New Beginnings

ch. 21

Unexpected Meetings

Sitting on the bank of the pond, watching their fishing lines, Rob says "Joseph, Pa said you had something you wanted to tell me. What is it?"

"Do we have to talk about it? We could just say we talked, couldn't we?"

"Yes, we certainly could but we won't because that would be lying. Anytime we try to lie, we get caught and I do not want to risk not being able to sit comfortably just because you don't want to talk about it. Now tell me. I already know it's about the accident." Rob answers firmly.

"I really don't like this "I'm going to behave all the time" streak you are on lately. You used not to worry so much about being punished and would just have fun. You aren't that much fun lately."

"Could it be because I can't even walk? You try having five broken toes and see how much fun you can have! Ben told me it happened to him once so don't you remember how it was? Joseph, I can't even go out to take care of my business in private! I have to go where everyone can hear and then have someone take it away! I feel like a baby having to have someone help me like that." Rob responds getting angry.

"Well, Ben was a lot younger and it didn't seem to me that things were that different. I still had to help him do everything whether he was hurt or not back then. Sometimes, I feel as if I spend all my time taking care of the boys. Rob I have something to tell you. I caused this to happen. I put the stallion in the pasture on purpose because I wanted to see him ride on the mare. You told me he would and I wanted to see him do it. I told Pa I thought that meant the stallion would ride on the mare the same way people do. I am very sorry, are you mad?"

"Well, I can guess what punishment Pa gave you. Did he use his belt? You aren't housebound since you were able to come fishing."

"He didn't whip me. I thought he was going to and wasn't looking forward to telling him, but he didn't. I'm surprised. Maybe he realizes I'm too old to be whipped and spanked now. He told me you would assign my punishment. What's it to be, Rob?"

"You caused me to be laid up for near to three weeks already and I'm not sure when they'll let me walk on my foot. I say you should be confined to your room for two days and the yard for a week."

"I guess that's fair enough, although I'm going to hate doing it."

"Come closer Joseph."

"What? Do you need me to help you do something?" Joseph asks after moving next to Rob.

"Just this." Rob says pulling the younger boy over his lap face down.

"Hey, What're….? YEOW! ROB! YOW! QUIT! That Stings !" Joseph yells as Rob whacks him with a small branch he managed to break off while they were talking. After giving Joseph ten whacks with the branch he lets him up.

"You are hateful Rob! That was mean and tricky too! My backside is burning!" Joseph complains rubbing the seat of his pants.

"You said you were surprised Pa didn't whip you. That means you knew you deserved it. You are not to old to be whipped. If he still whips me, he certainly doesn't feel you are too old and I don't either! He didn't do it so I did! You told him about our talk when I said the stallion would ride the mare. You knew what I really meant because I explained it to you."

"Rob, I'm sorry, okay? I messed up, you're right. Can't we let it go?"

"I'm not ready to 'let it go' just yet, Joseph! I have a few more things to say and you are going to listen! At the time, you agreed to keep our talk private just between us. Then you broke that agreement by going and telling Pa I told you the stallion would ride the mare. Then you lied and played all innocent to Pa. He got on me for telling you about the stallion and I would have been in trouble too if I didn't have this sore foot! He would have whipped me! I'd been told NOT to discuss those things with you and I did. Now you just keep our conversation with my stick and your butt private or I just might be taking my belt to you! You got me, Joseph?"

"Yes, I get it. I had to make up something fast, Rob or he was going to whip me! I wasn't trying to get you in trouble, I was trying to get myself out of it! I was scared he would whip me with the strap for what I did. His voice went deep and quiet and his eyes were burning into me. You know he's really mad when he gets like that. I panicked!"

"I understand, Joseph. I forgive you. What did Pa say when you told him you thought the stallion was going to climb up on the mare's back to ride on her? I can't believe he fell for that."

"He told me all about how the stallions mate with the mares. He used nicer words than you did but it was about the same otherwise. Then he got into how young men treat young women for some reason. I'm not quite sure how he got from talking about horses to talking about going places with girls. Anyway, I'm to behave like a gentleman when I'm with a girl. He said we would talk more about it later. He won't need to tell me anymore about that since I'm NOT going to be going around with girls for a long time! I don't like girls!"

"Joseph, check your line. I think you have a fish." Rob says needing Joseph to turn away so he can hide his laughter. We'll see how long you go before you start liking girls. I don't believe it will be as long as you believe. He thinks.

The next morning after breakfast, Ethan asks Rob and Claire to come to his room. "Rob, Claire, as you know I received a telegram after church. This was from the twin's uncle Eric Johnston. He had some news about their father and brother. It seems the men found Scott in a saloon near Colorado Springs. He was involved in a shooting over a poker game and was killed. Mr. McGinnis was there and was also killed trying to stop Scott."

