One Lucky Man

By Debbie B

“That’s it Joe, I’m finished with you. Get to the house!”

“I said I didn’t do nuthin’ to be sorry for! Why can’t you just believe me for once?” shouted Joe, angrily.

“I want you in the house, now!” Adam returned, just as angry. He pointed toward the house. “March! Unless you want me to drag you inside myself?” demanded Adam, ignoring his brother’s plea of innocence.

Joe stomped his foot and glared at his oldest brother, “You wouldn’t dare!”

Adam’s eyes grew dark and he reached out, grabbing Joe around the arm and gripping tightly, pulled the resisting boy along with him toward the house. “Wouldn’t I?”

“Let go of my arm,” growled Joe, struggling to wrench free of the vise like grip that Adam’s strong fingers held his arm in.

Adam continued to the house, ignoring the wails of his youngest sibling. Hoss dropped his head, and slowly followed behind, dreading the confrontation he knew would be taking place in a matter of moments. He thought about returning to the corrals, but then thought better of it, Adam had demanded that he come along to face his father with him and Joe. Adam expected him to back up his story about how Joe had carelessly allowed a man to be injured. Hoss took a deep breath and sighed, would the boy ever learn how dangerous some of his practical jokes could really be?

Ben was just coming from the kitchen when he heard the ruckus on the front porch. As his hand reached for the door, it was suddenly flung opened, nearly knocking his cup of hot coffee from his other hand. Quickly, Ben stepped back as Joe was literally forced into the room.

“What, in the world is this all about?” demanded Ben, seeing the angry glares on all three faces of his sons.

Adam looked at his brother; Joe was holding his head down, making it impossible for Adam to look at his face. “Well?” Snapped Adam, glancing at his father. “Are you going to own up to it, or do I have to tell him?”

Joe’s eyes swept upward to his older brother’s face and then quickly glanced in his father’s direction. “I don’t have anything to ‘own up to’, as you called it.”

“Oh for Heaven’s sake’s Joe, don’t add lying to your crime!” snarled Adam, his hands resting on his hips.

Joe’s head pivoted around to face Adam, “I’m not lying, I didn’t do it!”

“All right, boys, let’s stop this arguing and someone just tell me what in blazes is going on!” Ben demanded in a deep voice.

When all three Cartwright brothers started talking at once, Ben scrunched up his face and shook his head in disgust. “ENOUGH!” he bellowed at the top of his lungs so that he could be heard above the racket that Adam, Hoss and Joe were all making. Silence immediately followed.

“Thank you, that’s much better. Adam,” said Ben, looking at his oldest, “why don’t you begin.”

Adam took a deep breath, glanced at Joe and instantly noted his little brother’s sad eyes and quivering chin. ‘I hate doing this to you pal, but this time you went too far,’ thought Adam, his temper cooling somewhat.

“Pa, I’m not tattling, but this is something that needs to be addressed.” Adam cleared his throat and glanced at Joe a second time.

“Go on, please Adam,” encouraged Ben, following Adam’s gaze directed at Joe’s face.

Ben’s heart lurched, the boy looked so pitiful, Ben sighed and rested his hand on Joe’s shoulder. Joe looked up at his father, his eyes filling with tears, his chin quivering.

“Joe was playing another one of his infernal practical jokes, aimed at me, but instead of his little trick working on me, Seth Rawlins, got the blunt of it…”

“The new boy I hired a couple weeks ago?” Ben interrupted.

“That’s right, well, he got thrown from my horse and now has a badly sprained ankle, compliments of your youngest son,” Adam explained, watching the dark anger mold its self into his father’s features.

Ben turned his attention to Joe, who stood silently, waiting for the barrage of words he knew would be aimed at him. Ben took a deep breath, and turned back to Adam. “How did the boy get hurt, I mean, why was he riding Sport in the first place?”

“I sent him back to the barn to get some more bridles from the tack room, Sport was right there and I told him to just take my horse. Sport started bucking the minute that Seth mounted. When he got thrown, someone said that they saw Joe messing with the saddle, so while Hoss here took care of Seth, I checked…” Adam paused, glancing at his brothers. “There was a burr under the saddle…and it wasn’t there before, I had only been down at the corrals about ten or fifteen minutes when I told Seth to ride Sport.”

“I didn’t do it, Pa…honest I didn’t,” Joe said before his father had even spoken to him.

“Joseph…”

“Honest Pa, why can’t any of you believe me…I didn’t do it!” Joe’s eyes filled with tears and he quickly wiped them away before they had a chance to escape and roll down his face.

“Pa,” said Adam, “three men saw Joe messing around with my saddle, right before this happened.”

“Hoss, what do you know about this?” Ben asked, and watched as his middle son’s eyes swept the room. “Son?”

“Dadburnit,” he muttered, looking at Joe. “I’m sorry short shanks, but I was one of those who spied him. I cain’t say for sure what he was adoin’ Pa, but he sure ‘nough was messing with Adam’s saddle, Hank and Ray saw him first and called my attention to him.”

Ben turned angry eyes on his youngest, “Well, young man, what do you have to say for yourself, and please Joseph, do as your older brother suggested and don’t add lying to your crimes?” Ben demanded.

Joe stood silent, his chin drooping as his fingers fidgeted with the button on his shirt. When he refused to answer or look up at them, Ben grasped Joe’s chin in the palm of his hand and tilted his face upward.

“I asked you a question, young man, don’t make me repeat it!” growled Ben.

“What’s the use of trying to explain? You always take his word for everything anyway!” grumbled Joe, wrenching his chin free.

“Don’t take that tone of voice with me! Now answer my question and do it now!” ordered Ben, his eyes growing dark.

“I dun told ya, I didn’t do it, I noticed when Adam rode in that his cinch was twisted and while he was talking to Seth and the others, I just went over to Sport and untwisted it, that’s all, honest Pa, I didn’t put nuthin’ under Adam’s saddle. And I sure didn’t make Seth get hurt. It ain’t my fault if he can’t ride a horse!” snapped Joe, his eyes filling with tears once again.

