Two Guardians for Little May Read online

  Chapter 4

  "What's wrong?" Layton asked, as they lumbered down the trail.

  "Do you really want to know?" May wrinkled her nose. "My freaking ass hurts. This saddle is awfully hard. I didn't think I would still be aching."

  Layton shrugged, turning his mount towards the wooded path. "I guess Caine made quite an impact on you then. How's the cut?"

  "Throbbing. It's really swollen around the outside of the bandage."

  "Did you take the antibiotics this morning?" he asked. "May? Answer me."

  "I forgot."

  "Make sure you do that when we get back."

  "I can't. I kind of left them at the lake house."

  "The doc is not going to be happy about that. He told you to bring them when you bagged up your clothes."

  "I forgot. I was a little distraught last night, remember?"

  "That's not an excuse. He specifically reminded you, and you said that you would pack them up right away. Did you deliberately lie to him?"

  "Not deliberately. I just forgot."

  "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. Caine is going to, well, raise cane. Speaking of the devil," Layton said, pulling his cell phone from his pocket. "Hey, Bro! Is there a baby yet?"

  "This mom changed her mind last minute and decided she wanted a puppy," Caine laughed. "I had to tell her about the no return policy. How's Miss May?"

  "I took her out riding for a bit after breakfast."

  "And her leg?"

  "She says it's hurting, as expected. She also noticed some inflammation around the area."

  "Yeah, it didn't take long to develop an infection. Did she take her meds like I told her?"

  "I think I will let her answer this. Maybelle? Caine wants to speak to you. I'm putting you on speaker."

  "Maybelle?" Caine's voice had adopted a different tone. "Did you take your medications?"

  "Um, no, sir." May shrunk in the saddle.

  "Would you care to explain to me why not?"

  "I sort of forgot." She wrinkled her forehead as she looked at Layton and mouthed the word 'help.' He shook his head.

  "Then take them when you get back. That wound is too dirty and is already showing signs of infection."

  "I, uh, well, I can't." May stuttered.

  "You can't? Are you experiencing a side effect or allergic reaction?"

  "No, sir."

  "Enough with the games. Why can't you take your medications, Maybelle? Out with it."

  "I sort of left them in my room at the lake house. I meant to get them, but I was so messed up after yesterday. I'm sorry."

  "You're sorry?" Caine repeated. "Are you telling me that you managed to toss together a bag with a change of clothes, but conveniently forgot the medications that I emphasized were a necessity? We will have a very long talk about this when I get home, young lady. I am not pleased with you right now."

  "I'm sorry," May whispered, biting her lip.

  "Layton? Make sure she does a hot Epsom salt soak immediately when you guys get back. Then you and I are also going to have a talk. In private."

  Layton and May stared at each other upon hearing the phone disconnect without even so much as a goodbye.

  "It sounds like you're in trouble too," May stated, breaking out in a sudden giggle.

  "I don't know for what, but I assure you, he does not frighten me in the least. Let's get you back and do that compress. I know that tone of voice. He is not a happy camper."

  "I was under the impression that you were the more serious one," May stated as they trotted back to the stalls. "He doesn't tolerate any excuses, does he?"

  "We both have different areas that we pinpoint. His is health and manners, mine is behavior and responsibility. As long as you behave the way you did today, you won't get any hassle from me."

  "Layton? This sounds super weird, but would you mind helping me with my leg?"

  "Sure. Let me help you down," he said, reaching up to catch her by the waist. She placed her hands on his shoulders and stared into his eyes. They froze, looking at one another in silence, until Layton broke the spell. He removed his hands from her waist and beckoned the stable-hand to take the horses. "Let's get you back before Caine comes home and strangles both of us."

  May nodded, and accepted his outstretched hand. Layton frowned as she limped by his side, and finally swept her into his arms to carry her back to the house. He placed her gently on the kitchen table and began to prepare the compress.

