New Beginnings
Ch. 15
Confrontation
The week following his homecoming, Rob found himself riding back to Mr. McGinnis' house. This time Joseph asked and was allowed to come too. Having heard several stories from Rob about the McGinnis children, Joseph wanted to meet them. Ethan was ready to put this part of Rob's life behind them and focus on better things. In the last few days since Rob had come home, Ethan had managed to calm himself some in regards to McGinnis. He still intended to have a firm discussion with the man over his treatment of Rob. He wished he could also discuss the way the man was raising his children but knew he had no business getting involved. That was a private matter between the man and his family.
"So Rob, you said Scott was always mad at you. Why do you think he was mad? What'd he do?" Joseph asks.
"I don't know why. It could be he didn't want me to come. I wondered about that. It wasn't my idea for me to go teach them about horses! He was rude and hostile about everything I tried to teach him. It didn't matter how patient or polite I was he was the opposite. He resented my being there from the first day and did his best to let me know it. He tried to get me in trouble with his Pa once he realized being hateful wouldn't make me leave."
"He sounds like a brat! I'm surprised he didn't get punished for being rude. If we ever act that way, we get in trouble from Pa! How did he try to get you into trouble, Rob? By telling on you for something you didn't do?"
"No, Scott tried to frame me for stealing something. It didn't work because Aaron saw him take it and try to plant it in my bed."
"What did he take? Was it money from his Pa or the butter and egg money?"
"No, it wasn't any money. I don't think they have much money in the house. In fact I don't know if they even sell eggs. They didn't the whole time I was there. They don't own a cow so they don't make butter."
"They don't own a cow? Joseph asks incredulously. "What do they do for milk then? Do they buy it in town?"
They didn't seem to buy milk. They never had milk to drink while I was staying there. It was water only and coffee for Mr. McGinnis. I guess he likes black coffee as he never used milk or cream. They live differently than we do, Joseph. We have it much better at our place than the McGinnis children do."
"Yes, it sounds like it. So what was it that Scott took if it wasn't money? What did he try to blame on you?"
"You are just full of questions aren't you. Okay, I'll tell you but then stop asking me so many questions will ya? I'm getting tired of talking about it. He took his Pa's pipe pouch with tobacco. He was going to put it under my pillow and tell his Pa he saw me smoking it. I guess he thought I would be sent home if he did. Aaron called him on it and threatened to tell their Pa what really happened and that Alyssa saw it too. Scott decided not to risk the consequences and put it back."
"But Rob, you are all against tobacco use and smoking! You hate the smell of it! Why would Scott think you would smoke?" Joseph asks earning a look from Ethan.
"I believe Rob asked you to stop questioning him didn't he? He told you he doesn't want to talk about the visit any longer. Now to answer your question, Scott might have thought Rob would try tobacco because he himself either does or wants too. He would not know Rob feels very strongly against the use of tobacco now would he? He thought that would be something really serious to get Rob into trouble with his Pa apparently." Ethan answers for Rob. "Now leave Rob alone with all the questions, please. I'm sure he doesn't want to talk about this right now. We will talk of something else."
"Yes Pa. Pa, can I just punch Scott once when I see him? I want to get him back for being so hateful to Rob!" Joseph smirks.
"What happens to you if you go around getting in fights or punching someone Joseph?" Ethan asks as an answer.
"I get my britches set on fire in the barn." Joseph replies sighing quietly. It was such a nice idea too. He thinks.
"Then you have your answer. There will be NO fighting, Joseph! You will be polite and respectful or you will be in trouble with me. Understand me young man? I better not hear or see any retaliation on your part! Just to make it clear, if I do or suspect you were rude, you will be in for a whipping. Do you hear what I am saying, Joseph?"
Joseph answers with the expected "Yes Sir." Although inwardly he still thinks of punching the other boy if given a chance. It might be worth getting in trouble just for the satisfaction of getting even. You don't mess with my family!
I didn't get in trouble the other night so maybe I wouldn't this time. Pa let that go so why wouldn't he let this go if I go through with it. Then again, I sure don't want a repeat of having him use a switch on me. That burns way too much! Joseph says in his mind as he thinks about the other night.
The night after he was punished for playing pranks on his Uncle Matthew, he and Rob snuck back into the room Matthew was staying in. They searched everywhere for the three small spring traps Joseph had placed in the bureau. They weren't where he left them so they searched the rest of the room. Just as they were about to give up, Matthew walked in and caught them. The rest of the night was not much fun for him or Rob either. He can still hear the fury in Matthew's voice as he told Ethan where the boys were.
******* flashback ********
"Ethan, I caught them in my room! They must have been planting some other kind of prank! I tell you I'm about ready to go back to St. Louis! I can't even sleep in that room for fear of being attacked by something!"
