Nestled against his shoulder was the head of his youngest son Joseph. Ben smiled down at his son's sleeping face. Joe was still sound asleep, his long eyelashes curling onto his cheek, his hair curling across his slightly damp forehead. His clothes were covered in dust from the long trip. Ben tried to flex his fingers without waking his son but soon gave up.

Ben felt a bizarre mixture of anticipation and anxiety about this trip to New Orleans. Only two weeks ago he, Joe, Hoss and Adam had been busily planning for their Annual cattle drive. A week before they were to leave Ben had received a telegram from his lawyers in San Francisco, reporting some difficulties with several investments Ben had in New Orleans. Ben quickly realized that while the problems were not substantial it was time for him to visit New Orleans and resolve the problems. Given the change in weather that could be expected in the coming months it rapidly became obvious the only time to make the trip would be in September, during the cattle drive.

When Ben had made his Announcement Hoss and Adam had readily agreed, while Joe had fallen strangely silent. Ben recognized all the signs, Joe was upset. He wanted to go on the cattle drive with his brothers but what Joe really wanted was to go to New Orleans.

Joe's mother Marie was Louisiana born and bred, and Ben had met her in New Orleans almost exactly twenty years ago. Ben loved Marie almost on first sight and had whisked her away from her difficult life to the beauty of the Ponderosa. There they had almost seven wonderful years before Marie's death, when Joe was only five. Joe was fascinated with his mother and everything about New Orleans. Every time someone from New Orleans appeared in Virginia City Joe would immediately track him or her down and ask many questions about the city. Ben had considered all this and decided that this time Joe was to accompany him to the city that so fascinated him.

The stage gave another violent lurch and Joe gave a small snort and woke up. He quickly realized he was cuddled next to his father and immediately sat up, attempting to recover a bit of his dignity.

"Hey Pa. Sorry." Joe smiled brightly at his father and ran his fingers through his freshly cut hair.

"Well son, we should be in New Orleans in about an hour. What do you think of Louisiana so far?" Ben grinned as Joe immediately craned his head and stuck his face out the window of the coach. Joe's eyes took in the lush green landscape, the humidity creating almost a haze that extended as far as the eye could see.

"Boy it's green here Pa. Like nothing I've ever seen."

"Yes Joe, this is a very different climate than the one you are used to. You'll have to take it easy while you get used to the heat, none of your usual racing around." Ben realized as soon as he said it that it was going to be nearly impossible to keep Joe under check during their two-week visit.
"So Pa, tell me again. Tell me about the places we are going to go see." For a moment Joe was the five-year-old of Ben's memories as he asked the same question for the 100th time on this trip.

"Joe, I promise you I will take you all over New Orleans. We'll go see the convent school your mother attended when she was a girl and we'll eat in the restaurant where she and I had our first dinner. We'll see everything, but you must remember we have business to attend to on this trip as well." A stern expression covered Ben's face.

"Yes Pa, I'll remember. Hey Pa, look I can see it." Joe pointed and Ben could see the crowded buildings of the port of New Orleans.

Two hours later Ben and Joe were ensconced in a large suite in the very elegant Hotel DuMont. Ben had made reservations and asked for a suite. The last time he had come to New Orleans the riches of the Ponderosa were still a dream. Ben had stayed with a friend of Joe's mother's. That was how Marie and Ben met.

Ben normally would not stay in so lavish a place but New Orleans was a city that respected wealth. Ben knew that while it was not important for himself or Joe, it was necessary for his business dealings to be seen as prosperous. He smiled as he watched Joe wander between the two bedrooms and the sitting room, ogling the lavish decorations, the large ornate beds covered with mosquito netting and the silken bedding.

Joe walked into the livingroom with a big grin on his face, "Hey Pa, I never seen a place like this before except for Julia Bulette's place. Are you sure we ain't staying in a ..."

"Joseph Francis Cartwright." Ben thundered. He turned to glare at his young son and was relieved to see Joe collapse on the sofa giggling. Joe had been involved with Julia, a notorious saloonkeeper in Virginia City almost a year ago. Ben had never truly explored the full extent of his son's relationship with Julia and he wasn't sure he wanted to.
"Joseph, this is a very nice hotel. If you can't behave yourself then we are not going to take you to dinner in the dining room. Which would be a shame since it is a very fine restaurant and the food is superb."

Joe sobered quickly. "Sorry Pa. I'll behave." He suppressed any giggles that remained and stood up. "Do I look all right?"

Ben surveyed his son. Joe looked very handsome in the new suit of clothes Ben had purchased for him before leaving Virginia City. Like his brothers Joe spent most of his time in simple work clothes, designed to protect him from the rigors of ranch life, the sun, the tough terrain, the horses and cattle. His new suit, in a very dark green made Joe seem even more slender than usual. With his hair neatly brushed and his face shining he made his father proud. "You look very nice son. That suit seems to be a good fit."

"Yes Pa. You look very nice as well." Joe beamed at his father, Ben was dressed in an elegant dark gray suit. His shirt cuffs were a pristine white accented with gold cuff links.

"Are you ready son?" With that Ben opened the door and ushering Joe before him they moved out the door and down the large grand staircase that led to the first floor.

Upon entering the dining room Joe stopped looking around wide-eyed. The tall ceilings were covered with gold foil, which reflected the flight of the brilliant chandeliers lit with candles. Ben smiled and nudged Joe forward towards the elegantly attired maitre'd.

"Two please, garcon." Ben requested.
"Oui Monsieur. Follow me please." The maitre d' led the two to a small table, covered with an elegant lace table cloth laid over fine linen. Joe sat down and gazed around him with awe. "Gee Pa, this is really fancy."

"Yes Joe. This is a very fine restaurant. So watch your manners."

"Yes sir." Joe was relatively subdued, overawed by the elegance all around him. Ben knew this would only last so long. He accepted the menu handed to him by the waiter. Ben surveyed the menu and smiled, it was completely in French. Fortunately Marie had taught him some French and the menu was mostly understandable to him. He smiled as Joe began to study the menu intently. Ben knew that Joe knew a little French, mostly taught to him by his brother Adam. Ben knew that Joe had a facility with languages, he was fluent in Spanish and Ben had a sneaking suspicion that Little Joe was hiding a degree of fluency in Chinese from his family. He had noticed that when Hop Sing went on a rant Joe actually seemed to be able to follow what was being said. He was fairly certain that Joe did not understand the menu at all.

When the waiter arrived at their table he greeted both men cordially. "May I suggest a fine white wine, gentlemen? Followed by an appetizer. Perhaps some escargots? Then we can follow that with a fine cassoulet of shrimp and some pommes frites" The waiter directed his gaze at Ben who looked inquiringly at his son.

"Does that sound good to you Joe?" Ben asked.
 Joe blinked and then smiled and nodded his ascent. Ben smothered a smile, Joe was in for a bit of a surprise. They spoke casually until the waiter arrived and presented Ben with a bottle of a fine white wine. He allowed Ben to sample the wine. Ben nodded his approval and glasses were poured for both men. Ben watched as Joe sipped his wine carefully. Joe's face was thoughtful then he nodded his approval and sipped it again. Ben recognized yet another trait inherited from his mother, her ability to recognize and appreciate fine wines.

"It's very good Pa, perhaps a bit sweet but overall quite good." Ben was briefly surprised, he had thought the wine excellent but as he sipped it again he realized Joe was right.

"You are quite correct Joe. I'm surprised you notice that, your taste generally runs to beer in the saloon with your brothers."

"Adam took me to a little wine shop for a tasting the last time we were in San Francisco Pa."

"Really," Ben was intrigued. He had not expected that of Adam.

"Well he couldn't really shake me Pa, you had told him that we were supposed to stick together on that trip."

"Did you enjoy it?"
"Oh yes Pa. Except Adam was kind of upset with me."

"Why was that Joe?"

"Well after we had sampled a few they had a kind of a game, where people had to identify which wine was which. I got them all right."

"How did Adam do?"

"Not very well. It seemed the more different wines he had the more confused his palate became."

"Where did you learn that word Joe?"

"The gentleman who ran the shop taught it to me. I went back and saw him several times while we were there, he taught me quite a bit."

"Good grief." Ben rolled his eyes in despair. Poor Adam, who always considered himself a connoisseur of the finer things. His New England taste buds were no match for Little Joe's French heritage. No wonder Adam had said nothing.A moment later the waiter appeared carrying two plates covered with silver lids. Placing one in front of Ben and the other in front of Joe he lifted the lids off with a flourish. Ben stifled a laugh as he saw the look on Joe's face as he slowly realized that his plate was covered with snails.

Joe's mouth dropped open and he turned his face to his father with a mingled expression of dismay and astonishment. Ben could no longer contain himself and he threw his head back and laughed. The waiter, equally amused, joined him. Joe watched them both for a moment then joined them.

Across the dining room a couple sat sedately eating their supper, speaking quietly. Anyone seeing them for the first time would know immediately that they were brother and sister. The two had thick, curly brown hair, large hazel green eyes and dimpled cheeks. The man was of medium height, with a slight frame and an air of suppressed energy. The woman was very much like her brother only with an air of sweetness about her.

At the sound of laughter they ceased their quiet conversation and turned to see the source of amusement. They both became still as they took in the scene in front of them. Both fixed their eyes on Little Joe's laughing face and froze. The woman turned back to her brother, "Francois, do you see him?"

"Felicia, I can hardly miss him. Who do you think he is?"
"It must be him. The one she wrote about. Do you think it could be? After all these years?" Her eyes filled with tears as she continued to watch Joe.

"Oh Felicia, please don't cry. We may be wrong. Why would he be here, she is gone."

"Perhaps that is his father. Oh please Francois, we must find out."

Francois looked thoughtful then nodded. He rose from his chair and circled behind his sister, pulling out her chair. "My dear, let us find out."

The two walked gracefully arm in arm over to where Joe and his father, having calmed their laughter were eating. Joe was thoughtfully chewing his very first snail and his face was a mixture of feelings.

"How do you like it Joe?" Ben was impressed that his son was willing to try something new.

As Joe opened his mouth to respond he paused as a couple came up to there table. Ben turned to greet the couple and his mouth dropped open in astonishment. The woman was the spitting image of his late wife Marie. And the man, Ben's eyes swung to the younger version of the man's face, his own son. Joe followed his father's gaze as he took in the two people. He thought there was something very familiar about both of them but he couldn't place it. If he had looked into a mirror he would have had his answer.

Ben stood quickly, "May I help you?"

"Yes, Monsieur, we must ask, is your name perhaps Cartwright?" the gentleman asked.

