{"id":7189,"date":"2005-03-23T16:56:14","date_gmt":"2005-03-23T21:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7189"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:44:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:44:44","slug":"deliverance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7189","title":{"rendered":"Deliverance (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>Is romance in the cards for Joe?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (9,350 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Deliverance<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The winter had been long and hard. The spring had been cold and wet. Summer had seemed to take forever to come and now it seemed to be over too soon. The days, while still warm and sunny for the most part, were shortening. The harvest was safely gathered in. The nights were still muggy, but mist lingered over the land in the early mornings. Fall was on the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe ground\u2019s dry enough for the church picnic,\u201d Joe commented to Adam as they rode home from town late on Friday afternoon. \u201cAfter all the rain at the start of the week, I thought it might be cancelled.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hope it would be cancelled, or were you afraid it would be?\u201d Adam asked, as he cast a searching glance at his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered if you had a date or were going stag,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHa, ha,\u201d Joe scoffed. For a moment, he debated with himself about not telling Adam anything, but he couldn\u2019t resist. \u201cActually, I\u2019m taking Martha Booth to the picnic.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Martha Booth?\u201d Adam asked, which kind of took the wind out of Joe\u2019s sails.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Booth family moved into town about a month ago,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cMr Booth owns the new blacksmith\u2019s place and Mrs Booth has a sewing notions shop. They have four daughters \u2013 Martha, Elizabeth, Mary and Rose.\u201d Joe grinned at his oldest brother \u2013 Adam clearly knew who Joe was talking about now. The two older girls were strikingly attractive, with Martha the pick of the pair. \u201cI asked Martha on Sunday if she\u2019d like to come to the picnic with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat sure didn\u2019t take you long,\u201d Adam commented. He wouldn\u2019t have minded asking Martha out himself. She was a very pretty girl.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t,\u201d Joe replied, in a suitably modest tone. Adam snorted. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a few lessons, big brother,\u201d offered Joe and urged Cochise sideways before the playful swipe his brother aimed at him could find a mark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe day I need your help to get a girl, younger brother, I\u2019ll be in my dotage,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t be long then,\u201d Joe commented and set his heel to his horse, his high-pitched, unique laughter the only thing he left behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was too warm to race so Adam just let the comment slide. After a bit, Joe pulled up his horse and waited for Adam and the brothers rode home in amity.<\/p>\n

The minister gave the blessing and smiled at the crowd of people who had turned out for the picnic. \u201cThere are only two rules today,\u201d he told them. \u201cThe first is please stay away from the river, because it is running very fast thanks to the rain earlier this week. And the second rule is that everyone must have fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a universal laugh and everyone moved off. There were games organised for both the children and the adults. Food was being placed enticingly on various tables or rugs. The sun shone brightly and the air was warm. It was a perfect afternoon for a picnic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The biggest problem as far as Joe was concerned was getting Martha away from her family. Rose, the youngest of the sisters, was just 10 and had a huge crush on Joe. She blushed to the roots of her hair whenever he spoke to her and watched him through her tangled bangs whenever she thought he wasn\u2019t looking. She had a tendency to latch herself on to Joe and Martha and when Joe suggested that he and Martha take a stroll by themselves, Rose looked all set to have a tantrum.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Luckily, Mrs Booth was made of stern stuff. She had raised four daughters and although Rose was the spoiled, cherished youngest, she wasn\u2019t going to get away with behaving badly in public and with a few stern words, Mrs Booth apprised her daughter of that fact. Rose looked set to have a sulk instead of a tantrum, but a look soon quelled that idea!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two have a nice walk,\u201d Mrs Booth told the young couple sweetly. \u201cRose, run along and play with some of the other children.\u201d\u00a0 Joe was amused to realise that both sentences were commands handed down from on high, but he didn\u2019t quibble.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about Rose,\u201d Martha sighed as she and Joe finally went off alone. \u201cShe really is a little minx.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of know how she feels,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cWhen I was younger, I used to beg to go with Adam and Hoss and I could get very sulky when I was left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh, the truth will out!\u201d Martha laughed. \u201cWhen you\u2019re the oldest, you get used to fending off your siblings\u2019 attempts to go places with you.\u201d She made a rueful face. \u201cNot that I haven\u2019t failed a few times.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They strolled on, trading stories about their childhoods. Their pace slowed until they were standing talking underneath the shade of the trees. Joe leaned in closer for a kiss, but Martha was suddenly distracted. \u201cRose!\u201d she scolded, peering over Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cMama told you to go and play with the other children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caught, the little girl looked singularly unabashed. \u201cThey weren\u2019t playing anything nice,\u201d she explained. \u201cAnd I wanted to be with you.\u201d She looked up at them through her thick sable lashes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was a tactic that Joe was not averse to using on occasion, too and he watched the child with interest to see how she fared. Not well, was the answer. Martha had had years of practice in getting rid of younger sisters and she wasn\u2019t going to allow this one to interfere with her afternoon\u2019s pleasure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo back to the other children right now,\u201d Martha ordered. \u201cIf you don\u2019t, I\u2019ll take you straight back to Mama and you\u2019ll have to go home. And when Papa hears that, he\u2019ll be cross.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was a very effective threat, Joe thought, as Rose\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t smack me, would he?\u201d Rose demanded, in a tone that implied that this was the worst possible punishment and that it hadn\u2019t been applied to her very often, if at all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe might,\u201d Martha replied firmly and was unmoved by the sudden appearance of tears in her sister\u2019s eyes. \u201cGo on, now. Run along.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling his heartstrings tugged, despite knowing that Rose was deliberately trying to manipulate them, Joe opened his mouth to say something, but Martha spoke before he could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, don\u2019t plead for her,\u201d she counselled. \u201cRose was told to do something. If she doesn\u2019t do it, she has to take the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Throwing Martha a black look of enmity, Rose turned round and stalked off, clearly in high dudgeon. Joe couldn\u2019t help but smile as he noticed the outrage oozing from every pore of Rose\u2019s body. \u201cThat was deftly done,\u201d he complemented his date.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYears of experience,\u201d Martha demurred. \u201cNow, where were we?\u201d A smile played on her lips and Joe leaned in to finish what he had been about to start when they were so rudely interrupted.<\/p>\n

