Jesse has inherited his Grandfather's ranch. Now he must fight his father to keep it while he must honor his Grandfather's last wish of seeking Coyote. The White Wolf Chapter 40 Like Father, Like Son by Barbara Allan Copyright © 2013, 2014 Barbara Allan All Rights Reserved.

Author's Note: Thank you Hope for your encouragement and help in editing. Thank you Sephrena for making the post appear professional. Most of all thank you to all who have commented or left Kudos. For those who have left comments, I answer them with what I hope is something witty and appreciated. ~Barbara.

'Why did Far Wanderer buy a dress, and how do I explain it to Merry?' thought the cowboy.

“I don't know how wolves let each other know they like each other, but humans will sometimes wear fancy clothes to show each other that they like each other.”

“Why?”

“Humans wear clothes because they don't have much fur. Most of the time, we just wear plain clothes in which to work and play. On important occasions or when we want to impress one another, we wear clothes that are much nicer and fancier. When you are older you will understand.”

The little girl wasn't quite satisfied with the answer, but she had heard the “When you are older” line before. She knew that was when the grown-up wasn't going to explain anymore. She had kept asking her mother to explain something one day when she use the line. Merry kept asking until her mother nipped at her. When ever her brothers were getting into trouble, if it was dangerous, her mother would nip them harder. The nip wasn't hard, but it was enough to let her know not to keep asking questions for which an answer wouldn't come.

Merry wandered back into the room where the ladies were getting dressed. She watch fascinated as they applied their make-up. She kept her questions to herself. She thought the ladies were pretty as they were, but she was a wolf and wolves don't need make-up. “Come here Merry,” Sue said. “Now hold your eyes open.” The little girl obeyed while the mother put some mascara on her lashes.

“Mom, don't you think she is a little too young for make-up?” asked Debbie “You wouldn't let me wear it until I was twelve and then it was mostly lip gloss.”

“Oh, don't sound so prudish. I remember your grandmother tarting you up when your were six. It is a grandmother's right to spoil a grandchild. And as I hope you wait for awhile before producing one, I will spoil the child in front of me. When Gabriel adopts her, she will be my grandchild.” The mother then put some lip gloss on the small child. “You look just too adorable,” she said to the child.

“There are some small dresses in Merry's room. Debbie run up there and see if you can find a nice dress,” asked Jesse. Debbie came back with an Easter dress that was hanging in the closet. It was a bit old fashion with a high bodice and a flaring skirt. The sleeves where short and puffy. The material was a pink satin with a large bow. The sister had found some black patent leather shoes and matching anklet socks.

“Oh, that is just darling,” the mother stated. “You will be a heart breaker someday.”

“What does that mean?” asked the little girl.

“It means that you are so pretty that the boys will fall in love with you and when they find out they can't have you they they will be very sad.”

“Oh,” she said with a confused look on her face.

“Don't worry about it. As you get bigger you will understand. You just enjoy being a pretty little girl.”

The sister finished getting the small girl ready. “Okay, Merry will go out first and then Jesse. Mom, you come out last.”

Debbie took the little wolf by the hand and led her out. “Wow, you are the most pretty little girl, I have ever seen,” exclaimed Gabriel. “Spin around so we can get a good look at you.” The little girl turned in a small circle as she was directed. “Yep, the prettiest little girl ever.” Gabriel gathered her up into his lap to hug her. Merry didn't know why, but she just felt loved by this person and she liked the feeling.

Jesse came out a few minutes later. “OH MY,” said the father. The cowboy just gulped. He put Merry down and stood to look at this vision of beauty. “Well, what do you think?” asked the young woman. Gabriel was having a hard time finding his tongue. He just stared. There was a flash as his sister took a picture of the stunned young man.

“Now, THAT was a picture.”

The picture startled the young man out of his stupor. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. I'm so glad you chose me.”

The father interrupted, “My wife is next. Let me show you how a pro does this.” Jesse and Debbie bumped shoulders giggling.

Sue walked out about time the father made is his boast. The boast died on his lips as he gulped at the site of his wife. He just stood staring at the beauty before him. His daughter took a picture of his stunned face. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. I'm glad you chose me.” The women giggled amongst themselves. “What?” both men asked together, which caused the women to laugh louder.

Sue let them in on the joke. “Like father, like son.”

Gabriel looked at his father. “A pro uh!”

