A Thanksgiving Gift

A Thanksgiving Gift By Sadie Hunter ©2011 by Blushing Books® and Sadie Hunter

Copyright © 2011 by Blushing Books® and Sadie Hunter. All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Published by Blushing Books®, a subsidiary of ABCD Graphics and Design 977 Seminole Trail #233 Charlottesville, VA 22901 The trademark Blushing Books® is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. Hunter, Sadie A Thanksgiving Gift eBook ISBN: 978-1-60968-558-4

Cover Design: by ABCD Graphics

Blushing Publications thanks you whole-heartedly for your purchase with us! There are plenty more stories such as the one you’ve purchased from Blushing Books! Visit our online store to view our might selection! http://www.blushingbooks.com This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as advocating any nonconsensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

Chapter One

The doorbell rang and Emma wiped her reddened eyes and blew her nose before going to answer the summons. She knew who was on the other side, but she stalled another couple of seconds by calling out, “Who’s there?” “It’s me, Em. Open the door so I can get your bags and we can be on our way.” Emma opened the door and let the handsome man inside her small apartment, turning her face so that he wouldn’t notice she’d been crying. “I’m not quite ready, Frank. Please come in and have a seat.” “Why aren’t you ready, Emma?” There was a touch of disapproval in his voice and she glanced at him in dismay. “Haven’t we had a discussion on promptness before?” he asked quietly. “Yes, but, this is different,” she attempted to explain. “What is different about it?” he patiently asked, looking down at her, and noting that she was attempting to hide her pretty face from him. Emma had obviously been crying… and worrying… and her next words confirmed his suspicions. “I am packing to meet your family, and I am not sure what I should take along,” she admitted, chewing on her bottom lip. She knew he thought her fears were unfounded, but what did she know about families? Her childhood had been spent in one foster home after another. “Emma Kathleen Woods, haven’t I told you that it doesn’t matter what you wear?” he asked in exasperation. “You are creating a problem in your mind where none exists. How long is it going to take you to finish packing?” “I’m not sure.” She was being honest. Every time she tried to decide on an outfit, she found something wrong with it. She didn’t want to look sloppy, and she didn’t want to look dowdy, either. None of the clothing she wore to teach in seemed appropriate for a long holiday weekend on Frank’s parents’ farm.

“I see. Well let me see if I can hurry you up a bit,” Frank drawled, and then he took her arm and pulled her to the large brown sofa and in the next minute he picked her up and dropped her over the back. Her hands fell to the seat cushions, but her feet did not reach the floor. Frank gave the rounded part of her skirt a hearty spank, and then another. Emma cried out in outrage and pain. “Owww! Frank! What are you doing…!” she squealed. “It looks like I am spanking you,” he answered the redhead, and then gave her butt another stinging slap. “Yes, that is what I am doing, Emma. Giving you a good spanking because I do not like it when I am kept waiting for no good reason.” He brought his hand down a few more times and Emma was soon in tears. “You are being so mean, Frank! Owwww! Not so hard!” she yelled. “Fine, damn it! You just go NOW. I am not going anywhere with you if this is how you are going to treat me!” Emma’s temper kicked into gear, which she soon learned wasn’t a very good idea. Frank pulled her off the back of the sofa and marched her around to the front. He took a seat, then yanked her down over his knee and shoved her skirt up to her waist. Her tights and panties soon resided around her knees and then he was spanking her again. “I will not be yelled at in that manner, young lady. You know better. And, you also know that you are in the wrong. You knew last night that I wanted to be on the road early, right?” he asked, emphasizing the word with a firm spank to her sit spots. “Yes,” Emma answered, sniffling. “I’m sorry, Frank. I’m sorry! Oh, please stop, honey!” “Do you think you can pack now?” he asked, giving her one final spank on her reddened bottom. “Yes, I’ll try!” she promised. “I just want them to like me, Frank,” she whispered tearfully. “What if they don’t?” “They will,” he insisted, helping her up and then kissing her. “Now fix your clothing and I’ll help you, Emma.” “I don’t know how I’m going to be able to sit for a five hour drive!” she complained as she eased her panties, and then her tights, up over her scorched bottom. “Ohhh, it hurts, Frank!” “It is supposed to hurt, young lady. Now come on and get packed.” “You’d best sit here. I can work faster if you’re not in there pressuring me.”

Frank smiled knowingly. “Made a bit of a mess in there, huh?” She reluctantly nodded. Not only had Frank taught her to be on time, he’d insisted she keep her apartment clean and tidy. The first time he came to pick her up for a date, instead of meeting her somewhere, he’d been shocked at the mess. There were dirty dishes everywhere, as well as clothes, both clean and dirty, all over the furniture. Her shoes were all over the floor, too. He told her that he didn’t appreciate a messy home, and instead of going out to dinner and a movie, he’d insisted on helping her clean up her apartment. It was embarrassing, but not nearly as embarrassing as having him stop by a few evenings later to see the apartment a cluttered mess once again. Emma had never had to worry about what anyone else liked, and she hated to do housework, especially when she was tired from teaching all day and had stacks of papers to grade before the next day. Frank did not see it her way and when he scolded her she got angry. It was the first time he turned her over his knee for a ‘damn good spanking’. Emma was shocked, but afterwards she was even more surprised to realize that she felt loved. Frank didn’t just drop out of her life. He saw something in her worth saving and working with. She’d learned to keep her apartment neat and tidy and she liked it that way. She felt organized now and it was a good feeling to come home to a clean apartment after a busy day of teaching. She hated admitting that her room was a mess, but there was nothing to do but own up to it. “Yes, it is a terrible mess, Frank. I’ve been trying to pack for hours now. Will you please help me? I don’t know your family and I don’t want to make a fool of myself by dressing all wrong.” “Sweetheart, as long as they can see how happy I am they won’t care what you are wearing. Come on, and I’ll help you. We have a long drive ahead of us.” He took her hand and made sure to keep his expression neutral as they entered the bedroom. It looked as though a cyclone had passed through. Emma showed him what she planned to wear on Thanksgiving and he told her it was perfect. He suspected it was brand new as were the shoes she packed to go with it. She put in some jeans, dress slacks, tops, sweaters, and a warm jacket. She also put in a nicer dress just in case she needed it, and within fifteen minutes her bags were packed and she was smiling. Frank said, “Take a few minutes to pick up in here, sweetheart, and I’ll put your bags in the car.” Unless he was mistaken it would take close to an hour to put her bedroom to rights, but he simply couldn’t let her leave it this way. He stowed everything in the trunk with his own bags and then returned to see if he could help by putting clothing on hangers. To his shock, the bedroom was nearly finished. “I am working as quickly as possible, honey. I’m sorry I was not ready when you got here. I don’t want you to be upset if we hit heavy traffic.”

“We’ll manage just fine, Emma.” She was ready within ten minutes time, and he helped her make sure her apartment was locked up tight. Emma also went to tell her landlady goodbye and let her know that she was leaving and would be home sometime Sunday evening. “You have a good time now, Emmy-girl,” the eighty-eight year old woman said with a cheerful smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Stevens. Is your son still planning to come and get you tomorrow morning?” she asked politely. “Oh my, yes, he is, Emmy. He wouldn’t let his Mama spend Thanksgiving alone. The entire family will be there.” “You enjoy every one of them,” Emma said with a smile. “I will. You drive safely, young man.” Mrs. Stevens shook her finger at Frank. “Yes, ma’am, I will. Happy Thanksgiving to you.” He took Emma’s hand in his and walked her down the steps and out through the gate to his car. Once they were seated and seat belts fastened, they were on their way. Emma was soon squirming and fiddling with her seatbelt in a futile attempt to get comfortable. “Frank, I am utterly miserable! I need a pillow or I will never be able to sit for the entire distance to your parents’ home.” “You know better than that, don’t you, sweet Emma?” he asked with a gentle smile for her. “But, honey, it is going to be a very long time!” She urged him to reconsider. “Yes, it is. I doubt you will be late again for quite some time, right?” ***** “Nita, what do you think you are doing?” Zachary Howard scolded. “You are slamming those dishes as if you want them to break, woman!” “Oh, I am not!” she declared. “Are you ever going to finish with that mug so I can get this kitchen clean, Zach? I have other work to get done, too.”

