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

Feed back is always welcome. 

It was a cool crisp morning, the sun was out and shinning brightly even though it was very early, but during the night a northern wind had blown up, chilling the air, a layer of frost covered the land with its icing of white. Each window pane etched with the delicate patterns Jack Frost had painted on them. 

Jenny peeked her nose out from under the warm covers, her sleepy mind barely registering the fact that someone, proudly pa had come in during the night and covered her with the spare quilt. She loved this quilt it was the first one ever wrapped around her when she arrived, half dead, bruised and beaten, to the ranch. It remained on her bed or around her slender body almost constantly in the weeks that followed, its pattern of little houses comforted her reminding her this was home, Jenny's nose was cold chilled by the air. She considered pulling it back under and returning to her slumber but two things pulled her shivering out of the bed. The first was the urgent need to visit the privy, the second was the stallion that had been brought in a few weeks before. Beautiful majestic animal, standing 22 hands tall, jet black with fire in his eye. It had them a week to get a bridle on him, then took 5 hands to saddle him, 

Jenny grinned in memory as she slipped out of the bed, and shivered into her clothing. Each of her brothers except Jamey, and half the hands had tried to ride the beast, no one had stayed in the saddle for more than two seconds. Jenny decided the night before that she would gentle the animal. 

Jenny remembered back to the day the black stallion was brought in. 

So wild and free, Jenny had been drawn by his power and strength, She slipped under the fence railing, and walked toward him, her eyes losing sight of everything else, the sounds of the ranch stilling in the captivating majesty of the equine. Steadily Jenny had walked closer keeping her eyes locked on his she could almost feel the wild thunder of his heart. Her hand reached out as she neared, murmuring gentle soft words in Cherokee, the stallions widened but he did not bold, seeming to tolerate the tiny presence, that came so close . 

Jenny's fingers reached closer and closer then in an instant the stallion reared up, the sharp hooves inches from her face, Jenny felt a tight grip on her collar, she choked as she was jerked back. The stallion nickered and whinnied, wheeling he galloped to the other end of the corral. Jenny felt herself flying though the air. It took her a second to realize what was happening. By that time she was on the other side of the fence, her feet dangling off the ground being shaken by her very large and very angry eldest brother. 

"what were you thinking Jennifer" Adam snapped giving his baby sister another good shake

"I was ,, I " Jenny was at a loss, she wanted to touch the stallion to feel its power but she wasn't sure how to explain how she was drawn to it "why did you pull me out!" she demanded now angry with her brother. 

"I know how to handle horses!" 

Adam was not backing down "he almost killed you BRAT" Adam gave Jenny another hard shake

"only because YOU scared him" Jenny countered

Adam growled and tucked his sister under his arm, and walked away briskly to the bench by the barn. 

Jenny kicked and squirmed, but Adam held her tightly. He sat down on the bench and placed Jenny over his knees, his large hand thundered down on the seat of her pants, driving the message home with each swat "leave" swat 'that" swat "stallion" swat "alone" swat swat swat. 

Jenny kicked and screamed in anger and pain as Adam peppered her bottom with the stinging swats. Adam had been punishing his siblings for years and knew just how to get his point made. 

Jenny was crying hard by the time Adam finished the spanking. Adam rubbed Jenny's back, talking softly "I don't want you to get hurt baby" he cooed" that stallion is wild " he stopped the protest that bubbled up " I know you have gentled horses before, but not this one Jenny" 

Adam let Jenny off his knees, Jenny's face was a mess and a mix of hurt, anger and defiance" mind me now Jennifer" Adam said sharply, "stay away from that stallion!" 

Jenny jerked free and ran for the house yelling " I will do what I want your not the boss of me!!"
Adam followed with a determined look on his face. 

Jenny burst in the door and slammed it, she headed to her room stomping up the stairs in a fine anger. She was on the third step when a voice boomed "JENNIFER" 

Jenny froze, that was not a voice to be disobeyed. 

Ben rose from his chair, at the desk "come here" he commanded.

