After I had tea with Hop-Sing, I settled into the guest room. It took only a few moments to put my change of clothes away and set my hairbrush where I needed it. Then, my time was all my own.
Though in the past I had graded my students' work, this time I had chosen not to. Instead, I selected a collection of Shakespeare's poetry from the Cartwright's bookshelf and curled up in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace.
There I stayed until I heard the front door open. Closing the book, I sat up. The room had darkened while I was reading, more so than I had expected. How long had I been reading? What time was it?
"Hop-Sing!" The familiar baritone of Ben Cartwright rang out. The silver-haired man was taking off his gun-belt at the credenza. He noticed me as I stood up. "Oh, Rosemary. How are you?"
"Very well," I said with a smile. He'd become a second father to me from the moment I had met him.
"Good, good." He glanced around the room. "And where are those sons of mine?"
"Oh, Adam and Hoss went to check evidence of trespassers," I said, coming around the settee. "Jud thought he saw something. I think they said it was in the North pasture? They hoped they would be back in time for supper."
To my right, hop-Sing came hurrying out of the kitchen. He was muttering under his breath as he lit the lamps. "And Joe?" Ben asked, shrugging off his coat.
Why did it always seem like I was trapped into tattling on Joe? "I'm not sure where he is," I said, lacing my fingers behind my back. That was the truth, wasn't it? I had a guess about where he was...
"Oh? He is usually first in line to escort you from town."
Dropping my gaze, I bit my lip. "Have you had more trouble with shepherds and their sheep?" I asked to change the subject. It had only been a few weeks since a shepherd had kidnapped Adam and tried to blackmail the family into giving up their land.
"No. I'm hopeful we've put that particular trouble behind us." Ben cleared his throat. "So hoss didn't say where Joseph went? I know they left for town at the same time."
Drat. I should have known I couldn't get away with redirecting the conversation. "All Hoss said to me was that Joe was planning to meet his friends," I said with a sigh. "I honestly didn't see him, and Hoss didn't say who Joe was meeting."
Ben frowned, his eyes showing his disappointment. "I see. Well, I will have to wait for Joseph to return to get an explanation then." He patted my arm before moving to the staircase.
Breathing out, I shook my head. Maybe if I had grown up with siblings of my own, I might be better at deflection. Or maybe Joe should stop doing things he knows his father was going to disapprove of.
Somehow, I didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon, but miracles were possible.
Supper was lively when Hoss and Adam returned. Joe's empty seat was obvious, but no one commented on it. They refused to talk about what they had found when they checked the pasture, and I couldn't decide if that was worrying or not.
After the meal, I continued reading while Hoss cleaned a rifle. Adam and Ben discussed something in the account books. It was a peaceful way to end the day, though I missed singing with them as we usually did. Maybe we would do that on Saturday night when Joe was with us.
I was the first to turn in for the night. It had been a calm evening, perhaps too calm, but it had set me at ease. After all, it was kind of the Cartwrights to bother with me at all. There were not many who would have done the same thing.
It was impossible to tell how long I had been asleep when I was startled awake. I blinked up at the dark, wondering what had awoken me. Then, I heard it: voices in the Great Room.
Joe must be back.
My curiosity got the better of me and I slipped out of bed. I tiptoed to the door and pressed my ear against the wood. No good. It was too thick for me to make out anything other than the fact that there were two people speaking on the other side. If I'd known for sure the door would not squeak or otherwise signal it was being opened, I would have opened it. Just a crack to hear what was being said.
The thought of being in Joe's shoes and having to face a waiting and disappointed Ben was not a pleasant one.
Sighing, I returned to my bed.
Come morning, I was sure to hear all about it. Hoss and Adam never hesitated to tease their younger brother whenever he made some misstep. It was jovial and meant in good fun. Most of the time, anyway. Adam could be more parental than a brother had any right to be.
Morning would be interesting indeed.
Maybe it was because my sleep had been interrupted, but I slept longer than I had intended. Had I been in San Francisco with my father, he would have roused me soon after dawn. Being allowed to relax and sleep as much as I wished was a privilege I readily took advantage of when I could.
Being taken in by the Cartwrights was going to spoil me.
