A/N: This part ended up much longer than I was expecting. My apologies for the slight delay in getting this part up. I hope you enjoy!
Breakfast was no more enjoyable than any other meal had been since nearly half of the Cartwright family was arrested. The three youngest Cartwrights had nothing to say to each other. It had all been said the night before.
All too soon, it was time to leave for town. All three of them were subdued as they rode towards town. Shannon broke away from her brothers at the turn off for the school. She forced herself not to look over her shoulder for several minutes, just in case her brothers were watching to make sure she was well on her way.
When she did look back, though, there was no sign of her brothers. Apparently, they trusted Shannon to be obedient and go to school like a good girl.
Adam would have known to wait. No, he would have taken Shannon right to the school door and made sure she went inside. He might have even waited to ensure she didn't try to talk her way out of Miss Jones' supervision.
Breathing out, Shannon walked Star to the edge of town. If she went too fast, she would risk catching up to her brothers. If she was a little late to the trial, the less likely anyone would cause a scene to kick her out.
There had only been a handful of times Shannon had seen the streets of Virginia City quiet and near empty. None of those times had ever boded well for her family, and she knew this time would be more of the same.
Close to the edge of the town, Shannon tied Star's reins to the hitching post. She set off on foot. It wasn't difficult to find where most of the town was congregated. Since there was no proper courthouse in Virginia City, they had commandeered the largest saloon to be used. Even then, there was a crowd of people—men and women—trying to be as close as possible to the door to overhear what was happening.
If the situation hadn't been so serious, it might have been funny to see.
With so much moving and pushing, it was all too easy for a girl to thread her way through every space. Shannon escaped the notice of the deputies who were valiantly trying to keep people out. She kept to the back of the room where someone had arranged church pews to serve as seating.
Taking further advantage of her small size, Shannon wedged herself into the end of the pew. The elderly gentleman next to her looked over with a glare. However, his annoyance shifted to shock and then...he dropped his gaze. Without saying a word, he turned his attention back to the trial at hand.
The judge was seated in front of the bar with a table for him to keep notes on. To his left was a chair where the sheriff was seated. There were two more tables, one of which was where Ben, Adam, and Mr. Wood were listening to the sheriff read from a paper.
Dues Martin's written testimony.
Why hadn't the man stayed in town to tell his story himself? Shannon had no time to think about that because the sheriff was being asked to step down. There couldn't be any questioning since the sheriff wouldn't be able to expand on the details, or clarify anything the man may have said in his statement. Dues Martin's testimony couldn't be shaken by questions. His state of mind—whether he'd had anything to drink that night—couldn't be established. It would have to stand as it was, for better or worse.
Was that why the man had left town? So no one could pick his story apart? Had it been his own idea or had someone else suggested it?
"We call Miss Sally Byrnes," the lawyer called out.
A murmur went through the audience and then they all became quieter than they'd been before. After all, this is why they had all come to hear. They didn't want to miss a single detail of what Miss Byrnes had to say.
Dressed in black, Sally Byrnes walked to the chair and was sworn in. The lawyer was quick with the basics, establishing who she was, how long she had lived in Virginia City, how long she had worked at the cafe. And then, he got to the point.
"Why don't you take us through the evening from the start."
Miss Byrnes paused and then said, "It was like any other night. The cafe was busy with miners coming in for a hot meal. I kept the plates moving from the kitchen to the table until my feet felt worn to the bone." Her voice held a tired note in it as if just remembering it exhausted her.
"When did you first realize something was wrong?"
"When my father told me he had to go out back to meet someone." The woman's tone hardened. "I told him not to do it. A meeting in the alley at night was just asking for trouble. Especially given who he was meeting."
"Your father told you who he was meeting?"
"Yes, he did."
"Is that man in the room now?"
"They both are. Ben and Adam Cartwright."
Again, the observers murmured, though Shannon didn't understand why. It wasn't like this was a surprise. "Why did they want to speak to your father?"
"They were madder than I'd ever seen anybody," Miss Byrnes said. She waved her hand in the air as if to brush it away. "They seemed to think he was buying mavericks from their ranch. It was ridiculous. My father wouldn't have been part of that. Why would he?"
"Objection!" Mr. Woods called out. "The witness is expressing an opinion, not fact."
"Sustained," the judge said with a nod.
"And after your father went out back, what did you do?" the lawyer asked, his tone still calm and kind as he took control of the questioning again.
"I began to clean up the kitchen. There was a lot to do and I didn't have any help." Miss Byrnes sent a glare at the Cartwrights as if they were to blame for this detail. "My pa's hired hand, Dues Martin,
"What happened next?"
"I heard them arguing. All of them were shouting, none of them listening to what the other had to see. There's a window right where I wash dishes, and I looked out. There was a shooting. Ben and Adam Cartwright shot my father!"
Miss Byrnes's words excited the courtroom and it took several minutes of the judge banging his gavel before he could restore order. "I will only say this one time," the judge said, glaring at the crowd. "Any further outbursts will result in everyone being escorted out."
"You saw this happen, Miss Byrnes?" the lawyer asked.
"Would I be up here saying it if it wasn't true?" Miss Byrnes asked angrily. "Dues Martin said the same thing. The Cartwrights came into town looking for blood and they deserve to hang."
"Miss Byrnes!" The judge said sharply. "The jury will disregard the witness' opinion."
"No further questions, Your Honor," the lawyer said, retreating to his desk.
Mr. Wood stood up. "Miss Byrnes, first of all, may I say how sorry I am for your loss."
The woman's jaw tightened and she tilted her head so it appeared she was looking down her nose. "Sorry doesn't bring my father back," she said coldly. "Neither does defending his killers."
"Miss Byrnes, we will have no more remarks like that or you will be escorted out," the judge said to her.
"Aw, let her speak!" Someone shouted from the observers. "Ain't she got the right?"
The judge's gavel rose but the dissenter had nothing more to say and it was impossible to see who had spoken. Mr. Wood tried to take control of the situation. "Miss Byrnes, you say all the men in the alley were shouting," he said. "I assume your father was as well?"
"Of course. He was trying to explain that he wasn't involved in what the Cartwrights was accusing him of," Miss Byrnes answered, raising his chin. "He was shouting because they were shouting."
"Then, it would be fair to say that everyone's temper was high, including your father's."
