Authors Note: Thank you all for the reviews for the last chapter, it's nice to see that people are still sticking with the story. This is a long chapter and there's a lot going on in it. It's pretty intense at times and I would appreciate peoples thoughts on it. It's not been beta'd so all mistakes are mine. I've proof read it about 50 times but if you spot anything you think should be changed, please pm me and I'll take care of it. Other than that enjoy.
"Good evening, Master Joe," said Wade the Henderson's houseman when he opened the front door.
"Good evening, Wade. I'm here to see Amelia."
Wade stepped back from the door and bade Little Joe to come in. "Miss Amelia is in the den with her father, Master Joe. May I get you anything? Coffee? Whisky, perhaps?"
"Coffee would be fine, thank you." Joe took of his hat and gun-belt and handed them to Wade who hung them both up on hooks.
"I will bring your coffee, Master Joe, please go join the others in the den."
Little Joe had been to the house so often since he had started courting Amelia, that Mr. Henderson had told Wade that there was no need to announce the young man each time he arrived.
Little Joe stopped by the mirror in the outer room and quickly combed his hair then pocketed the comb in his inside pocket and went into the den.
"Good evening, Mr. Henderson, Good evening, Amelia."
"Joseph! Good to see you this evening, do come in and take a seat." Mr. Henderson stood up to shake Little Joe's hand warmly then resumed his seat whilst Joe joined Amelia on the plush upholstered sofa. Amelia's leg was being supported on cushions placed on top of what looked like a piano stool.
"And how has your day been, Joseph?" Mr. Henderson asked.
"It's been very productive thank you, sir." Little Joe took Amelia's hand and was pleased that she didn't pull away. He had been worried that she might after the minor spat that they had had before be left last night, which had been over Amelia wanting to get out of the house and go into town with him. "I took the children with me into town today and the boys and I have been measured for our suits. And Amelia, sweetheart, Annabel has chosen a very pretty light blue, silky like material for her flower girl dress. It should complement the colour scheme you had planned for the wedding very nicely."
"Oh Joe I wanted to be with you when she chose it." Amelia said with a touch of sadness to her voice.
"I know you did, sweetheart but Annabel wanted to come with her brothers and I made sure that the dressmaker was aware of your requirements. Perhaps when it is ready, we can both take Annabel into town to see that it is fitted correctly. Would you like that?"
"Yes. I would like that very much. When will it be ready?"
"In about a week, hopefully you will at least be well enough to travel into town by then," replied Joe.
"Oh, yes I hope so, I really miss going to town." Amelia looked at her father, "Papa, would you excuse us, please? I'd like to talk to Joe alone."
"Yes of course, I'll leave you two youngsters to catch up with each other." Mr. Henderson went to stand.
"Actually, Papa I was hoping that Joe would be able to take me outside for a little while, if that's OK?"
"I don't see why not. Wade!"
The houseman walked into the room with a tray containing a pot of coffee, a jug of milk and a pot of sugar and some cups. "Your coffee, Master Joe, I apologise for the delay but I needed to prepare a fresh pot." He placed the tray down on the coffee table then turned to his master. "I believe you called, Mr. Henderson?"
"Yes, Wade. Could you please get the wheelchair ready for young Joseph to take my daughter out for a while?"
Wade bowed, "Certainly, sir. Master Joe, do you think Miss Amelia will need a blanket?"
"Uh... Yes I think that a blanket would be advisable, it will be cooling down soon."
"I'll have the chair ready for you momentarily, Master Joe."
"Thank you, Wade. Well, Joseph are you having coffee whilst we wait?" asked Mr. Henderson.
Little Joe looked at his fiancé who nodded. "Yes, sir I believe we will have coffee before we go out. Thank you."
"OK, then I'll pour." Henry poured 3 cups of coffee then passed one to his daughter and then the other to Little Joe, leaving his own on the tray. "Please help yourselves to milk and sugar."
"Thank you sir." Joe reached for the milk jug and gave it to Amelia who poured some into her cup and then at Joe's urging she added milk to his as well. The jug was then returned to the tray and Joe helped himself to 2 lumps of sugar. Amelia didn't take sugar in her coffee so Joe sat back and stirred his coffee.
The three of them sat quietly sipping their coffee for a minute.
"So Joseph? Do you think you and your father would like to come to lunch after church this Sunday?" asked Mr. Henderson.
Little Joe swallowed down the hot coffee and coughed, "I... Uh..." cough... "excuse me... I'll have to ask him that, sir."
"I would appreciate it if you would do that for me, Joseph. I rather thought that he might be interested in trying out my new sherry that I had imported from England this week, whilst we enjoyed a game or two of chess."
"I'm sure, Pa would love to take you up on that offer sometime, sir but I'd have to ask him about Sunday. As you are aware my older brother Adam is away on a cattle drive and Pa has been set on insisting that my sister-in-law and the children come to dinner Sundays until Adam returns."
Mr. Henderson waved his hand, "No matter then, Joseph. I wouldn't want anyone to change their plans to fit me in. Perhaps Monday night would be more acceptable?"
"I will speak to Pa about both offers as soon as I return home, sir and let him make the choice."
Mr. Henderson smiled at Joe. "I will await your fathers answer then, young man. Now if you'll excuse me I would like to have the long soak in a bath that I have been looking forwards to all day. Don't stay out too long, my dear," he said standing and softly planting a kiss on the top of Amelia's head.
"We won't, Papa."
