by Misty Malone
Clay thought about what Cheyenne said. “I guess I never thought that she’d feel any differently about it than I do, other than of course the pain at the time.” He wasn’t smiling, he was thinking. “Thank you for telling us that, Cheyenne. It makes me see I need to talk to her. I don’t mean to hurt her.”
“I know you don’t, Clay,” his sister said sincerely, “but you need to know it’s embarrassing to us.”
Clay nodded. “Thanks.” He looked up at her and then looked at Ty, and back at his sister. He seemed hesitant, but finally took a deep breath. “Cheyenne, there’s something I think I need to tell you, after hearing what you just said. I think you need to hear it before Dad comes home.”
Ty broke in. “Is this a family thing; do you want me to go outside for a while?”
“No. Well, yeah, it’s family, but it involves you, too, so you should probably hear it, as well.”
Chapter Nine
Ty and Cheyenne were both curious as to what Clay had to say. He started, though, by looking at the table. “We’ve got work to do today, so let’s discuss this over our meal.” The men helped Cheyenne bring the food and coffee and juice to the table so they could eat.
After a couple bites, Clay started in. “Cheyenne, you’re upset with me for telling Dad Ty spanks you. After hearing what you said, I understand that now, and I’m sorry. But you need to know why I told him. Dad was asking about you, if you’ve still got the same attitude problem you had when he left. He was concerned about you.”
Cheyenne looked down at her food. “Yeah, I guess I did have a bit of an attitude, didn’t I?”
Both men together said, “A bit?”
All three of them laughed at the spontaneous comment, but she did relent. “Okay, a big attitude. Better?”
Both men nodded. Clay went on. “But Dad loves you, sis, and he was worried. Before he even knew he was leaving we talked about what we could do to help you.”
“To help me?”
“Yes. It was obvious you weren’t happy here, and we both hated that. We want you to be happy and live here because you want to, not because you feel like you have no choice. So we were talking about how to help you. He said he thinks Mom has been putting high and mighty ideas in your head again, like she used to when you were in high school.”
“What do you mean, high and mighty ideas?”
“You know, like she used to tell you all the time how pretty you were and you should have all the newest fashions to show off that beauty. Dad hated it when she did that.”
“Why? He didn’t think I was pretty?”
“Oh, he’s always thought you’re pretty. He just hated that Mom turned you into a princess. You started acting like you were prettier and better than everyone else. Dad didn’t like that a bit. Every now and then you’d get so carried away with it that he’d take you into his office and turn you over his knee. You always settled down after that and were yourself again for a while.”
“His spankings hurt.”
“But they worked. And he did it to calm you down because he loves you.”
Cheyenne was listening. “Okay, but what does—”
“Did you ever realize that after he did that, you weren’t the only one who calmed down for a bit?”
“What do you mean?”
“Mom quit telling you how much better you were than everyone else for a while, too.”
She thought back, but looked confused. “I never noticed. Did she really?”
“Yes, and it wasn’t a coincidence. Every time Dad spanked you for that, he spanked Mom, too.”
Ty’s eyebrows shot up, and Cheyenne was shocked. “He did?”
“Yep. I didn’t know it at the time, either, but he did.”
She was still shocked. “When did you find out?”
“Shortly before he found out he had to go to Aunt Lucy’s house, when we were talking about you. He told me that he may have to take you into his office again to get your head out of the clouds. He said apparently living with Mom for four years got you believing you’re a princess again. I told him I thought it was a good idea, thinking it would calm you down and you’d be happy again. I wanted you to be happy. I also made the comment that I wish Lynelle’s father would spank her and get her over her temper tantrums.”
Ty laughed at the thought.
Clay chuckled, too, thinking about it. “Dad told me the heck with her dad, that I should take her over my lap and break her of those tantrums. I thought he was crazy, but he told me he spanked Mom on several occasions, and although she hated it, it always made a difference, at least for a while.”
