The Demure Bride(14)

"Matt should have handled the situation differently than he did," Rob stated matter-of-factly.

"He didn't want to be hard on me after all of those years apart... and  he knew I was grieving for Mama. I have decided it is time to make  amends with people, Rob. I started with Ted at the Mercantile, and he  was very nice to me."

Rob was impressed that Amanda was doing her best to change her behavior  and he told her so. "It takes a big person to admit they need to change,  Mandy. I am proud of you for finally hearing what your father had to  say and for deciding to give yourself permission to like it here."

Amanda felt special when Rob smiled at her and she quickly turned the  conversation to other things she hoped he would find interesting. She  was enjoying the day and didn't want anything at all to spoil it.

Their food was piping hot when it was served, and it was as delicious as  Amanda claimed it would be. Rob was amused with her banter throughout  the meal and relieved that she truly was not upset with him for spanking  her so soundly the last time they were together. Amanda was truly  growing up and he found her delightful. When the waitress returned to  ask them what kind of pie they wanted, he asked if they had any of Mrs.  Whittier's chocolate cake. The busy waitress nodded and ran off to do  their bidding. She quickly brought the dessert and refilled their coffee  cups one more time.

Neither Rob nor Amanda was anxious to see the meal end, but Rob paid  their bill and left a generous tip for the waitress. As they left the  hotel Amanda spotted Helene by the buggy, and she was obviously waiting  for her.

"Amanda, I hope I'm not being a bother?" the brunette asked timidly.

"Of course not! Rob, may I present Miss Helene Patterson? Helene, this is Mr. Robert Thorne."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Patterson."

"I'm sorry to intrude, but here is the letter, Amanda," she held out an envelope. "Thank you so much."

"You are welcome, Helene. I'll ask Papa to help." Helene waved goodbye to her as they drove out of town.         

     



 

The drive home didn't take long enough to suit either of them, but  Amanda had to admit that she had a splendid time and she welcomed the  goodbye kiss Rob gave her.

At supper that night she gave her Papa the letter that Helene wrote to  Ted and explained the matter to her parent. Matt frowned and said he  would pass the letter on this one time but told Amanda he didn't want  her playing matchmaker. Once she nodded, he wanted to discuss whether or  not she had a good time with Rob and seemed pleased to hear she'd had a  wonderful day. Matt was also pleased to learn she'd purchased fabric to  make some riding skirts.

When Rob visited a couple days later and asked if she would like to go  riding, Amanda was relieved she'd finished one of her new riding skirts  already. She hastily changed her clothing and by the time she went  outside he had Glimmer saddled for her.

Rob was quick to notice that she was dressed a lot more respectfully  this time and he was pleased to realize she could be reasonable. They  simply enjoyed riding and being together, and when Rob asked if she  would like to give the horses a rest, Amanda quickly agreed. They found  shade under a tree, and sat on the ground to relax. "You look lovely  today, Mandy," Rob told her, his voice husky.

"You like my new riding skirt?" she shyly asked.

"I do," he answered sincerely. "You look like the lady you are, Mandy."

"I had no idea that... well, that the pants were..."

"That is because you are a sweet and modest young woman. You meant no  harm, my dear. The fault is with the men who look at you and form their  own conclusions. In Boston you wore proper riding habits that are out of  place out here. You tried to please your father by giving up the habits  you wore back East, and just did not realize that the pants were too  revealing. This new riding skirt is lovely on you, and it looks much  more comfortable than the habit you wore in Boston." He smiled. "You are  an accomplished seamstress as well."

"I learned to sew when I was much younger. It was something that Mama and I enjoyed doing together."

"You miss her very much, do you not?"

"I do, Rob. I realize that she had her faults, but she was very good to  me. Loving and kind, and yet firm. My behavior when I arrived here would  have shocked her," Amanda said with a sad smile. "Yes, I learned some  things that Papa assures me are too 'high falutin'' for this part of the  county," she added with a giggle. "But ladies are very proper in  Boston. It is expected."