“Well, your mother just does that too me. I get tongue tied when I see her in her cotton nighty.”

Sue hugged her husband and whispered into his ear, “I have something else for us in the bag.” She then blew softly into his ear.

“AH, kids your mother and I have to get home. Debbie, maybe you had better stay here to night. AH, you know to chaperone these two.”

The young adults were snickering as the parents left which left Merry saddened because they wouldn't tell her why they were laughing at the two older adults. Once the parents were gone, Gabriel grabbed Jesse pulling her into a deep kiss. “Now, now you two. We will have none of that.” laughed Debbie.

“I hate to say it, but Deb's right.” sighed the cowboy. “If we don't stop now, I don't know if I could stop.”

“Me too. I don't think I could stop either.” Her breath was still a bit ragged after the kiss.

Jesse you go change. I'll help Merry change and then we will play a game.” The sister took the little girl by the hand and led her off.

With his arm still around the wolf's waist, he asked, “Do you want to go dancing Saturday?”

“I thought you would never ask,” she said as she turned in his arms placing hers around his neck.

“You two stop that and Jesse go change.”

“How'd she know?”

“She's my sister. She just knows things. It gets to be annoying after while.”

“I heard that.” The young man rolled his eyes as the wolf giggled at him.

“I guess I better go change and hang this up until Saturday.”

When they gathered back in the living room, the sister pulled a Candyland game and a deck of Go Fish cards out of bag. “I figured it was time to start teaching about colors, numbers, and letters. I found a set of Go Fish with numbers and one with letters.” She turned to the little girl, “which do you want to play first?”

“I don't know. My brothers and sisters used to wrestle and play tug until I got too tired.”

“Lets start with Candyland. It will be easier to learn and we all can play. Then I will help you with Go Fish. By the way, if these two are going to get married, you can call me Aunt Debbie.”

Jessie Said, “I'll play one game then I need to start supper. Gabriel will stay and play games with you and his sister.” They set up the game and laughed at getting lost in the candy cane forest or getting stuck in the molasses. The adults made it fun to learn the colors on the cards and board. The little girl began to get fidgety after a few minutes. She was in the lead so they declared her the winner. Jesse got up to fix supper while the brother and sister continued to play different games with the child.

Jesse was working in the kitchen when she heard the warning bark of Chipper. The cowboy came into the room asking what the dog was barking about. “I don't know. He barked a few times and then quit.”

“Maybe, I should go out and check.”

“Be careful. Yell if you see anything.”

The rancher stepped outside to look around. He could hear Chipper whimpering, but it didn't sound like he was in trouble. He walked around the barn to see the big dog on his back with an old Native American rubbing his belly. When the dog saw someone walk around the barn he rolled over quickly and started parking at the stranger. The two men laughed at the dog. “Okay, Chipper you can stop barking.” The younger man walked forward. “You must be Two Bears.”

“I am. And you must be Gabriel Johnston. How is the white wolf?”

“She's been busy. When she came back from Burlington, there were rustlers on the ranch. We managed to capture or kill them. They had been plaguing the area for sometime. Yesterday, she met my mother. I think she's looking forward to some rest for the next month or so. She's in the kitchen fixin' supper. I know she'll be glad to see you.”

The two men walked to the house. The younger man went in first. “Darling, I have a surprise for you”

“Oh?” she said as she turned around from where she was preparing supper.

The rancher opened the door to let old man in. “TWO BEARS,” she squealed as she wrapped her good arm around the man. “I have been wondering when you would get here.”

“I stayed on the mountain a bit longer than I intended. It was worth the time. Coyote and I watched how you handled yourself in court and how you handled yourself with the rustlers. Then I had to address the concerns of a large elk who came to me complaining about a young couple invading his territory. I explained to him that if it wasn't for that young couple, his head would wind up in some hunters lodge. He was still upset, but he grudgingly accepted my explanation.”

“I hope he understands that if he lives peacefully with us he can expect us to live peacefully with him.”

“We will just have to see.”

The girl's nose finally got the better of her. “You smell like an old bear. Gabriel take our friend up stairs to the master bath. And lay some of my grandfather's clothes out for him. Also, tell your sister I need some help in here. We will let Two Bears surprise Merry after his shower.”

The older male grunted, “Women, they're always after me to take a shower. Maybe I should take a she-bear for a mate. They don't complain about me smelling like a bear.” His grin told the young woman that he was only playing with her.