Tucker's Justice (Wild West Cowboys Book 1) Read online

  Chapter Two

  As he silently climbed up the bank behind the bushes, Tucker’s eyes never left the mischievous young woman. He carefully pulled his trousers, boots, and socks from their hiding place and put them on, but didn’t take the time to add his shirt. His pants were sticking to his wet legs but he didn’t care, and as he watched Dolly walk quickly toward the trees, he followed, skirting the meadow at a quick clip and easily beating her to the thicket.

  Ducking into the shadows of the towering trees he spied her horse, a fine-looking dapple gray, tied to a low-hanging branch. He’d noticed she was astride when she’d galloped away from the cabin, and sure enough, the horse was sporting a man’s saddle. His first opinion had been right; Dolly was as brazen as she was sassy. A noise caught his attention, and turning his head, he saw her a short distance away hurrying toward her mare as fast as her skirt would allow. She was having a difficult time holding up the hem with one hand and carrying his trousers and shirt in the other. Stepping out from his cover, Tucker marched toward her, but she was so involved in her escape and so close to reaching the safety of her horse, she didn’t hear his approach.

  “Just where do you think you’re goin’ with my clothes, young lady?”

  He watched her freeze, then spin around, and was surprised that there was no fear in her face, just challenge in her blazing blue eyes.

  “I asked you a question, and you’d best have a good answer,” he said sternly, amazed by her mettle, “or you’re gonna find yourself in a whole buncha trouble.”

  Dolly’s eyes may have been firing anger, but they were also staring at the breathtaking torso of the man in front of her. His washboard stomach and powerfully muscled arms frightened her, but they were also sending an unfamiliar thrill through her body. He could lift her with one hand, he could throw her to the ground and hold her there effortlessly, and he could certainly make good on his threat to spank her.

  “Here,” she shouted, throwing them at his feet. “I don’t want your stinky old clothes.”

  “If you don’t want ‘em, why did you take ‘em?” he asked calmly, placing his hands on his hips, leaving the items on the ground where they’d landed.

  “To cause you bother, that’s why,” she retorted, feigning the courage she no longer felt. Her mouth was falling dry, and his stance was making him appear… what? Menacing? No, not menacing, but it was making her heart race even faster. “You were mean to me, so I’m being mean back.”

  “I was mean to you? I don’t recall bein’ mean. I recall scoldin’ you, just as you deserved, but I sure as heck wasn’t mean.”

  “Yes, you were,” she snapped, thinking her legs were about to give way, and not knowing why she was suddenly feeling trembly, “and now I’m leaving!”

  “Not quite yet, you’re not,” he declared, striding quickly forward and grabbing her elbow. “First, you’re gonna pick up my clothes, hand ‘em to me, and apologize.”

  “I’ll do no such thing,” she retorted, feeling the delicious but scary strength in his fingers as they closed around her skin, “and you’re crazy if you think I will.”

  “Then I guess I’m crazy,” he said, tightening his grip.

  “Let me go!”

  “Nope.”

  He had locked her eyes, steel determination was glinting down at her, and she thought frantically for something to say that might persuade him to release her, though a part of her wondered if she’d be able to remain standing if he let her go. Why was she feeling so dreadfully weak?

  “I’ll tell my father,” she exclaimed, the threat flashing through her head, convinced it was bound to work. No man wanted to lose his job, not even a sought-after gun-for-hire like him. “I’ll get you fired!”

  “Fine by me. I’d be just as happy turnin’ around and headin’ back to where I came from, as I would stayin’ here and puttin’ up with the likes of a brat like you. Now pick ‘em up!”

  She couldn’t believe her ears or her eyes. He was positively glowering at her, and she felt as if they were staring at each other like two animals about to leap into combat. Deep down she wanted to do as he said, but in spite of her desire to please him, her pride took hold.

  “No!”

  She hadn’t meant to shout, she hadn’t even mean to speak, and as her exclamation danced in the air between them, she felt a cold chill rattle down her spine.

  “You’ve got a temper as hot as the sun in July at high noon,” he drawled. “Anyone ever tell you that?”

  “And you’re half-naked,” she managed, amazed that she still had a voice. “I should scream. You have no right to have your hands on me while you’re like that. You have no right to have your hands on me at all.”

