The Lady Juror

The  Lady  Juror      

By    

Rebecca  Jacobs      

©2011  by  Blushing  Books®  and  Rebecca  Jacobs  

 

  Copyright © 2011 by Blushing Books® and Rebecca Jacobs. 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. Jacobs, Rebecca The Lady Juror eBook ISBN: 978-1-60968-551-5

Cover Design: by ABCD Graphics

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Chapter One

Turnersville, Wyoming September 13, 1951 “I absolutely forbid it!” Robert Turner’s large, beefy fist landed on the dining room table with a loud crash, causing the dinnerware to bounce and water to slosh over the edges of the glasses. “No daughter of mine is going to serve on a jury! I simply will not have it!” “Robert!” Millicent Graves Turner gently scolded her husband of twenty-five years. “You will give yourself a stroke if you don’t calm down.” “Milli, do you want our daughter making a spectacle of herself by serving on this jury? It is completely outrageous, I say! I cannot believe that Wyoming is going to permit this travesty once again! Why, they gave it a try in 1870 and they found it didn’t work well at all. Women are just not predisposed to serving on juries! Especially young girls like Abigail. No, I absolutely forbid it and that is my final word on the subject.” “Daddy, it is the law,” Abigail dared to speak up. “I have been given a summons and legally, I must appear for jury selection on the twenty-fourth or I could be sent to jail.” “What?! Are you serious?” Robert incredulously demanded. “They would throw an innocent child in jail because her father forbids her participation on a jury?! Why, that is absolutely preposterous! I will call Judge Price tomorrow morning and we’ll just see about this!” When Abigail appeared about to say something else, Millicent shot her daughter a look of warning, which Abigail obediently heeded. It was a well-kept family secret that Robert Turner was not well. He was the son of Randolph Turner who founded the town many years ago. Randolph had married late in life and fathered only one child, and like his father, Robert married late in life to a young southern belle by the name of Millicent. She gave him a daughter, and Robert was thankful he’d lived long enough to see Abigail grown. He would like to see her married, too, but Abigail was proving very stubborn when it came to selecting a husband. Robert had brought home several young men for her to choose from, but Abigail seemed more interested in her studies and teaching school than she did in getting married. Robert felt he should have forbidden her to go to college, but Millicent had insisted. Robert finally agreed, just as long as Abigail continued to live under his roof. He

wasn’t about to permit his daughter to join in any of those crazy shenanigans that other young people took part in. No, he had raised a young lady, and she was going to remain one! He wasn’t about to have her exposed to the sordid details that would arise in a murder trial! Abigail couldn’t wait for dinner to be over so she could go to her room and change out of the formal attire that her father insisted upon every evening at dinner. He was hopelessly oldfashioned, but her mother was afraid that arguing with him could cause him to get so upset that he would have a fatal heart attack. Abigail knew that was a very real possibility, so she did as her elderly parent asked of her… even though it sometimes pained her. She wanted to serve on the jury, and she wondered what Judge Price would have to say. She also couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be responsible for making a decision regarding a man’s innocence or guilt, his life or death. However, if there was a way for her father to prevent her from serving on the jury, he would do so. Her only hope was that Judge Price would tell her father that the law had changed and Abigail was considered an adult at the age of twenty-one, and that the fact she was a woman did not mean she was incapable of serving on a jury. Of course her elderly parent would not like it one little bit, but he would have to accept it and permit her to do her duty as a citizen. This from a man who thought it horrible that she was teaching first grade when she should be getting married and having children of her own. It wasn’t that Abigail was opposed to marriage; she simply hadn’t met the right man yet. She wanted to find the perfect love who made her heart sing. Unfortunately, most of the men who came calling were just like her father. They wanted a wife who would do exactly as she was told, and that wasn’t what Abigail wanted. She wanted to be involved in decisions that affected her life. Maybe someday she would meet a man who lived up to her expectations, but in the meantime she would teach little children and try her best not to resent being forced to live at home instead of getting her own apartment. Abigail knew that she was not the only adult daughter who was expected to do as her parents instructed; it was actually normal for most young women to live at home until they married. She simply wanted her Daddy to respect her as an adult. Finally, dinner was over and she asked to be excused. “I thought you would come into the living room and play the piano for your Mama and me, honey…?” Robert suggested in that way of his that made it sound like an order. “I have school tomorrow, Daddy, and I have lessons to prepare,” Abigail explained.

“What on earth…? They are first graders! What kinds of lessons are there to prepare?” he asked, clearly surprised by her statement. “Daddy, I need to come up with different ways to present things so the children will remember, and then apply what I teach them to their everyday life. It does them no good to remember that the balloon in the drawing is red, but not be able to recall the name of the color when they get a new dress that is red. I also need to cut out some decorations for my classroom so the children can color them tomorrow. We are making red and yellow and orange leaves to put around the top of the blackboards to represent fall leaves.” “That sounds interesting, dear,” Millicent said with a pleased smile. “You really love your job, don’t you?” “Yes, Mama. I love the children. Working with them makes me feel like I am contributing to the world in some small way.” “You should be getting married and having your own children, Abigail. Teaching school is for old maids.” “Daddy, I haven’t met anyone that I can love, and I won’t get married until I do.” “Well, I hope I am still around to walk you down the aisle,” Robert said sadly. “I hope so, too,” Abigail agreed with him, and then she got to her feet and came around the table to kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll come down and say goodnight in a bit.” “Would you like for me to bring you some hot chocolate when Daddy and I have ours?” Millicent offered. “Actually, if you call upstairs to me, I’ll come down and join you for a cup, Mama.” She saw her father nod in approval. He didn’t like to see her mother waiting on her hand and foot, and Abigail didn’t blame him. If she was going to be treated as an adult, she needed to act like one. “We would love that, dear; wouldn’t we, Robert?” Millicent asked her husband with a smile. “Yes,” he said decisively. “And don’t you worry about that jury thing, little one. I’ll make it go away.” “Daddy, I would like to serve on the jury.” She spoke up before she lost her nerve.

“Over my dead body,” he declared, and both she and her mother were treated to another lecture on why women did not make good jurors and why it wasn’t suitable for young girls to serve on a jury. Abigail was nearly in tears when he stopped ranting. “You get that nonsense out of your head, daughter. You will not be part of a jury.” ***** Abigail dressed carefully on the morning of the twenty-fourth, positive there would be reporters at the courthouse, ready to take pictures of her. She was the first woman called to serve on a jury in Turner County since the 1870’s, and the fact that she was the granddaughter of Randolph Turner was well known. The papers were already writing stories about it being fitting that she be the first woman to sit on a jury. Her father was not one bit happy, and Abigail could only hope the stress wasn’t too much for his heart. He’d done nothing but complain since he made his telephone call to Judge Price. The Judge explained the law, and told Robert that he could not forbid Abigail to serve. It was her legal duty to appear, and if she did not, then the Judge would issue a bench warrant, and she would be arrested. Robert wasn’t about to permit that to happen, but neither would he permit his daughter to go alone into a courtroom. He was planning to take her himself each and every day. Abigail made sure she was dressed neatly and stylishly, and she wore heels that flattered her legs, but were quite respectable. When her name was called she stepped forward and answered the questions that were put to her by both attorneys. The brooding look on her father’s face let her know that he did not appreciate the questions; he thought she should be dismissed summarily because she was female, but she was asked to take a seat in the jury box. Her father’s face went from brooding to angry and she hoped he wouldn’t make a scene. When the jury selection was finally finished for the day, the Judge said that they would save opening arguments for the next morning. He also gave the jurors instructions that they were not to read the newspapers or listen to the radio or discuss the case with anyone. Robert was waiting for Abigail when she walked into the hallway outside the courtroom. “I’m not a bit happy about this, Abby-Gail,” he told her, calling her by her childhood nickname. “I am afraid you are going to be exposed to things a girl your age shouldn’t know about.” “Don’t worry, Daddy. I can handle it.” “Don’t you let anyone push you around, honey. You have as much right to your opinion as any of those other jurors.” Robert felt she needed his support; if he couldn’t protect her from doing the task, then he would at least give her some advice on how to handle herself. “Just remember that your Grandfather founded this town, and you have more right to be here than anyone else.”

“I’ll be fine, Daddy,” she assured him, looking up into his worried eyes and smiling. “I wish it was anything else but a murder trial.” Robert squeezed her hand. “That is nasty business, Abby-Gail. Get your facts and make notes of them. It will help you to make a good decision. Trust your gut. It won’t lie to you.” “Okay, Daddy.” “You looked pretty up there today, honey. If you need anything new to wear, you tell your Mama that I said she is to get it for you.” Abigail didn’t bother to remind her father that she was working and earning a salary. Buying new clothes for his daughter was something Robert could do for her right now, and he was jumping at the chance. “Yes, Daddy.” There were times it was exasperating to have a father who was old enough to be her grandfather, but she never ever doubted that Robert Turner loved his daughter with all his heart. In spite of all his old-fashioned ways, Abigail loved her Daddy, and short of marrying a man she did not love, she would do anything she could to keep him happy and from worrying about her. “Let me take you for an ice cream, honey,” he offered as he opened the car door for her and held it while she got inside. He always treated her like a fragile angel he needed to cherish and protect, and Abigail felt tears sting her eyes. “I would like that very much, Daddy,” she said. ***** John Oakes closed his dark eyes for a couple of seconds, asking the Almighty to give him patience. They’d taken their fifth vote of the day, and as the four times before, there was one dissenting vote; one person who was keeping this trial from being over! He just knew he was going to lose his temper if this did not get resolved quickly. “Well…?” One of the other jurors demanded. “Same as before,” John announced to the room in general. “Eleven guilty, one not guilty.” “We don’t even need to ask who is holding us up,” one middle-aged man said with a sneer, as he looked at Abigail. “She’s the one who hasn’t got the good sense to realize the bastard is guilty as sin!”

