by Misty Malone
Sam smiled as he questioned her wording. “Your smart cowboy?”
“Yes. Ty.”
“Ty is a smart man.”
“I know. He’s smarter than most people realize.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Did you know he graduated from Princeton when he was eighteen?”
Sam sat up a bit straighter in his chair and arched his eyebrows. “He did, seriously? No, I didn’t know that.” He thought a second or two. “Come to think about it, I never asked him anything about his education. I talked to him about his past experience as a ranch hand who was promoted to foreman, and we talked about our views on some things, but I don’t think I ever even asked about his education. I was very impressed with him as a man, and his experience on a ranch, and that was all I needed to hire him. And he’s never disappointed me once.”
She smiled at the kind words her father was saying about the man she loved. She was proud as she related his story. “He wanted to work on a ranch, but his father, who’s some big, powerful attorney, thought he had to go to college and become an attorney like him. Ty didn’t want to, but he was only sixteen, so he couldn’t really just go off and do what he wanted. His grandfather, who he’s really close to, talked him into going to college for his dad, doing a little more growing up along the way, and then if he still wanted to work on a ranch, his grandfather would help him get a job doing just that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So he graduated from Princeton two years later.”
“Impressive. Princeton at eighteen.”
“It gets even better,” she promised. “He went to law school at Harvard, graduated when he was twenty-one, and passed the bar.”
Sam frowned a bit. “So he’s an attorney?”
“He could be, but he never worked as one. He said he knew that’s not what he wanted to do. He didn’t want to live in a city and wear a suit and tie every day. So he went out and found a rancher who would take him under his wing and teach him the ropes. After a couple years he made him the foreman, and I think you know the story from there.”
Sam was shocked at the news he’d just been told. “So I hired an attorney as a ranch hand,” he murmured. “He’s never said a word about being an attorney.”
“And he probably won’t, either, unless you ask him about it. He says it’s part of his history, but not really part of his life because it was nothing he ever wanted to do.”
“Did his dad come around then?”
Cheyenne looked sad as she answered. “No, unfortunately. He pretty much disowned Ty after he left to work as a ranch hand. Apparently it’s hard for him to brag about his son when he’s working as a ranch hand. It’s funny, because to me, I would think he’d be terrifically proud of him. He knew what he wanted to do with his life and he went after it. He didn’t know much about it and willingly started at the bottom, mucking out stalls, and has worked his way up to foreman. What in that story wouldn’t you be proud of?”
Sam smiled at his daughter. She was growing up, maturing, and becoming her own woman. A woman he was mighty proud of. They talked a while longer about Ty and his love for ranching, and his family.
She surprised Sam again when she made an admission. “You know, Dad, I think he’s part of the reason I wanted to see for myself if I like living on a ranch. Part of it was because I wasn’t willing any longer to let my mother dictate my likes and dislikes, but part of it is because I thought that if Ty was willing to go through all that; college, law school, and the disapproval of his parents just to work on a ranch, there must be something really special about it. I decided to find out for myself what it is that he saw in life on a ranch.”
“And did you find it?”
“Yeah, I think I did,” she sighed. “It isn’t anything like my mother always said, either. There’s just something about the freedom, and the wide open spaces and clean air and blue skies.” She chuckled. “You can even overlook the less desirable jobs, like mucking out the stalls, and seeing and smelling Ty when he comes in from riding and fixing fences when it’s horribly hot and dusty, or branding cattle, or sweating all day in the hot sun while they’re making hay.” She giggled a bit. “And that’s saying something.”
He laughed, but agreed. “Yes, it is saying something.” He looked at her seriously for several moments. “I also think it says you’ve fallen in love with my foreman.”
Chapter Twelve
Cheyenne got serious, as well, as she answered her father. “I have, Dad. It’s kind of ironic, too, because when I came back to live here I thought all cowboys other than you and Clay were dumb. I mean, why in the world anyone would want to be a cowboy, work on a ranch was beyond me. I figured it was hard manual labor and they were too dumb to do anything else, or get a better job.”
