New Beginnings

Ch. 22

A/N : This is for Ruby Blue who needs to go into the world of comedy. This one is for you. You make me smile! :)

No Sunday Picnic

Two days later, after receiving a telegram from the sheriff down in Mississippi, Judge Henry dismisses the charge of unpaid gambling debts on a steamboat. "The description of the perpetrator reveals a short balding man with a mustache around the age of forty. This description can not be of this Matthew Carroll. The charge is dismissed. As to the charges of thievery here in Paradise, I think time served in jail plus a set amount paid to each person will be sufficient. There has been no evidence presented showing Mr. Carroll stole anything other than food and livestock. The livestock was recovered. Mr. Carroll, it is the judgment of this court that you pay each person twenty dollars and remain free of any further escapades with your young nephews! I will not look kindly on you if I hear of any more of this type of behavior. You are a young adult now and you need to behave as such! You are free to go about your life."

"Yes Sir, thank you sir."

Having snuck in the back to listen to the sentencing, Joseph smiles to himself and sneaks back out. Matthew has spotted him listening and follows him out.

"Joseph." He calls in a whisper.

Knowing he'd better stop before he is caught by Ethan, Joseph follows Matthew's pointing finger to the alley.

"You came to the trial. That surprises me as I thought you despised me."

"No Sir, I don't. I'm glad they didn't keep you in jail. You aren't like my father at all. I want to get to know you better. I've got to go now." Joseph replies trying to ease by his uncle to the street.

"What changed your mind from the other day in town? You acted like you despised the sight of me."

"Ben explained some things I didn't know. Things you told them about growing up with my father. I believe you are not what I thought you were. I want too anyway. Now, I really need to go home. I'll be in huge trouble if Pa catches me in town. He'll whip me for sure! He told us to stay home and not be in town. I asked to come today and he told me straight out, No! He didn't even give me a reason why the way he usually does. Just "NO" and "Obey me, Joseph." Joseph says, his imitation of Ethan causing Matthew to smother a smile. "You won't tell him you saw me will you? Please Uncle Matt? I'll get the strap for deliberately disobeying! Please sir?" Joseph whispers glancing around nervously.

"I won't tell anyone about our meeting. You best hightail it back to the ranch before someone else sees you. I wouldn't want you to get a whipping. I'll try to get out there to visit soon. Now scat cat!" Matthew whispers back.

Two weeks later on Sunday, the family is loading the wagon for the church picnic. Ethan, Rob and Joseph have the horses groomed and hitched to the wagon.

"Boys, you are wearing your good clothes today. Don't forget that. I don't want to see stains or torn pants." Claire reminds Ben and George before leaving.

Hearing her, Ethan adds "You two be careful of your clothes today as your sister just said. Remember there's not to be any climbing trees or rolling around in the grass. You are to take care to keep clean today."

"How are we going to have any fun if we have to do that?" George asks irritably.

"You'll just have to find a way. Now obey what you've been told without arguing. I put a quilt in the wagon bed for you to sit on so you won't get dirty. Go take care of your business please so we can get going. Claire? What do you need loaded?"

"Rob put the pies in a crate and has it loaded so we need to take the lemonade jugs and the box with the food in it. I'm contributing two batches of biscuits and three pots of beans as well as three pies. Pa? Is Uncle Matt coming to the picnic? He hasn't left town has he?"

"I invited him to come but I just don't know, Claire. Mitch will meet us there."

"Claire? Rob sent me in saying to get the box of food and anything else you plan to take. He's anxious to get going so he can see Emily. Don't tell him I said anything though! He's irritable today. I only asked him if he planned to hold her hand and walk with her and he smacked me hard!" Joseph complains rubbing the seat of his pants.

"Well young man, if you had heeded what he told you this morning, he wouldn't have smacked you! I remember distinctly hearing him tell you at breakfast to stop teasing him about Emily. Now I am telling you and you had better mind, STOP teasing. He's had enough! I'll also talk with him about smacking you, though."

"I do hope they get back together today. Just because she went walking out with Jared Kingsley didn't mean she didn't like Rob. He had no reason to get mad at her and quit seeing her. She really likes Rob."

"Claire, that is between Rob and Emily. You, Joseph and I are not going to get involved. Do you both hear me?" Ethan says firmly.

"Yes Sir." Claire and Joseph answer at once.

"BEN! GEORGE! Let's go!" Rob yells when everyone but the boys are in the wagon.

Running up panting, George says "Ben's having a problem. He'll be here in just a minute."

"Is he sick?" Claire asks worried.

"No, he can't get his pants fastened back. The fastener is bent."

"Joseph, go check on him, please."

"AHHH Pa! Why me? Why not Rob! Why's it always me?"

