{"id":7110,"date":"2004-01-14T11:49:26","date_gmt":"2004-01-14T16:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7110"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:33:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:33:06","slug":"a-delusion-a-mockery-and-a-snare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7110","title":{"rendered":"A Delusion, A Mockery and a Snare (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Joe twice has a narrow brush with death, but it seems it isn\u2019t Joe who is the target. Is it is ex-girlfriend? Or is it something altogether more sinister?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (10,850 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Delusion, A Mockery and a Snare<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he helped the young lady down from the buggy, Joe looked at Linda with a certain regret. She was lovely, with long dark hair, and dark eyes that appeared to be black in some lights, and an olive skin. But although they had been going out for a while, there was no spark between them and Linda had been the first to broach the subject that evening. They had fun together, but they were not going to fall in love and they both knew that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been fun, Joe,\u201d Linda said, as he handed her down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes it has,\u201d Joe agreed. He leant forward and kissed her cheek. \u201cI\u2019ll be seeing you around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you will,\u201d Linda agreed. She smiled. \u201cHaven\u2019t we been civilised about this, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes we have,\u201d Joe nodded, grinning back. He couldn\u2019t remember ever breaking up with anyone quite so easily. There were often tears and recriminations from the girls and guilt on his behalf. Joe walked Linda to the door. \u201cGoodbye,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Joe,\u201d Linda replied, blithely. \u201cI\u2019ll see you at the dance with your new date \u2013 and mine \u2013 next week then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost likely,\u201d Joe agreed. He tipped his hat to her and went back to the buggy. It had been fun while it lasted, but he was already thinking about who he might ask to next week\u2019s dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t Joe come in?\u201d asked Jack, Linda\u2019s older brother as his sister came into the house and took off her wrap.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I didn\u2019t ask him to,\u201d Linda replied. \u201cWhy? What difference does it make? I thought you weren\u2019t that keen on Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring this question, Jack replied, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you ask him in?\u201d His eyes narrowed. \u201cYou are still a couple, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Linda sat down. \u201cNo, we\u2019re not,\u201d she told him. \u201cAnd what does it have to do with you, Jack? Who I see is my business, not yours!\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking two quick strides across the room, Jack took Linda\u2019s arm and shook it. \u201cAre you mad?\u201d he shouted. \u201cHe\u2019s a Cartwright! He\u2019s got money! Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re stupid enough to want to marry for love!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am!\u201d Linda shouted back. \u201cAnd I told him it\u2019s over!\u201d<\/p>\n

For a long moment, Jack just looked at Linda. She began to feel a pang of disquiet. Jack had never been the same since the wagon accident that had killed their mother. He had suffered a bad head injury and his personality was changed after that. He was impulsive and hot-tempered and he became obsessed with ideas.<\/p>\n

The door opened and their father came in. He sensed the atmosphere at once and looked sharply at Jack. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack\u2019s unhappy that I\u2019ve broken up with Joe Cartwright,\u201d Linda explained, still eyeing her brother. \u201cIt was quite amicable, Dad. I told him it was over and he agreed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFool, if you think its over, \u2018cos you said goodbye,\u201d Jack muttered as he pushed past his father. They heard his footsteps going upstairs.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Mr Morton sat down. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Linda,\u201d he apologised. \u201cJack doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going over, Linda put her arms round her father\u2019s neck and rested her head against his. \u201cI know,\u201d she sighed. Neither of them wished out loud that they could have the old Jack back, but they both thought it. \u201cI know he doesn\u2019t mean it.\u201d
\n***<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d Ben said, looking up from his book as Joe came in. \u201cYou\u2019re earlier than I expected. Is everything all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, its fine, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, hanging up his hat. \u201cThe dance just finished a little earlier than usual. One of the band had too much punch.\u201d Joe laughed his unique, high-pitched giggle. \u201cYou should\u2019ve seen the faces! Oh, the scandal will be talked about for months!\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling Ben nodded. \u201cI see. Did Linda enjoy herself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe agreed. He slumped down on the sofa, loosened his tie and opened the top buttons of his white shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are you seeing her again?\u201d Ben enquired. \u201cTomorrow after church?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019ve split up,\u201d Joe reported, casually. He yawned, because he had spent the morning and a good part of the afternoon haying and his energy was fast running out.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Ben commented, not sure what to say. Joe didn\u2019t seem to be upset, and Ben had pretty good parental radar for Joe\u2019s moods, but he was surprised by his son\u2019s casual attitude. \u201cWhose decision was that?\u201d he asked, when it became clear that Joe wasn\u2019t going to elucidate any further.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of us,\u201d Joe replied, startled out of his drowsy contemplation of the flames dancing in the fireplace opposite where he sat. \u201cIt was fun, but we\u2019re never going to fall in love, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as you\u2019re sure you made the right decision, son,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure, Pa,\u201d Joe muttered through a yawn. He gave his father a tired smile. \u201cI\u2019m going to bed. Don\u2019t waken me in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, son,\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Pa,\u201d Joe replied and disappeared upstairs.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

It was hot and stuffy in the church the next morning and Joe found himself nodding off once or twice. He wasn\u2019t the only one afflicted with this problem. Several people were finding it difficult to stay awake in the heat and one man fell asleep before his wife noticed and snored loudly. Joe bit the inside of his lip hard to avoid laughing, but Hoss\u2019 continual throat clearing as he struggled with his laughter almost tipped Joe over the edge. Ben didn\u2019t bother trying to reprove them; he was finding it hard to keep a straight face, too.<\/p>\n

As they emerged into the bright, hot sunshine, Hoss veered off to lean on the hitching post and gave vent to his mirth. Joe laughed, and then glanced around him. Several of the young ladies of the town were looking at him, and Joe smiled. He was in no rush to find himself a new girlfriend. If he went stag to the dance on Saturday night, he would have the chance to dance with as many girls as he liked.<\/p>\n

Seeing that his father was deep in conversation with Dr Paul Martin, and that Adam was talking to one of his stuffier friends, Joe turned to head over to Hoss and the horses. As he did so, someone cannoned into him, and knocked Joe clear off his feet.<\/p>\n

There was a chorus of surprised gasps from all around, and Joe, more surprised than hurt, shook his head and squinted up into the sun. For a moment, all he could see was a shadow, but then the person moved away slightly as Adam and Ben hurried over and Joe saw that it was Jack Morton.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, reaching down to help his son to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured Ben truthfully. He looked at Jack once more. He had never known what to say to Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Cartwright,\u201d Jack muttered, but he didn\u2019t sound sorry. He glared at Joe before turning and walking away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d Adam asked, as Ben retrieved Joe\u2019s hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, big brother,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cI wish I knew!\u201d He took the hat from Ben, thanked him and brushed the dust off his pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d Ben asked. Joe nodded. \u201cWell then, let\u2019s get home for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

They mounted up and turned their horses for home. Joe held Cochise back for a moment as he looked in the direction Jack had gone. Sure enough, under the shade of a sycamore tree, Jack was watching Joe, his gaze intent and unnerving. Joe wondered what he had done that had so upset Jack. As he allowed Cochise to turn and join his stable mates, Joe guessed that he might never know.
\n***
\nThe incident with Jack was soon forgotten as they got caught up in the haying again. Each man was needed to cut and stack the hay to ensure there was enough winter feed for the animals. The old adage \u2018Make hay while the sun shines\u2019 was never truer. The Cartwrights worked from sunrise to sunset and fell into bed exhausted each night.<\/p>\n

