The Baker Girls

By BJ Carter

Rated: G

The family had been home about three weeks from Breaktown. Adam and Joe had spent the first week restricted to the ranch, and trying to stay out of Pa way. Hoss tried to help him for a while with his leg and using the crutch, but Ben had got so aggravated at not being himself he was not the best of patients. Hoss eventually started giving him a wide berth also.

Adam and Joe talked about the trip a lot, but always out of earshot of Pa. Adam was still having a few nightmares about the hanging, but he could fight back that fear once he was awake. The fear of hanging was past it was the threat of a tanning that was still "hanging" over the two boys heads that caused them to tread lightly around their father.

"Why is he keeping us waiting?" Joe whined.

"It has to be because his back is still hurting, he wants full strength when he swing that belt of his, Adam answered, it can be the only reason I can thing of for it. I want him to get well but I don't care if he takes his time, are you really in that big of a hurry little brother?"

Finally the Saturday evening after they had returned home, Pa told Adam to meet him in the woodshed in about 15 minutes and to tell Little Joe to stay in his room until he was called, also.

This is it Adam thought, 21, and this time he's not going to whack a feed sack. Adam just went into the shed and waited.

Ben came in one arm holding the crutch, his belt in the other hand. Adam swallowed hard and started to say something, but he did not know what to say. "Son, I realize you have been through a lot the last two weeks, that business in Breaktown, and being restricted to house. Can you tell me what you have been thinking about."

"I guess the first thing is that I wasn't thinking, leaving Little Joe alone in a strange town, drinking trying to act older than I am, and most of all disobeying a whole list of things you have told me to do and not to over the years. I am sorry Pa, I guess I was acting like a kid. I also have been thinking about this very minute, and how I would react to that belt," he said with a shudder running down his back, "hitting my backside another time."

"Well son, I think your just going to have to think about it for a while longer, at least until you do something else I consider a kid's stunt. You see I am here today to tell you I think you have been punished enough, after church tomorrow you are off restriction and the tanning is off. But, I want you to still remember that acting like a child can still get you back in here with me and next time I won't be as forgiving, do you understand me, son?"

"Loud and clear, no doubt, understand everything you said, heard every word, yes sir, you don't have to say it again...."

"Adam, shut up and stop sounding like Joe, by the way send him in would you. And Adam, I love you son." Adam smiled, teared up, and left the shed.

"Joe I ask your brother to tell me what he was thinking this week, how about you," Ben said still holding his belt for effect.

"I should not have called the sheriff a jackass, kicked the priest, or left the hotel room without your ok, but Pa you have to admit that the sheriff was a, he looked up at Pa's face, guess I better let that one go, and the priest was trying to keep me away from Adam, and I knew better on the last one, but it did work out, cause I found the guy who killed that man and saved Adam."

"I love you son, and you did save your brother. I let Adam off restriction after church this Sunday, guess the least I can do is the same for you, and no tanning this time." Little Joe ran and grabbed his father around the waist, Ben stiffened a little, sorry Pa I forgot about your back. Thanks Pa, I love you too"

"Remember I can always bring you back here."

"Yes, sir!"

****

That had been two weeks ago, the ranch was running smooth, the young bull had been delivered, and was doing what bulls do best. Ben was off the crutch, using a walking stick now, and according to Hopsing his back was healed and he was out of pain. The boys had been doing their chores and his without complaint and Pa decided things were just going way to good. He knew every time he relaxed for a minute a bomb when off, well little did he know this time it was going to be three.

****

Ben had been seeing Lesley Baker a few times since the Sunday dinner disaster his boys had arranged. She was a lovely woman, and he loved to listen to her laugh. This week he had asked her to come to town, so that after the town meeting they could have lunch together. It had been a wonderful couple of hours and Ben was walking her back to her carriage when the stage came in. "MA," came drifting down the walk way, Lesley turned and the look on her face gave Ben the idea she might faint. Three girls came running after them, "Ma are you surprised, the youngest one asked, we just couldn't stay in California another day, we missed you."

Lesley was to stunned to talk right away she just sat down on the carriage seat and shook her head. "What you mean is California could not take another day of you three, right? Ben let me introduce you to my gray hair makers, these are my daughters."

Ben had helped Lesley get the girl's luggage and then get them loaded up to go to the McNally ranch. "I was just about to ask you if you would be willing to give Sunday dinner another try before your daughters arrived, now I will extend the invitation to the four of you."

"Well, you don't know what you are in for sir, but we except with pleasure."

When Ben got home he looked around, several chores seemed to be undone and he could see no effort going on to complete them. He circled the house, and came back to the barn. As he got close to the door, he could hear noise coming from behind the barn. He was surprised to see his two older sons going at it, rolling on the ground each one trying to hit the other. Little Joe was standing nearby yelling at them and trying to get between them. Ben let out a roar that might have been heard all the way to the Greene's. It got Joe's attention, but the other two just kept at it.

Ben charged in and started the task of deciding which son would be easier to pull from the other. "STOP IT, NOW!"

He finally got the two of them apart and got their attention long enough to recognize him. Both stopped fighting, and fell back on the ground, Ben standing between them. "What in blue blazes is going on?"

First they both started talking and then neither wanted to say anything.

"I am not going to ask again," Ben said and his hands went toward his belt. By that time Joe had found his voice.

"Pa I can tell you what I know."

Adam and Hoss at the same time looked at him and said, "shut up".

That was the last straw. Ben pulled off his gloves, and unbuckled his belt, one pull and it was off in his hand. Three sets of eyes got big and three sets of legs started moving to get under their owners and move back away from their father.

"Pa, wait." Adam said trying not to sound like a kid, and knowing full well he was doing just that.

"Someone better start this off real fast."

"Joe found a journal I had been keeping, I had written some things in it that no one should have seen except me, he showed it to Hoss, and he got mad at me and demanded that I tear up the journal, in the heat of the argument I lost control and shoved him, he shoved me and the fight was on. I am real sorry, Pa."

"I won't ask what you wrote, because that is your business, but I will not have you fighting with your brother, none of you, is that clear. It should be clear I have said it often enough. Do I have to tan all three of you to make myself understood?"

"No, sir" all three said in unison.

"Get cleaned up, finish your chores, and I will speak to each of you later." he turned and went into the house.

"Hoss, I am sorry you didn't give me a chance to explain what I wrote, you just started telling me to tear it up, I got defensive and lost my temper. Forgive me?"

"For losing your temper, yeah, cause I did the same thing, but not for what you wrote." He got up dusted his backside and started for the front of the barn.

