Adventure in San Francisco

By BJ Carter

Rated: PG

Warning: Ben spanks an adult woman in this story. Don't read if this bothers you.

The boys and Pa continue their stay at the Baker Girls' house in San Francisco. The start of the Cartwright investments in timber contracts. How to get in trouble with out really trying. It was Sunday evening, the Cartwrights and Bakers had just finished supper and were sitting in the parlor. It had been a great three days since Thanksgiving. Most important was that everyone had stayed out of trouble and had a good time ta boot. Adam had seen more buildings, books, and even got a tour of the newspaper office, thanks to a friend of Lesley's who was a reporter. Hoss had went to a thing called a zoo, he had seen animals that he had only heard of from Pa, ate more things than he could name that he had never had before, and most of all got to spend a lot of time with Em. Little Joe was in awe of every thing, even a pirate ship that had been captured by the authorities and pulled in, he and Lee had been everywhere they were allowed and a few they weren't, but managed to get back home before getting caught. Ben had made several contacts about timber contracts and was all set to work out the details thru the next week. Lesley had been taking all of them places during the evenings. San Francisco was a city that had a little bit of everything to offer, opera, theater, and even one afternoon at a circus.

Ben had settled back with his Bible, Lesley her needlework, Alex and Adam with new books, the other four were playing a board game Hopsing had brought them from China town. He took special care to teach them the rules before he went back to stay with his family. He was very happy that the Cartwrights would be staying for at least another week, there was to be a big wedding and a lot of activity was going on in China town. "Joe when that game is over you better get ready for bed." Pa said. "Awe, Pa it's still early, he whined, and I seem to be winning, can't leave the table a winner."

"That expression applies to poker, son, may I ask were you learned it?"

"Ah, don't know, heard it somewhere I guess, Joe answered trying to answer with out giving much information. Truth was he and Lee and been standing near a gaming room on the edge of the water front listening to the gamblers that afternoon and he had heard it just before the owner ran them off.

"Well, I think it is one you can forget, and you still are going to bed, school tomorrow remember?"

"Lee, that applies to you too, I don't want to have to call you more than once to get up, understand?" Lesley said.

Lee looked at her mother, "Ma, all you have to do is write a note that we have company from Nevada, I wouldn't have to go and me and Joe could do a little more sightseeing, after all this is his first trip to San Francisco."

"Joe and I", Adam corrected out of habit, then went back to his book.

"Oh, shut up, you walking dictionary, I was talking to Ma," Lee shot back at Adam, she was still mad at him for acting "in charge" when ever their parents were out. Saturday afternoon, Adam had threatened to smack her once again for her use of a "word" a lady would not say. But before she had a chance to say anything back, Joe had got her away from him. "He may not look it, but he can hit pretty hard Lee, Joe told her, and chances are if he smacks you, your Ma will too."

"LEE, you apologize to Adam this instant, and go to bed," Lesley told her. But Lee made no attempt to do as she was told. "Mr. Cartwright, may I borrow that belt you are wearing?" Lee looked at her mother, but she wouldn't back down. Ben took off his belt and handed it to Lesley, then proceeded to sit back down and pick up his Bible like nothing was happening. Lesley walked over to the chair Lee was sitting in, "Would you like to do as I ask now, or after I spank you?"

Lee swallowed hard, looked at Joe, all he could do was give her a "I told you so" look and shook his head. Lee got up and walked over to Adam, who had put his book down on his lap to observe the story unfolding in the parlor. "I'm sorry."

Then she went back over and sat down in the chair. Her mother turned and started back to sit down where she had been, but out of the corner of her eye she caught Lee stick her tongue out at Adam. Lesley whirled around and grabbed Lee by the ear, out of the chair she came and Lesley pushed her right over the table. She didn't come back up for a while. "Now young lady you can go to bed." This time Lee started to her room in a hurry, but she stopped just as was about to leave the room, turned and said "GOOD NIGHT!" Her mother turned back towards her and she ran up the stairs to her room.

Lesley walked back over to Ben, handed him his belt, "thank you, keep this handy will you."

"I always do, Ben answered as he looked around the room all eyes were looking at him, I never know when I may need it."

Joe decided it was bedtime, "Good night everyone."

***

The school building was the biggest Joe had ever seen, must have been 50 kids playing out side. Ben and Lesley had driving the two of them to school. Ben wanted to meet with the teacher and explain the reason for Joe being in their school. "It will be a privilege to have him Mr. Cartwright, Miss Pringle had told him, we often get visitors and they are always welcome, if they behave themselves."

"Joseph knows how to behave, I can promise you that, but if he doesn't he also knows the consequences for his actions. Don't you son?"

"Yes sir," Little Joe answered as politely as possible.

"You and Lee have a good day, we will see you this afternoon." with that Pa and Lesley left for their first meeting in the city.

It was the first time they had been alone since yesterday. Joe told her he was sorry that she got spanked, but he had warned her about dueling with Adam. "It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't done it in front of everyone, she said, but sooner or later I will get even, I always do."

"I wish you luck it always seems to backfire on me when I try." Joe said.

About that time the bell rang and everyone started into the classrooms.

As Ben and Lesley pulled away from the school, he asked her, "how many hours do you give them before they are in trouble again?"

"That kinda sounds like betting to me Mr. Cartwright, now you wouldn't want me to tell Joe about that would you?"

Ben just laughed, "No I certainly would not. By the way I am sorry about last night, Adam has been correcting Joe's and Hoss's grammar for so long I am afraid it has become a habit. I will speak to him about it tonight."

"No need to do that, Julie had no business talking to him that way when he was only helping. She has a burr under her saddle about something else, and that just seemed to trigger the attack on Adam. But, she does have a desire to try to get even, that is what we have to watch for the next few days. I have tried my best to stop her from revenge, but I haven't succeeded. If she pulls anything in my absence, you have my full blessing to use that belt of your in any way you see fit. I understand you don't think you have the right to punish another person's child, but you are a guest in my house, a parent, and someone whose decisions I respect, so you have my blessing."

"Well, I thank you for the vote of confidence, I promise to use my new powers wisely, might I add that I extend the same blessing to you. But also know that if you see fit to discipline one of my boys, I too will follow up with them. It would be the same as getting in trouble at school. Which if memory serves me is where this conversation started."

They both laughed as Ben pulled to a stop in front of The Canon Shipbuilders Company, Ben's first contact.

**************

Alex and Adam were still in the kitchen when Hoss and Em came back from the stables. "What have you two been up to?" Alex asked.

"Nothing special, just brushing down Cupcake and Pie," Hoss answered. They are beautiful animals. You two got the dishes done yet, though we were going somewhere together this morning?"