By that week\u2019s end, the haying was completed and Joe, dressing for the dance, reflected that it was just as well he had decided to go stag, as he hadn\u2019t had a second to look for a date! Hoss was trying to pluck up the courage to ask Bessie Sue to the dance, but hadn\u2019t managed as yet, despite Joe\u2019s patient coaching, so he was going stag. Adam had decided that he was too tired to attend and was currently contending with Joe\u2019s wise-cracks about being old.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure ya ain\u2019t gonna change yer mind an\u2019 come?\u201d Hoss asked Adam as he waited for Joe to put in an appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Adam replied, with a slight edge to his voice. \u201cI\u2019d rather spend the evening relaxing here and have an early night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOld age doesn\u2019t come itself,\u201d Joe remarked as he came downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it brings younger brothers,\u201d Adam retorted, but he couldn\u2019t quell Joe\u2019s high spirits. His youngest brother just grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cTouchy tonight, ain\u2019t we?\u201d he parried and slid his green jacket on before following Hoss out of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Adam?\u201d Ben asked, as the door closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Adam replied. He held up the book that had been resting in his lap. \u201cBut I\u2019ve got a new book and it\u2019s been tempting me for a few days now, so I thought I\u2019d rather start it than go to the dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, that explains it,\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cI thought for a few minutes there that you were getting old.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, brown eyes met brown eyes as Adam gave Ben a \u2018look\u2019. Then a grin slid onto his face and they laughed together. \u201cGood try,\u201d Adam remarked, and opened his book. Smiling, Ben did the same.
\n***
\nAlmost the first person Joe saw as he went into the ballroom was Linda. She was standing with one of Joe\u2019s friends, Drew Harding, and she smiled at Joe as he came in. Joe grinned back. He was soon talking to his friends and when the music started, Joe was out on the floor with the first of many young ladies he would dance with that night.<\/p>\n

Later, he met Linda by the punch bowl. \u201cThrowing me over for my friends now?\u201d Joe joked, and Linda grinned.
\n\u201cLooks like it,\u201d Linda replied, in the same joking tone. \u201cYou look like you\u2019re having fun,\u201d she added. With another smile, she moved away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure don\u2019t look upset that Linda\u2019s found someone else already,\u201d Hoss commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d Joe agreed. He glanced up at Hoss. \u201cIt was over, Hoss and we both knew it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, little brother,\u201d Hoss replied, agreeably. He could see that Joe wasn\u2019t upset. He had wondered all week if Joe was just hiding his heartbreak. It seemed unlikely, given that Joe could seldom hide his feelings from his family, but Hoss supposed there was a first time for everything.<\/p>\n

The evening wended its way to a conclusion and as they collected their guns from the cloakroom, Hoss yawned. \u201cI\u2019m plumb tuckered out,\u201d Hoss complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re getting old, too,\u201d Joe jibed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t start, young\u2019un,\u201d Hoss warned. \u201cOr I\u2019ll pound ya!\u201d He swiped a massive arm at Joe, who danced nimbly out of the way.<\/p>\n

Still laughing and trying to keep out of Hoss\u2019 way, Joe almost collided with Linda and Drew. \u201cWatch it, Joe,\u201d Drew chided amiably.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut that brother of mine is gonna pound me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t blame him!\u201d Linda called as Joe dodged around Drew and outside. The couple followed Joe, both of them playing along and blocking Hoss\u2019 attempts to squeeze past and grab Joe.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, shockingly, shots were fired out of the darkness and Drew looked down at the blood on his chest in surprise before crumpling to the ground. Linda screamed as Hoss dragged her back into the building. There was shouting and noise as people clustered carefully around Drew and so it took Hoss a second to realise that his brother was racing across the street, his gun drawn, going after the gunman. \u201cJoe!\u201d he shouted, aghast. \u201cCome back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t heed Hoss; in fact, he never heard his brother shouting. Joe had seen a dark figure detach itself from a building across the street and went after him. He wasn\u2019t going to let the gunman get away! But although Joe was impulsive, he wasn\u2019t completely foolhardy, and he slowed as he approached the entry to the alley he\u2019d seen the gunman enter.<\/p>\n

Poking his head around the corner cautiously, Joe couldn\u2019t see anyone and he slowly eased out into the alley. This was a bad idea, Joe knew. He could be seen, but couldn\u2019t see anyone. And, just to prove him correct, a bullet splintered the wooden wall by his face, and Joe felt his face stinging. He ducked, but not quite in time. Another bullet scored along his left forearm, and Joe\u2019s gun dropped to the ground from his suddenly nerveless fingers. Joe kept moving, falling to the ground and rolling away.<\/p>\n

From behind him, Joe heard footsteps. \u201cWatch out!\u201d he cried, not wanting whoever this was to face the gunman unprepared.<\/p>\n

Shots fired above Joe\u2019s head, but there was no returning fire from down the alley and Joe knew that the gunman had got away. He sat up cautiously, cradling his arm against his chest. The wound wasn\u2019t serious, he knew, but it burned all the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are ya all right?\u201d Hoss demanded, kneeling by his brother and turning his face to the light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe insisted. He winced slightly as he got to his feet. Hoss put his hand under Joe\u2019s elbow to lend support. He picked Joe\u2019s gun off the ground and dropped it back into Joe\u2019s holster. Joe grunted his thanks. \u201cHow\u2019s Drew?\u201d he asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

The momentary hesitation told Joe the answer before Hoss mumbled, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, he\u2019s dead, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing in the street, Joe just looked at Hoss.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Sheriff Roy Coffee was outside the hotel when Hoss and Joe arrived back. Linda was sitting on a chair in the lobby, sobbing, while some of her friends hovered around her helplessly. Drew\u2019s body had been decently covered with a blanket. \u201cSiddown,\u201d Hoss instructed Joe as they arrived back, and pushed his brother down onto the steps leading to the hotel. Joe obediently did as he was told, his eyes riveted to the blanket-covered body.<\/p>\n

Roy looked up. \u201cYou boys catch him?\u201d Roy asked, although he already knew the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, he got away, whoever it was,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI didn\u2019 git a look at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about ya, Joe?\u201d Roy asked, looking round at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t see who it was,\u201d Joe replied, numbly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc Martin will be here in a minute,\u201d Roy told Hoss, who nodded. There was nothing else they could do that night.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, Dr Paul Martin arrived. He knelt by the body to confirm that Drew was dead, then headed inside to deal with Linda. He gave her a sedative and by then, her father had been summoned and took her home. Then, Paul turned his attention to Joe.<\/p>\n

The wound on his arm wasn\u2019t serious, and Paul just cleaned and bandaged it, advising Joe to be careful for a while. He picked a couple of splinters out of Joe\u2019s cheek and could see Joe was shocked by his friend\u2019s death, but not so shocked that he needed a sedative, or to stay in town. So, turning him over to Hoss\u2019 capable hands, Paul took his leave again, walking back down the street with Roy as they debated who had done such a thing and why.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Hoss urged, and tugged gently on Joe\u2019s elbow. His brother followed him without a word.
\n***
\nIt was a long ride home that night. Hoss kept a sharp eye on Joe, but he didn\u2019t need to worry. Joe gradually came back to himself and started to pay more attention to his surroundings. \u201cI wish I\u2019d caught whoever it was,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how ya feel,\u201d Hoss admitted, \u201cbut ya shouldn\u2019t a gone after him alone. That was plain foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t think. All I could see was Drew lying there, and I thought I might be able to catch the person who\u2019d shot him. Who could it be? Why shoot Drew?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI cain\u2019t figger it out no-how.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they arrived home, Hoss took Cochise\u2019s rein. \u201cI\u2019ll take care o\u2019 yer horse fer ya,\u201d he told Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can manage,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll whisper sweet nuthin\u2019s in his ear,\u201d Hoss promised. \u201cAn\u2019 tell him how wonderful he is, but ya ain\u2019t gonna argue with me, Joe. Ya got shot in the arm an\u2019 ya\u2019re going inside!\u201d He loomed over Joe threateningly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019m going,\u201d Joe capitulated. In truth, he was quite glad, because his arm was throbbing. He walked quietly over to the house and let himself in, hoping that Ben and Adam would have gone to bed.<\/p>\n