"Yes, it is." Ben nodded gravely. The thing he had feared might happen on this trip to New Orleans was about to happen.

"Then is this," the woman turned towards Joe, "Marie's son?"
Ben nodded again, "Yes this is my son Joseph."

Joe rapidly rose to his feet, "Pa, what is going on?" He was bewildered.

"Joseph, these are some members of your mother's family." Ben turned to them, "I'm sorry, since we've never met I am not sure who you are."

"Pardon Monsieur, my name is Francois DesVries and this is my sister Felicia Aumont." He turned to look Joe right in the eyes. The resemblance between the two men was remarkable, far stronger than any resemblance Joe bore to Ben or to his brothers. Green eyes meeting green eyes at the same level Francois spoke, "Your mother was our youngest sister, Marie."

Joe's eyes widened in astonishment. He turned to his father, "Pa, is this true?"

"Yes Joseph, your mother's family still lives here in Louisiana. Your mother was separated from them long before we met. I knew of her father and wrote when your mother passed away, but they never responded."

Joe's gaze swung back to Felicia and Francois, both of whom were gazing at him steadily. "Yes Joseph, it is true. When she died, our father merely told us she was dead, he forbid us to ever mention her name again in his presence. We knew only that she had a son. At last, we have found you."

Ben looked anxiously at his son's face, wanting to know what Joe's reaction was to this news. He saw confusion, and something else reflected there. Joe was never good at hiding his emotions, and Ben saw that this occasion was no different. Ben had been dreading this very situation, but he had convinced himself that the odds of Joe meeting any of his mother's family in a city the size of New Orleans were remote. Yet here they were, like specters of the past, haunting him in this city where the living and the dead seemed to co-exist.

Joe suddenly remembered his manners and said "Please, won't you join us? We were just having dinner..." He didn't ask his father if it was all right with him, indeed he avoided looking at Ben.

Inside, Joe was furious with his father. Many times he had asked Ben if there wasn't some of his mother's family still in New Orleans. Ben had always shaken his head and said that her parents were dead. Questions raced through Joe's head. Why had his Pa not been straight with him? Why hadn't he wanted him to meet his family?

"If you are sure it is all right" Felicia said uncertainly. Joe nodded eagerly. Francois pulled out a chair for her and they settled down at the table.

Francois cleared his throat and said to Joe, "My boy, you can't know how happy we are to find you... Marie's boy..." he smiled at Joe, trailing off as his emotions threatened to get the better of him.

Felicia took Joe's hand and said "We tried very hard to find you, but we did not know where you were—other than out west. Our papa, he destroyed any letter from Marie, we knew only that she had a son, lived out west and died thirteen years ago. We did not even know your first name, Joseph. Our papa died, and with him, everything he knew about you. I cannot tell you how much it means to me, to us, to find you now. It is like a miracle." Felicia smiled warmly, fighting back tears of happiness.

"We would have known you anywhere, Joseph" said Francois. "You look so much like your mother, it is astonishing".

Joe grinned at him. "People have been telling me that all my life, but now, I sure am glad I do, since it helped you to find me". Ben observed the three of them quietly. It was almost unnerving to him, how similar the three of them were. He saw gestures Francois made that were similar to ones Joe used. And like Joe, Francois was seated at the edge of his chair, as if ready to spring up at a moment's notice. And looking at Felicia, Ben felt a stab of sorrow in his heart. She was so like Marie, an older version and more calm, but he could see the same sweetness on her face.

Ben was jolted back to the present by Joe's laugh. "Ha! School and I just didn't get along," Joe was saying to Francois, in answer to the older man's question about his formal education. "No, I wasn't much of a student, that was my older brother's department".

Joe's aunt and uncle asked him questions about the ranch, his family and his life and Joe chattered away to them throughout dinner, oblivious to Ben's silence. Once in a while Ben interjected a comment about Joe, or their life on the ranch, but he decided to let Joe and his relatives have their time together.

"So, do you both live here in New Orleans?" Joe asked.

"Well, I do, I have a townhouse in the French Quarter, but Francois lives outside of town on a sugar plantation, Rivieux Rouge. I have a plantation too, Belle Mer, but I do not run it anymore, I have an overseer do it for me. It was my late husband's home. We had no children, so I had no one to take it over."

Francois spoke up. "You have some cousins, Joseph, I have three children, two of whom are around your age I think. They are at Rivieux Rouge now. There is Phillipe, he is the eldest and is twenty, and Sylvie who is 18. And then little Jacques, who is five. He is so sweet and funny. They are there with my wife, Charlotte. Oh, how I would love for you to meet them, they would be so excited to meet their cousin who is a cowboy!" Francois laughed.

Joe turned to Ben, his eyes alight with excitement. "Do you suppose I could meet them Pa?"

"Joseph, you have not yet been invited anywhere" admonished Ben. "Besides you and I should talk about this, son." Ben gave Joe a stern look. He was rewarded with a scowl from Joe.

Francois spoke up, "But he must come visit us Ben! We have just found him and there is so much we must talk about! And he must see Rivieux Rouge, it is the home of DesVries for almost one hundred years. It is his home too, Ben, it was his mother's home."

At this, Joe turned pleading eyes on his father. "Pa..."
"Joseph, we will discuss this later." Ben said in a tone that brooked no argument. "Would we be able to send a message tomorrow? I have business to attend to and I will be here for another week at least."

Felicia said "I know, why doesn't Joseph come to my home for lunch tomorrow while you are attending to your business, Ben? I'd love to have him and he can give us his answer then". She gave Joe an address in the French Quarter and told him that any coachman would be able to find it easily.

All four stood up from the table and Felicia turned to Joe and embraced him. "Oh, Joseph" she said, "I am so happy..." Joe turned to Francois and shook his hand, which Francois grasped tightly with both hands. He merely gave Joe an emotional smile.

"Tomorrow then" Francois said, as he and Felicia turned to leave.

"I'll be there" Joe called.

Joe turned and looked at his Pa briefly, but would not meet Ben's eyes. Together they walked upstairs, neither of them speaking. They entered their suite and Joe turned to go into his room at the left.

"Joseph," Ben said. "Joseph, don't you think we had better talk?"

"I don't have anything to say to you", Joe said angrily. His voice was quiet and steely.

"Don't you?" Ben asked. "You wouldn't speak to me at dinner, I know you are angry at me".

"Shouldn't I be? You lied to me." Joe demanded. He walked over to the window and stood looking out, his back to Ben, his arms crossed. Ben could see his tension, even from the back.

"Maybe you should wait to hear what I say before you make that assumption, Joe" Ben said quietly.

Joe said nothing. Ben waited a moment and said "Joe?"

"I'm listening" said Joe irritably.
Ben sighed. "Joe, I knew your mother had family, yes..."

Joe turned and cut off his father. "If you knew, why didn't you tell me, I asked you and you told me they were dead!" His eyes were dark with anger. He sat down hard on the couch.

"Joseph, you will not interrupt me" Ben said firmly. Joe looked at the floor, fiercely studying the oriental carpeting, but said nothing. "I knew she had family, a brother and a sister, but she had not had contact with them in many years. Other than her father, I didn't know where they were, or even really who they were. She didn't talk about them, Joe. It was a part of her life she wanted to forget. Everything here—she wanted to forget it all and start over in Virginia City with me, with Hoss and Adam." Ben paused, wishing he could see Joe's face, but Joe continued to stare at the floor.

"Why?" Joe asked. "Why did she want to forget? What did she have to be so ashamed of?" Joe's voice was rising higher, and Ben knew he was really getting upset. He went over to his son and put his hand on Joe's shoulder.

"Nothing, Joe, your mother had nothing to be ashamed of. She was a wonderful person." Ben moved in front of Joe and knelt down on one knee, looking into Joe's face. "Sometimes people do things they would rather just not dwell on... they move on, and that part of their life is over. All these years later, it doesn't matter... do you see, Joe?"

"But it does matter" Joe said stubbornly, "it matters to me. Don't YOU see Pa? I never really knew my mother, I finally have a chance, at least to know her family, to find out more...." he trailed off, choking back his emotions. "I want to go to Rivieux Rouge, Pa, I want to meet my cousins and see where my ma grew up. Please, Pa, I NEED to do this. I need to know who I am, where I came from." Joe sighed, and ran his hands through his hair.

Ben stood up and walked to the window, pacing back and forth. "You don't know this Joe? You don't know where your family is?" Ben was beginning to be angry with himself. He never should have brought Joe here. This could drive a wedge between his youngest son and the rest of the family. And he was afraid that Joe would be hurt emotionally by these people or more accurately, by what they knew about Marie.

He sighed. This trip was not turning out to be what he had hoped for—a chance for he and his youngest son to get to know each other better, to share past memories. He was startled to hear the sound of a door closing, and he turned. Joe had retired to his room, apparently wanting to be left alone.
Ben sighed and shook his head. To Ben, the closed door was a symbol of the barrier that was suddenly between them. Ben knew he couldn't understand how Joe felt, how could he when he had grown up with two parents who had loved him. But Hoss and Adam... they didn't seem to have this burning desire to know their mother's families. Of course, Adam and Hoss had both known a mother's love for much of their childhood. Joe had been so young when his mother died, he could barely remember her.

Ben was tired. It had been a long and emotionally charged day and he was ready for bed. He was sure that further confrontation with his youngest lay ahead, and he knew he was going to have to be very careful in how he handled this situation or he could end up alienating Joe permanently. Ben finally fell into a troubled sleep, lulled by the soft, distant horns of the ships as they pulled into port.

Little Joe stood for a few minutes behind his closed bedroom door. He was expecting his father to follow him. He let out a deep sigh when he heard his father's own bedroom door closing. He felt oddly relieved and yet sad that his father hadn't followed him. He began to get ready for bed, unbuttoning and removing his shirt, jacket and pants. He went to the dresser to get out his cotton nightshirt but paused as he realized he was completely comfortable in just his drawers. He smiled as he thought of his two brothers on the cattle drive, sleeping near the campfire in their clothes and jackets -there was already a deep chill in the evening air when he and his father had left Nevada.

Joe moved to the large window seat and pulled open the windows. As they swung inward he breathed deeply, smelling the strong salt smell mingled with the scent of magnolias. A warm moist breeze flowed over his body and he curled himself up on the window seat staring intently out at the water bathed in moonlight. Joe's feelings churned inside him, anger, sadness, happiness, and somehow fear. He didn't want to hurt his father but he needed to learn more about his family, his mother's family. He sighed again and lost himself in the sights and sounds that flowed through his window.

