I'd like to thank you all for your reviews and alerts. I've really enjoyed writing this story as I hope you all have as well but we've come to the end. I hope I got it right :)
Chapter 4
Colleen glanced at Sully out of the corner of her eye. He hadn't yelled or even spoken harshly to her but he was...she couldn't explain it, or the butterflies that were forming in the pit of her tummy. But the feeling of dread wouldn't leave her.
"Um...I guess we have to do the morning chores?" she asked hopefully. That could be why they were on their way to the barn couldn't it?
"That's not why we're going to the barn."
"Oh." Colleen chewed nervously on her bottom lip. "I guess I'm in trouble huh?"
"What you did was wrong Colleen...the way you've been actin lately...is wrong."
"But Dr Mike is always at me...she wants to know everything...to control everything."
"She's your Ma."
The rest of the journey was silent and Colleen was left with her thoughts until they pulled into the yard. The butterflies were suddenly back with a vengeance. She knew what it meant to get sent to the barn but...she could be wrong, couldn't she? Her own Ma had laid her hand or the spoon on her behind more than a time or two when she was younger, but she was almost grown now and Sully was so gentle and Dr Mike didn't believe in spanking...
Sully jumped from the wagon and then lifted her down.
"Go wait for me while I see to the horse." he said pointing to the dreaded barn.
"I could make you some coffee..." she tried.
"Now Colleen." Sully said firmly.
With her heart beating near out of her chest Colleen did as she was told and walked to the barn where she waited with baited breath.
Sully sighed as he unhitched the horse and brushed him down. He wasn't happy about what he was about to do, but they'd been patient long enough. She was due. Sassin and lyin, jumpen off buildings and climbin out windows...
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Colleen looked up through her damp eyelashes as she found Sully suddenly standing before her. She couldn't quite meet his eye.
"I only went because she told me not to..." she said feebly.
"She has every right to tell you not to do something. She's your Ma.." Sully said. Colleen looked down at the ground as the guilt started to seep in. "Your Ma is a strong,intelligent woman...with a big, soft heart...specially where you kids are concerned."
"But I..."
"I'm not finished." he said as he lifted her chin with his finger to make her look at him. "Your Ma does her motherin with words...but now you have a Pa. If your Ma's words aren't enough we'll do it my way.
He took her hand and lead her over to a milking stool.
Colleen shook her head and tears filled her eyes as her worst suspicion was confirmed.
"I'm sorry...please." she muttered as she found herself staring at the dirt floor.
"That could have been you layin in that clinic..." he said as he brought his hand down on the back of her skirts. "Injured or worse." Two more sharp smacks made the embarrassed and repentant young teen cry out before she finally covered her face and burst into tears. Thoughts of what could have happened on any of her jaunts flashed through his mind and gave him the strength that he needed to ignore his daughters cries.
Colleen yelped and yelled with every one of those hard spanks. She tried to struggle but Sully strong arms held her firmly in place over his knee.
He was acutely aware that Colleen's tears weren't born out of pain. Although he walloped her hard and fast, she was well protected... as a young girl should be. The pain she was feeling was coming from her heart, he hoped; for the pain she'd caused her mother, regret for her actions and enough embarrassment that she wouldn't be in a hurry to repeat the experience.
Sully kept on spanking, and ignored all the yelps and cries and the begging to stop until the final heartbreaking cry.
"I'm sorry Pa, I'm sorry!" she wailed. He stopped and pulled her up onto his lap and rocked her gently.
"No more Colleen." he said gently before placing a kiss on her forehead and then pulling her into a hug.
"I'm sorry...and I'm sorry I hurt Ma." she sobbed.
"I know." he said. "So does she...but you should apologise anyway."
"I will...Pa." Sully grinned.
"I kinda like the sound of that."
"Me too."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
When Michaela finally got home, she could feel the difference. There was a warmth in the room that didn't only come from the fire. A stew simmered on the stove and fresh bread was baking in the oven. The burning logs and the lit lanterns shed a warm glow all over the the room. Colleen was setting the table with the best china, crystal and silver from Boston and there was a big pitcher of lemonade on the table.
"Colleen, it's beautiful." Michaela said.
"I wanted to make it special for you...Ma." Michaela had been exhausted and dreading the next problem with Colleen but now she was touched and unbelievably relieved to be home. "i'm so sorry...for everything."
"Oh Colleen." Michaela said holding her arms out wide. "Colleen. I have to tell you something too."
"What Ma?"
"I read your diary."
"You read my diary?" Colleen asked. She was shocked.
"I was so worried." Colleen smiled. Tonight was about forgiveness.
"It's ok Ma."
"It won't happen again." Michaela said.
"I won't give you reason to need to."
The family including Matthew came into the room and they all piled the food onto the table and then sat to eat.
"This is good Colleen." Sully said with a smile.
"Thanks Pa." she said with a blush. Michaela looked up...that was new.
"So you missed school today Colleen?...I guess you were tired?" she asked.
"Ah...Sully brought me home." she said without looking up.
"Did ya get a spankin?" Brian asked. Everyone at school said they wouldda got spanked iffin they climbed out of a window and ran off in the night.
"Eat you supper Brian." Sully said firmly.
"I was only askin." he said, but after a look from Sully and he let it drop and started to eat. Matthew didn't miss the exchange any more than Michaela did.
"Good." was all he said.
Sully's eyes had been on his wife who he felt sure had been about to object, and she had until it dawned on her that what ever her husband had done...the peace in their home had been restored.
Michaela held up her wine goblet full of lemonade. "I'd like to propose a toast..." she said "To family love in whatever form that takes...and a new start."
The End
