On his way home from a Christmas shopping trip in Placerville, Joe is thrown from a spooked horse and left stranded at the bottom of a deep ravine in the midst of a severe snowstorm.\u00a0\u00a0 Part of the series begun in \u201cBloodlines,\u201d and includes the addition of a non-cannon character. \u00a0This story takes place after Virginia City Detour.<\/p>\n
Rating: \u00a0K (6,015 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Bloodlines<\/a> <\/p>\n The Guardian\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, Boy . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Joe Cartwright brought his mount to a halt near the edge of a precipice, at the trail\u2019s peak.\u00a0\u00a0 A patchwork of field and forest, covered by a thick blanket of white snow, stretched out before him, reaching to the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe.\u00a0\u00a0 A thin layer of ice, hued same pristine white as the snow, covered the shallow areas near the shoreline, blurring the line where earth ended and water began.\u00a0\u00a0 Overhead the sun had begun its inevitable descent toward the line of mountains to the west, casting a pinkish tinge on snow and lake.<\/p>\n Joe turned the collar of his jacket against the cold, biting wind, as he watched the setting sun tint the sky and thin, wispy cirrus clouds overhead varying shades of pastel pinks, oranges, and lavenders.\u00a0\u00a0 The surface of the water caught and reflected the colors of sky and cloud as they changed from pastel to vivid oranges, golds, reds, and deep purples.\u00a0\u00a0 He felt at peace with himself at this nether-time, this twilight world between the worlds of daylight and the nocturnal.<\/p>\n Joe softly urged his mount on, as the gold, the oranges, and vivid reds darkened to a rich port wine, and deep purple to indigo.\u00a0\u00a0 The line of mountains on the other side of the lake had already faded into the darkness of fast approaching night.\u00a0\u00a0 He could feel the warmth of the day, tenuous and fragile though it was at this time of year, evaporating rapidly, as the sun finally disappeared behind the obscured line of mountains, marking the dividing line between the earth and the heavens.<\/p>\n The longest night of the year lay ahead, astronomically marking the end of autumn and the start of winter.\u00a0\u00a0 For Joe Cartwright and his family, however, it was the first scent of approaching snow in the air marked the beginning of winter.\u00a0\u00a0 This year, it came early.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s thoughts drifted to his family.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Candy should be finishing up with the evening chores about now, taking into account they had to split the tasks normally handled by his and Hoss\u2019 sister, Stacy, who was recovering from a bad bout of cold and fever.\u00a0 Joe smiled, and shook his head, remembering that Stacy had entered the cantankerous stage the night before he had left, marking the start of recovery.\u00a0\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help feeling a measure of pity for his father and Hop Sing, who had more than likely spent the last few days cooped up with what amounted to a caged cougar, impatient to pick up where illness had forced her to temporarily leave off.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got no room to talk about Stacy being mulish, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss had teased him on the morning he left, as he saddled Prince Edward, one of his father\u2019s mounts.\u00a0 He had borrowed the Prince for his trip to Placerville to begin negotiations with a lumber company for the rights to fell timber in the northwestern tract, and finish up some last minute Christmas shopping.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf she\u2019s like a caged up cougar gettin\u2019 over bein\u2019 sick, that makes YOU akin to a mean, cranky bear jus\u2019 wakin\u2019 up after a long winter\u2019s night.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThanks a lot, Big Brother,\u201d Joe retorted with a grin . . . . \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He knew all too well Hoss\u2019 metaphor was apt.\u00a0\u00a0 He and his sister were two of a kind, no getting around that.\u00a0\u00a0 Hotheaded and impulsive, they were always ready to rush in where angels fear to tread, unlike the cool, calculating Adam, or Hoss, the cautious one, always slow to anger, slow in making judgments, and slow jumping to conclusions.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you\u2019ve got the patience of a saint and then some, for being able to put up with Stacy and me,\u201d Joe said with a smile, \u201cand well we know it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He reached into the left hand pocket of his coat and drew out his and Stacy\u2019s Christmas gift to their father.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a pocket watch, mounted in an eighteen karat gold case.\u00a0\u00a0 The outside cover had been engraved with Ben Cartwright\u2019s initials.\u00a0\u00a0 On the inside was engraved the following inscription, \u201cTo Pa, with much love and many thanks.\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph Francis and Stacy Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n The skittishness of his mount abruptly drew his thoughts back to present time and place.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEasy, Boy, easy,\u201d Joe murmured softly, as he gently stroked Prince Edward\u2019s dark brown neck.\u00a0\u00a0 He urged the horse on, every sense alert, his eyes intensely scanning the darkening trail up ahead.\u00a0\u00a0 He had the uneasy feeling of invisible eyes watching and following his every move from the deep shadows surrounding him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Joseph Francis Cartwright, don\u2019t let an overactive imagination start running away with you,\u201d<\/em> he silently and sternly admonished himself.\u00a0\u00a0 Prince Edward moved ahead, his skittishness escalating with each reluctant step.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Prince, not much further,\u201d Joe urged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou could be in a nice stall, under a warm blanket, getting a good rub down within the next half hour, if you\u2019d just— \u201d<\/p>\n Seized with sudden panic, Prince Edward reared.