His Passionate Pioneer (7 page)

Anna pouted. "I know how to be a good wife, I don't need more lessons. I've helped Ma for years and years."

Richard looked down at her and grinned. "You might know certain things, little lady, but believe me, you don't know everything—not by a long shot. Just relax and ask questions and be a willing pupil, the way you were last night."

She looked up at him, blushing a deep red as their lessons from the evening before leapt into her mind. She smiled shyly and whispered, "Um, okay, I'll try to be a good pupil."

He laughed out loud and squeezed her hard. "Be sure that you are, because you know what happens to naughty little girls, right?"

She blushed even deeper and didn't answer.

Richard was quick to remind her. "Are you to answer any questions I ask, Annabelle Rose Andrews?"

She smiled at the use of her new name and then remembered his instructions of the previous night. She blushed again. "Yes."

"Yes, what?" he asked.

She looked down at her lap and said quietly, "Yes sir, I'm supposed to answer you."

"Good girl. Now, what happens to naughty girls, Annabelle?"

Anna felt her cheeks turning red. She squirmed in her seat and whispered, "They get punished."

He nodded and bent to kiss the top of her bonnet. "That's right, they get their little bottoms spanked until they are as red as your pretty face is right now."

She felt her bottom clench and was quiet for several minutes. Looking at the wagons in the distance, she spoke again. "But, Richard, you can't spank me. I mean, won't there always be other people around?"

He chuckled and quickly squashed that hope. "Not only can I spank you, young lady, but believe me I will—and I don't care who is around. If you don't want your little fanny bared and spanked, then you just make sure you behave yourself."

Anna pulled away slightly and her pride took over. "But you can't do that. People will hear you and you'll make me cry. Pa never spanked me when other people—people not in our family—could hear. It would be too shameful!"

Richard pulled her back to his side and warned, "I'm not your Pa, Annabelle. I am your husband. Besides, I'm sure they'll be able to hear almost everything, sweetie. We'll all be living in rather close quarters and our walls are made of canvas, not logs. When I do punish you, it won't be easy; if they can't hear you getting your arse smacked and hear you crying hard and making your apologies, then I'll know I'm being too soft."

Anna blushed again and looked up at him. He gazed down at her and she saw that he was completely serious. She felt her backside clench again and swore she'd never feel his hand upon her in anything but love. She smiled up at him, finally relaxing into his side. Richard squeezed her tight and she felt secure and protected as the subject was dropped. Besides, she wasn't a naughty child any longer. She was a grown woman, a wife and a pioneer. Surely his promise would never need to be tested. While she had discovered the pleasure of being held on his lap, she had no expectation of ever being laid across it!

They finally reached the area where the train was congregating. It was early afternoon and Anna was ready to walk; her bottom and back were aching from the bouncing of the wagon seat. Not being able to brace her feet on the floor had caused her to bounce around even more. Richard chuckled as he lifted her down off the wagon and she groaned.

"Why don't you walk around a bit," he suggested as he reached up and took the feed bags out, fitting them over the massive heads of his oxen. "Just stay where I can see you and you can hear me. I need to check in with my men and make sure there haven't been any problems with the herd." He looked around and pointed to a wagon. "That belongs to my foreman. His name is James Blakemore. He and his family are traveling with us." After Richard had fed the team, he'd need to lead them to the stream to water and then stake them to graze while he unloaded everything. "I'll take you over and introduce you in a little while."

Anna nodded. Seeing wagons from a distance was different than seeing them up close. More and more were pulling in; men calling to their teams, dogs yipping underfoot. It was chaotic and she had no wish to become lost in the shuffle. She remained rooted to the same spot until she saw a woman climbing out from the back of the wagon Richard had indicated.

"Richard, may I go over now?" she asked.

Following her gaze, he nodded. "That's Charity, James's wife. Yes, you may go and introduce yourself. Just remember, either be at their wagon or ours. I don't want to lose you in this chaos."

Smiling, Anna approached the woman and saw that she had a baby in her arms. The woman looked to be about her own age, and smiled as Anna walked over to her.

"Hello, I'm Anna Mar—I mean, Anna Andrews. I just got married yesterday."

The young woman smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Anna. I'm Charity Blakemore and this is my daughter, Hope." Anna crooned over the adorable baby as she opened her eyes and smiled. "My husband, James is around here somewhere," Charity went on. "He said he's supposed to meet up with his new boss. Oh, wait, are you Mrs. Richard Andrews?"

Anna smiled. "Yes, Richard's my husband. Our wagon is right over there." She pointed, but didn't see Richard. "I think he is doing something with the team, but he seemed to know this was your wagon even before we saw you."

Charity nodded. "Yes, I guess he could tell by the branding."

