Dropping Joe rather unceremoniously beside a vacant chair. Hoss turned his attention to Etta. Picking the woman up, much to her consternation, he twirled her around the room. She threw a worried glance in Adam’s direction. A glance that did not go unseen by little Joe. He wondered whether Hoss was jumping the gun, as neither Adam nor Etta appeared to be as overjoyed as big brother. Neither Adam nor Etta denied Hoss’s assumption, but then again neither party did nothing to confirm it.

The atmosphere over the breakfast table was chatty and amiable, but there was an undercurrent of tension. Therefore when Joe put the question that he was going to see Cochise. Which was not really a question, as he didn’t ask anybody’s opinion or permission. No objection was forthcoming, not even from Hoss. In fact Hoss was more than happy to help his brother to the barn. Joe and Hoss with a knowing nod to each other, silently agreed, elder brother and Etta needed sometime to themselves.

With Hoss’s considerable help, apart from actually picking him up and carrying him, Joe made it to the barn. Cochise was as delighted to see her master as her master was to see her. Prodding and nudging at Joe, which almost toppled him over. At his snagging a soft brush and curry comb from table laden with grooming accessories. He ignored the glare that burned a hole in his back. He started laying smooth long strokes across the horse’s black and white back.

“Don’t go all grumpy on me.” Joe was not talking to the animal. “this will only help to strengthen my arm”. Hoss humphed, with no effort or strain, picked up a bale of straw, pushed it up against the barn wall behind his young brother. Cooch immediately pushed her nose into the bale and quality tested the straw. Joe smiled inwardly at his brothers actions, but said nothing about it. “aint no one been feeding you gal?” Joe knew his words would further rile his annoyed brother. Hoss took the bait.

“That nag aint dun nothing else ‘ceptin eat since she got here. Fleabags just so dumb she caint tell the difference ‘tween bedding straw and good, sweet meadow, hay.” Hoss grumbled as he went about tending to the other livestock. Joe tired quickly and was more than glad to flop down onto the bale that Hoss had set in place for that purpose. Lifting his heavy, cast bound leg with both hands he rested it on top of the straw. Leaned his back against the wall and brought his good leg up to join the injured one. The horse gave him a look of dismay at having it’s enjoyable pandying curtailed. Joe smoothed her velvet nose with his right hand. The left hand he could barely raise. The short time he had spent on grooming had sapped him completely. Joe wasn’t though going to let on to his brother that his leg, right up to his hip felt as if someone or something had been pulling on it with a lead weight. His arm, hand and even his fingers were stiff and useless. Hoss was now busying around tidying around and sweeping. It was weighing on his mind that he had been out of turn with Etta, and it worried him.

He hadn’t wanted to put either Adam or Etta on the spot.

How had he gotten it so wrong?

He was sure that Adam and Etta were just waiting to name the day.

He was aware that Adam had been doing more than just courting. It weren’t for him to pass judgement. It weren’t something he would do himself. He knew that Adam and Joe were of a different opinion on that kinda stuff. He sometimes wished he could be like that, but he couldn’t change the way he was and he didn’t want to. Things between him and Bessie Sue were getting a mite too hot for comfort. He had thought that he would be the first Cartwright down the aisle. Since Adam and Etta he reckoned he would have to take second place. Unless of course shortshanks had a little gal hidden some wheres. Thinking of Joe he peeked over the stall divider. Sitting with his back to the wall. He looked comfortable enough, eyes closed and both feet up on the bale. Little Joe appeared to be fast asleep.

“No l aint.” Joe answered without being asked and without moving an eyelid.

“You part injun now?” Hoss leaned on the handle of the broom.

“No I aint. I don’t have to be part injun to know you stopped sweeping.” repeating himself Joe remained unmoved.

“Whatya think Joe? I gone dun an put my big hoof in it?” this question popped open Joe’s eyes. Any worried frown on his big brothers face didn’t sit well with the younger man. Joe though, really had no idea how deep his elder brothers feelings went for Etta. He could tell they were more than just friends. Adam was not one to have a fling knowing full well that he would have to leave. Etta wasn’t a saloon gal who expected nothing other than a quick dalliance. It hadn’t taken Joe long to figure that Adam had spent more than a few nights in Etta’s bed and not on the chaise longue.

