Welcome to Saturday Spankings. In this snippet from Family on the River, Cal’s sister Charlotte or ‘Lottie’ returns to Washington. She meets the girls for lunch and it’s not hard for Lane and Jenny to realize something is not right in her life.
“So, you’re not Charlotte anymore?” Lane asked. “I like Lottie, it seems to suit you.”
“You look gorgeous! I wish we looked like twins again,” Rose laughed. Lane and Jenny ran their eyes over Lottie. She did look gorgeous, but … not. She was wearing a beautiful black designer pantsuit with a white silk blouse. Her shoes were stilettos causing her to tower over her sisters. At her neck was a beautiful emerald green scarf and her hair was in a French twist. Her make-up was done to perfection. But despite all this finery, she didn’t look well. She was too thin, and she seemed stiff when she moved. She acted as if she was happy to see everyone, but her smiles never seemed to reach her eyes.
They quickly ordered. “Tell us everything,” Rose demanded. “What are you doing these days, do you have a man in your life, and how long are you going to be in Washington?”
“You haven’t changed a bit, nosey,” Lottie teased. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I’ve been working at different hotels across the country. I’m working at the new Crowne right now. I’m the hostess and cocktail waitress for the Top Crowne, the private dining room. I also train others to work there. You can’t beat the tips.”
“Wow, fancy!” Jenny told her. “Sounds as though you like it.”
“What about you Lane, no babies yet?” Lottie asked.
“I’ve got babies coming out the wazoo! Just not my wazoo. There are babies everywhere you look, and I can hold them and play with them anytime I want. But I don’t have to fight to get them to bed or have them walk in on us getting ready to have sex or eventually pay for them to go to college. I am perfectly content, thank you.”
“Lane, you’ve always been the smartest of us. Looks like you still are. Where are you working?”
“I manage the women’s crisis center that Cassie started a few years ago. It’s a great place,” Lane told her. “We help women with homelessness; women being abused and those just a little down on their luck. I’ve learned a ton working there.”
“Sounds impressive.”
A crashing sound came from the kitchen. Someone must have dropped a stack of plates. Jenny, Lane and Rose all startled and looked toward the kitchen. But not Lottie. She had recoiled into a tight ball and covered her head. Sheer terror was on her face.
“It’s okay, just some broken plates,” Jenny said soothingly. Rose stared at Lottie in shock.
A moment passed before Lottie found her voice and asked, “Is Ryder’s still living with you and Cal?” Lottie asked.
“No,” Jenny answered. “He and Sophie live in the little cabin we used to live in. So, they’re close.”
“What does Mama have to say about them ‘living in sin’? And I wouldn’t think Cassie and her crowd would approve either.”
“I doubt any of those over forty are thrilled, but Ryder and Sophie— especially Sophie, does what she wants and to hell with what others think,” Jenny explained.
“I think I’d like her,” Lottie murmured.
“We’re having a big cookout at Cassie’s Sunday, please come.” Lane urged.
“I can pick you up at the hotel if you like,” Lane offered.
“No!” Lottie said emphatically. “I mean, the hotel is really strict about visitors to the staff. I’ll get myself there.” Glancing at her watch she continued, “I better run now. I have some things I need to get done this afternoon.” She pulled out her wallet, but Lane waved her off.
“Thanks,” Lottie said. “I’m looking forward to Sunday night.”
“I’ll walk out with you,” Rose offered, and the twins left after another round of hugs.
Making sure that they were gone, Jenny and Lane turned to one another. “She’s in another abusive relationship,” Lane said.
“Ya think?” Jenny answered. “Boy, does she have all the classic signs. Long sleeves, scarf around the neck. She walked and moved like she was hurting.”
“And her reaction when the plates broke was a dead giveaway,” Lane confirmed.
“What can we do? Tell Cal?” Jenny asked.
“No, don’t tell Cal. If there’s one thing I’ve learned working at the Shelter, it’s that we can’t do a damn thing until the woman wants help. Except let her know that help is available when she’s ready.”
“I sure hope she comes Sunday. She needs friends and family, and she needs them now.”
Cassie is busier than ever with her growing number of grandchildren. And she’s delighted to learn another is on the way, though the news comes from a very unexpected source. Spending time with the grands and working at the shelter home she created takes up much of her time. Even with all this, she manages to sneak in time for a girls’ trip. Both the location of the trip and a chance encounter with an old friend cause Tom’s spanking hand to itch.
When a severely beaten woman shows up at the Shelter, she inadvertently brings Cassie and Sue into a dangerous situation. Will Cassie be around to welcome this new grandchild?
Family on the River continues the heartwarming and often humorous story of Cassie’s life.
Cassie’s Space series
These ten books introduce Cassie. She is my friend and has been since she wandered into my imagination fifty-four years ago. She is married to Tom, the man who loves her in a way that makes my heart nearly burst with happiness for the two of them. He loves her, guides her, protects her and when necessary, spanks the fool out of her. I’ve been told that their adventures are exciting, funny and realistic. Their love-life is passionate and fulfilling – but you’ll hear no graphic details, Cassie is a lady and giving too much detail would not be proper.
Cal’s Law series
Cal and Jenny are one of my younger couple. The spanking in their relationship began mere minutes after they met, and Cal hasn’t let up much since. There relationship has it’s struggles, but these two are meant to be together. They live in the same town as Cassie and Tom and there is a lot of interactions among the character of both series. Jenny is not as reluctant as Cassie to openly discuss her sex life, so you’ll find a little more spice in this series.
On the River series
In this, my latest series, everyone is around – all the characters I’ve grown to love over the years are living on the area of the river that they call The Landing. Their lives, their adventures, even their spankings sometimes intertwine. By this time in the series, I’m just typing as my characters tell me what’s happening. And I love it!
I’ll close today with a review on the latest book. This is one of the finest reviews I’ve ever had.
Starting with the first Cassie book until now, I have never been disappointed or failed to wait expectantly for the next one.
And, of course, the links -
Undercurrents on the River (book four)
Family on the River (book five)
