CH. 7: Chores and Trouble
With the children well again, things were slowly beginning to return to normal. The children were back in school and Adam was back to his usual choring and other work around the ranch.
Unfortunately, just as things were returning to business as usual, Ben himself began having the same symptoms as that of his children. Rachel was quick to send him up to bed to rest while she put a pot of soup to simmer on the back of the stove.
Adam had just come in for lunch from checking the herd and was surprised when he saw but only two plates set out.
"Where's Pa?"
"Sick," Rachel replied in just a single word.
"Augh, no," a disgruntled look crossed her stepson's face.
"That's what I said."
"At least the house will be quiet while the kids are in school."
Rachel nodded in agreement and turned to fetch his dinner.
"Did you want me to ride for the doctor?"
"I don't see any reason too," she shook her head. "I'm sure he's got the same thing you all did."
"I was sure hoping he wouldn't get sick," Adam shook his head, a worried expression crossing his face.
"What is it?" Rachel noticed the concern.
"Lost a lot of time last week on all the winter chores because of the weather and all of us sick. It's going to be hard to catch up."
"It'll get done," she assured him.
Adam didn't say anything, he didn't think he could trust his voice. Seriously beginning to doubt every thought in his mind as he ran over the list of chores in his head.
Adam gulped down his lunch much faster than normal as he was in a hurry to get back out to work and do all he could do on his own before his siblings arrived from school. Especially Hoss, who could pull more than his share of the work.
The most important was the roof and even though he tried to get as much done as possible alone, he could use another person. At least if it was to be done right.
He was just descending the ladder when Hoss, Joe, Kate, and Lou Anne rode in.
"Just in time," he announced.
"For what?" Kate dismounted.
"Extra chores," he drew the word chores out.
"Why?!" Joe protested loudly.
"Because we've got a lot to catch up on."
"Did Pa say that?" Kate wanted to clarify.
"He didn't have to. You all know we've got chores."
"But extra?" Lou Anne complained.
"We've all got to pull our own weight," Adam started to explain. "Pa's sick."
"When did that happen?" Lou Anne sounded worried.
"Today," he enlightened them. "Now put your mounts up. We've got to get to work. We're going to finish Pa's list of winter chores this week."
"What?!" Joe again protested. "Have you seen that list? It's going to take forever!"
"Best get started then," Adam returned to his work by tying a rope around several slats to pull up once he was back on the roof.
"Put my books inside," Hoss pulled them from his saddlebags before handing them to his youngest sister. "I'm going to help Adam."
"What do you want us to do?" Kate figured she had best get started.
"Says here," Adam pulled the list from his pocket. "He wants four quarts of wood chopped and stacked.
"Four quarts!" Joe said emphatically. "That'll take forever."
"Funny you should say that," Adam smirked. "Because that's yours and Kate's job."
"What? I'll be working till next winter!"
"That's why there's two of you working. As for you," he turned his attention to Lou Anne. "The chicken pen needs to be cleaned, their roosts built up, and extra hay brought in. And there is plenty more for you to do once you finish that."
"But Adam," Lou Anne complained. "That's too much."
"It's got to be done," he told her what she already knew.
"It's not fair," she pouted. "I'm telling Pa."
"Pa doesn't need to be disturbed and you know he's put me in charge when he isn't around."
"But he is here," Joe said pointedly.
"And you're going to leave him alone," he ordered.
"Stop telling me what to do," Joe crossed his arms in front of his chest defiantly. "You aren't the boss."
"And I already told you," Adam didn't back down. "We've got a lot to catch up on and being lazy isn't going to get it done."
"I'm not being lazy. And I'm telling Rachel."
"Rachel doesn't know anything about ranch work or bad winters. I know both. Now, do as I say and get to work."
Joe started to argue, but Kate stopped him.
"Come on Joe," she urged. "Might as well get it over with."
Joe sighed but finally relented.
"Thanks," Adam looked at his sister once his youngest brother walked away.
"Once again," Kate pointed a finger in his chest. "You owe me."
"Just get to work before I forget I'm too busy to drop you in the trough."
"Do it," she threw him a taunting grin. "I'd love to tell Pa what you did in this cold weather."
"Go!" He raised his voice, pointing at the barn.
"You just love being in charge don't you?"
"Actually no," he shook his head. "Sometimes I hate being the oldest."
