Thursday evening and Friday went without a hitch for Adam and the children. With Lizzie and Maisy making the meals and the other children working hard on chores, Adam felt that this "staying home" gig was far easier than his wife let on. Being out dealing with cattle and other Ponderosa business was more stressful than supervising his children's daily chores and keeping them in line. Adam even found some time to enjoy a nice glass of brandy and a good book, something he rarely did nowadays. During this quiet time he began to wonder why Evelyn seemed so tired at the end of the day. This was a piece of cake!
His brothers, however, did not seem to fair as well. Hoss' daughter, Katie, was basically running the household on her own – not an easy feat for an 11 year old girl. With Hoss, Nate, and Henry's appetites and no help from younger sister Bridget, Katie was already overwhelmed, and her mother had been gone for only a day and a half.
Joe, especially, was feeling the effects of an absent wife. Five year old Asher refused to eat anything Joe cooked, as did seven year old Savannah. EJ (who was nine) was more forgiving of Joe's lack of culinary skills, but only because he was a growing boy and seemed to always be hungry.
Adam was not without compassion for his brothers and to show this he invited them and their youngsters to have their meals at the Ponderosa until the women returned from Carson City. So, bright and early Saturday morning the wagons rolled into the front yard of the ranch filled with hungry relatives. Among the crowd were Ben and Jamie, whom Adam had also extended the invitation to dine.
Lizzie, Maisy, Katie and Mary busied themselves in the kitchen, taking on the roles their mothers frequented on a daily basis. While the other girls grumbled quietly about the extra work placed upon their shoulders, Lizzie relished the experience. With her mother away it was the perfect opportunity for Lizzie to show her father just how responsible she could be.
After the whole "Spring Social" debacle last year, Adam was standing firm on the decision to add another year to Lizzie's socializing eligibility. Now that she was turning 15 next year, Lizzie was trying her best to gain back her parents trust and hopefully permission to attend social events in the process. If Lizzie could prove she was a responsible and trustworthy young woman there was a better chance of loosening Adam's parental grip and persuade him to relinquish the extra year of waiting. After all, Adam did soften when it came to his girls. Lizzie longed to be able to spend more time with Wyatt Fuller, the boy who had captured her heart after it had been broken by Travis Cahill. Being able to attend dances, picnics, and other youth events would definitely give the two adolescences an opportunity to become better acquainted; more than school or church provided.
"Katie, could you take the biscuits out of the oven? The eggs and bacon are ready to go."
"Sure, Lizzie," Katie replied, wadding up a tea towel in her hand and heading over to the black stove.
"Maisy and Mary take out the milk, butter and preserves and place them on the tables," she ordered her younger sisters as she scooped the eggs into a serving tureen.
"Ahem!" coughed Maisy, folding her arms over her chest.
"Ahem what?" Lizzie questioned curtly.
"I thought you woulda learned some manners by now, seeing that you're the oldest kid."
Katie and Mary snickered as they watched the little showdown that was about to happen.
"Maisy, I don't have time for your childish pouting. If you haven't noticed I'm trying to run a ranch here, so would you PLEASE start putting the food out before it gets cold!" she snapped.
"Run a ranch?! Just who do you think you are, our mother? If you hadn't noticed, Lizzie, you're only 14 and you've done nothing but boss us around since Ma left and I've had just about all I can take! If you want me to do anything from now on you have to be nice about it or I will…"
"You'll what?!" Lizzie barked, cutting her off.
"I don't know yet, but you can bet your sweet behind it ain't gonna be pretty!"
Lizzie rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was a mutiny on her hands; it would ruin her plans for sure. Trying to mend the situation, she took a deep breath then walked over to Maisy and placed an arm around her shoulders. "You're right, sister dear, I have been rather bossy lately and I do apologize. I just don't want to let Ma down. Will you please help me get breakfast out to the others?"
"Sure I will," Maisy uttered, cracking a smile.
"Thank you, now let's hustle and feed this lot, shall we?" Lizzie asked rhetorically.
