"I'm fine, but thank you." She reached up to give him a kiss, but he took control of the kiss, showing her he meant every word he'd said. When he finally broke the kiss, he sat back, pulling her back against his chest. "How was your day at the Wagner home?"
"It was really good. I haven't been able to work with them for almost a month, but it didn't matter. They've been working together every evening, they said, practicing their reading and writing, and even some arithmetic. They're doing great. Practice is what you need for writing especially, and you can tell they've been doing just that. They're doing great."
"That's good to hear. You didn't have any trouble coming home, did you? You didn't see any signs of any drifters or anyone in the area?"
"No trouble at all, and no sign of anyone, past or present."
"Good. I don't think we have anything to worry about now, but just be alert anytime you're out alone until the sheriff finds this Sam Wyler, okay?"
"I will." She was always touched when she realized how much her husband cared about her and watched out for her.
"We've both been putting in long hours lately. I think it's time we took a little time for ourselves. Maybe we should go upstairs to bed early?"
The love and desire in his eyes was evident, and she returned his grin. "As long as you're not planning on going to sleep right away."
He chuckled. "I love you, my mischievous little wife."
"And I love you, my dear husband." He stood, keeping her in his arms, and headed toward the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled as he carried her upstairs and to their bedroom.
When his boss was a little late for chores the next morning, but had a big smile on his face, Cord just chuckled and slapped him on the back. "You're a lucky man, boss." Austin smiled and agreed.
***
Things began to settle down the following week. Pete kept improving. He was able to eat and sit up some during the day, but was still too weak to be doing much else. Doc was encouraged, saying he was doing really well for as sick as he was when he'd first seen him.
Sheriff Montgomery was coming to the ranch every two or three days to keep Austin caught up on what he'd found, and talked to Pete, hoping to gain some little bit of information that would help him find Sam Wyler.
He got his break when a deputy came out to the ranch one evening while the sheriff was talking to Pete. Deputy Joe Silas said he had to talk to the sheriff right away, so Georgia took him up to Pete's room.
"What's so important that you rode out here to tell me, Joe?"
"You just got a message from Sheriff Matheny. He sent a deputy over personally to deliver it to you. A lady is missing, and they think she's been taken against her will. She was taken from a ranch. One of the ranch hands said he'd seen what he thought was a drifter earlier this morning. He was by a creek, letting his horse drink. The hand didn't think much of it when he saw him get on his horse and head on across a pasture, which would be in the direction of the nearest town. But then later he was heading back to the barn and heard a scream. He hurried his horse up in time to see a woman being dragged to a horse. The man laid her over the horse and climbed on behind her and took off. He thinks it's the man he thought was a drifter earlier. He must have doubled back toward the house and gotten the lady."
"Why is it so important that I get this information right away?"
"He said he was heading south, down this way. He wanted you to be aware of it, in case you heard or saw anything that didn't look right."
"Okay," the sheriff said. "Did he have a description of the man they think took her?"
"That's the other reason I wanted to get this to you right away. The man was a big man, at least six feet tall, and thin. He said he had blond hair, and was wearing a black shirt."
Pete sat up in bed. "Sheriff, that's Sam Wyler. That describes him to a tee."
Grant turned from his deputy to Pete. "Do you think he'd kidnap a lady?"
"I sure do. He mentioned one time that he needed to find a woman. I asked him what he wanted a woman for while he was mining. He said she could cook for him while he mined, and keep him company at night."
"Was he planning to kidnap a woman?"
"He didn't say that, but he told me he had the rights to mine in that creek, too. And he told me he was giving me thirty percent of everything we mined. Instead, he shot me. I'm telling you, Sheriff, he's a mean man, and he's dangerous."
"Okay," Grant said, "if you think it's him, I'll get a posse together and we'll go out looking for him. Austin, you said you think that spot we found is where he and Pete were?"
"I do, Grant. Pete described the area to me, and I think it almost has to be."
"Then we'll follow that creek on down and see if we can find any other evidence of any mining activity."
"I want to be part of the posse, Grant. I want this guy found as much as anyone."
Grant turned to look at Georgia, and back to Austin. "Is your wife okay with you going?"
Before he could say anything, she answered. "Of course I'm okay with him going. I'll be riding right next to him."
"Oh, no, you won't, either," Austin said. "My wife is not riding with a posse."
"Why not?"
The sheriff and deputy stood back and watched the two Barringtons. It sure seemed to Grant like Austin had met his match in Georgia. He smiled as he thought back to the first time he met her. She was bringing in the man who'd been causing trouble on the ranches in the neighborhood. Austin was shocked that day, and he had a similar expression on his face now.
Georgia had her hands on her hips and was up on her toes, trying to get right in her husband's face. "Are you saying I'm not smart enough, or I'm not good enough with a gun, or I can't track people good enough, or just what are you saying?"
"Ah, Georgia, come on. I know you're good at all those things."
"Then why is it okay for you to go help find this guy, but not me?"
