Summary:\u00a0 A dance, a kiss in the moonlight, and once more his brothers are tasked with saving Little Joe.<\/p>\n
rating:\u00a0 mature for references to adult themes and corporal punishment<\/p>\n
word count: 4,454<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kiss and Tell<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was a just a single kiss. Admittedly, it had been a long, slow, thorough, and certainly not chaste kiss but still a single kiss nonetheless. Unfortunately, it had not gone unseen. No, the moonlight that had made Cindy Anne shimmer and glow had also allowed her three older brothers and a rather large cousin to witness that kiss which was why Little Joe Cartwright found himself held by Beau Crawford on one side and Travis Crawford on the other. Little Joe\u2019s stance was defiant, but his breaths came too quickly, and his eyes were fixed on the horsewhip in Axton Crawford\u2019s hand. The fact that there had been two other witnesses to the kiss was the reason that Axton\u2019s whip had not already bitten into Little Joe\u2019s flesh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s dishonored our sister, and, by heaven, he will get what he deserves!\u201d Axton\u2019s deep bass growled the words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam Cartwright\u2019s voice remained calm as he said, \u201cWhile there might be some points we agree on, Axton, what he deserves is probably not one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what you agree on, we\u2019ll be having the skin off his back for what he\u2019s done!\u201d The large cousin whose name escaped Adam at that moment was only a half an inch shorter than Hoss Cartwright and about ten pounds heavier. He took two steps forward. Hoss matched those steps but then stopped at a single gesture from his older brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam kept his eyes fixed on Axton Crawford; Axton would be the Crawford deciding for the clan. \u201cThe boy kissed your sister, yes, but dishonored her? Certainly that is overstating things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you call it, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFoolish. Impulsive.\u201d The words slipped smoothly from Adam\u2019s tongue. \u201cAlso inappropriate. Little Joe knows that.\u201d Adam allowed his eyes to leave Axton Crawford\u2019s face just long enough to send a chiding glare in Little Joe\u2019s direction. \u201cStill, he obviously wasn\u2019t forcing himself on her, and it went no further than a moonlight kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA girl ain\u2019t got nothing more than her reputation and. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCindy Anne\u2019s reputation will remain totally intact if you and your kin do not start a brawl that draws an audience. If the seven of us set to fighting, there\u2019s no way the town won\u2019t end up knowing the reason why. That is the only way that Cindy Anne will be truly hurt by this whole incident.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s a talker.\u201d Beau Crawford observed giving the arm in his hands a jerk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After considering several possible replies, Adam said, \u201cTrue, but he is not a total fool, and he is entirely capable of holding his tongue when necessary. I\u2019m sure that Little Joe has no delusions about what we would be unable to prevent happening if Cindy Anne became the subject of gossip due to this indiscretion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say anything about it anyway!\u201d It was the first time that Joe had spoken since being grabbed by the Crawford brothers. Every eye there turned toward him. \u201cCindy Anne\u2019s a nice girl.\u201d He raised his chin. \u201cIt\u2019s only you thinking bad of her!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The words had been tossed directly at Axton, and they stung. \u201cShut his mouth,\u201d he hissed. Beau and Travis both moved, but stopped at the sound of a single word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe!\u201d Adam\u2019s voice held a tone of command that drew all attention back to him. \u201cYou will not speak again until asked.\u201d Adam drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cAxton, both of these children have misbehaved — on that we agree. That the matter must be dealt with is a given, but take a moment to consider how to best deal with it. The Cartwrights prefer to keep discipline a family matter.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not a little boy! We ain\u2019t talking about pecking her check behind the schoolhouse.\u201d Travis Crawford was sixteen, exactly six months older than Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took a step toward Axton. \u201cNo. If we were, I\u2019d be paddling his behind already.\u201d He flicked his eyes toward Travis and lowered his voice as if speaking only to the eldest Crawford, \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t call him a man, though, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Throughout the conversation, Hoss had kept his focus on his younger brother. He knew Adam needed to make Axton Crawford think of Joe as a child and not a young buck on the loose; he also knew Joe would take each reference to his youth as an insult. With Adam\u2019s last statement, he saw Joe\u2019s eyes spark and his body jerk; Hoss stepped directly into Joe\u2019s line of vision and gave a sharp, quick shake of his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Axton turned to look at his sister. Cindy Anne had been standing in the dark sobbing into her hands since her brothers had appeared. Adam stepped to his side; he spoke in a voice that reached only Axton\u2019s ears. \u201cHe\u2019s no more a man than she is a woman.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe has to be punished.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe broke the rules that our pa has set for his behavior, and I assure you Ben Cartwright never suffers disobedience lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Axton turned and looked directly into Adam\u2019s eyes. Adam barely more than mouthed the words, \u201cHe\u2019s my baby brother,\u201d the message that he would never allow a whip to touch Joe was clear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Axton turned and stared at the boy in his brothers\u2019 grasp. \u201cYou\u2019ve done wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Hoss both forgot to breathe until Little Joe\u2019s chin dropped, and he said simply, \u201cI\u2019m sorry; we shouldn\u2019t have left the dance. My pa taught me better.