Nicholas caught up to Kate close enough to ask her to slow down. "Come on Kate, I don't want to see you get hurt. You really shouldn't ride so fast."
"You're just afraid I'll beat you, go ahead and try to keep up." Kate kicked her horse and urged it to push ahead.
Nicholas kept Kate's pace but did not exceed her.
He looked far enough ahead to see the girl headed for trouble and grabbed the reins of Kate's horse to make it slow down. Kate's horse responded to Nicholas and slowed to a stop.
"Why did you go and do that?" Kate protested.
"Because we were headed straight for that ravine. You could have gotten us both killed. Are you crazy?"
Kate became ashamed immediately for her actions and slipped down off her horse.
"You probably think I'm some sort of baby acting like a fool. I'm sorry." Kate's apology was sincere.
"Well, I'm not sure what to think about that ride but I'm not here to judge you. Is there something else that's really bothering you Kate?"
Kate broke down and told Nicholas of her dreams and how she really wanted to learn how to race.
"My daddy is just so over protective, he wants me to be well educated, a fine young lady and not do anything that would cause risk."
"Well I can't say that I blame him Kate. You are a remarkable young woman. I would hate to see you get hurt too." Nicholas held out his hand to receive Kate's.
She accepted and smiled. "Will you teach me then Nicholas? Just show me some of the things you know about racing so I won't get hurt."
Nicholas hesitated for a moment, "Are you sure you can't just listen to your daddy and forget this whole thing?"
"No, I won't forget the whole thing. This is my dream too you know. I thought if anyone would understand it would be you."
"I seem to think we both want the opposite dreams that our parents dream for us. That we have in common." Nicholas sighed and gazed at the ground.
"That's why I would like your support." Kate stated sweetly.
Nicholas raised his head slightly with one eye on Kate. "Now listen here little Miss. I will not have you manipulating my feelings."
Kate pouted and reached out to grab the reigns of her horse from Nicholas' hands.
"Oh. No you don't." Nicholas pulled away. "We're not finished discussing things yet."
"Listen Nicholas, The only discussion I will have with you is whether you want to teach me to ride safely or not. I will do whatever I am going to do with or without your help."
Nicholas and Kate found themselves in a silent standoff.
"Okay then, I guess I should teach you a few things to keep you out of danger; especially after what I experienced from our ride today."
Kate sighed heavily and wanted to give the boy a huge hug but decided calm restraint would be best. After all, she wanted Nicholas to take her seriously.
"Remember, it's got to be our little secret." Kate said. "My father is not going to be very supportive at first; but I have a strong feeling that when he sees me ride. He will change his mind.
"Oh, I hope so Miss Cartwright because your father doesn't seem to be the kind of man to make idle threats and not follow through."
Kate giggled like the little girl she was, "Oh Nicholas, my daddy is an intelligent man with great wisdom, that I take very serious. But you know when it comes to his daughters, he is like a big Mush Pot."
Nicholas hesitantly shook his head.
"Fine, Lets meet here tomorrow after lunch. We might as well start sooner than later."
With Nicholas in full agreement, Kate could no longer hold back her excitement.
"Oh thank you Nicholas." Kate hugged him tightly. I knew you would understand." The girl flung herself so haphazardly into the boy that they tumbled to the girl bringing them into a state of giggles.
Horse hooves were heard approaching the two teens as they lay on the ground.
"Kate! Nicholas! Are you Okay?" John bellowed as he charged closer to them.
Nicholas was quick on his feet offering up a hand to Kate to join him.
"Kate, What on earth were you thinking to run off like that. Are you two hurt. What happened." John asked exasperated.
Kate ran to her brother and placed a hand on his leg. "We're fine John, I'm sorry I didn't mean to frightened you. You know how riled up I get these days with your teasing."
"My teasing? Your emotions seem to play into our everyday life these days little sister. I'm not about to take blame for your destruction."
An embarrassed Kate quickly hung her head knowing how truthful her brother sounded. Only if she understood her own feelings as of late. She could not deny that her temper has gotten the best of her more than once.
"Is Daddy really angry with me?"
"Knowing Adam, you and he will come to some sort of understanding." John swiped the hair away from his sisters face and looked into her eyes, "Come on, I'm sure we can all think of a good explanation for your actions before we reach the Ponderosa.
Several weeks pass by with Kate secretly meeting Nicholas as he shows her different riding techniques and the new summer love continues to grow.
