{"id":5920,"date":"2004-05-12T11:40:23","date_gmt":"2004-05-12T15:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5920"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:24","slug":"faith-to-believe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5920","title":{"rendered":"Faith to Believe (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>The sequel to Believe in Me. Will the Cartwrights find Joe? Where did he go when he left the Ponderosa?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>(7,855 words)<\/p>\n

Believe in Me Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Believe in Me<\/a>
\nFaith to Believe<\/a><\/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

Faith to Believe\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Joe\u2019s not there?\u201d Ben asked, frowning. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam replied, frustrated. \u201cHe\u2019s not in his room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising from the table, Ben went into the kitchen. \u201cHop Sing, have you seen Joseph this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr Cartwright,\u201d Hop Sing replied. \u201cYou were first person up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben responded, more perplexed than ever. He walked back to the table, where Hoss was now neglecting his breakfast. \u201cBetter check the stable,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cHe might have gone out there early\u2026\u201d His tone implied that Ben didn\u2019t believe that any more than his sons did, but Adam obediently headed out there.<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise is gone,\u201d Adam reported, coming back in. He exchanged a worried glance with Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll check his room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll all check his room,\u201d Ben replied and they hurried upstairs.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s room was tidy, and the window stood open the curtains fluttering in the breeze. The bed was neatly made and, although it was impossible to tell if it had been slept in or not, a gut feeling told Ben that Joe had not slept there the previous night. Pulling open a few drawers, Ben could see at once that there were clothes missing and his heart sank. Why had Joe gone? And where? \u201cHe\u2019s gone,\u201d Ben said, hollowly.<\/p>\n

Hoss spoke for them all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Their first instinct was to go looking for Joe, but almost at once, common sense told them they had no idea where to look. They didn\u2019t even know\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0Joe had gone, far less where he had gone. Anguished, they sat down to try and puzzle out Joe\u2019s behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was real quiet last night,\u201d Hoss ventured.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he was,\u201d Adam agreed, suddenly looking thoughtful. \u201cRight after we were talking about that business with the hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that it?\u201d Ben asked. He suddenly went pale. \u201cYou don\u2019t think he could have misunderstood what I said, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Adam asked, blankly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said \u2018I wish…\u2019,\u201d Ben replied miserably.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d Adam asked, missing the point entirely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did ya mean by it, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wished that all this could be over,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cBut what if Joe thought I meant that I wished he \u2013 I don\u2019t know \u2013 he hadn\u2019t said anything? Hadn\u2019t met Emma? Or worse?\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t bring himself to say it, but he was suddenly terrified that Joe had thought he wished Joe would go away. Could his son really believe that? Surely Joe knew they all loved him?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t think that,\u201d Hoss avowed, but there was doubt in his tone. Who knew what Joe would think? There was nothing predictable about his younger brother\u2019s thought patterns. Or was there? \u201cPa, what if Joe\u2019s somehow trying to defend Emma?\u201d he ventured.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Hoss, she\u2019s dead,\u201d Adam replied, with strained patience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that!\u201d Hoss returned, with a touch of asperity. \u201cBut ya know Joe \u2013 he defends his friends against everyone. He\u2019s sure that Emma\u2019s Pa is lyin\u2019. What if he means to prove it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could he do that?\u201d Adam scoffed, not noticing the hurt on Hoss\u2019 face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cBut Joe might have some ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re right, Hoss,\u201d Ben interrupted. He shot Adam a hard look. \u201cLet\u2019s go into town and look for him. Question his friends and see if any of them have seen him. We can\u2019t just sit here and do nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It was one of the most frustrating days the Cartwrights had ever spent. All around the town, they asked if people had seen Joe and the answer was always no. It was as though the youngest Cartwright had just vanished off the face of the earth. Ben finally sent Adam and Hoss off further a field to talk to Joe\u2019s other friends who lived and worked on out-lying ranches. He went to see Roy Coffee, the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cHiya, Ben,\u201d Roy greeted him cheerfully as Ben entered the jail. \u201cI was gonna send someone out ta talk ta ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Ben replied, his breath suddenly catching in his throat. \u201cThere isn\u2019t\u2026 something wrong is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWrong?\u201d Roy echoed. \u201cWhy should there be something wrong?\u201d He looked more closely at his friend. \u201cBen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell me why you were going to talk to me,\u201d Ben replied, shaking his head. He braced himself for bad news, even though it didn\u2019t seem as though Roy was going to tell him the thing he dreaded hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it were that idea\u2019s of Joe\u2019s that made me do it,\u201d Roy answered. Ben blinked, for that statement made no sense to him at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome again?\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Joe were in here the other day, sayin\u2019 about that fellar that scared Emma,\u201d Roy replied impatiently. \u201cI decided ta look inta it, jist ta see if there was anythin\u2019 ta it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd was there?\u201d Ben asked. He didn\u2019t know what he wanted to Roy say in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there was.\u201d Roy got up and went over to the stove where a pot of coffee was sitting. Unasked, he poured a cup for Ben, too and put it down in front of him. \u201cFact is, Joe was likely right about Cowdray,\u201d he went on. \u201cSeems he was real well known back East, Ben. He made a fortune an\u2019 decided to retire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Ben asked. His heartbeat seemed to have doubled in the last few minutes and the tension was killing.<\/p>\n