"Robert! Joseph! I want the truth RIGHT NOW! WERE YOU SETTING UP A PRANK IN THAT ROOM?" Ethan asks, his voice low but his eyes are flashing dangerously.
Both boys know from experience this is a bad sign. Joseph's legs begin to prickle in memory of the whipping he received the night before. I sure don't want to go through that again. I must calm Pa down somehow. He thinks.
"No Sir, I was not putting any pranking material or making any pranks in my room." Rob answers.
"No Pa, honest, I was not setting up or playing any pranks at all. I asked Rob to help me go look for something I left in the room. He was helping me but we couldn't find it. It wasn't where I left it. I'm telling you the truth Pa! We haven't been setting out any pranks or tricks at all!" Joseph said desperately hoping to get out of this predicament they were now in.
"What exactly was it you were looking for Joseph? Why did you wait until now to go look for it?" Ethan asks, his voice still very stern.
"I remembered late last night, there were some more pranks left in Uncle Matthew's room. I wanted to go clear them out but I couldn't find them. I wasn't lying when I said I had not left any, I just didn't remember then. It was set up a long time ago. Are you mad with me Pa?"
"Before I answer, I want to know something. Robert? What is your involvement in this? Did you help Joseph set out this prank in the first place?"
"No Sir, I had nothing to do with it. I wasn't here remember? I just wanted to help him look last night so he wouldn't get in any more trouble. I felt he'd been in enough trouble."
Matthew asks "Joseph? Would these pranks happen to be little spring traps you would use to catch a mouse by any chance?"
"Yes sir." Joseph answers avoiding looking at his Pa. He just knew he was about to get another whipping. Please don't let him whip me again! I'm still sore back there. Joseph pleads silently.
"I found the traps the second day. I removed them and put them into the barn. Ethan, I wondered then if you had a mouse problem in your house. No harm came to me Joseph, so I forgive you for that one."
"JOSEPH….." Hearing the stern voice Ethan was using and seeing the look of worry on Joseph's face, Matthew says "Ethan, please just let this one go. He's been punished for the pranks he pulled and this one didn't happen. He even tried to go back to stop it from happening. That is a mark of good character in my book. I don't think he deserves to be punished."
"Very well. Joseph, you ought to thank Uncle Matthew because he just saved you from more punishment. We will let this go and not speak of it anymore unless you decide to reenter the pranking business. I would strongly advise you not to do that. Now, both of you go to your room and stay there. Neither of you are to leave that room until time for breakfast in the morning. Don't forget, you two are in charge of tomorrow's breakfast."
"Yes sir. Thank you Uncle Matthew!" Joseph says relieved at getting out of more punishment.
"Yes sir, Good night." Rob answers walking to their room.
**** end flashback ****
Arriving at the McGinnis farm, Joseph exclaims "Gee Rob, this place is such a mess. I thought you were coming to work. Didn't you try to teach them to pen up the animals and clean up?'
"No, Uncle Ethan would not let me try to help in that way. I was told to let them stay with their ways and just do my job of working with the horses. I did not say anything about the animals."
"Well, you should have! Someone has to tell them it isn't right to have animals running around loose like this. I'll tell them myself!"
"You will keep your opinions to yourself Joseph. This is their property to do as they wish. You are to respect that and keep quiet! Understand me?"
"No sir, I don't understand at all. Why can't we teach them to keep the animals in a pen? If we don't who else is going to do it?" Joseph answers politely as Rob gives him a look clearly saying don't push it if you value your hide. Ethan's patience with Joseph's attitude is wearing thin, Rob has noticed.
"Joseph, it isn't your responsibility to interfere in the way someone lives their life. You are not a member of the family or a friend. You are a stranger or a visitor. As such, you keep your opinion and comments to yourself." Ethan tells the boy firmly.
"You'd best behave while here or I will take you over my knee in front of everyone and we will have a discussion at home also. Now do you understand me?" Ethan asks giving Joseph the steely look that tells the boy his Pa has reached the end of his patience and means business.
Joseph is saved from having to endure the glare for long, when the door to the house opens and Mr. McGinnis comes outside.
"Hello Sheriff Cord, I guess you came about your boy's money."
"We have and also to pick up his clothes. He left some clothes here. May he go inside to get them?"
"I'll have my daughter bring them out in just a few minutes. Aaron go tell Alyssa to bring the boy's clothes." McGinnis instructs the boy coming up from the barn.
"Yes Sir. Hi, Rob! I'm glad you came back. Can you stay awhile?"
"Hi Aaron. No, we're only here to get my clothes and my pay."
"Enough talk boy! Do as you are told!" McGinnis snaps at Aaron sending the boy scurrying into the house.
"Mr. McGinnis, Rob worked for you for sixteen days and at two dollars a day that would be his pay is thirty two dollars even. We will collect that now, sir." Ethan says firmly.