“What other work?” Zach demanded, hanging onto his mug for fear she would grab it if he didn’t, and then all hell was going to break loose. “This house is plenty clean enough.” “Clean enough for family, yes, but Francis is bringing home that woman with him!” “That woman is the woman he is planning to ask to marry him, Nita. You need to give her a chance.” “It’s too damn soon, Zach! Why is he doing this to us? How are we supposed to be happy when it hasn’t been a year yet since Cynthia was killed?” Nita banged the skillet she’d used to make scrambled eggs for her husband against the sink. Zach had heard enough. If he didn’t deal with Nita’s mood immediately she would ruin the entire weekend for everyone, and he wasn’t going to have it. He got to his feet and crossed the room. Nita didn’t even look at him, but held out her hand for the dirty mug she thought he was bringing to her. When he didn’t hand it to her, she turned to see what he was doing and was shocked to see him standing there with a wooden spoon he’d taken from the small crock jar that they kept on the counter beside the stovetop. “No, Zachary!” she immediately protested. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.” “Yes, you do, Nita. Now walk yourself over to the table, take down those jeans and your panties, and bed over the table for a good walloping.” “For what, Zach? I haven’t done anything!” she argued. “Yes you have. You’ve worked yourself into a snit over Frank’s new girlfriend and you haven’t even met the girl. You’re going to get a good spanking to improve your mood and get over this attitude of yours. Now, you do what I told you to do or I’m going to start adding extras and you’ll be sitting and writing lines instead of whatever it is you think you need to be doing.” “This is not fair, Zach. I have a right to my feelings,” Nita said, but she was moving over to the kitchen table and unfastening her jeans as she walked. She did not want extras. Her husband of forty years was very good at giving her little punishments that took away what little free time she had, and the longer they were married the more ingenious he became in making sure she regretted the extra punishments she received. Zachary enjoyed watching his wife wiggle her plump backside as she pushed down her jeans, and her pink nylon panties with them. “You have a right to grieve for Cynthia; we all do. But

badly treating this new lady in Frank’s life is not the answer, Nita,” he stated firmly, and since she was now bent over and in place he raised the spoon and cracked it on the fullest part of her right cheek. “Damn, Zach! That hurt!” Nita told him. “Not so damn hard if you must do this!” “Oh, I must,” he assured her. “You are so determined to compare this young woman to Cynthia that you are not being fair. Not to her, and especially not to Frank. It is tragic that we lost Cynthia, and even more tragic for Frank. He loved her, grieved for her, and he is trying to move forward with his life. We have to accept that, Nita. Being mean to this new girl is not going to bring Cynthia back to us.” Zach used the wooden spoon with experience, determined to impart a lesson that would remain with his wife through the long weekend. Nita was soon bawling, but when she tried to escape, Zachary pushed her down and held her in place while he continued to spank her sit spots and upper thighs until they matched her cheeks. She was in serious pain and begging for an end to the spanking long before her husband stopped and asked if she was ready to behave herself. Nita nodded and promised she would try. Zach put the spoon down on the table and then pulled her up to hold her in his arms. “We all of us loved Cynthia, darling. Losing her was terrible.” He was suddenly crying as hard as she was. “Our boy was in so much pain, Nita. I found him in the barn a couple of days after the funeral, and he was holding a gun to himself.” “Oh my God, Zach!” She clung to him, overcome. “No!” “I got there just in time, Nita. I stopped him, begged him to think of you and the rest of his family. That it was going to be hard enough to lose Cynthia, but we couldn’t lose him, too! He promised me he wouldn’t do that to you, that he would somehow get through things a day at a time. He cried so hard, darling. All I could do was hold him and tell him that the pain would lessen. He asked me, ‘How do you know, Dad? You still have Mom. My wife and my baby are gone thanks to some drunk kid who shouldn’t even be driving yet!’ I couldn’t answer him; I just held him and let him cry until he finally fell asleep. Every time that phone rang for the next few months I was afraid it would be bad news about Frank.” “Why didn’t you tell me, honey?” “There was nothing you could do but worry, Nita, and I was doing enough of that for both of us.” He put her face between his hands and kissed her tenderly. “I am thankful that Frank has found someone to love. He picked Cynthia and we loved her dearly. He also picked this girl and I think we should try to love her, too. Will you try, my darling?”

Nita nodded, completely shaken by what Zachary shared with her about their son. “I just hope I don’t do something completely stupid like forget and call her by the wrong name! It will seem so odd to have a stranger sitting in Cynthia’s seat. They were together from the time they were old enough to date, Zach. I just don’t know how I will manage, and I don’t want to upset Francis. What if she doesn’t like us? She could prevent Francis from coming home at all if she hates it here.” “Just be your sweet, gracious self, Nita. You are a very special woman and she will love you.” “I need to make sure the guest room is thoroughly cleaned. Oh, Zachary! I know they live in separate apartments, and Francis is certainly no child, but what on earth will I do if he wants her to stay in his bedroom?” “Nita, Frank knows better than that!” Zachary reassured her. “Come on and I’ll help you clean up that already clean room. Then I want to smell me some good cooking. You need to start your baking today, don’t you? And put on a pot of soup for tonight…?” “I don’t know if this woman likes soup, honey!” “Then she’ll learn to like it!” he growled. “I’ll hand Frank a wooden spoon and tell him to use it where it will do some good if that girl thinks to interfere with my homemade beef vegetable soup on Thanksgiving Eve.” As he intended, the remark earned him a giggle from his beautiful wife. He helped her change the bed and put on fresh linens that would keep Frank’s new girl nice and warm in the chilly upstairs of the old farm house. He then dusted for dirt that didn’t exist, and his wife did the same on the wooden floor. She lastly sprayed air freshener and then pronounced the guest room ‘ready’. “What else can I do to help you, Nita?” he asked. “Would you vacuum downstairs, honey, while I make sure the bathroom up here is presentable?” “You’ve got it.” He hurried to do as she asked, happy to see that Nita was in a much better mood now. Zach only hoped that his son wasn’t settling for just anyone because he was so lonesome for Cynthia. If that was the case, Nita would see through it in a heartbeat and there would be hell to pay.

Chapter Two

Emma was grateful when they finally stopped for lunch. Her poor posterior was beyond miserable and at this point she was positive that sitting anywhere else would be preferable to the leather seat of Frank’s car. The seatbelt kept her securely pinned to the seat and if she started squirming too much then Frank scolded. At one point she snapped at him and told him that it wasn’t his butt that was hurting and he was sitting just fine and it was easy for him to say ‘sit still’.   Frank promptly offered to stop the car to let her stand by the road while he cut a switch to stripe her backside. Emma quickly apologized for her temper and promised she could stop squirming. She gave it a gallant effort, but, the last several hours had been tedious and she was more than ready for a break. Getting out of the car was a great relief, but when she automatically reached back to rub away the soreness, Frank grabbed her hands and said ‘no’. She rested her head on his chest and willed herself not to rub. Once he’d locked the car they walked inside and found that others were also waiting to be seated. Emma was more than willing to stand in line. “Tell me about your family, what I should know about them…” she instructed while they waited for the hostess to seat them in the busy restaurant. The more she knew about them, the better she could present herself. “I’ve told you everything there is to tell,” Frank replied with a grin. “What else do you want to know?” “I don’t know! If I knew enough to ask then I would already know, right?” “I guess that makes sense,” he said, then started chuckling. When she made a face at him he pulled her close and hugged her. “Sweetheart, stop worrying. Everything will be fine. My parents are not snobs, and they will love you as much as I do.” “I hope so, Frank. If your family hates me then you won’t ever feel the same about me again,” she said so mournfully that he realized she was genuinely worried sick. He knew a little bit about how she was raised, being tossed out of one foster home for another, just to move again when that family no longer wanted her. It left emotional scars, and Emma was afraid she was lacking in some major way that she couldn’t fix. “Emma, I love you. I didn’t plan to fall in love ever again, but I did. I can’t believe I am lucky enough to find a second love in my life, but here we are. My family will love you, too. And, if they don’t, then it doesn’t matter. I love you. Do you hear me, young lady?” he asked, giving her hand a little squeeze. “Wow! How romantic!” the hostess exclaimed. “I wish my boyfriend would say something really sweet like that.” She was very young, probably working as a hostess to pay for college.

She had blonde hair that she had tied on top of her head, allowing curls to fall where they would. Her long skirt was black, and her blouse was a white silk. It was obviously her work outfit and designed to look classy. Her enthusiasm was genuine as she looked at the couple. “Frank is very special,” Emma said emotionally, looking up into his dark eyes. “I love you, too,” she told him, meaning the words with every fiber of her being. She put all her love into the words, and said them with sincerity. “Awwwww! Are you like on your honeymoon or something?” the hostess asked, entranced. She was already planning to give them a complimentary dessert. “No, not yet,” Frank answered with a good-natured laugh. “Do you have a table ready for us, Miss?” he asked, gently reminding her that they were there to eat lunch. “Ohhhh! Yes! Right this way, please.” She led them through a maze of tables to a table close to the fireplace. “Will this be all right?” she asked hopefully. She’d given them the best table that was open. “Yes. It’s fine,” Frank replied, pulling out a chair for Emma. “Your server will be Gillian, and she will be with you soon.” The girl turned and bounced back to the hostess desk in the front of the restaurant, stopping for two seconds to make sure the kitchen knew to add a complimentary dessert to whatever table twenty ordered. Emma’s green eyes filled with tears. “Are you still in so much pain?” Frank asked, his voice low. “Yes!” Emma replied truthfully. “Honey, I just feel like going outside and lying down on the backseat and resting!” “Now, it’s not that bad, is it, sweetheart?” “I guess not, honey,” she replied, but then added, “I do hurt a lot! I was hoping for padded chairs, or a booth!” she whispered. Frank chucked, but then said, “Look over your menu and let’s order. I think the Broasted Chicken sounds great.” “It’s fine,” she agreed, willing her butt to go numb so she could get through the meal sitting on a wooden chair that had no padding of any sort on the seat.

