{"id":7170,"date":"2003-12-24T18:29:36","date_gmt":"2003-12-24T23:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7170"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:15:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:15:05","slug":"bethrothed-betrayer-and-betrayed-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7170","title":{"rendered":"Betrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed – Part 2 (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/span>\u00a0 What will happen to Joe and Dawn now?<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0(8,240 words)<\/p>\n

Betrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 1<\/a>
\nPart 2<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bethrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed – Part 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The galloping hooves told Ben that Joe had arrived home and he smiled as he continued writing his letter. Any moment now, the front door would be thrown open and Joe would breeze into the room, calling out his greeting.<\/p>\n

So the urgent thumping on the front door came as a complete surprise and Ben rose quickly to answer, wondering what on earth was going on. \u201cClem?\u201d he frowned, gazing at the deputy in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, thank goodness I\u2019ve got you.\u201d Clem was panting and Ben glanced over his shoulder at the lathered horse that was standing in the yard with its head down at its knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben demanded. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing in a huge breath, Clem told his unwanted news. \u201cThere was a robbery at the bank. Joe\u2019s been taken hostage by the robbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The colour drained from Ben\u2019s face as he grabbed Clem\u2019s arm. \u201cIs he hurt?\u201d he demanded. \u201cClem\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, as far as I know, Joe\u2019s not hurt,\u201d Clem assured him. \u201cRoy wants you to come into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI must tell Adam and Hoss,\u201d Ben stuttered, as he reached for his gun and hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent Jim after them,\u201d Clem told him. Jim was another deputy that Roy called on when there was need.<\/p>\n

It was clear that Clem\u2019s horse wasn\u2019t up to a fast ride back to town and Clem pulled it away from the water trough before it could founder. Fred, one of the hands, swiftly saddled a horse for the deputy as Ben threw his own tack onto Buck. Fred began to tend to the lathered horse as Ben and Clem rode off.<\/p>\n

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

Bound and gagged, Joe rode along with the gang of bank robbers in a state of shock. It wasn\u2019t entirely because he had been taken hostage; it was more who had taken him hostage that was causing the problem. For the young woman that Joe was due to marry in less than a week was one of the gang who had taken him along with them, so they could escape with the bank\u2019s money. Joe could not take his eyes off Dawn\u2019s slim back as she rode along in front of him.<\/p>\n

After a time, the panting horses were pulled to a stop and the girls tore off the big coats, hats and bandannas they wore. \u201cNow what are we going to do?\u201d asked Val. \u201cI didn\u2019t count on taking him along with us!\u201d She gestured angrily at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of us did,\u201d Kate returned, equally angrily. \u201cBut we could hardly leave him behind, could we? He recognised us! And he shouted out Dawn\u2019s name. We can\u2019t go home, either, like we had intended.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we aren\u2019t going to sort anything out by shouting at each other,\u201d Louise soothed. \u201cWe have to find somewhere to hole up and then we can decide what to do.\u201d She glanced at Dawn. \u201cHave you got any ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we keep going in this direction, we should come to one of the line shacks belonging to the Cartwrights,\u201d Dawn suggested. \u201cWe can get supplies there, stop for the night, or we can take the supplies and move on.\u201d She glanced at Joe, and colour immediately rose in her face as she saw that he was still looking at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d grumbled Val. \u201cLet\u2019s go. There\u2019ll be a posse out looking for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allowing Dawn to take the lead, they moved off. After a few minutes, Dawn glanced back at Joe, who immediately dropped his gaze. He knew what she wanted. She wanted him to indicate to her that they were going in the right direction to find a line shack. Joe had no intention of helping her. His heart was breaking as the realisation of what he had just witnessed sank in.<\/p>\n

Dawn was not who he had thought she was.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben breathed, disbelievingly. He sat down heavily in the seat Roy had pointed him at. \u201cAre you saying\u2026 that Dawn\u2026 was one of the bank robbers?\u201d He shook his head, trying to understand. \u201cRoy, that\u2019s not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid it is, Ben,\u201d Roy Coffee, the sheriff, replied. \u201cDan Coutts heard Joe say her name. He says Joe looked as though he couldn\u2019t believe his eyes. Much the way you\u2019re lookin\u2019 now, I dare say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t it be a different Dawn?\u201d Hoss asked, hopelessly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know anyone else called Dawn?\u201d Adam asked. The name was extremely unusual. Hoss shook his head sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was Dawn doing with that gang?\u201d Ben wondered. \u201cWas she a hostage of some kind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cBen, we\u2019ve bin round to the house where them girls live an\u2019 there ain\u2019t nobody home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re getting at, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Roy perched his hip on the edge of his desk. \u201cBen, we think that maybe the girls make up the gang.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe girls?\u201d Ben echoed, disbelievingly. \u201cBut… why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it started us thinkin\u2019, Ben,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cYa know that one o\u2019 the girls was killed in Sacramento last month?\u201d When Ben nodded, Roy continued. \u201cI wired the sheriff there, an\u2019 he said she was killed robbin\u2019 the bank!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben felt as though the world was moving sideways around him. \u201cAre you talking about Beth?\u201d When Roy nodded, Ben continued, \u201cBut Joe told me Beth had been murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I dunno who told Joe that,\u201d Roy replied, \u201cbut it ain\u2019t true. Beth was shot durin\u2019 a robbery. The five other people with her could all pass for young boys \u2013 or they could be girls. Only one person spoke, an\u2019 the banker thought it was a boy whose voice hadn\u2019t broken right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKate,\u201d Adam said, through numb lip. \u201cKate has a voice like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Coutts said the same thing,\u201d Clem added. \u201cThat the person sounded like their voice hadn\u2019t broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how did Joe know it was Dawn?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cIf\u2019n she wore a mask an\u2019 all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d know,\u201d Ben replied, softly, his voice sad. \u201cHe\u2019d know just by looking at her eyes.\u201d He would have known Marie anywhere, even if all he could see were her eyes. He would have known her from behind, across a crowded room. \u201cJoe would know,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why are we still sitting here?\u201d Adam asked, shaking off the shock.<\/p>\n

