While they were waiting for Reverend Long to get the buggy from the parsonage, Ben introduced Cat to some of the people at church, and their children. She was about to ask if she could go and get Roy when Mr. Harris and Mitchell walked up to them. The two men greeted each other and Mr. Harris said, "Mitchell has something to say to you Ben."

"I'm sorry that I was rude to you Mr. Cartwright. I won't do it again."

"I accept your apology Mitchell. I truly hope that you keep your word and are never disrespectful to an adult again."

"Mitchell, you still owe Mr. Cartwright's daughter an apology," said his father.

"I ain't apologizing to no girl."

"Mitchell, we discussed this yesterday and this morning. You owe Miss Cartwright an apology."

"I ain't never apologizing to no girl!"

"Ben, I'm sorry about my son's behavior. It seems that he and I need to have another necessary discussion in the barn when we get home. Let's go Mitchell. I am very disappointed with you. You are in a lot of trouble. It will be several days before you can sit down comfortably and you won't be leaving the ranch without your mother or myself until school starts. If your behavior doesn't improve by then, one of us will be accompanying you to school and picking you up after it lets out."

After Mr. Harris and his son left, Ben noticed Paul and Virginia Martin and Dr. Johnson coming toward him. He greeted them and invited them to join the picnic, telling them that Hop Sing had packed enough food to feed Hoss for a week. Both men said that they would love to join the picnic. Paul noticed Cat standing next to Ben and couldn't resist teasing her a little bit. "Ben, where is Catherine? I was positive you would bring her to church today. I've looked all over and can't find a little girl wearing buckskins anywhere. Who is this little girl standing next to you? I know it's not Cat because Cat doesn't wear dresses." Paul picked Cat up, hugged her, and told her how cute she looked in her dress. "You are cute as a button in that dress and sunbonnet. What will it take to get you to wear dresses all the time?"

"I'll wear dresses all the time if I can have chocolate cake for breakfast, dinner, and supper every day."

Everyone had a good laugh. "You are a little scamp," said Dr. Johnson reaching over for a hug. "You would get sick if you had chocolate cake for every meal every day. You need meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains like the flour that is in bread." Dr. Johnson told everyone that Dr. Martin had agreed to let his Godson be his apprentice when the young man finished medical college.

Mr. Miller walked up, handed Cat's gloves to her and told her to try them on. "I made them a little big because you're still growing. This way, they should last you a few months before you need new ones." Cat tried the gloves on and thanked Mr. Miller for them. "You're welcome Cat. I enjoyed making them for you. Ben, Paul, I'll see you on Tuesday night."

"What is happening on Tuesday night?" asked Reverend Long who had just driven up in the parsonage buggy.

"The school board is meeting at seven thirty. You are more than welcome to join us. We would appreciate a blessing before starting the meeting and any insights you have to offer."

"Thank you for the invitation. I would love to attend your school board meeting and learn about the issues you are dealing with regarding the children. Joanne, I brought a blanket and your shawl for the picnic. Ben, if you and the Ingalls are ready to leave, Joanne and I are also ready."

"We're just about ready," said Charles. "My girls and Catherine are using the outhouse and then we'll be ready to leave." The girls returned and the Cartwrights got into their buggy. Then Charles started handing his girls to Adam, Hoss, and Joe.

Mrs. Long looked at the overfull buggy and said, "Ben, I think you're going to need a bigger buggy with your huge family."

"You're right Joanne. With this crowd, I'm going to need a carriage larger than the president's. Alright, everyone is in and settled. As soon as you and your husband are ready, we can go to our picnic spot."

Everyone had fun at the picnic. All of the adults remarked how cute Cat was wearing her hat over her sunbonnet. The girls played with Cat's ball for a while. Laura and Mary had brought their skipping ropes and shared them with Cat. The adults talked while the girls played. Ben invited the Longs, the two doctors, Virginia Martin, and Roy to the picnic at Lake Tahoe the following Saturday. He told everyone to bring their swimming clothes and fishing poles.

