The next morning, it was blatantly obvious to Hoss and Joe, the livestock, chickens and all in sundry. Adam and Etta had smoothed the troubled waters that they were floundering in. Joe had woken early and grinned broadly on seeing the empty sofa. It was at the breakfast table that to Joe and Hoss’s delight, Adam announced that he and Etta were engaged. They would be wed as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made. Hoss joked that he was sure there was a preacher in Turner’s Town. Etta immediately shook he head saying she wouldn’t marry a dog in that town. Joe quipped, not even one with Adam’s pedigree, which earned him a cuff from Hoss. Who at Joe’s genuine yelp. His hand at once stroking his still tender head, brought forth an immediate apology from the big man.

“Anyway,” Joe continued still rubbing the smarting area. “you two have gotten used to Etta’s likeness to mama.” it still gave Joe a jolt to his system every time he looked at the woman. He reckoned it would be more than a shock to Pa. “ you gotta give Pa a chance to become accustomed to it. And l caint go to a wedding looking like this.” Joe eyed everyone with astonishment. That they could even give room to such a thought.

“You vain little cuss…sorry Miss Etta,” Hoss nodded an apology in the woman’s direction, then rolled his eyes at Adam and the teasing began. “ yer could always get it all cut off to match the patch.” Hoss kept a straight face as he delivered the suggestion. Both he and Adam were sniggering under their breath. They were waiting for the outburst.

“Heck no.” Joe’s voice crescendo-ed to a squeak. “you big ox. Just coz you’d feel comfortable with an old, horse hair, rug thrown over you. Aint my fault ya got no pride in your appearance.” Etta sat back in her chair amused at the brothers banter. Whilst Adam, slowly chewing and swallowing, flicked alternating despairing looks from one brother to the other.

“Purty boy, aint it the bride that’s supposed to be worrying ’bout her appearance. Not some vain, young kin to be?” Joe jumped in even before Adam had time to clear his throat. He smiled gracefully at Etta.

“Big brother this is one bride that has no worries on that score. Etta’s appearance is perfect in my eyes.” Etta slightly bowed her head at the compliment giver. Joe’s eyes widened in innocence at the glare he received from his elder brother.

“If you weren’t so dang right kid. I’d give you a poke in the mouth for being so fresh.” the teasing wasn’t about to be brought to a halt.

“Now, now elder brother, save your strength for the big day.” Joe’s green eyes smouldered in open admiration at Etta. He quickly flicked a glance at his elder brother. “you got one fine lady on your hands there. You don’t want any bruised knuckles on yer big day.” Adam was well aware of Joe’s antics and played along.

“No need for you to worry that brainless head of yours about my hands. If you can’t keep a respectful tongue in your head, it’s your own hands and legs which l will be hog tieing, that you need to be worrying about.” Joe turned a sad eyed, puppy dog look in Etta’s direction.

“You hear that Miss Etta. You sure you don’t want to reconsider anything before you get to the point of no return?” he shook his head slowly, which only put a more mournful, down in the mouth expression on his face. “a man that would even think about hog tieing his own brother and a crippled brother at that. Caint be much of a catch can he?”

“Normally little brother l wouldn’t hog tie a lame goat. But in your case l will make an exception.” barely able to keep a straight face Etta questioned Hoss. He had dropped out of the banter, deciding to give better use of his time to his stomach.

“Are they always like this?”

“Miss Etta this aint hardly anything.” he advised between mouthfuls, “this is pretty tame. Yer’ll get used to it in time.”

The rest of the morning was given over to making ready for the journey. It was early afternoon before Hop Sing and Roy Coffee arrived back at the homestead. Once again Hop Sing gave Etta some appreciated help. Hoss had fashioned an old broom handle into a crutch. Which gave Joe a modicum of freedom of movement and also helped to strength his arm. He gave Hoss as much help as he could in the checking of the animals and tack. Hoss saw to the horses feet while Joe made sure saddles and bridles were in order.

