Okay guys I know this is long overdue and that I haven't even finished 3 Dates yet, and I deeply apologize for the long wait. I know I keep making excuses which is no excuse. I will try my hardest to have another update or 2 by this weekend. I can't promise they will be very long, but it will move the story along until I can get more time and inspiration to write. Thank you all for being so patient and understanding and being such an amazing audience and readers. As usual please review and tell me what ya'll would like to see and where ya'll would like this story to go.

Kathleen POV

Once again dinner is filled with Lila's talk of school and Ross. Everyone including me had not expected her to actually be excited about school, and actually doing well in school. Ms. Jones had actually told me she was a model student. I swear I almost choked. I mean yes this is wonderful, but it is all because of this Ross fellow my sister has fallen for. Which it is a might bit funny how Joe has taken the news. Let's see it has been 3 weeks since Lila started school and Joe has because all so distant and has taken on quite the sullen look with that bottom lip protruding and his usual bright green eyes all so dark and gloomy. It's almost pitiful of you didn't know him. Anyway I and the rest of the family had to sit through another breakfast of Lila going on and on about her dinner with Ross last night.
"Oh you just wouldn't believe how kind and sweet he and his family are." She continues to babble, but no one is paying her any attention. Ben looks like he is about to burst a blood vessel in his head. I mean can his brow get any closer to his bottom eyelid? Joe oh poor Joe literally has his fork almost in 2 different pieces from bending it. Those 2 did not take the news well at all.

3 weeks ago, Lila's first day.

Adam had come home with Lila literally skipping through the door. Everyone had been expecting her to come home with a sore behind and angry and all of the usual Lila antics, but no she was smiling and skipping. Isabelle was the first to speak up.

"How was your first day Lila?" Isabelle didn't seem quite as concerned as the rest of us were as she looked up from her book Adam had leant her for her private lesson he was giving her.
Lila glided over to the settee like she was floating.
Adam walked in behind her with a smile on his face. Ben and Kathleen walked over to him searching his face for answers while Joe and Isabelle sat down next to her. Lila's eyes were glazed over.

"Oh it was great and I met someone, a guy and he walked me halfway home." Lila's grin couldn't have gotten any bigger if you had stretched her cheeks. In response all of our faces dropped in wide horror of this young man who had stolen Lila's heart.

Ben looked over to Lila on the settee and then back to Adam.

"Son do you know what all this is about?"

Adam put on one of those fake smiles and turned his head a bit before answering," Yes, this morning as I was dropping her off for school a young man caught her eye and she hasn't been the same since. A Mr. Ross Stone."

Ben's mouth fell as you could see his temper rising," Stone as in Baxter Stone of the Guildstone Ranch, our biggest competitors? Oh Baxter is going to use this to his advantage no doubt. Baxter will have a ball with this. She can't be with him. This is just the opportunity he has been waiting for. The guest of his biggest rival falling for his son, He wouldn't dare pass it up." Ben took off for his desk and the bottle of whiskey and poured himself a large glass which he downed in a single gulp and proceeded to pour himself another glass. Adam walked over and stood beside his father while pouring himself a glass as they mulled over what to do. Hoss and Joe had been listening and were now exchanging glances.

"Hey Little Joe isn't that the guy that use to give you all kinds of trouble back in school?"

Joe though back to the little blonde haired boy who always tried to pick a fight with him in school. Joe never fought with him because back then Ross was quite a small and puny child. He didn't think it would be fair to fight him, so he tried to ignore him. Turning back to Hoss Joe responded," Yeah I think it is him, Seems like he still can't leave us alone. Well if that little pipsqueak wanted a fight he has got one now." Joe was staring off into space as he clenched his hand into a fist and pursed his lips.

Lila had been listening and was quite upset at what she was hearing. They can't tell me who I can and cannot like. "Ross is a nice boy just because he hasn't always gotten along with you doesn't mean we can't be together Lila had that look in her eyes which Kathleen and Isabelle knew all too well. It was the look that Lila had whenever she had her mind set to something and she wasn't about to back down without a fight. Joe's face was twisted up as his hands were in fists. Lila liked Ross; she wasn't lovesick over him anymore. He had lost her. Joe looked to Lila who was in a stare down with Ben and Kathleen.

"Lila I forbid you from seeing this boy again. Trust me on this he is bad news; his whole family is bad news and have been after our family for years. He doesn't really care for you. He knows that you are with us and just wants to use you against us." Ben was trying to reason with her. He hated to hurt her, but he knew how the Stone's worked and didn't want to see Lila become a pawn in this game.

Lila however didn't see it this way. She rose from her seat in a fury and yelled across the room.

"YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! I LOVE HIM AND HE LOVES ME AND YOU WILL NOT STOP ME FROM SEEING HIM. You can try, but I swear to you, you will fail." With that she stormed out the door slamming it behind her. Joe stood slamming his fist on the table and took off upstairs himself.

"What is the matter with you Joe?" Hoss watched his brother leave with hurt eyes. His mouth twisted up as he glanced over to Ben and Kathleen. Kathleen had slumped up against the wall with her head between her legs. Adam was down on one knee next to her with his hand on her back talking to her.

In between sobs Kathleen managed to choke out," What am I going to do with her? I have reached my limit I just don't know what to do anymore." She looked up at Adam and Ben with tear stained eyes filled with exasperation.

Adam lifted her chin to face him as he spoke," You are not alone with this anymore; between the 6 of us we will get a grip on her."

Isabelle walked over to stand beside been," You don't know our sister, She can't be contained. The more you try the harder she resist. It's hopeless."

Ben walked over and grabbed his hat and began to put on his gun belt as he looked around the room at everyone," Well she has never dealt with the Cartwright's, and I am not about to be done in by a spoiled, disrespectful, hot headed 15 year old girl." The front door made a loud crash as it closed behind Ben as he rode out after the girl. He knew exactly where she was headed, and Ben did need to have a long talk with a Mr. Baxter Stone.