Mr. Henderson smiled warmly and then he turned and walked out of the room. "Wade! Could you get that bath ready that you promised me please?"
Joe and Amelia heard the houseman reply that he would do it shortly, before Wade wheeled the chair into the den.
"Here you are, Miss Amelia, your chariot is ready."
Amelia laughed, "Thank you, Wade."
"My pleasure, Miss." Wade set the wheelchair beside Amelia. "Would you like some assistance getting into the chair, Miss Amelia?"
"No thank you, Wade, Joe and I can manage. You go and draw Papa's bubble bath."
"Yes Miss. Master Joe, there is a ramp at the left end of the porch so that you may take the wheelchair down more easily."
"Thank you, Wade, I'm sure I'll find it."
Wade bowed to them and then left the room.
"OK, let's get you into this chair then," Joe announced. He helped Amelia from the sofa into the chair then wrapped the blanket around Amelia's legs. "There, that should keep you warm enough."
"Would you pass me my wrap as well please, Joe?"
Little Joe fetched the wrap which was draped over the back of the armchair that Joe had been sitting it. Amelia immediately put it around her shoulders, "I believe that I am ready now, Joe."
"OK, hold on then," said Joe and he grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and wheeled Amelia out of the den. He stopped by the coat hooks by the door to grab his hat and strap on his gun-belt.
"Oh, Joe I don't think that will be necessary, we are not going far, are we?"
"I hadn't planned to but I feel better with it on. Where would you like to go?" he asked.
"Down to the pond please, Joe the sunset should be very pretty down there."
"Alright, the pond it is, my lady."
Joe opened the front door, wheeled Amelia out then turned and shut the door behind him and turned left to find the ramp at the end of the porch.
"Oh Joe... Look at that sunset... Isn't it wonderful?" said Amelia when they arrived on the banks of the pond.
Little Joe parked the wheelchair carefully a little way back from the edge and tucked rocks under the front wheels before sitting himself down on the rock next to it.
"Yes the sunset is very pretty tonight," agreed Joe. He paused for a moment then took his fiancé's hand. "Amelia... we need to talk."
"Yes we do. I'm so sorry, Joe for the way I acted last night. You were right; I was trying to run before I could walk. I tried to get up out of bed on my own this morning and I fell and hit my leg on the chair, causing a large bruise because I wasn't able to support my weight on my other leg."
Little Joe moved to kneel down in front of his fiancé, "Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry that you fell, does it hurt much?"
Amelia nodded "It did when it first happened, but Papa had Wade go into town to get some ointment from the doctor to bring the brushing out and it has soothed it some. I'm surprised you didn't see him if you were in town all day."
"No, I never saw, Wade, but then we didn't really go near the doctors surgery." Little Joe took Amelia's hand again, "Sweetheart, I know that sitting around all the time is driving you crazy but I want you to please take it slowly and I am sure that the doctor will have you back on your feet in no time. I want to see you walk down that aisle to me, not get pushed in a wheelchair." Joe then checked the area around him to make sure that no one would be able to overhear him, "And sweetheart we need to think about the baby too, what if you fell and lost it?"
"Would that be such an issue? After all it would solve our problems for us wouldn't it?"
Little Joe stood up quickly and pulled his hand away as if scalded. "AMELIA, how can you say that? Don't you want to have our baby?"
"No...I...mean...yes. Oh... I don't...know...anymore..." Amelia put head in her hands and started to sob.
Little Joe paced about with his hands constantly making and releasing his fists whilst letting the girl cry. He was angry and confused himself. Although he hated hearing any woman or girl cry, he was tired of Amelia's using tears to get her own way. After a few minutes though, he realised that Amelia really was distressed and not just putting on the tears. And he returned to her and kneeling down on one knee, he gently removed her hands from her eyes. "Amelia sweetheart, please don't cry. I'm sorry I shouted at you."
Sniff..."J... Joe... I...I'm.. S...scared."
"Of what, sweetheart?" he asked softy.
"Everything! I'm scared of giving birth; I'm scare...d of..of.. Getting .m...married and...and... I'm scared that...I...w...won't be able… to...to... l...look after the...ba...baby."
Joe gently tilted up Amelia's chin and he kissed her gently on the forehead and used his thumbs to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I'm scared of things too, sweetheart but now we know you are carrying our baby, I really want to be a father. I love you will all my heart, Amelia Henderson and I want you to be my wife and I want us to have children together, lots of them. I thought that is what you wanted too. Have you changed your mind about marrying me?"
Sniff, sniff, "No... I l…. love you too.. J..Joe...I just….nnn..never... e...expected ...the... children ..to.. come... so.. f...fast though. What if... if... I'm... not... not... ready? I... don't... w...want... to.. to... be. a ... m..mother."
Little Joe pulled Amelia's head into his chest, "You won't be a bad mother and you won't have to cope with things alone. I will be with you all the way through and if you need some help with nursing and caring for the baby? I'm sure Caroline and or Emma can help you. Or if necessary I will hire someone else to come and live with us for a while. Take a few deep breaths, sweetheart, come on."
Joe held Amelia until she had complete control of herself again, holding back his own tears as he knew she needed him to be the strong one in their relationship right now. When Amelia's breathing started to become more regular, he released his hold on her and went down to the pond and soaked his handkerchief and wrung it out, then he walked back to the wheelchair. "Here, sweetheart, use this to cool your face down, it looks a little puffy."
Joe sat beside Amelia whilst she used the cool cloth to take the puffiness out of her face.
"Better?" Joe asked after a few minutes.
