Charlie was sitting at the dining table, with her school work, when Teresa began carrying glasses and a pitcher of water

to set in the center.

"Time to set the table," she said.

"Okay," Charlie said, as she kept writing furiously.

"What are you working on so intently?" Teresa asked, pausing to look over Charlie's shoulder.

"It's an essay-we have to write who we think had more of an influence on writing the Declaration of Independence."

"Sounds interesting," Teresa said. "It's time to set the table, though," she said, again, heading back to the kitchen.

"Mmm," Charlie said, in answer, erasing a word she'd just written.

"Charlie, gather your things up and help Teresa," Murdoch said, appearing at the doorway.

At his firm tone, Charlie looked up from her writing. "Yes, sir," she said, and moved to do as he said. She carried her

books into the library, and then went to the kitchen to gather up plates and silverware.

Supper was one of Charlie's favorites. Pork chops, with baked potatoes, and corn on the cob.

Scott passed Charlie the butter, smiling at her, as Murdoch asked about her school essay. Charlie began slathering butter

on her potato, and explained that the students were to write whether Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin, in their own opinions,

who had the more influence.

A discussion broke out after that, and Murdoch asked Charlie questions. Where the students were to get the information to make the decision and other things.

After supper, when the dishes were cleared from the table, everyone helped with the washing up. It was light and more fun than work,

and in a way, Charlie was sorry to see the last plate washed and put away in the cupboard.

Scott folded and laid down one of the drying towels, and then set his hands on Charlie's shoulders from behind, and said,

"Let's take a walk," to her.

Charlie followed Scott out the back door, as he said, "We'll be back after a bit," to Murdoch and Teresa.

Once outside, Scott looked at Charlie and held out a hand. Charlie took it, tucking her hand into his larger one.

They walked. Scott chose the direction of the creek, and when he was mostly quiet on the walk down, Charlie studied his profile. She

wished there wasn't any big thing that he wanted to talk about with her, and wished instead, that they were just out walking together,

enjoying each other's company. It weighed what could be a very happy moment down. To have Scott all to herself, with his

total attention, that would be, to Charlie, one of the best things.

She kept looking up at Scott, studying him. Scott caught her at it, and said, "What, kiddo?"

"I wondered when we were gonna start talking," Charlie said, feeling anxious.

"I thought we'd come down here where it's real quiet, and sit on the rocks for a while," Scott said.

"Oh," Charlie said, sounding unsure.

At the creek now, Scott sat on a rock on the ledge overlooking the creek. He gave the spot beside him a pat.

"Sit down here with me," he said.

Charlie sat, her eyes on his face.

"Is the bank board talking again about boarding school?" Charlie asked, with worry evident in her tone.

"No, it's nothing like that," he said.

"I'm worried, though, Scott," Charlie told him, and at that, Scott's looked regretful.

"Oh, Charlie," he said. "I had no intention of making you fret. I should know better by now." He reached out to brush back

a loose curl from her face. "It's nothing at all to worry about," he said. "Just a small thing."

"It must not be too small," Charlie said, in contradiction. "If it was, you would have just told me about it when I got home. We wouldn't

have had to come down here just to talk about whatever it is."

At that statement, correct though it might be, Scott raised an eyebrow just slightly.

"A bit sassy there," he said.

"I didn't mean to be," she said.

Scott doubted that was true, but he decided to let it pass.

"Alright. Well, I got a letter yesterday. From your aunt," Scott said, in beginning. Instantly, Charlie's face became a scowl. And Scott remembered

that Charlie quite disliked for Katherine to be referred to that way. As her aunt.

"Katherine," he amended, correcting himself. "She wants to come on Saturday for a visit. For the day."

"Just for the day?" Charlie asked, looking suspicious.

"Yes. For the day."

"Why?" Charlie asked, already feeling distressed.

"I assume it's because she wants to see you," Scott said.

Charlie gave a scoffing noise, one of disbelief. "No," she said, shaking her head.

