Maggie left the diner’s parking lot, oddly in a hurry to get home. Placing her phone in the holder, she dialed her parents. “Hi, Maggie,” her dad answered.

“Hi, Dad, just wanted to check on you and Mom,” she said. “Everything going fine? Mom feeling okay?”

“She’s already antsy to get out and check her garden, like it changed in twenty-four hours,” he said exasperatedly.

“She’s supposed to rest for a few days, isn’t she?” Maggie asked, almost alarmed.

“I’m tired of resting,” her mom’s voice came from the background. Apparently, she was on speaker.

“Rest is supposed to make you not tired,” Maggie said. “Watch TV, and learn something,” she teased.

“I’ve already caught up on all my recorded shows,” she complained. “I need to pick green beans.”

“I’ll come out tomorrow and pick beans, you can snap them from your recliner chair,” she said.

“I guess,” her mom said unhappily. “Maybe I’ll get ahead on my French classes since no one is letting me do anything.”

Maggie shook her head, wishing she had her mom’s energy and drive and clicked off as she pulled into her driveway a few minutes later, noting that Sebastian’s car was in his driveway. His meeting that he’d skipped pizza for must have been a short one. Or maybe it was online, the phone, or something? So, he was a hot shot in Jones’ Farm Equipment, huh? Everyone had heard of them, it was where all the farmers went to buy their tractors and combines and whatever else they used in their fields. Despite growing up in farm country, she knew very little about farming. Sure, she knew they had big equipment in the fields, but she didn’t know a tiller from a harrow or a plow. While, yes, her family lived on a few acres in the country, and they always had a huge garden and a few chickens, and an occasional pig named Bacon or Sausage Patty, her mom was a nurse and her dad sold insurance. The little place in the country was their refuge and hobby, they weren’t farmers.

Neither was Sebastian Jones, with his very expensive highly polished shoes, and his fancy suits, and even fancier car. He was an interesting conundrum. He seemed very comfortable being interviewed on TV, something most people would find nerve wracking. He’d done it before, obviously. And he was opening a new store in town. That was always good news. Any new businesses were welcome in town, and a big, high end productive store was even better. Her little town of Fenway was about twelve thousand people, but encompassed a lot of farmland and farmers around. The school buses started running before six am to get all the kids to school before eight, they were that spread out over farmland.

He apparently was one of the Joneses of Jones’ Farm Equipment. She wondered why he bought a house in her little neighborhood when he could afford, more than likely, one of the big ones on the other side of town. When she got to know him better, she’d ask him. It would be a little rude to do it this soon, and really, she cared more about the fact he smacked her butt than his bank balance. She did okay, enjoyed her job, and wasn’t looking for a rich husband or a sugar daddy. He was interesting though, and she felt greatly attracted to him. Now, she had to figure out a way to get to know him better. How sneaky could she be?

Hmm. Maybe she should be a modern woman and just ask him out? Nah. Why would he be interested in a ball playing teacher when he could have his pick of socialites? She got out of her car, giggling at the thought of socialites in their town.

Calling as she walked in the house, “Hey, Simon, you want to go to the back yard or on a walk?”

He trotted over to where she hung the leash, so she snapped it on him and grabbed a bag. “Come on, just once around the block though, I’ve had a long day,” she told him, letting him lead the way out the door. He turned at the end of the walk and headed opposite from Sebastian’s house. Oh, well, she’d get to walk by it in a few minutes. She felt like a teenager with her first crush, wanting to walk by his house and calling to just hear his voice then hang up. With caller ID, it was harder to do that. Most people either knew it was you or simply didn’t answer, but you could still walk or drive by their house, which was better than nothing.

She tried to hurry Simon around the block, but as usual he was in no hurry. There were trees to be sniffed and squirrels in the trees to guard her from. Resigning herself to their usual saunter, they finally made it to the last turn that led them back home. She walked looking at his house, until she noticed Simon had stopped. Of course, he had to do his business on Sebastian’s lawn. Why not? She got the bag out and put it on her hand, and just as she bent over to pick it up, heard from behind her, “Just don’t throw that one my porch.”

