Trail Busters - 6th Story in the Alexandra Series.
Summary: Marty and Alexandra are a little put out at being left behind, while the Cartwright men go on one of the biggest trail rides in the territory. Frankly, I'm not sure what's going to happen, other than, Adam won't be too happy and Alexandra will have a lot to say… as usual.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.
Previously: Adam discovered his saddle bags prepared for the drive have been unpacked and items missing. He very quickly deduces who is responsible. Alexandra is discovered under the bed trying to avoid her father's displeasure.
Chapter 2 Smokescreens
Re- Cap
Adam jumped in surprise; outwitted by an eleven-year-old. But, this always worked, he thought to himself. "How did…"
"Gee Dad, how ya do that?" interposed Alex, stealing his words. "I swear I didn't even hear ya take them boots off. Ya must have done it while on the move; you'd make a good Magician or even A Flying Trapeze Artist; even better probably than the best bare Back Trick Rider, corse there ain't much work for them sort of performers outside of the Carnivals; ya can't ride horses around on the stage," she explained, standing with her hands behind her back, swaying innocently; the bed a four-foot-wide space between them.
Adam started to move towards her, but then stopped when he realised Alex was about to jump the bed to get away from him. He pinched the bridge of his nose frankly too tired to have to keep chasing the child and then most likely lose his temper — then he'd throttle her! He was also a little disappointed in himself; he had been smug, but the realisation that he was a good ten years older than he had been when Little Joe had tried these same antics- Well, damn it to hell— he was not as flexible or as fit as he used to be.
Adam blew out a mammoth reclaiming breath. He pointed to the messy heap in the centre of his bed, and the upturned saddlebag. "Alex, did you do this?" he asked sternly looking across the small expanse of the bed that separated them.
Alexandra chewed her bottom lip then looked down at the edge of the bedspread and nodded.
"Words, please," demanded Adam.
"Yes dad," she replied whispering softly.
"Why? What were you trying to achieve?" He asked waving his hand over the discarded items. "Other things I packed are also missing! I re- stocked my bag just yesterday. Where are you taking them?"
"I jist… Well, I guess I jist wanted to have things that remind me of you while you are gone. I figured that iffin I kept them, then I wouldn't miss you so much when you're on the trail. Then, I also figured that iffin you didn't have ya saddlebags ready and packed an all, you might hafta wait a bit longer here until ya gots them packed jist right, cause Uncle Joe says you're a perfect-functionist granite head and all, but ya have a lot of stuff ta take don't ya, Dad. I don't know how ya get all them things in ya saddlebags; I was expecting ta find a candelabra in there. Every time I done emptied them bags, there would be more stuff in there…"
"That's because, I thought I was going crazy and kept re-packing and Hop Sing kept re-washing. You, young lady…" he continued pointing at the child.
"Well that makes sense now," interrupted Alex before Adam could deliver a threat. I thought ya saddle bags must been magic; like Ivan The Magnificent' s Oprie hat. It holds all kind of things that wouldn't think could fit into a Oprie hat. Once he pulled out an alligator… it weren't real, though. Looked real. The audience started screamin' and then Ivan puts on this show of him wresting with the alligator. Then, he has it look like the alligator is eating him; its swallowing his legs and all. The audience figure out it's a dummy and they all laugh their heads off anyways, cause Ivan makes it look like he's being munched on. Then…When ya think Ivan's done for, he goes 'abracadabra' and waves his magic wand and an explosion happens and all this smoke takes up the whole stage. It's a smokescreen, Dad, and then when it clears, Ivan's standing there in a pair alligator boots and a fancy alligator vest. The audience laughs real hard. The lovely Delilah comes out and gets the audience to applaud even more. All the while Ivan's pulling more things outta his hat; an alligator purse, and alligator shoes for Delilah, a hat, an astray, and a lamp; a real tall parlour lamp; it jist keeps coming and coming up and up and up. The audience thought it was a real good act."
"As is yours?" scoffed Adam.
"Huh?" queried Alex.
"Okay Alexandra, quit with your own smokescreen."
All the while Alexandra rambled off track like only this little girl could, Adam watched. He was aware that her animated bubbly self was a little more restrained than usual. Adam noted that Alex had been somewhat subdued over the last week since their return from San Francisco. Now while she narrated her tale of Ivan's magical expertise, adding the odd gasp, and vivid descriptions with excitable intonations, he also noticed that Alexandra hardly moved her hands. In fact, she only used one hand every now and again. It was a well-known fact, consistently explained by Alexandra herself, that she needed her hands when talking or rather talking herself out of trouble… well up until now.
"My smokescreen, Dad? I ain't got a smokescreen. Ya hafta use smoke bombs like fireworks and you done told me I'm never allowed to touch fireworks again."
"You aren't allowed to touch any of my things either, young lady. Stealing my things and hiding them away isn't going to keep me from leaving on the trail drive. I'll be just leaving without the things I need. That will make my job harder and much more uncomfortable. Don't you think you are being a little selfish?"
"I guess so, Dad. I'm jist scared that ya won't come back, or you'll get hurt; everybody's going and I don't have no- one here."
"Come here," said Adam softening on hearing her fears. He sat on the edge of the bed.
Alexandra walked around the end of the bed and joined her father; sitting beside him with her hands safely tucked under the bottom. "Im sorry, Dad, I didn't mean ta make extra work for Hop Sing or you. I jist don't want ya ta go at all. I want you to stay with me."
"I know, sweetheart, but we've talked about this. This year it's the Cartwright's turn to lead the big drive. That means Hop Sing's turn to lead chuck wagon. There are others that will join up with us over the next few days. I have to be Ramrod. And, we need as many hands as we can to drive five different herds to market. The livelihood of all the ranchers around here depend on it; it's their livelihood as much as ours. We share the work and the load, and everybody gets a good market price for their herd. Its only three weeks; it will pass in no time."
"I guess so," sighed Alexandra.
"Good girl. Now, have you packed your bags to go to Mrs O'Shaunassey, tomorrow?"
"Yes Dad. I packed all my chore and play clothes."
