeated. \u201cJoe learned to read Braille?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe learned a lot of things in those few months,\u201d Ben replied, remembering his son\u2019s courage as he mastered living with his disability. \u201cMiss Dobbs, his teacher, wanted him to go to the Institute and teach the blind there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe blind teaching the blind?\u201d Adam muttered, skeptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound just like Joe. He thought that. But then he discovered that his teacher was also blind, and Joe had never guessed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chastened, Adam asked, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis sight returned,\u201d Ben explained, and his voice suddenly sounded choked. He felt tears welling every time he thought of that morning when Joe had called for him, and told him he could see again, and suddenly, he had back the old Joe, the impetuous Joe, the Joe he had thought forever gone. \u201cHe woke up the very next morning able to see again.\u201d Ben blinked away the moisture from his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonths,\u201d Adam repeated, numbly, the word having just impinged itself on his mind. \u201cJoe was blind for months?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I make that clear?\u201d Ben asked, contritely. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Joe was blind for about 4 months.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes became unfocused as he thought back. \u201cI was so proud of the way he handled himself. Of course, it was hard for him to begin with, but he adjusted wonderfully for the most part.\u201d Smiling, Ben came back to the present. \u201cBut that\u2019s in the past, although I believe that Joe still keeps up his Braille, just in case he can ever help someone in that situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought of Joe as all that bright,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cOh, I knew he wasn\u2019t dumb, Pa, but I never thought he was brighter than any other kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t manage without Joe,\u201d Ben said, startling Adam. \u201cHe and Candy could run this ranch between them without needing my help at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCandy seems a nice fellow,\u201d Adam commented, changing the subject. He needed time to think about all the things he\u2019d learned about Joe. \u201cHow long has he been here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, about 3 years,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe\u2019s almost like one of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, the remark jolted Adam. \u201cI was a little surprised that he was staying in the house,\u201d Adam mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we didn\u2019t do that with any of the other foremen, did we,\u201d Ben mused. \u201cBut it just happened, and it would be strange now if he wasn\u2019t living in the house.\u201d Ben smiled brilliantly at Adam. \u201cHow has your day been? How is the horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse is great,\u201d Adam replied, truthfully. \u201cBut I still haven\u2019t been able to coax Joe round. I thought I was getting somewhere, when he made a joke about Sport, but I said something about him not having to ride Sport, and he closed up on me again.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cAsked me who I thought had looked after the horse when I was in Europe. I guess it was him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAnd it was all mixed up with that accident that Cochise had about then. It was round up and there was a stampede. Joe was at the front of the herd, and we nearly lost him. Cochise was gored, and had to be put down on the spot. Joe broke his leg. When he was able to ride again, he wasn\u2019t ready to get another horse of his own. I suggested he ride the horses that were in the corral, and one of them was Sport. Nobody else wanted to ride him, and Joe had taken him out fairly regularly before that, so he rode him for a bit, until he found this new Cochise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve missed so much,\u201d Adam said. \u201cAll these things happening to Joe.\u201d He forced himself to smile. \u201cSo trouble still seeks him out, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo wonder I\u2019m grey,\u201d Ben agreed. He smiled. \u201cWell, how about coffee? I\u2019m parched.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Adam agreed, but he was still thinking about all the things Ben had told him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYes, I saw Jeff,\u201d Joe replied, when Adam remembered to ask him about his caller. \u201cThe deadline on the team he wanted schooled has changed and he needs them sooner than he expected,\u201d Joe explained to everyone at the table. \u201cCandy, can you and the boys carry on with the colts? That way, I can take a few days now and put that team to rights, and they\u2019ll be ready when Jeff needs them at the end of next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Joe,\u201d Candy agreed amiably.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd cut back on Black King\u2019s grain and turn him out,\u201d Joe went on. \u201cHe\u2019s done covering mares for this season; we can let him rough off now.\u201d He was referring to the big black stallion he was using as a stud. Adam had seen the stallion briefly that morning and had been impressed with his quality. Joe had always had an eye for good horseflesh. Now, he waited expectantly for Joe to turn to ask Ben\u2019s permission for all the orders he\u2019d given.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, I reckon Jeff\u2019s gettin\u2019 the better end o\u2019 this bargain, Joe,\u201d Hoss mentioned. \u201cThat there\u2019s a right good team you picked out fer him. You coulda had double the price fer \u2019em I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019d have paid double the price,\u201d Joe commented, and Adam still waited for Ben to confirm Joe\u2019s orders. His eyes flashed to the foreman, expecting Candy to ask for confirmation, but he didn\u2019t. He just kept on eating, listening to the affectionate wrangling going on. \u201cHalf as much again, maybe…\u201d He grinned at Hoss. \u201cMaybe you should\u2019ve negotiated the deal, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, hush up!\u201d Hoss retorted, genially. \u201cI ain\u2019t no good at them fancy deals ya put together an\u2019 ya know it, Shortshanks.\u201d He looked singularly unmoved by this admission.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t all be good at the same things,\u201d Ben replied, calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, look at Joe an\u2019 shoein\u2019 horses,\u201d Hoss jested. \u201cIf\u2019n we relied on him fer that, our horses would all be barefoot!\u201d<\/p>\n

