The Problem With Jordan (4 page)

Jordan was impressed with the gentle, careful way that he took care of Alice, and Jim came outside when they returned and welcomed her home with a kiss. “Did you see anything you wanted?”

“No, but I wasn’t looking. I had so much fun, Jim. Thank you for watching our little boys and giving me the time to go. It was a wonderful gift.”

“I like seeing my girl so happy,” Jim admitted, and then chuckled when she hastily said goodbye before hurrying inside. She needed to pee, and he knew it. “Cray, thanks for including my girl. I could tell that it made her happy, and I should make sure she gets out a bit more than I do. Jordy, you look pretty as can be.”

“Thank you,” she said, blushing.

Driving through town on their way home drew even more stares than earlier. “I suppose you would be upset with me if I jumped up and screamed at them to mind their own damn business?”

“I suppose you would be even more upset if I spanked your posterior in public for doing such a thing?”

“I was afraid you would say something like that.” She remained quiet until they left town behind. “Thank you, Cray. You spoiled me dreadfully today.”

“A woman should be spoiled on her wedding day.”

“But, we didn’t plan to be married,” she reminded him.

“All the more reason to make it special in some way, Jordan. I wanted you to have some pleasant memories of this day to share when someone asks you.”

“I do have pleasant memories,” she assured him. “It isn’t the things you bought, but it is the fact you went out of your way to buy them and give me things that are special. You also cooked for me, and you gave me a ring to wear to let others know that I belong to you. That is truly special, Cray. You didn’t have to do any of it; in fact, most men wouldn’t have bothered. You also took the time to reassure me that I am safe with you, and you did that with Alice and Jim, too, when you could have told them it was none of their business. I am no angel, and I can be hardheaded and a real brat, but today, you made me feel cherished. Thank you for that, and tonight I hope you will permit me to cook supper for you?”

“I would love that, Jordan,” he quickly agreed. “You aren’t one bit spoiled, honey, unlike a lot of women I’ve met. We’ll find our way together, and when we reach an impasse over something, we’ll sit down and talk it through. Best of all, we can each say we have ‘family’ now.” He added the last bit with a smile.

“That is true. You have a wife and I have a husband.” They talked of minor things on the way back to the ranch and the dog welcomed them by barking and wagging his tail.

“You are supposed to sound ferocious, dog!” Cray scolded, but there was humor in his voice, and Jordan giggled.

“What is his name?” she asked.

“I just got him and I haven’t named him yet. You can do the honors if you want to.”

“Yes! I would love to!”

It was such a minor thing to him, but he could see it was a big deal to Jordan. He was happy with himself for making the offer. He parked the wagon beside the house, and then jumped down to walk around and lift her down and put her on her feet.

“Thanks, Cray. I didn’t know how I was going to do that without falling flat on my face. I’ve never ever wore skirts before today,” she whispered shamefully. “Aunt Hermione said that it upset Pa to see me in skirts because I looked so much like Mama. Aunt Hermione hated skirts and refused to wear them after her Pa died. He thought she wasn’t ladylike because she preferred to work outside in the garden rather than be cooped up inside doing sewing, cooking and the like. He punished her a lot. When he died, she wore pants to his funeral just to spite him. Since she hated dresses and skirts so much, it didn’t occur to her that I might actually like to at least have
one
dress to wear to church on Sunday. I didn’t have the heart to insist, either. She didn’t have much money, and after Pa was killed, we had even less to live on, so I never asked for a dress.”

“You can always be honest with me, Jordan. I will admit that I would prefer to see you wearing a dress or skirt all the time, but I also know that working in a garden can be messy and pants might be easier. When I chop wood, I don’t like to keep a shirt on if it’s hot outside. Some people find that upsetting and wrong. We’ll just bring up the things that matter and we’ll talk through them.” He grinned at her. “I’m not the sort to be a tyrant. If it is really important to me, I’ll tell you, and if you do the same with me, we’ll be ahead of other folks who pout and get mad and their spouse never knows the why of it. Do you know people like that?” he asked, handing her a couple of the lighter parcels to carry inside.

“Yes. Mary Ellen Myer is that way. She gets upset over silly things, but when her husband asks her what is wrong, she won’t tell him. She simply pouts that he got dirt on her clean floor and she complains about him behind his back. Mrs. Vaughn, one of the ladies who was here this morning for our wedding, says that Wade should paddle Mary Ellen. That she is behaving like a child and pouting like one, so she should be spanked and stop making Wade miserable, and that she shouldn’t be so disrespectful by condemning him to others.”

