Adam walked along the upstairs corridor. When he reached the bedroom his daughters shared, he knocked softly on the door then turned the doorknob. To his surprise the door was locked. Since when did his children start locking their doors? This was HIS house and he was not about to be denied access to any part of it. There was no response from within, so Adam knocked on the door again, this time with more force.

"AARRGGGHHH!" screamed a voice from within. "I told you brats to leave me alone!" The door was quickly unlocked then flew open. "Go away or I'll…"

"Or you'll what?" Adam asked a surprised Lizzie. He was leaning on the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest, giving his eldest daughter a stern look and a raised eyebrow.

"Pa, I thought…"

"I know exactly what you thought, Elizabeth."

"Pa, you need to…"

Adam stopped her mid-sentence by placing one hand over her mouth. "Go sit down," he ordered, removing his hand from her moth and pointing to the chair situated in front of a small writing desk. Lizzie gave a heavy sigh, slightly rolled her eyes, and begrudgingly complied. She walked over and plunked herself down on to the chair, crossed her legs then crossed her arms over her chest and waited for the loathsome lecture that was sure to take place.

"Young lady, I would be very careful right now, if I were you," Adam warned as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Haring the seriousness in his voice, Lizzie uncrossed her arms and legs and straightened her posture. Despite her current rebellious behaviour, there was still an element of fear in her that prevented her from fully crossing the line. She was really getting tired of the hold her father still had on her. The small amount of bravery she possessed to stand up to her parents and demand control over her own life was instantly curtailed the moment Adam spoke in that sombre and low tone. One did not taunt the temper of a Cartwright man. A trait passed on to Adam and his brothers by their father. Even Jamie, being adopted, was showing signs of the infamous Cartwright temper.

Adam approached Lizzie and sat down on the edge of the bed beside the desk. "It occurs to me, Elizabeth, that more and more often I am having to speak to you regarding your attitude and poor choice-making skills. I am now at a point of great frustration and am finding myself seriously debating of what needs to be done to end this behaviour once and for all."

Seeing an opportunity suddenly present itself, Lizzie got a burst of courage. "There is a simple solution, Pa," she said with a grin.

"There is?" Adam said skeptically. "Pray tell, Elizabeth. Enlighten me."

"I need my own room," she stated emphatically.

Adam exploded with laughter, which stunned Lizzie greatly. She wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. Deciding it was something positive; she smiled and gave a slight chuckle. When Adam abruptly stopped his guffawing, it was clear that this was NOT a good thing.

"So let me understand this correctly, you want me to reward your unruly behaviour by giving you your own bedroom?"

Lizzie rose excitedly from her seat. "Pa, it would solve everything! Maisy and Mary could go about with their juvenile activities and I would be able to have the privacy every woman need. The quarrelling would stop and all will be well. I could have the spare room off the dining area. It would be perfect! I could paint it a pretty colour or even put up some wallpaper! I'm sure Mr. Guthrie could order some in and…"

Adam arose from the edge of the bed and for the second time stopped her rambling by placing a hand over her mouth. He removed his hand from her mouth and again pointed to the chair. "Sit!" he commanded. Lizzie sheepishly obeyed.

"Let me inform you of what is to happen, Elizabeth," Adam began. "First, you are going to go downstairs and make things right with Mary. Then you will help your mother prepare dinner, after which you will clean up and wash all the dishes. You will then return to your bedroom, THIS bedroom, and get ready for bed." Adam sat back down again on the edge of the bed, reached out and with two hands took hold of the chair Lizzie was sitting on and pulled it closer to him. "Now listen very carefully, Elizabeth Louise Cartwright, because I am through repeating myself. You are not a woman, you are a child, my child, and I will not allow you to continue on this path of rebellion. This is MY house and you WILL abide by the rules I have established. Except for school, church and chores you will remain in this room until you have earned the right of your mother and I's trust again."

Lizzie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "All because I locked Mary out of the bedroom?! That is completely unfair!" she interrupted.

"This is not a new occurrence, Elizabeth. Before your birthday your behaviour and attitude were just as they should be, but now that you got the presents you wanted you are back to making bad choices," Adam informed her.

"I didn't get what I wanted," Lizzie mumbled inaudibly.

"I beg your pardon," Adam growled.

"I said I'm sorry," she lied.