Joe kept very still and quite, he knew he had started this and he didn't want to remind anyone of his presence at the moment. Adam just got up and started back to the chopping he was doing, this time with an added anger at the wood. With Adam's attention on his work, Joe slipped back to the house.

Dinner was very quite that evening. Ben's disappointment in his sons was showing, Joe was extra silent, and the other two were still hiding the anger that was just under the surface. When they were finished, Hopsing was clearing the table, Joe got up to help. Adam went into the bunk room, Pa followed.

Adam sat down on the bed, but as he father entered, he stood back up.

"Sit down son, while you can, and let get this out in the open. I told you I would not ask what you wrote, but I need to know why it hurt your brother so badly."

"I was writing about my....about Ma. I was just thinking and wrote it down, about what if she hadn't died giving me life, how you would never have had the chance to marry Hoss' mother, or Joe's, how I might have had other brothers, maybe sisters. How that life might have been so different than the one I have. I guess the way it sounded to Hoss was that I didn't want him or Joe as my brothers, and I wanted my life to be different. That isn't true, I was just kind of thinking out loud only on paper."

"Have you told him this?"

"No, he won't listen to me."

Ben got up and went back out, "Hoss, I think you need to go in and talk to Adam, let him tell you what you should have listened to first before you started attacking each other."

"I don't want to talk to him, Pa, not after the things he wrote."

"You will go in and the two of you will work this out, I understand the problem, but you have to listen to what he has to say, wars have been fought over misunderstandings, I will not have one in my house. Talk to him, or I talk to you with my belt, your choice."

Hoss still didn't like it, but he could not see the logic in getting his butt blistered at the moment, after all he could listen he didn't have to change his mind."

About 30 minutes later Hoss came out of the bunk room, his face looked like he has been crying. "I'm sorry Pa, I guess you were right."

He then went outside. Ben walked over to the door and looked in, Adam's eyes were red too. "It is all worked out Pa, thanks."

"Joseph!"

Little Joe jumped about a foot, "I want you in my room, now."

"We have had more than one talk about your eavesdropping, haven't we?"

"I haven't been listening to anyone, Pa, honest," Joe said with a surprised tone, he had no idea what Pa was talking about.

"When you read Adam's journal without his permission it was the same as listening to his private thoughts the same as it would be to listen to a private conversation. Does that make sense to you son?"

"Never thought of it like that, Pa. I won't do it again, are they still mad at each other?"

"No I think Hoss understands now, it is very easy to hurt someone's feelings Joe by only getting part of a story. That is why listening or reading someone's private thoughts is so wrong, you may not get the whole story, and it can lead to trouble."

"I understand that now Pa, I will go tell them both how sorry I am, and I am truly sorry." Joe got up and started to the door.

"No Joseph, I am afraid that will not be enough."

"What else can I do?" He turned back from the door and saw his Pa's finger motioning him back to where he was sitting.

"I have given you more than one chance on this subject, I can't let you get by this time." With that he took Joe over his knees and he didn't stand him back up until he was sure this time he got the message.

The older two boys were playing checkers when Ben came back in the room he was very pleased at what he saw, he had left Joe in his room to collect himself before coming back in to the living area. "You two ok?"

"Yeah, Pa," Adam said, and Hoss nodded. "We will be a little sore from the fight, but that's about it."

Joe came out of Pa's room, he wasn't moving very quickly. "Looks like our little bother is "sore", too, Hoss whispered and winked at Adam.

"Hopsing, in all the confusion I forgot to tell you I asked Lesley Baker to dinner Sunday and her three daughters arrived from California today, that will make it four extras to feed. The boys and I will help you if there is anything you need in getting ready."

"It will be all right, at least this time Hopsing will have enough warning to make nice meal, not like last time extra women invited."

"I remember you saying something about her have three daughters, how old are they Pa?" Adam asked.

"Alexandra is 18, Emily is 16, and Julie is 13. Although according to their mother they are Alex, Em, and Lee."

Joe was standing near his brothers, watching the game, "I think you better get on to bed son." Pa said without looking up from his newspaper.

"Ok, Pa."

Joe just gave his older brother's drop dead looks and went into the bunk room.

"I guess we are in for another round of 'we all got in trouble, but I'm the only one that got spanked,' " Hoss said without thinking about Pa still being there.

"I could change that if you want me to? I still have my belt on you know."

"Bedtime Hoss! Race you to the bunk room," Adam said as he jumped up and started to the door.

"No running in the house" was the last thing they heard as they went in their bedroom together.

It had been two days since the fight, both bothers seemed to have forgotten all about it. The same could not be said for Joe, although his backside was better he still felt like he was the only one punished and he wasn't even in the dad blame fight. He kept to himself and didn't say very much to either of his big brothers.

Sunday finally got here and the family was off to church. They met the McNally's in the yard as they rode up, "Howdy Ben, boys, came the greeting from Angus."

The boys were polite and spoke to him, but their eyes were on the two new faces in the congregation. Miss Alexandra and Miss Emily were standing by their mother at the door, they were as beautiful as their mother. Ben noticed the attraction and smiled at Lesley. As they walked over, Ben began the introductions. The girls were quick to change the names to what they preferred, and just as quick caught Adam's and Hoss' arms to walk into church.

"Well, if that don't beat all!" Molly looked at Tess. "They didn't even speak and after all we have been through together." It was plain the local girls were not going to take to kindly to the Baker Girls.

After church Lesley and her daughters rode back to the ranch with the Cartwrights. Hopsing had indeed fix a marvelous meal. Fried chicken and all the trimmings. And he had baked pies and almond cookies for dessert. The girls were very impressed with the meal and told him so. Hopsing was busting and loved all the new found praise.

It worked out that after they ate, it came natural to pair up, Adam and Alex, Eric and Emily, Joe and Julie, Pa and "Ma". The youngest two headed for the back of the ranch house, Joe had found something interesting and just had to show Lee. The two animal lovers, Hoss and Em headed for the new colt's stall in the barn. Adam and Alex went for a walk to talk about the things she had seen in the big cities in California. Pa didn't say much, but each son new that they better be on their very best behavior. Lesley and Ben elected to sit on the porch and just enjoy each other's company.

The afternoon went quickly and it was time for them to go back to the McNally's. "Well Ben, once again I have had a wonderful Sunday at the Ponderosa. How about next weekend I pack and we do a picnic and camp out by the lake, maybe Saturday this time and stay over night?" The boys looked at Pa and waited, "sounds very special, we accept." Each of the boys let out a sigh, happy Pa was agreeing to the outing and on a weekend, that would cut down the chores they had to do, a perfect bonus to the event.

