Desperate Times

by smp4ever

Chapter One

Dumb calf, stupid mud, and moronic me. I guess I’m as foolish as that little heifer who got stuck in the bog.  Drooping eyelids and a pounding headache aided my carelessness. I shouldn’t have stayed at the Silver Dollar for that one more drink and poker game. I’ve been doing that quite a bit lately. So here I am, half dead, shirtless, trying to reach the calf. It’s no surprise that I slipped. Next thing I knew, I was eyeball to eyeball with the animal. After pushing, pulling, and cursing, we both made it out of the bog.  The calf ran toward the herd. I emerged looking like a giant mud pie. With the hot sun beating down, my mud-caked skin felt like it was wrapped in scorching burlap. The pungent smell of the mud and the hot sun were making my stomach churn.  

Pa had said to be on time for supper. He had invited the new banker and his wife to join us. My father was a wise man. He knew how important it was to be on the favorable side of the man who granted loans. 

Sometimes, things happen beyond our control. I was sent out to round up strays today. How was I to know I’d wind up in the muddy bog? I couldn’t go home looking like a mud monster, so I stripped down and jumped into the lake. It took forever to get the mud out of every orifice and out of my hair. Next, were the pants. I felt like the Indian squaws washing clothes in the rivers and lakes. My trousers were now mud free. I was so glad I had removed my shirt before the mud bath! As my pants lay on a rock drying, I closed my eyes to try to improve my mood and restore my alertness. I didn’t intend to fall asleep. It was just to be a short nap. Now the sun’s position told me it was almost suppertime. I grabbed my pants, hoisted them up, and hurled myself onto Cochise who sensed my urgency. As the ranch came into sight, so did the buggy!

Damn, they’re here!

I hitched Cooch to the post and darted to the front door. Taking a deep breath and mustering my best smile, I stepped inside. 

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Welcome to the Ponderosa. I apologize for being late. A calf and I had an unexpected encounter. I’ll be down as soon as I change into dinner attire. Please proceed with supper.”

Pa gave me a menacing look, Hoss smirked, and the Potters smiled politely.  I excused myself, changed, and was seated at the table just as the meat was being passed around. I missed the appetizers, but I didn’t mind.  As always, Hop Sing outdid himself.

The late night, hangover effects, my adventure with the calf, and the humdrum voice of Mrs. Potter came together like a perfect storm. I guess I fell asleep just as the gravy boat was passed to me. In my hypnagogic state, I thought I heard a booming voice yell, “Joseph!”  That caused the gravy to sail into the air and land on the bosomy Mrs. Potter. She jumped and pulled the tablecloth with her as she toppled off her chair and onto the floor. Covered in tonight’s dinner and dishes, all she could do was moan,  “Oh, oh, oh” which came out of her mouth like a repetitious chant. “I’m so sorry” kept getting churned like butter out of my mouth as I ran to pick up Mrs. Potter. The buxom, overweight lady was dead weight. As I attempted to hoist her up, I went back down with her. Hoss and Pa flew to either side and lifted the mortified woman off me. Nobody seemed to care that I got crushed. Mr. Potter never moved. His expression never changed. He finally came out of his stupor, gathered his crying wife, and rushed out the door. Pa chased after them.

By the look on Pa’s face when he came back inside, I figured his apology fell upon deaf ears. I dared not ask or even open my mouth. Everyone was furious with me: Hop Sing, because I ruined his delicious dinner; Hoss, because his stomach wasn’t satisfied; and Pa, because of the catastrophe I caused.  Was it my imagination or was smoke coming out of the nostrils and ears of all three of them?

Pa called me into his office.  He narrowed his eyes and spoke in a deadly low voice. The twisted and distorted face, within inches of mine, messaged how infuriated he was with me. For a moment, I was reduced to the fourteen-year-old who knew he was going to be marched out to the barn for a very necessary talk.  Pa picked up a telegram from his desk and handed it to me. I read it. The words “desperate straits” jumped out at me. 

Before I could comment, Pa said, “Go upstairs and pack your bags. You’re leaving first thing in the morning!”

“For how long?” 

“Maybe for forever, Joseph!”

With widened eyes and a dropped jaw, I found my words. “Pa, you’re not serious!”

My father’s steely face and lack of response gave me his answer.  

I gulped, “But, Pa, in four months I’m gonna be twenty-three. Being with my friends at The Silver Dollar, playing poker, and having beers is important.  I need outlets and….”

My pa cut me off. “No, Joseph, you need discipline and lessons in responsibility! Don’t add whining to your list of infractions. Now go! Remember, up and out by sunrise.”

I think I would rather have been taken out to the barn. 

In the morning I apologized to Hop Sing and Hoss, and said goodbye. 

Pa walked me out to the barn and talked to me as I saddled Cochise. 

“Joseph, do whatever is necessary to help out!”

Pa handed me an envelope with two hundred dollars for supplies or whatever else might be needed.

“Make sure you telegraph me after you assess the situation. I’ll wire more money, if necessary.”

We honestly didn’t know what the desperate straits were, but Pa figured money had to be involved to some extent.

“Pa, I really am sorry for the way I’ve been acting lately, and I’m especially sorry about last night. I hope Mr. Potter doesn’t vent his anger on you and the banking relationship you’re trying to establish.”

My father told me he heard the sincerity in my voice and saw the remorse in my expressive eyes.

“Don’t worry, son! I’m sure Mr. Potter’s business sense will outweigh any personal feelings. As I lay in bed last night, after I stopped seething, the image of that poor woman covered in mashed potatoes and gravy made me laugh out loud!  Now Joseph, be on your way!”

“Pa, I didn’t pack for forever!”

My father smiled, remembering what he had told me last night. 

“Joe, play it by ear. We don’t even know what the problem is yet!  Whatever the situation, I’m sure you’ll help resolve it in less than a year!”

“A year? Pa, you are joking, aren’t you? Pa?”

My father placed his hands on my shoulders. “As much as I’d like to ship you off on occasion for an unspecified period of time, I have to admit, I would miss you.”

With that said, Pa pulled me into an embrace. He heard me expel a sharp whoosh of breath. My father had to smile and said, “My youngest son is so dramatic!”

“Joe, let us know what dire straits are being faced as soon as you can.  If the problem turns out to be more serious, Hoss and I are here when and if you need us.”

“Thanks, Pa.  I’ll keep in touch!”

As I began to mount Cochise, Pa landed a solid whack on my backside and said, “Now get going! That was for last night and your past transgressions, if you were wondering!”

I flashed my brilliant smile and trotted past the barn and out of sight. 

“Keep him safe,” Ben whispered. 

Chapter Two

After riding for six days, the Davis ranch came into view. It appeared quiet. 

Can’t believe it’s been five years since…

Sam came flying out the door to greet the eagerly awaited Help. Joe barely got off Cochise when Sam grabbed him and enveloped him in an emotionally powerful hug. 

“Well, I’m happy to see you, too, Sam”

Joe released himself. 

“You nearly squeezed the breath out of me.” 

 “Come on, Lily-liver, let’s go inside .”

“Who ya callin Lily-liver?” 

Sam just snickered.

As Joe walked up the path he noticed the house was in disrepair. Sam opened the door.  Steve Davis’s face lit up seeing the youngest Cartwright. Ben had sent a telegram notifying Davis of his son’s arrival. 

