Unwilling Bride

by Joannie Kay

  abusing her. He’s dead."

  Bridget slowly became aware of people talking, and she opened

  her eyes. "I fainted again, didn’t I?" she asked, struggling to sit up.

  "You just lay still, little girl. We sent for Doc," Flynn warned as Will eased her back down.

  "I’m okay, Papa. Honestly," she tried to smile, but it hurt too badly. "Now you see why I didn’t want to come here, Will? I knew Papa would be upset by this."

  "Don’t you worry, Girl. I’m being calm," Flynn stated, doing his damnedest to still the anger simmering within him at the sight of

  her bruised face.

  Bridget’s brothers started arriving one by one, and the Doctor

  shooed everyone but Will out of the room when he examined the

  redhead. He gave her something for the pain, and treated the

  rope burns on her wrists, and applied some medication to the

  abrasions and bruises on her face, and told Will he could take

  her home the next day if she felt up to it. He didn’t think she was seriously injured, but if the fainting continued, or she complained of dizziness, to let him know.

  The Sheriff asked questions, and Will answered them truthfully

  and honestly, and the Sheriff went to the cabin and corroborated

  Will’s story. He also made the trip to Will and Bridget’s home,

  and found the crumpled ransom note where Will threw it on the

  table. He declared the shooting a "self-defense" case, and said there was no need for an inquest.

  Flynn insisted that Bridget stay in bed the next day, and Will

  agreed. She saw no way around it, so she let the men in her life

  pamper and coddle her, but was delighted when Will finally put

  her in the wagon to take her home. It was just their luck to run

  across the Stewarts as they were leaving. Harvey Stewart was a

  fine man, and did business with Flynn on a regular basis, but

  Maude Stewart had a vicious, gossipy tongue, and Bridget was

  worried that the other woman would jump to conclusions about

  the bruises on her face. Will told her not to worry about it, and by the time they arrived home, he had her giggling over nonsense,

  then promptly carried her into their bedroom and very gently

  made love to her. She forgot all about Maude Stewart.

  Within a couple weeks the bruises had faded, and the whole

  incident was nothing more than a bad memory to Bridget. She’d

  had nightmares a time or two, but Will was always there to hold

  her and take her mind off of the fear by holding her and making

  sweet love to her. When he announced he needed to make a trip

  to town the next morning, Bridget promptly invited herself along.

  She hadn’t been shopping in ages, and she needed to stock up

  on supplies. She worked on a list, and Will agreed they had

  enough money for a couple of "extras" she wished to purchase.

  They arrived in town fairly early, and Will dropped Bridget off at Gus’s General Store to start shopping while he drove over to the

  blacksmith shop. Bridget immediately went to look for new

  kitchen curtain fabric, and was looking through all the goods

  when she spotted the Simpson Sisters enter the store, Maude

  Stewart right behind them.

  "I can’t believe that man has the nerve to show his face in town after what he did!" Maude started right in, her voice carrying over the store. "At least she didn’t show HER face," Maude continued.

  "It’s such a scandal! And a real shame, if you ask me!" Mary Simpson made clucking noises with her tongue.

  "I can’t believe she left him at the altar just to have an illicit affair… And that Flynn O’Riley bought off the Sheriff when Will

  Bishop killed that poor man!" Maude whispered loud enough that Bridget had no trouble at al hearing her.

  "Ladies," Gus was only too aware that Bridget was hidden from their sight, and he didn’t want any trouble. "What can I help you with today?"

  "I need a spool of white thread, Gus," Maude immediately spoke up, even though she was the last one to walk in the door.

  "We just came to check for our mail," Mary said quietly.

  "And, you should have seen her face! Her husband beat her!"

  Maude added, relishing the opportunity to tell her story yet again.

  "My husband did not put those bruises on my face, Mrs.

  Spencer," Bridget walked over to confront the older woman. "If you want to gossip, you should get your facts straight."

  "Why, how dare you call me a liar! You’re just a common trollop!"

  "I dare to call you a liar because you ARE a liar," Bridget declared, her green eyes flashing fire. "You are also a petty, narrow-minded, gossiping bitch." She looked at Gus, "I’ll come back after these…ladies… leave."

  "I won’t let you get away with talking to me like this!" Maude hauled off and slapped Bridget, and the fight was on. Bridget

  slapped her back, and despite the fact that the woman was ten

  years older, tal er, and heavier, Bridget held her own.

  "Stop! Ladies!! Stop! NO!" Gus wailed as a bushel of apples spilled all over the floor and rolled everywhere. A table holding a washbowl and pitcher was next… and the pitcher shattered into

  pieces, and the two women still screamed at each other, and

  seemed oblivious to the damage they were causing. The

  Simpson Sisters ran squawking toward the door, and Gus raced

  out into the street to look for Will Bishop and Harvey Spencer.

  He saw the two men approaching, and waved his arms for them

  to hurry. "Come quick! Your women are tearing up my store!"

  Will broke into a run and reached the doorway first. He couldn’t

  believe the shambled mess in the store, and he marched over to

  the two women and plucked his wife off Maude’s back.

