Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  30,906   “STOP!  YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME. MY NAME IS JOE CARTWRIGHT!” shouted the frightened young man as he fought against the hands that were dragging his body to the ground. Someone’s knee was digging into his shoulder while other hands held his legs pinned down.  Joe winced … Continue reading The Hanging Tree (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  12,199     The late afternoon sun had just began to dip behind the tall, snow capped mountains as Little Joe Cartwright guided his sure-footed pinto deeply into the forest.  The woods were dark and dreary looking, with the setting sun and thin layer of fog that had developed, the … Continue reading The Sound of his Weeping (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  12,183     The boys stopped suddenly and twirled around to face the two men who had just entered the barn.  Mr. Grant’s face bore an expression of intense fury as he glared first at his son and then at Little Joe.  The boys exchanged glances, fear beginning to seep … Continue reading The Whipping (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count: “Oh…” The moan was weak, barely audible. Long lashes fluttered as pain filled eyes strained to open. “Ohh…” This time the moan was louder and had there been anyone near, they could have heard it, if they had been listening for it.  As it were, no one was anywhere near … Continue reading Tied in Knots (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  9314     Ben’s eyes followed his son’s movements as Joe paced around the room and then stopped, lowering his body into the blue chair that was placed near the foot of the stairs.  Joe leaned his head back and closed his eyes.  Minutes later Joe was sound asleep. “Wonder … Continue reading The Color of Chocolate (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  18,312     The group of people that assembled together in the chapel after Sunday morning worship service wasn’t a large group, but it was made up of some of the finest people in Virginia City, among them, the four Cartwrights. It was early May, and time to start planning … Continue reading The Last Laugh (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  18,815   Ben stood before the roaring fire. His entire body trembled as he stared blankly at the paper clutched in his hands.  Behind him, Joe watched, waiting for his father to turn around and acknowledge that he was still there. “What does it say, Pa?” Joe said, moving closer. … Continue reading The Empty Box (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  15,322     “FRANK!  Please…oh please, don’t hit him again!” “SHUT-UP WOMAN!  I’ll stop when I think he’s had enough!” Blow after blow was delivered to the other man’s mid-section.  The man’s body folded in half, an unconscious move made by sheer willpower to protect himself. “HOLD HIM UP!” Frank … Continue reading Tempted to Steal (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  19,510   “NO! NO!  YOU CAN’T TAKE MY PAPA!  PAPA! PAPA!” screamed out the tiny little seven year old. His older brother fought to hold him tightly in his arms while they watched their father being led from the jail and out into the warm afternoon sun. The heavy chains … Continue reading Twenty Years Hard Labor (by Debbie B.) →

Summary: Rated:  PG Word Count:  15,791   At the sound of approaching horses, both Ben and his youngest son glanced up from their places at the table. “I bet that’s Hoss now!” squealed the sixteen-year old as he hurried to push back his chair.  The chair nearly toppled over in his haste to get outside … Continue reading Two Hearts, Seventeen Hands (by Debbie B.) →