“Hey, Joe, it’s so good to see you. Come on in and meet my cat, Mouser. He’s a skilled hunter who keeps our rodent population in check.”  

Mouser purred in agreement.

Steve remained seated in his chair petting the cat. Joe’s eyes scanned the room and spotted crutches leaning against the wall.

“Steve, what happened to you?”

“First, get yourself settled and washed up. Sam made stew, biscuits, and coffee. There’s even dry apple pie on the menu. I’m sure after being on the trail, you’re ready for a good, home-cooked meal.  Sam, show Joe to his room.”

“Ok, Pa.” 

“Joe, I’ll stable Cochise and get your saddlebags. You’re in the first room on the right.”

Joe washed the dirt off his hands, face, neck, and chest. The cool water was refreshing. He stood only in his cotton, knee-length drawers awaiting Sam’s return with his saddlebags so he could change for dinner. While waiting, Joe’s mind drifted back to ten years ago, when the Davises lived on the Ponderosa. After working for Ben for two years as foreman, Steve got bitten by the gold digging bug. He settled his family in Owens Valley, California and worked in the mines.  Steve made enough money to buy a modest-sized spread to begin raising horses and cattle. Five years ago the Davis family visited the Cartwright clan. It was Joe’s eighteenth birthday. Ben wanted to surprise Joe, and boy, he did! 

Joe was shaken from his reverie when Sam charged into the room with the saddlebags in hand. 

“Don’t you knock?”

“Oh, Joe, sorry! I-I-I didn’t realize you were almost naked!”

“Well hand me my stuff and head out to the kitchen. I’m hungry!”

Sam was so flustered. 

Boy, has Joe filled out! He’s matured in all the right places since we saw him for his birthday party five years ago.

The well-defined muscles and trim body Sam ogled, took her breath away. 

Sam ran upstairs to change into more fitting attire for dinner since the boy she had had a crush on years ago was dining with them. 

Joe was seated at the table when Sam reappeared. His eyes lit up.

“Samantha, you look lovely!”

Her father almost spit out his water! Sam was a work duds tomboy who wore her hair in a top knot! Now, before his eyes was a transformed young lady. 

Steve thought, “Joe still has an effect on my daughter like no one else.”

Joe’s eyes focused on the once little bumps that were now full, rounded breasts. They filled the simple dress in an enticing way. Sam’s wavy, honey blonde hair cascaded down past her shoulders. Joe was dumbfounded by the beautiful nineteen-year-old who stood before him. 

It’s a good thing no one can see under the table. 

The twitching in his pants was a dead giveaway about how Sam’s appearance was affecting him.

A loud ahem came from Steve Davis’s throat. “Sam, I mean Samantha, are you going to serve the food tonight?” 

A soft, pink blush crept up her cheeks. 

“Yes, Pa. Hold your impatient horses,” Sam said, her eyes twinkling with a smile.

Conversation flowed while they enjoyed supper. The three friends reminisced about Steve working as the foreman for Ben ten years ago. Sam was nine, her brother, Lonnie and Joe were twelve, although Joe had insisted he was closer to thirteen.  The relationship was more like a sister and brothers. Joe and Lonnie were especially close.  During those years, there was a lot of teasing, dares, and fun.  

“Remember when I caught you and Lonnie spying on the older girls swimming in the lake? You had taken their clothes and were waiting for them to get out of the water so you could see them naked.”

Joe jumped in! “That’s enough, Sam! I just remember doing your chores for a month so you wouldn’t tell your pa or mine.”

Steve looked amused. Then a look of sadness crossed his face. “I miss Lonnie,” is all he said. 

Between 1862 and 1863, the Army and some settlers fought in the Owens Valley Indian Wars with the Paiute. At barely twenty, Lonnie had volunteered to fight.  Eight months after the war had begun, Steve learned that his son, along with some soldiers, had been captured and their bodies burned beyond recognition. 

“You know, Joe,  we only had ashes to bury. We don’t even know if they were Lonnie’s.”

To lighten the morose mood, Joe shared his story about the last sit-down dinner he had had with his family. Steve and Samantha almost fell off their chairs after hearing about Mrs. Potter’s unfortunate mishap. 

Then Joe turned serious.

“Okay,  I want you two to tell me why you told Pa you needed me or one of my brothers to come here,  that you were in desperate straits? What’s going on? Does it have anything to do with your injuries, Steve?” 

Sam spoke up, “I sent the telegram to your father. That’s why I signed it, S. Davis. I thought he may not take it seriously if he realized it was from the little girl who once lived on your ranch.  My father didn’t want to involve any of you, Joe, but the situation is getting worse!”

“Steve, like I asked, do your injuries have anything to do with your desperate straits?” 

“Pa doesn’t want to admit it, Joe, but too many bad things have happened. At first we thought it was coincidence or carelessness, but now we know something more sinister is happening.” 

“Explain!”

“About a month ago the horses got out of the corral. Pa thought I had left the gate open, but I knew I hadn’t. It took me all the next day to round up those animals. A few days later, the chickens were released from their coop- silly, small incidents, but enough to make you start thinking. Then things started escalating. While we were eating supper one night, we saw flames through the window. The shed had been set on fire. Pa and I extinguished it before the fire spread. The last straw was when Pa was climbing the ladder to the loft and fell. One rung toward the top of the ladder had been sawed down the middle. Looking at it, you couldn’t tell, but when Pa stepped on that rung, he was taken by surprise and…”

“I came crashing down, wrenching my back and breaking my right ankle.”

“Realizing that someone tampered with the ladder, I told Pa we needed help. That’s when I sent the telegram. I figured if I said “desperate straits,” your Pa would send one of you immediately.”

“Did you talk to the sheriff?”

“Joe, what would I say? I have no real proof. I would sound like a fool if I didn’t even have a suspect to report.  Anyway, you haven’t met our sheriff. He’s a buffoon!”

Joe had to snicker. Sam never minced words.

“Can you make a connection between these incidents and anything else that’s happened within the same time frame?” 

“The only thing I can think of is that a family with teenage twin boys moved into the old Jackson house a little over a month ago. We got that information from what we had heard in town. We’re not sure if there’s a ma, but there is a pa. This craziness started happening soon after they arrived.  Again, there’s no proof.”

“Another possibility is that after the Owens Indian War ended in 1863,  skirmishes continued to break out by small groups of Indians.  However, the problems we’re experiencing don’t sound like something Indians would do.”

Steve piped in,  “You see Joe, there are a couple of possibilities but we don’t know if there’s a connection to either one or neither one.”

With furrowed eyebrows Joe asked, “So what do you want me to do?”

“Honestly, Joe, I was hoping your father would have sent either Hoss or Adam. Hoss’s formidable size would scare anyone away, and Adam would do the same by his intimidating look.”

“Thanks a lot!”

“Why didn’t your father send one of them?”

“Adam moved away two months ago to pursue his dream of traveling, and Hoss has been taking up most of the slack. So you’re stuck with Little Lily-liver!”

Joe didn’t want to say that he was chosen more as a punishment. 

“Honestly, Joe, after seeing more of you than I should have, I know you can handle our problem.”

Joe gave Sam a sideways look.

Steve jumped in, “Well, we’re not going to solve anything tonight. Joe, you must be dead tired. Given your latest history of falling asleep at the table, I suggest you go to bed. We don’t want to lose any of our dishes or the food still sitting on the table!”