The family ate their fill then began cleaning up the dishes and putting tables away. When they were almost finished, a horse and rider raced into the front yard, startling the children. "Mr. Cartwright! Mr. Cartwright!"
"What's happened, Buck?" Adam enquired quickly as he and Ben came closer to the man.
"Jimmy Donaldson again, that's what!" he replied angrily. "That stupid kid has gone and scattered the herd on the north pasture and it's a big mess!"
"Where's Howard O'Connor?" Ben asked referring to the Ponderosa's foreman.
"He and some of the hands are dealing with a few head that got caught up in the barb wiring and it ain't looking too good either," Buck said sombrely. "That's why I'm here; he sent me to get some help and quick!"
Adam grumbled some profanities under his breath then turned to his sons. "Benny, Luke, go saddle up some horses for me and your grandpa please."
"Nate," Hoss said as he motioned for his son to help the boys, "Get mine saddled as well please."
"Mine too, boys," Jamie called as he sauntered up to his father and brothers who had gathered around Buck.
"Just four horses, boys," Ben shouted then turned to his youngest son. "Jamie, you need to stay with the children while your brothers and I deal with this situation."
"Stay with the children? You want me to babysit while you guys go and handle Ponderosa business? I'm a man now, Pa, and I ain't gonna play wet-nurse to a bunch of kids!" he told his father adamantly.
"Being a man means you go where you are needed, Jamie, and you are needed here," Ben explained sternly.
"Pa, I'm 18, how am I supposed to learn the family business if I'm stuck watching kids instead of working with the other men?"
"Jamie, there is no time to have this conversation. You will stay with your nieces and nephews and that is the end of it, do you understand?"
"Yes sir," Jamie grumbled.
"We should be back around dinner time or shortly thereafter and the kids are old enough to help out and do their part," Adam assured his younger brother.
"Sure, no problem," Jamie remarked sarcastically.
Ben cleared his throat loudly making Jamie straighten up and smile weakly at Adam.
"Don't worry, Jamie, pretty soon you'll be out there sweating in the heat in no time," Hoss joked slapping him on the back.
"Yeah, Jamie, not to mention the saddle sores that awaits you," laughed Joe.
"I get the point, thanks," Jamie said dryly then turned to Ben. "Can I go now?"
"Yes, go hurry the boys up with the horses please."
Jamie nodded his head then trudged his way into the barn. A few minutes later he emerged with saddled horses, three nephews, and a face that would depress the happiest of people. As the men mounted their rides, Lizzie and Katie ran towards them handing them sacks of food just in case they found themselves hungry after dealing with Jimmy Donaldson. Lizzie approached Jamie as her father, uncles and grandfather rode out of the Ponderosa's front yard. He stood there kicking the dirt and grumbling under his breath.
"Uncle Jamie, you don't need to stay. The children and I will be fine on our own," Lizzie stated.
"I'm not leaving you all by yourselves," Jamie told her with an annoyed tone.
"And just why not?" Lizzie questioned curtly.
"Because my pa told me to stay and watch y'all, so that's what I have to do whether I like it or not. Besides, you're only 14, that ain't old enough to be in charge."
"Only 14!" Lizzie blurted out. "I'll have you know that I am more than capable of caring for my siblings and cousins. I've been doing most of the work around here anyways."
Jamie rolled his and gave an irritated sigh. "Lizzie, there would be nothing that I would like better than to not babysit you lot, but like I said, pa told me to stay here and I'm not about to make him mad."
"He doesn't have to know," she mentioned casually.
"Come again?" a puzzled Jamie asked.
"If you're back before dinner, he doesn't need to know you were gone. None of us will tell so your pa and brothers will be none the wiser."
"That's a pretty sneaky plan, Elizabeth. Why the urge to have me leave?"
"Hey, you don't want to babysit and we sure as heck don't want a babysitter. This way we all get what we want."
