by Maggie Ryan
She had started crying when he started the spanking, and he was sure it was from her guilt more than from the pain of the spanking. The tears that were falling now he was sure were from his words, and the old memories they were bringing back to life. He wanted her mind off of those memories and back on what he was saying now, so he began the spanking again. “I think I understand a little more now about not only how upsetting it was, but also why seeing his name come up in your phone when he called, and the possibility of having to confront him again, either in person or over the phone, bothered you so much. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He paused a few moments and rubbed her bottom. “But I want you to know, it’s no longer you against the world, honey, and I want you to remember that.”
He started spanking again, and she started crying again, but again, he didn’t feel the tears were from the spanking. “I’m here for you and your grandmother is here for you, so you aren’t alone. Beyond that, though, I will be watching out for you. I intend to protect you, and not just physically. When something bothers you that much again, come talk to me. I can’t protect you from an emotional heartbreak if I don’t know how upsetting it is to you. Just like I can’t intercept Paul and protect you from him as easily if I don’t know he’s coming.”
He again paused, again keeping his hand on her bottom, but wanting to be sure she understood what he said. He gave her a moment to control her crying, and she surprised him with her reaction. She was still fighting tears, but turned to look at him and talked, through her tears. “You want to protect me emotionally, too?”
“Of course I do, honey. I love you and I want to keep you safe and not let anything hurt you.”
“And you liked my idea to give Diane your address instead of mine?”
“I did. You should have talked to me about it first, but I’m glad you sent him here instead of your house.” She started to say something else, but stopped, and turned back around, laying over his lap. “What is it you want to say, honey?”
“Nothing.”
He gave her bottom a couple harder whacks. “No lying to me, young lady. I just got done telling you how important it is for you to talk to me, tell me what you’re feeling and thinking so I can help you.”
She turned back around and had a bit of a grin on her face, which was amazing to see during a spanking. Before he could ask about it, though, his little minx explained it. “But I think you’ve already helped me, so I’m better off not saying anything.”
“What do you mean? How did I already help you?” She didn’t say anything, and he gave her two more swats. “I’d like an explanation, young lady.”
“Okay, okay,” she quickly said, turning back so she could see him again. “When you’re punishing or spanking, you believe the punishment should fit the crime, don’t you?”
He was confused, until he saw her fighting a smile. He smiled back at her, but gave her two more swats, a bit harder than the others. “Yes, I do. And that, my little minx, is why this spanking wasn’t as harsh as the first one you got.”
She broke in, which stopped him. “It was at first, and I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did,” he agreed. “Look, I’m actually proud that you gave them my address. It was a good way to help me protect you, and I very much approve of that. You should have told me about it first, though. I know you weren’t expecting him to break into my house, and he shouldn’t have done that, but I still should have known that he may be coming here. That’s what the beginning of this spanking was for.”
He saw her trying not to giggle, and gave in and pulled her up into his lap. His arms quickly wrapped her up and pulled her in against him, and she snuggled into his chest. “Did you learn anything from this?” he asked.
“Oh, I definitely did,” she answered very seriously. “I was worried about this spanking thing for several reasons, but was willing to give it a chance because it feels so good knowing you’re watching out for me. But knowing you will spank me like you did at the beginning of this for something like not talking to you about it first, which I admit was wrong, I can accept that. Knowing you won’t spank me, or not hard enough to actually make it hurt, for things that aren’t as serious, is wonderful. It makes me know I can trust you completely, with my heart and—”
When she stopped, Matt had to laugh. “Go ahead and say it. You can trust me with your butt.”
She giggled, but nodded. “Yeah, in a way, that is what I’m saying. I can trust you with this whole spanking thing.”
“Thank you. I assure you that I will always spank you only for what you deserve to be spanked for. And yes, the punishment will fit the crime. This spanking wasn’t as harsh as the first because I wasn’t as upset this time about what you did. What you did was an attempt to keep yourself safe, and you weren’t rude to anyone. But I have to ask you a question. Did you learn you have to talk to me first, before you do things like that again, or do I need to finish that spanking?”
“No, I learned. The first part of that spanking hurt. It really did,” she tried to assure him. “But as soon as I walked in your kitchen and saw Paul sitting there, I knew I’d made a mistake. You could have been hurt, and I realized that the minute I saw him sitting there. I really am sorry.”
“I know, honey.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
She leaned against him, soaking in the loving feeling of being wrapped in his arms. “I do have one question, Matt.”
“What’s that?”
“Could you introduce me to whoever I need to see about applying for that job as school nurse? I know now that right here’s where I belong, and where I want to stay.”
He answered her with a kiss, which he took total control of. “You’re right; this is where you belong. We’ll go tomorrow and see if we can get you that job, and this time you can stay right here, where you belong, with the people you belong with.”
