val001

RETURNING

By
Valerie Blythe

CHAPTER ONE

Ben sat up in bed and glanced around. The moon cast eerie shadows around the room, and outside a gentle wind brushed a branch back and forth across the window. But something else had awakened him, and with the familiar sick feeling, he knew what it was. He cringed suddenly as the screams of his eldest son again filled the house, and threw back the covers so he could go to him. Most every night it had been like this, ever since they had found Adam wandering, delirious, in the desert. Two weeks had passed, and the nightmares hadn't ceased; if anything,they had grown more intense. Adam screamed again, and Ben grabbed his robe and hurried out the door.

Hoss was already there, his face screwed into a combination of worry and regret, and something else Ben couldn't quite place. Adam crouched on the bed, his back against the headboard, and watched them with haunted eyes. He was stripped naked
like every night, and Ben could see the sweat soaking a body that shook uncontrollably. He bit his lip and fought back tears as he entered the room.

"He was like this when I got here, Pa," Hoss said. "I can't talk no sense into him."

Ben laid a hand on Hoss's shoulder in silent understanding, then moved to stand at the foot of Adam's bed.

"I'm here, son," he said, resisting the tremor that had crept into his voice.

Adam's eyes darted madly around the room and is hands clutched the sheets up around himself. Ben moved slowly to the side of the bed and reached out to touch his son. The reaction was always the same. Adam jumped, his eyes locking on Ben's face, and a flicker of recognition tamed his features. Slowly Ben lowered himself onto the bed and touched Adam's arm again.

"Adam," he said, no longer trying to stop the tears that spilled down his face.

"Pa!" Adam's anguished cry reverberated throughout the house.Slowly he began to return to the present, his eyes taking in the room, his father, and his brothers by the door. Then with a pain they could not know or understand, he began to sob openly and fell into Ben's arms.

*****************
The sun was just breaking the horizon when Hoss and Joe met silently at the breakfast table. They would not speak of last night,or any night for that matter. That had been their unspoken agreement from the beginning. Even that first night when Adam had tried to hurl himself from his bedroom window,and Joe and Hoss together had had to restrain him--even then nothing was said, and Joe
quietly nailed the window shut when Adam was working elsewhere. Besides, Pa insisted that Adam would make a full recovery, and speaking openly about his failings wouldn't do anyone any good.

The boys looked up when they heard their father descending the stairs. Ben looked decades older, his features drawn and haggard. He gave them a wane smile and slid into his place at the table. Hop Sing appeared from the kitchen with his breakfast and asked the same question he had asked every morning for two weeks.

"Will Mr. Adam be joining us this morning?"

Ben's eyes shifted to the top of the stairs and he frowned.

"We'll see," he said, picking up a fork and trying to look interested in his food.

Hoss glanced first at Joe and then his father and forced a smile.

"Hey, how 'bout I take him up a plate?" he said. "He's already thinner than a fishin' pole,it don't do him no good to be missing breakfast regular."

He was about to get up when Adam appeared at the top of the stairs. He had lost considerable weight and his clothes hung loosely about him. Little Joe's clothes might be a better fit, Ben thought wryly, watching his son. Adam's hair was tousled and matted, and his skin was drawn tight over a face that could not sleep. He walked slowly, laboriously, and Ben was sorely tempted to get up and
help him. But it was his eyes that caught and held Ben's gaze--they were the haunted, frightened eyes of a caged animal.

Ben cleared his throat. "Adam! Won't you sit? Have some breakfast?"

Adam stopped, wavered, and had to grip the stair rail to maintain his balance. He watched them, his eyes distant and speaking volumes of a hell he could not escape.

"No," he choked, his voice raw from the night's screaming. "No, I'll just get to work." He hurried across the room and out the door before anyone tried to stop him. His leaving left a silence that seemed to go on forever.

Ben dropped his fork and pushed away from the table. From the window he could see Adam lead his horse from the barn and stop the check the cinch one last time. Hoss and Joe joined their father at the window and watched their brother mount and ride away. Ben sighed and sunk into a nearby chair.

"Ah, don't you worry none, Pa," Hoss said with forced cheerfulness, "Adam'll be alright." But his eyes said otherwise and they both knew it.

"I could go after him," Joe offered. But Ben shook his head.

"He knows we're here when he's ready," he said. "Until then, this is something Adam must work out on his own."
******************

Adam pulled his horse to a stop and turned to look back the way he had come . He had run the animal hard, and for a considerable distance, and it was time to let it walk awhile. The ride had done him good though, and he felt his heart returning now to a normal rhythm. Out here--alone--he could pretend like nothing had happened. Losing himself in his work, he could almost forget---could make himself believe-that that madman had never changed his life. Almost.

Adam urged his horse into a trot and quickly covered the last mile. Then swinging down from the saddle, he tied his horse and began to dig through the saddlebags. The fences out here hadn't been mended in a long while, and the heavy snows of the past winter had taken their toll. He glanced up and down the long fence line, and grateful for the distraction, he got to work.

