{"id":7141,"date":"2004-06-30T15:47:09","date_gmt":"2004-06-30T19:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7141"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:34","slug":"at-all-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7141","title":{"rendered":"At All Costs (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/span>\u00a0 On a business trip to Sacramento, Joe encounters Bethany again. Will he survive this time?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (11,470 words)<\/p>\n

Power of Love Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Power of Love<\/a>
\nAt All Costs<\/a><\/p>\n

At All Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The pain was such that he could hardly remember who he was. He had no clue why he was in such pain, but he knew one thing for sure; he wanted it to stop. For a time, he drifted in a sea of darkness, but a sudden down pouring of rain brought him back to full consciousness and he remembered where he was, who he was and what had happened.<\/p>\n

When Joe Cartwright tried to rise, he discovered that he was trapped underneath the stagecoach in which he had been a passenger!<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa, stop worrying so much,\u201d Joe chided. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will, son,\u201d Ben replied, smiling wryly. \u201cBut a father is allowed to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling back, Joe conceded the point. \u201cSee you in about two weeks,\u201d he reminded Ben, giving his father a quick hug, for the stage was about to leave. \u201cBe good while I\u2019m gone and don\u2019t do anything I wouldn\u2019t,\u201d he added to his brothers, Adam and Hoss, who were also standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat gives us plenty of latitude,\u201d Adam commented to Hoss, who grunted, not sure what \u2018latitude\u2019 meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa see an\u2019 behave yerself,\u201d Hoss called after Joe as his younger brother swung into the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye!\u201d Joe yelled, sticking his head out of the window to wave to them. He grabbed his hat as the wind attempted to blow it off and waved again. The next minute, the stage rounded a corner and was lost from sight by the town buildings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Ben said, straightening up. \u201cI suppose we can go home now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a very peaceful two weeks,\u201d Adam remarked as they walked back to their horses.<\/p>\n

Grinning sideways at his oldest son, Ben nodded. \u201cI\u2019m going to miss him, too, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Settling back into his seat, Joe smiled at the other two occupants of the coach, a married couple in their late 50s. The woman smiled back maternally, but the man gave Joe a disapproving look and Joe hid a sigh. It would be a long journey to Sacramento if they were going the whole way.<\/p>\n

They travelled the first part of the journey in silence, but finally the woman struck up a conversation with Joe and after a few miles, the man thawed, too. They weren\u2019t going very far; just to the next town. Joe was quite sorry to see them getting off, for several older men got in and he found himself squashed into his corner and generally ignored.<\/p>\n

However, the mutual discomfort of travelling by stage soon loosened tongues and Joe discovered that these gentlemen were going all the way to Sacramento. He stifled another sigh, for he was squashed into the smallest possible corner of the stage, and the man next to him was constantly trying to gain more seat space. Joe was determined to stick to his corner without giving up more space \u2013 he didn\u2019t want to end up sitting on the floor, as he had done in several other stage journeys in the past!<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to Sacramento, boy?\u201d the man next to Joe finally asked. His tone ably implied that he hoped the answer was no.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am,\u201d Joe replied, defiantly. He bristled at being called a boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you going there?\u201d another asked. \u201cGoing back to school?\u201d It was said with a sneer.<\/p>\n

Drawing in a deep breath, Joe took a firm hold of his temper. It would be an extremely unpleasant journey if he blew up at these men on the first day. \u201cNo, sir,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m going to negotiate a contract for my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a muffled snigger. \u201cAnd who would your father be?\u201d a third asked. Joe wondered if they had a set routine they used with any stranger they encountered on the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d Joe replied, and was annoyed when the attitudes of the men changed at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re Ben Cartwright\u2019s boy?\u201d asked the first. \u201cWell, you\u2019re too young to be Adam, and not big enough to be Hoss, so you must be Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wincing Joe replied, \u201cYes, sir. Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOswald Emerson,\u201d replied the man next to him and before Joe knew quite where he was, he was shaking hands and being introduced to his travelling companions.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere inside the coach had improved immensely, Joe thought in amusement, but it didn\u2019t stop Emerson trying to squeeze Joe out of his share of the seat. Joe sat stolidly, while making polite conversation. A couple of the men tried to get Joe to tell them the details of his contract negotiations, but Joe wasn\u2019t for telling. For all he knew, these men might be agents for other cattle sellers and he didn\u2019t want to give them any information, however unimportant, that might give them an edge in the negotiations. Emerson seemed to disapprove of Joe\u2019s reticence, but Joe wouldn\u2019t budge and eventually the other man gave up asking.<\/p>\n

When they did arrive in Sacramento, Joe was almost sorry to bid goodbye to his companions. But the sights and sounds of the city soon had Joe entranced as he made his way to his hotel. Because they made the drive to Sacramento regularly every year, Joe knew the city quite well and he noted the new buildings that had gone up since his last visit, and the new stores that had opened.<\/p>\n

He was just in time to bathe and eat, and afterwards was grateful to fall into a bed that was not grimy from its last occupant, and that didn\u2019t have bed bugs. It wasn\u2019t until Joe\u2019s head hit the soft pillow that he realised how tired he actually was. His last coherent thought was that he would have to remember and wire Ben in the morning, to tell his father he had arrived safely.<\/p>\n

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

Had Joe slept as late as that at home, he knew he would have got a stern talking to from Pa. However, in light of the journey he had made, and that city folks didn\u2019t seem to get up as early as they did on the ranch, Joe wasn\u2019t too worried about it. He ate a leisurely breakfast and then gathered up the papers he would need and headed off to the cattle agent\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

It was only in recent years that Ben had started negotiating contracts to sell his beef before he arrived at market. It gave Ben a guaranteed price and allowed him to take more time to drive the cows and they then arrived in better condition. There was no longer the need to be the first to the market. Joe was rather proud of the fact that this innovation had been his idea and he relished the challenge of getting good prices for their beef.<\/p>\n

Today was no exception. Simmons, the cattle agent, saw him at once and they haggled gleefully for quite some time before they agreed on a price. It was several dollars a head more than the previous year and as both men put their signatures to the contract, Joe couldn\u2019t hide his pleasure. \u201cIt was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr Simmons,\u201d Joe declared, putting out his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd with you,\u201d Simmons agreed. He watched as Joe put on his hat and said, \u201cJoe, are you busy tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight? No sir,\u201d Joe replied, sounding puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you would like to join us at a dance in the hotel? I know my daughter would like to see you again and it would be company for you.\u201d Simmons smiled. \u201cHowever, Rosalind isn\u2019t pining for you, Joe, I\u2019m afraid. She\u2019s engaged to be married next month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t win them all,\u201d Joe replied, smiling. He had quite liked Rosalind when they had met the previous year and he wasn\u2019t surprised that she was to be married. \u201cThank you, sir, I\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dance starts at 7,\u201d Simmons went on. \u201cI\u2019ll look forward to seeing you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe repeated and took his leave. He knew he would have to go and get suitable clothes, for he hadn\u2019t intended staying longer than a couple of nights and the thought of attending a dance hadn\u2019t occurred to him. However, it would be far preferable than spending a lonely evening in the saloon, flirting with some saloon girl he would never see again.<\/p>\n