Rose was not happy. She hadn\u2019t really settled into Virginia City yet and didn\u2019t really know the other children. When she went over to them, they were already deep into a game and there didn\u2019t seem to be a place for her. That was when she had decided to go and spy on Joe and Martha. She couldn\u2019t see what Joe saw in Martha. Martha was just another dumb grown-up, but she, Rose, knew that she was a pretty girl, because people were always telling her so and she was sure she\u2019d be better fun. After all, Martha would never climb a tree because her stupid skirts would get in the way. Martha rode side-saddle and although that was the way Rose had been taught to ride, she was sure she could ride astride without any problem and then she\u2019d be able to race Joe on that lovely horse of his. Why, she was much more the kind of girl that Joe would like!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still smarting from Martha\u2019s threats, Rose wandered slowly back to the other kids. The game they had been playing had drifted to a stop and they were all edging closer to the water. Rose frowned. They weren\u2019t supposed to play by the water \u2013 the river was flowing too fast. Her mother had reminded her of that. But feeling rebellious, Rose followed the others closer and watched as the boys began to dare each other to get closer and closer to the edge of the bank.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tiring of daring one another, Jeff Jones, the school bully, started daring the girls. \u201cYa don\u2019t dare go near, do ya!\u201d he jeered. \u201cToo scared o\u2019 getting\u2019 yer prissy dresses wet.\u201d He grabbed a handful of mud from the river\u2019s edge and threw it at the girls. It splattered onto Alice Miller\u2019s dress. She started to cry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rose was spoiled, but her saving grace was that she hated to see anyone unhappy. Alice was a nice little girl and Rose would have been quite happy to be friends with Alice. \u201cLeave her alone!\u201d she cried, stepping forward and putting herself between Alice and Jeff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa c\u2019n jist shut up!\u201d Jeff sneered. \u201cYa ain\u2019t nobody! Ya cain\u2019t tell me what ta do!\u201d He scooped up a handful of mud and threw it at Rose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The splatter of wet mud on the dainty white apron that covered the front her of pink lawn skirt infuriated Rose, but even as she opened her mouth to shout something at Jeff, she saw his feet slip. For a moment, he teetered on the edge of the riverbank and then his balance deserted him and he began to go over backwards.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instinctively, Rose made a grab for him. Jeff clutched desperately onto this frail lifeline, but he was several inches taller and many pounds heavier than the slight girl and Rose let out a shriek of dismay as she realised that they were both going to fall in.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe broke apart from Martha. He knew that they didn\u2019t dare stay alone any longer, or tongues would wag and the last thing Joe wanted was Martha getting a bad reputation. He could sense that the girl\u2019s disappointment was as deep as his own and his pulse quickened again. Perhaps this was a relationship that had a future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s musings were rudely interrupted by a scream. Looking up, Joe was in time to see a splash of water jump the bank and soak a group of children who stood there. Something about the youngsters\u2019 faces alerted Joe to the fact that something was seriously wrong. Joe reacted at once.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet help!\u201d he ordered Martha as he tore off his jacket and hat as he raced towards the river. \u201cHurry! There\u2019s someone in the water!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he drew nearer to the river, Joe spotted the two heads break the surface momentarily. He had no idea who the children were, but that didn\u2019t matter. What did matter was trying to get them out safely. Joe made a shallow dive into the water, gasping as he came to the surface, for the water was frigid, despite the heat from the sun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But there was no time to worry about the temperature. Joe began to swim downstream as fast as he could, searching frantically for the kids who had fallen in. He spied a head a little bit away from him and reached out frantically, snagging a sleeve and grasping the fabric firmly. He dragged the child closer and was able to get a proper grip. He didn\u2019t look to see who the child was \u2013 all that mattered was getting him out of the water, for he was unconscious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Glancing up at the sound of his name, Joe saw someone \u2013 he couldn\u2019t see who \u2013 on the bank. With a superhuman effort, Joe heaved the unconscious child at the person, who by some miracle, managed to catch him. Joe, seeing that his first victim was safe, immediately plunged back into the water.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The river was faster there and Joe could feel his legs bashing off unseen rocks below the surface. The water was muddy and full of debris. Joe choked as another splash hit him in the face. He didn\u2019t know how much of the foul water he had swallowed, but it was far more than he had wanted to. Coughing, Joe dragged in a lungful of air and dived once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Time was running out as Joe dived again. He knew that both he and the other victim must be fast approaching the rapids. If they once got to the stony part of the river, the child could be seriously injured. Joe knew that if he hadn\u2019t found the child by the time he reached the rapids, the child would die and probably so would he.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another splash of water hit Joe in the face and he inhaled it involuntarily. Choking, he sank for a moment beneath the water. Desperate for air, Joe forced himself to the surface and gasped frantically. He breathed in water again, but as he sank, something brushed against him and Joe made a grab for whatever it was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By some miracle, it was Rose. Joe bore the child to the surface, hoping against hope that she was still alive. He couldn\u2019t tell, for it was taking him all his time to keep his own breathing going. Joe shook his water-sodden curls off his face and looked around for help. Several figures were on the bank, although Joe couldn\u2019t tell who they were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Catch the rope!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rope? Joe couldn\u2019t see any rope, but a sudden splash close by him alerted him to the fact that one had been thrown to him. He reached out for it, but the rushing current dragged it away from him too fast. With a groan of despair and exhaustion, Joe resumed swimming towards the bank.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The shout warned Joe that the rope was once more on its way to him. He blinked the water out of his stinging eyes and saw the person on the bank throw the rope once more. The aim was true \u2013 the rope struck Joe hard across the face, opening up a gash by his eye and causing him to lose his grip on Rose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a collective cry of despair as the people on the bank saw Joe go under yet again. But somehow, the youngest Cartwright managed to drag both himself and Rose to the surface again, but they were perilously close to the rapids.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnce more!\u201d Hoss shouted, and threw the rope, praying that somehow, his younger brother would manage to catch it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The prayer worked, for this time, Joe managed to get hold of the rope, slipping the noose over Rose and winding the slack round his wrist several times. He winced as it tightened painfully, but he was now moving towards to the bank far faster than he had been managing under his own power and a little pain seemed a small price to pay for deliverance. Joe slowly began to relax and felt his body shivering as the cold suddenly registered in his brain. His eyes started to droop closed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An incoherent shout from the bank snapped his eyes open again. Joe couldn\u2019t make out any words, as everyone seemed to be yelling at once. Shivering violently, Joe squinted to make out the figures on the bank and realised that they were all pointing up river. Joe fervently hoped that no one else had fallen in, as he didn\u2019t think he had the strength left to go after them. But as he slowly turned his head, he saw what had got everyone excited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A large branch was floating down the river. Joe and Rose were directly in its path and it was gaining on them! Instinctively, Joe threw up his arm to deflect it, but the only arm he could use for that was the one he had wrapped the rope around. And at the same moment that Joe reacted, Hoss threw more weight behind his attempts to pull Joe and Rose from the river. Joe\u2019s wrist snapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A strangled scream of pain escaped Joe just seconds before the branch hit. The sound choked off as Joe was submerged once again. Hoss hauled on the rope as hard as he could. Joe popped back to the surface a moment later, but his eyes were now closed and his body was lax.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By now, Adam and Mr Booth were in the shallows, reaching out to complete the rescue, both hoping that they were in time. Rose was still and silent, her lips slightly blue. The anxious father scooped her into his arms and fled up the bank, heading towards where the doctor was working on Jeff. Adam pulled Joe onto the bank, nodding his thanks as Ben came to join him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was ominously still.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan one of you get Doctor Lee?\u201d Paul Martin asked, as he glanced up at the crowd hovering uselessly around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s Chinese!\u201d exclaimed one woman in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m quite well aware of that!\u201d Paul snapped. \u201cBut right now, I need another doctor and he\u2019s the only one around!\u201d Paul frequently found himself impatient with the prejudice that abounded in the town towards the Chinese community. People were willing to let them work for them, but not willing to believe that a Chinese doctor might just have some medical knowledge that was useful. Paul often wondered if the ignorant townsfolks thought there was an American doctor in China somewhere, treating the Chinese people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t havin\u2019 no yeller treatin\u2019 my boy!\u201d Jeff Jones\u2019 father snapped.<\/p>\n

