Authors note: I know its been a while since my last chapter, thank you to all of my readers for all staying faithful? I have not abandoned this story of any or the others that are not marked as completed. As we are all aware the last year had been very challenging for all of us and I have been unwell on and off including being taken to hospital in an ambulance and while on a nebuliser and so please bare with me. Special thanks to Islaboe and Dalm or sticking with me and helping me get back on track.
Adam entered the house with Abraham to find Zachariah setting the dining table, with Annabel helping with one hand.
"Abraham, go wash your face and come back down for supper please."
"Yes, Pa." The boy slowly made to the bottom of he stairs and started the slow climb up to his room wincing as each step aggravated the soreness in his behind.
Adam ruffled Zach's head as he passed him on the way to the kitchen, Zach allowed it without complaint. He didn't hate his father for his rules. Adam was pretty upfront with what behaviour was acceptable and so despite the soreness Zach stuck to his chores. With the table finally set he told Annabel to go sit on the couch and he went to tell his mother the table was ready.
Emma, retrieved the baked potato's from the oven and asked Adam to take out the steaks and put them on a plate, while she carried them into the dining room.
Minutes later when Abraham came down the stairs it was to experience the sight and smells of the evening meal. It was oven baked steaks, baked potatoes and beans that his mother had prepared for them. ."Smells real good, Ma."
"Thank you, Abraham. Why don't you grab a cushion for yourself and your brother and sit at the table. Annabel, sweetheart it's time to come to the table fo dinner."
"Coming, Mama." She replied eating he doll back down on the couch.
Adam came back into the room with a large jug of milk, he set it down and helped Annabel into her seat. He smiled without comment at the boy's sitting on cushions, he didn't mind allowing that even though at their age he hadn't been allowed that extra comfort. Adam knew it would still be slightly uncomfortable for his boys and the lesson would be learned sufficiently. He didn't want to subscribe to his father's harsher methods of the past when it wasn't necessary.
They all sat down at the table and after Adam said grace he helped Annabel put her food onto her plate and started cutting up her steak and potatoes for her into smaller bite sized pieces.
"I want you to eat all of this, please," he said softly, before he offered her the fork and started loading up his own plate.
"Mmm, Mama this is good," said Zach.
"I should hope it is and we have peach cobbler for dessert too."
Zach and Abraham immediately looked at their father, they knew that dessert was often not an option if any of them had been in trouble and after dinner it would be time for bed too.
Adam looked over at Emma, who's eyes pleaded with him to allow the boys their dessert for once, even though they had been in trouble. After all she had already spoken to Zach and knew that Adam would have made sure that the lesson was learned with his firm hand. His methods would hopefully ensure that Abraham would not want to do whatever had gotten him into trouble again.
Adam noted the silent plea and gave a slight nod, "Alright, just this once you may all have dessert after your dinner but then it's bed time for all of you."
"Yes, Pa," came a quiet utterance from Abraham.
"Yes, Papa. Thank you," said Zach, who hated missing out on dessert even if he knew that the reason was due to being in his parents bad books.
Annabel meanwhile frowned and poked at a piece of steak. She wasn't tired having slept on the way home and she didn't want to go to bed right after her supper either.
The main meal was soon finished and everyone had dessert and enjoyed it. Adam cleared his throat when he saw that plates were cleaned. "Alright, boy's clear the table please then say goodnight to your mother. Annabel stop poking at that last piece of cobbler, either eat it or say you have had enough. It's time to go to bed for you too."
"But, Papa I'm not tired," the little girl whined.
"Sorry, Princess but you were also naughty today at grandpa's, so you are going to bed early tonight as well. Maybe next time you will remember that you are not to go kicking anyone, even if you do think they are ignoring you." Adam stood up, "That was a magnificent meal, darling. Leave the dishes to us, you go and sit down and rest up or have a little read of that new book I brought home last week. I'll do the dishes after I have put the children to bed. Children, com on get moving and say goodnight to your mother please."
Abraham and Zach did as they were told and cleared the table then they both said goodnight to their mother, who hugged each in turn leaving a kiss on their heads at the same time.
"Goodnight, Ma."
"Goodnight, Abraham. Sleep well and remember papa and I have already forgiven you. You need to forgive yourself. You have be punished and I know you will have learned not to do that again at school."
"Yes, Ma'am, I have. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, my sweet boy." Abraham was released then he stepped back for Zach to then be pulled into his mother's arms.
