Summary; When first you conspire to deceive… It’s mighty hard to keep a secret with Little Joe around.

Rating:  K  (9,850 words)

for Mary … thanks for the idea!

 

The Pact

 

Little Joe Cartwright climbed up the wooden rungs of the corral fence until he was high enough for his chin to rest on the top rung. He arranged his arms across the rough piece of wood and gazed in delight at the five horses milling around inside the corral. “They’s beauties, ain’t they Hoss?” he said happily. “See that white one over there? He’s a real fine one, ain’t he?”

 

“Sure is,” agreed his older brother Hoss as he also gazed at the horses. “Jimmy says that he’s gonna train him for pulling his fancy carriage.” Hoss also rested his chin on the top rung of the fence, the only difference in his stance to that of his younger brother being that his feet could be firmly planted on the ground as he did it.

 

“How come?” asked Little Joe curiously.

 

“Cause he says he gets lots of people asking to hire that fancy carriage he’s got round the back,” replied Hoss. “He says that the white mare will look right fine with it.” He shrugged. “Some folks like to look fancy when they go fer a ride,” he added. “Probbly city folks coming here for a visit.”

 

Little Joe nodded his head knowingly. “Yeah,” he agreed. “City folks.” Joe idolized his brother Hoss, so if Hoss had said that Indians were hiring the fancy carriage then Joe would have agreed with him.

 

Hoss looked over his shoulder. “I wonder where Adam is,” he mused. “He’s been quite a time coming to collect us like he said he would.”

 

Joe took no notice of the comment, but pointed to another of the horses. “That black is one that I’d like to ride,” he said.

 

“I wouldn’t be trying to ride that black, young fellar,” said a deep voice behind them and both boys turned to see Jimmy Press, the owner of the Livery Stable, standing there grinning at them. “At least not until you’ve grown another foot or two,” he added, plucking Little Joe from the fence and hoisting him high into the air.

 

Joe frowned at the comment as he considered the insult to his dignity, for he never liked being reminded of how little he was. As Jimmy threw him into the air and caught him again before placing him on his feet and ruffling his curly hair, however, his frown instantly turned to a smile at the sheer joy of the movement. “I’m big enuff,” he declared as soon as he’d found his feet again. “I’m a good rider already and Pa says that I can have my own horse next month when I turn six!”

 

Jimmy ruffled the youngster’s hair again and chuckled at the sight of the five-year-old drawing himself up to his full height. “I’m sure you are,” he said. “You two boys inspecting my horses again? Your Pa bring you to town?”

 

Hoss shook his head. “Nope,” he said. “We came in with Adam.”

 

“To get supplies,” added Little Joe importantly. He held up his arm for Jimmy to inspect. “I’ve got muscles now, so I help load em up.”

 

Jimmy dutifully felt the tiny bicep. “So I see,” he replied. “Very impressive young fellar.” He looked down the street. “So where is Adam then?” he asked.

 

Hoss frowned slightly. “I’m not sure,” he said. “He said to bring Joe to see the horses for a bit and then he’d come past and pick us up here at the Livery Stable directly.”

 

“He always tells us to see the horses,” added Little Joe, wrinkling his nose up as he thought about it. “Hey Hoss? Why does he?”

 

Hoss shrugged. “I dunno,” he said. “I guess he’s doing something.” It had always intrigued Hoss why his brother sent them away after loading up the supplies too, but he’d never voiced his concern to Little Joe for fear of worrying the boy that something was wrong. Whenever he’d asked Adam, all he got in reply was a curt mind your own business from his older brother …. so it had continued to intrigue him each time it happened. Suddenly, an idea came into his head and he snatched Joe’s hand. “We’d better go look fer him,” he said. “See ya Jimmy! Thanks for letting us look at the horses!”

 

“See ya Jimmy!” echoed Little Joe as he was pulled away by Hoss. “Thanks fer letting us look at the horses.” He looked up at his brother as he trotted beside him to keep up with the other boy’s longer legs. “Hey Hoss? Where we going?”

 

“To look for Adam,” replied Hoss, scanning the street both ways. “I can’t see our buckboard nowheres but.” He scratched his head. “Reckon we’ll try this way first.” He led Joe down Main Street quickly.

 

“Where do ya reckon he is Hoss?” asked Joe curiously.

 

“I dunno Joe,” said Hoss. “But wherever he is, we’ll find him.”

 

Joe nodded wisely, knowing that whatever Hoss said would be true. Suddenly, his short legs stopped, forcing Hoss to also stop when he felt his hand tugged backwards. “Look!” shouted Joe happily, pointing across the street to the Silver Dollar Saloon. “There’s our buckboard Hoss!”

 

Hoss looked and then frowned. “So it is,” he said. “But Adam sure ain’t with it.”

 

“He must be in the saloon,” said Little Joe, tugging on Hoss’ hand. “Come on … let’s go see.”

 

Hoss shook his head. “He wouldn’t be in the saloon Joe,” he replied firmly.

 

“Why not?” asked Little Joe curiously. “Sometimes he goes in there. I heard him and Pa talking bout it.”

 

Hoss nodded. “Yeah,” he said. “But that’s when Pa lets him go there for a drink of beer on a Friday night. He wouldn’t go in there in the middle of a working day.”

 

“Why not?” asked Joe. “Don’t they have beer in the middle of a working day?”

 

Hoss frowned and scratched his head again. “I reckon they do,” he said. “But …”

 

“Well come on then,” said Joe impatiently. “Let’s see iffen he’s in there.” He let go of Hoss’ hand and ran across the street as fast as his small legs would carry him before Hoss fairly knew that he was gone.

 

“Joe!” he shouted as he ran after his little brother. “Come back here!” He caught up with his brother just outside the saloon and grabbed hold of his arm. “We can’t go in there,” he said.

 

Joe’s stubborn look appeared on his face … the one that Hoss knew very well … and Hoss cursed himself for saying the word can’t. It was a word that he usually tried to avoid when it came to his little brother, as Joe hated to be told that he couldn’t do something. The word usually spurred the determined little boy to prove that in fact he could do whatever it was after all. “Why not?” Joe asked in a huffy tone.

