Sweetheart Dance

by Paige Mallory

  “Lenora and I are very happy with the young lady our son has chosen for his wife, and we are equally happy and very proud of the men our daughters have fallen in love with.

  I’m hoping with all my heart that my girls… all seven of them,” he included Maribeth, “will look back on tonight and cherish the memory.” He looked towards his daughters and the room was very quiet… “Abby, Becky, Dottie, Franny, Maddy, and Nattie, I love you all, and if any of you choose to wait and plan your own wedding, I’ll accept your decision.”

  ********************

  “Thank God you warned me, Michael,” Becky smiled up at him.

  “Is that a yes, my dear?”

  “Most definitely a yes,” she kissed him.

  ********************

  “Abby, would you rather wait…?” Monty asked, uncertain of her reaction.

  “Did Papa force you, Monty?” Abby didn’t know whether she was mortified or ecstatic.

  “He came to me and asked, and said if I preferred to wait, he would accept my decision with no hard feelings. I love the idea, Abby. I love you, and I want you for my wife. Everyone is here tonight, and you are a beautiful bride. Will you marry me tonight?”

  Abby gave him a dazzling smile. “I will, Monty. Oh, yes, I will!”

  ********************

  “Your Pa is a brave man,” Luke told Nattie. “Are you happy with the idea of getting married tonight?”

  “Yes. Are you?”

  “It didn’t cross my mind to say ‘no’,” he smiled. “I didn’t figure he’d consider me good enough for you, Nattie, and then, I figured he’d make you wait a couple years. I don’t want to give him a chance to change his mind.”

  “Me either,” Nattie giggled.

  ********************

  “Oh, Papa!” Franny could feel her face burning.

  “You do want to marry me, don’t you, Franny?”

  “Yes, with all my heart… but…”

  “But what…?” Will asked in concern.

  “They are all so pretty… and…”

  “And you are beautiful, Frances, and if you don’t smile right now, I’m going to be spanking you on our wedding night,” Will promised, and then kissed her. “We are getting married. Hang your sisters. I want you.”

  “I love you, Will. You make me believe I am special…”

  “You are special, and I promise to show you just how special later tonight, after I swat your pretty bottom…” he whispered in her ear, causing her to blush.

  ********************

  “Your family isn’t here, Paul!” Dottie was stricken.

  “You are here, and you are my life, Dottie. My folks will understand.”

  “Are you sure?” she whispered.

  “Very sure. I love you, Dorothy Jean. Will you please marry me and share my life?”

  Dottie wanted a white dress… but she wanted Will even more. She smiled and nodded, then laughed happily when he picked her up and swung her around and around.

  ********************

  “Mama is going to kill Papa. She is tapping her foot, and that is never good,” Maddy declared.

  “I told him he was risking an untimely death,” David said under his breath. “He made me promise not to lock your mother up for murder… said she would be justified.”

  “That’s the pure truth, but just look at him. He’s so darn proud of himself. He’s pulling off seven weddings and giving the town a Sweetheart Dance all at the same time. Katie Jefferson got engaged tonight, and Byron Smith said he’s planning to ask Courtney to marry him when he escorts her home tonight. Love is in the air.”

  “Did I mention that I love you for agreeing to this without a fuss?” David smiled at her.

  “Like you gave me a choice!” Her voice dropped several octaves to mimic him, “‘Your Pa arranged for us to be married tonight. If you say no and make a scene, I’m going to spank your ass in front of the whole room, and then you’ll get married anyway…’ How romantic is that?” Maddy teased.

  “Not very,” he admitted, and then shocked her by dropping to one knee right there. “Maddy, I love you with all my heart and soul. We belong together, always. Will you please marry me tonight?”

  Maddy’s eyes filled with tears as she reached out to caress his cheek with her soft hand. “Always, David. Always…”

  David took her hand and kissed it, his eyes full of remembered love.

  ********************

  “Is your father always like this, Sam?”

  “Yep.”

  “Mama thinks this is so romantic.”

