His Errant Educator (Willamette Wives Book 3)

by Maggie Ryan

  "Do it right, with her understanding you are disciplining her because you truly care about her safety or to help guide her into becoming a better person. I promise she'd learn soon enough that you wouldn't bother if you didn't care for her."

  His words had Agatha silently chastising herself for the eye roll. She might not be as eager to voice her belief or admit that he was right, but she had never doubted that while yes, Wyatt spanked her, he did so because he loved her.

  Roger's deep sigh pulled her from her thoughts. "I'm not sure Teresa would believe that, Wyatt. All I know is that perhaps it's a good thing she didn't show her face again. If she had, I'm not sure I wouldn't have chanced a bullet just so I could give that gal a lesson she wouldn't forget."

  Agatha felt her bottom clench as if recognizing exactly what sort of lesson that would have been. She wasn't the least bit surprised hearing her husband's response.

  "You should have done that before you ever took her home. If you had, I guarantee her attitude wouldn't have been so poor."

  "Well, that's what I really wanted to talk to you about. How did you, Richard, and James find women who allow you to… well, you know?"

  "Lift their skirts, bare their little behinds and spank them soundly?" Wyatt's words, so blatantly offered, had Agatha forgetting she was pretending to still be asleep, and slapping her hand over her mouth when she realized she had gasped quite loudly. Suddenly realizing that her husband's words had sounded far clearer and quite closer than others he'd uttered earlier, she turned to dive back into bed but before she could, she gave a very loud squeal when the door was pulled open.

  Flustered, she said the only thing that came to mind. "Wyatt, you scared me!"

  "I'm sure I surprised you," he countered, his tone indicating that he wasn't the least bit concerned about his choice of a far different word.

  Deciding that it would be best to continue to pretend she'd just awakened, she scolded, "Why didn't you tell me we had company? What must Roger think of our hospitality?" Unable to meet her husband's gaze, she gave him the widest berth she could as she scurried into the living area. "Would you like some coffee, Roger? Better yet, I'm just about to start supper. Why don't you join us?"

  "That's not necessary," Roger said, already rising to his feet. "I just came by to thank you for the loan of your dress, even though I should have asked permission first…"

  "No, no, don't be silly. Of course you are welcome to whatever we have. How is Teresa?"

  Hearing Wyatt chuckle, she made the mistake of glancing towards him, feeling her face heat, knowing that he was very well aware that she'd been eavesdropping.

  "I'm glad you asked," Wyatt said. "We were just discussing the fact that she seems to be having a great deal of difficulty accepting any responsibility for today's trouble."

  "Oh? Um… perhaps she's just, um, embarrassed?"

  "Or, most likely, she knows that such childish behavior, compounded by the refusal to accept any blame, should have earned her a red rear. Wouldn't you agree, sweetheart?" Wyatt asked.

  She was about to pretend not to understand when her eyes slid away only to land on the mantle above their fireplace. Seeing the centerpiece that Wyatt had made, she felt guilt run through her. The broken egg halves sitting on either side of a whole egg represented the fact that together, things need not remain broken—not when two people were honest, loving, and cared about their relationship. Praying that her answer wouldn't have Wyatt deciding to give Roger a far more visual demonstration of what he'd recommended, she sighed, understanding that pretending not to be aware of what the men had been discussing was futile.

  "I… yes, sir." Turning to Roger, she said, "I apologize for listening to your conversation, Roger, but please don't give up on her. I know you aren't happy with her right now, but… well, if you really care for her, don't be too quick to judge her. She obviously cares for you and it would be a shame if you just walked away. Sometimes it is very hard to admit when you are wrong and to… well, to ask for help."

  Roger didn't speak but Wyatt came to her, wrapping his arms around her and giving the top of her head a kiss. "I agree," he said, releasing her after giving her backside a pat. "Women can drive you absolutely crazy, but God knows, life would be incredibly boring without them. No matter how hard it is, no matter how much you might want to give up, I'm telling you… if you feel about Teresa even half as strongly I feel about Agatha, you'll not stop fighting for her until you take your very last breath."

