The Firecracker Gets Her Man (5 page)

“Your body is responding to my kisses and my touch. You are growing wet between your legs, and your breasts feel heavy, right?”

“Yes!” She felt herself blush.

“That is normal when a woman wants to make love – which belongs in marriage for you, little one. We need to stop now before we reach the point that stopping is beyond difficult. I won’t make love to you until we are married. I know we just met, and it’s too soon, but I’ve never felt like this before. I want you, honey, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I hope you are feeling the same about me?”

“I have never felt like this before, either. I wouldn’t allow
any
man to do what you just did. I think I am in love with you too!”

“Rachel, Rachel, Rachel! I’d better take you to the house right now. It’s very late and you need to find your bed before we get carried away.”

“Is that how it happens?” she asked so naively that he simply had to kiss her again. He did, and her response was nearly his undoing.

“Yes, little one, that is how it happens. Two people get so caught up in passion that their bodies take control, never mind what their common sense is trying to tell them. Let’s put out the light and get you inside; I don’t want you out here alone, either,” he warned. “It just isn’t safe for you right now.”

She squeezed his hand in understanding and he smiled. Caleb should have tried spanking her years ago. But then, he realized, she wouldn’t be so sassy and perfect for him if Doc had. Lance smiled, and looked around for any sign of trouble before he allowed her to follow him out of the barn. He silently walked her to her front door, gave her a peck on the cheek, and a gentle pat on the bottom. “You behave now, Miss Rachel,” he warned in a husky voice. “Go on to bed.”

Rachel went into her father’s office and checked on Clay, who was sleeping peacefully now that Mary was by his side. Mary was sleeping in the chair beside the bed, holding Clay’s hand. Things were as they should be, so Rachel tiptoed up the stairs, trying to be quiet and not wake her father, who needed sleep.

When she got into her room, the first thing she did was take off the boys’ pants that seemed to be holding in the heat and making her bottom miserable. The second thing she did was to light her lamp so that she could see her bare backside in the mirror. Her poor bottom was red as could be and her skin felt tight and stretched across her swollen backside. She was burning too! How could it hurt so much now, when it felt so good when Lance’s hands were caressing her?

She put on a soft nightdress, put out the light, and lay on her tummy in bed. She was suddenly exhausted and she went right to sleep.

It wasn’t the same for Lance. He was on his back because his manhood was swollen and sticking straight up in the air, demanding attention, and, of course, all he could think about was how cute Rachel’s bottom was in the tight, worn britches. She was a real handful too, and the memory of fondling her warm cheeks through those same britches was keeping him rock hard and aching with the need to plunge himself inside her sweet warmth. If he wasn’t careful, Caleb would be after him with a buggy whip! Lance vowed once again to put a ring on her finger before he claimed her in that way. Rachel deserved a proper wedding, a ring on her finger, and the protection of his name when they produced a child from their love. He would not take advantage of her. He was going to need to keep their alone time to a minimum until he could win Doc’s approval to propose to Rachel.

Finally, he closed his eyes in sleep during the gray hour right before dawn.

* * *

The sun was peeking in the window when Rachel woke and jumped out of bed. She put on her robe and slippers and brushed her hair, tying it back with a ribbon. Her poor father deserved a good breakfast and she was sleeping late without a thought to his comfort! She opened her door just as his door opened on the other end of the hallway. “Good morning, Papa!” she called to him.

“I thought you would be sleeping late this morning, honey! It’s still early!” Caleb claimed.

“I want to fix you a good breakfast,” she told him. “I am so happy to be home, Papa.”

“I think that Ranger Lance has something to do with that,” Caleb stated dryly as he followed his daughter downstairs.

“Does it show, Papa?” she asked, turning to face him. “I am in love with him! He feels the same way about me. He spanked me, Papa,” she confessed. “If I didn’t love him so much, I would be ready to shoot him, and you know I mean that!”

“Yes, I do know that. The only thing I ask is that you slow down and take some time to get to know each other a bit before making any decisions you will have to live with for the rest of your natural life. There is a saying that goes ‘Marry in haste, repent in leisure’ and you do not wish to learn too late that he is a mean one, or a philanderer.”

“I think Lance is exactly the man you see.” She smiled him. “Don’t worry, Papa. I am going to heed your advice. However, I now know the difference between infatuation and true love. Will you check on our guests while I start breakfast? I looked in on them right before I went to bed last night, and they were both resting and there was no sign of a fever.”

“We might get very lucky this time,” Caleb said as he hurried to go to his office. “If all goes well today, we will move Clay into the bedroom this evening.”

