Disappointment
It was a day before the wedding and Adam was scrambling to find out what Valerie was up to.
Adam walks to the front desk of the hotel. "Hey Adam heard your brother Joe is getting hitched tomorrow" said the clerk cheerfully.
"Have you seen his fiancée Valerie?" asked Adam. "She's in her hotel room" said the clerk wondering why Adam was asking.
After getting the room number Adam walks to the door and was about to knock on it when he heard something that caught his attention.
He could hear Valerie talking to someone in her room about after the weeding.
In the room Valerie was talking to her husband Tyler. How are you gonna take all of Joe's money without him suspecting anything?" asked Tyler.
Valerie smirks "That won't be much of a problem after I get him where I want him I can easily persuade him to let me handle the money. The boy is so in love with me it'll be like taking candy from a stupid baby. And if he gets wise I'll simply put the blame on his brother Adam".
Adam storms out of the hotel angry. On the way home Adam now knew what Valerie was up to he was contemplating on whether or not he should tell Joe.
"If Joe didn't believe me last time about Valerie then why would he believe me this time? He already believes that he can't trust me and hates me. I'll give anything to have my little brother trust me again" thought Adam as he rode into the yard.
He found his middle brother Hoss fixing a wheel from the wagon. "Hey Adam where you been all morning?" asked Hoss cheerfully.
"I was in town. Is Joe around?" asked Adam. "He's in the house" said Hoss wondering why Adam was asking for their younger brother.
He could tell that Adam was concerned about something. Adam saw Hoss' curious glaze. "Did something happen in town?" asked Hoss.
Adam didn't answer which made Hoss think yes. Adam looks at Hoss concerned.
"I don't know what to do about this rift with Joe and me. Every time I try talking to him we end up fighting. It kills me that he thinks I would lie to him, that I would intentionally hurt him. I would never hurt my brother I rather go through the fire pits of hell then for that to happen" said Adam as he is turning to Hoss.
"That's not even the worst of it" said Adam. Hoss looks at him confused.
"Amelia saw Valerie with someone else yesterday when she went to get the mail" explained Adam.
"That's why she's been quiet. Does Joe know?" asked Hoss.
Adam shakes his head. "No not that I know of. I made Amelia promise not to say anything. This is putting her in a terrible position having to choose between me and Joe" said Adam feeling guilty.
"It ain't your fault" said Hoss.
"I can't help feeling that it is. I wish I didn't see anything. If I didn't open my big mouth then none of this would be happening. Amelia wouldn't be involved and Joe wouldn't hate me" said Adam.
"You were trying to protect Joe. You did the right thing telling Joe about Valerie. Amelia was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's not your fault. None of this is your fault" said Hoss.
Amelia walks out of the house and up to her brothers. "I need to talk to you" said Amelia.
"What is it Mia?" asked Adam curiously. "I told Joe" said Amelia.
"What did he say?" asked Hoss.
"He doesn't want to believe that Valerie would lie to him but he knows that you wouldn't lie to him, Adam. He believes you, he's just doesn't understand why Valerie would. He's taking his anger out on you because he finds it easier to be angry with you and not her. He loves you Adam he just needs time to come to his senses" said Amelia.
Adam smiles relieved. "I'm sorry I broke my promise Adam but I couldn't keep it from him" said Amelia.
Adam understandably gently squeezes the back of his sister's neck.
Hoss turns to Adam. "What happen when you were in town?"
Amelia looks at him curiously. Adam takes a deep breath and looks at his brother then his sister.
"What I am about to tell you has to stay between the three of us" said Adam before glancing toward his sister.
"Amelia I really need you to keep your promise" said Adam. Amelia nods her head solemnly.
Adam starts to tell them what he had found out in town.
The Wedding
The next day was the day of the wedding. Little Joe was in his room getting ready when there was a knock on the door.
Joe walks from his mirror to the door and opens it. He was surprised to see his father standing there; he lets him in.
"Are you nervous son?" asked Ben. "No pa. I'm happy this is my wedding day. I'm marrying the woman that I love" said Joe.
He had an uncertain look on his face.
"You don't seem happy" said Ben curiously.
"I keep thinking about what Amelia said" said Joe. "What did she say?" inquired Ben.
"She told me the same thing Adam said that they saw Valerie with someone else" said Joe.
He looks up at his father who was waiting for him to continue. "I'm wondering if I should marry her" confessed Joe.
"Because of what your brother and sister said?" questioned Ben.
"Not just because of that but I've been feeling as though I can't trust Valerie. I've been feeling like that before I talked to Adam" said Joe.
Ben nods understandably. "I really screwed up Pa. I made a big mistake believing Valerie over my own brother" said Joe.
"Nothing you can't fix son" assured Ben.
"I hope Adam can forgive me for thinking"
"He will son" said Ben. With that said Joe walks out of the room and in the hallway.
