“Now, one more thing,” he said scowling. “Is it true you plan on bringing in some girls from St Louis?”
“I am, but not in the way you’re thinking,” she said bolting to her feet.
Morgan rose until he towered over her, his mouth a grim line that had her taking a step back before squaring her shoulders and returning to her seat. Turning his chair around, he straddled it.
“Damn telegraph office! If Sam’s going to read my correspondence and spread it all over town, he could at least get it straight,” she spat, crossing her arms.
“Let’s have the truth of it then,” he encouraged, drumming his fingers on the table. She certainly had a temper and a streak of stubbornness to boot. He had errands to run, and chores likely waiting at home, but for some reason he felt compelled to get a clear picture of Miss Callie Mae Walker. Missy was getting her information somewhere and there was usually a grain of truth in the boldest lie.
“There’s an orphanage in St. Louis. When a girl reaches the age of eighteen, she’s out, whether she has anywhere to go or not. They try to find them positions, but it’s not always possible,” Callie Mae explained. “I put an advertisement in the newspaper and received a letter from the matron asking me for the details. The girls will be here to clean, serve drinks, and wait on customers. Nothing more! I will provide them with room and board and a salary. They’re free to leave anytime they want and find employment elsewhere, after they stay at least a month to pay me back for their fare.”
“And did you tell the matron the truth about the type of employment the girls would be engaged in?” he asked suspiciously.
Callie Mae looked away for a moment before she sputtered, “Well, I didn’t lie.”
“Yes, but did you tell the truth?” he asked sternly. For some reason he was not only worried about Callie Mae and her chosen profession, but also about a group of teenage girls who were coming into a cattle town and having no idea what they were getting into. Her silence was an answer in itself and Morgan found he was very disappointed in the preacher’s daughter. Getting to his feet, he approached her and pulled her to her feet, fastening his hands on her shoulders.
“Look at me, Callie Mae,” he ordered when she kept her head down, refusing to meet his eyes. “A lie doesn’t have to be blatant. Omitting pertinent information can be just as deceitful,” he scolded when she raised her face to look up at him. “I’m very angry about this, Callie Mae. Putting yourself at risk is one thing. Putting a group of innocent young girls at risk is another. I think you need a good spanking,” he ground out, surprised at just how much the idea of putting this young woman over his lap and teaching her a lesson appealed to him.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she gasped, trying to cover her bottom and wiggle out of his hands at the same time. Blushing wildly, she fought to maintain her dignity.
“I most certainly would, and I will, once I learn the proper procedure.”
“You need to learn how to spank a girl?” she laughed despite herself. “Is that one of the things your injury caused you to forget?”
“I’m afraid it is,” Morgan replied, releasing her shoulders and picking up his hat. “But rest assured I plan on relearning it quickly. I’m sure that skill will come in handy in the very near future,” he continued, before tugging her close and kissing her surprised mouth.
Before Callie Mae could fully appreciate the feeling of his lips on hers, he was putting his hat on and heading toward the door.
“One more question,” he said as he reached the swinging doors and turned to look at her. “Why ‘The Duchess?’” he asked, genuinely curious.
“That’s what the old biddies in this town started calling me when I refused to marry Mr. Montgomery. They said I thought I was too good to be a wife and mother and saddled me with ‘The Duchess’. I thought it was fitting to name this place that, seeing as how I intend to take their husbands’ money every chance I get.”
Morgan chuckled and shook his head. She was spunky, he’d give her that.
“Wait,” she cried. “When will I see you again?”
“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be in such a hurry if I were you, sweetheart,” he warned with a wink.
“Oh,” Callie Mae sighed. “I see, well I don’t think I will let you spank me, so don’t hurry with your lessons on account of me,” she sassed.
“You won’t have a choice and I’m a quick learner,” he replied over his shoulder as he left the saloon.
Callie Mae picked up the glasses and put them back on the tray. She walked to the small kitchen in a daze. Morgan Whittaker, the only man she’d ever been attracted to, had scolded her, kissed her, and promised her a spanking, all in one day. Why couldn’t this have happened before she bought the saloon and saddled herself with a huge debt to repay? She could be thinking about weddings and babies, instead of heading over to the depot to pick up four young strangers and a crate containing new clothes from a dressmaker in St Louis. Hopefully they’d gotten her measurements right and there would be something pretty that would fit her too because come nightfall, she intended to raise a little hell and make some substantial money. She figured she’d pray for forgiveness Sunday morning.
CHAPTER 5
Morgan had just loaded the last of Emma’s supplies on the wagon when he spotted Mead in town. “Hey,” he called, taking off his hat and wiping the sweat from his brow. “Where you headed?” he asked when Mead turned and approached on his mount.
“I’m riding out to Ma’s. Lilly is busy working on her wedding dress and I can’t be within ten miles of her when she’s doing that. It’s all a big secret and she says it’s bad luck for me to see it before our wedding day. Women sure do set great store by that sort of thing,” Mead said, shaking his head. “Are you heading out to the homestead?”
“Yeah, I finished all Emm…Ma’s errands and I’m starving,” Morgan replied, climbing up onto the wagon seat and picking up the reins.
“We could go over to the Blue Bonnet and grab a bite to eat,” Mead suggested.
“No, there was a big pot of ham and cabbage boiling on the stove when I left this morning and I can almost taste it from here,” Morgan said with a grin. “I sure love her cooking. Like to tie off and ride along?”
“I would,” Mead answered as he climbed slowly from his horse and tied him to the back of the wagon.
