{"id":6590,"date":"2010-01-02T14:29:14","date_gmt":"2010-01-02T19:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6590"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:22:10","slug":"honesty-lessons-learned-a-sequel-to-first-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6590","title":{"rendered":"Honesty & Lessons Learned: A Sequel to First Snow (by mamse5)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>Little Joe can’t believe the news about Cochise and decides to find out for himself. But winter is just getting started in the Sierras. Has Joe put himself in harms way again?<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ WC 4100<\/span><\/p>\n

First Snow Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

First Snow<\/a><\/p>\n

Honesty & Lessons Learned<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honesty & Lessons Learned<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

Dedicated to Jennifer, who couldn\u2019t let this one go! Loved your ideas girl; hope I used them well!<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe thumped his pillow once, twice, then settled his head back on the lumpy surface.<\/strong> Several long minutes passed before he grabbed the down filled sack and tossed it to the floor. With a low groan of frustration, Joe swung his legs off the side of the bed, balancing himself frantically as the room dipped and swirled around him. Too fast. He\u2019d moved too fast again. Joe lowered his head into hands familiar with the position, and waited for the feeling to pass. When he was finally able to see clearly again, Joe turned the lamp up, the single flame infusing the room with light. Remembering the last go around, he moved slower this time, carefully pulling on pants and boots while trying to keep his head as still as possible.<\/p>\n

It had been weeks since Adam brought him home through that awful storm, but sometimes Joe felt like it was only yesterday. His head still pounded with headaches daily, the bothersome dizziness an almost hourly occurrence. He\u2019d tried to keep it from his family, especially since they already treated him with kid gloves. The head injury was only part of the problem. An injured shoulder slow to heal also took second seat to a serious cold that bordered on pneumonia. His strong constitution proved worthy of the threat, but it didn\u2019t keep Ben, Adam and Hoss from hovering over him like mother hens. Even though he understood and appreciated the concern, Joe was tired of the constant mothering.<\/p>\n

Buttoning up a heavy wool shirt Ben had dug out of a bottom drawer, Joe didn\u2019t bother to tuck it in, but snagged his coat off the chair and headed for the door. He had only one thing in mind. Getting to the barn.<\/p>\n

It was still hard to believe, Cochise being alive. During those long days in bed, Joe had forced himself to accept the loss of his beloved horse. Maybe he hadn\u2019t truly accepted it as much as he\u2019d simply pushed the idea from his mind. He couldn\u2019t imagine spending hours in the saddle on a different mount, so he didn\u2019t think about it. When memories of Cochise invaded his thoughts, Joe would force himself to think of something else: a poker game in town, a Saturday night dance with a pretty girl, anything to keep his mind from the painful thoughts. It wasn\u2019t the most mature way to deal with his loss, but it seemed to work. At least his heart felt like it did. And Joe was willing to keep working at that facade until yesterday afternoon. Just when he thought he was finally getting past the tightening in this throat anytime Cochise\u2019s name was mentioned, there was a knock at the door and he\u2019d opened it to find his beloved horse alive and well.<\/p>\n

It still seemed like a dream. Tossing and turning tonight in his bed, Joe was almost sure he\u2019d conjured up the vision. So after several hours of lost sleep, he finally decided he had to see for himself. He needed to feel the silken coat, rub the white and black face, hear the low nicker from his old friend. Slowly but carefully making his way downstairs, Joe was grateful when he finally closed the thick door behind him.<\/p>\n

Outside, the sky was clear overhead, stars winking stark white in the dark background. Though the night air was frigid, the icy breeze snatching his breath away, everything was quiet. No keening wind or blowing snow confused his journey, and he could clearly see the outline of the large barn in the moonlight. If not for the persistent headache, Joe would have bounded across the barnyard. Instead, he took slow steady steps, breathing slowly and keeping his gaze focused in front of him. Mounds of snow were visible from the corner of h is eye, the white frozen ridges ringing the yard like a circus ring. It was a strange thought, causing Joe to grin at the incongruous idea. It kept him smiling all the way to the barn door. Hazarding one slow look behind him, Joe was relieved to see that the house was still dark. He\u2019d managed to make his escape without being detected. Now to see if he\u2019d been dreaming or if Cochise really was alive and well.<\/p>\n