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust like your pa taught you boys.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice slipped in behind his brother\u2019s, \u201cStill, I expect there ain\u2019t one of us here ain\u2019t kissed a pretty gal at a dance or such.\u201d His tone was light and cajoling and bespoke gentle memories.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Axton turned back to Adam. \u201cHe will be held to account?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve my word.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not to speak to her.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe won\u2019t unless your family gives permission.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBoys, let him go.\u201d Axton gave the order in a clear, flat tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou sure, Axton?\u201d Their cousin voiced the question, but Beau and Travis kept their hold on Joe until Axton replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet him go. We\u2019re taking Cindy Anne home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s knees almost buckled as he was released, but he stayed upright as the Crawfords gathered around Cindy Anne and led her away. Hoss reached Joe seconds before Adam and shook his head sadly as he stared down at the boy. Little Joe swallowed trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. \u201cAdam,\u201d he croaked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam raised his hand and shook a pointed finger in Joe\u2019s face. \u201cDon\u2019t! Don\u2019t say a word, not now and not on the way home. Get on Cochise . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Cindy Anne. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss watched Adam\u2019s jaw clench. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit late, boy, to start thinking about the consequences for that little gal if her pa finds out. Just ya go get on your horse like Adam said and leave things be until we\u2019re home,\u201d he chided while steering his younger brother away from his older. When Joe was out of ear shot, Hoss said, \u201cHe\u2019ll mind now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes, he\u2019ll mind now.\u201d The comment ended with grinding teeth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou gonna tell Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam brought his hand to his nose and rubbed the bridge. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me not to, Hoss. If Alistair Crawford finds out, this might not be over.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think them boys will be telling Mr. Crawford. Cindy Anne\u2019s the baby and a gal. They want Joe punished, not Cindy Anne.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStill, they\u2019re bringing home a girl whose eyes are swollen from weeping; they may not be able to avoid telling their folks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrue. Still. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s necessary, and you heard me give my word.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, ya promised he\u2019d be held to account, but ya didn\u2019t say who would be doing the accounting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you really think it should be me?\u201d Adam\u2019s tone was sharp and bitter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know ya hate it, but . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just that, Hoss. I do think Pa needs to know, that he needs to be aware, that he\u2019s the one to handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI expect you\u2019re right; it\u2019s just that Joe\u2019s not likely to see it that way.\u201d Hoss shifted nervously and looked in the direction that Little Joe had gone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Little Joe will see it as his older brother tattling to his pa, so he will be in trouble for something that he\u2019s sure that brother has done himself.\u201d Adam\u2019s curse was barely audible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss placed his hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder and squeezed. \u201cPart of him knows it ain\u2019t like that.\u201d Adam made no reply. Hoss sighed and offered, \u201cMaybe, well, this time I could. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head and smiled slowly. \u201cYou\u2019d never get the words out. No, I\u2019ll see to it. Go ahead with Joe, but keep him in the barn until I get there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure. He ain\u2019t gonna be in no hurry to run into Pa no how.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t suppose so.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was hard-edged. \u201cI\u2019ll see to our leave-taking. We don\u2019t want people wondering where all the Crawfords and Cartwrights disappeared to all of a sudden.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d Hoss took a few steps and then said, \u201cAdam . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t, Hoss; just get the boy home.\u201d Adam strode back toward the dance while Hoss headed toward the horses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss chewed his lip and studied his younger brother\u2019s back as he followed him home. He did not even attempt a conversation but waited for Little Joe to speak first as they unsaddle their horses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s gonna tell Pa, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wondering just how many times Little Joe had asked him that exact question, Hoss sighed before answering. \u201cHe thinks it\u2019s necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe snorted. \u201cI just bet he does!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow don\u2019t you go getting in a temper! It was you that. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMessed up, and now Adam\u2019s gonna see that Pa knows all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt ain\u2019t that way, Joe.\u201d Hoss\u2019 tone was chiding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll I did was kiss a girl.\u201d Little Joe\u2019s voice had developed a whine. \u201cIs that so bad? You were the one that said all you had done the same. I bet even Pa kissed girls before he was married.