The thought of barefoot horses made them all laugh. \u201cLucky we got you around to see to that for us, big brother,\u201d Joe responded, giving Hoss a loving smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucky you got me around ta keep ya outa trouble, seems to me,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cWho was it that pulled ya outa the ruins o\u2019 that hut, when ya tried to blow yerself up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam winced, knowing now that Hoss was referring to when Joe was blinded. He waited for the explosion \u2013 and waited. It never came.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe said, quietly. He smiled. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore of your own work,\u201d Candy inserted, thinking that they\u2019d become serious enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue \u2018nough, Candy,\u201d Hoss agreed mock seriously. \u201cHe\u2019s always tried to git me to do his work, ain\u2019t he, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Caught by surprise, Adam wasn\u2019t quite sure what to say. But a grin crept over his face, and he nodded. \u201cNot just you, brother,\u201d he commented. \u201cMe, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

They all laughed and the subject turned away to something else. Adam realized that none of them were going to ask Ben to approve Joe\u2019s orders, and it served to remind him once more that things had indeed changed.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Adam became more integrated into the running of the ranch. He began to take on some of the daily chores that had been his previously, and found Joe thawing slightly towards him. Once more, he realized that Joe had taken on the roles that had been Adam\u2019s. However, they were still no nearer regaining the ease that had existed between them before Adam left.<\/p>\n

Part of it now was that Joe was busy working on the team for Jeff Dunn. Adam was extremely impressed when he went past to see what was going on. Joe was a thorough worker and gifted with horses. It seemed to Adam that the horses would be ready well before the end of the week.<\/p>\n

The next afternoon, Adam was in the house when Joe came in. Glancing up in surprise, for he was usually alone in the house during the afternoon, Adam said, \u201cHello. Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe replied, in a distracted tone. He shucked his hat and jacket and gun belt and Adam became aware that Joe was being careful with his right hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you hurt yourself?\u201d he asked, concerned. Joe had always been a daredevil and frequently fell heir to scrapes and cuts because of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a cut,\u201d Joe replied. He took a ball of material from his hand, and Adam belatedly realized it was his bandanna, which was stained with blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you do that?\u201d Adam asked, finding himself standing by Joe, examining his hand. The cut ran across Joe\u2019s palm in a perfectly straight line and had obviously been done with a knife. \u201cKnife cut,\u201d he added, in case Joe thought about trying to pretend it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about it,\u201d Joe said, wincing. \u201cI was cutting the twine on a bale of hay and \u2013 I don\u2019t know what happened, but the knife slipped and I cut myself. It won\u2019t stop bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get a bandage,\u201d Adam said. \u201cA doctor friend of mine told me that pressure helps stop bleeding.\u201d He went off to the kitchen and shortly came back with a roll of bandage.<\/p>\n

