The Teacher and the Preacher

by Victoria Phelps

  A tear rolled down her perfect cheek, but she followed his instruction.

  Lord have mercy, he prayed. She stood naked from the waist down. Caroline might be small, but she was all woman. Her hips flared, her legs were straight and shapely, and a nest of hair as black as night protected her female treasure. He gulped.

  He lifted her and laid her over his thighs. Her buttocks formed a perfect little heart, and small dimples winked at him. With his right hand, he caressed her exposed bottom, rubbing and squeezing. He intended to spank this perfection, he surely did, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to admire and touch. In two weeks this bottom would be his, legally and forever.

  Sven made another circle with his hand before delivering sharp swats to both buttocks, the top of her thighs, and the sensitive spot where her bottom curved from her slender thighs.

  Caroline groaned and pressed her pelvis into his hard thigh. Sven smiled. She liked some punishment, and Sven liked to spank. When they were married, he would explore this kind of fun with her. But tonight was not about fun, and he did not want her to enjoy his attentions.

  Drawing his hand back halfway, he dropped the first real spank onto her right cheek and watched the outline of his hand appear on her porcelain skin. He struck her left cheek and waited for a repeat appearance.

  Caroline whimpered and struggled for freedom, but Sven pulled her close.

  He laid a handprint on each thigh, on her lower bottom, and then sought for unmarked skin. But her bottom was small, and his hand was large. It wasn’t long before he ran out of unmarked territory.

  He began in earnest with sharp, quick spanks. Caroline wailed her displeasure and beat her tiny fist against his leg.

  Sven slowed his pace allowing time for the sting to recede before applying the next spank to her glowing behind. Caroline’s shoulders drooped in relief and her grip on his leg lessened.

  Once more he increased the force and speed of the spanking. Caroline writhed in pain. Sven spanked until her skin was scarlet from her upper thighs to the top of her plump cheeks before he rested his hand on her flaming bottom.

  He left his hand on her scarlet skin until Caroline realized the spanking had ended. Lifting her to his lap he set her with her little bottom draped between his thighs. He knew the harsh fabric of his pants would irritate her skin, and he did not want to add to her discomfort.

  Caroline raised her tear-stained face, shuddered, and grabbed his shirt into tight fists. “I’m sorry, Sven,” she stuttered her remorse.

  “I know, sweetheart. It’s over. You’re forgiven.” He patted her small back with his giant paw. “Just know that I will not be disobeyed. I will not order you about. I will not take offense at opinions I might not share. I want you to be your own woman, strong and confident. But if you deny me the opportunity to keep you safe and healthy, you will be punished.”

  He lifted her in his arms and carried her up the stairs. With his foot, he pushed the door open to the little room she shared with their son. He laid her gently on the bed, unbuttoned her blouse and pulled her arms free.

  Sven gazed at her naked body. Every fiber in his being yearned for her. He wanted to taste her, touch her, and sink into her depths. He ran his hands over her breasts, and she squirmed in her delight.

  He sucked in and released a deep breath. He lifted the quilt and pulled it over her body tucking it firmly under her chin.

  Micah whimpered in his sleep, and Sven went to his crib and patted his diapered bottom until he settled.

  Exiting Caroline’s rooms, Sven locked the door and pocketed the key. He ran tomorrow’s sermon through his mind as he returned to his lonely rooms.

  Two weeks until his family shared his roof. Two weeks. It had become a mantra. He spent an uncomfortable night in his lonely bed remembering Caroline’s porcelain skin turning shades of red beneath his hand. Two weeks would equal an eternity.

  Sven walked to the little church the next morning. His breath making puffs of steam in the sharply crisp air. He started a fire in the stove as soon as he arrived. He wanted his church to be a place of comfort. Then he sat with folded hands in the first pew, gathering his thoughts, searching for calm.

