IT COMES FROM THE HEART - PART II
This is the second part of the story. When we last left Murdoch, Scott, Johnny, Liana and Danielle, Liana had just finished a tirade about what an odious man Harlan Garrett was, Danielle was napping and Johnny and Scott were still standing in the dining room with Harlan.
Scott turned toward his grandfather with a sigh, "Grandfather, wouldn't you like to take a rest this afternoon?"
"I'll believe I'll do just that, young man." sputtered Garrett as he left the dining room in a huff.
"He needs to take a rest in more ways than one." snickered Johnny.
Scott rolled his eyes, "Shush…Johnny, here comes Pa and Liana."
Murdoch strode into the dining room with his arm around Liana's waist. "Scott?"
"Yes, sir?" Scott asked turning to his father.
"Where's your grandfather, son?"
"He went to rest in his room, sir."
"Ah, good we'll have peace and quiet for a few hours." sighed Murdoch relaxing.
Liana turned toward him, "Murdoch, I still have some work to do on the orchard accounts. I think I will finish." she said leaning into him for a hug.
"No, no you won't. And on the seventh day God rested and so shall you." he said hugging his wife.
She laughed, "Well what do you expect me to do this afternoon?"
"I think you and I shall go for a Sunday ride." said Murdoch as he escorted her out the French doors toward the barn. He turned toward his oldest, "Scott, listen for Danielle."
"Yes sir." Scott responded.
"Well, ain't that a kick?" asked Johnny staring after his parents.
"What?" Scott asked amused.
"Things sure have changed around here. Pa not wanting to work. Pa's going for a Sunday ride?" Johnny said.
"Yeah, well he has something a little more interesting to keep him company instead of work." said Scott smiling.
"Yeah, I guess," said Johnny. "You think he'd a been that way if we grew up here?"
"I don't know brother. I don't know." said Scott thoughtfully.
"Well I don't know about you, but if Pa's letting us off for the afternoon, I'm going to take me a siesta." said Johnny yawning and stretching. "I didn't get me much sleep at the Potter's. Mr. Potter had me and Noah up at the crack of dawn chopping wood."
Scott looked at him curiously. "What for? You being punished?"
"Well," Johnny rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "we had the choice of chopping wood, a licking or him telling Pa. I figured if he told Pa, I'd be heading out to the barn with Pa, so I picked chopping wood."
Scott started laughing, "What'd you do?"
"Me and Noah played hooky from Saturday night church services. We dropped the kids off at the party and went to the saloon."
"You did, what?" Scott sputtered.
"You heard me." Johnny said looking down. "You ain't gonna tell Scott, are ya?" Johnny begged.
"Ohhhhhhh no, I'm not telling him. But you just better hope that Danni doesn't mention you were gone or Charlie, the bar tender doesn't say anything." Scott said shaking his head.
"Yeah, I know." agreed Johnny.
"You know, you lied to him Johnny." said Scott.
"No I didn't. I didn't lie about nothing." Johnny blustered.
"He asked you if you behaved yourself." said Scott smugly.
"Yeah and I didn't answer." said Johnny, "So I didn't lie."
"I don't think he's going to see it that way."
"He won't have to see nothing if you just keep quiet." hissed Johnny.
"Well, it's your butt," said Scott. "You know how he feels about lying. You're going to get twice the beating for lying."
"I didn't lie." declared Johnny.
"Umm hmm," said Scott.
"I'm going to take me a siesta." Johnny said stomping out of the room.
Scott shook his head. His little brother could get in trouble without batting an eye. Murdoch was going to kill him if he found out. Well, Scott thought, it's not my butt. Scott retired to his room to read the new book he had bought while waiting for his grandfather's stage. His room, his own inner sanctuary.
An hour later, Danni woke up. She yawned and stretched. The hacienda was very quiet. She thought that she remembered maman being very upset about something. She just didn't remember what. She went down to great room and no one was there. She got a little nervous, no one seemed to be home. The panic started to well up in her. She thought she was home alone. The tears started to come, she tried to calm herself. She raced back up the stairs. She ran to her parents room, she knocked on the door, "Maman, Papa, Maman, Papa." she cried.
Scott heard the ruckus. He opened his door to see Danni banging on their parents door. "Danni, what's the matter? They went for a ride." he said as he came down the hall toward her.
