The last thing Ben Tate was expecting to find deep in the Tennessee woods in the middle of winter was a beautiful young woman trying to plant seeds in the frozen ground. When he discovers that she is feverish and delusional, Ben takes her to the home he shares with the rest of the Tate family.
After her fever breaks, Maggie awakens in a strange house in a strange bed. She finds that she is under the care of a firm-handed man who has no intention of letting her run off before she has fully recovered, even if that means a good hard spanking will be required to get the message across.
As winter melts into spring and she is nursed back to health, Maggie grows fond of her strict but kind-hearted protector. Although he is hesitant to admit it, he seems to have taken quite an interest in her as well. Furthermore, she learns that her goal of stopping her uncle Milton from stealing her younger brother’s land is entwined with Ben’s quest to find the man who saved him from a prison camp during the Civil War. Will they find happiness together, or will their own stubbornness and Milton’s scheming tear them apart?
Author: Chula Stone
Word Count: 33,200
eBook Price: $3.95
Excerpt
“What—? What—? What do you think you’re doing?” she cried out.
“Giving you a spanking you won’t soon forget,” he replied while he paused his swats long enough to push her skirt and petticoat out of the way.
“You have no right!” she shouted. Her backside was beginning to feel the burn from his paddle-like hands.
“Huh!” was his only reply to her as he spanked all the harder.
“Let go of me! Stop this right now!” She squirmed, hoping to free herself from his grip, but he seemed to take no notice at all.
“I’ll stop when I’m good and ready. I’ll stop when I think you’ve learned that you can’t just go and come as you please, especially if what you please is dangerous. I’ll stop when you’ve learned some consideration for people who care about you and want what’s best for you. Do you know how worried my mother was?”
“I’m sorry I worried Miss Amanda. You know I never meant to do that, but why are you so mad? Zeke found me and he didn’t—oh, ow, that hurts! Stop!”
“Zeke isn’t the type. He lets things take their natural course. I’m more of a planner, and I can see what’s coming.” Here, he spanked even harder and faster, a feat Maggie hadn’t thought possible until he accomplished it. She was sure her backside must be smoking.
“Ow! Stop! Stop! Nothing’s coming! What are you talking about?”
“I want to make one thing perfectly clear to you, little miss. You may be used to getting your own way and doing just as you please, but that was before you met me. You’re in my charge. You’re under my care. You will follow the rules and do as you’re told. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you wish you had. Do you understand me?”