Sam’s eyebrows raised. “You really believed that?”
“I did. Sorry, Dad, but I honestly thought that. But now after getting to know Ty, I see how shallow I was. I was the dumb one.”
“Oh, you certainly weren’t dumb back then, Cheyenne, but I think you did have some growing up to do.”
“Yeah, I have to admit, I think you’re right.”
“There’s no doubt you’ve done a lot of growing up since you’ve been back, though. My little girl’s becoming a young lady quickly.”
“I hope so.”
Clay came in with Lynelle then, and Cheyenne quickly latched onto her arm. “Lynelle, you’ve got to see the bag I got to carry my books and computer at school.”
“Oh, you found one? Good. The last I knew you hadn’t found what you were looking for yet.” The two went off toward Cheyenne’s bedroom, talking excitedly about styles and colors.
Sam laughed. “It seems those two have hit it off.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Clay agreed. “I’m really glad, too. They got off to a pretty rocky start and I had my doubts that they’d ever do more than tolerate each other for my sake, but they’ve quickly become best friends.”
Sam looked at his son with a serious expression. “They got off to a rocky start?”
“Oh, yeah.” Clay told his father briefly about the evening he gave Lynelle her first spanking, and about Cheyenne’s outburst.
Sam couldn’t help laughing. “What a mess. What did you do, son?”
Clay smiled and shrugged. “I took Lynelle in the office, while Ty took Cheyenne to his house. He said he felt it was his responsibility because she’d been pouting, in a bad mood ever since he spanked her in the barn for scaring the cattle with her four wheeler. He said he shouldn’t have let her go on pouting that long, and it was time to nip that in the bud.” Clay grinned as he said, “Or in the butt, whichever.”
Sam smiled at his son’s joke. “I agree with him there. He shouldn’t have allowed her to pout that long. I understand why he did, though, since they weren’t dating yet.” He chuckled as he thought the situation through. “So both ladies went to bed with a sore bottom that night?”
“They sure did.”
“How’d they take it?”
“Okay. Ty and Cheyenne came back into the house an hour later, hand in hand. By then Nell and I were back in the living room, and she was nestled in my arms while we watched a movie.”
“Good for you,” Sam said. “Good for both you and Ty. It seems to have settled Lynelle down some, too, just like Cheyenne.”
“It has. Actually, I think that’s part of what drew the girls together. They both knew what happened to the other, so a day or so later when they were over the initial soreness and embarrassment, I think they compared notes. They’ve been close ever since then.”
Sam nodded his head. “I’m glad to hear that. As long as they don’t start getting into mischief together, you’re okay.”
“Oh, they’ve already done that. That’s not the first night they both went to bed sore. But nothing serious.” Sam just smiled.
The girls returned then and they had a nice conversation. Clay looked around. “Where’s Ty tonight,
Cheyenne?”
“He’s going to drop by a bit later. He was going to call his grandfather tonight. I’ve been trying to get him to invite him to come down here for a few days. I’ll bet he’d love to see where Ty lives and works.”
“That’s a good idea,” Clay agreed. “I know they’re close.”
“He could stay here at the house,” Sam suggested.
“That’s what I told him,” Cheyenne insisted. “But I think he was going to ask him tonight to come visit. I hope he does. I’d love to meet him.”
“You’d love to meet who?”
Cheyenne jumped up when she heard Ty’s voice. The front door was open and she easily heard him through the screen door. She quickly opened it, pulling him inside. After a quick kiss she tried to put a stern face on as she addressed him. “Do you always eavesdrop like that?”
Without even a hint of guilt on his face he answered easily. “I do if it’s my favorite little brat and she’s sitting close to the door. Who would you like to meet?”
She’d pulled him into the front room with the rest of them. As soon as he sat down on the couch she sat down on his lap, and then answered. “Your grandfather. Did you invite him yet?”
