Read Over the Barrel for Free Online
Authors: Breanna Hayse
as
property any longer. Nor are we
ignorant children who need to be told how to live our lives. You men need to accept the fact that we
are intelligent and able to think for ourselves. We …"
Sloan interrupted her by placing a single
finger over her lips. "Shhh. I am very much
aware of the movement to allow women to vote and how they are struggling for
independence in a world that is dominated by men. Do you think that I haven't noticed the
change in fashion with eliminating corsets and introducing women's trousers and
short skirts? Frankly, I am
surprised you are not clothed in such an outfit, given your fondness for the
idea of women's rights."
"My aunt forbade it," Blair
said glumly. "The only reason
I have the drawers is because Madeline sewed them for me to maintain my modesty
as I went out riding. I threw my corset
in the fireplace on my way out the door, and it was too much effort to remove
the petticoats."
"I applaud your maid for her wisdom,
and you for your choice. Those
devices are pleasing to the eye, but are otherwise useless. Especially out here. Darling, what you do not understand is
that you are not equipped to be on your own in the wilderness. It is not because you are a woman, but
because you have not been taught the necessities of pioneer living. While we are on the trail, I intend to
teach you how to shoot a gun, clean a fish, and set a trap. You will also learn how to make a fire,
cook, and mend clothes."
"I am not your servant! If you think …"
"Listen up, Miss Farbor. If something happened to me along the
way to your grandfather's ranch, how would you care for yourself? Believe me, girl, being your nanny was
not on my list. I will make the
best of this unpleasant situation as I can, and I strongly urge you to do the
same. If not, I will not hesitate
to blister your backside every day until we reach Manitou Springs. Got it?"
Blair's mouth opened and closed
silently. Her perched position upon
his hard lap was causing more discomfort to her nether region than she cared to
admit, and it did not stop with the burning ache in her bottom. She dared not squirm and give Sloan the
satisfaction of believing she was either tender or aroused, the latter of which
confused her. She sullenly
dismissed her state of dismay to the effects of hunger.
"I wish to eat and then begin our
journey," she announced, standing and quickly placing several feet between
them, hiding her hand as she rubbed her tender posterior.
Sloan took his time to stand, making
certain that Blair's attention did not waver as he maintained eye contact. "There are apples and some cheese
in the saddlebags. Help
yourself."
"I want to have a real meal. Something hot and substantial. I have not eaten anything since
breakfast. That was nearly ten
hours ago."
"Well, little lady, a proper meal
just ain't gonna happen in this town. Maybe we can catch us some fish when we bunk down tonight and then you
can have your hot, substantial meal."
"You are an idiot, Mr. Adkins."
"I've been told that on numerous
occasions. Where do you think you
are going?"
Blair lifted her skirts and wordlessly started
towards the stable's exit. Sloan
grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him, his eyes again meeting Blair's as
she fearfully gulped. "Do not
press your luck. Ready that horse
and get set to leave before the sheriff's hospitality runs out. No sass from you. I am not in the mood."
Chapter 3
Blair glared into the middle of Sloan's
back as they rode silently down the well-worn road towards their
destination. The town they had been
sent to by the St. Louis sheriff did not have a wagon available, however, the
local judge and his wife generously loaded the couple with supplies and invited
them to stay the evening at their home. After taking hot baths, laundering their clothing, and sleeping on firm
straw mattresses, Sloan and Blair departed
property any longer. Nor are we
ignorant children who need to be told how to live our lives. You men need to accept the fact that we
are intelligent and able to think for ourselves. We …"
Sloan interrupted her by placing a single
finger over her lips. "Shhh. I am very much
aware of the movement to allow women to vote and how they are struggling for
independence in a world that is dominated by men. Do you think that I haven't noticed the
change in fashion with eliminating corsets and introducing women's trousers and
short skirts? Frankly, I am
surprised you are not clothed in such an outfit, given your fondness for the
idea of women's rights."
"My aunt forbade it," Blair
said glumly. "The only reason
I have the drawers is because Madeline sewed them for me to maintain my modesty
as I went out riding. I threw my corset
in the fireplace on my way out the door, and it was too much effort to remove
the petticoats."
"I applaud your maid for her wisdom,
and you for your choice. Those
devices are pleasing to the eye, but are otherwise useless. Especially out here. Darling, what you do not understand is
that you are not equipped to be on your own in the wilderness. It is not because you are a woman, but
because you have not been taught the necessities of pioneer living. While we are on the trail, I intend to
teach you how to shoot a gun, clean a fish, and set a trap. You will also learn how to make a fire,
cook, and mend clothes."
"I am not your servant! If you think …"
"Listen up, Miss Farbor. If something happened to me along the
way to your grandfather's ranch, how would you care for yourself? Believe me, girl, being your nanny was
not on my list. I will make the
best of this unpleasant situation as I can, and I strongly urge you to do the
same. If not, I will not hesitate
to blister your backside every day until we reach Manitou Springs. Got it?"
Blair's mouth opened and closed
silently. Her perched position upon
his hard lap was causing more discomfort to her nether region than she cared to
admit, and it did not stop with the burning ache in her bottom. She dared not squirm and give Sloan the
satisfaction of believing she was either tender or aroused, the latter of which
confused her. She sullenly
dismissed her state of dismay to the effects of hunger.
"I wish to eat and then begin our
journey," she announced, standing and quickly placing several feet between
them, hiding her hand as she rubbed her tender posterior.
Sloan took his time to stand, making
certain that Blair's attention did not waver as he maintained eye contact. "There are apples and some cheese
in the saddlebags. Help
yourself."
"I want to have a real meal. Something hot and substantial. I have not eaten anything since
breakfast. That was nearly ten
hours ago."
"Well, little lady, a proper meal
just ain't gonna happen in this town. Maybe we can catch us some fish when we bunk down tonight and then you
can have your hot, substantial meal."
"You are an idiot, Mr. Adkins."
"I've been told that on numerous
occasions. Where do you think you
are going?"
Blair lifted her skirts and wordlessly started
towards the stable's exit. Sloan
grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him, his eyes again meeting Blair's as
she fearfully gulped. "Do not
press your luck. Ready that horse
and get set to leave before the sheriff's hospitality runs out. No sass from you. I am not in the mood."
Chapter 3
Blair glared into the middle of Sloan's
back as they rode silently down the well-worn road towards their
destination. The town they had been
sent to by the St. Louis sheriff did not have a wagon available, however, the
local judge and his wife generously loaded the couple with supplies and invited
them to stay the evening at their home. After taking hot baths, laundering their clothing, and sleeping on firm
straw mattresses, Sloan and Blair departed