The Search

2026 September Round-Up Challenge

By smp4ever

After traveling over the past month, I find myself in the next town on my journey, standing at a bar, sipping a warm beer. I snap my head to the left. The smile on my face fades instantly when the voice I hear doesn’t match the face I turned to see. I could have sworn she sounded just like Melanie. Where are you, Mel? I ask for the one hundredth time.

Unfolding the crumpled telegram I had shoved into my pocket two weeks ago, I read the words once again:  

JOSEPH, COME HOME. MELANIE PRESUMED DEAD, NO BODY FOUND, ONLY HER BLOODSTAINED BLOUSE. SEARCH CALLED OFF.

With a weight like a boulder pressing on my chest, I fight for every breath. How can my Melanie be dead? I refuse to believe it even though the odds are against me. But it’s my heart that makes me push on.

I drag myself over to my hotel room. Too tired to do much else, I kick off my boots and flop down on the bed. As I stare at the ceiling, my mind drifts back to two months ago. Every detail comes flashing back.

**********

Melanie Taylor and I were holding hands, appearing not to have a care in the world as we strolled along under the towering, scented ponderosa pine trees overlooking the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. The picture-perfect setting made the day even more unforgettable. I had just proposed to Mel. Her giggles and screams echoed against the granite rocks and gave me my answer. Melanie was leaping with joy–her wavy blonde hair tossing wildly as she twirled and whirled. I couldn’t help but laugh at Melanie’s pure, childlike reaction. 

“So, just to confirm,  I’m guessing the answer is yes?” I asked.

Melanie regained her self-control and sashayed toward me. My hands gently swept back her wild hair. After a few tries, I got it cascading nicely again.  

Her sparkling blue eyes looked deeply into mine. Pretending to be annoyed, Mel asked, “What did you think, silly? Would I have been bouncing around like a crazy woman if it weren’t yes?”

“Hey, I thought a spider might’ve landed on you,” I teased.

Melanie swatted my arm, narrowing her eyes in playful annoyance. Her exasperation melted away as I pulled her in and pressed her body against mine. Our hearts beat so loudly, we started to giggle.

Once we gained our composure, we set off again, hand in hand, feeling like we were floating on air. 

“Joe, did you tell your family you were going to ask me to marry you today?”

“I did,” I said, smiling. “And I spoke to your father to get his permission and blessing. Hop Sing is preparing a special dinner for tonight. Your mom, dad, and sister have already been invited.”

Looking shocked, Melanie said, “You mean everyone knew except me? What if I had said no?”

I gave Mel my famous crooked smirk. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist my charming personality and dashing good looks!”

“Joe Cartwright, you’re so full of yourself!”

I placed my hand over my heart, feigning bruised pride. “Melanie, that was cruel!”

“Oh, Joe. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings!”

I gave her my best puppy-dog eyes. “You’ll have to do better than that!”

“Sweetheart, you have so many redeeming qualities. You’re good, kind, courageous, and, yes, charming, funny, and extremely handsome.”

Melanie chuckled. “Did I restore your wounded ego by naming all your wonderful attributes, Mr. Conceited?”

“Yeah, you did okay, but I can think of several more qualities, one being the best kisser!”

With that, I turned Melanie toward me. I cupped her face and pressed my lips to hers, feeling her move into the tender, passionate kiss. Our arms wrapped around each other in a way we never wanted to end.

The magical moment was shattered by the thunderous sound of hooves. Three masked riders tore through the trees. I grabbed Melanie’s hand and we ran toward the buggy where I had left my gun and holster. The horses were too fast for us. A gunshot blasted, propelling me forward. Melanie’s screams echoed. Through half-closed eyes I saw her fighting as one of the men hoisted her onto his horse. I fought to remain conscious, but then everything went dark.

The next thing I recall was…

Chaos, loud voices shouting orders, frantic movement all around me- what’s happening? 

“Hang on, son! Stay with me!”

That’s Pa’s voice. Why is he here? Why is he in the buggy with his arms wrapped around me? Where’s Melanie? There’s so much blood. My blood? I’m shot!  Those men!

“MELANIE!” I shout.

“Calm down, Joe. Take slow deep breaths! We’re almost home. Don’t give up, Joseph!” 

**********

My eyes are still fixated on the ceiling. I feel tears slip from the corners of my eyes as I relive the story. I am almost panting recalling every detail of that day and beyond. 

While I was teetering on the edge of death, the posse and my brothers were searching for Melanie. Insisting I was healed, I went out a month later to find Mel on my own. Pa was not happy, but he understood. Finding out the Taylor family had moved back to St. Louis surprised me, but I guess everyone handles grief differently.

