{"id":7157,"date":"2004-05-05T16:21:00","date_gmt":"2004-05-05T20:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7157"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:24","slug":"believe-in-me-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7157","title":{"rendered":"Believe In Me (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Accused of murder, and found to be innocent, Joe discovers that rumours are difficult to quash.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (8,705 words)<\/p>\n

Believe in Me Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Believe in Me<\/a>
\nFaith to Believe<\/a><\/p>\n

Believe In Me<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d Joe asked, as he paused just outside the store.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d asked Adam, glancing around.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there,\u201d Joe responded, jerking his chin in the direction. He indicated two richly dressed ladies, one older, one younger, standing on the other side of the street outside the dressmaker\u2019s shop. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen them in town before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither have I,\u201d Adam agreed, gazing across at them. The richness of their clothes immediately set them apart from the more plainly, practically dressed women in the street. \u201cI suppose we\u2019ll find out soon enough,\u201d he added, although his own curiosity had been peaked by their appearance. \u201cCome on, Joe, let\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t we even have one beer?\u201d Joe pleaded, not making a move towards the heavily loaded wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot even one,\u201d Adam responded, not looking round and not stopping to argue. \u201cAre you coming, or do you want to walk home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing perfectly well that Adam meant every word, Joe heaved an audible sigh and followed meekly. \u201cYou\u2019re a spoilsport,\u201d he told Adam as he climbed onto the seat as the wagon began to move.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d agreed the older brother, calmly. He shook up the team, which broke into a measured trot. Joe glanced over his shoulder at the two women and wondered how long it would be before he discovered who they were. For an instant, his eyes met those of the young lady, who had glanced in their direction. Joe smiled and tipped his hat and for a moment, she smiled back. Then the wagon swept round a corner and the girl was lost from sight.<\/p>\n

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

Neither Ben nor Hoss was able to shed any light on who the two women were. Joe\u2019s curiosity had to go unsatisfied for the time being, as they were busy on the ranch and trips to town were few and far between.<\/p>\n

Church on Sunday morning provided a welcome respite from the hard work during the rest of the week. The Cartwrights arrived in ample time and Hoss carefully hitched the buggy horses to the rail before joining the rest of the family in the church.<\/p>\n

Glancing round, Joe saw at once that neither of the two ladies was present. He felt a pang of disappointment, but settled down to wait for the service to start. The little church was very warm and stuffy under the hot summer sun and Joe could feel himself growing sleepy already. He sat up a bit straighter and Ben hid a smile. The service hadn\u2019t begun and Joe was already twitching!<\/p>\n

There was a sudden stir at the back of the church and heads turned to see who had come in. Joe, like many others, couldn\u2019t resist looking. \u201cThere she is, Pa!\u201d he whispered excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop staring, Joseph,\u201d Ben chided in a low voice, resisting the urge to turn around to look. He would see the young lady in question at the end of the service.<\/p>\n

However, he didn\u2019t have to wait that long, as a middle-aged couple, a young woman and two younger boys paraded to the front of the church and slid into the first pew.<\/p>\n

A rustle ran through the congregation and not all the comments were charitable. \u201cDressed up to the nines,\u201d sniffed one redoubtable matron.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d think they were better\u2019n the rest of us,\u201d agreed another<\/p>\n

\u201cSilk dresses,\u201d whispered another young lady enviously. Silk was way beyond her means.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mouth tightened in disapproval. Nobody was making any allowance for the newcomers. Ben hated to pre-judge people solely on appearances. He vowed to speak to the new family after church was over. Glancing at his sons, Ben saw that they were all as aware of the comments and undertones as he was. But before any of them could say anything, the minister came in and they rose to sing the first hymn.<\/p>\n

The service seemed interminable to Joe, who wanted it over so he could meet the girl who currently sat in the front pew so decorously. Joe could see that she had shining dark brown hair neatly coiled and pinned under her fashionable velvet hat. He wondered what colour of eyes she had and entertained himself imagining various colours against her hair. He hoped her eyes were dark.<\/p>\n

At last, the service was over and Joe leapt to his feet. Ben hid another smile. Joe was frequently so transparent. \u201cIn a hurry, son?\u201d Ben asked, blandly.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026 Its rather hot in here, Pa,\u201d Joe answered, not untruthfully, if rather evasively. \u201cI just need some fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is rather close,\u201d Ben agreed. He began to move slowly into the aisle, with Joe all but stepping on his heels. He held his son back for a few moments, then stepped aside to let Joe hurry up the aisle and outside.<\/p>\n

However, Joe was to be frustrated again. While Ben intercepted the father, the mother hustled the young lady over to an extremely ornate open carriage and her basilisk stare kept even the intrepid Joe at bay. He could only watch as the father separated from Ben, climbed into the carriage and whipped up the horses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Joe demanded, as he climbed into the buggy beside Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell what?\u201d Ben replied, infuriatingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are they called? Where are they from?\u201d Joe was practically bouncing in his seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir name is Cowdray,\u201d replied Ben, shortly. \u201cAnd that\u2019s all I can tell you. Mr Cowdray made it quite clear that he didn\u2019t want anything to do with me, so I didn\u2019t push it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning around, Adam said, \u201cClem was telling me that they aren\u2019t well like in town. They\u2019ve been here a couple of weeks, but haven\u2019t made any friends. In fact, Clem says they haven\u2019t attempted to make any friends. Clem thinks they\u2019re from Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, some people are simply anti-social,\u201d Ben remarked and that was the end of the discussion.<\/p>\n

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

Despite the rumours that filtered back to the ranch via some of the hands, Joe\u2019s curiosity wasn\u2019t abated in the slightest. He still wanted to meet Miss Cowdray and was now spending time debating about what her Christian name was.<\/p>\n

