Serendipity Ranch (6 page)

“You told me it had to be gone before you came back. It was drunk. Just not by me.”

Preston laughed, pulling her to sit on his lap. Her bare bottom burned against the rough material of his jeans and her injured right thigh throbbed something awful. Preston pulled her skirt over her legs to cover her and then hugged her warmly. Serena didn’t fight him as he pressed her face against his well-padded chest, chiseled to perfection from hours of loading hay, raking muck, and doing all the chores required on a ranch. He stroked her hair and rocked her with his arms locked protectively around her. When her crying stopped, he kissed the top of her head.

“Now lay down on the bed and let me look at your leg,” Preston ordered softly as he began to unwrap the ace bandage. Serena did not dare argue this time and leaned onto her left side. Preston twirled his finger. “Turn to your tummy. I can’t see it from this position.”

“But my panties…”

“Are on the floor. Turn over, young lady.”

Serena whimpered as she hid her face in his pillow. She inhaled his fragrance deeply as he probed the back of her right thigh all the way to her knee. She couldn’t get enough of his scent, it was like catnip to her. Warm and dark, like a mixture of leather, freshly cut hay, and firewood. She couldn’t inhale deeply enough as she tried to brand the scent into her mind.

“Are you alright?” he asked with concern, digging through his bag.

“This sounds stupid, but I love your cologne. It’s a good distraction while you torment me. I can’t place the name of it,” she answered quietly.

“You won’t find it. I don’t wear cologne. Stay still, this might sting.”

“OW!” Serena yelped, clutching the pillow. “What are you doing to me!”

“Shhh, I’m almost done. There, there—Okay, just a little more and you won’t feel a thing. I’m injecting lidocaine into your bruise.”

“Why? Damn, it hurts!” Serena couldn’t stop the tears as they began to flow again.

“I know, baby. You’ve got a massed hematoma here. I’m going to aspirate it and take off the pressure from the nerves, then wrap it nice and snug. It will feel better right away, I promise.” Preston’s voice was as soothing as his hands on her legs as he waited for the medication to take effect. No wonder his animals loved him. Of course, they didn’t have to worry about being spanked! He probed the swollen area again, and satisfied with her lack of response, he continued with his procedure. Serena sniffed, feeling only pressure and the occasional touch of his hand on her leg.

He patted her back when he had finished. “All done. How does it feel?”

“It hardly hurts at all. Gee, I guess you aren’t dumber than a bag of potato chips, huh?” Serena said with a small, teasing smile.

“Nope, I’m not. Lift your leg straight up in the air so I can wrap you tightly.”

“Not without my underwear!”

“Oh, for crying out loud. Here.” Preston rolled his eyes and even turned away as she slipped the scant silk panties over her still stinging bottom. She winced, trying to get comfortable, the tight elastic digging into her tender spit spots. She pushed her dress between her legs and held it there as she lifted her right leg into the air. Preston placed her ankle on his shoulder and began to wrap the bandage firmly around her thigh. He tried, but found himself unable to avoid eyeing the sweet little crotch that called to him so enticingly. Her modesty amused him as well. It was almost as though she had never been with a man before.

He helped her sit up and joined her on the bed. “Do we have an understanding, Serena? I don’t want to keep disciplining you for the same thing.”

“Why are you so bossy? What difference does it make if I drink milk or not. Or how I drive? It’s my life, you know.”

“Yes, I do know that. As for your question, the difference is that you need someone to look after you. That’s strikingly clear by your behavior. I know Drew loves you, but he’s not strong enough to keep you on track. He knows that, too. I’ve decided to take you under my wing, much in the way I do with my niece.”

“You decided? I can’t believe you spank your niece.”

“I don’t because I have no reason to. She knows to mind me and follow my directions. The most I’ve had to do is give her one of my looks or sit her in the corner. Why can’t you behave as well as she does, hmm?”

“Now see here—”

“Don’t get all testy on me. Do you think it’s because you’ve never had a parental figure? Drew told me about your mother and that you never knew your father. You’ve struggled hard to grow up too fast, and I’m going to teach you how to slow down a bit. How old are you?”

“26, and old enough to make my own choices.”

“You are a stubborn child. We’re going to have to work on that.”

