The Rancher's Girl

by Dina Chapel

  “You can’t spank me just because you don’t like what I’m saying!”

  “Try me, little girl. Try me.” Cal stood up from the swing and moved in front of Rose, effectively blocking her exit since he now stood between her and the back door. He wasn’t letting her run away from him.

  “You’re lying to me about something Rose. And I don’t like being lied to.”

  Rose looked down quickly.

  “I want you to sit back down here and tell me what’s wrong. And I want the truth this time.”

  Rose sat down, but didn’t start into talking right away. Cal sat also and started the swing again with his foot; they sat side by side in silence. After a few minutes, Rose spoke.

  “I don’t want a spanking.”

  Again, Cal had to suppress his amusement. She sounded like a little girl. A sullen little girl.

  “Alright, then, Rose. You settle yourself down and tell me what’s going on in that head of yours. Then I won’t feel the need to put you over my knee just to get an honest answer out of you.” Cal eyed her carefully as Rose turned her head and gazed out at the darkness. She seemed to be trying to gather her thoughts. Cal waited patiently. He was a patient man.

  “I thought you’d be at the dance, that’s all.” She continued to stare at the pitch black of night.

  “You missed me?” This time Cal smiled. It didn’t matter anyway, since she wasn’t looking at him. Everywhere but, as a matter of fact.

  “Well, in a manner of speaking.” Now Rose turned in her seat to face him. “But just so you know, there were plenty of handsome men there to keep my mind off of the fact that you weren’t. There, I mean. You weren’t there. Not that you aren’t handsome. I mean, I didn’t mean to say you’re handsome or not, I just meant you weren’t there. But whether or not you’re handsome isn’t what I was trying to say…I—oh goodness! I don’t know what I’m saying!” Rose slapped her frustrated hands down in her lap and wrung them over and over.

  Cal smiled and swung them both slowly. “So…you missed me. And you think me handsome.” He turned to face Rose, who was looking horrified at his takeaway. “Do I have that right?” Cal smiled at her innocently.

  “That’s not what I said, Cal Monroe.” Rose shook her head back and forth almost violently as she spoke. “That’s not what I said at all, and you know it.”

  “And why did you want me to know there were other men there?” Cal spoke slowly, as if he were just deducing Rose’s intentions. “Are you trying to make me jealous, Rose?”

  “NO!” Even Rose seemed to have shocked herself with that vehement denial. “No.” Rose stared out at the night and nothingness again. “It’s just…I’m just…” Rose wrung her hands.

  “I’m waiting Rose. I’m waiting for you to explain why you missed me being at the party to see you dance and socialize with other men.” Cal could’ve sworn he heard her fume. “Sounds almost like you’re trying to play games with me. If that’s the case, I’ll tell you right now that I won’t put up with—”

  “Me?!? I’m playing games?” She had turned on him and he saw the fire in her eyes then. “You’re the one who’s playing games. First you tell me you care for me and then you ignore me completely, and now tonight you kiss me! You can’t…you can’t just…” Rose’s voice was pitching high and sounding a bit hysterical.

  Cal immediately wrapped her up in his arms and instinctively pulled her onto his lap. “SShh, sshh now, sweetheart.” Cal held her tight. “It’s alright. I understand now, I do.”

  Rose pushed against his hug at first, then gave in and let him hold her. “You said you cared for me.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.

  Cal felt like a heel. He had said that. And she had listened and taken it to heart. He meant something to her. Cal was thrilled at this revelation but wanted to kick himself for hurting her at the same time.

  “Rose, honey, I was only trying to give you a little space. After I said that to you, I got to thinking that it might make you uncomfortable. I didn’t want you to feel that way.” Cal shrugged. “So I thought it best that I back off a bit. That’s all.”

  Rose pulled back from Cal and eyed him for a minute, tears shining in her eyes.

  “So you weren’t playing with me, then?” Her eyes narrowed.

  Cal shook his head. “No, ma’am. I don’t play with people’s feelings. How about you?”

  Rose dropped her head immediately.

