Scott's Journal
San Joaquin Valley, California
It’s good to be home. Traveling to Philadelphia was a unique opportunity that provided me quality time with a younger brother and insight into a little cousin; both never part of my life until recently. Since we’ve arrived back, Johnny has volunteered to ride every fence line on the ranch so he could be with Barranca, confirming my belief he will always be the happiest when riding his palomino. Kinsey and her rescued calf, officially christened Sawyer, have been inseparable. Jelly is the latest to be under her spell after receiving Kinsey’s adoration for taking such good care of the calf in her absence. I spent this morning with Murdoch retelling some of the more memorable moments of the trip including the disastrous reunion with Fletcher Garrett. Feeling guilty, Murdoch expressed his regret for composing the letter to Melbourne to which I assured him that the letter, in fact, was a Godsend. Kinsey’s unsupervised lifestyle combined with her personality was starting to take its toll.
“So tell me, what would you consider are some of the best qualities your cousin possesses?”
Scott reflected on Murdoch’s question before answering.
“Well, I would say Kinsey’s imaginative, independent, creative, loving, caring, and high-spirited.”
“And her behaviors that might need a little work?”
“Stubbornness…”
“Really. That surprises me.”
“Sir, I believe I detect slight sarcasm.”
“Continue my son.”
“I would also add rebellious, quick tempered and a skilled manipulator.”
After further discussion regarding Kinsey and what to do next, Murdoch decided it was time he had a little talk with my cousin in case there was any doubt of who was calling the tune around here.
Finding Sawyer but no Kinsey, Scott headed toward the horse stables confident he would find her with the chestnut mare Murdoch had presented to her soon after she arrived. Once his eyes adjusted to the darker stables, Scott spotted Kinsey feeding the horse an apple she, no doubt, pilfered from the kitchen.
“Guess who is going to be extremely upset if Maria is one apple short from baking a pie.”
“This beautiful horse deserves a delicious apple before any man merits a piece of pie.”
“Well you little thief, Murdoch wants to speak with you.”
“Over one apple? Scott, really. Besides, I was about to go for a ride.”
“The ride can wait. Murdoch cannot.”
“And what would be so terrible if Murdoch had to wait to speak with me?”
“Johnny can answer that question better. He’s an authority on what happens when our father is kept waiting.”
As they made their way towards the study, Kinsey’s steps grew increasingly slower.
“Keep up or you get carried the rest of the way over my shoulder like a sack of grain.”
“I don’t believe you mentioned what Murdoch wishes to talk to me about.”
“I don’t believe I did.”
“And you are joining us?”
“I am. So I highly suggest when asked a question you reply with a straight honest answer.”
Watching Kinsey’s confident smile falter ever so slightly was rather satisfying to Scott. He knew his cousin had pegged Murdoch as a “pushover” ever since he allowed her to keep the stray calf. The young lady was about to find out how far off her calculations were.
Murdoch greeted the girl with a warm smile while motioning to a chair placed in front of his desk while he took his usual seat behind. “Kinsey, there you are. Please sit down.”
Smiling, Kinsey pointed towards the fireplace. “Wouldn’t the seating for a relaxed, informal conversation be more appropriate over here?”
“Indeed it would be, young lady, if that was nature of our conversation.”
As Kinsey seated herself in front of Murdoch’s desk, Scott chose a spectator’s view off to the side so he could enjoy what was about to happen. Unlike Fletcher Garrett, Murdoch was about to set his foot down with his cousin to establish her boundaries but not crush her self-esteem, a credit to his father that Scott, over time, had come to recognize and admire.
Murdoch shuffled papers in front of him before choosing one to read. “So Kinsey, I understand your parents financed your trip to California with the intention you would be joining…the Good Sisters of Mercy in….Scott, refresh my memory.”
“Sacramento.”
“Yes, Sacramento. Should we be sending the sisters a letter saying you have been detained?”
Scott observed a moment he thought was impossible. Kinsey was speechless.
“Can I assume Kinsey you weren’t truthful with your parents for reasons I’m sure you will share with me at a later time?”
Kinsey managed a nod.
“I see. Well, I feel the only option for the sisters would have been to lock you in a room and pray so perhaps it’s for the best you did not arrive when expected.”
Murdoch shuffled a few more papers and examined another.
“I understand you are interested in becoming a fortune teller as a way to support yourself. I need to tell you, my dear, if you couldn’t foresee the fate of your backside once Scott discovered you had lied to him then your choice of this career will never be a profitable one.”
Again, the most Kinsey could muster was a nod.
“Kinsey, believe me when I say I was saddened to learn the meeting with your grandfather went terribly wrong. That was never my intention when I penned the letter to Melbourne under the pretense I was Scott.”
Kinsey placed her hand to her heart and gasped. “You didn’t write that letter? Scott! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Murdoch raised his eyebrows. “Young lady, do not seek a career as a stage actress. That too, will not finance your lifestyle.”
Kinsey, realizing she had met her match, admitted defeat and like the Good Sisters of Mercy in Sacramento started to pray.
Murdoch continued. “Kinsey, I am willing to write to your parents explaining all that has occurred. I am offering that you stay here with us, for now, suggesting, if they prefer, I will reimburse your travel expenses.”
“Murdoch, no...”
“Kinsey, that is my decision, not yours. Now, I have a few rules we need to address.”
A small rain cloud formed across Kinsey’s brow. “Rules?”
The rain cloud was met with a low rumble of thunder. “Yes. Rules. You will not leave the ranch without informing someone of your destination. Language. You will not use….Scott, what does Johnny call it?”
“Down-under lingo.”
“Yes, that or any inappropriate language. There will be a bar of soap waiting for you by the water pump. Scott knows what to do. Temper tantrums. Not tolerated. You will answer to me personally on this one. Curious? Ask Johnny about the consequences. Why am I taking up your time? Here is the list.”
“List?” The small rain cloud gathered intensity.
“Yes. List.” A distant clap of thunder responded.
Murdoch rose. “Scott, let’s ride out to find your brother. Join me in a few minutes. Kinsey, we can talk again this evening.”
As Murdoch left the room, Kinsey turned her attention to her older cousin. ”You knowing led me into the lion’s den.”
“I did. Welcome to the family, Freckles.”
Life just got a bit more interesting today.
S.
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