\u201cRound about then, he became a witness to a robbery and murder. Seems that he was the key witness, in fact, an\u2019 the man he was testifyin\u2019 against was a big gang man, with lots of connections to organised crime.\u201d By now, Ben was riveted and his eyes never left Roy\u2019s face. \u201cSeems this fellar vowed to kill Cowdray\u2019s family one by one, which is why they decided to come west. But Cowdray reckoned they would be safer if they didn\u2019t make any friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor man,\u201d Ben murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cBut it don\u2019t seem ta have worked, do it? Emma is still dead an\u2019 I would guess that Cowdray is now terrified that somethin\u2019 will happen to his sons, or his missus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019s had more threats?\u201d Ben enquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Roy nodded. \u201cI went out ta try ta talk ta him yesterday an he went so white when he saw me on the doorstep that I thought he was gonna faint!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Joe said about the evening that he and Cowdray quarrelled,\u201d Ben remembered. \u201cWhat are you going to do, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still lookin\u2019 fer the fella as killed Emma,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cI jist thought I\u2019d let ya know what was goin\u2019 on, seein\u2019 as how Joe has suffered so much from the nasty gossip. I thought it might make the boy feel better. How\u2019s he doin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben had almost forgotten that Joe was missing. Roy\u2019s kind words brought it all back crashing in on him. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re in town,\u201d Ben muttered. \u201cJoe has disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDisappeared?\u201d Roy repeated, disbelievingly. \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably last night,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cBut we aren\u2019t sure. Some of his clothes are gone and so is Cochise. He must have climbed out of his bedroom window.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOld habits die hard,\u201d Roy murmured. He knew Joe had done that a few times as an adolescent, but hadn\u2019t expected him to do it now he was an adult. But then, if there was anyone who could do the unexpected, it was Joe. \u201cHave ya any idea where he\u2019s gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019ve been looking for him all day,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s just disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s he done this?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not entirely sure,\u201d Ben admitted and told Roy about the conversation the previous night. \u201cI was annoyed by all the gossip and innuendo,\u201d he explained. \u201cAnd you know how quick Joe is to pick up on atmosphere most of the time. He must have thought I wished that he hadn\u2019t ever met Emma, or hadn\u2019t spoken out or\u2026 I don\u2019t know, Roy. I should\u2019ve been more thoughtful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone makes mistakes,\u201d Roy told his friend compassionately. \u201cWe\u2019ll find Joe, an\u2019 everythin\u2019 will work out jist fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

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

But they were forced to return to the ranch that evening without Joe. As they rode home, Ben could not help but hope that his wayward son would be waiting for them at the ranch, but as he led his horse into the barn, he saw at once that Cochise wasn\u2019t there and knew that he had been hoping in vain. He was not the only one to feel the pang of disappointment, for both Adam and Hoss had hoped Joe would be home, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I get my hands on Joe, I\u2019m going to kill him, very, very slowly,\u201d Adam told Hoss, only half in jest when they were alone in the barn.<\/p>\n

Giving Adam a troubled look, Hoss said, \u201cAdam, ya don\u2019 mean that. Joe must have a reason fer doin\u2019 what he\u2019s done. Wait till ya hear his side o\u2019 it afore ya decide ta kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat good reason could he possible have for worrying Pa like this?\u201d Adam snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cBut Joe don\u2019 allus see things the way we do. I c\u2019n unnerstand him thinkin\u2019 Pa were disappointed in him somehow, cos I kinda felt the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did?\u201d Adam asked. He didn\u2019t sound angry any more.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Pa weren\u2019t jist quite hisself wi\u2019 Joe. It weren\u2019t that he didn\u2019 believe him, ezzactly, but he weren\u2019t too happy.\u201d Hoss frowned as he tried to put his feelings into words. \u201cJoe allus gits real unhappy when Pa ain\u2019t pleased with him. So I reckon he\u2019s gone out ta prove that he was right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quite a few moments passed as Adam thought through what Hoss had said. \u201cI think you could be right,\u201d he admitted, finally. Hoss smiled at him briefly. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m not going to kill Joe when we do find him,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cJist be sure an\u2019 leave some fer me,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n

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

But as the days dragged on, the thought that Joe would come back to them became a torment, not a comfort, for nobody had seen Joe at all. Ranch work had still to be done and for the first time, Ben found himself resenting the ranch that he had spent so many years lovingly building up. All the necessary little jobs that required doing prevented him from looking for his son. And every time he thought that, Ben caught himself. Where was he going to look for Joe? Joe could be anywhere by now; he could even have taken a ship and gone to sea, although Ben had never seen signs of his sea-going genes in Joe.<\/p>\n

The ranch, their home, no longer felt like home. They were a circle, fractured beyond repair.<\/p>\n

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

A man on a large, liver chestnut horse rode up to the fence at the front of the impressive mansion and dismounted. He was dressed more casually than a businessman, but more tidily than a cowboy. He carefully hitched his horse to the rail, straightened his jacket and walked up the path to the front door.<\/p>\n

