Two Guardians for Little May Read online

  Two Guardians for Little May

  By

  Breanna Hayse

  ©2014 by Blushing Books® and Breanna Hayse

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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  Hayse, Breanna

  Two Guardians for Little May

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-62750-554-3

  Cover Design by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

  Table of contents:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  About Breanna Hayse

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  Chapter 1

  "Whatcha got there?" Layton Marshall looked up from his large, wooden desk covered with stacks of papers, his eyes tired after hours of poring over his deceased father's accounts.

  "Something that might make life a whole lot easier for us." A piece of paper appeared from a pocket of the light weight leather jacket. "Take a look see."

  Layton frowned as he scanned the document in his hand. "Is this a deed? Where did you find it?"

  "It's a deed all right. It was tucked away an old trunk up in the attic. I was cleaning out Pop's belongings and happened upon it. Apparently, he had some property that we didn't know about. It's just a bit over an hour northeast of here." Caine Marshall pointed on the hand-drawn map.

  "This is really strange. Nothing is mentioned in his will about this."

  "It says it's transferable to the eldest child upon the death of the holder. That's you, dude. This might be the thing to get us out of this piece of shit house. I hate this place," Caine said gruffly. "It's never been home."

  "This was Mother's dream house, Caine. The only reason we came back is because she was so sick, and Pop needed our help. But, I agree. It's an eyesore, and way too formal for my likes."

  "Do you think we can unload this place and move up to this property?" Caine asked eagerly. "I can start a new practice and you can open a law office right there in Bridgeport. I've been there one time, and it was a pretty little town with a decent commute in both directions."

  "Slow down and give me a second to look at this," Layton said, scanning the document. "There is a clause in here about squatters. It says that if we find any unclaimed women or new families, the property owners are to ensure their safety and provide a means of a decent living. I wonder what that means. Are we expected to adopt lost women and children, and put them on our list of dependents?"

  "This is a mystery to me." His brother sat in their grandmother's old rocking chair and crossed his long legs. "Obviously, it's a little outdated. How old is that thing anyway?"

  "Outdated is an understatement. The signatures are dated January 4, 1927. Look here. It's a bank account number. Apparently, there is a trust fund attached to the property to either maintain or build the residence, and a safety deposit box number."

  "Let's take a break and check it out. You need to get some fresh air and stretch your legs a bit. Don't give me the dirty look, big brother. I will pull rank," Caine insisted.

  "Rank?" Layton looked amused. "The only rank you have over me is the need to shower. You've been out tending the horses, and I can see the stench rising from you."

  "I'm talking about your health. I am a physician."

  "What you are is a pain in the ass. But," Layton stood and flexed his back, "you are correct. Go take a shower while I rustle together something to eat. We can check this place out first thing in the morning."

  "What about squatters?"

  "We'll worry about that when we get there. I'll also swing by the bank and see what's in that box." Layton rubbed his neck, and then stacked the receipt papers into a neat pile and placed them into his briefcase. He considered his brother's suggestion. It would be good to sell the house and get out from under the debt his father had incurred while caring for their invalid mother. She had passed only two months ago, after five years of fighting metastasized lung cancer, and had left their father with the responsibility of paying an overly large mortgage while unsuccessfully nurturing a broken heart. He jotted a note to himself to review the mortgage stipulations. It was not like his father to have left things so unfinished, and the mortgage company was not being cooperative in returning his calls or responding to his emails.

  ***

  Layton had barely finished his first cup of coffee the next morning when the sound of honking indicated his younger brother's impatience. He chuckled, remembering Caine as a spontaneous child, and then a reckless teenager teeming with mischief. Medical school had somewhat matured him, redirecting his energies to focus on caring for women and newborns. Caine's patients loved the cheerful young doctor, and many of the single ladies actively sought to catch his interest. None had succeeded. He liked his freedom too much, and was not yet ready to be stuck 'in a family' way.

  At three years apart, Layton and Caine were as opposite as two brothers could be. Layton's love—his passion—was the law; protecting the innocent and exposing the transgressions of the guilty. Life was black and white to his eyes, and he never allowed any shades of gray to interfere with his decisions. Events over the last ten years had taken much of Layton's ability to smile and play. Despite his handsome, but rough 'Texan' features, and deep, mesmerizing drawl, Layton's stoic disposition repelled just as many woman from his presence as those who were attracted to Caine's charm.

  "Hurry up, Grandpa!" Caine shouted, pressing the horn.

  "Will you relax? The place isn't going anywhere. Don't get your hopes up," Layton warned, sliding into the front seat of the big, black pickup. "We have no idea how long it's been since anyone set foot on this property. I don't even know if Pop knew about it."