Oh, yeah, that. Could she die of mortification right here and now? The yard swallow her up or something? Tree branch on her head. Nope, no luck today. She stood up slowly, and turned, trying to put a cocky grin or something that passed for one, on her face.

“You sure?” she asked as if concerned. “I could.”

“Once was plenty,” he said dryly.

“Yeah, I’m sorry, I dropped it there and forgot about it,” she confessed. “But I cleaned your shoe!”

Sebastian simply stared at her impassively. She dropped her eyes, “Yeah, it wouldn’t have needed cleaned if I hadn’t forgotten to pick it up,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

“Actions have consequences, Maggie,” he said, and turned to go back in the house.

Staring at him opened mouthed, she shut it and tied her bag up, to take home and properly dispose of it. She watched him walk in and was tempted, just a little, to loosen the knot and toss the bag back on the porch, but she wasn’t that kind of childish. Was she? No.

“Come on, Simon,” she said and tugged on his leash to get him moving toward home. They went in, she fed him, and he then curled up and went to bed in the laundry room. He liked it in there sometimes, she suspected it was the cozy bed Ryan had given him for Christmas last year, or the warmth and sounds of the washer and dryer, but of course, he couldn’t tell her.

Now, Sebastian could have told her whatever she needed to know, but instead preferred to be cryptic and terse. Why did she feel guilty? Because she’d done something wrong? But she’d fixed it. She’d cleaned his shoe, checked the porch to make sure it was clean, and confessed. What more could she do? Not much that she could think of. Those were the consequences to her silly action of tossing the sack on the porch. What other consequences could there be? She never did take him that thank you she was going to, the pie or casserole or something. Looking in her pantry, she saw a home canned jar of blackberries in syrup. There was a carton of vanilla ice cream in the freezer. They could have dessert together.

Then she would just see what kind of man he really was. Maybe, or maybe he would just send her home.

* * *

Sebastian changed into his jeans and hung his suit up in the closet. She’d be over soon. He felt certain of it. He knew that look in her eyes, she would bring some kind of peace offering and an apology. She might not be sure what she was apologizing for, but she’d be doing it. If that happened, well, then he’d know he was right, and the next months ahead would be much more interesting in this small town. He wasn’t, of course, interested in anything long term. With his lifestyle of moving every year or two, what woman would want to tag along, and besides, there were always new women in every town. The chase was part of the excitement, and despite what he realized was his male equivalent of resting bitch face, he craved some excitement now and then. Teaching and training a new woman was his idea of the ultimate thrill, though really the last few rather blended in his brain. Maybe this one would challenge him a little more.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, there was a knock on his door. Opening it, he looked down to see his small neighbor. She truly was a knockout with a contagious impish grin, and a small sprinkle of freckles across her nose. All that sun while she played ball he imagined. He wondered how the junior high boys in her classes fared. Lots of drooling going on in the class, he imagined. Clad in those denim shorts with long legs that ended in bright pink sneakers, she sported an excellent tan. She’d changed into a longer T-shirt and he approved of this one.

“Cardinals, huh?” he said.

“Don’t tell me you're a Cubs fan,” she moaned. “I can’t live next to a Cubs fan.”

“Good thing I don’t have to sell my house,” he said, and opened the door to let her in.

“Well, that proves you’re smart,” she grinned at him, and held up her containers. “I brought dessert, ice cream with homemade blackberry syrup, and yes, I not only picked them but put them up myself.”

“You didn’t need to do that,” he led the way to the kitchen. This was a good peace offering.

“Sure, I did. Blackberries are stubborn and won’t can themselves,” she said.

Throwing her an almost startled look, he got out a couple bowls. She started talking about her favorite team, and he threw in a word now and then to let her know she was being listened to. The woman liked the sound of her own voice. She must be a good teacher.

Finally, they finished the ice cream and on her own, she went to the sink and washed the bowls. She stood there, in front of him, clenching and unclenching her fists. He waited patiently.