The little maid who opened the door clearly didn\u2019t know what to make of him. However, he was admitted at once, much to the keen interest of the observer who had now been watching the Cowdrays\u2019 home for the last few days. This was the third time this gentleman had called, although he had never been allowed in before, and this time, the observer was determined to be ready. He rose from his place of concealment and saddled his horse.<\/p>\n

Such patient sitting and waiting didn\u2019t come naturally to Joe Cartwright. And it had been especially hard for him, knowing that he had deliberately run out on his family and that they must be worried about him by then. Joe knew there was no excuse for what he had done, but with Ben so irritated with him, Joe had felt that he had no choice but to try and resolve this alone. His reputation had taken a beating in town, thanks to Cowdray and his insinuations and Joe was out to prove himself.<\/p>\n

It had been a hard few days for Joe as he had run off without collecting any food for himself, and he had had to catch or collect everything that he ate and in consequence had missed quite a few meals. He had also kept cooking to a minimum, and as a result was feeling the cold, for he had lit fires only when he had to. And despite bringing changes of clothes with him, Joe had had no chance to wash more than perfunctorily and so had not put on clean clothes. He longed for a hot bath, a good meal and a soft bed\u2026<\/p>\n

At last, the man emerged from the mansion and this time, Cowdray himself saw him out.\u00a0 Joe was too far away to see how Cowdray was looking, but he suspected that Cowdray would be shaking in his highly polished $100 shoes. He mounted up quickly and rode down from his place of concealment to follow Cowdray\u2019s visitor.<\/p>\n

As he rode along, Joe wondered what he was going to do when his quarry finally reached his destination. He had no real plan \u2013 and a wry smile twisted his mouth as the echo of Adam\u2019s voice sounded in his head; \u201cacting before you think is pretty foolish, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it is, big brother,\u201d Joe muttered to himself, feeling incredibly lonely. \u201cBut I had to do something. I know you won\u2019t understand, but I just had to.\u201d Joe wasn\u2019t entirely sure he understood his own actions, so how could he expect others to understand them?<\/p>\n

Glancing ahead once more, Joe realised that the man he had been following had disappeared from sight! Stifling the urge to curse, Joe touched his heel to his horse and Cochise moved up to an easy lope. Joe pursed his lips in annoyance. He\u2019d been daydreaming and wasn\u2019t paying enough attention.<\/p>\n

Too late, he realised that it was a trap and it no longer mattered what happened when his quarry reached his destination. For prey had turned hunter and Joe was knocked from his horse to the ground. He saw a fist coming towards him and then darkness descended.<\/p>\n

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

Unintelligible words first penetrated the darkness. He struggled to make sense of them, and finally gave up, just letting the sound wash over him. But after a few minutes, the words began to make sense and with that, memory returned. Joe risked cranking open one eye, and groaned as the light blinded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s awake!\u201d exclaimed a voice and Joe heard footsteps as someone came over to him. He risked opening his eyes again, more cautiously this time and surveyed a pair of dusty boots from very close to. After a second, the owner of the boots crouched down and peered more closely at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re one of them Cartwrights,\u201d he declared in disgust. He glanced over his shoulder as Joe realised that he had caught up with the man who had been visiting the Cowdrays. \u201cThe one who was initially wanted for killing the girl!\u201d The laugh the man gave told Joe two things; that this was Emma\u2019s killer and he was in big, big trouble.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s first response was to try to get away, but as soon as he moved, he realised he was tightly bound hand and foot and wasn\u2019t going to be going anywhere. But the movement hadn\u2019t escaped his captor\u2019s notice and he straightened up, laughing. \u201cGoing somewhere, boy?\u201d he asked sarcastically.<\/p>\n

Glaring up at the man in black, Joe saw the other man coming over to join them. He was similar enough to the first man for Joe to guess \u2013 accurately \u2013 that they were brothers. \u201cWe can always pin it on him,\u201d said the second man, and Joe wondered what on earth he was talking about. \u201cI\u2019m sure we could arrange for him to write a note saying how remorseful he was about killing Cowdray for not believing in him. Of course, this is after he had killed all the rest of the family first!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou killed Emma!\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely did, boy,\u201d agreed the first man. \u201cAnd now it looks like we\u2019re going to have to kill you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The knock on the door set Ben\u2019s heart to pounding. Rising from his desk, where he had been listlessly working on the books, he hurried over to open the door. \u201cRoy!\u201d he exclaimed, with a mixture of hope and dread in his voice. He was too scared to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Ben,\u201d Roy replied, inviting himself in. \u201cI got some news fer ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNews?\u201d Ben repeated, as though he had never heard the word before. \u201cAbout\u2026?\u201d He couldn\u2019t bring himself to say Joe\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d Roy nodded. He could see the fear lurking in his old friend\u2019s eyes and put a reassuring hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cJoe\u2019s bin spotted.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Roy thought Ben was going to collapse. His eyes were wide, the pupils so dilated that they made Ben\u2019s dark brown eyes look almost black, and his breath came in unsteady gasps, as though he had been running. \u201cBen, are ya all right?\u201d Roy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cW-When?\u201d Ben stuttered. \u201cW-Where? Is he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down!\u201d Roy ordered and helped his friend across the room. \u201cHop Sing!\u201d he shouted. \u201cGit in here!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was some annoyed clucking from the direction of the kitchen, but when Hop Sing saw Roy bending over Ben, who was slumped in his chair, he became concerned. \u201cWhat wrong?\u201d he demanded, hurrying over.<\/p>\n

