The Farmer's Reluctant Bride

by Dina Chapel

  “Alright then,” he said. “Let’s get this done now.” Mandy instantly started to back away, but Hank was one step ahead of her. He must have anticipated what she would do, because he immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. Mandy tumbled helplessly over his lap.

  “No, Hank, no,” Mandy pleaded. “Please, don’t!”

  Hank wasted no time working her nightdress up over her hips.

  “I promised a spanking, and a spanking’s what you’ll get.”

  Mandy squirmed and fought Hank as she felt him tighten his grip around her waist while he bared her bottom.

  “You’ll learn to mind me.”

  Mandy threw her hands back instinctively to cover her backside, which was still smarting a bit from Hank’s discipline on the ride home.

  “Amanda Rose. Move your hands right now.”

  “No!” Mandy’s feisty answer and stubborn refusal to move her hands did not have the intended effect. It did not cause Hank to decide not to spank her. Instead, he gave the back of her thigh a good solid swat.

  “Ow! You can’t hit me there.”

  “I will spank you wherever, and whenever for that matter, I see fit—your bottom, the backs of your legs—and I may use something other than my hand if I think you’re being especially difficult.”

  Mandy quickly pulled her hands back in front of her.

  Hank continued. “My belt, a switch. You don’t want to go pushing me, young lady. It’s been a long day and I’m reaching the end of my patience.”

  “You just settle down and take this spanking without any more fuss. Learn your lesson and we can eat supper.”

  Mandy felt Hank’s hard hand land on her bare backside and she cried out. Mandy hoped Hank didn’t plan on spanking her every day. She’d never sit comfortably again.

  When Hank stopped spanking and lifted her off his lap, Mandy wiped the tears from her eyes. He hadn’t really spanked her that hard or for that long, but she was just plain worn out. It had been a very long day.

  Hank stood then and, taking Mandy by the upper arms, he leaned down and gently kissed the top of her head.

  “Let’s eat.” With that, Hank headed into the kitchen.

  * * *

  “Are you fixin’ to beat me all the time?” Mandy wasn’t looking at Hank, but down at her food, her finger fiddling with the spoon next to the bowl of stew. Hank looked up from his food to answer.

  “That wasn’t no beating, little lady. That was a spanking, that’s all.” Hank paused. “And whenever I reckon that you need one, you’re going get one.” Hank turned his attention back to his supper. “Now eat your stew.”

  Mandy continued to focus her attention on her spoon instead. She was trying desperately to figure what to do.

  Hank looked up. “Mind me now. Eat your supper.” His tone brooked no refusal.

  Mandy picked up the spoon and proceeded to eat the bowl of stew that Hank had given her.

  It was hot and tasty and Mandy suddenly realized how hungry she was. She hadn’t eaten anything that day except for the biscuit and jerky that Hank had given her when they stopped to rest the horses and relieve themselves. As she ate, she cautiously looked around her at the cabin.

  It was one large open room, with the kitchen and table to one side and a large bed on the opposite side. The hearth was in the middle of the cabin and kept the entirety of it warm and comfortable. It was neat and clean. Mandy’s eyes went back to that one bed. She didn’t see any other.

  Hank’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

  “I’ll be sleeping on my bedroll by the fire and you’ll take the bed to start.”

  Mandy felt as if she couldn’t look him in the eye when he spoke of such things, like where they would both be sleeping. She was looking everywhere but at him.

  “I expect we need to get to know one another a little bit before we share a bed as man and wife.”

  Mandy was staring into her lap and when she tried to speak, all that came from her mouth was the lowest whisper.

  “You’ll have to learn to speak up, sweetheart, or you’re going be repeating yourself a lot.” Hank smiled at her as Mandy’s eyes shot up to his. Had he really just called her “sweetheart”? Mandy couldn’t recall anyone ever in her life calling her “sweetheart.” Or any other term of endearment for that matter.