Jamie reached into his pants' pocket and pulled out his watch. He checked the time then thought for a minute as he put the watch back. "If I do go I'll only be in town for a couple of hours, not the whole time."
"That's fine," Lizzie assured him, hoping he'll agree.
"You're sure you'll be alright?"
"Yep," she smiled.
"OK, I'm heading for town then," Jamie grinned. "Maybe Willis and I can get in on a poker game or two."
"Sounds splendid, best not keep him waiting then."
"Boy, you really want me out of here and fast, don't you?" laughed Jamie.
"Does it show?"
"Just a little," he smirked then went and saddled up his horse. Before he rode off, Jamie told his niece he would return by four o'clock, thus giving him ample time to have a few beers and be back before Ben and the others returned home.
"Where's Jamie going?" Luke asked his sister as he and the other older children walked up behind Lizzie.
"Don't you mean 'Uncle Jamie', Luke?" Katie corrected him.
"The fella's like five years older than me, Katie. I only call him uncle when I have to and I don't have to right now."
"Anyways," Benny cut in, rolling his eyes, "where's he going, Lizzie? Grandpa said for him to stay here and take care of us."
"I don't need no babysitter," Luke snapped.
"Me neither," Nate agreed.
"My point exactly; none of us older kids need to be watched. We are completely capable of caring for ourselves and the younger kids too."
"Amen, sister," Maisy concurred.
"I second that amen! Come on Nate, let's grab a couple of poles and go fishing," Luke suggested to his cousin then turned towards the barn.
"Not so fast, Lucas, there are chores still to be done and I need you boys to haul out the tub and set it up in the barn for Saturday baths," Lizzie reminded him.
"Who died and made you queen of the house?!" Luke spat.
"Lucas, just because there are no adults here doesn't mean we should shirk our responsibilities. We have to prove to Pa and Ma that we can do what is asked of us."
"You mean you have to prove," Benny sniggered.
"What are you implying, Benjamin?"
"Come on, Lizzie, ever since the spring dance you've been trying to get on Ma and Pa's good side."
"I most certainly have not!"
"Benny's right, Lizzie, you have," smiled Maisy, "especially when it has to do with Wyatt Fuller."
"I beg your pardon!" Lizzie retorted defensively.
"You can beg all you want, but the truth is that you're gonna be turning 15 and you want Pa to let Wyatt be your beau and dance the night away," Maisy swooned as she danced around, much to the enjoyment of the others.
Lizzie's face went beet red, half due to anger and half due to embarrassment. She was unable to speak. Maisy was correct with her analysis but she didn't think her sister would expose her wants and desires to the rest of the kids. Katie went over to Lizzie and offered a sympathetic hug, all the while scowling at her brother and cousins.
"Look, we'll set up the tub then we're going fishing, got it?" Luke decided begrudgingly then headed into the barn with Nate and Benny following behind.
"Well, it's best they aren't around, they would just be in the way. Shall we finish clearing the dishes?" Lizzie said composing herself and straightening her apron.
"No so fast," Maisy smirked dubiously. "What exactly is in it for me?"
"In it for you? Why should I give you anything for doing YOUR chores?"
"Because if you don't, the second Pa walks into the house I'm gonna sing like a canary about you and Wyatt," Maisy retaliated.
"You wouldn't?!"
"Just try me!"
"Fine," Lizzie conceded, "what do you want?"
Maisy thought for a second then said, "I want your new pencil set and your blue hair ribbons."
"Maisy, Lizzie just bought those!" Katie gasped. "She saved a whole month in order to get them!"
"It's OK, Katie, if that's what will keep her quiet and compliant then I will gladly agree," Lizzie said pleasantly then reached out her hand towards her crafty younger sister.
"You just bought yourself a quiet and agreeable sister, my friend," Maisy grinned mischievously as she took Lizzie's hand and shook it then walked to a table with Katie and started clearing it.
There, thought Lizzie, now that Maisy is on board I can show Ma and Pa just how grown up I really am. Lucas better not make any trouble for me! He sure can get the others riled up and quick!