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe worked furiously to rein in the frightened horse, to no avail.\u00a0\u00a0 He thought he caught sight of a gray murky form moving out of the deep shadows.\u00a0\u00a0 Prince Edward reared again, this time throwing Joe from the saddle.\u00a0\u00a0 His last conscious memory was of the landscape circling dizzily all around him as he half slid, half rolled down the steep drop from the trail into a deep ravine.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben Cartwright gasped, suddenly and rudely jolted from a light slumber.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked up and saw Stacy staring back at him with a curious mixture of concern and bewilderment.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s the—?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s the . . . what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor a minute there . . . out of the corner of my eye?\u00a0\u00a0 I thought I saw a lady standing by your chair just before you woke up,\u201d Stacy answered reluctantly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI feel ok, Pa, honest!\u201d she added quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not delirious or anything like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say you WERE delirious or anything like that,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 An amused grin tugged at the left corner of his mouth.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure it was just the light playing tricks on your eyes, but maybe you ought to sit down and rest.\u00a0 You\u2019ve worked pretty hard this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Stacy had spent the better part of the late afternoon and early evening hours trimming the Christmas tree in the living room.\u00a0\u00a0 After breakfast they, with Hop Sing\u2019s able assistance had fetched all the boxes of tree ornaments down from the attic.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben shared memories and stories about the older ornaments, some of which had been handed down from his parents and grandparents, as they carefully unwrapped the fragile glass ornaments and hung them on the tree.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you remember Molly\u2019s grandmother?\u201d Stacy asked as she dropped down onto the sofa.<\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Brady?\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, of course I remember her,\u201d Ben replied with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA very delightful woman.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow a woman like Mrs. Brady ever gave birth to a daughter like Mrs. O\u2019Hanlan, I can\u2019t begin to fathom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither can Mrs. Brady,\u201d Stacy said with an impish grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen she was here last, she told Molly and me that according to the Old Religion, the morning after the longest night marked the birth of the Child of Light.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She paused and glanced over at the easy chair, occupied by her father.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cKind of like the Christmas story, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, very much like the Christmas story,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n The front door opened and Hoss entered, followed by Candy, both heavily bundled in long coats, gloves, hats, scarves, and boots.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it snowing again?\u201d Ben asked, noting the dusting of snow on their heads and shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cJust started a few minutes ago,\u201d Hoss replied, as he began the process of divesting himself of the multitudinous layer of outer clothing, \u201cjust like you said it was gonna, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother\u2019s not back from Placerville yet . . . is he?\u201d Ben asked, trying to ignore the gnawing uneasiness within him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sir,\u201d Hoss shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing as how cold it\u2019s probably gonna get tonight, and the snow coming down now, he may have decided to stay over another night and come home in the morning,\u201d Candy pointed out.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s very true,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Little Sister, you and Pa sure did a bang up job on this tree,\u201d Hoss grinned, as he looked up and down the tree with open admiration.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Big Brother,\u201d Stacy said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to trim the top, though.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa couldn\u2019t even reach that high.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do that after I get some supper in me,\u201d Hoss promised.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime,\u201d he continued, noting her pale face and bright eyes, \u201cYOU need to take it easy.\u00a0\u00a0 Your fever\u2019s returning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you so,\u201d Ben chided her gently.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you come right over here and sit down?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He took her by the shoulders and steered her in the direction of the easy chair, he himself had just occupied a few minutes before.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo arguments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I don\u2019t want to take YOUR chair . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said no arguments, Young Woman, it\u2019s the closet one to the fire,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHoss, Candy . . . would one of you mind fetching me that quilt from the settee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere you are, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Candy deftly retrieved the requested quilt and handed it to Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Stacy said, as Ben placed the quilt over her lap.