\u201cGit him some coffee or somethin\u2019,\u201d Roy urged. \u201cHe\u2019s had a bit of a shock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShock?\u201d Hop Sing echoed and froze. \u201cWhat happen? Not Lil Joe?\u201d His face was almost as white as Ben\u2019s and Roy all but groaned aloud. He couldn\u2019t deal with two of them in shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Roy scolded. \u201cNot the way you mean. Hop Sing, jist git some coffee, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, its all right,\u201d Ben protested, coming back to life. \u201cI\u2019m all right.\u201d He sat up a bit straighter. \u201cTell me about Joe,\u201d he pleaded and Hop Sing began to smile, ever so slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cClem were out seein\u2019 ol\u2019 Parkinson, out past the Cowdrays\u2019 place,\u201d Roy began. \u201cThe ol\u2019 coot thought he\u2019d had his cow rustled, but turns out the cantankerous beast had jist wandered off. That\u2019s by-the-by,\u201d he added hastily, seeing the impatience in Ben\u2019s face. \u201cClem heard hooves an seen this feller riding a big horse comin\u2019 out a town. He hadn\u2019t never seen the feller afore and seein\u2019 as how we\u2019re lookin\u2019 inta a murder, Clem decided ta see where he went. But afore he could follow, he seen Joe comin\u2019 along, followin\u2019 the other feller.\u201d He looked into both faces to make sure they were following the story. Reassured, he went on. \u201cBut afore Clem could shout ta Joe or anythin\u2019, Joe put his horse inta a lope an\u2019 when Clem started ta follow him he saw Joe bein\u2019 attacked!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ragged gasps from his listeners reminded Roy that he was trying to reassure Ben and Hop Sing, not terrify them. He had become caught up in his narration and had forgotten to just get straight to the point. \u201cHe followed carefully, seein\u2019 as how Joe had bin knocked out. The feller met up with another stranger, an\u2019 they tied Joe up. When Clem left ta git me, Joe had wakened and they was talkin\u2019, although Clem were too far away ta hear what they said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we waiting for?\u201d Ben cried and leapt to his feet. Joe was alive, but anything could\u2019ve happened to him in the meantime! \u201cWe need to go after him!\u201d He glanced at Hop Sing. \u201cWhere are Adam and Hoss working today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, Pa, we\u2019re here,\u201d replied Adam\u2019s deep baritone and Ben swung round to view his older sons, both of whom were panting slightly. \u201cWe saw Roy and thought we should come and hear the news,\u201d Adam explained, shrugging apologetically. \u201cIs it Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Quickly, Ben told them the story, leaving out the dramatics, but also leaving them in no doubt that their brother\u2019s life was in danger. In a few short minutes, they were all hurrying outside to mount up, leaving Hop Sing behind, worrying about Joe, but firmly believing that when the Cartwrights returned, his beloved boy would be safely with them.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDon\u2019t kill him yet,\u201d the second man urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re going soft,\u201d replied the first.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Don, this is me,\u201d grinned the other. Joe thought he looked rather wolfish, with longish hair hanging around his face. \u201cBut he might be useful, should there be any kind of a hitch, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBro, I like the way you think,\u201d Don replied, grinning back. \u201cAnd we haven\u2019t written his confession yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re going to write it, we\u2019re going to make him do it,\u201d contradicted his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Reg?\u201d Don frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s left-handed,\u201d Reg replied, pointing to Joe\u2019s holster, tied down to his left leg. \u201cI\u2019ve heard left-handed writing is real peculiar. Better make him do it when we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018\u201dForget it!\u201d Joe interjected. \u201cI\u2019m not going to write anything for you and there\u2019s nothing you can do to make me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave him, Don,\u201d Reg sighed, grabbing his impulsive older brother. \u201cHe\u2019s just trying to wind you up.\u201d He knelt by Joe and checked over the ropes that bound him, but they were as tight as ever. Straightening, he glanced at his brother. \u201cWhat did Cowdray say to you when you went in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him who we were,\u201d Don replied. \u201cI thought he was going to have a heart-attack. He promised me all his money, as long as I left his family alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Reg asked avidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him that we\u2019d take his money,\u201d Don grinned. Reg grinned back. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t tell him that we were going to kill his family, since he was the cause of our father getting hanged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts funny,\u201d mused Reg, while Joe looked at them both in horror. \u201cI thought after we raped and murdered the girl he would run again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was hoping that it wasn\u2019t us,\u201d laughed Don. \u201cHe was hoping his daughter was a genuine victim of a random murder. Can you believe it?\u201d He laughed again. \u201cHow stupid can you get?\u201d<\/p>\n

If Joe had been shocked hearing abut Emma\u2019s death the first time, it was nothing to how he felt hearing it discussed as though it was nothing. He tried to struggle to his feet to inflict some kind of pain on these men, but he had no chance. Don kicked Joe\u2019s feet from under him and Reg kicked him several times in the stomach for good measure.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Don urged. \u201cWe\u2019ve waited long enough. Any longer, and Cowdray might find his courage and leave town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, all right,\u201d Reg agreed. \u201cI\u2019m fed up of Virginia City anyway. Its so provincial.\u201d He bent over Joe. \u201cYou stay here and be a good boy,\u201d he said, patronisingly. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving Joe lying there, they mounted up and rode off back to town.<\/p>\n

