She dished out his breakfast, and a much smaller plate for herself, and they sat down. He took a bite of his eggs and smacked his lips. "Exactly like I like them," he declared. "Amos out at the bunkhouse isn't a bad cook at all, but he never could cook eggs the way I like them. He usually just scrambles them, which is better for everyone."
She giggled. "I'm sure they're not that bad."
"Not if he scrambles them," Austin agreed. "Did you sleep okay last night?"
"I slept fine. It felt good to be back on solid ground again. I didn't sleep well on the train."
"I'm glad you slept better last night." He paused, before reaching out to gently cup the side of her face with his hand. "Thank you for sleeping with me last night. That's important to me."
"You're welcome. I understand why it's important to you, and I agree. I want us to have the kind of marriage our parents had."
"The more I get to know you, the more I believe that will happen."
They finished breakfast, and she started to clean the kitchen. "Could those wait a little while? I'd like to show you the chickens."
"Okay. I've never been around chickens. I'm anxious to learn how to care for them."
"Why don't you go get your boots, and I'll see if they will work for out there. If not, I know they'll be big, but I have an old pair of boots you can use until we get to town to get you some."
She hurried into their bedroom and returned shortly, carrying her boots. His eyebrows raised when he saw them, and he picked them up and looked at them closer. "These will do fine," he said.
"You look surprised. Is something wrong with them?"
"No, not at all. I assumed since you're from Boston you wouldn't have anything like this." He waited a moment, but when she didn't say anything, he continued. "I'm glad you do, though. They'll be good for here."
She put them on and he led her out to a small barn with a fenced in area. She'd never seen a fence like that before. It was made of wire, but was woven, with only small holes. What was even more unusual, though, is that it fully enclosed the area, even the top of it. It was like a box made out of this woven wire fencing material. He went to the gate and opened it. He stooped down to walk into the fenced in area, and held the gate open for her to do the same. Once inside, he closed the gate and went to the building. He opened the door wide, attaching a lock of sorts at the top of the door to the outside of the building, holding the door open. As he did, chickens hurried past him, out into the fenced in area.
She watched, mesmerized, as they started scratching and pecking at the ground. "They're eating any grubs or other bugs they find," he explained. "Let me show you where the corn is and how much to give them every day." She followed him inside the little barn, and stopped a minute to look around. There was a row of little cubicles, or boxes, hanging on the wall on either side, a foot or so off the floor. A couple chickens were sitting inside them, on what looked to be a nest of sorts. She was so interested in the chickens and their little home that she forgot about Austin, until he cleared his throat.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, looking up at him quickly.
Luckily, he had a big smile on his face and was obviously not upset. "You've never seen chickens before I take it?"
"No. This is fascinating. Do they sleep in these beds at night?"
Austin couldn't hold back a chuckle. "They roost in their nests, yes."
She was looking around again, when she saw an egg. "Oh, look," she said in a very excited voice. "There's an egg!"
Again he had to chuckle. "We'll gather them in a minute, but let's feed them first. It's easier if you do it in that order."
"Okay. Why?"
"If you feed them they go outside to eat. That makes it easier for you to come back in here and gather the eggs without them pecking at you, or sitting on the eggs."
Her eyes grew large. "They peck at you? Why? Don't they want you to take their eggs?"
"Some don't care. Others I guess have more maternal instincts and they try to protect their egg and hatch it."
"Do you ever let them hatch one of their eggs?"
"Sometimes, yes. We try to replace them if they're not laying, and we replace any we eat, so we always have about the same number of chickens. Occasionally a fox or something will get into the pen and get a few. We try not to let that happen, but every now and then we lose one or two that way. So yes, we do hatch some."
"How will I know when to let them hatch their eggs, and how?"
"I'll help you with that. For right now let's just get you used to feeding them and gathering the eggs. The men will take care of watering them and cleaning the pens out." She nodded, and watched as he showed her where the corn was and how to measure it out. She followed him outside and was fascinated to watch them gather around him. When he threw the corn in a circle onto the ground, they all clucked and hurried over to it, pecking at it.
"Okay, let's gather the eggs now," he said, turning back to the barn, which she noticed he called a coop. He picked up a basket that was hanging on a wall. "The men have been doing this, and they keep the basket here. If it's easier for you to keep it in the house and bring it out every morning, that's fine." He picked up the egg she'd pointed out earlier, and to her amazement, he started gathering more, which she hadn't seen. He let her gather the rest, helping her if she missed one. "After you've done this a few days you'll be seeing them easier. The first few days you have to search, but you'll catch on to it."
When they were done, he carried the basket back to the gate they'd gone in through. He made sure she knew how to open and close the gate, and carried the eggs into the house. "Take however many you think you'll need for in here, then we'll take the rest out to Amos and I'll introduce you to him."
"He's the bunkhouse cook, did you say?"
"He is. He's not a bad cook, and a good man." Austin made the introductions, and Amos showed Georgia where to put the eggs if he wasn't around.
