Summary of Chapter One: Jax and Joe decide it is time to explore the world outside Virginia City and the Ponderosa. Ben was going on a trip to Sacramento giving them the perfect opportunity. All they needed was a map, money, a rifle, and a diversion to keep Adam and Hoss busy.
Chapter 2: The Plan in Action
Joe and Jax woke up to a heated argument between their two older brothers.
"I told you that fence would break," Adam said.
"Adam, I swear I fixed it." Hoss said.
"Then why is there five hundred cattle on the west ridge?"
"Blast it, Adam I dunno," Hoss said scrunching his face and walking out the door. Adam walked out after him still ranting.
The twins walked slowly down the stairs. Charlie Becket stood in the corner not wanting to follow his boss.
"I would say Good Morning Charlie but I guess it isn't," Jax said smiling at Charlie.
""You're right there."Charlie said back. "Good Morning anyway."
"What's going on?" Joe asked.
"Cattle loose got loose last night."
"Was it the west fence? Adam and Hoss argued about it two nights ago," Jax asked sweetly.
"Yep and they're arguing again now," Charlie said.
"We heard," Joe said smiling.
The argument outside finally concluded with Hoss saying,
"You can yell at me all day or we can fix the problem."
"You're right, but we're not finished. Get the horses together, " Adam said stormed back in the house. Looking at the twins he snapped, "About time you both woke up."
"Good Morning to you too, Adam," Jax said sweetly. Only she could get away with it and she knew it.
"Sorry. Good Morning," Adam said realizing he wasn't mad at them. "We are going to be up on the west ridge today and won't be back until tomorrow."
"Why?" Joe asked.
"The fence Hoss fixed broke and we have to wrangle some cattle," Adam said.
"Can we go?" Joe asked, knowing the answer and yet the question was a vital part of the plan. If he didn't ask Adam would get suspicious.
"No, we don't have time to watch you," Adam said. "You both could bring some food up this afternoon. Hop Sing is getting it ready for us right now."
"Ok," Joe said sadly.
""Don't leave the ranch and make sure you do your chores. I need you to finish Hoss and my regular chores too." Adam said.
The twins groaned, making Adam smile for the first time that day. Then he looked at the two and said,
"Please stay out of trouble today. Hop Sing shouldn't have to babysit you two and I don't want to hear you gave him a hard time."
"We would never give Hop Sing as bad time."
"He's too fast with his wooden spoon," Jax said smiling.
"Still promise me you'll stay out of trouble."
"Promise," they both said.
Adam, Hoss and Charlie rode off towards the west ridge.
Joe and Jax walked into the kitchen seeing Hop Sing busy at work.
"Hop Sing?" Jax asked.
"Grab pancakes. I busy. I make you good supper."
"Ok. Thanks," Joe said walking out with a pancake.
"This is going to work," Jax said smiling.
"We'll the masters planned it."
"Ok, let's pack the saddle bags. I want a rifle too. So grab two of them."
"Alright. How are we going to get those extra biscuits from Hop Sing?"
"Already did. Each batch we made I stuffed five away. I have pancakes and cookies and once I go collect the eggs, we'll have some eggs too. Don't forget fishing line. The Truckee has some great fishing."
The twins set off on their assigned tasks, waiting for Hop Sing to call them. As Adam promised Hop Sing was letting them take the food up to the men.
"We're going to ask to stay. So don't worry if we don't come back down," Jax said smiling.
"If number one brother says it not ok stay. Do not argue. He very angry," Hop Sing warned.
"Ok, Hop Sing," Joe said.
"I pack everyone a lunch, supper, and breakfast. You both have one. Knew you want stay with brothers."
About three miles from where they were meeting their brothers, they hid the extra bags and rifles.
Jax and Joe mounted their horse and headed to the west ridge and were greeted by a very grumpy Hoss.
"I swear, sometimes I want to pound our brother," He said.
"Know the feeling," Jax said back making Hoss smile.
"You bring us lunch?"
"Yeah here it is. Do you think Adam would let us stay and watch?" Joe asked.
"Nope, he's too mad. I would stay out of trouble if I were you he is itching to punish someone and I don't want it to be the both of you."
"Guess you're lucky that you are too big to put over his knee," Joe teased.
"If I wasn't he woulda done it at least three times today already," Hoss said back smiling.
"Why is it that hard to round the cattle back up?" Jax asked with a twang of guilt.
"Not really, but five of the cows already had their calves and so we want to wait before moving them. Plus we need the fix the fence."
"No wonder he's mad. Speaking of which here comes old grumpy pants," Joe said. Making Hoss laugh. Until Adam rode up and growled.
"Hoss, get back to the work you caused all of us."
Hoss walked away grumbling to about his older brother and his want to hit something.
Adam got down off the horse and grabbed some water,
"You two being good?"
"Why do you always assume that we're not?" Joe grumbled.
"Experience."
"Lay off Hoss, Adam. He made a mistake," Jax said.
"A mistake that could cost us fifty head or more."
"It's still a mistake. He would never do something that would hurt the cattle," Jax said.
"Your right little sis, Now you two head back to the house. Don't bother asking to stay because the answer is no. Did you finish your chores yet?"
"Again assuming the worst," Joe grumbled.
Adam laughed knowing Joe was absolutely right. Not that he'd admit it.
"Can we go up and hug Hoss, I know he's having a very bad day," Jax said looking pointedly at Adam.
"Alright," Adam said hugging both of them.
The twins rode up the ridge, hugged Hoss and headed towards the house, they picked up the stuff where they left, and headed to the west.
"San Francisco here we come," Jax said smiling.
"Can't wait."
"We should be set until sometime tomorrow. Adam will think we are pouting about his not letting us stay up there, so, he'll check are usual spots. When, we're not there he will yell at Hoss and ask him if he knows where we are. I don't think he'll figure it out until late tomorrow night, giving us a day and a half start."
Adam and Hoss:
Charlie looked at the fence and noticed something that he hadn't seen earlier.
"Mr. Cartwright,"
Adam walked over.
"Look at this fence. It doesn't look like the steers broke out, it's man made."
"Rustlers?" Adam asked.
"I counted and all the cattle are accounted for."
"So who would want to break the fence?" Adam said.
"Let's finish rounding up the herd and you can figure it out later."
"I guess I need to apologize to Hoss."
"You were pretty hard on him this morning." Charlie had known Adam since he was twelve and Adam respected the older man.
"Hoss!" Adam shouted across the field. Hoss came over grumbling.
"Yeah," Hoss said. He was sick of Adam's dressing-down.
"I'm sorry," Adam said. "The fence was broken on purpose."
"Who would do that?"
"I have no idea, but I intend to find out."
Ben:
Negations on the lumber contract were going well; so he thought he might be home early. He was still feeling guilty about not bringing the twins along. He promised himself that he would next time he came there or even better San Francisco. He also decided that he would take them on a camping trip, just the three of them. Something he rarely had time for. He walked out of the hotel smiling. That would be the last smile for the next two weeks.