Miss Byrnes hesitated. "Yes," she said slowly. "My father had every right to be angry—"
Holding up his hand, Mr. Wood cut her off. "Might he have been angry enough to try to get the Cartwrights to leave?"
"What?"
"Is it possible he might have pulled a gun? In the heat of the moment, might he have tried to intimidate the Cartwrights?"
"Objection!" the prosecutor exclaimed.
"How dare you?" Miss Byrnes said, her hands moving the arms of the chair she was sitting in. "My father didn't have a gun with him. Why would he? He didn't come to Virginia City with the intention of killing anyone."
Again, the judge reprimanded her. Sitting on the edge of her seat, Shannon clasped her hands tightly together. Why wasn't the lawyer trying to get her to admit she hadn't really seen anything? Whether Mr. Byrnes had a gun or not, her pa and Adam hadn't shot him.
"Miss Byrne, lives hang in the balance," Mr. Woods said, his voice soft. "Think back. You were in the kitchen of your cafe. How did you see what happened in the alley?"
His question earned some boos from the gathered audience. "As I said, I looked through the window," Miss Byrnes said sharply. "Dues Martin said the same thing."
"Objection, the defense is harassing the witness," the other lawyer said.
"No further questions," Mr. Woods said, backing away.
Annoyance flared in Shannon that he hadn't asked any more questions. But, as she glanced at the crowd, she admitted that it wouldn't have done any good. The few questions he had asked had annoyed the crowd. The judge might have kept them in check but there was no telling if that control would last.
Miss Byrnes was excused and she took a seat behind the prosecuting attorney's chair. She leaned over and nodded to something the man next to her. Was that Sy Hawkins?
Ben Cartwright was called to the stand. He calmly explained what had happened. Yes, he had argued with Mr. Byrnes over the cattle rustling. No, he hadn't come into Virginia City to kill the man. All he'd wanted was to put a stop to the rustling taking place. He and Adam had left, they heard a shot, and they ran back to find Byrnes dead. The gunshot hadn't come from himself or his son.
Adam's testimony was much the same, and nothing the prosecuting attorney said could shake what he said. There were no other witnesses to call, which left only the closing arguments the lawyers gave. The judge turned to the jury and said, "You may withdraw to deliberate."
The jury exchanged glances and a few looked over at the crowd. None of them made a move. "Is there a problem?" the judge asked, his tone impatient.
One man, someone Shannon didn't recognize, stood up slowly. "I think we're all in agreement, Your honor. No need to waste any more time."
"Oh? Is that so?" the judge asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, go ahead. What decision have you come to?"
"We find the defendants Ben and Adam Cartwright guilty of murder."
Shannon closed her eyes as the men around her cheered at the words. Nothing about this was right. The judge waited for the noise to die down. "And you all agree without saying a word to the other?"
Her breath was caught in her throat as the members of the jury all voiced their agreement. The last man hesitated long enough for her to open her eyes and feel a flash of hope, but he too nodded.
"I see. Will the defendants please rise." The judge took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead before he continued. "Cases like these where it is one person's word against another are my least favorite ones to preside over."
Miss Byrnes may have made a sound of protest but it was hard to tell since the sound wasn't repeated. The judge sent a glare at the audience. "Ben Cartwright, Adam Cartwright, you have both been found guilty by a jury of your peers. For the crime of murder, you both will hanged by the neck until dead in seven day's time."
Again the saloon/courtroom erupted into shouting, Joe's voice loudest among all the others. Shannon's ears filled with a loud ringing sound and she couldn't breath. Her vision blurred until everything went black.
The next thing she heard was a familiar voice. "Shannon? Shannon, can you hear me?"
Something sharp and horrible filled Shannon's nose, and she tried to jerk away from whatever it was. She opened her eyes to find Dr. Martin kneeling in front of her with Hoss behind him. The crowd for trial was gone, though a large group of men were crowded at the bar. Other men were collecting all the chairs and pews.
"There you are," Dr. Martin said with a kind smile. "You've had a shock, but you should be fine now."
"Shan, Pa told you to stay away from town," Hoss said, his voice heavy with disappointment. "I about had a heart attack when I saw you. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I wanted to know what was happening to Pa and Adam." Shannon paused as she tried to think. Her head ached, though she wasn't sure if that was because of the smelling salts or because she had fainted. How long had she been unconscious? "Did they see me?"
To her relief, her brother shook his head. "There were too many people here and Sheriff Hanson wanted to get them back in jail before someone took matters into their own hands."
In a flash, Shannon remembered the judge's decree. "Hoss, what are we going to do?"
Before Hoss could say anything, Dr. Martin straightened up. "You both should get out of town before someone decides they can take their victory out on you," the doctor said. "I don't want to have to put you or Joe together because of some drunk's idea of justice."
The crowd at the bar let out a cheer over something. Hoss put his hand on Shannon's shoulder. "Let's get you home."
After collecting Joe from Mr. Woods' office, where he had apparently been trying to argue with the lawyer about steps that could be taken, it was a long ride back to the Ponderosa. Hop-Sing met them with a hopeful expression that faded without them saying a word. He shook his head sadly and then hurried back to the kitchen.
"We have a week," Hoss said as if they all didn't already know it.
Joe stalked to the fireplace. "And? What can we do? Hiram didn't have any advice."
"We're not going to break Pa and Adam out of jail. Not until we've done everything we can."
"What can we do?" Shannon asked, collapsing onto her father's leather chair.
Her brothers ignored her. "We've got to track down Dues Martin," Hoss said, his tone thoughtful. "Between him and Miss Sally, he's more likely to change his story. It might be enough for a retrial."
"But the jury would still be here in Virginia City," Shannon pointed out. "You saw them today. None of them hesitated. They're all scared of Sy Hawkins. That's not going to change."
Neither of her brothers acknowledged what she thought was an excellent point. The majority in town might claim to be a friend but every time there was trouble—or a time where they needed to prove their friendship—all of them were too afraid to do anything about it. It had happened once and it was happening again.
"Hiram did mention someone was getting up a petition to have the death sentence changed," Joe said, shaking his head. "But I think we have to seriously consider that we're going to have to do what we have to do if we want to get Pa and Adam out."
