Chapter 11

'Adam, I'm bored.'

He chuckled, looking up from the paperwork he was catching up on at the girl seated on the couch. 'You're bored? Have another nap or do a couple drawings to pass the time.'

'I've already had two naps.' She sighed heavily, placing her head back against the pillow but her eyes still focused on him. 'And I've done three drawings. I'm really really bored.'

'You know what the doc said, complete bed rest. And that-' He sat back against the back of his chair, pointing the pencil he was holding at her. 'Means complete rest.'

'Adammm.'

'Nope. Bed rest. ' The girl flopped her head back against the pillow and he smiled. Gosh, since she'd started feeling better the last couple of days she'd steadily grown stubborner as the hour passed. At the rate she was going she was starting to be more stubborn then Little Joe by the time Pa returned. 'Tell you what. When I'm finished here, how about I read you a story?'

'I guess that'll have to do.' She sighed again. It was a little infuriating that she wasn't the eldest anymore. Being the eldest before gave her more privileges to do what she wanted but now the tables had turned and now she found herself in the shoes of her younger siblings. Now she understood the distance that had been between them, the fact that they didn't like listening to their elder sibling. She could hear the scribbling of a fountain pen on paper as she sat quietly and thought. There had to be a way to get him to agree to something she wanted. She was sick of being indoors, sick and tired of being confined to either the bed or the couch. 'Hey Adam.'

'Yeah?'

'Have you guys got a wagon or buckboard?'

'We might.' A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He had a feeling of what the girl was going to propose. 'Why?'

'Well, I was just wondering if maybe, if we put some blankets down in the back of it maybe you could take me some out somewhere for a change of scenery.'

'Oh really?'

'Please? Please Adam. I've been stuck inside for over a month now, I really want to go out.'

He thought for a moment. Yes, the girl had been cooped up inside for sometime now. He'd have gone stark mad if he had to be stuck inside for as long as she had so far. He closed up the ledgers he'd been working on and nodded. 'Alright.'

A smile spread across her face as she sat up, looking at him. 'Really?'

'Well, I do need to go see how Hoss and Little Joe are going with fixing the fence. I guess you can come along. You sure you're up to it though? It'll be pretty bumpy.'

'I'm just sick of being inside, I don't care if it's bumpy or not. I just want to get out for a bit.'

'Alright. I'll go hitch up the team.'

Missie smiled with satisfaction as Adam walked out, quite pleased with herself. She'd been so sick of being inside she was willing to go through anything just to be outdoors again. She glanced around, the house was quiet and she slid the covers off her legs. Carefully she sat up, giving herself a moment to let the room stop spinning and rubbed her legs. The doc had said she needed at least another week in bed but she was sick and tired of it. She just wanted to get up and start doing things again.

Holding onto the couch she stood up gingerly, her leg hurting but she was able to bear it. It felt good being on her feet, she smiled in satisfaction. The quicker she could start walking again the quicker she could do things again. She hated feeling useless, she wanted to help pull her weight.

She sat down after a moment again, not daring to risk it further. She didn't want to get caught when she knew she was supposed to be resting. She put the covers back over herself then started rubbing her arms and shoulders. The doc said she needed to build up muscle again since she'd been in bed for so long. It was taking time but she was feeling better. Her wounds were almost fully healed now and she was able to feed herself now without relying on Adam to do it for her.

'Alright young lady, let's go.' Adam exclaimed as he walked back in, picking the girl up blankets and all. 'Mightn't be the most comfortable ride but there's some pretty country between there and here.'

'I'm just glad to be outside.' She replied, blinking in the sunlight as he carried her out to the spring wagon. There were some old blankets laid down inside and he placed her down on them. 'Thank you for this Adam.'

'No problem.' He climbed up onto the seat and took the brake off. 'Now sit back and enjoy the ride.'

Adam was right, the ride was bumpy but the girl was stubborn and didn't complain. He was right too about the country, it was right pretty. She retested her head on her hands, staring up at the clouds overhead. One of them looked like a horse galloping, it's mane and tail flying. It made her think of her horse, a proud chestnut mare that she'd helped break for her first horse once she'd graduated from riding her fathers. She wondered where Lily was. Probably sold to someone else now, she'd been with the horses her father had stolen.

