Pa, the house looks dark," Hoss said as he followed his father into the barn.
Ben turned and glanced towards the house and immediately noticed the open front door, "Hoss, let's check on Adam and Joe before we put the horses up," Ben said as he tied Buck to the post outside the barn. Suddenly he began running towards the house as a feeling of dread spread through his already cold body. He heard Hoss following behind him and as they reached the porch they noticed a body pulled off to the side.
"Oh, God," Ben said as he rushed to the fallen man. "Hoss, it's Adam," he said as he turned the figure over. He glanced around but could see no sign of little Joe.
“Pa, the house looks dark," Hoss said as he followed his father into the barn.
Ben turned and glanced towards the house and immediately noticed the open front door, "Hoss, let's check on Adam and Joe before we put the horses up," Ben said as he tied Buck to the post outside the barn. Suddenly he began running towards the house as a feeling of dread spread through his already cold body. He heard Hoss following behind him and as they reached the porch they noticed a body pulled off to the side.
"Oh, God," Ben said as he rushed to the fallen man. "Hoss, it's Adam," he said as he turned the figure over. He glanced around but could see no sign of little Joe.
"Is he alive?" Hoss asked as he bent to help his father.
"I think so, but he's so cold. Help me get him inside," Ben ordered as he pulled his son to his feet.
For the first time both men noticed the open door and Hoss looked worriedly at his father. "What if someone's inside? Where's Joe?" he asked, looking around.
"Whoever was here is long gone or they would have been out here by now. Come on, your brother is freezing as it is," Ben said and stumbled with his burden towards the open door.
Between them they soon had Adam lying on the couch. Hoss lit a lamp while Ben covered Adam with a blanket and began rubbing his arms, "Better get a fire going, Hoss. I'm gonna find your brother."
"Ok, Pa, but be careful."
Ben headed for the stairs and after a thorough search came back downstairs. He could see that Hoss had the fire going and he hurried towards Hop Sing's kitchen. The kitchen was completely dark and he reached for the lamp on the table. He lit the wick and his eyes were immediately drawn to his youngest son lying in a heap by the door, "No!" he cried as he took in the paleness of his skin.
Hoss heard his cry and hurried to the kitchen. One look at his brother and he knew Joe was in trouble. His father had bent down and picked little Joe up. Hoss held the door as he hurried into the living room with his burden.
"Put some blankets on the floor," Ben told him as he sank into the chair by the fireplace, Joe’s limp body still in his arms.
"Shouldn't we put him in his bed?" Hoss asked.
"It's too cold upstairs. All the fires are out. Just get the blankets, Hoss," he ordered.
Hoss ran upstairs and was soon back with the mattress off his younger brother's bed. "Thought Joe'd be more comfortable on this," he said.
"That's fine, Hoss," Ben said as he placed his youngest son on the mattress. "Go tell one of the hands to ride in for Dr. Martin," he told him as he gently removed the rest of Joe's clothing. He heard his son as he quickly made his way to the door. "Hold on, Adam, I'll be with you as soon as I stop your brother's wounds from bleeding," he said as he heard low groans coming from the couch.
Adam's mind swam in an ice-cold river of thought. His stomach protested the remnants of the meal he’d eaten earlier and he barely had time to lift his head before becoming violently ill.
Ben rushed to his side and held his oldest son as his body trembled. Finally Adam was able to lie back on the couch and Ben watched as he lapsed back into unconsciousness. He looked up as Hoss came back through the door.
"Charlie went for Doc Martin," Hoss said as he took in the scene and knew exactly what had happened. He'd never had a strong stomach when it came to someone being sick but he knew his father needed his help. Moving into the kitchen he got a bucket and some cleaning rags from Hop Sing's supplies and wordlessly cleaned the floor around Adam. As he cleaned he kept glancing from Adam to Joe and then to his father. "How are they, Pa?"
"Adam seems to have a severe concussion and Joe's been stabbed in the shoulder and it looks as if someone took a swipe at his side. The shoulder wound is deep and has me worried. The one on his side is shallow and has already stopped bleeding. Thanks for cleaning that up, Son."
"Welcome, Pa. I'm gonna throw these things out and make some coffee," Hoss told him and once again Ben was left to care for his two sons. He wadded up some of the sheet he'd torn up and placed it under Joe's shoulder wound. He then pressed him back into the mattress.