The boys worked very hard the next week, both on chores and staying out of trouble. No one wanted to be restricted during the next weekend. Pa seemed happier lately, and when Pa was happy they all could relax and be, too.

Saturday finally got there and about ten o'clock Ben helped hitch up the wagon and load up a few extras and they were off to the McNally's. The boys were all riding, the wagon was for the supplies and the girls. As they road up to their surprise, they were met by the girls, all sitting on horses, and all wearing "pants." Even Ben was shocked at their appearance. Lesley at least was wearing a riding skirt. "What's the matter never seen girls in pants before?"

The girls handled their mounts like experts, and soon they were off, Ben and Lesley on the wagon and everyone else on horseback.

As they started up into the mountains toward the lake, they noticed that most of the streams were high and the water flowing quite fast in them. Lots of snow this year, all this water is coming down from the high country, Ben was telling Lesley.

"Boy wouldn't you love to be on a raft going down that stream?" Adam asked Alex.

"Well, maybe, if you were with me."

"Mush, Little Joe said, what is it that makes people act like jackass's when they get a certain age? He was speaking to Lee.

"I don't know, I just know it seems to be occurring more often with her. Last week she was out with a boy till after 9, Aunt June was so mad at her. Em came in almost as late, and who do you think ended up in trouble, "ME".

"Boy do I understand that, let the three of us get into trouble, they can be just as guilty or more so, and I end up over Pa's knee and they get off scott free. Happened just a few days ago."

"Yep, you just wait and see if anything goes wrong on this trip, it will be me not my darling big sisters that will be sleeping on her stomach not them."

Em and Hoss had started falling behind the others, "Hoss do you think I am pretty, I only ask because that girl "Tess" kept giving me the eye in church and I got the impression she though I was either not pretty enough to be with you, or you belonged to her." Em was fishing, but Hoss didn't seem to catch on or he didn't really mind.

"Tess has no right to act like that, we see each other but that's it , and yes, I think you are real pretty."

***

The got to a clearing, some distance from the rushing water coming down from the mountain, but very close to the most beautiful blue lake. The young people took care of their horses and the team. Ben and Lesley went over and started to set up camp. As the horses were grazing, Ben divided up the chores, gathering fire wood, setting up the tents, getting water, etc. The girls looked at their mother, "do as the man says, and be quick about it if you want any time left for fun."

They did as they were told, but the only smiles were directed at the Cartwright boys, not their father. Soon all the work was done and they moved out to explore in all different directions.

"I am afraid I did not make any points with your daughters, Lesley. I am just used to telling the boys what to do, I am sorry."

"No need to be, they miss their father, don't get scared I am not hinting," she said and then gave that wonderful laugh, "it won't hurt them at all to take a few orders from you, I have tried to teach them to respect all adults."

"I know what you mean, I have done the same, but as they get older, I wonder if they know why. I want them to know if they want to earn respect they must give it to."

"Ben let's go sit down over there under that tree, I am ready to stretch out these limbs and wiggle my toes."

"Sounds great, but if we go down to the lake we can do a little fishing and soak your feet, how does that sound?"

"GREAT."

The two went down to the bank and found suitable sitting space, Ben baited the hooks Lesley removed her shoes and stockings and put her feet in the water and they leaned back to relax and talk. Adam was right, Ben was a normal healthy, man, and it did feel good to be with a woman again. Lesley not only was beautiful, but they had a lot in common. They had lost the ones the loved, and most of all were raising three children the best they knew how.

Somehow Hoss and Em and ended up near the stream, standing near the edge of the water watching it rush by them. Little did they know that the two youngest campers were near by to them. Just then Em's foot slipped and Hoss grabbed for her. He caught her and pulled her back. "Hey, Hoss, what did Pa tell you about hugging girls?" Followed by "and Em, Aunt June said you weren't supposed to be letting boys hug you either, what would she think now?"

"You two little skunks better keep your mouths shut, we weren't doing anything wrong, it was just an accident."

"Oh, yeah an accident. Think Pa and Mrs. Baker will buy that one?" Joe said but made sure he was out of Hoss' reach.

Just then Hoss took out after Little Joe, but Joe was laughing so hard he almost couldn't run. Size was on his side though and he managed to dodge and keep away from Hoss. By the time the girls caught up to them they were in a small clump of trees near the stream. Joe fell over something in the leaves, bringing Hoss down almost on top of him. "What is that?" Lee asked.

The four of them started to uncover what proved to be several logs tied together.

"It's a raft, or at least it used to be one." Hoss said.

"Wonder if it will still float?" Em asked as it became visible and looked like it was still in fair condition.

"Wonder if what will float?" came a question from the other side of the trees.

"A raft, Adam," Joe answered.

Adam and Alex came closer and investigated their siblings find. "Probably made by the Indians when they camped near here in the fall. Looks pretty good. Might be a bit small for all of us, oh, well doesn't matter we can't use it anyway, time to get back to camp."

"Adam, what do you mean a bit small," Hoss asked.

"Oh, just spittin' in the wind, Alex and I had talked about riding a raft down this stream as we came up here this morning. Pa would never let us get on that water even if that raft were solid. Come on now we have to get back."

As the six of them made their way back to camp, Joe asked, "Adam, you are the builder in the family, you ought to see the outhouse he designed, don't you think you could fix one raft?"

"Don't make me tell them why I had to design that new outhouse, but Adam had already took the bait had to show off just a little in front of Alex, it wouldn't be so hard, just a few more poles, lash them together, make sure they were tight, could be done."

"Let's try it!"

"No, Joe."

"Sounds like your big brother is chicken, Lee said to Joe, maybe he isn't as good at building stuff as you said." Joe started to argue, but Lee winked at him and he understood. "Maybe not," he added.

Hoss and Em got on the band wagon then, "What's the matter big brother, you aren't going to let that go by are you." he said, "Awe, Hoss maybe after you get older like they are you stop taking a chance on having any fun," Em added.

"Pa would skin me alive if I let you children get hurt on that raft, forget it."

"You aren't really afraid of your Pa, are you Adam?" Alex asked and blinked her eyes at him.

"Like I said Little Joe he's chicken." said Em, with that the other four started to laugh.

But as they started walked on back towards the camp Adam said, "maybe if we had enough rope....."

***

By the time they got back to camp, Ben and Lesley had caught enough fish for a nice fish fry. Hoss and Em started to clean the fish. Hoss was impressed that a girl could do that and not complain about the smell.

