by Maggie Ryan
"I said, am I clear?"
This time the air resounded loudly with female voices, all assuring him that he was as clear as glass. The men kept straight faces as their women wiggled a bit. As the meeting broke up, with the reminder that the trumpet would wake them all at four a.m. and Morgan wanted the train moving out by six, Richard helped Anna to stand. She looked up at him, her eyes wide as saucers.
"Do you think he really means that he'd… he'd actually spank someone?" she asked.
"Oh yes, sweetheart. You heard him, and I don't think he is a man to break a promise or back off from responsibilities. If you don't believe me, try being really naughty—I'm sure he will be glad to demonstrate his sincerity on your sweet bottom."
Anna gasped, her face flaming, and shook her head. "You'd let him touch me?"
He looked down at her upturned face and grew serious. "Annabelle, you know what is expected from you. Everyone must do their own part to make sure that we all arrive safe and sound to our new homes. We've discussed this before. If you are naughty enough to warrant discipline, rest assured that I will take care of your fanny. If, however, you endanger yourself or this train, you'd better be prepared to bare your bottom and get it whipped by Mr. Morgan—to be made an example of. This is not a game played by children. Nor is it a leisurely Sunday carriage ride. Sweetheart, I will do everything in my power to keep anything like that from happening, but it is truly only you who can ensure you aren't brought before the wagon master." He pulled her more tightly to him but kept her face tilted to his with his hand cupping her chin. "If it helps, until we get to our own place, I suppose you can consider Mr. Morgan as your Pa, my Pa, and your husband all rolled into one."
She flinched and lowered her eyes, her legs actually shaking. She was stunned but then remembered vaguely what Richard had discussed with regards to his choice of this particular wagon train. He had said that Mr. Morgan had an impeccable reputation in not only his ability to lead what started out as strangers across the wilderness, but also that, by the time the journey was done, he considered every family to be part of his own. Richard hadn't wanted to join a train of mostly single men because of the additional dangers Anna might face. Her Ma and Pa had seemed very pleased that Richard, as well as other families, had chosen this path. They'd agreed with Richard that strict rules and expected cooperation were vital for the safety of all. Anna had considered the trip as nothing but a fun adventure but was quickly learning she had been wrong. It might be an adventure… but after learning of her Pa's gift to her husband, and then hearing the wagon master speak of strict rules and threats of public discipline, she was reassessing her beliefs.
Looking around, she saw many couples talking quietly and thought that, like her husband, the men were most likely reinforcing Mr. Morgan's rules. Looking up at Richard, she gave him a shaky smile.
"I suppose I understand. I'll just have to be the perfect pioneer and the perfect wife." She ignored his quick grin and the shake of his head, but willingly accepted his kiss. As they turned to walk back to their wagon, she passed a wagon that housed a family of four. She looked inside and smiled. Hanging in full view for all to see were not only a strap and paddle, but a bundle of switches and a riding crop. She shuddered, thinking about the damage those items could do to a bared bottom, but was also grateful to discover she was not the only one who lived with visible, tangible reminders of what was expected of her.
Chapter Eight
Richard introduced her to Wyatt, Roger and Matthew; the hands he'd hired to make the trip. Anna instantly liked them, and was a little shocked when they addressed her as 'Ma'am'. Each was respectful and assured her that he'd take care of both the herd and the guard rotation.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, as she couldn't imagine being in the wagon in the dark without Richard. "Oh, do you have someone to cook for you?"
Wyatt grinned and clapped Matthew on the shoulder. "Yes, ma'am, Matt's quite the cook. We'll be fine."
"Perhaps he'll give me lessons," she said, only half teasing as Richard led her away.
"Perhaps you'd do better to ask one of the women," Richard countered, his hand squeezing hers just a bit tighter.
