The Load

By Firi

When strangers looked at Hoss Cartwright, they sometimes made the false assumption that this was another tough, roughened cowboy and usually wouldn’t give him another thought. But then he would meet their eyes and give them a wide smile that made his eyes light up happily. From just that brief exchange, they would then realize that this wasn’t the typical man of the West. When they spoke to him, they found a gentle, caring, and good-natured man who would accept them for who they were and not judge them by their past wrongs. To many people it seemed that anger and sadness were not a part of Hoss, but they had never seen him like he was today. Standing alone outside the Ponderosa ranch house with his hands in his pockets and his eyes staring vacantly at nothing. He was a human like everyone else.

The three Cartwright sons had just ridden in from working out on the ranch that morning. Adam and Joe had already gone inside, but Hoss had stayed behind. Ben quietly approached him.

“Hi Pa.” Hoss said when he finally realized Ben was beside him. His voice was sullen and deadened. Far from the lively tone Ben was used to.

Masking his sad thoughts, Ben lightly replied, “Hello son. Hop Sing just about has lunch ready. Aren’t you coming in?”

Hoss shook his head. “I think I’ll be headin’ out now, Pa. Less’n you’ve got somethin’ ya want me to do.”

“No son. You can go on. Why don’t you have Hop Sing fix you something to take with you.” His son may be a grown man, but Ben couldn’t keep all of his parental instincts silent.

“I’ll do that, Pa.”

Hoss slowly walked towards the house, his tall frame slumped as though he carried a great weight.

Adam and Joe were coming down the stairs when Hoss entered. Seeing his brother, Joe teasingly called out, “Hey Hoss, you better hurry up. I’m so hungry I just might eat your share of the grub.”

“Go ahead and take it, Joe.” Hoss said as he disappeared around the corner into the kitchen.

The brothers stopped short at his words. Any appetite they had had was suddenly replaced by the old, familiar sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach. Every day they hoped for Hoss to be himself again, and every day they were disappointed.

Joe sighed. Hoss’s coldness stung, but he didn’t hold it against his brother. He partly blamed himself for Hoss’s pain. It was Adam and him that had cruelly woken Hoss to the truth about that woman. Though it had been for the best, Joe couldn’t help feeling guilty. He looked at his oldest brother, wondering if he felt any doubt.

Adam stared back and quietly said, “We did the right thing, Joe. You know that.”

“Yeah.” Joe mumbled. Leave it to Adam to know what he was thinking. It was a little annoying at times when he did that, but Joe was glad for Adam’s reassurance, though he still didn’t feel completely exonerated.

The front door opened again and Ben entered. “Has Hoss been in here?” he asked.

“Yeah, he went into the kitchen.” Adam answered.

“Did you want him for something, Pa?” Joe asked.

“No. I just wondered.” Ben walked to his desk, picked up a few papers and began to sort through them. “Adam, I want you to go into town this afternoon for a couple things.”

“Alright, Pa. Did you…” Adam trailed away as they heard a horse leave the yard.

“It’s just Hoss.” Ben said, even though they all knew who it was.

“Going for a ride again?” Adam said almost to himself.

“I just don’t understand why he’s moping over her so much. Can’t he see she’s not worth it?” Joe exclaimed. “Sometimes I wish we hadn’t just let her walk away. I can think of a few words I would like to have with her.”

“That’s enough, young man.” Ben said firmly, though he sounded no less upset. “We’ve been over this before. We don’t know what all Hoss is thinking but getting ourselves all worked up won’t help him or anything else.”

“And it was better just to let her go.” Adam added calmly. “Having a few words with her, as you put it, in front of Hoss wouldn’t have solved anything.”

Joe looked down and let the subject drop. A heavy silence settled in the room. Each of them was just as unsettled as the other, though they all had different ways of dealing with it.

Ben stood by his desk, his brow furrowed, staring hard out the window in the direction his son had gone. The papers were forgotten. Adam had crossed his arms and was obviously in deep thought as he appeared to study his father. Joe put one foot on the hearth and stared away into space. They were joined by the same feeling of helplessness that consumed them when it came to their son and brother. Hoss didn’t seem to even want sympathy or anything from them. He rode away everyday for hours at a time. When he was with them he was always distant. Although he did try at times to smile and talk with them, it was strained and obviously forced on Hoss’s part. There seemed to be nothing to do but wait, and every human being knows the difficulty of that ugly word.