"Are they permitted to kiss in Boston?" Rob asked, lowering his mouth to  hers in a sweet kiss meant to tantalize. "You taste so good, Mandy," he  told her, deepening the kiss and using his hands to pull her closer.

Amanda loved the gentle persuasion of his lips on hers and she returned  Rob's kisses with enthusiasm. Rob moaned and his hand sought her breast  and caressed her through the shirt she wore. She knew she should stop  such familiarity, but his touch was exciting and she didn't want to stop  him. She enjoyed what he was doing to her body and when he deftly  unbuttoned her shirt to slip his hand inside, she thrust her breast into  his hand. Rob slid his long fingers under the camisole she wore and her  bare skin was soft to his touch. He tweaked her nipple and her moan  told him she liked what he was doing. It was all the encouragement he  needed to untie the ribbons holding the delicate garment together.

Cupping her breast in his hand felt wonderful and Rob was only too aware  that his manhood was swollen and straining against his pants. He wanted  the pretty redhead. He lowered his mouth to take her nipple into his  mouth and he suckled like a babe. Rob undid the fastenings on her riding  skirt and within a short time his hand was cupping her mound and  learning that her drawers were soaked with her passion. Amanda was  enjoying his touch just as much as he was enjoying touching her.

The sudden outpouring of gunshots in the distance called an abrupt halt  to their lovemaking. Rob got to his feet and his eyes searched for signs  of trouble. There were more shots and he knew he needed to go and  investigate. Someone was in trouble, for sure. "I want you to stay right  here, Amanda."

"But..."

"Mind me now," he said firmly. He knew she was armed, but he was not  about to permit her to ride into danger. Rob mounted and hurried in the  direction of the shots.

Amanda's hands were shaking as she adjusted her clothing. It was  shocking for her to realize just how close she came to allowing Rob to  do whatever he wished with her person. She knew better than to behave so  freely, but when Rob was touching her like that she couldn't think. She  felt her cheeks burning with shame, and then she heard more gunshots  and her embarrassment at her wanton behavior turned to worry about Rob.  What if he got shot trying to help whomever was in trouble?         

     



 

Amanda knew that he told her to stay put, but she knew how to use a gun,  and if there were more rustlers, Rob might need her help. Amanda  decided she could deal with his temper better than she could deal with  his death. She hoisted herself onto Glimmer's back and rode in the  direction of the shots being fired.







Rob was cautious as he rode toward the gunfire. He knew sound carried  for a distance in this county, but the shots stopped, and Rob found  nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. He finally decided that someone  was probably practicing a fast draw, and had already headed away from  the area. He certainly didn't see anyone, and the last volley of shots  was some time ago. After one more careful sweep of the area, Rob decided  he was wasting his time. He rode back to where he left Mandy, and she  wasn't there!

"Amanda!" he called her name. He quickly checked to see if there was any  sign of a struggle, and saw none. "Amanda!" Where could she be? He had  ordered her to stay right here until he came back. What was she thinking  to disobey him? Of course, he had been gone for a while, and perhaps  she was frightened and rode back to the ranch for help?

Rob kept his eyes open as he covered the distance to Amanda's house. He  was torn between the desire to be understanding if she headed home to  get help, and the urge to turn her over his knee for frightening him. He  knew that her attitude would seal her fate one way or another.

He spotted Matt as he rode into the yard, but there was no sign of the lovely redhead. "Where is Amanda, Matt?" he asked.

"Goldie told me she went riding with you, son...?"

"She did not return within the last hour or so?" Rob was suddenly frightened.

"No. Was she supposed to?" Matt demanded.

Rob explained what happened, and he and Matt checked the barn for Glimmer. The little mare wasn't there.

"Do you think she chased after you, thinking you might need help?" Matt asked, trying to figure out the possibilities.