Ranch Life is Great

by Malone, Misty

  Once he was out of sight and Cade felt comfortable enough, he pulled her back far enough to look into her eyes. "Are you all right, honeying?"

  "I am now. Thank you, Cade. I'm sorry."

  "We'll talk about it when we get home. Let me tie Thunder to the buggy, and I'll be right back." It was only a minute or two before he was back in the buggy, turning it around and heading back to the ranch. It was a quiet ride back, although he held her hand securely in his. When they reached the ranch he drove to the house, but turned her to look at him. "Elsie, you have to know what's going to happen. I need to take a few minutes to calm down first, though. I want you to go straight up to our room. When you're there, take your skirts and drawers and petticoats off. I want you bare from your waist down, and then go stand in the corner."

  "Cade, no."

  "Elsie, do not argue with me about this. I want you to stand in the corner while you wait for me, and think about what could have happened. I want you bare from the waist down so you'll feel how vulnerable you were out there. He was right; a lady by herself out there is very vulnerable, and I want to make sure you feel that." He quickly climbed down and reached up for her, setting her on the ground. "Now go, with no arguing, and do as I asked." He turned without another word, and took the buggy and horses back to the barn.

  She stood there watching for a couple moments, realizing a lot in that short time. She'd felt him trembling as he picked her up and set her on the ground. She'd not only scared herself; he was scared just as much. She turned and fled to their bedroom, not even stopping to talk to Maria. She was crying by the time she got to their room. She regretted what she'd done now. When she left, all she'd thought about was talking to Theodore and easing his mind. She'd certainly never meant to hurt Cade. She did as he asked, removing her clothes from her waist down, and went to the corner.

  She felt terribly vulnerable and embarrassed. She didn't want to disappoint him any more than she already had, so she did exactly as he asked, and thought about what could have happened. Tears flowed unchecked as she did, but she continued to think about what her husband asked her to think about.

  It seemed like hours, but Cade entered their bedroom after twenty minutes. He closed the door behind him, but stayed right there, looking at his wife. She was beautiful, and he loved her with all his heart. But she scared him today like he'd never been scared before. When he came in and found her not in the barn, but the buggy and her horse gone, he immediately started for town. When he saw her buggy stopped in the road, he was concerned. When he saw the man, who looked to him to be a drifter, he was terrified. Some drifters were decent men just passing through, but the decent ones didn't normally stop a woman alone on the road.

  He knew she wasn't totally used to living out at the ranch yet, and for that reason, he had to get through to her how important it was that she listen to what he said. She was independent, he knew that, and he didn't necessarily have a problem with it. But she had to listen to him when he was trying to keep her safe. It's time she learned that lesson, once and for all.

  He went to the bed and sat down. "All right, Elsie, come on over here." He watched as she fought hiccups as she walked toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks. He stopped her so she was standing in front of him. He knew she would be embarrassed, standing in front of him naked from her waist down. "Was it worth it?"

  She burst out crying again. "No! No. I'm so sorry."

  "Why did you think it would be all right for you to go by yourself?"

  "I never thought of there being any problem. I used to take the horse and buggy myself often, so I never thought of there being a problem."

  "Have I said anything to you about going out by yourself out here?"

  She started crying again, but answered through the tears. "Yes, you did, but I forgot."

  "Honey, things are different out here at the ranch. I've tried to keep you safe, tried to warn you about things that are different out here, but you have to listen to me when I do that." He sighed. "I know you're used to living in town. Maybe it was unfair of me to bring you out to the ranch."

  "No, it wasn't," she tried to assure him. "I was just worried about Theodore, and I didn't think about anything else. I'm sorry. But I love it here."

  "You do, you're sure?"

  "I'm positive. Ranch life is great. I just have to make some adjustments. I'll try harder."

  "Elsie, it's my job as your husband to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. We both know what could very easily have happened today. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. Trying harder might not be enough. I have to make sure you start listening to me when I tell you things to keep you safe. I don't care if you listen to me because you remember this incident and how scary it was, or if you listen to me because you don't want me to repeat the spanking you're about to get. But one way or another, this is a lesson that you have to learn, and I aim to teach it to you right now. I have a feeling it's going to be hard for both of us."

  Elsie was crying as he guided her over his lap. She knew this spanking was going to be worse than any she'd had. Yet what bothered her most was how disappointed Cade was, and she knew she was putting him through something he didn't want to do.

  Her thoughts were soon forgotten, however, as the spanking started. He was spanking hard, right from the start. She was soon squirming, struggling to stay still, unsuccessfully. He started talking, knowing that always helped her concentrate on the reason for the pain she was feeling. He reminded her what happened today, and what could have happened. Then he talked about other warnings he'd given her that she'd ignored.

  "I'm sorry, Cade."

  He stopped momentarily to give her a chance to catch her breath. "What are you sorry for?"

  "I'm sorry for not listening to you," she got out between sobs. "I didn't stop to think about what you said before I left."

  "Like you didn't stop to think about what I told you about working with the animals, and you ended up with a sprained ankle. Remember that?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you learned your lesson now?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you tell me you'd learned your lesson after your sprained ankle?"