Amelia nodded her head and gave the handkerchief back to Little Joe. "I'm sorry, Joe I just seem so emotional all of the time these days."
"Would you like me to speak to Hoss tomorrow and ask him if he minds asking Caroline to come over to see you after church? Maybe she can explain what is happening to you."
"Yes, thank you Joe. I'd like to see her." Amelia sniffed, "You must think I was being really silly earlier. I'm so sorry about what I said; I don't really want to lose the baby."
"I know, you didn't mean it, darling," Joe stroked Amelia's hair whilst sitting beside her on the rock. "And I'm sorry that it's my fault that we are in this position, I should have been able to stop us." Joe tilted Amelia's chin up so he could look into her eyes, "But sweetheart, I want us to do the best we can to deal with what life has dealt us and we can get through this together, with a little help from our families, OK?"
"Yes, OK."
Joe hugged his girl tightly, with his arms around her shoulder. "That's my girl." Joe released Amelia and rubbed his arms as the chill in the air stared to make itself known, "Boy it's starting to get nippy out now. Are you ready to go back inside yet?"
"Yes I am. Joe, will you stay with me for a while?" Amelia asked hesitantly.
"Yes, of course I will, I told Pa I wouldn't be late but I've got time. I don't know about you but I sure could do with some hot coffee right about now."
"How about some hot chocolate instead? Wade makes lovely hot chocolate."
"Hot chocolate it is then." Joe said smiling then he tucked the blanket tighter around his fiancé's legs. "Well we better get back inside then so we can get warmed up."
Joe leant down and gave Amelia a long but gentle kiss on the lips, then threw away the stones under the wheels before turning the wheelchair around and pushing Amelia back up the pathway to the house.
On the cattle drive...
"Well, Adam it looks like we're on schedule to arrive at Market around Tuesday if we keep to this pace," said Jake taking a seat next to Adam on the tree trunk with his tin cup of coffee.
"Yep, I've never known a drive like it; we've even made up the time lost with that damn roping tournament."
"I know, I can't believe it either and with only 4 head of cattle down. 2 with broken legs and 2 lost to the wolves. We even made money on the two we had to shoot because of the broken legs. How lucky were we that a wagon train nearby and their scouts were looking for food because they'd been attacked by Indians?"
"I told you to let them take the meat for free, Jake." Adam said testily before touching his top lip which was still sore with his hand and wincing.
"I tried to get them to just take it, believe me, but they wouldn't hear of it. Said they'd recognised the brand and that Ponderosa beef is high quality and your father was respected by their wagon master. Some body called Chris Hale, so they were paying for it and there was no arguing. Here," Jake fished in his vest pocket and brought out a wad of bills. "80 dollars, not a bad price, wouldn't it be swell if we got as much again at auction for each head?"
"Yes it would," agreed Adam before he registered what Jake had just given him."80 dollars! Damn it, Jake you should have refused! Chris Hale! I've heard of him. He's a good man and an experienced wagon master. I think I may have even met him once. Pa will no doubt remember him." Adam shook his head, "Jake, you really should have tried harder to get them to accept the beef for free."
"I tried, Adam. I told you, the man gave me the money and said it's a fair price and no arguing!"
"Alright, fine," Adam grumbled and he pocketed the money. I'll stick this behind the bar of the first saloon we come to and tell the barkeeper to take real good care of everything my boys want. Arriving at market 4 days early is great I can't quite believe it, but then this is the best crew I've ever been in charge of; they are certainly going to be worth the bonus I promised them. Hmm, I wonder how much the wagon train's value of our beef is close to the price I can get at market? If it's anywhere near it this could be the best drive we've ever had.
"Adam?"
"Adam!"
"Sorry, Jake I was just thinking." Adam said startled out of his thoughts.
"That's alright my friend. I was just saying that the boys are setting up a card game and did you want to come join us?"
Adam shook his head and drained his cup of coffee, "I'll pass thanks, Jake. You go play, just watch out for the betting amounts please; I don't want things getting out of hand."
"I promise it won't, boss. Well... Goodnight, my friend." Jake said getting to his feet he slapped Adam gently on his shoulder as he walked away.
"Goodnight, Jake." Adam called after him and he watched his friend go off to join the others in their poker game beside the fire.
Adam sat on the tree trunk watching the herd for a while, then feeling tired and knowing that he had only 4 hours before he did his stint on watch; he stood up and headed to where he had setup his bedroll under a tree. He settled down on the bedroll with his back resting on his saddle and pulled the blanket over him and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.
Back at the Henderson's...
"Wade, would you please make some hot chocolate for Joe and I?" Asked Amelia, as soon as Little Joe pushed her and the chair inside the front door.
"Yes, Miss, right away," Wade said as he shut the door behind them. Miss Amelia looks like she has been crying; I hope she is not in pain again. The poor girl has been going crazy resting get up, but if she keeps forcing her recovery she will end up hurting herself still further. I think perhaps I should give her one of the doctor's powders.
Wade retreated to the kitchen to heat up a large saucepan of milk for the hot chocolate, then took one of the doctor's powders and put it in a glass of water and took it to the den.
Joe meanwhile had helped Amelia out of the wheelchair and onto the sofa where he had propped her up with pillows behind her back and under her bad leg then covered her with the blanket.
"Miss Amelia, I have one of the doctor's powders for you."
"No thank you, Wade. I don't need it," Amelia countered.
Wade held firm and held out the glass. "You've been crying again, Miss and I think you should drink this, it will help."
