{"id":5922,"date":"2005-06-08T11:43:24","date_gmt":"2005-06-08T15:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5922"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:45","slug":"bullet-for-a-bride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5922","title":{"rendered":"Bullet for a Bride (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>What would have happened if Ben had told Joe Tessa could see before the wedding?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8,240 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

Bullet for a Bride<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This picks up at the point where Ben has just seen Tessa primping in the mirror and realises that she can see.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stunned, Ben Cartwright stepped back so that he couldn\u2019t be seen and for a moment, berated himself for the thought. Of course he couldn\u2019t be seen! Tessa couldn\u2019t see, thanks to a ricocheting bullet fired by his youngest son. Thanks to the very man that Tessa would shortly be marrying. She had been fussing with her hair simply because that was what girls did, especially ones who were to be married.<\/p>\n

Yet\u2026 Something in Ben told him that there was something wrong with what he had just seen. He took another silent step backwards as Tessa turned from the mirror and practically skipped up the stairs to her room.\u00a0Skipped\u2026 up\u2026 stairs.<\/em>Ben sagged back against the wall, not sure that his legs were going to support him any longer.<\/p>\n

Reaching out blindly, Ben sat abruptly in a chair by the table, and buried his head in his hands. There was no longer any question in his mind. Tessa\u2019s exit from the great room had removed any doubts that he might have had. Tessa could see!<\/p>\n

A smile started to grow on Ben\u2019s face. This was good news! Wonderful news! Joe would be so happy to hear it. He had to find Joe and tell him at once! Why, this would make the wedding even more wonderful. Ben put his hands onto the table to push himself upright and heard the front door open.<\/p>\n

\u201cTessa!\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was unmistakable. \u201cTessa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Joe,\u201d Tessa called back and she appeared at the top of the stairs, one hand on the wall and the other out in front of her, the way she had always moved around the house since she and her family had arrived at the ranch. \u201cAm I\u2026 am I near the stairs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust stay there, I\u2019ll come to you,\u201d Joe told her and bounded up the stairs two at a time and thrust a single red rose into her hand. \u201cSmell this!\u201d he commanded, grinning broadly.<\/p>\n

Her eyes still fixed on the middle distance, Tessa slowly brought the delicate flower to her nose and sniffed. A smile crossed her face. \u201cThat\u2019s beautiful, Joe,\u201d she replied. \u201cI wish I could see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t hear Joe\u2019s reply. He was unaware of Joe escorting Tessa back to her room. He was unaware of everything except the words that now spun in his brain.\u00a0I wish I could see it.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0Ben swallowed against the nausea that rose in his throat.<\/p>\n

His son \u2013 his youngest son \u2013 was engaged to marry a young woman who was lying to him!<\/p>\n

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

Getting Joe alone wasn\u2019t easy, but Ben knew he had to speak to him. There was no way he could allow Joe to go into this marriage, knowing that Tessa was lying to him. Perhaps Tessa meant to tell Joe she could see \u2013 perhaps she was afraid to tell him; afraid that Joe was marrying her out of pity. Ben still wasn\u2019t entirely convinced that this wasn\u2019t the case, despite Joe\u2019s protestations to the contrary. But whatever the reasoning behind this, Joe had to know the truth.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t going to be easy.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe, I need to speak to you,\u201d Ben said as he appeared in the doorway to the barn. He gave Adam and Hoss looks that told them instantly that they should make themselves scarce. They exchanged a long look and followed the silent directive.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa, what can I do for you?\u201d Joe was smiling, leading Cochise out of the stall.<\/p>\n

It was going to be hard, but Ben knew only one way to tell his son \u2013 straight out. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s about Tessa,\u201d he started.<\/p>\n

Concern showed on Joe\u2019s face and he dropped Cochise\u2019s rein and made a move to step around Ben. \u201cI knew I shouldn\u2019t have left her alone!\u201d he cried. \u201cIs she all right? Pa\u2026\u201d He looked up at Ben as his father put out a hand to stop him.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoe, this is important. Tessa\u2026\u201d Ben swallowed and spoke up. \u201cTessa can see.\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of joy transfigured Joe\u2019s face and Ben winced. He knew that what he was going to say was going to hurt Joe immensely and that was the last thing he wanted to do. But his son had the right to know that the girl he intended to marry was lying to him. It wasn\u2019t exactly the basis Ben would pick for a happy union, especially when he still thought that Joe was only marrying Tessa because his bullet had blinded her.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, that\u2019s great!\u201d Joe exclaimed, tears of joy starting in his eyes. \u201cWhen did this happen? She was still blind when I saw her this morning \u2013 just a few minutes ago. Her sight has come back so suddenly? Why didn\u2019t she come out to tell me herself? Oh, of course, she\u2019s telling her Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know when it came back exactly,\u201d Ben stated quietly. \u201cBut I know for a fact that she could see by yesterday afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday afternoon?\u201d Joe frowned, the joy gone from his face and his anger rising. \u201cPa, what are you saying? I know that Tessa couldn\u2019t see yesterday. Why, I brought her a rose and she wished that she could see it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that\u2019s what she said,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut the fact remains that she could already see at that point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cWhat?\u201d He glared at Ben. \u201cHow do you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw her primping in front of the mirror,\u201d Ben explained, seeing the impact his words were having on Joe\u2019s heart. \u201cAnd then she hurried across the room and practically ran upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe denied in an anguished whisper. \u201cNo!\u201d He was suddenly yelling, his anger overwhelming him in one burning rush. \u201cNo, you\u2019re wrong! You\u2019re lying! You\u2019re lying because you don\u2019t want me to marry Tessa. You don\u2019t want a blind daughter-in-law!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sorrowfully, Ben regarded his youngest son. \u201cJoe, you know I wouldn\u2019t do that,\u201d he reasoned quietly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, but I\u2019m telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe turned away, not even noticing when his horse shied slightly at the abrupt movement. He stormed over to the nearest stall and hit the stout post that separated Cochise\u2019s stall from the one next to it. Again and again and again, he hammered his fist against that wood until something grabbed his wrist and stopped him.<\/p>\n