"The what?"

"You know, the brand on the oxen. I must say, I've never seen such a pretty brand before."

Anna didn't understand but found the woman's giggle delightful, especially when baby Hope gurgled her agreement. "I guess I didn't pay attention," she admitted, "but it makes sense as most of the wagons do look alike."

"Well, I can't show you as James took the team, but the brand is a rose with the letters 'R' and 'A' in an arc above the flower. I asked James if he thought the cows minded having such a pretty brand instead of some old crossed arrows or just letters."

A smile lit Anna's face when she realized that Richard had used her middle name as his brand, along with their initials. It was a beautiful gesture that touched her deeply. "I didn't realize, but I'll make sure to look at it when the team is hitched," she said.

Charity nodded. "I'm guessing it means something to you?" When Anna explained that Rose was her middle name, the other woman smiled. "It's obvious he loves you very much."

"I love him, as well." After a moment of silence, Anna looked around again. "I must admit, I didn't expect all this. I don't know if I should be terrified or excited."

"I suggest we be both," Charity said. "James told me this is only the third train to go west. Did you know it's called the Oregon Trail?" When Anna admitted that she didn't, Charity shared the few facts she remembered from when her husband had returned from his visit to the Andrews' ranch. "The first one was a few years ago, and was far larger than ours will be. James told me that thousands of heads of cattle were driven along with the wagons—of which there were hundreds. Can you imagine?"

Anna shook her head. Having not been able to even imagine dozens more wagons such as theirs, trying to picture hundreds made her head spin. "Richard said it will take months to get there—that is, if we don't have any major problems."

Charity nodded again. "I think between four and five months is the average. On a good day, we might travel fifteen miles or so. On a bad one, maybe not even ten. James said that since our train is smaller, with less stock to move and few wagons, it might go a bit faster." She adjusted the baby in her arms, smiling down at her daughter. "It sure is a long way, though. Little Hope is eight months old but should be walking by then. Isn't that amazing?"

Anna nodded and looked down at the young infant, the reality of the timeframe suddenly seeming far more real. "It will be an adventure."

The women chatted for a few more minutes until Hope began to fuss. "Well, the baby needs to be fed," Charity said. "I'm happy you came over and introduced yourself." She gave a soft giggle. "I'll admit I was praying you weren't some older woman who felt as though she constantly needed to give me advice."

"I'm far more likely to be seeking advice," Anna said, as she reached out to stroke Hope's waving hand a last time. "I feel like we are already friends."

"So do I. It will be wonderful having such a close neighbor, even if our houses are on wheels and pulled by oxen. Instead of having to walk a mile to borrow something, we can just poke our heads in the back of the wagon. Thanks again for coming over, Anna. Come back to meet James soon."

Anna waved goodbye as Charity climbed up into the wagon to feed her baby. As she walked back towards her own wagon, she almost stumbled as a new thought came into her mind. Blushing furiously, she was glad of the wide brim of her bonnet to hide her face, and crossed her arms across her breasts as if to hide the fact that her nipples had hardened into stiff peaks. When someone stepped in front of her, she jumped back and gave a sharp squeal before realizing it was her husband.

"You frightened me!"

Richard took her into his arms and pulled her close before cupping her chin and lifting her face. "What has you so skittish?" he asked, bending to brush a kiss across her lips.

Anna felt her stomach tingle and her face grow hotter. "Um, nothing. I just didn't see you."

"Hmm," Richard said, one fingertip stroking down her cheek. "I'm not sure I believe that. You're flushed and your eyes are dreamy. In fact, you look exactly as you did last night in our bed." He grinned as her eyes darted around, as if expecting to see people leaning in close to hear his whispered words. "Of course, last night you didn't have a stitch of clothing on, so I could better see your sweet little nipples all puckered and wanting."

"Richard!" She was shocked at his words, as well as the fact that he had been able to read her naughty thoughts. Ever since she'd left Charity, all she could think about was the lack of privacy the wagon train afforded. At home, their nearest neighbor was over a mile away. If the way the wagons were placed at this moment was any indication, there wouldn't be twenty feet between neighbors. Forget being overheard if Richard did spank her—they'd be able to hear every moan she made if he made love to her!

He ignored her small cry as he hugged her and then bent to kiss her breathless. As he released her, she pushed against his chest and looked around.

"Someone will see you!" she whispered, her face flushed, her lips tingling.

Richard laughed and bent to kiss her again. "Can you tell me that you weren't having some wanton thoughts?"

"I didn't realize I'd wed a mind-reader," she said, avoiding giving him a direct answer.

"You didn't; just a man who wants nothing more than to help you out of those clothes and kiss you all over."