  "I don't intend to give up," Roger said. "I'm just not sure how to proceed. I wasn't joshing when I said that she refuses to accept any blame. Not to mention I'm wondering if her pa wouldn't shoot me if I turned her over my knee."

  "That is a subject which will require a great deal more discussion. And, I promise, it is also something that requires repeated practice."

  "That's what I'm afraid of," Roger said. "I'd better get going. Agatha, I'll get your dress back as soon as I can but I was worried that if I asked for it, Mr. Goldman would have an apoplexy at being reminded of how his daughter left his house wearing one dress, only to return wearing another."

  "I'm sure he would have understood," Agatha said, moving to take her apron from its hook and tying the sash around her waist. "Goodness, even he has to know that it was far more important to get Teresa warm than to worry about her being naked." It wasn't until she heard Wyatt chuckle that she felt her face heating. "I mean… I'm sure you didn't… she didn't…"

  "Start supper, sweetie," Wyatt suggested as he pulled on his coat. "I've still got some chores to do." He dropped another kiss on top of her head before joining Roger at the door.

  After the door closed, she shook her head. It was obvious from the expression on Roger's face that he did indeed care for Teresa. But listening to him talk with Wyatt, she had to wonder if his feelings were strong enough to fight for the young woman. More importantly, did Teresa even want to be the object of his affection? She remembered Roger stating that Teresa had dreams of becoming the town's first schoolteacher, but Agatha couldn't help but wonder if the young woman needed a bit of education herself. She'd spoken the truth when she told Roger that it was sometimes difficult to ask anyone for help. It had taken being miserable for a few months before she'd finally broken down and begged her new husband to help her. It hadn't always been pleasant—heck, sometimes it had been downright painful when she'd earned a harder spanking—but with his love and constant demand for honest communication, their marriage had become not only better, but was what she considered her own slice of heaven on earth.

  The occupants of the ranch were more than business partners or friends. They had become a family; one in which every person would do whatever was in their power to help another. Not a single moment went by when Agatha didn't feel safe, protected, respected, and very much loved. And it certainly helped that she lived on the ranch with two other women who had husbands of the same ilk. Sure, she and the other women sometimes complained or argued over a rule or restriction imposed on them by their husbands, but each had learned that the rules were intended to keep them safe. Yes, there were consequences for misbehavior but each woman knew that once atonement was made for a transgression, they were forgiven. Being able to commiserate with one another, the women's bond of friendship grew stronger with every passing day. Maybe that was the secret—knowing that there was always somebody you could talk to about your fears, worries, dreams, or just to ask questions. Perhaps the fact that Teresa's ma had passed a few years earlier was one cause of her attitude. What the poor girl needed was not to be judged but to be offered a hand of friendship, and an ear—or six. Now that Agatha was satisfied she'd come up with a plan, all she needed was to get with Anna and Charity to decide how to put it into action.

  As she began to wash the dishes they'd left from the noon meal, Agatha smiled. Having to clean up the kitchen in order to be able to start preparations for supper was just one example of how rules could be bent. Not too long ago, she would have felt guilty and been una
ble to think of anything but the fact that she'd left a chore undone. Wyatt had taught her that there were times when just having fun or spending time together were more important than a chore. Sure, chores couldn't be left undone for too long but, well, who cared if a dish or two sat waiting while she lay in her husband's arms after making love?

  ***

  It wasn't until three days later that Agatha had a chance to talk to her friends. Matthew had informed the men that he'd spotted what he believed were the tracks of a large elk in the snow when running the fence line. Deciding that fresh meat would be welcome, the men were going out to hunt and the women had gathered at the Wilcox home to spend the day together. After reminding their husbands to be careful and receiving kisses, the three friends waved from the porch until the horses disappeared over a ridge.

  "I swear, they are as excited as little boys," Anna said as she gently rocked Johnny in her arms.

  Charity giggled as she and Agatha spread a quilt out on the floor in front of the fire. "I suppose they are just excited to be tracking something other than deer. I wonder if elk tastes different than venison?" She handed her eldest daughter, Hope, her doll and Agatha handed the girl a cookie once she'd settled down onto the pallet to play.

