{"id":564,"date":"2014-04-17T22:39:55","date_gmt":"2014-04-18T02:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=564"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:13:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:13:30","slug":"candys-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=564","title":{"rendered":"Candy’s View (by Karen)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span><\/span>A look at the Cartwrights through Candy’s eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0T (4,400 words)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Candy’s View<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was a drifter and I liked it.<\/strong>\u00a0 Some men are born to settle and others are meant to roam.\u00a0 Well, I was a roamer; it suited me.\u00a0 An Army brat gets used to moving around, and I guess I just never stopped.\u00a0 So when I met up with the Cartwrights I never intended to stay.\u00a0 Told \u2018em that right up front, too.\u00a0 I looked old Ben Cartwright in the eye when he offered me the job and made him a deal.\u00a0 I\u2019d stay until I was ready to move on, but when it was time to go there\u2019d be no questions asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I figured I\u2019d last about six months, actually.\u00a0 That\u2019s about how long it usually took for my feet to start itching for the trail.\u00a0 Any longer than that and people start to expect something from you.\u00a0 Loyalty, trust.\u00a0 Things I didn\u2019t really ask for, and didn\u2019t expect to give.\u00a0 Oh, I\u2019m every man\u2019s friend.\u00a0 You couldn\u2019t ask for a nicer guy, even if I do say so myself.\u00a0 But I watch my own back and don\u2019t expect anyone to do it for me.\u00a0 It\u2019s easier that way.\u00a0 No disappointments, I guess.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So that\u2019s how I ended up at the Ponderosa, which was a mighty fine spread from what I could see.\u00a0 I liked it right off the bat.\u00a0 Who wouldn\u2019t?\u00a0 It was beautiful country, wild enough to suit me, but a real treat for the eyes.\u00a0 Sometimes I\u2019d ride up along the ridge and look down over the lake and just watch the changing colors, marveling at the way the sun reflected off it and could turn it into something to make a grown man cry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The work wasn\u2019t hard.\u00a0 But then I knew it wouldn\u2019t be.\u00a0 Oh, don\u2019t get me wrong.\u00a0 The Cartwrights expect their hands to work, so we did.\u00a0 But it was honest work.\u00a0 The kind that makes a man ache deep in every muscle and sleep like a baby when his head hits the pillow.\u00a0 So when I say it wasn\u2019t hard, that\u2019s not what I mean.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright didn\u2019t ask his men to do anything he wasn\u2019t willing to do himself.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t some aristocrat sitting behind a fancy desk giving orders.\u00a0 Can\u2019t tell you how many times we\u2019d look up from clearing a waterhole or mending a line of fence to find him, sleeves rolled up, gloves on, working right there beside us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I kind of watched my step around his sons too, at first.\u00a0 You never know what a rich man\u2019s brat is going to be like.\u00a0 Hoss looked like a friendly enough sort of fellow at first glance.\u00a0 Not like he\u2019d grown up soft.\u00a0 Big, burly arms, a plain face with a gap-toothed grin.\u00a0 If you didn\u2019t look too close you might even think he was kind of simple, just because of that smile.\u00a0 But he wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 Not Hoss Cartwright.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t take me long to figure out that he couldn\u2019t help but be kind to anyone weaker than him, and that plain face hid a mind that could plot mischief with his little brother better\u2019n most.\u00a0 He knew animals too.\u00a0 People came from all around to ask his advice when they were having problems with their stock.\u00a0 And kids.\u00a0 Kids would bring their pets and beg him to help.\u00a0 Never saw him turn anyone down either.\u00a0 He\u2019d talk to anyone, big old grin on his face, that big white hat pushed back on his head.\u00a0 He could touch the most skittish horse, a scared rabbit, a little girl\u2019s kitten, and the animal would respond.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So was Hoss Cartwright just a simple, kind fool?\u00a0 Just ask Jim Bonner.\u00a0 Or Frank Mercer.\u00a0 Or any number of fellas that ran afoul of the temper he hid behind that smiling face.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t stand to see someone getting hurt, wouldn\u2019t tolerate disrespect to a lady, and stood between his little brother and all comers.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t want to rile Hoss Cartwright because those gentle hands could be deadly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes you could see it coming.\u00a0 Take the time Jim Bonner decided to force Molly Skidwell, the nicest little saloongirl you\u2019d want to meet, to take him upstairs when she\u2019d already said no.\u00a0 I was leaning on the bar beside Hoss, and I saw his grin disappear when Jim grabbed Molly\u2019s arm and twisted it behind her back.