'You enjoying the ride back there?'

'Yep.' The cloud soon vanished, the girl turning to other thoughts as she tried to figure out what the cloud had turned into next. 'When's your Pa coming back?'

'He should be back any day now.' He'd received a telegram a couple days back from him informing them he would be back later then expected. He'd been travelling around to get credit to Missie's story, Adam didn't know what he'd found yet but he guessed it to be important since he'd been away longer then expected. They hadnt told the girl what he was doing away anyway, not wanting to worry her. As far as she knew he was away on ranch businesses. 'Any reason why you ask?'

'No reason, just wondering.' The cloud had turned into a cat and she giggled. 'Look Adam, there's a cat in the clouds.'

He glanced up for a moment. 'Yeah, it does look like a cat. You like cats?'

'We had a couple back home but we had to leave them behind. Pa promised we'd get new ones when we got to the new ranch but then things happened-' She sighed. 'I do miss my pets, we had goats and chickens and two dogs, three cats and of course each of us had our own horse or pony. Rose didn't obviously and my youngest brother could only ride being led so he shared his brothers pony. You had any pets when you were my age Adam?'

'I had a dog, his name was Rosco. He was the best dog I've ever seen.'

'I think everyone thinks that of their animals.'

'Your probably right there.' Up ahead he could see where his brothers were working on fixing the fence. 'Well, we're almost here.'

The wagon came to a stop beside where the horses had been tied, Adam frowning when he saw there was an extra horse next to Hoss and Joe's mounts. He jumped down, Hoss and Joe heading in their direction as he went to pick Missie up. 'Here we are.'

'Well-' Joe exclaimed good naturedly as he walked over. 'This is a surprise. You here to help with the fencing?'

She chuckled, her arms around Adam's neck as he held her. 'No silly. I just wanted out of the house is all and Adam agreed to take me along when he had to come see how the fence was getting along.'

'And here I thought we were going to get an extra hand.'

'Seems like you've already got one.' He motioned towards the man still at the fence fixing it. 'Who's that?'

'Oh that's Ruben.' Hoss replied. 'The foreman hired him on.'

'Did he now?' Without consulting me or Pa I might add. 'Where'd he come from?'

He shrugged. 'You'll have to speak to Hosea about that.'

'I fully intend to.'

'So-' Joe clapped his brother on the shoulder. 'While your here, do you want to give us a hand?'

'What do you think Missie? You want to stay here for a bit?'

'Sure. It's so nice outside.'

'Alright, how about I put you down under that tree over there?'

'That would be fine.'

'Yeah, she gets to supervise while we do all the work.'

'Haha Little Joe. Just you wait till I'm on my feet again and I'll be running rings around you with fixing fencing.'

'We'll see, we'll see.'

Adam placed her down gently in the grass as his brothers returned to work, putting down a blanket for her then helped her onto it. 'Thanks Adam.'

'You'll be fine here?'

'Sure I'll be. I'll be right here watching you work. Go have fun now.' She caught him rolling his eyes as he walked away and chuckled. It was rather fun to irritate him, the girl enjoying it imensly. Behind his hard and crusty exterior she knew deep down he liked it too. Otherwise why would he still be looking after her?

She was pondering those things and more as slowly the fence started to look like a fence again. She wondered what business Ben was on that was taking so long, the house seemed kind of empty with him away. She was growing to like all of them slowly too, Hoss was a gentle giant who understood animals better then people, Little Joe liked getting himself into all kinds of trouble, the night before Hoss had dragged his sorry hind through the door after he'd been fighting at the saloon. Adam, well, she'd trusted him from almost the beginning. He was gentle and kind but at the same time had something about him that made her feel safe and protected. She hadn't been able to get to know Ben much better since he was absent but she could see him through the way he'd raised his sons. They were respectful and polite, real gentlemen, not at all like her father.

'Excuse me Miss, have we met before?'

She jumped at the voice, turning to look at him and her blood ran cold. She recognized him instantly as being one of the men from that awful day. She hoped he couldn't see the surprise on her face, hoping he didn't recognize her. 'You startled me.' She replied, using a thick Southern drawl to try and disguise herself. 'Sorry, I don't think we have.'