With a spring in his step, Joe went off to shop.<\/p>\n

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

To Joe\u2019s delight, Rosalind had blossomed dramatically in the year since Joe had last seen her. She threw her arms around him and planted a kiss somewhere beneath his ear. \u201cJoe! You haven\u2019t changed a bit!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say the same,\u201d Joe replied, holding her at arm\u2019s length to admire her. \u201cYou are even more gorgeous than you were last year. Now, where\u2019s this lucky man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing at the compliment, Rosalind turned and put her hand out to the young man standing behind her. \u201cRob, this is Joe Cartwright. I told you about him, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do remember,\u201d Rob replied and shook Joe\u2019s hand. Joe was quite relieved to see that he hadn\u2019t minded Ros\u2019 enthusiastic greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh listen, the music\u2019s started!\u201d Ros exclaimed. \u201cCome on, Rob, you promised me the first dance. Joe, you\u2019re next.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Joe didn\u2019t have time to say anything as Ros dragged Rob off to the dance floor. He watched the young couple circle the floor in each other\u2019s arms during the first dance and when his turn came, he took Ros in his arms and said, \u201cRos and Rob. Isn\u2019t that a little confusing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ros scolded. \u201cYou\u2019re the only one who calls me Ros!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m privileged,\u201d Joe replied and was amused when Ros agreed with him.<\/p>\n

As the dance came to an end, Joe looked across at the entrance, where another young couple had just come in. The girl turned and Joe felt as though he had been punched in the stomach. He felt physically sick, and he could feel the colour draining from his face. Beside him, Ros was chattering away blithely, not having noticed anything wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026don\u2019t you think, Joe?\u201d Ros asked and when she got no response, she turned, surprised to see Joe several paces behind her, standing as though rooted to the spot, his face chalk white. \u201cJoe?\u201d Ros hurried back to his side and put her hand on his arm. \u201cJoe! Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe replied automatically. He couldn\u2019t take his eyes off the other girl. His heart was hammering erratically in his chest.<\/p>\n

And at that moment, the girl turned around, and met Joe\u2019s gaze. She was very pretty, with long blonde hair and big blue eyes. For a moment, their gazes locked and then the girl smiled. Joe thought he would vomit right there and then, but he couldn\u2019t tear his gaze away.<\/p>\n

And then the crowd moved and the girl was lost from his sight. Joe began to recover slightly, now that he could no longer see her. However, others had noticed his unnatural stillness and Simmons was now by his side, worriedly asking if Joe was all right. Not accepting the \u2018yes\u2019, on the grounds that nobody who was all right should be that colour of pale, Simmons led the young man to a seat and made him sit down. Ros brought him a drink and Joe sipped it gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d he offered and noticed his hand was shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that about?\u201d Simmons asked as Rob claimed Ros for another dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat girl who came in a few minutes ago,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cDo you know her? She\u2019s got long blonde hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBethany Purvis?\u201d Simmons asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPurvis?\u201d Joe echoed. \u201cHer name was Davis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember what her maiden name was,\u201d Simmons responded. \u201cI don\u2019t think it was Davis, but I\u2019m not sure. She married young Brian Purvis a few months after she and her father arrived here.\u201d Simmons looked at Joe again. \u201cJoe, what is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe drew in a deep breath and told the story. \u201cA couple of years ago, Bethany and her father moved to Virginia City,\u201d he replied. \u201cHer father is Bradford Davis. Bethany wanted to go out with me, but I couldn\u2019t do it \u2013 not that I wanted to anyway. Davis started a campaign to make me change my mind and it ended with Bethany ordering their men to kill me.\u201d He saw the disbelief written on Simmons\u2019 face. \u201cThat was the year my father came to town without my brothers or me,\u201d he added. \u201cAdam was shot, and Hoss got hit on the head. I was stabbed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do remember hearing about that,\u201d Simmons mused. \u201cJoe, are you sure it\u2019s the same person? I haven\u2019t seen Bradford Davis around, but Mrs Purvis told everyone her father is an invalid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he is,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cOr maybe he\u2019s hiding.\u201d Joe drew in a deep breath. \u201cMr Simmons, I hope you\u2019ll excuse me, because I have to go and see the sheriff. Bethany is wanted for attempted murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Simmons replied. \u201cJoe, you will be careful, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I will,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cVery careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look back as he left the ballroom.<\/p>\n

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

Convincing the sheriff proved harder than Joe anticipated. \u201cBethany Purvis?\u201d Sheriff Tyler laughed. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must have had the wanted posters in,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cIt was two years ago, in the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSonny, I can\u2019t keep every single wanted poster that comes into this office,\u201d Tyler told him. \u201cAnd I ain\u2019t gonna arrest her on your say-so!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen wire Sheriff Roy Coffee in Virginia City,\u201d Joe begged. \u201cHe\u2019ll confirm my story, since he sent the posters out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat old coot!\u201d Tyler laughed. \u201cSonny, Roy Coffee is a nice guy, but he ain\u2019t much of a lawman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not,\u201d Joe said, quietly, \u201cbut he is the sheriff of Virginia City and as such, you should be listening to him.\u201d Joe was furious that the sheriff wouldn\u2019t believe him and an uncomfortable feeling was growing in his stomach. Surely Davis hadn\u2019t been able to buy the sheriff of Sacramento?<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d sighed Tyler. \u201cI\u2019ll contact Roy Coffee and see what he says about it. Come back and see me in the morning. Mean time, I don\u2019t want you disturbing Mrs Purvis with your wild stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cthe last place I want to be is anywhere near that woman!\u201d Dissatisfied with the outcome, Joe headed back to the hotel, knowing that there was no way he could go back into the ballroom. He didn\u2019t feel like having a beer, so just took his room key and went upstairs.<\/p>\n

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

Opening the door to his room, Joe\u2019s heart nearly stopped! Sitting comfortably in the armchair in his room was Bethany Purvis, nee Davis. In her hand was a neat little derringer, glinting in the lamplight. \u201cCome in and close the door, Joe, dear,\u201d she told him, her voice as honeyed and sweet as he remembered.<\/p>\n

Having no real choice, Joe did as he was told. He dropped his hat on the table by the door and looked at Bethany. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, you of course,\u201d Bethany purred. The intervening two years hadn\u2019t done Bethany\u2019s beauty any harm, but the sight of her still made Joe want to shudder. \u201cI was quite surprised to see you downstairs, Joe,\u201d she went on. \u201cI had hoped you\u2019d died two years ago, but it seems Daddy was right and your death would have made the papers. It\u2019s unfortunate for you that you\u2019ve found me. But never mind. I know the sheriff won\u2019t arrest me just on your say-so. I\u2019ve married into a very powerful family, Joe.\u201d She gave a feline smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does that not come as a surprise,\u201d Joe mused. He wondered if he would be able to make a break for the door without getting his head blown off, and determined to at least try. He took a step backwards.<\/p>\n

The door behind him opened and Joe felt a gun prodding into his back. Glancing over his shoulder, Joe recognised the young man Bethany had been with earlier. \u201cYour husband, I presume?\u201d Joe asked, scathingly. \u201cWhat a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was waiting for you to come back, dear, as was I,\u201d Bethany replied. \u201cYou see, Joe, killing you here would be troublesome, since Simmons is well known and well respected and you seem to know him. But I\u2019m not through with you, Joe, not by a long way. You spoiled my life once before and I\u2019m not going to let you spoil it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re going to take me somewhere else and kill me?\u201d Joe demanded angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Bethany replied. \u201cI\u2019m going to have a little fun with you first.\u201d She smiled again. \u201cTake off your jacket, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at Bethany, Joe resolved that he wouldn\u2019t do anything to cooperate. If he was going to die anyway, he was going to force them to do it right there. He didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n