"And if that does work what then?" Shannon asked. If Joe said, 'we'll figure out later...
"We'll be prepared but only as a last resort," Hoss said firmly. "First we look for Martin."
Frustrated, Shannon slammed her hands down on the arms of the chair. Her brothers turned toward her in surprise. "And what then?" she asked. Again. She still thought it was an important thing to know and hadn't received an answer. "You save Pa and Adam from hanging but what will happen next?"
"We'll—" Joe started to say.
"And don't say you'll worry about it later because that's not good enough," Shannon interrupted. "You take on the sheriff and his deputies to keep Pa and Adam from being hung. Let's say it works and you all make it out alive. Where do you go next? You can't come home. Do we spend the rest of our lives on the run? What good will that do?"
"All we'd have to do is keep ahead of the law long enough for the truth to come out," Joe said defensively. "And you're not going to be there so there is no 'we' about it."
"She does have a point, Joe," Hoss said tiredly. "No one is going to believe Pa and Adam are innocent if they run."
"You can't mean you'd leave me behind!" Shannon exclaimed, feeling the first twinge of panic. "Everyone keeps saying this is all a plot for Sy Hawkins to get the Ponderosa. Am I supposed to keep that from happening? Alone? No one would let that happen!"
Aunt Scarlet would hear and come because there was money involved. There would be no one to keep the woman from doing whatever she wanted. And this time, Shannon knew her aunt would kill her.
Shannon didn't realize she'd stopped paying attention until she realized that Hoss was in front of her. "Shan, calm down," her large brother said softly. "Just take a deep breath. There's no sense panicking over something that hasn't happened yet."
"How am I supposed to stop worrying when everything is going wrong? Pa will hate it if you kill anyone to free him. You know he will."
She didn't miss the way her brothers exchanged looks. They weren't listening. No matter what she said, they would just do whatever they planned with no thought for the consequences.
"Shan, you're upset. We all are. Nothing needs to be decided right now," Hoss said gently. "Are you hungry? Hop-Sing might have something ready. If we ask—"
She pushed herself out of the chair. "No, I'm not hungry." She really wasn't, even though it had been hours since breakfast and she hadn't touched her lunch pail. "I'm going to my room."
Neither of them stopped her. Let them make their stupid plans. Shannon would think of something sensible without them.
The next morning and six days before her father and brother were scheduled to be hanged for murder, Shannon woke up to find Joe and Hoss gone. Hop-Sing reported that they had left shortly before dawn. Apparently, they were off on the search to find Dues Martin.
Somehow, Shannon wasn't surprised that they had left without a word. Understanding that time was short didn't dull the feeling of irritation. They might have left a note.
Their pa would have made sure someone was in charge and that Shannon knew what was expected of her. Adam would've done the same.
"Lil' Missy angry?" Hop-Sing asked as he set her plate of breakfast in front of her.
"No. A little." Shannon shook her head. "More worried. You know what they want to do to save Pa and Adam?"
The wise cook nodded. "They do not want to lose honorable father or brother. They will fight for that."
"Yeah, but they're not thinking about what will happen if they do." Shannon picked up her fork and poked at her eggs. "Someone wants the Ponderosa and is playing dirty to get it. Starting a gunfight will only result in them all being on the run. What happens to the Ponderosa then?"
"Lil' Missy like oldest brother." Hop-Sing tapped her forehead. "Think too much."
The comparison didn't annoy her as much as might have before. "But everything I've said is true! I can see it. Why can't they?"
"Have faith things work out for good." Hop-Sing nudged her plate closer and crossed his arms. "Eat before Missy becomes like a ghost and float away."
Despite not eating supper the evening before, Shannon frowned at the scrambled eggs. "I'm not really hungry, Hop-Sing." The thought of making herself eat turned her stomach. "Maybe just some toast."
But the cook didn't move. "You need to eat. It is not good to never eat," he said in Catonese. "Your honorable father and brother will not like it if they learn you have not been eating."
Though she doubted Hop-Sing would have a chance to tell her pa, Shannon forced herself to pick up the fork. With the first bite, her stomach twisted again but she managed to swallow the eggs. Then, it was as if her appetite came back and she cleaned the plate.
"Good," Hop-Sing said with a pleased nod. "Now you ready for school."
School. Shannon sat back and shook her head. How was she supposed to face her classmates, who would undoubtedly know what had happened the day before? The boys would delight in making her even more miserable and she would be forced to defend herself.
"Hoss and Joe didn't say I had to go," she said slowly.
Hop-Sing raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He collected her plate and hurried to the kitchen. Before Shannon had even stood up, the cook was back. He put her lunch pail on the table and then walked away.
Breathing out, Shannon stared at it. She knew what she should do, what her pa would expect her to do. But she didn't want to. She didn't want to have to be the better person and not react to the taunts that were sure to come her way. She didn't want to pretend to listen to Miss Jones when her mind would be in town, in the small jail cell where her father and brother were being kept.
But... there was a place in town she could go to and maybe it would do some good.
She grabbed her lunchpail and hurried for the door. "Good bye, Hop-Sing!" she called over her shoulder.
For the most part, things seemed to be normal in Virginia City. Wagons were going in and out of the town. Men and women were walking from store to store. But, even among the commonplace sights were ones that gave the streets an ominous look. Near the jail, there were men with guns, watching everything.
In the middle of the street, the beginning of a gallows was being built.
Remaining down the street, Shannon swallowed hard as she watched the men carrying wood to the site. Of course it would be someone's job to build it and they would just want to do that job.
Shuddering, Shannon turned to where the crime had happened. She hadn't gone there before, so the normalcy of the alley surprised her. There were boxes resting against the walls and boot prints in the dirt. And nothing else. No real sign that a murder had happened there.
But Shannon hadn't really expected to find some overlooked clue. While Sheriff Hanson was no Roy Coffee, he was doing the job as sheriff to the beat of his abilities.
Instead, the girl continued to the cafe that occupied one side of the alley: Byrnes Cafe. It was late enough in the morning that most customers would be gone and the lunch crowd wouldn't have arrived yet. In fact, no one was in sight when Shannon entered.
It was not a place Shannon had eaten in before. Virginia City had a handful of small cafes who catered to the miners and working class and fancier restaurants for evening meals. It was always a treat to eat in one, which happened rarely.