When the food had been eaten and everything cleaned up, everyone started for home. Cat was allowed to ride with the Ingalls girls in their parents' wagon, which she thoroughly enjoyed. They stayed at the Ingalls long enough to drink another glass of cider and started for home. Just as Ben was about to turn the team out of the Ingalls' yard, Cat cried out. "Stop please. I forgot to give Laura's sunbonnet back to her." Ben stopped the buggy, Adam helped Cat get out and she ran to the Ingalls' door and knocked on it. Charles answered, she handed him the bonnet and said, "I almost forgot to give this back to Laura. Please tell her thank you again for letting me use it." Charles thanked her for returning the bonnet and said he would give Laura the message. Cat ran back to the buggy and climbed over Adam before he had time to get out.

"Cat, you should have given me a minute to get out. I would have helped you into the buggy."

"That's ok Adam. It was more fun to climb over you." Cat's comment got both Hoss and Joe laughing loudly.

"I guess she told you older brother," said Joe. "I'm going to have to teach little sister more ways of making you crazy." Adam just ignored his brother.

Ben turned the horses and then handed the reins to Cat. "When we get home, change your clothes and then we'll all go out to the pasture to have another look at your colt."

"He doesn't push me or butt me with his head any more. He even lets me put a blanket on him now. I just wish he was old enough for me to ride."

Ben hugged his daughter. "I know you do Sweetheart. It's hard waiting for something you really want. In a way, I'm glad he's not old enough for you to ride. If he were, you would be two years closer to being grown up and I want to keep you as my little girl for as long as I possibly can. I tried with your brothers but they grew up despite my best efforts. Maybe I'll have better luck with you."

Cat giggled. "You're funny. You can't keep someone from growing up. You can't, can you Adam?"

"No Cat. You can't keep someone from growing up no matter how much you want to. And you can't make someone or something grow up faster either, no matter how much you want to."

"Oh. I was hoping that if I took some of Hop Sing's food and gave it to Fury, he would grow up faster."

Adam hugged his sister. "Cat I'm going to tell you something I've already told you several times. You are a silly little girl. Horses don't eat people food."

"That's not fair. I want Fury to grow up faster so I can ride him sooner. I like Ginger, but Fury is my horse and I should be able to ride him if I want to."

"I'm sorry Kitten," said Ben. "Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. You're just going to have to wait for Fury to grow up. You should be able to ride him around your eleventh birthday."

"Remember," added Hoss. "Even though you're just a little bitty slip of a thing, if you try and ride that colt before he's old and strong enough, you will hurt him and never be able to ride him."

"Well, what about if I sleep with him and hug him all night?"

"Sorry Cat," said Joe. "I tried that with Cochise and it didn't work. I just had to wait until he grew up."

"But I don't want to wait until I'm eleven. That's almost two years from now. I'll be all grown up and Fury won't know who I am."

Ben hugged her. "Adam is right. You are a silly girl. You won't be all grown up in only two years and Fury will always know who you are. Now, let's go, change clothes and then see that colt of yours."

The family walked out to the pasture where the mares and foals were kept. Once again, Ben, Adam, and Joe were surprised to see Fury leave Lady and run to Cat. She showed them how he would let her put a blanket on him and instead of pushing her or butting her with his head, the colt put his head on her shoulder. She kissed his nose, reached one arm around his neck and hugged him. "You've done a very good job with him so far," said Ben. "Now we need to show you something else he's going to need to know. Eventually, Fury is going to need shoes and you are going to need to clean his feet. So we're going to show you how to teach him to let you pick his feet up. Watch what Joe does with Lady and do the same thing with Fury."

Joe put one of his hands on one of Lady's legs and gently ran it down to her foot. "Alright Cat, it's your turn. Don't worry about trying to pick one of Fury's feet up yet. Right now, you just want him to get used to you touching his legs. Just go slowly and if he runs off, don't chase him. Just stay where you are and let him come back to you." Cat followed Joe's example. Fury wasn't thrilled about her touching his legs and ran off. "That's ok Cat. Just wait for him to come back to you and try one more time. When Fury came back, Cat tried touching his leg again and he ran off again. Joe could tell that she was disappointed and hugged her. "Don't worry about it Cat. Just do that once or twice a day and he'll be letting you pick his feet up before you know it. All you have to do is go slow like you did when you introduced the blanket to him. Don't forget, he's still a baby and everything is new to him. That's why you have to go slow."

"Ok. I just want him to hurry and grow up so I can ride him."

"I understand. I felt the same way when Cochise was a baby. I tried everything I could think of to get him to grow up faster. I even fed him way too much but all that did was give him an upset stomach. You know what else happened?"

"No, what?"

