Miranda And The Ranch Hand (Domestic Discipline Romance) (8 page)

“Now you listen to me for a change, big brother. Nobody was beaten tonight and I’m sure Mandy would be the first to agree with me. You spanked her—a spanking she richly deserved. I was wrong to challenge you earlier this evening. I’ll say to you what Dylan said to me, ‘How would you feel if she was killed the next time, because there were no consequences to make her think twice.’

“You’ve always been there for Mandy and me—always doing the right thing. We may not have always appreciated it, but you never weakened from your responsibility to us. Don’t doubt yourself now, but you need to let us be there for you once in a while, too.”

“Thanks, David. When did you get so wise anyway?”

David chuckled at that—no one ever thought of him as the wise one before. He left Marcus so his big brother could get some much-needed sleep. David saw Dylan heading out of Mandy’s room about the same time.

“How is she?”

“Sleeping like the well-spanked little girl she is. If the red lines I can see through her gown are any indication, I’d say this is one switching she’s going to remember for a long time.”

“I don’t know, Dylan. Are you sure you’re ready to take on our wildcat for a lifetime?”

Dylan smiled at the question, “Most definitely, the sooner the better—especially since I know the sure-fire way to tame that spirit when it gets a little too wild.”

It was just on the edge of dawn about two weeks later when Miranda came bounding out of the ranch house headed down to the stables. She had been somewhat subdued since the night of her awful switching, but this morning her cheeks were rosy with anticipation and her eyes sparkled with a brilliance they hadn’t shown since before the shooting more than six weeks ago. Yesterday the doctor had finally given her a clean bill of health, and said she could resume all normal activities, including riding.

Miranda raced into the barn and went directly to the tack room to grab her saddle, but it wasn’t there. She figured maybe someone had hung it up outside of Windfire’s stall, so she headed there next—but found no Windfire either!

“What’s going on?” she muttered out loud.

“We’re out here, Mandy…” It was Dylan’s voice coming from the back of the barn. She ran around back and saw Dylan on Black Lightning, holding Windfire’s reins, all saddled and ready to go.

“I figured you’d be out early on your first morning ride, so I…”

“Oh, Dylan! You’re so sweet—I can’t wait to gallop fast and free out to the Double-R’s boundaries! Let’s go!” She started to climb up onto Windfire, and found Dylan’s hands at her waist lifting her. He had quickly dismounted to help her onto her tall stallion.

“Whoa there, young lady! You might want to take it easy this morning—after all, you haven’t been on a horse in six weeks. I would just as soon not see a repeat of your usual wild abandon when you get on that animal.”

“Dylan… would you relax! I’ve been riding a horse since I was old enough to walk—I’m hardly going to forget everything in six weeks. Hell, if four years back east didn’t stop me, six weeks in that prison of a bedroom’s not going to. Don’t be such a stick in the mud—in fact, if you’re going to nag—I’m going alone.” And with that she dug her heels into Windfire’s flanks and the mighty horse took off in a flash.

“Not likely, brat! If you don’t slow down and wait up, I swear, I’ll tan your hide!” Dylan swung back up onto Black Lightning and took off after her, chuckling as he went. It was good to see that spirit back that he so loved about her.

Miranda laughed out loud as she urged Windfire on to more speed. Her high musical laughter mingled with the morning song of the birds as she rode east toward the sunrise. She turned back once to see that Dylan was giving chase—but no horse was a match for Windfire when he ran full out.

“Catch me if you can, cowboy!” she yelled back at him just as she disappeared over a hill.

Dylan smirked at her challenge and pushed his horse for more speed. “When I do, it will be for good,” he thought to himself. “Well, at least she’s headed in the right direction for my surprise.”

It was nearly a half-hour before Miranda finally slowed Windfire down and dismounted by a stream. She felt alive again for the first time in weeks. The sun was up now and as she lifted her face skyward to drink in its first warming rays, she heard the thunder of hoof beats.

“It’s about time! Maybe I should call you slow poke instead of cow poke!” she teased. But she was also smart enough to start backing away, ready to turn and run as soon as Dylan dismounted.

“You will pay for that, my dear,” Dylan said in a low, threatening tone. He looked at her with a menacing grin, but the threat didn’t reach his eyes. There she saw only amusement and love. Nevertheless, fear being the stronger part of valor, she winked at him and took off.

