Sweetheart Dance

by Paige Mallory

  “What was this business over yellow?” he demanded. “I’ve never heard anything so damned silly in my life!”

  Lorena laughed. “Zack told the girls that he overheard Will Kenton telling Mr. Sims that yellow is his favorite color. He’s a very handsome young man, and the girls are all anxious to make a good impression. He is single, you know.”

  “No, I didn’t know, and I don’t know that boy at all. Just because he bought the Bar K from Kinnison doesn’t mean he’s a decent sort,” Connie grumbled, and then commented, “At least none of them will be wearing yellow to that dance!”

  “I hope you don’t mean for the girls to stick literally to the colors you picked for them to wear…”

  “What’s wrong with them… and I’ll tell you now that not one of them is to wear yellow or blue. Blue is your color… and yellow is forbidden to all of them.”

  “I’m going to have to modify your choices somewhat. “Brown is too ugly for a dance… A nice ivory would be nice, like a light brown… And purple… what about lavender? Peach would be a lighter shade of orange…” she explained, and then added, “At least you let Nattie have a white dress… Red would have been OUT…”

  Connie frowned… “She told me that you’d say that.” When she giggled, he swatted her rump. “You can tame down the colors… but if I see a yellow dress on anyone, someone is getting a spanking.”

  “Oh dear,” she gasped in dismay. “That is too bad…”

  “Why? What? Who is disobeying me…?” he growled as he sat up, ready to deal with it right then and there if necessary.

  “Why, I heard Winnie McPherson was planning to wear a daffodil yellow…” Lorena said in wide-eyed innocence, and then squealed when Connie grabbed her and flipped her over on the bed and shoved up her nightdress to spank her naughty bottom.

  “You are such a bad girl!” he chuckled. “I’m going to have to give you a spanking you won’t soon forget!”

  “I think you said that last week, too,” she teased mercilessly, then sighed in pleasure as her husband patted her bare bottom just hard enough to light a fire between her legs. Lorena felt herself grow damp, and made sure she wiggled her bottom provocatively to urge him to spank just a bit harder.

  Conrad was a happy man he decided as he drifted off to sleep with his lovely wife in his arms. He was going to go crazy before this Sweetheart Dance was over, but he was a happy man!

  Chapter Two

  Will Kenton, Rancher

  Will fell in love with the BarK ranch the first time he set eyes upon it, some ten years ago. He was only fifteen at the time, and on a horse buying trip with his father that brought them to see JB Kinnison. He thought Mr. Kinnison was old at the time, and asked him if he’d sell him the ranch someday. JB had laughed, and Will had said earnestly, “Sir, I am serious. If you ever plan to sell, I’d like the opportunity to buy you out.” JB nodded, and from that moment on, he and Will were friends. If folks thought their age difference made a close friendship impossible, they would have been very wrong. The two had something in common, and that something was the BarK Ranch. Both men loved and respected the land. They corresponded over the years, and once or twice Will was permitted to make the trip to spend a week or two with JB. True to his word, when JB was ready to let go of the BarK and go and live with his eldest daughter, he wrote to Will, offering him first chance to buy the ranch they both loved. Will didn’t hesitate. He packed his bags, and was on the next train headed to Red Scarf, Texas.

  The ranch was rundown a bit from the last time he visited, five years earlier, and he knew it was due mostly to the fact that JB’s health was poor. It would take a lot of work to make the place truly spectacular, but Will wasn’t afraid of hard work. In fact, he was used to it, and thrived on it. JB’s three daughters had taken most of the furniture from the house, and it was still pretty bare, but he didn’t plan on doing much entertaining. He had a bed in a downstairs bedroom, a table in the kitchen, and a desk and chair in the office. The rest could wait. It was more important to spend his money on fixing up the barns and buying more stock.

  “Did you hear about the Sweetheart Dance on Valentine’s Day, Will?” Ed Sims asked in a friendly manner as he wrapped up Will’s meager supplies. Mrs. Webster is in charge, and only fittin‘ since Connie is payin‘ for the shindig. She’s gonna do it up real nice, too. You should come and get in a dance or two with the Webster gals. They’re all of ‘em real pretty. Course, ole Connie is real short-tempered where they’re concerned. Don’t think no one is good enough to marry ‘em.”