“Miss,” William Cornell spoke softly, as he would if the girl was his granddaughter, “why are you voting for not guilty? What are you hearing that the rest of us aren’t?” He wasn’t angry, just curious. “She’s just being a damned contrary female, and this is the reason we haven’t had them serving on juries.” Angus Carter owned a shoe store and was losing business while he was sitting on this jury. “Girl, you need to listen to the rest of us and vote for guilty. You hear me?” “Mr. Carter, I think we should all listen to what Miss Turner has to say,” John spoke up, doing his best as foreman to keep peace among the jury. “Miss Turner, please speak up and tell us why you think the defendant is innocent.” Abigail felt her cheeks turn pink as the eleven men looked at her expectantly. “I don’t feel that Willy killed Misty Greene.” “We know that, Miss Turner,” John said patiently. “What we don’t know is why you feel that way…? What information did you hear that the rest of us didn’t hear?” “Willy said he was in the process of robbing a house clear across town from where the murder happened. He wasn’t arrested until the next day. I think the man who claimed to see Willy saw someone else who resembled Willy. Did you see how he was squinting to look at a picture of a man who resembles Willy? The defense attorney brought up his vision, and I think it was a valid point. I cannot, in good conscience, vote guilty when I have doubts. I think someone else murdered Misty Greene. Willy didn’t know her; Misty’s mother testified that she’d never met him before. Misty’s murder was a crime of passion. She was stabbed over and over; that takes someone who is very angry, and it just doesn’t match Willy’s disposition.” “You can’t believe a thing them people say!” Corey Smith didn’t much like black people, and the minute they sat down at the jurors’ table to deliberate he made his opinion of guilty known. “Girl, if your Daddy was sitting in here, he’d send that boy to the gas chamber in a minute.” “Mr. Smith, I am not my father, and I am capable of thinking for myself. You all wanted to know my objections and I told you. I am just as entitled to my opinion as you are to yours.” “Miss Turner, keep that redheaded temper of yours under control, please. We are not going to start arguing, is that clear?” John Oakes scolded her. While he didn’t care for Corey Smith’s attitude, he wouldn’t permit a girl half his age to speak disrespectfully to the man. He looked around. “Mr. Harvey, you haven’t said much. “Would you care to tell why you find Willy guilty of murdering that girl?”

“The witness saw him running away.” “Then why didn’t the police find Willy at home when they went to arrest him?” Abigail asked quietly. She was still smarting over the scolding that John Oakes delivered. It wasn’t one bit fair of the man, and she fully intended to tell him so before the day was over. “He was covered in blood, and he went somewhere to get rid of the knife and his clothes.” That was from Adam Wade. He was a truck driver whose rig was parked until the trial was over. “Those items were never found,” Abigail argued. “Girl, that boy could have dumped them anywhere. You just aren’t being reasonable. If eleven of us think he’s guilty, then you ought to change your vote and trust us men to guide you to the right decision.” Angus Carter was tired of talking. He was losing business. “I think we need to vote again, and this time maybe she’ll get it right.” “Maybe someone will be convinced to vote with me,” Abigail stated, glaring at him. “All right. We’ll take another vote. Miss Turner, I hope you won’t be stubborn just for the sake of having your way…!” John said. Abigail had spent the last few days sitting beside him in the jury box and she’d thought him very handsome. His hair was dark and he wore it longer than most men. It curled on his neck, and a lock of it was constantly falling down over his eyes. She’d noticed his hands, too. They were strong hands, the hands of a man who worked outdoors most of the day. John didn’t sit behind a desk or work in a store like most of the others on the jury. He was a farmer, and his skin was tanned to prove it. He also had an air of authority around him that led others to respect him. It was no surprise to Abigail when he was named foreman of the jury. Up until this point, she’d respected him and thought he was doing a good job, but now he was treating her like a pest just because she was a female!

Chapter Two

Once again the vote came back eleven to one. John made the announcement, and then said, “Let’s take a break, have some coffee, and just relax for a few minutes.”

The Bailiff walked into the room and asked, “Who is the foreman?” The others pointed at John, who rose to his feet. “The Judge wants to know if you have reached a decision?” “Not yet,” John was forced to reply. “Then you are going to be sequestered for the night. A bus will transport you to the hotel, and you’ll be served dinner in your rooms. You won’t be allowed to discuss the case with each other, and there will be no telephone calls or newspapers. You will stay in your rooms until the bus comes to bring you back here in the morning to finish your deliberations.” He looked around. “Any questions?” “I don’t see why we can’t stay right here until she changes her mind. I want to go home!” Corey complained. “Judge’s orders, sir. He’s going to dismiss court.” The Bailiff turned and left the room, locking the door behind him. “Now see what you done, girl?” Corey demanded furiously. “The rest of us got lives we want to get back to, and you’re the cause of us having to sleep in some damned flea-ridden hotel!” “They won’t put us in the Motor Inn at the edge of town, Corey,” Mr. Cornell said quietly. “They will take us to the Fairfield.” “You think you’re so smart; I’ll just bet a ten they won’t!” Corey was angry and challenging everything anyone said to try and calm him. “I won’t take your money, Corey; I was on a jury a year ago and that is where they took us.” Corey’s face flushed with anger but he shut up. The room grew very quiet, and Abigail felt eyes on her, staring at her in accusation. She knew the men weren’t happy, but she sincerely believed she was right. The Bailiff returned a few minutes later to load them on the bus and John Oakes grabbed her arm to hold her back for a few seconds. “Young lady, I don’t know what you think to prove by acting so stubborn, but I will give you until morning to settle down. Otherwise, I am going to give you a spanking that will give you something to think about while you are sitting and keeping all of us men sitting here! You are spoiled as can be, but the rest of us have to work for a living and you are preventing us from

doing that. Think about it.” He gave her a gentle push toward the door when the Bailiff poked his head in the door to hurry them up. Abigail was furious, but that fury doubled when John Oakes gave her bottom a hearty whack as they left the room! “How dare you?” she turned around to hiss at him. “Just a small sample for you to think about, Miss Turner.” John Oakes didn’t like the idea of spending the night in a hotel, not when he had livestock that needed attention. He knew his neighbor would come over and lend a hand, but it wasn’t his responsibility to care for John’s place. The fact that a spoiled little girl was holding them all at bay made his blood boil. For two cents he would sneak out of his room later and pay her a visit and give her a good spanking. It was exactly what she needed! ***** Abigail didn’t dare give vent to her emotions while they were all on the bus. The Bailiff was riding with them, along with one of the deputies from the Sheriff’s department, and she simply refused to make a scene on the bus, or even worse, give vent to the tears that were threatening to spill. How dare John Oakes strike her! She was going to think about how to handle the situation, but one thing was certain… John Oakes was going to pay for treating her like a child! Once they arrived at the hotel the Bailiff led them to the top floor, which was reserved solely for the jury members. The men were assigned two to a room, except for the foreman, and he was given his own room since the only female juror had to have a room to herself, which was costing the county extra, the Bailiff was sure to add, making his opinion of female jurors very clear. Abigail knew she would get no sympathy from him if she decided to lodge a complaint against John Oakes. She went into her room and made sure the door was locked before she gave in to her emotions and let the tears flow. She cried until her temper was once more under control, and then she took a cold wet washcloth and put it over her eyes to reduce the redness. The overnight bag that she was told to pack in case the jury was sequestered was laying on the bed. Abigail took out her robe and pajamas and slippers and put them on the bed. She’d packed a book, too, as well as clean undergarments for the next day. There was a knock on the door. “Yes?” she called out. “I’ve got your dinner, Miss Turner,” the Bailiff’s voice called through the door.

Abigail unlocked the door and allowed him to enter and put the tray on the table in front of the window. “Thank you,” she said politely. “When you’re done just sit the tray on the floor in the hallway in front of your door.” She nodded, and once he was gone she went to look and see what was provided. It was meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, pears, and a piece of chocolate cake. The only drink provided was coffee. Abigail didn’t know if she could eat anything, but she figured she’d better give it a try. It would be a very long time until breakfast. But, she had no appetite and she put the tray outside the door as instructed. John Oakes heard the door to her room close just as he opened his, and he wasn’t surprised to see that her tray was nearly untouched. The food wasn’t the best, and Miss Princess was probably used to having fried chicken every night for dinner, or some other exotic food that the rest of the working class didn’t know existed. “Do you need something, Mr. Oakes?” the Bailiff asked. “No, just looking around.” “You need to stay inside your room, sir.” “Sorry, didn’t mean to trouble you.” “No trouble as long as you stay put,” the man said without cracking a smile. “Will you be working here all night?” John asked with concern. “It’s my job to see that no one tampers with the jury, so yeah, I’ll be here all night, unless the Judge sends someone to relieve me, but what does he care? He’s eating at home and sleeping in his own bed.” “I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” John said in complete understanding. “I know you ain’t supposed to talk, but it’s that gal, ain’t it? Knew it was a mistake to let women on juries. Knew it would put a wrench in the works.” “Amen,” John agreed. He shut his door and then went to his duffel bag to take out the items he brought with him. He’d tossed in his wood carving, and he sat down and put a trash can on the floor in front of him and went to work. It was soon obvious that he was going to make a mess on

the floor, but he decided he could clean it up afterwards. Carving was something that he truly enjoyed, and he’d actually sold a few pieces. It wasn’t something he’d planned to do, but his brother’s girlfriend worked in an art gallery and she’d persuaded him to let her take a few of his carvings and put them on display. She’d come to see him a few days later with a large check in her hand and asked for more. It was a good way to supplement his farm income, and John knew he would do the carvings whether or not he was getting paid. While he was working his mind settled on the little redhead in the next room. John wished he knew how to reach her, what he could say to get her to end her game. He’d hoped that she would be reasonable when it came time to vote, but she was being silly and he was going to have his hands full in keeping the others from getting mean with her if she didn’t change her tune. The Judge was counting on them to come to an agreement, and there was no way that Willy was telling the truth. The one witness that placed him in the area was a good man, trustworthy, and his word was good. Willy had been in an out of trouble since his early teens, and it just wasn’t good, common sense to think he was suddenly telling the truth. John heard noise in the hallway and he moved over to his door to listen. “The Judge sent me over to give you some relief.” “I don’t know why he didn’t send them on home; it ain’t like there’s anyone who cares about that boy, or who’ll tamper with this jury. And, if they’d gone home, old Mr. Turner would have straightened his girl out. Judge sure did make a mistake.” “You want to go and have us a beer, Jake? Those folks ain’t gonna stir what with thinkin’ you’re sittin’ right here.” “I don’t know, Jim. It would mean my job if the Judge found out.” “So, who’s gonna tell? None of them, cause they’d be tellin’ on theyselves. Besides, you made it clear they was to stay inside their rooms.” “Yeah. Let’s have that beer.” “Or two… no more’n three.” John grinned and waited until the elevator closed on the two men before opening his door and walking next door. Abigail’s room was on the corner, and with his room between hers and the other jurors, they wouldn’t make enough noise to be overheard. Miss Turner was about to get a serious lesson in growing up and not playing games.

