The next day in school Rebecca and David started talking to each other more and more. They found out that they both very much like riding out into nature so they decided to go riding together in the afternoon after school. Just for a bit of course, because they both need to be home in time for chores.
Once school was out Rebecca walked up to her brother. "Joe, you can just ride ahead of me. I will join David for a little while."
"Alright Becky, but don't be late. I'm not in the mood defending you at home to Pa."
"Don't worry, we'll just take a little detour and then I'll go straight home."
Becky walked with a big smile to her horse and she and David started their little afternoon journey. They talked about their favorite places to go riding and found out that they both loved riding along the creek.
"Let's go there" David said.
"Alright, I think we can go to the creek and let our horses drink some water once we're there." Becky responded.
Meanwhile Joe arrived home and was greeted by his father. "Hi son, how was your day?"
"Hi Pa, my day was just fine, but I'm glad that school is out and I'm back home."
Ben smiled and gave Joe a ruffle through his hair. He knows that his son is not very fond of going to school, but he knows that the boy tries very hard keeping up with the classes. And that is all he asks of all his children, that they do their best.
"Alright son, go tend to your horse and start on your chores." Ben said. "Oh and where is your sister? I expected her to ride with you?"
"Becky told me she would make a quick detour, but I expect her back any minute now." Joe replied.
"On her own? Ben asked.
"No she is with David. May I go and tend to Cochise now, Pa?"
"Yes you may. But I have to say I don't like the idea of Rebecca alone with this boy. I really hope she comes back very soon. And I'll need to talk to her about this. " Ben said.
Becky and David were having a wonderful time together. They talked and laughed a lot and they just enjoyed a little bit of time off. But unfortunately for them both, they did forget the time. So while they were caught up in their conversation Becky suddenly notices that the sun is starting to set.
"Oh no David" Becky interrupts him mid-sentence. "The sun is already going down, I really have to get home. How can it be so late already? It feels as if we are only gone for like 15 minutes. I'm in so much trouble with my Pa."
"You're right it is getting late, I will get you home, so you won't need to ride alone. I'm so sorry I should have paid more attention to the time." David replies.
"It's not your fault, I could have paid attention myself, I had a really great time. But I think it's best I'll ride by myself. It will make it worse if I arrive home together with you." Becky explains. "My father will be furious for staying out so late… So I'll see you in school tomorrow." And with saying that Becky rode off heading home.
In her head she is already thinking on what to tell her father to justify her tardiness. But she cannot think on any good excuse. And Joe might already have told Pa that she was with David. So she better just tell him the truth and deal with the consequences.
The closer she came to home, the more nervous she got. Luckily she hadn't been in any trouble for a long time, but she was now in serious trouble and there was no way of escaping this.
At the Ponderosa Ben sat at his desk doing some paperwork when he heard a horse approaching the house. "That must be Rebecca", he thought to himself. He got up from his chair and walked to the front door. When he opened the door he saw his daughter dismounting her horse.
"REBECCA MARIE CARTWRIGHT" Ben bellowed "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Becky shot her head up when hearing her father. She didn't notice him coming to the door and now she had no time left to get herself ready before facing her father.
"Pa, I'm so sorry I am late, I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted to take a little detour together with David, but we lost track of time. I am really sorry Pa, it was an honest mistake, please don't be mad." Becky rambled due to her nervousness, trying to calm herself and her father down a little bit.
"Go tend to your horse and then you will get straight to your room. I think it's time that we'll have a necessary little talking about the rules in this house."
"Yes, sir." Becky said with her head down, because she knew what this meant. She tried to hurry, because it would only get worse if she was trying to stall time. Once she finished in the barn she walked over to the house telling herself that she would try to be brave and just take the punishment without screaming. But that would be really hard.
When she entered the house she saw her brothers sitting in the living room. Hoss and Joe were playing a game of chess and Adam was reading a book. All three of them looked at her with pity in their eyes. Ben was sitting at his desk and saw her coming in and going upstairs.
After a few minutes Ben got up and first addressed his sons. "Boys, will you do me a favor and get some wood for the fire in the kitchen and for the living room from outside?"
All three of them knew that the only reason for their father to ask them this, was to find an excuse to get them out of the house for a little while. Ben was always fair and he didn't want his sons to overhear their sister's punishment.
"We'll do that Pa, no problem." Adam answered and all three of them got up and went outside.
Adam was the last one to go outside and while passing his father he said: "Don't be too harsh on her Pa. She is just a girl."
"I won't Adam, but Rebecca needs a reminder what the rules in this house are, because she seemed to have forgotten them, so I will have a necessary little talking to her. I'll see you later at supper Adam." And with that being said Ben walked up the stairs to meet his daughter.
Rebecca sat on her bed waiting for her Pa to come and she couldn't help it so the tears already began to flow. She felt so guilty and embarrassed. This was not at all how she had planned this and she would regret her decision even more once her father "talks" to her. Because usually when he uses the phrase "necessary little talking" it doesn't mean actual talking but it means a spanking.
The door opened and Ben entered the room looking at his daughter. He grabbed a chair and sat down across from Rebecca.
"Now young lady, explain to me what happened today." Ben demanded.
"Well…" Becky started. "I went for a ride with David after school. We just wanted to make a quick detour, because we both enjoy riding so much. But along the way we lost track of time and before I knew it the sun started to set. I promise Pa it won't happen again and I will finish my chores right after supper."
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? I had no clue where you were and didn't know when or if you would return. What if something would have happened?"/
"I know, I'm so sorry Pa. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Alright I accept your apology. But in this house you are expected to obey the rules and one of those rules is that you come straight back home after school and do your chores and you did not do that today Rebecca. And then there is the matter that you went off riding alone with a boy. That is unacceptable for a young lady. You are allowed to see David, but not alone. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." Becky said while looking at her father and nodding her head.
"Now get over here, it's time for your punishment."
Becky got up feeling very heavy and walked over to her Pa. Once she stood in front of him Ben took her arm, guided her to his right side and put her over his knee. Without further talking he then administered twelve stinging swats to her bottom.
Long before he was finished, Becky already cried. She reminded herself that this was the exact reason she really needed to follow the rules and not going along with any impulsive actions.
Once Ben finished the spanking he helped Becky to her feet and embraced her trying to calm and comfort her.
"I love you darling, you know that right?" Ben asked.
Becky wasn't able to speak just yet through her tears so she nodded her head in agreement. Her backside was stinging a lot and she had almost forgotten how painful her father's swats were.
When she calmed down after a few minutes Ben took her face in between his hands and looked her in the eyes.
"You may freshen up a little before you come down for supper and I expect you to tend to your chores right after we are finished eating."
"Yes sir, thank you and I will."
"Oh and Becky, if I catch you another time alone with David I will bare your bottom and take my belt to you. I mean it, I am not joking about this matter."
Becky looked up to her father a bit frightened and said: "Yes sir, I'll make sure this will not happen again. I learned my lesson."