“They also have liver and onions,” he said, grinning wickedly. “Don’t you want that, Em?” He laughed outright at her look of horror! “No!” she said, giggling. “I think the Broasted Chicken sounds wonderful,” she insisted. Frank was teasing her about a committee luncheon they’d both attended. For some reason, they got the impression that the gentleman who was hosting the affair had displeased his wife by volunteering their home, and she made her feelings known by the menu she served. The man, a chemistry teacher at the high school, was mortified, and kept apologizing. Emma, who hated to hurt anyone’s feelings, ate her mashed potatoes and her peas, but she carefully avoided the liver. So did most of the other guests. “I still feel sorry for Harry,” Frank admitted. “His wife has a reputation for making a fool of herself and poor Harry tries so hard. The thing is he is a great teacher, and that was why he was asked to share that committee. His wife just doesn’t appreciate the fact that he doesn’t make big money when he could be working in a special lab somewhere making two or three times the salary.” “She doesn’t love him, then. Harry was meant to be a teacher.” Emma was passionate on the subject. “We need all the really great teachers we can get, and Harry is teaching because he loves the students and he loves chemistry and science. He’s encouraged several kids to go on into careers where chemistry is everything. It must be terrible for him to be married to someone who doesn’t understand him at all. Teaching isn’t just a career for some of us… It is a passion.” “You’re right, Em.” The server came then to take their orders and while Frank expected her to order for herself, he always added little extras that he knew she wouldn’t add to the tab. Emma was undemanding, and it was one of the things he loved most about her. It gave him pleasure to do little things for her because she never expected him to do a thing except be himself. He loved her smile, too. Once the server walked away, he said, “You are a good teacher, too, Miss Emma.” She blushed with pleasure. “Thank you, Mr. Howard.” “The first time I sat in to observe your class I was amazed, well and truly. I remember thinking ‘I must get to know this young woman’. When you agreed to have coffee with me I was like a different man.” “You made me nervous! The new principal and the budget cuts; I was positive that I was being considered for dismissal, and I wanted my children to remember me with good thoughts. I also thought you were so handsome!”

The server brought their soft drinks and their salads and a basket with rolls and butter. “I was nervous, too. The Superintendent thought it would be best to move me to your building instead of leaving me where I’d taught for the last few years. She thought that it would be easier to assume authority with people I hadn’t worked with. You made me feel welcome that first day. Bringing me Starbuck’s coffee and a donut, and giving me that pretty smile when you said hello and welcomed me… I just had to start my evaluations with your class. Seriously, Emma, you are a wonderful teacher, and don’t you allow any parents to tell you otherwise, hear me?” “Yes, I do. You must be talking about the Claypool’s…? Are they complaining again because of the note I sent home with Terry?” she asked, annoyed with them. “Yes, Mrs. Claypool doesn’t believe that Terry has a problem with reading.” “He does, and he needs some extra help. I ask all of the students to read thirty minutes each evening, and I give the parents a paper to sign. She always signs it, but Terry tells me he doesn’t read. His Mom doesn’t believe in homework, and she doesn’t have the time to sit and listen to him read when she has better things to do with her time. I would like to shake her, Frank!” Emma’s green eyes were flashing with temper and her red hair was fairly bristling. Frank nodded. I repeated what Terry told you right back to her and she lost her temper and said she was going to ‘kill that little brat’. I told her that I expected to see her and her husband in my office Monday at four o’clock. I would like for you to be there, too. The child needs our help, Emma, and if we can’t get through to Mrs. Claypool, we’ll try to get Mr. Claypool to take up the slack at home. If I was married to the woman, I would turn her over my knee and spank her silly for her attitude.” Emma could see that Frank meant it, too. A lady at a table across from them gasped, and her eyes went wide. “Shhhh! You are upsetting our neighbors,” she whispered, a bit embarrassed. Her throbbing bottom was a testimony to Frank’s words and his belief in spanking! Frank shrugged. “That is the problem with the world today, Emma. If a few more husbands and fathers took charge of their families and applied consequences when they are earned and deserved, this country would soon be in better shape. Instead of minding everyone else’s business, people need to tend to their own issues. I know that Mr. Claypool owns a business, but his family needs his attention, too.” “I agree, honey,” Emma said with a little smile. Frank would make a wonderful father, and she knew he wanted children someday.

“We’ve both taught children who needed home supervision and help and didn’t get it. I am going to appeal to Mr. Claypool to be the father that Terry needs, and if Mrs. Claypool is wise, she won’t dare me to tell Mr. Claypool my personal feelings on how to deal with her.” “I love it when you get all stern looking and determined. Do you get that from your Dad?” she asked. “Probably. Dad loves to have fun, but he also expected everyone to do what they were supposed to do… and when they didn’t he raised heck. He was a firm father, but very fair.” “What about your Mom? Was she firm, too?” “You had best believe it. Homework came first, and no television or video games until she saw the homework and went over it. When we were little, she drilled us on spelling words every night, and we read to her, too. When we were older, she still looked over our homework and she made darn sure we did reports that were the best we could do. Mom taught school for a few years before she married Dad and had us. She still does some subbing occasionally, and she also tutors kids when she is in the mood to do so.” “See, that is something I didn’t know!” Emma said triumphantly as the server placed their entrees on the table. “Oh, Frank, I will never be able to eat all of this!” She looked at him across the table, her eyes wide as could be. “I would never have ordered this if I’d known there would be so much!” “It’s fine, sweetheart. Eat what you like and we’ll take the leftovers to the farm and throw them to the hogs.” “They can eat chicken bones?” Emma asked, clearly surprised. “Depends on who you ask. Some folks say no, others say yes. Dad is on the side of ‘yes’. So we feed leftovers to the hogs.” He changed the subject. “Did your students enjoy the little pageant?” “Yes!” Emma told him, and then she spoke animatedly about the ‘Thanksgiving Feast’. They worked so hard for two days to get this all ready, and they were so honored you could come for their ‘feast’.” “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he said. “I loved the popcorn and the apple cider. And my Indian Headdress.”

“It was so much fun.” Before she knew it, she was full and finished eating. “Will you excuse me, please, Frank? I need to go to the ladies’ room.” She got to her feet and hurried in the direction of the restrooms, unaware that Frank was shaking his head and chuckling. She’d managed to sit about twice as long as he thought she would before making that excuse and running for some privacy. He knew she would stay in there for a while, rubbing, and praying he wouldn’t ask her about it later. He was planning to be ‘nice’. Emma had no idea how she had sat on that chair for so long, and then she realized it was because Frank kept her talking about her favorite subject in the world… school! She loved teaching and she especially loved working in a school where the principal was forward thinking and allowed a lot of freedom to use interesting techniques to teach the children. He had to work within a budget, of course, but Em asked the parents when she needed something special. All the food for their Thanksgiving feast was donated by the parents; the costumes, too. The children now knew a lot about Thanksgiving, and the facts surrounding the day. It was fun for all of them. She had pictures, and she would print out some to post at school so the parents could ‘see’ the feast when they came to school for the Holiday program. Between now and then the children would be learning about all the winter Holidays, and comparing what they had in common. Emma remained in the stall for a few extra minutes, trying to rub away some of the pain that was making sitting so very miserable. When Frank talked about his family he made them sound like they were so much fun, but she simply couldn’t shake the fear she had about meeting them. She wasn’t Cynthia and she never would be. She suddenly realized that if she didn’t want Frank to quiz her about rubbing while she was in the restroom she’d best hurry. He was waiting for her beside the door and gave her a raised eyebrow. “Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asked. “Yes. I was fussing with my tights to get them comfortable,” she whispered. He nodded, then took her hand and let her outside to his vehicle. Once again she was strapped in by the seatbelt and sitting on her sore bottom. “How much farther is it?” she asked, wondering if she sounded as whiny as she feared she did. “Another hour, Emma,” he told her and watched her face fall. He didn’t realize she would be so sore, and he regretting spanking her so hard and so long. He knew she would be fine tomorrow, but having to sit on a fresh spanking for so many hours was a punishment in and of its own. Em was trying to be brave, but she was at the end of her reserve. “You’ve been so good, sweetheart. I’m going to let you have a pillow. I think you’ve been punished more than enough.” He got the pillow he kept in the trunk and she didn’t mind one little bit about unfastening the seatbelt so she could get out and place the large, soft pillow on her seat. “Is that better?” he asked once she was one again seated. “Much. Thank you, Frank.” She gave him one of her special smiles and he felt like Superman.

As they got closer to his parents’ farm, Frank started pointing out places of interest and promising to take her to see some of them over the weekend. She decided it was fun to actually see some of the places he’d talked about, but when he turned on the road where the farm was located, her stomach did a flip-flop and she had to swallow hard to keep from throwing up. Emma’s first impression of the farm was one of delight. It was simply beautiful and well kept. The house was huge, too! She tried to breathe deeply and not give in to the panic threatening to consume her. “It looks like we are the first to arrive, and that is good. I want you to meet my Mom and Dad and get to know them a bit before my siblings and their families arrive. They are a noisy bunch,” he added, but his words were said with a happy smile. “Does my hair look alright?” she asked, fumbling in her handbag for a brush. She flipped up the cover over the mirror on the visor, examining herself critically. She quickly touched up her lipstick, and then brushed through her hair once again. “Emma, please calm down. My parents are great people. They will love you.”

Chapter Three

“Francis is here,” Nita announced, calling to Zachary, who was sitting in his recliner in the family room. She heard the sound of his foot rest being lowered, and then he was on his way to the kitchen, just as anxious as she was to meet their son’s new love interest. Nita put her hands up to smooth her hair, hoping it still looked good. “You look fine, Nita.” “She is probably some model-like city girl and looks perfect.” “Nita, do I have to take a hand to you again so soon?” he asked quietly. “The children are here, Zach. You can’t!” she exclaimed.