  "Forget elk, we have something far more important to discuss," Agatha said. "I call a meeting."

  "Is everything all right?" Charity asked, turning her attention to her youngest daughter, Grace, and changing her diaper.

  "That's what we need to discuss," Agatha said.

  "Don't start the clock without me," Anna said, "let me put Johnny down." It took another few minutes before both Johnny and Grace were asleep in Agatha's bed. After refilling their coffee cups and putting the plate of cookies in the middle of the table, Agatha took her chair.

  "I guess it's not a real Tick-Tock meeting," Agatha confessed. "I mean, I don't want to talk about me."

  "Ah, so Wyatt forgave you for that sledding fib?" Anna asked, her eyes twinkling.

  "Let's just say that if spending the better part of the afternoon wrapped in his arms is the price I'll pay for a teensy fib, then I'll gladly pay that fee any time." She paused and then giggled. "Even if my behind was a trifle warmer than the rest of me." Her friends smiled and nodded, each having experience with exactly what Agatha meant.

  "Well, if you aren't going to go into more detail than that, who are we going to discuss?" Charity asked.

  "Teresa… well, Teresa and Roger."

  "Ah, I've been wondering what happened. I saw Roger talking with Richard the other day. They were talking too quietly to hear but both looked rather serious. I wouldn't have thought anything of it except that when they saw me, they both started talking at the same time, as if to throw me off. Of course, the fact that Richard was talking about cows and Roger about horses… needless to say, I had to wonder. What do you know?"

  "Just that I'm afraid Roger might have decided that Teresa isn't worth the trouble," Agatha said. She'd just finished giving them a rundown of what she'd heard being discussed when the three were startled by a knock on the door.

  "Who could that be?" Anna asked.

  "I have no idea," Agatha said, rising from her chair.

  "Be careful," Charity warned.

  Nodding, Agatha glanced at a rack Wyatt had placed next to the door. The holster he'd made her hung there, her revolver tucked securely in its place. Before she reached for it, she peeked out the window.

  Lifting the latch, she opened the door. "Ma, this is a surprise."

  "I hope a pleasant one?" Catherine said.

  "Of course it is. Come in… oh, hello, Reverend Jorgensen. I'm afraid you just missed the men. They've gone hunting."

  "Good morning, Mrs. Wilcox. Don't mind me. I was out early, posting some flyers. When I got to the restaurant, Benjamin suggested that since I was heading out this way, it would be nice to drop Catherine off for a visit."

  "That's very thoughtful of you," Agatha said. "Won't you at least come in for a cup of coffee?"

  "No thank you. I'm heading out to the Colby farm. Margaret just gave birth and I wanted to go by and let them know when the christening can take place."

  "Oh, that's wonderful," Charity said. "We've been wondering ourselves, since the last one was… um, well, you know."

  "I do," Isiah stated. They all did. The christening planned earlier in the year had been cancelled when Wallace Thompkins had appeared instead of Isiah. With the snows beginning immediately afterwards, parents who had planned on having their children christened had been waiting. With the unanimous vote to offer Reverend Jorgensen the position of their town minister, it seemed that the event could now take place.

  "When will it be?" Anna asked.

  "In a couple of weeks. The town council has decided that it would be a great idea to hold a dance that same weekend. As long as people are coming in for the christening, well, what better time than to have a bit of fun as well. It can get rather lonely when it's difficult to visit with all the snows we've been having. That's why I had the posters printed up. I'm hoping to see you all there?"

  "We wouldn't miss it," Anna assured him.

  "Are you sure you wouldn't like a cup of coffee, Isiah? It's still quite chilly and I'm sure the girls wouldn't mind…"

  "Now, Catherine, stop fussing. I didn't bring you all the way out here just so you can wait on me. I'm fine."

  "If you're sure…"

  Agatha watched, her eyes widening when she saw him reach for Catherine. Her breath caught in her throat as her tummy flipped, remembering how often she'd heard a man's sharp words belittling her ma whenever she'd dared to question him. Before she could react, she saw that Isiah was only helping Catherine remove her cloak and heard him speaking without rancor. "I'm positive. I'll be back in a few hours. Perhaps I'll have a cup when I return." After handing her a package wrapped in brown paper that he'd had tucked beneath his arm, he said his goodbyes and turned to leave.

