{"id":60414,"date":"2025-10-30T21:18:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T01:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=60414"},"modified":"2025-12-23T07:55:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T12:55:04","slug":"making-hay-by-djk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=60414","title":{"rendered":"Making Hay (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Little Joe does not understand why Roy Coffee is keeping him in jail. \u00a0This story was written for the Micheal Landon Birthday Challenge 2025.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>rating: rating:<\/span>\u00a0T\/PG13<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0word count: 2306<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

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

He stirred and realized he was not in his bed on the second floor of the Pondarosa ranch house.\u00a0He also realized that his pounding head and rolling stomach were related to that fact.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0metallic\u00a0bang sent him reeling but also opened his eyes. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTime to wake up!\u201d \u00a0The voice sounded harsh but familiar. \u00a0He tried to focus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJospeh!\u201d \u00a0This second voice was\u00a0immediately\u00a0perceived as his elder brother\u2019s and elicited a moan as a response.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSit up.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am; I am.\u201d \u00a0<\/span>Well,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0trying at least.<\/span><\/i> \u00a0He heard boots on stone and felt a hand hoist\u00a0him upright. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReady to listen, boy?\u201d \u00a0With the recognition of Sheriff Roy Coffee\u2019s voice, he realized that he was in the jail.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, uh…\u201d \u00a0He stiffened and lifted his eyes. \u00a0\u201cYeah… uh, sir.\u201d \u00a0He did not realize that he had failed a test. \u00a0Of course, that was\u00a0because\u00a0the test existed only in the mind of the sheriff.\u00a0\u00a0He did see his brother\u2019s head shake solemnly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWant to tell Adam here just why you\u2019re\u00a0incarcerated?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Well,\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0incarcerated a little harsh? \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Little Joe drew in a shaky breath and took a moment to swallow down the bile that rose in his throat. <\/span>Actually, I don\u2019t\u00a0exactly\u00a0know.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Adam\u2019s voice was more than harsh, and Little Joe winced.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you even know?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a minute. \u00a0I, umm, I…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLied to me and came into town. \u00a0You can start there.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0lie exactly. \u00a0Seth and I did set up camp; we just\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0stay there.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe sighed. \u00a0\u201cWe\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0gonna\u00a0to stay in town. \u00a0We were going back to finish camping.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter you finished drinking at a saloon on D Street?\u201d \u00a0Adam\u2019s tone now held the condescendingly\u00a0judgmental\u00a0tone that\u00a0always put a burr under Little Joe\u2019s saddle.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone of the saloons uptown would have let us stay.\u201d \u00a0The whine in Joe\u2019s voice was the one that most irritated his elder brother.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>And the folks on D Street\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0be tattling to you later.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee decided to keep the conversation between the brothers from going any further downhill. \u00a0\u201cHe and Seth\u00a0were drinking and playing cards. \u00a0From what\u00a0witnesses\u00a0said,\u00a0the more they drank the more obnoxious they got, carrying on and mouthing off to most everybody older. \u00a0You know how quick\u00a0them two can be\u00a0with the sass\u00a0when\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0showing off for an\u00a0audience\u00a0and each other.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly too well.\u201d \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe rolled his eyes. \u00a0Then he realized\u00a0someone was missing. \u00a0\u201cWhere\u2019s Seth?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis uncle dragged him out of here about an hour ago. \u00a0You were still dead to the world.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve a feeling there is more.\u201d \u00a0Adam turned his gaze to the sheriff.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA miner took offense. \u00a0He was about two-ninety and six one. \u00a0Little Joe drew his gun.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe groaned as his memory became clearer. \u00a0<\/span>I\u2019m\u00a0dead!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t…\u201d \u00a0This time Adam\u2019s voice was laced with fear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. \u00a0He did break a lamp on the back wall that will need to be paid for.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the charges are?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDisturbing the peace, discharging a firearm in a building…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo misdemeanors.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0considering negligent endangerment of life. \u00a0That bullet could have hit something besides\u00a0a lamp.