Dude Ranch -- Chapter 1

Subject: Dude Ranch (Maggie story) Part 1
From: SamPast
Date: 99-05-15 14:39:17 EDT

This is a long story, with many spankings (M/f, F/f, and M/F). It is the first of the Maggie and Heather stories. It is followed by Change of Scenery and New Beginnings. It was written with a co-author, who has not made her name public.

This story contains spanking of (fictional) children . If this is not your thing, then don't read it. It also contains lots of love and emotional interaction, written as well as the author could manage. If all you want is a spanking scene, with no emotions, this story may not be for you, because you won't find that here.

This story is a work of fiction. The author does not endorse or encourage the actual spanking of real children in any way. All characters are the products of the author's imagination.

Do not copy or distribute this story without written permission from SamPast. Permission to keep one personal archive copy is hereby granted. Do not write other stories using these characters without permission from SamPast.

This story is distributed in multiple parts. The above disclaimers apply to all parts.

The Dude Ranch

Chapter 1

By SamPast
Copyright Š1999, All rights reserved

Lisa and Charlie looked at all the luggage piled in the hallway of their apartment, and couldn't believe how much they needed for just a two week vacation.

Lisa sighed, and said, "Hurry up, girls, we want to get going. We need to help Daddy load the car."

"Coming Mom," 8 year old twins, Jennifer and Robin called. "We just have a few more things to get together."

Lisa waited impatiently. Finally she shouted, "I am going to count to three, young ladies, and if you two aren't at this door, and I have to come get you, you are BOTH in big trouble."

The twins looked at each other, and knew immediately that their mom meant a spanking, and neither wanted to begin their trip that way. They grabbed the additional toys they just knew they couldn't live without and hurried to meet their mom at the door.

"Okay, girls, let's go!" Lisa said, pushing the button for the elevator. Soon they were down, putting their things in the station wagon.

Half an hour later, the car was packed, all had used the bathroom, and they were off! They had been told that it would be a long drive, but after an hour and a half, they started to argue and bicker and were hot and tired. Charlie had had enough, and pulled into a gas station to get everyone drinks.

After giving the girls each a large orange juice, he pulled them aside, hugged them both and told them, "Look girls, I know how hot it is, and you are tired, and it is a long drive. But, I do not want to have to start out this vacation giving you both spankings. Will you be good for Daddy?"

The girls both felt bad, and hung their heads. "We're sorry, Daddy", they both said. He patted them both on their bottoms and kissed the tops of their heads.

"Okay, now both of you, go with Mommy to the bathroom. I don't want to stop again for another hour or so."

Back in the car, the girls got sleepy, and fell asleep, dreaming of the fun their Daddy had promised them. They were headed to a family camp in the mountains, and they were going to sleep in a cabin, and eat in a dining hall, and there were going to be horses, and a petting farm, and a big pool, and a lake with ducks, and sooo many other things, they couldn't even remember them all. They knew there would be other kids, and they always had each other.

Charlie took advantage of the kids being asleep and pushed on to their destination at Circle K Ranch. He checked in at the gate before the girls realized that they were there.

"Oh look Robin!" yelled Jennifer, "I see ducks, lots of them. Mommy, can we go feed them? Can we? Can we?"

"Well, not just yet, sweetie. We have to unpack first," Lisa replied.

As they unloaded the car, the girls noticed that there was a girl in the cabin next to them. She looked to be their age, but they weren't sure. When they were done, they asked their mom for permission to go knock on the door.

"Sure girls, but remember, you do not have permission to go ANYWHERE else without coming and telling me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mommy," they yelled back as they flew out the door.

They ran next door and since it was just the screen they yelled in and said, "Hi, anybody here?"

A girl came over and they all introduced themselves. Their new friend's name was Maggie and she was 9, just a year older than the twins. They sat and talked a bit, and the twins told them that their real mom had died, but their dad was remarried. Maggie told them that her she had no father, and lived with her mother and grandmother. She and her mom were staying at the ranch for the whole summer, while her grandmother had the house redone back home. Maggie told them about all the neat stuff there was to do, and offered to show them around. She had been there before, and her mother had horses she kept at the stables.

Robin said, "We have to go ask for permission to go first."

"You what?" Maggie said. "I never ask, just leave a note or something."

Jenn said, "You don't have to ask?!" The twins couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, no big deal or nothin', let's just go. It's very safe around here, and my mom is busy and just lets me wander. I know I have to be home for dinner. No big deal. COME ON, will ya?" Maggie said.

The twins decided to compromise, and as they ran out the door, they yelled, "Going to the barn!" at the open door to their cabin. Unfortunately for them, Charlie and Lisa were in the back of the cabin, and did not hear the girls or their information.

About a half hour later, Charlie said, "You know it is very quiet. I am going next door to check on the twins, and meet the adults over there."

He knocked, and called, and got no answer. Frowning, he walked back to the cabin and told Lisa that no one was home.

"Well, that's strange. I know I told the girls NOT to go anywhere without telling us," Lisa said, frowning, as well.

Since the ranch was huge with lots of choices of directions, they decided to stay put and wait for the girls to come back on their own. The longer they waited, though, the angrier Charlie became, and the more worried they both got.

Meanwhile, Robin and Jennifer were having a great time, looking at all the horses, and the animals in the petting farm area. They totally forgot the time as it got later and later.

"Tomorrow, you can sign up and go on a trail ride with me," Maggie informed them.

"Wow, that's great!" the girls said.

Just then, the head wrangler came by and told them, "Git now, little ones, it's almost time for dinner. Don't want to be late, do ya?"

"Nope," they all replied and happily headed back to the cabins.

Robin looked over uneasily at her sister. "Umm, Jenn, I think we might be in trouble."

"Why?" Maggie asked, "What kind of trouble could you be in?"

The twins exchanged glances, knowing exactly the kind they were probably in, but said nothing to Maggie. As they got closer, they saw Charlie pacing in front of their cabin, and knew this was NOT a good sign.

All three stopped in the road to greet him, and Charlie hugged the girls hard, and asked where they had been. They introduced their new friend, and told Charlie all about the horses. Charlie told Maggie how nice it was to meet her, and that they would see her later, and shepherded the girls inside.

Carefully closing the cabin door, he stood in front of the twins with his hands on his hips and asked sternly, "Girls, what did your mother tell you today about wandering off?"

Jennifer looked up at her dad, and innocently said, "But Daddy, we DID tell you."

"Don't even try that, young lady," he said.

"But we did, Daddy, honest! We came to the door, and shouted in where we were going. Didn't you hear us?"

Charlie looked them over, and decided that the excuse was a bit too flimsy. "Did we answer you, young lady?" he asked.

"Well," Jenn shuffled her feet, "no Daddy, you didn't."

"Robin," Charlie asked, giving her a very stern look, "did YOU think that yelling in the door without waiting for an answer and permission to go was what your mother had in mind when she told you what to do today?"

Robin continued to stare at her feet. Charlie hooked his thumb under her chin, and pulled it up. He said, "Answer me, young lady!"

"No sir," Robin answered in a little voice.

Charlie said, "I think two spankings are in order here."

"Please, Daddy, Nooooooo! We are on vacation, and it is our very first day! Pleeeeeeeeeeease?"

Charlie looked at their small pleading faces, and it almost broke his heart. But he knew that his girls needed consistency, as well as a balance of compassion. Jenn had her fingers crossed behind her back, hoping against hope that just once, Daddy would relent.

Charlie looked over at Lisa who gave him a "it's your call" look. Charlie looked down again, and said in a stern voice, "Okay, girls, this is your one and ONLY chance to mess up on the family rules. You will both go right to bed after dinner, though. No evening activities for either one of you."

"Yes, sir," they both replied, greatly relieved to know they could actually sit to eat dinner.

"Now, go wash up and let's go to the dining hall," Charlie said.

As the twins headed out to change, Charlie gave each a hard swat on their bottom. "Ouch!" they both yelled. Charlie just chuckled at them both as they scampered away.

Just as they finished washing, a gong went off, and as they came out of the cabin, Maggie emerged from hers with her mom. The girls quickly made the introductions, and Charlie invited Heather and Maggie to eat with them, if they had no other plans. Heather quickly accepted, as she really didn't have many friends up there, and had already heard quite a lot about the Clemente family.

After a sumptuous dinner of beef stew and home made biscuits, they headed back to the cabin.

"Come on," Maggie said, "it's movie night at the social hall."

"I'm sorry Maggie, we can't go." Robin said.

"Why not?" Maggie asked.

"Well," Robin said, looking at the ground, "we're grounded tonight."

"But its okay," Jennifer said quickly, "it could have been a lot worse."

The twins exchanged looks and smiles.

"Grounded? Why ever for?" Maggie asked surprised.

"Because we went to the stables without permission, and our folks were worried, and soooo, no movies tonight," Robin explained.

Maggie really wanted her new friends to come, and started whining to her mom. Heather was embarrassed that Maggie got so quickly out of control, and was on the verge of a temper tantrum.

Heather turned to Charlie, and said, "Well, it was such a little thing, can't you relent and let the girls come?"

Charlie stared at her, surprised that she was not only doing nothing to discourage the tantrum he saw coming, but was trying to placate Maggie. He knew that there was going to be problems for this very young mom. She seemed utterly unable to cope.

"I am sorry, Heather, the girls knew they broke a family rule, and they are relieved not to be sitting on very red bottoms right now," Charlie replied.

Maggie looked at the twins, and at her mom, and saw the closeness of the Clemente family, and felt left out. She started to whine even more, and her mom quickly took her hand, and told her to be a good girl, so they could go get some ice cream at the little country store before the movie.

Charlie said goodnight to Heather and Maggie, and told the twins to put on their pajamas. They both yelled goodnight to Maggie and Heather, and reluctantly headed inside.

Alone in their bedroom, Robin looked at Jenn and said, "Wow, if we EVER acted like that, Daddy would just kill us."

"I know," Jenn said, giggling. "I wonder if Heather has EVER been spanked."

Robin said, "I don't know, but I do know that she can get us in a lot of trouble if we aren't careful, and I for one, do not want to spend this vacation over Daddy's knee, got it Jenn?"

"What are you looking at me for? I certainly don't want to be spanked. I'm not going to do anything to make Daddy mad," Jenn said defensively.

Robin thought about it for a moment, but then only said inside her head, "Yeah, right, not on purpose anyway," Aloud, she said, "Goodnight, Jenn."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, after breakfast, Charlie, Lisa and the girls took a tour around the ranch. It was a big place and they wanted to get a feel of it. They decided on a place to meet, if they ever got separated from each other. It was a large tree with a bench underneath.

They walked back over to the stables. The girls told Charlie that Maggie had mentioned signing up for a ride. While they were looking around for one of the ranch hands, they spotted Heather and Maggie.

"Good morning, how are you this morning?" Heather asked.

"We're great, thanks, and you? We didn't see you at breakfast," Lisa said.

"Oh, Maggie and I were at the early breakfast, at 7. We're always up real early. I was just brushing down one of my horses. Are you going riding, today?" she asked.

Charlie answered, "Well, we might need to take lessons first. None of us have ever been riding before."

"Oh, well, there are adult lessons being given around the other side," Heather looked at her watch, "starting around now. Hey, why don't you and Lisa go take some, and the girls can hang with Maggie and me. I'll take them on their first ride."

Lisa said, "Oh, I don't know." She looked at Charlie.

Charlie agreed, "Yea, I don't think that's such a good idea. I think Lisa and I would like to be with them for their first ride."

Heather was surprised. "Okay, well, if you two still want to take those lessons, the girls can watch Maggie and I. Then we can meet up again later."

The girls had been quiet until now. But upon hearing they could hang out with their new friend, they joined the conversation.

"Oh, please, Daddy, please, Mommy, can we?" Jenn asked.

"Yeah, that would be so great!" Robin chimed in.

Charlie and Lisa exchanged looks.

"Well, Charlie, it might be good that we know something about riding before we take the girls!" Lisa said.

Charlie said, "Okay, we'll go take our lessons. Lisa, why don't you go sign us up? I'm going to give the girls a few rules before we leave."

As Lisa walked away, Charlie said, "Robin, Jennifer, I expect you to behave yourselves, and do everything that Heather says. Understood?"

The girls nodded. They would have done anything at that point.

"And..." Charlie started.

"Dadd-ee!" Jennifer said.

"We'll be good, Daddy!" Robin whined.

"Robin, no whining. I mean it, you two had better behave yourselves," Charlie repeated. He kissed both girls and spoke to Heather about a meeting spot. They decided to meet in the dining hall at noon. That would give them plenty of time to take their lessons, and shower before lunch.

As soon as Charlie walked away, Robin, Jennifer, and Maggie jumped up and down, holding hands, in a circle.

"This is going to be so much fun," Maggie said. "Come on, I saved some bread from breakfast, let's go feed the ducks!"

Maggie started to run off. The twins hesitated looking at Heather.

"It's okay, go ahead, have fun! I'll be awhile, brushing my horses, then I'll find you in a little while," she said.

Jennifer shrugged and ran to catch up to Maggie. Robin, still a little unsure, waited.

Heather noticed her. "What's the matter, Robin?"

"Um, I don't think my parents would like it if we went off by ourselves," she said, feeling stupid.

"Oh, no, don't worry about it. Maggie knows this place like the back of her hand, you won't get lost. I'll meet you there in a little while. Okay?" Heather said.

"Okay," Robin said.

"Come on, Robin," Jennifer called.

The girls fed the ducks and played by the lake.

"Ooh, what are those?" Jennifer asked pointing.

Maggie looked. "Oh, those are paddle boats. They're really fun!"

"Can we go on them?" Jenn asked.

"Yeah, but we'll have to wait for my mom. I think it's stupid, but they don't let kids take them out by themselves. My mom said I could, but the ranch said no," Maggie said.