The End
Misty Malone
Writing has been a dream of Misty's for several years. She's finally following that dream, and began writing in 2013. She enjoys writing romance stories, with a handsome man who falls in love with a lovely lady in need of a strong man who can take her in hand. Having grown up on a farm, she especially enjoys writing about strong cowboys. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and son, not far from where she grew up. Misty hopes you enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoys writing them. Reviews to her books are very much appreciated, and she would like to thank you for each one of them. She invites you to leave a message for her at [email protected].
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Misty Malone and Blushing Books!
Ranch Life Is Great
How to Stir Up a Ranch
The Real Prize
Mail Order Surprise
That Beautiful Orange Gown
Not Just a House
I’m on a Ranch?
It's My Ranch?
My Ranch, My Way
Learning to Drive… Him Crazy
The Strange Healing
Count This Cowboy In
Cowboy Motel
A Quiet Christmas Alone…Kinda
On Probation
One Smart Cowboy
It's Just A Ranch
A Beautiful Ranch
Being Schooled
Nice to Meet You
Life at the Ranch series:
Life at the Ranch, Book 1
Christmas at the Ranch, Book 2
Last Chance Program series:
Cheyenne and Jason, Book 1
Gina and Paul, Book 2
Audio Books:
The Real Prize
It’s My Ranch?
Mail Order Surprise
Always You
By
Anna Kristell
Chapter 1
Rance Kimball veered onto the exit ramp and glanced at the road sign. With a sigh, he pulled into the lot of the first gas station he saw. Getting out of his car to fuel up, he stretched his tight muscles and looked a
round. He'd been on the road for two days, and he was tired. The sedan he drove was comfortable enough and afforded enough leg room for his tall frame, but he was more than ready to check into the bed and breakfast in his home town and call it a night.
Returning the nozzle to its proper position, he went inside to grab a cup of coffee before hitting the road again. He had a good two hours of driving time still ahead of him.
Stepping outside the building, he lit a cigarette and took a deep, satisfying drag. Why he had started smoking again, after all these years, was a mystery to him. Well, actually not, considering what he'd gone through in the last few months. As soon as he was settled, he fully intended to stop the filthy habit again, this time for good.
He thought about his life and wondered what awaited him in good old Bloomdale. After twenty years away, he was going back. Not something he had ever imagined doing, but he was doing it just the same. They say you can never go back. He guessed he'd find out if that was true, soon enough.
His life had been busy from the time he left at the age of eighteen to attend college until recently when everything had changed abruptly.
He ground out the cigarette and disposed of it, took a healthy swig of his coffee, and headed to the car. No use dawdling, the decision had been made. May as well get on with it.
Back on the road again, his thoughts went to his life in Wyoming where he'd made his home for the past fifteen years. The life he was leaving behind… He had sold his share of the ranch after his partner and long-time girlfriend, Ellie, announced that she was getting married… to someone else.
Rance hadn't seen it coming although he supposed he should have. The signs were all there. He and Ellie had met when he first moved to the area to take a position in a local accounting firm. She was the daughter of a local rancher and worked in the same firm as he did. As time went by, the two formed a pleasant, casual relationship.
When Ellie's father passed away unexpectedly, she had left the firm to help her mother and her brother run the family business. Eventually, she'd asked Rance to come on board to take care of the finances and learn the business. After a while, he had purchased shares in the ranch and became a partner. Everyone naturally assumed that he and Ellie would someday marry, including Rance.
Not that they shared any sort of passionate, all-consuming, mutual love, but they just… fit. They were compatible.
There was only one woman—and she had been a girl at the time—who had ever come close to making Rance Kimball's heart do the dance. Whenever he was near her, his body, as well as his soul, reacted.
Her name was Lydia Rose Sharp. Long, blonde hair, blue twinkling eyes, petite and popular, that was Lydie. Everyone called her Lydie. Not the type of girl who would waste her time on a slightly chubby numbers geek, that's for sure. No, basketball players were her usual escorts. Homecoming queen, prom princess, cheerleader, Lydie was everybody's high school crush. He never stood a chance. Nowadays, he looked nothing like that chubby geek. He was tall, muscled and good-looking. Working on a ranch, even as the accountant, had afforded him some time to ride and be more athletic over the years. He'd slimmed down. He wore his dark hair in the latest casual men's style and many a girl in Wyoming had been jealous of Ellie. Everyone knew he was off limits. What a surprise for all of them when she chose someone else!
But enough about Lydie and the old days and the other girls in Wyoming, he thought as his mind returned to Ellie and the situation at hand. She'd met someone else, a newcomer to the town, Erik Johnson. Rance had wished them well, sold his shares in the ranch back to Ellie, traded in his trusty pickup truck for a sedan and packed his belongings. All that he could fit in the car, that is, his furniture was sold, along with most of his other possessions.