Deciding he'd better get a handle on what he saw happening, Scott spoke in a firm tone. "Charlie," he said, in a warning manner.

Charlie wanted to answer him in a flippant way, but knew she must not. She gave him, instead, a wide-eyed look.

"You lived with her for a long time. I know it wasn't the best for you, but it is possible that she might have some regrets about

all of that. It's also possible that she would like to see and visit with you," Scott said.

Charlie doubted that. She did. But, instead of saying so outright, she said, instead, "Maybe it's a trick, though, and she's trying to

get me to come back to Stockton or something like that."

Scott gave her a steady look meant to convey his doubt. "I don't believe that to be the case. In fact, I'm certain of it."

"It could be, though," Charlie said, stubbornly. "She only does things if it suits her in some way."

"So you have no faith in me? Is that it?" Scott asked.

Instantly, Charlie looked horrified. "No, Scott! I do have faith in you!" Tears lurked in those large brown eyes then.

Scott had known she'd react that way, and come to his immediate defense. He'd banked on it. To shock her out of her wild

imaginings. Still, he was sorry for those tears.

He reached out, and pulled her into his side. He tucked her head under his chin.

"I have faith in you," Charlie said, again, tearfully.

"Well, that's a relief," Scott said, lightly. "Now, I'm going to talk a couple minutes and I want you to listen. Alright?"

Charlie gave a nod against his chest, and Scott said, "The letter said she'd like to see how you're getting along, your progress at

school, and that sort of thing. She'll come on the morning stage, and come out here to the ranch. We'll have a meal for her, like we've

done in the past. She'll stay for a while to visit. We'll all be polite to her-" at this Scott gave Charlie a nudge in her side, in a bit of

teasing, "and that includes you. And, then, when she's done visiting, one of us will take her back into town, and she'll spend the

night at the hotel, and then leave the next morning on the stage."

He moved Charlie back a bit to look at her face. "Nothing to get worried about. Alright?"

Charlie nodded. "Alright." Her eyes weren't tearing up any longer, but Scott still felt the upset behind them.

"What?" he asked, quietly.

Charlie shrugged. "Just not the way I want to spend a Saturday," she said, disgruntled.

Again, on the cusp of being sassy. Again, he let it pass.

"I understand that," he said. "But, there's many times in life that we have to do things we'd rather not do. It's a good

lesson to learn early on."

"Alright," Charlie said, sounding still reluctant. She laid her cheek back against his shirt front, fiddling with one of his buttons.

"We should tell her she has to go with us to go fishing at the creek," Charlie said, now sounding amused. "That would be funny," she

said, a giggle escaping. "Watching her trooping thru the mud and all-and putting a worm on her shoe-"

"I don't think she'd enjoy that," Scott said.

"I know," Charlie said, and giggled again. "She'd be disgusted. That's the point."

Strike three. Scott gave her another gentle push up, so that he could look into those huge brown eyes of hers.

"Charlie, I don't like that," he said, sounding quietly severe. At her crestfallen face, he went on, "It may seem as though it would

be funny. But, it wouldn't be kind. And, so, that would make it be not funny."

Charlie studied him, her expression a mixture of regret for displeasing him, and hurt feelings at his reproof.

"Being kind, it's one of the most powerful things in the world, Charlie," he said. "It's never wasted. Any thing that you say, or do, in

genuine kindness will come back to you ten-fold. In ways that you can't even imagine."

Still feeling the sting of his scold, Charlie kept her eyes on his.

"And, the other side of it is-the more unkind you are to someone, to anyone, it changes you as a person. It makes you where you

find it easier and easier to do, once you start. Until you can even be cruel."

"I don't want to be like that, Scott!" Charlie said, in sudden fervor.

"I know you don't," Scott said, his tone gentler. "Because you're a good kid. And, I want you to stay that way, so you can grow into

a woman that knows how to show kindness."

Despite his gentler tone, Charlie felt tearful. "I'll be good while Katherine's here," she said, in promise.

Scott drew her into his side. "That's my girl," he said, and, just like that, everything was alright again.

L