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t go trying that argument with Pa; he\u2019s done blistered all our behinds for things he did and got blistered for when he was growing. It ain\u2019t so much that ya kissed her anyways; ya broke the rules, Pa\u2019s rules. The fact that ya didn\u2019t deserve that horsewhip don\u2019t mean ya don\u2019t deserve no consequences. Pa has reasons for his rules. You should be able to figure out some of the reasons he set those ya broke tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSaved your hide, boy!\u201d Hoss declared as his eyes sparked. \u201cIf he hadn\u2019t noticed ya gone and come after, well, you\u2019d have a lot more powerful hurt than anything Pa would ever do to ya.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI could have. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss snorted. \u201cOnly a foolish little boy could make himself believe you could have taken on all four of them Crawfords. Lord, Joe, it wouldn\u2019t have been no sure thing if the three of us would have had to fight them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe let his temper surge, \u201cI\u2019m not a little boy! First Adam and now you. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss grabbed his brother by the shirt, gave him a shake, and then shook his head knowing Little Joe always picked being mad over being scared. \u201cAdam did the best job of settling things he could. Even if we\u2019d fought them boys off tonight, you would have had to worry about that whip when you went out alone later. Unless Mr. Crawford stirs things up again, which I don\u2019t think will happen, well, things will get settled tonight.\u201d Hoss watched the anger drain from Joe\u2019s face and released his hold.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s chin dropped, and he dug the toe of his boot into the dirt floor. \u201cPa\u2019s gonna be so mad. Maybe. . . I heard Adam give his word, but maybe<\/p>\n . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gonna have to answer for what ya done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know, but. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d rather answer to Adam than Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s already mad; Pa ain\u2019t yet.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shaking his head yet again, Hoss just said, \u201cFinish up with Cochise.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had not yet arrived when Hoss and Joe had both finished with their horses. Hoss walked over to the open barn door and leaned his back against the jam. He gazed out at the night sky as he spoke to his brother, \u201cJoe, I\u2019ve got it in my mind to tell ya what I think ya should do, so here it is. You need to go in there and tell Pa before Adam does.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTell Pa? But Adam might decide. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just it. Adam shouldn\u2019t have to decide. He shouldn\u2019t have to decide, and he shouldn\u2019t have to be the one to walk up to Pa and hear him roar and have him glaring at him. He shouldn\u2019t have to feel guilty because the look on Pa\u2019s face says he didn\u2019t keep a good enough eye on ya.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Feel guilty? Pa don\u2019t blame. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe does some. Oh, not after he simmers down, but them first few seconds after Adam tells him, sometimes he does, and Adam sees it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I. . .I never. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, ya ain\u2019t never and neither have I, \u2018cause Adam\u2019s always been the one. Well, he\u2019s elder brother and that\u2019s the way of things, but if you\u2019re so dang set on not being a kid, ya should go on up to the house and tell Pa, so Adam don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had my say. I\u2019m gonna stay here and wait for Adam. You go on. If ya tell Pa or not, well, that\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe trudged silently past his brother to the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam led Sport into the barn and looked around. Seeing only Hoss, he asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss stood and shifted from one foot to another before he said, \u201cJoe\u2019s up to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat? I told you to keep him in the barn until I got here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know ya did, but, well, I sent him up to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s brow furrowed, and his hands moved to his hips. \u201cYou sent him up to the house? Hoss. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI sent him to tell Pa about what happened tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou sent Joe to tell Pa!\u201d Surprise put an edge on Adam\u2019s exclamation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I did. I don\u2019t know if he will, but we\u2019re gonna wait here and give him a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cOur little brother isn\u2019t much for confession even when he knows he is well and truly caught.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, he ain\u2019t, and, like I said, I don\u2019t know that he will tell Pa, but I told him he should.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou told him he should.\u201d Adam repeated and rolled his eyes again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and I told him why, and I think maybe he\u2019s grown enough to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This time Adam snorted. \u201cI suppose you told him I was sure to tell Pa and he could make a better tale of it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, that ain\u2019t what I told him.\u201d Hoss moved closer to his brother. \u201cIt\u2019s no matter what I told him. We\u2019re gonna give him time to tell Pa on his own and Pa time to deal with him if he does.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam tilted his head to look directly into his younger brother\u2019s eyes as his arms slowly moved across his chest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve settled my mind on it, Adam,\u201d Hoss stated as he returned his brother\u2019s stare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s hands tucked themselves into his armpits. \u201cI see. Well, then, I\u2019ll just give Sport the grooming he deserves.\u201d Adam turned toward his horse and muttered, \u201cMissouri mule!