Chapter 3

Joe headed straight for the stairs when he entered the house, hoping he could make it to his room before his family questioned him. Unfortunately for him, his father was coming downstairs after retrieving something from his own room. They met on the stairs.

"Joseph?!" Ben asked, gripping the boy's arms. "What happened?"

"Oh, Pa, it was nothin'. I don't wanna talk about it," Joe said as he tried to move past his Pa toward his room.

"Nothin'?" Ben said, pulling the boy back where he could see him. "You don't get a shiner like that from just nothin'."

Joe winced and drew away when his father's fingers touched his swollen eye. Katie had really nailed him at practice today. She'd felt terrible about it, but at the same time proud. Joe was proud of her, too. Little Joe pleaded with his Pa, "I really don't wanna talk about it, Pa. Just let me be."

Slowly, Ben conceded. He straightened Joe's jacket as he let go of him.

"Whatcha got there, Pa?" Hoss asked as Ben walked past him, heading for the stairs.

"It's a steak for Joe's eye," Ben explained.

"He got in a fight?" Hoss asked.

"Seems so."

As he watched his father go upstairs, Hoss glanced over at Adam. "I thought he was spending his afternoons with that Katie McGill," he said.

Adam pondered for a moment and then suggested, "Maybe she gave him the black eye."

Hoss' laughter filled the room.

They were both winded from their workout. Kate gently touched Joe's cheek with her finger. "I sure am sorry about your eye, Joe," she said.

He took her hand in his and lowered it. "C'mon, now, it's nothing." Feeling her hand in his, Joe's heart began to pound. Hastily, he let her go. "Well, Kate, that's it. I think I've taught you everything I can. The only thing you can do now is get in a real fight and see how it works." He winked at her. "I don't recommend it, though."

"Oh, Joe!" She hugged him tightly and he sensed that she was crying. Torn between wanting to console her and not wanting to get too close, Joe held her silently.

"He'll be here tomorrow. Mother got a telegram today."

"Shhh," Joe consoled her. "You'll be fine. That's what all this hard work was for, right?" He gave her a gentle squeeze, and enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. After some time, she turned her face towards his, and before he knew it, Joe was kissing her.

Abruptly, she pulled away. "No, no, Joe, I can't!" She ran to her horse, mounted, and galloped away, leaving Joe standing, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Hello, Joe, how was Kate today?" Adam asked, that all-too-familiar smirk on his face.

Joe stopped in his tracks and scowled at his older brother. "You know somethin', Adam? I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your little remarks to yourself!"

"Gee, what's eatin' you?"

"Nothin'," Joe snarled, and flopped down on the settee. He rested one boot on the coffee table and stared angrily at the empty fireplace.

Adam sat up and looked at his brother overtop the book he was reading. Joe was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't notice. Slowly, Adam put his book down on the coffee table. "Care to talk about your troubles?" he asked quietly. Joe continued to stare. "Joe?"

Snapping out of it, Joe stood and headed for the kitchen. "No," he said.

The next morning, Joe dressed in his finest suit. When he joined his family at the breakfast table, he was met with whistles and compliments. Little Joe just grinned, draped his napkin over his lap, and began filling his plate.

The family watched him with interest. Finally, Ben broke the silence. "Big plans today, son?"

Joe wiped his mouth and took a sip of coffee. "Yeah, uh, Kate McGill. Her family's got a big thing goin' today, and she invited me to come over."

"Kate McGill?" Hoss said, rasing his tone and smirking. Adam gave him a warning glance, but Hoss missed it. "You been spendin' an awful lot of time with her lately, ain't you Joe?"

Joe ignored him, and stared at his eggs.

"You ain't goin' over there today to talk to her Pa, are ya?! Ow!" Hoss shouted after Adam's foot kicked him under the table.

"If you must know, brother, her family's invited a fella from Kansas down. That's what all the hub-bub is. She's gonna marry him." With that, Joe left the table and walked outside.

"Why can't you keep your big mouth shut, Hoss!" Adam growled.

"Well I didn't know, Adam!"

"I was tryin' to tell you!"

"I didn't know!"

"That's enough, boys," Ben said, as each man finished their final sentence.

"...had no idea what you were gettin' at."

"...dumber than a post sometimes."

"Boys." Both men hushed, and a silence settled over the table. Finally, Ben could stand it no longer. "Well, Adam, would you care to fill me in?"

"I don't know the details, Pa, I just think that Joe really cares for this girl. When I poked fun of him yesterday he nearly bit my head off. I guess now we know why."