Behind him, Purvis growled and cocked his gun. \u201cDo what she says,\u201d he ordered. When Joe still didn\u2019t move, he grabbed Joe by the hair, dragged his head back and placed the cocked gun at his temple. \u201cNow!\u201d Joe decided that he didn\u2019t want to die after all.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe manoeuvred his way out of his suit jacket. He dropped it on the floor as he was instructed and then untied the string tie. A few moments later, his shirt followed the jacket and tie, and still Joe\u2019s head was bent back at an uncomfortable angle.<\/p>\n

Rising, Bethany went over and picked up Joe\u2019s tie. Joe watched her as best he could, fearing what she would do. Bethany smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019m going to enjoy this,\u201d she purred and gagged him with his own tie. Her husband grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you want him?\u201d he asked, and Bethany pointed to the straight-backed chair at the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere,\u201d she replied and watched as Purvis manhandled Joe over to the chair. She then handed Purvis some cording that Joe dimly recognised as the tiebacks from the curtains at his window. Joe winced as Purvis tightened them cruelly.<\/p>\n

What next? Joe wondered, as Bethany picked up the poker and prodded the fire into life. She seemed to want a huge blaze, as she kept the poker in the flames for several minutes, until it was starting to glow red.<\/p>\n

Turning, Bethany held the poker in her hand. Purvis snatched up Joe\u2019s discarded shirt and held it tightly over Joe\u2019s face, and with a sickening burst of fear, Joe knew what Bethany was going to do.<\/p>\n

The brief minute that the poker was held against the scar on his belly seemed to last forever to Joe. His screams were effectively muffled against the layers of cloth that Purvis held over his mouth. The burning continued long after the poker was back in the holder with the other fire irons.<\/p>\n

Watching Joe deal with the pain seemed to give Bethany pleasure. At last, she leaned forwards and put her fingers under Joe\u2019s chin, forcing it upwards. \u201cThat was just a warning,\u201d she whispered. \u201cIf you say anything more to the sheriff, I\u2019ll kill you, and you know I mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to respond, even if he hadn\u2019t been gagged, Joe just looked at her. He quite believed she meant every word. He watched as Bethany straightened her skirts and took Purvis\u2019 arm. \u201cI\u2019ve really enjoyed this evening, darling,\u201d she told him. \u201cHave you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was wonderful,\u201d Purvis agreed and they left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took Joe some time to work his way free, but he finally succeeded and dragged the gag from his mouth. The pain in his belly hadn\u2019t eased any and Joe rushed across the room to the basin and was comprehensively sick into it. His stomach empty, Joe slumped back, feeling the sweat under his curls. At length, he collected himself enough to drop a cloth into the water in the ewer and held it against his stomach.<\/p>\n

It was a long time before Joe\u2019s legs stopped shaking. When he was finally steady on his feet again, he slipped on a shirt and his gun belt and cautiously left the room. He could hear the music from the ballroom and knew that the dance was still going on. Sickly, he wondered if Bethany and her husband were there.<\/p>\n

On legs that were still a trifle unsteady, Joe made his way to the doctor\u2019s surgery and by luck found the man in. He explained what had happened and allowed the doctor to treat the burn on his stomach. When it was done, the doctor handed him a painkiller. \u201cI\u2019m going to get the sheriff,\u201d he announced. \u201cYou will stay here, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be here,\u201d Joe replied, grimly. He leant his head on the back of the seat and thought of what retribution would bring him. Somehow, he had the feeling that Purvis and his family could make Bradford Davis look like a rank amateur. It wasn\u2019t something he was looking forward to.<\/p>\n

When the sheriff arrived a few minutes later, Joe could tell by his grim face that he had spoken to Roy Coffee. \u201cI believe your story, Cartwright,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I was so brusque with you earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe allowed, \u201cThat\u2019s all right.\u201d He noted with amusement that he had been elevated from \u2018sonny\u2019 to his surname. An improvement of sorts, he supposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doc here told me your story,\u201d he explained. He looked closely at the burn on Joe\u2019s stomach in silence. \u201cI wired Roy Coffee and he confirmed your story. I went out to the house where Mrs Purvis\u2019 father lives. He\u2019s had a stroke and can\u2019t speak, but he understands what you say and he confirmed your story. I\u2019ve had to arrest him, but I don\u2019t suppose he\u2019ll be jailed. I couldn\u2019t locate Mr and Mrs Purvis at their home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re at the dance in the hotel,\u201d Joe told him. \u201cThey used the supper break to call on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Tyler nodded. \u201cYou stay here until I get back, Cartwright. I\u2019m going over to arrest Mr and Mrs Purvis right now. I\u2019ll need a statement from you once I\u2019ve done that, and then you\u2019re free to go home until the trial. When were you planning on leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a seat booked on the noon stage tomorrow,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cMy family are expecting me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Tyler nodded again. \u201cI don\u2019t see any reason why you shouldn\u2019t get that stage.\u201d He patted Joe on the shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resting his head again, Joe closed his eyes. He could hear the doctor moving about the room and a wry smile crossed Joe\u2019s lips. What would his family think when they learned he had gone to a doctor voluntarily? He\u2019d never hear the end of it, he decided. There would be even more comments than usual when he tried to avoid seeing Paul Martin.<\/p>\n

After a time, Joe heard a commotion in the street. He opened his eyes as the doctor peered out of the window. \u201cYou\u2019ve stirred up a hornet\u2019s nest, son,\u201d the doctor remarked, gleefully. \u201cYoung Purvis looks like he might have an apoplexy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you don\u2019t like the Purvis family, then?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d admitted the doctor. \u201cI\u2019ve had far too many people like you in here, and all because of them. No, if this helps to bring them down, I\u2019m all for it. You\u2019re to be congratulated for your bravery, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel very brave,\u201d Joe noted. \u201cI feel afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing brave doesn\u2019t mean that you don\u2019t feel afraid,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cIt means that you act despite your fear. I suspect we\u2019ll have a lot to thank you for, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Embarrassed, Joe wasn\u2019t sure where to look. He muttered something that passed for thanks and rested his head once more. Outside, the furore grew for a time, and then died away until the streets were quiet again. It was then that Tyler arrived to take Joe over to the jail to take a statement. Joe did it quietly and clearly, ignoring the heckling coming from the cells as best he could.<\/p>\n

At length, he signed the statement and rose to leave. \u201cYou\u2019ll never get back to Virginia City alive!\u201d Bethany shouted. Her beauty seemed to have gone as the reality of her situation sank in. \u201cYou\u2019ll pay for this, Joe Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the smartest thing you could have said in front of an officer of the law,\u201d Tyler told her. \u201cJust ignore her, Joe. It\u2019s all hot air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Joe replied, noticing that he had risen in the sheriff\u2019s estimation once more.<\/p>\n

It was late and the streets were quiet as Joe made his way back to the hotel. He was tired, but sleep took a long time to come that night and when it did, Bethany\u2019s malevolent cry echoed in his dreams.<\/p>\n