Ben had just finished with his youngest son when he heard his oldest son's teeth chattering. 'Nothing more I can do for Joe,' he thought as he hurried to the couch. He could feel his son's body trembling under the blankets and leaned close to Adam's mouth, listening closely.
Between the chattering of his teeth and the shaking of his body Adam managed to gasp out, "C... cold, Pa, so cold."
"I know you are son. We'll get you warmed up," Ben reassured him.
“Joe?" Adam gasped.
"He's ok, Adam. He's right here on the floor beside you. Just close your eyes and rest," Ben told him as he reached under the blankets and began rubbing any exposed skin. He felt Adam's trembling begin to subside as Hoss re-entered the room almost fifteen minutes later, a steaming pot of coffee and cups in his hands.
"How are they?" Hoss asked and realized how often he'd asked the same question since they'd arrived home to find his injured brothers.
"Adam came to for a few seconds but Joe hasn't moved. He's lost a lot of blood," Ben said frankly.
Hoss smiled at his father but Ben could see it didn't reach his eyes. "You know Joe, Pa, he'll be fine. He's a stubborn little Cu..."
"Hoss!" his father exclaimed sharply.
"Oh, sorry, Pa. He's just so dadblamed stubborn. Just wait and see he'll want to get out of bed tomorrow."
"Yeah, you're probably right, son," Ben said.
"It's finally starting to warm up in here," Hoss said as he sat on the floor next to Joe. He reached out his hand and gently touched his brother's cheek. "You'll both be just fine," he said as he looked from one brother to the other.
Paul Martin didn't bother knocking as he hurried up to the front door of the Cartwright ranch, Roy Coffee following on his heels. They walked inside and took in the scene in the living room. Joe lay on a mattress on one side and Adam lay on the couch. Both men seemed to be unconscious. Hoss sat on the floor next to little Joe and Ben sat on the couch by a shivering Adam.
"Paul, Roy, thank God you're here," Ben said as he stood and walked towards his friend.
"What happened, Ben?" Roy asked as Paul hurried to Adam on the couch.
"I don't know, Roy. We found Adam outside the door, unconscious, with no coat or nothing on and Joe was in the kitchen," Ben explained.
"How bad are they?"
"Adam has a deep bruise over his right eye. I think he was hit as he opened the door. Joe's been stabbed in the shoulder and side," Ben said watching Paul as he carefully examined Adam's head.
"Has he been awake at all?" Paul Martin asked.
"He came to twice. The first time he was sick, the second he was cold and shivering," Ben explained.
"How long did he stay conscious?" Paul asked as he moved to the second patient.
"A minute or two the first time and not even that long the second time. He'll be all right won't he Paul?" Ben asked worriedly.
"He's got a nasty bump on the head. He shows all the signs of a severe concussion. We're gonna have to keep waking him every couple of hours just to make sure he's ok. How long do you think he was outside?"
"At least a couple of hours," Ben told him. "When we found him he was shivering violently."
"Have to watch for pneumonia as well," Paul said as he turned Joe on his side. Removing the makeshift bandage he began to clean Joe's wound with the clean water Hoss placed before him. "This will need stitches," Paul said to no one in particular. He washed the wound and began to stitch the cut together. As soon as he was finished he washed his bloodied hands in the water and reached for some clean bandages in his bag. He tightly bound Joe's arm across his chest so there was no way he could move it around and tear open the stitches. Gently he placed Joe back on the mattress and removed the bandage from the wound in his side. 'He's lucky this isn't deeper,' he thought to himself and began cleaning the long shallow gash.
Ben, Hoss, and Roy watched in silence as Paul Martin completed his treatment of the second patient.
Paul once again washed his hands as he stood up from the mattress. "I think they'll be all right, Ben. I'd like to move them both upstairs to their rooms," he said.
"I'll see if their rooms are warmed up yet," Hoss said and went upstairs. He was back a few minutes later. "It's nice and warm in their rooms," he said.
"Let's start with Adam," Ben suggested. "That way we can put Joe on the couch while we fix up his bed."
Without another word the four men moved the two injured men upstairs to their rooms. As they finished placing a still unconscious little Joe on his bed they heard a buggy pulling into the yard.
"That's probably Hop Sing, Pa. I best go tell him what's happened," Hoss said.