\u00a0 She tried to play it off and jolly him out of it, but her face was white and the stuff she used to make her eyes look darker was running down her cheeks in tracks \u2018cause of her tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he started dragging her up the stairs, she dug her feet in, or tried to anyway.\u00a0 He must\u2019a wrenched her arm a bit, because she cried out.\u00a0 Hoss moved then.\u00a0 Faster than a cat and just as quiet.\u00a0 Threaded through the tables without disturbing a poker chip.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t\u2019ve thought it possible if I hadn\u2019t seen it with my own eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Funny thing is, he didn\u2019t raise his voice at all.\u00a0 He put one hand on Bonner\u2019s arm and jerked him backwards.\u00a0 Surprised the man into letting go of Molly, I\u2019ll tell you.\u00a0 Bonner just gaped up at him, while Molly scampered off out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI b\u2019lieve the lady said no.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss kept it calm, but his blue eyes looked like chips of ice set in a face made of stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a sudden quiet in the saloon, and then a rush as men pushed back out of the way, poker chips flying, chairs overturning.\u00a0 No one left, of course.\u00a0 They all wanted to see it play out, same as I did.\u00a0 But no one made a move to help either.\u00a0 I eased my gun up a little, in case I needed it, and stood ready to draw.\u00a0 But Hoss didn\u2019t need any help, not really.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis ain\u2019t your affair, Cartwright,\u201d Bonner snarled, trying to wrench his arm loose.\u00a0 \u201cI aim ta pay the lady, fair and square.\u00a0 It\u2019s what she\u2019s here for after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s got a right to refuse, Bonner.\u00a0 Leave her alone.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss twisted a little harder, and Bonner kinda moaned, clawing at Hoss with his free hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But that big man, so gentle with all those animals, had a grip like iron, and he didn\u2019t let go.\u00a0 He kind of lifted Bonner up so he stood on the toes of his boots, and hustled him to the swinging doors.\u00a0 Without even breaking a sweat, he tossed the man out on to the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some men laughed at the sight of Bonner sprawled in the dust, but Hoss swung around and stared \u2018em all down, turning back just as Bonner got himself to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s over now, Bonner.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss still didn\u2019t raise his voice.\u00a0 \u201cIf ya wanna come back in, I\u2019ll buy the next round and we\u2019ll call it even.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bonner dusted off his britches and hesitated.\u00a0 He looked over Hoss\u2019s shoulder and saw the eyes of every man in the place.\u00a0 I watched his face as he silently ran through his options.\u00a0 Even saw the twitch of his hand as he considered pulling his gun.\u00a0 But in the end, he just spat into the dirt and walked off down the street.\u00a0 I\u2019m pretty sure he threw some sort of curse back over his shoulder, but with the whooping and hollering back in the saloon it was hard to tell.\u00a0 Men were slapping Hoss on the back, congratulating him on what he\u2019d done.\u00a0 But he ignored them, just brushed \u2018em off like they were flies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead he made a beeline for Molly, still standing in a corner, shaking like a leaf.\u00a0 He pulled out a big white handkerchief, dried her eyes and cleaned the mess off her face.\u00a0 Then he offered it to her, and she blew her nose too.\u00a0 When she hung her head and tried to hand it back to him, he just shook his head.\u00a0 The same hand that had almost broken Bonner\u2019s arm in two now tipped her chin up as gentle as a lamb.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you cry no more, Miss Molly.\u00a0 He\u2019s gone.\u00a0 Won\u2019t be back tonight either, I\u2019d guess.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned, and she couldn\u2019t help but smile back.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how \u2018bout you get me a beer, I\u2019m feeling a mite thirsty after all the fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hoss,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 And then she was hustling to the bar to fetch his beer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I eased my gun back into the holster, looping the thong back over it to hold it in place, hoping Hoss wouldn\u2019t notice the movement.\u00a0 But he saw it.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t say anything, just nodded at me as he eased in beside me against the bar.\u00a0 I got the feeling he knew he hadn\u2019t been alone in the fight, and he appreciated it.\u00a0 But we didn\u2019t need to talk it out.\u00a0 Weren\u2019t any need for that at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright was a different sort of man altogether.\u00a0 I just didn\u2019t know how to take him at first.\u00a0 Friendly enough when he wanted to be, with a laugh like nothing I\u2019d ever heard before on a man.\u00a0 When he cut loose with that cackle of his, you just had to join in.\u00a0 He could charm the birds outta the sky, or the ladies into his arms.