The next morning Joe and his father breakfasted together. For a brief time there was an awkward silence as both father and son struggled with what to say to each other. Finally Joe could not stand the strained feelings between them. "Pa, I'm sorry about last night. I know you meant this to be a special trip for us. And it is special, more than I ever thought it could be Pa. I was hoping to find out something about my mother and her family, suddenly I have more family than I ever thought possible. Can you understand what this means to me Pa? Joe pleaded with his father.

Ben grew thoughtful. "Yes Joe, I do understand. You have to realize that all I know is that your mother separated from her family years before she and I ever met. Now Felicia and Francois tell us that was due to her father. And certainly they both seem to love her. I just can't help feeling that there must be more to all of this. I don't want you to be hurt."

"Pa, I can't promise I won't get hurt. But as you always taught us the truth shall set us free. I need to know where Mama came from, who she was before she met you. All the things I would have learned if I had a chance to know her. I guess I always felt Hoss and Adam were lucky, they got to know her, and Adam also got to know Hoss's mama. In a way Adam had two mothers, Inger and my mama. Hoss got my mother. I didn't get one, not really. I feel like I can get a chance to have mine too, if just a little bit through meeting our family" Joe fell silent, his words as jumbled and confused as his emotions.
 Ben nodded thoughtfully. "Joe go have lunch with your aunt and uncle. I'll meet you back here later this afternoon and we can discuss what you will do next."

Joe opened his mouth to argue, but subsided without a word. He had wanted to be able to promise them he would visit their plantation, but he realized his father needed more time to think. Plus they would have to decide how long they could be away from the Ponderosa for the visit.

Two hours later Joe found himself descending from his hansom cab in the heart of the French Quarter. He gazed around, charmed at the sights and sounds that met his eyes. The houses were all close together, with brightly painted shutters and awnings. He saw a small bakery on the corner and stopped to peer in at the delicate pastries. How Hoss would have devastated that bakery if he were here.

Joe followed the directions he had been given and soon found himself standing in front of a whitewashed town house, with bright blue shutters and window boxes crowded with pink, blue, purple and yellow flowers. He clanged the large metal doorknocker and waited patiently. He heard a pair of heavy footsteps approaching the door and it swung open to reveal a tall black woman with a broad smiling face. The woman looked Joe up and down, quickly focusing on his face. Suddenly her face split in a broad grin and she opened her arms to embrace him. Joe felt himself enveloped in her warm embrace, momentarily startled.

"Lordy, if you ain't the spitting image of your mama boy. I'd a knowed you anywhere. You come right on here now." The woman took Joe's arm and led him inside.

"You knew my mama, ma'am."

"Lordy son, I was your mama's nurse from the day she was born." The woman gestured for Joe to follow her down the hall. He quickly realized that the woman was much older than he had originally thought.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry I don't know your name."

"Child, you just call me Daisy, just like your mama used to." She favored him with another wide smile and pushed open a pair of French doors leading into a small walled garden.

Joe paused and felt like he was entering heaven. A small pond was the focal point of the garden, filled with brightly colored fish and surrounded by trailing flowered covered vines. Small brightly colored flowering trees filled the yard, which was surrounded with a high white fence.

"Joseph, welcome to my home." Felicia crossed the stone patio, her arms held out to embrace Joe. Joe hugged her to him tightly, feeling a lump rising in his throat, her warm sweet smell filled his nostrils and he found himself remembering quite clearly being held on his own mother's lap as she brushed his hair and dressed him.

"Bonjour Aunt Felicia. Comment allez vous?" Joe asked.

"I am quite well Joseph. I see your father has taught you French."

"No, my brother Adam actually, but just a little. It all seemed familiar to me, so my mother must have spoken to me in French when I was a child. I don't remember really."
"How old were you when she died?" Felicia guided Joe to a large round table and they sat next to each other. Tall glasses of tea with tiny chunks of ice were ready for them. The table was covered with a fine linen cloth and covered with fine china.

"Just five years old ma'am."

"Do you remember her?"

"No, ma'am not really. Little fragments really. She was always singing and laughing. Most of what I know comes from Pa and my brothers."

"Perhaps I can help you learn more Joseph. I still have some of your mother's things at my home, Belle Mer. When your mother left the convent school to run off with her first husband, my father ordered all her things burned. Daisy was able to rescue a number of her things and get them to me. They are all stored in a trunk at my house. I would like you to have them."

Joe was overwhelmed. His mother's things. He could hardly breathe. "Thank you ma'am."

"Joseph, you don't need to keep calling ma'am. Call me Felicia, or Aunt Felicia if you like."

"Only if you will call me Joe. I'm only called Joseph when I'm in trouble, Aunt Felicia." Joe bestowed a brilliant smile on his aunt, literally taking her breath away as the resemblance to his mother became even more striking. Marie had always smiled at her in such a way when she had mischief afoot.
"Joe, what are you thinking about?" Felicia eyed him suspiciously but at that moment Francois came through the French doors.

"Bonjour Joseph, Felicia. How are you both on this beautiful day?

The three sat and talked over a long leisurely lunch. Joe entertained his aunt and uncle with more tales of his life on the Ponderosa.

"Joe, what do you think of coming to visit us?" Felicia inquired as they lingered over their coffee and dessert.

"Aunt Felicia, I would love to come, but my father and I are expected home in three weeks. And Pa still has a week's worth of business to conduct. We can't travel back much later than October, with the weather in the mountains so uncertain. How far is it to the plantation?"

Felicia frowned thoughtfully, "it is a good two days ride Joe. You would no more than arrive then have to turn around to come back to New Orleans." Brother and sister exchanged a long look, as both were struck with a thought. Felicia nodded to Francois.

"Joe, Felicia and I spoke this morning about this very thing. What would you say to coming to Rivieux Rouge with us in two weeks and spending the winter. You could return to the Ponderosa in the spring?"

Joe was stunned. "You mean be away from the Ponderosa all winter?"

"Yes Joe, you've told us that not much is done outdoors during the winter. Your father and brothers could handle the ranch. It would give you time for a good long visit, get to know the family, and give all of us time to get to know you." Francois relaxed back in his chair. Joe was not protesting, in fact Francois could see that the idea was appealing to him.
"I'll have to discuss it with Pa." Joe discovered that he desperately wanted to do this, to visit his mother's girlhood home, to get to know these people who seemed so familiar to him. He had not had a moment's discomfort so far with his aunt and uncle and he wanted to get to know them better.

The three continued to chat through the afternoon, gradually fleshing out their plans. Francois gave Joe a photograph of his three children. The clock in the house chimed five and Joe suddenly sprang to his feet. "I have to go, I'm supposed to be meeting Pa at the hotel right now." Joe quickly hugged his aunt and uncle and fled the house.

Back at the hotel Ben paced impatiently in his suite. He cursed Joe's chronic lateness while at the same time worrying that his son was being seduced away from him by the DesVries. He would have to decide soon what to do about this visit. He supposed he and Joe could stay an extra week. He admitted to some curiosity about seeing Marie's childhood home after all these years.

Joe raced into the suite at half past five, and panting profusely apologized to his father. "I'm really sorry Pa, we got to talking and well I just lost track of the time."

Ben eyed his son. Joe was hiding something from him, he could tell by the look on his face and the way he shifted his feet, keeping his eyes everywhere but on his father's face.

"Joe, get washed up so we can get to dinner. We're eating at a restaurant down at the waterfront. It's where your mother and I ate the first time we went to supper together." Ben smiled as Joe's face lit up.

"Really Pa? Is the restaurant still there?"

"Yes Joe, I checked this afternoon after I finished my meetings."
"I'll be ready in two shakes Pa."

As the two men sat enjoying the view of the harbor front on the deck of the restaurant Joe gathered his courage to ask his father about the visit to the plantation. "Pa, I spoke with Francois and Felicia today. About, about my visiting them." Joe stopped and waited.

Ben nodded and waited for Joe to finish.

"Pa, they've asked me to come visit them and stay," Joe swallowed hard, "for the whole winter."

Ben paled, "The whole winter, Joe. Son that would mean you wouldn't be able to get home till April. That's almost seven months from now. Is this what you want Joe?" Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing. His worst fears were being realized.

"Pa, I know it isn't what we had planned. I know it's going to be hard. But, it's two days from here to the plantation. There isn't enough for you to do your business and us to go there and back." Joe stopped for a moment and stared up towards the full moon shining over their heads. "Pa, I know it will be hard for you, it's hard for me too. But, I want to do this. For myself yes, but also for mama's family. All these years they hoped to find me. I want to get to know them. Here, look at this, Felicia gave it to me." Joe reached in his pocket and drew out the photograph Felicia had given him.

Ben held it up to the light. The picture showed three young people, a boy of five, and two older children. Ben gasped, the oldest boy was the spitting image of Joe, same curly hair and dimpled cheeks. The smaller child was also a twin for Joe at the same age. Ben paused for a moment. He could see what the attraction was for Joe. "Are these your cousins?"

"Yes Pa." Joe's voice was soft.
"Joe," Ben stopped. It would break his heart to leave Joe here in New Orleans. There was every chance that once Joe settled in with these people he wasn't going to want to leave again. But he had learned long ago that he couldn't fence his sons in. Ben couldn't bring himself to speak.

Joe suddenly burst out, "Pa, I want to go to Rivieux Rouge. I want to meet my cousins and see where my ma grew up. Please Pa, I need to do this. I need to know who I am, where my people came from. Hoss has met his uncle and Adam knows all his folks back in Boston. Joe sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "You won't need me over the winter at the ranch. I'll return in the spring. Please Pa." Joe's eyes pleaded for Ben's understanding.

Ben knew that Joe was an adult, that he had the right to make his own decisions. He couldn't really forbid him to do this, forcing him to return home would only make Joe resentful. Ben moved to the edge of the deck and stared at the water, mindful of his son's gaze firmly fixed on his back. Ben turned to Joe and looked at his youngest son. "All right, all right Joe, you can stay." He saw a grin beginning on Joe's face, "But one thing Joseph," he said sternly. "You had better write us every week. No excuses now. And I want to see you first thing come spring. Is that understood?" Ben looked at Joe sternly, then smiled warmly at his son.

"Oh Pa," Said Joe. "Yes, oh yes!" Joe got up and went to his father and gave him a quick hug.

The next ten days flew by. Ben kept Joe with him most of the time, showing him many of the places in New Orleans he and Joe's mother had seen together. One day he and Francois took Joe to see Francois' tailor. Joe had not brought along enough clothes to last him through the winter and Ben quickly recognized that many of Joe's clothes were not appropriate for the heat of the Louisiana climate. He also knew that Joe would be moving among many wealthy people and he wanted Joe to fit in. He winced slightly at the prices for the new clothes, but by day's end Joe had a new wardrobe.