 

Hoss pulled him to one side, out of the way of the swinging doors that separated the saloon from the street. “Cause only grownups can go in there,” he said. “Not kids like us.”

 

Joe thought for a moment. “Well then,” he said, looking over his shoulder at the swinging doors of the saloon. “Let’s look under there to see iffen Adam’s inside.” He wriggled out of his older brother’s grip and immediately lay down on the boards of the sidewalk. “Hey Hoss!” he shouted up at his brother. “You can see lots from here!”

 

Hoss looked around to see if anyone was about before giving into the temptation to see what went on inside a saloon and joining his brother stomach-down on the sidewalk. Both boys peered under the swinging doors. “See?” said Little Joe, pointing to a pair of legs that passed by on the other side of the door. “There’s someone in there. Look Hoss!”

 

Hoss looked and then blushed slightly when he realised that the pair of legs were quite shapely and encased in fishnet stockings. “I don’t think we should be looking Joe,” he said uneasily, but Little Joe took no notice of the comment and merely scrunched forward slightly to get a better look. Even though he was only five years old, Hoss was constantly amazed at the youngster’s confidence.

 

“There’s another one,” said Joe pointing, and in spite of his misgivings, Hoss also scrunched forward to gaze at the second pair of shapely legs. “That’s a lady I reckon,” said Little Joe knowingly as he gazed at them. “How come her skirt’s so short but Hoss?” He looked over at his brother curiously. “I ain’t never seen a lady’s legs with no skirt before, have you Hoss?”

 

Hoss shook his head, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head as he continued to stare at the legs. At that moment, however, the doors swung outwards and a very large pair of booted feet nearly stepped on both of them. “Hey!” shouted the owner of the feet. “What’s going on here? You two kids …. Move on will ya? Ya ain’t got no business being here!”

 

Hoss immediately grabbed Joe and pulled him out of the way of the angry man who gave them one last look before striding down the street muttering under his breath. “Stop pulling me Hoss,” demanded Little Joe crossly as he pushed his brother’s hands off him. “I wanna see inside!” He scrunched back towards the door until he was half underneath it. “Come and see Hoss,” he said over his shoulder.

 

Hoss scrunched forward again, even though it was against his better judgement. There was something about those legs that had intrigued him and he really wanted to get another look. From the expression on Little Joe’s face, he was enjoying the view too. After a few moments, Hoss remembered why they were there in the first place. “Can ya see Adam?” he asked his brother.

 

Joe shook his head and then pushed himself backwards until he was out from under the door again and stood up. “I’m gonna go find him,” he announced and pushed through the swinging doors before Hoss could do anything to stop him.

 

“Joe!” Hoss cried as he also stood up and followed his brother into the saloon. “Get back out here!” By the time the words were out of his mouth he found himself standing next to his wide-eyed brother …. The two of them looking around the saloon curiously. “So this is a saloon,” Hoss breathed softly. He took in the three ladies with the short skirts who were walking around the room between the tables of men who were either sitting drinking, talking or playing cards.

 

Suddenly, one of the women spied the two youngsters and he eyes opened in amazement. “Hey!” she called out. “What are you two doing in here? This isn’t any place for kids!”

 

Hoss swallowed as the woman approached him, his eyes fixated on her ample bosom … the first that he’d ever seen partially uncovered. “Oh Lordy,” he breathed softly and tried to grab Joe as he backed out of the room. “Oh Lordy!”

 

But Little Joe wasn’t about to leave this intriguing place when he’d only just entered it. He took a step sideways to avoid his brother’s grasp and then took two steps forward, anxious to see what else he could in the room.

 

“Hey!” shouted the man behind the bar. “You two kids get outta here! Come on … scat!” He waved a dishcloth about as if to shoo them away with it.

 

“We’s looking for our brother,” Little Joe informed him calmly and then pointed to an archway at the other end of the room. “I bet he’s in there!” Without more ado, he ran towards the archway as fast as his little legs would carry him. “It’s OK Hoss!” he called over his shoulder. “Adam’s in here! Come on!”

 

Hoss swallowed again before cautiously moving over towards his younger brother and grabbing him by the arm. “Come on Joe,” he said in a low voice. “We gotta get out of here.”

 

But the stubborn little boy shook his head firmly. “Not yet,” he said, pointing. “See? There’s Adam. Look.”

 

Hoss looked. There indeed was their brother Adam, sitting at a table in the corner … a beer in one hand and the other around a scantily clad woman. As his two brothers looked on, the woman suddenly kissed him full on the mouth, causing Joe to snigger in a loud voice. “Adam’s getting kissed!” he shouted out gleefully in a loud voice that caused everyone to turn and stare at him.

 

Unabashed, Little Joe went up to his brother and put his hands on Adam’s knees as he stared up at him. “Hi Adam,” he said. “We’ve been looking for you.”

 

Adam swallowed his mouthful of beer and quickly put the glass on the table before prising himself away from the woman. “What are you two doing in here?” he demanded in an angry tone.

 

“Looking for you,” said Little Joe, smiling at him calmly. “I just done told you that.”

 

“Hey Cartwright!” called out the bartender. “If you own those two kids, then get em out of here! They’re bad for business!”

 

Adam gave the woman an apologetic look before grabbing his hat with one hand, Little Joe with the other and saying to Hoss, “Follow me!” in a curt tone. To the great amusement of the other customers, he practically ran out of the saloon pulling Little Joe by the hand. As soon as they got outside, Adam picked up Little Joe and placed him on top of the supplies in the buckboard and then turned to Hoss. “Well?” he said. “What were you doing in there? And bringing the kid in with you …. How could you?”

 

Hoss gave his angry brother a defensive look. “Well you were the one who left us at the Livery Stable without telling us where you was,” he said. “Besides …. What were you doing in there?”

 

Behind them, Little Joe giggled. “Adam was getting kissed,” he said in a delighted tone.

 

Adam swung around to face him. “You be quiet!” he ordered and then swung back to Hoss again. “How could you bring him into the saloon like that?” he demanded. “What were you thinking?”

 

“I wasn’t thinking nothing,” countered Hoss defensively. “Sides …. Joe was the one who went in there …. I was just getting him out again.” He gave Adam an appraising look. “How come you was in there anyway?” he added. “You ain’t supposed to be drinking in the middle of a working day.”