"That's terrible! Who is going to take Alyssa and Aaron now?" Claire asks.

"They want to stay here with us Pa. Aaron asked me how to become your ward. He doesn't want to leave."

"Rob, if I could, I would happily take the twins. Legally though, they are now the children of Eric Johnston. He will be here by Wednesday to take them home. I am going to go get them and I'd appreciate it if you two would here when I tell them."

"Yes sir."

Walking into the front room where the twins are playing a game with Ben and George, Ethan says "Aaron? Alyssa? I need to talk to both of you in my room for a few minutes then you can finish the game."

Following his sister into the bedroom, Aaron thinks, It can't be something I did since Alyssa is here too. Could it be he's going to tell us he'll keep us? I hope so!

"Aaron, Alyssa, I have some news from your Uncle Eric. He's coming Wednesday to pick you up to go home. Children, there's been an accident and your brother and your Pa were killed. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this news. You will be living with your Uncle Eric now."

"But we want to live here with all of you! We want to stay on the ranch!" Aaron says forcefully as Alyssa begins to cry.

"I don't want to go home, Claire! I want to be your little sister!"

"I'm sorry children, as much as we all want you to stay with us, your Uncle has the law on his side. He is your family member so you live with him. I'm sure he will let you come visit though." Ethan says trying to console the now crying children.

"Uncle Ethan, could Alyssa and I go to the barn to be alone for a little while?" Aaron asks after several minutes of Rob, Claire and Ethan trying to comfort them.

"That will be fine. You two go talk and take as long as you need to. We'll be here when you want to talk." Ethan tells him.

Out in the barn, Aaron tells Alyssa "You must stop crying. You didn't like Pa or Scott that much now did you?"

"No, you know I didn't. It's that I want to stay here! I don't want to go back to being all alone in a house and not having any fun. I like this place and I want to go to school and church and the stores and be with Claire!"

"I know I like it here too. I like everyone and I even want to go to school. Maybe we can get Uncle Eric to let us stay here."

"Oh Aaron, you know that won't work. Uncle Ethan already said it was the law for us to go with Uncle Eric. Uncle Eric is a lawman too so he would know that. What are we going to do?"

"I'll think of something, don't worry. Let's go back in and play while we can." Aaron answers taking her hand.

Before leaving the bedroom, Rob tells Ethan "Aaron is really attached to you and us too. He asked me how to get adopted as well as how to get to be your ward. This is going to be really hard for him and Alyssa too. She's really attached to Claire."

"I realize that Rob but thank you for telling me anyway. This is going to be tough on all of us also. The boys have enjoyed having Aaron and Alyssa around to play with. This is going to be a busy week this week with the trial starting. I'll need you to help keep the boys entertained while I'm in town. They aren't going to have the twins to play with. "

"I'll help and Joseph will be able to be out of his room so he can help too."

"You did assign a harsh punishment. One week of being restricted to the ranch and two days in his room is hard for Joseph." At Rob's questioning look, Ethan says "It was earned so I'm not scolding about it. He earned the spanking also."

"You know?! You're not mad about that? You told me not to do it and I disobeyed you."

"I told you not to whip him with a belt and you didn't. A few smacks on his backside is not what I call a whipping. He deserved that also. He is very lucky I decided to allow you to handle his punishment. What I would have done is take the strap to him. He would be sore then!"

"How did you know I spanked him? Did Joseph tell you?" Rob asks.

"He did, but only after I forced it out of him. I asked him what his punishment was and he told me about the restrictions. I noticed him squirming some and asked him about it. At first he made up a story about sitting in briars. I know there are no briars near the pond. Everyone keeps the area around the pond cleaned out. He had to be threatened with a whipping to get him to tell the truth."

"He was mad about me spanking him. Joseph thinks he's too old for whippings and spankings now."

"He can think whatever he wants but that doesn't make it true. Until you children are living on your own, you are under my care and I will discipline you the way I feel is necessary. That includes you also, in case you were wondering."

"Yes sir, I'm aware of that. I'm doing my best to stay out of trouble. It's been almost two months since I had a whipping and I'm planning on keeping it that way! The last one you gave me was enough to last a long time!"

"Well, I'm happy to know it had its desired effect. Maybe now you will think very hard before drinking, gambling or entering a saloon! I have no problem repeating the lesson if needed."

"It won't be necessary Pa. I'm not going to do that again. I enjoy sitting down and don't want to give that up."

"If the urge strikes, think about what happened to Scott McGinnis. Now you see what a dangerous place a saloon is, Rob. This is why I react so strongly to you children being involved with drinking, gambling or saloons. I do not want to lose one of you!"

Later that afternoon, while Ethan was in town, Aaron took his sister to the treehouse to talk.