  "Let me go, Will! She’s lying, and I’m not going to stop until she admits it!" Bridget struggled furiously.

  "Settle down, Bridget," he ordered sharply, and was relieved when Harvey entered the store just in time to keep his wife from

  attacking again.

  "Maude, what is the meaning of this?"

  "She called me a liar!" the blonde screamed, her chest heaving with exertions, and tears streaming down her face.

  "You are a liar," Bridget hurled the words with passion.

  "Maude? What have you been saying?" Harvey asked in a low voice.

  "I merely told the truth. What you and everyone else in this town are afraid to say because Flynn O’Riley is so rich!"

  "That’s enough, Maude. Gus, what happened here?" he asked the distraught shop- keeper.

  "I ain’t going to lie. Will, your wife came in and was looked at yard goods, and then your wife came in, Harvey, and started

  spouting off a bunch of gossip to the Simpson Sisters. Miss

  Bridget heard her, said it wasn’t true… and Miss Maude slapped

  her. Your wife started the whole thing, Harvey!"

  "I did not! She called me a liar, Harvey! And after the way she did that poor man!"

  Harvey shook his head, and then said, "You will shut your mouth right now, Maude. You have a lot to answer for, and we’ll take

  care of it as soon as I get you home. Will," he turned to the other man, "I apologize for this."

  "Don’t you apologize to that killer, Harvey Spencer!" Maude hissed angrily. "How dare you?"

  "Gus, you total up the damages, and put it on my bill. I’ll settle with you the next time I’m in town," Harvey said with dignity, ignoring Maude’s tirade.

  "I’ll split the damages with you, Harvey," Will said firmly. "It takes two to fight."

  "It don’t look like too much damage," Gus gruffly conceded, remembering that these were his cus
tomers and he wanted to

  keep their business, "Just a big mess," he looked around in dejection.

  Will picked up the basket, and sat it upright, then looked at

  Bridget. "Start picking up apples, Mrs. Bishop."

  Bridget looked at him, had no trouble mistaking that particular

  expression, and she began gathering the apples from the floor.

  "Help her," Harvey instructed his wife, and she folded her arms across her chest and adamantly shook her head "no". "Would you mind turning the closed sign and locking the door for a few

  minutes, Gus," Harvey asked quietly.

  Gus did as he was asked, and Bridget paused in gathering the

  apples to see what was going to happen next. She couldn’t help

  smirking when Harvey grabbed Maude’s arm and hauled her

  over to the chair used for trying on shoes and boots. Harvey sat,

  and flipped the protesting blonde over his lap. He flipped up her

  skirts until all that was covering her bottom was her cotton

  drawers, and he started spanking. Bridget glanced at Will, and

  saw that he was watching her, and she quickly made a show of

  collecting more apples and placing them in the basket.

  The spanking continued, much to Bridget’s amusement, and only

  when Maude promised to help clean up the store did Harvey put

  her on her feet. He gave her another hard smack and the blonde

  scurried to pick up the apples, her cheeks as red as they were.

  When the store was set to rights, Gus was pleased as could be,

  and hastened to get Maude’s spool of white thread before they

  left the store. He then took Will and Bridget’s list and started

  filling it.

  Will was extremely quiet the entire time, and Bridget knew

  without a doubt he was not happy with her. She resigned herself

  to the fact that she would probably get the same thing Maude got

  as soon as she and Will got home that evening, but she

  determined not to let the incident spoil the shopping she

  intended to do. She found dry goods to make new curtains, and

  picked out some yarn to make a scarf for her father as a birthday

  present.

  Once the wagon was loaded, Bridget took a deep breath, and

  said, "Gus, I’m terribly sorry for fighting in here, and for the mess. Thank you for being so understanding and patient about

  it."

  "Well, now, little lady, the way I see it, the other one started it…

  and you were sorely provoked. Besides, no real harm done," he beamed at her and winked at Will. His store looked great, and

  he’d been paid for the broken pitcher, and the bruised bushel of

  apples was going home in the back of Will’s wagon. All in all,

  he’d had a good day!

  Will headed the wagon out of town, and drove a good distance

  before stopping to give the horses a break. He helped Bridget

  down, and then gave her a meaningful look. "I know you

  apologized to Gus, Mrs. Bishop, and I’m pleased that you did it

  without having to be told, but I will not have my wife brawling…

  not for any reason. Your temper may have been provoked, but

  your behavior was inexcusable, and I’m going to give you the

  same thing Maude got. Do you think I am being unreasonable?"

  he asked, willing to listen to anything she might have to say.

  Bridget surprised him by shaking her head no, and then saying,

  "I’m just thankful you didn’t spank me in the store. I wouldn’t have liked that at all."

  Will nodded, and then pulled her over to a rock jutting from the

  ground. He sat down, and pulled her over his knee, tossed up

  her skirts, and then gave her a dozen hard smacks on the seat of

  her drawers. He then lifted her and stood her on her feet, noting

  how pretty she looked with her cheeks all flushed and her green

  eyes full of fire. "That apology you made to Gus on your own

  saved your backside, Mrs. Bishop. I am proud of you for that," he said with a warm smile, then stood and pulled her close to hug

  her tightly. He planted a kiss on the top of her head, then lifted her to the wagon seat, jumped up beside her and headed home.

