{"id":7114,"date":"2004-08-08T12:13:33","date_gmt":"2004-08-08T16:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7114"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:30","slug":"a-fresh-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7114","title":{"rendered":"A Fresh Start (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Joe is sought out by a woman who wants him to help her husband. But when Joe discovers who the woman’s husband is, he wants nothing to do with him. Will he take no for an answer?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (10,975)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep<\/a>
\nToil and Trouble<\/a>
\nWolf in the Fold<\/a>
\nA Fresh Start<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0A Fresh Start<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

The feminine voice cut through the general hubbub of the street noises and Joe turned. \u201cYes?\u201d he replied, automatically tipping his hat to the lady. He didn\u2019t think he had ever seen her before. \u201cCan I help you, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so.\u201d Having got Joe\u2019s attention, the lady seemed suddenly uncertain. \u201cCould I talk with you privately please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Joe agreed, thoroughly intrigued. He followed her away from the front of the busy general store and stopped at the side of the building, a few steps into the alley. \u201cWhat can I do for you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Mrs Bryson, Judith Bryson,\u201d she began, fingering her skirts nervously. \u201cI believe you know my husband.\u201d She paused, flashed Joe a nervous look from dark eyes and lowered her gaze again. \u201cMy husband\u2019s name is Tom Bryson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe puzzled over the name. He didn\u2019t know the lady and he was certain he didn\u2019t know anyone called Bryson. He looked at her again, seeing the well-cut dress and velvet hat that spoke of money. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he began, but Mrs Bryson interrupted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband told me to tell you\u2026\u201d Again, she stopped and looked up at him fearfully. \u201cHe told me to tell you that your last meetings hadn\u2019t been pleasant for you, but that he is sorry now and would like to take you up on your offer.\u201d Biting her lip, Mrs Bryson looked at the puzzled young man in front of her and saw that he still didn\u2019t understand. She loved her husband dearly, but this was so difficult. Taking a deep breath and grasping her courage with both hands, she explained further. \u201cYou first met my husband a few years ago when he broke into your home.\u201d Still Joe looked at her blankly, then he started to frown even harder. Hurriedly, she went on, \u201cAnd then he tried to kill you again and another time kidnapped you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTom!\u201d Joe exclaimed, his voice low and filled with a mixture of repulsion and fear.<\/p>\n

Silently, Judith nodded. She stood waiting to see what else Joe would say, twisting her fingers together to still their shaking. The amiable young cowboy she had first spoken to had disappeared into an angry man with a hard look on his handsome face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat offer does Tom want to take me up on this time?\u201d Joe asked bitterly. \u201cDoes he want me to come with you quietly so he can demand money from my father for my safe return?\u201d<\/p>\n

Although she couldn\u2019t blame him for lashing out at her, tears formed in her eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she whispered. \u201cTom said you\u2019d react like this, but he doesn\u2019t know who else to turn to.\u201d Raising damp lashes, she saw she had Joe\u2019s full attention. \u201cTom wants to go straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t know what that means!\u201d Joe growled after several moments of silence. \u201cDoes he think that he\u2019s going to walk away from everything he did without paying for it? Why should I believe a word he says?\u201d<\/p>\n

Swallowing the tears, Judith replied, \u201cWe were married last year. Tom had been working for me for over a year and we fell in love after my husband died. I\u2019m\u2026\u201d She blushed and looked down. \u201cWe\u2019re expecting a child,\u201d she concluded primly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy condolences,\u201d Joe replied, savagely and turned smartly on his heel and walked away.<\/p>\n

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

Walking across the busy street, Joe was completely unaware of his surroundings. Nonetheless, he adroitly dodged horses and wagons, lifted his hat to a couple of ladies he knew and arrived back at his horse without knowing how he got there. All his thoughts were centred on Tom.<\/p>\n

When Joe had first met Tom, Tom was breaking into the Ponderosa. Joe had been caught unawares by the man\u2019s resemblance to his brother Adam. Joe had been quite badly injured in their encounter, and only the fortuitous arrival of the rest of his family had stopped Tom making off with many of their precious possessions. The following spring, Joe had been involved in a serious of accidents, culminating in the near drowning of both Ben and Joe. Tom once more had been the culprit, although Joe didn\u2019t get confirmation of that for a couple of years when Tom returned, took Joe prisoner and proceeded to try to get a ransom from Ben. Luckily, Hoss had rescued Joe before Ben could pay over more than $100. Tom had fallen into the Truckee River and his body had never been recovered. It had been assumed he had drowned \u2013 by everyone except the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

And now, three years later, Tom was back. He was married, his wife expecting a child and he wanted to go straight \u2013 with Joe\u2019s help. And Joe\u2019s first and strongest instinct was to say \u2018no\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d The voice was annoyed and a hand shook his sleeve. \u201cAre you listening to me?\u201d Candy Canaday, the ranch foreman, demanded. \u201cI\u2019ve been talking to you for the last few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t hear you,\u201d Joe replied, shaking himself out of his reverie. \u201cSorry. What did you say?\u201d He was having trouble staying focused.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Candy answered, seeing how white Joe\u2019s face was. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe replied, uncertainly. \u201cWhat did you ask me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked if you had collected the mail,\u201d Candy replied. He frowned, wondering what had upset Joe so much. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right, pal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Joe assured him, which wasn\u2019t quite the answer Candy was expecting. \u201cAnd yes, I got the mail.\u201d Joe quickly checked his cinch before stepping into the saddle.<\/p>\n

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

All the way home, Candy thought that Joe looked like his own ghost. He was unusually tight-lipped, too, making almost no replies to Candy\u2019s remarks. Sometimes Joe smiled and nodded, but Candy would have laid good money that Joe had no idea what he had just agreed to.<\/p>\n

When they got back, Candy casually followed Joe into the house, where Joe gave Ben the mail and disappeared upstairs. Candy took his time over removing his hat and gun belt before going over to his employer. \u201cCan I talk to you?\u201d he asked, awkwardly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Ben replied, tilting the letter he\u2019d been reading away from him, but not laying it down entirely. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder, Candy was relieved to see Joe wasn\u2019t suddenly coming back downstairs and he leaned in closer to Ben, lowering his voice. \u201cWhen I met up with Joe in town, he was as white as a sheet,\u201d he began. \u201cI spoke to him for a few minutes before he responded, but he wouldn\u2019t tell me what happened. He hardly said a word all the way home. Do you think he\u2019s all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

At once, Ben divined that Candy was in deadly earnest. He had been vaguely surprised by the instant friendship that had sprung up between his youngest son and the drifter who had found such an integral place in their lives, but he knew that both men cared for each other. \u201cHe looked all right,\u201d Ben replied, doubtfully, then realised that he hadn\u2019t actually looked at Joe and wasn\u2019t sure if his son looked all right or not. \u201cHe didn\u2019t get in a fight, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Candy denied with authority. \u201cNo way could he have hidden a fight from me. No, he just seemed to be far away, thinking hard about something.\u201d A sudden thought occurred to Candy, but he didn\u2019t share it. Perhaps Joe had had a letter from Adam, his oldest brother who was off somewhere wandering the world. Candy knew that Joe had found it difficult to believe Adam had wanted to leave the ranch and the signs seemed to be that he was never coming back, and Joe was hurt by this. Candy suspected that Ben Cartwright was all too aware of Joe\u2019s feelings, and Candy didn\u2019t want to get in the middle. He had never met Adam \u2013 had no particular desire to \u2013 and most of all, he was Joe\u2019s friend. He would take Joe\u2019s part in almost anything, as that\u2019s what friends did. So he didn\u2019t mention his suspicions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for telling me,\u201d Ben replied, frowning. \u201cI\u2019ll see if I can find out what\u2019s wrong. And if you manage that before me, would you tell me please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Candy agreed and went off back to work.<\/p>\n