"Oh so that's why you're wearing a dress today… though your Sunday best is probably overdoing it."
Alexandra hated wearing dresses most of the time. When she first came to the Ponderosa, the child had insisted she was a boy. Adam had finally got her to wear dresses and a smock to school, but most weekends and after school she wore dungarees or overalls. Sunday was the only other day she would wear a dress and she did that for Ben. Her grandfather had purchased several pretty dresses that she could wear to Sunday services. Alexandra hated them; they were pretty flower printed dresses; this one had pink and burgundy sprays of small petals and leaves. Alex had owned a green one once with a matching bonnet, but it had disappeared some time back. The bonnet ended up on the head of a small calf, a hunting band of Bannocks had found near the creek.
"I figured iffin I wear a good dress now and the petticoat, I won't hafta take it with me," smiled Alexandra. "Especially now that I'm not staying in town with that Old Big Bu… ahh, Mrs Willburn Sticky Nose. She'd want me in a dress and petticoats and ribbons every single day!" declared Alex with disgust.
"Okay, that's fair enough. You're out on the farm with Mrs O'Shaunassey. If you need a good dress, you can stop by here and get one later. I'll come and check your packing later. In The meantime, and you can help me re-pack my bags." Adam started to neatly fold the shirts and pack them in his bags. Alexandra handed him objects as he called them out. "Two pairs of thick socks."
Alexandra grabbed the ball of a pair of thick black woollen socks and placed then in her fathers outstretched hand. "There's only one pair here, Dad. I know where the other pair is though."
"Where?'
"My bag," smiled Alex sheepishly.
"Go and get them, and bring anything else of mine you have in there," he ordered.
Alexandra ran across the hall from his room to hers to gather the items she had hidden over the past week.
Irritated, but trying to remain patient, Adam continued to pack his saddle bags, mentally checking off the items. He grabbed the shaving kit, nearly forgetting about the missing razor. He searched among the last of the items on the bed, but didn't find it. He then got on his hands and knees and searched the floor around and under the bed. There in the corner edged underneath the rug was his razor. He pulled it out and found it neatly closed, though not in its leather case; it lay discarded some inches away. He was suspicious. "Alexandra!" he yelled across the hall. "You weren't playing with my razor, were you?"
"Playing?... ah no dad, I haven't been playing with your razor," came the muffled reply from Alexandra's room.
"Hmm, I guess it could have fallen off the bed," he mumbled to himself. Adam had been rummaging through the pile, so concluded that he could have knocked it off. He slid it in its leather case and tucked it in with the rest of the kit, before putting it back in his saddle bag.
Adam's concentration was interrupted when Alexandra returned to his room. He turned at the sound of her mumbled heaving noises to find the child swaying in the door way, holding a stack of clothes that towered over her head. "What on earth…" he grumbled as he ran to help before they all toppled over. "Alexandra, I can't believe you smuggled all these from my bags," he stated frowning.
Alexandra mumbled something; her face stuck against a pile of shirts and pullovers. Adam quickly halved the pile and place them on the bed. He turned and asked again, this time his eyebrows raised in annoyance and expectation of a truthful answer. "You were saying?"
"No Dad, I took some from your drawers. I packed some in my bag, to take with me, ceptin I couldn't exactly decide whether ta take a shirt, ya socks or your mustard pullover. I decided on the pullover, cause it smelt most like you, well so did ya socks, but it weren't the nice smell of you, even though Hop Sing done washed them real good, there's no getting ya stinky feet smell outta of it completely."
'This child will be the death of me' he thought… well maybe not death, but she was exhausting. "Right then, you can just help me pack it all away neatly again. And if any of it has to re-laundered, Hop Sing won't be doing it— you will; every last dirty smelling sock I own," he growled, landing a swat to her backside as she passed him.
Alexandra, jumped with surprise, not so much because of the sting; she had her Sunday best dress on; petticoats and all. Unfortunately, the pile of clothes she had been left holding fell to the floor. At least she thought; it wasn't about the razor. She hadn't been playing with it, but she did take a look at it. Her Dad had obviously accepted her answer and forgotten about it. Relived somewhat, she let her reprieve motivate her runaway mouth. "Jumping Jehoshaphat, Dad, now look what ya made me do!" She exclaimed. "Ya dam near made me drop em all, theys were all clean and pressed, now I'll have to…"
Alexandra didn't get a chance to finish her sassing. Adam grabbed her by the arm and hoisted her over one knee that he'd propped up on the bedrail, and added another swat to her well-padded backside. "That's enough cussing, little lady!"
"Jumping Jehoshaphat, ain't cussing, Dad, grandpa says it all the time!"
"But, damn is." Realising that she would not have felt a thing underneath all that material, he flipped her printed dress up, then her petticoat and landed a hard swat to her cotton clad pantaloons. He went to add another one, when he suddenly noticed a bloodstain on the seat of her britches. His hand stopped suddenly mid-air. He flipped back her petticoats and found a corresponding stain there as well. Then came her dress; he couldn't find the stain there, though it was hard to tell with all the printed posies. "Alexandra your bleeding," he announced, as he quickly put her feet back on the floor.
Alexandra's eyes filled up with tears; knowing she had been found out, though her father's concern confused her somewhat; she thought he'd be angry.
Adam was indeed confused; he had forgotten about the razor; resigned to the fact that it had been found closed, he dismissed the idea that Alexandra could have been playing with it and of course she had denied it. And there was the fact that the blood was only on her bloomers and petticoats, so the rational conclusion was that Alexandra had started… had become… a woman. No wonder she had appeared not quite herself. Alexandra's tears and innocent baby face left him feeling anything but rational about this; how was he going to explain all this to her. She was only eleven. He was certain they had at least another two years before Alexandra would start puberty. Plus, she was small and physically immature for her age. God help me with this one. He silently prayed. He turned Alex around to face him. "Are you okay, baby?" he asked.
