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Chapter 10

Everyone was seated at the table waiting for Hop Sing to bring in their dinner. When he arrived, Cathy stood up and asked him to stay and then announced to everyone how sorry she was for what she had done."

"Pa has talked to me about everything and was punished, sort of. Anyway, Davy, I'll be doing your chores for three days. Bet you're pleased about that."

Davy didn't speak. Adam coughed, giving Davy to understand he should reply.

"Yes." Was all Davy said. He was still mad at Cathy. But on hearing she would be doing his chores he began to plot his revenge. She has become far too bossy anyway. He thought. He didn't like being told by her what to do all the time. …

The following morning, or should I say before dawn, Grace was making her way across to the hotel to begin her work there for the last time. She hoped Adam wouldn't find out. She had decided it wouldn't be proper to just not turn up for work, so she started her chores and a little later as she had left some washing to soak, she sought out Charlie and gave him a letter to give to the manager and told him that this would be her last day here, but she'd come in earlier to prepare enough linen for a couple of days, while they looked for someone else. Charlie was astounded, I bet this has something to do with Adam Cartwright, he thought. Well, he liked Grace; she was a good worker and wished her luck. Thanking him she returned to her washing.

By 9.30 she was exhausted, but struggled on over to the library. But before she got there Clementine had seen her crossing the street and had run out to find out where she had been, and with no breakfast.

"Grace, are you all right?" Clementine asked, as she caught hold of Grace's arm stopping her in the middle of the street.

"Oh, Clementine, you startled me."

"Where have you been? You've had no breakfast. Adam will be furious with me for not taking care of you."

"Sorry, Clementine. I had something to do very early and now I've no time for breakfast as I have to get to the library for work. Perhaps I could have lunch with you at say one o'clock?"

"Yes, that would be fine. Please make sure you are on time."

"Oh I will. Thank you for understanding." With that Grace walked off towards the library.

Something is going on here, Clementine thought. ….

So over the course of the next couple of days, Adam had gone into Virginia City, taking Cathy to school and to make certain arrangements as well as picking up supplies that Hop Sing needed. He also called on Clementine to ask how things were going with Grace. …

In the meantime Davy was helping Hoss with the new calf. He was loving it. And then on the second day after Cathy had got home from school with Joe, who had picked her up, and had completed her and Davy's chores, she went up to her room to do her homework. Now this was the perfect time for Davy to complete his revenge. …..

Adam was at Clementine's waiting for Grace to finish her work at the café. Clementine wasted no time in telling Adam of the previous day's discovery. Adam was not pleased. A little later after talking and drinking tea, the door opened and Grace walked in.

"Adam, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"No, but I have some news for you."

"I'll go and make you some tea, Grace, while you and Adam talk." Clementine said as she left the room.

"What news have you for me, Adam?"

"Well, first of all, I have made arrangements for us to go to Carson City on Saturday to pay off your loan."

"Oh, but…."

"No buts. But more exciting than that I have been talking to Mary Deacon at the library. I learned that she is eager to retire but has no thought as to a replacement. I suggested you for the job, which will mean you can stop working at the café AND the hotel, which I understand you worked there yesterday morning."

"Yes, but only to hand in my notice. I went in extra early to give them an extra day's linen, as I only felt it fair not to leave them in the lurch, without a replacement. That way it gave them a little time to find one. I'm sure it won't take them long to find someone. There's always someone looking for work."

"Okay. I'm glad you have such a caring attitude towards people. But now you can give your time to just the library, which will leave you time to have more freedom for yourself." Adam said, taking one of her hands in his. He new he was falling for her, but wondered at how fast he had been taken with her. Who knew what love could do to a person.

Grace was excited at the news of working in the library full time.

"Thank you Adam for all you have done for me. Heaven knows I don't deserve your kindness. But with this job I can pay the loan back quicker now, and you won't need to help me out. Please don't argue with me about it."

"No, I'd prefer to get that paid off now and you out of that man's clutches. Then we can see about you repaying me."

"But Adam …"

"No more buts please. I'll give you as much time as you need and with no interest. I want you to start enjoying life instead of working all the hours God made. Mary is happy to finish out the week, so you can start afresh next Monday and in the meantime I would like you and Clementine to come to the Ponderosa for Sunday lunch."

"Thank you so much Adam. You've helped me, to the detriment of your home and family. I appreciate all that you've done for me."

"Yes, we'd love to." Clementine interrupted, as she came back through with a tea tray. Probably been listening to their conversation anyway. "It will be good to see Ben again, Ducky."

"Thank you Adam, that would be lovely to meet your very tolerant family."

"Then that's settled. I'll pick you and Clementine up after church and we'll have a leisurely drive out to the ranch and show you sights that will astound you."

"Wonderful." Clementine suspected Adam very much liked Grace, and probably vice versa.

"Yes, I can hardly wait. In the meantime I will speak with Mary and acquaint myself with the duties of the library. I hope too, that I can keep up with the reading class for the children."

"Sounds good, Grace." Adam agreed.

"Also I will finish out the week at the café." Grace announced, raising her palm up to prevent Adam from complaining and continued on. "Again it's only fair to give them a little time to find a replacement. There's no need to argue as I'm determined to do it."

"I wasn't going to. I was thinking anyone employing you would have a gem for a worker. But don't forget we're going to Carson City Saturday morning, early, so there will be enough time for your last day at the café."

