Summary:  Adam, Hoss and Joe fight over who will use the buggy for their date.
Rating:  G  9,735 words

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The Buggy

  

 

Joe Cartwright slid into his place beside his father at the breakfast table and tried to ignore the look the man gave him. ‘Morning all!’ he said cheerily as he reached for the eggs.

 

Ben Cartwright’s eyebrow lifted. ‘Good morning Joseph,’ he said. ‘Nice of you to finally join us.’ Joe gave his father a half-grin before putting his head down and beginning to eat. ‘Hoss is that absolutely necessary?’ asked Ben as the sound of his middle son’s chewing became louder.

 

Hoss swallowed before replying. ‘Sorry Pa,’ he said.

 

Ben lifted his coffee cup and took a sip before speaking again. ‘I’m going into town this morning boys,’ he said. ‘I need to get that Bank Draft organised.’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Sure Pa,’ he said. ‘Do you want me to check those fences in the South Pasture as we discussed last night?’

 

‘Yes.  Thank you son.  Hoss would you make sure that the supplies get out to the men at the saw mill please?’

 

‘Sure Pa,’ said Hoss through another mouthful.

 

‘I’ll come into town with you Pa,’ offered Little Joe generously. ‘I’ll help ya.’

 

‘Well thank you Joseph,’ replied his father sarcastically. ‘But I don’t think one Bank Draft will be too heavy for me to carry. Besides you have work to do here.  Remember our discussion yesterday?’

 

Joe made a face. ‘Yeah,’ he admitted. ‘But those chores can wait a bit.’

 

‘I don’t think so,’ replied his father ‘It’s time you realised that it’s the small chores that keep The Ponderosa running young man. If they’re not attended to, then things around here will begin to fall apart.’

 

‘I don’t see that one day without getting wood chopped and the barn cleaned out will make that much difference,’ objected Little Joe, but stopped when he caught the look on his father’s face. ‘Yes sir,’ he said glumly and put his head down to study the food on his plate.

 

‘Hey Pa,’ said Hoss suddenly. ‘Is it OK if I take the buggy on Saturday night?  I’ve got a date,’ he said proudly.

 

Three heads lifted at his remark.

 

‘What?’ said Adam.

 

‘Huh?’ said Joe.

 

‘Really?’ said Ben with a smile. ‘That’s wonderful son.’  It took a great deal of courage for Hoss to ask a girl out as he was so shy, and on the infrequent times it did happen his father was very pleased for him. ‘Who’s the young lady son?’

 

Hoss gave an embarrassed grin. ‘Millie Jenkins,’ he said. ‘I’m taking her to the dance.’

 

‘Well that’s real fine,’ replied his father.

 

‘So can I have the buggy then?’ repeated Hoss.

 

‘But I’m using it,’ interrupted Little Joe. ‘You know I always do when there’s a dance on.’

 

‘So who are you taking Joseph?’ asked his father.

 

‘I’m not sure yet,’ replied Little Joe with a cheeky grin. ‘Whoever I decide is worthy of me I guess.’

 

‘Ya don’t even have a date yet,’ said Hoss with a frown. ‘I do, so I’m getting the buggy!’

 

‘I do so have a date,’ declared Little Joe. ‘I just ain’t asked her yet!’

 

‘Well who is it then?’

 

‘Sarah Conway,’ replied Joe without a moment’s hesitation. ‘She’ll go with me when I ask her.’

 

‘Well I asked first!’ said Hoss, his temper rising.

 

‘Well it’s mine because I always take it!’ shouted Joe.

 

‘All the more reason why I should have it!’ shouted Hoss.

 

‘Boys!’ said Ben, his voice rising over the top of theirs. ‘That is enough!  We are at the table, remember?’

 

‘Yes,’ said Adam quietly. ‘Besides, neither of you will be taking the buggy on Saturday night. I organised a date ages ago and it’s all arranged that I’m having it.’

 

Hoss and Joe stared at their older brother. ‘Who says you get it?’ asked Joe indignantly.

 

‘I just did,’ replied Adam smugly.

 

‘That ain’t fair!’ declared Hoss. ‘I got the right!  I asked first!’

 

All three brothers looked at their father who held up his hand. ‘I refuse to enter into this,’ he said firmly. ‘You three can work it out between you. Understood?’

 

‘Understood,’ said Adam smugly.

 

‘Understood,’ said Hoss with a frown at both his brothers.

 

‘Understood,’ said Little Joe with a thoughtful look on his face.

 

 

##########

 

 

‘Hi Pa!’ called Little Joe as his father rode into the front yard. ‘Did ya have any trouble with that Bank Draft?’

 

‘No,’ said Ben as he dismounted. ‘Why would I?’  He looked at his son suspiciously as the young man took the reins of his horse.

 

‘Just interested is all. Let me fix Buck up for you Pa,’ offered Little Joe with a smile. ‘You go inside and have a rest.’

 

‘Thank you,’ said Ben slowly. His eyes lit upon the cloth and tin in his son’s hand. ‘What are you doing with that?’ he asked.

 

Little Joe looked down at the objects in question. ‘Nothing,’ he said with another wide smile. ‘I was just polishing the leather on the buggy seat is all.’

 

‘I don’t seem to recall that being on the list of things I left for you,’ said Ben.

 

‘No it wasn’t,’ replied Little Joe obligingly. ‘But I finished all them things and I thought I’d just do some extras.’

 

‘I see.  And you just thought you’d pick the buggy seat as one of those things did you?’

 

‘Yeah.  I washed the whole buggy down first too.’

 

‘Did you?’ said Ben. ‘That was very nice of you Joseph.  I can’t seem to recall the last time you volunteered for anything like that.’

 

Little Joe shrugged. ‘I just thought I should make sure it was all nice and clean,’ he said. ‘It’s like you said Pa.  It’s the little chores that keep things going round here ain’t it?’  He flashed his father one of his devastating smiles.

 

‘Yes I did say that, didn’t I?’ replied Ben, trying to keep a straight face. ‘Well carry on then son.’  He began to walk toward the house when Joe’s voice behind him made him stop in his tracks.

 

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ He turned to see Hoss pulling the buggy out of the barn and Joe standing with his hands on his hips pointing to him. ‘Where are you going with that?’ his youngest son asked.

 

‘Nowhere,’ replied Hoss as he set the buggy down in the yard. ‘Relax little brother. I ain’t disappearing with it.’

 

‘I just cleaned it,’ said Little Joe indignantly. ‘What are you moving it out here for?’

 

‘I got back early from the saw mill and I thought I’d just spend a bit of time greasing these wheels up,’ explained Hoss. ‘That’s if it’s all right with you Pa,’ he said, glancing over at his father with a grin.