"Lucky for you, you're stuck with it," she stuck her tongue out at him before taking off in a sprint before he could get his hands on her.
Things didn't go all that smooth the remainder of the afternoon and it seemed as if the moment she went up to check on her husband's fever and bring him up another pitcher of water, she was being cold down to tend to one of the children.
"Have you gotten any rest?" She placed a cool cloth on his head.
"Little bit," he stifled a cough. "There's been quite a bit of activity in the yard."
"I'm sorry," she gave him an apologetic smile. "I've tried to keep them quiet."
Ben waved a hand, appearing as if he wasn't all that bothered by it.
"I'm used to it."
Rachel was about to say something regarding the fact that she was just happy they still weren't all sick but was about to change her mind when she was interrupted by another yell.
"Rachel! Rachel!"
The call came from the youngest, the second she walked through the front door.
"I am being called," she smiled at her husband.
Ben tried to smile, but the pain in his head was increasing and he continued by trying to rub it away.
"Better see what she needs before she comes charging up here," Rachel felt bad that he was so uncomfortable. "You'll never get any rest then."
Rachel reached the bottom of the stairs the second Lou Anne was about to make a mad dash for them.
"What's wrong Lou Anne?"
"My arm hurts," she held the sore arm.
"What happened?" Rachel noticed the bleeding cut.
"Joe pushed me and I fell over a pile of wood and cut my arm on the ax."
"Now why would he do something like that?"
"Because he's mean," she pouted. "You should tell Pa to spank him."
"Your Pa isn't going to be spanking anyone," Rachel proceeded to wash the cut clean. "He's got a bad headache." She took a bandage and ointment from the cabinet. "But I'll talk to your brother."
"Talking doesn't do any good with Little Joe."
"I'll try it just the same. Now suppose you tell me what you were doing to make Joe push you? I thought you had your own set of chores to do."
Lou Anne didn't say anything at first but she did drop her head in a manner that made her stepmother understand the reasoning behind her silence.
"I might have thrown a scoop of muck from the chicken pen," she finally said, a mischievous look crossing her face.
"Lou Anne Cartwright," Rachel's eyes widened. "That was not nice."
"Maybe not, but he still shouldn't have pushed me."
"No," she knew she had to agree with that statement. "But you started it. And I don't want it to happen again." Rachel found herself laying down the law for the first time since she came.
"Yes Mam," she sighed.
XXXXXXXX
That evening, after taking a tray up to her ailing husband, Rachel and the four youngest sat around the dinner table awaiting the arrival of the eldest. Hoss had been eyeing the platter of roast chicken for what seemed like an hour but wasn't anywhere remotely that long. He started to reach for a roll but after receiving a stern look from his stepmother, he dropped it in its place. He knew better than to serve himself before everyone was seated but he couldn't help himself, he was too hungry.
Where is that brother of yours?" Rachel pushed her chair away from the table, preparing to go out and search for him herself. Luckily for her, the moment she started to stand, Adam came in.
"Where have you been?" Her voice was cross.
"Sorry," he apologized, taking his seat. "Lost track of time."
"I understand you have taken on a lot of responsibility with your Pa's list of chores," she was sue to say first of all. "But I still expect you to be in by mealtimes."
"Yes'm," he nodded.
"Well please say grace, so we can eat," she nodded for the children to bow their heads.
The children were quick to do as they were told, especially Hoss who knew that prayer led to the indulgence of the meal.
Adam didn't say much throughout dinner, his mind was too focused on the work ahead. The other four, however, were sure to pick up the slack. Talking so much as no one would notice if their eldest brother was there or not.
"How was school today?" Rachel did her best to sound motherly.
"Boring," Joe answered for himself and Lou Anne.
"And you two?" She looked from Hoss to Kate.
"I enjoyed lunch and recess," Hoss didn't say much to help the conversation.
"Please tell me you have something better to say?" Rachels last hope was Kate.
"I got an A on my history test," Kate made it sound as if it was no big achievement.
"And just when were you planning on telling us this?" Rachel couldn't help but beam at her stepdaughter's news.
"I don't know," Kate shrugged. "Guess I just didn't think much about it without Pa."
"It's not like it's a huge accomplishment," Lou Anne scoffed. "She always gets good grades."
"I take it you didn't do very well," she looked at her youngest stepdaughter with a raised brow.