After a little while, Heather joined them at the lake.

"Mom, Jennifer and Robin want to take out the paddle boats, and we need you, let's go!" Maggie demanded.

The twins couldn't believe how Maggie had told her mother what to do. She won't do it, though, the girls thought. Then, they couldn't believe it. Heather was walking towards the paddle boats.

"Can you believe that, Robin?" Jenn asked.

"If we spoke like that to Mommy, we'd have our mouths washed out with soap," Robin said.

"Come on, Robin, let's go!" Jenn called and ran off.

Robin followed. Then she grabbed Jennifer and said, "Do you think we should?"

"Yeah, why not?" Jenn asked. "Heather is coming with us. And Daddy said to do whatever Heather said. Come on, stop being such a "drag in the mud"!"

Jennifer and Maggie went in one paddle boat, while Robin felt more comfortable staying with Heather in another paddle boat. They all wore life jackets, but Robin still felt uneasy.

Soon, though, she forgot about her uneasiness, as she and Heather tried to win the race against Maggie and Jennifer.

Meanwhile, after having taken lessons, and gotten a shower, Charlie and Lisa took a stroll around the grounds. They had gone to the stables first, and were surprised not to see Heather and the girls there.

"Where could they be?" Lisa asked.

"Maybe they went to feed the ducks," Charlie said, "let's look down by the lake."

When they got there, they were surprised to see the girls in the middle of the lake, on paddle boats. They were relieved to see that they were wearing life jackets, but were annoyed that Heather had taken them out there without their permission.

"What kind of a parent does that?" Lisa asked surprised.

"I don't know," Charlie responded, "but I don't think I like it. We'll have to have a talk with Heather."

Charlie and Lisa waited until Heather came in with the girls in their paddle boats. The girls waved and Jenn got so excited trying to show her Mommy and Daddy what they were doing, she stood up.

"Nooo, sit down!" Maggie yelled at Jenn, "you might. . ."

Too late. Jenn lost her balance, and fell right into the lake. Heather yelled over to Maggie to stay put, and dove overboard to get Jennifer. Meanwhile, Charlie kicked off his shoes and started swimming towards Jenn as well. Jenn was sputtering and screaming for help, as she bobbed around in her life jacket.

Heather reached her first, and grabbed her by her jacket and started swimming to shore. Charlie caught up to them and took her the rest of the way. Heather swam back to Robin and Maggie, and told them to follow her back to the dock. Jenn was shaking as Charlie pulled her to shore, and he checked her over to make sure she was alright.

Lisa rushed over, and Jennifer started to cry and cough, and said, "I think I swallowed half the lake!"

"That's okay, sweetie, just cough it up. You'll be fine," Lisa told her, and gave her a big hug. "We are just glad you are okay."

Heather came in with Maggie and Robin, and they all rushed over to see if Jennifer was okay. Not wanting them to know how shaken she was, Jenn put a brave face on. Charlie tried to keep his temper under control as he turned to Heather, and asked if he could speak to her for a second.

"Sure," Heather said. "Run back and clean up, Maggs, see you in a bit."

"Lisa, would you take the girls and get them cleaned up please?" Charlie asked Lisa.

"Sure, hon," Lisa answered. Lisa and Charlie exchanged glances that the twins did not catch. Robin chattered on to her mom about how much fun she had with the boats.

"Well I did, until Jennifer fell overboard, what a dork you are Jenn!"

"I am not," said Jenn.

"Are too!" Robin said.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Lisa exclaimed.

The girls followed Lisa into the cabin. Jennifer changed out of her wet clothes, while Robin cleaned up for lunch.

Meanwhile, Charlie sat down on a bench by the lake to talk to Heather. "Heather, I know we don't know you all that well, and we probably have different parenting techniques, but when you said you would keep the girls, you indicated to us that you would have them watch you and Maggie with your horses, am I correct?" Charlie asked gently.

"Well, yes Charlie, but then Maggie decided the boats would be more fun, so we came here. What's the big deal?" Heather asked flippantly.

Charlie took a deep breath. He was going to try to stay patient. "The deal is, that if my girls are with you, I need to know exactly where they are and what they are doing. It's just the way things are in my family."

Heather frowned, still not understanding where Charlie was coming from. Charlie sighed, knowing he was not getting through. "Look Heather, my problem is that I would have liked to have one adult in each boat. If Jennifer had stood up, an adult would have pulled her back in, and she wouldn't have fallen overboard, right?"

"Well, I guess so," replied Heather.

Charlie decided that he was getting nowhere, and that he might as well drop it. "Let's go get cleaned up for lunch, Heather," he said.

Heather was happy to change the conversation. She still did not realize that Charlie was annoyed with her. As they walked back to the cabin, Heather told Charlie that she was a single mom, that her ex left her when she was pregnant with Maggie, but that they were really too young to be married anyway.

"Really?" Charlie replied, "well how old were you when you had Maggie?" "Well, umm, 16," Heather replied. "After I had the baby, my mom let me stay home and she has taken over most of the upbringing. I only have Maggie full time in the summers."

Charlie was a little shocked but didn't say anything, except, "Well, I am sure it is hard for you, and that you are doing the best you can to be both mom and dad to her."

Heather looked at Charlie, took a deep breath, and said, "You know, kids sure don't come with a manual, do they?"

"No," Charlie replied, "they don't."

"You and your wife seem to have it sooo together," Heather said, almost in a whine.

"Well, we work at it all the time, we communicate, and are lucky that we have each other, and share common views on child rearing. I know you don't know this, but Lisa is their stepmom, but she loves the twins as if they were biologically hers, and they adore her. Their mom died when they were 3, in a car accident. They hardly remember her anymore."

"How sad," Heather remarked. "I would never have guessed that Lisa wasn't their real mom."

"Well, she is real, Heather," Charlie replied.

Just then, they approached the cabins, and Charlie said goodbye to a thoughtful Heather.

Walking into their cabin, Charlie heard the happy chatter of the twins, and was reminded again of how lucky they all were to be a family. He came up behind Lisa, and grabbed her in a bear hug.

Startled, Lisa asked, "What was that for?"

Charlie spun her around, kissed her soundly, and said, "Because I feel soo lucky to have you in my life."

Lisa held him tightly, and whispered into Charlie's ear, "I love you soooo much.

The twins came bounding in from their room, and ran to their dad for a hug, too.

"Daddy, are you mad we went in the paddle boats?" Robin asked.

"I was not happy, Robin, but since Heather told you it was okay and you were listening to her, which is what I told you both to do, I am not angry at either one of you," he answered.

"Ohh, are you mad at Heather, Daddy?" Jenn asked. "Did you have her stay behind to lecture her?"

Charlie chuckled. "No, sweetie, Heather is a grown up and although we don't see things the same way, she did what she thought was right."

"We can still play with Maggie though, right Daddy?" asked a nervous Robin.

"Yes, sweetie, you can," Charlie reassured her.

Robin sighed, and said, "Goody, now I am starved, are we gonna eat?"

"Yes", Charlie said, "just give me a second to wash up, okay?"

Charlie tried to hurry as the twins shouted encouragement to him. Laughing, he came into the living room, scooped them both up, and headed out the door. Both twins were laughing loudly and didn't see Maggie, standing in the doorway of her cabin, looking at them wistfully.

Chapter 2

After lunch the girls wanted to head back to the stables. "Okay, girls, but this time, we all stay together, agreed?"

"Yes, Mommy," they answered, running out the door.

"Wait," Jenn said to Robin, "let's see if Maggie wants to come."

They turned back, and headed over to her cabin door, and yelled in, "Hey Maggie, you there?"

There was no answer, so they turned again, and hoped to catch up to her at the stables. The girls each skipped holding on to a parent's hand. Together they started to sing, and as they passed, people began to look and smile at them.

Back at the stables, the wrangler was making up a list for the afternoon trail ride. Charlie walked over and asked if they can all go.

"Well, the girls will need some arena time before they are ready for the trail, sir," the wrangler replied.

"Okay," Charlie said, "when can they get that?"

"Well, not till tomorrow morning, I'm afraid. Every one is heading out on the trails now, lessons are in the morning," he said.

The girls were really disappointed, but Charlie reminded them of the many other things the ranch had to offer, and gave them some choices. Just then, the girls saw Maggie riding her pony and lining up for the trail ride.

"Where's your mom?" Charlie asked her.

"Don't know," Maggie replied.

"Well, is it okay for you to go riding?" he asked concerned.

"Sure, my mom lets me do whatever I want to around here. She is probably off with some of her friends."

Maggie shrugged as if it didn't mean anything, but Charlie saw the pain in the little girl's eyes, and knew how much she was hurting for some attention.

"Okay, tell you what, when you get back, come on over to our cabin, okay?" Charlie asked.

"Sure," Maggie said. "What are you guys gonna do now?"

"I don't know," Charlie said, "we haven't quite decided yet."

They waved and turned away, and didn't see the yearning in Maggie's eyes.

The girls decided that they wanted to explore, so Lisa packed some drinks and snacks and off they went climbing rocks and wandering the property until they came to a beautiful waterfall. They all decided to sit, and have drinks and talk for a bit.

"Daddy?" Jennifer asked.

"What, sweetie?" Charlie replied.

"Umm, does Maggie seem happy to you?"

"Why do you ask, baby?"

"I don't know, Daddy, I just don't think she is, that's all, and it makes me sad for her," Jennifer said as she climbed into her Daddy's lap and snuggled in.

Not to be outdone, Robin climbed into Lisa's and they all sat happily watching the waterfall.

Maggie got back from her ride and returned to an empty cabin. She went next door. The Clemente's were gone too, and Maggie was bored. Digging into her mom's purse, she took out some money, and went across the road to the country store for some ice cream. Just then Robin and Jennifer and their parents came back from their walk.

The girls ran over to Maggie, and told her about their rock climbing afternoon. Seeing her with ice cream the twins asked Charlie if they could have some.

"Sorry girls, it's too close to dinner," he answered.

"But, Daddy," Robin whined, "Maggie has some, please?"

"No whining, Robin," Lisa said. "You heard your dad."

"Can we just hang out here for a bit?" Jennifer asked.

Lisa looked around. "Well, I'm not too thrilled about you crossing the road by yourselves. Come, we'll cross you over and you can hang out with Maggie over there for a little while. I would like you to play quietly for a bit before dinner, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy," they both said.

Charlie and Lisa crossed the girls over to their side of the road. It was still a distance from their cabin, but they would be able to see them from their cabin window and keep an eye on them.

As soon as they are out of sight, Maggie said, "Look, I have money, I can buy you two some ice cream."

"We can't," Robin sighed, "our dad said no."

"Well, so what?" Maggie said, "I get what I want, when I want it. Besides, we can go sit on the side, and he won't know."

"Yeah, but then we'll have to cross the road ourselves," Jennifer said doubtfully. "They wouldn't like that."

"Oh, please, this road? There's no cars here. Your parents are just being silly. I do it all the time. Come on!" Maggie said.

"I don't think so," Robin said, "it'll get us into trouble, and we don't need any."

"Ohh, come on Robin," Jennifer said, "I really want some ice cream, and I know you do, too. Daddy won't know unless YOU tell him."

"Jenn, you KNOW what'll happen if we get caught," Robin said.

"What?" Maggie asked. She was curious about why the twins both seemed so nervous. "Geez, its just ice cream."

"No, it's not," said Robin. "It's defying our dad, and he is pretty strict."

"Well, so what?" Maggie asked again. "What's he gonna do?"

"You don't want to know," Robin said nervously.

"Sure I do. Tell me," Maggie said.

"Well, first he'd tell us how disappointed in us he was. Then he would drag us back to the cabin, and we would be in big trouble," Robin replied.

"Big trouble, how?" Maggie was pushing, and Robin was squirming a bit.

"Well, he would, umm, ahhh, ohh. . ." Robin began.

"Sheesh, Robin," Jennifer said impatiently. She turned to Maggie and said, "He would spank us, Maggie."

Maggie said, "Really? Wow, I have never been spanked in my whole life."

The girls were shocked. They had never known anyone who was never spanked. "What does your mom do when she is mad at you?" Robin asked.

"Well," Maggie thought about this, "well, she yells, then she, she, she says. . ." Maggie began to cry.

Robin and Jenn were bewildered, and didn't know what to do, so they both hugged Maggie.

"What does she say?" Robin asked her quietly.

"She tells me, that," Maggie was crying, but managed to tell them that Heather sometimes tells her she wishes she were never born, and that she should be having fun instead of always having to take care of her. "She always apologizes, of course, and says she doesn't mean it, and cries a lot, and then buys me lots of stuff."

Maggie pulled herself together, and shrugged. "Well, there are lots of good sides to it. I can do whatever I want, when I want. I really have no rules! And my grandmother's the same way!"

Jennifer thought that would be wonderful, and told her so. Robin was not too sure, but said nothing. Just then, Maggie jumped up and asked them if they had seen the swings yet.

"No," they replied, "but we can't go." "We have to stay here, like we were told," Robin said.

"You can come, it's not far. COME ON!" Maggie yelled as she ran away.

Robin knew this was a really bad idea, and said so, but Jennifer told her she was a scaredy cat, and ran after Maggie. Robin was torn, and didn't know what to do.

"I have to go to the bathroom," she called to Jenn, and ran back to the cabin.

Charlie was surprised to see Robin without Jennifer. "Where is your sister?" he asked.

"She, ahh, umm, I have to go to the bathroom, Daddy."

"Ohh, okay," Charlie smiled. He went back to reading his book, then looked out the window. He was surprised not to see Maggie and Jennifer. As Robin came out of the bathroom, he asked her again, "Where is your sister?"

Robin didn't want to be a tattle tale, and said, "Well, I left them right outside, Daddy."