“Very funny, Steve. Yeah, I am pretty beat!”

 “Sam, you need help cleaning up?”

“You can assist tomorrow, Joe. Go to bed now, like Pa said.”

“Good night!”

Chapter Three

Joe couldn’t sleep.  His mind was too active. He kept rehashing the conversation from supper.

I agree with Sam. All the incidents they’ve experienced are not the Indian way. They wouldn’t have just released the horses and chickens.  They would have taken them! It’s possible they could have set the shed on fire, but sawing a rung on a ladder? Nah, I have to rule out Paiutes for now.

Teenage boys and pranks, although some were harmful, makes more sense to me.  We’ll definitely drop in on the new neighbors!

Enough thinking, Joe. Get some sleep!

In the morning, Joe shared his thoughts with Steve and Sam.  Steve thought pranks were the most logical possibility.  He agreed visiting the new neighbors was a good place to start.  However, Joe told Steve he wanted to wait a few days before he and Sam became the hospitality committee, welcoming the new neighbors to the Owens Valley area.

“I have some other priorities. First, Sam and I are going into town.  I want to send a telegram to my father to let him know I’m fine and everything is under control.

Joe laughed to himself.  Under control? Every instinct is screaming for me to beg my pa for the help he offered.

“Next, we’re going to talk to the sheriff to tell him what’s been happening here and see if we can get more information about the new family.  Finally, we’re picking up supplies. While you’re laid up, Steve, I want to help around the house.”  

Joe decided it was a better idea to stay close to the ranch so he could make repairs and keep an eye on any unusual activity. 

Joe and Sam said goodbye to Steve and headed outside to the barn. As they were saddling their horses, Joe turned to Sam,  “Don’t you have any ranch hands?”

“Yeah, Joe, Pa hired two Paiute men about a year ago and another one almost six months ago to work on the ranch. Their names are George, John, and Jim. They don’t use their Indian names. It was their choice, and we didn’t feel it was our place to question them. You haven’t seen them because they’ve been on a roundup for over a month. If they were here, I wouldn’t have needed you.”

“Unless they’re the culprits,” Joe whispered under his breath.

“What’d you say?”

“Well, you said the trouble began about a month ago and the three Indians left for a roundup around the same time. Don’t you find that a bit curious?”

“Joe, they’ve been with us for quite a while.  We have no reason to be suspicious of them.  They’re good men and hard workers.”

“Okay, Sam, but I’ll keep a close eye out for them. Let’s stick to our plan, and go into Bishop so I can send the telegram. You know how my father worries, although he’d never admit it.  Pa thought you might be having money problems.  Is that part of the dire straits?  I saw the condition of the outside of your house yesterday when we were walking up the path.  You can tell me to mind my own business, but is money also an issue?”

“Things are a little tight right now.  There are ranches that won’t do business with Pa anymore since he employed the Paiutes as ranch hands after the war.  If anyone should be holding a grudge, it should be me and Pa because of Lonnie,  but that’s not the type of people we are.  There are other settlers who hired the Paiutes as domestics, laborers, and ranch hands like we did.  Around 900 Indians were forcibly relocated to the Sebastian Indian Reservation near Fort Tejon when the war ended.  Harsh conditions and lack of supplies made many of them return to Owens Valley for survival reasons. That’s when some settlers started hiring them.  I think other ranchers would have a better attitude if there still weren’t minor skirmishes occurring near Independence and at Rock Spring. Things will normalize again, Joe, and we’ll be right back where we were financially.  I’ll introduce you to our three Paiute ranch hands when they get back from the roundup.”   

“Do you really trust them?”

“Joe, like I told you, they’ve been working for us for a while and have never done anything to make us mistrust them.”

“Maybe they’re still bitter. You don’t know, Sam. Think about it!  I’m just saying it’s a possibility. I’ll be keeping an eye out for them, like I said, and you should, too.”

Sam rolled her eyes and said, “Let’s get going, Mr. Suspicious.”

The telegram got sent off.  Then Joe and Sam headed to the sheriff’s office. Joe explained the incidents that had been occurring. Sam had described Sheriff Brown perfectly. He only listened to them half-heartedly. He was more focused on scratching, yawning, and picking his teeth. Uninterested was an understatement. 

“Listen, Sheriff, we came to you for some help. Is there anything you can tell us about new or suspicious people in the area?” 

Finally, Brown shared that a father and his twin teenage boys moved in a little over a month ago. They were the only new people to the sheriff’s knowledge.

“The only thing I heard is that they lived in the Independence area for a while, and have moved around a lot. Word is the father said they wanted to get a new start. “

Joe’s ears had perked up at the words, “new start.” New start from what? he thought. His suspicious mind was working overtime. 

“That’s all I know about them. Until they cause a problem here, I will leave them alone, and I’d advise you to do the same.  Understood?”

“Absolutely, Sheriff Brown.  We’re law-abiding citizens!  Thank you, Sir! We appreciate the information.” 

Brown went back to picking his teeth as Sam and Joe headed to the mercantile to pick up supplies. They felt they could breathe a little easier believing more and more that the incidents were probably nothing more than boys’ pranks.

After a few days working on the Davis ranch, Joe and Sam had repairs made and a fresh coat of paint on the house.  It looked much better. More importantly, no more incidents had occurred.

Joe decided it was time to welcome the new neighbors. He and Sam headed out to the old Jackson place the next day.  As they advanced toward the ranch, they saw one rather large-sized boy chopping wood and another boy of equal size whitewashing the barn.  The boys both looked up when they heard the horses approach. 

Sam spoke up first, “Hello! My name is Samantha Davis.  My Pa and I live on the Big D ranch about 10 miles from here.  We knew the Jackson family who lived here.  They moved several years ago, and the house has sat abandoned. Then we heard a new family moved in.  I’ve been meaning to welcome you to the Owens Valley area, but our ranch has kept me pretty busy.  By the way, this is my friend Joe Cartwright from Virginia City.  He’s visiting with me and Pa. Is your Pa here?”

“Nah, he’s in town gettin’ some supplies.  He won’t be back for a while and we have to get our chores done. So why don’t you get going.”

Joe spoke up,  “You’re not being very neighborly.  You haven’t even told us your names.”

“None of your business, Mister! Now, get off our property!”

Joe got off Coochise instead.

The boy who had been chopping the wood walked closer to Joe.  The oversized kid raised his axe, ready to swing it at Joe.  Joe’s quick draw and deadly aim shot the axe right out of the boy’s hand. The boy’s twin came storming over while his brother was cradling his burned hand. Joe abruptly ended that charge with a left hook to the boy’s jaw.

“Now, let’s try this again.  What’re names and why are you being so unsociable?  Do you have something to hide?”

“Listen, Mister, our pa don’t like strangers on our property.  He’s real strict about that and about us getting our work done.  He’ll have our hides if our chores ain’t done.”

“Okay, I get it.  We just want to know your names.”

The boy with the sore jaw answered, “I’m Larry and that’s my twin brother, Harry. We’re the Marshalls.” 

“Now, that wasn’t difficult!  Where’d you live before moving here?”

“Different places!”

“Was there a reason you moved so much? Maybe you used to get into trouble?” 

Harry shushed Larry. That conversation came to an abrupt end.

Sam spoke again,  “I guess you realize we just didn’t come up here to welcome you to the area.  Have you two been down to my ranch?” 

