The Suspicious Mr. Greenley (4 page)

“Your folks are nice people.  Good and honest.  I like them.”

“They like you, too,” Kady informed him with a smile.

“How set are you on moving to Columbus, Kady?”   He needed to know.

“It’s what I’ve dreamed of for the last year,” she truthfully admitted.  “My business teacher says I won’t have any trouble at all finding a job in an office.  My shorthand and typing are pretty good.”

“I just might have to hire you to straighten out my records,” Steven said with a grin, trying to hide the fact that her answer upset him.  Had he found the right girl only to have her leave town…?

Steven had Kady Jo home before her parents thought to worry, and he settled in the porch swing with her for a glass of lemonade, and enjoyed being with ‘family’ again.  When Kady asked him why he decided to move back he explained, “The happiest times I recall from being a kid was when we’d come and visit my grandparents here, Kady.  Those happy memories carried me through some rough years, years when I didn’t know if I’d ever see home again.  When the lawyer tracked me down and said the old folks left me the place, I knew I wanted to settle right here.  The shop is perfect for building furniture, and I’m slowly fixing up the house and making it nice.  There’s enough land to raise a few animals and have a garden, and I don’t have to work a farm.  I can take my time to build a good business.”

“It sounds like you’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the planning, Steven,” Elsie said with a smile as she patted little Kasey’s back.

“I’m fortunate to have the opportunity given to me,” he agreed.  Shortly after, he said good night and went home.  He couldn’t stop thinking about Kady and wondered if she could be happy living in such a small town for the rest of her life.  He didn’t need a broken heart.  And, he didn’t want her to give up her dreams, either.

* * *

The week flew by.  The last of Kady’s exams were taken, parties were attended, and rehearsals for the graduation ceremony.  In the midst of it all, Steven managed to find a few minutes each day for at least a telephone call, or a short visit.  Kady looked forward to those calls and visits as much as he did.  The big day arrived, and Kady was happy to see Steven sitting with her family, smiling as she received her diploma!  Her Daddy even had tears in his eyes and anyone could see how proud he was.  Their relatives and friends all came to the house for a party after the graduation ceremony and Kady was surprised to receive so many gifts.  Once everyone was gone, Steven whisked Kady off for a drive and some quiet time away from all the commotion.  He found a quiet place to park where they could watch the sun set over the lake.

“This has been a pretty special day, hasn’t it, sweet one?” he asked indulgently.

“I think it was even more special for my parents,” she said with a grin.  “I’m so happy I was able to give them something they wanted.”

“Your Dad quit school to work and help out during the depression, right?”

“Yes, and Mama lived too far away to get to a high school.  She and Daddy met at a wedding, fell in love, and got married when Mama was only seventeen.  Schooling was something they both wanted and they made sure I had.  Of course, they wanted me to take secretarial classes so that I could get a job.  Some girls do go to college, of course, but my folks can’t afford that.  Kevin will probably get to go, if he wants to.  Did you ever think of going to college, Steven?”

“No.  The War happened, and I did what was expected of me.” 

He got that shut off look in his eyes like he always did when the subject came up.  “You know you can tell me anything and I will listen, Steven.  I won’t ever pry, but if you need to talk, I will hold your hand and listen.”

He smiled.  “That is just about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, sweet one.”  He leaned over to kiss her and then reached into the back seat of the car and picked up a brightly wrapped box.  “I wanted to give it to you in private.”

“You got me a gift?”  Kady Jo was pleased.  “You know you didn’t have to.  I didn’t expect one…”

“Well, are you going to open it or not?” he teased.

Kady giggled and worked at untying the ribbon while he watched, shaking his head in amusement.  Finally, the ribbon snapped and she unwrapped the paper to reveal a box.  She lifted off the lid and reached inside to lift out a small, wooden box.  It was simply beautiful!  “Oh, this is beautiful, Steven.  You made this for me, didn’t you?” she asked, pleased as could be as she examined the gift.  There was scrolling around the top and inside were the words, “For Kady Jo, may you have everything your heart desires.”  She felt tears sting her eyes as she opened the lid to find the wooden box was lined with velvet.  “This is so nice, Steven.  Thank you so much.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Kady feared very much she was in love.

