{"id":5830,"date":"2005-02-03T00:42:39","date_gmt":"2005-02-03T05:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5830"},"modified":"2026-02-11T10:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:11:34","slug":"milestones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5830","title":{"rendered":"Milestones (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Life never quite takes us where we think.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T<\/strong>(4,455 words)<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Milestones<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sitting at the desk with the ledger open in front of him, Joe Cartwright sighed. He didn\u2019t really need to do the books \u2013 they had an accountant in town who did the day to day work for them now. But somehow, it had become a habit to check the books at the end of each week. The ranch showed a healthy profit and Joe knew it was largely down to his efforts that this was the case. However, he didn\u2019t feel proud of his achievements, although he had every reason to do so. He just felt unutterably weary.<\/p>\n

Glancing across at the fire, Joe smiled as he met his father\u2019s eyes. Ben was no longer up to riding out each day to check on the work, but he was certainly more than able to keep an eye on things financially. He was grinning at Joe, amused by the habit that made his son check the books at the end of each week, not affronted. Ben knew he was no longer in his prime and had slowed down, but he was still mentally sharp. Joe wasn\u2019t checking up on him, he was simply doing what had become second nature to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind any mistakes?\u201d Ben asked, teasingly.<\/p>\n

Grinning back, Joe replied, \u201cPa, to be honest, I never really looked. Remember how I used to \u2018expose myself\u2019 to my school books? Well, that\u2019s what I was just doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling as he remembered this ploy of Joe\u2019s, Ben beckoned to him to come over and sit down. \u201cI do remember that,\u201d he agreed. \u201cDid I tell you how impressed I was by your imagination?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery loudly, as I recall,\u201d Joe laughed. \u201cPa, I really don\u2019t know how you put up with me when I was a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at Joe, with his shaggy grey hair, Ben thought that he really didn\u2019t look that much different. Yes, he had filled out slightly, but was still slender. His face was surprisingly unlined, given the time he spent in the sun and the tragedies that had hit in recent years. \u201cI think you know why,\u201d he replied, his voice soft.<\/p>\n

Flashing Ben a glance, Joe smiled. \u201cBecause I\u2019m your favourite son?\u201d he hazarded, and this time it was Ben\u2019s turn to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always did like to push the boundaries, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Ben could recall explaining to a very young Little Joe that he had three favourite sons \u2013 a favourite oldest son, a favourite middle son and a favourite youngest son. Joe had accepted it quite cheerfully, but by the time Ben heard him relate this to his two older brothers, it had become sadly mangled and Joe had ended up informing them that he was Pa\u2019s favourite son because \u201cPa told me so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Joe splayed his hand over his chest, looking wide eyed and innocent. Ben wasn\u2019t taken in for a minute.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou.\u201d Sometimes, it surprised Ben that he and Joe should be able to laugh like this. For a time, after Hoss died, life had seemed so bleak and hard. And then, hot on the heels of that tragedy had come Joe\u2019s marriage to Alice and her murder. Ben had thought that that would break Joe\u2019s spirit and had feared for his son. Yet somehow, Joe had found the strength of mind and fortitude to come through it all and come out the other side stronger.<\/p>\n

But Joe the widower was a different creature in many ways than Joe the bachelor had been. It had been several years since Alice had died and Joe had remained steadfastly single. Or if he had had girlfriends, he had kept them absolutely secret. Yet all Joe had to do was snap his fingers and Ben knew that there would be a queue forming. Girls seemed to find Joe irresistible and he was never short of a partner at the dances.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you take tomorrow off?\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

Blinking, Joe looked startled. Ben realised that, just as he had been lost in memories for a moment, so had Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Pa\u2026\u201d he began, but Ben over-rode him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what your father says!\u201d he ordered. \u201cIt\u2019s your birthday, Joe, for crying out loud! Its not every day a man turns 40! Go out and have some fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

Groaning, Joe rolled his eyes. \u201cYou just had to say it, didn\u2019t you?\u201d he accused Ben playfully. \u201cI was trying to forget!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a milestone in a man\u2019s life,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cWhy not celebrate it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 No particular reason, I guess,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI just hadn\u2019t thought about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen think about it now,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cYou and Candy can go and get up to some sort of mischief\u2026\u201d He slapped his forehead in an exaggerated fashion. \u201cWhat am I saying? You and Candy can get up to mischief walking across the yard!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not!\u201d Joe denied, but his green eyes were alight with laughter. Ben laughed aloud. \u201cNo, really, Pa, we don\u2019t!\u201d Joe went on, but he couldn\u2019t keep his face straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake tomorrow off,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cHave fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Later, alone in his bed, Joe found himself unable to sleep. The house was silent, both Ben and Candy asleep in their rooms and Joe assumed that Hop Sing was also sleeping. But sleep eluded Joe until he finally gave up trying and opened his eyes, staring around his room in the rosy darkness.<\/p>\n