"Okay Adam. Sounds like a good plan. What time on Saturday?"

"I'll pick you up around 8am. Is that all right with you?"

"Oh yes, no problem."

"Right. I'd better get going. Cathy and Davy will start worrying I'm not home." Adam said rising from the chair and taking Grace by the elbow led her to the front door.

"Take care 'til Saturday." He leaned down and lightly kissed her goodbye.

"I will. You too. Bye Adam." She watched as he mounted Sport, touching the brim of his hat in farewell. She waved as he rode off. …

Adam arrived home and while he was seeing to Sport he took a quick look in the tack room and was shocked to see the mess within. He thought Cathy was going to change her ways and perform her chores properly. Obviously not. This was the last straw.

He finished with Sport and made his angry way toward the house. When he walked in he could see Hoss and Davy together in the red chair. Hoss was reading one of Davy's favourite stories, as could be told by the smile on his face.

Cathy was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Cathy?" Adam asked in a raised voice, as he took of his jacket and gun belt. Hoss stopped reading and stared at Adam. Davy, had developed a small grin, but didn't look anywhere except at the book in Hoss' hand.

"Upstairs, I think. Why?"

"She and I will be having a necessary talk. She's ignored her chores." Adam walked across to the stairs and up towards Cathy's room.

"Oh, Lordi."

Adam was angry, so didn't knock before entering Cathy's room, and was surprised to find her sitting at her little desk doing homework.

"Hi, Pa. Just finishing off my homework. We haven't had too much this last week. It's an essay about George III. Mrs Myers explained him to us and then we had to read about him, then she… Mrs Myers…told us to write our own thoughts on George III. I've almost finished."

Adam was surprised at the delivery rate about her homework, as if she was enjoying the task, with not a hint of contrition at not having done her chores. Either something is wrong, he thought, or she has developed into a clever little actress.

"So you wanted to finish your homework first and then do your chores, is that it?"

"No, Pa, I did my chores first and then came straight up here to work on my essay. It's not very good, but I think…Mrs Myers… will be pleased."

"Then pray tell me why the tack room is still in a mess?"

"A mess, no it can't be. It was the last chore I did before I came up here."

"I hope you are not lying to me Cathy. You know very well what that will lead to."

"I'm not lying." She shouted. "I did all the chores you told me to do."

"Cathy, do not raise your voice to me. It will only lead to consequences that you don't much care for." Adam said sternly. "I think we should take a walk to the barn so you can see for yourself."

With that he caught hold of Cathy's arm and led her down the stairs and across the great room towards the door and out to the barn.

"Cathy's in trouble again." Davy said, his grin getting bigger.

"I hope not. Everything seemed okay when she got back from school. Maybe somethin happened in school and Adam has just found out. Maybe I ought to find out what it's all about." Hoss said, as he lifted Davy off his lap and rose to follow Adam and Cathy.

Out in the barn, Adam opened the tack room door and Cathy looked in open mouthed. Adam could see the honest surprised look on Cathy's face.

"Pa, I swear I did clean this room up. Honest, I did." But now she knew who was responsible for this and why.

"I believe you Cathy." Adam said as Hoss walked in.

"What happened here? This was all cleaned up when I looked in to check to see that Cathy had done her chores."

"Well then, it seems that 'someone' wanted us to think Cathy hadn't done her chores."

"And I can guess who that someone is. I remember a certain little person taking a very long time in the outhouse earlier, before he suggested I read to him."

"Why would Davy do all this to get me inta trouble?" Cathy asked.

"I don't know, but I'm about to find out. I'm sorry I looked to you to blame, but I can see now that is what I was meant to think. 'Someone' is in a lot of trouble." Saddened by what he had found out, Adam started to make his way to the house.

"I think it's time Davy had a necessary talking to. It seems only fair."

"You're right sweetheart. The time has come." Adam exited the barn and crossed the yard and into the house.

"You okay, sweetpea?" Hoss had sat down on a hay bale and opened his arms for Cathy to come to him so he could comfort her.

"Yes, I'm okay, Uncle Hoss." She said, sitting on Hoss' lap. "I think Davy is in big trouble with Pa this time and he's going to know just how I feel after Pa's had a necessary talk with me."

"Yeah, I think so. He's done a bad thing and your Pa is going to teach him that it was wrong what he did. I'm afraid Davy will have to tidy up the tack room with a very sore bottom. We'll stay here while your Pa deals with Davy. ….

All this time Davy had been standing on his Grandpa's chair watching from the study window and quickly jumped down when he saw Adam storming across the yard toward the house. 'He doesn't look too pleased. Then he never does when he punishes Cathy.' He thought.

Adam marched into the house to find Davy sitting comfortable still in the red chair.

"Davy, I want you to go up to your room and wait for me."

"Why, Pa?"

"Just do it. Now."

Davy was perplexed but did as he was told and went up to his room. …..

In the meantime Ben and Joe had just ridden into the yard, dismounted and made their way to the barn to settle their horses for the evening.

"Hello, Hoss, Cathy. What are you two sitting out here for? Ben asked.

"It's a long story Pa. We've had a little trouble with Davy just now and Adam is dealing with it."

"What's happened. Don't tell me Davy has been up to some mischief." Joe said, smiling.

"That just about sums it up. And we're sitting here waiting the outcome. Cathy and me will tell you all about it if you wanna hear. But out here in the barn."

"Yes, very well, tell it us while we take care of the horses.