With a flash of asperity, Roy replied, \u201cWe\u2019re sittin\u2019 here so\u2019s I could explain what I was thinkin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d Adam asked, chastened.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t gonna do nothin\u2019,\u201d Roy said, firmly. \u201cYou\u2019re all gonna stay right here!\u201d He gestured to Clem. \u201cClem an\u2019 me is gonna lead a posse after them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not waiting here!\u201d Ben declared, getting to his feet. \u201cThat\u2019s my son out there, Roy and I\u2019m going after him!\u201d As the lawman opened his mouth to protest, Ben over-rode him. \u201cThe only way you\u2019ll make me stay behind is if you lock me in one of those cells!\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Roy was tempted to do that very thing! \u201cSimmer down, Ben!\u201d he retorted. \u201cAll right, ya can come with us, but ya gotta do what I tell ya, unnerstand? I\u2019m in charge, here, an\u2019 if\u2019n ya don\u2019t do what I tell ya, I\u2019ll git Clem ta bring ya back here to occupy that cell!\u201d He exchanged a glance with his deputy. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights looked at one another and Ben nodded. \u201cAll right, Roy,\u201d he agreed. \u201cWe\u2019ll do it your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

All through the heat of the afternoon, the girls and Joe rode towards a line shack. Joe noticed that their pace was getting slower, but he wouldn\u2019t have told them, even if he could. Not by a single glance did he offer any help, and tempers were very frayed by the time they finally spotted one of the shacks in the distance.<\/p>\n

The girls dismounted and Joe could see the weariness in the way they stood. He kept his head down, waiting for his chance to come. As soon as the rein was untied from around his hands, Joe planned to take action. Cochise was much fitter than the hired horses the girls were riding, and he was fairly sure that he could get away.<\/p>\n

However, his hopes were dashed as Kate drew her .45 and aimed it at him. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything, Joe,\u201d she warned him. \u201cI won\u2019t hesitate to use this, you know.\u201d She nodded to Val, who came over and struggled with the rein for a moment before getting the knots undone. \u201cGet off, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe did as he was told. Kate gave him a shove in the back to tell him to get moving and gestured to the shack. After a moment\u2019s eye contact, Joe did as he was bid. Behind him, Louise and Julie began to lead the horses round to the lean-to behind the shack. Joe desperately wanted to tell them not to give Cochise too much cold water while he was warm, but one look at Kate\u2019s face warned him that hauling the gag out of his mouth wouldn\u2019t be a good idea. He sent up a prayer that at least one of the girls knew something about the care of horses. He might need Cochise to get out of there.<\/p>\n

The inside of the shack was slightly stuffy from the heat of the sun, but fall would soon be upon them and Joe knew it would get cold that night. There were only two beds and two chairs. Joe wondered, cynically, how long it would be before there was a fight over who slept where.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Kate ordered Joe. She still had her .45 aimed at him and Joe wondered how good a shot she was. She certainly handled the gun like she knew how to use it. He walked over to the table and sat down. \u201cVal, tie his hands to the arm of the chair, and tie his feet, too,\u201d Kate went on. \u201cYou could probably take the gag out now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meekly, Joe submitted to being tied to the chair. His mind was racing as he thought of how he could get out of this mess. His best bet, he thought, wryly, was to tell them he needed to pee. They wouldn\u2019t be too keen to keep watch on him then!<\/p>\n

As Val rose from tying his feet, Kate put away her gun and Louise and Julie came in from outside. They all carried canteens and drank thirstily. Joe\u2019s mouth was parched, but he wouldn\u2019t ask for a drink. However, Dawn held her canteen out. \u201cDo you want a drink, Joe?\u201d she asked, and the tone made him want to weep, for it was the same loving tone that she always used when talking to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d he replied, making his tone as neutral as he could. Dawn hesitated for a moment, but she had offered the drink and nobody else was making a move to give Joe one. She went over and tilted the canteen to his mouth.<\/p>\n

The water was more than welcome, but Joe was distracted by her hand on the back of his head, and the smell of her perfume. He gulped some water down, then pulled back. \u201cThanks,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do now?\u201d Julie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get a fire going and make something to eat,\u201d Kate decided. She was the leader. \u201cThen we\u2019ll talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for them to get a fire going in the stove and they began to sift through the supplies to see what there was to work with. Dawn left the others to it and drifted over to where Joe sat. \u201cNothing\u2019s changed, Joe,\u201d she told him. \u201cI still love you and we can still get married.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stiffening, Joe blinked in disbelief. \u201cHow can you say nothing\u2019s changed?\u201d he demanded. \u201cDawn, everything has changed. There\u2019ll be a posse out looking for you! When you get caught, you\u2019ll go to prison. You\u2019re not the girl I thought I knew! How can I marry you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019ll let you go free,\u201d Dawn insisted, as though this was what Joe was worrying about. \u201cWe won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d Joe asked, sceptically. He moved his hands as far as he could. \u201cWhat do you think this is, if you aren\u2019t hurting me?\u201d His hands were numb from the tightness of the rawhide. His fingers were beginning to go white and bloodless. \u201cDo you think this is painless?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I love you,\u201d Dawn implored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any difference,\u201d Joe told her. \u201cDo you really think I could marry you? Do you really think that Roy doesn\u2019t know who you are? How many banks have you robbed, Dawn?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot,\u201d replied Dawn, defiantly. \u201cWe\u2019ve been doing it for years, and we\u2019ve never been caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s something I\u2019d boast about,\u201d Joe retorted. And then a thought hit him. \u201cWhat happened to Beth?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou said she\u2019d died, but how did she die?\u201d When Dawn just looked at him, Joe felt a violent urge to throttle her. He was glad, at that moment, that his hands were tied. \u201cDawn? Was she killed robbing that bank in Sacramento? Was she the girl that was in the paper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Dawn whispered.<\/p>\n