Only then did Joe realise that Ben had crossed the barn and was gently restraining him from hurting himself any further. Joe was unaware of any pain apart from the one in his heart as he finally allowed himself to believe Ben\u2019s words. Turning into that warm, comforting embrace, Joe sought the only comfort he could remember. \u201cWhat am I going to do?\u201d he whispered and hid his face against Ben\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Standing there, holding onto Joe\u2019s wrist, Ben put his other arm around his son. The only person who could decide what he was going to do was Joe and right now, he was too distraught to make any kind of decision. At the moment, the thing Joe needed more than anything was medical attention. His hand was bruised and bleeding and from the way it was swelling, Ben feared that it might be broken, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you to the doctor,\u201d Ben suggested quietly. \u201cThen, we\u2019ll talk about what you\u2019re going to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pushing Joe onto Cochise, Ben led Buck out of his stall, grateful that someone had thought to saddle him up that morning. Slowly, they rode away from the ranch, neither of them aware that Tessa was watching them from an upstairs window.<\/p>\n

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

The ride to town was essentially silent, with the only words passing between the two men about how Joe\u2019s hand was feeling. \u201cFine,\u201d was always the short reply, but Joe honestly didn\u2019t know how his hand was feeling. His thoughts were whirling in a chaotic maelstrom, going round and round with no resolution in sight and he felt no pain from his hand. The joyful thought that Tessa could see was tempered by the knowledge that she had been keeping that information from him. Joe didn\u2019t know what to think or believe. Had she wanted to surprise him with this as a wonderful gift on their wedding night? Or was there a more questionable motive at the back of her silence? Joe was instantly uncomfortable with the thought and pushed it away, afraid somehow that Ben would sense his disloyalty to his fianc\u00e9e<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was soft, his touch gentle. \u201cWe\u2019re here,\u201d he coaxed and kept a hand on Joe\u2019s back to steady him as he stepped down from the saddle.<\/p>\n

Head down, Joe followed Ben\u2019s dusty boots into the doctor\u2019s outer office and sat wearily in one of the hard chairs. He was vaguely aware of Ben talking to someone, but he didn\u2019t listen. Only when a hand touched his shoulder did Joe look up.<\/p>\n

Dr Paul Martin had been the town physician for as long as Joe could remember. He was a rotund man, not very tall, but with a kind twinkle in his eye. Joe often thought he looked slightly drunk, although he knew that Paul was not really a drinking man. He was someone that Joe liked and respected, even if he didn\u2019t like visiting him professionally. \u201cCome into the office,\u201d Paul suggested.<\/p>\n

The examination of his hand brought Joe back to reality. It was extremely painful and the gentle probing that Paul did made Joe feel slightly sick. However, the doctor didn\u2019t prolong the agony. \u201cI don\u2019t know if there are bones broken or not,\u201d he sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s possible, but if there are, they aren\u2019t displaced. This gash here needs stitches,\u201d he went on, pointing to a long gash down the side of Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cSo does this one.\u201d He gestured to another across the base of Joe\u2019s knuckles, stretching the entire breadth of his hand. \u201cSo I\u2019ll bandage it up tightly, and that should sort out any bone damage, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising to collect his equipment, Paul mused, \u201cI wish someone would invent a machine that would let us see broken bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish someone would invent a machine that would take in the hay without me there,\u201d Ben rejoined. \u201cBut I\u2019m not holding my breath!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Paul set to work on Joe\u2019s hand, glancing every now and then at his patient. \u201cDo I want to know how this happened or not?\u201d he asked. Ben had just told him that Joe had hurt his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hit something several times,\u201d Joe replied, tonelessly. He kept his eyes averted.<\/p>\n

Behind Joe, Ben shook his head and Paul took the hint. \u201cDon\u2019t do it again,\u201d he advised Joe, reaching for the bandage. \u201cNo heavy work,\u201d he told Ben, since Joe clearly wasn\u2019t listening. \u201cAnd keep the bandages dry. I\u2019ll take the stitches out next week and see how his hand looks then.\u201d Glancing down at Joe once more, he added softly, \u201cI\u2019m here if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you know,\u201d Ben promised. He touched Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIts time to go home,\u201d he said and a pang of regret shot through him. The last place Joe wanted to be right now was at home, with Tessa there. But they had no choice. The moment could only be deferred; Joe would have to confront her soon. They were due to be married the next day.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe rose. His face was set and white. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

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

Mr Caldwell met them in the yard. The older man looked distraught, his hair awry, wringing his hands. \u201cTessa\u2019s gone!\u201d he cried, before either Joe or Ben could dismount.<\/p>\n

