Ok, let's try something a little different. I apologize now that this story won't be finished as quickly, but I hope you enjoy it.
Like I said before, I own nothing, except in my dreams. In my dreams this is my family.
Ben, Adam, and Hoss Cartwright sat in the sitting room drinking coffee as they waited for Hop-Sing to finish supper. It was a rare occurrence indeed when they had finished the afternoon chores before the cook had the evening meal ready.
Suddenly they heard a horse running hard into the yard. Looking out the window, Hoss saw his younger brother racing in as though he were being chased. Joe hopped off his horse as Hoss came out to meet him, wondering what had the young man so riled up. Joe barely acknowledged his brother before leaning over on his knees and vomiting into the bush next to the barn.
Ben had followed Hoss into the yard and seeing his youngest so ill, instructed Hoss to stable Cochise as he went to Little Joe. When Joe had finished, he handed him his kerchief and led him into the house.
"Pa, I'm fine." Joe said as they crossed the threshold and he pushed his father's arm off of his waist.
Ben looked on in disbelief as Little Joe walked up the stairs to his bedroom.
"Pa, what happened?" Adam asked as he came to stand next to his father.
"I'm not sure. Joe seemed quite ill outside. I'll give him a little while to settle down and then go check on him.
"How's Joe?" Hoss asked as he came in from taking care of the horse.
"Insists he's fine, but went up to bed. Did you see anything off with his horse?" Ben asked.
"Nothing, just hot form getting rode so hard."
Hop-Sing came in announcing supper, "Little Joe home? Time eat!"
"You two go ahead, I'm going to go check on your brother. Tell Hop-Sing not to wait."
Ben found Joe lying on his bed, his arm draped over his eyes. He quietly crossed over and placed his hand on Joe's pale forehead, checking for fever, but finding none.
"Pa, I said I was fine." Joe said without much conviction.
"Did you get the chance to stop by and see Rachel?"
"Yeah. I chopped some more wood for her and gave little Rosie a ride on Cochise. She looked so proud up there holding the reins." Joe smiled, remembering the young widow and her daughter.
"Are you hungry?"
"No. Just tired."
"Ok, get some rest. Let me know if you need anything." Ben quietly shut the door behind him.
"Thanks, Pa."
"How is he?" Adam asked as Ben pulled out his chair and sat down.
"Pale and wan, but says he's fine. Doesn't want to talk and says he isn't hungry."
"Fever?"
"No."
"Well, then, maybe he's just tired." Adam said, trying to reassure his pa.
"Maybe."