With one hand Alexandra wiped the tears away from her cheeks. "I'm sorry Dad, I didn't know… what… to do…I was hopin it would stop, but it didn't. I done ripped the bottom of my petticoat off a bit ta make a bandage, cause I heard that's what they had ta do in them Indian attacks on the wagon train. All the mothers and the women rip up their petticoats to make bandages. And, one time in Elk, there was a cave in at the mine; no one died, but a lot of people got hurts. Momma and Grandmamma theys turned the gambling room into a infirmortory and everyone done tore up their petticoats to bandaged the miners up. All the lady's in Elk done had real short petticoats for near a year. Anyway, I tried ta stop it bleeding, but I guess some got on my clothes."
"Not to worry, that can happen sometimes. Have you got a tummy ache?" he asked.
Alexandra thought that a strange question, but funnily enough she did. "Yes a bit," she said. "My bag got kinda heavy when I had all that stuff in it. I reckon I pulled a muscle or something."
"That's not why you have a tummy ache, or why you are bleeding. It will stop and the tummy ache will too. I'll ask Marty about what we can do for that. And in a couple of days the bleeding should stop and you'll be right as rain," he smiled.
"A coupla days! Dad, I don't reckon it will take that long," said Alexandra. "I'll run outta blood!"
"No, you won't. The body replaces what you lose anyway. It maybe won't bleed that long this time; your first time; but next time it might be a little longer; then with each month there might be more blood, but it's all very natural sweetheart. It's taking the first steps on to the path to becoming a woman"
"What!... I don't want to become a woman!" Alex yelled mortified. "I wanna be a boy like Momma was. She was a boy when ya first done met her didn't ya. And, what do ya mean it's gonna bleed again each month; I'll bleed ta death iffin I keep bleeding… I'll be careful, from now on, Dad. Is that what happens when ya become a man too? Is that why ya have ta shave? Do you bleed every time ya even touch it Dad; every time ya shave?"
"What? No. No. I'm not explaining this very well, am I." Adam had grown up in a house full of men. Marie had explained some of the ways of women's cycles and things to him when she was having Joseph. He was the oldest, but it was an embarrassing conversation. Marie with her southern gentle ways had kept it short, but told him it was important for him to understand how a women's body was; that one day as a husband he would need to sympathetic to his wife and her discomfort, inconvenience and the pain she would experience, so that they could procreate. She then very wisely handed Adam a book that explained the whole ordeal… and more. He wished he had that book now. "Look why don't we finish this packing later. Perhaps Hop Sing can get you something for your tummy ache. What about a nice bath… oh I wonder if you should bath…" God why can't I remember what you're supposed to do." Get a grip Adam, he silently scolded himself; it's a natural part of growing up - one you should be able to handle logically and sensitively with your daughter… your little girl… oh but she's just a baby.
Alexandra looked at her father's worried expression. "It's alright dad, I'll be alright. Don't worry about me while you're gone. I'll be okay. I'll jist make more bandages iffin it keeps bleedin."
"Oh the trail drive… gee Um, maybe I could stay back a day or two just to make sure you're alright; after all I'm your father; your only living parent," he said with a concerned look on his face.
"Don't worry dad, momma is in a happy place now, but I'm real glad you're staying, even iffin I think it's a bit silly. Maybe ya can stay until Marty gets back from the Devlin's; after all she's gonna be my other parent too and soon."
Adam smiled. "You know what a great kid you are; you always bounce back don't you. Come on we'll see what Hop Sing can do for you and then I think we need to have a big long talk about what happens to our bodies when start becoming a grown -up."
Alexandra shrugged and let her father lead her down the hallway to the stairs. As they neared the landing they heard a knock on the door and watched it open.
"Yoo hoo, anybody home?"
"Marty!" exclaimed Alexandra as she took off down the stairs.
"Not so fast Alex, you shouldn't be running in the house. In fact, I don't think you should be running at all in your state."
Alexandra took no notice as she hugged Marty fiercely. "I thought you were at the Devlin's."
Marty smiled taking her riding gloves off as she entered the room. She was dressed in her riding skirt and a blue patterned shirt front with matching leather vest. "I head up there in the morning. Hop Sing invited me for dinner before everybody heads off on the drive tomorrow. I thought I'd give Dreamer a bit of a run too. He's doing really well with Dan. He thinks he might take him on the drive for an extra mount. He lets both Dan and Mitch ride him, so he'll be a handy addition."
"You're coming back for me too aren't you, Marty. I'm staying with Mrs O'Shaunassey."
"Yep, I'll be there Thursday and then you can ride back up to the Devlin's with me. I'm helping Dan get ready for the drive. He's going to meet up with your daddy in a day or two."
Adam moved over to Marty and embraced her and his daughter who had still not let go. He kissed Marty on the cheek. "Actually I'm glad you're here; I could use your help with a little women's business."
"Oh?" she smiled, "And, once I help with that can I get a proper hello and goodbye kiss?" she asked with a laugh.
Adam smiled and kissed her ear softly. "More than happy to accommodate you there… I promise it will keep you going for the next three weeks," he whispered. He pulled back giving Marty a wink then chuckled at Marty's flushed cheeks.
"You better put your lips where your mouth is, Ramrod," she smirked.
Adam chuckled again. "Come on the boys will be home soon, let's go into the kitchen, and I'll explain what's going on. I'm sure Hop Sing will be able to help." explained Adam as he led both his women through the dining room towards the kitchen.
"Yeah Miss Marty, I'm gonna be a woman in a coupla days. I don't want too. Dad's gonna stay jist in case, so at least that's a good thing."
Marty frowned in confusion. "A woman? Just in case of what?" asked Marty as the three disappeared around the dining rooms archway.
~oOo~
No sooner had Adam entered the kitchen and started to explain his dilemma to Hop Sing and Marty, then he heard the door to the big room open as the rest of his family arrived home. Leaving Alexandra in Marty's capable hands, he went back into the great room to greet them and to inform them that dinner may be a little late as well as his decision to stay home for a few extra days.
"Hey there big brother," happily sung Hoss. "The herds already ta move come first light. May need to round up a few strays and there's a couple of calf that need to be branded, if we decide their strong enough for the drive. Shouldn't take more than an hour iffin they do."
"We got four men riding boundaries till midnight then a changeover organised till dawn," added Little Joe as they hung their hats, coats and gun belts up above the credenza.
