something that requires repeated practice."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Roger said. "I'd better get going. Agatha, I'll get your dress back as soon as I can but I was worried that if I asked for it, Mr. Goldman would have an apoplexy at being reminded of how his daughter left his house wearing one dress, only to return wearing another."
"I'm sure he would have understood," Agatha said, moving to take her apron from its hook and tying the sash around her waist. "Goodness, even he has to know that it was far more important to get Teresa warm than to worry about her being naked." It wasn't until she heard Wyatt chuckle that she felt her face heating. "I mean… I'm sure you didn't… she didn't…"
"Start supper, sweetie," Wyatt suggested as he pulled on his coat. "I've still got some chores to do." He dropped another kiss on top of her head before joining Roger at the door.
After the door closed, she shook her head. It was obvious from the expression on Roger's face that he did indeed care for Teresa. But listening to him talk with Wyatt, she had to wonder if his feelings were strong enough to fight for the young woman. More importantly, did Teresa even want to be the object of his affection? She remembered Roger stating that Teresa had dreams of becoming the town's first schoolteacher, but Agatha couldn't help but wonder if the young woman needed a bit of education herself. She'd spoken the truth when she told Roger that it was sometimes difficult to ask anyone for help. It had taken being miserable for a few months before she'd finally broken down and begged her new husband to help her. It hadn't always been pleasant—heck, sometimes it had been downright painful when she'd earned a harder spanking—but with his love and constant demand for honest communication, their marriage had become not only better, but was what she considered her own slice of heaven on earth.
The occupants of the ranch were more than business partners or friends. They had become a family; one in which every person would do whatever was in their power to help another. Not a single moment went by when Agatha didn't feel safe, protected, respected, and very much loved. And it certainly helped that she lived on the ranch with two other women who had husbands of the same ilk. Sure, she and the other women sometimes complained or argued over a rule or restriction imposed on them by their husbands, but each had learned that the rules were intended to keep them safe. Yes, there were consequences for misbehavior but each woman knew that once atonement was made for a transgression, they were forgiven. Being able to commiserate with one another, the women's bond of friendship grew stronger with every passing day. Maybe that was the secret—knowing that there was always somebody you could talk to about your fears, worries, dreams, or just to ask questions. Perhaps the fact that Teresa's ma had passed a few years earlier was one cause of her attitude. What the poor girl needed was not to be judged but to be offered a hand of friendship, and an ear—or six. Now that Agatha was satisfied she'd come up with a plan, all she needed was to get with Anna and Charity to decide how to put it into action.
As she began to wash the dishes they'd left from the noon meal, Agatha smiled. Having to clean up the kitchen in order to be able to start preparations for supper was just one example of how rules could be bent. Not too long ago, she would have felt guilty and been unable to think of anything but the fact that she'd left a chore undone. Wyatt had taught her that there were times when just having fun or spending time together were more important than a chore. Sure, chores couldn't be left undone for too long but, well, who cared if a dish or two sat waiting while she lay in her husband's arms after making love?
***
It wasn't until three days later that Agatha had a chance to talk to her friends. Matthew had informed the men that he'd spotted what he believed were
"That's what I'm afraid of," Roger said. "I'd better get going. Agatha, I'll get your dress back as soon as I can but I was worried that if I asked for it, Mr. Goldman would have an apoplexy at being reminded of how his daughter left his house wearing one dress, only to return wearing another."
"I'm sure he would have understood," Agatha said, moving to take her apron from its hook and tying the sash around her waist. "Goodness, even he has to know that it was far more important to get Teresa warm than to worry about her being naked." It wasn't until she heard Wyatt chuckle that she felt her face heating. "I mean… I'm sure you didn't… she didn't…"
"Start supper, sweetie," Wyatt suggested as he pulled on his coat. "I've still got some chores to do." He dropped another kiss on top of her head before joining Roger at the door.
After the door closed, she shook her head. It was obvious from the expression on Roger's face that he did indeed care for Teresa. But listening to him talk with Wyatt, she had to wonder if his feelings were strong enough to fight for the young woman. More importantly, did Teresa even want to be the object of his affection? She remembered Roger stating that Teresa had dreams of becoming the town's first schoolteacher, but Agatha couldn't help but wonder if the young woman needed a bit of education herself. She'd spoken the truth when she told Roger that it was sometimes difficult to ask anyone for help. It had taken being miserable for a few months before she'd finally broken down and begged her new husband to help her. It hadn't always been pleasant—heck, sometimes it had been downright painful when she'd earned a harder spanking—but with his love and constant demand for honest communication, their marriage had become not only better, but was what she considered her own slice of heaven on earth.
The occupants of the ranch were more than business partners or friends. They had become a family; one in which every person would do whatever was in their power to help another. Not a single moment went by when Agatha didn't feel safe, protected, respected, and very much loved. And it certainly helped that she lived on the ranch with two other women who had husbands of the same ilk. Sure, she and the other women sometimes complained or argued over a rule or restriction imposed on them by their husbands, but each had learned that the rules were intended to keep them safe. Yes, there were consequences for misbehavior but each woman knew that once atonement was made for a transgression, they were forgiven. Being able to commiserate with one another, the women's bond of friendship grew stronger with every passing day. Maybe that was the secret—knowing that there was always somebody you could talk to about your fears, worries, dreams, or just to ask questions. Perhaps the fact that Teresa's ma had passed a few years earlier was one cause of her attitude. What the poor girl needed was not to be judged but to be offered a hand of friendship, and an ear—or six. Now that Agatha was satisfied she'd come up with a plan, all she needed was to get with Anna and Charity to decide how to put it into action.
As she began to wash the dishes they'd left from the noon meal, Agatha smiled. Having to clean up the kitchen in order to be able to start preparations for supper was just one example of how rules could be bent. Not too long ago, she would have felt guilty and been unable to think of anything but the fact that she'd left a chore undone. Wyatt had taught her that there were times when just having fun or spending time together were more important than a chore. Sure, chores couldn't be left undone for too long but, well, who cared if a dish or two sat waiting while she lay in her husband's arms after making love?
***
It wasn't until three days later that Agatha had a chance to talk to her friends. Matthew had informed the men that he'd spotted what he believed were
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