"I agree sweetheart, please drink it," said Little Joe.
"Oh, alright!" Amelia grumbled, but she took the glass from Wade's hand and drank the medicine down in one go. "Yuck, why don't they make this taste nicer?" She complained.
"I don't know," smirked Little Joe; he hated taking the medicine himself. "Oh wait... I've brought you something good which will take the taste away. Wait here." Joe quickly ran out to where Cochise was happily grazing in the corral and he removed the box of chocolates covered candy hearts from his saddle bag and tucked them into his jacket before returning inside.
"I brought you a peace offering in town in case you were still mad at me about last night. Would you like to see it?" he teased.
"I hope you aren't upsetting my only daughter, young man?" Came a deep voice from behind him.
Little Joe jumped, "No...no sir!" he spluttered out causing Mr. Henderson to laugh out loud.
"Kind of jumpy tonight aren't you, Joseph?"
"You surprised me is all, sir." Joe pulled the box from under his jacket and gave it to Amelia, "Your favourites, candy hearts."
"Candy hearts! Thank you very much, Joe."
"Hot chocolate for everybody! Mind out, coming through," called Wade caring in a tray with 3 large varnished clay mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of fruit cake slices.
"Mmm, hot chocolate and fruit cake, Wade you do spoil us." said Mr. Henderson.
"Miss Amelia requested hot chocolate and I thought it would complement my fruit cake perfectly. May I get anyone anything else?"
"No thank you Wade. Could I interest you in a game of chess, Joseph?"
"No thank you, sir, checkers is more my game."
"Right, I'll try and remember that for the future. Wade, care to pit yourself against me?"
"I'd be most happy to oblige you sir, thank you."
"Not at all, would you set the board up please and I'll join you in the study and we can let these young folks warm up and talk for a while. One more hour, darling, then I think you should get some rest."
"Yes, Papa," agreed Amelia.
Wade left to go to the kitchen to check everything was turned off and then met Mr. Henderson in the study where he was already setting up the white pieces on the chessboard. "I'm very sorry sir; I just need to check everything was turned off in the kitchen."
"It's fine Wade. Why don't you set up the black pieces, whilst I finish setting up the white? Then we can flip for colours."
Whilst Henry and Wade were playing chess, Joe and Amelia stayed in the den and enjoyed their hot chocolate and fruit cake. When they were finished eating, Joe moved his chair so he could hold Amelia's hand which was as much as he dared to do in her father's house.
"Let me tell you about the rest of my day, sweetheart. I never realised how much hard work it is looking after 3 children at the same time, no wonder Adam gets strict with them."
When Joe finished telling Amelia about what happened in town with the children, Amelia laughed out loud. "Oh, Joe they really did give you the run-around didn't they? What did Emma say when you took them home?"
"Well...she said..." Joe told Amelia about Emma scolding the children in front of him "And then I left there thinking I'd been scolded myself," At Amelia's smirk he said, "Hey, what's so funny?"
Amelia just chuckled again, making Joe smile as she finally seemed to be relaxing in his presence for the first time tonight. "You are, Joe. Although I agree you did try and handle the misbehaviour, you still allowed the children ice cream and candy. Do you seriously think either my Papa or your Pa would have done the same?"
"Well... no probably not, but they've got experience of handling kids haven't they?"
"Exactly, Joe and that is all Emma was trying tell you. The children took advantage of your inexperience. But now you know and if you take them to town again, you will know that just because you promise something, you don't have to follow through with it if the children misbehave."
Joe scowled, "How's you get so smart all of a sudden?"
"I haven't Joe, you know this yourself. I've just been listening carefully to everything you've said and am repeating it back to you. I suppose when you got home your Pa said pretty much the same thing going to you, didn't he?"
"How do you know that?"
Amelia yawned and covered her mouth with her hand, "I'm sorry Joe. I'm feeling a little tired now. Well, actually I've seen your Pa in action and the one thing I'm certain of is, that he is a no nonsense man so I can only see him believing that the children took advantage to you too. Did you get a lecture?"
"Yeah, all about acting like a big brother and a respectable uncle so that the children are aware that not only will I stop them doing things that they shouldn't be doing, but that I will not keep anything from their parents either. The he said stuff about you know," Joe leant in closer, "Well, Pa said that I would understand more when I was a father. Amelia when are you going to tell your father about the baby?"
"Oh no, Joe not that argument again! Please, can't we just have a nice evening without talking about that?"
"Amelia, we've got to tell him sometime."
Amelia pushed Joe away from her, "I'm feeling pretty tired Joe, could you please ask Wade and Papa to help me back to bed?"
Little Joe stood up, "Alright, but we will be discussing this again."
Joe left the room somewhat angrily and went to find Wade and Mr. Henderson in the study.
As luck would have it, Mr. Henderson announced checkmate' just as Little Joe knocked lightly on the door. "Excuse me, but Amelia said that she is getting tired and would like to go to bed."
"It's fine, come on in Joe," said Mr. Henderson.
"Very well played my friend," said Henry shaking Wade's hand, "you nearly had me there, Wade."
"Yes, sir, but I didn't keep an eye on your other knight close enough, did I?"
"No you didn't, but I'm sure that you won't make those mistakes again my friend. I am certainly going to have to watch you carefully from now on."
"Thank you for the game sir. Now if you excuse me I will go up and get Miss Amelia's bed ready. Excuse me, Master Joe," Wade said then he turned and left the study.