  “I’ll have my hand smackin’ your naked backside pretty soon,” he growled. “You’re gonna do as you’re told, or you’ll be sorry.”

  His threat was real, she knew it was real, she knew he would, but she was committed; she couldn’t back down now, she couldn’t.

  “What are you going to do? Are you going to spank me now?” she taunted. “Go ahead, I don’t care, and you’re just a cowpoke,” she added, not even sure why. “That’s what you are, nothing but a lousy cowpoke.”

  “Okay, that’s it,” he sighed. “I’m done tryin’ to reason with you. Remember I gave you fair warnin’.”

  With an alacrity that shocked her, he bent down, lifted her off her feet, and swung her over his shoulder.

  “Put me down!” she wailed. “Put me down right now! You’re a horrible beast, a horrible, horrible beast!”

  “Like I said, you’ve got a real hot temper on you, and I think the best thing I can do is cool you off.”

  “No!” she wailed, suddenly realizing his intention, wondering why she had mocked him, why she had refused to cooperate, why, why, why? “Don’t you dare, you hear me? Don’t you dare!”

  Tucker was astonished at the girl’s pluck. She reminded him of a mischievous minx he had delighted in spanking many times, but even she hadn’t been as boisterous as the young woman who was over his shoulder, kicking her feet, squealing in his ear, and pounding her fists on his back.

  “Please,” she begged, as he started down the bank toward the water, “please don’t throw me in, please?”

  He paused his step. Her plaintive plea sounded genuine. She may not care about having her bottom burned, but she sure didn’t want to go into the pond.

  “I’m not hearing what I need to,” he declared, deftly maneuvering her body around his so he was carrying her in his arms, making it easier for him to toss her in should he decide to do so. “You’re not gettin’ away with all your nonsense with me, young lady. Not a chance.”

  “I’m sorry,” she panted, throwing her hands behind his neck and locking her fingers together. “Please, please, don’t throw me in.”

  “Tell me what you’re sorry for.”

  “I’m sorry I took your clothes,” she managed, completely out of breath from her screeching and squirming, “and I’m sorry I didn’t pick them up when you told me to.”

  “That’s it?”

  “What?” she whined, staring woefully into his eyes.

  “Nothin’ else?”

  “I’m sorry I sassed Maude.”

  “And?”

  “And I’m sorry I came down to the cabin when I knew I wasn’t supposed to.”

  “Now that’s more like it. Are you gonna behave from now on?”

  “I will, I’ll behave,” she bleated, “just please, please don’t throw me in.”

  “I’m gonna put you down, then we’re goin’ back, you’re gonna pick up my clothes and give ‘em to me real sweet-like, and when Maude gets back to your house tonight, whatta you gonna do?”

  “Tell her I’m sorry,” Dolly said softly.

  As much as Tucker was trying to maintain his strict demeanor, he was having a tough time; holding the pretty young woman in his arms was sending life surging through his loins. The more he gazed down at her, the more he could feel the effect
s, and he yearned to plant his lips on hers in a fervent, devouring kiss. Clenching his teeth, he set her on her feet, and grasping her upper arm he began marching her up the bank and across the meadow.

  “Do we have to walk so fast?” she puffed, as she half-walked, half-ran to keep up with him.

  “You’ve cost me enough time and trouble already,” he said brusquely.

  When they reached the trees he made a beeline for his clothes, ignoring her occasional stumbling as he pulled her along, and when they reached them, just as she had promised, she reached down, picked them up, and handed them over.

  “I’m very sorry, Tucker. It was naughty, very naughty of me to do that. I’m glad you had another pair of trousers with you.”

  “There you go,” he said warmly. “Was that so hard?”

  “No, and thank you for giving me a chance to make things right.”

  “You go straight home now,” he said solemnly, walking her to her horse. “Don’t go off anywhere else. Your pa was right when he said it’s not safe bein’ down in this area alone. You’re just plain lucky nothin’ bad has happened.”

  “I am, I know that, and I’ll stay up by the house,” she replied, unexpectedly feeling a trickle of wickedness. It was dripping into her like a leaky faucet. Why? She was free, she hadn’t been thrown in the water, or suffered the humiliation of being over his knee.