  They worked together putting away the supplies, and when they

  were all finished, Will looked at Bridget. "Where’s my licorice?"

  he demanded.

  "What licorice?" she asked, clearly puzzled.

  "You didn’t put my licorice on the list?" he demanded in disbelief.

  "You didn’t say anything about licorice, Will," she told him.

  "Woman, I ALWAYS buy licorice," he said with a wounded air.

  "You really didn’t get me any licorice?"

  Bridget couldn’t help it… He looked like a pouting little boy… She started giggling. "I didn’t know you wanted licorice. You didn’t tell me."

  "Mrs. Bishop, you are in big trouble now," he declared,

  advancing on her. "You didn’t get me my licorice, and now your laughing about it!"

  Bridget circled around the table, keeping her eyes on him. "You are pouting, Will!" She giggled some more at his expression.

  "You won’t think it’s funny in a few minutes!" he promised, his blue eyes twinkling in pure mischief. "Forgetting my licorice is a serious offense… and I’m going to spank you!"

  "You wouldn’t dare!" she gasped, outraged that he would even consider it.

  "Want to bet?" he chased her around the table.

  Bridget ran a bit faster, barely managing to evade his long arms

  as he grabbed for her. Finally, she made a mistake. She got too

  close to the table and he vaulted over it and pinned her against

  the wall. "Now I’ve got you!" he said in a sinister voice, and Bridget giggled when he tossed her over his shoulder and

  headed to the bedroom.

  "Nooo!" she wailed. "It was only licorice!"

  "Licorice today, peppermints tomorrow!" Will growled, and dropped her on their bed. He immediately flipped her over and

  started undoing buttons… Within a short time, and in spite of her

  giggling and wiggling, Will managed to undress her until she was

  wearing nothing but her camisole and drawers. He lightly

  slapped her bottom, and then asked, "Are you sorry now?"

  Bridget giggled and said, "No!" Will continued to give her light, playful slaps, and Bridget soon found she was rather enjoying

  this spanking. When he instructed her to take down her drawers,

  she did so willingly and eagerly. The spanking continued,

  interspersed with lots of caressing and kissing, and by the time

  Will entered her eager body, Bridget was quivering with need.

  Their lovemaking was passionate, and once they were sated,

  they slept entwined in each other’s arms.

  Bridget was taking apple pies out of the oven when she heard a

  buggy approach the house. She knew Will wouldn’t be back for a

  while, and if it was someone wanting to buy a horse, she would

  have to keep them entertained until he returned. She put a smile

  on her face and went to answer the front door. The smile

  immediately disappeared as soon as she opened the door and

  saw Harvey and Maude Spencer.

  Unwilling Bride

  Chapter 8

  by Joannie

  copyright 2001-2003 by ABCD Webmasters

  Bridget was taking apple pies out of the oven when she heard a

  buggy approach the house. She knew Will wouldn’t be back for a

  while, and if it was someone wanting to buy a horse, she would

  have to ke
ep them entertained until he returned. She put a smile

  on her face and went to answer the front door. The smile

  immediately disappeared as soon as she opened the door and

  saw Harvey and Maude Spencer.

  "Mrs. Bishop, Maude asked me to drive her out here to have a

  word with you and Will," Harvey said quietly. "May we have a moment of your time?"

  Bridget wanted nothing more than to tell them to leave. The last

  thing she wanted to do was be nice and polite to the sharp-

  tongued gossip, but something in the other woman’s downcast

  eyes got to her, and she found herself standing aside and

  inviting them inside. "I’m afraid Will is away at the moment, but I expect him any time now. Won’t you please have a seat?" she

  offered stiffly.

  "Thank you," Harvey replied politely. He guided Maude to the sofa and seated her, then sat beside her.

  Bridget noticed that Maude was sitting very carefully, and trying

  to squirm unobtrusively to get a bit more comfortable. Surely that little spanking in the store hadn’t left her that sore and bruised?

  she speculated. "May I get you some coffee?" she asked,

  startled to realize that she felt a bit of sympathy for the older

  woman.

  "If it wouldn’t be too much trouble," Harvey said gratefully, and Bridget realized the man was every bit as uncomfortable as she

  was.

  "It’s no trouble at all. I’ll be back in a few minutes," she said, and then headed for the safety of her kitchen. She put the coffee on,

  and then fixed a tray with cups and saucers, added a small

  pitcher of cream, and a matching bowl of sugar. A few spoons,

  and then she fixed a plate of cookies. Every so often she thought

  she could hear the low murmur of voices coming from the parlor,

  and she couldn’t help but wonder what Maude wanted with Will.

  So far, the gossiping woman hadn’t so much as opened her

  mouth.

  She poured the coffee into a matching pitcher, and then put a

  forced smile on her face as she picked up the tray. Hopefully,

  Will would be home soon…

  *****

  Will was pleased with himself. His visit to the O’Riley Ranch had

  worked out well, and he hoped Bridget would be pleased with the

  surprise he had in store for her. He hurried on home, anxious to

  share his news, and frowned when he saw the buggy parked in