  This man was most surely confusing the bejeezus out of her. One minute he was stern and unyielding, not hesitating to punish her, and the next he was kind and caring, offering her the bed and feeding her stew.

  “I...I...um...need to...um..” Mandy found herself unable to say what she needed to say to him. What was he doing to her? Fortunately, Hank caught on quickly.

  “It’s right out the back door,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I’ll walk you out there and then I think it’s time you got to bed.” Hank stood and headed for the back door. Mandy followed.

  When Mandy had taken care of her business and they were back in the cabin, Hank walked over to the bed and turned down the covers for her. He motioned to Mandy to come to him. Her still-burning backside prompted her to obey.

  “C’mon now. I want you to get into bed and get some sleep.” Hank raised one eyebrow as he looked down at her. “Is that clear?”

  Again, Mandy found that she couldn’t meet his gaze. She was staring at one particular button on Hank’s shirt, studying it for all it was worth. She nodded her agreement.

  “Good girl.”

  Mandy climbed into the bed and lay down and Hank covered her with the quilt.

  He turned toward the table. “I’m going clean up from supper and then turn in for the night myself.”

  Mandy curled up into a ball under the covers and hugged her knees to her chest to comfort herself. The first night in a new place was always the hardest. It wasn’t unfamiliar territory for Mandy. Of course, that didn’t make it any easier. And the fact that they were miles from another soul was unfamiliar. Mandy had always lived surrounded by many and had taken some small comfort in that fact. That comfort didn’t exist out here in the middle of nowhere on this small farm with this stranger of a man.

  And she was married to him. If she was being honest with herself, Mandy had to admit that she didn’t feel as afraid of him as she thought she might or should be, given the facts. Even after the spankings, she didn’t get the sense that he would hurt her really. At least not in the ways a man could really hurt a woman if he was of a mind to. She recalled how the pastor had really seemed to like him and Mrs. Karlson had whispered to her how lucky she was to be marrying Hank. No, now that she thought about it, the pastor’s wife had wondered aloud which one of the girls from the train would be the “lucky” one to wed Hank Meyers. There was something familiar about him, if not this place. She lay still in the bed and listened to the sounds of Hank washing up from supper until she just couldn’t keep her eyes open another minute.

  Chapter 3

  Hank had a plan for the two of them to get acquainted. Hank almost always had a plan for things and this marriage was no exception to that rule.

  He had figured that they would both find themselves wedded to a complete stranger. Neither one would want to immediately consummate the marriage. But Hank found himself wanting her more and more each day that passed. If he was being honest with himself, he was really ready that first night when she stood naked in front of him, ready for a bath. It hadn’t even been a full week yet since that time; he was ready.

  But Hank had been married before. He knew what would take place in that bed. He also knew that Mandy had no idea. He was certain that she was coming to his bed pure and untouched. He had to give her time. He wanted her to at least have a little bit of feeling for him. But in the meantime, he would proceed with his plan.

  It didn’t hurt none that Mandy was very pretty. After she had bathed and brushed her clean hair, put on a clean dress and didn’t act sullen almost all the time, Hank found she was quite beautiful. She had glossy dark brown hair and blue eyes. Full pink lips, long dark eyelas
hes and a creamy complexion made for a pleasing view on her heart shaped face. He wondered what her life had been like before this that had caused her to behave the way that she had when he first came to know her.

  She was still a might thin, but Hank was sure that a few more weeks of regular hearty meals would put some meat on her bones and fill her out a bit. Mandy always seemed just a bit surprised by the amount of food that Hank insisted she prepare for their meals—and just how much of it he expected her to eat. She must have been rationed her entire life. He made sure that she could eat her fill now. Those days were behind her, as far as Hank was concerned. She was his now, and he would always make sure that she got everything she needed. Hank would always take care of her.

  He pulled the big rocker close to the warmth of the fire. Winter had started settling in on them now and the nights were getting cold. They were spending their evenings sitting by the fire and Hank had found himself looking forward to the long cold winter, now that he had a new wife for company, rather than just his ghosts of the past.

