Michelle turned to him. "Adam? Adam?" He was staring in the direction of the rider. A concerned look washed over him. "Adam, what's wrong?"
Adam closed the book and rose. "We have to leave."
"Adam, what is it?" she said rising.
"I'll explain when we get back to the house," he told her. "Just get on your horse."
Michelle mounted the roan and followed Adam which was difficult at the pace he was setting. They arrived at the house to find the rider who had passed them at the stream. Adam dismounted and tossed his reins to Michelle who upon dismounting tethered both animals to the hitching post.
The stranger smiled. "Adam, good to see you again!" He outstretched his hand in greeting... and Adam decked him.
The man hit the ground. Adam rubbed his knuckles.
The timing could not have been worse. Little Joe emerged from the door to the house and saw the man on the ground. "Clay!" he shouted. Panicked he dropped to his knees by his side. "Clay," he said tapping the side of his face in attempt to revive him. There was no response. Joe rose and glared at Adam. "You did this didn't you!"
Adam remained silent. If Michelle had been confused when Adam used his fist she was even more so now when Joe neared his brother and slapped him across the face.
Adam remained stoic.
Joe was the first to offer any information to Michelle. "That man is my brother. I'm going to get the doctor for him. Keep Adam away from him." Spitefully, he borrowed Sport for his ride to town.
Adam still did not move. Michelle went to the house and summoned assistance from Hoss.
"Dad gummit," Hoss said as he lifted Clay. "What did he have to come back for?" He carried the unconscious man into the house.
Michelle knew Adam well enough not to press for answers. He would offer what information when he chose to do so. But she did ask. "Is there anything you want me to do?"
Adam finally broke his silence. "Sit with me." He took her hand and led her to the chairs on the porch. They sat in silence for several minutes before Adam spoke. As if to nobody in particular he said, "That man got Little Joe badly beaten."
The door opened and Hoss joined them outside. "He's still out of it. Boy, I'm glad Pa ain't here."
"He'd better not bring any more harm to Joe," Adam told the air.
Michelle looked to Hoss. Hoss offered a brief history of Clay Stafford and his last visit to the Ponderosa. Trouble had followed Clay all his life and he'd brought it with him only to share it with his half brother Joe. Joe so young and excited about having not only another brother but a part of his mother as well was quick to dismiss any negative regarding Clay. Ben had even asked Clay to stay on as part of the family. Hoss could have adjusted but Adam... Well, Adam only felt the deep rooted need to protect his baby brother. When he thought of Clay Stafford all he could see was Little Joe beaten to a pulp as a message to Clay. It was an image that never left him. The only decent thing Clay had done was to leave and take the trouble that followed with him.
Adam listened to Hoss tell the story. He ended by saying again. "Why'd he have to come back?"
Adam turned to Michelle. "If he gets Joe hurt again... I'm going to kill him." He picked up a rock from the ground and hurled it. It hit the hitching post. Michelle's horse whinnied.
Realizing he'd spooked the horse Adam stood and went to her, and led her into the barn.
Hoss sat in the chair his brother had occupied. "He don't mean it really."
Michelle sighed. "He meant it."
When Joe arrived with Doctor Martin Michelle had gone inside to check on the man. They found her dabbing a cold rag to his forehead. He had woken up to ask, "What hit me?"
Michelle moved to make way for the doctor. He made a cursory exam and determined that the young man would indeed be alright. His jaw would be a little sore for a while but other than that there was nothing to worry about. That being said the doctor was thanked and left.
Clay sat up on the settee. He grinned when he saw Joe. "How about a proper greeting for your brother," he said. Joe came around the settee as Clay stood shakily. Joe hugged him for all he was worth (which in Hoss' opinion wasn't much).
"What brings you back?" Joe asked him as they sat again.
Clay dug into his leather vest pocket and retrieved the locket that Joe had given him. He placed it in Joe's hand. "You told me to bring it back some day."
Joe made a fist around the locket and swallowed a lump that formed in his throat. "Thanks, Clay."
Joe was just about to ask him how long he would be staying when Adam burst through the door. He still had the same stoicism he'd had earlier when he said. "Now that you've recovered get out."
Angry, Joe stood. "You have no right..."
