“That’s me, domestic goddess extraordinaire, l love to keep my, ah, people happy.” Sage placed a generous slice of cake onto a plate and topped it with a swirl of whipped cream from a can and passed it to Grandpa. She then poured him a glass of tea.
“I’ll have the same,” Cliff said with a smile.
“Of course.” Sage cut a large piece of cake and flopped it onto the plate before aiming the can of whipped cream somewhere near the cake but closer to Cliff’s shirt. “Whoops, I’m so sorry, honey, I don’t know what I was thinking.” She went to lift the jug to pour his tea but Cliff put his hand over hers.
“It’s fine, I’ll pour the tea.” He dabbed at his shirt with the napkin.
“If you’re sure that’s okay with you. You don’t see it as a me being lax with my duties or anything.”
Cliff looked at his grandfather, wondering what the hell he was making of all this passive aggressive nonsense.
“Don’t look at me, Cliffy boy. I like a bit of entertainment with my morning indulgence.” The old man shrugged and took another mouthful of the delicious chocolate cake and cream that had luckily been served to him without incident.
“Are you going to join us?” Cliff asked. Sage was standing there like a waitress, waiting for their plates.
“No, I’ll just have mine at the counter while I prepare the meatloaf for your dinner.”
“Nice,” Cliff said, wishing they were alone.
“I might have to come back tomorrow for act two,” Grandpa said. “I like meatloaf.”
“You’ll always be welcome, Grandpa.” She kissed the old man on the cheek and then went back to her raw ingredients.
Cliff watched with interest. She was obviously getting back at him but he could tell that the affection for his grandpa was genuine. That was something at least, actually it was a lot.
* * *
“I think it’s a solid idea, Cliff,” Grandpa said. The two were walking out towards the barn. “Your wife is on board though?”
“Yes, she thinks it’s a great idea. No problem there.”
“There is a problem though.”
“No, Grandpa, no problem.”
“I’m old, Cliff, I’m not blind. That was some show you two put on in there.”
“I didn’t do anything. What did I do?”
“I have no idea but there was more sarcasm floating through the air than oxygen. You must have done something.”
“Maybe she just wanted to make a good impression.” Cliff opened the door through to the bunkhouse and let his grandfather step in before him.”
“Maybe she was trying to make a good impression on me but I can tell when someone is in the dog house,” Grandpa said with a grin.
Cliff shook his head. Nice, she’d left his stuff right where his grandfather could see it. This was going to get back to his grandma for sure. He just hoped Sage had thought out what she was doing because news travelled in this town and Aunt Jen didn’t seem like she was making empty threats about the kids.
“Did you sleep out here last night, boy?”
Cliff was going to deny it but there was no point. His grandfather always knew when he was lying anyway. “Look, Grandpa it was nothing, just a tiff.”
“It was your wedding night. That’s not just a tiff. A man sleeps in the bedroom with his wife every night but especially on their wedding night. What could have been so bad that you landed out here on your own?”
“I promise you, Grandpa it’s nothing that can’t be worked out, really.”
“If you say so. Just a little advice though, Cliffy, start as you mean to go on and—”
“You said one piece of advice.”
“I just thought of another one. The second one is always make up before you go to bed. There’s too much time to lie awake thinking of ways to get back at the other person the next day. Isn’t it better to wake up to start every new day fresh?”
“I’ll keep those things in mind.” He would try but at that moment he wasn’t feeling very happy at all with Sage. If it were just the two of them at home, he probably would have found her little act hilarious. As it was, she was damn lucky his grandfather had a sense of humour. It was thoughtless and embarrassing to carry on like that in front of his family. He never would have done that to her. Well, if she did it to get a rise out of him, she would be sorely disappointed, he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of arguing about it.
“Good, see that you do. Now, how about we have a proper look at this place.”
* * *
“Nice,” Cliff said. “I hope you had fun.”