'Must have mistaken you for someone else.' He grinned at her but it only served to make her blood run cold. He tipped his hat at her as he turned away. 'Good day Miss.'

Her heart was racing as he walked away, relieved to see Adam coming towards her. He came over, kneeling down beside her. 'You like it out here Missie?'

'Get me out of here Adam, please.' She whimpered, looking up at him. 'I want to go. Now.'

He frowned but nodded as he picked her up and the blanket too. 'What's wrong?'

'Not here. Just hold me. Please?'

He could feel her shaking as he carried her over to the wagon, kicking himself for not watching the hand. He'd been so busy fixing the fence he'd slipped right past and gone to the girl. 'It's okay Missie, your alright.' He whispered softly. 'I'll get you home now.'

She nodded, her heart slowing some when he placed her back in the wagon. What was that man doing here? Had he realised who she was? Was her father here with him? She heard Adam climb onto the wagon then the lurch forward as he started the horse's. She just wanted out of there, out of there as fast as she could.

Adam glanced over his shoulder at the girl from time to time as he guided the team back towards the house. She didn't say a word the entire trip, just staring blankly off into the distance. He was worried, quite worried. What had caused the girl to act like that?

They soon reached home, Adam stopping the team out the front of the house ont of the house. Jumping down off the seat he went to the side of the wagon and picked the girl up again. She wasn't shaking as much as she had been earlier as he carried inside the house, gently placing her down on the couch. He knelt down beside her, tucking her in under the blankets. 'What's wrong Missie?'

'That man.' She replied softly. 'He was one of the men with my father.'

'Are you sure?'

'Positive Adam. He was there with my father when they murdered my family.'

Oh this is just great. He thought as he tried to think of what to do next. With his father away he was in charge. He needed to go tell Roy but at the same time didn't want to leave the girl unprotected. 'Alright, don't you worry about it, I'll take care of it.'

She nodded as he patted her shoulder. 'I'm scared Adam. What if he tells my father and brings him back here?'

'If that happens we'll take care of it.' He promised with seriousness. No one was going to hurt her, he was going to make sure of it. 'I need to go out the team and wagon away but I'll be back alright.'

'Alright.'

He headed back out to the horses and lead them to the barn, putting the wagon away then unhitched them. He didnt trust that man as far as he could throw him. One of the workers walked in as he took the harness off the bay. 'Red, finish putting away the team.' The man nodded and took the reins, Adam heading back to the house. Missie was staring off into the distance when he walked in, taking a seat beside her again. 'How about that story now Missie?'

Adam was sitting outside on the porch later that afternoon, reading a book while he waited for his brothers to arrive. He really wished his father was here, he'd know what to do but he wasn't and it was up to him to deal with the problem. He flipped the page, not really paying much attention to what he was reading as much as he was his thoughts. Missie had right to worry, it only took one person to recognize her then it'd be all over. Well, it was up to him to make sure she stayed safe.

The girl had fallen asleep after he'd finished reading the story to her. He could tell she was scared but was trying not to show it. She was only twelve for petes sake. She shouldn't have to deal with what she was going through. He flipped over another page then closed the book. He had too many things going through his mind to concentrate on reading.

The sound of horses approaching made him look up, relieved to see it was Hoss and Joe coming back to the house. He stood up and walked over to them as they dismounted. 'Where's Ruben?'

'Gone to the bunk house-' Joe replied, leading his horse towards the barn. 'Why?'

'Missie recognized him as being with her father when her family was murdered.'

'Damn burnit Adam.' Hoss brought up the rear with Chubb. 'Are you sure?'

'By the way Missie was shaking like a leaf after he'd spoken to her I don't doubt it.' He clapped his hand on the rump of Joe's horse as he was led into the stall then lent against the post as he continued to speak. 'Was he asking about her after we left?'

'Yeah, I think he did say something.'

'What'd you tell him?'

'Just that she's a guest, nothing more.' He slid the saddle off his horses back and placed it on the wall between the stalls. 'He sure doesn't know much about ranchin.'

'I don't know why he was even hired in the first place.' Hoss added. 'Took him twice as long as us to get a simple hole done.'

'Do you think it means trouble Adam?'

'I don't know but I sure don't like it.' Adam replied, thinking. 'I'm going into town later, I'll have a talk with Roy about this. I'll sure feel better when Pa is back, I am worried that something might happen to Missie.'