Ty had a big grin on his face as he nodded. “I did, in fact. I told him you’ve been pestering me and pestering me to invite him down because you’d love to meet him.”
“Oh, you,” she said as she punched his arm. “Seriously, did you invite him down?”
“Yes, honey, I did.”
“And?”
“And what?”
She punched his arm again. “So, is he coming?”
Ty chuckled as he enjoyed her enthusiasm. “Yes, he is. He’s going to check dates and get back with me, but probably pretty soon, like the next couple weeks.”
Sam said, “Good. I’m glad to hear that. He might be more comfortable if he’d stay here in the main house, but I’ll let that up to you two. You can talk to him and see what he says. If he stays here, though, he’ll have company during the day.”
“He’d probably see Ty more if he stayed here, too,” Clay said with a laugh.
Ty turned a bit red. “I have been spending an awful lot of time up here. Are you trying to tell me I’ve worn out my welcome?”
Clay broke into a full belly laugh. “Are you kidding me? Ty, look at how much happier my sister is when you’re here. You are welcome here anytime, my friend.”
Sam quickly agreed. “You most certainly are. Be sure to let us know when your grandfather’s coming and I’ll have Ida freshen up a bedroom for him.” He smiled and added, “Or if you want to be stubborn and keep him down there with you, I’m sure Ida would be happy to go down to your house and get it ready for him.”
Ty tried to look indignant. “Are you saying I’m not capable of cleaning my extra bedroom good enough, so you’ll send your housekeeper down to do it?” He was trying hard not to smile, but Sam could see the smile in his eyes.
Sam nodded. “Yep, that’s what I’m saying.” He was only able to keep a straight face a few seconds before he started laughing. “Actually, I thought maybe you’d rather spend your time with my daughter, and being an over-indulgent father, I was paving the way for that to happen.”
“Thank you for that. I’ll check with him and see where he prefers to stay, and get back to you. I do want to thank you for that offer.”
***
Classes started and Cheyenne was busy, but she did well. She was able to keep up with all five classes fairly easily, with the help of Ty and Clay. Ty always read her papers before she turned them in and made helpful suggestions. Cheyenne admitted the suggestions were helpful, and appreciated his input.
Ty’s grandfather’s visit was put on hold, though, when his brother became ill and his grandfather felt he should go stay with him and help him during his illness. Cheyenne and Ty were disappointed, but agreed that he should go spend the time with his brother.
With help from Ty and Clay, Cheyenne’s first semester went well. She earned three A’s and two B’s and was proud of herself, as were Ty and Clay and Sam.
She didn’t have any real problems with any of her classes until her second semester. She had one class that was proving to be a real challenge. Ty was trying his best to help her understand it, but he was even getting a bit frustrated. She just wasn’t understanding the whole concept. The more frustrated she got the more she was leaning toward giving up, and the more Ty encouraged her not to. He’d gotten her feeling pretty good about herself finally, and he didn’t even want to think how much it could set her back if she gave up and dropped this class.
One night while they were studying, she threw up her hands, defeated. “I can’t do this. It doesn’t make any sense to me and I just don’t get it. I’m tired of trying and trying and trying, for nothing. I’m dropping the class.”
“No, you’re not,” Ty challenged. “You’ll get it; I know you will. You’re not giving up. I’m not giving up on you and you’re not, either.”
“Ty, not everyone’s a genius. Some of us can’t grasp things easily like you can.”
“Cheyenne, that’s enough of that talk. Look how good you did last semester. This class is harder for you, I get that. But you’re not just going to quit. Clay and I will both help you until you do get it. You just need to keep going to class, ask questions, and talk to the professor. Maybe he can take a bit of time to talk to you one on one to help you. If not, your brother and I aren’t giving up on you and neither will you. Do you understand me, young lady?”
“I understand what you’re saying, Ty, but maybe you just need to face the facts. Maybe I just can’t do this.”