Abigail heard the tap on her door and made the mistake of assuming it was the Bailiff. He was probably doing a head count before ordering them all into bed! She shook her head, but put her open book down on the bed before getting up and putting on her robe. There was another knock, and she called out that she was coming. Abigail crossed the room and then opened the door a crack. She was shocked to see John Oakes standing there. “What do you want? You know you are not supposed to be here!” she exclaimed, disapproval in her voice. “We need to talk, little girl,” John told her, gently pushing on the door to open it enough that he could get his 6’2” frame inside the room. “The Bailiff is going to report us to the Judge!” Abigail argued. “We aren’t supposed to be talking to each other! Please go.” She wasn’t being rude, but she didn’t want to be held in contempt of court, either. “The Bailiff and a Deputy Sheriff went out for a beer or two; I’m sure they won’t be back for a while. We have plenty of time to talk.” John took her arm in a firm grip. “And you and I are going to have a serious talk when I am positive you are in the right frame of mind to listen to what I have to say, Miss Turner.” “Let go of me!” Abigail struggled to get free of the grasp he had on her arm, but he was simply too strong, and he easily pulled her over to the bed she’d been lying in only moments before. “No!” Her outrage quickly turned to fear as they reached the bed. She was positive he meant to force himself on her, and she was terrified! She had no experience with men at all, and to think he would force her against her will was horrifying! “Please, no! I’ve never…” She couldn’t say the words. “Good God, little girl! I’m not going to rape you! I would never do that!” John felt her sag in overwhelming relief and he felt pangs of guilt overwhelm him as he struggled to put war memories behind him. “I am sorry I frightened you, Abby. No woman should ever be used like that, and any man who would use his strength like that against a woman should be shot.” Abigail heard the conviction in his words and she relaxed. He wasn’t here to harm her and she was so grateful she felt like crying. But he still pulled her to the bed where he sat down, and in a totally unexpected move, he tugged her over his knee! “What are you doing?” she demanded. Surely he wouldn’t spank her! He wouldn’t dare! “Let me go!” she ordered, trying to push herself off his lap, but the arm he had wrapped around her tiny waist was like a band of steel. “Not until I get your attention, little girl,” he replied, and followed his words with a hearty spank on her rounded derriere.

“Ow!” Abigail cried out in surprise and pain. “How dare you strike me! Let me go!” He paid her no mind and spanked her bottom again and then again! “Damn you! Stop! You’re hurting me!” “I am not going to harm you, young lady, but I am going to get your attention for a good talking to.” John spanked her again and Abigail squealed. “Serving on a jury is serious business, and not a place for silly, female, attention-getting games.” He swatted her again, putting some real strength into his hand. Abigail burst into tears. The spanking hurt like crazy. She’d never been spanked by her indulgent parents. Her father believed that doing extra chores or reflecting on her behavior while writing an essay was more productive than the trips to the woodshed he’d been subjected to as a boy. Her mother was gentle and she left discipline to her husband. “Are you listening to me, Abby?” John demanded, continuing to spank her, but aiming a bit lower in hopes of catching her tender sit spots. If her cries of pain were any indication, he’d succeeded. “Please stop! I’m in terrible pain! I haven’t done anything wrong! Why are you doing this to me?” Abigail couldn’t believe this was happening to her. “You know very well why this is happening ‘Miss Spoiled Abigail’! You are using this jury as a means to get attention, only you aren’t going to get the kind of attention you want. “THIS…” He spanked her again and again. “… is the only kind of attention you are going to get. Holding up a conviction is only going to bring you negative consequences. Do you hear me, Abby? Tomorrow, when we go back to the courthouse, you are going to get serious and vote the way you should. Do you understand me?” “You are a big bully and I won’t change my vote to please you or anyone else!” she vowed. “I believe Willie is innocent of murder!” It was not what John wanted to hear and he increased the tempo of the spanking he was administering. “Stop acting like a spoiled little girl,” he scolded. “I’m not!” Abigail denied, kicking her legs in an effort to deflect the pain. “Stop!” Her poor backside was inflamed and she was unable to escape the hold he had on her. John shook his head. He couldn’t believe she was being so obstinate. “Little girl, stubbornness costs.” He flipped up her robe and then spanked over her thin, cotton pajama bottoms.

“No! No! No! No more…!” Abigail was growing desperate to stop the stinging punishment. Her bottom felt like it was on fire, and each time his hand landed it felt like she was being branded. She’d never known a child’s punishment could hurt so much and Abigail decided then and there that no child of hers would ever be subjected to such unfair treatment! As a teacher she wouldn’t resort to spanking, either! “If you want this to stop all you need to do is promise to vote the right way tomorrow so that justice is served. I won’t stand still for your making a mockery of that girl’s death. She is entitled to a swift decision.” “And Willie is entitled to a fair trial! What you are demanding of me is criminal and I will not be bullied! Do you hear me? I’m going to tell the Bailiff you threatened me and beat me if you don’t let me go right now!” John abruptly stood up, dumping her on the floor. He marched to the door and said, “We will revisit this tomorrow, Miss Turner, if you don’t use some common sense and do your duty with no more of your silly games.”

Chapter Three

Abigail was first to board the bus the next morning. She gingerly took her seat and steadfastly looked out the window, refusing to speak to any of the other jurors as they boarded. She sensed more than saw John Oakes stop beside her seat, but when she refused to acknowledge him, he moved along, just as she hoped he would. She had nothing to say to the man… Well nothing that her parents would approve of her saying, and she wasn’t going to give the other jurors anything to gossip about. Abigail was angrier than ever before in her entire life. If she were a man no one would have thought to question her right to speak her mind and vote her conscience. She certainly wouldn’t have been subjected to a spanking! It was outrageous to say the least. All night long Abigail had lain awake, trying to decide whether or not she should report John Oakes to the Bailiff. Part of her wanted to get the overbearing man in serious trouble; the other part of her didn’t want anyone, especially her Daddy, to know she’d been spanked like a naughty little girl! Abigail knew how the headlines would read if the papers caught wind of her mortifying experience: “Female Juror Spanked!” The humiliation that would come from a

story like that would be excruciating! Not to mention that her Daddy would be outraged and feel he had to do something about the situation. Robert Turner was overprotective of his little girl. So, in the wee hours of dawn, Abigail had come to her decision. She was not going to tell a soul about the spanking. She would also vote her conscience, and tonight, if they were sequestered again, she would keep the door to her room locked unless she was sure it was the Bailiff knocking. While John Oakes was going to escape the consequences of his detestable behavior this time, she wasn’t about to give him a chance to repeat the spanking as he’d threatened to do. The members of the jury were ushered into the deliberation room and Abigail refused to act as though it pained her to sit as she took her seat at the table. She refused to give John Oakes the satisfaction of knowing he really hurt her backside. John Oakes tried several times to catch the pretty little redhead’s eye, but she wouldn’t even look at him. She seemed to be sitting just fine, but he knew from previous experience with the female sex that they could be contrary as hell at times. His sister would be capable of sitting on rocks and hiding her pain if she was furious enough, and no doubt about it, Abigail Turner was furious. He just hoped she was ready to be reasonable and vote for conviction. Willie was guilty as sin. “Since we’ve all had the night to reflect on the things we’ve discussed, let’s start by taking a vote. I’m hoping we are able to reach a unanimous decision.” He once again looked at Abigail, but she was ignoring him. When he unfolded the ballots, the vote was still eleven for guilty and one for not guilty. “Well?” Angus Carter impatiently demanded. He was more than anxious to have this farce over with. “We are still at an impasse,” John replied, unable to believe the little redhead was still being so stubborn. He looked at her and she raised her chin in defiance but said nothing. Abigail expected the men to yell and bluster and she wasn’t disappointed. When they finally stopped ranting several minutes later, she said, “I do not believe Willie killed Misty Green.” They started yelling again and she crossed her arms and waited in hopes they would run down. The door to the room suddenly opened and the Bailiff stated, “The Judge has called everyone into Court. Line up as usual and file in.”

Abigail felt her cheeks turn pink. Was the Judge tired of waiting for the verdict? She once again schooled her features before sitting on her poor sore bottom. The reporters were in the courtroom and she had to be careful that she didn’t give them anything to comment on. The Judge did not keep them waiting long. Everyone rose as he came in and sat at the bench. He quickly rapped his gavel to seat them. He waited until all were seated before saying, “I have in my possession a deathbed confession from one Carl Feathers. In front of Police Lieutenant William Davis and Sergeant Mark Reardon, and Dr. Nate Evens and several nurses at Mercy Hospital, Feathers admitted to killing Misty Green. He told in detail how he stabbed Misty Green, and it is the opinion of this court that he did the crime. Would the defendant please stand…? Once Willie and his attorney were standing the Judge dismissed all charges against him and ordered him released from custody. He then thanked the Jury members for their service. John Oakes felt as though he’d been sucker punched in the stomach. How could he have been so wrong about Willie killing that girl? How could he have treated Abigail so badly? He’d misjudged her when all she was doing was trying to make the eleven men on the jury believe that Willie was innocent, which he was. John felt lower than a snake. He tried to intercept the redhead, but she managed to evade him. By the time he reached the Courthouse steps, Abigail was gone. ***** Abigail was happy to be back at school. She had gone straight there from the courtroom and walked in to the cheers of her students. Abigail greeted them and thanked the substitute before sending the elderly woman on home; Abigail jumped back into the routine with her first graders, happy to be with them. She found them a lot less complicated than grown men. She hoped she was never called upon to serve on another jury as long as she lived. Once was more than enough. When she got home from school her father asked her why she didn’t call him to pick her up after the trial was over. “I felt like walking, Daddy. I needed some fresh air.” “How did it go with the deliberating? Did anyone think Willie was innocent?” “I’m not allowed to answer that, Daddy. Guess what…? Boyd brought in a robin’s nest today!” “So, what are you going to do with that?” Robert asked curiously. He was still trying to understand his daughter’s interest in teaching little kids, but he was willing to listen to her talk about the little ones and their antics in the classroom. If his daughter had to be a schoolteacher, he was glad to hear she was a good one.