“Oh, don’t use that excuse Joe, you’ve been after Seth ever since Pa hired him, and I don’t know why, he’s a good kid,” Adam stated, shaking his head in disgust.

“Me? Seth has done nothing but try to run over me! He deserved what he got!” Joe fired back at his brother. “He’s a smart aleck and I…”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” bellowed Ben. Turning to Joe, he grasped the boy’s arm. “Young man, I am totally shocked at you. I cannot believe what you have done…

“But Pa…”

“HUSH! Do not interrupt me when I am speaking, do you understand?”

“Yes sir, but Pa…”

“JOSEPH! I mean what I say.” Ben turned to Adam and Hoss, “Has someone seen to Seth?”

“Yessir, Hank went for Doc Martin. It’s only a sprain, Pa,” muttered Hoss softly, glancing at Joe, who was fighting back tears. “It ain’t broke or nuthin’, I checked him real good.”

Ben, still grasping Joe’s arm, returned his attention to the sullen boy. “When Paul is finished with tending to Seth, you and I are going to make a trip to the bunkhouse. You will apologize to Seth and to everyone else that saw what happened, is that clear?”

Joe could not control his tears any longer and they slipped humbly past the long lashes and down his face. “Yes sir, but I still didn’t to it.”

Adam rolled his eyes, not daring to look at Hoss, whom he suspected was almost as upset as their younger brother was. Ben took a deep breath and sighed. “Joseph, for how ever long that Seth is laid up, you will do his work, plus your own. You are restricted to the yard and house only, except when doing Seth’s chores, and you are forbidden to go near the corrals, understood?”

Joe, his voice thick with emotion, only nodded his head.

“Good, now go to your room,” Ben pointed toward the stairs and released his hold on Joe’s arm.

Joe walked a few paces and then stop and turned back, facing both of his brothers. “I don’t know what you thought you saw Hoss, but you didn’t see me put a burr under Adam’s saddle. And Adam, you’re a liar and I hate you!”

Adam’s anger reached the boiling point and he made a grab for his kid brother, nearly catching him. Joe saw the sudden movement and dashed quickly for the steps, taking them two at a time. Adam started up after him, but was halted by his father’s bellowing voice demanding that he go no further.

“Pa, I don’t know what’s got into that kid, but I would like to turn him over my knee, he needs a good busting!” retorted Adam, his eyes dark with discernment.

“Aw Adam…”

Adam turned his wrath on Hoss, “don’t ‘aw Adam’ me, stop taking up for him, don’t you understand that what he did could have gotten a man badly hurt, or even worse?”

Ben put both of his hands up to stop the argument. “Enough,” he said calmly. “Adam’s right Hoss, what your brother did was wrong, and he has to suffer the consequences of his actions. Seth might have been injured much worse than just a sprained ankle. And what if it had been Adam that had gotten thrown? No, Joseph was in the wrong.”

Ben started for the door but stopped and turned back to face Adam and Hoss. “What bothers me, is why he denies it.”

“Reckon he was tellin’ the truth? Maybe he didn’t really do it?” pondered Hoss aloud.

“Oh come on Hoss, don’t start that again. Of course he did it, you saw him, so did Hank and Ray. He’s lying to cover his butt!” Adam said, following his father outside. Hoss trudged along behind, scratching his head in thought.

“I don’t know, Adam,” said Ben as they walked together to the bunkhouse. “It isn’t like Joe to just out and out lie to me, not when he knows he’s caught red handed like this.”

“Just ask Hank and Ray, they’ll tell you the same thing Hoss told you.”

“I intend too son, I intend too.”

Ben opened the door to the bunkhouse and stepped inside, Adam behind him and Hoss following a bit slower after his brother.

“Boys,” greeted Ben, making his way to Seth’s bunk. Seth was resting his head on the pillow, his eyes shut. “Seth,” Ben said quietly.

The young man opened his eyes and immediately tried to sit up.

“No, stay where you are,” ordered Ben, gently pushing the young man back down. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m all right, Mr. Cartwright, it don’t hurt, much,” he tried to smile.

Ben stepped to the foot of the bed and examined Seth’s ankle. “Pretty bad sprain. You were lucky.” Ben pursed his lips tightly and moved to pull a chair close to the bunk.

The men stood in awkward silence not sure what to say or do as their boss made himself comfortable.

“Seth, I’m sorry for what happened. It was a senseless accident and I assure you that my son will be punished for his actions. Don’t worry about your work, Joseph will be doing that for as long as you are laid up.” Ben stood to his feet and glanced around the room, then back at Seth. “If you need anything, anything at all, you let one of us know. Oh, and don’t worry about the doctor’s bill, I’ll see to that. You rest now, Paul should be here shortly.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. I’m sorry that Little Joe got in trouble. Please don’t be too hard on him, he’s just a kid, and…well, it ain’t been that long ago, I was his age,” smiled Seth.

“How old are you anyway?” asked Ben, curiously.

“Almost nineteen, sir, come July.”

“I suppose that’s not too far from fifteen,” pondered Ben. “Thanks for being such a good sport about all of this. You take it easy, and don’t get out of that bed, until the doctor says you can!” Ben smiled down at the young man; the boy was sincere as best he could judge.

“Don’t you men have work to do?” Ben asked. The room suddenly came to life as men began filing out. “Hank, Ray, can I have a word with both of you? Hoss, you stay with Seth until the doctor comes, and Adam, check back down at the corrals and see how things are going there.”

“Sure, Pa, see you later.”

An hour later, Joe still paced his room. The waiting was far worse than what he knew was coming. Sometimes he thought his father made him wait on purpose, as part of the punishment. Joe walked to the window and pulled back the sheers. Ben was headed back to the house and Joe knew that in minutes he would be forced into facing his father a second time. He sighed and turned away. ‘Why won’t ya believe me?’ he muttered softly to himself, his whispered words directed to his father.

