The Rancher's Rules (2 page)

“Get the hell off me!” Annie screamed at him. She felt completely helpless pinned to the ground by Rafe’s large body. He easily held her arms to the ground to prevent any further assault and waited for her to settle down a bit.

“I said, get off me!” The little spitfire wasn’t settling, no, not at all.

“Not before you tell me who you are and what you’re doin’ with one of Tom McCallister’s horses. ‘Cause I ain’t never seen you before, I know everyone from these parts and you’re on my land to boot!”

“Let me up; you’re hurting me!”

“Answer my questions.” She was beginning to try his patience, although, truth be told, Rafe didn’t possess a whole lot of that virtue to begin with. He was used to being obeyed. He asked a question, it was answered. He gave an order, it was followed.

“Go to hell!” Annie screamed and then spat at him. She really wasn’t much the obeying type.

The look on Rafe’s face resembled that of the sky when a sudden and nasty thunderstorm has moved in, very dark and very scary. He slowly wiped the spit from where it had landed on his cheek and narrowed his eyes at Annie.

“You’re gonna be real sorry you did that, little girl.” Rafe's voice was a low growl, eerily calm for the look that was displayed on his face. With that, he quickly flipped her over, his knee pressed into her lower back, effectively keeping her in place. Annie moved her arms, but wasn’t able to really help herself, since she was pressed so firmly against the ground by the cowboy’s knee. She turned her head toward a quick zipping sound and watched as he pulled his belt quickly through the loops that held it in place. Before she even had time to react, he brought that thick strap of leather down across her backside with force.

“Noooo!” Annie shrieked. She got another hard lick for her objection. “No, no, no!” she cried out. “Stop it! Let me go!” Annie wriggled and struggled but her efforts got her nowhere.

Rafe brought that belt down on her hard and fast, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. She’d brought this on herself, as far as he was concerned. What type of young woman spits in a man’s face? Why, Rafe himself knew a few men that wouldn’t hesitate to take their fists to a woman for something like that. Granted, they weren’t the type of men you’d see in church on any given Sunday, but this little hellcat was lucky that he was the one to catch her on that horse. Maybe a good, hard tanning with his thick leather belt was just what she needed to keep from ever spitting in a man’s face again.

He whipped her so hard with the strap that she started crying and finding it difficult to catch her breath after the first few licks alone.

When Rafe was sure that he had her full attention, he paused. “Is that Tom McCallister’s horse?” he demanded angrily.

“Y-yes.” Annie barely got the word out and then her breath caught on a sob.

“Did you steal it?”

“No,” Annie answered with surprise. He thought she was a horse thief? “No,” she repeated. “Tom said I could ride her.”

It was Rafe’s turn to be surprised. So surprised, in fact, that he let her get up and proceeded to put his belt back on.

Annie stood up as soon as Rafe removed his knee from her back. She quickly put just enough distance between them to make her feel safe, but not anger him into holding her down again. Annie had a little experience with this type of situation and this type of man.

She used one hand to wipe the tears from her eyes and face, while the other hand rubbed her stinging bottom. She looked at Rafe. He was a large man, about the same height as Tom but wider in the shoulders and more heavily muscled. No wonder that whipping had hurt so much. Still, Annie was mad at herself for crying. She didn’t like to show weakness in front of anyone, and crying was a form of weakness. Damn him for doing that to her. She glared at him. He didn’t miss it.

“You’d best stow that look, little girl, unless you want me to take my belt off again.” Annie quickly looked down at the ground and did her best to rein in her anger.

“Now you just go ahead and explain to me how it is you came to be riding Tom’s horse, with his permission. You some long-lost relative of his that I never heard about?”

“I asked Tom this morning if I could take a ride and he offered up that there horse for me to do just that,” Annie explained, pointing toward the large beast grazing happily in the distance with a lasso still around its neck. She kept her eyes to the ground the entire time she was speaking, just in case her anger showed through. “And I’m his sister-in-law.”