 

Adam held his breath for a moment as he searched his brother’s face. There were many times when he considered Hoss quite gullible for his age, but this wasn’t one of those times. “It doesn’t matter what I was doing in there,” he said, forcing his voice to sound calmer. “Get in the buckboard.”

 

Hoss hesitated for a moment and then climbed up onto the buckboard seat. Joe immediately climbed over from the back and sat next to him while they both waited for their brother to walk around the front of the horses and climb up himself. Adam held onto the reins for a moment considering his options, before looking at both his brothers. “How about none of us talk about this again?” he suggested in a friendlier tone. “I won’t tell Pa that you two went into the saloon if you don’t tell him that I was there.” He gave both his brothers a sideways glance. “Well?” he said. “How about it?”

 

“You weren’t supposed to be in there,” Hoss reminded him smugly, sensing that his older brother for once was at a loss.

 

Adam raised an eyebrow. “Neither were you,” he said firmly. “So we’re even.”

 

Joe looked from one brother to the other as Adam and Hoss glared at each other. He wondered why they both sound so angry with each other. “How come that lady was kissing you Adam?” he asked finally.

 

Adam took over his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. “See what you’ve done now?” he asked Hoss in an exasperated tone. “The kid will spill the beans for sure.”

 

Joe looked over his shoulder at the supplies. “Didn’t neither!” he said indignantly. “Ain’t no spilt beans back there!”

 

Adam ignored him as he continued to address Hoss. “Well?” he asked. “How about we make a pact?”

 

Hoss’ eyes narrowed. “What’s a pact?” he asked.

 

“Yeah,” echoed Joe. “What’s a pact Adam?”

 

“A pact is an agreement,” explained their older brother. “Both of you agree not to tell Pa that I was in the saloon today and I agree not to tell him that both of you were.”

 

Little Joe looked at Hoss as his brother considered the proposal, anxious to agree with whatever Hoss said. It took Hoss a few moments of thinking, but finally he opened his mouth. “Seems to me that you might be trouble from Pa twice but,” he said. “Once for going in the saloon and once for leaving us.” He grinned at Adam smugly. “Me and Joe was only looking for you after all, so we won’t get into trouble for that.”

 

“We found you too,” Joe reminded him. “You was in the saloon and that lady was kissing you.”

 

Adam glared at him and then tried again. “All right,” he said in a resigned voice. “What is it going to take for you to keep quiet?”

 

“Candy,” said Hoss immediately.

 

Little Joe’s eyes lit up at the word. “Yeah … candy,” he echoed eagerly.

 

“And fishing,” added Hoss.

 

“Yeah …. fishing,” echoed Joe, getting into the swing of it now.

 

Adam considered for a moment. “All right,” he said. “I’ll buy you some candy and take you fishing on Sunday afternoon … and you two keep quiet about me being in the saloon. Is it a pact?”

 

“Two,” said Little Joe, holding up two fingers.

 

“Two what?” asked Adam in an exasperated tone.

 

“Two times fishing,” said Joe with a grin. “One for me and one for Hoss.” He turned to Hoss and grinned at him. “You can come fishing on my turn too Hoss.”

 

Hoss nodded. “OK thanks,” he said. “And you can come on my turn Joe.” He looked Adam and held up two fingers. “Two lots of fishing and candy,” he said. “Then it’ll be a pact.”

 

Adam looked at first one brother and then the other. This was the first time he could remember not being able to outsmart them and the thought that it might not be the last time played on his mind for a few minutes. He hesitated and then nodded. “OK,” he said. He bent down and held Little Joe’s face between his hands as he stared into the little boy’s eyes intently. “You understand?” he said. “A pact means that you have to promise not to tell Pa, Joe. If you do then I’ll … I’ll … you won’t want to know what I’ll do, but you won’t like it when I do it.”

 

Joe’s green eyes widened as he stared into his brother’s hazel ones. “I understand,” he said solemnly. “I won’t tell Pa.”

 

Adam let go of the child’s face, considering whether or not he could trust him and decided that he really had no choice. Besides, taking them fishing and buying them a bit of candy was easy and he figured that he was getting off lightly if this worked. He held out his hand. “It’s a pact then,” he said.

 

Hoss put his hand into his brother’s. “It’s a pact,” he said. “Put ya hand on top of mine Joe.”

 

Little Joe dutifully put his hand on top of his brother’s. “It’s a pact,” he said firmly. “When do we get the candy?”

 

Adam let go their hands and hopped down from the buckboard. “I’ll go and get it now,” he said. “I need to get the mail anyway. You two stay here.”

 

Hoss and Joe sat still and watched as their brother disappeared across the street. “Oh boy!” said Joe when he’d gone. “We’re gonna get candy Hoss!”

 

Hoss nodded happily. “And fishing,” he said. “For two whole weeks in a row.” He grinned at his little brother. “I’m sure glad you went into that saloon Joe.”

 

“So am I,” said Little Joe happily. “And it was good looking at them ladies’ legs too weren’t it?”

 

Hoss looked at his little brother, his face going red at the memory of the semi-uncovered bosom that he’d seen. “Yeah,” he sighed. “It sure was.”

 

 

==========

 

 

Adam pulled the horses to a stop as they approached the back of the barn. His nerves were frayed with the events of the past couple of hours and he was in no mood to be civil after listening to his two younger brothers’ incessant crunching of their candy on the trip home. “Wipe all that stuff off your face,” he instructed Little Joe. “I don’t want Pa knowing about that candy. You too Hoss.”

 

“But I ain’t got a handkerchief,” protested Little Joe, sucking on the last of his candy.

 

Adam grunted in reply, pulled out his own handkerchief to wipe his little brother’s sticky face and then turned to inspect Hoss’. “Swallow that,” he said gruffly and waited until Joe had done as he was told before hitching up the reins again.

 

As they drove into the front yard, Ben put down the axe that he’d been wielding over the pile of kindling wood and walked towards them. “Well howdy there,” he said as Adam brought the team to a halt. “Any problems?”

 

It was to Adam’s credit that he only hesitated a spilt second before forcing himself to smile at his father. “No,” he said. “No problems Pa.”