"The boy did good work but his behavior could be improved on. The sneaking around to try to smoke was bad enough but when he took Scott drinking and gambling that was all I could take. I couldn't have someone working for me who behaved that way." McGinnis tells Ethan.
Listening to this, Rob gasps at hearing the man say he snuck around to smoke and the saloon trip was all his idea. He starts to speak up but "Mr. McGinnis..." is as far as he gets before Ethan says "Not now Rob!" putting his hand on Rob's shoulder. Feeling his Pa's squeeze, Rob stays quiet.
"I thank you sir for the information on Rob's behavior. I have dealt with the saloon incident already and will be talking to him about the smoking. We need to be returning home so may I get that pay now?" Ethan gives Rob's shoulder another squeeze as McGinnis looks towards the house. Looking up, Rob sees Ethan wink at him so he knows he's not to be punished again.
"Very well, I'll have to go get it from inside. I will be back soon." McGinnis answers. Walking in he passes Aaron on his way back outside to give Rob his clothes.
"Pa, may I show Rob how well the horses are doing now?"
"You may." McGinnis answers continuing on his trip inside.
"Come on Rob. Bring your brother and let's go look at our trained horses. I kept working with mine so they wouldn't forget all they learned." Looking at Joseph as they walk to the corral, he says "I'm Aaron and you must be Joseph. Rob told us all about his family. Didn't Ben and George come too?"
"Yeah, I'm Joseph. Nice to meet you. No, my little brothers are staying home. Rob told me about how you helped him not get in trouble when your brother tried to frame him for smoking. That was nice of you to do. Where is your brother by the way?"
"He ran away after Pa thrashed him with the horsewhip. He left that night we came home from town. My Uncle Eric is out looking for him. Rob, I'm sorry my Pa left you locked up. Did you get in bad trouble with your Pa?"
"It wasn't too good, Aaron. I told you how he feels about drinking and gambling, right?" At Aaron's nod, Rob continues. "Well he used his belt to remind me drinking and gambling are strictly forbidden. It stung awhile but he didn't beat me the way it appears your Pa beat Scott."
"Good, I didn't want you to get a thrashing with a whip for something Scott made you do. I hope Scott never comes home."
"Aaron, Scott is your family. You shouldn't be talking that way! Your Pa might whip you for it!" Rob says shocked to hear those words from the boy.
"Aaron, can I ask you something?" Joseph says.
"Yeah."
"Why don't you build pens to keep the chickens and pigs in? Most people don't let the livestock run loose. It's kind of strange to do that."
"Joseph! Rob says, aghast at his younger brother's words. "You heard Uncle Ethan earlier! Have you already forgotten what he told you? You are disobeying an order!"
"No, I haven't forgotten, but he can't hear me from way up there by the house." Joseph says haughtily.
"I can sure tell him! Now mind your manners and do as you were told or I will!" Rob fires back glaring at the smug boy.
"Why are you mad at your brother, Rob? It was just a question and I didn't mind it." Aaron asks curiously.
"His Pa told him not to talk about the livestock not being in pens because he said it wasn't our business. Joseph disobeyed him. If Uncle Ethan finds out, he'll be in for a walloping."
"Oh, well to answer the question, we let the livestock run loose so they can fertilize the ground. Pa says they make the grass grow better and the garden too. I'd rather not have to clean out pens for the chickens. We used to have pens and I hated doing that."
"I hate it too. It smells awful. The barn stalls are bad enough but the chickens PHEWW!" Joseph agrees smiling at Aaron. "Rob, maybe we need to let our chickens run loose. " Joseph says grinning.
"You let the chickens out of the pen or the horses out of the corral and you won't sit down for days! You had better not even think about letting the horses out or shooing the chickens into the yard! Uncle Ethan would take you to the tack room and whip you!"
"You're Pa whips you? So does mine. Does your Pa use a buggy whip, horsewhip or just a switch?" Aaron asks Joseph curiously.
"Most of the time if he whips us, he uses his belt. If it's for something really bad, he might use the razor strop. He's whipped us both with a switch before but never a buggy whip. He's not ever used a whip on us. Not ever."
"Do you think I could come over to your house sometime? I don't have anyone close to my age to play with around here. Alyssa is my twin but she doesn't much like fishing and frogging or going on adventures. Would your Pa let me come over do you think? I can ride over someday if you'd send word by telephone to us."
Rob listening to all of this talk between the boys asks "Did your Pa put up a telephone for your house Aaron?" Last he saw the family didn't own one.
"No but the sheriff's office has one and you could call my uncle. He'd let me know you said I could come."
"That's a great idea Aaron and we would love to have you come visit. I think you both better ask your Pa's first before you make any more plans. I also think we should include Alyssa in the invitation. Claire would enjoy having a girl around to talk with."