  Setting himself down in the chair, he looked over to where Mandy was just finishing with washing their supper dishes. Hank waited until she was done, then spoke up.

  “Mandy, come over here to me.” Hank made sure to state it as an order rather than a request. Mandy was proving herself stubborn as a mule and a request might not be honored. But she had already learned that an order needed to be heeded or otherwise might result in punishment. She had been over his knee several times already for refusing to do as he told her. Mandy slowly walked over to Hank’s side.

  “Yes, sir.” She stared down at the arm of the rocker. She still seemed uncomfortable whenever she was close to him.

  “Are you alright? Was there something you wanted to tell me?”

  Mandy just shook her head.

  “Well, alright then.” Hank patted his lap. “I want you to come sit down here.”

  Mandy immediately shook her head vehemently. “Can’t I just sit on the hearth, like I usually do?”

  “No, little lady, I want you to sit on my lap. C’mon now.” Hank reached out and took her hand in his. “We need to get used to each other, and this is a good way to start.” He slowly pulled her over to him and then, without warning, quickly grabbed her around the waist, lifted her and plopped her down in his lap.

  Hank quickly put his strong arms around her to keep her there, expecting a struggle. He got one.

  “Please.” Hank couldn’t help but notice the desperation in her voice. It pained him. “Please let me sit over there.” Mandy pointed to the hearth. Hank tightened his grip as Mandy squirmed in an attempt to free herself.

  “You’ll stay right here where I put you.” Mandy had started to cry. “You need to get used to me now. I’m your husband. I want to be near you. I want to touch you.” Hank decided to stop talking and began to slowly rock, holding Mandy tight the whole time.

  Hank thought that, even if she didn’t relax, it was a good start. This was part of his plan. Just to get her used to being close to him physically.

  “We’re not going to do anything but sit here and rock and talk some,” Hank tried to assure her. “We need to get acquainted. I know next to nothing about my new wife. “ Hank smiled at her. He didn’t want to tell her just then that they would be making a habit of this. His plan was to sit with Mandy in his lap by the fire every night for a spell. Hank was already enjoying the feel of her in his arms.

  “I don’t mean to frighten you any more than you already seem to be, sweetheart,” Hank tried to speak in a gentle voice. The last thing he wanted was for Mandy to be afraid of him. “But sometime soon we’re going to share a bed. We can’t put it off forever.” Hank smiled at her. “That’s what married people do. Is it me you’re afraid of or what we’re going to do?”

  * * *

  Mandy felt a bundle of nerves. Hank was holding her in his lap by the fire and she just couldn’t relax for the life of her. He was wanting to talk about the marriage bed and being a husband to her.

  She didn’t want to think about that at all. She did not want to be sitting in Hank’s lap. Maybe he wanted to be a husband to her tonight. Mandy felt nervous knots in her stomach.

  She knew at some point they would share a bed and every day that passed was one day closer to that day. It made Mandy very nervous around Hank. There wasn’t anything she could do about it either. It was going to happen. That’s what married folk did.

  Mandy had never planned on marrying, so she had never considered the possibility of having to deal with this situation. Every married woman she had ever known had made what happened between a man and wife in their bed at night sound like something to be endured, never enjoyed. Mandy had never been witness to even one happy marriage in her life.

  Her own sister had told her that it was a woman’s “duty” to spread her legs for her husband. She had told Mandy that it hurt, but was usually over quickly and she would get used to the pain after a bit. She had also explained to Mandy the excuses that a man would have to accept for her not fulfilling her wifely obligations.

  But she also knew that her cousin Hattie’s husband actually beat her a few times when she had refused him. The walls had been thin at that house and Mandy had heard first the pleading and refusal, then the beating and sobbing, then the rhythmic creaking of the bed as Hattie unwillingly submitted to her husband’s basest needs.