"Joseph, something on your mind?" Mr. Henderson asked as little Joe stood in the study staring into the pictures on the other side of the room but not seeming to be really looking at anything.
"Uh... No sir."
"Joseph, Amelia has not been herself since she came home. Now I know it's not really my place to interfere in your relationship but I am worried about my little girl. If there was something that I needed to know, you would tell me wouldn't you?"
Little Joe looked down again his feet and swallowed the fruitcake down that was trying get desperately to make a reappearance right about now.
Mr. Henderson put his hand lightly on little Joe's shoulder, "Have you youngsters had a fight?"
The guilt was eating Little Joe, he wanted so desperately to come clean about the baby even though he was terrified about Mr. Henderson finding out, but he couldn't just drop Amelia into trouble like that so he settled for a little bit of the truth.
"Yes. Sir we kinda had a fight last night about Amelia trying too hard to get back on her feet too quickly and we'll...things are still a bit unsettled between us."
Mr. Henderson squeezed Joe's shoulder gently in what be hoped was a comforting way. "My daughter can be a little stubborn for her own good on occasions, son, but if you are persistent then she eventually comes around. Don't give up on her yet?"
"I won't, sir. I love her far too much to do that." replied Joe.
Henry patted Joe on the back, "I'm glad Amelia has you, Joseph. I think you will be a good husband for her. She needs someone who will stand firm with her. Now would you like to do an old man a favour and carry my daughter upstairs to save Wade and I struggling?"
"I'd be very happy to help, sir."
"Thank you, Joseph." Mr. Henderson sighed, "You know, son I'll be glad when the doctor allows her to start walking with a cane, as neither Amelia nor I like carrying her about."
"Yes, Amelia sure is getting fed up of being manhandled but she'll have to put up with it until she can managed herself, at least that is what I keep telling her," replied Joe softly.
"You are a good man, son; I hope my daughter appreciates that about you. Right, let's get her up to bed then shall we?" and he led Joe back to the den with his hand on Joe's shoulder.
10 minutes later and Amelia was tucked up in her own bed. "Well, Joseph I think I will retire myself," said Mr. Henderson yawning. He bent down to kiss Amelia's forehead, "Goodnight my dear, sweet dreams."
"Goodnight, Papa."
Mr. Henderson shook hands with Little Joe, "No more than a few minutes, young man."
"Yes, sir, I understand."
Mr. Henderson turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Little Joe waited until the footsteps trailed away and another door was opened and then closed before he sat on the bed and clasped Amelia's hand in his. "Amelia we have to tell your father about the baby before he finds out from someone else."
"No Joe, stop it! I don't want to talk about this again."
"Amelia! He already suspects something is going on. He confronted me downstairs before I brought you up here!"
Amelia's eyes grew wide, "What did you say?" She asked breathlessly.
"I lied a little but added in just enough of the truth that I think he believed me." Joe sighed and rubbed his hand over his hair with his free hand. "I told him that we had had a little disagreement yesterday and that you've been upset with me. Sweetheart I can't keep doing this. Pa always said that a lie keeps getting bigger until you tell the truth and then you always find yourself in more trouble than you would have been in, if you had just told the truth in the first place. I want us to tell him before he finds out." he finished patting her hand lightly.
Amelia shook her head against the pillow, "You know I can't and I wish that you would stop pushing me like this, Joe." Amelia pulled her hand away and turned onto her side away from Little Joe, "I'm tired Joe, please leave."
"Alright. I'm going, but you are one stubborn girl, Amelia Henderson." Joe shook his head sadly, "I suppose a kiss goodnight is out of the question?"
Amelia didn't answer she just remained laying with her back to Little Joe. He waited for a moment to see if she would at least bid him goodnight, but when she failed to do even that, he turned on his heels and stormed from the room.
Wade met Little Joe at the foot of the staircase. "Is the Miss OK, Master Joe?" he asked.
"Yes, she's just tired, Wade." Joe replied with a loud sigh.
Wade handed Joe his hat again and little Joe took it somewhat angrily, "Thank you for the hospitality, Wade," he said extending his hand.
Wade shook the outstretched hand, "It's my pleasure, Master Joe. Oh and if I may be as so bold...Please excuse the little Miss' temper, she's been very distressed of late with not being able to get about on her own." Wade sighed and shook his head slowly as he worried his bottom lip with his teeth, "A very independent young lady the little Miss always was and unfortunately the Master indulged her, too much in my opinion since the Mistress passed."
At Joe's stunned silence Wade smiled, "The Master is well aware of my views, young sir and I know he wouldn't mind my speaking to you. Please, Master Joe, understand...her tongue...It has been very sharp with everyone recently. I know she cares for you very much. Please continue to come by the house when you can and I'm sure that you will see Miss Amelia returning back to her old self shortly."
Little Joe took in a deep breath then released it slowly then nodded his head; "I'll try."
"Goodnight, Master Joe."
"Goodnight, Wade" Joe put on his hat, walked out the door and moments later, Wade watched the younger man gallop out of the yard on his pinto.
"Is that you, Joseph?" Ben asked when the front door opened.
"Yeah. It's me, Pa," replied Little Joe, taking off his hat and coat and hanging them up behind the door, before unbuckling his gun-belt and winding it into a coil and putting it on the credenza.
Joe walked slowly over to his father's desk where Ben was sitting updating the books in the lamplight.
"Kinda late for that isn't it, Pa?"
