A Man of Dreams, a Woman of Passion Read online

  "If you think that was a light spanking, then I hope you never ever spank me again!" she cried, resting her head on his chest. It was nice to be held.

  "It was a light spanking." Jacob held her like he would one of his sisters if they were crying, but he could not stop thinking of what she said; that she craved his touch. He would not take advantage of that, of her inexperience and misguided behavior. In the next moment his lips sought hers and he kissed her, gently at first, and when she kissed him back, he was surprised by the passion in her kiss. "This will not do, Caroline," he scolded firmly, holding her at arm's length and giving her a gentle shake. "If you go around kissing men like that, then you will be well and truly compromised."

  "I have only kissed you, Jacob. You are the man I want; the man I dream of. Why will you not heed my words and trust that I know my own mind. It is you I love."

  "You only think you love me, little girl. Now lie down and stop crying and get some sleep. Morning will be here soon and we have a long day of travel ahead in getting you back home."

  "My home is with you, Jacob. You can take me back to my parents', but I will just follow on foot if I have to."

  Jacob gave her sore backside a sharp slap. "Do not act like a pouting child, Caroline. It does not become you. Go to sleep now." He left the wagon, feeling extremely angry, and took his place beneath the wagon. Caroline was crying again, but this time he let her cry. He did not trust himself not to bare her backside once again and give her a spanking she would remember for all of her life... Or, put his throbbing manhood deep inside her and give her what she was plainly asking for!

  A couple of hours later, Jacob gave up all pretense of trying to sleep. He built up the fire and made tea. He was hungry, and he took bacon out and sliced it to fry. Caroline climbed out of the wagon and without even glancing at him, she started walking toward the trees for some privacy. "Do not go far, Carolyn." He did not know where the Frenchman was, but he couldn't be too far away. There was also a possibility of Indians, and he felt responsible for the little redhead.

  Carolyn did not answer Jacob. As far as she was concerned he had no right to tell her what to do if he could not be reasonable and treat her like a grown woman instead of a child! She purposely walked a good distance before she relieved herself. She took a moment to wash her hands and face in the icy cold water of the stream flowing through the woods, and was on her way back to Jacob's camp when the Frenchman jumped out in front of her. She screamed Jacob's name, fearing the man meant to harm her.

  "No, no, no!" The man held out his hands in a placating manner. "I only weeesh my father's knife. Pleeese...?" He heard Jacob crashing through the woods and his eyes widened. "The knife is all I have of his," he said to Caroline, beseeching her to help him.

  Jacob hurled himself at the much smaller man, and was ready to hit him with his fist when Caroline grabbed his arm.

  "No, Jacob!"

  "He was going to hurt you!" Jacob was furious and determined to deal with the smaller man this time.

  "No. He startled me, but he did not threaten me. He wants his knife back; it was his father's. Please let him go." For some reason the Frenchman didn't look nearly as ferocious and dangerous in the daylight. "Please, Jacob, let him go. I was only startled."

  Jacob shook his head in disgust. "I told you to stay close to camp," he accused, anger in his dark eyes. He was going to wear her out again, he decided.

  "You also told me that I do not belong to you, therefore, you have no right to tell me what I may or may not do!" Caroline was angry and made no attempt to hide the fact from him. She turned and flounced off, in the direction of the camp.

  "Mon ami, may I please have my knife? It is all I have of my father," the Frenchman asked hopefully.

  "Why not?" Jacob said, picking up his hat and slapping it against his leg before heading back to their camp. He would let the man take his knife and get rid of him so he could deal with that little brat once and for all!

  "Your wife is very pretty, and with a temper to match!" the small man said with a laugh of appreciation.

  "Caroline does have a temper, all right," Jacob agreed watching the redhead disappear behind some trees. He hurried after her, just in case there were others around that he was unaware of. By the time he reached the camp, she was standing over the fire, turning the bacon in the skillet. "I can do that," he stated, for some reason angry with her for taking charge of breakfast.