"Okay Lyss, I know what we have to do. We don't want to move with Uncle Eric back to our place, right?"

"Right."

"We have to leave then. If he can't find us, he can't take us home. I've managed to sneak some bread and cheese out so we have a little food. I figured a way to take something to drink because I knew where the canteens were. I've got two of them filled and hidden behind the barn with the sack of food and other things. We'll go into the woods and hike until we find a place to camp out. I've got a way to get more food and some matches to make a fire. We'll manage. You and I together can do anything!"

"Oh Aaron! I don't want to go away. Besides, everyone will come looking for us. They'll be worried."

"Mr. Cord is in town, Rob is busy and can't walk on the foot anyway. Joseph is in his room and can't leave, Claire is busy sewing her new dress, Ben and George won't notice for a bit. Now is our chance to get away. We HAVE to do this now."

"Why are you calling him Mr. Cord instead of Uncle Ethan?"

"If he really wanted to be our uncle as he said, he would find a way to keep us. He doesn't really care at all or he would be helping us. I'm mad with him."

"Because he spanked you yesterday? You shouldn't have used that ugly word and you know it! He would have whipped one of the other boys, George told me he would have. You were lucky."

"Alyssa! It's not about the spanking. It's about how he won't help us find a way to stay here. Now let's go and be very quiet."

Several hours later, the two children are sitting in a small clearing in the woods. "Aaron, I'm so tired. My feet hurt from walking so far. Please, I want to go back."

"We can't Alyssa. I'm tired too but we can't go back. We'll just be handed over to Uncle Eric and have to go home. I'd rather live in the woods than have to go back to that awful place! Help me gather some twigs and branches so we can light a fire. It's getting cold."

"You aren't allowed to use matches Aaron! Uncle Ethan has that rule too. You have to be twelve to light a fire or a lantern. Remember?"

"Alyssa ! Look around you. Do you see anyone else here to light a fire? Do you want to be cold or warm?"

"Warm, but you are going to be in big trouble!"

"Yeah well, I'll just worry about that later. Right now help me get stuff for the fire before it's too dark to see."

Sitting by the small fire, the children hear something rustling in the bushes nearby. "Aaron! There's something in the bush. What if it's a wild animal coming to get us?"

"I'm ready for it. Let it come!" Aaron answers taking the gun from the supply bag.

"AARON! A GUN? You are really in trouble now! You took that gun and you know you aren't allowed to even touch the guns!"

"Will you stop fussing at me? Who is going to say anything about it? We're all alone here! Now hush fussing. I'm doing what I can to protect us."

As the bushes rustle again he aims the gun and fires into the bush. Jumping up to see what he shot, Aaron calls back to his sister "It's a rabbit. I got us a rabbit. I'll get it ready and you can cook it."

"Aaron, I'm glad you disobeyed and snuck the matches and gun. If you hadn't you wouldn't have been able to cook a rabbit. I'm so sleepy now. Can we just sleep a little before we walk on. I'm really tired." Alyssa tells her brother after their supper.

"Yeah, we'll rest a little. You sleep and I'll keep watch." Aaron replies watching his sister stretch out on the grass.

"Pa? How do you know they came this way?" Joseph asks as Ethan leads them into the forest.

"Look at the tracks in the mud, Joseph. Do you see the two sets of small footprints? That just has to be the twins. Rob, do you know if Aaron has ever been in the woods before?"

"He's not ever talked about it but I don't think he has. His Pa kept them tied to the chores all the time. They rarely got to do anything but work around their Pa's ranch yard. That's why he loves going on all the adventures we have done since they came to stay with us."

"So, he doesn't know anything about wild animals or keeping himself safe. Let's go boys, we need to find them before it gets much later. Look here's some broken branches and there's something under that bush. Joseph you are closest, what is it?"

"It's Alyssa's hat, Pa. Claire finished knitting it for her just yesterday. She's making one for Aaron now. Why you would want to make hats in the summer, I don't know." Joseph says shaking his head.

"They went this way then, let's keep going and watch for signs of broken branches, footprints, anything that might show which way they went." Ethan tells them as they urge the horses to walk.

About fifteen minutes later, Rob says "Pa, do you smell smoke? I think I smell something coming from the left."

"Let's check it out but do it on foot and move quietly. It might be someone other than the twins."

Waking up to something rustling through the bushes again, Aaron grabs the gun. Just as he sees something moving, he aims and shoots into the bushes. Before he can fire again, a bear stands up roaring and moving towards him. Grabbing Alyssa by the hand Aaron pulls her to her feet and begins to run dropping the gun as he does so. Looking back, Alyssa lets out a scream as the bear is getting closer.