She turned around and looked at Scott, relief flooded through her. Her face was tear stained. Scott held his arms out for her, "What's the matter, baby?" he asked as he hugged her and patted her on the back.
"I'm sorry Scott," she sniffed trying to compose herself. "I thought everyone was gone, it was so quiet. Guess I'm just a big baby, huh?"
"Oh honey, we wouldn't leave you alone. You know your mother and Pa wouldn't leave you alone in the house." Scott said still patting her on the back.
"Yeah, I guess. I just got scared Scott, the house was so quiet and no one was down stairs."
Scott sighed, "Well, they went for a ride, Johnny's taking a nap, Grandfather is resting in the downstairs guest room and I was in my room reading a book."
"Oh," said Danni relieved. "Heh Scott, I need to talk to you about something any way."
"Oh," asked Scott, "and what's that?"
"It's about Christmas. I know what I want to get Maman, but I don't have enough money. You think you could help me and it could be from both of us?" Danni asked.
Just then, Johnny came out of his room looking sleepy and disheveled. "Heh, what was all the racket?" he asked.
"Oh sorry, Johnny," said Danni, "It was me."
"What's a matter, miel?" he asked.
"Danni thought she was home by herself and panicked." said Scott.
"Oh," said Johnny.
"You can go back to sleep." said Scott.
Johnny yawned and stretched. "No, I'm up now."
"Johnny, I was talking to Scott about Christmas." said Danni tentatively.
"And?" asked Johnny, "What about it?"
"I need help getting Maman a present. I don't have enough money and I think it has to be ordered or I'd have to go to San Francisco to get it."
"What do you want to get her?" asked Johnny curiously.
"A sewing machine." said Danni.
"How much does it cost?" asked Johnny.
"Well, the one I saw in Papa's newspaper was $15."
Johnny whistled. "Where are you going to get that much money?"
"Well, I have $20 saved, but I need that for everyone else's Christmas presents. I can't spend it all on Maman."
"Whoooo wee, where'd you get $20?" asked Johnny, clearly impressed.
"I've been saving my allowance ever since Papa starting giving me one." she said.
Scott broke in, "Well, how much can you put in?" he asked.
"I don't know. I was hoping maybe you and Johnny and me could buy it together." Danni said turning a hopeful eye to her big brother.
"You and Johnny and I…" corrected Scott.
"Oh, whatever.." she said irritably. "If you can't, I was going to ask Papa to help me."
"Well, I'm in," said Johnny.
"Me too," said Scott.
"Is $5 a piece too much?" she asked holding her breath. She really wanted to get her mama a sewing machine. Her mama had been admiring them for years, but always said it was a frivolous waste of money. "Heh Scott, what's frivolous mean?"
"It means not needed or necessary, why?" he asked.
"Because maman has been looking at sewing machines as long as I could remember, but she says they are frivolous. But I know she would really want to have one."
Scott smiled. He figured that Liana wasn't going to spend money on anything she didn't deem necessary or that wasn't portable enough to be moved at a moments notice. "Well, I think I can throw in $5, what about you Johnny?" he asked his brother.
Johnny smiled. He was usually known to not have any money and was forever borrowing money from Scott. "Hard to believe brother, but I've been saving my money too and I can throw $5 in."
Danni jumped up and down. She hugged both her big brothers. "Thank you, thank you. Maman will be so excited."
Then Danni got a perplexed look on her face.
Scott noticed that look, "What's the matter?"
"Scott, how are we going to get it here. I mean the store's in San Francisco. I don't know how to order something." Danni said shaking her head.
"Well, let me take care of that. I'll figure out something." said Scott.
Danni threw her arms around him. "Thanks Scott, you're the best!" Then she turned toward Johnny and threw her arms around him, "You, too."
Both brothers just laughed. She really was a cute little thing.
"Heh Scott, can I go ride Jake?" she asked.
"No, no I want you to stay close by. Pa and Liana should be home soon and they'd be furious if you were off riding." Scott said shaking his head.
"Honestly, I'm not a baby Scott. Please?" she begged.
"Danni!" he warned.
Danni knew that voice. That voice was not to be disobeyed. Danni scowled. "I don't have anything to do, I'm bored."
Stepping in to save his sister, he grabbed her hand. "Come on girl, you can watch me down at the breaking corral."
