Summary:  In this prequel, Little Joe is growing up, and one thing Ben strives to teach him is empathy and the importance of family. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  1045 Christmas Eve 8:00am After breakfast, Pa told me that today is Christmas Eve and that I had to write that letter to … Continue reading Letters and Lessons (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  The Ponderosa is in crisis and the family asks Adam to come home to help, but that sets in motion a plot that leads to tragedy and loss, and eventually surprises with two drifters who show up on the Ponderosa. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  21,524 "The pain from telling the … Continue reading Painful Truth (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  This is a prequel about how Ben found the spot for the Ponderosa, but it is told as a story about Adam and Hoss and how they met Young Wolf. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  2,928 Hiding in the copse of pines, eleven-year-old Adam didn't feel so brave any more. At … Continue reading The Children Shall Lead — Truce (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  The Cartwright sons all have wishes for Christmas, and none of them get exactly what they want, but one of them especially gets something he never expected. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  3,893 Scrubbing down the floor of the cabin so the lady would be happy here for a couple of … Continue reading A Christmas Surprise Times Two (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  A short story of how Hoss had a special way of making sure his family had positive Christmas memories no matter what happened. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  841 Hoss' words were reassuring.  "Every man has to fight his own battles in his own way."  Remembering those words, Adam had to … Continue reading His Own Way (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  A sequel to Mis-Everything.  What appears to be a juicy scandal has the gossips joyful, but it's not what they think.  The real story is far more interesting.  That romance works out far better than Joe's tragic one which brings Adam full circle in facing a demon from his past. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western … Continue reading Brandy (by BettyHT) →

Summary:  Adam has trouble finding success on his terms and his family worries about him because of what they see as his strange responses.  There's quite a bit they don't know and surprises await them and Adam. Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western Rating:  PG Word Count:  12,796 Chapter 1 With a deep sigh, Adam dropped into … Continue reading Mis-everything (by BettyHT) →

Summary:   A WHN for Season 4’s “The Hayburner.”  When last we saw our intrepid heroes, Adam was in measured and methodical solitary pursuit of Hoss, whilst Joe and Ben made a wager on the outcome . . . with security, of course. Category:   Bonanza Genre:   Western Rated:  K+ Word Count:  3,100 Security Redux In due … Continue reading Security Redux (by Cheaux) →

Summary: The Cartwrights had pulled it off; successfully defended the Ponderosa without firing a single gunshot. Yet, the triumph was overshadowed by a persistent question; was anyone truly a winner or a loser when it came to a bittersweet memory from the past? Category:  Bonanza Genre:  Western, What Happened Next Rating: G Words:  595 words … Continue reading Dangerous Liaison: The Countess (by BluewindFarm) →

Summary:   Joe, eager to find something to call his own, joins the Pony Express with Adam's help.   Aside from a passing reference to Ben’s investment in the Pony Express, this story is unrelated to the Season 7 episode “Ride the Wind” which was out of sync with history as the Pony Express began in April … Continue reading Pony Joe (by Cheaux) →