“I can always excuse us for a while, and I will if you don’t settle down. I won’t have our son embarrassed. Is that clear?” When she didn’t immediately answer, his hand found its way to her bottom in a resounding crack! “Is that clear, wife?” he repeated, his voice sharp and firm. “YES!” Nita yelped. “Yes, it is clear,” she replied, barely resisting the urge to reach back and rub the livid, burning handprint he left on her right cheek. “Damn it, Zachary! Did you just have to do that right now? You have no idea how hard it is to think after you smack me like that!” she complained. “You are the one who didn’t answer me the first time I asked you that question, Nita,” he reminded her. “Now behave,” he ordered as they made their way to the back door. He threw it open and said, “Welcome! Come in out of the cold. Do you need help, Frank?” he offered. “I’ve got it, Dad. It’s good to see you!” He put the suitcases down on the floor of the mud room, and then shook hands with his Dad and hugged him. “Mom! Hello!” He leaned down to kiss her and hugged her close. “Bring your lady inside the kitchen where it is warmer, son, and you can introduce us,” Zach ordered, picking up one of the suitcases. Frank got the other and gently pushed Emma ahead of him. Emma thought the kitchen was absolutely beautiful and something certainly smelled delicious. “Mom and Dad, this is Emma Kathleen Woods. Em, these are my parents, Zachary and Nita Howard. Emma has been so worried about meeting you two,” he told them, completely unaware that he was embarrassing her. “Mom is feeling the same way about meeting you, Emma.” “But why would you worry about meeting me?” Emma asked, confused. “I want my son to be happy, Emma,” Nita said quietly. “I want to make your son happy, Mrs. Howard,” Emma replied without hesitation. “I know how much you all loved Cynthia, and I can’t be her. In fact, I’m probably nothing like her.” “None of us expect you to take Cynthia’s place, Emma,” Zach said quietly. “We want you to make your own place in our hearts. As long as you love our Frank and he loves you, then the rest will happen naturally, over time. Now, the important question, and mind you, I’ll know if

you fib…” When Emma was looking at him, practically terrified, he asked solemnly, “Do you like homemade beef vegetable soup?” Nita promptly smacked her husband’s arm. “Zachary Howard, are you trying to bully this child?” She then burst into laughter. Emma noticed that Frank was laughing, too, and Zachary’s eyes were sparkling with good humor. She smiled at him and said, “I happen to love beef vegetable soup, Mr. Howard, and homemade is always the best kind.” “Now then, that went well, didn’t it?” Zach said teasingly. “Son, let’s get these bags upstairs and Mom can fix us some drinks. I don’t think either of your sisters will be here until nearly time for supper, and Alex is on his way, but he just got on the road. Go on in and sit down, Emma.” “What would you like to drink, Emma? We have almost anything. Soda, juice… We also have wine and…” “A glass of ice water would be nice if it isn’t too much trouble. I believe Zach would like a soda; he drinks entirely too much of the stuff.” “Yes, he does,” Nita agreed, smiling. “I believe it is my fault. I rarely allowed my children to have soda when they were growing up, and now they all over-indulge. Are you sure you want water?” she asked Emma. “I could make some coffee or tea…?” “Water is perfect, Mrs. Howard,” she replied. “Please call me Nita. We aren’t very formal around here, Emma.” “Thank you, Nita.” She accepted the glass of water from her and was embarrassed to realize her hand was shaking with nerves. She wished that Frank would return. She had no idea how to make conversation with his mother. ***** “Well, what do you think of Emma, Dad?” Frank asked his father. “I’d like a chance to get to know her a bit better before I answer that, son,” Zach said with a smile. “First impressions…?”

“First impression is that she is very pretty and very nervous to meet us. Now, let’s hurry and get this done and get back down there before your Mom dissects her.” “Mom is worried that it is too soon…?” he questioned. “She is.” “It isn’t like she thinks, Dad. It happened naturally. Em is pretty special.” “You are in love with her?” “Yes,” he replied without hesitation. “I’m planning to ask her to marry me… I have a ring picked out, and I want to give it to her either on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day. I just pray she will say ‘yes’. I might even ask her while we are here over Thanksgiving.” Zach noted that Frank went straight to the guest room and placed Emma’s brand new suitcase on the bed. “It looks nice in here. Mom made it pretty for Em, and I know she will like it.” They put his suitcase in his old room, and then headed down the stairs. “The guest room is all prettied up, Emma. You’ll love it.” “I’m sure I will,” she said, smiling. “Dad tried to put your suitcase in my room,” he said, just to tease her, “but I told him that I’m not that kind of guy!” “Frank!” Emma scolded, embarrassed. “She wouldn’t come unless I promised her she would have her own room, or one she could share with another female.” “Frank!” “You stop teasing Emma, young man. I think it wonderful to see that Emma was raised with morals. So many young people aren’t these days,” Nita stated. “Your parents must be very religious…?” “No… I don’t have any parents,” Emma stammered. She absolutely hated telling people that her own parents didn’t want her. She was left on the doorstep of a church, no note, nothing.

“You poor dear,” Nita said sympathetically. “What happened…?” “Mom, Emma doesn’t like to talk about it. It makes her feel less, when that is not true at all. She was abandoned as a baby, and lived in foster homes until she was eighteen. She worked her way through college and is one of the best teachers I’ve ever met.” “I might be a good teacher, but I am still nothing, Frank,” she whispered. “My name was given to me by the first woman who took care of me when I was an infant. I can’t even recall her! I must have been so ugly in my own mother’s eyes that she couldn’t bear to even look at me!” “Enough of that, young lady. Has it ever occurred to you that your Mother might have given you away because she had no money at all? She wanted you to have food and care that she couldn’t give you. You are beautiful, not ugly. I don’t ever want to hear that again. Do you hear me, or do I need to take you from this room and make sure you hear me…?” “I hear you,” Emma said, crying. “Frank, you—“ “Enough, Nita. I don’t blame the boy. Only I’d have done it instead of threatening to do it.” He gave his son a meaningful look. “Now, listen here, young lady… It sounds to me like you’ve made something pretty wonderful of your life. You are not responsible for how you came into this world no more than our Frank is responsible for being born to Nita and me. What matters is that you grew up to be a responsible young woman. And, if Frank says you are a good teacher, then you must know that he doesn’t just say that…?” Emma was so embarrassed. All she could do was nod and wish she had a tissue. Frank handed her a handkerchief. “Thanks,” she whispered. “Oh, I have made a mess of this, Emma. I’m so sorry,” Nita said. “I certainly don’t think you are ugly! Why, you are very beautiful… Surely you know that? And, I agree with Frank… There are many reasons why you could have been left at the church. What if your mother died giving birth to you and your father didn’t know how to raise a baby, especially a girl…? Or perhaps your mother was very ill…? Or perhaps she was a teenager and simply did not know what to do? I am sure it had nothing to do with you being ugly, and I am with Frank… We do not want to hear any talk like that again! I think you remarkable to work your way through college and make a wonderful career as a teacher.” Nita then gave her son a reproachful look. “As for you, Francis… If your father threatened to spank me in front of his parents less than ten minutes after my meeting them I would have never talked to him again! You apologize to Emma for embarrassing her and show her where her room is so that she can freshen up before the others arrive. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that Em needed a good spanking, Mom,” Frank replied without a trace of chagrin. “Francis!” “Nita, butt out. You’re just making matters worse, and I’m about to threaten you.” Frank chuckled as he took Emma’s hand and said, “Come on, Em. Mom is about to pin Dad’s ears.” “She’s welcome to try!” Zach growled, giving his wife a meaningful look. “Please don’t fight,” Emma implored them. “I didn’t mean to upset everyone.” “Honey, you didn’t upset us; we upset you, and I promise we’re going to spend the rest of the weekend making it up to you,” Zach stated. “Now, I know you don’t know us yet, but we are not judgmental. The circumstances of your birth don’t matter a hill of beans to us. It’s the woman you are now that we want to get to know. So, you stop thinking there is something wrong with you or I’ll hand my boy a wooden spoon and tell him to make sure you can’t sit down for a while.” “He doesn’t need a wooden spoon for that!” she blurted out the words before she realized what she was saying, or how it would sound. “Oh nooooo!” She buried her face in Frank’s blue sweater, trying to hide. She felt Frank’s chest shaking, and then she heard his chuckles. “Francis, you—“ “Stay out of it, Nita,” Zach warned, but he was chuckling, too. “I most certainly will not! You taught him to be just like you, Zachary Howard!” “I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Mom. I will be pleased to be half the man Dad is.” He pulled Emma along with him and up the steps to the second floor. “Mom took pains to make the guest room pretty, Em. I hope you like it.” He opened the bedroom door and led her inside, and then pulled her into his arms and held her. “Mom was right. I embarrassed you, and I am sorry for that. Not sorry I threatened to spank your sweet butt, mind you, but sorry I did it in front of the folks. It’s just that it tears me up inside when you say something awful about yourself.”