Ty had her over his knee before she even knew he was considering it. He had her panties down and his huge, work-hardened hand had come down on her bare bottom three times before she was able to get a sound out. “Ouch! Ty, quit that. It hurts! I can’t help it the class is too hard for me. Spanking me isn’t going to make me any smarter!”
Ty continued spanking her as he countered. “No, it won’t, but hopefully by the time I’m done with this spanking and the talk we’re going to have during it you’ll know better than to talk down about yourself like that. You’re an extremely smart, strong little lady, Cheyenne, but the more you keep putting yourself down, the more you’ll doubt your abilities. And that, my dear little one, is the only thing that would prevent you from finishing this class and passing it.”
Ty was spanking harder than he normally spanked, and Cheyenne was definitely feeling the difference. “Ow! Ty, please stop! It hurts too bad; I can’t take it!”
She was past crying now; she was sobbing. It was hard for Ty to keep causing pain to the little woman who held his heart in her hands, but he knew he had to get through to her. “Cheyenne, we’ve been over this before, and I thought we had this problem behind us. Apparently we don’t, but I aim to make sure you understand how I feel about it right now. You are capable of passing that class, unless you keep telling yourself you can’t.”
He gave her several good swats on the area she’d feel it the next day when she sat down, and spoke quietly. “Are you going to run yourself down any more, Cheyenne?”
In between sobs she got out, “No. I’m sorry.”
He gave her a few more to the same area. “And are you going to let Clay and me help you with this class and finish it?”
It was difficult, but she managed to answer, but very quietly. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“That’s my girl. Okay, sweetheart, it’s over now and you’re forgiven.” He rubbed her back while she got her breath under control, then gently helped her up onto his lap so they could again enjoy their special time together. He continued to comfort her by whispering in her ear with his soft voice, which he’d come to realize was a true comfort to her, and by holding her tightly in his arms. He absolutely loved the way she cuddled up to him, and always held onto his shirt with one of her little hands.
As she sat on his lap, contentedly wrapped in his arms, feeling
his love surrounding her as she always did after a spanking, she thought about what had just happened. “Ty?”
“Yes, honey?”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know you are, sweetie.”
“No, I mean—” She squirmed a bit on his lap. “That really hurt. I know you spanked harder than you usually do. I know it’s not the first discussion we’ve had about that, so I get that you’re serious about it.”
“I am.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you get that. I don’t want to, but I could exert more effort into making my message clear if you’re still not sure I’m serious.”
“No, I get it, she assured him quickly. “It’s just really hard.”
“What’s hard; understanding my message?” He grinned as he looked down at her. “Do you want me to put more muscle behind it next time?”
“Gosh, no,” she quickly answered. “No, I mean this class is really hard. I’ve read it and read it, and listened to the prof, and listened to you and Clay, but I just don’t follow this class. It’s frustrating.”
“I understand, but trust me on this. If you keep reading it and listening to all of us, all of a sudden it’s all going to fit into place for you.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” she said cautiously.
Her lack of confidence had him a bit concerned, but he didn’t want to spend too much of their special time talking about it, so he dropped the subject and gave her some good news. “My grandfather’s coming in two weeks, and if you’re sure you guys don’t mind, I told him I thought he’d be more comfortable staying at your house.”
She was excited, and they spent the next fifteen minutes talking about his grandfather. She wanted to know all about him, which made Ty feel good. She had such a heart of gold.
The next week was an exciting week. Clay and Lynelle had become engaged at Christmas, and she had asked Cheyenne to be her maid of honor. The two of them had gotten so close Sam had already begun calling them his two daughters because they were as close as sisters.
Cheyenne was busy with plans for Ty’s grandfather’s visit, making sure everything was ready for his stay, and planning places she and Ty would want to take him while he was here. She was also helping Lynelle plan her wedding. They went shopping for the perfect wedding dress, and the decorations that had to be the exact color, and were having a blast doing it all.