"I guess that would be alright but it would have been nice to let it just be me. I never get to go anywhere without Scott or Alyssa going along." Aaron replies wistfully.
"Well, when you come over, we'll go somewhere just the three of us. I know all about not getting time to yourself what with Rob and my two nuisance little brothers around."
"Now Look Here! I was gone two whole weeks and you must have had time to yourself then!" Rob sputters irritated.
"No I had to be available for Uncle Matthew to see me. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere. Besides that I had a billion extra jobs I had to get done too. If I didn't I wouldn't get paid for extra chores. There were two days when I didn't get my money because I didn't get all my chores done." Joseph answers scowling at Rob.
"Don't glare at me boy! I didn't cause you not to finish your work. I wasn't even there so drop the evil eyes will ya?" Rob answers giving Joseph a light smack on the arm.
Giggling at the way Rob smacked Joseph, Aaron says "I see you two really do like each other a lot. My brother doesn't like me. He doesn't tease around like you two do. If he was to smack me it wouldn't be a little light tap the way Rob did. It would be an all out fist to the face or body."
Joseph is about to punch Rob back when he hears "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Turning to look behind them, Joseph sees Mr. McGinnis and his Pa walking up to the corral.
"Why are you raising your hand to your brother Joseph?" Ethan asks sounding very stern.
"We were just joking around Pa. He gave me a light tap on the arm and I was going to tap him back that's all." Joseph answers watching his Pa's face for his reaction.
"Neither one of you is to raise a hand to the other. We'll talk about this later. Right now, it's time to leave so say good bye and wait in the wagon boys."
Rob and Aaron turn and walk off but Joseph decides to ask about Aaron visiting and stays where he is.
"Pa, we would like Aaron and Alyssa to come over to our house for a visit soon. Could they come please? We'd treat them really well Mr. McGinnis and they'd have a good time too. Please won't you let them come? My sister Claire is a good cook and you know Rob so we'd be really nice to them at our house." Left unsaid but implied is the children are not treated nicely at their own house. McGinnis' frown leads Ethan to believe he has picked up on Joseph's meaning.
"Joseph, you are stepping out of bounds son! Go to the wagon, now. Mr. McGinnis and I will talk about your request and I'll let you know our decision." When Joseph continues to stand firm, Ethan leans down and whispers "Do you need me to take you over my knee right now for disobedience Joseph?"
"No Sir, I don't."
"Then go to the wagon immediately and this is my final warning!"
"Stubborn young one isn't he? My older son is a bit like that too. A good thrashing would help! " Joseph hears McGinnis comment as he heads to the wagon.
Rob, having been able to hear all that was said except the threat of a walloping, comments "You are asking for a hiding Joseph! You had better be very careful the rest of the day or Pa will give you what you ask for! Defiance and disrespectful behavior are the quickest way to a sore seat! You know that as well as I do."
"I know and I'll be careful. Do you think they will agree to let Aaron and Alyssa visit?" Joseph whispers as Aaron walks back towards his sister who is sitting on the front steps.
"Pa will but I don't know about McGinnis. He's so hateful he might make them stay here just for spite." Rob whispers back after checking to see no adults were within hearing range.
On the way home, Joseph asks "Pa? What did Mr. McGinnis say about having Aaron come? I liked him and he'd be fun to play with. He said he didn't have anyone to do fun things with. We could go swimming, fishing, frogging or just on a walk. Please can he come?"
"Joseph, if you would stop talking long enough for me to answer you would know." Ethan teases the boy standing behind the wagon seat.
"Sorry sir. I just want it so much. The twins are always busy in the hardware store these days and I don't have anyone to do stuff with either."
"What am I then? A tree? I'm here to "do stuff" as you put it. What about Ben and George? Have you conveniently forgotten about them too?" Rob says indignantly while glaring at Joseph over his shoulder.
"Well, yeah but if you are here and not on punishment, then all you want to do is go spend time with Emily. You don't want to hang around the ranch to do anything fun with me anymore. The boys are too young to do things with very often." Joseph answers almost whining.
"I do things with Emily but I haven't been neglecting you. You must have forgotten our fishing trip not long ago."
"You had the boys go too so that wasn't just us. I want to do something just us sometimes. You never want to do anything with just me! It used to be fun with you around but now it's more like having two Pa's than a older brother!" Joseph responds getting loud in his irritation.
"Joseph, you've said enough. Both of you drop this subject now before you start shouting at each other. I don't believe either of you want to be punished for disrespectful behavior." Ethan commands quietly. In the silence after his command, Ethan thinks how he needs to have a talk with Joseph regarding Rob's growing older and new interests.
