Rating: K+<\/p>\n
Word Count=4993<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0<\/span>Joe rescues a mysterious girl from the river.<\/span> Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended against Anthony Lawrence’s script. Original plot is\u00a0property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fish Out of Water<\/strong><\/p>\n Joe muttered to himself as he kept an eye out for livestock stranded on the riverbank. He\u2019d lost the solemn ceremony of the matchstick this time.\u00a0<\/span>Adam was supposed to get the short one. I\u2019m gonna wallop Hoss when I get home.<\/i> * * * <\/p>\n Reviewer:\u00a0Sibylle<\/a><\/b>\u00a0Signed A funny story but I could persuade me to watch that episode again. So I\u00b4m not a expert with all hints but the absurdity is very well captured.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Reviewer:\u00a0frasrgrl\u00a0Anonymous LMAO that was great Patinauguration. Put a big smile on my face during a frustrating evening. Thank you.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Reviewer:\u00a0bahj<\/a><\/b>\u00a0Signed Lol! Okay, dogs and girls I can understand, but roping cats!? This story was hysterical. I’m so glad Dodo had a birthday :0)<\/p>\n Author’s Response: Thank you, bahj! You never know–maybe a cat was chasing a bird and Joe just happened to lasso the cat (lol). I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed this bit of silliness.<\/em><\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Reviewer:\u00a0Anonymous\u00a0Anonymous What a wonderful retelling of the story, Tirza should have originally be found in water (like a fish), not laying in boulders.<\/p>\n And shame on YOU for threatening Cochise with having Hoss ride him for a week!\u00a0 Thankfully I was not drinking anything when I read that line ;0)<\/p>\n Author’s Response: Thank you, Anonymous! Tirza sure was hung up on that whole fish thing, wasn’t she? LOL about Hoss riding Cochise. I’m glad to know you enjoyed this silly tale.<\/em><\/p>\n *<\/p>\n Reviewer:\u00a0JoeC<\/a><\/b>\u00a0Signed My first thought was:\u00a0NO, not a Tirza story. I’m in no mood for fish and tree.<\/em><\/p>\n My second thought was:\u00a0Thanks heaven a blue dress.<\/em><\/p>\n Through the whole story I laught my a*s of. Yes, you captured our Joe in the right way. To get in love and to get out love in only seconds. Thanx for this funny story. JoeC\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Author’s Response: LOL, JoeC! Thank you so much for staying with this story and reading to the end. Joe often fell in love as soon as he saw a pretty smile. Tirza just happened to be pretty, along with crazy (lol). Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this.<\/em><\/p>\n *<\/p>\n
Dark Star for Dodo Challenge. Happy Birthday!<\/span><\/p>\n
Ever since Adam fell in the river two years ago while rescuing a calf, he managed to invent ever more creative excuses for why this particular chore should fall to someone else. A few of Adam\u2019s excuses flitted through Joe\u2019s head:\u00a0<\/span>I get the sniffles thinking about that cold, wet ride down the river; I saw Laura in town and my bad back flared up; Jigger Thurman asked me to write a new song for his bull.<\/i>
From the corner of his eye, Joe caught a glimpse of bright orange in the river. He pulled Cochise up and placed his hand over the brim of his hat. Whatever it was had disappeared. Standing in the stirrups, Joe craned his neck and scanned the swift-flowing water. Bright orange bobbed to the surface and again went under.<\/span>
\u201cGiddup, Cooch! Someone\u2019s in trouble!\u201d<\/span>
Obeying his rider\u2019s urgency, Cochise loped down the well-worn bluff trail.\u00a0<\/span>
Stopping at the river\u2019s edge, Joe plucked the rope from his saddle horn and encouraged Cochise to trot along the bank. Joe watched the frothy water, anxious for the orange-clad person to appear again.\u00a0<\/span>
The river boiled with white-caps and gained speed where it funneled through boulders.\u00a0<\/span>
Orange shot to the surface for a brief moment before smashing into a rock.\u00a0<\/span>
Joe gasped and prayed for the strength to rescue the person before the river dashed them to pieces. He nudged Cochise forward and hoped to make it to a point downriver first. On his way, he caught several more glimpses of orange fabric from the corner of his eye.<\/span>
He jumped off his horse and looped the end of the rope around the saddle horn. \u201cStay,\u201d he ordered the paint.\u00a0<\/span>
A buzzing filled the air as Joe swung the lasso, ready to let it fly when the person next appeared.\u00a0<\/span>
Like a cork, the river\u2019s victim popped to the surface. Joe let the rope fly, confident in his ability to snare his target after years of practicing on calves, dogs, cats, and girls. There\u2019d been one or two times he\u2019d lassoed a bird flying low to the ground.<\/span>
The end of the rope looped over the person\u2019s wrist and Joe was pulled to the edge of the river by the river\u2019s momentum. He held tight with his hands and swung his legs over the taut line.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cPull!\u201d he yelled at his horse.<\/span>