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes only with great difficulty, Paul decided that there was nothing more he could do right there and then. Nobody was willing to get the Chinese doctor and with three possible drownings on his hands, Paul didn\u2019t have time to argue with anyone. He turned his attention back to the young boy he was treating and was gratified to see that his eyes were open. Hunting for his stethoscope, Paul fitted the unwieldy tubes into his ears and listened to the boy\u2019s chest. It sounded clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake him home and put him to bed,\u201d Paul told Jones. \u201cKeep him warm and well fed. If he takes a turn for the worse, send for me. Otherwise, keep him in bed for a day or two and he should be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Jones family walked away, father carrying Jeff, Booth rushed up with Rose in his arms. A cry of alarm arose from the watching crowd and Paul wished they would all go away and leave him alone to work. But the women and girls pushing to the front could be excused since Rose was their daughter and sister.<\/p>\n

At once, Paul realised that Rose wasn\u2019t breathing. He didn\u2019t know how long she had been like that, but he started resuscitation at once. Paul didn\u2019t hold out much hope for the child\u2019s chances \u2013 artificial respiration generally failed, but he had to give it a try.<\/p>\n

There was silence as Paul began to work the child\u2019s arms. Most people had no idea what he was trying to accomplish with those odd movements and one or two even muttered that he should be doing something worthwhile \u2013 like giving the child some medicine. Paul ignored them all, as he ignored the sweat beginning to bead his brow. Under his fingers, he could feel Rose\u2019s pulse fluttering and while he could feel it, he wouldn\u2019t stop what he was doing.<\/p>\n

With an unexpected suddenness, Rose drew in a breath and coughed. Paul hastily turned her onto her side as she began to gag and a huge quantity of dirty water gushed from her mouth. There were cries of relief and horror, but as Rose opened her eyes and began to cry, a ragged cheer went up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill she be all right, doctor?\u201d asked Mrs Booth, as she knelt by Rose, drawing the little girl into her embrace, heedless of the soaking clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cI\u2019d like you to take her down to my office and my nurse will keep an eye on her until I can get down there and examine her more closely. I\u2019d like her to spend the night there, too, just to be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, anything you like,\u201d Mrs Booth agreed.<\/p>\n

Mr Booth picked Rose up again and Martha helped her mother to her feet. As the family began to walk away, Martha hesitated and looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Not knowing the answer to that, Paul kept quiet. He hoped that Joe would be along any moment. In fact, he was counting on it, because if Joe didn\u2019t appear very soon, Paul would be forced to face the disquieting fact that Joe had not survived his dip in the river, and Paul was sure that that was something he never wanted to face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere come the Cartwrights!\u201d cried a voice and relief broke on Martha\u2019s face. She hurried after her family and Paul was relieved that he didn\u2019t have to tell her that Joe might be in the same condition as her sister had been, and the chances of him surviving were even slimmer than Rose\u2019s had been.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Paul braced himself for what he might have to face.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s so cold,\u201d Ben muttered anxiously as he and Adam carried Joe slung between them. His youngest son was breathing heavily, his eyes still closed. Joe had vomited up rather a lot of muddy water immediately after being pulled from the river and had not stirred since.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat water was cold,\u201d Adam panted, feelingly. His legs felt numb after only a few moments of immersion. He saw with relief that they were nearing the crowd of people that stood huddled round the doctor. He knelt and carefully laid Joe\u2019s head on the ground.<\/p>\n