He intended to make a fresh start, and he was going back home to do it. His family was ecstatic and had already helped secure a place for him in the local accountant's office. He was to begin his new job in one week. Rance thought he might like to purchase a small farm, maybe raise some cattle and get a few horses. But, for now, he had rented a room at the bed and breakfast in town. His sister and her husband owned it, and he could stay there until he decided on a more permanent living arrangement.
Ten more minutes on the road and he would be home. He visited twice a year, and the family had all, at one time or another, been to the ranch. However, he knew this was going to be an adjustment for all of them no matter how enthusiastic they were about his moving home.
The old hometown was aglow with updated streetlights when he exited the interstate and drove the few remaining miles to Bloomdale. The town must have installed the new lights since his last visit. He had to admit they looked nice. He recognized some of the old businesses that were, surprisingly, still around. New ones were scattered up and down both sides of the street, as well. The town had grown in the twenty years he'd been away. That was good, he supposed, but he hoped he would still find the homey, small town atmosphere he had left behind.
His sister Annie and her family were waiting when he pulled into the drive. He saw the front door of the B and B swing open as his niece and nephew ran out to greet their favorite uncle.
"Uncle Rance, you're finally here," Gracie said as she hugged him tightly.
"Let me look at you, Gracie girl," he said as he held her at arm's length. "You're taller than you were last Thanksgiving, I believe."
Not to be outdone by his older sister, Gregory gave him a high five. "Hey, man."
Rance chuckled.
"Mom's got supper ready. It's just the five of us tonight. Mom thought you'd be tired, so the rest of the family will be here tomorrow night," Gracie told him.
"Yeah, Dad will help you with your stuff later," Gregory added.
"Okay, let's go. Can't wait to dig into some of your mom's home cooking," he said as he followed them into the house.
Annie's husband Bart met them in the foyer. "Hey, Rance, good to see you, hope your drive wasn't too bad." He extended a hand, which Rance shook heartily.
"Not too bad, traffic was bad in St. Louis, but other than that, I made pretty good time. Feels good to get out of the car, though," he replied with a grin.
"I'll bet. Come on in the dining room. Annie is putting the food on the table. She made all your favorites. I can't begin to tell you how excited she is that you're back to stay."
When they entered the spacious dining room, his younger sister looked up and smiled. "Hi, big brother, just in time."
"No guests tonight at the B and B?" he asked.
"I fed them earlier. They are all off doing their own thing. Only two couples right now; it's a slow time of the year," she said. "Now, sit down. I know you have to be starving, after eating on the road for two days."
After Gracie and Gregory said a prayer over the food, they began passing bowls and platters around the table. Succulent roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, a broccoli and cheese dish and brown sugar glazed carrots graced the table. Gracie was right, all of his favorites. His sister was an excellent cook; their mother had taught her well.
"Are these rolls homemade?" he asked as he bit into a hot buttered yeast roll.
"What kind of question is that? Of course, they're homemade," Annie answered with a giggle.
"Wait till you see what she made for dessert," Gregory said.
"He's been trying to get into it since school let out for the day," Annie said.
Bart laughed before taking on a more serious tone. "So, Rance, how are you doing?"
He took a sip of iced tea before he answered. "All in all, I think I'm okay. It was a shock and happened so fast, I barely had much time to think about things, until the drive out here."
"I'm so sorry about Ellie. I know you thought that, eventually, you would be the one she married," Annie said sympathetically.
"Looking back, I see many things I did wrong. I procrastinated, telling myself neither of us was ready. Apparently, that wasn't true. But, I don't think we were truly meant to be, either, now that I think ab
out it. It all happened the way it was supposed to happen. I wish nothing but the best for the two of them. Ellie is a great gal; she just isn't the gal for me."
"You'll meet the right one, maybe right here in Bloomdale, who knows?" Bart said.
"So, are you coming to my game next week?" Gregory asked, shifting the conversation.
"You're playing baseball?" Rance asked. "I played a few years in high school, believe it or not."
"Yeah, baseball, got a game on Monday night."
"Sure, I'll be there, count on it, buddy."
Gracie helped herself to more potatoes and said, "My friend, Lisa, says her aunt is moving back home, too. Isn't that funny? She's been in New York for a long time."
"Oh, I guess maybe I'm not the only one starting a new life then, huh?" he said as he grinned at his niece. "Now, don't go trying to fix me up with this aunt, okay, munchkin?"
"Oh, I won't," Gracie said quickly, with a distinct gleam in her eye. "Her name is Lydie, Aunt Lydie."
Rance looked up, startled. Could it be? "What's her last name?" he asked casually. "Do you know?"
"Um… not sure," Gracie said. "She got married but her husband died, so she's moving back."