"Yes it is, but there's so much to be done since your brother is away and I couldn't just sit there and read tonight." Ben put done his pen and replaced the top on the ink bottle, before he scrubbed at his eyes. "I think that will do, for now." He blew on the page of the ledger to finish drying the ink, then certain that it wouldn't smudge; he closed the ledger and sat back in his chair.
"Take a seat, son."
Little Joe sat down in the chair opposite his father.
"So how is Amelia?"
"Stubborn," retorted Joe heatedly.
"Stubborn? How so?" asked Ben.
Joe sighed, "I just can't make her listen to me, Pa. I'm sure Mr. Henderson suspects something is going on, in fact he confronted me, saying that he knows Amelia is not herself and asked me if I knew something that he needed to know, would I tell him. He said he didn't want to interfere in our relationship, but that he trusted me to tell him if there was something he needed to know…. I lied to him, Pa. Well not exactly an outright lie…"
At that Ben lent forwards and put his arms on his desk, "Joseph, what have I told you about lying?"
"A lie of omission is as bad as an outright lie. But, Pa….. I couldn't tell him without getting Amelia into trouble. He actually asked if we had had a disagreement and well…. we kinda did last night, it was about Amelia trying to get around on her own too much and she was still a little mad with me tonight."
Ben shook his head sadly. "Son, I understand that you feel the need to protect her, but I've told you before, that keeping things from her father will only end up making things worse and I am certainly not happy with you lying, even to protect Amelia." Ben put up his hand to stop Joe's instant objection. "A lie is a lie, son and you know that, even one made with the best of intentions."
"Yes sir," Joe said softly and he hung his head. Ben's lectures, even the short ones always managed to make Joe feel like he was a naughty little boy again. The quiet but firm tone of his father's voice expressing his disappointment with something he had done, was something that Joe had heard all too much in his life and he hated the knowing that he had caused that disappointment.
The two men sat in silence for a few minutes until Joe couldn't stand it anymore;
"Pa, I've tried to persuade Amelia to tell her father but she won't discuss it. We were at the pond earlier when I took Amelia out in her wheelchair and I said that she needs to remember that if she fell she could hurt or lose the baby. Pa, she actually said 'Would that be so bad? After all it would solve all our problems."
Ben gasped.
"Yes that was my reaction too, Pa. Sure I was shocked and scared when I found out that Amelia was pregnant with our child. Mostly though, I was worried about your and Mr. Henderson's reactions would be, but then I realised after we talked that what's done is done. And although I am not sure I'm ready to be a father yet, I really do love Amelia with all my heart. I want to be with her for the rest of my life and I want this baby. I want to be a good father just like you and Adam.
There's more though, Pa. Amelia broke down when I asked her how can she say that and did she really not want our baby? She told me she is scared and confused about everything, getting married, having the baby, being a good mother. Pa and I didn't know what to do, so I just held her and reassured her that I loved her and that everything would be OK, while I was shaking inside.
When she felt better, we went back to the house and things were OK between us for a while but as soon as I brought up, telling her father about the baby, she pushed me away. She and then accused me of keep pushing her and that she didn't want to discuss it and that's when her father asked me if I knew anything. Then a little while later when Amelia retired to bed, I went to say goodnight and I told Amelia that her father confronted me and that I lied for her and that I didn't like it and she accused me again of pushing her around and wouldn't even say goodnight.
Am I being too pushy Pa? I don't mean to pressure her but it's clear that other people are becoming suspicious. Amelia's father and even the Wade has said that Amelia is being snappy with everyone and not just me."
Ben settled back and his char and rubbed his chin thoughtfully with his right hand. "Perhaps you do need to back off a little then, son. Give Amelia a little more time to think things through before raising the issue again in a few days."
"Yeah I guess I could do that." Joe sat back and sighed deeply.
"Joseph, I know that this is difficult for you and that you want to do the right thing, which is to tell Amelia's father the truth about everything, but if Amelia is really getting that distressed, then you should abide by her wishes, at least for a few days. Nothing serious will happen if a few more days pass before you say anything to Henry, will it?"
"No sir, I suppose you are right. Do you think asking Emma or Caroline to go and see Amelia would be of any help? I was thinking that perhaps they could call in on the way home from church on Sunday and Amelia seemed to think that she would be happy to see Caroline."
"I think that is a very good idea, son. You can ask Hoss to ask Caroline tomorrow, then if she is in agreement she could go on Sunday like you suggested. I think Emma has enough to deal with until Adam gets back, but Caroline might be happy to go and see her."
"Sunday! Oh, yes, Pa I nearly forgot. Mr. Henderson has invited us to lunch on Sunday. I said that I would ask but that we usually had plans for Sunday with the rest of the family as Adam is away and so he said if that is not convenient, then would Monday night be more agreeable? I think he wants to challenge you to a few games of chess and he mentioned something about some English sherry he's just imported."
"I think I can manage Monday night. Yes Monday will be fine. Now, son it's late and we both have plenty of work to do tomorrow even though it is Saturday." Ben stood up, "Come on, let's be getting on to bed."
"Yes sir," Joe replied and Ben turned down the lamp on his desk whilst Joe locked the front door and both men walked up stairs to retire for the night.
On Saturday, Ben and Joe rode out to the North pasture with two of the older ranch hands that hadn't been up to the task of a long cattle drive; Carl and Charlie. Their task today was to round up a small herd of 15 wild horses.
Joe was detracted, he wanted to speak to Hoss, but Ben had given Hoss the day off ranch chores as it was his day to check in with Emma and the children. And being Saturday, Ben only had the hands and his son's working a half day anyway. Joe just hoped that they could catch the horses quickly.
