By Nanuk
~
Hoss Cartwright tiptoed through the door, holding the little boy’s hand tight in his, determined to get past HopSing and to the bowl of cookies standing in plain sight on the kitchen table.
His stomach almost rumbled with anticipation but with sheer power of mind he willed it to be quiet. HopSing was known to hear mice sneezing under the floorboards.
Steadily he made his way nearer and nearer to the bowl, ignoring the constant tugging at his hand.
Then, all of a sudden, the floor creaked. HopSing whirled around, holding a large kitchen knife in his outstretched hand. Hoss froze.
Sighing deeply, HopSing lowered the knife and glared at Hoss.
“You teaching boy nonsense?” he demanded to know. Hoss went bright red.
“Uhm, no, see…little Jamie here was hungry an’ I thought I’d get him something nice an’ warm and …” he finished lamely and avoided looking at Jamie, who, although he didn’t say anything, stared at Hoss with eyes that promised retribution later. Hoss gulped.
HopSing smiled. The little scamp wasn’t to let people use him.
He took the bowl from the table and offered it to a beaming Jamie. The boy took two, politely thanked HopSing and gave one to Hoss who didn’t think he could feel more embarrassed.
From the doorway came a deep laugh. Startled, all of them turned. Ben grinned and lifted his hands in apology.
“I happened to stop by and just wanted to see whether HopSing needed any help.”
Fondly he stroked the little boy’s cheek.
“Why don’t you go out and see whether Joe needs any help with the horses?” he asked.
Jamie eagerly looked at him. “May I?”
Waiting for Ben’s nod, he turned to the door, but stopped halfway and turned to HopSing.
“May I have another cookie”, he asked, “for Joe?”
The cook grinned and offered the bowl, then watched with Ben and Hoss as the dark head disappeared through the door.
Hoss shook his head in wonderment. He looked at Ben and noticed the faraway look on his father’s face. He smiled sadly.
“He’s a lot like him, isn’t he, Pa?” he asked quietly. “A lot like Adam.”
Ben, startled awake, lifted his gaze and Hoss could see that his eyes were wet. He had been thinking of the grave on the hillside, too.
Ben sighed and gave Hoss a tiny smile.
“Yes. Very much like him.
So very much.”
~
The end