Well, I seem to be getting my days back on track and getting this story moving again. Thank you again for your comments and thoughts.
Chapter Eight
Both horses seemed to reflect the mood of their riders as they slowly trekked into town with their heads hanging low. Ben felt his despair rising again as he had lost count of how many times they had ridden out and come back empty-handed. How could his son have simply disappeared off the map? He glanced across at Adam and knew the same thoughts were wearing at him too.
"Ben! Ben Cartwright!"
Ben looked across to see Lem Watkins waving at him from across the street. As the town's main telegrapher, he was often the bearer of bad news and Ben felt his hands clench around the reins that bit tighter. He nudged his horse across the street and Adam followed suit.
"I got a wire for ya!" Lem headed inside without waiting for them and by the time they had tethered their horses, he was back again. He handed the folded paper towards Ben and smiled at him. "It came in a few days ago, but I knew you weren't back yet." He pointed at the paper in Ben's hand as he steppd back a little. " I sure hope that's true."
He had sent out so many telegraphs in the first few days of Joe's disappearance and he knew more than anybody just how far the Cartwrights had searched. He'd also sent a boy out to the Ponderosa with the wire the day it arrived and he'd returned hours later with the paper still in his pocket, saying that Ben and the boys were still away from the ranch. He didn't have permission to give it to anybody else and since he couldn't read it for himself, he had no thought to give it to the Chinese man who opened the door.
Ben unfolded the paper and felt Adam leaning across to read it with him.
"You think it's really Joe?"
"Well, this sheriff seems sure it is." Ben looked up at Lem and handed him the payment for the return wire. "Thank you. Can you tell him we are on our way tomorrow and please, can you keep this to yourself for now?"
"Sure thing." Lem nodded as he knew full well what could happen if news got out prematurely. He'd seen the restlessness in the town since Little Joe's disappearance and the accusations and gossip had begun to do the rounds and grow legs as it did. The fact was, he didn't believe a word of it, but that didn't stop some folks from taking the law into their own hands. Returning a fugitive could seem like easy money to some, especially since Miss Johnson had made it clear she would pay for justice to be done.
Lem watched as the exhausted father and son climbed back up onto equally as exhausted mounts and turned for home.
Hoss sat at the table and tried to make himself eat the good food that Hop Sing had piled up before him. The little man seemed to be trying to outdo himself with more food than the whole family could need and Hoss knew it had been bleak over recent weeks. Hop Sing's way of showing how much he cared was always practical and he'd been deprived of the chance to take care of any of them and he seemed determined to make up for lost time since the two of them had returned.
Clay sat across from him and Hoss tried not to frown at the fact it was Joe's chair he was sitting in. It wasn't Clay's fault his little brother wasn't using it and enjoying the feast set before them. Still, it irked him anyway and he dropped his head to take a stab at his roast beef instead of saying what he wanted to.
Clay hadn't missed the look thrown his way and he wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. He'd found the big man was pleasant enough company, given the circumstances of their time together, but he still felt himself sitting on the edges of things and it felt like a very precarious perch.
The Chinese man who had laid the table before him had muttered something about Missy Cartlight along with a few words in Chinese and held his tongue since then. Clay followed Hoss and speared a mouthful of beef onto his fork before stuffing it into his mouth. It was easier than making conversation. They had each sat with their thoughts for some time when they heard the sound of horses coming into the yard. Hoss was on his feet in seconds and pulling the front door open before Clay had even reacted. His legs screamed at him as he forced himself to stand up and he clutched at the back of the chair to steady himself. He'd been saddle sore before, but nothing even close to this time.
"Pa! Adam!"
Clay heard Hoss call out to them as he rushed out the door and he slowly followed along behind. He'd hoped there might be third name in that list, but it soon became apparent that his brother was not with them. A couple of hands had come out of the bunkhouse and were soon leading the men's horses towards the barn as they all made their way inside. Clay stood awkwardly off to one side as the men entered the room and both Ben and Adam nodded towards him. They stripped off gunbelts and hats and Hop Sing was already busy laying extra plates and cutlery as they all sat down. It was clear that both men were exhausted and yet something seemed to say otherwise.