"Well I can do one of those shifts; relieve one of the men for the morning," said Adam.
"Adam, the men we've picked will be fine," said Ben. "You don't need to be there. You'll need your sleep for tomorrow. I admire you for taking your duties seriously and wanting to set a good example, but…"
"Hey, when's supper gonna be ready?" interrupted Hoss." We got an early start this morning. I wanna get to…"
Adam addressed Hoss before turning back to his father. "Hop Sing has supper almost ready, Hoss, but he's helping Marty with something first." He then faced his father and followed him towards the big red chair. "Pa, I know the men are reliable, but I know until the Devlin's and the Johnson's meet us in two days' time, we're gonna be shorthanded. And, now I have a problem with Alex, and well… I may need to stay home for a couple of days and meet up with you at the pass. Pa will you be able to ramrod for the time being?"
"Hey, what's wrong with Pip Squeak?" Asked Joe.
"She ain't sick is she? I know she's been a bit quiet lately and the little possums being worried about ya going, I thought it was just her thinkin about missing ya," queried Hoss.
"Adam it's probably just a little nervous stomach. Marty and Hop Sing will know what to do," advised Ben.
"No well its more than that Pa… its… well… it's something that maybe I should be here for that's all."
Hoss looked worried and started to make his way to the kitchen.
"Wait Hoss, it's sort of a private thing…"
"What?" asked Hoss, stopping in front of Joe and Ben in turn, frowning as they looked to Adam for an explanation.
"Well Alex is… well she's… busting out of the cacoon of childhood and becoming a butterfly," announced a red-faced Adam.
"Huh?" all three chorused.
Adam scrubbed at his jaw. "She's a little out of sorts…changing… she's started her … courses."
"What, school doesn't go back for another six weeks," asked a confused Joe. "No wonder she's out of sorts, I wouldn't like havin to go to school over the summer either; a kid looks forward to…"
"No Joe, I think Adam means that Alex has started menstruating," interpreted Ben.
"Oh… Oh! Well, then why didn't you say so older wise brother. You of all people shouldn't be afraid to say the proper word for it."
"It?" asked Hoss. "I don't get what's going on here…"
"Our little Alex has come into season… like young mares do."
"Don't associate Alex with a horse, Little Joe," frowned Adam.
Joe laughed. "Well you're the one thats got all embarrassed about it, Adam."
"Yeah it's jist nature, Adam," explained Hoss.
"Yes, but she very young, and well I'm not sure how to handle it. I missed her babyhood and early childhood— and now I'm jumping into this stage. I'm not ready."
Joe laughed again. "You never had any problem explaining things to me, though I'm still confused over a lot of things about women. It sure is funny to see you floundering though."
"It's hard to find the right words with, Alexandra," qualified Adam, throwing his arms in the air. "She reads all sorts of things into explanations on any topic. I don't want her to be confused, or scared."
It was Bens turn to smile this time. "Using the right words and keeping it simple is the best way, Adam. I remember Marie used to call it the malaise… or sometimes, she'd call it Falling off the Roof; a term she learnt from her old southern Grandmother. You're a good father Adam, and you'll make a good husband, all you boys will. While women's business is private, and most of us men folk don't talk about it, it's good you are aware of women's needs, and support them."
"Thanks Pa," chorused all three of younger men.
"Well, I think maybe you should stay home, for a day. The schedule is pretty tight, but as long as you're at the pass when we're ready to roll all the herds, we'll manage," said Ben.
"Thanks Pa. It's a bit hard to know what to do; make a fuss or treat it as all very normal."
Ben moved over to his bourbon decanter and started pouring his sons a pre-dinner drink. "Alexandra will let you know, I'm sure of that Adam," laughed Ben. "Though I think with her feeling a little vulnerable at the moment; you being here will be important." He handed a shot to Hoss and then offered Adam a glass. "Being around, is a lesson I learnt a long time ago, thanks to you, Adam. Your instincts are always pretty much on point."
Adam nodded in appreciation of his father honesty and praise, then sipped his drink as Ben returned to pour himself and Joe a small glass. Joe screwed up his face a little when Ben offered him the half shot, then smiled; at least he was included, and well on his way to being considered a young man and no longer a boy. All four men now stood by the fireplace when Marty walked in with a very sheepish looking Alexandra.
"We all good?" asked Adam.
Marty looked at all four men and the drinks in their hands. She smirked a little when they all blushed slightly, realising what they had probably discussed what was happening. She had to give them credit. She came from a family of all boys; the youngest girl. Her father had died in a mine disaster; the same one that crippled her grandfather. Her mother had died before the necessary talk mothers and daughters should have had. Thankfully when that time came, she had her grandmother and Annie, her friend and the family's housemaid and cook, along with Wilton; a wise Aboriginal woman who told stories of the why of women's business and the miracle of birth bestowed to women and their closer connection to earth. Her brothers never treated her with kit cloves either. She did what was expected and carried her fair share of the work around the homestead and large cattle station. Her brothers were the best in the world. And, in her opinion, these three Cartwright men came in as equals.
"False alarm, family," specified Marty. "Nothing to worry about yet," she smiled.
"Huh," chuckled Hoss, "Son of Gun, Adam, ya done jumped the gun," he teased.
"Yeah big brother you got yourself all worked up about courses and butterfly's and cocoons over nothing," said Little Joe, still enjoying the immense discomfort of his usually articulate and controlled older brother.
Marty shook her head. "Well, when the time does come, Alex will be a little less confused; we had a bit of a talk."
Adam cocked his head sideways and looked at Alexandra. "Oh, well that's good. So then, how did blood get on her clothes?"
Marty pushed Alex forward. "Alexandra the gig is up. and you have something to tell your dad, don't you?"