"Joseph, when we get home today, you and I need to take a walk together. We need to talk. By the way, Aaron and Alyssa will be coming Thursday to stay through at least the weekend. Mr. McGinnis is going to go look for his older son while they are with us."
"That's good, I'm glad they can come. Pa? What did I do wrong? I'm very sorry for whatever it is." Joseph answers meekly.
"What makes you think you did something wrong, son?" Ethan asks hearing the shakiness in Joseph's voice and knowing that he is nearly in tears. Ever since the boy turned thirteen, he's been more emotional at times, than he was the two years before. At eleven and twelve Joseph was angry and close mouthed but not as quick to be in tears as he is now. Ethan remembers.
"You said you wanted to take a walk to the barn so that means I'm in trouble. I didn't mean to do anything! Honest I didn't!" Joseph answers.
"Joseph, calm yourself. You are not about to be punished and I didn't say anything about the barn. I just said we need to take a walk and talk. You are not in any trouble at all. I promise. I'm not planning to punish you son." Ethan answers sending Rob a stern look when he hears him say "You are acting like George, Joseph. Scared of getting a spanking, are you?"
"The only person here in danger of getting a spanking would be you Robert! Close your mouth and leave Joseph alone! He doesn't need teasing at this time! That reminds me, I don't want to see or hear of you, either of you, raising a hand to each other again."
Hearing that statement causes Rob to shut his mouth quickly so the rest of the trip home is made in complete silence. Ethan is grateful for the quiet. The two boys' yammering back and forth was getting to him. His patience was wearing out with both of them.
As he drives the wagon into the ranch yard, Claire comes out of the house to meet them. "Pa, I'm glad you are finally back. There's trouble in town and Mitch has been out here twice to see if you were back yet. He said to tell you he "needs you in town right away."
"Thank you Claire. I'll go right now. Boys? You two take care of the team and stay here at the house. I don't know what is going on but you are to STAY PUT! I Do Not Want You In Town! Understand?"
"Yes Sir." Both boys answer immediately.
"Claire, where are Ben and George?" Ethan asks noticing their absence.
"They went with Uncle Matthew to do something. I don't know what."
"Didn't they tell you where they were going?"
"No sir, I just know they were going with him somewhere. They left right after you did so they've been gone about three hours now. I'd guess they'll be home by suppertime." Claire responds smiling.
"Hmm, they better be back by chore time if they plan to sit for supper. I'll have another talk with them and Matthew about telling where they are going to be when they go off like this."
Turning around to the wagon, Ethan reaches in and pulls his gunbelt out from underneath the seat. As he buckles it around his waist, he sees Joseph gaping at him.
"Joseph, don't look so astonished. You know I always carry a gun when we go away from the ranch. What's so different this time to make you have that look on your face?"
"You took the gunbelt. You never have before. You always put a rifle in the gun box under the seat but don't take the gunbelt with the revolvers unless you are going out as The Sheriff. " Joseph answers putting emphasis on 'the sheriff'. "Were we on official Sheriff's business today?"
"In some ways, yes. Now help Rob with the team and do as he tells you. Everyone is confined to the yard until I say differently. I'll be home when I can."
When Ethan reaches town, he's surprised to see the normal activities going on. The men sitting outside the barber shop and hotel talking and playing checkers. Women shopping or visiting, the young boys running up and down the wooden sidewalk in front of the shops or playing marbles in the alley. Nothing seems to be going on in town to cause Mitch to have to request his presence. Confused, Ethan walks into the Sheriff's office and then stops dead in his tracks.
"MITCH!" He bellows staring at the two cells in shock. Getting no answer, Ethan checks the back room but Mitch seems to have disappeared.
The ranch:
"Claire, we'll be having company for a few days starting Thursday. The McGinnis twins are coming to visit. I'm sure Pa would have mentioned this but he was in a hurry it seems." Rob tells her as he and Joseph sit around the table having a lunch of ham sandwiches with milk.
"More company? I don't know where we'll put them. You two are already cramped in Joseph's room so there's no room for anyone there. I can't see putting anyone with Uncle Matthew so that's out. I guess we'll have Alyssa sleep with me and Aaron can bunk in with the younger boys. It's going to be tough on Ben to have to share his bed. How I'm going to fit nine people around this table though is what I'd like to know. We don't have enough chairs or room. I really don't want to have the little table set up like we did when Mr. and Mrs. McBride visited."
"I'll make a long bench seat so all the younger kids can sit there." Rob answers looking at his former girlfriend who is now like a sister to him. "I sure hope whatever the trouble in town is that it doesn't last past today. I want to get to town to visit Emily before the company comes. I know once they do, Pa isn't going to allow me away from the ranch. I really want to see Emily. It's been weeks!"
"Well Rob, why don't you go on to her house now? I won't tell on you and I know Claire wouldn't either. Will you Claire?"