"You're my wife. It's my duty to protect you. You will be safer here."
She started to say something, but Austin stopped her. "We'll discuss this later, wife." By the looks in his eyes, she knew he wasn't happy. Well, neither was she, so this discussion may be longer than he thinks. She wasn't about to let her husband go riding off into danger alone. She was quite capable of protecting herself, and she'd feel much better knowing she was there and would have his back. She glanced up and saw the sheriff and deputy grinning, though, and realized this was not the place to get her husband to see her point. She'd wait until they were alone.
The sheriff turned back to Austin. "We'll leave from my office in town. I'll ride back into town and round up some men. If you want to go along, bring your bedroll and some food for a few days and some water. Hopefully I can get enough men together and we'll leave in two hours."
"Okay, Sheriff, I'll be there. Let me walk you down to your horse."
As soon as they were outside and sure Georgia couldn't hear them, Grant turned to his friend. "I hear what you're saying about your wife staying here, Austin, and I sure don't mean to be sticking my nose in your business, but a thought keeps crossing my mind."
"What's that?"
"She's proven she's quite capable with a gun and that she can defend herself. That man she brought in by herself was a big man, but she handled him. She's proven she's not afraid to go off alone. If you tell her no and leave without her, how confident will you feel that she stays here?"
"Damn it, Grant, I know. I've been thinking the same damn thing myself."
"It seems to me you'd be safer with her beside you so you know where she is and that she's safe, than worrying that she's trying to follow us and has gotten herself into a heap of trouble. If you spend half your time thinking about her, you won't be paying as much attention to what you're doing as you should."
Austin sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I know. I've been thinking the same thing. But it's dangerous."
"It is. And she knows that. That little lady loves you, Austin, or
she wouldn't want to watch your back. I know this puts you in a heck of a spot, but as the guide on this expedition, I've got to wonder how safe you'll be if she's not beside you. Will you be concentrating on what you're doing or wondering what she's doing?"
As he ran his hand through his hair yet again, Austin glanced up to see Grant grinning a little. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"We've been friends a long time, Austin, so I am not going to lie to you. Yes, I am. You're a man who's used to being in charge, and being listened to. When you tell your men to do something, they don't question it. I have to say I think you've met your match with Georgia, and it is fun to sit back and watch."
"Thanks a lot, my friend."
"You're welcome," he said with another grin. "But I have to tell you one other thing, as well."
"What's that?" he sighed.
"You're a lucky man to have found her."
Now it was Austin's turn to smile. "I am, aren't I?"
Grant chuckled as he nodded. "I've got to go, but I'll see you, and maybe your wife, in a bit. Think about what I said, my friend."
"I will. And thanks for understanding."
"For understanding?"
"For understanding why I may show up with Georgia. The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking you're right. If we don't take her with us, she'll probably trail along behind us."
"You'll worry about her and keep looking over your shoulder, either way."
"Yeah, you're probably right," he said with another exaggerated sigh. He squared his shoulders, and added, "but I still need to deal with her."
"I'm not arguing that point, my friend, but keep in mind, if she's struggling to sit her saddle, she won't be as alert as she should be either."
"Maybe I should make it too difficult for her to sit her saddle, so she'll stay home."
"Can you do that? I mean, she seems pretty determined. I know how much you think of her. Can you really bring yourself to put her in enough pain to assure yourself she won't sit her saddle?"
"Probably not," he admitted. "She's stubborn enough that she'd probably ride standing in the stirrups. And you're right; that wouldn't be safe for either of us."
"Good luck, Austin. I'll see one or both of you soon." He turned his horse and took off toward town. Austin turned toward the house. Grant was a good friend, and he was right. He needed to be able to focus on what he and the posse were doing. And if he were honest with himself, he had to admit that his feisty little wife had shown him several times in the last few months that she was just as good or better with a gun or tracking as any of his men.
He walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find the little lady he'd been thinking about sitting at the kitchen table, wringing her hands in her lap. She jumped up when he walked in, and looked up at him. She quickly looked back down to the floor. "Austin, can we talk?"
"I think that would be a good idea. Is Maria with Pete?"
"She is."
"Let's go to my office so we have some privacy." To his surprise, she nodded her agreement and headed that way.
As soon as he got in the office, he closed and locked the door. He turned to her, expecting her to be furious and start arguing immediately, but he was surprised again. She stood there, watching him, looking for all the world like a contrite little girl.
She took a deep breath, and began speaking, softly. "Austin, I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to argue with you in front of them. I should have waited until we were alone to discuss it, but it happened so fast, I spoke before I thought."
Austin could easily see that she was sincere in what she was saying. This evening was turning out to be just full of surprises. It took a moment before he absorbed what she'd said, and found his voice. "So are you saying you'll stay here while I go with Grant?"
Her head shot right up and her eyes met his. "Absolutely not. If you're going, I'm going. I'm saying it was wrong of me to argue in front of other people. But I am not going to stay here and watch you ride off, knowing you could be in danger."
