New Beginnings

ch.24

Birthday Parties and Business Meetings

Waiting anxiously at the edge of the woods, Alex paces back and forth listening for any sound. Sheriff Cord has been in the woods alone for what seems like a long time. Hearing his name being called he answers "Sir?"

"You may come in now. Look around and bring a long thick branch with you."

"Yes Sir." Alex answers wondering if this is to be used as a weapon. Looking down around his feet he finds two large thick limbs. Gathering them, he continues on into the woods in the direction he heard Sheriff Cord's voice. Walking on into a small clearing he sees the Sheriff's back and hears him speaking to someone.

"It's going to be fine. We'll get you out and back home in just a few minutes. Try not to pull on it, try to relax if you possibly can."

"It really hurts bad! I waaaannnt Alex."

"I know it does and he's coming, son."

"I'm here Danny, I'm here! Shhh. Don't cry. Everything's going to be alright." Alex says automatically soothing his little brother without even looking at what might be the problem.

"Ohhh Alexxxx, my foot hurts. Don't be mad. I didn't mean to tear my pants. I couldn't help it! You won't spank me will you?"

Ethan's eyebrows go up at that as he looks at Alex.

"Hush now Danny. No one is mad at you and no one's going to punish you, I promise. How did you get your foot in the trap?" Alex asks after looking to see his brother's foot caught in a metal animal trap. The two sides of the mouth like trap have sharp projections that are cutting into the boy's leg just above his ankle.

"I had to go and we were playing tag. I couldn't hold it to go back to the church outhouse so I came here to go. I was walking and this thing bit me and it won't let go. My pants are torn. Papa is going to be mad with me."

"Your Pa isn't going to be mad, Danny. I'm Sheriff Cord and I won't let him be mad at you. Now, lay back so Alexander and I can look at the trap. We're going to make it let go of you, alright?"

"Yes Sir. He's Alex though not Alexsander" Danny says lisping a little.

"Daniel Hale! Do not be impertinent to the Sheriff! Now obey!" Alex scolds fiercely, reminding Ethan of Rob and Joseph.

"Let's try this. Take a branch and see if you can force it between the opening next to his leg. Try to push it open more. If you are able to, I'll see if I can lift him out." Ethan tells Alex.

"I have the branch in Sir, but it doesn't seem open enough to let go. May I try using it as a lever? I believe it's strong enough." Alex says after studying the trap.

"Let us swap places. Let me get on the end and you lift him out. I can put both limbs in at once one on either side of his leg and push down on them together. You pull him out quickly when it gives at all. Ready?" Ethan asks a few minutes after putting the two branches into the trap.

"Yes Sir."

"When I say "Pull" then you pull quickly! Move yourselves away from the trap also. It could snap the branches and send them flying. Understand?"

"Yessir. Danny, you grab hold of my arms and don't you let go!" Alex commands his young brother.

"Yes Alex."

"Ready?" Ethan asks as Alex takes hold of Danny.

"Yessir, we're ready."

"PULL!" Ethan says as he pushes both branches down and the trap opens. As soon as he sees the boys are far enough back he releases his hold on the branches. As he expected the two branches are snapped into pieces. Luckily they don't fly up into the air, though.

"That was very good thinking Alexander, using the branches as levers. Let me look at your leg, Danny. I won't hurt you, I just need to see if it's bleeding." Ethan says crouching down next to the little boy.

"I think we are going to be just fine, here. I do think, we need to go see Dr. Americus to let her clean and bandage this up for you. Alright if I carry you, Danny?"

"Is Alex coming too?"

"I'm right beside you, Danny. I won't leave you."

"WAIT, I don't want to go to a Doctor! They hurt you with needles! She might think I'm a baby for well you know... what happened." Danny wails.

"Daniel Patrick Hale! You just..." Alex is cut off by Ethan's shake of his head.

"Son, Dr. Amy sees many children and I can tell you from experience, she has seen young boys who are a little afraid before. Dr. Amy is a nice lady she won't hurt you on purpose. Do you know my sons Ben and George?"

"Yes sir."

"Both of them have been to Dr. Amy after they were hurt and both of them survived. As to what happened, it's not something to be upset about. She won't tell anyone you were scared and she even gives out candy sticks for brave children. Now may we go see her?"

"yessir" Danny whispers softly as he buries his face in Ethan's shirt.