Joe heard the clicking of his father’s boots as Ben climbed the stairs. By the time that the gentle knock sounded on the thick door, Joe stood, facing his father as Ben entered the room. He noted that the anger had left his father’s face and the knowledge allowed him to breathe easier.

“Joseph,” greeted Ben, watching his son’s face and noting the worried expression that crossed the youthful features. “Sit down, please.” Ben pointed to his son’s bed, where Joe did as instructed. Ben pulled the chair close, where he was facing his son and watched the mixture of emotions that played across the young face.

“Son, I have just come from the bunkhouse…”

Joe’s eyes sought his father’s. “Is Seth okay?” he inquired meekly.

“Yes, he’s going to be laid up for a few days, but it was just a sprain.” Ben paused and watched as Joe swallowed, knowing that his son was fighting to control the tears that he could see gathering in the wells of the hazel eyes.

“I’m glad,” he muttered, wiping away the dampness.

“Son, I want more than anything to believe what you say. But under the circumstances I have to…”

Ben stopped. Joe had raised his head and the look that he wore tore at his father’s heart.

“I know, I understand what you’re going to say, you think I’m guilty, just like Adam and Hoss and the others.” Joe stood to his feet and walked to the window, his back to his father. “And you think I lied.” Joe spun around, the tears rolling down his cheeks. “I can’t convince you otherwise, I see that, so if you’re gonna wallop me, just do it…I don’t care, do what you have too, but I’m telling you, I didn’t do it!”

Joe’s chin quivered, he sniffed his nose and ran his sleeve underneath to wipe the moisture away. Joe chanced a glance at his father and saw that Ben had dropped his head and appeared to be thinking. Several moments he remained as such before turning his attention back to his son.

“Sit down, please,” Ben pointed to the edge of the bed where Joe had been sitting before. Ben waited until his son had sat down. “I’m not sure what to believe, had there been no witnesses, I might have believed you, son. But three different men, your own brother included, all told me the same thing. They have no reason to lie about what they saw. What am I to think?”

Joe shook his head sadly. “I would think that you would believe your own son,” he whispered.

Ben raised Joe’s chin, “Joe, Hoss wouldn’t tell me a lie about this…”

Joe pulled back from his father’s gentle hold, “but I would, is that what you’re saying? That you believe Hoss and not me? I should have known you would take his and Adam’s word over mine! So what else is new?” Joe knew that he was pushing his luck but he figured that at this point he had nothing to lose.

Ben stood to his feet, his anger returning once more. “That will be enough young man. You will march down stairs right this minute and go straight to the bunkhouse and do some apologizing! Now go!” Ben pressed his opened hand against Joe’s back and gave a gently push. “March!”

Joe had no other alternative but to do as directed. Slowly, trying to prolong the enviable, he descended the stairs. He could sense his father behind him and chanced a quick glance at Ben’s face. His father was mad, it was plain to tell and Joe looked away.

When they had reached the bunkhouse door, Joe stopped, hesitating. “Do I have to do this? Ain’t doing his chores punishment enough?” he asked quietly.

Ben saw the near timid look and his heart softened somewhat. “Joseph, I didn’t ask you to do this, I told you to do it. You owe the boy that much, wouldn’t you think?”

“I don’t owe him nuthin’. I didn’t do anything to him,” Joe pushed opened the door and went inside.

Several of the men had finished with their work and sat around the table playing cards. The doctor had come and gone, assuring all of them that Seth’s ankle was just sprained and that the young man would be fine in a few days. All heads turned at once to see who had just entered. When they spied their boss and his youngest son, the room became deathly quiet.

“Go on,” Ben urged in a soft voice.

Joe gave his father a sickened look and approached Seth’s cot. Seth, his eyes turning to Ben and then back to Joe, straightened himself up, bracing the weight of his body on his elbow as he waited for his apology.

Joe took a deep breath and held it. “I’m…sorry you got hurt,” he stammered and then quickly turned away and started toward the door.

Ben’s hand found his son’s upper arm with a firm grip, stopping the fleeing boy in his tracks. “That wasn’t much of an apology, young man,” muttered Ben, his eyes lit with anger.

“I said I was sorry he got hurt what else….”

“You didn’t apology for what you did…” began Ben.

“I did what ya said Pa,” groaned Joe, not caring that he had an audience. “I ain’t gonna say I’m sorry for something I didn’t do.” With that, Joe broke free of his father’s restraining hand and ran from the building. Once outside, the tears that he had been fighting to control found their way down his face.

Ben stood in shock at his son’s words and actions. He became aware of the restless stirring of the men in the room and without a word, followed after his son. Ben found Joe leaning against the fence railing and moved to stand behind him. In the fading light, Ben could see the trembling shoulders and heard the soft whimpers that his son made. He placed each of his large hands on each of the slender shoulders turning Joe around to face him. With one hand, he cupped the quivering chin and tipped the curly head upward. He saw the sadness in the depths of Joe’s eyes, the doubt that lay behind the sadness and his heart melted. Tenderly, he pulled Joe into an embrace and wrapped his arms about his son.

Joe only resisted slightly, giving in to his frustrations he welded his body to his father’s. Ben felt Joe’s body shudder and felt Joe press his head against his chest as Joe wrapped his arms about his father’s waist.

“I’m sorry…Pa…but…but…” Joe’s words were drowned out by his sobs.

Ben held his son while Joe struggled to regain control. The weeping stopped at last, but Joe refused to move from his father’s arms. “Joseph,” whispered Ben and felt Joe move slightly. His hand caressed the back of his son’s neck tenderly. “It’s over, its behind us now, let’s just move on. Come on son, let’s go inside.”

Joe pulled back and looked up at his father sadly. “It’s not over Pa, not until I can convince you that I didn’t do anything.” Joe turned and ran toward the house, slamming the door as he closed it behind him, and leaving his father to walk alone to the house.

