Finding Submission (Service & Submission Book 1) (5 page)

“Wow! This is amazing, Preston. I think I could live on that front porch.” By that point, Avery had her window open, looking around like a kid in a candy store.

“Now you see why I fell in love it with and had to make it mine. As for sitting on the porch, you’ll love it at the end of a long day of hard work.”

Avery didn’t respond.

I’ll enjoy it instead of a long day of hard work.

Preston put the car in park. “C’mon, let me show you the inside and get you settled. We can look at the rest of the property tonight or tomorrow.” He came around the vehicle and held her car door open for her. Preston walked her up the front steps with his hand on the small of her back. The gesture was foreign and welcome all at once. Avery couldn’t remember the last time someone had so much as held a door open for her.

The foyer was one of those huge old fashioned foyers with a grand cherry staircase in the center of the room. There was a sitting room to the right filled with antiques, and to the left was what appeared to be an office. Preston pointed at the staircase. “I’ll take you upstairs and show you your room and bathroom so you can take a shower.”

“But I have no clothes.”

“Your father’s driver is bringing a suitcase with clothes for you. Until then I’ll give you one of my dress shirts and a robe if you still feel uncomfortable. Come on, you’ll feel better after your shower.”

The staircase was huge, but Avery lagged behind so she could get a glimpse of his gorgeous ass going up the stairs. She thought once again that this was a man who worked out often. He brought her to a large bedroom, decorated in lacy white curtains and a beautiful eyelet bedspread.

Preston opened a door that led off from the bedroom. “This is the bathroom. It’s got a shower and a tub, so you’ve got choices.” He walked into the bathroom and opened the closet. “There are towels in here, help yourself to them. There should be shampoo, conditioner, and soap in the shower. While you’re getting cleaned up, I’ll bring the robe and a dress shirt and t-shirt so you can decide what you want to wear. Come downstairs when you’re done and I’ll fix you some lunch. We can discuss the expectations I’ll have for you while you’re living in my house.”

Preston walked out of the bathroom, leaving Avery quietly contemplating what “expectations” he could have for
her
while she lived there.

* * *

Preston walked back into her bedroom, putting his shirts and robe on the dresser. As he walked out, he could hear her humming in the shower. He was glad that the warm water was making her happy but he knew that she wouldn’t be happy for long when she found out what was expected of her.

As he walked back downstairs making his way to the kitchen to prepare lunch. He remembered his conversation on the phone this morning with her father, Judge Grayson Beauchamp. Judge Morton had been present and supported him during the conversation in case things hadn’t gone with Judge Beauchamp.

“Good morning, Judge Beauchamp. How are you, Sir? This is Preston Harrison.”

“Please, call me Grayson. I take it you’ve been given my daughter’s case to handle.”

Preston had cleared his throat and shifted in his chair, switching the phone to his other ear. “Yes, Grayson. That’s why I’m calling. We have a proposition for you. We’ll not charge your daughter and there’ll be no jail time, record, or probation. However, there’s still the matter of a fine for her misdeed—”

“Oh, I’ll contact the county clerk and pay that immediately. What’s the fine?”

Preston rubbed between his eyes. “Sir, that’s where the proposal comes in. We’d like to propose that Avery work off her fine.”

Grayson raised his voice. “Work off her fine? Exactly what’re you proposing here, son?”

“Well, Judge, she’s been a cleaner since she moved to Brentwood and—” Preston had looked over at Judge Morton for encouragement. Judge Morton winked, nodding his head “—we’re thinking that she could do some cleaning to work off her fine. Specifically, she could clean my house.”

There’d been silence on the other end of the phone and Preston had wondered if her father would balk at the idea after all.

Finally, Grayson spoke. “Let me get this straight. She’d clean
your
house. Is this what you’re saying?”

“Yes, Sir. This way she gets to realize the consequences of her actions in a safe environment. I’ve just purchased a historic home in Old Hickory that has several rooms in the house as well as out buildings and a barn that all need to be cleaned and sorted. She’ll be required to put in a full days’ worth of work, but I assure you she’ll be treated fairly while she’s at my house. I’ll give you any information you need to have a background check done on me. I have nothing to hide, Judge.”

Again, Grayson had been quiet for a moment. “Well, she’s been lacking in discipline lately. Having to show some responsibility
would
do her some good. A reality check might be exactly what she needs at this point. I have to admit that I’ve… catered to her most of her life as my only daughter. But it’s been the past three to four years that she’s been out of control. The discipline required to clean for six months will be good for her.”

“While we’re talking about it,” Preston said. “There’ll be certain rules while she’s at my house. She’ll not be allowed to leave the premises unescorted and she can’t have a car. She’ll be required to work six days a week, but no more than forty to forty five hours a week.”

“I think all of those are reasonable and I know the restrictions on her movement are necessary. But, I’m gonna warn you, son — she’s gonna give you a fight on these.” Grayson chuckled. “Be ready.”

Preston had laughed at the weary certainty he heard in Grayson’s voice. “I’m not concerned. I’ll be ready for any potential defiance and am more than capable of reinforcing the rules of the house. She’ll straighten up and fly straight in no time.”

Preston was washing his hands at the sink when Avery came into the room, snapping him out of his reverie. She wore his long sleeved pink dress shirt. It fit her almost like a dress with the tails of the shirt coming nearly to her knees. Her hair was still wet, but she looked clean and happy.

“Thank you for giving me some socks — my toes get so cold.”

Avery held her foot up, showing him his white socks.

“My sister is the same way. I remembered at the last minute.” Preston pointed to a kitchen chair. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving. I’ll eat anything at this point.”

“I made some grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and I have some potato salad, too.” He pulled the potato salad out of the fridge, putting it on the table and plating the warm sandwiches.