"Adam and Hoss laughed at me."

"They did?"

"Yes, they did. Our brothers thought it was funny that I overfed my colt trying to make him grow up faster."

"I did that with Spot when I first got him."

"Oh, why did you do that?"

"Because he was a pony and I wanted him to grow up to be a big horse."

"What happened?"

"Little Bear scolded me because Spot was getting fat."

"Well, I guess that means you won't be feeding Fury too much will you?"

"No. I don't want you, Adam, and Hoss laughing at me."

"Good, because you know that we would. Now, we've got time for a short ride before supper. Will it just be you and me or shall we ask Pa and our brothers to join us?"

Cat thought about the question for a minute and said, "Well, I want it to just be us, but I guess we should ask them too."

"Why?"

"Because it's not polite for us to tell them we're going riding and not ask them if they want to go. Uncle Matt always tells me I have to be polite even when I don't want to."

Joe hugged her and said, "Pa always says that to us too, so I guess we'll ask them."

"I'm going to tell Adam that I want to ride Sport."

"Ok. If you want to, but I would suggest that you ask him if you can ride his horse. I know for a fact that if you tell him you want to, he won't let you. Well, let's go and see if they want to join us and remember, you need to ask Adam if you can ride Sport. I know that you don't want him getting angry at you for being rude, now do you?"

"No, I don't want Adam mad at me."

"That's good because if you're rude to Adam, Pa won't let you go riding and you'll probably have to spend time standing in the corner remembering how to be polite."

"Yuck! I hate having to stand in the corner. Uncle Matt made me do it a lot."

"Well then, be polite and ask Adam. Then you won't be in trouble."

They walked up to the rest of the family and Cat said, "Little Joe and I are going riding. Do you want to come with us?"

"That sounds like fun," said Hoss. "I don't know about Pa or Adam but I want to come with you."

Ben and Adam said that they would enjoy going for a ride also. "Adam, can I please ride Sport?" asked Cat.

"What's wrong with Ginger?"

"She's small and I want to ride a big horse since Fury is too little for me to ride. I'm tired of always having to ride a small horse. Even Mark's Blue Boy is bigger than Ginger and he's only two."

"Alright, you can ride Sport, but no jumping any mountains higher than five miles until Fury is big enough so I can jump him over a mountain that's ten miles high like you did with Sport the last time I let you ride him."

"Ok. I promise. I won't jump Sport over any mountain that's bigger than five miles high."

"Good. Now let's get our horses saddled." Adam picked Cat up and put her over his shoulder and carried her into the barn with her giggling the whole way. "Alright Cat," he teased. "You want to ride him, so you can saddle him." He quickly saddled a different horse and watched to see what Cat would do. Ben and Joe joined him, curious to see how the youngest member of the family would handle the challenge.

Cat put Sport's saddle blanket on him and then tried to put the saddle on him. After several unsuccessful attempts, she walked over to Hoss and asked, "Hoss, can you please help me? Adam says I need to saddle Sport since I'm going to ride him but I'm not big enough to put the saddle on him. Can you please pick me up so I can put Sport's saddle on him?"

"Shore thing little sister. You pick up the saddle and I'll hold you up so you can put it on Sport." Cat picked Sport's saddle up off the ground and then Hoss picked her up and held her high enough so she could put the saddle on the horse. Once that was done, Hoss pretended to drop her, causing her to start giggling. He set Cat down and she tried reaching under the horse to get the cinch strap. When she couldn't reach, she crawled under Sport, grabbed the strap and crawled back.

Once Cat had the saddle cinched, she walked in front of Sport and said, "Alright horse, you and I need to have a little talk. When I have to saddle you, I want you to get really small so I can put the saddle on you. Then when I need to cinch the saddle, I want you to get really skinny so I can grab the cinch strap without having to crawl around in your stall on my hands and knees. Once I've got the saddle on you and the cinch strap in my hand, you can go back to being your normal size." She kissed Sport's nose and hugged his head. "You know that I love you so you have to help me out here. If you don't, I'm going to have to keep riding little horses and ponies until I get as big as Hoss and I don't ever want to get that big." The rest of the family quietly led their horses out of the barn so they wouldn't stand there and laugh at Cat. She soon realized that she was the only one left in the barn so she led Sport outside and walked up to Adam. "Would you please check the cinch for me? I got it as tight as I could, but I don't think it's tight enough."