  "Come, sit down," Anna said, going to where her friend stood and gently closing the door, a quizzical expression on her face.

  "I'll get you a cup of coffee," Charity volunteered, jumping up as Catherine went to the quilt and knelt down to say hello to Hope.

  "Agatha?"

  "Hmmm…"

  "Are you all right?" Anna asked quietly.

  "What?" It took a second but the question drew Agatha from her thoughts. "Oh, yes, I'm fine." Looking over to where her mother was listening to Hope's chatter about her doll, she shook her head. "You don't think Ma is, well…"

  "What?"

  "Never mind, it's nothing. I'm just happy to see her. In fact, if you ask me, it's fate."

  "What's fate?"

  "Ma being here, of course. Here we are trying to figure out how to help Roger, and now we have the opportunity to learn what we can about how Teresa really feels."

  "I don't know," Anna said. "Richard isn't a fan of gossip."

  "It's not gossip if it's the truth," Agatha said with a wave of her hand. "Besides, it's only fair. I mean, I'm sure our husbands are talking to Roger about how they think he should handle Teresa. Wouldn't you agree that, as females, it's our responsibility to help Teresa if we can?"

  "I don't know," Charity said, having joined the two. "What if she doesn't want us to interfere?"

  "We're not interfering, we're helping," Agatha insisted, ending the discussion by stepping away and calling to her mother. "Ma, I'm so glad you stopped by. Perhaps you can help us?"

  "Of course I will, if I can," Catherine said, handing the doll back to Hope. "I think she'd like to hear a story, don't you?" she suggested to the little girl. Hope seemed to consider the suggestion and caused the women to laugh when she announced that her dolly would appreciate a story and a cookie. Agatha held up the plate, and after Catherine chose one and passed it to Hope, she joined the others, who had reseated themselves around the table.

  Chapter Six

  Catherine accepted a cup of coffee and then looked around the table. "My, such stoic faces on s
uch pretty young women. I hope it's nothing serious…"

  "What can you tell us about Teresa?" Agatha asked.

  "Teresa? Teresa Goldman?" Catherine said, her puzzlement apparent in her knitted brow.

  "Yes, that Teresa. What can you tell us about her?" Agatha repeated her question.

  "I'm not one to gossip," Catherine said, shaking her head.

  Ignoring Anna's mumbled, "I told you so," Agatha qualified her question.

  "We aren't looking for gossip, Ma. It's just that Roger is courting her and, well, there was a spot of trouble the other day that caused him some… um… well, let's just say he wasn't too happy with the resolution. We just want them both to be happy."

  "I'm not exactly sure what was said, but Roger didn't appear too pleased when Ben confronted him, and Teresa has been a bit grumpy ever since Saturday. Oh, this for you." Catherine handed the package to Agatha, who opened it to find her dress inside.

  "I'm afraid it got torn but I was pleased when Teresa insisted she mend it herself before I washed it."

  "Torn? How did that happen?" Charity asked as Agatha lifted the hem of the dress.

  "Well, Agatha is taller than Teresa so I suppose it's understandable that her heel caught in the hem. It wasn't really a big tear. You can barely even tell," Catherine explained. "The stitches aren't perfect, but…"

  "That doesn't matter," Agatha said. "I'm just glad she didn't catch her death that day."

  "We all are," Catherine said. "To tell you the truth, I think she is trying to make up for the tantrum she threw when Roger brought her home. She might not care about perfect stitches, but I assure you, she certainly cares about that young man. I think she fears that he might decide she isn't worth the trouble."

  "That's exactly what we need to talk about," Agatha said. "Ma, we want to help her but we need to know where to start. Is she always so… I don't know…"

  "Spoiled?" Anna offered.

  "I wasn't going to say that," Agatha corrected. "I'm sure there is a good reason for her behavior. What do you think, Ma?"