Ben had realised that Joe was getting distracted as they rode out to the pasture and he decided to partner him with Carl the ranch foreman, who he knew would be company enough for him to not wallow in his problems and more than able to get his son to focus on the task at hand.
Carl and Joe rode side by side as they tracked the wild horse trying to gently herd them back in the direction of Ben and Charlie who were waiting ready to rope the horses on the other side of the hill in an area that was almost a natural corral.
"You alright, Joe?" Carl asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"You seem a little distracted is all. Anything I can help you with? I'm a good listener you know."
Joe looked to his left where the older man was riding, "I know you mean well, Carl but it's nothing you can help me with. I gotta work this thing out on my own."
"Alright then, Joe, if you say so. We had better split up now though I think that black one on the right is going to break away shortly and he looks pretty fast. If he does go, you had better go after him; Cochise is faster than old Pepper here."
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the black stallion broke away from the group and Joe took off after him, relishing in the challenge and loving the chance to give Cochise a good run. It took him almost 40 minutes until the stallion tired enough for Cochise to catch up with him and for Joe to lasso the beast. The stallion at first tried to fight the noose, but he was too tired and so he reluctantly allowed himself to be pulled along behind Little Joe, back to the others.
"I got, him, Pa! He sure is fast, but not as good as changing direction as Cooch. I think he will bring us a fine price when he's broken in."
Ben studied the fine animal from a few yards away. The other 14 horses had been caught and dragged back to the corral by Ben and the other two ranch hands but Ben had ridden out to find out what had happened to his youngest.
"He sure is a fine animal, Joseph. He gave you I pretty good challenge I suspect."
Joe nodded his head. "Yes sir, he sure did, but we got him in the end, Cooch and me. He had me almost chasing him off the Ponderosa to the Lucky D, but I caught him up by Ranger's Pass."
Ben rode nearer and then turned so that he was riding side by side with Joe. "Well done, son. It's good to see you smiling for a change. Come on, let's get him back to the corral then you may have the rest of the day off as its Saturday."
"Thanks, Pa."
"You are welcome, just make sure that you are not late in tonight, church tomorrow, don't forget."
"I won't be back late, Pa."
The two men rode back to the ranch in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. When they reached the corral, Ben and Little Joe both dismounted. Ben stood by the gate ready to open it to let the stallion in whilst Joe untied him from his saddle horn and led him to the corral gate. The gate was quickly opened and the noose removed from the stallion's neck and he took off like a shot towards the other horses on the far side. Ben secured the gate and smiled at a job well done. The horses were all of good colouring and all seemed fit and healthy and once broken, Ben was convinced that they would earn a good price from either the army or the other ranchers nearby needing a good cutting horse.
"Are you visiting Amelia, tonight, Joseph?"
"No, sir. I think I'll give it a miss, like you said, give her time to calm down, right?"
Ben slapped his son on the back, "I think that is a very wise choice, Joseph. Now I am heading in for some coffee and a hot bath. Whatever you get up to, please remember I want you to pick Emma and the children up in the morning for church."
"Yes sir, don't worry I'm only going over to Hoss' place and then maybe into town with him for a beer. I'll be back before 10."
"Alright, son, I'll see you later then." Ben said and he led Buck to the barn to take care of his horses needs before he could go and have his much longed for bath.
Joe, washed up and quickly changed then headed back out to Cochise and rode on over to Hoss' place. Not finding Hoss back yet, Joe remounted and rode over to Adam's. Sure enough Hoss' buggy was tied up outside.
"Joseph, come on in" Emma said when she opened the door.
"Thanks, Emma. Actually it's Hoss I came to see."
"OK, well he's inside eating a piece of pie, we've not long got back from a picnic at the lake. Would you like some coffee and apple pie?"
Joe followed his sister-in-law into the house.
"Uncle Joe!" yelled Annabel and she tried to climb down from the table.
"Annabel, stay right where you are and eat your pie. Uncle Joe doesn't need you jumping all over him today."
The little girl pouted but did as she was told and stayed in her seat.
"Sit down, please Joe," Emma said gesturing to the table.
"Thanks." Joe replied and he approached the table.
"Hello, Joe," said Caroline.
"Caroline, it's good to see you. Hi Hoss. Hello children," said Joe completing his greetings.
"Hi Uncle Joe," replied both boys at the same time.
Joe smiled and them and when Annabel looked up and him and whispered, "Hi Uncle Joe." Joe winked at her and said, "Hi little princess, did you enjoy your picnic?"
The little girl nodded and Joe winked at her, "That's good sweetie, you can tell me all about it the next time I come OK?"
"OK," Annabel replied with a soft voice.
"Hello little brother, what brings you here today? I thought Pa had you out catching them wild horses," said Hoss making room at the table for Joe to sit down next to him.
Emma placed a cup in front of Joe and offered him coffee which he nodded accent too and she filled his cup.
"Milk and sugar is on the table, Joe, help yourself. Can I interest you in a piece of Caroline's pie?"
"No, thank you, Emma, just the coffee. No offense, Caroline."
"None taken, Joe," replied Caroline smiling at him.
Joe fixed his coffee to his tastes and took a sip, "You're right Hoss, Pa did have me out chasing the wild horses, but we've caught them all and as it's Saturday and well past lunchtime, Pa gave me the rest of the day off. After cleaning up a bit, I rode over to your place first, but not finding you there I thought I'd see if you were still here."