Alex sighed and moved forward. "Ya had me scared dad, though I kinda like the idea about becoming a butterfly, ifin I could be a little girl with butterfly parts— wings so that I could fly. Wouldn't it be great iffin we could fly? I could fly over the herd when you was on the trail jist to check on Y'all and then fly back home; ya wouldn't hafta worry about me at all. And if iffin you could fly then you could fly back and visit me. Somebody should think of a way to make people fly. Ya still have ta do things on the ground of course, cause cows don't fly and I like riding my horse on the ground. When I was…"
"Alexandra," warned Marty, interrupting the child's tirade and thwarting the giggles coming from Joe and Hoss.
Alex craned her head back and looked up into Marty's face with a pleading expression. Marty just threw one of her own back at Alex; hers came with a slightly raised left eyebrow and pursed lips.
My lord! thought Alexandra, Marty's been hanging around Dad too much, her eyebrows are started ta get a life of their own too, ceptin hers aren't so bushy's as dad's. I wonder why? I wonder how she gets them ta be all thin like and curvy at the top? And she ain't got any hair in between them, on the bridge of her nose like Dad has, though I have seen dad shaving them… She dropped her head back down and looked at her father's eyebrows frowning. "So, dad shaves the in-between part of his eyebrows so it don't look like he has caterpillar crawling across his forehead. So we all start of as caterpillars, an boys grow inta hairier caterpillars and girls grow inta butterfly's. " she thought out loud.
Joe got a fit of giggles.
"Caterpillar?" quizzed Adam, but then shook his head; he wasn't going to ask and start Alexandra off again. "Alexandra, what do you have to tell me?"
Alexandra put her head down and pulled her arms from around her back and held up a well-padded bandaged finger; her middle finger.
"Words please?' ordered Adam tersely; realising now where the blood had come from. The other shoe was about to drop.
"I cut my self on your razor, dad. I ain't no butterfly. Jist a caterpillar like you, ceptin I don't have as much hair…"
Joe and Hoss lost control at this point and belly laughed so loud, that Ben cast them a scathing look that sent then bowling over each other to the kitchen and out of the way.
"Ahh!" Adam held up his hand to stop Alex. "No, just a naughty little girl, who also lied to me."
"I wasn't playing with your razor dad. I was jist pulling it out when it fell and came out of its pouch. And then…"
"And, so then you opened it up and had a closer look at it," surmised Adam, putting all the clues together now.
"I jist wanted ta see how it opened and closed, and then it bit me. And it started bleeding something fierce and stinging. I put my finger in my mouth, but then I got blood on my dress when I tried to dry my spit off."
"That's why you are not to touch it; it's very sharp. It could have sliced your finger off. You know you are not touch it, and when I asked; you said you hadn't played with it… Played with it, touched it; is the same thing. You knew you should have answered honestly and not played semantics. We've had this discussion before, now go to your room."
"I guess this means you ain't staying home now for the next couple of days."
"It does, but we will talk about that too… now go," said Adam firmly, before pointing to the stairs.
Alexandra did as she was told and climbed the stairs quickly, suspecting everyone's eyes and disappointment followed her.
Hoss and Joe both returned from the kitchen sipping a glass of water each, still trying to contain their giggling fits. Hop Sing pushed past them and appeared at the head of the dining room table. "Dinner ready in five minutes. Everybody wash up now. Little miss needs to eat too," he said pointing to the stairs. "Needs to replace blood loss and know family will miss her," said Hop Sing trying to make a point.
Adam turned to Marty, "Was it a bad cut?"
"No, it had already started to heal pretty well, but it bled a lot as fingers often do at first." Marty laughed, "Alex wrapped it up pretty firmly with a strip from her petticoat."
"I didn't even notice her wrapped finger. I did notice that she wasn't as animated with her hands as usual; little minx," scoffed Adam with some good humour, now that Alexandra had left the room.
"I'm surprised you didn't put two and two together, Adam, especially if you noticed the razor missing. You need some of my detective skills. There are some very basic tells you missed there, big brother," offered Joe.
Adam smirked. Joe was right. "Well I guess. I did just panic a little. I mean the time will come, but I was just not expecting it. I didn't make the connections between the razor and the torn petticoats."
Ben laughed and shook his head. "Come on let's eat dinner."
"You start; I want to settle this with Alexandra now. Hop Sing's right; she needs to know that all is normal with the way things are and going to be."
"You're not going to be too hard on her, Adam," said Hoss. "She's been through a whole heap lately."
"Not too hard, but she's needs to be honest and accountable. Alexandra has been warned and I need to carry through. I'll be handing out a few short reminders of those expectations that's all," said Adam as he turned and gave Marty a quick kiss on her cheek. "Thanks for all your help. I'll be back soon," he said before heading up the stairs.
~oOo~
Adam tapped lightly on Alex's closed door and entered. The little girl was sitting on her bed twiddling with her clean bandage. Adam noticed her packed saddle bags hanging over the chair of her small desk. He walked in and set them down on the ground and placed the chair in front of her. "Got anything to say before I smack your bottom," he asked as he stood there, his fingers hooked into the belt of his dungarees.
"No," sighed Alex resigned to her fate.
Adam cocked his head to one side and lowered it so that he could see Alexandra's down cast expression. "That's unusual for you — no defence speech?"
"I don't want ya ta get bamboozled, dad. Molly used say I was good at bamboozling folks ta get ma self out of trouble."
"You are good at that," he smirked.
Alexandra looked up at her father with a serious countenance on her face. "Well I don't want ta bamboozle ya dad, I've done it afore and I seen it makes ya madder at me and ya get all cross-eyed and tired looking…" Alexandra sent both her bright green eyes crossing to the corners adding a visual to her description. "And, I don't want ya ta be tired afore you go away, cause that will make you go slow and take more time getting the job done and getting back home."
Adam put his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh at her face. He sat down on the chair, throwing one long leg over the other. "Well maybe a sorry will be a good place to start."
"Yes I'm sorry, dad. Mostly for lying to ya. I want ya ta trust me. I want ya ta believe that I will always try ta do good."
"I know that you try to good. But, you don't always plan things well and then you get distracted and forget the rules. That's something all children can do at one time or another, but lying is not acceptable. You know how I feel about that."
"Yes dad. I'm real sorry about that. I was so pre – porcupined about you leaving me all alone for the next three weeks, that I jist didn't think I was lying. It's all in the details ain't it."