For the following week, Joe worked hard. His day began at dawn and ended long after the sun had set. His heart was heavy with despair; he had yet to convince his family of his innocence. It seemed to Joe that Adam and Hoss avoided him, but when he confronted his father about it, Ben assured him that was not the case.

“Pa, it’s been nearly a week, and neither one of them have given me the time of day,” Joe explained one day when Ben had joined his son while Joe was mucking out the stalls.

“Son, I’ve explained it to you, your brothers have just been busy, that’s all. They haven’t ignored you on purpose, they only…”

Joe stopped mucking and turned to his father. “Pa, don’t make excuses for them, I’m not blind, they barely even speak to me…the only one they say hello to is Seth, they’ve gotten real friendly with him.”

Joe began raking out the stall again, working swiftly to ward off his hurt. “Maybe they would have been happier if he had been their brother instead of me!”

Ben rested his hand on the back of his son’s neck and eased the boy around to face him. “That’s nonsense, and you know it.”

Joe started to speak but stopped when he noticed his brothers ride into the yard. “Here they come now, you watch, I’ll prove it to you.”

The words were no more out of his mouth when Adam and Hoss entered the barn together. They were in deep conversation, laughing at something that had happened earlier. The instant they spied their father and younger brother, the older brothers sobered quickly.

“Hi Pa, Joe,” said Hoss as he led Chubb into his stall.

“Pa,” greeted Adam, smiling and then turning to his younger brother, only nodded his head.

Ben watched with slowly building ire. Joseph had been correct, his brothers were purposely slighting him. “Joseph, go to the house please,” Ben said in a calm voice, giving the youngest of his sons an encouraging smile.

Joe opened his mouth to say something but seeing the irritated look on his father’s face and the way in which Ben was watching his brothers, he changed his mind. Joe set the rake aside and hurried from the barn giving a quick glance at his brothers before pulling the door almost closed behind him.

“Where’s he going? He hasn’t even finished with his chores yet,” grumbled Adam, casting his eyes over his shoulder at Joe.

“I sent him to the house,” Ben said as he moved closer to the stalls where Adam and Hoss were just finishing with their horses.

“I wanted to have a word with both of you, without Joe,” stated Ben.

“Oh?” questioned Hoss, “he in trouble again, so soon?” he flashed Adam a knowing look and then looked at his father. The scowl that he saw on Ben’s face caused his smile to die instantly.

“No, he is not.” Ben had his fingertips tucked into the pockets of his trousers and he swayed gently back and forth.

Adam cut his eyes over to Hoss and met his gaze. Hoss had his head lowered and suddenly looked nervous. With the toe of his boot, he kicked at the dirt floor and then gulped.

“We ain’t in trouble, are we, Pa?” he asked meekly.

Both young men studied their father’s face. Ben seemed to be pondering his son’s question and the length of time that he took before finally speaking had made his middle son to start fidgeting. Adam stood silent, studying his father, knowing that Ben had something important on his mind and was sorting out just how to say what he intended for them to know.

“Pa…”

“When I’m ready, Adam,” Ben said sharply, turning from them and moving to close the barn door completely.

Hoss glanced again at his older brother and shrugged his shoulders, his eyebrows raising slightly. Adam just shook his head, not knowing why their father had them cornered in the barn. Trapped thought Adam to himself, wondering what he and Hoss might have done to anger their father.

“Adam, Hoss…” Ben started, returning to stand in front of his sons. “Do you boys believe in forgiveness?”

Hoss’ blue eyes widened, and he scrunched up his nose.

“Depends on what you’re talking about,” said Adam, wondering what his father was leading up too.

“Yeah Pa, some things are easier to forgive than others…why?” questioned Hoss.

“I’m talking about your younger brother,” snapped Ben.

“Joe?” Hoss seemed surprised.

“Do you have more than one younger brother?”

“Aw Pa, you know I don’t, but what’s with Joe?” smiled Hoss.

“Has he been moping around, complaining again?” Adam ventured. “Cause if he has he…”

“No, he isn’t complaining, he has however brought to my attention the way that both of you have been ignoring him, and he feels….”

“Jealous…that’s what he is. Little Joe is jealous of our friendship with Seth. Well, I happen to like the boy, he’s a hard worker and a good sport, and after what Joe did to him, I just...”

“Adam, stop right there! Maybe Joe is a little jealous, maybe he feels just a little bit left out. You’ve taken a liking to one of the hired men, you treat him better than you treat your own brother, or so it appears from Joe’s point of view. Look at it from his way of seeing things, Joe did something wrong, he’s making his penitence, but both of you have been acting like Joe committed a crime or something. Just a few minutes ago, both of you came in here laughing and talking a blue streak, until you saw your brother, then you clamed up. You barely even acknowledged that he was here and I want to know why? Are you still mad at him?”

Hoss shuffled his feet, shaking his head back and forth. “Naw…I ain’t mad at him, just a little put out with him, that’s all,” muttered Hoss.

“Why?”

“Aw Pa, it’s just…well…you tell’em Adam, you’re better with words than I am,” Hoss stammered, giving Adam a pleading look.

“Okay Adam why are you still mad at him?”

Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Pa…the kid just needs to grow up. Can’t we have friends without him always making us look like we’re the bad guys? We’re not little boys, we’re grown men and we like to do grown up things, with grown up friends, more our age. Why does he have to be the center of everything? We have our own lives, he has his and we’re just tired of Little Joe always wanting all the attention from everyone, including us. We don’t tag along with him when he does things with his pals, and we don’t want him tagging along with us every time we want to be with our friends.”

Ben’s lips had made a fine straight line across his face and he eyed each of his sons. “Is that right?” he said softly. “Well just let me tell you something…” he began.

