Chapter 14
True to her word, Maddie was back home promptly at four. As she brought her horse to a stop at the barn, she stiffly dismounted and stretched before leading the mare into the barn. It had taken longer than they had expected to round up the cattle, she had to ride fast to get herself home before the time her father had appointed as her curfew.
The day had been eventful, to say the least. She'd come off twice while chasing after strays, not quite used to the way Skylar cut cattle yet. Skylar was quick on her hooves and she had been a little behind in keeping up with her fast movements. As a result, her clothes were now covered in a thick layer of dried mud.
Abeline had offered for her to clean up at the ranch house but with it only being her Dad's second day back, she didn't want to anger him by being late. Now that her father had returned, so had her anxiety. She needed to make sure everything was just right and the way he expected it to be…
After a quick brush down the mare was turned out to graze and she headed on up to the house. Bubbles was more then happy to be out of her carrier, the kitten scampering off to play when she had let her out. With the sound of the tv on in the living room, she could guess her dad was already home.
'Wait a minute-'
She stopped, having tried to sneak through to the bathroom without him noticing her. 'Hi Dad.'
'What happened to you?'
Maddie sighed as she turned to him. 'Came off chasing cattle, some of the herd got through onto one of the neighbors' properties and Mr. Walker and I had to go bring them back to the ranch.'
'You didn't hurt yourself?'
'No, no Dad, I'm fine. Honest. I just got a bit dirty. May I go clean myself up now? We will need to leave soon for dinner.'
He waved her off, returning to watching the game. 'Don't spend long in the shower.'
'I won't.' She promised, heading up the hallway to the bathroom. It felt so good to get out of those muddy clothes… After a quick shower she headed into her bedroom and changed into suitable clothes, did her hair and makeup then threw her dirty clothes into the laundry.
While her father got himself ready, she busied herself in the kitchen cleaning up from breakfast and tidied up the house, Bubbles making herself at home as she scampered around chasing a ball. Finally she had finished her work for the day, making a note that in a day or two she would need to do another load of laundry.
'You ready to go?' Robert questioned, fixing the cuffs of his shirt as he joined her in the kitchen.
'Almost, I need to go feed Bubbles and put her in my room.' She replied as she turned around. Her father had dressed up for the occasion wearing his black boots and black hat to go with his blue western shirt and black jeans. 'You look nice when you wear that outfit dad.'
'Are you saying something about my choice of clothing, Maddie?'
'No, no Dad. I'm just paying you a compliment.'
He made no reply, taking the keys for his truck from his pocket. 'I'll be out in the truck.'
'I'll just be a moment.'
After making sure that her kitten had food and that her room was safe for her to stay in while she was gone, she locked the kitten in and headed out to the truck. Her Dad had his music on as she climbed in, Maddie making sure she was careful not to slam the door when she closed it. 'How was your day? She asked as they started down the drive.
'It was fine. Got a few things sorted that I had to take care of, got another good delivery job too.'
'In town?'
'Yes, in town.' He replied with a hint of irritation in his voice. 'Now Maddie-' He looked over at her. 'I want you to be on your utmost, best behavior tonight. Understood? No talking without permission, no talking out of turn, use your manners and address folks properly. Wouldn't want them to think I'm not raising you right.'
She nodded. 'Understood.'
'Understood what?'
'Understood sir.'
'Tck tck tck.' He tutted, glancing down at her. 'One strike already. Someone's become lax with their manners while I've been away.'
Maddie looked down at her hands. 'Sorry sir.'
'Just make sure you don't mess up tonight, I'd hate for it to be our second day together and you ruin it.'
It's going to be a long night… She thought sadly. Somehow, as much as she tried, she could never reach his expectations of her. If she did or said one thing…
'You know I only punish you to make you a better person, right?'
'Yes sir. I know. I promise I will be on my best behavior.'
'Good. I expect that you have been well behaved when you've been associating with the Walkers, if I hear otherwise tonight-'
Her heart skipped a beat. So that was why he had willingly accepted the invitation to dine with the family. He wanted to get a report of her behavior in his absence.
'I would hope that you have remembered your manners.' He continued. 'Allowing you to associate with them is a privilege, understood?'
'Yes sir.'
'I'm glad to hear you understand.' Robert replied as he brought the truck to a stop in the Walkers drive. He looked over at Maddie as he took off his belt. 'Big smiles girl, we aren't going to a funeral.'
Maddie offered him a fake smile that quickly disappeared after she had turned away. It's alright, it's just dinner with the Walkers… You've done this more times then you can count, you can get through this. She thought to herself as she got out of the truck, following her father up the sidewalk.
Robert rang the doorbell then glanced down at his daughter. 'Stand up straighter, you're slouching.'
Despite her aching muscles complaining loudly, she did as he asked. After a moment Bonham answered the door.
'Welcome.' He stated, inviting them in then closed the door behind them and offered the man his hand. 'Bonham Walker.'
'Robert Adams.' He shook his hand back. 'It's good to meet you. I hear you've given my daughter a job.'
'Best decision I ever made, she's a hard worker though liable to be a mite cheeky from time to time.' He replied good naturedly. 'Good to see you cleaned up Maddie, we're going to have to get you practicing with the cattle more so you don't fall off.'
