Caroline lie there fuming for several minutes, and then she snatched the blanket and wrapped it around her and got to her feet.
"If you so much as step one foot on the other side of me, Caroline Willis, I promise by all I hold sacred I will cut a switch, bare you, and stripe you until it breaks!"
Caroline paused for all of two seconds before turning around and starting to climb out on the seat of the wagon. She was almost outside before Jacob's strong arms wrapped around her waist and easily pulled her back inside. She smacked at him, but he took a seat on the pallet and whacked her sore bottom with his hard hand. Caroline gasped at the pain, and then cried out as she saw the tarp open behind the wagon seat.
"You have need of this, Jacob Willis!" Strong Tree said solemnly, holding out a stick.
"Thank you, friend," Jacob said, accepting the piece of kindling, and then using it on his wife's upturned hind. "This will do the job," he stated. Strong Tree nodded and then left them alone.
Caroline decided that she would get even with the Indian, too, and with Jacob for putting her in such a position. How utterly embarrassing! And how painful, she decided as Jacob spanked her again. "Please, Jacob! I am already in pain!" she reminded him.
"You are in need of a serious reminder to control that temper of yours," he said, not one trace of sympathy in his deep voice.
"This will not help matters!" she declared.
"Perhaps it will caution you to remain silent and let others sleep?" he scolded.
"I shall be quiet!" she promised.
"Not for a while," he said, and then he paddled her in earnest.
It did not take long for Caroline to start begging for mercy. The stick was terrible on top of the strapping she had received. Why had she not kept her mouth shut? "Please, Jacob, let that be enough! I cannot bear more pain!"
"You shall receive ten more, wife, and then you shall go to sleep without any more fuss, is that clear?"
"I would do that without ten more, husband. I am not in need of more punishment. Please? I promise to behave now."
"Ten more, and you shall count each one."
She hated counting. When he made her do that, each stroke was harder than the last, and always to her tender sit spots, which were already so sore she wanted to die! "Jacob, I ask for mercy... Please...? I cannot take any more, and I am truly sorry."
"Accepting what you earn is how you prove you are sorry, Caroline. We shall start now. Do not make me remind you to count..." he warned, and then he gave her a firm spank to her sit spots.
It hurt, and all she wanted to do was moan and cry. Instead, Caroline counted, "One." The next one followed immediately, and she was barely able to whisper, "Two!" The third one was even harder. "Please no more! Three!"
Jacob knew that Caroline was hurting, but he also knew he could not let her disrespect and defiance pass without stern consequences. Caroline needed a firm hand; she had been raised without discipline, and it was his duty to correct the matter. She kept counting, and after each count, he spanked, driving the lesson home. Finally, it was time for the last of the ten, and he could feel how tense she was. He waited until she had to exhale to take another breath, and he gave her the hardest spank of all. He was gentle as he helped her off of his lap and onto her side of the pallet. He covered them both, and then put his arm around her to offer her comfort while she cried.
Caroline was shocked to realize she wanted Jacob's comfort. She turned to face him, and then scooted closer to cry on his shoulder. His arms held her and he whispered to her and told her he loved her, and it was not long before she fell asleep in his arms.
Outside the wagon, Little Fawn was trying to calm herself and go to sleep. She also felt the men were harsh with them. Her bottom was throbbing from the terrible spanking Strong Tree gave her with a stick... The same one he had climbed on the wagon to hand to Jacob Willis... Little Fawn felt terrible as the noises came from the wagon. The punishment Jacob Willis gave his wife was even worse than the one she received when she tried to explain to Strong Tree why they should not be punished. If her friend felt as bad as she did, then Little Fawn felt truly sorry for her.
Strong Tree put his hand on her bottom and said softly, "Go to sleep, little one. Jacob Willis needed to be strong this night, but his woman will be fine, just as you will."
"It does not feel so now, husband," she replied. "I am in serious pain."
"It is a measure of my love for you," he said calmly, and his words were like a healing balm to her injured dignity and pride.
"Then you love me much, my husband," she said with a giggle.