  "Those jeans are going to have to come down," he commented, placing the bowl on the table. "Either that or you can go change into that skirt you were wearing."

  "I'm not shy," May said, hopping off the table and unzipping her jeans.

  Layton swallowed dryly as he watched her skim the snug, boot-cut jeans down past her slender but shapely thighs, showing off a pair of ivory lace boy shorts. May resumed her place on the table and slowly kicked her legs while waiting for him to proceed.

  "That looks nasty," he said, after gently peeling off the bandage. "Caine is going to have a major fit."

  "Missing one dose of antibiotics didn't make it swell up like this," May argued. "Damn! That hurts."

  "The purpose of a hot soak is to draw out this garbage. Stay still!"

  "Screw that. It's too tender." May pushed the compress away and covered the wound with her hands.

  "Your butt is going to be tenderized again if you don't let me take care of you. Hold this in place."

  "But it hurts! I don't like it."

  "I know, but it's needed. Maybelle? Did you really just kick me?" Layton asked, after the toe of her boot flew against his shin. "Are you insane? You are sitting here with only a fine layer of lace to protect you, and you decide to kick me?"

  "Stop hurting me, then."

  "When we are done here," Layton changed the compress, "you are going to spend some time in the corner."

  "I certainly will not and you can't make me!" May scowled, smacking at his hand.

  "Watch me. Hit me again and my belt comes off. Is that what you want?"

  May quickly shook her head, taking his threat to heart. She sat on her hands, content with making faces every time he changed the compress, and muttered unintelligible words under her breath. Neither spoke for the next fifteen minutes. Satisfied that he had done what he could to her wound, Layton took May gently by the earlobe with his right hand and made her shimmy off the table. He ignored her protests as he picked up the chair with his left hand, set it in a corner and then guided her firmly to sit herself in it.

  "You keep your eyes to the wall, young lady, and think about how unnecessary kicking me is. Move an inch and I promise that those panties will be coming down and you will experience a serious hiding on your bare bottom."

  "You're mean."

  "Not as mean as Caine will be when he finds out that you gave me problems about soaking that cut."

  "I wasn't that bad."

  "You were terrible."

  "Was not."

  Layton placed his hands on his hips and tapped his foot on the ground. "You know you are cruising, little girl. Turn that nose to the wall and don't budge even a smidge until Caine comes home."

  Layton shook his head as he sat on the couch and opened his files to continue searching through the case documents. He caught May glancing at him and snapped his fingers to remind her to face the wall, hiding a smile as she quickly obeyed. He mused about how easily she fell into this type of relationship. Maybe Caine really was onto something?

  "Where is that naughty little girl of ours?" Caine's voice bellowed from the front door.

  "We're in the living room. Maybelle is in the corner."

  "Oh, she is? Does it have anything to do with being mouthy again?"

  "I wasn't mouthy. He's just mean," May said, crossing her arms. Layton raised his eyebrow again, noticing how her voice had changed to something more innocent. He observed his brother's reaction with interest.

  "Maybelle Corinne Wright, you put your little bottom right here in fro
nt of me this minute," Caine ordered, his left hand on his hip and his right index finger pointing to the ground. "And keep those jeans down."

  "I'm fine right here, thank you."

  "You have until the count of three. One…"

  "Are you sure you can count that high? I'm coming!" May screeched, as he began to push up his sleeve. She stood in front of him, the top of her head just barely lining up with his chin.

  "You are a saucy little thing. What kind of trouble did you make to be put into the corner?"

  "Nuthin," May said, her regression growing more apparent as she looked at the ground and traced the carpet with the toe of her boot.

  "Nuthin? We are going to establish some rules right here and now. You," he pointed to Layton, "had best help me enforce them. One, no cussing."

  "He cusses!" May pointed to the amused man sitting on the couch.

  "Not anymore. He has now officially cleaned up his mouth. The second rule is that you will answer both of us respectfully. That means yes and no, sir. You are a young lady with southern manners, and they will be enforced. Got it?"