Disgusted, Joe looked away. \u201cAnd you let me think she\u2019d been murdered. You\u2019ve played me for a fool, Dawn. You must have really enjoyed having such a sucker for a boyfriend.\u201d He swallowed. \u201cI suppose there isn\u2019t a relative that you have to visit every so often, either? I assume you were robbing banks then, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Dawn replied. She rose, and Joe could see that she was angry. \u201cBut if you think about it, Joe, you\u2019ll see we can be married. I\u2019m giving it all up for you, Joe. This was my last bank job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cThis was your last bank job. Because you\u2019re going to prison, all of you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Without speaking, Dawn walked away and went outside. Joe\u2019s face was grim as he met the eyes of the other four girls. His dreams lay in tatters before him.<\/p>\n

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

As darkness began to fall, the posse made camp a little way from the trail they had been following. It was clear that the gang had been travelling quite fast, and had no apparent destination in mind, for the trail led all over the place. They were, by now, on Ponderosa land and Adam and Hoss had been speculating as to their likely destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon they might a got ta that line shack about four-five miles from here,\u201d Hoss insisted. \u201cIf\u2019n we push on, we could get there tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts no good trying to come on a place in the dark,\u201d Adam argued. \u201cToo many people could be killed. We need to make an early start in the morning and hope that we get to the shack before they leave.\u201d He touched Hoss\u2019 shoulder sympathetically. \u201cI want to find Joe, too, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face crumpled. \u201cDadburnit, Adam, but I feel bad fer him! How must he be feelin\u2019 right now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cBut we\u2019ll find him, Hoss, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss agreed, glumly.<\/p>\n

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

The meal the girls had produced was good, given the limited supplies they had. Joe had endured being fed by Louise, simply because he had no choice. The coffee afterwards was more than welcome, for Joe\u2019s mouth was dry. He smiled grimly as each girl in turn made a trip outside, and as they began to discuss who was sleeping where, he glanced at Kate and said, \u201cIt\u2019s my turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d Kate asked, sharply.<\/p>\n

Heaving a sigh, Joe gestured as best he could to the door. \u201cYou\u2019ve all gone and now I need to go,\u201d he told her, trying to be as discreet as he could.<\/p>\n

The crimson blush that stained Kate\u2019s neck betrayed her understanding. \u201cOh, I see,\u201d she replied. \u201cDawn, you take Joe outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Dawn frowned. \u201cWhy do I have to take him outside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to go,\u201d Kate hissed and Joe felt an enormous desire to laugh as the colour mounted in Dawn\u2019s face. However, he schooled his face to impassivity. Kate handed over the .45 and began to untie his hands from the arm of the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could loosen the rawhide a bit, too, please,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cMy hands have no feeling in them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try anything!\u201d Kate warned and loosened the knots a bit. Joe\u2019s hands were still securely tied, but he could feel his fingers tingling as the blood rushed back into them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe told her. He rose stiffly to his feet and preceded Dawn out of the shack.<\/p>\n

The whole situation was horrible embarrassing for both Joe and Dawn. She did her best to watch him as she had been told to, but being a gently-bred girl, even if she had turned to crime, this was not something that she could deal with easily. She turned her head away and blushed hopelessly throughout.<\/p>\n

For Joe, he found that his conscience was pricking him. Yes, he had definitely needed to go, but it seemed kind of low to use it to his advantage. Then common sense kicked in. Dawn and her friends were holding him hostage, and he didn\u2019t know what they intended to do with him. He didn\u2019t think they knew what they were going to do either. He had to try and escape.<\/p>\n

Straightening, Joe took one step sideways, gathering himself to run. But Dawn knew him, despite any denials Joe might make to himself. She sensed the sudden purpose in Joe and reacted instantly, sticking her leg out, and tripping Joe up. He crashed to the ground and Dawn leapt on him.<\/p>\n

There was no way Dawn\u2019s slight weight was going to keep Joe down for long, but he had no intention of hurting her. He grabbed her wrist and threw her to one side. Dawn landed with a bump and a cry as Joe scrambled to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d Dawn cried, and cocked the gun.<\/p>\n

Casting her one look, Joe started to run. Dawn fired.<\/p>\n

The bullet bit into the ground by Joe\u2019s foot and he swerved instinctively. But he was up and running now and he wasn\u2019t going to stop. This was his home and he knew every bush and tree. But Joe hadn\u2019t been prepared for Kate\u2019s quick reflexes.<\/p>\n

She dived out of the cabin, snatched the gun from Dawn and fired at Joe. It was a superb shot under the circumstances. The bullet struck Joe on the outside of his right knee and knocked him off his feet, without actually penetrating too far into his leg. Joe crashed to the ground. Kate and Dawn raced over to where he was lying and looked down at him.<\/p>\n