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0mean… it just went\u00a0off… I\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0even aiming.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you consider that a good thing?\u201d \u00a0Adam snorted in\u00a0annoyance.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not exactly, I just… \u00a0I\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0ever…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019ll have good reason not to ever after\u00a0I\u00a0finish with you.\u201d \u00a0Little Joe could hear a death knell tolling beneath his brother\u2019s words.\u00a0\u00a0Adam turned toward the sheriff. \u00a0\u201cPa\u00a0is in San Francisco, so…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, about that. \u00a0I know when\u00a0Ben\u2019s\u00a0out of town,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0in charge of the boy, but this time\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0decided\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0serious enough that I\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be releasing him to anybody but his legal guardian.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQUIET! \u00a0Roy,\u00a0it will be at least four days before Pa gets back. \u00a0You know…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know better than most, and it\u00a0ain\u2019t\u00a0no reflection on you, but\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0decided,\u00a0and\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0the way\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0gonna\u00a0be. \u00a0Four days, five,\u00a0or even more, if need be. \u00a0You\u00a0know\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0see\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0safe and sound, so\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0worry. \u00a0Of course, he can have visitors whenever you or anyone else comes by.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice went to a whisper, but Little Joe still heard. \u00a0\u201cRoy,\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0barely seventeen,\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0make sure…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u00a0Adam recognized\u00a0resolve\u00a0when he saw it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe… \u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0try to\u00a0wire Pa, and\u00a0he\u2019ll…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was shaky. \u00a0\u201cNo, he\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0get home much faster even if you do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease. \u00a0If he chews on it all the way home…\u201d \u00a0<\/span>I can\u00a0probably\u00a0change\u00a0Sheriff Roy\u2019s mind before he can\u00a0get\u00a0back\u00a0anyway. \u00a0If\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0gonna\u00a0die,\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0rather be at home when he kills me.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell, then… \u00a0Hoss or I\u2019ll be by each day.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u00a0\u201cIf\u00a0ya\u00a0want\u00a0to deal with his lying to\u00a0ya\u00a0now instead of later, I\u2019ll give\u00a0ya\u00a0some privacy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. \u00a0If I touched him, Pa would\u00a0have another son in jail.\u201d \u00a0Adam\u2019s head turned, and\u00a0Little\u00a0Joe\u00a0felt his\u00a0glare. \u00a0\u201cFor God\u2019s sake,\u00a0do as you\u2019re told\u00a0and watch your mouth.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam turned and strode out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bring ya some breakfast in a bit.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bother.\u201d \u00a0Roy shrugged. \u00a0\u201cI mean… my stomach\u00a0ain\u2019t\u00a0feeling too\u00a0well. \u00a0I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0think I\u00a0could keep it down.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Remember you need to bring him around.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s fresh water in the pitcher\u00a0and a chamber pot under the bed. \u00a0Drink the\u00a0water and\u00a0let me know if the pot\u00a0needs emptying.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Roy\u00a0stepped out of the cell, locked it, and headed toward his office. \u00a0When he closed\u00a0the door between the cells and the office,\u00a0the\u00a0slam\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0definitely\u00a0final sound.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

Little Joe\u2019s incarceration\u00a0proceeded\u00a0slowly. \u00a0He spent the first day pacing,\u00a0muttering;\u00a0and because anger was preferable to the other feelings\u00a0pressing\u00a0in on his mind, he temporarily hated Seth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Come on, Joe. \u00a0Adam will never know. \u00a0You aren’t chicken, are ya?\u00a0\u00a0It was his idea, and he ain\u2019t even in here!\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening\u00a0his brothers came to visit,\u00a0and Adam told\u00a0Joe\u00a0that he had felt obligated to try and wire their father about the situation. \u00a0The object of\u00a0Joe\u2019s\u00a0anger\u00a0then\u00a0changed to his elder brother. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>He just wanted to show Pa\u00a0he was the good son!\u00a0He\u2019s\u00a0always got to be the \u201cgood son\u201d\u00a0while\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0the bad boy!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little\u00a0Joe chewed on his bitterness through the night, and though his hangover had passed, he refused breakfast the next morning. \u00a0He saw the flicker of concern in Roy Coffee\u2019s eyes. \u00a0<\/span>If he\u00a0thinks I\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0eat in\u00a0here, he\u00a0might let Adam take me home. \u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0not like I\u00a0actually\u00a0ate\u00a0anything yesterday.