"Richard!" she squealed again, but then couldn't hold back a giggle as he wagged his eyebrows at her. "You… you don't think it's bad to be wanton?"

"Anna, you are exactly perfect as you are." This time the kiss was far longer, his tongue slipping between her lips to explore the depths of her mouth. She was even more breathless by the time he released her. "I am the luckiest man on earth, for I have a woman who loves me, and one who is learning the pleasures of making love." He took her hand and led her to the wagon, from which he took a basket and, after he spread a quilt onto the grass, led her to sit down. Her hands were shaking a bit as she unpacked the basket so they could enjoy the lunch her Ma had packed for them. As they dug into the food and he dipped cool water out of the bucket for her, she remembered the package her father had given Richard.

"What was the present Pa gave you? Did you like it?" she asked, biting into a crisp apple.

He grinned. "I like it just fine but I'm not sure you will." She looked at him in puzzlement until he added, "He wanted to make sure you took a little bit of home with you and gave me some books."

"Oh, that's nice." She took another bite and looked up at him. "Why did you say I wouldn't like that? I love to read."

"And I know I'm going to love hearing you read to me," he said, with a smile that had her stomach flipping. "I can't wait to hear all about the scrapes you got into as a girl." He paused and chuckled. "I understand you have kept quite the record of every one—and are on your fifth journal."

Anna blushed scarlet and choked on her apple. Richard was quick to slap her on the back until she spit it out. When she'd recovered her composure, she stared at him. "He gave you my pun... punishment journals?"

The look of disbelief on her face had him grinning even more widely. "Well, due to our space limitation, he only gave me three. Oh, and since he said he most often had to use it on
your
backend, he also gave me the strap from the barn."

"No!" she gasped. "He wouldn't!"

Richard laughed and rose. He retrieved John's gift, as well as another package, from the back of the wagon and sat down again with them in his lap. As he drew back the plain brown wrapping from the largest package, Anna couldn't believe it. The strap was coiled in the paper, sitting on top of some books. He picked it up, running his palm across the leather.

She gasped and reached out to push his arm down. "Put that down! People will see you."

He easily countered the pressure on his forearm, doubling the long strap in his hand. "You didn't believe me."

She gasped again when he tossed the strap to her, and quickly hid it within the folds of her skirt. Hearing his chuckle, she flushed.

"I have another gift for you," he said, handing her the smaller brown package.

"Another? I seem to recall Pa gave these gifts to you."

A deeper chuckle rumbled from his chest. "I do so adore you, little one. Open it."

Her fingers worked at the knot, not at all sure she wanted to know what was hidden beneath the paper. Once she'd folded it back, she looked up at him, her mouth open.

"Go on, look at it."

Anna blushed but hunched over the paddle she'd uncovered; as if to hide it from view.

She stared at her name, Annabelle Rose Andrews—her full name, not just 'Anna'—that had been had painstakingly carved into the back of the paddle. She looked up at her new husband, shock written clearly on her face.

He grinned down at her. "I'm guessing you only heard your full name when you knew you were fixin' to be spanked, is that correct?" She could barely breathe, much less speak, and simply nodded her head until Richard said, "Answer me, Annabelle."

She tore her eyes away from the awful implement. "Yes, sir."

"That's how I always knew I was getting a hiding, as well."

Anna looked up at him in surprise. "Your Pa spanked you?" She couldn't imagine this huge man baring his bottom for a spanking.

"Sure did, every time I misbehaved and believe me, with four brothers, our butts got paddled and whipped quite often."

Anna smiled back, imagining five little boys begging for their Pa to let them off. She finally reached out and traced her name in the wood. "It is pretty," she admitted. The wood was smooth and the shape was a perfect oval.

"Turn it over."

Giving him a glance, she did so, and another gasp escaped her lips. The back side had a single large rose carved in the center of the wooden surface. It looked almost identical to the brand Charity has described that she'd seen on the oxen. "Oh, my."

"You are my special little rose, and now, whenever I've had to blister your bottom, hopefully every time you sit down you'll remember that your flower is branded across your arse. I believe it will help remind you to be my good girl," he said.

She shuddered again as she traced a few of the rose's petals. She knew the paddle would sting like crazy and felt her bottom clench, visualizing her backend with its garden of red roses blooming across her skin. Richard pulled her onto his lap and held her as he, too, traced the flower.

Anna lifted her face and he bent to kiss her. She laid her hand on his cheek, still clutching the paddle. When he broke away, she shuddered, the desire in her body rising.

"I know you recognize your punishment journals," he said.

She blushed but mumbled, "Um, yes, sir." Looking down at the pile of books, she shook her head. "I don't recognize that one."

Richard grinned. "You will continue to make your punishment entries for my review. This one is new."

"You expect me to keep a journal?"