His chance to discover came at the end of the month. There was a dance at the hotel and Joe had arranged to take Suzanne Jenkins. He set off in plenty of time to collect her, only to discover upon his arrival that Suzanne had caught the heel of her shoe in the hem of her skirt and fallen downstairs earlier that day. Luckily, her injuries were confined to a sprained ankle and bruised elbow, but she certainly wasn\u2019t going to be attending the dance.<\/p>\n

Disappointed, Joe put on a brave face and prepared to spend the evening at Suzanne\u2019s home, but her mother soon disabused him of that notion, since Suzanne needed to rest her ankle and she certainly wasn\u2019t going to have Joe eyeing up her daughter\u2019s ankle, chaperone or no chaperone! Within a short time, Joe was headed to the dance alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Suzanne?\u201d Adam asked, coming up behind Joe as he poured himself some punch.<\/p>\n

Glumly, Joe explained. Adam patted him briefly on the shoulder. \u201cToo bad,\u201d he commiserated and moved on. Joe watched him go. On the far side of the room, Hoss had been cornered by Bessie Sue Hightower. Sighing, Joe started to work the room, but his heart wasn\u2019t really in it.<\/p>\n

Quite a few of the girls in town had suddenly become engaged or married during the summer and the numbers available to flirt harmlessly with had dropped. Joe was rather surprised by the sudden drop in numbers.<\/p>\n

There was movement over by the entrance and Joe, alone once more, glanced over. It was the elusive Miss Cowdray and she was alone. At once, Joe went over. \u201cGood evening, Miss Cowdray. I\u2019m Joe Cartwright. May I have this dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking, Miss Cowdray eyed Joe appreciatively. \u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d she replied, in a low rich, throaty voice.<\/p>\n

As they danced, Joe studied his partner more closely. She was quite tall, her eyes almost on the same level as Joe\u2019s. Those eyes were a gold-flecked hazel, lighter than Joe had imagined, and they sparkled with vivacious life. Her features were even and she would have been classed as beautiful by anyone. She danced with a natural grace and rhythm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know my name?\u201d she asked as Joe led her over to a seat afterwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only know your surname,\u201d Joe admitted candidly. \u201cMy father introduced himself to yours a few weeks ago after church.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Emma,\u201d she replied and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma,\u201d Joe echoed. \u201cWhat a lovely name.\u201d Coming from almost anyone else, the compliment would have sounded jaded and trite. But Joe meant it quite sincerely and his considerable personal charm lent it an added attraction. Emma Cowdray decided that she liked Joe Cartwright. She smiled. He was the handsomest man she had ever met and she liked him a lot.<\/p>\n

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

By the end of the evening, Joe knew quite a lot about Emma Cowdray. She had come from Philadelphia with her parents and two younger brothers, George and Percy. Her father had been a businessman, but had now retired. They had decided to come out and live in the West as the East was becoming too crowded. (Joe privately thought this rubbish, but politely pretended to believe it.)<\/p>\n

\u201cIts not really quite what we expected,\u201d Emma admitted. \u201cThings are not as sophisticated as they are back East.\u201d Her eyes travelled around the room and there was no question that her velvet and chiffon gown was much more sophisticated than the ones the other girls wore.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose we are a bit rough and ready,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you been back East?\u201d Emma asked, eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAlthough I would like to go at some point. My oldest brother, Adam, was at college back East.\u201d He felt a slight pang when he said this; would Emma find Adam more to her taste?<\/p>\n

\u201cPhiladelphia is wonderful!\u201d Emma gushed. Joe listened, as she waxed lyrical about the delights of the East.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a man appeared beside them and it was only when Emma jumped to her feet that Joe realised that this irate stranger was her parent!<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma!\u201d he growled. \u201cI told you that you weren\u2019t to come! You will come home at once!\u201d He grasped her arm in a bruising grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa, please!\u201d Emma begged. \u201cDon\u2019t make such a scene, please! Papa! You\u2019re hurting me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Not sure what to say, but unwilling to stand by and see Emma hurt, Joe took half a step forward. But before he could speak, Mr Cowdray rounded on him. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you are, young man, but I\u2019ll thank you to stay away from my daughter in future!\u201d His eyes raked Joe up and down and clearly found him wanting. \u201cHow dare you entice her to come here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t!\u201d Joe protested, trying to keep a firm hold on his temper.<\/p>\n

\u201cSilence, pup!\u201d Cowdray barked and punched Joe in the mouth.<\/p>\n

The blow was completely unexpected and Joe stumbled backwards, hit the chair behind him and fell to the floor. He could only sit there, dazed, as Cowdray began to drag Emma away.<\/p>\n

In seconds, both Joe\u2019s brothers were there, Hoss bending anxiously over Joe and Adam intercepting Cowdray. \u201cSir, is there a problem?\u201d Adam asked, smoothly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind your own business!\u201d Cowdray snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my business,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cThat\u2019s my brother you just punched, and with no provocation that I could see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing himself up to his full height, Cowdray glared at Adam, who was unmoved by the show of anger. Their eyes were on a level. \u201cYour brother was with my daughter without my permission,\u201d he hissed. By now, they had the full attention of the whole room. \u201cIf I catch them together again, your brother had better watch out, because I won\u2019t be as nice a second time!\u201d He turned away, dragging Emma from the room.<\/p>\n

Not quite sure what to say, Adam watched them go and finally turned to Joe. Hoss had helped their younger brother to his feet and was mopping the blood coming from Joe\u2019s nose. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe replied. He looked towards the entrance, but the Cowdrays had gone. \u201cJust confused.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Later that night, alone in his room, Joe pondered the mystery of Emma Cowdray. He couldn\u2019t understand the father\u2019s reaction. Yes, all right, it seemed that Emma had sneaked out without permission, although Joe had no idea how you accomplished that wearing a dress. He could clearly envisage climbing out of the window, but he didn\u2019t see how you could do that in a dress. Yet, as Joe\u2019s thoughts turned serious again, he wondered why Cowdray had over-reacted so badly. He could see why Cowdray would be angry, but it seemed to Joe that his anger was inappropriate. He gingerly felt his split lip; Cowdray wasn\u2019t someone to mess with.<\/p>\n