  "Yes, so I can see. You would have let the bacon burn!" she scoffed.

  Jacob's palm fairly itched. "I came because you screamed. The next time I will make sure I set the bacon off so it doesn't burn!"

  "What next time?" she asked, her green eyes flaying him alive and issuing a challenge at the same time. Caroline Hershey was doing her very best to test his temper!

  "Get the man's knife, Caroline," he bossed, trying to keep his tone civil.

  "Get it yourself, Mr. Willis. I am not yours to order about."

  The Frenchman went still as he looked from Jacob to Caroline. "Madame, may I be of assistance?" It was obvious he thought she was in some kind of trouble and needed rescuing.

  "No!" she snapped at him and then turned her attention back to the food.

  "Caroline, do as I said... now!" Jacob added in a soft tone. He was not about to leave her alone with the Frenchman while he went to the wagon. The little redhead was determined to be unpleasant this morning and if not for their visitor he would haul her over his knee again.

  Something in his tone warned Caroline that she was courting disaster. She looked up at him, and without a word got to her feet and went to the wagon to get the Frenchman's knife. The sooner the Frenchman was gone, the sooner she could try once again to talk Jacob out of taking her back. The kisses he shared with her last night were everything she knew they would be, and her body still ached with wanting him. If only he had not come up with the idea to settle in Ohio, she could have slowly made him notice her! Men always liked to think they did the choosing, when all women knew it was the other way around! She picked up the knife and carefully made her way out of the wagon.

  Chapter Three

  Caroline found the Frenchman's knife on the floor of the wagon and she was careful as she picked it up and climbed down from the wagon. Jacob was watching protectively and she suddenly realized that he was doing his best to protect her. She gave him a little smile before walking over to the other man and holding out the knife.

  "Merci!" the Frenchman said emotionally as Caroline handed him the wicked looking knife. "Merci beaucoup." He touched the knife lovingly and carefully put it into the sheath on his belt. "I am most sorry for frightening you last night, Madame. You frightened me, too," he admitted shamefully. "I swear I did not know you were a woman; I would never harm a woman."

  Caroline saw the sincerity in his blue eyes and nodded. "I am glad that neither of us were seriously hurt. At first I thought you were an Indian who meant to scalp me!"

  The Frenchman smiled and thanked her again and seemed surprised when Jacob asked him to sit down and eat with them. "I could not, not after last night..." He was ashamed and it showed in his eyes. "I thought you were the one who robbed me," he explained. "I wanted to take back what was stolen, not harm you. I cursed myself all night for being such a fool!"

  "You might as well sit down and eat. It is a long way to a settlement of any kind." Jacob handed the other man a plate and did not miss the loving look that Caroline sent his way. He suddenly felt taller, as if he had grown a foot in the last minute. "Caroline, this is for you," he offered her another plate.

  "Thank you, Jacob," she murmured, but when she tried to sit on the ground to eat she made a face. Her bottom was much too tender for the hard ground to feel comfortable! She ended up kneeling and barely resting her backside on her heels. Jacob smiled and pretended he did not understand why she was so sore while they listened to the Frenchman, who told them his name was Pierre, explain that he was robbed early the day before.

  "The man held a
pistol on me and took my money and my goods. I will find him," he promised, and his eyes glittered with the same look that frightened Caroline during the night.

  "I hope you do," Jacob sympathized. Pierre thanked them once again, and left quietly, determined to track the thief and regain his property.

  Jacob was bossy as he told Caroline how to help him break camp. He made her tend to their dirty dishes while he readied the oxen for travel. He was not one bit happy that he was going to lose all the distance he traveled yesterday, and he was certain that he would need to spend the night at his parents' home or his Mother would be devastated. He hated the thought of having to make his 'goodbyes' all over again! It was hard enough the first time.

  "Jacob, would you please reconsider?" Caroline asked softly. "I know you felt something when you kissed me last night. It is the way it is supposed to be between a man and a woman if they love one another. I am sure of my feelings, and in time you will be sure of your feelings." She implored him to listen to her. "I would come with you, where I belong."