"Yep it is."
"And you wouldna been mad at me and sent me ta bed without supper and then I wouldn't even had got to say goodbye ta everyone and… "
"Alexandra," interrupted Adam. "You are not going to be alone. And, it would have ended here with you getting a couple of swats for touching the razor… carelessly otherwise you wouldn't have cut yourself. Then it would have been over and done. And then we could have all gone down had supper together. But instead you lied about it."
Alexandra looked at her father with big sad eyes. "So you don't trust me no more."
"I trust that you try. I know you respect me and your elders. I know that you love me and I know you know that I love you, that everybody does. But, I don't trust you to do the right thing when you've got some other planning and scheming going on in that little head of yours."
Alexandra looking down in the mouth nodded in understanding.
"Right then," said Adam as he pulled his little girl up from the bed and put her over his knee. He lifted up her dress and torn petticoats before applying three sharp hard smacks to the seat of her pantaloons. "That's for touching the razor," he announced before stopping.
Alexandra kicked and yelped with each smack, but was somewhat relived that was all she was going to receive for her misdemeanour.
Adam hesitated before lifting Alexandra up to stand between his feet.
Alexandra scrubbed at her tears. "I guess I better get into my nightdress and get inta bed now," she stated.
"No," said Adam. This time as he pulled her forward, he grabbed the tie of her pantaloons and releasing the waist band before putting her again across his knee. He pulled her britches down to reveal her bare bottom, noticing the light pink marks left by his hand moments before. Then slowly and deliberately he applied four very sharp smacks to her bare backside. "This," he said, as he laid down each swat, "is … for… lying…"
Alex squealed with each smarting slap to her bare skin, twisting and squirming and trying to avoid being smacked in the same spot, but to no avail. Adam had a strong hold and timed the intervals like the old pro he was when it came to dishing out a well-deserved spanking to a mischievous child. Joe had given him plenty of practice. When he was finished he put Alexandra once again on her feet and held her hands so she couldn't rub her backside. It didn't stop her bouncing on the balls of her feet though, and her pantaloons soon found themselves pooled at her ankles.
"Dad," sniffed Alexandra. "Ya…sniff, sniff… hurting my sore finger," cried Alexandra.
Adam let go of her injured hand. "Well we can't have that; wouldn't want that to take your mind off your smarting backside," said Adam, trying to lighten the situation. Using his thumb to wipe away the last of her tears, he added softly. "I want you to remember this; remember lying is never acceptable."
"Looking at razors ain't a smart idea either dad," stated Alex still sniffing. "My finger really does hurt as much as my bottom."
"Hmm well an added incentive to the lesson then. Come on, lets wash up and get ourselves ready for supper."
Alexandra used her sleeve to dry her wet cheeks, hic-cupping as the last of her sobs subsided. "So, hic, I get ta have the, hic, last supper with everyone? Like the, hic, Apostrophes did with, hic, Jesus," she stuttered.
"I don't think it's going to be that dramatic," laughed Adam. He pulled her towards him and rubbed her back, trying to calm her breathing and stop the hiccups a good cry often initiates. His intuition told him that the tears were more about him going away and the guilt about her wrong doing than the actual spanking. "Here let me help you," he said, pulling up the pooled undergarment and retying the drawstring.
"Thanks, Dad, my fingers don't tie so good with this big bandage on." Adam led her over to the wash basin. He soaked a clean flannel, and handed it to Alexandra to wash her face. "You've been punished by me because you lied to me. It's done and you are forgiven. Not letting you join us as a family before we have to be separated for a while wouldn't be fair to you or us. We're family and we stick together through thick or thin. We will always love you no matter what. We might get disappointed, or angry or sad about naughty things you do, or mistakes you make, but we will always love you and honour your place in our family. I know you are worried about being without at least one familiar face around here, but that's just the way it's got to be this time. There might be other times it's like that, but they won't be too often, I promise."
Alexandra handed back the face cloth and smiled up at her father. "Would you have really stayed home iffin I had become a woman?" she asked.
"Yes, if I thought you wanted me too. I'd like to think that I will always be here if you need me, no matter what it is," said Adam tweaking her nose.
"That's real good of ya, dad, though Marty told me it ain't all that bad for most women; its jist annoyin', and it don't mean I can't do most of the things I normally do, so I reckon when the time comes I'll be okay, Dad. Corse I'm in no hurry; when I was little I always thought ya had a choice whether ta be a man or a woman when ya growed up. I always wanted ta be a man, cause they look like they have more fun, like riding and shootin, and drinking and standin' up ta pee…"
"Alex!" scolded Adam. "It's isn't always fun Alex. Just like things aren't always fun for women. We all work hard in a family. We all do what we do best."
"I wonder what I'm gonna do best, dad."
"There's plenty of time to figure that one out, little miss. For now, just be your best at being honest with me and the grown-ups of this family," said Adam leading her towards the door.
"Okay, Dad. Hey maybe I can be the best at inventin' stuff; like what iffin ya could make a road that could jist roll out and then it could move and take you where ya want ta go. Ya could jist punch in some numbers, like a secret code and the road would just unravel from a big machine and take you the spot. Then when ya wanted ta come home it's just rolls back and you move in backwards. Or I could invent moving stairs, so iffin ya had somethink heavy ta carry you wouldn't hafta lift ya knees up so high, they could have moving stairs that went up and moving stairs that went down. You could wave ta people as ya went past. It would be real good for old people too, or fat people that get real tired hafta walk upstairs. Mayra the beaded lady she was real big too and she got real tied walking up just three little steps. That's probably why she didn't shave, she was too tired but grandpa William wouldn't let her shave cause she was a major attraction."
"Maybe she was bitten when playing with a razor when she was a little girl," alleged Adam.
"Hey, Ya think?" Alexandra asked surprised and then rubbed her chin with a frown. Gee, I don't think I want to be a beared lady when I grow up, even though Mayra said it was a ludicrous career."
"You mean lucrative, Alex. She made good wages doing that job."
"Oh, yeah, but still, I think I'd look funny with a beard."