***** John Oakes cursed as he managed to clog the corn picker one more time. He just couldn’t get that girl off of his mind. It had been six weeks since the trial and he kept thinking of Abigail Turner. He still felt guilty for turning her over his knee when she was the one who was right about Willie’s innocence. He’d debated back and forth over going to Abigail and asking her to forgive him, but decided that she would simply brush him off. He was sure she wouldn’t give him the time of day, but still, she was the only one who was right about Willie and she deserved a sincere apology. He got back on the tractor, only to have the rain start. Deciding that it was God’s way of telling him what he needed to do, John took the equipment to the barn, and then he went into the house and washed up. Once he was dressed in clean clothing, John got into his pickup truck and drove into town. Everyone knew where the Turner family lived, and he didn’t have to ask directions. John parked his truck in the drive of the big white house, and he wondered what kind of reception he would receive. Given the color of Abigail’s hair he would be lucky if she didn’t slam the door in his face before he could say a word. He rang the doorbell and waited. Finally, a man answered his summons. “What do you want?” Robert asked gruffly. His wife was at some planning meeting for a charity function, and the housekeeper/cook was grocery shopping. It wasn’t often that Robert had to answer the door. “I would like to speak to Miss Turner, sir.” “Abigail…?” Robert asked, straitening to his full height to look closer at the young man. “She’s still at school with those kiddies of hers.” “Oh.” Robert hadn’t expected that answer. The little redhead taught school and actually worked for a living…? He was completely surprised. Given the fact that her father was the wealthiest person in town, why would she be teaching school? “You’re welcome to come inside and wait for her. She’ll be here any minute… unless she had another run in with Andy Weston and had to keep him after school. That boy is a regular handful and he tests my Abby-Gail’s patience a bit too often for my liking.” Robert opened the door farther, then held out his hand and said, “I’m Abigail’s father, Robert Turner, and I didn’t get your name…?” “I’m sorry, sir. I am John Oakes. Abigail and I served on the jury together.”

“Yes, I remember your face. Come in and sit down.” Robert led the way to the living room. “Can I get you anything?” he offered. “I’m pretty sure there is some iced tea and lemonade in the refrigerator…?” “No, thank you, sir.” He took a seat, waiting for the man to start scolding him but when Robert said nothing but the general comments about the weather, John relaxed. ***** Abigail was glad to get home. The children were all excited about the Halloween party that was coming up soon, and each time they colored a picture of a pumpkin, they grew excited and wanted to talk about their Halloween costumes and the anticipated parties they were going to, and, of course, trick or treat. Abigail enjoyed their enthusiasm, and she quickly learned to save those art projects for the end of the day. As she walked towards her home she saw the old battered and beat up looking truck in the driveway and wondered what kind of work her father was having done. The house was old and frequently needed repairs or upkeep. She had some papers to grade and lessons to prepare for the next day, so she hoped that whatever was being done wasn’t too noisy. Abigail decided she would simply go to the library to work if necessary. She let herself in the front door. “I’m home!” she called out. “We are in here, Abby-Gail. You have a guest,” Robert called back to her. Abigail was surprised to hear that. She certainly didn’t recognize the truck, and she wasn’t expecting anyone. Of course, one of her student’s parents might have come here to speak to her about their child. With that in mind, Abigail put a smile on her face and walked into the living room. Her father was smiling, which meant he approved of her guest, whoever it was. “Those kiddies give you a rough time today, honey?” Robert asked with a benevolent smile as he got to his feet to greet her with a hug and a kiss. “No, Daddy. They were pretty good today. We had a jacket problem; two of my little girls were fighting over the same jacket, each of them claiming it was hers. So, we looked and looked and finally found another pink jacket shoved into the one child’s satchel. They were both pink, but one was trimmed in white and the other in pink. I’ll have to remember that just in case it happens again.” Robert chuckled. “Teaching school is a lot harder than I thought it would be, honey.”

“I enjoy it, Daddy,” she told him once again. “You said I have a guest?” she asked, trying to see around him and into the living room. “Yes, honey. Come on in.” Robert stood aside and allowed her to walk into the room. He was planning to keep himself right there in his favorite chair and listen to whatever conversation the young people had. His Abby-Gail hadn’t shared one thing about that trial, and his father’s intuition told him that she was deeply upset over things. He hoped that this John Oakes would shed some light on whatever was wrong with his little girl. “Miss Turner,” John stood respectfully when she entered the room. “I wondered if we might have a word or two together…?” Abigail felt the first flushing of what she referred to as the ‘Big Reds’. It was an explosive temper tantrum, full of rage and anger, and while she didn’t have them often, when she did explode she was full of anger from her toes to the ends of her flaming red hair. Without pausing for even a second to consider her actions, or the possible consequences, she drew back her hand and slapped John Oakes as hard as she could right across his face before turning on her heel and running from the room. John felt a fiery pain consume his cheek, even as he heard Robert calling after his daughter and telling her to “get your fanny right back here!” His answer was the slamming of a door and Robert turned to look at John questioningly. “What the hell is this all about, boy? I’ve never seen my Abigail behave like that… not without a damn good reason…? You’d best start talking.” John could see the man was angry and struggling to stay calm. It was obvious Robert was embarrassed that his daughter struck John, but he also wanted an explanation from the younger man. “I can explain, sir. Abigail is entitled to her temper.” “She is?” Robert’s eyes narrowed angrily. “Yes, sir. As you know, we were both on the jury. I’m not sure what Abigail has told you…?” “Not one damn thing,” Robert stated, giving him a look that would have had a weaker man squirming. John met his gaze and spoke softly. “Sir, Abigail was the only one of us who thought Willie was innocent of murder. We took several votes and she wouldn’t give over in spite of the pressure the other jurors, including myself, put on her to change her vote to guilty. She told us she didn’t think Willie was guilty and she explained why.” His other cheek turned red with embarrassment, even as he had to struggle to keep from rubbing the fiery imprint of her hand on his left cheek.

With only male arrogance to explain myself, I decided that she was just being a stubborn little girl and I judged her wrongly and decided to change her mind for her.” “You put a lot of pressure on my girl?” Robert demanded. “Yes, sir. To be completely honest with you, I sneaked into Abigail’s hotel room and gave her a sound spanking and promised her that if she didn’t stop being so stubborn, I would spank her again. Then we found out that we were all wrong and little Abigail was right. I tried to get to her that day to apologize, but she got away before I could. Since then I haven’t been able to get her off my mind. I owe her an apology, and that is why I came here. I was afraid she’d tell me to get lost before I could say ‘sorry’ and ask her forgiveness, and I got exactly what I had coming.” “At least you didn’t lose your temper and go after her,” Robert stated matter-of-factly. “No, but I will be honest and tell you that while I had that slap coming to me, I won’t permit her to do it again.” “You still want to apologize to the girl?” Robert asked curiously. “Yes, sir. It is the right thing to do.” ***** Abigail was angry with herself for losing control as she had. Instead of slapping John Oakes she should have told him what a sorry human being he was! In the six weeks since the trial she hadn’t been able to forget about him… and the despicable way he treated her. She’d imagined him crawling to her and begging her forgiveness… a forgiveness that she was determined to deny him. Now that he had actually come to seek her out, she’d allowed her temper to run amok. She’d behaved like the little girl he thought she was, and that made her feel terrible. He’d caught her completely unaware. Abigail cried until she couldn’t make another tear, and then she scrubbed her face. Now she was going to have to explain herself to her father, and she was already wondering why he hadn’t come upstairs to demand an explanation of her outlandish behavior. In fact, she would be lucky if her parent didn’t decide to punish her for slapping the aggravating man. Her father did not approve of unladylike behavior. “Abigail, I expect you downstairs in thirty minutes for dinner.” She heard her father’s voice call from downstairs and knew that she had to comply.

“Yes, Daddy,” she replied. She made sure she dressed in an outfit that made her appear older than her years. She didn’t want her parent to think he could still punish her… and she didn’t want to discuss what happened with John Oakes. She didn’t want her father upset. Still, she was going to have to come up with some sort of explanation for her fiery temper. Just one more thing to be upset with John Oakes over!

Chapter Four

John didn’t know why he’d permitted Robert Turner to convince him to stay and give Abigail another chance to accept his apology, but the man convinced him that his daughter was probably regretting slapping him and would want to express her apologies for doing so. John agreed to stay for dinner, but he wasn’t looking forward to the moment that the little redhead found out he was joining them. With her temper he would be lucky if she didn’t slap his other cheek, and if she did that, he was going to give her a spanking that made the other one look like love pats! His face still burned and ached, and a slow itch was starting to drive him mad with a need to rub his face, which he couldn’t do in front of her father. It was more than a little difficult to sit there and keep up a conversation with the man while he was in pain. Meeting Abigail’s mother was a treat. She was a gracious lady, and even though she’d never met him before, she seemed excited to have John join them for dinner. John was almost relaxed by the time he heard Abigail’s footsteps on the stairway off the entrance hall. He noted that she was downstairs in the thirty minutes her father gave her and he smiled. She was obedient to her father and he liked that in a woman. It meant that she would be obedient to her husband as well. He didn’t want to be married to a clingy woman, but he did want a wife who would show him the same respect he would show her. Of course, he wasn’t considering marriage at this time in his life, but if he was, Abigail Turner would make a lovely wife… provided he could teach her to control her temper. Abigail entered the living room, fully prepared to make an explanation of sorts to her father, but when she saw John Oakes was still there she looked at her father in surprise. “Daddy, why is that man still here?” she demanded in a tone that was far sharper than she normally used to speak to the elderly man. “Watch your tone, Missy,” Robert said, frowning. “I have never tolerated disrespect and I don’t intend to start now. Is that clear, young lady?” he demanded.

