The Firecracker Gets Her Man (4 page)

“Mary! Oh my God, Mary! I am so sorry, love. Forgive me, please! I’m so sorry!”

“Sorry you got yourself shot?” she asked, leaning down to kiss him. “You were outnumbered and they had all the guns. You did all you could, darling. I am safe now, here with you, and very much relieved to see you are going to be all right. I was so afraid you were lying somewhere all alone and dying. We owe a man named Maynard Griffin our thanks for finding you and bringing you here for attention.”

“Did they harm you, honey?” Clay’s eyes looked at her, trying to see for himself if she was abused. “There is no shame if you were attacked; I will still love you and hate myself for allowing it to happen.”

“Clay, I am fine. After you sleep and are stronger I will tell you exactly what happened and how I stalled for time so that I could escape. My true worry was for you, darling. You were so brave, but you didn’t have a chance against those three. They escaped prison.”

“Will you stay here with me, please? I think I can sleep, but it will ease my mind to have you beside me.”

“As if I would leave your side now! I need to be here and hold your hand to be sure you are all right.”

“I love you, Mary,” he said, and then closed his eyes in deep sleep, finally able to relax and be at peace with himself.

“Doctor, how is Clay, really?” Mary asked, her blue eyes troubled.

“I believe he will be just fine in time. He needs a lot of rest, of course. Mary, you are welcome to stay here with us while Clay recuperates. I do not think it is safe for you to camp in your wagon all by yourself, even in this town. We get drifters I cannot vouch for, and with the Fourth of July celebration coming, people will be feeling rowdy. Best you stay here in the house where I can offer some security and protection,” Caleb offered. “Clay is going to need to stay here for at least a week, if not longer.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I would like to stay. I have had all the excitement I need for an entire lifetime.”

“I am a healer, young woman. You need to be honest with me. Were you telling your husband the truth? Those men did not touch you intimately? I can treat you if they did.”

“Thankfully, I was telling the absolute truth. But I wouldn’t be able to say that if Rachel and Lance hadn’t come to my aid when they did.”

“Papa, she threw a pot of boiling hot stew in their faces and was making a run for it when we got there.”

“The only thing, I didn’t know where I was, and they would have found me, I am sure. But I had to try. I am a fighter!”

“Good for you, Mary.”

“Papa, I hate to ask more of you this day, but Lance is angry with me and threatening me. Would you deal with him, please?” Rachel asked, trying to look small and helpless.

“No. I warned you how the man would react, and I told you then that I wouldn’t protect your backside. The man fell head over heels in love with you the moment he met you, and he needs to see you as you are, and you need to see how he deals with flat out disobedience. You earned a spanking, in my opinion. Either it will make your relationship strong or you both won’t want to see the other ever again. Show Mary the downstairs bedroom when she is ready. I am going to bed and get some sleep. Mary, if Clay starts running a fever, come and get me. I am sure we would know by now, but he still needs careful attention. If that nosy sheriff comes by, you tell him I gave orders that he is not to see my patient until I agree to it. G’night.”

Rachel showed Mary the bedroom that her father referred to. Clay wasn’t the first patient to stay with them until they were completely healed. Mary thanked her, and then returned to sit beside her husband and hold his hand. She finally allowed silent tears to run down her cheeks unheeded and Rachel handed her a clean handkerchief from the supply her father kept handy. “I don’t know why I am crying now,” Mary whispered. “Unless it is just a culmination of fear that is finally spilling out and releasing all the emotions I’ve felt since earlier today.”

“Probably so. Just cry it out, and when the sun comes up, it will be a bright new day.” She’d heard her father say that so often and so did Doctor Merritt. Her mind wandered to Lance and she wondered how things were going with the sheriff.

* * *

“I don’t get this, mister. You say that guy at Doc’s has a wife, and you took it on yourself to go and find her without comin’ to the law first? How do I know you didn’t just up and shoot three innocent men?” the sheriff asked in a petulant tone of voice.

“Those innocent men are escaped convicts by the name of Blister, Wart, and Toad Anderson.”

“You took on the Anderson Brothers?”

“I had to get Mary out of there. You know why those three men were in prison, Sheriff. There was no time to fetch you.”

“Well, I guess that is true, but you should have sent Doc to tell me what you were doing.”

“And have him leave a patient who was trying to climb out of bed to go and rescue his wife? Doc was needed right where he was.”

“What about Rachel?” The man said her name with distaste on his face.

“She was too busy trailing me to get help,” Lance said.

“She did what? That girl is plumb crazy.”

“She is too brave and sassy for words,” Lance said.