\u00a0\u00a0 She took the edge in both hands and pulled the patchwork cover up to her neck.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll of a sudden, I\u2019m freezing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s odd,\u201d Ben mused silently, taking a seat on the coffee table in front of the chair.\u00a0\u00a0 He could feel the intense warmth of the roaring fire against his back, and there was no draft.\u00a0\u00a0 He touched her forehead with the back of his hand.\u00a0\u00a0 She was a little warmer than normal.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWould you like the blanket from the railing?\u201d he asked aloud.<\/p>\n Stacy nodded, shivering.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got it, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, heading in the direction of the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0 He removed the red-orange and black Indian blanket from its place over the railing and brought it over to his sister.<\/p>\n \u201cBetween this blanket and that quilt, you should be plenty warm,\u201d Hoss said, as he carefully tucked the blanket around her.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Hoss,\u201d she said gratefully, as she curled up tight under both.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Stacy need to be warm inside.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Hop Sing bearing an enormous mug of hot steaming tea.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDrink.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy eagerly accepted the hot mug, savoring the warmth of the mug against her cold fingers.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSmells pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJasmine tea,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood medicine for Miss Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 Drink.\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy with an uncharacteristic show of obedience lifted the mug to her lips and sipped, slowly but surely.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTastes pretty, too,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe Cartwright woke up to a world of darkness and an eerie silence.\u00a0\u00a0 The heavy snow, still falling in a kind of relentless profusion, had half buried him under a cold, wet blanket that chilled him to his bones.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe awkwardly sat up and began to brush the snow from his already soaked clothing.\u00a0\u00a0 Most of it fell off in heavy, wet clumps, but a significant portion remained frozen to his wet outer clothing.\u00a0\u00a0 His hat and scarf were missing, and both gloves were soaked.\u00a0\u00a0 The top portion of his left sleeve had separated from his jacket, and four buttons were missing.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you\u2019re going out like that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He could hear his father\u2019s voice now, as he had morning the morning he left.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think you should dress warmer?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPa, I\u2019ll be there and back before it gets really cold,\u201d he had protested.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJoe . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHonest, Pa, I\u2019ll be fine . . . . \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Joe vigorously cursed himself for having been so foolish.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n That evening, the Cartwrights, minus Joe, took supper in the living room.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Candy dug into the generous mound of fried chicken with relish.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing sat on the coffee table next to the easy chair, occupied by Stacy, plying her relentlessly with chicken soup.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced up sharply on hearing Hop Sing say his name.<\/p>\n \u201cYou not eating,\u201d Hop Sing observed with a frown.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBig man like you must eat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not very hungry, Hop Sing . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing admonished Stacy to keep eating, then rose and walked over to the other easy chair, at the far end of the living room arrangement.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs Mister Cartwright sick?\u201d he asked, peering intently at Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Hop Sing, just a little worried about Joe,\u201d Ben admitted reluctantly.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you want me and Candy to go out an\u2019 look around?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Try as he might, he just could not shake that nagging feeling of something amiss.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTo be honest, I think I\u2019d feel better, myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want the two of you to be careful out there,\u201d Ben cautioned them grimly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis early winter we\u2019re having\u2019s brought animals that normally live in the wilderness areas down closer to the places people and their livestock live.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused, then added, \u201cHank told me he shot at a lone wolf prowling around the winter cattle pastures.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll keep alert, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Candy promised.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n \u201cG-gotta find sh-shelter . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe tried to rise.\u00a0\u00a0 The minute he exerted the least bit of pressure on his left foot, a blinding, white-hot pain shot all the way from his ankle to his knee, leaving him breathless.\u00a0\u00a0 He collapsed back down on the ground, shivering and gasping for air.