Chapter 4

The ride home had been frosty, the tension palpable between the boys.

Adam didn't know why Hoss was sore at him and just then he didn't rightly care. It was his only night off. He could have been over at the silver dollar drinking beer and having a laugh with the ranch hands but chose to help his brother out, going to the party hosted by one of the worst brats in Virginia city.

And this is the thanks he gets, Hoss sore at him for no reason.

Hoss wasn't actually sore at Adam, not really. He was more angry at himself for the preconceived ideas he'd had about the party. He foolishly imagined that she'd take his arm and show him round, that they'd share a dance, that he'd go and bring her a glass of punch like he'd seen Adam do at many an evening on the Ponderosa.

Why did she invite him anyway, he thought she liked him but he spent the evening serving her friends. She didn't speak two words to him all night only to bark orders.

~0~

As soon as they arrived at the house Ben was on his feet.

That stopped Hoss short.

" Well how did it go," Ben smiled.

Hoss gave him a weak smile in return.

"It was great Pa, we had games and cake and the lady got herself a fine carriage for a birthday present,"

"Did you get to dance with the lady," Ben's smile was even broader.

Hoss nodded trying to check his welling emotions.

"Yep we danced, she's a fine dancer pa."

Ben nodded, with a satisfied grin.

"You're probably stuffed after all that cake but Hop Sing has some shepherds pie. Its in the oven in case you're hungry."

"Ye know pa I think I'll just turn in, I'm bushed. Good night." Hoss turned for the stairs, the smile still fixed on his face.

Adam watched him go with a frown. His eyes then followed Ben as he went to the decanter to pour himself another whisky.

~0~

Hoss was lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He wished fervently that he could go back to the times when all he cared about was playing bank robbers with Joe and Hop Sing making that meringue cake he liked so much.

Since last summer things had changed. He thought about girls a lot and they weren't thoughts he cared to share with anybody. They were sinful thoughts and he was plagued with guilt but couldn't seem to help himself. Adam would be so shocked if he knew, his father would surely tan him within an inch of his life. His father was always quoting the bible, what would he do if he knew he had a depraved fiend for a son. Hoss frowned miserably to himself. He jumped slightly at the sudden knock on the door.

"OK, you hate me, I get it but don't starve. I may need you when you're older to help with the branding."

Adam walked in with a tray bearing a glass of milk, a plate of shepherds pie and a cookie.

"I don't hate ye," Hoss told him, as he sat up.

Adam sat on the edge of the bed accessing his younger brother. He ruffled his hair as Hoss stared back at him.

"Penny for your thoughts," He grinned.

Hoss couldn't help it, his face creased up and large tears began rolling down his cheeks. He tried to cover his face as Adam hugged him close.

"I'm always crying," He mumbled into his brothers shoulder.

"That's OK." Adams voice was gentle.

"Damn near cry more than little Joe."

"Joe doesn't cry, he screams, goes through my head sometimes," Adam said.

Hoss laughed a little at that despite his tears.

"it's been a long day, we got nothing to eat except bread rolls. I never seen people to pack away a meal so fast. Don't they have food at home," Adam grinned.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw the empty plates, I was starving," Hoss gave a weak smile.

"By the way," Adam was suddenly serious, "Avoid Joe for a while, he's just learnt that we didn't bring back any cake."

"I've a spare rib bone in my saddle bag, he can have that."

"Hoss why didn't you tell me, I could have had that on the way home."

The boys laughed together and Hoss began to feel better. They didn't notice the bedroom door open quietly.

"is everything alright," Ben asked, looking anxiously at Hoss.

"Everything's fine Pa, it was just a long day." Adam told him. Hoss smiled his agreement.

"OK, well then, I'll leave you to it," with a rather uncertain nod Ben headed back downstairs.

Both boys were silent for a moment then Adam recovered himself. He handed the plate over to Hoss with a fork.

"Now eat this and get to bed, we have to be up early for church tomorrow."

Adam got up and headed for the door.

"Adam...thanks."

Adam smiled back at him and headed off to his own room.

~0~

He was tired out and felt sure he would sleep the minute his head hit the pillow. And he would have too but for a suspicious looking mound in the middle of his quilt. He sat quietly on the side of his bed and delivered a firm slap to the protruding mounds bum. The mound whimpered and seconds later Joe's curly head emerged from the top of the quilt.

"That hurt." Joe frowned. His indignant little face made Adam hide a smile.

"Good," Adam tried to be firm. "Now get back to your own room."

Joe waded out of the large bed and headed for the door.

Adam turned his back on him and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Joe stopped at the door his bottom lip beginning to tremble.

"Adam...do you know, the Jedda Man." He whimpered.

"He comes at night to fetch bad children. He makes them work in his mine, in the dark,"

"What have I told you about reading them penny dreadful stories, " Adam told him sternly.

Joe looked to the floor.

"Go to your room, use the pot," Adam told him, with a sigh of resignation.

Joe's face lit up as he hurried to his room. He used the necessary, grabbed his tattered horse and returned to crawl in beside Adam. The pair were asleep within minutes.

~0~

All was well between the brothers despite Adam having to call Hoss to attention many times during their working hours. He would stand in a world of his own, the barn brush moving back and forth slowly sweeping nothing.

Adam took a devilish pleasure in shouting his name suddenly making the boy jump to attention.

"You are never going to finish that before school now come on, we'll not get any breakfast at this rate."

Hoss nodded apologetically and continued at a better speed.

All ran smoothly until one day soon after, Adam ran up to his room to fetch a new book. As he descended he began walking slowly as he caught sight of a figure standing alone in the great room. She was wearing a fawn fur coat and matching hat and wore a simpering smile which gave Adam an illogical desire to push her in a mud puddle.

"Hello Adam," She smiled walking over.

"What are you reading?"

"Moby Dick, I've only just started it." He answered with strained civility.

Adam went to the chair beside the fire and sat down to read.

"Hoss should be along in a minute, why don't you sit over here by the fire and wait." He called over to her.

She went over and perched herself on the arm of his chair gazing down at him. Adam stared up in surprise.

"I'm glad you came to my party, I so wanted you to come," She smiled.

She reached out a hand to stroke his dark hair but voices upstairs called her attention away and she went to stand at the foot of the stairs.

Bens voice could be heard on the landing.

"There's a young lady here begs to ask you a question Hoss."

Mildred smiled innocently as Hoss stood uncertainly to face her.

"Hoss would you like to come ride in my carriage," She smiled.

"Would I?" Hoss's face lit up.

"Hot dog!"

Mildred turned to Ben.

"It's all in order sir, my nurse is in the carriage, she will be coming with us."

"Well that all seems fine then," Ben patted her arm.

"Can I pa?" Hoss beamed up at him.

"You run along, enjoy yourself."

Encouraged by the invitation Hoss boldly held out his arm and grinned broadly as Mildred took it. Ben chuckled proudly as they headed out but Adam didn't miss the look she gave him as they waved goodbye from the carriage.

Poor Hoss smiled away oblivious to it.

Adam shook his head as he headed back to the house.

He would have to have a talk with him. That girl is trouble.