Hearing her scream and the roar of the bear, Ethan bursts into the clearing with his revolver cocked. Raising the gun, he fires just as the bear rises to it's full height. Catching it in the heart, the bear collapses.

Hearing the thud of the bear hitting the ground, Rob and Joseph come with Rob using a stick to hobble with.

"Is it dead? Did you kill it?" Joseph asks breathlessly.

"Joseph! I thought I told you two to stay put! What are you doing here?" Ethan asks his eyes darkening in anger.

"The horses are tied, we had to come to help." Rob offers as an explanation.

"Take this gun, Rob and keep it trained on the bear. Shoot if it moves. Joseph, stay here with him but stay back from the bear!"

Walking over to where Alyssa is being held by Aaron as she sobs, he says "It's over. The bear is dead and will not hurt you. Come here children." Ethan calls opening his arms as he squats down.

Both children rush to be comforted Alyssa still sobbing and Aaron beginning to cry also.

"You are safe. I have you. It's going to be alright now." Ethan says as he strokes their hair. "Come, let's get back home and get you cleaned up. I think a bath and warm milk will help you feel much better."

"Aaron, you ride with Joseph and I'll keep Alyssa with me. Let's get home boys." Ethan says as he lifts Aaron up into the saddle in front of Joseph.

"Joseph? What is he going to do to me for running off and the rest?" Aaron whispers.

"I don't know Aaron. If it was one of us, he'd whip us. With you, I just don't know." Joseph whispers back!

"All right, Joseph and Rob see to the horses while I get the twins warmed up. I want the two of you in the house in ten minutes."

"Yes Pa." Joseph answers quickly. His disobedience in the woods still on his mind, he's not going to do anything to make his Pa any more upset with him.

"Oh Alyssa, Aaron! I'm so glad to see you back. You really worried me! "

"Claire, could you get their night clothes for me and fresh underthings? I'm going to fix them a warm bath and then warm milk before they go to bed."

"Yessir, I'll get those things to you right away."

"Gosh, Aaron. You'll be the first one to take a bath in the new bathing room! We just got it finished this afternoon." George tells him.

"George, Ben, go help Claire." Ethan orders.

"What's he mad about? We didn't do anything that I know of." George whispers to Ben as they go into their room to get Aaron's things.

"I think it's Aaron he's mad with, not us. Aaron is in a lot of trouble, I think. He ran off and took Alyssa. You know what happened to Joseph when he ran off that time." Ben answers back in a whisper.

"He got a whipping and was housebound a long time. But Aaron's not going to be with us much longer so he shouldn't get housebound. Do you think Papa will really give him a whipping?"

"Maybe, we'll just have to wait and see. I sure am glad I didn't run off though, aren't you?"

"Yes, I wouldn't want to have Papa's face looking all angry like it is, because of something I did."

"BOYS? I need Aaron's clothes please!" They hear Claire call from outside their door.

After having a bath and warm milk, Ethan takes Alyssa into Claire's room. Pulling down the bedcovers, he lifts the little girl into the bed and tucks the covers around her. "Good dreams only, sweetheart. Remember, you are safe and much loved. Goodnight Alyssa." Ethan says softly.

"G'night Papa." He hears her whisper sleepily. Smiling at her use of "Papa" Ethan closes the door to go get her brother.

"Aaron, come with me please. It's time for bed for you too." Ethan tells the boy softening his tone a little at the frightened look on the boy's face.

Repeating the tucking in process for Aaron, he brushes his hand over the boy's hair. "Sleep well, Aaron. Everything will work out. I'll see you in the morning, son. Good dreams."

"Sir?" Aaron whispers as Ethan is about to leave the room.

"Yes son?"

"I'm sorry for running away. Are you going to give me a whipping? I took the gun and matches and it was my idea to run off." Aaron asks his voice sounding as if he's about to cry.

"Go to sleep now, son. We'll talk about this tomorrow. "

'Yes sir."

Back in the front room, Ethan finds the rest of the children all sitting around solemnly. Joseph and Rob look up worriedly when he clears his throat.

"Well, why don't we all try out the new bathing room? George, Ben, you two are first. Ben, go quietly into your room to get your nightshirts. Aaron is trying to go to sleep."

"Ben? Is that you?" Aaron whispers as he sees a boy at the chest of drawers.

"Yes, I'm sorry to wake you. I was trying to be quiet. I have to get our nightshirts."

"You didn't wake me, I can't sleep. I'm scared."

"Scared?"

"Of what your Pa is going to do to me. Do you think he'll whip me?"

"I don't know, Aaron. Try not to think about that. I have to go now before he catches me talking to you. I was supposed to come get our nightshirts and leave, not talk to you. I'll be back soon to go to bed."

