Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  15,239   Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach    “Ya one of us now, Cartwright…ya cain’t back out, ya dun swore the oath!” stormed the oldest boy in the group.  The tall lad, heavier than the boy … Continue reading How Do I Love Thee? (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  1223   “There’s a letter from Joe, Pa,” called Hoss the minute he opened the door. Ben, who had been resting his weary body in his favorite chair, quickly jumped to his feet and met his middle son half way across the room.  He had been waiting all day, hoping to receive … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day, Pa (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  13,414   Joe stopped and leaned against the tree trying hard to fill his lungs with air while wiping the sweat from his brow.  Somewhere behind him, he had lost his hat and the hot sun felt as if it were baking his head.  Casting an anxious glance over his … Continue reading Heart of Clay (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:   775 Dear Pa, As usual, you’ve sent me off on business again when I should be at home with you. Is it me, or am I imagining that you must surely be trying to get rid of me?  I hope I haven’t been such a rapscallion that you can’t bear … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Pa (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  1932   Dear Pa,  I stopped by the attorney’s office and picked up those papers you needed, just like you asked me to do.  Mr. Millard and I got to talking, and he said something about this Sunday being Father’s Day.  I had forgotten about it until he mentioned it … Continue reading Happy Father’s Day, Pa (by Debbie B.) →

Summary:  Written with Jennie Rated:  PG Word Count:  10,092     October 30, 1854 The air was cool and crisp, coating the countryside with a thin layer of frost. A full harvest moon shone bright, lighting the trail that the three Cartwrights took into town. The breath coming from the horse’s mouth was another sure … Continue reading Hollow’s Eve (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:   8859   Adam strummed lightly on his guitar while Ben watched from the red chair where he sat.  Hoss was perched on the settee with his head leaned back against the headrest.  Little Joe was sitting on the hearth with his elbows propped on his knees and his chin resting … Continue reading Half of Nothing, All of Everything (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  9485   “Please, Pa…try to understand…” “I’m trying, Joseph, but you’re making no sense whatsoever,” Ben yelled. “If you’d just stop yelling at me…” “I’m not yelling!” shouted Ben. He turned from his son and took a deep breath and then faced the boy a second time. “Alright,” he said, … Continue reading Home is Where Love Dwells (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  22,646   The solemn group of mourners stood silently, heads bowed as the Reverend finished with his prayer.  Joe Cartwright, fifteen, stood as close to his father as he possibly could.  His body quivered, both from the cool autumn breeze and from the grief and fear that had taken root … Continue reading Hell or High Water, The Day Will Come (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  1239   Hey big brother!  As usual when a holiday or someone’s special day rolls around, I’m out of town on business.  Working the lumber camps might not be ‘real’ business but it sure is work.  I suppose I was set up for this…again…being as how we had to draw … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Big Brother (by Debbie B.) →