week180

 

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by
Maggie

Adam felt as if the breath had all been squeezed out of his lungs, when finally Hoss let him free he had to inhale before speaking. Those few seconds gave him time to look at his middle brother, less hair, and wider, a smile played across his own face was he not the same.
"Good to see you Hoss, where's Joe?"
"He'll be back tonight, took some horses to sell over in Placerville," as Hoss said this he placed arm around Adam and turned him away from fence where he had tied his mount and they headed towards the big ranch house door.
Adam stopped and looked at hoss, wanting to ask yet dreading the answer, "How's Pa?"
A slight frown momentarily crossed the usually happy face of middle brother, " Well to be truthfull not to good, he's had two bouts of pneumonia this winter, but will be all the better for seeing you, lets go brother" The smile returned and Hoss lead Adam towards the house.
Tears welled behind Adam's eyes as he entered the home he had not been in for five years. The floors were newly polished; the sofa still stood infront of the coffee table which in turn was sat infront of the big stone fireplace, where great logs burned merrily away. The smell of Hop Sings cooking permeated the air, and reminded Adam he hadn't eaten in hours, but first things first.
"Do you mind if I go up alone, please Hoss?" Adam asked the question quietly, he didn't want to just go rushing up the stairs as if he still lived here, it wasn't his home nowadays after all.
"You do just that brother, and I'll go get Hop Sing make some coffee and sandwiches for ya." Hoss watched his brother walk up the stairs and smiled a broad grin, boy just wait until Joe got home, he thought.
Adam tapped on Ben's door, no answer, so gently he pushed the door open, he could see his father, pale amongst the white sheets and with white hair now set an eerie feel to the place. Adam approached the bed, his father was breathing, that much he could see from the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Adam sat in a chair at right side of his fathers bed and placing his elbows on his knees and placing his hands together bit into his knuckle as he prayed for his father to return to good health.
He didn't know how long he had been in that chair, he hadn't heard Hoss come in with the sandwiches and coffee or softly leave again. He came awake to the sound of his fathers voice "Adam...........
Shaking himself awake and feeling the pain shoot down his back from sitting awkwardly Adam stood from his seat and made a new one on his fathers bed. There was no need for futher words as they hugged each other.
Ben had a sudden fit of coughing that alarmed Adam, but it settled after he had taken the offered drink of water his son quickly gave him. "You alright Pa?" concern making lines appear on Adam's forehead.
"I'll be alright son, now I'll be alright, so good to have you home son." With those words Ben once more fell into sleep, but this time a relaxed and refreshing one.
Downstairs now Adam went and said Hello to Hop Sing, the man was pleased to see Adam home and said he had ready a good meal to welcome him home.
"We might as well eat now Hop Sing" said Hoss, turning towards Adam, "Joe might be late home"
Adam took the seat opposite his brother. "It's mighty good to see you again Adam, and a good time for you to be here while Pa's so poorly, what made you come back?"
For a moment Adam did not answer then he said "You really do not know why?
"Now would I be askin ya, ifin I knew why?"
Adam smiled ruefully, "Guess I'm still too tired to think straight, sorry" Before he could say anymore they heard the door bang shut.
Joseph Cartwright had returned home. He slung his holster and gun on the Credenza and hung his hat and green jacket on the pegs before rounding the corner to see what Hop Sing had got him for supper.
Adam had stood upon hearing Joe's entry into the house, thankfully somethings hadn't changed, Adam was pleased to think.
Joe's eyes took in Adam, Hoss and then Adam again, he flung himself into his older brothers arms. "I knew you'd come home Adam, I just knew you would, I'm so pleased to see ya, hey that beard tickles, you keeping it?"laughed Joe.
"Yup" was the only reply.
Hop Sing came in with food for Joe, "Mister Joe sit and eat" Joe was too excited but after Hoss told him to calm down and eat something he did just that, interspersed with questions for Adam.
After supper they sat together in front of the fire, Joe and Adam on the Sofa and Hoss in what had been Adam's favourite blue chair.
"How did Jamie's graduation go?" asked Hoss.
"Very well, and by the way my new little brother is very nice, we got along fine, he sends his love and will be home soon." Adam had been asked to attend the graduation ceremony because Hoss and Joe could not leave Ben who was very ill at the time. The mail had only reached Adam just in time before he left San Francisco, mail was always directed to him via his late Grandpa's shipping company which had offices in San Francisco. Adam had been pleased to go and had gotten along with Jamie,who told him about the families latest news and his own future hopes when he joined a local law firm.
"So Jamie gave you my letter, is that what bought you home" Joe asked his older brother.
Hoss pricked up his ears, "whats that, you wrote and asked Adam to come home Joe?
"Yeah, I know we said Adam was free to do as he pleased, its his life, okay, but we need him here, Pa needs him, you need him and so do I." Joe crossed his arms over his chest and dared either brother to contradict him.
"You think you are big enough to do it Joe?" Adam queried, a glint in his eyes.
Joe had to think for a moment then, a wicked grin crossed his face, his arms flung out at Adam, trying to bend him forwards, they both tugged at each other for a few minutes.
"Whats going on you two?" asked a fearful hoss.
By now Adam had little Joe across his knees, and he gave him a gentle swat.
Joe got up smiling, "Well someday I'll get you back" he laughed.
"Thats what Joe put in his letter Hoss, that he would take me over his knee, next time he saw me, like I used to when he was a naughty kid and Pa wasn't around"
The conversation with the brothers went on long into the night.
Next day Adam went into Ben's room taking with him lunch on a tray, the three boys had slept way past breakfast. Adam watched as his father ate his fill.
Then taking the tray and setting it on the bedside table Adam resumed his seat on the bed, he had taken yesterday."Pa, I have something to ask you."
"What is it, son, anything you know that."
"May I come home again, please Sir?"
Ben pulled his eldest to him, "Thats one thing you never need ask, this is your home as much as mine and your brothers, always has been and always will be." The old man's heart was filled to bursting at this happy news.
"There is something else, Pa" Adams eyes searched his fathers face, "I will not be coming alone."
Ben was overjoyed, "what do you mean? You haven't found a wife have you?"
Adam smiled and nodded, "yes Elisabeth is waiting for me in town, she was too tired to travel further last night, I am going now to fetch her."
"Elizabeth, same name as your mother!" Ben was amazed and so happy."Well don't hang around here, go on boy bring her home"
Adam left to do as he was bid and Ben Cartwright decided that he would not meet his daughter in law from his bed but from his red chair in the lounge. "Hoss" he bellowed, "Bring me some clothes"
Hoss and Joe helped Adam and Liz from the buggy. They all hugged and both boys enjoyed meeting their new sister.
Ben stood as the dark haired, laughing eyed young lady, walked in the room, flanked by his three sons, he held out his arms to her, "Welcome to your new home my dear" he said as she walked into his open arms, she kissed his cheek and said "Thank you Mr. Cartwright for that lovely welcome"
Ben sat in his chair and motioned for her to sit on the sofa near him, he intended having a nice long chat with this lady to fill him in on things his son had omitted from telling him, like how soon was he to be a grandpa, because he could see from the size of his daughter in law the event would not be too far off.
"Come on Adam lets put the buggy away" Hoss said as he and Joe headed outside, Adam followed them, knowing his home coming was truly welcomed.
The End.

 

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