Ben pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Hoss. As he scanned the words, his face broke into a broad smile.
"They found him!" He looked up at his father as he saw his own smile reflected back, albeit more restrained.
"Let's hope so. We'll head out tomorrow and see."
Clay barely held himself in check at the idea of getting back on a horse the next day, but he soon found himself with no say in it.
"I assume you will want to come with us to get Joseph, but I think it would be best if you stay here."
Adam and Hoss had stopped chewing as Ben made his pronouncement and both of them saw the look flitter across Clay's face before he quickly pulled on a poker face. It was so different to how Joe would have reacted and they both glanced at each other. Joe's emotions were never far from the surface and he struggled to keep them off his face at the best of times.
"We have no idea how Little Joe will react to seeing us and I want … well, I want to give you and Joe the chance to get off on the right foot once he knows your story."
"I figured you would say that, sir. It doesn't mean I don't want to come!" Not that his body was going to argue with that decision, but still, it felt like a betrayal of a brother he didn't even really know.
Clay pushed his fork into his potato and lifted it to his mouth. It effectively stopped the conversation on his part and each of them could see he was trying to hold himself in check. It was such unchartered territory and none of them knew quite what to do with it.
Hop Sing had slipped back in as they were talking and he edged up to the table.
"Hot water ready to draw bath."
"Thank you, Hop Sing. I must say, I'm ready to clean off this trail dust." Ben looked down at his clothes and wondered if they could just about walk on their own.
Nick knew they were coming, but he couldn't be sure of the day when they would arrive. It was a long ride from Virginia City after all. He'd shown his foreman the wanted poster and Larry's eyes had just about fallen out of his head. He knew there was a story behind the kid, but nothing like that one! He'd kept his word and said nothing and made sure the kid stayed around. Neither of them had any idea how he would react when his family showed up, but Larry hoped for the best. He liked Joe and wanted to keep him around, but he'd seen the sadness in his eyes and a look that spoke volumes when he thought nobody was looking. Whatever the kid was running from, he figured it was time to put a stop to it.
Joe had watched as two of the other men had been busy breaking their two horses. He'd been working the chute for them and had cheered loudly as Sam brought his horse under control. Unfortunately, Rusty hadn't been so lucky and the big bay had thrown him clear across the corral. Larry was about to call a stop for the day when Joe had convinced him to give him another shot at the bay. After all, he was half way there and was tired from Rusty's ride. Larry nodded in agreement and soon enough the horse was back in the chute and Joe was standing on top of the railing.
He watched as the horse pranced against the railing and he slowly eased himself down into the saddle. He wrapped his fingers around the reins and prepared himself. As he yelled for them to open the gate, he looked up to see Nick heading towards the yard with a group of riders in tow.
Joe felt his heart rate jump as he recognised the riders and the moment's inattention was enough for the horse. The bay bucked with all he had in him and Joe was thrown sideways into the railing.
"Joseph!" Ben was down out of the saddle before his horse stopped moving and he was climbing through the railing as two of the hands grasped at the horse's reins to pull him in. The horse reared again and barely missed his son's inert body.
Adam was a few paces ahead of his father and gingerly lifted his brother's body out of the dirt. He noted the blood trailing down Joe's face and the gash across his forehead as he pushed the hair back out of the way. "Joe! Joe, can you hear me?"
The horse was pulled clear of the group and fastened tightly to the side of the corral as more men rushed in. Ben dropped to his knees and reached towards his son's face.
"Son, open your eyes."
The men gathered behind heard the comment and looked askance at each other.
Adam tried again and shook Joe's arm. "Joe! Come on, Joe, I know you can hear me. Wake up."
"Larry, get him in the wagon and back to the house. Sam, ride for the doc!" Nick pointed at the two men as he barked orders. He'd seen the whole thing unfold and kicked himself at bringing the family here instead of waiting at the house and bringing Joe to them.
Adam lifted his brother's body into his arms and stood up as somebody came rattling up the hill with a wagon. He hesitated to place Joe in the back and let go of him, but he noted his father nodding at him. Hoss climbed up into the wagon to help and Adam could see the tears in his brother's eyes. They had searched long and hard and surely they weren't going to be denied the prize at the finish line.