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss moved to Sport\u2019s opposite side. \u201cI\u2019ll give ya a hand then.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked across the horse\u2019s back. He knew that his brother had heard his last comment. \u201cYou are, you know, but then you\u2019re my favorite Missouri mule.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 smile showed the gap in his teeth. \u201cNever hurts to be somebody\u2019s favorite.\u201d Together they gave Sport a thorough rubdown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having accomplished everything feasible in the barn, Adam and Hoss walked to the open door. There was now a light in Little Joe\u2019s room, and the door to the house stood open. Silhouetted against the door was a man they both knew must be their father. The two brothers looked at each other, and Adam gave Hoss a backhanded pat to his stomach. Then the two of them walked across the yard. Stepping up onto the porch, both Adam and Hoss surveyed Ben Cartwright. Each of them noted that the belt Ben had been wearing earlier was no longer threaded through his belt loops.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe told you then?\u201d Adam kept the volume of his inquiry low.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, he told me.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice still held an edge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa. . .\u201d Hoss began, but Adam\u2019s voice overrode his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. I should have kept a better eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve nothing to apologize for, Adam. According to Joe, you prevented a bad situation from becoming much worse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThose Crawford boys, well, Pa, they\u2019re way too hot-tempered, and, well, they was making a mountain out of a molehill. Adam handled it, though.\u201d Hoss used his most cajoling tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph said that he left the dance with the girl, took her out in the moonlight, and kissed her. Is there something more that I should know about his behavior?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat about sums it up, Pa. Like Hoss said, Cindy Anne\u2019s brothers were, well, being overprotective,\u201d Adam answered smoothly. Then his brow furrowed, and he added, \u201cShe appeared quite willing, Pa; Joe didn\u2019t. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI should hope not! Still, he\u2019s barely sixteen; she\u2019s younger if I\u2019m not mistaken. Is she even fifteen yet?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think she\u2019s only a few months younger than Joe, Pa; in fact, I\u2019m pretty sure,\u201d Hoss rushed to interject.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re both young, and I really don\u2019t think that . . . well, I think that kiss was all either of them expected of that walk in the moonlight.\u201d Adam\u2019s hand went to his left ear as he spoke and then tugged it several times. When his pa made no comment, he said softly, \u201cPa, Joe had a real scare out there tonight, much as he tried to act otherwise. I really don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be too quick to try it again with any girl.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s hand moved from his hip to his face, and he rubbed his chin. \u201cWell, I hope your younger brother has learned several lessons tonight.\u201d He dropped his hand and asked, \u201cDo I need to speak with Alistair Crawford?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam cleared his throat and then answered, \u201cI don\u2019t think. . . well, Hoss and I both think that Cindy Anne\u2019s brothers will probably not say anything to their father, so, well, unless someone else wakes those sleeping dogs, I\u2019d just let them lie, Pa. If Alistair Crawford, well, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll come to you if he, well, if the two of you need to talk.\u201d Adam and Hoss both held their breath until their father answered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you’re right. I\u2019ve dealt with Joe, so. . .\u201d Ben moved so that he suddenly caught sight of his sons\u2019 faces in the light from the door. Shaking his head, he reached out and patted Hoss on the back and then placed his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat\u2019s done is done, and I\u2019ve forgiven Joe, so you two needn\u2019t look like you\u2019ll be attending his funeral tomorrow. There\u2019s only one more thing I want to say before we put the matter behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank the two of you for looking out for your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw, Pa!\u201d Hoss smiled and ducked his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks needed,\u201d Adam said with a smile of his own.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam heard his door creak followed by his name. He looked up from his seat on the edge of the bed and saw his younger brother in the slit created by the partially opened door. Setting down the boot he had just removed, he asked, \u201cIs there something you need, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe slipped into the room before he answered, \u201cI, uh, I, uh… are you mad?\u201d He had stopped just inside the door and shifted nervously from one foot to another.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad,\u201d Adam answered matter-of-factly and reached down to tug off his other boot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His brother edged a foot closer and then stopped again. \u201cYou sure? Umm, \u2018cause you\u2019ve got cause to be.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam set down the second boot next to the first. \u201cI know I do, but I\u2019m not, not now anyway.\u201d He gave his brother a long, contemplative stare as the boy once again shifted from bare foot to bare foot and rubbed his hand down the side of his night shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swallowing convulsively, Little Joe managed to utter, \u201cI\u2019m sorry for messing up your night, Adam. I\u2019ve done already talked to Hoss, and things are right with us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI told him that he could. . .if he was mad he could. . .he didn\u2019t, but, well you know Hoss. If you. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave I ever when Pa already has?