Chapter 3

Warning: mention of spanking in this chapter

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After they arrived at the pond without any more incidents, Percy didn't want to fish and told them he would rather go for a walk. So Adam and Alissa sat by the pond enjoying each other's company as they watched Percy slowly walking along on the other side of the pond.

Alissa was sitting in front of Adam leaning back against his broad chest as he gently caressed her hair while they both watched their young charge walking on the other side of the pond. He looked innocent enough walking along, but the whole time he was walking, he was silently plotting what he could do for his next prank. Eventually a devious smile came to Percy's lips as an idea dawned on him, and he quickly ran back to where Adam and Alissa sat.

"I think I am ready for that fishing lesson now, Adam," Percy yelled excitedly, as he came running up to Adam.

"Very well then, I'll bait your pole the first time to show you how it is done, and then you can do it the rest of the times."

Percy just stood there smiling as he waited for just the right moment to put his plan into action. As he stood there pretending to listen to Adam, Adam carefully instructed Percy on how to put the bait on his pole and then bent over to place the line in the water.

Smiling ever so innocently, Percy slowly walked closer to where Adam was bending over. Acting like he was interested in what Adam was doing, Percy leaned over Adam and suddenly pretended like he was starting to loose his balance. He flapped his arms around wildly acting like he was trying to regain his balance, and finally with great finesse he bumped into Adam.

"Oh dear, I am losing my footing," Percy shrieked, as he fell into Adam with all of his weight.

His little performance was as good as a seasoned actor as he faked a surprised expression while he stepped back from the edge of the pond. All the while saving his devious self from a dunk in the pond along with his intended victim.

Even though Percy was skinny, his full weight on Adam was just enough to catch him off balance and he tumbled into the pond headfirst. After a lot of splashing and a few curse words thrown in, Adam came up sputtering and ready for war.

At first Alissa was startled by the events that had just unfolded around her. But when she saw Adam trying to stand with his hat all smashed on his head and water dripping off the brim, she couldn't keep from laughing as she watched him slowly making his way to the shore.

"Oh, Adam, you look like a wet dog!" she giggled, trying not to laugh too hard.

But when he lifted his head and she saw the flash of anger in his eyes, she quickly decided to try and compose herself because Adam obviously was not the least bit amused by this whole event. And his mood wasn't getting any better as he tired to get out of the pond. Unfortunately there was mud all around the edge of the pond and every time Adam started to climb out, he kept slipping back in as he tried to get his footing which only added to his anger.

"When I get my hands on you, young man, you won't be able to sit for a month without thinking of me! And they won't be happy thoughts either!"

Adam finally got his footing and climbed out of the water—heading straight for Percy with a look of sheer determination on his very wet face. After Percy saw that very look on Adam, he let out a squeal and quickly started backing up. But once again Alissa intervened and stepped between them.

"Now, Adam, Percy couldn't help it if he slipped. It was just an unfortunate accident...wasn't it, Percy?"

"Yes, I am so sorry, Adam. My foot just slipped and I couldn't regain my balance, so I accidently fell into you," Percy said casually, but he kept putting distance between him and Adam, just in case.

"That was no accident and you know it. And when I get my hands on you, I am going to tan you good! You will think twice about pulling pranks on people by the time I am done!"

Quickly grabbing onto Adam's arm Alissa used all her weight to try and hold him back, but he was pulling her right along with him as he angrily headed for Percy.

"Now, Adam, remember he is your father's guest and boys will be boys… no harm done really except you are a little wet."

Adam suddenly stopped walking so quickly that Alissa almost fell forward. She had been trying unsuccessfully to hold him back and all she had gotten for her effort was to be pulled along side him like a small rag doll.

Glaring at Alissa his eyes widened as he shouted angrily, "A little wet! You call this a little wet?"

Alissa put her head down as she tried to hide her grin while she looked at Adam standing there with water dripping off of his whole body. She knew he was furious, but it was just so hard to try and keep a straight face while she watched the water dripping off his nose.

