TURNING BACK

Chapter 5

Going To Town

For the next two weeks Adam spent all day, every day, with his children, taking care of them by himself and refusing to let anyone but Aaron help.

Ben was very worried at first, but then noticed the harsh lines of weariness and worry that had been etched so deeply into his son's face started easing after the first week. After the second week, they were almost gone and in spite of the sprinkling of white hair at Adam's temples, he suddenly began to look more like the young man who had walked out of their lives such a long time ago.

Joe and Hoss had been trying to talk him into going to the newest saloon in town and when the second Saturday rolled around they stepped up their efforts. Then they were surprised to find an unexpected ally in Abby. She had started going stir crazy and things came to a head when she tried to come downstairs that Saturday morning.

Adam had gone out to the barn to take care of the two huge horses and his brothers were practically walking up his heels the whole way. Once they were in the barn, they realized their brother's temper was being sorely tested by their wheedling, so they wisely kept quiet and helped with the horses, hoping to lull him into a better mood.

Their older brother WAS smiling when they left the barn and went across to the house, but that smile was quickly wiped off his face when he opened the door and stepped in to see Abby fully dressed and carefully coming down the stairs.

He stopped to abruptly that Joe walked right into him, and then Hoss ran into Joe. Abby bit her lip to keep from laughing at their startled faces when Adam still stood in the same spot, rock solid and unmoved.

"What do you think you're doing?" her husband ground out and she narrowed her eyes as she let out a deep, quick sigh of exasperation. When she opened her mouth to explain he shook his head and cut her off as he moved halfway across the floor toward the stairs.

He stopped and stood there watching her with hooded eyes and a half smile.

"Abigail," he said clearly annoyed. "You have two choices. One, you can turn around and go back to bed yourself, or two, I can take you there." He paused to tilt his head inquiringly.

"What's it going to be?"

Her eyes narrowed even more as she gave that quick, huffing sigh again before turning around and stomping up the stairs while mumbling something under her breath.

"What was that?" he said and quickly put on a neutral expression when she turned around to look down her pert nose at him, her face flushing a deep rose with exasperation.

"I SAID...you're a stubborn, pig-headed bully!" she snapped as she continued up the stairs.

"That's right lady, and don't you forget it," Adam called after her with laughter in his voice as she reached the upper hallway and turned toward their bedroom. When she was almost there he called to her again.

"And DON'T slam the door," he ordered, and chuckled quietly when he immediately heard a resounding "BANG!"

Joe started to speak, but his eldest brother held up a hand to stop him.

"Wait," he said low with a pleased grin, his head tipped to the side. The door opened and slammed shut again, even louder.

Adam stood there quietly for a few more moments, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter as he shook his head. When he finally turned away his brows rose at the uncertain expressions on his brother's faces.

"What?" he asked.

The other two glanced at each other and Hoss cleared his throat before speaking.

"I take it you two aren't gettin along?"

His older brother's brows rose even higher.

"What makes you say that?"

Joe and Hoss glanced at each other again.

"Oh, Abby and I weren't fighting," he grinned again, "Not really. That little display of defiance was mild for her, especially considering how incredibly cranky she is right now."

Joe couldn't help but laugh. "That was mild?"

"Yes Joseph, quite mild. She has an extremely hot temper and is actually on her best behavior right now."

"Mild?" Hoss echoed, and Adam couldn't help but laugh at his dubious expression.

"Very much so, believe it or not." He glanced at the clock to see that the hour was almost noon, so he moved toward the door to back out and gather up his children.

"Take my advice boys, don't ever make her mad," he said and went out, laughing again as he closed the door firmly behind him.

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Early that evening, Adam was smiling as he came trotting down the stairs, and he was still smiling when he dropped into a deep chair in front of the fireplace.

"Did you and Abby make up?" Joe asked as he moved closer to sit on the low table in front of Adam's chair and Hoss wandered over to lean on the back.

"No," Adam answered quickly, then went on.

"Remember I told you we weren't fighting. She's just bored and irritable and taking it out on me," he chuckled.

"And you find that amusing?" his father asked, putting aside the paper he had been reading and giving his eldest son a sharp look.

"Yes I do, because that means she's almost back to normal if she feels well enough to be hopping mad."

"Then that's a good sign," Ben's expression relaxed as Adam grinned, partly in answer.

"Yessir, that is always a good sign."

Ben nodded. "I know what you mean.."

The two men exchanged a look of complete understanding.

"So," Adam continued, "I've decided to go into town with Joe and Hoss tonight. Abby can put the children to bed and find out she's not quite as strong as she thinks she is." He grinned at his father again and the older man's eyes sparked with humor.

"Something tells me that's the only way to get through to her."

"You are absolutely right about that, Pa. She won't suffer any true ill effects, but at least she'll stop champing at the bit for another day or two. By then, she'll really be ready to be back on her feet."

Hoss frowned.

"And talkin to her wouldn't do any good?"

"Take my word for it Hoss, I could talk to that woman until I'm blue in the face, but it wouldn't make any difference. She's stubborn and headstrong and impatient and therefore has to learn everything the hard way."

Joe started laughing at him. "That sounds like someone else we all know."

Adam's eyes laughed back as he focused on his youngest brother.

"Correct! We are very much alike and that's one of the reasons why I understand her so well...and why I usually win."

"Because you're smarter?" Hoss asked seriously.

"Actually no, I'm not. I think we're pretty much equal in that area," he paused for a few seconds. "However, I happen to be a little more stubborn and a lot more cunning than she is." He paused again to laugh.

"Abby couldn't be devious to save her life, she's too open and direct for that."

Ben inclined his head slightly.

"I'm sure you know what you're doing."

"I do, Pa, I definitely do. Remember, I've been married to that woman for almost fourteen years and I would hope I've learned a thing or two in all that time."

"I'm sure you must have," his father agreed and yet managed to sound dubious at the same time.

Adam gave him a cocky grin.

"Don't worry Pa, I know how to handle her."

Ben chuckled, even while shaking his head.

"I know how to handle the children too, and although I haven't been a father as long as you have I think I've made up for some of that in sheer numbers."

His father and brothers laughed, pleased that Adam's self-imposed shell of silence was starting to crack.

Ben studied his eldest son for a moment and decided that time was not right to ask any of the probing questions that were on the tip of his tongue.

"Well, you three had better leave soon," he said instead, and settled back in his chair to watch them collect hats, coats, and gunbelts as they jostled each other, laughing and joking as they went out the door.

He picked up his paper, but suddenly feeling restless, he put it back down and got to his feet.

Smiling, he wandered over to the nearest bookcase, spent a couple of seconds running one index finger across the leather covered spines of the books before giving in and heading for the stairs.