\u201cGone?\u201d Joe echoed sharply. \u201cGone where?\u201d He realised the irrelevancy of the question at once; if Caldwell knew where Tessa was, he wouldn\u2019t be standing here making a fuss. So Joe asked another question before anyone could comment. \u201cHow long has she been gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Caldwell admitted. \u201cI thought she was resting in her room, but when I went to call her for afternoon tea, she was gone.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t understand. How far could a blind girl go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlind?\u201d Joe repeated, sarcasm dripping from the syllable.<\/p>\n

At once, Caldwell blushed, the colour mounting in his neck and face, staining his ears with betraying colour. Joe felt his world crash in around him. He had known that Tessa was only marrying him because she was blind \u2013 he wasn\u2019t stupid and knew she didn\u2019t really love him. But he hadn\u2019t really believed that she had meant to mislead him over regaining her sight. But her father\u2019s reaction told Joe that he had known all along that Tessa could see again and was intent on pushing her into a \u2018good\u2019 marriage. That Caldwell was shiftless and ne\u2019er-do-well was not a secret to the Cartwrights and Joe was suddenly sure, without having any proof that Caldwell had intended to continue living with the Cartwrights, to save himself the bother of getting a job.<\/p>\n

Stepping forward, Lon Caldwell, Tessa\u2019s useless, lazy, brother, gave his father a contemptuous look. \u201cYou know Tessa\u2019s blind,\u201d he asserted, glaring at Joe and addressing him. \u201cWhat did you say to make her run away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTessa\u2019s not blind,\u201d Ben stated with quiet anger. He glared at Caldwell, who seemed to shrink into himself.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know how long you\u2019ve known that and right now I don\u2019t care. Blind or not, Tessa doesn\u2019t know this area and isn\u2019t equipped to survive. We\u2019ve got to look for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we know she didn\u2019t follow the main road to town,\u201d Joe remembered, looking at Ben. He had instantly dismissed his in-laws-to-be and was now focusing on the problem in hand. He could deal with Tessa\u2019s deceitfulness when he found her. \u201cI\u2019ll scout around and see if I can find any tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Left alone with the Caldwells, Ben bit back the recriminations he could feel rising to his lips. Now was not the time to get into the rights and wrongs of the situation; a young woman was missing and they had to find her. \u201cAre any of her things gone?\u201d Ben asked and ushered the bewildered man up the stairs to look.<\/p>\n

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

Sinking down onto the grass \u2013 for there was nowhere else to sit \u2013 Tessa wiped her eyes and looked around. She had to admit it; she was hopelessly lost and had been for quite some time. She had thought it would be easy to follow the main road into town, travelling parallel to the road so that she wasn\u2019t seen. However, somewhere along the line, she had gone wrong and now she had absolutely no idea where she was. Tears continued to slip down her cheeks. She was exhausted, hungry and it looked as though night was coming on. Tessa revelled in the beauty of the landscape around her. She had thought she would never see again.<\/p>\n

Sniffling, Tessa pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and blew her nose. It was impossible to try and retrace her steps, as the grass didn\u2019t show any signs of her passing. She had to face it; she was lost! Tessa shook her head. She didn\u2019t know this part of the country at all; she would have been lost even if she hadn\u2019t strayed from the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can\u2019t stay here,\u201d she declared aloud and pushed herself to her feet, picking up her valise. Quite why she had felt the need to tote the suitcase with her, she wasn\u2019t entirely sure now. It had seemed a good idea at the time, even if she hadn\u2019t packed all her clothing. But the valise was awkward to carry and although it had seemed light-weight at first, it now felt as though someone had been stuffing rocks into it. But Tessa couldn\u2019t bring herself to just abandon it. She would need it if by some miracle she found Virginia City and caught the stage. She had barely any money anyway \u2013 little enough to get her to San Francisco, never mind replenish her wardrobe. \u201cI\u2019ll need some shelter if I\u2019m stuck here for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking again, Tessa found her mind drifting back to the scene she had witnessed from the window that morning. She was pretty sure this was why she had got lost \u2013 her mind was not on what she was doing. Somehow, Tessa had known, as Ben and Joe emerged from the barn that her secret was out. Quite how they had discovered that she could see again didn\u2019t matter to Tessa, nor did she wonder at how she knew they knew. She only knew that she couldn\u2019t stay any longer.<\/p>\n

When her eyesight had returned, Tessa had naturally run straight to her father to tell him the good news. Now, he could stop pretending that her life had been ruined and they could continue on to San Francisco. The imaginary fianc\u00e9 would vanish and they could start afresh, as they had intended all along. But when Caldwell had told Tessa that she ought to pretend to be blind, she had protested, only to be talked around.<\/p>\n

Her conscience had not given her much rest since then, though. Tessa genuinely liked Joe. He was funny, smart, handsome and caring. She possibly even loved him a little. But it seemed wrong to her that she should pretend something simply to get a wealthy husband. Whenever she had tried to tell her father that, he had brushed her concerns aside, pointing out that Joe was infatuated with her and genuinely wanted to marry her. Tessa had not known how to tell her father she didn\u2019t want to do this.<\/p>\n

Lon was no help. Tessa didn\u2019t really get along with Lon that well. He agreed with their father that Tessa should marry Joe, pointing out that if she didn\u2019t, Joe would get away scot-free with what he had done. Neither of them seemed to believe that it was a genuine accident. Lon was more than willing to spend his life as Joe\u2019s pensioner.<\/p>\n

So, as she watched Joe and Ben ride away from the barn, Joe with his injured hand cradled against his side, she knew then that she had to get away. Perhaps Joe would be heart-broken that she had left. Perhaps he would be relieved, no longer expected to marry the poor little girl that he had blinded. Tessa suspected that the latter would be the case. She knew that he would be angry with her for lying to him and how could she blame him for that? Tessa\u2019s self-esteem shrivelled up.<\/p>\n

