"Try rubbing again and see." He paused, holding her eyes, then hugged her a bit tighter to him and said, "Yes, I am serious, Sweetie. If I see you rubbing after a spanking I will refresh the spanking."
Her eyes got wide as she realized how serious he was. "Okay, so no rubbing. Got it."
"That's my girl." He kissed the top of her head as she lay back against his shoulder again.
They talked for ten more minutes with her on his lap, his arms around her. Once again she found she liked the cuddling after a spanking, but wasn't too keen on the spanking itself. There had to be some way to get the cuddling without the pain. Then it hit her and she blurted out, "You can't get the one without the other."
He looked at her, totally confused. "What?"
"I just realized why I like cuddling so much after you spank me."
Still totally confused, Trevor repeated, "What?"
"Okay, let me explain something here, but please don't be mad at me."
Glad she felt she could open up to him, he agreed. "Okay, I'll try not to be upset. What do you want to explain?"
"The first time you spanked me, while we were riding?"
"Yes."
"I hated the spanking, but I loved being held in your arms afterwards."
He smiled. "I'm glad."
"Yeah, but then in the weeks afterwards I thought a lot about that whole ordeal and I remembered how good it felt in your arms. You've held me in your arms since then and although I loved every single time, it wasn't quite the same and I couldn't figure out why. I'm not saying it wasn't as good, it just wasn't quite the same and I didn't know why. I wondered if maybe it was just because it was the first time you held me in your arms. So in thinking about it more, I didn't remember the spanking hurting quite so much and I started thinking maybe I'd do something to get you to spank me again just so I could see if it feels different again, or if it was because of it being the first time."
"Trying to get a spanking is called bratting and I don't like it at all," he said, a stern look on his face.
"Well, don't worry, I didn't do that this morning on purpose. I was still thinking about it, though, trying to decide what I could do."
He frowned, but let her continue. "So anyway, I didn't have to try to earn one; I guess I did it all on my own." He chuckled. "But the point being, I now know why cuddling feels different after a spanking."
"Why?"
"You'll probably laugh at me."
"Sweetie, I won't laugh at you. I really would like to know what you're thinking and feeling. It helps me understand you better."
"Okay. Both times now when you hold me and we cuddle after you've spanked me I've felt so content, I guess is the word I want. I couldn't figure out why, but I think I finally got it. When I was growing up Mom and Dad taught me right from wrong, so when I messed up I knew I'd messed up. I felt bad afterward. For a long time afterward." She paused, trying to think of a way to describe what she was trying to say.
Trevor saw her struggling for words and thought about what she'd said. He asked, "You mean you felt bad for a long time because your dad, who spoiled his little girl, never gave you any consequences?"
Her face turned that adorable shade of red again and she looked up at him and sheepishly said, "You guessed it."
Going on, talking to himself now as much as her, he said, "So you felt bad about whatever you'd done, with no way of atoning for your mistake."
"Right. Like I got away with something without paying for it. Now, with you, afterwards when you're holding me I feel like before the spanking I'd been off kilter, but now I'm back to normal again, somehow balanced."
"I understand what you're saying. Let me ask you something. How do you feel after you've been spanked, right afterwards?"
"Sore!"
He kissed the end of her nose and said, "Besides that, you little minx?"
She thought a minute, before saying, "Humbled and chastised, but stable again." After a minute she added, "And happy."
"Good." After another hug, he asked, "So, I have to ask, are you going to be bratting, trying to earn a spanking again?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you don't like it."
"You're right, I don't. But even if you do, I don't think you'll feel the same way afterwards."
"Why not?"
"Because when you mess up, your spanking is your punishment and you feel better afterwards. If you were trying to get a spanking, it would be more like a reward than a punishment. You got what you were after. That being the case, knowing I don't like bratting, you'd feel like you got what you wanted, without paying the price. It wouldn't serve to balance you out again."
After thinking awhile she agreed, "You're probably right."
"I hope so."
"What?"
"If you ever do decide to test the theory, I hope you don't feel balanced again. Part of that balanced feeling, after all, is knowing that we're good again, nothing between us any more. If you've manipulated me there'll be something big between us and I don't think you'll have that balanced, content feeling. I hope you don't, anyway. At least not until you come to me and confess what you did."
"Then what would happen?"
"Then you'd get the spanking of your life, young lady. Probably with something more than just my hand, like a wooden spoon, or my frat paddle."
"You have a frat paddle?"
"Yep. Do you want to see it sometime?"
"I don't know. I know I don't want to feel it."
"Then no bratting," he said in a stern voice. "Understand?"
"Yes."
Softening again quickly, he said, "Good." Pulling her in against him a bit tighter, he said, "Sam, thank you for sharing your feelings with me. That means a lot to me."
"Thank you for listening. You always seem to be able to help me understand my feelings and I appreciate that."
After holding her a few more minutes, he said, "Sweetheart, it's late and I hear you have a horribly demanding boss, so you'll want to be on time to work tomorrow." She smiled, until he added, "And I happen to know he's going to ask you to do something tomorrow that won't be fun."
