CHAPTER ONE

The little black haired girl lay in the dark corner of the hallway, clutching her rag doll to her chest, and listened. Everyone thought she was asleep, but she had awakened when she heard voices. She knew the voices, they were of her mother's husband, Chris, and her mother's doctor. Jody, Jo to her friends, didn't like Chris. No that wasn't quite right. Jo was afraid of him. Jo coiled into a tight ball as she lay there on the cold floor wondering why he didn't like her. She tried to be a good girl; she tried not to make him mad. Nevertheless, it seemed he was always mad at her for something. He was always yelling at her and hitting her. Like last night, Jo still was not sure what she did wrong, but Chris had come home madder than a wet hen. She fixed dinner the best she could for a nine-year-old girl, but all she knew how to cook were beans and potatoes. Chris started yelling because there wasn't any meat, but Jo didn't know how to cook it. She tried to tell him but he just kept yelling. He threw the beans and potatoes against the wall making a mess. When that hadn't dissolved his anger, he had thrown dishes, upset the table and finally had shoved Jo against the wall. Then beat her until she was unconscious. When she regained consciousness the next morning, she was lying outside. She remembered being cold and sore. She'd had to crawl the short distance to the horse trough so she could wash her face. Then she'd pulled herself up and stumbled back to the house, up the few steps and through the front door. She'd looked around the small cabin and sighed. Chris's rampage from the night before began to come back to her. There was food everywhere. The furniture was turned upside down. Dishes lay broken on the floor. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she started cleaning the mess. Hours later Chris came stumbling from the bedroom. His tall lanky frame stood in the doorway, with dirty blond hair hanging down in his green eyes. He looked around at the spotless cabin.

"You milk the cow yet?" he asked as he glared at her.

"No sir, ain't had time," she replied as she set a plate of eggs and bacon down on the table.

"TIME! That's all you got is time!" He yelled and slapped her across the face. The sting added to the pain from the previous beating caused her to start crying. This only fueled Chris's anger even more. "You keep that up, girl, and I'll give you something to cry about," enraged, as he shoved her out the door. "Now go milk the blasted cow," he ordered as he slammed the door shut behind her.

Jo ran to the barn, sobbing. Throwing herself on a bale of hay, she cried until there were no more tears left. Finally, she sat up, wiped away the tears, and pulled her shoulders back. "I gotta be strong for mama. She needs me to be strong." So Jo had gotten up, milked the cow, cleaned the stall and fed the cow fresh grain.

That afternoon Chris had taken her with him to the hospital. She wished she understood the big words the doctor was using. CONSUMPTION? She wondered what that was. She had gotten scared the last time she had gone in to visit with her mama. Mama looked so thin and pale, and when she coughed, there was blood on her hanky. That's when Jo ran from the room. Of course, Chris was right behind her and had spanked her for running out on her mama like that, but Jo was scared. Why couldn't Chris understand that? She had crawled into a secluded corner in the hallway and cried herself to sleep.

"JO!" She jumped at the sound of Chris's voice. What had she done now? "Jo, get your butt up. Your mama wants to see you NOW!" Chris ordered.

Her legs were aching from the beating but she followed Chris to her mama's room. Jo stuck her head in through the door and Chris shoved her the rest of the way in. She looked so scared it broke her mama's heart. Mama was propped up in the bed by a pillow. Her skin was pasty white and she was so thin, it looked like her skin was hanging off of her. Her eyes looked too big for her face and Jo remembered the last time she had touched her mama, she had felt cold, really cold. Her mama motioned for Jo to come closer. Jo set her doll down in an empty chair, walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Jo, my sweet baby. I love you so much. I want to live to see you grow up into the beautiful young lady you will become." Tears began rolling down her mama's face, Jo didn't understand. "Oh, Jo, life has been so unfair to you. I was a foolish girl when I got pregnant with you. So foolish that I refused to even tell your father about you. Instead, I ran, never to see him again. When I first got sick, I started thinking about you and the horrible life I have brought you into. Then I remembered your real father used to be a sheriff. And he had introduced me to some of friends, one of which was and still is a private detective, his name is Mr. Gordon. I contacted him and asked him to find your father for me, but not to tell him I was looking for him. Once Mr. Gordon found your daddy, he gave me the information. Now it's up to you." She said as she brushed her cold hand against Jo's cheek.

"Mama, I don't understand." Jo replied in a voice that quivered.

"Sweetheart, Mama has to go away. But, one day we will be together again."

Jo started crying, "I want to go with you Mama."

As she wiped her daughter's tears away her mama said, "I'm sorry, Jo, but this time you can't go. You see, I'm dying."

"NO, Mama! You can't be dying!" Jo all but screamed. Her eyes were wide with fear as she straightened her back to make herself look bigger.

Pressing her hand against Jo's mouth to quiet her, "Please Jo, listen. We haven't much time before Chris comes back in here. You remember my friend, Sherri?" Jo nodded her head yes. "Good. I asked her to help you and she agreed with me that you need to get away from here as quickly as possible." Reaching beneath the blankets, her mama pulled out two envelopes and handed one of them to Jo. "Jo, this is a set of tickets. When Chris comes back in, I'll tell you to leave. But Jo, you must do exactly as I say. When you leave this room, you must leave the hospital and go to the train station. When you get there, Sherri will meet you. She already has your suitcase with her. She will place you on the train. The conductor will help you after that. There are several tickets in this envelope. One for each leg of your journey. When you use the last ticket and are told it is the end of the line, that is where you will find your father. When you find him, you give him this." She handed Jo the other envelope. "This letter will explain everything to him. He's a good man, Jo. He will cherish you. I just wish I had had the courage to tell him ten years ago."

Fear came over Jo, "But Mama, how will I know who my daddy is?"

His name is written right here on the envelope, see?" Mama said as she pointed to the envelope. "And besides, you have his hair."

She turned the envelope over and Jo read the name and nodded her head yes. "I see Mama. But, when will I see you again?" Jo asked as her bottom lip quivered.

"You won't see me for a very long time. Because by the time you reach your father, I will be gone." Mama said as she pushed some strands of hair back behind Jo's ear.

"Mama, I'm scared. What if my daddy don't want me? What if Chris stops me? I don't want to leave you Mama." She cried as she wrapped her arms around her mama's neck.

"And I don't want you to, sweetheart. But if you think life with Chris has been bad up until now, wait until I'm gone. All his anger will be poured out on you, ten times worse than it is now. And I don't want to leave knowing that your life is in danger. So please, Jo, do this for you and me and do exactly as I say. Save yourself."

Crying, "Yes, Mama."

The door opened and Chris entered the room. Seeing both of them crying, the anger in his face was evident. "What she done now, Maggie, to upset you?"

