by Bree Cariad
He and her father kept up most of the conversation. All she and her mother had to do was serve the food. Relieved, she slowly relaxed. After dessert was served and he prepared to leave – because as it turned out, a bonus of these kinds of dinners was the guy only came for the meal and then left – he thanked her for the meal, smiled at her, showing slightly uneven teeth covered in coffee stains, before taking his leave. After Kathy and her mother cleaned up the kitchen, they joined her father in the living room, though she wished she could escape up stairs. She knew they would ask how she felt about the whole thing and she wasn’t sure she was ready to say something and not make a snarky comment that would end her up over her father’s desk with an even sorer rump.
To her relief, neither of them brought it up. Instead, they brought up the events list Kathy had received and began to discuss things she might like to partake in. As it was, by the time she escaped upstairs after prayers, she decided this whole dinner thing wouldn’t be so bad. Until the next evening, that is.
Her second dinner did not go as well as the first. Joseph Lafferty was a total jerk. A math teacher at the local high school – which was an automatic no for her and by their expressions, her parents as well – he seemed to think rather highly of himself, giving them a litany of his accomplishments since he’d graduated college. At one point Kathy was sure it would never end. When her mother practically grabbed plates the second they were clean and did not mention dessert, she was relieved, though she also spotted her father’s narrowed eyes. Wincing, she knew her mother was in for it. Rudeness was something Gerald Bretherton despised. Though, she personally thought their guest’s rudeness should have been taken into account. At least they got to enjoy a leisurely dessert after he left. Well, she did. Her father sent her mother to his study as soon as Joseph was out the door.
When she woke up Sunday morning, Kathy didn’t want to get out of bed. Not even the scent of cinnamon rolls wafting through the house could entice her. Another dinner tonight with a guy she didn’t want to deal with. Imagining herself as Samantha from Bewitched, she placed her finger to the tip of her nose and moved it from side to side, wishing she could change things so that whoever was coming would conveniently forget to show. Knowing her non-magical powers wouldn’t work, she finally managed to pour from her bed and start her day. Only, she didn’t start her day the way her parents would have approved of.
Once she was on her feet, her eyes looked at the sanded walls and the need came on her suddenly to paint. Pulling on her painting clothes – jeans and a t-shirt so splattered it wouldn’t matter if they got more splatters on them – she pulled plastic over her bed and nightstand and grabbed the paint supplies which thankfully her mother had stacked in her closet. After dragging the drop cloth over half the floor, she got to work.
There was something soothing about painting her room, covering the dingy gray walls with bright peach paint. After a few minutes, she wanted music to paint by, so she turned on her stereo, cranked it up, and singing along with her favorite songs, went back to painting. She wasn’t sure how long she was at it, though only one half a wall was covered in peach when her door opened and both of her parents walked in, confusion on both of their faces.
“Kathy,” her father said in the kind of tone which meant he was trying to stay calm. “We have another guest coming tonight.”
“I know,” she said, still painting. “But my room needed paint.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother place her face in her hands, shaking her head. Obviously Kathy was on thin ice, but at the moment, she was beyond caring. “Doesn’t the peach look better?”
“Young lady,” Gerald said in a slightly cooler tone. “Put the paintbrush down and close the can. You can paint tomorrow to your heart’s content.”
Frowning, she paused for barely a second before continuing. “No. I need to get it done. A half done room is just going to drive me nuts. Besides, if the guy tonight is anything like the last two guys? What’s the use?”
“Deeper and deeper.” Her mother’s soft voice came to her and Kathy winced. Carilyn was trying to get her to back off, knowing and probably recognizing that Kathy had no intention of doing so willingly. She kind of got her hard head from her mother.
Her father’s strong hand grasped the paintbrush just beyond her fingers so she couldn’t continue painting. “Hey!”
“Put the paintbrush down,” he said firmly.
Internally, the part of her that did want to be able to sit down was jumping up and down waving a flag in front of her face yelling, “What are you doing!” But for some reason, she couldn’t stop. “No. I want to paint my room.”
“I don’t care.” He pulled the brush from her hand and grasped her wrist when she tried to grab for it. “March yourself down to my study. Now.”
Glaring at him, she stomped her foot. “No!” If she didn’t cooperate, he couldn’t spank her. So, there.
The brush landed on the top of the paint can at the same time he swung her around and his hand landed hard on her rump. “Ow!”
“Study,” he repeated.
Taking his orders firmly and giving them all the emphasis she could, she marched, slamming her feet down with every step as she left her room, stomping down the stairs, and marched into his study. Her brief moment of so there lasted all of fifteen seconds as the tingling soreness of her rear combined with the scent of his study. She was in so much trouble. And she didn’t even have an excuse. Slumping her shoulders forward, she shook her head. If she thought about it, this whole morning had been heading toward this direction. Kathy was mad. Really mad. She just wasn’t sure who or what at.
The sound of the door closing on the study made her jump. She hadn’t even heard him coming down the hall. “That isn’t the way to get your father to listen,” Carilyn said kindly, sitting down on the sofa. “Though it’s a sure way to make sure you won’t be able to sit down today.”
