“I couldn’t sell it even if I wanted to. Everything I have is sunk into that business and most of it’s not my money. Besides, how do you know what I’m cut out for? You ignore me for years, when you’re not scolding or teasing me, while you chase after Lilly. Now, all of a sudden you waltz back into my life and think you can tell me what to do. This is exactly why I don’t want to get married. I have no use for a bossy man,” she hissed, trying to pull her arm away from his grasp.
“Well, that’s a crying shame, honey,” he replied, “because you’ve got one now whether you want one or not.”
Callie Mae didn’t struggle when he pulled her close and dipped his head. The thought that others might be able to see them never entered her mind. All she felt was the white hot rush of passion pumping through her as he grasped the back of her head with his huge hand and held her in place. His lips took hers in a kiss so consuming her head swam. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she was in total shock. In a million years she never could have imagined the power of that intimate act or the coil of need that sprang to life in her belly. Seconds from passing out, her knees buckled and Morgan relented, keeping her steady as she tried to regain her balance both physically and emotionally.
It wasn’t until her head was resting on his chest that he spoke.
“Do you see how it is, Callie Mae?” he whispered.
“Morgan, I had no idea,” she sighed, praying that her heart would slow before it jumped out of her chest. “Is it always like this, I mean with all men?” she asked.
“Hell no,” he roared, appalled. Taking his hands off her, he stepped back when he saw several stragglers looking in their direction.
“Oh, I just wondered if I’d been missing out by being a, you know, good girl?”
“Look, Callie Mae, I want you to think about selling and I’m not fooling. I don’t want you…”
“No, I already told you, I’m not selling. I appreciate the lesson, but I’m not buying. I like my freedom and have no intention of giving it up, at least not right now. On the other hand, if there is anything else you want to teach me, let me know.”
“I’m going to teach you a lesson all right and it’s going to be learned over my knee,” he said taking her arm again and pulling her toward the wagon. “I think the back of this wagon will do just fine.”
“I thought you didn’t remember how,” she squeaked out in panic as she tried to dig her heels in and halt their forward progress.
“It’s all coming back to me,” he growled in frustration, looking at her over his shoulder with a slightly evil grin.
“Morgan, it’s time we were heading home,” Emma called, walking quickly toward them. “If I’m going to have supper ready for company, I need to get busy. Callie Mae, I’ve invited you and the girls for supper. Morgan will be back with the wagon around five o’clock to pick you up if that’s all right with you.”
“That’s fine, Mrs. Whittaker,” Callie Mae sighed in gratitude. “You’re timing is perfect. We don’t open on Sunday, and I’m sure the girls will appreciate your hospitality. I know I do,” she said thankfully as Morgan stomped to the wagon.
“I thought you might,” Emma whispered as she brushed Callie Mae’s cheek with hers. “Better be careful, my dear. Morgan’s changed since he went off to war,” she continued softly.
“I noticed that,” Callie Mae said with a blush as she walked Emma over to where Morgan was waiting to assist her into the wagon.
“We’ll finish this conversation later, Callie Mae,” Morgan said softly after getting his mother situated.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she replied almost to herself as she watched them drive away.
“Stop at Lilly’s and tell Mead that we are having guests for supper tonight. They are still welcome to come for dinner, but it will be a light meal. If they would like to come for supper, we’d love to have them, but make sure you let them know Callie Mae and the girls will be there. I won’t have any rudeness in my home,” Emma said as Morgan pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Lilly’s shop and climbed down from the seat. He returned shortly with a reply.
“Lilly said to say thank you, but she and Mead would have dinner at the café. She also politely declined the invitation to supper,” he said as he flicked the reins and set the wagon in motion.
“I see,” said Emma.
“Mead, on the other hand, said he would be delighted to come for supper, with or without Lilly. I’m putting my money on Mead,” Morgan said with a grin.
“Don’t be too sure about that,” Emma warned, smiling. “Our Lilly can be pretty stubborn when she wants to be.”
“I’m sure that’s true, but I think Mead is more than capable of dealing with any tantrums.”
“In the same way you were about to?” Emma asked gently.
Morgan blushed and remained silent.
“You were about to take Callie Mae over your knee, weren’t you, Morgan?”
“I guess I was, but I didn’t plan it. She just makes me so mad,” he groaned, taking his hat off and running a hand through is hair. “Is it wrong, Ma? Is it wrong to want to smack some sense into her from the bottom side up?”
“I guess it depends on the girl and your motives,” Emma replied. “If you’re doing it because you’re bigger and stronger and you want to get your way, then yes, I think it’s wrong. If you’re doing it out of genuine care and affection, then maybe it’s not so wrong if it opens a woman’s ears to what you’re saying.”
