Page 281 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Betsy bit back her sigh, realizing that, adult or not, her father had no intention of allowing her and Jack much privacy. But when Jack squeezed her fingers, she said, “Yes, Daddy.” It wasn’t until she and Jack were almost at the car that she remembered his earlier words and could have sworn she felt the skin on her bottom crawl.

Jack’s chuckle had her looking up. “What’s so funny?”

“You are, little minx,” he said. “Your expression tells me that you remember what I said the last time we were at the car.”

Though she tried, she couldn’t keep herself from darting a look at the backseat.

Jack leaned down and chuckled again. “You might want to reconsider being upset with your parents because, my dearest Betsy, if they weren’t waiting, I’d be opening the back door instead of the front. Regardless of the fact that your little bottom is safe for now, I promise the next time you curse or denigrate yourself, that won’t be the case. Is that clear?”

Betsy wondered if he could hear her heart pounding as the sound of it filled her ears. But it was the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice that told her just how lucky she was. “Yes and I’m sorry, Jack. I-I don’t usually act that way.”

“I know you don’t, sweetheart,” Jack said, cupping her face between his palms and bending to kiss her until her knees threatened to buckle. Pulling away, he grinned. “Now that is what your pretty little lips are for. Kissing, not cursing.” She blushed at the gentle reminder as he opened the door and waited until she slid behind the wheel. “Goodnight, my love. I’ll see you at church.”

“Until then, I’ll see you in my dreams,” she said, giving him a soft smile. “I love you, Jack.”

“I love you too, little minx. Drive safe and sweet dreams.”

She noticed he didn’t move until she turned the corner. Every cell in her body was thrumming and her mind was racing. If he could reduce her to a puddle with a simple kiss, what would happen when they weren’t among others? Perhaps her father knew what he was doing after all. She couldn’t deny how easy it would be to step off home plate when it came to Jack.

Chapter Ten

Betsy slid into the pew to sit beside her mother, and Jack sat down after shaking her father’s hand. It was wonderful to see the little church full again with the return of several men who’d been at war. She felt very blessed to have her own soldier safe at her side, her hand tucked into his.

After the service, she introduced him to Reverend Schultz and Jack shook his hand, thanking him for an uplifting sermon. Once at her parents’ house, Betsy was instantly drafted into the kitchen to help get supper on the table while Don and Jack took glasses of sweet tea out onto the front porch.

Betsy groaned. “I hope Daddy doesn’t embarrass me by asking Jack all sorts of questions.”

Her mother looked up from where she’d just removed the pot roast from the oven. “That’s a daddy’s job, honey. But, if it makes you feel better, I think your young man is wonderful.”

“I do, too,” Betsy admitted with a smile. After setting the table, she went to the door to call the men in to eat. Jack’s expression gave nothing away and his exclamation that something smelled great was all he said before pulling out a chair for her to sit. The meal was wonderful, and Betsy relaxed and joined in the easy flow of conversation.

Once they’d settled in the living room with coffee and plates of cake, Mavis asked, “So, Jack, Betsy told us your family lives outside of Austin. I’m sure they must have been so glad to hear you were safe, though, from what Betsy has shared, we know you were hurt. Have you seen them yet?”

“No, ma’am, not yet. I wanted to come for Betsy first.”

Betsy’s smile of pleasure changed to one of confusion as Jack placed his plate and cup on the coffee table, looked at her father and, at his smile and nod, stood. Her eyes widened when Jack dropped to one knee. Tears filled her eyes as he pulled a black box from his pocket and took her hand. “I love you with all of my heart, Betsy. You would do me the highest honor if you’d agree to become my wife. I promise to always—”

“Yes!” Betsy said, leaping off the sofa and into his arms. “Oh, yes, yes! I love you, Jack!”

Both she and her mother shed tears as Jack opened the box and slid the ring onto her finger. Despite her tears, Betsy could see the solitary diamond shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the windows. It took several minutes before she released him long enough for him to stand and then help her up. Both received hugs and congratulations from Mavis and Don before sitting again.

“You asked about my family, Mrs. Riddle, and I’d like to invite them up here to meet Betsy and her family—”

“That would be wonderful,” Mavis began. “It will be so nice to meet them, and your mother and I can begin to make wedding plans. Don and I were married in December, and it would be—”

“Mavis, let the man speak,” Don interrupted.

“I was only trying to…”

Betsy saw the look her dad gave her mom and had to stifle a giggle. He looked exactly as Jack had the night before. Suddenly she felt her face heat and wondered if perhaps her father was more to her mother than just her husband. Was he also one to remind his love that he was head of the house with a hand on her bottom? When her mother flushed and said, “Of course, forgive me, Jack,” Betsy decided that her epiphany was probably spot on. When Jack squeezed her hand, she realized he’d seen the look as well and interpreted it in the same way.

“I know this is asking quite a lot, Mrs. Riddle, but I only have a certain amount of leave. I’d like to wed as soon as possible… in a couple of weeks, in fact, so that Betsy can go with me to my new post. Of course, if she’d rather have a larger wedding, I won’t stand in her way. I know how important a girl’s wedding is to her.”

“I don’t care about the wedding,” Betsy said instantly. “I only care about becoming your wife. Shoot, we can marry at the town hall for all I care.”

“You most certainly will not!” Mavis declared. “You are our only daughter and…” When Don reached over and laid his hand on his wife’s arm, she sighed. “No need for that, Donald. I was simply going to say that I’m sure we can book the church. If not, we can hold the wedding here at the house. It might be fast, but I promise we can make it special.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Betsy said, going to her and giving her a hug. “I’ll help with the reception, and I’m sure Jane will agree to be my maid of honor.”

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