Around noon, Hoss found him there, still hard at work in the hot sun. His shirt and gunbelt lay across a rock nearby, but not a canteen in sight. Adam seemed to have developed a real aversion to water, and Hoss felt a stab of fear for his brother. He patted the package Hop Sing had sent, and urging his horse forward, he broke through the trees behind Adam.

He wasn't prepared for the reaction. With a cry, Adam turned and rolled, and in an instant had his gun in his hand, the trigger cocked.

Hoss flew from the saddle and hurried from the line of fire, but not before a shot burned his wrist.

"Adam!" he blurted, "It's me!"

Adam half-stood, half-crouched, confusion and fear darkening his features. The gun hung limply in his hand, and realizing what he had done, he tossed it away and dropped his hands to his sides.

"I'm sorry, Hoss," he barely whispered. "I'm so sorry."

For a moment Hoss didn't move. To tell the truth, Adam scared him now. Whatever had happened out there in the desert, it had changed him.

Hoss looked at his wrist and the bruise forming there, and realized how close it had come. Then glancing up, he saw Adam still standing there, so pathetic and alone, and in all the world, he didn't know what to do! Returning to his horse , he retrieved the package of food, and holding it out as a peace offering, he approached his brother.

"Hop Sing sent 'ya some grub," he said hopefully. To his relief, Adam took the offering and settled on a rock to open it. Hoss sat down near him and tried to think of better times while Adam ate. At least he was eating this time. His ribs jutted starkly against too thin flesh and his slacks hung low on his hips--mute testimony to too many missed meals. Hoss picked at a blade of grass and watched Adam from the corner of his eye. It hurt too much to look at him.

"Adam," he said, "you've been at this all morning. Why don't you come back to the house and rest a spell?"

To his surprise Adam nodded, the fight gone out of him. Finishing his meal, he gathered his belongings and followed Hoss to the horses.

Ben was waiting on the porch when they arrived, and he rose to meet them. When he saw Hoss's hand, his eyes widened, and he glanced from one to the other, searching their faces.

"Hoss?" he asked, shaking his head, fearing he knew the answer. "What happened to your hand?"

Hoss looked down at his wrist which had swelled noticeably, and climbed down from his horse.

"Ah, it's nuthin', Pa," he lied. "Just a little accident is all."

Adam dismounted also and led the horses to the barn. Ben watched him go with a mixture of regret and horror.

"Did he shoot at you?" he demanded, speaking low so Adam wouldn't overhear. "You tell me, boy, and you tell me straight! Did your brother take a shot at you?"

Hoss hung his head and tried not to look at his father. "I spooked him. I guess," he admitted, and cast a glimpse at Ben who was staring hard at the barn door. "Ah, Pa, don't blame Adam. He's...he's not himself."

But Ben's face had hardened and his voice developed an edge that chilled Hoss to the bone.

"I thought I was doing the right thing," he murmured. "I thought...if he could be with his family...to know we love him.. I thought..."

Hoss reached out to pat Ben on the shoulder. "Come in the house, Pa" he said, "everything's gonna be alright."

From the corner of his eye he saw Adam approaching from the barn.Ben saw him too and stopped to face him.

"Adam," he said brusquely. "I need to speak with you. Inside."

Adam gazed at him, his expression unreadable, but he followed them into the house.

Joe rose from his chair as they entered, his eyes taking in the subdued expressions and his brother's swollen hand.

"Hoss! Your hand!" he stammered. "What happened?"

Hoss waved the question aside and sat down heavily on the couch.Adam paused by the door and began unfastening his gunbelt.

"I'll take that, "Ben said sternly, holding out his hand. His expression left no room for argument.

Adam's whole body tensed, but he did not turn toward his father.

"Why?" he challenged.

"Why?" Ben roared, the tension of the last few weeks exploding out of him. "You take a shot at your brother and you dare ask me why?!"

Joe jumped at the question and shot a glance at Hoss. But Hoss was watching Adam who glared at him with a look of sheer betrayal.

"Come on, Pa," he said, rising and moving between the two. "I told you that was an accident. Ain't no call..."

"Stay out of this, Hoss," Ben ordered. "This is between your brother and me." He took a step toward Adam and held out his hand. His voice softened just a little. "Adam. Give me your gun."

Adam loosened he last of the buckles and folded the belt neatly in his hands. That horrible shaking had started again, and he dug his fingers into the soft leather in a feeble attempt to regain control. He turned and met his father's eyes, and found his own fear and regret reflected there. Slowly, reluctantly, he gave him the gun. He held the gaze a moment longer, emotions coming unbidden to
his tired face and stinging his eyes with tears. He blinked them back angrily and suddenly turned and stalked upstairs. Silence and three sets of eyes followed him.

"Let me go talk to him, Pa," Joe offered. "He's got to talk about it sometime. Maybe he's ready now."

Ben held the gunbelt tightly. He wished Adam could talk about what had happened--get it all out and then forget it. He missed the strong, confident man Adam had been. This new man frightened him and tore at his heart with an anguish he hadn't known he possessed. He gave Joe a weak smile, but didn't answer, and fighting back tears of his own, he slowly walked out he door.

Joe let out his breath, unaware that he had been holding it, glanced at Hoss for support, and turned to go upstairs.