Blood was soaking into the leg of Joe\u2019s pants. He clutched the limb above the knee, trying to ease the pain. \u201cYou were supposed to be watching him,\u201d Kate chided Dawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do it next time,\u201d Dawn snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me get him up,\u201d Kate ordered, realising that she had asked Dawn to do something very difficult. \u201cWe\u2019ll know next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Between them, they pulled Joe to his feet and supported him as best they could as he limped slowly back to the shack. Once inside, Joe\u2019s hands were tied to the chair once more, and Julie split the leg of Joe\u2019s pants to look at the injury. It didn\u2019t look too serious, although with it being on the joint, Joe\u2019s leg felt incredibly weak. Julie found the first aid supplies and bandaged the knee firmly. The bleeding stopped at last and Joe slumped back in his seat. His knee was throbbing fiercely and he knew it would make it harder to escape next time.<\/p>\n

But there would be a next time.<\/p>\n

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

The posse were up and moving before the sun was up. Ben had slept fitfully, wondering if Joe was all right. Then shortly before everyone began stirring, a thought occurred to Ben that robbed him of any chance of further sleep.<\/p>\n

As soon as he saw Roy was awake, Ben went over to him. \u201cRoy, listen, I\u2019ve just thought of something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Roy grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all assumed that Joe meant Dawn, his fianc\u00e9e. But what if he didn\u2019t? What if he meant Don, as in a man\u2019s name? He\u2019s very familiar with Don Douglas, that scamp of a boy who sometimes works at the livery stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t thought of that,\u201d Roy admitted, slowly. \u201cBecause of what Dan Coutts, the bank manager said, I just assumed it was Joe\u2019s fianc\u00e9e.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t Don Douglas,\u201d Clem stated firmly. As both Ben and Roy looked at him, he got slowly to his feet and went over to them. \u201cI saw Don Douglas in the livery when I went to get my horse to come out to you, Ben. Old Pete, the owner, was complaining that Don had had a bad case of the slows all morning, and that he had had to stand over him all morning to make sure the work was done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that don\u2019t mean it weren\u2019t another Don,\u201d Roy pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know anyone else called Don that fits the general description,\u201d Clem noted, sourly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d Ben agreed, defeat in his voice. He had hoped that perhaps it wasn\u2019t Dawn, although the prospect of Joe being the hostage of someone else, who might hurt him, had frightened him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re back where we started,\u201d Roy concluded. \u201cLet\u2019s get moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It had been a long, cold night for Joe. The girls had all huddled together on the two beds, although how much sleep they had had was anyone\u2019s guess. Joe\u2019s uncomfortable position, plus the throbbing from his injured knee had effectively robbed him of sleep. He shivered as the first of the morning light crept into the shack.<\/p>\n

Accustomed to being an early, if reluctant, riser, Joe was surprised when the girls all slumbered on. He shifted uneasily, trying to ease his cramped limbs, but the knots on his bonds remained as tight as ever. He flexed his knee slightly and caught his breath at the pain that flared up his leg. He bit his lip until the pain died back to the familiar throbbing. How was he going to run away with his leg in this condition? Joe shook the thought away. He would do what he had to, to get away. Pa and the posse would be following along and the longer the girls slept, the more chance they had of finding him quickly.<\/p>\n

Little by little, the girls began to wake and soon the fire was built up, providing much-needed warmth for Joe, and the coffee was on. Joe was surprised that none of the girls seemed to feel any urgency to move on, but he reasoned that they had never been in this kind of situation, where they were being hunted and probably thought they were safe.<\/p>\n

But over breakfast, Kate brought the subject up. \u201cWhere are we going to go now?\u201d she asked. \u201cWe can\u2019t stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do with Joe?\u201d asked Val. \u201cI don\u2019t want to drag him along with us. He\u2019ll just slow us down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a useful hostage,\u201d Louise commented. She glanced at Dawn. \u201cSorry, but it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Dawn agreed. She looked at Joe, who met her gaze impassively. \u201cBut we can\u2019t take him with us forever. His family will come looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s at least get into California,\u201d suggested Julie. \u201cThen we can turn Joe loose and he can get back to his family then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll slow us down,\u201d Val repeated. \u201cHe\u2019s hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just leave him here?\u201d Kate asked. \u201cWe\u2019ll travel faster without him, and he\u2019ll get free eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently listening, Joe was amazed that the girls didn\u2019t seem to think that the posse would be tracking them. The frost the previous night would have preserved their tracks perfectly. Joe glanced at the window. If his family was with the posse, there was a fair chance that they were already drawing close to the shack. Joe decided that it might be an idea if he took a hand in the proceedings.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch as I find this discussion about my future riveting, ladies,\u201d he began, \u201cnature calls and I would like to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the meaning of Joe\u2019s words sank in, each girl blushed and turned to look at Dawn. She flushed, but with anger rather than embarrassment. \u201cCome on then,\u201d she replied, ungraciously and picked up the .45 while Kate untied Joe\u2019s hands from the chair.<\/p>\n

When he rose, Joe was horrified to discover that his leg would barely support his weight. He grabbed the edge of the table for support and took a small, hopping step, then another, while the girls all watched him interestedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to manage to get out there without help,\u201d Kate observed and stepped forward to help Joe. \u201cDawn, don\u2019t let your guard down. This could all be a ploy so we relax our guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me,\u201d Joe panted, as Kate took his arm. \u201cThis is no ploy.\u201d He could feel the sweat beading on his forehead, and realised that running away could no longer form part of his escape plan. Desperately, he tried to think of another plan, but nothing came to mind.<\/p>\n