"Nothing, Chris. I was just trying to explain to Jo what's wrong with me and it has upset us both."

Turning to Jo, her Mama said, "Jo, it's time to go. I want you to remember everything I've told you. Can you do that?"

"Yes, Mama. I'll remember." Maggie pulled Jo close to her, hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Remember, Jo, above everything, Mama loves you."

"I know, Mama." With that, Jo slipped off the bed, picked up her doll and walked out the door into her new life.

CHAPTER TWO

Jo ran as fast as she could to the train depot. Once there, she looked around until she spotted Sherri, her mama's best friend. She was standing against a wall holding Jo's suitcase. When she spotted Jo she smiled and with her hand motioned for Jo to hurry toward her. Jo ran across the room into Sherri's arms. "I was afraid that Chris had stopped you from coming."

With her head hung down, Jo shook her head no. "No. Mama was keeping him busy in her room while I came here. Don't know how long it'll take him to find out I'm gone. He may already know. I'm afraid Sherri."

Jo said as she lifted tear filled eyes to look at Sherri.

As Sherri held Jo close, "Don't be afraid. Even if he does know you're gone, why would he look here for you? He'll search the hospital first, then the surrounding area. By the time he figures out that you're gone, the train will have taken you far away from here."

In a trembling voice, "I sure hope so, Sherri."

"Honey, I know so." They clung to one another for a long moment before Sherri took her by the hand and led her to a waiting train. Sherri took the envelope for Jo's real father and placed it in Jo's suitcase and then opened the other one and pulled out a ticket. She handed it to the conductor, who nodded his head, helped Jo up on the train as she clutched her little suitcase.

Jo followed the conductor inside the train and he found her a seat by a window. He placed her suitcase beneath her seat and walked away. Jo looked out the window and saw Sherri smiling at her but crying also. Why do grownups cry so much? she wondered. As the train started to move, Sherri walked down the boardwalk waving to Jo. Jo returned the wave, even making her doll wave as well and smiled at Sherri.

Soon the train was traveling down the tracks full speed and Jo sat back in her seat, excited about what lay ahead but sad at what she was losing. As the train began to rumble down the tracks, Jo's closed her eyes as she began to think about her mother. As the tears rolled down her face, she remembered a day, long ago, before Chris had come into their lives. She had been 4 maybe 5 years old and it was a rainy summer day, when mama had decided that it was a perfect day for a picnic. When Jo had just looked at her, like she was crazy, mama had laughed. Then she made a space in the middle of the floor and had told Jo to spread out a blanket while she ran an errand. Jo had done what her mama had asked her to do, and upon her mother's return, mama had basket full of fried chicken, potatoes salad, baked beans and two fresh apples, along with some sweet tea. They sat together, on that blanket for the entire afternoon.

After they had eaten their fill, mama had pulled out a Bible and read it to Jo. Jo always enjoyed when mama read to her. Her voice was so soft. It sounded more like singing to Jo.

Then one day, Chris appeared. Jo was afraid of him immediately, but didn't know why. He was nice to Jo, was always buying her candy and pretty ribbons for her hair. And he was nice to mama, too. He would take her out to dinner and treat her like a real lady, unlike most of the town folks who hated mama because she had a child and had never been married. It wasn't long after mama and Chris had started going out together, that mama came home one evening with a ring on her finger. She had told Jo, that mama and Chris had gotten married. Jo wasn't sure at the time what that meant, but from that night on Chris stayed with them. They had been living in a room at the boarding house, but Chris soon moved them to a little farm house about 2 miles from town. When Jo had first seen the house she was all excited. She ran around the yard and into the barn where she found a brown and white cow. Chris had said they were going to get some chickens and it would be Jo's job to collect the eggs. Jo was glad when Chris had said he would let her help. It made her feel important. However, that was when all the trouble had started. Chris had bought the chickens, just like he had promised. But, the chickens didn't lay any eggs. Every time Jo would go out to collect the eggs, the nests would be empty. Chris had sworn that Jo was responsible and had whipped her. After that, it had gone down hill. No matter how small the infraction was, Chris would use it to beat Jo. If he made a bad business decision, he would punish Jo for it. If he lost at poker, Jo was responsible. If she didn't make her bed right, she'd be punished. He blamed her for everything that went wrong.

When mama had first become sick, Chris was sure it was all Jo's fault. Said it was probably something she'd cooked, gave her mama food poisoning or something. Jo had cried when she thought she was responsible for mama illness, but later mama had told her the truth, that it wasn't her fault. Mama had tried to get Chris to stop beating Jo. Even threatened to leave him, but Chris had begged her to stay, pointing out the she was sick, and she really didn't have any place else she could go.

Ultimately, she decided to stay, but only after Chris promised not to hit Jo any more. Of course, he had promised, but that promise was soon forgotten. Mama wasn't a stupid woman, though. She knew that Chris would continue to beat Jo. So mama had done the only thing she knew to do. She had found Jo's real father and now Jo was on her way to be with him. As sad as Jo was about her mama, she was just as excited about meeting her daddy. She had often wondered about him. Would he be tall or short? Would he be nice or mean like Chris? Mama had said that Jo had his hair, so he must have black hair. He lived out west, so that meant he must be a cowboy. She hoped he had a horse. She liked horses. Only Chris wouldn't let her ride his, cause she might hurt the horse somehow. She hoped her daddy would get her a pony one day. She wanted one with spots. She already had a name picked out, she would call him Patches.

Over time, during her train ride, she met lots of interesting people. There was another little girl traveling with her parents to Denver, her name was Molly. She had long brown hair hanging in ringlets. Jo was a little envious of her because her dresses were all so pretty, with lace on the collars and cuffs. All of Jo's dresses were plain and she only had one pair of dirty brown shoes with holes in the soles of them. But, Molly was a nice little girl and the two girls played for hours with their dolls in their seats.

She also met Mr. Brison. He had joked around with the two girls and bought them some rock candy at one of the stops. He was old and had a long bread that was pure white. He reminded Jo of Santa Claus. He said that he was an prospector on his way to California to strike it rich. Jo couldn't figure out why he couldn't do that at home. Why'd he have to go all the way to California? Grownups!

Then there was the solider, Master Sergeant Andrew Norris. He was a big man with lots of gold stripes on his uniform and pretty medals hanging from the left pocket of his shirt. He talked with Jo like she was grownup. He told Jo about his little girl back in Virginia. Her name was Candy, but she wasn't so little anymore. She was married and had a little girl of her own. The Sergeant was moving to the Montana territory and as soon as he was settled, his wife was going to join him. Jo liked to listen to his stories of the war and hunting the Indians.

