The Virginia City Spring Dance

By Marcella Petillo

In the Springtime, a young man’s fancy likely turns to thoughts of…well…many things. Anything, in fact, that will make them forget the long, hard winter and think of all the fun and good times that lie ahead.

And it had been a hard winter indeed, the one that had just passed. Snow and ice had kept the Cartwrights housebound for a long time. Work had been reduced to the bare minimum for the care of their horses and farm animals.

Hop Sing was busy in the kitchen filling the larder with jars of preserves of the last fresh vegetables from his garden.

Adam, happily with his nose in books, or on some architectural project, so absorbed he could barely hear the call for meals.

Hoss, struggled with building and repairing new and old bridles while keeping an eye on the barn and stable with the little critters he had found injured or abandoned when the snow had fallen to cover the whole of the Ponderosa. A few games of checkers with Joe helped him pass the time, although he lost almost regularly.

Ben, with his nose in the books, which he managed personally, to make all the ranch accounts add up. A few shots of his excellent brandy, some good reading, smoking his pipe. Basically at peace and without a lot of worry since he had all his children safely under his roof.

Joe…Joe, who was notoriously not an early riser, had made up for all the sleep he had lost, sleeping in late in the mornings, without any of his siblings being in charge of getting him, sometimes literally, out of bed. But Joe was always the most restless of all.
He loved the snow, but suffered from the enforced inactivity of those white weeks as far as the eye could see. He suffered from not being able to indulge in a brisk ride on Cochise, suffered that time punctuated by the grandfather clock, slow, that seemed never to pass. Joe, who was a bundle of inexhaustible energy, always on the move, his young body snappy, agile and athletic, always spring-loaded, suffered particularly from those long periods of inactivity, shut indoors.

“Cabin sickness” they called it, and in the end they all suffered a bit from it, cramped together under the same roof, no matter how big it was. Four grown men who couldn’t wait to get out of the house and get back to their daily activities.

That’s why the beginning of spring was such a magical time!
Once the heavy woollen coats were removed, everyone felt reborn together with nature. Ponderosa sparkled with light; smells and scents wafted through the clear air, as did the sounds and calls of the men, who had returned to work with their herds and horses. The ranch was in full swing and the pastures were green and lush, ready to welcome the new life that was coming in.
Joe was happy!
His whole being was deeply connected to the land of his birth. He knew every corner of that vast territory they called home.

In the spring, the scent of the tall Ponderosa pines, after which the ranch was named, wafted all around and intoxicated him. Joe enjoyed every scent, every smell carried by the warm wind, the majestic vistas, the mountains whose tops were still snow-capped, the deep, bright blue of Lake Tahoe, and he knew he couldn’t live anywhere else.

He couldn’t help but smile as he tamed and trained horses, his great passion, for which he had an acknowledged natural talent. A horse tamed and trained by Joe Cartwright had a price that people were happy to pay. Joe’s good humour was not extinguished even when he returned home at night. Exhausted, dirty, sweaty, often bruised and bruised, but happy!

The activity with the horses helped him keep his natural physical exuberance under control, but sometimes Ben or his brothers caught him looking away, his eyes lost in the distance, daydreaming, so much so that the consequence of those dreams was often a certain physical awakening that was awkward and obvious, which embarrassed Joe, but which everyone pretended not to notice, except to talk about it, smiling to each other, when Joe couldn’t hear.

*************

The Cartwright brothers were looking forward to the famous Spring Ball!
An event in Virginia City!
It was a chance to shake off the winter from their shoulders, open themselves up to new gallant adventures, and invite the girls they cared about to the Ball.

Adam was always secretive and mysterious about his female acquaintances. What was certainly known was that he had not yet found his soul mate, the woman he wanted to marry to start a family,

Hoss was elusive, a little shy around women, but his friend Betty Sue, was always available for a night of dancing and a little courtship.