* * *

“I think this is ridiculous,” William muttered in the privacy of the bedroom he shared with his wife and infant daughter.  “Kady should stay right here where she belongs.  She loves Steven Greenley, and he loves her right back.”

“William, Kady needs to do this.  She needs to be sure of her feelings before she can admit them, even to herself.  Columbus is only two hours away.  She has a job and a room to stay in.  We have to let her go.”

“I don’t have to do any such thing!” he growled emotionally. 

“No, legally you can keep her right here, and she will resent you for the rest of her life.  She has to do this so she knows she gave her dream a chance.  You need to let her go with your blessing so she can turn to us and come home when she realizes she made a mistake.  Even Steven thinks it best she go, and it is fairly breaking his heart.”

“He should turn her over his knee and say ‘enough of this nonsense’, and make her marry him!”

“That won’t work with Kady Jo.  She needs to realize her happiness is right here.  Once she sees how unglamorous city life is, she will come home to us.”

“I hope you’re right Elsie.”

“If I’m not right, William, and we forced her to stay here, then she would be miserable and never forgive any of us.”

* * *

“What else do you have to do tonight, Kady?” Monica asked from her desk a few feet away from Kady’s. 

“It’s a work night,” Kady explained.

“You aren’t living with your parents now.  You can go out and have a little fun in the evenings.  Oh, come on!  You might meet someone interesting.”

She had already met someone interesting,
was Kady’s first thought, but she didn’t talk about Steven Greenley with her coworkers.  Steven belonged at home, not here.  And, after two months of living and working in Columbus, she wasn’t nearly as happy as she thought she’d be.  She spent a lot of lonely nights in her room, listening to the radio, or she went shopping for more clothes she really didn’t need.  She missed her family and most of all, she missed Steven.  It cost too much to call home, and she only did that when it was absolutely necessary.  More and more she thought about getting on the bus and going home, and never returning to the small rented room.  But, this was her dream, and what she’d planned for herself, and she needed to give herself more time to adjust.

“Okay, Monica.  I’ll go out with you tonight, as long as we’re in before ten.” 

Monica laughed.  The party will just be getting started by then, honey!”

* * *

Over two months now, and Steven was going out of his mind.  The thought of Kady Jo alone in the city was making him crazy.  It was time to go and tell her how he felt and bring her home!  He had no trouble finding Kady’s apartment building; her Dad had been more than happy to give him directions… and advice.  Steven didn’t really think he would need a hairbrush to get Kady’s attention; his hand would work just fine if it proved necessary.  He knocked on her door and was stunned when there was no answer.  It was already nine o’clock and Kady should have been home for hours by now.  He knocked again, just in case she was running water in the bath and didn’t hear him.  Still no answer.

“You looking for the little redhead who lives here?” an older man poked his head out the door to ask.

“Yes.  Do you know where she is?” Steven asked politely.

“She went out with another gal right after work.  She don’t normally cause a fuss, but I don’t think that other girl worries too much about her reputation, if you get my drift.  If this little gal is something to you, you’d best keep her away from that bleached out blond.  No good can come of that.”  The door closed abruptly.

Steven sat down on the floor outside her door, prepared to wait.  The longer he waited, the more he steamed, and the more he steamed, the angrier he became.  It was close to midnight when he heard running footsteps on the stairs, and he was on his feet instantly when he saw the terrified look on Kady Jo’s face.  She cried out his name, and ran to him, sobbing.  The reason for her fear showed himself a couple of seconds later, an angry look in his eyes.

“Well, honey, why didn’t you tell me you had another date waiting on you?  We could have wrapped up our business hours ago instead of going dancing.  Buddy, you’ll need to leave.  Red has been promising me something all night, and I ain’t leaving until she pays up.”

“I did not!” Kady whispered furiously.  “I didn’t even know that Monica set this up until we got to the party!  You just leave, Rory Carlson!  I want nothing to do with you.”

“That wasn’t what you said earlier, Red.”

