" MISSING PAYROLL "

Part Three

By: Lynne G.

Adam and Hoss rode slow in hopes that their little brother still might change his mind and come riding after them.  " Do ya think he'll show up Adam?" Hoss asked.  " I don't know.  You know how stubborn that boy is.  If he doesn't come home with us, do we tell Pa that we saw him, and that we know where he is?" Adam asked Hoss.  " I just dun't know Adam.  If we did, ya know Pa will go and drag that boy home, or hearing that little brother doesn't want to come home would be to much for Pa to handle," Hoss sadly told Adam.  " I know it's only mid-afternoon, but let's stop and make camp just in case," Adam suggested.  Hoss agreed to that.

" Little Joe, could you please come down here honey," Tess asked the boy as she could still hear him crying up in the hay loft.  Little Joe slowly came down the ladder.  " You wanted me about something Tess?" he asked very softly.  " Yes.  Come and sit down next to me please," she asked as she smiled at the very sad looking boy.  " Are you alright?  We are worried about you," Tess asked as she put her arm around Little Joe's shoulders.  She could feel him trembling.  "

" I dunno.  I dunt know what to think.  You dunno how much it hurt when my Pa told me to leave.  I keep trying to forgive him, but I just dunno what to do.  I love my family, but I dunno what to do.  Part of me wanted ta go with my brothers, but the other part of me is scared," Little Joe softly said as he looked at the floor with tears slowly running down his face.

Tess listened very carefully to what the boy had just told her, and she looked at him trying to figure out what to say to him.  " Little Joe, we want you to be happy, and we really think that you should have gone with your brothers.  Don't get me wrong honey, we love having you here with us, and I can't tell you just how much we have appreciated you working here to help us get those horses broken.  You are a wonderful boy and a very responsible hard worker, and we love you as if you were our very own son and Dan's little brother.  You have a God given talent with horses, and you are a natural horseman.  If I was your father, I wouldn't want to live without you," Tess said.

" Please, you need to ride after your brothers.  I know they were going to be riding slowly in hopes that you would change your mind, and come after them.  You will always be welcomed back here anytime you want.  I just can't imagine how awful it would be if something like what happened to you would have happened to one of my sons.  Please Little Joe, you need to forgive your father for what he has done," Tess explained.

" When a parent gets very angry with their child, they don't think of what they are saying to their child.  Very hurtful words are said, even though they aren't really meant.  A parent loves that child so much and they want only the best for their child," Tess told the boy.

" A parent can be so angry that they don't want to see that child at that moment, but they don't want their child to leave home.  I know that you have been very hurt, but you know that your father feels even worse than you do.  Please honey, do what you are feeling n your heart.  There is still time to catch up to your brothers Little Joe," Tess told the boy as she held him. 

" Thank you Tess.  I better get packed," Little Joe softly said.  " Honey, I had Tom and Dan get your things packed for you, so all you have to do is saddle your horse," Tess said as she hugged him.  " I love you Tess.  I bet my mama would have said the same things you just said," Little Joe replied as he wiped his tears away and began to Saddle Cochise. 

" We love you too Little Joe.  You have brought a lot of love and laughter into our lives," Tess tearfully said.  " Thank you.  I dunt know how to thank you all of you for letting me work here, and to live with you," Little Joe said as he now noticed Tom and Dan standing there too.

Dan handled Little Joe his saddle bags.  " You take care kiddo.  I'm really going to miss you.  You are like a little brother to me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed that," Dan said as he had tears in his eyes too.  " I'll miss you to Dan.  You've been like a big brother to me and I can't tell ya how much I appreciated that," Little Joe said as he and Dan hugged each other.

" Little Joe, here are your wages son.  You more than earned every cent of it," Tom said as he handed the boy a very thick envolope, and he too hugged Little Joe.  By now, Little Joe was crying and he didn't care either.  He had really loved the Simons and he know that he would miss them so very much.  " You remember now son, you are welcome here anytime you want," Tom told the boy as he continued to hug Little Joe.  " I will, thank you.  You have to come to the Ponderosa too," Little Joe suggested.  " We will, we promise," Tom said.  Little Joe got on Cochise and looked at the Simons through his tears.  " Bye Little Joe, take care now," Tom, Tess and Dan said as Little Joe slowly started to ride away.  He yelled back, " Bye.  I love you all !"

" Well, I better start dinner.  I really thought our little brother would have been here by now.  I guess he's not coming after all," Adam sadly said.  " Dadburnit Adam, I'm gonna go back and get that boy.  I dunt care what he said.  He's comin' home with us," Hoss declared.  " Hoss please, just wait yet," Adam suggested.  " How long do we wait here then?" Hoss asked as he was now getting upset with his older brother.  Adam just shrugged his shoulders.

