His Passionate Pioneer (13 page)

"Better?"

"Much," she said as he bent to kiss her. "But I'm not sure how steady my legs are. You might have soothed my arse, for which I am most grateful, but, sir, you have loved me so well that I feel as if I have no bones in my body."

Chuckling, he kissed her again. "Good thing you are such a strong, young thing. Of course, if you don't recover quickly, I suppose you can stay and rest in the wagon today."

Anna pushed away. "Imagine that; I'm feeling stronger already." She thought he was teasing, but wanted to make it clear that she really wanted to explore the town; this time with her wonderful husband beside her.

He smiled and told her to stay as she was. He jumped from the wagon only to return a moment later with a bit of cloth that he had dipped into the pan of water still on the fire. Though she blushed, she accepted his gentle cleansing and his help dressing. He gave her another kiss before he jumped from the wagon again.

"I'm going to go check on the oxen. Why don't you make sure your list is complete? It will be about time to go when I get back."

Anna nodded as he took the feed bags and turned to walk away. "Richard," she called and he turned back. "I'll stay at the wagon, I promise."

He looked back to see her smiling, and grinned at her. "I know you will, sweetie." He gave her a wave and walked towards the area where all the oxen were tethered.

Anna finished packing up all the cooking utensils and breakfast items and then looked through their supplies. She wrote down items they hadn't thought of during breakfast. Seeing something white lying between two barrels, she fished out her ruined drawers. Blushing, she remembered being shocked as Richard had torn them from her, and with a smile, decided to add some sewing thread to their list. She was through checking their supplies when she heard someone calling her. Looking through the flap, she waved to Harriet.

Harriet waved back. "Good morning, honey."

Her husband smiled. "May I help you down?"

Anna nodded and allowed the older gentlemen to steady her as she climbed from the wagon. "Thank you Mr.—oh, I mean Doctor Williams."

Robert smiled down at the tiny woman. "Now, Mrs. Andrews, it's just Doc or Robert, and it is my pleasure. You certainly look like a ray of sunshine today."

Anna blushed. "Thank you. It must be my red hair."

"No, it's the way you are absolutely glowing," he countered.

"Robert, I fear you are embarrassing the poor thing."

"Doctor, please call me Anna." She turned to his wife. "Harriet, thank you for helping with our clothing yesterday. I appreciate it."

Harriet gave the young woman a hug. "Think nothing of it. That's just what friends do. Robert is going to help me pick up Hope and anything she needs. We are thrilled to be allowed to play with her today; she is just a joy and we miss our own children."

Anna smiled. "Is there anything I can get you while we are in town?"

Harriet thought for a moment. "Well, Robert made a list to give to James, but if you go to the general store, would you mind picking me up a needle? I can't seem to find mine, and I have quite a bit of mending to do."

Anna giggled, remembering her torn drawers. "Certainly. I have to get some thread and a needle myself. Um, could you help me later and show me how to mend? I'm not very good at sewing. My sister Margaret was a great seamstress but I seem to be all thumbs."

Harriet agreed, and the couple left to go get baby Hope. Anna looked around for Richard but he was not in sight. She began to follow the couple over to the Blakemores' wagon but then stopped short. Remembering her promise to stay at the wagon, she had no intention of disobeying again. Sighing, she turned back and spent some time picking at the fire, straightening the ring of rocks, then gingerly sat on a stool, waiting for everyone to get ready. She was thrilled that Richard was allowing her to go into town and realized that he was not one to hold grudges. She was smiling and picking at a stalk of grass when he returned. He smiled when he saw her at the fire and called her name. Anna looked up and then jumped into his arms, almost knocking him backwards.

"Whoa, hold up honey. Let me put the feed bags away. Do you have your list?"

"Yes, may we go now? I never left the wagon, I promise! Please?" she asked, her feet dancing as she hung onto his arm.

He grinned and nodded, putting the feed bags away, then took his wife's hand. They walked over to the Blakemores' wagon and found that Harriet and Robert were receiving last minute instructions from a nervous Charity.

Seeing Richard, James said, "Honey, I'm sure Miss Harriet knows how to handle a baby. After all, I believe she raised seven herself. Let her go now. We'll be back sooner if we get going." Charity smiled and kissed Hope once again, giving her daughter a wave as the baby cooed in Harriet's arms.