“Mrs. Vaughn is one smart lady. I would be upset if I learned you were complaining about me behind my back. It is disrespectful, and I would never do that to you. If I ever do, I hope someone gets my attention and gives me a chewing out for it.”

“I don’t intend to start acting like Mary Ellen Myer.”

“Good.” They carried their first armloads inside the house and set things on the table and then made their way back outside. “If I hand you too much, I expect you to tell me, Jordan. I don’t know what is too heavy for you. You aren’t a pack horse, and I don’t expect you to do more than feels comfortable to you.”

“I’m actually pretty strong. When Pa left to go to war, I had to take over the heavy work because Aunt Hermione couldn’t do it.”

“It makes me mad as hell that the men around here didn’t help you more. I want us to be sure we go and help the lady you were talking about earlier. Elderly people shouldn’t have to beg for assistance.”

“I agree with you, Cray.”

A few minutes later Cray said, “That’s it for the light stuff. I should have asked someone to come by and give me a hand.” Just then they spotted someone coming and chuckled. “I hope it’s someone I know well enough to ask for help.”

It was Jim Evans. “My lovely wife said you might need some help unloading a couple of things, Cray.” To his surprise, Cray and Jordan burst into laughter.

“Your timing is perfect, Jim. I was just telling Jordan I should have asked someone to ride by and give me a hand. I don’t want Jordan to try and help with this. Thanks so much for coming.”

“Man, I’m proud to help you. You’re doing this for Jordy, and Alice and I are thankful you aren’t mad at those interfering fools and taking it out on Jordy.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to understand why things happen, but Jordan and I each have family now, and yesterday we didn’t. We have been talking a lot today and getting to know each other. I am enjoying her company and her sense of humor, too.”

“I feel safe with Cray, Jim,” Jordan explained. “Knowing my temper, I’m sure we’ll butt heads sooner or later, but I’m not afraid of him. It is a good start.”

“Considering everything, I would agree,” Jim said with a smile for the girl. “Now, you hold the door for us and stand back so we don’t accidentally knock you down.”

“What
is
that?” she asked when the men started removing the heavy shipping crate.

“It is a wardrobe for your things, Jordan,” Cray answered. “There is a section for dresses and things you hang, and there is another section of shelves for you to put other clothing.”

“Oh my goodness! You are so thoughtful, Cray! I’ve never had something this nice for my very own!” Jordan suddenly started crying. “Thank you,” she tried to say, but could barely speak. “
Why
are you being so nice? I
don’t
deserve this! I
don’t
!”

“Yes you do, Jordan,” Cray assured her. “Now don’t cry.” His words made her cry even harder and while Jim shook his head, Cray wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “You are my wife, my family, and that means something to me. You didn’t walk into this house and turn up your nose and start telling me how to fix it up. You accepted it as is, and you did the same with me. A lady, a wife, has the right to expect a place to put her clothing. Henry had a couple in stock, and I got the biggest one for you. He said he didn’t figure you had much furniture at your place, so we got what we absolutely needed for today, and we’ll take stock, and get other things as we need them. You can pick those. Today, I was afraid you’d refuse to choose if I asked you.”

“You spent
so
much money on me! I
don’t
deserve this. I really
don’t
! I stole your eggs, lied to you about my name, and I shoved you and ran. When you found me, and you started to spank me, I bit you really hard. I lied to the sheriff and said you tried to rape me. You were forced to marry me, Cray. You should be angry, and instead of being so nice, you
should
be spanking me over and over until—”

“Enough now,” he said firmly. “You did get a spanking, and you damn well had it coming. But honey, you were trying to survive in the only way you knew how. I won’t hold that against you. Now that we are married, however, I will paddle you proper if I catch you stealing from anyone.”

“Jordy, there
are
some good men in the world, and you managed to
fend
one of them for a husband. A new wardrobe is just the thing for your new clothes. I like the way Cray thinks.” Jim tried to help, but Jordy just cried harder.

The problem with Jordan was that she just plain didn’t know when to shut up. “It’s just too much, Jim! I feel as though I am taking advantage of Cray. The sheriff, the mayor and the reverend got their heads together and decided to make us marry each other. It was so unfair to Cray, and now he is spending all of his money on things he wouldn’t have had to buy if not for me! I just think—
What
are you doing?” she asked as Cray sat on the porch steps and pulled her down over his knee. “
No
!” she squealed as he spanked her hard. “
No
, Cray!
Please
don’t! I’m so sore already!” Jordan exclaimed. He spanked her again. “I’m sorry!
I’m sorry
!”