On the fourth day, a preacher came on board. Jo saw him as he boarded the train. She knew he was a preacher right off, because of the white collar he wore and he had his Bible in his hand. He was a short round man, he reminded Jo of Humpty Dumpty and she giggled to herself. He was even bald, adding to the picture of the egg in Jo's mind. He looked around and saw the seat next to Jo was empty. So he walked up to her, "Is this seat taken young lady?"

Jo looked at him for minute, and even though she wasn't sure about him, she remembered how her mama always told her to be polite, so she smiled at him and said, "No, sir. You can sit in it if you want to." So he sat down.

As the train pulled away from the depot the preacher looked at her with questioning eyes, wondering why a child so young would be traveling unattended. "Are you traveling alone?"

"Yes sir. I'm on my way to live with my daddy," Jo said with excitement in her voice.

"Where is your daddy?" The preacher asked with some concern.

"I'm not sure, but the stage driver will tell me. It's all in my tickets that my Mama got me before she died." Jo answered with a shrug of her and a smile.

He shifted in his seat to look at her directly, "When did she pass on?"

Her eyes fell to her hands that were lying in her lap. She bit at her bottom lip and took a deep breath, "Well, I ain't exactly sure she's even passed on yet. Ya see, she was real sick and she was afraid that if she died and hadn't sent me to live with my daddy, then my step-father would keep me and that would mean that I would be beaten every day. Chris, my step-father, he likes to hit." The sadness in her voice evident.

The preacher put his arm around Jo's shoulder to comfort her, "Why didn't your father come to get you?"

"Cause he don't know nothing about me. Mama never told him. But, she said he's a real good man and that he'll love me." Answered Jo.

He jerked his arm away, as if she were too hot to touch, "WHAT! Do you mean your parents were never married?"

Shaking her head, "No sir, they weren't."

"Just as I thought." He said as he stuck his nose in the air.

Jo cocked her head a little toward the preacher and suspiciously asked, "What does that mean?"

"What it means young lady, is that perhaps if you had obeyed your step-father he would not have found it necessary to punish you so often." The preacher replied indignantly.

Tears came to Jo's eyes, "But, I tried to be good. I did everything I was told to do and then some. I tried my best, but my best wasn't good enough for Chris. He looked for reasons to hit me. Mama was scared for me, that's why she sent me away before she died."

"It is of consequence now. Because, at the next stop, which is where I get off, you will be coming with me." He answered taking hold of her arm.

Jo's head shot up and she smiled, "Why? Can you get me to my daddy faster than the train?"

Without moving his head, the preacher looked down at Jo, "Of course not. You are not going to meet with your father. Obviously, he will be a bad influence on you, as was your mother. Your poor step-father probably had ever reason to punish you, after what you learned from that harlot of a mother you had."

"What's a harlot?" She asked in all innocence.

As he tightened his grip on her arm, he looked straight ahead, "Never mind that now, child. When we get off this train, I will find you a decent home. One with good upstanding parents. A mother and a father that will raise you properly."

She tried to break his grip as she raised her voice and cried out, "But I got a daddy! I want to go to my daddy!"

As he shook his finger in her face, "Hush now, child. I will have none of that. My mind is made up. You are going with me." The preacher waved his hand to the conductor as he came towards them. "Yes, this child will be getting off the train with me at the next stop."

"But her ticket takes her out west. To a place called Eagle Bend." Protested the conductor.

The preacher shook his head, "That is of no matter. This child is a run-away. She will go with me and if I cannot locate her stepfather, I will find her a good Christian home to live in. One where she will learn what true morals are."

Jo stood up and put her hands on her hips, tears rolling down her face, "I ain't going no where with you mister. I'm going to go live my daddy."

He took her by her shoulders and shook her, "Child you will watch your tone with me or I will be forced to administer a little punishment of my own."

"You try it mister and when I find my daddy, he'll come back and administer a little punishment of his own on you!" Jo replied as she stomped her foot.

As he pointed to her, "See what I mean," the preacher said as he turned to the conductor, "if this child were raised in a proper home she wouldn't dare speak to a man of the cloth in that tone."

"My Mama did teach me to respect other people. But, she also taught me to obey her and that's what I'm doing. She told me what she wanted me to do and I'm doing it whether you like it or not. Don't the Bible say something about kids obeying their folks?" Then she turned to the conductor; "Can you make him move. I was being real good until HE sat down!"

The conductor rubbed his hand across his chin and eyed the preacher, "Preacher man, I don't know what's going on here, but I was paid to make sure this little girl got to where she's suppose to be going, so you ain't taking her anywhere. Why don't you just come sit up front, closer to the door, so you won't have to walk so far when we get to your stop?"

The preacher stood up, as his face turned red with anger, glaring at the conductor, and pointed towards Jo, "You are damning this child to a life of a heathen. Don't you understand that? I am only trying to help her."

As he took the preacher by the arm the conductor answered, "Well, it seems her Mama would know better how to help her own daughter than a total stranger would. Why don't you come along with me and leave this child alone."

The infuriated preacher followed the conductor while protesting, "Your company will hear of this, I assure you. I plan to write a very explicit letter upon my return. Rest assured sir."

Undisturbed, the conductor said, "Go right ahead mister. I really don't care. Now sit here like good boy and don't go meddling in other peoples business."

He pointed to an empty seat near the front the car. The preacher sat down mumbling to himself. As the conductor walked back towards Jo, she smiled at him. He stopped beside her; he leaned down and whispered something in her ear. They both looked at the preacher, who was watching them, and they laughed.

This caused the preacher to turn around and not look back.

Jo sat back in her seat satisfied that the preacher would not bother anymore. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, dreaming of what lay ahead for her.

Two weeks had past since Jo had started on her adventure. She had changed trains twice and each time the conductor would make sure she got on the right train bound for Eagle Bend. Now this train was pulling into another train depot. Jo was tired and wanted the trip to end. Then she heard the conductor call out, "EAGLE BEND. EVERYONE GETTING OFF AT EAGLE BEND... THIS IS YOUR STOP." He approached Jo, "Honey, this is your stop. Come on, I'll find somebody to take you to the stagecoach. That's the last leg of your trip."

A stage! Jo had never been on a stage before, of course she had never been on a train before either. She was glad the train ride was over and was looking forward to the stage ride. I'm almost home, she thought. Jo jumped up out of her seat and took the conductor's hand. He carried her suitcase and walked her into the depot. The conductor sat her in a chair and then walked up to the ticket master. They talked for a minute and then the ticket master called back over his shoulder, "MICHELLE, I need you out here." An older woman came from the back room and the three held a small conversation and then looked at Jo, who smiled her best smile, while holding her doll under her arm, as she attempted to smooth out her dress. The woman nodded her head yes and then walked up to Jo.