“Hoss it was me who spoke out of turn”. Joe hadn’t realised the seriousness of his flippant remark, “if l had kept my mouth shut…how close are they brother?”

“Oh they’re close shortshanks, very, very close.”

“So what’s the problem if they are gonna…” Hoss didn’t allow his brother to finish. As if struck by lightening. Hoss hurried over to the bale of straw. Lifting his brothers legs, which brought a wince from Joe and an apology from himself. He settled Joe’s legs across his. Joe bent his knees slightly to accommodate the bulk of his brothers thighs under his aching calves. He had to admit to himself his big brother made a mighty comfortable cushion. Hoss’s face was pinched with concern.

“Dadburnit Joe, yer see what’s happened?” Joe’s aching head couldn’t stand to too many thought games.

“No brother you tell me?” Hoss flipped a backhand across his brothers chest bringing tears to Joe’s eyes. The bruising on his still tender ribs reminded him of his injuries. “caint you speak without using your hands?” Joe groaned.

“Sorry Joe, reckon l caint. Anyhows, l reckon she’s turned him down. Elder brothers gone asked Miss Etta an she’s turned him down.” Joe sat bolt upright, aches and pains forgotten. He knew the hurt of rejection. Joe couldn’t understand why Etta or any woman would turn Adam down. Especially as she and Adam were lovers. No he thought, it was more likely to be that Adam, being Adam, hadn’t as yet popped the question. That was more like it. Etta now thinks Adam will be obliged to ask her. He suddenly remembered something Etta said. It had no bearing on her relationship with his brother. It had just struck him as odd at the time. Why did Etta say that he had been sitting out on the porch? When his brothers had told him he was unconscious for nearly two months…it just seemed strange to Joe.

Joe put his idea that Adam hadn’t yet asked Etta to marry him. Hoss nodded his agreement, preferring Joe’s supposition to his own. Hoss now couldn’t see Etta turning Adam down. How could he have thought that?. In his mind they were made for each other. That was it, Joe was right.

“Shortshanks, l’m gonna lift your legs.” Joe was once again leaning back with his eyes closed. Hoss now noticed the grey, gaunt face of his young brother.

“l aint no cripple, l can lift my own legs.” Joe went ahead and demonstrated, taking great effort not to display the hurt he as feeling. Hoss stood, before Joe could replace his legs back on the bale, he was swept upward. Despite his yell of disapproval. Hoss strode across the floor and placed his brother onto the cot that he was using as his own bed. The gentle but firm hand on his shoulder stopped Joe from making any further struggle.

“You just rest up a spell…l reckon elder brother will be out when he’s good and ready.” there were not many times that Little Joe Cartwright did as he as bid. This was one of those times.

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

Adam was more than thankful for his brothers hasty exit. Etta was doing everything she could to avoid any confrontation. The table had been cleared. The dishes washed, dried and placed on the shelves. She was now in the pantry. Adam could here the sounds of bottles and jars being placed and replaced on the stone shelves. His patience was growing thinner and thinner by the second. Each sound of glass meeting stone chipped away at his composure. Why was she being so unapproachable. He could stand no more. Walking to the pantry door he stepped inside the small, airy, cupboard-like room. He rested his back and shoulders against the shelving and watched Etta move the jars and bottles for no particular reason from one shelf to the other.

“Are you looking for something?” he questioned. Etta looked surprised, either at the question or at Adam’s presence in the room, the man was not sure which.

“Things have to be put in order. I am not looking for anything in particular.”

“That’s good. Maybe you can help me find what l am looking for?” This time Etta was genuinely surprised. She stopped her game of jar and bottle checkers and turned her attention, for the first time since breakfast, to Adam.

“You’ve lost something, l didn’t know. What is it?” It only took three steps to reach her and enfold her in his arms. He felt her tension. Her back stiffened. He kept his arms around her and pressed his face into her sweet, smelling curls.

“l have lost something l love dearly…I have lost Etta…l don’t know how or where or when…Please help me find her. For l cannot survive on this earth without her.”