Finally the day for Ben's departure approached. Francois and Felicia picked up Ben and Joe at the hotel, loading Joe's luggage onto the back of the wagon. After Ben's stage departed they would be leaving for the plantation. At the stage platform Francois and Felicia bid Ben a warm farewell. Ben had grown to like the two of them. As Felicia hugged him she quickly whispered, "Fear not my friend, I will care for Joe just as Marie would have. He will be safe with us." Of one accord the two moved off, leaving father and son to say farewell in private.

Joe stood awkwardly next to his father. He had been excited all week, anticipating his trip with his aunt and uncle. The reality of his father's departure had struck him that morning as he helped his father with their luggage. He could feel tears rising in his eyes, he wanted to fling himself on his father and beg him not to leave him behind. "Pa," Joe's voice was choked with emotions.
Ben turned and pulled his son into his warm embrace. He could feel his own tears stinging in his eyes and he held his son firmly. Finally as the driver called to Ben he pushed Joe away from him and scrutinized his son's face. "Joe I'm proud of you and I love you. I know you'll enjoy your time here, you just make sure to write and we'll see you in early spring."

Joe nodded and in a choked voice answered, "I love you too Pa." He hugged his father one more time. Then as Ben climbed onto the stage Francois and Felicia came to Joe's side and put their arms around him. As the stage pulled away Ben put his head and arm out to wave a final farewell to his son, but as he looked back he saw that Joe had turned away and was going off arm and arm with his aunt and uncle.

Eight days later Hoss and Adam stood at the Virginia City stage depot waiting for the father and brother.

"Hope Pa and Joe enjoyed their trip Adam. Can't wait till Joe gets back so we can leave on our Annual hunting trip. You want to come this year Adam?" Hoss always asked Adam to come on his Annual two-week trip with Joe into the mountains. He and Joe loved spending some time in the open air, enjoying the clean clear fall weather before the long winter snows began. Adam never chose to come, preferring to spend his time taking care of business in neighboring towns, that he might not be able to make it to during the winter.

"You know Hoss, I've been thinking that I might just join you two this year. You had an awful lot of luck last year with those pelts you brought back." Adam smiled at his brother. "You don't think Joe would mind."

"Shucks Adam, Joe's always saying how's he wished you'd come. He'll be plum tickled." At the sound of the stage Hoss and Adam moved to the edge of the platform. The driver reined in the horses and the door swung open. An older man and woman climbed down and were handed their luggage. A moment later Ben appeared and got out of the stage.

"Hey Pa," both men exclaimed as they came over and embraced their father. Both turned expectantly to the coach's door, waiting to see their younger brother appear. Another gentleman climbed down and a moment later the door was shut.
"Pa, where's Joe?" Hoss's voice was full of disbelief. "He didn't get hurt did he?" The color drained from Hoss's face as a terrible thought struck him.

"No, Joe's fine. He, he didn't come back with me boys. He's staying in New Orleans." Ben had dreaded this moment. He knew that no matter how much his sons teased and complained about each other but there was no way this would lead to any good.

"What do you mean he's staying? Why?" Adam gritted his teeth, he could feel a shout of outrage building in his throat.

"While we were in New Orleans we met some of Joe's relatives. He has an aunt, an uncle, and a whole passel of cousins. They invited him to spend the winter with them. He wanted to stay."

"But Pa, he's staying for the whole winter. But what about Christmas Pa, Joe ain't never been away from us at Christmas?" Hoss was incredibly hurt. How could Joe not want to come home?

"Hoss, Adam, if you had seen these people you would understand. Here, I brought this picture to show you." Ben pulled out the picture Joe had given him of his cousins. Hoss took the picture and Adam joined him in studying it. Their mouths dropped open at the remarkable resemblance Joe's cousins bore him.

"Pa, what if he decides never to come back." Hoss looked up at his father.

Ben simply shook his head, he couldn't answer his son's question.
 

Louisiana shimmered in the hot afternoon sun and Joe wished for the hundredth time this afternoon for a cool mountain breeze off the Sierras. The humidity in the coach was oppressive, and Joe really wasn't used to this kind of heat.

"Is it always this hot?" Joe asked his aunt, who was fanning herself daintily.

"No, winters here are quite pleasant, it's just the summers. Most of us stay out of New Orleans in the summer. Too many cases of fever and malaria. And unbearably hot even for us. If not for Francois' business, we would not even have been there ourselves. But I'm glad we were". She gave Joe a smile."

Joe watched the lush green countryside roll by, his thoughts racing ahead to the plantation, and of his cousins. What would they be like? Would they think him an unsophisticated farmer? Would he fit in with them? An unfamiliar feeling gnawed at the pit of his stomach. He had never before felt like he would not fit in anywhere. He had lived only in one place, here he knew everyone and was one of the more popular young men in Virginia City. Joe felt his usual self-confidence ebbing away, and he chewed on his lip thoughtfully, a small scowl forming on his face as he slouched down in the seat and stretched out his long legs. He put his boots up on the seat opposite of him.

Felicia noticed Joe's expression with a touch of amusement. She wasn't sure what he was thinking about but she did know he was not sitting like a gentleman. "Joseph... your feet." she said, casting a sidelong glance at them.

Joe rolled his eyes and sat up, letting his feet drop to the floor of the coach with a crash, awakening his uncle who had been sleeping on the seat next to him. Joe looked at his aunt and grinned. "It's like being with Pa", he said, laughing.

"Well, you obviously have not listened to him, have you Joseph? Felicia said, smiling. "It won't be too much longer. I know how impatient the young are".

A few minutes later the countryside changed from dense vegetation, to acres of rich looking tilled farmland. Joe could see rows and rows of plants topped with white, like a dusting of snow. "Is that cotton?" he asked, turning to his uncle.
"Yes, it is, Joe, it's our lifeblood, that plant. We also grow tobacco and sugar cane, but cotton is what keeps our plantations, and the whole South, going."

Joe could see dozens of workers in the fields. Some stood and looked at the carriage as they passed. None waved. "What are they doing?" he asked.

"The cotton is being picked now, to be baled and sold. Those field hands are picking the bolls and taking the seeds out."

The carriage turned abruptly up a long stone drive, shaded with live oak trees. Spanish moss hung from them, adding an aura of mystery. As the coach came to a halt, Joe opened the coach door and jumped out, turning to offer his assistance to his aunt and uncle. As he helped them down, Joe gaped at the house. He had never seen anything like it. It was dazzling white, three stories tall and fronted by six enormous white columns that thrust toward the sky. A fountain splashed in a pond in the courtyard and flowers bloomed around it. He stood staring until his aunt said to the driver "you will please put our luggage in the foyer".

Joe quickly said "Hey, that's all right, I'll get it for you". He stepped up on the coach and reached for the suitcases and was met by the face of the driver, who gave him a hard stare. He felt a tug on his coat tails and turned. Francois was gesturing to Joe to get down off the coach. He jumped to the ground. "Joseph, that is his job, to get our luggage." Francois said. "You will please let him do it". Joe was a bit mystified, but shrugged his shoulders.

Any further reflection on the situation was dashed from Joe's mind by the arrival of a shouting little boy. "Papa., Papa!!" the little boy squealed. "And Aunt Felicia!" he called. He threw his little arms about his father's legs.

"Jacques, Jacques, I want you to meet someone" his father said, bending down and attempting to loosen the child's grip. "Look, here is your cousin, all the way from the West. You know, where there are cowboys and Indians..."
At this the little boy turned to look at Joe. He was an adorable child, small and quick, with brown curly hair and hazel eyes. He smiled at Joe and said "You a cowboy?" and laughed, the dimples in his cheeks deepening.

Joe grinned, "well, yeah I am pardner" he drawled, deliberately exaggerating his western accent.

"Can you shoot a gun? Have you seen any Indians? You don't look like a cowboy" Jacques asked, his eyes getting big.

"Jacques, you go inside and tell your mama that we are here, alright?" said Francois. "Joe, Felicia, let's go inside. I am quite tired and dusty after that long journey".

Joe followed his aunt and uncle up the steps of the house and inside. In spite of his new clothes he felt woefully inelegant in these surroundings. They were standing in a center hall and all around him, Joe observed the incredible beauty of the house. In front of them was a graceful, curved staircase covered in thick red carpeting. To the right, Joe could see some sort of parlor with elegant brocaded furniture, oriental carpets and crystal chandeliers.

He couldn't believe it—this was the house his mother had grown up in? He had no idea she came from such a fine place, such elegant surroundings. Still, he was thrilled to be in her childhood home and couldn't wait to see more of it.

A pale, thin woman was seated on one of the ornate chairs in the parlor, and she rose to greet them. She walked toward them murmuring her greetings. "Bonjour, Felicia, Francois" She gave her husband a peck on the cheek. He grasped her hands and said excitedly in French "Charlotte, you will never guess who this is"

"No Francois, and I do not like guessing games, so please tell me" Charlotte surveyed Joe coolly.

Although the conversation was being spoken in French, Joe was not having much difficulty following it. He stepped forward and said "Madame, I am Joseph Cartwright" and smiled at her. She did not return the smile, but simply stared at Joe.

Francois said excitedly "He is my sister Marie's boy, the one I have been looking for all these years."

"Hmph." Charlotte again turned her gray eyes on Joe. "Where did you find him?" She spoke as if Joe was a stray dog that Francois brought home.
As Francois related the story in rapid French, Charlotte continued to stare at Joe. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, realizing that she was not altogether pleased with his presence, but not understanding why.

At that moment, the door to the parlor opened and a beautiful girl entered the room. Joe turned and couldn't help smiling at her. She smiled back at him and said in French "my name is Sylvie, and you are..."

"Joe, um Joseph Cartwright, ma'am". Joe said. He looked at her appreciatively. Sylvie had long dark curls, big hazel green eyes and an infectious smile. She stood just to his shoulders.

"Sylvie, Joe is your cousin, he is here from Nevada", said Felicia, joining the two. She had noticed Charlotte's cool reaction to Joe, and she was sure Joe had noticed it as well. She was anxious to smooth things over. "Joe is your father's youngest sister's boy."

"Oh, my cousin... why that is too bad" Sylvie said, with a coy look.

"It is?" Joe said, bewildered.

"Yes," Sylvie giggled, "things might have been much more interesting if you weren't!" Joe raised his eyebrows and gave her a sly smile.

