by Maggie Ryan
Sitting up gingerly, she pulled the quilt to her chin, wincing as her weight settled onto her bottom. Sighing, she stood up instead, instantly feeling much better. She noticed that the day seemed very bright and that Richard was not in the wagon with her. Dropping the quilt, she blushed when she saw that her husband had left a pan of water on top of the barrel. Washing quickly, she then dressed, trying not to gasp too loudly as she bent and stretched in the confines of the wagon, her movements pulling the welts tighter across her nates and the backs of her legs. Richard was evidently taking his job of being her husband seriously in all aspects and, despite her discomfort, she had to admit she felt loved and protected.
Taking a deep breath, she rubbed her bottom just once, quickly in case Richard looked in the wagon. Undoing her hair, she brushed it and braided it once again, deftly putting it up with pins. The quilts and the pallet were folded, the pillows moved to a trunk to allow room to move around in the wagon. It didn't take long to tend to these chores, as the space was small and organized. She looked around to make sure everything was as neat as it could be before pushing through the canvas flap. Richard was standing at the fire, stirring something in the heavy cast iron pot hanging over the flames. James was talking to him, and both men looked up when they heard the wagon creak.
"Good morning, wife," Richard called as he put the spoon down. Anna smiled; she'd never tire of his addressing her as 'wife'. He quickly strode towards her, lifting her from the wagon and holding her suspended as he kissed her loudly.
"Good morning, husband." She giggled as he smacked her lips again.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, setting on her feet and leading her to the fire.
She blushed, seeing James watching them, but lifted her eyes. "Sore, but otherwise fine. Good morning, James."
"Good morning, Anna. Charity and I are going to head into town later, and I came over to see if you and Richard wanted to go with us. Harriet is going to watch Hope."
Anna clapped her hands and then dropped them to her sides. She looked over at Richard and then back at James. "Thank you, but I-I don't think I can go. If Harriet wants to, I'll be glad to watch baby Hope."
Richard stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Honey, don't you want to go?"
"I thought I wasn't allowed to go into town because I was naughty."
He turned Anna in his arms and lifted her chin with one finger. "Sweetheart, you weren't allowed to go yesterday, and your bottom has paid the price for your disobedience. You've been punished and it is over and done with. I think it will be nice to go with James and Charity, and I'll even treat everyone to a real sit-down lunch. Unless, of course, you plan on being naughty before breakfast?"
Though Anna was pretty sure he was teasing, she remembered how she had rubbed her bottom. "I'm not planning to be but I did, um, rub a little." She blushed hearing James chuckle, with Richard's laugh joining his.
Richard looked down at his concerned wife. "Sweetie, the no rubbing rule only applies to the day the punishment is given."
Anna beamed up at him, happiness shining in her eyes, and bounced on her toes. "Oh, thank you!" She turned back to James. "We'd love to go with you. When can we go? I'll get my bag."
James's chuckle turned into laughter. "You've got time. I figured we might want to eat breakfast first. How about we come over in a while and then we can make a day of it?" Anna giggled and agreed, giving him a wave as he walked back to his wagon.
Richard bent down and kissed his wife. A sharp hiss made her turn to the fire. She shrieked and grabbed the spoon, stirring the rapidly bubbling oatmeal that was threatening to either spill over or turn into inedible glue. Richard laughed and relinquished the meal preparation to his wife.
As they ate, they made a list of items they needed to restock. Richard walked down to the river and brought a bucket of water to the fire, where Anna was cleaning up after the meal. They worked together, comfortable in the routine.
Anna sang softly as she worked. She had initially felt awkward facing not only her husband, but James as well. However, when both men treated the day as a brand new one, not lecturing or looking disappointed in her for her behavior the day before, she realized that forgiveness meant just that—she'd been punished and forgiven, with a fresh slate before her. Her punishment hadn't been easy but she accepted the lesson given by Richard, accepting him as both her husband and her disciplinarian—a rather thorough disciplinarian at that. When she bent to lift the heavy cooking pot, she winced at the pull of her skin across her swollen bottom. Before she could straighten up, Richard took it from her and stowed it away in the wagon.