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

The burn on his stomach was still very painful the next morning and Joe found himself taking it easy. He packed away his new suit of clothes, but the tie was dropped in the bin; Joe couldn\u2019t face it again. He made his way to the stage stop and was surprised to find nobody else there. He had expected a repeat of his outward journey and wouldn\u2019t even have been surprised to find Emerson and his companions waiting for the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this it?\u201d he asked the stage agent as the stage pulled to a stop. \u201cNo one else getting on here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dI had several tickets sold,\u201d the man replied, \u201cbut they ain\u2019t turned up.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cLooks ta me like ya\u2019ll have the stage ta yerself\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not complaining,\u201d Joe replied as he handed down a lady from the stage and waited while a couple of men got off, too. Then he gave the driver his bag and climbed aboard.<\/p>\n

Within minutes, they were off and Joe stretched out across the seat. He didn\u2019t look back.<\/p>\n

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

Wakening from a doze, Joe rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stretched. The coach was bouncing hard and his initial relief at being on the way home was slowly giving way to irritation at the method of travel. Even with more space, stages were uncomfortable contraptions! Joe glanced out of the window and saw that they were about half way to the second stop. There was perhaps another hour or so to go before they arrived there. Joe couldn\u2019t understand why the coach had remained so empty, despite the stops they had had. At each place, they were told that tickets had been sold, yet nobody turned up to claim their seats.<\/p>\n

As there was a particularly hard bounce, Joe consoled himself that the next stop was the one for the night and he would be home late the next afternoon. If I could only hire a horse tonight, I could get home by morning, across country, Joe thought, and sighed heavily.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe heard the driver cry out. The stage lurched and Joe clutched onto the window frame to stop himself being tossed to the floor. Sticking his head out of the window, he yelled, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone shot one o\u2019 the horses!\u201d the driver yelled back. \u201cIt ain\u2019t gonna last but another minute!\u201d<\/p>\n

This time, Joe heard the shot as it echoed back from the hills nearby. The stage lurched dramatically and Joe jerked his head back in and tried to brace himself.<\/p>\n

But it was too late. The lead horses both collapsed and died, dragging the rest of the horses down with them. The stage kept going, over the top of the horses, cartwheeling away, as the traces and shaft snapped. Joe was bounced around unmercifully, until his head finally struck once too often and he blacked out.<\/p>\n

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

The pain was such that he could hardly remember who he was. He had no clue why he was in such pain, but he knew one thing for sure; he wanted it to stop. For a time, he drifted in a sea of darkness, but a sudden down pouring of rain brought him back to full consciousness and he remembered where he was, who he was and what had happened.<\/p>\n

When Joe Cartwright tried to rise, he discovered that he was trapped underneath the stagecoach in which he had been a passenger!<\/p>\n

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

Panicking, Joe struggled wildly, ignoring the pain that spread through his body. He had to get free! He had to survive! Somehow, Joe was convinced that Bethany was behind the stage crash and more than anything, Joe wanted to survive to testify against her.<\/p>\n

Exhausted, Joe slumped down, and drew in large gulps of air. His head throbbed, but his mind was clearer and he looked around to take stock of his situation. It was then he realised that the stage wasn\u2019t actually on him as he had first thought; it was resting on some rocks and Joe was trapped more by pressure than actual weight. Studying his situation, Joe realised that keeping flat and slithering along the ground ought to get him free.<\/p>\n

Of course, it wasn\u2019t quite as simple as that, but in the end, Joe managed to free himself. His first thought was for the driver, but the moment he saw the man, he knew that it was too late. He was already dead, and in all likelihood hadn\u2019t survived the crash.<\/p>\n

The next thing was to check himself over for injuries and Joe knew he wasn\u2019t in the best shape. He already knew that his right ankle was either sprained or broken. His boot had been dragged off when he had finally hauled himself free of the stage and Joe didn\u2019t bother to try to retrieve it. There was no way it was going to go on over his swollen foot. His right shoulder appeared to be dislocated, and Joe put that down to an abortive attempt he had made to hold onto the window frame. He was bruised everywhere and the final tally point was the gash on his head.<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Joe rested against the bulk of the crashed coach. He knew he was in big trouble. Somewhere, there was a canteen of water, for he had had one, but where? Joe had not seen it in the immediate vicinity, but he knew that he had to have water, and soon. It was very hot, despite the recent rain and Joe had no idea how long he would have to wait for rescue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to get water,\u201d Joe told himself. His head was throbbing and he felt extremely unwell, but Joe knew that the only person who could help him was himself. \u201cI\u2019ll look for the canteen. Maybe the driver had one, too.\u201d He dragged himself away from the coach and began looking around.<\/p>\n

The first thing he found was his valise. Opening it, Joe pulled out a shirt, and with his teeth, he ripped it into strips and bound up his ankle as best he could. There was really nothing he could do for his arm, so he tucked it into his jacket to give it support, yelling out his agony as he moved the dead weight that was his own flesh. The pain left him nauseous and dizzy for quite some time afterwards and when he looked up again, the shadows had moved round and Joe knew that night was drawing on.<\/p>\n

As he crawled on, it worried Joe that he hadn\u2019t been aware of the passage of time. He had no idea how long he\u2019d been unconscious under the stage, but it surely had to be more than the few minutes that he\u2019d first supposed. It was about then that it occurred to Joe that he was most probably concussed and that the blurred vision he\u2019d supposed was caused by sweat dropping into his eyes, might be caused by the head injury.<\/p>\n

The urge to lie down and sleep was almost overwhelming, but Joe knew that he had to get water and he had to get it now! By the next day, he would be that much weaker and would be unable to try and get it. By the day after, he\u2019d be dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to get that water!\u201d Joe panted. \u201cAt all costs, I\u2019ve got to get water.\u201d He wiped his brow with a shaky hand, wincing as he encountered the sore spot on his head and crawled on.<\/p>\n

It was a long and exhausting search, but in the end, Joe found both canteens. He was pleased to realise that they were both quite full. He took a refreshing drink, careful not to rush it, although he wanted nothing more than to drink until he was fit to burst. Then, as the shadows lengthened, he dragged his injured body back to the sheltering bulk of the coach, wrapped himself in his extra clothing and finally fell into sleep.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long, cold night and the rain set in again just before dawn. Joe had slept fitfully, every movement causing enough pain to waken him. His body had stiffened up dramatically after all the bouncing around he\u2019d done the previous day and it made Joe glad he had looked for the water the day before.<\/p>\n

By now, he consoled himself, the alarm should have been raised. After all, they had been expected at the stage station to spend the night. Joe didn\u2019t know if someone from there would come looking for them, or if word would be sent ahead and help come from Virginia City. But either way, help should be coming.<\/p>\n

Or is it? A disquieting small voice in Joe\u2019s mind wouldn\u2019t let him believe that all would be well. After all, the stage accident wasn\u2019t actually an accident. Someone had deliberately shot the two lead horses, knowing that the stage would crash. He was sure this was also why nobody else had joined the stage at the other stops; someone had either bought those tickets or frightened off the people who had intended to travel. Joe had to believe that it was Purvis\u2019 family. Bethany had said that he wouldn\u2019t get back to Virginia City alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if that\u2019s the case, why didn\u2019t they come to check I was dead?\u201d Joe asked himself, aloud. He looked around, suddenly anxious, but as before, there was nothing in sight apart from a few birds flying away from him. Had they just assumed, seeing him apparently crushed under the coach, that he was dead? Joe didn\u2019t know, but he was thankful that they hadn\u2019t checked.<\/p>\n

Lying down, Joe tried to wait patiently, but he was now worrying that Purvis\u2019 people had reached the stage station and had prevented word being sent about the missing stage. It wasn\u2019t beyond the realms of possibility. With a sudden pang of anguish, Joe wondered if he would ever see his family again.<\/p>\n