"Almost done, but it's you and Adam that are going off together today, Em and I have to go take care of some "woman" business." Alex told him.

"That's Adam and you, Hoss said with a laugh, watch your grammar." He then laughed some more with Em joining him.

"Don't bring that up, I was embarrassed enough, I just have such a habit of correcting Joe, that it comes natural, I started to correct that officer that was sitting behind the desk the other night when we were at the jail. I sure didn't mean to get Lee spanked that's for sure."

"She deserved it, or Ma wouldn't have done it, Em said, after all she has been skirting getting one ever since we got back from Nevada. I am just surprised Ma took it as long as she did. How have you two fared since we have been gone?"

"Adam had about 20 extra chores piled on him once, and Joe almost went to jail, but ended up getting tanned once instead, other than that we have been good boys." Hoss said and grinned.

"Well, good boys, stay out of trouble today, we won't be with you to keep you safe, Alex said to them, come on Em we have to go for those fittings and if we are late the shop owner will be yelling loud enough to be heard in Boston."

"What do you want to do Hoss, Adam asked, looks like we have an open field for the day? Oh and Miss Alex, you try to stay out of trouble too, I won't be there to pull you out of the water this time." She was just about to stick her tongue out, when Em said "that could get you smacked, let's get out of here, now."

Hoss turned to Adam and with a big smile on his face said "lead the way Big Brother, and I will be on your heels."

***

"Mr. Cartwright, I have heard of your Ponderosa Pines, I understand that they grow very tall, straight, and strong, is this the case?"

"Yes, sir, I am proud to say we have some of the best timber in Nevada on our property. If you will give me the size of trees you need to make the tall masts for your ships, I think you will be pleased with what we can offer you."

"I have some buyers that will be in your area the first of the year, I know it is cold during this time of year, but it is the best for picking out the supplies we will be needing when the spring comes and we begin building the new ships that have been ordered."

"I can give you directions to my place, and I would be honored to show your people the timber we grow." Ben told Mr. Canon.

"With the endorsement of Mrs. Baker, and that strong hand shake of your sir, I think we can do business. How about the boards for the building of our ships, as well as the masts, can you supply that too?"

"I will not strip the land sir, but if your needs don't exceed what I feel we can offer you, we can talk deals for enough timber."

This was the same conversation Ben was having for the third time today, he was working hard at making a good impression on the men that would give him the contracts he needed to start making his ranch a major profit venture. It was his home now, but he wanted it to be worth something for his sons future, to build the Ponderosa to the biggest and best ranch in Nevada."

***

Adam and Hoss had just arrived at the docks, "Are you sure we ought to be here Adam? Hoss asked, after all I think we were warned about being down here."

"Hoss, don't act like you haven't been here, Em told Alex and she told me what you have been doing, besides we are not children, we will be careful." They moved through the streets, and in and out areas that put them near the ships anchored there. The sailors were friendly enough, and answered any question they asked. "Hoss just think Pa used to sail on these ships all over the oceans. I am going to do that some day, how about you?"

"No way, I am quite happy just living my life on the Ponderosa, all I need is open air and nature." he answered. "You go have the adventures on the high seas, not me."

It was about noon when they rounded one more corner ran smack into two people who hit them just above waist high. "Julie, Joseph, what are you doing here?" Adam demanded.

"Oh, hi Adam, Little Joe answered, fancy meeting you here. Pa's not with you is he?

"No, and you better be glad he ain't, ah isn't, or you would be standing by supper time. You did not answer my question, what are you doing here?

"Ah, field trip, Lee answered, "now you better let us get back with the group, come on Joe, hurry." With that she grabbed Little Joe's hand and took off toward the other side of the street and down the first alley she saw.

"Did you buy that answer? Hoss asked, I don't think Pa would have."

"I didn't either, Adam answered, and we better start looking for them, if something happens to them and Pa finds out we knew they were here, that belt of his will be getting another work out, and I don't fancy it being used on me".

"Lee!, why did you lie to Adam, you know we are not on a field trip, we were on our lunch break."

"The first think he would do is tell your Pa and my Ma, I didn't want that to happen, did you?"

"No, of course not, but now he is going to tell Pa anyway, and if Pa decides to talk to the teacher, she isn't going to say we had permission to be here. Pa is going to go through the roof. Now is the time I wish pirates would grab me and take me away."

"Great idea, Little Joe, we can go and hide in that pirate ship they just brought into the harbor. Who knows maybe we can sign on as cabin help after it sails. Just think how much trouble Adam is going to be in when we come up missing and he has to tell your Pa he allowed us to be kidnapped by pirates."

"Lee, you are just trying to get even with Adam and all you are going to
get is our backsides tanned where we can't sit for a month. I know Pa, he
ain't gonna buy no pirate story."

"Oh, you just don't know how to tell it, I am older I can explain it to them, anyway they will be so glad to get us back, they wouldn't dare tan us. The only one who is in danger of that is Adam." She laughed and started pulling Little Joe towards the ship.

Women, Joe thought, no wonder Hoss and Adam have such problems with them.

"Lee, I don't think this is such a good idea!" Joe tried to talk to her as she took off to the dock.

"Why not?"

"First of all Pa and your Ma will go straight to the school if we don't come home, second Adam will have to tell them they saw us, and third if we play hooky this afternoon, it won't matter if pirates do kidnap us, Pa will kill us. Does that answer your question?" he answered.

"Well he is going to tell anyway, he always does, so what do you want to do?"

"Let's go back to school this afternoon, if Adam tells Pa, and he goes to school, the teacher will say Adam was wrong we were in school all day."

Lee thought a minute, "it would also make him look like a troublemaker, great idea, let's get back before we are late."

Joe had not though of that, he didn't want to get Adam in trouble, or make him mad, but it was better than what Lee wanted, he would try to fix the rest later.

Adam and Hoss searched for half an hour more, then decided they would just take a look at the pirate ship and get back home before to late. When they got back the girls were already there. "Where have you two been?" Alex asked.

"Looking for our wayward brother and sister." Adam answered, and then relayed the story to them.

"Sounds just like Lee, she knows you have to tell, so then she will be in more hot water with Ma. What are you going to do?"

"Nothing, I learned a long time ago it was better to keep my mouth shut and just let Joe hang himself, it doesn't take long. Right Hoss?"

"Usually not more than a minute." he laughed.

Ben and Lesley went by the school that afternoon just as the two were getting out of class, Joe looked at Lee with a "boy did we pick the right choice" look. "Didn't know you were coming back for us."

"We got through today early thought we would give you a ride, how did you like it son?"