Coffee was waiting on the table when I stepped out of the guest room. "Bless you, Hop-Sing," I said, even though the cook was not in sight. I poured myself a cup of the dark, hot liquid and then walked to the window.
The sun was shining brightly with few clouds in the sky to block it. I could see birds soaring high up, and also bouncing from branch to branch on the trees. The branches themselves waved gently from a breeze.
It was a day when one needed to be out of doors.
Behind me, I heard footsteps thunking on the staircase. I knew without turning around that it was Joe. Given his late night, it made sense that he would sleep in, though I was surprised that Ben would allow it.
"Good morning, Rosemary," he said, his voice slurring just a bit from sleep. "I didn't realize you were here."
Sighing, I glanced over my shoulder. He was pouring himself a cup of coffee, his eyes squinting as though it were too bright or he had a headache. "Did you have fun last night?" I asked.
Joe lifted his head. "Don't you start on me, too," he snapped.
"Fine." I turned back to the view out the window. If he was going to be a grump, I didn't want to talk to him. In fact, once I had some breakfast, I would leave him to his grumpiness and enjoy myself without his company.
Several minutes stretched on. Just as I was about to go to the kitchen, since Hop-Sing would have something to say to me, Joe heaved a sigh. "Are you just going to ignore me?" he asked, his tone petulant.
"Did I do anything to deserve you jumping down my throat?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
He wouldn't look at me. "No," he muttered.
"Did my question have words of censure or criticism in it?"
The boot of his right foot scuffed against the floor. "No," he said again. "Alright. I get it. I'm sorry, Rosemary. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
I hesitated for just a moment, unsure of his sincereness. "I accept your apology."
And, just like that, Joe's face brightened and he straightened up. "We should go fishing," he said. "It won't be too long before it will be too cold. We should take advantage of the weather while we have it. Pa's said so himself."
Somehow, I didn't think Ben had said it in connection with fishing. I wrinkled my nose as I considered it. Fishing was a peaceful pastime, it was true, but I didn't like that actual fish part of it. Joe had reached the point where he wanted me to bait my own hook and take the fish off myself.
"No, thank you," I said with a shudder as I turned to face him fully. I was in no mood to touch and wet, flopping fish. The day was too beautiful for that.
Joe's expression dimmed. I suppose you're going to spend all day with Slim," he said, his tone shifting to one of dull unenthusiasm. "I see how it is."
Offended, I set my now empty cup on the table and put my hands on my hips. "What is that supposed to mean?" I demanded. "Who said anything about Slim Henry? I certainly did not and I want to know who did!"
"Oh, come on, Rosemary," Hoe said, rolling his eyes. "Why wouldn't you spend the day with him? All courting couples do, especially when their circumstances keep them apart. They spend whatever time they can together." He went quiet as soon as he said the words.
With a start, I remembered his latest two failed courtships, if they could even be called that. Both times, circumstances and those around Joe had been against the romance. Amy Bishop's father had a land dispute with Ben and Julia Bullette...well, there had been many objections.
"I'm not stupid," Joe continued, startling me out of my thoughts. "So just go have fun."
"I'm not spending the day with Slim."
Joe blinked. "You're not?"
Is that all it took to convince him? Saying something twice? "No." With a sigh, I let my arms fall. "Honestly, Joe. Until I say something, maybe you shouldn't believe it as fact? At least where my personal life is concerned. I just happen to be the most knowledgeable about it."
Nevermind that I was so often confused about my thoughts and emotions.
Silence again filled the room as he mulled over my words. Hop-Sing chose that moment to come hurrying in. "Missy, Lil' Joe" He exclaimed. "Why not come get breakfast?"
"Sorry, Hop-Sing," Joe and I said at the same time. We exchanged startled looks before he continued, "Rosemary and I were just talking, but we're both ready to eat now." He lifted his cup and widened his eyes. "The coffee is perfect this morning."
"Coffee is always perfect when Hop-Sing make," Hop-Sing said with a sniff. He muttered under his breath as he turned away.
"I don't think that helped appease him," I said to Joe.
"Sure it did," he answered, taking his seat. "And if he's still in a bad mood, Hoss will make it alright." He paused for a moment and then asked, "So, why aren't you spending the day with Slim?"
He must have been glad my cup was empty when I threw it at his head.