 

‘Oh it’s all right with me son,’ said Ben with a short laugh and then turned to go into the house again.

 

‘After all,’ said Hoss as he picked up the bucket of grease. ‘I wanna make sure that it rides real smooth when I pick up Millie on Saturday night.’  He began to spread the grease all over the axle.

 

‘You be careful with that!’ said Little Joe. ‘I done told ya I just cleaned it all.  Besides, you’re not taking Millie in it on Saturday night… I told ya I’m taking Sarah in it!’

 

‘Well isn’t this nice!’ said a voice behind them and they both turned to see Adam sitting on his horse staring down at them. ‘You’ve cleaned up the buggy for me I see,’ he said with a grin. ‘My date and I will definitely appreciate that on Saturday night.’  He slid down from the saddle and crossed his arms as he looked at them both with an amused expression on his face.

 

‘You ain’t using it … I am!’ declared Little Joe. ‘I cleaned it all up for me and Sarah.’

 

‘I told ya both before … I’m using it,’ said Hoss as he continued to work. ‘I’m not doing this for either of you, ya know.’

 

Adam stroked his chin. ‘Well it seems like we have an impasse here,’ he said.

 

Joe looked momentarily confused. ‘It’s a buggy,’ he said with a scornful look on his face. ‘Ain’t no use calling it any of the fancy names you always come up with.’

 

Adam rolled his eyes. ‘I meant that we have reached a standoff.’

 

‘Oh … Yeah,’ said Joe with a glint in his eye. Well, what we gonna do about it then?’

 

‘How about we draw matches fer it?’ suggested Hoss.

 

‘That won’t work,’ said Adam. ‘Little brother here always cheats, remember?’

 

‘I do not cheat!’ declared Little Joe and then hesitated as he saw both his brothers staring at him. ‘Well …. not all the time,’ he admitted.

 

‘How about we see if we can borrow a buggy from someone else?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘Now there’s a sensible suggestion,’ said Adam. ‘If we could find two extra buggies we wouldn’t have a problem, would we?’

 

‘Where we gonna get two extra buggies from?’ asked Joe. ‘Everyone we know is gonna be using theirs for the dance, don’t ya think?’

 

‘Maybe,’ said Adam as he continued to stroke his chin. ‘I think it’s worthwhile asking around though.’

 

‘Yeah,’ agreed Hoss. ‘That way you two could use other people’s buggies and I’d be fine with this here sparkling clean one.’  He stepped back to survey his workmanship. ‘Not bad if I do say so myself.’

 

‘You’ve dirtied it after I got it all clean!’ shouted Little Joe.

 

‘Don’t worry,’ replied Hoss. ‘You can do it all again, can’t ya? Ya told Pa you had time.’

 

Joe gave his older brother a dark look as he picked up his cloth and began to clean the grease off the wheels.

 

‘Oh and don’t forget Pa’s horse,’ said Hoss as he put his grease bucket away. ‘Ya told him you’d stable him don’t forget.’  He put his arm around Adam’s shoulder as they walked towards the house. ‘Now let’s get ta thinking bout who else might have a buggy,’ Joe heard him say.

 

 

##########

 

 

‘No one?’ asked Adam as they sat in front of the fireplace a few days later. ‘That’s hard to believe.’

 

‘I know,’ said Little Joe. ‘Actually I did find one belonging to Mrs Wilson, but you know what she’s like. She said she wouldn’t lend it to us on no account.’

 

‘She always was mean,’ said Hoss mournfully.

 

‘Hoss!’ said their father from behind his newspaper where he was trying not to listen to his sons’ conversation. ‘That’s not a very nice thing to say.’

 

‘Well it’s true Pa,’ replied Hoss. ‘Remember that time when she run Joe and me off her place and threatened to tan us if we came back?’

 

‘Well if I recall you two were stealing apples from her orchard at the time,’ replied his father as he put down his paper and frowned at both boys. ‘I’d say she had good cause wouldn’t you?’

 

Joe signalled to his brother to be quiet. ‘We were only kids then Pa,’ he said earnestly. ‘We don’t do that no more. Honest!’

 

‘Hmph!’ replied Ben. ‘I would hope not!’  He picked up his paper again and began to read.

 

‘Well if we haven’t got another buggy we’re just going to have to make do with the one we have then,’ said Adam thoughtfully.

 

‘And how would you suggest we do that?’ asked Hoss sarcastically. ‘We can’t exactly share it, can we?’

 

‘Why not?’ replied Adam.

 

Joe rolled his eyes at Hoss. ‘Aw come on Adam!’ he said. ‘Even I can work out that if all of us have dates then that’s six people.  And six people ain’t ever gonna fit in that buggy!’

 

‘I don’t mean all at once,’ said Adam. ‘But we could work out a system where we all get to use it in shifts.’

 

‘Huh?’ said Hoss with a puzzled look on his face. ‘How do ya mean Adam?’

 

‘Well ….’ Adam thought for a moment. ‘We could all go into town together …’

 

‘We won’t fit,’ interrupted Joe. ‘It only takes two.’

 

‘Two in the buggy and one on horseback,’ explained Adam patiently. ‘Would you just be quiet and let me finish?’

 

Joe slumped back in his chair. ‘Sorry!’ he said sarcastically. ‘I forgot about all them brains you’re supposed ta have, didn’t I professor?’

 

Adam shot him a dark look. ‘As I was saying,’ he continued. ‘We all go into town. Then I take the buggy and pick up my date ….’

 

‘How come you get ta go first?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘Would you be quiet!  I go and pick up my date and bring her to the hall.  I park the buggy outside where you and Joe are waiting, then you both take it and do the same …. One at a time of course.’

 

Hoss thought for a moment. ‘Won’t work,’ he said.

 

‘Why not?’

 

‘Mille lives out of town, so it’ll take too long for me ta go back out and get her.’

 

Adam thought for a moment. ‘Well you take the buggy first and get Millie on the way in,’ he said. ‘Joe and I will go in on horseback and meet you in there and then take the buggy one at a time once you arrive with Millie.’

 

‘How about at the end?’ asked Joe, trying to get his brain around his brother’s explanation. ‘What happens when the dance is over?’

 

Adam shrugged. ‘The same thing,’ he said. ‘Only in reverse.’

 

‘Huh?’

 

‘You and I take our dates home one at a time.  Then Hoss takes Millie home at the end while you and I ride home.’

 

Joe frowned. ‘I don’t like it,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘I mean … that way I can’t use the buggy in between times.  There won’t be no time.’

 

‘What would you need to use the buggy for in between?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘Yes Joseph?’ asked Ben, putting down his newspaper. ‘Why would you need the buggy during the evening when there’s dance on young man?’