Adam had got a good fire started and the other three were helping with fixin' the rest of the meal.

After the late midday meal was cleaned up, the young people started to head off, where do you all think you are going this time? .... the normal question from parents.

"Just exploring," Adam answered, "this air is great and we need to walk off that meal anyway."

"Be careful, watch for snakes," Lesley told the girls.

"Oh, ma, we have been camping before, it's not like we have never seen a snake!" was the response she got back.

Ben asked Lesley if she too, wanted to go with them, the others frowned, "No, but I think I might like to walk up to the top of that hill, just see what was on the other side."

That was all they needed off the six of them went, back to the raft.

"Some how I don't think they wanted our company." Ben said.

****

It had taken several hours, but the raft was all tied and secure to Adam's satisfaction. "We better get back. We will get up early and meet back here, if we all leave at once, they will think we are up to something." "Aren't we?" Alex asked.

"No, I just want to see if it floats, we can watch it from here as it goes down stream," Adam answered.

"Then why are we sneaking out of camp, if what we are doing is so in-a-cent?" Joe asked.

Adam just looked at him, he didn't know why he felt it would be necessary to hide the raft from Pa, they weren't doing anything wrong. Maybe it was that little tingle in the back of his neck that concerned him. But one look in Alex's eyes and he forgot all about that tingle though.

***

The evening had been filled around the campfire. Ben told of the places he had seen when he was a sailor, Adam played his guitar he had brought to impress Alex, the others all chimed in with songs, stories, and jokes. Everyone was having a great time, especially Ben. Lesley was so full of life and he watched her with her daughters. She never had to say very much to them, they had indeed learned to love and respect their mother. He hoped Angus was "watching" the way she had with her girls, too.

"It's time to turn in, Lesley announced, lots to see and do tomorrow before we head home, the big tent on the right is ours, get going."

"But Ma, we were going to......

"Not tonight your not, I said bedtime." The girls got up and started toward their tent. Ben looked over at his sons, still sitting by the fire, "Do you all need and invitation to go to?"

"Awe, Pa, we have our own tent, we don't have to go with the girls," Joe answered. Joe wasn't sure what he had said, but Adam grabbed him pitched him over to Hoss who promptly threw him over his shoulder and started toward their tent.

"Some day that one....." Pa let the thought go without finishing the sentence.

Ben and Lesley were left by the fire. He went over near her and she motioned for him to sit down. He had picked up a blanket and put it around her shoulders. His arms around her felt good, and he left them there a few seconds longer than he intended. "That feels good, she said, the blanket and your arms."

"Didn't mean to take liberties, Lesley," Ben said and hoped he didn't look as red as he felt.

"Ben, we both have had our share of sorrow over the past year, but we are both adults, and I don't believe we will go the rest of our lives without falling in love or at the very least hold another person in our arms again, we are just too "normal and healthy" I think that was the phrase."

Again with that laugh, just this time it was softer and only for his ears. With that said she leaned back on his chest and looked up at the stars. He put his arms around her again and started to point out the different stars calling them by name.

***

Morning came Ben awoke to find himself alone in the tent. He got up checked his boots for anything alive, and put them on. Outside was still cool, spring was here, but the mornings were still a little nippy. He hurried out to a stand of three birch trees, you see the campsite didn't come with much of an outhouse, as he returned to the camp he found Lesley starting breakfast. "Where are the kids, they should be helping?"

"Got me, no one here when I got back either." she answered. Breakfast was ready, still no sign of the six. The sun was up and the morning chill was gone.

"I think I will saddle up and go look for our wayward children," Ben told Lesley and when over to saddle Hoss' mount.

"Bring them back with a switch if you need to Ben, you have my permission."

He rode around several different locations, finally heading over to the stream, he was a little surprised to see how big it had became over night. The water was much deeper and running full force. This was not uncommon for this time of year, as the snow melted and ran down from the mountains, the streams could flash flood at any time causing the banks of streams to almost seem like a river.

As he rode down the stream, he suddenly saw it, a raft, but only part of it, must have broken up on the rocks in the middle of the stream. Parts of it was on both banks. The rocks in the stream, must have came loose from the edge of the small mountain that bordered the stream on the west side and fell in the stream. Ben rode on down around the bend. Suddenly without warning there was a break that formed a water fall. Hanging on a limb was the last piece of the raft. Ben fought hard not to panic, hoping his sons and the girls were smart enough not to have been on that raft, please God, let it be so. But, a few feet more and he saw the jacket Joe had been wearing on this trip, hanging on a bush near the bank.

Ben wasn't sure how he was going to get to the other side of the water where the jacket was hanging. He was afraid the water was to swift to ride across. He sat there on his horse trying to will the jacket to him.

***

Hoss jumped as he discovered he was awake and alive. Laying on his arm was Em, still soaked to the skin and shivering with the cool of the morning. He tried to turn her to look in her face, as gently as he could he pulled the hair from her face to see if she was all right. "Hoss, I am so c-c-cold," she finally said as she opened her eyes and started to focus on him. "It will be all right, Em, we just need to figure out where we are and how to get back to camp." he answered. He pulled her closer to him for warmth, she snuggled into his chest.

Adam had recovered enough to start looking for the others. He had been carried almost all the way to the waterfall, everything he grabbed on to pulled from the bank and the water pushed him on down. He caught sight of Hoss holding on to Em and trying to get her to safety. He hadn't seen Alex since the raft split sending her in the water one way and him the other. What was he thinking of getting on that damn raft in the first place, just a dumb kid's stunt, just to stroke his own ego, and just to make points with a girl. Even though that girl was a knock out. He was walking down beside the flowing water when he looked down, he saw blood on one of the rocks. Oh, no, he moved faster following the trail. He breathed a sign of relief when he saw Alex sitting on a large rock, holding her leg. "I cut it on something sharp in the water, she said and looked up at him, I think it is deep, but it has almost stopped bleeding." Adam went over and started to help her wrap it up with part of her blouse. "What went wrong?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, I could have sworn those bindings were secure, Adam replied, I am so sorry."

"Well you should be, you said you knew what you were doing." Alex said and without missing a beat, slapped Adam across the face.

He was so stunned he didn't move. Had she just hit him? Where did she get the nerve to hit him, it was her idea too, no one had forced her to get on the raft. She got up and turned her back to him to bend over and pick up what was left of her blouse. She was going to put it back on over the long johns she was wearing. Even a wet top was better than none. Adam took one look at the bottom of Alex's pointing at him, and smack. She stood up like she had been shot. "You HIT me."