Moving quietly through the house, Tessa hastily packed a few of her belongings and then took some money from her father\u2019s room. She crept out of the house, avoiding the industrious Hop Sing who was hanging out bed sheets, and not seeing either her father or Lon, who were off fishing somewhere.<\/p>\n

Initially, walking parallel to the road hadn\u2019t been difficult, but then Tessa\u2019s mind had wandered and she found that she was lost. She hadn\u2019t brought any food or water with her and she was starving. The afternoon was growing old and she was facing the night, alone, without any kind of protection. Fear swelled with every step she took.<\/p>\n

At last, as twilight turned the cloudless sky a delicate shade of purple, Tessa found a sheltered spot by some trees. The bushes provided a comforting screen at her back and the trees overhead gave the false promise of shelter, should it rain.<\/p>\n

But rain was not going to be Tessa\u2019s problem that night. The skies continued to clear and the temperature dropped precipitously. Frost crept over the land, reaching icy fingers into every nook and cranny.<\/p>\n

Exhausted from her long walk, Tessa fell asleep before darkness had fallen. She did not realise the peril she was in.<\/p>\n

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

It was a tense group that met around the dinner table that night. Darkness had fallen, bringing a frost with it. There had been no signs of Tessa in the immediate area and now it was too dark to search further. Hop Sing had once more produced a wonderful meal, but nobody had much of an appetite.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has Tessa had her sight back?\u201d Ben asked, into the frozen silence.<\/p>\n

Glancing uncomfortably at his host, Caldwell mumbled something. It didn\u2019t matter than no one caught what he said \u2013 the implication was enough. More than just a few hours, it was plain. A great bitterness welled in Joe\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust exactly when were you going to tell\u00a0me<\/em>\u00a0this great news?\u201d he demanded. \u201cI am her fianc\u00e9. I had a right to be told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh drop the righteous act, Cartwright,\u201d Lon sneered. \u201cWe all know you were marrying Tessa out of pity. Why do you think we told her not to say anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLon!\u201d Caldwell scolded, the dismay in his tones not just because Lon was being so rude. Now that he had blurted out their plan, he could guarantee that Ben would not permit Joe to marry Tessa, regardless of what the young man himself might want.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat difference does it make now?\u201d Lon shouted. \u201cThey\u2019re bound to have guessed that something was fishy about the whole business.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Caldwells erupted into an ill-mannered squabbling match. Joe sat silently, not really listening to the bitter recriminations that father and son flung at one another. He didn\u2019t hear Ben shouting them down, or Hoss trying to throw oil on troubled waters. He was listening intently to an argument that raged internally, one voice protesting that he did love Tessa, while his other self insisted that he didn\u2019t really.<\/p>\n

Joe was nothing if not honest. He knew which voice was telling him the truth. \u201cI don\u2019t love her,\u201d he said, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d The only person who had heard him was Adam. \u201cWhat did you say, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone turned to look at him, the Caldwells pausing in mid-shout to gawp at him. \u201cI said, I don\u2019t love Tessa,\u201d Joe repeated. He felt a blush crawl up his neck. \u201cI thought I did. I honestly thought I wanted to marry her because I love her. I do, in a way, but I\u2019m not\u00a0in love<\/em>\u00a0with her.\u201d He met the gazes of everyone, seeing the different emotions his declaration had engendered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I can\u2019t marry her.\u201d<\/p>\n

At once, Lon took the offensive. \u201cSee? I told you he was only marrying her out of pity!\u201d he bellowed. \u201cTessa isn\u2019t good enough for the high and mighty Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

The person who reacted most swiftly to that provocation was not the person Lon expected. Adam suddenly had him in a painfully tight hold and the oldest son\u2019s voice was low and deadly. \u201cI suggest that you retract that remark right now,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cOr else your sister won\u2019t be the only one out in the cold right now.\u201d He held Lon\u2019s gaze until the younger man looked away. Satisfied, Adam let go of him. \u201cIt seems that Tessa\u2019s plight doesn\u2019t mean much to you, Mr Caldwell,\u201d he went on. \u201cNor her well being. I can understand your desire for her to marry well, but surely now that she can see again, her fianc\u00e9 in San Francisco will welcome her with open arms.\u201d Adam\u2019s tone made it quite clear that he didn\u2019t believe a word about the fianc\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Embarrassed at being caught in another lie, Caldwell blushed furiously. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t want her now,\u201d he muttered lamely and hoped that no one would ask why not.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t expect he really loved her then,\u201d Adam commented, enjoying rubbing it in. \u201cBut I still don\u2019t see why you didn\u2019t tell Joe that Tessa could see again. Were you afraid that he would admit that he didn\u2019t love her?\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t know Joe very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d Joe began, but his oldest brother shook his head again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, if Tessa had come to you a few minutes before the wedding and told you the truth, you would still have married her, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe admitted, wondering why that answer felt wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Tessa had come to you yesterday and told you the same thing, would you have still married her?\u201d Adam went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe nodded, confused now.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if she had told you this morning, before Pa had the chance, you\u2019d have still married her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cAdam, where are you going with this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, deep down, you knew all along that you weren\u2019t in love with Tessa, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Adam asked, gently.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe ducked his head and nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d he replied, almost inaudibly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you had been caught up in the joyful celebrations surrounding Tessa\u2019s remarkably recovery, you wouldn\u2019t have had the time to think that you have had today. And, too late, you\u2019d have discovered the truth once you were safely caught. It\u2019s only because of the circumstances today that you have realised that your feelings are not what you thought they were.\u201d Adam searched his brother\u2019s face. \u201cIf Tessa herself had told you the truth, you and she might have had a chance together. Because you found out about her deceit, it made you think \u2013 and the truth will out, as the saying goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a long silence, as no one could think of anything to say. At last, Ben stirred. \u201cI think we should get an early night and be away from here by first light,\u201d he suggested. \u201cI just hope Tessa is all right, wherever she is.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they rose to go upstairs, Caldwell paused for a moment to look out of the door. It was bitterly cold and he felt a pang of remorse that his actions had caused his daughter to run away and be lost somewhere on that cold, dark night.<\/p>\n