Maddie glanced at her father and he motioned that she could speak. 'Yes sir, I think after a few more lessons I should be able to keep up with Skylar. That mare sure knows her job.'
'That's good to hear, Skylar is good on cow sense. You keep out of her way, she'll do the job right every time. You both can hang your hats up there, dinner shouldn't be much longer.'
'May I go see if Mrs. Walker needs any help?'
Robert nodded as they hung their hats up on the hat rack. 'Yes, you may.'
'Thank you.'
'So, how has my daughter been-'
Maddie took a deep breath in as she walked away from the conversation, begging her heart to stop beating so fast. It was just the Walkers, she had even lived with them for a month. Why on earth was she so on edge and nervous?
'Hey Maddie-' Abeline looked up from the cake she was icing. 'Feel like doing some cake decorating? Since you said chocolate cake was your favorite, I bought out my mothers old recipe.'
'Sure.' She nodded as she went to put on the spare apron. 'I want to thank you for watching Bubbles for me today, I'm sorry I was gone longer then I had intended.'
'Bon told me those cows gave you a run for your money.'
Maddie chuckled nervously as she returned to the island bench. 'Just a little bit, falling off twice in the same ride is a first for me. It was bound to happen though.'
'My father used to say you had to fall off a hundred times before you could think of yourself as a rider.'
'Well, I've only got about…' She did some quick math. 'Seventy-two falls left to go.'
Abeline laughed, handing her the piping bag. 'Here, have a go.'
'Like this?' She questioned, trying to copy what Abeline had been doing.
She nodded. 'Yep, exactly like that. Oh, remind me to give you the jam you were making yesterday, it turned out quite good. Got six jars out of the strawberries you bought over.'
'Thank you for finishing it off for me.'
'No problem. How's it feel having your dad back?'
'Great.' Maddie replied with no hesitation. 'As long as he doesn't have to go away again in a hurry, I'm happy. And, he did get me Bubbles like he promised.' After a moment, she had finished off the decorating Abeline had started. 'All done.'
'Good job.' She said with a smile.
'Anything else I can do?'
'You can start to set the table if you like.'
Returning the apron back to its place, she began to gather the cutlery from the drawers first. As she arranged it on the table she could hear Bonham and her father talking in the living room. I sure hope he's only saying good things to Dad… She thought with concern, going back to gather the glasses. If Dad finds out about that storm…
The sound of glass shattering abruptly cut her off and she realized she had knocked a glass off the bench. 'I am so sorry-' She apologized quickly, hearing Bonham and her father come in to see what the noise was. 'I don't know how I dropped it.'
'Maddie, it's fine.' Abeline assured her, the teen beginning to pick the large pieces up. 'I've lost count how many glasses got broken over the years, one more doesn't matter.'
'I shouldn't have been so clumsy in the first place.'
'Maybe you should give Maddie a plastic cup.' Robert said in jest. 'Might keep the rest of your crystal safe.'
Bonham couldn't help but notice the look in Maddie's eyes when her father said that, frowning a little. The poor girl looked like she was on the verge of crying. Over a broken glass? 'I'll get the vacuum cleaner.'
'I don't know how it happened.' She was still picking the pieces up, Abeline coming over to help her. 'I will pay you for the glass.'
'Maddie, it's fine. Really.' Abeline reinstated. 'It's just a glass, it doesn't matter.'
It's going to matter to Dad. She thought anxiously as Bonham returned with the vacuum and she quickly cleaned up the rest of the mess. By the time she had made sure every last sliver of glass had been picked up, dinner was on the table.
Conversation and laughter were plentiful around the table as she quietly slipped into her seat at the end next to her father. Hopefully I can make up for what happened with the rest of my behavior. She wistfully hoped but when it came to her father, anything less than perfection displeased him. It only took a cautious look to him, their eyes meeting, for her to know he was not happy with her. Why hadn't she been paying attention?
Time felt like it was dragging by, Maddie remaining as invisible as possible. By only speaking when spoken to she avoided engaging in the conversation, declining also the offer of a card game with Stella and August by saying she was tired.
'Well, I think it's going to be an early night for us.' Robert remarked a little after the desert had been cleaned away. 'I think it's time I get this one to bed.'
She swallowed, hearing in his voice what no one else would. 'I appreciated the meal, Mrs. Walker. Thank you.'
Abeline wondered briefly why she had been addressing everyone except Stella and August that way the entire evening. 'It was nice to have your company and to finally get to meet you, Robert.'
'Likewise.' He agreed. 'I do appreciate what you guys have done for Maddie but now that I'm home, she and I will be spending some quality time together.'
'I am really sorry about the glass.' She apologized again as she rose.
'Maddie, forget it. Accidents happen.' Abeline smiled. 'Oh, I almost forgot your jam…'
Goodbyes and pleasantries were exchanged between her father and the family, the teen staying close by his side. After a moment, the woman returned with a small wooden crate she had put the jars in. Saying good night, father and daughter headed back out to the truck.
Robert leaned down next to her ear as he opened the door for her. 'You and I are having a little chat when we get home…'