"Just like you hit me, now we are even, let's go find the others." Adam said, and in spite of himself, smiled at what he had just had the nerve to do. He knew when Pa found out about everything, smacking Alex on the backside was going to be the least of his worries.

They stared out back towards the bank, it was then they found Hoss and Em. "Glad to see you two are ok, Hoss said, he looked down at Alex's knee, you ok?"

"Not bad now, bleeding has stopped, where are we?"

"Best I can figure we are about 5 miles from the camp, have you seen any sign of Joe or Lee?" Hoss asked.

"They were in the middle of the raft when the first two logs came off the sides, I still can't understand why the came undone like that, it was then I went off one side and Alex the other."

"We stayed on just a little longer, then Em and I went in, the raft was heading toward the rocks in the middle of the stream. It was all I could do to get to Em and swim to shore." Hoss was relating his story, I guess when we got to shore we just passed out."

The two younger siblings could not help but notice the ice between Adam and Alex. She made sure she was not standing beside him, and he was careful not to look at her. "What happen between you two?" Em asked.

"He was a brute and hit me." Alex answered, then she turned are bottom lip out in a pout and looked away from the two boys.

"You did what big brother? Why would you do that?"

"She ask for it, she was acting like a spoiled brat, so I smacked her butt," Adam answered, "and she hit me in the first place."

Em looked at Alex, "Why did you hit Adam for Pete's sake."

"He said the raft was safe, and we could all have been killed!"

"Oh, get a hold of yourself, sis, this ride isn't going to be nearly as dangerous as facing Ma when we get back to camp." Em told her.

"Now that we have caught our breath, we have got to find Lee and Joe, Adam the voice of reason said, maybe the rocks in the middle of the stream somehow stopped them from going on down the waterfall."

****

Not true, Joe and Lee had managed to get a hold on each other, but after the rest of the raft had slipped from under them, they went over the falls. Although it was a dangerous fall for them, the height of the fall was not as great as it might have been, and the water was so deep that when they fell it helped their landing . Joe and Lee's heads popped up almost at the same time. He swam over to her, she caught hold of his shirt, wondering where his jacket was, and together they made it to the bank.

"Joe," Lee said, with as much water as tears in her eyes," what have we done?"

"It will be ok, we just have to get back up the bank, and figure out how to get back to camp, I am sure the others are ok, and they will be there waiting on us." he said, and hoped he was speaking the truth.

***

As Ben sat there waiting for the answer, he heard a noise behind him.

There was Lesley riding up, "got worried you had been gone so long, do you think they were on that raft?"

Ben just nodded and started his horse back up the side of the bank. Lesley followed, she could see the look in his eyes. She had not know Ben Cartwright very long, but she had seen that look more than once on her husband's face. It was a combination of many feelings, questions, and emotions, strongest of which were fear and anger.

It took almost two hours before they found their four oldest children.

They had made it over a mile from where Hoss and Em and swam ashore. They were still looking for Joe and Lee. They were tired, half drowned, wet and dirty. But Ben though a beautiful sight to be sure. He bailed off his horse and grabbed Adam who was the closest to him, hugged him and then turned to Hoss for the same. By that time Lesley had dismounted and her girls were getting the same treatment. "Where are Joe and Lee?"

"We don't know Pa, Adam answered just above a whisper, we have been looking all down the stream," he was almost in tears.

"You are exhausted son, sit down."

"No, Pa it is my fault, I have to find them."

"We will discuss blame at another time, right now all of you sit down and rest, DON'T move, do you understand me, Lesley and I will go back down stream and see if we can find them, since you have already searched up stream."

"But, Pa I have too....."

"Adam, I said rest, and I mean it, none of you moves from this spot 'til we get back, is that clear? Is that clear?" the second time he said it in a voice that would have frozen the water if it had been directed to it.

"Yes sir, came four other voices."

Lesley and Ben were back on their mounts heading down stream, hoping to find their babies, and hoping it was before they got back to that waterfall.

"Adam, do you think they are all right, Hoss asked, I don't know what we'll do if something has happened to the two of them. I can't believe we were so stupid, Pa has told us a hundred times not to trust streams, rivers, or even lakes during the spring thaw. He waited. Did you hear me? He waited. Adam?"

Adam turned around and looked at him, his face was red and his eyes puffy, he had held back the tears for as long as he could, but guilt was eating him alive. "Just pray, ok, I can't give you all the answers, I know I am supposed to be all grownup, but right now I feel younger than Joe. Please just pray and don't ask me any more." He moved over a few feet from the rest of the group.

Alex went over by him, "I am sorry for what I said about your being at fault, we were just as stupid. Our Pa told us about all that nature stuff, too. And no one forced us to get on that raft. You may have been a part of it, but you can't have all the blame, I am 18 which for a girl is just as old as a boy at 21. And about that smack you gave me, I deserved it, and I did hit you first. Ma's not going to think about my age when this is over, so your swat was most likely just the tip of the iceberg."

"I know what you mean, I don't think I have heard the last of this either. No matter how hard he hugged me, he can hit harder. The thing I can't understand is why I keep doing these damn stupid kid stunts when I know better. Oh, Oh, he thought as he looked at Hoss, "pardon my language, see what I mean."

Em looked over at the three of them, "Don't let that bother you, we say some pretty bad words, too, when the adults aren't around. Last month, I was working on trying to sew up a side seam on a dress Aunt June was forcing me to make, I stuck myself with a needle, and cussed out the damn thing, she heard me. Wow, she gabbed my uncle's belt and I got busted. Skipped going to dinner, couldn't sit down."

"Your lucky, Hoss said, rule in our house is you don't miss a meal because you can't sit, you can bring a pillow, but you have to be there and on time."

"Sounds like your Pa is as tough on you as ours was, Em said, wonder where they are now?"

***

Ben and Lesley had almost reached the falls. He had stopped a few times to look for signs they had got out of the water, but found none. "I can't see anything, the only other option is that they went over."

"OH, BEN." she said.

"They are all right, Lesley, I know it, we just have to find them, that's all."

****

Joe and Lee had made it a long distance from the water, the problem was they had no idea where they were, or which direction to go. Joe held Lee's hand and they just kept moving away from the water, but that was also unfortunately away from Pa.

"Maybe we should stop, and just wait for them to come for us," Lee suggested.

"I know Pa says to stay put, but that is when someone has an idea where you are, we could be miles from the camp and no one could find us." That stared Lee to crying.