Next morning at church, Joe waited expectantly for the Cowdray family to appear. He had resolved that he would talk to Mr Cowdray and apologise, even though he hadn\u2019t done anything wrong. Joe knew that offering an apology was often the way to catch the other party wrong-footed and thereby blunt their anger. But he wasn\u2019t to get that chance. The Cowdrays never appeared.<\/p>\n

Not that there wasn\u2019t plenty of mention of them. As soon as the Cartwrights entered the building, Joe could hear his name. His ignominious exit the night before had given the gossips plenty of fuel. One glance at his father\u2019s face showed Joe that Ben had heard, too and there was nothing that Ben hated more than his family as the subject of town gossip. Joe ducked his head and slid meekly into the pew.<\/p>\n

\u201cIgnore them, son,\u201d Ben whispered, as he bent his head in supposed prayer. \u201cYou\u2019ve done nothing wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, his heart warming within him. Joe knew that Ben had believed that he had nothing to do with Emma being at the dance the previous night, even without the corroborating evidence supplied by his brothers. He sat a bit straighter and met everyone\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWe\u2019ll need another keg of nails,\u201d Ben said, watching as Adam wrote down the list of hardware supplies. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a crate of horseshoes to collect from the blacksmith\u2019s, too.\u201d Although Hoss was more than capable of making horseshoes, it was quicker to buy them from the blacksmith and have Hoss convert them to fit the horses on the ranch as was required.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter get some more wire,\u201d Adam mentioned. \u201cThe roll we have is pretty skinny now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so,\u201d Adam replied, blotting the list. \u201cWho\u2019s going for it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had better be Joe,\u201d Ben decided. \u201cHe\u2019s had ants in his pants since he finished the last of those horses.\u201d He smiled. \u201cI think we could all use the break, Joe included.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Adam agreed. He hated to be the one to collect rolls of wire as, no matter how careful you were, the barbs always managed to scratch you. \u201cWhen are you planning on us starting the fencing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a week or so,\u201d Ben replied. He glanced at the cloudless blue sky. \u201cLet\u2019s get haying over first. It\u2019s a shame to miss the weather.\u201d Spying his youngest son, Ben beckoned to him. \u201cJoe! Here\u2019s the list of supplies I need from town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down the list, Joe nodded. \u201cAll right, Pa. Guess it\u2019s my turn then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you collect the mail, too?\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cSee you at supper.\u201d He headed off to harness the team to the buckboard.<\/p>\n

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

The drive into town was just what Joe needed. He had been restless since he broke the last of the horses and he felt vaguely dissatisfied that summer, although he wasn\u2019t entirely sure why. The change of scene helped a bit. Joe was feeling more cheerful when he arrived in town.<\/p>\n

Bit by bit, Joe got the hardware they were needing, effortlessly hefting the keg of nails onto the buckboard, and accepting help to load the roll of barbed wire. Then he drove down to the blacksmiths and helped load the horseshoes. That done, he left the buckboard there and strolled down the street to collect the mail at the mail office.<\/p>\n

As he wandered back, leafing through the letters, Joe almost walked into someone. He automatically put his hand out to steady the other person and saw that it was Emma. \u201cHello,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Emma replied, clearly flustered. She glanced all around and relaxed when she saw no one she knew. Joe, who had glanced around, too, couldn\u2019t say the same. There were plenty of people on the street that he knew. \u201cI\u2019m glad I bumped into you. I wanted to apologise for the other night. My father is a trifle hot tempered, and he shouldn\u2019t have hit you. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts not your fault,\u201d Joe assured her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but it is,\u201d Emma replied. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t disobeyed him, it would never have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe said, \u201cIts in the past and forgotten.\u201d He allowed a grin to surface. \u201cBut I did wonder how you managed to sneak out wearing a dress. I\u2019ve climbed out of the window a few times myself, but I can\u2019t imagine that you did that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing at the image Joe had conjured up, Emma blushed prettily. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t try that! I just left through the back door while Papa and Mama were having dinner. I was supposed to be conning the Bible passage Papa had set me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like an ice, or a cup of coffee?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cThe hotel is right across the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love that, but Mama is going to come and join me in the dressmaker\u2019s shop in a few minutes,\u201d Emma replied. \u201cShe \u2013 wouldn\u2019t be happy to see me with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cAll right, I\u2019m a cowboy, but I\u2019m a Cartwright, too. Doesn\u2019t your father think we\u2019re good enough for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not,\u201d Emma answered sadly. \u201cSince we came out here, he doesn\u2019t think anyone is good enough for me. I have no friends and I\u2019m so bored.\u201d A sob almost broke free of her control and Joe tactfully observed the street while Emma regained her composure. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, I shouldn\u2019t burden you with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean you don\u2019t think of me as your friend?\u201d Joe asked in a hurt tone. Emma cast him a horrified glance before she caught the mischievous sparkle in his eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe. You\u2019re my first friend.\u201d She glanced over her shoulder once more. \u201cOh, Mama\u2019s coming! I\u2019d better go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you soon,\u201d Joe told her, as she hurried away.<\/p>\n

He deliberately stayed where he was, watching Mrs Cowdray draw closer. He hadn\u2019t really seen the lady close to before and he noticed Emma\u2019s resemblance to her mother at once. But his main impression of Mrs Cowdray was of a woman who was extremely frightened. Joe didn\u2019t know what she was frightened of, but she hesitated as she drew closer to Joe, before walking on with a determined step. He smiled at her and tipped his hat. The lady nodded warily and went past. Joe headed back to the buckboard.<\/p>\n