The door closed louder than she was expecting. "I'll be right there," Miss Byrne's voice came from the back. A moment later, the woman strode into view, drying her hands on her apron. "Yes?"
Faced with the woman who had condemned her family, Shannon found herself at a loss for words. She hadn't thought about what she would ask the woman.
"Are you lost?" Miss Byrnes asked, her forehead furrowing.
"You don't know who I am," Shannon realized in surprise. She'd come to expect everyone in Virginia City knew her because of who her father was.
"Should I? I meet a lot of people who come through that door."
Taking a deep breath, Shannon said, "My name is Shannon Cartwright."
Immediately, the woman's smile vanished along with any trace of kindness. "What do you want?" she asked sharply.
"I wanted to know the truth," Shannon said, taking a step forward.
"Well, I'm sure your brothers told you what the jury decided," Miss Byrnes said, pointing toward the street. "You'll find no other truth here. Shouldn't you be in school, anyway? Or is a Cartwright too good for education?"
Ignoring the insult, Shannon asked, "You are that certain my father killed yours?"
"I saw it happen!" Miss Byrnes' voice rose. She paused and took a deep breath. "I said as much at the trial. I wouldn't have done that if I weren't certain. Your father came to town to kill my father and now justice will be done."
"The only certainty I heard was your hatred for my family."
The woman blinked. "You heard? You couldn't have... A child had no place at that trial." She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I have every right to hate the men who killed my father."
"So I will be justified to hate you for killing my pa?"
Miss Byrnes took a step back. "Hate me? I haven't done anything wrong."
"It was your words that convinced the jury," Shannon argued. "Because Dues Martin left, you were the only one to testify. Why wouldn't I blame you for what's happening?"
"Blame your father for killing mine! That's what started this!"
Shannon shook her head. "No, I don't blame my pa. I know him. He would only kill in self defense and if he says he didn't kill your father, I believe him. That is my certainty, Miss Byrnes."
"Did you come here thinking I would change my mind?" Miss Byrnes demanded putting her hands on her hips. "You're just like your father. You think you know better than anyone else."
Raising her chin, Shannon refused to back down. "I haven't even asked you anything."
"No? You came into my business to tell me that what I know isn't the truth because you don't want it to be true." Miss Byrnes pointed at the door. "You can go right out the way you came and not come back. Your father and brother are getting what they deserve and nothing will change my mind."
It was on the tip of Shannon's tongue to say that maybe Miss Byrnes' father had got what he deserved too, but for all her anger, she couldn't say it. The words would be too cruel and something that would disappoint her pa if he heard of it. Adam wouldn't be very happy either.
"Good bye, Miss Byrnes," Shannon said softly. "I'm going to remember this for a long time and I think you will too."
The woman's face flushed an even deeper red as Shannon turned away. When she reached the boardwalk, she realized her hands were shaking. The conversation hadn't gone as she had expected, but no conversation with an adult woman ever had turned out well.
She really needed to think about that sometime. Had her experience with her aunt ruined her for any relationship with a woman?
"Shannon?" Dr. Martin's voice pulled her out of her reverie. The man hurried across the street to join her. "What's happened? Are you alright? Why aren't you in school? Is Hoss or Joe hurt?"
"Nothing has happened. I'm fine. Hoss and Joe are fine as far as I know," Shannon answered, skipping the question about school. Why was everyone so concerned about school when there were more important matters at hand? School could wait.
Dr. Martin shook his head, his shoulders relaxing. "I suppose that's something I should be glad about." Then, he narrowed his eyes. "But that doesn't answer my question. Why aren't you in school?"
"I had to do something more important." At least, it had seemed more important when she made the decision, but maybe she should have known better. Miss Byrnes had shown her anger at the trial and it was doubtful anything would have calmed her down since then.
The man looked past her, and he sighed. "Come on," he said, putting his hand on her shoulder. Shannon managed not to flinch, but she really didn't like it. "I know you mean well, but approaching Miss Sally isn't a good idea."
She didn't tell him she already had and that he was right. "There has to be something that can be done to save Pa and Adam."
"Yes, and we're doing all we can."
Who was 'we'? Shannon wasn't sure she wanted to know, just in case they disappointed her like had happened before. "What are you doing?"
"There is a petition being drawn up and signed by everyone who believes your pa and Adam's innocence. Once we have enough names, it will be sent to the governor of the territory." Dr. Martin guided her away from the cafe. "The governor might order a stay of execution and a retrial."
Execution. The word made the pit of dread grow even more in her stomach. "Might," she repeated. "He might not."
"But there is a chance. Have faith, Shannon. You Cartwrights have a way of beating the odds and coming out right, even in the worst of circumstances." Dr. Martin stopped by her horse. "Now, I know you're not supposed to be in town. I won't mention it to Ben, but you need to go to school."
Heaving a sigh, Shannon nodded. "I'll go," she said, knowing he would keep his word. If she didn't go, he'd tell her pa that she'd come into town and that just couldn't happen. She pulled herself into the saddle. "I just want to help."
"We all want to help," Dr. Martin told her with a sad smile. "But there's not much you can do."
That's what she was afraid of but doing nothing just felt wrong. Without another word, she turned Star's head toward the edge of town. When she glanced over her shoulder, the doctor had hurried on.
Why did only her pa and Adam know to make sure she was doing what they thought she was going to do? Would the doctor ever realize she hadn't said she was going to school?
Sitting on the edge of the lake, Shannon stared at the water. Her uneaten lunch sat beside her though it was long past noon. It wouldn't be long before she could go back to the Ponderosa and Hop-Sing wouldn't suspect she hadn't gone to school.
Any other week, it would have been a perfect day at the lake. The sun was shining overhead, there were no clouds in the sky, and there was a light breeze. Pulling her knees up to her chest, Shannon closed her eyes. All this peace and her thoughts still wouldn't calm.
"Well, well, well. Who do we have here?"
At the unexpected voice, Shannon went still. She hadn't seen John Walters since that time she had gone into the abandoned mine with him and Jimmy. What was he doing on the Ponderosa?
"Go away," she said, without turning around. She dropped her hand and found a rock just big enough to fit in her hand. "You're trespassing."
"So?" She heard the boy's footsteps come closer. "What are you going to do about it?"