How hard it had been to come back and sleep in this room after Alice. That was partly why Joe had felt compelled to wander \u2013 constantly moving to try and come to terms with what happened. By the time they had caught Alice\u2019s killers, Joe was exhausted, physically and emotionally. He and Candy had returned home, turned the men over to the sheriff and then Joe had collapsed.<\/p>\n

Oh, there had been physical causes behind his collapse, but Joe knew that the real reason he had slept almost non stop for four days was not that his head injury was so very serious. No, the real reason was that he didn\u2019t want to start living again. What did he have to live for? His wife and his unborn child were gone and Joe wanted to follow them.<\/p>\n

But something stopped him; something drew him back from the edge. That something was Ben. Day after day, Ben sat by Joe\u2019s bedside and spoke to him. He recalled incidents from their past, amusing stories, sad stories, the every day minutiae of life. And Joe realised that he was being selfish. Yes, he had lost his wife; but his father had buried three wives. Joe had buried an unborn child, but Ben had buried a grown up child and his oldest son was gone and had not been heard from in a long time. Joe realised that he couldn\u2019t leave his father totally alone in the world and so made the effort to come back to life.<\/p>\n

It had been hard, especially after he had been attacked by a mad man when going to sell horses to the army. Joe had nearly died that time and the memories of it still gave him nightmares sometimes. But he had lived and moved on.<\/p>\n

Shifting his position, Joe shoved a pillow up against the headboard and sat up. The room was close; the night air was thundery. Joe threw the covers off and looked down at his body. It was still lean and hard, well muscled but slender. He had always been the most slightly built of the Cartwrights, taking more after his mother in that respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cForty.\u201d It startled Joe to realise that he had said the word aloud. Forty was a number that had no real relevance to him, he thought. Forty was old. Most men didn\u2019t live much past forty and it was unusual for someone of his age to still have a parent living. Joe knew he was lucky.<\/p>\n

Still, he\u2019d always thought that by the time he hit 40, he would be married with several children running around the house. Lord knew, it wasn\u2019t for the lack of looking. Joe hadn\u2019t found anyone he was interested in seriously over the last few years. He knew, from things his friends said, that he was considered the catch of the town, but Joe couldn\u2019t see himself married to one of the airhead girls in town. They all seemed so young and it depressed him to realise that he could be their father! No, Joe wasn\u2019t looking for a \u2018girl\u2019 any more; he was looking for a woman.<\/p>\n

Shoving another pillow up behind his back, Joe wriggled until he felt more comfortable. He wondered if Adam had married yet, or if he, too, carried the scars of losing someone. It had been a huge disappointment to Ben when Adam\u2019s letters \u2013 never a flood \u2013 had slowed to a trickle before petering out. The not knowing was the worst thing. Was Adam alive or dead, happy, unhappy, well, ill? Joe had always had the feeling that Adam was not coming home again when he had left to explore the world. Had Adam realised that? Wherever he was, Joe wished him well, the hurt he had felt on his brother\u2019s leaving but a dim memory now.<\/p>\n

\u201cFifty two.\u201d Joe sniggered. He could hardly believe that Adam was 52. At 52, men were old, grandfathers or great grandfathers. He wondered what Adam looked like now. He had been beginning to lose his hair before he left home and was understandably put out when Joe had teased him by flaunting his own head of thick curls. \u201cAre you as bald as a coot, big brother?\u201d Joe whispered and inexplicably felt like crying.<\/p>\n

Blinking back the tears, Joe turned his thoughts to Hoss. His adored big brother had been gone for quite some time now and on a day to day basis, Joe didn\u2019t feel the pain all the time. But sometimes, the feelings of loss crept up and surprised him and this was one of those times. Thinking about Adam going bald and the teasing had reminded Joe of the hard time he had given Hoss when he began to lose his hair.<\/p>\n

The teasing had been a two-way street, for Hoss had got his revenge on Joe by buying a wig one day and then complaining loudly for several days that he thought his hair was getting thinner. Joe had taken great glee in assuring Hoss that it was thinner, and had done a splendid double-take when Hoss had come down to breakfast the next morning wearing the hideously ugly, but very thick, wig. Thereafter, the wig would be found in many extraordinary places until one day, Hop Sing mistook it for a rat and set the barn cat on it!<\/p>\n