"Goodnight, Mama. Thank you for asking papa to allow us to have dessert."
"You are welcome, son. Now…" she nodded towards the stairs, "go on, sweetheart. Go do what your papa told you and I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
"Love you too, Mama," he said squeezing her then he released her and walked to join his brother at the foot of the stairs.
"Go on up, boys. I'll be right behind you."
"Yes, sir," they started up the stairs while Adam picked Annabel up from her seat at the table.
"Noooo, Papa. I don't wanna go to bed." She complained and tried to wriggle away from his arms.
"Annabel, it's bedtime. Now will you please say goodnight to your mama and stop being silly."
Although Annabel allowed her father to pick her up and set her on his right hip , she pouted and hid her head against her father's chest and point blankly refused to say goodnight to her mother, no matter how much prompting from Adam. Adam was about to tap her thigh to get her to comply when Emma shook her head and instead she stepped closer to kiss the little girl on top of her head, "Goodnight, sweetheart. Adam don't forget to make sure she takes her medicine before she lays down."
"I won't, darling. Come, sweetheart let's get your medicine and take you up to bed."
Annabel pouted even more as Adam took her into the kitchen to make up her medicine in a glass of milk. She even had to be threatened with a spanking to get her to drink the small glass of milk and medicine down.
"Right, now lets have no more talking back to your papa, young lady or you will also be having a sore bottom to sleep on." He carried her out of the kitchen through the main living room and up the stairs to her room. With one hand he bent down her bed then he set her down and quickly changed her into her nightdress.
All done he settled her in her bed with her favourite teddy and doll next to her for her to cuddle, then pulled the covers up over her. Crouching down at the end of the bed where Annabel laid her pouting head, he brushed back her bangs from her face, "Close your eyes, Princess and I am sure you will be asleep before you know it." He smiled and bent forward to kiss her forehead, "Night, night, sweetheart, sleep well. I love you." He hoped that would prompt her into a response to him but Annabel didn't answer him, instead she turned her head away from him. Adam just smirked and shook his head as he stood up. "Alright, suit yourself, Princess but you will stay in bed all now that please. Papa doesn't want to have to come up here to put you back to bed."
Annabel didn't say anything even when he left the room, instead she pouted not happy at being put to bed earlier than usual, especially when she wasn't tired. She waited as long as she thought she should then pushed her covers back and rolled over onto her good side to push herself up to sitting then she stood up from the bed. As silently as she could she slipped on her night shoes and started out of the room. She was almost at the top of the stairs when…
"Annabel Elizabeth Cartwright if you are not back in your bed in…"
Annabel squealed, not expecting her father to still be upstairs at all and she turn and practically ran back to her room and quickly climbed back into bed.
Adam hadn't expected to be still upstairs then but Zachariah had needed some extra reassurance that his father had forgiven him completely. Adam had cuddled the boy and talked to him until he felt Zachariah was certain of his father's forgiveness and then Adam had tucked the younger boy into his bed and wished him a good night. He was just trying to leave the room as quietly as possible so as to not have disturb Annabel, in case she had fallen asleep already, when he spotted her trying to make her way downstairs.
Adam followed Annabel to her bedroom and stood in the doorway. She was now buried under the covers making fake sleeping noises and it made him smile, "I know you are not asleep, young lady but you had better not get out of that bed again tonight unless it's to use the pot. I will come up and check on you in a while and I want you fast asleep by then or at the very least in that bed trying to get to sleep. Is that clear?"
Annabel never responded to him but the fake snoring stopped.
"Annabel, Papa asked you a question. Do you understand what he just said?"
She turned her head towards him and peaked out over her covers, "Yes, Papa," she said softly.
"Good, because, Papa means it. If I have to talk to you again about it you will get a sore bottom." He saw her bite her lip and then he wished her a good sleep again, shutting the door behind him.
By the time Adam returned downstairs Emma had sat herself down in her armchair and was sitting with the small pile of sewing that needed to be done, she was currently adjusting one of Adam's old shirts to fit Abraham. It had worn cuffs on the sleeves and so she had cut off the excess damaged material and had folded the other material over and was half way through sewing it up at the correct length to fit her eldest's arms.
Adam smiled at her as he descended the staircase, "That doesn't look very much like relaxing, darling."