  “Dolly, I have to ask, why aren’t you ridin’ in a sidesaddle?”

  “I hate those things. I have split skirts, but sometimes, like today, when I want to look nice, I wear a regular dress.”

  “That’s a mite brazen,” he frowned. “Some folks could think badly of you for doin’ that. You don’t wanna sully your reputation.”

  “It’s not a habit, I only do it once and a while, and besides, who’s going to see me out here?” she said innocently, placing her foot in the stirrup and hoisting herself onto her horse.

  Tucker wasn’t sure if he’d caught a twinkle in her eye, or insincerity in her voice, or if it was his keen instinct, but he felt a need to be on alert, and covertly took hold of the horse’s rein. When she settled into the saddle and suddenly broke into a peal of laughter, he was glad he did.

  “Did I miss somethin’ funny?” he asked looking up at her, knowing exactly what was about to happen and gripping the rein firmly.

  “No, you didn’t miss anything,” she giggled, the wave of mischief racing through her. “I only said all that about being sorry so I could get away. I’m not sorry, not one bit, and you were easier to fool than my father. See you later, cowpoke.”

  Suddenly she saw it; his fingers closing over the thin strip of leather that ran from her horse’s bit, and before she had a chance to react he had jerked both reins from her hands and was flipping them over the horse’s head.

  “No! Give them back!”

  Ignoring her screeching plea, he started leading the horse into the meadow.

  “Where are you taking me?” she demanded. “Tell me.”

  “Hush. I’m makin’ up my mind about somethin’.”

  “Tucker! This isn’t fair!”

  “Listen here,” he said, stopping her horse and scowling up at her. “You’ve lost the right to call me by my first name. From now on, it’s ‘Sir.’”

  “Sure, whatever you say,” she replied, nodding eagerly as she glanced at the ground.

  Watching her closely, Tucker immediately knew what was going through her head.

  “Stay put. I know you’re thinkin’ about jumpin’ off, but you won’t get very far.”

  “I’m sorry, Sir, about everything, really, I am,” she said earnestly, lifting her eyes and sending him her best sorrow-filled gaze.

  “Ya think I believe that?”

  “But it’s true,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know what gets into me sometimes. Please give me back the reins and let me go.”

  “Nope, and I reckon I’ve just made up my mind.”

  “What do you mean? Made up your mind about what?”

  “I’m gonna take that soap and wash out that lyin’ mouth of yours, then I’m gonna spank you good ‘n hard.”

  “Nooooo!”

  Leading the horse to a tree, he looped the reins over a branch, then pulled her from the saddle, keeping a tight hold as she landed on the ground.

  “Please don’t be mad,” she bleated. “I’m sorry, honestly.”

  “That ain’t ever gonna work with me again, at least not until you’ve proven you’ve changed, so best save your breath ‘cos right now you’re just makin’ me madder. Now where’s that soap…?” he mumbled, holding her by the wrist as his eyes scanned the grass.

  Spying it just a few yards away, he dragged her forward, and picking it up, he held it in front of her face,

  “Have you ever tasted soap?”

  “No, I haven’t, and I don’t want to,” she protested, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.

  “That’s how I clean up a lyin’ tongue.”

  “Stop it, please, I won’t lie to you again!”

  “I reckon that just might be true after this,” he growled. “There’s an easy way to do this, and a hard way. The choice is yours, so what’ll it be?”

  “Please,” she whimpered, “I don’t want it in my mouth.”

  “The hard way then? Is that what I’m hearin’?”

  “What’s the easy way?” she asked plaintively, pausing in her struggle.

  “Stick out your tongue and close your eyes.”

  “Ugh,” she grunted, scrunching up her face. “What’s the hard way?”

  “You’ll find that out if you don’t do it the easy way, but it ain’t real pleasant.”

  “Are you really going to spank me?” she whispered.

  “Yep.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep, now quit stallin’.”

  As she let out a woeful sigh, he saw the look of resignation in her eyes. She finally knew she was beaten. Moments later she opened her mouth, squeezed her eyes shut, and poked out her tongue.

  “Stick it out more, and open your mouth wider.”

  “It’s hard.”

  “Nope, this is the easy way, remember?”

  It took her a minute but she finally obeyed, and as he wiped the bar of soap over her tongue, she stamped her feet and jerked her head back.