When Hop Sing hurried into the room and called for them to sit down for lunch, they stirred from their positions as ones waking from a deep sleep. Without a word, they walked to the table for no other reason than to appease their cook.

As he sat down, Joe thought of the cracked wagon wheel he need to fix that afternoon. It wasn’t the only thing broken around the Ponderosa, he thought to himself.

****************

It was the mid-afternoon lull in the Sazerac saloon. A few customers occupied the poker table in the back, but Adam was alone in the main room. Even the bartender had stepped out for a moment.

Adam didn’t know why he had chosen this particular saloon over The Bucket of Blood to visit today. Although he told himself he just wasn’t in the mood for the constant revelry of The Bucket of Blood, he knew that wasn’t quite it. He leaned onto the bar and had just started sipping his beer when she walked in.

Helen Layton.

The woman who had unmercifully broken his brother’s heart in this very place just days before, and left him hurting without a backward glance. Adam’s eyes hardened when he saw her. Aside from the darkened circles under her eyes, she appeared much as she had the last time he’d seen her. He had hoped she had left town for good with the stuffed shirt she had snared seconds after Hoss learned her incriminating secret.

The attractive gambler paused when she saw Adam staring at her. Nervousness flashed across her face but was quickly hidden. With a look of remorse, she slowly approached him. Adam coolly watched her advance until she timidly placed her hands on the end of the bar next to him.

“Hello, Adam.”

“Good afternoon.” His tone was laced with hostility.

She was obviously unsettled by his manner, but she swallowed once and braved onward.

“I…I wanted to inquire after Hoss. How is he?”

“I should think my brother’s well being to be the least of your concerns, Mrs. Layton. You have to worry about keeping your new pocketbook from discovering your less flattering charms.”

She blushed at his words, but Adam felt no regret. Outwardly he was cold, but calm. Inwardly was another matter. His response to Joe about having a few words with this woman came to mind, but he pushed them aside. After all, Hoss wasn’t here now.

“I know I deserved that. Even so, it still hurts.” She said quietly.

Adam shrugged. “Truth can be painful.”

“Oh, Adam don’t torture me so! I’ve been hoping to see you again.” Tears formed in her eyes. Adam was not moved.

“Curious. My hope was you were in the next county by now.”

“I know your anger at me is because of how I treated your brother, but–“

“How you used my brother.”

“Yes, I used him. But you must believe me–“

“Why?”

Helen slammed her hand down onto the counter in frustration. “If you would stop interrupting me for just a moment I might be able to tell you!”

Smirking at her display, Adam took a long drink of his beer. An unspoken sign for her to continue.

“I willingly admit I’ve been a terrible person.” Her voice was more controlled now. “I made a mistake during my marriage with Josh and now I regret what I did to him. After his death I knew I had to do something or who knows what would have become of me. Our money was practically gone.”

“By your own fault, I might add.”

“By my own fault.” She nodded. “I didn’t know what to do to support myself. What sort of job could I have gotten? I turned to using men for gambling. I didn’t mean for it to go so far but it got out of hand as I guess these things tend to do. I originally saw Hoss as another man with a large wallet, but I swear to you, Adam, I did and do feel something for your brother.”

“I wouldn’t add swearing to the crime of lying if I were you, Mrs. Layton.”

She looked down sadly. “I don’t blame you for not believing me. I knew you wouldn’t.”

“Then why bother telling me?”

“I wanted to apologize for the hurt I caused, and…” She hesitated a moment before softly saying, “I wanted to know how Hoss was.”

Without responding, Adam drained the rest of his beer and placed the glass down. He reached in his pocket and tossed a coin on the counter. Its tinkling thud was the only sound in the saloon aside from the muffled murmurs in the back room.

“How did he find out, Mrs. Layton?”

Starting at the soft-spoken question, Helen’s downcast eyes suddenly flew upwards. “I don’t understand.”

“I think you do.” Adam’s stare was hard.

“I…I…what do you mean he?”

“Your gentleman friend.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Then let me explain. He found out what you wanted him for didn’t he? He hightailed it out of town and you’re left without the means to, shall we say, employ your hidden talent.” Adam glanced at the table in the back.

Helen followed his gaze, but quickly averted her eyes back to him. “Now Adam, surely…”

“So now you’ve come to me. Why?”