"Well it is relaxing to me and I like to take advantage of the peace, quiet and light while I can. Could you make some coffee please?"
"Yes, I'll put a pot on and then do the dishes. You did leave them for m to do didn't you?"
"Yes, I left them for you to do, as you so kindly offered to do them.."
Adam chuckled and went to the kitchen. He fixed a pot of coffee and put it on the stove along with a pot of water to boil to do the dishes with.
When the water was hot enough he poured it into a bowl pumpumped in a small amount of cooler water then started washing up. When all the pots, pans and dishes were done he loaded up and carried a tray of coffee in to Emma and set it down on the coffee table. "Would you like me to pour you a cup of coffee out or would you rather do it yourself, ma'am?" he asked in a waiter type voice while trying to keep a straight face.
Emma looked over the top of her sewing at him and Adam burst out laughing at the slight sarcastic glare she shot him, "Alright the I'll do it for the both of us. Why are you acting so serious now anyway?"
"I was just thinking about a few things as I mended the children's clothes. Adam, I am worried that Abraham is getting into a lot of trouble in school these days, certainly more than he used to. What must his teacher think of us?"
"Darling, he is a a young boy and young boys get up to mischief when they get together and not just in school. Don't worry yourself sick over it. If he was causing that much trouble he would be expelled from class and from what I have heard from Mr Lawson, he is not the worst boy there and far from the worst student. Darling, you should have known our Joe when he was a boy. He was always getting into trouble for some mischief of one type or another. Playing pranks mainly, but sometimes they were more serious ones that cost Pa financially, like ruining his teacher's dress because she split ink all over it from jumping up when marking the class's work after school. Seems that some Frogs had been put in the teacher's bag and they bursted out of it unexpectedly onto her hand. Another male teacher's best suit had to be cleaned at the Chinese laundry because of another prank involving some bad eggs. Joe's behind paid dearly for that one can tell you, as he was 14 at the time and Pa told him he should have grown out of pranking. Pa said the whole reason why Joseph went through so many teachers in his schooling life was because of Joe and his friends antics.
Adam leaned forwards and poured the out the coffee and then added the right amount of milk and sugar to make it just how Emma liked it and then he set it right in front of her. "Abraham, will grow out of this phase just like Joe did. If I need to, I will just continue offering a firm incentive for him to behave himself and Zach, well Zachariah is a good boy. He knows right from wrong and is so gentle hearted he won't get into much more trouble, he certainly doesn't like the consequences of misbehaving."
Emma set down her sewing and picked up her coffee and sipped it, as it was still very hot, "Yes, I suppose you are right, Adam," she said with a sigh. "Thank you for for the coffee by the way and for also doing the dishes tonight for me."
Adam smiled at her, "You're welcome, sweetheart I probably need to off to do that more often while I am not working for Pa on the ranch.. Are you almost done with the pile mending? I could read to you if you like while you work?"
"Oh no I'm afraid I am not done yet, I still have more to do and yes, please. I would like for you to read to me. It's soothing."
"Alright then, I will. Hmm, now what was I reading to you last time….? Ah yes I remember now I believe it was Treasure Island wasn't it?"
"Hmm? Oh…yes I believe it was," Emma replied having picked up her mending again. She had decided to leave the coffee to cool a little more before drinking the rest.
"I'll go get the book." Adam stood up and left to go fetch the book from where he had left it in their bedroom on his bedside table. When he returned he sat down, got comfortable with his left leg crossed over his right then he thumbed through it to find the place he last remembered reading, to Emma. He started reading aloud to her then, he spoke just loud loud enough for Emma and himself to hear as he didn't want to wake the children.
"All that night we were in a great bustle getting things stowed in their place, and boatfuls of the squire's friends, Mr. Blandly and the like, coming off to wish him a good voyage and a safe return. We never had a night at the Admiral Benbow when I had half the work; and I was dog-tired when, a little before dawn, the boatswain sounded his pipe and the crew began to man the capstan-bars. I might have been twice as weary, yet I would not have left the deck, all was so new and interesting to me—the brief commands, the shrill note of the whistle, the men bustling to their places in the glimmer of the ship's lanterns….."
'Chapter 10, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson '
Emma listened to her husbands' soothing voice as she finished the shirt and then deciding nothing else was urgent she put the sewing down beside her and sat back to relax while enjoying his reading voice and the now much cooler coffee.