Chapter Twelve
Austin was extremely frustrated as he raked his hand through his hair. "Georgia, I—"
"I'm sorry, but please hear me out before you get too upset. I know you are trying to protect me, and please believe me when I say that means a lot to me. There are lots of things out here that I am not familiar with, and I am very glad to know you are watching out for me. I know you love me, or you wouldn't be trying to protect me."
"I do love you, wife, with all my heart. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
"And I can appreciate that, as well. Mainly because I love you and feel the same way. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." Before he could say anything, she went on. "But if you think about it, I think you will agree that I am quite capable with a horse, or a gun, or tracking. I understand you worrying about me, but please understand that that goes both ways. I know you are also quite capable, but I still worry just as much about you. I would go crazy worrying about you if I were to stay here. You and I together will be able to watch each other's back, making it safer for both of us."
He sighed. "So you're sorry about arguing in front of Grant and Deputy Silas, but you still want to go along with us?"
She nodded. "I do admit I was wrong to argue, but I most definitely plan on going with you today, one way or another."
"Not if I paddle your little butt so hard it makes it impossible to sit your saddle."
"You wouldn't do that."
"Don't be too sure of yourself, wife."
"But I am sure. I feel very strongly about this, and if I have to, I'll stand up in the stirrups. It would be very painful, but I can be very stubborn if it's something I truly believe in. If I'm in that much pain, it will be harder for me to concentrate, which will make it more dangerous. I know you love me and you wouldn't do that."
He looked into her eyes and saw the love there. She continued. "You're a very fair man, and we both know that the only thing I've done that would give you the right to spank me is arguing in front of the men, and I have admitted that. You would not be that harsh with me for that. Spanking me simply to force me to stay home would be nothing short of cruel and unfair, and you are neither."
He tried to think of something to counter her words with, but the love he saw in her eyes distracted him. He gave up, sighing and pulling her in against his chest and wrapping his arms around him. "I do love you, Mrs. Barrington. You are indeed stubborn, but I still love you with all my heart, and I know you return that love. We will go together, but there are two things you need to be aware of."
He was proud of her for not smiling or acting smug, having gotten her way. "What are those two things?"
"You need to know that you are right, you have earned a spanking for arguing with me in front of them. We are going to do that now, before we leave."
"But I have to be able to sit my saddle."
"I am aware of that. But you also need to know how serious I am about the second thing you need to be aware of, and sitting a saddle on a sore bottom might serve as a reminder of that."
"What is this second thing I need to be aware of?"
"You need to listen to me while we're out there. If we find him and I tell you to stay back, you need to listen to me. If this man kidnapped a woman, he obviously doesn't respect women, and I don't want you near him."
Georgia knew in her heart if they found him, she would do what she felt necessary to make sure her husband was safe. She also knew, however, that arguing with him now would solve nothing, so she agreed, sort of. "I will listen to you. I don't plan on putting myself into more danger than is necessary, but I want this man caught. Remember, I was the one who found Pete. I want the man that shot him caught, I want to find and rescue that innocent lady, and I want to be with you so I know you are safe."
"Okay. Then let's get this spanking over with so we can get into town."
Before she had time to realize what was happening, he sat down
on the couch and she found herself over his lap. He pulled her skirts and petticoats up and flipped them up onto her back, and without pausing, reached underneath her and untied her bloomers. She automatically reached back to stop him, but he caught her hand and held it.
"This spanking will be happening on your bare bottom, my dear. We don't have a long time, and I want you to feel this spanking as you're sitting your saddle. I hope it will remind you what will happen, only to a much harder degree, if you don't listen to me while we're out there." With that, he started her spanking. It was different than any he'd given her previously, and got her attention right away.
"Ow! Oh, it hurts!"
"I know this is different from your prior spankings, my dear, but I mean this to teach you a lesson and act as a warning, and to do it quickly." He spanked hard and fast, and it was a bit overwhelming to her, as she was used to him starting out slower and easier, and building in speed and intensity as he talked. This was hard and fast from the beginning.
"You were right when you said you shouldn't have argued with me in front of the men, and I'm glad you admitted that. This spanking will serve to let you know you will not be getting away with things like that." He continued the spanking, not letting up a bit. She was struggling more than usual, and he assumed it was from the intensity of the spanking. That was okay with him. "Sitting your saddle may be difficult, but let that pain be a reminder to you that you need to listen to me. If you don't, I will repeat the spanking right then and there. Do you think you can do that, listen to me while we're out there, or should I continue, to be sure?"
"No, I'll listen. I promise. Please stop!"
He could see how red her bottom was, and ended the spanking. He rubbed her bottom, knowing she would definitely be feeling it as she rode. He also knew, though, that although the spanking had been fast and intense, the pain wouldn't last long. By the time they got to town and met up with the posse and got to the creek they would be following, most of the pain from the spanking would be gone. He just hoped it would help her remember to listen to him if things got dangerous.
Mail Order Surprise Page 14
