What Happened in Placerville…

2026 February Round-up Challenge

by

Beppina

Ben Cartwright paced along the boardwalk. He was bored, hot, and annoyed. The stage to Sacramento was late—again. That wasn’t unusual. Joe, his youngest and most irascible son, wasn’t in the least bothered. He’d chanced his luck once with a quick beer while Ben had remonstrated with the stage office, and was now contemplating a second. Would he get away with it?

“Reckon I’ve got time for another, Pa?” He ventured as Ben grumbled.

The decision was made for him. The stagecoach rolled to a halt on Main Street in a cloud of clinging, choking dust. The horses snorted and stamped, impatient to continue their run.

“Sorry, we’re late, folks.” Bunny Carter shouted down. “A bit of a hold up in Carson. All aboard now, next stop Placerville!”

Ben ushered Joe ahead of him, anxious to be moving, then climbed into the cramped, overheated and stale-smelling coach.

“At last,” he muttered, his face showing his obvious displeasure.

Ben’s demeanour changed in an instant. “Good afternoon, Ladies.” He tipped his hat in greeting, smiled and sat facing the elder of the two. He cast a glance at Joe, who was sitting and grinning, in the far corner opposite a pretty, blonde, younger woman.

“Looks like we’ve got company to Placerville, Pa.” Joe chirped, a broad smile filling his face.

“Um, yes. Ladies, may I introduce myself? Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa, and this is my son Joseph.”

The elder of the two, an elegant and attractive, auburn-haired woman, smiled in greeting. “Cecilia Lincoln, and my daughter, Kaziah. Pleased to make your acquaintance, gentlemen.”

The stagecoach lurched forward, dust blowing into the carriage, springs creaking, then rolled away to the sound of Bunny urging his horses to a gallop.

Once on the trail to Placerville, Ben and Cecilia began to chat. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, enchanted with Cecilia as she shared the news from Carson City and Sacramento. They discussed the latest politics and questioned if ‘The War’ would reach Nevada. She shared that her husband was a mine owner in San Francisco, although she lived in Boston. It suited her that they lived apart most of the time. Ben told of his sons, the Ponderosa, and of being single.

 Joe and Kaziah held a different conversation. They leaned close, heads almost touching, and talked about parties, dancing, and all the things that amuse twenty-two-year-olds.

Joe was surprised at how offhand and dismissive she sounded about her fiancé back east, and how she hadn’t seen him for over a year.

That was not Joe’s way; he liked his girlfriends close to home. He couldn’t imagine a year away from someone he loved. She thought Joe was a charming, handsome young man, so very different from her staid, somewhat boring betrothed.

There was an obvious attraction between the youngsters, and some serious flirting was happening; Kaziah’s laughter as Joe teased her, and the whispered conversations hidden behind her fan.

Hours later, the new friends arrived at the hotel in Placerville.

Ben and Joe wined and dined the Lincoln ladies in fine style, then wished them goodnight at their bedroom doors. Father and son had separate rooms on the upper floor, and after a brief conversation, made their way to bed.

Joe sprawled on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He strained to hear his father moving about. His patience ran out as he listened, waiting to hear Ben snoring through the wooden walls. Fifteen minutes had passed when he decided to risk the nocturnal visit to the lower floor. His destination was Kaziah’s door.

Catlike, Joe crept from his room. He checked that the coast was clear, closed the door without the slightest click, and tiptoed down the corridor to the stairs.

Joe rapped on the door with the lightest of touches. To his surprise, it opened mid-tap.

“Quick,” Kaziah hissed, grabbed his shirt and pulled Joe into the room. “I hoped you would come. I’ve been waiting for you!” She whispered as she bolted the door, her eyes bright with excitement and expectation.

Joe stepped back, his eyes almost popping out of his head. Kaziah stood in the flimsiest nightgown. Candlelight revealed every inch of her perfect body through the gauzy fabric.

“Oh, my…” Joe gulped, his heart racing.

Kaziah took control. She unbuttoned Joe’s shirt and pulled it from his pants. Her tongue flicked across his lips as her fingers moved lower to his waist. Joe was soon as naked as she was, and for once in his life, he was the one being seduced! Discarding her gown on the floor alongside Joe’s clothing, she positioned herself on the bed.

“I want you.” She sighed and pulled Joe to his knees before her. Joe didn’t need a further invitation…

Meanwhile, Ben had also listened out for any sounds from his son’s room. When he thought the hall was empty, he too made his way down the stairs to Cecilia’s room.

He hesitated, thought he heard Joe, then continued. He was a grown man, a father, a respected figure; he should know better! But he had been invited, and had needs.

He gave a gentle tap on the door and was admitted to the lady’s bedroom. Like her daughter, Cecilia was also in a state of undress. Though not quite as obvious as Kaziah. She, too, had designs on a night of passion with Ben Cartwright.

“Come here,” Cecilia beckoned, leading him to the bed. “You know what I want, don’t you?” She purred, her face inches from his.

Ben’s jaw tightened, and his breathing caught in his chest as, piece by piece, his clothing was placed on a chair.

“You know this isn’t wise,” he breathed in her ear.

“Yes, but who’s to know? Only you and me. I’m not going to tell, are you?” she whispered between kisses. Cecilia led the way. She kissed and fondled Ben’s chest, her tongue worked its way down until Ben groaned in anticipation of what was to come…

Breakfast was hurried. The stage was leaving at nine sharp. Ben and Joe, both in high spirits, although a little tired, enjoyed the cooked breakfast with hot, strong coffee. The hotel had provided lunch for them for the next stage of their journey to Sacramento.

The Lincoln ladies were not joining them.

Climbing aboard the stagecoach and catching the lingering smell of women’s perfume, Ben grinned at his son. With a wink, he chuckled, “ Joseph — what happened in Placerville, stays in Placerville. Do you understand, Son?”

Returning the wink, Joe grinned. “Whatever you say, Pa. Whatever you say!”

The End

Rating PG

Word Count 1092

06.02.26