It hurt to think that she would not be allowed to see her sisters, who were all younger than her, and all married already. Her eyes brightened when she realized that she was married, too.
Sometime in the future she and Joshua would have children, and they would be happy together. She swore that she would never, ever force her daughters to marry anyone against their will. Theirs would be love matches, just like she and Josh were.
* * *
“I don’t like it there. I want to move the bed nearer to the window.”
Josh put his hands on his hips and sighed as Corbin sat down on the mattress.
“Sarah, we’ve discussed this. I don’t want cold air from the window blowing on me while I sleep.”
“Then move it so my side is near the window. I like the cool air during the night.”
Corbin laughed and stood. “As much as I’d love to stay around and chat, I have a wife to go home to. Ruby says you’re invited to dinner, by the way. She figures you wouldn’t have time to cook seeing as how you’re getting settled in your new house.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed. “New house? I’ve lived here for ages.”
“Maybe you have, but I haven’t,” Josh said. “We’ve only been married a few weeks, and technically this is our new house, even though it’s really Becky’s old house.”
Sarah supposed that he was right. Still, everything had happened so quickly that it was hard to take it in. She and Josh were married, and Becky went back to St. Louis with Earnest when he left. She was living with Sarah’s parents, but Sarah knew that it wouldn’t be long before Becky, herself, was a newlywed.
It had been more than generous of her to deed her house over to Sarah and Josh. They’d stayed in his house above the store for a week, and it was small and cramped. Sarah knew that having as much space as their new house provided would be wonderful.
The last three weeks with Josh had been more than perfect. She hadn’t seen her parents before they left, and she supposed that was for the best. Josh was right, she knew. In time they would come back around and welcome her home again. Or at least she hoped they would.
Once she became pregnant, she wanted them to see her, so that her children could know their grandparents, no matter how badly they’d acted. They were still family.
Of course she’d wanted to be pregnant now, but she knew that she wasn’t. She’d been disappointed, but Josh had told her that it was all right. They had plenty of time to have babies later.
She closed her eyes and imagined herself holding her child. Josh’s child. At the beginning of the year she never would have dreamed that she would be where she was. When she’d come back to Mac’s Crossing she’d been afraid that she would be leaving it destined to marry a man she didn’t love.
But thanks to the power of Josh’s love, and his strong ability to make her see what was right, she was married to the man she loved, and she was living in a house of her own, left to her by the aunt who was marrying the man she had been originally scheduled to marry.
She stopped daydreaming long enough to tell Corbin that she would see him at dinner, then she turned back to the bed.
“We can move it together,” she said when Josh came back from seeing his twin to the front door.
“We have no need to move it,” he said. “I like it where it’s at.”
“Josh.” She pouted and stomped her foot. “Please?”
“Is that the way you’re going to try and get your way during this marriage? Because if it is, we need to correct the situation right now.”
She stomped her foot again, knowing that he meant he was going to spank her. She hoped it was like the spanking he’d given her right after their wedding. Her body still tingled with the memory of it.
She put her hands on her hips and sniffled. “I want my way.”
His smile made goosebumps break out on her arms.
“Is that right? Perhaps I should remind you what Mr. MacAllister does to pouty little girls, Mrs. MacAllister.”
She giggled, then lifted her skirts and took off at a run. He was right behind her, but he missed her in the doorway. She ran to the living room, coming to a halt when she realized the mess that was still in there.
Furniture from Josh’s house was piled in the middle of the room, and she wondered how she would get around it without Josh catching her. It didn’t take her long to realize that wasn’t going to happen.
She tried to get around the sofa, but Josh grabbed her from behind and she dissolved into laughter as he kissed her shoulder and hugged her tightly.
“Bad girl. You need a spanking.”
“No.” She laughed and pretended to fight him. “Josh! Stop it. This instant!”
Her laughter increased as he moved them back toward the bedroom, turning so that she was in the front. She didn’t fight him too much, instead she just laughed as he pushed her onto the bed and gathered her skirts above her rump.
“Stop it! You’re not nice to me. Ouch!”
He slapped her bottom, then pulled her bloomers down so that her bottom was bare. He slapped it again and again and Sarah started to moan, that wonderful feeling from before spreading through her.
“Josh.” The word was soft and she shivered as he continued to spank her, the swats landing in different areas, and making her swim with desire.
When she heard him undo his clothing, she moved up on the bed just a little, but stayed on her belly. She loved it when he took her this way, and she knew that he did, too.
This time, though, he stayed on his knees, and slapped her bottom the whole time he thrust inside her. It didn’t take either of them long to climax, and when he lay down next to her, she sighed in pleasure.
“Can we skip dinner tonight?”
“It wouldn’t be nice. Ruby’s gone to all that trouble. But if you’re a good girl, we can play again when we get back.”
“And what if I’m a bad girl?” She turned a playful grin on him.
“Then we can play harder.”
“Then I think I’m going to be very, very bad.”
* * *
October 3, 1892
“Did you pick up my good shirt from the cleaners? The one that still has all the buttons intact?”