"Thank you," she said, reaching back to rub at her posterior.
"Come here, Anna. I just remembered that your Ma sent a gift as well."
Trepidation filled her as she went to him. Her Pa's gift had included the awful strap and her journals. She couldn't imagine her Ma having anything to add to the array; especially since the hairbrush she had used to spank her daughter was already being used daily. Richard swung her up and into the wagon, then followed. She watched as he lifted the lid of one of the storage boxes along the side of the wagon. Her fingers plucked nervously at her skirt.
As he rummaged through the box, lifting out items and setting them aside, he looked back over his shoulder. "Go on and remove your drawers and lift your skirt."
Anna fought back the tears that threatened to well in her eyes. Not understanding what she might have done to have him tell her to bare her bottom, she still obeyed. Yesterday's lesson was very fresh in her mind—as well as still feeling as if it had been freshly painted across her backside.
Richard found what he was looking for and turned again. Anna was standing with her back to him; her skirt held at her waist, her drawers at her ankles. Her small bottom was still a bit pink, welted, and a few dark spots indicated where the paddle had left small bruises.
"Go ahead and brace your hands on the back of the bench," he went on.
Anna took a step forward and gripped the wood of the seat where they normally sat. When her dress slid down, she released one hand to drag it back to her waist.
"I'm sorry, Richard."
"It's fine. Go ahead and take it off so it won't slide down again."
She stood and unbuttoned her skirt, letting it fall to her feet. She bent over again, her hands returning to the bench. Losing the fight to keep her tears at bay, her shoulders began to shake as tears poured down her cheeks. What would he use to spank her with? He obviously wasn't going to use his hand or her paddle, as he not only had gotten something from the box, but he hadn't pulled her across his knees. It was not the strap, as he hadn't pulled the barrel to the center of the wagon. Her suppositions were interrupted when she felt his hand pushing her chemise up higher onto her back, as if to make sure not a single inch of her rear wasn't properly bared. Shuddering, she closed her eyes and prayed that whatever it was, it wouldn't cause her to cry too loudly.
"Anna, what's wrong?" Richard asked, when he felt her shaking under his hand. Hearing a soft sob, he pulled her upright and turned her to face him. Her cheeks were wet and her lips trembling. "Sweetheart, what is it?"
She shook her head, angry with herself. She had been determined to show him that she could be the obedient wife—one who didn't question his authority or his decisions.
"Annabelle, open your eyes and tell me why you are crying. Why are you shaking like a leaf?"
Her eyes opened, tears glimmering in the green depths. "I didn't mean to be naughty."
"Naughty? Honey, you haven't been naughty. Why would you think that?"
Her eyes widened. "I thought you were angry with me. Aren't you going to spank me?"
Richard shook his head and then seemed to understand her reaction. "Oh, Anna, no. Sweetheart, I just want to put some of this on your arse."
She finally looked down and saw a familiar jar. Her entire body relaxed as she recognized it as one containing the salve her Ma would apply to her bottom if her Pa a
llowed her any comfort after a session in the barn. Blushing hotly, she looked up at her husband. "I thought you were getting something to spank me with."
Pulling her to his chest, he wrapped his arms around her. "Honey, I won't ever spank you unless you've been naughty and we have discussed it. I'm so sorry you were frightened. I just know that you are hurting, and since we've got some walking to do, I wanted to make you as comfortable as possible. Will you let me put some salve on your arse?"
Nodding, she looked up at him. "Yes, sir. I'd like that very much."
As he gave her a kiss and turned her back to the bench, she bent over and relaxed. Her chemise was pushed up once more and, though she cringed when his hand touched her bottom, she gave a soft moan when he knelt behind her and began to apply the salve. Looking back over her shoulder, she smiled at the look of concentration on his face. He was obviously trying to be as gentle as possible. "Richard?" she said softly, and when his eyes lifted to hers, she smiled. "Um, why do you call my bottom an 'arse'?"