Rubbing his hands through his wet hair he let out a frustrated growl. Adam was trying his best to keep his temper in check and finally decided that this little monster was a guest of his father, and as such he would let him have the benefit of the doubt this time. Then he turned and gave Percy a look that would melt steel.

"Fine then, let's go home. But I am warning you, Percy…there better be no more little 'accidents' on the ride home!"

Sloshing over to the poles, Adam bent down and picked them up and went over and mounted up on Sport. He continued to stare at Percy with that same piercing stare until Percy had to look away starting to become a little frightened in how far he may have taken his little plan.

As they rode towards home Percy dropped back from Adam and Alissa not wanting to anger Adam anymore. But the further they rode, the more his confidence returned and that devious little smile of his came back knowing he had just completed phase two of his plan.

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Later that evening as Adam and Alissa were sitting on the settee waiting for Percy to join them for dinner, Adam's temper had cooled and he was in a much better mood as he started slowly leaving butterfly kisses all along Alissa's neck.

"You know you are real lucky, little girl, that I didn't give you what I had planned for Percy today when you kept laughing at me," Adam whispered, as he nibbled on her ear lobe.

Alissa loved when Adam left gentle kisses along her neck, and it was taking all her concentration to even respond to his comment when all her body wanted to do was kiss him passionately until her toes curled. But she knew they would not be alone for long, so she gathered her composure as she tried to explain.

"I know, sweetheart, it really wasn't nice of me to laugh and I am very sorry. But you just looked so funny all dripping wet. I guess I am lucky that you didn't throw me over your knee in Percy's place, huh?"

Adam sat there for a moment acting like he was deciding what to do next, when he quickly turned and pulled her into his arms so he was looking down at her smiling face.

"You certainly are, young lady. Now for your punishment… I demand a kiss!"

"Your wish is my command, sir."

As Adam leaned in to collect on her punishment, they heard loud coughing coming from the stairs.

"Please, control yourselves and try to act a LITTLE civilized," Percy frowned, as he came down the stairs.

Alissa could feel Adam's muscles tense as he quickly set her upright on the settee. The look on his face said it all, and this time Alissa wasn't sure she could save Percy from Adam's wrath. But Adam suddenly smiled and reached down for Alissa's hand to help her up.

"Dinner ready…come eat while it is hot," Hop Sing called out, as he was bringing the last of the dishes to the table.

Adam presented Alissa with his arm, "Shall we go to dinner, madam?"

Alissa took his arm and said smiling, "Of course, fine sir."

Then she turned to Percy, "Percy dear, won't you join us?"

Percy just scowled as he followed along behind Adam and Alissa. For once he didn't know what to say, so he decided to just be quiet. After all, he still had more pranks up his sleeve he grinned, as he walked to the table.

After they started eating Adam asked for the sugar. Percy smiled politely and quickly handed it to him. Adam put two spoonfuls of sugar in his coffee and then started to cut his meat.

"Would you please pass the salt, Alissa?"

It was all Percy could do to keep a straight face when he knew that Adam once again was going to be the butt of his prank. Percy just watched closely as Adam poured a little sugar on his meat and then started to cut it into several small pieces. He took his first bite and looked bewildered for a moment. Then he looked over at Percy and a slow smile came to his lips.

"Percy, did you happen to do something to the salt container?"

"Why no, Adam. Why would you ask a silly question like that?" Percy answered, as he looked innocently at Adam.

"Oh, maybe because my meat taste rather funny."

"Adam, there you go again accusing Percy of something and you don't even have any evidence that he has done anything."

"That's right, it isn't my fault your cook doesn't know how to prepare food properly," Percy said smugly, as he dabbed the corners of his mouth lightly with his napkin.

Adam just let out a low growl as he picked up his coffee and took a big drink. The look on his face was that of sheer surprise as his lips puckered and he spit out the offending drink. Percy couldn't contain his laughter this time, so he tried to hide it behind his napkin.

"That's it boy! I have had ENOUGH!"