“It just came out. I’ve been so worried your parents would hate me, and I was making sure I gave them a reason to do just that,” she admitted. “I’m so sorry, Frank. I haven’t made a very good first impression, have I?” “I think you impressed my folks,” he shocked her by saying. “You let them see the real you. And, they admire hard work. Dad scraped his way through college doing construction and farm labor, and Mom waited tables to get her teaching degree. I didn’t have to do a thing except keep my grades up and say, ‘Thanks, Mom and Dad.’ I was spoiled; you’re the one who really worked for what you have.” “I hope you are right, Frank. Right now I am very embarrassed.” “You just feel awkward because you don’t know them well yet. Give it time, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “Wash your face now, and when you are all fixed up, come back downstairs. Alex will be here soon and I want you to meet him.” He gave her bottom a warning pat. “No more self-pity, Emma Kathleen, or I will spank you so soundly you’ll eat your Thanksgiving turkey standing up. Hear me?” he asked firmly. When she nodded, he turned and left the room, leaving her all alone. Emma looked around and had to smile. The room was very pretty, and it reminded of her bedroom at home. There were even some fresh flowers on the dresser and she had to take the time to smell them. She went into the bathroom, surprised as could be that there was a private bath in the guest room! One look in the mirror, however, and she immediately understood why Frank’s mom told her son to take her upstairs so she could freshen up. Her mascara was streaked and she looked like a raccoon! Her lips and nose were red and swollen from crying, and she was a real mess. She went back to her suitcase and took out her makeup bag and the other items she needed, and headed back into the small bathroom to make herself presentable. She couldn’t understand what Frank saw in her that he found so special, but she loved him so much. That’s why it was so important to her to make a good impression on his family, and so far, she’d acted foolish. With a deep sigh, she applied cold cloths to her nose and lips to take away the swelling, while wondering if Frank’s parents were warning him to get rid of her…? ***** “Francis, I made a fool of myself! Why didn’t you warn us about her background so that it wouldn’t become such an issue? That poor girl must think I am terrible!” “Mom, she is probably thinking you think she is terrible. Emma hasn’t had an easy life. Her foster homes were all horrible, and she couldn’t wait to escape the system. The reason she chose to be a school teacher is because of one woman, her sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Collins. She took

an interest in Emma, and stayed in touch with her and provided a stable influence in her life. Emma still talks to her and visits with her. Mrs. Collins was there when she graduated from college and wrote a letter of recommendation to get Em her first job teaching.” “She sounds like a very special lady.” “She is, Mom. I’ve met her and she reminds me a lot of you,” Frank said with a smile. “That is so sweet of you, Francis.” She jumped up and gave him a big hug. “Now, please tell me how I can take my foot out of my mouth with Emma… I don’t want her to hate me.” “She doesn’t hate, Mom. She’s really sweet and kindhearted. On my first day as Principal I was so nervous and afraid I would make a fool of myself at our meeting… and here she comes, bouncing into my office, carrying a cup of Starbuck’s coffee and a donut and she smiled at me and said, ‘Welcome, Principal Howard. Happy first day here at Emerson.’ I’d met her at district teacher meetings. She isn’t afraid to offer an opinion if she feels strongly about something, but she is also willing to listen to other people’s ideas, too. She broke the tension for me, and made it seem real. The next thing I knew I was sitting in her classroom, watching her weave her magic on the children. They love her, listen to her, and they learn. She’s that good. Then I asked her out for coffee a couple of weeks later, and she agreed. It stayed on a friendship level for quite a while, and I shared about Cynthia and the baby, and how much it hurt to lose them. She shared about her childhood, and it was pretty damned ugly when compared to mine. We just enjoyed each other’s company, and I suddenly realized I was falling in love with Emma. I felt like I was betraying Cynthia, and I stopped seeing Emma. Then, one day I was walking in the hallway after school, making sure the lights were all off for the weekend, and I spotted the light on in her classroom. I got to the doorway just in time to see her fall off a rickety old ladder. She hit the floor so hard, and bumped her head on one of the little chairs the kids use. She was unconscious. I called 911 and realized that I was in love. My heart was racing and I prayed and asked God not to take her from me, too. He didn’t, but I’ve barely let her out of my sight since then. I feel so fortunate to find another special love. Most people are lucky to find one person they truly love… and I am blessed to have Emma love me, too.” Frank’s eyes were full of tears and he noticed his parents were also teary-eyed.

Chapter Four

“I am the one who is blessed, Frank Howard,” Emma told him from the bottom of the steps. She walked over and put her hand on his shoulder and leaned over the back of the sofa to kiss him on the cheek. “He completely killed my ladder,” she told Zach and Nita with a giggle. “I wasn’t about to give you a second chance to break your foolish little neck.” Frank reached up to take her hand and then he pulled her around the end of the sofa and then sat her on his lap. “Good idea, son,” Zach agreed. “It sounds like you have completely captivated our son, Emma.” His smile was from the heart and so full of gratitude. “You have no idea how happy I am about this.” “Thank you,” Emma replied, pleased. “I’m pretty happy about it myself. I’m not used to good things happening to me, but Frank thinks I am worth all the grief I give him.” “You don’t give me a lot of grief, honey. You give yourself a lot of grief, and I won’t stand for it. You are special, and if it takes until my dying breath, I am going to make sure you realize it.” “Emma, it is so wonderful to see Francis happy and smiling again,” Nita tearfully proclaimed. “I hope you will be patient with all of us until we get to know you better. I’m so worried I will say something thoughtless, or forget… and call you ‘Cynthia’. I promise I won’t do that to be cruel, and I just hope you believe me…?” “I believe you, Nita. And, I hope you will also be patient with me. I am not great with family things…” she admitted. “I think we will be fine,” Nita said with a smile of relief, and then she got up and gave Emma a spontaneous hug. The look in her son’s eyes convinced her that he was in love with this girl, and Nita decided she would do her part to make it work… for his sake. “Thank you, Nita. I want us to be fine, too,” Emma said, her green eyes sincere. “I think I hear Alex,” Zach announced, getting to his feet. “You all just stay right here. Nita, I love your attitude,” he said softly, patting her bottom as he walked past her. “Dad giving you a rough time, Mom?” Frank asked with a frown. “Oh, honey, you’ll understand someday. You still worry about your children, even when they are an adult and a Principal! Dad kept saying that you chose well the first time and there was no reason you wouldn’t choose well this time, too. But, I’m a Mom. I worry, and now I can see I was worrying for nothing at all. Emma, thank you.”

“Hey, don’t I rate a hug from my Mom?” Alex entered the room and dropped his duffle bag on the floor. Nita hurried to give him the requested hug and a kiss. “You need a shave, young man.” “Now I know I am home,” he quipped. “Mom, this is called a beard.” “It is scraggly and ugly. Go and shave it off,” she bossed, her hands on her hips and a glint of temper in her eyes. “Nita, Alex is a grown man,” “But, he is so handsome, Zach, and this mess of hair,” she reached up and gave it a tug, “hides his beautiful face.” She heard Frank laugh and said, “I still love him, so don’t you start in, Francis.” “Yes, ma’am. I won’t. I wouldn’t want Alex to suffer from knowing that I am your favorite.” Emma felt him shaking with suppressed mirth and she had to giggle. “You are much different here at home than you are at school, Principal Howard,” she teased. “I can’t believe you are actually a Principal, Frank. It was bad enough telling my friends that my brother teaches elementary school, but now I have to tell them you are the Principal. Billy Davis is still gagging every time he hears that.” Alex was grinning for all he was worth. “Do you keep a paddle in your office?” he demanded. “More importantly, do you use it? Now THAT would really shock Billy!” “I do keep a paddle in my office,” Frank admitted. “Seriously…? In this day an age…? Aren’t you worried about getting sued, big brother?” Alex asked, openly concerned about Frank. “I’d be more worried if I actually used it, little brother,” Frank answered. “It’s only for show… a decoration. But, the kids don’t know that. Their parents can tell at a glance, though. I haven’t had to resort to spanking yet in my career. I feel like spanking a few parents, however,” Frank stated with conviction. “Now, that I can believe,” Alex said with a grin. “Are you going to introduce me to this pretty woman, or did you think I wouldn’t notice her sitting on your lap?”

“Alex, this is Emma. Emma, my younger brother, Alex Howard. He loves to torment everyone. He grew that beard in anticipation of coming home and seeing Mom’s reaction, and he drove his junk heap truck for Dad’s benefit. Give him time, and he will find your soft spot and tease you to pieces every chance he gets.” “What else are younger brothers for?” Alex said, delighted by the description. “I’m pleased to meet you, Emma. You are even prettier than big brother said. I’m glad you could come and meet us all this weekend. If the girls get on your nerves, just let us know. Frank and I are used to standing together against them.” “I hope that won’t be necessary,” Emma said, starting to fret again. “Oh, it will be. You are prettier than they are.” “Alex, if you value your life, don’t say something that stupid in front of your sisters. They’ll debeard you a hair at a time, and probably make you bald while they’re at it,” Zach predicted, shaking his head. “Frank would protect me from them,” Alex said. “And so would Mom,” he added. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you, young man!” Nita said in exasperation. “Alex, are you ever going to grow up?” she asked, grinning. “Not if I can help it.” His cell phone rang, and after a quick look at the Caller ID, he answered, “Howard here. What’s up, Mason?” Emma was amazed at how his whole demeanor changed. He went from fun loving younger brother to Boss in one heartbeat. “It’s a holiday weekend, Mason. You can’t control City Hall, and you can’t hang drywall without the inspector signing off on the electrical and plumbing. Call it quits for the day and secure the site and send the crew home for the weekend. The men and Jewel have been working hard and a couple of days off is in order. Tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving, and we’ll pick it up again on Monday. I expect everyone to be on time, bright and early.” He listened again and smiled. “I take it there are no objections to a long weekend for everyone…?” Alex chuckled. “You too, Mason. See you on Monday.” He hung up. “You have a girl working for you, son?” Zach asked, clearly surprised.