Sensing there was more to this than she was telling, Charlie went over and hugged Robin. "Honey, look at me."

Robin looked up and saw the concern in her Daddy's eyes. "You know you need to tell me, right?" Charlie asked gently.

"Yes, Daddy," Robin said, and sighed. "Jenn and Maggie went to the playground." Robin looked down at her feet as soon as she said it. She felt bad telling on Jennifer.

"I see," Charlie said. "Stay here with Mommy, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy," Robin replied.

Charlie headed to where he remembered the playground to be and found the girls happily swinging away. Jenn looked over and saw her father, and knew she was in trouble. Slowing her swing down, she said, "Uhh, hi, Daddy."

"Let's go, Jennifer. You and I have some talking to do, young lady," Charlie said sternly.

"We were just swinging," Maggie said.

"I know that Maggie, but I told the girls to stay down the road," Charlie said.

"I don't want to play by myself! I want Jenn to stay here!" Maggie said and stamped her foot.

"That will do you no good, young lady, so I advise you to stop that right now!" Charlie said sternly. Maggie was startled, never having had a father figure in her life. "You may do as your mother has told you you can, but Jennifer is coming back to the cabin right now."

With that, Charlie took Jennifer's hand, and they headed back.

"I'm sorry," Jennifer told her Daddy. "Please don't be mad."

"Jennifer, you know better than to go off on your own like that, without permission. You know how your mother and I feel about that! Whatever possessed you to do that? " Charlie asked.

"I don't know, Daddy," Jennifer said quietly.

"That is NOT an acceptable answer, young lady, and you know it!"

Charlie marched Jennifer right into the cabin and into his bedroom. Standing her between his knees, he started his lecture. "First of all, young lady, when you are told to do something, you do it, understood?"

"Yes, sir," Jennifer answered.

"I am not sure I like Maggie's influence on you," Charlie stated.

Jennifer looked up and said, "Please, Daddy, don't say I can't play with Maggie, please?"

"Jenn, tell me what you did wrong today."

"I disobeyed you, Daddy."

"And what do little girls that disobey their Daddy get?" Charlie asked.

"Please, Daddy, I'm sorry, please don't spank me, please?" Jenn started to beg, knowing it wouldn't do her any good.

"Sweetheart, I am sorry, and I am sorry you CHOSE to disobey me, but I need you to understand that I make rules to keep you and your sister safe because I love you."

Jennifer started to cry, and knew that she couldn't talk her way out of it, but also knew that she chose to go to the swings, knowing that she would get in trouble.

"I really am sorry, Daddy."

"I know you are, baby, but we still need to do this. Come on, let's get this over with."

Charlie quickly pulled down Jennifer's shorts and panties, and put her over his knee. He began first on one cheek, then the other, and gave her ten swats on each cheek before letting her up. Jennifer was surprised to be let off that easily, but was relieved.

Charlie took her into his arms, pulled up her shorts, and whispered in her ear, "Jenn, I want you to really know and understand how loved you are."

"Yes, Daddy," Jenn answered as she hugged him hard.

"Now, young lady, I don't want to have to punish you again this vacation, is that clear?"

"I don't want you to have to, either, Daddy," Jenn smiled through her tears, and knew her daddy loved her. "I'm sorry I let you down, Daddy. I'll be good, I promise."

"Okay, little one, I don't want you to get hurt. That is my first priority, okay?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, Daddy," Jenn answered. Charlie pulled her onto his lap, and held her for another minute. As he was about to put her down, they all heard a loud crash outside the door.

Charlie dropped Jennifer down like a sack of potatoes, and ran outside. His first thought was that something had happened to either Lisa or Robin. When he and Jennifer got outside, they saw Lisa bending over something.

"What on earth was it?" Charlie asked bewildered.

Lisa moved to the side so her husband could see what she was seeing. There on the ground, lay Maggie, dirty, but not crying.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lisa asked. "What were you doing?"

Maggie looked up at the four sets of frightened eyes, and said, "I'm okay, really, I was just, um, fooling around, I guess, and I, uh, um. . ."

"Come, let me help you up," Charlie said as he offered her his hand.

She took it and said, "Thanks, I guess I'd better go wash up before dinner."

Maggie started to walk away. She was filthy. Apparently, as far as Lisa and Charlie could figure, she must have fallen from a great height. They couldn't figure out what she had been trying to do.

Jennifer looked at her parents. "Help her, Mommy, Daddy, please!"

"She has nobody," Robin said, referring to the fact that Heather was never around.

Lisa said, "Wait. Come here, Maggie. Why don't I give you a bath?"

Maggie stopped. She turned around slowly. "What do you mean? I can wash myself."

"Come on, it'll be nice. We'll put bubbles in it. Come on," she urged Maggie.

"It's really nice, with the bubbles," Jennifer encouraged.

Charlie said, "Okay, Robin, Jenn, let's go inside."

Robin and Jennifer didn't want to leave Maggie.

"Come on," Charlie insisted.

"Hope to see you later," Robin called, as Charlie pulled them inside the cabin.

Maggie looked up at this young, pretty woman. She couldn't believe that someone else's mother wanted to help her like her mother never did. She didn't know why, but she was drawn to this family. All of a sudden, being given a bath, sounded like the best idea.

"Okay, I'll try it," Maggie tried to say reluctantly. Lisa hid her smile. She knew how much attention Maggie was needing.

At first, Maggie was reluctant to have Lisa see her naked, but soon found herself drawn to the loving care of having being given a bath. At home, Maggie just took showers. Her mom had never checked to see if she had washed behind her ears.

After her bath, Charlie and Lisa told the three girls to play quietly in the bedroom. It would be about fifteen minutes until the dinner gong.

Alone in the bedroom, Jennifer said to Maggie, "What were you doing out there, anyway?"

"Oh, nothing," Maggie said.

"No, really?" Jennifer insisted.

"Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it, Jenn," Robin said.

"Oh, Robin, you're always such a goody-goody," Jennifer said nastily.

"At least, I keep myself out of trouble most of the time," Robin shot back.

"Okay, I'll tell you, if you promise to stop fighting, and also not to tell anyone, especially your folks," Maggie said. She had gotten the twins' interest. They were both staring at her, waiting for her to go on.

"Well," she turned to Jennifer, "when I saw your father leading you away, and I remembered what you had told me earlier, I wanted to see what would happen, so, I, uh, um. . ."

"You were eavesdropping?" Robin asked.

"What's that?" Maggie asked.

"It's when you listen to someone else talking and they don't know you're there," Jennifer explained.

"Yeah, I guess, I mean, I was trying to, but I couldn't hear what your dad was saying. So, I tried to get closer. And closer to your dad's window, was getting up on top of the roof of the cabin, and. . ."

"You climbed on the roof?" Robin asked.

Maggie answered, "Yeah, but I still couldn't hear, and so I was trying to bend down closer to the window, but that's um, uh, when I fell."

Jennifer stood there wide-eyed. She couldn't believe the lengths Maggie went to, to see her punishment.

GONG! GONG! GONG!

"Come on, girls, time for dinner!" Charlie called.

"Come on, let's go, I'm starving," Robin said.

"You're always hungry," Jenn said.

They got up to leave, but Maggie pulled them back. "Remember, not a word about what I did, to your parents!"

Jennifer said, "No, we won't tell, right, Robin?"

Robin agreed, "I won't say anything. Man, if Jenn or I did something like that, we'd be spanked for a long time. Come on, let's eat!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

Maggie went to dinner with the Clemente's. Heather never even showed up.

"She probably went to dinner with some of her friends. It's okay. I'm used to it," Maggie said sadly.

"So, you eat by yourself?" Lisa asked.

"Well, she doesn't usually disappear on the weekends. During the week, she has me enrolled in the camp they have here." Maggie turned to Robin and Jennifer. "Are you two going to the camp tomorrow?"

The twins looked at Charlie and Lisa. "Are we, Daddy? Mommy?"

Lisa said, "Well, if you want to go, we can sign you up. We figured you would want to stay with us, though,"

Robin said, "I want to stay with you. I like doing things as a family."

Jennifer nudged Robin under the table. "Yeah, but wouldn't it be fun to hang out with other kids our age, Robin?" Jenn said, pointing towards Maggie.

Maggie pretended not to be listening, by studying her dinner.

Charlie said, "If you girls want to, you could try it out for a week. We'll be here for two weeks, and if you don't like it, you don't have to do it next week. And Robin, we can still do things together at night, and over next weekend."

"I, actually, think you two would like it," Lisa said.

"Okay, I'll try it," Robin said.

"Cool, then it's settled. Right?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, we'll see to it in the morning. Come on, if you're all done, let's go back. Maggie, I'm sure your mother is frantic with worry right about now," Charlie stated.

"I doubt it," Maggie said.

When they got back to the cabin, Charlie went next door and knocked. But as he suspected, there was no answer. He came back in and said, "Okay, how about a game of Monopoly?"

"Yea!" they all shouted.

"Oh, count me out, I'm never good at that one," Lisa said.

The three girls and Charlie played Monopoly for a good hour and a half. Maggie enjoyed being with the Clemente's. It made it seem to her as if she were a part of a real family. She liked how they all got along, and how Charlie would make funny little jokes, and kind of tease them, but not in a way, where anyone's feelings were hurt. Maggie was really enjoying herself.

After playing Monopoly for awhile, and Charlie deciding he'd had enough, the girls called it quits, too. Lisa let them color for a little while, and then told them to put on their pajamas.

"Maggie, why don't I come with you next door and you can put your pajamas on, too?" Lisa asked.

"Why?" Maggie asked.

"Well, your mom must have been delayed. You'll just stay here with us until she gets back," Lisa explained.

Maggie replied, "Well, usually I just watch t.v. until my mom gets home or I fall asleep."

"Well, not tonight," Charlie said, "go on, Lisa will go with you. Go put on your pajamas."

Maggie thought about defying Charlie and throwing a tantrum, but then remembered when she stomped her foot in the playground. He hadn't liked that, and said it would do her no good. So she just relented and went next door with Lisa.

Robin let Maggie sleep in the small bed with her. And after kissing each girl, Maggie included, and tucking them all in, Charlie and Lisa carefully closed the door to their bedroom. They returned to the living area.

Lisa sighed, "That poor little girl. It breaks my heart."

"I know, sweetheart, it's sad. But what can we do?" Charlie asked.