"I didn't have a test," Lou Anne said sarcastically. "In case you didn't notice, I'm younger than she is."
"Lou Anne," Rachel said in a warning tone. Surprising even herself with the authority she managed to arouse. "Do not speak to me in that manner."
"Yes mam," Lou Anne was quick to return to her meal. If not to keep herself from trouble, to keep her middle brother from eating it.
Adam, who barely paid attention to anything going on at the table around him suddenly made everyone look up as he took the last swig from his glass and excused himself from the table, heading for the door.
"Adam," Rachel stopped him. "Where are you going? It's dark."
"Still got a few things I can do in the barn."
"That can wait till tomorrow."
"Rachel," Adam tried.
"You have just gotten over from being sick," she ignored him. "And I don't want you to have a relapse."
"I appreciate the concern mam," Adam tipped his hat. "But a lot is needing to be done and it's not going to happen sitting in the house."
"Surely the winter chores don't involve things in the barn," Rachel followed him.
"As a matter of fact, they do," Adam didn't even bother to slow his step so she could keep up.
It was pitch black out and you couldn't see the hand in front of your face but that didn't bother the Cartwright boy who knew every inch of the surrounding areas of the Ponderosa as if it was the back of his hand.
Things however weren't the same for Rachel, the newest Cartwright who hadn't been outside the house much at night, and was easy for her to trip over something she didn't know was there.
"Owe," she fell over a rake left in the yard. Rachel picked herself up and dusted the dirt off her dress before continuing to the dimly lit barn.
"Adam," Rachel spoke, pushing her way into the barn.
Adam didn't say anything, choosing to continue with the work he was so engrossed in.
"Adam Cartwright!" Rachel finally raised her voice to get his attention. "I never dreamed you would be the first one I would be tempted to put over my knee, but you are pushing it son."
Adam spun around at her statement, surprised that she of all people would threaten him in such a manner. He remembered what he told Lou Anne regarding the same thing. But this was different. He wasn't a little kid trying to swipe a cookie. Then again, he figured he was being disobedient the same way she was.
"I'm sorry Rachel," Adam took a seat on one of the benches bordering the wall. "But you don't know how winters can be out here.
Surely we have time," Rachel took a seat next to him.
"Hopefully. But I've seen storms come up without warning that'll scare the life out of you."
"Tell me about it?" she looked at him hopeful.
"Listen while I work?" Adam stood.
"Anything I can help with?"
"I don't think you can handle a feed bag," Adam hoisted one up over his shoulder before crossing to the open doorway of the room that had been sectioned off as an additional storeroom for winter.
"Perhaps not," she agreed. "But I'll try."
Rachel rolled up her sleeves before attacking one of the bags. She heaved and hoed, and sweat beaded across her forehead but she managed to get one lifted. It wasn't anywhere near as graceful as her stepson and she didn't even try to hoist it over her shoulder but she did manage to drop it in the appropriate area.
Adam didn't say anything, but he did admire her courage and willingness to pitch in. He respected her gesture and complied with the telling of the story.
"Several years ago, one Sunday, Hoss and I were spending the afternoon with some friends. Pa said it looked like we could get a heavy snow and could only stay a couple of hours. Unfortunately, we were out fishing and lost track of time. They were really biting and by the time we noticed how cold it was getting, it was too late. The snow was already coming down. We weren't all that far from home, but it didn't matter. The flurries were already starting to appear. The wind was picking up and before we knew what happened the snow was piling in around us. A lot has happened since then, but I don't remember being that fearful since. I was trying not to let it show for Hoss's sake who was more afraid than I was, but to this day I'm still not sure if it did any good. The snowdrifts were so thick it took almost an hour to get home. Anyways, by the time we got home, we were so cold, we didn't mind the bath Pa forced on us."
By the time Adam recanted the tale, the chore was done, Adam doing the majority of the work. Then again, he didn't really mind. He didn't expect her to do much. But he had to admit he admired her determination.
Her arms ached by the time they finished and her hair hung loose, long before slipping from the tight nit bun.
Rachel took a seat on one of the square bales of hay before swiping the sleeve of her dress across her forehead to mop the sweat from her brow before smoothing her back.
"Adam," her voice held a hint of fear when she spoke. "Are winters here that unpredictable?"
"Sometimes," he shrugged. "Never know about a blizzard though."