“So Dad spanked Mom?”
“Yeah. But Dad told me to talk to Lynelle and do something about it now before we got any closer, and not to wait. Apparently Mom couldn’t accept being spanked. He said she left after you graduated from high school because she told him she’d file for a divorce before she’d allow him to spank her again. He said he called her bluff because he’d decided he couldn’t continue a marriage with her if she wouldn’t allow him to bring her back down to earth from time to time.”
Cheyenne was quiet, but continued to listen to her brother. “But let me tell you why I told Dad what I did about Ty. When he found out he was going to have to go help his sister he told me this, and that, in his opinion, I need to take Lynelle in hand, but he also gave me his blessing to take you in hand if your attitude continued. He said he thinks you need to find a man who will do what he needs to, to calm you down when necessary, for you to be happy.”
She looked over at Ty, who was looking at her. She smiled. “Dad’s a pretty smart man, I guess.”
Clay smiled as he agreed. “Yes, he is. When he called the other day and asked how you were doing, if you still had an attitude problem, I told him you’re much better. Your attitude’s gone. He asked what happened, if I had to take you to the office, or what. I told him no, that you and Ty started seeing each other and that he wasn’t letting you get away with some of the crap you’d been doing.”
“He’s okay with me dating Ty, isn’t he?”
“He is now, yes. He was concerned a bit at first, though. I explained that he spanked you for that little stunt with the four wheeler, and that you refused to talk to him for a few days.”
“Oh, great,” she said.
“Well, Dad said when you pouted and wouldn’t talk to him Ty should have spanked you again.”
“Smart man,” Ty said with a smile.
Cheyenne was appalled. “What?”
“I’ve thought that, too. I didn’t at the time, but now that we’re dating, if you were to pout afterwards and not talk to me, I wouldn’t hesitate. You’d be over my lap for round two.” When she opened her mouth to object, he held up his hand. “And if you think about it, you’d admit you would deserve it.”
She reluctantly shrugged. “Maybe.” Seeing the serious look on his face she conceded. “Okay, okay. Yes, I would.”
He leaned over to kiss her forehead again, not saying a word.
Clay smiled at them. “So when Dad heard how Ty’s been dealing with your attitude, he quickly said he was glad, and thinks Ty could be really good for his little girl. He said Ty’s a good man.”
She smiled. “See, I knew Dad was a smart man.”
Ty smiled and whispered in her ear. “Especially for a cowboy.” She blushed and looked down.
Clay turned to face Cheyenne. “So that’s why I told Dad. I didn’t mean for you to be embarrassed. I knew that Dad would approve of you two dating that way, and hopefully when he comes home, he won’t be quite so protective of you, like I was afraid he would be. You are still his little girl, you know. He’ll feel better if you’re dating someone he approves of.”
Cheyenne studied her brother for several moments before saying anything. “Okay, big brother. I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier. And thank you for telling me that. It does make a difference, and maybe I don’t have to be so embarrassed around him.”
Ty spoke up, also. “I
want to thank you, too, Clay. I had to admit I was wondering myself why you told him about us, but it makes sense now. And I’m glad to know he approves of my taking your sister in hand.”
Clay laughed as he tried to reassure his best friend. “He not only approves, he appreciates it.”
They finished breakfast and the men went out to work, while she cleaned up the kitchen. She took a book out to the pool to read a bit before lunch, but she couldn’t concentrate. She had a lot on her mind and was soon deep in her thoughts. Her phone rang and it startled her.
She answered it and was happy to hear her father. “Good morning, Cheyenne. It’s good to hear your voice again.”
“Hi, Dad. Are you coming home soon?”
He laughed a bit, but could easily hear how much happier she was than when he’d left. “I will be coming home in another couple days, yes. Is everything okay there?”
“Everything’s great here, Dad. How’s Aunt Lucy?”