Like I said, that’s Sam.  She doesn’t beat around the bush!

“What are you talking about, Lady?”

“Listen, we told you to git off our property. Now go!”

“The lady asked you a question. You’d better speak up or we’ll haul your asses to the sheriff!”

“What are you going to charge us with, not speaking up?”

Harry and Larry were bent over with laughter.

Sam looked at Joe and gestured to him to leave. They weren’t getting anywhere with those two idiots.

Joe’s steely glare was unflinching.  “We’ll be watching your every move. If we see you anywhere near the Big D, you’ll regret it.”

With that, Sam and Joe headed out.

When they were far enough away, they dismounted.  Sam said, “What do you think, Joe?  Could they be the culprits?” 

“It’s possible, Sam. There’s something they’re hiding.  I’m going back to keep an eye on them and their place.  I want to wait until the father comes back. I gotta get a look at the guy who fathered these buffoons.”

That last statement brought on an attack of giggles.  Sam swatted Joe on his arm.

“Okay, okay.  Sam, go back home to make sure your father is okay. I don’t think he should be left alone too long. Anyway, weren’t your Indians due back today?”

Sam started to open her mouth, but Joe held up his open palm. “I know what you’re going to say.  They’ve worked for you for a while;  you trust them, and they’re good men.”

Sam smiled and just shook her head.  She was about to leave when Joe pulled her back and placed an unbridled, passionate kiss on her lips. 

“I’ve wanted to do that since the first night I saw ‘Samantha’ appear before my eyes. You looked beautiful!” 

Sam was breathless. She pressed her breasts against Joe’s chest and said, “I’m answering your kiss!”

“As much as I’d like to continue this conversation, it’s better if you head back to the ranch. I won’t be long. I promise we’ll pick up where we left off!”

Samantha gave Joe’s bulge a gentle squeeze. A low moan escaped from his throat. 

Joe, in turn, placed both hands on Sam’s rounded breasts and gently thrust his tongue into her mouth. Both were panting and wanting more, but Joe knew they each had an important job to do right now.

“Hurry back, Joe. You’ve awakened a feeling in me I’ve never experienced before!”

The throbbing Joe felt in his pants made him agree with Samantha. “You’ve certainly set me on fire!”

The setting sun caught Samantha’s radiant smile.  Then she mounted her horse and galloped away.

Joe got his arousal under control, tied Cochise to a tree, and walked back to the house.  He stayed at a safe distance so he wouldn’t be spotted. He positioned himself to have a good view through the window. Just like Joe thought, about thirty minutes later,  another person  arrived. It was a man. His hat was pulled down real low and his collar pulled up real high.  The man’s back was to Joe.

Is that the father? His stature and size look like that of a younger man, too young and small to be their pa.

Joe didn’t want to get any closer for fear of being detected.  

I wish the guy would turn around.

A rapid, powerful pounding shook Joe out of his thoughts.  He could feel the ground vibrate as a horse galloped into the yard.  It was an older and bigger man.

It certainly is busy here!  

Now that guy looks like he could be the twin’s father, but who’s that other man in the house?

Voices grew louder after the older guy entered the house. The only words Joe could make out the assumed father was saying were, “Gold, you owe me, and don’t come here again!” More words were exchanged but Joe couldn’t hear them.  Then the younger man bolted out the door, and went around the back. Joe could hear the thundering hooves as the stranger charged down the road.

The father slapped both boys around and was cursing. The boys stood frozen as their father dressed them down.  Joe wished he could make out what was being said. He stayed a while longer, but nothing more happened. Joe figured since he wasn’t getting any new information to share with Steve and Sam,  he would head back to the house. A beautiful young lady was awaiting his arrival. The sun had set, and the full moon was rising.

A perfect night for me and Sam to continue our conversation!

Chapter Four

As Joe rode into the Davis ranch, he noticed the house looked dark and quiet.  A sickly feeling seized Joe. His pounding heartbeat thundered in his ears.  Joe swung down from Cochise.  He drew his gun, tracking every shadow as he advanced toward the house.  What caught his eye caused him to freeze in place.  The moonlight shone on the wellhead where Mouser was hanging dead! 

Joe charged toward the front door and found it slightly ajar. He kicked it open!  Once inside, he lit a match and scanned the room.  The scene, with its overturned furniture screamed of a struggle.  Steve’s crutches lay on the floor in the middle of the debris. 

Joe found a lamp and lit it.  His mind was consumed by panic, but his body kept moving.

 “Sam, Steve, are you here?  Can you hear me?”  

Then Joe heard hoofbeats.  He extinguished the lamp.  Peering through the window, he could make out three riders.  As they drew closer to the house, Joe waited for the right moment, then sprang out.  “Throw your guns down and put your hands in the air!” 

“Who you?  Where Mr. Steve and Miss Sam?”

“That’s what I wanna know! Who are you?”

“Me George. He John.  He Jim. We work for Mr. Steve.”

“You’re the Paiutes Steve hired.  He said you were coming back earlier today.”

George spoke up, “Took longer than want.  Had to get calf out of muddy bog!”  

Joe had to stifle a giggle that was bubbling up from his throat remembering his own mishap.

Then Jim spoke, “Can put hands down?”

“No! I don’t know you, so I don’t trust you!” 

I need to think.

“How do I know you didn’t hurt Steve and Sam, that you didn’t take them somewhere?”

“Davis family kind to us.  Treat us good.  Like them,” John said.

Against my better judgement…

 “Okay, put your hands down, but make any sudden moves and I’ll shoot you!”

Joe still had his gun drawn as he led them into the house.  He had George light the lamp again. 

“Pick up the chairs and sit down! Remember, my gun is itching for action!”

Three sets of eyes peered at Joe. 

“We just get back from roundup. Gone for more than a month.”

“Now that’s interesting. The Davises started having problems around the time you say you left! How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

George’s voice boomed, “Paiutes no lie!”

Joe remembered his Pa telling him and his brothers that the Indians’ word was sacred. Joe desperately wanted to put his faith in these three men, but at this point, he didn’t know who to trust. 

“What trouble Mr. Steve and Miss Sam have?”

Suddenly, the floor vibrated with a strong, loud thumping. 

Jim jumped up, “Come from cellar!”

“Sit down before you visit your Great Spirit sooner than planned!”

“Move rug!” John piped in. 

Without any option, Joe said, “John, go do it!”

John did as he was told. A trap door was beneath the rug. John pulled the door open. Barely hanging on the ladder was Steve. 

“Need help!” 

“George, help him!”

They pulled Steve up and laid him on the floor. He was bleeding from the head and had been badly beaten.  Steve started to open his mouth to say something, but drifted into unconsciousness. 

Joe knew he had no choice but to trust the Indians. He finally holstered his gun. 

“Jim, please get some water and cloths. “

Joe went over to Steve. “Steve, where’s Sam?” 

There was no response.

John and George cleared off the couch and carefully lifted Steve onto it. 

Jim began cleaning off the blood from Steve’s head. With another cloth he proceeded to wipe his face and neck. 

Steve opened his eyes which were clouded with tears. “Oh Sam, my sweet daughter, please find her!”

“What happened?”

“Some big guy busted in and pummeled me. I kept asking what he wanted. He just said,  “Shut up!” “I couldn’t even fight back. He dragged me to the trap door.  That animal must have hit me on the head and dropped me down. I was knocked out but came to when I heard voices. It was Sam. She was yelling at him and I could hear her struggling. Mouser was growling and hissing. I started to move but must have passed out again.  I came to when I heard more voices. I recognized all of you. I pulled myself up and started pounding. And here I am.”