“Child? You can’t be that much older than I am. Why are you calling me a child?”

“I’m 33 and I’m calling you a child because somewhere deep inside, there is a little girl that just wants to be loved and protected. She also wants boundaries and to have consequences for making poor decisions. Somewhere in that little heart of yours,” he touched her sternum with a single finger, gazing warmly at her with those beautiful, whiskey gold eyes, “there is a little girl who wants a Daddy to hold her and care for her, to kiss away her hurts and teach her right from wrong. When you feel you are ready, you come to me and ask, and I will give that little girl what she needs. Maybe one day, I can also give the big girl what she wants.”

Speechlessly, Serena just stared at him in disbelief at his conjectures. Tears welled in her eyes and dripped one by one down her cheeks. She was frozen in time and space, unable to move under the carefully scrutiny of his watchful eye as he looked for signs of her reaction to his words. This total stranger had managed to turn her world around in 24 hours, and she sat there, on a sore bottom, saying nothing to contradict him. She couldn’t. He spoke into her heart and touched her deepest need. How could he have known?

“I don’t like being spanked, Preston. It’s humiliating and degrading.”

“Yes, it is. Thus, it’s a very efficient deterrent. So? Are you going to mind me?”

“For now.”

“You can be a brat if you want to. I really don’t mind. Just remember, you may not like the results. You’re like my little Gem. She’s the sweetest pup in the world, but she’s a chow hound. No matter how many time-outs she gets, she still tries to steal food.”

“You put a dog in time-out?”

“Yep, and she knows exactly why and hates it. She’ll be on good behavior for several hours afterwards and then goes back to being her naughty little self. I still love her dearly, despite her mischief. Boo, on the other hand, is as close to perfect as a pup can be. She gets into things now and then but tries to blame Gem.”

“Poor Gem.”

“Watch her. She always looks guilty. They are quite the characters. You have the choice, Miss Serena. Inside or outside. Either way, you will be elevating that leg and letting me take care of you today.”

“But Preston—oh,” Serena sighed, catching the slight frown. “Okay. Outside, please,”

“Being cooperative is not that difficult. I’m going to put you right here on the hammock under the tree and get you your computer to play with. You’ll also get another glass of milk that you will
not
give to that fuzzy little piglet who is eyeballing you. Gem, go lay down and no begging.”

“But I don’t want milk!” Serena whined. Preston raised his eyebrow, crossing his arms as he looked sternly at her. Gem lowered her ears and slinked under the hammock, looking guilty. Satisfied that Serena wouldn’t continue to argue, Preston turned to the RV with Boo right behind him. Once he was out of site, Gem hopped up with Serena and snuggled up to her. “He’s a big old meanie, isn’t he. But he is cute. And he smells so good. What am I going to do, puppy dog? I can’t let this man control my life, can I?”

Gem merely licked her face, then hopped up excitedly as Preston returned with a big glass of milk and two bowls. He poured the creamy liquid into them and gave them to the dogs before handing Serena hers.

“What is it with you and milk?” she asked, wrinkling her nose as she sniffed it.

“It’s good for you. All little girls need milk to grow big and strong.”

“You really have a Daddy complex, you know.”

“Good thing for you, then. Drink up. You might find you like it.”

Knowing she had no escape, Serena sipped the frothy white milk. She avoided the pleased look on Preston’s face as she gulped it down, delighted by the richness and sweet flavor. It tasted a lot like melted ice cream!

“Now tell me the truth. Was it worth all the fuss you gave me?”

“It wasn't that bad,” Serena reluctantly admitted, handing him the empty glass.

“I’ll teach you how to milk. It’s fun, and the goats are all very cooperative. How’s the leg?”

“It’s still numb, but nothing like before. Thanks,” Serena answered shyly.

“And how’s your bottom?”

“That’s still sore and nothing like before, either, Dr. Riley,” Serena wrinkled her nose again.

“You are really cute when you do that.” Preston commented, patting her thigh. “And if your little butt is still sore, that means I dished out the right medicine. I know what’s best for my girls. They love their Daddy, don’t you?” he asked the collies who rushed to lick him. “Bring your goats to me, then find the horses,” he ordered. The collies took off barking.