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe began his campaign to gain freedom through pity. \u00a0<\/span>Hoss always says I do pitiful better than anybody.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>When\u00a0Hoss and Adam\u2019s visit ended with Roy closing\u00a0the cell\u00a0door in Joe\u2019s face, Little Joe settled\u00a0his anger\u00a0on the\u00a0sheriff. \u00a0He threw himself down on the cell\u2019s cot and pouted.\u00a0<\/span>Guess he thinks he\u2019s God Almighty. \u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0not like he\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0know Pa\u00a0is\u00a0gonna\u00a0see to me when he gets home no matter what. \u00a0I\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0never get away with nothing.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the night he drifted in and out of a fretful sleep and sank\u00a0deeper and deeper\u00a0into his misery. \u00a0When the sheriff brought his breakfast, he turned his back and then did not move. \u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ll\u00a0just stay right here until he lets me out. \u00a0If I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0drink\u00a0nothing,\u00a0I\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0even need to get up to pee.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee shook his head and set the plate next to the bed. \u00a0When he brought\u00a0Little\u00a0Joe\u2019s lunch, he\u00a0found both the plate and the boy in the same position. \u00a0Glancing into the water pitcher, he found it still full. \u00a0Roy\u2019s\u00a0sigh\u00a0held more frustration than pity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEat or not as\u00a0ya\u00a0like; you can\u2019t starve yourself sick before your pa gets here, but\u00a0when I come back in here,\u00a0the water in that pitcher better be a durn site less, or\u00a0I\u2019ll pour it down your throat myself.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t\u00a0thirsty.\u201d \u00a0Little Joe\u2019s petulance was fully voiced. \u00a0Roy took a step closer and swung at the boy\u2019s behind.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOWE!\u201d \u00a0Little Joe sprung up in one swift move. \u00a0\u201cYou hit me!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot your attention, didn\u2019t I?\u201d\u00a0Roy\u00a0stared into\u00a0Little Joe\u2019s eyes. \u00a0\u201cI was hoping\u00a0ya\u00a0was ready to listen, but…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0gonna\u00a0have to listen to Pa and Adam; that should\u00a0be\u00a0enough.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re\u00a0gonna\u00a0be talking to the boy. \u00a0I was hoping to speak to the man in\u00a0ya.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I\u2019m a man.\u201d \u00a0Little Joe slumped down on the\u00a0cot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re a\u00a0ways\u00a0from it, but you\u2019re…\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Roy paused to find the\u00a0best words.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetween hay and grass.\u201d \u00a0It was a mumble, but Roy caught the words and nodded his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0a good enough way to say it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOld Ned says\u00a0it all the time.\u201d \u00a0A smirk ghosted across\u00a0Little\u00a0Joe\u2019s\u00a0lips. \u00a0\u201cHe thought Adam spent a lot of time between hay and grass.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as I see it, you\u2019ve started to turn. \u00a0That\u2019s why your pa lets you wear that pistol, though I thought he forbade you to wear it into town.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be wearing it for a while\u00a0after\u00a0Pa gets back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it’s for a long while. \u00a0You\u2019ve done proved \u00a0ya ain\u2019t ready for the responsibility.\u201d \u00a0Little Joe stiffened. \u00a0\u201cDrinking and guns don\u2019t go well together.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa and Adam and even Hoss drink some even when\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0wearing one.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe key word there is\u00a0<\/span>some<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0Have you ever seen them wearing one drunk?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I could count on one hand the times\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0seen any of them drunk at all.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0just it. \u00a0If you\u2019re wearing a gun,\u00a0ya\u00a0have to stay in control. \u00a0Too much can\u00a0happen if\u00a0ya\u00a0don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe pulling my gun, is that why you kept me here?\u00a0\u00a0That miner was\u00a0gonna\u00a0kill me. \u00a0I just wanted to warn him away.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0wearing a gun. \u00a0He\u00a0would have pounded you\u00a0good\u00a0and\u00a0threw\u00a0ya\u00a0out into the road. \u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0why your pa\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0let you crawl the bars on D Street.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt just\u00a0went\u00a0off. \u00a0I… it was an accident!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve\u00a0seen men hanged for drunken accidents.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s head\u00a0sank\u00a0to his chin; he had managed to push such thoughts out of his head since waking\u00a0in the jail.\u00a0\u201cNobody got hurt.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis time.\u201d \u00a0Roy sat down on the cot next to Joe. \u00a0\u201cHave\u00a0ya\u00a0thought about what it would do to Ben, Adam, Hoss,\u00a0and a number of others if that happened to you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0really\u00a0hang…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould twenty years in territorial prison be any better?