"I guess you know what you're talking about with these chores," she almost felt bad for getting on to him the way she did.
"Not as much as Pa," he admitted. "But he starts teaching young."
"Well I don't know much about what to do, but I'll do what I can.
"Just taking care of the kids helps me," Adam knew it would have been almost impossible to keep the younger ones from pestering their Pa while he was out working had she not been there.
"May be one other thing I can," she thought it over in her head.
Adam didn't say anything but he looked at her in a manner that showed he was open to suggestions.
"I'll try to understand your point of view and the responsibility you feel for taking up your Pa's job."
Adam started to speak but again, she cut him off.
"That being said, I know it's been a while since you've had a stepmother to take authority. But I have to do my job when it comes to you and your siblings."
Adam wasn't sure how to respond, but she had the gusto to speak up and take charge, and even though he wasn't sure if he was going to like it, he knew what she said was true. She was his stepmother and he had to respect that.
And even though he had yet to find the right words to reply, he did nod in understanding.
"Now about the winter work," she changed the subject. "Would it help if I let Hoss stay home from school? Just till your Pa's back on his feet?"
"Yes," Adam replied almost immediately. "But Pa will never allow it."
"You let me worry about your Pa," she winked.
"Better you than me," he surrendered.
"I won't tell him till later. And I'll have Little Joe bring his schoolwork home so he won't get behind."
"Hoss won't like it," Adam chuckled. "But it will make Pa feel better."
"I know," she smiled.
"There's not much oil in the lamp," Adam noted.
"I need to get back in to check on your Pa," she stood, before rubbing the pain in her lower back from the lifting.
"And it's never a good idea to leave the children for too long."
"I've noticed," she reminded him of the feather incident.
XXXXXXXX
When the two came in for outside, family life appeared to be going on as usual.
Lou Anne and Joe lay sprawled on the floor playing jacks, Kate was curled up in her father's chair with a book while Hoss struggled with his arithmetic homework. Adam went over to see if he could help, while Rachel went up to check on her husband.
She found him, sitting up, trying to massage the pain away,
"You look drained," he noticed. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Just tired, I've had my hands full," she didn't mention just how she had her hands full.
"I thought things would be easier on you now that Hop Sing is back?" Ben felt bad for the way she both appeared and sounded, simply because he was sick.
"I don't have to do the cooking and that's helpful. But the children are my responsibility."
"Are they being difficult?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary," she assured him. "I think some of them are just glad to be outside again while others are trying to pick up the slack after being out of the loop."
"Adam and Hoss?" Ben figured he knew who the last two were she was talking about.
"Mostly Adam, that boy has a responsibility streak a mile wide."
"Sometimes it gets in the way," Ben admitted. "But it's usually commendable."
"I'd say this was the first," Rachel admitted.
"Send him up here and I'll have a talk with him."
"I've already talked with him and we came to an understanding."
"I've raised him to know how to survive in this part of the country. So take his lead when it comes to getting ready for winter. But don't let him give you cheek.
He knows I expect him to give you respect."
"We're working on it," she said hoping that would put his mind at ease.
"What do you mean working on it?" He sat up. "The only thing that needs to come out of his mouth is yes mam or no mam."
"We've come such a long way. Please let me continue as is. I'm not having any problems with him, really."
"Rachel," Adam knocked on the door lightly.
"Come in," she gave her husband a pleading look to leave things be.
"Pa," Adam was glad to see his father sitting up. "How are you feeling?"
"Well enough," Ben was tempted to give him an earful but he refrained, giving in to his wife's whims.
"Did you need something?" Rachel wondered as to why he came up asking for her.
"Yes mam," he turned his attention back to her.
"One of the hands, Brett," Adam clarified. "Had supper with his folks this evening. His Pa works for the mail and your trunks came in."
Rachel didn't even let him finish before she clapped her hands excitedly.
"I'll go into town first thing and bring them back. You'll be alright won't you Ben?"
This time, Ben didn't get a chance to reply before Adam spoke again.
"He borrowed his Pa's wagon and brought them along. We didn't think you wanted us hauling them up the stairs and making noise packing them in here, so we stored them in the downstairs bedroom."
"That's fine Adam, thank you."
"They were pretty heavy. What did you have in those things?"
"A few quilts, clothes, and other family mementos in one. And mostly books in the other."