  “I was just upset that you were ignoring me and, well, I wanted to teach you a lesson, so…” Rose’s voice trailed off as Cal stiffened at this statement.

  “I believe there is a lesson to be learned here, young lady.” Cal made short work then of flipping Rose over and securing her across his lap. She must’ve been shocked by the suddenness of his actions, because Cal didn’t hear a peep of protest from her. “And you’re gonna learn it the hard way it seems, over my knee.”

  Cal lifted her dress and petticoats quickly. They were concealed by darkness on the back porch, but Cal was only planning on spanking her through her drawers. He wouldn’t bare her bottom this time. It would be a quick spanking, to let her know who was boss.

  “Cal, please don’t.” Rose sounded so sad. Cal wasn’t happy about having to spank her so shortly after they had shared their first kiss, but there was nothing for it. She needed to understand who would always be in charge in a relationship between the two of them.

  Cal didn’t say a word. He just started spanking. He struck her bloomer-clad behind firmly enough that he was sure she’d probably be tender tomorrow when she tried to sit. Just enough to make an impression.

  It surprised him that she didn’t struggle at all this time, as she had when he had spanked her after her swim. She just lie over his lap as he spanked. She only began to squirm when Cal had been walloping her backside for a few minutes without pause. He felt the heat of her punished behind through her thin bloomers. He figured the squirm meant she was learning her lesson.

  Cal would not be trifled with that way. Rose needed to understand that. He spanked her just a few more times, then stopped. Cal flipped her petticoats and dress back down where they belonged, but he kept Rose over his lap with an arm across her lower back.

  “Rose, I want you to listen to me.” Cal kept his voice stern. “I do not want you to try to play games like that with me ever again, you hear me?”

  “Yes, sir.” Rose spoke barely above a whisper.

  “I’m a little disappointed in you for doing so, as a matter of fact.” Cal paused. “If you have a problem with something I’m doing or a question about something to do with me—or anything for that matter—you’re to come to me directly and ask me. I will answer you always, or find the answer for you. Are we clear on this?”

  “Yes, sir.” Again the barest of whisper in reply.

  Cal lifted her from his lap then. Rose stood before him with red eyes that refused to meet his.

  * * *

  “Rose, look at me.” Cal voice was stern and commanding. And Rose decided to shake her head anyway.

  Just who did Cal Monroe think he was, anyway? He was not actually her boss, he wasn’t her beau, he wasn’t obviously her brother or father or cousin, and yet, in such a short span of time, he had seemed to appoint himself her keeper, disciplinarian, guardian and love interest.

  Now, he had spanked her. Twice! And she had never before been spanked as an adult, ever! He was treating her like a child, yet she still had all the responsibilities and worries of an adult. Rose inwardly railed at the seeming injustice of the situation she presently found herself in with him.

  Oh, but that kiss! Rose had felt that kiss in her toes and it sure was nice to be held by a man’s strong arms again. As difficult as life with Luke had been, Rose had still enjoyed his touch, a man’s touch. Having Cal hold her and kiss her had left Rose only wanting more. And instead what she got was a spanking.

  “Rose.”

  Cal’s bossy voice broke through her thoughts and she decided to go along for now,
just until she could leave him and go to bed.

  “Do you understand why I spanked you?”

  Rose nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “And you won’t do anything like that again?”

  Rose shook her head. “No, sir, I won’t.” Because I don’t plan on having anything to do with you from this point on, she thought angrily.

  “Good girl.” Cal looked for a moment like he wasn’t quite sure that he believed her. Then he smiled at her. “If you’d like, I could get myself cleaned up a bit and take you back to the party.” Cal raised his eyebrows in question.

  The nerve of this man! Rose thought. It was as if he had never spanked her at all. If he wanted to court her, he’d have to just hold his breath. She imagined that life with Cal Monroe would just be one trip over his knee after the other.

  “No, thank you, Cal.” Rose tried hard to keep her tone light. “I’m feeling rather tired and worn out now, since we’ve been preparing for the party all day. I’d just as soon go inside and go to bed.”

  Rose watched Cal’s face as she spoke. He seemed briefly disappointed and confused initially, then nodded his head in understanding.