As he went up to lie sleeplessly on his bed, Caldwell wondered if he would ever be able to make it up to Tessa.<\/p>\n

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

Although exhausted, cold and hunger woke Tessa a few hours later. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself to try and keep warm. Tessa had never really been cold before. She had lived a fairly sheltered, cosseted life and on bitterly cold, snowy days, had not been encouraged to go outside. Tessa had erroneously assumed that the outfit she was wearing would keep her warm even during the coldest weather, but she had never experienced cold like this and even her tweed suit \u2013 fashionable, but impractical \u2013 could keep it out.<\/p>\n

At last, she remembered that she had other clothing with her and fumbled with the clasp of her valise. Dragging out almost everything she owned, she put on another couple of pairs of stockings over her shoes, wishing that they were woollen, and tugged on blouses and sweaters. The bulky layers of clothes were uncomfortable, but she did feel warmer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I knew how to build a fire,\u201d Tessa muttered aloud and thought how lonely her voice sounded. At once, she wanted to cry.<\/p>\n

Despite her determination not to weep and wail, Tessa couldn\u2019t help crying over her situation. That she had got herself into this mess didn\u2019t help. Drying her tears at length, Tessa forced herself to think about what she had done, agreeing to fool Joe simply to marry him.<\/p>\n

The more she thought about it, the more ashamed Tessa became. She wasn\u2019t by nature a deceitful girl, but all her life she had been taught that it was her place to do as she was told, first by her father, then by Lon and finally by the man she married. Tessa had tried very hard to do that and outright rebellion was alien to her nature. But she was also honest and had found it repugnant to lie to everyone. Tessa knew that if she hadn\u2019t run away, she would have probably told Joe the truth by now. No matter how dreadful the repercussions were, she would be glad to have the weight of the lie off her conscience.<\/p>\n

Frightened, alone, remorseful and cold, sleep didn\u2019t come easily to Tessa Caldwell that night. Bleakly, she wondered if this was Purgatory.<\/p>\n

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

It was no problem to have everyone ready to leave at first light. No one had got much sleep. Bundled into warm jackets and carrying extra blankets, they mounted up in the chilly pre-dawn light and rode slowly from the yard. It had been agreed that they would split into three search parties; Ben and Mr Caldwell, Hoss and Lon and Adam and Joe.<\/p>\n

There was no talk as they went their separate ways. None of them knew what they would find \u2013 if they found Tessa at all. The dangers she had faced alone all night were very real and very obvious to the Cartwrights at least.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is all my fault, isn\u2019t it, Adam?\u201d Joe asked, once they were out of sight of the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo its not!\u201d Adam returned sharply. \u201cHow could it be your fault that Tessa ran away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is my fault,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cIt was my bullet that blinded her. This is all because of that, so it\u2019s my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it was an accident,\u201d Adam reminded him. \u201cYour bullet ricocheted. You didn\u2019t mean to shoot her, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not! I was aiming for the mountain lion!\u201d Joe hunched deeply into his coat. \u201cAnd even then it got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you hadn\u2019t fired at it, what would have happened?\u201d Adam persisted.<\/p>\n

After a moment of thought, Joe offered, \u201cIt would have landed on the Caldwells\u2019 wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould that have been any better?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to Tessa was bad, Joe, but at least she escaped with her life. Now, she can see again. Keep things in perspective. This was an unfortunate chain of events caused by an accident, and don\u2019t you forget that!\u201d Adam reached over and squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to blame yourself for, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sincerity in those dark eyes went a long way to lightening the burden of guilt that Joe had been carrying around all night. He smiled. \u201cThanks, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Working on the premise that Tessa would have wanted to go somewhere where she could find transport, Adam and Joe opted to head towards town. The fact that Joe and Ben had not seen Tessa as they returned home the previous afternoon suggested that she hadn\u2019t used the road, and so they each chose one side of the road and set to searching.<\/p>\n

It must have been drawing on towards mid-morning, although still cold where Joe was searching, as the sun had not yet cleared the top of the mountains, when he spotted something out of the ordinary. Pausing for a moment, Joe stroked Cochise\u2019s neck, for the gelding seemed unusually restive all of a sudden. Taking the horse\u2019s unease as a signal to be wary, Joe rode towards the odd coloured heap he could see and as he drew nearer, he realised that it was Tessa!<\/p>\n

Flinging himself from Cochise\u2019s back, Joe knelt by his fianc\u00e9e and felt for a pulse. It was there, but slow and she felt very cold to the touch. Rising, Joe grabbed a blanket from his saddle and let go of his horse to spread it tenderly over Tessa. Cochise turned and bolted.<\/p>\n