“His what?” Rafe sounded incredulous.

“Sister. In. Law.” Annie spoke very slowly. “He’s married to my sister.” It was very hard to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. Very hard. Rafe stared at her for a minute and then grabbed her arm and started dragging her back to where the horses were waiting.

“This I have to see for myself,” Rafe muttered. Before Annie even had a chance to protest, he threw her over his shoulder, mounted his horse and then dropped her in front of him on the saddle. Annie gave out a yelp when her sore backside hit the saddle hard where he dropped her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her so he could be sure she wouldn’t try to get down. Rafe then grabbed his reins and those of the horse Annie had been riding and set off for Tom’s ranch.

* * * * *

Tom looked up from the broken gate he was fixing to see his best friend and neighbor, Rafe Stanton, riding in with his horse in tow and his brand-new sister-in-law wrapped tightly in his arms.  Tom couldn’t decide which one of the two looked angrier. He grinned. “Well, I’m glad to see that the two of you have met.” Tom motioned for one of his hands to take both horses into the barn for water and feed as Rafe swung down from the saddle. He put his hands out for Annie, but she dismounted on the opposite side to avoid him. He glared at her.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Rafe said, reaching out for Tom’s hand and shaking it firmly. “So you weren’t just pulling my leg?”

“No, sir, I was not,” Tom smiled. “I got me a beautiful bride too.”

Tom seemed genuinely happy and for that Rafe was glad. And happy for him also. Tom was like a brother to Rafe and he knew just how much Tom wanted to be married and to have children. He’d been talking about it for a while now.

“C’mon inside.” Tom motioned for Rafe to follow him into the house. “I’d like for you to meet my Jenny.”

As the three of them strode toward the house, Tom turned to Annie. “How was your ride on Gypsy?”

Annie snuck a quick glance at Rafe before answering. “Fine, Tom. Thank you for letting me ride her.”

“Anytime, Annie, anytime,” Tom answered easily. Tom had caught that look and wondered what had happened between Rafe and Annie. It hadn’t slipped his notice that Annie was on Rafe’s horse when they returned. He’d be sure to get that story from Rafe later.

They stepped into the kitchen through a side door and were hit all at once with the wonderful smells of dinner cooking and some kind of pie baking. Jenny had her back to them, but turned immediately at the sound of the door opening.

“This is my Jenny,” Tom said to Rafe as he leaned toward his new wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Sweetheart, this is Rafe Stanton.”

“Ma’am.” Rafe smiled, briefly, and took off his hat. “It’s a pleasure.”

“I’ll say the same, Mr. Stanton.” Jenny returned his smile, though hers remained after the exchange. “Tom speaks very highly of you.”

“Call me Rafe,” he insisted and Jenny nodded in agreement. She glanced over at Annie and caught her glaring at Rafe’s back.

“Well, I’m going to insist you stay for supper, Rafe. I’m sure Tom will agree with me.” Jenny wondered what had happened between the two. Just as she had known, and true to form, it hadn’t taken Annie long at all to stir up trouble. Jenny sighed. She’d get the story from Annie later.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Call me Jenny,” she interjected.

“Jenny,” Rafe corrected himself. “I appreciate the invitation. I’d be happy to stay.”

Annie almost wished she could just eat in the barn with the horses. It would certainly be less awkward than sitting at a table with the very man who had, not less than a couple of hours ago, whipped her backside with his belt. Although, Annie noted, Rafe didn’t seem at all uncomfortable. Even though he rarely smiled, he complimented Jenny on the meal – and it was a fine meal, Jenny was a good cook – and kept up a steady conversation with Tom about anything and everything to do with ranching. Annie found herself sneaking glances at him when she thought he wouldn’t notice.