“Really, Adam! How do you think Hoss would-”

“A trifle late for that, Mrs. Layton. I saw your hesitation at the door. Trying to decide between using blackmail or trusting to my pity? I must say, the former would have gotten you farther than the latter.”

“Adam! You must think I have no heart at all!”

“Heart?” Adam repeated. “Nerve perhaps, but heart? Really, Mrs. Layton.”

“Fine.” She spat out with barely contained fury. “You’ve done nothing but insult and mock me since I first came in.”

“But I’ve been right.” Adam shot back.

Silently, she turned with an indignant air and hurried towards the door.

“I could turn you over to the sheriff, you know.”

She stopped.

“You did gamble away five thousand dollars of my father’s money without authorization.” He paused a bit before adding, “But I’d prefer to see you on the afternoon stage instead of a jail cell.”

Slowly, she turned to face him.

“I’ll give you a little money and then see you off.”

Still leaning against the bar, Adam waited patiently for her reaction. She studied him a moment then smiled.

“How much?” she asked.

“Enough.” Adam took her arm and led her out of the saloon. “Allow me to escort you to the stage, Mrs. Layton.”

****************

Hoss rode aimlessly along the edge of the Ponderosa. During the past few days he had found himself seeking solitude. He knew it hurt Pa and his brothers to see him wander away so distractedly every day, but he couldn’t help it. Distance and time was what he kept telling himself he needed. He held no blame against his brothers for what they had done to him. Actually, he had to admit he was grateful to them, but the pain was still there and they couldn’t really understand. He realized now that he hadn’t really loved Helen as much as he should, but he had cared for her.

Still, it wasn’t only a broken and betrayed heart he was nursing, but a guilty conscience as well. Why couldn’t he have seen through this women? He let himself fall for her and had trusted her word above his own father’s! Adam never would have done something so foolish. No, Adam was the clever one. Even Joe would have seen reason once Pa put the facts to him.

“Then again maybe not.” Hoss said aloud, unable to keep from grinning as he thought of his sometimes hot headed little brother.

But him? He was Hoss, the friendly, but slow giant. The one you could easily put one over on. Never before had he felt his way of easily trusting people was a bad thing, now he wasn’t so sure.

The sound of horses broke into his thoughts. Coming back to reality, he found himself by a road on the outside of the Ponderosa and a stagecoach was approaching rapidly from town. Hoss stopped his horse and waited for it to pass. The bearded driver waved his hand in greeting as the stage drew near. Hoss smiled and raised his hand in response. Then he froze. The stage had gone by him without slowing a bit, but he had been able to see inside it for a second. In that one small instance, his eyes had met hers.

He turned his horse and galloped away. He had no destination in mind, so he just let his horse run. Anywhere but this place would be fine with him. Sensing his rider’s agitation, Chubb began to race along the ground leaving a long trail of dust behind them, and Hoss did not slow him. Nothing existed to Hoss except the pain in his heart, the fervent need to run, and the sound of hooves pounding in his ears.

The frenzy did not last long though. His normal, caring nature snapped back in and he halted Chubb. Quickly dismounting, Hoss ran his hand over his horse’s neck. Sweat was heavy, but it fortunately hadn’t lathered yet. He apologetically patted Chubb and led him into the shade of the thickening trees. He sunk down heavily, took off his hat and rubbed a hand through his hair. His forehead pressed hard into his palm. The pounding still roared in his ears. Why wouldn’t it stop? It was growing louder…and louder…and louder…

Hoss squeezed his eyes shut, but it still grew louder...louder…

Then it whistled. His eyes flew open and he lowered his hand.

Someone was cheerfully whistling away somewhere through the trees. Attempting to calm his racing heart, he breathed in deeply and slowly expelled the air from his lungs.

A recently built fence caught his attention. It was curious for, as far as he knew, this bit of land was unoccupied. He followed the fence towards the lively tune. Someone had been working hard, for there signs of only one man doing enough work for two. The fence stretched far in the opposite direction, but it ended soon in the way Hoss was going.

At the end of it was the whistler bending over a pile of wooden rails. He wore a paint splattered work shirt and an old gray hat. Noticing a gun hanging at the stranger’s side, Hoss cleared his throat, hoping to alert the man to his presence without startling him.

“Howdy there, mister.” Hoss said.

