AN: Just wanted to thank our readers and letting you know that we're not too far off before trouble finds our boys...
Chapter 2:
Back on the Ponderosa, life carried on as if no one had left; chores still needed to be done, wood had to be chopped and the livestock taken care of. The rays of the afternoon sun reached their peak and both Candy and Ben decided it was time for a break. They needed something to cool them off so they washed their faces and poured water over their heads and necks at the water pump by the windmill.
"You've been a little quiet. If I didn't know better I'd say you're preoccupied," Ben began.
"I don't know. I guess I still worry a little. You know, after everything that's happened,"Candy reluctantly admitted .
"And what would Griff say if he caught you worrying?" Ben warmly quipped .
"He'd say I was molly coddling, tell me to quit it and throw something at me!" Candy laughed as he quickly realized that Griff was a man - albeit a young man, but he was certainly old enough to go hunting and tracking with others who would watch out for him.
Ben clapped Candy on the back and let out a genuine laugh, lifting both their spirits. He had secretly been worrying over Jamie much the same way that Candy had been over Griff but he refrained from letting that admission escape his lips.
"Then it sounds like you know Griff pretty well," Ben smiled knowingly.
At that moment, a steady pair of hoof beats was heard as Sport came lumbering up to the well. "Howdy," Adam greeted as he dismounted and offered his trusty horse a drink of water. "Did I miss the brave hunting party's departure?"
Ben nodded, squinting against the gust of wind that picked up in the air. "Yeah, they left a few hours ago. I thought you were planning to get back to say goodbye?"
Adam took a seat next to Candy. "Yeah, I was," he admitted. "But I got held up at the general store looking at those catalogs. Lots of nice products in there," the eldest Cartwright son casually admitted.
"And expensive," Candy scoffed.
"True, but I got something special in mind planned," Adam hinted, wondering if Candy was picking up on what he was really talking about. "You know, something that's happening at the end of this month…"
"Oh?" Candy prodded, hoping Adam would elaborate.
Adam shared a jovial look with Ben before explaining, "On September 29th," as he raised an eyebrow.
"The 29th?" Realization suddenly came over Candy. "Griff's birthday?! So that's what you're talking about - a gift for him?"
"Of course!" Adam revealed. "Now that he'll be gone a couple days, we can plan a surprise party for when he comes home."
Ben interjected, "We know it must be at least four years since he's celebrated, probably more with that rotten step-father of his, but we thought it'd be nice to have a celebration of sorts, what with everything that's happened since he's come here."
Looking a little embarrassed, Candy took another sip of water. "I plumb forgot about his birthday."
"He hasn't mentioned a thing," Adam informed him. "The only reason Pa knew about it was because it's on his parole papers. He's in for a big surprise!"
"I see," Candy said, a grin spreading across his face. "Why haven't you told me before now?"
"Because," Adam quipped. "When it comes to keeping secrets, you're worse than Joe!" He stood up and stretched the crick out of his back. Before Candy could retaliate, Adam cut him off. "Let's get to planning this party!"
Prison life never agreed with Issac Warren, but he didn't have to worry about rotting behind the cold stone walls anymore. Al Reisner had kept his word and seen to that. Yes, sirree, he did. Very soon, all Issac needed to do was steal a horse, some clothes, food, water and a gun. He'd ride on out, away from the hell hole he was thrown into. Slinking under cover of the shadows, the convict waited for just the right time to pounce away from the dark corner and catch the guard on duty by surprise. No sooner did Issac's murderous mind conjured up his plan of action, an opportune moment presented itself and he jumped the unsuspecting guard. Using every ounce of strength he possessed, the hardened criminal pinned his victim's throat up against the wall crushing his windpipe. Allowing the limp body to slump to the ground, Issac quickly took the keys clipped to the guard's belt loop then after several attempts, he found the right key to open the door that would lead him out to the prison courtyard. Once he was over the wall, he would be free. He could almost taste the sweetness of freedom on the tip of his tongue, mingled with the bitterness of vengeance.