“Sebastian,” she finally started.

“Yes, Maggie,” he said as gently as he was able.

“I’m sorry for the bag on the porch. I tossed it there, and let the window guys in and out the back door and forgot about it. There was no excuse for that and I’m usually not that careless. I’m very particular about cleaning up after my dog. That’s the first time that’s happened,” she blurted out in one breath, and kept eyeing him oddly. So, there was more.

“You’re forgiven for that,” he said. “I know it wasn’t malicious”

This time she looked at him startled as if that thought hadn’t occurred to her. She shook her head and her bouncy hair swung around her face. “It wasn’t,” she said. “But, well.” She stopped as if she couldn’t go on. Okay, he knew how to handle that.

He stood up, took her by the hand and led her to the living room sofa. Settling her next to him, he turned the TV on, and turned it to low. He didn’t know what was on, but knew a bit of noise and not having to look at him would help whatever confession she was trying to make. He knew women.

“Okay, spill,” he said, and reached over to stroke her hair. He’d been wanting to touch it. It seemed almost alive, bouncing in a ponytail or tumbling free about her shoulders, glossy and clean. She didn’t seem to mind, and actually put her head on his shoulder.

“You’re different in jeans,” she said.

“Not really. I’m always me,” he told her.

“What does it mean, actions have consequences?” she asked him tentatively.

“It's not a hard concept,” he said, half smiling.

“What kind of consequences?” she asked.

Ah, this was a very good sign. “Depends. Employees get fired. Speeders gets tickets. Naughty women get spanked.” There it was, that intake of quickly sucked in breath that meant she was interested. He’d known. He didn’t know how he knew, but he’d known.

“What?” she whispered.

“You heard me,” he said, and couldn’t resist stroking her hair again. Very touchable hair.

“Spanked?” This was barely squeaked out, and he felt very pleased. Yeah, she’d be over his knee before the night was over.

“You’ve heard the word before,” he said. “Over the knee, usually bare bottomed, and the brain is reminded via the bottom’s nerve sensors of the transgression.”

“Umm,” she was breathing harder now, or maybe couldn’t catch her breath. It was hard to tell. Righteous indignation time, where she would protest that grown women didn’t need to be spanked and what kind of man was he?

But she surprised him. “I looked in your drawers,” she said. “And your closet.”

Okay, he could think on his feet. “Are you saying you deserve a spanking?” he asked.

She shook her head slowly, then met his eyes. “But actions have consequences,” she said, her body trembling slightly.

“Yes, they do,” he agreed. “Why did you snoop when I gave you my trust?”

“I don’t know,” she said, eyes dropping. “I just sort of wanted to?” A question.

“And now you feel badly about it?” He couldn’t tell if she really felt badly about it, or if she just wanted to experience a spanking. He knew lots of women enjoyed a light spanking for foreplay and many of them wondered about a discipline spanking, but most didn’t ask for one. This one was almost flinging herself over his knees, and his hand ached to begin, but knew he had to do the dance first.

“I do, but I don’t want a…” she choked.

Ah, the token protest.

“No one really wants one, but sometimes they’re deserved, don’t you think?” he said softly.

“I wasn’t really bad,” she wiggled beside him.

“You really weren’t good though, were you?” He tipped her chin up so her eyes met his again.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I deserve… consequences.” He saw fear, anticipation, and something else he couldn’t quite figure out yet, in her eyes. Normal.

“All right,” he said as if he’d just decided. “I’m going to give you a spanking. Now, spankings hurt, but once it’s over, all will be forgiven.”

“Hurt a lot?” she said doubtfully, looking up at him with those enormous hazel brown eyes.

“Bearable,” he said decisively, wanting to give her the experience but not scare her off. For some reason, he wanted this little miss over his knee often.

“And then you won’t be upset with me for snooping?” she asked plaintively.

