As though reading her thoughts, Brenda continued. "Of course, Isaac isn't like that now. He tells me he had 16 years to learn the error of his ways and repent and change his outlook. He has too. I see that now. But back then - my life with him became increasingly difficult. He would tell me what to wear and what not to wear. How ridiculous is that?!" Brenda shook her head. "He loved me, but his love was flawed, selfish and obsessive. I felt like a prisoner, and I wanted to be free. I waited until the boys were older, and I made my plans, and I left him."
"That must have taken a lot of courage."
"Yes. It was hard, and I hated leaving the boys. Can you imagine how that felt? But I talked to them as I'm talking to you now. I explained my situation and told them it had become untenable and that I must leave. They were upset, but they weren't surprised. In fact, Hank told me that I should have gone sooner. Bless the pair of them. They had such a terrible conflict of loyalties to contend with but they kept in touch with me during the last 16 years, and I made them promise not to speak of me to their pa or tell him of my whereabouts. There was no way I wanted Isaac to find me."
"I understand," nodded Rose. "And I recall Hank saying how much he missed you at special times like birthdays and Thanksgiving and Christmas. He and Scott wanted to be with you but it wasn't possible without giving the game away. They felt increasingly guilty over the years I think, keeping their knowledge of you from Isaac."
"I know. And I am so terribly sorry I put them through that. Whether I was right or wrong I really don't know. All I do know is that I did what I thought was the right thing at the time."
"Where did you go?"
"I stayed with a school friend to begin with - someone Isaac didn't know about. Her name wasn't on any of his wretched lists," said Brenda dryly. "I stayed with her and her family for almost three years. They were so good to me and I'm truly grateful. I got a job as a waitress during the day, and in the evenings I studied long and hard... and eventually I became qualified as a teacher. After that, I started earning some decent money and bought myself a little house - nothing as grand as the Armstrong ranch - but it was pretty and cozy and warm, and it became my home. I worked as a teacher in San Antonio. I started out teaching Kindergarten - that was exhausting I can tell you! But it was also great fun and very rewarding. A few years later I moved to Junior High, and I'm now Principal - one who is busy succession planning as I reckon it's almost time for me to retire."
"You have done amazingly well for yourself. It can't have been easy, especially those first few years."
"It was tough, but it was what I wanted. I felt it was the right thing to do. But now... well, I'm unsure now what I'm going to do or where my future lies."
"Will you... that is... you and Isaac?" The words hung unspoken in the air.
"Will we get back together? I honestly don't know. I had never remotely considered such a thing... until recently. In all these years I've never had another man. I still loved Isaac, you see, even though I couldn't live with him. He's changed. He's changed so much. I know he wants me back, he's said so, many times during these past three months. Perhaps. Perhaps we could carve out some sort of future together. I don't know. I'm taking things slowly and being extra cautious."
Rose looked at Brenda and smiled. "I think you should be cautious considering what happened in the past. But I hope, I really and truly hope, that you and Isaac can get it together again. And after you retire from teaching - well... there could be a whole new and exciting future for you."
"Maybe we will," said Brenda matter of factly. She glanced at the clock on the dashboard. "Heavens! Do you realise we have been sitting here outside the cinema talking for the best part of an hour? It's maybe too late to take in a move now."
"I'd no idea of the time. But that was fascinating, Brenda. Thank you for sharing."
"I'm glad I did. It was cathartic. I feel better for getting it out of my system."
"How about we go to Dempsey's Blues bar and have a drink?" suggested Rose.
"Rose, you have the most appealing ideas."
"I'm full of them!"
"Lead on!"
"Tequila, here we come!"
The two women got out of the car and walked arm in arm across the road. The sound of a slide guitar could be clearly heard from the large two-storey building. Dempsey's was a popular venue with a restaurant on the top floor, the ground floor devoted to live music most nights and drinks at the bar.
"It must be years since I was last in here," said Brenda as they entered. "I came here with Isaac to see Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was brilliant. Do you like blues music, Rose?"
"I do, yes - and rock and heavy metal and punk and classical. How's that for eclectic tastes?"