Joe chuckled as he remembered Hoss declaring, quite solemnly, that they would have to give it a decent burial. He missed Hoss, for the two of them had been more than brothers \u2013 they had been friends, too, soul mates. Joe sighed, knowing that if Hoss had been alive, he would have given Joe a thorough teasing for reaching the grand old age of 40. Joe might have complained aloud, but inwardly, he would have loved it.<\/p>\n

Starting to feel sleepy now, Joe rearranged his pillows and slid down the bed. He felt peaceful, as he often did after thinking about Hoss. For a moment, Joe almost felt as though his adored big brother was in the room with him. \u201cI still love ya, Hoss,\u201d he murmured, sleepily.<\/p>\n

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

The promised day off dawned bright and sunny. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you in town later on, Joe,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cAnd we\u2019ll have dinner at the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great, thanks, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. His father had given him a handsome new leather wallet and a new pocket watch. The one that Joe had carried for many years had suffered irreparable damage in a fall a short time before. Joe loved his gifts.<\/p>\n

Together, he and Candy headed off into town. Joe couldn\u2019t help smiling at the notion that his father still thought him young enough to want to go and raise Cain in town, but he was sure that he and Candy could find enough to keep them occupied while they were there.<\/p>\n

But their plans changed as they rode in. They were about half way between the ranch and Virginia City when Joe frowned and stood slightly in his stirrups, peering against the sun. \u201cCandy? You see that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Following the direction of Joe\u2019s pointing finger, Candy was quite prepared to find he was on the receiving end of a joke, but for once his friend was serious. There was something on the road. \u201cYeah,\u201d he replied. \u201cLooks like a wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exchanging a look, they rode on a little faster. Both of them were quite well aware that this seemingly innocently over-turned wagon could prove to be a trap of some kind, so they were cautious in their approach. However, as they drew nearer, they could see that this was a poor place to set a trap \u2013 there was no natural cover to speak of and certainly not enough to hide men and horses.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Joe asked the young woman who was sitting on the ground by the wagon and looking at the belongings spilled everywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hurt,\u201d she replied in a tight voice. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think I could say I\u2019m all right.\u201d She sniffed suddenly and drew in a deep breath. Joe knew that she was fighting back tears. He tried not to look at her as she rubbed her nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Joe Cartwright, and this is our foreman, Candy Canady,\u201d Joe began. \u201cMy father and I have a ranch not far from here. Can we help you, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Mrs Anne Winters,\u201d she answered. She beckoned and two small children, a boy and a girl, came out from behind the wagon. \u201cThese are my children, David and Laura. I\u2019ve just bought a small place not far from here, I\u2019m told. I was on the way there when we hit a stone or something, I\u2019m not sure, and the wagon tipped over. We\u2019re not hurt, but I really don\u2019t know what to do.\u201d Once again, the threat of tears could be heard in her voice towards the end of her story, but she drew in another deep breath and controlled them once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can help,\u201d Joe assured her and he and Candy both dismounted.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for the men to make sure that the wagon wasn\u2019t damaged in any way. Then they removed the last of the load and set about righting it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPity Hoss ain\u2019t here,\u201d Candy panted as he and Joe arrived at the most critical and difficult moment. Hoss\u2019 massive strength and tall stature made this kind of activity very easy.<\/p>\n

Giving a snort, Joe almost lost his grip on the wagon. He shot Candy a glance that promised retribution at a later date and strained his muscles. The wagon teetered for a moment before crashing gracelessly to the ground.<\/p>\n

Panting, Joe wiped the sweat from his brow. \u201cWe\u2019d better check the wheels are all right,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cIt went over with quite a crash.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said,\u201d Candy murmured, bending over to look at the wheels. \u201cIt\u2019s a pity Hoss ain\u2019t here.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time, Joe did laugh out loud. \u201cIt sure was his speciality,\u201d he agreed. He started to pick up the discarded furniture and stack it on the wagon bed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really can\u2019t thank you enough,\u201d Anne told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble, ma\u2019am,\u201d Joe smiled. He thought how pretty she was and then cut the thought off. She was married, he reminded himself. \u201cI hope your husband is waiting for you at your home to help you unload this stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband is dead,\u201d Anne replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe mumbled, embarrassed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be. You couldn\u2019t know,\u201d she assured him. She calmly gathered the children up. \u201cCome along, you two. Say \u2018thank you\u2019 to the nice men for helping us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d they chorused, dutifully.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d Joe grinned and the little boy grinned back at once. Joe recognised a kindred spirit immediately. It took the little girl a moment or two longer before Joe\u2019s charming grin broke though her defences, but when she smiled, it was blinding.<\/p>\n