What was Mrs Cowdray afraid of?<\/p>\n

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

It became Joe\u2019s mission in life to find out about the Cowdrays. He went into town every chance he got, even on evenings when he was really tired and an early bed was more appealing. He listened to every scrap of gossip in the saloons \u2013 and there was plenty going around.<\/p>\n

The family had only been in town a couple of months. Money seemed to be no object to them at all. Not only did they have the open carriage Joe had seen them riding in at church, but they also had a small buggy and a horse for each family member. The two young boys had been going to the Virginia City school, but it had been decided that it was too rough for such well-bred young men and a private tutor had been hired instead. Emma, although 19 or 20 and of an age when most young women were looking to find a husband, was chaperoned within an inch of her life. A number of young men had made approaches to Emma, but her father had seen them all off. It seemed Joe was not the only one who wasn\u2019t good enough for his daughter.<\/p>\n

Mostly because of Cowdray\u2019s arrogant manner, the family was universally disliked. Some people felt sorry for Emma and the boys especially, as they had no chance to live a normal life. Still others thought that the whole family should be scooped up and deposited back where they came from. The storekeepers hoped they would stay, as they lived lavishly and were prompt payers of their bills. The dressmaker had never had such business. But no one actually liked the family at all.<\/p>\n

Thoroughly intrigued, Joe took to going home past the Cowdrays\u2019 place, even though it was completely out of his way. He seemed to be the only person in town who had had a conversation with any of the Cowdrays and he had liked Emma. She had been spoiled, Joe could see, but a little spoiling wasn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing. And as seemed almost fated to happen, on one of his rides home, Joe saw Emma.<\/p>\n

She was standing by the barn door and it looked to Joe as though she had been crying. Knowing it was none of his business, but hating to see Emma distressed, Joe stopped Cochise and jumped off. \u201cEmma?\u201d he ventured. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Startling, Emma almost jumped her own height in the air. \u201cJoe!\u201d she exclaimed, putting her hand onto her breast. \u201cYou scared me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to,\u201d Joe apologised. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Emma admitted, and moved until she was standing close by Joe. \u201cI\u2019ve had a bit of a fright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe asked. He wanted to put his arm around her, but he wasn\u2019t sure how the girl would take the move, so kept his arm by his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came out to see Starlight, my horse. Someone came into the barn while I was there, and I thought it was the groom.\u201d Emma drew in a deep breath, trying to keep her breathing calm. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t. It was a stranger, and he\u2026he threatened me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Joe demanded, glancing all around, although he knew that Emma\u2019s assailant must be long gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me to tell Papa that they had found him and that he knew what would happen.\u201d Emma sniffed loudly as she fought back the tears. \u201cHe twisted my arm, Joe, and I was afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you need to see the doctor?\u201d Joe asked, this time putting his arm around her. Emma needed the comfort and support right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Emma assured him. \u201cBut what am I going to do, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must tell your father,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhatever this man wants, he has to know.\u201d He felt Emma shudder and wondered if she was afraid of her father, too. \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do that!\u201d Emma gasped. \u201cHe\u2019ll be furious that I talked to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why,\u201d Joe remarked. \u201cBut you must tell him, Emma. This sounds serious. Do you know who he meant by \u2018they\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d Emma admitted. \u201cBut since we came here, Joe, Papa has changed. He never used to hate the young men who called on me, and he used to let me go out more often. The boys, too. Since we came to Virginia City, we aren\u2019t allowed to have friends. Its horrid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a friend,\u201d Joe reminded her. \u201cMe.\u201d He was intensely curious about the cryptic message that Emma had been given, and the change in Cowdray\u2019s attitude since they had arrived in town, but he could sense that Emma was as confused by it all as he was. He smiled at her gently. \u201cNow, do you want me to come with you while you tell your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, but no,\u201d Emma replied. She straightened up, away from Joe\u2019s protective arm. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell him what?\u201d asked a cold voice and Emma flinched violently again.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what, Emma. That you and this young man have been seeing each other behind my back?\u201d Cowdray came forward and glared at Joe. \u201cI told you to stay away from my daughter, Cartwright. I meant what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve seen Emma since the dance,\u201d Joe replied, trying to remain calm. He knew that losing his temper would be the worst thing to do. \u201cI was passing and saw her. She looked upset, so I stopped to make sure she was all right.\u201d He glanced at the girl and saw her eyes were wide, the pupils dilated with fear. \u201cShe\u2019s had rather a fright, Mr Cowdray.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA fright, eh?\u201d Cowdray drawled. \u201cRejected your advances is more like the truth!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Papa!\u201d Emma cried, coming to life again. \u201cA strange man came into the barn and told me to tell you that they had found you and that you know what will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The colour leached out of Cowdray\u2019s face at an astonishing rate. Joe wondered if the man would pass out cold at his feet. \u201cAre you all right, sir?\u201d he asked, taking a step towards him.<\/p>\n