Joe, Ben Cartwright’s charming third son, had the opposite problem.
Too many girls would have liked to go to the Ball with him and be courted by the hottest and most handsome boy in town.
He was spoilt for choice and often it was not an easy choice. Sometimes he preferred not to invite anyone in particular, so he could dance and hold as many girls as possible.

But not that year.

That year Joe had a particular girl in mind. A small, sweet, beautiful girl who had recently arrived in Virginia City with her family. The only female, she had four brothers who fiercely protected her from the male interest Elizabeth Forrest had stirred up in the city. Like bees to honey, the young men were attracted to her and squabbled amongst themselves to grab her smile, a nod, a greeting.
Joe knew he had fierce competition for Elizabeth!

The long, snow-laden winter weeks that had confined the Cartwrights to the ranch had certainly not helped.
The young people of Virginia City, and friends, had taken advantage of the fact that the snow had kept Ben Cartwright’s handsome son out of town, giving them more room to manoeuvre with Elizabeth.

It was a nervous Joe who, a week before the Ball, turned up on Elizabeth’s parents’ doorstep. Dressed in a white shirt and black silk tie, trousers pressed, washed and perfumed, curls tamed and a winning smile.
Joe knocked on the door and brought with him a large bouquet of flowers for Mrs Forrest, a small bouquet of wild flowers and a box of chocolates for Elizabeth.
He was ushered into the house and came face to face with Mr Forrest and his four sons. Joe introduced himself and asked his father for permission to take his daughter Elizabeth to the Spring Ball…and it was an elated Joe who shortly afterwards left the Forrest home with permission granted!

When the day of the Ball arrived, there was frenetic activity at the Ponderosa in the late afternoon. Hop Sing had heated plenty of water for the three Cartwright brothers to bathe and prepare for the party. Each of them had immaculate clothes to put on, boots to polish, hair to brush carefully.
It was only a short distance from each other that Adam, Hoss and Joe descended the stairs, ready for the Ball.
Ben was waiting for them in the great hall and when he saw them arrive, he could not hide a proud smile. He would join them at the Ball later, in the meantime he could only admire his sons. Young, strong, elegant, smiling, in the prime of their lives.

In particular, Joe was beaming at the thought of leading the beautiful Elizabeth to the Ball, with her shiny, wavy black hair, porcelain skin, two immense sapphire blue eyes that he could easily lose himself in, and a mouth…a mouth that Joe had wanted to kiss from the moment he first met her.
Adam and Hoss would meet their ladies directly at the ball and their horses had already been saddled for them.
Joe would come by the Forrest house to pick up Elizabeth and for him the buggy with its padded leather seats and their best carriage horse, with its shiny black coat, long tail and mane, perfectly brushed, had been prepared. A horse that Joe himself had tamed and trained to perfection.
There were cheerful farewells and recommendations, the understanding that they would all see each other at the Ball, and the boys set off for Virginia City.
Adam and Hoss rode alongside the buggy driven by Joe, amid jokes and laughter, in a relaxed atmosphere. Three brothers united by a true and deep affection and at peace with each other.
They parted when Joe took the road to the Forrests’ and stopped the buggy in front of the beautiful house.

He knocked on the door and stepped back, waiting, and when Elizabeth made her appearance on the threshold, Joe’s breath caught!
The soft light coming from inside the house surrounded the girl, revealing her white, light and fluffy dress. Delicate blue embroidery surrounded her bare shoulders and her black hair was softly braided at the nape of her neck with white ribbons and scented violets. Mrs Forrest handed her a blue shawl and smiled at the two young people, who were ready to go to the ball.
Four pairs of stern eyes followed Joe as he helped Elizabeth into the buggy. They watched him joking and smiling at his beautiful lady, and followed him until the buggy was out of sight.

************

Joe deposited his gun and belt in the hall, together with his jacket and hat. The dances had just begun when Joe and Elizabeth made their entrance into the ballroom, sparkling with lights and spring decorations.

