If Sacramento had been crowded earlier it was swarming now. Minotaur pranced restlessly back and forth at the end of his lead as they threaded their way through the crowds.

"That horse looks like he feels the same way I do." Hoss said. Minotaur's head was up and his nostrils flared as wide as his eyes as he took in the crowds and strange smells.

"He's probably never seen so many pretty girls before. Maybe he and I should try talking to them."

"After the race, you mean?" Adam interjected.

"Naturally." Joe glanced at a shapely blonde and sighed inwardly as they continued riding. She might be around after the race. And he might still be in one piece. He swallowed against the fear that tasted bitter in his throat. Whatever Bates was planning, he had no choice but to ride into it, so there was no point in worrying. Too bad he couldn't make his fluttering stomach agree.

They put their horses at the livery stable and Hoss started fussing over Minotaur's legs. Adam and Abraham watched in silence while Joe fidgeted with a piece of twine.

"There's a lot of people out there." He said.

"There always are." Abraham's eyes remained on Hoss, and Joe sighed when he didn't offer any further comments.

"At least there will be a lot of witnesses if anyone tries anything." he tried again. When there was no answer, he tossed his twine to the floor. "I'll be back." He said.

This time Adam looked up. "Be careful. And don't go far."

Joe waved him off irritably. He felt like if he stood still for another minute his head would fly off. Outside the rippling of the crowd helped to soothe his tense muscles. He glanced to his side and saw another young man who looked like he was going to throw up. Joe nodded at him. It was good to know he wasn't the only nervous rider, though he was probably the one with the most at stake.

"Pst!"

Joe frowned and glanced around. He caught sight of a young man and searched his mind briefly for the name.

"Luke?" he finally said.

The boy jerked his head and disappeared around the back of the stable and down a narrow alleyway. Joe mentally shrugged and followed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"You're the one riding Abraham Rosner's horse, aren't you?" Luke asked. His voice was low in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yeah, why?"

"Someone doesn't want you to win."

"Who?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. I was cleaning the livery stable 'cuz I work there and I heard a couple of men talking about it. But I don't know who they were. They mentioned Mr. Hawkings though. Said there was something planned for during the race."

Joe snorted. "Can't even win honestly." He shook his head. They had known it was coming, but it still took him by surprise. The part of him that had been hoping that all this worry was for nothing threw in with the rest of his frenzied nerves. "Thanks for the warning."

Luke grinned. "You said to pay you back."

"This leaves me in your debt."

The grin got wider. "You can pay me later."

Joe laughed. "Hold me to it."

"I will. But I'd better get lost. Don't want anyone knowing I told you; seems trouble likes you."

"I'm not arguing with that." He leaned against the wall as Luke scooted away. For some reason he felt a lot calmer now that he knew something was coming. At least he could stop jumping every other second. He went back inside. Hoss was still running his hands down Minotaur's legs and Adam and Abraham were still looking on. For a moment Joe considered keeping Luke's news to himself. After all, there wasn't much they could do during the race except watch. But he cleared his throat.

"We've got trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Adam asked. Hoss straightened and they all faced Joe.

"Hawkings, or Bates, or both have something planned for during the race. One of the stable boys told me."

Adam frowned and Hoss' eyes flickered from him back to Joe.

"Maybe you shouldn't ride." He said. "If it's…"

"I'm riding."

"It's too dangerous."

"I'm riding." Joe said. His tone left no room for arguing, but Hoss did anyway.

"It's not worth your life, Joe."

"So you both are allowed to risk your life for the Ponderosa, but I'm not?" Joe demanded. Hoss opened his mouth and then shut it. Joe had him there. He looked to Adam for support.

"You think you can stop him?" Adam asked wryly. He met Joe's slight grin with his own faint smile that belied how sick his stomach was feeling. "But be careful."

"I've been taking care of myself without you for a while now. I think I'll manage." Joe answered.

"Time to line up!" someone yelled into the stable. Joe took a deep breath and gripped Minotaur's reins. Hoss walked next to him in a slow cadence behind the line of horses on their way to the empty street. It was lined with a blur of faces and colors that Joe barely noticed. He mounted in silence and Hoss checked his tack and then held onto the reins under Minotaur's chin. The horse squealed and aimed a kick at the bay beside him.

"Easy." Hoss said sternly. He looked up at Joe who had barely flinched. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know." He felt sick suddenly. "Hoss, if something happens, don't let Adam blame himself. I want this just as much as he does."

Hoss nodded, but he couldn't help adding, "Nothing's going to happen. Just stay clear of the pack; it's not hard for a rider to stick a knife into someone without anyone seeing it."

"Right."

Hoss didn't want to leave him looking so panicked, but he was the only one left in the street on foot. He gave Joe a pat on the knee; it wasn't much, but it was all he could think to do. Then he left his little brother and the horse.

Joe inhaled and let the breath out slowly, feeling it shake in his chest. Minotaur seemed to sense his nervousness and pranced slightly, forcing Joe to focus on his horse instead of any potential danger.

Just focus on him. He told himself. You can outrun any problems. He hoped he was right.

VVVVVVVV

For some reason Joe looked extremely small on top of Abraham's large horse, almost as small as the time they'd given him a ride on Hoss' pony when he was three. Adam couldn't tear his eyes off his little brother as horses and riders alike shifted impatiently, waiting for the gunshot that would shoot them forward into a stampede. One that held a lot of potential danger for his little brother sitting palely on top of his antsy mount. If only Adam knew where the attack would come from. But he didn't; Joe was alone against an unknown enemy. And Adam had put him there.

"Are you wishing you were riding?" Abraham asked, breaking Adam's train of thought.

"He's alone out there." Adam said through his clenched jaw. Hoss put a hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be fine. He's as stubborn as a donkey."

"If anyone's going to be hurt, it should be me." Adam said.

"You already got hurt." Abraham pointed out. Adam snapped his mouth shut and refocused on the line of horses. The gun went off.