No such luck. They were involved in a chess game. Ben glanced up as Joe came in and gave him a distracted smile. Joe returned it, now hoping that his father\u2019s inattention would last long enough to allow him to get upstairs to bed. However, something about Joe\u2019s stance had alerted Ben that there was something wrong, and he glanced up again, focusing on Joe more closely this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that blood on your sleeve?\u201d he demanded, and Joe found himself telling the story of Drew\u2019s murder once more. As he expected, Ben clucked over him, making sure he was all right. Hoss came in from the barn, and backed Joe up, assuring Ben that Joe had seen the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just tired and I want to go to bed,\u201d Joe insisted and Ben agreed, sending his son off with a worried smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would anyone want to shoot Drew?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

It was the question that was on everyone\u2019s lips for the next few days, and it went unanswered.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Although the injury to Joe\u2019s arm wasn\u2019t serious, his arm was stiff for several days and he was glad to do as Doc Martin suggested and take it easy. He stayed on the ranch for the most part, but went into town for Drew\u2019s funeral.<\/p>\n

It was very painful. Roy had not been able to find any clues to the identity of the gunman and the mystery of who shot Drew and why still remained. His grieving parents didn\u2019t care at that point who was responsible. They had lost their only son. Linda was there, still badly shaken by the incident.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked Joe, as they filed out of the cemetery.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHow about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d she assured him, but her voice was devoid of life. \u201cI still can\u2019t believe that Drew is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe agreed. It made no sense and talking over it endlessly would not change what had happened. He patted Linda\u2019s hand and mounted his horse. Behind them, Jack watched closely.<\/p>\n

***
\nSummer was a busy time on the ranch, and Joe was glad to throw himself back into the routine of the ranch. He was able to take his mind away from the tragedy and move on, which was the best thing. Adam and Hoss did their best to keep their younger sibling from brooding, too.<\/p>\n

For a few weeks, Joe wasn\u2019t in the mood to attend any of the dances, but as his natural zest for life came to the fore once more, Joe found himself getting ready on Saturday evening. This time, Adam decided to come along, too and as they rode into town, each son found himself reflecting on how good life was right then. The weather was perfect and the calves were fat and sassy. The ranch was remarkably free of problems right then and they relished the relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The hotel ballroom was packed. \u201cIts gonna be warm tonight,\u201d Joe remarked as they went in.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t wrong. As the evening went on, the heat rose and the inevitable fights broke out as the cowboys let their hair down and drank too much punch. Just for once, Joe managed to keep clear of the fights, as did Hoss who, by his own admission, liked a good fight!<\/p>\n

Once more, the dance broke up in disarray, and the Cartwrights made their way out into the starlit night. \u201cI\u2019ll be with you in a minute,\u201d Joe told Adam as he saw Linda waiting at the bottom of the steps. Joe had been trying to talk to her all night, but had never managed to catch her alone. \u201cHi,\u201d he said, casually.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, yourself,\u201d Linda replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Linda replied. She gave Joe a look. \u201cI\u2019m not that hard-hearted, Joe, in case you were wondering,\u201d she added bitterly. \u201cI had only gone out with Drew once, I know, but I haven\u2019t forgotten him that quickly!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never said you had,\u201d Joe reminded her gently. \u201cDon\u2019t you think I recognise Ross? He\u2019s been a friend of your family for ages. And anyway, even if you were going out with Ross, what business is it of mine? I only wanted to know how you were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Linda apologised, putting out her hand to stop him walking away. \u201cI\u2019ve been staying with Ross and his sister and he suggested we come into the dance this evening, because Polly isn\u2019t too well. I agreed. Ross has gone to get the buggy to take me back to their place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou enjoy yourself with Polly,\u201d Joe told her. Linda and Polly were very close. Glancing across the street, Joe saw that Adam and Hoss had the horses out of the livery stable and were mounting. \u201cI\u2019d better go,\u201d Joe told her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Joe,\u201d Linda replied.<\/p>\n

As Joe crossed the street, he suddenly became aware of the sound of galloping hooves. Wondering which idiot was galloping their horse through the town at that time of night, Joe paused to glance around. He couldn\u2019t see anything, and the way the sound echoed back off the buildings made it difficult to guess where the sound was coming from.<\/p>\n

Also hearing the hooves, Adam and Hoss looked round. From their vantage point on the other side of the street, they could see more than Joe and Adam spotted the trouble at once. \u201cJoe, move!\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n

Hearing the shout, Joe looked over at Adam, unsure which direction he should go in. The hotel stood on a crossroads, and Joe was almost in the middle of the crossroads. If he chose the wrong direction, he could be in big trouble.<\/p>\n

Before Adam could say anything more, a buggy came racing down from behind the hotel, aiming straight at Joe!<\/p>\n

For a second, Joe was rooted to the spot, then, with mere moments to spare, he threw himself to one side, feeling the horse\u2019s shoulder in the small of his back as he tumbled head over heels in the street. There was screaming and shouting from all round. Joe sat up slowly, barely able to believe that he had escaped uninjured. Hoss was at his side in seconds, his genial face pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa all right?\u201d he demanded, clutching Joe around the shoulders. \u201cJoe, ya hurt, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe panted. He leaned forward to look past Hoss\u2019 protective bulk and saw the buggy at a standstill further up the street. \u201cWho is that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss replied, now helping Joe solicitously to his feet. He could hardly believe that Joe was all right, but it was clear that he was.<\/p>\n

As they walked up towards the buggy, Joe saw that Adam had the horse by one extremely short rein. Adam shot a glance at his youngest brother as they drew near. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d Hoss told Adam. Joe shot his middle brother a look of amusement. Then he looked at the buggy.<\/p>\n

The driver was Ross.<\/p>\n

It was after midnight before the brothers got home. Ben had gone to bed, for which they were all grateful. Morning would be soon enough for them to relate the tale of the runaway buggy once more. They all fell into bed quickly, but it wasn\u2019t just Joe who found it hard to fall asleep.<\/p>\n

Come morning, Adam was first up and he found Ben at the breakfast table already. \u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d Ben replied, eyeing Adam closely to see if his oldest son was hung over. It didn\u2019t appear to be that way, but Ben couldn\u2019t account for the sigh any other way. \u201cYou were late last night,\u201d he commented, neutrally. \u201cDid you have a good time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, right up until he end,\u201d Adam answered. With another sigh, he told Ben the story. Ben listened quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure Joe\u2019s all right?\u201d he demanded, when the story was over. \u201cAnd what about Ross?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShaken,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHis rein had frayed through, and snapped.\u201d Adam frowned. \u201cRoss swears the rein was all right when he left home last night. And I know Ross, Pa. He\u2019s not careless with his harness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged. \u201cWell, these things happen, I suppose.\u201d He glanced at the stairs, although there was no sign of Hoss or Joe. \u201cI vote we let your brothers sleep in this morning, and skip church, what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Adam agreed.
\n________________________________________<\/p>\n