* * *
The weeks passed and fortunately there were no more visits from unfriendly Indians. Jacob managed to send word to Geoff and Faith Crawford, and he and Caroline were surprised when the other couple came for a visit. They stayed for a few days, and Geoff helped Jacob work on their cabin, while Faith and Caroline chatted and worked on the Willis' garden, and did whatever they could to help the men. With Faith being pregnant, they all insisted she sit down and rest often, and when Faith complained, she was immediately overruled. Both Caroline and Jacob were sorry to see them leave, but accepted that they had their own place to care for.
"I am amazed that so much of our cabin is done already!" Caroline exclaimed later that day.
"Putting on the roof will be harder, Caro, and I shall have to have help. Hopefully it will be done before the snows fall later this year."
"I have confidence it will be, Jacob."
When it was time to make another trip into the settlement, Jacob was sure to take Caroline with him, and they traveled in the wagon. When they were close, he hid her in the back of the wagon and drove to the Indian settlement first. Once he found Strong Tree and Little Fawn, he asked if Caroline could stay with them while he purchased their supplies and traded the furs he trapped. Jacob was positive his wife would be safe with their friends, and Strong Tree promised him this would be so.
Jacob also spotted their friend Pierre, and Pierre rode with him to another trader's post to do his business. Unlike the other store, this one was well-kept, and there were all sorts of good people doing business within. "I think Caroline would like to do some shopping here," Jacob commented to Pierre.
The owner overheard him and said, "Sir, we would love to have your lady's business, if you would care to bring her in. I do not allow ruffians in here and would protect a woman with my life if need be."
"Thank you, sir. I shall bring Caroline."
"I weel stay with your hides while Monsieur counts them, my friend," Pierre said with a smile. "Thees man is a good friend to me," he told the trader, and Jacob smiled as Pierre launched into an account of how Jacob returned his belongings and money. By the time Jacob returned with his wife, and with Strong Tree and Little Fawn, everyone in the trading post regarded him as a hero.
"I only did what I was raised by my folks to do," Jacob said quietly, embarrassed.
"You are truly a good man, husband," Caroline said with pride.
"Your woman speaks true," Strong Tree added his opinion with a big smile.
Caroline gave their friend an appreciative nod, and then it was her turn to be embarrassed when he told of how she threw boiling water on one of the Mingo to save herself and Little Fawn.
"You are certainly one brave little lady," the Englishman said respectfully.
"I only did what I had to do in order to survive," Caroline said modestly, and then she picked up a bolt of fabric and showed it to Little Fawn. "Is this not pretty, Little Fawn?" she asked.
"Yes," the Indian replied softly. "Will you make a new dress?" she asked.
"Oh, no... Jacob and I are saving our money for only the things we need."
"You need a new dress, Mrs. Willis," Jacob said firmly. "Cut off whatever you need of that bolt, and get thread and whatever else it takes to make a dress."
"We need dish towels more, husband, and you need a couple of shirts," she argued.
"You may get whatever we
need, Caroline. You shall not pauper us if you buy a few things this day. It has been months since you have had the opportunity to shop for anything, so enjoy yourself," he said with a smile.
"Only if you are certain, Jacob. I do not wish to be a burden."
Jacob put out his hand and gently caressed her cheek. "You are no burden, Caroline. You have worked hard since leaving home and I am proud of you. It shall not hurt us if you spend some money on things you need or want."
Caroline would have been lying if she said she did not enjoy spending some money on a few things she needed for herself and for Jacob, and hopefully for their cabin one day soon. She knew that Jacob was planning to see if he could hire some help to finish putting the top on their cabin, and once the roof was on, they would see about a floor, a door that could be barred, along with a couple of windows they could shut and shutter at night. The cabin would be small, but then, it did not need to be large. Just something they could heat with the fireplace to ward off winter's chill. It would be nice to sleep in a real bed at night instead of on a pallet on the bed of their wagon.
Once their shopping was finished, Pierre offered to accompany them home, well remembering what happened the last time they left the settlement. In spite of steering clear of the other trader who sent men after them, there was just no telling who else spotted Caroline and would want to make trouble for them. Thankfully, they encountered no problems, but it was nice to have Pierre's company for a short time. The men talked politics to the point that Caroline was cross with them and told them to change the subject. Jacob told her they needed to take an interest in what was going on since it could affect their future.