Stunned, Joe glanced all around, but couldn\u2019t see anything out of place. He fumbled with his gun, cursing his still-sore hand, cocked it and fired the first of three shots.<\/p>\n

The next moment, something large, warm and smelly hit him sideways on. Joe felt a moment of agonising pain as his gun fired again and again as his finger convulsed with the pain. On his back, Joe forced open his eyes and saw a tawny shape retreating at high speed. Mountain lion! Joe knew he had to get up, had to see that Tessa was still all right, had to finish signalling Adam. But he did none of those things. His weapon slipped from his fingers as darkness claimed his vision.<\/p>\n

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

The three shots were exactly the signal Adam had been waiting for. Yet there was something\u2026 odd about them. As he rode towards the place where he thought they had originated, Adam mused over the sounds and realised that there had been a pause between the first and second shots, instead of the usual, smooth three-in-a-row. Smiling, Adam remembered Joe\u2019s sore hand and thought perhaps his brother was cursing the bandage.<\/p>\n

So it was something of a shock when he spotted Cochise high-tailing it away in the direction of home. Putting his heel to Sport, Adam blessed the gelding\u2019s turn of speed as his long stride ate up the distance between himself and his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam flung himself from Sport, noticing subliminally that his horse was not spooked by anything in the area and taking some comfort from that.<\/p>\n

Joe was lying on his stomach, a great, bleeding set of gashes running down the right side of his back. Blood soaked into the green jacket. It was obvious to Adam, experienced woodman that he was, that Joe had tangled with a mountain lion \u2013 quite likely the one they had been hunting when this whole nightmare began.<\/p>\n

Gingerly turning Joe partly onto his left side, Adam was relieved to see that there was no blood on Joe\u2019s chest. Drawing his gun, he fired three shots, then another three. Someone would surely hear him?<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d The voice was so quiet that he barely heard it. Turning his head, Adam saw that Tessa had her eyes open.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hurt?\u201d he demanded, his anxiety increasing. He didn\u2019t know how he was going to manage to get Joe back to the ranch, never mind Tessa, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n

Leaving Joe for a moment, Adam crossed to her side. Tessa seemed uninjured, but she was definitely out of it. Touching her, Adam realised that she was cold, very cold. The blanket Joe had put over her had raised her temperature very slightly, enough to bring her back to consciousness, but she was very confused. \u201cJust lie still,\u201d Adam urged her. She obediently closed her eyes.<\/p>\n

Rising, Adam took a blanket from Sport\u2019s back and took it to Joe. He pressed its folded length against his brother\u2019s torn and bleeding flesh, hoping to stem the bleeding. \u201cJoe?\u201d Adam bent over his brother. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

At first there was no response, but after a few minutes, Joe moaned slightly and moved his head. Adam continued to coax him to wake up, casting an occasional glance at Tessa, who appeared to be asleep. Adam didn\u2019t know if it was his imagination or not, but she seemed to have a trace of colour in her face.<\/p>\n

It took several minutes for Joe to come round properly. He gazed blearily at Adam, wincing from the pain in his back. \u201cCat,\u201d he whispered. \u201cBig cat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d Adam soothed. \u201cThe cat\u2019s long gone.\u201d The only basis Adam had for that was Sport\u2019s continued calmness, but Adam knew horses well enough to know that no horse would stand still when there was a big cat in the vicinity.<\/p>\n

For a time, that seemed to calm Joe and he lay still enough, breathing heavily through his mouth, his eyes mostly closed. Then, suddenly, he made a galvanic movement and attempted to rise. Adam thwarted him easily enough, but not before there was some fresh bleeding from the wounds on his back. \u201cTessa!\u201d Joe panted. \u201cTessa.\u201d He craned to see around Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fine, Joe,\u201d Adam promised, although he had no idea if what he said was true or not. \u201cShe\u2019s resting, just like you should be doing.\u201d He looked around anxiously. Over half an hour had passed since he fired the shots. How much longer should he wait before firing again?<\/p>\n

As if on cue, Adam heard three shots splinter the quietness of the morning. He sighed in relief and answered them. At last, help was coming. \u201cHelp\u2019s on the way, Joe,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

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

Even with the arrival of much-needed help, it still took longer than anyone liked to get the two young people to safety. Caldwell and Lon proved to be utterly useless in a crisis and in the end, Adam took Tessa home slowly in front of him, with Caldwell and Lon riding along side, while Hoss galloped into town to fetch the doctor. Ben stayed with Joe, swaddling his son in the remaining spare blankets, for the ground was cold and the sun still had not reached the secluded area where they were. Once back at the ranch, Adam was going to send out a wagon and some hands to help Ben bring Joe home.<\/p>\n

It was a nerve-wracking time for Ben, for he knew that Joe desperately needed a warm bed and a physician\u2019s care,\u00a0right now<\/em>, not at some indeterminable time in the future. But nevertheless, when Joe spoke to him, Ben strove to keep his voice calm and soothing, forbidding any hint of his worry to show. Joe didn\u2019t need to know how worried Ben was. He just needed to rest and husband his strength for the journey home.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t much in the way of talking. The bleeding had stopped, but it was obvious by the blood-soaked blanket that lay directly on Joe\u2019s back that he had lost more than enough. Most of the time, he slept, or drifted in a twilight place that Ben couldn\u2019t go. Occasionally, a moan would slip out from between clenched teeth and Ben would sooth him back into slumber.<\/p>\n