“Carlson, you have three seconds flat to leave before I tear you apart for frightening my fiancée.”  Steven was calm and deadly serious.  He wanted to kill the other man.  It must have shown in his expression because Carlson threw up his hands and said, “Sorry, man.  I misunderstood.”  He backed away and once he reached the steps, he hurried down them as fast as he could.

“Thank you, Steven.  I needed you and you came!”

“What you need, young lady, is a damned good spanking!”

Chapter Four

Steven took the key from her shaking fingers and opened the door to let them inside her apartment.  It was pretty much as he expected.  He’d seen many others through the years that were just as small.  One big room with a bed in one corner, a sofa and chair in another, and a kitchen and table area on the other side.  There was a small bathroom and one closet.  Still, he could see touches of Kady’s personality all through the room, and the special little box he’d made for her was sitting on a table beside her bed.  It made him smile to see that she truly treasured the simple gift.

He closed the door and then, instead of yelling at her as he planned to do, he took one look at her tear streaked face and opened his arms.  She ran to him and he lifted her and carried her to the sofa and sat down, holding her on his lap as he offered comfort.  “You’re safe now, sweet one.  No one will harm you.”

“That obnoxious jerk told me that Monica promised him I would have sex with him if he took me dancing!  Can you believe it?”  She was indignant and angry.  “I am going to tear that bitch apart!”

“You’ll do no such thing, and you’ll watch your mouth, Kady Jo!” Steven promptly scolded.  “I’m going to spank you for swearing like that,” he promised.  “In fact,” he said as he lifted her in the air and flipped her over to land face-down over his knee, “there is no time like the present!”

“Oh no, Steven!” Kady protested, but it did her no good.  He pushed up the dress and fine slip she was wearing and took down her panties to the knees.  She wasn’t wearing nylons since it was summer and hot outside!  “Steven, this is embarrassing!”

“Good,” was his reply, and he brought his right hand down with a splat on her left cheek. 

“Ouch!”  It had been over three months since she’d had a spanking, and it truly hurt!  “I’m too old for this!” she argued.

“No woman is ever too old for a good spanking,” Steven contradicted her.  He spanked again and then again, causing her to cry out.  “What do you think you were doing tonight?  Staying out so late when you are supposed to work tomorrow?  Is that the way you were taught and raised?” he demanded.

“Noooo!  I shouldn’t have gone.  I said ‘no’, but Monica kept badgering me and said she didn’t have anyone to go with her.  I finally gave in, and I’m sorry I did,” she added, remembering the other time he stopped spanking when she said those magical words.  It didn’t work this time around.  He spanked again, even harder.   “Ouch!”

“I never should have agreed to this,” Steven was talking more to himself than to Kady, but she heard him anyway, in spite of the loud slaps all over her bare bottom and upper thighs.  Steven was pouring his heart into this spanking!

“Agreed to what?  Coming here tonight?”  She was crushed at the idea, and wished he would stop the spanking so they could talk!  She would never be able to sit at her desk tomorrow!

“No, I shouldn’t have agreed to wait and give you time to realize that this isn’t what you really want after all!  I should have told you right out plain that I wanted you to stay home where you belong, and let me date you and talk you into marrying me.  I knew you’d find trouble here.  You’re too trusting to be around the Monica’s of the world!”  He continued spanking her, uncaring that her bottom was now a deep dark red and felt hot to the touch.  Kady needed spanking!  If he hadn’t been here, that bastard would have raped her!  The thought gave strength to his hand and he made sure her sit spots learned of his displeasure with her.

“Owwww!  I was going to come home this weekend, Steven,” she sobbed.  “I hate it here.  I miss you so much, and I love you!”  Those were the magical words this time.  The spanking was over, and Steven quickly turned her over so that he could claim her sweet lips.

“Will you marry me, Kady Jo?” he asked.

“Yes, Steven!  Oh yes!”

“Are you sure, sweet one?  I intend to make a home right there in Cinder…?”

“I’m sure, Steven.  There really is no place like home.  I had a lot of romantic, foolish notions of what it would be like to live on my own, and I was wrong.  I hated it.  I missed you, my parents, my family… I was going to call Daddy and Mama tomorrow and…”