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked around, squinting hard at the dark, oddly shaped shadows surrounding him on all sides.\u00a0\u00a0 Something, anything to offer a place out of the wet, still falling snow until Pa or Hoss could arrive.\u00a0\u00a0 Surely, after all this time, they must be out searching for him.<\/p>\n All of a sudden, a strange feeling of peace and quite fell on him like a thick down comforter.\u00a0\u00a0 He yawned, and collapsing back down on the snow in a prone position, overwhelmed by a sudden need for sleep.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Large snowflakes falling from the sky, nearly obliterated their tracks before they could finish making them.\u00a0\u00a0 A heavy, almost uncanny silence reined.\u00a0\u00a0 Not even the slightest breeze moved to stir the branches of the towering ponderosa pine trees overhead.\u00a0\u00a0 The howling of wolf and coyote, screaming cougar, and hooting owl had been silenced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m beginning to think maybe your brother did the sensible thing, and stayed over tonight,\u201d Candy said, hunkering down in his fleece-lined overcoat.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re almost to the overlook now, with no sign of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go on up as far as the overlook,\u201d Hoss suggested.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf we ain\u2019t seen anything of him, by then— \u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, with no clear rhyme of reason, Hoss\u2019 mount, Chubb, and Candy\u2019s horse became skittish.\u00a0\u00a0 The two men quickly reined in their horses, but the animals refused to take another step forward.<\/p>\n \u201cCandy, you wait here with the horses,\u201d Hoss said grimly, as the pair dismounted.\u00a0\u00a0 He reached into the saddle holster and pulled out his rifle.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna walk on up ahead and look around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe careful, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss, with his rifle ready, moved ahead with surprising stealth, given a man of his size and bulk.\u00a0\u00a0 He had not walked more than a hundred yards when his eyes fell on an oddly shaped lump, lying half on the trail, and half over the edge of a deep ravine.\u00a0\u00a0 With adrenalin coursing through his body, every sense alert, Hoss approached with caution.<\/p>\n When Hoss reached the lump, he poked the barrel of his rifle through the ever-thickening cover of snow and prodded it gingerly.\u00a0\u00a0 Nothing moved.\u00a0\u00a0 He waited, then gingerly prodded again.\u00a0\u00a0 Still no movement.\u00a0\u00a0 It was an animal, dead or close enough to be considered as good as dead.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss was sure of that much.\u00a0\u00a0 He knelt down and quickly brushed the snow from the lowest end of the lump, lying part way across the trail.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly jumpin\u2019 Hannah!\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s Prince Edward!\u201d Hoss murmured, with heart in mouth, after clearing the snow from the horse\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 He rose to his feet like a shot.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJOE!\u201d he bellowed, at the top of his voice.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJOE!\u00a0\u00a0 WHERE ARE YOU?\u201d<\/p>\n No answer, only the silence of falling snow.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Ben slowly paced along the back of the sofa, his uneasiness growing with every step.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes occasionally strayed hopefully to the fast closed front door.\u00a0\u00a0 He also found himself casting furtive glances over his shoulder, unable to shake the unsettling of someone, other than Stacy or Hop Sing, watching him.\u00a0\u00a0 The grandfather clock struck the hour of eight o\u2019clock, causing him to nearly jump clear out of his skin.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Cartwright?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing queried anxiously.\u00a0\u00a0 He was making his way down the steps from the second story.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou ok?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben lied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was just lost in thought, that\u2019s all . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTime, maybe, put Miss Stacy to bed?\u201d Hop Sing pointed toward the easy chair, where Stacy lay curled up under the blankets, fast asleep.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing got sheets plenty warm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, time DEFINITELY to put Stacy to bed,\u201d Ben agreed, welcoming the diversion from the troubling thoughts crowding relentlessly into his mind.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go and wake her . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMade tea, help Miss Stacy sleep,\u201d Hop Sing said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing go get.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben walked over to the easy chair and gently roused his slumbering daughter.<\/p>\n Stacy slowly, almost reluctantly opened her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 She sniffed the air, frowning.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u00a0\u00a0 What\u2019s that smell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t smell anything,\u201d Ben said looking down at her in bewilderment.<\/p>\n \u201cSome kind of perfume,\u201d Stacy said in a groggy voice.\u00a0\u00a0 She yawned, then dragged herself from a half prone to sitting position.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFlowery . . . wait!\u00a0\u00a0 I remember!\u00a0\u00a0 It smells like the tea Hop Sing\u2019s been giving me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJasmine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s it,\u201d Stacy said.\u00a0\u00a0 She sniffed the air again, and frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gone now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get you on up to bed,\u201d Ben said in a gentle yet firm tone.