"Alexander, he might feel better if you covered him up with your jacket so no one can see." Ethan whispers to the boy beside him.

"Here Danny, let me put my coat on you so you'll be nice and cozy." Alex says tucking the jacket around his little brother.

Carrying the child into the Doctor's small clinic, Ethan calls "Dr. Amy? We have a small patient who needs some care."

"What's happened Ethan?" Dr. Amy asks without realizing she used his first name.

"This is Danny and he had a run in with a mean trap. It bit him in the leg and tried to hold him prisoner in the woods. His brother Alex and I were able to force the trap to let him loose."

"Just put him down here on the cot and I'll take a look. Well Danny, what should we do to that trap, hmm? We can't let it get away with biting you this way?" She asks as she examines his leg.

"I don't know, Ma'am." Danny whispers.

"I'm Dr. Amy, Danny. What flavor of candy stick do you like the best? When I get this leg all wrapped up and we get you into some warmer clothes, you can pick out one."

"I can? A whole stick free, just for me?"

"Just for you because you are such a brave young man. To take on a big ole trap like that and win, is so brave." Amy says cleaning and bandaging his leg the whole time she has him talking.

"Alright, let's let you go behind that screen and put on these pants. You need to keep your leg covered for right now. When you are dressed come out to the front and we'll find the candy jar."

"Yes Doctor Amy. I like you!"

"I like you too, Danny."

Going out to the front, she tells Ethan and Alex. "He's a lucky boy. The trap scraped his leg and he has a few smaller puncture holes but not many. It could have been worse. He could have had the foot nearly cut off. It's a good thing the trap didn't snap harder. Where did he find a trap?"

"In the woods near the church. Someone hunting must have set it. I plan on calling a town meeting tomorrow to discuss this with the men in the area. This can't happen again. We can't have traps lying around where curious children or unsuspecting citizens might be injured!" Ethan says angrily.

Just then the clinic door opens and Alex sees his Pa come rushing in. "Alex! I just heard! Danny! Is he badly hurt? Why was he playing with a trap?"

"Hello again Pat. I'm Ethan Cord, sheriff. Danny is going to be fine. He wasn't playing with it he walked into it and it snapped shut on his leg. He was very scared though and is worried you are angry at him for this."

"He tore his pants and he wet too, Pa." Alex whispers when the man looks confused.

"Well I'm not surprised, that would be a scary thing to happen to you. Where is he now?"

"He's changing into dry clothes, Mr. Hale. Hello, I'm Doctor Americus. Danny was lucky. His having boots on saved him from a serious injury. He has slight puncture wounds and several scrapes. I've put treatment on and I'm sending you some also. If you will change his bandage and treat the wounds morning and evening after washing them, he will be fine. If he should get redness or it starts to look different around the wounds, bring him back to see me."

"Doctor Amy? I'm all changed. Can I come out there?" Danny calls from behind the curtain.

"Come on out Danny boy, Papa's here." Pat calls softly.

"Papa! That trap bit me! It hurt bad! Alex and Ben and George's Papa got it to let me go! They are brave!" Danny whispers as he's hugged tightly to his Pa's chest.

"Yes, little one. Now are you ready to go home to Mama? She's all worried about you."

"Wait, please sir. I promised Danny a candy stick for being so brave. May he have one?" Dr. Amy asks.

"Go with the Doctor, Danny and pick out your treat."

"Yes Papa. Alex, come too!" Danny says taking hold of Alex's hand.

After the two boys are behind the curtain, Ethan says quietly "Mr. Hale, Alexander was very helpful today. You have a fine young man. It was his idea that helped get Danny loose. He takes very good care of his brother doesn't he?"

"Yes, with me working the mine so much and Emma near to have the baby, we've had to get Alex to take on his brother and sister. He is a very responsible boy for his age."

"My daughter, Claire and your Alex are friends. We are having her sixteenth birthday party and dinner tonight starting at five o'clock at the new hotel. Would you permit Alexander to come? She would love to have him there. The dinner is paid for and he doesn't need to bring anything."

"I'll ask him if he would like to attend. I'm sure he would. He doesn't get to go away from home by himself often. He usually has to take the young ones along."

"Look Papa! Dr. Amy gave me TWO sticks and I got to get one for Bethy too. Alex said he didn't want one so she let me have his!"

