Disclaimers in part one, under 18 shame shame, go tell your parents. 

Thanks to Don Landhill for all his help and editing. :) Feed back is always welcome. 
 
 

Remembering Ben's admonishment to come straight home, Jenny and Jamey do just that, not even pausing at the general store for penny candy as they often did. Riding into the yard, they are treated to the sight of their youngest older brother, Joe, bent over the hitching rail, his rear end being swatted by two pieces of board, wielded by a dripping Adam and Hoss. 

Giggling, the pair dismount, and watch the whacking with a mix of delight (at their frequent tormentor getting his), and sympathy (in knowing just what he is going through). 

"What happened?" Jamey asks finally when the swatting stops. 

"Little brother thought Hoss and me looked a little hot, and doused us with water. Well we didn't want Joe to be left out so we decided to light a little fire of our own to put out. " 

"That's right" Hoss grins and picks up his little brother, stepping back three steps, and dropping him into the watering trough. Gales of laughter burst through the lips of those assembled, because when Hoss dropped Joe into the trough, he dropped him in face first, so his bottom was still high and dry. The laughter gets louder as Joe flips over in the trough, splashing Hoss again as he does. 

All too soon Adam turns to Jenny, "How was school today sweetie?" he asks. 

Jenny flushes with embarrassment as she shrugs "it was ok I guess" she replies. 

Hoss nods to Adam and says, "I noticed you were riding a bit tall in the saddle there short shanks" he leaves the rest of the query alone. 

"YES!" Jenny snaps, "I got spanked, is that what you want to hear? Old man Thompson whipped me with that switch of his and stood me in the corner like a little kid," her voice breaks "and when Pa gets home I am going to be spanked again then again at bedtime and I HATE IT!!" tears fall as she turns away to run into the house. 

Strong arms grasp her around the waist before she can move, she is lifted up, her legs kicking in the air, struggling against the arms. Unceremoniously she is dropped bottom first into the trough of cold water. Gasping at the feeling against her bottom she suddenly realizes what her brothers have done. The water permeates her pants, soaking in to cool the fire in her rump. 

Sheepishly she smiles. "Thanks" she whispers. 

Grinning, Hoss pats her head "don't mention it" comes the reply as he pushes, dunking her totally under the water. 

Jenny comes up sputtering and splashes at her big brothers with a giggle. "Come on Jenny, we have chores to do, and a coop to clean out" Jamey's reminder comes. 

"Coming" Jenny calls and with Hoss on one arm and Joe on the other, she is pulled out of the water. Dodging the playful swat at her rump, she dashes off to do her chores. 

A while later, the chicken coop is clean; horses are fed, groomed and watered; kindling chopped and gathered; and the wood box is filled; when Ben rides up. Dismounting, he ties his horse to the rail and heads into the house. Jenny is coming out at the same time and nearly bumps into him with a handful of cookies. "Sorry pa, want a cookie?" she asks. 

Ben smiles, "Why, thank you, Jenny." Taking a cookie Ben eyeballs his diminutive daughter for a long moment as if waiting for something. Jenny looks up at pa, and sighs, shifting the cookies to one hand she fishes in her pocket for the note. They both know what it says, but the ritual is there anyway. 

Ben reads the note from Mr. Thompson aloud. 

"Benjamin, 
Jennifer was thrashed today for playing hooky yesterday. Please endeavor to see that she comes to school EACH day. 

Sincerely, 
Z. Z. Thompson" 

Ben looks at Jenny "come with me" he says softly. Jenny follows her Pa in the house -- a tear forming already. 

"Please pa, not another spanking, I don't think I can stand it please please. " Jenny begs even as she places her stash of cookies on the table. 

Ben turns and looks hard at Jenny, "Do you think I should let you off, after the stunt you pulled young lady?" 

Jenny squirms a bit, not wanting to answer, "I have been punished so much already pa, you Hop Sing, you again, old man. errr Mr. Thompson, please pa I have learned my lesson, honest." 

Ben stands there, looking down at Jenny "Tell me something, Jenny, when you first came here, what did I tell you?" 

Jenny shifts from one foot to the other, then in a small resigned voice recites, "You promised me you would never go back on your word, and that I could always count on you to be consistent and no matter what you would always love me." 

Ben pulls his youngest child to him, wrapping his arms around her in a big hug. Jenny's arms go around her Pa, returning the hug, her head on his chest, listening to the strong heartbeat. After a long moment, Ben releases the hug. In a single motion he scoops Jenny up, and, placing one foot on the coffee table, he deposits her over his knee, her feet and head dangling in the air. 

"NO PAAAAA! " Jenny yells. Ben's large strong right hand descends on her bottom firmly. Jenny stiffens, trying to scramble off Ben's knee, but Ben is holding her securely, his hand meeting her bottom in a quick cadence, reducing her rapidly to the tears of a well spanked girl. Then, as suddenly as she was grasped, Ben releases her, setting her back to her feet, where she does the dance of the well spanked, rubbing her bottom gingerly. 

Jenny realizes what she is doing and stops, her face aghast in horror. "I didn't mean to rub Pa honest I didn't " Jenny sobs. 

Ben hesitates a moment, not wanting to be inconsistent, but also not wanting to cause his baby girl any more pain right then. He looks at Jenny, her hands clasped before her, wringing them in agony. Ben doesn't speak a word as he watches her. Jenny bites her lower lip, mistaking his indecision for a silent command. 

"Yes Sir" she sobs and runs up the stairs. Within a minute, she is back with her hairbrush. Ben almost chuckles at her mistake but keeps a proper stern look. 

Taking the brush, Ben replaces his foot on the coffee table, pulling Jenny over his knee for a second time in a few minutes. Jenny wriggles and writhes, trying to get off, her bottom is so sore. 

"You know the rules Jennifer," Ben says sternly. Gripping the hairbrush, he raises it, and brings it down twice, once on each cheek, then lets Jenny up again. Jenny blinks at her father, keeping her hands firmly before her, tears flowing down her cheeks, in disbelief. The two swats hurt, but it was nothing like what she thought she deserved. 

Ben hugs his daughter again. "Sometimes being a father means knowing when to temper punishment and consistency with compassion and understanding," he murmurs into her hair. Then with a gentle pat, "Go on now Jenny and finish your chores," he says. 

Jenny starts for the door when Ben stops her again. "Jennifer," Jenny stops almost in a panic, "Don't forget your cookies honey." 

Jenny giggles though the tears, and turns back, getting the cookies she hugs Pa again. "Thank you Pa" she says with a half smile. 

Ben taps the end of her nose. "Just keep yourself out of trouble young lady" he says gently. 

"YES SIR!" Jenny agrees wholeheartedly and dashes out to finish her chores. 

to be continued in part 7