Adam questioned Kate one afternoon when bringing back her horse all lathered up and she denies riding him too hard stating the horse is simply hot from the heat of the summer temperatures.
The next day Kate tried to be more cautious with the care of her horse and cools it off properly in the barn with Nicholas' assistance.
"Tell me Nicholas, Am I a good rider?"
"The best I've seen of a woman out here on the Ponderosa that's for sure."
"Come-on Nick, don't you think I could even beat you in a race? She laughed.
"I will not take that bet with you, Kate. Not today, and not ever"
"Tell me or I'll take this whip to you…" Kate teased as she waved it in front of him.
Nicholas made a quick lunge forward and grabbed Kate's waist tickling her to the ground surprising them both. With a brief hesitation, Nicholas leaned into Kate with a passionate kiss. Kate responded encouragingly as she clasp her hand to the back of the young mans neck and kissed him back.
Meanwhile, eight year old Molly skipped into the barn only to find her big sister and Nicholas on the ground kissing. She gasped at the sight and quickly ran out.
"Oh My, I better go find her before she finds my father or Grandfather. Will I see you tomorrow?" Kate asked.
"I guess so", Nicholas responded nervously, "I'm supposed to meet John and your dad in the morning. They want to take me out to the North pasture."
Kate recognized the look in Nicholas eyes. "Don't be nervous, I will talk to Molly. Everything will be fine."
Kate sealed Nicholas with one last kiss and ran inside to find her little sister.
Unfortunately Kate was too late. Adam stood at the front door with his hands on hips and brow turned down. Molly hid behind him.
Kate slowly shut the door and stood at the credenza. Her heart began to race with fingers taping nervously on her dress.
Finally Adam spoke, "Kate, I would like to speak with you up in your room, please."
Kate and Adam moved slowly up the stairs as if they were attending their own funeral.
Adam sat down next to Kate on her bed after closing her door. The two remained awkward and quiet for a short while. Kate truly missed her lady governess at this time. "If Mrs. Drake were here, she would know just what to say." Kate thought to herself. Adam crossed his legs one way and then shifted to the other. After a few sighs and grunts he spoke…
"I guess I always knew this day would come when I would have to talk about "things" with my daughters but a father is always taken by surprise when the time comes."
Kate interrupted before Adam could continue any further. "Daddy, I already had this talk with Mrs. Drake. You know the kind of talk women and girls have about life and boys."
A huge sigh came over Adam showing noticeable relief. "Good, I'm glad that you two had that little talk. So, I guess that leads me to discuss the matters of boundaries and expectations that I have for you as my daughter when it concerns boys or men. Need I remind you that you are a child of fifteen and Nicholas is seventeen? I was unaware that the two of you had feelings for each other. Is it fair to assume this?"
"Yes, Sir," Kate answered softly.
"Well, then you must know that I do not approve of any young man being alone with my daughter, who is not of age to be courted at this time. And I certainly do not approve of any kissing or physical touch of that matter either. I will be having 'that' discussion with Mr. Nicholas Belmont in the morning. Is your brother John aware of this relationship?"
"No Sir, John is not." Kate squirmed nervously and began to plead, "Daddy, Please do not talk with Nicholas. I would be so embarrassed. It just happened, we weren't planning for it to happen."
"Not another word Kate, If you think I'm about to allow for a man of 18 to accidentally kiss my daughter again and not hear from me..."
"Okay, I understand, Can we just stop talking about it." Kate placed her head in her hands and began to cry.
Adam's heart became heavy as he knew how hard this must be on his young daughter. The guilt of not having a woman's influence for the girls troubled him once again causing him to soften. Adams demeanor softened as he asked his next question.
"Darling, do you fully understand my expectations and how to behave as a young woman should?"
"Yes, sir. I understand. But can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"When will I be old enough to be courted? I am fifteen and I have friends who are allowed to go with boys."
Adam pulled at his chin in thought. "I am not ready to make that decision now Kate, I'm sorry. When you are older we will discuss that further but I will not have you or any boy of that matter, sneaking about. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir." Kate decided not to press the issue with her father knowing full well that he was doing his best to stay calm and in control.
"When you feel that you have given your actions enough thought you may come out of your room." Adam rose from the bed and kissed Kate's head before exiting the bedroom.
As Adam walked down the hall to the stairs he groaned as he contemplated what he would say to the boy who kissed his Kate~