Danni's eyes lit up.
Scott put a hand on his brother's arm, "Wait, Johnny, Pa didn't want us doing any work today."
Johnny batted Scott's hand away, "It ain't work brother, it's pleasure."
"Come on Danni." said Johnny grabbing her hand.
Scott shook his head. Johnny was just itching for a whipping. He just knew before the day was out, Murdoch was going to take a strip off his hide. Scott was thinking about the sewing machine. He could order it, but he didn't know if it would get here in time for Christmas. They still had three weeks. Maybe if he went in to town and wired the money right away. It would be more fun to take Danni to San Francisco. That's it he decided, he would ask his father for permission to take her to San Francisco. He didn't know how well that would go over, considering his grandfather was still there.
While Scott, Johnny, and Danielle were discussing Christmas, Murdoch and Liana were taking a ride. The weather was getting cold, Liana was about to suggest that they head back to the ranch. "Murdoch, I'm cold, please can we go back?" she asked.
"Just a minute darling, I want to show you something." he said as he reached up and pulled her off her horse. They had reached a portion of the ranch where all you could see were mountains against a picture of blue sky and a crystal clear lake before them.
"Oh c'est magnifique!" she breathed. "C'est plus bel endroit sur terre, mon amour."
"Hmm?" asked Murdoch.
"Oh excuse-moi, I said it is the most beautiful place on earth." Liana smiled.
"It's one of my favorite places." said Murdoch, his arms encircling her waist. He leaned down to kiss his wife.
She lifted her head to accept his kiss. She sighed contentedly. "Oh Murdoch, I am so very happy. I never thought my life could be like this."
Murdoch smiled. "I haven't ever been this happy in my life. I have you, I have my children and I have this beautiful place. I'm finally at a place in my life where I can enjoy all that life has to offer."
Liana snuggled closer to Murdoch. "Mon amour, I love you and this place, but don't you think we should be getting back. What if one of the boys were to ride out here and see us."
Murdoch chuckled, "Then they would just say, 'Pa's kissing mama again. He sure is happy.' But you're right, we should get back, it's getting cold and we should get back before dinner."
Meanwhile, Danni and Johnny were down at the breaking corral. Johnny was about to mount the strawberry roan. He was wearing a very light jacket and a cotton shirt. Danni was bundled up, she was cold. She had a scarf, mittens and a hat. She couldn't figure out how Johnny wasn't freezing to death. She also knew that if her maman caught either one of them outside without the proper clothing, she would be very angry. She had tried to convince Johnny to dress warmer. He shrugged her off saying that he couldn't move with all those clothes on.
Danni watched Johnny on the roan. He was amazing. He had just gotten thrown for the second time. She crawled up on the fence. "Johnny, we've been out here an hour, we better go in."
Johnny got up and dusted himself off. "Just one more ride, miel, then we'll go in."
"I don't know," Danni said shaking her head. "If maman and papa ride up and see you out here dressed like that, they're going to throw a fit."
"Phtt," said Johnny, "I'm dressed fine."
Danni grinned, "C'est votre derriere, mon frere."
"What?" asked Johnny.
"Oh, sorry, it's your backside, brother. If maman sees you like that, she's going to swat your bottom."
"Phtt, I'm 18, she ain't gonna do nothing." Johnny said waving his hand in the air dismissively.
"Like I said big brother, it's your bottom." she said grinning. What Johnny didn't know is that maman and papa were riding toward them. She watched Johnny mount the roan again, he didn't notice the approaching riders. Murdoch and Liana approached just as Johnny got thrown once again.
Murdoch was steaming, he had wanted the children to stay inside and stay warm and rest. He figured that Johnny and Danielle hadn't rested too much over the weekend. "JOHN…" he ground out.
Johnny was dazed for a moment from the throw. He could have sworn he heard his father, his very unhappy father utter his name. Before he knew it, Liana was giving him an earful.
"John Thomas Lancer, look at you. It's freezing outside. You are going to catch your death. Get in the house immediately. My dieu!" Liana stormed.
Johnny looked at his father. He could see the little vein bulging on his forehead. Not a good sign.
"I'm fine, mama, really," said Johnny. He used mama hoping he would assuage her wrath.
"Don't you maman me young man, get in the house, maintenant." she stormed.