 

Joe swallowed. ‘Well …’ he said. ‘I mean …. What if Sarah and I … well … I might want to show her the buggy.’ He hesitated when his father didn’t say anything.  ‘It’s a real nice buggy Pa.’ He gave his father one of his dazzling smiles, but the man wasn’t distracted by it.

 

‘I’m not quite sure I understand this Joseph,’ he said. ‘Surely with your brother’s plan your young lady would see the buggy on the way to the dance, wouldn’t she?’

 

‘Well … yeah.’  Joe studied his fingernails in a vain attempt to appear casual. ‘I reckon she would.’

 

Ben leant forward in his chair. ‘Then why would you need the buggy while the dance was going on?’

 

‘Um … well sometimes I use it,’ said Joe with a weak smile.

 

‘Yes?’ prompted Ben.

 

‘Well … to go for a ride or something,’ said Joe, avoiding his father’s intense gaze.

 

‘I see.  Well I don’t think that’s very appropriate do you?’ asked Ben sternly.

 

‘No Pa,’ said Little Joe earnestly.

 

‘You might be placing your young lady’s reputation at risk,’ continued his father ‘Not to mention your own.’  He continued to stare at his youngest son. ‘If that is how you carry on with the buggy I don’t think you should be using it at all, do you?’

 

‘No Pa,’ said Little Joe. ‘I mean …. I’ll only use the buggy ta go to and from the dance … I promise!’

 

‘See that you do!’ said his father sternly. ‘If there is any more of your nonsense young man your brothers will only have to sort this plan out between the two of them and not the three of you!’  He picked up his paper again and hid behind it.

 

Joe gave Hoss a dark look and slumped back in his seat with a pout on his face.  Adam tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. ‘Then it’s settled,’ he said. ‘We all agree on my plan?’

 

Hoss thought for a moment. ‘Yeah, OK,’ he said.

 

‘Joe?’

 

Joe crossed his arms in front of his chest and slumped down even further. ‘Yeah, OK,’ he said in a low voice.

 

 

##########

 

 

 

‘Very nice,’ said Adam as he straightened Hoss’ tie for him.

 

‘You sure this plan is gonna work Adam?’ asked Hoss.

 

‘Of course I’m sure.  It’s simple isn’t it?’ said Adam confidently. ‘As long as we all co-operate it’ll be fine.’

 

‘I’ll co-operate,’ said Hoss. ‘Just make sure he does.’  He jerked his thumb at their younger brother who was surveying his reflection in the mirror and brushing some imaginary flecks off his blue suit coat.

 

‘Who me?’ Little Joe squeaked. ‘Why shouldn’t I? I told ya I’m happy with the plan.’  He put his hat on and smiled at his reflection. ‘You sure are a thing of beauty Joe Cartwright,’ he said. ‘No wonder all the girls fall all over you.’

 

‘What was that?’ asked Ben as he came in from the kitchen.

 

Joe started. ‘I said that I hope I don’t fall over Pa,’ he said with a grin. ‘I ain’t worn in these new boots properly yet.’  He grinned at his father innocently.

 

‘Isn’t it time you three were on your way?’ asked their father, with a sideways look at his youngest son. ‘You don’t want to be late.’

 

‘No we don’t,’ said Adam as he grabbed his hat. ‘Timing is important if we’re going to get all three girls there before the music starts.’

 

‘You never did tell us who your date was Adam,’ said Joe as he opened the front door.

 

‘No I didn’t, did I?’ replied his older brother. ‘Bye Pa!’

 

Joe hesitated as he realised that his question as still gone unanswered. ‘Night Pa,’ he said over his shoulder as he followed Adam outside. ‘Well?’ Ben heard him call. ‘Who is she?’

 

‘Night Hoss,’ said Ben. ‘Have a good time with Millie son.’

 

Hoss grinned at his father ‘I sure will Pa,’ he said. ‘See ya!’

 

Ben sighed as the front door slammed behind his son.  Hoss never could learn to leave a room quietly. ‘Mr Cartwright?’  He turned as he heard Hop Sing’s voice behind him. ‘You want coffee now?’

 

‘Thank you Hop Sing,’ Ben replied as he settled down into this favourite easy chair in front of the fireplace. ‘That would be very nice.’  As the cook padded quietly into the kitchen Ben stared into the blazing fire and listened to the silence around him.  Much and all as he relished the quiet evenings that he was able to spend alone, it was at times like this that he missed the company of his boys. Suddenly he heard an angry shout from outside, followed by the rumbling of the buggy’s wheels. Well, he thought. Sometimes I miss them.

 

 

##########

 

 

Joe stamped his feet again and slapped his sides to keep the chill out. ‘He should be here by now,’ he said angrily. ‘Why ain’t he?’

 

‘How do I know?’ replied Adam testily as he leant against the side of the building and inspected his nails. ‘Give it time will you?’

 

‘Well it don’t take this long ta get here from Millie Jenkins’ place,’ said Joe. ‘I reckon he’s doublecrossed us.’

 

Adam gave his younger brother a scathing look. ‘And just how would he do that?’ he asked sarcastically. ‘He’s bringing her here to the dance isn’t he? He’s got nowhere else to go.’

 

Joe thought for a moment. ‘Well I’d sure be able to think of other places ta go,’ he said. ‘If I had the buggy all to myself I’d ….’  His voice faltered as he caught Adam’s look.

 

‘Yes?’ Adam prompted. ‘Where would you go little brother?  Somewhere you might like to tell Pa about?’

 

‘No,’ said Joe as he slapped his sides again. He thought for a moment. ‘I reckon you’re right anyways.  We’re talking about Hoss after all.  He wouldn’t ever think bout going anywhere but here.’

 

At that moment the Cartwright buggy came around the corner of the street and both brothers slunk back into the shadows as they watched Hoss help Miss Millie Jenkins down from it.  As their brother disappeared into the hall with a grin over his shoulder at them, they both jostled each other out of the way. ‘I’m gonna have ta go next,’ said Little Joe. ‘Sarah will be wondering where I’ve got to.’

 

‘Sorry,’ said Adam as he jumped up into the buggy and gathered the reins into his hands. ‘You’ll just have to wait.’

 

‘It ain’t fair!’ called Little Joe as he watched his brother turn the buggy and drive away. ‘Hurry up will ya?’  He huddled against the side of the building again and slapped his sides as another gust of wind sprung up and he sighed. ‘Just cause I’m the youngest,’ he muttered. ‘It ain’t fair!’