"Impressive," grinned Brenda.
They ordered margarita cocktails and perched on high stools at the bar whilst they sipped their drinks.
"Oh boy - this is good," enthused Rose. "I've never drunk tequila before. It's yummy." She drained her glass and smiled. "I think we'll have two more of these please," she said to the bartender.
"I can see you're enjoying that," said Brenda. "But hey - don't drink it so quickly!"
"Why not?" Rose downed the second glass. "Oh yes, I like this drink!" she giggled, and beckoned the bar tender over for a refill.
Rose was a people person, but when she had a couple of drinks down her, she talked incessantly, pausing only to hiccough. Brenda found herself giggling and howling with laughter at Rose's antics. Brenda wasn't the only one amused. Two cowboys were grinning at Rose too. They came over.
"Howdy y'all," said one of them. He was stocky, mid thirties, with sandy hair tinged with red. His tanned face had freckles. He smiled broadly.
"Howdy yourself," responded Rose, holding out her glass. "Cheers."
"Looks like you two gals are having fun. I'm Slim."
"Good. I don't like fat men much," said Rose, then giggled furiously.
"Rose!" said Brenda. She tried to sound disapproving but failed.
"And my friend here is Tyler," said Slim. "He's not fat either."
"Ladies," said Tyler, with a mock bow.
"Hello Tyler," beamed Rose.
"And what might your name be, beautiful?"
"Rose. And this is Brenda."
Tyler rudely ignored Brenda and fixed his gaze on Rose, his eyes raking her body. He evidently liked what he saw, and ran his tongue lightly over his lips in anticipation. He signalled the bartender. "More drinks over here."
"Rose," said Brenda quietly. "I think you've had enough to drink for now."
"Mind your own business," snapped Tyler. "The lady can decide for herself."
"Just one more," said Rose happily, reaching out for the full glass.
Tyler watched her drink it. He reached out to stroke her hair.
"You have real nice hair, babe," he said, winding a strand around his index finger.
"Mmmn, thank you." Rose slurped her drink noisily. The room was starting to spin, but in a nice way. She felt great. "I feel great," she announced.
Tyler smiled in greedy anticipation and began to tug on the strand of hair, pulling Rose ever closer to him. "Honey, you look great. But I'd like to take a closer look. Come here." He yanked her hair roughly.
"Ow!" squealed Rose. "That hurts!" she pouted.
Tyler put his arm around her, and before she could speak, lowered his head to kiss her, his mouth pressing down hard.
"That's enough," said Brenda. "Rose, it's time we were leaving."
"Leaving? But you've only just arrived," said Slim. "Stay and have another few drinks with us."
"She's had more than enough to drink as it is. Get your buddy to take his paws off her."
"Can't do that," shrugged Slim. "Tyler knows what he wants and he makes sure he gets it."
Tyler certainly did. He kissed Rose deeply, his free hand gliding over the contours of her buttocks.
"Hey! Get off!" protested Rose.
Brenda stepped back from the bar and fished in her
purse for her mobile phone. She dialled Hank's number."
---oOo---
Furious, Hank got into the car with Isaac and drove like a mad man. He ignored two red lights and didn't let up on the gas pedal until he approached the parking lot in front of Dempsey's . The two men strode into the building and pushed through the crowds of people as they made their way to the bar. There they found a worried looking Brenda, and a very drunken Rose. Although she had pushed Tyler away, he continued to ply her with drinks, and every so often his hand would stray to her leg, fondling the expanse of her thighs.
"I told you not to do that you bad boy," giggled Rose.
There was a sudden loud crash as Hank grabbed Tyler by his collar, knocking his glass of beer to the floor. Tyler was a good 6 feet tall but Hank lifted him effortlessly off the ground with his strong right hand. Grim faced he hauled Tyler to his feet and dragged him outside where he administered a very satisfying punch to the jaw. Tyler's eyes opened wide in shock as Hank's fist found its target. He was knocked unconscious by the blow and sprawled on the ground.