  She started crying harder as she answered, "Yes."

  "But you hadn't. Instead, you went out today alone, and look what almost happened."

  Her tears and sobbing were hard for Cade to see. He wanted to pull her in against him and assure her everything would be all right, but he knew he couldn't do that. He took a deep breath and thought back to how he felt when he found her with the stranger on the road. Then he was able to do what he knew he had to. "I can't let that happen again, honey. You're too important to me."

  He started spanking her again, and she was seriously trying to squirm away from him. He knew she was sore. Her bottom had gone from pink to dark pink, to red, and was now a deep, angry red. He'd never been this harsh with her before, but he didn't want anything like today to ever happen again. He gave her another dozen solid swats, holding her tight to keep her from squirming off his lap.

  He brought the spanking to an end and rubbed her back in lazy circles to help her calm. When she seemed to be breathing better, he lifted her gently and allowed her to squirm enough on his lap to find a place she could settle in. She was still crying as she clutched his shirt and laid her head against his chest and shoulder. Neither one said anything for several minutes. They clung to each other, which is what they both needed at that moment.

  As they both recovered, he started talking softly, with his mouth close to her ear. He knew she liked this. He made sure she was all right. Once he was assured of that, they were content just holding each other for several more minutes, before they started casually talking about nothing in particular. It was another half an hour before Cade helped her get dressed and they made their way downstairs.

  Maria looked at her sympathetically, but all she said was, "I'm glad you found her, Cade."

  "Yes, I think we all are," he answered, looking in
to his wife's eyes. She looked down, but squeezed his hand.

  * * *

  They talked that evening about talking to Theodore. Cade pulled her onto his lap and let her find a comfortable place to settle in. "I'm proud of you sitting during supper," he told her with a kiss to her forehead. "I know it hurt."

  "It did. I wanted to jump up, but I—" She paused, turning what he always thought was an adorable shade of red.

  "You what, honey?"

  "I want to show you I'm sorry. You told me once that it's easy to tell someone you're sorry, but what you do shows it more."

  "It does," he agreed. "And I appreciate your effort. Now, I want to talk about going to see Theodore."

  "I'll wait until you think we should go, I promise," she told him quickly.

  "I'm glad to hear that," he said with a serious expression. "But I have to tell you, I thought a great deal about what you said this morning, and you have a good point. I think he needed to have some time to himself to deal with this, but I also see what you're saying about not wanting him to worry too much about how you'll react to it. I think maybe a compromise would be good."

  "You do?"

  "Yes, I do. I think maybe we should go talk to him tomorrow, but wait until it's about time for his store to close. This isn't a conversation we should have when any customers are in his store."

  "I agree."

  "So I think maybe we'll go into town tomorrow evening and get there about when his store will close. After we talk to him, we can go to a restaurant for supper. It's been a little while since I've taken my wife out to eat."

  "Oh, that sounds like fun," she said, clapping her hands. She bounced a bit on his lap, and stopped, her smile disappearing. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to, though," she said, reaching back to rub her bottom.

  "I thought of that, too," he said. "But I think we'll still go tomorrow."

  "But what if I can't ride that far in a buggy yet tomorrow?"

  "You'll be able to. Trust me, you can. You could do it now. I know you wouldn't want to now, but you could. It will be better by tomorrow evening. I'm sure you'll still feel it, but it will serve as a good reminder for you."

  She sighed, but looked into his eyes. "All right. I meant it when I said I mean to show you I'm sorry."

  "Good. Let me show you my appreciation for that." He picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. Laying her down on their bed, he kissed her passionately, then proceeded to show her just how much he appreciated her effort.

  * * *

  The next morning, they had breakfast as usual and Cade went to the barn. Elsie again helped Maria with the dishes. As they were finishing, Elsie excused herself and ran outside quickly. Maria could hear her, and knew she was sick. When she came back to the kitchen, Maria voiced her concern. "Are you all right, Elsie?"

  "I will be fine, yes."

  "I don't mean to embarrass you, but I know Cade gave you a spanking last night."

  "He did, but I deserved it, and it has nothing to do with me being sick."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I am positive." She moved over closer to her friend and whispered, "I was sick yesterday after breakfast, also."

  "Oh, no. Are you getting sick? Should we send for the doctor?"

  "Maybe, but not just yet," Elsie said with a big smile.

  Maria quickly caught on and gave the younger woman a big hug. "Oh, Elsie, that's wonderful."

  "It is if I'm indeed pregnant. I don't know yet. Could you help me with that? How do you know for sure?" The ladies sat down and talked about dates, and how she felt, and how long she'd been feeling this way. At the end of their conversation Maria was excited. "Oh, Elsie, I'm so happy for you. I think you need to tell Cade, and let him take you to see the doctor."

  "Thank you for your help, Elsie. We're going to town tonight. Maybe on the way home would be a good time to talk to him?"

  "I think that would be a fine time. But if I know your husband like I think I do, you'll more than likely be going back to town tomorrow or one day soon so he can take you to see the doctor. He'll worry about you even more now, you know."