Sebastian knew a stalling technique when he heard it and grabbing her by her arm, he hauled her over his lap and administered the first smack before she had a chance to realize what happened. He heard a big gasp and wished she had something on other than denim. Denim hurt his hand and really blocked a lot of sensation for her, whether she would realize that or not.

He smacked her cute butt three more times before she started wiggling, just a little. It took four more before her hand flew back. Not saying a word, he grabbed it and held it to her back, and gave her three more fairly hard swats, the last one on her thigh and it made her squeal. He wasn’t going to explain the rules this time. Only give her just enough to make her think twice, but not to get to panic mode and for her to crave more. Yes, he knew what he was doing.

“You deserve this,” he informed her, continuing the steady slow swats and appreciated the fact she was trying to control her wiggles but failed. So, he was an ass man, sue him.

“No!” she grunted out, and tried fairly hard to squirm off his lap that time He smacked her harder and told her, “Hold still.”

“I can’t!” she wailed.

“Try,” he said. “Naughty girls get their bottoms warmed.”

Yup, as usual, that made her melt for a few seconds. So, he heated her up until she squealed again and gasped. Okay, that was probably enough for the first time around. He gave each cheek two more firm smacks and one extra hard right in between and pulled her up. She wasn’t crying but she was panting and sweating, and her face was red either from exertion or embarrassment.

Putting her beside him, he put one arm around her shoulders, listening to her trying to control her breathing, and after a few minutes asked her, “Did you learn your lesson?”

She looked at him, and shook her head. “What?” she gasped out.

“Snooping,” he prompted. “Going to do it again?”

“You spanked me,” she said wonderingly.

“You deserved it,” he reminded her. Well, that was a failure. She was focused on the spanking still and not on why she got it. He didn’t fail often and felt disappointed that he did this time. Next time, he would do much better. Next time? He was already thinking next time.

Maggie stared at him, then dropped her eyes, still in disbelief. Why was she embarrassed? He was the one who spanked her! He should be the one embarrassed, ashamed of himself or something.

“Maggie, are you all right?” he asked her, almost gently. He never sounded gentle, so that made her look at him again, almost startled. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

“I don’t know,” she said truthfully. She needed some time alone to process this, but he didn’t seem inclined to let her up, keeping his arm possessively around her. Truthfully, she just wanted to cuddle against him right now. Would he allow that? Tentatively she put her head against his shoulder and he reached over and stroked her hair. She liked that. “Why did you do that?” she asked.

“Why? You wanted and needed it,” he said, back to his old matter of fact terse self.

“Because actions have consequences,” she said, rather than asked. “Do you spank everyone who needs it?”

He gave a short laugh, “No, just adorable snoopy neighbors who deserve one.”

He thought she was adorable? Maggie wasn’t certain how to process that. “I’m sorry for snooping,” she said. “And for the poop bag on the porch.”

“Then the spanking worked,” he said as if he were pleased. “And you’re forgiven.”

Maggie shook her head, still in a wondering haze.

“I have to go to a Chamber of Commerce dinner tomorrow night,” he said. “If you aren’t busy would you like to accompany me?” He looked at her with his brown eyes, softer than she’d seen them.

Startled, Maggie’s brain went into high gear. Was he asking her out? “I don’t have practice or a game tomorrow,” she thought out loud. “Sure, I’d love to go.”

“Good. It will be nice to have pleasant company and not go alone,” he said.

“I guess that’s one of the downsides to being a hotshot, having to go to those sorts of things?” she asked, marveling they were having a conversation right after he spanked her. A normal conversation, as if she hadn’t been wiggling over his lap a few minutes ago.

“I don’t usually mind attending,” he said. “But I get tired of going alone.”

“Well, lucky for you, I’m handy and often available and don’t mind rubber chicken at all,” she teased him.

“Good thing, because that’s probably what we’re getting,” he said, and actually smiled at her.

“I’m sorry, this is just strange,” she blurted out without thinking.

“Going to a Chamber dinner?” His eyebrows raised. “You’ll fit in.”

Maggie giggled, she couldn’t help it. “I do clean up pretty well,” she confessed.

“Then?” he asked.