Before he could do anything, a wailing filled the air. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Adam asked, startled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mine!\u201d Joe exclaimed, turning for the door, his bleeding hand forgotten. \u201cThere\u2019s been an accident!\u201d<\/p>\n

He dashed out of the door. Adam dropped the bandage and followed.<\/p>\n

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

Dust hung thick on the air as they arrived at the entrance to the mine. Adam hadn\u2019t known that the Cartwrights had an interest in this mine, but Joe had explained on the way that Ben had bought a part share, as the workings went beneath Ponderosa land.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d a voice hailed, and Joe dismounted from his horse. \u201cThank goodness you\u2019ve come!\u201d It was the mine foreman. He was caked in dirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe asked, guiding the man to a place he could sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were adding the new timber to replace the old shoring,\u201d the man said, and coughed deeply. \u201cI\u2019m not quite sure what went wrong, but one of the old timbers came down before the new one was in place and the wall caved in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anyone in there?\u201d Joe demanded, knowing that there had to be.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think there are 4 men missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Joe straightened up. \u201cAre you hurt, John?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust bruises,\u201d John replied. \u201cWhat do you need, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet someone to bring the doctor. Send someone else to alert my father. He\u2019s down at the South Forty. I\u2019m going in.\u201d He glanced around, seeing the men who were ready to go in and help their fellow miners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute, Joe!\u201d Adam objected. \u201cIt\u2019s not safe to go in there!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I have no choice. You stay here and wait for Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going in there,\u201d Adam stated, grimly, \u201cthen so am I!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGrab the canteen from your saddle then,\u201d Joe advised him. \u201cWe\u2019ll need water in there.\u201d He led the way over to the entrance. The men were waiting for him. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Joe advised.<\/p>\n

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

The dust was killing. The men all had bandannas over their noses to try and keep some of it out, but it didn\u2019t seem to be working. Adam was surprised to see Joe produced a bandanna, remembering that his other one was at home, covered in blood. Reminded, Adam glanced at his brother\u2019s hand, in time to see Joe wipe his palm on his pants. There was a dark stain left behind. So, the hand was still bleeding slightly.<\/p>\n

They began moving the debris, slowly and carefully. It was back breaking work. After a while Ben appeared with Hoss, and after a few words to his sons, Ben went back outside, taking Hoss with him, to tend to the injured miners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got a gap,\u201d one miner called, and everyone stopped to peer at the small hole that had appeared in the debris.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll need to widen it before we can get through,\u201d Joe said, examining it more closely. They began digging again. Within half an hour, the hole was wide enough for them to squeeze through. \u201cI\u2019ll go first,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

He climbed carefully up to the hole and peered through, lowering his lantern so he could see the other side of the hole. \u201cAll right.\u201d He handed the lantern to Adam and eased his way through the space. The whole mine seemed to creak. Joe disappeared into the darkness. \u201cI\u2019m through,\u201d he called, softly. Adam handed the lantern through, followed by the canteens.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe next,\u201d Adam said, and began his climb. The men nodded. They didn\u2019t know Adam, but it seemed he was a true Cartwright, always willing to do the things they asked the men to do.<\/p>\n

He had just disappeared through the hole when there was an ominous rumble and the roof collapsed, filling in the small space they had created such a short time before. When the miners could see again, the hole was gone and so were Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n

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

There was a rock digging into his side, Joe realized as he swam back to consciousness. He moved slightly to try and get away from it and the movement set up a chorus of pain throughout his body. He groaned. After a few minutes, everything settled down to a miserable throbbing, and Joe wondered if he\u2019d been thrown from a horse.<\/p>\n

