"So were you able to get some rest?" Adam called out as he rode up to Joe's homestead.

"Yes, thank you," Joe answered, planting his axe into a nearby stump. "As soon as Asher got a hold of that horse he fell fast asleep. I'm much obliged to you and your boys for helping me out last night Adam. I must have been a sight to be seen."

"I've seen you look worse brother," Adam laughed.

Joe let out a great laugh, "Yes, I suppose you have. So what brings you by?"

"There were some questions I have about what occurred last night. Wondering if I might speak to EJ and hopefully clear up some suspicions Evvy and I have."

"Suspicions? About what?"

Adam relayed the conversation he had with Evelyn about his sons' choppy explanation. After hearing his brother out, he called for EJ.

"Yah, Pa?" EJ responded as he approached the wood pile where his father and uncle stood.

"Son, your uncle has some questions to ask you about Asher's toy horse."

EJ's heart began to race. Had Morgan and Jake ratted him out? He nervously faced Adam bracing himself for the inquisition.

"EJ, when you were at my place yesterday did you watch over Asher?"

"Yes sir."

"Were the two of you in the kitchen at all?"

"No sir," he answered slowly.

"Did you play in the house or outside?"

"Outside."

"Where outside did you play?"

Suddenly silent, EJ looked at the ground and kicked the dirt with his foot.

"Son, answer your uncle," commanded Joe.

"Along the side of the house," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the men.

"In the tree house?" enquired Adam.

EJ nodded his head yes.

Before Adam could ask another question, Joe held up his hand stopping him. "Hang on a minute! You took Asher up to the tree house after I specifically told you that it was off limits?" he huffed.

"Yes Pa."

Joe took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. He was quiet for a minute until something dawned on him. "You've known all along," he began. "You let your baby brother cry and carry on this whole time knowing where that blasted horse was, didn't you?"

"Sorta."

"What do you mean 'sorta'?" Joe barked.

"Well I kinda figured it was there, but I didn't know fer sure," the boy managed to say.

Joe slammed his hat down on the ground, stepping closer to his son. Before he could verbally explode, he felt a hand on his shoulder stopping him. Adam had seen Joe's breaking point often enough and knew he needed a chance to calm down before he could handle things rationally. The Cartwrights were a loving and compassionate family, but they did have tempers. "EJ, were Morgan and Jake in the tree house with you?" Adam asked.

"Yes, Uncle Adam," responded EJ, tears now welling up in his eyes.

"I see," said Adam, "and did they know the tree house was off limits for Asher?"

EJ nodded his head yes.

"Ethan, get on up to your room," Joe ordered having heard enough. "MOVE!" he added sharply making EJ turn and bolt into the house. "I can't believe it, Adam! I can't believe he let Asher cry himself hoarse just to save his backside."

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh little brother?"

"Come again?" Joe questioned defensively, shooting his brother a dirty look.

"I recall another little boy who used to lie like a rug in order to get out of one of Pa's 'talking to's'. Do you remember the Widow Wardell's cat?"

"How could I forget? Its fur never did grow back," Joe chuckled. "I told Pa the thing had leprosy. Boy was he ever sore!"

"So were you," Adam snickered.

"Yah, I guess I did try to save my skin on occasion with a tall tale or two."

"On occasion?" laughed Adam as the pair walked to his horse.

"So you headed home?" Joe asked before Adam mounted his ride.

"Yep. I have two little co-conspirators to deal with before heading into town to pick up that shipment of barbed wire."

"I'm sorry your boys got dragged into this mess," Joe apologized.

"Morgan and Jacob knew it was off limits for Asher, Joe and they need to be held accountable for their actions."

"The ole 'he's made his bed now he needs to lie in it' philosophy eh? Pa favoured that one. When it was time to lie in my bed though, it was always on my stomach," laughed Joe.

"Me too," winked Adam as he rode away.