"Yessir, I'll go see about him." Joseph answers quickly, at Ethan's raised eyebrow look.

"Ben? We're all waiting for you. What seems to be the problem?" Joseph calls through the door to the water closet.

"My pants won't fasten, Joseph! I can't hook 'em. Rob's going to wallop me again if I don't hurry. He's been mad as a wet hen lately. Every time I do anything he doesn't like, he's smacking my backside! This morning he spanked me for nothing. I was cleaning the stalls and he said to hurry up and then he walloped me."

"I know, he got me this morning too, just for mentioning Emily. Open up and let me see what I can do. No one is out here but me, I promise."

"Well, I think the only thing we can do right now is put a safety pin in them. Claire will just have to mend them later. Come on, let's go get one from her room."

"Joseph! We can't go in her room without asking, you know that!"

"Would you rather go to the picnic and risk having your pants fall down?"

"NO, but I don't want to get in trouble for going in her room either."

"I'll take the blame, now COME ON! We're going to be late to the picnic if we don't get going!" Pinning the boy's pants, Joseph asks "What happened after Rob told you to hurry this morning? Why'd he spank you?"

"He said it was 'cause I didn't hurry. Pa said I had to go slow and to make sure I spread the hay out evenly. I was doing that and Rob came over and walloped me four times! I'm not speaking to him anymore today either!"

"Fine by me. Let's go Ben!"

Hurrying out to the wagon, Joseph lifts Ben up into the back and climbs up. "Okay, we're in." he tells Rob.

"Took you long enough! Don't the two of you understand the words "Let's go?" Rob asks irritated.

"Robert, that's enough. Get control of your temper, son. You need to find a way to control your irritation without taking it out on other people. There will be NO more smacking the boys just because you're upset. The boys are here so let's get started." Ethan says giving Rob a warning look.

"Yes sir, I'll try harder to get myself under control."

"See to it that you do, because if not, you will find yourself spending most of your days in your room after chores!" Ethan responds sternly.

"I'm glad it's not raining this Sunday. I wouldn't want to have to postpone the picnic again! We were all ready to have it last week and then it rained. I even had the pies made." Claire says.

"Well, your pies didn't go to waste, Claire. We enjoyed eating them, didn't we boys?" Ethan asks.

"Yes! Claire, you make the best pies of anybody in Paradise! You could start a pie shop and make lots of money!" George tells his sister.

"George, that's a great idea! You and I will make money today. When we get to the picnic, you hide two pies here in the wagon, I'll take the box for Claire. She has so many she won't even notice. We can sell the pie pieces!" Ben tells George through their special connection.

"I'll try but she might catch on. We'll get in trouble if we are caught! Papa probably won't like this idea at all!" George replies thinking the answer.

"We'll be fine. We'll take them out in the trees after everyone else is busy. We can do it, you'll see."

When they arrive at the lake, Ben says "Claire, I'll take the pie crate for you."

"That won't be necessary, Ben. Thank you anyway. Joseph is going to take it and unpack it. You can carry one of the lemonade jugs and George can take the other. Rob has the food box."

"But, I want to take the crate for you! I can do it! I'm big enough!" Ben complains loudly.

"Ben! You heard your sister! Do as you are told unless you want to start the day with thinking time by a tree!" Ethan scolds him.

"Pa! You are not listening or being fair. Joseph's always going to be bigger than us and we'll always be the ones treated like babies! I want to carry the crate not the stupid ole' lemonade jug! Might as well carry the dumb ole' quilt like a girl!" Ben snaps back, defiantly stomping his foot.

Seeing the look on Ethan's face, Ben grabs the lemonade jug and runs after George and Claire who are nearly to the tables.

"Here Claire, here's the jug. Come on George, let's go find some boys to play with until we eat." Ben says grabbing George by the hand and pulling him away from the tables.

"What's your hurry? I thought we were going to make money?"

"We'll have to try to sneak a couple of pies off the table later, much later! Right now, I'm staying away from wherever Pa is. I answered back to him and he's not at all happy with me."

A few minutes into the game of tag, one of the boys from school runs to Ben. "Hi Teddy. When did you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. Ben, Sheriff Cord told me to tell you he wants to see you and he said to tell you Right Now!"

"Why'd you have to go and tell me that? Couldn't you just have pretended you couldn't find me?"

"Not with my Pa standing next to yours when he said it, I couldn't. I'd get a whipping if I didn't obey!"

Walking slowly to where his Pa is standing with another man, Ben puts on his best innocent smile as he chirps "Did you need me for something Pa? Teddy said you wanted to see me."