“That boy worships both of you. He admires and respects you Adam, and you Hoss, he considers you, his very best friend. And you will hardly give him the time of day. So he’s still a boy, he acts and thinks like a boy, like a boy’s supposed too. In one breath, you tell him to grow up and in the next breath, you talk down to him, if you even speak to him at all.” Ben was angry; he was shaking his finger at both of his sons.

“I want it understood right this minute, there will be no more! Do you hear me? I expect you to treat him with the proper respect, and don’t you dare forget that he IS your brother, like it or not!” Ben shouted.

“I haven’t forgotten that, Pa. But when you demand that we treat him with respect, you should demand that he give us the same respect in return. I’m tired of hearing his whining and watching him mope around like he’s lost his best friend or something and I’m tired of the dirty looks I get every time that I so much as look his way. And his smart mouth, if he were my son, I’d…” Adam suddenly realized what he was saying and that he had raised his voice to an uncommon high. “I’m sorry Pa,” he added quickly, “but I think Hoss and I need a break from our little brother.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen, not for a couple of weeks anyway. I have to go to Genoa for several days. I want both of you to see after your brother, but I want it understood that you are to discontinue the way that you have been treating him. Do I make myself clear?” Ben ordered.

“Yessir,” Hoss muttered in a humble voice.

Adam’s anger was still very near the surface and he shot Ben a dark look. “Fine, great, just what I need…a whole week to run after my baby brother. Well, all I can say, is, he better behave himself, or…”

“Or what? Or nothing, young man. You will treat him with respect and you will be pleasant to him. I will speak to him about his actions as well. I trust that both of you will be fair in your dealings with him.”

It was not a request, it was an order, and both Adam and Hoss were very much aware of the fact. Both watched as their father turned and left them to ponder his words.

Neither Hoss nor Adam said anything for quite sometime, but returned to their duties. Hoss broke the silence.

“I suppose we ain’t been too nice to him lately,” he said.

“Hoss…oh, what’s the use! The boy wins every time.” Adam leaned his arm against the post and glared at Hoss. “He manages every time to wrap our father around his little finger. I don’t know how he does it, but he does. I don’t understand why Pa can’t see through his little charades, it’s like he’s blinded to every thing that Joe does. And, to make matters worse, we’re going to be stuck at home baby-sitting for better than a week.”

“Yeah, I nearly forgot. Doc said Seth could get up some if he was careful and we were going to take him into town Saturday night. Dadburnit, I promised Seth I’d buy him a couple’a beers at the Bucket of Blood. He’s about gone steer-crazy havin’ ta stay cooped up,” groaned Hoss.

“What are we gonna do Adam?”

“Beats me, but I’ll think of something,” answered Adam, his mind already conjuring up how they could slip away to town and not be bothered with their youngest brother.

Ben found Joe lying across his bed and thought that at first, the boy might have fallen to sleep. “Joseph?” he called in a quiet voice.

Joe was instantly on his feet. “I’m sorry Pa, I didn’t hear you come in.”

Ben smiled and placed a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Joseph, I’ve just come from having a talk with your brothers. I let them know that I did not like the way in which they have been treating you. I think you will find that things will be much better from now on, at least I hope so.”

“Did they say why they were still mad at me? I bet it’s because I won’t admit to having put that burr under Adam’s saddle.” Joe turned his back to his father and walked to the window. Down below, he could see Adam and Hoss talking with some of the men, and groaned inwardly when he spied Seth join the group. He cringed and felt the sting of tears when Hoss slipped his arm about the limping man’s shoulders in a brotherly manner. “Well, I’ll never admit it, cause I didn’t do it,” he said, letting the curtains fall back into place and blocking, from his vision, the scene down below in the yard.

“I have to go away for a few days, son,” Ben said, without commenting on his son’s statement, he had been hearing the same words for a week now and had begun to think that perhaps Joe had been telling the truth in the first place. “I’m leaving Adam in charge, and I want you to behave yourself while I’m gone.”

Joe spun around, shock etched into every line on his face. “Going away?” he uttered, suddenly feeling as if his whole world was crumbling at his feet.

“That’s right son, I have to go to Genoa on business, I’ll be gone about a week, maybe even a little longer.” Ben was surprised when he saw the expression on Joe’s face turn to one of total dismay.

“No…please Pa…can’t Adam…or Hoss go instead?” stammered Joe, feeling very alone. “I don’t want you to go!” The tone of his voice had risen slightly and he feared he would be sick to his stomach.

Ben stepped nearer and placed a reassuring arm around his son’s shoulder. He was surprised to feel the tiny tremors that coursed through the boy’s body. “Joe, why are you so upset? Your brothers will be here…”

“My brothers? Oh, that’s just great, you saw the way they treated me…please Pa, don’t go, or better yet, let me go with you! Please Pa…please.” Joe flung his self into his father’s arms, no longer able to hold back his tears and not caring one iota that he was begging and acting very much like the little boy that his brothers claimed him to be.

“Joseph…please calm down,” whispered Ben, his hand gently rubbing up and down Joe’s back. The action only seemed to give the boy more reason to press himself against his father’s body.

“Pa, they hate me…they’re mad at me…please, please don’t leave me here alone…please Pa, let me go with you,” cried Joe, clinging tightly to Ben.

“Joe, I’ll be busy with meetings and all, I won’t have time….”

“Oh, Pa, I’ll be good…honest, I’ll do everything you say. If I have to sit in the hotel all day long while you go to those meetings…I won’t even complain…I promise…I just don’t want to stay here…with them. Please Pa…I…I need to be with you! I don’t wanna stay with them,” his words broken as he sobbed and pleaded with his father.

Joe couldn’t stop his tears, his body trembled and when he turned his head upward to look at his father, Ben’s heart melted. He understood his son’s unhappiness, had he not been witness to the scene in he barn, he might have thought that his youngest son was exaggerating. But the forlorn look in the sad hazel eyes, told of his son’s misery. Ben brushed back the wild curls from his son’s brow and smiled down at him.