Sarah turned from the mirror where she was fixing her hair, her eyes fastened on her husband. They were still newlyweds themselves and considered it a great honor that Becky and Earnest had asked them to be witnesses for their wedding. It was a greater honor still that they held the wedding in Mac’s Crossing, since the doctor wouldn’t let Sarah travel.
“Of course I did, Joshua. It’s hanging in the closet, along with the dress that I’ll wear. It’s much too soon to be worried about clothing. The wedding is not for another six hours, and we have time to relax for a little while, and get ready later.”
“I know. But I want it to be perfect.”
She smiled at him, then stood and walked toward him, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.
“Anywhere is perfect, as long as we’re together, remember? You told me those words when we married, and you’ve reminded me every day since then.”
“You’re right, I did. And you’re very right, it is perfect because we’re with each other.”
He kissed her gently, then patted her behind. He narrowed his eyes at her and cocked his head.
“You seem a little nervous, though.”
“I am. I hate it that my parents didn’t come, but still, I’m nervous that something’s going to go wrong at the wedding. For some reason I’ve just felt antsy all day long.”
Sarah sighed as he caressed her stomach, caressed the swell their child produced. She gasped as the baby kicked, then took Josh’s hand and settled it on her stomach so he could feel the next one.
“Oh, she’s so beautiful, and so is her mother.”
Sarah laughed. “What if it’s a boy?”
“No. It’s a girl, I can feel it. A beautiful daughter for me to care for.”
“A beautiful, large daughter for
you to care for. The doctor says I’ve gained far too much weight.”
“You look perfect, and our child is perfect, so don’t worry about it one bit.”
“Yes, but the baby is not due until January, and I’m already as big as a house. I’d stay home if I thought it wouldn’t upset Becky so much.”
“You’re right, it would. So stop worrying, or I’m going to start a list of the number of spankings you’ll need after the baby’s here and you’ve recovered.”
She grinned at him, but she couldn’t help herself. They dressed quickly, and climbed into the carriage. Sarah wished her parents had come for the wedding, but she guessed that would seem too strange, since her father had been so set on her marrying Earnest herself. Besides, it made it so she didn’t have to endure questions from them about her pregnancy, about how large she was. She knew their first thought would be that she was pregnant when she got married, which wasn’t true, of course.
She knew that Becky had been surprised at her size, but hadn’t said anything about it. When they arrived at the church, her MacAllister sisters gathered around her, all of them wanting a chance to feel her belly.
The ceremony was beautiful, but Sarah’s nerves were so great that her stomach was in knots. Afterwards, at the dinner at Win’s house, she turned down food, even rejecting the cake. Right after Becky and Earnest left, she leaned into Josh.
“I want to go home. My stomach is a little upset.”
He nodded and they headed toward the door. They’d barely made it a few steps when Sarah doubled over in pain.
“Oh, Josh. Something’s wrong.” Pain gripped Sarah’s stomach as Josh grabbed one side, and Corbin the other. They carried her up the stairs and settled her into one of the many guest rooms in Win’s house.
Her contractions were minutes apart when the doctor arrived and gave her the news that threw her for a loop.
“Twins?”
“At least,” he said. “I’m sorry, Sarah, I just thought maybe you were further along than what you were telling me. I hope you have room in your house for more than one child.”
She looked at Josh, who held her hand close in his, squeezing it tightly. And then he fainted.
* * *
Jan. 1, 1893
Sarah stared at her daughters as they slept, their faces peaceful and sweet.
“Do you hear that?” Josh whispered in her ear as he came up behind her.
“What?”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” She laughed and slapped at him playfully. “You’re terrible.”
“Am I? I’m sorry, but they do make a lot of noise, you know, even if they are the cutest things I’ve ever seen.”
“They are, aren’t they? Michelle and Rachelle. So very beautiful.” She turned to her husband. “And where may I ask have you been? You’ve been gone all day, and I know the store’s not open because it’s New Year’s.”
“You’re right, it’s not. But I had an errand to run.” He kissed her gently. “Do you realize it was one year ago today that you came back from St. Louis and I almost lost you?”
“Yes. But that’s behind us now.”
“You’re right. We started anew, and I think it’s time for us to do it again.”
She stared at him in confusion. “New? I don’t understand.”
“The Lord always says, turn the other cheek.” He propelled her out of the room and into the living room. Sarah stopped short at the sight of her parents sitting on the sofa. Her father stood and wiped his hands nervously on his trousers.
“Sarah. Your husband suggested that we visit, and that we start anew. I can see by your face that you’re surprised to see us.”
“I am.” She smiled at her mother, even as she grabbed Josh’s hand. “But Josh is right. We should let bygones be bygones and start over. And to that effect, come and meet your granddaughters.”
She stepped aside and ushered them down the hall, and then she turned to Josh.
“Thank you.”
“Well, somebody had to do it, and it wasn’t going to be them. Happy New Year, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The sounds of Michelle’s cooing reached them and they headed down the hall, to usher in the New Year with their renewed family.