He found Adam sitting at his desk, his head in his hands, his breathing shallow and rapid. He paused in the doorway, indecision clouding is face. He had never seen Adam so out of control; so broken inside. His big brother had practically raised him when his mother had died, and Joe was used to relying on that stern, stubborn, often exasperating, bossy man. This new man before him with the drooping shoulders and shaking hands was not the same, and Joe's heart cried at the realization. He wanted his brother back.

"Adam?" he began, clearing his throat. "Hey, I don't know what happened today, but..."

"I could have killed Hoss!" Adam shot back, his voice full of shame.

Joe took a step into the room. "Hoss said that was an accident!" he tried to convince himself. "No one blames you!"

"Pa does," Adam said darkly. Joe watched his brother and saw the pain that that revelation caused him. To know that his father and confidant didn't trust him must be killing him inside!

"No, Adam," he said. "Pa's just scared! We're all scared." And then quickly he asked the question they had all been afraid to ask. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Adam shot from his chair so quickly that it toppled over backward, clattering loudly on the floor. His face held a look of such unrestrained terror and anger that Joe took a step away from him.

"No, I don't want to talk about it!" Adam raged. "I don't want to think about it ever again! If I could, I'd tear the memory from my brain and toss it into hell!" He kicked the chair across the room and turned his back on Joe.

Joe's mouth hung open and he stared at the brother he no longer knew. There was nothing he could say to calm Adam, and nothing he could do to change the past. Quickly he left the room.

Hoss looked up at Joe's return and saw on his face the lack of success. Joe sat down on the coffee table and put his head in his hands.

"There's got to be something we can do to bring him out of it!" he finally said. "Maybe if we could get him into town--take his mind off things..."

Hoss leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Ah, Joe. Adam hasn't left this ranch since he got back, and I can just about guarantee that he's not gonna." He glanced up the stairs to make sure Adam wasn't there. "Heck, Joe, we scare him half to death! What do you think strangers will do to him?"

Joe hung his head. "I know," he said. "But we've got to do something! This is killing Pa! And...well, I'm afraid what Adam might do..."

Hoss glanced at his bandaged hand which he had just doctored and sighed again. "Yea," he said. "You're right. We gotta do something."

CHAPTER TWO

Hoss stood with Joe outside the livery stable and glanced uncertainly up the street.

"You sure this is going to work?" he asked his brother as he handed over his horse and payment to the livery owner. "Shouldn't we tell Pa first?"

"Tell him?" Joe asked with mock bravado. "Why tell him? He'll find out when he gets here!"

Hoss shrugged and followed Joe across the street. Leave it to his little brother to think these things up. He just hoped it worked this time.

"Hey Roy!" Joe called, spotting the sheriff. Sheriff Coffee stopped and waited for them.

"What can I do for you boys?" he asked. Then quieter, "How's Adam?"

"He's not so good, Roy," Hoss interjected. "That's kinda why we're here."

Roy waited expectantly.

"Well, you see," Joe said, "we have sort of a plan to help bring him around, and well...we need you help to pull it off."

Roy nodded, accustomed to Joe's way of thinking ."Why don't you boys come into my office and we'll discuss this plan of yours."

They followed Roy down the sidewalk and into the sheriff’s office.Roy sat down in the chair behind his desk, folded his hands and waited.Joe glanced at Hoss and tried to quell any lingering doubts about his plan.

"Well, um," he shifted on his feet and looked nervously at the floor. "I wondered if you might arrest us?" He looked at Roy innocently and forced a smile.

Roy smiled back but stayed where he was. "What fer?" he asked, waiting for a punch line. Little Joe shifted again and nudged Hoss.

"You see, Roy," Hoss spoke up. "We was thinking...if we both got into some trouble...well...Adam just might come into town to bail us out..."

It had sounded better when Joe had suggested it.

"Yea," Joe continued. "And when he gets here, he'll start having so much fun, he'll forget all about what's happened!"

Roy eyed them and wondered how two good boys could dream up so many dang-fool schemes. "Fun, huh?" he asked. "Bailin' you two out of jail?"

Hoss scrunched up his face. "Well no!" he insisted. "The fun comes afterwards!"

"I see," Roy continued. "And watcha gonna do if your Pa comes instead?"

Joe broke into a smile. "That's the beauty of it!" he said. "If Pa comes first, you just throw him in jail too--then Adam would have to come! If he comes afterwards--well, he can't be mad if it all works out!"

"Uh, Huh," Roy said. "There's only one problem, boys."

"Huh?" Hoss said. "What's that?"

"You haven't done anything to get arrested for!" Roy declared, throwing up his hands.

"Well can't you just say we did and lock us up anyway?" Joe asked hopefully.

"I can't do that, Joseph," Roy answered. "You've got to break the law or someone has to file a complaint against you. I'm not gonna lock someone up unlawfully! The judge would have my hide!"

Joe let that thought settle into his brain and his face brightened.

"You say someone needs to make a complaint,huh?" he asked. "Well, alright then." And he suddenly hauled back a fist and struck Hoss full in the mouth.