  “I’m not interested in getting married just yet, Mr. Sims. I’ve got a lot of work ahead to fix up the BarK, and I can’t afford a wife,” he grinned. “Guess it wouldn’t hurt none to come in to the dance and meet some folks. It can get a bit lonely out there in the evenings.”

  “Marryin‘ up with one of them Webster gals would keep you from feelin‘ so lonely,” Mr. Sims stated seriously.

  “Their Daddy would take one look at me and say ‘no’. I’m almost flat busted, Mr. Sims. Not fair to ask a lady used to having everything to marry a man without a dollar to his name. Buying that Ranch didn’t leave me with much left.”

  “Love ain’t all that expensive, and I can tell you right now that those girls won’t go hungry. Their folks would see to it you were set up real fine.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not looking for a handout,” Will said firmly. He knew the man didn’t mean anything with his talk, but he didn’t want anyone thinking he got married to better himself financially. His sister did that, and she wasn’t a bit happy in the bed she made.

  “Well, you just come on to the dance and kick up your heels. It don’t cost nothin‘ to have a good time,” Ed grinned. He thought the young man was a bit too proud, but he was honest and friendly, and he paid cash. Ed didn’t want to make him mad.

  “You take care, Mr. Sims, and I’ll see you next week,” Will smiled, and turned to leave the store. He tipped his hat to a couple of ladies, and felt his face color when he heard them whisper about how handsome he was. Handsome didn’t have a thing to do with the kind of man he was. When he did take a wife, he wanted her to love him, not his blue eyes and red hair. He mounted his stallion, Pride, and headed for home. He had a corral fence to repair before dark.

  He was almost home when he heard screams. Startled, he looked around, and spotted a horse and buggy racing precariously towards him. He urged Pride to a gallop, but before he could reach the runaway animal and help, the buggy wheel hit a large rock, and tipped over. The horse broke free and kept right on running, then stopped a short distance away. Will could see two women lying on the ground, and he rushed to help them.

  Just as he arrived and jumped off Pride’s back, one of the ladies got to her knees, and crawled over to the other. “Nattie! Nattie! Oh, God… Nattie…!”

  Will lifted the girl to her feet. “Are you hurt, Miss?” he asked.

  “I’m okay, but my sister…”

  “Let me check her,” Will took charge. He knelt by the young girl, and checked for a pulse. He found one. “She’s alive. Probably hit her head when she fell.” He looked up and asked the distraught pretty young woman, “Can you ride a horse?”

  “Sure,” Franny answered with confidence.

  “Do you have family around here?” he asked.

  “Our ranch is over that way,” Franny pointed.

  Will wasn’t stupid. The only ranch in that direction was the huge Webster spread. Unless he was mistaken, these were two of the Webster girls. “I’m going to put you on Pride’s back and send you to get help. Are you able to do that?” he questioned. “Pride is a good animal, but he needs to know who’s in charge. If you let him know you’re scared, he’ll toss you.”

  “I can ride him,” Franny replied firmly. “I need to get my parents to come and help Nattie. I’ll do it. What are you going to do?” she asked.

  “I’m going to catch that horse and get this buggy upright and take your sister to my place. It’s c
loser. You might want to have someone go for a doctor, too,” he bossed.

  “I’ll hurry,” she promised, trusting the man.

  “I’m at the BarK. I’m Will Kenton,” he introduced himself.

  “I’m Franny Webster, and my sister is Nattie. Please don’t let anything bad happen to her…?” Franny pleaded with him, her blue eyes full of tears she didn’t try to hide.

  “I’ll do my best, Franny,” Will promised. He easily lifted Franny and put her on Pride’s back. She pulled her skirts up so she could sit comfortably, and not caring if he saw her legs. Her sister’s life was at stake. “Pride, you listen to this little lady… Hear me?” he spoke directly to the intelligent animal.

  “I’ll hurry, Will. Thank you,” Franny turned the animal, and took off at a brisk pace to get help.