Twisting around, Shannon opened her eyes and let the rock fly. It hit the ground in front of John's boot, which wasn't exactly where she had aimed it but was good enough. "Hey!" he exclaimed, coming to a halt. "What kind of stupid... What are you doing?"
"You're trespassing and I told you once to get off my family's land." Shannon scrambled to her feet. The boy was much, much bigger than her, so if it came to a fight... But she didn't care. "The next one won't be a warning."
John stared at her for a moment, clearly trying to gauge whether she was serious or not. Shannon bent down and grabbed another stone. He took a step back. "All right, all right," he said. "Crazy girl."
Shannon kept hold of her rock as he continued to retreat. He had only gone a few yards when he paused. "You know it won't be long before you won't be so high and mighty," he called out. "The Cartwrights' reign over this territory is over."
"What do you mean by that?" Shannon demanded before she could think better.
"Its only a matter of time once your stupid pa is dead. You're not going to be able to hold on to all of this without him and the rest of the world will get a price of those trees, the mines, the land. Everything."
With every word, Shannon's temper rose. How dare he come onto the Ponderosa to insult her? What did he hope to gain from it? "Get off our land," she said through her teeth.
"I think I would put a house right there." He pointed up towards the hills. "After I cut down all of those trees."
Her vision going red, Shannon abandoned all logical thought and charged at him. Small though she may be, she knew how to use surprise to her advantage and Johnny Walters was not expecting to be tackled. He stumbled backward when she rammed into him and fell onto his back.
"How dare you?" Shannon screamed, trying to punch him. He held his arms up to block her, but she did manage to punch his jaw.
Johnny managed to knock her off and then he scrambled for his feet. His hands were curled into fists...
A gunshot rang out. Johnny and Shannon both looked over to see Jud, one of the most faithful hands on the Ponderosa ranch, on his horse a few yards away. The man lowered his rifle. "Boy, you best get off this land," he said, his voice low with anger. "You caused enough trouble as it is."
Moving slowly, Johnny Walters backed to his horse and then mounted. As the trespasser raced away, Shannon stayed where she was on the ground. Jud dismounted and came toward her. "Are you alright, Miss Shannon?" he asked kindly, kneeling beside her.
"No," Shannon managed to say before she burst into tears. Deep, shuddering sobs shook her whole body as she vented every negative emotion she'd tried to keep bottled up.
Jud's hand rested on her shoulder the whole time. He said nothing until she had calmed down. "Sometimes a body just needs to cry," he then commented.
"I don't know what to do anymore," Shannon said with a sniff. "Everything is just...wrong. Pa and Adam are going to die and I can't do anything."
The older man handed her his red handkerchief. "There are times everyone feels a little hopeless. I can remember feeling something like that when I first met your pa." He fell silent, his gaze becoming distant.
"But what am I supposed to do?" Shannon asked, scrubbing her face. "Everyone says I can't help because I'm just a kid. Everywhere I turn, there's no hope."
"There are always going to be things and situations in our lives that we can not control," Judd said seriously. "That's a part of life. But what you need to remember, Miss Shan, is that there is always one thing you can control: how you react."
Shannon shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you flying into a fight with both fists like you were Little Joe. You might feel like you had no choice in the matter or that you were pushed into it, but you know that's not true. You had the choice about how you reacted to that boy's taunts."
Cheeks flaming with a mixture of shame and annoyance, Shannon looked away. "But he was—"
"Looking to rile you up and you obliged. I ain't saying I wouldn't have felt the need to defend your family's name if I were in your shoes, but what good came of it? Do you feel better?"
She rubbed her sore knuckles and bit her lip. "No," she reluctantly admitted.
"It might seem like weakness or cowardice to not retaliate or to say nothing. Taking the high road ain't easy, but—" Judd straightened up. "It's a far cry better to let the world think that than to start down the easy path. It becomes easier and easier to hurt other people once you start."
Aunt Scarlet liked to hurt people. Had she been different once on a time, and let anger get the better of her? The idea that she might become like her aunt sent a chill down Shannon's spine.
"That still doesn't help me know what to do."
"Take one day at a time. Think before you act."
Adam always said that: use your head before your heart got you into trouble. Shannon breathed out. It was so hard to do sometimes. She wondered what her brother would have had to say about Johnny Walters' appearance on their land.
"Do you think Sy Hawkins will send his men to try to worm their way onto Ponderosa?" she asked.
If Judd was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. "Might be, if he learns that Hoss and Joe are gone."
Shannon scrambled to her feet. "Then, it might be good if you organized a patrol of the fences and the border of the Ponderosa," she said. She hesitated. "Will that be possible with the hands who remain? Or would it be a waste of time?"
"I think it a wise plan," Judd said with a slight smile. "And don't you worry about it. The other men and I are loyal to the Cartwrights. We'll do what has to be done."
It wasn't much. But maybe, in the long run, keeping the Ponderosa safe was what she was meant to do.
The rest of the week passed slowly. Shannon refused to go to school and hid when Miss Jones came Wednesday evening. Though it took all of her self control, she stayed away from Virginia City as well. She had the more important task of making sure there were no trespassers on the Ponderosa.
In the first two days, five trespassers were escorted off the ranch with their guns confiscated for the trouble. All five were on the border closest to Virginia City and came from Sy Hawkins' land. After consulting with Judd, Shannon agreed that since they had so few hands, they should concentrate on that border.
Shannon even joined Judd for one of the morning patrols. For the first time, she understood what Hoss always said about nature being soothing during troubled times. Her worry didn't vanish completely but she did feel more at peace as she rode the edge of the property she called home.
Any hope she had been hanging onto vanished when her brothers came riding up the night before the scheduled execution. They were dirty and their shoulders slumped. Either they hadn't found Dues Martin or they had and the man hadn't changed his story.
"I hope the petition had more success," Joe said, collapsing into a chair at the table. He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't know," Shannon said honestly. She leaned against the table, ready to learn all she could. "No one has really come to tell me anything."
Hop-Sing hurried out of the kitchen with leftover ham for Hoss and Joe to eat. "We have to tell Pa and Adam," Hoss said, reaching for the plate without his usual eagerness. "Without Dues Martin, only Miss Sally's word can change things."
"What happened to Dues Martin?" Shannon asked, unsure if she wanted to know.