Another wire had arrived from Candy assuring that all was in hand at the ranch, and that he had received a wire from the Boss. Confirming that his homeward journey was on schedule.

Etta had told Adam that she wanted his brothers and Hop Sing to be aware of her situation and she wanted them to be a party to her conversation with the sheriff. Telling him that after all it was something that affected the whole family.

It was a serious, sombre group that sat in the main room and listened to Etta. Who, in a shaky but clear voice confessed once more to her crime of vengeance and murder. Adam’s arm never left her shoulder and her small hand clutched his for moral and physical support. The silence in the room was palpable. Then as if on cue Hoss, Joe and Hop Sing all started talking at the same time.

“Miss Etta honour ancestors. Miss Etta not do long.”

“Dadburn Miss Etta yer aint dun nothing anyone of us wouldna dun. He weren’t fit to call hisself a man.”

“Wasn’t that over ten years ago? No need for it all to be drug up now…is there? What do you say Adam?”

“It is not me you should be asking Joe…what is your opinion Roy? Or more to the point, what does the law have to say?” all eyes turned to the elderly sheriff.

“Hoss Cartwright, Little Joe Cartwright, l reckon as how it sure is a good thing yer Pa aint here ter listen ter ya. I know he taught yer ‘an eye for an eye’ aint the way. Little Joe a crime is a crime iffun it was committed fifteen minutes ago or fifteen years ago….”

“So what you gonna do Roy arrest her?” Joe spat the words out as if they were hot sparks flying from a blazing fire.

“I reckon l might have tah do jest that.” Joe was so incensed. Forgetting all about his injury he leapt to his feet, only to curse loudly and flop back into the chair.

“What the hell kinda justice do ya call that.” Roy took off his spectacles. Pulled a handkerchief from his vest. Taking his time he polished the lens and replaced the glasses back on his nose.

“It’s the law Joseph Cartwright an don’t yer forget it. It might not be the law ter suit Joseph Cartwright, but it’s the law all the same. An l reckon as how yer oughta watch yer mouth with a lady present. l’m sorry mam.” Etta gave the sheriff a tight smile.

“You don’t need to apologise for me…l can do my own apologising.” Joe’s anger was as much directed to his disability as it was to the sheriff. Not being able to pace about was against his nature. He needed to blow off steam and sitting didn’t work for him. Little Joe then turned his vitriol on his brother.

“An what about you elder brother…you just gonna sit there an do nothing?” Adam, as if he were under physical attack pulled Etta even closer to his side. He felt for all the world that he would get great satisfaction out of giving Joe the smack in the mouth he had promised him earlier. But how good would that look and what good would it do.

“Yer aint got no cause speaking like that shortshanks…let’s listen to what Roy’s got to say, afore you go shooting yer mouth off.” Hoss ever the peacemaker, plonked himself down on the arm of the chair Joe was sitting on. In readiness to keep his fiery tempered brother’s butt fixed firmly on the seat.

“Thank yer Hoss…now Little Joe iffun yer let me finish. Obviously the…the incident didn’t take place within my jurisdiction. From some of the inquiries l have made, Turner’s Town is, lets just say unsuitable. It also is not in the jurisdiction of the…incident. If the young lady…Miss Etta, surrenders herself ter me. I have every right in the eyes of law ter take her in. Adam l am gonna deputise you, an place Miss Etta in your care. l want yer ter escort her to Virginia City. The circuit Judge will be there next week. We can get put the case to him. Adam I am sure you will get further advise from Hiram. Now does that sound suitable ter ya Miss Etta?” silently Etta nodded her agreement.

“Are you saying Roy you won’t be travelling back with us tomorrow?” Adam queried wondering what had changed the sheriff’s mind.

“That’s correct Adam, just something l gotta see ter. I’ll catch yer up or see yer back at the Ponderosa.”