Opening his eyes, he saw profound darkness, and for one terrified second, thought he\u2019d been struck blind again. Remembering, he sat up abruptly and his head began to throb. Something sticky ran down his face, and Joe guessed that it was blood.\u00a0 \u201cKeep calm,\u201d he told himself. \u201cRemember the still centre within.\u201d He forced himself to be still.<\/p>\n

Once he was calm, Joe called softly for Adam. There was no answer. \u201cThe lantern must be here somewhere,\u201d he muttered. He put his skills to good use, feeling carefully around until his hand encountered a warm, cloth covered body. \u201cAdam!\u201d he murmured. Gently, his sensitive fingers felt along his brother\u2019s back and head, until Joe found a knot on his brother\u2019s skull.<\/p>\n

Feeling around some more, Joe located the canteens first, then the lantern. The glass on the chimney was broken, but Joe was sure it would still light. And a flicker would be very welcome. He searched his pockets for matches, but found none. Retracing his steps to Adam\u2019s side, he searched his brother\u2019s pockets, and there, as he expected, was a match.<\/p>\n

The flicker of light from the match was the most welcome thing Joe had ever seen. He lit the lamp, but he could see that a lot of the oil had spilled out and it wouldn\u2019t last long. So he took his opportunity to examine his older brother.<\/p>\n

Apart from the bump on Adam\u2019s head, Joe thought that Adam had a broken leg. Joe had no way to splint it, and he wasn\u2019t sure enough of his medical abilities to try and set the leg. Pulling the bandanna from round his neck, Joe soaked it thoroughly and began to wipe some of the dirt from Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