“They don’t seriously understand you, do they?”

“Borders are the rocket scientists of the canine world. I take that back, they are probably smarter than any aerospace scientist I personally know,” Preston chuckled. “They have the same intelligence level as a five-year-old, but are much more astute. You would be amazed at what these pups can do. And here they come with my other girls.”

“Do you just surround yourself with females? And why all the goats? You can only drink so much milk.”

“I like ice cream, so there. As for your question, yes. I surround myself with females, except for Dave, my horse. Nannies are less aggressive in the pen and very aggressive with snakes. Plus we get our milk almost completely from grazing on local brush, which aids in weed control. The two mares belong to Janie and Sara and are staying with me because my sister hasn’t had time to care for them. I also prefer female canines. Personally, I find them to be more focused and protective of their territory.”

“Do you think that this obsession might be because you’re a control freak and like to boss things around?”

“You
are
a sassy one. You better watch out, or you will be getting another spanking real soon.”

“Don’t even think of it,” Serena warned.

Too late! Preston was already thinking about it quite thoroughly, along with what he would like to do with those sweet treats she had tried so hard to hide from him. “Brat. You are going to be presenting a challenge to me, aren’t you? Why don’t you take a little nap and sleep off the painkillers. I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Sure you do. You obey me and go to sleep, or you defy me, get another spanking, and go to sleep. It’s really pretty simple,” Preston shrugged with a lopsided grin.

Serena glared at him. “Cacafuego,” she muttered. Her eyes widened fearfully at Preston’s frown. ”It means you’re an outrageous bore, that’s all! It’s not bad!” She was starting to panic at his expression.

He leaned forwards into her. “It’s also Spanish for shitfire, kiddo. You’ll be surprised about my vocabulary, my dear, so be careful of the words you chose to call me. I will assume you know their true definition and that I might view them as being very disrespectful. Little girls like you need to learn proper manners, don’t you?”

He frightened her. He also excited her. Serena just nodded dumbly, unsure of what to say. She was not accustomed to giving anyone the privilege of having the last word, and it gnawed at her. Preston noticed and smiled. “It’s going to be tough learning to bite that tongue, isn’t it?”

“It’s going to be a bloody stump by the time I leave today,” Serena grumbled.

Preston chuckled, pushing a strand of long black hair from her face and tucking it gently behind her ear. “Go to sleep. When you get up, I’ll have ice cream for you.”

“Yes, Daddy, dearest.” Serena answered sarcastically. She didn’t see Preston’s happy and immensely satisfied smile as he walked away.

Chapter Four

Preston had to admit that the woman was very efficient in her work. He watched the construction of the house as he groomed Boo, who had gotten into a pack of foxtails. The dog growled unpleasantly as he pulled the offensive stickers from her fur.

“This is your doing, young lady, not mine. Don’t you think of showing your teeth to me,” Preston scolded as he carefully dislodged another sticker from her paw. Boo dropped her ears back and licked his face in an apology. Now, why couldn’t he get Serendipity Mitchell to be so contrite?

She had successfully avoided the flat of his hand by curbing her tongue for the last three months, but he could see that she was on the edge of facing his disapproval once again. She had called him “hircismus” just this morning and then promptly informed him that he was a couple of dilithium crystals short of a warp core. Now, he could handle being informed that his armpits smelled like a goat, if indeed they did. But using a Star Trek reference to insult his intelligence? Yes, she was becoming very creative in her insults. And not at all respectful. He knew the time was coming to reinforce his rules. Especially since the house was nearing completion with the help of a double work crew and perfect weather.

He and Drew had developed a close friendship over the last three months. Preston liked the man and had casually introduced him to Janie on one of his “hunches”. Sure enough, the two hit it off and Sara was as happy as a clam since she now had two men to make a fuss over her. Serena, however, seemed to grow more irritable and secluded. She threw herself into her work and refused all after-work invitations, unless Sara was present. He also found it interesting that Serena had yet to meet Janie, despite her cousin’s involvement. He was fairly sure that Serena was not avoiding Janie due to the ballroom project conflict. Janie was still uninformed of the young architect’s opinion of her work, and Serena did not know that it was his sister she had insulted.