Shortly after noon, hooves in the yard alerted the Cartwrights that they had a visitor. Joe dutifully, if rebelliously, answered the door and was moderately surprised to find Roy Coffee on the doorstep. \u201cHi, Roy, come on in,\u201d Joe invited him, stepping aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Little Joe,\u201d Roy replied, coming in and taking off his hat. He retrieved a large checked handkerchief and mopped his brow with it. \u201cBen, boys. Sure is hot out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cWould you like some lemonade?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be real sociable of ya, Ben,\u201d Roy accepted. He sat down and sipped appreciatively from the glass that Ben poured for him. Joe perched himself on the arm of the sofa, his left leg resting across his right thigh. Hoss was sitting on the stone hearth and Adam was in the blue velvet chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what can we do for you, Roy?\u201d Ben asked, eyeing his sons, wondering if there was some small detail they had forgotten to tell him about the previous evening; like getting arrested, perhaps.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about last night,\u201d Roy began and Ben rolled his eyes. He knew there had been something left out of that story! Oblivious to his host\u2019s histrionics, Roy went on, \u201cClem an\u2019 me had a good look at them reins this mornin\u2019 an\u2019 they\u2019d frayed all right. But someone had cut the stitchin\u2019.\u201d
\n\u201cCut the stitching?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeliberate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019d do a thing like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights\u2019 voices all mingles together as they voiced their outrage. Roy smiled. \u201cThat\u2019s how me an\u2019 Clem felt, too,\u201d he admitted. \u201cThing is, Ben, we\u2019ve bin doin\u2019 some thinkin\u2019, an\u2019 we ain\u2019t so sure that Drew or Ross was the targets o\u2019 these attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not following you, Roy,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cWhy are you telling us? Who do you think is the target?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Roy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Joe squeaked. \u201cWhy me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, why Joe?\u201d Hoss demanded, as though it was Roy\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n

Roy held up his hands to stop the barrage of questions. Ben moved to stand by Joe\u2019s side, his hand resting on Joe\u2019s shoulder for support. Joe\u2019s eyes were wide as he thought through the implications. \u201cWe ain\u2019t sure,\u201d Roy began. \u201cBut when Clem an\u2019 me talked it through, we realised that both times, Joe was there, or thereabouts. Now, we ain\u2019t sure, an\u2019 we don\u2019 have no proof, but it seems likely ta us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut who\u2019d be trying to hurt Joe?\u201d Ben asked, perplexed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s what we couldn\u2019 figger, neither,\u201d Roy admitted sheepishly. \u201cBut when Drew was shot, Joe was right close by. And last night, Joe was in the middle o\u2019 the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Roy, if someone was trying to kill Joe, he couldn\u2019t guarantee that a runaway buggy would reach Joe,\u201d Adam protested. \u201cOr that Joe would be anywhere near!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Roy admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was someone else close by both times,\u201d Joe said, softly. As everyone\u2019s eyes turned to him, he lifted his head. \u201cLinda was right there,\u201d he noted. \u201cShe was standing by Drew\u2019s side. She was going to get into that buggy with Ross. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s me they were after \u2013 I think it was Linda.\u201d
\n________________________________________<\/p>\n

None of them could refute Joe\u2019s logic. While they were all relieved that Joe didn\u2019t seem to be the target, they were instantly concerned about Linda. Roy took his leave to go and talk to Linda and her family and refused Joe\u2019s company.
\n\u201cJoe, I want you to be careful,\u201d Ben said, as they went back inside out of the heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts,\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cI know it looks as though you weren\u2019t the target, but, Joe, we can\u2019t be sure of that. Until we know what\u2019s happening, I want you to be careful. That\u2019s all I\u2019m saying, here. I\u2019m not asking you to stay around the house, or anything like that. Just be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking into his father\u2019s worried brown eyes, Joe found his resistance melting. \u201cI will, Pa,\u201d he promised.
\n________________________________________<\/p>\n

Over the course of the next week, the Cartwrights were too busy to go into town. Hop Sing collected the supplies that were needed, but he didn\u2019t ask Roy Coffee what the situation was with Linda. It wasn\u2019t his place to do so. The Cartwrights thought of him as a member of the family, but Hop Sing knew only too well that others thought the complete opposite.<\/p>\n

Obedient to his promise, Joe had been careful all week, making sure that he didn\u2019t go off alone, or without telling someone where he was going. But the situation was telling on him. Joe\u2019s natural high spirits were dampened and he no longer talked effortlessly and endlessly and the others found the change hard to deal with.<\/p>\n

It was only at church on Sunday that they were able to find out what was happening. Mr Morton was so concerned for Linda\u2019s safety that he had taken her away somewhere secluded and the only people who knew where they had gone were Jack and Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t blame him for doing that,\u201d Ben remarked as Roy finished telling them. \u201cI would do the same.\u201d He shot a sideways look at Joe that his son did not see.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how long are they going to stay there?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cMr Morton can\u2019t leave his business indefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t found any clues,\u201d Roy admitted and Joe glanced away. Jack Morton was standing over by the church. When he saw Joe looking at him, he discreetly jerked his head, then wandered away round the side of the building.<\/p>\n

Intrigued, Joe drifted away from his family, mumbling something unintelligible when Ben glanced at him curiously, but no one stopped him from going. After all, what could possibly happen to Joe outside the church?<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Jack nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack,\u201d Joe acknowledged in the same tone. \u201cHow\u2019s Linda holding up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cThat\u2019s what I wanted to see you about.\u201d
\n\u201cOh?\u201d Joe queried, suspiciously. He and Jack had never been friends, even before the wagon accident.<\/p>\n

\u201cLinda wants to see you, Joe,\u201d Jack whispered, leaning in close. \u201cShe wants to meet you this afternoon out by the old Kissing Tree, do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe could picture the Kissing Tree perfectly. It was an old tree, leaning over to one side, and seeming to \u2018kiss\u2019 the tree next door. The girls had thought it a terribly romantic place when they were all kids, although the boys thought the whole thing was soppy. \u201cI remember,\u201d he replied. \u201cWhat time does she want to meet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo thirty,\u201d Jack answered. \u201cAnd don\u2019t tell anyone where you\u2019re going, all right, Joe? Just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied, although he had no intention of obeying Jack\u2019s strictures. \u201cI\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile flooded over Jack\u2019s face and Joe thought what a good looking man he was. It was just a pity that most of the time, Jack\u2019s face reflected the disillusionment and discontent that now marred his life. \u201cGood,\u201d he whispered and walked away.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already said I\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Joe repeated, his voice full of strained patience. \u201cI\u2019ve told you where I\u2019m going. What more do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t take that tone with me, boy!\u201d Ben scolded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe replied, but his contrition wasn\u2019t completely convincing.<\/p>\n

Looking at his son, who had rebellion shouting from every pore of his body, Ben knew that he couldn\u2019t stop Joe from going. His son was, after all, a man grown, entitled to make his own decisions. But that didn\u2019t stop Ben from trying to pull rank and keep his child safe. He wondered if he would ever get over the need to protect his children, but somehow he doubted it. \u201cI want you home for supper,\u201d he reminded Joe, gently. \u201cThat gives you plenty of time to get there, talk to Linda, and come home again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, relief in his voice. He hated arguing with Ben. \u201cSee you for supper.\u201d He left quickly and Ben stood at the door, watching Joe go.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