“You listen to me, young lady. If I want to buy a new wardrobe for you to use in our bedroom, then I will do so. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir!” She cried out as he spanked her again.

“No one
made
me go shopping for you; I
wanted
to do it. It was my pleasure. I enjoyed watching you pick out yard goods. Do you believe me, now?” he asked her.

“Yes, sir!
Please
stop spanking me!”

“A couple of seconds ago you said I should be spanking you over and over again!” he reminded her.

“But it hurts,” she whined. “Please, Cray! No more spanking.”

“Will you stop telling me how bad you are and just accept that we are married and I wish to support my wife to the best of my ability?” He swatted her twice more for emphasis.

“Yes!
Yes
! I’ll stop whining. Oh, Cray, I’m
so
lucky!”

“I feel lucky, too.” He spanked her once again, but this was a gentle tap compared to the others. “Will you behave now, little girl?” he asked in a husky voice.

“Yes, sir,” she immediately capitulated, and by doing so, Jordan earned her release. Cray stood, lifting her along with himself, and putting her on her feet.

“Will you hold the door for us now, Jordy?” Jim asked with a brotherly smile and a wink.

Jordan was embarrassed to see him standing right there. She’d forgotten all about Jim’s presence, and it was mortifying to know he’d witnessed the spanking! She felt her face turn scarlet and she wanted to hide.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Jordy,” Jim said in a comforting tone of voice. “Your husband had the right of it, and I would have done the very same thing in his boots.”

“You would spank Alice?” she asked, clearly surprised.

“Ask
her
if I would,” Jim answered. “It is a tried and true method of calming a situation before it escalates into a huge fight. Your husband was gentle with you, but firm.”

“My butt doesn’t feel like he was gentle!” Jordan pouted, and both men chuckled. She found she couldn’t be angry with them, not when today was so special. This was the first time ever that she had a brand new piece of furniture just for herself! It was amazing, and when the crate came off, she was amazed at how pretty the wardrobe was. Jordan held the door, and then ran through the house to open the door to the bedroom. She noticed that there was no wardrobe for Cray’s belongings. “You don’t have a wardrobe!” she accused, feeling terrible.

“I have a chest of drawers,” he pointed out. “I’m not a lady who needs to hang up dresses. I fold my clothing and put it all into drawers. I have pegs for my good shirt and suit,” he added. “Jordan, will you please stop worrying? If I thought I needed a wardrobe, I would have bought one for myself. I’ve
never
used one,” he insisted.

“Sounds like me,” Jim spoke up. “I keep most everything in drawers, and Alice hangs her dresses. She uses one drawer in my chest, and I take a couple of inches of her wardrobe for my Sunday suit.” He grinned. “I’ll bet Madison Claiborne has three wardrobes, all for himself!”

Jordan giggled, and noticed that her husband was puzzled. “Madison is very persnickety, Cray. He is a lawyer, and he has so many suits that people wonder where he keeps them all! He was the defense attorney for a murder trial before you came to town, and he wore a different suit each and every day. The judge asked him if he was putting on a fashion show.”

“Did he win his case?” Cray asked.

“Yes, he did. He proved who did it, and there was a courtroom confession,” she told him.

“Maybe the suits are a distraction?” Cray said thoughtfully.

“He’s smart as can be,” Jim insisted. “But, he dresses like a fancy woman.”

They all had a bit of a laugh, and then went back to the wagon. Cray looked at Jordan. “This is a wedding present for you, Jordan, and it is impolite to say anything but ‘thank you’ for a present. My feelings will be hurt if I think for one second you don’t like your gift.”

She gave him a stricken look and he wondered if he was going to have to spank her again. He and Jim removed the crating and all of a sudden Jordan let out a squeal! “Really? This is for me? A new sewing machine?” She was jumping up and down in excitement. “Oh, thank you, Cray! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have always wanted a sewing machine, but was sure I would never have one! Oh, thank you!” She rushed to open the door for them.

“Where should we put it, Jordy?” Jim asked.

“I don’t know!” She looked toward Cray and asked, “What do you think, Cray?”

“Why not put it against this wall, Jordan? It will be close to the table when you are cutting out dresses, and in the winter, you will be closer to the stove and you will be warmer.”

“That is a wonderful idea, Cray.” She was so excited she felt as though she could burst! “When we have company, I can place a table runner over it and use it as a side table.”

“I didn’t think of that, but it sounds great.”

“It suits me,” Jim added his two cents worth, and then laughed when they looked at him.

“We appreciate your help, Jim. Jordan and I will be happy to have you and Alice and your little boys out to supper real soon.”