Georgia took the basket and left. She decided to keep the basket in with the chickens as the men had been doing, so she stopped off there on her way back to the house. She opened the gate, went inside, hung the basket on the wall, and went back out. She double checked the gate to be sure it was securely fastened.
She went back to the house and cleaned up the kitchen, and then planned lunch. Looking through the cupboards, it was obvious Austin generally ate with the men. She found some paper and a pencil and jotted down things she would like to have at the store when they went to town. His cupboards were pretty bare, and her list was getting rather long. She was concerned that it was too long, and decided she'd talk to him about it before they went to town. If it was too much to buy at one time she could go through her list and thin it out some.
They enjoyed spending time together during lunch, and both felt good as they got to know each other better. That evening when he came in for supper, she smiled. "That was good timing. I just took the bread out of the oven. It will be nice and warm for our supper."
"Supper can wait a bit. We need to have a talk."
She'd been facing the oven, but she quickly turned to look at him. He did not look happy. "What's wrong?"
"Did you bring the egg basket in the house after you left Amos' kitchen today, or put it back in the chicken coop?"
"I returned it to the chicken coop. Why?"
"Did I not explain the importance of making sure the gate was fastened after you went back out?"
"No, you explained it, and I did fasten it. I fastened it, and then checked it before coming to the house. Why?"
"It was open and some of the chickens were out. Luckily, Amos saw them and sent one of the men out after them. He rounded them all back up and got them back in the fence, and shut the gate."
Georgia's mouth was hanging open. "I don't know what to say. I know that gate was shut. Maybe someone else went in after I did."
"No one else would have gone in there. One of the men will go in when we're doing the evening chores and shut them in the coop for the night,
but no one would have gone in there until then."
"Austin, I know that gate was closed."
"Georgia, there's no one else that would have gone in. Now, since this was the first day you used that gate, I'm going to let this go with just a warning, but let's go out right now and make sure you know how to work the gate."
She started to say something, but stopped. Instead, she brushed past him and out the door. He grabbed her arm as she went past and turned her around. "Georgia, I suggest you watch your temper. I said I'm going to overlook the gate this time, but please be more careful in the future. And there's no room on a ranch for a temper tantrum. That's something I won't allow."
She was irate, but didn't want her marriage to start off like this, so she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She nodded, and headed back to the chicken pen. He took her hand in his and walked with her. She looked over at him, and at his hand holding hers, and felt her anger fading. She wasn't sure what happened with the gate, but she'd let the matter drop.
She got to the gate, opened it, and then went inside. She closed the gate behind her, and checked it as she had that morning. When Austin nodded, she opened it again, and they went back out of the fence. She closed it again, once again checking to be sure it was fastened securely.
"Very good," Austin said, patting her hand. "Do it like that every day and we won't have any more problems. Thank you for showing me you can do it."
She was confused. She was sure she closed it, and she didn't like the way he was talking to her. He was assuming she was the one that left it open. On the other hand, the way he held her hand and praised her made her feel good. She'd have to sort it out in her mind later, as he had again taken her hand and they were heading for the house.
He didn't mention the gate again as they ate, but thanked her for another delicious meal. After supper dishes were done, he led her into their bedroom. "I saw your list in the kitchen. Let's look at your clothes and see what we need to add to that list. I'd like to go to town in the next day or two."
"I don't know that I need anything else. I have boots, and I have two dresses to wear at the ranch, two to wear if I go to town, and one for church."
"Let's get you another pair of boots so you have an extra pair. That's something you can't do without on a ranch, and you should always have two pairs in case one gets ruined."
"Okay. If you saw my list in the kitchen, is that too much to buy at one time? Should I go through and take some things off?"
"Do you use all those things on a regular basis when you're cooking?"
"Yes, but I could make other things if that's too much for one trip to town."
"If you use those things in your cooking, then we will get them. I don't cook, so I don't know what you need. You're a wonderful cook, though. I want you to have whatever you need to keep making me those delicious meals."
She felt her face blush, and she looked down. "Thank you."
"Thank you for the meals you've prepared. Now, unless something urgent comes up, why don't we go to town tomorrow after breakfast?"
"Okay. I will tend the chickens and have breakfast ready on time."
"Thank you, wife. I want to check on a mare that was injured today. I will not be long, but long enough that if you want to put your nightgown on while I'm not here, you can. I'll join you in bed when I come back in." She nodded, and he left.
She did as he suggested, and was in bed when she heard him come into the house, and through to the bedroom. It wasn't long before she felt him get into bed and pull her up against him. She turned to face him, and he gave her a kiss. "Good night, Mrs. Barrington."
She had a smile on her face as she turned back around and nestled into his arms. "Good night, Mr. Barrington."
Chapter Three
The next morning, she woke to an empty bed again. She quickly got up and dressed. Austin had the fire in the stove going for her again, and she put some coffee on. She lit a lantern and went out to tend the chickens.
