“I don’t understand,” she breathed out, pushing her skirts down.
“I didn’t marry you because I wanted you to change,” he explained. “Do you think I didn’t know how difficult you could be or how determined you are to get your way? Of course I did, and I wanted you anyway. Callie, I don’t always have to be right. Sometimes it takes a strong man to bow to the wishes of his woman and admit when he’s wrong.”
Callie Mae stared up at him, her eyes wide with shock as he gently cupped her cheek.
“I was wrong about The Duchess, and you were right, sweetheart. It’s your responsibility, and now it’s ours. There was a commitment made to those young ladies, and we can’t ignore it. I believe you’re right about Lilly, as well, and Laurie Dixon too. Turning our backs on the whole situation would not only be wrong, but reprehensible. We have plenty of time to take a honeymoon once things are settled. For now, we need to work together, not be at each other’s throats.”
“Oh Morgan,” she sighed, flinging herself into his arms. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me, how relieved I am. I can’t fight the town’s narrow-minded view and yours too. Knowing you stand beside me means everything!”
“And I always will, sweetheart,” he promised, breathing into her ear. “No matter what, we are a team and while we won’t always agree, we have to stand with each other and support each other.”
Callie Mae sighed with relief.
“And that’s why I have to spank you,” he continued quietly.
“What?” she demanded, pushing away from him.
“I think you heard me,” Morgan replied, taking a seat on the bench, and pulling her close. “We’ll have our fights, and I imagine they will get downright heated at times. That’s okay by me, but I won’t have you sassing me in front of the whole town. Why I bet there were a dozen people on the boardwalk in front of the sheriff’s office, salivating over every word. By now the gossip has spread halfway across the county,” he continued, shaking his head. Gently he lifted her chin with his finger and forced her to look at him.
“Do you want people to lose respect for me?” he asked somberly.
“Of course I don’t,” she replied.
“Do you think it makes you and the girls any safer if I seem like a pussy-whipped husband?”
“A what?” she gasped out.
“All right, hen pecked,” he explained regretting the term he’d used. “It’s a man who kow tows to his wife and lets her get away with anything, speak to him in a disrespectful manner that humiliates him?”
“Did I humiliate you, Morgan?” she asked sadly, her eyes widening. “I didn’t mean to. You know I didn’t.”
“Yes, I know it, but others craning to overhear our conversation don’t. That’s the problem, Callie. I’m a confident man. We can argue and you can cuss at me all you want. It changes nothing. I am your husband and the head of our family, no bones about it.”
Callie Mae nodded, biting her lip.
“And that is why this can’t happen again. When you feel the need to rail at me and pitch a fit, you can do so privately. Do you understand?”
Callie nodded again.
“Good. But there is a price to pay for such antics and you’re going to pay it now, privately.”
Morgan pulled her over one knee, keeping his other foot planted firmly on the floor of the woodshed. One strong arm was wrapped around her waist, and he hiked up her dress. He didn’t bother to separate her drawers, knowing she was going to feel each and every swat with or without the thin fabric covering her bottom.
He didn’t prolong it. Instead, he began to administer blistering smacks quickly and efficiently until he’d set her cheeks on fire as she squirmed and pleaded for him to stop. He didn’t. Not until she was limp and sobbing over his knee. Then he set her up and pulled down her dress.
“This is the only warning you’re going to get, my love,” he stated, using his thumbs to brush the tears from her cheeks. “The next time you speak to me like that in public I will do the same thing, only it will be on the spot where the offensive language occurs. It won’t be in the privacy of the woodshed, or our bedroom, or even upstairs at The Duchess. It will be smack dab in front of the entire town if necessary. Do you understand?” he asked sternly.
“Yes,” she whispered, continuing to wipe her tears. “And I’m sorry, Morgan, so very sorry,” she sobbed as he pulled her to his chest. “I didn’t even think about things like that. I would never intentionally embarrass you. I have no desire to unman you, ever. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I love you with all of my heart,” she sobbed brokenly.
“I love you too, honey, and it’s all over,” he soothed as he wrapped an arm around her. They left the shed and walked toward the house slowly. She looked so pretty in the moonlight, even with her face wet with tears and her lips quivering. “Are you all right?” he asked gently when they reached the porch, and he turned her to face him.
“I’m fine,” she managed to get out in disjointed whispers. “I just feel terrible.”
“Did I spank you that hard?” he asked in concern.
“No. I mean, yes, you certainly did, but that’s not the reason,” she choked out. “I deserved that licking, I know I did, but I’m ashamed. I should have waited until we were alone today. It was awful of me and if anything happens to you because of my actions I will never forgive myself,” she cried.
“Nothing is going to happen to me,” Morgan replied with a chuckle. “Believe me, it had better take more than a little spat with my bride to make someone think I’m weak or Lilly livered. If not, I’m doing something wrong.”