 

Little Joe bounced down from the buckboard into his father’s waiting arms and sat on Ben’s hip, grinning at him. “We got a pact,” he informed him immediately and then when Adam and Hoss froze in their movements, added indignantly. “What? I never told what it is!” Ben raised an eyebrow as Little Joe turned back to his father. “I can’t tell what it is Pa,” he said. “We got a secret pact.”

 

Ben raised the other eyebrow as he looked at first Hoss, then Adam. “I see,” he said, when it was obvious that no one was going to enlighten him further. “Is this something I need to know about Adam?”

 

“Oh no,” said Adam, trying to sound casual and avoiding looking at his father as he began to unload the supplies. “Just a bit of fun to keep him quiet on the way home, that’s all Pa.”

 

“Adam’s gonna take us fishing tomorrow afternoon,” Little Joe informed his father happily.

 

“Is he?” replied Ben. “Well it’s mighty generous of him to do that on his Sunday afternoon off.”

 

“Yes, isn’t it?” said Adam sarcastically as he continued to work.

 

Ben sensed that there was something he wasn’t being told, but decided not to pursue it. “Did you get the mail?” he asked as he put Little Joe down on his feet. Adam handed his father the saddlebag full of mail and Ben nodded to him briefly before walking over to the front porch and sitting down to read through it.

 

“Well thanks a lot,” whispered Adam to Little Joe as soon as their father was out of earshot. “I thought you promised not to say anything?”

 

“I didn’t tell,” protested Little Joe indignantly. “I never told bout you being in the …”

 

“Be quiet!” hissed Adam putting his hand over the child’s mouth. “Can’t you for once just shut your mouth?” He let go once Joe nodded and it became clear that he had got the message to be silent.

 

“Aw Adam,” said Hoss as he lifted a large sack from the back of the buckboard. “He didn’t mean anything by it. He’s just a little kid.”

 

“I’m just a little kid,” echoed Little Joe, giving his brothers one of his most innocent looks.

 

“Well little kid or not, I’ve got this feeling that there’s some blackmail here,” grunted Adam, turning back to his work.

 

Joe stood in puzzlement for a moment. “Not black,” he said finally. “It’s white.” He indicated the mail that their father was going through over on the porch.

 

Adam decided not to ask what he meant by the remark and simply replied. “Why don’t you go and dig up some worms for the fishing tomorrow?” Then as an aside whisper to Hoss. “That’ll keep him busy and out of our way.”

 

“OK,” said Little Joe happily. “I’ll get lots for us to use.”

 

For the next ten minutes, Adam and Hoss worked side by side silently, each lost in his owns thoughts about the afternoon’s happenings. By the time they’d finished unloading the supplies and unhitching the horses, their father had gone through the mail and beckoned them over to him.

 

“It seems that I have to go to Carson City next weekend to close that deal with Bert Cuthson,” he said as Adam and Hoss sat down on the edge of the porch at his feet. “I’d best stay over on Saturday night Adam, so you’ll have to be in charge of your brothers if you don’t mind.”

 

“That’s OK,” replied Adam casually, for since Joe’s mother had died some months earlier he’d often been left in charge of the two younger boys and they had learnt to mind him and do as he said.

 

“I’ll have to miss the box social on Sunday,” mused Ben with a grin. “Not that I’ll mind that of course. Since Marie ….” His voice caught with a small bit of emotion at the sound of his departed wife’s name. “Since Marie’s death I’ve sensed that some widows in town see me as eligible again.” He patted Adam on the back. “There’s no need for you to miss it though son. I know that you’re looking forward to going with Sarah and Hop Sing has already agreed to watch the boys that afternoon.”

 

Adam hit himself on the forehead. “The box social!” he said in dismay. “I’d forgotten all about it.” He looked sideways at Hoss. “We’ll have to put that second fishing afternoon off until the next week Hoss. Sorry about that.”

 

Ben stood up and stretched his legs. “I might just go and check on Little Joe,” he said. “He’s been awfully quiet behind the barn looking for those worms and that’s always a sign of trouble.”

 

As their father walked away, Hoss frowned at Adam. “That ain’t fair Adam,” he said. “You promised to take us fishing two Sundays in a row.”

 

“Well yes, but that was before I remembered the box social,” replied Adam. “That’s been organised for weeks and I can’t let Sarah down.”

 

Hoss’s eyes narrowed as he thought about it. “What exactly is a box social anyways?” he asked.

 

Adam shrugged. “The girl brings a box … or rather a basket of food to share with the man of her choice,” he said. “Sarah arranged to partner me weeks ago. The idea is that we raise money for a worthy cause. Each man donates something for the privilege of sharing the woman’s picnic and the money goes all together. This time we’re raising money to start up a fire brigade in Virginia City. I can’t let down a good cause like that now, can I?” He gave his brother a triumphant look. “Pa would want me to be there … especially as he can’t be.”

 

“I spose so,” said Hoss, digging his boot into the ground in dismay. “Only it just seems ….” Suddenly he put his head up, his eyes sparkling. “How much food do the ladies bring?” he asked.

 

“Oh lots,” said Adam casually, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back against one of the poles of the porch.

 

“Well then, instead of taking us fishing that afternoon Joe and me can come with you and share the box social food,” suggested Hoss.

 

“No!” said Adam quickly. “These things are for grownups. You’d both be bored.”

 

“No I wouldn’t iffen there’s lots of food to keep me busy,” countered Hoss.

 

“I can’t take you,” said Adam firmly. “What would Sarah think?”

 

Hoss shrugged as if he didn’t care what Sarah thought …. as indeed he didn’t. “Is she a good cook?” he asked.

 

“I don’t know,” replied Adam wearily. “Come on Hoss …. You can’t possibly want to come to the box social. You’d be bored as anything. It wasn’t part of our pact, so I’m not taking you!”

 

Hoss shrugged again and gave his brother a cagey look. “OK,” he said as they watched their father lead Little Joe around from the back of the barn. “Well I guess if you’re gonna back out of our pact, then I’m just gonna have to tell Pa what happened in town.”

 

Adam gave him a furious look. “You wouldn’t!” he snarled. “I’ve already bought you candy … and I said I’ll take you fishing tomorrow for heavens sake!”