Joe took his lady by the hand and led her towards her father and brothers. Joe’s smile was beaming as he made the introductions and a moment later he took Elizabeth in his arms and pulled her into a whirling dance.
Laughing breathlessly, Elizabeth was radiant. Her beauty did not go unnoticed. Joe’s friends were rather envious of him, but they fervently hoped to be able to do a few dances with her.
The girls present sighed, wishing they were in Joe’s arms, twirling on the dance floor. They tried to console themselves by figuring out how to impress the four Forrest brothers, new in town, tall and handsome, even if their tough looks could be intimidating.

The party was merry and lively. There were plenty of young people to warm up the atmosphere and the girls were competing to dance with Joe. He was charming in his shirt of shiny, soft white silk, under which firm muscles could be seen, his black tie perfectly knotted, his light grey trousers fell to perfection over his slim, athletic body, and those irresistible smiles of his charmed the girls, but also much more mature women.
Her spirit, her personality, the features of her beautiful face, were so similar to those of Marie, her mother, that for a moment Ben and his two older sons felt as if they could see her again dancing and twirling in that hall, as young and beautiful as they remembered her, winning everyone over.

Dance after dance, as they both danced with others, their glances had sought each other out more and more until Joe had invited her for that waltz. He had placed his hand on her back and then slowly lowered it to her slim waist, holding it gently. The young man’s free hand had intertwined with Elizabeth’s long, delicate fingers, while Joe was fully aware of the warmth he felt where the girl’s other hand had rested on his shoulder. Eyes within eyes, they had begun to dance with wide swirls around the room, following the rhythm of the waltz.
Elizabeth felt Joe’s open hand on her waist become possessive as he drew her closer to him and felt a rush of warmth warm her cheeks. She looked at him intently and squeezed his hand lightly on her shoulder, feeling her muscles vibrate under his fingers.
It didn’t take long for there to be nothing but them in that crowded room, oblivious to the people dancing around them.
The other girls, with the sensitivity typical of women, noticed what was happening between Elizabeth and Joe and with disappointment realised they had lost him.
The dancing couple was unaware of how beautiful they were together because they only had eyes for each other. The vaporous white dress embroidered in light blue, with its wide, light skirt, seemed to dance with her; the slim waist, the white, bare shoulders; the shiny, soft hair braided at the nape of her neck, the long, shapely neck; her large eyes shining, surrounded by thick, long black eyelashes, her cheeks rosy from the rhythm of the dance and the emotion she felt, her mouth barely open from her hurried breathing.
Joe had eyes only for her.
Ben cast a glance at Adam and Hoss, smiled as he pointed with his eyes at the dancing couple, oblivious to the world around them.

*************

Watchful eyes saw him, later, leave the room holding Elizabeth’s hand; walking outside into the beautiful spring evening holding onto her waist, then moving to a more discreetly shaded area. Joe’s head bent to seek her lips and the kiss he gave her spoke of fiery youth and fire held in check out of respect. Elizabeth returned the kiss, prolonged it, pulled away from his lips and smiled at him, stars in her eyes and her heart pounding.

Joe led her into an adjacent alley, where the moonlight and party light did not penetrate. He kissed her again and again, feeling their bodies react to the emotion, holding her tightly in his arms, glued to him, unable to resist her.
He pulled away from her mouth and Joe’s lips trailed slowly down her neck, kissed the hollow of her throat, then her panting chest to rise to his lips that awaited him half-open and ready for more kisses.
Her hands gripped the nape of his neck, her slender fingers sunk into his thick, curly hair as she drew him to her to kiss him again.
Joe’s blood pulsed fast through his veins, her desire making him gasp as his hands cupped her, caressed her, found the roundness of her breasts beneath the light fabric of her dress, making her wince.
She knew she had to stop, had to do it before it was too late to restrain herself. Her father had raised three gentlemen, after all!
She didn’t make it in time…

A growl in his ears accompanied by a punch to the kidneys made him arch and cry out in pain. He heard Elizabeth’s scream as she was yanked from his arms and dragged away by a man.