Cochise flicked his tail in response.<\/span>
\u201cPull or Hoss will ride you for a week!\u201d<\/span>
The paint snorted but obediently backed away up the hillside.<\/span>
When solid ground was beneath Joe, he dropped his legs from their perch but kept one hand on the rope, anxiously waiting for the person to reach the river\u2019s edge.<\/span>
Long brown hair, floating like strings of seaweed, reached the sandy shore first. Connected to the hair was a young woman. Her eyes were closed and her face was serene.<\/span>
Joe put his hat over his heart and whispered a prayer for the repose of the woman\u2019s soul.<\/span>
He knelt down to retrieve his rope but fell back on his butt in fright. The woman had opened her eyes.<\/span>
Clutching her hand, Joe pulled her out of the water. Gasping and sputtering, she sent droplets of water flying in a fine mist, creating little rainbows. Her clothes were plastered to her body, enhancing her curvaceous figure.\u00a0<\/span>
In a sudden fit of modesty, Joe wriggled out of his jacket and draped it around the young woman\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0<\/span>
She took in her surroundings, breathing through her open mouth.\u00a0<\/span>
As he removed the loop from her wrist, he said, \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright of the Ponderosa, rescuer of fair maidens.\u201d He placed a finger under her chin and gently turned her face to his. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span>
Fixing him with her limpid gaze, she said, \u201cI swim as a fish, with the current, to where the river takes me.\u201d<\/span>
Joe cocked an eyebrow. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cName?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat are you called?\u201d<\/span>
She smiled, revealing a shallow dimple. \u201cI am called Tirza.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIs there someplace I should take you?\u201d<\/span>
Tirza turned to face the river and said, \u201cI seek the shallow pools, where the water is calm. There it is safe.\u201d<\/span>
Joe cleared his throat. \u201cI\u2019m going to take you to the Ponderosa. After you get a hot bath, you can tell my family where you\u2019re from and who your people are.\u201d<\/span>
She quickly turned on her toes and placed her hands on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI will go with you, Joe Cartwright. Where there\u2019s water, there is home.\u201d<\/span>
He placed his hands around her small waist and easily lifted her up onto Cochise. After she was settled, he swung up behind her. Cochise snorted at the extra weight but soon found his stride.<\/span>
Tirza, sitting sideways, held tight to Joe\u2019s waist and pressed her cheek against his shoulder.\u00a0<\/span>
<\/p>\n
Arriving at the Ponderosa, Joe reined Cochise in at the hitching rail and slid off his horse. He helped Tirza down and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.<\/span>
\u201cWait here. I\u2019m going to get my father.\u201d<\/span>
Tirza nodded as Joe trotted to the door. She patted Cochise\u2019s neck and toyed with his mane. Looking around the yard, a sparkle caught her eye and she smiled in delight.<\/span>
\u201cWait \u2018til you see her, Pa,\u201d Joe said as he excitedly led his father through the door. Hoss and Adam were close on their heels.<\/span>
All four men came to a stop and looked in different directions.<\/span>
\u201cWell, Joseph,\u201d asked Ben, \u201cwhere is this mystery woman?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShe was right here,\u201d insisted Joe as he pointed towards his horse.<\/span>
\u201cThe sun get to you?\u201d Adam asked as he playfully punched Hoss in the bicep.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m not making this up! She\u2019s real!\u201d<\/span>
Joe sprinted for the barn as Ben frowned in impatience. Adam jammed his hands into his pockets and shrugged.\u00a0<\/span>
Hoss craned his neck and surveyed the yard. \u201cOver here!\u201d he hollered as he trotted to the water trough.<\/span>
Three Cartwrights looked down into the glassy water of the trough to see a submerged young woman smiling up at them. Hoss\u2019 mouth formed a surprised \u201co\u201d but Adam smiled.<\/span>
\u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/span>
Joe ran from the barn as Hoss pulled the woman out of the trough. Water cascaded from her hair and fingertips as Hoss set her down on solid ground.<\/span>
\u201cI told you she was real,\u201d said Joe with a glower for Adam. Joe cleared his throat and said, \u201cThis is Tirza, the girl I told you about.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy were you in the trough?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span>
\u201cThe water called my name.\u201d<\/span>
Adam snickered. Joe glared at his oldest brother.<\/span>
Ben gestured at the door and said, \u201cCome inside and Hop Sing will get you some towels to dry off. I\u2019m sure we can find something for you to wear.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat blue dress Sheila Reardon borrowed is hanging in the closet in the guest room,\u201d offered Adam. He sized Tirza up and added, \u201cIt should fit her.\u201d<\/span>