“Steve, did you recognize the guy?”

“No, his face was covered but I could see he was a big, heavyset man.”

“How’d the guy know you had a trap door under the rug to drop you down?”

All that talking weakened Steve.  He started to lose consciousness.

Joe was suspicious of the Indians once again. 

Were they working with this man and told him about the hidden door? 

Joe had to put that thought aside and focus on the guy who had beaten Steve so badly.  He needed to get more information before he could find Sam .

“Steve, Steve,  was the guy wearing overalls?”

Coming to again, Steve answered, “Yea, how’d you know?” 

“If it’s the man I’m thinking of, I saw him earlier tonight, probably after he left here!”

“Did he have Sam with him?”

With slumped shoulders and downward eyes,  Joe answered, “No, Steve.”

Joe straightened his posture,  “But I promise I’m going to find her and bring her back. Rest now.” 

Joe turned to Jim and told him to stay with Steve.

“Wait Joe, have you seen Mouser?”

Joe paused, and with a catch in his voice said,  “I’m sorry, Steve!” 

Joe turned abruptly.

“George, John…”  Then with hesitation said, “Get your guns!”

“We find Miss Sam. George make promise, too!”

Joe really wanted to trust the Indians, but he knew he couldn’t let his guard down.  He also wished his father and Hoss were there to help him. He never felt as alone and afraid as he did right now, but Joe knew what had to be done.

He took a breath, “Okay, you two, let’s go!”

Chapter  Five

Once again the Marshall ranch came into view. The three men dismounted and tied their horses to the trees. On foot, they crept closer to the house. Joe could only pray they’d find Sam somewhere on the property. His mind was being plagued by doubt.  Earlier when he was spying on the house, Sam was not with the man Joe believed to be the twin’s father.  There were more questions than answers, but for now Joe had to go by instinct. Having shared his plan with the Paiutes, it was time for action!

Peering through the window, Joe could see the father succumbing to his whiskey. 

He motioned to George and John to go around back to get into the house and apprehend the twins. 

After counting to ten, Joe came crashing through the front door. The father bolted up and tried to grab for his gun, but the whiskey’s effects slowed his reflexes. Joe was on him like a wild beast. He delivered a powerful punch into the man’s belly. Joe heard a loud whoosh of air expelled from the man’s lungs as he went down. Joe hauled the guy back up to his feet and unleashed his best left hook to the father’s jaw that slammed him back into his chair.

George and John herded the two tied up boys into the same room with their father. 

“I believe I have your attention now, Mr. Marshall, if that’s what your name is!  Start talking!”

“I don’t know what you’re jawin’ about!”

With narrowed, piercing eyes, Joe spoke in a menacing, low voice, “Try again, you bastard! I saw you come back here earlier today after you left the Davis place. Steve described you.”

Marshall’s eyes widened.

“Yes, he came to just long enough to give us the details we needed to come after you.”

“I got nothin’ to say!”

With that George took out his knife and pulled Larry’s tongue out. 

“Your sons will have nothing to say if you no answer!”

You could smell the boys’ panic. 

Harry screamed, “Please, Pa, don’t let him do this to us, please!”

Blood began dripping from Larry’s tongue.  His terror-filled eyes and bloodcurdling, guttural sounds, had Harry retching and their father finally shouting, “STOP!”

George had only nicked Larry’s tongue, but the dramatic bleeding delivered the desired results.

“Alright, Marshall, George isn’t in a good mood. Start talking or he’ll pay you the next visit! Where’s the girl?”

“I don’t know, and that’s the truth!  My job was to get rid of the father, but not kill him. Then I had to wait to get the girl alone and bring her to a spot about a mile outside of Bishop where some guy would be waiting. I didn’t see him.  He stayed in the shadows. I handed over the girl and was ordered to leave!”

Joe couldn’t wrap his head around what was just said. 

Joe pulled his gun and pressed it into Marshall’s temple.  “I’m losing patience!  Who told you to do it? Who was your contact person?  How did you know when to go to the house and when Sam would be alone.  Oh yea, and how’d you know there was a trap door? I have a lot of questions and little patience, so you’d better give me something, and quick!”

With sweat dripping and breathing labored,  Marshall blurted out, “I was Corporal Jack Marshall before getting dishonorably discharged. My last assignment was at Camp Independence during the Owens Valley Indian Wars.  I was caught stealing rations and selling them to some of the miners. The army strung me up by my thumbs with my feet barely touching the ground. They also whipped me, and bucked and gagged me. Then I got thrown into the brig. When I finished my time, I got thrown out of the army with two kids and nothing but the shirt on my back.  I hated the army for doing that to me.”  

Joe rolled his eyes. Yeah, doing that to him!

“Go on!”

“I met this Indian who was an Eastern Mono war leader.  Even though the war officially ended in 1863, he refused to participate in treaties or go off with his people.  He continued to take part in hostilities.  Me and my boys would steal food and supplies wherever we could to help him out. It was my way of gettin’ even with the army.  We moved around so we wouldn’t get caught.”

“Who was the Indian?” 

“I can’t tell.”

“George,  bring your knife over here.  If he’s not gonna talk, he doesn’t need his tongue!”

“Joaquin Jim. That’s who it was.  He stopped fighting in 1864, but never surrendered and was never captured.”   

“Give me more!”

“He found me a couple of months back and said he had cut his hair and got a job in the Bishop area a few months before he contacted me.  He wanted me to settle here, too.”

“Why?”

“He just said he needed me and my boys to help him get revenge on some settlers. Turns out it was the people you know.  I had my boys do some things on the ranch for the past month. You know, to shake up the family. Didn’t expect you to come.  I’ve been watching the house for days and today I saw you and the girl leave.  I waited until it was safe. Then I broke into the house and took care of the old man.  I beat him up and dumped him in the cellar.  Figured when you and the girl came back, I’d shoot you and take the girl.”

With his nostrils flared and his jaw clenched, Joe lunged for Jack but pulled back quickly. 

Joe’s eyes grew wide!

“Steve! Dear God. We left Jim with him!” 

In a lethal tone Joe said, “You’d better hope he’s alive!”

“John, stay with these animals. “

“George, come with me!”

The horses were pushed beyond their limits. Joe and George leapt from their mounts and smashed through the front door! They were stunned by the sight! Jim was feeding Steve some broth. Well, that was until Joe and George burst through the door. Both men jumped, and the broth went sailing! Airborne food was becoming a trend, thanks to Joe!

“Joe! George! What’s wrong?”

“Steve, are you okay? Jim hasn’t tried to kill you?”

“Kill me? Jim hasn’t stopped caring for me!”

Jim looked astonished. 

“You’re not Joaquin Jim?” 

‘No, Paiute name,  Bheem. Mean strength, courage. I change to Jim.”

“Joe, where’s Sam? Who told you Jim was this Joaquin Jim?”

“The guy who beat you up and took Sam! He spins a real believable tall tale! Wait until I finish with that bastard. He’s gonna wish he had never been born!”

“Find Sam, Joe!”

Joe nodded.  Then he and George bolted out of the house. 

Their horses’ hooves were pounding the ground once again. Joe and George got back to the Marshall place, or whatever their name was, in record time. 