"Okay now, turn this nozzle to the right and you get water. Now take the kettle and pour the hot water in the tub before you get in. Take this long handled brush and swirl the hot water through the cool water. Reach in George, feel the water. Is it warm enough?"

"Yes Pa! It's warm! Feel it Ben! No more cold water baths!" George exclaims.

"Good! Can we get in now Pa?" Ben asks feeling the warm water too.

"Go ahead boys. Remember, you are to actually wash with the soap and rinse off too, not just sit here. I'll be back in ten minutes and I expect you clean."

"Yes sir." Ben answers as George begins to quickly pull off his shirt and pants.

Chuckling to himself at the boys urgency to get in the bathtub, Ethan walks back to join the older children.

"I think this is the first time I've ever seen Ben and George in a hurry to take a bath!" He tells them.

"I'm anxious for my turn too!" Joseph says. "I can't wait to actually stretch out my legs instead of sit all hunched up in that little washtub!"

"I think we need to buy some more kettles. This way we can heat more than one kettle at a time." Rob says.

"That's a good idea, Rob. We'll do that the next time we go into town."

"Pa?"

"Yes Rob?"

"How are you going to handle what went on today? Aaron's feeling scared of the changes. He wouldn't have run off if he hadn't been upset."

"Robert, this is between Aaron and myself. You know I don't discuss how I plan to discipline you with someone else. You need to respect Aaron's privacy in the same way." Ethan answers with a stern look at his oldest son.

"Yessir, it's just that I understand why he…" Rob is cut off by Ethan's stern command "We are not going to discuss this. I told you to respect Aaron's privacy and I meant it! If you wish to continue pushing me on this, we can take a walk out to the barn!"

Swallowing nervously, Rob answers "Yes sir, I understand. I'll respect his privacy sir."

"Good, now I'm going to go check on Ben and George and get them out so you can be next if you like."

"Yes Sir, I'd enjoy a bath. What do I do about my foot?'

"Well, after tonight, I'd say we need to take off the wooden block and let you soak it. We will put the block back on later. I think you can put pressure on the foot now but I still want you to take extra precautions and not do too much."

"I'm ready to have it off altogether but at least I can walk on it now!" Rob answers smiling.

"Boys, time to get out of that tub now. Rob would like a turn and I imagine Joseph would also! Come on, stand up and I'll rinse you off. Now, let me put a towel around you and lift you out."

"Pa! We are old enough to get out by ourselves!" Ben complains.

"I know that Ben, it's just the tub is high and you're wet and slippery. I don't want you to slip and hurt yourself. Let me help just this once."

"Yes Pa. Don't tell Rob or Joseph we had to be lifted out like babies though, okay?"

"Not a word, Ben. They won't know unless you tell them."

"Papa, I really like this bathing room. It's going to be so fun to take a bath inside the house! When are we going to get the water closet ready?"

"We'll try to get it put in by this weekend, George. Mr. Anderson promised to come help put it in. They have one so he knows how it goes together."

"Pa, how do we get the water out now that we're finished? Do we have to carry it outside in buckets?"

"No Ben, we just pull out this plug here on the bottom of the tub and the water drains out through an iron pipe to the garden."

"Gosh! George and I won't have to carry water from the well to water the vegetables any more!"

"Maybe not as often anyway. Now, we take a clean rag and wipe down the tub to get it ready for the next person's bath. You scoot on to bed and George will be there in a few minutes."

"Yes Pa. Will you come tuck us in tonight? Maybe you could tell us a story too?"

"Aaron's asleep or should be. I tell you what, you go into the front room and wrap up in a quilt. I'll tell you and George ONE story and then you will go to bed."

"It's summertime Pa."

"I know the season young man. It's summer but it's cool out tonight and you are going to put a quilt around you or go straight to bed." Ethan answers frowning at the boy.

"Yes Pa."

After breakfast the next morning, Ethan walks Aaron out to the barn for a private talk.

"Aaron, what you did yesterday was extremely dangerous. You and Alyssa could have been badly hurt. You are too young to run off into the woods that way. You do realize that don't you?"

Nodding but looking at the barn floor, Aaron doesn't answer.

"Not only did you run off into the woods when it was getting dark, you also stole matches and a gun which you know you are absolutely forbidden to touch! Aaron, you could have been killed! The gun could have gone off by itself, the fire you started could have spread."

"But if I had not had a gun, the bear would have got us!" Aaron says defensively.

"The bear was drawn out by the fire and the smell of rabbit. You shooting it in the shoulder made it angry so it charged you. Aaron, if I had not been able to get there and kill it, the bear would have caught you and Alyssa. Do I need to tell you what would have happened then?"

Biting his lip, Aaron shakes his head whispering "No Sir. I'm sorry."