Firmly closing the door behind him, Joe took time to light the lantern, its thin light throwing shadows across the narrow stalls. It only took a moment for Joe to spot the familiar animal. The lump in his throat was back, but for a different reason. No longer necessary to shove the memories aside, Joe let the warm feelings flood through him as he moved slowly across the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise. It\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

The welcoming nicker was exactly as Joe would have imagined. Cochise turned his head, large brown eyes watching Joe\u2019s movement into the stall. With one arm draped across his horse\u2019s neck, Joe tipped his head forward until he was leaning against his friend. Then, while carefully rubbing slow circles on Cochise\u2019s coat, Joe started talking. The words didn\u2019t always make sense, mostly just a jumble of thoughts and memories, but the talk felt right, and Joe felt his heart swell with the telling.<\/p>\n

Time passed quickly as the night air grew colder. Even in the security of the barn, the temperature dropped until Joe shivered inside his heavy coat. He hadn\u2019t meant to stay long, only a little while and then he\u2019d sneak back up the stairs to the warmth of his bed. So when the cold seemed almost unbearable, Joe patted Cochise one last time and said his goodnights.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until he reached the door that Joe realized there\u2019d been a change in the sound of the wind. Ashamed of his lack of awareness, Joe blew out the light and pulled the door open. Surprised by the sluggish movement, Joe pulled harder, his head swimming with the effort. But the opening, when it did widen, didn\u2019t afford the easy exit he\u2019d expected. Joe was surprised to see a mound of snow drifted in the doorway, and the wind had found the new opening, howling now through the narrow crack. Its icy fingers made Joe shiver even harder.<\/p>\n

The pounding in his head increased until the barn door seemed to move eerily in front of him. Dropping to his knees, Joe struggled against the gray edges that circled in ever expanding waves. His stomach lurched and rolled, his mouth clenching against the nauseous feeling. When he was finally able to open his eyes again, it was only to find that his coat was already white with snow driven in through the open door. One quick glance was enough to make Joe push the wooden door closed again.<\/p>\n

Reaching up with his good arm, Joe dropped the long wooden latch into place. The door held tight as Joe collapsed onto the floor where he lay, weary from the effort. He didn\u2019t stay there long, though, the icy wind working underneath the door chilling Joe where he lay. When he could once again manage to stand, Joe made his way to the smaller door, carefully pulling it closed behind him. The yard was no longer clear and the house was almost indiscernible from this distance, the wind swirling icy snow in front of him. It reminded Joe of the trip with Adam weeks earlier.<\/p>\n

Shivering from the chill, but knowing he needed to get to the house, Joe stepped into the fury. He did his best to move in a straight line, but he made it only a dozen steps before losing his footing, the wind pushing and pulling him, his head spinning from the exertion. Landing hard on one side, Joe vaguely acknowledged that he could add renewed shoulder pain to his list of complaints.<\/p>\n

Several long minutes passed as Joe lay on the snow-covered ground. It wasn\u2019t that he was sleepy as much as the dizziness kept him from attempting to rise. For the first time in days, Joe wondered if he\u2019d done the right thing. Maybe he should\u2019ve been more honest with his father about the headaches and dizzy spells. Now wasn\u2019t the time to worry about it, though. The most important thing was to get out of the storm.<\/p>\n

Reaching up with one hand, Joe held his head while using the other to push himself up. Once on his knees, Joe forced himself to stand, weaving unsteadily. The house looked even farther away than before and almost without thought, Joe found himself turning back toward the barn.<\/p>\n

Once inside, Joe staggered back to the stall, taking time only to fork some extra hay into the front space. Finally settling onto the meager pile, clothes stiff and wet from the snow, Joe pulled his collar up around his ears as he stared up at Cochise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019ve got company for awhile longer, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben wasn\u2019t surprised to hear the wind howling down the chimney the next morning. Hoss had warned of it late the night before, his instincts working overtime since his guilty miss of the early storm.<\/p>\n

Settling into his seat at the end of the table, Ben nodded a morning greeting as HopSing poured his first cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready for breakfast now, or wait for sons?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019ll have something now, HopSing. As cold as it is this morning, they might as well stay warm in bed for a few extra minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