An hour later Adam stopped reading and closed the book. "I think that's enough for tonight. I need to go check on the animals in the barn and secure them for the night."
"Then I'll go up and see if everyone is still asleep. Thank you for reading to me, darling. You know I enjoy it so."
They both stood up and Adam moved towards her to embrace her and give her a quick kiss. "You are welcome, my lady and if you aren't too tired when I return I would suggest an early night for both of us and I would be happy to entertain you in another way."
Emma laughed, "Well then my husband, I will eagerly be awaiting your return."
Adam grinned at that and they broke apart to go do their own checks of both animals and young children.
Adam returned to the house 15 minutes later and locked up the house for the night. He extinguished the fire in the grate as it wasn't going to be a particularly cold night and there was no need to have it burning all night to keep the house warm, then he picked up the coffee pot and cups and tray and took them out to the kitchen. He washed the coffee pot and cups and left them Reid and on the side ready to use in the morning then headed to his bedroom. Emma was already in there sitting at her vanity brushing her hair out. He came up behind her and started lightly massaging at her shoulders.
"Were they all asleep?" he asked.
"Yes, Abraham had kicked off his blanket as usual so I recovered him, Zach was fast asleep fully covered and Annabel seemed comfortable enough, she was still holding her doll and the pillow we've been putting in to support her was still in place. Do you think she will stay there all night tonight?"
"I hope so, she has had quite a day and was tired when I took her up even though she was complaining that she wasn't." He bent down to kiss at her neck. "Come to bed, my lady and let me relax you even more."
Emma smiled into her mirror, she rose and allowed Adam to take her by the hand to their bed. Adam helped her into bed then stepped away and secured the door lock. "We don't want to be disturbed in the middle of something now do we?" he quipped. Returning to the bed he began his efforts to relax her by massaging Emma's feet. At first it was just with his hands and then he started adding soft kisses to her skin as he worked his way slowly up her legs.
Emma laid back enjoying her husbands ministrations. She sighed as she relaxed into the bed but as Adam moved further up her body his kisses and light touches began to arouse her.
Adam continued up her body, moving slowly, showing his wife just how much he loved what he was doing. When he was level with and above her face he bent down and he kissed her on the lips and started undressing her by undoing buttons on her nightdress. When he got all the buttons on her nightdress undone he started to help her slip it off all the while kissing the exposed skin wherever it was Emma was now highly aroused. "Darling, please…"
"In time, my sweet….in time…" he replied and continued in his unhurried way slowly undressing her, as if unwrapping a delicate gift so as to not break it.
When he had unwrapped Emma to her nakedness Adam went to back up to her face kissing her lips then he started again with his caressing and kissing her from her neck down to swell of her left breast. Emma erupted into her first orgasm of the night, unable to keep back the rush of endorphins as Adam gently bit down on her left breast, while his hand teased her right with light touches then gentle pulls and rubs of the now sensitive nub.
Adam smiled to himself and went back up for another more passionate kiss while his hands still gently caressed her breasts. Emma experienced the full enjoyment of the start of his administrations. Adam broke the passionate kiss but then added a lighter kiss on her lips and then on her nose and also her closed eyelids. "That, my love is just the start of tonight's entertainment, gt yourself prepared for the main event."
Emma sighed contentedly, she brought her arms up to hold onto him at his back, "then I will look forward to the rest, my love," she said, as soon as her breathing evened out enough for her to say so.
The rest of the night was filled with more soft moans and gasps of delight on Emma's part until she couldn't take anymore of the slow but exquisitely enjoyable torture. Emma finally told Adam she needed him inside her and Adam was only to happy to comply with his wife's wishes.
An hour and a half later they collapsed, both sweaty and completely sated, the silence being broken only by the soft panting from both of them.
"Phew…well…..Mr….Cartwright…that…..was….."
"Wonderful?" Prompted Adam with a grin he was very please with himself
"Entertaining…" Said Emma
Adam raised his head to turn and look at her, "Entertaining?"
"Yes," grinned Emma as she turned her head to face him and she quipped, "you promised…..entertainment….did you not…. and I most certainly…. agree….mmm …I have … been…..most pleasantly….entertained."
Adam smiled, "Give me a little while longer ….my lovely lady…..and I will be glad to offer you… act 2?."
"Thank you kind sir…but …..I believe….that…" she turned over and leaned in to kiss him on the lips, "act 2 should be reserved for another day…"
"Very well, as you wish, my love."
