One Smart Cowboy

by Misty Malone

  Ty took out his phone and called Clay and talked to him.

  After another couple minutes of cuddling and talking, Ty reluctantly stood, taking her with him. “Well, I know you don’t want to, but let’s head back to the house. I’d rather get back before it gets dark.”

  “It doesn’t take that long to get there. I’m too sore to try it yet, Ty.”

  “Honey, I know you’re sore, and hopefully you’ll remember this lesson a while because of it, but it’ll take longer than normal to get back today. We really need to get started.”

  “Why will it take longer than normal?”

  “I’m assuming you’re not going to want to ride as fast today. The faster you’re moving, the more bouncing you’re going to be doing, you know.”

  She paled, but agreed. “Oh, yeah.” She thought a moment before sighing. “Okay, you’re probably right. We better head back.” They shared one more kiss before mounting their horses. Cheyenne winced, and Ty saw tears well up in her eyes, but she stayed in her saddle.

  “That’s my girl,” he said. They headed back to the barn slowly, and he stopped a couple times so she could get down and walk a bit. The last time he stopped was just before they topped the last little hill before the barn. “Are you ready to go back to the barn?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Thanks for stopping here, so the hands won’t see how sore I am.”

  “Hey, I know you’re sore, honey, and I love you. You set the pace going back. I’ll follow beside you.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Clay thought about Lynelle and the best way to handle the situation while he drove to her house. She was surprised to see him. “Clay, what are you doing here?”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “It’s nice to see you, too, my future wife. Can I come in?”

  “Yes, of course.” She moved to allow him in. “It’s always good to see you, Clay, but like I told you, I’ve got a ton of stuff to do.”

  “Oh, come on. Surely you can spare an hour or two to spend with your future husband?”

  “You can help me go over the seating at the reception. I need to go over it one more time to make sure there’s nothing I missed that will cause a problem.”

  “How could seating at a reception cause a problem?”

  “Well, you know, make sure there’s no one sitting close to an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, or someone else they don’t get along with.”

  “Lynelle, I can’t think of any of our friends that will be at our wedding who would have a problem sitting close to anyone else that will be there. Besides, we already went over it once. It will be fine. What else do you have to do?”

  She frowned at his dismissal, but answered his question. “Well, I had the caterers send over a sample of the linens they plan on using so I can check them. I don’t want any last minute problems with that like I had with the napkins. I have to check them, along with the new batch of napkins. I asked for a sample flower arrangement that will go on the tables, and it needs work. I have to play with it a little bit yet and see how to help it. I have a ton of things to do.”

  “What does your wedding planner say about all these things?”

  “Nothing. Clay, I’m seriously thinking about firing her. She doesn’t seem to care about any of these problems. I think she just wants her money and doesn’t really care how the wedding goes.”

  Clay was beginning to see what Ty was warning him about. “Lynelle, let me see the napkins, both the old and the new, so I can see what you’re talking about when you say they messed them up so badly.”

  She left and returned with two napkins. She laid them down in front of him. He looked at the first, and then the second. “First, is this second batch okay now?”

  “Not really, but I guess at this point they’ll have to do.”

  “What’s wrong with them?” He looked from one to the other again, but didn’t see much difference.

  “Really? It’s so obvious, I can’t believe you have to ask. Are you blind?”

  “Lynelle, watch your attitude.”

  “Not tonight, Clay. I’m not in the mood. Look at these napkins. Neither of them are mauve. This one is rose, and this one is just—I don’t know what color you’d call that, but it’s certainly not mauve. It’s kind of a shitty magenta.”

  “Lynelle, that’s enough.” He took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Look, honey, I know you’re nervous right now, but you need to chill out a little. Either of these napkins would be fine. There’s not much difference between them and they both would look fine at our wedding. Maybe the wedding planner isn’t worried about these things because there’s no reason to be. They really are both fine.”

  “No, they’re not. Open your eyes, Clay! This is my wedding and I want it to be perfect. I’m going to fire that bitch. I’ve been having to take care of the details anyway, so I—”

  Before she could finish the sentence Clay had her over his lap and was reaching underneath her to unfasten her jeans. “Clay, no!”

  “Lynelle, you need this, so you may as well settle yourself down and accept it. I didn’t realize how upset you’ve gotten over this wedding or I would have done this a couple days ago. Looking back on it, I should have.” He pulled her jeans and panties down and wasted no time. He started spanking with firm swats right from the start. As upset as she was, he knew he had some work to do. He started his talk sooner than normal, as well.

  “Lynelle, I assume you called the company that made the napkins for you and complained?”

  “Of course I did. They look terrible.”

  “They look fine. What did you tell them?”

  “That they were horrid and totally unacceptable. I told them I expect them to redo them, fixing the diagram of the rings so it looks like the diagram I sent them, and using mauve this time, like I requested originally.”

  “You told them; you didn’t ask them?”

  “Why would I ask them to do what I already paid them to do? You’re damn right I told them to do it again and do it right this time.”

  Clay gave her half a dozen hard swats to her sit spots. “Lynelle, you’re in no position right now to be cussing.”

  “What do you want me to do; call them up and thank them for ruining my wedding?”