"You go ahead, Hoss and ask him if he can make breakfast for everyone," Ben said as he walked to the window. Daylight shone through the open drapes and Ben could see the family cook taking supplies from the buggy.
“Hop Sing make breakfast for everybody but nobody eat!” Hop Sing exclaimed as he removed the plates of food from the large table.
“I’m sorry, Hop Sing,” Hoss said as he passed his plate of half eaten food.
“Hoss only eat one helping. Soon everybody be sick! Then what Hop Sing do?” he asked as he cleared the empty plates from in front of Roy and Paul. “At least company eat everything.”
“Thank-you, Hop Sing. It was delicious,” Roy and Paul said almost in unison.
“You welcome, Sheriff, Doctor,” Hop Sing said as he left the men to their thoughts.
“Have you found anything, Roy?” Ben asked.
“Clem is following the tracks in the snow but if it keeps coming down there’s little chance of finding him. I sent out telegrams to the surrounding towns two weeks ago asking the Sheriffs to keep an eye out for them. So far there’s been no word,” Roy explained.
“Someone must be hiding him. This guy has to be within riding distance of the Ponderosa. There has to be a way to narrow down the search,” Ben stated.
“Can you think of anyone with a grudge against Little Joe?” Roy asked
“I’ve been thinking about that since we found out it wasn’t Adam who beat him up,” Hoss said turning to his father, “Pa, do you think maybe someone’s after both Adam and little Joe. Maybe they want some kind of revenge and what better way than to make Joe hate Adam,” Hoss suggested.
“You may have something there, Hoss. I know Joe and Adam have their share of enemies, but this would mean it’s someone Joe and Adam both know,” Ben said.
“Can you think of anyone like that, Ben?” Roy asked.
“I can think of about four or five. Over the years the boys have all made enemies. Adam with the contracts, Joe with the horses, and Hoss with the herds it could be almost anyone,” Ben explained thoughtfully.
“But who could be after Joe and Adam but not you and Hoss? It has to be someone the two of them were involved with or they’d be after all of you,” Roy said.
“Not really. What better way to get to the whole family than by hurting some of us?” Ben asked.
“This just seems like it’s aimed specifically at Joe and Adam. Don’t get me wrong. I know it hurts both of you as well, but indirectly. Joe’s been beaten and stabbed and made to believe the beating at least was by his older brother. Now when he knows the truth, he’s stabbed and Adam is injured as well. I really think we have to concentrate on that,” Roy told them.
“I’ll check through the papers as soon as possible and see if there’s someone they were both involved with,” Ben said as he walked to the safe.
“Pa,” Hoss called.
“What is it Hoss?”
“I think maybe we should check on the last contract little Joe was supposed to bid on,” Hoss said even though it brought back memories of the day Adam had left the Ponderosa.
“Why do you say that, Son?” Ben asked.
“Cause Roland Spencer was involved with Adam and Little Joe. He set Joe up.”
“Who’s Roland Spencer?” Paul Martin asked.
“Roland Spencer owns the Spencer Lumber Mill. Adam was supposed to make a bid on a rather large contract but couldn’t make it. He asked Joe to go in his place. Joe ran into a little trouble with a woman and missed out on the bid,” Ben explained.
“What kind of trouble?” Roy asked curiously.
“Damsel in distress kinda trouble,” Hoss said.
“Yeah that sounds like Joe. He’s always had a weakness for damsel’s in distress,” Paul laughed and the others joined him.
The laughter didn’t last long as Ben pulled a stack of papers from the safe.
“Here it is,” he said after a few minutes. “God Bless Adam and his filing system. Joe would have beaten Spencer’s bid easily,” he said sadly, as memories of the fight between his eldest and youngest sons came back to haunt him.
“Is there a chance that Joe was set up by the woman?” Roy asked.
“We thought about that but couldn’t prove it,” Ben told him.
“Maybe it’s time we did some serious investigating,” Hoss suggested.
“I think you’re right, Hoss. As soon as Adam and Joe are feeling better I’m going to pay a visit on both Roland Spencer and Lila Stanton,” Ben told them.
“I think I should go, Pa,” Hoss said.
“Neither one of you should go,” Roy ordered. “I want your word that you won’t interfere,” Roy scolded.
“Until we find out who did this my sons are in danger. Look at them, Roy. Adam has a severe concussion and it’s possible he’ll catch pneumonia from laying out in the cold so long. Joe was just starting to recover from the beating and now he has two knife wounds. I can’t give you my word, Roy, so don’t ask me again,” Ben explained.