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t walk into a room; he strolled in and made it his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019d never know he and Hoss were brothers.\u00a0 Where Hoss was big-boned, Joe was built small.\u00a0 Hoss had trouble finding enough hair to comb across his head, and Joe had enough for two men.\u00a0 The kind of curls that had the girls all swooning.\u00a0 I saw more\u2019n one of the saloon gals in his lap, fingers stroking his hair.\u00a0 Joe had a streak of arrogance in him, something you\u2019d never find in his older brother.\u00a0 Maybe it was those good looks, or the fact that he was good with his gun.\u00a0 Maybe it was because he was the youngest kid in his family and had always had someone watching over him.\u00a0 Whatever it was, Joe felt like he had the world by the tail, and mostly he did.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t do anything by halves.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t as quick to trust as Hoss, but once given, his faith was unshakable.\u00a0 His temper was fierce and easily provoked, but when it died down he was the first to laugh and offer his hand in apology.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll admit I took my time in sizing him up.\u00a0 I wanted to see him in action with the men before I made up my mind about him.\u00a0 You can\u2019t fool the men you work with every day.\u00a0 They\u2019re gonna see the best and the worst of you.\u00a0 Come to find out that Joe was downright popular with the hands.\u00a0 I\u2019d been in plenty of places where the boss\u2019s son made life miserable for everyone around him.\u00a0 Joe wasn\u2019t like that any more than Hoss was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d come into the bunkhouse and see him playing poker with the boys, or just leaning up against one of the bunks cackling over some joke, his green eyes flashing with laughter.\u00a0 He\u2019d pitch in anywhere he was needed, and didn\u2019t throw his weight around even when he was in charge of a job.\u00a0 Old Ben Cartwright had raised those boys right, that was plain to be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Only problem Joe had, from what I could see, was getting his father and brother to take him seriously.\u00a0 He\u2019d been \u2018Little\u2019 Joe for so long it was hard for them to see the man he was when I first met him.\u00a0 Most of the time he put up with their hovering and fussing with good humor, but sometimes he just about turned himself inside out trying to bust loose of them.\u00a0 Not that I blamed him.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t have been hemmed in by anybody, so why should he want his daddy and brother treating him like he was still a kid?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could more than handle himself in a fight even though he wasn\u2019t a big man.\u00a0 He was fast as lightning and had a quick draw to go along with his skill with his fists.\u00a0 Oh, sure, he occasionally got in over his head, but that\u2019s something all men do.\u00a0 He was the type who\u2019d wade into a fight first and ask questions when it was all done.\u00a0 Maybe he was too dadblamed used to having his back covered, because he never stopped to think about the consequences before he dove into something.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Frank Mercer came in.\u00a0 He\u2019d signed on to work a Spring Roundup and just never left.\u00a0 The Cartwrights kept him on and put him to work.\u00a0 He was a surly sort, putting a lot of distance between himself and the rest of us.\u00a0 He\u2019d play poker in the bunkhouse, but it never seemed like much fun when he was in the game.\u00a0 Took it too seriously, or something.\u00a0 Like his life depended on winning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He tangled with Joe right from the start.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t take kindly to taking orders from the boss\u2019s kid, I guess.\u00a0 Joe was probably used to that kind of man.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Mercer wasn\u2019t the first fella who\u2019d tried to knock him down a peg just because of who he was.\u00a0 But Mercer was careful.\u00a0 Muttered under breath, just low enough that Joe couldn\u2019t be sure he was being insulted, or did his work with just enough of a delay that he couldn\u2019t quite be faulted for not doing his duty.\u00a0 Little things that built up from day to day, \u2018til the air fairly crackled when the two of them were anywhere near each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Cartwright and Hoss were aware of what was going on.\u00a0 But I\u2019d guess Joe had warned \u2018em to back off.\u00a0 When Mr. Cartwright made the day\u2019s assignments, you could tell he tried to keep Joe working as far away from Mercer as he could.\u00a0 But there were times when that wasn\u2019t possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe did work with Mercer, Hoss would find excuses to drift by.\u00a0 Stop and ask a couple of questions, ride on.\u00a0 Just keeping an eye on his little brother.\u00a0 Joe had to know what he was doing.\u00a0 Sometimes he\u2019d just grin at Hoss and punch his arm, then send him on his way with a laugh.\u00a0 Other times, those days when his mood was darker, he\u2019d glare at Hoss, give him a short answer to whatever question he\u2019d been asked and then turn his back, dismissing Hoss without another word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