“Yes, Daddy. I’m sorry for speaking like that to you. I was just surprised to see Mr. Oakes was still here. I would have thought you would send him away.” “Honey, the man came here to make an apology. I think you should hear him out.” Robert saw her green eyes narrow in displeasure and he quickly added, “It takes a lot of courage for a man to own up to his mistakes, Abby-Gail. John told me what he did, and while I don’t approve at all, I do respect him for coming here to own up to his mistake and ask your forgiveness. I wish you would listen to the man and give him a chance.” “Dinner is on the table,” Millicent announced, inviting them to come and sit down. “Abigail, please escort our guest to the table.” She took her husband’s arm and left the two young people behind. “Abby, I really am sorry. Can we make peace for now and I’ll apologize properly after dinner?” John asked, watching her eyes for any sign that she was planning to slap him again. “I really don’t want to upset your Mother. She is a sweet lady.” Abigail couldn’t argue with that. She nodded. “We’ll call a truce until dinner is over, and then I want you to leave.” “We’ll see,” he said with a smile that melted her toes. He offered her his arm and to his surprise, she actually placed her arm through his and allowed him to escort her to the dining room. John had been raised with good manners, and he pulled out Abigail’s chair to seat her. Abigail wanted to protest and tell John to just leave her alone, but both her parents were looking at her and expected her to demonstrate the good manners she was raised with. If she made a scene now, after her father’s directive to listen to John, he would be very disappointed with her. She took her seat and quietly thanked John, then watched as he walked around the table to take his seat, which was right across from her. “I hope you enjoy pot roast, John?” Millicent asked politely. “It’s one of Robert’s favorite meals and we have it often.” “I love pot roast,” John said, more relieved than he cared to admit that they weren’t having something he’d never seen before. He didn’t want to make a complete fool of himself by having to ask what he was eating. “The carrots and potatoes and onions are from our garden,” Robert bragged a bit. “Food just tastes better when you grow it yourself.”

“I agree,” John answered, again surprised to learn that the wealthy family ate as simply as he did. Once Millicent stopped fussing and took her own seat, Robert said grace, and John would have smiled if it wouldn’t have been rude. He did raise his eyes to see how Abigail was taking the pointed message and prayer that was for her benefit on the rewards of forgiveness. Her green eyes were snapping and her cheeks were tinged red with anger and embarrassment at her father’s words. Robert kept it short; he didn’t like cold food. “Let’s eat!” he announced with boyish enthusiasm, and as usual, he made it his business to learn everything he could about every detail of his family’s life. “How did your meeting go, Milli?” he asked. “Just fine, dear. Irma Watson couldn’t make it, however. Her daughter is having her little one and she went to Cheyenne to be with her.” “I’m sure you handled everything just fine without her.” Robert had supreme confidence in his wife. “We decided to do a quilt raffle and a bake sale, Robert. I told the ladies that I would ask and see if you would donate the materials needed for the quilt…?” Millicent looked at him expectantly. “You get whatever you need, Milli. It’s for a good cause,” Robert replied, winking at his lovely wife. She always made him feel special. “Thank you, darling. The ladies will be thrilled. I’ll call Jane and Harriet in the morning and we’ll set a time to go to pick out what we need.” “Don’t worry over the cost, Milli. Do it up proud so that you sell lots of tickets,” Robert advised. He earned himself another of her special smiles, and then he turned to his too-quiet daughter. “How was your day, Abby-Gail?” “It was fine, Daddy,” Abigail answered politely. “That’s it? You usually tell us something that you did,” Robert commented with a frown. “I’m just getting used to all those kids and I like hearing about their comments and such. What about that little Cindy…? What did she do today?” he demanded. “Cindy was absent, Daddy. Chicken pox are sweeping through the school. Cindy is the first and tomorrow there will probably be one or two more.”

“Has Abby-Gail had those, Milli? I don’t want her getting sick from those kids!” “She had them when she was in the first grade, Robert. It’s a perfectly normal thing,” she soothed him. “Well, if you are sure,” he rather dubiously replied. John couldn’t help himself, he chuckled, drawing the attention of every person in the dining room. “What is so funny?” Robert asked. “I just had a mental picture of you going to the school and fighting off the chicken pox, sir.” John grinned widely, and to his surprise he heard Abigail giggle. “It’s true, Daddy. You are so overprotective of me. It is very sweet, however,” she added, lest Robert’s feelings be hurt. “You don’t need to worry about the chicken pox or the mumps or measles. I’ve had them all, and I will be fine. However, the chalk dust when the children bang the blackboard erasers together is going to do me in one of these days! I can’t breathe when they do that!” “Well, just send them outside to do that!” Robert scolded. “More pot roast, John?” he offered, passing the platter that was still more than half full. “Yes, please,” John decided to enjoy the meal. It was as good as his Mom used to make and he certainly missed her cooking. “How is your farm doing?” Robert asked conversationally. “Do you expect a good crop this year?” “I think so, barring rotten weather. The yield on the corn is good. What hurts is the weather; the price is lower when there is too much moisture in the corn.” Abigail listened to the two men discuss farming and she was surprised that her father knew so much about raising crops and animals, and then she recalled that he grew up tending to such as a boy. It was obvious that her father truly liked John Oakes, and she was smart enough to realize it was because John was honest with him and told him the truth about what happened while they were on the jury together. Robert Turner respected honesty and the truth.

She was forced to admit that John was handsome when she caught herself staring at him once again. His deep voice suited him, too. He also had good table manners, and Abigail feared that both her parents were starting to have ideas of matchmaking and she was going to nip that nonsense in the bud. She knew what the man was really like; he believed in spanking grown women, which was reprehensible at best! John enjoyed the meal, even though he wished that Abigail would talk more. She managed to avoid joining in unless directly spoken to, and then her replies were short and to the point. Her father raised his eyebrow at her in obvious disapproval once or twice and her mother tried to make up for her daughter’s lack of grace by doing her best to speak for her. John thought Abigail needed a smack on her cute little butt, and then he reminded himself that spanking her was exactly what earned him the redhead’s displeasure in the first place! Once dinner was over Robert said, “I’ll help you with these dishes, Milli, while Abigail takes her guest into the living room and settles this matter between the two of them. Girl, you keep a tight hold on your temper. When you belted John earlier I thought for a minute I was going to have to save you. Now that I know the young man better I don’t think I’d stop him from paddling you good and proper if you swung on him again.” “Daddy!” Abigail was shocked at his words. “Robert!” Millicent was just as shocked. “Milli, we’ll discuss this in private, honey. It’s time we let Abby-Gail handle this one on her own. Now come along with me,” he bossed as he gathered an armful of dishes and headed for the kitchen. “Abby,” John said to get her attention as he offered her his arm. He doubted she would have taken it if she hadn’t been so shocked at her Daddy’s words, but she did and he walked her into the living room and seated her on the sofa before sitting beside her. “I made an unforgiveable mistake, Abby. I knew as soon as the Judge told us of Willie’s innocence that I wronged you, and I’ve spent the last six weeks regretting my arrogance. It took one little girl to see what eleven men couldn’t, and while I know this will be hard for you to believe, I was trying in my own way to protect you from the other ten. I thought that changing your mind to the ‘right’ verdict was in your best interests. I was wrong. I don’t think I will ever be so pigheaded again in my life. I am sorry, Abby, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me someday.” “You wouldn’t have dared to treat a man the way you did me… and just because I am a female.” “That is true.” He didn’t bother to argue with her.

“Why? Why did you think it acceptable to do that? What did I say or do to deserve punishment?” Her green eyes were full of hurt and John reached out to take her hand before saying, “I was guilty of making judgments about you, Abigail. Judgments that weren’t true. I thought that since your family is wealthy that you would be spoiled. I thought you were enjoying holding all of us hostage, and if we thought that Willie was innocent, you would have voted guilty… I was wrong about that, too. You were doing your job as a juror and trying to tell the rest of us why we were wrong. A couple of those men had Willie labeled guilty before they heard evidence, just because of his color. I thought he was guilty because of the witness. You were the only one to pick up on the fact that the man doesn’t see well. I wish I wouldn’t have been so sure I was right, Abby. I also wish I wouldn’t have assumed that you were playing all of us for fools. I’m not proud of myself.” Abigail nodded. It was easy to see that John was being sincere. Why else would he come here when he certainly didn’t have to do so? “Thank you for coming and telling me all of that, John. I’ve been pretty upset over the whole situation.” “With good reason,” he said quietly. “Would you permit me to take you out to dinner and a movie Saturday night to make up in a small way for misjudging you, Abby?” Abigail was surprised at the jolt of pleasure she felt at the invitation. She certainly didn’t go out much, and this was one time she actually wanted to go. “I would like that, John,” she shyly agreed. “Good. I’ll pick you up at six.” He got to his feet and said, “I want to thank your Mother for dinner, but then I need to get home and check on the animals.” Abigail walked him to the kitchen and he thanked Millicent for the wonderful dinner, and shook her father’s hand and told him it was nice meeting him. Once John was gone Robert demanded, “Well, Abby-Gail…? Did you give the man a chance to tell you how sorry he is?” Millicent shook her head and smiled, but it was obvious she wanted to know the answer, too, so she didn’t scold her husband. “Yes, Daddy. You were right,” Abigail admitted. “John feels bad over what happened.”

“He didn’t know that you weren’t raised to be like that, honey,” Robert said kindly. “I wish you would have shared what happened with your Mama and me.” “You would have wanted to punch him in the nose,” Abigail told her father, grinning at him. “I sure would have,” Robert admitted, winking at her, and then chuckling when Millicent gasped. “I’m real proud of you, honey. It isn’t easy to let go of anger, especially when you have a right to be mad as hell. Where’d you learn to hit like that? I thought you broke his jaw for a bit there.” “I’ve never struck anyone like that before, Daddy, and I didn’t know I was going to do it then. I suppose I will need to apologize for that when I see John again.” “You’re going to see the young man again, dear?” Millicent asked with a hopeful smile. “He asked me out to dinner and a movie this Saturday night. I said I would go.” She looked at her father, “I hope that is alright with you, Daddy?” “Sure it is, honey. I like that young man just fine.” “I need to get my classes prepared for tomorrow, but I’ll come down for hot chocolate later… Unless you two wish to be alone?” she asked. “You’d better come down here and join us, young lady,” Robert said gruffly, but then he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “If you need help with them lessons, come on down and we’ll come up with something to keep them kids occupied.” “Thanks, Daddy.” Abigail couldn’t concentrate on preparing her lessons. Her mind was totally focused on John Oakes. It was amazing how angry she was earlier, and positive she would never feel anything but shame over the way he’d treated her. Now she knew that he regretted his behavior, too. She was amazed that he didn’t make excuses, or blame her in some way. He admitted he’d made assumptions that weren’t true. It felt wonderful to be vindicated, and she was happy that he’d asked her to go out with him on Saturday night. The man really was handsome, and she felt he was the first man who asked her out because he wanted to do so, and not because her Daddy suggested it, or because she was set to inherit a fortune. It would be nice to spend some time with John that wasn’t pressured.

