Chapter Ten
After tossing and turning for half the night, Josephine flung the blanket aside and padded barefoot to the window. The bright moonlight filtered through the trees and a slight breeze ruffled the flowered curtains. She was baffled by a host of mixed emotions toward Logan West.
He was a bully, cursed more than not, made outrageous demands, and yet something about him captivated her. Aside from being the most handsome man she had ever seen, what could be the attraction?
She rubbed her bottom and winced. She should be appalled at the way he had treated her. A genteel lady would have demanded to be taken into town at once and to think he had the gall to order her not to cut her hair.
A shiver of delight raced down her spine. Something naughty deep inside dared her to wake him and tell him that if she wanted to cut her hair she would. Sure as the stars twinkling in the night sky, he’d put her across his knee again. She shook her head. She swore no man would order her about. She had a mind of her own and wouldn’t be treated the way her aunt had been treated.
With a long drawn-out sigh, Josephine turned from the window and crawled back into bed.
* * *
Josephine blinked then opened her eyes. She squinted against the bright sunlight streaming through the window. Where was she? She rolled onto her back and winced. Memories of being draped over Logan’s lap came flooding back. How could she face him without blushing? What if Ella had heard her crying yesterday and asked questions? Did she even know her brother had spanked her?
Josephine swung her legs to the floor and went into the washroom to do her morning rituals. She pulled on the same dress she’d worn yesterday and made her way to the kitchen. Her heart sank when she didn’t see Logan.
“Good morning, Josephine.”
“Good morning, Ella. Oh, that coffee smells heavenly.”
“Sit and I’ll pour you a cup.”
Josephine pulled out a chair and sat down. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier? I’m afraid I overslept.”
“Logan thought you might need some rest so he told me to let you sleep in.” Ella placed the coffeepot on the table.
“Oh, that was thoughtful of him. Um, where is he anyway?”
“He gets up with the sun. He and Sully usually grab a cup of coffee and go outside to discuss what’s in for the day. Tiny and Jake aren’t married so they stay at the bunkhouse with Sully and he cooks breakfast for them. I don’t see the other hands much since they’re married and head straight home after a long day in the saddle. Logan should be back any minute for breakfast.”
Josephine sipped her coffee. “You really have a nice home, Ella.” She noticed the intricate carvings on the chair beside her and moved her elbow from the arm of the chair she sat on. “Oh, my, this is beautiful work.”
“Logan made those chairs and whittled in the fancy carvings.”
“The design is so delicate. It must’ve taken him a long time.” It was hard to believe such large, heavy hands could be so gentle.
Ella nodded and offered her some crispy bacon to go with the scrambled eggs. “He made most of the furniture in the house. Some townspeople pay him to fancy up their furniture or make something. As a matter of fact, he’s finishing up a swing for our neighbor’s son, Danny.”
“That’s very impressive. Did he happen to mention what happened last night?” Josephine anxiously waited for Ella to grill her about what had gone on.
To her relief Ella smiled. “Yes and I’m so excited. It’ll be nice to have another female in the house for a while.” The door slammed. Josephine’s breath hitched when Logan appeared in the doorway wearing snug-fitting jeans and a shirt opened to the waist.
“Two females in the house may sound good to you, but it means I’ll be outnumbered with no hope to win an argument.” He moved further into the kitchen and hooked his hat on the back of a chair.
Ella giggled while Josephine admired his thick wavy hair. “I think you’ll survive, brother mine. Pardon me while I go outside and see if the wash is dry.”
Logan went to the stove and took a plate that was already filled with bacon and eggs. He sat across from Josephine and poured himself a cup of coffee. Josephine declined his offer to refill her cup and eyed the hands that had created such amazing work. She was about to offer a compliment then changed her mind when she saw the smirk on his face.
“Are you sore this morning?”
“That is none of your business. I was going to compliment you on your work.” She pointed to the chairs. “But you can forget it now.”
“Well, thank you very much. I see your sassy attitude is back. I must not have made myself clear yesterday. I’m thinking another spanking is in order.”
Josephine shook her head. “Oh, no, it’s not. You will not touch me in such a manner again.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.”
“I hate to tell you, bossy boots, but I give the orders around here.” He set down his coffee cup and drilled her with those intense brown eyes. “Remember, yes, sir and no, sir?”
Dear heavens, the man knew exactly how to rattle her. Her breasts swelled and that place between her legs began to throb again. She shifted in her seat.
“I bet you’re wet.”
“How dare you spout such vulgarity. Have you no shame?”
He shook his head. “Only when I have to. But you like me this way, hmm?” He dug into his breakfast.
“As a matter of fact, I don’t like you at all.” His chuckle made her want to hit him on the head with the coffeepot.
“What are you and Ella up to today?”
The abrupt change of subject caught her off guard. “I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet.” Ella came back into the kitchen carrying a basket full of laundry. Josephine pushed her plate aside and got up to help fold the wash. “Logan wants to know what you have planned for today.”
“Oh, I went through my ma’s recipe box and found several I’d like to try. I swear I followed the directions to the letter for those biscuits, but as you know they didn’t come out all that terrific.”
Logan grinned. “You could knock someone out with one of those things.” His eyes held a teasing glint. Josephine stifled a giggle while Ella shot him a glare.
Josephine cleared her throat. “I remember a certain recipe that was my favorite. Maybe we can try that one first?”
Logan tossed his napkin on the table and stood up. “Sounds like you both have everything under control. I’ll stop by later.”
While Ella finished folding the laundry, Josephine cleared the table. It didn’t take long before the dishes were dry and put away.
“Does Logan tease you a lot?”
“All the time. I swear he enjoys it. I guess big brothers are like that. I’m older now and learned to ignore him most of the time. It irks him when I do that.”
“I don’t have any brothers or sisters,” Josephine replied sadly. “It would have been nice to have someone close to my age growing up.”
Ella patted her arm. “You have me. Come and see my dress before we start baking.” They went into Ella’s room. Josephine sat on the edge of the bed while Ella went to the closet and held up the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.
“Oh my, Ella, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I simply adore the color.”
“Yellow is my favorite.” Ella held the gown in front of her. “Do you think the color goes well with my brown hair?”
“It matches perfectly.” Josephine reached out to finger the silky material. Tiny white daisies with brown centers edged the scooped neckline and three-quarter sleeves. She noticed the hem lacked the same delicate trim. “Did the bottom come without the daisy trim?”
Ella frowned. “No, the dress was a tad too long. Instead of sending it back I removed the daisy trim and shortened it myself. All I have to do is sew the trim back on. I also need is to find a matching yellow ribbon for my hair.”
“I can finish the hem if you like. Do you have a sewing machine?”
“Yes, I do. Thank you so much. Let’s get those biscuits in the oven and we can work on the dress together.”
“You’re going to make a beautiful bride.” Josephine could see the compliment pleased Ella. “Will you be having a big wedding?”
“No, only family and a few close friends are invited. Brody’s parents are dead and he doesn’t have any brothers or sisters either. As a matter of fact the wedding will take place here. Logan suggested we have the ceremony in his office.”
Ella carefully placed the dress back in the closet. “Logan bought the dress for me. I saw it in a catalog and he insisted on buying it. It came all the way from New York.” She closed the closet door.
“Now, let’s get some baking done.”