Picking up the letter once more, Ben found that although it was from his son, Adam, and the first letter they had received for months, he couldn\u2019t concentrate on it. Skimming through, he saw that Adam was enjoying his stay in Italy, was well, but had no plans to return home.<\/p>\n

Putting the letter down, Ben sighed. Reading between the lines, he was sure that Adam was never going to come back for good. Hoss still thought, so, he knew, but Ben no longer believed that and he knew Joe had never believed his oldest brother was coming back.<\/p>\n

It occurred to Ben that Joe had yet to come downstairs. Rising, Ben picked up the letter again and headed towards the stairs. This would provide him with an excuse \u2013 not that he needed one \u2013 to see if Joe was all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben knocked and when he didn\u2019t receive an answer, he cautiously opened the door.<\/p>\n

Joe was standing by the window, gazing out, with a far-away look on his face. \u201cJoe?\u201d Ben said, again and this time, Joe heard him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hi, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, summoning a smile, but it was a long way from its usual brilliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something wrong?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cYou\u2019ve been up here for ages. Are you feeling all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a minute, Joe wondered about telling Ben he was fine, but abruptly decided against it. Swallowing, he shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not ill, but I\u2019m not all right,\u201d he admitted softly. \u201cI was approached by a lady in town,\u201d he went on. \u201cShe told me her husband wanted to talk to me. He wanted my help.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe seemed to be having difficulty going on, Ben prompted, \u201cWho is her husband and why does he want your help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants my help because I once offered to help him,\u201d Joe replied, obliquely. He finally raised his eyes and Ben winced at the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cHer husband is Tom.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, the name meant nothing to Ben. He knew dozens of Toms. But then the look on Joe\u2019s face and the name made a connection and Ben knew who Joe meant. He could feel himself paling. \u201cTom?\u201d he echoed.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe sat down on the bed. Ben sat heavily in the chair near him. \u201cMrs Bryson approached me and said Tom wants my help to go straight. They\u2019ve been married for about a year and Tom was working for her and her late husband for more than a year before that. They\u2019re having a child together.\u201d There was bitterness in Joe\u2019s voice. \u201cI can\u2019t help wondering if he married her for her money,\u201d he added cynically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do they live?\u201d Ben demanded and Joe shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think to ask,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI just wanted to get out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can\u2019t blame you,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose Tom was around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see him,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think he was there. He couldn\u2019t risk coming into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to tell Roy,\u201d Ben declared, rising.<\/p>\n

When Joe didn\u2019t immediately leap to his feet as well, Ben looked down at him, puzzled and saw reluctance on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou are going to tell Roy, aren\u2019t you,\u201d he stated, phrasing it like a question, but making it a warning.<\/p>\n

The ambivalence that Joe often felt about Tom showed clearly on his face. \u201cI suppose,\u201d he agreed, reluctantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben questioned, not understanding the reluctance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, almost savagely. He rose and paced over to the window. \u201cI hate Tom and in a lot of ways I fear him. But he\u2019s so like Adam in a lot of respects and that confuses me. I did want to help him that first time we met. I still do, in a way. But I think it\u2019s too late and I don\u2019t want to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam. Always it came back to Adam. Ben looked down and saw that Adam\u2019s letter was crumpled beyond redemption in his fist. Well, no matter. Joe\u2019s needs came first now. Slowly, Ben went over. \u201cJoe, if Tom does want to go straight, he\u2019ll have to face the law at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know!\u201d Joe snapped, moving away from his father\u2019s soothing hand. His confusion raged in his breast and he wasn\u2019t ready to be soothed. He had to sort out his feelings first. \u201cPa, I know,\u201d he repeated, trying to conquer his temper. He was at least partially successful. \u201cI\u2019m sorry; I just need to think this through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut don\u2019t think too long, Joe. Because if you don\u2019t go in to see Roy tomorrow morning, I will.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was soft and pleasant, but Joe knew that he meant every word.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d he nodded, ducking his head. At once, he noticed the paper in Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis?\u201d Ben held it up. Now wasn\u2019t the time. \u201cNothing important, son. I must have forgotten to put it down when I came up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to worry you, Pa,\u201d Joe replied and Ben patted his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you downstairs for supper?\u201d he asked and Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

As Ben left the room, Joe resumed gazing out of the window, his thoughts going round and round, but not getting anywhere.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By supper, Joe was slightly calmer. He knew that he would have to tell Roy about Tom, but it had occurred to him that he had no idea where Tom lived. He had never seen Tom\u2019s wife, Judith, before to his knowledge, although that meant nothing. There were about 20,000 people living in the immediate area and there was no way Joe could know them all.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Candy asked as they sat down to supper. He\u2019d been acutely aware of Joe\u2019s absence all afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured him, smiling slightly. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you all about it over supper.\u201d And as the food grew cold on his plate, he told Candy the entire story with Tom, starting with their first meeting* and concluding with him falling into the Truckee River.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, I don\u2019 like the thought o\u2019 that snake bein\u2019 back,\u201d Hoss growled. \u201cJoe, don\u2019 ya go anywheres near him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t planning to,\u201d Joe replied impatiently, not sure whether he should be amused or annoyed at Hoss\u2019 instructions. Did his older brother think he was completely stupid? \u201cPa, I\u2019ll go into town first thing and tell Roy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s for the best, son,\u201d Ben agreed, stretching his hand out and laying it on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cBy the way, I got a letter from your brother in the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a change of subject, it was a good move in some respects. Hoss immediately exclaimed in delight and demanded to read the missive. Joe applied himself to his food, not expressing any interest in what Adam had to say. Ben wasn\u2019t surprised. He knew how Joe felt. But it allowed them to stop thinking of Tom and, to Ben, that was a good thing.<\/p>\n

Except Joe didn\u2019t stop thinking about Tom. He now found himself wondering if Tom still resembled Adam as closely as he had done the last time Joe saw him.<\/p>\n

If Ben had known, he would have done something to distract Joe, but he didn\u2019t and so the thoughts ran on unchecked.<\/p>\n

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

It was almost a relief for Joe to be wakened come morning. He had dreamt violently the whole night, reliving his encounters with Tom.<\/p>\n

The words threw Joe into a panic. He swung his legs around, twisting to try and reach his tormentor. As he kicked to try and reach him, his hip slid on the floor, and Joe found himself sliding, but still tied to the banisters. There was an audible crack as his right collar bone snapped under the sudden pressure. Joe went limp.<\/p>\n