Nature\u2019s call answered, he rested for a minute, leaning against the side of the shack. His leg was now trembling beneath him and the pain when he walked took his breath away. \u201cReady?\u201d Kate asked, drawing Joe away from his musings over how he was going to get away.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d he replied, dispiritedly. He allowed more of his weight to rest on the girl, and felt the momentary hesitation before she accepted it. Perhaps, he thought, he could use that. He didn\u2019t know how, but something might turn up. \u201cWait, I must rest,\u201d he puffed, after only a few steps. They were now at the front of the shack.<\/p>\n

A man suddenly burst from the trees nearby. \u201cHold it!\u201d he cried, aiming a rifle at them. Joe recognised Adam.<\/p>\n

Other men appeared from the cover round about, each one armed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDawn!\u201d Kate cried. \u201cShoot him!\u201d<\/p>\n

As Dawn whirled, Joe raised his bound hands and smacked them off Kate\u2019s chin. The girl tumbled to the ground, out cold. Joe caught his balance, and looked at Dawn. The gun was pointing right at him and at that distance, Dawn wasn\u2019t going to miss!<\/p>\n

The posse froze.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere\u2019s smoke coming from the shack,\u201d Clem confirmed. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of cover, so I think we ought to go on on foot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre they still there?\u201d Ben asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve seen movement from inside,\u201d Clem nodded. \u201cI ain\u2019t seen Joe, but Cochise is in the lean-to out back with the other horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Roy ordered. He drew his pistol, and the others copied him, drawing pistols or cradling rifles. Clem led the way, and the men kept silent.<\/p>\n

Soon, the shack was in sight and they used the good cover to get closer. They all shrank back into the undergrowth as the shack door opened and Joe came out, with Dawn and Kate. Joe\u2019s hands were tied and he was limping badly and leaning on Kate. Dawn carried a .45 and looked like she knew how to use it. Roy waved them all to wait.<\/p>\n

It was only as the trio returned to the shack that Dawn allowed the gun to drop in her hand, her vigilance relaxed. Roy nodded and Adam burst from the trees. \u201cHold it!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cGive me the gun, Dawn,\u201d Joe said, evenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay back!\u201d Dawn cried. \u201cOr I\u2019ll shoot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside the shack, Joe could hear the other girls calling to one another, but he ignored it. His attention was on Dawn and the round, dark, barrel that pointed in his direction. \u201cDawn, please, give me the gun,\u201d he coaxed, his voice warm and caressing. Joe took a step towards her. He lifted his bound hands. \u201cDawn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Joe thought she was going to capitulate. Then the shack door opened and one of the other girls shouted, \u201cDawn, behind you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes opened wide and he took another step. Dawn brought the gun up and shot Joe, even as Adam pulled the trigger on the rifle. The bullet bit into Dawn\u2019s back and she arched backwards, emptying the gun at the sky. Joe collapsed to the ground.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s action released the posse from its immobility and they surged forward. A couple of shots were exchanged, but with Dawn shot down and Kate unconscious, the girls in the shack had had enough. Within moments, they had thrown their guns out and were surrendering to Roy, Clem and the others.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights left them to it, all three crowding around Joe. Ben put his hand to his unconscious son\u2019s head, murmuring his name over and over. Hoss took out his knife and sliced through the rawhide around Joe\u2019s wrists. Adam simply looked at Joe, knowing that he had almost certainly killed the girl that Joe loved, but hadn\u2019t done so in time to prevent his youngest brother being badly hurt.<\/p>\n

As Joe groaned and stirred back towards consciousness, Ben\u2019s inertia left him. \u201cAdam, get into the shack and get the medical supplies,\u201d he urged. \u201cJoe\u2019s bleeding badly. Hoss, help me carry him inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d Joe muttered, disoriented. He tried to move, but let out a groan as the pain hit him. Forcing his eyes open as he felt himself being lifted, Joe peered blearily at Ben. \u201cPa? Is\u2026that\u2026you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me, son,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou\u2019ll be all right, Joe. Just stay still.\u201d However, Ben was talking to himself, as Joe had slipped off into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

Inside the shack, Ben gently laid Joe on a cot and took off his jacket and shirt. Dawn\u2019s bullet had hit Joe in the right chest, slicing through the skin between his ribs and lodging in his right arm. Both wounds were bleeding profusely. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get this bleeding stopped,\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

Grabbing Joe\u2019s bloodstained shirt, Ben ripped it into pieces and wadded one bit against Joe\u2019s ribs. Adam reached over and put his hand on it, pressing down to stem the blood flow. Joe groaned and tried to twist away from the pressure. \u201cHold him, Hoss,\u201d Ben ordered, as he wound another piece around Joe\u2019s arm and tied it off.<\/p>\n

That done, Ben rinsed his bloodstained hands in a bucket of water and fetched a canteen. Lifting Joe\u2019s head, he trickled the liquid into Joe\u2019s mouth and Joe swallowed, his eyes fluttering open again. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. \u201cIt hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust take it easy, son,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cWe\u2019ll get you home. Lie still now.\u201d He offered Joe some more water and Joe accepted eagerly. When Joe had finished, Ben put the canteen aside, and took a closer look at Joe\u2019s leg. He didn\u2019t undo the bandage around his son\u2019s knee, but he could see the fresh blood that spotted the white linen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, how\u2019s Joe doin\u2019?\u201d Roy asked, coming in.<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben went over to speak to the lawman out of Joe\u2019s immediate hearing. Both men instinctively kept their voices low. \u201cHe\u2019s bleeding badly and we need to get him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClem an\u2019 the men are riggin\u2019 a travois,\u201d Roy told him. \u201cWe figgered that Joe wouldn\u2019 be up ta ridin\u2019.\u201d Roy looked uncomfortable and lowered his voice even further. \u201cDawn\u2019s dead, Ben. Them other girls tol\u2019 us that they robbed the bank sure enough. The money ain\u2019t bin touched an\u2019 is safe in them saddlebags. I\u2019m real sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Roy,\u201d Ben assured him. But he couldn\u2019t help wondering how Joe would take this news. He had loved Dawn and her death, combined with what she had done, would make it very hard for Joe to get over it. \u201cThank the others for us. We\u2019re very grateful for your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t nuthin\u2019,\u201d Roy protested, but he was sure Ben didn\u2019t hear him. Ben\u2019s attention was once more on his injured son.<\/p>\n