"I think you would too, but I'd still love you." Adam laughed and picked up his dawdling chatty daughter, kissed her cheek and flung her over his shoulder. "Maybe you should be a science fiction writer."
~oOo~
Dinner was a fun affair. Even Hop Sing joined them at the table during desert to discuss the final schedules and jobs in the morning. Alexandra was very excited too, as she was going to be able to spend the morning with Hop Sing and the crew while they gathered the last of the strays, and branded any new calves that would be strong enough to take the trip. Hop Sing's chuck wagon was all packed and ready to go, but he'd be on site in the morning to offer fresh coffee while they were doing the last of those jobs. Alexandra was to be the water boy or coffee boy; delivering fresh cups to the different crews. She offered to help with the roping of the calves, but that idea was quickly dismissed by her father. They were adhering to tight schedules and she wasn't experienced in roping calves. Besides that, she was to stay away from the branding fires completely.
Seeing her face drop, the rest of the family went about making sure she felt included. Marty told her not to worry that when she came to stay with her that she would give her a few lessons on roping calves. Hop Sing then re-iterated that her job in the morning was just as important. Hoss talked about everybody working as a team, and family teams were the best, because everybody did what they could do really well while looking out for each other. Joe reminded her that everybody always starts off at the bottom of the jobs on a cattle drive, like him riding drag for the last couple of years. He also told her that when he was her age, he wasn't even allowed anywhere near the roping let alone the branding. But, he was glad that she was gonna be there; part of the family enterprise and that she was going to be there to see them all off with warm bellies and the memory of her smile. That comment had the whole family chuckling including Adam, who appreciated the extra lengths his family and Marty were going to reduce Alexandra fears and have her involved in some way.
The plan was that once they got the herd moving, Hop Sing was to head off to O'Shaunassey', to drop off Alexandra and pick up the extra eggs Mrs O'Shaunassey had gathered for him. Then Hop Sing would meet up at the pass and follow the herd to first camp. Adam pulled out the map of the trail, making sure Hop Sing knew which trails he was to take from O'Shaunassey'. They reviewed the rendezvous point for the Devlin's, the McKlintock's, the Wilson's and the herds. Most of them would arrive at the gap within two days. The Devlin's would be the last to arrive, while the McKlintock's and the Ponderosa herds would be the first by early morning on day two.
Alexandra and the rest of the family were very happy to head to bed, in preparation of
the early and busy morning ahead. Alexandra flew into her room and double checked her saddle bags to make sure she wasn't leaving anything behind. She grabbed the small lasso rope Hoss had braided for Erica, her pet cow. She tied that onto her saddle bags, so she'd have it to take when Marty picked her up later in the week. Alexandra quickly changed into her night dress and jumped into bed. It was still quite light with the clear summer night and a full moon beaming in the window. Alexandra got up to close the curtains, so she could sleep. Looking out the window she spotted her father and Marty sitting on the cushioned bench seat on the guest room's veranda. They were sipping another coffee and laughing. Alexandra opened the hatch a little curious as to what was so funny.
"Thank you for tonight, "whispered Adam, before taking a sip of his coffee. "I really appreciated your help with Alexandra and the women's business."
Marty rested her tea cup in her hand. "No thank you. I love that little girl. Alexandra and I are developing a good relationship." Marty nudged Adam slightly. "Even though it was a false alarm on your part," she giggled. "It was a good little session for Alexandra and I. Dinner was good too. Everyone made Alexandra feel involved. I felt very much part of the family with us all sitting around at the table discussing the plans."
Adam took Marty's empty tea cup and his now empty coffee cup and sat them on the small table next to the rustic garden bench seat they were sitting on. He moved closer and put his arms around Marty's shoulders. "You are part of the family: you are to be my wife," he smiled, before leaning in to gently kiss her cheek. He quickly moved from her cheek towards her lips and placed another warm kiss there.
Marty reciprocated with a longer kiss of her own, then leaned in close to Adam, making her self-cosy in the crock of his arm and laid her head on his chest. She played with the button on his shirt. "It was a good idea of yours to have Alexandra help in the morning with Hop Sing before going to Mrs O'Shaunassey' s house," commented Marty.
Adam nodded his head. "I thought of it after Alexandra and I had our little talk before supper. She's anxious about me going away. The kids been stealing supplies from my saddle bags, thinking it would delay the evitable. I don't want her to be afraid that I'll abandon her, but to realise that we all have work to do and we can't always be together."
"But we all can be involved in different ways," added Marty.
"Yep, and I can't wait to get more involved with you," he added, with a devilish playful grin. He leant in again and kissed Marty longer and more passionately this time. He rested his head on hers drawing Marty in closer. He rubbed her arm slowly matching the rhythm to circular movements her hand was making on his chest.
Marty felt the energy of that kiss shoot right down into her belly where a flutter of air bubbles travelled. She blushed, shy of her own lust, then attempted to dampen it with her wit. "Oh really. Well you may be just too tired after three weeks on the trail. You're a lot older than me, you may need a whole week to recuperate."
"I'll be thirty this coming birthday. I'm hardly that much older than you," he scoffed.
Marty fluttered her eyelashes. "Six years is a big gap, Adam, when you compare it to a dependent, venerable and petite, inexperienced to hard work female, sitting and waiting with baited breath, until her strong big hard working old cowboy comes home with the goods," she delivered melodramatically; like a damsel in distress.
Adam laughed heartily, "You are hardly dependent, Mrs Strawn, or inexperienced to hard work. Are you trying to bamboozle me as Alex would put it?"
Marty laughed and asked, "But, I'm vulnerable?"
"No sweet and trusting, but it's a hard life out here. I wish you'd be a little more cautious; both with people you don't know and with some of the work you do, like helping Dan with his round – up. That's all."
"I'm quite capable Adam. Besides Dan is totally trustworthy and we've been taking Dreamers training slowly and with caution. Dan also doesn't have the means to hire many men, so me helping out has been good. His oldest is only thirteen, and will most likely join him on the drive next year. However, as far as I am concerned, I've been helping my family with cattle drives since I was fourteen. We all helped. We were so far away, that most families, kids, mums and dads helped with driving their herds to market, and took the opportunity to stay up in the big towns while we were there. I can rope, ride, and brand with the best of them," boasted Marty.