The place looked deserted.  Both men dismounted and started toward the house. Joe and George both jerked to a halt when they heard the rustling of leaves. Out of the shadows came one man. 

Joe drew his gun as he flipped around. 

“Sheriff, you shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!”

“Sorry, Joe. I got curious after your visit a few days ago and decided to come up and check things for myself. Looks like we’re too late.”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you after we get inside.”

Even though the house seemed abandoned, they didn’t take any chances and kept their guns drawn. Inside, ropes were on the floor. They had been clean cut with a knife. The only knives sharp enough belonged to the Indians, not that Marshall scum.

Was another Paiute involved? Was the Indian John the contact person? Could they be part of one of the skirmish groups?

Jack, Larry, Harry, and Indian John were gone.  It would be dark in a couple of hours but Joe knew they had to track these men while the trail was still fresh. Joe filled the sheriff in on what had happened. 

George and Joe were excellent trackers. For a split second, time stood still as their brains realized where the Marshall’s and Paiute John were heading. Flying at lightning speed, they returned to the Davis ranch. Both Steve and Jim were no longer there. 

Once again, Joe’s mind worked furiously. 

What is going on? Is this a skirmish group seeking revenge?  Who is the mastermind behind the plan? 

Joe’s head was ready to explode.

There are too many twists and turns. It’s getting so complicated. I only have the questions and no answers.

George looked at the tracks heading away from the house. He knew their plan.  

“They go to granite rocks and caves. This their destination.”

The sheriff decided he’d go back to town to form a posse.

“We can’t wait for you to do that.  George and I are heading out to the rock formations and caves located about 13 miles north of Bishop.”

“Be careful.  I’ll get there as soon as I can.”  

Then the sheriff took off.

“George, I have to ask, are you working with these kidnappers?”

“No, I am man of peace.  John and Jim good men, can be trusted.”

“You sounded just like Sam.  Let’s go!”

Chapter Six

The moonlight was a welcome friend as George led Joe to the caves where settlers had utilized them as temporary shelters. Joe was thankful George was with him, even though he still wasn’t sure he could trust him one hundred percent. Right now, Joe didn’t have a choice.  

They finally reached the granite rock formations and caves. The first two caves Joe and George checked were deserted.  As they reached the third cave, voices could be heard.  Joe and George inched their way in. This cave was rather shallow so the pair didn’t have to go too deep into it. As they got to a better vantage point,  Joe and George could see the hostages.  Steve appeared to be in bad shape.  Sam was next to him trying to keep him comfortable. Jim and John were tied up. Finally, Joe believed the Indians weren’t part of the scheme.  Larry and Harry were seated on the floor with their guns leveled at the hostages.  Jack Marshall was impatiently pacing around.

“I asked you before, “What are you going to do with us?  Why are we here?”

“Shut up, Bitch!  I told you before, all in good time!  I’m waiting for my partners.”

“After watching you for the past couple of hours, I know who you are now!  You’re John Barry! You came to our ranch four years ago looking for a job. Pa hired you and you stole from us!  He didn’t press charges because you had the boys. Pa kicked you off the ranch and told you to never return.”

“You got it! I finally settled the score with your old man for doing that to me. Beat him up pretty good, too, didn’t I? Gave me some satisfaction.  Because of him I had to join the army so I could get food and shelter for me and my boys. Got into trouble there too. But now things are gonna get better.  Gettin’ gold for kidnapping you.  It don’t matter me tellin’ you ‘cause you’re never gonna get a chance to tell nobody what we done!”

“Why didn’t you kill my father instead of just beating him?”

“Cause my partner wants the satisfaction of doin’ it!”

Horses’ hooves could be heard approaching.  Joe and George didn’t know if it was the sheriff and posse or Barry’s partners.  George motioned to Joe and they hid behind a formation of rocks. Joe was grateful he was with a man who knew this area so well. 

Two more riders could be seen through a cloud of dust.  

It’s not the sheriff and his posse! Must be the partners. One of them is the young guy I saw at Marshall’s, I mean Barry’s house.  His hat was pulled down real low, collar pulled up high, and still is.

They dismounted and entered the cave.  Joe and George listened attentively. 

“Did you get the gold you promised me?”  Barry asked. 

Joe and George had to strain their ears to hear the response.  The man spoke in a low, raspy, whisper.

“You’ll get your gold!  The job’s not finished yet!”

Then the man speaking turned to face the hostages. 

“Hello, Pa.  Hello, little sister. Bet you’re surprised to see me!”

“Lonnie?”

“In the flesh, or what’s left of it!”

Steve gasped. His chest was heaving.  Sam tried to calm him down, but her own heart hammered against her ribs.  Shock was etched on their faces!

Trying to get her breathing under control, Sam said, “We were told you were dead, burned alive.  The army sent ashes to us.  They weren’t sure if they were yours, but Pa and I buried them, thinking it was you, or what was left of you.  Why didn’t you tell us you were alive?”

His body trembling with fury, “I’m only half alive!”

Then a sinister laugh could be heard.  

 “But soon you’re not going to be alive at all!”

“Why,  Lonnie?  Please talk to me, son?”  Steve labored to ask the questions.

“Why? You ask me why?”  Lonnie ripped off his hat and pulled down his collar.  Look at me! I’m a freak.  I’m forever disfigured.  The Indians did this to me and you hired them to work on our ranch.  You’re a traitor, and you must be punished!  Enough talk now!”

Lonnie turned to his other partner. “Marty, did you pick a good cave?” 

“Yea, Lonnie, nice and deep! Only their bones will be found one day.

Joe had to get a plan together, and fast!

“Lonnie, wait!  How’d you survive?”

“Tell her, Mr. Barry.”

“Me and my boys was hiding and saw what was going on.  After the Indians set the tied up prisoners on fire,  they left.  We saw one was a settler, recognized it was Steve Davis’s son,  so we pulled him from the fire.  Lonnie was out of his head, screaming in pain for weeks.  We took care of him knowing we could get something out of it.  He told us Steve had gold hidden somewhere in the house. Took over six months before Lonnie was healed enough to get around. We did what was needed to survive.  Then we worked on the plan for Lonnie to get revenge and eventually get the gold. ”

“I couldn’t understand, Pa, why you didn’t come looking for me.  Why weren’t you there to protect me from ridicule and name calling?  I was shunned and made to feel less than human. You abandoned me!”

“Lonnie, we believed you were dead! Don’t you understand?”

It was as if Lonnie never heard his father and just continued raving.

“I heard Indians were working on our ranch. I didn’t believe it. Then I saw it!  You were helping the enemy, the savages who did this to me!  That’s why you must be destroyed!”

Lonnie looked at his broken father. A tear trickled down Lonnie’s cheek. For a moment he seemed to regain his sanity and compassion. 

Then the irrational young man reappeared.  “No more talking.  Let’s go! Now your torture will begin!” 

As everyone got ready to move to the deeper cave, riders could be heard coming. Joe’s wish materialized.  Riding with the sheriff were his father and Hoss. 

As Marty poked his head out to check, George came from behind the rock and plunged his knife into the man’s back. 

Joe looked over, “One down!”

John Barry called out to Marty.  Silence answered him.

Joe and George rushed in with their guns drawn.

“Sorry, Marty’s taking a permanent nap. If you don’t want the same, you’d better put your guns down!”