Recovering, Cowdray drew back. \u201cOf course I\u2019m all right,\u201d he hissed. \u201cThis is all your fault, Cartwright! You\u2019ve had your final warning! Stay away from Emma, if you know what\u2019s good for you!\u201d He gave Joe a vicious shove in the chest and once again, Joe was caught off guard and stumbled backwards, landing on his butt on the ground.<\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Joe saw that once again, Emma was being dragged off by her father. This was becoming too familiar a scenario. Joe stepped forward and grasped Cowdray\u2019s shoulder and whirled the man around. \u201cI don\u2019t know why you think this has anything to do with me,\u201d Joe ground out, holding onto the tatters of his temper with difficulty. \u201cBut I\u2019m not your enemy, Mr Cowdray. I want to be Emma\u2019s friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no danger of you ever being Emma\u2019s friend!\u201d Cowdray hissed. \u201cYou\u2019re not good enough for her, understand? Your father is some jumped-up parvenu from nowhere and if you don\u2019t leave my family alone, he\u2019ll find that his money and good name aren\u2019t worth a damn in this town anymore!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t exactly sure what a parvenu was, but he didn\u2019t like the sound of it. \u201cMr Cowdray, my family has done nothing to you but offer friendship, despite several slaps in the face. I wasn\u2019t trying to hurt Emma and I never would try. I resent you saying otherwise!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here, you insolent young pup!\u201d Cowdray barked. He lifted the gold-topped Malacca cane he carried and struck Joe heavily across the shoulders with it. \u201cLet that be a warning! The next time you come near Emma will be the last!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t count on it!\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cEmma, I\u2019ll see you real soon!\u201d He turned and walked away before he did something he would regret later. He could hear Emma crying behind him.<\/p>\n

As he rode home, Joe wondered once more what was going on with that family. He liked Emma and was determined to see her again, despite her father\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n

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

The bruise that developed across Joe\u2019s shoulders was multi-coloured and stiff. He had told Ben about his encounter with Emma and her father, but he hadn\u2019t given Ben the promise that his father had tried to extract from him; he couldn\u2019t promise never to try and see Emma again, for that was exactly what he intended to do.<\/p>\n

So for the next few nights, Joe made it his business to be in the vicinity of the Cowdrays\u2019 barn when Emma came out to pay her evening visit to her grey gelding, Starlight. Emma had looked startled and slight afraid the first time Joe came into the barn, but as soon as she saw who it was, she smiled in welcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! What are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to make sure you\u2019re all right,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhat happened last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa was furious,\u201d Emma admitted. \u201cHe told me I was confined to my room for the night and set me an extra Bible passage to learn. I heard him talking to Mama, and she sounded scared, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen anyone hanging around your house?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Emma replied. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll meet you here every night,\u201d Joe promised. \u201cI\u2019ll see if I can find out anything, and you do the same. Maybe we can sort out this mystery and your father will start to like me.\u201d He saw the doubtful look on Emma\u2019s face. \u201cA guy can dream, can\u2019t he?\u201d he pleaded, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Emma agreed, feeling daring.<\/p>\n

So that was what they started to do. Every night for the rest of that week, Joe met with Emma, but neither of them had found out anything about her father\u2019s secret and Emma hadn\u2019t seen anyone hanging around the house. The one good thing that had come out of the clandestine meetings was that Emma had a friend at last, and Joe saw her become more relaxed. He liked Emma, although he didn\u2019t think there was going to be a future together for them. It was really too early to tell.<\/p>\n

On Sunday evening, Joe had some news for Emma; news he knew she wouldn\u2019t want to hear. \u201cI\u2019m not going to be able to see you for about a week,\u201d he told her, seeing her downcast face. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go and do some fencing and it\u2019s too far away for me to even go home at night. I leave first thing in the morning, but if all goes well, I\u2019ll see you on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll miss you,\u201d Emma admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll miss you, too,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cYou be careful.\u201d He gave her a quick hug before he took his leave.<\/p>\n

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

The wagon was piled high with fence posts, wire, hammers and nails. Joe dropped his saddlebags with food and a change of clothes onto the seat beside him and picked up the reins. \u201cSee you at the end of the week, Pa!\u201d he called as he shook the team up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful, Joe!\u201d Ben called. \u201cYou\u2019ll be up there alone until Adam and Hoss can join you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Joe called back. He waved jauntily as he drove out of sight. Joe was going to be about as far away from the house as it was possible to be and still be on the Ponderosa. It was a four-hour trip by wagon and Joe whiled away the time singing to himself and dreaming about all the pretty girls he knew. The sun was hot on his back and Joe was actually looking forward to a little solitude.<\/p>\n

But by the end of the week, Joe was more than looking forward to getting home \u2013 he was desperate to get back! He had mended the fence for miles, and bore all the evidence of his hard work; scratched hands, bruises and sore muscles. So it was with a burst of joy that he saw his brothers arriving about noon on Friday. He had missed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, brothers!\u201d he hailed them, throwing down his hammer and dragging his forearm across his sweaty forehead. Joe\u2019s shirt was tossed on the wagon seat, along with his hat and gun belt. He reached for the canteen that hung there and drank from it deeply, before pouring some of the water over his head. He shook the wet curls back out of his face and went over to greet his brothers. It was only as they dismounted that Joe realised they weren\u2019t smiling.<\/p>\n