Emma settled laying her head on Adam's chest and he caressed her shoulder and soon they both slipped into a dreamless sleep.
Annabel woke up with her arm hurting around 4 in the morning. She realised that she was still in her own bed again and began to cry. She pushed herself up off the bed in a fashion and slipped on her slippers before walking out of the bedroom to walk straight into her oldest brother. Abe had turned over in his sleep onto his back and his still slightly sore behind, upon contact with the bed, had in turn resulted in him awakening.
"Annabel, are you ok? Do you want me to go get your medicine? Or get, Papa?"
"I want papa, Abey. I want my papa. My arm it hurts."
"Alright, come on then. I'll go downstairs with you." He took her good hand and slowly and steadily he descended the stairs with her careful to ensure that she wouldn't bang her arm at all.
Adam being a normally light sleeper heard the creek of a stair and awoke, he extricated himself from Emma, who was still fast asleep and got up and pulled on a pair of pants then went to investigate.
"Oh morning, Pa," Abraham said when he saw his father's figure emerge into the main living room from the darkened side of the room.
"What are you two doing out of bed, it's still very early?" Adam asked as he approached them. On the way he grabbed a candle from the sideboard and lit it with a match that had been left there for that purpose.
"Arm hurts, Papa."
"Pa, Annabel woke up because her arm's hurting her and I didn't want her to walk downstairs alone and fall and make it worse," said Abraham.
"Ah, I see," said Adam, "well done and thank you for helping your sister, son.". He came over to them and placed the candle in its holder on the stair post and carefully lifted Annabel off of her feet and he set her on his own left hip. "Abraham you can go back up to bed if you want to. I'll deal with your sister now."
"Thanks, Pa but now that I am awake I think I'd rather stay up. Is there anything to eat, I'm hungry?"
Adam chuckled softly, "Yes there's always something in the pantry. Why don't you go see what you can rustle up." Adam carried Annabel over to set her down on the couch. "Stay here, sweetheart. Papa will get your medicine now and then light the fire. Are you cold, sweetheart?"
Annabel nodded so Adam grabbed a throw from the back of a chair and arranged it over her, "I'll be right back." He left to go and get her medicine in the kitchen where it had been left.
Abraham meanwhile didn't need to light a candle to see what he was doing in the kitchen, as the dawn's light coming through the kitchen window shone through right into the larder. He found the bread his mother had made and wrapped up in waxed paper, left over from the day before and also some cheese and ham. He fixed a large plate with roughly carved slices all items. He practically bumped into Adam as he left the kitchen with his goodies.
"Oops sorry, Pa."
Adam's eyes widened when he saw how much Abraham had piled onto the plate."Very hungry are we?"
"It's not all for me, Pa. I thought you and Annabel might want some too."
"Oh, well thank you son, I just might have some. Go on in there and sit down Oh and and move that candle onto the sideboard please. I don't want Zachariah coming down and knocking it over should he also decide to be n early bird."
"Yes, sir I will." Adam moved backwards to allow his son to pass by him and then he entered the kitchen. He found the medicine powder where it was put and quickly fixed up a dose in some milk for Annabel. While he was in the kitchen he filled the coffee pot and lit the stove. After setting the pot up with coffee and water on the top of the stove he left to go give Annabel her medicine.
Annabel drank all the milk and cuddled with Adam for a bit then she fell back to sleep as the medicine kicked in and relieved her pain. Adam laid her back fully on the couch, with some pillows around her to stop her rolling over onto her bad arm, then he turned and focused on lighting the fire to warm the house up.
"Abraham, please keep watch of that fire and watch out for your sister I am just getting some coffee from the kitchen."
"Yes, Pa. Pa?"
"Yes, Abraham?"
"Uhm, Can I try some coffee too, please?"
Adam thought about it then nodded, "Alright, you my try a small cup seeing as it's morning."
Adam left to go get the coffees, meanwhile Abraham picked up some more meat and happily started chewing it.
"Abey, can I have some of that?" Asked a small voice causing the boy to look to the couch where Annabel was awake again.
"Hey you're awake again already. Yes, o'course you can have some little sis. What do you want, bread, cheese, some ham?"
"Cheese, please." She replied and she pushed herself it's her good hand and her feet to sit up against the cushion behind her.