 

It seemed like hours before he saw Adam returning again with a woman seated beside him. ‘Finally!’ Joe muttered and stepped forward without thinking as Adam was helping the lady in question down. As he had expected, Adam’s date was Caroline Taylor whom his brother had been dating for a few weeks.  He took off his hat and bowed his head to her. ‘Ma’am,’ he said as he snatched the reins from Adam’s hand. ‘Let me tie up the horses for you big brother,’ he said through gritted teeth.

 

‘Well thank you,’ said Adam in a cheery voice as he winked at him and took Caroline by the arm. ‘Isn’t it nice to see that young boys today haven’t completely lost sight of their manners Caroline?’  Adam’s date laughed as they mounted the stairs together and Joe scowled after them both.

 

‘Humph!’ he said as he jumped up into the buggy. ‘Sarah will think I’ve forgotten her!’  He drove down the street at breakneck speed and pulled up outside Sarah’s house in a rush. As he bounded up the stairs to her front door, it was flung open by a very angry young woman.

 

‘Where have you been?’ Sarah asked angrily. ‘I was beginning to think that you’d forgotten me!’

 

Joe gave her an apologetic look. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘Something kept me.’

 

Sarah scowled at him as he helped her into the buggy. ‘Well we’re going to be very late!’ she answered. ‘You’ll be lucky if I dance with you at all now Joe Cartwright!’

 

Joe gave her one of his lovely smiles. ‘Now don’t be like that,’ he said. ‘I said I was sorry.’  He put his arm around the girl. ‘How about we stop off on the way and make up for it?’

 

Sarah looked at him sideways. ‘Stop off where?’ she asked.

 

‘Well,’ replied Joe. ‘We could just park behind the livery for a while. What do you say?’

 

Sarah raised her eyebrows. ‘That doesn’t sound very romantic,’ she said. ‘Why don’t we go out to the lake?’

 

Joe hesitated as he remembered his father’s warning. ‘I don’t know that we have time,’ he said reluctantly, thinking of his two brothers and the fact that they would be watching for his arrival with the buggy.

 

Sarah gave him an angry look. ‘Well if that’s how you feel we’d better go over to the dance then hadn’t we?’ she said as she tossed her head and shrugged his arm off.  Joe sighed and took up the reins.

 

 

##########

 

 

‘Have you seen our little brother?’ asked Adam as he pulled Hoss aside.

 

Hoss pointed over towards the door. ‘That’s him over there ain’t it?’ he asked.

 

Adam craned his neck to look over his brother’s shoulder. ‘Oh yes,’ he said. ‘Just as well.  I was beginning to think that he might have gone off with the buggy after all.’

 

Hoss’ eyes widened. ‘He wouldn’t dare,’ he said. ‘Not after what Pa told him.’

 

‘You want to bet?’ asked Adam with a sarcastic look at his brother. ‘I’d better go over and remind him that he has to get his date home and have that buggy back here within the next half hour.’

 

‘He won’t be too happy about it,’ warned Hoss.

 

‘I don’t care,’ said Adam over his shoulder as he walked away. ‘That’s the plan remember?’ Hoss shrugged as he turned back towards Mille again.  For once he was having a good time and enjoying himself and he was mighty pleased that he was taking his date home last.

 

Adam pulled Joe towards him by the arm as he approached him. ‘You’ve got to get going soon,’ he whispered. ‘I have to take my date home before Hoss can have the buggy.’

 

Joe shook himself free of his brother’s grasp. ‘But I haven’t been here that long,’ he protested. ‘Why do I have ta be first?’

 

‘Because that’s the plan,’ whispered Adam. ‘Hurry up.’

 

Joe clenched his jaw. ‘No,’ he said firmly. ‘I ain’t going yet.  Me and Sarah haven’t had time for many dances at all.’

 

Adam put his finger under his little brother’s nose. ‘This plan will only work if we all co-operate, remember?’

 

Joe shrugged casually. ‘Well then you and Hoss co-operate with each other,’ he said. ‘Leave me out of it.’

 

Adam put his hands on his hips. ‘And just how do you intend to get Sarah home if we take the buggy?’ he asked.

 

Joe thought for a moment. ‘We can walk,’ he said. ‘It ain’t that far.’

 

‘Too far for a young lady to walk this late at night and you know it,’ replied his brother as he grabbed him by the arm again and steered him over to the door. ‘Now get going!’

 

Joe scowled at his older brother, but did as he was bid. ‘All right,’ he said sulkily. ‘But I still say it ain’t fair!’

 

Adam watched as his youngest brother went over to his date and spoke to her.  Sarah obviously wasn’t pleased, but she stood up nevertheless and followed Joe towards the door.  Adam looked over at Hoss and winked before sauntering over to his own date again in a relaxed fashion.  He figured he had about twenty minutes before Joe returned with the buggy so he may as well make the most of it.

 

Forty-five minutes later Adam wasn’t so relaxed. He looked out of the front door for the tenth time in as many minutes and frowned. There was no sign whatsoever of his youngest brother. That Joe! he thought. I should never have trusted him!

 

‘Adam?’ He turned at the sound of his name to see Hoss standing behind him. ‘Any sign of Joe yet?’

 

‘No,’ replied Adam shortly. ‘I’m going to wring that boy’s neck when he gets back.’

 

Hoss looked around at the near-empty hall. ‘Millie is giving me hints ta take her home,’ he said. ‘I reckon I’m gonna haveta take the buggy as soon as Joe gets here.’

 

Adam frowned. ‘You can’t,’ he said. ‘How am I going to take Caroline home if you do?’

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘But I can’t stay here any longer with her.  Her Pa will kill me iffen we don’t get back there soon.’

 

Adam thought for a moment. ‘I suppose I could get Mr and Mrs Thompson to drop Caroline off on their way,’ he said. ‘They’ve got a four-seater buggy and she only lives down the road from them.’

 

Hoss grinned. ‘You do that,’ he said. ‘I’ll wait here fer Joe.’

 

Adam shook his head and thought dark thoughts about his little brother as he walked over to Caroline. ‘Um … Something has come up,’ he said. ‘It looks as if I won’t be able to take you home after all. I was wondering if you would mind getting a lift with the Thompsons?’

 

Caroline looked up at him strangely. It wasn’t like Adam Cartwright to leave a girl stranded.  He was always the epitome of gentlemanly behaviour. ‘I suppose I don’t mind,’ she said hesitantly, thinking of how she was missing the chance for a goodnight kiss. ‘It seems a shame that we won’t get to say goodnight properly though don’t you think?’  She gave him a meaningful look that gave Adam no doubt as to her meaning.

 

‘Thank you for being so understanding,’ he said for want of anything else to say. ‘I’m sorry.’

 

Caroline gave him a sad look. ‘So am I,’ she said.