John was looking up at his ceiling and smiling. It had been a long time since he’d asked a girl out on a date. Best of all, Abby acted like she was excited at the idea of spending some time with him. She was pretty as could be, and nothing at all like he thought she would be. For that matter, her parents were down to earth people, too. Robert Turner wouldn’t raise a spoiled brat for a daughter any more than John would. He had a feeling that it was going to be a long time until Saturday evening arrived.

Chapter Five

John was right on time to pick Abigail up, and he was impressed when she didn’t keep him waiting. He did his best not to smile when Robert announced that he would be waiting up for her to get home, and John promised he would have her home at an acceptable hour. That seemed to satisfy Robert, but once they were outside the front door, Abigail apologized. “I am so sorry about Daddy. He is hopelessly old-fashioned.” “Yes, but he loves you, and that is what is important. I don’t mind being warned to be respectful and have you home at a decent time.” “I’m really not a child,” she insisted. “No, you aren’t. A child would have thrown a fit. You accept your father and you permit him to care for you in the little ways he can. You give him your respect, and that is admirable, Abby.” “Thank you, John.” She looked at him and said, “It is nice to know that you understand. Daddy was so upset when I was picked for jury duty because he didn’t feel it was something a lady should do, especially a young unmarried woman. He had a fit, and the only reason he permitted me to do it was because a Judge friend of ours assured Daddy that if I didn’t show up I would be arrested and put in jail. He came with me every day in case I needed him,” she said with a smile. “He loves you and simply wants to protect you.” “He was afraid I wouldn’t understand some of the more sordid aspects of the trial, but I’m not ignorant. I just don’t want to upset him by fussing at him. He’s not a young man.” “I understand,” he assured her as he opened his car door. “Oh, this is a nice car. I thought you drove a truck?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I have a car, too,” he said with a smile. “I thought you might prefer riding in it over my pickup.” “Things like that don’t bother me, John. I wasn’t raised to value people by their things. Daddy sure wasn’t raised that way, and neither was Mama.” “Neither were my folks,” he told her. “Are they still living?” she asked, and then listened as John talked about his family. He had several siblings, and she laughed as he talked about them and brought them to life for her. “I always wanted brothers and sisters,” she said wistfully, as they were arriving at the restaurant. “Do you like Italian food?” John asked. “I do.” She nodded, looking forward to a good meal. “I’ve never been here before.” John was surprised at that. He figured she’d probably eaten in every nice place in town. “Why haven’t you been here before?” he asked. “Daddy doesn’t like to eat out. He loves Mama’s cooking, so we eat at home most of the time,” she explained. “This is a real treat for me.” John was pleased to see her so obviously excited. He took her hand in his and they went inside. The hostess showed them to a nice table, and then a waiter came to ask if they would like to order wine. John asked if she had a preference and she told him to order whatever he liked. He smiled and ordered. It wasn’t long before they were enjoying their wine while waiting for their salads. “If you haven’t eaten much today, Abby, go slow with the wine. I wouldn’t want to take you home even a bit tipsy and have to face Robert.” Abigail giggled. “This is the very first time I’ve tried wine, Robert. I like it,” she announced, taking another sip. “I’ll wait a bit before having any more, however. I wouldn’t want to face Daddy a bit tipsy, either.” “I learned to like wine when I was stationed overseas during the war.” “Was it terrible for you, John?” she asked, reaching over to touch his hand in concern.

“It wasn’t pretty, Abby. I saw some things I will never forget. I also made a few good friends. I feel honored that I was able to serve my country and stand up for my beliefs. I wouldn’t want to do it again, though.” “Do you have nightmares?” she asked with sympathy. “Occasionally.” He looked at her and admitted, “The night that I came into your hotel room and realized how badly I frightened you at first set off a few nights of bad dreams. I felt so bad for scaring you in that manner. No woman should ever suffer that, Abby. I hope you know I meant that with all my heart…?” “You reassured me,” she told him. “I believed you when you said that wasn’t your intention.” “Good. You will always be safe with me, Abby.” His dark brown eyes were warm and she realized that she did feel safe with him. She wasn’t nervous at all, and it was a new feeling for her. She never knew if a man asked her out because he really liked her, or if he liked her Daddy’s money. She didn’t have that feeling with John Oakes. Their salads arrived and they enjoyed eating and talking of everything under the sun. John found her charming and witty, and Abigail found him intelligent and interesting. The meal was over much too quickly for both of them, and John was glad he’d asked her to attend a movie after dinner. He wasn’t anxious for the evening to end just yet. Abigail was pleased when he asked which movie she would rather see. She was used to men who made the decision and then acted as though she should be grateful that he asked her to attend; John wasn’t like that. He genuinely wanted her to have a good time, too. When she gave him an honest answer, he agreed with her choice by simply saying, “I prefer that one, too.” So, they went to see An American in Paris. John surprised Abigail by singing in her ear when the musical numbers started. He had a great voice, and she enjoyed spending time with him. “I know I promised to have you home early, but I don’t feel as though the evening should be over. I’ve had a great time, Abby, and I would like to see you again, if you are willing…?” “I would like that too, John… Very much,” she replied, and he bent down and gave her a gentle kiss. “I know you aren’t the type of girl who kisses on the first date, but I’ve wanted to do that all evening. I’m not sorry, either.”

His dark eyes were sparkling and Abigail felt herself grinning. “I’m not sorry, either, John,” she shyly admitted. John reluctantly drove her home. Her father had left the light on, and John could see him looking out the pulled aside curtain. “I’ll walk you to the door, Abby.” He got out of the car and walked around to open the car door for her. He was pleased when she placed her small hand in his. “Would you like to come inside for coffee… or hot chocolate...?” she offered. “It is a nighttime ritual for us, and I am positive that Daddy would welcome you.” “I’d like that very much,” John agreed. He was happy that Abby was no more eager to see the evening end than he was. Abigail opened the door and her father was right there. “Daddy, were you spying on me?” she asked, exasperated. “Yes.” Robert told the truth. “I was worried about the two of you getting into it.” “Don’t worry, sir,” John said solemnly. “I can hold my own!” Robert looked at him in amazement, and then he started laughing. From that night forward John was a frequent visitor in their home. He and Abigail were officially going steady, and he had every intention of asking her to marry him… after he asked Robert’s permission, of course. The man was old-fashioned and he expected that courtesy. John admired Robert and he didn’t feel it was wrong to have to ask for Robert’s daughter’s hand. Abby was worth having the talk with her father. John also knew that Robert wouldn’t agree unless he was satisfied they’d dated long enough, and he hoped that Valentine’s Day would work for Robert. John already had the ring, and he couldn’t wait to put it on her finger. Abigail was growing impatient; she thought John would propose by now, but so far he hadn’t even hinted that he was thinking along those lines. She knew that she was in love with the man, and she wanted his declaration of love in return. Each time they went out, she hoped that it would be the time he proposed to her and put an engagement ring on her finger. She wanted to get married. It was Valentine’s Day, and John didn’t even ask her out to dinner! He did ask if she would be home and mentioned he might come by. Abigail was of a mind not to be there if he did come! She didn’t like to be taken for granted. She forced a smile on her face for the children’s Valentine’s Party and she made sure to ooh and ahhh over each Valentine the children gave her.

The contest for the decorated boxes went well, and Abigail was pleased with the party the room mothers threw for the class. They had games with prizes, and snacks that made the children very happy. Abigail enjoyed the party, and after the children went home for the day she took the time to clean the icing from the cupcakes off the tops of the desks. She knew the janitor would sweep and mop, but he seldom wiped the surface of the desks, and the children were very messy when it came to eating cupcakes! ***** John was nervous. He simply didn’t know how Robert would react; in his eyes Abigail was a little girl. She would be twenty-two in August, and Robert hoped they could be married then. It would be a six month engagement, but knowing how old-fashioned Robert was, he would probably insist on a yearlong engagement before he would allow Abigail to marry. He squared his shoulders and rang the doorbell. “Hello, John. Abigail is still at school,” Millicent told him, giving him one of her special smiles. “I came to speak to Robert, if he is free…?” he replied. “Yes, of course. Come inside. Robert is in the kitchen. He is fixing a special dinner for tonight. He does it every year for Valentine’s Day, and I am always surprised,” she confided. “Go on into the kitchen, dear. Help yourself to a soda if you wish.” “Thank you, Millicent.” He walked into the kitchen and found Robert chopping vegetables. “Hello, sir,” he said. “Hello, John. You’re here early today.” “Yes, I am. I wanted to speak with you before Abby gets home from school.” “Is something wrong?” Robert asked without taking his eyes off what he was doing. “No, sir. I want to ask your permission to ask Abby to marry me. I love her, and I promise you that I will take good care of her for the rest of our lives.” “I wondered when you would come asking, John. I think you will make a good husband for my little girl. She’s in love with you,” he added, blinking his eyes to hide the tears he felt were unmanly. “Her Mama and I will be pleased to have you in our family.” He wiped his hand on the apron he was wearing around his ample middle, and then he offered it to John. John shook hands and then grinned happily.

“Don’t look so happy. Knowing my Abby-Gail, she’s going to give you some grief, just like her Mama gave me.” “What? Are you talking about Millicent?” John was truly shocked. “She’s so sweet!” “Sure she is, but she had to test me a bit in the beginning.” “How so, if it isn’t too personal?” Robert resumed chopping the sweet pepper. “The little darling did something I forbid her to do. Then she sassed me and told me I wasn’t her boss. I put my hand to her bottom until she was promising never to do it again. Now, I don’t think a man should beat on a woman, but if she won’t settle down with a scolding and then dares you like Milli dared me, you have to make your point. A spanking works wonders, and it don’t harm. When I saw you control your temper when Abigail struck you, I was impressed. When I heard that you’d spanked her for what you thought was stubbornness, and in an effort to keep her from making those others mad at her, I knew you were the right kind of man for my girl. She won’t run your life, but you will treat her well and keep her safe. I think that is important, son. So far my girl has been on her best behavior; once you two are engaged, she is going to find a way to push your buttons. Mark my words. Are you taking her out tonight?” Robert abruptly changed the subject. “I planned to, sir.” “Good. I want to have a romantic evening with my woman,” he growled, and then laughed outright when John chuckled. Abigail was surprised to learn that John was at the house waiting for her to get home from school. “I’m here to sweep you off your feet and kidnap you,” he told her, then picked her up and put her in his pickup truck before she could say a word. “Where are we going?” Abigail asked when he headed down the driveway. “It’s a secret,” John replied with a grin. “John, it’s a week night and I have school work to do.”