  “Of course, Rose, of course. Whatever you want. I’ll see you to the door then and say goodnight.”

  With Cal’s hand lightly pressed against her back Rose walked the short distance to the porch door and turned back to him. She thrust her hand out.

  “Goodnight, Cal.”

  He looked taken aback, then a small smile appeared on his lips. He took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it.

  Rose couldn’t contain her shock. Her mouth fell open.

  “Goodnight, Rose.” Cal released her hand reluctantly. “Sweet dreams.” Then he turned and headed in the direction of the bunkhouse. He started whistling as he went and Rose watched him go, watched him plunk his hat back down his head, before heading in herself.

  Chapter 5

  It wasn’t all that hard to ignore Cal Monroe from that point forward. Things had picked up on the ranch and everyone but everyone had more work than they knew what to do with. Rose herself was kept busy with a multitude of tasks, between helping prepare the daily meals for all the hands, and clean up after, laundry, cleaning the household, tending the chickens, and now they were heading into canning season.

  Every night Rose literally collapsed into her bed and was asleep within minutes, waking again before dawn to start all over again. She was grateful in a way, as the pace kept her from dwelling on the heartache that always dwelt just below the surface. It wasn’t that she wasn’t thinking of him or that she was forgetting him, it just made it less painful to constantly think on it. The days flew by.

  Cal appeared to be the busiest of all, since it seemed that James Arnot entrusted quite a bit of the ranch’s responsibilities to him. When Rose did spy him during the course of the day, it seemed he hardly ever was standing still. He had tried to catch her eye a few times when he had come in to eat during the past few weeks, but Rose had busied herself immediately and was able to effectively ignore him. If he noticed something amiss, he hadn’t mentioned it to her or given any indication.

  Rose was pretty sure that at some point she’d have to deal with Cal Monroe, and sure enough, that day came sooner rather than later. It was midweek, midmorning and Rose had just finished hanging up her third load of laundry on the lines that were set up right next to the Arnots’ small fruit orchard. Leaning down to retrieve her basket, she spied Sara Arnot headed her way.

  “That sun sure does feel good,” she commented, smiling at Rose. “It’s nice and warm.”

  Rose couldn’t help but smile back. “It is, “ she agreed. “I’ll bet these linens will be dry in no time.”

  “I’ll walk you back, Rose. Then I can talk to you.” Sara fell in step with Rose as she headed toward the back porch of the ranch house.

  “Is something wrong, ma’am?”

  “Oh, no, Rose, not at all. It’s just feels a mite more productive to be walking and talking rather than standing and talking.” She smiled at Rose. “Especially when it seems no one has a moment to pause these days. I should have warned you about the amount of work you would be expected to do at this time of year.” Sara stopped walking and put a hand on Rose’s arm. “I hope it’s not too much for you, dear.”

  Rose smiled at the older woman and shook her head. “No, ma’am. Not at all. I’m no stranger to hard work, and the working conditions here are much more pleasant than some other places I’ve worked.” They started in to walking again. “I’m fine, truly.”

  “I’m glad. Now the reason I came to see you is that I thought you might like a little break anyway.”

  They had reached the back porch and Rose put down her basket.

  “I’m sending you into town this afternoon, straight after lunch. We need some supplies from the mercantile. I’ve made a list.” Sara opened the back door and Rose followed her into the kitchen, blinking for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the darkness indoors. “You’ll take the wagon and team. Cal will be accompanying you and can help you with the supplies. We have an account at the store and…”

  Rose was no longer listening to Sara Arnot. After she had said ‘Cal will accompany you,’ Rose hadn’t heard anything else.

  After all this time—it had been weeks—of avoiding the man, now she would be thrown together with him for an entire afternoon, with no one and nothing else to come between. Now what could she do? Rose did not want to spend the afternoon in Cal Monroe’s company. But she couldn’t very well tell Sara Arnot that. The older woman probably thought she was doing Rose a favor. First, by giving her a break from work (and that was awfully nice of her; if it had been anyone else coming along, Rose would have actually appreciated the time away from the ranch) and, second, by giving her time alone with Cal. It seemed that more than a few folks here on the ranch had an idea that Cal and Rose were a potential item, a rumor that Rose herself was none too happy about. But she couldn’t keep folks from talking.