 

Adam watched her walk away. ‘I’m going to kill that Little Joe when I get my hands on him,’ he vowed out loud as he walked over to where Hoss was looking anxiously out of the door. ‘Any sign of him?’ he asked.

 

‘Nope.  Adam what am I gonna do? I can’t wait much longer ta take Millie home.’  Hoss looked over his shoulder and smiled at Millie who was sitting by herself looking decidedly angry in the empty hall.

 

Adam scratched his head. ‘Can she ride?’ he said finally. ‘We might have to put her on one of the horses and get her home that way.’

 

‘Are ya serious?’ replied Hoss. ‘She’s in a dress. We can’t ask her ta ride in that!’

 

‘Well do you have any better ideas?’ asked his brother. ‘If you do I’d like to hear them.’

 

Hoss looked frustrated. ‘Guess I don’t,’ he said. ‘I’ll see what she thinks about it.’  Adam watched as his brother walked over to his date and began to talk to her. He looked out into the darkness and shook his head. ‘I’m going to kill that youngest brother of mine,’ he said again.

 

 

##########

 

 

Joe leant over towards Sarah and kissed her again. He smiled as their lips parted and gave a deep sigh. ‘Now ain’t ya glad we came out here after all?’ he whispered.

 

Sarah returned the look. ‘I sure am,’ she said happily. ‘Only don’t you think it’s time we were going home now?  My Pa will be angry if I’m not home soon.’

 

‘I guess so,’ said Joe reluctantly. He put his arm around her and rubbed his face against hers. ‘It would be so much nicer if we could stay here though.’

 

Sarah swallowed as she looked at him. ‘Yes,’ she breathed. There was a moment’s silence. ‘But we have to go,’ she said reluctantly. ‘Didn’t you say you had to get the buggy home anyway?’

 

A fleeting look of concern crossed Joe’s face as he thought about what the time might be and how his brothers would be reacting to his disappearance. ‘Yeah I guess so,’ he said as he withdrew his arm from around the girl and hitched up the reins. ‘We’d better get back I suppose.’ He turned the buggy around and they began to make their slowly back towards town.  The moonlight was very bright and Sarah leant her head against Joe’s shoulder as they travelled, making him feel all warm and contented inside.

 

Suddenly he heard a sound in the distance and Sarah raised her head. ‘What was that?’ she asked. ‘It seems strange that someone would be all the way out here at this time of night.’

 

Joe didn’t say anything as he pulled the buggy to a halt. ‘Probably just someone going home from the dance,’ he said. ‘It must be nearly over by now I guess.’  He glanced up at the moon and wondered just what time it might be as he considered too late that perhaps it might not have been such a smart move to take a drive before taking Sarah home after all.

 

Two horses appeared along the trail in the moonlight and Joe swallowed as he recognised them to be his brothers’ horses. ‘We might just get off the trail for a bit,’ he said nervously and turned the buggy onto the rough ground to the side.

 

‘Why?’ asked Sarah.

 

‘Well you never know who they might be,’ said Joe as he concentrated on driving the horses over the rough terrain. ‘They could turn out to be ….’

 

‘You just hold it right there you little weasel!’ called a voice which Joe knew to be that of Hoss. He drew the horses to a halt reluctantly.

 

‘Oh, hi Hoss,’ he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

 

‘Hi yourself,’ said Hoss in an angry tone.  He drew up alongside the buggy and glared at Joe.  There was a girl seated behind him on the horse clinging to his waist and looking decidedly uncomfortable while doing it. Joe tried to smile at her and tipped his hat, but she only glared at him.

 

‘You have a lot of explaining to do,’ said another gruff voice on the other side of the buggy and Joe turned reluctantly as he recognised the sound of Adam’s voice and saw his brother seated on the other horse glaring at him.

 

‘Hi,’ said Joe. Adam said nothing, but simply glared at him in disgust. ‘Fancy meeting you both out here,’ said Joe in a forced cheery tone when it became obvious that no one else was about to speak.

 

Adam dismounted and helped Millie off her horse for Hoss. Millie gave a slight groan as she straightened up and attempted to smooth her dress. ‘Ruined!’ she said in dismay as she glanced down at it. ‘I knew this would happen.’

 

‘You poor thing,’ said Sarah and got out of the buggy to console the other girl. ‘Why on earth were you riding in a ball-gown Millie?’  The two girls bent down to examine the damage.

 

‘She didn’t have much of a choice,’ said Hoss grimly as he dismounted as well and turned to face his youngest brother. Joe swallowed as he noticed the look in Hoss’ eye and took a step backwards right onto Adam’s foot.

 

‘Oh sorry Adam,’ he said apologetically and tried to smile at his brother.  Adam clutched hold of him by the shoulders and pushed him back a step while continuing to glare at Joe.  His eyebrow lifted in a way that Joe knew only too well and he swallowed again as his mind raced frantically to find a suitable explanation that his brothers might accept.  Unfortunately nothing occurred to him and so he merely stood looking at both of them, trying to keep a smile on his face to convince everyone that everything was all right.

 

‘Well?’ said Adam after a moment. ‘What do you have to say for yourself?’

 

‘Me?’ said Joe innocently. ‘Nothing.  Sarah and me was just going to her place.  I was taking her home.  That was the plan remember?’  He looked at them both, hoping against hope that they would accept his statement.

 

‘You were taking her home?’ said Adam sarcastically. ‘Seems like a mighty big detour you took to get her there, don’t you think so Hoss?’

 

Hoss took a step forward and Joe found himself wedged between his two brothers. ‘Sure do,’ he snarled. ‘A mighty big detour.  How come you took that detour Joe?’

 

‘We were just taking a bit of time to look at the lake,’ interrupted Sarah. ‘We weren’t doing anything wrong.’

 

‘That’s right,’ said Joe eagerly. ‘We weren’t doing anything wrong.’

 

Adam nodded. ‘I see,’ he repeated. ‘You weren’t doing anything wrong.’  He took hold of his little brother’s shoulders again and squeezed them until Joe gave a cry of pain.

 

‘Ow! Let go Adam … you’re hurting me!’ he yelped.

 

‘Be careful Adam,’ said Hoss with a fierce look directed at his little brother as he spoke. ‘You wouldn’t want to hurt our little brother would ya?  I mean, not in front of the ladies and all.’

 

Adam exchanged a look with Hoss that made Joe swallow again and try to wriggle out of his brother’s grasp. ‘No,’ said Adam meaningfully. ‘The first thing we have to do is get these young ladies home.  Then we can have a talk with our little brother here.’ He tightened his grip on Joe’s shoulders and he gave another yelp.

 

Hoss turned to Millie. ‘I’ll take ya home Miss Mille,’ he said gallantly as he tipped his hat. ‘You’ll be much more comfortable in the buggy now.’

