Summary – Why is Adam in the dirt at Hoss’ feet?\u00a0 Hoss is not going to like the answer.<\/p>\n
Rating – K , WC – 823<\/p>\n
Never, Ever Mess with His\u2026?<\/b><\/p>\n
Hoss casually strolled up the street to meet Adam at the saloon. It had been a good day and the tune he whistled made it just that much better. \u00a0As he approached the brothers\u2019 favorite watering hole, Hoss pulled up short. \u00a0The noises assaulting his ears told him there was a brawl happening inside. \u00a0Hoss checked his gun and made sure his hat was on snug, then prepared to enter the fray. \u00a0Before he took his next step, a dark-clad figure sailed through the swing doors, rolled over the boardwalk and came to rest on his back right at Hoss\u2019 feet. Stunned speechless, Hoss peered down at his older brother. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Adam shook his head trying to clear it. \u00a0His spinning eyes landing on his brother staring down at him. As the twisting double images coalesced into one very large brother, Adam quickly closed his eyes. \u00a0Opening them slowly again, he was quite disappointed that Hoss was still there. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAdam, whatcha ya doin\u2019 down there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes and groaned as he begrudgingly held his arm out for some assistance to get up. Hoss cheerfully obliged, hauling his now irritated brother to his feet in one smooth pull. Adam dusted himself off, checked that his gun was still in its holster, and patted his head. \u00a0His hat, where was his hat? \u00a0Adam spun around looking for the black Stetson, when it finally occurred to him that his beloved hat was still in the saloon. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUm Hoss, would you mind going in to get my hat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss screwed up his face, looked at the batwing doors, then back to Adam. \u00a0Evidently his brother took a bad hit and wasn\u2019t thinking straight.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUh, yeah Adam, sure. \u00a0But why can\u2019t you go fetch it yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOnce you go in there, you\u2019ll know. \u00a0Besides, if I go in, there\u2019ll be one less Cartwright on this earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss gulped, took on a stern expression and pushed the doors aside. \u00a0He had to know what it was that sent his strong, well-fighting brother sailing out of the saloon and not wanting to go back in and retrieve his own hat. <\/span><\/p>\n All grew quiet as Hoss entered the saloon. \u00a0The barkeeper was resetting some tables and stopped in his task upon seeing the larger Cartwright brother. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want no more trouble in here Hoss. \u00a0You just take him an\u2019 get out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Puzzled, Hoss followed Cosmos\u2019 gaze over to the corner of the barroom. \u00a0Sitting cockeyed on the floor was his youngest brother, wearing of all things, Adam\u2019s hat, on top of his own. A frown creased Hoss\u2019 features, as the stepped over debris to reach Joe. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJoe, what\u2019s the meaning of this? \u00a0What happened in here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head bobbed up and down before finally staying still long enough to focus on Hoss\u2019 unhappy face. He moaned and looked sickly. \u00a0Boy he was in trouble now. <\/span><\/p>\n Hoss decided not to wait for an answer. He yanked Joe to his feet and over his shoulder in one smooth move while catching both hats with his free hand. Pausing at the bar he dropped a wad of cash on the counter and marched out.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss found Adam sitting on the edge of the boardwalk picking dust out of his nails. \u00a0Joe was dropped unceremoniously at Adam\u2019s feet. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou two fix this now or I\u2019m going to do more damage to the both of ya.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Joe sheepishly handed Adam his black hat, which Adam snatched away as he rolled to his feet. \u00a0He marched off down the street toward the wagon. \u00a0Hoss looked between Adam and Joe, then followed. \u00a0Joe sat for another moment then stood and ran off to catch his brothers. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHey come on now, it\u2019s not my fault. \u00a0Adam\u2019s got to loosen up a bit, take a joke now and then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam whirled on his little brother, his eyes nearly as black as their pa\u2019s. \u00a0Joe found a very long finger very close to his face. \u00a0\u201cYou never, ever mess with my hat. \u00a0You hear me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe barely nodded, afraid that anything more would get him a good pounding. \u00a0Hoss\u2019s mouth dropped to the ground, then he rounded on his little brother. \u00a0\u201cAh, Joe you didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Looking a bit green around the gills and very sheepish, he nodded. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I did. \u00a0But Hoss I couldn\u2019t resist. \u00a0He\u2026..\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss threw up his hands and stormed away. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t wanna hear it. \u00a0None of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He climbed up into the wagon seat beside Adam. \u00a0Joe swung himself up onto the supplies in the back. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Half way home, Hoss started to chuckle, which got louder as he failed to control his mirth. \u00a0Despite the icy look given him by Adam and the stony look by Joe, Hoss\u2019 blue eyes continued to twinkle as he laughed the rest of the way home. \u00a0This day just couldn\u2019t get any better as he envisioned that story making its way around town. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n