Idle Hands ~ Chapter 11

Guys this is going to be a double post of chapters 11 and 12. I would like to thank everyone who followed this long story. I've really enjoyed writing it not least because of all the lovely messages. Thanks so much everyone and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Bertha Chaney stopped little Joe as he headed into the Apothecary store.

"I'm sorry, I know how busy you are but we so wanted to know how Hoss is," she asked.

"He's still the same," Joe told her grimly "no change."

"We've turned our sewing circle evenings into a circle of prayer for poor dear Hoss. We're all praying hard for his recovery.""Thank you," he tried to smile.

"No thanks necessary Joe, how many times has that sweet boy mended our gate or helped with our groceries."

Joe nodded politely.

"Oh you go Joe, I'm holding you up now. You go get the medicine for Hoss," she took a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes as she waved him away and crossed the road.

Once Joe had stepped into the store Angela moved to speak with the woman.

"How is he?" She asked.

Bertha just looked at her.

"How is who?" She asked after a moment.

"Hoss Cartwright," Angela said, blushing slightly.

"His brother is right in that store over there, why don't you go ask him. I haven't got no time to be talkin in the street with strangers."

Bertha Chaney bustled off then without another word leaving Angela to stand in the street alone.

~o~

Doctor Martin came by twice a day to check on Hoss. He had scarce seen a man deteriorate so rapidly. He had pneumonia which was indeed serious but as he told Adam he'd expect Hoss to hold his own better than he had been doing. It was as if he was giving up. Adam nodded grimly and wondered if the break up with the rich lady effected him more than any of them realised.

Adam went to show Dr Martin out and ran head long into Annie on the landing, her bowl of water sloshing a stain up onto his shirt front.

"I'm sorry," she said without looking up.

"It's ok, I needed a bath anyway," he said, brushing suds from his shirt.

Sam was right behind her with towels and soap. Hop Sing and Adam were going to give Hoss a wash while the girls got some broth ready for him.

Sam and Annie had declared a hurried truce as women do in times of crisis and gave each other a quick hug as they worked in the kitchen together.

When Adam came back to the room to begin Hoss's freshen up, he found Joe standing at the foot of the bed.

Hoss was sitting straight up, propped with pillows to help his breathing. He was sleeping all the time exhausted by illness, his breath coming in slow labouring gasps.

"I want to help take care of his needs," Joe said, his bottom lip trembling as he tried to control the heart break at seeing his robust older brother like that.

"You could," Adam said, "but far more valuable to us you could go sit with Pa and keep him downstairs until we're done.

Joe wasn't able for any of this. He wanted to do his share but he wasn't able. Adam put an arm around his shoulder as the young man struggled to keep it together. Joe turned and Adam held his youngest brother as he sobbed quietly into his chest.

"He'll make it," Adam told him gently.

"We all have to be strong for him and keep praying,"

Joe nodded into his chest.

Hop sing arrived then, all business with herbs for Hoss to inhale to help his breathing and fresh sheets.

"Go on Joe," Adam told him, "clean your face before you go down.

Joe nodded and exited the room with one last wrenching look at his brother struggling for breath.

~0~

Adam came down an hour later and sat heavily at the table feeling exhausted. Conversations from the kitchen filtered out to him as he rubbed the strain from his neck. Sam was speaking sternly to Janet on something. Adam put his head down on the table deciding that women would argue with the wall if there was no one else in the room.

"But I just wanted to know why," Janet was saying.

"Never mind why, you weren't supposed to see him again."

Sam caught sight of Adam at the table and hurried out.

"Adam we have soup, Annie has brought some to Hoss. Do you want some?"

Adam brought his head up from the table. "Yeah thanks sweetheart." He told her as he reached out and caught the arm of a retreating Janet.

Sam prodded her shoulder." Now you talk to Adam while I get his food ready." She told her.

She stood before him nervously.

"So what's this about," he asked.

"I went to see Jim yesterday," she said curling her bottom lip.

"Who is Jim?" Adam asked.

"He's the boy from the livery stable."

"The 17 year old, I thought we made it clear you weren't to see him again." Adam told her, an angry edge to his voice. "Yes sir" she whispered.

"Never mind 'yes sir', why did you go see him when you were specifically told not to, answer me," Adam shook her slightly.

"Adam," Ben called over, with a look of sympathy for Janet.

A look of fierce irritation crossed Adams face and he got up taking Janet by the arm and leading her outside to the porch.

Once there he sat on the rocker on the porch, bringing her up beside him.

Her prim little face grew pale and guarded as she prepared herself for punishment. That face she wore as if she were about to go into battle always softened Adams heart. It was clear to Adam and Sam that when she was punished at home she wasn't even allowed to cry.

"We've been through this," he told her "I thought we agreed that he was too old for you."

"Yes but Kathy told me he had been paid to court me," she looked back anxiously. "I had to ask him, was it true."

Adam laughed "what nonsense is that."

"Kathy Free told me Jim was paid to go out with me and he bought her an emerald broach with the money."

"Janet, she's just being spiteful. Nobody pays someone to court a little girl. That makes no sense," he smiled stroking her hand. "Don't mind her."

"Yeah, maybe it is just story," Janet nodded.

"Mister Manning would never give Jim a whole ten dollars just to go out with me." She laughed.

Adams face paled slightly.

"Mister Manning, Vernon Manning?" He asked.

"I guess so," she shrugged.

"Sweetheart, Sam has made me some soup, you go in and eat it will you, I need to get some stuff in town for uncle Hoss. Will you tell Sam I'll be back in about an hour?"

"Yes sir," she nodded.

"And no more older men or I'll have to get my shot gun," he said sounding like an old prospector.

Janet giggled as he pinched her nose.

Once Janet had skipped inside Adams face turned very serious.

A little girl like Kathy would make up stories like that right enough, but to add a name?. Adam headed to the barn to saddle his horse.