"Ok little sister, here have this chunk," he said leaning over and offering her one of the smaller chunks of cheese, that was at least as big as Annabel's palm.
"Thank you," she said softly, accepting it in her good hand and she started nibbling on it.
Adam walked in then with his coffee cup, the coffee pot, a jug of milk Nd pot of sugar and a smaller cup for Abraham's use. "Are you sure you left anything in the larder for everyone else, son?"
"Yes, sir there lots left and besides I'm hungry, Pa."
Adam shook his head wryly as he came nearer and set the coffee down on the coffee table. "Annabel , sweetheart I thought you would sleep for much longer. How is your arm feeling is it better?"
"Yes, Papa."
"Good I hope it lasts for. While please tell Papa if it starts hurting again." He poured some coffee for Abe and set it down in front of him. "I have only given you half a cup, son please add you own milk and sugar and sip it slowly, it may still be too hot for you."
"I will, Pa. Thanks."
"Yawnnn… did I sleep in?" asked another young voice from the stairs.
Adam looked to the stairs where a disheveled looking young boy took rubbing his eyes as he yawned while walking down the stairs with the other hand on the banister. "No, Zachariah you haven't . Your brother and sister just woke up much earlier than normal. How are you? Did you sleep alright?"
Zach, without thinking about it, rubbed at his bottom as he stifled another yawn. "Yes, Papa. Uhm, can I have some of what Abe has?"
"The food or the coffee?" asked Adam, and he now poured his own cup then sat down in his chair.
"Both, please, Papa. Uhm, if I am allowed?"
"You can share what Abraham has as far as the food goes and if you want something else we'll make a proper breakfast but I am not sure about the coffee, son. You are a bit young for coffee. What about some milk or cocoa?"
Zach sighed, "Ok then may I have cocoa then, please." He yawned and scrubbed at his face as he walked across the room to sit next to his brother, who nodded for him to start helping himself to some bread and ham.
"Yes I will make you some cocoa. Annabel would you like one cocoa?"
"Yes please, Papa."
Adam nodded and stood up and went to the kitchen to make the cocoa, while he was there he cut some bread and thought that he would take that in with some jelly and butter and they could make toast by he fire for breakfast as he was now hungry too. After all now all of the children were fully awake and eating he decided would just let Emma have a lay in and take her some breakfast in bed for a change.
When he returned to the main room with the tray of cocoa and bread and fixings the two older children were chatting quietly and Annabel had fallen back asleep again. Adam handed Zach his cocoa. He smiled down at his youngest and he carefully laid her down properly to make her more comfortable. "Boys I thought we might cook some toast by he fire for breakfast."
"Yeah, Pa that is a great idea," said Abraham. He and Adam readied bread on special forks and then Adam supervised while Zach and Abraham took turns to brown their toast in the fire.
While they then buttered and jellied their toast Adam made several slices of toast and put them on a plate with a pot of jellied plums and some butter, he added some of the cheese and ham to the plate too then fire a cup of coffee the way Emma liked it.. Boys, please keep an eye on your sister and stay away from the fire. I am just going to take your Mama some breakfast."
"Yes, sir. We will, Pa," replied Abraham.
Adam put it the coffee and plate of food on a serving tray with a knife and napkin then headed for his bedroom.
"Emmaaa…..darling! Wakey, wakey sleepyhead….." he said softly and he gently stroked a finger down her cheek.
Emma slowly opened her eyes and she smiled up at him..
"Good morning, darling," said Adam sitting on the bed and he leaned over to kiss her.
"Good morning to you too. Mmm, what is that enticing smell?"
Adam moved back to allow her to sit up. "I thought you could have breakfast in bed for a change, my love. The children have been up for some time and have already eaten. Annabel is back asleep on the couch, but don't worry it's because she woke up early in pain. I gave her some of her medicine and the boys are keeping an eye on her for a bit."
He reached for the tray and set it in front of her.
"Well look at all this, it looks wonderful and smells just as good," she said as she picked up her knife and started to putter some toast.
"Thank you, darlin," she told him and sighed in an enjoyable way as she bit into the hot buttered toast.. "so not that I am complaining but why am I getting the royalty treatment?"
Adam smiled, "I just thought you deserved it. I had thought of making pancakes but toast seemed easier and the boys love making toast by the fire."
"Yes, they do don't they?" She said and bit into the toast, while she ate she took sips of her coffee. Adam smiled and sat back and watched her enjoying the food he had put together for her.