Adam stood up and pushed his chair back and started for Percy. As soon as Percy realized Adam was coming for him, he jumped up and started going in the opposite direction around the table, squealing in his annoyingly high pitched voice and waving his hands in the air sounding like he was being chased by a dozen bees. Once Adam closed the gap between them he reached out to grab Percy, but Alissa stood up and stepped in front of Adam and put her hands on his chest to stop him from grabbing hold of the little brat.

"Now, Adam, we didn't see Percy do anything to the salt and sugar. You surely can't punish him for something if you are not sure he did it."

"I know exactly who did it, and he is standing right there!"

Adam pointed at Percy as Percy quickly went and stood behind his chair, hoping to keep it between the two of them. After he saw the look on Adam's face, Percy figured he needed something substantial to put between them, or Adam might just ring his skinny little neck.

"Adam, why don't you and I go for a walk in the moonlight? It is such a lovely night and I think you need to cool off a little."

Alissa put her arm in Adam's arm and tried to pull him towards the door. At first she didn't get anywhere with moving him as Adam just stood there slowly simmering while glaring at Percy. As little as she was and as strong as Adam was she certainly wasn't about to move him if he didn't want her too. And at the moment—he didn't want to move! She did give it her best effort though, as she kept trying to pull Adam towards the front door and away from a very nervous looking Percy.

Finally taking a couple of deep breaths and counting to ten, Adam let out a frustrated sigh as he gave in and started walking with Alissa over to the front door. But he didn't let Percy off the hook completely as he looked over his shoulder at him with one final angry glare. It was a look that was so fierce it would have scattered the cattle if he had looked at them with that same expression. It certainly was doing a job on Percy, and almost made him want to scatter and run out the back door yelling for his mother.

Thank goodness Alissa is taking him outside to cool down thought Percy, as he continued to stand behind his chair just in case Adam changed his mind and came back for him.

As Percy watched the front door close it took him a few moments to stop shaking in his buckled shoes. He had never seen anyone as angry as Adam had been. And to boot, all that anger had been directed at him. His parents never even raised their voices at him, so this whole anger thing was something he wasn't use to and really didn't like at all. Usually his parents just shook their heads and eventually gave in whenever he whined or threw a fit until he got what he wanted.

He winced when he thought about what still might happen if Adam didn't get his temper under control. He had been threatening him all day with a tanning, and Percy certainly wouldn't want Adam to deliver on his threat.

Standing behind his chair, Percy considered his options as he kept debating if he wanted to test Adam any further. After all, he was a guest in this house and surely Adam would never do anything to a guest Percy speculated, as he traced his finger back and forth on the back of the chair trying to decide if he wanted to take a chance with a certain Cartwright—a certain angry Cartwright!

But after taking in some deep breaths and straightening his vest, Percy slowly gathered his confidence and eventually decided to put his last prank into action. He had set out to make them as miserable as he was, and he certainly had succeeded so far. Or at least he had made one of them miserable with the first three pranks. Besides, I always have Alissa on my side just in case Percy grinned, as he pushed his chair back into its place at the table and headed off to plan his final prank.

oooooo

It was a beautiful summer night and the sky was clear and full of twinkling stars. Adam had finally calmed down and he and Alissa were standing by the corral watching Freedom trot around in the moonlight.

"Alissa, I am having a hard time understanding you with this boy. You have to know that he has been doing all these pranks, and yet you keep me from giving him what he so richly deserves for his awful behavior."

Looking up at Adam, Alissa grinned rather sheepishly. "I know, Adam. You are probably right. But there is still a little doubt on my part, and I just don't want you to punish him if he truly is innocent."

Adam cocked his eyebrow as he frowned slightly, "Alissa, you and I both know that he is not the least bit innocent in all of this. And what that boy truly needs for his outlandish behavior is a sound spanking! He is testing me just to see how far he can go. And believe me, he has passed the test and I am ready to give him his final grade!"

Alissa put her hand on Adam's arm as she raised her chin with her green eyes challenging him.

"Is this how it is going to be when we have children? Are you going to want to spank them every time they misbehave?"