"Don't cry, we will get back, it is just going to take time." The other reason was he was afraid if she kept it up he would be crying too.

Lesley and Ben inched their way down the side of the hill to the bottom of the waterfall. The flood was over and the water was not coming down like it had been, in fact the run off had nearly stopped. The water had formed a large tank at the base of the falls. The two of them were able to circle the tank and move back up the side. Ben got off one more time and moved over to look as something that had caught his eye. It was that dad blame china marble, he had told Joe not to carry that thing around with him he might lose it, but there it was on the ground beside a handkerchief that Em had with her. Another beautiful sight. He grabbed them up and went back to Lesley. "They made it, they are alive!"

With it the mud and lose ground around the area, Ben was sure they could track them and it would not be long now, the hard part was over they had a place to start.

Joe and Lee were so tired, they just had to stop and rest. As they dozed in the warm sunshine, their clothes had began to dry, and they forgot where they were. They were awaken by a low growl, they opened their eyes to see a pack of three timber wolves standing near them. One was on a low rock ledge, the other two on each side of the leader. Teeth and flashing yellow eyes were all they could see as they held each other tightly. The wolves started to move in......

Two shots rang out, and two wolves fell, the third turned and headed back into the timber. Two smoking rifles were being held by Pa and Lesley. Ben didn't know she was such a good shot, but she seemed to be good at most things she did.

The two youngsters jumped up and ran to their parents arms.

****

Hoss was the only one with his eyes open as he started to blink at the sight he saw. "Adam, Alex, Em, look over there, it's Pa and Ms. Lesley, they ah, yeah, they got Joe and Lee with them!!"

They all got up and were yelling.

"Thank you God," Adam said as he looked up to the Heavens.

****

By the time they walked back to camp, 8 for 2 horses didn't quite equal out, it was getting on to evening. We will spend another night, Ben had told them, and get an early start back in the morning. He didn't want to be traveling after dark, and they all needed the rest. They made a big fire and after they had cleaned up and eaten they all sat around it. Tonight they listened to Ben read from his Bible, there would be plenty of time when they got home to discuss the adventure. No one was in any hurry anyway, not child nor parent.

The boys were tucked away in their tent, the girls in theirs, Ben and Lesley were still sitting by the fire.

"What are we going to do with this bunch, Ben?" she asked.

"I don't know, I never though I would be contemplating tanning my 17 year old son, let alone the 21 year old."

"I know what you mean, it was all I could do not to borrow your belt when we first got back this afternoon, but we have to do something."

"The thing that is bothering me the most is the youngest two," he said.

"Now that you mention in, they are being a little out of character aren't they. Lee is usually talking a blue streak about what they did right not wrong and leading the conversation in a dozen different ways to divert attention to the crime. But tonight not a word."

"Same here, Joe hasn't said three words, and most of all stayed away from his brothers too. There is more to this than we know, and I want to get to the bottom of it before I get to their bottoms."

"Adam, did you hear that?"

"Just shut up and go to sleep, Hoss, tomorrow is going to be a long, long, day."

****

The next morning they were up and packing, the boys were doing most of it, while the girls helped their mother get the food packed, and breakfast ready. Not much conversation was going on, just on an as needed basis. Joe and Lee jumped every time anyone said something to them, including their brothers or sisters.

By nine thirty, they were ready to hit the trail back to the ranch.

"Adam, make sure that fire is out and no spark is burning."

"Yes, sir."

After a final check of the campsite they headed out for the trail home. Ben and Lesley again on the wagon. "Ben, when we get back, I want to go on home with you and the boys, let's not stop at Angus' ranch."

"If I didn't know better, that would should sound almost improper, Miss Lesley," Pa said and smiled from ear to ear for the first time since all the trouble started.

"The day is still young, Mr. Cartwright, the children may not be the only ones in trouble if you keep that attitude, sir." and once again that wonderful laugh.

***

Hopsing met them as they rode up, "Welcome home, was worried when you did not make it back yesterday."

"Ran into a little water, Hopsing nothing to be concerned about, boys start tending to the stock, we have chores to catch up on, girls, ah, if it is ok with your mother you can help them."

"More than ok, I insist." she said.

Ben and Lesley went into the house and the group broke into their twosomes and started to handle the chores that need to be done. Adam and Alex took care of putting up the wagon, and tending the horses, Hoss and Em went to take care of the milking stock, and Joe and Lee headed for the hen house to gather the eggs and feed the chickens.

"Joe, are you going to tell what we did?" Lee whispered.

"Don't know, maybe, how about you?"

"I don't think I can, not just because of the punishment, I just don't know if I can."

"What are you too whispering about? Adam asked, both jumped but did not answer, well, I needed to talk to you alone for a minute anyway. I am sorry you two almost got hurt because of me, I just don't know what happened, I know those ropes were tight."

"Adam, it probably didn't make that big of a difference, the speed of the water the rocks, the raft would have broke up anyway," Lee told him, Joe quickly agreed. "Don't be angry with yourself, brother, you didn't make the raft crash."

"Thanks, but I still feel responsible," he walked away.

Hopsing had made lunch and they all sat down to eat, Ben blessed the meal and again gave thanks that they were all safe and sound at home. When they were finished, Ben told the boys to go to their room, he wanted to talk to the girls with their mother. They each looked at the girls, and then to each other, "I said move."

They did.

"What do you think they will say, and what will Pa do? Hoss was asking he always needed to know and was the first to ask questions. You know he says not to punish someone else's children, but he spanked those two girls for their grandfather that time, and their mother is here, what do you think?"

"I think you ask to many questions, Adam said, we will be out there soon enough just wait you will get your answers."

Again Joe kept quite, he just laid down on his bunk and looked at the slats in the one above him.

****

The three girls sat much like his sons on the sofa, all in a row oldest to youngest, straight backed and hand in their lap. "Well, young ladies you have had a busy weekend, let's start at the beginning and you tell us the story, remembering that there is a lot of repercussions based on this story." Lesley said.

The girls repeated everything they could remember, step by step from the finding of the raft to putting it in the water. Alex was careful not to make it sound like Adam was the one to blame for every thing, Em repeated how much Hoss saved her life in the water and got her to shore, Lee just agreed with everything and said nothing new.

"So you are saying this whole thing was just an accident that no one was to blame, we should just forget it and be thankful you were not killed is that it?" Lesley said.

The girls smiled nodded and agreed quickly. "Ben give my your belt."

"No, no, ma, wait, we didn't mean to make light of it, Em said, as she watched Ben's hands reach down to the buckle on his belt, we just did a stupid thing and it backfired. We are sorry, aren't we sisters."