As Anne popped the children back onto the wagon seat, Candy came over to stand by Joe. He took one look at his boss and sighed. \u201cI know what\u2019s coming,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Candy nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna say that we can\u2019t let her try and unload all that stuff herself and why don\u2019t we help her, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning broadly, Joe twinkled at his friend. \u201cWhy, Candy, what a good idea.\u201d He walked off, leaving Candy smothering a desire to swear loudly while strangling his friend, and on his birthday no less.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Winters, I hate to think about you trying to move all this furniture yourself,\u201d Joe began. He could see the instinctive protest starting and carried on talking; not something he would usually do, but Joe wanted to make Anne understand that he just wanted to offer help, nothing more. \u201cCandy and I will come out to your place and give you a hand. It\u2019s no trouble, honestly. We don\u2019t have anything else planned at all for today. Well, not until later, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright\u2026\u201d Anne began.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, let us help you,\u201d Joe added softly. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be neighbours and neighbours always help each other out.\u201d<\/p>\n

For another long moment, Anne hesitated. She had had no idea how she was going to unload the furniture when she reached her new home, just as she had had no idea how she was going to get the wagon upright again. However, there was something about this handsome man with the warm green eyes that made her trust him. She smiled. \u201cVery well then, I accept. Thank you very much, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning broadly, Joe replied, \u201cCall me Joe. Mr Cartwright is my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Neither Joe nor Candy was surprised by the location of the small homestead that Anne Winters took them to. In fact, Joe practically led the way. Anne was relieved, as she had not been exactly sure where it was they were heading. The directions she had been given turned out to be more accurate than she had thought, but Joe\u2019s confidence went a long way to bolstering her own confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, doesn\u2019t this look cosy?\u201d Anne asked her children as the wagon pulled to a stop in front of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mama,\u201d they chorused dutifully, but the little girl did look as though she agreed with her mother while the boy just looked disinterested. To him, a house was simply a house.<\/p>\n

Helping Anne down from the wagon, Joe began to loosen the ropes that kept the load on the wagon. \u201cOh not yet, Joe,\u201d Anne protested. \u201cI\u2019ll have to make sure the house is clean before I take anything inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smothering a groan with a smile, Joe could do nothing apart from agree. The house looked reasonably clean, but Anne set to and kindled a fire in the stove and heated water to wash the floors. While she did that, Joe and Candy unhitched the team and settled them into the barn. They had some hay, but there wasn\u2019t much of it and no straw to soften their beds. \u201cRemind me to send over some stuff for her, till she gets settled,\u201d Joe whispered to Candy. Rolling his eyes, Candy just nodded.<\/p>\n

Finally, the house was deemed clean enough to bring the furniture in and Anne directed the placing of it while the little girl supervised the kettle boiling on the stove. Lunch consisted of a few slices of salt pork and a cup of coffee, but by mid-afternoon, the moving was completed and Anne was unpacking her dishes into the cupboards. Candy was outside with the kids and Joe was handing plates and cups to Anne.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you decide to move here?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Anne wondered at the directness of this question, but she had already learned that Joe was honest and straightforward and he meant no harm. \u201cWe \u2013 my husband and I \u2013 had always wanted to live out here. Bernard had lived here when he was younger and always wanted to come back. After he died, I couldn\u2019t bear to stay where we were, so I thought I might as well try coming here.\u201d She sighed and looked around. \u201cAnd here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very brave thing to do,\u201d Joe praised her. \u201cNot many women would have done this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose not,\u201d Anne agreed. \u201cBut I\u2019m a widow with no other family. What choice did I have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone, I guess,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI\u2019m a widower myself.\u201d He hated that word \u2013 it always implied that someone was old, but he knew this frequently wasn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d For a moment, the two were connected by shared sorrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Joe drew his new pocket watch out and looked at the time. \u201cWe\u2019d better be going. My father is taking Candy and I out for a meal tonight to celebrate my birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour birthday?\u201d Anne sounded scandalised. \u201cYou mean you\u2019ve been working this hard on your birthday? Joe! That\u2019s awful!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI volunteered,\u201d Joe reminded her, his whole face lit up with amusement.<\/p>\n

\u201cCandy didn\u2019t,\u201d Anne smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but even though I\u2019m his boss, he has today off. If he hadn\u2019t wanted to help, he wouldn\u2019t have done, believe me. Candy takes orders only when he has to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you?\u201d she challenged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be telling,\u201d Joe teased and Anne laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still have to thank you for all your help,\u201d she reminded him. \u201cI really couldn\u2019t have done it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been my pleasure,\u201d Joe assured her, with perfect truthfulness. He felt a sudden urge to kiss her, but restrained himself, knowing that it was inappropriate.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye,\u201d he said and left.<\/p>\n