  Will was impressed. Franny had scrapes and bruises, and had to be shaken up, but she was ignoring her own discomfort to get help for her sister. Most women would have fallen apart. She was certainly pretty, too. He was partial to blonde hair.

  Will checked on Nattie once more, and she was still unconscious. He looked at the buggy, and the wheel seemed okay. It was going to need some major work on the black canvas, but hopefully it would get them to the house. Will managed to right the buggy, and then he approached the spooked mare, speaking gently. He checked her over for injuries and when he was positive she was fine, he led her back to the buggy.

  He gently lifted the still unconscious Nattie and put her on the seat. He climbed up, still holding her, and wrapped one arm around her so she wouldn’t fall off the seat. He drove slowly, and they arrived at his house without mishap. There was no choice but to carry the young girl into his bedroom and lay her on the bed. It was the only place available since he didn’t have a sofa in the parlor.

  He poured some water into the basin and took out a clean cloth and soaked it in the cool water, and squeezed out the excess before placing it on her forehead. It only took a few seconds for Nattie to come around, and when her eyes flew open, she looked at him in horror.

  “You get away from me! Where am I? Where is my sister? Did you hurt her?? Who the hell are you?” She drew back her fist and took a swing at Will, and if he hadn’t grabbed her hand, she would have broken his nose!

  “Settle down, little girl. You’re safe,” he growled.

  “I will not settle down, and I am not a little girl!” Nattie was highly insulted. “Where is my sister?” she screamed at him, then tried to roll out of the bed. She went white and moaned in pain.

  “Where do you hurt, Nattie?” Will asked in concern, hoping that help would arrive soon.

  “I’m not telling you anything, and how do you know my name?” she demanded.

  “I’m trying to help you, not hurt you!” Will was growing more and more incensed.

  “Then tell me where my sister is? Was she injured?” Nattie’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Franny went to get your folks. She’s on my mount. You were knocked unconscious,” he filled in the blanks. “My name is Will Kenton and you’re on the BarK.”

  “Ohhhh,” Natalie remembered. “A wild boar ran out in front of Daisy, and she spooked. I wasn’t able to hold her… Papa isn’t going to be pleased,” she bit her lower lip. “Franny is much better with horses than I am… and she was supposed to be driving.”

  “He’ll be more relieved that you both survived the accident,” Will predicted. He saw her wince in pain, and he asked, “Where are you hurting?”

  “My foot,” Nattie answered. “I hope it’s not broken! The dance is in less than five weeks!”

  “You are lucky to be alive, and you’re worried about a dance?” Will was surprised at how angry the girl made him. She needed a damn good spanking!

  “It’s the first dance we’ve had in almost three years!” she exclaimed, giving him an exaggerated look. “I absolutely will not tolerate a broken ankle! I will not!”

  “Try growing up, little girl. If your ankle is broken, then you’re still getting off lightly. You and your sweet sister could have been killed, and instead of being thankful that your lives were spared, you’re having a childish tantrum.”

  “How dare you speak to me like that?” Nattie thought Will a very handsome man, but he was exceedingly rude. She was very happy that she wasn’t wearing a yellow dress to the Sweetheart dance!

  “It’s about time someone gave you a scolding,” Will matter-of-factly stated. “Your sister is riding a stallion that isn’t completely broken to get help for you, and you’re sitting here prattling on about some silly dance. You should try to be more like Franny. She’s a sweet and responsible young woman.” She was very pretty, too, unlike this child.

  “You wouldn’t think Franny was so sweet if you had to live with her!” Nattie said with a pout. She was the one that everyone called sweet, not Franny. Franny was too sensitive for words, and everyone knew she was too plump. Will Kenton was just trying to make her jealous. That thought made her smile, and she said bravely, “Could I have another pillow to prop my foot on? And could you help me get my shoe off?”

  Will made a face. He had work to do, and he didn’t relish playing nursemaid to a spoiled brat. He helped Nattie get her shoe off, and saw that her ankle was very swollen. He did his best to make her comfortable, and was relieved when he heard horses coming at a fast gallop. He marched to the front door and hurried to help Franny dismount. He easily lifted her from his saddle, and said, “Nattie is going to be okay, Miss Franny.”