“You still haven’t caught me!” she called recklessly over her shoulder. But on the ground, she was no match for his long legs and powerful stride, especially given how little exercise she’d had in the last few weeks. Within seconds she felt his steel grip around her waist lifting her off her feet. She kicked wildly in the air, laughing as he hauled her over to the nearest rock.

“Let me go, you big lug!”

“I believe you were the one who issued the challenge, brat! Well, now I’ve caught the wild spirit, I intend to do a little taming before I let her go.” With that, he put one foot up on the rock, turned her around and bent her over his thigh.

“Dylan… No! Don’t you dare!” But she was still laughing so hard she could barely get the words out. Then she felt the first slap to the seat of her jeans. Dylan wasn’t putting much strength behind his hand, so it didn’t really hurt—it just sent a warm sensation across her backside. It was a sensation she liked, so she decided to pout and encourage more.

“Let me up, you brute!” she whined.

“I’m not quite through with you, brat!” Dylan landed half a dozen playful swats to her rear while she squealed to be released and then he pulled her up into his arms and kissed away what remaining breath she had. There was no denying the fiery passion between them every time their lips met. Miranda’s legs were so weak by the time Dylan released her, she could barely stand.

“You sure do know how to turn a girl’s head, cowboy!”

“And you, young lady, are more intoxicating than fine whiskey.” His voice was husky and he gently took her hand. “Mandy, walk with me. There’s something I want to show you.”

They walked through the trees by the stream up into a beautiful meadow that overlooked the south pastures. Miranda couldn’t believe he’d brought her here of all places on the ranch.

“I discovered this little bit of paradise while I was investigating the renegades. It’s so peaceful and welcomes the new day better than any other spot on the Double-R that I’ve found.” He turned to look at Miranda and saw tears in her eyes.

“What is it, honey? I didn’t mean to make you cry—what’s wrong?” She just shook her head and buried her face in his broad chest.

“Mandy, you have to talk to me—when we’re married I want you to always be honest with me about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. That’s the only way a marriage survives.”

She looked up at him… “M…mm…marriage?”

Dylan blushed for the first time in his life. “I… uh… guess I skipped a step there…” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a lovely antique ruby ring.

“This ring belonged to my mother—its ruby reminds me of your fiery spirit. Miranda Marie Rollins, will you wear this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to our life together? Mandy, will you marry me?”

Miranda was speechless—his words reached down to her very soul and she thought her heart would burst out of her chest. She could barely manage enough breath to whisper, “yes.”

Dylan put the ring on her finger and she leaned into him with her back against his chest for support to admire the perfect fit of the precious ring—just like their lives fit, perfectly. Dylan put his arms around her waist and held her for a while as they watched the sun rise high into the sky, giving the meadow a beautiful golden hue.

“I wanted to build our home here on this meadow, but when I asked Marcus about buying the land from him, he said he didn’t own it—just used it. He said he didn’t think the owner would ever sell.” Dylan sighed, thinking how wonderful it would have been to wake up every morning here with Mandy and watch the sunrise.

“Marcus is right, the owner of this land will never sell.” She turned to face him. “Dylan, this is my land—our land now. When I was only about five years old, my dad told me that in a few years I could pick out a piece of the ranch that I would like for my very own—land that he hoped I would someday raise my family on. David did the same, and of course Marcus got the rest, as Dad’s heir. The first moment I saw this meadow, I knew even as a small child, this was my place. It’s so amazing that you would bring me here to propose. I love you.”

Dylan chuckled. “Well, I guess that explains Marcus’s smirk and comment that everything would work out, when I asked about this land. Mandy, I will build you a wonderful home here and we will raise our family here.”

“You know, as I was growing up, I always wondered if the man with whom I’d want to share my life would take me away to his home or if I’d get to stay here. It means so much to me that you’re willing to stay at the Double-R.”

“Mandy, I’d never dream of taking you away from here—this ranch is part of you, and you’re part of it. Besides, I think if I tried to take you away, your brothers would lead a posse after both of us. This is your home, and since my folks died, I’m not tied to any place. The life of a Ranger doesn’t really lead to putting down roots.”

“But you’re willing to do just that here, with me?”

“It won’t be easy—there will be times I’ll gone for days or weeks on a case. I won’t always be able to tell you what it’s about. But knowing you’re here, with your brothers to lasso that wild spirit of yours, I won’t worry so much…”

“Lasso my wild spirit!” Miranda cried in mock protest.