Panting, Joe tried to wipe the images from his mind, but he failed.<\/p>\n

From his seat on the buckboard, Joe watched with horror as Ben broke the surface only to disappear again at once. He knew something was wrong. Ben was a very good swimmer. Joe jumped from the seat and ripped off his jacket, boots, hat and gun belt. Running to the water\u2019s edge, he dived in and began to swim.<\/p>\n

The cold and the pain hit him all at once. Joe gasped and spluttered, but kept on doggedly swimming towards the churning water a short distance away. \u201cPa!\u201d he cried, as a head broke the surface for a moment. He swallowed a mouthful of water and choked.<\/p>\n

Diving beneath the water, Joe looked around frantically before spotting Ben floating a few feet away. He swam over, grabbed his father and propelled him to the surface. Ben took a great breath of air and coughed out some water, but he didn\u2019t open his eyes.<\/p>\n

Rolling onto his side, Joe prepared to swim for the side, towing Ben with him. His every breath, every movement caused stabbing pains in his chest. But he kept going, knowing that if he didn\u2019t, both he and his father would die.<\/p>\n

By the time they reached the shore, Ben was conscious again and making an effort to help Joe along. Joe\u2019s feet hit bottom, but he couldn\u2019t stand. On his knees, he dragged Ben away from the water line before collapsing to the sandy ground, totally spent, and gasping for breath.<\/p>\n

Dragging in a deep breath, Joe washed a hand over his face, feeling the sweat there. He had to relax. Another image forced its way into his consciousness and this one was the worst of all\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you!\u201d Tom screamed. \u201cI\u2019m going to enjoy this!\u201d He raised his knife and placed it on top of Joe\u2019s right ear. The blade began to bite into the cartilage and for a moment Joe felt no pain. Then the blood began to flow and he screamed as the agony drove his wits asunder.<\/p>\n

From somewhere behind Tom, there was an enraged bellow, and for a second, Joe thought that a grizzly bear had happened upon them. Then Tom was dragged away from Joe, the knife sliding down his cheek, leaving a thin, burning line of red behind it, and Joe slumped down, all but unconscious.<\/p>\n

Unbidden, Joe\u2019s hand went to his ear. The scar on the top of it was small and didn\u2019t usually bother Joe. He seldom thought about it, but it was a tangible reminder of his ordeal. The ordeal that had only ended when Hoss came to find him.<\/p>\n

Hoss, angrier than he had ever been before, dragged Tom away from Joe and hit him in the face. Tom looked stunned, but he tried to fight back, bringing the knife up in a futile attempt to protect himself. Contemptuously, Hoss hammered his fist down on Tom\u2019s wrist and the knife dropped from his deadened fingers to the ground.<\/p>\n

Frantically, Tom threw a punch with his left hand, but it glanced off Hoss\u2019 cheek without making any impression on the enraged bigger man. Hoss was shaken by Tom\u2019s resemblance to Adam, and he felt almost as though it was his brother, who had suddenly gone mad and tried to kill Joe.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe saw Hoss beating the living daylights out of Tom. \u201cHoss, no!\u201d he cried and tried to get to his feet. The last thing he wanted was Hoss beating anyone to death on his behalf. \u201cHoss!\u201d he cried again, trying to get to his feet, but failing.<\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s voice had penetrated the haze of anger that had fallen over Hoss\u2019 mind. He gave Tom one last punch and looked let go of him. Tom reeled backwards and fell into the brush. Hoss made a grab for him, but missed. Tom screamed as he tumbled down the slope and fell into the river with a resounding splash.<\/p>\n

That memory brought comfort, and Joe gradually relaxed. He knew his family would be there for him. They had never let him down yet and he knew they never would. It had taken Joe a long time to physically recover from his last ordeal with Tom. Joe didn\u2019t want to take the chance that Tom was seeking some kind of misguided revenge against him, using his presumably innocent wife as bait.<\/p>\n

At last, Joe rose, washed and dressed and went downstairs. Hoss and Candy were just finishing up and they smiled briefly at Joe before leaving, seeing that he was in no mood for inconsequential chatting. Ben remained seated, pouring himself another cup of coffee. \u201cRough night, huh?\u201d he asked, sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe replied, unwilling to elaborate. He put some bread on his plate and frowned down at the bacon and eggs that Hop Sing placed in front of him, unasked. Joe wasn’t sure that he was hungry, but when he glanced round at the Oriental housekeeper, he saw the genuine concern in his friend\u2019s eyes and knew that this was Hop Sing\u2019s way of helping Joe. With a smile, Joe began to eat and discovered that he was hungrier than he thought.<\/p>\n

When he finished eating, Joe sighed heavily. The moment had come and it wouldn\u2019t get any easier by putting it off. Rising, he found a passable smile for Ben. \u201cI\u2019d better get into town and talk to Roy,\u201d he commented. \u201cSee you later, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d Ben admonished him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe promised and grabbed his gear before heading out to the barn. Cochise was already saddled and waiting for him and Joe, in absentia, thanked Candy and Hoss, not sure which of them had done this for him. Swiftly strapping on his gun belt, Joe shrugged on his green jacket, gave his hat a push to make sure it was firmly on his head and mounted.<\/p>\n

Squaring his shoulders, Joe headed off into town.<\/p>\n

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

When the rider emerged onto the road in front of him, Joe knew instantly that it was Tom. Who else could it be? He reached for his gun, but Tom was way ahead of him and Joe found himself looking into the barrel of a 45. Wisely, he decided not to try anything. \u201cSo this is you wanting to go straight is it?\u201d Joe asked, disgustedly. \u201cI knew I didn\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t think of another way to make you stay and listen to me,\u201d Tom replied. \u201cI tried asking nicely \u2013 well, my wife tried. Do you know how upset she was by your last remark?\u201d Tom sounded bitter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hurt her,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut I was shaken.\u201d He wondered why he\u2019d said that. Why did he always end up telling Tom things? Was it because he looked like Adam? Joe eyed the man in front of him and saw that the old resemblance was still there. Tom looked a bit slimmer than Adam had been when Joe had last seen him, but was still stocky. Tom was just as bald as Adam, too. It really was eerie.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Joe, won\u2019t you come with me and hear what I have to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, shaking his head. \u201cIf you want to go straight, go and turn yourself over to Roy Coffee and be done with it. You don\u2019t need my help for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to come with me,\u201d Tom explained. \u201cI want you to tell him you won\u2019t be pressing charges against me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want what?\u201d Joe scoffed, his eyes wide, barely able to believe what he had just heard. \u201cYou are joking!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please, come home with me and let me explain. Please.\u201d Tom was openly begging.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m not doing it.\u201d He tightened his reins and put his heel to his horse. He was suddenly certain that Tom would not shoot him. He rode past Tom at a walk.<\/p>\n

Without warning, Tom threw himself at Joe, knocking them both to the ground. Joe was underneath, caught off guard, but he began to fight. Tom, on the other hand, didn\u2019t seem to want to beat Joe to a pulp this time. He just used his greater weight to keep the younger man pinned down, although it was quite a task. Joe was slim, but muscular and once or twice he almost succeeded in throwing Tom off.<\/p>\n