The man whirled around with an exploding gun in his hand. Hoss briefly saw two wide, blue eyes as he threw himself to the ground. Three bullets bit into the tree behind him where his head had been.

“Look, mister,” Hoss shouted, “I didn’t mean to scare ya! I-”

“I got an idea of what you meant to do. Sneakin’ up on a body like that! I’ve a good mind to blow you clear to glory, and maybe even farther!”

Hoss’s own eyes widened, and he raised his head. “Doggone.” There was amazement in his voice.

The man turned his head warily to the side, “What is it?”

“You’re a she!” Hoss exclaimed.

“Don’t change the subject, stranger!” The “she” rolled her eyes in annoyance. It perfectly obvious she was a she. Perhaps one day this fellow had stood out in the sun too long without his hat.

She kept the gun aimed at him.

“Now, who are you and what are you doin’ on my land? Answer right quick or….land’s sake, boy! Shut your mouth, or are you waitin’ for a critter to fly in there?”

Hoss’s mouth closed with a snap. “Sorry ma’am.” He awkwardly tipped his hat from his position on the ground. “My name is Hoss Cartwright. I was out ridin’ and I didn’t know this land had been sold yet. I-”

“Me and Pa settled here over two weeks ago. You could have been neighborly and stopped by before now.”

The gun still pointed at Hoss’s chest.

“I reckon so, ma’m and I do apologize and-”

“You said your name was Cartwright?”

“Hoss Cartwright.”

Her glare relaxed slightly. “Folk in town said you Cartwrights were a fine, respectable family. Didn’t say nothin’ ‘bout how you like to creep up on a gal though.”

“I’m sure sorry ‘bout that, ma’am. I honest to goodness didn’t mean to scare ya.” Hoss tried to look as regretful as he could.

Apparently it worked for, much to his relief, she holstered her gun. “Alright, Mr. Cartwright. Just don’t do it again or I won’t miss ya next time.”

“I understand, ma’am.” Hoss slowly began to pick himself up.

The woman gave a curt nod and turned back to the rails. “Now, Hoss Cartwright, if you’ll excuse me. I got a lot more fencin’ to build today.” She bent to pick up one of the heavy poles.

Hurrying forward, Hoss took the pole from her. “Let me get that for you, ma’am.”

“What’s the idea?” Her gaze darkened again.

“I couldn’t let you lift this heavy-”

“Heavy? My foot! Don’t you see this fence here? Who do you think built it?” She fumed with her hands on her hips.

“You did, ma’am?” Hoss said unbelievingly, though it did make sense when you thought hard about it.

“You bet I did! And I didn’t need no highfalutin man to haul rails for me!” Her eyes glowered.

“What have you got against men, ma’am?”

“Now I don’t hold nothin’ against ‘em, least not ‘til they get the notion they can run things. But there are some of ‘em everyone would be better off without. The world’d be a lot happier without those lyin’, no good, heartless, cheatin’, low down, sneaky-”

“I apologize, ma’am.” Hoss suddenly broke in. “But the same could be said for women.”

“Could it?”

“Lyin’, heartless, fillies who wouldn’t think twice about…” He cut his words off abruptly. The women stared at him.

“I won’t bother ya anymore.” Hoss placed the heavy wood back on the pile and turned to leave.

“Broke your heart, did she?”

The quiet words instantly stopped Hoss. Keeping his back to her, he answered, “Yeah. My own fault it happened though.” The women grunted and he heard her walking towards him.

“Don’t believe I told ya my name did I? Bessie Sue Hightower.” She held out a callused hand.

Somewhat bewildered, Hoss reflexively took her hand and mumbled, “Pleased to meet you, Miss mmf…”

She had a strong grip.

“Pleasure’s all mine, Hoss.” Not noticing Hoss’s discomfort, Bessie Sue gave him a beaming smile that softened her features and brightened her eyes. For a moment she looked quite pretty.
Then she released his hand, brushed some of her blonde hair away from her face, and smacked him hard on the arm. “Well, let’s get on.” She walked back to the wood.

Hoss gingerly shook his hand. “Pardon me, ma’m?”

Looking at him over her shoulder, she barked, “Grab the other end.”

Suddenly understanding, Hoss took one end of the rail he had tried to lift earlier and she took the other. Together, they carried it to where she had been working.