“You know Joe, I think you and I do need to spend some time together, just the two of us. What do you think about us taking a couple of days to do some fishing, after I finish my business? We could pick up some supplies in Genoa before heading back and camp out along the way, I happen to know of a perfect spot. How about it?” smiled Ben.

“Really Pa? You mean it? I can go with you? Honest? Oh golly, Pa, thanks.” Joe hugged his father tightly, his head pressed against Ben’s chest. “Thank you, Pa…I…I love you.”

Ben smiled to himself, pleased that he had agreed; Joe needed time away from his brothers, and his older sons needed their time away from their younger brother as well. It was perfect, for all of them and Ben hoped that by the time he and Joe returned things would have gotten back to normal.

“You best get your things ready, that is, if you still want to go?” laughed Ben.

“Do I? You better believe I do,” Joe grinned, wiping away the tears from his face. “Thanks, Pa, I know we’ll have fun.”

“Just as long as you understand Joseph, that it’s ‘business before pleasure’.”

“Oh, I understand Pa, honest,” smiled Joe as he turned to his dresser and began pulling out shirts and pants and tossing them in a pile on the bed. Ben laughed, glad to see his son smiling again. It had been a hard week, not only for Joe, but also for all of them. Adam and Hoss’ attitude toward their younger brother bothered Ben and he knew it troubled Joe.

“As soon as you’re finished packing, get to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” Ben said as he walked to the door. “Good night son.”

Joe barely glanced up at his father, so intent was he to finish tossing his clothes into the satchel. “Night Pa,” he called as he shoved the drawer closed.

Ben watched for another moment and then slipped out the door. As he started down the hall, he wondered what Adam would say when he was informed that Joe was to accompany him on his business trip. Somehow, Ben felt as if Adam and Hoss would be relieved to be free of the burden of tending to their brother. Their presumed lingering animosity at Joe, worried Ben, it wasn’t like either of them to hold a grudge, but that was what he had seen taking place. He would try once more to rectify the problem before leaving in the morning. He hoped to restore harmony to his home.

“That’s all I have to say on the matter, he’s going with me.”

Hoss and Adam stared at each other, unable to voice their thoughts to their father. Ben had been adamant about taking Joe with him on his business trip and had told them so in no uncertain terms.

Ben moved from the fireplace to his desk where he sat down, glancing at his two older sons. It saddened him to see the looks of relief that the two young men had tried so hard to conceal when he had made his announcement. It upset him that both of them seemed to still be at odds with their younger brother. Joe had made good his punishment, but even now Ben worried that it had been unjust, for gnawing in the back of his mind was doubts as to the boy’s guilt. But who, if not Joseph, had put the burr under Adam’s saddle, and why? Ben wondered if he would ever know the truth, but his heart felt certain that Joe had been telling him the truth and allowing the boy to accompany him to Genoa was in some small way, a token of his faith in his son. Ben sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair.

“Adam,” he called.

“Sir?” replied Adam, glancing at Hoss and then moving to stand in front of his father’s large oak desk.

“I know that you, and Hoss,” Ben’s eyes sought his middle son’s face. “Do not approve of my taking Joe with me…no, don’t deny it…I know that both of you think he should be made to stay here and finish out his punishment, and under different circumstances, I would agree. But I have been having doubts as to his guilt…something tells me that Joseph has been telling me the truth all along.”

“Oh Pa…why can’t you see...” started Adam but hushed when his father held up his hand.

“Adam, he has been adamant about the fact that he did not do it. I, personally, now believe that he was telling the truth…”

“But if’n Joe didn’t do it, who did and why?” questioned Hoss, joining his father and brother.

“I don’t know, I thought maybe Adam could answer that,” stated Ben.

“Me? How would I know?”

“Maybe one of the men holds a grudge against you for something and wanted to pay you back. But then when it backfired, they were afraid to come forward,” Ben said, searching his mind for reasons that might make someone do such a stupid thing and take a chance on a man getting seriously injured.

Hoss scratched his head in thought. “Ya know, I hadn’t thought about that.”

“But it was Joe who the others saw messing with my saddle, there wasn’t time for anyone else to do it, Joe’s guilty Pa, face the facts. And as for you taking him with you, I hope you know what you’re doing, cause he’s a trouble magnet.” Adam turned away and started for the stairs. Halfway there, he paused and turned around to face his father. “Mark my words, something will go wrong, it always does with Joe around.”

Ben shook his head and rubbed the weariness from his eyes. Hoss scrunched up his face and sat down in the chair in the corner. “Pa…I want to believe Joe as much as you do, but…aw…doggoneit Pa…I don’t know what to think anymore. Hearin’ ya tell it, makes me believe Joe wasn’t lyin’, but when Adam explains it, well…dangit…it sounds like Joe is lyin’.”

Ben gave Hoss a small smile. “I know son, I’ve wrestled with the same doubts for days now. I know that Adam is convinced that Joe is guilty, and that’s part of the reason I agreed to let Joe go with me. He’s unhappy…and he’s hurt Hoss. He thinks neither of you cares anything about him, and he’s somewhat jealous of the fact that the two of you seemed to have taken Seth under your wing. Joe thinks you care more about Seth than you do about him, and it hurts his feelings…I know what you’re going to say son, that it isn’t so, but to your younger brother, that’s the way he sees it and that’s the way he feels.”

“But Pa, it ain’t true…Joe’s just…just…” stammered Hoss, searching his thoughts for the right word.

“A boy, Hoss…he’s just a boy, and he thinks like a boy, he has feelings like a boy that are easily hurt. And he cries like a boy,” Ben paused, remembering how Joe had cried and begged not to be left behind.

“Cried? Joe’s been cryin’?” asked Hoss, surprised at this bit of information.

“Yes, and his reasons for it broke my heart.” Ben stood to his feet, facing Hoss. He wasn’t angry, just regretful. “He didn’t want to stay here…with you or Adam…because he was afraid of the way he would be treated. And after what I witnessed earlier in the barn, I can’t say that I blame him. I’m disappointed in you and your older brother.”