But Tom had come prepared and he finally managed to pin Joe to the ground, face down. Despite Joe\u2019s struggles, he pulled Joe\u2019s right arm behind his back and Joe felt something cold and metallic fasten around his wrist! Handcuffs! Joe renewed his struggle, but Tom was too heavy for him to throw off and before long, Joe\u2019s hands were cuffed firmly behind his back.<\/p>\n

Panting, Tom rose and looked down at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d he told his captive. \u201cBut I do need to speak to you and if this is the only way you\u2019ll come back with me and listen to what I have to say, so be it.\u201d He bent over to pull Joe to his feet and adroitly side-stepped the kick Joe aimed at him. He took his rope and tied one end round Joe\u2019s waist, then forced Joe to mount, before tying the other end of the rope to the saddle horn. Then, leading Cochise, he mounted his own horse and they rode away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tom was a mass of contradictions. By his own admission, he was an educated man, having graduated from Harvard law school. But after a drunken prank had gone wrong on graduation night when a fellow student was killed, Tom had run away. Since then, by his own admission, he had killed several times, yet Joe had sensed in him a desire to go home, return to the family he had not seen in almost two decades.<\/p>\n

Since meeting Joe, Tom had admitted that Joe had awakened his conscience and he resented the younger man for that. He had made Joe\u2019s life a misery while holding him a captive before and Joe knew enough to be afraid of Tom now. He didn\u2019t think the leopard could change its spots this late in his life, and why he thought that Joe\u2019s help would allow him to escape hanging was anyone\u2019s guess. Joe couldn\u2019t figure the man out at all.<\/p>\n

For his part, Tom was feeling a twinge of conscience. He shouldn\u2019t have forced Joe to come with him, but he was desperate to make Joe understand. He just hoped Joe would be willing to listen to him after this.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long ride. It was almost three hours before they arrived at a neat little ranch in a sheltered valley. Joe knew they were somewhere near Carson City, but he wasn\u2019t entirely familiar with the area. He had maintained complete silence as they rode and even though he hated to admit it, he was glad they were at their destination. He was tired of fighting to keep his balance with his hands behind his back.<\/p>\n

As they pulled to a stop in front of the house, the door opened and Judith came out, her face alight with pleasure at her husband\u2019s return. But the light fled as she spotted Joe and her hand shot to her mouth. \u201cOh, Tom!\u201d she exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t hurt him,\u201d Tom replied, testily. \u201cBut he wouldn\u2019t listen and I need him to listen. Judith, darling, I mean Joe no harm, honestly. Once I\u2019ve explained to him, I promise I\u2019ll let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

There really was nothing Judith could say to that, for she knew that once Tom had made up his mind, that was it. She watched in silence as Tom untied the rope then helped Joe down from the horse. As Joe met her eyes, she flinched from the look. She had never seen such contempt.<\/p>\n

Propelling Joe inside the house, Tom made him sit down in a kitchen chair and took a chair opposite him. Joe gazed at Tom expressionlessly. Tom sighed. This was going to be even harder than he had thought it might be. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry about this,\u201d he began, awkwardly, gesturing at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I see,\u201d Joe replied, with biting sarcasm and Judith winced again. \u201cSo sorry you\u2019re rushing to take these cuffs off.\u201d He moved his arms slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Tom replied. \u201cI don\u2019t blame you for being annoyed. But, Joe, please, listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t appear to have a choice,\u201d Joe shot back venomously. Tom winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t,\u201d he agreed, sounding annoyed himself. \u201cSo I\u2019m going to talk and you\u2019re going to listen.\u201d He drew in a deep breath and began to talk.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI thought Joe would have been back by now,\u201d Ben mentioned, worriedly as lunchtime loomed. \u201cRoy wouldn\u2019t let him go on a posse to look for Tom, would he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse not!\u201d Candy denied. He looked at his boss\u2019 face and saw how concerned he was for Joe. \u201cThis Tom fella \u2013 was he as bad as Joe said last night?\u201d Candy had learned the hard way that Joe\u2019s stories weren\u2019t always unembellished.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s possibly worse,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cJoe didn\u2019t tell me everything Tom did to him, but what I know of is bad enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d Candy agreed. \u201cAnd he really does look that much like Adam?\u201d Candy only knew Adam from his pictures and the stories that Joe and Hoss told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he does,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cThey could be twins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to go and see if I can find Joe?\u201d Candy offered. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thanks,\u201d Ben replied, warmly. He knew that Candy and Joe were friends \u2013 and friendly rivals on occasion \u2013 and perhaps Joe could open up to Candy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe back soon,\u201d Candy promised as he swung himself onto his horse and rode away.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI nearly drowned in that damned river,\u201d Tom said, softly, his eyes looking back in time. \u201cThe fall had winded me and by the time I managed to drag myself out of the water, I\u2019d gone miles downstream. I found some shelter and stayed there overnight. The next day, I moved on, but I had no destination in mind. I didn\u2019t even know where I was. I had no food and no water and I collapsed. The next thing I knew, I was here.\u201d Tom flashed a smile at his wife and Joe noted with surprise that he appeared to be genuinely fond of her. \u201cJudith and her husband had found me on the road and they brought me back here and looked after me. When Dennis realised that I was a drifter, he offered me a job. He told me that he was sure I had a past, but that was what it was \u2013 a past. He said I could start my new life working for them, and he would ask no questions. So I accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite himself, Joe was listening now. His face was still expressionless, but Tom took heart from the fact that his posture was less rigid. He continued. \u201cI had a lot to learn, because I knew nothing of how a ranch is run. I cleaned the stables and I tagged along with the other men, absorbing everything they said. And I began to realise that I was good at this. It was quite a revelation.\u201d He glanced at Joe again, shame-faced. \u201cI learned what I think you already knew, Joe; I learned that there is great satisfaction working hard with your hands, knowing that at the end of the day, you\u2019ve accomplished something. I began to take pride in my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was about then that Dennis fell ill,\u201d Judith took up the story. \u201cIt was all over so suddenly. First he wasn\u2019t feeling well, then, within a month, he was gone. Most of the men up and left, because they didn\u2019t want to work for a woman. But Tom stayed. When a bunch of the men tried to rob the house, Tom protected me.\u201d She laid a loving hand on his shoulder. Tom put his hand up and covered hers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did what I could around the place,\u201d Tom went on. \u201cSome of the men left, others came and Judith made me foreman. And after a time, I realised that I loved her. Of course, it was too soon for Judith to even think about someone else, so I bided my time.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know if you believe any of this, Joe, but it\u2019s true. I\u2019ve thought a lot about my life and I\u2019m ashamed of the things I did. I want to live an ordinary life and raise my child.\u201d He met Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cI want to let my folks know that they\u2019re going to be grandparents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence fell. Joe was digesting Tom\u2019s words. He believed Tom, despite the fact that he was still handcuffed and had been brought there against his will. But did Tom really believe that he would escape a hanging? He had admitted to Joe that he had murdered, and Joe knew that there was no time limit on prosecutions for murder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice story,\u201d he started. \u201cBut what about those crimes you\u2019ve committed in the past? Have you told Judith about them? Have you told her what you did to me?\u201d Joe was suddenly angry. \u201cTake these cuffs off!\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told her some of it,\u201d Tom replied, cautiously. He made no move to free Joe. \u201cAnd you\u2019re not going to tell her any more,\u201d he warned. \u201cNot in her condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