She opened the gate, walked through, and closed it, checking to be sure it was secure. She went to the building and opened it, standing off to the side, as he'd suggested the day before. As soon as she opened the door, chickens came barging out the door, some walking, some flying. When the door was clear she went inside and got the corn. She walked back out with it and found herself giggling at the way the chickens all gathered around her. She started throwing the corn out for them and stood watching a few moments as they started pecking at the corn.
She went back inside and got the basket for the eggs. She went from one end of the nests to the other, looking in each nest. When she was satisfied she'd gotten them all she went back to the gate. She opened it, went back outside of the fenced in area, and closed the gate. She put the basket of eggs on the ground so she could double check the latch. She assured herself it was closed and latched before taking the eggs to the house. She took a few out for breakfast and the cake she planned on making for supper, and took the basket down to Amos.
He was busy, but suggested she leave the basket for him, and he would return it to the chicken coop later, when his work slowed down. She thanked him and went back to the house to make breakfast.
She had breakfast ready and the table set before Austin came in, knowing he wanted to go into town this morning. When he came in the kitchen, however, she knew something wasn't right. "What's wrong," she asked.
"The gate to the chickens was open again. I saw chickens running around in the yard when I headed this way for breakfast. I had to stop and gather them back up and get them back in the fence."
"How did it get open?"
"That's what I want to know," he said, with a grim look on his face.
"I closed it and double checked it before I took the eggs to Amos. He said he would return the basket, so he must have not had it quite closed."
"I talked to Amos. He hasn't had a chance to return the basket yet, so you were the last person to close it."
"But I am positive it was closed. I put the basket down on the ground so I could double check it."
Austin sighed. He went to Georgia and held her by her upper arms. "There was no one else that could have been in there, Georgia. Amos was in the kitchen cooking for the men. The men were all busy doing their chores."
"But I'm sure the gate was latched when I left."
Austin sighed. "Wife, I told you honesty is very important to me."
"I understand that. It's very important to me, as well."
"Admitting your mistakes is also very important. This is all new to you, and I can understand that. I also understand that people make mistakes. But denying if you've made a mistake is something I can't abide with. I think we need to have a little discussion."
He took her firmly by her upper arm and steered her toward the living room, but she resisted, pulling to get her arm free of his grip. He held it firmly, however. "Austin, please, you're not listening to me. I didn't leave the gate open."
"You don't have to leave it open. If it's closed but not latched tightly the wind can blow it open. The chickens were in the yard, not in their pen, so somehow that gate got open, and the last person to use it was you."
They'd reached the living room, despite her struggles. Without another word, he sat down on the couch and with one quick pull had her over his knees. He quickly flipped her skirt and underthings up, leaving only her bloomers. Despite her protests, he tightened his grip around her waist and brought his hand down firmly on her bottom.
"Ow! Austin, that hurt! Stop this instant."
"Of course it hurt, my dear wife. It is a spanking and it is meant to hurt. It will hurt much more before I am through, especially if you continue to refuse to take any responsibility for the chickens running free in our yard."
"But I am not responsible for that. I double checked the latch."
He stopped the spanking momentarily. "Then I am ready to listen to your explanation of what happened."
"I don't know what happened," she said quietly.
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br /> The spanking started again. He spoke while he continued to spank, telling her how important the animals are on a ranch, and how important it is that she is positive the latches on gates are fastened securely. He also emphasized the importance he puts on total honesty and admitting your mistakes.
Georgia was furious. She hadn't been spanked in years, and the spankings she remembered from her childhood never hurt this much. More importantly, though, she was sure she checked that latch. No matter how much she insisted she had, her new husband would not listen to her. Or at least he didn't believe her. Either way, it was just plain wrong.
He brought the spanking to an end, telling her he hoped this would help her be more careful with the gate in the future. He gently pulled her up to sit on his lap, but as soon as he sat her on his lap, she jumped up and ran into the bedroom. It was such a sudden move that he wasn't ready for it, and by the time he jumped up and went after her, she had the bedroom door locked.
"Georgia, come out of there so we can talk."
"I have nothing to say to you, Austin."
"We need to talk. After a spanking, I will hold you while you calm, and offer you comfort."
"You didn't seem to care about me or what I was saying before or while you were striking me. Why would I accept your comfort afterward?"
Austin was frustrated. This isn't at all how a spanking was supposed to go. The part right after a spanking was over, where he intended to hold her while she calmed, was important. Then he planned on talking to her, to make sure she was okay. He knew she would be okay physically, other than a sore bottom, but he wanted to be sure she was okay emotionally. Now he was at a loss, not sure what to do. He could break the door down and force his way in, but what would that do? He certainly didn't want her to fear him. He tried one more time, trying to calm his voice. "Georgia, please come out so we can talk."
"I have nothing I wish to say to you right now, Austin. Please just leave me alone."
He sighed. "Okay, I will, for now. You take some time to calm down, but this evening after supper we will talk. I will not allow my wife to spend the day pouting anytime she earns a spanking."
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