Author's note: Thank you so much everyone who does review. Just to be clear this is NO SPANKING or disciplining in this chapter so if the only reason you are looking at this chapter is for that then you are going to be disappointed. Everyone else please enjoy and let me know what you think.
Whilst Will was disciplining the boys at the lake, Michael Willis rode into Virginia City.
Michael Willis looked around and spotting the Bucket of Blood Saloon, he rode over and dismounted and after tying up his horse securely to the rail he headed in.
"Barkeep, I'll take a beer please"
Josh the barkeeper looked up at the stranger who had just walked in the saloon doors. Josh had been drying up a set of glasses and putting the one he had just dried down, he address the stranger.
"Certainly sir" and he pulled the strange man a pint of his finest beer.
"You travelled far stranger?" he said putting the beer down on the bar and collecting the money placed there.
"Thank you for the beer . Yes, yes I have been travelling for days, I'm looking for somewhere to stay. I've spent quite a few nights sleeping outside and I'm craving a hot bath and a soft bed, can you recommend anywhere in town?"
"Oh yes sir, the International Hotel should be able to fix you up. It's down the street past the livery and there's a bath house over the road from the hotel, as well as a barber should you want a hot shave."
Michael nodded, "That would be real nice to get a hot shave." he said supping his beer. Just then one of the towns two deputies entered the saloon and approached the bar at the other end of where Michael stood.
"Howdy, Jacob", said Josh "What can I get you?".
"Howdy Josh, I'm on duty thank you so I'll not take you up on a beer. Everything OK in here today?" Jacob enquired.
"Sure Jacob, been quiet today, just the regulars dropping in whilst their in town. Only person I don't know, who's come in, is that young man at the other end of the bar. Seems a likeable fellow, he's been travelling a few days and wanted a beer and to find out where to find a bed for the night."
"Hmm, looks like he's wearing two guns I hope he's not looking for trouble." said Deputy Jacob.
"No I don't think so Jacob, he's not been swaggering about and the trouble makers have a different kinda look in there eye. Trust me, I seen it all over the years." Josh said.
"I just bet you have Josh, mind if I ask him a few questions though?"
"Nah, I think he'll be OK answering your questions Jacob, bet you a beer that after you talk to him your fears will be gone".
"OK done" agreed Jacob said the deputy shaking Josh's hand.
Jacob walked down the other end of the bar, his hands resting down by his sides near his gun, but he approached slowly so as to not make the stranger too wary. "Howdy stranger".
"Well howdy deputy" said Michael.
"You planning on staying in town long sir?"
" Couple of nights I guess, why deputy is there a problem?" asked Michael warily.
"No, no problem", said the deputy keeping a little distance just in case the stranger took it upon himself to draw his gun. "I'm just looking at your guns, we don't get many strangers in town and those that wear more than one gun usually gonna cause trouble. Your not looking to do that are you?"
"Oh no sir, if it bothers you or is breaking any town ordnance I'd be happy for you to keep my spare gun safe whilst I was in town." said Michael slowly unclasping his left handed holster in full view of the deputy and then reaching into it and removing the gun carefully with his fingers so the deputy wouldn't feel threatened. "Here deputy, you wanna take it now?" he said holding the gun out away from his body with only his thumb and forefinger on the handle.
Jacob looked at Josh and saw him smile in an 'I told you so' way. With a slight nod of his head towards Josh he acknowledged that Josh was correct in his assessment and he would pay his bet later. It seemed to Jacob that Josh's feelings were correct he certainly felt that the stranger before him didn't have that menacing manner about him.
The deputy accepted the held out gun, before checking it and seeing that it still had it's safety on and he handed it back to the stranger. "No I don't think I need to keep it young man, you seem to be sensible enough, don't go and misplace my trust now you hear?"
"Sure thing deputy, thank you." said Michael accepting his gun back and returning it to his holster. "Can I buy you a drink deputy?"
"No, thank you young sir, I gotta be making my rounds now." said Jacob nodding to Josh the barkeeper before starting to walk away.
"Actually deputy, before you go I was wondering if I might have a word", said Michael.
"OK, well why don't we take seat over there then", said the deputy pointing to a nearby table.
The two men walked to the table and sat down opposite each other. "What can I help you with young man" said Jacob.
"Names Michael Willis sir." said Michael reaching out his hand. Jacob shook the outstretched hand and sat back in his chair. "Well deputy", began Michael. "On my way through the territory I heard some gunfire, it sounded kinda spaced out you know, not like hunting, more like target shooting. Anyway I thought I'd check it out and I rode in the direction I thought it was coming from and ended up at a large lake about an hours ride away from town.