“Talking like nothing just happened!” She couldn’t meet his eyes again.

“You’re embarrassed,” he seemed to find that funny for whatever weird male reason he came up with in his weird male brain.

“Of course, I am! You put me over your knee and spanked me like a child!” she all but wailed.

“Children generally don’t need spanked,” he said.

“True,” she sighed.

“You handled your first spanking pretty well.” He stated it like a fact. Her first? What did he mean by that? He brushed her hair back, then patted her knee. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow about seven.”

Well, she’d been dismissed, hadn’t she? He stood up, and held out his hand. Maggie really didn’t want to stand up, but she took his hand and let him pull her up, then he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “See you tomorrow, Maggie,” he said. Then swatted her bottom lightly but it still made her jump and squeal. “Behave.”

She rubbed her bottom and looked at him. “Ow!”

“Glad I gave you something to remember me by,” he said almost smugly.

She stepped in and hugged him quickly, inhaling the scent of man and something spicy that she liked a lot, then turned and quickly went out the front door, then flew down the stairs in a hurry to get home. The only thing on her mind was getting to the bathroom. “Simon, I’m home,” she called just a minute later, unlocking her door and closing it behind her. Hurrying into the bathroom, she dropped her shorts and peeked behind her in the mirror. An irrational sense of disappointment swept through her, as she saw her just barely pink bottom. For as much as it hurt, she should have been bright red and at least seen a handprint or two. Next time, maybe, Maggie shook her head, what next time? She was a grown woman who did not need a spanking. Why did she feel like he let her down? Because he spanked her! No, because he didn’t do a very good job of it. It wasn’t like her fantasy at all.

In her fantasy, she would have gotten a long lecture. Then told to remove her pants because she wouldn’t be needing them anyway. Then go over his knee while he rubbed her bottom and lectured her a little more while she squirmed. Then the spanking would start, gently at first then increasing until she was wiggling and trying to get away. But he would know better and not stop until she cried. Then he’d hold her and comfort her, and one thing would lead to another and... she sighed.

In reality, a spanking was embarrassing and not really that painful, so why was she craving another one from the man who did it wrong? Would he get better with practice? Giggling at her silliness, she pulled her pants back up and headed out to find Simon and see if he wanted to go to the backyard for a while before bed. She had to figure out what she was wearing tomorrow. She’d seen pictures of the Chamber dinners on TV and people dressed up. She had some dress up clothes, she was certain. She’d just have to dig them out of the back of her closet and make sure they weren’t musty.

Her thoughts whirled as she shoved hangers around in her closet. Why was she irritated at Sebastian? Because he spanked her, was the obvious answer. But she was all by herself with her own little thoughts and knew that wasn’t true. She was irritated at him because he’d done a piss poor job of it. And because she was all by herself, she could just say that. Well, not out loud probably but certainly in her brain. She’d dreamed all her life of a strong alpha male who would spank her when she needed it, and the one time it actually happened, well, while at the time it felt a bit stingy, it wasn’t anything like her fantasy. Whose fault was that? Yes, Sebastian Jones. All his fault. She had half a mind to march over there and give him the other half of her mind. Would she? No. He’d dismissed her. Made it very obvious that he was done with her for the night. Maggie Carpenter would not go where she wasn’t wanted, she shook her head and pushed more hangers around. She’d go simple, she decided. Light gray pants, with a rose-colored blazer and a blush pink blouse. She had gray pumps somewhere, she was certain, and a light airy-fairy gold chain with sparkles all over it her mom had given her, and she’d never worn. She rarely wore jewelry but had a few nice pieces. There. She’d be dressed by seven tomorrow. Now she needed to get her mind off the tall next-door neighbor who stomped all over her fantasy. At least until seven tomorrow evening. She had an entire night and day to fill between now and then.

Picking up her phone, she hit Cambry’s number, “Hey there.”

“Hi, Maggie, how are things there?” Cambry asked.