"Killed. About a hundred miles from here," Joe told her bluntly. "There's no proof but I think we all know who is responsible. Sy Hawkins wouldn't want to risk Martin saying something he shouldn't."
Shannon couldn't really feel any sadness for the man. "I don't think Miss Byrne's is going to change her mind about her testimony."
"We can still ask her."
Sighing, Shannon shook her head, flexing her still sore fingers. Hoss paused and looked at her closely. "Have you been fighting at school some more?"
"No," Shannon said honestly. "The oldest Walters boy came to Ponderosa and he didn't want to leave. He had a lot to say about how it wouldn't be long before the Ponderosa wouldn't be off limits."
"How did you get him to leave?" Joe asked with a flash of curiosity.
"It wasn't me. Judd came." Shannon glanced across the house to where Adam's map hung on the wall. "Since then, we've been patrolling the border to keep trespassers out."
"We?"
A blush heated up her cheeks. "Judd and whoever else is still here."
"Lil' Missy keep watch," Hop-Sing interrupted. "Make sure everything safe for father's return. Her idea to patrol "
Both of her brothers looked at her in surprise. "Someone had to," she said.
Joe's eyes narrowed as though he picked up on the criticism. Hoss just nodded. "Good thinking, Shan," he said. "Hawkins has had his eye on the Ponderosa for a long time. Makes sense he would try to make a move when he knows we got more important things to do."
"Speaking of important things, you should get to bed, Shannon," Joe said with false cheerfulness. He sent a pointed look at Hoss. "Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Hoss nodded his agreement. They were going to prepare to take on the sheriff and deputies. Shannon shook her head. "What time are we leaving for Virginia City?" she asked.
"Pa said—"
"I know what Pa said, Joe!" the girl snapped. "But if—if— it is Pa and Adam's last day, I deserve to talk to them one last time, don't I?"
There was a moment of silence. "It's not going to be—" Joe started to say.
"We'll leave as early as possible," Hoss interrupted. "But you're not going to stay in town. You'll talk to Pa and Adam, and then go straight to school."
Crossing her fingers behind her back, Shannon repeated, "As early as possible. I'll be ready."
She left them to do whatever they didn't want her to see. There were less than twenty four hours left before her pa and Adam were scheduled to hang. She wasn't going to get any sleep.
Joe and Hoss had their saddlebags resting by the front door when Shannon came down the stairs in the morning. Hop-Sing was silent as he set out breakfast for them. Every bite had no taste and it took all of Shannon's willpower to finish the eggs. She did it since she knew she wouldn't be allowed to leave if she didn't.
They set off and made the journey quickly. No one said anything. Shannon's anxiety rose as they drew close to town. The men with guns were obvious on every corner, and she knew who they worked for.
"Looks like Hawkins expects trouble," Hoss said as they came to a stop in front of the jailhouse.
"He should," Joe said, glaring at the closest man. "If he didn't, he's not as clever as everyone thinks."
Everyone who wanted a piece of the Cartwright land thought they were smart enough to get it. Shannon shook her head. Their ambition didn't make them smart, and none of them have achieved their goal.
Yet.
She kept her back to the hangman's nooses that had been built. Why the middle of town? To make a statement? For a spectacle? As long as she didn't see it, Shannon could pretend it wasn't there.
"Shannon, you wait out here while we talk to Pa and Adam," Hoss said, dismounting first. "We'll let the sheriff know you want to spend some time with them today."
Some time. Not just a brief, few minutes visit. Waiting on Star's back, Shannon wasn't sure how she felt about that. Seeing her father and brother behind bars was difficult enough but she didn't know how she would react to being there for long.
If they asked about school, how would she answer? She didn't want to lie, but what if it was their last day alive? Could she stand knowing she had disappointed them right before they died? But Adam always seemed to know when she was lying. Not that she lied often.
Shannon's heart started to race, and she closed her eyes. She breathed in and out slowly through her nose. The action helped ease some of the panic and fear, just enough for her to feel more in control.
She'd convinced herself this was a bad idea when her brothers came out of the jailhouse. "Hanson says you can go in but you can't stay all day," Joe told her.
"What are you going to do?" Shannon asked, dismounting. She glanced over her shoulder and two men on the other side of the street looked away. "Can I help with anything?"
"Ed Baxter is doing a special edition of the paper. Adam thinks it will make the town think." Joe's skeptical tone showed what he thought of the plan and Shannon really couldn't blame him. "Barney is still collecting names for the petition. And we're going to talk to Sally Byrnes."
Thinking of how her own talk with the woman had gone, Shannon didn't think it would do any good. "I can ask people to sign the petition."
Both of her brothers shook their heads. "Pa'd have a conniption fit if he knew you were wandering Virginia City alone with all of Hawkins' men in town," Hoss said. "Best you stay here."
"Aren't you the one who insisted you had to come see Pa and Adam?" Joe asked.
Shannon clenched her teeth, refusing to look at them. "It's alright to feel scared and sad, Shan," Hoss told her gently. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Pa's missed you this past week. You go on in. Joe and I will be back soon."
Why had she thought this was a good idea? Shannon forced herself to walk to the door. Did she really want her last memory of her father to be in a jail cell? No, she couldn't think like that.
One of the deputies opened the door. "You have to leave any weapons right here."
Raising an eyebrow, Shannon stared at him. His voice was loud enough that Joe and Hoss turned around. Sheriff Hanson hurried over. "We have to tell everyone," he said, his tone apologetic. "You can come in."
"I don't have a weapon," Shannon told him. First of all, where would she have kept a gun or knife? Second of all, did he have to say it so loud? "Do you have to search me?"
"No, just come in, Miss Shannon," the sheriff said, a flush of embarrassment spreading up his neck.
The feeling of being trapped swirled in Shannon's stomach as the door was locked behind her. How had Adam and their pa handled being locked in a jail cell for a week? How did anyone stand it?
She forced a smile as she went to the jail cells. "Hi, Pa," she said.
Ben Cartwright reached the bars to grasp her hand. "Hello, sweetheart," he said. "You're supposed to be in school right now."
"I couldn't," Shannon said honestly.
Her father looked over her head. "Hanson, could you give us some privacy?"
"I can let her in with you," the sheriff offered. "Might be a bit more comfortable for you all."