"There!" he cried jubilantly ."I just attacked this man in broad daylight! And...and in front of witnesses!" He held out his hands. "Now you can arrest me Roy!"

The sheriff looked from one to the other, shook his head and asked, "Hoss? You gonna press charges?"

Hoss dabbed at the cut on his lip and glanced at Joe's hopeful face. "Yeah..." he said. Then more eagerly, "Yeah! I want this man arrested, sheriff! You seen what he done!'

"You gonna press charges against your own brother? "Roy asked again, hoping they'd change their minds.

"I reckon I am at that," Hoss insisted, staring at Joe's pantomimed insistence that he draw his gun. "Oh yeah," he added, awkwardly drawing the pistol and waving it around the room. "And if you don't arrest him, I'm just gonna have to do something unlawful!"

Realizing they were serious, Roy sighed heavily and picked up his keys from the desk. "Threatening an officer of the law," he chided with mock sternness. "I'm just gonna have to lock BOTH of you up!" He held out his hand. "Give me your guns, boys."

Grinning broadly, they unfastened their gunbelts and laid them on the desk. Then quite happily, they walked into the first cell and let Roy lock the door.

"I'll send word to the ranch for someone to come fetch you," Roy said. "You sure you want to go through with this?"

"Absolutely," Joe insisted. "It's all going to plan."

"All except this cut on my lip," Hoss mumbled from across the cell.

Roy took one last look at them, shook his head, and left them alone.

******************
That evening, Adam joined Ben at the dinner table. Ben was glad to see him eating again, and was pleased to see that Hop Sing had made Adam's favorites. He watched Adam pick up a fork awkwardly with one hand and stuff a piece of bread in his mouth with the other. Ben smiled at him, but he glanced quickly away, stabbing at his food with the fork.Ben sighed and turned his attention to his own plate.

A knock on the door made them both jump, and Ben rose from his chair to answer it. One of the ranch hands stood there, dusty a dirty hat against his pant leg.

"Hank," he said, "what can I do for you?"

"Evening, Mr. Cartwright," the man said. "A boy stopped me up on the road. Said to give you this note from Sheriff Coffee."

"Thank you, Hank," Ben said, accepting the note and shutting the door. As he returned to the table, he opened the paper and began to read. His eyes widened in shock.

"I've got to get into town..." he told Adam uncertainly. They hadn't left him alone until now. Ben glanced toward the gun rack where he had chained and locked all the rifles, and hated that it had come to that. Adam didn't acknowledge him, and he took the opportunity to slip quietly into the kitchen.

"Hop Sing," he called, putting a finger to his lips to indicate the need for silence. "I'm going into town for awhile," he said in a whisper. "Could you..." God, he hated not trusting his son!

"Don't you worry," Hop Sing answered. "Mr. Adam be just fine. Might even go bed after fine meal!"

Ben nodded and slipped quietly out the kitchen door, hoping he was doing the right thing.

A short time later, he strode into the sheriff's office without preamble, and slapped a hand on Roy's desk. Roy jumped a little but offered a smile when he recognized the elder Cartwright.

"Would you mind telling me why you're holding my boys?!" Ben shouted. "I just got a message that they'd both been arrested!"

The sheriff rose and came around the desk to meet Ben. "That's true," he said. "I've got two of your boys back there." He smiled broadly. "And very determined to be arrested too!"

Ben glared at Roy. "What are you talking about?!" he fumed. "What have they done?"

"Well, let's see," Roy said, moving back around the desk and pretending to shuffle through some papers, "I've got Little Joe on fightin' and Hoss on threatening a peace officer." He smiled again.

Ben stared at him angrily and shook a finger in Roy's face. "You listen here!" he shouted. "You let my boys out this instant!" He searched Roy's face. "And stop smiling!"

The sheriff tried to make his face serious. "I declare, Ben, I don't know what this family is coming to!" he said. "All this shouting and carrying on! Surely you must be disturbing the peace somewhere!" And before Ben knew what was happening, Roy drew his gun and motioned toward the cells. "I'm gonna have to lock you up."

Ben's mouth hung open as Roy took his gun and led him toward the cell. Hoss and Joe gave him a tight smile from behind the bars.

"There they are, Ben," Roy said as he unlocked the door and pushed Ben inside. "Now maybe you'll all have a nice long talk and come to your senses!' He shook his head again, and shutting the door, left them in peace. Hoss and Joe took one look at their father, and retreated to the far side of the cell.

"Boys!" he thundered, giving them a look that stopped them in their tracks. "Would someone mind telling me what's going on?!"

Hoss shoved Little Joe forward. "Tell him, Joe."

Joe cringed visibly under his father's glare ad cleared his throat. "Well...you see, Pa," he began hesitantly. "It's all part of the plan."

Ben threw up his hands. "What plan?"

Joe glanced at Hoss who shoved his hands in his pockets and hung his head. "The plan," he continued, turning back to his father. "the plan to help Adam ."

Ben's face instantly softened and he looked from one to the other. "How do you figure this will help Adam?" he asked hopefully.

