I own nothing, except in my dreams. This is my first attempt so be patient as I try to figure it out.
Hoss could only look on and laugh as Little Joe once again fell to the ground, compliments of the wild stallion they were trying to break. It had been a week and so far they managed to get the saddle on, but not much else.
"He just doesn't give up, does he?" Adam approached his younger brothers with a smirk on his face.
"He's determined to do this one himself," Replied Hoss. He was itching to get his hands on the black horse, but knew Little Joe would never ask for help. Joe just didn't have the calming effect on the animals like his bigger brother did.
A dinner bell could be heard ringing in the distance. "Joe, time to call it a night. Hop Sing just rang the dinner bell." Hoss called out.
"I'll just try five more minutes and meet ya at the house," Joe replied with a familiar determination in his voice as he approached the horse once more. He spoke quietly to the frightened animal, carefully running his hand down its silky neck.
"C'mon Joe, supper's ready," Hoss implored with a bit of a whine. "You know how Hop Sing gets when we're late."
"Now, Hoss, I'll be right there. Head on back to the house if you're so worried about feeding your stomach. I'll be fine. Just five more minutes – I just want to try one more time – and I'll be there." Joe continued to rub the horse's neck, refusing to look away. He could feel his luck was going to be different this time.
Hoss and Adam looked at each other. Neither wanted to leave Joe alone with an unpredictable animal, but the horse seemed calmer and Joe seemed to be taking his time instead of just trying to jump on the animal's back. Against their better judgement, they turned and walked toward the house.
"Where's Joe?" Ben Cartwright asked his two sons as they sat down at the table.
"In the north paddock with the new stallion," Adam answered without meeting his father's eye. "He wanted one last go before calling it a night."
"Well, you have to admire his determination, but I really wish you hadn't left him alone up there. That's one mean horse he picked out."
Hoss and Adam looked at each other and quickly pushed back their chairs and walked back out the door, pausing just long enough to grab their hats. As they approached the paddock they could see the horse calmly walking in circles, no sign of Little Joe. They had just turned back toward the house when they heard a soft moan. Making their way quickly to fence they found Little Joe in a heap on the ground.
"Joe, are you okay?" Hoss asked quietly as he knelt next to his little brother. At first the only response was another soft moan. Slowly Joe opened his eyes and tried to give his brothers his usual charming smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine," the young man said as he sat up. "I guess I fell a little hard that last time."
"I'd say so," Adam replied with a smile. "If you're good, we should get back to the house before Pa sends out a search party."