He realized that her fish was ruined, and her frying pan was probably never going to be the same again, and she would probably blame him for that. He set about catching fish for their supper, and was relieved that he had some potatoes to fry, too. While he was doing all that, Emily continued to sleep, even though he heard her cry out in pain several times. He hated that it was necessary to punish her so thoroughly, but Mac was sure he did the right thing. Little Emily couldn’t go running off chasing after criminals.
When their supper was finished he carefully woke her. “It’s time to eat, Emily,” he said.
“No, I’m not hungry. Just leave me alone!” She was testy and she wasn’t about to do anything he said.
“You need to eat.”
“I don’t want to eat!”
“Emily, I know you are upset right now, and I get that, but you have to eat, so sit up and take this plate.”
“I can’t sit up,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “Please just leave me alone, Mac. I hurt so much I just want to die.”
“That is ridiculous, honey.”
“I feel like a million bees all stung me. I’m swollen and burning, and on fire. I can’t even rub because it hurts too much to touch myself.” She started crying and Mac put her plate down and knelt beside her, his intention to pull down the blanket and give her a few spanks to stop the pouting and tears. To his disbelief, her butt looked every bit as sore as she said it was.
“What are you doing? Please don’t spank me again!” Emily begged, nearly hysterical at the idea.
“It’s okay, honey. You’re skin is more sensitive than I realized. I went too far, and I’ll do what I can to make you better. Damn, I wish Doc Z was here right now,” he muttered. The first thing he did was to take a towel from his saddlebag and go to the water and soak it in the cool water, and then he placed the towel on her backside, hoping the coolness of the towel would ease her pain.
“Owwww!” she moaned. “That hurts, Mac!”
“I know, but it will help. Just relax, and eat your supper.” He put the plate in front of her, and then sat down beside her to eat his supper. “I’m not going to apologize for spanking you, Emily. You had it coming, but it was too much for what you did. I meant to make you regret your behavior, but not to the point where it hurts so bad you can’t even eat your food.” She nodded, but still didn’t touch her food. He put his plate down, gently picked up the towel and felt guilty as sin when he felt how hot it was from her scorched skin.
Emily tried to stop crying. The spanking hurt when it was happening, and it hurt even worse now. She knew that Mac wasn’t trying to be cruel to her, but the truth of the matter was that she bruised easily, and she didn’t handle pain well. He returned with the towel again, and she gritted her teeth when he laid it over her swollen bottom. The coolness was welcome. “Thank you for trying to help me, Mac,” she made herself say the words. “I’m truly sorry I shot at you; it wasn’t intentional. I didn’t know it was you, and I simply reacted. I am so embarrassed… and so thankful I missed you.”
“I’m thankful you missed, too,” he said, relieved that she didn’t know it was him she was firing at.
“It doesn’t happen often,” she felt obligated to point out. “I did it one other time,” she admitted. “Dove paddled me, too,” she tattled on herself.
“You shot at him?” Mac asked for details.
“No, it was just a kid who came across us and wanted to see what we were doing camped out on his Pa’s place. He took off running like a jackrabbit, and Dove paddled me, and then we packed up and moved on before the Pa came gunning for us. I was thankful I missed that time, too.”
“I wish you’d try to eat, Emily. I might not get lucky enough to catch fish in the morning,” Mac said.
The pain was subsiding a bit, or perhaps she was just feeling better because Mac was no longer angry with her, but whatever the reason, Emily propped herself on her elbows and picked up a fork and took a bite of her fish. It was good, and she suddenly realized she was ravenous.
Mac smiled to himself when he saw that Emily was eating as if she was starving. Once her plate was clean he asked, “Would you like more? I fixed plenty.”
“You get what you want first,” she ordered. “I’m not really hungry now, but it was so good I’d like another bite or two.”
“Okay.” Mac took their plates and refilled them.
