The Farmer's Reluctant Bride Read online

  She stared at him wide-eyed.

  “Then, after I’ve dried you and put you in your night dress, I will put you over my knee and give you a sound spanking on your bare backside for not doing as you were told. Am I making myself clear, young lady?”

  Mandy nodded slowly.

  “Good. I’ll heat the water then.” Hank turned toward the pump in the kitchen. “You stay put.”

  When the bath was ready, Hank left for the barn. The doors were unbarred now, but Hank figured it was getting late and getting dark. Plus she seemed to be settling a bit. Which was good. Maybe she just needed a little time to get used to her new home and to him.

  Once everything had been tended to in the barn and all the animals settled for the night, Hank made sure things were locked up tight behind him as he headed to the cabin. He sincerely hoped that when he got inside, he would find Mandy sitting by the fire and combing the tangled knots out of her hair. He sincerely hoped that she had done as he had told her to do. It would be a good sign for their marriage.

  And Hank was tired. He didn’t really want to have to bathe her, nor did he want to wrestle her over his knee to punish her. But he would do both those things if he had to. He always kept his word. The sooner Mandy learned that about him, the better off she’d be. Hank had never made an idle threat in his life. Nor an empty promise.

  He opened the door to an empty cabin and a cold unused tub full of bath water.

  * * *

  When Hank left the cabin to take care of the evening chores, Mandy quickly gathered her bag and a few food items from the kitchen and headed for the back door.

  Peeking through that door, she didn’t see hide nor hair of Hank. But she did see the corn field. Thinking she could disappear into those rows and he would never find her, Mandy bolted for the corn. She had to get away.

  One minute Hank was kind, but the next he was either threatening to wallop her or actually doing so. Mandy absentmindedly reached behind her to rub her sore behind at the thought alone of how much Hank had already spanked her in the short time since they had met. That couldn’t be a good sign. Would he spank her all the time? Mandy didn’t want to stick around to find out.

  She had paid very close attention to the landmarks on their trip back to Hank’s farm. She decided that she could just retrace the route back to where the pastor and his wife lived and beg them to take her in. She’d tell them how he beat her and she just couldn’t remain his wife. As long as the marriage wasn’t consummated, she could get an annulment. Mandy knew that for certain.

  Then she’d figure what to do and where to go from there.

  Crouching in the rows of corn, Mandy tried to get her bearings. She figured that she’d have to at least go into the rows far enough to not be seen from the outside edge where she had entered, so she continued further in and farther from the cabin. The sun was setting and it was cooling off considerably. Mandy shivered. She wished she’d thought to grab one of the blankets she’d seen folded on a trunk at the foot of the bed.

  But then she admonished herself. That would have been stealing and she didn’t want to steal from Hank. She just didn’t want to be married to him, that was all. She didn’t want to be married to anybody.

  Mandy looked about her and realized she couldn’t see the edge of the cornfield anymore. That was good. Now which way to go to get out on the other side? It made perfect sense to Mandy to just keep going the way she had, away from where she’d entered, and eventually she’d have to come out on the other side—right?

  It was almost full dark now. This was a different kind of dark than in the city, and that was the only kind of dark that she was used to. This farm life sure was different. And darker.

  Mandy nearly jumped out of her own skin when something scurried across the tops of her feet and she felt fur brush against her calves. She screamed and jumped and then fell right back on her behind!

  She cried out again when her sore backside landed hard on the ground between the rows of corn. She jumped quickly back up, her heart pounding in her ears, and spun around, certain there was someone right there behind her! No beside her! No behind her again! Then she saw them. Glowing bright green in the pitch black of the corn rows, Mandy saw...the eyes of the devil himself!

  She screamed again, scared out of her own skin, dropped her things and ran for her life.

  Chapter 2

  Hank had just saddled and mounted his horse, figuring Mandy couldn’t have gotten that far on foot yet, when he heard her scream. Sounded like it had come from the corn. Hank headed toward the corn field and it was only a minute later that she screamed again.