"Yes Ben, you and I have some unfinished business to discuss. Excuse me Theo, I need to speak to Ben privately. Let's take a short walk, Ben." Ethan answers taking Ben by the hand and leading him behind the parked wagons. Lifting him up to sit on the end of their wagon, Ethan says "Let's talk about what went on before you ran off the way you did."

"I'm sorry, Pa. I shouldn't have snapped back or run off. I just got mad." Ben says quickly while watching his Pa's face. He doesn't look mad, so maybe I'm not in trouble. He thinks.

"Ben, when Claire told you Joseph would carry the crate, you should have just accepted it. I know you wanted to carry it but the point is someone else had that task and you were needed to for something else. You having a tantrum and running off has only caused you to lose playing time. Your disrespectful behavior has now earned ten minutes of thinking time. You are to sit right there and think about how you could have behaved better. NO, I wouldn't even say a word." Ethan warns him as Ben opens his mouth. "You're lucky I decided to assign thinking time when I very easily could put you over my knee for being disrespectful!"

After his assigned ten minutes that seemed an hour and their discussion of better behavior was finally done, Ben asks "Pa, could you walk with me to the woods? I need help getting my pants undone. Joseph had to put a pin in them this morning."

"Alright Ben, if you need help later, find Rob or Joseph if I'm not nearby. Don't wait too late to ask for help. I'll remind Claire to mend your pants when we get back home so you won't have to go through this again. Let's go back to the picnic area and see if it's time for the Sunday Service."

Just as they walk towards the gathered group of people, a young dark haired boy comes running towards them.

"Ben!"

"Aaron? Is it really you?" Ben calls straining to see that far away.

"Yeah, it's me. Uncle Eric and Lyss are here too. We talked him into coming to town for the picnic today. Guess what? Oh, Hi, Uncle Ethan." Aaron says as he finally joins them.

"Hello there young man. I'll leave the two of you to talk but Ben, be by my side when the service starts."

"Yes Pa."

"Aaron, I'm so glad you came! I've missed you! Does George know you're here?"

"No, I saw you coming so I came to you. Ben, listen! We're moving to Paradise! Uncle Eric said he doesn't want to try to run the ranch and he wants us to go to school! He is looking for a house to get but right now we're staying at the hotel. Isn't that great?"

"Yes! We can play together all the time now. Uh Oh, that's the opening hymn, come ON, we've got to run so I can get to Pa."

"Why'd you have to go to him? Why can't we just stay here?"

"You heard him! He said I had to go to him. I've already been punished today and I sure don't want to get him mad with me again. If I don't do as he said, I might get walloped this time, now COME ON!" Ben says running towards the group of people. Pushing his way through the group saying "'Scuse me, please let me through", he looks for Ethan. Passing by the next set of men, he feels someone snag him by the suspenders and haul him backwards.

"You just hold up right here young man! You've done enough pushing through this crowd. Now stand quiet!" Mitch tells him sternly leaning down to talk into his ear.

"But Mitch! Pa told me to….." is as far as Ben gets before Mitch growls "One more sound and I'll haul you into the trees and wallop you! NOW HUSH! You are at a church service!"

Thinking about how unfairly people treat children, Ben frowns and crosses his arms. Now I'm going to be in trouble with Pa for not coming as he said and for being in trouble with Mitch! This day is starting to be really horrible! At least Claire is having a good day! He thinks as he hears his sister singing a hymn for the gathering.

"Ethan, I stopped Ben as he went by and kept him with me. This is why he never came to you." Mitch explains after walking with Ben to find his family. "Ben told me a few minutes ago, that he was to be with you. He tried to tell me earlier but I made him hush during the service. He stayed beside me and behaved well the entire time."

"Thank you for bringing him to me and for the explanation. Ben, you may go play until lunch. I'm proud of you son, for obeying Mitch so well."

"Yes sir, Thanks Mitch!" Ben answers before running to find Aaron.

Coming up to where George and Aaron are standing, George says "BEN! Where were you? Papa was mad when you didn't come to the service. You're in big trouble!"

"No, I'm not. Mitch kept me with him. He just explained and Pa isn't mad at me at all. Let's go play Red Rover with the other boys! C'mon!"

"I'm not going to play that. That's too rough and we might mess up our good clothes." George answers.

"Fine, stay here and be a girl then. C'mon Aaron, us boys will have a good time!"

By the time the call goes out for lunch, Ben's shirt is loose from his pants and one suspender is hanging down his back. Looking down at his shirt he sees a torn spot at the very end of the shirt. Tucking it back into his pants and refastening his suspender, he brushes the dirt off his pants. Looking at himself again he thinks 'Well I'm not too dirty and no one can see the torn place, maybe I won't be in trouble.'