It was with relief that Paul saw that Joe was breathing. He quickly examined Joe, seeing the torn pants and myriad grazes on the young man\u2019s legs. Joe\u2019s right wrist was swollen and misshapen. \u201cLet\u2019s get him to my office,\u201d Paul suggested. He would do a more thorough examination there, but for the moment, Joe was stable.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

The doctor\u2019s office was pandemonium. The Booth family were there in their entirety and Rose was no awake and sobbing piteously. Various female voices soothed her while Mr Booth was striding around anxiously, muttering to himself. Paul\u2019s nurse, Mrs Robbins, was trying to persuade the Booth daughters to leave the small treatment room, but so far was having no effect.<\/p>\n

Sighing, for he was already feeling strained, Paul wondered how on earth he was going to get rid of the families while he treated the injured. He knew that Ben would refuse to leave and quite likely so would several of the Booths. But there simply wasn\u2019t enough room for everyone in the treatment room and Paul didn\u2019t have the spare energy to deal with everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen and Mrs Booth can stay,\u201d he announced, in tones that brooked no argument. \u201cEveryone else will have to either go home or wait outside.\u201d He gestured to a broad couch against the wall. \u201cPut Joe there, please.\u201d He turned an expectant gaze on everyone and they bowed to the inevitable and shuffled outside, casting anxious glances over their shoulders as they did so. Paul shut the door firmly behind them.<\/p>\n

All the way up to his office, Paul had been wondering which patient should get his attention first. Rose had not been breathing, but appeared to be having no difficulty in that respect at the moment. She was young and a girl and Paul\u2019s chivalrous nature suggested to him that she should be seen first. Yet Joe was injured and had yet to regain consciousness. Not for the first time, Paul wished there was another doctor in town that he could call upon.<\/p>\n

In the end, after what seemed like hours of internal debate to Paul, but which in fact was mere seconds, he opted to examine Rose first. After all, she was awake and Joe might require quite some time spent on him.<\/p>\n

Now that the cluster of semi-hysterical sisters had been removed, Rose was calming down. With Mrs Booth\u2019s help, Paul soon got her calmed down enough that he could listen to her chest and take her pulse. The pulse was still fast, but that didn\u2019t worry Paul. Rose\u2019s lungs sounded congested and Paul feared that she had inhaled a lot of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Booth, we\u2019re going to put Rose to bed upstairs,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cMrs Robbins is going to keep an eye on her and I\u2019ll be up to see her again a bit later on, all right? Try to keep her quiet. I\u2019ll give her something to help her sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRose is going to be all right, isn\u2019t she, Doctor?\u201d Mrs Booth begged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t breathing when she came out of the water and I\u2019m afraid that she probably inhaled some water and there\u2019s a chance that she\u2019ll develop pneumonia. But hopefully, we\u2019ll be able to prevent that.\u201d Paul patted the distraught woman\u2019s hand. \u201cShe\u2019s young and strong. Thanks to Joe, Rose has a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reminded of the young man who had saved her daughter\u2019s life, Mrs Booth looked across the room to where Ben knelt by the couch and held Joe\u2019s uninjured hand. \u201cIs he going to be all right?\u201d she asked, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t really had a chance to examine him yet,\u201d Paul replied evasively. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get this medicine into Rose. I\u2019m afraid it isn\u2019t very nice tasting.\u201d<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long after that before Joe was stripped of his wet clothes and warmly wrapped in blankets. Paul carefully set his broken wrist and cleaned up the many cuts and grazes Joe had. The young man had regained consciousness before Paul started working on him, which was a relief for Ben. He had feared that Joe would never wake up. However, Joe was unresponsive and his teeth chattered convulsively.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d Ben asked in a low voice, as Paul joined him on the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good,\u201d Paul responded. \u201cHe\u2019s having trouble breathing and I had the nasty feeling he breathed in some of that water.\u201d He met Ben\u2019s gaze. \u201cIt was pretty muddy and you know what dirty water can mean, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease no,\u201d Ben whispered. Cholera was a dreadful disease. Ben didn\u2019t think he could face the prospect of Joe contracting cholera.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it won\u2019t come to that,\u201d Paul confessed. \u201cI have no way to predict it. But I am pretty sure Joe is developing pneumonia. His lungs are very congested and he\u2019s wheezing quite audibly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned tortured eyes upon his youngest son. He would gladly have changed places with Joe in that instant to save his son the suffering he knew was coming. \u201cWill he survive?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul replied, as steadily as he could. \u201cI\u2019ll do everything I can, Ben. And Joe is young and strong.\u201d He placed a hand comfortingly on his friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThe odds are in his favour.\u201d<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

It was a busy night for Paul. He divided his time between Rose and Joe, keeping a close eye on them both, listening anxiously to their chests for sounds of pneumonia. By morning, he knew that Rose had somehow managed to escape it, although he had no idea why. Rose had come very close to drowning and Paul was grateful that he had been able to save her at all. He was thankful to be able to send her home the next day, seemingly no worse for wear.
\nJoe was a different matter. His breathing continued to worsen during the night and as he warmed up, his temperature began to climb. The grazes on his body started to look red and inflamed, his eye, where it had been hit by the rope, turned some very ugly colours and Paul knew that he had picked up a generalised infection as well as the pneumonia. He dosed Joe with everything he could think of, and washed the grazes again in case any small particle of dirt had been missed the first time. And still Joe\u2019s temperature climbed.<\/p>\n

During the morning, Adam and Hoss came back to the surgery. Paul had gone to lie down and get some much needed sleep and Adam finally bullied Ben into going to the hotel to get some rest himself. Ben was exhausted and Adam didn\u2019t want him to become sick either. Hoss went with Ben to ensure that he had something to eat and Adam sat by Joe\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to fight, little brother,\u201d he coaxed. \u201cYou can\u2019t let this beat you.\u201d He took the now-warm cloth from Joe\u2019s head and changed it for a wet, cool one. \u201cYou and Martha have a lot to talk about. She\u2019s a really nice girl, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the bed, Joe stirred restlessly. He flailed his injured arm around and gasped loudly. Adam wondered if he was reliving the rescue. He gently caught the limb and tucked it back under the blanket. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he soothed. \u201cJeff and Rose are just fine. And you\u2019re going to be just fine, too. Rest and you\u2019ll soon feel better.\u201d An incoherent moan was his only reply.<\/p>\n