"I accept your apology but you are still going to be punished. You deliberately stole, put yourself and your sister in harm's way and worried us immensely. I know you don't want to live away from us, but that is not your choice to make. You are to do as you are told, young man! Now come over here!" Ethan says standing by the hay bale.

During morning chores, Ben and George keep glancing at Aaron but don't ask.

Finally tired of their silence and furtive glances, Aaron says "Will the two of you just ask me already? I know you want to know how I was punished!"

"We can't. Pa said we were not to ask you about your punishment or we would be in trouble!" George answers.

"Oh, well then, I'll just tell you. I got a spanking. Uncle Ethan made me take down my pants and he spanked me on my bare bottom. It was embarrassing and it really stings too! He walloped me with a small piece of wood." Aaron admits rubbing his backside.

"Yes, he can light your backside like that. He's spanked us with one before too. Sometimes it doesn't sting all that much and other times it feels like your bottom is on fire!" Ben agrees. "The strap is worse, you're on fire after one lick with that! I think you got lucky Aaron. If we had done what you did, we would have been given a whipping with the strap!"

"Yeah, I know. My Pa would have thrashed me until I couldn't sit for a whole week!"

"What about your Uncle Eric? Does he thrash you?" George asks worried that his new friend would be going back to being mistreated.

"He never has. He spanked me once with his hand, though. I was six and he caught me lighting the lantern. He gave me four hard licks with his hand and told me to NEVER touch matches by myself. I thought he was going to tell my Pa and HE would have whipped me bad, but Uncle Eric didn't tell."

Having given Aaron enough time to calm down, Ethan walks into the barn. "Boys, I need to go into town for a while this morning. You be sure to stay here in the yard. Claire and Rob are in charge while I'm away so be sure to mind them. I only want to hear you have obeyed when I return."

"Yes sir." Ben and George answer. Aaron doesn't answer or look at Ethan. Deciding to give the boy time to get over his embarrassment and not insist he be answered, Ethan saddles the horse and leads him out.

"Where's Pa going to do in town and why couldn't we go too?" Ben asks Rob later that morning.

"The trial is starting today. Pa said we were to stay home and not to even think about coming into town! In the mood he's in today, I wouldn't disobey if I were you!"

In town in the hotel dining room, the trial is beginning. The tables have been removed leaving rows of chairs for onlookers and witnesses. There is a long wooden platform with a table and chair set up for the judge's use.

Taking a seat next to Mitch, Ethan waits for Judge Henry to begin.

"This trial is taking place to determine the events between Matthew James Carroll and the residents of the Paradise mining area. The charges are stealing livestock, household items, food from the families of surrounding farms. The state of Mississippi has also charged Matthew Carroll with not paying gambling debts on a steamboat. We will address that charge here also. Let us begin. Mr. Harold Andress is the first witness. Mr. Andress, what is your testimony?"

"I had two cows stolen from me and they wound up two miles away at another farm. They had my brand on them. My wife also had two pies and a cake on her cooling shelves that disappeared the same time the cows did."

"So you did get your livestock back, I assume." The judge replies.

"I did but HE still stole them! I think a public whipping would be the thing! If he steals he should be punished!" Andress announces.

"By He, I assume you mean Matthew Carroll."

"Yes judge. I want justice for my hardships!"

"Did you see Mr. Carroll stealing your livestock or food items?"

"No, I wasn't home."

"Thank you for your testimony, you may step down."

"Now we'll hear from Stan Pauley. Mr. Pauley?"

"Stole my chickens and a goat from me. I came home and had half my chickens gone and one goat."

"Were the animals recovered?"

"Yes, they was found at Ms. Draper's farm. She's a widow lady, lives not far from me."

"Thank you. Now we call Mr. Don Harvery."

"Mr. Harvery, you were the recipient of the livestock from Mr. Andress' farm, correct?"

"Sir?" Mr. Harvery asks perplexed at the long words.

"The Andress's cows were found on your property."

"Oh, uh yes sir judge. Them cows would have helped me out. I got four kids and no milk cows. We also had pies, cake, ham, potatoes, fried chicken found at our door that day. We hadn't had a meal other than boiled beans in two weeks. We had real food! I'm sorry to say we had it all eaten in three days. We were hungry sir!"

"That would be what most people would do with food, sir. Thank you, you may step down."

"Ms. Draper? Please tell us what you found that day when you discovered items on your property that were not there before."

"Someone, left me two hams, some fish, a slab of salt pork, a bushel of corn, a half bucket of green beans, a milk cow, a goat and six good laying hens. Oh and a rooster! It was like The Lord provided for me. I'd been praying for help as I had run out of food and had no money. Then up and behold there was my answer! Food and livestock to raise for money."

"Thank you Ms. Draper. I have one question. Do you feel you were helped by receiving these items?"