'With the three of us looking out for her she'll be fine. Besides, she made short work of that wolf.' He gave the paint a quick brush over, Hoss finishing with his gelding at the same time. 'I don't think we've got anything to worry about.'

'All the same I think I'll still have that chat to Roy.'

'Want me to come in with you Adam?' Hoss questioned, walking out of the stall.

'I'll think about it. I want you to keep an eye on Missie, Joe, so you'll need to stay here.'

'I never get to be in on the fun.'

'There'll be fun if her father or his henchmen show up.' They walked up the stairs to the house, Adam motioning for them to be quiet when he saw she was still sleeping. 'I'll head into town after dinner after she's in bed. I don't want her to worry.'

'When's Pa meant to be back?' Hoss asked as they took seats in the living room, keeping their conversation to a whisper least they disturb the girl.

'Soon I hope.'

'Dinner ready boys.' Hop Sing announced as he walked in from the kitchen with a steaming roast. 'Best go wash up.'

'Oh Hop Sing you've out done yourself.' He exclaimed as the tantalizing smell of the beef filled the room. 'Come on Joe, there'll be nothin left if you don't hurry up.'

Adam chuckled as his brothers hurried out, the girl stirring from her nap at the commotion. 'Dinner's ready.'

'I can smell that.' She smiled sleepily. 'Smells good.'

'You feel up to joining us at the table?'

'Sure, I'll give it a shot.'

'Up you come then.' He moved the blankers aside then picked her up and carried her over to the table. He sat her down in the chair besides his, watching her closely. 'How do you feel?'

'A little lightheaded but I'll be alright Adam.'

'Just let me know if it gets too much and I'll take you to lie down again.'

She smiled and nodded. It was nice to have someone looking out for her, something she'd never really had before. 'I will.'

'Alright-' Hoss rubbed his hands together as he and Joe came to sit at the table. 'let's dig in-'

'Uh ah.' Adam reprimanded as he went to start serving himself. 'We've got a lady in the house now. She gets served first.'

'Adam, I don't mind-'

'It'll do good for them to learn some patience for a change.' He exclaimed as he served her plate. 'This enough for you?'

'That'll do nicely, thank you.' She nodded as he placed her plate infront of her. Carefully she cut up her roast, thankful she was strong enough to eat on her own now. 'I've never been treated like a lady before, I used to eat the leftovers before Ma married Pa. There was never enough to eat so I'd give my siblings my share.'

'No wonder your so tiny then.' Hoss served himself another peice if roast. 'You don't have to worry about going hungry now though Missie, there's plenty of good food here.'

She chuckled. With Hoss's appetite it was a miracle there was any food left for anyone else. 'I can see that.'

'So are you liking it here Missie?' Joe questioned with a bite of mashed potatoes.

'Joe, no talking with food in your mouth.'

The girl giggled at Adam's reprimand to his younger brother then nodded. 'You guys are growing on me but how'd you feel having me around on a permanent basis?'

'At least I wouldn't be the youngest anymore. We can call you Little Miss instead.'

'Now don't go teasing her Little Joe.' Hoss remarked with a glint in his eye. 'We don't want to scare off the only gal thinking of staying with us bachelors.'

'You know, Missie's caused less trouble while she's been here then you two have in a week.'

'That's right boys, that's because I'm the mature one around here.' She retaunted. 'Pass the potatoes please Adam.'

'Certainly, me lady.'

'Oh don't go telling me your on her side Adam. You can't forget your brothers.'

'I'm on the side of maturity Little Joe, which Missie here surprisingly has quite the amount of.'

'I had to, looking after five younger siblings.' She took a second helping of the mashed potatoes then finished a couple bites before replying. 'I tell you, its something strange being the youngest when you've always been the eldest.'

'Yeah, you get bossed to instead of doing the bossing around.' He glanced at his elder brother. 'Hey Adam, why don't you and I switch places for awhile. You might understand where Missie is coming from then.'

'I think not.'

'Why not?'

'Because there's nothing you can do about me being the eldest, little brother.' He replied smuggly, his arms folded infront of him since he'd finished his meal. 'I wouldn't be getting any fancy ideas of bossing Missie around either just cause she's younger then you.'