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

He had to get free! Joe struggled wildly against the ropes that bound him. They were tied securely and he couldn\u2019t budge them, but Joe was in no mood to be thwarted. He rolled over and over until he collided with the base of a tree and rubbed the rope against the rough bark. All he succeeded in doing was scraping all the skin off his wrists. Frustrated, Joe tried again to free his hands and succeeded in getting his right hand twisted inside one of the loops of rope. Elated, he tugged furiously.<\/p>\n

A sudden pain rocketed up Joe\u2019s right arm, at the same moment as he heard a sharp snap. Joe caught his breath and bit into his bottom lip to try and control the pain. His head, already throbbing, reeled dizzily and for a few moments, Joe thought he was going to be sick.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Joe mastered his nausea and rested his head against the tree. He had broken his hand, he knew. Now what was he going to do?<\/p>\n

Cochise! Joe\u2019s eye fell on his horse and he knew that he had a knife in his saddlebags. Joe began to drag himself towards his horse, but stopped as it occurred to him to wonder how on earth he was going to get the knife out of the bag. With his hands tied behind his back the way they were, he wouldn\u2019t be able to reach in and the ropes were too tight to allow him to thread his way through his hands, never mind the pain it would cause him. Joe groaned aloud. There had to be something he could do.<\/p>\n

As he turned his head to look despairingly around, something glinted in the afternoon sunlight. Joe frowned, trying to see what it was, but the elusive glint had disappeared. Slowly, Joe moved his head until once more, the glint appeared. Fixing the position of it in his mind, Joe made his way over, panting from the exertion. It took him a few moments to find his elusive little glint, but what he found filled him with renewed hope. It was a long, sharp shard of glass, obviously broken out of a bottle.<\/p>\n

Grasping the shard in his hand, Joe carefully placed it against the ropes and began to saw with it. Several times, the shard slipped from his sweating fingers and Joe cut himself innumerable times. But slowly \u2013 so slowly \u2013 the strands of rope parted and eventually fell free.<\/p>\n

Bringing his hands back in front of him, Joe looked ruefully at the bruised, swollen object that was his right hand. One handed, he struggled to free his feet and eventually succeeded.<\/p>\n

By the time he had stumbled over to Cochise, Joe\u2019s legs felt like they belonged to him again. He mounted carefully, not wanting to jar his hand any further, for every movement caused him pain. He wondered how long it had taken him to get free. It seemed like forever. Would he be in time to save the Cowdrays?<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWho\u2019s visiting them?\u201d grumbled Don in annoyance as he beheld the buggy parked outside the Cowdrays\u2019 house. \u201cI thought they weren\u2019t liked in this town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey aren\u2019t,\u201d Reg snapped back, equally as annoyed. \u201cHow am I supposed to know who it is? But a few more minutes won\u2019t matter. Cartwright isn\u2019t going anywhere and obviously neither are they right now. Relax, brother, we\u2019ve got time to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so,\u201d Don mumbled, but he clearly wasn\u2019t pleased. They got down off their horses and tethered their mounts and then leant on the nearest tree, waiting for the unexpected visitor to leave.<\/p>\n

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

Almost the first person they saw as they rode into town on exhausted, lathered horses was Clem. He was waiting for them on the steps of the jail and he didn\u2019t look happy. \u201cRoy!\u201d he hailed as the sheriff and the Cartwrights came into view. He snatched up the reins of his own horse and mounted, not waiting for the others to reach him. \u201cI found out who those men were,\u201d he told Roy in grim tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

Casting a glance at the Cartwright that alerted them to the fact that this was not going to be good news, Clem replied, \u201cDon and Reg Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights exchanged a glance as Roy looked bleakly at Clem. The names meant nothing to them, although Roy obviously knew who they were. \u201cWho\u2026?\u201d Ben started and Roy didn\u2019t let him finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa remember I told ya about the feller Cowdray testified against back east?\u201d Roy looked unhappy. \u201cWell, these fellers are his sons, Ben. They must be out ta avenge their father\u2019s death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we waiting for?\u201d Ben demanded. \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go off half-cocked here, Ben!\u201d Roy scolded. \u201cYa\u2019re jist as bad as Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Ben returned. \u201cBut Joe\u2019s in trouble and I\u2019ve got to help him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that!\u201d Roy sighed. \u201cJust let us go first, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tight-lipped, Ben nodded his agreement, although he desperately wanted to ride off to find Joe.<\/p>\n

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

No more than fifteen minutes had passed before the door to Cowdray\u2019s mansion opened and the parson stepped out. He shook hands with Cowdray on the doorstep before walking down to his buggy. Don and Reg stayed where they were in the shadows until the man had driven out of sight. Nonchalantly, they walked across the street and mounted the steps.<\/p>\n

The moment the door was opened, Don forced his way in, knocking down the maid who had admitted him before. She fell to the floor in a heap, too dazed to scream. Don and Reg walked past, each one drawing a gun.<\/p>\n