Sitting around the quilt enjoying roasted pork, baked beans, corn on the cob and biscuits, Ben looks up when he hears his sister say "Pa, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine."

Claire is standing beside a boy about her age. The boy has dark black hair but blue eyes. "Pa, this is Alexander Hale. His Pa is one of the workers in the Silver Mine. They've lived here only a few weeks."

"Hello Mr. Cord. Claire has told me you are the Sheriff of Paradise. It's nice to meet you, sir. I enjoy being with your daughter. She's a fine girl." Alexander says glancing at Claire as she sighs quietly beside him.

"Thank you young man. Just how long have you and Claire known each other?" Ethan asks, his eyes getting darker.

"Well we met at the Andersons a few weeks ago. We've seen each other there some."

"I see. Well, you'll have to come around the office so I can talk with you more. It seems you know more about me than I do you. What do you prefer to be called young man?"

"I'm mostly called Alexander, sir. My Ma likes the full names. I have a younger sister named Elizabeth and a younger brother named Daniel. My Pa calls us Alex, Bethy and Danny but most everyone else uses our full names."

"What would your Pa's name be? I may know him." Ethan asks.

"His full name is James Patrick Hale but he is called Pat or Patrick, sir."

"Yes, I've met your father. Well, it was nice meeting you. Enjoy the rest of the day. Claire, you need to stay here with the family." Ethan says dismissing Alexander.

Getting a message from George saying "I think Claire is in trouble, Ben!" Ben nods his head, agreeing with him. He too can see the smoldering look in Ethan's eyes. Just then Rob sitting beside Ben, leaps to his feet and runs towards a group of young people walking further away.

"Emily! Emily, wait! Let's talk!" Rob calls rushing up to the group.

"Rob, I'm not ready to talk right now. Let's talk later when we can be alone." Emily answers.

"We can be alone right now. Just walk with me into the woods and we'll be all alone!"

"You know we can't do that! I'm not allowed to go out of sight of the group and I know you aren't allowed to take a girl into the woods alone. What would Mr. Cord say if you did?"

"He'd say quite a lot and do more but I'll risk it if you'll just come with me. Come on Emily. Won't you talk with me. I can explain why I acted the way I did."

Finished with the lunch, the younger boys leave Ethan and Eric Johnston to talk as they round up friends to play. "Come on Aaron, I saw some boys go down by the water, we can go see what they're doing." Ben tells him.

"Ben! We aren't allowed near the water without Pa or Rob or Joseph! Did you forget?"

"George, you are beginning to be a pain today. You don't want to do anything I want to do so why don't you go find the girls to play with! I imagine they'll let you play tea party or dollies if you ask nice!" Ben says glaring at his little brother while Aaron laughs.

"You are being mean, Ben! I'm leaving! Go ahead and do what you want and I hope you get in trouble for it too!" George shouts turning to run off.

"Uh oh, is he going to go tell your Pa?" Aaron asks.

"I don't think so. We made an agreement the other day; we don't tell tale on each other unless made to by Pa. We're okay so let's go find the other boys."

Coming back up to the picnic area, George walks along glumly kicking a rock ahead of him. Seeing the sad look on his face, Claire calls "Hey there George! Come over here. You are just who I need to help me out. I need someone to help me cut all these pies and maybe just maybe you would be able to be a taster too. Do you think that's something you could help me do?"

"Oh Yes! I think I'd be good at being a taster! Does a taster get to really taste the pie?" George asks anxiously.

"That's exactly what a taster does. You get to have a sample taste of pie so we know what kind it might be. We can't just say "Have some pie without knowing what kind it is, now can we?"

"UNH UH, folks want to know what kind they're getting. I'd be really good at that, Claire!"

"Where's Ben, George? Did you have a fuss with him?"

"He wants to play with Aaron more than me so I left. I get to do something he doesn't and that's more fun than being with them."

Sitting near enough to have heard the conversation between Claire and George, Eric says "Ethan, you are lucky to have an amazing niece there. She's so good with the children isn't she? I've watched her today and the day I picked up the twins. She's a natural mother already. How old is she again?"

"She's not quite sixteen. Her birthday is next Sunday. Claire has looked after Ben and George practically her whole life though. My sister was a stage actress and Claire and Joseph looked after the little boys during her rehearsals and performances. I had to work at it to get both Joseph and Claire to let me take over some of the responsibility of the boys when they came to me. The two oldest were acting as parents instead of children and they were ten and twelve at the time! Joseph has abdicated much of his "father " role to me. So much so that he now complains if asked to do something for the boys! Claire still likes to be the mother at times."