He gave her a quizzical look, then shrugged. "Because it's your arse." He paused and grinned. "And it's a beautiful arse at that."
Anna giggled, heat flooding her cheeks as well as her entire body. She'd never thought hearing a man speak of something so personal could make her tingle.
"Does it bother you?" he asked, smearing another dollop of the salve onto her buttocks.
"No, sir, but Pa never called it that."
"Well, little one, I'm not your Pa and I like your bottom." He paused as he cupped her tender cheeks in his hands. "I like your backside, your tush, your fanny." His fingertips moved to glide softly across her skin. "I like your butt, your posterior, your derrière, your beautiful heart-shaped hiney." His fingers, slick with the ointment, slid lower to run along the crease of her bottom cheeks where the strap had left two thick welts, pressing a bit harder at her sharp gasp. "But, Annabelle Andrews, I simply adore your arse." With that, he bent forward and kissed each of her cheeks, his hands on her thighs, nudging her legs open before sliding a hand to cup her core, a finger pushing just the barest inch inside her.
Anna felt flushed all over, the salve soothing her backside and her heart pounding at the sensations his fingers and his kiss were causing. She watched as her husband put the stopper back into the jar and set it aside. When he pulled her to him, she went eagerly, her arms lifting to wrap around his neck.
"Let me see if I can soothe you another way," he said huskily, his lips moving to take hers, his tongue pushing inside to tangle with her own. His hands slid up beneath her chemise, his fingers finding her taut nipples, flicking them until she was on her tiptoes, moaning into his chest. Richard turned her around and led her hands to grip the bench once more. "And, Anna, I love more than just your beautiful arse."
She was breathing heavily, her bottom soothed but her body on fire. Looking back, she saw him unbutton his pants and pull his cock free. Feeling moisture trickle down her thighs, she moaned and spread her legs wider, pushing her pelvis up in her eagerness for him to take her. When he stepped behind her and pushed inside her cunny, she moaned loudly. "Yes, oh, Richard, that feels so good."
He pushed fully inside as his fingers slid through the curls of her mound to trap her clittie between them. Anna moaned at the incredible sensation as he manipulated the swollen bud as it throbbed with his touch. He fucked her hard, his groin slapping against the slick cheeks of her arse as she cried out in passion.
"That's it, sweetheart. I love hearing you moan when I fuck you. God, woman, I will never ever tire of taking you; of feeling your cunny pulling me deep inside. Cum for me, Anna, cum as I fuck you. I want to feel your cunt milking my cock as your cream provides a balm for my shaft."
She cried out his name as ripples began to build, her knuckles white from clenching the bench. His demands she cum for him, his coarse words, had her not caring about anything except to obey, to please her husband.
"Now, Anna, cum now."
If it weren't for his arm around her waist, she felt sure she would have collapsed as she exploded, every nerve in her body firing with a pleasure she'd never grow tired of, one she'd want to experience a million times. She felt him erupt inside her, filling her, his fingers continuing to slide and pinch her clittie until she screamed loudly as she came again, the contractions causing her legs to shake and her head to drop to rest on the seat of the bench.
Richard exhaled loudly, his chest against her back as he regained his breath. Standing, he adjusted his clothing and then helped Anna to stand, pulling her against him once more. Smiling, she looked up at him, the confusion gone from her eyes to be replaced by a look that spoke of contentment, of love.
"Better?"
"Much," she said as he bent to kiss her. "But I'm not sure how steady my legs are. You might have soothed my arse, for which I am most grateful, but, sir, you have loved me so well that I feel as if I have no bones in my body."
Chuckling, he kissed her again. "Good thing you are such a strong, young thing. Of course, if you don't recover quickly, I suppose you can stay and rest in the wagon today."
Anna pushed away. "Imagine that; I'm feeling stronger already." She thought he was teasing, but wanted to make it clear that she really wanted to explore the town; this time with her wonderful husband beside her.