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t I stay up until they come back?\u201d Stacy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you need your rest,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not tired, Pa, honest!\u201d Stacy said, punctuating her words with a big yawn.\u00a0\u00a0 Her eyes closed and her chin dropped back down toward her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cNot tired . . . in a pig\u2019s eye,\u201d Ben murmured, as he scooped his sleeping daughter and blankets in his arms and carried her up the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0 She didn\u2019t stir, even once.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Ben returned downstairs, after putting Stacy to bed and safely tucking her in.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Candy stepped through the front door, both looking anxious and grim, just as he stepped off the bottom step.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, we found Prince Edward,\u201d Hoss wasted no time beating around the bush.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDead!\u00a0\u00a0 An animal got to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother?\u201d Ben pressed anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cCandy and I searched all around where we found Prince Edward,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo sign of Little Joe at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou two g\u2019won inside and warm up by the fire,\u201d Ben ordered.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll rouse up the men out in the bunk house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s all the same to you, Pa, I\u2019d rather go along,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel the same way, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Candy said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe can warm up later, AFTER we\u2019ve got Joe home safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSaddle up fresh horses.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll have Hank see to Chubb and Thor.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Upstairs, Stacy was roused from slumber the sound of horse hooves crunching through the snow in front of the house.\u00a0\u00a0 She shivered, despite the heavy quilt and Indian blanket covering her, in addition to the sheets and quilt normally on her bed.\u00a0 The room was so cold, she could see her breath, and the scent of Jasmine lay heavy and stultifying.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy opened her eyes and sat up.\u00a0\u00a0 There, much to her surprise and astonishment, stood a woman at the foot of her bed, with brown, curly hair, dressed in an outfit that had been the height of style twenty-five or thirty years ago.\u00a0\u00a0 The woman held out her arms to Stacy, beseeching.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d Stacy whispered.<\/p>\n Their eyes met and held.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d she whispered, understanding.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n Stacy, suddenly possessed by a strange surge of energy and vitality,\u00a0 seized the edge of her blankets and sheets in one hand and threw them off with a broad sweep of her arm.\u00a0\u00a0 She flew out of bed like a shot, and quickly put on a pair of denim pants and long sleeved flannel shirt over her pajamas.\u00a0\u00a0 Her hands trembled as she buttoned her shirt and stepped into a good pair of stout waterproof boots.\u00a0\u00a0 For extra measure, she grabbed the heavy wool sweater, given to her by Hoss last Christmas from its place in her second dresser drawer.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy ran down the hall, while slipping the sweater over her head.\u00a0\u00a0 Downstairs, she paused just long enough to take a rifle from the open gun rack.\u00a0\u00a0 The ammunition was found in its usual place in the lower right hand drawer of her father\u2019s desk.\u00a0\u00a0 She quickly loaded the rifle, and ran, pausing at the door just long enough to grab her coat, hat and scarf.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Ben, Hoss, Candy, and the other men had searched and searched again the area where Prince\u2019s Edward\u2019s body had been found.\u00a0\u00a0 There was no sign of Joe, whatsoever.\u00a0\u00a0 No body, alive or otherwise, no lost clothing.\u00a0\u00a0 The still falling snow would have long ago obliterated footprints or other signs of trail.<\/p>\n The sound of horse hooves galloping through the snow fell on Ben\u2019s ears.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho in the world is crazy enough to be out at this time of night in weather like this?\u201d he wondered aloud, with an anxious frown.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you ain\u2019t gonna like the answer,\u201d Hoss said grimly, pointing.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes followed the line of Hoss\u2019 arm and pointing finger.\u00a0\u00a0 He saw, much to his horror and astonishment, Stacy bearing down on them on Blaze Face.<\/p>\n \u201cSTACY!\u201d Ben yelled frantically.<\/p>\n Stacy continued, as if she neither saw nor heard him.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . Candy, you and the others keep searching,\u201d Ben ordered.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going after that fool daughter of mine!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben quickly mounted Buck and followed after Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 The snowfall had diminished to flurries, dropping larger flakes in profusion one minute and tapering to a fine dusting of tiny flakes the next.\u00a0\u00a0 The trail left in the wake of Stacy\u2019s passing was easy to follow.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben caught up with her, just as she was dismounting.\u00a0\u00a0 He half climbed, half jumped from his saddle and ran through the snow to the edge of the trail.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy!\u201d Ben reached out blindly and seized her forearm before she could begin the climb down into the ravine.