He was the same height as Tom, and that’s where they parted ways. Rafe was brawnier, his shoulders wider and more muscular than Tom’s. His arms and chest seemed to strain at the material of his shirt. And while Tom was fair-haired and had clear blue eyes, Rafe’s hair was so dark it looked to be almost black. His eyes were dark too, with dark brows above them that seemed to frown fairly regularly, at least from what Annie had noticed. He didn’t smile much.

He didn’t look like someone a person would argue with. But that’s exactly what Annie wanted to do. At the very least, she wanted him to acknowledge that what he did to her earlier, he shouldn’t have done. ‘Cause he didn’t seem one bit remorseful or sorry for it. “Did Rafe tell you that he thought I stole your horse, Tom?” Annie piped up when there was a lull in the ranch talk.

Tom smiled at Annie from the head of the table. “No. No, he didn’t.” He turned to Rafe. “Was she on your property?”

“Yes, she was.” Rafe’s expression did not change. But Tom had a big grin forming on his face. Something was happening between the two of them and Annie didn’t know what it was. But she already sensed the conversation was not going the way she had intended.

“And I suppose she didn’t immediately cooperate with you?” Tom was talking to Rafe but looking right at Annie as he spoke. Annie looked down at her plate. No, this wasn’t going the way she wanted at all.

“No, she did not.” Rafe looked right at Annie when he answered. The places on her backside that had felt his belt earlier began to tingle. She squirmed slightly in her seat as Rafe frowned at her.

“Well, Annie,” Tom said, still grinning at some unspoken joke, “you’d do well to remember that Rafe here doesn’t take kindly to anyone trespassing on his land or not respecting and obeying him when they’re on it.” Between the squirming Annie was doing and how well he knew Rafe, Tom could pretty much figure for himself what happened without having it spelled out for him. He looked over at Jenny, who was looking from Annie to Rafe and back to Annie again. She wasn’t there yet; he’d fill her in later.

Annie jumped up from her seat. “I
will
remember that, and I’ll just be sure to stay far away from Rafe and his land from now on!” Annie was so mad she wanted to spit – again. She stormed out the side door, letting it slam in her wake.

“What was that about?” Jenny looked from Rafe to Tom. Tom smiled at her, while Rafe frowned at the door that had just slammed behind Annie. He had half a mind to follow her outside and take his belt to her backside again. That little lady needed to be taught a lesson. She had just a bit too much temper for her own good and if she was his, Rafe thought, he wouldn’t waste any time teaching her how to behave.

Jenny didn’t seem to need an answer and didn’t wait long for one. “Oh, well,” she sighed, “I guess she’ll settle down after a bit.” She smiled at Tom and Rafe. “Why don’t you two go have a look at that new foal while I start some coffee brewing? Come on back in when you’re ready for some pie.”

Both men thanked Jenny for the fine meal and headed out to the barn. Once they were out of earshot of the house, Tom turned to Rafe. “I have a favor to ask. I’d like to take Jenny to town for a few days, was thinkin’ of booking the honeymoon suite at the hotel. I figure to give her something special to remember about the beginning of our marriage and, well, with autumn coming on fast, there’s not too much time left to get away before the first snowfall.”

“No, not much time left at all,” Rafe agreed. “Do you need me to keep an eye on things here while you’re gone?”

“I sure would appreciate your help.” Tom knew he could depend on Rafe to take good care of his property.

Rafe nodded. “Of course,” he stated. “You and Jenny should have a honeymoon. You only get hitched once; may as well enjoy it.” He smiled at his best friend. “She seems real special. I’m happy for you.”

Tom smiled back at Rafe, then looked out over his land. “There’s just one other thing then.” Tom looked at Rafe with hesitation. He knew how much he was asking.

Rafe glanced at Tom and suddenly realized, without Tom saying anything, what the “other thing” was to which he was referring. “Now, Tom...” Rafe started, shaking his head slowly as he spoke.

“She’s a handful, for sure,” Tom acknowledged. “I realize how much I’m askin’ of you. I know you’re not the most patient man for the job, but I can’t think of any other way. If we bring her along, it’s really not much of a honeymoon then, is it?”