"It was right interestin' Pa, they sure have the books, and different age groups are in different rooms, not like at home for sure."

They rode back to the house, Joe and Lee took the buggy back to the stable and tended the horse while Ben and Lesley went inside.

"Hi, Pa, Adam said as they came in, how did it go with the buyers?"

"Great son, I think we will be shipping timber to the builders by the start of the new year. We have to sit down and start planning the work out a soon as possible. I will need your help. Lesley and I will be going back to confirm some dates and talk to a few more people tomorrow, how was your day?"

"It was ok, oh, just let me know maybe after supper we can work on the details and you can fill me in on what they want." Adam was excited to be included in the planning with his father, he never mentioned the docks or who he and Hoss had seen.

As they were sitting around the dinner table, Lee was getting antsy, no one had said a word about them being at the docks. Finally she couldn't stand it any longer. "I suppose Adam told you about seeing us at the docks today?" All Joe could do was duck his head, girls can be so stupid! Why didn't she keep her mouth shut! But it was too late now.

"No, he hasn't said anything, should he have?" Ben ask looking straight at Lee.

"I guess not."

"Well then Adam, what are you not telling us?"

Adam sighed, "Hoss and I were at the waterfront today looking at some of the big ships, we rounded a corner and ran right into these two, but they took off and we couldn't find them. Nothing else to tell."

"I thought he might make up something, I told him we were on a field trip from school, after all Mr. Cartwright we were at school this afternoon when you got there, not like we were playing hooky or something." Lee said and looked right at Adam.

Ben looked at Lesley. "Lee you sure this was a school trip?"

"Yes, I am sure Ma."

Ben looked at Adam, "Anything to add, like why you two were at the docks? I thought I made it clear no one went down there with out Lesley or myself. You don't know the kind of trouble that can happen on a waterfront. I spent too many years on docks not to know the danger."

"Sorry, Pa, it won't happen again." Adam said, and Hoss nodded his agreement.

"It better not, and I don't appreciate your "sin of omission" not telling me about seeing these two at the docks, was like lying, and that you both know better than. If there is a possibility they were in danger you should have told me. If as it turns out everything was innocent, it can just be forgotten, but what if someone had gotten hurt....see the difference? I think you can both go to your rooms after dinner." This would mean no planning with Pa about the timber, Adam was angry, but knew better than to show it. No point in getting himself in deeper.

Lee was elated, she got Adam back and Hoss as an extra bonus. Joe was sick, the last thing he wanted was to get either of his brothers in trouble.

The next morning Ben dropped the kids at school. Lesley had to go to the office for some business meetings. The other four took their time with breakfast.

"Adam, I am sorry, I could strangle her at times," Em said about Lee. "Most of the time she sails along fine, but every once in a while she stirs the waters."

"It's ok, Em, I was mad at first, but I remembered, "what goes around, comes around". She will go too far, I just hope Little Joe bails out before Pa takes him under along with her. Let's forget it. Now what are we going to do today for fun?"

Hoss and Adam took the girls to find Hopsing. He was so happy to see them he took them all over Chinatown. He introduced them to all of his family, and then to the young couple who were to be wed. Adam told him about Pa and the timber contracts and that they probably would be here at least thru the week. "If family still here on Saturday, big wedding all invited."

"Joe, I still want to look over that pirate ship, don't you?" Lee ask him.

"Sure, how about we go over at lunch again, I doubt if we will run into Hoss or Adam this time after the way Pa lit into them about going to the docks. They are not stupid enough to go back." (I wish I wasn't that stupid either, Joe thought.) The lure of that ship had both of them, so as soon as the bell rang for lunch they were off. Lee was good at getting them in and out of sight until they were on the ship. It was a big, three masted, clipper. They began to play pirate, running all over ship. It was a daydream come true for Little Joe.

Lesley and Ben had seen two more builders, Ben had not been impressed with either of their styles of doing business. "Ben I need to go to the bank and make some changes in some of the office accounts, do you want to go with me, or what would you like to do?"

"To tell you the truth....I want to go look at that pirate ship in the harbor," he said and looked a little sheepish. "Would you mind very much if I went, I can meet you back here about 2:30 and we can pick up the kids and go home."

"Like father like son, Benjamin? Oh, go ahead you big kid, have fun, I will wait for you in front of the Springson Bank. Just don't get lost or in trouble, understand?" And then that laugh.

"Yes, madam." and he hurried off.

Joe had just gone down into the ship. The cabin at the end was very lavish. Must have been the captain's Joe thought. Just think what I can tell Wendell when we get back home. With out warning the ship suddenly rocked to the side, the door slammed shut with a bang. Joe fell over on the bed. After he managed to get up he tried to get the door open, it wouldn't budge. He started to pound on it, no help. Lee ran over and tried to pull it open, but she could not get anywhere with it either. "Joe, I have no choice, I have to get someone to help. I'll be back as quick as I can." Lee hurried off the side of the ship, she hid behind some barrels as two sailors came around the side.

"My captain bought this ship this morning, going to sail her out on the evening tide."

"You better get home and pack then don't have much time a fore she sails."

Lee was about to panic, she took off toward the dock master's office. Maybe he could help and not tell anyone, she had met him once at a social function her Ma had hosted when they first got to town. Good public relations or something like that Ma had said, if you are going to have a shipping company you better know the people you are working with very well."

She was about half a block from the office when she looked up, standing just about 15 feet away was Ben Cartwright! What the hell is he doing here, she thought. Just then he spotted her, "Lee!"

She took off running like the devil himself was behind her. And although it wasn't the devil, probably her worst nightmare was....a mad Ben Cartwright!

Just as she was about to give out, she ran into a policeman. "I am so glad to see you there is a man chasing me, I don't know what he wants can you help me? She was breathing so hard it was almost impossible for her to talk.

"Do you know him miss? the officer asked, have you see him before?"

"He may be the man my mother saw attack a policeman just before Thanksgiving, please help me." About that time Ben came running up.

"Hold it right there mister, we take a dim view about chasing young girls around here," suddenly the officer remember Ben, he was one of the ones who arrested him last week, "can't stay out of trouble can you." He suddenly grabbed Ben and blew his whistle for assistance from another officer.

Ben tried every way he could to get the officers to listen to him, but they told him to be quiet and not to make any fuss this time, or he could be carried back to jail.

All he could do was cooperate. Lee was hiding watching the story unfold. He will talk himself out of this once they get him to the station she thought, now I have to save Joe. Her next problem was just ahead, the dock master was not home.

Adam was driving the buggy and almost ran over Lee as she jumped out at them. "What the hell...."

"I need your help, she said breathlessly, come with me."