"I understand you need to get to the stage depot. I think the stage is about to pull out so we better hurry." She took Jo's hand and they hurried out the door. They hurried across the street to the stage depot, all the while the woman was trying to get the attention of the stage driver, "MAC! MAC! WAIT YOU HAVE ANOTHER PASSENGER!"

The stage driver turned when he heard his name being called and seeing the woman climbed down from on top of the stage. "What's up, Michelle?"

Out of breath, "Got you another passenger," she replied as she handed him Jo's ticket. "She's headed for Four Corners. Just let her know when you get there."

"Sure thing, Michelle." The driver turned to Jo, "Come on missy. Can't keep the rest of the folks waiting." He opened the door to the stage, picked Jo up, placed her inside, and then shut the door. He threw her suitcase up to the man riding shotgun and then climbed back up top. With a flick of his wrists, he slapped the horse's rumps with the reins and they took off down the street and out of town.

When the door closed behind her, Jo looked around and saw four people. Two of them were women. The first one was an older woman, who Jo guessed to be about 100 years old, she was dressed in a gray dress with a white apron. Her short gray hair framed her small weather worn face but her eyes, they were color of the sky. They were so pretty. Jo turned and looked at the younger woman who Jo didn't think was much older then she was. She was dressed like a boy though. Brown britches, a beige shirt and suspenders. Her dark brown hair was in pigtails and when she smiled at Jo her brown eyes lit up. The other two passengers were two men. The first man was dressed in a fancy red jacket, a pretty vest, and white ruffled shirt with black slacks. His chestnut hair was neatly combed and when he smiled Jo saw that he had a gold tooth. The second man was dressed all in brown. Different shades, but all brown. And his coat looks like it was made of some kind of animal. His light brown wavy hair was the longest Jo had ever seen on a man, it hung down past his shoulders. And when he smiled his blue eyes twinkled. Jo decided to sit between the two women.

Suddenly, Jo realized the old woman was talking to her, "I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?"

"Yes I was. I asked you where you were headed?" Answered the woman with a smile.

Jo smiled at her, "Oh I'm on my way to someplace call Four Corners. My daddy lives there."

The woman leaned back in her seat and turned slightly to get a better look at Jo, "Your daddy? Honey, we're all from Four Corners and know everyone who lives there. I'm sure if you'd ever been to Four Corners before we'd know about you."

"Oh I ain't never been to Four Corners before. My daddy don't know I'm coming either. It's a surprise!" Jo said with glee.

The younger woman looked confused and asked, "He don't know you're coming? Why not?"

Jo smiled and looked up at her, "That's 'cause he don't know nothing about me. Mama never told him."

Both men coughed, and the fancy dressed man asked, "And who might pray tell is your father?"

Jo reached inside her coat pocket, "I got a letter for him from my Mama. His name is on the envelope."

She handed it to the fancy man; "Do you know him?"

The fancy man took the envelope, looked at it, and closed his eyes. If Jo hadn't know better, she would thought she saw a look of relief come across his face. He handed the envelope to the other man who just looked at him. The fancy man leaned over and whispered something to him and the man released a breath he didn't even know he was holding until that moment. They both looked across the stage into the eyes of the little girl and smiled, "Yes, darlin', we know your father." Answered the fancy man.

Her face lit up. "REALLY! What's he like? Is he nice? Do you think he'll like me? When we get to Four Corners, will you introduce me to him? I can hardly wait." She said in her excitement.

Holding up his hand to calm her down, the fancy man replied, "My dear young lady, it will be our pleasure to introduce you to your father. And rest assured, he will be most delighted to meet you as well."

With that, her smile covered her entire face. The older woman reached across and took the envelope, looked at the name inscribed there, shook her head, "Now why doesn't this surprise me?" Then she held it up for the younger woman to see, which caused the young lady to burst out laughing. When she started laughing, the other three joined her. Jo just looked at them, and for the life of her, she didn't understand what's so funny. "Well," said the older woman, "it looks like we have an addition to our little family. My name is Nettie Wells and this is my niece Casey. And those two mischief-makers over there work with your daddy. The fancy dressed man is Mr. Standish and the other gentleman is Mr. Tanner." They both tipped their hats to her.

"Hi, my name is Jo. Actually, it's Jody, but my friends call me Jo." Holding up her doll, "And this is Annie, she's my best friend."

"May we be counted among those that call you Jo?" asked Mr. Standish.

Shrugging her shoulders, "I reckon if your friends of my daddy then you can call me Jo." She smiled.

"And you, my darlin', may call me Ezra and my friend here is Vin."

Shaking her head, "Oh I couldn't call you by your first names. Mama would knock me into next week if she heard me do that." She thought for minute then, "I can call you Mr. Ezra and Mr. Vin." She smiled in triumph.

Vin and Ezra both smiled and agreed to this compromise. For Jo, the stage ride seemed to take forever, but a few hours later she heard the stagecoach driver yell out, "FOUR CORNERS. NEXT STOP FOLKS!" Jo was so excited. It dawned on her that she had no idea what she was going to say to her daddy when she did meet him. She just hoped her daddy would be as excited about meeting her as she was about meeting him. The stage came to stop and Vin and Ezra got off first so they could help the ladies down. Jo was the last one to get off. She could hear Mr. Ezra and Mr. Vin outside, still laughing. She heard a couple more men's voices asking them what was so funny but neither of them would say. Finally, Mr. Vin turned around, picked Jo up, lifting her off the stage, and set her on the boardwalk. He took her hand and walked up to the tallest man Jo had ever seen. Jo thought this tall man was awful friendly, because he made sure every lady got a kiss on the cheek. And she noticed how his dark blue eyes sparkled when he smiled and she thought his mustache must tickle, because some of those ladies had giggled when he kissed them. Mr. Vin shook his hand and said, "Hey pard, I like you to meet somebody special. Her name is Jody. Folks call her Jo though."

The tall man knelt down in front of Jo and shook her hand, "Howdy, little miss." Then his inquisitive eyes turned back to Mr. Vin.

"Jo, this here is Buck Wilmington. Your daddy."

CHAPTER THREE

"DADDY!" she all but screamed as she threw her little arms around Buck's neck. Stunned, Buck pulled away and stood up. He stared at Jo in disbelief. He cut his eyes over toward Vin. "I don't know what kinda game your playing, but this ain't funny." Then he stormed off across the street to the saloon. Jo just stood there with tears in her eyes.

Vin watched as Buck stormed off and then looked at Ezra who shrugged his shoulders. Finally, Vin crossed the street and entered the saloon. He walked up to Buck, grabbed him by his arm, spun him around and punched him in the jaw. The punch knocked Buck back against the bar.