The cool water soon brought Adam to mumbling consciousness. He squinted up at Joe. \u201cWhere are we?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the mine,\u201d Joe reminded him gently. \u201cThe roof caved in as you climbed through after me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill they come for us?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019d better,\u201d Joe responded. He laughed. \u201cThere were at least half a dozen men who saw exactly where we went.\u201d\u00a0 He touched Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLie still, Adam, you\u2019ve had a bang on the head and your leg is broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Adam asked, seeing the blood on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou\u2019re bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill,\u201d remarked Joe. \u201cYes, I know, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s serious.\u201d Joe crossed his fingers as he said that. His head was throbbing fiercely and he felt incredibly sick. But Adam needed him and he had to keep his brother from moving about.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have a lot of oil,\u201d Joe mentioned, sitting down more comfortably. He peered at his injured hand in the feeble light, but his hand was so dirty that he could no longer see the cut. Shrugging, he reached for a canteen and gave Adam a drink. \u201cAnd it\u2019s pretty dark in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you find it?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI learned to do things like that when I was blind.\u201d He said the words casually enough, but the memory of those dark days haunted his worst nightmares even yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I\u2019d known about that,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI didn\u2019t get a lot of your letters, Joe. I was moving about so much, they never caught up with me. I didn\u2019t know you\u2019d been bushwhacked, or that you\u2019d been trampled.\u201d Adam swallowed. \u201cThat must have been scary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was,\u201d Joe replied, soberly. \u201cI was alone, and my hand had swelled. I knew I could die from gangrene and my only hope, according to Pa\u2019s medical book, was to amputate my arm.\u201d He shuddered at the memory. Adam reached over and put his hand on Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine what that must have been like,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine the courage you\u2019d need to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to die,\u201d Joe responded, simply. \u201cPa has already lost too much.\u201d His voice cracked slightly. \u201cYour mother; mine; Hoss\u2019. And\u2026\u201d Joe stopped. His head ducked a sure sign of distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd me,\u201d Adam completed. \u201cThat\u2019s what you were going to say, isn\u2019t it, Joe?\u201d He moved and agony flared up his leg. He winced. \u201cIt\u2019s true, don\u2019t worry. I know Pa thought I was never coming back.\u201d He took a deep breath. \u201cBut I needn\u2019t have worried, Joe, need I? Because he had the perfect son to step into my shoes, didn\u2019t he?\u201d The bitterness in his voice flayed Joe\u2019s feelings like a whip.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I stepped into your shoes, Adam,\u201d Joe retorted, angrily. \u201cWhat other choice did I have? You\u2019d gone, and Pa was trying to do your work as well as his own. He got sick and then I\u00a0had<\/strong>\u00a0to step in.\u00a0I\u00a0<\/strong>did the books,\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0looked after your horse,\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0did the timber contracts,\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0kept an eye on the mines,\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0bossed the cattle drives.\u00a0I<\/strong>\u00a0did it, Adam! Me! Your stupid little brother! And boy! Did I resent it at first!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody asked you to!\u201d Adam flared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they didn\u2019t,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I couldn\u2019t let Pa struggle with doing the work of 2 men, either. I had to take some of it on. Hoss did what he could, but we both know that Hoss isn\u2019t good at bookwork. He\u2019s too heavy to break horses. So Hoss took on the herd, and some of the timber and Pa and I did the rest. And do you know what, Adam? I found I was good at it. Really good at it. And then I discovered that I was better at it than you had been.\u201d Joe was really on a roll now. He couldn\u2019t have stopped if he\u2019d wanted to. All the hurt and bitterness was pouring out. \u201cI wasn\u2019t \u2018Little\u2019 Joe Cartwright any more. I wasn\u2019t playing second fiddle to my clever older brother. I was Pa\u2019s right hand man, and if we disagreed sometimes, it didn\u2019t matter. I became a grown up after you left, Adam. Oh yes, I was legally an adult before you left, but how many times was I trusted to do something really important? If you were around, never. And you couldn\u2019t help but run me down. Well, guess what? I grew up and discovered that I\u2019m a worthwhile person, too. Pa and I make the decisions together and when I make decisions, they are respected by everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence apart from Joe\u2019s panting breath. Adam tried to absorb Joe\u2019s bitterness, telling himself that his youngest brother was right. He had gone without a thought as to how they would cope without him, and when he\u2019d returned to discover they had coped just fine, he\u2019d resented it. All the things he\u2019d learned about Joe since his homecoming had shown him that he had never really accepted Joe as an adult. He had never realized that Joe was more than just the family clown and baby. He couldn\u2019t envisage the Joe he\u2019d known back then coping with being blind, and yet, when he stopped to think about it, Joe had shown a lot of maturity in dangerous situations even then.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he said, in a low voice. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to let you grow up. I still thought of you as my pesky baby brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you did,\u201d Joe replied and there were tears in his voice. The lantern had been flickering wildly for the last few minutes, but neither man had noticed. It suddenly guttered out, leaving them in impenetrable darkness. \u201cBut you know, what, Adam?\u201d Joe went on. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter any more. It really doesn\u2019t. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re back. I\u2019ve missed you. And if you hadn\u2019t gone away, I might never have found myself.\u201d In the dark, Joe\u2019s hand found Adam\u2019s and gave it a squeeze. After a moment, the pressure was returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t deliberately stop writing,\u201d Adam said, softly. \u201cIt just happened. You\u2019re right, Joe. I was selfish when I left. I didn\u2019t think about how you were going to get on without me. It was rather galling to come back and find you\u2019d barely missed me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that,\u201d Joe murmured. \u201cWe did miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was jealous, Joe,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cI was jealous to come home and find Candy living in the house, for all the world like another son. You and he get along and I was jealous, Joe. You all had your jobs to do and I was excluded. Most of the hands don\u2019t know me; and even the ones who do check out my orders with you or Pa or Candy.\u201d He fell silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want a drink?\u201d Joe asked. His hand went unerringly to the canteen in the darkness. He took Adam\u2019s hand and placed the canteen securely in it. \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam drank deeply. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I held you back, Joe,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI\u2019m really sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you understand?\u201d Joe replied, sounding amazed. \u201cI\u2019m not hurt any more, Adam. My life is on the Ponderosa. I never want to live anywhere else. But your life isn\u2019t. Your life is somewhere out there. And that\u2019s all right.\u00a0 You were a square peg in a round hole. It happens. You go on and live your life. We\u2019ll be here whenever you come home again, whether it\u2019s for a holiday or a visit. We\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the darkness, Adam felt tears prickle in his eyes. He wanted to cry, but he had spent too many years holding back. He wondered if he had been jealous of Joe all those years ago without realizing it, and thought the answer was probably yes. Joe had never had the worries or responsibilities that Adam had had at a similar age and he had resented it, even while knowing that was crazy. It wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault that their circumstances were different. He found he couldn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n