Throwing open the nearest door, Don glanced into the over-stuffed parlour, but it was empty. A glance at the little maid showed her eyes turned fearfully to the stairs, so with a nod to Reg, Don began to mount them. It was then that the maid found her voice. Her terrified screams echoed around the hallway, up the stairs and out into the street.<\/p>\n

Neither brother so much as looked at her as they climbed the stairs.<\/p>\n

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

As he reached the Cowdrays\u2019 house, Joe heard terrified screaming. Instantly, he threw himself from his horse and raced towards the house, indifferent to his own safety. He barrelled through the front door and saw the maid sitting on the floor, having hysterics. Her gaze swung round to him, and he vaguely recognised her face, although he had no idea of what her name was. However, the girl seemed to know him and her screams subsided. \u201cWhere are they?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpstairs,\u201d the girl whispered, her voice barely audible. Joe didn\u2019t wait to say anything to her; he ran upstairs.<\/p>\n

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

There was no need for Joe to worry about finding them. The door to the room at the top of the stairs was flung wide and inside were Mr and Mrs Cowdray. Joe fervently hoped that the two boys weren\u2019t there that day. But it was no more than a fleeting thought, for Don had drawn his gun and was aiming it at Cowdray. Joe wasted no time in shouting; he simply ran into the room and ploughed Don down.<\/p>\n

The gun went off, but the bullet didn\u2019t hit anyone. Joe struggled to keep Don down, all the while trying to see where the other brother, Reg, was. Joe was hampered by his broken hand, and it didn\u2019t take Don long to throw Joe off. He clambered to his feet and dived after his gun, which had fallen from his hand. \u201cGet him, Reg!\u201d he cried. \u201cGet them both!\u201d<\/p>\n

For a second, Reg was undecided which person he should shoot first. As he drew a bead on Cowdray, a wolfish grin spreading over his face at the look of abject terror Cowdray wore, Joe once more threw himself into action, racing across the room at Cowdray.<\/p>\n

The gun went off and Joe knew he was falling, with Cowdray beneath him. From somewhere behind him, he could hear the thunder of feet on the floor and then there was more shooting. Joe wondered why he didn\u2019t feel like moving.<\/p>\n

Then hands touched his back and the voice he had most wanted to hear spoke his name. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing he was safe, Joe passed out into his father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI can hear screaming,\u201d Adam declared and urged his tired horse to a faster pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s Cochise!\u201d Hoss cried, pointing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there\u2019s Joe!\u201d Ben added, seeing his youngest son racing into the house. Forgetting all about Roy\u2019s strictures about letting him go first, Ben urged his horse faster. He dismounted in a rush and followed Joe inside.<\/p>\n

Silently, the maid, who had just regained her feet, pointed to the stairs. None of the men more than glanced at her as they ran past. All of them had drawn their guns, although they had no recollection of doing so.<\/p>\n

From upstairs, they could hear the sounds of a fight, then the shout, \u201cGet him, Reg. Get them both!\u201d Then there was the shot, but by this time, they could see what was happening and Ben\u2019s heart leapt as he saw Joe dive at Cowdray, knocking the man to the floor and taking the bullet that had been meant for him!<\/p>\n

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

Later, Ben was never sure if he fired a single shot, but it took only moments before both Don and Reg were taken out. Both were alive and it looked like they would live to stand trial, following in their father\u2019s footsteps once more.<\/p>\n

But Ben was indifferent to all this. He hurried over to kneel by Joe. Reaching out, he touched his youngest son\u2019s back gently. \u201cJoe?\u201d he murmured and Joe sighed, passing out right into his father\u2019s arms. Ben clutched him tightly, oblivious, for the moment, of the blood soaking into his clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him to the doctor\u2019s, Pa,\u201d Adam said, helping Ben to his feet, Joe still clutched in his arms. \u201cHe\u2019s bleeding badly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe could stay here,\u201d Cowdray offered. He was sitting in a chair, looking pale and shaken. There was no doubt that Joe had just saved his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts quicker if we take him to the doctor,\u201d Adam explained. He followed after Ben and Hoss. Joe head was flung back over Ben\u2019s arm, his eyes close and his curls bobbing gently as Ben walked. Adam felt a sudden lump in his throat. Joe looked so vulnerable; so defeated. He shook the thought off. Joe was strong. He would be fine, Adam was sure\u2026<\/p>\n

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

The waiting was the hardest. There was nothing to do but wait and the time seemed to stand still, for every time Ben glanced at the clock on the wall, it didn\u2019t seem to have moved. And yet, Ben thought, as he rose to pace restlessly, the clock was ticking, so it must be working. He looked at his sons to see how they were holding up and saw they were looking at him with equal concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, Pa,\u201d Hoss assured his father and Ben appreciated the attempt, even if the words had a slight quiver of doubt behind them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, son,\u201d Ben replied and sat down again, between Adam and Hoss, feeling both sons lean towards him slightly, seeking reassurance from the only stability they had ever known. Ben felt both awed and overwhelmed by their trust. He just hoped that everything would turn out all right.<\/p>\n