Coming up, Buck almost returned the punch, but as he rubbed his jaw, he looked at Vin, "Daddy?"

"Yep, she's got a letter for ya from her ma. It has your name printed on the envelope plain as day." Vin answered with a nod.

"And how would you know?" Buck retorted.

"'Cause, Ezra says so." Vin answered as he leaned back on his left leg, hooked his thumbs into his gun belt.

Buck thought about this for a moment, "Well, where is this letter?"

"Jo's got it in her pocket. She's holding on to it like's gold Buck, ya gotta talk to

her."

Buck thought about Vin's words for minute, "A letter huh?"

"Yep."

"Well, let's go get this mess cleared up." They left the saloon and crossed back over to where they left Jo standing. Mrs. Wells was now kneeling beside Jo as she cried. When Buck approached, Mrs. Wells gave him a daring glare. He shrugged his shoulders and knelt back down beside Jo. "Vin here tells me ya got a letter for me."

As she nodded her head yes, as she pulled the letter out of her pocket and handed it to him, "Right here, daddy. That is your name, isn't it?" she sniffed pointing to the writing on the envelope.

Buck took the envelope from her. There printed plain as day in big bold letters, BUCK WILMINGTON, FOUR CORNERS, AZ. He scratched his head, making his hat sit on the back of head.

"Well?" Jo asked again.

"Well what?" Buck responded.

"Is that your name or not?" she said with a little annoyance in her voice.

Buck smiled, "Yeah, it's my name alright. Let's see what it says inside." He opened the envelope and took out a letter. He read it to himself. Then he whispered, "Maggie?"

Jo smiled, "Maggie's my mama. You remember her don't ya daddy?"

Buck looked off into the distance and thought for a minute. A smile came across his face and he nodded his head, "Yeah, darlin', I remember your mama. She's a fine lady. What she doing sending you all this way by yourself?"

Jo lowered her head; "Mama died." Looking back up at him, "but, 'fore she died she gave me two envelopes. One had some tickets for the trains and stage to get here. The other one was this letter to you."

Buck stood up and as he did, he picked her up with him. "I'm real sorry about your mama darlin'. But I sure wish she'd told me about you a long time ago."

Jo nodded her head yes, "Yeah, Mama said that was the biggest mistake she ever made."

"She did? What else did she say? What did she tell you about me?" Buck asked as the two of them walk away leaving the group standing on the boardwalk.

That evening Buck brought Jo into the saloon for dinner. "Inez, how about some of your special chili for me and my little girl here?" He asked with a smile. The Mexican woman put here left fist on her hip and started waving her right hand with a towel in it, in the air, "Senior, why do you bring such a lovely little girl into this den of thieves? Do you want to teach her that this is NOT what she is suppose to grow up to be like?"

Buck looked down at Jo and then back to Inez, "Now, darlin', I've been bragging on your chili all day. And I've been tell Jo here, how nice you are. Are you gonna make 'ole Buck a out to be liar right in front of his little girl?" He hung his head in mock hurt, "I'm crushed." His hands covered his heart.

Inez just glared at him. As she waved her hand one more time, she turned her back to them and headed for a back door, "Very well, Senior, but I have warned you." She disappeared through the door. Buck laughed and ushered Jo to a table were she saw Mr. Ezra and Mr. Vin sitting. There were three other men sitting with them. As Buck introduced them, Jo decided that she liked all of them. Especially, the big man with deep voice. Daddy called him Josiah. She bet he told great bedtime stories. She thought he'd make a great grandpa. Then there was the one daddy called, The Kid. His name was JD. Jo thought that was kind of funny, for someone to name their kid JD. And Jo could tell he was young, but he had whiskers, so he couldn't be a kid. Kids don't have whiskers! And he dressed different, too. He wasn't wearing jeans and shirt like daddy, he was wearing a suit and a funny looking hat. The one that sort of scared Jo at first, was Nathan. He was a big black man, and even though Jo had seen black folks before, even had some black friends. Once mama had married Chris, Jo wasn't allowed to play with them anymore, because they were a sneaky lot. All of them. Chris said so. But, Nathan had a smile that told Jo, that Chris was wrong.

From out of the back Inez appeared again with a tray. "Are you going to make her stand and eat or are you going to let the child sit down, Senior?"

Buck picked Jo up and set her in a chair opposite Mr. Ezra. "There ya go, little darlin'."

As she placed the bowl of chili and a glass of milk in front of Jo. "Jo, I am Senorita Inez. I do believe, little one, that life is going to become very interesting for Senior Buck now that you are here. Now eat before it get cold."

Jo smiled at Inez, picked up her spoon and began to eat. Jo was having a great time with her daddy's friends, when she looked up she saw her daddy talking with a lady in funny looking dress and she saw him lean over and kiss her. Jo's attention was brought back to table by Mr. Ezra. He was showing her card tricks. Jo thought he was the best at card tricks she'd ever seen, of course she had to admit she hadn't seen any before Mr. Ezra. She couldn't figure out how he always knew were the Ace of Spades was. When she looked for her daddy again, he was with a different lady and he kissed her, too. Jo thought that was strange, but returned her attention to Mr. Ezra. She was determined to figure out how he always found that card. When Mr. Ezra had finally shown her how to do trick, she was so excited and wanted to show her daddy, but when turned around to find her Daddy kissing yet another woman, her attention to the cards left. Jo was confused. She'd never seen anyone kiss so many different people in her life.

"Daddy?" she asked as she tugged on his jacket.

Buck looked down at her and smiled, but his hands never left the pretty lady's face, "Yes, darlin'?"

"Daddy, how come you're kissin' on this lady, when I seen you kissing on the lady over there in the yeller dress about 15 minutes ago. And before you was kissin' her, you'd been kissin' on the lady in the blue dress. How come, Daddy?" She asked with wide eyed innocence.

Buck looked to his friends for help, but all he received was a room full of laughter and Ezra's reply, "Yes, Mr. Wilmington, please do explain to us why you feel it necessary to kiss each and every damsel that dares to enter our little den of thieves?" And the room filled with even more laughter.

Buck looked at the woman he was holding and noticed that her hands were on her hips, a fine white line was all he could see of her luscious lips, and if possible he would have sworn that daggers were coming from her eyes. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Kids! What can I say Lily?"

Lily slapped him across his face, "How about good night!" She turned and stomped away, "MEN!" she muttered storming past everyone on her way upstairs.

Jo stood there with her mouth open, in surprise, "How's come that lady slapped you, Daddy? Was you a bad boy?"

Vin couldn't help himself, as he held his side, trying to regain some composure, "Yeah, Buck. Was you a bad boy?"