 

Hoss held up two fingers, just as Little Joe had done earlier. “Two,” he said. “Two times you said. One tomorrow and one next Sunday. If you can’t take us next Sunday then you have to take us to the box social. That’s the pact Adam and you know it.” He gave his brother a triumphant look and Adam nodded miserably.

 

“All right,” he snarled. “But don’t blame me if you have a lousy time, that’s all.”

 

Little Joe let go of his father’s hand and ran up to his brothers. “Look!” he said, showing them a small bucket. “I got lots of worms for our fishing. I dug em up just like you showed me Hoss.”

 

Hoss looked into the bucket. “That’s great Joe,” he said. “We’ll use em up tomorrow. We ain’t going fishing next week but, cause Adam is taking us to the box social instead.”

 

“Yeah?” Little Joe’s eyes lit up. “That’s great! I love going to a box social.” He thought for a moment. “What’s a box social?” he asked.

 

Hoss stood up and gestured to him. “Come on and I’ll explain it all to ya Joe,” he said. “We’ll get our fishing poles ready for tomorrow too.”

 

Ben sat down on the porch next to a miserable Adam. “Are you sure you want to take those two to the social?” he asked, puzzled as to what was going on. “You really don’t have to.”

 

Adam sighed. “If only that were true,” he muttered. He gave his father a sideways glance. “I sort of promised them a few treats,” he said lamely. “Fishing and … well …” His voice trailed away.

 

Ben gave him an appraising stare. “Does this have anything to do with the pact that Little Joe was talking about before?” he asked.

 

Adam shrugged. “Sort of,” he admitted. “It’s just … a brother thing.” He looked at his father to see if his explanation would be accepted and was relieved to see Ben smiling at him.

 

Ben patted his son on the back. “Well I won’t admit to not being curious about all of this,” he said. “But I’ll leave it in your hands son. Whatever is going on … I’m sure you can handle it.”

 

Adam nodded as his father stood up and walked away, then snorted softly. “I hope so,” he said. “Somehow I have a feeling that I’ve been rail-roaded by those two.”

 

 

==========

 

 

Adam smiled broadly as Sarah opened the door. “Hi,” he said, looking her up and down. “You look lovely.”

 

Sarah returned the smile. “Thank you,” she said happily. “Here is the picnic basket if you’d like to be a gentleman and carry it for me.” She closed the door behind her and linked her arm in his as they began to walk down the short path from her front door to the waiting buggy. “Isn’t it lovely weather for a picnic?” she breathed, smiling up at him. “I’m really looking forward to ….” She stopped as she spied Hoss and Little Joe sitting in the back of the buggy. “What are your brothers doing here?” she asked in amazement. “Do you have to take them somewhere before we go to the social?”

 

Adam swallowed. He’s been trying to think of the right way to explain the situation for two weeks now, but still hadn’t come up with anything. “No,” he said slowly. “I sort of …. well I have to have them with me today. Pa is in Carson City for the weekend.” He glanced at her to gauge her reaction. “They won’t be any trouble,” he assured her quickly.

 

Sarah looked nonplussed. “But …” she said. “But … what about us? I’ve been so looking forward to spending the afternoon with you Adam.” She leant her head on his shoulder and looked up at him coyly, causing him to go quite weak at the knees.

 

“It’ll work out fine,” he assured her. “I’ve brought their fishing poles and that will keep them busy. They won’t worry us at all.”

 

“But ….” Sarah looked down anxiously at the picnic basket. “But I didn’t really bring enough food for four people,” she said.

 

“Don’t worry about that,” said Adam as he swung the picnic basket up into the back of the buggy. “I got Hop Sing to pack a lunch for these two. They can have their own picnic.”

 

Hoss’ face fell at his brother’s words. “But we don’t mind sharing yours too,” he said quickly with a grin. “Morning ma’am,” he added, remembering his manners just in time.

 

Sarah nodded her head slightly in his direction as Adam helped her up into the front seat of the buggy, but said nothing. Little Joe leant forward and stared at her for a moment. “Do you kiss Adam like that other lady does?” he asked abruptly.

 

“Be quiet!” snarled Adam as he got up into the buggy beside Sarah. “He makes things up,” he said to the girl with a smile. “Don’t take any notice of him.”

 

“But that other lady in the ….” began Little Joe indignantly.

 

“Off we go!” shouted Adam to drown out whatever his youngest brother was saying. Soon they were jolting along down towards the lake where many other young couples were congregating for the box social. “Here we are,” said Adam as he pulled the horses to a halt. “This looks like a good spot under this tree.” He bounded out of the buggy and then helped Sarah down, leaving Hoss and Joe to clamber down themselves. I’ll put our basket here under the tree,” he said. “Hoss, you put your lunch round the other side over there.” He indicated a patch of bare earth right around the other side of the tree. “I need to go and pay my money,” Adam continued. “And Pa wanted me to give a donation from him as well.”

 

Sarah smiled at him. “That’s fine,” she said. “I’ll get our picnic ready while you’re gone.” She pulled a rug out from on top of the food and spread it on the soft grass in the shade before beginning to place arrange all of her culinary delicacies on it. She had spent the best part of two days cooking these treats, for she firmly believed what her mother had told her …. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach … and she certainly wanted to find her way into Adam Cartwright’s heart.

 

As she knelt down and arranged the food, she suddenly felt something close to her and looked up. Standing next to her were Hoss and Joe, staring at all the food. “I thought you were having your picnic around there?” she asked, trying to sound sweet. “Go and get your food out like good boys.”

 

Hoss looked slightly put out as he continued to check out the food. “Back there is no grass to sit on,” he said. “And we ain’t got no fancy rug like you neither.”

 

“Nope,” added Little Joe. “We ain’t got no fancy rug, so we’d better sit here with you.” He plonked himself down on the middle of the rug, almost sitting on a plate of small cakes in the process. He gave her one of his best smiles …. One that was usually guaranteed to make most ladies pat him on the head and call him a dear little thing ….. but he soon discovered that Sarah didn’t appear to be one of those ladies.

 

“Well there isn’t enough room for all of us here,” she countered, still trying to sound sweet. “So it would be best if you found a patch of grass to sit on somewhere else.” She indicated a spot quite a distance away. “What about over there?” she suggested. “You would have some lovely shade to sit in as well.”