Although it seemed that he waited forever for help to arrive, barely more than an hour passed before the wagon hove into view, driven \u2013 to Ben\u2019s surprise \u2013 by Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts not that I\u2019m not glad to see you, son,\u201d he greeted his eldest. \u201cBut I thought you would be back at the house helping out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was left in no doubt that my presence was not required,\u201d Adam responded dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing?\u201d Ben guessed with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe very same,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cHe would make a wonderful sergeant major.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell him that!\u201d Ben scolded. \u201cHe might want to leave and then where would we be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, good point,\u201d Adam acknowledged and knelt by Joe. \u201cHow\u2019s he been?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cLet\u2019s get him home.\u201d He glanced into the bed of the wagon and saw that someone had spread straw deeply around to help cushion the journey as much as possible.<\/p>\n

Working together, Ben hoisted Joe into his arms with Adam\u2019s help. Adam then climbed into the back of the wagon and took Joe from their father, settling him as best he could into the straw while Ben hitched Buck to the back of the wagon and climbed in beside Joe. Adam then took the reins and guided the horses gently home.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhy did you run away, Tessa?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I\u2026\u201d Tessa\u2019s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

This was really the last place Ben wanted to be, but Paul Martin had thrown him out of Joe\u2019s room while he stitched up the claw marks down Joe\u2019s back, and Caldwell had collared him to tell him Tessa was awake. After asking how she felt, and being told she felt much better, Ben had asked his question.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my fault, Cartwright,\u201d Caldwell declared. \u201cI told Tessa to pretend to be blind so that she could marry Joe. I just wanted her to be secure and have a good husband. That boy of yours is a good sort.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking that as the oblique apology that it was, Ben looked at Tessa. \u201cYou can tell me,\u201d he coaxed. \u201cI don\u2019t bite.\u201d<\/p>\n

That brought a smile, as well as a freshet of tears. \u201cOh Mr Cartwright, I\u2019ve been so stupid!\u201d Tessa declared. \u201cI saw you and Joe coming out of the barn yesterday morning. Joe looked so\u2026 so\u2026 desolate that I knew he must know that I could see. And I knew it was too late to pretend my sight had just suddenly come back and I was so ashamed of myself that I didn\u2019t think I could face any of you again.\u201d Delicate colour stained Tessa\u2019s pale cheeks and Ben thought it was a good sign that she could blush. She had been dangerously cold when brought home. \u201cI\u2019m still ashamed of myself,\u201d she went on in a low voice. \u201cI was wrong to do what I did and I\u2026 I\u2026 understand if Joe\u2026 hates me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you mean to go?\u201d Ben asked. He didn\u2019t assure her that Joe wouldn\u2019t hate her; that was Joe\u2019s job to do. Tessa would believe it when Joe told her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to catch the stage,\u201d Tessa confessed. \u201cI started out following alongside the road, but then, I got lost, I don\u2019t know how. And then I couldn\u2019t find my way back and I kept walking until it got dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

With tears in his eyes, Caldwell gathered Tessa to his breast. \u201cI thought we\u2019d lost you,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Tessa repeated. She looked at Ben. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe? Is he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d Ben told her optimistically. He didn\u2019t mention the very real danger of infection that always came with an injury from a big cat; there was no point in upsetting the girl further at this stage. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get back to him.\u201d He smiled at Tessa and left the room.<\/p>\n

Caldwell followed him out into the hall. \u201cCartwright, how is the boy really?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Somehow, it annoyed Ben to have Caldwell constantly refer to Joe as \u2018the boy\u2019, even though he tended to think of his sons collectively as \u2018the boys\u2019. Joe was in his mid-twenties and a man grown by anyone\u2019s standards. Coolly, Ben replied, \u201cAs I said, he\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The message wasn\u2019t lost on Caldwell. \u201cI just wanted to tell you that we\u2019ll be leaving as soon as Tessa is well enough,\u201d he said, stiffly. \u201cI don\u2019t imagine that they\u2019ll want to get married now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head at the man\u2019s gall, Ben answered, \u201cNo I don\u2019t suppose they will. Lies are hardly the basis for a successful marriage, are they?\u201d He turned away and entered Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

Leaning back against the closed door, Ben regretted his harsh words of a few moments before. But they were spoken now and couldn\u2019t be recalled. Ben understood Caldwell\u2019s worry \u2013 what man wouldn\u2019t fear having an invalid daughter on his hands? And yet, Ben couldn\u2019t help but think of the good life Tessa could have led as a blind person. He had heard of the Institute for the Blind in San Francisco and had been impressed by its aims. But to many people, blindness was a stigma that they didn\u2019t want to acknowledge and too often, the blind person was shut up in a house, deprived of companionship and the pleasures that made up a normal life.<\/p>\n

Straightening, Ben shook those thoughts off. Tessa had regained her sight, for which they were all very thankful. He walked towards the bed. Perhaps Tessa and Joe might have had a happy life together \u2013 perhaps they still might. He glanced at Paul, wondering what would happen. Would Joe still want to marry Tessa? Did she still want to marry Joe? He guessed that someone had remembered to tell the preacher that the wedding was not going to happen that day. \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve cleaned the wounds out as best I can, Ben, but we\u2019ll need to keep a close eye on them for infection, as you know,\u201d Paul replied. He was squinting slightly and Ben wondered if Paul was just tired, or if he needed spectacles. \u201cHe should be waking up soon and then I want to get some nourishment into him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crossing to the bed, Ben sat down. Joe was lying on his back, his eyes closed, thick bandages wrapped around his torso. His face was pale but peaceful. Ben took one of Joe\u2019s hands in his own. \u201cThat dratted cat,\u201d he muttered, afraid he was going to be overwhelmed by his emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nuisance,\u201d Paul agreed, washing and drying his hands. \u201cSo, tell me, Ben; is this related to the hand injury I dealt with yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben sketched in the outlines of what had happened. Paul clucked and tutted and then headed off to check out Tessa\u2019s eyes. He was scandalised that Caldwell had planned to shove his daughter into the first marriage that came along. Yes, it happened \u2013 arranged marriages were not a thing of the past \u2013 but out here, marriages were generally based on love.<\/p>\n