Fear spiked his gut. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked, anxiously. \u201cIts not Pa, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam replied, reassuringly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe demanded. His brothers\u2019 demeanour was really worrying him now. \u201cSomething\u2019s happened. Its not Cooch, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts Emma,\u201d Hoss replied, unhappily. He glanced at Joe\u2019s face, then hurriedly glanced away again.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmma?\u201d Joe echoed, blankly. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened to Emma?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brothers exchanged glances, then Adam stepped forward and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. Joe looked down at that brown hand and knew that whatever was coming was bad. Adam was sparing with his caresses. He looked up into his brother\u2019s face. \u201cJoe, Emma\u2019s dead,\u201d Adam told him, knowing of no way to soften the blow.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead?\u201d Joe gulped. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Adam couldn\u2019t speak, but Joe\u2019s green eyes were locked on his brown ones and there was no way to put off the telling of it. \u201cYou\u2019re wanted for her murder, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The memory of his brother\u2019s stunned face would stay with him for years.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cEmma was murdered yesterday afternoon,\u201d Adam explained. Joe was sitting against a fence post where his brother had pushed him, convinced that Joe was going to faint. However, Joe was made of sterner stuff than that and despite the shock, demanded to know the details. \u201cShe was found about 5pm by her father. Doc Martin thinks she\u2019d been dead about two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what\u2019s that got to do with me?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI\u2019ve been up here since Monday and you know that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we know that and Pa told Roy that. But Cowdray insisted that it had to be you, as you were the only person in town that Emma knew. He told us about the quarrel you two had last week.\u201d Adam searched Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWe know you didn\u2019t do it, Joe, but you haven\u2019t got an alibi. Nobody has seen you up here at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where you\u2019re wrong!\u201d Joe exclaimed and he suddenly looked a lot better. \u201cBecause I was seen and on Wednesday, too! Old Jim Briar came past on Wednesday afternoon. We talked and I gave him some food, because he was even thinner than usual. He can give me an alibi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s good,\u201d Adam replied. He didn\u2019t sound very enthusiastic though and both his younger brothers cocked an eye at him. \u201cBut its finding Jim that\u2019s the problem,\u201d he reminded them. \u201cHe wanders about wherever the mood takes him.\u201d Jim Briar was an old man who had once worked the silver mines of the Comstock. He had made enough money for himself to live off and spent his life wandering here and there. He had become progressively more ragged over the last few years and the Cartwrights suspected that his money was fast running out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta find him, Adam!\u201d Hoss declared, fiercely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Adam promised. \u201cBut right now, we\u2019ve got to take Joe home, because Roy Coffee will be waiting to speak to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reminded, Joe got to his feet and shrugged on his shirt. Together, the boys fixed up the last bit of fencing and loaded up the wagon. They worked in silence, but the only one whose thoughts could not be read on his face was Adam. As ever, he kept his face schooled to neutrality as he thought about how to find their elusive eyewitness to Joe\u2019s innocence. That Joe was innocent he didn\u2019t doubt.<\/p>\n

But proving it was another matter.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The evening was well advanced when the three boys clattered wearily into the yard. Adam immediately called for some of the men to take their horses and the team, for Roy Coffee\u2019s horse was standing patiently at the hitching post, and Joe, who had been abnormally quiet, had become very still when he saw it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss said, kindly, wrapping his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cBest git it over with, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squaring his slim shoulders, Joe walked unhurriedly across the yard and into the house, Adam and Hoss on his heels. Ben and Roy were drinking coffee in front of the fire and Ben glanced round as the door opened. His smile of welcome was automatic, but not as wide as it normally would have been. \u201cBoys, you\u2019re home! Come and have something to eat.\u201d He turned his head. \u201cHop Sing! The boys are home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allowing himself to be ushered to the table, Joe glanced at Roy\u2019s face. He could see that the lawman was uncomfortable and Joe couldn\u2019t blame him. He was a personal friend of the family and this must be very difficult for him. Joe looked at the plate of food that was put before him and wondered if he was meant to eat any of it. He wasn\u2019t even sure he recognised it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to arrest me?\u201d he asked and everyone jumped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta take ya in Little Joe,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cAt least until I\u2019ve sorted this out. I\u2019m real sorry, but there is a warrant out fer yer arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go then,\u201d Joe replied standing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t eaten anything!\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa have yer supper first, Joe,\u201d Roy ordered. \u201cI c\u2019n wait another half hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe sat and began to eat mechanically, but he couldn\u2019t taste the food and he had no idea what he had eaten. \u201cJoe\u2019s got an eyewitness who can prove that he wasn\u2019t in town on Wednesday,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

The relief that crossed Ben\u2019s face caused Joe to wince and turn his head away. \u201cWho is it?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJim Briar,\u201d Joe replied, and saw his father\u2019s face fall as he realised the enormity of the task that faced them. Finding Jim Briar was akin to hunting for a needle in a haystack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him!\u201d Ben vowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time did he see ya?\u201d Roy wanted to know.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe replied, \u201cI don\u2019t know exactly; I didn\u2019t look at my watch. But mid-afternoon, I\u2019d think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n Jim can confirm that, then ya\u2019re off the hook,\u201d Roy agreed. He heard the in-drawn breath as Ben began to protest and held up a hand to ward off the torrent. \u201cI know, Ben, I know! A man\u2019s innocent until proven guilty an\u2019 I know that Joe don\u2019t lie. But ya know as well as I do that Jim ain\u2019t the most reliable witness around. \u2018Specially if\u2019n he\u2019s had a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Joe suggested, standing. His plate was empty, although he had no idea how that came about. \u201cLet\u2019s get this over with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come in tomorrow, Joe,\u201d Ben murmured, going over to stand close to his son. Tension oozed from every pore of Joe\u2019s body and Ben lifted a hand to rub the back of his son\u2019s neck. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure you get out tomorrow. But there\u2019s nothing I can do tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, meeting his father\u2019s eyes for the first time that night. \u201cI didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe you, son,\u201d Ben said, simply and felt a little of the tension drift away. \u201cI know you didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered and went outside with Roy.<\/p>\n

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

It was all but dark when Joe and Roy arrived in town. Joe was exhausted and was glad to reach his destination, even if it was the jail. He dismounted wearily and hitched his horse to the rail. He knew that Roy or Clem, the deputy, would see that it was stabled and taken care of. He mounted the steps, thankful that Roy was being so tactful about the situation.<\/p>\n