Three men, their faces covered by a bandana, hurled themselves at him, beating him savagely, without giving him a chance to defend himself. They held him down while one of them raged at him. Repeated blows to the stomach made him bend on his knees and then fall to the ground, but the man did not stop. In a murderous rage, he kicked the man while he was on the ground completely helpless. Joe screamed in pain as he felt his ribs crack and he cowered tightly, trying to protect himself.
Eventually the man pulled back panting from the effort and fury, and a low, hoarse whisper came from his throat, “If you touch her again, you’ll get more!” then he pulled out his gun and brought it down like a hammer on Joe’s head.
For him descended the merciful darkness of unconsciousness.

************

The party continued with music, dancing and chatting over refreshments and drinks. Ben and Adam stood there together, taking a break from the dancing.
“Have you seen Joe lately?” asked Ben.
“Actually I haven’t seen him for a while, but I haven’t seen Elizabeth either, they’ll be out together, don’t you think? I think there’s something between them.” Adam replied winking serving himself a drink.
“Mmmm, no, it’s been too long since I’ve seen them! A polite young man would not risk damaging a good girl’s reputation lightly…and your brother is a gentleman, despite his young age! I have a strange feeling…”
“Pa, don’t worry, there will be a simple explanation, but we can check it out if you want.” Adam nodded to his brother Hoss and they headed gigglingly towards the entrance to the ballroom.

Their laughter was immediately extinguished when they saw Elizabeth’s blue shawl next to Joe’s jacket, hat and gun, where he had left them before entering. Outside, the evening was very cool and the girl would not go out without it!
Alarmed, they went back inside to call their father, and together they went out into the night lit by a beautiful full moon.
They looked around the dance hall, perhaps the boys had lost track of time and were chatting somewhere around there without even feeling the coolness of the night!
They soon realised there was no sign of them. Adam walked towards the alley adjacent to the hall, disappearing into the darkness, but a moment later his shout tore the air!
“Pa! Hoss! Quick! He’s here! Joe’s here! They beat him to death!”
As Ben and Hoss rushed into the alley, they saw the flame of a match Adam held in his hand and, in its dim light, Joe’s body curled on the ground, bleeding, beaten, unconscious.

“Joseph!” Ben’s cry tore through the darkness. “Joe, what have they done to you? Let’s get him in the hall, somebody get the doctor!”
Adam stopped his distressed father:” Pa! No! We can’t move him until Doc checks him, we could do worse! Bring some lamps, blankets, and wait for Paul to see him!”
The alarm was sounded, the dancing ceased immediately, the lamps were brought into the alleyway along with blankets that had been recovered from adjacent houses. Someone ran up to Doc Martin, who had recently left the party, and dragged him to the scene. A circle of people with lamps in hand lit up the alley, where Joe lay still unconscious, his head resting on a blanket as a pillow. A girl came running with a bowl of water and towels and Ben began to wash his son’s bloodied face. He called out to him, touched him, but no response from Joe.

Doc Martin was swift in his examination and requested that Joe be placed on a blanket and immediately transported to his study. Ben, Adam and Hoss prepared to lift the improvised stretcher with Joe and a friend positioned himself at the fourth corner. Together they lifted the blanket and quickly made their way to the doctor’s office ahead of them.
Not a sound from Joe.

************

Time passed that seemed eternal to the Cartwrights. They had heard Joe’s moans of pain as the doctor worked on him, then finally Doc came out of the office, wiping his hands, his gaze serious, his face tired and tense.
With one leap his father and brothers were on their feet, begging to know and dreading to know what Joe’s condition was.
Paul, sighed.
“He’s alive and he’ll heal! It will take time, but he will recover. He has four broken ribs, two cracked and a concussion from the blow to the head. I fixed and bandaged the ribs tightly and sutured the wound near the hairline, which was bleeding a lot. If the blow had been given lower, on the temple…we might have lost him, but he was lucky. He is weak from the loss of blood, he has bruises all over his body from the punches and kicks they gave him, but they will heal.
He was in a lot of pain and I gave him an injection of morphine, but I can’t give him anything to make him sleep…and he mustn’t sleep for at least two hours! He has to be checked for concussion. If he does not vomit or feel nauseous, after two hours, he can sleep. I want him here tonight to check on him and he is in no condition to travel to the ranch anyway!
He wants to see you, you can come in”.