"Easy there." Hoss reached to push a wadded up blanket under Joe's head and he heard a faint moan. "It's alright, Little Joe, you're gonna be just fine."
Joe heard his brother's voice and felt the touch of his hand against his cheek. The pain in his head almost pushed everything else aside, but he turned towards the touch.
"You heard me? Can you open your eyes?"
The wagon was already moving and Joe felt the sway as it rolled towards the house. His stomach protested the movement and he tried to push himself upright as he could feel himself about to throw up.
Hoss could see it coming and he rolled his brother sideways and propped him up against his arm as Joe vomited violently across the floor of the wagon.
"It's alright, I gotcha. You're okay now."
Joe sagged against his brother's broad chest and closed his eyes once more, thoroughly spent. By the time the wagon reached the house, he was out cold and had no idea as he was lifted and carried inside.
It was another hour before the doctor arrived and in that time, Joe had not woken again. They had cleaned him up as best as possible and wrapped a strip of bandaging around the head wound, but it was still bleeding sluggishly. As far as they could tell, nothing seemed to be broken, but the spectacular array of bruising down Joe's right side meant he was going to be plenty sore when he woke up again.
Nick brought the doctor in as soon as he arrived and Ben had to wonder if all doctors learned something in medical school about shooing family out of the room as they appeared on the scene. He reluctantly followed his two sons out the door as he glanced back at his youngest.
"I'll be out as soon as I'm done, I promise." The doctor opened his medical bag and pulled something out as Ben shut the door behind him.
"Anybody needing coffee?"
Nick had a pot simmering on the stove and he placed mugs on the table as he waved the men towards seats. He didn't wait for an answer before pouring the coffee and then grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured a generous shot into each mug.
"Figured you could do with that as well."
Ben nodded as he lifted the mug to his lips.
"How long has my son been here?"
Nick slid into a vacant chair and looked around the table at three tired, drawn faces.
"Four, maybe five weeks. He was here when I got back from a trip to Sacramento. My foreman had taken him on and convinced me he could pull his weight, despite … well, despite appearances."
It wasn't the first time his son had been underestimated and Ben nodded in agreement.
"Didn't anybody wonder? I mean, his age? Anything?"
Nick scratched behind his head as he stretched back in his seat. "Well, sure. But he said he was on his own and needed a job. He proved he could do the job and he's been a real fine worker. I didn't have any call to doubt him and to be honest, I needed more hands."
"My son always could talk his way into anything he set his mind on."
"If you don't mind me asking, just why was the boy out on his own? I mean, it's clear he's got a family and a home, so …"
Adam pushed up from his chair and began to pace across the small room. "That's my fault."
"That's not true."
"It is, Pa! I drove him away and never gave him a chance to explain."
Nick looked back and forth between the men and waited to see where this was going.
"Let's just say that Joe ran afoul of somebody with a vendetta and a lot of things got very mixed up. He got caught up in something he had no control over or understanding about. And neither did you!" Ben pointed at his eldest son and watched as Adam turned his back.
The conversation slowly drifted to more mundane things as each of them tried to fill the time. Finally, the doctor stepped into the room and sat down at the table as Nick shoved a coffee his way.
"Well?" Ben couldn't read the man's face as he would have if it was Paul, but he didn't look too grim.
"The boy's got a concussion, no doubt. It should sort itself in a few days, but he's going to be mighty dizzy and most likely sick to his stomach too. From what Nick told me, he's lucky it isn't worse. Nothing is broken, but he's got some impressive bruising coming up already. He's going to need some of these as he'll be mighty stiff and sore when he wakes up."
The man handed Ben a bottle that he recognised only too well as laudanum.
"Let him sleep, but wake him every few hours or so. Give him these as he needs and let me know if he goes downhill at all."
"Thank you, Doctor … errr …"
"Mulligan. David Mulligan."
Ben stood and shook the man's hand as the doctor placed his empty mug on the table and headed for the door and his next patient. Before the door had even closed behind him, the trio were already on their way to the room to check if his prognosis was as positive as it sounded.