A/N: Little Joe is around 12 years old and Adam has not yet left for college. I originally wrote and posted this several years ago on a site no longer active. I am attempting to revise the story a little and that is why I am posting it in two (maybe 3) chapters. Warning: The story will mention parental spanking. A/N 2: I am not forgetting my Adam Supernatural Verse and have plans to continue the Trip Saga over Spring Break.
"I know, that was the best part! I can not believe Old Jones didn't see him do it," Joe agreed as he and best bud, Mitch made their way across the field towards home.
"I can't believe she didn't either and then when Sarah tried to stand up and couldn't cause her dress was stuck to the bench. I thought I was going to bust something laughing so hard!" Mitch added.
Joe laughed again at the memory. "And I am so glad that we weren't involved in that prank after Miss Jones figured it all out."
Mitch sobered quickly. "You are right Joe. I wouldn't be spending my Saturday afternoon with you if we had been, that's for sure!"
Joe nodded. He and Mitch had been working hard the past month on their raft. They were both wise enough to get permission, this time, to build it and today had been their first test run. Things had gone even better than planned. The two had spent almost all morning and most of the afternoon floating on the lake, creating adventures, only stopping once for lunch and now the two were making their way back to the Ponderosa for some of Hopsing's cooking.
"Oh no, Mitch!", Joe yelled, suddenly stopping "I forgot, Hopsing is staying with his cousin. Pa will be cooking tonight! Do you think I could eat dinner with you instead?" Joe asked turning to Mitch with a groan, "Pa's cooking is HORRIBLE."
"I'm sure Ma wont mind. I hope we don't have to eat any of those biscuits your Pa makes." Mitch added, making a face.
"I know, me either." Joe agreed as the two continued on their way.
The two chatted easily till they reached a certain fence, then all conversation stopped as the two quietly climbed over. They had reached Widow Moore's land, a shortcut the two used often. Widow Moore's small plot of land was just to the east of the Ponderosa. It had once been a large spread, bustling with activity when her husband had been alive, but after his untimely death Mrs Moore had had to sell much of what they had to pay off their debts. It was rumored that Widow Moore use to be a happy lady, hosting many parties and enjoying other's company, till the grief over took her. Joe never believed any of these rumors. The Widow Moore was the meanest and orneriest little old lady Joe had ever known. She carried a large cane which she was not afraid to bring smartly down upon any child's unsuspecting limbs or posterior without any prior warning.
Joe knew this for a fact for just last week he had been running quickly to the church house, so as not to be late, when Widow Moore appeared out of no where and he accidentally ran into her. Before Joe could even offer an apology she had swung her cane across his calf faster than he could blink and began to lecture him. She went on and on about how frail her bones are and how weak she had become in her older years.
Joe's leg sure couldn't tell she had become any weaker and to make matters worse she had drug him to his father and informed him of what she called Joe's "ill manners" and "tom foolery" and Pa had made him sit quietly at the table after church to remind him of how one behaves when in the house of God. Little Joe had wanted to point out he was technically outside the house of God when it happened and he was sure that whacking someone with a cane wasn't very mannerly either but decided that wouldn't be a wise move on his part.
Little Joe and Mitch made their way quickly across the Widow's side yard and were just about to cut across the front when Joe's stomach growled loudly enough for Mitch to hear. Mitch turned around to smile at Joe, but to his dismay Joe was no longer directly behind him. Joe had stopped next to one of Widow Moore's large apple trees and was staring intently at an apple just out of his reach.
"Joe, what are you doing?" hissed Mitch, making his way to Little Joe. "You better not take that apple. You know what happened to Tommy!" he hissed, nervously looking towards the Widow's house.
It was said that an apple from Widow Moore's tree was the juiciest and ripest around. And every year a few brave souls would attempt to steal one from her yard. Little Joe and Mitch had never heard of anyone being successful but they had heard a lot about what had happened to the children who had gotten caught. Tommy showed up sporting a large welt on the back of his leg and a knot on his head. No one knew exactly what all had taken place, for Tommy would not say, but he did say that the Widow not only took care of him herself but had also drug him home to his folks and they had taken care of him as well.
"But Mitch, I don't think she is home." Joe whispered back, glancing at the house, "She would of came out by now if she was."
Mitch too glanced at the house, half expecting to see the Widow's eyes squinting at them from the window and for the door to come flying open. "Maybe you are right." he agreed, when after a few seconds nothing happened.
"Let's just climb up there and get a few apples." Little Joe whispered, as he looped one arm around a lower branch and hoisted himself up. Mitch quickly followed and soon the two were sitting on some upper branches, an apple in each hand.
"Take a bite, Joe!" Mitch said as he crunched down on one, "We might as well eat a few while we are up here."
Joe chanced a peek at the house and seeing no one he too took a bite. "Oh this is good!" he said smiling at Mitch.
The two enjoyed a few more bites, when suddenly they heard a voice below them. "You two! You get out of that tree this instant. Climb down here at once!"
Little Joe and Mitch looked at each other with wide eyes, it was the Widow Moore! She was standing just outside her door, cane in hand, making her way towards them. Little Joe quickly shook his head and climbed up one branch higher as Mitch stayed rooted to his spot in fear.
"Did you boys hear me? I said get down out of that tree. You do as I say!" she yelled, waving her cane in the air.
"Joe, what do we do?" Mitch asked fearfully. "I am not about to go down there."
"Me either!" Joe agreed.
The widow was getting closer and soon she would be upon them. Joe wouldn't put it past her to take an axe to the tree to get them down.
Mitch quickly dropped the apple he was eating and climbed higher. "Little Joe, think of something! This was your idea!" he yelled.
"Is that you Joseph Cartwright? You just wait till I get my hands on you, boy!" the widow yelled as she continued her way towards them.