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

About the first thing Joe did when he got into town was to go into the grain merchant\u2019s store and order some grain, hay and straw to be sent to Anne Winter\u2019s place. He knew that she would be upset with him about it, but he was confident that she wouldn\u2019t refuse the help once he set about placating her. He also let it be known that she was a friend of his. Joe didn\u2019t often feel the need to use his influence as a Cartwright, but it did come in handy sometimes.<\/p>\n

That done, he and Candy headed for the saloon to have a couple of beers. Joe smiled as he raised his glass in a toast. Somehow, turning 40 didn\u2019t seem to have been as bad as he feared. In fact, he couldn\u2019t remember the last time he\u2019d enjoyed a day so much.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m worried about him,\u201d Candy concluded, as Joe finished relating the story of their day to Ben. \u201cWorking like a dog and on his birthday, no less!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes sound peculiar,\u201d Ben agreed, his dark eyes twinkling merrily as Joe simply sat there and looked smug. \u201cWhat do you say, son? Are you feeling ill? Should we go home now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel fine,\u201d Joe assured him, grinning. \u201cI can\u2019t help wondering about you two, though,\u201d he shot back. \u201cYou\u2019d think I never did any work!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t this the same fella who\u2019d do anything to get out of round up?\u201d Candy asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cPerhaps we\u2019d better get the doctor in.\u201d He promptly stood up and waved. \u201cHey, Doc, over here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe scolded and turned his head in time to see Paul Martin, the town doctor, coming their way.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday, Joe!\u201d Paul cried. He was older and greyer, but still working. He had a young partner now, a man that everyone was growing to trust. It had taken Paul a while to find someone suitable, after the fiasco with Ingram, when Hoss had nearly died, but he had succeeded in the end.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, doc,\u201d Joe smiled and shook hands with his old friend. He wondered who would appear next and wasn\u2019t terribly surprised when it turned out to be Roy Coffee, with Clem Foster, the current sheriff in tow.<\/p>\n

Roy had been retired for quite a few years now and was beginning to be a little wandered sometimes. He was very frail and very hard of hearing. However, that night, he seemed to be quite with it, although he did still insist on calling Joe \u2018Little Joe\u2019. The birthday boy bore the indignity quietly.<\/p>\n

It was a night for reminiscing. Memories came thick and fast and laughter echoed around the room. After a time, Ben found himself watching Joe as the talk eddied around the table. Joe looked just the same as he had that morning, but there was something about him that was different.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Ben knew what it was. Joe wore an air of serenity that was quite new. The ghosts of his past seemed to have slipped away to leave him untroubled and contented with himself. It was an attractive change; a change that Ben had hoped would come to Joe one day and he wondered what the catalyst had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe was looking at him with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just remembering,\u201d he replied, smiling.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHave you had a good day, son?\u201d Ben asked as they walked out of the hotel to their horses.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cA very good day. Thanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, back to work tomorrow,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cBut I\u2019ve got to check on Anne first and make sure she got that stuff I ordered for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everything became clear for Ben then. He didn\u2019t say anything, just nodded. But somehow, a hope that he had buried with Alice sprang into being and burned brightly in his chest. Ben drew in a deep breath. He felt younger than he had done in years; he wanted to sing and shout, cheer loudly, but he didn\u2019t. He just allowed a smile to grow on his face. Behind Joe, Candy was smiling, too.\u00a0He sees it, too,<\/em>\u00a0Ben thought and it warmed him even more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s a very good idea,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Life never quite takes us where we think.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (4,455 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":60424,"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":[23,698],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-post-timeline","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-698-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1727,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/clock.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"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":5659,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5659","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"position":1},"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. Wanting to make a good impression Joe tries to think of what it may be like in school a hundred years from now. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (650)","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\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7582,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7582","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"position":2},"title":"Doctor’s Orders (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Ben and Adam face off over the doctor\u2019s orders. Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0887","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\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2836,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2836","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"position":3},"title":"Big Fish (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"April 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Adam is coming home, but not everyone seems eager to meet him. Joe rather goes fishing. 1,100 words, rated K","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\/04\/BigFish-Kopie.jpg?fit=400%2C319&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6742,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6742","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"position":4},"title":"Grazed (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When Adam finds a slightly injured Joe, they share a strangely special moment. \u00a0A Young Cartwright short story. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0767","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13179,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13179","url_meta":{"origin":5830,"position":5},"title":"Half Brothers (by No1ButJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe asks Adam the meaning of the words \u201chalf brother\u201d. Can Adam explain it correctly so a ten-year old Joe can understand? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count: 1250","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\/5830","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=5830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/60424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}