As soon as the plate was put in front of her, Avery wasted no time diving in. She devoured the sandwich, taking bites that were too large and not chewing them properly. Preston grit his teeth as he watched her. “Didn’t they feed you at all while they held you?”

“No.” She swallowed. “I’m sorry. I’m eating too fast, aren’t I?” She looked at him through her eyelashes, her cheeks blushing. It was quite endearing but he was pissed at the deplorable way the jail treated her for the past twelve hours.

“Don’t apologize for being hungry, sweetheart. You can’t help that. I apologize for your treatment; you should’ve been given
something
to eat. Just slow down, so you don’t get sick. Here, have some milk.” He poured some milk into a glass and slid it in front of her. “It’ll help settle your stomach.”

When she finished the first sandwich, he gave her another, watching her gulp that one down too. After a few minutes of silence, their sandwiches gone, Preston cleared his throat “Why don’t we talk about some of the rules while you’re here for the next six months?”

“Shit, here we go.” Avery rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh of exasperation. “I should’ve known there’d be a ton of rules.”

“First, there aren’t a ‘ton’ of rules. But, there
are
rules for the running of a household. Second, we’ll treat each other with respect, or it’ll be a long six months.” He dipped his chin, keeping eye contact with her. “I’m sure you’re familiar with respect — treating others the way you want to be treated. You’ll use good manners, not bad language. You’ll be considerate of others’ feelings and part of that is reacting to things in a mature manner with politeness and kindness.”

She stared at him, as if gauging how serious he was about this. Finally, she nodded. “I can do that.”

“Can you? Because your reaction to my suggestion that we talk about the rules, was disrespectful — you swore, rolled your eyes and had
major
attitude.”

She tilted her head, looking at him. “Well… it seemed like a normal reaction to a topic like that, don’t you think?”

“No. No, I don’t think it
was
a normal reaction. It was an immature, high school reaction. As an adult your reaction shouldn’t have looked like that.”

“Sorry.” Avery dropped her eyes, playing with the buttons on the sleeve of the dress shirt she wore.

“Next topic.” Preston leaned back in his chair. “You’re not allowed off of this property unless you’re with me. You’ll have to have an escort any time you leave the property.”

“That’s bullshit! What the fuck! I might as well be in jail then.” Avery rose from her chair in a huff.

“Sit.
Down
. Young lady. Now.”

Avery halted quickly, but didn’t sit, instead standing and staring at Preston.

“Sit. Now.” Preston’s rumbling deep voice rolled over her.

She quickly sat in her chair.

Preston glared until she diverted her eyes. “That’s a perfect example of disrespect. Apologize now. And then I want you to give me a mature response to the rule I just mentioned.”

Avery’s eyes welled with tears and Preston found himself wondering why that consequence would cause such an emotional reaction. He would delve into that further another day. Right now, she needed to learn a lesson about disrespect.

“I suggest you apologize in the next three seconds, or things are going to get much more difficult in this kitchen.”

Avery swiped at her tears with the back of her hand, biting her lip. Taking a deep breath, she said quickly, “I’m sorry for swearing and yelling at you. I’ll try to not do it again.” Her lip quivered as she swiped at more tears tracing down her cheeks. “I don’t like feeling… trapped. It’ll feel like I’m a prisoner in this house if I can’t leave. Why can’t I leave?”

And there it was. She felt penned in. She didn’t like being restricted and it appeared that it was almost a phobia. Definitely something to look into.

“I accept your apology, sweetheart.” Preston reached across the table, grabbing her hand, stroking it lightly with his forefinger. “No one likes feeling confined. But it’s a consequence of the actions you took yesterday. Consequences and punishment aren’t fun, but ideally they’re supposed to be difficult so the behavior in question isn’t repeated. You won’t be stuck here for six months — I promise we’ll go out to dinner, shopping, movies, or any other places you’d like to go. Just ask me, and I’ll determine if your behavior warrants reward.”

“Reward? If I warrant a
reward?
What am I, a flipping damn dog? Are ya kidding? If I behave, I can get a Beggin’ Strip? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Young lady, my patience is wearing thin with your mouthiness. You need to contain that tongue of yours. First, I would never treat a dog like that. It’s an animal and doesn’t know better. But you apparently require firm limits. I will
not
bring you to the movies, or anyplace else off this property if you cannot figure out how to behave. So, yes, I guess if you want to refer to it that way you can. You’ll be given a Beggin’ Strip if you can behave. If you can’t figure out how to behave, there’ll be other consequences, one of which will be not leaving the property. Are we clear?”

She scowled at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

She’s going with the silent treatment now. Interesting.

Preston leaned forward. “Let’s make sure we’re clear here. You’ll
not
leave the property unless I’m with you. Understood?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice sullen.

“Okay. Next, There are many rooms and out buildings on the property. Some of these are locked. You’re not to break into these rooms. Again, it’s a matter of respect. You’ll work only in the room I assign for you each day. You will
not
snoop, or go into places you’re not to enter. Clear?”

“Yes.” She scowled, obviously not used to rules and boundaries.

“Lastly, responsibility is important and you’ll act responsibly while you’re here. You’ll work seven hours a day with an hour for lunch, and on Saturdays we’ll work together. You’ll work eight in the morning until four in the evening, at which time you’ll start cooking dinner.”

Avery’s mouth dropped open and her eyes flashed. She wasn’t happy about that rule
at
all.

Preston put a hand up before she could speak. “Wait. You’ll be assigned to a room every day and told what tasks you’re to finish that day. Part of being a responsible adult is doing what you’re supposed to do, persevering and doing your best. Okay, you may now speak.”