There was nothing Adam wanted more than to find out who Etta Tone was? Where was she from? Why she was living on her own so far from a town. Why was she on her own? Were was she educated? How had she come to learn the skills of doctoring? Questions, questions, questions hammered away at his brain.

The woman was obviously of mixed blood, Creole, Indian, Negro and white. Her likeness to mama Marie was so incredible. The need to find out about the woman…all about the woman was overpowering.

Sipping at the hot coffee he watched Hoss cutting large chunks of bread. At intervals, stirring the stew and sneakily dipping small pieces of bread into the gravy and popping it into his mouth. Adam’s stomach growled and grumbled, he hadn’t realised until then that he was ravenously hungry. Neither he nor Hoss had eaten since breakfast and now it was late afternoon. He wondered as he watched Hoss tending the pot on the stove and dipping away with the bread, would there be any stew left in the pot at all by the time it had warmed through. His stomach repeated it’s annoyance at being kept waiting.

“That don’t hardly sound like good manners elder brother,” Hoss turned from the stove to face his brother. Adam, his elbows propped on the table, sat with both palms clasped around a mug. He familiarised himself with the house. The ‘L’ shaped kitchen and dining room. Letting his eyes scan the adjoining room. From where he was sat he could see into the large, square, comfortable looking ,well furnished parlour or drawing room. He turned his head at the sound of his brothers voice.

“l reckon it won’t be much longer, just tell that gut’a yourn ter quieten down. Yer don’t wanna be scaring the livestock.”

Adam stared hard at the closed bedroom door wishing to hear some noise, a groan or cry. Not that he wanted his brother to be in pain. He just wanted to hear Joe’s voice. Something to signify that he was conscious. Adam was aware that the longer a person remains in a comatose state the prognosis for recovery let alone full recovery wasn’t good. Yes, Joe had been concussed before but he hadn’t had half his head near split open with it. He wondered about getting in touch with Pa. He was hoping as they weren’t expected back for another week he could leave it till then. Hoping, maybe Little Joe would have regained his senses by that time. He decided that he would see what tomorrow and Dr Simms would bring. Adam had no doubt about Etta’s capabilities, but as she herself said, she was not a doctor Adam would be very interested to hear what Dr Simms had to say.

Hoss had set before him a fine, white, china bowl, filled to the brim with a mixture of meat and vegetables in a thick brown gravy. It looked too good to eat and smelled delicious. Digging deep with his spoon he scooped up a portion. Savouring first the aroma . “l hope this tastes as good as it smells,” Adam’s remark elicited from Hoss a perfunctory nod. With an appreciative smile he started to eat. As opposed to Hoss who without any hesitation, speedily shoveled his way through the meal only stopping to break off chunks of the fresh, baked bread, which, before disappearing into his mouth he dunked into the gravy.

Adam knew that apart from a nod or shake of the head conversation and eating were in Hoss’s book not compatible activities. He returned to his own thoughts, the hell of the day and Etta Tone.

Suddenly he realised that he had not giving Cochise a thought let alone checked the animal for any injuries. Figuring correctly that his big brother would have seen to Little Joe’s horse while he had gone for help. He couldn’t even recall once on the journey even given the pony a second glance. But then as he had taken the lead, seeking out the less uneven ground and prompting Hoss who was driving of any noticeable deep ruts and bumps. With Cochise tied to the back of the wagon he figured that he wouldn’t have had much chance to notice anything.

The meal was very much to his taste. Subtly flavoured with herbs, much as like Hop Sings cooking. There was also a slight spiciness and pungency which he attributed to garlic and chilli. Two flavours that if overly used could ruin the taste of any dish. In this instance that was not the case. Hoss returned to the stove and helped himself to another bowl full. The cook, he surmised had made a large pot full of the tasty stew, possible expecting it to carry over for two or three days. This would definitely not now be the case.

Before his brother could occupy himself with the contents of the refilled bowl Adam inquired on the animals condition. Hoss explained that other than having to remove a twisted shoe, to even up the fact that she had lost the other one. She was favouring her off fore, he reckoned the walk didn’t do her no great harm. Generally, apart from a few scrapes and scratches she came away unscathed. Adding that his intention was to settle all the horses as soon as he had finished eating as he presumed that they nor the animals were going no place in any hurry. Adam asked if Hoss was OK with that and if he needed help. Hoss replied he was better suited to be doing something other than sitting around waiting, and that Adam had best stay put in case Miss Etta needed help. And so it was Adam who returned to the bedroom on the woman’s call for Hoss.

“Will l do?” he asked as he entered the room.