Charity looked wistfully across at them and then, as if she'd suddenly decided that Harriet probably did know what she was doing, she smiled at Anna. "Okay, I'm ready to go." James took her hand and the two young couples started their walk to town.

Anna was laughing and talking to Charity, both women excited to be doing something other than their day to day routine. Richard told James about the town, and that he needed to make sure to go by the blacksmith's and pick up the repaired yoke and get some leather. The women groaned, both wanting to go to the general store.

Charity made a suggestion. "Why don't you two go on and we'll meet you in the store? I know I don't want to stand around in that hot smithy's, jabbering away about oxen. Do you, Anna?"

Anna smiled but looked at her husband. "I'll do whatever Richard says. I don't mind waiting for him."

"I don't believe I need to remind you to stay in the store while we go to the smithy's, do I?" Richard asked.

Anna blushed and then giggled. "No, sir. Believe me, I'll stay or go wherever you tell me for the rest of my life." Everyone paused before they all laughed. The underlying tension was gone; Anna knew her punishment had been on everybody's mind, and she was glad that the air was clearing. Richard grinned and drew her closer into his side. She felt his hand slip down to cup one of her tender cheeks and blushed, immediately thinking about a finger up her bottom.

He gave her rear a very gentle squeeze. "Good, we'll get the boring stuff done and meet you back at the store. You shop for what we need, honey, and I'll pay for it when we're done."

Anna nodded and he handed her their list. They were all laughing and talking, enjoying the beautiful cool day as they walked down the sidewalk. After quick kisses on their cheeks, the women were soon engrossed in all the items on display in the mercantile.

Anna loved the store. She and Charity were met by a woman who offered to help them locate their needed supplies. Piles grew larger on the counter as beans, rice, salt, coffee, and sugar were taken down from shelves. Anna added flour and a few other supplies that Charity said Harriet had requested. Once the dry goods had been chosen, Anna asked where the fabric and sewing sundries could be found, and was led to the back corner of the store. Charity and she were soon examining bolts of fabrics, each running hands over the pretty material.

"This would make a lovely dress," Anna said, rubbing the cotton print between her fingers. Tiny yellow flowers were set against a soft green background, reminding her of spring.

Charity agreed. "Why don't you get some?"

She giggled and confessed, "I don't sew very well. I'm much better outside doing chores. I do need some thread though, so I can mend my drawers that Richard rip—" she paused, her face flushing at the realization of what she'd just confessed.

Charity reached out and squeezed her friend's arm. "It's okay. Don't be embarrassed. I'll be glad to help you make a dress."

Anna, her face still red with embarrassment, shook her head. "No, that's okay but thanks anyway. I don't need a new dress. Just the thread, oh, and a needle for me and one for Harriet. She said she's lost hers and needs to do a lot of mending."

Charity nodded and helped Anna pick out some good thread, then they watched as the clerk wrapped two needles into pieces of felt. Good sewing needles were priceless and much treasured items. Anna knew that Harriet was grateful she would be able to replace her lost needle. After Anna had her items, Charity saw a piece of yellow fabric; the color of the sun.

"Oh, that is beautiful." Anna agreed and smiled when she saw the men had joined them.

"Going to get some of that yellow for Hope?" James asked, as if reading his wife's mind. She turned and smiled, nodding. He had the clerk cut a yard of the fabric.

Richard saw Anna stroking the floral material. "That's mighty pretty, and would be even prettier on you. Are you going make a dress?"

She burst out laughing. "Only if you want your wife to look atrocious. I told you, I'm not good at that sort of thing."

He laughed but Charity shook her head. "I've offered to help her. She is going to need to know how to sew. After all, we aren't settling somewhere where she can pop into a dress shop."

Richard nodded, and Charity and he discussed how much yardage would be needed. The clerk happily cut the cotton and folded it into paper for Anna.

Anna saw Richard eyeing some plain muslin fabric and blushed. She might not be a seamstress but she knew drawer material when she saw it.

He saw her watching and grinned. "We'll take a couple of yards of this too, ma'am," he said. The clerk quickly added the fabric to the package and then talked Richard into some ribbons and lace to make the items more appealing.

Anna stood there and blushed as she thought of that day, but had to agree that Charity was right. Unless she wished to eventually wear rags, it was time for her to learn how to sew a proper garment. The fabric and the yellow ribbons were pretty, and she watched as the clerk wrapped the items carefully.