  "No, Caroline. Even if I was of a mind to wed you, which I am not, it would be too dangerous to take you with me right now. It will be hard work clearing land and building a cabin to face the winter. I will have to hunt and save meat, and hope that I can find someone who is willing to trade for the other things I need. The first year or two will be full of hardships, not to mention the danger from Indians. I could not take a woman to live like that," he refused.

  Caroline's green eyes filled with tears. "Very well. I shall not beg. I have already shamed myself enough as far as you are concerned, Mr. Willis." She gave him her back.

  "It gives me no pleasure to see you so upset, Caroline." He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. "You are very young, and you will find someone else to marry. One day you will thank me for being noble and not taking advantage of you."

  "You are a fool, Jacob Willis. You are the man I love; I am not fickle."

  No, she was furious with him, and before he had time to register the fact, she kicked him hard on the shin! "I have nothing further to say to you!" She flounced off while he was nursing his leg.

  "I ought to paddle you for that!" he shouted.

  "Try it and I will see you flogged!" Caroline was angrier than she could recall ever being in her entire life. She went to the wagon and disappeared inside.

  Jacob hobbled around, cursing under his breath, and fighting the urge to go after the redheaded brat and wear out his hand on her backside once again. He finally gave in to temptation, and climbed in the wagon in time to hear her cursing him very fluently for a young woman of her age! "You need your mouth washed out with lye soap!" he exclaimed, but since I have packed away everything, I shall have to settle for giving you another spanking!"

  "No! Do not! I am already too sore to sit without pain!" she cried out as he reached for her and flipped her over on her tummy on top of the neatly folded spare canvas.

  "You should have thought of that before you kicked me and then cursed me. While you are in my care, I shall give you exactly what you deserve."

  Caroline cried out in misery as Jacob spanked her. Her skirts offered little in the way of protection, especially since she was already so sore. "You are a horrible man, Jacob Willis!"

  "Then you shall be very happy to be returned to your parents' home, Caroline, and thankful that you are not bound to me for the rest of your days. I promise I would do this as often as needed to teach you to behave!" Jacob continued to spank her rounded bottom with relish, intending to make sure she learned not to kick him... or curse him!

  "Please stop!" Caroline finally resorted to begging. "Please...! I am sorry!"

  "I am sure you are sorry you are being spanked," Jacob declared.

  "I am sorry for cursing you. Mother raised me better than that! I am sorry and I beg pardon!"

  Jacob decided she had been punished enough. He would give her a few minutes to sulk and pout in the wagon, and then she could very well put her sore backside on the wooden seat and endure the long trip home. By the time he gave her into her Father's care, she would be happy to be rid of him. "I will give you a few minutes to settle down, Caroline, and then we will be on our way back home. If you need privacy to tend to your personal needs, do so now. I am not stopping until the sun is high." He left the wagon, and made sure the campfire was thoroughly doused. He checked the reins and once he was satisfied all was well, he decided to pull out. Jacob was climbing on the wagon seat when he heard riders approaching. He reached for his musket, Pierre's story of being robbed still fresh on his mind. When he got a good look at the riders, he cursed again. "We have company, Caroline."

  He got down off the wagon seat and waited until the horses stopped before saying, "Father, John, Mr. Hershey." There was another man with them, and Jacob thought he should recognize him, but he did not.

  "Son, is Caroline here with you?" Martin Willis demanded, his tone of voice speaking to the seriousness of the question.

  "Yes, sir," Jacob answered respectfully. " Caroline, your father is here. You might as well stop sulking and come out here."

  Caroline jumped from the back of the wagon, and it was obvious that she had been crying. "Father, I did not expect you to discover my note so quickly." Her green eyes held no hint of remorse for her actions.

  "Your friend Jenny came to see you and was very surprised to learn that you were staying with her for several days," George Hershey said quietly. "Naturally, your Mother and I were concerned, as was Jenny. She suggested we search your room for a note, which we found." His gaze traveled to Jacob. "How dare you take advantage of a young, innocent girl in this manner, young man?"