“Yes, Jewel. She is amazing, Dad. Holds her own with the guys, and she can dish it out pretty well when they have it coming to them. Jewel has a daughter she is raising by herself, and she knows construction from working for her Dad years ago. She asked me for a job, and I had no reason to say ‘no’. I needed the help.” “It sounds like your business is picking up…?” Frank asked. “Slowly, mostly by word of mouth advertising; we take the time to do it right, and that is the reputation I want to build.” “Sounds good, son,” Zach said proudly. “I know that you and Mom were disappointed I didn’t go to college, Dad, but I’m not like Frank. Could you honestly picture me teaching kids, or sitting at a desk in a building somewhere?” “Alex, that is nonsense. Of course I could picture you doing that… provided it was what you wanted to do. You chose to learn to do the trades and now you have your own business. I am proud of you,” Nita told him, giving his beard another gentle tug. “You don’t have to be like Frank and Frank doesn’t have to be like you. I love you both.” “Thanks, Mom,” Alex smiled down at her and then he picked her up and squeezed her tight. “I’ll take my bag upstairs and get it out of the way.” He picked up the duffel and then ran lightly up the steps. “It makes me feel sad to know that Alex thought us disappointed in him, Zachary.” “We both put a lot of pressure on him to go to college, Nita. I don’t think I’ve ever told him that I’m proud of him for following his dream.” “We’ll make a point of doing that before he leaves,” Nita said firmly. Frank asked them how some elderly neighbors of theirs were doing and the conversation was animated as both Zach and Nita had stories to share. “Oh, goodness,” Nita exclaimed. “We are being rude, Emma. You have no idea who we are talking about!” “Oh, but I do. Frank mentions them so often I feel as though I know them. He’s promised to take me to meet them while we are here.” Emma was looking forward to meeting the couple. Zach smiled at her and nodded. “They would be pleased to meet you, dear. Just watch out for Oscar; he likes to pinch girls’ behinds.”

Emma giggled. “Frank has already warned me about that. I will be careful. The last thing I need right now is a pinch,” she admitted, and then blushed. “Ohhhh.” “Francis, did you spank this child in order to get her to come here?” Nita demanded, thoroughly embarrassed by the idea. “No, it wasn’t like that, Nita,” Emma defended Frank. “I was being me and doubting myself. I couldn’t decide what to pack to wear… and I wasn’t ready on time to leave… Frank cannot abide tardiness, and I didn’t help matters by losing my temper with him and acting like a brat.” She was red faced and mortified by the time she finished talking. “That’s all over now, sweetheart. And, it hasn’t been all that terrible, now has it?” Frank asked gently. “No, it hasn’t. We faced the real issues head on and I can see how much your family loves you, Frank. They want the best for you, and since I am determined to make you happy, I think I will fit in.” “You definitely fit in, Emma,” Zach said gruffly. “We’ll do our part to make you feel a part of the family.” “Thank you, Mr. Howard.” “Call me Zack, Emma,” he corrected her. “Yes, Zach,” she answered with a smile. Emma was already feeling much better, and at least she had a chance to fit in with the Howards. A few minutes later Alex came downstairs and Emma’s first thought was that he was nearly as handsome as Frank. “Well, Mom…?” he asked. “Much better, darling. Thank you!” Nita smiled in pleasure when she saw his beard was gone. “Anything for my sweet little Mommy,” he told her. “I hear fighting… It must be Julia and her bunch.” “Wipe your feet on the rug, Bobby,” Emma heard a female voice say. “Susan, take your things inside the house, please. Is anyone here…? Help!”

Alex laughed and headed for the mud room, his parents right behind them. A little girl of about four came into the family room and stood there looking at them. “Hello, Susie,” Frank said with a smile. “This is Emma.” “I like Cynthie better,” the child said innocently. “Mommy said you shouldn’t be here.” “Susan!” Julia scolded, thoroughly embarrassed. “Don’t scold Susie, Jules. I warned you that she was going to repeat some of your nonsense. You owe your brother an apology.” “I do not!” Julia exploded, stomping her foot. “I cannot believe that Frank is being so insensitive! Cynthia hasn’t even been gone a year yet, and he is fooling around with her!” She pointed at Emma with her free hand. “Daughter, that is more than enough. You haven’t even met Emma yet!” Zachary’s voice was deep and full of disapproval. “Dad, I had to do all the packing and then I had to bodily pick her up and put her in the car. If she hadn’t just given birth I would have turned her over my knee and spanked her with her hairbrush.” “You just try that and I’ll have you thrown in jail, Adam Parker!” “I think I should go upstairs, Frank,” Emma whispered to him. “You most certainly will not go upstairs, Emma.” Nita said firmly. “You have every right to be here unless Dad or I tell you to go, and I hope we have made it clear that you are welcome…?” She looked at Emma questioningly. “Yes, you have made me feel very welcome, Nita. Thank you so much.” “Now then, Julia, you have two choices… Either you settle down and behave like an adult or you may leave and Adam and the children can stay and have Thanksgiving with us. It is your choice, Missy, and I will tell you right now that I happen to know that your six-week checkup was two weeks ago and it went very well and I will have your Dad tan your behind if you don’t mind your manners.”

“You didn’t tell me you went for your six-week appointment, Jules!” Adam said quietly. “What is going on with you…?” “It’s none of your business, Adam. Give me the keys; I’m leaving!” “No. You. Are. Not.” Adam was holding onto his temper with the greatest of difficulty. “Mommy, I don’t want you to go bye-bye!” Susie started crying, and that caused Bobby to start crying, too, even though he didn’t know why. The baby woke up then and started crying just as loudly as his siblings. “Now see what you’ve done!” Julia shouted. “ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!” she screamed. Of course that made the children cry even louder. Emma jumped up off of Frank’s lap and hurried to pick up the baby from his car seat, and she took the small children with her to the other side of the family room. She took a book from the small bookshelf that was there for the children’s books and she started reading to them and doing her best to calm them down. There was nothing she could say to Julia at this point, but she could comfort the children and calm them down. It was what she did best. “I don’t want her near my children!” Julia commented and when she would have gone to ‘rescue’ her kids, her husband reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Let me go, Adam Parker!” “Not on your life, woman. Excuse us, family. Please look after the children until I restore the peace and harmony in my marriage.” He bent and put his shoulder low on Julia’s tummy, then hoisted his wife over his shoulder. Adam then proceeded to carry her up the staircase and down the hallway to her old room, which they now used when they stayed overnight with Julia’s parents. Once they were in the room, he kicked the door shut with the heel of his boot, and then he walked over to the bed and unceremoniously dropped her on the brightly colored quilt covering the bed. When she would have jumped up, he knelt with his knees on either side of her and then he took her hands and pinned them above her head. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t peel down those jeans and set your beautiful curves on fire!” “Because you don’t love me!” “What the hell…? Jules, I love you with all my heart. Why on earth would you think I don’t?” She didn’t answer. “Do I need to spank it out of you?” She still didn’t answer. “Okay, if that is what you want.”

Julia was shocked at how easily he managed to maneuver them around until she was lying over his lap. Her boots and jeans and panties were lying on the floor, and in spite of her efforts to escape, his large hand had no trouble finding her pale bottom cheeks. “Owwwww! Owwww! Stop!” “Are you ready to talk to me, Jules?” “Go to hell!” “I guess not,” he said quietly. “You know I can keep this up all day. I deal with real criminals, Jules. Dealing with my sassy little wife is a breeze compared to that.” He continued to spank her until her cheeks were hot to the touch, and then he moved to her upper thighs. She really hollered then, but he didn’t stop until they matched her cheeks. Her sit spots were next to feel his hand, and it didn’t take long for Julia to dissolve in tears. Her fight was all gone and she was finally ready to talk. “I’m sorry, Adam. I’m so sorry! Please stop now. I’m sorry.” “Will you tell me what is wrong, honey?” “I feel fat and ugly and I yell at the kids all the time and I just don’t feel pretty anymore! You work all those extra shifts, and I feel like you don’t care anymore!”

Chapter Five

“I am so sorry, Emma. Julia doesn’t normally behave like that,” Nita told her. “She is going to be very embarrassed when she takes the time to get to know you better.” “I don’t want her to be embarrassed. I just want her to give me a chance,” Emma said, her green eyes filling with tears. “Her children are so precious,” she commented, watching as Frank and Alex entertained them while she and Nita changed the baby’s diaper. “Oh, yes, they are very precious,” Nita agreed with pride. “Oh, I do hope that Zach doesn’t go upstairs right now. He shouldn’t interfere.” She raised her voice a bit. “Zachary, I think I hear another car outside. Could you check and see if Della and James are here…?”