“That goes for me too,” Hoss reiterated.
“Can’t blame me for trying,” Roy said simply.
“I’m going to check my patients before I head back home,” Paul Martin told them.
“Thank you, Paul,” Ben said, following him up the stairs.
“Hoss,” Roy said shaking Hoss out of his reverie. “Don’t let your father do anything foolish.”
“I can’t speak for Pa, Roy, but I will tell you that I’m going to find out who’s doing this to my family!” Hoss explained.
“I’ve told you before not to take the law into your own hands.”
“This is different,” Hoss said. “This is my family and someone has gotta pay.”
“They will, Hoss. I promise you they will. You just have to have faith in the law,” Roy said.
“I hope your right, Roy,” Hoss said simply and the men lapsed into silence.
“They know it wasn’t Adam, Mr. Spencer,” Tucker explained as he took the glass of amber liquid.
“Are you sure?” Spender asked.
“Yeah. I watched the house for two days before the others left them alone. Adam answered the door and when I went inside the kid knew it wasn’t his brother.”
“Damn!” Spencer said.
“What do you want me to do now?”
“I want you to hole up somewhere until I need you again,” Spencer said as he sipped his champagne thoughtfully.
“Where should I go? Tucker asked.
“Go stay with Lila,” Spencer ordered.
Tucker’s eyes lit up at the thought of the beautiful prostitute, “Will she have me?” he asked.
“She has no choice. If she doesn’t I’ll just turn a certain file over to the sheriff,” Spencer laughed.
“Tell me, Mr. Spencer, is there really a file?”
“Of course there is but not all of it’s true. I made up some of the more shall we say imaginative stuff,” Spencer grinned maliciously.
“She’s afraid of you,” Tucker said.
“Course she is. She knows Sheriff Parker and I have a monetary relationship. I pay him well to do as I say. Why do you think no ones spotted Adam Cartwright in town? Nobody even knows Roy Coffee is searching for his look alike,” Spencer laughed.
“So when do I go after Joe Cartwright again?”
Roland Spencer was thoughtful for a few minutes. Suddenly an evil grin came over his face, “I want you to bring Little Joe Cartwright here to me,” he said.
“I thought you wanted me to kill him,” Tucker said disappointedly.
“Oh, don’t worry you’ll get your chance to kill him but I want his brother to watch it,” Spencer explained.
“How are you gonna do that?” Tucker asked.
“You’ll just have to kidnap them both. I think a couple of days before Christmas would be a good time. That way you can kill them both as my Christmas gift to you,” Spencer laughed.
Tucker grinned, “Thank you, Mr. Spencer. This’ll be the best Christmas present I ever got.”
“Just make sure you don’t mess it up. Stay hidden at Lila’s until a week before Christmas then take some men and bring me the two Cartwrights.”
“Yes, Sir, I won’t let you down,” Tucker said enthusiastically as he left the room.
“Make sure you do,” Spencer said as the door closed and he was alone with the portrait of his father.
“To revenge, Father,” he grinned and was sure the portrait grinned back at him.
“Adam, you have to stay in bed,” Hoss told his brother anxiously.
“Get out of my way, Hoss,” Adam told him angrily.
“What’s going on in here?” Ben asked as he hurried into the room.
“Pa, Adam wants to go see little Joe,” Hoss explained.
“You know what Paul told you, son,” Ben scolded.
“I know what he said but I feel fine, Pa,” Adam said softly. “But I have to see Joe.”
“Joe’s condition hasn’t changed, son. He’s still unconscious.”
“I still want to see him,” Adam said as he rubbed his tired eyes.
“I tell you what we’ll do,” Ben said when he saw the worry etched on Adam’s pale features. “I’ll let you see Joe for a couple of minutes and then it’s back to bed for you.”
“But,” Adam began.
“No buts, Adam, otherwise you stay here and I’m sure Hoss can find a way to keep you in bed. Right, Hoss?”
“Right, Pa,” Hoss grinned.
“What you have to realize, Adam, is that you’re not over the concussion yet. I’ve seen the way you cringe when you first open your eyes or when a bright light hits them. So do we have a deal?”