Buck just glared at all of them, as he took Jo by the hand and ushered her out the batwing doors.

Later that evening, Buck and Jo were in his room above the saloon. He had put her to bed, her doll right by her side, and he was sitting in a chair by the window. There came a knock at the door. Buck crossed the room and opened the door to find a man dressed all in black. Buck smiled as he opened the door even wider. "Come on in, pard. Pull up a chair." Buck crossed back over to his chair as the other man grabbed the only other chair in the room and carried it over to where Buck was sitting. He sat down, as he hung his hat on the back of the chair.

"Wanna fill me in?" The man said firmly, nodding his head toward Jo.

"What's to tell? I knew her mama about ten years ago. Actually, I think you even met her. Her name was Maggie Johnson." The other man thought for a moment then as he remembered something he nodded his head for Buck to continue. "Well, from the letter, I reckon Maggie got scared when she found out that she was pregnant, and instead of telling me, she ran. She also said that she finally married, but the guy hates Jo and was really mean to her. Said his name didn't matter 'cause he never adopted her and now she was with me and that's what counted."

"Buck, what's a scoundrel like you gonna do with a little girl?" The man in black questioned.

Buck shook his head, "I don't know. But I'm gonna do my best. Maybe I'll find me a good woman to marry and she can help me raise Jo up all proper like."

"YOU... married? Buck, ya don't get married just so your daughter can have a mama. Sure a mama is important but if you ain't happy, then the child won't be happy either." Replied the other man.

"I know that..." suddenly they heard Jo stir and then sit up.

"Daddy?" She said as she wiped sleep from her eyes.

Buck crossed over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "I'm right here darlin'. I ain't gone no where. I'm just talking with another friend of mine. In fact, I'd say he's my best friend. Jo, meet Mr. Larabee. Chris Larabee." Chris reached out to touch her, but Jo pulled away. Buck and Chris gave each other questionable looks and then back to her. "Darlin', what's wrong? You don't have to be afraid of Chris. He won't hurt you. In fact, he's a real softie when it comes to children!" Buck said as he shifted closer to her on the bed and put his arm around Jo.

"Thanks, Buck." Chris replied.

Buck smiled, "Aww Chris, you know it's true. Every kid in town knows you're the one to come ask about fishing. Every kid in town knows you're a sucker for a kid in tears. And every little girl in town knows which one of us seven will never tell them NO when they ask to sit in our laps. Admit it, these kids got you wrapped around their little fingers."

"Buck... shut up." Chris said as he tried to give Buck one of his famous Larabee glares, but Buck just smiled at him.

Unfortunately, Jo got angry though, "DON'T YOU TELL MY DADDY TO SHUT UP! He don't have to listen to you, 'cause he's bigger than you."

"WHOA darlin'. Ole Chris didn't mean nothing by that. We was just funning is all." Buck said as he tried to calm her down.

Jo hid behind Buck, "Daddy make him go away."

Buck reached back and tried to pull her around front, "Come on, baby. Listen to daddy. Chris here is a friend."

"No daddy, please." She begged.

Chris was disturbed over her reaction to him. He frowned and his eyebrows came closer together when he realized that forcing her was not going to solve anything, "Buck, don't. She's obviously afraid of me for some reason. Maybe she's just tired. Let it rest for now."

"I don't know, Chris." Said Buck.

"No Buck. Forcing her will only make it worse. Let it go for now." Chris said as he picked up his hat.

"Well, alright pard. I guess I'll see ya in the morning." Sighed Buck as Jo hung onto him.

"Alright. Night, Buck. Night, Jo." Chris took one more look at Jo before opening the door.

"Night, Chris." Buck looked down at Jo. "You gonna tell Chris good night?" She shook her head no. Buck just shrugged his shoulders at Chris who shook his head and walked out the door.

CHAPTER FOUR

Jo woke up the next morning, sleeping next to her daddy. Smiling she tried to snuggle closer to him. Buck woke up when she moved. He pulled her closer to him and gave her a hug. "You hungry?"

She nodded her head yes, "I could eat a horse!"

"A horse! That's an awful lot of meat for such an iddy biddy gal!'

"Yeah, I'm little now but I'm gonna get bigger and I need food for that!"

Laughing Buck answered, "That ya do darlin' that ya do."

Downstairs in the saloon, Chris, Vin, JD and Josiah were having breakfast when Buck and Jo came down the stairs. Jo ran up to each of the men and gave them a big good morning hug until she reached Chris. Instead of giving him a hug, she backed up into the legs of Buck. "Now darlin', don't start that again. Go give Chris a hug."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up at Buck, "Daddy please don't make me."

Buck knelt down in front of her, "Now darlin' last night you was tired, but this morning there ain't no reason for you to be acting like this. I told you that Chris here would never hurt you. He's your friend just like he's mine."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered, "Daddy please, I'm scared."

However, Chris heard what she said. "Buck, I told ya last night not to force her."

"Chris, I'm sorry. I wish I could explain her fear."

"Buck, there's nothing to explain except that she's terrified of me for some reason. Only time will help her see that I'd never hurt her."

"I reckon you're right, Chris. But I sure hate this."

"Me too, Buck, me too. But for now, I'll head over to the jail and relieve Ezra for a spell." Chris rose from his seat and walked out of the saloon. Buck sat down in Chris's chair and pulled Jo up on his lap. "What am I gonna do with you young lady?"

She smiled up at him, "Feed me!"

"Feed ya?" He shook his head and laughed.

A few days later, Buck and Ezra were sitting outside the saloon as Jo, Billy Travis and the Potter children played nearby. "I must say Mr. Wilmington, that your daughter is most enchanting." Ezra said as he shuffled his cards.

"Why thank ya, Ezra. She is a little beauty." Buck beamed.

"Yes and her beauty has not gone unnoticed by young David Potter."

"What ya mean, Ezra?" Buck said as he looked at the children playing.

"Have you not seen the look in the young boy's eyes each time he believes Jo is not watching him?" Smiled Ezra.

"Why that little..." Buck said as he started to get up from his chair.