"And just why should Adam help you after what you pulled yesterday?" Alex asked.

"It isn't for me it's for Little Joe, he is trapped on the pirate ship, I can't get him out!"

"It couldn't be that you just want to get me back on the dock so you can tell Pa I disobeyed him could it?" Adam asked as he looked in her eyes.

"No, please I am sorry, but Joe is in real trouble."

Lesley had been standing in front of the bank for half an hour, and the good mood she was in was fading fast. "Men, just like little boys, you can't trust them when they start to play, they forget what time it is." She stamped her foot, got in the buggy and started down the street to her home. Wait till he comes looking for me, he will have a long walk home.

The people in the buggy coming toward her looked familiar. "Ma, are we glad to see you," Em hollered. "Joe is in trouble on the docks, we are going to see if we can help."

"Ok, don't panic, Ben is on the docks, somewhere, he can help, too. How do you know about Joe?"

Lee spoke up, "we were at the dock, Ma, and Joe got trapped in the captain's quarters on the pirate ship. I'm soooo sorry, I will make it up to you, I promise, we just have to save Joe."

"The pirate ship is where Ben was going, I am sure he will take care of everything," now she was feeling guilty about getting mad at Ben.

"I don't think so, Lee said in a low voice, I think I saw him get arrested again."

"WHAT!".......EXPLAIN and do it as quick as your mouth can work."

"I saw two police officer taking him off toward town."

"Adam you and Hoss take Lee with you and go save Joe, girls get in the buggy with me, we have to go save Ben, or the San Francisco Police Department, I am not sure which. Hurry!

They did as their mother said, and the boys started to the dock with Lee. "Adam I am sorry I got you in trouble last night, Lee was saying, I just get angry sometimes and when you acted like you know everything, anyway I am sorry."

"I forgive you, but this is not the place to discuss it, we have to save Little Joe."

They pulled up to the waterfront. Adam and Hoss jumped out followed by Lee. As they started to the ship it started moving away from the dock. Adam took off in a dead run, followed close behind by Hoss. Both jumped and landed on the deck of the ship. "Well, I never saw two young men so anxious to become sailors, but welcome aboard mates, next stop Mexico."

Lee was standing on the dock watching the ship move out to sea, "Oh, God, what can I do? They will all be standing in line to see who will kill me first."

"What are your names, mates?"

"Adam Cartwright, sir, but we are not here to join your crew, our little brother is supposed to be trapped in the Captain's quarters below." The captain started down the ladder, sure enough the door would not budge, and he could hear someone on the other side.

It took several minutes to get the door off of its large medal hinges, and free Joe. But finally he came out around the door and was looking right at Hoss. Big tears started to roll down his face, but he did not move. Hoss took two steps and picked him up and gave him a bear hug. "If I didn't know what Pa is going to do to you, I would whack your butt myself," Hoss said, and just squeezed him harder. When he got through it was Adam's turn to hug him.

"Did you say Cartwright? the captain asked, any kin to Benjamin Cartwright?"

"Our Pa," Joe answered for them.

"Well I guess I have to get you back home then, I own him my life, can't very well shanghai his brats now can I?" "DROP THE SAILS, we have to put some passengers off the boat. Can you swim?

Ben could not remember a time he was this angry, he wanted to hit something, throw something, kick something, he didn't know what but he knew he was going to explode if they didn't start listening to him.

About that time, the officer came and opened the door. "Sorry Mr. Cartwright, you can go, we are sorry, it was a mistake."

Ben didn't understand, but out the door he went. Standing out in the Lobby was Lesley and the girls, "Just one laugh and I will be back in that cell, and this time for good cause!" he said to Lesley and he went by and out the door. She smiled, very big, but not a sound came out of her lips.

The boys had just got out of the wet clothes and got back down stairs when the front door opened. In walked Ben Cartwright followed by Lesley and her two older girls. Adam moved over to stand behind one of the chairs in the parlor, he had seen that look and he didn't want to be in his Pa's path. Ben walked up to Little Joe, "Are you ok? Not hurt or anything?"

"No, sir I am fine, Adam and Hoss saved me, I am sorry Pa, real sorry," but the words just faded out at the end.

"Go to you room, I will talk to you later.""

"Julie, you too, now! Lesley said to youngest. Both took off as fast as they could get by everyone and up the stairs.

Alex looked over at Em, "we will start supper, Ma, you boys want to help?"

"Right behind you," Hoss answered and he and Adam started to the kitchen with them.

"Not so fast, boys." Hoss and Adam turned white. Ben suddenly realized what they were thinking. "No, all I want to do is thank you, I love you both, and you saved your brother so thanks, you can give me the details later."

As they started to go on to the kitchen Adam stopped, "Pa do you remember a man named Clancy Scott?" Ben though a minute, "Oh, yeah, redhead sailed with him on a couple of tours. Why?"

"He is the captain of the pirate ship Little Joe was trapped on, he said you saved his life, so he couldn't keep us he had to throw us back!"

"This sounds like quite a story, you can tell it at supper." Ben went up stairs, he had to talk to Joe, not that he wanted to his anger had cooled considerably, but it was a father's job. Lesley went in to help fix supper.

Joe jumped about a foot when Ben walked in. "Pa I was so scared I wouldn't see you or Hoss or Adam again, the tears again started to flow down his face, I didn't know what to do."

"Joseph, if you had waited I was going to take you to see the ship after school today. What made you disobey me?"

"I can't blame Lee totally, Pa, I wanted to go as bad as she did, maybe more, and she said it wasn't hooky if you didn't go to that school anyway, oh, I don't know just being dumb it guess."

"You know I can't let you off for this, you disobeyed me, showed disrespect to Lesley, the teacher at the school, forced your brothers to disobey me by going to the dock to rescue you, and worst of all, if my guess is right, lied about why you were at the dock yesterday when Adam and Hoss saw you, right?"

"Dang it Pa when you say it that way, all I can say is.... over your knee, or over the bed?"

Ben had his belt half off, over the bed son...

Joe couldn't remember a worse tanning, and he knew supper was going to be as painful, but after he had cried all he could, he got up washed his face and eased down stairs, everyone but Lee was at the table. He went over to his place, a large pillow was in his chair, he smiled at Lesley, and eased into the chair.

After supper they all went into the parlor. "Well Adam, you want to try the game Hopsing brought us?"

"Ok, we all can play."

"Oh, by the way Pa, Hopsing said if we were still going to be here Saturday, he wants all of us to go to the wedding, it looks like it is going to be a wingding of a party," Hoss said.

"When did you see him?" Pa asked.