“I was going to spend part of the day out with Mom tomorrow. I promised her I’d pick her green beans. I was wondering if Ryan wanted to go with me?” she asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry, he would probably love to, but he’s still on the scout trip,” Cambry said. “They won’t be back for a few more days.”

“That’s right, I’d forgotten about that. Well, there will be more green beans later in the summer, I’m sure,” Maggie said.

“Yeah, picking green beans. That’s what my techno nerd child looks forward to doing,” Cambry said laughing.

“Well, he’ll indulge his favorite aunt anyway.” Maggie chatted a few more minutes and hung up. So much for the distraction of the child. She’d go pick green beans in the cool of the morning, she decided, and then come home and work on some lesson plans and projects for next year. This would be her fifth year teaching and she needed some fun new things to do in her classes. Then she would stop, shower, get dressed and wait for that lanky disappointment of a man to come over. At least she’d get to ride in his fancy car and people watch. She always enjoyed doing that. Her disappointment in his lackluster performance wouldn’t affect her enjoyment of a night out on the town. She refused to let it. Maybe it would come up on the way home. Maggie laughed at herself. What would she say, “You didn’t spank me right!” Yeah. No. That wasn’t going to happen. She’d just put it behind her and pretend it never happened. Adults could do that.

She wondered briefly, if the only other man to smack her bottom, her big brother Ben, had ever spanked Cambry. He’d gotten mad at his annoying little brat of a sister a few times and swatted her butt to send her on her way. Was that where she’d gotten her fantasy? That was kind of disgusting now that she thought of it, and decided to pretend she never did. Would Cambry put up with being spanked? No. She couldn’t imagine.

“Simon,” she walked to the back of the house and called, “You ready for bed?”

Silly question. He was always ready for bed. “Since Ryan deserted me, you can go with me to grandma’s tomorrow and sit on her lap while I pick green beans. You’ll eat them, and she’ll want to help, so you can entertain each other,” Maggie told him. He wagged his tail and headed to the bedroom. She sighed and followed him. This was not how a night after a spanking should end.

* * *

Sebastian laid in bed and stared at the game on TV. This was not how a night after a spanking should end. He should have her curled up in his bed, physically exhausted and emotionally content. But first he’d given her a spanking that hardly counted as one, and then he’d sent her home. He rarely messed things up, but he’d messed that up badly. Why she’d agreed to go out with him tomorrow night was beyond him. Maybe she was such a newbie, she didn’t know he messed up. A man could hope. It didn’t matter though, he needed to rectify his mistake. He would never back down from a challenge. What happened tonight? He needed to figure that out, first of all. He knew how to spank. He’d been doing it since his first girlfriend who had flung herself across his lap at any opportunity. His mom had decided her four boys needed to learn Spanish and after a half-hearted attempt to teach them her first language, hired a tutor. A hot tutor, but none of them wanted to tell Mom that. He had his first kiss within the month and was enjoying all her assets not long after. He’d left for college at the end of that summer but remembered fondly all the lessons she’d taught him, up to and including how to properly spank a willing, and not so willing sometimes, female. He spoke a little Spanish, too.

Disappointing a willing female was something he hadn’t done before, at least he hoped not. She’d wanted it, he knew many women had spanking fantasies. So, why hadn’t he fulfilled that for her? Shirking on any task was not the way he lived his life. What had happened? He ran through the scenario in his brain and had no other answer than, he didn’t want to scare her off, but that made no sense at all. None. He’d never had a well and properly spanked woman get up in a flounce and leave. No, every single one needed him to hold and cuddle her after, a part he really enjoyed despite his seemingly cold exterior. But he’d held back on her and now felt like he’d let her down. He had, he’d been too busy thinking of himself and his needs and not hers. Why? What was so special about this little female?

Sebastian turned his analytical side on. She was adorable, yes, but he’d had adorable before. He usually didn’t go for cute, athletic types. He preferred them tall and elegant, classy and well-educated. His idea of fun was watching that elegance turn into a sobbing mess of begging and kicking.