"I don't tell tale on you or Rob, Joseph! I don't like getting you in trouble. That's Ben or George who enjoy that." Claire answers.
"Yes, they both are turning into regular little tell tales. Just this morning, Ben told Pa I had not brought in the firewood for the woodboxes. Pa started scolding me and would have punished me too, but I told him I just hadn't gotten to that yet. I told him I had just finished with the stalls and the wood was next but I had to take a brief trip out back first. Oh, thanks Rob for backing me up then. I forgot to say it this morning 'cause I was mad at Ben. That little brat nearly got me housebound for today! "
"Thanks Joseph and you too Claire for saying you'd keep quiet. I know you will. I am not going to risk it though. If Pa found out I'd disobeyed his order to stay home, he might just whip me again. That whipping he gave me four days ago coming back from Larabee was bad. The sting lasted so long that I'm just now able to sit down without stinging. I don't want to give him a reason to set me on fire again for a long time if ever! You'd better not be planning to go away from the ranch today either Joseph!"
"I wasn't. I'm with you on this one. There's no "might whip you" here Rob! There's no doubt about it, Pa would whip us for disobeying if we didn't do as he said. Whenever there's trouble around he means we'd better stay out of it."
"As much as I want to know what is going on in town, I'm not dumb enough to go find out. I did that one time when I was twelve and he told us to stay home because of trouble in town. At the time, there was a gunfight in the middle of town and I was right there watching. He caught me in town and he was so mad he dragged me to the horse by my suspenders! I think he had smoke coming out his ears he was so mad." Rob chuckles at the mental picture of that, which earns him a glare from Joseph.
"When he got me home he pulled me off that horse, carried me under his arm out to the woodshed and whipped me with the razor strop! I couldn't sit down comfortably for three whole days after that whipping! He said I could have been killed! I don't want to have my backside set on fire again anytime soon either! I don't know about you, but to me it seems he is getting way to good at giving out whippings lately! Not that he had much of a problem before, now that I think on it!"
Laughing at that, Claire says "How can he not get good at giving out whippings? He just keeps getting more and more practice with you boys around. If you want him not to be so good at it then stop giving him a reason to whip you. it's as simple as that, Joseph."
"It's as simple as that Joseph." Joseph mimics her saucily. "It's not that easy Claire. Boys just get in more trouble than girls. You being a girl wouldn't understand at all."
Seeing the hurt look flash over Claire's face before she leaves to gather clothes from the clothesline, Rob hisses "Good going there champ! That's some mouth you have on you, you know that?"
"What did I do?" Joseph asks confused over Rob's words.
"You hurt her feelings and you need to go apologize to her. Telling her she doesn't understand, hurt her feelings."
"But Rob! She doesn't understand about being a boy. She can't, she's not one!"
"It doesn't matter. She thought you meant she wasn't smart enough to understand. Go apologize! She went to take the clothes off the line so go after her." Rob says pointing to the door. Then seeing the stubborn look on Joseph's face and the fact he isn't moving from the chair Rob adds "You heard Pa say you had to listen to me. Now do as I say or I'll punish you and so will he."
"Fine! I still don't know what it is I did that was so wrong!" Joseph complains as he goes out to find his sister.
"Claire? Please look at me." Joseph says when he finds her taking the clothes off the line in the yard.
"Yes Joseph, what is it? Are you sure a girl can understand whatever it is you are going to say?"
"Claire, I'm sorry for what I said about you not understanding. I didn't mean you were too dumb to understand. Rob says that's how you heard it but that's not what I meant. You aren't dumb. You are much smarter than me. I came out to tell you I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. Please don't be mad. If you are acting mad when we go in, then I'll get a spanking from Rob. Please? His spankings really hurt!"
"Joseph, I never thought I'd see a time when you were scared of Rob."
"I'm not exactly scared of HIM just his hand. His hand is like a steel plate and it hurts bad! He spanked me that night the barn burned remember? I was testing him and came home late and he wore out his hand on my backside. That's part of the reason I couldn't sleep and heard the animals that night."
"Let's don't talk about fires, please Joseph. Talk like that just brings back the nightmares. Help me carry this basket inside and I'll forgive you. I'll even tell Rob you apologized very nicely, if you fold the clothes for me."
"Claire! That's blackmail! I hate folding clothes and you know it too!"
"Yep but if you don't want to get a steel hand on your bottom you'll fold the clothes and put them up."
"What if I was to tell Pa you tried to blackmail me?" Joseph asks glaring at his sister.
"What if I was to tell him you called me dumb?" Claire responds with a smirk.
"You're a real gem, Claire!" Joseph replies angrily, knowing he'd be in for a session in the barn for calling Claire dumb.
"Thanks Joseph!" Claire says smiling happily.