“She’s adjusting. I think she’ll be all right. What’s this I hear about you and Ty?”
“Are you okay with it, Dad?”
“I am,” he assured her. “Ty’s a good man. He’s a good worker, and a good rancher. Be sure to listen to him, Cheyenne. He’s a smart man. I hope it works out well for you two.”
“You do, really?”
“I do. I can honestly say Ty is one of the few men I feel comfortable with you seeing. I trust him with my daughter.”
“Thank you.”
“You sound happier, Cheyenne, than when I left. Is that because of Ty?”
“Yes, it is. He made me see a few things that I wasn’t seeing, and I’m feeling better about a lot of things, myself included.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t know how happy I am to hear that. I’d love to see the old Cheyenne back. When you were growing up, you enjoyed living on the ranch. Maybe someday you’ll get back to that point.”
“Maybe.” They talked for another ten minutes before they ended the call.
Cheyenne thought about his words. He’d said she enjoyed growing up on the ranch. All she could remember was in junior high and high school, and that she couldn’t wait to move away.
As she thought more, he was right. Memories were starting to return, and she remembered some good times on the ranch. She also remembered her mom complaining about it all the time, saying the ranch was no place for women, and women shouldn’t have to endure living in such a horrible place.
The more she thought, the more she realized she’d let her mom influence her thoughts. Apparently she’d even convinced her that she didn’t like living on the ranch. She got up to make lunch, still thinking about the influence she’d allowed her mother to have over her.
When Clay came in for lunch an hour later, he found a rather quiet, subdued Cheyenne. “Are you okay, Cheyenne?”
“Yeah, fine. Dad called. He’s coming home in two days.”
“That’s good.” He went to clean up a bit before lunch.
While he was gone, Ty came in, having already stopped at his house to clean up. He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek, but immediately noticed her changed demeanor. “Cheyenne, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Lunch is ready.”
Clay came back into the kitchen just then. “That’s what she told me, too, Ty. I’m not buying it. Are you?”
“Not for a minute.” He turned to her. “We’ve talked about you not sharing things with me, Cheyenne. Are you sure you want to stick with that answer?” He picked up a bowl of potato salad to take to the table for her. “Let me ask again. What’s on your mind, Cheyenne?”
She set a plate of roast beef sandwiches on the table and sighed. As soon as they were all seated she turned to Clay. “Did I used to like living here?”
Clay and Ty both looked at her, eyebrows drawn together on both men. Clay quickly answered her. “Yes, of course you did. When you were little, you loved it. Why? What brought that up?”
“When I was talking to Dad this morning he said I sound happier, more like I used to when I enjoyed living on the ranch, and he hoped I’d be that happy again.”
Ty was surprised at this news and looked to Clay, as well.
Clay looked concerned. “Cheyenne, you’re scaring me a little here. How could you not remember that? What’s going on?”
Ty was on high alert now and was anxiously waiting for her answer. “Right now I’m really confused. I honestly didn’t remember liking the ranch. I remember in high school, even in junior high Mom kept saying the ranch is no place for us women to live, and things like that. I remember her telling me how wonderful it was at her parents’ house and how awful it is here. After talking to Dad this morning, I thought real hard about growing up, and I started to remember a few good memories.” She looked defeated. “Apparently I let Mom brainwash me.”
She started crying and both men were next to her immediately. Ty took her in his arms and held her, quietly assuring her it was going to be okay.
She was crying like her heart was breaking, which worried Ty. He held her and listened carefully when she tried to talk again. “Honest, I didn’t remember any good memories. I’m starting to remember a few now, though, and that means I used to be happy, but I let her erase all those memories. How could she do that to me? And more importantly, how could I let her?”
Ty was concerned, but also a bit confused. “What do you mean you let her erase those memories?”