“I had thought to ask Zeke and Ruth to have her to stay, but they’ve got Ruth’s mother and sister visiting for a few weeks and don’t have the room.” Tom paused. “Would you at least think about it before you say no?”

Rafe was rubbing his whiskered jaw the whole time Tom was talking. He really hated to turn Tom down. In Rafe’s mind, Tom had helped him out a whole lot more than Rafe would ever be able to repay, not that Tom ever even thought that way. How could he say no? He couldn’t. He looked straight at Tom and his brow furrowed. “Just so long as she understands that she needs to mind me.” Rafe may as well lay the law down now.  He was, as always, surprised at how easily Tom seemed to cope with whatever was thrown his way.

He always took things in his stride. Tom didn’t seem much bothered by Annie’s behavior. Or her sassy mouth and penchant for wearing men’s clothes. He actually seemed almost amused by her. He definitely wouldn’t take a strap to her backside, or even his hand for that matter. Tom didn’t seem that inclined toward physical discipline, unlike his best friend. Rafe figured that, from what little he knew of Jenny already, she’d probably never give Tom a reason to even raise his voice to her, let alone take her across his knee. They really did seem perfect for each other.

Annie, though, almost seemed to require a man with a very firm hand. She seemed the type to just run wild if left to her own devices. She sure wouldn’t be running wild while she was in Rafe’s care. He would make sure of that even if he had to tan her backside every day that Tom and Jenny were away. Heck, she wouldn’t even get away with slamming a door when he was in charge of her.

Tom smiled and clapped Rafe on the back. “Jenny and I both appreciate this, Rafe.” Tom’s smile was wider than a mile. “Now, how about some of that pie?”

* * * * *

Rafe burst through the side door into the kitchen and dumped Annie from his shoulder none-too-gently onto her butt on the kitchen floor. “Just what the hell did you think you were doin’ in there?” Rafe’s voice could probably be heard in the next state, Annie thought.

Rafe still couldn’t quite get over the shock of walking into the bunkhouse to find Annie playing poker with some of the hands – and from the first looks of it, winning to boot! But, of course, that wasn’t the worst of it. Annie seemed completely oblivious to the way two of the men were paying extra special attention to her, and not because of the cards she held. They were seasonal ranch hands, not regulars. Rafe didn’t know them all that well, and what he did know, he didn’t like very much. They were not to be trusted as far as he was concerned, and she was lucky Rafe walked in on them when he did. Tom and Jenny weren’t gone a full day and she was already causing trouble for him.

“Me?” Annie was shocked. She jumped up from the floor and got right in Rafe’s face, returning his angry glare with her own. She didn’t do nothin’ wrong as far as she was concerned. And she had had a full house when he interrupted their game. “What the hell do you mean – me?”

“Watch your mouth!” Rafe warned. He was so angry he could spit and was in no mood right now for any of her sass. No mood at all.

“Oh, so it’s fine for you to cuss but not me? Do I have that right?”

There was the sass. She sure as shootin’ didn’t know what was good for her, this little girl, and she was gonna be real sorry she mouthed off to him. Real sorry, real soon. Rafe grabbed Annie as he pulled out a chair and had her across his lap before she even knew what he was about. He then began spanking her backside in earnest.

“What the hell?” Annie screamed. “Stop it! Stop it right now!” Annie thrashed about trying to free herself, but Rafe Stanton was big and all those muscles apparently weren’t just for show. He had her in an iron grip as his large hard hand landed on her bottom over and over.

“Cuss at me again, little girl, and I’ll pull these britches down and wallop your bare bottom!” Rafe had lost all patience and was planning on spanking the sass right out of her.

Annie tried to cover her backside with her hand, but Rafe very quickly put a stop to that attempt by grabbing it and pinning it to her side with the same arm that held her down at her waist. He then easily pinned both her legs down with his free leg when she began kicking and scissoring her legs in earnest.