When the door to the surgery did finally open, Doctor Paul Martin was smiling. Ben felt his head swim with relief; Paul was usually cautious with his words and expressions until he was sure of his facts. \u201cBen, Joe\u2019s going to be just fine,\u201d he declared. He beckoned the whole family into the room.<\/p>\n

Joe lay on the bed at the far side of the room, his eyes closed and his face pale. Ben hurried over and sat down in the chair by the bed, taking Joe\u2019s hand where it rested limply on top of the covers. Joe\u2019s other hand was encased in a splint and bandages, but apart from a bruise on his jaw line, there were no other injuries to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet caught Joe in the back,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cIt entered about here,\u201d he demonstrated on his skeleton, \u201ctravelled along just under the surface of the skin before bouncing off the edge of a rib and exiting harmlessly through Joe\u2019s side. It didn\u2019t touch his spine at all and it touched no organs or arteries on the way out. Joe lost a lot of blood, though, so he\u2019ll be weak for a while and I don\u2019t want him to get up before I say he can!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo promises,\u201d Adam mentioned and the release of tension made them all laugh at the feeble joke.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis hand was broken,\u201d Paul went on. \u201cIt was quite a nasty break, across the breadth of his hand, not just down one set of bones.\u201d He frowned. \u201cThere\u2019s a nasty rope burn there, too. Have you any idea\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ben replied, steadily. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping Joe can tell us when he wakes up.\u201d Ben looked at Paul. \u201cIs that all? This bruise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks to me like Joe was in a fight,\u201d Paul replied. Ben nodded. He knew that, and was relieved to have it confirmed that it was nothing more. \u201cAnd he was filthy, Ben. It looked like he had been sleeping rough and hadn\u2019t bathed for days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think that\u2019s possibly what he had been doing,\u201d Ben replied, quietly. He looked at his slumbering son and silently urged Joe to wake up. \u201cJoe left the Ponderosa during the night almost a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Paul gasped. \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI think perhaps it was something I said that Joe misunderstood. We\u2019ve been looking for him, but until today, nobody had seen him. I\u2019ve been frantic,\u201d he admitted quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 sorry,\u201d whispered a thin, frail voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben exclaimed, turning his attention to his son. \u201cIts all right, Joe,\u201d he soothed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I worried you, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, that doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Ben told him, lovingly. \u201cAll that matters right now is that you rest and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Too weary to argue, Joe allowed his eyes to close and he slid back towards sleep. But all the time, he was aware of the big, warm hand holding his. Feeling secure and as though he had come home, Joe drifted away.<\/p>\n

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

Come morning, Joe was looking a lot better, although he was still pale and weak. He wasn\u2019t allowed to sit up unaided, because of the soft tissue damage done by the bullet, but since sitting upright made his head swim still, because of the blood loss, Joe didn\u2019t mind. He was content to stay lying down \u2013 for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you leave?\u201d Ben asked, after he, Adam and Hoss had had breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a combination of a whole lot of things,\u201d Joe replied. He had had plenty of time to think about this, even if he wasn\u2019t sure he could explain it properly. \u201cYou were disappointed in me, Pa. I caused a scene, and you were disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t,\u201d Ben denied. \u201cI was angry with Cowdray, not you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t feel like that,\u201d Joe muttered, ducking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cI sure though ya were mad at Joe, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was my fault,\u201d Ben breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe denied. \u201cI wanted to prove to everyone that Emma had been murdered and that she hadn\u2019t been lying, but I knew if I stayed at home, you wouldn\u2019t let me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder why,\u201d Adam murmured sardonically. Joe shot him a dark look.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I had to have faith to believe\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice petered out.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaith to believe what, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaith to believe in myself again, Pa,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI was beginning to wonder if I had been right about Emma and Cowdray. I knew what I\u2019d seen; yet all the gossip was making me doubt myself. I just had to get away to believe in myself again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do you believe in yourself?\u201d Ben asked, although he was fairly sure he knew the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Joe replied, looking directly at Ben for the first time since he began his story. \u201cAnd now everyone else will have to believe in me, too. I had to have solid evidence for everyone else, Pa, but I didn\u2019t need that for me. I just needed to\u00a0know<\/em>.\u201d Joe wasn\u2019t sure if he\u2019d made himself clear, but Ben nodded. The need for self-belief was something he understood intimately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d he replied, huskily. \u201cI just wish you could\u2019ve found another way of doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe repeated. \u201cI promise I won\u2019t do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil next time,\u201d Adam added and they all laughed.<\/p>\n