HopSing mumbled something about early mornings as he hurried back into the kitchen, and Ben smiled. While waiting for his breakfast, Ben opened one of the papers he kept handy. Of course there was no recent news, as the winter had set in and they only made infrequent trips to town now. But there were several articles he marked for rereading, and the quiet morning was a good time for savoring the written word.<\/p>\n

It was almost an hour later, when finishing his second cup of coffee and his last article that Ben heard a bedroom door close and footsteps on the stairs. Pushing back his empty plate, he reached for the coffee pot, refilling his own cup and pouring one for Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen up long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout an hour. Either of your brothers moving yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t check. As late as it is, I figured I was the last one up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so cold this morning, I guess everyone\u2019s taking advantage of their warm beds.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both laughed as Adam finished filling his plate and tucked into his warm breakfast. Ben enjoyed his last cup of coffee, listening closely as the wind gusted even harder against the windows behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like it\u2019s getting stronger.\u201d Adam muttered around a mouthful of ham.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes it does. I think maybe we should get the chores done early in case we\u2019re in for a bad one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa. I\u2019ll get Hoss up as soon as I\u2019m finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lumbered down the stairs, scratching his head, his eyes still blurry from sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t ya wake me earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa. Sorry I\u2019m up late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to be sorry. It\u2019s so cold I thought you\u2019d enjoy a little extra time under the covers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I figured Joe would still be there too.\u201d Hoss smirked, as he sat down next to Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s cup rattled in the saucer while Adam\u2019s fork paused in mid-air.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? Isn\u2019t Joe in bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Why . . \u201c<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s voice trailed off as Ben pushed back his chair. Adam was already up and headed for the stairs, as if he didn\u2019t believe his brother\u2019s pronouncement. By the time he reached Joe\u2019s doorway, Ben and Hoss were right behind him. The three of them stood at the end of the empty bed, staring at the rumpled sheets and pile of blankets.<\/p>\n

Almost in unison, the three of them turned and headed out the door and down the stairs. They seemed to have the same single thought, although only Ben uttered it out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping only long enough to don coats and hats, they rushed out the door and headlong into the fierce wind. Last night the yard had been swept clean of all snow, save the ring of white around the edges. Now the same yard was completely covered, the depth building quickly.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights never faltered but rushed across the white expanse, bending low against the swirling wind. The icy snow stung their faces, but none seemed to notice as they all but ran toward the barn. No one noticed the bunkhouse door had opened until a voice called out across the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed any help, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Dan. We\u2019ve got it.\u201d Hoss hollered back at the ranch hand.<\/p>\n

From long established tradition, the Cartwrights cared for their own animals unless there was a special need. So none of the hands would\u2019ve been in the big barn yet this morning, their own mounts being stabled in another barn behind the bunkhouse. That meant Joe really could be in the barn undetected. Hoss saw Dan close the door as he hurried after his family.<\/p>\n

Adam reached the barn first, not surprised when he couldn\u2019t open the large door. The bar was obviously dropped into place inside. Moving quickly to the small walk-through door, Adam pushed it open and hurried into the darkened interior. Ben stepped in behind him, followed closely by Hoss, both of them peering into the shadows while Adam struck a match to light the lantern.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rushed past Hoss, but slowed as he moved around Cochise to the front of the stall. Squatting next to his sleeping son, Ben tapped his fingers lightly on Joe\u2019s cheek while calling softly to his youngest.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, son. Wake up, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green eyes opened slowly, the lids fluttering in the dim light.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son. Come on, now. We need to get you to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood up, carefully pulling a shivering Joe with him. Unsteady on his feet, Joe took only one step before he lurched sideways, slamming into Cochise. The startled horse stepped sideways then back, barely missing Ben caught against the side of the stall. Adam stepped forward, quickly catching hold of the horse\u2019s halter while Hoss helped Ben maneuver Joe past the frightened animal. Seconds later, Joe was seated on a hay bale while Ben leaned over him; Cochise already happily munching on a measure of oats Adam had dumped in his feed bucket. Hoss stood next to his brother, absently rubbing his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDang, Shortshanks, you sure know how to keep things interestin\u2019 around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned weakly at his larger brother, while eyeing his worried father. A few short coughs from Joe, and his own worry blossomed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him back to the house, boys.\u201d Ben urged.<\/p>\n