"I'll be happy to check it for you. We can't have the saddle falling off, now can we. You would look very funny riding in the saddle with it hanging underneath. In fact, maybe I will leave the cinch loose. I don't think I've ever seen anyone riding in a saddle that's hanging upside down under a horse."

"I don't think that's a good idea son," said Ben. "Cat is so hard headed, if the saddle is too close to the ground, she will put holes in it if she hits her head. We don't need extra holes in the ground for horses to step in. He walked up to Cat, put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I am very proud of you. Adam told you to do something that was too hard for you but you tried to do it anyway. When you couldn't do it, instead of asking someone to do it for you, you asked for help. That is what being part of a family is all about. We help each other out. Sometimes it means doing something for someone else and other times it means helping them do something they can't do by themselves. You can always ask any of us for help with something that's too difficult for you to do alone and I always want you to ask one of us to do something that's too dangerous for you to do. Well, it looks like Adam has that cinch tight, so let's go for our ride before it gets too late. We don't want Hop Sing angry at us for being late for supper."

Cat walked up to where Adam was holding Sport. "You did a good job tightening the cinch Cat. It was just a little bit loose. Once you're a little bigger and stronger, you won't need any help at all getting it tight. Now, let's get you into the saddle so I can adjust the stirrups for you."

The family rode out of the yard a few minutes later. Part way into their ride, Cat urged Sport into a canter and then a gallop. Joe watched her and then rode up next to his father. "She's an excellent rider. Even though Sport is too big for her, she has complete control of him. Watching her, I find myself wishing that Fury was big enough for her to ride. I can't wait to see what she does with him."

"I agree son. Your sister is doing an excellent job for a nine year old. I just hope she doesn't take too many chances while she's on horseback. She has a lot of her mother in her and there were too many times when Kate was reckless." He watched as Cat rode Sport around a large fallen tree. "Just so you're aware, Cat loves to jump everything she can, including fences, when she's riding. The only reason she went around that tree is because all of us are here. If she was alone, she would have jumped it. I have talked with her about what happened to your mother. If you catch your sister being unsafe on horseback at any time, make her ride with you and bring her to me immediately. She isn't afraid of anything and I don't want to see her end up like your mother.

"You know, Cat is an excellent rider. How about letting her ride Star when she's with one of us and she can ride Ginger when she's alone? Star is bigger than Ginger but not as big as Sport." Joe caught a movement out of the corner of his eye, turned his head and started laughing. "Look at those two puppies. They're barely four months old and they're trying to keep up with Sport. I think that when they grow up, they're going to try and keep Cat from doing dangerous things. I also think they will try and protect her from danger."

"That is an excellent idea. Catherine can ride Star when she's with any of us and Ginger when she's alone. That way she won't feel as though we're treating her like a little child. I agree about her puppies as well. From what I was told, Silver Chief attacked Little Bear's wife's father when he adopted her at the wedding ceremony. Well, we had better start heading back for the house. You know how upset Hop Sing gets when we're late for meals."

When they got back to the barn, Hoss helped Cat down off Sport and she led the horse into his stall and began to unsaddle him. Adam walked up and said "Cat, I'll take care of Sport. Why don't you take care of Star? He's not as tall as Sport and it will be easier for you to unsaddle him."

During supper, Ben said, "Catherine, Little Joe was watching you ride Sport today and he made an excellent suggestion. We know that you don't like riding Ginger because she is a small horse. So, as of right now, when you are going to be riding with any adult, you will be allowed to ride Star. He's bigger than Ginger but not as big as Sport. Until I tell you differently, when you are alone, you will still have to ride Ginger. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but that's the way things are going to be until I say otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," said Cat quietly. She didn't want to have to keep riding a small horse but was afraid to say so because she didn't want Ben to change his mind about letting her ride Star.

Joe caught her mood, gave one of her braids a playful tug and said, "It's not that bad Cat. You'll be riding with one of us most of the time, so you'll only have to ride Ginger when you go to school or to see Mary and Laura. Being able to ride a bigger horse most of the time is better than having to ride a small one all the time, isn't it?"

Cat thought about what Joe said for a minute and then said, "Yes it is."

"Good. Because Star is almost as fast as Cochise, so you and I can have some races."

Cat smiled. "That would be fun."