“I did actually,” she said. Dressing up a little and acting like an old-fashioned housewife had been to make a point, to highlight how sexist and archaic he was being. Who spanked women these days to get them to do what they wanted and, for that matter, who decided that the outside work was for men and the inside work was for women? Granted she didn’t know how to do the outside stuff either and she didn’t really like it. That and the fact that she’d actually had fun playing her game told her that she might actually like to be in that feminine role. The point was, though, that there was nothing wrong with that if it were a role that she chose for herself. No one, not even her fake husband that seemed to now own her house had a right to tell her what she could or could not do. She was her own person and she intended to say that way.
“I see the apron is gone,” Cliff said.
“Yes, but I did prepare your meatloaf, salad and mashed potatoes before I retired it.”
“Thank you,” Cliff said, his tone still clipped. “Did you get my text message this afternoon?”
“Did you send me a text?” Clever, see, not saying no and lying, not saying yes and admitting she’d ignored his message.
“Oh sure, play dumb. So that’s why my stuff was still in the barn where my grandfather saw it and jumped to all the right conclusions?”
“I guess.” Sage was almost laughing inside. “How would I know he was coming?”
“Can I ask you another question?”
“Sure, fire away,” Sage said with a smile. She was all over this; he could ask her about anything.
“When you set the table, why did you set it for three people?”
Shit, Sage thought. “You said you were bringing someone over to measure up the bunkhouse or something.”
“That’s right I did.”
Whew, that was close, she thought. “We should eat, before it gets cold.”
“Sure, just one more question. If you didn’t know Grandpa was coming, why did you tell him you thawed him out a cake?”
“I’m psychic?” Sage winced, it was worth a try but she could tell by the look on Cliff’s face he didn’t believe her.
“I don’t believe you,” Cliff said.
“Well, I don’t care if you don’t believe me. I’m sick of being told what to do all the time. You’re bossy and you’re mean and you’re the most nit picky person I ever met.”
“I’m not the one who lied.”
Chapter Six
The couple ate in silence and Sage could tell that her words had stung. She’d only spoken the truth hadn’t she? So what if she told a white lie or played a silly game? How the hell had she ended up married to a man who had no sense of humour? “Would you like some more?” she asked when she could see that Cliff had cleaned his plate.
“No thank you,” Cliff said. “I have some things to finish off, so I’ll see you in the morning.” He stood up and pushed in his chair politely.
“You’re sleeping in the bunkhouse again?” Sage found she was holding her breath, hoping Cliff would say that he would be back in a while.
“Yes,” he said.
“Then I’ll see you at breakfast.” Sage stood herself and cleared the table, putting the leftover food in the fridge and taking care of the dishes. Stupid man, she thought. She had practically invited him to stay in the house and he’d turned her down. Well, his choice, what did she care? Damn it though, she did care.
* *
*
An hour later and boredom had set in and it made Sage antsy. There had never been a television in this house, her dad hadn’t been a fan. He believed there was more merit in music and books and that if the sun was shining, children should be outside. She just didn’t think she’d be able to settle with a book. Nothing felt right in the house. With her parents and her siblings gone, the house was empty. It didn’t help that she had a husband who was ignoring her. Maybe she should go and talk to him; ask him if he wanted to do something, play a game of cards, something, anything. She wouldn’t actually have to apologise or anything, just offer the olive branch so to speak. What if he told her to get lost or worse, just gave her that cold look and told her he was tired? No, she wasn’t going to make a fool of herself only to be rejected.
Sage wandered over to the fridge. “Glass of wine anyone? Don’t mind if I do,” she said, both asking herself the question and answering it. She poured a generous glass of wine and then took it out onto the porch. Let’s see if she could coax Cliff out of the bunkhouse a different way. She pulled the screen door open, giving it a kick and letting it slam shut behind her. The frustrated young woman watched the windows of the bunkhouse but there was nothing to see, not even a flickering light. Cliff must be asleep already.