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave you taken complete leave of your senses?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, let me go!\u201d she begged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know where Joe is.\u00a0\u00a0 We don\u2019t have much time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, PLEASE!\u201d<\/p>\n Something, either in her voice, or the look in her eyes with the terrible glitter of one burning with fever compelled Ben to let her go.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy rapidly descended into the ravine, leaving Ben hard pressed to follow, let alone keep up.\u00a0\u00a0 She moved through the darkness without pause or hesitation.\u00a0\u00a0 When Ben at long last caught up with her, he found her kneeling beside Joe, lying half buried in the snow.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy dug frantically to clear the snow away from her brother\u2019s body.<\/p>\n \u201cP-Pa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 Though his voice was weak and feeble it was music to Ben\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here, Son, so\u2019s your sister,\u201d Ben said, dropping to his knees on the other side of his son.\u00a0\u00a0 He pitched in, helping Stacy clear away the last of the snow.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou hang in there, Boy.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re going to be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cH-how . . . how\u2019d you f-find me?\u201d Joe queried, his teeth chattering.<\/p>\n \u201cStacy found you actually . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe lady told me, Grandpa,\u201d Stacy said.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Hoss, calling from the trail above.<\/p>\n \u201cDown here, Hoss!\u201d Ben yelled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy found him.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe sat on the floor next to a roaring fire in the fireplace, wrapped in a wool blanket and two heavy quilts, gazing at the oval portrait of Marie Cartwright, he cradled in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0 Doc Martin had just finished giving him a thorough once over.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe had a badly sprained ankle.\u00a0\u00a0 The doctor ordered him to stay off it as much as possible, keep warm and eat plenty of Hop Sing\u2019s chicken soup.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFollow those instructions to the letter, Son, you\u2019ll make a full and complete recovery,\u201d Doc Martin had ordered, before going upstairs to see Stacy.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to take your med\u2019cine, Li\u2019l Brother,\u201d it was Hoss, carrying a tray with a large bowl of steaming hot chicken soup.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Hoss,\u201d Joe managed a weary smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Stacy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc Martin and Pa are up with her now,\u201d Hoss said, unable to hide his growing concern.\u00a0\u00a0 When they had finally reached home, her hands and face were uncomfortably hot to the touch.\u00a0\u00a0 She was barely conscious, raving about a lady who had told her where to find her missing brother.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss, Stacy\u2019s gonna pull through this,\u201d Joe said with quiet conviction.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat kid\u2019s got a lot of fight.\u00a0\u00a0 If she didn\u2019t, I\u2019m not sure I\u2019D be here right now.\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019ll make it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, you\u2019d better eat up before that soup gets cold,\u201d Hoss said soberly, \u201cor Hop Sing\u2019ll have both our hides.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe carefully set his mother\u2019s picture aside and turned his attention to the soup.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been starin\u2019 at this picture of Mama an awful lot since we got back,\u201d Hoss remarked, as he picked it up for a closer look.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I was lying down in that ravine, I had this wild dream,\u201d Joe said slowly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI dreamed I woke up, not feeling cold anymore.\u00a0\u00a0 When I opened my eyes, I was standing up looking down at my own body.\u00a0\u00a0 Next thing I knew, I was surrounded by this . . . this light.\u00a0\u00a0 I felt peaceful . . . more peaceful than I\u2019ve ever felt in my whole life, but I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about you, Pa, Adam, Stacy, and Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lapsed into thoughtful silence.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI saw Mama there in the light with me.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss,\u201d he glanced up and looked over at his big brother earnestly, \u201cshe was just as I remember.\u00a0\u00a0 Just like she is in this picture.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss glanced down at the picture in his hand, and remembered that Marie had commissioned the miniature portrait as a birthday present for their father.\u00a0\u00a0 It would be the last birthday gift she would ever give him.<\/p>\n Joe swallowed another generous spoonful of the chicken soup.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMama was happy to see me, I think,\u201d he continued, \u201cbut she kept telling me it wasn\u2019t my time yet.\u00a0\u00a0 Her exact words were \u2018No, Little Joe, it\u2019s not your time.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0 She also promised me that Stacy would be ok.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNext thing I knew, I was awake, freezing my backside and every other part of me off, my ankle hurting like all heck.\u00a0\u00a0 Pa and Stacy were there looking down at me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was some dream alright, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a close call out there tonight, didn\u2019t I, Big Brother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was a statement of fact, not a question.