"Where is Phillipe?" Felicia asked Sylvie.

"He is outside, doing something with the horses" she answered vaguely. Sylvie grabbed Joe's hand "Come, she said, "let's see if we can find him". Joe followed Sylvie out the door, not feeling he had much choice in the matter, but glad to be away from the cold looks of his Aunt Charlotte. Sylvie led him down a path to the stables, chattering excitedly as she went. Her French was very fast and Joe had to pay close attention to what she was saying. She was asking him if he rode horses often and said they were all crazy about horses and rode well. Joe grinned at Sylvie and said, "I was practically born on a horse. My family has a ranch and I run the horse operation—I break them and train them".

"Well, good," said Sylvie. "I was afraid you wouldn't be much for horses and then I don't know what you would do for fun here. We'll have to find a horse for you to ride tomorrow." She opened the barn door and looked inside for her brother.

"Phillipe!" she called. "Where are you? We have a guest!"

A slender young man stepped out of the shadows. "I am here, Sylvie. Stop all your shouting, you will scare the horses!" The young man took note of Joe and said "do I know you—you look...familiar."

Sylvie laughed and looked back and forth between her brother and Joe. "No wonder he looks familiar... you two could almost be twins!" The resemblance between Joe and Phillipe was striking indeed. Both had the same eyes, smile and curly hair, though Phillipe's was considerably longer than Joe's. Joe was an inch taller than Phillipe and a good deal more solid. Philippe didn't look as if he had spent much of his life doing physical labor. He reached forward and took Joe's outstretched hand and shook it firmly.

Sylvie said, "Joe is our cousin, Philippe. He is papa's sister's son... he is a cowboy and lives on a ranch! Joe, this is my brother Phillipe—he is twenty years old and thinks he knows just everything!" Sylvie wrinkled her nose at her brother, but her eyes showed the great affection she had for him.

Joe stood with his hands stuck into the back of his belt, looking a bit uncertainly at his cousins. "Sylvie says you have some fine horses, Phillipe. Can I see them?" The cousins moved off into the barn and Phillipe proudly showed Joe their horses. They were of a different type then Joe was used to, finer, thinner and high-strung. They were thoroughbreds. Joe mostly rode wild mustangs and quarter horses, both short muscular working horses, bred for the tough life and harsh conditions they lived in. The cousins chatted easily about horses and riding. Joe noticed that the saddles in the tackroom were of the smaller English style, which he had used only once, in a horse race. He had thought it a ridiculous little thing, but he guessed he could get used to it.
 Inside the house, the conversation was not nearly so easy. After the young people had left the house, Charlotte had whirled upon Francois and Felicia.

"What do you mean by bringing that boy here?" she hissed. "Francois, you know what your father thought of his mother... he will bring nothing but shame upon this family. I won't have him here!" Charlotte's eyes flashed angrily.

"You forget, Charlotte, that his mother is my sister! I met his father—he is a decent and fine man, and he has raised his son the same way." Francois snapped. "He is my flesh and blood and you will treat him accordingly". "No one has spoken of his mother for years", Charlotte snapped. "The neighbors will gossip and Sylvie... what will her fiance's family think? Everything could be ruined." Charlotte turned and left the room, her silk skirts rustling as if in disapproval of the entire situation.

 Joe relaxed in the big copper tub filled to the top with hot water and suds. He inhaled deeply and smelled the fresh fragrance of soap and his own cologne, which the maid had added to his bath water. He let his thoughts drift. I could get used to this, he thought, grinning to himself. He was more than a little overwhelmed by the wealth he saw around him here. While the Cartwrights were considered a well off family in the west, their wealth was all in their land. Their house, while large, was not at all fancy and was in fact rather rustic. They did not live a lavish lifestyle or wear fancy clothes, though Joe had often been of the opinion that his father could certainly afford to hire more hands to do the ranch work so that Joe would be able to pursue his favorite pastimes: gambling and chasing girls.
He was startled by a knock on the door and sat up suddenly. "Supper in 15 minutes, sir" came a female voice. Joe heard her footsteps move away from the door.

"Um, wait, don't go yet!" called Joe. "Do they dress for dinner here?"

He thought he heard a snort of laughter behind the door. "Yes sir, they do, clothes is a good idea!"

Joe laughed, then sobered suddenly at the thought of a long formal table where he would have to put on his best manners. And he also was not thrilled at the prospect of sitting at the table with his Aunt Charlotte. He had felt very strongly that she did not approve of him being here and it made him uncomfortable. What could she possibly have against him?

Joe got out of the bathtub and dried himself off with the thick towels that were left for him. Wrapping it around his waist, he proceeded to shave, and as he did, he noted the similarities between the face in the mirror and those of his cousins. He reflected once again on how much like him they were. They were emotional and spirited, not reserved and quiet like his father and oldest brother. Sometimes he felt like he had never quite fit in his own family, because he was so physically and emotionally different from his father and brothers.
 Joe dressed carefully, choosing a white silk shirt and burgundy satin vest to go with his black pants. He checked himself out in the mirror before going downstairs. "Not too bad, Joe" he said to the mirror, giving his hair a final comb. He was impressed with his new clothes, he had never had any as fine as this. As he stepped out in the hall, he almost ran into an attractive young woman who was carrying a large stack of towels. As she tried to avoid Joe, she dropped them on the floor.

"Pardon me ma'am" Joe said, ducking his head.

"Oh no," said the girl, "it is my fault, I am sorry. I should not be in your way."

"Here, let me" Joe said, bending over to pick up the towels she had dropped. He began to refold them.

"No, no, you should not do that! Please..." she looked at Joe, her large brown eyes pleading as she grabbed the towels from him.

"Hey" he said, "I knocked em over, I can pick em up" He handed her the towels and grinned at her. "Who are you? I don't think we've met. I'm Joe, Joe Cartwright."

"My name is Claire, monsieur, but I am no one. Please..." she turned and hurried off.

Joe stared after her. What a strange girl, he thought. She must be some sort of servant here, but she seemed afraid of him. He shook his head. He realized he had a lot to learn about this whole new lifestyle here.
 

 Dear Pa, Hoss and Adam:

As I promised you Pa, here is my first letter. My first week here has been quite exciting and tonight we are going to be having a ball here at the house to celebrate the engagement of my cousin Sylvie to Paul Beauregard. His plantation is up on Lake Maurepas and is called Tezcuco. He will be arriving later this morning.

Everyone has been bustling around all week getting ready. My first night here we had dinner in a dining room, the likes of which I have never seen. The table was an enormous oak table covered with a beautiful linen tablecloth that Aunt Felicia told me had been in our family since the original French settlement of Louisiana. Dinner lasted for hours and had many courses, more than I ever would have thought possible. Hoss would have been extremely happy. And they eat this way every night!

My cousins have been most welcoming. Sylvie is eighteen and spends most of her days preparing for her wedding, which will be sometime before Christmas. She is working on her trousseau, which seems to be quite an operation. My cousin Phillipe is twenty and I have spent most of my time here together working on his horse breeding. Everyone here does nothing but comment on how alike we are, Uncle Francois has promised to take have the photographer who will be coming to the ball do a portrait for us to send to you so you can see it. Of course Jacques, who is only 5, is insisting that he be in the picture too.

Aunt Felicia has promised that once the ball is over we will travel to Belle Mer to visit and she will be giving me some of my mother's things from her girlhood. I can hardly wait.

Uncle Francois has been a wonderful host. We've done nothing but ride and tour the neighboring countryside and the plantation. I am starting to learn quite a bit about raising cotton, sugar cane and tobacco. The cotton is currently being harvested. His wife Charlotte spends most of her time planning the ball.

I hope all is well with all of you.

Love

Joe
Joe finished his letter with a flourish. He stared down at it, thinking of the many things he had not told his father and brothers. He missed them very much, but did not want them to worry. He placed the letter carefully into the envelope and addressed it carefully.

Joe emerged from his bedroom and walked downstairs. "Good morning Jasper". Joe saluted the tall butler who stood patiently in the front hall.

"Morning Master Joseph." Jasper smiled broadly at Joe, who had rapidly endeared himself to the many household servants. His unfailing politeness and cheerfulness echoed that of his three cousins. The staff was far more wary of Miss Charlotte who ruled with an iron fist.

"Jasper, I would like to ride to town to post a letter, how far is it?" Joe was still a bit uncertain of the local geography.

"Bout two miles down the main road to Pleasant Hill. But Mr. Joseph, we can take care of the post for you. And you ain't had no breakfast yet."

"That's all right Jasper, I need a ride. And to be honest y'all just eat a bit too much for my taste down here." Joe patted his stomach, three large meals a day and less exercise than he was used to was making him feel a bit sluggish. A good brisk ride was just what he needed.

"Yes suh." Jasper quickly gave Joe detailed directions. Joe thanked him and moved to the barn. He quickly saddled up his favorite mount, Le Conte, and led him from the stable. As he prepared to mount up tiny Jacques ran up to Joe.

"Joe, Joe, where are you going? May I come too? Please." Joe smiled down at his little cousin. He was suddenly struck with a long hidden memory of himself making this same plea to his brothers. He had noticed that Jacques spent much of his day with his nursemaid, May, and not much time with his brother or father. Joe could not imagine what his own childhood would have been like without his father or brothers.
 "Well Jacques, I'm going to ride into Pleasant Hill to mail a letter. Would you like to ride with me? I'll hold you on in front of me if you want." Jacques face split into a delighted grin.

"I'll tell May. You wait right here." While Joe watched Jacques ran towards the house calling for May. He told her the plan and she frowned but nodded finally. "All ready Joe."

Joe picked up Jacques and settled him on his horse, then in one easy leap got into the saddle. The two moved off together in a gentle trot. Joe had quickly become accustomed to this new way of riding, though he missed Cochise and the wide-open plains around the Ponderosa.

Jacques chattered happily, pointing out to Joe his favorite fishing spot, "I'm the best fisherman in the whole family". Joe suppressed a smile, he had made a similar boast to his own family.

"I love to fish Jacques, maybe we can go together." Joe smiled at the squeal of delight from the small boy in front of him. Joe's eyes continuously scanned the passing scenery, taking in the sight of many men continuing to pick cotton in the fields. He had grown almost accustomed to this even as he had come to realize that these men were in fact slaves owned by his aunt and uncle.

When the two road into Pleasant Hill, Joe was amazed to see a town of about half the size of Virginia City. He couldn't see any saloon, just many restaurants and small stores. The buildings were all clean and tidy, painted carefully. Flowering trees were everywhere. It couldn't have been more different from the rough and tumble of Virginia City. He reined in his horse in front of the General Store, where Jasper had told him the letter could be posted.