  He paused the spanking long enough to speak quietly. “Lynelle, listen to me. Using the wrong shade of pink on our napkins is not going to ruin our wedding.”

  “Pink? It’s not pink, it’s mauve.”

  “Pink, mauve, rose, whatever. Napkins will not ruin our wedding. If we forgot to order any and had no napkins at all, it wouldn’t ruin our wedding.”

  “Says a man! It certainly would ruin it!”

  He gave her six more sharp swats before speaking again. “Lynelle, listen to what you’re saying. Do you hear yourself? Napkins will not ruin our wedding! You getting so upset over things and calling the suppliers and upsetting them, and having an attitude so that no one wants to be around you, now that might have a chance to ruin our wedding, but napkins will not ruin a thing.”

  “The hell it won’t! It won’t be perfect!”

  “Honey, things don’t have to be perfect. Our wedding will be wonderful regardless of the color of the napkins, or the linens, or the flower arrangements.”

  “No, it won’t! Why can’t you see that?”

  Clay was frustrated. He’d never seen her so upset, and she wasn’t even hearing what he was saying. He had to somehow get her attention. “You’re not hearing me, Lynelle, and that’s got to change.” He stood up, setting her on her feet. He had a firm grip on her upper arm as he headed to the kitchen.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Wherever I need to go to get your attention. I’m glad your parents aren’t home tonight. We need the privacy.” He continued on to the kitchen, where he took a wooden spoon from the crock of utensils on the counter. He turned them around and headed back to the living room.

  “What are you doing with that?”

 
“Getting your attention so you’ll hear what I’m telling you,” he answered. He sat back down on the couch and she soon found herself once again draped over his knees. “Now let’s see if you’re ready to listen to what I’m trying to tell you.”

  The wooden spoon whacked against her bare bottom and she let out a scream. “Noooooo! Owwwww! Clay, no, stop!!”

  “Lynelle, this spanking will stop when I feel you’ve heard what I’ve been trying to tell you, and not before.” He spanked her with the spoon again, holding tight so she couldn’t squirm away. She fought his hold and tried desperately to get away from the spoon, but he brought it down again and again on her bottom.

  “Now, let me try to explain this again, Lynelle. Things do not have to be perfect for us to have a wonderful wedding. If we love each other, it doesn’t matter if the color’s not quite right, or the flowers aren’t quite how you pictured them. Everything will be fine. No one’s going to even notice those things, honey. They’re there to watch us get married and celebrate with us.”

  Lynelle screamed and yelled and squirmed, but she also slowly started to hear what he was saying. He kept explaining all the things that could go wrong, then explained why it wouldn’t prevent them from having a wonderful wedding. Eventually she heard his message, and realized he was right. Tears flowed freely once she thought back to how she’d been treating everyone around her.

  Clay saw the tears and hoped they meant she finally understood. He paused the spanking, keeping his hand on her now very warm, very red bottom. “Lynelle, have you learned anything yet?”

  “Yes. I’m so sorry, Clay.”

  “What are you sorry for, Nell?”

  “I’ve treated you and a lot of other people awful. I’ve been worried about everything having to be perfect for this wedding, and by doing that I just about ruined it.”

  “Honey, is there anyone you’d like to apologize to?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Clay.”

  “Thank you. Anyone else?”

  “A lot of people.”

  “Will you do that; will you apologize to the people you’ve treated badly?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Good. In that case, I’ll finish up this spanking. I’m going to give you ten more swats with this spoon while you think about who all you need to apologize to. Afterward we’ll talk again. If I don’t think you’ve named everyone you owe an apology to, I’ll give you ten more while you think a bit more. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. But Clay, that spoon really hurts.”

  “And apparently that’s what it took to get your attention. If you want me to stop after the first ten, I’d suggest you start thinking.” With that, he gave her the first one. He waited a few moments between swats to give her time to think, knowing it would also give her time to feel the pain before the next one. He knew she had to be sore, but he would not allow her to have an attitude like this going into this wedding.

  He watched as she flinched with each swat, but he could also tell she was thinking, like he’d told her to. He wasn’t swatting nearly as hard as he had been, but he doubted she realized that. He didn’t want her terribly sore for their wedding, but he did feel she needed to do some thinking. After all ten had been delivered, he paused. “Do you have a list of names for me?”

  She quickly started naming people, sniffling and trying to catch her breath in between. “You, Cheyenne and Ty—”

  “Ty?”

  “Yes. I’ve kept Cheyenne busy and convinced her things had to be perfect, too.”

  Clay smiled a bit, but said, “Okay. Anyone else?”

  “The lady I talked to about the napkins.” After a few more tears she quietly added, “Both times.”

  Clay shook his head, but didn’t interrupt.

  She added, “My wedding planner, the people with the linens, the caterer, the florist, my parents.”

  She was crying again, and Clay was convinced she’d thought about it sufficiently. “Okay, baby, the spanking’s over.” He pulled her up to sit on his lap. She gasped when her bottom settled on his lap, and she tried to jump back up. He held her down, saying, “Settle in, Nell, so we can talk and cuddle.”