Zach was effectively distracted and he called out a few seconds later, “Oh my gosh! Oh my God! Come quick, sweetheart!” Nita’s eyes filled with concern and she handed the baby to Emma. “I’ll hurry right back, dear. See if you can rock him back to sleep.” “What is going on, Em?” Frank called to her, and she shrugged eloquently, not about to call an answer to him with the baby almost asleep again. It was just a few minutes later that Nita and Zach returned with Della and James, and a small child who was of mixed parentage. “Oh my!” Frank said, and Alex echoed him. “Della, is this little girl yours?” he asked hesitantly, or are you babysitting for a friend?” Della smiled happily and said, “This is Carrie Lynn Baker. She was placed in our home just yesterday, but we have been getting to know her for the last few weeks. Each time we visited we spent a bit more time, and we took her on a couple of outings. So, yes, this is our little girl. We are adopting her.” “Congratulations, honey,” Frank said and he hurried to hug her and give her a kiss. “James, congratulations, man. I think Carrie is a very lucky little girl to have you and Della for her parents.” “Thanks. We’re scared to death, and Della has a million questions for Mom and Julia.” “Julia and Adam are upstairs dealing with a problem right now,” Zack said. “Ohhhh,” Della said, nodding her head. “She’s been in a horrible mood lately.” She walked over to look at the baby and said, “Little Danny has grown so much since I saw him last!” She smiled at Emma and said, “Hello, I’m Frank’s sister, Della… and that gorgeous man is my husband, James.” She lowered his voice and whispered loudly, “James doesn’t like to be called ‘Jim’.” “Oh, Dell. You make it sound like I’ll go berserko if someone calls me that.” “You will!” she responded with a mischievous grin, and then giggled when he gave her a playful swat. “I love to torment him. He just is too easy to rile.” He swatted her again, and she laughed outright. James was grinning, too, and watched with a mixture of fear and pride as Della took

Carrie over to introduce her to Susie and Bobby. She was just a bit younger than Bobby, and soon all three children were playing with the leggos and having fun together, “I think Carrie will blend in, James,” Della said quietly. “Children are too young to be too prejudiced, and if they grow up together they will be cousins. Don’t you think so, Mom?” she asked. “Yes, honey. I think they will be very close, but I am so upset with you! I don’t have a present for her!!!! A new grandbaby and no gift for her!” “Mom, you don’t need to get her anything right now. She has everything she needs, believe me. James and I outfitted her room and bought her too many clothes. What Carrie needs is a grandma and a grandpa. She needs to be held and cuddled and loved.” “You know that we will do that, honey. We couldn’t be happier; we’re just completely surprised and while it is a happy surprise, we need a moment to catch our breath. This Thanksgiving we will have much to be thankful for at our table. Isn’t that right, Nita?” “It most certainly is right, Zachary. I’m simply amazed at the way God works.” Della sat down with Emma and they talked about many things as they kept an eye on the children. The men decided to discuss football, and Nita disappeared outside for a few minutes. Zack was pretty sure she was having a good cry since she’d told him the only thing she really wanted for Christmas this year was for Della to have or adopt a child who needed her as much as she needed that child. Knowing his wife as well as he did, she was walking and thanking God for little Carrie and promising to be the best grandmother she could possibly be. The look on Della’s face as she looked at her child made him emotional, too. Now, if only his son-in-law could deal with his eldest daughter. If Adam didn’t calm her down, then he would step in and take her out to the barn for a talking to that she would never forget. Little Emma did not deserve the contempt that Julia heaped on her. ***** “I had no idea that you were feeling unloved, button. I love you more and more each and every day, and I think you the most beautiful woman in the world. I’ve been taking the extra shifts because I’ve been trying to make extra money for something special for Christmas this year,” he admitted. “The only way I can afford it is to work. I am an idiot sometimes, Jules. I should have realized how tired you were. Taking care of three kids by yourself while I am either working or sleeping… I apologize.”

“I thought you might be having an affair because I gained so much weight,” she confessed. “I ought to spank you again for thinking that. I promised to be faithful to you and I give you my word I have never cheated on you, and I never will. You are my wife and the mother of my babies, and the love of my life. I wouldn’t risk that for anything. Do you believe me?” “I do now,” she said. “I’m sorry I’ve been so evil to get along with.” “Let’s talk about that. You said you’ve been yelling at the kids…?” He was frowning. She nodded. “I feel so awful about it, Adam. They get so loud and then they wake the baby, and I go off.” “That isn’t going to happen again, wife. We’re going to make sure of it by giving you a reason to regret and remember and recall.” “I’m already in terrible pain, Adam!” “Probably so, but you know I won’t overlook your behavior, don’t you?” “Yes…” “Let’s talk about the way you screamed at everyone downstairs.” “I’m sorry. I was just so stressed. I will apologize.” “You will, and you will also tell them you were corrected, is that understood?” “Oh, Adam! I’m not going to be able to sit down by the time you’re done!” she declared. “Can you tell me you don’t deserve a punishment?” “No…” “Emma…? Why on earth did you strike out at her like that? How do you think she is feeling right now?” “I don’t care! I loved Cynthia! It’s not fair that she was killed and it’s not fair that this female has her hooks into my brother when he is so vulnerable. She needs to go!”

“Have you considered that she could be a very nice woman and your brother might very well love her?” “Cynthia hasn’t been dead an entire year yet, Adam!” she argued. “It doesn’t matter, honey. Look how it was with us. You broke up with someone you planned to marry, and my fiancée had an affair with my best friend. We both swore off the opposite sex, and then we met each other and knew it was right. Just like that. Why couldn’t Frank have that same connection with Emma?” “It just seems different.” “Your family liked Jeff, didn’t they?” “They did, and they missed him, but Cynthia was part of our family for a long time. She was so much fun. And they were going to have a baby. It would have been born by now and just a little older than our Danny. Oh, Adam, it just isn’t fair!” “Life isn’t fair. I see that every damned day, darling. But, life goes on. Frank has a right to be happy. You owe it to him to help him move on.” “I won’t keep quiet if I don’t think she is right for him!” she warned. “I can accept that… provided you give her a fair chance.” Julia nodded. “Can we go down now and check on the children? Danny will need to be fed any time now.” “We’ll go down after you are given the punishment you earned. I can use my belt, or you can find something in here that can be used. Do it now, Jules, and don’t play games by arguing or trying to talk me into waiting. This punishment was earned and it will happen now.” He released her and she got to her feet and looked around the room for something that was very quiet and less painful than his belt. “Couldn’t you just use your hand, Adam? I hate the belt and I can’t find anything else that would work.” She was still looking when she opened another drawer and found basic writing supplies and a ruler. “What about this?” she asked, holding up the flexible ruler. Adam raised one eyebrow as if to scoff at the ruler, but he held out his hand. He swished it through the air and then nodded. “This will do. Bend over.” He could feel her distress and

knew how much she hated what she called a ‘formal punishment’. It was much worse than a spanking given in the moment. With a ‘formal punishment’ she had to bend over and stay in position and accept whatever he gave her. She wasn’t permitted to ask him to stop, and if she did, he spanked even longer than planned. If she got out of position, the entire punishment started over. It was difficult to endure, which was the entire point. Adam reserved this type of punishment for serious situations and he felt today was one of those times. “I am sorry, Adam,” she said as she bent over and put her hands on the bottom of the bed.” “I know you are, button. Spread your legs wider and stick your bottom out and up. Yes, just like that.” He slapped the ruler against the palm of his hand and smiled. His wife was in for a surprise. We’ll start with your yelling at the children. How many do you deserve for that?” Julia hated it when he made her give a number. If she didn’t say enough he would think she wasn’t sorry and he would give her even more. If she said too many, he would ask her what she was hiding from him, and she would get every one of the ‘extra’, too. “Maybe ten?” she asked. “I think that is fair.” He brought the flexible ruler down on her right cheek with a snap and Julia cried out. It obviously hurt a lot more than she expected. The second matched the first, and she raised one foot off the floor. Adam continued in that manner, alternating cheeks until all ten were given and Julia’s bottom cheeks were welted from the ruler. “It really hurts, Adam! I think it is even worse than your belt!” “Good. This will be a good correction then. How many do you think appropriate for screaming at everyone to shut up?” “Two…?” she whispered. “I was upset, and I will apologize.” “Two is a joke, Jules. I was thinking twenty.” “Oh no, Adam! I can’t handle that many!” “Yes you can. I will not permit my wife to be so disrespectful to the people who love her.” He wasted no time and started giving her spank after spanking, this time targeting her upper thighs and sit spots. To her credit, Julia managed to stay in place, even though she was sobbing when he stopped. “You did well, button. Take a couple of deep breaths and we’ll finish this punishment.” “Can’t we be done now?” she asked hopefully.

