"Kate, I'm going to need to set you down now. Are you ready to go inside?" Adam asked as he stood before the threshold of the Ponderosa. Getting Kate's trust and security was his first priority. At the reassuring sound of her heart beat next to his own, Kate seemed at ease.
Kate nodded with a soft 'yes Sir' and slipped down onto her feet.
Adam opened the doorway and gestured his daughter to step into the house before him.
Adam placed his belongings on the cadenza, as he always did when entering his home. He continued into routine by walking to his desk and thumbing thru a few papers. Pulling the chair out with a slight sigh, he sat down. Keeping his head down he leaned back into his chair to study one of the letters in hand.
Kate was uncertain what to do next. Her father's behavior was calm, typical but certainly not typical for the moments situation. She no longer felt fearful or the need to run; Although the butterflies remained a flutter in her tummy. The more adam seemed to engage into his studies, the more Kate relaxed into her surroundings. She softly tiptoed towards the stairs as to not disturb the peace in the great room.
Without lifting his head Adam gave a slight cough sound that startled Kate and stop mid step.
"Kate, Did you speak to your brother John this morning?"
A faint sheet seemed to slip over the poor girls head. with all the courage Kate could muster she answered, "Yes, Sir."
"As I assumed. I imagine that you would no were to find him?" Adam peared above his papers with both eyes set on hers.
"Yes, Sir".
"Um hmm. I'm going to need a few minutes to collect my thoughts, would you please go on retrieve your brother John and meet me in my study in say...10 minutes?"
Kate paled at the pierced eyes before her, "Yes, Sir".
Kate suddenly felt weak in the legs, with one hand on the banister she was thankful to be held up.
Adam casually looked down at is papers, "good. Go on then. We will have much to discuss when you return."
Kate took a deep breath in and powered her way up the stairs.
Heading straight to her brother John's room she began to feel some relief that she was no longer in this alone.
'Knock. Knock'
"John", she whispered frantically. No answer. Typically, John would not approve of his sister to just walk in his room without permission but in this case courtesy would fly.
She entered hastily to find her brother passed out on his bed with one leg dangling off. Panic began to fill her weakened legs and she reached out to shake her brother to.
"John, John! God in heaven, John, Wake Up!"
"What? John grumbled. He shoved the shakened arms from his and buried his head into his pillow.
"John...John will you get up." Kates voice squealed in a panic. "John, its Dad! He knows about everything...the race...You...Me... Youve got to get up! Please John!" Kates lip began to tremble and shake as tears formed in her eyes.
Johns head did not lift from his pillow bu his eyes quickly opened in awareness of what his sister just stated.
"Yes, John...Kate sobbed...we are in so much trouble."
Johns mind and body awakened as the words set in. 'Trouble'? How? What kind of trouble? Panic stricken John threw off the bed covers and grabbed for his clothes. An embarrassed Kate jumped up to hide her eyes.
"John", Kate gasped, "Really, have some decency!"
"And whose room are you in little sister?" John sneered as he flipped his hand around gesturing for Kate to leave." What is going on anyway! What kind of trouble are you in and why am I in trouble with adam?" John snapped back defensively.
"John, we only have a few minutes before adam wants to talk to both of us. I'm sorry, Please lets not fight, we have to pull together."
"Pull together...Pull together. Little sister, you have made one big mess for the both of us. Do you have any idea how much trouble we're going to be in. You have no idea how mad adam can get!"
Kate looked towards her raging brother and all her defenses broke loose as the tears began to flow. Scared, again!
A sympathetic John retaliated and began to soothe the situation best he could despite the blazing headache he was now feeling.
John placed his hands on Kates shoulders, "Its going to be okay, Kate. Listen to me. Just follow my lead. Don't say anything without looking at me first. We can do this, Okay!"
Kate stared wide eyed at her brother and quickly nodded her head.
Just as the two siblings got their bearings, a strong bellow came from the top of the stairs.
Standing firmly with his hands on hips, a very stern adam met the two with an angry glare.
"I do not have all day to call on the two of you. Now get down stairs! We have much to discuss!"