A few minutes later Mary came into the kitchen. “What can I do to help you, Rachel?” she asked, looking at the younger woman.

“Would you slice off some bacon, Mary?”

“Yes, I can do that,” she agreed. “I am not supposed to ask, but if you were to tell me what happened with Lance last night, I would be happy to listen.”

Rachel looked at her and giggled. “I don’t mind sharing. Lance spanked me, and I dread the thought of sitting at the table this morning! It really hurt, but I am confident that he did it because he really does care about me. He held me afterwards and we talked. The actual spanking hurt much more than I thought it would, but I wasn’t angry with him like I thought I would be. Is that strange?” She wanted Mary’s opinion.

“Not at all. Part of you would have been really upset if he’d let you off the hook. You know now that he keeps his word, and that he means to keep you safe. He is a good man, Rachel.” She put the sliced bacon in the skillet and soon it was sizzling. “I love the smell of bacon,” she admitted.

“Me too, and it is Papa’s favorite. Perhaps we should fix a second batch when that is done? I am half expecting Lance to come by. Do you think Clay is up to eating this morning?”

“He claims he is starving. I don’t know if Doc will let him eat just yet, however.”

“We’ll see what Papa says before we make more. Of course, I could always put it on a baked casserole if we have some left.” They bustled about, and when things were in control, Rachel ran upstairs and dressed for the day. She put on a simple skirt and shirtwaist, and fastened her long hair in a knot at the base of her neck. She was also wearing an apron that would keep her clothing clean while she worked about the house or in her father’s office.

“Good morning. I came by to see how you are this morning?” Lance asked as he entered the kitchen with Caleb. “Hi, Mary.”

“Good morning, Lance!” Rachel’s smile was huge. “I am fine, and very happy to see you this morning.”

“She just told me she thought you might come for breakfast,” Mary commented.

“I wanted to make sure nothing happened here last night. I had a bad dream,” he admitted. “I got dressed and ran all the way here.”

“We are just fine, Lance,” Caleb said. “That must have been some terrible dream. I’ve found that talking about bad dreams takes away their power to upset you.”

“I dreamed that Jared Cane’s gang came here and took over the house, and Cane was planning to abuse Rachel. I kept trying to get here in time to help, but your house kept moving and I couldn’t find it.”

“Cane doesn’t know I am here, Lance,” Rachel insisted, noting his somber expression.

“Do not assume that, honey. He could have had one of his gang go back and see if someone matching your description bought a ticket to go somewhere. It isn’t hard to trace someone’s whereabouts. You didn’t use a false name when you purchased your ticket, did you?” His dark eyes were full of hope.

“No. The ticket agent knew me; he was a patient in our practice.”

“Speaking of patients, daughter, let’s get a plate ready for Clay. He is extremely hungry this morning. He tolerated broth yesterday, so we’ll give him food today.”

“I will take our plates into the office and eat with Clay, Doc, if that is all right with you?” Mary asked permission.

“I think it is a splendid idea,” Caleb replied. “He could use some company, and some help from his wife to eat his meal. Don’t try to push him eat; let him set his own pace, Mary. He’ll regain his strength eventually, but don’t rush him.”

“Yes, sir, Doc. I’ll do whatever you say. I’m so happy Clay is alive, and I want to take the best care of him now.”

“You’ll do just fine, honey. Seeing you come in that door yesterday was the best medicine for him.” Caleb was smiling at her and then he looked at the plate his daughter had filled for Clay. “Fine, Rachel. If he eats half of this I will be more than pleased. Mary, if Clay feels hungry in a couple of hours, let us know. He can have more to eat whenever he needs it.”

“Thank you,” Mary replied, then took the tray and left the room, anxious to join her husband.

“Have a seat, son,” Caleb invited as he sat at the head of the table. “I can see that Rachel made plenty of food.”

“I truly didn’t come to eat, sir,” Lance insisted. That dream had scared him silly, just like he said. When he learned they were all safe, he felt as though he’d had a close call!

“I believe you, Lance, but now that you’re here, and since Rachel looked for you, it would be silly to waste good food. Have a seat,” Caleb invited once more, and this time Lance took the same chair he’d used last evening.

“Stop fiddling around, Rachel; come, sit down and eat your breakfast,” Caleb ordered. “Our food is getting cold waiting for you to join us.”

Rachel did not want to sit down. She could barely sit on the side of her bed when she woke, and that was a soft mattress. The kitchen chairs were wooden and didn’t have cushions on the seats. Still, she’d promised to obey her parent, and she carefully eased her bottom down on her seat.

“Are you really that sore?” Lance asked with a frown.

“Yes,” she whispered, thoroughly embarrassed.

