The Return
The days passed, Scott had made a strong impression on the children because they had behaved these last days.
On Friday, Scott was returning from the north corral where he had repaired a fence, when he saw a convoy of horses in the distance.
"Dad!" He called.
Scott helped his father and the hands of the ranch to bring the horses into the north corral, luckily he had checked and repaired the fences!
Murdock dismounted, looking at his son, he looked sure of himself, confident and strong, something had changed.
"My son!" He said hugging him.
"Welcome home Dad," Scott replied, hugging him.
"Come on, let's go have a drink and tell me what happened during my absence, did Johnny behave?"
"Oh, it's a long story! ... You must also tell me about your trip! The horses are beautiful! Did you get them for a good price?"
"Yes, we did. I bought fifteen horses at a good price, once trained, they will sell for twice the price. Son, what happened to Lancer while I was away?"
"You should sit down, Dad, please."
"Sit down? Really? Is the news that bad? Is he all right?" Murdock asked, worried.
"Dad, Johnny is fine, don't worry. I just have a lot to tell you."
Scott took a deep breath and started telling the whole story, he forgot no details, Sam's discovery, his attachment, the children's nonsense, how he was forced to punish Johnny severely, after being challenged , ...
"I decided to adopt her Papa, the papers are on the way, I won't change my mind, even if I have to leave the Lancer ranch, I would but I keep Sam with me!" Scott announced, determined to do as he said.
"How can you think I'm going to let you leave Lancer because of that? Do you want a trip over my lap?" Asked Murdock, teasing. "I raised you to trust me my son!" Of course, your little girl can stay! As if she were mine! There is nothing you could do that I don't accept Scott! I will always be there with you to support you! Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you Dad! I love you!" Scott said, hugging him.
"I love you too, son!" Murdock replied with a hug.
"I haven't told her anything about adoption yet, I'm waiting to be sure when I get the papers."
"Okay, you're right, do you think I should talk to Johnny about how he behaved?"
"You do what you want, but honestly, no, he'll be happy to see you! I assure you that I left an impression on him, Dad. I took off my belt!"
"Yes, he must have really pushed you to the limit!"
"For me, there is no need to come back to it, since then, he has toed the line."
"Okay, I'll talk to him but I won't punish him. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes, it's a good compromise."
"Okay, I can't wait to meet this little girl who won your heart!"
"And she can't wait to meet you! She asked me if I looked like you!"
"So what did you say?"
"By describing you well, she told me that I was talking about myself! I laughed! So yes, she thinks I look like you!"
"Well, two months of travel and here I am a grandfather!"
"Thank you Dad! I appreciate you accepting her!" Scott said lovingly.
Meanwhile, at school, Sam was having problems.
"Where's your homework Samantha?"
"I forgot it, Miss."
"This is the third time this week, girl! What did I say I would do if it happened again?"
"You said you would tell Scott."
"I am going to give you a note and you give it back to me tomorrow signed by your father".
"No."
"You will give this note to your father, Samantha! I do not change my mind!"
And there, Samantha had gone mad!
"No! I don't care! I won't give it to him!" She cried.
"Go to Samantha's corner! I've had enough of your cheek!" The teacher ordered.
"No! You can't force me!"
Miss. Sims thought quickly, she had two solutions, spank her here or send her home! No, it was not up to her to spank her. Knowing Mr. Lancer, she knew that Sam would be severely punished. She added the information about the child's disrespect to the note.
"You are expelled Samantha! You will not come back to school without this signed note or the presence of your father! Johnny, I'm sorry, but you have to go with her, I can't let her go alone at the age of eight."
"I understand "
"I wrote to your brother that you have had no problems, Johnny."
"Thank you Miss. Sims. Let's go Sam!"
"Johnny, let's go swimming and go back home later like we normally do!"
"Are you crazy? No! You already have enough problems! And I remind you that I did nothing wrong! But if I go swimming, instead of obeying the teacher, Scott will have my hide!"
"He will have mine!"
"To be sure! But why did you push the teacher like this? I'm not even sure Scott would have punished you much for not having your homework! He might have put you to bed early, restricted you a bit or added chores but no more! But with that! disrespectful behavior you did? He will kill you!"
"Come on Johnny! Let's go swimming!"
"I told you already, No! We are going straight home!" Said Johnny firmly, his voice leaving no room for discussion! He looked like Scott.
"Okay," she said resignedly.
When the two arrived at the ranch, Johnny grabbed Sam's hand to encourage her and keep her from taking off at the last minute. Then Johnny saw his father's horse and those of the ranch hands.
"What are all of these people doing here?" Samantha asked.
"They live here! They work for us" explained John: "In the cabin with all the beds, remember? I showed it to you! They left with my father! They came back!" John said, delighted!
Johnny pushed the door open, rushed into the house and into his father's office where he thought the man would be.
"Dad? He asked, throwing himself into his arms!
Scott was puzzled, it was too early for the kids to come home from school, but said nothing, watching Johnny explode with joy.
Sam stood at the door, looking at her feet, a guilty look on her face. Scott thought she was shy.
"Come here honey." He said softly. She approached. Hands on her shoulders, Scott placed her in front of him having her back against him.
"Dad, this is Samantha, my little girl." he said.
"Sam, this is my father, Murdock Lancer. You will show him respect and obedience as you did with me."
"Yes sir!"
"Sir?" Scott thought, that is unusual.
"Hello, Miss Samantha! It's great to meet you," said Murdock kindly.
"Hello Mr. Lancer, I am also delighted," she said politely.
She glanced at Scott for his approval which was not lost on Murdock.
Scott nodded, telling her that he was satisfied with her response.
Then Scott returned to "Dad" mode.
"Okay, sit down, both of you!" Scott ordered sternly.
"What are you doing at home at this hour?"
He noticed that Johnny looked him straight in the eye while Sam studied the carpet.
"Give the note to Scott, Sam." Johnny ordered.
Sam took the note from her pocket and handed it to Scott.
Murdock said nothing, he was impressed by the presence and the assurance of Scott. He had never seen him in "Dad" mode! He knew he could be severe with his brother, the child respected him very much.
Scott read the note quickly.
"Samantha, eyes on me!" he said sternly. Even Murdock flinched at his tone of voice. He didn't shout but was extremely stern. "Homework is not done, playing, disrespectful talk, being sassy? So much that Miss Sims couldn't manage without spanking you and had to expell you?! Sam, I want to put you over my knees now! In front of everyone! But I'm too angry! Go to your room! I want you with your nose in the corner!"
Sam fled to her room.
"What about Johnny?" Murdock asked.
"He didn't do anything, he just accompanied Sam, Miss Sims didn't want to let her come alone."
"On the way home, she wanted to go swimming, fortunately I said no, severely."
"You showed your maturity, John, I'm proud of you!" Replied Scott, taking the boy in his arms.
"Johnny, let's go for a walk, this will give Scott some privacy and I would like to talk to you about your behavior while I was away."
Johnny went white, clearly convinced that his father would spank him.
Murdock said nothing, thinking that letting it simmer for a moment would make his point.
Johnny followed his father while Scott, regaining his composure, climbed the stairs to Sam's room. He knocked and entered, closing the door behind him.