Hoss hung his head, fighting to control the unstable emotions that had threatened to surface. “I’m sorry Pa…I never meant to hurt the boy.”

Ben heard Hoss sniff and knew that the largest of his three sons had spoken the truth. “I hope not, son. The boy worships the ground you walk on, you surely must realize that.”

Hoss finally looked up and met his father’s gaze. “Yessir, I know…I reckon I jist forgot fur a while. I’ll apologize to him in the mornin’ and I’ll tell him I ain’t put-out with him anymore.”

“Thank you son, I know it will make him feel better. Joe can be sort of pesky at times, but he isn’t malicious enough to hurt someone on purpose. He just doesn’t think things through before he acts, that’s all. Hoss, it’s all part of being a boy, someday…and I hope not anytime soon, that little boy will be gone and we’ll wonder where the time went and what happened to him. I happen to love the little scamp just the way he is, and I hope that little boy in him stays around for a long time, cause once he’s gone, that’s it…he’s gone for good.”

Hoss stood to his feet, “Yeah, it would be sorta quiet around here without him,” he smiled. “Night, Pa.”

“Good night son, sleep well.” Ben watched as Hoss climbed the stairs. He wished that Adam had been as understanding, but then Adam was always the most bullheaded of all three of his sons. Ben blew out the lamps and muttered to himself, ‘wonder where he gets it?’

Hoss was true to his word. Standing idle at the foot of the steps, he waited until Joe emerged from his room. When Joe spied Hoss, he paused, unsure of why his brother seemed to be waiting for him.

“Morning,” smiled Joe when he had reached the foot of the steps.

“Mornin’ Short Shanks,” Hoss returned. “Joe…um…could I talk to ya for a minute?” he stammered, his head bent low while his fingers twisted a tread on his vest.

Joe, who had passed by his brother, stopped and turned around. “You want to talk to me? Why, why now? What do you have to say to me all of a sudden? Ain’t Seth speaking to you?”

Hoss’ lips twisted into a grimace. “Aw…cut it out Joe. I jist wanna tell ya that…I’m sorry Joe, for the way I been atreatin’ ya.” Hoss raised his head just enough to look at his brother’s face. He saw the deep frown that wrinkled his little brother’s brow and he took a deep breath and continued. “I didn’t mean ta hurt ya feelin’s or nuthin’.”

“Oh…is that why you’ve ignored me for a whole week, and is that why you’ve taken up with Seth? Did Pa make you apologize? Well, did he?” Joe yelled.

“Not exactly, he did say ya had you’re feelin’s hurt and suggested that….”

“That’s what I thought, well thanks for nothing, big brother. I don’t need your apology! In fact, I don’t need you!” Joe was fighting back his tears and quickly turned, leaving his brother to stare at his back and wonder what he had said to earn Joe’s wrath.

“Dadburnit, Little Joe, get your ornery butt back here. All I was adoin’ was tryin’ ta tell ya I was sorry, that’s all,” shouted Hoss as he stomped across the room after the boy.

He caught up with him at the door and grabbed Joe’s arm, spinning him around. “Now ya stand still and hear what I gotta say.”

Joe tried to wrench his arm free. “Let me go, you big ox. I don’t care what you have to say. I don’t want to listen to you, why don’t you just go find Seth and say it to him, he’s all you care about anyway. You and Adam don’t give a damn about me!”

Joe finally freed his arm from Hoss’ tight grip and rushed out the door, his tears nearly blinding him as he ran toward the barn to saddle his horse. He stopped at the door and wiped away the dampness from his face before entering.

“Oh, morning, son,” smiled Ben when he spied his youngest son. “I’ve got the horses saddled, are you ready to leave?”

Joe forced his face into a smile. “I sure am, Pa. I can’t wait to get started. Can we leave now?”

Ben laughed at his son’s eagerness. “In just a minute. I want to say goodbye to your brothers first. Come on.” Ben handed Joe the reins to his horse and taking Buck’s, led the way from the barn and into the morning sun.

Adam and Hoss stood together propped against the hitching rail and watched as their father and Joe walked slowly across the yard to where they stood. Joe purposely avoided looking at Hoss. He glanced at Adam, but his older brother was listening to what their father was saying. For the lack of anything better to do, Joe mounted up and waited for Ben to do the same. Joe tried to hide his sad expression from his middle brother, his insides were twisting and fluttering, tying his stomach in knots as he fought with his emotions. He caught Hoss’ eye, and quickly turned his head to keep from seeing the sorrow in the blue eyes that stared at him. Joe swallowed and wiped away the tears that threatened to spill forth.

“So, with any luck, I’ll be in and out of there in, hmm…no more than four or five days. After that, your brother and I are going to do some fishing. We should be home in about ten days at the most,” explained Ben.

“Good luck with the contract, Pa. Be careful,” he added, glancing at his youngest brother, who was not paying any attention.

Ben followed Adam’s eyes and the insinuation rubbed him the wrong way. “I think I can handle whatever trouble might come along, if it does.”

Adam’s eyes sought his father’s face and instantly realized that his father understood his implication. “I didn’t mean…” he stammered.

“I know perfectly well what you meant,” snapped Ben. “I’ll see you boys in a few days. Let’s ride, Joe.”

Joe nudged his mount into step beside Ben’s horse. As they rounded the corner of the barn, Joe glanced over his shoulder at his brothers. Both Hoss and Adam had already turned around and were headed back to the house. Joe took a deep breath and let it out slowly, he was glad for the chance to get away for awhile, but deep, deep down, he knew he would miss his two brothers. He felt detached from his family, and he unexpectedly wished that he had not been so unkind to Hoss, who had at least tried to make amends with him.