“We’d like that,” Jim said with a nod. He helped put the sewing machine in the right place, and then said, “I need to get back to town now. You two have a great evening.”

“You and Alice, too. When you need Jordan, let us know and I’ll bring her right away,” Cray promised.

“Doc says it’ll be at least three or four more weeks, but Allie thinks it could be any time. She knows best,” Jim said with confidence in his wife. “Jordy, we really appreciate your offering to come and help out. Allie’s Ma can’t come this time because she fell and broke her leg, and when you offered, it relieved her so much. The boys can be a handful.”

“They’re full of energy, and we’ll have fun.”

“The best part is that Alice won’t be worried sick about them if you are there taking care of them,” Jim said. “She’ll rest and not push herself to get up and busy too soon.”

“I’ll do my best to see to it that she rests.”

“I expect you to let me know if I can help in some way. Obviously, I’m not a blacksmith, but I can make deliveries for you, or help in minor ways.”

“That means a lot, friend. Thank you,” Jim answered, and then hurried on his way.

“I’ll go and put the wagon away and take care of the horses, Jordan. Are you going to start supper now?” he wanted to know.

“Are you starting to get hungry?” she asked.

“I can eat anytime you have it ready,” he stated matter-of-factly. “The reason I’m asking is so I know what to work on. How much time I have,” he explained, and then waited patiently for an answer.

“Fine. How about an hour and a half? That gives me plenty of time to make a great meal for you,” she told him.

“I’m not used to having someone cook for me; I’m looking forward to tasting your food.”

“I will do my best, and I’ll try to get everything unpacked and put away.”

“There’s no rush, Jordan. I’m not going to fuss if we let some of it go until tomorrow. We’ve had a pretty emotional day, and we aren’t going to push ourselves when it isn’t necessary.”

“I’ll make sure the food we bought is put away correctly so that nothing spoils,” she offered.

“Sounds good. If you have questions, I’ll be in the barn. If something is too heavy, just come and get me.”

“I will.” A minute later, Jordan found herself alone in her new home. She suddenly felt overwhelmed by everything that happened in her life since that very morning. She was married to a man who believed in spanking, and obviously in spoiling her, too! He made her feel cherished, and also let her know that he expected her to behave. This house was so much nicer than the one she’d grown up in. Jordan decided to bide her time and try to make the best of the situation. Other than spanking her, Cray had treated her well. She would try to treat him well and see what came of it.

It wasn’t difficult to figure out how to store the groceries they bought, and Jordan felt rich with having so much food to choose from for their evening meal. It was a true luxury to her.

While she was cooking, Jordan did her best to figure out where to put all of the things she found that she didn’t know Cray had purchased for her. The sewing machine cabinet had drawers in it to hold scissors, thread, needles, a pincushion and other things she needed to have in order to sew, but she didn’t know where to put the fabric until she was ready to work with it. She needed a small chest or a shelf, but she would rather have a chest. Perhaps there was something of use in Aunt Hermione’s house. She would check tomorrow.

Cray wondered if it was too soon to go up to the house. He was finished with putting away his supplies, and he was anxious to make sure that Jordan was doing okay. She was pretty overwhelmed from the day’s events, and for that matter, so was he. Cray was positive that they both needed some time to settle in and get used to things the way they were. He’d forgotten all about taking her to her aunt’s place to pick up the belongings that meant something to her. Based on what he’d heard today, poor Jordan didn’t have much, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have things that were of value to her, even if only of sentimental value. Once he was certain the stock was all cared for, Cray walked up to the house and let himself inside. The aromas of food cooking caught him off-guard, and he was amazed. “The food smells wonderful, Jordan,” he said appreciatively.

“Thanks. It’ll be a few more minutes before we eat, though.”

“That’s all right. I’m content to smell the food for now,” he said with a grin. “I see you’ve put everything away.”

“Almost everything. I don’t know where to put the fabric we bought today. I thought I would see if there is something over at Aunt Hermione’s I can use.”

“I forgot to take you by there to get your things today, Jordan. We’ll go tomorrow for sure.”

“It won’t take us long, Cray. There isn’t much of value over there.”

“I want you to bring whatever you want to keep; this is your home now, and there is room for your belongings, too.”

“I’m not worried about it, Cray. Today has been busy, so tomorrow we’ll decide what to bring from Aunt Hermione’s cabin.” She looked at him and said, “The one thing I really want to make sure I get is her bible.”

“Of course. I have my folks’ bible,” he explained. “It only stands to reason you would want your aunt’s bible.”

“There’s not much else.”

“We’ll go over there after breakfast, and we’ll discuss what to do with the place, Jordan.”