 

Joe looked at her curiously. “Do you have them stockings with holes in em like the ladies in the saloon?” he asked and then when Sarah blushed and didn’t answer, added. “They look like fishing nets. Can I see yours?” He looked at her legs curiously.

 

Hoss looked shocked. “Joe!” he said. “That ain’t perlite!”

 

“What?” asked Little Joe indignantly. “I was just asking!”

 

Sarah pulled the little boy to his feet. “Go on over there and have your picnic,” she said firmly. “Go on now.”

 

“Yes …. Go on now,” echoed Adam as he walked up to them. “Here is the food that Hop Sing sent for both of you … go and eat it.” He turned his back on his brothers, smiled at Sarah and then sat down on the rug close beside her. “So what have we got to eat?” he asked. “It all looks delicious.”

 

“We could help you eat yours too,” Hoss offered, not budging from his spot. “We don’t mind eating two lunches.”

 

Joe nodded his head instantly. “We don’t mind,” he echoed generously.

 

“Go,” said Adam without even glancing at them. He smiled as he heard the two boys walk away and then edged closer to Sarah. “You’re a good cook by the look of it,” he said, although he was looking into her eyes instead of eyeing off the food.

 

“Thank you,” she breathed. “I made it all for you Adam.” She stared deep into his eyes as well, until their heads began to move closer to each other and their lips were only inches away.

 

“I’m hungry,” Adam said softly. “Hungry to taste your beautiful lips.” His own lips touched hers and they partook in a lingering kiss that made each of them close their eyes in delight. After a moment he drew back from her and gave her another smile. “I suppose we’d better have something to eat,” he said. “After all, I’ve got all afternoon to taste those lips again.”

 

Sarah giggled. Kissing Adam Cartwright was just about as delicious as she’d dreamed it would be and she looked forward to a wonderful afternoon with him. As they sat and nibbled on the dainty sandwiches and cakes that she’d made, Adam stole several more kisses in between bites and after ten minutes she was convinced that he was just about the most perfect man that she’d ever been to a social with.

 

Adam was just about to tilt his head and plant another kiss on her neck, however, when there was an ear-splitting yell from behind them and they both turned to see Little Joe jumping up and down, his face red and one arm waving around in the air. “What on earth …?” began Adam, but before he could get another word out his little brother had jumped on him and his ear-splitting screams made anything else that Adam was about to say, inaudible.

 

“He got stung by a bull-ant,” Hoss explained as he came up beside them. “I told him not to touch them.” He sat down on the edge of the rug and picked up a cake, stuffing it into his mouth before anyone could tell him to put it back again.

 

“On my thumb!” yelled Little Joe, holding up his thumb for everyone’s inspection. “It done stung me!” He yelled again at the top of his small lungs and hugged Adam around the neck.

 

“Be quiet,” said Adam sternly. “Show me.” He inspected the tiny red thumb and then shook his head. “Well that will teach you to play with bull-ants,” he said. “Suck on it.” Little Joe immediately put the thumb into his mouth and began to suck on it furiously. “Better?” asked Adam. The little boy nodded, wiped away his tears with the back on his sleeve and he settled down into his brother’s lap. “Can I have one of them cakes like Hoss has got?” he asked, in between sucking.

 

“Hoss!” said Adam as Hoss stuffed another cake into his mouth. “That is our food!”

 

Hoss shrugged. “We et all of ours,” he said. “And you’re not eating much of yours. You’ve been too busy kissing to eat.”

 

“We saw ya kissing,” giggled Little Joe, his sore thumb seemingly forgotten in his delight at the sight of seeing his big brother kissing a girl. He reached out and took a cake from the plate and stuffed it into his mouth. “These ain’t very big,” he said to Sarah, spraying crumbs all over her as he spoke. “Hop Sing makes bigger cakes than these ones you made.”

 

Sarah gave Adam an indignant look and he shrugged. “Sorry,” he said, standing Little Joe back up on his feet. “Go and finish your lunch.”

 

Hoss reached for another cake. “I told you that we et all of it,” he said and then looked at the empty plate sadly. “Have you got any more cakes?” he asked hopefully.

 

“No,” said Sarah,” putting the empty plate into her basket and then looking on in disbelief as Hoss began to eat the leftover sandwiches instead. She drew back in dismay as Little Joe leant forward and placed his sticky fingers on her lap, effectively dirtying her dress. “Don’t,” she said crossly. “Your hands are all sticky from the cake and ….. “ She looked as his nose, which was still running from his recent crying. “ … other things,” she shuddered, pushing the little boy’s hands away and giving Adam a frustrated look.

 

“These are good sandwiches,” muttered Hoss through a mouthful. “But you need to make em bigger too.” He shoved a whole one into his mouth. “They go down too quick,” he added. “Only good fer one bite each.”

 

“Would you stop eating all our food?” said Adam crossly, taking the plate away from his younger brother. “If you’ve finished eating, then go and do something else.”

 

Hoss looked around curiously. “Like what?” he asked as he noticed all the couples sitting on their picnic rugs still eating. “No one is doing anything. Are there gonna be races and stuff soon?”

 

“No,” said Adam haughtily. “I told you that this was a grownup social. Adults don’t have games.”

 

Hoss scratched his head. “Seems right boring to me,” he said. “What does everyone do all afternoon then?”

 

“They kiss,” observed Little Joe wisely. “Like Adam and Sarah was doing before.” He gave his eldest brother a cheeky grin. “You like to kiss lots, don’t ya Adam?”

 

“Go and fish,” suggested Adam, ignoring the question. “Your fishing rods are in the buggy and you dug up some worms before we came …. Remember?”

 

“Yeah,” said Hoss happily. “Come one Joe. Let’s go catch some fish.”

 

“We’d better go and sit down by the lake,” sighed Adam as the two boys scuttled off to the buggy to get their fishing equipment. “I don’t trust Little Joe down there with just Hoss to watch him.”

 

“Oh I’m sure he’ll be fine,” replied Sarah, giving him a coy look. “Let’s just stay here.”

 

Adam shook his head. “You don’t know what he’s like,” he said, pulling her to her feet. “That boy would find trouble anywhere. Joe and water just naturally spell trouble to me.” He picked up the rug and led her by the hand down towards the lake. “Besides,” he added. “It’s nice down here.”