Entering the house, Ben yelled, \u201cHop Sing! We have a guest!\u201d<\/span>
Drops of water plopped onto the dusty floor as Tirza stood rooted near the door. Her eyes, wide in wonder, took in the vast great room from the furniture to the gun rack to the trophy buck mounted on the wall.\u00a0<\/span>
The cook\u2019s name echoed as Ben bellowed again.<\/span>
Complaints in Chinese preceded Hop Sing into the room. He scowled at Tirza and her puddles of water.<\/span>
\u201cYell, yell. Alla time yell.\u201d The cook crossed his arms over his chest and said, \u201cHop Sing go back China where appreciated.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNow, Hop Sing, be reasonable,\u201d pleaded Ben. He gently placed a hand against Tirza\u2019s back to propel her forward. \u201cOur guest needs towels. Would you be so kind as to help her?\u201d<\/span>
Pacified, Hop Sing bowed to Tirza before taking her elbow and leading her to the guest room.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cMissy get cleaned up. Food on table soon.\u201d He trotted off to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on the meal.<\/span>
The Cartwrights took seats around the coffee table but Joe stood in front of the hearth, arms crossed over his chest. Hoss plucked an apple from the fruit bowl despite the approaching dinner hour. Adam scratched behind an ear and waited for Joe\u2019s story to begin.<\/span>
\u201cYou said you rescued her from the river?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cDid she tell you what happened?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe as he shook his head. \u201cI think someone pushed her.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s quite an assumption,\u201d said Adam. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how she fell in. Maybe she was fetching water or washing clothes.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMaybe she just wanted to go for a swim,\u201d offered Hoss around a mouthful of mashed apple.<\/span>
Ben cleared his throat and glared at Adam and Hoss. \u201cShe\u2019s dressed in the manner of a gypsy. They\u2019re strange people with odd customs. We should see her back to the others of her kind.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI love her,\u201d announced Joe, nostrils flaring. \u201cI\u2019m not going to throw her into danger because you don\u2019t want her under your roof.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa didn\u2019t say anything like that,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cShe\u2019s the most beautiful girl I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Joe said softly as he wistfully watched the guest room door.<\/span>
Tirza cracked open the door and peeked into the room before emerging into the open. She smoothed the front of the deep blue dress. With all eyes on her, she twirled for their approval.<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019re beautiful,\u201d said Joe as he rushed to her side. He lifted her hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss upon it.<\/span>
Ben stood and said, \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to stay as long as you\u2019d like.\u201d<\/span>
Tirza nodded her thanks and turned her attention to Adam and Hoss. Adam had a half grin upon his lips and one eyebrow raised as if he wished to ask questions. Hoss took another bite of the apple and nodded in greeting.<\/span>
\u201cSuppah ready,\u201d announced Hop Sing as he placed a platter of steaks and bowls of peas and mashed potatoes upon the table.<\/span>
Joe escorted Tirza to Hoss\u2019 chair and helped her take her seat.\u00a0<\/span>
Hoss dropped the apple core upon the coffee table, wiped his hand on his trousers, and took the chair opposite Joe and Tirza.<\/span>
Ben led his sons in prayer. \u201cThank you, Lord, for sparing Tirza. Thank you for putting Joseph in the right place to pull her from harm\u2019s way.\u201d He cracked open on eye and noted Hop Sing scowling nearby. \u201cAnd thank you for this delicious meal we are about to eat.\u201d<\/span>
A chorus of, \u201cAmen,\u201d was soon followed by the clack of spoons against bowls and cutlery against plates.<\/span>
Joe plopped a mound of mashed potatoes on Tirza\u2019s plate and then a few spoonfuls of peas. He selected one of the larger steaks for her.<\/span>
Tirza picked up individual peas between her fingers and pressed them into the potatoes, creating a colorful hillside.<\/span>
Hoss cut off a large chunk of steak and savored the juicy, tender meat. He watched Tirza, curious about her actions.\u00a0<\/span>
Adam speared peas with his fork and then held them up for inspection. \u201cShame you didn\u2019t catch some trout when you were fishing,\u201d he observed, slyly peeking at Joe from the corner of his eye.<\/span>
Hoss snorted and a pea shot out of one nostril. Joe kicked Adam\u2019s shin.<\/span>
\u201cTurtles and frogs also make their home in the water. They are not hunted as are the fish.\u201d<\/span>