  “I think it beats the hell out of a formal wedding,” Sam smiled.

  “We were going to elope!” Maribeth pouted.

  “Yeah… But this is almost as good,” he grinned. “You’re so cute when you pout.”

  “You ever do this to our children, Sam, and I will geld you.”

  Sam whooped with laughter. Maribeth had one sassy mouth on her… and he loved it. It would give him a good excuse to spank her rounded bottom every so often.

  ********************

  Reverend Shepherd took his place in front of the room, and Connie escorted Lenora to the back of the room. She was shocked when Connie produced bouquets of flowers for the girls, and touched when he hugged each daughter in turn, and told them the white flowers were in place of the traditional white dress.

  Lenora could see her girls were all excited and happy, and not one of them was upset with their father. Once more he’d managed to rule the day… The band switched to music more appropriate for a wedding, and Lenora was floored when her Zack stood in front of the room and sang a song that he knew to be Becky’s favorite, and one that was most appropriate for a wedding.

  The Grooms, all seven of them walked single file to the front of the room. Zack then offered Maribeth’s mother his arm and walked her up front and seated her, then returned and waked her to the front, seated her, and sat beside her. He gave her a huge grin, and then pulled out a lacy hanky and handed it to her. “Pa said to give you this, ‘cause you’ll need it,” he whispered.

  The music changed, and Maribeth’s father stepped forward and took her arm, and then slowly walked her to the front of the room. He gently took her hand and placed it in Sam’s, kissed her cheek, then took a seat beside his wife, who was already crying. He put his arm around her and patted her shoulder.

  Connie was up next, and didn’t know what he was going to do if his girls threw a fit over who was walked down the aisle first. Abby stepped forward, and he took her arm, walked her down the aisle, and handed her over to Monty. Becky was next, and Connie realized the girls were going from oldest to youngest. There was no fussing, and all of them were smiling. He told each of them that he loved them, and promised he would always be there for them, no matter what.

  Connie was finally finished and took his seat beside Lenora, who promptly pinched him hard. He captured her hand in his and held in on his right thigh. He was going to have to paddle the woman if she didn’t settle down real fast.

  “When Connie came to me today to ask me to hold a wedding tonight for seven of his eight children, I thought he was joking with me,” Reverend Shepherd smiled happily. “But, we all know that Connie does things in a big way. We also know he has a big heart, and he was hurting because he didn’t know how he could choose which daughter to permit to marry first without letting the others think they weren’t as important to him. He thought that Valentine’s Day would be a perfect time to hold a wedding, and here we are tonight.”

  Lenora couldn’t help crying as she watched her children marry. Her son was tall and strong, and so handsome… like his father. His eyes were full of love for his bride as they spoke their vows. Each of her daughters was beautiful… Becky was standing tall, and Franny was crying tears of joy. Dottie and Paul were laughing, and Maddy and David looked as if they’d been together forever. Abby wasn’t aware of anyone but Monty, and her youngest had grown up overnight.

  “I
now pronounce you all husband and wife. Gentlemen, you may kiss your brides.”

  There was much clapping in the room, and it didn’t take long for the dance floor to reappear. Lenora was once again shocked to see that a huge wedding cake was placed on another table, and there were even gifts on several tables. She looked at Connie and shook her head, then threw up her hands and went to congratulate her children and their spouses. Her house was going to empty out in one fell swoop, except for Nattie and Zack. It was overwhelming.

  The evening passed swiftly, and Connie and Lenora were busy accepting congratulations from everyone, and watching as their children opened wedding gifts. It was amazing that people found out about the wedding just that day, and still managed to find time to bring gifts… and some of them were very nice. Mary Hatfield had made quilts for all of her girls, and even had one to give to Sam and Maribeth. They were so beautiful, too, and she was so proud of her girls for hugging the elderly woman and thanking her. Becky made a point of pointing out the different patterns.