I came upon 3 young boys, they was fishing at the time I arrived. They were acting a bit shifty and nervous, when I enquired as to if they had been up to anything other than fishing. They claimed to have been there all afternoon but they had only caught a few fish each. It could be that the fish just weren't biting, but they seemed awful nervous when I questioned them. Now deputy, I remember being young and boys will be boys an' all, but I wouldn't want 'em to think it's OK to be playing with guns. I kinda had a quick look around whilst they were in the lake and I didn't see anything including a gun but they mighta hidden one if they'd snuck it out."
"Oh yes, can you describe these young'uns?" said the deputy, his interest piqued.
"Well I'd say they were about 12 / 13 years old. I got some Christian names out of 'em, but I don't know if they were their real names. Tom, Ed and Hoss they called themselves."
"The one called Hoss a big looking lad?"
"Yep"
"Tom'll be the cocky one then, he'd probably become group spokesman did he?" said Jacob thinking he knew exactly which Tom the stranger was talking about. He'd found Tom Evans and his friend Ed Kale up to mischief on more than one occasion and he wouldn't put it past Tom to be the one who had talked his friends into 'borrowing' one of their pa's guns for a few hours for shooting practice'.
"Oh yes, that sounds like the one with the chestnut brown hair." said Michael remembering the conversation with the boys only a few hours ago. "He looked like once he'd got over the shock of finding me there, that he'd have to show the others that he wasn't scared. All the boys were right polite though deputy and they did give me correct directions to the town as well as saying that the saloon might be the best place to visit to ask around for some work. I feel kinda bad speaking up to you about this, but if they were the ones playing with a gun or guns then they're too young for that and I wouldn't feel right knowing that I didn't speak out if one of them got hurt. I got a younger brother myself and he's always trying to get a chance to handle my guns, but my pa would tan my hide 'six ways from Sunday' even at my age if I'd even let him hold one unloaded."
"Oh trust me the pa's around these parts are just the same" smiled the deputy. "Thank you for raising this with me Mr Willis, I will speak to the sheriff and ask him what he wants to do about it".
"Sure deputy, I leave it in your hands to deal with then, like I said, I just don't want them young'uns to get hurt" said Michael.
The deputy stood up and shook Michael's hand, before he waved goodbye to Josh and left the saloon to go find the sheriff.
Michael finished his beer and standing up he enquired as to the directions to the livery again. Leaving the saloon he untied his horse and lead him down the street to the livery.
Obtaining a space for his mount overnight, Michael headed towards the International hotel with his saddle bags. He entered the hotel and finding no one on the reception desk he pressed the bell once. A slim young lady of about 15 years came out from the room behind the desk. "Hello sir. May I help you?"
"Yes, miss, I'd like a bed for a few nights if I may."
"Of course sir," said the young lady looking in the register. "Room 6 is free sir, will you be eating here as well?"
"If I may miss, how much will that be?"
"Two dollars a night with meals sir, or one dollar twenty-five without meals. All payments in advance sir, but you may pay each day if you are not sure you want to stay both days."
"No miss, I believe I will be staying in town at least a couple of days, so I'll take the two days with meals please." said Michael handing over four dollars.
The young lady took Michael's money and turned the register around and hand him a pen to sign in.
"If you could just sign in please sir, whilst I get your key."
Michael signed the register where indicated and the young lady handed over the key to his room. "Room six is at the top of the stairs, the 3rd door to the left sir." she said.
Michael accepted the key and said, "I'm going over to the barbers for a shave and then to the bath house, what time is supper served?" he enquired.
"Meal times are breakfast 7:30, lunch is at 1pm and supper is 6pm sir and all meals are served in the large room through that door behind you"
"Thank you miss" said Michael, before he pocketed his room key and picking up his saddle-bags from the floor, he headed out the door to go get a shave and a bath.
The journey back to the Ponderosa was a quiet one. Jake had tried to engaged Hoss in conversation a few times, but Hoss only nodded or had a one word answer and mostly looked forwards whilst leading Beauty in a gentle trot.
They rode into the yard and dismounted. "Thank you for coming by the lake to collect me Jake. Adam would have only let me stay out because you offered to do that. I appreciate you talking up for me." said Hoss.
"You are welcome Hoss, like I told you I was your age once feeling the need to act older in front of my friends. I hope you had a good time out with your friends. Now you best get Beauty taken care of and get yourself inside."
"Yes, sir I will, thanks once again Jake."
With that Hoss went lead Beauty into the barn, whilst Jake tied up his mount and headed in to let Adam know that Hoss and him had returned.