Ben cleared his throat in an attempt to restore order at his table. \u201cAre you a gypsy?\u201d<\/span>
Tirza then stabbed her fork into the mound of potatoes until the implement stood upright. She set her hands in her lap and nodded, eyes downcast.<\/span>
\u201cWhere are your people?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThere are many fish in a river, all swimming for a place they do not yet know.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHow did you get separated from them?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAn eagle swoops down from the sky, grabs the fish in its talons. The fish struggles but cannot get away.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss and Adam exchanged a glance. Adam shrugged one shoulder.<\/span>
\u201cAre you saying your people are dead?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span>
\u201cRocks conceal animals that kill fish. The bear wades into the river, patiently waits for a meal. Raccoons snatch babies from the quiet waters of ponds and lakes.\u201d<\/span>
Ben was about to ask another question but Joe said, \u201cShe\u2019s had a rough day, Pa. Let her rest up.\u201d<\/span>
Tirza smiled at Joe and her thanks shone from her eyes.<\/span>
Dinner was finished in silence. Afterwards, Hoss excused himself to check on a horse, Adam retreated to the fireplace to read, and Ben worked on the ledgers.\u00a0<\/span>
Joe and Tirza stood by the hitching rail, gazing up at the stars peeking through the deep blue of twilight. The moon hung as a large orb, its light not yet fully shining down on the land. A light breeze stirred the ruffles along the neckline of Tirza\u2019s dress.<\/span>
\u201cI thought you were drowning,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/span>
She smiled at him and said, \u201cA fish cannot die when it is embraced by water.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019re not a fish,\u201d said Joe. \u201cYou breathe air.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou do not understand,\u201d she said, \u201cfor you are a tree.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou are rooted to the land, taking nourishment from the ground.\u201d<\/span>
Joe didn\u2019t care if she thought she was a fish. She was the prettiest girl he\u2019d ever seen. \u201cI love you,\u201d he murmured as his leaned forward.<\/span>
She returned his kiss, draping her arms around his neck.<\/span>
His lips caressed her cheek then kissed a trail along her neck.<\/span>
Tirza ran a hand through Joe\u2019s hair and held his mouth over the spot where her pulse was pounding.<\/span>
Hoss, exiting the barn, tried to quietly make his way to the house. He stepped on a branch and halted in his tracks, shoulders hunched up as if he could make himself smaller.<\/span>
\u201cSorry \u2018bout that,\u201d he said as the young couple stared at him. He left them to their own devices as he hurried into the house.<\/span>
\u201cWhere\u2019s your brother?\u201d asked Ben as Hoss closed the door.<\/span>
\u201cMaking that girl feel right at home,\u201d replied Hoss.<\/span>
Adam snorted and marked his place in the book with his forefinger. \u201cHe can\u2019t seriously be in love with her.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYour brother is still a boy,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThe young fall in love as easily as leaves drop from a tree. I remember you declaring you were in love many a time with young ladies newly arrived in Virginia City when you were Joe\u2019s age.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat was different,\u201d said Adam. \u201cThose girls didn\u2019t believe they were fish.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhatever she is, she sure don\u2019t seem right in the head,\u201d offered Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cI want you boys to take a look around in the morning. See if you can find her people.\u201d<\/span>
Before either Adam or Hoss could voice a complaint, Ben said, \u201cNo arguments.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d they both said.\u00a0<\/span>
Adam set the book down on the table and headed upstairs. Hoss picked up another apple.<\/span>
\u201cWhat was that?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span>
Hoss swallowed a chunk of apple and asked, \u201cWhat if we find her people? What if they don\u2019t want her back?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe\u2019ll cross that bridge when we reach it,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0<\/span>
Hoss nodded and trudged upstairs.<\/span>
Joe closed the front door and escorted Tirza to the guest room. \u201cGood night,\u201d he said.<\/span>
\u201cSleep well, Little Joe,\u201d she replied.<\/span>
Joe crossed over to his father\u2019s desk and sat on the corner. He pensively looked towards the guest room and hugged his arms over his chest.<\/span>
\u201cShe\u2019s pretty, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes,\u201d answered Ben concentrating on a column of numbers.<\/span>