"Since you have been through this too, I don't mind admitting, I'm finding instant fatherhood a bit difficult, Ethan. I don't know how firm to be with Aaron. I mean, he just lost his family and I don't want to be too harsh. Alyssa is a joy, she's talking and much happier than I've ever seen her be."

"Just set the limits for what you want, Eric. The children will respect you more if you do. I didn't set limits at first and Joseph took advantage of that mistake. You have had contact with them often and know them well. Aaron needs to know what is expected of him. During the time he stayed with me, he tested his boundaries a bit. Is he doing that with you now?'

"Yes, I think he is. He's not very respectful or obedient. The boy used to just jump anytime anyone told him to do something and now he argues over it. I don't want him to be the way he was but I need obedience at the time I ask for it."

"I remember that feeling of confusion. Eric, did either of the twins mention the bear incident to you?"

"BEAR incident?"

"You mean to tell me, he took matches, stole one of your guns, ran off into the woods with his sister, and nearly got himself mangled or killed by a BEAR?! I ought to take a switch to him here and now! I hope you punished him for it." Eric explodes after listening to the story.

"We had a firm discussion between a flat piece of wood and his bare backside. I didn't feel it was my place to do more. You may want to have a talk with him about guns and matches."

"I plan on having a long talk about that very subject as soon as I get him home! I thank you for your offer of the job here in town. I think the children need to go to school and be with friends. I know you have a ranch but personally I am not cut out to do that type of work."

"Yes, well it's a difficult job at times. Ranching and Sheriff's work both. Mitch and I will appreciate the extra help. As I've said, Paradise continues to grow each week. More people and more businesses means more work for us to keep the town safe."

Down by the lake, the boys are tossing stones into and across the water when Rob walks up.

"Just what are you doing here alone, Ben? You know you aren't allowed near water by yourself! Get on back up there with Pa or Joseph!"

"I'm not by myself, Aaron is with me. You are not the boss of me, Rob. You leave me alone!" Ben says the last as he backs away from his advancing brother.

"NOOO, Rob! Remember what Pa said about smacking me!" Ben yells as he suddenly finds himself flipped over Rob's knee.

"I remember, he said not to smack you. I'm not smacking you, I'm giving you a spanking!" Rob replies bringing his hand down eight times on Ben's wriggling backside. "Let me catch you by the water again and I'll take you to Pa myself. It will be his belt on your backside then! Now GO!" Rob says pointing away from the water.

Walking back to join the other children at the picnic area, Ben whispers to Aaron "This is turning out to be a terrible horrible day for me. Rob has a really hard hand!" He adds rubbing his bottom.

Following behind and hearing Ben's complaint, Rob says "Pa'll have an even harder belt, if I catch you near the water again."

As the younger boys run off, Rob sees Emily with some girls. "Emily, can we talk for just a few minutes, alone?" He asks pulling her away from her friends.

Looking around Emily sees they are out of sight of her parents and most adults. "Rob, I'll walk with you for just a few minutes but then we have to be back out here with the group. You know we'll both be in a lot of trouble if we are spotted alone in the woods!"

Once far enough away that the other young people can't hear, Rob says "I'm sorry I was rude to you last week in town. It just surprised me and hurt my feelings when you walked into the store with HIM. I thought you and I were a couple. I apologize, Emily. Let's be friends again."

"I except your apology, Rob. I am your friend but I don't belong to you. I will walk out with other boys too. You can see other girls if you like."

"I DON"T want to see other girls! You are my girl not anyone else's!"

"I'm leaving now Rob before we get caught. You are still my friend and I'll still walk with you. I'll walk with others too though!" Emily says loudly as she walks out of the woods.

Playing nearby, George stops Ben. "Ben! Look over there! That's Rob and Emily coming out of the woods! He went in the woods with a girl! You're not supposed to take a girl with you when you go to the bushes are you? You don't think she needed help going do you?"

"George! Of course that isn't what they were in the woods to do! They probably snuck off to kiss. You know Joseph says 'all Rob thinks about now is kissing!' YUCK! Pa will be pretty mad when he hears about it too!"

"How's he gonna hear about it?"

"I'm going to tell him! I'm mad at Rob. He spanked me again just awhile ago! I'll fix him!"

Following Emily out of the woods, Rob calls "Emily! Wait just a minute, will you?"

"Go away orphan! Emily has decided she wants to be with me not you." Jared Kingsley says grasping Emily by the arm.

"Jared! That's not being polite. Rob is not an orphan, he is adopted now." Emily scolds.

"Kingsley, leave her be. She doesn't want to be with you." Rob demands.