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know about consequences, Jospeh;\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0been well taught, but you think of them as a boy. \u00a0When it comes to a gun, you\u00a0have to\u00a0think about them as a man.\u00a0\u00a0Joe,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0quick on the draw. \u00a0Sometimes that is a good thing; sometimes not so much.\u00a0It\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0take a gun more than a second to chang a life forever or…\u00a0to\u00a0end\u00a0one.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sob came from deep in Joe and was followed by many others. \u00a0Roy put his arm around the boy and let Joe bury his head in\u00a0the chest of a man who held him as dear as a son. \u00a0When the sobs stopped, Roy rose. \u00a0\u201cWipe your face, drink some water, and eat that\u00a0sandwich.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d \u00a0This response passed Roy\u2019s\u00a0Coffee\u2019s\u00a0internal test.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

Little Joe heard the door to the office open and saw his elder brother walk through. \u00a0\u201cHey.\u201d \u00a0It was a soft\u00a0utterance. \u00a0\u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll\u00a0be along shortly. \u00a0I wanted to speak to you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be in on the nine o\u2019clock stage tomorrow. I had a wire.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe will?\u201d \u00a0Little Joe drew in a deep breath. \u00a0\u201cSo, you wanted to settle up my deceiving before he got here?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to settle things, yes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe stood up. \u00a0\u201cI… I\u00a0ain\u2019t\u00a0just saying it…\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0sorry I\u00a0tried to deceive you. \u00a0I\u00a0shouldn\u2019t\u00a0have. \u00a0It will stay between us for a good while.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is the most important thing that makes deceit wrong. \u00a0It divides people.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0sorry.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I forgive you. \u00a0Brothers\u00a0deceive\u00a0brothers sometimes especially those who\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0saints.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe looked into Adam\u2019s eyes,\u00a0and slight smiles flickered across both their lips.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUsually, you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0forgive me until after the tanning.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking that the last time I tanned you should be the last time I tan you.\u201d Adam\u2019s smile deepened. \u00a0\u201cOf course\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0been known to chang my mind.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, a granite-head like you don\u2019t change his mind.\u201d \u00a0Joe dropped his eyes. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d\u00a0deserve it if you did.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s\u00a0going to\u00a0give you all you deserve.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam heard nothing but acceptance. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll\u00a0get through it. \u00a0Hoss and I did.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe recognized his brother\u2019s admission and felt the inclusion\u00a0in Adam\u2019s words.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just wish…\u201d \u00a0Joe let his words fade away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat it could happen at home?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I made my bed, so…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brother\u2019s heads turned at the clearing of a throat. \u00a0\u201cHoss is here.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Roy stepped closer and studied Little Joe\u2019s face. \u00a0Then he unlocked the cell door and turned to Adam. \u00a0\u201cTake\u00a0Joe home. \u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0meet the stage in the morning and talk to your pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean…\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe held his breath and\u00a0stared\u00a0at the sheriff.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t\u00a0no\u00a0sense\u00a0in beating a dead horse especially one whose learned his lesson.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d \u00a0Little Joe looked directly into the sheriff\u2019s eyes. \u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0ever see me that way again, Mr. Roy. \u00a0I understand;\u00a0I\u00a0do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m letting\u00a0ya\u00a0go.\u201d \u00a0Roy smiled. \u00a0\u201cJoe, I think it can be just Roy from now on.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Little Joe does not understand why Roy Coffee is keeping him in jail. \u00a0This story was written for the Micheal Landon Birthday Challenge 2025.\u00a0 \u00a0rating: rating:\u00a0T\/PG13\u00a0 \u00a0word count: 2306\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":56461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1007,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-cartwright","category-challenges","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-23-114857.jpg?fit=992%2C646&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=60414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/56461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=60414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=60414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=60414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}