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

With Joe\u2019s bleeding stopped at last, Ben wrapped him in Adam\u2019s custard-coloured coat, at Adam\u2019s insistence, and they placed him carefully on the travois, covered in blankets. Roy, Clem and the other members of the posse took the four remaining girls back to town. Clem rode on ahead to send the doctor out to the ranch. Ben just hoped that Paul Martin was in town. Joe\u2019s temperature was beginning to rise and the bullet was still in his arm.<\/p>\n

It took them almost two and a half hours, travelling at a steady pace, to reach the house. To Ben, it seemed an eternity since he had left the previous day. With Hoss and Adam\u2019s help, they got Joe into the house. Hoss went to put away the horses and Adam stayed to help Ben ease Joe out of his clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very quiet, Adam,\u201d Ben observed. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied, almost inaudibly. Ben glanced at him, not in the least convinced by his answer. When their eyes met, Adam jerked his head almost imperceptibly at Joe, who was conscious and Ben understood that whatever was troubling Adam was not going to be discussed in front of Joe. That alone gave Ben the clue he needed. Adam was upset that he had had to shoot Dawn, but had still not prevented Joe being injured.<\/p>\n

Looking down at Joe, Ben knew that Adam\u2019s worries would have to wait for just now. His priority had to be Joe. \u201cHow are you doing, son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe lied. Sweat beaded on his brow and matted his hair to his head. \u201cCan I\u2026 get a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you can,\u201d Ben replied and lifted Joe\u2019s head so that his son could drink. \u201cAdam, could you get me some cold water and cloths?\u201d Ben asked, knowing that it was better to keep Adam busy. However, Hop Sing had pre-empted Ben\u2019s request and brought the necessary items into the room. Ben gave Adam an apologetic smile and shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Adam told Ben. \u201cHow about I bring you some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBring yourself and Hoss some, too,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cI think we could use it.\u201d He dropped a couple of cloths into the water. Wringing one out, he laid it on Joe\u2019s head, and taking the other, he began to wipe Joe\u2019 hot face and chest. \u201cHow does that feel?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm,\u201d nodded Joe, unable to find words. The pain from his injuries was sapping his strength rapidly. Joe wanted to move away from the pain, but knew that he couldn\u2019t. His eyes sought his father\u2019s and found there the reassurance that he needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul will be here soon,\u201d Ben told Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll feel better after he\u2019s looked at you.\u201d Ben wondered how long it would take Paul to arrive. Even another minute was too long for Joe to have to wait.<\/p>\n

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

Although the wait seemed interminable to the Cartwrights, it lasted only another half hour. Hop Sing let Paul into the house, and he made his way to Joe\u2019s bedroom, quite familiar with the house after the many years he had been family physician. He examined Joe quickly, then looked at the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen worse,\u201d he told them. \u201cObviously, the bullet has to come out and I have quite a bit of stitching to do. Joe\u2019s knee is a bit of a mess. Lucky that bullet didn\u2019t hit any straighter, or it would have shattered the kneecap and Joe wouldn\u2019t be walking again. Off you go, and have something to eat. I can manage this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Left alone, Paul gave Joe something for pain and brought out the chloroform. Joe had been drifting in and out of a restless sleep and slid under quite easily, allowing Paul to get on with his work. Compared to some of the surgeries that he had performed on Joe, this one was quite simple and straight forward. He removed the bullet from Joe\u2019s arm and stitched it. He stitched Joe\u2019s side, noting that the muscles were badly torn, and splinted Joe\u2019s knee. When the wound was healing cleanly, with no sign of infection, he planned to put Joe\u2019s knee into a cast, because the bullet had chipped the edge of the kneecap and Paul was worried about it. Then he cleaned up Joe\u2019s wrists and bandaged them. That done, he waited for his patient to rouse.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat is Joe going to think?\u201d Adam asked, his voice beginning to rise as his temper got the better of him. \u201cI shot Dawn and she\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were trying to save Joe\u2019s life,\u201d Ben repeated, trying to keep calm. \u201cHe\u2019ll understand, Adam. How do you think he feels about Dawn now?\u201d With a pang of anguish, Ben remembered how happy Joe had been; how happy they all had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t stop loving her, just like that,\u201d Adam argued. \u201cWho knows? He might have been able to forgive her and they might have been married anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really know your brother as little as that?\u201d Ben asked quietly and a flush stained Adam\u2019s face and neck. \u201cI have no doubt that Joe still loves her, and will for some time, but do you think he could forgive her for the way he was treated? Or for lying to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t,\u201d Adam cried, \u201cbut I\u2019m not Joe! He loved her, Pa! Perhaps enough to forgive her anything!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben groped for the words to make Adam understand. \u201cJoe loved Dawn very much,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cHe has been so happy for the last few months. We all liked her, too.\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cBut she deceived us. She deceived Joe. We may never know why she robbed banks, and to be truthful, I don\u2019t care. But she lied to Joe about how Beth died. She betrayed Joe\u2019s love by not telling him the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut she couldn\u2019 tell him the truth,\u201d Hoss muttered. \u201cHow could she tell Joe she was robbin\u2019 banks?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that,\u201d Ben assured Hoss. \u201cOf course she couldn\u2019t tell Joe. But you saw her out there today, Hoss, holding that gun on Joe. However much she loved him, that didn\u2019t stop her shooting him when she thought her life was endangered. We don\u2019t know what the girls planned to do with Joe. But they all knew who he was, and according to Dan Coutts at the bank, Dawn didn\u2019t protest against taking Joe hostage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe she were pressured inta doin\u2019 it,\u201d Hoss mumbled, uncomfortable at being cast as Dawn\u2019s defender, but feeling she needed someone to stand up for her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Ben allowed. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think so. After a time, your way of life becomes a habit.\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cHabits are hard to break, as we all know. Dawn and the others weren\u2019t novices at robbing banks; that much is clear. When you life a certain way, it changes the way you think. The instinct of a criminal is to shoot to free themselves. We all know that. That\u2019s what Dawn did. And the fact that she loved Joe didn\u2019t make her hesitate at all. Not only is Joe going to have to learn to live with the knowledge that the girl he loved was a bank robber, had lied to him and has died, he has to learn to live with the fact that she was willing to sacrifice him to save herself and her friends. Knowing that, do you really think, Adam, that Joe would have forgiven her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cI guess not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember one thing, though,\u201d Ben cautioned his sons. \u201cJoe will have to mourn Dawn to get over her and move on. Make allowances for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse we will, Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed. He glanced at the stairs. \u201cWhat\u2019s takin\u2019 so dadburned long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf only I\u2019d fired sooner,\u201d Adam fretted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t change what happened, son,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cYou did your best, and no one can ask for more. Joe\u2019s alive; that\u2019s the main thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Adam agreed and sat down. Ben saw that he looked a bit more relaxed and was glad that his words had hit home.<\/p>\n