"Adam and I took the girls to Chinatown this morning," Hoss answered. Adam just rolled his eyes, he knew what was coming, even if Hoss didn't.

"You know Lesley, I could have sworn that we told these misfits that the two places they were not to go to with out us was the waterfront and Chinatown."

Hoss just turned a light green.

Ben and Lesley laughed that time. "I don't plan to leave here until at least Tuesday, so I see no reason we can't make the wedding, after all Hopsing is family too." "Oh, is that all right with you, don't want to wear out our welcome?"

"Don't be silly, of course you can stay, you wore out your welcome days ago." Again with the laugh. "By the way Ben, speaking of wearing something out, JULIE, come down here, please."

It took a few minutes, but she came down the stairs slowly, Ben watched her enter the room. "Mr. Cartwright, I know you probably are still mad at me, but, and I don't blame you, but I am sorry. I figure I got punishment coming but I just wanted you to know, Joe didn't start this trouble, I did, she looked over at Little Joe standing by the table they were playing at, sorry Joe, it did kinda snowball didn't it." Joe just nodded, and smiled. "Ok, Ma what every you want."

"Well my dear daughter, you are talking to the wrong parent this time." Lee looked confused, "what are you talking about?"

Lesley turned to Ben, "I told you to keep that belt handy and I also told you I trusted you, after what she did to you, it is only fair you set the punishment."

"I can't do that Lesley, she is your daughter."

"Well if you can't you are letting her off scottfree."

Ben grabbed Lesley's arm and proceeded out into the hall, "I can't punish your daughter."

I seem to recall you saying that after the raft incident you told Adam it wasn't fair for the girls to take all the blame, well the same is true of Joseph this time. You busted his backside for this, and Lee is just as much to blame, more so she got you arrested, or have you forgot?"

"Hell, no, Ben whispered, I have not forgot, but she is YOUR daughter."

"Ben the only way she will learn the lesson I want her to learn is if you do it."

"And what lesson is that?" Ben asked.

"Lee has been my hardest child to cope with since her father's death. It is like since the man of the house died, discipline did too. I have spanked her, you saw it, but it only goes so far. Her father was the only one that could get through to her. Ben I know you are not her father, I don't want to put you in that position, but I have got to get her back on track, and this is the only thing I can come up with, please. You punish her for what she did to you, I will follow through with the lecture and chores. I need her to see no matter how angry she is at her father for dying it does not mean she could declare war on any man she wants too."

"I didn't know you were have such a problem, I still don't want to do this, but I will respect your wishes. What makes you think it will not just make her madder?" he asked.

"Just as you know your boys, I know my girls. Oh, she will be mad, but at me this time not her father. I can deal her being mad at me, but there is no dealing with anger at a ghost."

"I seem to recall telling Marie that she would have to eventually deal with Adam, he was so angry with Inger for dying, I think I can see where you are coming from."

"You will have to tell me that story."

"Later, let's get this over with."

"Adam, Joe said, do you think Pa will tan Lee!"

"He always said you shouldn't strike another parent's child, but when that older man we met looking for you ask him too, he did, so I can't say one way or the other."

Em put in her opinion, "Would serve her right, bet he can hit harder than Ma, too." Lee stuck her tongue out at Em.

Ben came around the corner, "Lee, I need to see you upstairs, please."

Lee looked at her mother, "Get" was all she said. The boys just kept there heads down.

"Young lady.... look at me..., this afternoon if I could have gotten my hands on you this would have been easy for me to do, now it isn't. I need to know why you thought it was necessary to do what you did?"

"I didn't want to get caught before I could get help for Joe, it was my fault he was in trouble, and I thought if I could get you out of the way for a little while, save him, and get home it would all be all right. I knew you could talk your way out of it, or Ma would save you, I had to save Joe. Guess it worked, all's well that ends well, they say."

Ben realized she was just pushing him to see how far she could go, well she was there. He pulled off his belt, caught her shoulders and pulled her down over his knees. He gave her about six licks, and stood her up, all he could see in her face was shock, and anger, she stamped her foot, and said "You can't do that!" This time when she stood up and pulled her skirt back down, she knew he could.

As he came down the stairs, Lesley was on her way up, "Well, let's see if I am as bright a mother as I think I am. My turn."

"Girls, I think we need to get to bed, let's go on up," Lesley had instructed, Em and Alex agreed, Lee was already upstairs.

Ben looked over at his sons, "might be a good idea for you two also, Adam I want to talk to you." Hoss and Joe looked at Adam, he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, he didn't know what was going on, they turned and went up the stairs behind the girls.

"You look like I just sentenced you to the firing squad, I know it has been a crazy trip and because of it we haven't talked much, I just needed to have a little quiet time with my oldest son, is that all right with you?"

"I am sorry Pa, it just seems like most of the time lately, a talking to has come with a lecture, punishment, or belt. I am a little gun shy, I guess. Yes, I would like it very much to sit and talk like we do at home, I think there is some coffee left, want a cup?"

"Sounds like just the ticket, Ben said, he was standing by Adam, and before Adam could get up and go to the kitchen, Ben caught his head and ruffled his hair. Adam smiled big and ducked his head and started to the kitchen. It felt good to have things back to normal with his Pa.

Upstairs Hoss and Joe had gotten ready for bed and Joe gingerly got into the bed covers. "Little brother, if you don't start thinking before you get yourself in these fixes, some day when you need a butt, you ain't gonna have one, Pa will have beat it off."

"I keep thinking it will get tougher like Adam's, but it hadn't worked so far. I know what you mean though, Hoss, did you ever get a punishment you didn't think you deserved?"

"Oh, I guess so at the time, but Pa is usually right, and if you remember most of the time Pa has dealt with me on something, I knew it was comin'. I am not as prone to get in trouble as you and Adam. It ain't because I'm more 'fraid of what Pa will do than you two are, I think I just don't come up with the ideas it takes to get myself in the messes you two do. Why do you ask, think you got a raw deal?"

"Naw, when he gets through telling ya, you know what's coming and why, but I was just thinking about Lee. Her Ma wanted Pa to take care of her tanning tonight, I can't see Pa letting someone else do that to us, can you?"

"Not really, but you have to admit, after what she did to Pa, it's a wonder he didn't suggest it, Hoss said and laughed. Her Ma must have had a good reason, and we may never know what it was, best get some sleep, you have school tomorrow, remember."

"How could I forget, now I have to face the teacher for playing hooky yesterday, and he ain't even my teacher!"

Lesley was sitting in the chair watching Em get ready for bed. Lee had not said a word since they came in, but her mother knew she was not asleep. About that time Alex knocked on the door, and came in. "Ma, can we talk?"