He smiled and told her to stay as she was. He jumped from the wagon only to return a moment later with a bit of cloth that he had dipped into the pan of water still on the fire. Though she blushed, she accepted his gentle cleansing and his help dressing. He gave her another kiss before he jumped from the wagon again.
"I'm going to go check on the oxen. Why don't you make sure your list is complete? It will be about time to go when I get back."
Anna nodded as he took the feed bags and turned to walk away. "Richard," she called and he turned back. "I'll stay at the wagon, I promise."
He looked back to see her smiling, and grinned at her. "I know you will, sweetie." He gave her a wave and walked towards the area where all the oxen were tethered.
Anna finished packing up all the cooking utensils and breakfast items and then looked through their supplies. She wrote down items they hadn't thought of during breakfast. Seeing something white lying between two barrels, she fished out her ruined drawers. Blushing, she remembered being shocked as Richard had torn them from her, and with a smile, decided to add some sewing thread to their list. She was through checking their supplies when she heard someone calling her. Looking through the flap, she waved to Harriet.
Harriet waved back. "Good morning, honey."
Her husband smiled. "May I help you down?"
Anna nodded and allowed the older gentlemen to steady her as she climbed from the wagon. "Thank you Mr.—oh, I mean Doctor Williams."
Robert smiled down at the tiny woman. "Now, Mrs. Andrews, it's just Doc or Robert, and it is my pleasure. You certainly look like a ray of sunshine today."
Anna blushed. "Thank you. It must be my red hair."
"No, it's the way you are absolutely glowing," he countered.
"Robert, I fear you are embarrassing the poor thing."
"Doctor, please call me Anna." She turned to his wife. "Harriet, thank you for helping with our clothing yesterday. I appreciate it."
Harriet gave the young woman a hug. "Think nothing of it. That's just what friends do. Robert is going to help me pick up Hope and anything she needs. We are thrilled to be allowed to play with her today; she is just a joy and we miss our own children."
Anna smiled. "Is there anything I can get you while we are in town?"
Harriet thought for a moment. "Well, Robert made a list to give to James, but if you go to the general store, would you mind picking me up a needle? I can't seem to find mine, and I have quite a bit of mending to do."
Anna giggled, remembering her torn drawers. "Certainly. I have to get some thread and a needle myself. Um, could you help me later and show me how to mend? I'm not very good at sewing. My sister Margaret was a great seamstres
s but I seem to be all thumbs."
Harriet agreed, and the couple left to go get baby Hope. Anna looked around for Richard but he was not in sight. She began to follow the couple over to the Blakemores' wagon but then stopped short. Remembering her promise to stay at the wagon, she had no intention of disobeying again. Sighing, she turned back and spent some time picking at the fire, straightening the ring of rocks, then gingerly sat on a stool, waiting for everyone to get ready. She was thrilled that Richard was allowing her to go into town and realized that he was not one to hold grudges. She was smiling and picking at a stalk of grass when he returned. He smiled when he saw her at the fire and called her name. Anna looked up and then jumped into his arms, almost knocking him backwards.
"Whoa, hold up honey. Let me put the feed bags away. Do you have your list?"
"Yes, may we go now? I never left the wagon, I promise! Please?" she asked, her feet dancing as she hung onto his arm.
He grinned and nodded, putting the feed bags away, then took his wife's hand. They walked over to the Blakemores' wagon and found that Harriet and Robert were receiving last minute instructions from a nervous Charity.
Seeing Richard, James said, "Honey, I'm sure Miss Harriet knows how to handle a baby. After all, I believe she raised seven herself. Let her go now. We'll be back sooner if we get going." Charity smiled and kissed Hope once again, giving her daughter a wave as the baby cooed in Harriet's arms.
Charity looked wistfully across at them and then, as if she'd suddenly decided that Harriet probably did know what she was doing, she smiled at Anna. "Okay, I'm ready to go." James took her hand and the two young couples started their walk to town.