“l am sure you will do just as well. l have no preference it was the first name that came to mind.”

Pushing this remark to the back of this mind. The small seed of resentment that she hadn’t brought his name to mind first niggled at him. Adam stood waiting his instructions.

Etta advised she had splinted Joe’s broken ankle. There was still a great deal of swelling around the knee and although she believed it wasn’t broken. Until the swelling had reduced, she could not completely discount the fact. She had carried the splint right up the leg. She now needed to secure it with a bandage. As before, once the swelling had gone down she would immobilise the leg in a cast. If Adam could just raise his brothers leg a little she would be able to manage the task of bandaging the limb with greater ease. Adam did as he was asked. Lifting the leg just enough to allow the women the space she required. Etta’s hands moved swiftly around the injured limb. She flipped the sheet covering Joe’s groin to one side allowing her to complete her task.

Adam swiftly averted his case paying close attention to his brother’s heavily bandaged head as a wave of embarrassment jolted his senses.

“You can put it down now,”

Gently he replaced Joe’s leg on the bed but not before Etta had placed a supporting pillow beneath the now heavily bandaged limb. Adam was relieved to note that his brothers decency had been restored. Etta pulled the sheet up to Joe’s shoulders. Joe’s left arm was also splinted and resting on a pillow. She then covered Joe with a flowered, multicoloured patchwork quilt. Apart from a couple of tresses that had escaped from beneath the white bandage hardly any sign of Joe’s mass of brown curls was visible. Catching the errant locks with her fingers Etta tried to make them stay fixed to the dressing. After a number of attempts she allowed them to flop where they wanted.

“He has rather disobedient hair,” she remarked “l can see how he could be a ladies man. Your brother is very handsome,”

How do you do it kid, even unconscious you cast your charm,“Yes,” Adam agreed, “his hair is very much like himself.”

Etta busied herself with tidying and folding bandages then made to pick up the bowl of murky red water. Adam stayed her hand and followed her into the empty kitchen carrying the basin. Hoss was obviously still attending to matters in the barn.

“Your brother Hoss did a fine job of initially cleansing and tending to the boys injuries. It is always of great importance to clean cuts, scratches and lacerations as soon as one possibly can. Do you know where he learned to use the mix of soap and sugar?” Adam told her he had no idea. It was then as if the woman had read his previous thoughts. Giving him a small smile she added, “which is possibly why his name came first to my mind.”

That small smile set off a feathering, butterfly feeling in the pit of Adam’s stomach. A feeling that had long since been forgotten. Without giving reply he returned to the bedroom and sat at the bedside. Etta followed him placing a pitcher of fresh water on the table alongside a pile of clean swabs and a towel. She noticed that Adam had uncovered his brothers uninjured arm and with his long fingers began in a gentle caressing movement to stroke small circles across the back of his brothers inert hand.

“May l ask you something, l don’t mean to pry.” Etta took the man’s silence as a positive sigh and pressed on, “you and your brothers are so unalike. l was wondering if you were perhaps adopted?”

“No we are not adopted. Though it is not an unusual assumption. My father has buried three wives. Each one left him with a son,”

“How unfortunate for him,”

Etta’s reply brought forth a soft chuckle from the Adam. Etta frowned at him until she realised the significance of her words, “Oh no l didn’t mean…l meant for your father to have…,” Not ceasing in the soothing movements of his fingers Adam turned his gaze on the woman.

“That is a debatable subject is it not? If these women hadn’t lost their lives, Pa wouldn’t have the son’s that he has. My mother, Elizabeth, died very soon after my birth. Hoss’s mother, Inger was killed in an Indian raid,” the flicker of sadness which swept across the woman’s features was quickly replaced by an expressionless mask. Her eyes though never left the stroking fingers of Adam Cartwright as they massaged his brothers hand. She wondered with a pang of envy how it would feel to be touched with such tenderness. It was now Adam’s turn to realise the significance of his words. “l’m sorry.” he apologised.

“No need…l mooted the question l would expect you to answer with the truth. Little Joe’s mother?”

“Joe’s mother died in a fall from a horse,”

Etta diverted any further reference to the sensitive subject. Adam turned his attention back to his brother. Recovering Joe’s arm with the pretty quilt. Automatically he raised his hand to palm Joe’s curls. The usual gesture impeded, gently he touched the swathed head then with one thumb he stroked Joe’s face from white bandage line down the bruised cheek to the almost stubble free chin. He gave a small grin as he rubbed and scratched at his own chin. Both of his brothers could go for days without having to resort to a razor. He knew with now two days growth he was on the way to becoming a human grizzly.