"Well that's fine. Alex? Mr. Cord has asked if you would like to come to Claire's birthday party tonight at the hotel? You may come if you'd like to."

"Yes sir, I'd like to come. I don't have a gift for her though. I didn't know it was her birthday."

"Just come to the party at five at the new hotel, son. She will be excited to see you and won't be expecting any gift. Claire doesn't expect gifts from friends." Ethan answers.

Walking back into the church to collect his children, Ethan is nearly knocked off his feet by two running boys.

"Papa! I thought the monster got you." George says sniffling some.

"Is the boy safe Pa? Is he really bad hurt? " Ben asks on Ethan's other side.

"Boys, you know better than to run at someone that way! George, there was no monster, son. The little boy is going to be fine now so don't worry. He's Alexander Hale's little brother. Do you know Danny Hale?"

"We met him last time we had church playtime. He seems nice but he's just a baby still." Ben answers.

"Benjamin! No name calling, young man! He isn't a baby, he is six years old."

"He's really six? I thought he was around four. He's really little to be six." Ben answers defending himself.

Rob, Joseph and Claire are listening to this waiting to ask their own questions. Seeing the chance to ask, Joseph says "Pa? What happened?'

"Let's get home children. I'll tell you all about it as we go home. We have chores to finish and a birthday celebration to begin. Then we'll have to clean up and come back to town for dinner tonight."

"The little boy, Danny, was walking in the woods and stepped into a metal trap. It closed on his leg just above his ankle. Alexander was able to think to use branches to pry it open. Danny is going to be fine. His boot saved his leg from being injured much more than a few scratches. Dr. Amy fixed him right up so no need to worry." Ethan explains later that afternoon.

"Who was dumb enough to put a trap like that so close to a church?" Joseph asks.

"We don't know that Joseph. I want all of you to listen and hear me. Until I tell you differently, all woods are off limits. You are not to go into the woods no matter where they are. Understand?"

"Ben? George? Joseph? Rob?" Ethan calls each boy's name and waits for each one to answer to make sure they have heard him.

"What about Claire, Papa?"

"What about her, George."

"You didn't ask her if she understands about not going to play in the woods."

"That's because I don't play or walk in the woods, George. He doesn't need to worry about me getting hurt because I won't be going in any woods!"

"Because you are a young lady now?"

"That's right."

"Young ladies don't play in the woods, George. They play in town with their beaus!" Ben tells him, his tone all knowing. Being ten, he feels he knows much more than his nine year old brother.

Claire, the young lady, has to cover her mouth not to giggle at that while Ethan smiles to himself.

Rob, unable to help himself asks "Well Claire, do you plan to play with your beau when we go to town later today?"

"Rob!" Claire says, blushing as they both hear Ethan say "Robert! That will be enough of that kind of teasing! Mind your tongue!" That comment was a little too advanced for Ethan's liking.

"No one will be doing any playing of any kind tonight. This is a dinner party not a place to play."

"Yes Sir." Rob answers.

"Now that we have all the questions answered, we are home. You all go change and get the chores done. As soon as you finish, we'll have a light lunch and let Claire see her gifts."

"YAY! Birthday party! I love birthdays!" George says, getting excited.

"Chores must be done first and correctly boys. If they aren't you will redo them so take time to do it right the first time. The stalls raked and cleaned, the chickens area cleaned and the chickens fed and be sure to wash and fill their water pans, the horses are to be brushed and fresh water needs to be put out for them also. We aren't going to put them out in the pasture today. Give them extra feed for tonight."

"Pa! Ben complains. "By the time we get all of that finished, it will be time to take a bath to go to dinner. We won't have time to give Claire our presents."

"If all of us work together, we can get it done. You and George start with the chickens while the rest of us take the barn. Then when you finish the chicken coop, come see what needs to be done in the barn."

"Yes sir. Come on George, let's go change and get started." Ben says pulling George out of the room.

Smiling, Joseph whispers to his Pa, "We need a birthday party every day if they are going to be in that much hurry to do chores!"

Three hours later, the chores are finished, all of the boys have taken their baths and are dressed in their church clothes again. While waiting for Claire and their Pa to finish dressing, George tells Joseph "I'm glad I don't have to dress up like this every day. This shirt itches and the pants do too. I itched all through church today and got scolded two times for wiggling around. I couldn't help it, they itch!"