"Ha! Just accept it, orphan. She's chosen the purebred over the unknown! No one knows what your parentage really is. Criminal father but what mother? Whore probably." Turning to walk away, Jared doesn't even see the punch coming that hits him in the mouth. The next one catches his nose which to Rob's ears sounds quite nice as it crunches under his fist. The third punch hits his stomach causing the boy to double over. Just as Rob is drawing back for another punch his arms are trapped behind him.

"That will be enough, Rob! Mitch? Will you see to the boy? I'll take over this one. Come with me, Rob!"

Recognizing the voice, Rob spits out angrily as he tries to jerk his arms free, "You just stay out of it! I don't have to mind you! You are not even my Uncle! Leave me the hell alone Matthew!"

"I would simmer down and watch the language, young man. You are in the presence of young ladies! I am not related by blood but I am now your Uncle as I hear you have been adopted into the family. Your father will want to know all about your actions, I'm sure! Let's go!"

Keeping a firm hold on Rob's upper arm, Matthew forces him to walk with him to where Ethan is visiting with Eric Johnston.

"Matthew? Good to see you here. Where have you been since the end of the inquisition? You paid your fine and were free to go. We all thought you would come to the ranch to visit. Noticing Matthew still has Rob in a tight grip, Ethan asks "Is there a problem Matthew?"

"Do you mind if we speak privately, Ethan? I think it would be best."

"Please excuse me. I'll go round up the children and get them some dessert." Eric Johnston replies walking off.

"Rob was just beating the tar out of some boy over by the woods. I believe he broke the boy's nose as I heard it crunch when he punched him. I know how you feel about fighting so I stepped in to stop it. Rob here is under the impression that I should not tell him what to do as he told me to "Leave me the hell alone." Someone needs to be taken down a few rungs if you get my meaning."

"ROBERT! Apologize to Matthew Immediately!"

"Sorry." Rob answers flippantly.

"ROBERT JORDAN CORD. That is not an appropriate apology! You will apologize….."

Ethan's reprimand is cut short by a large man walking towards him shouting "Sheriff! I have a complaint to file!" As the man walks up and sees Rob standing there he shouts "This boy attacked my son. He broke his nose and split his lip. He may even have loosened some teeth! Do you allow brawling in this town and by a boy who is supposedly living with you?"

"He's not just living with me. Rob is my son, sir. No Sir, we do not allow brawling in this town nor do I condone fighting at all. Robert will apologize for his behavior. If you will, tell the doctor to give me the charges for treatment. I will take care of them."

"I will, but I demand some restitution from the boy here. I want to see him punished! "

"Now look here, Mr. Kingsley. How I discipline my children is my business and will be done in private. You may rest assured it will be taken care of. Now Robert, I EXPECT to hear a sincere apology to Mr. Kingsley right now."

"I apologize for fighting with your son. He insulted me and I lost my temper. It won't happen again, sir."

"You, young fellow, deserve to be horsewhipped! Going around beating up honorable young men in front of young ladies and small children! You best be glad I'm not your parent!"

Opening his mouth to reply, Rob closes it again seeing the look Ethan is giving him. "Go to the wagon Robert. You and I are leaving. I'll be there in a few minutes." Ethan says as Mr. Kingsley storms off back to his family.

Finding Claire at the food table serving dessert, Ethan says "I'm taking Rob home for a time. There's been some trouble. I'll come back for the rest of you later. Keep an eye on the boys please."

"Yes sir, I'll tell Joseph to watch out for them too. Is Rob alright?"

"Your brother started a brawl with the Kingsley boy and broke his nose! He and I have some talking to do in private."

"Pa, that Jared Kingsley is a cruel one. I'm sure Rob was provoked. He isn't the type to fight." Claire says quietly.

"Nonetheless, he did. I'll be back to pick you up by four. Have everyone gathered by then please."

Going to find Joseph, Claire tells him what Ethan told her. "He says he'll be back by four and to have everyone ready to leave. Do you have your watch on you today?"

"Yeah, it's two thirty now so we'll get the boys at three thirty and get everything ready. Rob was fighting you say? Boy, he is in for it! You know that's one of the big ones."

"Yes, the fact that Pa took him home to deal with it now doesn't speak well for Rob does it?"

"No, it sure doesn't. I know if I broke somebody's nose, Pa would take the strop to my backside. I wonder if he's going to do that to Rob." Joseph says answering Claire's question.

"I wouldn't know but I hope he doesn't. Have you seen the boys recently?" Claire asks.

"Yeah, I see them with the other small children. They're over by the trees playing. Leave 'em be Claire. They're enjoying some time to be with other boys their ages."

"Alright but we have to be ready to leave when Uncle Ethan gets back. He's in no mood to have any of us be disobeying his order."

"I hear you. I'll keep a watch on the time so we'll get the boys ready."

Thirty minutes later, deciding he needed to get the children home, Eric calls George over to him.