 

Millie breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Just as well,’ she said angrily. ‘And you owe me the money for one ball-gown Hoss Cartwright!’

 

Hoss glared at Joe again. ‘Yes ma’am,’ he said sadly.  Somehow he knew that he wouldn’t be going out with this particular young lady again.  That was another thing he could add to his list of grievances against that youngest brother of his who was going to pay dearly for tonight!

 

As Millie began to climb up into the buggy, she was interrupted by Sarah. ‘What about me?’ she called out indignantly. ‘I’m already going to be late home and my father will kill me!’ She turned to Joe angrily and pointed her finger at him. ‘Or you, more to the point Joe Cartwright!’

 

Joe looked at Adam and Hoss beseechingly. ‘I’ve got to get Sarah home,’ he said pleadingly. ‘We’ll be in huge trouble if I don’t!’

 

‘You should have thought of that before,’ said Adam grimly. ‘My date had to go home with the Thompsons and she wasn’t exactly thrilled about it either.’

 

‘Yeah but …..’  Joe finally managed to free himself of Adam’s grasp and leapt towards the buggy. He grabbed the reins and held onto them tightly. ‘I’m sposed ta go first remember?’

 

Hoss tried to grab the reins from his younger brother. ‘You’ve had your turn little brother,’ he said menacingly. ‘Too late now.’

 

The two brothers fought over possessions of the reins fiercely and the horses began to get anxious. Millie stepped down from the buggy. ‘You’re scaring the horses!’ she yelled. ‘Stop it both of you!’

 

Neither brother took much notice of her, but continued to jostle each other. Finally Adam stepped forward and wrenched the reins from their grasps and dropped them as he shouted at his brothers. ‘Would you two stop it!  We have to get these two girls home!  Be quiet!’

 

At the sound of his yelling, the two horses finally had had enough and bolted away dragging the buggy behind them.  Hoss and Joe stopped fighting and stared after it in disbelief. ‘Now look what you’ve done!’ yelled Joe as he rounded on his oldest brother.

 

Adam turned to Joe in disbelief. ‘What I’ve done!’ he yelled. ‘You were responsible for this!’

 

Joe’s jaw dropped. ‘Me?’ he squeaked. ‘It was you and Hoss!  If you both hadn’t come after me carrying on like this ….’

 

Hoss drew back his fist and knocked his youngest brother off his feet. ‘I’ve had just about enough of you!’ he yelled. ‘Quit blaming everyone else fer all of this!’

 

‘There’s no need to hit him like that!’ yelled Adam. ‘Keep your temper for heaven’s sake Hoss!  There’s ladies present!’

 

Hoss turned on his oldest brother. ‘Don’t you tell me what ta do!’ he shouted. ‘If it weren’t fer you and that stupid plan of yours this never woulda happened!’

 

‘My stupid plan!’ shouted Adam as Joe got up from the ground. ‘My plan was perfect!  It would have worked too if this idiot hadn’t taken it into his head to spoil it all!’

 

‘I ain’t no idiot!’ yelled Joe and pushed his brother forcefully. ‘Quit calling me an idiot!’

 

‘I’ll call you what I like …. You idiot!’  Adam pushed Joe back again.

 

Sarah and Millie watched in amazement as the three brothers began to push each other until the pushes became hits and then finally outright punches.  Suddenly they were all rolling around on the ground, arms and legs tangled and punches flying.

 

Millie looked at Sarah. ‘Well I don’t know about you, but I’m going home,’ she said as she grabbed the reins of Hoss’ horse. ‘My dress is already ruined so it can’t make much difference to it now.’

 

Sarah looked down at her own dress and sighed. ‘I suppose I don’t have much choice,’ she shouted above the yells of the Cartwrights. She shrugged before getting up onto Adam’s horse. The two girls shook their heads as they looked down on the rolling mass of Cartwrights on the ground and turned the horses around. As they rode away they could hear the yelling continuing behind them.

 

 

 

##########

 

 

 

‘Mr Cartlight! Mr Cartlight!’

 

Ben Cartwright lifted his head at the sound of Hop Sing’s voice coming from outside and sighed. Wasn’t the morning difficult enough without the cook having problems too?  He put down his coffee cup reluctantly and stood up, sighing as he walked towards the front door.  He was in a decidedly bad mood this morning already, having discovered that none of the boys had even made it home from last night’s dance and now it appeared that Hop Sing was going to add to his concerns.  As he opened the front door thoughts of what he would do to those three boys when they finally got home flashed through his mind and he clenched his jaw in anger.

 

‘What is it Hop Sing?’ he asked as he came onto the front porch. He stopped as he saw the cook standing next to two very unhappy horses attached to the buggy in the front yard.  They looked as if they had run a considerable distance and were in much need of a good water and feed … not to mention a good rubbing down, he decided as he walked across the front yard.

 

But it was the buggy that held his attention after the first glance.  It had obviously been dragged through a considerable amount of brush, as there were branches of small trees hanging from it and it was covered in mud.  There were large scratches down each side and two of the wheels were decidedly crooked.  Ben wondered how the horses had managed to drag it all the way here.

 

‘Mr Cartlight!’ Hop Sing called again as he tried to quiet the anxious horses. ‘I find horses and buggy here!  No boys!’

 

Ben lifted an eyebrow. ‘No,’ he said. ‘No boys.’  For a moment his heart stopped as he wondered what on earth could have happened to his sons. ‘Are Adam and Hoss’ horses here?’ he asked anxiously.

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘All gone! None return from last night … only buggy.’

 

Ben set his jaw grimly. ‘You look after these horses,’ Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘I’m going to saddle up and get out there.  Who knows what kind of trouble those boys of mine have ….’  He stopped and narrowed his eyes as three figures appeared from around the side of the barn. ‘Never mind Hop Sing,’ he said in a tight voice. ‘You go inside now.  I’ll handle this.’  His eyes swept over the sad and sorry figures of his three sons as they approached him.

 

‘But Mr Cartlight …..’ began Hop Sing.

 

Ben waved his arm towards the house. ‘Go inside Hop Sing,’ he repeated. ‘You don’t want to hear this, I can assure you.’

 

Hop Sing gave the three Cartwrights boys a sorry look and quickly departed into the house.  Ben stood with his arms crossed over his chest as his three sons approached him warily and took the opportunity to study their appearance.

 

All three were covered in a liberal amount of dust and mud. None of them were wearing hats and the crisp white shirts that they had left in the night before were grey and torn. Adam had a large bruise on his left cheek, Hoss had a split lip and Joe had a black eye.  There was a considerable amount of scratches on all three of them and Joe’s curly hair was in disarray and sprouted twigs that shot out at various angles from it.  If Ben hadn’t been so angry he would have found it difficult not to laugh at the sight they presented.