"Well as you can see we still are, something I can help you with, little brother?"
Joe took another sip of his coffee, "The coffee is excellent, Emma."
"Thank you, Joe. I'm glad you like it, with Adam away I fix it how I like it."
"Well it's good." Joe sipped at the coffee enjoying the slightly weaker liquid; Adam liked his coffee very strong like Ben, which Joe didn't care for, which is why he always added milk and sugar to his. "Um, would you ladies mind if I borrowed my brother for a minute, outside?"
"No, of course not, Joe," replied Caroline.
"No I don't mind," Emma added.
"Thanks," Joe grinned. "Hoss, can I speak to you outside, please?"
Hoss shoved the last piece of pie in his mouth, "OK, Joe lets go."
Both men walked out of the house. "Alright Joe, what's up?" Hoss said as soon as they were outside the door.
Joe took his brothers arm and Hoss allowed his younger brother to lead him over to near Adam's barn. "Hoss, could you ask Caroline to drop into see Amelia after church tomorrow? She's feeling a little scared and confused about our…..well situation and I was hoping that Caroline might be able to explain to her what is happening and maybe calm her down."
"Sure, I can do that, little brother. Caroline has been saying that she would like to see how Amelia is doing." Hoss look at Joe, "Is that it, Joe? Is that the only reason you dragged me out here?"
Joe shook his head sadly and toed the dusty ground with his right foot.
"Joe what was going on?"
"I can't tell you here. Do you fancy a drink at the Bucket of Blood?"
"Sure, little brother if it's on you."
"Yes, it's on, me," replied Joe.
"Alright Joe, I'm sure Caroline won't mind keeping Emma company for a few hours, let me go and speak to her and we'll go into town." Hoss slapped his little brother on the back and he walked back to the house.
7 or 8 minutes later and Hoss came out of the house smiling, "OK, little brother, Emma's lending me one of Adam's horses, let me saddle one up and we'll head out."
Hoss selected one of Adam's horses, found a saddle that was big enough for him and saddled the horse then led it outside to find Joe pacing about whilst he waited.
"Ready, Joe?"
"Yep."
Hoss swung himself up into the saddle, "Come on then, let's go."
Joe quickly collected Cochise and swung up into the saddle. And then he followed Hoss out of Adam's yard.
"So what was all that cloak and dagger stuff going on with Joe earlier, Eric?" Caroline asked as she undressed for bed.
"Ah, it weren't nothing much really. The boy's feeling a little bit hurt with the way Amelia is treating him." Hoss undressed and climbed into bed and was joined by Caroline a few minutes later when she had brushed her hair.
Caroline snuggled up to Hoss and lay her head on his chest. "So tell me more about what is going on with Amelia and Joe."
Hoss spent the next 30 minutes telling his wife everything that Joe had told him about what had happened the night before at the Henderson's and how hurt and upset Joe had been on the ride into town.
"Oh the poor boy. No wonder he's feeling so bad. Amelia is clearly taking out her frustration on him and it's not fair."
Hoss had already asked Caroline if she would go and speak to Amelia after church when they returned from town and Caroline had readily agreed. Hoss in turn had told Joe who had sighed and thanked both of them before he said that he had better be getting on home as he promised Pa he wouldn't be late back.
After Joe had checked in with Emma and confirmed that he would pick them up for church at 9 in the morning Joe had mounted up and rode away.
"What so you think is going on with that little girl, honey? It's not like Amelia to be so cruel. She's such a sweet girl normally."
"Eric, she's scared and confused about what is happening to her body and I think that sitting around inside all day isn't helping with that. Not to mention the fact that, I think that she's like Joe. Carrying around all that guilt from keeping the truth from her father has got to be eating at her. I'll try to see if I can reassure her about the changes her body will be going through and maybe speak to Simon so he can check her leg over again Monday and allow her to use a cane so she can get around a little more on her own."
Hoss tilted Caroline's head up and he kissed her on the lips softly, "I hope you can get through to her, honey. Joe is real broken up about this. He loves that little girl but the strain of all this is really hurting my little brother more than he's admitting."
"I'll do my best to help her, Eric, but I can't force her any more than Joe can."
"I know that, honey, but if you can try your best I know Joe will be happy that at least no one can say that the family aren't trying to do anything to help her. The rest is up to the girl to come to terms herself."
Hoss kissed his wife lightly on the lips again, "Now, as much as I love my little brother, I don't want to talk about him anymore."
Hoss then kissed Caroline more passionately on the lips than before and he allowed his hands to stray down her arms whilst he worked his way down her neck as she moaned softly in her throat at his ministrations.
"I know that we can't make a baby, honey but you're not against the way babies are made are you?" he stopped and asked panting.
The couple hadn't made love since Caroline had come back from San Francisco, as Hoss wanted to provide his wife with all the support that he could, but he missed showing her how much he loved her by sharing his bed with her as well.
"Eric Cartwright, if you don't stop talking and make love to me right now, then I might just think about finding myself a lover in town!"
Hoss looked into his wife's eye and saw the twinkle in her eye. "Seeking out a lover in town eh? Well let me see if I can't change your mind about that, honey." And Hoss returned to caressing and kissing his way down his wife's body, intent on giving them both as much pleasure as they could manage.
A / N 2: So things are not going well for Joe and Amelia, but Adam's cattle drive is ahead of schedule so hopefully he will be home real soon which will be way before Emma is expecting him, which I'm sure with please Emma and the children too.
As usual if you like what you read please review.