"Yes, I saw you wiggling. That's why I asked you if you need to go out back." Joseph answers.

Ben tells him "You got me in trouble, George. Pa gave me a warning tap for whispering to you to stop moving! Then I got another one for playing with the buttons on my shoe instead of listening. My shoe was buttoned up wrong and it was hurting my foot! I wish Pa would let us wear our boots to church. They don't hurt my feet like these dumb ole dress shoes! I don't like dressing up in fancy clothes."

Coming into the room in time to hear his last complaint, Claire says "Stop fussing, Ben. You only have to wear them once a week. It could be every day if you lived in a big place like Denver."

"Ben, George, come help me please. I need some special help to get my gift to Claire inside." Ethan calls, coming out of his bedroom.

"Okay, you two are the door holders. Ben, you hold the barn door open and George you hold the door to the house on the way back in. Come on let's go get it."

"What is that Papa?" George asks as he brings a wooden object out of the back corner of the barn.

"It's something special for Claire. I'll explain inside after she sees it. Hold the door wide, Ben." Ethan answers.

Holding the door to the house open, George calls to Claire "Look Claire! Papa has something big and wooden just for you. I can't tell you what it is though! He wouldn't tell me."

"That's because you can't keep secrets!" Ben says scathingly as he follows Ethan inside.

"Ben, watch yourself! No bad behavior, please." Ethan scolds quickly before the two youngest get into a fuss.

"Claire, this is for you. If you don't know what it is, I'll explain." Ethan says as he removes the quilt covering the item.

"It's a Whatnot Shelf! Oh! Thank you Pa! I always wanted to have one!" Claire exclaims.

"What's a what nut shelf? Is it a shelf made out of what nuts?' George asks.

"George! There's no such thing as a what nut!" Ben says exasperated.

"IS TOO!"

"There is not! You are mixed up!"

"AM NOT!"

"ARE TOO!"

Clapping his hands loudly, Ethan says "BOYS! THAT IS ENOUGH! Unless you want to wind up confined to your room tomorrow, stop squabbling. Apologize to your sister for spoiling her party!"

"I'm sorry Claire." Ben says glaring at George.

"I'm sorry too, Claire. Pa, there is such things as what nuts. We had some in Denver at the hotel with fruit." George explains.

"That is true, George, we did." Ethan answers smiling. "Those were called WALnuts though, not what nuts."

"Boys, a Whatnot Shelf is to use to display figurines or little things to be pretty." Claire explains. "See how it has five shelves and the middle one is the longest, then each of the two above and the two below are the same size."

"Oh, well it's still pretty even if it isn't made of what nuts." George tells her.

"Thank you George. I'm happy to know you like it." Ethan replies grinning.

"Alright Ben, it's your turn to give Claire your present." Ethan says to the glowering boy. Knowing Ben is still irritable, Ethan hopes this will help him get out of his mood.

"Happy Birthday Claire. I picked this out special." Ben says handing her the tissue wrapped gift.

"A set of hair combs! Oh, Ben. These are so fancy. I love the delicate little flowers. Thank you Ben." Claire says giving the boy a kiss.

"YUCK Claire! I'm trying to stay clean and you're mussing me up!" Ben complains wiping his cheek.

"So sorry sir. I'm a girl and I'm happy. Girls kiss when they're happy. Get used to it." Claire laughs.

"Joseph? Would you like to be next?" Ethan asks.

"Let George go next. I can be last." Joseph answers after watching George's face fall.

"Thanks Joseph! Claire, this is from me. You can put it on your Whatnut, I mean Whatnot Shelf." George tells her handing her the wrapped unicorn.

"Why George! How pretty this is. I will put it on the top shelf all by itself. Thank you George."

"Here Claire, Happy sixteenth Birthday." Joseph says handing over the box with his gift inside.

"My goodness, Joseph! Where did you find something like this? Mr. Axelrod doesn't sell tea sets!"

"I bought it at the General Store. There's a cream pitcher and sugar bowl too but I didn't have enough to get them. I'm sorry."

"Joseph! I don't need a cream pitcher or sugar bowl. I have a a beautiful teapot and cups! This is almost too fancy to even use. I will save it for very special get- togethers! Thank you Joseph. It's lovely. Thank you all for the gifts. What happened to the one present from the children rule?" Claire asks thinking of how before all the children decided on one gift from all of them for the birthday person.