Chapter 9
Sam looked up at Trevor. "What are you going to ask me to do?"
"The prosecutor's office called me Friday and asked if I could go into the courthouse tomorrow. They're having a pre-trial conference for Gary and Shirley Henderson and they wanted me to be there."
"What for?"
"They're going to go over the facts of the case with the judge and they're planning on offering a plea bargain. They want me there to answer any questions they may have about the facts and they want to make sure I'm okay with any plea bargains they may offer, before they offer them."
"That's good."
"Yeah, but any questions they have about the facts, you'd be the person to answer them. I'd also like to have you there with me for moral support, a second opinion maybe."
She smiled and said, "Hey, if it gets me away from the office and my demanding boss, I'd be happy to go with you."
He leaned down and kissed her. "Seriously, you'll go with me tomorrow?"
"Yes, I will, although I know you don't need a second opinion or the moral support."
"I may not need it, but a second opinion never hurts. And I'd much rather spend time with you than a bunch of smelly cattle."
"Gee, I feel so honored."
He laughed, standing up and taking her with him, setting her gently on her feet. "We're supposed to be there at 9:00, but I'm not familiar with the courthouse, so let's leave around 8:00."
"Okay. I wonder what kind of plea bargain they'll offer."
"I've been wondering that, too."
"If they take a deal, we don't have to testify at a trial; right?"
"Right. I'm hoping they accept a deal so we don't have to testify personally, but I guess it's not really my choice."
"I'd rather that happen, too. I don't really want to testify. But what do you think should happen to
them? What kind of an agreement would you approve of?"
"I'm not really sure. I guess we'll just have to see what the prosecutor has to say."
"Yeah, I guess."
"You get some sleep now. Lock the door when I leave and I'll see you in the morning. Be dressed and ready to go by 8:00." He left after another passionate kiss and waited outside until he heard her lock the door before going back to the main house.
* * * * *
The next morning they sat in a small conference room at the courthouse, talking to the prosecutor, Karen Andrews. She asked several questions, which Sam answered. She then asked Trevor what kind of outcome he was looking for here. They talked about the possible sentences and the chances of him getting his money back. Ms. Andrews promised to keep them informed and they left to go back to the ranch.
Trevor went to work outside, while Sam went to take care of placing some orders for supplies for the ranch. When he came in for lunch he told Sam, Grant and Consuela that he'd heard from Ms. Andrews and they'd reached a plea deal and there would be no trial, a relief for both he and Sam.
"I'm glad I won't have to testify, but are you okay with the agreement?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, I am. They actually have some of the money they stole still in the bank. Apparently it was going to be their retirement. Anyway, they're giving that money back to me. Then they're both going to prison for two years and will have to work and make monthly payments toward paying back everything they took, plus interest. If they don't make the payments they'll go back to prison for five more years."
Everyone was surprised when Consuela said, "I'm glad to hear you will get at least some of your money back, Mr. Trevor, but two years is not enough."
Trevor said, "I'm glad I'll get some of it back, too. That never would have happened if I hadn't hired the prettiest bookkeeper in the county." He reached over and patted her hand. "Thank you again, Sam."
"Just doing my job," she said lightly. More seriously she added, "Thank you for giving me a job."
Grant said, "Oh, come on. It was good for everyone that you hired her, boss. Consuela's got another woman in the house she can talk to, the men and I have a happier boss, she's got a job and a good man; you've got a bookkeeper and a good woman."
The four of them were good enough friends that they all laughed at his boldness.
Trevor even admitted, "I won't argue with any of that. They're all points well taken. It is nice, though, that this was discovered and is now taken care of. I'm glad we don't have to worry about a trial. We can put it behind us now and get on with our breeding program. Which reminds me, are the men ready to start branding the calves and heifers tomorrow?"
Grant assured him they all knew what their part in it was to be and were prepared.
Sam asked, "You said you were a hand or two short right now and looking to hire someone. Do you have enough for the branding, or do you want some help?"
Trevor looked at her suspiciously. "From who?"
"From me. I've helped with it several times. I've never done the actual branding, but I've helped with the rest of it. It takes a lot of hands to do it efficiently."
Trevor wasted no time in assuring her, "Oh, no. Branding is a tough job. I'm not saying you're not tough, or that you couldn't do it, but Sam, if you were out there working I wouldn't be able to focus on my job and that would be dangerous. It's easy for someone to get hurt in this process if they aren't totally focused."
"But Trevor, I'd love to be able to help on the ranch somehow."
"You just saved us a ton of money, Sam. That's not helping?"
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, I do, but I didn't know you felt that way until now. Let me give it some thought, okay? Let us do the branding tomorrow, but now that I know how you feel I promise I'll think about it. Will you do that for me?"
She was pouting as she said, "You're the boss. I don't really have much choice, do I?"
"Actually, you have more of a choice than you realize. We'll talk about it this evening after supper. Right now Grant and I have to get out there. We've got work to do." Grant went on outside and Consuela took some dishes into the kitchen.
