It was early morning, and Eric and Abel were playing with the old Noah's Ark. Ben sat watching them, remembering how Hoss and Joe had loved the toy. He and Adam had made the boat and carved the animals and Noah and his wife for little Hoss one year when money was short at Christmas. Hoss had loved it, spent hours playing with it, and finally passed it on to Joe.
Hop Ling and Julia were bringing platters of food to the table, and she called to them. "Boys, put the toys away and wash up. Breakfast is ready."
Abel stood up. "Put it up, Eric." He walked away with Eric staring after him. indignantly.
"You can't tell me what to do," Eric muttered, but he began putting the figures away.
Joe came downstairs and heard Eric talking to himself. He listened for a few seconds and then knelt and helped the little boy pick up the remaining animals away.
"Thank you, Uncle Joe," Eric said. "You're nicer than Abel."
Joe bit back a grin. He remembered what it was like to have an older brother bossing him around. He put the Noah's Ark up on a shelf while Eric went to wash up. Joe went to his chair. Ben, Adam, Julia, Elizabeth, and Abel were already seated. Julia poured Joe a cup of coffee and passed it to him. Joe thanked her and took a sip.
"What are you going to do today, Joe?" Ben asked.
"Hop Ling's given me a list of supplies to pick up in town. Is there something I can get for you, Pa?"
"Can I go with you, Uncle Joe?" Eric asked as he came to the table.
Before Joe could say no, Ben spoke, "That's a wonderful idea, Joe. Take Eric with you, and then maybe you can take him and Abel fishing this afternoon."
There was nothing Joe wanted to do less than take his nephews fishing, but he couldn't think of good reason not to, and now Ben, Adam, Julia, Abel, and Eric were all smiling at him. He nodded and helped himself to a flapjack.
...
Eric scooted close to Joe as they rode to town. "Uncle Joe, Pa says you're the best rider on the Ponderosa."
Joe didn't comment.
"Will you teach me to ride, Uncle Joe?"
Joe answered, "Your father taught me to ride, Eric. He taught me a lot when I was growing up. You should ask him to teach you."
Eric's face fell, but Joe didn't notice. The little boy tried again. "Pa's real busy, Uncle Joe. He has to get used to being on the ranch again. Mama said not to bother him right now."
"So it's all right to bother me?" Joe's voice was rough, and Eric quieted down. They made the rest of the trip in silence.
When they got to town, Joe lifted Eric down from the wagon. He was caught up in his own thoughts and didn't notice that the child didn't flinch at the touch of his scarred hands. Eric started to put his arm around Joe's neck and settle on his hip, but Joe put him down and the boy followed him into Cass's General Store.
"Hey there, Joe," Will Cass greeted them. "You brought help with you today?" He smiled down at Eric.
Joe smiled a little. "Hello, Will. This is Eric, Adam's youngest boy."
Eric shook hands with Will Cass. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Will looked down at the solemn little boy. "It's a pleasure to meet you, son. You favor your father." He studied the child for a moment. Eric had Adam's dark hair, hazel eyes, and serious expression.
"Yes, sir."
Will released the boy's hand and took the supply list from Joe. He went back to the storeroom to collect sacks of flour, sugar, coffee, and other items while Joe went over to look at the small collection of books Will kept in stock. Eric looked around the store and moved to the door. It was early in the day and few people were out. He heard a soft mew, and began looking around for a kitten. He spotted it just outside the door, and wandered outside the store and down the boardwalk, trying to catch it.
"Well, that's everything," Will said as he and Joe hefted the last flour sack into the wagon.
"Thanks, Will." They went back in the store, and Joe called out, "Eric, time to go." He paid Will, and looked around. "Eric?" Joe walked around the store looking for the little boy. There was no sign of the child, and he went to the door and looked up and down the boardwalk.
Inside the Silver Dollar two men glared at each other over a table with covered with cards and poker chips. "You cheated!" one hissed.
"Smile when you say that," growled the other.
They rose slowly, staring into each other's eyes while the rest of the saloon's patrons moved away. Suddenly they drew their guns and began firing. Bullets flew wildly around the room and outside the doors of the saloon.
