Adam was not sure now that the distance, the slight coolness he had perceived in Etta, the day Tom Simms gave his approval to taking Joe home. Had he imagined it or not? There had been no drop in the heat and intensity of their love making. Why then did he have this gnawing fear that all was not right. Was it just his own old memories of betrayal and deceit rearing it’s ugly head? There were only his brothers to accuse of any disrespect or disloyalty. No, it wasn’t that. Neither was it Etta’s faithfulness to him that was at stake. He had never known such love from any other woman. But there was something plaguing Etta. There were moments, just brief moments when she looked at him with a sadness that he couldn’t fathom. It was as if she had lost him. He had no doubt on that score. He would be with her forever.

Adam finally decided it was within himself. His own pride. The rejection he had experienced.. That a woman could chose another man over him. He had no love left in him for Laura. He wondered now if he ever had. His feelings for Laura could not be compared to this feeling he had for Etta. The very core of himself ached and yearned for the woman. Knowing that she felt the same. That his nearness and touch. His want and desire. For her was as necessary to her life as it was to his.

The thought came to him that maybe Etta didn’t want to leave her home. He would feel it a tremendous wrench to leave the Ponderosa. He had done it once to study, but that was with the knowledge of knowing that he would return. He couldn’t truthfully say he had not thought of it. Living a life away from his father and brothers. There was a wanderlust in him. He thought it had been bred in him. He wanted to do something of his own. Something other than the Ponderosa. He didn’t feel as bound to those pines and that land as his Pa and siblings. With Etta at his side he felt as if he could conquer the world. But to stay here in this place with Turner’s Town at his elbow. This was something he had not given any thought to, and what is more it didn’t sit well with him to think of it now. Whatever decision he came to would not change the need to first go home. Even if it was just to get wed and then make other plans. A honeymoon in the East or maybe Etta would prefer New Orleans. They could go where ever she wished. Adam hoped the thought of planning a wedding and honeymoon would take the sadness from Etta’s lovely, emerald eyes.

*** *** *** ***

Raised voices from the bedroom pulled Adam from his deliberation. Etta was busy preparing breakfast. She turned in Adam’s direction and shrugged. He stood from the table, slipped his fingers into the back of his belt and took on the role of peacemaker. His worry that Joe had awoken once more back in his childhood, was now in his mind more than debatable.

“What are you two fighting over now?” he asked as he strolled into the bedroom. Hoss was looming over little Joe like the Colossus of Rhodes. Whilst Joe sat on the edge of the bed. A look of stony determination, which Adam had seen so many times before, hardened his brothers handsome features.

“Aint no fight elder brother. I’m just telling little brother here, aint no way he is getting out of that bed .”

“So you’re a doctor now are you?” Joe’s chin jutted out and upward. He turned to Adam, in the unusual role as the ombudsman, for support. “Adam all l want is to sit at the table and have breakfast, surely that isn’t too much to ask. I really am fine?”

Hoss was having none of it, “You aint no doctor either shortshanks…tell him Adam,”

In exasperation Adam rolled his eyes, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned a shoulder against the upright of the door. “As much as l hate to admit it, but as like you, my unqualified siblings, l too am not a doctor.” Adam turned his head toward the kitchen.”Etta can we have the benefit of your extensive knowledge?”

“Heck Adam, wait up,” Joe grabbed at the quilt to cover his bare legs and nightshirt clad body. Shaking his head in mock despair Adam raised and arm to scratch at the back of his neck. Etta ducked under his arm and entered the room. The sight of the woman sent a shock tremor through Joe. How long he wondered would it take for him to get used to seeing her.

“Etta, the children want to know if it is or it is not permissible for the small injured one to breakfast in the kitchen. Can you give us your opinion?” Adam now had both Hoss and Joe shooting angry glances in his direction. It was just like old times.

“l cannot see any problem with Joe getting up for a few hours a day. After all he was spending time on the porch and you are all going home on Friday. I think it would be beneficial. As long as Joe, you don’t push yourself too much”. Etta gave Joe a bright eyed smile, which Joe returned with glee. She turned the same smile on Adam and Hoss. Adam draped an arm around Etta’s shoulder a gesture that was more than noted by Joe. Etta could see that Hoss was not happy.

“Miss Etta, yer don’t know Joe like we do ma’am. He’ll be riding an doing stuff…”

“I am sure Hoss, you will do everything you can to keep Joseph out of mischief…now whose for breakfast?”

“I been doing that since he was born, it don’t work” Hoss complained. Following Etta out of the door Adam turned to his brothers and mouthed ‘a get a move on’ .

“Put me down Hoss, l can walk…”.

“Miss Etta said l gotta keep yer out of mischief.”

“How can l get into mischief just going into the kitchen?”

“l caint hardly say but you’ll manage somehow.”

“At least gimme my pants.”

Etta and Adam stood beside each other at the stove, listening to the Hoss and Joe.

“Are they always like that?” she questioned as she handed Adam his breakfast. He took the plate, walked to the table and sat down.

“Yes” he sighed “I am afraid they are. It can be annoying but mostly, in a bizarre kind of way it is entertaining”. As he sat and forked at his scrambled eggs, Etta laid her arms on Adam’s shoulders and brought her head down to his.

“Did it take long to get used to?” she whispered into his ear. He could feel her soft breath on his cheek. Clearing his mouth he sipped some water and turned his face to hers.

“Who said l was used to it?” their soft laughter was spontaneous, so was their kiss.

Hoss coughed politely as he lumbered into the room with a reluctant Joe in his arms. Joe ceased his struggling and stared wide eyed at his elder brother and Etta. His face broke into an even wider grin.

“Hey big brother yer reckon we could be getting a sister that looks like mama.”