Little Joe continued to follow the tracks made by his brothers and their horses.  He was exhausted, mentally exhausted from all the emotions that he had been feeling the past several days, especially that day.  He hoped he would be able to catch up to his brothers soon.  He knew that Cochise was probably getting tired as well, and he didn't want to over tire his beloved pinto.

As Adam was cooking dinner, Hoss sat there looking in the direction in which they had come from.  All he could think about was his little brother and how deeply he loved the boy, and how he had wished and prayed that he would have come with them. 

" I think I will check on the horses Adam," Hoss sadly said.  Adam looked at Hoss and he knew what his middle brother was thinking and what he was feeling, because he felt the exact same way.

About fifteen minutes later,  Adam and Hoss heard a horse galloping towards them.  They both stood up and Hoss shouted," It's Little Joe !  Thank God, it's Little Joe, Adam !"

" Thank God !" Adam shouted as he and Hoss ran over to where their little brother was slowing Cochise down to a walk. 

Hoss reached up and pulled his little brother off Cochise and he said, " We thought you's never get here Punkin !"  Hoss said as he kept hugging the boy.  " Thank you Little Joe.  We need you little buddy," Adam said as he rubbed his brother's back.  " I'm sorry it took me so long ta make up my mind.  Truth is, is that I'm scared at what Pa will say ta me," Little Joe softly said.  " Oh little buddy, don't worry about that, because Pa wants you home so much," Adam told his little brother.  " You ok Punkin?" Hoss asked as he got a good look at the boy.  He could see how exhausted he looked.  " I'm really tired Hoss.  Really tired," the boy quietly replied.

" You sit down and rest.  Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.  Hoss will take care of Cochise for you," Adam told the youngster.  " Thanks.  I think I will rest up for a bit," Little Joe replied.

Hoss took his little brother's bedroll off Cochise and gave it to him, then he took Cochise over to where the rest of the horses were.  He unsaddled the pinto, rubbed him down, and took him over to the stream so the horse could get a nice long drink.  Then he led the pinto back to where the other horses were tied out for the night and grazing.

Adam had laid out his little brother's bedroll and told the boy to lay down and rest which Little Joe gladly did.  By the time dinner was ready, the boy had fallen asleep.  " Would ya look at that big brother, little brother is sleeping.  We need to wake him up so he can eat dinner.  He didn't eat dinner last night, or breakfast this morning, and I bet he didn't eat any lunch today either," Hoss explained.  " Your probably right Hoss, he needs to eat because he is too skinny," Adam agreed.  " Hey Punkin, ya gotta wake up and eat somethin'," Hoss said as he and Adam both tried to wake up the boy.  Little Joe slowly opened his eyes, yawned and mumbled," what?"  " Dinner is ready," Adam said as he smiled at the sleepy boy.

The three brothers ate dinner and talked.  Adam and Hoss asked Little Joe about breaking horses and about his time with the Simons.  Little Joe told them that he really enjoyed his time with the Simons and about how Tom had always wanted to own a horse ranch.  Adam and Hoss were very impressed at what their little brother was telling them.

After dinner, Adam cleaned up the dishes while Hoss and Little Joe checked the horses to make sure that they were fine for the night.  Little Joe was just about asleep on his feet, so Hoss told him to go to bed, which Little Joe did.  He was so very tired and as soon as he laid down, he fell into a deep sleep.  Hoss and Adam looked down at the sleeping boy, took off his boots and Hoss covered him up.  " He' s really here Adam," Hoss quietly said as he grinned.  " Yes, he's really here," Adam replied.

Early the next morning, the three brothers continued on their way home.  They were all looking forward to getting home in three more days.  With each passing mile, the closer they were to home, and the more nervous Little Joe grew..  He was finding it hard to sleep at night and he didn't have much of an appetite, but he would force himself to eat a little something at mealtime.  Adam and Hoss kept trying to reassure their little brother that he didn't have anything to worry about when he got home.

" Mr. Cartlight, you be home for dinner tonight?" Hop Sing asked.  " Yes, I will Hop Sing.  I have some other business to do in Virginia City before the Cattlemen's Association meeting and lunch, so I had better be on my way.  I hope Adam and Hoss will be back in time for dinner.  I've missed them very much and I'm really looking forward to seeing the horses they bought.  See you later Hop Sing," Ben said as he left.

It was before lunch when Adam, Hoss and Little Joe rode into the yard.  Adam had told Little Joe that Ben had a meeting that afternoon, but he would be home in time for dinner, but the boy was still nervous.  They took all the horses into the barn and they took care of them and gave them all some food and fresh water.  Then they walked towards the house, and went in.

Hop Sing heard the front door open, so he went out to the livingroom to greet Adam and Hoss home.  Adam and Hoss made Little Joe stand behind them so they could surprise Hop Sing. 