They were both completely unprepared for Cowdray to step out of the shadows and give Joe a violent push, knocking the young man backwards off the steps. Joe landed with a thud in the street, reflecting that Cowdray was rather too fond of pushing him around. Roy quickly stepped between Cowdray and Joe, preventing the older man from following up with his Malacca cane.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d he chided. \u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe replied, getting to his feet. He brushed the dirt off his clothes as best he could and warily mounted the steps once more. \u201cMr Cowdray, I\u2019m so sorry about Emma,\u201d he offered. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t kill her. Please believe me; I was Emma\u2019s friend!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLiar!\u201d Cowdray spat. \u201cYou\u2019ll hang for this, boy, mark my words! I\u2019ll get you for this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGit outa here!\u201d Roy ordered. \u201cIf\u2019n ya don\u2019t leave Joe alone, I\u2019ll have ta arrest ya, too! Go on with ya!\u201d He glared after the man as he left. \u201cCome on, Joe let\u2019s git ya inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe attempted to smile at Roy as he resumed his walk into the jail. He wondered what else could go wrong that day and got his answer a few moments later. \u201cLook!\u201d cried a voice from the darkness. \u201cIts Cartwright the killer!\u201d This remark was followed up by a chorus of drunken laughter, then the chanting began. \u201cCartwright\u2019s a killer! Cartwright\u2019s a killer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ducking his head, Joe went meekly inside and into the cell. He stood looking at the cot for a moment before resolutely lying down on it. But he knew sleep would be a long time coming.<\/p>\n

And out in the street, the chanting continued. \u201cCartwright\u2019s a killer! Cartwright\u2019s a killer!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019re free to go, Joe,\u201d Roy told him, as he unlocked the cell door.<\/p>\n

\u201cFree for just now?\u201d Joe asked, warily, picking up his hat and jacket form the cot where they lay. It had been a long night and day for Joe. He had barely slept and the cell, which had been icy cold at night, was now like an oven.<\/p>\n

\u201cFree,\u201d Roy repeated. He ushered Joe through to his office where Ben, Adam and Hoss were waiting. With them was Jim Briar, wearing a grin like the Cheshire Cat. Joe stopped in his tracks and looked at Roy. \u201cFree to go. Jim confirmed yer whereabouts,\u201d Roy nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe whispered. He headed straight over to Jim and shook his hand. \u201cThank, you, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad I could help ya, Little Joe. You an\u2019 yer family\u2019s bin good ta me over the years.\u201d Jim shook Joe\u2019s hand once more and then left, back to his lonely life of walking the land.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe just looked at his family. He wanted to say so much to them, but couldn\u2019t find the words. Ben knew how he felt. He stepped forward and drew his son into a hug. The spell was broken and Hoss and Adam moved in close, patting their brother on the back, the relief that they all felt was palpable.<\/p>\n

Finally, Ben broke away. \u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d he suggested. \u201cIts all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

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

There was an immediate outcry at the news of Joe\u2019s release, led by Cowdray. For the first time since coming to Virginia City, he spoke directly to its citizens, decrying Joe as a murderer and implying that it was solely the Cartwright\u2019s money that had allowed Joe his freedom. It wasn\u2019t the first time that this sort of implication had been made, but it didn\u2019t make it any easier for Ben and the boys to hear. Joe\u2019s initial euphoria at being proved innocent wore off rapidly.<\/p>\n

Part of it was the death of Emma. He had missed her funeral while he was coming home with Adam and Hoss and he was saddened to learn that there had only been family there. And on Sunday morning before church began, Joe slipped into the graveyard to pay his respects.<\/p>\n

The last person he had hoped to meet was Cowdray. The older man glared at Joe, who hesitated warily. Three times he had met the man and three times he had ended the encounter on his butt. Joe was in no hurry to add a fourth occasion. \u201cMr Cowdray,\u201d he nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away, boy!\u201d Cowdray ordered tonelessly. \u201cShe\u2019s dead and its all your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer death had nothing to do with me,\u201d Joe denied. He could sense someone behind him and knew, without looking, that it was Ben. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry she died.\u201d Joe had a sudden thought, but he didn\u2019t get the chance to say anything as the bereaved father pushed rudely past Joe and left. Joe watched him go before turning to Ben. \u201cI just thought of something I didn\u2019t tell Roy,\u201d he declared. \u201cPa, please excuse me from church, but this is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Joe?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe night I had words with Mr Cowdray, Emma told me that some man had come into the barn and scared her, remember? I told you about it.\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cI didn\u2019t tell Roy about that, Pa. I forgot! I don\u2019t know if Cowdray did, but I get the feeling he didn\u2019t. This could be important, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019re right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cYou go on and I\u2019ll tell your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The animation suddenly died out of Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI just need to\u2026\u201d he started, then gestured towards the grave.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben urged gently. \u201cWe\u2019ll meet you at the jail.\u201d He hurried off.<\/p>\n

As Ben explained to Adam and Hoss, he became aware of the looks that were being directed at him, and the murmurs that stopped whenever he looked round. He glanced back at his sons and saw that they were well aware of what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s been tried and convicted, even though he\u2019s innocent,\u201d Adam commented, bitterly. \u201cCowdray\u2019s been spreading his poison far and wide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think people would believe it,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody else has been found for Emma\u2019s murder,\u201d Adam pointed out. \u201cSo people haven\u2019t got anyone else to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if Joe is right, perhaps we\u2019ll be able to stop the rumours,\u201d Ben declared. \u201cI\u2019ll go down and meet Joe at the jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re comin\u2019, too, Pa,\u201d Hoss insisted and Ben realised that it wouldn\u2019t do any good to protest. The Cartwrights always stuck together when the going got tough.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

They could hear Joe\u2019s agitated voice before they got inside. \u201cUh-oh,\u201d Adam commented as Ben hurried his step and threw open the jail door.<\/p>\n

