~CHAPTER 1~

The only way to describe a day like this was bleak. Thin sheets of rain insisted on constantly pouring down, and the sun hadn't shined for days as if it were denying the proceeding that was soon to occur. The downpour brought out the smell of pines all around as thousands of drops rolling down needles and trickling through cones created a rhapsody of sound as they hit the ground.

Everything was still on the Ponderosa; not a hand was working, not a creature hauling. Little Joe Cartwright was standing alone on the porch of his home, looking out across the ranch house yard. The last of their friends had arrived, and soon it would be time. Dozens of buggies and buckboards were lined up in straight rows, the horses standing quietly until their owners were ready to drive them back home.

Time for me to go inside and stand alongside my brothers, Joe thought, although he was far from ready to do that yet. He wasn't ready to accept the terrible happening as fact. How could it have happened? It shouldn't have happened, of that he was certain. So senseless, so meaningless.

Sighing heavily to himself, he ran a hand over his tired face before turning and going over the threshold of the front door, which before had reminded him of many happy memories, but would serve to mark a dark one today. He first saw his brother Hoss standing just inside the doorway, greeting the last of the guests and guiding them to the few remaining empty chairs. Joe was shocked at how quickly the great room had filled to its capacity, as if the entire Comstock had come to offer their condolences and support to his family. He saw many good friends. Annie and the Swede, the Tatums, Mrs. Cameron, Todd and Virginia McKaren with their little girl and even ailing Andy McKaren were there. Sheriff Roy Coffee and Doctor Paul Martin, among the first to arrive, were in the front of the room.

"It's just about time, Lil' Joe," Hoss said, his blue eyes not twinkly as usual, but as sad as Joe had ever seen them.

Joe nodded slowly and began to look through the black-suited men and veiled women as he searched for one person in particular. "Where's Adam?"

Hoss looked toward the stairs. "Up in...in Pa's room," he said, pushing the words out through tightly drawn lips.

Joe put a comforting hand on his big brother's shoulder before heading toward the stairs to fetch his eldest one. Joe paused outside of his father's bedroom door. Not sure whether he should knock or not, he decided to simply open the door and enter. He instantly spotted his brother, clad in his best black suit with his back straight and hands hung limp at his sides, staring out the foggy window at the gloomy precipitation.

Joe hated to disturb him but knew he had no choice. "Adam?" No response. He really hadn't expected one. "Adam, the guests are all here... it's time." He knew his brother had heard him although he didn't move. Closing the door quietly, he decided to wait in the hallway for Adam to come. No sooner had he closed the door behind him than Joe heard the music start downstairs.

Shortly, the door re-opened and Adam stepped out, standing tall with head held high, but shoulders lacking the confidence and assurance that had, before, always kept them rigid. He quietly closed the door behind him and stopped a moment to look at his youngest brother, who tried desperately to keep his composure as their father's favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, was being played. He placed a hand on Joe's shoulder, just as Joe himself had done for Hoss a few minutes earlier, and gave a slight squeeze of reassurance. As they headed down the hallway, Adam stopped at the top of the stairs and heaved a shaky sigh before slowly starting the descent to the first floor.

All of the guests turned in their seats and observed the oldest and youngest Cartwright brothers silently come down the steps. No one spoke as they were joined by the remaining brother and finished their journey to the front of the room. Hoss and Joe took their seats in the front row beside the Sheriff and Doctor as Adam made his way to the podium in front of the large gathering. He painfully glanced at the closed, flower-surrounded casket, before turning and placing his hands on either side of the podium just as the music ended.

Looking down for a moment, he tried to gather his scattered thoughts before he lifted his eyes to meet those of his brothers. He held their gaze for a good minute, and both Hoss and Joe thought their brother would finally break his calm and collected manner and let the flood gates of despair pour through him. To their surprise, Adam finally shifted his gaze toward the patiently waiting group and began in a voice slightly choked by unspent tears, "My father, was a great man..."