Christmas has come and gone, once again, but I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I especially want to thank those reviewers who seem to be reading my stories for the second time. An ultimate accolade. That really does my ego good. And I'm sorry for the delay. I've had a death in the family and it's taken a time to come to terms with it.

Chapter 23

Adam and John had been successful and were currently at the Ponderosa making arrangements with Hoss for the housing of the pony.

"I'll bring extra oats over tomorrow once the girls have left for school." He told Hoss.

"Not a problem, older brother. Could you bring the saddle and everything so I'll be able to get the pony ready on the day?"

"Yes, I'll do that, Hoss and thanks."

"You coming in for supper, you and John, there's always plenty, you know that?" Hoss invited.

"Thanks, Hoss, but we need to get home. I want to see my family before the girls are in bed."

"I understand."

Just then Ben came out of the house and over to the barn.

"Hi, Pa," Adam said in greeting. "It's a hello and goodbye, I'm afraid. Everything okay here?"

"Yes, son, all fine here."

"Good, I'll be back tomorrow. Thanks again, Hoss." Hoss and Ben waved farewell as they watched Adam and John ride out.

"So they got the pony for Mags."

"Yep, Mags is probly goin' to think she'd never have a pony."

"Sure, Hoss. She's wanted to ride her own pony to school every since Beth got hers." Ben chuckled. "Come on Hoss, dessert and coffee awaits."

"Now yer talkin' Pa." And together they walked back into the house.

…..

November 16th was fast approaching and Mags was getting worried as nobody had mentioned her birthday. She was beginning to think that they had forgotten, what with Beth's 'project' and Thanksgiving taking precedence. Jenny, at school, had been asking her what was wrong.

"Nothin's wrong."

"Yes there is. You've hardly spoke and that's not like you."

"Well, if you must know, I think everybody has forgotten my birthday." Tears beginning to form in Mags' eyes.

"Nah, they'd never do that. I bet they're just keeping quiet, waiting to spring a surprise on you." Jenny said, trying to cheer her up. She was also desperately trying to hold on to the plan about Mags' birthday surprise, but was sworn to secrecy. "Well, it's only two days away, so you don't have to wait too long, right?"

"They're all more interested in Beth's project and the baby coming, than in me. I'll have to think of something to get their attention."

"Hey, don't do anything stupid, or you'll end up with a sore backside on your birthday."

"I don't care." Then quietly mumbled, "I'll think of something." Maybe drop her reader in a puddle. She

thought. That should get everyone's attention alright. A precious book, that should get her daddy's attention, right.

…

That afternoon Adam picked the girls up from school so Mags didn't get the opportunity to dirty her book.

"How was your day girls?" He asked, cheerfully.

"Good, Daddy," Beth answered. "Miss Stone asked me how my project was coming along….." A big sigh came from Mags.

"Something wrong with you, Mags," Beth sarcastically asked.

No reply came.

"Mags." Adam stopped the buggy and looked at her. "Answer your sister."

"No." Her voice was set in a serious tone.

"Mags, stop this right now." Adam warned. "Tell me what's wrong. Something happened in school today?"

"No." Again said in a vehement tone. Mags was thinking she'd certainly got her daddy's attention, but now she was thinking of what Jenny said to her about wearing a sore bottom on her birthday. But maybe it was already too late.

Adam was still looking at her with one eyebrow raised in warning. "I'm still waiting for an answer Margaret Claire."

Oh dear, he used her full name. Mags was starting to worry now. Daddy was mad at her she could tell. She didn't need to look at his face, she just knew that eyebrow was up. Mags stayed silent.

"Okay then, you'll go to your room when we get home, get your homework done, come down for supper and then return to your room and get ready for bed. We'll have a talk then. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

Adam started the buggy again and continued the journey home, which was now carried out in silence.

All this time Beth sat worrying what she had done to Mags, but she couldn't think of anything. Obviously there was something that Mags had taken a dislike to. And why now with her birthday just two days away.

I hope Daddy doesn't think the surprise should be called off, she thought. ….

They arrived home and Mags scrambled out of the buggy before Adam had time to help her down, and ran straight into the house and to her room without saying hello to Abby and not caring about running in the house. Beth followed her in but at a slower pace and also retreated to her room.

And just as soon as Adam entered the house after having settled the horse and buggy, Abby was on to him.

"What has happened? Both girls, one running and the other unrushed, have gone to their rooms."

"I don't really know, but I intend to find out." Adam then explained. "Mags was disrespectful on the way home and I can't for the life of me understand why. She refused to answer me when I asked her what was wrong. And then she disobeyed me by refusing to answer me, twice, in a very disrespectful manner. So she has been sent to her room."

"Oh dear, something must have happened in school." Abby suggested.

"Well whatever it is she is going to tell me later and if not, she'll get a necessary talking to, which I'm sure she will be expecting."

"Adam, it's so close to her birthday. Can you delay punishment until after then?"

"I don't think so. But if she tells me what today was all about, maybe I'll go easy on her and give her just a sharp swat to let her know how very disappointed I am in her behaviour today."

"Is she allowed to have supper with us?" Abby asked.

"Yes. I told her to complete her homework and then she could have her supper and return to her room, get ready for bed and that I would be up to speak to her then."

"Fine. I'll go and finish up my preparations for supper." And reaching up she gave Adam a kiss. "I know how much it hurts you when the children misbehave."

"Yes. It doesn't get any easier."

"Why don't you relax with a brandy while I return and finish the supper in the kitchen."

