Summary: Once again Adam is unable to get his ideas across to his father and wonders if there will ever be peace between them, until a brother steps in to help. Written for Brand’s Brother’s Day Challenge – write a story involving Hoss and at least one of this brothers (Adam, Joe, Jamie, or Clay).

Rating: G

Word Count: 708

Divide and Conquer – Cartwright style

Adam stormed out to the porch and plopped down on the step. He’d just had a bad fight with his father and it didn’t help that Little Joe added his two cents’ worth in. Poor Hoss remained silent but Adam could tell all the harsh words were hurting him. 

He dropped his head into his hands and moaned. Why does it always seem to be my fault? Why do I always have to bend to Pa or Little Joe’s opinions? Why could they never see reason and let me have my way, or do things my way! 

Hearing the door latch lift followed by heavy footfalls Adam couldn’t hold back a smile. He estimated it had taken at least forty or fifty seconds before his bigger brother appeared. Not bothering to look up, he acknowledged Hoss’ presence. 

“Took you a bit longer than usual to appear.”

“Ya mean you count seconds?”

“Sometimes minutes, sometimes days.”

A gentle chuckle escaped Hoss’ lips making Adam finally lift his head and look at his brother.

“I heard a lot o’ words in there but I suspect you didn’t say what was really on you mind.”

“No, they wouldn’t want to hear it, and neither would you.”

“You really think that? About me anyway?”

“No, guess not.”  Adam’s chest rose and fell with a deep sigh. “Hoss, I can’t figure out why Pa spent all that money on my education when he won’t let me use it. I’m not telling him what to do, just making suggestions. But I think I’d have better luck with a brick wall.” His head dropped to his hands again.

“Why do ya want to make changes, Adam?”

Adam’s head snapped up so fast it made Hoss’ neck hurt. “What do you mean by that! I thought you were on my side. Look, I’m not trying to change everything. I just see some things that aren’t working too well or could make work go faster or easier, and in the long run that could bring more profit to the ranch.”

“Now you see why I asked that question? You gave me an answer that made sense. And you might notice you got mad but you answered my question anyway.”

“Yeah, so?”

Hoss kept quiet for a few extra seconds then grinned when his older brother’s eyes lit up.

“Pa never asked the right question. I tell him I have an idea or a suggestion and he says ‘what’ then ‘no’. Then I get mad, and the rest is history.”

“Yep, you got it figured out. Now whatcha gonna do about it?”

“Go back in and see if I can get Pa to ask the ‘why’ question.”

“There ya go, an’ I’ll get Little Joe outta there so’s you two can talk more peacefully.”

“Thanks. Say, do you agree with what I’ve suggested?”

“Yeah, I do. I listened to your numbers and facts and they make some sense. I wanna talk more about ‘em later but Pa needs to hear ‘em first.”

“Thanks, again!”  

“Ya ready to go back in an’ try again?”

‘Yeah, but maybe you better get Joe out first.”

“Oh, right. I’ll take him out through the kitchen. All this fussin’ calls for some cookies.”

Adam finally felt like laughing and so did Hoss. “Just save some for me and Pa.”

“Will do, brother.” He gave him a hearty slap on the back. Adam counted to twenty then heard voices near the bunkhouse so he headed inside.

“Pa, I’m sorry I lost my temper. Can we start over?”

“Sure son. Why don’t you begin by telling me why you want to make these changes.”

Wondering if that was too easy, Adam shrugged to himself then pulled out his notes. For the next two hours, father and son talked about changes for the ranch and eventually Joe and Hoss joined in. By dinner time harmony was restored and some of Adam’s suggestions had been accepted and added to the work schedule. The others would be considered when funds and time allowed. 

Later that evening, Adam and Hoss shared smiles and winks behind their father’s and brother’s backs. A little patience and teamwork, and in this case dividing and conquering, could accomplish much within the Cartwright family.