When it came to the last slice of toast Emma put butter and jelly on one side then cut it in half and held out the other to her husbands' lips, "Please? I don't think I could manage any more and I hate to waste food?"
Adam nodded his ascent and he opened his mouth to accept the half slice of toast then raised his hand to support it while Emma went back to finishing hers.
When they had both finished Adam held out a napkin for Emma to clean her face and hands.
"Darling, that was a lovely breakfast and a really nice surprise but now what is the time?"
Adam looked at his watch, "Time the boys started to go do their chores and then get ready for school. I'm going to take them to school again this morning so I can talk to Mr Lawson and I don't think Abraham would be very comfortable on his pony. Would it be best to move Annabel in here until I am back or shall I take her with me?"
"No, leave her where she is I will get up now."
Adam nodded "ok but first," he leaned in for another quick kiss, "I'll let you get dressed now I best go get those boys moving to get dressed and get the chores done and the buggy ready." He picked the tray and took it with him when he left the room.
"Boys it's time to get dressed Nd get to your chore and make sure you have all your things ready for school as well, please."
"Alright, Pa. Come on Zach let's go.."
Adam took the tray to the kitchen, put the things away and cleaned up. He then returned to the main room to find a now dressed Emma sitting on the couch at the other end of where Annabel was still fast asleep. Emma was just sitting looking at her daughter.
"She looks so angelic and yet she also looks so pitiful laying there with her arm like that, Adam."
"It won't be long before she is back to normal, darling. She is already starting to act like her old self and getting up to her own version of mischief like at Pa's yesterday."
"I know but I still hate seeing any of them ill or in pain."
Adam walked over to put his hand on her shoulder, "I know, sweetheart so do I but it's a part of childhood and at least our children are generally very healthy." He gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, "I need to go get ready and get those chore done now but remember when she wakes up she isn't to be out of your sight until I come back home."
"Alright, I can have her help me make some bread rolls and some cookies or something. Oh no, have you made the boys lunches or school yet?"
"Oh no…. no I haven't."
"Don't worry I'll go do that now," she rose to kiss him on the lips, "you go get the barn chores done and I'll have the lunches ready for when you are finished."
"Ok. I love you."
"Love you too, darling." Emma left to go make the lunch pails up. Adam after kissing Annabel lightly goodby on the forehead left to go finish dressing an shaving then he chivered the boys up to get their chores done with the animals in the barn while he hitched up the buggy.
"Boys, come on hurry up and wash up, you will be late!"
"Be right there, Pa!" Said Adam drying hi hands and tossing the towel to his brother so he could use the outside pump to clean up. When they were both one they ran into the house grabbed their books and headed for the kitchen for their lunches.
Thanks, Ma." Abraham accepted his lunch and hugged his mother quickly while she reminded him to be good and not get into any trouble today. He promised her he wouldn't then when released from her he ran out to the buggy leaving Emma to hug her younger son.
"Be a good boy, Zachariah and don't let your brother or anyone else lead you into trouble today please."
When he was able to Zach looked up as his mother, "I won't, Mama. I promise."
Emma smiled down at him then pecked his forehead. "I love you, sweetheart."
"Love you, Mama."
Emma released him then handed him his lunch pail and watched him run out of the house to climb up in the back of the buggy next to his brother.
She followed at walking pace and stood in the doorway, " Have a great day today, boys."
"We will, Ma."
"Bye, Mama."
"I won't be long, darling," called out Adam and he flicked the reigns while urging the horses verbally onwards. He trotted them out of the yard while Emma watched them go while waving them off.
When Adam pulled up in front of the school a while later the school bell was just being rung by the school teacher. "You better get inside quickly, boys." Adam ordered at they both climbed from the back of the buggy quickly ensuring they both had their books and lunch pails.
"Bye, Pa."
"Bye,Papa."
"Goodbye, boys and behave today, please." Adam called after them. Adam waited for the school teacher to wave all of his class in and the other parents to start off, then he called out, "Excuse me, Mr Lawson. May I have a quick word please?"
The school teacher stopped in place at the door, "Yes of course, Mr Cartwright, but please make it quick I cannot ask the children to stick to their schedules if I don't set a good example for them now can I?"
Adam jumped down from the buggy and approached the teacher. "Perfectly understandable, sir and I won't keep you. I just wanted to apologise once again for my son's behaviour yesterday and to ensure you that I have taken steps to prevent it happening again."