  "Yeah…"

  "Pardon me?"

  "Yes, sir." May pouted.

  "Third, when either Layton or I tell you to do something, you are to mind us. No arguing, sassing, or back-talk. And finally," he leaned over her to emphasize his point, "there will be no more temper tantrums, hissy-fits, or any other displays of ill-manners. You already know that I will take you over my knee in a heart-beat, and so will Layton. Am I understood?"

  "You're mean."

  "I'm not playing, here. Things are about to change in your life, missy. Pop began this journey with you and we intend to see it through. Even if it means you spending the rest of your life nursing a tender backside. I ask you again," Caine's drawl enunciated his words, "am I understood?"

  "Yes, sir," May said, looking at the floor. "Can I go now?"

  "You may not. We have a little issue of fibbing to deal with."

  "I didn't fib!" May's eyes widened.

  "Did you, or did you not, tell me while we were driving here that you had packed your medication?"

  "I can't remember, I was sleepy and you wouldn't shut up."

  "Try that again."

  May grunted, crossing her arms. "I just forgot. I had other things on my mind."

  "I asked you at least three times if you had packed your meds. You said yes, did you not?"

  "I can't remember."

  "Well, my girl, you are going to have a little lesson in remembering right now."

  "No!" May pulled back from the hand that held her wrist and dragged her to the couch. Layton moved over to give his brother room to sit down, and feigned disinterest in the events while Caine pushed the struggling young woman across the span of his hard thighs. He lifted her pink t-shirt out of his way, repositioned her wriggling bottom under his hand, and lifted his long right leg to capture her kicking feet.

  "I don't care how many times I need to do this," he said, his hand smacking her backside with well-aimed cracks, "You will eventually learn that certain things, like lying, disobedience and disrespect are not permitted in this household. Never have been, and never will."

  May howled as he spanked her, the heavy blows landing precisely over the smooth, soft skin and turning it to a warm rosy glow. Her position kept her from being able to kick or squirm, so her only means of escape was that of pounding her hands against the floor as she shouted out her apologies. Her right hand found its way back to her bottom as a feeble attempt to block the smacks, but it was quickly secured to her side by Caine.

  Layton cleared his throat as he watched the intensity between his brother and the girl. Caine was focused and determined; May was stubborn and defiant. She alternately sobbed out her pleas for forgiveness, shouted out her promises, and cussed him to holy hell, but the spanking did not cease. Layton knew that look on Caine's face; the one that indicated that the discipline would stop only after May yielded to the lesson that he intended to teach. She fought against him; she yelled and screamed out threats; she wept and begged for mercy and Caine calmly spanked, his hand striking her repeatedly over the darkening red cheeks. Not until May's struggles ceased, and her cries softened, did he stop.

  Caine pulled May up to face him. "You will learn that it never pays to lie to us, and that our rules are absolute for your own good. Go stand in the corner and hold that shirt up so I can see that bottom," he ordered. The girl quickly obeyed, wise enough to keep silent. Her muffled weeping against the wall filled the silence of the room, while Caine closed his eyes and leaned back against the couch. Layton watched the exchange, fascinated by the unspoken communication between a true daddy dominant and his little girl submissive. It appeared to be the most natural thing in the world, and Layton found himself longing to experience the same.

  "Now what?" he whispered to his brother.

  Caine opened one eye and winked. "You'll see."

  Several minutes passed in silence before May came to them and fell to her knees, sobbing against Caine's thigh.

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Her sobs were deep, as though they were being dragged up from the very bottom of her soul, "Please forgive me."

  "Of course I forgive you," Caine said softly, pulling her to stand between his knees. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his body, stroking her burning bottom with his right hand. May hung limply over his shoulder and cried against him, her body visibly relaxing as his hand caressed her hot, red backside.

  "I'm going to go put her down for a nap and then grab a shower and a couple of z's myself. We'll have our talk later," Caine announced to Layton. He stood up, placed May's arms around his neck, and lifted her off the floor. "Up you go, little one."