I shake the memories from my mind. Since sleep evades me, I get out of bed and shuffle over to the window. I’m mesmerized by the shadows the full moon casts. As in a sudden flash, I see three riders pull up to the hitching post in front of the saloon.

That one horse—the moon is shining on its rump. I’ve seen those markings before. 

I splash water on my face and pull on my boots. I don’t have a plan, but that’s nothing new for me. Crossing over to the watering hole, I get a close-up look at the horse. That’s the one Melanie was hoisted onto.

I push through the batwing doors and shout, “Whose Appaloosa is tied out front?”

A head turns. “Who’s asking?”

The scar-faced man stares at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. There seems to be a spark of recognition in his narrowed eyes. I stare right back with greater intensity. The silence is broken when he scoffs, “You wanna buy him?”

“Maybe I’m interested. I…”

I guess I should have paid attention to the other two goons he was with. I never saw which one hit me from behind. 

A moaning sound reaches my ears and I realize I’m the one making it. My body feels constricted. As my eyes flutter open, I see ropes binding me. That explains it. I scan my surroundings. I’m in a cabin lying on the dirt floor. Muffled voices draw closer. Something sounds familiar. I stare in disbelief as one of the figures comes into view. Gasping for air, I whisper, “Melanie!”

“I’m just as shocked as you are, Joe. I thought that blast from the gun killed you. You don’t give up. Do you?”

“Why, Mel, why?” 

“I wanted you dead, Joe. A year ago you killed my husband in the Commerce Bank in St. Louis. I swore I’d find you and get my revenge. Making you fall in love with me was quite clever, don’t you think?”

“Does it please you to know you won my heart, Mel?”

Our eyes meet. For a brief moment, I see a wistful look pass across her face. Then Melanie continues in a voice devoid of emotion. 

“Didn’t you ever wonder about the timing of those men–how they knew we’d be strolling by the lake just at that precise moment? Why there wasn’t a ransom note? Joe, you should have left things as they were.”

“How could I, Melanie? Don’t you get how deeply I love you. I thought you loved me, too.”

“Love you? How? You killed my man.”

“Melanie, he robbed the bank and had a gun pressed against a little boy’s head. That’s a monster. I had to do something. Can’t you understand?”

“No, you’re lying. My husband would never do that.”

“Believe it, Melanie. He had already killed the bank teller. So when a sound distracted him, I took advantage. He left me no choice. I couldn’t take a chance on him killing the boy, too.”

I watch as a tear rolls down Melanie’s cheek. 

“I’m so sorry, Mel.”

My head turns when the man with the scar walks in. “We gotta go, Melanie. It’s time to head back to St. Louis. Your family’s waiting for you. We’ve stayed out of sight long enough. Get your stuff while I get rid of lover boy.”

I look at Mel with a bitter smile. “So your family was in on your scheme all along. Are these men related, too?” 

“My brothers-in-law,” Melanie scoffs.

“I get it,” I say with resignation. 

“No matter what happens, Mel, I still love you. We could have had a wonderful life together.”

“Shut up, Joe!” she shouts.

“Let him say whatever he wants, sister-in-law. I’ll be shutting him up permanently.”

Outside, gunshots ring out. We all turn. Then the scar-faced man turns back to me and aims his gun right at my heart. I close my eyes awaiting my fate. I feel a swoosh of air as Melanie flings her body on top of mine just as he shoots. 

“No,” I scream. 

Another blast echoes–I don’t know what’s happening, only that my failed executioner lies dead close to me. A voice is speaking. It’s the sheriff. He’s gently moving Melanie off me and untying my hands and feet. As soon as I’m freed,  I rush to Melanie and pull her into my arms. Tears are coursing down my cheeks.

“Why’d you protect me, Mel?” I choke out.

Her beautiful blue eyes lock onto mine. “Because I do love you, Joe,” she whispers with her final breath.

The light in her eyes dims forever.

I kiss her lips as tenderly and as passionately as I did the day I proposed. Then I bury my face in her neck as the sound of my sobs fills the room.

The sheriff waits outside. 

Sometime later, I join him. “Thanks,” I say. He touches my shoulder. “Son, remember, love never dies.” I nod, unable to respond. 

We ride back to town in silence–my mind trying to comprehend all that’s happened. 

The sheriff respects my grief. 

Later, he tells me how he and his deputy tracked us after the bartender bolted over to the office to explain what took place. I am grateful.

Before the sheriff sends a telegram to the Taylor family, he asks if I want to press any charges against them. I shake my head. 

“Then I will just tell them to come claim Melanie’s body,” he states.

Shaking hands, I say, “Thank you, Sheriff…for everything.”

He smiles and goes to his office.

I send a telegram to Pa.

IT’S OVER. HEADING HOME.

The end