Hoss leaned down, not bothering to help Joe to his feet, but gathered his brother in his arms instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like he\u2019s too steady on his feet, Pa. This\u2019ll be quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got the door.\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

Ben merely nodded at them both and followed his sons across the yard to the house.<\/p>\n

Once inside, Hoss barely had Joe settled on the hearth before Ben started unbuttoning his son\u2019s coat. Adam hurried upstairs, returning with a stack of towels, blankets and dry clothes, just as HopSing appeared with a basin of warm water.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold still, Joe, quit squirming around. Hoss, put another log on that fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa.\u201d Joe managed weakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes you are, young man. But your skin is cold as ice. Adam, hand me that other towel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing there\u2019s no women in this family.\u201d Joe moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorried about your modesty, boy?\u201d Hoss quipped.<\/p>\n

A faint grin was Joe\u2019s only answer.<\/p>\n

The men worked quickly to get Joe warm and dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Pa. You\u2019re gonna rub my skin off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s words were barely discernible between chattering teeth. Ben and Adam exchanged a look of concern over Joe\u2019s head, but it didn\u2019t go unnoticed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, really, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t address the statement, but muttered a question of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you doing out there anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust needed to check on Cochise. Didn\u2019t mean to stay out there, but the storm came up . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swayed a little on the rock hearth and Hoss quickly moved forward to support him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopSing, why don\u2019t you fix up the settee with some blankets, and we\u2019ll scoot it a little closer to the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without hesitation, HopSing hurried to fulfill Ben\u2019s request, and within minutes had prepared a makeshift bed. Hoss left Joe leaning against Adam while he rearranged the furniture. By the time he had finished, Adam was slipping a dry shirt around Joe\u2019s shoulders and Ben was buttoning it up.<\/p>\n

Once bundled into blankets on the settee, HopSing brought in a large mug of warm broth, nodding approvingly as Ben stood over Joe until it was finished. Almost immediately, Joe\u2019s eyes drifted closed as he relaxed against the mound of pillows.<\/p>\n

Standing near the fireplace, Adam chuckled quietly as things returned to some semblance of order.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready for your breakfast now, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

A loud pop emanated from the fireplace, but other than the rustling of a page and a soft sigh, no one seemed to notice. Hoss was settled comfortably in a large chair, strands of leather threaded through his fingers as he braided them deftly together. In the tall blue chair pushed near the fire, Adam was caught up in some tale or other, and although Ben had a book in his hands, there didn\u2019t seem to be any pages being turned.<\/p>\n