Lonnie grabbed Sam and pressed his gun to her head. 

‘Lonnie, don’t be foolish. You’ll never get away!”

“If it isn’t my good friend, Joe Cartwright.  Wish we had more time to talk over old times, but as you can see, I’m in a bit of a hurry! Now, move out of the way or Sam gets her brains blown out.”

Joe did as he was told. Lonnie, keeping Sam in a tight hold, left. Minutes later, the sheriff, Ben, and Hoss were in the cave.  Joe’s eyes connected with his father’s. They reflected relief, fear, and sadness. Ben squeezed Joe’s shoulder. Then Joe flew out of the opening and began climbing the rocks to follow Lonnie and Sam.

Ben went over to Steve as Hoss and Sheriff Brown took care of the kidnappers. 

George released his friends from their bondage.

“Ben!” Steve gasped,  “Go after our children!”  And with those final words, Steve succumbed to both his physical injuries and his heartbreak. 

Ben closed Steve’s eyes and drew his friend’s hands together.  After saying a silent prayer, Ben got up and charged out of the cave. Looking up, he saw his son leaping from rock to rock in pursuit of Lonnie and Sam. Ben followed at a slower pace. 

Joe had almost caught up with Lonnie and Sam when for some reason, Lonnie stopped abruptly. Keeping a tight grip around Sam’s neck with one arm while holding the gun to her head with the other hand, Lonnie yelled, “Cartwright, I will find you guilty of aiding the enemy and will be forced to kill you, too. Now turn and leave!”

“Lonnie, Sam is not your enemy. She’s your sister.  Let me help you. Your injuries not only disfigured your face but they also warped your mind. Listen to me, Lonnie. I read about a doctor. His name is Dr. Gurdon Buck and he works out of New York Hospital as a plastic surgeon.  He has treated burn and facial wounds men received during the Civil War. He’s had a lot of success.  Pa and I will get you the help you need.”

All the while talking, Joe moved closer and closer. Ben kept moving, too. Lonnie seemed to be listening and understanding Joe’s words. 

Then Lonnie started shaking his head violently back and forth and screamed out, “No! You’re the traitors!  You were helping the Paiutes, the ones who did this to me! Don’t take another step.”

Sam spoke between sobs, “Lonnie, please listen to Joe. Let us get you the help you need. Please, Lonnie. I love you. You’re my big brother!”

Lonnie tenderly kissed Sam on the side of her head. Then without warning, while still maintaining a hold on Sam, turned the gun on Joe and fired. Joe got off a shot and hit Lonnie in the chest. Lonnie looked into Joe’s eyes with a grateful expression. As he began to tumble off the side of the cliff, Joe grabbed Sam freeing her from Lonnie’s grasp. 

“Lonnie!” she screamed.

Sam collapsed into Joe’s arms. Her weeping echoed through the rock formations!

Ben was by Joe like a shot when he saw Joe slumping down. Blood was seeping from Joe’s side. Ben pulled Joe’s shirt up and pressed his neckerchief on the wound.

Calling below, Ben said, “Joe’s been shot!” George and John hastened to their location and carried Joe down. Ben held tightly to a trembling Samantha. He didn’t have the heart to tell her, her father was dead, too.

Back on the ground, they saw the criminals tied to their horses. 

Sam froze. A loud gasp escaped her lips as she saw her father’s body covered and laid across his saddle.  Unable to handle anymore heartache, Samantha collapsed.

Hoss ran over with the canteen and splashed water on her face. As she came to, Hoss put water to her lips. With tears streaming from her eyes she looked at Hoss the same way she did as a little girl when she was hurt. Hoss lifted her into his arms and held Sam close. He hoisted her onto Chub and then climbed on behind her. Sam looked like a rag doll. Hoss’s heart broke for her. 

George lifted a semiconscious Joe onto Buck. Ben put his arms around Joe and whispered, “Stay with me, son,” as Joe slumped back on his father.

With everyone settled, Sheriff Brown, John,and George, took John Barry, Larry, Harry, and Marty’s body back to town. The sheriff said he’d send the doctor out to the house. 

Jim took Steve’s body and followed the Cartwright’s back to the ranch. 

Chapter Seven

The doctor, having treated both Joe and Sam, said they needed fluids and rest.  He left laudanum for both of them. Ben stayed with Joe and Hoss sat with Samantha. 

Sleeping in a chair next to Joe’s bed,  a voice awoke Ben in the early morning. 

“Pa, Pa.”

“Good morning! How are you feeling?”

“Weak. I have a sharp, burning pain in my side.”

Ben stirred the laudanum in a glass of water and helped position Joe so he could drink the mixture. 

“Come on, son, swallow this.”

Ben was always entertained watching Joe shudder and scrunch up his face taking the medicine. 

After the laudanum took effect, Ben left Joe’s room to check on Samantha. She, too, was sleeping. At least for a brief time,  the medicine allowed Sam to escape her reality. 

“Hey, Pa, how’s Joe?”

“Sleeping.  Besides recuperating from his bullet wound and loss of blood, he and Sam are both physically and emotionally exhausted.”

A knock on the front door disturbed Hoss and Ben’s conversation. Ben answered the door. It was George. 

“We go back and get body of son. Father and son together now.”

“Thank you, George. When Sam is ready, we’ll bury them side by side.”

“John pick up boxes. We put bodies in them. Holes dug the way of white man. Ready when Miss Sam ready.”

“Thanks, George.”

“How Mr. Joseph and Miss Sam?”

“Please come inside.”

Both men sat in the kitchen.

“Joe’s in pain but I gave him medicine to sleep. Sam is also sleeping.”

“I go now. Will do ranch chores.” 

“George, I want you to know how grateful I am to you for fighting by Joseph’s side to rescue Sam and your friends.”

“Mr. Cartwright, I am man of peace, but will fight injustice. Your son very brave young man. You must be proud father.”

“I am, George, or should I say, Captain George.”

“How you know?”

“I had read about you in the newspaper. You were the Paiute war chief who led your people in the Owens Valley Indian Wars. And you are the same chief who spoke with Colonel Evans at Camp Independence sharing the desire of the Paiute people to have peace and friendship with the white settlers. You are credited for ending the war in 1863. You are a truly great man.”

George nodded his appreciation in his humble way.

Ben told George to get Jim and John and join him and Hoss for breakfast. 

They all enjoyed eggs, bacon, bread, coffee, and conversation. After several hours of  partaking in a much-needed relaxing breakfast, the three ranch hands got up to leave to do their chores. 

Ben said, “I’m sure Joseph will want to see you when he’s up to it.” 

George answered, “Would like that.”

“Hoss, I’m going to look in on Joe. Would you please check on Sam?  Maybe she’ll feel like eating something. If you don’t mind, son, also clean up the kitchen.”

Hoss rolled his eyes, but nodded his head in the affirmative. Ben smiled at his agreeable son. Ben’s wives may have been taken early, but they left him sons who were true blessings.

Ben poked his head into Joe’s room. “I see you’re awake. Can you handle eating a soft-boiled egg?”

“Maybe a little later.”

“How’s the pain?”

“Under control for now.  Pa, do you have time to talk?”

“Of course, Son.”

Ben walked into the room and sat down on Joe’s bed. He did a quick check for a fever. Thankfully, Joe felt cool to the touch. 

“What would you like to talk about?“

“First, I’ve been wondering what made you and Hoss come out here?”