  She was in the corn rows. In the dark. Probably scared out of her wits, he thought. He rode up to the edge of the corn field that was closest to where he had heard her and dismounted, dropping the reins and swatting the horse on the rump. The obedient horse headed for the corral as Hank ruefully wished his new wife could be half as compliant as his horse.

  “Mandy!” Hank called out. It would be better if she could follow the sound of his voice and find her way out on her own. “Mandy!”

  “Hank?” She wasn’t that far away from the edge. He could tell by the sound.

  “Yes.” Hank called back. “Can you find your way out?”

  “I can’t see anything. I’m scared, Hank. Please!” She sounded like she was headed toward hysterical.

  “Okay, Mandy, it’s okay.” Hank assured her. “You just stay put and I’m coming to get you. Don’t move, is that clear?” No answer.

  “Mandy, answer me.” Hank was a bit firmer. “Can you hear me?” He needed to hear her voice answering one more time to be sure of her location and to let him know that she was okay.

  “Yes.” There it was. And as he headed toward her voice, there she was.

  * * *

  As soon as Mandy caught sight of Hank, she raced toward him and threw herself into his arms, clinging to him as if her very life depended on it.

  She felt him reach down with one arm and scoop her up under her legs, lifting her up and holding her close to his chest, while speaking to her in a soothing and calm voice. Before she knew it they were out of the corn. Only then did Mandy feel like she could breathe again. Hank set her on her feet.

  “My bag!” Mandy cried. “I dropped it in there. It has all my things in it.” At the look on Hank’s face at this proclamation, Mandy quickly looked down at the ground.

  “And just what were you doing in the corn field with all your worldly possessions, might I ask?” Mandy looked up at Hank to find him staring her down with his hands on his hips. But it seemed he didn’t need an answer, because he didn’t wait for one.

  “You just wait right here, young lady. I’ll venture in the way we came out and see if I don’t find it.”

  Mandy watched as Hank went back into the corn rows and it was really only a minute before he reemerged with her bag. He didn’t give it to her, though. He just grabbed her upper arm and led her back to the cabin. Once inside, Hank pulled her right straight to the corner next to the water pump.

  Mandy looked at him questioningly. Hank didn’t even speak. He just took her by the upper arms and turned her so that she faced the corner. Mandy fought back her tears. She was fairly certain that that was just about her last chance to get away and regain her freedom. Even if Hank did not exercise his rights as a husband tonight, he would do so very soon, she was sure. And now he would also probably be keeping an extra close eye on her, knowing she meant to run away.

  “I have to go out to the barn and settle my horse. Again.” Hank paused. “I’ll fix your bath when I get back. Again. You will stay in this corner until I say otherwise. Is that clear?”

  Mandy nodded but that wasn’t enough for Hank apparently.

  “Say yes sir.”

  “Yes, sir.” When she heard the cabin door open and close behind her, Mandy wrapped her arms around herself for comfort and cried for all she was worth.

  * * *

  When Hank came back in from the
barn, Mandy was still hiccoughing and sniffling, trying to get a hold of herself. Hank knew it wouldn’t be the end of her crying tonight. He was sure that she would be crying almost as hard when he walloped her hind end after her bath, as he had assured her he would. He knew that she had been through so much already, but he couldn’t go back on his word, especially not so early in their relationship.

  If there was one thing Hank knew a woman needed it was a firm consistent hand. He couldn’t say he would do something and then not do it. Mandy needed to rely on him for many things—food, shelter, clothing, protection—and also, even if she didn’t know it, she needed to be able to rely on him to discipline her. It was for her own good.

  Hank still couldn’t believe that she had ventured into the corn rows at dusk. It was a dangerous thing to do. He had to remind himself that she was really a city girl. She’d most likely be more than able to handle all the household chores—cooking, cleaning, laundry—but he’d have to teach her all the farm chores that she’d be expected to do after a time. And he’d need to acquaint her with all the dangers that farm life presented.