"That wasn't a compliment!" Joseph tells her, glaring furiously.
"It is when you take it as one." Claire fires back seeing Rob smile as she walks through the door just ahead of her irritated younger brother. She knows Rob has been listening to them when he winks at her.
Rob having enjoyed the banter between the two, smiles knowingly as Joseph begins folding the clothes. Claire knows how to get the results she wants. With three younger brothers she's learned ways to make sure she gets help around the house when needed. She doesn't have to resort to threats if their Pa is around though. Any failure to do as she asks will earn them punishment. Ethan believes girls and women are treated respectfully at all times.
In town
Having been told where to find Mitch, Ethan walks briskly into the hotel restaurant. Seeing him come in, Scotty immediately comes out from behind the bar to talk to him.
"Now Ethan, calm down. I can see you are angry but you don't have the facts." Scotty says to the glowering man in front of him.
"I take it you know about the situation and why I'm here?"
"You're here to find Mitch about what's going on at the jail. Right?"
"YES! Now move out of my way Scotty! This is between me and Mitch and does not concern you. STAY OUT OF IT!" Ethan declares giving Scotty his best gunslinger death glare.
"Mitch is in the back private room. He's not alone though." Scotty answers moving away. "You hired him to be the deputy and he's doing just that. Hear him out Ethan, before you light into him. Won't you? Don't act the way you used to. Listen first and then act. Alright? Remember your family."
"I haven't forgotten my family, Scotty. I'm angry but I'm in control. There won't be any bloodshed so stop worrying. I'm not going to shoot anyone. I'm not like that anymore, remember?"
"I remember. I just wanted to be sure YOU remembered also!" Scotty answers.
"Here, take my guns and hold them for me. That way you and everyone else who is about to fall off their chairs listening, will know I mean what I say. Right now, I say mind your own business or find yourself locked up for loitering!" Ethan says with a quick glare at the restaurant's patrons who are blatantly listening.
Most quickly resume eating or drinking after hearing his words. Ethan hears a few chuckles from the men closest to the bar.
"That's telling them Ethan!" one man says.
"Now Scotty, let me go see Mitch. There will be no more stalling. I'm the sheriff here and what I say goes. Let me pass."
"I will but you must remember Mitch is your friend as well as your deputy. He's only doing what he feels is right. You would do the same if you were him."
"SCOTTY!"
"Fine go on just try to keep your temper in check this time alright?"
"I will keep my temper, Scotty."
As Ethan walks back to the private room, the men at the bar ask "What is all this about Ethan not keeping his temper? You keep reminding him of something. What is it?"
"I knew Ethan more than eight years ago. We met when I was tending bar in Texas. There were a couple of high spirited young men who kept needling him for his reputation as a hired gun. Ethan lost his temper one evening after a long day of not catching the guy he was after. He wound up in a draw with one of the young men. It was to be a count of five but on the count of four the guy drew. When Ethan fired, the bullet went through the guy's leg and he bled to death. He shouldn't have but the Doc said he must have had some bleeding disease."
"Then what was the problem? The guy drew on Ethan first and had a disease."
"The kid was sixteen and the son of the mayor. They wanted to hang Ethan for murder. I helped him escape from the jail that night. He left Texas and has not been back. Eventually I hope his name will be cleared. The local judges were friends of the mayor so a fair trial wouldn't have happened if he made it that far. People wanted to kill him."
"Ethan is the best shot I've ever seen. If he wanted to kill the kid he could have shot him in the chest. Aiming for the leg was not a kill shot! Besides the kid drew on him first! That means he was defending himself!"
"Yes and most sane people would see it that way. Those men in Texas were not sane people."
Private Room
Opening the door without knocking, Ethan finds Mitch and Bill Anderson sitting and talking.
"Mind if I join in on this conversation?" Ethan asks walking into the room.
"Hello Ethan, we've been waiting for you. Have a seat and let's talk." Bill answers.
"Yes, let's do talk. I'd like to talk about why the two jail cells are full at this time. Care to tell me?" Ethan asks looking directly at Mitch.
"I had no other choice. You were not home so I had to do something fast. I chose that. Once you hear me out you'll understand." Mitch replies.
"I would never have expected that you would do this Mitch. I am truly amazed."
"I'm pretty amazed myself actually. It's quite the tale." Mitch tells him.
Ranch: late afternoon
Hearing the sound of hoofbeats, Rob looks out and sees Ethan riding up. On the horse with him are Ben and George. Ben is behind Ethan while George is in front. There's no sign of Matthew with them though.
Opening the door and going out to greet Ethan and the boys, Rob hears Ethan say "Do as I said boys." Watching curiously Rob sees the two youngest boys go into the house.
"Pa, may I please go to town now that you are home? I really want to see Emily before the company comes and I have to entertain them. Please sir? I've finished all my evening chores already and I'll be home on time."