" Welcome home.  Hop Sing have lots of hot water on stove for baths.  I go make some lunch now," Hop Sing told them.  " Wait a minute Hop Sing.  We brought you back a big surprise," Adam happily said.  " You no need bring Hop Sing anything.  I just glad you both back home," Hop Sing explained.  " Close your eyes Hop Sing," Hoss stated.

Once Hop Sing had his eyes closed, Little Joe got in front of Hoss and Adam and he had a big smile on his face.  " Ok Hop Sing, open your eyes," Hoss said.  Hop Sing opened his eyes wide, gasped and yelled, " MY LITTLE JOE !  MY LITTLE JOE !  YOU BACK !"  Hop Sing and Little Joe both threw their arms around each other and cried.  Hop Sing was mumbling in Chinese as was Little Joe.  Adam and Hoss were standing there watching with tears in their eyes as their little brother and Hop Sing continued to hold each other.

After several minutes, Hop Sing looked at Adam and Hoss and asked where they had found Little Joe.  Adam and Hoss explained how they had found their little brother.  Hop Sing got a good look at the boy and he said, " You look very tired, and you much too skinny.  You need to eat.  Hop Sing missed number three son so very much !"

" I missed you so much Hop Sing.  I'm really tired.  Can I have a bath please?" Little Joe asked.  " You go take bath and then we eat lunch, and then brothers have baths too," Hop Sing told them.

Adam went upstairs to Little Joe's room to get him some clean clothes to put on after his bath.  Adam and Hoss had a plan on how to surprise Ben with Little Joe.  It was going to be hard not to shout it out that the boy was home, even Hop Sing was looking forward to Ben's big surprise.

" Little brother sure has been in the washroom a long time.  I wonder if he fell asleep?" Hoss said.  " Well, there's only one way to find out.  Let's go and check on him," Adam said.  They quietly snuck into the washroom, and when they saw their little brother, they both stopped and smiled.  " Poor kid, he's so tired.  Hate to wake him up, but we need to wake him up," Adam said.

" Hey Short Shanks, wake up," Hoss said as he gently shook the boy's shoulder.  Little Joe slowly opened his eyes, yawned and saw his two brother standing there.  " Did I fall asleep?" he asked.  " Yup, ya sure did," Hoss replied.  " I guess when I got done washing up I kinda went to sleep," Little Joe said.  Adam held out a towel for him and said, " As soon as you get dried and dressed, lunch will be ready."  " Thanks," the boy said.

Little Joe ate most of his lunch, but he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open and he couldn't stop yawning either.  " Hey little buddy, why don't you go upstairs and have a nap before Pa gets home.  Don't forget our surprise for him," Adam told the boy.  " I won't.  See ya later," Little Joe said as he headed up the stairs.

Hoss and Adam finished their lunch and then Hoss went to take his bath.  Adam went upstairs to look in on his little brother.  Little Joe was in a deep sleep, so Adam got a quilt and covered up the boy.  He stood there and watched his baby brother sleep and he thought at how wonderful it was to have the boy home again where he belonged.

After Adam had had his bath, both he and Hoss relaxed in the livingroom, and they were talking.  About three in the afternoon, Ben arrived home, and he got off Buck.  " Here Ben, let me take care of Buck for you," Charlie suggested.  " Thank you Charlie.  I really appreciate that," Ben replied.

As soon as the front door opened, and Ben walked in, Adam and Hoss stood up and they both said, " Hi Pa !"  Ben was so happy to see them, and he replied, " Hi boys.  Welcome home.  I am so happy you two are home.  I've really missed you." 

" Sit down Pa.  Hop Sing has fresh coffee made. Let me get you a cup," Adam suggested.  " Thanks son.  That sounds good.  How was your trip?" Ben asked.  " It was great Pa.  You can see the horses later.  They are mighty fine lookin' horses Pa," Hoss told Ben.  " That's good to hear," Ben answered.  Adam and Hoss went on to explain to Ben about all the horse ranches that they had gone to see.  Then they told him about the Double T, and how impressed they were with all the horses there, and at how hard it was to choose the four they wanted.  Ben was very impressed with what his sons had just told him.

Adam looked over at Hoss and winked, as Hop Sing stood in the diningroom.  " Pa, when we were in Stockton, we saw something that we knew you have been wanting for a long time now, so we got it for you.  We weren't sure where you wanted to put it, so we put it in your room.  We hope you will like it," Adam explained.

" I do appreciate you for remembering what ever it is that I've been wanting, but I honestly can't remember what it was, Ben said as he was trying very hard to remember what he had been wanting for a long time.  " Come on Pa," Hoss said.  Ben, Adam, Hoss and Hop Sing went up the stairs and walked down the hall.