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

Time passed. Joe kept a close watch on Adam. He pressed water on him regularly and kept him talking, terrified that Adam might slip into unconsciousness. He checked Adam\u2019s leg, gently touching the break and making sure it wasn\u2019t swelling too much.<\/p>\n

However, Joe was concerned about himself, too. His right hand was slowly seizing up and the fingers were swelling. Joe knew that dirt was causing a massive infection. His head was throbbing harder than ever as the air became a bit stale and Joe wasn\u2019t sure how much longer he could control his nausea. He moved very little, as his head swam alarmingly when he did. It was horribly disconcerting to feel the rock walls whirling when he couldn\u2019t see them.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d Joe asked, cutting the word short as he swallowed the bile that rose in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019re coming for us?\u201d Adam sounded despairing. Joe didn\u2019t blame him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course they are!\u201d he declared, stoutly. \u201cJust take it easy, big brother. They\u2019ll get here. It\u2019s difficult to judge how much time has passed in the dark. We haven\u2019t been here as long as you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t we?\u201d he asked, feeling for Joe\u2019s hand. His fingers touched Joe\u2019s hot, swollen hand and his younger brother let out a scream of pain. \u201cJoe!\u201d Adam sounded much more alert suddenly. \u201cJoe, your hand!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe said, and he knew he was going to be sick. He thrust himself up and stumbled across the space, where he fell to his knees and retched hopelessly.<\/p>\n

There was nothing Adam could do for him except lie there and listen. Finally, the sounds of his brother\u2019s distress stopped, and Adam spoke. \u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe replied. Adam could hear him getting up and then his brother\u2019s slow steps crossed the space between them. \u201cSpeak again,\u201d Joe requested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat should I say?\u201d Adam asked, at a loss. He didn\u2019t know why Joe wanted him to talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll do,\u201d Joe replied and he sat down beside Adam. \u201cI just needed you to speak so I knew how close I was to you. I didn\u2019t count my steps as I went over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t say,\u201d Adam remarked faintly. He was impressed with even that small skill.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want some more water?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cTake some for yourself. You need it as much as I do.\u201d Joe was sitting closer to Adam this time, and he could feel the heat from Joe\u2019s body. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a fever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had noticed,\u201d Joe laughed, but the laugh was forced. His voice sounded slurred all of a sudden. Joe took a deep drink. He wished their rescuers would hurry up. \u201cRest, Adam, they\u2019ll get here soon.\u201d Joe hoped he sounded more confident to his brother than he did to himself.<\/p>\n

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

The rescuers broke through about an hour later. Adam was asleep and Joe was unconscious, the infection and head injury combining to sap his strength as time passed. He didn\u2019t stir as he was tied to an old door and passed through the hole to fresh air and freedom. Adam was only a few minutes behind him, and a huge cheer went up as they were brought from the bowels of the earth alive.<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin was there and he examined both the Cartwrights before supervising them being loaded into wagons for the journey home. He remembered doing something very similar to this many years ago, when they thought Joe might not be alive. This time, they had known the boys were alive and that gave them hope. But still, Ben and Hoss were exhausted from their vigil.<\/p>\n