After meeting a few other fellow travelers, it was time to return to their wagon. Richard started a fire and helped her prepare a simple meal. All she had to do was reheat a jar of stew that her Ma had tucked into the basket. Cornbread was set on a tin plate to heat. After the meal, Richard sat on the ground, leaning against the wheel of the wagon, and held her in his lap as the stars came out.
"It's really beautiful, isn't it?" she whispered, and gasped when a shooting star streaked across the black sky. "Do you think it will be just as beautiful in Oregon?"
"I know it is. Anna, I wouldn't ask you to leave your home if I weren't sure you'd be happy. I promise, you'll find Oregon just as beautiful as Missouri." Her heart warmed as he bent to whisper against her ear, "Anywhere with you is instantly beautiful." When his hand drifted to cup her breast, her moan had him helping her to her feet. It was time go to bed.
As Richard tended to the fire, making absolutely sure it was out, Anna prepared their bed for their first night on the journey. After spreading the grass mattress pad out into the center of the wagon and placing pillows at the head of it, she laid a quilt her mother had made over the linen sheet she had tucked around the pad. Climbing between the covers, she felt her heart begin to beat a bit faster, memories of their wedding night replaying in her head.
The wagon dipped as her husband climbed in, taking the time to untie the canvas strips to allow the flaps to fall closed. When he got into the makeshift bed, he instantly sat up, pushing the covers down. "Anna, why aren't you ready for bed?"
"I am," she said, wondering why else he thought she was waiting for him there.
"No, ma'am," he said, shaking his head. "How am I supposed to make love to you when you're covered from head to toe? You didn't take off anything but your boots."
Her mouth fell open as she sat bolt upright. "You are going to do that here? Now? Richard—there are people out there!"
He laughed loudly and began unbuttoning her dress. "Oh yes, ma'am," he informed her. "Just like there will be for months. If you think I don't want my wife in all her glory in my arms every night, you need to think again. Now, get those clothes off. You'll be naked as a baby when you come to our bed, Anna. You'll always be naked for me. You'll always be ready for me to take you whenever and wherever I desire."
She had flushed but obeyed, hurrying to strip off her clothes under the cover of the blankets. Her blood was pounding as desire raced through her body. Richard, already naked, watched her in the soft light of the moon that shone through the opening at the front of the wagon. Anna made the mistake of looking at him to see his cock, sticking straight out from his body, bobbing a bit as the wagon moved with her movements. Her fingers seemed unable to untie the ribbons of her drawers. Her moan and plea for help were answered instantly when he knelt beside her and soon had the ribbon undone before he pulled her drawers down her legs and off, tossing them aside. Once naked, Anna began to worry about the noises she'd make and the fact that the wagon was moving under them. When she whispered her concern, her husband laughed.
"Sweetheart, this is not just our wagon; it is our home. People are made to love and care for one another. Expecting husbands and wives to abstain for long journeys in very close quarters is not only unwise, it's just plain nonsense! I know I can't go a single day without sinking deep within you and, darlin', I don't give a damn who knows that I love my wife." He ignored her blush and soon had her mind elsewhere as he loved her tenderly and then roughly until she buried her mouth against his chest and screamed her climax.
* * * * *
Anna sat instantly upright with the trumpet blast, her heart pounding. Stating that four a.m. was a ridiculous time to awaken made Richard chuckle as he gave her butt a swat and told her to hurry. The only compensation was that she didn't see any of her new neighbors giggling or pointin
g out the wagon that had spent a great amount of time rocking the night before.
They pulled out of camp early the next day. Anna's initial excitement was quickly tempered with a reality she hadn't considered. When she had first realized that they were truly in the wilderness, with nary an outhouse, she had been shocked. How could she have not thought about basic needs before? She had to ask Richard how she was to relieve herself during the trip. He took pity on her ignorance and explained that she was to go into the bushes or behind a tree, though she could use the chamber pot when the wagon was stopped. He had warned her to always let him know beforehand so he could make sure she was protected. His warning to check carefully for spiders, scorpions and snakes before she squatted had her praying she'd never have a need when the wagon was moving. Richard had not teased her as she'd blushed a vivid red. The first time she had to go, she struggled to hold herself until she was squirming on the seat, her legs clenched as tightly together as she could make them.