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

The sudden sharp knock on the door roused Ben from his deep concentration as he read over some documents. Wondering who it could be, he rose and went to answer it, stretching as he went, for he suddenly realised how still he had been and how stiff he had become.<\/p>\n

\u201cClem!\u201d he exclaimed, opening the door wide to admit the deputy sheriff. \u201cWhat brings you out this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA couple of things, Ben,\u201d Clem replied, his tone grim. \u201cRoy got a wire two nights ago from Sheriff Tyler in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben\u2019s heart did a flip, and he scolded himself. Joe was fine, he was sure. But the disquiet didn\u2019t go away. \u201cGo on,\u201d he urged, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was asking for details of Bethany Davis. It seems Joe had a run in with her in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBethany Davis!\u201d Ben breathed. He could vividly remember the girl\u2019s face as she earnestly explained why she had sent men out to the ranch to kill Joe. And the scene that had met Ben\u2019s eyes when he returned haunted his worst nightmares even yet. \u201cIs Joe all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem didn\u2019t reply. Instead, he asked, \u201cBen, was Joe due in on today\u2019s stage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes,\u201d Ben nodded, frowning. \u201cAdam and Hoss took Cochise and went in to meet him. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Unhappily, Clem drew a deep breath before he imparted the bad news. \u201cThe stage didn\u2019t reach its stop last night, Ben. The wire just got in a while ago. Apparently, the stage station was attacked by some men. Luckily, the agent had a couple of fellows stopping over to rest their horses and they were able to fight them off, killing one and wounding a couple of others.\u201d Clem sighed. \u201cTurns out that these men were sent to kill the agent so it would be longer before the stage was reported missing. It seems that these men worked for a family called Purvis, in Sacramento.\u201d He glanced at Ben. \u201cBethany Davis married into the Purvis family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know all this?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the men who had been at the stage station rode across country and told us. Ben,\u201d Clem put his hand on the older man\u2019s arm. \u201cThey had been given orders to wreck the stage and kill Joe. I\u2019m real sorry, but they say he was crushed under the stage. He\u2019s gone, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said, numbly. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben shouted, glaring at Clem as though it was his fault. \u201cI tell you, Joe isn\u2019t dead!\u201d He pushed past the startled deputy, snatched up his gun belt and hat and hurried across the yard to the barn, where he began to saddle his horse. Slowly, Clem followed him, unsure what to do or say. \u201cI\u2019m going to collect Adam and Hoss and we\u2019re going to find Joe!\u201d Ben vowed. He swung himself into the saddle. \u201cMy boy\u2019s alive!\u201d he declared before he rode off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not taking a wagon!\u201d Ben argued, glaring blackly at Adam. \u201cWe don\u2019t have time to waste going round by the road! We go straight across country to the stage station and backtrack from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d Adam protested, but it was like trying to stop a runaway train. Ben wasn\u2019t for listening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll reach the station by dark and we can start out at first light. Joe will have to ride double with one of us, but we\u2019ll manage that. Cochise can go to the livery stable until we get back.\u201d Ben shook the canteen on his saddle and seemed satisfied with the amount of water he had. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa,\u201d Adam began again, and this time he kept talking over the top of his father. \u201cWhat if Joe\u2019s hurt bad?\u201d The question he really wanted to ask, but was afraid to, was what if Joe is dead?<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben said, nothing, fighting down the fear that bubbled up in his throat. \u201cThen we\u2019ll cannibalise the coach if we have to,\u201d he replied, shortly. \u201cNow come on! Time\u2019s a-wasting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Realising that there was no stopping Ben, Adam silently mounted Sport and glanced at Hoss, who was on Chubb. Hoss met Adam\u2019s look with an equally serious one of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take Cochise to the livery, Ben,\u201d Roy offered. \u201cI hope ya find the boy soon.\u201d Privately, Roy didn\u2019t think they would find Joe alive, but he wasn\u2019t going to venture that opinion. In the mood Ben was in, that could well push the man into violence.<\/p>\n

Barely nodding in acknowledgement, Ben put his heel to his horse and the Cartwrights galloped out of town.<\/p>\n

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

The rain stopped not long after noon and was replaced by a baking hot sun. Joe wakened from sleep to find himself in the full glare of the light. He had lost his hat during the crash and the sun was making his headache worse. Groaning, Joe pulled himself into a sitting position, gritting his teeth against the pain in his shoulder. Every bruise added its chorus and Joe couldn\u2019t think when he had last been so miserable.<\/p>\n

Grabbing the canteen, Joe dragged his aching body to the other side of the coach, where he would at least be in the shade. He took a drink, grimacing at the stale taste of the water, and leant back against the coach. It was slightly cooler in the shade.<\/p>\n

Not for the first time, Joe\u2019s stomach rumbled. It seemed a very long time since he had had an early lunch the previous day. Vaguely, Joe wondered if he could manage to find a rabbit and build a fire to cook it on, but his lassitude was all-encompassing and he couldn\u2019t find the energy required to make the effort. Perhaps, he reasoned, it was better to stay as still as he could and not waste his energy. Perhaps he might survive slightly longer that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it!\u201d he chided himself aloud, shocked by his sudden defeatist thoughts. \u201cSomeone will be out looking for you! Stop feeling sorry for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lying down again, Joe allowed his thoughts to drift to his family. He was sure that as soon as Ben heard that the stage was overdue, he would come looking for Joe. Adam and Hoss would likely come too, unless there was some sort of crisis at the ranch that required one of them to stay behind. If it was a timber crisis, Adam would stay, Joe reasoned. If it was a livestock crisis, Hoss would stay. But under no circumstances would Ben stay, unless he was ill.<\/p>\n

That was a thought that always made Joe shudder. He had a deep-seated fear of his father dying. When he was a small child, Joe had been frightened every time Ben went on a business trip; frightened that his father, like his mother, would have an accident and die. Joe had never quite been able to voice this fear and had put on a brave face whenever Ben had to go, although he thought that perhaps his father knew about his fears.<\/p>\n

Alone, injured and vulnerable, Joe wondered what his life would have been like, had his mother lived. Would there have been more children? Although it had never been spoken of aloud, Joe always had the impression that his mother had wanted more children and couldn\u2019t have more. With a pang, Joe thought of Clay, his half-brother, and wondered where he was. Clay had come into their lives and Joe had fervently hoped he would stay. And yet Clay had gone and Joe hadn\u2019t heard from him since. Would he ever see his brother again?<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes to try and block his melancholy thoughts, Joe drifted back into sleep.<\/p>\n

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

It was dusk and the horses were lathered as they rode into the corral at the stage station. Evidence of the gun battle lay all around them. Ben\u2019s face had grown progressively grimmer as he saw each new sign and it didn\u2019t take a genius to discern what he was thinking. Adam grimaced. All the signs were pointing to Joe being dead, yet Ben would not admit it until he had concrete proof \u2013 Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

Shuddering, Adam tried to dismiss that thought. He tried to tell himself he couldn\u2019t conceive of Joe\u2019s death, but life had marked Adam and he could conceive of it only too well. Although he had no memory of his own mother, her loss had left an indelible imprint on him, and the further loss of Inger and Marie had helped to make him the man he had become. The loss of a family member was something Adam knew only too well.<\/p>\n