Lee jumped in, "She is right, honest."

That word sent a chill down Ben's back, ok there was more to the story, now he didn't have any doubts.

They changed groups, once again the stories for the most part were the same. This time though the boys made sure that the girls did not get all the blame, either.

"Adam, didn't any of you once think about all you have been taught about the way streams run this time of year? Or were you just out to impress the girls?" Pa asked.

"We didn't think, Pa, it just seemed to be a chance for some fun, and we did it, I am so sorry, I know that isn't enough, but it's all I can offer you."

"Adam isn't the one to blame, Pa, we all wanted to do it," Hoss added.

"He did the best he could, honest," said Joe.

THAT WORD.

They then sent the boys back into the bunk room with the girls to wait.

"I know there is more to this, Ben said, that dam..ah darn word honest just keeps popping up."

"I know, isn't it funny how it means one thing to us and another to them. Ok, Ben it is time to sink or swim, no joke intended, what do we do to them?"

"Let's ah.....go for a walk." She laughed and agreed.

***

"You know there are six of us, there is shooting, hanging, poison, strangling, must be a couple I haven't though of, Adam said, they probably know more than we do, I don't think you can be tanned to death, can you?"

Hoss looked over at the girls, "he gets this way under pressure, of course humor is not his best subject anyway. Adam shut up your are scaring the girls."

Joe and Lee kept looking at each other, no one else noticed.

****

"You know I could suggest you punish the girls and I take the boys, Lesley suggested, might make for a different approach."

"Yeah, but how strong are you? he said with a chuckle, it's that unknown thing that I want to get out of them. And I think I may have a way of getting to the truth, follow my lead when we get back in there, ok."

"Sure, I don't have a clue, you might as well take a stab at it, she said, and by the way I give you full permission to do as you see fit, you are not a beginner at this sort of a thing, and I know you have raised some fine sons, it's times like this that make them that way. I miss my husband, not that I can't handle the girls, but it was easier when there was two of us to work these things out. I know you understand what I mean. So, go for it Mr. Cartwright."

****

"I want all of you back in the living area."

"Mrs. Baker has ask me to speak for both of us, we know that you have been through a lot, but just the fear of what happened is not enough, we need you to understand the fear of what might have happened. You two oldest, you know better than to pull this kind of stunt, if you hadn't known it was wrong you would have told us about it before you did it, that would have been the grownup way of doing something. Hoss and Em, you are not little either, although you aren't as old at your brother and sister, you are not without fault here. All four of you put your younger brother and sister in great danger. They could have been seriously hurt or killed, due to your not using the lessons you have been told over and over."

"This time I can't fault them, they had the four of you to look up to, and you failed them badly. The only fair solution we can come up with is for both Mrs. Baker and myself to punish each of you. Maybe if you spend time in the woodshed with each of us you will finally remember that same lesson we have tried to teach you. Now go wait in the bunk room."

"Joe you will be restricted to the yard for a week, Lee to the McNally's yard for a week. We will think of a few extra chores during that week, you can go, too."

****

"What was that all about, Ben? she asked, I almost couldn't keep a straight face."

"Now we will let guilt do the work for us, I hope."

****

"TWO tannings, Em said for the fourth time, what gave that idea to your Pa?"

"He is devious, how does your mother do it anyway?" Hoss asked.

"Do what?"

"You know, tan ya."

Em frowned and then understood, "Oh, bare bottom, belt or hairbrush, usually."

"NO WAY, Adam did you hear that?"

"I think I would have preferred being shot, maybe hung." was his only response as he went over and fell across his bunk.

After a half an hour had passed, Joe and Lee could stand it no longer, the others were being too nice to them, saying they were sorry they could have got them hurt, praising Ben for not giving them any more punishment.

Ben had one more card to play, he called them all back into the living area. "I have talked it over with Lesley, it would not be proper for me not being your girls pa to take you into the woodshed, or for her to go in with you boys. A collective sigh was heard by all, but that does not mean punishment can't be done right here in the living room. Adam you have read about the Puritans that came over first from England, they believed in public punishment, the thinking was that the embarrassment enhanced the punishment. I guess we can put that to the test right now. Ok, Adam you are the oldest, Ms. Baker first or me?" he asked as his hand went down to unbuckle his belt.

"Stop it Pa, it wasn't his fault it was mine," yelled Joe tears streaming down his face. "And mine." Lee added.

Pa turned to his youngest, "the short version son this has gone on long enough."

Pa knew all along, of course he did he was PA.

"We put some little cuts in the straps that held the outside logs."

"You did WHAT!" Adam yelled, and started toward his brother, Pa stepped in between them.

"Sit down Adam, let him finish, you aren't out of the woods yet."

Lee took up where Joe stopped, also crying, "they always get by with everything and we end up getting our backsides busted. We just wanted them on the outside of the raft to fall in the water when the outside log fell off and get wet, nothing else, we didn't count on the water being so fast and all the other problems. We are sorry, but we got scared after all the trouble, I am sorry Mr. Cartwright, Ma, and even to you all."

"That goes for me too, I feel awful, but we can't turn back the clock or we wouldn't do it again."

Finally the truth.

"Ben I think I have a use for that belt now, I will see each one of you in the woodshed in any order you wish to follow me," taking Ben's belt she went out the door and started to the woodshed.

Alex look over at Adam, "Well, like I said the tip of the iceberg." She followed her mother first. Each girl in turned made their way to the shed.

Lesley had already told Ben they would be leaving as soon as she had finished with her girls, so he had the boys hitch up her wagon and tie their mounts to the back, didn't figure anyone would want to ride back to the McNally's. As each one of the girls came back around, the boys were there with a pillow for the ride home. Ben helped Lesley in the wagon.

The three girls looked at him, Alex spoke for them, "Mr. Cartwright, if you feel the need to continue what Ma started, we won't argue, but could you at least give us a few days our bottoms are pretty sore all ready?"

Ben smiled. "I think this time we can let it go, I will just owe each of you a tanning, collectable as needed, ok?"

They all nodded.

"Once again, Ben a very interesting Sunday dinner, how about we start making this events on a Wednesday?" again that wonderful laugh, as she whipped up the team and started back to the McNally's.

****

Ben then turned to his sons, "Well, I think there is still some use in this, don't you?" he said as he flipped he belt Lesley had give back to him over striking his other palm. Joe jumped in front of Adam, "Pa, this time I really do think I am the only one that needs to go with you." Ben looked at him never said a word and headed for the shed.