Sam always seemed to smile when she saw him in his cowboy hat and he put it back on before leaning down to whisper into her ear, "I saw you doing some squirming during lunch. Are you still a bit sore?"
"A little, especially when I have to sit."
"It's supposed to be a reminder the next day when you sit, you know. We'll talk some tonight. I love you." He reached down and gave her a quick kiss before going out to meet Grant and the other hands.
She thought about their conversation all afternoon. She'd love to be able to help out on the ranch some. She wasn't asking to be a ranch hand, but she was as capable as about any of them and would love a chance to prove it to Trevor. He still hadn't even approved her going riding by herself, which was absurd in her opinion. She'd been riding since she was three. She decided to talk to him about it later.
* * * * *
That evening when they talked Trevor told her, "Sam, I'm going to ask for your understanding tonight. I really didn't have any idea that you wanted to get involved some here and I promise I will give it some thought. Serious thought. But I really do want to be able to concentrate fully tomorrow because I have a couple young hands that are still learning and I need to watch out for them. I will readily admit you're probably more qualified right now than they are, but this is their job and I need to teach them how to do it."
She sighed, but said, "I understand."
"Thank you. After we finish the branding I'll give it some serious thought. Until then, you do have a choice here. You can understand my situation and accept it and let me concentrate on the job at hand tomorrow, or you can pout about it and complain and then I'll have to warm your bottom again for you and worry about you instead of having my mind on my work. So yes, I am your boss, but you do have a choice. What's it going to be?"
Sam was a bit startled at the seriousness of his words and expression and how stern he was being. Her dad was never like that. She could always talk him into about anything. But she didn't want Trevor to get hurt because he was thinking of her and not concentrating fully on his work. And once again, he was trying to look out for her and he did promise to think about it. She looked up at him and said, "I understand and I don't want you to get hurt because of me. I'll give you time to think about it."
"That's my girl," he said, pulling her into his chest and kissing her soundly. "Thank you."
"I'm trying," she said. "This whole letting you watch out for me thing is hard sometimes."
Grinning, he said, "Especially when you're not getting what you want." He stopped her before she could object. "I just meant I understand. It's not at all what you're used to and I appreciate that. I'm proud of you." When he kissed her again, she was lost to him. She would have agreed with about anything he said at that moment.
The next morning after their chores were done the men started branding the calves. If she couldn't be a part of it, Sam wanted to go out and at least watch. She started out the door to do just that until she remembered his words. If she were out there he wouldn't be concentrating fully. She didn't want him to get hurt because she was there. She thought a minute and had an idea. There was a large tree between the guesthouse and the barn that would be a perfect viewing spot. She could approach it from the guesthouse and the men would never see her. She could use Trevor's binoculars and climb up onto where the two big limbs came together. It made a perfect spot to sit and watch unnoticed. She could watch her sexy cowboy without him knowing it, so he wouldn't worry about her.
She quietly slipped out the side door and around back to the guesthouse. She looked to be sure none of the men were looking in her direction. Once she was sure the coast was clear she quickly approached the tree and climbed up into her perfect spot. She settled in and got comfortable before taking out the binoculars.
She looked out where the branding was going on and co
uld actually see pretty well without the binoculars. But with the binoculars it was as if she was right there. She settled in and watched. She wasn't sure why it seemed so important to her to watch this, but it was. It could be because it felt so good to be living on a ranch again, and seeing the routine things that go on on a ranch would only make the whole experience seem more real.
It could be that it brought back fond memories of when she was young and would sit or lean against the fence and watch her dad and their ranch hands do this same thing.
Or it could be because her boss cowboy was so darn fun to watch. He was so big and strong and he made everything he did with the cattle look easy, when she knew it wasn't. She could tell he was keeping an eye on the young guys, pulling them aside to talk to them from time to time. She could tell from the demeanor of the young man that he was encouraging, not belittling him; directing or guiding him to do better.
Just like he did with her. Or tried to. Why was she so impressed with him for helping his men like that, in such an understanding way, but fought so hard against letting him guide her in much the same way? She'd think about that later. Right now there was a sexy cowboy in front of her that she fully intended to stare at and drool over.
She watched in awe at how efficiently he worked, until she could tell they were breaking for lunch. She quickly climbed down and scampered back around and in the side door. She hurried into the office and started working on the computer.
Ten minutes later Trevor and Grant came in for lunch. As usual, he stopped in to say hi and let her know they were in before he went to clean up. By the time he came back to the kitchen she was helping Consuela by pouring drinks for everyone.
They had a nice companionable lunch with lots of talk of the morning's branding operation. She asked how it was going and they filled her in on a couple of the more memorable moments. She tried to act like they were new to her, even though she'd witnessed each one.
After lunch she was helping Consuela carry dishes to the kitchen, when Consuela asked, "Miss Sam, where were you this morning? You got a phone call, but I could not find you anywhere. I took a message. I will get it for you." She left without waiting for an answer, which was fine with Sam.
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