"Well, since it was your special birthday, I told them they could all buy something." Ethan tells her. "Each of them wanted to shop for something special for you."

"Claire? Ben and I have one more present. We went in together to get this." George tells her handing over the paper wrapped wooden box.

"Boys! You are spending all your money on me. I thank you though. Now I have a place for my hair combs and jewelry." Claire says gathering her youngest brothers into a hug.

"Claire, if you tell me when you are ready to hang the shelf, I'll put it up for you." Rob tells her.

"Well Rob and Joseph, you two go hitch up the wagon while I have a talk with the boys."

"Joseph? Is he going to spank them, ya think?" Rob asks as they hitch up the team.

"No, if he was going to spank them he would have already. I'm pretty sure they are getting the "Behave In Public" speech.

"The do what speech?"

"I guess you don't know. It goes like this 'I expect you to behave yourselves and mind your manners. You stay where you are to be and do as you are told. You are to obey the rules of behavior in public and not cause any problems. If you misbehave, I can and will take you out.' and by "out" he means somewhere to give you a spanking!"

"Tell me, has he ever had to take YOU out for not behaving in public?"

"Yes, twice. When we first came here to live with him, I didn't mind him in the store in town. He told me several times to stop touching things but I didn't listen. I broke a two dollar bottle of perfume. He took me out back and paddled my backside with a piece of kindling. That was the first time he ever walloped me. Then another time we were in Colorado Springs when he was adopting us. At a restaurant, Ben kept kicking me over and over under the table. I got tired of it and kicked him back only I didn't kick Ben."

"Who did you kick then? George? Claire?"

"No, I kicked Pa."

"OH BOY! What happened then?"

"I got "the look" and he said "Come with me, Joseph." He took me out behind the restaurant and spanked me hard with his hand."

"Why didn't you tell him Ben was kicking you?"

"It wouldn't have mattered. I still would have wound up getting my backside busted for kicking. Ben got his later that night though. George told on him for kicking me. We wound up getting in trouble a lot on that trip. I'm surprised Uncle Ethan still wanted to adopt us we were so bad!"

"What did you do?"

"Ben got caught sliding on the banister in the hotel after he had been told never to get on it. He got a whipping for that. George broke a lamp and was really naughty with Claire so he wound up getting a spanking. They both acted up during our first dinner and got spanked for that. Pa didn't have much patience with bad behavior."

"What else did YOU do? Was this the time you got your first whipping from Pa?"

"Yes, that was the time I took Ben and we went into the game room. You know how he feels about that!"

"Shh, he's coming, you better be quiet." Rob whispers seeing Ethan walking their way.

"Rob, Joseph, come inside for just a minute and let's talk." Ethan tells them pointing to the barn.

"Have a seat boys. I have something to tell you and I want your attention. Tonight is a special night for Claire. I want you both on your best behavior. You are to behave as young gentlemen and mind your manners at all times. You do not leave without permission. I do not want any problems from either of you. If you disobey me, you will be punished. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

"Yes Sir." both boys answer together.

"I'll tell Claire and the boys we're ready to leave." Ethan says walking out of the barn.

"Rob, what did you find funny about that? He means every word so you'd best behave! I could feel you shaking with laughter."

"Oh, Joseph. I had a hard time not letting it loose. He almost said the same speech you told me. He changed some of it."

"Yes, we're older so he's changed it for us. He still means it, so unless you want to get punished you better behave tonight." Joseph answers.

"I'll behave, Joseph."

Walking into the hotel dining room, Claire gasps. The room is filled with friends. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Uncle Matthew, Mitch, Mr. Axelrod, Dr. Americus, Mr. Johnston, and Mr. and Mrs. McBride with their two young children. Alyssa and Aaron, Emily and her brothers and Alex are all there too.

"Happy Birthday, Claire." many call out as they see her enter the room.

"Thank you. I'm happy to see all of you and surprised too. I thought this was a family dinner. Pa didn't tell me otherwise." She says giving her Pa a look.

"I didn't tell you because it is a surprise. Everyone wanted to be a part of this special birthday for you. Enjoy yourself sweetheart." Ethan whispers bending down, so only she can hear him.