Turning toward her mother, Kathy slowly walked over and sat down next to her. “I’m confused. And angry. And I don’t know why.”
Carilyn wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Part of it is you’re a teenager and these are natural emotions. Part of it is you feel you’re being forced into something. But I also think part of it is there’s at least some part of you that likes the idea. And so far, the guys who have shown up have been… less than stellar.”
Huffing a laugh that held no humor, Kathy nodded, leaning against her mother’s shoulder. “I feel like I’m all over the place. Why are we going to all this trouble for nothing?” Because her mother hit it exactly right. She was both angry that this was happening and rather excited about the prospect of meeting the right guy without having to go to all the trouble of kissing a bunch of frogs first. And so far she wasn’t impressed.
Kissing her lightly on the forehead, Carilyn squeezed her tight. “If it makes you feel better? Your dad and I are in complete agreement. Michael was nice, but you on a farm for the rest of your life? We don’t see it. And as far as Joseph. What was he thinking? You’re still in high school. Idiot.”
Grinning at her mother’s support, Kathy hugged her back. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. But you know your dad’s still going to spank you.”
“Yeah.” And she definitely wasn’t looking forward to it.
“So let me go so he can do that and then you can join me in the kitchen to start the roast.” Nodding, Kathy held on for a few more seconds before she finally released.
Tired and feeling really stupid as her actions went through her head, she could not believe how bratty she had acted. It was as though she regressed to eight years old. Thinking about it, she had been spanked more since they arrived in Hyacinth than in the year previous. She was honest enough with herself to recognize it was her at fault. Her dad had not turned into an absolute disciplinarian. Instead, she had been doing some pretty stupid things. It was as though she had stepped out to break all of his rudeness rules lately. Embarrassm
ent slid through her veins and she tucked herself into a ball.
When the door shut again, she didn’t look up. “I’m sorry.” When he didn’t respond, she peeked through her hands to see him standing in front of his desk holding… oh, no. The paddle. Her eyes widened as she sat up. She had only been paddled once before with that hard piece of wood. It was awful! “No, Daddy, please!” she begged, tears pricking her eyes. His eyes were incredibly kind as he looked at her and pointed to the desk. What was worse? She knew she deserved it. Sniffling and hiccupping back sobs, she stood up and walked over to his desk, bending over and placing her elbows down, dropping her head into her hands. This was going to hurt.
When he used his belt, she never heard it coming. But she could swear she heard the paddle as it soared through the air. As it landed on her tush, the air was knocked out of her and she cried out.
“One,” he said quietly.
Even worse. He was counting with this one. This was so not good. When he counted, it meant he planned to do it for more than ten. She wouldn’t be able to sit down until next week! The blows fell hard, a few seconds between each one and by the time he stopped, tears and other liquid soaked her face and hands, her sniffles and sobs ringing in her ears.
His hand rubbed lightly on her lower back, strangely comforting considering her backend was going up in flames and throbbing like crazy. How was she going to sit down at the table tonight? As her sobs slowed, he helped her stand up and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm, tight hug. There were no words, but she continued to hiccup and sob softly against his chest for several more minutes.
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” she murmured when she could finally speak.
“Shh. I know. Today I want you to help your mom in the kitchen. When you aren’t cooking, you’ll have a paper to write for me.”
The paddle and a paper. Oy. This was really bad. She hadn’t gotten this bad of a punishment since she was twelve years old and had snuck off to a friend’s house. “Okay.”
“Five thousand words on what you did wrong, why you did it, and how you can stop yourself from doing it again. Due to me by mid-week.”
It was truly difficult to do anything after that. She went into the kitchen to help her mom, but the dinner tonight was more simplified than the rest. Roast, vegetables, and an apple pie for dessert. Her mother helped her make the pie and then left her to spice the roast and vegetables and put them in the oven. She kept shifting from one foot to the other to try and lesson the sting and discomfort she felt. And yet while physically she felt horrible, she felt a little more clear-headed at least. Kathy was not ever sure why discipline actually did that, but it did.
She stood at the kitchen counter to start her paper; sitting down just was not an option. An hour before dinner, Carilyn walked in and patted her shoulder. “Go on up and take a shower and get ready. Wear the polka dots. They’re cute.” Nodding, as Kathy hadn’t thought as far as what she would wear, she took the paperwork with her and went to her room, putting the essay on her nightstand.
Taking a shower when you’ve been spanked that hard was a really bad idea. She just had forgotten that part until she got under the hot water and it ran over her backside. Yiping, she turned the hot water almost completely off and finished off with cold. Her outfit was already laid out, and just the act of getting dressed was uncomfortable, let alone going downstairs knowing she was going to have to sit down.
There were already voices in the living room as she descended the stairs. Walking into the living room, she was startled at who was seated across from her parents. Alexander Covington, Jr.’s bright blue eyes turned and met hers as he stood up. Her parents turned and smiled at her as she stared at their guest.
“Kathy, do you remember Alexander?” her father said and just hearing his voice reminded her not to be stupid. Being rude in this house was a bad thing.