Suddenly, their conversation was cut short, though, by the sound of gunfire. Buck and Ezra stood up and looked down the street towards the bank. Several men came running out with bags of money, jumped on their horses and attempted to make their escape while shooting up the town. Buck and Ezra returned the gunfire while at the same time trying to get to the children and protect them from the alleyway. Chris and Vin came out of the jail and joined the gunplay. Chris ducked behind a nearby water barrel, while Vin took cover behind the horse trough. Josiah and Nathan helped from the roof the church they had been repairing. Both, taking cover by laying low to the roof. JD came out of the livery both guns drawn, using the livery doors for protection. The sounds of the horses' hoofs against the ground and the gunfire was deafening. One of Vin's first shots was true, it hit and knocked one of bank robbers off his horse, causing the body to crash to dusty street. Josiah was able wound one of the bandits in the left shoulder as he rode by but the man stayed on his horse. During the gunplay, Chris was shot in the leg as the bank robbers made their way out of town and down the road. After the gunfire stopped, Buck and Ezra turned to the children to make sure they were all right. After easing their minds about the children, they ran across the street to check on Chris. Nathan was kneeling beside Chris as they approached. Nathan took off his bandana, pressed it against Chris's wound and then reached up, and took Vin's bandana, using it to tie his in place. Buck and Josiah picked Chris up and carried him up to Nathan's clinic. As they laid him on the bed, Nathan went around the room gathering supplies.

"Josiah," said Nathan, "give Chris some of this Laudanum. It'll help with the pain as I dig out the bullet."

Josiah picked up the brown bottle setting on the shelf and poured a dose into a spoon. Placing to Chris's mouth he managed to pour the liquid threw Chris's clenched teeth. Grimacing at the taste, Chris surrendered to it powers and relaxed. As Nathan prepared to remove the bullet, he started passing out orders.

"Josiah, hold his head, Buck you hold his shoulders down, Vin and Ezra grab a leg each. Be careful Vin, you're holding the wounded leg. Just hold it steady. Don't let him move it. JD you lay across his middle here. I don't want him moving one inch. This is a nasty wound and one false move and I could do more harm than good. So hold tight fellas."

Each man did as he was instructed. They were so involved with the task at hand, that they did not notice when Jo had slipped into the room and hid in the corner. She watched in amazement as Nathan used his probe to search for the bullet. Looking at Chris's face, she wondered how he could take the pain. She heard Nathan say that he had found the bullet and she made a face as the bullet was pulled out and discarded in a nearby bowl of water. Her eyes are transfixed on Chris's face, watching for any kind of reaction, but there was none. Just a clenched jaw. And as the bullet was removed, a deep breath was released by all. As Nathan painstakingly began to wrap Chris's wound, the other men gather their scattered belongings.

Out of the quiet Vin spoke up, "Nathan, we're going after the men who did this. You coming or should ya stay with Chris?"

"I'm fixing to give Chris another dose of Laudanum. That should put him out for the night. I'm riding with you." Answered Nathan.

"What if Chris needs ya before we get back?" asked Buck.

"I'll get Mary to come sit with him. She'll be able to handle him 'til we return."

With a nod of their heads, they departed, unknowingly leaving Jo alone with Chris. Slowly, she walked up to the bed and stood there, staring at Chris. She looked at the bowl of water holding the bullet. Reaching in, she picked up the bullet and looked at it, turning it over in the palm of her hand. When she turned to look at Chris, she realized his eyes were open and he was watching her. Dropping the bullet back in the bowl, she turned and raced out of the clinic and down the stairs. With Chris calling her, "Jo, wait! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." She never heard his last words though, as the door slammed closed behind her.

She finally stopped running when she found herself across the street and in the ally beside the saloon. Stopping to catch her breath, she was startled once more when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She screamed and started to run when another hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.

"WHOAH! darlin'" said Buck with a smile on his face. "Sorry baby, didn't mean ta scare ya like that. But, me and boys gotta ride. We've gotta go after the men that held up the bank and shot Chris. Now I've already talked to Mrs. Potter and you're to go over to her place until I get back. Okay?"

"But, Daddy, I'm scared." Jo said with tears in her eyes.

Buck held her close, "No need to be scared darlin'. We'll get those men. In the mean time I have a really big favor to ask of you."

"Yes, sir?"

"Well, Mrs. Travis will be watching over Chris while we're gone, but Chris can be a handful. I would appreciate it if you'd help her out some. Little things, like making sure there's plenty of water in the water jug beside the bed, running errands for her, maybe even reading to Chris. He'd like that. He likes poetry." Buck asked with a smile.

Jo's eyes got big and her breathing became heavy, "But daddy, what if he..."

"Please darlin', I need ya to trust me right now and do as I ask. Chris ain't gonna hurt ya none. Will ya trust me and help out?"

Reluctantly, she nodded her head, "Yes, daddy."

"That's my girl." With that he gave her kiss and turned to leave. The other men were already on their horses waiting for him. As they rode out of town, the stage was entering. It came to a stop in front of the telegraph office. Several passengers disembarked, but one passenger in particular. A tall blond haired, green-eyed man, wearing black pants, a gray shirt and gun hanging low on his hips.

CHAPTER FIVE

With her head hung low, Jo walked across the street, kicking at the stones, to Mrs. Potter's hardware store. Upon entering, she looked around and found Mrs. Potter up on a ladder putting supplies away. As she walked up to the base of the ladder, Jo spoke, "Mrs. Potter, my daddy said I was to stay with you until he got back."

Mrs. Potter looked down from her ladder with a smile, "Yes, dear. He asked me to keep an eye on you."

"Yes'm. And I's suppose to help Mrs. Travis take care of Mr. Larabee." Jo said with a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Does that bother you dear?" Mrs. Potter asked as she climbed down.

"I'm just scared of him, Mrs. Potter. He ain't done nothing I know, but I'm still scared of him."

Mrs. Potter put her hand on Jo's shoulder, "Honey, what is it about Mr. Larabee that scares you so much? Do you know?"

Jo shrugged her shoulders, "It's just that he reminds me of somebody, Mrs. Potter. Somebody real scary. Somebody I don't ever want to see again."

Mrs. Potter nodded her head, "Well now I can see why you might be afraid. But, honey, your daddy wouldn't let Mr. Larabee hurt you, even if he wanted to, which he doesn't by the way."

With tears in her eyes, "I know. But I'm still scared."

They heard the door open and close and turned to see Mrs. Travis enter the hardware store. "Hello, Mary. How are you today?" Greeted Mrs. Potter, as Jo wiped the tears away.

"Hello, Gloria. I'm fine thank you. I've come to get Jo so we can see to Mr. Larabee." Mary said with a smile.

"Alright. Do you need anything as far as supplies go? Does Mr. Jackson have enough clean linens and blankets?"

Mary thought for a moment the shook her head, "As far as I know he does, but if I need anything I'll send Jo for them."

"All right then, you take care of him. He's important to this town."

Mary smiled "Yes, we will, won't we Jo?" Mary held out her hand as Jo approached her. Taking her hand, Jo looked back at Mrs. Potter and waved. They exited the store and crossed the street to the clinic. What they didn't notice was that pair of sinister green eyes was watching them. As they entered the clinic, Mary walked over to Chris's bedside and sat down beside the bed. Jo stayed near the door ready to run. "Jo, honey, would you please get me some fresh water in the pitcher?"