Emily finished all of her fish and her potatoes and then sighed. “I’m so full, but that was so good. Thanks, Mac.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “I’m not much of a cook, but what I do cook, I do pretty good. Fish is a favorite of mine.”
“Mine, too,” she agreed. “Mac, thank you for not being mad at me right now.”
“Emily, I love you. I won’t ever stay mad at you; after I spank your sweet hide it’s over.”
She nodded, trying to digest what he had to say. Apparently that meant he would soothe her pain, too, and she was all for that.
“I’ll do the dishes now, and you try to get some sleep.” He removed the cool towel and made sure the blanket was tucked around her. Mac hoped the wet towels helped some with the swelling, and she was more herself in the morning. He quickly cleaned the dishes and the frying pans, and then banked the fire before seeking his own bed for the night. He lie there awake for quite a while, and he thought he heard sniffling. “Are you crying, Emily?” he whispered, just in case she was asleep and he was hearing things.
“I’m sorry,” she answered.
“Are you in that much pain?” he asked, “Or are you just upset?”
“Both,” she admitted. Emily heard him get up and he moved his blankets next to hers. She was still undressed from the waist down, but he pulled her on her side and moved her closer to him and put his arm around her and hugged her. “You shouldn’t do this, Mac. I’m not dressed!” she reminded him.
“Hush now. Nothing is going to happen; not until we’re married. Just close your eyes now and go to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
But she didn’t! Her butt was so sore that it took everything she had to pull on her drawers and her pants. She felt swollen and the rough fabric felt abrasive even with the drawers next to her skin. Emily needed to find some privacy, however, and she couldn’t walk around without clothing. Every step was a reminder of the switching she’d had. Her skin felt stretched and the welts felt like her skin was ripping wide open when she moved. Emily promised herself she would never do anything to ever earn another switching as long as she lived. While the immediate burning was gone, she felt bruised and very, very sore. Once she relieved her bladder, she had to go through the torture of covering her sore legs and cheeks once again.
Bravely, Emily made her way back to camp, and started a fire so she could make coffee. She filled the pot with cold water and added beans. Once that was done, she took out her meager supplies and quickly mixed some biscuits and put them on to bake. She sliced bacon and put it in a skillet to fry; when it was done, she put it aside while she made gravy out of the drippings.
Mac woke to the tantalizing odors of fresh coffee brewing and bacon frying. He was instantly hungry, and was relieved that Emily felt well enough to cook. He would get her back to town, and they could be married yet today. Lying next to her, knowing she was nude from the waist down, made sleep nearly impossible last night. He wanted her, but he would not permit himself to seduce her. She was an innocent and she deserved his respect.
“Wash up, Mac,” he heard her call out, and he got to his feet after pulling on his boots.
“Smells good, honey,” he said appreciatively.
“I can cook some, too,” she said with a shy smile. She was still embarrassed that he’d slept next to her while she was undressed, but he’d offered comfort… and he didn’t try to make her do something she wasn’t ready to do. Emotionally, she needed to be held, and that is exactly what Mac gave her. She was grateful, and determined not to whine today.
When Mac came back to ca
mp, she offered him a plate of food and a cup of black coffee. “Thanks, honey,” he said, giving her a smile. He took a seat, on a rock, but noticed that she preferred to kneel and put her plate on another rock. “Are you still in a lot of pain, Emily?”
She nodded.
“Can you ride?” he asked hopefully, only to see her green eyes widen in horror at the very thought.
“Mac, the reason I stopped here yesterday was because I was too sore to sit my saddle, and that was before you spanked me again and switched me. I would have to walk, and that even hurts,” she said quietly. Even though it galled her to admit it, she looked at him and truthfully stated, “I am a big baby when it comes to pain. I bruise easy, and what someone else might take in stride, lays me low. It’s not your fault,” she assured him. “Even a light spanking makes a baby out of me.”
