He headed out into the parking lot with the bags and loaded them into the back of the truck, noticing that a new toy store had opened in Riker’s Creek. Maybe it wasn’t new, maybe he hadn’t noticed it before because he didn’t have kids or even nieces and nephews to shop for. Perhaps he would when Brody and Maddie got married and no doubt started a family.
Out of curiosity, and so he’d have something in common with April, he decided to wander in there and take a look around. The bell over the door sounded and suddenly he was in a whole new world, surrounded by computer games, stuffed toys, and books.
“Can I help you?” asked the young woman standing behind the counter.
“I’m just browsing … no, wait a minute, do you have the Mudge and Snuggles toys?”
“We sure do. You want to follow me and I’ll show you where they’re at.”
Branndon walked behind her to the back of the store. Sure enough sitting on two shelves were the tatty puppets from the show. He looked at the price tags. Shit, no wonder Susanne hadn’t been able to buy them for April at Christmas. Still he wouldn’t leave empty handed. He’d buy one now and get her one for her birthday whenever that was.
“I’ll have one of the Smudge dogs and could you put away a Snuggles for later?”
“I sure can. I’m guessing your child’s a fan of the show.”
“Well, actually it’s my girlfriend’s little girl,” he said, getting out his wallet. He stopped frozen on the spot. What had he just said? Did he need to ask the clerk to repeat it just to make sure he had referred to Susanne as his girlfriend?
****
Susanne hoped she’d arrive home before Branndon did because she had a huge surprise for him. Katy Doyle had come through yet again and had ordered on short notice, a sexy nurse’s uniform for her. She guessed Branndon wouldn’t think much of her scrubs so she’d asked Katy to track down a skimpy dress type one with a nurse’s cap. She took off her clothes and slipped it on. A little tight, but so much the better because it pushed her breasts up over the top of the uniform. She secured the cap just as she heard Branndon’s truck pulling into the garage.
She checked her appearance one more time and then went into the kitchen, knowing he’d been coming through the service entrance door any minute.
“Looks like more snow is on the way and…”
He stopped in his tracks and whistled. “For fuck’s sake, you wear that in nursing school or to see to patients? I bet every guy had a hard on when you took his temperature. I know I have one.”
She looked down at his pants, sure enough he wasn’t lying.
“As your live-in nurse, I have to exam you.”
Branndon swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bounded up and down. “Whatever you say.”
She got hold of his hand and led him down to his bedroom. There she took off his jacket and then his shirt, and then the jeans and boxers. Next she pushed him down on the bed and removed his socks.
“Be gentle with me,” he said, grinning.
“I will.”
She pulled out the stethoscope from her pocket and placed it on his chest. Wow, it was racing. Next she felt his pulse. That do was doing a double beat.
Susanne pushed him flat down on the mattress and proceeded to run her hands down his belly. She leaned over to whisper in his ear. “I have to examine your dick and balls now.”
“Like I said, just go easy on me, nurse.”
She smiled and ran her hands along his shaft and then took the weight of each of his balls in her palm.
“There’s one final test I have to give you.” She reached into her pocket for a condom, tore it open, shook out the rubber and proceeded to sheath him.
“I have to see how your cock feels inside a nurse’s pussy.”
“Geez, Susanne, I think I’m going come so just get on with it.”
She straddled him and lifted up her outfit.
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever been tended by a nurse who didn’t wear panties.”
Susanne laughed and then lowered herself down onto his shaft.
“You like doing it cowgirl style?” he asked her.
“Nothing better than riding a star of the rodeo.” She put her hands on his chest and lifted herself up and then down. This was her favorite position and she knew from past experience, coming wouldn’t take long. She closed her eyes, feeling Branndon reach up and touch her breasts through the flimsy material of the nurse’s uniform. He squeezed them, causing her nipples to pucker and harden.
She bit her lip, feeling her orgasm building and building. She clenched her teeth and flexed her toes, almost feeling like this was too much pleasure. Then she cried out and yes, he was right, she did make a squeak when she’d had an off the charts climax.
Branndon took her by surprise, lifted her off him, flipped her on her back and slide inside her again, thrusting like there was no tomorrow. He was going to give her another off the charts climax. Their bodies slapped together, each one of them groaning and murmuring until, she found her release just seconds before Branndon found his. They lay together, him still deep inside her.
“So how am I doing, nurse?”
“Just fine, but I recommend the same thing on a daily basis now.”
Chapter Ten
Branndon thought he was going to see a big smile on April’s face when she saw Smudge, but instead he saw tears when Susanne brought her home that day. He was about to ask what was wrong when he heard a tapping on the window and saw his dad standing outside. He opened the door and let him in.
“Just got back from visiting Brody who I’m happy to say is home now.”
“Pa, that’s great.”
“Yeah, and Ted’s going to stay at my place until he and Brody find a suitable ranch to buy.”
“Betty doesn’t mind?” asked Branndon.
“Nope, you know how she loves to cook for everyone.”