Joe stood leaning on the desk, glaring at Roy, who gazed placidly back. Sitting in a chair before the desk was Cowdray, looking suspiciously pleased with himself. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Roy what Emma said to me, Pa and he doesn\u2019t believe me!\u201d Joe cried, obviously furious.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that ain\u2019t what I said, Little Joe,\u201d Roy interrupted. \u201cI jist said that Mr Cowdray here had been tellin\u2019 me the same thin\u2019, an\u2019 how Emma was inclined to make up these little stories. I\u2019m sure you believe what ya told me was true, but Mr Cowdray knew Emma better\u2019n ya, an\u2019 I have ta believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re not even going to try and find out if there was another man?\u201d Joe demanded and Roy just looked at him. \u201cFine!\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cI\u2019ll find him myself!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa\u2019ll do nothing of the kind!\u201d Roy snapped. \u201cYa\u2019ve been told there ain\u2019t anyone, so why are ya persistin\u2019 in this behaviour?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that Joe\u2019s temper was at erupting point, Ben hurried over and took his son\u2019s arm. Joe turned his head and looked into Ben\u2019s dark eyes. After a moment, he drew in a deep breath, and Ben knew that Joe had mastered his temper \u2013 for the moment. But Joe was still angry. \u201cBecause I saw Emma that night!\u201d he replied. \u201cI know she was scared.\u201d He shot a glance at Cowdray. \u201cAnd when Emma told you about it, you went so white I thought you were going to faint. And when I asked you if you were all right, you pushed me over and hit me with your cane.\u201d He swung back to face Roy. \u201cNow you tell me, Roy. Does that sound like a made-up story to you?\u201d He started to turn away, but paused to shake Ben loose. \u201cIts all right, Pa, you can let go of me now.\u201d He stalked out of the door, looking neither left nor right.<\/p>\n

For a moment, nobody moved, then Cowdray broke the spell by rising languidly to his feet. \u201cReally, Cartwright, I\u2019d have thought you\u2019d have kept better control of your boy than that. With such a temper, I can quite see how he could have killed my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was proved innocent,\u201d Ben snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, by a friend of yours, whom you found in a saloon,\u201d Cowdray returned, coldly. \u201cHardly the most reliable witness, was he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care for your insinuations,\u201d Ben replied, stepping a bit closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet it go, Pa,\u201d Adam interjected, moving between the two men. \u201cJoe\u2019s been proven innocent; there\u2019s nothing more Cowdray can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Ben,\u201d Roy agreed.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t move. Cowdray smiled and stepped around Ben. It was a small, petty victory, Ben knew, but he didn\u2019t care. There was something about the feline quality of Cowdray\u2019s smile that he didn\u2019t like one little bit. He knew that although Joe had been proven innocent in the eyes of the law, in the eyes of the townspeople, he had been tried and found guilty.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I caused such a scene,\u201d Joe apologised after they had returned home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right,\u201d Ben replied. He still hadn\u2019t quite regained his temper, and Joe gave his father a troubled look, but let the subject drop.<\/p>\n

But it didn\u2019t go away. The rumour and innuendo got worse day by day. Cowdray had made sure he repeated Joe\u2019s story to everyone, always adding that Emma had been an incurable liar and that Joe was a gullible fool to believe her. Those people who were jealous of the Cartwrights took great joy in spreading the rumour far and wide until it was even being repeated by the hands on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

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

Sitting down at the dinner table, Ben sighed heavily. \u201cMore trouble with the hands?\u201d Adam asked, sympathetically. Joe was hovering by the credenza, taking an inordinate amount of time to take off his gun belt and hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI had to sack two more who challenged Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would\u2019ve taken care of it,\u201d Joe protested as he sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cFighting isn\u2019t the way to deal with that sort of thing,\u201d Ben disagreed. He sighed once more as Joe looked blankly down at the empty plate in front of him. \u201cI\u2019m so tired of this. How I wish\u2026\u201d He said no more and Joe was quick to supply the rest of the sentence in his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow I wish Joe had never said anything about Emma. How I wish he had never met her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ducking his head, Joe tried to eat a few mouthfuls of his supper, knowing that Ben would be on his back if he didn\u2019t. But his heart was rebelling within him. Why doesn\u2019t someone believe in me? he asked silently.<\/p>\n

After supper, he excused himself and went to his room. None of his family objected. Joe threw himself down on the bed and lay there.<\/p>\n

It grew dark and he heard first Hoss, then Adam and finally Ben coming up to bed. Ben opened the door and looked in, but Joe stayed still and quiet and he heard a sigh. \u201cGood night, son,\u201d Ben whispered and Joe felt tears welling in his eyes.<\/p>\n

The house grew still and Joe rose, threw a few clothes into his saddlebags and looked around his room once more. He knew what he had to do, and no one was going to stop him. Blinking back tears, he climbed carefully out of the window and eased down the roof, moving with silent ease. It had been a long time since he had had to climb out of the window to get away unseen, but the skills, though rusty, were still there.<\/p>\n

Saddling Cochise, Joe silently mounted, then walked his horse out of the yard.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Believe in Me Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Faith to Believe<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Accused of murder, and found to be innocent, Joe discovers that rumours are difficult to quash.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (8,705 words)<\/p>\n

Believe in Me Series, links to stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":8766,"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-7157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3450,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Julia-Bulette1.jpg?fit=432%2C441&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2988,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2988","url_meta":{"origin":7157,"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":6966,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6966","url_meta":{"origin":7157,"position":1},"title":"Tying One On (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"May 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Three Cartwrights look out the window in disbelief of the scene below. 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Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (7,170 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\/2016\/06\/Family-3.jpg?fit=272%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5934,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5934","url_meta":{"origin":7157,"position":4},"title":"Against His Will (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"October 22, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The opportunity for Adam to help out a holidaying professor with his research seems wonderful. But is it too good to be true? And who will pay the price for the professor making Adam do something Against His Will? 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Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (760 words) Inspired by the December 1st Pinecone Challenge -- \"Who am I?\u00a0 You sure you want to know?\"","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\/POEMS.jpg?fit=878%2C760&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/POEMS.jpg?fit=878%2C760&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/POEMS.jpg?fit=878%2C760&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/POEMS.jpg?fit=878%2C760&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7157","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=7157"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7157\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}