“Get your damn hands off me!” Annie screamed at Rafe, wanting to hit him back with all the force she could muster. The less she was able to move, the angrier she became. He had no right to spank her; no right at all! Who the hell did he think he was?

“I warned you,” Rafe growled. Without releasing her from his lap, he reached under her hips and quickly undid the fastening on the front of her britches, loosening them just enough so that he could yank them down to her knees. Her undergarments quickly followed the britches and, without hesitation, Rafe continued spanking her as before, except now his very hard hand connected directly with her bare bottom.

The shock and pain of this new violation had Annie sucking in air and finding it hard to breathe. Rafe didn’t hesitate or pause at all that Annie could tell. He brought his hand down over and over on the tender skin of her backside, then, when she thought the skin must be raw, he adjusted her slightly so that he could spank the backs of her thighs. It didn’t take long before his hard, punishing hand had made the skin on her thighs as bright red, tender and swollen as the skin on her bottom. Rafe also made sure to spank that very sensitive area where her bottom met her thighs. 

Annie’s anger and struggles very quickly turned to tears, much to her dismay and embarrassment. It hurt so much, and he didn’t seem to be slowing down at all. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get away from his hand. It hurt more than the strapping he gave her when they first met, and Annie didn’t think anything could hurt worse than that. But she wouldn’t beg for him to stop. She just wouldn’t.

Annie didn’t know how much longer she could take it. His hand felt like a paddle, it was so hard, and her backside was on fire. The tears ran freely down her face now and she was losing the strength to fight. Suddenly, she felt a cool breeze on the hot skin of her bare behind and heard the door to the kitchen creak on its hinges. Rafe paused his spanking as Annie tried to crane her neck up to see who it was who was now witness to her punishment. All she could see was a pair of battered and dusty boots in the doorway.

“Can it wait, Zeke?” Rafe needed to focus on the task at hand.

“Well, sure, seein’ as you’re right smack in the middle o’ somethin’.” Zeke chuckled at his own pun. “I’ll be in the barn.” Annie saw his boots turn to leave.

“Zeke,” she cried out. “Wait! Help me, please!” She heard him chuckle again and then heard the door close behind him.

Rafe landed one very hard wallop on Annie’s backside. “No one is going to help you avoid the punishment you deserve,” Rafe stated evenly, then continued to spank her behind, with the slapping sound of his hard flat palm hitting her tender flesh being the only noise in the kitchen.

When Rafe felt Annie go limp on his lap, he finally stopped spanking. There was a long pause before he pulled her undergarment and pants back up over her raw backside, then lifted her off his lap and back on her feet. Annie immediately struggled against his hold on her, desperate to get as far from him as possible. But Rafe easily held Annie firmly in front of him. She wasn’t going anywhere he didn’t allow her to go and he wasn’t done yet; she was going to get a good talking to also.

“You listen to me, young lady, and you listen good.” Rafe was spitting mad and even the sight of Annie’s tear-stained face didn’t soften his anger. “As long as I’m responsible for you, which I seem to be right now, you’ll do as I say and follow my rules. The first one is that you are to dress proper, in women’s clothes, every day. I don’t want to see you wearing those britches again. The second one is that I better not catch you swearing again. That’s no way for a young lady to be talkin’. And you just keep away from the bunkhouse. You’ve got no reason to be in there and I better not catch you hanging around there or playing cards with the hands again. And you cannot go riding until further notice.”

Annie’s breath caught at this last one. “No riding?” She couldn’t bear it; what was she supposed to do all day? “Why not?”

“Because I said so.” Rafe wasn’t about to start explaining himself. “That’s reason enough. And if you don’t follow my rules, you’ll find yourself over my knee again quicker than you can blink an eye. Is that clear?”

Annie didn’t answer and just stared at the floor instead, still trying to get her crying under control.