  Finally, it was time for the last dance of the evening, and Connie came to take her in his arms, and to her everlasting shock, he sang to her… in a room full of people… as he danced with her. When the song ended, he kissed her, and made a point of gathering Zack and heading for home. When Lenora insisted she needed to help clean up, he shook his head firmly. “None of the ladies are cleaning up, Lenora. I hired it done. It’s been a long day, and we are going home now.”

  Lenora knew it was pointless to argue with the man, and she joined him in telling their children goodbye. She felt as though she should have had time to talk to each of her daughters, and reassure them if they had fears about their wedding night, but Connie didn’t give her that opportunity. He scooted her out the door, and hurried them on their way. “How are Natalie and Luke getting home?” she asked testily.

  “They aren’t coming home tonight, honey. Neither are Sam and Maribeth. Stop fussing.” She was just about to let fly, and Connie cut her off. “Didn’t Zack do a great job on that song tonight?” He did want to praise his son, but he also wanted to remind his wife that Zack was still with them. They did NOT argue in front of their children. It just wasn’t a good thing to do. He knew that Lenora would hold her peace until they were alone… and he was sure it would end up in the normal way. He’d turn her over his knee and spank her bottom until she was ready to listen, and then he would explain himself. If she was more amendable, that would be the end of it. If she still wanted to fuss, she’d have her say, and then get another spanking to settle the matter. Before they went to sleep, they’d be happy with each other again… He would make sure of that.

  “Zack, you did an amazing job. I know your sisters were pleased.” Lenora was proud of Zachary and wanted him to know it.

  “Pa dared me,” he grinned. “Bet me a dollar I would chicken out, but I didn’t…”

  “You dared him?” Lenora used her prim and proper voice.

  “You see me in the study in the morning after Church, son, and I’ll pay up. What you going to do with your money?”

  Lenora shut her mouth as Zack spent the dollar at least ten times over, with his father encouraging him to think of even more ideas.

  “You might want to leave your gun in your study and not take it up to the bedroom tonight, Pa,” Zack whispered as his Ma headed for the house, her skirts swishing angrily. “Ma is pretty mad.”

  “She’ll be fine in the morning, son. She’s just surprised that the day didn’t go exactly the way she thought it would.”

  “At least we don’t have to wear a tie seven more times this year,” he grinned unrepentantly. “And, about what you said… When I get married, I ain’t gonna wear no tie, and you don’t have to wear one either. We’ll wear regular clothes, or there won’t be a wedding.”

  “You hang on to that thought, son,” Connie grinned. “Get on to bed. And thanks for your help today. I enjoyed your company.”

  Zack surprised him by giving him a hug, then turning and running to the house. Connie smiled, and tended to the horses.

  Zack tapped on his parents’ bedroom door. It opened immediately. “I’m goin‘ to bed, Ma. Night.”

  Lenora gave him a hug and a kiss, and to her surprise he kissed her cheek. “If you get lonely, Ma, just let me know and I’ll talk to you. I’m not the girls, but I love you, too.”

  “Oh, Zack… I know that, honey. I love you, too…”

  “Don’t cry!” he scolded her, and then ran for his room. He didn’t want her to see he had tears in his eyes, too. He was going to miss his sisters. Who was he going to pick on?

  Lenora felt numb as she undressed. She put her new dress on a hanger, and put it in her wardrobe, then stripped out of her under things. She pulled a soft pink flannel gown over her head, then unpinned her hair and let it fall. Connie came into the room just as she picked up her hairbrush and started brushing her long red hair.

  “I love watching you brush your hair. I still remember the first time… it was our wedding night. You were so beautiful… our girls get that from you, honey.”

  “Connie, I’m mad at you, so stop sweet talking me!” Lenora snapped. “How COULD you do such a thing!”

  “I solves a lot of problems, honey…”

  “No… you took away your daughters’ choices, and you denied me the right of planning their weddings with them.” She tossed the brush on her vanity and got to her feet. “You are so damned bossy and autocratic.”

  “Lenora, am I going to have to take you over my knee before you’ll hear me out?”

  “You just try it, Conrad Webster, and I will slap you silly!”