'Ready for desert?'

'Of course Hop Sing.' Hoss patted his stomach. 'I've still got room in here for more.'

'I be right back.'

Missie returned to her meal as the boys changed the topic of conversation. Though Adam had said not to worry about her seeing one of her father's men she couldn't help it. She was scared, terrified but kept that to herself. She wouldn't let them know how frightened she was. Besides, maybe the man had decided he didn't want to work for her father anymore. She finished off her dinner, listening to the laughter of the men around the table at one of Hoss's jokes and smiled. They might be grown men but boys never really grew up. She remembered well her brothers arguing that they were man enough to work on the ranch, stating that if she could do it and she was a girl they could handle it too. Her smile faded after a moment. She'd never see them grow into men. She'd never see her sisters grow into women either.

'Here we go.' Hop Sing announced as he brought a tray to the table, Hoss and Joe moving dishes aside to make room for it. 'Bread and butter pudding.'

'Oh Hop Sing your spoiling us.'

'Enjoy Mister Hoss. You leave some for others though.'.

'Yes Sir Hop Sing.'

'I've never had this before.' Missie exclaimed, looking at the dish closely. 'What's it made of?'

'No idea but it tastes jolly good.' He passed a plate he'd filled to Adam to hand to the girl. 'You'll like it, I guarantee.'

The girl picked up a spoon and took a little bit from the bowl, gingerly licking it to see what it tasted like. It was warm and sweet, probably one of the best deserts she'd tasted.

Little Joe chuckled as he saw the girl digging into her desert, nudging Hoss in the ribs. 'The way she's gettung stuck into that there mightn't be any left for you.'

'Hey, your right. That girl sure likes it-' He went for another portion of the pudding just in case. 'See, I told you you'd like it.'

Adam rolled his eyes, seeing most of it end up on the girls face and not in her mouth. 'Missie it goes in your mouth-'

She cut him off, handing the bowl back to Hoss for a refill. 'May I have some more?'

'You sure can Missie. There you go.'

'Thank you.' The girl looked at Adam cheekily, deliberately spilling some of the pudding down the side of her mouth. 'Oopsie.'

'I declare Missie.' He grabbed a napkin off the table to hand to her. 'And here I was singing your praises about maturity.'

She giggled as a naughty idea came into her mind. Before Adam could react she'd placed a spoonful of pudding over his nose. 'We're matching now.'

Hoss and Joe erupted in laughter from the glare their older brother gave the girl, laughing harder at the glare he gave them as he wiped his face over. 'How's watching Missie going now big brother?'

'Just fine.' He replied coldly, handing the girl the napkin as she abruptly stopped laughing. 'Clean your face.'

'But Adam-'

'Missie, do as your told or I'll take the rest of your desert from you.'

She looked down, taking the napkin and cleaned her face. Why couldn't he take a joke? There'd been no harm in it, she was only teasing him. Her face cleaned she silently returned to finishing off her desert. 'May I go to bed now?'

'I'll take you up in a moment.'

She nodded, fiddling with her spoon in the empty bowl. Gosh, note to self. Adam didn't take too kindly to jokes.

'Alright, let's get you to bed then.'

'Good night Missie.'

'Night Missie.'

'Good night Little Joe, Hoss.' She replied as Adam picked her up, carrying her with ease back up the stairs. 'I-I'm sorry Adam. I was only joshing with you.'

'Just don't go wasting good food like that again.' He reprimanded, placing her on the bed then helped her take off her dress covering her nightgown. 'I'll see you in the morning Missie.'

'Night Adam.'

Adam closed the door to the girls room behind him as he left, heading back down the stairs. 'Hoss, you coming with me?'

'Sure Adam.' He quickly wiped his mouth over with a napkin. 'Hey, why'd you get so cross with Missie? She meant no harm.'

'I've got a lot on my mind.'

'You must have.' Joe exclaimed as he pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. 'Or maybe it's because you don't like being embarrassed by her infront of your brother's.'

That was kind of the reason, he didn't like them to think he wasn't in control of a situation but he kept those thoughts to himself. 'Just keep an eye on Missie will you. Go check on her from time to time.'

'How long will you two be?'

'Don't know, depends on what we find. Come on Hoss.'