Summary: What’s next when the heat and work don’t end?

Rating: G, Word Count: 515

Heat Wave

It was a hot summer’s day. Adam took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow then replaced his hat. The past few weeks had been brutally hot and there seemed to be no end in sight. It hadn’t rained for a month and everyone was conserving water. They had watched and taken care of the cattle and other parts of the land.

Hoss rode up to Adam.

“How are you doing?” he asked taking a swig of water from his canteen.

“I’m all right. Just wish we were done with all the chores so we can relax,” Adam replied grabbing his canteen.

Following his brother’s lead he took a drink of water.

“We’ll be done soon,” Hoss replied.

Ben rode up to them.

“What’s going on?” he asked gruffly.

“We’re just taking a quick break, Pa,” Adam said in a tight voice.

He didn’t want to snap at his father because he knew he was irritable because of the heat.

“Well get back to work,” Ben snapped and rode off.

Adam looked at Hoss and lifted his eyebrows then they went back to work.

That night, the Cartwrights stumbled into the house and into beds, skipping dinner. Even Hoss. Adam woke up during the night to get a drink of water then went to the front room to sit down. It was too hot to go back to sleep. He sighed and rubbed his face as he thought about all that he needed to do the next day. Hearing footsteps he looked up. Hoss entered the room and sat down.

“You all right?” Hoss asked.

“I’m just hot.”

“I think you’re tired too.”

“Of course I am, Hoss. We’ve been working day in and day out. We haven’t really relaxed and it hasn’t rained in days,” Adam snapped.

He then looked at Hoss.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

Hoss smiled.

“It’s all right. We’re all irritable. You just show it more than we do,” Hoss teased.

Adam chuckled.

“I guess we’d best try and get back to sleep. It’ll be another a long, hot day tomorrow.” Adam
said.

Hoss nodded.

The day finally arrived when the work was done.

“Work’s all done, boys. What shall we do?” Ben asked.

“How about relax by the lake. It’s cooler there,” Adam suggested.

They rode to the lake and rested under a tree.

“Sure feels good to relax,” Adam said.

“Yep,” Hoss drawled.

“Nice and cool in the shade,” Joe said.

“Yep,” Adam drawled.

Ben smiled listening to his sons’ conversations and how lazy it sounded. It felt good to finally be able to relax and able to spend some time with his boys.

“Maybe we should go swimming,” Joe suggested.

“It’s too hot,” Adam said yawning.

“It’s just nice to relax in the shade without worrying about work,” Hoss said.

“Sure wish it would rain though,” Joe said.

They all fell asleep for about an hour and were awakened by a crack of thunder.

“Looks like you got your wish,” Ben said.

They quickly got on their horses and raced home, barely beating the rain.

 

From the Brandsters.  The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.  Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.