Walking across the room, Claire greets Mr. and Mrs. McBride. "May I see the baby? I've never seen her."

When Mrs. McBride unfolds the blanket wrapped bundle in her arms, Claire exclaims "Oh, she's so tiny. What do you think of your little sister Jamie? Don't you think Jessica is a pretty baby?"

"She's a loud baby, Claire. She screams when she wants something so please don't wake her up. Can I go see Ben and George, Papa?"

"Yes, but mind your manners tonight. No running around or loud noise, remember our talk, Jamie."

"Yes sir."

"Hi Ben! Hi George! Hello." Jamie says walking up to where Ben, George, Aaron and Alyssa are talking.

"Oh, uh Aaron, Alyssa, this is Jamie. His Pa runs the hotel. Jamie these are our friends Aaron and Alyssa." Ben says introducing everyone.

"Hi, I'm Jamie. I'm five. How old are you?" He asks the twins.

"We're twins and we're ten." Aaron says dismissing the young boy as too young to be with. "Come on Ben, let's go find Joseph and talk with him."

"Come on Jamie, you can stay with me and George. Let's go over to where that little girl is sitting all by herself. Maybe she needs company." Alyssa tells him when he looks as if he might cry.

"Jamie? This is Lydia Anderson and she's five just like you." George tells him, hoping the little boy will want to stay with Lydia. As the younger children all find friends to talk too, Claire has walked over to Alex to talk to him. Rob and Emily are also together slightly away from the group.

"Hi, Alex. Thank you for coming tonight. Pa told us about Danny. Is he doing alright?"

"He seems to be. Ma and Pa are busy pampering him and he's loving that. Claire? Your Pa seemed mad the other day at the church picnic. Did I say something wrong when we were introduced?"

"Not really, it's just that he didn't know about the two of us having been meeting at the Anderson's house."

"I sensed he was upset. Did you get in trouble with him?"

"He really scolded me for what he said was 'sneaking around 'and confined me to the ranch for three weeks. I can come to town only if we go out as a family, like tonight."

"I wondered why I had not seen you in town. What about Rob? Was he punished for the fight?"

"You'll have to talk to him about that, Alex. I don't report on my brothers. I can't come to town for another two weeks so let's talk about something other than my brothers."

"Ben, let's go play out in the lobby. Did you see that long staircase? We could play on that!" Aaron whispers.

"I saw it. I can't leave the room, Aaron. I'm under strict behavior rules tonight. If I don't mind the rules, I'll get punished. Pa said he would take us into another room and spank us if we misbehaved! I told you how I got a whipping for playing in the lake last week and I don't want any more for awhile!"

"Awww, come on Ben. We can sneak out. No one will even know we've gone if we hurry."

Before Ben can answer, they hear Ethan say "Everyone come take your seat and we'll start the dinner. If you haven't met our newest member of the sheriff's office, this is Chris Johnston. He has accepted the offer of Deputy Sheriff and Paradise now has two deputies."

"Hello everyone. Thank you for making my move to Paradise so easy. Everyone is so welcoming here. I was the sheriff over in Larabee but now that I'm a new father of my niece and nephew, I need to move to a much nicer town. Some may know me as Eric Johnston but I prefer Chris or Christopher now "

After everyone has eaten their meal, they are all standing around in groups talking. Joseph is sitting alone, wishing the Anderson twins had been able to stay. Their parents took them home along with their little sister. Emily and Rob are busy talking together in one corner while Alex and Claire are talking in another.

"Ethan, Joseph looks a little unhappy over there. Is something bothering him?" Matthew asks.

"Not that I know of. Why don't you ask him."

"Joseph? Why so sad, my friend?" Matthew asks sitting beside him on the chairs.

"I don't have anyone to talk too. Rob is busy sparking Emily and Claire is busy with Alex. The little guys are annoying."

"Joseph? I'm here, talk to me."

"You don't need to stay with me Uncle Matt, I can be by myself. Go talk to Pa and Mr. Chris, I know you want to. Thanks though."

"Ethan, I was dismissed. Nicely, but still dismissed. I thought he and I were on good terms again. I'm not young enough to be what he wants. He's upset because he's the odd one out. The older ones are busy and the younger ones are as he put it 'annoying'."