April’s cries got louder and then she ran into the kitchen with Susanne close on her heels.
“Hey, there pretty young lady, why the long face?” asked his dad.
April pouted and shook her head.
“It’s the Riker’s Creek Annual Daddy and Daughter Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance coming up and…” said Susanne.
“I don’t have a daddy so they said I can’t go,” said April, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Says who?” asked Branndon Sr.
“The other kids.”
“Well, that’s where they’re wrong. You do have someone to go with.”
At first Branndon thought his father would volunteer his services but he didn’t.
“How about you go with me?” asked his father.
April stopped crying.
“Would you like to go with Mr. Mckinney?” Susanne asked her.
April nodded. “Can you dance Big Branndon?”
“Can I dance? Let me tell you, Branndon’s mother and myself went dancing every week and I’m still not too old to show the young ones how it’s done.”
April giggled.
“So it’s two tickets and I’ll practice my dance steps,” said his dad, winking at Susanne.
And Branndon thought his purchase of Smudge would be the highlight of the day, but once again he’d been eclipsed by his pa.
****
Susanne was more than happy that Branndon’s dad had saved the day and offered to take April to the dance. She watched as April got off the bus and couldn’t help but notice something was wrong. The Smudge toy that Branndon had given her was missing an arm and the hat that April hated and refused to wear, was now firmly planted on her head. As her daughter approached the car, she could see her sobbing like her little heart was breaking. She leaned over and opened the door for her. April slid in and rested the now ruined Smudge on her lap.
“Mommy, don’t make me go to kindergarten anymore.”
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“He’s mean.”
“Who is?”
April shook her head.
Susan
ne’s heart went out to her. She’d had that feeling, too, when she’d gone to school and someone had been mean or teased her. She’d only asked for one thing and that was her daughter wouldn’t have to go through being bullied, but she guessed it wasn’t to be. Maybe it ran in the family. Just like being a bully ran in families, too.
“Honey, it’s going to be all right.”
Susanne leaned over and hugged April and as she did so the hat fell off. Susanne put her hand over her mouth and sobbed. She’d been through a lot of stuff at school but never anything like this. How could another human being do this to her little girl?
****
Branndon traced the missing Susanne to the stables. She was crying like her world was about to fall apart. It reminded him of the time the kids at school had called her names and made reference to the mother who’d abandoned her and her alcoholic father. It wasn’t until Branndon had gotten older that he realized Susanne’s cries weren’t just tears at being called a few bad things, but genuine breaking her heart ones.
He stood outside for a while and heard her trying to catch her breath. He stepped into the building to see if he could do something to help. She looked at him and he regretted invading this very private time for her.
“You want to tell me what’s wrong? I mean if it’s something I’ve done.”
She raised her hand. “No, not you Branndon. You’ve been great to both me and April, but I have to deal with this. She’s my daughter.”
“April, this is something to do with her?”
Susanne nodded. “Seems like the bullying didn’t stop with me.”
Branndon ran over to her and took her into his arms. “Tell me about it,” he said.
She broke down on his shoulder and sobbed. “I guessed someone had been bothering her because she was nervous about getting on the bus this morning, but she didn’t say anything.”
“Someone hurt her? Because if they have…”
She put her finger on Branndon’s lips. “Someone tore the arm off the Smudge toy you gave her and then her…”
“And what?”
Branndon went cold wondering what some kid had done to April.
“The bully has cut half her hair off.”
“Shit, the little shit. Girl or boy?”
“Boy … I finally got her to tell me.”
“Then his ass is gonna get kicked.”
“No, Branndon, you are not to get involved in this.”
“I am involved. I won’t have you upset and crying ever again. April’s a sweet kid and I’m going teach this little bastard a lesson.”
“We’ll go talk to Maddie see what she can do,” said Susanne, pulling on his arm again.
“It’s a cliché, I know, but talk is cheap, Susanne. Bullies only go away when you stand up to them.”
“I know but April has to do this on her own.”
“She will, but with my help.”
“Branndon maybe later, but first of all I have to get her hair sorted out.”
“Then we’ll take her to the hairdressers, said Branndon. He pulled on her hand.
“I’m almost afraid to face my little girl because I know what she’s going through and I can’t deal with it.”
“You have to, Susanne, but you’ve got me to help this time.”
****
Susanne wished she was dreaming. She couldn’t stand the sound of April’s crying as she sobbed into Branndon’s chest. When had he gotten so good with feelings, with little kids?
“My hair’s gone missing,” she sobbed. “I won’t be pretty when Big Branndon is my sweetheart date.”
“Sure you will. You’ll be the most beautiful girl there,” said Branndon.
“I want my long hair back,” she sobbed.
“Oh, honey, it’s going to grow sooner than you think, just like you’ve grown an inch since you and your mom moved in here.”
She looked up at him. “You cut it for me.”
“Sweet thing, I know about horses and riding, but nothing about cutting pretty girl’s hair.”
“You do it,” sobbed April.