"Yes it would. Now you need to finish eating or Hop Sing won't let you have any dessert and I know that dessert is your favorite part of the meal."

While Hop Sing was serving dessert, Ben said, "Cat, Adam told me that you finished our book last night. So before you go to bed, you're going to need to pick another book for us to read. The rest of the books we bought in Denver should be here tomorrow or Tuesday and then you'll have a lot of books to choose from. Adam might be able to help you pick one that you'll enjoy."

After supper, Cat helped Hop Sing clear the table. Then she and Adam went to look at the two books she brought with her from Denver as well as his books. Cat picked up King Arthur and said "What is this one all about Adam?"

"It's all about a very good king and his knights. I think that you'll like it."

"Ok. I'll read a few chapters and if I don't like it I'll find a different one."

"I think that's a very good idea. Now, why don't you put this book on your night table and then if you'll carry my guitar downstairs, I'll play for a while before you go to bed."

When Ben noticed Cat starting to yawn, he sent her to bed. Once she had changed into her nightgown, she opened her bedroom door. A few minutes later, her brothers and Hop Sing came in to say goodnight. When all four of them had gone back downstairs, Ben went upstairs to read with Cat and tell her goodnight. He picked the book up from the night table, looked at the title and said, "King Arthur. I haven't read this since Joe was about your age. Knowing how much you love adventure, I think you're going to enjoy this book." He sat down on the bed, put his feet up and opened the book.

"Pa," said Cat.

"Yes?"

"You have your boots on the bed. You fussed at me when I put my moccasins on the bed, so I don't think you should have your boots on the bed either."

Ben looked at her, smiled and hugged her. "Do you know what you just called me?"

"No."

"You called me Pa. I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me. This is one of the happiest days of my life. Until now, I have always been Uncle Ben but now I am your papa. That makes me just as happy as when I fell in love and married my three wives and when each of my sons was born. If it weren't eight o'clock at night, I would have a big party just to celebrate the fact that you have now accepted me as your papa instead of just as your uncle. I have to believe that your parents are up in heaven and very happy knowing that you finally have what you have always deserved and needed, a home and a family. I'm sure that you have already figured out that we don't always agree on everything and sometimes we quarrel but the one thing we always have is love for each other. Even when your brothers have disobeyed me and gotten into trouble for it, I never stopped loving them. It is the same with you. None of us are perfect and I know that you will break the rules, and I will have to punish you for it. However, I will never, ever stop loving you. Now, as far as my boots on the bed goes, you are one hundred percent correct. I can't very well expect you to follow the rules I set if I don't follow them too. So, I will take my boots off and then we will begin reading about King Arthur and his knights."

"I'm glad that you're my Pa now, but do I really have to have three big brothers? Can't you trade one of them in on a sister for me?"

Ben laughed and, having taken his boots off, put his feet back up on the bed and hugged Cat again. "You are silly. Which one of your brothers do you want me to trade in?"

"Adam. Joe says he's bossy."

"I'll tell him that when I go downstairs and I'll tell him to try and not be so bossy. I can't guarantee that it will work, but I will tell him. Now, it's getting late. Let's read a chapter in your book and then you and your puppies need to go to sleep."

After tucking Cat and her puppies in and blowing out the lamp, Ben walked back downstairs, grinning from ear to ear. Hop Sing had just brought a fresh pot of coffee into the living room and looked up when he heard Ben coming downstairs. "What up. You grinning like cat who ate canaly. What happened to Missy Cat?"

"Well Hop Sing, I'll tell you. That little girl called me Pa for the first time and it makes me just as happy as when I fell in love and married my wives and when my sons were born."

"I think this calls for a toast," said Adam walking over to the wine cabinet. He picked out a bottle of wine and grabbed five glasses. "Joe, come and give me a hand with these glasses. I don't want to drop any of them." Adam and Joe carried the wine and glasses back to the living room and Adam filled a glass for everyone, including Hop Sing.

"Well," said Ben. "What shall we drink to?"

"Our little sister," said Hoss.

"She finally feels like she's part of the family," said Joe.

"Alright then," said Ben. "To Cat!"

"Hop Sing make Missy Cat favolite bleakfast tomorrow. Flapjacks with strawbellies, bacon, eggs, and sausage! We have big celeblation at bleakfast!"

"Thank you Hop Sing. I'm quite certain that Catherine will appreciate you making her favorite breakfast for her. Oh, by the way, Adam, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you."