“What have l done to you little brother?” the whispered question went unheard by his unconscious sibling but not by the woman. She was sure she had never seen such tenderness and love so openly displayed. Without thinking she rested her hand on Adams shoulder. She wondered too why the man should put blame on himself.

“We must hope for the best, he is strong and in good health,” she sought to reassure the dark haired man whose sadness and affection had touched in her a wound that she had thought was long scarred over. Adam brought his hand up to his shoulder to meet with hers. For a brief moment their fingers touched. Slowly she withdrew her hand and covered it with her palm, she pressed both hands to her chest. The man’s touch had sent a shiver through her body. A feeling she had never felt before. His voice startled her back to reality.

Still seated beside the bed Adam once more turned to look at Etta. Her stunning resemblance to Marie his Pa’s third wife both excited and worried.

“It is Little Joe’s mother, Marie with whom you have a startling likeness,”

Etta had to turn from Adam’s penetrating gaze. This man, this dark haired, handsome man. She knew, she had no doubt whatsoever. She could…she would…she had fallen in love with Adam Cartwright. But why should he, she thought, why should he want to tamper with damaged goods. With a woman such as she. Pulling herself together she asked if Adam was going to sit with his brother, if so, she would bring him another bowl of stew as he had not been able to finish his meal. Adam agreed.

At the woman’s touch Adam too had felt a surge of passion pass through him. The nearness of the woman. The fragile longing in her eye. He thought it best to remain separated. Her to the kitchen and he would keep to the sick room. For to be in close proximity to Etta Tone, Adam knew he would not be able to control his emotions. So strong was his desire to enfold the woman in his arms and crush her to his chest.

Giving the prone form of his younger brother a wry grin he wondered if Joe, whilst he at the moment was not in need of it. He had bestowed upon his elder brother his ‘act now think later’ spontaneous nature. Etta returned with a tray on which was laid a bowl and some bread, Adam thanked her, without a word of reply she left the room.

There had been no long drawn out discussion regarding the sleeping arrangements. Hoss immediately opted to bed down in the barn. Saying that the snoring that he swore he didn’t do would not be a disturbance to anyone other than than the livestock. He didn’t expect any complaints from the milk cow or horses, or any other inhabitants of the outside building. Adam would sleep in with Little Joe, either on the floor or the elderly chaise longue that had seen better days. Etta would then have the only other bedroom. Adam, for the sake of the woman’s reputation did offer to sleep in the barn with his brother. This brought an icy smile to Etta’s face. She saying that as far as she and the townsfolk of Turners Cross were concerned there was no reputation that needed any protection . Adding with Adam sleeping in with his injured brother he would be close at hand if needed.

The woman had previously explained the necessity of keeping Little Joe hydrated. She had made up a solution of boiled water laced with sugar. At the moment it was a painstakingly slow task to get even the smallest amount of fluid into Joe. But it had to be done. As did the regular turning of his body, which would hopefully avoid the onset of bed sores. She also explained that she had spread the lower half of the bed with a rubber covering and a draw sheet. This would make the changing of any soiled linen an easier task. Hoss immediately told Etta that he and Adam would see the their brothers needs on that score. Adam nodded his agreement.

“l know ma’am, Miss Etta, you being who you are it aint hardly a chore you haven’t done before and you would look to Joe iffun you had to. It aint right with me and Adam here you doing all you are doing. Just seems to me fair and proper that we sees to Joe…that way.”

“Very well” she agreed “I am an early riser. l will leave you to your own devises. The kitchen is yours, help yourselves.” turning towards the bedroom Adam’s voice halted her steps.

“Etta ma’am, l do not know how we can thank you enough for your kindness and help,” Hoss echoed his brothers words.

“Adam’s right ma’am, well Little Joe l reckon wouldn’t be…might not a…,” Hoss couldn’t find the words, his chin trembled as his eyes filled. Etta’s heart went out to the big man.

“Thank you Hoss, l know though that you would, if the roles were reversed, you would do no less than l.”

For a while the brothers sat at the kitchen table silently drinking coffee. Hoss chewed on a hunk of bread liberally spread with some kind of sweet preserve. Adam taking his mug with him strolled into the adjoining area and made for the the left hand side of the room. The wall was hung floor to ceiling with shelves. Fully stacked with a variety of books. The upper shelves mainly devoted to medical journals and dictionary’s. The middle shelves too being mostly reference and non-fiction. Whilst the rest were given over to various authors of poetry and prose. Adam selected two novels, Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’ and Dickens ‘Tale of Two Cities’ both novels he had read before. He just needed to divest his mind and thoughts of Etta Tone.