Hoss stopped just short of the doorway and glanced over his shoulder and watched as Joe rounded the barn following behind their father. He hated to see his brother leave with hard feelings between them. He had wanted to make up with the boy, his father’s words last night had struck a soft cord in his heart and he had wanted to make sure that Joe knew he was truly sorry for his words and actions. Hoss sighed; he couldn’t really blame Joe for not wanting to hear what he had, had to say. Hoss realized that both Adam and him self had been acting unjustly and though Adam had tried to cover it up, Hoss knew that deep down inside, his older brother had wanted to make amends with the boy as well. Now it was too late, Joe would be gone for several days and Hoss knew that at this time he would do nothing but stew about the situation until the boy returned.

“You going to stand outside all morning, or are you going to go to work?” laughed Adam, who had been watching his brother. “What’s wrong? You aren’t going to tell me that you are actually going to miss the little pest, are you?” he said, resting his hand on Hoss’ massive shoulder.

Hoss wrinkled up his face and gave Adam a tiny smile, “Well, ta be honest, I suppose I will miss him, some. I tried to make up with him, but he wouldn’t have none of it. Cain’t say I blame him, we’ve been sorta hard on the boy.”

Adam sobered a bit and turned away from his brother. “I suppose.” He started toward his father’s desk, but stopped and turned back to face Hoss. “Look Hoss, I don’t mean to be so hard on Joe, but it galls me that he gets away with so much, especially with Pa. I know Joe’s not a bad kid, he’s really good compared to some of the other young boys hereabouts. It’s just…just that his pranks get a little out of hand at times, and he’s…he’s…”

“Just a boy?” smiled Hoss. “That’s the way Pa explained it to me last night, Adam. Joe’s still a kid, he doesn’t realize that what he does can get folks hurt or mad or the like. He’s a boy, that’s all.”

Adam pressed his lips tightly together and raised his head just enough to smile at his brother. “You’re right Hoss, Joe is just a boy. I guess I shouldn’t have treated him so poorly. I’ll make it up to him when he gets home, maybe I’ll even take him to San Francisco with me when I go…that is, if Pa will let me.”

“Fat chance…Pa probably won’t ever trust us alone with that scamp again.” Hoss laughed and slung his arm across his brother’s shoulder. “We both know that Pa loves that boy more than he loves his own life, or us…sometimes.” Hoss tossed his head, “I love the boy too Adam and ya know ya feel the same way about him!”

“Don’t remind me!” Adam groaned good-naturedly. “Now get out of here, I have work to do and so do you!”

“See ya later, big brother!” Hoss slapped Adam’s back and headed out the door.

“Joe, we made it just in time for my first meeting. Why don’t you go on over to the hotel and get us a room,” smiled Ben, digging in his pocket for some money. He counted out several dollars and handed the bills to his son. “Sign us in and tell the clerk that we will be staying the rest of the week. And then get some rest, I shouldn’t be too long and when I’m finished, we’ll get a bite of supper.”

Joe flashed his father a happy smile. “Sure Pa, I could use some sleep, and a bath,” he laughed. “Too bad we got caught in that down pour this morning.”

“Well, I could certainly use a nice hot bath, but it’ll just have to wait until I finish with today’s business. I’ll see you later, son,” Ben dismounted from his horse and handed the reins to his son. “Would you see to the horses? Tell the man at the livery that I’ll be by later to pay him, make sure they get extra rations while you’re at it.”

“I will, Pa, if I have too, I’ll stable them myself to be sure it’s done right,” Joe said in a serious voice.

Ben caught the gleam in his son’s eyes and smiled. It had been a glorious two days, having Joe along with him and Ben had not regretted his decision in the least at bringing his son. Joe appeared to have begun relaxing and before long had started talking non-stop. Ben chuckled; his son was a joy to be with and Ben felt as if their relationship had become stronger by the bonding.

“Thank you Joseph, I knew I could count on you. I’ll see you in a little while.”

“Bye, Pa, I’ll meet you at the hotel,” Joe grinned and led the horses toward the livery.

By the time that Ben had finished with his meeting and made his way to the hotel, he was bone weary and more than ready for that hot bath. As he entered the lobby, he was surprised to see his son slowly making his way down the stairs.

Joe smiled broadly when he spied his father. “Oh, hi Pa. I was just coming down to order you some bath water. I figured it was about time for you to get done.”

Ben slipped his arm about Joe’s shoulders and returned the gesture. “Thanks son, I appreciate that.” Ben turned to the clerk but before he could utter a word, the clerk replied.

“We will have the wash room ready for you in just a few minutes, Mr. Cartwright. I’ll have the bell boy let you know when it’s available.”

“Thank you, my son and I will be in our room. Come on Joe.” Ben turned back to his son and followed the boy up the stairs.

“How’d your meeting go, Pa?” asked Joe once he and his father were inside their room.

Ben tossed his hat on the bed and began to untie his gunbelt. “It went very well. I think Mr. Carlson will agree to everything in the contract, at least he seemed pleased with it so far. How about you, did you take care of the horses for me?”

“I sure did, I rubbed them down myself and made sure that they had extra rations, just like you told me,” smiled Joe.

“That’s a good boy, Joe, I knew I could count on you.” Ben was just about to say something else when the bellboy knocked on the door. “Guess my bath is ready. I’ll be back shortly, you get yourself ready and we’ll go down to the dining room as soon as I get back.”

Ben gathered his clean clothes and opened the door, startled to find Mr. Carlson standing before him. “Oh, Edward,” laughed Ben, “I thought you were the bellboy, do come in.” Ben stepped aside and allowed the elderly gentleman to enter the room.

“This is my son, Joseph,” Ben introduced, “Joseph, Mr. Carlson, the gentleman I am working with on the new timber contract.”

“Sir,” greeted Joe, extending his hand.

Mr. Carlson grasped Joe’s hand in his and shook it vigorously. “Hello, son, please to meet you,” he smiled. Mr. Carlson turned to Ben. “Well, Ben, I knew you had three sons, but you didn’t tell me they were so young and good l