 

The three of them approached their father warily and stopped just short of his reach. Ben stood silently watching them until Adam finally broke the silence. ‘Hi Pa,’ he said.  There was silence again as Ben continued to stare at them. Adam tried again. ‘I suppose you’re wondering what happened,’ he said.

 

Ben nodded.  ‘The thought had crossed my mind,’ he said angrily.

 

Adam looked at Hoss and Joe and realised that neither of them had any intentions of speaking. ‘Well …’ he said reluctantly. ‘We kind of had … a bit of an accident.’

 

‘An accident,’ Ben repeated.

 

‘Yes.  Well … sort of a problem,’ Adam continued.  He smiled at his father, but as the look wasn’t returned he quickly turned it into a serious expression. ‘I see that the horses made it home,’ he added.

 

Ben nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said shortly. They and the buggy are in a very different condition from the one they were in when you left last night though, aren’t they?’

 

‘Yes,’ said Adam reluctantly. ‘I suppose they are. ‘Well, you see, there is a logical explanation for that Pa.’

 

Ben lifted an eyebrow. ‘And I would be most pleased to hear it,’ he said.

 

Adam looked at Hoss. ‘Hoss can explain it to you,’ he said.

 

Hoss gave his brother a dark look before turning to his father. ‘It was all because of Adam’s plan,’ he began.

 

‘Don’t blame my plan!’ said Adam angrily and then closed his mouth as he saw the look his father gave him.

 

‘Remember how we was supposed ta share the buggy?’ continued Hoss. Ben nodded. ‘Well it didn’t work out as well as Adam planned,’ his middle son continued. ‘On accounta this one here.’  He motioned towards Joe who had begun to slide behind his brother’s ample form. Hoss pulled him out from behind him. ‘Joe didn’t keep to the plan and it kinda went downhill from there,’ Hoss explained.

 

Ben lifted another eyebrow. ‘Oh?’ he said. ‘Perhaps you would care to explain then Joseph?’ he said sarcastically.

 

Joe gave his father one of his most charming smiles. ‘I agree with Hoss Pa,’ he said. ‘It was Adam’s fault.’  He tried to step closer to Hoss again as his eldest brother took a step towards him, but Hoss shoved him forward again. Joe swallowed. ‘Well it was like Hoss said Pa,’ he explained. ‘Adam’s plan went all wrong and he caused the buggy to get all banged up.’

 

‘Why you little…’ began Adam as he clenched his fists.

 

Ben put his hand up. ‘Would someone please just tell me what happened?’ he said angrily. ‘I’m quite capable of deciding for myself who’s to blame in all of this …. Just tell me the facts!’

 

Adam took a deep breath. ‘We were supposed to share the buggy,’ he said. ‘Joe caused problems because he didn’t come back at the right time and Hoss and I ended up having to make other arrangements.’

 

‘Other arrangements?’ asked his father.

 

‘Yes.  My date had to go home with someone else and Hoss’ date had to come with us on horseback.  We found this little …. brother …. of ours using the buggy to woo his girl when we were supposed to have the use of it.’  He gave Little Joe a triumphant look.

 

‘That’s right Pa,’ said Hoss eagerly. ‘Joe just took off with the buggy and left us there.’

 

Ben nodded his head while staring at his youngest son. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘I thought you and I had an understanding about how you would be using the buggy Joseph.’

 

Joe tried to smile at his father, but failed miserably. ‘Yeah,’ he said lamely.

 

‘Well obviously you didn’t take much notice of my instructions,’ said his father.

 

Joe avoided meeting his father’s eyes as he replied, ‘Well I tried,’ he mumbled.

 

‘Obviously not hard enough,’ continued Ben. ‘And just where were you off to with this young woman in the buggy?’

 

Joe swallowed again before replying. ‘I was taking her home,’ he said. ‘Just like what was in the plan.’

 

‘Via the lake,’ said Adam sarcastically. ‘He had that buggy out by the lake for a whole hour while Hoss and I were waiting with our dates!’

 

‘Didn’t seem like an hour,’ mumbled Joe.

 

‘What was that young man?’ asked Ben angrily.

 

‘Nothin Pa,’ mumbled Joe. He lifted his head and shot a look at his brothers before blurting out, ‘Besides it wasn’t me that started the fight … It was them two!  They pushed me to the ground Pa and hurt me!’  He gave his father one of his mournful puppy dog looks and then frowned as he realised that it wasn’t working.

 

‘A fight?’ asked Ben. ‘I presume that is how you all ended up looking like this?’ He motioned with his hand towards the three of them.

 

‘Yeah!’ declared Joe. ‘The two of them started hitting each other and hitting me as well Pa!  They lost their tempers.’

 

Ben turned on him. ‘And you didn’t?’ he shouted. ‘Look at the state of all of you!  Don’t you dare give me the excuse that your brothers were responsible for all of this Joseph!  I’m sure that you got in a few punches of your own young man.’ Joe took a step backwards.

 

‘He sure did Pa,’ said Adam. ‘He was fighting just as much as we were.’

 

‘And what happened to the young ladies?’ asked Ben sarcastically. ‘Or did you just leave them out there?’

 

‘They took off with our horses,’ said Hoss sullenly. ‘Rode em home I guess. That’s why we all had ta walk home.’  He gave his father a sad look. ‘It was sure a mighty long way Pa. Took us hours.’

 

Ben gave him a withering look. ‘Really?’ he said. ‘And I suppose you’re all very tired and would enjoy a nice long rest now?’

 

Joe grinned at his father. ‘Sure would!’ he declared. ‘I’ll just get on up to bed for a bit then Pa.’ He attempted to walk past his father, but Ben reached out and drew him back by the collar.

 

‘You stand still when I’m talking to you!’ he shouted. ‘You are not getting any rest now or for a very long time Joseph!’ Joe stepped away from his father. ‘I’m still unsure as to how the horses and the buggy got into this state,’ continued Ben. ‘Would someone please enlighten me?’

 

‘The horses were spooked by these two,’ explained Adam. ‘They took off and dragged the buggy with them.’  He looked over at the buggy ruefully. ‘I guess they must have come across country to get here.’

 

Ben nodded. ‘I guess they did,’ he said sarcastically.

 

Hoss reached out and picked up the reins. ‘How about I rub em down?’ He suggested helpfully. ‘I’ll clean up the buggy for ya too Pa.’

 

‘You are certainly right about that,’ said Ben. ‘You will all see to those horses and clean the buggy before you dare to step one foot inside that house.  And after you have done that I will finish this conversation with the three of you inside.  Now get to it and don’t waste any time about it!’ he shouted and then turned on his heel and strode over to the house.