"Touch my woman again you ugly booger-nosed lard-eating beer-bellied little piece of shit, and I'll ram your teeth down the back of your throat. Get it?"
Alas, although his fine words were very much appreciated by passers-by, some of whom managed to capture the moment on their mobile phone camera, Tyler was out cold and heard nothing... though perhaps the gist of the conversation permeated his psyche because for ever afterwards, whenever he had a nightmare he shuddered in terror at the menacing growly voice that haunted his dreams and threatened to punch his teeth out. He would awake in a cold sweat and gingerly feel inside his mouth, just to make sure his teeth were still there.
Hank returned to the bar to find Isaac and Brenda walking towards him. Rose was supported between them, singing happily.
"Hello Hanky darling!" she shouted. "Here's my man," she said to no one in particular. "Isn't he a hunky old bear? I loves him to bits." Turning her head towards Hank, she continued. "We've been having some nice drinkies and now my little legs have gone all bendy and they won't work properly. Naughty legs," she giggled and stumbled along, propped up by Brenda and Isaac.
"Get her in the car," growled Hank.
The journey back to the ranch was somewhat subdued, as by now Rose was beginning to feel sick, demanding they stop every few miles so she could throw up the contents of her margarita's. Hank was driving, simmering with controlled anger, while Isaac was grim faced and Brenda sat in an uncomfortable silence.
---oOo---
The next morning Rose woke as Hank entered the room with a cup of black coffee. She rubbed her eyes groggily and sat up, groaning.
"Morning, sweetie. I don't feel well today, " she pouted. "I have a nasty headache. Jeez, it's a really bad one."
"You have a hangover. Drink this." He set the coffee down on the night stand next to the bed. Arms folded, he gazed down at her, his blue eyes steely.
"A hangover? No. I just have a headache. I... oh..." Rose's face clouded as dim memories of the night before rushed into her head. "Oh dear. Oh no. Did I get pissed?" One look at Hank's thunderous face told her the answer. "I did get pissed. Um... er... I'm sorry about that Hank."
"Oh you will be," he told her. His eyes narrowed and glinted dangerously.
Rose reached out for the coffee. She recognised that tone. It meant trouble - usually for her bottom. Still, she must use her feminine wiles to diffuse the situation. Confident that she would win him round she smiled gaily.
"Lovely coffee, darling. How about you come back to bed while I drink it, and then we can have some fun."
"I'm certainly going to have some fun," said Hank, ominously. "But I doubt you will."
Rose didn't like the way the conversation was going. One thing she didn't need right now was a bottom roasting. Her head thumped as though someone was whacking it with a frying pan. She groaned. "I need an aspirin or something to get rid of my sore head."
"I have the perfect solution."
"Yes?" She looked at him expectantly, thinking he was about to produce a packet of headache pills from his pocket. He did nothing of the sort. "Let's have it, then," she said, petulantly.
"Oh yes, I'll let you have it, all right, lady. I'm going to tan your fanny, and your rear end is going to be so sore you'll forget all about your headache."
"Oh but Hank - I'm not well."
She looked at him through her big green eyes, with her most soulful expression, designed to melt the hardest of hearts. It had no effect whatsoever. Hank regarded her for a moment and then sat on the edge of the bed. As her hands came up to encircle him in her arms, he caught hold of her wrists and levered her out of bed. She came out like a cork from a bottle - protesting loudly.
"Hankee, you don't have to do this."
"Don't call me Hankee."
He positioned her over his lap, her arms extending forwards onto the bed.
"But Hankee," she wailed. "It was all a mistake."
"Too right, Missy. It was one big mistake. It's one mistake you won't be repeating any time soon."
He yanked up her nightgown.
"It was just a couple of drinks!"
"It was far more than just a couple of drinks, and you know it."
She was wearing her pink lace panties from the night before. Hank hadn't bothered to remove them when he put her to bed. He removed them now.
"Noooo," pleaded Rose.
"You deserve this," said Hank as he whacked his hand down hard across the centre of her lower buttocks.
"Yeeow!" squealed Rose. "That hurt! I don't like these kinds of spankings!"