"Come on Jacques, let's mail my letter and I'll buy you some candy." The two entered the store hand in hand. The man behind the counter glanced up and smiled a welcome.
 "Phillipe, good to see you my young friend."

Joe began to reply but Jacques interrupted him, "No, no, Mr. Jackson, this is my cousin Joseph, he's a cowboy from Nevada territory."

Jackson took another look into Joe's face and smiled a somewhat dubious smile. "Really?"

"Yes sir, Joseph Cartwright's my name." Joe held out his hand and shook Mr. Jackson's. "I have a letter to post and my young cousin is shopping for some sweetning."

Jackson waited on the two and they turned to leave the store. As they left hand in hand, the door swung open, nearly knocking over Jacques. A petite and beautiful young woman walked in the door, making Joe take a quick step back out of her way. She was very petite, little more than five feet tall. She had the tiniest waist that Joe had ever seen, accented by a tightly corseted green satin dress. She had creamy pale skin and dark brown hair, carefully curled and dressed. Her eyes as they turned to him were a deep violet blue and Joe felt his pulse increase as she looked at him. To his astonishment she broke into a broad smile and flung herself into Joe's arms, planting a passionate kiss on his lips.

She stepped back in a moment with a look of surprise on her face, "Phillipe, are you not happy to see me," She had a sweet southern drawl, without the French accent he was accustomed to hearing from his cousins.

"That's cuz he ain't Phillipe, Sarabeth. This is my cousin Joe, he's a cowboy."

Joe raised his hat and gave her a deep bow, "Ma'am, it's my pleasure. Joseph Cartwright at your service," Joe instinctively deepened his western twang, sounding more like Roy Coffee than himself.
 Sarabeth blushed a deep rose, and began to fan herself with her delicate lace fan. "I'm charmed suh." She held her hand out and Joe took it and kissed it gently.

"I take it ma'am you are acquainted with my cousin Phillipe?" Joe inquired, gently arching his eyebrow at her.

She graced him with a gentle smile. "Yes I am. My name is Sarabeth Kenner. My papa owns the plantation next to yours, Magnolia Mound. I hope you'll come calling on us soon. Of course we will be seeing you at the ball tonight."

"I look forward to it." Joe graced her with his most charming and polished bow and smile.

Sarabeth fluttered her eyelashes at him and moved into the store.

Joe and Jacques mounted up for their return to the plantation. Joe tried to pump Jacques for information but Jacques was not conversant in the Kenner family, as they had no children his own age.

Later that evening Joe found himself coming down from his room, feeling slightly self-conscious. When he had gone to his room that afternoon his Uncle Francois had accompanied him. "Joe, I have a gift for you."

"Yes sir." Joe smiled fondly at his uncle. His uncle was a man of business who spent much of his day in meetings in his office on the plantation. He spent little time in the fields.

"I hope you don't mind Joe, but I had my tailor make this for you while he was preparing your other clothes."
 He led Joe into his room and there hanging on the clothing rack was a beautiful formal evening suit. It was a deep charcoal gray. An elegant ruffled crisp white silk shirt with a black cummerbund and a rakish black tie was nearby. Elegant evening shoes completed the outfit. The suit was obviously very expensive, the best he had ever owned. Joe's face was rapturous, he spun to face his uncle, "Oh thank you Uncle Francois" and embraced him.

"You are most welcome Joe. I hope you enjoy the ball. It is your first formal ball is it not?" Joe nodded and his face took on a slightly hesitant look.

"Joe, you'll do just fine. I assume you know how to dance."

Joe nodded, "Yes sir, I know how to waltz and do a few of the country dances."

Francois smiled, "You'll be just fine. Just stick with Phillipe and I, we'll make sure to introduce you to some nice young ladies who I'm sure will be happy to take care of you."

Joe smiled, he felt relieved.

Hours later Joe made his was down the grand staircase into the main hallway of the house. Below him was a sea of beautifully dressed women in elegant silk gowns in a multitude of colors and hues. The men were all formally dressed. Joe stopped and took it all in, his breath was taken away. He felt a strong urge to flee back up the stairs.

"Joe, Joe, I've been waiting for you." Sylvie ran up the stairs lightly and gripped Joe's arm. "Come you must meet Paul and his brother Duncan." Keeping her grip tight on Joe's arm she lead him down the stairs. "Here they are, Paul, Duncan, this is my cousin Joe, he's a real cowboy. This is Paul Beauregard and his brother Duncan."
Joe shook hands with the two men. Paul was a tall quiet man, his visage somber. Duncan was a creature of light, his hair a blazing strawberry blond, his face lit from within. Joe immediately took a shine to Duncan and found himself within minutes feeling as if he'd known Duncan all his life. The three men stood talking cordially about the weather and the ball. Both of the Beauregard brothers were fascinated by Joe's life in Nevada and he found himself answering many questions about the Ponderosa. Paul was mostly interested in the business side of the operation, while Duncan was curious about the cowboy life. Joe found himself at one point looking down at Sylvie's face. Her face was relatively blank, but her eyes were shining. He followed the direction of her gaze and was surprised to see she was watching Duncan, not Paul. For a moment a question hovered on his lips, but he bit it back.

"Sylvie, it is time for us to go find your mother and father and my parents. They are preparing to open the formal dancing, and we are the lead dancers." Paul took Sylvie's arm and led her away. Joe found himself following them with his eyes, and when he turned back to Duncan he was shocked to see a look of pain on his face.

"Duncan, are you all right?" Joe whispered as he grasped Duncan's arm.

Duncan smiled at Joe sadly, "You have guessed my secret my friend, I can see it. Please say nothing, there is nothing to be done. He is my brother." Duncan turned and walked away.

Joe was confused, why was Sylvie marrying a man she clearly did not love? He resolved to pursue this and turned back to search the crowd for his uncle. He was surprised to see Sarabeth Kenner walking towards him. She came to a stop immediately in front of him and held out her hand, "Mr. Cartwright I presume."

Joe took her hand and kissed it, lingering a bit than he had earlier that day. "Ma'am, it's my pleasure." She smiled and arched an eyebrow at him. She began to speak when they were interrupted by a small clanging sound. They turned to see Joe's aunt and uncle, Sylvie and Paul, and another couple standing on the stairs above the crowd. "Friends, friends, I'm glad you were all able to join us this evening. I would like to welcome you all to my house. We celebrate two very special occasions this evening. The first is the engagement of my daughter Sylvie and her fiancee Mr. Paul Beauregard." The couple stepped forward to the applause and Paul bent to gently kiss Sylvie on the cheek. "I would also like to welcome my nephew Joseph Cartwright who has come to visit us from Nevada Territory. We are glad to welcome to our family, we have missed him very much." Joe found himself moving forward to stand next to his uncle. Joe couldn't help but notice that his Aunt Charlotte compressed her lips firmly together, obviously displeased at the attention Joe was receiving on this, her daughter's night.

"Now my friends, Paul and Sylvie will lead us in the first dance of the evening." Everyone opened a passage for Paul and Sylvie to lead everyone into the grand ballroom. As the band began Paul and Sylvie began to dance a beautiful waltz. Joe could not help but admit that they made an attractive couple, but they lacked the fire and passion, the enthusiasm that he was used to seeing when people in love danced.

After the dance was over another song was struck up. Joe suddenly found himself surrounded by pretty girls asking him to dance. He spent the bulk of the evening dancing. He even managed to steal Sarabeth away from Phillipe for several dances. He finished dancing with Sylvie, a lively and entertaining romp, and he decided to steal outside onto the veranda to cool off for a few minutes. As he moved outside he came upon two women speaking softly in the shadows. He eased back behind a column and as he moved away he paused when he heard his own name spoken.

"So how long is this cousin Joseph staying?"

"Francois says for the winter."

"Has he been a problem?"
"No, in fact he's been quite well behaved. I was surprised given what I've heard about his mother. I was expecting more trouble."

As Joe strained to hear more the two women walked away and as they stepped into the light from the ballroom Joe recognized the one woman as his Aunt Charlotte. What did she mean about his mother being trouble? Joe frowned thoughtfully. He would have to pursue this with his Aunt Felicia when they left for her plantation early next week.

He frowned thoughtfully, Joe was certainly getting exposed to a different side of life. Ben tried to shrug off his worries, he had raised Joe with strong values. He just hoped Joe was not seduced by all that wealth. He shrugged and put the letter away for Hoss and Adam to read when they got back from their hunting trip.
 

 Virginia City,15 September

Dear Joe

Hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your trip. I'm sure it has been a big adjustment for you, I know the life must be very different than what you are used to here.

The weather has already turned very cold here—it is going to be an early winter. It has given us some extra time though, to enjoy the fall. Last week, we went to the harvest dinner in town—there was an orchestra and dancing, though no doubt not as fine as the dances you are probably attending. Kate Jurgens was there. She was quite the hit of the dance. She did ask about you, wondered if we had heard from you and what you were doing. I didn't tell her that you are probably finding plenty of female companionship in New Orleans. I hear those French girls are really something else.

Hoss invited me to go hunting with him since you weren't here—we had a wonderful trip. The weather was beautiful and game plentiful. It was nice to be able to finally go with him. Hoss said it was a whole lot quieter, too.

I'm sure you are wondering about Cochise. He is frisky and restless because he needs some work. I was able to get on him for a short time today. I was very surprised, since no one but you is usually able to ride him. Anyway, Hoss and I are taking good care of him for you.

Pa and Hoss say hello. Write soon,

Adam

 Joe's hand shook a little as he held the letter. Adam's letter was very cordial, why did it feel like he had just been kicked in the stomach? He reread it and realized that while Adam was filling him in on the events at home, there was not one word that signified that his family missed him. On the contrary, it looked like life had gone on just fine without him. Adam had even gone on the Annual hunting trip Joe and Hoss always took every fall. Joe bit his lip and scowled. He had asked Adam several times if he wanted to go along, but Adam had always said no, preferring to seek out city comforts. But now Joe wondered if that was the real reason. It sounded like Adam was more than happy to go hunting with Hoss, as long as his kid brother wasn't along.

Joe flopped back on the bed and sighed. He wondered why he and Adam had such a hard time getting along. He didn't think Adam disliked him so much that he would avoid going on a trip if he was along, but maybe he did.