<\/p>\n \u201cCloser \u2018n you think, Joe,\u201d Hoss said soberly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe kept looking for ya near where we found Prince Edward.\u00a0\u00a0 We never figured he\u2019d thrown you two miles back from where we found \u2018im.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss shook his head again in awe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf Stacy hadn\u2019t known exactly where to find you . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss . . . Joe,\u201d it was Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is she?\u201d Hoss asked rising.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t sugar coat it for you boys,\u201d the doctor said grimly. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s burning up with fever.\u00a0\u00a0 If she makes it through the next twelve hours, and right now that\u2019s a big if, her chances of recovery are good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll make it, Doc,\u201d Joe said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat kid\u2019s got a strength of an ox and enough fight in her to see TEN people through something like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, she does,\u201d the doctor managed a weary smile.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all in her favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan we go up and see her?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n Doctor Martin nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy\u2019s pretty much out of it right now, but I think your pa can use the company.\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n By dawn the following morning, roughly half a foot of fresh snow had been deposited on the existing deep blanket.\u00a0\u00a0 Overhead, the think clouds had broken up, revealing patches of bright azure blue.\u00a0\u00a0 A shaft of golden sunlight streamed through the window of Stacy\u2019s bedroom, it\u2019s warmth and brightness gently rousing her from a deep sleep.<\/p>\n Stacy\u2019s eyes fell on her father, slouched in a chair pulled up beside the bed, dozing fitfully.\u00a0\u00a0 One hand rested on the bed beside her.\u00a0\u00a0 She reached down and touched his hand.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPa . . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes immediately snapped open.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy . . . \u201d he gave her hand an affectionate squeeze, \u201cthank G-God— \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He broke off unable to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Pa, I . . . I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Stacy murmured, overcome with remorse as the enormity of her actions the previous night began to sink in.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sorry in the least, Little Sister!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Joe, alive and well, grinning from ear to ear.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t run off half cocked like you did, I\u2019d be a Joseph Francis Cartwright popsicle about now.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The grin faded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou saved my life, Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had help, Joe,\u201d Stacy said.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf the lady hadn\u2019t told me where to find you . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s this lady you keep talking about?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Joe suddenly remembered the portrait of his mother still in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy, is THIS the lady?\u201d he asked placing the oval framed piece in her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Stacy recognized her right away, \u201cthat\u2019s HER!\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s the lady . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She lapsed into uneasy silence upon realization that her father and brothers were looking at her oddly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStacy, the lady is . . . was . . . my ma,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cY-your ma?\u201d\u00a0 Stacy could feel the blood draining from her face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI thought— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou thought right, Little Sister, she died when I was five,\u201d Joe said quietly.\u00a0\u00a0 He then related the dream he had experienced the night before as he lay in the ravine, freezing to death.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA friend of mine . . . Pa, Hoss, you remember Mack Korningeldt, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe died a few days before my ma did,\u201d Joe continued, turning his attention back to Stacy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAccidentally drowned in the swimming hole out at the old Johnson place.\u00a0\u00a0 Mack was my best friend, only a year older than me.\u00a0\u00a0 That scared the dickens out of me, \u2018cause I thought little kids couldn\u2019t die.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat must\u2019ve started me thinking if little kids can die, maybe mothers can too.\u00a0\u00a0 When I asked Mama about that, she told me that if anything like that ever happened to her, she\u2019d always be with me . . . as my guardian angel.\u00a0\u00a0 She was my guardian angel last night, and yours too, Stacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer favorite perfume was . . . . jasmine,\u201d Ben said slowly.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat, and . . . the cold by the easy chair . . . the lady Stacy thought she saw out of the corner of her eye . . . that was Marie trying to tell us that Joe was in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t sure about all this talk about ghosts and guardian angels,\u201d Hoss shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGimme something I can see, feel, hear, touch . . . . \u201d<\/p>\n \u201c . . . or eat, Big Brother?