Fall arrived, and if anything, their work intensified. The garden produced plenty of food, which Caroline stored in their root cellar to use during the long winter ahead. They butchered a hog, and salted most of the meat, but what kept them busiest was harvesting the corn they planted. Pierre showed up to give them a hand, as did Strong Tree and Little Fawn, who was obviously expecting their first child. Strong Tree did not do woman's work, and tend the field, but he hunted and supplied Caroline with fresh meat to feed all of them. He also brought other Twightwee braves from the Pickawillany village to help finish the cabin for his friends, and he kept the men working hard. Once the grain was harvested, and the cabin ready for winter, Jacob admitted to Caroline that there was no way they could have done everything by themselves. They were lucky to have such wonderful friends.
Caroline thought that once the work was all done they would be able to travel north and visit with Faith and Geoff but Jacob said 'no'. He did not want them to risk being caught out in a snow storm. Caroline was disappointed and did not spare Jacob in voicing her upset with him. "We have worked and worked and I have asked nothing but to go for a visit. It is only a few days travel from here, and it is long before the winter storms will fall!"
"It is too late in the year to trust in that, Caroline. It will be spring thaw before it will be safe enough to travel far."
"I want to go, Jacob! I want to see if all is well with Faith, and if her child was born healthy!"
"I would like that, too, wife, but I shall not risk your life for a visit."
Caroline was not happy and Jacob finally left the cabin to do some hunting, thinking it best to leave her for a while so that his temper had time to cool. He had enjoyed several months in which he had only to scold for minor things and he did not wish to take his wife over his knee again, but he knew he would do precisely that if her attitude did not quickly change.
Caroline waited until she could no longer see Jacob, and then she threw some things in a basket, put on her heaviest cloak against the fall chill, and she decided to set off on her own. If perhaps Jacob saw that she was serious about making the trip north, he would take her himself. Of course, there was the possibility she was just getting herself into trouble, but that was a risk she was prepared to take. There had not been any trouble with Indians in months now, so she felt safe setting out on foot. She could easily walk the distance in three days time.
An hour later she was already regretting her decision. She missed Jacob, and she knew he would worry about her when he could not find her. And, she could well imagine the look on Geoff's face if she showed up alone. He would feel honor bound to return her home post-haste, and probably have to leave Faith and their child, all alone. No, she was creating problems for those she loved and cared about. Reluctantly, Caroline turned about and headed back home.
With her wonderful sense of direction, however, it did not take her long to realize she was lost. The sun was high in the sky, and no help at all in determining where she was. She walked and walked and walked, and then finally sat down on a fallen log and cried. A few minutes later Jacob found her, less than a mile south of their cabin.
"Were you looking for me, Caro?" he asked, puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
"I was lost!" she bawled.
"Little one, the cabin is just over that hill. How could you be so lost? Did you go to look for roots and such?" She looked at him as if he had suddenly sprouted two heads.
"No...!"
"Caroline, you are shaking. What on earth is wrong? Did someone come by the cabin and frighten you?" Clearly she was not telling him something and he grew more worried. "Has someone harmed you, wife?" he demanded, fearing that he had left her alone too long and someone had indeed come and harmed her.
"I am safe now, Jacob. You know how easily I get lost."
"Yes, I do. But that is no reason to cry. All you need do is call for me and I shall come immediately." She nodded, but still looked upset. "Caroline Willis, I am going to turn your hind up for a good spanking if you do not tell me right this minute what has you shaking and so upset!"
"If I tell you then you shall punish me!" she whispered sadly. "I did something foolish again, Jacob."
"I see. Did you burn down the cabin?" he asked jokingly.
"No! And it would be nothing to laugh over!" She was truly alarmed at the thought. "All of our furniture and our belongings are inside. We worked so very hard to have our cabin and what is within."
"I agree, wife. So what did you do that has you expecting to feel my hand on your seat?" He was in a tolerant mood and would more than likely forgive her anything just to see her pretty smile once again.