“There’s another hammer in the wagon over there.” Bessie Sue nodded in the wagon’s direction. Still puzzled at her changed demeanor but too polite to say anything, Hoss complied. Once he had the hammer in hand, he began to drive a nail into the wood.

“Sonny, don’t tell me that’s all you got in ya. My Great Aunt Myrabelle Lou could’a put more heart into it than that.”

Baffled, Hoss looked at her but she returned his gaze evenly. Shaking his head, Hoss raised the hammer and brought it down forcefully. It slammed into the nail with a satisfying thud. Then he brought the hammer down again even harder. The louder thud was even more pleasing. Over and over he raised the hammer and swung it down. Each time more violent than the last. The pounding from his vicious blows echoed harshly in the trees as the hammer kept falling. Hoss began to pour all the anger and tension he had kept pent up into his swings. He beat down even harder and was shocked when the rail broke clear in two.

Panting, he wiped his sleeve across his forehead and looked at Bessie Sue. She was watching him with her hands back on her hips. Hoss gulped and opened his mouth to apologize, but she spoke first. “Well, you ought to feel better now. From the looks of things you’ve been needin’ that somethin’ fierce.”

Without answering, Hoss leaned onto one of the posts. Bessie Sue stood still and waited. Hoss glanced at her again, and the whole story came rushing out. Meeting the overwrought Helen in her empty home in San Francisco, taking her to dinner that first night, being captivated and flattered by her apparent attraction to him. He told how he thought he had loved her and angrily refused to believe his family’s warnings. Bessie Sue quietly listened as he recounted the day in the saloon when he discovered her heavily losing in a poker game and she left him for another man without a word.

“I was a fool.” He said when he had finished.

Bessie Sue raised her eyebrows, “Sounds like she was the muleheaded tomfool to me. But if you were the fool, we need more like ya. Takes some doin’ for a man to admit when he’s mistaken.” She eyed the damage Hoss had done to the fence. “Ya better fetch a new rail.”

At first Hoss didn’t move. He was a bit stunned at her response. After opening up to her like that, though he couldn’t say why he had, he was expecting a bit more. When she looked at him impatiently, he went for the rail. He had to admit he felt much lighter and more at peace with himself after letting all that out.

When he bent to pick up a rail, another pair of hands joined his. He looked up into Bessie Sue’s blue eyes.

“I don’t always remember ‘em, but I think the wisest words I ever heard were from my Pa. He once said ‘Even the heaviest load is carried easier by two, but Bessie Sue, ya gotta let someone help ya.’ I think he had somethin’ there.” She said.

“I think he did too, ma’am.” Hoss smiled at her, then they both lifted the rail. “Say Miss Hightower, how did that little tune go you were whistlin’ when I came up?” Hoss asked as they set it down.

Bessie Sue gave him a funny look, but he grinned in return. Rolling her eyes, She began hammering. For a minute Hoss didn’t think she was going to answer, but then she cleared her throat. Soon two voices, a faulty alto and an off-key baritone, happily resounded in the air.

****************

Three still figures sat listening to the great clock by the door chime the half-hour. Ben Cartwright sighed heavily as he looked at the vacant chair across the table. Hoss had never been gone this long before. Ben had been holding dinner for thirty minutes now, hoping his son would walk in at any moment.

Joe absently scratched at the tablecloth with his fork. “Maybe he just lost track of time, Pa. I’m sure he’s fine.” he offered feebly.

Shaking his head, Ben murmured, “I’m not so sure.”

Adam leveled a pointed look on his brother. “You remember how he looked when he went out this morning.”

Exasperated, Joe threw his fork down. “I was just trying to help.” He snapped.

Ben put a hand on his youngest’s arm. “We know, son. We all want to help Hoss. All we can do is give him time and-”

“Listen.” Adam suddenly interrupted. Surprised, they looked inquisitively at him, but he didn’t pay them any attention. His eyebrows were drawn tightly together as he concentrated.

Confused, Joe looked at his father, who shrugged and motioned for him to keep quiet. Then they heard it. The sound of someone coming up the road cheerfully singing away.

“Oh where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh where have you been, charming Billy?”

Cocking his head to one side, Joe murmured, “That almost sounds like Hoss.”

“I think it is.” Adam said.

Now they could hear horse hooves accompanying the singing that was coming closer and closer.

“Did she bid you to come in, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Did she bid you to come in, tell me Billy?
Yes, she bade me to come in,
There's a dimple in her chin.
She's a young thing
And cannot leave her mother.”