"Ah, Pa," Hoss said, looking up. This was all just a way to get Adam into town." He shuffled his feet and looked at the floor. "And livin' again, "he mumbled softly.

Ben blinked back tears of gratitude and clapped his sons on the back. They had dreamed up yet another crazy scheme, but their hearts were in the right place. Was there a chance? Would it work?

*****************
The night had been a hard one, and Adam lay exhausted in his bed, watching the sun crest the trees outside the window. His father hadn't come last night when he had cried out. No one had come, and he felt the icy hand of fear grip at his heart. Had they given up on him?

He rose and padded naked to the window. It was late and the ranch hands were busy with their chores, but he didn't see his father or brothers. Dressing quickly, he left the room and headed down the stairs.

Hop Sing!' he called.

"Yes, Mr. Adam?" Hop Sing answered, appearing near the kitchen door.

"Where is everyone?" Adam asked, fighting the rising fear.

"Mr. Ben go into town last night and not come back," he answered," Haven't seen other boys since early yesterday." He mumbled to himself in Chinese and hurried back to the kitchen.

Adam glanced around the house and felt a cold sweat trickle down the back of his neck. He didn't want to be alone today. Not after last night. Making his decision, he grabbed his hat from the hook by the door and started out toward the barn.

CHAPTER 3

The three Cartwrights faced the open door of the jail cell uncertainly, and glanced at the stranger.

"That's fine," Ben said, waving him away. "If it's all the same to you, we'll just stay here."

The stranger motioned impatiently. "Come on! Hurry up!" he said. "I've got the sheriff tied up in the other room, and there's horses waiting in the alley. Come on!"

Hoss stepped up to the bars. "What my Pa means," he said. "is we were told to wait right here until our OWN gang comes to bust us out." He smiled tightly, hoping the man would believe him.

The man's face grew more agitated. "I'm from your gang, you fool!"he cried, drawing his gun. "But we've wasted too much time already! Now move!"

The Cartwrights meekly followed the stranger out of the cell. In the office he gathered their guns from the desk and motioned them out into the alley. There were four horses there, and directed by the stranger, they mounted and followed him.

About an hour later they slowed their horses and proceeded at a walk. The man in the lead turned in the saddle.

"Sorry I had to draw down on you back there," he said, and looked worried. "you won't tell the Boss, will you?"

Ben shrugged and tried to imagine what they had gotten themselves into.

A short time later they rode up to a small cabin nestled among the trees, and dismounted. Three men opened the door and came out to stand on the porch.

"Who are these fellas, Charlie?" the middle one asked suspiciously.

Charlie glanced from the Cartwrights to the others, and started to realize he had made a serious mistake. "They're the men you sent me to get in Virginia City, aren't they?" he asked hesitantly.

"Virginia City?" the other yelled. "I sent you to Carson City, you fool!'

Charlie's face fell and he quickly retreated to the other side of the yard. The boss approached the Cartwrights and he looked them up and down.

"What were you boys in for?" he asked.

Ben glanced at his sons and hoped they would follow his lead. The truth was definitely NOT an option right now.

"Oh, we're real bad man," Ben said gruffly. "These boys of mine start trouble just by walking into town!" That part wasn't entirely a lie!

The boss considered this and scratched his chin. "It's too late to go for my own men," he said, "Think you boys could do a job for me?"

The Cartwrights exchanged glances, then nodding silently, they followed the man into the house.

*******************

Adam slowed his horse as he neared Virginia City. He had'nt thought it would be this difficult. His hands were sweating profusely, and sensing his fear, his horse tossed its head nervously. Adam licked his dry lips and fought the terror creeping up his spine.

"Come on, Sport," he coaxed. "We've got to face people sometime." He kicked the horse in the sides and flew down the hill into town. People scurried out of his way as he rode up main street perhaps a little too quickly. He pulled up short outside the sheriff’s office and jumped from his horse, damning his legs for shaking and the eyes he imagined were staring at his back. He took a deep
breathe to steady himself and purposely strode into the sheriff's office.

He was taken aback by what he saw. Roy sat tied to his chair, a bandanna gagging his mouth. Adam rushed to him and began to loosen his bonds.

"What happened, Roy?" he asked, his own fear forgotten for the moment.

"Oh, it's just terrible, Adam!" Roy exclaimed, stretching his sore arms. "I just knew that plan of Little Joe's was gonna mean trouble!"

Looking both confused and worried, Adam glanced down at the sheriff. "What happened?' he asked again.

Sheriff Coffee rubbed at his face and sighed. "Adam," he said. "those brothers of yours were real worried about you! They wanted to do something to help, ya' see!" He trailed off and took another breath. "It was part of the plan, you understand? I was to throw them into jail to get you into town...only your father came first, so naturally I had to throw him in jail too..."

"Naturally," Adam mumbled, still confused.

Roy cleared his throat. "So anyway," he continued. "We were all waiting for you to show up, when this stranger runs in, clobbers me on the head, and breaks your family out of jail!"

Adam stared at him and slowly stood up straight. "Which way did they go?" he asked.

" East, I think, "Roy answered. "Adam, you're not thinking of going after them alone are you?"

But Adam had already gone, the door swinging shut behind him.