  At ten o’clock his little congregation drifted through the door. Not so many as on a warm spring or summer Sunday. It was difficult to make the trip in from a ranch on these chilly mornings, but Tom and Amanda Thornton were there as well as Henry and Becky Blake. Marcie and John Wayne arrived. Caroline entered, greeted friends, and took her place of pride in the front. He smiled down at these good people and offered a private prayer of thanks for the providence that brought him here, that brought Caroline here, and brought the love of community back into their lives.

  He figured they expected another sermon on love. He knew he had covered the subject so many Sundays in a row it had become a bit of a joke. He being so besotted with his fiancée he could think of no other topic worthy of discussion. They would be surprised by today’s sermon, but, as was his wont, he preached from the heart and about whatever occupied his mind.

  “Good morning,” Sven commenced. “Thank you for braving the cold to join us today. It’s in fellowship we find our comfort and our strength, and I treasure these mornings spent together.” A little murmur of assent rose and spread like the ripple on a pond. “I’m happy to say that Granny Wilkins is feeling much better and is up and around. She was not well enough to join us today, but she told me she wouldn’t miss the wedding for all the tea in China. That wedding, Caroline and mine, is now thirteen days away.” Indulgent giggles greeted his countdown. “We are looking forward to sharing that day with all of you. Arnie plans to heat the barn with a stove or two and the good ladies of the town have volunteered to host a potluck. There will be music, and I will have the privilege of dancing with my beautiful bride.” Sven beamed a blinding smile at Caroline. She blushed and shifted her bottom on the bench.

  He paused and cleared his throat. The congregation settled, and, as if by an invisible signal, all eyes were trained on him.

  “The verse I have chosen for today is Romans 13:1. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” He waited while people shifted in their pews and looked right and left as if for confirmation they had heard correctly.

  “I suspect it’s an unusual choice this close to Christmas, but it is a subject much on my mind as I will soon become head of my household. I know most, if not all, of the families in our town place the husband, the father, at the head. In fact, any group that hopes to live, love, and work successfully together must have a leader. If not, it is chaos. Arguments rule and unhappiness follows.” Sven noticed husbands taking their wives hands into their own, possessing and promising. He also noticed Caroline lift her bottom from the hard bench and attempt to sit on her right hip.

  “The army, the government, your own ranches follow this principal. Someone must give the orders, guarantee safety, while others must obey. Now, here is the thorn in this particular rose. The orders must be reasonable, consistent, and fair.” Sven stopped and let his eyes sweep the room.

  “Let’s consider the government. When the British taxed our forefathers, quartered troops in their homes, and denied them the rights due a British citizen, the result was revolution, a revolt against authority. Now I suspect the crown took a mite different view. He saw the colonists as naughty subjects, and he sent a mighty big army over to spank us.” Heads nodded in agreement.

  Caroline shifted to her other hip and placed a hand on the wooden seat to help hold her buttocks from touching the chair.

  “Authority abused invites revolt and rightly so. My message is simple. Men, use your authority for the good. Punish with love and not anger. Women, honor your husband’s desire to keep you safe and healthy. Accept the consequences of your actions and harbor no ill will but rest in the comfort of your husband’s forgiveness.”

  Caroline wiggl
ed and placed her hands under her bottom.

  The congregation’s confusion at Sven’s choice of verse was replaced with knowing nods and gentle smiles. The minister had taken his intended in hand.

  Sven moved to the back of the room and took his usual spot next to Loki. He liked to shake hands with the men and share a quick word with the ladies before heading over to the Mercantile for comradery and cookies.

  As John Wayne filed by, he gave Sven’s hand an extra shake and slapped him on the back. “Best begin as you mean to go on,” he advised. His eyes twinkled as he looked down at his wife and dropped a wink.

  Sven put his arm around Caroline’s narrow shoulders and pulled her close. “Let’s get Micah and go have a cookie.”

  “Only if I can stand,” Caroline grumbled.

  “Sitting on a spanking is usually part of the punishment but not today. I think you learned your lesson.” Caroline gave her head a vigorous shake.

  Sven entered the children’s room and returned with Micah perched on his arm and Loki trotting close by his side.