  Although Hank wasn’t anything like any of the husbands Mandy had met over the years or lived in a house with, for which she was beyond grateful, she still couldn’t shake the feeling that, at the end of the day, a man was a man. His needs couldn’t be any different than the others’.

  “I don’t want to force you, Mandy,” Hank was saying. “I’d like you to meet me at least part of the way.” Mandy couldn’t look at him when he talked of such things.

  “But it is going to happen soon.” Hank lifted her chin so that Mandy was forced to meet his gaze. “I can’t sleep on the floor forever.” He smiled at her. Then, without releasing his hold on her chin, Hank leaned in and kissed her, softly and gently. Mandy was surprised to find that she liked it. She smiled at him.

  * * *

  Taking her face in both his hands, Hank kissed Mandy again, this time for a bit longer and a little less gentle than the first time. Mandy remained completely receptive to his advances.

  Hank was encouraged and continued to kiss her, his hands at first holding her head and then working their way down to her shoulders, then her arms and back up again. She still hadn’t flinched or pulled away.

  Hank had to wonder if she had ever been mistreated in some way. Maybe she had been expecting mistreatment from him and that was why she had been keeping her distance. He decided to proceed as slowly as he could manage while remaining aware of her reaction at all times.

  He pulled away from her lips and she didn’t immediately pull back, as if she had been just tolerating the kiss. Hank kissed her face and neck then and Mandy’s head fell back a bit, giving him more access to her.

  Hank kissed his way back up to her lips, stroking her hair as he went, then pulled away. Best to take it slow, he thought, as difficult as that would be for him. Every part of him wanted to pick her up and take her right over to the bed. Every part of him wanted to have her right now, wanted to claim her fully as his wife. He pulled himself back from that precipice with great difficulty.

  “Tell me about what brought you to getting on that train to come out west here,” Hank smiled at her, “and be my bride.”

  Hank thought he may as well have pulled a curtain down over her face by the way Mandy’s expression changed and closed off. She tried to get up from his lap.

  Hank held her there firmly. “Sit still, now, Amanda.”

  “But, I need to...” Mandy gestured toward the back door of the cabin, the one that let out to the outhouse.

  Hank knew that it was really just an excuse to get away from him and the question he had posed, but he decided to let her off the hook, this
time. It would be a long winter. She’d talk to him eventually, he was sure.

  “All right, then, you see to your business.” Hank helped her off his lap, then he stood also. “I just want to check on things in the barn one last time before we turn in for the night.” Hank followed Mandy to the back door and she opened it to the first snowfall of the season.

  “Oh, Hank. Look!” Hank noticed that Mandy eyes lit up like a child’s at the sight of the delicate white flakes floating down. There was already a light cover of snow on everything. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Hank looked from the snow to Mandy, then back again. He smiled. “It sure is, sweetheart. Just beautiful.”

  Hank walked Mandy to the outhouse and waited for her to come out again. He felt better knowing he saw her to the back door and she was safely indoors before he went to the barn. Once all the animals were settled for the night, Hank stepped back into the cabin to find Mandy already in her night dress and sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair.

  “Snow’s picked up quite a bit in a short time,” he told her. “My guess is we’ll be getting a big fall.”

  “Is that unusual for the first snowfall of the season?”

  “It happens every few years.” He placed another log on the fire and noted the need for more wood. “I’m going to bring more firewood inside, not just the usual for the night, but I’ll load up just inside the back door, in case we can’t get at it in the morning.”

  “I want you under the covers right now. That wind I’ll be letting in will be cold for you with only your night clothes on.” Mandy obeyed immediately, pulling back the quilts and climbing under. When Hank meant business and wanted her to just mind him without any discussion or questions, he made sure to use a certain tone of voice with Mandy. She had learned quickly that this tone demanded complete obedience to his word. A long session over his knee one particular day, when Mandy was proving to be especially ornery, had driven home the lesson.

  Hank looked over at Mandy sitting on the bed with her knees pulled to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. She was watching him cart armload after armload of wood into the cabin and it was all Hank could do just to focus on his simple task.