They were quickly brought home, then transferred to bed. Joe had roused during the journey, and Paul thought he might, in the end, need more care than Adam. However, the first thing Paul did was to set Adam\u2019s leg. The break was quite straight forward, and Paul was sure it would heal cleanly. He put splints on the leg to hold it until the swelling was down, then left Hoss to give Adam a good wash.<\/p>\n

Across the corridor, Ben was in Joe\u2019s room. He had already washed the blood and dirt from his son\u2019s face. He glanced up as Paul came in. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine. No concussion that I can see, just that broken leg, and it\u2019s a nice clean break. It shouldn\u2019t be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t try to set it,\u201d Joe muttered, his eyes still closed. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to mess it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite right,\u201d Paul said approvingly. \u201cToo many people have been crippled by amateurs setting bones.\u201d He peered into Joe\u2019s eyes and saw that his pupils were a bit sluggish, confirming his earlier diagnosis of concussion. The cut on his forehead would need a stitch and was full of dirt. But it was Joe\u2019s hand that worried Paul most.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to tend to your hand,\u201d Paul explained. He took out a bottle of chloroform and in a short time, Joe was asleep. Paul worked for a long time, cutting away the infected tissue, flushing the wound with alcohol and finally stitching it closed. He left in a thin piece of tubing to allow any remaining infection to drain. Finally, he bandaged the hand tightly, and showed Ben the position that allowed the drain to work best. Again, it was eerily reminiscent of something he\u2019d had to do for Joe before. At least this time, it wasn\u2019t gangrene he was fighting. He then turned his attention to the head wound, and by the time he was finished with it, Joe was stirring back to life.<\/p>\n

Meantime, Ben had been popping in and out of the room, tending to Adam, who just wanted to sleep. Hoss finally shooed their father out so Adam could rest and the oldest Cartwright slipped off to sleep almost at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Paul told Ben, as he saw the worried frown on his face. \u201cJoe\u2019s strong. He\u2019ll rally quickly, Ben, don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a bit late with that advice,\u201d Ben retorted. \u201cIt was worrying about this one that gave me grey hair, as well you know!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be worryin\u2019 about you that\u2019s givin\u2019 me grey hair,\u201d Joe muttered, for he was beginning to go grey. It didn\u2019t bother him one bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go to sleep, young man!\u201d Paul ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a minute,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I must know about Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d Paul assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe said, with decided satisfaction in his tones. \u201cI told the ole Yankee granite head that if he just did as I said, he\u2019d be fine. Seems I was right. Again.\u201d Joe chuckled. The grin stayed on his face as he slid off into a healing sleep.<\/p>\n

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

It was several days before they were all together in the main room again. Adam was learning to negotiate his crutches and Joe was longing for the day when the drain would come out of his hand. The risk of infection seemed to be gone, although Joe had been quite unwell for a few days.<\/p>\n