  Micah pointed at the big black and gray dog. “Oki, Oki,” he shouted.

  “Mama.” Caroline held her hands out for the child. “Mama,” she repeated.

  A laugh seemed to bubble from Micah’s belly. “Oki,” he replied.

  “Why, that little rascal,” Sven said. “I think he knows what you want, and he just won’t do it.” He gazed into the little face so like his own. “Don’t think you’ll get away with disobeying your mama when you get older, little man. Just try it and see what happens. We Nielson men honor our women and try our best to be respectful.” Sven tucked Caroline under his arm. “We surely do.”

  Micah laid his head on his mother’s shoulder and snuggled before he had the last word.

  “Oki,” he slurred around the thumb planted in his mouth.

  Loki barked at the honor of being named, and they laughed at the wonder of being a family, being together, being loved and in love.

  “I thought I had lost you forever, Caroline, and life looked mighty long and sad. I am a lucky man, a very lucky man. I won’t ever let you go,” Sven promised.

  When they entered the Mercantile, Sven selected a cookie and offered it to the baby.

  “Would you like a cookie?” he asked. “Cookie?”

  Micah snatched the treat with pudgy hand. “Ookie,” he affirmed before pushing it into his mouth.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Caroline fumed.

  “Don’t you worry, sweetheart. He knows who you are,” Sven reassured. “You’re the love of his life.” He set a careful kiss on her furrowed forehead.

  “The love of my life,” he whispered. “My heart.”

  Chapter 9

  Caroline

  Caroline needed help.

  The wedding was in one week. One week. Seven days. She would not be ready. Caroline grabbed the pin Micah held before he could put it in his mouth and slumped to the floor beside him.

  A single tear trailed down her cheek as she gathered the wiggling baby onto her lap. What did he know about the expectations she carried like a twenty-pound anchor around her neck? Nothing. He was simply busy being a baby and doing the things babies did. Grab, pull, crawl, cry, eat, poop and sleep. Oh, and refuse to say ‘Mama’. Yes, there was that.

  Sven told her she was asking too much of herself. He said she didn’t need to sew a new dress for the wedding, but she wanted one. He said she didn’t need to hold a Christmas pageant at the school on Thursday evening, but she wanted to. He said he knew a way to reduce the stress that had her snapping at him like a fishwife. It involved her bare bottom over his knee followed by a cleansing cry. He had delivered the warning, and he would follow through if she didn’t get control of her temper. This she did not want.

  Caroline needed help, and she knew where to get it. She folded her unfinished dress and wrapped it in a clean sheet. She changed Micah’s diaper, bundled him in warm clothes, and headed for Sven’s workroom. He would be sanding and thinking about tomorrow’s sermon as was his ritual, but she was sure he would be willing.

  “Sven,” Caroline called, “please open the door. My arms are full of Micah.”

  She heard the laugh that never failed to bring a tingle to her spine, and his big feet crossed the room. “Caroline. Micah. To what do I owe this pleasure?” He beamed a smile at the pair and held his arms out for the child.

  “Can you watch Micah for the afternoon?” she asked. “I know I’ve been difficult this week, but I have so much to do.” She held up her hands in a sign of surrender when Sven raised a single eyebrow in disapproval. “I know, I know, I don’t have to do everything. But I want to look beautiful for you on our wedding day, and I want the town to be proud of their children at the program.”

  “First, you could wear a flour sack and be beautiful in my eyes. I love you and not your dress. Second, the parents of the town have been very happy with your teaching. I hear a comment nearly every day about the impact you are having at the school. You don’t need to be placing this burden on your shoulders. In fact, I want to carry your burdens. My shoulders are wide, and my back is strong,” Sven declared. He set the baby on the quilt he kept ready for him on the floor and handed him several sanded blocks to play with.

  Caroline stamped her foot. “But I want to,” she whined.

  “It looks like we are headed for that discussion.” He lowered himself onto a straight-backed chair.