"Sorry is not enough, Elizabeth, not this time."

"How long am I restricted for?" she asked in a sassy tone.

Without missing a beat, Adam took hold of Lizzie's right arm and pulled her out of the chair. Flinging her over his lap he delivered five hard swats to her backside then stood her up, facing him. "You are restricted for as long as I see fit, young lady! And if I hear anymore sass out of you, you will feel my belt across your bare bottom! Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't want to cry because the spanking hurt, which it only did a little, it was the embarrassment of being spanked at her age that made her so upset. She was defeated, yet again, by the man she thought loved her. He knew absolutely nothing about her and didn't care to know either. He just wanted everything his way and no one else's. If she was a boy things would be different. He would be treating her like a man by now and small infractions would be overlooked. She was sure of it! But no, she was the daughter of the great and perfect Adam Cartwright and no daughter of his was going to get the best of him! No, siree!

Adam stood up and walked to the bedroom's door. He opened it wide and said "Mary is outside on the front porch with Maisy. I suggest you make your apologies quickly so you can help your mother with dinner."

Lizzie gave a slight nod of her head then walked out of the room, her irate father following close behind.

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Lizzie lay on her bed, quietly writing in her diary. She was alone in the room, just like her father wanted. The dishes and kitchen were cleaned and vindicated Mary was enjoying playing outside with the other children. She poured out everything into the pages tonight. Writing about Shanda Dee, Wyatt, her father…everything! It was her only form of release. Tears eluded her now. Elizabeth Cartwright was beyond tears, she was mad, just plain MAD! When she finished her six page entry, Lizzie put her diary back in its hiding place – under the bottom, left-hand corner of her mattress – and flopped back down on her bed. As she lay fuming, Maisy entered the room.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Hello," Lizzie grumbled back.

"Do you want to play some checkers?" Maisy inquired. "I could sneak the board and pieces upstairs."

"No, I don't want to play any damn checkers!" Lizzie snapped.

"Well look who's being all uppity again," Maisy sneered. "You might want to lower your voice, big sister. Pa ain't too happy with you at the moment."

"Go away," Lizzie said, almost pleading.

"Now why would I want to leave MY room?" Maisy smirked.

"Please, Maisy, just leave me alone."

"No, I'm not going to do that," Maisy said as she flopped down beside her sister on the bed.

"And why aren't you?" Lizzie asked.

"Because you haven't got a friend left and you need me."

"I do too have friends!"

"Believe me, you don't. Not right now at least."

"Why would I need you?"

"Because you need help and I'm looking for a bit of excitement," she said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

"Help with what?" Lizzie asked, feeling more and more frustrated by the second.

"With Wyatt, of course. You want to see him and I can help."

"Why would you want to help me spend time with Wyatt?"

"Because you're my sister and I love you," she replied looking as though she had just been insulted.

"What's the real reason, Maisy?" she said, not falling for the charade.

Maisy sat upright on the mattress and crossed her legs. "Fine, I need money. There's a really nice paint set at Mr. Guthrie's store and I can't afford it. Plus I'm getting bored and like I said, I'm looking for a bit of excitement."

This perked Lizzie's interest. "How much do you need?"

"Two dollars should do it for now."

"What do you mean for now?"

"If I have to take a licking because of you, it's gonna cost more. My backside ain't free."

"Do you have a plan?" Lizzie asked.

"Of course I have a plan! You insult me by even asking!" Maisy snapped.

"Well out with it!" Lizzie demanded. "What is it?"

"First things first," Maisy said. "Do we have a deal or not?"

Lizzie thought for a moment. The last time Maisy helped her things turned out very badly but there was more at stake this time. Her father had never used his belt on her. Up until today's threat of a belt, a good tanning for her consisted of his hand or a hairbrush. If the punishment called for something more serious, she received several wacks with a wooden paddle – which is what happened after the Spring Social debacle. She wasn't keen on him making good on his threat and that would just be the start. If she thought she was restricted now, just wait until she fouls up again. Was Wyatt Fuller worth all this hassle? The answer was yes!

"Little sister, you have a deal!"

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* TBC *

Thank you for your patience! I hope to have another chapter up very shortly. I've had a few personal setbacks which have prevented me from writing. I appreciated all who take the time to read and review! Thank you so very much! Enjoy!