Nothing changed as the day wore on. Joe had brief periods of deeper sleep, where his body was still and he got some much needed rest, but generally he was restless, fretting away his strength in useless movements. His fever didn\u2019t climb, but it didn\u2019t decrease, either. He developed a wet, hacking cough which left him gasping for breath after each bout. His eyes opened frequently, but they were glazed and unseeing. It was very unnerving.<\/p>\n

It was early evening before Ben returned. He had, much to his own surprise, slept deeply for several hours. Now, he was ready to resume his vigil and hurried to sit by Joe again. \u201cHow is he?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t doin\u2019 too good,\u201d Hoss replied gloomily. \u201cWe jist cain\u2019t git his fever broke no how.\u201d Hoss sounded depressed, which was unusual for him. He was normally the one with the unshakeable faith in Joe\u2019s ability to shake off whichever disaster had laid his younger brother low.
\n\u201cHe\u2019s no worse,\u201d Adam added, feeling that Ben didn\u2019t need more bad news. He gave Hoss a sharp look that went unnoticed by the big man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two go and get something to eat and some sleep,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cYou need it, just like I did. I\u2019ll sit with Joe now.\u201d He reached out to change the cloth on Joe\u2019s head and brushed back the damp curls as he did so. It was a gesture he had made all Joe\u2019s life and it spoke to Adam of love and caring. He placed his hand briefly on Ben\u2019s shoulder before he went to the door. Perhaps Joe would be better in the morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The lamps were lit and cast a soft, warm glow over the room. Paul Martin had been called out to an emergency and Ben was on his own with Joe. Mrs Robbins had gone home earlier. Ben didn\u2019t know what time it was; time was irrelevant.<\/p>\n

So he was surprised to hear a soft knock on the door to the surgery about 10pm. Rising stiffly, Ben went to answer it, reminding himself that he had to get up and stretch his legs regularly. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Mr Booth standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d he said, warmly. \u201cPaul isn\u2019t here, I\u2019m afraid. He went out to Milt Jennings\u2019 place. Milt had a bad fall. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be long. Is Rose all right?\u201d This last was added with a touch of growing anxiety. Had Rose had a relapse?<\/p>\n

\u201cRose is fine,\u201d Booth replied. \u201cI came to see how your son is.\u201d He swallowed. \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course I don\u2019t mind,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cCome in.\u201d He closed the door behind his visitor. \u201cJoe is still quite sick,\u201d he went on. \u201cBut he hasn\u2019t gotten any worse, so we\u2019re hoping he\u2019ll feel better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to thank him for what he did for Rose,\u201d Booth explained, looking down at Joe. It was the first time he had really looked closely at Joe and although Joe was pale and drawn with his illness, Booth could see what attracted Martha to him. Joe was an exceptionally good-looking boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt would have been tragic if anything had happened to Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it would.\u201d Booth suddenly seemed ill at ease and Ben watched as he took a few short steps away from the bed and then turned back. \u201cMr Cartwright, I hope you don\u2019t think badly of me that I bring up this subject now, but\u2026\u201d Booth hesitated for an instant and then plunged on. \u201cI was wondering if you would consider a match between my Martha and your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA match?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cI don\u2019t think I quite understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA match \u2013 a wedding,\u201d Booth explained. \u201cI have four daughters to provide for and so I don\u2019t have much in the way of a dowry, but I think they would be an excellent match. They already have a taking for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taken aback, Ben floundered to find the right words. \u201cMr Booth, I really can\u2019t say anything about this,\u201d he stuttered finally. \u201cIts entirely up to Joe to find the girl that he wants to marry and I couldn\u2019t, in all conscience, tell him that I\u2019ve found someone for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Booth straightened to his full height. \u201cIs Martha not good enough for you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBooth, it\u2019s got nothing to do with that,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoe must make his own choice of wife. I won\u2019t do it for him. If he decides that Martha is the one, I\u2019ll be delighted, for she is a lovely girl. But I don\u2019t make that kind of choice for my sons. They must make that choice with the girl in question.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 see.\u201d Booth blushed. \u201cMr Cartwright, you must think me a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all,\u201d Ben denied. \u201cJust a loving father. \u201cBut why don\u2019t we let Joe and Martha decide this for themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course. Good evening, sir. I hope Joe is better tomorrow.\u201d Booth excused himself, going outside to lean unsteadily against the wall of the surgery. He hadn\u2019t given up hope of making a match between Joe and Martha. He would just have to take the girl aside and explain that it was her duty to marry Joe. He\u2019d always wanted a rich husband for his daughters. Ben Cartwright\u2019s objections would be swept aside, Booth was sure.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

Gradually, over the course of the night, Joe\u2019s natural vitality overcame the pneumonia and by morning, his fever had broken. Joe then fell into a very deep sleep and proceeded to sleep for almost 24 hours straight. When he did awaken, it was to find that Ben was by his side and he had lost two days of his life. He was naturally very weak and hungry and was disgusted when all he was offered to eat was clear broth!<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m hungry!\u201d he protested in a weak voice. \u201cI want real food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is real food,\u201d Paul retorted in disgust. Joe had a reputation for being an awkward patient when he was on the mend, but Paul hadn\u2019t expected the awkwardness to begin so soon! \u201cIf you can manage this, then we\u2019ll see about getting you something more solid for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still looking put out, but recognising an immovable object when he met it, Joe set about eating the broth. It actually took more out of him than he expected and he was struggling to feed himself by the time he had finished. Feeling triumphant, Joe decided that it would be nice to spend the morning catching up on the news with his family and was horrified to awaken a couple of hours later, not having heard more than the first few words of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needed the sleep,\u201d Ben assured Joe when he stuttered out an apology. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cAnd you woke up just in time for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling back, Joe was anticipating a steak with all the trimmings. He was disappointed once more to find that he had scrambled eggs. However, one look at Ben\u2019s face told him that complaining was not going to change things. He ate it without a word and was loathe to admit that he had enjoyed it.<\/p>\n