"Oh, what is that?"

"Your sister asked me to trade you in on a sister for her. It seems that your youngest brother told her that you were bossy and she doesn't want a bossy brother. I told her that I would tell you not to be so bossy."

Hop Sing, Hoss, and Joe could not contain their laughter. "I guess she told you older brother," laughed Joe. "Either you stop being so bossy or you get traded in for a girl."

"Little Joe right. Adam not be bossy to Missy Cat like he do Little Joe. Only Mr. Ben and Hop Sing allowed be bossy to Missy Cat! If Adam be bossy to Missy Cat, Hop Sing use wooden spoon on him!" All four Cartwright men started laughing at Hop Sing's statement.

I'm going to take Cat to town in the morning. I forgot to buy sunbonnets for her and it looked to me like her shoes are getting too tight, so I'll see if we can find any that fit her. After dinner, I'll let her ride out and help the three of you. It's getting late, so I suggest the three of you turn in. I'll be up shortly." Ben spent a little bit of time writing in his journal then put it away, blew out the lamp and went upstairs. He looked in on Cat and covered her up again then went into his own room.

The next morning, Cat was surprised to see her favorite breakfast being served. "Wow, flapjacks with strawberries, bacon, eggs and sausage. Yummy! That's my favorite breakfast. It's almost as good as chocolate cake. Thanks Hop Sing."

"Missy Cat welcome. Now eat lots and grow big like Hoss. You too skinny and need to eat more."

Cat laughed. "I don't want to get as big as Hoss. Little girls aren't supposed to be as big as men."

"Hop Sing no care. Now eat."

"You're not going to win that argument Cat," said Joe. "I've been hearing it ever since I was old enough to eat solid food."

After breakfast, Ben said, "Cat, you and I are going to town this morning to get some sunbonnets and new shoes for you. Then after dinner, you can go and help your brothers."

After Cat spent some time with Fury, she and Ben rode into town. Mr. McLeod was surprised to see them back so soon. "Good morning Ben and Cat. What can I do for you today?"

"Good morning George. It seems that I forgot to buy some sunbonnets for Cat on Saturday and yesterday, I noticed that her shoes seemed too tight."

"Well, we can fix both of those problems. Cat, why don't you look at the sunbonnets and I'll ask my wife how many she thinks you'll need. Then we'll see about finding some shoes for you." Cat walked over to look at the sunbonnets and Mr. McLeod returned a few minutes later. "My wife says that you're going to want at least four of those, so pick out four or more that you like and then we'll see about some bigger shoes for you."

Once Cat had her shoes and sunbonnets picked out, she and Ben walked down to the Sheriff's office to say hello to Roy. Dinner was ready by the time they got home. After dinner, Cat rode out with her brothers to mend fences. After teaching her how to use a hammer and nails, they let her pound the last nail on each fence post. She bent quite a few nails but her brothers just laughed and handed her another nail. They had to replace two broken fence posts and Cat begged her brothers to lay both of them down on the ground together so she could jump Star over them. "Why do you want to do that?" asked Joe.

"'Cause that way I can jump a fence without getting in trouble."

All three of her brothers laughed and lay the fence posts next to each other on the ground. After Cat had jumped Star over them four times, Hoss said, "Ok Punkin. You done jumped them four times. That's enough. We've got to get them in the ground and finish up here so's we're not late for supper."

"When we get home, I'm going to tell Pa that I built a whole fence all by myself and then I jumped Star over it four times.

Cat's brothers looked at each other, trying hard not to laugh at their sister. "You go right ahead and do that little sister," said Hoss. "Then Pa will know what a big help you are."

When they finished mending the fence, Hoss put all of the tools back in the wagon and they headed for the yard. When they got home, Adam asked Hoss to put Sport in the barn for him so he could talk to their father. He walked into the house and found Ben sitting in his favorite chair reading a book. Ben greeted him and Adam said, "Pa, just play along with whatever Cat says and we'll explain later. She had a good time and I don't want to spoil her mood because you got upset by what she says we let her do."

"Alright son. I trust the three of you and know that you would never allow her to do anything dangerous, so I'll play along with whatever your sister says."

"Thanks Pa. Now, I'd better go back out and take care of Sport before Cat notices I'm not out there. I don't want her to think I told you what she's going to say."