Clifton County Fireworks by Joannie Kay

ladies have brought.  We
have quite a few this year, and I’m sure each one is filled with great
food.  I hope you young men brought your wallets and will be
generous.  The proceeds will go toward buying a new piano for the
schoolhouse.”
    Jennie Rose tried to see if she could
spot Johnny Tanner, but she simply wasn’t tall enough to see over all the
people crowded around.  She stood there tapping her toe as the baskets
were auctioned off.  Maybe he got called out of town?  Maybe he just
didn’t dare to show his face!  He was going to regret telling even one
person about the way he treated her yesterday. She would get even with him for
that!  Some way!
    ********************
    Johnny had no idea why Jennie Rose
would tell anyone what transpired between them yesterday morning.  As far
as he was concerned, a spanking was personal, unless she was purposely goading
him into spanking her?  No, she didn’t act like that.  She shot at
him out of fear.  She was still frightened over what happened a few days
ago, and she didn’t even know it was him she’d shot at until it was all
over.  Still, it didn’t make sense that she would tell what happened,
unless she was looking for sympathy? 
      One thing was certain; he was going to
get his answers once he bought her basket.  He’d seen her from a distance
when she handed the Mayor her basket, and he knew exactly which one it
was.  The pretty blue bow on the handle was just like the one from two
years ago.  He didn’t even care if the food was edible, just as long as
she spent her time with him and not some other guy. 
    Johnny wasn’t a fool.  He was in
love with Jennie Rose Clifton, and those feelings hadn’t dimmed one bit in two
year’s time.  He wanted to ask for her hand back then, but they both
needed time to grow up.  If he went away from Clifton this time without
asking, he wouldn’t get another chance; he was sure of it.  Jennie Rose
was a beautiful woman, and another man would snap her up if he was foolish
enough to let her go.  Johnny Tanner was not a fool!
    ********************
    Jennie Rose was very disappointed when
she didn’t see Johnny anywhere.  She wanted him to buy her basket; she’d
learned to cook and bake just to please him, and he’d darn well better show up
and bid so she could raise hell all over him for telling people that he’d
spanked her!  She was wounded and angry, and he’d better have a good
excuse.
    “We have a real pretty basket here with
a big blue bow.  Why, I believe this one belongs to Miss Jennie
Rose.  Honey, we’re happy to have you home in Clifton with us once
more.  Do I have an opening bid of a dollar?”   The Mayor asked.
    There were several bids, but none of
them were from Johnny.  When it seemed as though the bidding was all done,
there was one more bid called out, and the amount was enough to buy the piano
by itself!  People cheered, the bid was accepted, and the Mayor handed the
basket to Johnny Tanner!
    Johnny took Jennie Rose’s hand and
pulled her along with him, doing his best to ignore the jibes coming their
way.  He could see that Jennie Rose was all upset, and he felt like
shaking her.
    “I am furious with you, Johnny Tanner!”   Jennie Rose whispered
angrily.  “I feel like kicking you!”
    “I wouldn’t advise it unless you want
another spanking!”   He promptly
replied.  “I’m not happy with you, either!”
    “So why did you buy my basket?”   She demanded.  “And why did you pay
that much for it?”
    “I wanted everyone to know that I
consider you my girl.”   He told her,
his expression telling her that the answer to her question was obvious.
    “I don’t belong to anyone but
myself!”   She argued, even though
she was thrilled.
    “You are fast on your way to earning
another tanning.”   He said through
gritted teeth.
    “I wouldn’t advise you try it. 
I’ll yell for my father.”   She
promised, and was abruptly aware that all eyes were on