"Yes sir, Judge Henry. I had to give back the chickens and goat to Mr. Pauley. He did allow me to keep two chickens and a rooster. I kept the cow and food because no one claimed those things."

"Thank you. You may step down."

"Ladies and Gentleman, we have no further testimony today. Court is dismissed until ten AM tomorrow." The Judge announces.

"Well Ethan, do you have any witnesses to testify on the charge of stealing money or other items from inside people's homes?" Judge Henry asks after walking out to the boarding house with Ethan.

"No just their word, someone stole things from inside their homes at the same time the livestock disappeared."

"Were any of the stolen items recovered?"

"No, we never found any jewelry, it would be hard to find the money as it was most likely spent."

"It just seems odd that the young man would steal those things when he was actually helping other people. This is an unusual case. Do you want me to address the fact that he led the boys into dishonest behavior? If I did, I would also have to share testimony on how they were disciplined."

"Put me on the stand and I'll discuss that. I do think it needs to be brought up. The citizens know they were involved."

"That we will do, then."

"Judge, please come to the ranch for lunch today. The children would be so thrilled to see you. Claire is especially anxious to see you again."

"I accept, Ethan. I would love to see your ranch and spend the afternoon with the children. I haven't seen Joseph since the adoption. I imagine he's grown some."

"In many ways he's a different child now. He has lost that anger he had then. Well, he had lost it until Matthew showed up. I had quite the time with Joseph being hateful to Matthew. All the resentment and anger Joseph felt for his father came out on Matthew."

"What about young Rob? How has he fit into the group?"

"Rob is their older brother. He is my son now in all ways that matter. The boys look up to him as their brother and Claire seems to also."

"How would you like to make that a permanent arrangement? I could perform the adoption ceremony at your house today. Do you think he would agree?"

"I have no idea what his feelings are on an adoption by me. We'll just ask him."

Riding up to the ranch, Ethan is surprised not to be greeted by excited young boys. Usually, he's met by at least one of the boys, if not all when he returns.

"It seems everyone is busy. We'll just tie the horses to the corral and check in on the children first. I'll come back or send one of the boys out to take care of the horses." Ethan says as he dismounts.

Walking into the house, the men find Rob, Claire and Joseph trying to comfort Ben and George. The two youngest are being held by Rob and Joseph and are crying.

"What's happened?" Ethan asks. Looking around he doesn't see the twins so he suspects that might be the problem. "Where are Aaron and Alyssa?"

"The twins' Uncle Eric came a little bit ago and took them home. I tried to get him to wait for you to get home but he said he had to get on the road. He did leave a letter for you." Rob answers as he hands Ethan the letter.

Scanning the letter quickly, Ethan confirms it is from Eric Johnston. "Ben, George, stop crying now. Alyssa and Aaron couldn't stay here with us. You know that. They have to live with their Uncle now. I am positive we will see them again soon. Now, if you turn around you'll see I have a surprise for you. Won't you calm down and look? I think you'll like it."

"Is it a pup?" George asks his face still snuggled in Joseph's shirt.

"You have to turn around to see, George." Ethan says quietly.

"OH! It's Judge Henry! What are you doing here?" George gasps turning around.

"George! Mind your manners, young man! That was rude!"

"Sorry Papa, I only meant how'd he get here not that I wasn't happy to see him."

"I'm sorry I'm not a pup, George. I came to conduct the trial in town and your Papa asked me out to the ranch for lunch. Hello children, it's a pleasure to see all of you again. Claire, you seem to be doing so much better than the last time we met. Joseph, you have grown up into a young man. Rob, it's a pleasure to see you again. I see you fit right in here. These two young fellows are lucky to have such big brothers. Hello there, Ben."

"Hi Judge Henry. Can you help us get Aaron and Alyssa back? They are our friends and we need them back."

"BEN! What did I just tell you?"

Gulping a little at the stern sound of his Pa's voice, Ben answers "Sorry Pa, it's just that we like them and want them to stay."

"As I said you will see them again. Now, let's drop that subject and welcome our guest." Ethan replies with a warning look.

"Welcome to the ranch, Judge Henry. We have a pony cart and two ponies. Would you like to go see them?" Ben asks.

"I'd love to see them boys. How about taking me to see your favorite places here at the ranch?"

"We can show you our treehouse too!" George adds as the boys lead Judge Henry outside.

"Joseph, you go on with them and make sure they don't try to get Judge Henry to ride Dobbin or some other stunt they think up." Ethan says smiling at the boy.

"Yes sir, I'll do my best. I may have to call you if they try to get him up in the treehouse." Joseph answers grinning.

After the boys leave, Ethan asks "Rob, would you come to my room please? I have something I want to talk to you about."