“Joseph, one day when you’re a father, you’ll learn to read between the lines. As soon as I read your telegram, ‘Everything is under control,’ I knew something was wrong. Call it a father’s intuition. I’ve learned to read my youngest son pretty well.”

Joe smiled for a brief moment. 

Then Ben could see Joe’s chin begin to quiver. That was always a sure sign his son was fighting to control his emotions. 

“I didn’t want to kill Lonnie. We had been like brothers. He didn’t give me a choice.”

 A tear rolled down Joe’s cheek. Using his thumb, Ben wiped it away.

“Joe.” Ben said, “You didn’t have a choice. Lonnie’s scars from the fire not only physically disfigured him, but also twisted his mind. He was a tortured young man which distorted his thinking. He was no longer the Lonnie we knew. You did what you had to do.”

“You know, Pa, I think Lonnie wanted me to kill him. Right before he died, his eyes locked onto mine. They were filled with gratitude.”

This last vision that flashed before Joe’s eyes, mixed with memories of good times shared by friends who were more like brothers,  shattered Joe’s resolve.  Despite his best efforts, tears streamed down his face.

Ben gathered his broken child into his arms, “Let it out, son!”

Joe accepted his father’s comfort and then reined in his emotions.  He looked up at his pa, his eyes glistening with tears. In those same eyes, beyond the sadness, were love and gratitude. 

“Thanks Pa!”

“I’m so proud of you, Joe! You risked your life trying to save Steve, Sam, and the Paiutes. Because of you, Sam is safe and Lonnie was released from his torturous life. You’re a hero, Joseph.

Ben stroked Joe’s hair.  He knew he couldn’t take his son’s pain away, but he could offer comfort and support to soothe Joe’s trauma.  

Knowing how important it was for Joe to regain his strength, Ben said, “How about that egg now?”

“Alright!  Pa, can you help me up so I can see Sam?”

“Joe, you’re weak from loss of blood, and on top of that, you’re almost naked.”

“It’s okay, Pa. Sam’s seen me like this before.”

“Can’t wait to hear this story!”

“I don’t share everything with you!”

Ben raised his eyebrows and gave Joe a playful smirk.  It was good to see his son joking.

“Honestly, Joe, let’s wait another day. Humor your father.  Rest and build up your strength.  Plus tomorrow you’ll have clothes on!”

“Very funny, Pa!”

The next day, a private funeral was held. Ben and Hoss stood by Joe and Sam providing them with both physical and emotional support.  Ben gave a beautiful eulogy for Steve and Lonnie. Sam found comfort in his words. 

Joe gently guided Sam away from the graves before the coffins were covered with dirt. They headed for the bench under the tall pine tree. Joe’s energy was just about spent and he needed to sit.

“Joe, I’ve decided to give the ranch to George. After learning who he is and what he did to secure peace, he deserves the land. Jim and John can stay on if they wish.  Perhaps they’ll bring some of their people here as well. Hopefully, they will have happy experiences like Pa, Lonnie, and I did. 

“You know, Sam,  Pa said you can live with us or at least stay until you’re ready to decide what you want to do.”

“I’m going to live with my aunt, my mother’s sister, in San Francisco. I don’t want any reminders of what happened.”

In a shaky, hesitant voice, Sam struggled with her next words,  “That includes you, Joe. As much as I would have loved to explore where our relationship could have gone, our connection holds too much sadness and pain. Lonnie’s death would always be between us.”

“Sam, I didn’t want to kill him!”

“Oh, Joe,  I’m not blaming you at all.  You saved my life!  Lonnie didn’t give you a choice.”

“Pa said the same thing.”

“That’s because it’s the truth.  I hope you truly believe it.”

“The reason I can’t be with you or your family is because it would be a constant reminder of the horrific tragedy of losing Lonnie and my father.  I need to get as far away as possible from this nightmare.  Do you understand, Joe?”

“Yes, I do understand, Sam, but I love you!” 

Sam and Joe fought to control the tears welling up in their eyes.  

“And I you, Joe! You’ll always have a big piece of my heart!”

Silence fell upon the friends.

Then Joe perked up, “Let’s try to enjoy our time together before we all leave.”

“Joe…”

“No more words are necessary, Samantha.”

The young friends held each other tightly. Their tears spilling over symbolized the loss they were feeling for what could have been. 

“I wish with all my heart things were different.  I have loved you since I was that little, annoying nine-year-old girl on the Ponderosa.”

“You were annoying, weren’t you?” 

Sam smacked Joe on the arm, and their tears quickly turned to laughter.  

“Maybe one day, Joe…!”

A passionate kiss sealed their everlasting love.

Epilogue 

A week after the funeral, Joe was well enough to travel home to the Ponderosa. Before leaving, the Cartwrights put Samantha on the stagecoach to San Francisco. Steve indeed had gold hidden in a safe place in the house.  It had been set aside for his children. Sam would be financially secure for life now. The goodbyes were very emotional. Even though Sam had said, “Maybe one day, Joe…!”  they both knew in their hearts they would never see each other again. They shared too much sadness and pain.

During the week preceding their departures,  Joe, Sam, and George testified against John, Larry, and Harry Barry. John Barry was found guilty of murder since his actions were the direct cause of Steve dying. The elder Barry was sentenced to death and hanged the next day. Neither Sam nor the Cartwrights attended. Larry and Harry were sent to prison for fifteen years for their involvement in the plot to kill Steve, Sam, Jim, and John.  Sheriff Brown turned out to be a pretty decent man after all. 

Before the Cartwrights left, George told Joe that the story John Barry shared about Joaquin Jim was half true. He and his sons did supply him with food and other items, but there was never a plot to kill the Davis family. Joe shook his head thinking about how they believed that tall tale. The flashback of bursting into Steve’s house thinking that Jim was this Joaquin guy and picturing the broth flying through the air, put a smile on Joe’s face. 

Heartfelt goodbyes took place between the Cartwrights and the Paiutes. George and Joe had forged an especially deep bond. Sam was right, her Indian ranch hands were truly good men. 

The End

Author’s notes: 

Some history was infused into this fictional story.

During the Civil War, Dr. Gurdon Buck was a prominent figure in pioneering plastic surgery, particularly for facial reconstruction.

The Owens Valley Indian War was also known as the Owens Valley Paiute War. It arose over land and resources as more settlers moved into the region.  Settlers and the US Army fought against the Indians from 1862-1863. However, small skirmishes continued in the area until 1867.

Joaquin Jim was an Eastern Mono war chief from the Owens Valley region of California. He actively fought against the settlers and the US Army refusing to surrender or make peace. He continued fighting until 1864, and was never captured. There’s nothing definitive to say how he died, however one account suggests it was from overeating! Another says he was killed by one of his own warriors.

Captain George was the Paiute war chief leader who initiated peace talks with the US military at Camp Independence in 1863 and effectively ended the war.

Published by smp4ever

Bonanza is like comfort food for me. Watching the reruns brings me back to my childhood when Little Joe first rode into the heart of a little nine year old girl. Joining Just Joe in March of 2024 has been beneficial, enjoyable, and therapeutic for me. I began writing fanfiction last year. This is my sixth story. I also participated in the round robin with two other members. The writing experience has been both challenging and rewarding. The weekly drabbles we’ve been doing are so much easier!! However, I love when a new story comes to life. It really is like watching a brand new episode.