"We're already doing whatever we can do," Lisa said.

~~~~~~~~~~~

About an hour later, there was a loud knock on the door. It was Heather, finally.

"Hi, I'm sorry to bother you guys, but I just got home, and . . . Well, have you seen Maggie? She's not in the cabin, and. . ."

Charlie cut Heather off. "Come with me!" He led her to his daughter's bedroom, and carefully opened the door. There was just enough light for Heather to see that Maggie was sound asleep in Robin's small bed.

Heather tried to go into the room, but Charlie held her back. He nudged her away from the door, and closed it. Then he gently pushed Heather back into the main room.

Heather said, "I was just going to take Maggie with me."

"I don't think so, Heather. It's real late, she's sound asleep. You can see her in the morning," Charlie said.

"In the morning? What. . .! That's my daughter, you can't. . ."

"Your daughter? Did you think about your daughter at 5:30, when she lay on the ground, after having fallen down, or at 6:00, when the gong sounded for dinner, or at 9:00 when she was falling asleep coloring? MY GOD, HEATHER, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Charlie shouted.

Lisa went over to her husband. "Charlie, calm down, you'll wake the girls!"

She turned to Heather, "Heather, have you been drinking?"

"What if I have?" Heather told Lisa, "Goodness, you are NOT my mother! I really haven't had THAT much to drink anyway!"

Charlie and Lisa saw that Heather was not quite steady on her feet, and was slurring her words a bit, and realized that arguing with her would be useless.

"Why don't you just go home and get some sleep, and we will see you first thing in the morning, okay?" Charlie asked her.

"OKay, sounds like a plan," Heather replied flippantly. Charlie and Lisa watched her go back to her cabin sadly.

"That is one hurting young lady", Lisa said.

Charlie was slowly simmering, and was not ready to excuse Heather just yet. "What I think that young lady needs is a wake up call to the fact that she is a mother, and has responsibilities. No wonder Maggie tries so hard to get attention. And, while we are talking about this, I can only conclude that she was on the roof! There is no other place she could have fallen from. Did you see any bruises on her during her bath?"

"No, but they wouldn't really show till tomorrow. I will see if I can sneak a peak at her and check her out. I think she likes us and the attention, but remember Charlie, all this is new to her. She is confused and doesn't know how to respond to us. Don't think she will respond like our girls do," Lisa cautioned. Charlie sighed, and said, "Of course my love, you are right. But know what?" "What?" she asked.

"I think it is time to forget about little girls, and get into bed, and be adults. What do you say?" Charlie asked mischievously.

Lisa smiled broadly, wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck, and purred like a kitten. "Whatever you say, Dear," she replied happily.

Chapter 3

Lisa smiled broadly, wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck, and purred like a kitten. "Whatever you say, Dear," she replied happily.

The next morning, Jenn woke up first, and headed into the bathroom to change out of her pantsies before Maggie found out that she slept in them. The last thing she wanted was for Maggie to think less of her for her bladder control problems. She wrapped them thoroughly and threw them away before anyone else was up.

Tiptoeing back into her room, she saw that Robin and Maggie were just waking up. Robin, guessing where Jenn has been and what she has been doing, gave her a look that said, "Don't worry, I won't say anything." Jenn gratefully got the message. As twins, they often communicated without words.

Maggie looked confused for a second and then remembered where she was. Robin caught a sad look on her face and wondered if she was worried about her mom. Robin couldn't begin to imagine EVER being left somewhere without knowing where her mommy and daddy were. She began to wonder how happy a life Maggie had.

"Lets all get dressed and ready for camp, everyone!" Jenn said.

"Well," Maggie replied, "I have to go get my stuff, guess I will head back to my cabin. See ya for breakfast, okay?"

Maggie dashed out the door before the twins could stop her and tell her she should ask their folks first. Jenn and Robin looked at each other and shook their heads.

Jenn said, "Wow, wouldn't it be neat to never have to ask permission, and do what you want to do?"

"I don't know," replied Robin, "I am not sure Maggie is all that happy about it."

"What do you mean?" Jenn asked.

"I mean, well, ahh, think about it Jenn, would you like it if you had to eat alone, take a bath by yourself, go to bed all alone, without Mommy and Daddy, and without ME?" Robin added.

Jenn hadn't thought about that part. "I guess not, Robin."

With a grin at each other, they ran into Charlie and Lisa's room, and jumped into bed with them. "Good morning!" they chirped.

Charlie pretended to be asleep, but had heard the girls talking to each other. The girls began to tickle him, and Charlie started to tickle back and toss them around. Lisa got into it, too, and they were all giggling and rolling around when Maggie came back to the cabin.

She paused at the door, taking in the scene, and cannot believe what she saw. She couldn't imagine her mom or grandma ever playing with her like that. A deep feeling of unhappiness welled up inside of her and she felt sad and left out.

Just at that moment, Charlie looked up and saw Maggie's little forlorn face in the doorway. "Hey Maggie," he yelled, "jump on in, the waters fine!"

Maggie hesitated, unsure of herself, yet wanting desperately to be a part of this happy family. Lisa jumped out of bed, grabbed Maggie around the waist and threw her on the bed. Maggie let out a whoop as she sailed through the air, and landed on Charlie. Charlie started to tickle her as well, and threw her in the air.

"More Daddy, more!" the twins yelled at him.

Maggie was laughing so hard she could hardly breathe, and Charlie set her back onto the bed. "Okay, you guys, now scoot so Mommy and I can get dressed and take you to breakfast. Maggie, is your mom going to join us?"

The smile quickly faded from Maggie's face, and she said, "Umm, no, Mom has a headache and doesn't feel well, so she said for me to eat and go to camp." Seeing her friend's face, Robin quickly jumped in and pulled Maggie's hand. "Come on, I have a new game to show you while Mommy and Daddy get dressed. Gosh, I'm starved, are you?" Robin chattered and lead Maggie away.

Charlie looked at Lisa and said, "Great, Heather is hung over."

"Well," Lisa said, "we knew she was drinking last night, let's get the girls to breakfast and camp, and then when Heather gets up, maybe we can talk to her, okay?"

The gong sounded, and the girls were raring to go. "Come on slowpokes!" they yelled to their parents.

"Lets go!" Maggie told the twins.

They looked at her as if she was demented. "We can't," Robin said.

"Why not?" asked Maggie.

"Cause we have to wait," Jennifer explained.

"Why?" Maggie was really confused.

Charlie heard this exchange, and came into the living room. "Okay, I would like the three of you to sit down for a sec."

Robin and Jenn exchanged glances, and tried to figure out if they were in trouble. Seeing that, Charlie laughed, and said, "NO, no one is in trouble, girls. At least not yet." He gave them a stern look, but smiled so they knew he was teasing. Looking over at Maggie, he talked to her first.

"Maggie, I know you don't know all of our families rules, and that your mom has different rules for you. But, I need you to understand, that while you are with THIS family, you will need to obey the same rules as Jennifer and Robin, and that if you do not, you will be sent home as a punishment. Is that understood?"

Maggie didn't know what to say, so she just nodded her head. "Okay, girls?"

"Yes, Daddy?"

Charlie continued, "I expect you to help Maggie understand the rules, but most importantly, I need you both to remember them. I do not want to punish either of you but if I have to, I certainly will. Please do not make that necessary, okay?"

"Yes Sir," they both replied quickly. Neither of them wanted that either. They never planned for it to happen, really. It just kinda, sorta did.

"Okay, now today is the first day of camp. After breakfast Mommy and I will go over with all of you, and talk to the counselors. You need to follow the rules of the camp, and make sure you listen to your counselors. They will tell you if something is dangerous or not. IS that clear?" Charlie asked.

"Yes Sir." This time all three girls replied, and Charlie was hard put not to smile. They all looked at him sooo intently, his heart was touched.

"Okay, I want you all to have fun, but be safe. Got it? He got up and grabbed Maggie and Jenn off their chairs, and Robin jumped on his back. They all fell onto the floor, and started to tickle Charlie.

Lisa came out of the bedroom, and said, "Okay you all, last one to the dining room is a rotten egg," and flew out the door.

Maggie was stunned at how they all laughed and played together and was rooted to the spot.

"Come on!" Jenn yelled, "we can't let her beat us, runnnnn, will ya?"

Out the door they all went, happily laughing and yelling until they got to the dining room. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs, Charlie and Lisa asked Maggie if she wanted to go check on her mom before they headed to camp. Maggie shook her head NO, and they decided not to press.

"Off we go!" Charlie said. And holding all three of the girls hands they skipped off to camp.

Charlie talked to the head counselor and signed the girls up for the week, asking about the activities, and the rules and safety precautions. After telling them that he would be back to pick them up at 5:00 pm, he hugged and kissed all three girls and headed back with Lisa so they could decide what to do with themselves for the day.

The counselors got all the campers together, and told them that their first activity would be horseback riding. The girls were thrilled and started jumping all over the place. As they headed to the stables, Maggie looked over at her cabin, and saw her mother outside smoking a cigarette. She tried to wave, but her mom didn't see her.

Maggie decided to break away from the group, and ran over to her Mom. Heather, who was feeling rotten, and was not especially glad to see Maggie, said, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in camp?"

Maggie, hoping for a hug, or at least some explanation of where her mom had been the night before, yelled, "I HATE YOU, YOU DON'T LOVE ME, I HATE YOU, and ran off crying.

Charlie and Lisa heard Maggie screaming, and ran out, but are too late to catch her.

"What happened?" Charlie asked Heather.

"Shit, damned if I know," replied Heather.

"Well, don't you think you SHOULD KNOW?" Charlie yelled at her.

"Hey man, get off my back. I don't need YOU in my face," Heather yelled back. And with that, she went into her cabin and slammed the door.

Charlie was about to bang on the door, when Lisa stopped him. "Hon, please listen to me, I know you care about Maggie, and want to help, but yelling at Heather, when she has a hangover isn't the way to do it, okay? Please? Lets just go make sure that Maggie went back to camp."

Charlie agreed and nodded reluctantly. Lisa held out her hand to him. "Come on, Sweetie, let's find Maggie."

Together they went to the stables where the girls were supposed to be. Seeing them, the twins ran over to them. "Have you seen Maggie, girls?" Charlie asked.

"We saw her go to her cabin, and Heather was on the porch, but we haven't seen her since. We figured she needed some time with her mom," said Robin.

Lisa and Charlie didn't want to worry the girls, but they sensed something anyway.

"Whats up?" asked Robin.

"Well sweetie, Maggie and her mom had some words. Maggie got upset and ran this way, so we decided to check and see if she was okay. Come help us find her, okay?" Lisa said gently.

Both twins agreed immediately, and fanned out looking for her. They found her in her pony's stall, crying on his mane.

Charlie's first thought was to run over and grab Maggie up and hold her until she cried it out. But as he walked closer, Maggie looked up and saw him and said, "No, go away! I don't need you."

The twins were shocked that their friend said that. Charlie turned to Lisa and said, "Why don't you bring the girls back? Their counselor, Adam, is probably wondering where they went. We'll be fine."

Lisa turned the twins around and left Charlie alone with Maggie.

Charlie said, "Hey, want to talk about it?"

"NO! Why don't you just leave me alone? I'm not your daughter!" Maggie shouted.

Charlie could tell this little girl was hurting, and he felt useless. He wanted to help, but what she needed he couldn't give her. Not permanently, anyway.

"No, you're not my daughter, but I'd like to help you anyway," he told her.

"Why? Why do you care?" Maggie asked.

"Look, Maggie, I'm not your father, but. . ." Charlie began, but stopped when the little girl said something inaudibly. "What did you say?" Charlie asked.

Very quietly, Maggie said, "I wish you were. My father, I mean." Then she looked at her feet. She was embarrassed to feel the way she did.

Charlie sat down on a stack of hay, and motioned her over. "C'mere!"

Maggie hesitated. "C'mon, we're just going to talk," Charlie uttered.

Maggie walked over to Charlie. He stood her in front of him, and said, "You're right, I can't be your father, no matter how much you wish it, but I can be your friend. Right?"

Maggie nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak.

"Well, friends talk to each other when they're hurting, don't they?" Charlie paused long enough for Maggie to nod, and then continued. "And you're hurting, so I want to try to help. Will you let me?"

As an answer, Maggie flung herself into Charlie's arms. Charlie held the little girl tightly to his chest while she sobbed, for several minutes. Finally, Maggie pushed away, and said, "Thank you!"

"I didn't do anything yet," Charlie answered honestly.

"Yes, you did. You cared when I was upset, and you held me. No one's ever done that for me before!" Maggie said.

"Surely, your mom has, when you've been hurt, or. . ." Charlie started to say. He stopped when he noticed Maggie shaking her head from side to side.

"Nope, never. She always turns it into a joke or a game and says, `Oh, come on, you're all right, don't be silly'. She never holds me when I cry. I try not to cry in front of her anymore," Maggie added.

Charlie's heart was broken. He felt so bad for this young girl. He knew he had to try to help. Maybe he could talk to Heather and turn that young lady around. Both these girls, because that's really what Heather was-a girl, needed help.

For now, though, Charlie talked quietly with Maggie until she was ready to rejoin the camp group.

"Um, Mr. Clemente?" Maggie asked.

"Yes, Maggie."

"Um, since you're my friend, can I call you something else? I know I can't call you Daddy, but. . ." Maggie stopped. She felt stupid.

Charlie said, "How about Uncle Charlie? That's what our friends' children call us-Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lisa. Would that be okay?"

"That would be great. Thank you, Mr. Cl-, I mean, Uncle Charlie. You're the best!" Maggie yelled.

Charlie returned Maggie to the camp group and went off to find Lisa. He wanted to fill her in on what happened in the stables. And, he wanted to have a long talk with Heather.

Chapter 4

Meanwhile at the camp group, the children were all sitting on the bench. They were waiting for the last few kids to return from their rides.

The head counselor, Bobby Jo said, "Boys and girls, we have a special treat for you today. Instead of eating in the dining hall, we're bringing bag lunches to the nature trail. There's a nice spot for all of us to have a picnic!"

"Yeah!" "YAY!" "Cool!" "All right!" The children yelled.

The counselors walked with the children on the trail. Dan, the nature man, pointed out different kinds of trees. The children saw a few little animals, like chipmunks, squirrels, and birds.