“Then we’ll just camp here until you are better,” he said decisively, vowing that his hand was all the tiny woman would feel on her bottom from this point. If she did something really horrible, he would perhaps use a light paddle, but more for effect than pain. Mac felt like a real bastard for hurting her.
“Thank you for your understanding,” she gratefully whispered, trying to blink away the sudden tears that filled her eyes. She was not going to cry again! “I promise I’ll tell you just as soon as I can sit a saddle.”
It was four days later before Emily thought she could ride back to Twin Creeks. But an hour into the three hour ride, she was in pain. She grit her teeth and remained silent. They were out of food, and after five days of very little else but fish, they both longed for something else to eat. Mac was a big man, and he needed more than a couple of fish each day. She was going to sit her saddle, even if it killed her.
Mac saw the stubborn set of Emily’s jaw and realized that she was hurting and trying to hide it from him. “We can stop and rest if you need a break, Emily,” he said quietly. “It won’t hurt to walk a bit.”
She looked at him and smiled wanly. “You are good to me, Mac. Thank you.” They dismounted, and led their horses while they talked about anything and everything. The last few days were filled with many other talks of everything they could think of. Emily shared her life story, and listened as Mac told her things he rarely shared with anyone. The last person he shared some of this stuff with was Lucy’s brother, Philip Jacobs. Philip and Lucy’s Dad was a real bastard, just like his Dad was. He promised Emily he would never treat his son or daughter the way he was treated as a kid.
After walking for nearly half an hour, Emily suggested they ride again. The break helped and she was able to sit her saddle for another hour before Mac noticed she was in pain again. They walked a bit, and then pushed for town. It was afternoon when they arrived and the first thing they did was head for the only restaurant in town. Emily did not enjoy sitting at the table, but she was too hungry to complain, and she was patient as Mac ate all of his food, and then asked for more. He’d pampered her the last several days, and now it was her turn to pamper him.
Sheriff Dan came into the restaurant and walked over to the table and took a seat. “Well, girl…? What you got to say for yourself? You the same as broke out of jail, and by rights, I should toss you back in for thirty days.”
“Emily isn’t guilty of any crime, Dan. She wasn’t running from you; she was running from me,” Mac defended the redhead’s actions. “And, she’s been punished enough.”
“More than enough,” Emily added virtuously. “I’m sorry, Sheriff Dan. I know I broke my promise to you, but it wasn’t intentional. I was upset when I realized Mac was the one who had me locked up; I was scared.”
“I wouldn’t let no one hurt you, honey,” Dan exclaimed. “Now, boy, are you planning to do the right thing and marry this girl?”
“That’s what I intended all along, Dan. We would already be married if Em hadn’t taken it into her head to run from me. And, before you think something that isn’t true, nothing happened out there. I gave Emily a switching, and her skin is super sensitive. It was a few days before she could sit her saddle,” he stated, his face red.
“That true, girl?” Sheriff Dan asked sharply. He felt responsible for the little redhead.
“Yes, it is true. Mac was a gentleman, and he was kind enough to give me a few days to get over the spanking before we headed back here. You don’t need to worry, Sheriff Dan.”
“Well, I believe you both, but the wedding is taking place today. I spoke to the Preacher, and he is expecting you.”
“I need to get a dress and bathe!”
“I want a bath and some clean clothes, too,” Mac said.
“I’ll give you both one hour to get to the church. If you’re not there, you’re both going to jail for thirty days, and I don’t give a damn that you’re a lawman, Mac. You need to do the honorable thing by this girl, and she needs to settle down with a man who can handle her and keep her safe. So, one hour!” Sheriff Dan turned on his heel and marched from the restaurant, positive he was doing the right thing by the little redhead.
Chapter Five
Emily looked at the bemused man seated across from her and jumped to her feet and went after the well-meaning Sheriff Dan. “Just one minute, Sheriff!” she called out.
The elderly man turned to face her. “I meant what I said, Missy.”