Two more glasses of wine and Sage was feeling mellower. The breeze was nice, but her glass was empty and there were no more bottles left, she’d finished off the last one. She’d only had one and a bit in the fridge in the first place. It wasn’t that late. What she needed was a little fun and some company. If she were to venture into town, maybe she might bump into an old friend, someone who knew how to have some fun at least, a little boot scooting and music; maybe a drink or two.
Problem was, how to get there. Her truck was sitting right on the grass, but even she knew drinking and driving wouldn’t be the brightest idea. She could however take one of the horses. The ponies were a bit small to make it as far as the local bar with her on their back. She’d have to take her dad’s monster, Jett. First though, she better get changed.
It didn’t take her long to get ready. After a quick shower and much deliberation over what to wear, Sage eased herself into clean, tight, skinny jeans, a cropped T-shirt and her best going out cowboy boots. As she stood in front of the mirror applying make up, Sage had to admit it felt good to dress up a little. She felt girly, instead of the dirty ragamuffin farm hand come housewife that she had become of late. She pulled out the elastic from her hair and her dark brown curls fell in a messy mane down her back. She gave her head a shake and ran her fingers through her curls. “Ready then,” she said to her reflection.
* * *
Cliff laid there in the dark trying to sleep. He turned one way and then the other but he just didn’t seem to be able to get to sleep. Probably because it wasn’t even nine o’clock. Not that he was some high flyer that was out all the time, but usually he and the boys would at least have a game of cards or sing and play music around a fire pit, something. Here he was essentially babysitting his wife. It shouldn’t be like this. They should be entertaining each other or at least going out to see a movie. He sat up punched the pillow good and hard and gave it a shake before flopping back heavily.
Why did his mind have to revert back to Sage, every chance he got? Could it be that she was annoying him so much that she was forefront in his mind? More likely it was that she was beautiful, and cute and when she wasn’t annoying the crap out of him, she was funny. There it was again, the stirring that always happened when he pictured her in his mind and he wasn’t picturing her cooking breakfast or dinner. His thoughts were definitely more carnal in nature.
Cliff sat up in the dark, a sudden clunk startling him. More weird sounds. Was that the barn door creaking open? He pushed his feet through the legs of his jeans, straight into his boots and cocked his gun, creeping towards the door.
“Someone there?” he called. No one answered so he kept moving stealthily through to the barn. The doors were open. He could have, of course, not shut one of the double doors properly but both doors had been propped open. That didn’t happen by itself and he had a pretty good idea that no-one breaking in would bother to prop the doors open. Sage—she had to be up to something. He pulled the latches that held the doors back, closing them to trap his prey. He ducked as he did so in case she’d planned for something to fall on his head. “Sage!” he called. No answer. The big horse, Jett, whinnied and stomped and Cliff wasted no more time wondering. He knew exactly where his pesky wife was. “Sage?” His mouth dropped when he realised what he was seeing. There was Sage, his wife, dressed, for some bar hopping by the look of her. She was perched awkwardly on top of Jett, who was less than impressed with his nighttime visitor and the interruption to his evening rest.
“Hi,” she said, waving as though she was on a damn merry-go-round.
Cliff took Jett’s reins and whispered softly while gently easing the horse’s head down. “Good boy, that’s a good boy.” When Jett was sufficiently calm, he turned his attention to his wife. “Tell me you weren’t going to try and ride this horse, at night, into town.” She swayed a little. “Are you drunk?”
“I wouldn’t say I was drunk. Not exactly.” Sage hiccupped. “I was just going to take a little ride into town.”
Realising she already had been drinking, and that what he imagined was even more dangerous, his blood came to a boil. “Get down, now,” Cliff hissed, not wanting to spook the confused stallion that had calmed somewhat but could easily turn.
“I’m going out!”
“Sage, you’re on a horse, the most ornery horse you own and you’re inside the stall, with the gate closed. How did you plan on getting out?”