"Books," Adam brightened when she mentioned the contents of the last trunk.
"You are welcome to them anytime," she laughed at his gusto.
"I'll be sure to take you up on that," he grinned.
"How are the kids?" Ben spoke for the first time in a while.
"Harping on coming in to see you," he enlightened him.
"Don't let them in here," he said quickly. "I don't even want you in here. Don't want any of you getting a relapse."
"I told them just as much," Adam nodded.
"I should probably go check on them," Rachel finished putting a few clothes away.
"Hoss is downstairs tending to the fire, but I sent the others on to bed."
"I'll go tuck them in," she passed him on her way out the door.
Ben observed the interaction between the two but didn't notice any icy tones or glares causing him to wonder if his wife was right and he was judging his son too harshly.
With Rachel out of the room, Adam took a seat on the vacant seat she had previously pulled up to the edge of the bed.
"Pa," Adam shook his head just thinking about it. "She's got tenacity."
"What makes you say that?" Ben gave him a sideways look.
"She doesn't know how to do much on a ranch but she doesn't let that get in the way. She jumps right in and tries her best."
"You're not letting her overdo are you?"
"She's hard to stop," Adam picked up for himself.
"Just like the rest of us Cartwrights," Ben smirked. "Stubborn."
"Yeah," Adam ran a hand through his hair. "I guess so."
Ben started to cough and Adam handed him a glass of water.
"Anything else I can get for you?" He gave him an apologetic look. Knowing he was partly to blame for his father's illness.
"No," he took a long drink.
"I'll let you get some rest," he excused himself to talk to Hoss on the plans for the morrow.
XXXXXXXX
The following morning, Joe, Kate, and Lou Anne were off to school. Adam and Hoss were getting their supplies together to return to work on the roof while Rachel went back and forth from chores both inside and outside. All the while, caring for her husband who was still running a fever and suffering from a headache and sore throat. She had just gone up to check on him and when she noticed he was napping, she gathered all the dirty laundry and carried them out to the washtub, Hop Sing readied for her. She was scrubbing one shirt after the other. With seven people in the family, she always had more than her share to clean. She scrubbed to the pounding of her stepson's hammers and there were times it almost sounded like music. She hummed to herself and she wrung the last shirt out before hanging it up to dry on the line outback. Finished with the washing, she moved on to the picking up of games, books, and things alike before carrying up to the children's bedrooms. By that evening, however, she wondered why she even bothered, when those same items were drug right back out again after supper. Then again, she figured she should remain grateful that they weren't allotted free time until then, considering the second they got home from school, Adam put them to work. Joe and Lou Anne still grumbled and wanted to complain to Rachel but Adam remained in control. She wasn't sure just what they were arguing about, but by their increasing tones, she found herself going out, hoping to keep the peace so Ben could continue resting.
"Rachel," Lou Anne whined when she saw her.
"Hold on," Rachel held up a hand. "Now I don't know what this is about, but I know I don't need to tell you to mind your brother."
"No, but."
"Your brother knows what needs to be done and he's in charge as far as you are concerned when it comes to chores."
Lou Anne grumbled but knew better than to argue. Even though her Pa was sick, there were still two people allowed to hand out swats if need be and they were both standing awfully close to her and she didn't want to be the first one Rachel was forced to discipline.
The rest of the afternoon went by without much to distract them from their work and both Adam and Rachel were grateful. Adam and Hoss were still busy on the roof but Rachel couldn't contain herself any longer and couldn't help but dig into her trunks for her belongings. Ben was sitting up reading, so she wasn't worried about the noise as she started to drag the trunk out of the downstairs bedroom. She didn't know how, but she somehow managed to get it up to the landing. Her back was turned but she heard the front door close and she called out.
"Who is it?"
"It's me," Adam pulled his hat off and tossed it aside.
"Just who I need," she said out of breath.
"Rachel," he said earnestly. "What are you doing?" He hurried up the few steps till he reached the flat.
"I wanted to take my things up to my room."
"But by yourself?" Adam chastised. "You should have waited for me or Hoss."
"Don't scold me, Adam. I've already told myself those same things."
"I'll take it the rest of the way," he lifted it before carrying it into her bedroom.
"I was wondering what all that bumping around the stairs was," Ben set his book aside.
"Don't ask," Adam shook his head. Still finding her actions ridiculous.