Finally, they got to the picnic spot. It was just a vacant area with some trees and giant rocks. The children all sat in little circles with their friends. Maggie had introduced Robin and Jennifer to all the kids, and they had quite a gathering in their circle. Robin and Jennifer knew it was because they were twins. Everyone always wanted to get to know more about them. They were used to it.

After everyone had eaten most of their lunch, the questions started. "Do people get you confused?" "Who was born first?" "Do you ever switch places?" That last question made Robin and Jennifer giggle like crazy.

"You do?" Maggie asked.

"Well, we did one time in first grade, but we got in so much trouble!" Jennifer said.

"Yea, we've done it a few times, but we always get caught. Our parents don't like it when we do it!" Robin added.

The conversation continued for quite a while. The other kids and the counselors were farther away from the girls. Robin turned around and saw something that looked familiar.

"Hey, Jenn, isn't that the same tree we saw yesterday? Remember with that weird markings on it?" Robin asked her sister.

"Yeah, I think so," Jenn replied, getting up to inspect the tree.

A few of the girls came over to look. Others went to play closer to where the counselors were sitting.

Robin looked around. "We were definitely here yesterday, with our parents. Jennifer, let's show everyone what's behind that big rock!"

Jennifer looked to see where Robin was pointing. But she was confused. "What, Robin?"

Robin said, "You know, the surprise? The one Daddy showed us yesterday!"

Jennifer still had no idea what Robin was talking about.

"Jennifer, the waterfall! Remember Daddy said he had a surprise for us, and we went behind the big rock, and there was a beautiful waterfall," Robin explained.

"Oh, yeah! That was cool!" Jenn said.

"Come on, I want to see it!" Maggie shouted.

"Yeah, me too," Nancy said.

"Will you show us, Robin?" Pat asked.

"Yeah, come on, let's go. It's right behind that rock over there," Robin said.

Jennifer looked back toward the counselors. "Maybe we shouldn't go there," she said.

"Now who's the scaredy cat, Jenn!" Robin sighed.

"You're right, let's go!" Jennifer said.

Maggie, Nancy, and Pat followed Robin and Jennifer to the big rock.

"Okay, ready?" Robin called. Everyone nodded. They all jumped in front of the big rock, but there was no waterfall.

"That's strange!" Robin looked around. "Oh, wait, this isn't it, it's that one over there, come on!" The girls ran to the next big rock. But the waterfall wasn't behind that one either. It wasn't behind the next one or the one after that. And before they knew it, they had wondered far from the picnic site. Not only couldn't they find the waterfall, but they didn't know how to get back either.

Jennifer sat down on a small rock and began to cry. Robin and Maggie didn't even notice; they were still too busy trying to find the right way towards the waterfall.

Pat and Nancy went to sit down beside Jennifer. "Are you scared? I am," Nancy said.

Pat said, "Don't be scared, Jenn, or Nancy, we'll get back!"

"Of course we will," Maggie joined in. "Think of this as an adventure!"

"I don't want an adventure! I want my Mommy!" cried Nancy.

Robin sat down next to Jennifer. "You're not scared, are you, Jenn?" Robin had never seen her sister so upset before. She was usually the one who got scared and upset and Jennifer was usually the one pushing her on.

"I'm not crying because I'm scared that we're lost," Jennifer began.

"We are not lost," Maggie said.

"Yes, we are!" Nancy said, "and I want to go home!"

Robin ignored Nancy. She turned to Jennifer. "If you're not scared, then why are you crying?"

"Because I let Daddy down. I broke my promise. I said I was going to be good, and he wouldn't have to punish me again on vacation. And now he's gonna. And I deserve it!" Jennifer cried even harder.

Robin said, "Daddy won't be mad. It wasn't our fault that we got lost."

Jennifer jumped up. "Yes, it was. If you didn't want to show everyone the stupid waterfall, we wouldn't be sitting here in the middle of nowhere, right now!" she screamed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the picnic site, Bobby Jo said, "Come on, make sure you put all your wrappers into the garbage can. We don't want to leave a mess."

Adam said, "Where are the twins? And Maggie? Where's Nancy?" He looked around to see who else was missing. "Where's Pat?"

Sheila laughed and said, "They're behind that rock!"

All the counselors looked to see where the little girl was pointing. Bobby Jo walked over to the rock. It was farther than it looked. When she got there, she wasn't surprised to see that no one was behind it. "Damn," she said to herself. She walked back over to the group. She leaned down to Sheila and said, "Why would they be behind that rock, Sheila?"

Sheila said, "The twins were going to show everyone the waterfall. I tried to keep up, but they were too fast, so I came back."

"Okay, you're a good girl, thank you," Bobby Jo said.

Bobby Jo rounded up all the counselors. "We have a problem. Five girls ran off to find the waterfall. Now we all know the waterfall is not around the corner, so what I'm going to do, is have three of you bring the group back to the ranch. The rest of us will split up and look for them. Fortunately, it's early, and we should be able to find them before it gets dark."

The head counselor sounded so serious. Adam felt terrible, because he knew he wasn't watching them as well as he should have been. He said, "Let me help look. If they went to the waterfall, we should be able to find them within half an hour."

"Okay, then Dan, you, Mary, and Bill take the kids back. Take them to the playground, or to mini golf-somewhere where you can keep an eye on all of them. And Bill, find the parents of these girls and let them know what's going on. But, Bill, make it sound like you're sure there's no problem. Got it?" Bobby Jo declared.

Then she turned to the other three counselors, and said, "Come on, let's go. I don't want to waste any time. Man, I hate my job sometimes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie and Lisa were relaxing by the lake, when one of the counselors from the camp rushed over to them. He started talking a mile a minute and neither of them could figure out what he was saying.

Charlie said, "Slow down. What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, sir, it's just that I've been having trouble finding everyone. I'm Bill, one of the counselors at the camp. . ." Bill started.

"Yes? Is there a problem?" Lisa asked nervously.

"Well, yes, um, we were up on the nature trail, having a picnic, and some of the children wondered off. Robin and Jennifer were with them," Bill said quickly.

"Wandered off? Where?" Charlie asked.

"Well, one of the little kids said they heard your daughter mention going to the waterfall. So, that's where Bobby Jo and Adam were headed, when we came back. I'm sure they've found them already and are on their way back right now. So, don't worry too much. We just wanted to let you know of the situation," Bill said.

"I'll kill them!" Charlie said, rising.

Lisa put her hand on Charlie's arm. "Honey, calm down. You don't know the whole story yet. Don't jump to conclusions," Lisa said calmly.

"I know you're right, Lisa, but if I've told those girls once, I've told them a thousand times, not to wander off. How many times, since we've been here, have I gone over the rules with them!" Charlie said exasperated.

"Um, sir, ma'am, if you'll excuse me, I still need to find one more parent. You wouldn't have happened to see Maggie's mother, have you? I checked the cabin, the stables, the dining hall; I can't seem to find her," Bill said.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Charlie asked. "Come on!" he said to Lisa. Lisa started to follow Charlie towards the nature trail.

Bill turned to Lisa and said, "Ma'am, I suggest you stay at the cabin, in case the girls come back on their own, or if your husband passes our counselors."

"That's a good idea, honey," Charlie said to Lisa. At that point, Bill ran off.

Lisa said, "Okay, but Charlie, be calm. And remember what you always tell the girls. The most important thing is that they're safe. Okay?"

"Yes, I know. Thank you, honey. And don't worry, we'll find them," Charlie stated.

Chapter 5

Meanwhile, the girls had gotten up from the rock and continued to walk. Maggie thought it was important that they find the waterfall. Jennifer thought it would be better to stay put, and let the counselors find them.

"But, they think we're at the waterfall. Sheila would have told them by now. If we're not there when they get there, we could get lost!" Maggie said.

"WE ARE LOST!" Nancy shouted.

The girls kept walking. Finally, they reached the waterfall.

"There it is! Oh, isn't it beautiful!" Robin shouted. She had become nervous, but all that faded away when she saw the pretty cascading water.

The girls ran over to the waterfall. They were so happy to see it that they jumped in and danced around in the water. All except Jennifer. She was still blaming and pitying herself for getting into trouble once again. All she could think about was how disappointed in her, her Daddy would be.

Since she wasn't in the water, Jennifer was the only one who heard their names being called. She ran over to a rock, stood on it, and yelled, "OVER HERE!"

Bobby Jo, Adam, Carol, and Sam came running over.

"Oh, thank god!" Bobby Jo said. "Where are the others?"

Jennifer pointed. All four counselors gasped. The girls were soaking wet. They went over and fished each girl out.

"Let's go! Your parents are probably worried half to death," Carol said.

As they were walking back down the trail, Robin joined her sister in crying. She finally realized the trouble they were in. She tried to apologize to Jennifer, but she wouldn't listen.

"I'm sorry, Jenn, I guess it's all my fault," Robin tried.

"SHUT UP, Robin!" Jenn screamed.

Suddenly, Jennifer stopped dead in her tracks. Up ahead, she saw her father walking toward them. Charlie saw them, too. He was so relieved that they were all right. It had only been a little while since he heard the news that they were lost, but it was long enough to give him a good scare.

The counselors stopped in front of Charlie. "Mr. Clemente, we found them near the waterfall. They're a little wet, but they're all right. I'm really sorry about this, sir," Bobby Jo said. She was worried about her job.

"Don't worry. I'm just glad they are all right. You'd better tell your staff to keep a better eye on this bunch, though. They always seem to find themselves in some kind of mischief." Charlie looked right at Robin and Jennifer as he said this.

Both girls put their heads down. Charlie went over to them and crouched down, "I'm so glad you girls are all right. You scared your mother and I half to death!"

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Robin said. She went to him and he hugged her. Jennifer stood back. She was too ashamed of herself to even hug her father.

Bobby Jo said, "Uh, I have to get the other girls back. Are you coming?"

"Yes," Charlie said, "Let's go, girls. Robin, it looks like you need to change into some dry clothes. What'd you do, fall in the river?"

Robin looked up to see if her father was smiling or not. He was. Robin smiled, too. She thought things just might be okay. Robin and Maggie walked on ahead with Bobby Jo and the rest. Jennifer was still rooted to her spot.

"Come on, Jennifer," Charlie said.

Jennifer flopped down and began to cry. "You go on ahead," Charlie called to the others. He got down next to Jennifer and lifted up her chin. "I am glad that you are all right."

"But you must hate me!" Jenn said.

"Hate you? No, I don't hate you. Come on, now, let's go, we have lots to talk about," her father said.

Jennifer didn't move. Charlie, having lost his patience, just picked her up and carried her the rest of the way.

Charlie assured Bobby Jo that he would see to it that Maggie got changed. He wasn't too surprised to find out that Heather was still missing.

Charlie said, "Okay, Maggie, you change, and then go back to the camp."

"But I don't want to go by myself!" Maggie whined.

"All right, then go change, and come over to our cabin, but no more whining!" Charlie stated.

Charlie and Robin walked into the cabin, and Charlie put Jennifer down on one of the chairs.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Lisa said. "Robin, you're soaking wet, what happened?" Lisa took Robin by the hand to get her changed.

Charlie was just about to start lecturing the girls when Maggie came back in. Robin returned with Lisa a minute later. She was dry now.

"Okay, who wants to start?" Charlie asked sternly.

Jennifer looked at Robin. Robin said, "It was my fault, Daddy."

You could have knocked Charlie over with a feather, he was so surprised. He thought for sure it had all been Maggie's idea, and that Jennifer had gone along with it, and pulled Robin in, too. He looked over at Lisa. She was shocked, as well.

"Go on!" he urged Robin.

Robin explained to her parents how the whole thing started and how she thought the waterfall was behind the next rock, and so on and so on, until they were lost.

"I see," Charlie said.

The girls waited for the big blow-up. But it didn't come.

"You know what, I'm tired of repeating the rules to you girls. You know that you're supposed to stay with an adult at all times, or at least let someone know where you're going, but you break that rule over and over again. The only thing I can do is punish you over and over again until you learn that rule. I am very disappointed in you. All of you!" Charlie looked around, including Maggie in his statement.

"Now, Maggie, since your mother is still out, you will have to stay in here. You can color, while the girls are being punished," Charlie said. "Jennifer, go wait for me in my bedroom. Robin, go into your room. Either your mother or I will be right in."

"I'm coming in right now, Robin Elizabeth!" Lisa declared. She followed Robin into the bedroom. Jennifer started to walk towards her parents' room. She looked back forlornly at her father.

"I'll be there in two minutes, Jennifer Lynn," Charlie said sternly. He turned to Maggie, "Here, you can color while you wait."

"But. . ." Maggie said.

"But what?" Charlie asked.

"But what about me, Uncle Charlie?" Maggie asked.

Charlie smiled at the name. It seemed like a long time since their conversation in the stables. "What about you, Maggie?" he asked.

"I was bad, too. Shouldn't I be punished?" she said slowly.

"Well, yes, I think you should be. But that's for your mother to decide. When, and how. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some unpleasant business to take care of," Charlie said.

Maggie watched Charlie leave the room.

Charlie was shocked when he walked into his bedroom. Jennifer was curled up in a fetal position, and was almost hysterical. He knew that she was upset, and of course would be about being punished, but he knew that this was more than that.

He quietly walked over to his sobbing daughter and rubbed her back. "Hey, baby, what is this all about?"

"I know you hate me, Daddy," she sobbed in broken words.

Charlie wasn't sure why she was this upset and meant to find out. He sat down on the bed, and stroked her back and then turned her over and held her tight. "Tell me what is going on in your head, sweetheart," he said gently.

"I, I, I, let you down, Daddy, I, I, I promised, and I, I, I did something I didn't want to do, and knew was wrong, and now you ,you, you must hate me! I promised. . ." Jennifer couldn't continue.

She began to sob soooo hard Charlie was worried she was going to make herself sick. She was sweating and clammy and of course, had wet her pants in her agitation.

"Shhhhh, my little one, Daddy could never, ever hate you, no matter what. No matter what you do, no matter what trouble you get into, Mommy and Daddy will ALWAYS love you. Do you hear me sweetheart?" Charlie asked.

Jennifer wasn't getting any quieter, and Charlie was getting nervous. He had never seen her like this. He wasn't sure what to do, so he just rocked her for a bit until it seemed she was calming down.

