Summary:    To keep this Little Joe safe and yet not still the fire within was Ben's constant challenge. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  6137     With a sigh, Ben pushed open the front door.  It had been a long day and he was bone tired.  But as he unbuckled his … Continue reading The Fever (by Jane) →

  Summary:   Unexpected company arrive at the Ponderosa. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  11,235     Joe whistled happily as he rode towards the ranch.  It was an unexpected turn of events that led to his freedom so early in the day.  His teacher, Mrs. Judson had tripped and fell during the … Continue reading The Intruders (by Jane) →

  Summary:   Joe is having a bad day. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  6972   Joe knew he was falling, felt himself slip, then tumble to the ground below.  A hoarse yell escaped his lips as he landed with a loud thump.  Eyes blinking slowly, he realized his hands were still holding … Continue reading A String of Bad Luck (by Jane) →

Summary:  A tragedy befalls the Cartwright family. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  33,675   The frigid seawaters circled around Joe and relentlessly pulled at him with its icy fingers. How long could he hold on? It seemed like days since he had been sitting in the cabin with Pa, but in reality, … Continue reading Lost at Sea (by Jane) →

  Summary:   Every parent's worst nightmare. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  15,183   “Well, Adam, what do you think?” “I think . . .” Adam Cartwright studied the timbers overhead, then shook his head for at least the tenth time. He couldn’t understand how the mine owners had let things get so … Continue reading A Man Alone (by Jane) →

  Summary:  This is a companion piece to ‘A Man Alone.’ It is dedicated to all the readers who begged for a little more information about the Cartwright boys who were trapped . . Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  9863   At the sound of his brother’s laughter, Adam Cartwright looked up from … Continue reading Inside the Mine (by Jane) →

  Summary:   Adam’s thoughts during the episode ‘Honor of Cochise’. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  5653     ‘He’s just a kid!!’ One part of my brain is screaming that fact, while the other part simply accepts that he’s not. Not really. He’s a man. A young man, no doubt, but a … Continue reading Thanks, Brother! (by Jane) →

  Summary:   A sequel to "First Snow."  Dedicated to Jennifer, who couldn’t let this one go! Loved your ideas, girl; hope I used them well! Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  4056     Joe thumped his pillow once, twice, then settled his head back on the lumpy surface. Several long minutes passed before … Continue reading Honesty and Lessons Learned (by Jane) →

  Summary: Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  12,200   Snow. Bitter, cold, icy snow. The frozen crystals covered him, muffling the world around him. He could feel the sharp edges biting into his cheeks, the tiny shards that lined his mouth. Frozen water, melted by the heat of his skin, refrozen like … Continue reading First Snow (by Jane) →

  Summary:   (Editor's note: The first 18 lines of this story were given to the author as a writer's challenge. Everything after those lines is the original work of the author). Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rated:  PG Word Count:  4804   "Pa, I'll be fine." It was the last thing Joe had said to him, … Continue reading To Lose a Son (by Jane) →