 

“It was nice up there,” she said in a huffy tone. “Really Adam, I don’t see why you had to bring them.”

 

He gave her an appraising look. “Don’t you like children?” he asked finally.

 

Sarah blushed. “Of course I do,” she said quickly. “At least I do when they’re well behaved and quiet.”

 

Adam laughed. “That would rule out my brothers then,” he said.

 

Suddenly Sarah screamed and jumped back on the rug as Little Joe bounded up and held out a juicy worm in front of her face. “Can ya put it on my hook Adam?” he asked. “Can ya? Huh?” He gave Sarah an odd look. “What’s the matter with you?” he asked, waving the worm under her nose. “Don’t you like worms?” He held it up in front of his face and inspected it. “It’s a real good one,” he said happily. “Big and sassy. See?”

 

“Take it away!” she screamed, covering her face with her hands. “Adam!”

 

“It won’t hurt you,” he said as he attached the worm onto the hook for his little brother who then bounded off happily towards the lake where Hoss was already fishing. “Come here,” Adam said gently, drawing the girl into his arms. “Let’s make the most of the afternoon now that those two are busy.”

 

Sarah drew closer to him and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. “Someone might see,” she said in a weak protest as he began to kiss her.

 

“So?” he said, in between kisses. “I don’t care.”

 

She gave herself up to his lingering kisses for a few moments, relishing his touch and the feeling of closeness between them. As she drew back from him after a few moments, she felt a strange sensation and looked up to see a pair of bright green eyes staring at her. “What’s the matter with you?” asked Adam crossly, following Sarah’s gaze and meeting that of his youngest brother. “Go and fish, will you?”

 

Little Joe shook his head. “I wanna throw stones on the water first,” he said. “Can ya come and throw em with me Adam?”

 

“Get Hoss to do it with you,” replied Adam, shifting his gaze back to Sarah and smiling at her.

 

“But Hoss don’t wanna!” whined Little Joe. “He’s busy fishing. Go on Adam. Please?”

 

“I said no,” said Adam crossly. “Now go away and fish with Hoss.”

 

Little Joe put on his best stubborn face. If there was one thing he hated … it was being told no when he’d made up his mind to do something. “I wanna throw stones,” he said, reaching out and pulling on his brother’s sleeve. “Come on Adam!”

 

Adam gave him a stern look. “I said no!” he repeated. “Now either go and fish or throw stones by yourself. Go on … scat!”

 

Little Joe crossed his small arms over his chest and scowled at Sarah. “If it weren’t for kissing her then you’d come,” he said angrily. “It’s all her fault being here to kiss!”

 

“Are you going away?” asked Adam crossly. “Or do I have to sit you in the buggy until it’s time to leave?”

 

Little Joe shook his head and sat down n the rug. “I’m not doing nuthin,” he said crossly.

 

Adam sighed. “I have to,” he explained to Sarah. “Otherwise he’ll annoy us all afternoon.” He held up a hand as she opened her mouth to protest. “Believe me,” he assured her. “I know what I’m talking about.” He stood up. “Come on them” he said. “Just a few stones and then you go back to fishing with Hoss. OK?”

 

“OK,” said Little Joe, bouncing up happily and giving Sarah a smug look. “Come on Adam!” He tugged at his brother’s hand and led him down to the lake, next to where Hoss was pulling in a fish.

 

“I got one!” shouted Hoss. “Look Adam!”

 

Adam nodded to him and then picked up a stone and skimming it across the surface of the lake. “There you go,” he said to Little Joe. “That bounced three times. Now see if you can do one.”

 

Little Joe’s first attempt bounced once before sinking miserably into the water and his face fell. “Show me again Adam,” he said.

 

Within a few minutes they were fully engrossed in their game, Hoss looking on as he dropped his fishing line into the water once again. “Good one Joe!” he shouted, when one of Joe’s attempts bounced twice.

 

“Adam!” called out Sarah. “Are you coming back now?” She tried to keep her voice sweet, but in fact she was becoming quite cross as the minutes ticked by and Adam showed no attempt to leave the game and rejoin her.

 

“In a few minutes!” called Adam over his shoulder. “Look at this one,” he said to his brothers, skimming a stone on the surface of the water four times.

 

Little Joe jumped up and down with excitement. “That was a great one Adam!” he shouted. “Do it again!” Adam grinned at him and picked up another rock.

“Adam!” shouted Sarah. “Leave that silly game and come back here!” When Adam ignored her and continued to skim stones on the water, she pouted and flounced down to the water’s edge. “Adam,” she said crossly. “Are you finished?”

 

“Just a few more,” said Adam, not even looking at her. “Watch this.”

 

Just at that moment, Little Joe lost his balance and toppled over into the water with a loud splash. Adam reached out to grab him, but didn’t quite reach him in time. Joe stood up in the water which reached to his waist and giggled. “I fell in,” he said, quite unnecessarily.

 

Adam laughed and reached down to pull his small brother out, holding the wet child away from his own clothing as he stepped back from the lake. As he stepped backwards, however, he knocked Sarah who had come closer and inadvertently pushed her into the water. She toppled for a moment and then went head over heels, ending up on her backside in the mud. Adam had no chance to grab her, as he was still holding onto Joe.

 

The three Cartwright brothers looked down at the wet, muddy young lady in the water. Her hair was streaked with green weed, her dress was smeared with mud and the expression on her face was none too ladylike. “Well, can’t you help me out?” she shouted crossly at Adam.

 

Adam put Joe onto his feet and reached down to help her out of the lake. Her dainty shoes squelched as he pulled her from the mud and her hair dripped down all over her shoulders.

 

“She looks funny!” shouted Little Joe, pointing at her. Behind them, Hoss began to giggle at the sight and Joe joined in happily. “We both fell in the water!” he said, again quite unnecessarily.

 

Sarah looked from Joe, to Hoss and then back to Joe again. “I don’t think it’s very funny,” she said stiffly, trying to smooth down her wet dress. She pointed an accusing finger at Adam. “That was your fault!” she said crossly. “If you hadn’t nearly trodden on me ….” She stopped and stared at him, her face going red as she realised that he was also beginning to laugh at her.