“You can just unsay it or there will be no wedding, do you hear me?” Emily crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the man. “I won’t have a man forced into marrying me. You just march back in there and unsay it, or I promise you I will mount up and ride out of here. If Mac won’t marry me without a gun at his back, then I don’t want him.”
“I’m only looking out for you as if you was mine, girl.”
“No, you are butting in, and taking away the joy of this day. I won’t have you setting a time limit for Mac.”
Sheriff Dan looked over the top of her head to see Mac coming up behind her, a lazy grin on his handsome face. “You put her up to this, Mac?” he asked suspiciously.
“No, you did that all by yourself, Dan,” Mac said with a straight face. “Emily doesn’t like being told what to do, and the minute you put a time limit on her bath you pissed her off.”
“This isn’t funny, Mac. Neither of us is getting married just because some Sheriff is forcing it. I won’t stand for it!” Emily was incensed and her green eyes were snapping in temper.
“Emily, honey, you know I asked you to marry me before Sheriff Dan put in his two cents worth. Now, that offer is still open. I’ve been a gentleman up to now, but I want you in my bed tonight. Stop fussing at Dan and go and get all prettied up. I’m going to shave, get a haircut, and bathe, and put on some new clothes. When you’re ready, come and meet me in the lobby and we’ll go and see the preacher. Sheriff Dan is welcome to come and witness the doings, but it will be in our own time,” he said firmly, giving Dan a meaningful look.
“All right!” Dan said in disgust. “I guess it don’t matter none if it’s an hour or three hours from now. Just so long as there’s a wedding,” he simply had to add.
“Em, do you need money for a new dress… or shoes… or for anything?” Mac asked carefully.
“No,” she replied. “I’m flush right now.”
“Then I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby,” he said before leaning down to kiss her tenderly.
“You really do want to marry me, Mac?” she asked, trembling.
“I do, Em. I’m sure of myself, and you have no idea how many times I’ve kicked myself for letting you ride out of town three weeks ago. I just wasn’t willing to admit it to myself that I loved you, and I wasn’t sure you felt the same about me.”
“I did, but I was too stubborn to admit it,” she conceded with a shy smile.
“Will you please cut that bath time in half, then?” he asked, teasing her a bit.
“For you, yes,” she surprised him by agreeing, and then she hurried off, just to disappear inside a store down the street.
“I shoulda minded my own business,
” Dan said dryly.
“You meant well, Dan, and Em knows that.”
“You’re gonna have your hands full with that one,” Dan stated matter-of-factly.
********************
When Emily came down the steps in the hotel an hour later, a shy smile on her pretty face, Mac jumped to his feet and went to meet her. “You are simply beautiful, Emily. I am a lucky man.”
“Thank you for saying that, Mac,” Emily said. She’d spent a lot of money on the dress, and she truly loved it. One of the maids at the hotel insisted on doing her hair, and it looked pretty. She truly felt like a bride and her only regret was that Dove wasn’t here to see her married.
“These are for you, Em,” Mac said as he handed her a bouquet of flowers. “Every bride should have flowers,” he stated.
“You look handsome, Mac,” she told him. “You clean up real good,” she added with a grin.
“I wouldn’t insult you by wearing my trail clothes to get married,” he said with a chuckle. He offered her his arm. “Let’s go do this, Emily.”
To their surprise, the Reverend was expecting them, and most of Sheriff Dan’s family was already inside the church, waiting to see them wed. They were all dressed in their Sunday best and Eva Jo was already dabbing at her eyes with her lace-trimmed handkerchief while the very pregnant Jenny was patting her other hand comfortingly.
“This is an honor for me to perform this wedding. When the Sheriff approached me a day or two ago, I was worried I was going to have a disgruntled groom on my hands. But, instead, I am seeing before me a radiant bride and a proud groom. It will be a pleasure to officiate,” he said with a smile.
Emily Page 5