Maggie was short, over eager like a puppy, but hit it on the well-educated nail. She’d intrigued him from the time she’d marched over to confess to breaking his window, bravely and nervously, just like a little kid. He’d even given her a key. No woman, none, had ever had a key to his house. Well, his mom, but she didn’t count, and even she didn’t anymore. So why did he give one to sweet little Maggie? He liked her? Of course, he liked her, what wasn’t to like?

Shutting the TV off, he shut his eyes. He had to work tomorrow and needed to sleep and didn’t need to think about huge hazel eyes and bouncing butt cheeks over his lap. So, of course, that was all he thought about until he drifted off.

The next evening, he tied his tie, checked to make sure his shoes were polished and his notes were tucked securely in his pocket. He was to give a short speech about the new store: the details of hiring the builders, where it was to be located, using local workers and the boost it would give to the local economy. He’d given twenty of these over the years, so many that they often blurred together, and he needed to get the details right. Last thing he wanted to do was make another mistake. He’d made one yesterday and that was his quota for the month.

Getting in his car, he drove around the block, so he could park in front of her house and escort her to the car like a proper gentleman. When he pulled up, he saw her sitting on the porch swing, pushing gently back and forth. She looked adorable, in her pink jacket and her hair piled up in some kind of messy bun thing. She had on tailored pants and he realized he’d never seen her dressed up. She’d worn shorts every time he’d seen her, except for the night he’d made her change into jeans for the hospital. Shorts were a good thing, because she had spectacular legs, but the pants were probably a better fashion choice for a dinner. She had on low heels and a huge smile for him. Good. She wasn’t mad at him.

“You look wonderful,” he told her.

“You always look wonderful,” she replied and patted the seat beside her. “Want to sit and swing a minute or should we just go?”

He sat beside her. “Just for a minute, this is very peaceful.”

“It is. I love our little neighborhood. There’re hardly ever any problems around here, and when there is we just call the Harrison boys’ mom and she handles it,” Maggie said.

“Harrison boys?” he asked.

“There’s four of them, they live on the next block over and like to run amuck.”

“Maybe they need a good spanking,” he said and put his arm around her.

“I thought you said kids didn’t need spanked,” she teased.

“Oh, that’s right, it's just naughty women,” he smiled and enjoyed that she looked almost startled. In her defense, he didn’t tease often.

His watch alarm chimed, and he shut it off saying, “It's time, let's go to this.”

“Looking forward to it,” she said, picking up her purse with one hand and putting her other in his hand. Okay, they would hold hands going to the car. He wasn’t sure what to make of that, but decided he enjoyed it.

Opening the door for her, he took her elbow as she almost stumbled getting in. “Been a while since I wore heels,” she laughed. “Thank you.”

“Anytime,” he said and got in on his side. He already had his car programmed for the hotel where the dinner was being held. They headed down the street, both of them ignoring the elephant that sat directly between them.

“So, what’s going on at the dinner tonight?” she asked.

“I’m talking about opening the store,” he said. “Basically, the same thing I said on TV the other night, only with more words.”

“That must be hard for you,” she murmured.

“What must be hard?” Sebastian felt confused.

“More words. You aren’t the chattiest of people, you know,” she said.

No, he didn’t know that. He thought he talked just enough. “If you ever need me to talk more, just tell me.” Would that work?

“Is that all it takes?” She laughed and poked his arm with a finger. “Just tell you?”

“Yes,” he said and nodded his head decisively while she laughed again.

“If you turn down here, there’s a shortcut to the hotel,” she said. “See, I’m just as smart as your machine,” Maggie added when the car recalculated as they turned.

“You are.”

Maggie giggled again. Was he being silly on purpose? Well, so could she. “Now if you hear me say, ‘oh you're my kid’s dad’ tonight, that only means he’s had a student in my class, not that I have a bunch of baby daddies.”

“Good to know,” he didn’t even crack a smile and for some reason that made her laugh again. She was looking forward to getting to know him better. Breaking through his ice would be fun for her. She hoped. Even if Mr. Jones was a lousy spanker.