"Go ahead Rob. Be back by suppertime and no later. I warn you now, I'm in no mood to put up with any disobedience."
"Yes sir, I'll be here on time. Thank you sir."
Following the boys into the house, Ethan finds them both at the table eating.
"After you finish, both of you go to your room for the night." Ethan tells them. Then seeing Claire opening her mouth to speak he says sternly "I will not talk about this at this time. I will explain later, Claire."
"Yes Sir."
"Joseph, let's go take that walk we were talking about. I need to walk some and you can keep me company. Let's walk down to the pond. We could even fish for a bit if you'd like."
"Yes, I'd like that. Would we have a fish supper?"
"Well that would depend on how many we caught. Let's just fish for the fun of it and we'll see."
At the pond after they both have their lines in the water, Ethan says "Joseph, I wanted to talk to you about Rob. Son, he's growing up and is beginning to want to do different things than you. Right now, he still likes fishing and swimming as you do but I feel his interests are drifting into more things young men like. Do you see what I'm saying?"
"No sir, not really. What is it young men like more than fishing, exploring and swimming?"
"Girls, Joseph. Rob is becoming more interested in being with young ladies than the boy you used to know. He will want to spend his free time with Emily more and more. I don't want you teasing him or making him feel bad for doing it either. "
"Yes sir. Is this why he doesn't want to be around me anymore? I thought we were good friends up until lately."
"He's still your friend and older brother, son. He's just maturing into a young man more than a boy. He is nearly sixteen now and that's right at the time young men notice the young ladies. Some even begin earlier. I'm not saying he's going to forget you or not do things with you. He still will be your friend and brother as I said, it's just that he is going to put Emily first. I'll be making sure he doesn't neglect his family or responsibilities at home."
"Are they going to have to get married soon?"
"WHAT? Son, what do you know? Why would you ask if they HAVE to get married? ANSWER ME!"
"I saw them kissing not too long ago. Right after I came home from Colorado Springs. They were in the barn and they were kissing each other. YEEECH! Why would he want to kiss a girl unless it was Claire?"
"Where were they when you saw this? What else were they doing?" Ethan asks, his voice sounding strange to Joseph.
"They were admiring the new ponies. Rob leaned over and kissed Emily's cheek. She kissed him back on his cheek. Don't you get married when you kiss each other?"
Watching his Pa's face, Joseph sees him close his eyes and sigh as if thinking about something. He then answers the question "No, Joseph, people don't usually get married when they kiss each other on the cheek. You've kissed Claire before and you haven't married her yet."
"She's my sister! Guys don't marry their Mama or sisters and they have to kiss them. You made me kiss her remember?"
"That I did! You needed to apologize and make up to her for how rude you had been speaking so I told you to kiss her. That does not mean I want you to go around kissing any other girls, young man!"
"Don't worry about that, Pa. I don't plan to kiss any girls ever. I'll let Rob do that. He seems to like it!"
"I wonder if he's ever kissed Emily the way men kiss their wives? Jason says his Papa and Mama kiss each other on the mouth. He says they did it a lot and then they had their little sister. Are Rob and Emily going to give us a baby to play with?"
"Not if he wants to live to see his sixteenth birthday he won't! I think I need to have a long discussion with Rob about this. It seems I'm being kept in the dark about a few things and we need to clear that up." Then pulling his line out of the water, Ethan continues "Now, let's head back home. Claire said you and Rob built something for us to use when company comes. What is it?"
"We built a long bench seat for the table. Claire said we didn't have enough chairs or room for nine people so Rob designed the bench. Five people can sit on it at one time."
"That will definitely be used when the McGinnis children visit. Later this summer, I'd like to have you and Rob help me while we add on to the house again. I think it's time to put in a water closet with a bathtub for bathing. What do you think of that idea?"
"I'd really like that and so will everyone else. We nearly freeze going to and from the outhouse in the winter. Claire will love having a bathing room! I'll be happy to help out Pa. Rob enjoys working with his hands so I know he'll want to help too. He's good at building things."
"Thank you Joseph. I don't know how I could ever get things done without your help around here. I do appreciate it even If I don't always seem to find the time to tell you. If it weren't for you and Rob I'd never get to have time for fun things. I'd be too busy running around doing chores. It's difficult to be the town Sheriff and keep up with the ranch work too. You and Rob working with the horses and all the other things you do keeps me from having to spend all my off time working at home."
Joseph's beaming smile was all the answer he needed to make this day be better. Thinking to himself as they walk home, Ethan thinks how life has changed since he became a Father. Worry and happy thoughts now revolved around his family instead of himself or his job. Who knew six years ago, I'd be raising five children by myself, trying to run a ranch and be a lawman!