Arriving at the Kissing Tree, Joe saw Jack step out from the shade and was relieved that Linda hadn\u2019t tried to come alone. \u201cHi, Jack,\u201d he offered as he drew closer. \u201cWhere\u2019s Linda?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was then he noticed the gun in Jack\u2019s hand pointing directly at him. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d Joe asked, stiffening.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlowly, drop your gun,\u201d Jack ordered. \u201cDon\u2019t do anything stupid, because I\u2019m not averse to killing you, Joe.\u201d Jack watched intently as Joe did as he was told. \u201cNow, get down off that horse.\u201d Joe dismounted slowly, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Jack. \u201cStart walking,\u201d Jack told him, jerking his head in the direction he wanted Joe to take. Lips tight with anger, Joe did as he was told. Jack was standing too far away for Joe to chance taking him on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Linda?\u201d Joe asked, as they walked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about her,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cYou\u2019ll see her later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this about?\u201d Joe demanded, but Jack refused to answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust keep walking,\u201d he retorted and Joe had no choice but to keep walking.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t go very far. About half a mile away from the Kissing Tree was one of the Ponderosa\u2019s line shacks. Joe had never quite seen the point in having a shack that close to the house, but it was checked and stocked regularly. Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed as they came closer to it. What was Jack planning?<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave your horse there and go inside,\u201d Jack ordered. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dropping Cochise\u2019s rein, Joe went over to the shack, opened the door and went in. The shack showed signs of recent habitation, but Joe didn\u2019t think it was one of the hands. He glanced over his shoulder at Jack. \u201cNow what?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Jack ordered, pointing at the chair. Joe saw, with disgust, that there was already rope looped around the back of it. Slowly he sat.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Jack long tie Joe\u2019s hands tightly to the chair back. When Joe tested his bonds, he found them to be depressingly secure. Jack put his gun away and picked up some more rope, bending over, clearly intent on tying Joe\u2019s ankles. Joe kicked at him, determined not to lose the last of his freedom, but Jack sensed the move and rounded on Joe, avoiding the kick and crashing a backhand slap into his face. He was phenomenally strong. Joe felt a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try that again,\u201d Jack warned him. \u201cNext time, I won\u2019t be so nice!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kneeling, he swiftly bound Joe\u2019s ankles together, then dragged them under the chair, and attached them to the rope binding his wrists. Joe wasn\u2019t going anywhere. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d Joe demanded, angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find out,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cIn a while. I\u2019m going away now.\u201d He snatched off the bandanna he wore around his neck and tried to place it in Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe jerked his head away, thereby earning himself another backhander. Jack\u2019s second attempt was more successful.<\/p>\n

Turning, Jack left the shack, and Joe heard him secure the door on the outside. He struggled uselessly against his bonds, wondering what would happen next.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t know how much time passed before he heard Jack returning, but it seemed like hours to him. He had struggled continuously against the ropes that held him captive, but to no avail. His wrists were raw and bleeding, but the ropes were as tight as ever. He turned furious eyes towards the door as it swung open, but he wasn\u2019t expecting what he saw. For it wasn\u2019t just Jack who came in, it was Linda, too!<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Linda cried, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. She swung round to look at her brother, eyes wide. \u201cJack, what is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Linda,\u201d Jack ordered and pointed to the other chair. Slowly, reluctantly, Linda sat down, clearly fearing that Jack would tie her up, too.<\/p>\n

But that wasn\u2019t what he had in mind. He pulled the gag from Joe\u2019s mouth and took the third seat, turning it round and straddling it. His gun was held loosely in his hands. \u201cSee, Linda, it wasn\u2019t you who was the target, like the sheriff thought,\u201d Jack began. Linda gave him a sick look and glanced at Joe. \u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t Joe, either,\u201d Jack assured her, correctly interpreting her look. \u201cI meant to kill those boys you were with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou killed them?\u201d Linda whispered, and the colour drained out of her face. Joe renewed his struggles to get free, but the ropes were not budging. \u201cBut, Jack, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it obvious?\u201d Jack replied, clearly perplexed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, its not,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cAnd what has this got to do with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want you going out with any other boy,\u201d Jack explained to Linda. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to marry Joe because he\u2019s rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re not in love,\u201d Linda protested, as though logic had any grip on her brother\u2019s thinking. \u201cAnd we stopped seeing each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you before, you\u2019re a fool if you think its over, just because you said goodbye,\u201d Jack stated. \u201cJoe and you are going to get married. I\u2019ve decided that\u2019s the way it\u2019s going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to marry Joe!\u201d Linda declared. \u201cYou can\u2019t make me marry him Jack. Now, untie him and we\u2019ll forget all about this nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do that, Linda,\u201d Jack objected. He sounded as though she had just turned down a perfectly reasonable proposal, and Joe wondered if, from Jack\u2019s point of view, it was a perfectly reasonable proposal. \u201cYou see, if you don\u2019t marry Joe, I\u2019m going to have to kill him, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

The silence in the shack was resounding. Joe could clearly hear a bird singing outside. Linda looked as if she might faint. Her skin was ashen and waxy and beads of sweat popped into being on her forehead. Joe was pretty shaken, too, but not really surprised. What did surprise him was that it had taken this long for anyone to realise that Jack was crazy. Everyone knew he\u2019d never been the same since the accident, but Joe wondered if they just hadn\u2019t wanted to see how he was.<\/p>\n

And now here he was, stuck in the shack with Jack and Linda, and it would be hours yet before anyone turned up to look for him. What were they going to do? Somehow, he had to indicate to Linda that they had to play along. He had no idea what Jack actually had in mind, but if it would save both their lives, he was willing to go along. Jack, for all his worries over Linda\u2019s prospects, obviously didn\u2019t care as much as he thought he did, since Linda could have been killed both times he\u2019d attacked the young man she was with.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, we\u2019ll get married, Jack,\u201d Joe promised, breaking the silence.<\/p>\n

At that, Linda\u2019s head came up and Joe wondered if she was going to protest. He tried to signal her with his eyes to play along. He wasn\u2019t afraid for himself \u2013 well, not that afraid \u2013 but he was scared of what might happen to Linda if she continued to defy her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe!\u201d she cried. \u201cNo! I\u2019m\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The gunshot filled the shack, making Linda scream and clamp her hands over her ears. The air stank of cordite. The bullet buried itself in the floor by Joe\u2019s foot. He breathed out, barely able to believe that he wasn\u2019t dead. Blinking the sweat out of his eyes, for the shack was roasting under the hot sun, Joe lifted his head and caught Linda\u2019s eye. For a long second, they gazed at one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll marry him!\u201d Linda cried and burst into tears.
\n________________________________________<\/p>\n

It appeared that Linda\u2019s capitulation had caught Jack by surprise. He gazed at them for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. \u201cWe\u2019d better get into town to the preacher, then,\u201d he muttered. He rose and crossed over to Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything,\u201d he warned, and untied the rope that held Joe\u2019s feet to the back of the chair.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe hoped that Jack would untie him, and then he would simply wrestle the other man to the ground and overpower him. But Jack was still being careful. He loosened the ropes round Joe\u2019s feet so that Joe was now hobbled, then untied the ropes that bound him to the chair, leaving Joe\u2019s hands still tied tightly behind his back. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