Murdoch was trying to hide his grin. His wife was a little powerhouse when she felt the need. Johnny jumped out of the corral, "Yes ma'am." he said as he walked by his parents.
Suddenly, Liana reached out and smacked his backside. That little hand of hers hurt on a very cold leather clad behind. "Go to the bathhouse at once and take a hot bath."
"But…" Johnny started.
Murdoch looked at Johnny, "John, I wouldn't disobey just now."
"Yes, Pa."
Liana looked at Johnny, "March, young man." Then she turned toward her daughter. "The same goes for you young lady. Get inside at once."
Danielle knew better than to argue when her mother was in this mood. "Oui, maman." she said as she scooted by her parents and ran toward the house.
"My Lord, what was that boy thinking?" Liana stormed.
Murdoch laughed, "I don't think he was thinking."
Johnny went to the bathhouse and was about to step in the tub, when Scott knocked on the door. "I brought you some warm clothes." he said poking his head around the door. Scott burst out laughing. He was staring at Johnny's rear end. There was a small hand print. "Where did you get that?" he asked.
"What?" asked Johnny as he sat down in the tub.
"You have a red hand print on your backside, brother." said Scott chuckling.
"Oh, that," said Johnny sheepishly. "Liana smacked me because she thought I wasn't dressed right."
"Well, she sure has taken on the role of our mother, hasn't she?" Scott grinned.
"Yeah, my mama would have beat my butt probably." Johnny said dipping his head.
"Better Liana smacking you for not dressing properly versus Pa giving you a whipping for what you did Saturday night." Scott snorted.
"Scott, shush." admonished Johnny, "You want Pa to hear?"
Little did Johnny or Scott know, Murdoch was standing right behind Scott. "You want Pa to hear, what?" asked Murdoch menacingly.
Scott cringed. "Ummm, nothing Sir."
"Scott, if you'll excuse your brother and me." Murdoch said as he pulled Scott out of the bathhouse and closed the door.
"John?" Murdoch asked with a warning in his voice.
"Yes, Pa?" Johnny asked warily.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" asked Murdoch folding his arms across his chest.
"No sir." Johnny said a little too quickly.
"John, if you don't tell me now and I find out later, your punishment is going to be worse."
Johnny sighed. "But Pa, Mr. Potter already punished us."
Murdoch's eyebrows raised. "For what, son?"
"Promise you won't get mad?" asked Johnny, looking down into the water.
"No young man, I'm not making any promises. What's the rule about getting in trouble off the ranch?"
"If I get in trouble off the ranch, my punishment will be worse when I get home." Johnny whispered. "But Pa, I'm 18 now. I'm too old for that."
"You're 18 and I'm still your father and you aren't too old until I say so. Is that clear?"
Johnny nodded.
"I didn't hear you, son."
"Yes sir."
"What happened Johnny, out with it." said Murdoch, his arms still folded over his chest and tapping his foot.
Johnny took a deep breath and let the story spill. He told about how he and Noah dropped off the kids at the church and then went to the saloon on Saturday night. He snuck a peak at his father. His father's face was turning a deep shade of purple and his vein on his forehead was throbbing. A very very bad sign.
Murdoch was counting to 100. Murdoch yanked Johnny to a standing position. He started smacking. "Get out of this tub, get dressed and go to your room." Murdoch turned and left Johnny standing there. He was much to angry to deal with his son at that point.
Johnny quickly got out of the bath. Boy, was Pa mad. He hadn't seen him that mad in a long time. Johnny should of known his Pa would find out some how. He always found out. He chopped all that stupid wood for nothing. He stretched out on his bed on his belly. He figured if he was lucky, Pa'd send Scott up with dinner later. He knew he was in too much trouble now to go to dinner. Johnny snuggled down into the covers and drifted off to a restless sleep.
The rest of the family was called to dinner. There was a noticeably empty space at the table. Liana was fretting. She didn't like when Murdoch punished the children, it just drove her crazy. Garrett was practically preening that Johnny was in trouble once again and wasn't at the table. Danielle just decided to be on her very best behavior, she didn't want to get on her mother or father's bad side.
Liana sighed and looked at her husband, "Murdoch, s'il vous plait, let me get Johnny for dinner."