  Sara was still giving her instructions and Rose realized that she should be listening. This was her boss.

  “…so if you could just do your best to get back here in time for supper preparations, Ida and I would most surely appreciate it.”

  Rose did her best to snap out of her own thoughts.

  “Yes, ma’am, of course. I’ll be sure to impress that upon Mr. Monroe also.” She forced a smile. “I’d best get back to the laundry then. I have one more load to wash and hang before we start in to fixing lunch.” She paused. “If that’s alright with you, ma’am.”

  “Yes, dear, you go right ahead.” Mrs. Arnot headed toward the front of the house, adding as she went, “I’ll hold onto that list until you’re ready to go, just in case I think of anything else we need at the last minute.”

  * * *

  Rose was fuming.

  The team and wagon were hitched by the back porch and Rose stood, glad she was in the shade, waiting for Cal Monroe. She had been waiting for a while, at least it seemed that way.

  The nerve of this man! He had to know that time was of the essence, and yet here she was, waiting on him and getting angrier by the minute. Then Rose had a thought.

  Why shouldn’t she just go without him? She knew how to drive a wagon and handle the horses. She had done so several times before, here on the Arnots’ ranch and also back home. She could get a start on things and Cal could just catch up by horse when it suited him. It seemed like a good idea. Rose knew if she stood here for very much longer and got any angrier than she already was, they’d wind up fighting on the way to town. And that might result in Rose getting spanked.

  Cal thus far seemed to have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about taking Rose over his knee whenever he saw fit to. And the way she felt right now made a spanking seem almost inevitable. That was the very last thing Rose wanted.

  Her mind made up, Rose figured to cover herself too. She stepped off the porch and placed her reticule on the seat of the buckboard, then headed t
oward the barn. Stepping through the open doors she paused to let her eyes adjust to the dark indoors. It was so much cooler in the barn also. Rose almost wished she didn’t have to take the long hot ride into town, even though going into town was really a nice break. She knew Mrs. Arnot was favoring her by giving her this task. It could hardly be called work. But staying in the cool dark barn had its appeal right now also. And Rose loved the animals.

  The second her eyes had adjusted she spied Beau down by the third stall.

  “Beau.” Rose called out to him, which was unnecessary, really. He had obviously already seen her and was heading her way, removing his hat as he came.

  “Miss Rose.” Beau smiled. “How are you today?”

  Rose smiled at him. He was so sweet. And harmless. Rose thought wryly that if Beau were to ever court her, he would probably never spank her. The thought held a certain appeal.

  “I missed you at breakfast this morning, Beau.” Rose knew he liked for her to notice him—he always made a point of saying good morning to her. And Rose didn’t miss the pleased as punch look that came over his face at her comment.

  “I was out in the far pasture, tending to some fence.” Beau fiddled with his hat for a moment. “But I should be at breakfast bright and early tomorrow morning, Rose. You can set your clock by me tomorrow, for sure.”

  Rose nodded at him. “That’s good to know. I was wondering if you would do me a favor, Beau.”

  Beau straightened right up at her request. “Why, yes ma’am. Anything. You name it.”

  “I was waiting for Mr. Monroe to join me for the ride into town for supplies. Mrs. Arnot wanted me back before the evening meal, and the day isn’t getting any younger.” Rose paused to smile her sweetest smile at Beau, who couldn’t seem to keep himself from smiling back.

  “Would you be so kind as to tell Mr. Monroe that I’ve gone on without him? I’m sure he can catch up to me swiftly by horse, and this way I can get started on procuring the supplies that Mrs. Arnot wants from the mercantile, without further delay.” She smiled again, sure that the way she had stated her case and the manner in which she had done so, also, ensured that Beau would not only not see fit to argue with her about going on her own, but also not be quite able to remember exactly what she had said in the first place. “Would you please give him that message?”