Ben was coming from the kitchen one afternoon when he heard Joe and Adam talking. He stopped to do a little eavesdropping.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I wanted to thank you for what you did for me in the mine,\u201d Adam began. \u201cI might not have held up as well if you hadn\u2019t been there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you would,\u201d Joe replied, briskly. \u201cYou surely ain\u2019t telling me that Adam Cartwright would let a little bit of darkness get him down? I don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a lot of darkness,\u201d Adam responded quietly. \u201cAnd it would have got me down. I was impressed by the way you coped. And it gave me an insight as to how it was for you after that accident. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019d have coped as well as you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t cope to start with,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut Miss Dobbs showed me I could be useful.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a pause and Ben was about to start walking again when Adam spoke once more. \u201cI wanted to thank you, too for what you did when I left. Taking care of Sport, helping with the books, doing my chores. I never thought about how it would be for you here when I left. All I could see was my own need to get away. I never thought about how it would affect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt affected me in the best way,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI grew up, finally. I learned not to be envious of you. I learned that this is my home and I love it too much to ever want to leave it.\u201d He glanced at Adam and hurried on. \u201cI understand why you don\u2019t want to stay, Adam, and that\u2019s all right. You\u2019re not me, any more than I am you. You\u2019ve found what you want elsewhere. I\u2019ve found it right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that I have found it, in quite the way you mean, Joe,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cIn a sense I am still searching; searching for a place that I can put down roots. I might search for ever. I might end up coming back here and putting down roots. I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe confided, leaning forward, \u201cyou like your nomadic life. That\u2019s why you aren\u2019t going to stay here after your leg is healed. We all knew, from that first day, that you were only here on a holiday. That doesn\u2019t make the Ponderosa any less your home. We all understand that. The door is always open for you, and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing there, Ben felt tears in his eyes. Once again, Joe had said exactly the right thing, and although Ben knew that Adam would leave again, he would always return, drawn by the love of his family. He dashed the tears away and went into the room. There was peace on Adam\u2019s face; a peace he hadn\u2019t seen in a long time.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoffee?\u201d he offered, as blandly as he could.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLook after Sport for me, will you, Joe?\u201d Adam asked, as he waited for the stage east to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure will,\u201d Joe responded. He had been flattered when Adam decided to call his new mount after his old one.\u00a0 \u201cAnd he\u2019ll be here waiting for you when you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care, son,\u201d Ben said, putting his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulders. He had never admitted to his sons that he\u2019d heard their conversation that afternoon, but he was fairly sure Joe knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too, Pa,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cKeep this hellion under control, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo promises,\u201d Ben muttered as Joe and Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n

It was more difficult taking his leave from Hoss, Adam thought. He felt a pang running through him as he wondered if he would see any of his family again. Life was uncertain; one never knew what was round the corner. He hugged Hoss, suddenly wanting to weep. \u201cGood bye,\u201d he managed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake good care o\u2019 yersl\u2019, Adam,\u201d Hoss replied. There were tears in his eyes. \u201cAn\u2019 write lots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Adam replied. The driver got onto his box and Adam hugged each member of his family one more time. He saved the last one for Joe. \u201cThanks, little brother,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThanks for setting me free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping back, Joe smiled through his tears. \u201cIf you love something, set it free,\u201d he quoted. \u201cIf it comes back to you, it\u2019s meant to be yours.\u201d He wiped the tears away, but they were replaced at once by more. \u201cI reckon you came back to us once, Adam. You\u2019re free to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time, the tears did fall and Adam climbed aboard the stage and waved to his family for as long as he could see them. When at last they and the town were out of sight, he sat back, oblivious to the stares of the other passengers.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright felt free.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 After many years, Adam returns home. How will his return affect him and his family? This is set roughly about season 12 of the show.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,380 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14402,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1770,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5322,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 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\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5454,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5454","url_meta":{"origin":5322,"position":1},"title":"Autumn’s Surprise (by deansgirl)","author":"deansgirl","date":"October 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Autumn is setting around the Ponderosa and with it comes a very dear and long awaited surprise.\u00a0 \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,180 words) Autumn Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5659,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5659","url_meta":{"origin":5322,"position":2},"title":"School in a Hundred Years (by DanceDiva)","author":"DanceDiva","date":"May 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A new teacher is in for Ms. Jones and he is strict. 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Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0667 The Wheelchair Series, links to stories within the series are included.","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\/2014\/04\/Bird.jpg?fit=323%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4460,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4460","url_meta":{"origin":5322,"position":4},"title":"The Gift (by JoeC)","author":"JoeC","date":"April 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe get's a special birthday present Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (553 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-chaps-21.jpg?fit=314%2C547&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7567,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7567","url_meta":{"origin":5322,"position":5},"title":"Spanish Gold (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A schoolyard bet leaves Little Joe in desperate need of some Spanish gold. Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 \u00a0Word count:\u00a0\u00a01150","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5322","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5322\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}