His eyes met hers and he nodded. "I don't see any reason to stop a good practice. Having to keep track of the number of times you are squirming over my lap while your bottom gets blistered is a good incentive for you to lessen the frequency of such trips." He lifted it off the ground and opened it up to display blank pages. "I'm hoping that this one journal will last for a very long time; but then again, considering you've already filled eight, you actually might need another before too long."

Anna blushed but giggled. "Don't count on it. I guess I was pretty naughty when I was a child, but that was long ago. I'm a grown woman now."

He laughed loudly and hugged her tightly. "I seem to recall hearing you give that argument when I witnessed your Pa strapping you. Let's hope you have learned some hard lessons and you won't have need of the journal, but do know that it's here for you." At her nod, he grinned. "I suppose we'd better get ready for the meeting. Put your journal and implements in the wagon and I'll clean up."

Anna rose off the blanket, barely catching the strap before it fell to the ground. Her first impulse was to toss it and the paddle away, but she dutifully walked to the wagon instead. Climbing into the back, she looked around and didn't know where to place them. She squealed as Richard came up behind her and touched her arm.

"Hang the strap on that hook, Anna and put the paddle next to it. They'll be convenient when needed."

She blushed, remembering Charity's mention of poking heads through the backs of their wagons. "But people could look in and see them. I'll put them in one of the trunks with the journals."

He smacked her bottom over the layers of her clothing and she gave a small shriek, more from shock than from pain. "You'll do as you are told, young lady. You need to stop that worrying about what other people might see or hear, Annabelle Rose. You only need concern yourself with what I see or what I hear. If you continue this nonsense, we'll discover just how well these good people can hear. Hang them on the hooks. I believe you'll need to be able to see them daily to remember to be a good girl. Just be grateful you aren't feeling one or the other on that bottom already."

Anna shuddered and hung both implements where he had indicated. Then she turned around and saw him waiting for her response. "Yes, sir, I'm sorry. It's just embarrassing."

Richard spoke gently. "You may put the journals in the trunk, but keep them handy. I spoke the truth when I said I can't wait to hear your stories. I promise to share some of mine as well. I wasn't always the perfect specimen you see before you."

His words brought a smile to her lips; thoughts of hearing his own tales of being a naughty little boy making her stomach flutter. He handed her the journals and she hurriedly placed them in the small trunk. When he passed her the basket and the folded blanket, she packed them away neatly. She knew it was vital to keep things in their proper place, as they would be living out of this wagon for months.

Richard swung her down from the wagon and hugged her close. She looked up and could easily see the strap and paddle on their hook. The sight of the implements, and the knowledge that, no matter how she tried to deny it, Richard—her husband—would indeed use both on her backside if he felt she'd been naughty, made a shudder run through her body. As he kissed her gently, she promised herself yet again that she would be the perfect bride.

Her hand was engulfed by his as he led her away from the wagon to join the stream of people walking towards a large grove of trees.

"Oh, did you find the men?" she asked, remembering why they'd parted upon their arrival. "Are the cows okay?"

He chuckled and dropped her hand; only to put his arm about her waist. "Yes. I talked to the men and will introduce you after the meeting. As for the cows, the herd is fine."

"I'm glad. I met Charity, um, Mrs. Blakemore and her baby. Oh, Richard, Hope is so precious. Did you know that she'll be walking by the time we get to Oregon?"

"Is that so?" Richard asked. "I'm glad to hear you so excited. It will be nice for you to have a friend during the journey."

She couldn't agree more, but as they reached the wagon master's area, she quieted; somewhat intimated by the hordes of people surrounding her.

They were joined by dozens of people, old and young, married couples with babies and children, as well as several single men. Richard sat on the ground and pulled his wife onto his lap. Anna snuggled into him and smiled as a man sat down beside them, followed by Charity and Hope. Richard quickly made the introductions and Anna was pleased to see that the man looked kind. Her conviction grew as he drew his wife onto his own lap, his arms going around both her and their daughter. Just the sight of Hope smiling and kicking, her little hands churning in the air until they latched onto one of her mother's curls, had Anna smiling. She might not have understood all of what was involved in marrying Richard and beginning the journey to fulfill his dream, but when she felt him close his arms around her slight body, she smiled and leaned against him. Despite the revelation of what the packages had contained, here in her husband's arms, with new friends beside them and a world of possibilities before her, she didn't want to be anywhere else in the world.

Mr. Morgan welcomed everyone and outlined the next few days' journey. The train would move slowly but steadily, and everyone was expected to stay together, help each other and protect the others. He spoke about a rotation of watches; each man was to do his share of patrolling the train in the night. Cattle were not the most cooperative beasts and could cause a great deal of damage if something spooked them enough to make them stampede.