All these things Joe noticed from his comfortable place on the settee. The burst of sound from the fire had startled him awake, but his family thought him still asleep. It afforded him an opportunity to watch his pa and brothers for a moment, grateful that they were here and for the first time in weeks, thankful for their overprotective attitude. For all that it sometimes made him feel like a youngster, it was reassuring to know that he had a loving family to look out for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake.\u201d Ben\u2019s deep voice was filled with love. \u201cHow are you feeling son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s short guffaw accompanied Adam\u2019s wide grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell we better do something about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben helped Joe into a sitting position as Adam went to the kitchen, returning with another steaming mug of broth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopSing said you should start with this and then he\u2019ll get you something more substantial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe winced at the sight of more broth, but accepted the mug anyway. Truth be told, the warm liquid would probably feel good on his scratchy throat. He wasn\u2019t about to tell his father how bad he really felt, especially after all the trouble he\u2019d already caused. Several sips into the broth, though, his tired body gave him away. A succession of chest rattling coughs had three worried faces focusing on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing, Pa, just a-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice boomed. \u201cNo more covering up, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the sight of Joe\u2019s shocked expression, Ben softened his tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to play this game anymore, young man. We all know about your headaches and the dizzy spells. You haven\u2019t fooled anyone with your \u2018I\u2019m fine\u2019 approach. So let\u2019s try being honest for a change. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tipped his head to one side, studying his father. It only took a moment to determine that Pa wasn\u2019t nearly as angry as he was concerned. That brought a slight grin to Joe\u2019s face, though it didn\u2019t last long. Another coughing spell took care of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Ben murmured, when Joe could breath comfortably again. \u201cLet\u2019s try this again. How do you feel, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyes down, Joe answered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201dAwful. My head hurts, shoulder hurts, throat hurts, chest hurts-.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right.\u201d Hoss interrupted teasingly. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to completely change your tune.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you upstairs, Joe. You\u2019ll be more comfortable in your bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Pa. Can\u2019t I stay down here? I\u2019ve spent so much time in that room this past month.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t meant to sound like a small whiny child, but he could tell by Ben\u2019s uplifted eyebrows that was exactly how it came across. Adam saved the situation, though, with his suggestion.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo reason we can\u2019t keep an eye on him down here, Pa. As long as he\u2019s comfortable where he is, we can keep him covered and warm here by the fire. Sitting up is probably better for him anyway, if he\u2019s developing another cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben seemed to be studying Joe, but he did nod in agreement at several of Adam\u2019s comments. In the end, his frown faded to a gentle smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. But only if you stay where you are, and get some sleep while you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling a blanket up around his son\u2019s shoulders, Ben brushed dark curls of Joe\u2019s forehead as he checked for fever.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout those headaches, son. Don\u2019t let that worry you. It\u2019s pretty normal after a bad concussion, and from what Adam told us about your experience on the trail that afternoon, I\u2019m sure you had a severe one. It\u2019s too bad we couldn\u2019t get Doc Martin out here to check on you, but being light headed and dealing with headaches is to be expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa. I just didn\u2019t want to worry you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laid a hand on Joe\u2019s good shoulder, squeezing gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more secrets, son. You\u2019ll only make me worry more. Now why don\u2019t you get some more sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe relaxed into the warmth and comfort of his temporary bed, along with the soothing presence of his family. His eyes were already closing so he didn\u2019t see the worried looks exchanged by them, especially when another series of coughs erupted. Instead, he worked through the tightening in his chest, and when the episode was past, he let sleep claim him.<\/p>\n

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

Sunshine peeked through the heavy drapes, the cheery light a welcome change to the dreary darkness of the past few days. Pulling back the material, Ben was rewarded with the dazzling brightness of sun on snow, the bright light bringing a smile to his face. It was hard not to acknowledge the beauty right there in front of you.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss found their places, quickly filling plates with eggs, bacon and potatoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFever\u2019s still down. I think he sounds better, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Poor kid\u2019s had a hard time of it.\u201d Adam offered<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just glad that he didn\u2019t get any worse than he did. Quite a lot for a body to take; getting a chill like that so soon after being sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a tough one.\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be thankful if someone would help me down these stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice was serious, though tinged heavily with humor. Adam beat Hoss out of his chair and up the steps, chastising his young brother on the way down for the worried look Joe had caused on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, young man, sit down before you fall down.\u201d Their pa instructed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a good idea. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swayed slightly, but kept his balance as he pulled a napkin from beside his plate and tucked it into place.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we agreed last night that you should stay in bed at least one more day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa.\u201d Joe challenged carefully. \u201cYou agreed. Besides, you told me that I should be honest. Well, truthfully, if I stayed in that bed one more day, I\u2019d have had to kill someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s loud burst of laughter brought a smile to everyone\u2019s face. Ben was the last one to join, but in the end, he was smiling too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t fight that kind of honesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning to their breakfast, there was familiar chatter shared over good food as the family fell back into routine. While at the end of the table, Ben mouthed a silent prayer of thanks . . . again.<\/p>\n

The End!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
End Notes:<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n
Thanks again to Southplains for the quick beta!<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0Little Joe can’t believe the news about Cochise and decides to find out for himself. But winter is just getting started in the Sierras. Has Joe put himself in harms way again?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ WC 4100<\/p>\n

First Snow series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":1264,"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],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2020,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4008,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4008","url_meta":{"origin":6590,"position":0},"title":"From Joe to Adam (by Trinity)","author":"Trinity","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A type of poem I learned how to write in my English 3 class. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a033","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adamjoe4.jpg?fit=400%2C319&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6588,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6588","url_meta":{"origin":6590,"position":1},"title":"First Snow (by mamse5)","author":"mamse5","date":"December 31, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Adam and Joe make a simple trip to town, but find themselves caught in an early snowstorm, unprepared. 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