“After talking to Dad, I did a lot of thinking. I finally thought of a good memory from the ranch, where I was petting a little baby calf, but then I remembered Mom telling me how she didn’t know how I could stand being that close to those smelly, nasty cows, and she made me go take a bubble bath to get rid of that awful cow smell. I thought of two other good memories, but for each of them, what I remember is Mom telling me how awful it was that I had to go through that, and did something terrible then. That something terrible is what I remember.”
“What do you mean something terrible?”
“Well, like the time I found some baby kittens and was playing with them in the barn. I remember it was really fun, but what I remember most about that is that when I went in to tell Mom about it she said I smelled awful, like a barn, which is no way for a young lady to smell. She made me go take a bubble bath then, too, but she said she’d never be able to get that smell out of my clothes, so she burned them! I was really upset because it was my favorite pair of shorts and top. She said if I didn’t want her to burn any more of my clothes, to stop going to the barn so they smell so bad.”
Ty was starting to see why she didn’t remember any of the good times.
“Every good memory was overshadowed by something like that. One time I was going to a party that evening, and she wouldn’t let me go because she said I smelled like a barn and horses, even though I’d taken a bath and washed my hair.”
She was crying again now. Ty held her, trying to soothe her with his soft voice, but it was Clay who had the words to help her. “Sis, you saw Mom in a totally different light than I did. Maybe it will help if I tell you how I saw her.”
She looked up at him, but still clung to Ty’s shirt. Ty picked her up and carried her to the chair he was sitting in. He sat down and settled her on his lap so she could still lean against his chest and cling to his shirt, but could also see her brother.
“Cheyenne, before I tell you this you have to understand, I love our mom. I really do, but I saw her in a different light than you, and I don’t want you to think I hate her. I will say I have more respect for Dad than Mom, but I’ll leave it at that.”
Cheyenne’s crying had slowed considerably, and she was curious about what he had to say. She nodded her understanding.
“Mom never liked living on the ranch. She always tried to keep you in the house, I think because she was afraid you’d like it if you were out there with us. I think she always knew she’d leave Dad someday, and she didn’t want to lose both of us, too. Every time Dad wanted to take you out with us Mom said it was t
oo dangerous for a girl. She told Dad if you got hurt it would be his fault, so he was always afraid to push the issue too much.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I know. You also don’t know that every time she’d say something negative about the ranch in front of you, he’d stop her. But I can only imagine the things she told you when he wasn’t around to stop her.”
She started crying again. “But why would she do that to me?”
“Cheyenne, Mom always looked out for one person above all else. Her. I think she always hoped that if she could convince you to hate the ranch, too, the two of you would be able to talk Dad into moving.”
“He’d never do that. He loves the ranch.”
“I know, Cheyenne, but he’s always loved you, too, and Mom knew that. I think she hoped if she could make you think you were miserable here Dad would either move the whole family, or at least buy a house in the city for you and Mom.” He paused a moment. “Dad and I talked right after you moved with her to Paris. I always wondered if she had some kind of mental problem, she was so fixated on moving off the ranch. Dad told me, and I quote, ‘No, she’s just that selfish.’ If he would have known how bad it was, he never would have let you go.”
“I feel like a fool. I let her brainwash me.”
Ty spoke up now. “Honey, you are no fool, and I don’t want to hear you talking like that. It sounds like your mom was very consistent in her attempts to convince you to hate the ranch. It’s not your fault.”
Clay joined in his sentiment. “He’s right, Cheyenne. It is absolutely not your fault. I wish I could do something more to convince you.”
Ty looked over at Clay. “Maybe you can help her, Clay. Over the next few days why don’t you remind her of some of the good things that happened on the ranch? I’m sure as more good memories come back she’ll feel better.”
Clay nodded. “Good idea, Ty. Let me digest all this and think about it this afternoon, Cheyenne. Tonight at supper we’ll take a stroll down memory lane. I’m sure I can come up with some things you’ll remember.”
Her eyes perked up and she smiled again. “Thank you, both of you. I’d like that.”