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

Later, Roy came to speak to Joe about what had happened to him at the hands of the Carson brothers. Joe had slept again and this time when he\u2019d woken, he\u2019d been hungry and had managed to hold down some soft food.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Don at Cowdray\u2019s door,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI\u2019d seen him there before, but each time, Cowdray hadn\u2019t been in. This time he was, and so I got ready to follow him.\u201d Joe had already explained where he had been hiding out. \u201cI guess he must have realised I was following him, because he ducked out of sight and by the time I realised that he knew about me, he\u2019d knocked me off Cochise and the next thing I knew, I was waking up, tied hand and foot.\u201d Joe looked ruefully at his hand, but didn\u2019t want to get ahead of his story. \u201cReg said they would make me write a confession, saying I\u2019d killed Emma and then her family. They rode off and left me there and I knew they were going to kill Cowdray. I couldn\u2019t let that happen. I tried to get free\u00a0 – that was when I broke my hand. I caught it in the ropes. But I got lucky and found some glass and managed to get free.\u201d Joe\u2019s hands had been a mass of small cuts from the shard of glass. \u201cI followed them into town, and the rest you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you save Cowdray?\u201d Roy asked. \u201cI\u2019d have thought that was the last thing ya wanted, after the way he\u2019d bin bad mouthin\u2019 ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat didn\u2019t matter,\u201d Joe said, impatiently. \u201cHe was an innocent man, Roy! I couldn\u2019t let them kill him! What he said about me was \u2013 well, it doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of you, Joe,\u201d Ben told him, as Roy left. \u201cMany a man would have let Cowdray take his chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like Cowdray, Pa,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut I did like Emma. She was my friend, and I couldn\u2019t stand by and let my friend\u2019s father be killed. He was scared, Pa. When people are as scared as that, they don\u2019t always do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t deserve your understanding, Joe,\u201d came a voice from the door and both Ben and Joe turned to see Cowdray standing there. He had obviously been listening. \u201cI was thoroughly despicable to you and I can\u2019t apologise enough.\u201d He walked slowly over to the bed. He met Joe\u2019s gaze without flinching, although he coloured slightly. \u201cMy Emma was lucky to have a friend like you, Joe and I\u2019m sorry I stopped you from seeing her. I want to thank you for saving my life and the lives of my family, but the words don\u2019t seem like nearly enough. Can I give you a reward?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, flushing himself. \u201cNo reward. I did it for Emma, because she loved you. I don\u2019t need a reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t feel thanks is enough,\u201d Cowdray muttered. He wasn\u2019t sure he could have done as Joe had done, if the boot had been on the other foot. He was consumed with guilt at the way he had treated Joe and didn\u2019t think a lifetime of penance would make him feel better.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts enough for me,\u201d Joe replied, firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a remarkable son, Mr Cartwright,\u201d Cowdray remarked. \u201cThank you, Joe. Thank you very much.\u201d He put his hand out for Joe to shake, but Joe regretfully lifted his right hand slightly where it rested in a sling against his stomach and Cowdray half laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have a remarkable son,\u201d Ben agreed as he rose to see Joe\u2019s visitor out. \u201cGood bye, Cowdray. I hope we\u2019ll see you around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Cowdray nodded. \u201cYes, I think perhaps you will. We\u2019re going to stay in Virginia City, and try and make a go of living here. The people here are good people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think most people are good people,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re staying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going back to sit by Joe, Ben noticed that his son was thoughtful. He waited quietly, until Joe was ready to speak. \u201cThere\u2019s an Indian saying, Pa, that I never entirely understood until now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben murmured, although he was fairly sure he knew which one Joe was going to quote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t quite remember the exact words,\u201d Joe went on, \u201cbut it goes something like \u2018You\u2019ll never understand another man\u2019s life until you walk a mile in his moccasins.\u2019\u201d He looked at Ben to see his father nodding and smiling slightly. \u201cI never thought about why Cowdray was disagreeable. It never occurred to me that fear could make you bad tempered. I know I haven\u2019t exactly walked in Cowdray\u2019s shoes, but I think I understand him better now.\u201d He smiled tentatively at Ben. \u201cI don\u2019t think I dislike him as much as I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear it, son,\u201d Ben responded, smiling broadly. \u201cJust tell me one thing, Joe.\u201d His smile faded. \u201cYou were going to come home, weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes of course!\u201d Joe exclaimed, looking distressed. \u201cYou didn\u2019t think I\u2019d run off forever, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like you were gone forever,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like it to me, too,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cI thought what a fool I\u2019d been, but I couldn\u2019t come back until I had proved myself.\u201d He looked up at Ben. \u201cCan I come home? Do you want me back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joe!\u201d Ben wasn\u2019t sure whether to laugh or cry. He blinked the tears from his eyes and swept his son into a hug. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t want you to come home, do you really think I\u2019d have spent all these hours sitting here with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I just thought I\u2019d check,\u201d Joe muttered. He was blinking back tears, too.<\/p>\n

Behind them, the door opened again and Hoss breezed in. \u201cHey Pa!\u201d he cried. \u201cThe wagon\u2019s outside ready fer ya whenever yer ready ta bring Shortshanks home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning up at Ben, Joe laughed. \u201cIf only I\u2019d waited one minute more to ask that question.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, too, Ben ruffled Joe\u2019s hair. \u201cCome on, scamp, let\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home! The very word made Joe feel better. He accepted help to get dressed and get to his feet, but he felt no pain, for his heart was singing within him. He was going home.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 The sequel to Believe in Me. Will the Cartwrights find Joe? Where did he go when he left the Ponderosa?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(7,855 words)<\/p>\n

Believe in Me Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":4772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-5920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3847,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Screen-Shot-2014-04-29-at-9.31.33-AM.png?fit=481%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5920,"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":35404,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35404","url_meta":{"origin":5920,"position":1},"title":"A Book: A Gift of Reading (by fanofoldTVshows)","author":"Fanofoldtvshows","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A box of gifts arrives with a sender that intrigues the Cartwrights. 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