  Caroline held her hands palm up as if to ward off evil. “No, please, Sven. I have a plan.”

  “Tell me,” he ordered.

  “When I fetched Micah from the Wayne’s house yesterday, Marcie asked if I needed any help.” She blushed. “Well, being the stubborn girl that I am, I said no. But, if you will watch Micah, I thought I’d go see if her offer still stands. Without Micah underfoot, we could finish the dress in no time. I hoped she could help me find two more shepherd costumes, too.”

  “Two more costumes? I thought the program was set, rehearsed, and ready to go,” Sven’s reply held confusion.

  Caroline shrugged her shoulders. “It was, but the MacGregor boys finally came to school yesterday. The class was practicing, and I couldn’t leave them out. Every child has a costume and a line or two. So, I added two shepherds. They will each say, ‘Hark’. If they don’t come on Thursday, we will have a few less harks, but the show will go on.”

  “Old MacGregor finally let them off the farm,” Sven laughed. “Are they terrors?”

  “No, poorly dressed and without many manners, but I think they mean to be good. They seemed eager to be in the program.” Caroline raised expectant eyes to Sven’s face. “Will you? Will you watch Micah?”

  “Of course. I always have time for my son.” His voice rang with conviction. “You go see if Marcie will help you. Be back before dark.” When she nodded, he escorted her to the door.

  Caroline wrapped her scarf around her neck, clutched the dress to her chest, and hurried up the main street. Tea, company, and help beckoned to her like the North Star called a traveler. She blinked away happy tears. A job, a good friend, Micah, and Sven. All of this happiness belonged to her. She gave her arm a little pinch to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  The Wayne property lay just ahead, and she quickened her steps. Marcie would help her sort this out, and she would be ready for the school program, the wedding, and the wedding night. Fevered blood rushed to her head and for a moment dizziness caused her to sway. They’d had marital relations the one time, and Micah was the result. Ma had been angry when Caroline fell pregnant and informed her there was a reason they were called marital relations. If she got pregnant after one night this time, she would have a ring on her finger and a man in her bed. She hadn’t known a girl could get pregnant after one time. Her sister had been married three years before conceiving, and the whole family viewed it as some kind of Biblical miracle.

  Her pregnancy had come as a shock. Not as big a shock as Sven’s disappearance, but a shock, nonetheless.r />
  A quiver ran across her abdomen and landed between her thighs. She looked forward to the wedding night – hungered for it. Caroline supposed that made her a hussy. Her mother referred to the act between husband and wife as a duty and pulled her mouth into a grim little O. Caroline thought this was one duty she’d be more than happy to perform. A laugh bubbled from the deepest pit of her stomach.

  Caroline snapped back to the present. She tapped her way up the stairs of the Wayne home and lifted her hand to give a solid rap with her knuckles. Stopping the descent of her hand just before it contacted the door, she stood transfixed. She knew that sound. She understood those cries. She recognized the distress.

  Marcie was being spanked. Spanked by John Wayne. Well, it must be John. Who else would have the right? But Marcie was so strong, so sure of herself, so smart. Her jaw dropped to her chest, and she stood rooted to the spot.

  The spanking stopped and was replaced by low, murmuring voices. Boots struck the floor with a determined stride, and the door flew open. Caroline stood still as a marble statue with her hand raised in a knock that would never be knocked.

  John’s eyes opened wide, and it took a moment before he spoke. “Hello, Caroline. Is Marcie expecting you?”

  “N… N… No,” she stuttered. “I hoped she might help me with my dress, but I’ve come at a bad time. I’ll go.” She turned to flee down the stairs.

  “It’s all right, Caroline. Come in. I’ll be glad to help.” Marcie appeared at the door pale of face and eyes rimmed red.

  John strode down the stairs and turned toward the barn where he stabled his horses. He barked, “I’ll see to the twins.” The usual twinkle in his eyes had been replaced by slate gray.

  Marcie ushered Caroline into the house and shut the door against the cold December day. She lifted her shoulders in a bashful shrug.