In the dim light of Paul’s study, Joe was lying on the bed. Pale, motionless, his eyes closed, his bare chest bandaged tightly from hips to chest, slick with sweat, his breathing shallow and panting, a bandage on his forehead holding the cotton swab to the side of his head, and bruises…big bruises everywhere he could look.
“Joe…son…” His father shook a stray curl from his sweaty forehead and ran his fingers through his hair. Hoss placed his hand on Joe’s, squeezing it gently. Adam let his hand rest on one of his younger brother’s thighs and held it there.
Each of them eager to make their presence and affection felt for the wounded young man they loved.
A family. A solid love that knew how to cope with all adversity.

“What happened, Joe? Who did this to you?” Ben seethed in his soul. He wanted to know who had beaten his son nearly to death and why! He hated to see his impetuous boy, always full of energy, reduced almost to exhaustion. Wounded, in pain, vulnerable, he, who was afraid of nothing, so brave, almost reckless, trembling helplessly in that bed. Every breath an agony.
He wanted to know who had done it and make them pay!

A painful sigh, a groan. The long eyelashes quivered and Joe opened his eyes. In a whisper Joe recounted what he remembered of his beating. The revelation of who had beaten him after that sentence hissed in his ears: ‘If you touch her again, you’ll get more!
The Forrest brothers! Joe was sure of it. One of them had dragged her away and the other three had beaten him.
By now it was late at night, but Sheriff Roy, who had dropped by to see how Joe was doing, decided to check on him right away.
The sheriff, his deputy, Adam and Hoss set off for the Forrest house and once there, they knocked insistently on the door.
The house was dark, but a glow of light flashed in one of the upstairs windows and Alan Forrest’s irritated voice said he was coming downstairs.

Questions were asked and answered incredulously. Asked to look to see if the boys and Elizabeth were home, Alan Forrest stepped aside and invited the group to see for themselves.
The four boys were not at home, but in her room, they found Elizabeth in tears. Choking on sobs, the girl recounted how she had been threatened by her brothers. If she talked, they would hurt Joe even more, guilty of kissing her, touching her and clearly being taken by her.
Elizabeth’s mother had joined them in the girl’s room and at her story, she rushed to hold her daughter in her arms. She turned a look full of horror on her husband, who bowed his head in defeat.

The control his sons exercised over their sister had reached an intolerable level… and it was his fault.
At first he had encouraged the boys to protect their sister, then, after his daughter’s remonstrances, who felt suffocated by their fierce control, he had told them not to go too far, but that was all he had done, that was all he had said, and this was the result.
With a broken heart he offered his cooperation to the sheriff so that his sons could be found and interrogated.

************

A week had passed and Joe was home in his bed.
The journey to the ranch the day after the beating had been painful, but Joe did not want to stay in town. He felt like a wolf wanting to lick his wounds in his den and Ponderosa always had the power to make him feel better, no matter what. The first few days at home had been tough; the pain never left him and he had fierce headaches.
Swirling thoughts prevented him from the rest he so needed.

He could not sleep at night, but he did not want to say anything to his father and brothers. He wanted time to process the facts himself, to come to terms with them, to find a final solution.
He knew that the four Forrest boys had been found, caught and put in prison by Roy on a heavy charge: Attempted murder. There was to be a trial, but he was not yet in a position to be there.
He was torn between the desire for justice for what he was suffering and the thought of the pain he would bring to Elizabeth and her parents.

