Adams' voice silenced those gathered. The four kids stopped and looked at him. Each had bruises and cuts, and torn clothes. Joe his anger still apparent, as he faced his older brother. He took a last swing at his nearest opponent, catching him on the chin. Just as Adam grabbed him up, by the shirt collar and dangled him in the air. Adam gave him a stern look, and shook him before putting him down.



"What is going on here, little brother?"



"It's between me, and them. Let me go Adam."



"Listen to me, this will end now. Wait till Pa hears about this. Getting Melissa, into the middle of a fight." Melissa looked up at him, and touched his arm. He looked down at the little girl, with her hair wild around her head, and her ribbon lying in the dirt, and dirt smugges on her fair face.



"Adam, Joe was taking up for me. They were picking on me, then one of them, tried to.... kiss me. I hit him, then he went after me, and Joe took it up." Adam gave the other two boys a stern look.



"Well boys, seems to me, you should be the one having a little talk with your pas. Fighting a girl? " Both boys shook their heads, and gave a nasty look at Joe. "Now you get on home boys, I'll send word to your Pas." The boys rushed off. The small crowd moved off, with nothing else to watch. "Alright you two, lets get you cleaned up, and then back to the ranch. You can explain it, to your Pas." Joe moved off, towards the stables, and his horse, and Melissa walked with Adam. She reached up and put her hand in his, and he turned and smiled down at her. He wondered if Joe would have been like this, if he had been born a girl. That or he had gotten a sister after Joe.



Melissa stood before her father, afraid he would spank her for the fight. But she knew if she lied about it, then she would get it worse. She was ashamed that she had to talk to him, in front of the others. Hopefully he wouldn't spank her in front of them, espeally Joe. Ben was talking softly to his pa. "Daddy, am I in trouble? You always said I wasn't suppose to start a fight. I didn't, I just finished it. Me and Joe." Gary was having a hard time, keeping a straight face, as he faced his little daughter. He was not mad at her, he knew she was a fiesty, hot tempered girl. She was also a good girl, and he was so proud of her.



"No, Melissa, I am not mad at you. Though I wish you would try harder to avoid this kind of thing. A little lady, isn't suppose to fight." He glanced over at Joe. I am glad young Joe, was there. He's a nice boy."



"Thank you mister Martin, I wouldn't let anyone hurt her. Even if she is a girl." The adults smiled at that. Though the expression on the girls face, wasn't a happy one, it was the beginning of anger. It cooled when Joe looked at her, and she saw the look there. She almost smiled, and she walked to the door, and outside. There a bright smile lit her face, and she took a skip across the porch. She ran across the yard, and over to the corral, standing watching the horses. Joe walked up to her, and moved up and climbed up on the corral fence. So he could look down at her.



"Want to go for a ride down to the lake? Pa said it was okay, so did your pa."



"Sure you want to go with me... a girl?"



"Ah, Missy, I couldn't let them know, that... well, that some girls are okay. I think you are okay."



"Thank you Joe, I think you're okay too. I want to ride with you to the lake." Joe jumped down, and he took Melissa's hand and walked to the barn. "Missy, would you be my girl?" He was watching her, his young face, wishful. She smiled over at him.



"Okay Joe, but no more being mean to me." His face lit up with the smile that would later break a lot of hearts. He leaned down, and brushed her lips with his. A tender first kiss. Both were unaware of the two fathers would had seen it all from the porch, and then smiled at each other.

THE END



(There is a sequel coming of this, one that take place years later, when they again meet, as young adults.)