  Layton watched as they disappeared up the stairs. He heard the talking; Caine's low, firm voice and May's softer, lighter responses. The sound of footsteps above him and the closing of a door said that his brother had retreated to his room. Layton stood, debating his decision.

  "Maybelle?" he said softly, opening the door to the guest room. She was on her tummy on the bed, her bright red bottom looking like a glowing lamp. "May I come in?"

  May lifted her head to look at him, her red-rimmed eyes matching the red nose beneath them. Layton felt his heart catch. She looked both pathetic and beautiful. "I'm an ugly crier," she muttered.

  "Pretty crying is for movies. How are you doing?" he asked, sitting next to her on the bed and placing his hand on the center of her back.

  "I feel so awful being like that," May lamented, resting her chin on her folded arms. "Layton? Do you think it's possible to feel both guilty and clean at the same time?"

  "Let me tell you a story," Layton said, lying down next to her. "When I was around eleven or so, Pop brought home this brand new Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun to blow skeet with. He was very much against hunting, but loved to shatter those clay pigeons whenever he had a chance. Anyway, one afternoon, I decided I was going to try it out for myself. I loaded a handful of shells into my pocket, grabbed the gun and snuck out back where I wouldn't be seen."

  He sighed, taking May's hand in his and rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. "I thought it would be fun to fire at some trees, you know, maybe knock off some branches. I hit a bird's nest filled with newborn chicks. I was sick over what I had done. I grabbed up the nest with the little broken birds and ran straight home. Because I left his new gun in the woods, I couldn't even fib my way out of what had happened. Pop was so disappointed in me. Not just because I disobeyed him, but because I had harmed something innocent in the process. I got the licking of my life, but to this day, I still feel bad for those three little birds."

  "You were just a kid, though. It was an accident."

  "Yes, but I am still responsible for doing something that I can never undo. There are two kinds of guilt, sweetheart. One, like mine, which has no reconciliation and no way to make amends. I just have to learn to let it go and never repeat the same mistake. And another, like yours, that r
equires only that you forgive yourself, because you've already paid the price."

  "I think I really hurt his feelings."

  "Why do you think that?"

  "He had to be mad to spank me so long and hard," May sniffed. "And I cussed at him and lied."

  "Let me explain something to you," Layton kissed the back of her hand. "That spanking was not about him being angry, or really about your actions. It was about teaching you to let go of all this crap that you believe about yourself and how you react when you feel cornered. Neither of us want you to self-destruct and we plan on being an obstacle on that path you've taken."

  "I'm not self-destructive," May argued.

  "No? I want the truth. Look at me." Layton stared into her eyes. "Did you leave those meds at the other house on purpose?"

  "No." May averted her gaze.

  "Honey, I can detect when people are lying. It is what I do for a living, remember? The truth. Look at me, please. Did you deliberately leave that medication back home?"

  A single tear dripped down May's cheek as she raised her eyes to meet his. She gave him a tiny nod. He squeezed her hand. "That wasn't hard, was it? Did you do it to test Caine's reaction?"

  A pause, and then another tiny nod followed.

  "You wanted to see if he was really telling you the truth about his promise to take care of you. You wanted to see," he gently pinched the tip of her chin between his index finger and his thumb, "if he would enforce himself and follow through on his threat. You needed him to do that so you could really trust him. Am I right?"

  "Yes," she whispered.

  "Are you satisfied now? Do you believe that he will be true to his word?"

  "Yes."

  "And what about me? Am I going to have to take the same stand with you eventually to prove I am who I say I am?"

  "I don't know," May blushed. "It is not something that either my brain or my ass wants to think about right now."

  "I'll make a deal with you. When the time comes that you are questioning my commitment to our family—and yes, that includes you now—come and tell me right away. You don't have to act out and do something to feel guilt. Say the word and I will put you over my knee, and you will see exactly how much I care."