"The best of them?" smirked Adam trying to keep the conversation light hearted.
"Yes, Mr Smarty Pants. I can. Of course there are things I can't physically do and things I'm just not good at, but one thing my brothers taught me was don't do a job you're not comfortable with or competent at. It's dangerous for you and your fellow workers."
"Well there you are then!"
"What do you mean?" frowned Marty.
"Ahh I mean… I'm sure you are capable and equal to some of the men we are taking with us, but this is a big drive, not just a family affair this time, so we need experienced men at each of the different jobs. I also would be uncomfortable with you around men that I don't know very well."
"So… I could be a distraction?"
"Yes, you would to me anyway," he smirked, now trying to bring the conversation around to the earlier sweet talk of romance.
"Hmm trying to sweet talk me, now? So when we are married, and there are smaller drives with just Ponderosa stock, I'll be able to come along and help? I could help in lots of ways, besides roping and riding heard. I could also be a medic for one thing. I can cook. Bush donuts are my speciality."
"I'd think about it," said Adam.
"What about Alexandra," asked Marty.
"Oh, I don't know about that. Maybe when she was older; more mature and has a few more skills; I'd think about it…It was nice of you to offer to teach her some things while we are away, though I'd like her try more feminine pursuits. I want her to grow up a lady… not necessarily a refined Boston socialite, but… "
Marty, huffed interrupting Adam. "I am feminine and I pursue my interests based on my skill and passion, not my gender."
"You're getting mad about this now aren't you? I didn't mean you aren't a lady… or feminine… Look, I know there's a women's movement going on here, and I don't know what it's like in Australia, but in this country in the 1860's, the man is still head of his house. He makes decisions based on the needs and safety of his family."
"In my Country; it's the same… I also come from a very long line of stubborn Scottish males; the Lairds of the manor, so yes it's the same, and historically there has been good reasons for that to be the case, but we were also settling and developing a new country. Australia is just as wild as this one, however, we worked the land and the cattle stations together; as a family. Sometimes it's the only labour that's available or you can afford. The blacks helped out too. But, they still fought amongst their tribes, so we had to be careful who we interacted with and what sacred lands we needed to avoid."
"Okay, lets compromise here. If I think its safe for you and Alexandra, then we can discuss you coming on a family drive. But, we'll evaluate it at the time. And, if either one of you isn't ready or well enough to go, then someone will have to stay home…"
"And of course that will me; the little woman's job," Marty answered sarcastically.
"No, we will discuss it and decide which are the best people for the jobs. Besides that, you may be busy with your nursing. I've agreed that you can still continue on with that after we are married."
"You agreed!"
Adam put his hands up in defence. "Yes, I agreed after we discussed it. I know you have a passion for that and I would never deny you that calling. I need to do other things besides all the cowboy stuff as you put it. I need to design and build things to satisfy my own passions. We will be partners and we will discuss, and debate, and probably argue, about lots of things once we are married. But I'll warn you now, I will put my foot firmly down if your safety is at risk. That's not just because I'm a man, and have the legal right in this day and age to rule my household; it's because I love you and I will do anything to protect those I love."
"Okay," conceded Marty. "I suppose I sounded a little defensive, but we are going to be partners in our marriage and I need to know you are going to take me seriously and listen to my opinion" she admitted now feeling guilty for reacting so strongly.
"I look forward to discussing all of your opinions my stubborn wife to be," he said with a smile. Marty didn't return his smile. "but, more importantly I find your enthusiasm, your lust for a full of life to be very appealing," he said. "Now how about some more enthusiasm for some more cuddling? And, I wouldn't mind a few more of those kisses before you head off to bed. It's an early start in the morning and a long three weeks for both of us," he implied raising his eyebrows.
Alexandra closed her window, not wanting to watch any more of the lovey dovey stuff. She quickly jumped into bed and lay back. Her thoughts ran a mile a minute, about the drive.
I can't wait to help out in the morning. One day I'll probably be able to do more like dad said when I'm all manured an all. And, have more skill. It's so great of Marty to teach me how to rope and about being able to be a lady and do boy things as well. Marty can do both, and dad likes Marty a real lot. I like Marty a real lot. Maybe I can be more like Marty. The girly things are going to be hard, and girl things with boys specially. I don't think I'll ever like kissing a boy. I'm more excited about learnin' ta rope and round up cattle, and do some of those fun things boys do.
Uncle Hoss said I'm like Uncle Little Joe, and Aunt Molly said I'm as energetic as momma was when she was little. So maybe, I would have all momma's and Uncle Little Joe's talents too. Maybe theys have been passed down to me.. Maybe, I could start practicing tomorrow, or when I get to Mrs O' Shaughnessy, that way Marty would be really happy too and not have to teach me from scratch. Gee Willickers! Iffin I could get as good as Marty and Uncle Joe, then daddy would be more than happy to take me on a cattle drive. Why, he'd probably need me the most! I wouldn't hafta stay home. I'd be with dad and the whole family.
Alexandra soon dozed off thinking of ways she could practice over the next week. Once she fell asleep, she dreamed of her riding her pony Cal on a big cattle drive; saving small calves caught in bushes, whining for their momma's; eating beans and eggs, and bush doughnuts, she wasn't sure what they were, but in her dream they were ringed doughnuts with a spray of berry bushes bursting from the hole in the centre. She dreamed of celebrating in the saloon with her uncles, shouting out at the bar – "Beers for all my friends. To a successful cattle drive". She'd have a fortune in the bank; a hundred dollars even. She'd not only be rich; she'd be the best cowhand her daddy had. Why she could even be ramrod one day!
TBC Chapter 3 – Round Em Up And Move Em Out
A.N. Thanks everyone for the great reviews. Again a special shout out to Lajocci who got this second draft back to me despite her very busy schedule. Stay tuned. I've started the next chapter, but don't be surprised if it takes at least 4 weeks to get to you. I have some pretty big family events coming up.