Finally her sobs turned to hiccups and she turned confused eyes up at Charlie. "How can you not hate me, Daddy? I let you down. I didn't mean to, but I did."

"Honey, did you hear what I told you?"

"Yes, Daddy, that you could never ever hate me."

Charlie continued, "I am disappointed in your behavior, young lady, but not in YOU. Can you understand the difference, Jenn?"

"I don't know, Daddy," Jenn tried.

"Okay," Charlie sat her up straighter in his lap, and put his finger under her chin. "Now I want you to listen to me and really hear me, okay?"

"Yes Sir."

"Children are going to make mistakes, and sometimes do naughty things. It is all part of growing up. My job is to take care of you and your sister, to make the rules, and to keep you safe, but you know what?" Charlie asked.

"What, Daddy?"

"I do that because I love you and your sister so very much, that my heart would definitely break if something ever happened to either one of you. I love you that much!" finished Charlie.

He hugged Jennifer so hard after saying that, that she thought her ribs would break, but it felt so good she didn't care. It also felt wonderful to Charlie, and he was debating whether he should let her off the hook and not spank her, when Jenn looked up and said, "Okay, Daddy, I'm ready," and smiled at him.

He knew he had to be consistent, but his heart wasn't in this spanking. He asked her if she knew what she had done wrong. She responded that she knew it was wrong to wander away from the camp group. Then he quickly took off her soggy clothes, and pulled her over his knee. He spanked her hard on both cheeks, first one then the other about 20 times.

While he spanked, he delivered a somewhat different lecture. "I don't, SWAT, ever SWAT, want to SWAT, hear you SWAT, even SWAT, think SWAT, that your Mommy SWAT, or I, SWAT, could ever SWAT, not SWAT love SWAT you SWAT, got SWAT, it? SWAT. Young SWAT, Lady SWAT SWAT, SWAT"

"Yes, Sir!" Jenn answered, amid tears.

"Good SWAT."

Charlie stood Jenn on her feet, and she leaped back into his arms. "I will really, really try NOT to get into any more trouble this vacation, Daddy."

"I know, baby, but if you do, and I would like it if you didn't, always remember how much you are loved, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy."

Meanwhile, Maggie had been listening at the door, and slow tears were trickling down her face. She couldn't imagine anyone loving her that much, much less telling her that they did. "How lucky Robin and Jenn were," she thought. She also heard the spanking, but that also seemed like part of the love, and she understood that without really knowing that she did. She couldn't take it anymore, knowing that Jenn was being held and cuddled, and she slipped out of the cabin.

In Robin's room, things were going a lot differently. Lisa was really angry at Robin for instigating the little episode.

"Robin, this is so unlike you, whatever possessed you, young lady?" Lisa roared.

"I just wanted to see the waterfall, Mommy, honest, and I thought they were just right there?" Robin cried.

"Well, when they weren't, why didn't you go back to the group?"

Robin said, "Because I really thought they would be right at the next rock. I did, really!"

"And, why, did you think you had the RIGHT TO GO OFF THAT FAR BY YOURSELF, AND TAKE ALL THOSE OTHER CHILDREN WITH YOU, SOME OF WHOM WERE TWO YEARS YOUNGER THAN YOU ARE?" Lisa was yelling, and Robin was sobbing. She hated this part, sometimes worse than the spanking.

"I am sorry, Mommy, really, I am."

Robin didn't even think of asking her mother not to spank her. She knew her mommy was angry and she deserved what was going to happen.

"All right, young lady, let's get this over with," Lisa stated.

Robin almost heaved a sigh of relief, except she knew she was in for a BIG spanking. Her shorts and panties went down and in a flash, she was over her mommy's knee. Lisa spanked quickly and hard alternating cheeks, and Robin began yelling and crying almost immediately.

"Mommy, please, I am soooo sorry. Please Mommy, not sooooo HARD!" Robin sobbed.

Lisa paid her absolutely no attention as she was determined to make an impression that would last the rest of this vacation. By the time she was through, Robin's bottom was a fiery red, and she was limp over Lisa's knee. Lisa finished off by lecturing her some more, and then sent her to stand in the corner. Robin gratefully fled to the corner, glad that this ordeal was over.

Lisa walked back into the living room, and noticed Maggie wasn't there. She thought maybe Heather had come to get her, and went next door to knock. No one answered, so Lisa hoped that Heather had taken Maggie and gone somewhere. She heard the bath running, and figured that Charlie was giving Jennifer a bath. When he came out, Lisa told him that Maggie wasn't there.

"Well, maybe Heather came to get her," Charlie said.

"I hope so," Lisa told him.

Neither of them realized that Maggie had decided to run away.

Charlie and Lisa sat in the living room reading. Jennifer was still in the bath.

Lisa asked, "Honey, has it been fifteen minutes yet?"

"What do you mean?" Charlie asked confused.

"Robin's in the corner. I told her to stay there for fifteen minutes to think about what she'd done," Lisa said.

Charlie got up. "Oh, Lisa! Are you kidding me?" Charlie went into the girls' bedroom. Robin was kneeling in the corner. When she heard her dad come in, she quickly jumped up.

"C'mere," Charlie said and opened his arms to greet her in a hug. Robin shuffled over to him; her shorts and panties were still around her ankles.

Charlie reached down and pulled them up and pulled Robin up into his big arms. "I'm so glad you're all right, Robin. You and Jennifer had your mother and I worried half to death. Do you know that?"

"I'm sorry, Daddy. Are you still mad?" Robin asked tentatively.

Charlie looked down at Robin. "No, sweetie. Not anymore."

"Mommy is, though," Robin said sadly.

"No, she isn't. You've been punished, and so has Jenn, and neither Mommy or I are angry anymore. Come, let's go into the living room. When your sister gets out of the bath, the four of us can have a nice talk," Charlie said as he escorted Robin into the next room.

Robin sat cuddled in Charlie's lap on the couch. Suddenly they heard, "NO! Mommy!"

Jennifer ran out of the bathroom. Robin started to giggle. Jennifer had no clothes on.

"Daddy, Mommy said I have to put on my pajamas. It's the middle of the afternoon!" Jennifer whined.

Lisa came out of the bathroom holding Jenn's pantsies in one hand and her pajamas in the other. She looked at Charlie with a face that said, "Help me!"

Charlie said, "Jennifer, go put those pajamas on right now. We're going to have a family meeting and then you and Robin are going to take a nap."

"Do we hafta?" Robin asked.

"Yes," Charlie said sternly. "You were up late last night with Maggie, and you had a long day so far today. When you wake up, we'll all go to dinner."

Jennifer didn't move. "Now, Jennifer Lynn!" Charlie ordered. Jennifer turned to go back to the bathroom. Robin continued to giggle. Jenn turned around and said, "Shut up, Robin!"

"That's enough. Let's go, Jennifer," Lisa said.

After Jenn followed Lisa back into the bathroom, Robin asked Charlie, "Where is Maggie anyway?"

"Well, we're not sure, but we think Heather came and picked her up," Charlie said thoughtfully.

"Is she home? Can I see her?" Robin asked.

"No, to both questions. We're going to have a talk anyway," Charlie answered.

Lisa and Jennifer came back into the room. They all settled down on the big couch.

"Now, girls, what you did today was very dangerous. You know that, don't you?" their father asked them seriously. Both girls nodded.

"First of all, you should never, ever, wander away from the people who are supposed to be watching you. Do I make myself clear?" Again, two nods.

"And you already knew that rule. So, we're not sure why you did it!" Lisa exclaimed.

"It was my fault. Mommy, Daddy, I'm sorry I was bad," Robin cried.

Charlie turned to face Robin. "Robin, YOU were not bad, your behavior was bad. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Daddy. I'm sorry I behaved bad. I won't do it again," Robin said.

"Me neither, I'm sorry again," Jenn said.

"Well, it's over and done with now. But just know this girls, if you ever get lost again, like you did today, instead of moving, stay where you are. People will find you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Daddy, but. . ." Robin began.

"What, honey?" Charlie asked.

"Sheila, that's a little girl in the group. She's four. She knew we were going to the waterfall. So, me and Maggie figured we should be there. Then they would find us," Robin said.

"Well, we're just happy they did find you, Robin. But listen to Daddy's advice, okay?" Lisa stated.

"Okay, Mommy," Robin said. She went over to her mother and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're not mad at me anymore."

"I can never stay mad at you girls. I love you too much," Lisa said as she hugged both girls. Only Charlie saw the tears in her eyes.

"Now, let's put you two down for a nap. Come on!" Lisa walked the twins into the bedroom. Charlie followed, and helped Lisa tuck them in. Jennifer was asleep before her head hit the pillow. They kissed both girls and closed the door behind them.

"Those are two worn out girls," Charlie stated.

"Well, they had a big day, quite an adventure," Lisa added.

"Hmm, and something tells me this day is not over yet. You know, I'm a little worried about Maggie. It's awful quiet next door," Charlie pondered.

"I hope Heather wasn't too hard on her," Lisa said thoughtfully.

"Heather? Too hard? I don't think she knows "too hard". I just hope Maggie's all right," Charlie sighed.

"You are such a gentle, caring man, you know that, Charlie Clemente?" Lisa asked as she kissed Charlie. "I think it's time you and I took a nap, too. I'm awfully tired."

Charlie smiled as he followed Lisa into their bedroom. "Good idea, honey, I could use a nap."

Chapter 6

Later, halfway through dessert, Heather ran over to their table in the dining hall.

Charlie jumped up. Heather was a mess. "Heather! What happened? Are you all right? Where's Maggie?"

"She isn't with you?" Heather asked concerned.

"No, we haven't seen her since you picked her up this afternoon," Charlie said confused.

Now Heather was confused. "Picked her up? I didn't pick her up. I just went to the camp, and. . ."

Charlie looked at his watch. It was half past six.

Heather said, "Yeah, I know, I was a little late. Anyway, they told me what happened today, and I got so worried, until they told me Maggie was with you."

Lisa joined in the conversation. "Well, she's not with us, Heather. And if she's not with you, then where could she be?"

"I, I don't know. I, I thought she was with the camp. I thought she was fine," Heather started to shake.

Lisa took her hand and said, "C'mon, sit down. Let me get you some coffee."

The twins just looked at Heather. They were in shock that Maggie was not with her. They were scared.

"Daddy? Where could Maggie be?" Jennifer asked.

"I don't know," Charlie said seriously. "But where ever she is, she's been there a long time." Now Charlie sat down. "We just assumed that she had left with you."

"But where would she go? And why would she leave?" Heather asked.

"You really have no idea, do you?" Charlie asked angrily.

Lisa came back with Heather's coffee. She put her hand on her husband's arm. "Now, now, honey, easy." She turned to Heather. "Here, drink this."

Heather took the coffee and took a sip. "Maybe I should call my mother. Maybe Maggie tried to go home."

"Do you live far from here?" Lisa asked.

"About two hours. But there's a Greyhound bus that practically takes you right to our door. I guess it's possible that Maggie got on it," Heather said.

"Where would she get money for the bus?" Lisa asked.

"Oh, I don't know, I have to think," Heather cried.

"I think it's time we told the head of the ranch what's going on. Maybe we can organize a search party," Charlie said.

"That's a good idea, honey. You do that. I'll stay here with Heather, and the girls," Lisa said calmly.

"DADDY! I'm scared!" Robin jumped up onto Charlie's leg and wouldn't let him leave.

Charlie reached down and pulled Robin up. He hugged her tight. "Don't be scared, sweetie. We'll find Maggie. Okay, you stay with Mommy. I'll be back in a little while."

"Charlie, we'll meet you back at the cabin," Lisa called to him. He nodded and left the dining hall. Lisa, Heather, and the twins walked solemnly back to the Clemente's cabin.

Heather absently watched t.v. with the girls. Lisa tried to offer soothing words of comfort. They waited and waited for what seemed like hours, but really had only been forty-five minutes. They all looked up when Charlie and another man, Tim, the head of the ranch, walked through the door.

"Did you find her?" Heather asked, jumping up.

"No, ma'am, I'm sorry. We looked everywhere, the playground, the ice cream parlor, the duck pond, the stables, all the places Mr. Clemente here thought she might be," Tim said.

"I thought she might be with her pony, where I found her this morning," Charlie said.

Heather looked to Charlie. "She was missing this morning, too?"

Charlie stared icicles at Heather. "We'll talk later, Heather. What's important right now, is finding Maggie."

Tim asked Heather, "Can you think of any place that your daughter really loved? Someplace she might go to make herself happy. Mr. Clemente seemed to think she was very unhappy when she left."

Heather said, "No, I mean, I really don't know." The sad part was that she really didn't know.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Robin, what is it?" Charlie asked.

"I have an idea where Maggie might be," she said.

"Where, honey?"

"She was really happy when we finally found the waterfall today. She said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen," Robin said.

Charlie looked at Lisa. "Do you think?" he asked.

Tim said, "Well, if she is there, we'd better get going. It's at least a thirty minute hike, and it's starting to get dark. C'mon, we're gonna need more men, and plenty of flashlights." He walked out the door, and started talking into his walkie-talkie.

"I'm going, too. Hopefully, I'll be back soon, and I'll have Maggie with me," Charlie said as he kissed all three of his girls good-bye. He just stared at Heather, as he turned and walked out the door.

Jennifer went over to Heather and said, "Don't worry, my Daddy is the best. He'll find her."

Heather started pacing around the cabin and then went outside to smoke a cigarette. Robin and Jennifer looked outside and saw Heather smoking and said, "Yuck, Mommy, Heather is smoking! No wonder she smells so yucky!"

Lisa frowned. "Shhh girls, your dad and I do not smoke, nor do we like the smell, but Heather is a grown up and we are NOT going to say anything to her about it, got it?"

"Yes, Mommy," both girls agreed.

"I am going outside to talk to Heather, girls. I want you both to color or watch tv. I will be right outside, okay?" Lisa asked.

"Sure, Mommy," Jennifer said.

"We are not babies; we can be alone for a bit," Robin whined.

Lisa went over and swatted Robin hard on her bottom. "Y'ouch!" Robin yelped.

"I am really tired of your whining, Robin, you will stop it immediately, unless you want to go to bed with a sore bottom. Do you, young lady?"

"No, Mommy, I'm sorry, really," Robin replied as she clutched her bottom. Everyone was clearly on edge tonight. Lisa just sighed, and said, "Robin, please be a good girl, okay?"

Robin sobbed, "Yes, Mommy."

Lisa went over and hugged Robin. "I'm sorry. I know you are worried about your friend, but we will find her, I promise." Then Lisa hugged Jennifer, too. "I'll be right outside." Both girls looked at her with worried but trusting eyes. Lisa wished life were that easy.

Lisa walked outside to talk to Heather. She was leaning against a tree as if without it she would fall over. Looking up she cried, "I should have gone with them. Why did I stay here?"