“Yes, sir,” Adam said and felt gentle hands reach down to lift him from his bed. As soon as he stood he knew what his father said was true. The room swam in front of his eyes and he tried to focus. He put all his weight on Hoss’s shoulder and was led from his room.
Ben Cartwright never missed anything where his son’s were concerned and today was no different. It had been three days since they’d found Adam and Joe. Adam had finally come to the night before and had been insisting on seeing his youngest brother ever since. He followed Adam and Hoss into little Joe’s room and smiled as Hop Sing stood up from the chair beside Joe’s bed. “Thank you, Hop Sing,” he said.
“Welcome, Mr. Cartwright,” Hop Sing said. “Hop Sing go make lunch now. Make Mr. Adam good soup.”
Ben watched as he left the room and turned his attention to his three sons, one lying pale on the bed, another sitting, but just as pale in the chair, and the other wearing a worried, troubled expression.
“Has he been awake at all, Pa,” Adam asked worriedly.
“No, he hasn’t, Son. We keep talking to him but he doesn’t seem to hear us. Maybe if you talk to him he’ll listen,” Ben said hopefully.
“I’ll try, Pa,” Adam said, unshed tears shining in his eyes. “Hey, little brother, don’t you think you’ve slept long enough?” Adam asked as he took his brother’s hand in his.
“Come on, Joe, please wake up,” Hoss pleaded as he touched his younger brother’s forehead.
“It’s time to wake up, Son,” Ben said softly.
“We need you, little Joe. Pa, Hoss, Hop Sing and I need you to come back to us. I may not tell you this very often, Joe, but I love you. I love you for being the little brother I’ve always wanted. I know we argue, scream and even fight sometimes but never forget how I feel. We’re a family and if one of us is missing then we’re not whole. Don’t let him win, Joe. Come back to us,” Adam poured his heart out and swiped at a tear that rolled down his pale cheeks.
Joe heard his family and fought his way through the fog that surrounded his brain. He heard Adam’s heartfelt words and found the strength to open his eyes. His hazel eyes met his brother’s worried brown eyes, “Adam, you’re alive,” he said in a scratchy, pain-laden voice.
“Course I’m alive, little brother,” Adam laughed.
“He said he left you out in the cold. I... I thought you were dead,” Joe gritted out.
“He’s very much alive,” Ben said and Joe met his father’s eyes.
“Pa, it hurts,” Joe said as pain wracked his weakened body.
Ben reached for the packet of powder that Paul Martin had left and mixed it with some water. He helped his son sit up so he could drink it.
“Thanks, pa,” Joe said and gazed into the eyes of his father and brothers. “Think I’ll get some more sleep,” he said as his eyes closed. “Maybe you should to, big brother, you’re looking kinda sickly,” he said as a small smile touched his lips.
“He’s right, Adam, it’s time for you to go back to bed,” Ben ordered.
“I’d like to sit with him for awhile,” Adam said.
Ben heard the pain in his oldest sons voice and shook his head. “Remember what I said, son. You’ve already been in here longer than I wanted but I am glad you were here when your brother woke up. Now come on back to your room,” Ben told him.
“Yes, sir,” Adam said as he relinquished his hold on Joe’s hand. Hoss half carried Adam back to his room and soon had him tucked into his bed. He watched as his brother succumbed to sleep before going back to Joe’s room.
“They’re going to be ok now, right, Pa?”
“I think so, Hoss. Now we just have to keep them safe from the madmen who did this to them.”
“We will, Pa,” Hoss tried to reassure his father.
The days passed slowly for both Adam and Joe as they recovered from their injuries. As soon as his doctor gave Adam the go-ahead he began to spend his days sitting with his younger brother. They played chess and Adam would read from one of his books. Joe’s injuries began to heal and two weeks after the attack he was finally told he could get out of bed.
Joe was sitting in the family room next to the warm fire, his feet planted on the coffee table. His thoughts were filled with Christmas and what he’d get his family. So far he’d been unable to go to Virginia City and was worried that he’d have nothing to give them Christmas morning.
“Joseph, get your feet off the table,” Ben said, smiling fondly. ‘Seems like things are getting back to normal,’ he thought.
“Sorry, Pa,” Joe said as he placed his feet on the floor. “When’s Hoss getting back?”