“Abigail, it is Valentine’s Day and school can wait until tomorrow.” His voice was kind but firm. “I don’t think so, John. You can’t just come up with some last minute plans and expect me to go along with them.” “Last minute plans? Is that what you think?” “YES!” she declared, her temper taking control of her mouth. “Not once have you mentioned doing anything special for Valentine’s Day. You didn’t even realize it was Valentine’s Day until you heard it on the radio today or read it in the paper!” “That isn’t true, honey. I only wanted to surprise you.” “Baloney! Take me home, John. I have other plans for tonight.” John kept on driving. “Did you hear me? I said to take me home.” “I’m not taking you home, honey. Now settle down and stop trying to spoil the evening.” The little redhead glared at him with her flaming green eyes and before he could stop her she opened the door of the truck, planning to jump out. He grabbed her arm just in time as he slammed on the brake and the clutch. “What do you think you are doing, little girl?” he yelled at her. “I told you to take me home, and since you won’t, I decided to walk!” She glared at him defiantly, but she was remembering the last time she’d seen that same look of determination in his dark eyes. He was going to spank her again, and she knew it!

Chapter Six

“You need your butt spanked until you can’t sit down, Abigail Louise Turner!” “I’m a grown woman!” “Only when it suits you, Abby, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow you to take a risk like that and get away with it.” He shut off the truck, and then got out to stomp around to the other side. Before he could get there, Abigail opened the door on her side and took off running. She knew that if John got his hands on her he was going to spank her until her bottom was burning,

and she didn’t want that to happen. She didn’t know why she’d behaved like such a brat, but she wasn’t about to face the consequences he had planned. “Don’t you dare try to run from me, Abigail!” John called after her, and he took off running, catching her his only thought. He was shocked to learn how fast she could run and she put some real effort into evading him. Abigail knew for a fact that she couldn’t keep up the fast pace for long. She was out of practice, and John was steadily gaining on her. She saw his barn in the distance and thought that if she could reach the barn she could hide from him until he calmed down. She gave a spurt of energy and ran even faster. “Abby, you are making the spanking you’re going to get that much longer and harder by running from me,” John called out. She still didn’t stop running, and John realized she was heading for the barn. Once she went inside she would be trapped. He followed her at a much slower pace, and then he shut the door and barred it. Little Abby wasn’t going anywhere until he said so. He turned on his heel and slowly walked back to where his truck was parked at the end of the road, and then he climbed inside and drove it up to the barn. For the life of him John didn’t know what got into the redhead. She’d ruined his plans, and he was going to spank her for that, too. Abigail was hiding up in the haymow. He couldn’t possibly see her up there and she would hide until it was safe for her to run from the barn. She didn’t know why she’d behaved all snippy. It wasn’t her normal way of behaving. It was just that she felt as though John was taking her for granted. He’d done nothing at all to tell her she was special on this day, and she had every right to be upset with him! The door suddenly opened and John filled the doorway, his hands on his hips. “Abby, I know you’re hiding in here, and I know you’re in for a good spanking. You can make it easier on both of us by coming down that ladder and facing me like a grown woman who knows she’s done something dangerous and foolish. By the time I’m finished spanking you, Abby, you will never again pull a stunt like that one. Do you know how serious your injuries your injuries would have been if you’d jumped, Abby? You could have been killed, and for what? A snit because I didn’t do things the way you expected them done…? I was trying to surprise you, young lady. But instead of having a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, we’ll be having us a sound spanking.” While he’d been talking John had taken off his coat and had been rolling up his shirt sleeves and Abby felt her hands shaking even though the day was very warm for February. She wanted to

beg him not to spank her but she feared he wouldn’t listen to her. “You know it was all your fault, John. I told you to take me home. I don’t like being a last minute thought!” “I told you that wasn’t the way of it, Abigail. Now come down the ladder.” “I’m afraid to.” “You’re afraid of heights?” he asked, prepared to go and bring her down if he needed to. “No, I’m afraid of you when you are like this! You’ve already spanked me once, remember, and I forgave you! Now you want to do it again? Noooo! You really hurt me the last time.” “It won’t hurt as much as losing a leg or an arm because you jumped from a truck doing a good forty miles an hour,” he told her matter-of-factly. “I’m sorry, John. Please don’t punish me with a spanking. I don’t think I could forgive you a second time.” John was through talking. He started up the ladder, and he heard Abby scrambling to hide. “There isn’t any place to hide up here, little girl. Come on out and face the music.” She didn’t answer. She was hoping he would go in the opposite direction to look for her so she could slide down the ladder and escape. To her surprise he didn’t notice as she’d moved to the other side while he was on the ladder. He went to where she’d been hiding, and while his back was to her, Abigail hurried to the ladder and scurried down. Then she used strength she didn’t know she had to knock the ladder to the floor, trapping John in the hayloft. “You come back here, minx,” John called after the little redhead. “I’m sorry, but I can’t!” she cried out. As he was making his way down the rope that was tied to one of the rafters, he heard the gears grind in his truck and he realized that Abigail was trying to drive! The little fool was going to get herself killed and probably do in his truck in the process! He took off running as he saw gravel flying as she hurried to get away. Abigail was relieved to reach the driveway of her home and she flew in the door and ran to the kitchen in search of her parents. She found her father first. “Daddy! Help me!” she pleaded with him, running behind him to hide as she heard John’s running footsteps in the large entryway. “John is going to kill me!” she exaggerated. “Here now, what is going on?” Robert asked as John came running in the kitchen.

“Sir, I am about to give your daughter the spanking of her life,” John stated, and the look in his dark eyes told the older man that he wasn’t just exaggerating. “Little girl, what did you do?” Robert pulled Abby out from where she was hiding behind him. “I told John to bring me home and he refused. He got angry with me and threatened to spank me! I told him ‘no’ and he has been chasing me ever since. I finally escaped and drove myself home!” “You were behind the wheel of a car when you don’t know how to drive?” Robert was aghast at the news. “What were you thinking, girl?” “I was escaping, Daddy! He was threatening me!” “Tell your Dad why I was planning to spank you, Abigail.” “No!” she refused. “Then I’ll tell him. Sir, your daughter threw a fit when I refused to turn the truck around and bring her home; she opened the door while I was driving about forty miles per hour on a gravel road, and if I hadn’t grabbed her when I did, she would have jumped out of the truck. She was having a bratty tantrum, and she earned herself a damned good spanking.” “See, Daddy! He admits it! Please make him leave.” Robert looked at his daughter, love in his eyes. “You’re right, honey. John needs to leave, and he needs to take you with him. You earned a spanking and I’m not going to protect you from John. And if he doesn’t do a proper job of it, and make you sorry for driving his truck, I promise I’ll take a hairbrush to you myself. Now go and don’t you two come back until you have this sorted out.” “But, Daddy…!” “Girl, I mean what I said. Now you get your tail on out of here. If you ruin my romantic evening with your Mama I’m going to be real upset.” John took her by the arm and ushered her out into the cooling air. He picked her up and sat her on the seat of the truck with a thump. “Do not move, young lady, or that spanking will happen here and now in this old pickup.”

“John, please…! You are frightening me. Please don’t be so upset. I didn’t know you were making plans for today and I felt… neglected. When you showed up and kidnapped me, I was already convinced that you didn’t even know it was Valentine’s Day. The other teachers got flowers today, or had plans to go out to dinner. My feelings were hurt.” “So you decided it would be alright to behave as a spoiled brat and throw a tantrum? And when that didn’t get you the kind of attention you wanted you tried to throw yourself out of a moving vehicle! Listen to the transmission in this truck, young lady!” he added in disgust. “I’m sorry, John,” she wailed. “Please forgive me. Please! I don’t want you to spank me! Not again! I’m so sorry.” John said nothing, but he kept an eye on her lest she attempted to unlock the door again. He also drove slower for the same reason, but this time Abigail kept her hands folded in her lap. When they arrived at his farm he parked in front of the barn. “We’ll settle this matter inside the barn since that is where you ran and hid.” Abigail was very upset; with John, with her Daddy, but most of all, she was upset with herself. She’d acted like an immature brat. When John explained that he was trying to surprise her, she should have taken him at his word. He’d never once lied to her. John was a man who owned his mistakes, and if he’d waited until the last second to plan something for Valentine’s Day, he would have admitted it, and asked her pardon. She’d allowed her temper to get her in serious trouble with him, and he was going to take her to task for it. The truck door opened on her side and John reached for her hand. He wasn’t rough with her, but he was determined that she was going to go along with him. She knew better than resist, so she allowed him to take her from the truck and pull her along with him as he marched her into the barn. “I can’t see!” she exclaimed, suddenly realizing how dark and cold it was now that the sun had gone down. “Stand right here and I’ll light the lantern.” It was dark, and John should have thought of that before he brought her into the barn, but this is where she ran earlier, and where she should have accepted the spanking she earned. He found the lantern right where it was supposed to be, and he struck a match and lit it, taking care not to knock it over or to drop the match. When he could afford it, he was going to wire the barn with electricity. He glanced over at Abby, and she was standing still, but shivering. It was cold in the barn, but she wouldn’t be cold long. John decided to give the young woman a much needed lesson in obedience and in accepting the consequences of her actions. He took a seat on the bench he used when he did his larger