  “Oh, Lord, that’s disgusting,” she wailed, trying to spit out the taste. “Ugh, ugh, ugh.”

  “That’s how disgustin’ you are when you lie and sass and act rude. Do it again around me, and you’ll get it a whole lot worse. That was just a warnin’, are we clear, little lady?”

  “Yes, yes, ooh, this is awful.”

  “And you’ll be tastin’ it good while I’m spankin’ you!”

  Dropping the soap, he lunged forward, grabbed her around the waist, bent her over, and started whacking her backside.

  “Stop!” she wailed. “Stop! Stop!”

  He knew his hand wasn’t having much of an impact over her dress and petticoats, but that wasn’t stopping her from kicking out and squirming. Keeping her locked under his strong arm took little effort, and he continued landing his hand with vigor, thinking if he kept it up long enough, her bottom might start to sting a bit. When she started to yowl, he decided his palm was making an impression.

  “Ow, please, stop, Sir! That hurts.”

  “A spankin’ is supposed to hurt,” he scolded, landing more solid slaps. “Just be glad I didn’t bare your behind, and if I have to do this again, I will. I’ll pull up your dress and yank down your drawers.”

  “No! Ow! No!”

  “Then behave yourself.”

  “Yes, I will, I will, I swear.”

  “I’m gonna tell Maude she’s to let me know if you give her any trouble,” he warned, releasing her and straightening her up, “and if I see you hangin’ around the cabin or anywhere else near the town, I swear, girl, I’ll swat your butt so hard, you won’t be sittin’ for a week. You got me?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she whimpered, rubbi
ng her backside as she stared at the ground.

  “Now get on your horse and get on home before I decide to smack your naked backside right now.”

  He watched her turn and scurry away to her mare, and as she mounted up and cantered away, he put his hands on his hips and shook his head.

  “Why do I think I’m gonna be smackin’ your bare bottom real soon?” he muttered, then ambled back to finish getting dressed.

  His first day at Spring Junction had been full of surprises, but not the kind he was used to. If word leaked out that he was arriving, he’d be met by men trying to pick a fight, or an ambush as he cruised into town, or a gun pulled ready to shoot him, but never had he been welcomed by a genteel woman cooking him dinner, and a spitfire of a girl who tried to steal his clothes and ended up getting her just deserts, but more important, one who stirred his interest.

  “What the hell have I gotten myself into?” he mumbled as he pulled on his clean shirt. “I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”

  Chapter Three

  Dolly Baker stood at the window of her bedroom and stared across the valley. She was utterly flabbergasted. A complete stranger had just done the unimaginable. Not only had he yanked her off her horse and thrown her over his shoulder, he had made her lick a bar of soap for deceiving him, then whacked her bottom for her other crimes.

  When he’d released her, she had scrambled into her saddle and trotted away, barely seeing where she was going. By the time her mare had broken through the trees to the large field that sat below her father’s home, Dolly was completely breathless, but that hadn’t stopped her from kicking her horse forward and galloping up the hill. Coming to a dramatic stop in the stable yard, she’d thrown the reins to one of the startled young cowboys, stormed inside the house, and raced up the stairs. Now safely in her room and gazing out at the panoramic view, she hugged herself, trying to make sense of the shocking episode.

  “How dare that man do that to me,” she hissed under her breath. “I’m going to tell father the minute I see him. He’ll fire him for sure, I know he will!”

  She could see the town in the distance, the town that had become lawless and violent, though she’d heard that the violence had abated somewhat since the McGill brothers had arrived. Patrick and Conan; they were a nasty pair. They’d shown up at the house a few weeks before, and her father had been none too pleased when they’d left. That’s when he’d started hunting for another gunman, someone, anyone who could put things right. Kenny Bragg, the handsome young marshal, had been no match for the town’s influx of new citizens seeking gold, let alone the Irish brothers who were hardened and ruthless criminals. Duke had promised Kenny he’d bring in help, and he had, but the guns-for-hire hadn’t stuck around for more than few weeks, either taking a bullet or taking off. It was true the violence had died down since the brutal brothers had rolled in, but word was they had their own crime wave underway, and even the toughest brute wasn’t about to mess with them. The McGills had taken over Spring Junction.