The sounds of gunshots and screams drew Joe's attention towards the Silver Dollar. He saw Eric standing just outside the saloon, and shouted, "Eric!"
Eric heard his uncle and turned to see Joe racing towards him. He froze, frightened by the look on Joe's face.
Joe was barely aware of the shouts and screams from the saloon. He saw only a little boy standing in harm's way. As he reached Eric, he wrapped his arms around him, and rolled with him down the walk, shielding the child with his body. When all was quiet he looked at Eric. "Are you hurt, boy?"
Eric stared up at him and slowly shook his head. Joe released him and moved to stand, but he felt numb and his legs were rubbery. Suddenly Roy was beside him with his hand on Joe's shoulder. "Stay down, Joe, you've been shot."
"Eric…" Joe began.
"He's all right, Joe. I'll take him to Elinor and she'll watch him while Clem gets you over to Paul and Martin." Joe watched as Roy picked up his nephew and carried him away. Clem motioned to two men who lifted Joe carefully and took him over to the doctors' clinic.
...
Julia was pushing Elizabeth in the swing when Roy Coffee drove the wagon into the yard followed by Sheriff Clem Foster. He called out, "Hello the house!" before Julia could say anything. She left Elizabeth in the swing and ran over.
"Mr. Coffee? Sheriff Foster? My husband and Mr. Cartwright are out at the south pasture. Is there something I can do?"
Clem looked down at the small slender woman. "There's been a shooting, Mrs. Cartwright. Joe was hurt."
Before he could say anything else, Julia ran to the back of the wagon and saw her son sitting next to his uncle. The boy's face was pale and tear - streaked, and he held Joe's hand tightly. "Mama," he whimpered.
Julia fought to keep her voice from shaking. "Eric, darling, are you all right?"
The little boy nodded and moved towards her. She lifted him down and looked at her brother - in - law. Joe was covered with a blanket. Roy climbed into the back of the wagon and gently shifted Joe's body towards Clem. The sheriff lifted the slight man easily, and Julia ran ahead to open the door for him. He carried Joe inside, and Julia opened the door of the downstairs guest room.
"Put him in here, Clem. It's where Hop Sing cared for the boys when they were sick." She pulled the bed covers back and Clem laid Joe down carefully. Hop Ling came in with a clean nightshirt, and said, "I will help Mr. Joseph, Mrs. Adam."
Julia tried not to look relieved, and she left the room. Eric stood alone in the great room, tears streaming down his cheeks. She knelt and opened her arms. He ran to her and Julia picked him up. She sat down in Marie's old rocker and held him tight, humming a lullaby as he quieted down. Abel and Elizabeth gathered near. "What's wrong with Eric, Mama?"
"Eric saw your uncle get hurt."
"Uncle Joe was supposed to take us fishing, Mama."
"He'll take you another time, Abel. He's hurt and can't take you now."
"It was my fault, Mama. I was chasing a kitty and Uncle Joe..." Eric began to sob again.
Julia soothed her boy. "No, lovey, it wasn't your fault." She shifted the child from her lap, and put his hand into Elizabeth's. "Take your brothers to the kitchen, Elizabeth, and you may have a cookie."
"Yes, Mama."
She waited until they were out of earshot and then looked up at Clem. "What happened?"
Clem Foster stood, turning his hat in his hands. "A gunfight in one of the saloons. Their shots went wild, and Eric was near the door, chasing a kitty, he said. Joe shielded him, but he was hit in the back. Dr. Graham got the bullets out, and Roy and I brought him home."
"A medical doctor sent an injured man home in a wagon?" Julia was appalled. In Philadelphia Joe would have been admitted to a hospital with doctors and trained nurses on duty.
Clem looked down at his feet. "Joe wasn't the only one hurt, ma'am, but he has a nice home with a bed and Hop Ling and Ben to take care of him. There wasn't room for him in the clinic. Dr. Martin or Dr. Graham will be out to take a look at him tomorrow." He said goodbye, and left her.