And there it was, Joe thought. The dangerous killer peeking through the veneer of a civilised man. Tom had a lawless streak running through him which he would never entirely conquer. Joe knew that Tom had enjoyed subduing him earlier and was enjoying the fact that Joe was a prisoner, despite his protestations. Joe knew that if he told Judith any of the graphic details \u2013 as if he would tell a woman that! \u2013 Tom would make him pay.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom has told me enough,\u201d Judith replied quietly and Joe saw that she was pale.<\/p>\n

Swallowing down his anger, Joe asked, \u201cSupposing by some miracle I am persuaded to help you, what makes you think my father won\u2019t press charges against you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be able to talk him out of it, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d Tom replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou live in a dream world, Tom,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cYou committed crimes against us \u2013 tried to kill both Pa and me and you think I\u2019d be able to talk him into forgiving you? I don\u2019t think so. And what you told me when we first met \u2013 you\u2019re wanted for murder, Tom! Do you think you\u2019re going to get a smack on the hand and told to be a good boy? You\u2019ll hang!\u201d<\/p>\n

With an anguished cry, Judith spun around and ran from the room. Joe cursed his impulsive nature that made him speak first without thinking. He hadn\u2019t meant to hurt Judith.<\/p>\n

\u201cJudith!\u201d Tom cried and rose. His angry gaze fell on Joe, and for a moment, Joe was sure that Tom was going to beat him to a pulp. \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry for that remark,\u201d Tom warned him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the truth,\u201d Joe reminded him grimly. \u201cSomething that you aren\u2019t too familiar with, it seems.\u201d He watched as Tom raised his hand. \u201cGo on,\u201d he taunted him. \u201cHit me! Prove what I\u2019ve been saying!\u201d<\/p>\n

Freezing in place, Tom gave Joe a look of black enmity. He dropped his hand slowly and drew in a deep calming breath. \u201cYes, it is the truth,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s not how I wanted Judith to hear it, though. I\u2019ve got to talk to her, and you\u2019re going to stay here. Like it or not, I know you, Joe and I know that while my back is turned you\u2019re going to try and escape. Well, sorry, my friend, but you\u2019re not going anywhere yet. I\u2019m not finished with you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that another threat?\u201d Joe asked, as Tom grabbed a length of rawhide that was lying on the table and tied it around Joe\u2019s wrist and to the back of the chair Joe was sitting on.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s a statement,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cBut you take it whichever way you please.\u201d He tightened the rawhide strip and walked away, leaving Joe alone.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t seen him at all,\u201d Roy replied, frowning at Ben. \u201cYa say Joe was meant ta come see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied, seething with impatience. \u201cI told you, Roy! Yesterday, Tom\u2019s wife approached Joe. He refused to help her and this morning, he set off to see you and Candy found his hat a few hours ago. Joe never got here and I think Tom has him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea where Tom is?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we had, we\u2019d be there,\u201d Hoss snapped. He was beginning to think Roy was getting past it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe told us that Tom has been married to this woman since last year. She was widowed. Her name is Judith. That\u2019s all we know.\u201d Ben drew in a calming breath. Beside him, he was grateful for Hoss and Candy\u2019s quiet presence.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems ta me that\u2019s familiar, somehow,\u201d Roy murmured. He got up and wandered aimlessly about the jailhouse while Ben quelled an urge to throttle him. \u201cJist let me check on somethin\u2019,\u201d he said at last and disappeared out of the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ain\u2019t gettin\u2019 us anywhere,\u201d Hoss growled. \u201cI reckon we shoulda jist looked fer Joe ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know where to look for Joe,\u201d Candy pointed out. Hoss gave him a black look. Candy was not noticeably disturbed by it. He knew Hoss was worried, as were both he and Ben.<\/p>\n

But they were all getting restless when Roy did, at length, reappear. \u201cI thought so,\u201d he announced cryptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought what?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wired the sheriff over in Carson City,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cI \u2018member hearing about somethin\u2019 like this, so I thought I\u2019d ask him. Seems like there was a lady called Judith Myers, whose husband Dennis died. She then up an\u2019 married the foreman o\u2019 their place a few months later. She\u2019s now Mrs Bryson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the name Joe said,\u201d Candy remembered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere does she stay?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver near Carson,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cI done tol\u2019 Sheriff Hall ta expect ya. He\u2019ll take ya out to their place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Roy,\u201d Ben replied, ashamed of his lack of patience earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201cJist find Joe,\u201d Roy replied. He watched as they rushed out of the door.<\/p>\n

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

As Tom had predicted, Joe was not going to passively remain a prisoner if he could somehow get free. He twisted and turned, but he couldn\u2019t quite get his fingers to the knot on the rawhide. With disgust, he remembered that Tom\u2019s knots had always defeated him before.<\/p>\n

However, Joe was resourceful and he was in a kitchen. There were bound to be knives around somewhere. Rising awkwardly, Joe picked up the chair as best he could and began to shuffle across the room. The chair banged off the backs of his legs and once caught him across the knees. Joe had to sit down abruptly and was just lucky he landed in the chair, and not on the floor with the chair on top of him.<\/p>\n

Eventually, he reached a drawer and twisted round to try and open it. He cursed as his fingers slipped off the handle, but undaunted, he tried again. Every time, his fingers didn\u2019t quite manage the purchase he needed and Joe could feel sweat beading his brow, for every minute that he failed was one minute closer to Tom and Judith returning.<\/p>\n

Vaguely, Joe was aware of the raised voices coming from another part of the house. Judith seemed like a nice woman and Joe was sorry that he had hurt her, but he had assumed that Tom had told her pretty much everything.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe\u2019s fingers made the necessary twist and he gripped the drawer handle triumphantly. He pulled carefully, and was rewarded with a drawer full of cutlery. Scrabbling in it with difficulty, Joe winced as a sharp blade sliced over his fingers, leaving them slick with blood. However, he traced the knife down to its handle and grasped it firmly, despite the pain in his lacerated fingers. Within moments, Joe had cut the rawhide from the chair and he was free \u2013 relatively speaking.<\/p>\n

Dropping the knife, Joe grinned tightly. Now, it was just a matter of threading his body through his hands so he had them at the front and he was going to get out of there! Sitting down, he began the tricky manoeuvre.<\/p>\n

He was at the most awkward point, with his hands under his knees, and one leg drawn back in preparation for the final acrobatics required when Tom opened the kitchen door and saw at once what Joe was up to. He raced across the room and shoved the hapless young man over.<\/p>\n

Unable to regain his balance, Joe fell heavily onto his right shoulder and yelped as Tom dragged his arms backwards, ensuring that Joe remained a prisoner. \u201cNo you don\u2019t!\u201d he panted, keeping his grip tight and hauling Joe\u2019s arms away from his body at an angle that nature never intended.<\/p>\n