"George? Please go find Aaron and Alyssa for me. We need to get back to the hotel. Tell them I said it is time to leave."

"Yes sir, I'll find them. I know where Aaron and Ben are and I think I know where Alyssa is too."

Running up to Alyssa who is playing with some other girls, George says "Alyssa, you're uncle said to come to him now. He's ready to leave. He sent me to find you and Aaron. I still have to tell Aaron so I'll see you soon."

"Aaron went down to the water with Ben again. I watched them leave."

"I know, I'm going to go get him. Ben is going to be in a lot of trouble for going to the water alone that way if Papa finds out. Don't mention it to anybody, okay?"

"I won't unless they ask me straight out. I don't tell lies, George. Not even for my brother."

Finding Ben and Aaron down by the water, George walks up to them.

"What are you doing here? Get tired of playing with the girls?" Ben asks snidely.

"Aaron, your uncle told me to tell you to come on. He's ready to leave and said he needs you to come now." George tells him ignoring his brother.

"Alright, I'm going. 'Bye Ben. Maybe we can play together again soon. I had fun wading in the water!"

"Yeah, maybe I'll see you soon. I'll ask if you can come out to the ranch."

"Ben, have you looked at yourself? Your pants are all wet. Did you wait too late to go to the bushes and wet your pants?" George asks gleefully, remembering all the times Ben teased him for the same thing.

"GEORGE, that's not funny! I'll get you back for that." Ben says quietly his hands balling into fists.

"Yes, well you've been mean to me today so I'm getting you back. You'd better not hit me either or you'll get a whipping for it!" George answers moving away from his brother. Seeing Ben advancing on him with hands still clinched, he turns and runs for the food tables. Getting close enough to see his sister, George shouts "Claire! Ben's after me! He's trying to hurt me!"

When Ben is close enough to hear her, Claire scolds "Ben! Just look at you! You're all muddy and wet! Just what have you been up to young man and besides that why are you chasing George?"

"I'm chasing him because he was teasing me and made me mad. I've been talking to Aaron and George is just jealous 'cause I didn't play with just him today."

"That's NOT true. I don't care if you play with Aaron, I like Aaron. I just didn't want to do what the two of you were doing."

"What were they doing, George?" Claire asks suspicious that the two boys were up to something they weren't allowed to do since George didn't want to participate.

"He's all wet because they were down by the lake. I was told they were wading in the water." George answers glaring at Ben.

"You are a little baby tell- tale, George!" Ben yells grabbing a handful of pie. Before Claire can stop him, he slaps the pie into George's shirt smearing it down the front.

"Benjamin Cord! You just got yourself into more trouble. You just ruined George's shirt. I can't get blueberry stains out of that shirt. You best be glad we're in public or I would put you over my knee here and now!"

Coming up in time to hear Claire but not seeing George's shirt, Joseph asks "What has he been into now, Claire?"

"Just look at what he did to George's shirt! There's no possible way to get blueberry out of that shirt. It's ruined!"

"Why did you ruin George's shirt like that Ben?" Joseph asks confused.

Before Ben has time to answer Claire answers for him "He's angry because George told me Ben and Aaron were down playing in the water. Look at him, he's all wet and muddy!"

"Weren't you told by Pa to stay clean today?" Joseph asks Ben.

"Yes."

"Are you allowed to play in the water without permission?"

"No."

"Are you EVER allowed near the lake or river without someone older with you?"

"No."

"Then, I feel it's safe to tell you this Ben, you are in trouble when Pa finds out. Now, I want the two of you to sit right here by this table one on each side until I tell you to move. Neither one of you is to speak until I say speak. You disobey me and I'll take you into the trees and spank your bare butt! Get it? "

"Yes Joseph." Ben answers sitting where he stands.

"Why do I have to do thinking time?" George asks also sitting down. "I didn't do anything wrong, Joseph."

"Just sit there until Pa comes. I don't have the energy to look after the two of you anymore." Joseph answers crossly.

"You're being unfair, Joseph. I shouldn't get punished for nothing." George complains.

"Just hush. Keep fussing and I'll make good on my promise of a few minutes ago!"

While Joseph and Claire are dealing with their brothers, Eric Johnston is questioning his nephew back at the hotel.

"Aaron, you seem quite wet for a boy who was told to stay back from the water. Would you like to explain how you became so wet and muddy?"

"No, not really."

"Let me say that a different way. Aaron, explain to me how you managed to get wet and muddy today."

"We were just playing."

"We' would be you and Ben?" At Aaron's nod, he asks " Were you down by the lake this afternoon?"

"Yeah."

"That's 'Yes Sir', young man. Did you go into the water today?"

