The next day dawned bright. Adam awoke to the delicious aromas of baking bread, hot biscuits, bacon and fresh brewed coffee. He had tended to his brother in the early hours. Removing the soiled linen, replacing it with clean. With the use of something similar to a baby’s feeding bottle he dripped the glucose solution onto Joe’s tongue. He was almost sure that there was a slight response. but he couldn’t be certain. As Etta had instructed he gently rolled Joe onto his side. He remembered reading two chapters of Melville’s novel and then nothing more.

Shrugging into his pants and shirt he cast his eyes on his bed. The ‘chaise longue’ although a little short in length had been surprisingly comfortable. He could already hear his brother’s voice in the outer room. Leaving the bedroom door ajar he strode into the kitchen, greeting both Hoss and Etta with a cheery ‘Good Morning.’

Hoss it seemed had already started his chores. A pail of fresh milk was set aside on the stone slab floor of the walk in larder and a small basket brimful of newly laid eggs was set on a shelf. Etta, Adam and Hoss enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

“It will be an enjoyable task to cook for someone other than myself,” Etta gave Hoss a benign smile. “l may even bake a cake which is something l haven’t done for a while.”

“Lawdy ma’am we don’t want ta put you ter any trouble.” Hoss tried to look serious but failed miserably as the visions of cake regardless of what type it might be flooded his thoughts and brought a beam of a smile to his face.

“Etta allow me to translate Hoss speak. What he was really saying was bake away and what kind of cake did you have in mind.”

Etta’s cascade of laughter brought a dimpled smile to Adam’s face whereas Hoss glared at him from across the table.

“l says what l meant elder brother,” with a look of disdain he turned to face Etta who was trying hard now to stifle her giggles, “not that l’m saying l aint partial to a slice of cake ma’am,”

Adam spluttered his coffee across the table and grabbed at the white cotton napkin to mop at the splatters and then wipe his mouth. Adam’s deep, throaty, chortling laugh sent a frisson of goose bubbles tippling up and down Etta’s spine. She watched entranced at his efforts to regain his composure. The bubbles tip toed through to the pit of her stomach…what was this man doing to her.

“Did you say a slice. Hoss you have never eaten a slice of cake in your life. Three slices, maybe four, but never a slice,” Etta added another burst of giggles which combined with Adam’s chuckling.

“Elder brother jus coz yer in company. Pardon me ma’am. Don’t mean l wouldn’t pound yer inta the ground.”

Etta wiped her eyes on the hem of her apron, “Hoss, you pay your brother no mind, every woman loves to cook for an appreciative appetite,” Hoss sat back and threw a smug look across the table at Adam.

“Appreciative appetite for sure,” Adam agreed “ depreciating larder for definite. Even if your friend,” Adam pondered on how friendly Etta and Dr Thomas Simms were, “Dr Simms arrives today with your supplies. As you are now aware of ‘big brothers’ appreciative appetite. l think it would be wise if you made a list of extra provisions and l could pick them up maybe the day after tomorrow. Providing that is you have enough till then. We will of course pay our way and for any extra expenses you incur.”

Etta nodded her agreement, “Providing Tom calls today l am sure l have enough in store until Friday but l will do as you suggest. You must let me know your likes and dislikes, or just add to the list what you wish.”

Hoss snagged the last biscuit from off of the plate “That looked lonesome,” he added by way of explanation…so they are on first names terms, thought Adam.

“Cheese, ma’am that’s the only thing”

“l take it Hoss that you are saying you don’t like cheese, not that you do like cheese.”

“That’s the truth, aint never did and never will, long as l don’t get any cheese l am a happy man.”

“Hoss what an easy man to live with you would be,” Etta lent across the table and patted Hoss’s huge arm with a small tanned hand. Hoss’s face had pinked even before he lowered his head. Etta knew she had never met in any colour, creed or race such a tender heart as this big man Hoss Cartwright. With Etta’s attention centred on his brother Adam once more felt a twinge of resentment.

“l think Joe made some response this morning when l gave him something to drink,” Adams words as he had hoped diverted Etta’s and Hoss’s attentions from each other.

“Yer mean he came to, why didn’t ya…” For no good reason Adam now felt a stab of annoyance toward his brother, “No Hoss that isn’t what l said, l said response, he moved his tongue,” immediately he felt guilty for instigating the crestfallen look that swept across his brothers face.

“The instinct for survival is strong even when a body is as deeply concussed or comatose as your brother,” Etta could feel Adam’s tension and attributed it to his young brothers condition. “let us see if Joe will take another drink?”

With her hand placed behind the pillow that cradled Joe’s head Etta gently raised her arm, and with the other hand that held the small bottle she squeezed a few drops of water onto his lower lip within moments they all saw the slight movement, just a pressing together of his lips.

Adam and Hoss beamed at each other. Frozen in the moment they watched as Etta repeated the procedure only this time tipping Joe’s chin with her thumb, his mouth opened a bit more than a fraction as she drizzled in the water. Droplets rivered down his chin, separated and trickled to each side of his neck. Finally soaking into the cotton covered pillow under his head. As she continued to drip the water she slipped her thumb from Joe’s chin to his throat. Gently she stroked downward toward Joe’s neck. She stimulated the swallow reflex until it became clearly visible in the bobbing up and down of his Adam’s apple. Hoss dug an elbow into Adam’s side eliciting a grunt, and forcing Adam to take a sideways step. Etta smiled in triumph at the men and once more placed the feeding bottle into Joe’s mouth. She slowly poured the contents. Joe drank, his dried lips pressing against each other to glean the last traces of moisture. Removing the now empty bottle, she wiped the excess water from Joe’s chin with the edge of a pristine white towel. Taking Joe’s uninjured hand in his Hoss called his brothers name but there was no further movement or response.