Dylan laughed. “Now, don’t get your back up, brat! If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you—it’s that you look out for your own safety last—and every other living critter first.” His tone softened again, “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I’d never forgive myself if I was away on a case and no one was here to protect you when you needed someone.”

“You know, thanks to my brothers constant fussing, I can probably shoot better than you, and I know Windfire can outrun anything on four legs. It’s not like I can’t take care of myself—I just wish you guys would let me!” Before she could spout off anymore, Dylan captured her mouth in a passionate kiss.

“Shut up brat, and kiss me before I decide to show you who’s boss over my knee!” he whispered into her ear as he nuzzled her neck.

“Damn you, Dylan, you just ruined the moment—go kiss your horse!” She whistled and Windfire was at her side in seconds. She pulled free of Dylan’s embrace and jumped astride the magnificent stallion.

“Race you back to the ranch!” she called and she took off, leaving Dylan choking on her dust with a somewhat bewildered look on his face.

“That woman can work up into a full temper faster than the quickest draw in Texas,” he muttered. He mounted Black Lightning and sped after her.

Back at the ranch house, Miranda dismounted and tied Windfire up at the hitching post out front. She bounced into the house to join her brothers for breakfast and share her exciting news. But before she could get a word out, Marcus, David and Jenna all applauded and surrounded her.

“Let’s see that ring finger, sis!” David said.

Jenna gave Miranda a big hug and with tears in her eyes said, “Oh, Mandy I’m so happy for you—Dylan’s such a good man!”

“And just where is our future brother-in-law?” Marcus asked.

“Chasing Windfire’s dust again!” Dylan said as he strode into the dining room and headed directly for Miranda, “and it had better be for the last time, wife-to-be!” he said sternly, but then a huge grin broke out on his face, and he possessively put his arm around Miranda.

“Congratulations, Dylan, you just roped the wildest colt on the ranch!” David teased, winking at his sister.

“You guys all knew Dylan was going to propose this morning? I can’t believe I’m the last one to know,” Miranda said over the chaos of congratulations and hugs and handshakes.

Dylan took her hand and said softly, “I saved the best for last.” She smiled and gazed up into his eyes, showing him the love and happiness she felt—for a moment they were alone in a room filled with people.

“I hate to break up the celebration, but Dylan, I need to steal my sister away for a few minutes. Come on Mandy, I have something to show you,” Marcus said, suddenly serious.

Miranda followed him up to the attic room where all their parents’ stuff was stored. Marcus took her hand and led her over to their mother’s hope chest. He handed her a tiny key.

“Open it,” he said simply. Miranda’s hands shook as she took the small key and unlocked the chest. She carefully lifted the lid and gasped at the beautiful white lace and beading on satin folded lovingly in fragile paper. She gingerly lifted it out of the chest and held it up to herself. It was the most beautiful wedding dress Miranda had ever seen.

“Mom saved her wedding dress for the little girl she hoped to have, and eventually did. Mandy, you look so much like Mom, sometimes I feel as if she’s still alive when I look at you. You have her laugh and her caring touch. I know she would have given anything to see you walk down the aisle in that dress.”

“Oh, Marcus, it’s so beautiful and it will be like having Mom there, wearing this dress.” The tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks. “Do you really approve of Dylan and me? I mean, do you think we’re…”

“Mandy, he’s a good man. He’ll treat you right—the way you deserve to be treated. I’ll shoot him on the spot if he doesn’t! But he also won’t hesitate to keep you in line, and whether you admit it or not, you need someone to keep that wild streak of yours in check, young lady.” Marcus put his arm around her and wiped away her tears. “You know, even when you’re married with kids of your own, you’ll always be my little sis. Now how about taking a look at what else is in that chest.”

Miranda dug deeper and found beautifully embroidered table linens, sheets, curtains and other household items. When she looked questioningly at Marcus, he said, “Mom started working on these things for your trousseau right after you were born. She completed one or two items a year until she died. It’s a way for you to keep her close in your new home. You’re going to be a lovely bride, Mandy. And you and Dylan will be very happy.”

Miranda was so overcome with emotion that she couldn’t speak, so Marcus just held her, sharing the special closeness they’d always had even before their parents were killed.