Closing the door, Ethan says "Let's sit on the bed while we talk. Stop worrying, you aren't in trouble. I don't know why it is every time I ask to speak to you or Joseph alone, you think you are in trouble."

"Mostly because we usually are in trouble for something if you call us off by ourselves." Rob tells him.

"Well I'll have to change that. Today you aren't in trouble. Rob, Judge Henry asked me if you would like to be adopted. What do you say to that?"

"Sir, I don't want to leave here. I love this family. I was thinking I was part of the family but if I'm too much trouble, I will go." Rob says trying hard not to let his eyes water or lower lip tremble.

"No son, you misunderstood my meaning. I would never let you go away from us. You are my son! What I meant was would you mind if I legally adopted you? That would make it legal in all ways that you are my heir the same as Claire, Joseph, Ben and George."

"Would I change my name?"

"That would be your decision to make, Rob. If you would want to continue using Rob Jordan that would be fine."

"Let's do it! I want to be your legal child not just your ward you were asked to take in."

"You are much more to all of us than someone we just took in, Rob. I hope you know that."

"I do but other people don't know it. They think I'm just an orphan you took out of pity and I don't like that."

"Do not concern yourself over what narrow minded people think. It's what you believe that matters. We'll have the ceremony right after lunch."

"Yes sir, let's keep it a surprise for the rest of the family."

"Judge Henry, this is Dobbin and this is Daisy. Daisy is going to be a Momma by the time we start school. We don't know if she is going to have a boy or a girl. Can you tell?" George asks.

"Well now, George. I don't have near the experience with horses that you boys have. I would say she's going to have a horse baby though not a little girl or boy."

Giggling at his silly answer, Ben says "Come with us and we'll show you our pony cart. It's here in the back of the barn. Pa won't let us take it out right now because the last time we did we didn't clean it afterwards. He said we were restricted from the cart for two weeks. It isn't fair. We just forgot to clean it one time!"

"I know! You can ask him if we can give you a ride in it. That way he'll have to let us take it out!" George exclaims, excited at his idea.

Listening, Joseph scolds "George Allen Cord! You better hope Pa doesn't find out you are scheming to get around his punishment!"

"No, George. If you are restricted from the cart then you have to accept that punishment. Maybe if I visit again, you can give me a ride. Your cart is very nice though. Ethan wrote about how everyone pitched in to build and paint it. You are lucky to have such nice brothers and sister. Now, I'd like to see the treehouse. After seeing the cart, I can only imagine how fancy your treehouse is!"

That evening before returning to town, Judge Henry asks "Claire? Do you happen to have a family bible in the house?"

"Yes sir. Would you like to see it?"

"I'd like to borrow it for a few minutes, if I may."

Coming back into the front room with the bible, Claire hands it to the Judge with a curious expression. "Children. If all of you will take a seat please we'll get started."

"Rob, come stand here before me. Ethan you stand next to him. Now, as I am a Circuit Judge and have witnesses I will now perform the ceremony. Do you Ethan Allen Cord hereby agree to adopt, raise and legally make Robert William Jordan your son and heir? Please place your hand on the bible."

"I do, your honor." Ethan says to gasps from the "witnesses".

"Do you Robert wish to consent to this agreement?"

"Yes, your honor. May I make a request?"

"Yes, young man."

"I would like to become known as Robert Jordan Cord from now on if that is agreeable to you." Rob says looking at Ethan. At Ethan's "Of course it is, Rob." Judge Henry says "It is my pleasure to announce the formal adoption of Robert Jordan Cord is hereby witnessed on this date of June 15, 1900. Congratulations!"

"YAY! Let's have pie!" George calls out breaking up the solemn meeting.

"I agree with George. Let's have pie!" Joseph says hugging Rob. "I'm glad you are officially my brother but you've been my brother for a year already!"

"Thanks Joseph, I feel the same way."

"We only did this to make everything legal. Rob, you have already been a member of the family, as Joseph said, for over a year." Ethan tells him putting an arm around his shoulder for a brief hug.

Finding Ethan is in a very happy mood, Joseph decides to ask "Pa, when is Uncle Matthew going to be finished with the trial?"

"I can't answer that as I don't know, Joseph. We don't need to discuss the trial at this time."

Choosing to pretend he didn't hear the last statement, Joseph says "Well, Claire and I want to go to the sentencing. May we please go, Pa?"

"Absolutely not! You know my feelings on this Joseph! For your sake, I would not defy me on this!" Ethan answers, his eyes glaring at Joseph.

Joseph swallows nervously before he hears Judge Henry say "Now Ethan, calm yourself. The sentencing will most likely be in about two days. The boy only asked. He will abide by your wishes I'm sure. Right Joseph?"

"I'll do as he says, Judge Henry." Tomorrow anyway, Joseph thinks to himself.