He looked up at Susanne who shrugged her shoulders.
“Okay, let’s take you into the bathroom and we’ll find some scissors and you tell me how you want it to look.” Branndon didn’t wait for April to get off the bed. He scooped her up in those big arms of his and carried her into the bathroom.
“Could you go get a chair?” he asked Susanne.
By the time she came back, Branndon had tied a towel around April’s shoulders and a pair of silver scissors sat on the vanity.
“Okay, young lady sit yourself down here,” said Branndon.
April scooted herself on the chair and Susanne passed him a comb.
As Branndon combed both sides, she had to stop herself from crying at the lopsidedness of her daughter’s once beautiful hair.
“Okay, we’ll soon have this looking real pretty,” said Branndon, picking up the scissors.
She could see his hands shaking as he lined up April’s hair and began cutting it straight across to even it out. The rest of her shiny locks fell onto the bathroom tiles.
Branndon stood back and looked and then trimmed just a tad more by her ears.
“There, what do you think about?” he asked.
April stood and looked in the mirror. Susanne had to admit he’d done a better job than she would have.
“I like it, but I want my old hair back,” said April, her lower lip quivering again.
“I know, sweet thing, and you’ll have it back soon, but for now you’re still going to be the prettiest girl in Riker’s Creek.
****
Branndon knew that bringing the matter of the bully to Maddie’s attention wasn’t the route he would have taken. The little bastard needed to be taught a lesson, especially because he’d destroyed her toy and her hair. He guessed Susanne was heartbroken. He knew it probably stirred up lots of bad memories of her own days of being constantly picked on by her peers. He hadn’t been the main bully, but he’d added to her discomfort and now he was truly, truly sorry. One way to make up for it was to make sure her little girl wasn’t ever bullied again.
“I can take her to the school bus this morning,” said Branndon. “I’m just glad to be driving again. Didn’t think I’d miss it, but I did.”
Susanne stopped washing the dishes in the sink and looked at him.
“I know that look,” she said.
“And what would that be?”
“You’re up to something.”
She took off the rubber gloves and threw them on the countertop. “You are not to get involved in this matter and you are not to do anything you’ll later regret.”
He knew if he didn’t do something and simply turned the other cheek, he’d regret that more than anything else.
Branndon walked over to Susanne and pulled her in close. He rubbed his nose against hers. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
She tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let her.
“If you think this makes up for some of the things you did to me when we were young, it won’t.”
She had tears in her eyes and it ripped his heart into tiny pieces.
“I don’t,” said Brandon.
“So you are going to do something?”
“I didn’t say that, but something has to be done.”
“I’ve told Maddie and she said she’ll ask the boy’s parents to go speak with her,” said Susanne.
“How many times did the teacher talk to everyone who bullied you?” asked Branndon.
“Things are different now. Bullying is more of a social issue.”
“That’s true, but the kid who’s bullying her doesn’t know that. Do you really want this to continue? Because that’s what’s going to happen, Susanne.”
She didn’t say anything and another tear slid down her face.
“When she started school I had one hope and that was she’d be happy and wouldn’t have to go through what I did
.”
He pulled her chin up and kissed her. “I’m going to see that you get your wish.”
“Just don’t do anything rash that’s going to put her in harm’s way.”
“I’m going to act as if she’s my own flesh and blood.”
“And don’t go doing anything that will get you in any trouble or sued or whatever.”
He winked at her.
****
It was fucking cold out and Branndon moved his feet from side to side as he held April’s hand while they waited for the school bus to arrive.
“Remember as soon as you see him you point him out to me.”
“He’s mean,” said April.
“He won’t be much longer.” Branndon stamped his feet.
“That’s him, Uncle Brannon. That’s the boy who cut my hair.”
Despite her wearing mittens, Branndon was able to see that she was indicating it was the kid who was walking toward them wearing a blue quilted jacket and a red ski hat.
So that’s the little shit.
The kid had some guts because as soon as he saw April, and despite her having Branndon standing next to her, the kid began laughing and pointing at her.
“Like your new hair, April Showers.”
April suddenly hid behind Branndon’s legs.
“Teacher’s pet got her hair cut real good,” he continued taunting.
Okay, your little shit, you asked for it.
“Stand back, sweet thing, because he’s got it coming to him.”
Branndon leaned over and picked up at mound of snow, and formed a ball like only he and Jackson knew how to create one. When these babies hit, and for the few seconds before they fell apart, they hurt like holy hell.
Branndon formed it like he remembered doing at the ranch when he and Jackson were growing up. Usually the poor foreman was their target, this morning it was a second grade bully.
Branndon threw back his arm, aimed and got the kid right in the chest, knocking him back and sending his hat flying into the snow.
He began wailing and crying. Branndon ran over to him and got hold of his arm.
“Not so funny now, is it you little punk? You touch April again, touch anything that belongs to her ever again, or even look at her the wrong way and you’ll get more than a snowball thrown at you.”
Branndon Jr. Page 7