Where was that doctor?<\/p>\n

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

They didn\u2019t have much longer to wait. Paul Martin sat down and took the cup of coffee Ben offered him. \u201cJoe\u2019s doing fine,\u201d Paul assured them. \u201cThere isn\u2019t too much infection and Joe was cooling down nicely when I left. He\u2019s sound asleep, by the way, so you don\u2019t need to rush up to sit with him for a few minutes.\u201d He twinkled roguishly at Ben, who smiled. \u201cOne thing to watch out for, through. The muscles in Joe\u2019s side were badly damaged. Keep him as straight as you can, because we don\u2019t want those muscles to heal contracted up. If that happens, Joe won\u2019t be able to stand up straight. It\u2019ll take a bit of effort on his behalf to begin with, but once the healing starts, it should be all right.\u201d Paul yawned. \u201cSorry. Right, his knee. Keep him off it at all costs. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s a bit of bone chipped off the kneecap. I\u2019ll put a cast on when the wound is healed. I don\u2019t really expect there to be a problem, as long as Joe keeps off it for a few weeks. Once the cast is on, he can have crutches, but he must keep walking to a minimum. Downstairs in the morning, sitting with his leg up, and then back at night is his absolute limit! Give him a couple of months, and he\u2019ll be fine!\u201d Downing the rest of his cup in a oner, Paul rose. \u201cI\u2019ll be back out tomorrow, Ben. And don\u2019t let Joe use that arm!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Ben replied, smiling. \u201cThanks, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Joe slept a lot, replacing the blood loss. Ben was quite glad, because the scandal had spread beyond Virginia City and there were daily reports of unsolved robberies that could have been perpetrated by the girls. As each new crime was reported to Roy, he questioned his four prisoners and they admitted to quite a number of them. It seemed more than likely that the girls would go to prison for a very long time.<\/p>\n

But at last, the day that Ben had been dreading arrived. Joe had been alone all morning while Ben, Adam and Hoss sorted out a few problems that had arisen. When Ben came back to see how Joe was doing, he found his youngest son sunk into deep misery.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joe?\u201d he asked, catching sight of Joe\u2019s face as he entered the room. \u201cAre you in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Joe replied, for he was always in pain of some kind, mostly from his side, as he was careful to keep the muscles stretched as far as he could. \u201cPa, is\u2026\u201d Joe hesitated and tears sprang into his eyes. \u201cIs Dawn dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even before Ben spoke, Joe knew the answer. \u201cYes, son, I\u2019m afraid she is,\u201d Ben replied, heavily. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears were now streaking Joe\u2019s face as his loss hit him and he reached up to try and wipe them away. \u201cDo you know what she did, Pa?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d Ben answered, steadily. \u201cShe and the others were robbing banks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey admitted it?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI knew they\u2019d robbed the bank in Sacramento when they were there shopping for the \u2026\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t finish the sentence, but Ben knew what he was thinking; the wedding dress. \u201cThat\u2019s how Beth was killed. When Dawn told me about it, she implied that Beth had been murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d soothed Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe others \u2013 where are they?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn jail, waiting for the circuit judge to come,\u201d Ben informed him. \u201cThey\u2019ll all be going to jail, Joe. It seems that they have been robbing banks for a few years now, and are wanted in a number of states and territories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand this,\u201d Joe admitted. His tears had dried for the moment. \u201cDawn admitted to me that she robbed banks, and I was disgusted and angry, Pa. I loved her! Yet she shot me.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was rising and Ben tried to calm him, but Joe was too worked up. \u201cShe tried to kill me and yet I\u2019m grieving for her! I don\u2019t understand!\u201d He was practically shouting at Ben, the tears spilling out once more. \u201cWhy am I grieving for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re grieving because you\u2019ve lost something, Joe. Dawn is dead, and you loved her very much. You were going to marry her. Not only have you lost her physically, but you lost the person you thought she was. It\u2019s quite natural to grieve for that person, Joe. There\u2019s nothing wrong with doing that.\u201d Ben took Joe\u2019s hand and made his son look at him. \u201cJoe, there\u2019s nothing you did, or could have done, that would have changed Dawn. She was who she was, and we\u2019re all grieving, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes rather wild as he struggled to come to terms with this.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied and allowed his sorrow to show. \u201cWe all liked her very much, Joe, and were looking forward to her becoming part of the family. You aren\u2019t the only one who has been hurt by all this; you\u2019re the person who is hurt most, but we\u2019ve been affected, too. Adam most of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Adam?\u201d Joe wanted to know.<\/p>\n