But Joe was unwilling to give in. He kicked frantically, striking Tom on the shin. But it was to no avail. Although Tom\u2019s grip lessened slightly, and relieved the agonising pressure on Joe\u2019s shoulders, he didn\u2019t let go completely and Joe shortly found himself being dragged across the kitchen and his arms were bound to something behind him that he couldn\u2019t see. As Tom stepped away, Joe glanced over his shoulder and saw that his arms were attached to a clothes dryer that hung down from the ceiling in front of the small fire. Moments later, Tom began to raise the pulley, until Joe had to scramble to his feet. He only stopped when Joe\u2019s arms were being held out painfully behind him, and Joe was forced to bend forward slightly from the waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn your tongue, Cartwright!\u201d he cursed. \u201cYou\u2019ve all but destroyed my marriage! I wasn\u2019t going to tell Judith about those murders; she didn\u2019t need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was always taught that relationships should be based on honesty,\u201d Joe panted, twisting his head to look up at Tom.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy couldn\u2019t you help me?\u201d Tom cried and Joe detected a genuine note of desperation there. What he didn\u2019t know was what caused it. Did Tom really want to go straight? On the evidence of the day, Joe doubted it. He might be enjoying the good life right now, but his lawless streak was still far too apparent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can forgive a lot of things,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cAnd I might even have helped you, if things had been different. But you tried to kill my Pa \u2013 and that\u2019s something I can never forgive. You violated our home you read Adam\u2019s journals \u2013 how could I forgive you that? If you had come to me and said you were going to turn yourself in, I\u2019d have come with you for moral support. But you were asking me to make a liar out of myself and my family and I\u2019m not going to do that. You have to face up to what you did, Tom and if you truly are willing to go to the sheriff, you have to be willing to face everything you did. There can be no half-measures in this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scowling, Tom snarled, \u201cThat\u2019s what Judith said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFancy that!\u201d Joe remarked. His shoulders were already aching steadily, and Joe knew that everything would just get worse. \u201cMaybe this should tell you something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it should,\u201d Tom admitted, sounding suddenly defeated. \u201cI must go back and talk to Judith. I\u2019ll be back to free you later, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still don\u2019t see it, do you?\u201d Joe asked after a moment of appalled silence. \u201cYou want to go straight, but look what you\u2019re doing to me! Is this the way to persuade me to help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re with me \u2013 willingly or as a hostage \u2013 I\u2019ll get to the sheriff alive,\u201d Tom replied. \u201cAnd if I\u2019m alive I still have a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cDo you think my story will help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know any more,\u201d Tom admitted, sounding defeated. He really didn\u2019t know what to think any more. He turned and left. Joe couldn\u2019t repress a groan. He was sure he\u2019d lost.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was already late afternoon when they arrived in Carson City, but Ben wasn\u2019t willing to rest. They got fresh horses from the livery and followed the sheriff out of town, heading towards the ranch where they hoped they\u2019d find Joe.<\/p>\n

Anxiety gnawed at them all the way there. Ben wondered if Hoss remembered the conversation they\u2019d had the last time Tom had been seen as vividly as he did;<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cYa ain\u2019t mad at me for what I done to Tom, are ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss asked, perplexed. \u201cIt ain\u2019t Joe is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe will be fine in time. But it was something that Joe said.\u201d Ben looked at Hoss. \u201cHe asked me if I thought Tom was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Hoss wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said yes,\u201d Ben replied. He raised his eyes to meet Hoss\u2019. \u201cBut I lied,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

How had he known that Tom was not dead? Some sort of fatherly intuition? Or was it just plain dread? Ben didn\u2019t know. All he did know for sure was that his son was in deadly danger and it was taking far too long to find him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere!\u201d Hoss pointed. The homestead nestled snugly in the valley and lights showed in one window.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should leave the horses here,\u201d Ben started, but the sheriff wasn\u2019t listening. He was intent on capturing Tom and he put his heel to his horse and set it into a gallop.<\/p>\n

There was no choice but to follow and hope that this didn\u2019t turn into a bloodbath.<\/p>\n

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

Joe had no idea how much time passed before Tom and Judith came back into the kitchen, but the light was beginning to wane. Judith\u2019s eyes were swollen and red. She didn\u2019t make eye contact with Joe, just went round the room lighting the lamps and pulling down the blinds. Tom walked over to Joe and looked at him. Joe could only hope he was keeping his suffering off his face, for his shoulders were a mass of agony and his hands were growing numb.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry, Joe,\u201d he said, in a quiet voice. \u201cI\u2019ve treated you badly and done you a lot of wrong. I know I can\u2019t expect you to forgive me.\u201d He began to reach for the ropes that were keeping Joe prisoner when he stopped. \u201cHorses!\u201d he exclaimed and hurried over to a window.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t entirely dark outside, but the lamps inside effectively killed any night vision Tom might have had. He peered uselessly outside, his hand reaching for his rifle. Without turning, he said, \u201cJudith, go into the other room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Judith gasped, fearfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are horses coming towards the house and that can only mean one thing \u2013 the Cartwrights have found us and there might be some shooting.\u201d Tom glanced round at Joe.<\/p>\n

Rushing over to Tom\u2019s side, Judith put her arms around him. \u201cNo, Tom, don\u2019t shoot at them, please!\u201d she begged. \u201cYou just told me you were going to do anything it took to go straight. Please don\u2019t go back on your word!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, honey,\u201d he soothed. \u201cWhile I have Joe in here, they won\u2019t do any wild shooting. But I don\u2019t want you in danger. Please, go into the other room.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Judith hesitated a moment longer and there was a shot from outside. It shattered the window and hit Judith in the side. She let out a startled cry and slid to the floor. Tom tried to catch her, dropping his rifle as he did so, but she slipped from his hands. Joe gaped in horror as he saw the blood pooling on the floor. \u201cNo!\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Looking up from where he knelt beside his stricken wife, Tom pinned Joe with a ferocious glare. \u201cIs that your family?\u201d he demanded angrily. He was no longer sorry, as he had been just a few moments before, that he had Joe tied up in such an uncomfortable position. He hoped Joe was in agony from it!<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d Joe cried, truthfully. \u201cHow could I know, trussed up here like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a savage animal sound, Tom leapt to his feet, snatched up his discarded rifle and smashed out the broken, jagged remains of the kitchen window. When the blind started to fall down on him, he ripped it off the wall and threw it aside. He aimed out of the window and fired.<\/p>\n

At once, there was answering fire. Joe ducked as he felt a bullet sing past his cheek. He began to struggle against his bonds again, but there was no way he was going to get free. \u201cTom, surrender!\u201d he cried. \u201cGet help for Judith before it\u2019s too late!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s already too late!\u201d Tom returned. \u201cShe\u2019s dead, Joe! Dead! And my baby is dead with her!\u201d He straightened, turned and walked deliberately over to Joe, looking him up and down, enjoying what he had done to his nemesis. \u201cWithout her, it doesn\u2019t matter any more, do you understand? Nothing matters. I could kill you now, Joe and it wouldn\u2019t matter!\u201d He started to lift his rifle.<\/p>\n

Another shot came in through the window and struck Tom in the back. There was a second, and then a third, but Tom was already crumpling to the ground, his rifle dropping from nerveless fingers.<\/p>\n