Ben walked in Joe behind him. "Is this a spanking thing or a tanning thing Pa?"

Ben turned and faced his son, tears were falling down his face, but there was anger in his eyes also. "Son this joke was the worst one you have ever pulled, and it really could have been a lot worse ending. DO you understand what you did?"

"Yes, sir, that is why I said what I did about being the only one who should have been punished. I could have really hurt someone and it scares me to think about it every time, I feel so bad."

"I am glad you see that son, now take your pants down, it is time to make something else feel as bad and a spanking is not going to do it this time you can leave your long johns on."

Hoss and Adam waited, waited, and waited. "Do you think she really does do it that way, Adam?" Hoss asked.

"Do what Hoss?", he was more concerned with what was going on in the shed than Hoss' questions.

"You know, like Em said bare?"

"Oh, maybe, why would she lie?"

"Dang!"

Little Joe came back in the house and went straight to his bed, careful to lie down on his stomach. Then they heard Pa's voice at the door, "I am waiting you don't think I am going to just forget you two even if your little brother wanted all the credit?"

Hoss sighed and started out of the house to the shed, Ben followed. "I want you to know that I didn't have any intention of tanning a 17 or a 21 year old, I though you two would be long past sessions like this in this shed. But this can't go with out making a point, and what kind of a father would I be if I let Lesley's children take all the blame, do you understand why I can't let this pass Hoss?"

"Yes, sir, and I am sorry, but just get it over with, please." He turned and then heard the words, drop them. "What did you say Pa?"

****

Adam walked into the shed.

"And what am I supposed to say to you?" Pa asked.

Adam just looked into his Pa's face, there is nothing you can say I haven't already said he thought.

"I have been telling you a lot lately that if you didn't stop doing stupid kid things, we would end up here. I have over looked them, made you stay on the ranch, talked till I am blue in the face, and you still act like you are Joe's age. I gave him a tanning he won't forget over this one, can you give me one, just one reason, besides your age that should keep me from doing the same to you?"

"No, sir, can't think of one. I told Hoss when Joe ran off that time if you wanted to tan me I wouldn't say a word, I acted like a kid at Breaktown, and that party would have got me tanned if I had been younger, so I guess I am due. But Pa even if you punish me in the future for the stupid things I do, this will be the last time I ever push you this far. (I hope)."

This was the first time in many years that all three of his sons sat on pillows at the dinner table. The mood at the table was very withdrawn. Finally Pa said, "You all have two weeks restriction to the ranch house area, but as soon as it is over, I have an idea."

"What's that Pa?" Joe asked.

"How about we get the Baker Girls and all go up to Snake River and go "rafting".

"Pa your sense of humor is getting as bad as Adam's!"

Epilogue

They had made it through the first week of confinement and halfway into the next. Joe still hadn't figured out why Adam's backside got sore this time and didn't the last time, but he was afraid to ask what Pa did that made the difference this time.

Pa had just broke up the last argument between Hoss and Adam, he would be glad these two weeks were up that was for sure. "I am going into town, get your chores done, I come back and find you are fighting again, I will settle it and you know how. I will be back by suppertime."

Ben had gone into town, it was Wednesday and he was meeting Lesley for lunch. They had eaten and talked for nearly an hour, the girls were in the same shape as his boys, to much time in the same rooms. "I don't know why we give this type punishment as hard as it is on them, we have to suffer through it too."

Then she told him, "We will be leaving next Monday for California."

"Why?", Ben asked, "sorry that is not my any of my business."

"I have had a most enjoyable time here at Eagle Station, with Angus and with you, but I have a business that is running in California, now that I have worked out all the investments and got things settled from my husband's death, I have to run the shipping part. That is in California not here. I will miss you very much, and of course the boys, too. Any chance you ever get to California, my part of it anyway?"

Ben smiled, "I think that can be arranged, in fact I know it can. I have started dealing with some timber companies there and the way things are going the shipping industry is going to need more tall mast for the ships, they don't grow them any bigger than we do on the Ponderosa."

When he got home he found Joe standing in the corner of the living room, "What did you do?"

"I kinda made Hopsing mad and he put me here." Joe answered meekly.

"You know what, I don't think I even want to know what you did, how long do you have to stay there?"

"Another half hour, but you can over rule it!"

"Not on your life, if Hopsing says stay, you stay." he turned and went back out to the barn.

Adam was working on a harness, sitting on the edge of a box, mostly on his leg not his backside. Pa smiled, he won't forget that session any time soon. "Any thing I need to know about this afternoon?"

"Did you see Joe?"

"Yeah"

"Did you let him off the hook?"

"What do you think? get washed up for supper."

Adam smiled, "Yes, sir."

At the supper table that evening, Ben told the boys what Lesley had said, "They are having a party for them this Saturday night at the McNally's to say goodbye."

No response except three heads looking into their plates. "And I have decided to let you all off one day early, you can go."

Three heads popped up and the smiles were from ear to ear. "Thanks, Pa,"
in unison.

The party was bright and all the lamps were lit. "Stay away from the punch bowl, Adam." Little Joe yelled as he took off to find Lee and the McNally boys.

Alex had walked up, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Never mind, want to dance?" they moved to the dance floor.

Em walked up to Hoss, "I wish we weren't going so soon."

"Yeah me, too," Hoss answered back and they too went to dance.

It was a nice party and nearly all the guests had left except the Cartwrights. Angus had gone to speak to his wife leaving Ben alone with Lesley. "How soon can I expect a visit, Mr. Cartwright?" she asked.

Ben smiled, 'Well Mrs. Baker, it might just be sooner than you think."

The girls were surrounding the buggy that Ben and the boys had come to the party in.

"Little Joe, I had a great time here, maybe when your father comes to see Ma, we can have some fun in California. But, maybe not get in quite as much trouble."

"I will write to you Hoss, and you can keep me updated on the new calf and colt we took care of, ok?" Em asked and batted her eyes at Hoss.

"Sure thing, Em." he answered.

Alex had leaned over and kissed Adam, he turned a little red, but his chest puffed up at the same time. "I did learn not to turn my back on you, Adam," she said as she backed away from the buggy giving the same laugh her mother had.

Joe turned to Adam's side of the buggy, "Yeah, you don't want him to smack your butt again, do ya!"

"JOSEPH"

Adam looked like he had just been shot. Pa turned to him, "I think that will make for an interesting story on the way home."

Monday morning the Baker's went home, but each had received a promise from a Cartwright that they would see each other again, and we know that a promise from a Cartwright is as good and gold......

The End