"No, not every time. But if they do something that warrants it, then I will definitely spank them. Children need to know that their parents love them and will do everything in their power to protect them and make them feel safe and happy. But they also need guidelines, and they need to know what will happen if they overstep these lines. Clearly he has never been given any guidelines or consequences for his behavior at all. It is obvious who is in charge in that household."

Adam's eyes abruptly narrowed as he gently lifted her chin so she was looking in his eyes.

"And I can tell you right now, Alissa, I will be the head of our household and there will NEVER be any doubt as to who is in charge. Our children will never be allowed to act the way that Percy does. It will be our job to help our children grow into responsible adults, and part of my role as their father is to help guide them by showing them that they are expected to follow the rules set by us and by society, just as my father showed me. And if they break those rules, then they will receive the consequences…and sometimes spanking will be one of those consequences."

"You sound like you have a lot of experience under your belt in raising children, Adam."

Adam grinned easily, "Remember, I help raise two brothers. So I guess I have had a lot of experience raising children. Plus I had a good teacher in my father. He was strict but always fair. And we always knew that he loved us and only spanked us if we did something that was dangerous, foolish or very disrespectful."

Gently lifting a lock of Alissa's hair and moving it away from her face Adam chuckled softly, "And our little house guest has been very disrespectful with everyone and would definitely benefit from a trip to the barn."

"You're probably right, Adam, but remember he is just a boy. I am sure he will out grow all this foolishness. Besides, I was concerned his parents would be upset with you for disciplining their son. Obviously they never have, so I guess they don't believe in correcting him. And I certainly didn't want you to be in trouble with your father for disciplining him. Anyway, let's go in now… I'm getting cold."

Alissa stood on her tiptoes and gave Adam a quick kiss on the lips before she started to walk toward the front door, but Adam quickly pulled her into his arms for a much more substantial kiss.

"Not so fast, little one. I don't think that quick kiss is going to last me very long. I think we should finish where you started."

Bringing his lips close to hers, Adam captured her mouth in a very passionate kiss and soon they both forgot all about Percy.

A short while later they were laughing and walking arm and arm as Adam opened the front door and waited for Alissa to walk inside ahead of him.

Suddenly Alissa let out a loud gasp as she felt something slimy and wet come down on her head and slowly drip down her back! It was very cold and it almost took her breath away for a moment as she tried to wipe her eyes so she could see. Once she moved the slime from around her eyes, she saw Percy standing in the middle of the room holding his sides as he roared with laughter. And there on the floor beside her was the bucket that had fallen on her head once the door was opened. Mud and murky water were slowly spilling out of the bucket onto the floor by her feet.

Adam had come charging in the room when he heard her yell wondering what on earth had happened. As he stood in doorway quickly taking in the situation, he heard laughing coming from the middle of the room.

"Why you little brat," Alissa exclaimed, as she looked at Percy as he was laughing loudly.

Looking from his muddy and very wet fiancée, to Percy who wasn't holding in his laughter at all, Adam had reached his limit.

"Young man, you went too far this time!" Adam roared, as he angrily headed for Percy.

Hesitating for a moment Adam glanced over at Alissa to see if she would once again interfere when he tried to punish Percy.

But this time as Alissa tried to wipe the rest of the mud off of her face, she finally declared, "He is all yours, Adam!"

Before Percy even knew what was happening, Adam crossed the room and grabbed Percy by his arm and headed towards the stairs with the little troublemaker firmly in tow.

"The time has finally come for us to have a long talk, young man!"

Percy was startled by this turn of events and tried to pull away from the iron grip Adam had on his arm, but he was no match for Adam.

"I don't want to talk to you," Percy whined, as he was being dragged up the stairs to his room.

With a glint in his eye Adam replied, "Oh don't worry, Percy, we won't be doing much talking at all!"

TBC

Lots more Percy ahead!

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Well, dear Percy is finally going to get his comeuppance, and I don't think there will be much talking going on either. Thank you to all the readers who enjoy my stories, and I hope I make you smile when you read them. I always appreciate all of you that take the time from your busy schedules to leave a review, and I truly enjoy reading them.