SUMMARY:  An unenviable situation finds the brothers hiding and praying they won’t be found.

Rating:  K  (715 words)

Hiding in Fear

The brothers huddled close together; contritely, fearing somehow that their transgression would be discovered.

*****

With a bowed head, “I shoulda done what Pa said.” His words barely heard.

“Why didn’t you?” hissed Adam, his eyes rapidly moving left and right, searching around to make sure they were still hidden from view and that no one had heard them.

“I tried, but Joe…”

“Don’t blame it on Joe,” Adam ordered as his eyes settled on his sibling; not amused at finding themselves in such a situation. 

Hoss crouched close to his eldest brother while Little Joe laid unaware and so helplessly between them.

Looking so forlornly, “I’m sorry, Adam.” 

Placing a hand to his brother’s shoulder, “That’s okay Hoss. I should have paid more attention myself. I didn’t mean to yell at you. It’s just that… well, today just hasn’t been my day.”

*****

The day hadn’t started well for Adam Cartwright; he’d come down to breakfast to find his father placing papers into his saddle bags and already wearing his heavy jacket.

“Adam, I’m sorry son, but I need to head over to Carson City and deliver these papers to our attorney. Somehow I lost a day and today is the deadline to bid on that additional one hundred acres. Now, I expect you to be able to handle anything that comes up on the ranch today, as well as handling your brothers…”

“But… Pa…” Adam interrupted.

Buckling the saddlebag fasteners, “Adam, I depending on you, but I really need to get going. Charlie is getting Buck saddled for me. I’ll be back late. You know what to do in my absence.”

“Yes sir,” Adam answered; feeling disappointed that his plans for the day had been changed at the last minute, yet again.

*****

“Is Little Joe… is he gonna be okay?” Seeing his brother lying so still between them caused Hoss’ voice to tremble.

Looking down at his youngest brother’s glassy eyes, “What did you give him?”

“Just some of JimBob’s berry punch.  JimBob said it always calms his stomach.”

“YOU WHAT?!!”  Popping his head up to make sure his startled proclaim didn’t alert anyone to their location, “Where’d you get it from?”

As the eldest brother, as well as their father’s earlier statement, Adam knew and seriously took his responsibilities to look out for his siblings; he didn’t want to disappoint their father.  Yet, how was he to explain how they end up in such a predicament?  Would Ben ever allow Adam to manage the ranch in his absence?

Realizing he hadn’t been paying attention, “What did you say?”

“Adam, I said, JimBob gave me some a his berry punch the other day, when I weren’t feelin’ no good.  Told me not to drink it all in one gulp; just a little now and then when my tummy hurt. I only took a couple a sips and a few minutes later I felt better…”

Adam felt his stomach drop.  “But to give it to Joe?!” His eyes grew wide; JimBob’s berry punch wasn’t really punch, but alcohol.  

“But Adam, Shortshanks was alookin’ as pukey as I done felt…”

Shaking his head, Adam realized it did nothing to reduce his mounting headache, “Hoss, babies spit up all the time when they’re teething!” 

“How was I supposed ta know?” Awkwardly Hoss continued.

“You could have asked.”

“I shore didn’t expect it to come outa both ends…” he pinched closed his nose and looked away as the smells began to waft in his direction.

“Nevermind… I’ll finish getting the table and the rug cleaned up and you get Little Joe changed over there.” Adam pointed to the alcove area, where Ben had recently set up as his office area. “Do what Pa said, place a changing cloth underneath him in case he has another accident and a diaper over him so he don’t go shooting all over the place and make more work for me to clean up!”

Adam looked up as he heard his name called from the kitchen and he wished he could disappear into the wilderness as he turned to answer, “Yes, Marie?”

 ~The End

This was in response to a Seedling Challenge with the word being, wilderness.

Story Tags: Adam Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright