The Rancher's Girl

by Dina Chapel

  Aw, hell, Cal thought.

  He lifted her gently off his lap. She was certainly behaving as if she had learned her lesson, and learned it well. The spanking was over and done with, as far as Cal was concerned. He felt the overwhelming need to comfort her. He just wasn’t sure how he should go about doing so in a manner that would not be considered inappropriate.

  When Rose was on her feet, her dress and petticoats fell back down, covering her naked bottom, even though Call knew that her drawers were still bunched around her knees. He held her in place between his open legs. She seemed a bit unsteady. She was crying too.

  Rose put both hands to her face, covering it as she cried, and the sight of her looking so forlorn tugged at Cal’s heart. Even though he knew he had needed to spank her to make her understand the danger she had placed herself in, causing Rose to cry wasn’t something Cal had wanted to do. He pulled a clean kerchief from his pocket and then pulled her hands away from her face.

  “It’s alright, Rose.” Cal soothed her as he wiped at her tear-soaked face with the cloth. He found himself relieved over the fact that she didn’t run from him as soon as she was on her feet. “It’s over now. No more spanking, sweetheart.” He was glad that she was letting him tend to her but he didn’t expect what she did next.

  Rose threw her arms around Cal’s neck and began to sob loudly as she held tightly to him. “I’m suh…suh…suh-sorry! I’ll never do it again. I promise.” Rose clung to him and continued to cry.

  Cal decided then to throw all caution to the wind. She obviously needed to be held and comforted and he was going to do just that. It was what he’d wanted to do from the start.

  He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her trembling form this time onto his lap instead of over it. He heard her sharp intake of breath at first when her hind quarters connected with his thigh, but then she gingerly settled in and actually snuggled against his chest, her arms still wrapped around his neck.

  Cal rubbed her back soothingly. “It’s alright. Try to slow down your breathing, honey, okay?” Cal felt her nod against his chest and instinctively stroked her hair and then kissed the top of her head. That sat silently like that, together, for a few minutes, as Rose slowly stopped crying and her breathing returned to normal.

  * * *

  Resting on Cal Monroe’s hard thigh after having been given the spanking of her life by him should have been at the very least unpleasant. Rose knew she should hate the man and never want to speak to him again. She knew she should want to get as far away from him as possible as soon as possible.

  But she didn’t. She didn’t hate him. She didn’t want to get away from him, either. As a matter of fact, the very first thing she had wanted after he had stopped spanking her bare behind was for him to hold her. That was just plain old crazy. She must have lost her mind.

  Rose knew she had deserved that walloping Cal had delivered. She had known all along what she was doing was wrong, but she went ahead and did it anyway. And she wasn’t exactly sure of the why of it. Once she saw the reactions of Cal and the Arnots upon learning what she had done, she felt she should be taken to task. But that spanking had really hurt. And it had embarrassed her too. She liked Cal but now she was sure he only saw her as a misbehaving little girl.

  That was the thought that made Rose rise up off Cal’s thigh and wipe the last of her tears away with the kerchief Cal had produced for that job.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Monroe.” Rose was unable to look him in the eye, preferring to stare down at the floor instead. But she felt his eyes on her as she spoke. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused today. And I’m sorry for ruining your day off. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  Rose felt Cal’s hand under her chin as it gently but firmly lifted her face to his. But she kept her eyes down.

  “Rose, please look at me.”

  She didn’t want to. She was sure she’d see the face of a man looking at a recalcitrant little girl. She didn’t want to see that look.

  “Rose.”

  Cal Monroe had a quality to his person that extended to his voice that Rose just couldn’t help but respond to. She had to obey his directive. She looked up and into his eyes. And what she saw there was not what she expected. Definitely not the look of a man addressing a wayward charge.

  “I want to get a few matters clear between us and then I’ll leave you be.” Cal reached down and took Rose’s hand in his own. “I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry that I had to punish you, but I would do it again, because I want you to have learned your lesson and I believe you have. You scared me today, Rose. You put yourself in such a dangerous position and I don’t like thinking at all about what may have happened to you if I hadn’t been the one to find you there at the pond.”

  Rose felt the tears well up in her eyes again as Cal spoke. He was saying how much he cared for her, without actually saying those exact words.

  “I sincerely hope you keep that promise of yours to never do something like that again.” Cal paused and looked down for a moment, then back up into Rose’s eyes. “I care for you, Rose, and I don’t want anything to happen to you. Do you understand me?”

  Rose could only nod in reply.

  “I didn’t enjoy causing you pain or making you cry, but I’ll spank you again if I have to if that’s what it takes to keep you safe from harm.” Cal stood then, stepped forward and gently kissed the top of Rose’s head. Then he headed for the bedroom door. As he pulled it fully open again, Cal turned back to Rose.

  “You didn’t ruin my day off, sweetheart. Any time spent in your company, even if it’s unpleasant, is better than anything else I could have done.” He turned to go. “And it’s Cal.” With that, Cal left her room, pulling the door nearly closed behind him.

  Rose stepped over and pressed it firmly shut, then stood in shock at his words.

  Chapter 4

  Rose inched toward the door, hoping that no one noticed. She surveyed the scene in the barn as she got closer to the open doors and her escape. Beau was chatting up one of the Winston sisters. There were four of them total, who had arrived with their Ma and Pa not so long ago.

  They were nice enough, a bit too gossipy for Rose’s taste, and also younger than her. She was polite to them the few times she had met them, but the difference in age and experience—Rose had seen and experienced more in the few years more that she had on the eldest Winston girl—made Rose feel like she didn’t belong to them or their age group. Talk of dresses and suitable men seemed frivolous when a body was concerned with having enough to eat and clothes on their back. They had nothing in common, really.

  It was quite the party, though. When Mrs. Arnot had first mentioned they would be throwing their annual barn dance, Rose hadn’t had any idea really how grand an affair it would be. She had attended a few barn dances in her younger days, and they had been nothing compared to this shin-dig.

  There were more people packed inside the barn than Rose had ever seen attend the town’s church services. A full band set up at the far end provided plenty of lively music for dancing and even a slow song or two for the married couples.

  And the food! Why, Rose had seen lesser spreads at every wedding she’d ever attended. Yessiree, these folks sure knew how to throw a party. Seemed like everyone there was having a good time.

  Or maybe they were only pretending to have a good time, like Rose was doing. She didn’t want to be there. But the Arnots would hear none of it. She had no choice but to put on her best fake smile and dutifully attend until it wouldn’t be noticed that she wasn’t there anymore.

  Besides, Rose also had an ulterior motive for being there.

  Cal Monroe had her frustrated and angry beyond all sense. After he had punished her and told her that he cared for her, he proceeded to ignore her. From that day forward. Completely. Rose didn’t know what to make of him. What did he mean to do by telling her those things and acting like he cared, then paying her no mind at all?

  It seemed like a game he was playin
g with her and it made her mad. When Mrs. Arnot told her about the barn dance, she had decided then and there she would attend and have a grand old time. She would dance with any man who asked, with the exception of Cal Monroe. Of course, that shouldn’t pose a problem, since he was ignoring her anyway and therefore most likely would never ask her to dance. But Rose hoped he would. Just so she could turn him down. And she hoped he was watching while she danced the night away with all the eligible men there.

  She wanted to show him that she didn’t care. He was just another man, nothing special. And definitely nothing special to her. And she had started out the evening that way. At first, her plans to have a good time, just to show Cal Monroe a thing or two, worked just fine. Rose danced with several young men and ate and even had a little punch. It had tasted funny and made the room spin a bit.

  But then she noticed something. That she hadn’t noticed Cal. When she actually took the time to place him, she couldn’t see him anywhere! Rose sought out Sara Arnot.

  “The barn dance is a big success,” Rose said to her boss, smiling at the older woman. Mrs. Arnot was an attractive woman and looked quite pretty in her party dress.

  “Yes, I do believe it is.” She smiled back at Rose. “Are you having a good time, dear?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rose tried to remain casual. “Everyone but everyone is here, too…but…you know, come to think of it, now that I’ve said that, I haven’t seen Cal Monroe. Is he here?”

  Sara Arnot was surveying the scene, too, and answered absentmindedly. “No, dear, he’s in town on some last-minute business for Jim. But he should be back in time to enjoy some of this.” She looked back at Rose then, giving the young woman her full attention. “At least I hope so.”

  Rose just smiled in response. “I’m going to get some lemonade. Would you like some, Ma’am?”

  “No thank you, Rose. I’m going to find my husband and have a dance, myself.” She smiled at Rose. “You just keep on enjoying yourself, Rose. You work hard and deserve the break.” She leaned in to whisper conspiratorially in Rose’s ear. “Besides, I’ve seen quite a few handsome young men here that’ve been looking your way. I’m sure your dance card is full, as they say.” With that Sara Arnot wandered off to find her husband, leaving Rose to have the good time she was quite sure she wouldn’t, now that she knew Cal Monroe wasn’t in attendance.

  If Rose was being honest with herself, she’d admit that she’d wanted to make Cal jealous so that he’d realize how much he actually liked her. When Rose looked around the room she didn’t see one man that interested her. Not one of them compared to Cal. There was really no point to remaining now.

  Rose made her way to the open barn doors, hoping her exit wouldn’t be seen and she could just explain briefly in the morning why she had left early. Maybe she could say the spiked punch had made her woozy. She moved slowly so as not to be noticed.

  Slipping through the barn doors at last, Rose stepped nimbly into the cool night air and quickly made her way around the side of the barn, where she knew she wouldn’t be spotted walking toward the house and her escape.

  * * *

  Cal sat in shadow on the back porch of the Arnot’s ranch house and watched as Rose hurried across the way from the side of the barn to the back porch steps. Why wasn’t she inside the barn and dancing with one eager young man after another? She was young and beautiful and she should be enjoying herself. Cal rose up from his chair and stepped forward just as Rose rushed up the steps.

  She shrieked. “Cal!” Rose’s hand went to her throat. “You scared the life out of me!”

  Cal reached up to remove his hat and pressed it against his leg, as he always did. “I’m sorry, Rose. I meant for you to see me before that happened.” He ran his hand through his hair instinctively. Cal wore his hat more often than not and he knew that his hair never looked so good when that hat came off, the few times it did.

  Rose’s hand dropped then. “It’s alright. I’m alright.” She smiled tentatively, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Cal sensed she didn’t really feel much like smiling and only did it for his benefit. Then her brow furrowed.

  “Why are you sitting out here in the dark? Why aren’t you at the barn dance?”

  “I just got back from town, some business for the Arnots, and was tryin’ to decide if I wanted to clean up and head on over to the dance.” He paused. “Of course, now that you’ve left, my reason for going has, too.” Cal smiled at Rose and she looked down shyly. “And why exactly are you heading in Rose? Are you ill?”

  “Um…um…” Rose stuttered.

  She seemed genuinely flustered. Cal realized he had never openly flirted with her before in the way he just had. He hadn’t meant for her to feel uncomfortable with it—or him. He stepped forward to get a closer look at her. It was hard to see in the dark; maybe she was sick. Cal was beginning to feel like a fool for making her stand here talking to him if she was, in fact, ill.

  “It’s alright, Rose.” Cal tried reassuring her as he approached, but she seemed to become even more flustered the closer he got, until he was standing directly in front of her and Rose looked up at him with her mouth open and nothing coming out.

  Cal felt her forehead. “You’re not feverish. What’s bothering you?” He was genuinely concerned now.

  Rose’s mouth opened and closed as she seemed to be trying to say something. “I…I…I’m fine. Fine. Really.” She was taking deep breaths and her chest heaved up and down as she licked her lips. If she wasn’t sick…

  Cal’s hand wrapped around the back of Rose’s head as his fingers buried themselves in her silky hair. Cal heard a soft moan come from deep somewhere in Rose’s throat. His free hand found its way onto her back, pulling her body close to him as his lips descended on her open mouth, her newly moistened lips meeting his with eagerness.

  She wasn’t sick.

  Cal had imagined taking Rose in his arms and it was more than his imagination could have conjured now that she was actually there. She was soft and warm and curvy in all the best places and Cal’s lips and tongue devoured the only part of her he had full access to at the moment.

  She was everything he had imagined and so much more.

  Cal tongue explored her mouth as his hands worked their way over her body—her head, her hair, her back, up and down her sides and hips, her lower back. Cal knew he was bordering on inappropriate and when he felt a gentle pushing on his chest, he acknowledged Rose’s desire for a break. His body needed one for sure; it would take him a few minutes to get control over things, so to speak.

  Cal broke the kiss reluctantly, stepping back just the tiniest bit, but leaving his hands tangled in the hair on the back of Rose’s head. Her lips were wet and swollen from his kiss and she was panting. It did nothing to help Cal’s ability to regain control over his response to her.

  “Rose.” Cal eye’s searched hers for a sign that she felt the same way he did at the moment. He was rewarded with a smile. Rose seemed to be searching his face also in the same way, and he smiled back at her, then absentmindedly stroked her hair. Rose leaned her head into the hand Cal was stroking her head with and the action nearly did him in.

  “Are you okay, sweetheart?” Although he was certain the feeling was mutual, Cal needed to hear it from Rose, that he hadn’t taken advantage of her with that kiss, that she didn’t feel she had to kiss him. He’d never force her into anything. And Cal needed her to know that.

  Rose smiled again and this time it lit up her whole face, reaching her eyes and every place beyond them. She nodded as she smiled. “I’m fine.” She looked down shyly again. “Very fine.”

  Cal lifted her face back up with his finger under her chin. “I’m glad.” Cal kissed her again. It was a tender and gentle kiss, different from the one they had just shared. Short and sweet.

  When he pulled away from her, Rose swayed a bit. Cal held her arms and motioned toward the porch swing. “Would you care to sit with me for a minute? You seem a little unsteady.”

&n
bsp; Rose nodded and moved to the swing, and Cal seated himself beside her.

  “How was the party?”

  “It was nice.” Rose paused. “I’ve never been to such a big affair. The Arnots sure go all out.”

  Cal chuckled at this. “Yes, they do. And they enjoy every minute of doin’ so, too. They’re good folks.” Cal used one foot to gently sway the swing. “So if you’re not ill, why were you leaving the party? Sounds from here like things are in full swing.”

  “I guess I’d just had enough fun for one evening,” Rose stated wistfully, fingering the locket around her neck.

  Cal noticed where her hand was and just nodded in reply, trying to convey his understanding of whatever it was that Rose was struggling with. Whatever it was that kept her from letting go and moving on.

  “If you want to talk about it, Rose, whatever it is that’s troubling you, I’m more than willing to listen.” Cal felt more and more each day that he wanted to be the one that Rose turned to, the one she told her troubles to.

  “Thank you, Mr. Monroe.”

  Cal noticed immediately her change in demeanor. Her cool tone of voice and her use of ‘Mr. Monroe’ instead of ‘Cal’. Now what had he done?

  “But I don’t have any troubles to tell to you.” She had stiffened beside him. “I’m fine. Just tired.” She started to rise and Cal abruptly stopped the swing with his foot. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be saying goodnight.”

  “Now just hold on there, little lady. Not so fast.” Cal grabbed her arm as she turned to walk away. “Sit back down.” Cal pulled her back toward the swing and Rose resisted.

  “I don’t always have to do as you say, you know, Mr. Monroe.” Rose pulled her arm to release it from his grip. “I’d like to go to bed.”

  Cal shook his head at her. “No. The only place your fanny is going is right back in the seat next to mine.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Unless of course you’d like to go over my lap for a quick spanking? Seems you need help settling down.” Cal watched in amusement—but did his best to conceal it—as Rose’s mouth fell open at this last statement.