"Thank you, Mr Cartwright," said Mr Lawson. "I knew you would. You are one of my parents that I know I can rely on to enforce the rules and I appreciate it. Your boys are usually a credit to you, especially, Zachariah."
"Thank you, sir. We do try to set good examples and encourage our children to behave as good citizens."
"You do it a very good job with them, Mr Cartwright. Now if will excuse me I must get inside to my class."
"Of course. Good day to you, Mr Lawson."
The school teacher disappeared into his classroom closing the school room door behind him. Adam returned to his buggy, mounted up and started back for home.
Back home Emma had been trying to keep Annabel occupied with only some success. "Sweetie, please stop playing with that spoon and either help mama or watch me."
"Mama, can I go outside?"
"In a little while, sweetheart when mama is finished baking."
"Aww, but, Mama I'm fedded up. I wanna go outside in the sun…."
"We can do that shortly , sweetheart but not until Mama is finished. We don't want burnt rolls for supper now do we?"
Annabel pouted but she stayed where she was and watched Emma for a little longer setting another set of bread rolls to proof on top of the stove under damp towels and then Emma took out those that were cooked from the oven.
"We go out now, Mama?" Annabel asked, thinking that normally her mother let the cooked rolls cool for a while before putting them aside to later to wrap in paper.
Emma sighed and said, "Alright we can go outside for a while, sweetheart."
"Yay….." Annabel jumped down from the low stool before her mother could help her down.
"Annabel, baby you mustn't go jumping about too much like that. If you fell over you might hurt your arm further," scolded Emma.
"But, Mama, I not got hurt."
"No but you might have fallen and gotten hurt." Emma covered the freshly baked rolls and then untied and took off her apron and set it on the hook Adam had put up for that purpose. She held out a hand towards her daughter, "Come on then, sweetheart. Let's go see what the outside has to entertain us."
When they were outside Annabel insisted on going looking for nice flowers. Emma allowed a short excursion away from the house into the nearby meadow. To keep her daughter who was clearly feeling much better entertained but also in her sight, Emma let go of her hand and let her walk about gathering flowers for her mother. The little girl was having fun, in minutes she was following butterflies from flower to flower and giggling while she picked small flowers and took them back to Emma who soon had quite a collection of colour in her arms.
Adam arrived back at the ranch, took care of the horses and later he entered the house calling out to Emma to let her know that he was back. He was actually surprised that Annabel hadn't come to try and say hello as soon as she heard him return to the ranch.
"Emma? Darling? Annabel? Papa's home….." he checked the kitchen and saw the baked goods then went to check the bedrooms, not finding them there he returned outside and went in search of them.
"Emma! Annabel!"
"Oh look, sweetheart your papa's home."
"Papa!" yelled Annabel when she turned at her mothers voice and saw Adam walking across the meadow towards them. She started to run towards him when she was stopped by a curt, "Annabel, no! No running or you might fall."
"Mama is right, sweetheart," Adam called out as well and he continued to stride out towards them. When he met with Annabel he lifted the pouting little one up to set her on his left hip and he tapped her lips with his right forefinger, "no more pouting please. Mama is only telling you not to do things to stop you getting hurt further."
"But, Papa I want to run about and play," she whined.
"I know you do and we would like to let you do it too, but you are not ready to do that again yet, sweetheart. We need to wait until your arm is either fully healed and not hurting any more or at lest wait until Doctor Martin says it's ok for you to go play normally."
"How long is that, Papa?"
"I don't know, sweetheart. Hopefully it won't be for much longer." He waited for Emma to join them then wrapped his free arm around his wife's shoulders and they walked back to the house together.
Annabel was allowed to play at the table with a new wooden puzzle she had been given a while ago while Adam watched her from the dining table. Emma went to the kitchen to warm the oven again so she could put in the now proved second batch of rolls and she also made both Adam and herself some coffee along with some cocoa for Annabel.
Emma brought the coffee and cocoa out on a tray and sat down opposite Adam. "Annabel, sweetheart come sit at the table please and have your cocoa."
Annabel did as she was told bringing her puzzle pieces in their box with her. "Papa can you help me wiff my puzzle?"
"Alright, come on let's see how we can put it together."
Emma smiled at the easy way Adam engaged with her youngest, she left them to it and returned to the kitchen.
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