When he saw Jake enter the house, Hoss quickly un-packed his saddle-bags and climbed into the hayloft with the bottle of brandy still wrapped in a towel. Hoss hid the brandy under a pile of hay at the back so that it was completely out of sight, he vowed to try and sneak out early in the morning and collect it so that he could put it back in the cabinet were it belonged. Climbing down from the hayloft he looked up to see if there was any sign that the hay had been disturbed and satisfied that it looked OK he unsaddled Beauty and combed through her coat before he filled her water bowl and filled her food trough with fresh oats. Brushing his clothes down, Hoss took several deep breaths before he left the barn and crossed the yard to the main house carrying the string of fish he'd caught.
Hoss entered the house and found Adam sitting in the blue chair with Little Joe on his laptop. Adam had a book in his hands and appeared to be reading to Little Joe. Jake had obviously just called in and told Adam Hoss was in the barn seeing to his pony before he took his leave and went to care for his own horse and return to the ranch house for his own supper.
Hearing the door open Adam looked up, "hey Hoss, Jake said you were back, did you have a good day?"
"Hey Adam, Little Joe, I caught these, look at 'em beauties aren't they?" said Hoss in a strained jovial voice.
Adam noticed the tone. "You OK Hoss?"
"Yeah Adam, I'm fine, a bit tired I guess", said Hoss not liking the questioning as he knew that it wouldn't take much for him to start feeling guilty again. As it was Hoss was already losing the appetite that he'd worked up on the way across the courtyard.
"Hop Sing saved your supper it's in the warmer." said Adam putting Little Joe down and walking over to Hoss. Here let me take them fish into the larder and you sit down at the table." Hoss handed Adam the string of cleaned fish and went and sat himself at the table whilst Adam took the fish into the kitchen to put them in the larder and to get Hoss's meal.
Little Joe went and sat down at the table next to Hoss. "Hoss, I missed you today did you miss me?" he asked softly.
"O'course I did Joe, fishin' at the lake just ain't right without you". He replied ruffling his baby brothers hair.
Joe smiled sleepily up at his brother. Adam and he had spent the afternoon playing lots of games and Adam had also taken Joe out for a walk. They even found a good spot with 3 trees near each other, not too far from the house, where Adam had promise Joe that he would build him a tree house. However, even though excite about the thought of a tree house and Joe had enjoyed the time with Adam he'd still missed being with Hoss and all he could think of all afternoon was Hoss going fishing without him.
Earlier...
After they'd eaten supper, Adam could see that Joe kept looking at the door every few minutes instead of playing with his toy soldiers and so putting down his paper he had called Joe over to him and had pulled him onto his lap for a hug. He'd tried telling Joe that Hoss would be back soon, but Joe still didn't seem to settle so Adam had suggested that he tell him some stories. After regaling Little Joe with several silly stories of when he was Joe's age. Joe had sighed and cuddled up into the crook of Adam's arm and he asked if Adam would read to him and that is where they still were a hour later when Hoss had walked in.
…...
Adam walked back into the main room just as Hoss had ruffled Joe's hair and it warmed Adam's heart to see how much Joe's face lit up at Hoss's words. The younger boys could be a real pain, arguing and fighting about the smallest things when his pa was away, but anyone watching them could see the love between them. Adam was proud of Hoss for saying what he had to Joe, as it would assuredly settle his mind about Hoss not wanting to spend time with his little brother.
Adam placed the plate down on the table with a glass of milk and ruffled his fingers through both his brothers hair. "Eat up whilst it's hot Hoss, come on Joe, let Hoss eat his supper, you go get changed for bed now please."
"Oh Adam do I gotta, I wanna hear about the fishing?"
"Yes you do Joe, Hoss needs to eat and he can't do that if you keep asking him questions now can he? Now go get washed and changed for bed and I'll let you stay up for 30 minutes more, or you can argue and we can get you to bed now, make your mind up quickly".
Joe looked sadly at Hoss, "Better go now little buddy, I'll talk to you when you get back." said Hoss stroking his hand softly across Little Joe's cheek. Joe nodded and quickly jumped down from the table and he ran up the stairs with Adam trailing after him.
Adam helped Joe wash his face and hands and after Joe stripped off his clothing he helped him on with his night shirt. "Come Joe you can stay up for 30 minutes more but then bed OK?"
"Yes Adam. Can I ask Hoss about his time out at the lake now?" asked Joe before he held up his hands in the gesture that meant can you pick me up to Adam. Adam bent down and scooped Joe into his arms, "Sure Joe, if Hoss has finished eating. I'll read my paper so you and Hoss can talk all you want to until bed time OK."
"Yeah, thank you Adam, can I have hot cocoa now?" said little Joe rubbing his eyes showing Adam that he was more tired than he thought.