 

“I’m …. I’m sorry,” spluttered Adam, trying to hold in his laughter. “But … you do really look funny!” He doubled over in laughter and Hoss and Joe’s giggles increased at the sight of him.

 

“Well I never!” said Sarah, tilting her chin back and giving the three of them a superior look. “And as for you Adam Cartwright …. Don’t bother asking me out again!” She stormed off, the sound of their laughter ringing in her ears as she did so.

 

Adam sat down on the grass and wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. “I know I should go after her,” he said. “But ….” He started laughing again. “She did look so funny!” he giggled.

 

Little Joe sat down next to him. “Let’s fish again,” he suggested happily.

 

“Yeah,” said Hoss, pulling in another fish. “Girls ain’t worth worrying about nohow.”

 

==========

 

 

 

As Adam drove the horses around the side of the barn, he winced as a high-pitched scream sounded in his ear. “Pa!” cried Little Joe, nearly bouncing off the buggy seat in his excitement. “Pa’s home!” He bounded out of the buggy and into his father’s waiting arms as soon as Adam pulled the horses to a halt, hugging his father as if he hadn’t seen him in weeks.

 

“I’ve only been gone two days,” laughed Ben as he tried to untangle himself from the little boy’s arms. “Steady on there, Little Joe.” He felt his son’s clothing. “You’re damp,” he said, looking enquiringly at Adam who simply shrugged.

 

“We’ve been to the box social!” Little Joe shouted into his father’s ear. “We done fishing … and throwing stones on the lake …. and eating a picnic … and Adam kissed a girl for all afternoon!” he finished, giving his father a happy smile.

 

“And you’re wet because …..” Ben prompted him.

 

Joe shrugged as if it wasn’t important. “I fell in the water,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Adam pulled me out but.” He gave his father a happy look. “We had a good time,” he stated.

 

“Well I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves,” said Ben.

 

“Could have been better,” shrugged Hoss as he got down from the buggy as well. “Box socials is kinda boring Pa. There ain’t no games or nothing, and the food’s kinda small. Next time we have a pact I reckon we’ll stick to fishing.

 

Ben laughed. “You must be tired,” he said to Adam as he took the reins from his son and tied to the hitching rail. “What with all that kissing you’ve done … all afternoon.” Ben had a twinkle in his eyes as he observed his embarrassed son.

 

Adam blushed. “You know how he exaggerates,” he said feebly. “Besides, kissing wasn’t exactly easy with these two around.”

 

“And we got to see the lady’s legs,” Little Joe prattled on, unabashed by the fact that other people were speaking. “Didn’t we Adam?”

 

Adam blushed even further at the look his father gave him. “It was only because she slipped into the lake,” he explained. “When Joe fell in …”

 

“… Adam catched me out again,” Little Joe continued. “But the lady fell in cause Adam pushed her and then she showed her legs. They was nice legs,” he added with a thoughtful look on his face. “But they didn’t have them fishing-nets on them like the ladies in the saloon did.” He suddenly realised what he’d said and put his hand over his mouth quickly as his father frowned at him. “I didn’t mean to say it!” he said to Adam who was staring at him in an aghast fashion.

 

“What would you know about the ladies in the saloon?” asked Ben sternly. “When were you near a saloon?”

 

“Come on Joe,” said Hoss quickly, edging away from his father. “Let’s show Hop Sing the fish we caught.”

 

“You just hold on a minute there, young fellar,” said Ben, grabbing Hoss by the arm. “Do you know anything about your little brother being near a saloon?”

 

Hoss swallowed as he tried to think of how to get out of his predicament. “Um ….” he said. “Um … well …”

 

“Adam?” asked Ben, turning to his eldest son when it was obvious that Hoss wasn’t about to answer. “Perhaps you can explain this?”

 

Now it was Adam’s turn to swallow. “Well,” he said. “You see Pa ….” His voice trailed away as he waited for inspiration to strike him

 

Ben looked at Little Joe, then Hoss and finally Adam. When none of his sons answered him, he crossed his arms over his chest and drew a deep breath. “Well, when one of you is ready to tell me about this, I’ll be inside waiting to hear it,” he said sternly. “I suggest that you think about it while you ….” He pointed to Adam …. “ …unhitch that buggy. And you ….” He pointed to Hoss. “Take that fish into Hop Sing.”

 

Adam and Hoss both put their heads down and said nothing, and Little Joe looked from one to the other as their father strode into the house. “What do we say now?” he asked into the silence.

 

Adam glared at him. “This is all your fault,” he snarled. “What did you want to go and say that for?”

 

“T’weren’t my fault!” protested Little Joe indignantly. “I never meant to say it. “Sides,” he added with a sneaky look on his face. “I’m just a little kid so you two should get punished for not looking after me properly!” He gave both his brothers a smug look as he played what he thought was his trump card.

 

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” said Adam as he began to unhitch the team from the buggy. “The way Pa looked … I think you might just get a tanning for going into that saloon.” He glanced at Hoss who was picking up his fish. “I wouldn’t be surprised if both of you did.”

 

Hoss scowled at him. “That ain’t fair!” he protested. “If Joe and me get a tanning, then you should too! You were the one who started it all.”

 

“Yeah!” agreed Joe. “You were the one who started it all.”

 

Adam frowned at them both. “I’m too old for tanning,” he said in a superior tone of voice. “Although …” He looked extremely worried as he added. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t. At least it’s over with quickly …not like the punishments I usually get.” He sighed as he led the horses into the barn.

 

“Come on Joe,” said Hoss. “Let’s get this fish into Hop Sing before we face Pa.”

 

“Hey Hoss?” Joe asked his brother as he trotted after him towards the kitchen.

 

“Yeah Joe?”

 

“Let’s not make any more pacts with Adam, huh?” the little boy suggested. “I reckon they ain’t no fun.” He unconsciously rubbed his small behind in anticipation of what might be ahead of him.

 

“Fer sure! No more pacts!” agreed Hoss as he also rubbed his rather ample behind in an unconscious imitation of his brother.

 

Over at the barn, Adam looked over his shoulder. “Agreed,” he said in a low voice. “No more pacts with you two for sure!”

The End