Same old, same old; I don't own Bonanza at all, not even a vile of water fromLake Tahoe. I do however, own the minor characters such as Danny Miller. Anyways, this was my very first BZ fic ever and I'm just now getting it posted up here. It's not that great, but keep in mind is was my first story so please be gentle. One good thing is that the story is finished, I'm just posting a chapter at a time because-shamless plug that I am-I'm greedy for reviews. lol!
The Hunt for Danny Miller
By Knowing Grace
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.
*Chapter One*
He was slipping.
He didn't know when the actions of his body finally caught up to his sluggish mind, but he pushed the grey fingers of shock as far away as he could. The rain pounded down upon his unprotected frame, beating him into the sludge and slowly filling the hole where he lay. Glancing at the tiny bedraggled form in his grip, he forced his frozen right arm to heft the motionless boy higher out of the murky water.
"Joe Cartwright, you got yourself into a real jam this time." He murmured half-consciously to himself. Shifting his weight slightly to ease the cramp in his back muscles, he was nearly pulled into the blackness that hung around the fringes of his vision as pain rocketed up his left side. The piercing agony settled into his shoulder with a dull throb and remained there. He tried to force himself to remember exactly what had happened to make him ache all over, but nothing came to him. There was a strange rumbling noise somewhere above the rim of the pit and dread crept into his heart, keeping time with each beat the vital organ made.
It can't be a...Joe couldn't even make himself finish the terrible thought. Something splashed into the grime in front of him and with an effort, he tilted his head back to peer out of the well's opening. Dirt, rocks, tree branches, and torn up turf washed over the edge and rained down upon the two prone figures.
Flood! Jerking forwards, he attempted to shield the sleeping boy in his lap from the falling debris to no avail. His stomach did a sickening flip-flop as he realized that help would not reach them before the inevitable occurred. Cursing himself for the fool he was, Joe wished with all his being that he had heeded his father's direct order and stayed home. He felt the fear clawing at his throat for deep down inside he knew he was going to die...and when he did, so would Danny!
*Four Days Earlier*
"Ugh! Doc, that is the worst stuff I've ever tasted in my life!" Doctor Paul Martin tried to hide a smile as his patient spluttered at the foul flavored liquid.
"That ain't the entire truth, Little Joe; I remember when ya swallowed a whole bar of lye soap. Boy, if ya coulda just seen yer-"
"Cut it out, Hoss! That was when I was six-years-old, for Pete sake!" A chuckle erupted from the doorway to Joe's bedroom and the three figures turned as one.
"As I recall, Hoss, you dared your little brother into eating that and as a reward you had to do his chores for a month." Ben Cartwright added his two cents worth, enjoying the chagrined look that settled on his middle son's features; he crossed the distance between the door and his youngest child. Joseph lay on his bed swathed in blankets and pillows, reminding the older man of a caterpillar wrapped in a cocoon. Ever so gently, Ben placed his hand against Joe's forehead, but the caring gesture earned him a scowl so he backed off.
"Well, Paul," He turned to his friend, "how is our invalid doing?" The doctor placed the offending medicine on a nearby table before answering.
"Oh, I think he'll live—provided he doesn't decide to take another bath in Lake Tahoe anytime soon." Joe frowned at the hated physician before offering his usual statement.
"I'm fine." An explosive sneeze ended the well-known phrase and the three onlookers burst into peals of laughter. Gathering his shredded dignity around him, Little Joe sniffed. Stretching the kinks out of his rail thin frame, Paul stood.
"I better get going before I become permanently attached to this chair. You know where to find me if you need my services before the end of the week; otherwise, I'll see all of you on Sunday."
"I'll walk you out." Ben said and the two men headed toward the hallway.
"Seriously, Joseph, I want you to stay in bed for another couple of days. Make sure you take that medicine every morning and evening until it is all gone." The doctor threw the last comment over his shoulder along with a look which let Joe know he meant every word he said. The boy made a face at Paul's retreating back and slumped into his pillow.
"What?" He snapped when he caught a pair of sky-blue orbs examining him curiously.
"I was just wonderin' why ya wanted to swim in the lake when it ain't even warm out yet?" Joe rolled his eyes at Hoss, exasperated.
"I told you I didn't go for a swim! If you must know, the wind pulled my hat off my head while I was riding by and the darn thing landed on a tree branch hanging over the water. When I waded Cochise into the lake so I could get it, something spooked him and I fell in!" Hoss hastily shut his mouth on a guffaw, realizing from the set of his little brother's jaw that he was in no mood to be teased.
"I think I'll go check an' see what Ole Hop Sing is makin' us for lunch." The big man decided a tactical retreat was his safest option and quietly left the room.
"Swimming indeed." Joe sniffed again and instantly regretted it as it set off another barrage of sneezing.
I feel a change a comin' it's comin' round the bend...lol! Okay so I won't torture you with my singing-even though I supposedly have a good singing voice, no joke. So whatcha think so far? Love? Hate? Please, please, please review! *begs on hands and knees* :D