Rising unsteadily to his feet, Joe shuffled awkwardly forward. Linda moved up close beside him to help him. Joe could feel the tremors in her body. \u201cGo for help,\u201d he hissed, deliberately stumbling to try and camouflage the noise. He found it surprisingly difficult to get his feet under him again, and under the cover of a second, genuine, stumble, hissed, \u201cGet Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Jack demanded, crowding in close and grabbing Joe\u2019s arm in painful grip.<\/p>\n

Linda threw him a disgusted look. \u201cIt\u2019s not something you would want me to repeat,\u201d she told him, scathingly and Joe was thankful that she had understood what he\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t tolerate that kind of language around my sister, Cartwright,\u201d Jack warned him. \u201cYou watch your mouth in future.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a slight breeze outside that made it seem cooler than the shack. Joe lifted his head for a moment, drawing in the sweet, fresh air. He glanced at Cochise, standing patiently at the hitching rail, and wondered how on earth he was supposed to mount with his feet hobbled. He hoped that Jack did not intend to throw him belly down over the saddle!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stand there, Cartwright!\u201d Jack told him. \u201cLinda, you mount up first.\u201d He went over to help his sister onto her side-saddle. Joe shot a look at her. Linda met his eyes, then looked away.<\/p>\n

The instant she was secure in the saddle, Joe threw himself at Jack. \u201cRide, Linda!\u201d he shouted. \u201cRide!\u201d He heard the sound of galloping hooves as Linda sped off to the Ponderosa. It wasn\u2019t far away, but Joe harboured no hopes that he would still be alive when help arrived. He was bound hand and foot and unarmed. Jack would surely kill him.<\/p>\n

But Joe had no intention of making it easy for Jack. The other man had been caught off guard and Joe\u2019s abrupt assault had knocked the gun from his hand. The struggle from Joe\u2019s point of view was now to keep Jack\u2019s hand away from the gun. He butted the other man in the mouth with his head.<\/p>\n

Enraged, Jack swung wildly at Joe. He had never been much of a fighter, Joe remembered from school, but he was very strong, and even his mis-timed, mis-directed blows stung a lot. And then one blow got through and struck Joe on the face, beside his ear. It knocked Joe over, and he fell to the ground, landing helplessly on his back, with no chance of getting to his feet.<\/p>\n

For a horrified second, Joe thought it was all over, but as Jack scrambled to his feet, Joe realised that the gun they had been fighting over was under him!<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t afford for Jack to get that gun, and so he fought with the only weapon he had left \u2013 his feet. Joe was naturally athletic and he swung his feet at his opponent, catching Jack, as he had hoped, in the groin. The other man crumpled soundlessly, his hands clutching his injured parts.<\/p>\n

Now was the time when Joe had to grab the gun, leap to his feet, jump on his horse and flee the scene. But he could do none of those things. Moving now would be the worst thing he could possibly do, so he lay there, enduring the discomfort of lying on his bound hands, hoping that Jack would not guess where the gun had gone. He struggled slightly, trying to give the impression that he was unable to rise, not that he was lying there for any other reason.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Jack lifted his head and gazed at Joe with narrowed eyes. Then he quickly glanced around, quartering the area, and, when he couldn\u2019t see his gun, he looked back at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re lying on it!\u201d he cried and threw himself at Joe.<\/p>\n

There was no time to bring his legs up to try and protect himself. Joe grunted as Jack\u2019s weight landed square on him. This time, no mercy was given. Jack was determined to retrieve the gun and Joe was going to pay! Jack\u2019s knee thumped Joe solidly in the ribs several times, driving his breath from his body before he was flipped over on his stomach.<\/p>\n

Winded, Joe still retaliated, kicking out once more, and tripping Jack, causing him to fall, again dropping the gun. Jack scrambled after it. Joe somehow forced himself to his feet, but abandoned his attempts to get the weapon. This time, he tried to get to cover, hobbling as fast as he could manage. He knew it was hopeless.<\/p>\n

The first shot bit into the ground by Joe\u2019s foot as he ran. Joe flinched and stumbled. His left ankle twisted painfully under him and he distinctly heard a crack as he tumbled to the ground.<\/p>\n

The second shot was, fortunately, deflected by the fall. It hit Joe in the shoulder, not in the back as Jack had intended. But it didn\u2019t matter. Joe felt a moment of agonising pain before he fell into the darkness.<\/p>\n

As she arrived in the yard of the Ponderosa, Linda did not care that her hair was falling down, or that her face had a big scratch along one cheek from a branch. She only cared that the Cartwrights were at home. Although the line shack was no more than 20 minutes hard riding from the house, she had no real hope that Joe would survive until help arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d she cried. \u201cHelp!\u201d<\/p>\n

The house door opened and Ben popped out, his eyes widening as he recognised Linda and took in her dishevelled appearance. He hurried over to her side as Adam and Hoss came into view.<\/p>\n

\u201cLinda? Let me help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo time,\u201d Linda panted. She herself had no time for women who behaved like hot house lilies. She didn\u2019t have time for Ben to comfort her, however much she felt in need of comfort. \u201cJoe. He\u2019s at the line shack near the Kissing Tree and he\u2019s in trouble.\u201d She paused to draw in some much needed air. \u201cJack has him tied up and he\u2019s going to kill him! Quick!\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t need to say any more than that. Adam was running towards the barn to throw saddles on their horses. Hoss shouted for Hop Sing to come and helped Linda down from her horse and turned her over to their cook\u2019s capable hands. Ben hurried to the bunkhouse, roused the men and sent one hurrying for the doctor and others to hitch the wagon and come after them. By then, Linda was inside sitting down and Adam and Hoss between them had got the horses tacked.<\/p>\n

Fear rode along with them as they pushed their mounts to ever greater speeds. None of them believed that they would find Joe alive when they reached the shack. Ben could feel tears rising in his throat, the lump seemingly solid, so that he could barely swallow. He didn\u2019t know why Jack should have tied Joe up, or want to kill him, but it didn\u2019t seem to matter at that moment. All that mattered was reaching Joe. Adam and Hoss\u2019 thoughts were no less harrowing.<\/p>\n

By the time they reached the line shack, almost an hour had passed since Linda had ridden away. Cochise still stood by the hitching rail. There wasn\u2019t another horse in sight. Ben pulled his horse to a stop, looking round frantically for any sign of Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere!\u201d Hoss was the person who spotted him. He jumped off his horse and ran over to drop to his knees by Joe\u2019s side. Ben and Adam were just a heart beat behind him.<\/p>\n

Joe lay face down on the grass, his head slightly turned to one side, his hands and feet still bound. His face was bruised and blood soaked into his jacket on his right shoulder. He was deeply unconscious.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, get the canteen,\u201d Ben ordered. He reached down to gently stroke Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWe\u2019re here, son,\u201d he soothed. \u201cJust hang on.\u201d Hoss cut through the ropes that kept his brother captive.<\/p>\n