  "Father, Jacob is innocent of any wrong-doing." Caroline immediately defended the man she loved.

  "Innocent? He brings you along on this foolhardy journey into the wilderness and you say he is innocent? Hardly! It is easy to discern what has happened from the fact you have been crying!"

  "Father, Jacob had no idea I was with him. I hid in the wagon all day yesterday."

  "Do not lie to me, girl! I won't have it, by damn!"

  "It is the truth, Mr. Hershey," Jacob stated. "I was not aware that Caroline was in the wagon until she screamed in fright during the night."

  "You screamed?" George was even more upset. "Did he force himself upon you, daughter?" The look in his eyes was murderous.

  "Father, no! It is a long story, and nothing to do with any of this. Can we please just go home now?" she asked, fighting tears.

  "Go home? I should say not!" George Hershey was indignant. "The whole of the community knows that you left with Jacob Willis... without the benefit of marriage. He is going to wed you right now and then you may go with him to Ohio."

  "No, Father. I refuse." Caroline spoke before Jacob could.

  "You are in no position to refuse, Caroline. You are an underage female, and as your father, I will decide. This man is going to wed you."

  Jacob felt his temper rise, but before he could say anything, his brother John dismounted and came to stand beside him, placing his hand on Jacob's shoulder. He spoke in a low voice, not meant to be overheard by the others. "Caroline truly believes she is in love with you, brother. Her note informed her parents that it was she who decided to follow instead of waiting on you to return. Mother is beside herself, and Father and I both believe you knew nothing of this, that you made no promise to the girl. But, if Caroline returns with us without a ring on her finger, no decent man will ever offer for her, assuming she is used goods. Mother sent me along to temper Father's anger with Caroline, and to beg you to think of Caroline's reputation. Mother and Jenny insist Caroline's feelings for you are true. I know this is not how you would take a bride, brother, and I understand your misgivings, but would you want to refute a girl who does love you and have her subjected to scorn for the rest of her life?" For John it was a long speech.

  "Father, I cannot marry Jacob. He does not feel about me as I do him," Caroline's voice broke. "I was
wrong to follow him when he told me 'no'. Jacob made it clear at his party that he did not love me as a woman, and could only think of me as a little sister. He has done nothing to be ashamed of, except for treating me like a naughty child when he discovered I was hiding in the wagon." She met her angry parent's gaze and said firmly, "It would not be fair to Jacob to insist he marry me when I am responsible for my own actions and he was unaware of them. He made no promise to come for me at a later time; I lied in my note."

  "Son," Martin spoke up. "Is Caroline telling the truth?"

  "Yes, she is, Father."

  George Hershey's face was an apoplectic red. "What will your Mother say? How will she hold up her head? You are a disgrace, Caroline. For two cents I would wash my hands of you!" He raised his hand as if to strike her, and Jacob moved to intercept him, grabbing his hand.

  "Do not dare strike her!" Jacob felt even more anger toward the man when Caroline started crying. He immediately reached for her and pulled her into his arms as he glared at the man. "It is your fault, sir, that Caroline is used to getting what she wants. You permitted her to do as she pleased since the age of five, and now you are surprised that she would put her reputation on the line when she feels she is in love?"

  "Jacob!" Martin warned.

  "My apologies, Father. I do not wish to embarrass you, but Caroline is not the one to blame here. She has done nothing to sacrifice her innocence, but I will not send her back with a Father who thinks she is used goods. She is impulsive, but she is loyal and she knows her own mind. Caroline, I have told you that the first couple of years in Ohio will be full of hardships. I cannot even promise that I will be able to finish a small cabin before winter. Life will be hard, but I would have you as my wife if you are willing to follow my dream...?" Jacob was shocked by the strong desire he had to protect the pretty young woman from her parents and from the people in the community who would condemn her for daring to follow her dreams. He could not permit that to happen.