Murdoch gave his wife a hard look, "No, Liana, he is being punished and I will take him dinner later when I go talk to him."
"What has he done?" she asked.
"I'd rather discuss that with you later." he said sternly.
Liana sighed again. Danielle figured this was as good a time as any to leave the table. The tension was unbearable. She looked at her father, "Papa, excuse-moi s'il vous plait?"
Murdoch looked over at Danielle's plate, surprisingly she had eaten most of her dinner. "Yes, your excused."
"Merci, Papa." Danielle said as she quickly fled the table and ran to her room.
Murdoch looked at the fleeting back of his daughter. He sighed. Liana made a plate for Johnny with a glass of milk and looked at her husband expectantly. "Mon cher, he must eat."
Murdoch smiled, he knew he would never be able to send any of the children to bed with no supper, not as long as Liana was around. He took the tray and said, "I may as well take this to him now."
Murdoch climbed the stairs and counted to ten before he opened his son's door. He smiled when he saw his son belly down on his bed asleep. He put the milk and dinner plate down on the dresser. He sat on the side of his son's bed and rubbed his head until he woke up. "Johnny, Johnny, wake up son." Murdoch said softly.
"Papa?" asked Johnny, sleepily. He was still asleep and was trying hard to wake up.
Murdoch smiled, he'd hardly every heard Johnny call him "Papa" since he'd been back. He only heard that when Johnny was very disoriented or very sick and wasn't thinking straight. Murdoch suddenly got concerned. He was worried Johnny might be getting sick with wearing so little clothing when he was outside earlier. Murdoch brushed his hand across Johnny's forehead and his cheek. Damn, he was running a fever. Murdoch sighed.
"Come on son, can you wake up for me?" he said rubbing his back.
"Pa?" asked Johnny squinting.
"I'm sorry, Pa. You sure were mad." Johnny said turning on is side. He let out a audible wince when his behind touched the bed.
"Sorry son, your going to be a little sore back there. Yes, well, you're lucky I didn't tan the daylights out of you." Murdoch smiled.
"I don't feel too lucky, Pa." said Johnny coughing.
"No, I don't suppose you do. Next time you pull a stunt like that, it'll be a tanning."
"No Sir, I ain't doing that again!" said Johnny emphatically.
Murdoch laughed, he ruffled Johnny's hair. "Your punishment isn't even started, boy. You'll have extra chores. Once you get rid of this fever."
"Aw Pa, I don't got no fever, I'm fine." said Johnny as his nose started to run and he started to cough again.
"Uh huh, seems like you picked up a cold, son. Your mother is going to have a fit. So, you are just going to stay in this bed until your fever is gone."
"Aw Pa…." Johnny started to whine.
"John, I don't need to tell you what's going to happen if you don't stay in that bed." Murdoch said tapping his belt buckle with his fingers.
Johnny watched that tapping motion. Last time he was sick and wouldn't stay in bed, Murdoch popped his behind. He couldn't believe his father would pop him when he was sick. Although Johnny admitted, he didn't move one inch off that bed without permission afterwards. "Yes sir, Pa. I'm staying."
"You can get out of bed to use the bath house and to eat your dinner I brought you. Then I expect you to get right back in that bed. Do you understand me?"
Johnny sighed a long suffering sigh. It made his father laugh. You would of thought that Murdoch had taken away all his favorite toys. It made Johnny look like he was 8 instead of 18. The petulant pout was already forming.
"I asked if you understood, son?" his father asked again.
"Yes Sir, I understand." sighed Johnny.
"Just to make sure, what do you understand?" asked his father.
"I'm allowed to get out bed to eat dinner and go to the bath house and if I get out of bed for anything else without permission, your going to pop me, even if I'm sick."
"Good, I'm glad we understand each other." said Murdoch as he turned to leave the room. "I'll send Maria up with a mustard plaster."
"Aw Pa, please that stuff stinks." Johnny begged.
"You will behave yourself and let Maria put it on. I don't want that cold moving into your chest."
"Aw Pa, please…"
"You will behave! Clear?" said Murdoch shaking a finger at him.
Johnny just nodded miserably. Murdoch chuckled as he shut the door. Poor Johnny, today just wasn't his day. Murdoch made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen to find Maria. Once he told Maria that Johnny was sick. She flew into full mother hen mode, muttering all the while in Spanish while she gathered together all the necessary supplies.