The third bullet struck Joe.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cStop firing, you fool!\u201d Ben cried, pushing the sheriff\u2019s gun down. \u201cThere isn\u2019t anyone firing back at you!\u201d He gave the man a hard look and followed after Hoss and Candy, who were sprinting towards the house.<\/p>\n

The door was locked, but that didn\u2019t stop Hoss for more than a few seconds. He simply put his beefy shoulder to the wood and it yielded at once. He and Candy barrelled inside, their guns up and ready, but neither of them thought they would need them. The lighted kitchen had shown them only too well that the sheriff had first shot a woman, then a man, then another man. There was no basis in proof at that moment to tell them one of the men was Joe, but still, that was what they believed.<\/p>\n

And as they charged into the warm kitchen, they saw, with horror, that one of the men was Joe. Blood was dripping from a wound in his neck and shoulder onto the floor and he hung in his bonds, unconscious. Hoss raced over to grab Joe, while Candy quickly checked Tom. The man was alive. He looked at Candy without any curiosity and then muttered, \u201cTell Joe\u2026 I really am\u2026.sorry.\u201d Then the light went out of his eyes, and Candy knew he was dead.<\/p>\n

Turning away, he saw that Ben was with Joe now, too and he went to check on the lady. She was dead, too and Candy shook his head. The sheriff had a lot to answer for, but would it ever come before a court of law? And would he be charged when he was rescuing a hostage? Candy didn\u2019t know the answer and right at that moment he didn\u2019t care. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked, going over to where the youngest Cartwright now lay on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bleeding a lot,\u201d Ben replied, tersely. \u201cCandy, could you find a wagon? We\u2019ve got to get Joe back to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t there a doc in Carson City, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cI thought I heard of a fella who set up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t last the pace,\u201d Ben replied, pressing his neckerchief against Joe\u2019s neck. His son groaned, which Ben took as a good sign. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The darkness was warm and dark and Joe didn\u2019t feel any pain there. As he surfaced, his neck and shoulder began to hurt badly and he was more than willing to slide back into the darkness until he heard Ben\u2019s voice. He groaned slightly as he struggled to wake up. Eventually his eyes slit open and he focused on his father\u2019s face above him. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Joseph,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cYou\u2019re safe now. Just stay still. We\u2019ll get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Licking his dry lips, Joe summoned the energy to ask something else. \u201cTom? Judith?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some water, Hoss,\u201d Ben instructed, glancing in his middle son\u2019s direction. He turned his attention back to Joe. \u201cThey\u2019re both dead, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe breathed, which puzzled Ben for a moment, because he didn\u2019t know what his son meant. It didn\u2019t sound like a question, but\u2026 Ben looked at the pain-filled green eyes fixed beseechingly on his and suddenly knew what Joe wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he replied, gently, \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s dead this time.\u201d He took the cup Hoss offered him and Joe gulped thirstily, Ben controlling the amount he was getting. He looked at Hoss again. \u201cCould you find a blanket, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Hoss rumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that Hoss?\u201d Joe asked, blinking and trying to turn his head. Pain shot up his neck and he strangled a cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts me, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss replied, schooling his face just to look pleased, not horrified or worried, both of which things he was. \u201cDidn\u2019 I tell ya not ta see Tom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026were right,\u201d Joe admitted. He closed his eyes, trying to deal with the pain. Hoss hurried off to collect a couple of blankets and he eventually stripped a mattress off a bed to pad the back of the wagon for his injured brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

It was a very long journey back to Virginia City. Hoss drove, while Ben sat in the back with Joe. Candy was riding on ahead to alert the doctor that they were coming. The bleeding seemed to have stopped, and Ben was fairly sure that Joe wouldn\u2019t bleed to death before they got back. Not that they had any choice. There wasn\u2019t another doctor any nearer than Virginia City.<\/p>\n

The hapless sheriff hadn\u2019t objected to them cannibalising the house, but since he had caused the carnage in the first place, Ben didn\u2019t give a fig for his opinion anyway. They had loaded Joe into the wagon, tucked blankets around him and then set off. Now, possibly about half way home, Ben thought, Joe was slipping in and out of consciousness and his temperature was rising dramatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s he doin\u2019, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, quietly, almost as though he had read Ben\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too good,\u201d Ben replied, soberly. \u201cJust keep driving, Hoss. The sooner we get him there the better.\u201d He held up Joe\u2019s head and gave him some more water, which Joe obediently swallowed, but his eyes remained resolutely closed.<\/p>\n

It was about one am when they arrived back in town. The streets were quiet and deserted, and the only lights were shining from the doctor\u2019s office. Hoss guided the team down the street, suddenly feeling exhausted. It was with relief that he pulled them to a halt.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d Candy asked, hurrying out from the office. The lamplight spilled out into the street behind him, casting his face into shadow.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good,\u201d Hoss replied, jumping down. He hurried round to the back of the wagon to help Ben lift Joe, and Candy came forward, taking Joe\u2019s shoulders from Ben as the older man scrambled down from the wagon bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have we got?\u201d Paul Martin asked, as they came carefully into the room. \u201cLay him over here, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

As soon as Joe was on the table, Paul leant over him, his keen eyes taking in Joe\u2019s colour, breathing and the wound itself. \u201cI need to get these clothes off him,\u201d he announced, straightening up. \u201cWe\u2019ll just cut them off, to save moving Joe around too much. I think the bullet might still be in there.\u201d He didn\u2019t say how worried he was about the bullet being too close to Joe\u2019s spinal cord. There was no point in worrying Ben needlessly at this point. It might be that Joe\u2019s cord was already damaged and he was already paralysed. But they might be lucky \u2013 Joe might be fine.<\/p>\n

When Joe\u2019s clothes were off, Paul ushered his worried family outside, and applied the ether mask. Joe hadn\u2019t stirred while he was being moved, and Paul was just as glad. It was a nasty wound and the pain would be bad. Taking a deep breath, he started to repair the damage, cutting away ragged, dying skin and hunting diligently for the bullet. His nurse held the lamp as close as she could, but it was still some considerable time later before Paul finally extracted the squashed lump of lead. \u201cAt last!\u201d he exclaimed in relief and exchanged a smile with the woman. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get this cleaned up and then we can start praying in earnest.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time the last of the sutures was in, Joe was stirring and the way he moved reassured Paul that he hadn\u2019t been paralysed, even though Paul had been fairly certain of that before. \u201cPa,\u201d Joe mumbled, still more asleep than awake, but Paul took the hint and went to fetch Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coming round,\u201d Paul announced and Ben leapt to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right?\u201d he demanded. \u201cCan I see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, come in,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cHe\u2019s just coming round at the moment, and barring infection, he\u2019ll be fine. But we\u2019ll have to wait and see, Ben. The bullet did a fair bit of damage and the wound wasn\u2019t as clean as I would have liked. There were quite a few bits of cloth in there, as well as some dirt. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood, so he\u2019ll be weak for a while, but Joe is usually strong and healthy, so I don\u2019t see any reason why he shouldn\u2019t pull through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben breathed and hurried over to take Joe\u2019s hand. Joe was still pale and he was hot to the touch, but he stirred as he felt Ben\u2019s big warm hand grasping his own and opened his eyes. \u201cHi there,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026 happened?\u201d Joe asked. His eyes moved around the room, but he barely moved his head. Ben understood that it must be very painful for him. \u201cThis\u2026 isn\u2019t where\u2026 I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we brought you back to Virginia City,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cThere aren\u2019t any doctors in Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe murmured. His eyes began to dip closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go to sleep quite so soon, Joe,\u201d Paul chided him. \u201cI haven\u2019t had the chance to say hello yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