None of that seemed to bother Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019d helped Joe grow up and was used to his little brother\u2019s changeable ways.\u00a0 If Joe was in a good mood, Hoss would play along, lingering to joke and share a canteen of cool water.\u00a0 If Joe\u2019s mood was foul, Hoss rode in and out fairly quickly, giving his brother the space he needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mercer wasn\u2019t stupid.\u00a0 He knew what was going on too.\u00a0 In fact, when Joe was out of earshot, and Hoss had ridden off, he\u2019d make some remarks about little boys playing boss who needed their family to protect them.\u00a0 He\u2019d make sure that Hoss didn\u2019t catch him at it though, and he never openly challenged Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there came a day when something happened to change all that.\u00a0 Mercer had been assigned to work the corral where they were breaking some horses.\u00a0 Hoss was in charge of the fence crews for the day, and Mr. Cartwright was in San Francisco negotiating some timber contracts with the railroad.\u00a0 I was working with Hoss, but I got the details from some of the fellas later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had one thing in common with Hoss.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t stand to see someone mistreat an animal.\u00a0 In the little corral, milling about with the rest of the horses being worked that day was a big, evil-tempered brute we\u2019d taken to calling Samson.\u00a0 He was murder to work around.\u00a0 Quick with his teeth, and even faster to kick out with his hoof.\u00a0 He\u2019d been giving Joe fits for days.\u00a0 But that horse had met his equal in sheer stubbornness.\u00a0 Joe was determined he was going to win the contest.\u00a0 Samson was going to be saddle broke if Joe had to kill himself to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was in the corral working another one of the horses.\u00a0 This one was a sweet little mare who didn\u2019t present too many problems.\u00a0 He rode her to a standstill and was rubbing her down afterwards when he heard Samson scream.\u00a0 Every man there jerked around to see Mercer beating Samson with the end of a lariat, while the horse reared and shrieked his defiance.\u00a0 The animal\u2019s eyes were wild and his nostrils flared as he tried his damndest to kill the man who kept flicking the hated lash at him.\u00a0 Mercer would strike out and then dodge back.\u00a0 Move in, flick the lariat so the rawhide end did the most damage and then dance back.\u00a0 He was cursing a blue streak while he did it and paying no attention to anything but the horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe leaped over the fence and headed for Mercer at a dead run.\u00a0 \u201cMercer!\u00a0 Stop!\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 \u201cGet away from that horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mercer ignored him, maybe didn\u2019t even hear him, he was so intent on beating Samson.\u00a0 Joe dodged in under the flailing hooves and shoved Mercer backwards and away.\u00a0 He shouted for someone to grab the horse, and the rest of the men moved to pull the animal away from Joe.\u00a0 Mercer was too far gone to care what he did.\u00a0 All the temper he\u2019d been directing at the horse was now focused on Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat damned animal deserves everything I was giving him and more,\u201d he snarled, brandishing his arm in Joe\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cDamn thing bit me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll kill him for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His sleeve was torn and through the ripped fabric a nasty bite was visible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t going to accept that though.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter, Mercer.\u00a0 He\u2019s an animal.\u00a0 You\u2019re supposed to be a human being.\u00a0 I won\u2019t stand by and watch you hurt a valuable horse that way.\u00a0 Now drop the lariat and get back to the bunkhouse.\u00a0 You can draw your pay tonight and get off this ranch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was open warfare now, and Mercer must have figured he had nothing to lose.\u00a0 \u201cMake me,\u201d he said, and spat on Joe\u2019s boot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved then.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t wearing his gun.\u00a0 His gunbelt was looped on the fence by the corral, but Mercer wasn\u2019t making a move for his own weapon either.\u00a0 He just raised the lariat high and slashed at Joe\u2019s face, leaving a welt down Joe\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 Joe dove under Mercer\u2019s arm as he raised up for another strike, wrapping his arms around the other man\u2019s waist and driving him into the ground.\u00a0 Mercer\u2019s breath left his body in a whoosh, and he struggled to breathe as he lay dazed on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe got off a left hook to his chin.\u00a0 Mercer\u2019s eyes closed, and he lay spent and gasping.\u00a0 Joe figured he was done, so he got up and turned his back on Mercer, dusting off his pants as he moved to examine Samson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d been working with Hoss on the fence line earlier, but he\u2019d been miserable all day.