Glancing over at Hoss as they brushed down their horses, Adam could see the worry on Hoss\u2019 genial face. Where Adam had always felt an extra responsibility for Joe, because he was the youngest, Hoss was also Joe\u2019s best friend and confidant. Like Adam, the big man would hold himself responsible when something happened to Joe, even when Hoss himself was miles away from the scene.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Adam ventured, moving over to touch his younger brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrugging Hoss replied, \u201cI guess. Depends what ya mean by \u2018all right\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing Adam nodded morosely. \u201cI know what you mean, brother,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid, Adam,\u201d Hoss admitted in a low voice. \u201cI\u2019m afraid o\u2019 what we\u2019ll find out there tomorra. What if Joe\u2019s\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not!\u201d Adam denied, quickly and vehemently and knew at once that he had betrayed his own fears. \u201cWe mustn\u2019t think that, Hoss,\u201d he insisted. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to believe that Joe\u2019s alive.\u201d He swallowed hard. \u201cPa wouldn\u2019t cope if anything happened to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither would we,\u201d Hoss agreed. He rubbed a tired hand over his face, then glanced around to make sure Ben was out of earshot. \u201cAdam, what do ya think, really? Do ya think Joe is alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking away, Adam sighed deeply. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

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

Shivering, Joe pulled his extra clothing closer to him, as though that would help keep him warm. He knew it was useless \u2013 he didn\u2019t have enough extra clothes – but he couldn\u2019t help himself. It wasn\u2019t so very cold, Joe told himself. But it was cold enough to raise goosebumps on Joe\u2019s exposed skin and to make him feel even more miserable than he had been feeling before. Two days with no food had taken its toll on Joe\u2019s stamina and he had very little body fat to draw on. He desperately needed food, shelter, warmth and a doctor\u2019s care.<\/p>\n

Lifting the canteen, Joe remembered that it was empty. He reached for the other one, and was depressed to find that it was less than half full. Joe took a sip, but it didn\u2019t quench his thirst, it just made everything worse. He longed to drink all that was there, but Joe wasn\u2019t yet as far gone as that. He knew he had to keep rationing his water until help arrived.<\/p>\n

If help arrived.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Joe admitted to himself that it might not be the next day that help came. It might be the day after, in which case, he would be in very bad shape indeed. His water would definitely be gone by then and it was not a prospect that Joe looked forward to.<\/p>\n

Unbidden, Joe\u2019s hand strayed towards the canteen again and he gave himself a mental shake. He couldn\u2019t give in to his thirst. He had to stay alive, and he couldn\u2019t do that if he drank all his water that night. There was no way Joe could try and find water in the condition he was in. His foot had blown up to twice its normal size and his shoulder was such a constant blaze of agony that Joe was beginning to fear that it would never be right, even if help did arrive the next day. His head still throbbed relentlessly, but Joe kidded himself it wasn\u2019t as bad as it had been. If anything, as his mouth dried out, his headache became worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Pa,\u201d he mumbled, as though Ben was near enough to hear. \u201cI wish you\u2019d come.\u201d He closed his eyes and pictured his father standing before him. It brought a measure of cold comfort to the injured man.<\/p>\n

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

The supper the stage agent had prepared went virtually untouched. Ben brooded by the fire, tormented by thoughts that Joe was spending another night alone and probably hurt, and possibly not that far away. Adam and Hoss kept quiet, for what was there to say? Attempts to comfort could easily backfire and although false hope was better than no hope at all, they were reluctant to offer it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better get some sleep,\u201d Adam ventured at last. \u201cWe\u2019ve got an early start in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied tonelessly. He made his way over to the couch where he going to sleep and drew the blankets up to his shoulders. Did Joe have anything to keep him warm? Ben wondered. He closed his eyes to stop the sudden surge of scalding tears.<\/p>\n

Silence fell over the small station, but none of the Cartwrights slept that night.<\/p>\n

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

Dawn was still about an hour away when they rose, but it was light enough for them to see where they were going and time now was of the essence. Ben gulped the food put in front of him without tasting it and hurried out to saddle his horse.<\/p>\n

The pre-dawn air was chilly and Ben went back into the station to buy an extra blanket from the agent. Adam and Hoss had filled the canteens and were mounted, waiting for him when he came out. Securing the precious blanket, Ben mounted Buck and they set off to hunt for their lost son and brother.<\/p>\n

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

Less than an hour later, Hoss exclaimed, \u201cThere it is!\u201d<\/p>\n

Following his pointing finger, Ben saw the coach, lying on its side a little way down the hill. \u201cCome on!\u201d he cried and touched his heel to his horse.<\/p>\n

Lying in the shadows, shivering helplessly, Joe thought he heard the thunder of hooves, but he decided it was his imagination. He was so cold and so tired and so sore. He wanted to sleep, but sleep wouldn\u2019t come. He wanted someone to rescue him, but he was finding it harder and harder to believe that anyone would come in time.<\/p>\n

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

Now I\u2019m imagining things, Joe thought, forlornly. I thought I heard Pa\u2019s voice. He could feel tears welling in his eyes. Oh Pa!<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben put his hand out to touch his son, suddenly terrified by how still Joe was lying. Surely he hadn\u2019t come too late? His heart rate suddenly doubled, banging away uncomfortably in his chest. \u201cJoe, its Pa. Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe whispered and opened his eyes.<\/p>\n

The welter of feelings that Joe experienced overwhelmed him. Relief and disbelief warred for the upper hand and Joe was horrified to find himself sobbing helplessly in Ben\u2019s arms, when he should have been celebrating his rescue.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me the blanket,\u201d Ben ordered, feeling Joe shivering and noticing how cold he was to the touch. \u201cJoe, son, are you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of,\u201d Joe mumbled, still barely able to believe that Ben was there. \u201cMy shoulder and my ankle mostly.\u201d He snuggled closer to Ben, unconsciously seeking warmth. He turned his head as the blanket was draped over his body. \u201cHi, Adam,\u201d he said, sounding surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself,\u201d Adam replied. His greeting was cool, calm and collected, but Joe could see the warmth in his brother\u2019s eyes and the smile on his face.<\/p>\n

By now, Hoss was crowding in close, his round face wreathed in smiles and tears standing openly in his eyes. Joe breathed a greeting to him, too, but his eyes were drawn back to the face of the man who held him as though he would never let him go. Joe didn\u2019t mind; he couldn\u2019t imagine ever wanting Ben to let go of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me get him onto my horse,\u201d Ben instructed them. \u201cWe\u2019ll get him back to the station and see where we\u2019re going from there.\u201d Ben looked down at Joe\u2019s dirty, bruised face and thought his son had never looked dearer to him. \u201cJoe. We\u2019re going to move you. I\u2019m sorry, but it\u2019s going to hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d Joe breathed, but he still bit his lip as Hoss and Adam carefully picked him up and deposited him in front of Ben.<\/p>\n

It took much longer to return to the stage station than it had taken them to reach Joe. The jolting of the horse was excruciatingly painful for Joe, and he drifted in and out of consciousness. He was quite surprised when he opened his eyes and found himself lying on a cot in a room that felt gloriously warm. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered and Ben immediately bent over Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, son,\u201d he soothed. \u201cWe\u2019re just heating some broth for you. Are you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarved,\u201d Joe joked, but it fell flat. It had come all too close to being true. He dozed again, but woke easily when Ben gently touched his arm.<\/p>\n