"Yes mamn." Jo stepped forward and took the pitcher from Mary. When she left the clinic with the pitcher, she went down the step and around back to the well. She reached for the handle to bring up the fresh cool water. Suddenly, a hand was pressed against her mouth while another hand and arm grabbed her around the waist and picked her up. Turning her head, she looked into the eyes of her stepfather, Chris. She tried to scream, but his hand kept her from making any noise. So she tried twisting and kicking in an attempt to free herself from his grip but he just held tighter.

"Don't even THINK you're gonna get away from me this time, missy. Your mama thought she was so smart. But, she wasn't smart enough. As soon as I found out you were gone I knew she'd sent to live with your daddy. But, I just didn't know where that was. Therefore, I had to CONVINCE her that it was in your best interest if you stayed with me. Of course she disagreed but in the end she saw it my way." He laughed as he carried her to the livery. Once inside he told the blacksmith, Yosemite, that he needed a horse.

"Hey, ain't that Buck's little girl you got there?" Yosemite yelled as he advanced toward them.

"NO! She's mine! Now get me a horse!" Pointing to a black horse in one of the front stalls, "That one! I want that horse." Chris lowered his hand from her mouth and drew out his gun, pointing it at Yosemite.

"Sorry mister, but that horse ain't for sale. He belongs to one of the peacekeepers here in Four Corners."

"I don't care WHO he belongs to. Saddle him up and hurry!" Chris shouted as he fired his gun at Yosemite's feet.

Going up to Storm's stall, Yosemite backed him out of the stall and used the crossties to hold him steady until he was saddled. Once all of his tack was on, Chris pushed Yosemite aside, threw Jo up in the saddle, and started placing his own gear on the horse. Yosemite used this time to sneak out the back of the livery and over to the clinic to warn Chris Larabee.

Once Chris was ready, he threw himself up the back of Storm, behind Jo, and with a kick to Storm's flanks he bolted out the livery doors and down the street. However, as he reached the saloon he heard a whistle from behind him, then suddenly the horse reared up, causing both Chris and Jo to fall to the ground. Jo scrambled to her feet and ran into the ally next to the saloon. Chris followed her, "Come back here, you little wench!" As he entered the dark ally, he paused for his eyes to adjust to the lack of sunlight. That was all the time that Larabee needed. As fast as his wounded leg would allow him, he hurried across the street and tackled Chris from behind. At first, Larabee did a good job at holding his own. They each threw punches knocking each other to the ground, but before Larabee could get back up from the last punch, Chris kicked him in his wounded leg sending pain throughout Larabee's body. He grimaced from the shock of the pain as he grabbed for his gun. But, Chris kicked it out of his hand, sending it to the other side of the ally. Drawing his own gun, Chris pointed it straight at Larabee's head. "So you're the man my woman was always dreaming about. You sure don't look like what she described to me. Don't matter no way 'cause your fixing to be dead." He cocked his gun and a shot rang out!

CHAPTER SIX

Chris Larabee sat up and looked at the body of the man lying on the ground. A bullet had gone through his back, straight into his heart. Chris raised his eyes to the other side of the ally to see Jo standing there with his smoking gun in her little hands. Using a nearby crate to help him stand, he limped slowing towards her. In as soft a voice as Chris could come up with he tried to speak to her, "Jo, it's over. Give me the gun, sweetheart." She just shook her head no. "Listen to me, Jo. He can't hurt you anymore. It's over. Now let me have the gun." She just stared at the body, still shaking her head. Tired and sore Chris sat down beside her. "Do ya want to talk about it? Tell me what happened?"

Tears came to her eyes, but still she stared at the body, "Why did he hate me?"

"What?" asked a puzzled Chris.

"He hated me. Why? I always tried to be a good girl. I did my chores, my homework, I never sassed him or Mama, and when Mama got sick, I tried to keep the house clean and I even tried to cook. But all I know to cook is beans and taters. But, no matter how hard I tried, he was always mad at me. Why?" She said turning to Chris, the hurt burned in her eyes.

Chris took a deep breath before he answered, "I don't know sweetie. Maybe, it wasn't you he hated." She looked at Chris as if he had three heads. Chris smiled a little at her as he reached over and gently took the gun from her hands and put it back in his holster. "It could be that he hated himself, but he didn't know what to do about it so he took out his anger on you."

Jo looked puzzled, "I don't understand."

As Chris scratched his head, "Well, sweetie, sometimes grownups do things that don't make a whole lotta sense. Sometimes we hurt so bad inside that the only thing we can do is lash out at those that love or care about us."

Shaking her head, "That's dumb."

As he got up again, he took her hand, "Yeah it is, but some folks just never learn how to handle grownup problems."

"Do you know how to handle them?" she asked.

Chris thought for a moment and smiled, "Most of the time, sweetie. Sometimes, though, I get drunk and loud. And sometimes I get into fights that maybe I shouldn't. There are times I get so fed up that I'll disappear for days on end, but Jo, listen real careful to me. Under no circumstances would I ever hurt you. I understand now why you've been afraid of me and I want to make sure you understand that I am nothing like your stepfather. It sure is odd that we have the same name and we looked something alike. We even dress kinda the same, but that's as far as it goes as to us being alike. I've never hurt a child and I don't intend to start now. Do you understand?"

She nodded her head yes, "So you promise never to hurt me like he did?"

Laughing, "Yeah, I promise. Besides if I ever even THOUGHT about hurtin' you, all I have to remember is that Buck is your daddy and even though he and I have been friends for a long time, he'd probably take my head off."

She smiled up at Chris, "He would?"

Chris nodded his head yes, "Yeah, and I'm kinda partial to my head. So I think I'll keep it. So are we friends?"

Jo took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders, "Okay, I guess so."

Chris picked her up in his arms, and began limping across the street, back to the clinic and to a nervous Mary, "Good, 'cause I need all the friends I can get." Jo giggled as Chris tickled her.

Later that evening the six tired men rode into town with bank robbers in tow. Two riding with the hands tide to the saddle horns and three laying belly down across their saddles. Vin handed the reins of the horses of the dead men to the undertaker as JD and Ezra took the other two to the jailhouse. Buck headed over to Mrs. Potter's as Nathan and Josiah headed for the clinic to check on Chris. When Nathan and Josiah entered the clinic, they froze at the sight they saw. A few minutes later, Buck came running up the stairs and through the door. "Nathan, Mrs. Potter said a man tried to kidnap Jo, but Chris stopped him. Where is she?" Pointing to the bed in the other room, Buck looked in to see a smiling Chris sitting in a rocking chair with Jo cradled on his lap, sound asleep.

THE END