\u00a0 Pacing, standing with his hands on his hips and gazing back towards the horizon in the direction Joe was working.\u00a0 He knew Mercer was in Joe\u2019s workgroup and it bothered him.\u00a0 He\u2019d tried to switch the assignment but Joe had just laughed and told him to quit being an old mother hen.\u00a0 It was obvious we weren\u2019t going to get much out of Hoss until he\u2019d satisfied himself that Joe was doing okay.\u00a0 I sidled on up next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSay, Hoss,\u201d I said, trying to sound casual.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we leave these guys working this fence and go see if Hop Sing has lunch ready to bring out.\u00a0 I feel hungry for some reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grinned at me, relief evident in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cCandy, that\u2019s the best idea I\u2019ve heard all day.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go.\u201d\u00a0 He headed for the horses, calling back over his shoulder, \u201cMaybe we can ride by the corral and see if Joe\u2019s ready to break for lunch too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I kind of chuckled under my breath.\u00a0 Hoss really was an old mother hen sometimes, but I liked him for it, just the same.\u00a0 I just hoped Joe was having one of his good days, because if he was in a foul mood the sight of Hoss coming over the hill would be enough to put him over the edge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We rode over the rise, Hoss making some joke about Joe lazing around under the trees, when we saw a frightening scene playing out in the corral.\u00a0 Joe was tending to the big horse, Samson, while the rest of the hands struggled to restrain the animal.\u00a0 Mercer was on his hands and knees behind them, shaking his head as if to clear it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And then, while we were too far away to even call out, Mercer got and charged Joe, barreling into his unprotected back with his full weight behind him.\u00a0 Joe went down, and stayed down, with Mercer sprawled on top of him.\u00a0 Samson had three men hanging onto him and still he managed to plunge and rear, trying to shake them loose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss bellowed and urged his horse to a dead run, while I followed as fast as I could.\u00a0 Joe lay within range of those hooves while Mercer rolled free and began lashing out at both the horse and Joe with a lariat he\u2019d picked up from the dirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was off his horse before Chubb even had a chance to stop, moving with an almost impossible speed.\u00a0 As he ran, he yelled for the hands to get the horse away from Joe, and then he was on Mercer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He yanked the lariat from the other man\u2019s hands and flung it far away.\u00a0 Mercer turned a terrified gaze on the face of Hoss Cartwright gone beserk, then one of those huge fists crashed down on him and he dropped like a stone.\u00a0 Hoss would have gone down after him.\u00a0 I saw him pull his fist back for another blow, but I caught his arm and pulled hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u00a0 It\u2019s okay.\u00a0 See to Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of Mercer.\u201d\u00a0 I tried to be calm, to cut through the murderous rage that consumed him, and I was rewarded by a flicker of sanity in his eye.\u00a0 He dropped his fist without a word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He was at Joe\u2019s side in a flash, gently rolling his brother over onto his back.\u00a0 A bright trace of scarlet trickled from a gash on Joe\u2019s temple, where he\u2019d apparently caught a glancing blow from Samson\u2019s hoof when Mercer knocked him over.\u00a0 The same hand that had hammered Mercer into the ground was now gently examining Joe\u2019s head, as Hoss searched for more damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He glared at Tim Wilkes, who was hanging over his shoulder to get a look at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cGet into town and get the doctor.\u00a0 Get him out to the house as fast as you can.\u201d\u00a0 He saw Andy Thompson still working to restrain Samson.\u00a0 \u201cAndy.\u00a0 Turn that horse loose and get over here to help me with Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Andy gasped.\u00a0 \u201cTurn him loose?\u00a0 Joe\u2019ll have a fit.\u201d\u00a0 He hesitated, uncertain what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss glared, his voice a deep growl.\u00a0 \u201cI said turn him loose.\u00a0 I don\u2019 wanna see him in this corral again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Andy did as he was told, opening the corral gate and slapping the horse to get him moving.\u00a0 Samson took one look at the way to freedom and then he was gone, disappearing so fast it was as if he\u2019d been spirited away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d finished securing Mercer\u2019s hands behind him and approached Hoss, who hovered over Joe as if to ward off another attack.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get the buckboard and we\u2019ll take him to the house, Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s got a hard head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That brought a smile.