Between them, they turned Joe over, so Ben could cradle his head. Adam brought the canteen and he and Hoss watched anxiously as Ben trickled water into Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe swallowed reflexively, but didn\u2019t waken.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter have a look around for Jack,\u201d Ben suggested. The brothers hastily complied, but there was no sign of him anywhere in the immediate vicinity. The ground was too hard to show any tracks. They gave up the search and went back to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Paul Martin assured Ben as he washed his hands. \u201cThe bullet has damaged Joe\u2019s shoulder blade a bit; I had to remove some slivers of bone, but it\u2019s not badly broken. His ankle is broken and I\u2019m going to put it in plaster now. Apart from that, Joe has lost quite a lot of blood and he\u2019s going to be weak for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down on his youngest son, still under the effects of the anaesthetic, Ben felt an overpowering sense of relief. Joe had been so still and quiet on the journey back to the ranch that Ben had feared for him greatly. \u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check Linda over before I go home,\u201d Paul suggested as he began to fashion a plaster cast for Joe. \u201cShe seemed to be all right, but she\u2019s bound to be quite shocked. It was nice of Hoss to go and get her father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it was,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAdam went to tell Roy what happened. I\u2019m kind of surprised that he\u2019s not back yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing at the other man, Paul could see the worry lines still on his face. \u201cI\u2019m sure Adam is all right,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, so am I,\u201d Ben agreed. He looked over at the window, where the sun was still shining, although it was evening now. \u201cThey might have gathered a posse and be out looking for Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Straightening from his task, Paul hesitated to tell Ben what the other man probably already knew. \u201cBen, even if they catch Jack, I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be fit to stand trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the head injury?\u201d Ben asked. He looked down at Joe again. His son moved, mumbling slightly as he came closer to regaining consciousness. \u201cDo you think he\u2019s crazy?\u201d he prodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the way you mean,\u201d Paul replied. He hated the term \u2018crazy\u2019. \u201cBut he\u2019s definitely not the same as he was before the accident. There\u2019s so much we don\u2019t know about the brain, Ben. There must have been some sort of brain damage, but we can\u2019t be sure what. After all, Jack wasn\u2019t raving, and he seemed to know exactly what he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how can you say he won\u2019t stand trial?\u201d Ben demanded, angrily. \u201cIf he knew what he was doing, then he\u2019s sane!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Paul shrugged. \u201cI think that somewhere, they\u2019ll find a doctor who\u2019ll tell you Jack isn\u2019t responsible for his actions. As I said, it\u2019s a difficult area, Ben. Jack can function in society, although not very well. But I have to say, this action, from the little that Linda told Hop Sing, and he repeated to you, suggests that Jack is not completely sane, and I suspect many judges might just accept that diagnosis and lock him up in an asylum.\u201d
\nIt looked as though Ben was going to give vent to his anger and worry right there, but Joe stirred, and opened his eyes, a groan of pain escaping his lips. Ben instantly bent over his youngest son, his dark eyes soft and loving. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe mumbled. He squinted. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026alive?\u201d he asked, disbelief in his tone.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Paul Martin leant in. \u201cI\u2019ve pulled you back from the brink once more, young man,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe flicked a glance at the doctor before his eyes once more sought his father\u2019s face. \u201cI thought\u2026 Jack would\u2026kill me,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re safe now,\u201d Ben soothed him. \u201cLinda came for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes momentarily, Joe tried to find a comfortable position to lie in. He failed and winced miserably. \u201cLinda,\u201d he breathed. His eyes opened once more. \u201cJack wanted Linda to marry me, Pa.\u201d He caught his breath again. \u201cHe killed Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d Ben crooned. He stroked the curls back from Joe\u2019s forehead, the familiar gesture bringing him a measure of comfort and soothing Joe.<\/p>\n

Breathlessly, Joe told Ben and Paul the whole story. \u201cI thought he\u2019d kill me,\u201d Joe concluded. He tried once more to get comfortable and failed. He glanced at Paul. \u201cWhy am I so sore?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a broken ankle,\u201d Paul explained, pulling back the blanket so Joe could see his toes peeping out of the cast. \u201cAnd I took a bullet out of your shoulder, too. That\u2019s why you\u2019re sore. But now I\u2019ve seen that you\u2019re with us, I can give you something for the pain.\u201d Smoothly, he shot the morphine he\u2019d prepared earlier into Joe\u2019s arm and after a few moments, Joe felt the pain begin to ease. His eyes began to droop and a few minutes later, he surrendered to sleep.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

It was dark before Adam returned home. Ben greeted him anxiously, but Adam was quite unhurt, just hot and tired. \u201cRoy got up a posse at once,\u201d Adam explained as he slumped down at the table. Hop Sing silently brought Adam some food. \u201cWe went out to the house where the Mortons had been staying, just in case, but there was no sign of him there. Clem had gone to check their house in town, but it was deserted, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re no further on,\u201d Ben muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll go out again in the morning,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cBut the ground is so dry that there aren\u2019t any tracks.\u201d He forked some food into his mouth. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked, as he chewed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSleeping,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d He quickly appraised Adam of Joe\u2019s injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll sit with him,\u201d Adam offered. \u201cAnd you can get some rest, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll do no such thing,\u201d Ben scolded gently. \u201cYou\u2019re exhausted! I\u2019ll sit with Joe, and you get some sleep. You\u2019ll need it if you\u2019re going out after Jack tomorrow. I assume you are going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, unless you need me here,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can manage,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cYou go and help find Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

But Jack seemed to have disappeared into thin air. For days, the posse hunted for him, but Jack was nowhere to be found. Linda and her father returned to their home, trying their best to pick up the pieces of their lives, but it wasn\u2019t easy. Joe spent the first few days sleeping, regaining his strength, but he was soon feeling better and was allowed to get up and go downstairs. Finally, after a week, as the numbers in the posse dwindled, Roy called off the hunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got out wanted posters for him, Ben,\u201d he explained to the family. \u201cBut I can\u2019t ask the men to keep comin\u2019 out. We ain\u2019t gettin\u2019 anywheres.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that, Roy,\u201d Ben sighed. He glanced at Joe, who sat with his plastered foot up along the sofa. Joe smiled at him, and adjusted the cushion at his back. He had complained of backache the day before, but found the cushion helped. \u201cThanks anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry I couldn\u2019t do more,\u201d Roy mumbled. \u201cBe seein\u2019 ya, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Roy,\u201d the brothers chorused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you suppose Jack went?\u201d Joe asked, twitching again, and trying to sort his cushion.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we knew that,\u201d Adam replied, sarcastically, leaning over to help his brother,\u201d we could just go there and catch him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, clever clogs,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cThanks,\u201d he added, as Adam got the cushion sorted to his satisfaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may never know,\u201d Ben replied, glaring at Adam for being so tactless. He failed to hide his dis-satisfaction at this answer.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