  He gave her plenty of time, allowing her to find a way that didn’t hurt too much. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, where she laid her head on his shoulder. They talked for ten minutes, during which she confessed to Clay how horribly she’d treated some of the vendors supplying things for their wedding.

  She promised she’d call them all and apologize, and Clay gave her a hug. “That’s the little lady I want to become my wife.”

  ***

  Lynelle had taken the last week before her wedding off, so instead of going to work the next day, she and Cheyenne compared notes while sitting on a soft, comfy couch at Lynelle’s house. “Cheyenne, I really am sorry. I got way too caught up in thinking everything had to be perfect, and I know I’ve been horrible to be around lately.”

  Cheyenne smiled a little, looking sheepish. “I was just as convinced, Lynelle. Ty said something last night that got me thinking, though. This should be a special time, leading up to your marriage to the man you love. Don’t think of it as a wedding so much, but as your union with the man you love. Ty’s right, it should be exciting, full of anticipation. I say we put this behind us, sorry about the pun, and let your wedding planner worry about the details, while we totally enjoy this time.”

  Lynelle cocked her head a bit, looking at her. “You’re right. Let’s let her worry about everything.”

  “How’s your house coming? I’ve heard Clay and Dad say it’s almost done. What do you think; do you like it?”

  Lynelle looked down at the floor. “I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve been so worried about all this stuff that doesn’t matter that I haven’t been out there lately. I don’t know.”

  “Then what are we waiting for? My car’s out here, let’s go look at it!” They left, both anxious to see the house. Once they got there they did exactly what Ty said they should be doing; they enjoyed the thought of Lynelle and Clay making this their new home. They talked about decorating ideas and color.

  They got so involved in their excitement and plans they forgot to watch the time. Lynelle glanced down at her watch and said, “Cheyenne, it’s almost noon. I better get back home and fix some lunch.”

  “Why go home? You don’t have to be there for anything in particular, do you?”

  “Just lunch,” Lynelle answered, as her stomach growled.

  Cheyenne giggled. “I have a better idea. Come home and eat with us. I know Clay will be happy to see you. We better get going, though, or we’ll miss it. I’ll have three angry men asking why I didn’t call if I wasn’t going to be there, so let’s get going.”

  Five minutes later they walked into the kitchen and Cheyenne told Maria they’d have a guest for lunch. She set out the extra place setting just as Sam, Clay and Ty walked in. Ty went straight to Cheyenne to give her a kiss, as usual. Clay crossed the room to Lynelle, a surprised, but happy expression on his face.

  Before he had a chance to say anything, she greeted him. “Hi, Clay. Cheyenne and I just came from the new house. We wanted to see how it’s coming.”

  “What did you think?”

  “I love it. And wait till you hear some of the ideas we came up with.” She and Cheyenne both started explaining thoughts and ideas they’d come up with. They were soon talking to each other as much as Clay.

  They didn’t notice the big smiles on both Clay and Ty’s faces. “I think our mission last night was successful,” Ty whispered to Clay. The girls were so into their enthusiastic conversation they missed that, too.

  Clay and Ty were happy to see the girls enjoying the last week before the wedding, now that they didn’t see the need to worry about every detail. To Clay’s delight, they turned their excitement toward the new house, and decorating it. Now he was hopeful that by the time the wedding day arrived, he and Lynelle would have a beautiful home to move into. />
  It seemed as though once the girls had settled down, everything fell into place wonderfully for the wedding. They let the wedding planner take care of all the last minute details, and with help from their men, they were prepared mentally for anything unexpected that might come up.

  ***

  Luckily, though, no such unforeseen event happened, and the wedding couldn’t have gone any better. The weather was perfect for May; sunny and warm, but not hot. Lynelle was a beautiful bride, and Cheyenne as maid of honor was also beautiful. Clay and Ty, as groom and best men, looked stunning in tuxedos.

  As the couple gave their vows, it was obvious to everyone in attendance that they were truly in love. It was also obvious to everyone who knew them that the maid of honor and best man were also truly in love. As they walked down the aisle arm in arm after the wedding Ty leaned over and whispered, “Honey, remember this moment. I want to tell you something later.”

  She looked up at him a bit confused, but his big smile was contagious, and she smiled back as she nodded. They were soon caught up in all the festivities of the reception, and his comment was forgotten for now.

  Later that evening, after the newlyweds had departed, Ty took Cheyenne’s hand and they sat down with Sam in their living room. They talked a few minutes about how wonderful the wedding had gone. “I wasn’t sure what I thought of having the ceremony start so early, but now I’m glad they did. It gave them time for a nice reception, but people could still leave before it got dark. I think that worked out really well, especially for people from out of town.

  “I agree,” Ty said. “Having the ceremony, then lunch, rather than supper, was a nice change.” He looked over at Cheyenne and grinned. “Honey, you are absolutely beautiful in that dress, but I feel like getting out of these clothes, putting on some jeans, and taking the horses out for a ride. How about you?”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” she enthused. “I was thinking the same thing. As handsome as you are in that tux, let’s put on some comfy jeans and go riding. I’ll meet you at the barn in fifteen minutes!” She was off, running up the stairs seconds later, Ty watching her and laughing.