“Uh, I, I guess I may not have thought of absolutely everything.”
“No, you didn’t. Now get down before I get you down and look for the nearest thing I can find to spank you with.”
“Stop being so high and mighty and just open the gate for me, Mr. Boring Boots. I only had one or two drinks, but I knew I couldn’t drive. I was thinking like a sensible, responsible adult.”
Cliff tried to ignore the fact that his young wife, if he could call her that, was sitting there on that horse looking hot! Those black skinny jeans were stuck to her like a second skin and he couldn’t even see the part she was sitting on yet. The short t-shirt she wore stretched tightly across her small but perky breasts. His manhood twitched and all he wanted was to take each of those nipples into his mouth and suck on them, hard. It wasn’t the parts of her that were actually showing that turned him on, in fact, it was the gap of skin between her jeans and shirt that finally snapped him out of his trance. Sage had been about to ride off to a bar with her body exposed, for anyone to see. Even the parts of her that were covered weren’t really covered—they left nothing to the imagination at all. She thought she was going to go out and let other men ogle her? No way in hell! Cliff stepped close to the horse and grabbed Sage’s arm, effectively toppling her over his shoulder.
“Put me back on my horse,” she said angrily.
She started to fight him but one hard slap to her rear end and a deathly quiet warning silenced her. “You’ll hurt Jett.” He flicked the latch on the gate and walked through it, making sure to latch it behind them.
“You can’t tell me what to do, Cliff!” she yelled as he dumped her to the ground.
“We’ll see about that,” Cliff said, plonking himself onto a bale of hay and dragging her between his legs. “Undo your jeans and take them down,” he said.
Sage chuckled. “As if I’m going to do that. You’ll hit me!”
“Let’s get this straight, I would never hit a woman. Will I turn you over my knee and tan your behind? Absolutely, because at this moment that’s exactly what you deserve. You’re acting just as ridiculously bratty as you did the last time we had this discussion about unsafe behaviour, and back then I could understand it, you were a teenager. Now you’re a woman, a married woman who wants to be the guardian of two kids,
at least that’s what I thought you wanted.”
“I do, you know that’s what I want.”
“I’m yet to see you make any kind of real commitment towards your goal, darlin'.”
“I have, sort of, I’ve tried. I just wanted to have some fun. I miss having fun, Cliff,” she said, taking a deep breath, “and I’m lonely.”
Her eyes actually flicked up to his for a second. It was brief but enough for him to know that she was telling the truth. Well, at least he now knew why she did what she did. “The best way to get attention is not to act like a misbehaving teenager.” He did feel a little sorry for her but he was not going to let her get away with this. She could have had an accident or gotten arrested. That horse could have bucked her off and stomped on her and no one would have even known she was missing until morning. What if she’d even made it all the way into town? She could have faced some real danger, all alone, dressed like that in a bar.
“Okay then, I’ll try harder.” Sage tried to turn around to leave but he held her firmly in place.
“I haven’t changed my mind; you’re still getting spanked.”
Sage’s eyes went wild, searching for possible exits as she tried once more to escape, giving Cliff’s shoulder an almighty punch. “Lemme go!” she yelled wildly.
He didn’t flinch or loosen his hold. The irate man wasn’t going to let her know that she’d hurt him. “That’s it, I’m done talking. Take down your jeans.”
Sage looked nervously at his shoulder, refusing to look him in the eyes. “And if I don’t?”
“If you don’t, I’ll do it for you and then not only will I spank you, but you can stand in that corner again, wearing nothing but Netty’s shirt.
“It isn’t Netty’s, it’s mine and it’s supposed to look like that. What do you mean again?”
“Even better, it can be your spanking shirt from now on. Now as I was saying, you can stand in that corner wearing nothing but your new spanking shirt now while I see to Jett and again while you while you wait for round two if you don’t do as you’re told. Round two will involve you choosing what I will spank you with next. My belt, or a switch.”
An Unexpected Wife Page 9