Adam was walking out of his room and sees Joe in the hallway. Joe walks over to him.
"Hey Joe we need to talk" started Adam. Joe looks at his brother curiously waiting for him to continue.
"Valerie is already married" said Adam. Joe was surprised by this but he knew that Adam was telling him the truth.
"She's marrying you for our money" said Adam. He didn't want to hurt Joe but he knew he had to know.
Joe looks up at Adam "I believe you". Adam was taken back in shock but mostly relieved.
Seeing how shock his brother was Joe smiles. "We'll talk later big brother" Adam nods and walks down the stairs.
Joe walks up to Amelia's bedroom door and knocks on it.
Amelia opens it. "Joe what's wrong?" asked Amelia surprised. "Can I come in I need to talk to Valerie" said Joe.
"You know its bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony" advised Amelia teasingly.
"That won't be a problem there's not gonna be a ceremony" said Joe.
Seeing how serious her brother was Amelia walks out of her room and out in the hallway with Joe.
"I'm taken it that Adam told you everything" said Amelia. Joe nods his head.
"I'm sorry Joe" sympathize Amelia. "So am I. I can't believe what a fool I've been. I can't believe I believed her over Adam" said Joe frustrated.
"Don't go blaming yourself for that she had you well convinced" said Amelia.
Joe looks at her and smiles "Thanks for trying to set me straight" he said as he hugs her. Then he walks into the room to find Valerie standing in the middle of the room wearing her wedding gown.
"Joe what are you doing here? You shouldn't be seeing me before the wedding its bad luck" informed Valerie.
Joe slams the door behind him causing Valerie to jump scared.
"You don't need to worry there isn't gonna be a wedding" said Joe sternly.
Valerie looks at him confused. "What do you mean that there isn't gonna be a wedding?" demanded Valerie.
"I can't marry someone who has been lying to me all this time. You never loved me just my money. You've been playing me for a fool and making me believe that it had been my brother who was lying to me when it was you all along!" yelled Joe losing his temper.
"That's not true Joe. I haven't been lying to you. I don't know where you got that idea from" said Valerie.
Just then a thought popped into her head. "I bet it was your sister who gave you those insinuations. That lying brat never did like me you can't believe her Joe" accused Valerie.
"Keep my sister out of this!" warned Joe.
"Joe I swear to you that I never lied to you honest" pleaded Valerie in desperation.
"All I am hearing is more lies. The wedding is off and I want you out of here and I never want to see you near me ever again" said Joe.
Valerie storms out of the room and downstairs to the living room where the rest of the Cartwright's, the sheriff and Tyler who was in handcuffs were waiting.
"Valerie you're under arrest for attempted robbery and fraud" said Roy.
He walks over to the bottom of the stairs where she was and handcuffs.
He walks out of the house with his prisoners after saying goodbye to Ben.
Adam looks worriedly at the top of the stairs wondering how his younger brother was holding up and decides to give him time before talking to him.
Healing old Wounds
Later that night Joe was sitting at the fireplace wearing his white dress shirt, brown dress pants, and his black tie that had been undone.
He was staring at his mother's wedding ring that he was holding in his hands.
He was going to give it to Valerie. He kept thinking about everything that had transpired that day and that week.
He kept thinking about how stupid he was for believing some girl over his brother. He was too caught up in guilt that he didn't hear Adam walking down the stairs and over to him.
"You alright Joe?" asked Adam. Joe looks up to see Adam. "I'm fine at least I will be" assured Joe.
Adam sits on the table across from him. "I'm sorry Joe. I should have never butted in on your affairs. I'm really sorry" said Adam sincerely.
Joe was surprised that Adam was apologizing. "You don't need to apologize for anything. I'm the one who should be apologizing" offered Joe.
"It's alright Joe" said Adam. "No it's not. I should've never believed Valerie over you" said Joe. He bows his head down. Adam could tell how guilt stricken his brother was.
Joe looks up at his brother "I'm sorry for the things I said to you. I do trust you and I don't hate you. I'm really sorry Adam" said Joe sincerely.
Adam gives him a reassuring smile which Joe returns as they both stood up.
"I meant it before when I said that I was glad to have a big brother like you. I really am glad and proud" said Joe.
"Thanks Joe" said Adam. "Let's not let a girl come between us again alright?"
Joe smiles "Sounds good to me brother" he sticks hand out.
Adam smiles and takes his brother's hand but doesn't shake it instead he pulls Joe into his arms and hugs him.
"I love you Adam" said Joe.
"I love you too Joe" said Adam.
At the top of the stairs Ben was watching his sons. He was relieved that his sons worked everything out and things were going back to normal.
He knew that his sons were going to at odds in the future but he knew that they would get through it and that the love they had between them would never change.
The End