“My daughter told me you spanked her, Lance. Thank you. I am beginning to think you are the right man for her after all,” Caleb said, chuckling.

“I didn’t intend to bruise her, sir!”

“She is a redhead, and she has the fair skin that goes with it, son. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to spank her. A sore bottom won’t kill her, and perhaps she will learn to listen when someone tells her not to do as she pleases.”

“She put herself in danger yesterday,” Lance explained. “I cannot permit Rachel to do that. Doc, I am in love with Rachel, and she feels the same about me. I know we’ve just met, but I want to be with her for the rest of my life. Will you give your blessing?” he asked.

“You met each other yesterday afternoon, and you both have such strong feelings already?” Caleb demanded.

“Yes!” Lance was sure of himself and his feelings for the lovely redhead.

“Daughter?” Caleb turned his eyes on her to inquire.

“Papa, I love Lance.”

“We’ll see how each of you feel about the other in another month. By then an infatuation should start to fade. You can wait that long to make sure these feelings are truly love, correct?”

“We will do as you ask, sir. This is important to us; we want your approval, and I give my word not to take advantage of the situation.”

“Thank you, Lance. Daughter, I expect you to be on your best behavior too. The responsibility does not fall entirely on Lance’s shoulders; do you understand?” he asked in a soft voice.

“I do, Papa, and I promise to do my very best to make it easier for Lance, but I do so love him,” she insisted.

“I know you do,” Caleb agreed, not about to argue with his hotheaded daughter. He wouldn’t win, and he knew it. He already had her promise and it was all he could ask. “So, what do we do now?” he asked Lance.

“Sir, you go about your doctoring as usual. Just be alert, and if you are approached by anyone you don’t know, be in a hurry to get back here for whatever reason you can come up with: to check on a patient, or deliver a baby. If they ask about Rachel, try to look offended and tell them you kicked her out and she already left town and you have no idea where she went. Lie for all you are worth. Don’t let them take you anywhere under false pretenses. We don’t want you to get shot like the doctor Rachel worked for.”

“My guess is that they would pretend to be ill and just come here to my office. It would get them into the house and they could see for themselves that Rachel is here. And, they won’t come until closer to the fourth. They will want to test the air about town, and see if people are wary or just excited and looking forward to the festivities.”

As soon as the doctor finished speaking there was a knock at the front door. He hurried to his feet. “This was a wonderful breakfast, honey. It sure is good to have you home.” He hurried through the house, and when he opened the door, he immediately called out. “Rachel, come quickly! I need your help!”

Rachel dropped her fork on the table and went running, Lance on her heels. He heard the man at the door say, “It happened so quick, Doc. Please help Jack!”

“I’ll do everything I can, Bill. Rachel, set up the surgery. Lance, help me get Jack inside.”

Lance hurried to help lift the unconscious man and carry him inside. “I’ve never met you, mister,” the one Doc had called Bill stated.

“I’m Lance Underwood. I’m courting Miss Rachel,” he explained his presence in the house.

“Bill Hadley. This is my little brother, Jack. He’s only twenty years old. We were going to add onto the house because he’s planning to get married, and the lumber fell off the wagon and buried him. I don’t know how bad he’s hurt!”

“Doc will do all he can,” Lance promised. Jack didn’t look a bit good to him.

Caleb showed him where to place Jack, and then said, “You get on out of here and take Bill with you, son. Rachel will be busy for quite a while.”

One glance at his little redhead, and Lance nodded and left the room, gently pushing Bill along with him to the kitchen. “Did you eat this morning?” he asked. “Rachel made enough for ten people, I think. There’s plenty left warming.”

“I am hungry,” Bill sheepishly admitted. “I was inside fixing us breakfast when the load fell on Jack.”

“Sit down, and I’ll feed you.” Lance made quick work of dishing up food for the other man.

“I wonder how long it will be before Doc knows something about Jack. I need to let Beth know, but I hate to go and tell her until I know more.”

“I understand.” Lance went ahead and started clearing the table of dirty dishes. He put hot water from the stove’s reservoir in the dishpan with some soap and started washing the dishes. To his surprise, Bill finished eating and then picked up a dishtowel and started drying.

“It’s good to see another man not afraid to do the dishes,” Bill said with a smile. “Jack and I have been fending for ourselves for the last five years.”

“Ma taught me to help out, and I don’t mind.” He wanted to keep a close eye on Rachel, too. Sometimes the dreams he had were warnings. There was more banging on the front door, and he went to answer the summons, hoping there wasn’t another emergency.

“Where is Jack?” A young woman stood there, tapping her toe and glaring at him with snapping brown eyes.