\u201cShe\u2019s prettier than any other woman I\u2019ve ever known. Was my mother as pretty as she is?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYour mother was the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever laid eyes on. That girl is pretty but there\u2019s no fair comparison when it comes to your mother.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHer name is Tirza, not \u2018that girl.\u2019\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes blazed in righteous indignation. \u201cShe means more to me than anything in the world. I\u2019m going to marry her.\u201d<\/span>
Ben set the pencil down. \u201cYou don\u2019t know her, son. You can\u2019t base a marriage around her appearance.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI know she\u2019s kind and good.\u201d After a brief moment of silence, Joe asked, \u201cHow long did you know my mother before you married her?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMore than one day.\u201d Ben picked up the pencil and again studied the ledger. \u201cIt\u2019s past time for bed. Go on up. If you still love her in the morning, you can discuss marriage with her.\u201d<\/span>
Joe\u2019s face brightened and he bounded up the stairs two at a time. His heart beat, \u201cTirza\u201d with each step.<\/span>
As the sun peeked over the horizon to wake nature from its sleep, Adam and Hoss wolfed down breakfast in order to get an early start. They discussed which sections of the Ponderosa to search. Hop Sing packed sacks of sandwiches for them.<\/span>
Ben descended the stairs as his sons were strapping on the gun belts. He approached them and said, \u201cYou boys be cautious. We don\u2019t know if her people banished her or if she was merely lost.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss gently slapped his father\u2019s belly with the back of a beefy hand and said, \u201cDon\u2019t you worry, Pa. We\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/span>
Joe bounded the stairs shortly after, surprised to see breakfast remnants on his brothers\u2019 plates. \u201cWhere\u2019d they go?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019re going to look for Tirza\u2019s people.\u201d Noting the worry in his son\u2019s eyes, he added, \u201cThey\u2019re not taking her back unless it\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/span>
Joe let out a relieved breath and took his seat. As he was scooping eggs onto his plate, Tirza emerged from her room.<\/span>
\u201cDid you sleep well?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span>
\u201cA fish must stop swimming in order to sleep.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI think that means yes,\u201d said Joe as he placed strips of bacon on her plate.<\/span>
She tore pieces of toast and used them to pick up clumps of scrambled eggs. Ben studied her over the rim of his coffee cup.<\/span>
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you take her to town?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span>
Joe smiled and shoved a wad of half-chewed food against one cheek. \u201cThat\u2019s a great idea.\u201d He pointed at Tirza with his fork and said, \u201cYou\u2019ll like Virginia City.\u201d<\/span>
She cocked her head and asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span>
Taken aback, Joe\u2019s eyebrows drew together for a brief second. \u201cTell you what. We\u2019ll go to the dress shop to get you something that fits better. How does that sound?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cA dress of my choosing?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSure,\u201d answered Joe through a smile.<\/span>
\u201cI would like that.\u201d<\/span>
Joe wolfed down the remainder of his breakfast then sprung out of his chair. He strapped on his gun belt and trotted to the barn to hitch up the buggy.<\/span>
\u201cWhere are the others?\u201d asked Tirza.<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019re looking for your people.\u201d<\/span>
She rested her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together under her chin. \u201cFish that cannot swim are carried by the river to a place they did not choose.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe won\u2019t let them take you if they mean you harm,\u201d assured Ben.\u00a0<\/span>
Tirza looked at him with skepticism in her eyes.\u00a0<\/span>
Joe flung open the door and asked, \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/span>
She smiled and pushed back from the table. Ben stood as she made her way to Joe.<\/span>
\u201cBe careful,\u201d Ben yelled at their backs. He sat down heavily and poured another cup of coffee.\u00a0<\/span>I hope that girl won\u2019t bring Joe trouble<\/i>.<\/span>
<\/p>\n
On a far corner of the Ponderosa, Adam and Hoss smelled death. They dismounted and cautiously approached a clearing. Smoke rose from the remains of wagons positioned in a circle. Vultures feasted on bodies riddled with arrows.<\/span>
Hoss swallowed hard and said, \u201cNo wonder that gal thinks she\u2019s a fish.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShe must be the sole survivor,\u201d Adam said softly. \u201cThe river must have been the safest place to hide. Or she jumped in to get away.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss pulled his bandana from his pocket and held it up to his nose before entering the grim circle. He studied the shaft of an arrow. \u201cThese are Washoe.\u201d<\/span>