\u201d Joe quipped with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially eat, Li\u2019l Joe,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 He turned and favored his younger brother with a wild, feral grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so powerful hungry right now, I could eat YOU,\u201d he continued, his blue eyes sparkling with impish delight, \u201cso you better watch your step.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He very pointedly licked his lips, then rose to his feet and stretched.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll mosey on down to the kitchen and see if Hop Sing\u2019s up yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Joe said after Hoss had left the room, \u201cI guess the gifts I bought are still out there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGathering the contents of your spilled saddle bag\u00a0 wasn\u2019t high on our list of things to do at the time, Son,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cI owe you an apology, Pa,\u201d he said contritely, \u201cand you too, Stace.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStacy and I went together on this watch you\u2019ve had your eye on, and— \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, having you back home, alive and in one piece, and Stacy, knowing you\u2019re going to get better— \u201d Ben fell silent for a moment, his eyes blinking excessively.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s more than enough Christmas gift for me.\u201d<\/p>\n The next thing he knew, he had his arms full of both his younger children.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben held them close, and remembering Mrs. Brady and the Old Religion, he offered a silent heartfelt prayer of thanks and gratitude to the One HE knew as the Child of Light for giving Joseph and Stacy back to him the morning after the longest night.\u00a0\u00a0 The pair of them were passionate, impulsive, hot tempered, impatient, generous, and loving individuals ruled by their hearts far more than their heads.\u00a0\u00a0 Though keeping them in hand often proved a daunting challenge, Ben loved them as they were.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, does this mean I\u2019m not in trouble . . . after last night?\u201d Stacy ventured.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you\u2019re NOT in trouble for that, but if you don\u2019t allow yourself rest and plenty of time to get well, you certainly WILL be, Young Woman,\u201d Ben promised firmly, yet lovingly.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . as in clear up to your armpits in horse hockey,\u201d Joe added.<\/p>\n \u201cThat goes for you, too, Joseph,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Pa . . . . \u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 He stood framed in the open door, his eyes round as saucers and face a few shades paler than normal, \u201cdid you do any tree trimmin\u2019 last night?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at Hoss askance.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, I was up here all night,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better come on down and see this,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Ben rose and followed Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 Stacy and Joe exchanged glances then rose, and followed their father.\u00a0\u00a0 All four of them stopped at the second landing and looked to where Hoss pointed.\u00a0\u00a0 There, on top of the tree was an angel, with dark hair and a ceramic head with painted face.\u00a0\u00a0 She wore a white lace gown and had gold paper wings.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, isn\u2019t that . . . \u201d Joe murmured, his eyes round with astonishment.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . your mother\u2019s angel?\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, it is,\u201d Ben replied, gazing at the ornament on top of the tree with a look akin to awe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe bought that in honor of our first Christmas together . . . as husband and wife, and as a family.\u00a0\u00a0 She insisted on putting the angel up there herself every year.\u00a0\u00a0 I . . . haven\u2019t put that angel on our Christmas trees . . . since she died.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Stacy ventured.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan you smell it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Joe broke into a wide grin.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJasmine!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can smell it,\u201d Ben said with a wistful smile.\u00a0\u00a0 The scent, heavy when they had initially come downstairs, had begun to dissipate.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Marie,\u201d he whispered, \u201cfor giving me back our son and my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe, meanwhile, turned his attention to Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, Big Brother?\u201d he asked, \u201cWhat do you think of ghosts and guardian angels now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n December 2001<\/p>\n Revised February 2003<\/p>\n Revised July 2008<\/p>\n Next Story in the Bloodlines Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n San Francisco Revisited<\/a> All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are property of their respective owners.\u00a0 The original characters and plot are property of the author.\u00a0\u00a0 The author is not in any way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise, and makes no money from this work.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags: Angst, Ben Cartwright, Candy Canaday, Family, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, Sister, Storm<\/p>\n
\nThe Lo Mein Affair<\/a>
\nThe Wedding<\/a>
\nSacrificial Lamb<\/a>
\nPoltergeist II<\/a>
\nIndependence Day<\/a>
\nVirginia City Detour<\/a>
\nThe Guardian<\/a>
\nLi’l One<\/a>
\nYoung Cartwrights in Love<\/a>
\nSan Francisco Revisited<\/a>
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThere But for the Grace of God<\/a>
\nBetween Life and Death<\/a>
\nOrenna<\/a>
\nClarissa Returns<\/a>
\nTrial by Fire<\/a>
\nMark of Kane<\/a><\/p>\n