Three or four spoonfuls of the soup filled Joe\u2019s shrunken stomach. He lay back, eyes closed once more, and felt the tendrils of inner warmth creeping through his body. After a moment, a warm cloth began to wash his face and Joe stayed quiescent, enjoying the sensation. He felt a good deal better just for the face wash and opened his eyes again, determined to stay awake at all costs. He smiled at his brothers, both of whom were leaning over the cot where he lay. It was so good just to see them there.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Joe slipped into sleep once more and Adam went over to Ben, who was sorting through some bandages. \u201cPa, what are we going to do?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to patch Joe up as best we can,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cand hightail it back to Virginia City. That boy needs to be under a doctor\u2019s care as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he well enough to stand up to the journey?\u201d ventured Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not leaving him here!\u201d Ben declared in such a firm tone that Adam knew further arguing would be useless. Nevertheless, he persevered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might do more harm than good,\u201d he suggested diffidently. \u201cIts obvious his shoulder is dislocated and we can\u2019t be sure about his ankle\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he\u2019s had a bad knock on the head and is likely concussed,\u201d Ben concluded. \u201cI know all that, Adam, but I still think its better for him if we take him back to town, rather than expect Paul to come all the way out here. It\u2019ll take a few hours to get home, I know, but better that than have Joe waiting for twice that length of time, or more!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d Adam agreed, feeling he ought to protest more, but also wanting Joe closer to home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I am,\u201d Ben smiled and went over to waken Joe again. Gently, he bound Joe\u2019s injured arm to his chest, hoping that this would make the journey more bearable for Joe. He left the ankle alone; Joe\u2019s makeshift bandage seemed to be doing a sterling job. \u201cReady?\u201d he asked Joe.<\/p>\n

The honest answer was no, but Joe wasn\u2019t willing to admit that. \u201cYes,\u201d he replied and braced himself for the pain as Hoss picked him up and carried him outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The journey home was one that Joe would have preferred to forget. The pain built up in waves until he slipped into unconsciousness, only to rouse a short time later for the whole cycle to begin again. Relishing the warmth of the blanket at first, Joe soon grew too warm as his body protested the movement and pain and he began to run a temperature. He said nothing unless directly asked, and even then only declared that he was \u2018fine\u2019.<\/p>\n

Not fooled by this declaration, Ben resolutely kept going, although he was no beginning to doubt the wisdom of moving Joe. But it was too late now, and he had to see it through. Going back would be just as hard as going on. Each step was a step nearer to help.<\/p>\n

It was late in the afternoon when they finally arrived back in town. Adam had ridden on ahead to alert Paul to their arrival and was waiting to take Joe in his arms when Ben pulled Buck to a stop. Joe groaned as he was moved and opened glazed, pain-filled green eyes to look at Adam. \u201cIs it your turn again?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you could say that,\u201d Adam panted as he carried Joe carefully into the surgery. \u201cBut it\u2019s a much shorter trip this time.\u201d He laid Joe on the examination table. \u201cAre you sure you haven\u2019t eaten in three days? You feel much heavier to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

A ghost of a smile told Adam that Joe appreciated his joke. \u201cPure muscle, brother,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead weight, I would\u2019ve said,\u201d Paul Martin joked, leaning in to look at Joe over Adam\u2019s shoulder. He didn\u2019t like what he saw. Joe\u2019s face was desperately pale and his eyes didn\u2019t seem to focus properly. His cheeks were pinched and the whiteness of his lips spoke eloquently of his pain. \u201cHello, Joe. What\u2019s this you\u2019ve been up to now? Trying to teach a stagecoach to fly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that,\u201d Joe responded. He bit his lip as another spasm of pain hit him.<\/p>\n

Shelving the small talk, Paul began to examine Joe, carefully removing the bandages Ben had put on, and then Joe\u2019s filthy clothes. He didn\u2019t say anything, but his face was grim. Finally straightening, and covering Joe with a sheet, he glanced at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to set his shoulder at once. It\u2019s been out of place for several days and its going to be tough. His ankle isn\u2019t broken, it\u2019s just sprained, but it\u2019s a bad sprain. His head is healing well, so I\u2019m just going to leave it alone. He\u2019s obviously slightly concussed, but by this point, the worst of if should be over.\u201d He looked back at Joe, who was listening in a detached manner. \u201cJoe, what\u2019s this bandage on your stomach?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s where I got burned,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBy the poker.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others exchanged concerned glances. None of them had the least idea what he was talking about, and Ben suddenly feared that the head injury was worse than it appeared and that Joe had lost his wits. \u201cWhat are you talking about, Joe?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe told them about meeting Bethany and how she had burned him with the poker. There was silence for several moments after he had finished speaking, while they looked at each other in horror. It was Paul who broke the silence. \u201cI see,\u201d he nodded. \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to give you something to make you sleep, Joe, and when you wake up, you should feel a bit better, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019k,\u201d Joe agreed, already on the point of sleep once more. He slid off into dreamland almost at once when Paul applied the ether and then ushered the other Cartwrights out.<\/p>\n

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

Although Joe did feel a bit better when he next woke, it was several days before he began to feel anything like his old self. He slept a good deal of the time, and it seemed that whenever he woke, food was stuffed into him. Joe could be a picky eater when he was upset, but generally he had a good appetite. However, he was soon protesting that he couldn\u2019t keep eating all the time.<\/p>\n

By then, Joe was complaining generally, which was usually a sign that he was feeling better. In this case, he was itching to get home, and pestered Paul every day. However, Paul was cautious, waiting to see how Joe\u2019s shoulder settled down, as it had been very difficult to get the shoulder back in place, thanks to the length of time it had been out. The muscles had all been badly damaged and it would be quite some time before Joe had full use of it back. Paul had been afraid that he might trap a nerve when putting it back in place, but after a few days, he was convinced that it was all right.<\/p>\n

However, before Joe was allowed to go home, he had to speak to Roy Coffee. Tyler had come through to Virginia City and taken the gunmen who had attacked the way station back to Sacramento. Under intense questioning, they had admitted working for the Purvis family. They had bought up the tickets for the stage and frightened off the genuine passengers so that Joe was alone. Then they had lain in wait and shot the horses, causing the coach to crash. They had thought Joe looked dead, but hadn\u2019t checked on him. Their admission meant that Joe wouldn\u2019t have to testify against them, and Tyler thought that perhaps the judge might take into account the fact that they hadn\u2019t killed a lot of innocent people. Roy wanted the details of what had happened to Joe in Sacramento, since the trial would probably be held in Virginia City, since the original warrant for Bethany\u2019s arrest had been made out there.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe told his story again and his family listened in silence. Ben wished fervently that he had been able to stop Bethany once and for all two years ago when she had first set her sights on Joe. Adam and Hoss could vividly remember the attack in the yard of the ranch and they were horrified that Joe had had to face his ordeal alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it seems straight forward ta me,\u201d Roy sighed, as he got Joe to sign his statement. \u201cI reckon she\u2019ll go ta jail at the least. Maybe even hang. Them boys o\u2019 hers will sing like canaries and she won\u2019t be able ta deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn\u2019t deny it last time, either,\u201d Ben muttered, darkly, and Joe looked at him, troubled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe even threatened to kill me when I was in Tyler\u2019s office in Sacramento,\u201d he told them. \u201cAnd Tyler was right there.\u201d He shuddered. \u201cI\u2019ll never understand her.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Later that day, settled in his own bed at last, Joe repeated his statement to Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll never understand her, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019d want to understand her,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWhy would you want to understand a mind that could order someone\u2019s death?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good point,\u201d Joe conceded. \u201cYou know, I never imagined I\u2019d run into her again. I\u2019d almost managed to put her out of my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHad you?\u201d Adam asked, curiously. \u201cI\u2019d never managed to forget her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I hadn\u2019t really,\u201d Joe replied, honestly. \u201cBut I wasn\u2019t thinking about her day after day, like I was at the beginning, just after it happened.\u201d He looked at Adam. \u201cDid you think about her every day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cJust sometimes. But I couldn\u2019t say I ever really forgot her.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence for a minute as Joe tried to find a truly comfortable position and failed. He was pensive. Adam was content to wait until Joe was ready to share his thoughts. Pushing often brought about an explosion of temper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how I\u2019m going to face her at the trial,\u201d Joe muttered at last, his head ducked, a sure sign of distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a great deal of courage, as usual,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Joe shrugged. He didn\u2019t sound convinced.<\/p>\n