Adam nervously looked around and walked to the far side of the camp. Symbols were carved into the rock face. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Hoss. Now.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut, Adam, we should bury these folks.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo. This is sacred ground. The Washoe won\u2019t appreciate the contamination. We\u2019ll have to leave the bodies for the vultures.\u201d He holstered his pistol and said, \u201cLet\u2019s get home.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss gulped and obeyed his brother.<\/span>
<\/p>\n
Arriving in town, Joe helped Tirza out of the buggy. He proudly noted the envious glances of other young men.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cYou wait right here. I\u2019m going in the Bucket of Blood for a minute.\u201d<\/span>
Tirza nodded.<\/span>
As she waited, she noted the shops across the street. Gaudy cloth in one window caught her eye. She stepped into the street, drawn as a moth to a flame.<\/span>
The stagecoach barreled into town and the driver tugged on the reins to slow the horses.\u00a0<\/span>
Joe stepped into the bright sunlight as Tirza was run down.<\/span>
\u201cNo!\u201d he screamed as the driver yelled, \u201cWhoa!\u201d<\/span>
Tirza\u2019s broken body was trapped under one wheel. Joe, on his knees, gently stroked her hand.<\/span>
The stage driver jumped down and said, \u201cI tried to miss her. Really, I did. I sure am sorry, Little Joe.\u201d He opened the door to assist his passengers out.<\/span>
Joe remained on his knees, hoping by some miracle Tirza was alive.<\/span>
From the corner of his eye, Joe saw the breeze flutter a deep purple skirt. He looked first at the hem then his eyes traveled up to the most beautiful pair of blue eyes he\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0<\/span>
The young lady looked down as she opened her parasol. \u201cWhere can a lady find accommodation in this town?\u201d<\/span>
Joe continued to stare.<\/span>
The lady cleared her throat and repeated her question.<\/span>
Forgetting Tirza, Joe was bewitched by the young lady\u2019s British accent. He removed his hat and found his voice. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDoreen.\u201d<\/span>
He said her name and smiled. \u201cMy Pa would tan my hide if he knew a lady as pretty as you arrived in Virginia City without a place to stay. It\u2019d be my pleasure to escort you to my family\u2019s ranch, the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cRanch?\u201d she asked.<\/span>
\u201cWe have a huge spread.\u201d He took her valise from the driver and then steered her to the buggy. \u201cWe have plenty of room for guests, so don\u2019t you worry about imposing.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI really shouldn\u2019t,\u201d she said, looking back over her shoulder, searching for a hotel or boarding house.<\/span>
\u201cMy Pa won\u2019t take no for an answer.\u201d<\/span>
She stopped and placed a palm firmly against his chest. \u201cI don\u2019t even know your name.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCartwright, Joe Cartwright,\u201d he said as he tipped his hat. \u201cWelcome to Virginia City.\u201d<\/span>
Doreen returned his smile. Joe assisted her into the buggy and bumped into Roy Coffee as he made his way to the other side.<\/span>
\u201cWhat about that girl?\u201d Roy asked, hitching a thumb at the corpse trapped under the stagecoach.<\/span>
\u201cSee she gets a decent burial,\u201d said Joe in a low voice and close to the sheriff\u2019s ear. \u201cSend the bill to Pa.\u201d<\/span>
Roy watched in astonishment as Joe sprang into the buggy and set off down the road.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cWait \u2018til you see our place,\u201d said Joe to his new companion. \u201cAll the fresh air you can breathe, great food, and soft beds. You\u2019ll love it.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m sure I will,\u201d she replied as she settled in for the ride.<\/span>
Joe hummed a merry tune, his heart beating \u201cDoreen\u201d in time with the buggy\u2019s wheels.<\/span>
The End<\/span>
September 2012<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a030 Sep 2012 08:03 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0Fish Out of Water<\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a017 Sep 2012 10:05 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0Fish Out of Water<\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a011 Sep 2012 10:13 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0Fish Out of Water<\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a007 Sep 2012 06:00 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0Fish Out of Water<\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a005 Sep 2012 04:00 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0Fish Out of Water<\/p>\n