"Yes, I think I could do with it." He then returned Abby's kiss and sat down in his favourite chair. I need to solve this problem with Mags, he thought. What if she keeps refusing to answer me. What then. She won't have a very happy birthday if I have to resort to a spanking. Think, Adam, think. She was quiet but didn't seem unhappy when she came out of school, he remembered. Then there was that big sigh when Beth mentioned her project. Yes, that's when it started. Something to do with Beth's project.

…

Supper was a very quiet affair. Even the adults said not a word. As soon as everyone had finished eating Adam gave Mags a look that told her not to tarry and to return to her room. On seeing her daddy's look she asked to be excused and receiving an affirmative reply, she left the table and made her way upstairs to await her fate.

Once Abby, Adam and Beth were seated around the fire, Adam asked, "Beth, sweetheart, have you any idea why Mags was acting that way? I believe it started when you mentioned your project."

"Well, I know she's never been happy about it. I mean me doing something she would like to do."

"I think there may be some jealousy involved here," Abby suggested.

"You may be right, Abby. But she knows her time will come. She's only just started school."

"Maybe Mags wanted to be able to help with the project and was told it was Beth's project for school and had to do it alone and her attitude changed because of it." Abby said. "I think she's been unhappy about it from the beginning and today was the last straw."

"Well, whatever the reason, I hope she tells me. I don't want her birthday to suffer for it." Adam stood up. "I'd better go up. I've left her up there longer than I intended." He made his way upstairs.

As Abby and Beth watched Adam going upstairs, Beth said to Abby, "I'm sorry to have caused all this, especially as it's happening just as Mags' birthday is almost here."

"Beth, sweetheart, whatever it is, it is not your fault. I'm pretty sure it's a little jealousy. It's called sibling rivalry."

"Well, whatever it is, I hope she gets over it very soon, or her surprise party might have to be called off."

"Oh, I hope not. A lot of effort went into organising it." Abby said as she stood up to clear the coffee cups and Beth's empty milk glass. "Oh, and Beth, would you stay down here until your daddy returns?"

"Yes, of course, Mamma."

How Abby loved to hear Beth call her Mamma. She made her way to the kitchen while Beth was adding things to her list that she needed to do for her project.

…..

Meanwhile, upstairs in her room, Mags sat on her bed waiting for her daddy to come up, "Why did I do it?" Mags asked herself. "I'm in so much trouble now."

Then the knock came and the door opened and there stood Adam with a look that made Mags struggle to keep from crying. Although she suspected crying would be involved within the next few minutes. Adam walked across the room and sat on the bed beside Mags. Nothing was said until he stood Mags up and stood her in front of him.

"I hope you have thought over your behaviour today and have a good reason for it with an apology for your

disrespect to me and Beth." Silence. "Well, what have you to say?"

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I….I…." Tears began forming in her eyes.

"I accept your apology, but I need to know why. I'm disappointed in you, something I thought I would never be. You've always been my best girl, you and Beth both. I couldn't love you both more if I tried. Now, I don't want to have to punish you but if you don't tell me why you behaved the way you did and spoke to me the way you did, then that's where this will end. Do you understand me?"

"Yes…..Daddy."

"Well…?"

"Oh, Daddy," she cried. "I don't know what to say."

"Just tell me, so that I can understand. Just take a deep breath and tell me."

Mags did just that and then, "I've missed you, Daddy."

"Missed me?"

"Yes, Daddy. You've been busy with Beth and her 'project'"…. she spat that word out, "…so much that you

didn't see me at all and it made me mad. You sent me to bed 'cos you and Beth were working and talking about her 'project'. Again that word was especially pronounced.

"I see, so this was all about getting my attention?" Mags nodded. "Words please."

"Yes," Mags said, nodding and crying at the same time.

"Well, young lady, that is not the way to go about it. You have to understand that sometimes one of you girls is going to need my attention more than the other at one time or another and in this case it's Beth's and her project. And some day in the future you too will need my advice on one of your own. But I'm sorry that you felt you had no choice but to resort to this kind of behaviour. But you know I cannot allow your behaviour to go without punishment."

"Yes, Daddy. Are you going to spank me now?"

"Correct." And without further ado, Adam pulled Mags across his lap and gave her one very hard swat and stood her up again between his legs and held her close. Mags was seriously crying now and rubbing her bottom.

"Sweetheart, know that I love you very much, and that it hurts me that I cannot always be with you like you want me to be. I have a lot of work to do to keep our ranch going and because of that I cannot always give you the attention that you need. Beth needs my attention at the moment, but I'll tell you what, when we next discuss her project you can sit and listen, with no interruptions," he emphasized, "and in that way you can learn how to work on a project of your own when the time comes."

"Yes, Daddy. I'm sorry for being rude to you. I won't do it again, I promise."

Famous last words, Adam thought.

"I know you'll try. You will also apologise to Beth in the morning but right now I want you to get in bed and go to sleep. Tomorrow we'll start afresh, okay."

"Yes, Daddy." Mags leaned forward and kissed her Daddy and he hugged her tight against him.

"Now into bed." Adam stood up and pulled the sheets open to allow Mags to get into bed. Once in, he covered her up and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, sweetheart. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Daddy and thank you."

"For what?"

"For not giving me the spanking I deserved, but what you did hurt a lot."

"Yes, well, don't give me a reason to have to give you a serious talking too in the future, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy. I mean no, Daddy. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetheart." And with that Adam left Mags to think on their discussion and returned downstairs.