So this is not the chapter I planned to put up next but much like the last chapter it demanded to go before it. The next chapter should be the one I am anticipating, and longer than both this one and the last one, unless of course the characters decide to hijack things again…

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Chapter 30: Fair

"I don't see why I should waste time in a classroom when I could take a job and make money," Patrick grumbled.

Myra sighed, putting plates on the table. "Because unlike Aunt Millie, I believe that ya all need to know how to read." She pulled the bread out of the oven. "I'm learnin' how to read."

He continued to scowl.

She placed the bread on the table; then turned to him. "Why're ya fightin' this so hard, Patrick?"

"No reason," he ground out.

Myra did not budge. She had long ago learned the way to deal with her brother in this mood was to wait him out.

He continued to set out the forks and knives, trying to ignore her.

She kept watching him.

"Stop it, Myra!" he snapped, spinning on her.

She felt sad at the frustration, edging on anger in his face. "No," she said quietly. "You are my brother and I love you."

He scowled and looked away, down at the table.

She waited.

He fiddled with the fork at what had become Neil's spot at the table.

"I – I don't know how t' let someone else be in charge no more," he mumbled.

Myra stood listening with bated breath.

"Aunt Millie didn't do much. I took care of 'em." He looked up at his elder sister. "I don't know how to let ya take care of us now."

Myra looked down at the floor thoughtfully. "Well," she began slowly, "ya know I really could use the help, takin' care of the others." She met her brother's gaze. "I won't budge on school, yer goin'," she told him firmly. "But," she continued, before he could possible protest, "if after school and on the weekend ya wanna work some odd jobs 'round town and the ranches like Matthew Cooper does, I won't say 'no' t' extra income."

Patrick relaxed and nodded. "That's real fair, Myra."

She nodded. "Well," she turned back to put the meatloaf on the table, "yer near grown, so I figure ya need some extra responsibilities anyway." She leveled a spoon at him. "Just make sure ya don't slack off in school. I expect ya to set a good example for yer sister and brothers."

Patrick finally gave her a real grin. "Yes, ma'am."

Myra grinned back at him, feeling their old rapport as the two eldest slowly starting to return. "Good," she stated in a slightly teasing tone and lowered the spoon. "Now go get Benji and the others, dinner's ready."

He went into the boys room and came out with Benji in his arms before going to the door and shouting to the children that dinner was ready.

Myra let out a sigh, glad that she had handled at least his first test at their guardian alright.

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Again, I am sorry about the shortness of the chapter, but it did feel right to put in a chapter with Myra and at least Patrick involved. Of course things will not always be such smooth sailing with six kids but at least she knows she has an ally, at least when it comes to the younger children, in Patrick. I hope you still enjoyed it for all of its shortness. Thank you for reading!