Joe rolled over on his stomach and stretched out on the bed. Everyone in the house was napping in the heat of the day. The ball last night had kept everyone up late, and fatigue was evident on everyone's face at lunch. Joe felt depressed and out of sorts, but there was no one around he could talk to. He was hot and sticky and wondered irritably when it would ever cool off here. He sat up and stripped to his drawers, then splashed some water on his face from the washstand. He felt a little more revived and wandered over to the window. He squinted in the bright sunlight and looked out over the fields of cotton, seeing it as if for the first time. He could see the many field hands, working hard in the blazing sun, picking cotton from endless rows.

It occurred to Joe that at the Ponderosa, his father never asked anyone to do a chore he wouldn't do himself. All of the Cartwrights worked as hard as the hands, harder maybe. How many times had he wished that he could lie in bed in the morning while a ranch hand did his chores? But his father had never permitted that. He told Joe that this was his place, that he must work to keep it, and that no one else would ever care as much about the land as those who owned it. He sighed again and turned back to the bed, dropping himself on it. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, his arms behind his head, thinking of Adam's letter again. He wondered if his family missed him at all. It sounded like Hoss had enjoyed his hunting trip even more than usual, with Adam along, instead of his noisy little brother. Even Cochise didn't miss him, Joe thought sadly. After ruminating on the letter for a while longer, Joe finally drifted off into a restless sleep.

An hour later he was awakened by a soft noise.
"Oh, excuse me Monsieur Joseph, I am so sorry, I was bringing you fresh water... I did not knock loud enough." Claire ducked her head and looked at the floor.

"Hey, that's ok," said Joe sleepily and he smiled at Claire. "Come in!" He suddenly realized he wasn't really dressed and yanked the bedspread up over his legs. He grinned at her. "Now it's my turn to apologize" he said, blushing a bit.

Claire gave him a faint smile and hurried towards the washstand with her pitcher of water. She filled the basin and turned to leave.

"Wait," Joe said, "don't leave." He saw her back stiffen as she paused.

"Yes, suh?" she said. "Is there something else?"

"Uh, yeah", said Joe. "What's the rush?"

Claire studiously avoided looking at Joe. "Because... because that's the way of it. It ain't my place to be talkin' to you."

"What do you mean?" asked Joe, his eyes questioning. "Hey, I'm kinda lonely here, and..."

Claire tensed her hands into fists, and turned away from Joe, her shoulders shaking. She dropped the pitcher with a crash and it shattered on the floor. She cried out then ran from the room.
Joe sat staring after her in disbelief. What had he said? He got up from the bed and silently began picking up the broken shards of the pitcher from the floor. He dropped them in the wastebasket and then began to dress. He decided he would go down to the barn and look for Phillipe and if he didn't find him, he would go for a ride. He smiled to himself as he put on riding clothes. There sure were a lot of different outfits required here, Joe thought. He put on a white linen shirt that opened at the neck and a pair of snug tan riding pants. He had not bought any of the tall black riding boots like he had seen Phillipe wear, so he dug through his luggage until he found his own scuffed boots. They would have to do. Joe grinned at his reflection in the mirror. Oh, if his brothers could see him now, wouldn't they have fun teasing him. The girls at the dance last night appreciated his clothes though, he thought. His natural cheer somewhat restored, Joe left the house and headed for the stables.

He found Phillipe down at the paddock, trying to mount a young and skittish black colt. As Phillipe tried to get near him, and place his foot in the stirrup, the colt sidestepped, snorting and pawing the air.

"Hi, Joe," called Phillipe.

"Hey, looks like you are having a bit of trouble with the colt", Joe said, "been up on him yet?"

"Yeah" said Phillipe, "barely, and he dumped me in the dirt. He's a real devil."

"Mind if I have a try?" Joe asked.

"I don't know, Joe, he's a wild one..." Phillipe said.

"Ah come on, I've rode lots worse than him" said Joe. "Bring him over here". Joe climbed up the split rail fence and perched on the top rail. "Bring him up along side here, yeah, that's it, nice and easy..." Joe began speaking softly to the horse, whose ears were pinned flat against his head. From the top rail, Joe lowered himself into the saddle gently.
"OK, let him go! " Joe said. The horse took off across the paddock, bucking and twisting. Phillipe's heart went to his throat, then he watched amazed, as his younger cousin stuck on the angry horse. Joe was one with the horse, light but strong on the animal's back. The colt twisted and lunged around the enclosure, unable to shake his tenacious rider, and finally exhausted, it settled down to a canter, then a trot.

Joe rode the colt up to Phillipe, grinning. "Told ya."

"That was some riding, Joe! I've never seen anything like it!" Phillipe was clearly impressed with Joe's skills on horseback.

"Well, this damn little saddle sure didn't help." Joe said. "Or these short stirrups, I just can't get used to them." He swung his leg over and jumped to the ground.

"We usually don't ride our horses all at once like that—is that what you do with all your horses on the ranch? We get them used to us real slowly" Phillipe asked, as they led the colt back to the barn.

"We have to break so many, we can't do it all gradual. I've been breaking horses since I was twelve, been dumped lotsa times, but this is how we do it." Joe said. "Hey, how about going for a real ride? The only one I've taken since I've been here was with Jacques in the saddle with me, so I couldn't really put my horse through his paces. Let's see if your thoroughbreds are as fast as Ponderosa stock".

"Okay" said Phillipe, "It will give me a chance to show you some of Rivieux Rouge, too."

Joe and Phillipe saddled their mounts and raced off along the fields. They whooped and yelled as they raced, and Joe enjoyed the feeling of the air rushing into his face, the strength and speed of the mount under him. It was great to be on horseback again, he hadn't realized how much he missed it. They finally slowed their horses to a more sedate pace and as they rode, Phillipe talked about the plantation and cotton. Joe was interested to learn more about the business of running a plantation. It was actually quite similar to some of the ranch business, he thought. Phillipe was actually just starting to take a hand in running the plantation, as he had been away in New Orleans at school until this summer.

Joe sighed and said "I'm sorry for you, I can't imagine going to school until I was twenty."

"When did you leave school, Joe" Phillipe asked. "Didn't your father want you to go to a university?"
Joe rolled his eyes. "Well, he might have, but I sure didn't want to. I left school when I was almost sixteen, and that was three years too late as far as I was concerned."

As they rode to the edge of the field, they passed by a number of ramshackle buildings, which looked as if a strong wind would blow them into a pile of tinder. Small children played in the dirt, their clothes little better than rags.

Joe stared. Phillipe noticed Joe's reaction and said "This is the slave quarters."

Joe swallowed hard. "Your servants live here?" He asked quietly.

"Not servants, Joe, they are just field hands." Phillipe said casually. "Don't you have hands on the Ponderosa?"

"Yeah, yeah we do" said Joe, thinking of the neat bunkhouse most of them stayed in. Others had small houses on the ranch where they lived with their families. He didn't know what to say to Phillipe without offending him. So he said nothing and rode by. But the images stayed in his mind, he couldn't forget them.

He decided to change the subject and asked Phillipe about Claire. He told him of Claire's reaction to his request for companionship and conversation earlier in the afternoon.

Phillipe laughed. "Joe, I don't think she thought you wanted to um, just talk!"

Joe stared at Phillipe incredulously. "I never said anything else! God, Phillipe, I barely know her!"

"It doesn't matter, Joe... she is yours if you want her to be, you know. And she knows that too." Phillipe shrugged.

Joe felt color rush to his face and he snapped at his cousin "that was never my intention, Phillipe!"
 "Hey, Joe calm down, I thought you'd be pleased. She's a pretty girl, even if she is a slave." Phillipe said. "Hey, lots of men here have slave girls, even their wives know about it. Some of the kids here are related to some of the planters, I guess. It's just how it is, it's always been that way.".

Joe felt sick. No wonder Claire had been afraid of him. She thought he, she thought... Joe couldn't even imagine treating a woman that way. He knew he was kind of wild and fast, but he also knew he would never act so dishonorably and force himself on a woman who didn't want him.

He finished the rest of the ride in relative silence, and quickly unsaddled his horse. He wanted to go to the house and find Claire and apologize to her. He felt terribly about what had happened.

Phillipe, as if sensing what was on Joe's mind, grabbed his cousin's arm. "Joe... forget it. You can't get upset over this. It's how things are here. You can't change it. Leave it alone, okay? No good will come of it. Dinner will be ready soon, I suggest you get cleaned up for it."

Joe yanked his arm out of Phillipe's grip and scowled, his jaw set, his eyes showing the anger he felt. But he said "fine, Phillipe, fine if that's what you want." If Phillipe had known Joe better, he would have recognized that the stubborn set to Joe's jaw meant trouble.

Joe went up the back stairs, as he saw his Aunt Charlotte near the front stairs, and he just was not in the mood to encounter her. As he turned the corner at the top of the stairs he saw Claire, carrying a basket of laundry.

"Claire!" Joe called out. "Hey, Claire!" He dashed down the hall after her.

"What, suh? What do you want?" Claire looked at him with her large dark eyes and Joe was struck by how pretty she was.

Breathless, Joe said "Claire, I um, I need to talk to you about this afternoon... I mean, I am really sorry that you thought... that I... I would never do that, I just wanted you to know" Joe's words tumbled out.

Claire looked at him, really looked at him for the first time. She couldn't believe her ears. Who was this boy? He sure was acting like no other white man she had ever known. Her eyes searched his face and saw only sincerity there.

"You're making fun of me, suh" Claire finally said.

"No, no!" Joe insisted. "And stop calling me sir... I ain't your boss". He grinned at her suddenly.
Claire smiled in spite of herself. His grin was so infectious.

Joe said "That's better. You know, you are real pretty when you smile. Hey, really, I am sorry about earlier. I didn't mean anything by it... I hope you'll forgive me."

Claire stared at Joe, dumbstruck. He was APOLOGISING to her? Asking for her forgiveness? She snorted. "Well, this must be the day to end all days. A white man apologizing to me. Humph."

Joe looked at her strangely. "Is there some reason I shouldn't?"

"You really don't know, do you boy? Well, if you are gonna live round here, you better understand and understand good. People like me, we ain't humans. We ain't worth apologizing to. Least ways, that's what we are always told." Claire tilted her head defiantly, as if daring Joe to argue with her.

Joe didn't know what to say. "Claire... " He said helplessly.

"Dinner is served, you better get down there afore your aunt comes up here and finds you talking to me. There will be all hell to pay if she does, and not just for me. Now get." Claire turned and walked down the hall, leaving Joe staring after her.

Rivieux Rouge

October 1

Dear Pa, Hoss and Adam:

Sorry I've been so long in writing. Things here have been very exciting the last two weeks. The ball was a huge success and I met many wonderful people. But the most exciting news is that I am working with Phillipe in his horse training business. He needed a lot of help to get ready for the big horse show that was held in town yesterday.