With an obvious effort, Joe dragged his eyelids open again. \u201c\u2019llo,\u201d he murmured and looked surprised when relieved laughter echoes through the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think that answers a lot of our questions, wouldn\u2019t you say, Ben?\u201d Paul joked. \u201cJoe, can you turn your head for me? Gently now, because it will hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing petulantly, Joe gingerly turned his head a little bit both ways. The effort obviously exhausted him and his eyes closed once more. \u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to do that several times each day to keep the muscles moving, so that everything heals properly. But I\u2019ll remind you of that tomorrow.\u201d He gave Joe a shot of morphine and within minutes, Joe was sound asleep. Paul turned to Ben. \u201cAnd you get some rest while you can,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cCandy an\u2019 me\u2019ll sort him out, Doc,\u201d Hoss assured him, going over to loom ominously over Ben. \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa. Candy done got us rooms at the hotel. Ya ain\u2019t gonna do Joe no good if\u2019n ya don\u2019 git enough rest!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come quietly,\u201d Ben joked, but he paused for a moment to stroke the hair back from Joe\u2019s forehead and to drop a gentle kiss there. \u201cSleep well,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

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

Initially unwell for several days, Joe began to rally at last and Ben was finally able to take him home. Commuting in and out of town every day had proved very taxing and Ben had moved into the hotel, leaving Hoss and Candy in charge of the ranch.<\/p>\n

On the day Joe was going home, Roy Coffee came over to talk to him. There had been words between the sheriff of Virginia City and the sheriff of Carson City, but Ben was never to learn the outcome of those words. He just knew there had been a difference of opinion, but it didn\u2019t matter to Ben. All that mattered to him was that Joe was going to be all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa sure yer feelin\u2019 up ta anwerin\u2019 questions?\u201d Roy asked, before he began.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe agreed. He nodded gingerly, feeling the muscles in his neck protest, but not as badly as they had the previous day. Joe was finding it incredibly frustrating that he could barely hold his head up, something he had taken entirely for granted before the injury. Every day movements took conscious effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d ya fall in with Tom?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came on me on the road,\u201d Joe replied and went on to describe how he had been taken prisoner and then all that had transpired in the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are not the actions of someone who wants to change his ways,\u201d Ben commented when Joe was silent again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d Joe agreed, \u201cbut even so, I think he really did want to start fresh. Say what you will against Tom, Pa, but he loved Judith. I thought he married her for her property and money, but he loved her. He was devastated when she was killed and the baby with her. He sort of \u2013 snapped then.\u201d Joe shuddered and winced. \u201cI think Tom thought that he just had to turn up and say he was sorry for the things he\u2019d done and it would all be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d he think that?\u201d Roy wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said his father was a rich man,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cMaybe he got used to saying sorry and then the money clearing the way for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI looked inta Tom\u2019s background,\u201d Roy admitted. \u201cSeems the Brysons he\u2019s connected ta is the same Brysons that own about half o\u2019 Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrysons Carpets and Furniture?\u201d Ben asked, amazed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s them,\u201d Roy nodded. \u201cI never heard o\u2019 them myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey make very fine furniture and carpets,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cVery expensive, too.\u201d He looked at Joe and saw that he was tiring again, and they still had the journey to make to the ranch. \u201cIs there anything else, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, that\u2019s it,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cYa take right good care o\u2019 yerself, ya hear, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear,\u201d Joe smiled wanly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were going to help Tom, weren\u2019t you?\u201d Ben asked, his tone carefully neutral, not praising or accusing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I maybe was,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI don\u2019t quite know why, either, but I was leaning towards it.\u201d He gave Ben a wry smile when he saw that Ben wasn\u2019t angry. \u201cMaybe I thought he deserved a fresh start, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019d been in your shoes, I might have done the same thing myself,\u201d Ben confided. \u201cOur justice system is excellent, but sometimes justice and right aren\u2019t quite the same thing. However, the law is there for everyone, and we have to trust in it. We can\u2019t go round making judgements and ignoring the law. That leads to anarchy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cI can hardly believe Tom is truly dead. You are sure, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was buried today, along with Judith,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to worry about Tom any more, Joe. He can\u2019t hurt you ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing that suddenly made Joe realised that he was finally free from Tom. The relief was overwhelming and he was horrified to find himself sobbing in Ben\u2019s arms. Ben said, nothing, just cradled Joe gently. When Joe at last sat up, Ben handed over a handkerchief and Joe blew his nose noisily. \u201cI don\u2019t know where that came from,\u201d Joe declared, wiping his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needed it,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt\u2019s done you good. You look more relaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Joe realised, wonderingly. He smiled at Ben and his smile was the usual brilliant smile, lighting up his handsome face and reminding Ben of Marie. \u201cLet\u2019s go home, Pa,\u201d he suggested and Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d he agreed. He knew Joe would need time to heal, but he was already on the road to recovery and now he could make a fresh start, knowing that Tom was at last at peace and could never hurt him again. \u201cReady?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded carefully. \u201cReady,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe is sought out by a woman who wants him to help her husband. But when Joe discovers who the woman’s husband is, he wants nothing to do with him. Will he take no for an answer?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (10,975)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":376,"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],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-7114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1948,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2988,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2988","url_meta":{"origin":7114,"position":0},"title":"A Night In San Francisco (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"June 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0Adam and Joe are in San Francisco and all Adam wants is one night of culture.\u00a0 Word Count: 502\u00a0\u00a0Rated: T","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/jb.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/jb.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/jb.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/jb.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6224,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6224","url_meta":{"origin":7114,"position":1},"title":"A Main Character’s Nightmare — Is an Author’s Delight (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"May 3, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Joe has a decision to make when the most beautified--which is a vile phrase according to Polonius--Annie K asks him to do something for her. Rated:\u00a0K+ (770 Words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Friendship-4.jpg?fit=500%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6756","url_meta":{"origin":7114,"position":2},"title":"The Crazy Lady (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Hoss scare themselves one night, come to Adam's room and tell him the story of the crazy lady. 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Word Count: 1,023\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LfB.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12115,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12115","url_meta":{"origin":7114,"position":4},"title":"Beating Death’s Game (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"November 1, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0An unfortunate accident, leaves Joe Cartwright wishing he'd never been born. Rated:\u00a0 PG (8,300 word)","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\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/LJshadow1.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12327,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12327","url_meta":{"origin":7114,"position":5},"title":"Tempted to Steal (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0When Adam falls in love with a married woman, it sets off a chain of events that eventually leads to pandemonium for all the Cartwrights. Rated:\u00a0 PG13 for spousal abuse\u00a0 (15,020 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\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}