"Sure, what do you want to talk about? The two older girls curled up on one of the beds and looked at their mother. It was obvious that they had talked, but who was going to speak first. Alex got up the courage, "I guess the best thing is to just ask, ok here goes, are you gonna marry Mr. Cartwright?" Lee came up, "I would like to know the answer to that one, too, mommy."

Lesley nearly choked, she sat there for a minute, "well let me ask you first would you mind if I did?"

Alex looked at her, "would it mean Adam would be my "brother'?"

"Step-brother" but no you would not be related the same as a brother, you know that."

Em then asked, "would we live here or in Nevada?"

"I don't know the answer to that one, we would just have to see. Anything else?"

"I don't think I would like it, Lee said, he ain't Pa you know."

"You just don't like it cause he can hit harder than Ma, Em said, and you can't bend him around your finger like you used to Pa."

Lee got up and started after Em, "stop that this instant, Em shop picking on Lee, and Lee if your backside isn't sore enough just start a fight and I will see what I can do to help." The girls settled back down.

"In answer to your question, Alex, at this time I have no plans to become Mrs. Benjamin Cartwright. I won't lie to you all, I am very attracted to him, and we are getting very close, but a marriage is a long way off, if ever. Ben and I both have a lot of scars, we won't just jump into something like marriage without giving it a lot more time. Does that help, daughters?"

"We love you ma and we just want you happy, but it does help." Alex said as she slid off the bed and started back to her room, Lesley got up to follow, "go to sleep you two, school tomorrow Lee." Lee groaned. The next morning for some reason the world seemed a little brighter.

Joe and Lee went out back to bring the buggy to the front of the house.

"Lee what do you think will happen when we get to school?" Joe asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well we did play hooky, back home the teacher most likely would punish us some way, more homework, no recess, even a lickin'."

"I don't know, never got caught before, but I have never seen anyone in trouble here for it, why are you so worried, it's not your school?"

"My Pa says you get in trouble in school you get double when you get home, and I don't know if I can take double. It won't matter if it is my school or not."

"Oh, Lee said, I guess this is just as good a time as any to say I am sorry for yesterday. As mad as I made your father, I didn't mean for him to take it out on you." Lee said with all sincerity.

"Pa isn't like that, I got in trouble on my own, I knew better than to do what we did, he just reminded me of it. Pa wouldn't punish me because of what you did, I got tanned for me not you, so don't give it another thought. I am just sorry you had to have a "talk" with him, too."

"He can hit hard, but it was hard enough to make me think. Ma said a lot of things to me after, she said I was missing my Pa, and mad at him for dying. I think she was right. I didn't want to hurt your Pa by having him arrested, but the point was I didn't care if I did. My Pa wouldn't have put up with my attitude for five minutes, and if I had got him locked up, I would still be in my room. She laughed. I still don't understand everything about Pa dying, but Ma is right, I can't go through life not caring about how my wanting revenge effects others."

"We better hurry, they will be wondering if we took off again." Joe said and laughed.

Pa and Lesley took them by the school, Joe and Lee stood up behind her parents in the buggy this morning, for some reason.

Mr. Pringle met them at the front of the school. "Mr. Cartwright, Mrs. Baker, I am afraid I have some disturbing news for you. These children failed to come back to school yesterday from lunch break."

"We know all about it Mr. Pringle, Joe you have something to say?" Pa looked at him and nodded.

"I am sorry we played hooky Mr. Pringle, it was disrespectful, and it won't happen again."

Mr. Pringle looked at him and Ben, there was a look of pleasure and surprise on his face. "I don't think any of my students have ever said that before, you are forgiven Mr. Joseph, please go on into class."

"LEE!"

"I am sorry, too, Mr. Pringle." Lee added.

"Thank you, into class Miss Lee."

After the two of them went in, Mr. Pringle turned to the parents.

"Normally after the parent is notified about a child missing school, we just let the parent handle it, it appears you have done so already. Please have a good day."

"That was different," Ben said as he drove the buggy back toward the house.

The other four were still at home when they returned. Pa had asked Adam to go with him today to talk to the three buyers they had picked out to sell their timber to. Adam was all set to go when he pulled up. "Ready Pa?"

"Get in we don't want to keep the gentlemen waiting."

"You can drop me off at my office, you can manage without me today, and Alex and I need to do catch up work, Lesley said. Hoss you and Em think ya can find something to do and keep out of trouble today?"

Hoss just smiled, "No problem, ma'am."

"Today is market day, all the sellers will be on Market St. we should have a full day just looking and picking out things for supper, Em added, and I think I can keep Hoss happy, he tells me food is his favorite thing after tending to animals." She too, had her mother's laugh.

That evening they all sat around the supper table and swapped stories about their day. It was obvious Adam was excited about the timber business, and proud of the confidence Pa had shown in him today. Joe and Lee not only stayed out of trouble, but the notes they brought home were compliments about how well they had done on their class work. Hoss could not stop talking about everything he had seen on Market Street. Alex and Lesley said they had a very productive day and most of the work was caught up in the office. All in all a great day.

That night Ben went in to tuck Little Joe in and say good night to Hoss and him. "Pa, when we go back to Eagle Station, are you taking Miss Lesley with us?"

It was Ben's turn to be surprised. "What do you mean son?"

"I guess I am asking if you are gonna marry up with her?"

Ben did not miss the look Hoss gave him, he must have been thinking the same thing. "Just a minute, I will be right back."

Ben came back in with Adam in tow. "I need to talk to all of you."

Oh, no here it comes. Ben looked into three sets of worried eyes. "No I am not fixing to marry Lesley, at least not any time soon. A sigh came from three sets of lips. But what if I had told you yes?"

They looked at each other. "Adam?" Pa said.

"Well Pa, I have been through this twice with you, and I know you wouldn't just......

"Just what?"

"Promise you want get mad, Pa?" Hoss said quickly.

It was Ben's turn to roll his eyes, how many times had Hoss asked that question?

"Go on, Adam."

"Pa it hasn't been that long since you lost Ma, and we think you would be hesitant to jump into marriage real fast again."

"You all must have been talking about this."

"Just a little," Joe answered.

"Ok, I am very close to Lesley, closer than I thought I could be to a woman this soon after losing my Marie. But, it is true I am not ready to plunge into a wedding yet. I am not going to tell you it can't happen, but Lesley and I have agreed to be very good friends for now. Any more questions?"

"No sir," came the three different voices. "Then get to bed, tomorrow is Thursday and Adam and I have to meet with the lawyers to draw up the contracts for the timber. The next two days will be very busy. This time next week we will be mapping out trees for market." Adam and he got up to go to their rooms.