The training here is very different. The horses are trained to do things other than herding. They are taught not only to trot and gallop but you also teach them to jump fences and other small obstacles. Phillipe asked me to help him break and train all his new horses.

Well, one of the horses is an Arabian and I broke and trained him in two weeks. It was amazing. I worked with him the last two weeks non-stop and Phillipe suggested I enter him in the show. There were three events for the men and two for the women. The Arabian, Midnight, and I won the jumping and the obstacle competitions, Phillipe won the race and Sylvie won the women's jumping competition.

Uncle Francois was so proud of all of us. We celebrated last night with a barbecue and invited most of the neighbors. There was a small band and we danced 'til past midnight. Phillipe and I had a long talk afterwards and we've decided to go partners on the horse training business. With the money we won at the show we have enough to buy some more stock and get into more breeding. Uncle Francois and Phillipe presented me with Midnight and he'll be the lead sire of our new herd.

Aunt Felicia and I leave tomorrow to go to Belle Mer for a visit. She has a number of my mother's things from school and I can't wait to get there and see what she has. The plantation is just outside New Orleans so I'm hoping to get to see a bit more of the city.

I am enclosing a copy of the picture that was taken of Phillipe, Jacques, Uncle Francois and myself at the ball.

Your son,

Joe The letter arrived with the mail and Ben opened it eagerly. It had been weeks since they had heard from Little Joe. Hoss and Adam were watching his face, waiting to hear what Joe had to say. Ben silently passed the letter to Adam, who held it up so Hoss could read it over his shoulder. Ben slowly pulled the photograph out from between the two pieces of still paper. Hoss and Adam came around the table to look over his shoulder at the picture.

Ben's eyes were riveted on his youngest son's face. Joe was beautifully dressed in formal evening clothes. Ben knew he hadn't purchased anything like that for Joe during their time together in New Orleans. It must have come from Francois. Joe looked very happy and relaxed, shoulder to shoulder with his cousin, both standing behind his uncle, Joe's hand resting affectionately on his uncle's shoulder. Ben thought of the business Joe had entered into with his cousin. Breeding horses wasn't a business you entered into for a winter visit. His heart ached for his son.

Adam stared in amazement at the young child sitting on the older man's lap. The little boy was the spitting image of Joe at that same age. Adam remembered Little Joe coming to him at night for stories and cuddling when he was just five years old. Suddenly Adam felt a fierce longing for his baby brother. He missed Joe's chatter, his bubbly bouncy personality. Things had seemed so quiet around the house these last few weeks. When he and Hoss were on their camping trip they had often found themselves recounting stories of Joe on previous trips.

Hoss was gaping at the picture, astonished at the almost mirror image of Joe, standing at his brother's side. For only a brief moment he hadn't been sure which person was Joe and which was his cousin Phillipe. Then he realized that Joe was more muscular than his cousin, who was leaner and a tiny bit shorter. He studied the picture carefully and realized what was bothering him: Joe, his cousins and his uncle looked like a family. The resemblance was extraordinary, it was like seeing Joe at four different ages all in one picture. He glanced over at the picture of himself, his father and brothers taken the year before. He couldn't see any resemblance. Suddenly Hoss was sadder than he could ever remember being, he didn't think Joe would be coming home again.****************************************

Joe was seated in the very carriage that had brought him to Rivieux Rouge chatting amiably with his aunt. Funny how in only a month he had so completely adapted to the sweltering heat. He was perfectly comfortable and slouched comfortably in his seat.

Felicia was enchanted with her young nephew. Their weeks at Rivieux Rouge had been among the most enjoyable in years. She had enjoyed watching Joe get to know his cousins. She was proud at how well Joe had fit into their society. She had secretly harbored some concerns about Joe, given what had happened with his mother. But Joe had risen to the occasion. A number of mothers had come to her after the barbecue, inquiring about the prospects of young Joseph. Felicia found herself considering her nephew in a whole new light, potential heir to Belle Mer. This would give him his own property and business when she passed on, and he could manage it for her until then. She smiled to herself, time enough for that.

"Aunt Felicia, how long have you lived at Belle Mer?" Joe was curious about his aunt's life. He knew she had been married but her husband had died a number of years ago. She had no children, which he thought was very sad, she was a wonderful person. The more time Joe spent with his aunt, the more memories were stirred of his mother. He remembered his last birthday with his mother, they had been out at the lake, near where her grave was now located.

"I went to Belle Mer when I was just 18, I had married my husband and joined him there."

"How old were you when you two met?"

"I was 18, I met him about six months before we were to be married."

Joe frowned, something was odd about the way she had spoken, "Was it love at first sight?"

"Mais non," Felicia briefly lapsed into French as she smiled in amusement. "My marriage was arranged. It was the joining of two great plantations. My father had arranged it with Jean when they met for business. Jean's wife had passed away the year before and he wanted a new wife to bear him children."

Joe was horrified. "You mean you didn't love him? Ever?"

"Joe that is not how things are done. I grew to love Jean, in my own way. We were happy for the few years we had together."

"Do you ever think of marrying again?" Joe asked brightly. His father after all had found love not once but three times.

Felicia thoughtfully tapped her chin. She had once thought she was in love, but the man would not have been deemed suitable in society, he had in fact been her overseer. Once her father had passed on she had found herself unwilling to seek out other men.

"No Joseph, I never have."
"So you live alone?" Joe tried to imagine living alone. He had gone on trips alone before but somehow he had never truly felt alone. At the start and end of every trip he had always had his father and brothers. On this trip he had found a whole new family and had been so busy getting used to these new relatives he hadn't had time to be lonely or miss his father and brothers, at least not too much.

"Well, not exactly. I do have your Great Uncle Lucien staying with me."

"Who," Joe looked astonished. Another relative he had not heard of, how many more could there be?

"Your great uncle Lucien, he was your mother and my uncle, our father's younger brother. He moved into Belle Mer about ten years ago."

"Doesn't he have his own home, his own family?"

"No Joe, he doesn't. Uncle Lucien chose not to marry the woman selected for him by his family. Instead he married a most unsuitable woman. She died many years ago and he drifted from place to place. He came to me ten years ago and I took him in. He's a harmless old man." She began to say more but stopped herself. Felicia resolved to keep Joe away from her uncle as best she could. There were too many things that she and Francois had agreed should be kept from Joe. Glancing out the window she smiled gaily, "Ah Joe here we are, Belle Mer."

The carriage drew up outside the house and Joe climbed down and assisted his Aunt from the carriage. As he turned around his mouth dropped open and he gazed in awe at the house. It was huge, even bigger than Rivieux Rouge. Trees draped in Spanish moss surrounded the house. The house itself stood four stories tall and had columns stretching from the first floor to the roof. Joe was awed, all that house for just one person. "Aunt Felicia," he gasped. He couldn't say anymore.

"Do you like it Joe?" Felicia couldn't help but be pleased at Joe's reaction.
"It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It looks like someplace a king would live."

"A king or at the very least a fine young prince, heir to the throne." A voice came from behind one of the columns.

Joe peered into the shady porch, and saw an old man seated in a large white rocking chair. The man was immaculately dressed in a white suit with a black tie. The man's head was covered in curly white hair, his face lined with wrinkles. His faded green eyes were surrounded with deep lines, from many years squinting in the sun.

"How do you do sir?" Joe advanced with his hand outstretched, "Joseph Cartwright sir."

"Lucien son, Lucien DesVries, you must Marie's boy." Lucien peered up at Joe and slowly rose to his feet. He put his arms out to embrace his niece. "Felicia my dear, welcome home."

"Bonjour Uncle Lucien. How have you been?"

"Just fine my dear, though feeling a bit stranded here. No one to go into the Swamp with." Lucien smiled wickedly at his niece and she found herself returning his smile.

"Uncle Lucien you are wicked. Now let's take young Joe here on his tour."
The rest of the day was spent touring Belle Mer's house and surrounding grounds. Joe was amazed at the number of rooms in the house. He had his own suite with the largest bed he had ever seen in it. He had his own bedroom, a sitting room and a study. Once he had seen the house and stables it was time for dinner. He, his aunt and great uncle had a cordial dinner and Joe retired to his room.

A tap came at his door as he was sitting in front of the desk, looking at a blank sheet of paper. He was trying to compose a letter to Kate and Lance back home. "Come in."

Joe turned and saw Daisy standing in the doorway. "Just came to check on you child. You got everything you need?"

"Yes Daisy, thank you." Joe smiled at her brightly.

"Child, every time I see that smile of yours I think of your mama. She was the happiest child I ever did see."

"You knew my mother well Daisy?" Joe looked hopeful, he had been with his family for over a month and he still had not learned much more about his mother.

"Child, I was the second woman in this world to see your mama, five minutes after she was born the midwife handed her to me and I gave her her first bath. She was the sweetest baby, gurgling and laughing."

"Daisy, what did she like to do when she was little?" Joe figured he could get Daisy to tell him everything if he asked enough innocent questions.

Daisy thought for a moment, "She loved mischief more than anything, she was curious and wanted to see and explore everywhere. You couldn't turn your back a minute before she'd be into trouble."

"Like what?" Joe straightened in his chair.

"Child, that girl got into everything, from climbing out the window to go sleep in the barn with her favorite horse when it was sick, to putting glue in her brother's boots so they got stuck on his feet."
Joe laughed heartily. "I bet Uncle Francois was mad."

"He was furious, but your grandfather could never stay mad at your mother long. Not then anyway." Daisy's smile faded and she shuffled back to the door. "You sleep well child."

Joe leaned back in his chair. He had learned something. He smiled remembering the times he had snuck out the window and he remembered doing the same thing with glue to Hoss, boy he was hopping mad. Pa could never stay mad at him. His own smile faded, things had changed. His father and brothers didn't seem to even miss him, their lives were moving on without him.

Aunt Felicia had received a message to go see her solicitor the next morning and she told Joe about it over breakfast. "It's just business Joe. I have been away for a while. Can you keep yourself occupied?"

"Yes Ma'am." Joe nodded, he was looking forward to exploring the grounds around the plantation.

"I'll be in late this evening, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Daisy is looking for your mother's trunk. She'll get it to you tonight or tomorrow morning. Good bye dear." Felicia rose as her butler came into the room. She bent and kissed Joe's cheek affectionately and ruffled the curls on his forehead. He smiled at her and she swept out.

Joe sat idly stirring his coffee wondering where to start when his Great Uncle tottered into the room. "Joseph, what are you up to today?"

"Nothing special sir."

"Well then my boy perhaps