{"id":7603,"date":"2014-05-09T12:09:16","date_gmt":"2014-05-09T16:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7603"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:12:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:12:08","slug":"wanting-whiskers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7603","title":{"rendered":"Wanting Whiskers (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>While trapped by a snowstorm, the Cartwright brothers learn a little something about each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0<\/span>1696<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wanting Whiskers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Adam scratched his chin and then rubbed his hand over the stubble that was quickly becoming a beard. Three days without a razor had left him with a full if short set of whiskers. The only time he had gone longer without shaving was when he had decided to grow a beard at the age of seventeen. The last thing he had ever done simply to make peace with his stepmother was to shave off that first beard. Hoss watched his older brother and automatically ran his hand over his own chin. His stubble could not yet be called a beard, but it was becoming a dark and irritating shadow that noticeably altered his genial appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure wish one of us had carried a razor in our saddle bags,\u201d Hoss mused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seldom pack a razor when I intend to be home for dinner,\u201d Adam observed with an edge of sarcasm. Hoss\u2019s unusual ability to forecast winter storms had failed to warn them of the blizzard that currently had them imprisoned in a line shack barely ten miles from their home, and Adam had to fight the urge to blame his brother for their captivity.<\/p>\n

The clatter of tin against iron drew the attention of both brothers as Little Joe set the coffee pot on the pot-bellied stove with more force than necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the only one ever done that was baby brother,\u201d Hoss commented with a chuckle. \u201cYou \u2018member, don\u2019t ya, Adam , how he carried that razor we gave him for his sixteenth birthday pert near everywhere he went just waiting for a chance to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched a flush creep into his little brother\u2019s cheeks and added his chuckle to Hoss\u2019s. He leaned his chair back on two legs and added, \u201cThat I do. He was shaving about every other month, though, by the time he turned eighteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their nineteen year-old brother snorted and turned his back to them staring at the door with longing. His left hand slipped to his own chin and was then slapped back to his side. After three days snowed in at the line shack without a razor, he still had only the barest trace of stubble.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances behind Joe\u2019s back. Three boring days in one room had strained brotherly relations, but neither of them liked the idea that they had truly hurt their baby brother\u2019s feelings.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Short Shanks, don\u2019t go getting your nose outa joint. Adam and I don\u2019t mean nothing by what we said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think I care that I\u2019m not a hairy beast like the two of you?\u201d Joe spat the words from his mouth without turning to look at his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, Joe, I think you do,\u201d Adam answered softly.<\/p>\n

Surprise at the comment caused Little Joe to spin on his heel and face his brother. \u201cI don\u2019t! I don\u2019t give a d\u2026.\u201d His expletive was lost in the sound of a momentous crack as the weight of ice and snow broke a large limb from a nearby pine.<\/p>\n

All eyes in the room became fixed on the window even though nothing could be seen through its shuttered surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much longer do you think it will last?\u201d Joe was the first to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t go on too much longer,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wish there was some way to let Pa know we\u2019re all together and safe.\u201d Adam voiced the thought that they all shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe stated softly and went to sit on the bunk next to the far wall. Hoss and Adam exchanged another glance. As hard as it was for all of them to be confined by the storm away from their home, they knew that it was most difficult for the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess it\u2019s about time to rustle up some supper. It\u2019s my turn, but if one of ya want\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s no<\/em> was less forceful than Adam\u2019s , but since it was clear that he would be preparing supper, Hoss rose to his feet and walked over to the food cupboard. Adam tugged his ear and went to sit next to Little Joe on the bunk.<\/p>\n

His voice just above a whisper, Adam asked, \u201cWhy does it matter so much to you, Joe? Lots of men have light beards. Would you really want to need a shave twice a day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Joe muttered not lifting his chin from his chest. \u201cIt\u2019s just, well, it\u2019s just like it\u2019s one more way I\u2019ll always be the baby Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the youngest, Joe. There\u2019s not much we can do about that unless Pa decides to give us a stepmother and have another baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that is the only way you\u2019re going to stop being the baby of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave his brother a rueful grin. \u201cYou could give me a nephew, and then I wouldn\u2019t be the youngest Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam harrumphed and let the remark pass unanswered.<\/p>\n