“You’re lucky she didn’t get you both killed.” He paused, obviously thinking. “Mister, I don’t know you well, but it is best you keep it quiet about the lady being kidnapped by those three. Folks would think the worst, like they usually do, and she don’t need that.”

“No, she doesn’t, and I was going to ask you to do the same, Sheriff. Mary is a sweet woman and she had a bad scare. She was brave and she cooked for them, taking her time and stalling the inevitable. She finally threw boiling hot stew in their faces to give herself a chance to run. That is when Rachel and I came barging in to rescue her. She’s spunky and she loves her husband. After the scare she had, the first thing she said was to ask us to help her husband. I admire her. She held her head together and kept herself safe and she doesn’t deserve a bunch of gossips making her life hell.”

“I agree, and I do thank you for protecting her reputation.”

“When someone is innocent, I speak up.”

“I get it, and I thought about it. I reckon you could be right about Miss Rachel too, but I sure hope she don’t hurt Doc again. He should have taken a switch to her, but that little gal has him buffaloed.”

“He loves her,” Lance answered simply.

“So I’ve been told,” he admitted. “I went by again to try and see his patient, and he raked me over the coals for what I said to Rachel. He set me straight,” the man admitted.

“He is happy to have her home safe.”

“She was working for a doctor all this time; I’ll make sure folks hear the straight of it,” the sheriff said, and Lance found himself changing his mind about the man. “So, why are you in town? I know somethin’ is up, and I won’t like it if I’m left cold and somethin’ goes down.”

“I appreciate that, Sheriff, but I have to make sure nothing leaks out.”

“I can keep my mouth shut if it’s necessary, in spite of what folks think and say. I know quite a few secrets and I don’t share them unless it’s important to do so, or it won’t hurt folks. I know you ain’t what you seem, and I suspect you’re a Texas Ranger. Doc wouldn’t let you get so close to Rachel if you were just a saddle tramp of some sort.”

There was no help for it. Lance took out his badge and showed it to the man. “I am working undercover, Sheriff.”

The sheriff examined Lance’s badge as if he’d never seen one before. “I figured as much. I’ll keep it quiet. Who are you lookin’ for, Ranger?”

“Jared Cane. Rachel came home to warn you that Cane is planning to hit the bank here on the fourth of July while the town is celebrating. His girlfriend, Misty Feathers, will be arriving first. Rachel overheard them talking when they thought they were alone in the doctor’s office. The doc sent Rachel out for something, and Cane shot the doctor and killed him. He then searched the town over for Rachel, intending to kill her too. She hid, and came home to warn you what he was planning.”

“And I acted like a jerk, and she wasn’t about to talk to me after I done tole her to get on out of town. I can be awful stupid at times.” He shook his head, and then added, “That little gal has a bad temper on her. She’s a real firecracker at times.”

“She is,” Lance had to agree. “Sheriff, please don’t say anything to anyone about me being a Texas Ranger. If Cane gets wind of me being in town, we could very well lose him.”

“I’ve got your back, Ranger. If you need anythin’, then you let me know. I guess I don’t need to tell you to keep that little redhead off the street for now. We don’t want Cane or his girlfriend spottin’ her. I can pick up the girlfriend when she gets off the stage.”

“No. Just keep an eye on her. She is pregnant, so we have to be careful how we handle her. That little baby can’t help who its parents are.”

“That’s good to know; I won’t manhandle her none.”

Lance held out his hand and the sheriff quickly took it and shook. “It’s good to have someone on my side in this, Arnold.”

“Arnie, Lance. Doc and my mother are the only ones who call me Arnold.”

Lance smiled and nodded. “I understand, Arnie.”

“Now, I know I keep spoutin’ off about Rachel, but I am worried for her, man. Are you goin’ to sit on her, or do I need to try and warn her?” he asked.

“I will deal with Rachel, Arnie. She is a challenge, but I’m up for it.”

“Don’t be too hard on her. She acts tough, but she’s real delicate,” the man advised. “Doc didn’t do her no favors by not takin’ her over his knee when he should’ve.”

“I agree,” Lance answered, and then grinned as he held his hand in a threatening manner. “Miss Rachel is in for a taste of discipline.”

“That is personal and private between the two of you.” Arnie actually blushed.

* * *

Lance went inside the large house and found Mary with her husband, holding his hand and looking at him with love in her pretty blue eyes. “Mary, how is Clay doing?” Lance whispered.

“He is resting peacefully now. He was really afraid for me.”

“Of course he was. He loves you.”

“Oh, yes! I love him too.”

“It shows,” he said, then asked, “Where is Miss Rachel?”

“She unhitched the horses and is putting them in the barn, feeding and watering them. I offered to do it, but I think she wanted to be alone to think about you. Are you really going to spank her? Or just give her a good scolding and give her another chance?”

“Now, Miss Mary, don’t you fret. Rachel needs a good spanking, and it will be given with love. I know it’s awful soon to use that word since I just met her, but I swear it is true. I have never felt like this before, and I’m no kid. I am going to give her all the time she needs to learn to love me, but if she keeps risking her life, she won’t be around to love. She has earned a lesson.”

“She’s really nice.”

Lance chuckled. “Yes, she is really nice. You take care of Clay now, and don’t be worried about Rachel. She is safe with me; I’m only going to dent her pride and injure her dignity a bit. She will be sassy as ever by tomorrow evening.”

“But—”

“Mary, enough. You know better,” Clay said firmly, although his eyes were closed in pain. “Doc told me all about Rachel while he was trying to keep me in bed. No more interference from you,” he warned.

Mary chewed on her lip. “She risked her life to help me, Clay!”

“Yes, she did. The man is right to take her in hand. He loves her. Don’t make him feel guilty.”

“But—”

“Mary Maxwell Carson, I have a long memory, and I won’t always be this weak.”

“Mary is a good friend to Rachel; I can’t fault her for wanting to protect Rachel.” Lance turned and left the room, fairly positive the pretty blonde was in for a scolding he didn’t wish to witness.

Lance saw the light coming from the open barn door as soon as he rounded the house. He moved quietly and watched as Rachel quietly took care of the horses. She gave them feed and made sure their water troughs were full, before picking up a brush and brushing their coats. He heard her singing softly to the animals and applauded when she was finished.

Rachel jumped, and then felt herself blush with embarrassment at being caught singing to the animals. And it just had to be Lance who caught her! That made her embarrassment that much worse. “You startled me, Lance!”

“I didn’t mean to do that; I was enjoying your singing. You have a pretty voice.”

“I sing well enough for an audience of horses,” she said with a short laugh. She was suddenly nervous as she recalled his earlier threats. He didn’t seem angry now, however, and that was a good thing. “Did you have any trouble with Arnie?” she asked.

“He is more intelligent than he appears, little one. I told him the truth, and I suspect he is very sorry he gave you an earful. Your father gave him what for, and then I told him why you came home and he felt like an ass for saying the wrong thing and earning your temper. If he shows up to say sorry, I would take it as a personal favor if you were gracious. I would rather he have my back than find something else to do if the entire Cane Gang comes to town.”

“Arnie is a royal pain.”

“He is concerned about you and your safety. He knows what Cane would do to you if he spotted you. I told him I asked you to remain in the house and out of sight.”

“I can’t do that, and you know it. I need to see Cane behind bars. I’m going to watch his girlfriend like a hawk when she gets here. He won’t leave town without her, and my guess is that he will sneak into town and into her room and stay hidden there. He will want her, unless her pregnancy repulses him.”

“You shouldn’t know these things,” Lance scolded. “Your father has been much too open and honest around you!”

“Nonsense! My mother made sure I was educated enough to protect myself from men who would try to force me or cajole me into doing things that belong solely in marriage. I learned basic anatomy from Papa, but Mama taught me that some men are not to be trusted.”

“Do you trust me?” Lance asked of Rachel, and held his breath as he waited for her to reply.

“I trust you implicitly,” she answered, and then smiled shyly. ‘You are a good, honest man.”

“I keep my word,” he said, nodding. “I promised you a spanking if you disobeyed me and left the house, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but there were extenuating circumstances. I felt it was important to tell you about Mary so we could help her. I didn’t disobey you just to disobey you.”

“I know you didn’t, but you did disobey me, and you put yourself at risk. I will not tolerate that, Rachel Waterford. I care deeply for you, and I will never permit you to put yourself at risk for any reason at all. Riding after me was bad enough, but when I told you to stay with the horses at the ranch, you defied me and followed me to the house.”

“Where I just happened to save your life!” she reminded him.

“Where you just happened to save my life,” he admitted. “I am grateful for that, Rachel, but you put yourself at risk in order to help me do what is my job. Why would you do that?”

“I wanted to help. There were three of them, and I am a good shot. They were shooting at you, not at me!”

“Thank God!” He breathed the words and then reached for her, taking her wrist in one hand and reaching for the heavy brush with his other. He took it from her and tossed it into the open box where those items were kept. “I told you to remain home; you didn’t listen to me. You put your life at risk without a single thought about the consequences, and I intend to make sure the consequences are serious enough you will think the next time you are tempted to disobey me and risk your safety by butting into something you shouldn’t.” He pulled her resisting form over to an empty bench.

“No! No, no, no!” Rachel pulled against him, trying to stop him before he could do as he intended, and she was sure it was his intention to put her across his knee and spank her, just as he’d promised earlier that evening! “No, Lance! You can’t!” she protested.

“I can and I will,” he said firmly, taking a seat and then pulling her resisting body down over his lap. When she started kicking wildly, he pinned her legs under the calf of his right leg, forcing her rounded derriere into the position he wanted, which strained against her clothing. Her bottom looked pretty in the tightened britches she was wearing. “This is long overdue, Rachel Waterford.”

“If you dare spank me, I’ll get even!” she threatened, and it was good she couldn’t see his face. He was laughing at her!

“You do that, honey,” he replied. “I certainly dare!” He brought his hand down on her vulnerable backside with a loud crack. “I dare to do it again, too!” He gave her another swat, and this time she cried out.

“I hate you!” Rachel shouted. “You are being hateful and mean!” Lance spanked her again and again, and Rachel feared she was going to start crying. Her bottom burned and hurt, and he showed no sign of stopping. “Let me go right now! You are hurting me!”

“A spanking is supposed to hurt, young lady. That is why it works as a punishment and a deterrent to doing things you shouldn’t be doing.” He did reduce the force behind the spanks, however. He didn’t want to bruise her, and as a redhead, she was likely to have delicate skin.

Rachel didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Her poor bottom felt like he’d lit a fire on her skin and she burned and hurt! “Please, no more!” she begged, and when his hand fell again, she burst into tears, crying loudly. She couldn’t help herself. The pain was so intense she simply couldn’t bear it in silence for another moment.

Lance was shocked that she was crying so loudly, her body shuddering with the force of her sobs. He’d gone too far, he quickly realized. He gently helped her to stand, and then he stood and pulled her against him to allow her to cry. Rachel sobbed as if she was suffering from unbearable grief, and Lance felt guilty as hell. “It’s all over now, honey. It is done. You won’t disobey me and risk your life again, now will you?” His words were gentle and meant to offer comfort.

“I thought it was important tonight, Lance. I wasn’t trying to be a brat,” she insisted. “I’m sorry you were so upset.” She started sobbing again, and he felt helpless to console her.

“Don’t cry, honey. I’m not upset with you now. I just want to keep you safe. Can you understand that?” he asked, wishing he’d talked to her a bit more before he spanked her. “Did I injure you? Was I too rough, too harsh with you?” he asked.

“No. I hate to cry in front of anyone because I am not dainty and ladylike about it. It really did hurt, but I knew I had it coming. I’m not upset now. Please don’t spank me again, Lance. I will try very hard to be good and obey you. I thought I was doing the right thing. I wanted to get help for Mary, and that seemed vitally important. I disguised myself as best as I could. Please forgive me.”

“You were forgiven the moment I saw you, honey. I wouldn’t have spanked you, but I can’t ignore outright disobedience, especially when it could place you in danger. Do you understand my point?” he asked, hugging her close.

“Yes, sir, I do. How on earth do children tolerate a spanking? I am a grown woman and it hurt so much I couldn’t bear it! It is much to harsh for a child!”

“A man spanks his woman much differently than his child, honey. I gave you a firm lesson. I would never spank a little one like that.”

“That is good to know. I didn’t know a simple spanking could hurt so much.”

“Be honest now; was it too much? Do you think me a brute?”

“No, you are not a brute. I was pushing, and you did what you promised to do. It really hurt, but the worst part was not knowing when it would stop.” Then she added, “I like being held like this. Please don’t let go,” she whispered, laying her head on his chest. “I feel so safe right now.”

Lance was humbled. He was pretty darn sure that Rachel’s meekness wouldn’t last too long, but it proved he was correct in assuming a good spanking was exactly what she needed to get her attention for a good talking to. He tipped her chin upwards so he could look into her eyes. “May I kiss you, Rachel?”

“Please do,” she answered, and almost swooned when his lips met hers and kissed her so sweetly. “Oh!” she breathed. “That was perfect, Lance. You kiss so well!”

“I could do this forever,” he admitted, claiming her lips again. His hands went to the seat of her pants and gently rubbed, wondering if he could be lucky enough to find a woman who got hot from a sound spanking. It didn’t take long to find out.

The little redhead was kissing him passionately and moaning as his hands massaged and caressed her backside. “That feels so good!” she gasped. “What is happening to me? I feel as though I want you to do something more, but I am not sure what I want or need.”