Murdoch retired to the great room and found Scott waiting for him. "Father, I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Yes, son?"
"Where's Mother?"
"She's making sure your sister is getting ready for bed."
"Good, I don't want her to hear."
Murdoch raised his eyebrows. "What's so top secret, son?"
"I'd like to take Danielle to San Francisco." Scott said almost holding his breath. He knew how his father was with letting Danni out of his sight. The overprotective father could turn into a bear if he thought someone was taking Danni away from the house.
"Absolutely not, she's not old enough." Murdoch said emphatically.
"Pa, please listen before you make up your mind." Scott pleaded. "Please?"
Murdoch steeled himself. "Alright, son."
"Pa, Danni wants to get Mother a sewing machine for Christmas. The only place we could get one would be San Francisco. It would be such a special treat for her. She's never been to San Francisco. I also thought Grandfather could come with us. It would get him out from under your feet. Please Pa, she'd really love it."
Murdoch grunted, "She's not ready to be away from home, from her mother, from me for that long."
Scott snorted, "Are you sure Danni's not ready, sir, or is it you?" Scott asked softly.
Murdoch's face starting turning red, he was about to blow, how dare his son suggest that he was holding Danielle back. Scott had turned away from his father and was looking into the embers of the fire. "Scott Garrett Lancer, look at me when I'm talking to you." Murdoch ground out.
Scott turned toward his father, "Yes, sir?" he asked.
Murdoch sighed, maybe Scott was right, maybe it was him. It was just after all she had been through, he didn't want Danielle to be scared, ever again. "You will keep her safe?"
Scott smiled, "Of course sir, I would never let anything happen to her. Grandfather will be there, with both of us watching, what could possible happen."
Murdoch grunted. The boys were always asking what could possibly happen and something always happened. "Well, I need to at least discuss it with Liana."
"Pa, what about Johnny?" asked Scott.
"What about your brother?"
"He's going to want to go, you know." said Scott.
"Well, I don't think him going anywhere with your grandfather is a good idea. Besides, I don't think I want you to be responsible for both Danni and Johnny in San Francisco." Murdoch surmised.
Scott ran his hand through his hair, "Well, yes sir, but you know how Johnny is. He's going to be fit to be tied when he hears about this." said Scott with a small smile.
Murdoch eyed his son, "I've already said 'No' young man, does there need to be any more reason than that?"
"No sir." said Scott hiding a smile behind his hand. Murdoch may have said no and his word was law. But there was no law about Johnny acting like a spoiled brat when he didn't get to do something he really wanted to do.
"Besides," Murdoch said, "He's sick and running a fever. Liana wouldn't let him out of her sight, no matter what. As long as he's running a fever, he's staying in that bed even if I have to hogtie him."
Scott's eyebrows went up. He was remembering the last time he got sick and his father threatened to take him out to the barn if he didn't stay in bed. Scott was no fool, he knew that his father was serious. He knew that the last time Johnny had been sick, he got a few pops before he decided it was prudent to stay in bed.
Liana descended the stairs. She had wanted to make sure that Danielle knew that no one was mad at her and that everything should be fine. She entered the great room and went to sit on the couch next to her husband. "How is Johnny?" she asked as Murdoch opened his arm for her to lean into his side.
"Well, he's running a fever." said Murdoch.
"Ach, I knew it, dressed so poorly. I'm going to…" she stormed as she stood up.
"Liana Lancer, sit down." demanded Murdoch.
"Murdoch?" she asked. She couldn't believe that he spoke to her in that tone of voice.
"Liana, darling, please, Maria is putting a mustard plaster on his chest. He has been told to stay in bed. He's fine for now." Murdoch told his wife, whilst still holding her in place next to him.
There wasn't much she could do with her husband holding on to her. He was so much bigger and stronger. Liana was starting to fume.
"Liana, please, he's in good hands for now. You can check on him later." Murdoch soothed as he kissed her on the head.
"You know, you are a bully." she said still fuming.
"Yes I know, but one who loves you. Besides I think Johnny has had all the fussing he can stand now."
"That reminds me, what did he do that you would not allow him to join us for dinner." Liana asked as she settled back into her husband's embrace.
Murdoch told her that Johnny had gone to the saloon with Noah Potter instead of staying and watching the children at the party. Murdoch also told her of the spanking.