"I decided to go and visit with Faith," she stated.
"I know, Caro, and it saddens me to tell you no. I am not trying to be a cruel, mean husband. I would not deny you this visit were I positive we could go and get back before winter arrives."
"You misunderstand, Jacob. I meant that I decided to leave on my own to go and visit." She saw the moment understanding dawned inside him. His dark eyes filled with anger and seemed to burn as they looked at her. She hastened with her explanation. "I left in anger right after you left the cabin to hunt for game. An hour later common sense returned and I regretted the worry I was going to cause you. I also realized how unfair it would be for me to show up alone at the Crawford's. Geoff would have insisted on bringing me home, and that would have left Faith alone with her child... and what if Geoff were snowed in with us, or on the trail, trying to get home to his family? I was being selfish and foolish, and I turned around to come home... only I got lost and could not find my way. I have been walking for hours and I did not dare to think you would find me this time. Oh Jacob, I am so thoughtless at times!" Her pretty green eyes filled with tears.
Chapter Fourteen
"What am I to do with you, Caroline Willis?" Jacob demanded, and she could hear the anger and frustration in his deep voice. "How many times in the last seven months since we wed have I punished you for putting your life in jeopardy?"
"Too many times to count, husband," Caroline admitted, bowing her head so that he could not witness her tears of shame. "I deeply regret my foolishness. I was angry and I do not always think clearly when I am angry."
"Neither do I, Caroline. You may return to the cabin, pull out a chair from the table, and sit facing t
he corner and reflect upon your behavior this day. I shall not return until my temper has cooled sufficiently to deal with you in a manner you shall not like."
"Jacob, I am sincerely sorry and I do regret my foolishness. I did attempt to return of my own accord. I shall not deny I deserve punishment, but would ask that you bear in mind I came to the conclusion I was in error hours ago. I simply have a terrible sense of direction, or I should have been content in the cabin, waiting for you to return so that I could make amends."
With those words, she headed toward the cabin, only to have Jacob reach out and grab her shoulders and spin her around. He gave her bottom a sharp slap and said, "The cabin is over there, Caroline!" He pointed, and then sped her on her way with another sound smack.
In spite of the situation Caroline had to giggle. "I am hopeless when it comes to getting lost, Jacob!"
Some of his temper melted at her amusement and a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "I cannot argue with the truth, wife." There was no anger in his response and she smiled at him lovingly before she nodded and left to do as she was told.
The closer Caroline came to the cabin the more she felt like a disobedient child. Being sent to sit on a chair facing the corner was a child's punishment, and while it would cause her little in the way of discomfort, it was embarrassing and a telling blow to her pride. Her face burned with humiliation as she pulled a chair from their table and carried it across the cabin where she could sit and face the corner. Once she was seated, she tried to convince herself that she would not die of shame, but it was not long before tears filled her eyes and she wished that Jacob would come and end the waiting.
Jacob, however, was in no hurry to go and face his pretty little redhead. He had used a strap on her until she was beyond sore for several days for risking her life. He had switched her to the point her skin was raw and he vowed he would never do that again. He had spanked her long and hard, made her sit on her spanked bottom, scolded her over and over again, and yet, little Caroline persisted in doing the same sort of thing over and over again! Some men complained that their wives were lazy, but his wife worked long and hard. Other men said they were not greeted warmly in bed, but Caroline was always willing and eager for his touch. She was a wonderful cook, too, and gracious when they had guests. She made their small cabin into a home to be proud of, and it was obvious in her demeanor that she was very proud of their home. But when it came to matters of personal safety, Caroline was oblivious. She permitted her temper to overrule her common sense. Conventional punishments did nothing to deter Caroline from acting on impulse. How could he possibly deal with her in such a way she would recall the next time she was tempted to do something foolish and put herself at risk? He walked and hunted, and finally was rewarded for his patience. He hurriedly did what he had to do, and then put the meat over his broad shoulders to carry home. He would cut the meat into usable pieces and nothing, not even the hide would go to waste.
A Man of Dreams, a Woman of Passion Page 15