*******************
The Cartwrights sat on their borrowed horses on a ridge overlooking the road below. The outlaw leader rode up to them.

"Now you understand what to do?" he said, handing them their guns. "Me and the boys will be waiting on the road to Carson. You make sure you run the stage that way."

The Cartwrights nodded and waited until he rode away. Hoss glanced at Ben.

"We really gonna do this, Pa?" he asked quietly. "I ain't never robbed a stage before."

Ben clenched his jaw and smiled wanly. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll think of something."

Hoss sighed deeply and got his horse into position with the others.Why did he alwaysworry when a Cartwright said those words?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a stage clattering up road. They waited until it was almost below them, then spurred their horses to give chase. The stage kicked up dust and pebbles that stung their eyes, but they could just make out passengers faces poking cautiously out the windows. Suddenly a guard leaned across the top of the stage and aimed a rifle in their direction. Lord, what had they gotten themselves into?! Dodging bullets this way and that, they spurred their horses faster, closing the distance to their quarry. The guard fired again.

Well, it's time to put a stop to THIS, Ben thought, drawing his pistol and taking aim. His bullet met its mark and the guard's hat flew from his head. The man quickly ducked back into his seat and stopped shooting.

With a sudden burst of speed, Joe's horse caught up to the stage. Looking in the window, Joe smiled and tipped his hat at a young lady inside. Then grabbing hold of the window, he swung from the saddle and clambered to the top of the stage. Seeing him, the driver reluctantly pulled to a stop.

"What's the big idea?" he demanded.

"We need to talk to you!" Ben called, riding up behind.

"By shooting at us?" the guard demanded.

"Hey!" Joe retorted. "You shot first!"

Ben raised his hand and gave Joe a look. "Please!" he said, trying to calm the situation. "There are three robbers waiting up ahead on the road to Carson! You've got to turn back !"

The driver stared at him. "How do you know all this?" he asked.

"Well...um...that's not important," Ben sputtered. "You've got to believe me!"

The driver and guard exchanged glances and considered the Cartwrights behind suspicious eyes. It could be true, they thought...Making a decision, the driver reined the horses in a tight circle, and turned the stage back the way it had come. "On one condition," he said. "You three stay with us." Ben nodded in agreement, and Joe climbed down from the top of the stage to retrieve Cochise. Then with weary smiles they kicked their horses to follow the stage once more Shortly after turning onto the road to Virginia City, the stage pulled up short. Ben looked on in alarm and quickly rode up to talk to the driver.

"What happened?' he asked.

"The wheel's cracked!" he answered. "all that runnin' must have done it," And he glared at Ben and the boys.

Ben was annoyed. "Well don't you carry a spare?" he demanded.

"Nope," the driver said, glaring at him.

Joe rode up behind Ben. "There's a small ranch up the trail aways," he volunteered. "an old man and his daughter live there. They might be able to loan you a wheel." Hoss grinned at his brother. Joe always knew where the eligible girls lived!

The driver grunted. "well," he said "I'm supposed to stay with the passengers...I don't reckon you fellas would go see?"

"Be happy to," Joe smiled, but Ben took hold of his reins.

"We'll ALL go," he told Joe. And then to the driver, "Be back soon!"

They rode away at a gallop and soon came to a new trail that led away to the right. Joe stopped and pointed. "It's right down there," he said.

Ben eyed his son. "I take it you've been here before?" he asked suspiciously.

Joe smiled his answer, and whistling happily, he took the lead down the new trail. Up ahead they could hear splashing water and a feminine voice singing. Getting closer, they saw a young woman sitting by a creek washing clothes. She stood as they neared, and broke into a beautiful smile.

"Hi, Little Joe," she said sweetly and waited for him to introduce the others.

"Loraine," he said "This is my father and my brother. She smiled up at them then turned back to Joe. "My father hasn't changed his mind," she said with a hint of worry.

"Oh," Joe's face fell. "then I guess it's out of the question to ask for a spare wagon wheel."

She nodded and started to turn away, but Ben stopped her with a question. "You said your father hasn't changed his mind...Hasn't changed his mind about what?"

She chewed at her lip. "Oh, that....well..."

Just then a man rode into view, his rifle in his hand. "Little Joe Cartwright!" he bellowed. "What did I tell you about coming around here, bothering my little girl?!" And a shot rang out very close to Joe's ear. Joe jumped, but he smiled at Loraine before reining Cochise around and galloping away. Hoss followed his brother, but Ben blocked the man's path and tried to defuse the situation.

"Now just a minute!" he called to the other. "we just came to..."

"I know why 'ya come!" the man bellowed. "And I said git!" He raised the gun again and took aim. Ben chose the better part of valor and hurried after his
sons.

*****************
Adam was uneasy as he cantered up to the cabin. All was quiet, but there were horses in the corral, and smoke rose from the chimney. He slowly dismounted.

"Hold it right there!" a man shouted, making Adam jump. "What do you want?"

Adam looked at the man who had just walked into view, and held his hands away from his sides to show that he was unarmed. "I'm looking for three men," he said."I was following their trail and it ended here."