\u00a0 Joe moaned just then and touched a hand to his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked no one in particular.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d I get down here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He opened his eyes to see Hoss peering down at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019d ya do, Hoss? \u00a0Knock me over when I wasn\u2019t looking?\u201d\u00a0 He attempted a smile, but it clearly pained him to move too much.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell ya later, little brother.\u00a0 You were just having your usual fun, is all.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t hide his relief, and most likely didn\u2019t particularly want to.\u00a0 He pushed Joe down gently, when his brother tried to sit up.\u00a0 \u201cLay still, Joe.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna get you home so the doc can take a look at you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t need the doctor. I\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0 Joe batted away Hoss\u2019s hands and levered himself up.\u00a0 Then he clutched at his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing that he was going to be persistent, Hoss and I helped him to his feet, where he stood swaying a bit unsteadily.\u00a0 \u201cYour pal Mercer was feeling a mite unfriendly today.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s eyes were unreadable and his voice was flat.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have him draw his pay and get out of here.\u00a0 I won\u2019t have him on the ranch any more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet in line, brother,\u201d Joe said shakily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve already fired him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHey Candy, don\u2019t look so worried.\u00a0 It\u2019s all part of life on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get used to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t laugh yet, but he would have if he could\u2019ve.\u00a0 The effect was the same. I couldn\u2019t help but grin back.\u00a0 It did seem to all be part of life here.\u00a0 And to my surprise I found I liked it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We headed for the buckboard.\u00a0 Hoss on one side of Joe, me on the other.\u00a0 A couple of the other fellows were dragging Mercer onto his feet behind us.\u00a0 It was the beginning of my attachment to these people and this ranch.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know it then, but my rolling stone way of life had come to an end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d found a home and a family.\u00a0 I figured I\u2019d stay for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0A look at the Cartwrights through Candy’s eyes<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T (4,400 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":190,"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],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1187,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Bucket-Dog4.png?fit=682%2C446&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10167,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10167","url_meta":{"origin":564,"position":0},"title":"This Thing of Darkness (by CwrightGirl)","author":"Cwright Girl","date":"November 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 A WHIB for the episode To Die in Darkness (S9E28).\u00a0 An extension and analysis of Candy\u2019s spiral into depression and attempted suicide that hopefully offers some explanation and closure. 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Rated: \u00a0T (945 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":46991,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46991","url_meta":{"origin":564,"position":3},"title":"The One that Got Away (by Candyfan)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 22, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: When Candy brings in a murderer, the murderer escapes prison and comes looking for revenge on Candy.\u00a0 Rating and Reader Alerts: G Words:\u00a0 7,980","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10776,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10776","url_meta":{"origin":564,"position":4},"title":"Candy’s Opinions (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"April 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Attacked by rustlers, Candy and Adam have some time to talk as they try to work their way out of their predicament. \u00a0Candy talks about the Cartwrights. \u00a0 Rating -- PG \u00a0 \u00a0WC -- 1544","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/0C6FBD97-CEF6-4738-A9EE-A0C38EC846A8.jpeg?fit=704%2C639&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18020,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=18020","url_meta":{"origin":564,"position":5},"title":"Meeting Family (by PSW)","author":"PSW","date":"June 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Jamie meets another adopted member of the Cartwright clan.\u00a0 Originally written for the March 2017 Pinecone challenge, and expanded for inclusion here.\u00a0 Prompt:\u00a0Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. 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