Alone with Joe, Ben waited patiently for his son to waken and was rewarded a short time later by Joe moving about. Then his green eyes opened and peered blearily at Ben. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello there,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the room and found an answering smile. \u201cLast thing I remember\u2026 I was outside,\u201d he commented hoarsely. He shivered, although he didn\u2019t feel cold to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, since then, you\u2019ve been put back together again,\u201d Ben teased. \u201cAnd I would appreciate it if you would stop giving me frights like that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe breathed. He missed the teasing altogether. \u201cHow\u2019s Tessa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cPaul is just checking her eyes, but she can see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Joe allowed. He sighed deeply and winced. \u201cBut I haven\u2019t changed my mind; I can\u2019t marry her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cWe all understand.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cAfter all that\u2019s happened, I don\u2019t think Tessa wants to marry you, either, Joe. I don\u2019t think she ever really did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know she didn\u2019t,\u201d Joe replied. His eyes were still a bit glassy from the ether, but Joe was quite lucid otherwise. His voice took on a cynical tone. \u201cI guess it\u2019s not often a blind girl has to be forced to marry a well-off man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTessa might not love you in the way that you hoped, but she is very fond of you,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cAnd let\u2019s be honest here, Joe, you\u2019re the one who said that you didn\u2019t love her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Joe sighed again. He was beginning to sound tired. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have said that. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patting Joe\u2019s arm, Ben asked, \u201cDo you think you can stay awake long enough to eat something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Joe agreed and soon found himself with some of Hop Sing\u2019s chicken soup in front of him. He managed to eat enough to satisfy Ben and then fell asleep again.<\/p>\n

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

The Caldwells\u2019 leave-taking was not a prolonged affair. With Joe still requiring a lot of bed rest while his body made up the blood loss, he couldn\u2019t go to the door to see them off. Tessa had gone to his bedroom to say goodbye and had stood looking at him for a moment. It didn\u2019t seem real to her that if things had gone differently, they would have been married by now. Or maybe they wouldn\u2019t. Tessa didn\u2019t know if she could have gone through with it in the end. She wanted to marry for love, not pity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re leaving soon, Joe,\u201d she said softly. \u201cI came to say goodbye and\u2026 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, too,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cSorry that my bullet hit you, sorry that I didn\u2019t love you enough to make you love me and sorry things have ended this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re so nice,\u201d Tessa sobbed. \u201cWhy couldn\u2019t I have loved you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied, moved by her tears. \u201cI guess it just wasn\u2019t meant to be.\u201d He took her hand and brought it to his lips. \u201cBe happy, Tessa,\u201d he told her.<\/p>\n

Barely able to see for the tears she was shedding, Tessa nodded. \u201cYou, too,\u201d she sniffled and fled the room.<\/p>\n

Lying in his bed, listening to the retreating sound of horses\u2019 hooves, Joe wondered what his life would have been like if he had married Tessa. When would the realisation have hit that he didn\u2019t love her? Would their life together have been blighted by that in time?<\/p>\n

Drifting pleasantly between sleep and wakefulness, waiting for Ben to come back, Joe found himself dreaming of marrying a woman who loved him beyond measure and whom he loved devotedly in return. He roused from his daydream as Ben came in and a shiver raced down his spine. Just for a moment, he thought that something bad had happened in his dream; something he couldn\u2019t quite see or remember\u2026<\/p>\n

Shaking off the feeling, Joe smiled at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he told him.<\/p>\n

Smiling back, Ben nodded. They were fine. Joe was recovering well; the Caldwells had gone and there was no bitterness left between the two families. Given how badly everything could have turned out, they were lucky. But Joe was right.<\/p>\n

He was fine.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 What would have happened if Ben had told Joe Tessa could see before the wedding?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0(8,240 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13990,"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":[23,27],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whi","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-27-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1577,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14120,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14120","url_meta":{"origin":5922,"position":0},"title":"Chasing Shadows (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"April 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Ben had taught his boys a code of honour that extended to others. They lived by it and he was proud of them, but would that code sustain him if it cost him one of his sons? Word Count: 7208 Rating: T","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\/2016\/12\/Caption-1.png?fit=665%2C473&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Caption-1.png?fit=665%2C473&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Caption-1.png?fit=665%2C473&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4542,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4542","url_meta":{"origin":5922,"position":1},"title":"Knowing (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"March 2, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A WHN for \"Bullet for a Bride.\"\u00a0 The Cartwrights struggle with the consequences of Ben's decision not to tell Joe before the wedding that Tessa had regained her sight. \u00a0\u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K. WC 15,000","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\/Bullet-for-a-Bride-2.jpg?fit=315%2C316&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7057,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7057","url_meta":{"origin":5922,"position":2},"title":"Last Chance (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"May 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe gambles with his life to give his Pa something precious. 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