  “One…”

  “And you can stop that infernal counting! I’m not a child! You are not going to bully me, and this is one damn time you are going to get on your knees and admit you were wrong! My God, are you growing senile? You didn’t even ask those girls if they wanted to get married at the same time! You treated them like your damned cattle!”

  “Two…”

  “Go to hell!” Lenora picked up the first thing she could grab and threw it at his head. Of course he caught it and said ‘three’, which made her even more furious. She hadn’t thrown a full blown temper tantrum in years, but the man was totally impossible!

  Connie ducked when Lenora’s next missile was a book. It bounced off the wall. He put the perfume on the nightstand, then barreled across the room and lifted her off her feet before she threw the crystal bell Sam brought her from New Orleans. “You’ll cry if you break that, honey,” he said calmly, prying it from her fingers and sitting it gently on the vanity once more.

  Lenora knew that the big man was going to spank her, and she knew she’d earned it. Connie Webster didn’t tolerate tantrums. Still, she had to put up a fight, and she managed to get in one or two good jabs before he turned her face down over his knee and brought his hand down on her bare bottom. Her darn nightdress had worked itself up while she was struggling to free herself, and Connie wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation. His large hand landed on her rounded bottom several times, leaving burning red handprints. Lenora wanted to beg him to stop, but her pride wouldn’t let her.

  “You haven’t had a good spanking in a long time, have you, honey? I’ve neglected my duty, but I’m not going to neglect you tonight, I promise.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Connie, I am so angry with you! And this is just making me even more furious!” Lenora struggled to free herself. “I don’t want a damn spanking! You’re hurting me, and it isn’t the least bit funny! You are responsible for my temper!”

  “Maybe so, honey, but I will not put up with you throwing things and calling me names. You know better, and if you don’t, you will by the time we’re done with spanking tonight.”

  He was quite serious, and Lenora could tell he wasn’t going to be sidetracked from his purpose. The spanks grew harder, and she was feeling them even more on her bare skin. “I am going to get even with you for this!” she promised,
unable to shut up. She was only making the spanking worse each time she opened her mouth.

  “Let it all out, Lenora,” he calmly spanked her, making sure to set her cheeks on fire before he started on her upper thighs. When he spanked her there, Lenora gasped and cried out in pain. Finally he was making an impression.

  Her temper was receding, and Lenore struggled to hold onto her anger. It was justified. Still, the spanking hurt badly, and she wanted it to end. “Stop it, Connie… Please!”

  “You don’t sound sorry yet.”

  “Damn you!”

  “That’s what I thought.” Connie spanked even harder, and within a few minutes Lenora was crying. “Do you still feel like throwing things? Or smacking me?” he wanted to know.

  “No!” Lenora cried out. “Please stop. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry you’re getting a spanking…” he told her in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

  “Yes, I am… It hurts, honey… Ouch! Please… No more…” Connie was concentrating on her sit spot now, and Lenora was sobbing. “Nooooo! Not there! Please, Connie… I’ve had enough!”

  “That’s up to me to decide, and I’m not hearing genuine remorse yet. You threw things at me, wife, and you swore at me. Is that the way for a loving wife to behave?”

  “No, Connie. I’m so sorry.” Lenore was lying completely still now. The spanks still hurt, but she wasn’t going anywhere until her husband made sure she couldn’t sit comfortably for a few days.

  “Are you ready to hear me out?”

  “Yes…”

  “You don’t have to agree with me, Lenora, but you do need to hear me out, and speak respectfully to me. Is that understood?”

  “Yes,” she boohooed the word.

  Connie stopped the spanking, but held her in place to say, “I am not at all sure we are finished with this spanking, Lenora. If you raise your voice again, or throw one single thing, I will take your hairbrush to you… and I just might decide to do that anyway. When I let you up, I want you to go and stand in the corner for a few minutes until you think you can be calm. Then, and only then, we will talk.” He helped her up, and then gave her a smack on her red bottom to speed her toward the only empty corner in the room.