  "If he did, he sure kept it a secret," Caine said, his booted foot pressing on the gas and kicking up a cloud of dust that had settled on the cobblestoned driveway. "Wouldn't it be great to be away from this place? There is nothing but bad memories here and, personally, it's time to put it all to rest."

  "That is one thing we agree upon. I hated this house the minute it was bought," Layton agreed, tapping his fingers on the arm rest. "I told them that they would go into debt if they didn't watch out, but Pop wanted to give Mother her wish to live in a fancy mini mansion. I need to check his mortgage agreement but I can't get hold of a copy. There should be a death clause in it that covers the remainder of the payments. Pop was always insistent about shit like that."

  "You're a worrier, Bro. You need to learn to relax some," Caine said, his own Texas drawl rolling like melted butter over a biscuit. "You're gonna drive yo
urself into an early grave before you turn forty. When was the last time you took a horse out? You're gonna lose your chops."

  "Do you ever regret returning to Dallas after Mom got sick? You gave up your dream job of home delivery." Layton asked quietly.

  "You make it sound like I was a grocery clerk," Caine laughed. "Clean up on aisle five! Seriously, I loved doing home births. But Dallas gave me the chance to work in a high acuity labor and delivery ward where I received training and experience that I would not have gotten elsewhere. It made me a better doctor. Plus, you and Pop needed help with Mama's care. Do you regret leaving Baltimore?"

  "No," Layton answered quietly. "After the divorce, I lost my feel for the place. Coming home and being around family was good for me."

  "Are you sure you want to stay here for the long haul?" Caine asked with concern. "You get restless when there's no action. Hell, you threaten to dynamite the river if no fish start to bite."

  "Very funny. I'm thirty-seven years old. I've spent my adult life going to school, working my ass off, and married to a woman who I loved more than life but did not love me in return. I'd be fibbing if I said I wasn't ready for a real change. Honestly, I would love to get back to the way things used to be. You know, you and me. That was the happiest time in my life."

  "Maybe we can. Just need to find the right girl."

  "I doubt that is going to happen in a hole in the wall place like this," Layton said, staring blankly out the window.

  "You never know. Sometimes things fall right in our laps and we are too distracted to notice until they scream at you."

  "You have birthing babies on the mind, little brother," Layton forced a chuckle.

  "It's my life. What can I say?"

  Little more was shared as they drove down the highway towards Bridgeport, Texas. The men parked in front of the Chamber of Commerce to get exact directions to the property, which was located another forty minutes east. Layton then retrieved the contents of the safety deposit box and rejoined his brother in the truck.

  "Not the most social town, is it?" Layton commented, as they continued their journey.

  "I love you, Layton, but your dirty looks would frighten away Mother Teresa. You really need to lighten up and stop being so serious. What's in the envelope?"

  "A hand-written note." He squinted as he tried to read his father's scratchy handwriting. "It says, my dear boys..."

  "Uh oh," Caine interrupted. "We must be in trouble. What did you do this time?"

  "Hush up. My dear boys," Layton began again, "There is a very special gift waiting for the two of you. I beg you to protect it, cherish it and love it. It would mean the world to me. Pop."

  "Did he leave us a puppy?"

  "Sounds like it. But you know Pop," Layton sighed, "he was always one for mystery and intrigue. He used to say he wanted to be a secret detective instead of a cow rancher."

  "Who wouldn't? Well, if it was important enough for him to say something, then we need to respect that."

  "No arguments here. Do you really want to live here?" Layton glanced down the quiet street. "Do they even have a physician? I've seen a vet's office. Do you know how to deliver a cow?"

  "Yeah, smart ass. To both your questions. I happen to be very efficient in bovine birthing. There is even a hospital a few miles north of here. I'd like to return to doing house calls, though. There are a bunch of rural areas that need health care and I can offer that."

  "You've got a good heart, little brother. I wish I could say the same for myself. I'm too practical. Turn left at—let me see what he wrote—oh yes, the old tree hit by lightning," Layton said mockingly. "There is nothing like small town sensibilities. Slow down. There's someone along the roadside."

  "Excuse me, Miss," Caine rolled down his window, "Do you know where the Old Marshall place is?"

  The slight, blonde-haired woman paused to look at them. Her large, green eyes against pale, slightly freckled skin, gave her a doll-like appearance. "What's it to you?"

  "We own the place," Layton said, leaning across to look at her through Caine's open window.

  "Like hell you do!" the girl yelled, before taking off in a dead run through the copse of scraggly ancient oaks.

  "What was that about?"

  "Beats me. But she sure is adorable," Caine shrugged, pulling the truck back onto the road. The paved road turned to gravel with dense, Spanish moss-covered oaks and thick underbrush lining both sides. They drove another quarter of a mile and the view opened to a large, blue lake.

  "Nice," Layton whistled, "looks like there might be some decent fishing here. That's a plus. Lots of nice horse trails, too."