About two weeks later, Joe was sitting in the porch rocker when a buggy drew into the yard. He recognised Linda and her father at once. \u201cHey, Pa, we\u2019ve got visitors,\u201d Joe called. He wished he could stand up to greet them, but that simple, everyday task was one he couldn\u2019t accomplish alone. \u201cHello,\u201d he said, smiling at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d Linda replied. \u201cHow are you?\u201d It was the first time Joe had seen Linda since she rode off to get help. Linda had not seen Joe since he was carried, unconscious, into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe smiled. He certainly felt a lot better and his shoulder wasn\u2019t as sore as it had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cLinda! Mr Morton!\u201d Ben came striding out onto the porch and extended his hand. Morton shook it. \u201cHave a seat,\u201d he offered and pulled across chairs from the table on the porch. \u201cSorry we\u2019re sitting out here, but if you knew the effort it takes to get Joe anywhere these days\u2026\u201d Ben let his voice trail off and grinned at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only stood on your toes once on the way out!\u201d Joe protested, mock-indignantly. They all laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came out to say goodbye,\u201d Morton explained when the laughter had died down, and Ben had offered refreshments. \u201cI\u2019ve sold the business and we\u2019re going to start fresh somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d Ben murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tried to stick it out,\u201d Morton went on, as Linda looked down at her hands twined in her lap, \u201cbut we can\u2019t take the talk any more. Jack is my son, and I love him, but I know what he did was wrong. But how could I know he was planning something like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou couldn\u2019t,\u201d Ben assured him stoutly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry that you haven\u2019t received more understanding from the people in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo am I,\u201d Morton agreed sadly. \u201cThis has been our home for a long time.\u201d He made a wry face that didn\u2019t fool any of them. \u201cAnyway, I thought we should come out and say goodbye. Joe, it\u2019s good to see you on the mend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to see you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Morton rose, a figure stepped out of the bushes at the side of the house. Joe, seeing the movement at the periphery of his vision, turned his head, and the colour drained out of his face. It was Jack, but a Jack that was barely recognisable. He was bearded and dirty, thin and unkempt. He had a gun in his hand and it was pointing at the group on the porch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t go, Dad,\u201d Jack cried. \u201cJoe and Linda aren\u2019t married!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Jack!\u201d Linda wailed and burst into tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me, son,\u201d Morton coaxed, putting his hand out towards Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to listen to you!\u201d Jack shouted. \u201cYou just said you were going away, but what about me? What about Linda and Joe getting married? Don\u2019t you want to see them wed? Joe\u2019s rich; he\u2019ll make a good husband for Linda, don\u2019t you see?\u201d
\n\u201cLinda has to choose her own husband,\u201d Morton replied. \u201cYou can\u2019t do it for her, Jack.\u201d He took a step forward. \u201cGive me the gun, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Jack pulled the gun up, and clicked the safety off. \u201cDad, you\u2019ve got to make them get married. That\u2019s why I killed Drew. Linda has to marry Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t even like Joe!\u201d Linda cried, totally distraught. \u201cYou told me so yourself when I started going out with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know!\u201d Jack shouted back. \u201cBut he\u2019s rich! You won\u2019t have to worry about money, Linda! Isn\u2019t that more important than love? You\u2019ll have servants to do everything for you. You\u2019ll be a lady!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care if I have to live in a hovel, as long as I love the man,\u201d Linda shouted back. \u201cI\u2019m not going to live my life the way you think I ought to!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you will!\u201d Jack yelled. He suddenly swung the gun round and pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n

Joe dived from the rocker to the ground, crying out as his sore shoulder took the force of the impact. Morton dived at Jack, as did Ben. Linda screamed, her self control completely gone. Joe wanted to drag Linda to safety, but he knew he couldn\u2019t reach her in time, and the pain from his shoulder made him feel sick.<\/p>\n

The gun went off again as Ben, Morton and Jack went down in a struggling heap. Joe\u2019s eyes widened in horror and he struggled to sit up, terrified that Jack had claimed another victim \u2013 his beloved father. \u201cPa!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

Slowly, oh, so slowly, Ben got up. \u201cI\u2019m all right, Joe,\u201d he assured his son and reached down to help Morton to his feet. The other man was ashen.<\/p>\n

\u201cDad?\u201d Linda whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Morton replied, mechanically. His eyes were glued to the ground, where his son lay dead at his feet, his eyes gazing sightlessly at the sky, and a gaping hole in his stomach.<\/p>\n

In a jumble of mixed emotions \u2013 relief that it was over and Ben was safe, and grief for Linda and her father \u2013 Joe allowed himself to slump to the ground. He was barely aware of Adam and Hoss arriving from the corrals in a panic, or of Hoss and Ben carrying him inside.<\/p>\n

It was, finally, over.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

The funeral was brief and painful, with only the Mortons and the Cartwrights in attendance. Joe sat in the buggy at the gate and watched. As the minister left, the Cartwrights each spoke quietly to Mr Morton and Linda before coming back over to where Joe sat. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe replied, \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa.\u201d He found a smile for his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Joe,\u201d Linda whispered, as she reached the buggy. She leaned over to kiss his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, Linda,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cTake care of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too,\u201d Linda responded and tried to smile. It didn\u2019t come off. Turning to her father, she accepted his help in climbing onto the wagon seat. Morton nodded to them all and joined her.<\/p>\n

Without a single, backward glance, they left Virginia City. The Cartwrights watched them go in complete silence.<\/p>\n

Once they were out of sight, Ben cleared his throat. \u201cWell,\u201d he said, briskly. \u201cI think we should be getting this young man home again. It\u2019s been a long first outing for you, Joe. Are you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, and his smile was more genuine this time. \u201cBut I am a bit tired I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you won\u2019t have anything to do now, except get better,\u201d Ben told him. He climbed into the buggy beside Joe as Adam and Hoss mounted. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe twice has a narrow brush with death, but it seems it isn\u2019t Joe who is the target. Is it is ex-girlfriend? Or is it something altogether more sinister?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (10,850 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":7527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1995,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/QIXI-chapter13.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1357,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1357","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":0},"title":"The Countess aka My Lady’s Revenge (by KateP)","author":"KateP","date":"March 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A What Happened Next for the episode 'The Countess'. What happens when the Countess returns to the Ponderosa? Rated: K+ (8,675 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61540,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61540","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":1},"title":"Beautiful in My Eyes (by Wrangler)","author":"Wrangler","date":"January 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Francois Balantaire, a spurned suitor of Marie Cartwright's, travels two thousand miles and twenty years to seek vengeance on her by scarring her son, Little Joe. Rating T, WC 24,425 Links to stories in the series are included within.","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ben, Little Joe","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_20260110_020703_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C933&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_20260110_020703_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C933&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_20260110_020703_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C933&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_20260110_020703_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C933&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_20260110_020703_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C933&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29690,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=29690","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":2},"title":"Revelation and Resolution (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"August 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Second in the Adam and Selina series, this is a short story about love and expectations that features\u00a0 conversations among brothers especially one between Adam and Hoss. Rating = T\u00a0 Word Count = 2106 Selina Series, link to the stories are included within.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/A-H.jpg?fit=276%2C284&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14624,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14624","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":3},"title":"The Cup of Bitterness (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"August 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: After being cleared for shooting Zach Crenshaw in self-defense, Joe tried to square things with Zach\u2019s father. While he thought he was helping Amos Crenshaw to dig a well, Amos had other plans for that hole. A WHI for \"The Wormwood Cup.\" Word Count: 9,689 Rating: T","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Poker-2017.png?fit=931%2C664&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Poker-2017.png?fit=931%2C664&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Poker-2017.png?fit=931%2C664&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Poker-2017.png?fit=931%2C664&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13193,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13193","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":4},"title":"The Act of Living (by Foreverfree)","author":"Foreverfree","date":"August 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 WHN for The Truckee Strip. Unable to cope with Amy's death, Joe has withdrawn from his family and shut everybody out. Will a trip alone to Placerville prove beneficial or disastrous? Rating: T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word Count: 9754","rel":"","context":"In "Writing Challenges"","block_context":{"text":"Writing Challenges","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=40"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Poker-2016.png?fit=1109%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Poker-2016.png?fit=1109%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Poker-2016.png?fit=1109%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Poker-2016.png?fit=1109%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Poker-2016.png?fit=1109%2C750&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12111,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12111","url_meta":{"origin":7110,"position":5},"title":"Back to Reality (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"November 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 When Adam takes Joe along on a business trip, things go from bad to worse.\u00a0 After Joe gets bitten by a sidewinder, it is now up to Adam to save not only his baby brother's life but his own life as well. 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