"Let us pay for Harriet's needle," James said as he accepted a spool of thread from Charity. "Just a little something to let her know we appreciate her caring for Hope while we're in town."

The purchases were paid for and packed into boxes. Anna refused to put her fabric in the box, wanting to hold the wrapped parcel. Seeing her husband shake his head and grin, she giggled. "Maybe holding onto it will help me become a seamstress."

He smiled. "Well, that and Charity's help, of course. It will be fun watching you learn to sew."

"You just be ready with that salve when my fingers are aching and pricked from the needle," Anna teased, finally placing her bundle into the box.

Richard bent close. "I'll always have the salve ready, darlin', whether it be your finger or your arse that needs the attention." At her gasp, he bent a bit closer. "I just might be persuaded to help out with a prick, as well." He chuckled as she felt her face turned scarlet and her drawers moistening. It appeared he was far better at teasing than she.

They left the store and, after looking into a few shop windows, Richard turned back down the road. Anna sighed; she wasn't yet ready to return to the dreary wagon.

Richard smiled down at her. "No need to fret. I promised to treat you to lunch before we go back."

She smiled and tucked her hand into his arm. As they walked down the street, she stopped suddenly. He was leading them up the sidewalk that led to the house where she had seen the woman sweeping. "Oh, no," she whispered, her face flaming. "Please tell me we aren't having lunch here."

He looked down at her. "What's wrong? This is the best restaurant in town, and the only one I would allow my wife to enter. We are definitely not eating at the saloon."

Anna looked over at their friends and then whispered, "But she saw me get—"

"Swatted?" Richard supplied.

She blushed but nodded. "I can't go in there. I'm embarrassed."

Richard sighed and glanced at James and Charity who were standing a small distance away, allowing them privacy. He looked down at his wife. "Anna, you don't have anything to be ashamed of once you've confessed your naughtiness and have paid for it. You have to get over this feeling, or else you will wind up with a very limited circle of friends. Charity and James know all about your punishment, and you don't believe they think less of you, do you?"

She looked at her friends and slowly shook her head. "No, but they know me, and Charity," she lowered her voice as he bent a bit closer, "she told me that she is under James's discipline as well."

"I am, and I do get spanked," Charity said, Anna looking up in surprise to realize that her friend had stepped closer. "My bottom has been reddened many a time before, and I'm sure it will be again. But for now, I'm starving, and would love to enjoy lunch. Please, Anna, we'll go back if you want, but wouldn't it be nice to have a meal where you don't have to cook or clean up afterwards?"

Anna looked around at the people who had come to love her. She was still blushing but then smiled. "Okay, I'm sorry to be so silly. This woman might not even remember me."

Richard grinned. "I think you'd best be prepared that she will. This is a pretty quiet town and, darlin', I'm afraid you were the only source of entertainment yesterday."

Anna was chewing on her bottom lip as she considered his words. "Good thing we're only passing through, then. I'll never see anyone in this town again. Charity is right—I'm starving."

Richard tucked Anna's hand more firmly into his side and led her up the porch steps. He opened the door and, as delicious aromas wafted out, she heard her stomach growl. If she didn't allow herself to think about it, she would be fine. Besides, anything would be better if she didn't have to cook it herself. She smiled up at Richard and stepped into the house.

The place was crowded with several people from the wagon train already seated around one of the many tables. The establishment was spotless. The windows sparkled, the sunlight streaming through to bathe the entre room in its light. Fresh flowers in pretty vases adorned the buffet and sideboard. Cloth napkins were at each place, and the tablecloths were crisply ironed. It was obvious that the proprietor's goal was to provide guests with a very pleasant experience. Anna was smiling as Richard held out a chair. She sat and then jumped up with a gasp before blushing and gently lowering herself onto it. Richard said nothing as he pushed her chair into the table. She felt her smile falter as the woman she'd seen sweeping approached their table.

"Welcome to Mabel's," the woman greeted, smiling as they settled themselves. Anna dropped her eyes to the table. "Oh my, I forgot honey, that chair is unstable. Please let me get you a different one." Anna quickly stood, not wanting to be seated if the chair collapsed.

The woman pulled the chair away and then called, "Stephen, please bring my chair in for this young lady." A young man, obviously the woman's son as the resemblance was quite striking, quickly brought a chair from the other room to their table.