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI accept your apology, little brother; things are right with us too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam, and thanks for saving my hide from them Crawfords.\u201d Little Joe made no move to leave, and Adam motioned toward the bed. Joe slowly made his way toward his brother, but when he reached the bed, he did not sit down only stared at the floor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never let anyone do that to you, Joe. You know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEven if I deserved it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou deserved what Pa gave you, Joe, no more, and no, I would never think you deserved that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Crawfords. . .\u201d Little Joe\u2019s words sputtered to a halt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCindy Anne\u2019s brothers overreacted, but then. . .Joe, I think maybe they were so angry because they were mostly scared for a little girl they love.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t ever do anything to hurt a girl!\u201d Little Joe\u2019s voice was filed with indignation, and he looked directly at Adam for the first time since he had entered the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you wouldn\u2019t; I know you wouldn\u2019t, and the Crawfords probably don\u2019t really believe you would either, but, Joe, there are men that would, and if you could lead Cindy Anne away from what she\u2019s been told, what she\u2019s been taught, well, then. . .\u201d Adam watched Little Joe\u2019s eyes drop once again to the floor. \u201cAnd there\u2019s the fact that they were right about a girl\u2019s reputation. Joe, a reputation is a fragile thing, easily broken and very hard to repair. In this sort of thing, well, for a girl. . . folks can be really hard on the girl, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe bit his lip. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd some fathers are not as quick to forgive as Pa is.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Crawford?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know him well enough to say, but, like Hoss said, I don\u2019t think Cindy Anne\u2019s brothers will say anything to their father.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope not.\u201d The tremble in Joe\u2019s voice caused Adam to reach out and pulled Joe toward him. \u201cI didn\u2019t, I mean, I didn\u2019t think. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam allowed a small smile to flit across his lips. \u201cJoe, you might have noticed this is one time I haven\u2019t asked you what in tarnation you were thinking.\u201d He squeezed his brother\u2019s arm. \u201cThat\u2019s because I know just what you were thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe blushed. \u201cAdam!\u201d Then the indignation left his voice. \u201cI just wanted to be with her, and maybe, well, I just wanted to kiss her.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2018s hand squeezed gently as he said, \u201cI know, but there are some steep inclines where if you drop a ball, it just rolls right away from you. That\u2019s why Pa sets rules, Joe, so things don\u2019t roll away from you and right over a cliff.\u201d Adam watched Joe\u2019s fingers pluck nervously at the bedclothes. \u201cKissing Cindy Anne wasn\u2019t what was bad; your disobeying, your getting her to disobey and not thinking about the consequences for her, that\u2019s what Pa punished you for. The kiss, well, you and she, especially Cindy Ann, are just too young is all.\u201d Adam heard his brother\u2019s sigh. Smiling, he patted Joe\u2019s back, “Now, when you\u2019re grown…\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa will still have rules.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah, but. . .\u201d Adam\u2019s grin flashed a message to his brother, and the shadows left Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s own eyes grew serious again. \u201cJoe, you know you can\u2019t speak to Cindy Anne or send her a note or anything like that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI heard you tell Axton.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam recognized the lack of agreement in his brother\u2019s voice. He took Joe\u2019s chin in his hand and stared directly into his eyes. \u201cYou will not, little brother, is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, Adam, I just . . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know, and when the dust settles, I intend to speak to Axton.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you ask him to tell Cindy Anne I\u2019m sorry I got her in trouble and, well, I didn\u2019t. . .I just. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll ask him to let Cindy Anne know that you did not mean to hurt her and did nothing out of a lack of respect for her, also that your not speaking to her will be only out of respect for her family\u2019s wishes. Will that do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Little Joe turned and gazed at the door. \u201cAdam, have you kissed lots of girls?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, that would depend on what you consider lots, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned and looked down at Adam. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to tell me, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but then neither am I going to ask you about your other kisses,\u201d Adam retorted smoothly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy other, but. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Hoss and I saw that kiss clearly enough to see that it was most definitely not your first.\u201d Adam\u2019s grin was wicked. Little Joe sputtered but failed to form a bona fide word. \u201cActually, I\u2019m gratified that you\u2019ve managed to follow one rule.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s brow furrowed. \u201cWhat rule?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat a gentleman doesn\u2019t kiss and tell.\u201d Adam swung his hand slowly enough for his fingertips to swat only cloth as Little Joe dodged away. He leaned back on his elbows and smiled at his little brother. Joe caught the smile and returned one of his own. Then he turned and walked toward his own room. As Joe closed the door of Adam\u2019s bedroom behind him, the smiles on both brothers\u2019 lips shifted slightly as each remembered something he would not tell.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****End*****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n