  Caine grunted. "You are the only person I know who would notice things like fishing and riding over a cute girl. And since you haven't engaged in either of those activities in years, I would venture to say that you're useless in the love department."

  "Maybe I need to rethink taking up a hobby. Fish and horse don't talk back or give me grief, while women and kid brothers won't stop with the aggravation. Shit," Layton leaned forward. "Do you think that's the place?"

  Before them stood a small, single-story, stone structure that reeked of years of neglect. Broken windows and falling shutters suggested that it had been abandoned to the elements for decades.

  "It is definitely a fixer-upper," Caine commented, exiting the vehicle.

  Layton was directly behind him. "Demolition is more like it."

  "Looks like someone is hanging out here, too. There's smoke coming from the chimney," Caine pointed out.

  "Maybe it's the squatters we were warned about. Hello?"

  The sound of running footsteps caused both brothers to glance at each other, before heading in opposite directions. They cornered their quarry in the hall behind the termite-ridden wooden staircase.

  "So, we meet again," Layton said, looking down from a healthy height of 6'2".

  The girl they had met on the road glared up at him with about a foot difference. "You have no right to be here. This is my home!"

  "Well, I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but we have every right to be here." Layton narrowed his eyes.

  "What's your name?" Caine intervened. "I'm Caine and this old grouch is Layton. This property belonged to our dad."

  "Lyle? Lyle was your father?" The girl's eyes grew large.

  "Why, yes, he was. He passed away one week ago today."

  She paused, then her face reddened. "Well, good riddance to him!" The girl spat on the floor. "He was no better than the rest of the landlord scum of this world."

  "You knew our dad? How?" Layton asked, blocking her path as she began to stomp away. "No way, youngster. You aren't going anywhere until you answer some questions."

  "I don't have to tell you nothing. And don't talk to me like I'm a child. I happen to be twenty years old."

  "The phrase is 'tell you anything', and I beg to differ. As for speaking to you as though you were a child, common sense has it that if you act like an adult, then you will be treated like one. To start, adults do not spit or stomp away," Layton corrected. "Start talking. How do you know our father?"

  "Go to bloody hell," the girl hissed, standing her ground.

  "I think we are getting off to a bad start," Caine intervened. "Please, tell us your name."

  "May. Maybelle Corinne Wright."

  "It's good to meet you, Miss May," Caine said. "Have you been here long?"

  "Long enough. Tell that big clout to stop looking at me like I was something to eat," May ordered.

  "Eating you was not on my mind. I was thinking more along the lines of paddling your backside for having such a fresh mouth," Layton grumbled aloud.

  "You're just one big bully!" May screeched, suddenly kicking Layton in the shin and diving out the window. The broken, jagged glass ripped her thigh and left behind a piece of her old jeans, spotted with blood.

  "Now you've done it," Caine scolded his brother. "Why is it so impossible for you to act like a human being?"

  "Me? The
little imp bruised my leg," Layton complained, rubbing his shin.

  "You scared her. We need to find her. She cut herself up on this glass and who knows what crap got into her wound."

  "Damn it, Caine. When are you going to stop trying to turn me into someone's hero? I really don't care what happens to her. She's trespassing."

  "She knew Pop. That means that he was well aware of the existence of this place. I just can't believe that he would have permitted anyone, especially a little girl, to live in this dump for any reason."

  "Maybe she kicked him in the shin and he stopped giving a shit."

  "Nah, he would have blistered her behind and then went back to normal, like nothing ever happened. I just find the whole thing very strange and not at all congruent with his character. I'm curious as to what other secrets are hiding out here, aren't you?"

  "Not really. I have no interest in secrets, just facts. Moreover, facts that are handed to me, not ones I have to search for. I'm also not in the mood to deal with some little vagrant with a bad attitude."

  "Layton, I have yet to see you in the mood to deal with anyone, no matter what their attitude is. You go and follow that path into the woods, and I'll go along the edge of the lake. If you find her, try to be pleasant for crying out loud."

  Layton kicked away stones from the path, not paying any attention to his surroundings. Finding the sassy-mouthed brat was not a top priority. Despite his comment to Caine, Layton was far more curious about the story surrounding this place, and the extent of his father's involvement. Lost in thought, he failed to duck when an object flew straight at his head. "Ow!" he shouted as something smacked him in the cheek. "What the…"

  "Go away!" the girl shouted, throwing another pine cone and catching him in the shoulder. "You don't belong here. Lyle said this is my home and I didn't have to leave. Ever!"

  "Stop throwing things at me, damn it. I swear, one more and… Ow!"

  "I thought I heard shouting," Caine trotted up to them just before Layton's temper blew. "Sweetheart, your leg is bleeding. I'm a doctor. Let me clean that out."