carvings and didn’t want the shavings inside the house making a huge mess. “Come over here, Abigail.” To his surprise she walked over to where he sat, but she stayed just out of reach unless he lunged to grab her. “John, I am sorry for the way I behaved. I was feeling sorry for myself because you hadn’t mentioned having special plans for tonight. I was being a big baby. I’m sorry.” “Okay,” he said, nodding. “Do you have anything else to say?” It was her turn to nod next. “I’m sorry I lost my temper in the truck. When I get angry I’m not always reasonable. Trying to jump out of the truck was stupid. I’m sorry I frightened you, and I won’t ever do that again.” She raised her eyes for just a second to look at him, and then she looked down again. “I’m not sorry I ran and hid from you, however. You were so furious that I was afraid. You have no clue how much you hurt me the other time you spanked me. I bruise very easily, and I was sore for over a week. I didn’t want you to do that to me again! I know I shouldn’t have taken your truck. It was against the law, too. I won’t do that again, either. I promise. I’m sorry, John. I should have trusted you, and I feel terrible that I didn’t.” John could see that she truly was sorry. “I’m proud of you for thinking things through, honey. We’ll get the spanking over with now and then we’ll enjoy the rest of the evening. Take off your coat and then pull up your skirt and lie over my lap.” “I’m cold, John! Can’t we go inside where it’s warm?” she asked hopefully. “No, Abby. We could have had this over with earlier if you hadn’t run away from me twice. Now we’ll do things the right way. Take off your coat. I promise you won’t be cold long.” “Please, John… I am truly sorry!” “I know you are sorry, honey. But actions have consequences, and it is time for you to accept the ones you earned. No more stalling or this punishment is going to get much worse.” Abigail felt tears sting her eyes, but she knew there was no point in making matters worse. She unbuttoned her coat and removed it. John held out his hand and she gave it to him. He put it on the bench and then looked at her. Her cheeks turned scarlet at the very thought of pulling up her skirt. John had shown her nothing but respect while they were dating, and turning up her skirt was nothing short of embarrassing. “Abby, I won’t spank you over that heavy wool skirt. You wouldn’t feel a thing. Pull it up and lie over my lap, or I’m going to take down your panties and spank you on the bare.” The look of

horror in her eyes would have been amusing under other circumstances, but it only reminded him of how serious this spanking was in terms of their future. John had to set the tone right now and let Abigail know that he wouldn’t tolerate tantrums of the sort she’d had earlier. He wouldn’t enjoy making her cry in pain, but the little redhead needed a spanking that she wouldn’t soon forget. He loved her too much to let her off easy. They could have a good marriage, provided he stood firm right now. Abigail truly wanted to run, but she knew she couldn’t do that again. It was her own fault that she was getting a spanking and she had no choice right now but to accept the punishment with as much grace as she could summon. “This is very embarrassing, John, and if I didn’t love you so much I would never agree to do this.” John nodded in acceptance. “If I didn’t love you so much I wouldn’t put either of us through this spanking. I would just take you home to your father and never see you again. I won’t enjoy punishing you, honey, but when you act like this now… or ten years from now, this is how I will react to the situation. It’s time to get this done.” His voice was firm and Abigail knew she was only going to make it much worse if she didn’t cooperate and obey him. She pulled up the wool skirt and then moved closer to lie over his lap. She was relieved when John guided her and held her safe so she wouldn’t fall. He put his hand on top of her white panties and said, “Do we need to discuss why this is happening, Abby?” “No. But please remember that I am truly sorry, John,” she begged of him. “This is not how I longed to spend Valentine’s Day Night!” She was on the verge of tears and he hadn’t started the spanking yet! “This isn’t what I had in mind, either, young lady,” he promised her. Without warning, John’s hard hand fell on her sensitive skin and Abby squealed at the sudden stinging pain. “Ouch!” she complained and immediately tried to reach back to rub the offended area. John promptly grabbed her hand and pinned it to her side as he held her firmly in his grasp. “There will be no protecting yourself, young lady.” He started spanking then, his hand cracking loudly in the quiet of the barn. Abigail tried to remain quiet and lie still, but her bottom cheeks were soon on fire and each spank hurt even more than the last. “Please, John, let that be enough!” she begged. “I will decide when you have had enough, young lady, and we are far from being done.”

“Noooo!” she wailed as he continued the painful chastisement. His hand spanked her upper thighs, and squirm as much as she might, she was unable to evade his hand. It didn’t take long for John to match the fiery pain of her bottom to her thighs and she was crying and pleading with him to stop. He didn’t. And to her shock his hand slid under the waistband of her panties and he pulled them down to bare her completely! “No!” she protested, struggling to free herself. “These last spanks are for driving my truck and risking your safety… not to mention anyone else on the road. That was not only foolish, it was extremely dangerous, Abby, and this spanking is going to reflect the seriousness of what you did.” John took a deep breath, steeling himself to be as firm as she needed for him to be. Abigail gasped in shock as he spanked the tender area between her thighs and her bottom cheeks. He raised his right knee to slide her slightly forward to expose her even more and he spanked hard! It hurt so much more than before and she was soon sobbing and trying to catch her breath as he spanked her over and over without regard for her pleas for mercy. John did not stop the painful lesson until every inch of Abby’s cute bottom was a deep, dark red. When he finally stopped, she was lying limp over his lap, and he was sure she didn’t even realize that he’d stopped spanking. He rubbed her back until her sobs quieted and then he pulled up her panties before he stood her on her feet and tugged her skirt down over her bottom. He then picked up her coat from the bench and draped it around her before pulling her close to hold her in his arms. “I love you, Abby,” he whispered into her hair. “I love you, but I will never let you behave in that manner.” “I won’t do it again, John,” she promised, snuggling even closer. “I’m so sorry!” She was also in serious pain. Her poor backside was on fire and her wool skirt held in the heat, giving her no relief whatsoever. “I know you are sorry. It’s over and done, honey, and tomorrow I am going to teach you to drive.” “You are…?” She was shocked and surprised. “Daddy won’t like that,” she predicted. “He doesn’t think women should drive.” “I disagree. I am going to teach you and that is final.” “Yes, John,” she meekly agreed.

He took her chin in his hand and turned her tear stained face up so that he could look into her red-rimmed eyes. “Do you need some time to pout and sulk, Abby, or are you ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with me in the way I intended?” “You really do have something planned?” she asked in a small voice. “I do,” he answered. “If you would still like to celebrate with me, I would like that very much.” John knew she had absolutely no idea of how desirable she looked in that moment. He wanted her, but the time wasn’t right to make her his. Not yet. Not until he put a wedding ring on her finger. She deserved his respect, even if it killed him. “Come with me, honey,” he insisted, taking her hand in his. “Oh, your hand is so hot!” The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them. “It must hurt something awful!” “It does,” he agreed, and then smiled. “A spanking happens to both of us, honey. You might end up with the sore bottom that is difficult to sit upon, but I end up with the heavy heart because I’ve caused you pain. But, it is the best way I know of to settle matters of this sort, and discourage the same situation from occurring again.” He was touched when she brought his hand to her lips and kissed his palm. “I wish I could kiss yours all better,” he teased and was sure she was blushing even though he couldn’t see in the dark. The house was nice and warm after being out in the cold. Unfortunately, the heat also made her bottom throb even more. She didn’t know what she would do if she had to sit down! When John asked for her coat, she gave it to him and he hung it on a rack beside the door. To her surprise, there was something cooking in the oven and it smelled delicious. He led her into the living room, where there was a fire in the fireplace. He’d set up a table for two, and placed flowers and candles as a centerpiece. Abigail was beginning to realize just how much work he’d put into his surprise, and she felt like a real brat for ruining his surprise. “Sit down, Abby. Dinner is more than ready by now. I’ll be right back,” John promised. When he returned, carrying a beautiful platter, she was still standing, looking into the fire. “Have a seat, honey, and we’ll eat.” When she turned to face him he could see that she’d been crying. “I can’t sit down,” she whispered. “I just hurt too much, John.”

He took a deep breath, and then crossed to the sofa and picked up two throw pillows and put them on the seat of her chair. “Since it is a special occasion I am going to do something I wouldn’t ordinarily consider doing. Now try to sit down,” he insisted. Abigail tried, but it was simply too painful. “I’m sorry, John. I bruise easily, and I am not going to be able to sit without considerable pain for quite a while.” He could see that she was serious and he felt rotten. He hated the fact that she was so miserable. He thought a minute and then said, “We’ll lie on the rug to eat.” He moved the table, and once Abigail realized what he was doing, she helped him move everything to the soft rug covering the carpet in front of the hearth. She knelt and then made herself comfy on her side. “This is nice, John. Thank you!” Her green eyes were sparkling now, and John felt like a hero. Dinner was welcome and tasted wonderful after being in the cold. The wine that John served went well with the food, and when he served a chocolate dessert, Abigail was impressed. “This meal was absolutely delicious, John. You amaze me!” “I love you, Abigail.” “I love you, too, John,” she replied, sensing his nervousness. “Is something wrong?” she asked. “No. I’m just wondering if I am pushing my luck tonight…” “I don’t understand…?” She looked at him, a puzzled look on her face. “Abigail, you are the love of my life. Will you marry me and be my wife?” She looked at the ring he was holding in his hand and nodded. “Yes! Oh, yes, John! Yes!” She tried to hold her left hand still while he slid the diamond engagement ring on her finger, and once it was there, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, laughing and crying at the same time. “I love you so much!” “I love you… And I am so glad that you were selected for jury duty last September.” “Did you ever think back then that we’d fall in love?” she asked. “I thought you were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen,” he admitted. “I don’t think I heard all of the testimony because I was too busy looking at you.”

“I thought you handsome, and I wondered what it would be like to have you notice me. Then, when I did get your attention, it wasn’t the kind that I wanted.” She giggled. “I still don’t like that kind of attention.” “You aren’t supposed to like it,” he said softly, touching the tip of her nose with his fingertip. “Do you like your ring? The jeweler said we could exchange it for something else if…” “It’s perfect, John. You picked it for me, and I will cherish it forever.” ***** “I absolutely forbid it!” Robert Turner’s large, beefy fist landed on the dining room table with a loud crash, causing the dinnerware to bounce and water to slosh over the edges of the glasses. “No daughter of mine is going to serve on a jury while she is in the family way! I simply will not have it!” “Robert, darling, please calm yourself,” Millicent said softly, trying to soothe her husband’s temper. “I won’t have it, Milli! I will not stand for it!” he insisted. “John, what are you going to do about this?” he asked the younger man. “I will go to court with Abby and ask that she be excused, Robert,” John replied. “I don’t think she needs to serve on a jury right now with the baby due any time. I am sure the Judge will be reasonable.” “I think you two are worrying a bit too much,” Abigail stated as she put the roast she’d prepared on the table. “It is my obligation to serve when called upon to do so.” She smiled at her Mama and winked as two fists hit the table simultaneously and two ‘no’s reverberated through the farm house. Abigail had already seen the Bailiff and excused herself with a slip of paper from her doctor stating that she was due to deliver while the trial was in session. The Judge was only too happy to release her, but she simply couldn’t resist watching her two overprotective men in action. She loved them, too. The End.