His feelings for Elizabeth had not changed.
He had had a lot of time to think. Recalling in his mind the sensations and emotions he had felt, while holding her in his arms and kissing her, had helped him withstand the pain.
He had realised that he cared for her, that the feeling that was deepening could already be called love. He wanted time to get to know her better, to see her calmly, to verify what he already felt for her.
He had not seen her since the day of the beating.
Adam and Hoss had told him about that night at her house; about his fear that his brothers would hurt him again if she said anything, but Elizabeth had told everything in front of her parents, the sheriff and them. Sobbing, she recounted how she had been dragged away by her younger brother and then taken home while the other three beat Joe.
The complaint had been automatically triggered. They had searched for them, found them and put them in jail, awaiting trial.

Another night had arrived, another night in which he would not sleep.
Joe was exhausted. His eyes were ringed with lack of sleep and rest and his aching body could not find a position that made him feel better. He was forced to semi-sit, with many pillows behind his back, to ease the pain in his ribs and breathe better, but Joe used to sleep on his side and not being able to do so was an added discomfort.
During the day he had come to a decision that he should have told his parents, but he hesitated. He agonised over the thought of how his father and brothers would take it.
He also had a fierce headache that would not leave him alone. Without realising it, he groaned loudly, thrashing about in bed.
The bedroom door opened quietly, letting the dim light of a lamp filter through. Ben approached his son’s bed, calling him gently, gently brushing the unruly curls from his heated forehead and from the wound points along his hairline.
Joe opened his tired eyes and gave his father a small smile:

“I’m fine,” he said, but that was his standard response even if he were on the verge of death! Ben knew this, and he also knew that Joe said it so he wouldn’t worry.

“You’re not well, and we all know it. Where does it hurt?”
Joe smiled that crooked half-smile of his; he raised a hand that was promptly taken by his father and held tightly.
“Pa…I’d sooner tell you where it doesn’t hurt!” He laughed softly, wincing from the pain in his ribs, then continued:
“My head; I have a headache…a really bad headache that doesn’t want to go away…”
Ben placed the lamp on the bedside table and sat down beside the bed without letting go of his son’s hand, massaging it with his thumb on the back in small concentric, relaxing circles.
“Paul left some powders for the pain. It will help you. Unfortunately you have to be patient, a little more patience, and then you’ll feel better!”
He made to get up to prepare the medicine, but Joe’s hand held him in place.
“Pa! Pa…stay, please stay…I need to talk to you…”

And Joe opened his whole heart to his father. Uncertain at first, then a flood of words poured out, overwhelming Ben’s resistance. Heartfelt words, explanations, thoughts, feelings. Pleading his cause, overcoming Ben’s opposition, convincing him it was the right thing to do.
Eventually, exhausted, throat parched, breathless, Joe fell back onto the pillows, from where he had risen without even realising it.
He groaned softly, completely drained of energy, and closed his eyes.

Ben dissolved the pain powder in water, added a sedative to help him sleep and Joe drank, grateful.
Peace had descended in his soul; now that he had told his father everything he could rest, leaving him to explain and convince others…his brothers, Sheriff Roy, Elizabeth’s family, the people of Virginia City…
For the first time in days, he slipped into an exhausted and drugged, but soothing and healing sleep.

Ben watched him fall asleep, then, after a quick stroke on his hair, left the room, ready to fight for the decision his son had made.
It probably wouldn’t have been easy, but he would have supported him.

************

Another two weeks had passed.
Joe had been allowed by the doctor to rest on the couch in the great hall and eat at the table with his family. Now that his conscience was also at peace, he was recovering well. He was sleeping better and eating with appetite. His bruises and ribs were healing and he no longer had headaches. He was not yet able to leave the ranch, Doc had been adamant, but Joe put on a good face and was content with a few walks outside in the green meadows around the ranch. He wasn’t even allowed to ride, so he limited himself to pampering Cochise with a few apples or carrots, which the Pinto really appreciated.