"Well for two reasons, first of all because they can go faster, and secondly because if Maggie comes back here, you will be here," Lisa reasoned.

"Lisa? Can you tell me what happened this morning?" Heather asked.

Lisa told Heather, sparing her no details, and watched Heather's reactions. Then she filled her in on the afternoon.

"But what made her run away?" Heather asked.

"I don't really know, Heather. So until we find Maggie, we won't really know the answer to that. But, I can tell you, that your daughter is one very unhappy child," Lisa replied.

"I know," Heather sighed, "I just don't know what to do to be a better parent."

"Well, do you really want an answer to that, Heather, or is that just an empty question?" Lisa asked impatiently.

Heather began to cry, which was the first time Lisa had seen some real emotion from her.

"Look, I know you have already judged me, and decided I am a lousy parent. Well guess what? I already know that myself!" Heather shrieked.

"You know what? This isn't about YOU, it's about Maggie. Stop indulging in all this self pity, will you? I am NOT buying it," Lisa shouted.

With that, Lisa turned around and went back inside the cabin. She knew she should have kept talking to Heather, but she was tired, and worried, and out of patience. Talking about that kind of thing was something Charlie was good at. Lisa's temper sometimes won out over her compassion.

"Where is Heather, Mommy? Jenn asked.

Lisa took a deep breath. Then she said, "She is still outside, dear. Look, I know we are all worried and tense, how about a game of Chutes and Ladders?"

"Ahh, that's a baby game, Mommy. How about umm, lets see, Trouble?" Robin didn't even know what she'd said, until both Lisa and Jenn began to giggle. Robin then realized it, and giggled, too. That helped to break the tension.

Lisa said, "Okay, I'll be right back, set up the game."

She turned and went back outside and found Heather still slumped by the tree crying. "Look, Heather, I am sorry. I sometimes have a quick fuse, and I shouldn't have snapped at you that way, okay? Come back into the cabin and wait with us."

Heather thanked Lisa, but said she would feel better watching the road and waiting to see them coming back.

"Okay, I understand." Lisa went back inside to keep the twins company and their minds occupied while they all worried and waited.

Meanwhile, Charlie and the others worked their way to the waterfall. The sun was setting as they got there, and it was wet and slippery. Charlie thought he saw a small shadow as they approached the rock in front of the falls.

"Maggie!" he called out, "honey, answer me, it's Uncle Charlie!" He saw a movement, and realized that Maggie was huddled really close to the edge of the rock she was sitting on. "Honey, don't move, okay? I'm coming to get you."

Maggie, seeing Charlie, was really suprised, and by this time she was cold, and hungry, and sorry she ran. She stood up and not realizing her feet were asleep, stumbled and fell headfirst into the water.

"Oh NO!" Charlie yelled, and he started running down the slippery slope. He kicked his shoes off, and dove into the deep, running water. Maggie was screaming and yelling for help. Charlie swam to her, and in a few minutes, but what seems like a lifetime to Maggie, grabbed her, and swam back to the rock.

The men were all there by now, and pulled them out. Shivering, they both clung to the other.

"Are you okay, Maggie?" Charlie tried to look her over and check for bleeding. The rocks had been sharp, and he was worried she might be cut somewhere and not know it.

"I am sooo cold, Uncle Charlie," Maggie said, shivering, with her teeth chattering.

"I know, honey, we will get you dry and warm in a second."

The temperature at the ranch dramatically dropped at night, and it was about 45 degrees, even though it was summer. Tim took off his jacket and another man took off his sweatshirt. Charlie quickly stripped Maggie, shielding her from the other men's eyes, and dried her with the sweatshirt and wrapped her in the warm jacket.

Picking her up, he hugged her tight, and Maggie started sobbing into his neck. "I am sorry, Uncle Charlie, I really am."

"Shhhhh, little one. You are safe, and we will talk about all this later, okay?"

Maggie clung to Charlie's neck with all her might, and they began the long climb and walk back to the cabins.

Chapter 7

By the time Charlie returned with Maggie, Heather had gone back inside the cabin. The girls were still up, although they had changed into pajamas, as it was close to 9:00. Heather had dropped off to sleep on the couch, and Lisa and the girls sat and watched tv.

Heather jumped up, and all eyes went to the door as Charlie walked in carrying Maggie.

"Oh, thank god!" Heather shouted. She ran to Charlie and took Maggie from him. "Are you all right? I was so worried."

Maggie looked at her mother as if she didn't even know her. "You were?" she asked.

"Of course I was," Heather said. Heather hugged Maggie close to her.

Lisa thought to herself, "Okay, maybe there is hope for these two." She went over to Charlie and said, "Honey, you're soaking wet. What happened?"

Charlie nodded to Maggie, "She and I took a little swim in the falls."

Robin and Jennifer ran over to Charlie. They wanted to hug him, but he didn't want them to because he was wet.

Lisa looked over at Maggie, who appeared fine. Charlie said, "But she's all right, now. I'm going to go change." He disappeared into the bedroom.

The twins stared at Heather and Maggie. Jennifer crossed her fingers and hoped that her friend would soon be happy. Charlie returned in clean, dry clothes. Robin and Jennifer went to him then. He hugged both girls.

In his hand was a towel. He brought it out for Heather to finish drying Maggie off. As she took it, she put Maggie down. Heather tried to dry her off, but Maggie ignored her mother and ran over to Charlie. She practically knocked him over.

"Thank you for saving me, Uncle Charlie!" Maggie cried.

Charlie looked over at Heather. He saw the hurt in her eyes. Heather mouthed at him, "Uncle Charlie?" Charlie hugged Maggie. "You need to go change, honey," he said.

"Okay, but I don't want to go anywhere with her!" Maggie pointed at Heather.

Heather looked as if someone had stuck a knife through her heart. She tried to laugh it off. "Don't be silly, now, Maggie. It's been a long day. Come on, now, these people have their own kids to look after."

"NO! I'm staying here. I feel loved here. I DON'T WANT TO GO WITH YOU! YOU DON'T LOVE ME!" Maggie shouted.

Then she held on to Charlie for dear life. No one in the room moved. Heather was completely shocked. No one knew what to say. Charlie comforted Maggie. He looked to Lisa. He didn't know what to do. He didn't want to push Maggie away, but he also knew that holding on to her was hurting Heather.

Lisa finally broke the silence. "Okay, Robin, Jennifer, let's go. It's way past your bedtime."

"Now, Mommy?" Robin said, trying not to whine. She knew that would be a big mistake.

"Now, come on!" Lisa ordered.

The twins looked over at Charlie. He said, "Go on, do what your mother says. I'll be in to kiss you good night in a few minutes."

Robin and Jennifer slowly walked out of the room. They looked back at Maggie and their father. Jennifer broke free of Lisa's hand, ran to Maggie and said, "I'm so glad you're all right. We were so worried."

Maggie looked up at Jenn. "Thanks. I'm glad to be back."

Jennifer hugged both Maggie and Charlie. "Okay, now, go!" Charlie said, pointing towards her bedroom. Jennifer let go and left the room.

Heather was still rooted to her spot. She didn't know what to do. Charlie let go of Maggie and took her by the hand. "Come on," he said, leading her to the couch. He took the towel back from Heather. "Uh, Heather, why don't you go get Maggie some dry clothes, um, pajamas to put on. Then, if you want, we can all talk."

"It's awfully late, Charlie. I think I should just get Maggie to sleep and we can talk in the morning. C'mon, Maggs!" Heather tried again.

"NO!" Maggie shouted.

Heather gave up and left the cabin. Charlie shook his head. He thought to himself, "That's where she went wrong. She shouldn't have given up so easily. I have to help these girls. But how?" While he thought, he tried to dry Maggie's hair, and then wrapped her in the towel, and waited for Heather to return with her pajamas.

Charlie turned to Maggie, "Okay, young lady, when your mom gets back we are going to have a long talk."

"Yes, Uncle Charlie," Maggie replied.

Charlie was confused when she looked and smiled at him, but then realized that she was craving a male role model, and had never had one. In just a few minutes, Heather was back, trying to take Maggie's hand and get her changed.

"NO, I can do it myself. YOU have never tried to dress me before, why now?"

Charlie saw the effort that Heather was making, and the tears that had gathered in her eyes. Heather said, "Honey, please talk to me, and tell me what is wrong," as she handed the clothes over to Maggie.

Maggie blurted out, "I hate you, that's what's wrong, and I don't want to live with you anymore or for you to be my mom!"

Although Charlie knew that the "girls" needed to vent, he felt that this was not going in a productive direction. He looked down sternly at Maggie, and pulled her between his legs. "All right, young lady, we ARE going to have a talk, and there are some ground rules which I am going to lay down, and YOU WILL obey them. Understood?"

Hearing his tone, Maggie was surprised and quickly nodded her head. Charlie stated, "There will be NO rudeness or disrespect to your mother, is that CLEAR?"

Maggie answered meekly, "Umm, yes sir, Uncle Charlie."

He continued, "I do not want to hear the word "hate" come out of your mouth again."

"Yes sir, I mean, no sir."

"Now, first of all, your mom and I want to know why you ran away this afternoon."

Charlie looked up at Heather, standing as if the wall were the only thing holding her up. She was very pale, and slightly shaking, and the hurt and fear in her eyes made Charlie's heart soften a bit towards her. Looking back down at Maggie, he saw another hurting little one, looking at the floor, trying to figure out what to say.

"Maggie, honey, look at me, please," Charlie requested.

Maggie didn't comply so he put his finger under her chin to make her look at him. "I want you to start from being here in this room, and tell us what happened to make you run." Maggie was still quiet, and couldn't seem to speak.

"Okay, did the girls being punished scare you?"

"No, Uncle Charlie, that wasn't it."

Slowly tears were falling down Maggie's face, and Charlie knew it was important to somehow pull this out of her. "I know that Li-Aunt Lisa was yelling, did that scare you?"

"No sir," Maggie shook her head. "It was, was, was," and Maggie started to sob, and incoherently told them it was overhearing him talking to Jenn, about how important she was to him, and how loved she was. "NOBODY LOVES ME!"

At this, Maggie got completely out of control. Heather ran over and tried to hug her, but Maggie pushed her away. Heather pleaded, "I love you, Maggie, I really, truly do."

"NO! YOU DON'T! You are never home with me, you drink all the time, and you always tell me that you wish I had never been born!" Maggie shouted.

Charlie looked at Heather with a questioning look, sure that Maggie had exaggerated that last statement. Heather looked very pale, and Charlie was getting worried.

"Heather?" he demanded in an authoritative voice.

Heather began to cry and said to Maggie, "Honey, you know I don't mean that."

Charlie was shocked speechless. "You mean you actually said that to her?" Both of them were crying now, and Charlie knew this was going to be harder than he thought. He rubbed Maggie's back and crooned quietly to her until she calmed down, and felt she was ready to listen.

"Heather, sit down," Charlie commanded. Heather sank into a chair opposite Charlie and Maggie. Charlie turned Maggie around to face her mother, and told Heather, "Okay, tell Maggie how you really feel about her, and Maggie, you are going to listen and not interrupt, okay?"

Maggie just nodded, but wouldn't look at her mom. She tried to turn around, but Charlie had a firm grip on her. She kept struggling and Charlie, losing patience, swatted her once, hard, on her bottom. Maggie was shocked, as was Heather, and Charlie told her, "Young lady, enough, understand? Now, listen!"

"Yes, sir." Maggie stood perfectly still and looked at her mother. Heather took a deep breath and started to talk. "Maggie, honey, I love you with all my heart. I know that I haven't been the best mom to you, but honey, I am trying my best. You know I got pregnant with you when I was 15, and your daddy married me, but that didn't last because at 16 and 18 we were just too young to make it work. Your daddy sends checks, but he has no interest in being a part of our lives, and I know how hard that has been for you."

"Living with Grandma is no picnic either, but without a college degree, I am limited in what I can do, and so I haven't been able to afford to get us a place for just us, and also Grandma is there to take care of you after school. I don't mean to leave you alone all of the time, but after working all day in a job I hate, and listening to my mother complain all the time about how I ruined my life, I guess I started to believe her, and started going out too much and drinking too much, and I didn't realize how much it had affected you, sweetie."

"I really, and truly want you to be happy. But honey, I have also been trying to find someone who will love and take care of us both! Someone who will be like a daddy to you. I have to go out in order to meet people." Heather stopped. She probably never said so much to her daughter in all of Maggie's nine years.

Maggie looked up at Charlie silently asking for permission to speak. Charlie nodded at her, and Maggie looked at her mom and said, "Okay, I can understand that, but why do you drink all the time, and why don't you ever give me a bath, or hug me when I cry, or tuck me into bed like Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lisa do? You never care if I am safe, and I don't even have any rules."

Heather responded, "Honey, that's not true. I don't drink all the time. I only drink on Friday and Saturday nights when I go out with my friends. The other nights I am home with you."

"Come on, Mom, that's not even a little bit true. You drink even at home, when no one is around," Maggie said.

"Honey, that's not drinking, that's just a beer," Heather replied fliply. Charlie realized that the conversation was getting off track. "Heather, Maggie, I think we had best save that discussion for another time, and Maggie, I think I will be the one to have that conversation with your mom, okay? It is more of an adult topic. I know it affects you, and that part we will discuss. But the rest is not for you, okay?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now, Maggie, your mother is telling you she does care and loves you very much. Maybe she doesn't show it the way you would like her too, but I think she is more than willing to work on that, right Heather?" Charlie questioned.

"Yes, of course I am. I love you, Maggs, really."

Maggie looked at Charlie. "Uncle Charlie? Are you very mad at me for running away?"

"Yes, I am, Maggie. It was very wrong of you, and you know that don't you? You had a lot of people worried, including your mom, and you could have gotten hurt. You were alone out there, and when you fell into the water, you could have drowned if I hadn't been there. Do you have any idea how hurt we all would have been to lose you? When you have a problem, you talk to someone about it. That is twice you ran today, isn't it young lady?" Charlie's voice became stern.

"Yes, Uncle Charlie."

"And I definitely do NOT like the way you talked to your mother. You owe her an apology, right now!"

Maggie looked up at Charlie surprised. "I WON'T!" she said as she stamped her foot. Charlie expected that defiance, and swatted her on her bottom. Maggie had been getting away with that for far too long, and it had to stop or Heather would never be able to get her in hand.