"What's all that racket I've heard on the roof?" Ben questioned.
"Hoss and I are about done," Adam set the trunk, where his stepmother pointed.
"We've been working on all the winter chores you wanted done."
"But there's been banging all day?" Ben squinted. "Hoss had school."
"I," Adam started to say but was cut off.
"Adam, you know how I feel about education. I want all my children to go to school."
"Pa," Adam again tried to explain that he needed the help. But this time he was cut off by an unlikely source.
"I let him stay home," Rachel intervened.
Ben started to say something but Rachel held the upper hand.
"Kate brought his work home and I'll be sure he does it. I can assure you, no one is getting out of what's important."
Just be sure he does. Hoss doesn't like school, to begin with."
You know something Pa, you seem to gripe at me a lot more often now that Rachel's here," Adam observed.
Since when have you ever needed help getting into trouble?
Maybe it's not just me, Adam squinted, thinking it over. "You sure haven't been able to say much since Rachel's come along.
"Do you have something to do? Or do I need to give you something?"
"No Sir," Adam backed out the door. "I have plenty."
XXXXXX
Adam wasn't exaggerating when he said he had plenty to do. He had four younger siblings he had to make sure did their chores as well as keep track of. If that wasn't enough, he had several chores himself to do, he had to help Rachel and answer the countless questions from the ranch hands regarding his Pa or deal with their complaints when Little Joe or Lou Anne were pestering them.
Most of the time, they tried to ignore their boss's children's boisterous behavior, but sometimes they found it impossible to do. And they felt they had no choice but to complain to their father or eldest brother.
That evening after supper, Adam and Hoss were still busy with some last-minute chores. When they finally came in, they were practically exhausted, but happy they had finally not only completed the roof chore but also the repairs the hen house required. By the time the two came in, they were both surprised not to find Lou Anne about the room.
"Where's the troublemaker?" Hoss was the one to ask.
"Rachel sent her to bed," Kate answered.
"Why?" Adam wondered. "It's still early."
"Let's just say, I wouldn't have been surprised had Pa come down the stairs," Kate looked up from the book she was reading near the fire.
"He would have had to wait in line," Rachel said matter of factly.
"Point taken," Adam and Hoss took a seat, deciding to leave the conversation as is.
Hoss moaned, when he slumped against the settee, being quick to ease forward, howling it would help relieve the discomfort in his back.
"Hoss?" Rachel didn't miss the pained expression cross the boy's face as he tried to straighten his posture. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes mam, I'm fine."
"Is your back still bothering you?"
"Some," he tried to rub it out.
"Lie down and I'll rub it for you," she offered.
"Oh no mam," the boy was quick to decline. "I couldn't let you do that."
"Would you have let Marie?" She surprised all three of her stepchildren when she mentioned their mother's name.
"Well yeah, I mean yes mam," he corrected himself. "But that's different."
"She was your mother."
"The only one I knew." His voice was low.
Kate's head dropped, at the talk of her mother, and even though Adams was close to doing the same, he placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder.
"I don't want to take her place," she placed a hand lovingly on Hoss's arm. "But isn't there room in your heart for me to be your mother too?"
This question brought a startled look from all three of them once again. Only this time, Adam, Kate, and Joe exchanged glances, both grateful they weren't the ones expected to answer.
"I, ugh," Hoss was trying to keep his tone steady but it was obvious he was weakening. "I guess so."
"What made your back start hurting again?"
"Must have been those trips up and down the ladder with the slats to finish the roof.
"I thought your Pa said he didn't want you up there again."
"Somebody had to help Adam," Hoss sounded as if it was second nature.
"I don't suppose Joe could have helped him?"
"No mam," Hoss shook his head, his eyes wide. "Pa would have skinned me and Adam alive if we allowed that. He gets too active and forgets he's supposed to be working when he's safe and sound on the ground. He's liable to fall and break his neck if we let him up there."
"I would not," Joe started to argue.
"You can't even sit still in church," Hoss looked at him dumbfounded.
"I don't like church," Joe shrugged.
"Learn to love it," Hoss grinned. "It's coming soon."
"Oh shut up," Joe shoved him.
Hoss started to smack him back but Rachel stopped him before he got a chance.
"Lie down Hoss," she pointed at the settee. "I'll get the liniment."
Hoss reluctantly removed his shirt but obeyed nonetheless.