“And let you off for the shameful way you spoke to your brother’s new girlfriend? I don’t think so. How would you have felt if your family didn’t give me a chance because they liked your former fiancé better than me? How do you think Frank feels right now? And, your parents…? I am sure they were embarrassed by the way you acted. And Emma…? Is she going to be willing to give you another chance?” He waited a minute and then said, “How many, Jules, and don’t you dare make light of this.” Julia was crying so hard she couldn’t speak. “I don’t know how many, Adam. I trust you to be fair… Please…?” “Very well. This is for your father.” He gave her three on her left cheek. “This is for your mother.” He gave her five on her right cheek. “These are for Frank.” Julia sobbed as her policeman husband meted out justice. He did not stop spanking her upper thighs until she felt raw. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” “Now, for Emma… I am at a loss. I know how you would have felt if my sister had talked to you like that… Devastated. This lesson is well-earned, wife.” Julia felt the bite of the ruler on her sit spots until they were raw and she finally couldn’t bear any more. She fell forward on the bed, sobbing. “I hated punishing you so hard, Jules, but you are too important to me to allow you to act like a witch. I love you. Do you hear me?” he asked, sitting beside her and rubbing her back, trying to calm her. Her poor butt was a deep dark red and the ruler left welts that had to be stinging and burning like crazy. “Why don’t you rest for a while, honey. I’ll go down and check on the kids, and if Danny is fussing, I’ll bring him to you. I think a nap is what you need.” He was going to have to keep the overtime to a minimum for a while… and spend extra time helping out at home. A trip to Hawaii would be a nice present for her, but not if she thought he was having an affair! No, he needed to settle for something else more affordable, and give her what she really needed. Himself. “I can see the kids are behaving,” he said once he checked on his three. “Who is this little angel?” he demanded with a smile. “That adorable child belongs to James and I, Adam,” Della answered. “We are adopting her.” “Congratulations!” he told them both. “How awesome is this!”

“Where is Jules?” “She’s lying down right now, Della, and I think she needs a few minutes to pull herself together. I came down on her pretty hard. I would like to ask all of you to be gentle with her. She is sorry, and she will apologize if you give her a chance. In the meantime, Emma, I hope you know that I’m sorry Jules was so upset. It had more to do with me than with you.” “I won’t permit Jules to attack Emma like that again, Adam. I love my sister, but Emma did not deserve her anger.” “No, of course she didn’t. Jules is going to apologize.” Emma could see that Frank was simmering with rage and she hurried to heal the rift before it became a real problem. “I am sure that Julia was having a rough day. It is hard to travel with three small children.” “Thanks, Emma,” Adam said gratefully. “And thank you for taking care of Danny. Has he been fussy?” The talk centered on children for a while and when Danny woke up again, he was hungry. “Let me take you up to Mommy, little man,” Adam said lovingly, taking him from Emma and grabbing the diaper bag and heading upstairs. “I’ll start putting supper together while Julia is nursing Danny and we can eat when she is finished.” “Do you want help, Nita?” Emma offered, and was relieved when the older woman nodded. “Yes, please. If you and Della would set out soup bowls and plates for bread… and glasses. We’ll put them on the counter and do cafeteria style. It is easier to do that than to try and pass soup bowls around at the table.” “I’ll show you where everything is, Emma.” After a while, they had everything set up and Julia came down, carrying the baby in her arms. He was sleeping again and she put him in his car seat and covered him with a blanket. She then went to her sister and congratulated her on her adoption and said hello to her new niece.

Emma felt sorry for the other woman. The entire room had gone quiet and she had to feel all of their eyes on her. Julia felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but there was no help for it. She had apologies to make and it was best to get them over with quickly. “Everyone… I am sorry for screaming at you earlier. I was out of control, and I do regret my actions. Adam insists that I tell you I have been corrected for being so rude.” She took another deep breath and walked over to where Frank was seated. “Frank, I was horrid and I apologize. Adam and I talked about my feelings, and he helped me to realize that you have every right to move on with your life… just like I did when I broke it off with Jeff. The only difference is that you weren’t given a choice in the matter. I was wrong to judge you.” She turned to face the redhead, and said “Emma, I owe you the biggest apology of all. I haven’t even given you a chance and I was prepared to hate you. That isn’t the way I was raised, and I am ashamed. I hope you will give me another chance…? I know I don’t deserve one, but—“ “Enough apologizing,” Emma said, reaching out to give the other woman a big hug. “You aren’t nearly as horrible as you think you are, Julia. I’ve had worse things said to me, and not for as good a reason as you had.” She smiled and said, “I understand your feelings, and it’s like I told your Mom… I can’t replace Cynthia in your hearts and I won’t even try. I’m not her, but she sounds like someone I would have loved to know.” She looked around and said, “Nita has beef vegetable soup all ready and I’m hungry.” Frank was proud of Emma for offering his sister forgiveness, and he was pretty sure that all the others felt the same way, especially his Dad, who was beaming at Emma. “I agree with Emma. I’m ready for Mom’s soup!” Zach said. “Let’s bow our head in prayer.” He gave a simple blessing and there was much laughter as little Susie said Amen in a loud voice. ***** It was late when the adults decided to go to bed. Emma had spent most of the evening in the kitchen helping Nita and Julia and Della do food preparation for the next day. The whole situation seemed surreal to her and by the time she was alone and in her room her emotions took over and she started crying. In the next room, Nita heard her crying and started to get out of bed to go to her when Zach stopped her. “Listen,” he said. Sure enough she heard Francis cross the hallway and tap on Emma’s door. “He’ll take care of her, wife. Now go to sleep. That turkey will be calling you early in the morning.” Nita wanted to argue, but Zach’s hand came to rest on her bottom and she didn’t want another spanking. She forced herself to obey her husband, and decided she would simply ask Francis in the morning if she could help.

“Why are you crying, sweetheart?” Frank asked in concern. “Did Jules say something else mean to you?” “No. She’s tried so hard to be pleasant. Everyone has. It’s just me, Frank. I don’t want to ruin everything like I always do!” “Emma Kathleen! Will you stop putting yourself down? You are the sweetest young woman I have ever met.” “I lived in so many foster homes, Frank. No one ever thought I was sweet. I was just a dollar bill to them, and none of them cared about my feelings. I wasn’t lucky enough to be adopted like Carrie…! I’m so afraid right now. I’m not used to being so happy.” “You are still feeling sorry for yourself and I’m not going to have it, Miss Emma Kathleen.” He sat down on the chest at the end of her bed and pulled her down over his lap. He pushed up her robe and nightgown and then smacked her bare bottom with his hand. “Owww!” she wailed. “Someone will hear, Frank!” “Good. When they ask me why I’m spanking you I’ll tell them, and they will beg to take a turn, too.” He walloped her again. “Owww! I’m still sore, honey!” “Good. Maybe a sore fanny will remind you tomorrow that you are as good as anyone else in this house.” He gave her three more spanks, and then he stood her on her feet and stood up himself to tower over her. He pulled her close and then claimed her lips before she could say another word to him. “Now, then, you stop this silliness, young lady, and get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!” He tucked her in bed and gave her one more smack on the fanny that she couldn’t feel through the blankets and quilt on the bed. “Goodnight, Emma. I love you.” Emma felt loved and she went to sleep with a smile on her face. It was so much fun to get up the next morning and pitch in with the preparations for the big Thanksgiving dinner. She noticed that Julia seemed happy as could be, even though she wanted to sit down even less than Emma did. Little Carrie was enjoying all the attention she was receiving from everyone, and her parents were relaxing more and more. Frank kept coming to see her in the kitchen, giving her little pats to remind her of his love. When it was finally time to sit at the dining room table for Thanksgiving Dinner, Emma was started to find a pillow on her chair. She knew that Frank didn’t put it there, and when she

looked at Alex, he winked at her. Julia went through much the same thing, and her relief was palpable. “We have a tradition here, Emma. We all tell of one thing we are especially grateful for that occurred during the past year. We’ll start with James.” Of course he was thankful for his new daughter and his wife. Della was thankful for her new daughter and her husband, which brought about some friendly laughter. Finally, it was Frank’s turn. “I know you all expect me to say I am thankful for Emma, and I am… but I am grateful to Dad for asking me to stick around for another year to see if life would get better. It did, Dad. Thank you.” He got up to go and give his father a hug and Zach clung to him for a long time. “Thank you, son. Emma, it’s your turn,” “I am thankful for Frank… and for each one of you. This is my first real Thanksgiving, and I am thankful to be part of such a loving family.” “Thank you, Emma. We are pleased to see the light in our son’s eyes once again, and we love you for placing it there,” Nita said. “I am grateful to God for giving us the strength to go on after losing Cynthia, and for sending us you, Emma. I am also thankful to God for answering my prayers and giving us a new granddaughter and a new grandson. All of our grandchildren are truly special and loved, and I hope to see many more around this table someday.” “And last of all, it is my turn. Every one of you sitting here is precious to me. I forget sometimes to tell you how proud I am of your choices, but I am. I think Mom and I did a good job and it makes us happy to see you all working hard to achieve your goals. Like Mom said, we had a few tough moments during the past year, and I am sure we will have other trials as we go on with life, but the one thing I know is that we will stick together and uphold each other. Thank you, Heavenly Father for the many blessings and gifts of love you have bestowed on us. Thank you for our very lives, and for the precious lives entrusted to us to love. We ask you to continue to bless us and keep us safe in your hands. We ask this through your precious son. Amen.” “And thank you for the soft pillows on the girls’ chairs…!” Alex intone in his best preacher voice, causing the women to explode with laughter. “Alex, you put pillows on their chairs?” Adam demanded. “Guilty as charged, Officer. But, it is Thanksgiving and I felt they deserved a break since they helped Mom fix this great meal.” Emma looked at Frank to see his reaction and he was shaking his head and laughing in good humor. “I agree with Alex,” Frank said, looking at Emma with love in his eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Please be sure to count your many blessings…