"I have every right," Adam said evenly.
Clay could see the impending fire. "You know, I really only came to return something to Joe," he said standing. "I think I had better leave."
He started for the door with Joe at his heels. "Clay, don't! Just because ..."
Clay stopped him. "It was great seeing you but REALLY I just came to return that locket and you've got it back." He went through the door.
"Clay!" Joe shouted after him. But Clay rode off. Joe spun on his heel to face Adam. "How could you? He came back to see me and you drove him off!" Adam's face held no expression.
Joe continued his tirade. "That was my brother you ran off! You may not care but I do!" He stepped closer to Adam. "I can't believe I told you I loved you! I HATE YOU!" He shoved Adam as hard as he could. Adam landed on his backside on the floor. Joe grabbed his hat and gun belt and ran out the door after Clay.
Adam who had remained rather emotionless sat stunned for a moment. Then he began to shake slightly and tears spilled from his eyes over his cheeks.
Hoss who hated seeing Adam hurting headed towards the door. "Why that little... I oughta..."
"Eric, let him go," Michelle said calmly as she knelt beside Adam and took him in her arms.
Adam wept heartily as the sobs wracked his body. Michelle rocked him gently and whispered, "Shhh. It's okay." But she knew it was not going to help.
A few miles away. Clay heard someone riding up behind him. He turned his mount to see Little Joe and Cochise coming up fast. Joe stopped when he reached Clay.
"Joe, what are you doing here."
Joe smiled. "I'm going with you."
Clay shook his head. "No. You're not."
Joe looked hurt. "Why? Just because of what Adam..."
Clay dismounted. "This has nothing to do with Adam."
Joe climbed from Cochise. "Then what then?"
"Joe, I wanted to see you again, yes. But mainly I thought you deserved to have that picture back. I told you last time trouble's been following me all my life. I'm not going to allow it to affect you."
Joe started to cry. "Clay, you're my brother."
Clay took Joe roughly by the arms and gave him a hard stare. "So is Adam."
"He doesn't care about me," Joe tried to tell Clay.
"That's where you're wrong. Dead wrong! If I were him I'd have told me to get out too. Joe the trouble that comes with me could get you hurt or worse." He softened his tone. "Joe, I love you. And I have to show you that by staying away."
"Clay, no." Joe was crying harder.
"Go home, Joe. You've got brothers there who love you too. And they don't have to stay away." Clay gave Joe a hug then mounted his horse and was gone leaving Joe alone and miserable. Sadly he had no choice but to make his way home.
When he entered the door Hoss descended on him. "You little... I could bust you in two. How could you say those things to Adam?"
Joe looked at his brother with anguish. "I'm sorry, Hoss. Where's Adam?"
Hoss' anger diminished. "He's upstairs...crying his eyes out." Before he could finish Joe had taken off up the stairs.
Joe came to Adam's room. The door was open. He looked in to see him face down on his bed, his body quaking from sobs. Michelle was beside him. She happened to glance over her shoulder and noticed Joe in the doorway. She made her way to him.
"I can't get him to stop crying," she told him. "And honestly, I can't believe you'd hurt him like that. How could you say you hated him?"
Joe opened his mouth but nothing came out. He felt so ashamed. Finally, he was able to ask Michelle, "Do you think he'd accept my apology?"
"That depends," she told him. "do you really mean it?"
Joe gave a small nod. He began a slow walk to the bed where he sat beside his brother. He touched Adam's back lightly. Adam must've recognized the touch because he turned on his side to look at Joe.
Joe was feeling equally as miserable by now. "What do I have to say?" he wanted to know from Adam.
"Do you hate me?" Adam looked intently into Joe's face.
Joe shook his head. "I'm sorry, Adam. I never should have said that.
Adam sat up. "I'm sorry too. I never should have believed it."
"You know I love you don't you?"
Adam nodded. "I know you love me."
Joe's arms encircled his brother. Returning the embrace Adam sighed with relief. He felt Joe place a kiss on his cheek and then another. Then he pulled away.
"You know, Adam, Clay said he would have felt the same way you did."
"Well, maybe I was wrong about him," Adam relented. "But that doesn't mean I think he should be around you."
"That's okay," Joe said. "Cause I've got you here."
THE END