  Hank used a bucket to empty some of the cold water from the tub and proceeded to heat water to add to what remained. It would make for a warm and comfortable bath. He had for a moment considered bathing her in the cold water, but then decided against it. It would have added to the lesson she needed to learn, but Hank wasn’t sure if the cold water would get her as clean as the warm water. And she really needed to get clean. If it happened again, when she was bathing on a regular basis, then he wouldn’t hesitate to drop her into a tub full of cold water to help her remember who was in charge and whom she needed to mind.

  Plus Hank planned on bathing after she was in bed and he didn’t relish the thought of a cold bath. He hadn’t had a chance to bathe before heading out this morning like he had hoped to do. It was just luck that his new bride was filthier than he was and didn’t seem to mind much.

  Hank smiled to himself as he looked over to where Mandy stood with her nose pressed into the corner like he had told her to do. She was still sniffling a bit and had her arms wrapped around herself, like she was trying to comfort herself. Hank felt his resolve crumble just a bit at the sight. She had to be frightened, after all; he was a stranger to her and this whole world was a bit foreign. According to the pastor, she had never been out west and had never been on a farm.

  He went over to her, turned her around and put his arms gently around her. He was wholly surprised when she actually let him. She still kept her own arms wrapped tightly around herself, but as Hank drew her toward him, she leaned her face into his chest and cried onto his shirt. Hank rubbed her back soothingly.

  “It’s okay now, sweetheart. You’re alright, you’re safe.” Mandy tried to stop crying so she could speak.

  “I..I..w..w..was so sc..scared in there.” She was having trouble speaking through her sobs. “I heard noises and...and...I saw the devil’s eyes!” Hank smiled a little in understanding.

  “That was just a critter you saw. I know it was scary, but all sorts of critters are in there at night and they have beady little eyes that glow yellow in the dark. Does that sound like what you saw?” Mandy leaned back to look at Hank with eyes as wide as the supper plates, and still glistening from her tears.

  “Yes! That’s exactly what I saw. That was just a critter?” Mandy sounded incredulous.

  Hank was enjoying every minute of this exchange. She was talking to him, she was letting him hold her and comfort her and she was showing a little bit of herself to him. The little bit that Hank was seeing, he was liking. He was liking a whole lot. She was sweet and trusting.

  “Yes’m. Just a critter. Those eyes can look awful scary at night.” Hank didn’t want her to feel foolish. If you didn’t know what you were seeing, those eyes could look evil. With that being said, though, Hank went back to being stern. That bath water wasn’t going to stay warm for long. He needed to get on with it, get her bathed, spanked, fed and into bed. “Time for your bath.”

  Mandy looked at him with shock. “You...you’re still going to do what you said before?”

  “That’s right, little girl. You are in desperate need of a bath and you’re going to get one right now.” Hank turned her around and started in on the fastenings at the back of her dress. Mandy immediately tried to pull away from him. Hank was a step ahead and had her arm before she got very far. Enough, he thought.

  “Mandy, I want you to understand something right now.” Hank turned her back around again to face him. Mandy stood still, not fighting him at all but trembling just a bit. “When I tell you to do something, I expect you to obey me. I expect you to do as you’re told.” Hank paused when Mandy’s eyes left his and looked down. One strong hand immediately came up to her chin and lifted her face to his.

  “Look at me,” he ordered. She did. “And when I tell you that I am going to do something, you best be sure that I am going to do it. A man is only as good as his word.” Hank let go of Mandy’s chin and turned her around again. He continued to undo her dress fastenings.

  “Now I’m going to put you in that tub and give you a good scrubbing from head to toe. When I’m satisfied that you’re clean, then we’ll see to your spanking.” Hank stopped talking while he focused on a particularly troublesome hook. “There. Got it,” he said, satisfied with his efforts. He continued. “Then supper. Then bed.”

  “But,” Mandy sounded desperate, “you’re taking my clothes off. You’ll see me without my clothes on! It isn’t proper!” She tried slapping his hands away from her as he began to pull the unfastened dress off her shoulders.