As Ben stood in front of his closed bedroom door, Adam said, " We hope you like it Pa."  Ben smiled and slowly opened the door.  He gasped and softly said, " Oh my God.  It's my baby.  My baby.  My baby is home !"  Tears were now running down his face as he turned to look at Adam, Hoss and Hop Sing.  " Where ?  How ?  Where did you find him?" Ben cried.  " He was working at the Double T," Adam softly said.  Ben was crying as he mouthed a big " Thank You " to his sons.

Ben walked over to his bed and he touched his son's soft curly hair.  " It's really him.  My baby is here," Ben cried.  He took the quilt off the sleeping boy so he could get a look at his son.  He still couldn't believe that he was looking at his youngest son again after all these months that the boy had been gone.  He gently picked up his son and held him for dear life in his arms as he continued to cry.  He then sat down on his bed as he continued to hold his sleeping son. 

" Oh God Little Joe, I love you so much baby.  I can't believe I'm holding you in my arms," Ben softly whispered to the boy as he kissed the boy's head.  Adam, Hoss and Hop Sing left and went back downstairs so father and son could be alone.

Little Joe thought he could feel someone holding him.  He could hear a voice and crying.  He slowly opened his eyes and realized his Pa was holding in his arms and crying.  As his own eyes began to fill up with tears, he felt very loved again.

" Pa, Pa, please dunt cry," Little Joe said softly as it was hard for him to talk as he was crying too.  " Oh sweetheart  I love you so much.  I am so sorry for what happened.  Oh God Little Joe, I have missed you more than you can ever know baby.  You are my life son.  I hope that one day you can forgive me for what I have done to you.  I thought that I would never see you again.  Oh God Little Joe, I love you so much.  I love you sweetheart !" Ben said as he continued to hold his son tightly as he cried.

" Pa, I love you too, and I forgive you.  I really did miss you too.  I really did," Little Joe sobbed.  Father and son continued to cry for several more minutes.  All of Little Joe's nervousness was now gone.  He felt very safe and very loved in his father's arms.

" Well, do you think Pa likes his big surprise ?" Adam asked as he wiped tears from his face.  Hoss just nodded as he was too emotional to talk at that moment.  " This very happy day.  Our Little Joe is home where he belong, " Hop Sing stated as he too was crying.  Both Adam and Hoss totally agreed at what Hop Sing had just said.

Ben and Little Joe continued to sit on Ben's bed.  Little Joe had got off Ben's lap and he sat next to Ben and he was leaning his head against Ben's shoulder, as he was exhausted from his very emotional day.  He told Ben about the Simons and the Double T.  He also told Ben that he had worked on ranches until he had finally found the Double T.  He talked about all the horses that he had broken.  Ben was so impressed at how well his youngest son had done on his own, and he could tell at how exhausted he looked and at how skinny the boy was.  " I think it's about ime for dinner.  Are you hungry son?" Ben asked.  " I sure am," Little Joe replied as he looked up at Ben.  Ben gave his son a big hug, and then they headed down to dinner.

Little Joe managed to eat all of his dinner, but he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open and he kept yawning over and over.  He said that he was really tired and that he wanted to go to bed.  "  It is wonderful to be home again," he said as he got up from the table. They all wished him a good night and he did the same to them, and then he headed upstairs to his room.

" I can't thank you both enough for bringing my baby back to me," Ben said.  " We were very happy to Pa.  I tell you, we were really surprised when we found him.  We had no idea he was there.  So what do you think of the horses?" Adam asked.  " They are wonderful.  They should add a lot to our breeding stock," Ben excitedly said.  " Well, it's been a long and very happy day, so I think I will turn in now.  Thank you both again.  Goodnight," Ben said as he went up the stairs.

Once Ben was upstairs, he went straight to Little Joe's room, pulled up a chair to put next to his son's bed.  He sat down and watched his son sleeping.  " Thank you God for bringing my baby back to me," Ben softly said.  He stood up leaned down and kissed his son's forehead, and he sat down again.  He didn't want to leave the room.  He just wanted to be near his son.  He soon fell asleep in the chair, which was something that he had done many times with his youngest son.

" I have a feeling Pa is sitting in Little Joe's room in that chair asleep," Adam said.  " You are probably right.  Well, I dunt know bout you, but my bed is calling me, so I'm goin' to bed," Hoss said.  " That sounds like a good idea.  Let's look in on little brother," Adam suggested.

They both smiled at the sight of their father sleeping in the chair next to their little brother's bed, and their little brother who was deeply asleep.  " Ain't that the sweetest sight Adam ?? Hoss declared.  " It sure is," Adam replied as he he laid a blanket on Ben.  " Sweet dreams," they both said as they headed off to their owns rooms for the night.

The End.

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