Hoss thought about his wish for Adam. Laughter was the first word that had popped into his mind. Adam had the best smile and most contagious laugh when he let himself enjoy a good joke. They had shared several in their lifetime. Most of them had been on Little Joe, but some had been on himself. He couldn't help but smile, a harsh sob catching in his throat. He knew his family was looking to him to be strong, he hoped he wouldn't let them down.
The soft creak of the stairs behind him broke Hoss from his thoughts. His father must be finally coming down. When he had stopped by his room earlier he'd found him sitting in his favorite rocking chair, his tie undone, shoes not polished, tears streaming down his face. Hoss hadn't wanted to intrude, but something had drawn him to sit on the bed and spend some time with his father. There really hadn't been much to say but, being together, a family, seemed to make his father smile even if it was only for a moment. It gave Hoss the needed strength to make it through this night.
Hoss brushed away his tears with his hand as he pulled it back from the pile. "Sorry, Pa," he said, sniffing as he turned towards him. "We went ahead and lit the candles. Hope you don't mind."
Ben shook his head, a smile tugging gently at his lips. "No, Hoss. It looks – it looks really nice." His father crossed the room to the coffin and placed his hand on it. He ran his hand along the frames of his three wives. When he got to the picture of Adam he picked it up and studied it. They all watched as he broke down and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Hoss wanted to move forward and hug his father but he was frozen, just staring at him in his time of great sadness. Soon Ben replaced the picture, rubbed his eyes then looked over towards the perfectly set table. Hop Sing had done a wonderful job placing the food. Ben gave the Chinese cook a nod, too overwhelmed for words. Hop Sing returned the gesture with a bow.
Hoss noticed that his father looked tired. It'd been a long day for all of them and he was sure that he and Joe looked just as worn out. Cramming his hands in his pockets he moved closer to his father. "Is there anything special you need me to do tonight, Pa?" his voice sounded shaky, clearing his throat he continued. "Ya know, like where you want us to stand and all."
Before Ben could answer there was a knock at the door. Hoss and Joe exchanged glances then looked to their father for guidance. Ben was staring at the door, paralyzed to react. It was Hop Sing that finally made the move and opened the front door to welcome their guests.
It was Roy Coffee and Doc Martin. Handing their hats to Hop Sing they made their way towards their old friend.
"How ya doin', Ben?" Roy asked, extending his hand.
"Fine, under the circumstances," Ben responded.
Roy and Doc Martin exchanged concerned glances and escorted him off to the side to talk with him. Hoss watched their interaction until some other friends arrived.
Mario Biancci and his son entered, carrying a large bowl of spaghetti. "I am a so sorry for your circumstances. Your brother, he was a fine boy." Hop Sing came and got the bowl from Mario. "My son, he hopes you will let him play at Adam's funeral tomorrow, it would mean so much to him."
Hoss looked down at the young boy that he and Adam had found playing classical guitar music at the saloon. Hoss couldn't help but smile as he looked down into the hopeful eyes of young Nick. "I think Adam would've liked that a lot." Hoss could feel more tears burning his eyes. "Please make yourselves at home, if you'll excuse me." He walked away from the pair and over to the punch bowl. A woman and her young son were looking around the room. Hoss nodded his head and smiled at the woman who returned it awkwardly. "Would you like some punch?" Hoss asked her.
The woman smiled, "Oh yes, thank you. Jody, would you like some too?" The young boy looked up at her with big, round eyes and nodded.
Hoss handed them their cups then continued to drink his. Just as he started to walk away the woman grabbed his arm gently, "I'm sorry to bother you, but could you show me who Adam's family members are?"
Hoss set his punch glass down. "I'm Hoss Cartwright, Adam was my brother."
"Oh," the woman responded. "Well, I'm Mrs. Grant and this is my son Jody. Your brother helped us out at our ranch a while back."
Hoss knew the name, the husband had been a cattle thief who Adam had managed to talk out of being a part of his group's last rustle. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Thanks for coming." Hoss looked down at the young boy. It made him think about what Adam had looked like when they were boys. A memory flashed into Hoss' mind of Adam turning around laughing. He was holding up a fish he'd just caught.
Jody was digging in his pocket and pulled out a small carved horse. Holding it up he showed it to Hoss. "I was wondering if you might - put this with – I mean, well, I made this for Adam and I want you to be sure he gets it." He placed it into Hoss' hand. "I made it with the jackknife my Pa gave me. I been meaning to – well, Adam was a good friend and I'm going to miss him. I just wanted you to know that."
"Yeah," Hoss responded. "I'm gonna miss him too." Hoss looked down at his hand as he turned over the wooden horse. "I'll be sure to take care of this."
"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright," Jody responded quietly.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Cartwright," Mrs. Grant chimed in. "Your brother was one of the bravest and most honest men I ever met. He saved our family, I'll never forget him."
Hoss nodded. "Thank you, ma'am."
"Well, Jody, we better get back. We have a long ride," Mrs. Grant said as she gently pushed her son towards the door. Hoss was still staring down at the horse in his hand. Mrs. Grant paused as she passed by and gave Hoss's arm a gentle squeeze.
Joe walked up to his brother and looked at the item he was holding. "What's that?"
"Something for Adam," Hoss said, as he slipped the wooden figure into his pocket. "He touched a lot of people's lives, you know?"
Joe placed an arm on his larger brother's shoulder and gave him a gentle pat. "I know what you mean." Together they scanned the great room of the Ponderosa, wall to wall with friends and neighbors. There was a line out the door where additional people were waiting to get in.
Hoss spotted their father. He seemed to be holding up well as he shook hands and acknowledged the people and their words of sympathy. Hoss knew he should be standing beside him in case he needed something. He poured another glass of punch. "Joe, I'm going to check on Pa." Joe slid his hand off his brother's shoulder and nodded. It took Hoss a while to get in behind his father, but when he finally did he managed to get the cup into his hand. "Here, Pa, are you thirsty?"
Ben took the glass and drank the liquid down in one swallow, then continued to speak with their visitors. Hoss didn't want to move, he wanted to stay close beside his father. Perhaps it would give him continued strength to face the mass of people that had come to pay their respects to his brother. Folks who had known him and whose lives he had touched in some way, shape or form. Hoss slipped his hands back into his pockets and felt the wooden horse. Pulling it out he maneuvered towards the coffin and set the figure next to the picture of Adam.