"I will not stand for that kind of behavior, young lady. Not now, and not ever again!" Charlie insisted. Maggie put her hand back to rub her bottom.

"Am I making myself clear, young lady?" "Yes, Uncle Charlie."

"Well? We are waiting," Charlie said firmly.

Heather was glued to her seat, not knowing what to do. "NOW!" Charlie boomed, and gave her another swat. Maggie jumped as his hand connected to her bottom. He turned her around again, facing her mom.

"Mommy, I am sorry I yelled at you," Maggie whispered to her feet. Charlie wanted more, but knew he couldn't push too hard, and didn't have her repeat it as he would have if it had been one of the twins.

Heather had tears in her eyes, and said, "It's okay baby, I love you, really and truly I do," and held open her arms. Maggie wasn't quite ready to forgive yet, and turned back to Charlie and buried her face in his chest.

"Are you going to punish me for today, Uncle Charlie?" Maggie asked shyly.

"That is up to your mom, Maggie," Charlie answered.

Again, Heather was at a loss as to what to do. Charlie feeling sorry for her, said, "Of course, if it were one of my daughters, she would have a very sore bottom for what she had done today."

Heather was still clueless. Charlie sighed, "Heather? Are you going to tell Maggie what her punishment is to be?"

Heather's eyes got big, and she mumbled, "Um, well, I think since Maggie caused you and your family so much grief today, that umm, you should be the one to punish her." Then she looked at the floor. She was embarrassed to have asked.

Charlie said, "I see." Inside his head, Charlie was thinking, "How do I get myself involved in these situations?" Knowing she was looking for guidance, but not sure how she would react, Charlie started lecturing Maggie again. "Young lady, tell me why you think you are going to be punished here tonight!"

Maggie said, "I, umm, ran away from my group this morning, and you had to come find me. I went with Robin and Jennifer, and we got lost, and we should have stayed with the counselors. And when you told me to stay here, I disobeyed and ran away, and you had to find and rescue me."

"That is some list young lady, isn't it?" Charlie asked sternly.

"Yes sir," Maggie said, looking down.

"And what do disobedient girls get in this family? And you know what Maggie? You ARE a part of this family now, and we all love you very much!" Charlie added.

Maggie looked up as she heard the words she had been dying to hear. "I don't know, Uncle Charlie."

"Yes, you do, young lady. I know the girls have told you," Charlie prodded.

Maggie replied, "They, umm, ahh, they get a spanking, Uncle Charlie?"

"That's right, young lady. And you are about to get one right now."

With that, Charlie pulled down her pajama bottoms, turned her over his knee, and began to spank her rather lightly on alternate cheeks. Knowing she had never been spanked before, Charlie didn't want to be too hard on her. As he spanked, he lectured her on the importance of listening and obeying adults who were in charge of her, of being safe, of checking in, and lastly, of believing her mother that she really was loved.

As her bottom turned pink, and then slightly red and she was sobbing, Charlie decided that she had had enough. He stood her back up, and hugged her tightly while she cried it out. Pulling up her panties and pajama bottoms, he turned her around and gently nudged her toward her mom.

Maggie ran straight into Heather's arms and held on tight. "I am sorry, Mommy, I really am."

Heather agreed, "Me too, sweetie. I love you, you have to know that." Heather gently rubbed Maggie's sore bottom.

"Mommy, may I please spend the night here with Robin and Jennifer, please?" Maggie asked.

Heather said, "If it's okay with Charlie and Lisa, I mean UNCLE Charlie, and AUNT Lisa, it's okay with me. I think he and I need to talk, anyway." Heather waited for Charlie to nod that it was okay. Then she said, "Come on, I will tuck you in," and she picked Maggie up, as Maggie snuggled on her mom's shoulder.

Walking into the girls' bedroom, Heather saw that they were still awake. "Where are you going to sleep, sweetie?"

"With Robin, Mom, okay, Robin?" Maggie asked.

"Sure, hop in," Robin said as she held the blanket open for her. Heather tucked Maggie in really tight, and kissed her all over her face until Maggie was giggling. She then kissed Robin and Jennifer and said goodnight. Lisa and Charlie kissed all three girls as well, and then all three adults left the room.

Chapter 8

Walking back into the living room, Heather began to thank Lisa and Charlie, and saw Charlie's stern face. "Well, Heather, I agree, you and I should talk. Let's go back to your cabin so we can have some privacy."

"Sure, Charlie," Heather replied casually, but she was nervous looking at his face wondering what he planned to say to her.

Charlie kissed Lisa and said, "I'm hoping this won't take too much longer; I'm really exhausted. But don't wait up for me."

Lisa frowned. "Remember, Charlie, she's practically a kid herself. Be easy on her."

"She is a kid, that's what I keep reminding myself. But about being easy on her, I don't know. I think she's had too much of that, already. See you soon." And Charlie followed Heather back to her cabin.

Heather feeling nervous, went to the cooler and started to offer Charlie a beer. One look at Charlie's face, though, and Heather knew that that was a very bad idea.

"Do you really think you need a beer, young lady?" Charlie asked.

"Young lady?" Heather asked. "Who are you calling, young lady?"

"Well, have you been acting like a responsible adult? Have you been taking care of your daughter? Have you been saying things to her that could potentially damage her for the REST OF HER LIFE?" Charlie yelled at Heather, who now had tears running down her face.

"I, I, I guess not," she answered solemnly.

"Well, do you even understand what your daughter said to you tonight?" Charlie inquired.

"Yes, I think I do. She needs me more, but I don't know how to be a parent," Heather said.

Charlie sighed, and tried to calm down. "There is NO book that children come with, Heather, and I know it is hard for you being a single parent, but ALL children need structure and guidance to grow up right, and each and every one of them deserves to know that they are loved and cared for ALL the time, not just when you don't have a date."

"That's not fair!" Heather cried.

"NO?" Charlie asked. "Then tell me, when was the last time you tucked your daughter into bed, the last meal you had with her? Does she have ANY rules? You let her walk all over you, and children really don't want that. It scares them. Can you at least see that?"

"Okay, Okay, stop yelling at me! I screwed up, big time. I feel lousy. I know I need to win her trust and love. I try to give her everything she wants, and to let her do what she wants," Heather admitted.

"Well, is it working? Does your daughter feel loved, or wanted?" Charlie asked rhetorically.

But Heather answered anyway. "Nooooo, she doesn't."

"Heather, children need discipline, kind, fair, loving, and consistent. They need to know that there are consequences to their actions, that some one will stop them from hurting themselves. Your daughter DOESN'T know that. She is yearning for a family life. I know you can't give her everything she needs. You can't get your ex to be a dad, but you can be a great mom, if you want to be. You have to want it first."

Heather burst into sobs, and sank down on the couch. "Nobody has ever talked to me the way you just did. Nobody in MY life has ever cared, so I guess I don't know how to do it. I am a total screw up, and oh god I wish somebody would take ME in hand."

An idea was forming in Charlie's head but he wasn't sure what to do about it. "Young Lady, look at me!" he commanded. Heather just continued to sob. "RIGHT NOW!" Charlie yelled.

Startled Heather looked up at him. "First of all, you need to forgive yourself, and get a clean start with your daughter," he said.

"I can't forgive myself, Charlie, I can't. I don't deserve that beautiful little girl. I wish I could clean the slate, but I can't," Heather whined.

"Don't whine. I think Maggie just needs you to start changing and being the Mom she needs you to be. First of all, young lady, the drinking is going to stop, right now, is that clear?"

"Yes Sir," Heather sobbed. Charlie smiled, hearing her say that to him, and knew he had to be stern with her.

"Secondly, you are going to curtail your evenings out. Clear?" "Yes Sir."

"You will be where you should be for the remainder of this vacation, at least while I can keep tabs on you. IS THAT CLEAR?" "Yes Sir."

"All right, young lady, what do disobedient young ladies need to feel cleansed and better about themselves?" Charlie inquired.

Heather looked up at Charlie and couldn't believe he was serious. Looking at his stern face, though, convinced her otherwise. They stared at one another for a moment. Charlie was giving her the opportunity to either ask for what he thinks she really needed, or to tell him to get out. He saw the struggle going on watching the emotions on her face.

"Charlie?" she said shyly. "Yes, Heather," he answered calmly.

"I have never been spanked in my whole life!" she exclaimed.

"Well," Charlie asked, "do you feel you deserve one?" "Yes Sir."

"Then tell me, what do you need and deserve?" "I deserve a spanking, Sir." "Heather, you are an adult, not a child. Are you sure you are willing to accept this from me?" he asked.

"Charlie, I appreciate everything you have done for Maggie and me, and I think, even though I know this is going to hurt, that it is going to help me have a clean slate, and to start over with Maggie. Please, Charlie?" Heather begged.

"Okay, young lady, come here," Charlie stated.

Heather took a deep breath and walked over to Charlie. He told her to unsnap her jeans, and to pull them down. She stood rooted to the spot until he said, "RIGHT NOW, YOUNG LADY!"

She spurred into action, knowing that now was NOT the time to be disobedient. Charlie did not take down her panties, but pulled her over his knee. He started to swat her bottom, with hard, steady even swats, lecturing at the same time. Heather started squirming almost immediately, yelling ouch occasionally, but seemed to be taking it fairly well.

"Okay, young lady, I think you need some rules yourself, is that clear?" "OUCHHH, yes, sir."

First of all, you WILL be at breakfast with your daughter, SWAT!" "OUCHHH, yes sir!"

"Secondly, you will take her to camp, and be there ON TIME to get her, correct?" "OHHH, OUCHHHH, yes sir."

Charlie thought it time to up the ante a little, and put his fingers inside the waist of her panties, and pulled them down. Heather didn't even protest. Now Charlie's hand was connecting with her bare pink bottom, and he turned it up a notch. Heather's cries of pain were a bit louder as she promised anything and everything Charlie was asking of her.

"You are NEVER, EVER to tell that little girl you wished she were never born. UNDERSTAND?" With this he really spanked her hard and furiously.

"I won't, I promise, I do, please?" Heather begged. "Please what?" "OUCHHHH!" Heather was kicking and sobbing, but Charlie wanted to make sure his point was well taken.

"Now, you will NOT have another drink while we are here, is THAT clear?" Heather was shocked, and didn't answer fast enough and got another barrage of very hard swats.

"At all, sir?"

"NONE, young lady. You are going to show your daughter you are fine without it, clear?" Charlie looked at the table next to him, and saw a hairbrush. "Maybe this will make the point clearer."

Heather had no idea what he was talking about. But at the first swat with the hairbrush, she yelped and tried to get off his lap. Charlie held her down easily, and continued with the hairbrush.

"Heather, I want your answer, and I want it now!" Ten quick swats landed on her already punished bottom.

"Okay, okay, I promise, no drinking, none," she cried.

"Okay, if you do, you will be back here over my knee, is that clear?" Charlie asked sternly.

"Yes Sir, perfectly clear."

Heather's bottom was a crimson hue, and Charlie knew she would be sleeping on her stomach tonight. He decided to finish up his lecture and the spanking. "If you need help on parenting, you will ask for it, okay?" "Yes Sir."

"Alright then," Charlie ended her spanking with 10 more hard swats with the brush. By this time, Heather was limp over his knee and Charlie knew she had had enough. He gently stood her up, and pulled up her panties. Heather was beyond caring about her modesty, and threw herself into Charlie's arms.

"I am sooo sorry, Charlie, really I am," Heather sobbed.

"Shushhhhhh, it is over and you are forgiven." Charlie cradled her as he would one of the girls, and realized she was so much a little girl in need herself. He let her sob herself out, and then told her, "Okay, now, you are going straight to bed, is that clear?" "Yes Sir."

"And, I will expect you up and waiting for Maggie at 7 am. You will help her dress, give her lots of hugs, and we will all go to breakfast. Okay?" "Yes Sir."

Heather smiled at Charlie through her tears. "Thank you, for being here, for all you have done for both of us. I really do appreciate you, even if I may not sit down again for days."

Heather giggled through her tears, as she rubbed her very, very sore bottom. "Charlie?"

"Yes, Heather."

"Umm, did you mean what you said about Maggie now being a part of your family?" she asked.

"Yes, Heather, I did." Charlie smiled at her, waiting for her next question. "Well, umm, then does that mean that I am included too?" Heather inquired shyly.

"Yes, dear, you are. Now, scoot off to bed, and we will all see you tomorrow. And, I want you to think about what we've talked about tonight, and know that tomorrow is a whole new day, and an opportunity for you to make changes for you and your daughter. We will talk more, okay?" Charlie finished.

Heather whispered, "Talk?"

Charlie laughed, and said, "Yes, unless you disobey your rules, young lady!" Charlie gave Heather a mock stern look.

"Ohhh no, not me. Once was enough," Heather said.

Charlie kissed the top of her head, gave her a hug and headed to the door.

"See you in the morning, Heather," he said.

"Yeah, the morning," she responded, "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed."

EPILOGUE

Heather was there in the morning and did help Maggie get dressed. And the best part was that Maggie let her. Lisa was amazed at how different Heather's attitude was. Charlie had told her what had happened and she was surprised. Not that Charlie had spanked Heather, because she herself had felt that Heather needed a good spanking, but surprised that Heather had allowed it. And apparently, it had done her a world of good.

The next week and a half went quickly, not without a few problems. Charlie had to spank all three girls a few more times, but he didn't have to spank Heather again. She had really tried to turn her life around. She stopped drinking cold turkey, and found that she didn't even miss it.

The day the Clementes were leaving, Heather ran over to them with great news. She had gotten a job at the stables, and she and Maggie would be spending the rest of the summer at the ranch. together.

Lisa and Charlie were so happy for them. They exchanged addresses and phone numbers and promised to keep in touch. Charlie even offered to help Heather find a job if she decided she wanted a change of scenery. She knew it was time to move out of her mother's house, but she was going to wait until she got her high school equivalency diploma.

It was almost impossible for Charlie to tear the twins away from Maggie. But after all, the car was packed up, and it was time to leave. Even Charlie had a tear in his eye as he said good-bye to Heather and Maggie. Finally, the girls let go, waved good-bye and they drove off.

The Clementes hoped Heather took Charlie up on his offer and moved closer to where they lived. They really had bonded and had become part of the family. Lisa and Charlie knew deep down that they had not seen the last of those two special young women.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE END! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~