Jenny hesitated still defiant, she heard the door open behind her " I don't have to do anything I am NOT a child! I can damn well do what I want " she yelled and ran up a few more steps 

"Jennifer Theresa Marie Cartwright, NOW!!" Ben thundered

Jenny paused on the top step. She knew she was in for it now, she stayed on the step not moving 

"one" Ben counted

Jenny flinched, she knew her pa didn't count for his health Ben was a fair but strict man, he required absolute obedience from his children and exacted stiff consequences for disobedience 

"two" the warning tone grew,

Jenny sighed as she turned around and descended the steps, wiping the tears from her cheeks

When she finally stood before him, Ben said "Now, what was that disgraceful display about?" Ben looked sharply from Jenny to Adam

"I found Jenny out with the new black" Adam explained. "in the corral about to be trampled" 

"I knew what I was doing " Jenny snapped interrupting her eldest brother "I was not about to be trampled, not until YOU arrived " 

"Jennifer!" Ben said his voice low 

Jenny hushed and Adam continued " I pulled her out of the corral and spanked her  then she rain in here yelling that 'I was not the boss of her'" 

Ben looked at his diminutive daughter " what do have to say for yourself Jennifer? 

Jenny opened her mouth but Ben stopped her " and before you get yourself in anymore trouble I suggest you control that little temper " 

Jenny made a visible effort to calm down when she spoke it was in quiet terse tones " I know how to gentle horses, I have a knack for it, I was not about to get trampled until Mr. bossy her"  Ben frowned " came charging in then for NO reason he SPANKED me" Jenny was on a roll " he is NOT the boss of me, I can take care of myself, I am not a little girl " 

Ben held up his hand " your right Jennifer" Jenny looked stunned, so did Adam " you are not a little girl, however " Ben continued, seeing the smirk on her face " you acted like a child a spoilt willful child, if you want to be treated like an adult you have to act like one, you know you are not permitted to go into the corral alone " Ben held up a hand again to stop the protest " I know how good you are with horses Jenny, but I still do not want you in the corral anyone, that rule goes for everyone not just you " Ben held Jenny's eyes in his 'til she nodded 

"yes sir " 

now" Ben continued, "  lets discuss your little temper tantrum" Jenny hung her head " we have been working on this for years Jenny I understand you get angry, however, there are better ways of expressing it than slamming doors and yelling! Adam is allowed to spank you when needed you know that, Hoss and Joe can as well if it is deserved " Jenny scuffed her foot " you also know if they punish you for the wrong reason or unjustly I will deal with them" Jenny seemed to nod, Bend decided it was time to take action . He grabbed Jenny by the scruff of the neck and marched her quickly into the kitchen, by the time they got back in the living room Jenny was literally foaming at the mouth from the lye soap Ben used to wash out her mouth., 

" I will not tolerate that kind of language in this house little girl" Ben parked Jenny in front of the door. "open and close the door quietly Jennifer"

Jenny did as instructed 

Ben nodded " no do it again 100 more times, just like that " Jenny made a face but obeyed. 

She was tired of the door and vowing never again to  slam it by the time she finished her mouth tasted terrible. Ben let her rinse and spit the soap foam out of her mouth 

"do you have something to say to your brother Jennifer? " Ben asked when Jenny was back before him 

Jenny hesitated, one glance at her pa standing there with his arms crossed over his massive chest told her to move very carefully. "I am sorry I yelled at you Adam you were right for spanking me " Jenny said now quite though gritted teeth, then before either man could say anything Jenny continued " I am sorry for slamming the door and yelling and cussing pa,. I will work harder at controlling my temper " 

Ben smiled, a year ago Jenny would have sooner wrestled a grizzly bear than apologize . 

Adam hugged his sister " its okay baby, I am sorry I overreacted, I was scared seeing you in with that wild stallion, I don't want you to get hurt" 

Jenny hugged back tightly then turned to Ben who also pulled her into a hug" its okay now Jenny " Ben murmured then looked Jenny in the eye " I know you have a way with horses however I do not want you to go near the black not even to feed him is that clear ? " 

"yes sir " Jenny whispered

to be continued in part 9