"Good night sons, God be with you as you sleep."

"Good night Pa, see you tomorrow."

The next two days had been very peaceful. Adam had worked a lot with his Pa on the timber deals. Alex and her mother conducted their normal days at the shipping company. This gave Hoss and Em time to sight see and just enjoy each other's company without spectators. They found they had a lot in common besides being the middle child, stuck between the brains of the family and a mischief maker. Joe and Lee were in school. Joe was have a great time "they have so many different things to do in this school." Lee seemed to be coping better with things in general.

Friday night Ben, Lesley, Adam, and Alex, had gone to the theater. Hoss and Em were "baby sitting", though you would never know who was "sitting" whom. Hoss and Em were outside sitting on the back porch. Joe and Lee were inside playing checkers. "Hoss, you will be going home in a few days, are you going to miss me?" Em asked as she looked at him in the moonlight. He could see the smile on her face.

"Oh, yeah, I am, I almost wish we weren't gonna have to go."

"You could stay you know." she baited.

"Yeah, but I do miss the Ponderosa, the big city is just not for me, I'm sorry. But I think the way Pa's talking we will be back, and your ma seems to be a little smitten with Pa, so you may be back in Nevada soon." Slowly she moved toward him, and then they kissed. Hoss put his arms around her and pulled her back for a second time.....

Em moved back, "Ma would have my hide for this, I have been warned more than once, but Hoss I think I am a little smitten with you, too."

"I know what you mean, but you know I do like you a lot Em, and I respect ya, but you have the softest lips, I ever kissed."

"And just how many have you kissed," she asked, trying to make her voice sound displeased.

"Ah, ah, well not that many, but it is true about the softest." He was glad it was as dark as it was outside, she could not see him blush.

"I know you respect me, so I can say this, I like kissing you too Hoss." With that she moved back to his arms and they shared another kiss. Hoss felt her arms around him, but he was feeling something else too, another hand on his shoulder, "I think it's time to go into the house."

"Dadburn it Little Joe stop using Pa voice! You are going make me jump out of my skin," Hoss turned to look at his brother, his eyes slowly moved up on the person standing behind him, he was a lot taller than Joe, and he looked a lot like PA!.

Hoss was on his feet, Em was moving to the far side of the bench they had been sitting on. Ben for some reason didn't look as mad as Hoss had thought he would be, "Let's get in the house, shall we?"

Adam and Alex had gone up to change from their "fancies". Joe and Lee were asking questions of Lesley about what they had seen, when Ben came back into the parlor with Hoss and Em. "You have the look of just being caught with your hand in the cookie jar, kids." Lesley observed.

"They were out back, k...ah, Joe you and Lee go upstairs, Lesley and I need to talk with Hoss and Em."

"It's too early to go to bed," Lee said, but when Ben turned and looked at her, she moved and in a hurry did as she was told. Joe said as they went up the stairs, "I don't know what they did, but I am glad it's not us for a change."

"Lesley, I think Hoss has something to say to you, right Hoss?"

"Yes, sir, I'm sorry."

"Ok, I accept, but may I ask what I am getting an apology for?" she asked.

Hoss looked at Pa, turned red, looked at Em and paled, "I was ah, ah, kissin'yourdaughter." It all came out fast and in one word.

"Oh, I see, Emily, what have you got to say about this, after all, I my experience it takes two to make a kiss?"

"I'm sorry, too, but I have to be honest, I am only sorry we got caught!" she said and sat down on the sofa across from her Ma's chair.

Ben was caught between wanting to laugh and wanted to smack her a the same time. "Hoss knows better than this, we have talked about it before." Em looked at Hoss with a "one of the other sets of lips" look.

"Lesley, I think you deserve the right to handle this one, so Hoss Ms. Baker will be in charge of what ever punishment she wants to give you, and you will cooperate, is that understood?"

Hoss wasn't sure how to answer that one, "Yes, sir, if you say so, but..."

"But, what?"

"Nothing, sir, I reckon."

Lesley looked at Ben, you coward, she thought, this is one of those hard to handle situations, and you are getting back at me for forcing you to punish Lee. Ok, let me think. "The wedding is off for you two tomorrow, you will stay home and write a paper on what you did that was wrong, now go to bed." she picked up her needlework and started sewing without another word. Ben stood there with his mouth open.

Hoss was in shock, not get to go to the weddin' with Hopsing's family, he shook his head, looked up at Pa. "Pa?"

"You heard me, and now you heard her. Good night son."

Em was also still sitting there not moving, "Oh, and Miss Em, that smart remark did not go unnoticed about getting caught, we will deal with that later this evening," Lesley said without looking up. The two went up to their rooms.

Joe and Lee had gone straight to their older sibling's rooms when they got up stairs, after all they were just told to go upstairs not to bed. Adam and Joe were waiting for Hoss, Lee and Alex for Em. "What happened?" first question as they walked into their rooms.

Hoss was still a little dumbfounded, "Pa let her Ma set punishment, and we can't go to the wedding tomorrow."

Adam looked at Hoss, "Brother, what did you DO?"

"Huh, oh, Pa caught me and Em kissing out back, that's all."

"KISSING!" Joe yelped, "you are going to miss all the fun of the wedding in Chinatown to kiss a girl!?"

"Shut up Little Joe, I didn't know this would happen when I kissed her."

"You better be glad Pa let her set the punishment, after all the lectures we have gotten on the subject, and especially the one before coming here, Pa could be up here with his belt." Adam added.

"I never liked getting spanked or tanned, but it woulda been better than this." Hoss whined.

The same conversation was going on in the girl's room. "Ma would have never been so strict if he hadn't pushed her in to setting the punishment, Em was saying, oh, and get this I am not out of the woods yet, she thinks I was disrespectful ta boot."

"Be glad he didn't get to punish you, I can give first hand testimony that he hits harder and more licks than Ma ever did, Lee told her, just like you said he would."

"You want me to talk to Ma for you, Alex offered, maybe I can cool her down."

"I don't know, maybe."

Downstairs Ben had took his coat off, and was untying his tie and unbuttoning his collar. "Lesley, not that I am complaining, but where did you come up with that?"

"You pushed me, I had to come up with something, I sure didn't want to tan them for kissing, even if we had warned them to behave in that respect. What did you want me to do?"

"Ah, I don't know, just, well, awe tarnation woman, that is why I let you do it. he started laughing, I couldn't punish Hoss for the very thing I had been doing for the last week, now could I?"

"Let me remind you Ben Cartwright that we are adults, and are free to do as we please where that is concerned."

"No, not if I am to set an example for the sons, I'm not. All I could think of when I walked up on them was what if they had done the same to us last night?"