Ethan and Chris smile at this explanation. "Well Matthew, I'm sorry to tell you but you are still the enemy. You are a grown up! To Joseph, that's the enemy." Ethan tells him.

Sometime later, Ethan looks around to check the children and finds Ben and Joseph missing. Frowning he asks "Did anyone see Joseph or Ben leave the room? They aren't here."

"No, I didn't." Chris answers

"I didn't see him leave either." Matt answers.

"Ethan, Aaron is missing also. I see George and Alyssa but not Aaron. Where do you suppose they went?" Chris asks beginning to worry.

Ethan is just about to leave the room, when the missing boys walk in. Quickly walking over to Joseph and Ben, Ethan says quietly "Both of you come with me, now." as he walks out of the room.

"WHERE have you been? You were told NOT to leave that room and yet I look up and you are gone!" Ethan asks sternly after taking the boys into a small room off the hall.

"Pa, I took the boys to the W.C." Joseph speaks up hurriedly.

"It's true, Pa. Please don't punish us. I had to go and Aaron had to go real bad and Joseph took us. We went there and back and that's all."

"Alright boys, I understand. Next time, you need to tell an adult where you are going. You scared Chris when he couldn't see Aaron."

Coming back into the room, Ethan goes to Chris and explains. "Joseph took them to the water closet. I hope you haven't scolded Aaron already."

"Aaron didn't come back in yet, Ethan."

"He came in with Ben and Joseph not more than a few minutes ago. I saw him myself."

"Well, he must have gone out again. Will you help me look?" Chris asks Ethan.

"I'll stay with the rest of the kids." Matthew says.

"Check the W.C., it's at the end of this hall. He could have gone back." Ethan tells Chris as he walks the opposite direction. Not finding Aaron in the W.C., Chris follows Ethan. Walking up to Ethan, standing at the foot of the stairs, he starts to say something when Ethan motions for quiet. Pointing to the top of the staircase, Ethan whispers "He's up there. I'll let you take over from here."

Climbing the stairs, Chris can see Aaron is curled up against the side of the steps and seems to be crying.

"Aaron? Son, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"You're going to whip me."

"Oh? And why do you think that? What is it you have done?"

"I broke the big pot. That big one at the side of the stairs. I knocked into it from the banister and it fell off the table. Joseph said I was going to get a whipping for that. I didn't mean to do it." Aaron sobs into his Uncle's shirt as he's turned to be held.

"Aaron lean back and listen to me. You are not in trouble son. This was an accident. I do want you to stay off the banister from now on, you could have been hurt! You don't have to be afraid to talk to me, Aaron. I'm not ever going to beat you. Would you like to go back to the party?"

"Can we just go home now? I want to be home."

"Let me get your sister and we'll leave. Will you wait for me here?"

"Yessir."

"Ethan, he's upset by something that happened. We're going to go home now. Thank you for inviting us to Claire's party. I'll see you tomorrow for the meeting."

"Chris? Did Ben or Joseph do something to Aaron? I need you to be honest with me."

"Aaron is upset because he says he broke the decorative pot. Joseph told him he would get whipped for it. To Aaron, a whipping still means a beating."

"Thank you for telling me. I'll have a talk with Joseph about this but I don't believe he did it to be mean." Ethan answers.

"Joseph? Walk out with me for a few minutes, please." Ethan says walking over to where Joseph is sitting.

"Is something wrong, Pa?" Joseph asks as he follows Ethan into the same room they just left.

"No, I just want to talk with you alone for just a few minutes. Joseph, what happened in the hall with Aaron?"

"When we were going to the W.C. he was sliding on the banister and knocked the big pot off the table, he broke it! Ben and I didn't do it, I promise."

"I'm not saying you did. What did you say to Aaron about what happened?"

"I told him he would get a whipping for it. Should I not have said that? You whipped Ben for sliding on a banister that time in Colorado Springs."

"Well Joseph, Aaron's still thinking someone is going to use a whip on him the way his Pa did." Ethan explains.

"OH, I forgot about that. I didn't mean to make him scared. I guess I did, didn't I?"

"You just brought back some bad memories for him. He's learning to trust but he still has some worries. If you could just reassure him that he isn't going to ever be beaten no matter what he does. He might believe it coming from you. He looks up to you, Joseph."

"I thought he liked Rob more."

"I think he likes all four of you boys. Rob is more a big brother than a friend."