Hesitating, Ben eyed Joe thoughtfully before he replied. Joe seemed to be calming down a bit and he judged it safe to carry on. \u201cBecause Adam shot her, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked astonished. His memory of the shooting was patchy at best. \u201cAdam? Shot Dawn?\u201d Joe echoed. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo save your life,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cDawn was going to kill you, Joe and at that range, she wouldn\u2019t have missed. Even with her aim spoiled by Adam\u2019s bullet, she still shot you, Joe. Adam saved your life, but he feels wretched, because he had to shoot the woman you loved.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few moments, Joe just gazed, open-mouthed, at Ben, while he assimilated this news. \u201cBut he didn\u2019t mean to kill her, did he?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cNot Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t mean to kill her,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cAnd he feels worse because he had to shoot her in the back. Adam isn\u2019t sure he can face you, knowing that you loved Dawn. He isn\u2019t sure that you weren\u2019t going to marry her, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought\u2026?\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, he didn\u2019t know what to think,\u201d Ben hurried on before Joe could jump to any conclusion. \u201cHe was terrified that you would blame him for what happened. You must understand, we didn\u2019t know what Dawn had told you, or exactly what happened. As far as we knew, you might have thought Dawn was innocent in all this.\u201d He smiled slightly. \u201cAnd you are fiercely protective of your friendships, Joe, protecting them against all comers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil I get the facts,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cPa, where is Adam now? I need to talk to him.\u201d He produced a tremulous little smile. \u201cAnd then I think I\u2019ll want to do more grieving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s outside,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI\u2019ll get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben never knew what Joe and Adam said to each other that day, but both were easier to live with. Joe was soon on the mend and impatient to get out of bed. He had days when he was very quiet and sad, and everyone gave him space if he needed it, or company if that\u2019s what he wanted. Ben found himself grieving, too, for what might have been. He missed Marie more than ever and found that so did his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie was the only mother we all had in common,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cHer presence at the wedding would have been so wonderful. I guess its natural that we think of her at times like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it is,\u201d Ben agreed. He felt a warm glow in his heart as he realised how much his older sons had loved the mother who had come to them when they were well grown. Marie had been such a special person.<\/p>\n

Joe was soon hopping about on his crutch and driving them all crazy with his complaining about the cast on his leg. His family took this as an encouraging sign that he was recovering both physically and emotionally. Adam and Hoss soon stopped treating him like he was made of glass and began teasing him as they had always done. Joe took it in good part, and handed it back every chance he got. Ben took heart from it.<\/p>\n

But the day after the trial was over, Ben found Joe reading the account of it in the paper. \u201cI\u2019m glad it\u2019s over, Pa,\u201d Joe told him, when Ben asked if he was all right. \u201cBut I think it\u2019ll be a long time before I trust anyone with my heart again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t know at the time how true this would be. Although Joe declared himself in love several times over the coming years, it was a long time before he found true love with Alice. Dawn had left her mark on Joe, in more ways than one. The scar on his arm and side was a constant reminder of the betrothed, turned betrayer, to her betrayed one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 What will happen to Joe and Dawn now?<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0(8,240 words)<\/p>\n

Betrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1654,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7163,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7163","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":0},"title":"Betrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed – Part 1 (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"December 17, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Wedding bells are on the cards for Joe. Rated:\u00a0 T Betrothed, Betrayer and Betrayed Series, links to all the stories within the series are 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\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Saturday-at-Noon.png?fit=762%2C575&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3847,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3847","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":1},"title":"The Deadliest Sins (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"October 26, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Alone on the ranch while his family is on a cattle drive, Joe is kidnapped by a jealous hand. When the man dies, an injured Joe is forced to try and get back home alone. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (11,245 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/LJC.jpg?fit=201%2C258&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5825,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5825","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":2},"title":"No Way Out (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"January 3, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 What starts out as an ordinary day in town soon takes an unexpected turn. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0(5,505 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7057,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7057","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":3},"title":"Last Chance (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"May 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe gambles with his life to give his Pa something precious. Rated:\u00a0 K \u00a0WC \u00a0900","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-day.jpg?fit=400%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":40548,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40548","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":4},"title":"A Toast to Tradition (Part 1) (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"December 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A missing ornament threatens holiday traditions for the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 words 2,530 Written for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Joe Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Joe Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1007"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/30wreath.jpg?fit=450%2C549&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14624,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14624","url_meta":{"origin":7170,"position":5},"title":"The Cup of Bitterness (by Questfan)","author":"Questfan","date":"August 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: After being cleared for shooting Zach Crenshaw in self-defense, Joe tried to square things with Zach\u2019s father. While he thought he was helping Amos Crenshaw to dig a well, Amos had other plans for that hole. 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