Joe was not sure what he was thinking as he reached for an apple, survival the only thing on his mind, and before he could rethink what he was doing he hurled the apple towards the Widow Moore. It landed at her feet.
Mitch stared at it in disbelief and turned questioning eyes on Joe. Joe for his part looked just as surprised as did the widow. She shook her head and then raised her cane in the air and emphasizing each word with a whack she yelled, "Did you just throw an apple at me boy? I will teach you!"
"Quick Joe come on!" Mitch yelled as he threw another apple at the widow's feet. The boys began to pick and throw apples as fast as they could, neither stopping to really think of what they were doing, to intent on stopping her from making it to the tree and their doom. They weren't really intending to hit her just stop her descent upon them. When suddenly the Widow tripped on one of the apples and landed on the ground.
"Quick! Let's get out of here." Mitch yelled as the two shimmied down the tree and took off for the fence, expecting the widow to be upon them any second now.
Joe glanced back to see if they were being followed when he noticed the widow was still on the ground.
"Mitch! Wait. She is still laying there." he said turning around and running towards her
"What? " Mitch said stopping as well. "You sure it aint a trick, Joe?" he yelled after him.
"I don't think so, Mitch. She isn't moving at all." he replied, fear gnawing at his heart. What had he and Mitch done?
The boys silently and a little fearfully looked toward the now still figure on the ground. Laying there Widow Moore no longer looked so frightening. She looked small and frail.
"Oh my goodness Joe! What if we killed her?" Mitch said dropping to his knees beside her. "What were we thinking throwing apples at her like that?"
Joe quickly squatted and put his hand in front of her nose. "She is still breathing, Mitch. But she doesn't look good at all. We gotta help her." Joe said, looking up fearfully at Mitch.
"We gotta go get the doctor." Mitch agreed, as he sniffled a little.
"I will go get Hoss. He is working in the east pasture on some fences. You stay here with her." Joe ordered jumping up.
He took off running towards the pasture, his heart pounding in his ears. He had never been so scared in his life, nor so ashamed. He was praying with all his heart that Hoss would still be there and that the Widow Moore would be all right.
"Hoss! Hoss!", Joe yelled as he spotted his brother bent over, checking a fence post. It had taken him longer than he thought it would to find his brother and he was afraid they were running out of time.
"Little Joe! What on earth?" Hoss asked straightening up as his younger brother practically ran into him. "What's wrong little buddy?"
"Oh Hoss, you gotta come quick. She's hurt and it is all my fault! Please we have to hurry." Joe said frantically grabbing Hoss' hand and pulling him towards Chubb.
"Who is hurt Joe? What are you talking about?" Hoss asked, taking the boy by the shoulders. "Slow down, tell me what is going on."
"The Widow Moore. She is hurt, Hoss and I did it. She is just lying there and we can't wake her up." Joe replied as tears ran down his cheeks. "Please we have to go to her."
"Of course Joe. We will help her. I need you to calm down and tell me where she is." Hoss said leading Joe towards his horse.
"She is laying on the ground in front of her cabin. Mitch is with her." Joe said as he allowed Hoss to put him on Chubb's back.
"Okay Little Buddy, you just hang on there and we will go see what we can do about this." Hoss said calmly as he climbed up into the saddle in front of Joe.
He wasn't sure at all what he could do to help but sensed as easily as he did with animals that Little Joe needed him to remain calm and to take control of this situation.
As they rode toward the widow's home, Joe brokenly told Hoss of how the widow fell. Hoss remained silent throughout the whole exchange, his silence telling Little Joe all he needed to know. Joe buried his face in his brother's back and cried softly till they reached her home.
Mitch sat in the same spot Joe had left him, holding the widow's hand. The telltale signs of tears streaked his face when he looked up at Hoss and Joe.
"She opened her eyes a little, Hoss. I can't tell what is wrong with her though. " he whispered as Hoss knelt down beside her. Hoss began to feel all her limbs, checking for breaks. Satisfied nothing was broken he turned to the boys.
"Mitch, you get on my horse there and ride to the Ponderosa, it is closer than your home. You tell Pa and Adam what is going on and send Adam for the doctor. Little Joe and I will stay here with Widow Moore."
"Yes sir, Hoss." Mitch said standing up. He hurried to Chubb and taking one last glance at the widow, quickly rode away.
"Come here, Joe. You aren't going to be any help standing way over there. We are going to have to move her to her bed. I figure she must of hit her head and just needs some time to wake up. That left ankle is pretty swollen as well. Come on, I am going to need you to open the door." Hoss ordered as he reached under the widow and slowly lifted her up.
Joe raced ahead and held open the door. Hoss, had no problems carrying the widow and he and Little Joe soon had her lying in her bed.
"Alright Little Joe, let's see if we can find something to make a cold compress for this ankle and maybe something to wrap it in till the Doc gets here." Hoss said after tucking the comforter around her.
Joe just nodded and followed Hoss into the kitchen.
"You look for some old rags we can tear into strips if need be." Hoss added, pointing towards some laundry near the door. As Little Joe dug through that, Hoss put together a compress.
"Hoss?", Joe began, "I..I mean.."
"Little Joe, she is going to be fine. You don't need to be worrying so." Hoss interrupted, walking towards Joe and placing his hands on the boy's shoulders. "What you did was wrong and what you are feeling is well deserved guilt, but the Widow is going to be just fine." he said, placing his hands under Joe's chin and turning his face towards him. "She will be fine."
Little Joe looked into his brother's eyes and found some of the reassurance he needed. "I'm so sorry Hoss. I never wanted this to happen."
"I know you didn't, Little Buddy. Nothing to be done about that now. Let's see how you can make this right, k? Let's go see what we can do about this ankle."