Anna almost moaned with pleasure when she saw the very thick cushion on the seat. She started to thank the woman and, as she raised her eyes to the lady's, she understood. Not only had the woman recognized her, she also knew that Anna had indeed gotten the spanking promised by her husband. Instead of amusement or judgment though, Anna saw only concern and empathy. She took a deep breath. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Oh, call me Mabel," the woman insisted. "I'm so sorry about that rickety chair, I've been meaning to get it fixed. Now, what can I get you folks?" She went on to detail the menu items available, and they all chose the pork chops, mashed potatoes and fresh greens. The woman nodded and introduced her son as he placed four glasses of water on the table.

Anna sighed; her bottom more comfortable than it had been all day. Richard grinned as he watched her settle onto the deep cushion and she gave him a small smile. They enjoyed the delicious meal and when Mabel insisted on servings of apple pie topped with freshly churned ice-cream, none declined the offer. Richard sat back, patted his stomach and declared he couldn't swallow another bite. James agreed, but all of them managed to find room for cups of coffee. They were having such a good time, relaxing for the first time in weeks, and no one wanted to rush back to responsibilities. Mabel came over to collect their money and to thank them again for their patronage. Richard helped Anna to stand.

Anna gave the woman a big smile. "Mabel, thank you so much. The food was delicious, I had a very nice time."

Mabel smiled and, when she bent down to give her a hug, Anna returned it. "Thank you, my dear. It is such a pleasure to meet such nice young folks and I hope your travels are easy, um, I mean..." With her hands fluttering in the air, she sighed and blushed. "I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to say anything. It wasn't my intent to speak of your trouble."

"Don't fret, Mabel, it was all my fault and I've learned from my mistake. Thank you for making today a much better day." Suddenly Anna giggled, slapping her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I just imagined how I must have looked running down the road. I'm surprised you've been able to keep a straight face!"

Mabel grinned. "Well, I admit, at first I was puzzled why you'd be running from such a good looking man, but when he yelled out, believe me, I instantly understood." Bending down, she picked up the cushion off the chair and handed it to Anna.

"Oh, no, you don't need to do this. I'll be fine."

Mabel laughed and shook her head. She bent down close to Anna's ear and whispered, "Shush now. I've had an aching bottom before as well and, honey, you do not want to sit on a hard wagon seat without a nice fat cushion. Please take it, and perhaps you'll remember me fondly."

Anna felt tears well up in her eyes. She had never felt so cared for by a virtual stranger. She hugged the pillow tightly. "Thank you, Mabel. I'll think about you every time I sit down." Mabel laughed heartily and they left, all waving their thanks again for a great meal.

The four stopped at the Williams' wagon and smiled as Charity crooned over the laughing baby as if she hadn't seen her in days rather than a few hours. Harriet was touched by the gift of the needle and thread, though she insisted she didn't expect any such thing for something simple as watching a beautiful baby. Richard asked James to see Anna back to the wagons and he quickly nodded. Anna watched Richard walk away, puzzled as to why he hadn't waited for her to join him.

She and the other women talked about dressmaking and all they'd seen in town for several minutes. When James said it was time to go, Anna picked up her pillow and hugged Harriet goodbye. She followed Charity and James and then peeled off to go to her own wagon. She clutched her pillow and then looked up when she bumped into something.

* * * * *

"Wife, you've got to stop looking at your feet when you're walking around," Richard teased, hearing her squeak in surprise. Anna smiled and he bent to kiss her. He eyed his wife, who was hugging that pillow for all she was worth. He grinned and hoped she liked the present he had arranged for her as much as that cushion. "I know that cushion is probably the very best present ever, but I did get you something as well. Come and see?"

"Richard, I don't need anything else. You are all I'll ever need. You don't have to get me a present."

He didn't reply as he led her to the wagon. At first she didn't understand, but when he took her pillow and set it on the hard seat of the wagon before lifting her effortlessly onto the soft cushion, she squealed. "Oh, thank you, my feet touch!"

She placed her feet on the wooden box that Richard had asked Robert to install while they were in town. He had watched his wife trying to brace herself, but her short stature made it impossible. She'd been bouncing around on the seat as they'd driven over rutted roads, her feet swinging in the air. He knew her bottom would be tender for several more days and didn't want to prolong the pain from her punishment. He had stayed up late the night before to finish the box, knowing she would need it tomorrow. It was the perfect height for her on which to place her feet, and she also could open it to store things inside. It wasn't a simple box; he had carved some vines around a single rose on the lid.