Ben got up and walked over to the table where he had been leaving his pipe and tobacco. Lesley got up, eased up behind him and with the ruler she had been using to count her stitches, she whacked him on the backside. Ben jumped turned and look at her with complete shock.

"Now you have been punished for kissing me, all is forgiven," and then that laugh. She turned and started back to her chair.

"But what about you?" Ben started towards Lesley, suddenly she knew he was coming after her and she turned to face him, as she continued to laugh she said, "Ben you wouldn't dare." BEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next morning everyone was up early and down for breakfast, that is all but Hoss and Em. When asked, Joe and Lee said that Em and Hoss had both remarked something about no point in getting up, they couldn't go anywhere.

Lesley plopped down in her chair and just a quickly popped back up, catching her backside with her hand. Ben bit his lip to keep from laughing, she gave him a look that could have froze the Pacific. "Ben, could I speak to you in the hall please." Lesley asked.

"Of course Lesley, is there something wrong?" he asked as he continued to bite his lip.

"No, nothing, just need to talk." The others watched as their parents walked out of the room.

"Adam, is Miss Lesley and Pa acting funny to you this morning?" Little Joe asked.

"How do you mean that?"

"Well, I don't know, kinda like she wants to punch something, and Pa keeps grinning like he has a secret."

"You got me Little Joe, I think I have noticed it to, but I don't have an answer."

Pa came back in the kitchen, "Have an answer to what, Adam?"

"As to why you and Miss Lesley are acting funny this morning," Joe answered for his brother.

"I don't know what you are talking about Joseph, now eat your breakfast."

***

Lesley walked up to the room where Hoss was staying, "Hoss are you decent?"

Hoss jumped about a foot, "Yes, Ma'am, he had got dressed but was still sitting on the bed. As she walked in he stood up and turned a very sad face toward her. "Hoss I have talked it over with your father and I am going to remove part of your punishment."

Hoss's eyes flew open, "Really, that great, thanks, you must have talked him into it, Pa never changes his mind on punishment."

"Well, I said part of your punishment, you still have to write a paper saying what you did that was wrong, and why it was wrong, but we are not leaving 'til about ten for the wedding, get it done, and if it is acceptable, you can go to the wedding."

"Awe shucks, can't he or even you just use his belt instead, writing just ain't me, ma'am?"

"NO, write, but first go get some breakfast." she smiled and started out the door.

She walked across the hall and walked into Em's room. Her daughter was still in bed lying on her stomach. Lesley pulled the cover back and whacked her daughter across her backside once as hard as she could. This brought Em up with a jolt. "I told you I would do that last night, but I kinda got side tracked. I just told Hoss if you two can get your papers written, and they are acceptable you can go to the wedding after all. But I better not see one disrespectful, or sarcastic word, got that? Now go eat and get to writing."

She turned and started back down the hall, Hoss was already at the bottom of the stairs and heading into the kitchen.

Chinatown was all excitement, from the storefronts to the little carts they carried people around in. The Cartwrights and Bakers had made it to the store Hopsing's uncle owned and went in, Hopsing met them at the door. "So happy family could make it, this is very big day for family. Su-lee very excited that Ponderosa family will be at her wedding."

"I didn't realize that this was Su-lee's wedding, Hopsing, I take it everything is all right with her now?" Ben said.

"Everything is better than all right, honored family that Su-lee will marry into very wealthy giving great party and celebration of wedding. Hopsing was not wrong. There was food everywhere in the gardens built behind the home of Su-lee's intended's home. Tables and chairs lined the edges and a grand sight of colored streamers, and paper lantern were all around. "Boy, Hoss I am glad we didn't miss this, Em whispered in Hoss's ear, but we came close."

Hoss just looked at her and nodded, as he stuffed another egg roll in his mouth.

That evening they witnessed the ceremony, not like any thing they had ever seen either. And after dark the night sky was filled with rockets and sparkling dots. Fireworks of every color was set off, and each seemed to have a different design. Lee and Joe, who had managed to only get lost twice during the day, were now easily found sitting together watching the spectacle. Adam and Alex sat between Hoss and Em, as Adam put it, no point in tempting fate.

Ben and Lesley had found a bench on the side of the grounds, and sat together watching the show. "Ben, no answer, BEN," she said again. "Yes Lesley," he answered. "I am not sure if I should be mad at you are not."

"Why would that be, Miss Lesley?" he said and kept looking at the sky.

"Don't give me that innocent act, Benjamin Cartwright, you struck me and you know it!"

"Lesley, my dear friend, you hit me first, and as you so eloquently put it, it takes two to make a kiss if I needed punishment so did you." he answered.

She became quiet, "Ben, did you ever, ah, well, ah, do this to one of your wives?"

"Ben, laughed out loud, only Marie, once."

"Go on."

"Adam did something, can't remember what at the moment, and I spanked him, she didn't think I should have. She kept on and on about it, finally I told her to cool that French temper or I would spank her. That was a mistake for me to say, but she went into a tirade of French and chunked a piece of bread at me. I got up, grabbed her and put her over my knee. When she came up she was spittin' mad, but she turned and went into the bedroom. I wasn't sure where I would be spending the night. Later she came out started supper, and never mentioned it again. From then on when she would start to lose her temper, all I had to do was stand up and look at her. It never stopped her from arguing with me, or telling me when she thought I was wrong, but she never threw anything at me again!"

Lesley just laughed her great laugh, "I can see why!"

That night they went home, Lee almost asleep leaning on Em in the back seat of the buggy, and Little Joe in Hoss's arms out like a light sitting in the other buggy. Ben and Adam were driving with Alex and Lesley beside them. When they got home, Hoss said good night and took Little Joe up to bed. Em guided Lee and they, too, when to bed. Adam and Alex didn't stay very long with their parents either. They were all tuckered out.

"Ben this was a marvelous day, I am sad though that you all will be leaving in another couple of days." Lesley told him, she was curled up on her side on the sofa.

"I know but we sign the final papers on Monday for the timber, and Angus can only run two ranches for a while, we have to get back." he walked over and picked up her head and sat down putting her head on his leg so he could stroke her hair. "I have a suggestion you might want to think about. Winter is the slow time for you in shipping, why don't you and the girls plan on a Christmas at the Ponderosa?" you could hear the hope in his voice.

"I thought we were going slow?"

"We are...it's just that, well if you don't want to, I understand."

"Who said I didn't want to? But are you sure you want my brood with yours back in Nevada? They seem to find a whole lot of trouble when they get together."

"Well," Ben said, "I still have my belt."

The End....The story continues in Xmas at the Ponderosa