“Yes,” she said walking forward and stretching out her hand toward his. “Nice to see you again.”
Something twinkled in the back of his eyes as he shook her hand. “And you as well, Miss Bretherton.” He stayed standing and she knew he was waiting for her to sit down. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping her parents would allow her to escape into the kitchen, but her father just pointed at the sofa. Knowing she would be sitting next to him somehow made the discomfort worse as she turned and sat down, unable not to grimace as she did so. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice. Instead he sat down next to her, reached behind him and came out with a bouquet of flowers. “I hope you enjoy wildflowers,” he said in a warm voice as he handed it to her. “My mother’s a florist and when I went over to her hothouse to get you some, she insisted wildflowers would be best.”
“I love them. Thanks.” She really did. They weren’t roses which to her should only be from someone you loved, they weren’t a fake report card with his accomplishments on them which was what Joseph brought her, and they weren’t pickles.
“I hope you enjoy roast,” Carilyn said in the pause that followed Kathy’s words. “It’s our usual Sunday evening fare.”
“I love all food,” he said. “Plus, I grew up around cattle. I think not enjoying beef goes against the code.”
As the three of them stood up, Kathy did too, surprised when her parents walked into the dining room leaving her to walk in with Alexander. “How are you enjoying Hyacinth?” he asked her as he pulled out her chair for her. Kathy was about to make an excuse about having to get the food from the kitchen when she realized it was already laid out on the table. Obviously her mother had been busy.
“I’m getting used to it,” she hedged as she gingerly slid onto the hard wooden chair, grimacing as she did so. After her mother sat down, both men took their seats, her father at the head and Alexander at the foot of the table. “I love our house.” At least that was one good thing she could share.
“The old Mortimer place,” he said nodding. “You’ve really brightened it up.”
Her father put his hands palm up on the table and she slid her hand into his and held her hand out to Alexander. Both Michael and Joseph had had sweaty palms and she had rubbed her hand on her leg afterward. Alexander did not. His hand was large, firm, and sent goose pimples up her arm. Her father gave a simple prayer, and as the platters made their way around the table, Kathy searched desperately for something to say. She hadn’t felt like talking before, but all of a sudden now, she wanted to.
“What do you do?” she finally asked, spearing a couple carrots and putting them on her plate.
“Attorney. My firm’s out of Chicago. I came here a year ago when Dad became ill with the expectation of going back, but now… I’ve settled back into Hyacinth life and am considering staying. Do you know what you want to do?”
For a moment, she couldn’t think of how to answer. He wanted to know what she wanted to do? Like in a vocation? Neither of the other guys had asked that. Her eyes slid to her mother who rather looked like the cat who had found the cream. Looking back at Alexander, she shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. I hope to figure it out at some point.” Realizing how lame that sounded, she flushed slightly only to have him smile.
“You’re only eighteen. And not even started your senior year in high school yet. You have plenty of time. I had no idea I wanted to go into law until my senior year in college.”
“What did you get your bachelor’s in?” Gerald asked.
“Animal husbandry. I expected to come back and help my dad on the ranch. But when the bug hit me about law after spending a summer interning at a law firm, I was a goner. Passed the bar a year before I came back here.”
He was very personable. There was an ease to his words and he had no trouble answering anyone’s questions. Plus, he always turned to bring her into the conversation as though her opinion mattered. As the dinner progressed, he won both of her parents over and she had the feeling he was winning with her as well. He was either really good at schmoozing, or they had found a winner in amongst the Hyacinth frogs.
“
Have you had the chance to meet anyone else?” he asked kindly as she and her mother removed the dinner plates to get ready for dessert.
“I met a few girls at the picnic last week,” she said as she picked up his plate. “We’ve been so busy I haven’t really had the time to do anything else yet.”
He nodded. “There are a lot of things to keep you busy. My sister would be a good one to talk to. She knows which events are worth it and which ones aren’t.”
“Who’s your sister?” she asked as she pulled the ice cream out of the freezer and carried it into the dining room where her mother had already taken the pie and pie plates.
“Her name’s Camille. Bright red hair, green eyes, very chipper. You can’t miss her.” From anyone else, she might wonder if they were being mean, but from the expression on his face, he adored his little sister.
“It must be nice to have siblings… wait. Cami?” she spluttered as she sat down, squeaking as she had forgotten her sore rump for a moment.
His eyebrows rose, though he seemed to overlook her squeak. “You’ve met her?”
“Yes.” Kathy turned to her father. “Cami’s the girl who wanted me to go volunteering with her.”
Gerald’s eyes lit up. “Well, then I approve. Her father’s a good man. Next time she asks, you may say yes.”
The rest of the time went far too fast. Before she was ready for it, the pie and ice cream were gone and Alexander rose to leave. “Thank you for this wonderful meal,” he said, looking at her mother. “It was delicious.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Alexander, but Kathy’s the one who made it.”
He turned his bright blue eyes on her and smiled. “Thank you, Kathy. You’re a good cook.”