The thought of being in a cell made Shannon's heart skip a beat. She wanted to scream, "No!" Being locked in the jailhouse was bad enough. Trapping her in the jail cell, even with her father and brother, would be awful. She had to have a way out. For a split second, all she could think was when she was locked in that small trunk by her aunt. No light. It had been hard to breathe.
"No," she heard her pa say. It startled her back to the moment. "But you might get her a chair."
Blinking, Shannon tried to calm down. Everything was fine. Well, not exactly fine but she wasn't trapped. She could leave whenever she wanted. Well, not whenever she wanted. She was supposed to wait until Boss and Joe came.
"Shannon, breathe."
Adam's sharp order made her realize that she was getting dizzy and she took a deep breath. "Sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Shannon," her pa said gently. His eyes were sad.
The sheriff brought her the chair from his desk and set it close to the cell. She was able to keep clinging to her father's hand as she sat but it felt awkward to be the only one seated. "Joe said something about a special edition of the newspaper," she said to turn the conversation away from herself.
"The more people who know about the petition and the injustice being done," Adam said, leaning against the iron bars. "At the very least, it will show just how much power Hawkins is getting in town."
Or, it just might cause more trouble, but Shannon kept that thought to herself. Her hope that the topic would take up some time was dashed because what could she say after that?
"Everything is good on the Ponderosa?" Ben asked. "I didn't like that Hoss and Joe went after Dues Martin and left you alone."
"I had Hop-Sing and Judd to look after me." With a flash of inspiration, Shannon launched into a detailed explanation of everything that had happened on the ranch in the past week.
Maybe it would be enough that school wouldn't be brought up again.
To say that Ben and Adam were upset about the trespassers would have been an understatement. Shannon was able to give them every detail without ever admitting she knew so much because she had been on the ranch all day, every day. Sheriff Hanson also made some notes, though what he expected he could do about it now was a mystery.
When there was a knock on the door, Shannon was glad of the interruption. But when she saw the man and his assistant come in, she regretted that happiness. "I'll be handling the final details," the man who had overseen the building of the hangman's platform. "I'll do what I can to be helpful."
Shannon's stomach dropped and she felt like she was going to be sick. "That's very kind if you, but just how can you help us?" Adam said sarcastically.
"Your throats should be as clean shaven as possible. The hemp is new and stiff. It sometimes pulls short whiskers. That can be painful," the man answered earnestly. He paused a moment. "Also, your boots should fit snug. Otherwise, they might fly off."
Swallowing hard, Shannon wanted to scream at the man. "Oh, we can do without your help," Adam informed him. Anything more he meant to add was lost when Ben shook his head.
"I believe you mean well, friend," Ben said with calm dignity. "We thank you."
The man didn't seem to know how to react to the quiet thanks. He nodded awkwardly and turned away. Twisting around, Shannon glared at the man's back. "Pa, I think it's time for Shannon to get home," Adam said, getting her attention.
"I agree."
As much as she hated being there, Shannon didn't want to leave. "But Joe and Hoss aren't back."
"I think you can manage to get back to the Ponderosa without them. Who knows how long they will be at the mining camp getting signatures."
Reluctantly, Shannon stood up. The bars interfered with an embrace from her father, but he squeezed her hands. "No matter what happens, listen to your brothers. Try not to give them too much trouble," Ben said seriously. "Everything is going to be fine."
No, it wasn't. "Use your head," was Adam's addition. "There will be little enough of that if the worst happens."
"I love you, Pa," Shannon said, her throat feeling tight. "I love you, Adam."
"I love you too, Shannon." Ben looked beyond her. "Now hurry home."
Turning, Shannon saw a stranger in the doorway through the tears swimming in her eyes. She ducked her head and hurried out.
Leaning against the building, Shannon tried to contain her tears. She should have known better than to think things couldn't get any worse because they had. The petition had been so close to succeeding only to fail.
Now it was down to Hoss and Joe fighting the town. And that would only end in bloodshed.
"Look what we have here. The littlest Cartwright."
"How can you tell? That Little Joe isn't much bigger, I'd say."
Straightening up, Shannon glared at the two men, swiping at the tears on her face. They both were laughing as they came closer. Neither one was familiar and she guessed they were Hawkins' men.
"Lost, little girl?" the second man asked, his tone mocking. "Or are you so eager to see your kin die tonight?"
Gritting her teeth, Shannon refused to rise to the bait. She glanced around the alley, trying to work out which escape routes she had. The closer the men came, the more certain she was that they wouldn't be content with teasing her. But what did they want with her?
"Do your brothers know you are here?"
Shannon backed up, biting her lip. That was a question she didn't dare answer even if she had wanted to. Should she scream in the hopes someone would hear and come to her aid? But she was so close to the jail, Pa and Adam would hear. They would worry...
"Why don't you leave the girl alone?"
Beyond the two men was the man she had seen waiting in the jail to speak to her father. He was dressed in dark clothes and his hand was resting on his gun belt. His manner was relaxed as he stared at the two other gunmen.
After a moment, the taller of the men shrugged. "Fine. Let's go to Gil's Saloon. It's not like she's old enough for any real fun."
"Are you alright?" the stranger asked once the two other men had left the alley.
"I'm fine," Shannon said, eyeing him cautiously. "Who are you?"
"Folks have taken to calling my Lassiter," he said with a slight smile. "What's your name?"
"Shannon." There was no sense in giving him too much information, even if he did just help her.
But the man just gave a nod. "You're Ben Cartwright's daughter," he said. Again, Shannon prepared to bolt for safety. "You look like him."
"You know my pa?"
He hesitated. "Let's just say I stopped by the jail earlier. I thought he might be someone I was looking for. He seems like a good man."
"He and Adam are the best." Shannon didn't try to stop the tears that formed again. She rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. "They didn't kill that man. They shouldn't be in jail."
Lassiter, if that was even his name, approached and put his hand on her arm. "You're not supposed to be here, are you?"
Shannon frowned and shook her head. "My father is about to be killed for something he didn't do. Where else would I be?" she asked. "I can't just sit by and do nothing."
The man shifted his hat back. "I suppose I can understand that," he said. He glanced over his shoulder. "But now that the sun is starting to go down, this is no place for a little girl. How do you think your family will feel if they know you were here?"