As the last word was belted out, the front door opened and in walked Hoss. He stood straight and tall, and his face was wrinkled in a carefree smile.

“It is Hoss!” Joe said with a squeak.

“Course it’s me, little brother.” Hoss’s eyes danced in amusement as he plunked his hat down next to his gun belt on the credenza.

“We’ve been holding supper for you.” Adam said casually. Concern still held all of them despite Hoss’s seeming lightheartedness.

“Sorry I’m late. I was givin’ the Hightowers a hand getting’ some fencin’ up.”

“That’s fine, son.” Ben said, unable to keep the relief out of his voice. Many unpleasant ideas had passed through his mind when his down hearted son had not returned home. Such is any parent’s wont, he thought to himself.

At that moment, Hop Sing came into the room carrying a steaming tray. Hoss sniffed its appetizing aroma and let out an appreciative groan. “I tell ya, Hop Sing, I could smell that roast beef a mile up the road.”

The cook looked pleased but said reprovingly, “Vely hard to keep food hot for so long. Next time Hop Sing not wait for numba two slow poke.”

“I’m sure sorry ‘bout that, Hop Sing. But I do promise to do my best never to do it again.” Hoss said. He seemed to be developing a knack for apologies today. Scowling, but silent, Hop Sing returned to the kitchen for the rest of the meal.

“Isn’t Hightower the man who bought that small ranch just north of here?” Ben asked.

Hoss nodded as he reached for a glass of water.

“We’ll have to ride over there sometime and make their acquaintance. And see if -”

Hoss choked.

When Ben looked his way, Hoss cleared his throat a few times to cover his involuntary action. “Yeah, Pa. I reckon that’d be a right good idea.” He said, trying to hide a grin. The meeting of his family and Bessie Sue was going to be interesting to say the least. He couldn’t wait to see it.

Hop Sing came back in with more hot trays and set them on the table. Then he stepped back and everyone bowed their heads as Ben said grace. When they all echoed “amen,” Hop Sing looked at Hoss. “Hop Sing glad numba two son back.” He smiled and walked to the kitchen.

Grinning, Hoss heartily dug into the bowl of potatoes. Ben, Adam, and Joe, who had all been carefully watching Hoss since his arrival, looked at each other and shared a smile of their own. Hop Sing was right. Hoss was back. The familiar light had returned to his eyes and the old easygoing tone was back in his voice. A load was lifted from all of them.

When Joe looked back at his big brother, his smile vanished. “Hey!” he hollered, “Save some of these for me, will ya?”

Innocently looking up from the giant pile of food on his plate, Hoss protested, “Come now, Little Joe. I’m a growing boy after all.”

“I certainly hope not.” Adam commented, arching an eyebrow.

“Hey now, Adam. Whose side of this are you on, anyhow?” Hoss said.

Adam quickly held up his hands. “Leave me out of this.”

Silently, Ben watched his younger sons fight over the bowl. He was thankful to have his family whole again. Seeing a son hurt and being powerless to ease his suffering was the worst feeling in the world. He thanked the Lord in his heart for his son’s healing.

Splat!

A lump of potatoes landed on the side of Ben’s face. Hoss and Joe stared at him in horror. Ben couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw Adam quickly hide a grin in his napkin. Ben turned a fierce glare on his sons. It would have been quiet terrifying were it not for the potatoes clinging to his face.

“Uh…sorry, Pa.” Joe fidgeted in his seat.

“Yeah…we sure didn’t mean to hit you, Pa.” Hoss added.

“Of course you didn’t.” Ben continued to glare.

Then some of the potatoes fell. Joe and Hoss burst out into laughter, and Adam was still suspiciously wiping his mouth with that napkin. Trying to keep a straight face, Ben furiously cleaned the rest of the food from his face. Then his lips twitched. Gruffly clearing his throat, Ben glanced around to make sure none of his sons had noticed his slip. Only Hoss was looking at him.

“That’s just about enough of this foolishness! I suggest you boys quiet down and eat your supper.” Ben growled out.

Instantly cowed, the three looked away and began to spoon food into their plates. Ben scowled at all of their bent heads until Hoss chanced a peek at his Pa. When his middle son grinned at him, Ben couldn’t help smiling back. Life was back to normal.

Whatever normal was supposed to be anyway.

The End

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