Martha appeared during the afternoon. Joe was dozing lightly, but woke when he heard her voice. He greeted her with a smile, which Martha returned, but she was obviously ill at ease throughout the short visit. Joe did his best to make her feel comfortable, but he assumed that being at the bedside of a young man was not something she had had much experience with. Even though Ben lingered at the back of the room to chaperone them, Martha was clearly unhappy. When she left, Joe was puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why she was so\u2026\u201d Joe paused, not quite sure what the word was.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably not quite how she imagined the situation to be,\u201d Ben pointed out to him. \u201cHer ideas of a sickroom are most probably confined to what she has read in a novel or experienced with her family. And there really isn\u2019t much romantic about sitting at someone\u2019s bedside and seeing that there\u2019s a basin nearby in case the person is going to throw up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Joe murmured, \u201cYou have such a way with words, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning back, Ben was glad his explanation had soothed Joe\u2019s instinctive worries for the moment.<\/p>\n

It was just a pity that it had not soothed his own worries.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

Joe was moved home the next day and continued to improve, although more slowly than Joe wanted. He tired easily and was disgusted to find that after a week, he was still spending most of each day on the sofa. However, the plus side was that his family had stopped hovering over him all the time and so it happened that he was completely alone in the house when Martha next came to call.<\/p>\n

The knock on the door came as a surprise and Joe put down his book and went to answer it. He grinned broadly when he saw Martha standing there, as he had not seen her since the visit at the doctor\u2019s. \u201cMartha! Come on in!\u201d Joe stood back to let her in, his smile dimming as he noticed that she seemed ill at ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling, Joe?\u201d Martha asked. She couldn\u2019t meet his eyes and her hands twisted nervously in her lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a lot better,\u201d Joe responded. He frowned slightly. \u201cMartha, is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Martha replied wretchedly. \u201cIts just \u2013 Joe, you could have died saving Rose. I don\u2019t know how to thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to thank me,\u201d Joe assured her. Somehow, he sensed that that was not what Martha had been going to say. \u201cIs she all right? Pa said he met your mother in town and she said Rose was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, she\u2019s just fine,\u201d Martha gushed and spent several minutes telling Joe all about Rose\u2019s week.<\/p>\n

As the monologue drew to a close, Joe rose from where he was sitting and sat down beside Martha on the sofa. He knew that he shouldn\u2019t sit so close when they had no chaperone, but he had to find out what was wrong. \u201cMartha, something is bothering you,\u201d he coaxed, his voice warm and low. \u201cTell me about it, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gulping, Martha looked into Joe\u2019s green eyes and shivered slightly as she saw the concern there for her. Until the previous week, Martha had been completely innocent, not understanding her sexual desires. But a candid talk with her father had left her in no doubt what she had to do, but she wasn\u2019t ready. But her father had told her what he expected her to do and Martha braced herself to do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I want you, Joe,\u201d she stuttered and unbuttoned her blouse, her fingers fumbling with a task that she normally performed without thought. Joe sat, frozen. Martha kept her eyes averted as she pulled back the fabric to reveal her creamy underwear. Joe still hadn\u2019t moved. Blushing in shame, Martha remembered her father\u2019s teaching and reached for Joe\u2019s hand, guiding it until it was on her breast.<\/p>\n

Only then did Joe react. He jerked his hand back as though he had been burned and Martha began to cry. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d he cried, leaping to his feet. \u201cMartha, do you know what you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she sobbed. She glanced up at him, sitting there with her blouse unbuttoned, not realising the effect she was having on Joe. \u201cPapa told me I had to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off. He couldn\u2019t believe it. \u201cWhy?\u201d he cried. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sobbing harder, Martha stumbled through her explanation. \u201cPapa says you\u2019re a perfect match for me. He tried to arrange our marriage with your father last week, but your father said it was up to you to choose. But Papa said I had to make you want to marry me. That I had to get you to\u2026 to\u2026\u201d Martha couldn\u2019t go on. It was beyond her to say those words. \u201cAnd when I knew I was carrying your baby, you would have to marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClose your blouse,\u201d Joe commanded, coldly. He was shaken rigid by the news that her father had sought to entrap him into marriage. He could have made love to Martha \u2013 could have done so quite easily, for she was a beautiful girl and he was no novice with women. But Joe had been well taught and knew the boundaries \u2013 making love to Martha before they were even betrothed was something he could not have done.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019d better go,\u201d he added, when he saw that Martha was decently covered again. \u201cI don\u2019t think we should see each other again. I\u2019m sorry, but it wouldn\u2019t be right.\u201d He led her to the door. Martha was calmer, but the odd sob still shook her slender frame. \u201cGoodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Martha whispered and ran across to her buggy. She left the yard at a spanking trot, her face burning with shame. But once she was out of sight, she slowed the horse. She dreaded going home.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did the right thing, Joe,\u201d Ben assured him, as he listened to the tale Joe had to tell him. \u201cI can\u2019t understand that man, Booth. I know that arranged marriages are still quite common, especially back east, but they don\u2019t tend to happen out here. I want you boys to have what I had \u2013 a marriage based on mutual love and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing is, Pa,\u201d Joe sighed, looking up to meet his parent\u2019s eyes, \u201cI could easily have fallen in love with Martha. We got on so well. But now, there\u2019s no way I could go back to seeing her.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cDid he really ask you to arrange a marriage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cWhen I said I couldn\u2019t, he grew quite huffy and demanded to know if his daughter wasn\u2019t good enough for you!\u201d It was Ben\u2019s turn to shake his head. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I!\u201d Joe agreed, feelingly. \u201cI wish someone else had been here, though.\u201d He had no idea how prophetic his words would turn out to be.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Roy, you\u2019re up early,\u201d Ben cried jovially, as he beheld the sheriff of Virginia City on the doorstep. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m lookin\u2019 fer Little Joe,\u201d Roy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not up yet,\u201d Ben told him, allowing the other man into the house. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Why do you need to see Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, there ain\u2019t no easy way ta tell ya,\u201d Roy sighed. \u201cMartha Booth\u2019s father come ta me last night an\u2019 accused Joe o\u2019 beatin\u2019 and rapin\u2019 Martha.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might have known!\u201d Ben muttered savagely.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe wouldn\u2019 do that!\u201d Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we know he wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut we also know that Martha was out here yesterday afternoon and there was no chaperone. It\u2019s her word against Joe\u2019s and if she was beaten\u2026\u201d Adam let his sentence trail off as a gasp sounded from the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do it,\u201d Joe declared. He walked unsteadily downstairs. His shirt was neither buttoned nor tucked in and his hair had only received a cursory brush.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I gotta take ya in,\u201d Roy reminded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming too!\u201d Ben gave Roy a hard look. \u201cLet Joe have his breakfast first. He\u2019s been ill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll wait,\u201d Roy said, and sat down while Joe choked down a few mouthfuls of breakfast while Adam and Hoss saddled the horses.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