The End
Silver Star Spankings
The MacAllister Brothers, Book Five
Chapter 1
Mac’s Crossing, Colorado, June 1892
“Martin, while I appreciate your dilemma, my job is not to discipline your daughter.”
“Sheriff, all I’m asking for is a night in jail. Maybe if I take away a bit of her freedom, she’ll start listening to me.”
Ben MacAllister leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “Martin, she’s twenty-six years old. She’s not going to start listening to you now, I can guarantee it.”
“Sheriff, listen, I’ve tried to marry her off to three different men. The first time she ran away, and stayed away, for two months. Her mother thought she was dead. When she showed back up, I whaled the tar out of her behind, but it didn’t seem to do any good. Then, the second time, she fake fainted, then said she was too sick to go on, when she wasn’t. Old Bart finally got tired of waiting and married someone else. And the third time, when the preacher said, “Does anybody object?”, she said, “I do”.
Ben chuckled. “Yeah, I remember that. Caused quite a stir. But you’ve got to admit, trying to marry her off to Judd Pixton was not a nice thing to do.”
“There ain’t nobody left since all your brothers got hitched,” Martin wailed, then shot a sly look at the sheriff. “’Cepting you.”
“No thanks,” Ben said. “I’m a happy bachelor. I don’t ever plan to get married.”
“I want me some grandkids before I die, and she’s gonna do her job and provide them. ‘Sides, her ma and I ain’t gonna be around forever. Somebody’s gonna need to take care of the girl.”
“Seems to me like she can do it on her own,” Ben said. “For one thing, I don’t think you’re going anywhere for a while, Martin. You seem pretty healthy, and you’re not even fifty yet. Plus, don’t you think she can run your operation when you’re gone? She seems like a smart girl to me.”
“Smart-mouthed girl you mean.” Martin started to pace in front of Ben’s desk. “She spends most of the day locked away in her room. Figure she’s in there just sitting around, doing nothing. Will you at least talk to her?”
“About what?”
“’Bout getting married. There’s some new hands over to Jackson’s place. I reckon I’ll be able to find someone there that might suit her. Tell her if she disobeys me again you’re going to put her in jail, and you’re going to spank her.”
“That’s a tempting thought, Martin, but I think Harmony would run from me, just like she would run from you.”
“Humph. Her ma gave her that name, saying that she would bring music to our lives. I got but one child and she’s been the scourge of my life, never doing what she was told and thinking she could disobey me all the time.”
“Now, Martin, you don’t mean that. You know as well as I do that you love her.”
“Yeah, I do. But it’s time for someone else to love her, too. I gotta find her a husband, and soon.”
“I’ll tell you what, I’ll drop by your place in a few days. You bring up the subject of marriage, and I’ll say as how a daughter needs to mind her father. How’s that?”
“Perfect. Katherine will fix supper. Her fried chicken’s the best in the state.”
“And I love fried chicken,” Ben replied. “I think that sounds perfect.”
* * *
Harmony Watkins checked her reflection in the small looking glass for the third time. When her father had told her mother Ben MacAllister was coming for supper, she could hardly believe her luck.
Her heart beat faster at the thought of the handsome sheriff, his muscles apparent under his denims and tight shirts. His dark hair and eyes completed the package. Just thinking about him made her g
o weak at the knees. It always had, since she was twenty-two years old.
She remembered the day perfectly. Before that day, he’d just been one of the MacAllister brothers, sons of the town’s founder. He was handsome true, but watching him comfort Tricia MacNeill, after the carriage accident outside town that had almost killed her, gave Harmony a whole new outlook on the sheriff. He went from being ‘just another man’, to someone who was kind and considerate. Someone she thought she could spend the rest of her life with.
She tried to tell her father that, but he’d ignored her, instead trying to marry her off to three totally ignorant men that she refused to even think about. She winced when she remembered the spanking he’d given her after each failed marriage attempt.
Harmony supposed that his anger was justified. Especially since, after that, no single man in town would even look in her direction. Not that Mac’s Crossing had that many single men. Just the MacAllister boys, really. And hands that traveled around working the land.
Now, all the MacAllisters were married, except Ben. Harmony considered that a sign. He was still single because they were destined to be together. She would be on her best behavior tonight, and show him just that. She would be charming and witty and bat her eyes seductively. That would attract the sheriff’s attention, she was sure.
“Harmony, get out here.” The tone of her father’s voice made her wince.
“Yes?”
“Come on out, I want to talk to you.”
She hurried out of her room and down the stairs. “Yes, sir?”
“You be nice tonight, you hear?”
“I will, Daddy.”
“Good. Sheriff MacAllister is a nice man.”
“I agree.” The glint in her father’s eyes made her smile.
“You sweet on him?”
“I could be.”
“Well, forget it. He done told me he ain’t gonna ever get married. You help your ma fix the chicken, and make sure you don’t get that new dress dirty whilst you’re doing it, hear?”
Heart and Home: The MacAllister Brothers Page 29