"Yes Sir, but only to my knees. We were just wading, honest. I slipped when I was walking back up the bank and that's how I got muddy."

"Aaron, we need to get something straight between us. When I tell you to do or not to do something then you are to obey me. You are to do as I tell you to do or you will be punished. I believe you already know that don't you?"

"Yes sir." Aaron whispers looking at the floor instead of his irritated Uncle.

"Come to me Aaron." Eric says as he sits on the bed. When the young boy reaches him he says "You disobeyed me today. I told you to stay away from the water because I do not want to see you get hurt. Even going into the water just wading could get you hurt. You are to mind me, Aaron."

Having said that he pulls the child over his knee and brings his hand down fast and sharp on the boy's bottom. Delivering six hard smacks, he lets Aaron stand up. "I spanked you for disobeying me, son. You will do as you are told or you will receive a spanking or worse. While we are discussing behavior let me inform you that if I EVER hear of you touching either matches or someone's gun again, I will take my belt to your bare backside!"

At Aaron's shocked look he continues "Ethan told me of your encounter with the bear. Aaron, you and Alyssa could have been killed! DON'T YOU EVER RUN OFF AGAIN! From now on, if you get into trouble with another adult, you will also be in trouble with me. Do you both understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes Sir, Uncle Eric. I'll be a good girl for you, I promise!" Alyssa answers sniffling at the stern scolding.

"I'm sorry for today, Uncle Eric and for scaring you with what I did at Uncle Ethan's too. Are you going to take a whip to me now?" Aaron asks as he blinks away the threatening tears.

Pulling Aaron and Alyssa to him into a hug, he answers "I will not be using that instrument of torture on either of you children. I may spank you occasionally and if you do something really serious such as play with matches or a gun, I may use my belt but I make you this promise, I will NEVER beat either of you. I am not Ian McGinnis!"

"Uncle Eric?"

"Yes Alyssa?"

"Can I call you Papa sometimes? You act more like a real papa just like Uncle Ethan does with his children. He's tough and has lots of rules but he really loves us all. Even me and Aaron."

"Sweetie, I'd be so happy to have you call me that. Either of you. What rules did Ethan have, by the way?"

"Always be respectful and obedient, no smoking, drinking, stealing, cheating, lying, gambling, or deliberately causing harm to someone or something. Oh, and Never Touch the Guns or Matches. When Aaron took the box of matches and a gun, Uncle Ethan paddled his bare bottom with a little piece of wood. Aaron cried and said it burned badly."

Ignoring the glare Aaron sends his sister, Eric says "Those are very good rules to live by children. I believe we will use that same code of behavior for our new family. Do you agree?"

"Yes Uncle Eric, those are easy to follow. I am always respectful and don't want to do any of those bad things!" Alyssa answers smiling.

"Aaron, are these agreeable to you? Do you want to talk about them?"

"I'll do my best to obey those rules, sir. I might not be able to always be respectful to everyone when we start school. There were some boys today who were not being nice to us."

"If you have a problem with someone, come to me and we'll find a way to solve it together. Alright?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, now let's get you a bath. You are a slimy looking kid Aaron Anthony McGinnis! " Eric teases as he rubs the boy's hair.

"Yes sir. Uncle Eric?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think we will live in this hotel for a long time?"

"No, I plan to find us a house or we'll move to the boarding house in a few weeks. I know this isn't the kind of place you children want to be in. We will find us a place here in town or close enough you can walk to town. I want both of you to go to school when it starts. Do you like that plan?"

"I do, Uncle... I mean Papa. I want to go to a school and be with other children. George told me school is a fun place most of the time." Alyssa tells him.

"I think I'd like to go to school too, Uncle Eric. I've never been and I want to be with Ben and George. I hope school is more fun than church."

"Aaron!" Alyssa says shocked at her brother's words.

"Well, that time we went to church, it wasn't much fun." He defends himself.

"I want you to know that the three of us will be attending church so fun or not you will go and you will behave. Let's go get those baths now. Alyssa, please bring the nightclothes."

After their baths, Eric tucks the children into their bed. "Goodnight Aaron. Goodnight Alyssa. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."

Thinking about Aaron's question of where they will live, Eric decides to check into getting rooms at the boarding house tomorrow. Ethan mentioned there being a widowed lady who would watch the twins while he worked if they lived there. Instant fatherhood was proving to be challenging so far. Finding a place to stay where the children would be safe and not exposed to things they were too young to see, providing meals, keeping them clean and in fairly good clothes, now school and church. As Eric thinks through these things he wonders what else he needs to do to provide for the children. I'm happy to have Ethan around to ask advice otherwise I'd be completely lost here! He thinks getting ready for bed.