  "Oh, my, I hadn't thought of that," Elsie said with a bit of a smile. "I'll have to be even more careful to listen to him now, won't I?"

  "You would be doing your bottom a big favor," she agreed with a little laugh.

  After her stomach settled down, Elsie went to the barn to work with her animals some before dinner. She was still out there changing the bandage on a heifer when the men came back to the barn for dinner. Cade stood back and watched her working with the heifer for a few minutes before offering his help. He loved watching her, and how the animals responded to her kindness.

  They went in for dinner together, but Elsie didn't eat much. She moved her food around, hoping it looked like she ate more than she actually did, and that Cade wouldn't notice. He did, but didn't say anything. He wondered if it might have something to do with the spanking he'd given her last night. He knew it was more severe than any others he'd ever given her, and worried that maybe it was too severe. Was she so sore to sit that she lost her appetite? He found himself wondering back to that question several times that afternoon while he was working.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They arrived in Sherman early enough to stop in at Wintock's Mercantile to visit with Harold and Loretta a little while. Cade helped Harold load a wagon, and they talked while they loaded. Elsie helped Loretta gather the rest of the order, also visiting while they worked. They had decided not to mention anything to them or anyone else about Theodore's father and his part in the death of Elsie's parents. It wouldn't bring her parents back, and they saw no reason to make life in Sherman difficult for Theodore. As far as they were concerned, if he wanted anyone to know, he would have to tell them.

  They left the store fifteen minutes before closing time and went to Wilson's Mercantile. Theodore didn't have any customers at the moment, and welcomed them in. "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, please come on in. I wanted to talk to you, so I arranged for someone to watch the store for me tomorrow so I could go to your ranch." He glanced at his pocket watch. "It's closing time. If you'll excuse me a minute, I'll lock the door and be right back."

  A minute later he turned toward Elsie. "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about my father."

  "Thank you, Theodore, but you don't need to apologize for your father," Elsie said, with Cade standing right behind her with his hands on her shoulders, nodding in agreement.

  "Yes, I do. I never thought he would do that. But then again, I never thought he would cancel an order or pay a couple boys to throw a rock through a window, either. The last couple of days I've come to realize I never really knew my father like I thought I did. Saying I'm sorry seems so inadequate, but I have to say it anyway."

  Elsie shook her head. "No, you don't. You're not responsible for what your father did, and we don't blame you for it. It wasn't your fault."

  He looked from one of them to the other. "Is that how you really feel, or are you just saying that to be kind?"

  Cade laughed a little. "My wife is often guilty of being too kind, but trust me, in this case, she means what she's saying. We both do. I know this puts you in an uncomfortable position, but we want you to know we don't have any bad feelings toward you. We feel sorry for you, to be honest with you. It's hard to lose a parent, but it's almost like you lost your father twice. I won't pretend to know how that must feel, or how you deal with it, but please know you don't have to worry about our feelings toward you."

  Theodore again looked from one to the other, and seemed to accept what he said. He relaxed. "You two truly are good people. You don't know how much I appreciate hearing that. I was afraid you would be terribly upset and tell everyone in Sherman, and I would have to move. The worst part is I couldn't blame you if you did."

  "Theodore, we don't plan to tell anyone, including Harold and Loretta Stone," Elsie said. "Of course it's up to you if you want to tell anyone, but no one needs to know as far as we're c
oncerned. It won't change anything, so I don't see that it would serve any purpose." She fidgeted a little, obviously uneasy. "I have to tell you, though, I'm glad I know. It's been on my mind a great deal, trying to figure it out, and now I can put it to rest. But we don't plan on sharing it with anyone else."

  "Thank you. That's very kind of you. You said it wouldn't change anything, but that's not true. It would change everyone's opinion of my father, and some of that I'm afraid would wash down onto me."

  "That would be another reason for us not to say anything then," Cade commented. "You are not responsible in any way for the sins of your father. It's hard enough for you to hear this kind of news; there's no sense anyone else having to hear it."

  Theodore thanked them again and shook hands with both of them. "There is one other thing I wanted to say. With all this going on, I never got a chance to congratulate you two on your marriage. Part of that may have been because I was a little jealous, and I feel bad about that. I see now that you two make a wonderful couple. Are you happy living away from town, Miss Elsie?"

  "I am very happy, yes," Elsie assured him. "I'm very happy with Cade, but also, I feel like I've found my calling in life. I'm working with the injured animals and the babies, and I couldn't be happier. Ranch life is great!"

  "I'm glad to hear that," Theodore said, and they could both hear the honesty in his words. He turned to Cade next. "Congratulations on your marriage, Cade. You got a wonderful little lady. Take good care of her."

  "I'm trying my best to do just that," Cade said with a glance to his wife, whose face was turning a bit red. "And thank you. I couldn't agree more; I did get a wonderful wife. I'm sure you'll find the right one for you one of these days."

  They went next to the restaurant, where they enjoyed a wonderful meal. Elsie was feeling better and ate more for supper, which pleased Cade immensely.

  They were on their way home, when Cade mentioned that fact. "I'm glad to see you ate better for supper tonight. Were you not feeling well for breakfast and lunch?"