“He should be home sometime today according to his telegram,” Ben said. He’d sent Hoss to check into Roland Spencer. He wanted to find out what the man had been doing over the last few months. Hoss’s telegram had informed him that Spencer had been keeping his nose clean. Ben knew this could be a ruse. Roland Spencer had stated firmly that he believed the Cartwrights; Adam in particular, had been the cause of his father’s heart attack. The man had threatened Adam a few years ago and then had apologized saying it was just his grief over the loss of his father. Ben had his doubts about the man and wondered if he had plotted this sick revenge.
“That’s great, Pa, cause we have to look for the perfect Christmas tree,” Joe said happily.
“Christmas is still two weeks away, son, lots of time to get the tree,” Ben said.
“But it has to be the perfect tree,” Joe said anxiously.
“I’m sorry, Joe, but you’re not going out looking for a tree. You’re still not fully recovered from the attacks on you. Hoss and I can find a tree,” Ben stated. Little Joe didn’t know the extent of Ben’s worrying. He didn’t want to tempt fate by leaving Adam or Joe alone. There was always someone watching them. Adam was in the barn with Charlie. Hop Sing had been watching both of them if Hoss and Ben were absent and there was always an armed ranch hand secluded in the loft of the barn watching over the house. Because of the cold Ben changed them every two hours. The men were only too happy to help.
“But, Pa,” Joe protested, knowing it was a lost cause.
“No buts, son, you’ve been through a lot in the last few weeks.”
‘Maybe I can sneak out for a while when Pa goes to bed,’ Joe thought.
“I want you to promise me you won’t go out on your own,” Ben said. “Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking about just that, son? I know that look. Now give me your word.”
“I promise,” a chagrined Joe said.
“Good. Now let’s see what we can get for lunch,” Ben laughed at Joes innocent look and the two men went in search of Hop Sing.
Another week passed and still nothing happened. Ben and Hoss began to relax somewhat. He began to feel as if maybe it was all over but kept the guards in the loft and made sure Adam and Joe always had company.
“Hey, Joe,” Hoss called excitedly as he entered the house.
Joe had been reading in front of the fire when his brother had opened the door admitting a bitterly cold wind. “Hey, Hoss, hurry up and shut the door, will ya?” he called and pulled a blanket tightly around him.
‘Uh, oh sorry, little brother, I just wanted to tell you I found the perfect tree,” Hoss said his eyes beaming in happiness.
“You did!” Joe exclaimed. “That’s great. Where is it?” he asked.
“It’s about a mile north of here. I’ll go back and cut it down tomorrow. Oh it’s a real beauty, Joe.”
“I bet it is. What kind is it?” Joe asked.
“Why Ponderosa Pine, of course. What other kind of tree would we have?” Hoss laughed.
“Hoss.”
“Yes, Joe.”
“Can you take me into town?”
“You know what Pa says, Joe. He don’t want you or Adam going into town until after the attackers have been caught,” Hoss told him.
“I know, but, Hoss, I haven’t got any presents for you, Pa, Adam, or Hop Sing. Please, Hoss, I promise to stay close to you. I need to pick out some gifts,” Joe pleaded.
“I’d like to, little brother, but I can’t go against Pa on this one,” Hoss said. He knew how much little Joe loved Christmas. He knew how much time his brother put into finding that perfect gift. One year Joe had searched for a book for Adam and had finally found it three weeks before Christmas in San Francisco. Joe had ridden all the way there and back to make sure he got the book.
“I’m sorry I asked you, Hoss. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
Ben Cartwright stood at the top of the stairs and his heart sank at the sorrow in his youngest sons voice. He made his way slowly down to the family room and sat next to his son. “Joe, I heard what you said to Hoss about going into the city. I need your word that you won’t go off on your own. I know it must seem like I’m always asking you for your word but I have to know your not going to do something foolish. The greatest Christmas gift you boys can give me is yourselves.”
“Yes, sir,” Joe said softly.
“Thank you, son.”
“That goes for me to, Joe. This will be the best Christmas ever so long as you, Adam, Pa, and Hop Sing are here,” Hoss said.
“Thanks, Hoss,” Joe said. “I’m feeling a little tired, Pa, I’m gonna go lie down for a while, Ok?”
“Sure, Joe, you go ahead. I’ll come get you when supper’s ready.”
Joe nodded his head and dejectedly headed up the stairs. He knew there was no way he could go to Virginia City now. His father had made him promise and he’d have to keep that promise.
“I wish I could do something for him, Pa,” Hoss said quietly.