"Can I go up and see Pa?" Kate closed her book before setting it on the coffee table in front of her.
"Your Pa said he didn't want any of you kids up there," Rachel turned to answer.
"When is he going to get better?" She was growing anxious and beginning to grumble as she paced around the room.
"Would you sit down?" Adam looked back at her from where he remained on the edge of the hearth, stoking the fire with another log. "You're going to walk a hole through the floorboards."
"Quit exaggerating Adam," Kate shoved him as she walked past him.
"Kate," Adam shoved her back, knocking her against the chair in the process.
"Owe," Kate rubbed her arm, before picking up her book and hitting him over the head with it.
This time it was Adam's turn to rub the pain away before he finally stood to go after her. Kate knew he was coming and was quick to pick up her pace, being careful to avoid his reach.
Rachel ignored them at first, at least until they brought the decorative vase she had gracing the coffee table crashing to the floor.
"You two," she said angrily. "Don't I have enough to clean up without you adding more to it?"
"We're sorry," Adam was the first to apologize, followed shortly by that of his sister.
"We'll clean it up," Kate was quick to drop to the floor.
"Just mind you don't cut yourself."
"Yes Mam," Adam followed suit.
"I declare," Rachel shook her head. "One of you children is going to bring your Pa down, thinking his house is falling to pieces around him."
"Sorry," Adam apologized again.
"The three of you can go up to bed when you finish," Rachel was just finishing, caring for her middle stepson.
"What did I do?" Joe was flabbergasted.
"It's not late," Kate started to complain.
"Kate, Joe," Adam shook his head, to silence his siblings.
"But," they both protested.
Adam didn't say anything, but he was quick to pull them both aside and into the kitchen.
"Are you trying to be the first one Rachel is forced to hand out discipline too?"
"No, but," Kate continued to argue.
"You know that if Rachel is forced to punish us, Pa will be right behind her with his belt."
"But she's not Pa. Why does she get to send us to bed?"
"And we've been through all this," Adam reminded them. "She's Pa's wife and we have to do what she says."
Kate let out a frustrated sigh. "I know, but I'm still not used to the idea."
"Neither am I," Adam admitted. "But we all agreed. And we're not going to be the ones to go back on it."
"I suppose you're right," Joe didn't like it but knew she had given her word and Cartwrights never lied.
"Now let's get the mess cleaned up and get to bed, alright?"
"Alright," Kate relented. "But I still wish I could go up and see Pa."
"I know," Adam led the way back into the main room. "Maybe, he'll feel up to coming downstairs tomorrow."
"I hope so."
XXXXXX
By the time her other four stepchildren were in bed and she had the living room picked up again, Rachel was frazzled and she was beginning to wonder just how her husband managed for so many years as a single parent. It hadn't even been a week and she was both mentally and physically drained.
"My husband's children are going to be the death of me," she said to herself as she climbed the stairs. Almost certain of the prospect.
The following day, Ben was well enough to sit downstairs in the family room for a while. He still wasn't back to his old self and complained of being chilled, but between the fire, his robe, and cups of hot tea, he was able to see his children.
Hoss was back to school and they weren't home yet. Adam was off doing chores and this left the two alone.
"I'm glad you are starting to feel better," Rachel took a seat next to her husband on the settee.
"Me too," Ben agreed. More than ready to join the human race again.
"I missed you."
"I was just upstairs," Ben didn't think it was that bad.
"I'm tired of being a single parent to five."
Ben chuckled, "It's a job, that for sure." He placed his teacup and saucer on the coffee table where he noticed something was missing.
"Where's your vase at?"
"It didn't survive the tornadoes that came through here?"
"Tornadoes?" Ben looked at her questioningly.
"Tornado Adam and Tornado Kate."
"Kate and Adam?" It was evident by Ben's voice that he was bewildered by her reply.
"My sentiments exactly," she agreed.
"Yeah, they don't get into it very often but when they do, something always ends up in pieces."
"I'm beginning to notice something always gets broken when any of them get into it." Rachel offered her observation.
"What's that mean?" He had a feeling she was trying to tell him something without really telling him.
"Let's just say I'm beginning to agree with you. Maybe I have been too easy on them."
"I would say so," Ben agreed.
"I was wrong Ben," Rachel placed a hand on his. "I asked you to let me reach the children on my own but I think that instead of me trying to reach them one way and you trying to reach them another. I think we should just parent together?" She suggested.
