Amy had purchased a couple of books, and Joe bought some licorice for them to share on the ride home, they had saddled up, and were headed out of town.
"So what took you, and your mother so long in that dress shop?" Joe asked curiously.
"So what caused you to get that black eye?" Amy asked, smirking at him.
"Well played, but seriously I've never known two girls to spend that much time in one store?" Joe asked, smiling.
"It wasn't my choice, I just wanted to pick out five dresses, got to the store, and then ride home, but noooo my mother wants to play dressup, and make it more complicated." Amy replied with sarcasm, rolling her eyes.
"You better not let Adam hear you talk like that, or else he'll go through with that threat, and I'll doubt you will be riding for a while." Joe warned. Amy blushed in embarrasment, "Don't worry about it, honey. We've all been there, getting a spanking threat. It happens, you just have to do your best not to have that threat carried it out, which I can't really give you advice on, I got in so much trouble when I was your age, even now, I've never been able to figure out how to get out of spanking, but you're smart, I'm sure you'll figure out the trick." Joe explained, winking at her.
"The trick is, is not to have such strict father's named, Adam and Ben." Amy said jokingly.
Joe laughed, "Yeah, well I wouldn't trade my Pa, or brother for anything."
"Oh no neither would I, that's not what I meant." Amy said frantically.
"I know, honey." Joe reassured.
"It's just I wish Adam wasn't so strict, I mean I can't get away with anything." Amy replied.
"Yeah, but he's just doing that because he loves you." Joe explained.
"I know he does, it's just sometimes I wish his love wasn't so...loving," Amy replied, squirming in her saddle.
"Well, that's just part of it, honey. You'll understand one day when you have kids." Joe replied smiling, "Who knows maybe someday soon you'll have a little brother, or sister that you'll have to be 'loving' to."
"Haha, yeah I don't know about that." Amy laughed.
"Well, just think of it this way, you have another brother, or sister you won't always be the one who gets into trouble." Joe replied jokingly. "The youngest always gets in more trouble, I would know."
"I guess that wouldn't be such a bad idea," Amy added, smiling.
****************Meanwhile back at the Ponderosa******************
"Elizabeth, what's wrong you haven't said a word the whole ride home?" Adam asked worried, helping Elizabeth down from the buckboard.
"Adam, I've already told you it's nothing. I'm just tired." Elizabeth stated, starting to walk past him.
He grabbed her arm, "There's a difference between being tired, and being upset, and you my dear are upset. So what's wrong?"
She looked straight into his eyes, "Nothing is wrong, now will you please just leave it," then she jerked her arm from his grip, and stomped inside, and up to her room.
Hoss walked over to Adam after hearing the interraction, "What's up big brother? Honeymoon over already?"
Adam just glared at him, "Would you mind putting the horses up, I have to take care of some business?" Hoss just nodded his head.
Adam then walked upstairs to his, and Elizabeth's room, "Elizabeth I know there's something wrong, will you please just tell me? Are you mad because I made you end your shopping trip? Are you mad at me because I let Amy go to the store, if you are I'm sorry, but I promised her, and I don't break my promises, or is it because-."
"NO ADAM! Stop, please I'm not mad at you, I'm not mad at Amy. Just stop!" Elizabeth shouted.
"Then what is it, and I swear if you say you're just tired again, you're going to get me angry." Adam stated.
"Okay fine, I'm upset! I'm not upset with you, or Amy, so please just drop it. It's my problem, I can deal with it." Elizabeth replied.
"Elizabeth that's not the way this works, I'm your husband I'm supposed to help with your problems, I want to help you with your problems. You may not think it's my place, but when you start treating me differently, then it is my place, now tell me what's wrong! If you tell me nothing, that's a lie, and I don't like it when someone lies to me, and there will be consequences!" Adam warned.
"You mean you would..I..no you...I...no," Elizabeth stuttered.
"Yes I would, so either tell me the truth, or-," Adam started.
"Fine! You want to know what wrong, that boy that bumped into Amy earlier today at the store-," Elizabeth started, but then suddenly stopped.
"Yes, what about him?" Adam asked.
"He's..." Elizabeth took a deep breath, "he's my...son!"
Sorry for such a short chapter, but I figured I had kept you guys in suspense long enough, lol.
More of the story to come!
Hope you enjoy!:)
Thank you again for all the great reviews!
Please keep them coming!