"Anna, do you need the outhouse?"
"But there isn't one!" she wailed.
Richard simply shook his head and led his team out of the line of wagons before slowly braking. As he climbed down, he hailed the wagon next in line and told the man that they would catch up. The man assured him that he'd go slower so that they would not be separated but urged Richard to hurry.
Anna knew her face was bright red as her husband grabbed some paper and led her into some high bushes. It took a long time for her to relax enough to allow her bladder to let go. When she was done, Richard explained that whenever she needed to do more than make water, she was to dig a hole and make sure she covered it up when she was done. Anna blushed the entire time and refused to look at her husband. He took the opportunity to relieve himself as well, and she found herself wishing she could simply unbutton her clothing instead of having to pull up her dress and petticoats, lower her drawers and then squat awkwardly. Richard had laughed when she spoke her thoughts out loud.
"I remember you stating before that you were tired of being a girl." He grinned and pulled her close. "However, I thank God every day that you are the girl grown into quite the beautiful, passionate pioneer woman." He kissed her softly, then wagged his eyebrow and suggested she simply go without drawers to make such things easier.
Anna swatted his arm. "Richard! What would people think!"
He patted her backside and shrugged. "Darlin' I've been telling you to stop frettin' about what other people think. Besides, you have to admit it would make it a mite easier for other things as well." At his leer and naughty grin, she had finally smiled, shaking her head.
He led her back to their wagon and they returned to the others. Anna had given the man a shy smile as he pulled back to allow Richard to take his proper place in line. She soon learned that it was simply an act of nature; everyone had to make use of the bushes and trees. In the evening, she used the chamber pot inside the wagon and then had to empty it and clean it every morning. She soon became accustomed to making her daily necessary without fuss and just promised herself that they'd have a wonderful, clean outhouse when they finally had their own home.
It only took two days before Richard had to prove to his wife that obedience was to be quickly given, and that not all reminders were applied by paddles or straps. He'd left the wagon after breakfast, reminding her they would be leaving very soon. "I'm going to go and speak to James and the men about the rotating guard schedule. Be ready to leave when I return." He'd dropped a kiss onto her forehead. "And, Anna, I mean it. You were late yesterday, and we can't make it a habit."
She had wisely caught herself before rolling her eyes but found it necessary to suggest that the chore would go faster if he stayed to help.
"You have your chores and I have mine, little one. Now, hop to it. I'll be back before the call."
"Why do I have to do all the real work while you get to go visit?" she continued, as if not wanting to be reminded that every person on the train had chores to repeat time and time again. It was only after he'd dropped his hand to cup her rear that she assured him she'd be ready.
Richard found his men and both the wagons ready to pull out. Wyatt and Matthew were with the cattle, leaving Roger to drive the wagon. Richard noticed that Charity was putting the last of their things into their wagon, little Hope being held in her father's arms as he spoke to his boss.
"Everything is fine, Richard. You don't have to come check on us every five minutes." James chuckled. "You hired me to do that, remember?"
Richard grinned sheepishly. "I'm sure I'll settle down once we have a few miles under our belts. I'll see you when we next stop." He gave Charity a wave as she took her daughter and placed her in a basket behind the seat where she and James would be sitting. Richard had to agree that James and his men had everything under control. He felt that they all took their job seriously and, so far, he had no complaints. Well, only one, and that involved a feisty little red head.
"What on earth?" he asked, when he returned to the wagon. Instead of seeing everything packed and his wife waiting, ready to go, he watched as their bedding flew out of the back of the wagon to land on the grass. Striding forward, he barely missed being hit by one of their pillows. "Anna, what is going on? You're supposed to be ready to go, not making a bigger mess."