There was no question that Martha had been beaten. Ben looked down at the girl as she lay in the same bed Joe had been in the previous week and mourned the loss of her beauty. Martha\u2019s nose had been badly broken and although Paul had set it carefully, Ben didn\u2019t think it would ever be the same again. And in the meantime, she had two terrible black eyes and numerous cuts and abrasions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas she regained consciousness at all?\u201d Ben asked. His dispassionate tone didn\u2019t reveal the anger that lurked in his soul.<\/p>\n

\u201cBriefly,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut she couldn\u2019t say anything coherent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas she raped?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cThere was no sign of anything like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell for sure?\u201d Ben enquired, not sure he really wanted to know the ins and outs of this subject, but knowing that everything he could learn would aid him in fighting to prove Joe\u2019s innocence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can tell,\u201d Paul replied briefly. He looked at Ben and saw the signs of strain on his friend\u2019s face. \u201cBen, I know Joe didn\u2019t do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t understand,\u201d Paul persisted. \u201cBen, listen to me, this is important. The bruising shows two quite distinct fist and hand marks. Look.\u201d He moved to Martha\u2019s side and pulled back the blankets covering her arm. \u201cLook.\u201d Paul showed Ben two bruises, very similar in shape and colour. \u201cThis is the left fist,\u201d Paul explained, bunching his own fist and letting it hover over the outline. \u201cAnd this is the right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that,\u201d Ben agreed politely. He had no idea where Paul was going with this, but if it was going to help Joe, then he would listen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Paul was exasperated. \u201cJoe couldn\u2019t have done this! Whoever did this had huge hands \u2013 look, much bigger than mine and probably bigger than yours. And far too big for Joe! And besides \u2013 Joe\u2019s right wrist is in plaster. He couldn\u2019t make a fist like that because of the plaster over his palm. I deliberately made it big so that Joe wouldn\u2019t be tempted to ride. If he can\u2019t close his fingers, he can\u2019t ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe used his left hand this morning,\u201d Ben responded, but the grim look was going from his face. \u201cBut you\u2019re right, Paul! Have you told Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was on my way there when you arrived,\u201d Paul grinned. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

They walked right into the middle of a row. Joe was sitting in a cell, still looking pale and tired from the ride in. Adam, Hoss and Roy were all standing outside the cell, their backs to it, as they struggled to keep Booth at bay. Booth was practically foaming at the mouth and every now and then, he would break past one of Joe\u2019s \u2018guards\u2019 \u2013 usually Roy \u2013 and shake the bars. Nobody was left in any doubt that he wanted to shake Joe in the same manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Ben demanded and saw the look of relief that crossed Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour boy hurt my girl!\u201d Booth shouted, rounding on Ben, who refused to allow himself to be intimidated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo he didn\u2019t,\u201d Ben retorted. \u201cDr Martin can prove that it wasn\u2019t Joe who hurt Martha.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Booth faltered, then his brows drew down again. \u201cHe\u2019s saying that because he\u2019s your friend,\u201d Booth accused. \u201cYour son took everything from my daughter. She\u2019ll bear his bastard child! I won\u2019t have her shamed! He\u2019d better do the decent thing and marry her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Disgusted, Ben turned away from the irate father. \u201cRoy, Paul can prove that Joe is innocent,\u201d he told the sheriff. \u201cPlease open the cell and let Joseph go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quickly, Paul outlined what he had found, explaining it clearly. \u201cJoe, show Roy your hand,\u201d Paul instructed and Joe came over, his fingers curled very slightly over the thick edge of the cast. It was obvious that he could not make a fist with his right hand. \u201cWhoever hit Martha had bigger hands than I do,\u201d Paul went on. He gently took Joe\u2019s left hand and drew it through the bars. \u201cLook; Joe\u2019s hand is smaller than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill ya testify ta that?\u201d Roy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cBut it won\u2019t come to that, surely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta see the evidence fer maself,\u201d Roy reminded the doctor. \u201cI\u2019ll tell ya once I\u2019ve seen it.\u201d He turned around and fumbled with his keys. \u201cJoe, ya c\u2019n go ta the hotel till I seen Martha, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed, greatly relieved. He had been in this kind of position once before and had almost been found guilty on mostly circumstantial evidence. His greatest fear had been that this would happen again. He took a step towards the open door of the cell.<\/p>\n

Smiling at one another, Ben, Adam and Hoss all moved towards the inner office. The sudden movement behind them caught them all by surprise. Booth lunged at Joe, knocking aside Roy Coffee as though he were a child. Paul Martin lunged for Booth, but the blacksmith shook him off as though he were no more than a fly. Joe reeled back across the cell and crashed off the back wall. Booth\u2019s huge hands closed around his throat.<\/p>\n