Later, when he went downstairs, Adam told Ben about the exchange. Ben nodded thoughtfully, for he had sensed that there was something bothering Joe. But he said nothing until he was settling Joe for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam told me you\u2019re worried about the trial,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m scared,\u201d Joe admitted in a low voice. \u201cI\u2019m scared to face her again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s natural,\u201d Ben told him, sitting down on the bed and resting his hand lightly on Joe\u2019s left arm. \u201cBut you have the courage to do it, with our support. You won\u2019t be alone, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourage,\u201d Joe scoffed. \u201cI\u2019m not really brave, Pa. That doctor in Sacramento told me I was brave, but I\u2019m not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t run yourself down, son,\u201d he chided gently. \u201cYou are brave, Joe. You\u2019re probably the most courageous person I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not!\u201d Joe denied.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you don\u2019t feel brave,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut you behave bravely. You always stand up for what is right and for your friends. You don\u2019t let others intimidate you into saying or doing something you don\u2019t believe in. That\u2019s bravery, Joe. Do you think that all the brave soldiers weren\u2019t afraid as they went into battle? They were. Everyone feels fear, Joe; everyone. But true bravery is feeling fear, yet going ahead and doing what has to be done. You are brave, Joe. Very brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were riveted to Ben. \u201cDo you really think so?\u201d he asked, hesitantly. \u201cYou\u2019re not just saying that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben reproved. \u201cHave I ever said anything I didn\u2019t mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shamefaced, Joe ducked his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben echoed, gently. He put a finger under Joe\u2019s chin and lifted his son\u2019s head. \u201cI\u2019m not buttering you up, Joe. I believe every word I just said. You are brave and I am extraordinarily proud of you. You\u2019ve coped amazingly well with your ordeal and we\u2019re here to help you as much as we can. I hope you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I do,\u201d Joe agreed, truthfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s difficult, but try not to think about the trial right now,\u201d Ben advised. \u201cThings often seem worse in your mind than they actually turn out to be. We\u2019ll be there with you all the way, Joe. There are a number of witnesses who will back your story, so it won\u2019t be as if you\u2019re alone against a lot of others. And remember, you\u2019ll be feeling much better by then and things won\u2019t seem so daunting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe smiled and Ben saw that his son looked a good deal less tense than he had just a short time ago and silently thanked the Almighty for helping him to find the right words to help Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll remember that.\u201d He closed his eyes, suddenly weary, not realising that it was the release of tension that had tired him. He was soon fast asleep.<\/p>\n

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

There was a noticeable change in Joe\u2019s spirits after his talk with Ben. He was much more like his usual self, cheeky and irreverent, although sometimes, naturally enough, being almost immobile got him down. However, his ankle healed well and his shoulder was soon on the mend too and Joe felt better as he was able to get about under his own steam, even if he wasn\u2019t yet able to ride.<\/p>\n

About three weeks after he got home, Roy Coffee appeared at the ranch one afternoon. It was almost supper time and he gladly accepted an invitation to stay and eat with the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brings you out here, Roy?\u201d Ben asked, as they started eating. \u201cNot that we aren\u2019t pleased to see you, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI come to see Joe, really,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cIt\u2019s about the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every eye turned to Joe, who took a deep breath before looking up at Roy, hoping his face didn\u2019t show the sudden apprehension he was feeling. \u201cGo on,\u201d he encouraged.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like this,\u201d Roy began and Ben hoped that his old friend wouldn\u2019t beat about the bush too much as he got his story out. Roy was a great fellow, but brevity was usually a closed book to him. \u201cI got a wire from Tyler, tellin\u2019 me the trial date has bin set.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen is it?\u201d Ben asked, hoping Roy would get the hint and just tell them. He glanced at Joe, pleased that his son was handling the news so well, but also concerned by the sudden paleness of Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

However, Roy was oblivious to the hints. \u201cHe asked if\u2019n I could come out an\u2019 tell Joe all about it, so I here I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when is the trial?\u201d Adam asked, seeing Joe\u2019s face getting stiller and stiller.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s the thing, see?\u201d Roy replied, cryptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019 see, Roy,\u201d Hoss declared, frowning. \u201cWhen is the trial?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Roy wondered if the Cartwrights had suddenly all become thick or if they were playing it dumb for some reason. Then he mentally reviewed what he had said and realised that he hadn\u2019t really told them the story. \u201cAh,\u201d he smiled and watched as the four of them frowned in unison. \u201cSee, that\u2019s the thing! Bethany has pleaded guilty an\u2019 there don\u2019 have ta be a trial no more. The judge has sentenced her already. She\u2019s gone to prison for 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The relief was overwhelming and Joe suddenly felt sick. Mumbling something under his breath, he left the table and ran from the house. As he clung to the top rail of the corral, Joe heard footsteps and knew that it was Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts over,\u201d he said, turning to face his father. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t need to worry any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe nodded and after a few minutes, they went back and rejoined the others in the house.<\/p>\n

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

But in the dark of night, Ben woke and wondered what would happen in 10 years time. Was he just being paranoid in thinking that perhaps Bethany wouldn\u2019t forget? Or had it just been a nightmare?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 On a business trip to Sacramento, Joe encounters Bethany again. Will he survive this time?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (11,470 words)<\/p>\n

Power of Love Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":1229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-7141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2044,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16184,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=16184","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":0},"title":"Giving You (by Foreverfree)","author":"Foreverfree","date":"March 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What love is all about - inspired by Joe -\u00a0my favorite Cartwright. My entry for The\u00a0World Poetry Day 2018. Rating: K Word count: 82","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"joe","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Forever-part-2-00011.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13119,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13119","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":1},"title":"A New Year’s Renewal (by Karen)","author":"Karen","date":"July 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It's the littlest things in life and the littlest one who can inspire. Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (1,045 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18034,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=18034","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":2},"title":"Joe (by A-P)","author":"A-P","date":"August 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A group of poems about Joe Cartwright . Rating: K Word Count: 578","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14374,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14374","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":3},"title":"The Tiger Puzzle (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 1, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The Cartwright brothers come to the aid of sisters; however, will they be able to help the damsels in distress? \u00a0If you know the brothers, you know where this is going -- risque'. Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(1,135 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6628,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6628","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":4},"title":"Forever – The Love of My Life – #3 (by Rider)","author":"Rider","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Alice think about their relationship on the eve of their wedding. Rated:\u00a0K+ (990 words) Forever Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","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\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2195,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2195","url_meta":{"origin":7141,"position":5},"title":"Barbarous Revenge (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"October 22, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A 'What Happened Next' for the episode 'The Last Haircut.' 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