When Adam did not rise to the bait, Little Joe sighed and said softly, \u201cSome folks, well, some folks think that a hairy man is, um, well, they think that a fellow with a lot of body hair is more, umm\u2026\u201d Joe shifted nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the word you\u2019re searching for virile?\u201d Adam interjected gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, some folks do think it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of what some folks think is hogwash, Joseph,\u201d Adam admonished. \u201cYou don\u2019t believe that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNooo, but some gals do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam managed not to roll his eyes. \u201cI\u2019d tell you that only a silly, featherbrained little thing would, but you seem to like even silly, featherbrained little gals if the packaging is pleasing, \u201c he teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like a nice package too, Adam! But your gals do have to be a bit of a bluestocking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cI find intelligence attractive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe did roll his eyes. Then he chewed his lip. \u201cFolks, well, gals, they always describe you and Hoss and Pa even as manly. Don\u2019t think anyone ever said that about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re nineteen, Joe, not ninety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just that I don\u2019t think they ever will.\u201d Joe\u2019s sigh was filled with dejection.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s voice carried across the room, \u201cAin\u2019t nobody ever commented on my boyish charm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr mine,\u201d Adam added. Little Joe bit his lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cSally Quinn told Jessica Langston that she likes her men, um, how did she put it, smoother. She said stubble scratches and she doesn\u2019t like fur,\u201d Adam supplied after a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow would you know what Sally told Jessica?\u201d Joe inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI happened to overhear the two of them talking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa taught us not to eavesdrop.”<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s again entered the conversation. \u201cPa tried mighty hard, but he never did break either of you of that bad habit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe exchanged a look, a grin, and then both of them started to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid she really say that?\u201d Joe asked when the laughter ended.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did.\u201d<\/p>\n

A certain sparkle came into Little Joe\u2019s eyes as he decided just who he would invite to the first spring dance.<\/p>\n

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<\/p>\n

Adam stirred, Hoss stopped snoring, and they both realized they were surrounded by silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cStorm\u2019s over,\u201d Hoss announced before he opened his eyes.<\/p>\n

Adam sat up as he answered, \u201cIt would appear so.\u201d He took a deep breath and pushed the blankets off his body. The cooler air was really not much of a shock; the pot-bellied stove and three men\u2019s body heat kept the small cabin fairly warm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll rustle us up some breakfast and then dig out. Bet them horses will be as glad as we are to get out of here and back home.\u201d Hoss dragged himself to a standing position. \u201cYou see to breakfast, and I\u2019ll see to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhose gonna see to Joe?\u201d Adam said as he stepped over his brother\u2019s body which was still sprawled in slumber on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, let him sleep in a little. He has spent the last three nights on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFloors are easier on young bones. We\u2019ve earned those bunks, brother,\u201d Adam declared as he stretched his back.<\/p>\n

Hoss grunted agreement and pulled on his pants. He noticed that Adam was once again rubbing the whiskers on his chin. \u201cYou could just let \u2018em grow you know. You\u2019d have a fine beard by the end of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d Adam replied with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure? It would save ya time in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Joe that needs more time in the morning, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that. Guess God knew what he was doing when he was passing out the whiskers.\u201d Hoss chuckled. \u201cHey, Adam, what did Ma say to get you to shave off that first beard of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam paused in the buttoning of his shirt. \u201cShe didn\u2019t say anything. Absolutely nothing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe just gave me that look. You know the one. Every morning when I came down to breakfast. It was that look, Hoss. Even Pa couldn\u2019t stand against that look for long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded in agreement. He remembered that look well. \u201cWonder why she was so against that beard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat instead of answering. Hoss sent him a demanding look, and Adam focused on the sleeping form of Marie\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think it was the beard really, but the reason she thought I\u2019d grown it,\u201d Adam explained after a few moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnew you\u2019d heard them same folks Joe was talking about last night, did she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s whiskers hide the blush that filled his cheeks. \u201cThat hogwash has been around a long time, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess it has at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, why didn\u2019t you ever try growing one? Most young bucks do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s grin spread and filled his face. \u201cNever felt the need to do no advertizing,\u201d he replied softly. It was his brothers\u2019 laughter that woke Little Joe that morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/div>\n
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Summary:\u00a0While trapped by a snowstorm, the Cartwright brothers learn a little something about each other.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01696<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":9517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1009,23,4,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-drama","category-humor","category-prequels","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/brothers.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7603\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}