"I'm not the one who is going to be hung when the sun sets. I think there are more important things to worry about."
The man nodded. "That's true, but I've heard what's been happening in this town. There's people who want to see your family destroyed. I've spoken to your pa enough to know he'd do anything to protect his children. What might he do if he thought you were in danger?"
It was on the tip of Shannon's tongue to object but then she thought of how her pa had left to save Little Joe not so long ago. And since the two men who worked for Hawkins had followed her into the alley... There was something to the idea that she might be used to manipulate the situation. "But I don't want to leave..." She knew what her brothers had planned.
"Sometimes what we want only makes us a hindrance to those around us," Lassiter told her. "And it takes a smart man, or girl, to recognize that."
Breathing out, Shannon nodded. "Alright. I'll go."
"Don't worry about your brothers," the man said. "I'll tell them to hold off on their gunfight until the last possible minute."
"Why? You think they won't need to?" Shannon asked in confusion.
"I think that anything is possible and that the truth has a way of coming out when it needs to."
Shannon huffed. "Well, it would be a lot more convenient if the truth came out right away."
The man let out a laugh. "It would but the world doesn't work that way. You get home safely, Miss Shannon. Try not to worry."
Easier said than done, but Shannon nodded anyway. She straightened her shoulders and headed for her horse. Ignoring the armed pairs of men who watched her, she rode to the edge of town. Once she was free of buildings, she kicked Star into a gallop.
Just in case someone had the bright idea to kidnap her between the town and home.
No one tried to stop her, but that didn't mean Shannon felt any easier. Judd reported that three men had been sent off Ponderosa land while she was gone. She thanked him for their vigilance, pleased that something had gone right that day.
Her feet became sore from pacing. Repeated fisting of her fingers had also made her hands hurt. But when she sat down, Shannon couldn't be still and she'd jump up after a minute. Hop-Sing hadn't even tried to coax her to eat.
The sun sank slowly. Each tick of the clock seemed to echo through the great room. Closing her eyes, Shannon prayed as she had never done before. Please. Please let Pa and Adam live. Somehow.
That man she had met, who had been kind, had given her hope, but when would she know? Her stomach twisted as it became darker and darker out. Every five minutes, she found herself checking the windows to see if there was anything the moonlight would show. The clock chimed midnight, making her jump. It was a new day. Sighing, she closed her eyes and rested her head against the window frame. What was happening in town?
Was her family dead even now? Or were all four on the run from the law? Who would bring her the news? What would happen?
Then, she heard it: the sound of horses gradually coming closer. Going still, Shannon listened closely. How many were there? More than one... More than two?
Straightening up, Shannon ran to the door. She had her hand on the wood when she paused. Riders were coming. Did she know if it was her brothers? Or was it the sheriff's deputies searching for her family? Or even St Hawkins come to claim what he'd been after?
She breathed out and opened the door. Judd had left several lanterns burning to keep the yard lit. It was by that light that she saw four horses slow to a halt. Four horses. Four riders. Hoss. Joe. Adam. Pa.
They were all home safe!
Her knees seemed to lose all strength, and she sagged against the porch post. Part of her didn't want to believe what she was seeing. It was impossible. How...?
Her father was the first to dismount and then he was walking towards her. "Shannon."
The sound of his voice convinced her she wasn't seeing things. "Pa." She shoved away from the post and ran to him. He caught her and lifted her off her feet.
"It's over," Ben said, hugging her tightly.
Feeling tears in her eyes, Shannon wrapped her arms around her pa's neck. If he said it was over, she didn't care how it happened. She just cared that he was there.
The sun was high in the sky when Shannon woke up. She stretched, feeling rested for the first time in weeks. Her stomach rumbled, convincing herself to get up. She changed out of her nightgown into a blue gingham dress. She ran a brush through her short curls. Before she left her room, she went to the window to open it.
Below was a buggy, the horse tied to the hitching post.
Puzzled, Shannon made her way to the stairs. Before she put her foot on the top step, she heard a voice she didn't want to hear.
"I understand things have been stressful and overwhelming for Shannon, but avoiding school is unacceptable," Miss Jones said primly. "No, thank you. I've had quite enough coffee. If Shannon misses anymore, it will be more difficult for her to catch up and there are several areas she was already struggling with."
"I understand," Ben said. "What do you suggest?"
Shannon took that as her cue to go to the narrow back staircase for an escape out that way. She moved quickly and lightly. Pa wasn't going to be happy to hear about the fights she'd gotten into once Miss Jones got around to telling him. The longer he thought she was still sleeping, the more time there would be for him to calm down.
Her plan, however, was thwarted when she reached the kitchen. "Going somewhere?" Adam asked from the doorway.
Freezing, Shannon tried to think of an explanation. Drat! She should have known Adam would know what she would try. He did seem to know her best.
She couldn't decide if she was happy about that or annoyed to be caught. "Nowhere," she said slowly.
"Mhmm." Adam raised an eyebrow. He featured behind him. "Miss Jones is here. I think you should join the conversation."
"I'd rather eat breakfast."
"You can do that after she leaves."
Shannon cast a glance at where Hop-Sing was working at the stove. But the cook wouldn't meet her gaze and continued on with his work. Now he decides not to encourage her to eat.
"Fine," she said with a sigh. She walked over. "Just for the record, I'm not sorry for any of it."
Adam looked amused. "I'm sure you're not." He put his hand on her shoulder as if he expected her to try to escape and he wasn't going to let it happen. "That doesn't mean it makes everything right."
"...and if your oldest son, Adam, were agreeable to assisting me in getting Shannon caught up with her classmates, I think there won't be any lasting harm." They both heard the last of Miss Jones' eager statement. "He is the most qualified with his education."
Shannon's brother came to a stop. In light of Miss Jones' open admiration for him, he always did his best to avoid her.
"We don't have to go in," Shannon whispered. "I won't tell if you won't."
There was a pause. Just long enough for a heartbeat and then Miss Jones said, "Where is Adam? I thought I might see him."
"Don't think this is going to get you out of all punishment," Adam said, turning around.
"I know," Shannon said, grinning at him. There were few times she ever saw Adam's mischievous side and she promptly forgot every time she had ever been annoyed with him.
"Adam?" Their father's voice called out.
At the same time, they both bolted for the back door.