“There may be something, son. Joe loves putting up the Christmas tree. Why don’t you and I go get one and we can do it early. Maybe we can brighten his spirits,” Ben told him and Hoss readily agreed.
Ben dressed and went to the barn to find his eldest son. “Adam,” he called as he entered the barn.
“In here, Pa,” Adam called from Cochise’s stall.
“What are you doing, Adam?” Ben asked curiously.
“I bought Joe the new saddle he’s been wanting and I decided to see how it looks on Cochise. What do you think?”
“He’ll love it,” Ben said as he walked around the horse.
“I hope so, Pa. I bought it while I was in Carson City this summer,” Adam said and suddenly his eyes lit up. “Pa, I wonder if Roland Spencer had something to do with what happened to Joe.”
“There’s no proof,” Ben said tiredly.
“I think it’s time I paid him a visit,” Adam said softly. “I’ll beat the proof out of him if I have to.”
“Hoss and I have been checking up on Spencer. If he had anything to do with it he’s covered his tracks very well,” Ben told him. “Promise me you won’t go after him.”
“I can’t promise that but I will promise to wait till after Christmas. Will that do?”
“You’re a grown Man, son. I can’t stop you from doing this but I want you to listen to your heart. I know you’ll do the right thing.”
“Why’d you come out here, Pa?”
“I came out to ask you to watch out for Joe. He’s a little down right now so Hoss and I decided to brighten his spirits with an early Christmas tree.”
“That sounds like just what he needs, Pa,” Adam said and realized it was something he wanted as well. Christmas was a reason to celebrate and they all needed that right now. “I’ll take the saddle off and then go keep Joe company. Hey, Charlie, tell Red he can go back to the bunkhouse. I don’t need a bodyguard anymore,” Adam said and grinned at his father. “You didn’t really think I didn’t know, did you?”
“No, I guess I didn’t. We’ll be back as soon as we get the tree,” Ben said as he walked to where Charlie had already saddled Chubb and Buck. He led the two horses outside and rode away with Hoss.
Joe lay on his bed quietly thinking. He had an open book in his hand but had given up on reading when he realized he’d read the same paragraph four times and still didn’t understand it. He’d watched his father and brother ride off over an hour ago. He got out of bed and made his way to the window just in time to see Adam, Charlie, and Red part ways. ‘Maybe I can interest Adam in a game of checkers,’ he thought with a grin. He walked downstairs to set up the board. Joe was about to check on his brother when the door finally opened. “Hey, big brother, how bout a game of checkers?”
“Maybe some other time, Joe, I have to take the buckboard out to Pa. Wanna go along with me?”
“Oh boy, do I ever,” Joe said, anxious to go anywhere.
“Get your coat on and meet me out front.”
“Sure, Adam,” he said excitedly.
Joe grabbed his winter coat, and threw on his scarf, hat, and gloves at the last minute, ‘Can’t have Adam scold me for not dressing properly,’ he thought happily.
“Where you go?” Hop Sing asked as he came out of the kitchen.
“Hey, Hop Sing, Adam and I are bringing the buckboard to Pa,” Joe told him as he pulled on his gloves.
“Joe and Adam not supposed to leave,” Hop Sing scolded in Chinese.
“Sorry, Hop Sing. Adam’s waiting for me,” Joe said as he went out the door and closed it hurriedly behind him. He ran to the buckboard and jumped up beside his brother. He was glad to see that there wasn’t as much snow has he’d thought. He glanced into the back and was surprised to see something covered by a blanket, “What’s you got back there, Adam?” he asked.
“Just some things Pa needs. Why don’t you drive, Joe?” Adam said as Hop Sing came out the door.
“Mr. Cartwright gonna be angry with both of you,” Hop Sing called.
“Pa knows,” Joe called back. “Pa did ask you to bring the buckboard didn’t he?” Joe asked as he drove the buckboard out of the yard.
“Of course he didn’t.”
Joe turned his gaze on his brother and met the ice blue eyes of his nightmares. He pulled up on the reigns and made to jump out.
“Want your brother to die?” Tucker asked coldly.
“No!” Joe said holding tightly to the reigns and glancing into the back once again.
“That’s your brother under there and if you don’t get started again I’ll shoot him.”
“All right,” Joe said dejectedly and began to drive the buckboard away from the safety of the Ponderosa.
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