The door of the cabin opened and two other men strode out. The leader eyed Adam suspiciously. "Whatcha want with em?" he asked. "They're friends of yours?"

Adam didn't like where this was going. "I've just come from the sheriff's office.." he hedged. His heart was beating desperately in his ears and he wondered if they could hear it.

"Come to take 'em back, huh?" the man said, some of the suspicion dropping away."Good! Because those low-down dirty horse thieves done run off with our money!"

Adam raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps I should describe the men I'm after," he offered. "One's an older man, another is a big man, and the third is a much younger man."

"Yeah! That's them!"

Adam crossed his arms across his chest." And they have your money?"

"That's right."

"And your horses?"

"Right."

Adam raised his eyebrows again. "Then I'd better get after them," he offered, mounting his horse again."Which way did they go?"

"They're probably half-way to Virginia City by now," the man mumbled.

Adam nodded and set off at a gallop. They'd have some explaining to do when he caught up to them!

The sun was low in the sky when he rounded a bend and came upon a stage sitting unceremoniously in the middle of the road. Its passengers leaned against the sides fanning themselves. Adam rode forward.

"What's the problem?" he called. The driver stood and glared up at him.

"My horses have been run into the ground!" he said angrily. "My passengers scared witless. My guard shot at. And my wheel's broke! And now I'm stuck here waitin' on the scoundrels that caused the whole thing!"

Adam shook his head and pursed his lips. "What did these 'scoundrels' look like?" he asked.

"Well," the driver began. "One was an older fella--the father I think. The others must have been his sons--a big'un and a little 'un."

Adam shook his head again and tried to imagine what was going on.

"Which way did they go?" he asked for what seemed like the hundredth time today.

The man pointed up the road. "Said they were going up the road a piece to borrow a wheel," he said. "But I don't think..."

"Thanks," Adam called, kicking his horse forward.

CHAPTER FOUR

The horses were blowing hard as the Cartwrights galloped into Virginia City. Weaving through the streets and alleys, they frantically tried to elude their pursuer. Finally Joe pulled to a stop and held up his hand. "These horses can't go any further," he said. "We've got to find some place to hide!"

They dismounted hurriedly and glanced quickly around. Little Joe picked a door and led them through it.

Garish surroundings assaulted their eyes, and a player-piano played a lively tune in the corner. Here and there, scantily clad women lounged, talking and giggling amongst themselves, or in more intimate conversations with gentleman callers. Ben's eyes widened. They had entered a brothel!

"Joseph!" he hissed ."We've got to get out of here!"

But Joe ignored him and smiled at the woman who was stroking his chest suggestively. An older woman in long gowns descended the stairs and approached them.

"What can I do for you boys?" she asked, spreading her hands to indicate the ladies in the room. "What's your pleasure?"

"Actually," Ben stammered. "We were just looking for a place to hide..."

She grinned devilishly at him. "Don't want the Mrs. to know, huh?" She motioned to the young lady who was hanging on Joe." Mary Bell, why don't you show our guests to their rooms upstairs so they can 'hide'."

Ben opened and closed his mouth and stammered again. "We don't need a bunch of rooms!"

She eyed him appreciatively and grinned again. "Just the one room then?" she purred. "And how many girls?"

Ben gaped at her. It didn't help that his sons were laughing gleefully and that Joe had taken Mary Bell's hand and was following her up the stairs.

"Joseph!" he shouted, and shot Hoss a withering glare.

"You know, she may be right," Joe called back, smiling. "Upstairs is a good place to hide!"

Ben sputtered and mumbled and finally threw up his hand defeat. He gestured to Hoss and they both ran up the stairs after Joe.

Mary Bell led them to a large brightly colored room. Gaudy decorations adorned the walls, and multi-colored sheets covered the bed.

Joe watched appreciatively as Mary Bell flitted across the room to pull the shades on a large window there. Then giggling wickedly she whispered something to Joe and sprinted out the door.

Ben stared at Joe. "Where's she going?" he demanded. "What did she say?"

Joe glanced at his father and blushed a deep red.

"She's...um...going to change," he said sheepishly.

Hoss started to laugh and Ben glared him into silence. "That's it!" he shouted. "We're getting out of here!"

Hoss glanced around the room and stifled a chuckle. "Watcha gonna do, Pa?" he asked. "Go out the window?"

Ben glared at his sons and stalked across the room. "That's exactly what we're going to do!" he said, pulling back the curtains and opening the window. Hoss and Joe laughed again and followed him.

From the alley below, Roy Coffee watched in amusement as Ben Cartwright and his boys descended the trellis on the side of the building. Ben seemed almost frantic and nearly slipped on the way down, but his boys took their time, wistfully looking back at the open window. As they reached the ground, Roy crossed his arms and cleared his throat.

"Been doin' a little visiting, Ben?" he asked with a smile.

Ben jumped and whirled around to face Roy. "Now don't you start!" he demanded.

Roy smiled again and winked at him. "Fine, Ben, fine," he said. "Now if you'll ll come along peaceful-like, I've got a cell waiting."

