Author's note: sorry I forgot to write an author's note for chapter 1. Ok for those who haven't read my other stories Ben had a fourth wife name Catherine who gave birth to his only daughter Amelia. Catherine died from influenza shortly approximately six months after having Amelia. Sorry for the confusion and I hope you all like my stories and please read my other ones.
What's the matter with Adam?
Later that evening Adam was sitting in the chair by the fireplace staring at the fire. He was thinking back to times when he and Joe were at odds and how they always seem to work things out.
Even though he sometimes disagreed with Joe he knew that his heart was always at the right place and he trusted Joe with his life.
He never meant to be hard on Joe he just wanted him to understand his point of view and sometimes he forgets to value his brother's view as well.
The current situation that Adam was in made him more apprehensive than usual causing everyone to be suspicious especially Joe.
Joe walks down the stairs in his PJs surprise to see his older brother sitting in the lonely dark. "Adam why are you still doing up?" asked Joe not expecting to see Adam was still awake.
Adam looks over at his brother. "I was just thinking" said Adam. "Seems that you've been doing that a lot lately" commented Joe as he sits down on the sofa.
"Yeah I guess I have" said Adam with a smile. "What have you been thinking about?" asked Joe curious. Adam doesn't answer him prompting him that Adam didn't want to talk about it.
Joe gets up and was about to walk away until her heard his brother say "Wait Joe I want to talk to you". Joe turns and he could tell by the look on his brother's face that it was something very serious.
Joe sits back down. He could tell that Adam was struggling to say something. Adam takes a deep breath and looks up at his younger brother's curious glaze.
"You know that I love you and that I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you, right?" asked Adam uncertainly. Joe was confused by this and even more so when he saw the uncertainly in his older brother's eyes.
"I know that Adam" said Joe trying to reassure his brother. Adam was a little relieved and continued "When we were in town I saw Valerie at the hotel. She was with another man. I don't know who he was; I didn't get that good of a look at him but I had feeling that something wasn't right when I saw them" explained Adam.
"How come you didn't tell me all of this sooner?" questioned Joe. Adam looks at his brother. "We've been getting along so well better than we had in years and I didn't want something like this to change that. I didn't want you to get hurt" said Adam.
Joe smiles "I appreciate you looking out for me big brother but I can take care of myself". Adam nods "I guess I forgot how grown up you are and that you don't need my protection anymore".
"You've always been there for me Adam and I'm glad that I have a big brother like you" said Joe full of pride and his eyes welled up with tears as were Adam's.
They both got up and hugged each other. "Thanks Joe that means a lot to me" said Adam. Joe looks at him. "Goodnight Adam" said Joe.
He claps his brother on the back once more then walks upstairs to bed. "Night little brother" said Adam to himself. He was glad that he was able to talk things out with his brother.
The Betrayal
The next day in town Little Joe walks in the Saloon and finds Valerie sitting alone at one of the tables. Joe walks over to her and sits down.
Valerie was surprised to see him. "I didn't know you were back from your trip" said Valerie. "Yeah I came home yesterday" said Joe. "I was in town how come you didn't come see me?" asked Valerie trying to sound disappointed.
"I wanted to darling but I had to run errands to run for my Pa. Adam was in town yesterday too and he told me he saw you with another man" said Joe suspiciously.
"He did well I don't want to cause trouble with you and your brother but I can assure you that I wasn't with anyone yesterday honest" said Valerie desperately wanting Joe to believe her.
"Are you sure 'bout that?" asked Joe. "Why you don't believe me?" asked Valerie hurt. Joe takes her hand in his.
"Of course I do I just don't understand why Adam would lie about something like that" said Joe confused.
He never thought in a million years that his brother would lie to him. Just thinking of it gave him an unsettling feeling.
"Maybe it was a misunderstanding. I know how close you and your brother are I'm sure he thought he saw me with somebody else" said Valerie.
Even though it was highly unlikely that Adam could be mistaken Joe knew that he had to confront his brother.
"I suppose" said Joe getting up. "I'll see ya later" he told her after kissing her goodbye and walks out of the saloon.
At the ranch Amelia was filling a bucket of water for the horses at the trough when Joe pulls up in the yard.
He mounts off his horse and walks over to Amelia. "Where's Adam?" asked Joe trying to stay calm.
"He and Hoss are doing some branding in the lower pasture. Pa wants you to mend fences in the upper pasture when you have a chance" said Amelia.
Joe puts his hands to his hips and takes a deep breath. Amelia could tell that something was bothering her brother.
"You want to talk about it?" asked Amelia curiously. Joe looks up at her and smiles.
"Talk about what?" asked Joe pretending to be clueless. "Whatever is bothering you and don't try to tell me that it's nothing" said Amelia firmly.
"I don't really want to talk about it" said Joe turns to look at his sister.
"Thanks for offering sis but I think I need to figure this out on my own" said Joe appreciatively.
"If you change your mind I'm here" offered Amelia. Joe touches her cheek tenderly. "I love you" said Joe he then kisses her on the cheek and walks over to his horse and mounts on.
He winks at her then rides out of the yard.