"He hasn't been much of a friend to me either. He has EMILY now. That's all he wants to talk about. Now Claire has Alex and she'll be the same way. I'm stuck with the little boys again. I don't want to look after Ben and George all the time again."

"You won't have to, Joseph. With two deputies now, I'll be able to be home more. You have your Uncle Matt too. He wants to get to know you more. I'm sure he'd be happy to do things with you by yourself if you ask him." Ethan says realizing Joseph is feeling a little jealous of Claire and Rob.

"Come son, let's go get Romeo and Juliet to leave their companions for tonight. We need to go home. I have to be back here early in the morning for a town meeting. Joseph, I'm not going to allow Rob and Claire to spend all of their time away from home. You don't need to worry about that."

"Well, I know they can't leave for at least two weeks since they're both housebound!" Joseph says happily.

"You have a mean streak, young man. You shouldn't be happy they are on punishment." Ethan answers ruffling Joseph's hair as he walks by.

The next morning at seven, Ethan finds himself in the hotel dining room again. Instead of friends and family, he is surrounded by not so happy men.

"What do you mean you are banning hunting!" One of the men yells.

"How am I supposed to feed my family if I can not hunt!" Another shouts.

"We're not all able to get juicy paying Sheriff's jobs! I have to hunt to find food!" someone else complains.

"If everyone will sit down and stop shouting, Ethan will explain!" Mitch tells the group as Ethan chuckles at the thought of high pay.

Still grumbling most of the men do as he says.

"Good morning. First I'd like to introduce you to Paradise's newest deputy, Chris Johnston. He was a sheriff over in Larabee but decided to come here to help us out. I believe you will find him fair to deal with as Deputy Williams and I are. Now, I asked all of you to come because we have a problem. Yesterday, a six year old child got his leg caught in a spring trap. Luckily he isn't badly injured but he could have been. I'm putting a ban on trapping in all woods near town. This trap was about twelve feet into the woods behind the church."

"Sheriff, the kid should not have been in the woods!" One man yells.

"The boy needed to go to the bushes and that's why he was there. Again, he was just far enough in not to be seen. He wasn't that far away from the edge of the woods. Children are going to walk and play in those woods. Despite our warnings and threats, they just will. Think back to being a boy for a minute, didn't you play in the woods too?"

When most of the men nod at that, Ethan says "Many of you have or know young children. Do you want them to lose a foot or hand because of a trap you left out where they could find it? If you must hunt, do it far away from town and houses. You can be out in the wilderness in just a twenty minute ride south of here. I'd prefer you didn't use those traps at all near where people could be. Paradise is a place I want to think of as safe for women and children."

"I agree with the sheriff. I wouldn't want one of my boys or girls to be hurt. I'll do as you say, Sheriff." One man speaks up as several more agree.

"Thank you. From now on, I want all traps tagged with a number to be assigned to you only. The blacksmith will do this for you for free. All numbers used will be registered at our office. If any of you find a trap near town, bring it to the office. We will see to it the owner is notified and a fine is paid for breaking the latest town ordinance! If there is no tag, the trap will be melted down." Ethan says gazing sternly at the crowd. "Anyone have anything else they'd like to say on this?" Ethan asks. Not hearing anything, he says "Thank you for coming, you may leave."

Chris, walking up to Ethan and Mitch says "My, I haven't seen this side of you Ethan. Even the time you came to Larabee to spring Rob from jail, you weren't this intimidating. You had me cowering too!"

"That's the ex-gunfighter in him, Chris. When he goes into that look, you better do exactly as he says. His children can tell you what happens if you disobey that tone and look."

"Well, those men must know too as they all seem to be agreeable to the new ordinance. Either that or they feel they might be in for a whipping if they misbehave! The mighty sheriff could take them down easily." Chris teases knowing how much Ethan despises this type of teasing.

"You know, I might just do that sometime. You have a point there, Chris. Perhaps a good whipping would be something the troublemakers need. Do you suppose it works on unruly Deputies also?" Ethan asks as he walks towards Chris.

"No more teasing here, Ethan." Chris answers backing away as Mitch bursts out laughing.

"You are safe Chris. Ethan doesn't resort to that with adults. He doesn't need too with his reputation. Any sign of anger on his part and the folks jump to do as he asks. You saw that with the men today." Mitch says still chuckling.