She poked her head out. "Did you know that the Wilsons had a snake in their wagon? Mavis said it was slithering between the pad and the sheets. Lord, could you imagine waking up and seeing a snake?"
He shook his head. "And for some reason you believe this snake left their wagon and climbed into ours?"
"Don't be silly," she said, turning her face away. "If I thought that I sure wouldn't come near the wagon. Her husband killed it."
"It's dead, and yet you are throwing our bedding out?"
Anna finally gave him her full attention, her hands on her hips. "I'm not throwing it out, I just want you to check it. You know the grass inside the pad would be a good place to hide a snake."
"Get out of the wagon," Richard said firmly. "Get the bedding rolled up and let's get ready." At that moment, they heard the trumpet blow, which indicated that they were expected to be ready to pull out in ten minutes.
"I will, as soon as you check everything. In fact, I think we should dump all the grass out just to make sure."
"Annabelle, get down here right this minute!"
"But—"
"One more word and you'll regret it." He bent to pick up the thrown pad. Due to limited space in the wagon, they only had a pad that was filled with fresh grasses every few days. Despite the fact that the bedroll was of a simple design, with buttons on one end that allowed the grasses to be discarded and replaced with fresh, sweet smelling grass, it had proved comfortable. There was no logical reason to believe that a snake had managed to conceal itself beneath their bodies for two days. Suddenly, he had a thought. For someone who was absolutely terrified of snakes, his wife seemed far too calm.
"Anna, what kind of snake?"
"What does that matter, you don't seem to care if I get bitten in the middle of the night!"
Straightening up, he reached out and took her arm. "Don't sass me, young lady. You know that's not true, and saying so is infantile. Now answer me, what kind of snake?"
Her eyes slid from his and his gut told him his supposition was probably correct. "Was it a garter snake? Perhaps thrown into the wagon by one of the Wilsons' kids?"
"So what if it was? A snake is a snake!"
"Did you know it was a prank?" When she didn't answer, attempting to pull her arm away, he had enough. "Get back in the wagon."
"What? You just ordered me to get out!"
"And now I'm ordering you to get yourself back inside."
"You should make up your mind," she said, bending to pick up one of their two pillows. "Aren't you going to help me?"
Richard remained calm despite her rising voice. He was amazed that she seemed completely oblivious to what was about to occur. He'd promised himself that he would
never punish her without her understanding why.
"Annabelle, which one is the Wilsons' wagon?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
Her head turned toward the line of wagons. "It's up there a bit. You can't see it from here."
Richard shook his head. "Let me get this straight. First, you do not do as you are told, second, you leave the wagon to go where I can't see you when I get back—"
"But you didn't need to see me. I was back before you!"
"I've had quite enough of your backtalk," he said firmly. "You know you are not to leave the sight of the wagon without telling me. Then you hear some story about a prank, one that was evidently handled by Mr. Wilson, but still decide to come back and dump half our belongings out of the wagon right before we are supposed to leave!"
"It is not half of our stuff, and I was ready!"
"That's it." Richard picked her up, pillow and all, and set her into the wagon. "Place that pillow over the barrel and get yourself over it." When her mouth dropped open, he continued. "If you don't obey me instantly, I swear you won't sit comfortably for a week." She evidently realized he meant business because she whipped around and disappeared into the interior. He shook his head and climbed in after his wife. Though the pillow was on the barrel, she had yet to bend herself over it. "Get your skirts and petticoats up."
* * * * *
"Wait, you said we needed to hurry."
"Annabelle Andrews, I suggest you do as you were told and do it fast!" His tone left no question as to his displeasure and, as his eyes bored into hers, she turned her gaze away only to see the paddle hanging from its hook. Lifting her dress and petticoats to her waist, she stood in embarrassed silence as Richard lectured her on her back talk and how it would not be tolerated. As he continued, she realized how silly and disobedient she had been.
