Chapter 2

Adam tore out of the barn after the little boy. At first he thought he was hearing things , childlike whimpering at this hour of the night but then a little ghost in a faded striped nightshirt passed the barn door at speed. Joe sure could run and it took Adam a good minute to catch the child and scoop him up.

"Horses, horses. They're gonna run us over," the child shrieked, struggling in Adam's arms.

"There's no horses Joe, calm down." Adam shook him slightly until he came awake staring up into his brothers face.

"Adam, the horses," Joe repeated weakly.

"There's no horses Joe," Adam told him, putting a hand to the child's forehead . He was burning hot, sweat running tiny rivers down his red speckled skin.

"Where am I, it's dark, why is it dark" Joe asked fearfully as he looked around.

"You're oK Joe, we're out in the yard."

Adam carried the child into the house. He sighed heavily as he noticed Ben asleep at his desk a half empty bottle of whisky beside him. Adam had told Hoss the day before that Ben would not be pleased to know he had been fighting but truth was Ben didn't notice much of anything anymore. The day Marie was taken from them something seemed to die in their father too. Adam worried that he wouldn't come back from this. Her death seemed to be one final blow that Ben couldn't seem to emerge from.

Adam didn't get into it with him, he heaved a sigh and carried the child back up to his room.

"Now youngin," Adam smiled as he tucked Joe back in bed.

"No more penny dreadful stories for you."

He took a rag from the bowl on the table beside Joe's bed, squeezed out extra water and put it to the boys forehead.

"Adam, will you stay a while?" He asked with some trepidation.

Adam smiled " sure, will I read you a story?"

Joe scrunched up his little face. "A story? I'm too old for stories."

"What about the story of Samson and Delilah, I like that one."

Joe's eyes lit up at the mention of his favourite bible story, but he caught himself and pretended to think a minute.

"Well yeah maybe, if YOU want to hear it."

Adam picked up the tattered horse from the floor that used to belong to him and stuck it in beside Joe, then he began to read. Joe settled down happily his flushed face looking less angry with spots.

~0~

The following day Adam was in town getting supplies, he brought Hoss along for company. Adam was going by a list, Hoss wanted everything that wasn't nailed down.

"Adam look, cherry pie, Hope Sing could serve this after supper. Please Adam."

"Hoss, I'm trying to think." Adam studied the list.

Charlie had asked for brackets to build shelves in the bunk house; Adam had to choose between three in stock. He was stumped on which size and was sorry he didn't ask to see the size of the shelves going up.

"What about this apple pie Adam, it's only small, please Adam."

Adam went to the counter.

"Hank, give me one of those toffee apples will ye and put it on our bill."

Adam handed the apple over to a smiling Hoss and marched him out of the store.

"Now just stand here." He steered him a little away from the front entrance. Hoss had started nibbling on the toffee crust.

"Hoss, look at me,"

The twelve year old looked up, his face sticky already.

"Stay," Adam pointed as he backed into the store with his list.

~0~

Hoss was thoroughly enjoying his treat, scraping his teeth along the delicious toffee frosting until a familiar figure appeared at the foot of the steps. Although Mr Campbell, his wife and Gregory trooped up to the mercantile Hoss only had eyes for one person. She was wearing a shimmering green dress and her hair was all shiny like she'd just washed it and her face made Hoss's heart leap inside his chest. The toffee apple went to the floor.

"Hello miss Mildred, nice day ain't it?" Hoss smiled, his face sticky with toffee.

Mildred sniffed and walked in as her father held the door open for her.

Hoss watched her go feeling tears sting the back of his eyes.

Inside, Adam was sorry he had asked the ranch hands anything. Zak wanted nails but didn't tell Adam what he was mending. What good was that. He could be buying six inch nails to hang a picture for all he knew. He decided on buying a few of both. Nails will always be used, he might even use them himself if Zak didn't want them.

"Hello Adam." She smiled up at him.

Adam looked around to see who she was talking to even as she used his name.

"Hello," He finally said as he ran through his list one last time. 'If they would just be a little more specific in what they're looking for life would go much easier.' he told himself. 'next time they can come get the stuff themselves.'

"Are you going to the Spring dance?"

This little girl was talking to him again. He looked down at her doll like face.

"I don't know." He shook his head as he went to the counter.

"Put it on our account Hank,' he said.

Hank scratched his bristled chin. "Adam..."

"I'll send my father in to settle up this week," Adam put in quickly.

"That's fine Adam," Hank smiled. He knew the family and knew Ben would be along once his boy talked to him. Can't be easy for him, three boys, no woman.

"I would be glad to settle this bill," Mr Campbell announced.

Heads turned as his voice carried down to the women who had just entered.

"There are a few trifling chores need doing around my home, painting and such. Business matters rarely give me time for such things. Perhaps you could oblige."

Adam thought of his father and the bottle of whisky.

He opened his mouth to accept the mans offer but Hank was there first.

"Ben will be along, never known him not to stop by. Come on boy, I'll help you with this load."

Hank grabbed a handful of Adams purchases and headed out of the store, Adam following behind.

Once they were outside Hoss took the load from Hank and headed to the backboard with it. Adam thanked him and turned to leave.

"Adam, take nothing from that man. He'd work you into the ground for those few bits you bought. Your father will be along, it just slipped his mind, I guarantee. He ain't never winched on a debt and he ain't about to start now."

"Thanks Mr Peters, I'll remind him." Adam nodded.

~0~

Adam was about to turn the team out onto the road when a small figure in green ran across startling the horses.

Adam held tight the reigns trying to control the skittish animals.

"Be careful, " he barked at her.

The girl gave a simpering smile and walked around to address Hoss.

"Would you like to come to my birthday Horse." She asked.

"Would I?" Hoss beamed all over his face.

"His name is Hoss." Adam corrected sternly.

"And perhaps you can come too Adam, he will need someone to drive him there and back."

Hoss looked to Adam, his eyes pleading.

"I will expect you on Saturday at three, don't be late."

She flounced off then knowing well that, that silly boy called Horse would definitely come. But would his older brother. She hoped fervently that he would. How good would she look taking the arm of a handsome seventeen year old. Katie Prince would be so jealous. How she behaved at this party would be crucial to success.