"Yeah Joe, I'll make some for all of us". And with that Adam carried Joe out of his room and down the stairs. Placing him on the sofa, Adam headed out to the kitchen to make the cocoa. Passing the table, he saw that Hoss had eaten some, but not all of his meal and he was just sitting there staring into space drinking his milk. Clearly something was bothering Hoss as not much interfered with Hoss's eating habits, but he would leave asking Hoss about it until Little Joe had gone to bed.
Knocking on the table to gain Hoss' attention, Adam waited for Hoss to acknowledge him. "Cocoa?" he asked. Hoss nodded.
"You finished eating Hoss?"
"Yes sir, may I be excused from the table?"
"Yes you may, are you sure your OK Hoss?"
"Yes sir, I'm just tired."
"OK then, hand me your plate Hoss and you can go sit with Little Joe whilst I make us all some cocoa. Little Joe is just dying to talk your ear off though so be warned." Adam said. Hoss smiled up as his older brother and he handed Adam the plate and went to sit on the sofa with Joe.
Adam made the cocoa and walked back into the main room with 3 mugs on a tray. He found Hoss and Little Joe on the sofa. Little Joe curled up against Hoss fast asleep with his feet under him. Hoss's arm was wrapped around Joe and he was staring into the fire in the hearth.
" I knew he wasn't going to last long" said Adam setting the tray down on the coffee table.
"Yeah, he was asking me about catching the bigger fish and he kept yawning and the next thing I knew he was asleep" said Hoss.
Adam gently readjusted Joe so that he was more comfortable and Hoss would be able to sit up and drink his cocoa. "I'll take him up in a minute" said Adam passing Hoss a mug of cocoa.
Hoss accepted the mug of cocoa and yawned himself. "I'm right tiered myself Adam, I can take him up with me after I've drunk this."
"OK Hoss I'll let you take him up with you, now tell me did something happen at the lake?"
Hoss couldn't look at Adam directly he just nodded and said "Yeah, Tom and Ed had a fight over me and Will spanked them."
"Oh, you think they blame you for getting them spanked?" asked Adam
"No, we're all OK I guess, Tom apologised for teasing me and it looks like we're friends again."
"So you made it up with them so why does them getting spanked bother you?"
"It was my fault I guess" said Hoss quietly sipping his cocoa
"Your fault they got spanked or your fault they fought Hoss"
"My fault they fought I guess"
"Why, did you do something to upset Tom or Ed, did you threaten them or something?" said Adam interested now.
"No sir, I just don't wanna do everything Tom says is all and Ed stood up for me I heard him. Tom told Ed he didn't want to include me in doing things with them and he threatened Ed and then the next thing I knew they was fighting and it's all my fault cos Ed and Tom have been friends for a long time and now I come along and Tom feels like I'm getting in the way" said Hoss sadly. "Anyway Will arrived and saw Tom had a fat lip and then he spanked Tom and Ed for fighting".
Adam put his finger under Hoss' chin to ensure that Hoss had no option not to look him in the eye. "Hoss, its not your fault your friends got spanked, it's theirs, they didn't have to fight each other but they did. You are also not responsible for coming in between friends, clearly this is just a bit of jealousy on Tom's part and it's his job to find a away to get over that not yours OK? Friends sometime fall out with each other and it's OK to say no to anyone who tries to get you to do anything you don't want to do, with exception of adults who are responsible for you of course, like pa, myself, Will when you are with him and your teacher and the sheriff etc. you understand.?"
Hoss nodded he felt better talking to Adam about feeling guilty about being responsible for his friends getting spanked (which was true) ,but the knot of guilt about betraying Adam by sneaking out the brandy and shooting a gun whilst out at the lake was growing in his stomach.
"Now you look tuckered out Hoss, finish your cocoa and get yourself to bed. I'll be up with Joe in a minute I think I should carry him as you look too tired and I don't want you to drop him."
Hoss finished his cocoa and put the mug back on the tray before he stood up, Adam stood up too and hugged his younger brother "Goodnight Hoss, remember you aren't to blame OK?"
"Yeah Adam" said Hoss before trudged up the stairs. Adam looked up at the retreating younger brother, something else was clearly bothering him, but it was clear that he didn't want to share it yet. Adam sighed, glad that Ben would be home in a day or so perhaps even tomorrow and Adam hoped that Hoss would speak up by then about what was bothering him.
Adam took the mugs of finished cocoa and Joe's un-drunk mug of now cold cocoa and he returned them to the kitchen emptying and cleaning the mugs before he returned to the main room and scooped little Joe carefully up from the sofa he walked up the stairs and entering Hoss and Little Joe's room he found Hoss already in bed. Settling little Joe down in his bed he covered him up and kissed him lightly on the temple, " 'Night Joe", he whispered before he turned out the light and he left the room closing the door softly behind him.