"I think you're right," Ben nodded.
"Because what I'm doing hasn't been working," she continued. "They argue, fight, break things," she named a few.
"What did you do anyway?"
"They cleaned it up and I sent them to bed early."
"Kates still working to replace the clothes she ruined," Ben recalled. "But Adam will replace it."
"He doesn't have to. It was just a vase."
"He'll do it," Ben said firmly. "It wouldn't be fair if I didn't make him replace your things when I made Joe and Kate do it."
"Whatever you say," Rachel started to agree to his decision when Adam came in.
"Pa, you're up," Adam tossed his hat on the table next to the door before coming over. "How are you feeling?"
"I was feeling better till your mother told me about last night."
"Augh," Adam moaned. "Why did you have to bring that up?"
"I'd like to know why you were fighting with your sister."
"She started it," Adam tried picking up for himself.
"That's beside the point," Ben overruled his complaint. "And while we're at it. You're going to replace the vase."
"What?! But that isn't fair. I didn't break it on my own."
"Don't raise your voice to me," Ben warned.
"It still isn't fair," Adam lowered his tone.
"Kate's still paying for ruining your mother's clothes. If we had to wait for her, you'd never get any pay."
"What's that mean?" Adam looked at him confused.
"It means you aren't getting paid for your work till the vase is paid for."
"Pa," Adam complained. "Rachel ordered the vase from England."
"It's either that or I take it out on your backside," he gave him an ultimatum.
Adam didn't say anything for at least a minute and Ben finally questioned him.
"Well, which is it?"
"I'm thinking."
"Stop overreacting," Ben said sternly. That's an order."
Adam plumped himself down into the blue chair. "I still don't think it's fair."
"Your the oldest," Ben looked him in the eye. "You know better."
"I'm beginning to think, you think I know a lot more than I do."
"Those are words I never thought I'd hear come out of your mouth."
"That makes two of us," Adam grumbled. "How much did it cost anyways?"
"I don't remember, but we can go into town tomorrow and place the order," Rachel was the one to answer.
"I have a little money upstairs," Adam still wasn't happy with the predicament but it was obvious, arguing wasn't going to do a bit of good. "I'll go get it."
With Adam upstairs, Rachel picked the conversation up where they had left off before Adam came in.
"Do you think it's fair to punish just Adam? He worked hard to get the winter chores done. And he certainly wasn't the only one to misbehave."
"I've been thinking that exact thing," Ben agreed. "I'm proud of him, and I'm going to tell him so. As for the rest of them, they are going to be restricted to the ranch yard."
Again, just as Rachel was about to respond, they were interrupted by Hoss, Joe, Kate, and Lou Anne.
"Pa," they chorused, excited to finally see him after several days.
"How are you feeling Pa?" Hoss was the one to ask.
Adam was just descending the stairs when he heard his brother's question.
"I wouldn't ask that if I were you."
"Adam," Ben kept him quiet by the raise of his brow.
"I want to talk to you," he returned his attention to the other four.
"Uh oh," Kate could tell by the tone in his voice that he wasn't happy with them.
"Your mother told me about your fighting, arguing, and not wanting to do your chores," he looked from one to the other.
The four dropped their heads but immediately jerked them up when he added his last statement.
"And are all on restriction for misbehaving."
"But Pa," there was another chorus of complaints.
"Now I'm not feeling nearly well enough to tan all your hides, but I will if I have to. It is up to you?"
"Restriction is fine with me," Hoss answered. Followed by several nods of agreement.
"Now I want you all to apologize to your mother."
The five were quick to obey their father's command, and just as soon as they did he softened.
"Let's take the rest of the afternoon off aside from regular chores," Ben suggested.
The five were ecstatic by their father's suggestion and were more than willing to relax in the main room with their parents.
"Your mother told me all about the extra chores you put in to get the winter chores done. Especially you Adam, and I'm proud of each and every one of you."
"It was nothing," Joe grinned.
Kate wanted to say something regarding him being one of the ones to complain the most but she figured that now wasn't the time to do things such as that.
"You are all hard-working but can still manage to find trouble no matter how tired or busy you are. Your Cartwright's and I couldn't disown you even if I wanted to."
Hope you all enjoyed the update, thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews. WesternJustice