"Too bad, little lady - you're getting one. And you're going to get it good," declared Hank. He resumed his spanking, his hand cracking down repeatedly on her soft white flesh.
"Aaaaw!" bawled Rose.
"Not only did you get drunk and disorderly and make a fool of yourself, you embarrassed Brenda and you embarrassed me - and you flirted with those guys at the bar."
"I didn't!" she protested. "I was just being friendly."
"Don't be ridiculous, woman." He peppered her quivering bottom with a volley of spanks. They fall hard and fast.
Rose screeched and howled. She balled her fists and thumped the quilt. She kicked and scissored her legs.
"Fuck! It hurts!" she squealed.
"It's meant to. And here's an extra hard one for using foul language." He landed a hard swat right at the top of her thighs.
"Owowow!"
"That Tyler Guy was all over you. When I arrived his hand was halfway up your thigh." His hand descended again. Her bottom was bright pink with darker splotches of red.
"I didn't realise!"
"Because you were too drunk to care!"
He whacked her bottom again, then moved down to the tender area in the crease where bottom meets thigh.
"Eeeee!" squealed Rose. She started wriggling frantically like a fish on a hook. "Let me up! I've had enough!"
"I'll be the judge of that," growled Hank. "I will not have my lady behaving in that way."
"I won't do it again," said Rose in a little voice. Then when Hank resumed the spanking, she began screeching and wailing even louder than before.
Presently, when her bottom was red and sizzling, Hank stopped. Rose didn't realise her ordeal was over, for she continued to kick and wail. Eventually, her struggles subsided and she lay limp, her tear stained face pressed into the quilt. She began to cry, not from the pain of the spanking - after all, a spanked bottom never killed anyone - but because the whole experience was both traumatic and cathartic.
"I'm sorry," she gulped.
"I know, baby. I know." His hands were gentle now as he softly stroked her red and sore bottom. "It's over now."
"I'm sorry," she repeated, and then tensed as she felt a cold cream being lightly rubbed into her sore butt.
"It's over and done with now, princess. We'll put it behind us. Come here. Sit up."
He raised her up and blo
tted her face with a tissue, and then kissed her gently on the lips.
"I guess I deserved that, didn't I?" she said in a little voice.
"You did," nodded Hank.
"Right," sniffed Rose.
"How's your headache?" His blue eyes twinkled as he looked into her liquid green gaze, and his lips quivered as he tried to control his smile. He failed, and a broad grin spread across his face.
"What headache?" She didn't want to smile, but she did. "You bastard. It's my poor bottom that's aching now, not my head."
"I told you I'd get rid of your headache." He sprawled out on the bed and pulled her on top of him. "Do I get a kiss now?"
"Mmmn," she said, stooping to brush her lips against his.
He reached for her, pulling her close, his hands roaming her body, his fingers tracing the swell of her hips and down to her crotch.
"I see a spanking has given you the usual reaction," he murmured as his fingers slid into her wet folds, his thumb gliding over her clit.
"It sure has," she said, and raised up to pull her nightgown off over her head.
He was ready for her, his jeans and boxer shorts tossed onto the floor, his cock rampant. She straddled him and he guided himself into her and began thrusting and pumping.
"You're a very bad girl, Rose Windsor," he panted. "And I love you."
"I'm your bad girl," said Rose throatily as she rocked her hips, riding him, matching his rhythm, accommodating his hard cock deep within her. "And I love you too."
---oOo---
Rose gave breakfast a miss, but around 10am wandered into the kitchen to scrounge another cup of coffee and a slice of toast.
"Morning Miss Rose," said Hannah. "How's the hangover?"
"Oh no. Does everyone know I disgraced myself last night?"
Hannah chuckled. "It certainly seems that way. Sit yourself down and I'll scramble you a couple of eggs to go with that toast. A hearty breakfast is the best cure for a hangover that I know of."
Rose sat, and caught the eye of Kayla and Mary Lou. The two assistant cooks were preparing vegetables to make a soup for lunch. Both girls grinned from ear to ear.
Love on a Ranch Box Set Page 9