Ben's eyebrows shot upward. "What are you talking about?" he shouted. "We're done playing games! We've run clear across the country and back again because if this foolishness!"

"I’m sorry you feel that way, Ben, "Roy chided. "but I've got to take you back. You were my prisoners, and how would it look to just let you go without due process of law?"

Ben sputtered and fumed and threw his hands in the air. "This is ridiculous!" he yelled. "I've got to get home and check on Adam! He must be worried sick!"

"Adam's fine, "Roy said gently." He was in this morning looking for you outlaws."

"Adam was here?" Hoss asked incredulously.

"Sure was,Hoss, "Roy confirmed, then smiled. "I guess your plan worked after all!"

"Hot dog! "Hoss shouted. "Little Joe we done it!"

"How did he look, Roy?" Joe asked hopefully.

Roy glanced at the younger Cartwright. "He looked pretty good, I guess," he said. "A bit tired and lean maybe, but fit to be tied over you boys' plan!"

Joe looked worried, but Ben broke into a big smile. "That's wonderful!" he cried. "Just wonderful!" He looked around excitedly. "Where is he?"

Roy hesitated. "Why don't you fellas come to the office? "he asked, then chuckled. "I'm afraid we're drawing a crowd standing around this house of ill repute!"

Embarrassed, the Cartwrights looked around at the gathering crowd and quickly turned to follow Roy up the street.

*******************

Adam pulled his horse to a stop to wait for the approaching rider. It was an older man who held a rifle in one hand and scowled as he rode. Adam began to sweat heavily and angrily pushed the fear aside.Forcing a smile, he called to the man.

"Excuse me," he said. "Do you live around here?"

The man glared at him. "Down there," he muttered, gesturing down a road with his rifle. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why do you want to know?"

Adam ignored his queasy stomach and beating heart, and tried again. "I'm looking for three men," he said. "I was told they were seen around here earlier."

"They was here!" the man mumbled. "I just run those woman-stealin' bastards back into town!"

Adam looked at him in total amazement. "And where did you leave these 'bastards'?" he asked. The fear was dropping away, to be replaced by confusion.

The man cursed and spit on the ground. "Last I saw, they 'd run into Mandy's House of Pleasure." He cursed again and kicked his horse forward.

Adam stared after him. A brothel?! This was getting more interesting all the time!

The sun was beginning to set when he rode into town. Turning down a narrow alley, he rode quietly down the back streets until he found the house he sought. There was no one about, and he quickly dismounted and entered the non descript building.

Color and music and laughter assaulted his senses, and a striking woman in flowing silk gowns strode purposely toward him.

"Where you been hidin, handsome?" she asked as she brazenly slid a hand down his hip and let it rest where it counts. He sucked in his breath and felt his body respond in spite of himself.

"I'm looking for information," he said huskily, shamelessly staying where he was. At least THAT didn't frighten him!

"Entertainment is more my venue," she said, giving him a final pat below the belt for emphasis. "But I like you. Ask your question."

Wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers, he cleared his throat. "I'm looking for three men," he said. "A father and two sons."

She smiled with delight "They were here," she said. "Did your momma send you to fetch them?"

Adam flushed. "Um...no..." he said. "But I really need to speak to them."

She giggled lightly. "Sorry, cowboy," she said. "They went out the window just a while ago."

Adam's eyes opened wide and he gaped at her in astonishment."What?" he exclaimed. "Which way did they go?"

"With the sheriff," she quipped, giggling again. "Someone's gonna be sleepin' cold tonight!"

Adam took a step toward the door and tipped his hat to her. "Yes, ma'am," he said. "Perhaps I should go fetch them after all."

She smiled and licked her lips seductively. "Don't you be a stranger...handsome," she purred.

Flushing again, Adam made his getaway.

*******************
Adam burst into the sheriff's office and stopped short. His father and brothers stood to one side, and the sheriff faced them across the desk. Seeing him, they all broke into huge grins.

"Adam!" Ben cried, concern tinting his voice. "How are you, son?"

Adam ignored the question, folded his arms and leaned back against the wall. He looked at them each in turn.

"Horse thieves," he said dryly. "Stage coach robbers. Woman-stealers. Lady-killers." He raised his eyebrows. "Have I left anything out?"

Joe glanced away and shifted on his feet. "We..um...we're just trying to get you to town." he muttered.

"Yeah, Adam," Hoss spoke up nervously. "How 'ya feelin'? Want to go get a drink...or something?"

Adam stared impassively at them. The truth was, he was feeling pretty good! The ghosts of the past lurked sullenly near the edge of his memory--but they were bearable now.

Sheriff Coffee cleared his throat and broke into his thoughts. "I hate to break up the party," he said. "But these three are still my prisoners. If you would sign these papers, Adam, I can release them in your custody."

Adam paused a long moment and his face was unreadable. "Lock them up," he finally said.

Looks of disbelief crossed all their faces and they gaped at him in astonishment. Slowly, casually he straightened and turned, the hint of a smile tugging gently at lips. Time enough for thank-yous later, he thought as he slowly strode out the door. Besides, the night was young, and he meant to reacquaint himself with living.

The healing had begun.

THE END

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