Liana smiled, "I see why you still give him a spanking, such a naughty boy, no?"
Murdoch grinned, "Well in my opinion, he's never going to be too old. Besides Walter gave him the choice of chopping wood, getting a licking or telling me. Johnny took the wood probably figuring he would get out of the licking. He knows the rule that if he gets in trouble off the ranch, he's in more trouble when he gets home."
Liana looked at her husband, "Yes, but he's still a good boy. Murdoch, they are both good boys."
Murdoch glanced warmly at his wife, "I know, I am blessed. By the way, Scott wants to take Danielle with him to San Francisco to do some Christmas shopping."
Liana sat up. "Oh Murdoch, I don't know. Danielle hasn't been that far away from me ever."
Murdoch chuckled, "I know, but I thought you were just telling me how grown up she's getting, almost a teenager."
"That's different, she was just over at the Potter's ranch. Not so far." Liana pouted.
Murdoch took his wife's hand and looked into her eyes. "It's fine Liana. Let her go. Scott will be with her. Scott's grandfather will accompany them."
Liana shook her head, "Murdoch, Scott is just a boy himself. He's only 22. What does he know of the world."
Murdoch sighed, "Liana, Harlan will be there. If you think I'm strict, I don't hold a candle to Harlan Garrett. I'm sure he won't let the children out of his sight, much less do anything they aren't suppose to do."
"I don't know." Liana said twisting her skirt in her fists.
Murdoch took his wife's hands. He peeled her fingers one by one off the material of her skirt. He took her fingers and kissed them. "It will be fine darling, I'm sure." he said reassuringly.
Murdoch looked up to see Scott about to walk into the great room. "Father, Mother have you discussed San Francisco?" he asked as he walked toward the drink cart.
"We were just discussing that, son."
"Do I have permission, sir?" asked Scott.
Murdoch raised his eyebrows and looked down at his wife. "Does he have permission?"
Liana sighed a very audible sigh, "Oui."
Scott laughed, "Thank you. I promise Mother, I will take care of her. I promise everything will be alright. After all, Grandfather will be there, what could happen?"
Murdoch winced. He absolutely hated that phrase "what could happen." 'Son, have you discussed this with Danielle or your grandfather, yet?"
"No sir." said Scott, "I wanted to have your permission first."
"Well, Danielle is in bed, I don't want you to disturb her. Wait until the morning. You can of course check with your grandfather."
"Yes sir. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go discuss this with Grandfather. Goodnight, Mother, Father."
Scott left the great room and headed for his grandfather's room. He knocked softly on the door, "Grandfather," he called softly.
"Yes."
"May I come in, Sir?" he asked.
"Certainly my boy." puffed Garrett.
"Grandfather, I would like to go to San Francisco and do some Christmas shopping. I was wondering if you'd accompany me. Maybe we can take in an opera or two." Scott said.
Garrett puffed up even more. A trip with just him and his grandson. Away from this backward ranch and all the annoyances that went with it. Surely he would be able to convince Scotty to come away with him to Boston and forget all this foolishness. "Absolutely my boy, splendid idea."
"Grandfather, there is one thing," Scott paused looking at his grandfather.
"Well, what is it boy, spit it out." demanded Garrett.
"I'm taking Danielle to do some shopping for her mother, so she will be coming with us." Scott blurted out in a rush.
Harlan Garrett arched his eyebrow. "Really Scotty must you bring that child?'
"Grandfather, please. She really is very well behaved."
Harlan snorted.
"Grandfather, Father will not give permission if I don't take Danielle." Scott lied. A small lie, but one well told.
"You are 22 years old. Why do you need his permission?" demanded Harlan.
Scott all but laughed in his grandfather's face. Was that the kettle calling the pot black. His grandfather would demand obedience no matter how old Scott was. "Sir, please it will be a pleasant trip."
Harlan sighed, "Alright Scott. But I am only agreeing to this because we will have some much needed time together."
Scott smiled, "Of course sir."
As Scott took his leave of the room, Harlan smiled to himself. This maybe the perfect opportunity to convince Scott to go back to Boston, voluntarily or not. Harlan needed to send a wire or too. He would have Scott take him into town in the morning on the pretense that he needed to contact some business associates in San Francisco.