Had Hoss not been there, there might well have been a different outcome. But Hoss was as tall as Booth. He was probably broader across the shoulders, too and his enraged strength would have put a team of oxen to shame. Hoss was not going to stand by and let anyone hurt his little brother. He grabbed Booth by the collar and within moments, they were wrestling each other around the narrow confines of the cell.<\/p>\n

Torn between his sons, Ben stood frozen, not sure who to go to first. Joe was lying on the floor, gasping for breath, his throat bearing ugly red marks that would soon turn dark with bruising. Hoss was fighting for Joe\u2019s life and possibly his own.<\/p>\n

The sound of a gunshot, ringing as it did in the enclosed space, almost deafened them all. Booth stopped suddenly and then slumped to the floor. Hoss let go of the man and watched him drop at his feet. The tableau remained frozen for several long seconds, then Hoss broke the spell. He took a step, staggered and then went down on one knee by Joe. \u201cYa all right, Shortshanks?\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n

Unable to speak, Joe just nodded. He hurt all across his back where he had hit the wall and his broken wrist was throbbing away, but he was alive and for a few seconds, he had been sure that he was going to die. Joe longed to ask Hoss if he was all right, but the words refused to leave his swollen, aching throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBooth\u2019s dead.\u201d Paul did not sound upset. He left the blacksmith and moved to join the Cartwrights. Ben was slightly surprised to find himself kneeling between Joe and Hoss, with Adam hovering at his shoulder. When had they moved? \u201cHoss, are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 worry \u2018bout me, doc,\u201d Hoss panted. \u201cI\u2019s jist winded.\u201d He nodded towards Joe. \u201cJist look after ma little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long to determine that Joe was just bruised. Only then did Paul admit that he was rather shaken. Roy Coffee, who had fired the fatal shot, wouldn\u2019t even admit that much. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he insisted. \u201cNow, doc, show me your evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving Joe to rest for a short while longer on the bunk in the cell with Adam looking after him, Ben, Hoss, Roy and Paul went across to see Martha. The young woman was conscious and Paul gently examined her again, talking reassuringly to her. And at last, they got the story straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa beat me because I couldn\u2019t get Joe to\u2026 to\u2026\u201d Martha paused to swallow. \u201cTo treat me like his wife,\u201d she finally concluded and this, along with what Joe had told them, convinced Roy that Joe was innocent. \u201cHe said that he would make Joe marry me one way or another and then\u2026 then he beat me!\u201d Martha broke down into frightened, heart-broken sobs.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest get Mrs Booth,\u201d Ben suggested to Roy in an undertone. \u201cShe\u2019ll need to know what happened, but nobody else does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019 think we\u2019ll be able ta keep this a secret,\u201d Roy remarked, and he was proved right. The news leaked out despite everything Roy could do to prevent it. \u201cBen, take yer boy home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was glad to oblige.<\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

Booth\u2019s death was the seven day wonder in town. Joe was quite glad that he wasn\u2019t well enough to ride in. His journey to town, the ordeal in the jail and then the journey home had depleted his strength and he was back to spending most of his days on the sofa.<\/p>\n

As evening fell as few days later, Ben came upon Joe standing outside by the corral. He and Cochise had obviously been visiting, as the pinto gelding was only a few steps away from Joe. Joe was looking down at his right hand, something he had been doing a lot over the last few days. Ben didn\u2019t say anything. He just leaned his arms against the top rail of the corral and petted Cochise when the horse came over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy couldn\u2019t he just let nature run its course?\u201d Joe asked at length.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cRoy told me that Mrs Booth had been made to marry her husband, and offered no choice in the matter. She was lucky and the match worked out. Booth seemed to assume that that was the best way to ensure his daughters married well. You seemed the most suitable \u2018catch\u2019. Martha had raved about how good looking you are and Booth saw that we have money and decided that Martha should marry you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might have got his wish if he hadn\u2019t interfered,\u201d Joe remarked. Ben made a moue with his mouth. He had known that Joe was fond of Martha, but this was the second time he had alluded to his feelings being strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not too late if that\u2019s what you want,\u201d he ventured.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it is, Pa,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut I really liked her.\u201d There was silence between them again. Then Joe shook himself. \u201cIt\u2019s in the past,\u201d he declared. \u201cAnd that\u2019s where it\u2019s going to remain. There\u2019s too much history between Martha and I for it ever to work. Better to leave things as they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s wise, son,\u201d Ben agreed. He put his arm round Joe\u2019s shoulders and drew him back to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides,\u201d Joe added, feeling that they had been solemn long enough, \u201cthere\u2019s plenty more fish in the sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Is romance in the cards for Joe?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T (9,350 words)<\/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":[23,41,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1954,"today_views":1},"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":15348,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15348","url_meta":{"origin":7189,"position":0},"title":"Joe Cartwright – Magician! 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Caught in a blizzard, Adam and Joe are forced to confront the rift that has grown between them. Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a09900","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":919,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=919","url_meta":{"origin":7189,"position":2},"title":"Physics 101 (by the Tahoe Ladies)","author":"Tahoe Ladies","date":"August 19, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam becomes the 'butt' of a joke... 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Rated:\u00a0 K+ (2,100 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\/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":[]},{"id":13832,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13832","url_meta":{"origin":7189,"position":4},"title":"A Life Lived (by HelenB)","author":"HelenB","date":"November 27, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam and Joe run into trouble while away from the ranch. Will help arrive in time? Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (11,540 words) A Life Lived Series, links to all 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\/2015\/12\/AdamJoeHP7.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4185,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4185","url_meta":{"origin":7189,"position":5},"title":"The Stuff of Nightmares (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"December 11, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 After a quarrel, Adam and Joe are sent off separately to do chores. But they become embroiled in a situation which sets brother against brother, and makes each one doubt if the other still loves him. Rating T\u00a0 (12,950)","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\/03\/HP8b.jpg?fit=636%2C520&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/HP8b.jpg?fit=636%2C520&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/HP8b.jpg?fit=636%2C520&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7189","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=7189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7189\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}