 

The three brothers waited until the front door banged behind their father. ‘Well thanks a lot!’ said Adam angrily as soon as they were alone. ‘Neither of you helped very much, did you?’

 

Joe gave his brother an indignant look. ‘Neither did you!’ he declared. ‘After all … it was all your fault in the first place!’

 

Adam looked at his youngest brother incredulously. ‘What?!’ he said as he stepped towards him. ‘I’m going to pound your hide right into the ground if you don’t ….’  He stopped and tried to control of himself. ‘This isn’t helping anyone,’ he said. ‘I think we should get all this fixed up as best we can or Pa will have our hides. Come on.’  He began to lead the horses into the barn, the buggy rolling behind them unsteadily.

 

Hoss glared at Joe and followed Adam into the barn.  Joe gave both his brothers a dark look and reluctantly followed them as well.

 

 

##########

 

 

Ben looked up from his desk to see his three sons standing in front of him and noticed that they had taken pains to tidy themselves up as best they could under the circumstances. They had all washed the dirt off themselves as much as was possible without soap and Joe had removed most of the twigs from his hair. Their shirts had been tucked in again and their clothing had been dusted down.  Ben stood up and walked around the other side of the desk towards them. ‘Well?’ he said. ‘Have you taken care of the horses and the buggy?’

 

‘The horses are fine Pa,’ said Adam. ‘We cleaned up the buggy too, but ….’  He glanced at his brothers. ‘But it needs a few repairs.’

 

Ben nodded. ‘I’m sure it does,’ he said. ‘And you will be organising those yourselves won’t you?’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said shortly.

 

‘It needs two new wheels and a coat of paint,’ said Hoss. ‘How are we gonna pay for it Pa?’

 

Ben crossed his arms in front of him and sat down on the edge of the desk. ‘I don’t know Hoss,’ he said sarcastically. ‘How are you going to pay for it?’

 

Hoss gave Adam a look and Adam shrugged. ‘I suppose we’ll find a way,’ he said.

 

Ben smiled. ‘I suppose you will,’ he said. ‘But don’t worry about having it done in too much of a hurry.  After all, none of you will be needing the buggy for an awfully long time.’

 

Adam made a face and Hoss sighed. ‘How come?’ asked Little Joe. Both his brothers shook their heads slightly at his inopportune comment.  Joe could never understand the value of silence in situations such as this.

 

Ben leant forward and looked directly into the face of his youngest son. ‘You won’t be needing the buggy for a very long time Joseph because you won’t be going on any dates,’ he said softly.

 

Joe gave his father a puzzled look. ‘I won’t?’ he asked

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No,’ he replied. ‘You won’t.’

 

‘Oh.’

 

‘You will all be too busy here on the ranch to worry about dates for a long time,’ continued their father. ‘After last night’s fiasco you will be too busy doing lots of extra work.’ His words were met with silence as even Joe began to understand what was being said.

 

‘Um….Pa?’ ventured Adam.

 

‘Yes?’

 

‘Hoss and I … well … we need to go and get our horses.’  Ben stared at his eldest son for a moment. ‘The girls took them,’ explained Adam.

 

‘I see.  Well you can each take another horse and get them this afternoon,’ said Ben. ‘It will be the last time either of you go off the ranch for quite a while so you’d better make the most of it.’

 

‘Can I go too Pa?’ asked Joe eagerly.

 

Ben turned on his youngest son. ‘I beg your pardon?’ he shouted.

 

‘I mean …. Just to help,’ said Joe feebly. ‘I thought … I mean …. I don’t mind helping Pa.’

 

‘You don’t mind helping!’ said his father. ‘Well that is very generous of you Joseph, but I think you’ve helped just about enough! As far as I’m concerned you are all to blame in this, but you young man …’ He pointed a finger under his youngest son’s nose. ‘You are more to blame than anyone.’

 

Joe looked indignant and the words came tumbling out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying. ‘Well I reckon you’re just as much ta blame as anyone Pa!’ he declared and then took a step back as he realised what he’d said.  Adam closed his eyes momentarily and Hoss’ jaw dropped.

 

Ben stood up. ‘What?!?’ he thundered. ‘And just how am I to blame for all of this Joseph?’ he shouted. ‘Explain to me how I am to blame for the three of you ending up like this?  Not to mention the two horses and the broken buggy?  Explain it all to me please Joseph!  I’d be most interested to find out how all of this is my fault!’

 

Joe swallowed and took two large steps backwards until he was standing against the wall.  He gave both of his brothers a pleading look, but they both shook their heads at him. ‘Well …’ he said and then swallowed again.

 

‘Yes?!?’ thundered Ben

 

‘What I meant was ….’ Joe looked around and saw no means of escape. ‘What I meant was … well if you had bought more than one buggy then …. Well if we had more than one buggy …. then we wouldn’t have hadta share …. and none of this would have happened … I guess.’  Joe’s eyes widened as he stared at his father.

 

Ben blinked a couple of times and tried to regain his composure. ‘Let me get this straight,’ he said. ‘You are blaming me for all of this because you think I should have bought more than one buggy?’ he shouted. ‘Is that right Joseph?’

 

Joe swallowed again. ‘Yeah ….’ he said. ‘I mean …. No Pa …. I mean ….’ His voice trailed away and he stood flattened against the wall in desperation.

 

Ben breathed deeply a couple of times. ‘Get out of my sight!’ he said in a calmer voice. ‘Just get out of my sight the three of you! Clean yourselves up and get straight to work. I will not waste a moment longer of my time listening to any of this nonsense!’

 

Hoss looked at his father mournfully. ‘What about breakfast?’ he ventured and when his father simply stared at him without speaking he added sadly. ‘I guess not.’  He turned to follow his brothers towards the staircase.

 

Ben sat down again on the edge of his desk, closed his eyes and breathed deeply while trying to stop the pounding of blood in his head. ‘Mr Cartlight?’ He opened his eyes to see Hop Sing standing in front of him.

 

‘Yes?’ he said.

 

‘You want breakfast?’ Hop Sing asked.

 

Ben began to shake his head wearily and then stopped. ‘Yes I will Hop Sing,’ he said, changing his mind. ‘And make it the biggest breakfast you can put together. Something tells me I’m going to need all my strength today.’

 

‘Boys not eating?’ asked Hop Sing.

 

‘No. Boys not eating,’ replied Ben firmly. ‘I’ll have their share Hop Sing.’

 

Hop Sing nodded and turned towards the kitchen again. Ben glanced down at the pictures of his three wives on the desk beside him.  He stared at them for a moment and then shook his head before turning towards the dining room.

 

 

 

The End