  “Oh, thank you, Will,” Franny threw her arms around him and gave him an impulsive hug.

  Will hugged her back, and then turned to the big man glaring at him. “Sir, I’m Will Kenton. Your daughter is inside. Ma’am,” he nodded politely to a petite woman.

  “Has Nattie regained consciousness?” Lorena asked.

  “Yes, Ma’am,” Will replied, leading the way through his bare downstairs and to the bedroom. “This is the only place I could put her,” he apologized.

  “Natalie, are you all right?” Lorena rushed forward to hug her daughter while Connie stood by the bed, stiff with emotion he refused to show.

  “I injured my ankle, Mama…” Nattie replied. “Papa, I’m so sorry about the buggy… I know you said I shouldn’t drive, but I really wanted to, and I grabbed the reins from Franny. It’s not her fault…” she declared, telling the absolute truth. She did love her sister, and now that she could see how worried Franny was, and her parents, too, she had to be completely honest.

  “Doc Shreppy will be here soon, honey, and we’ll have you checked out. Don’t fret over the buggy. It can be fixed or replaced.” Connie was too relieved to see she was alive to be angry over a buggy.

  Nattie smiled at him, and then looked at Franny, “Franny, are you hurt anywhere? I’m so sorry I spilled us over…”

  “I’m fine… a bit bruised in spots, but nothing that won’t heal,” Franny smiled emotionally. “You scared me. I don’t know what I would have done if Will hadn’t come along right then.” She turned to the handsome man. “Thank you, Will. And thank you for trusting me with Pride. He’s a beautiful animal.”

  “He was a gift from my father,” Will answered. “I haven’t had him long, and he’s not fully broke in. You did well to ride him. You have a good seat.” His face colored when Nattie giggled.

  “Franny has a big seat!” she said, and Will’s temper soared. Franny let out a cry of embarrassment and ran from the room. Will gave the young girl a dirty look, and hurried after Franny.

  “Young lady, there was no excuse for that!” Lenora scolded. “You will apologize to your sister, is that understood?”

  “Yes, Mama. I didn’t mean anything by it. We always tease Franny…”

  “But not in front of a young man, daughter. I am beginning to think your father is quite correct about permitting you to attend this dance. You are acting like a thoughtless child instead of a mature young lady.”

  “I’m sorry, Mama… Please don’t make me miss the dance�
��” she begged…

  ********************

  Will had to run fast to catch up to Franny, but he finally did. “Franny, stop!”

  “Go away!” she said.

  “I don’t want to go away. Turn around and talk to me,” he gently scolded.

  “No! Go and talk to Nattie… You’re wasting your time being nice to me.”

  “I don’t want to talk to Nattie. I’ll probably strangle her if I go inside right now,” he admitted.

  “Why? She didn’t do anything wrong. I am fat!” Franny said bitterly.

  “You are not fat. You’re just right,” Will said firmly, and then took her arm and pulled her around. “Look at me.”

  Franny raised her eyes to his. “You don’t have to be nice to me, Will. I know I’m the fat sister. I’m the one no one will ever want. And,” she added dramatically, “I look hideous in yellow!”

  Will shook his head, and in the next second he was kneeling on one knee, and his other knee was bent so he could take Franny over his left thigh. He swatted her upturned bottom once, twice, then three times. “Do I have your attention, Miss Franny?” he asked.

  “Yes!” Franny gasped in shocked surprise.

  “I think you are a very pretty girl, and I like you just the way you are. When I hold a woman in my arms, I want to find soft curves. And if you make one more disparaging remark about yourself, I am going to toss up your skirts and spank your bottom until it’s a nice shade of red.”

  “Papa would shoot you,” she protested.

  “I’ll risk it, Franny.” He waited for a minute, and then asked, “Are you going to be nice to yourself now?”

  “Why would you care about me when everyone can see that Nattie is the pretty one?” Franny asked, then hollered bloody murder when Will tossed up her skirts and started spanking her bottom in earnest. He made sure he covered every inch of the rounded part of her drawers, and a bit lower on her thighs. When she sat down, he wanted her to be reminded that he cared about her… and he would never allow her to run herself down.