  “Raise your hand to me again, young lady, and I’ll be using my belt on your backside instead of my hand, as I planned.” Mandy had been just about to push his hands away again. She stopped. “And we’re married, I need to remind you. I’m your husband and I have every right to see you without a stitch of clothing on.” Hank had the dress off then and reached for her pantaloons, pulling them down and off as Mandy stood silently, seemingly resigned to what Hank had decided to do.

  When Hank pulled Mandy’s chemise over her head and she stood before him without a stitch of clothing on, it was then that he realized his mistake.

  She was absolutely gorgeous. And his body immediately responded as any warm-blooded man’s body would.

  Damn it, Hank thought, cursing himself silently. Why hadn’t he anticipated this?

  * * *

  Hank seemed to be doing something behind her, so Mandy waited patiently for him to tell her that she could get into the tub. She was cold without any clothes on and starting to shiver. Even though the tub was right in front of the fire, and therefore so were the two of them, it was still chilly—especially if a body had not a stitch of clothing on!

  “Um...Hank?” Mandy’s tentatively questioned him. “May I get in the tub now? I’m a bit cold.”

  “Of course, darlin’.” Hank responded almost as if he had forgotten she was there. It seemed a bit odd to Mandy. “You just get yourself right into that tub of water and start in to washing yourself. Soap’s right on the stool there, next to the tub.”

  Mandy didn’t waste one second doing just that. And she had no intention at all of questioning Hank’s decision to let her wash herself, rather than him washing her like he had said he was going to do. Maybe he had forgotten, but either way, Mandy figured the faster she got to it the better, just in case he had forgotten. She could be done before he remembered that’s what he had promised her.

  Maybe he’d forget about the spanking too. A girl could hope.

  As Mandy worked the lathered bar of soap over her body, she turned to look over her shoulder. Hank had pulled out a chair from the table and sat behind the tub holding a large bath sheet. He had been staring at the floor with a pained expression on his face, but met Mandy’s eyes when she turned to see him. He smiled at her.

  “Don’t forget to wash that hair of yours, too. Best you soap it twice.” Then he looked back down. M
andy wondered if he was hurting in some way. Maybe he had an injury that couldn’t be seen, something that acted up from time to time. He seemed to be in pain. She turned back around and concentrated on finishing up.

  When Mandy had finished washing herself from head to toe and to Hank’s satisfaction, he held up a large bath sheet as she stepped out of the tub and proceeded to wrap her up in it. Hank guided Mandy to the hearth.

  “You sit here a moment and dry off a bit. It’s warm by the fire.” Hank picked up Mandy’s satchel. “Is there a nightdress in here?”

  Mandy nodded.

  Hank brought the bag to her and she pulled out her nightclothes, then closed it again quickly.

  “Tomorrow you can take your things out and put them away. I’ve made room for you in the cupboard by the bed.”

  Mandy looked at him in surprise. “Thank you.” His thoughtfulness was unexpected. He could go from stern and dictatorial one minute to thoughtful and kind the next.

  Hank took the bag from her and placed it on the trunk at the foot of the bed. “I’ll get supper together while you finish drying off and get into your nightdress.” Hank didn’t say as much, but it seemed that he was letting Mandy have a little privacy to finish up. He was already busying himself in the kitchen and pulling dishes down from the shelves next to the kitchen window.

  When she was dry and dressed, Mandy went to her satchel and pulled out her brush. She sat down again by the hearth to comb the knots out of her hair and enjoy the warmth of the fire. When she was done, she went back to her satchel to put her brush away. Hank took the bath sheet and hung it across two chairs to dry.

  “I’ll be taking a bath myself after you’re in bed.” He didn’t look at Mandy as he said this, but then he raised his eyes to her. “Dinner’s just about ready. Nothing fancy, I just warmed some leftover stew.”

  Hank walked over to where Mandy stood by the trunk. She was placing her brush back in her satchel when Hank sat down on the trunk and patted his lap.