That morning was indeed a beautiful spring day.
So clear that one could see the snow glistening on top of the highest mountains in the Sierra. The air was fragrant and sweet; the pastures were green as far as the eye could see and Joe decided to have breakfast on the meadow next door. Hop Sing prepared him a double portion of goodies and placed them in Joe’s leather saddlebags.
With his walk still a little unsteady, Joe walked to the barn, untied Cochise, put a simple halter on him and took a long rope. He threw the saddlebags onto Cochise’s rump, grabbed a blanket and walked towards the meadow, waving goodbye to his father and brothers.

Having found the right place, the young man tied his Pinto to a tree with the long rope, leaving him free to graze, but without letting him stray too far.
He spread out his blanket on the grass and began to enjoy the goodies that had been prepared for him.
Between one mouthful and the next he thought back to the reaction of his brothers and all the others, to the decision he had made and maintained, without any backsliding.
He had decided not to denounce the Forrest brothers for his beating.
The four young men had spent three weeks in Roy’s prison, then been released and placed in the responsibility and custody of their father. It hadn’t been easy, but in the end everyone had accepted Joe’s decision and even understood his reasons.

Sated, Joe stretched out on the blanket in the spring sun, unbuttoned his shirt over his bandaged chest, feeling the warmth on his bare skin, pulled his hat down over his eyes and fell asleep peacefully, thinking of Elizabeth.

************

A buggy drove into the courtyard of the Ponderosa.
For the first time, Alan Forrest and his daughter were on their way to the Cartwrights’ ranch. Both were a little nervous and embarrassed.
Ben welcomed them by letting them into the house and offering them coffee to break the ice. Adam and Hoss joined them, curious to hear what had brought them to the Ponderosa.
In short order, Mr Forrest filled the Cartwrights in on what he had done with his sons, asking if they felt the punishment was sufficient, apologising repeatedly for what had happened to Joe.
Alan Forrest had given his sons a long talk, made sure they understood and sent them far away, to work on his brother Bob’s ranch in Arizona. A hard life, without any privileges, treated and paid like all their uncle’s other cattlemen.
If they made trouble, they would go back to prison.
Elizabeth’s eyes were wet with restrained tears, then she looked insistently at her father.
Alan Forrest cleared his throat, lowered his head, then spoke again:
“I am also here for another reason, and I will understand if you wish to refuse, but my Elizabeth was so insistent, I could not deny her.
Mr Cartwright, Elizabeth would like to be allowed to hang out with Joe, if that’s OK with you?
I know it is unusual for the request to come from a girl, but Elizabeth cares a great deal about Joe and has not seen him since what happened’.

Ben and the sons exchanged amused looks at the request made, and Ben answered for everyone:
“Obviously the decision is Joe’s alone, but we would be happy if the boys would hang out to get to know each other better, to check their feelings.
Joe told me about you, young lady, he was excited to take you to the Spring Ball! I think he cares a lot about you.”
Elizabeth had stood up with her face flushed with emotion, clasped her hands together in a gesture of prayer and turned to Ben:
“Can I speak to Joe? I’d like to see him!”
Adam smiled, took her under his arm and led her towards the door:
“I’ll show you where Joe is, I think I’m not wrong in saying he’ll be glad to see you!”

With quick steps, her heart in her throat, Elizabeth walked towards the lawn.

She could see the handsome Pinto grazing quietly by a tree and finally saw Joe lying on the blanket, unaware of her presence. He was sound asleep.
Elizabeth looked at him, capturing all the details.
His hat covered his eyes, but his mouth was half-open in sleep. The open shirt showed his muscular chest; the smooth, sun-tanned skin contrasted with the white bandage on his ribs.
Tears came to Elizabeth’s eyes.
Without making a sound, the girl sat down beside him, watching him in silence. Holding back the desire to wake him, to touch him.
A thousand emotions stirred within her, a thousand sensations she could not yet name, but which made her quiver as she watched him sleep.
Her eyes were caught by that soft mouth, she felt a sudden warmth in her belly.

She surrendered.

“I love you…” she said, and kissed him.


END