Bill had followed him down the hall. “Beth? How did you find out so quickly? I was going to come and tell you when I knew something. Doc is treating Jack now, doing surgery.”

“I cannot believe you didn’t send for me, William John Hadley!” the pretty brunette scolded.

“Would you rather I let him die while I ride over and fetch you to come?” Bill demanded. “You need to settle down, missy!”

“Don’t you call me that!”

“I will call you what I please when you are acting like a hotheaded little brat,” Bill told her. “I’m tired of your childish games, and you can stop pretending you love Jack. We both know it isn’t true, don’t we?” he demanded.

Beth’s mouth dropped open and her brown eyes filled with tears. “He’s nicer than you are!” she declared.

“You are going to make both of your lives miserable if you don’t come clean, missy.”

The door to the doctor’s office opened and Rachel stepped out. “Papa asks that you two stop yelling at each other. It will be a while before Papa is finished, and he does not like noise when he needs to be so careful.”

“Is Jack going to be all right, Rachel?” Beth asked.

“It’s too soon to answer that, Beth. Papa tells me that you have been seeing Jack, and I cannot believe that. He is too young for you and I think you know it.” Rachel looked from Beth to Bill, and then said, “You two need to talk and stop pretending you don’t care for each other. I cannot imagine anything worse than being in love with a man and married to his kid brother. Beth, you know very well that Jack is still a kid!” With that she entered the office again and quietly shut the double doors.

Beth suddenly burst into tears and Bill took her by the arm and led her into the parlor saying, “Excuse us, Lance. We need some time alone.” He shut those doors and Lance smiled to himself. If he were a betting man, Miss Beth was going to have a very sore backside in a few minutes.

He went back to the kitchen, finished the dishes, and wiped down the table. Trying to stay busy, he swept the floor. When he was finished with that, Lance decided to see if the ingredients for vegetable soup were handy. He could fix a pot of that and help Rachel. He didn’t find everything, so he put on his hat and headed for the front door. He would look around for Jared Cane and then he would meet the stage again to see if Misty Feathers was arriving earlier than Rachel thought she would. He could hear raised voices coming from the parlor as he walked past, but decided to keep his nose out of the situation.

* * *

“Stop crying and talk to me, missy!” Bill said sternly once he seated her on the sofa. “Is Miss Rachel right? Are you really in love with me and just pretending to be in love with Jack?”

When she just sniffled and dabbed at her leaking eyes with her pretty embroidered handkerchief, he raised his voice. “Answer me right now, and tell me the truth for once!”

“Rachel is right, Bill. I love you, and I always have!”

“Then why would you pretend to love Jack?” he asked, truly baffled and angry all at once.

“Because all you ever did was scold me, Bill. You treated me like a bratty kid sister instead of a grown woman! I hoped you would be jealous and stand up and claim me for your own! You never did, and I gave up! I want to marry and have children. I’m tired of living with Mike and Amy. I want my own home!”

“I treated you like a bratty kid sister because I was waiting for you to grow up, Beth! I fell in love with you when you first pinned up your hair and started wearing long skirts. You didn’t seem to know how to be an adult, however. All your damn stunts – I felt more like spanking you than kissing you. Then you turned to Jack, and I wasn’t about to fight my brother over a woman who seemed fickle.”

“I’m not fickle! You were mean to me all the time!”

“I wanted you to grow up.”

“I am grown. I am!”

“A grown woman doesn’t lead on one brother while in love with the other brother. That is just plain ridiculous, and it is dangerous. How do you think Jack is going to feel when you tell him the truth, and you
are
going to tell him the truth, Elizabeth.”

“Please don’t call me that.
He
did, and I can’t bear it, Bill,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry. I know he was cruel, but did he force you, honey?” he asked in genuine concern. Her stepfather was a real bastard, and there wasn’t one person around Rusty Bucket who liked the man.

“No. He was going to one night after Mama died, but I screamed, and Mikey came running with the shotgun and told him if he ever touched me again, he would kill him. He left the next day. Mama had fixed it so he didn’t inherit anything she and Papa worked for. It went to Mike like they planned, and I have a good size dowry that Mikey will give me when I marry. I just don’t like to be chastised by my given name; it brings back bad memories. He didn’t beat me, but I spent hours doing chores and wasn’t allowed to have any fun. Mama told him he was too hard on me, but he claimed I was spoiled rotten.”

“You aren’t spoiled. You work hard; I’ve seen that.”

“Thank you,” she said with a pleased smile.

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking I am not upset as can be with you, because I am. You need a good spanking.”

“You can’t spank me! I’ve told you I am not a child!”