The Heavenly Surrender Read Online Free Page A

chuckled.
    “Sí! Sí!” Lita added as she and Brenna broke into amused laughter.
    Genieva looked up into Brevan’s stern, frowning face—bit her lip to stifle her own need to giggle. It was obvious he was completely agitated. Yet his expression was somehow quite unexpectedly attractive.
    “There’s not a woman on this green earth ownin’ the courage it would be takin’ to pinch me square on the bum, Brian,” he muttered, still glaring at Genieva.
    “Oh, settle yar temper down now, Brev,” Brian soothed, slapping his brother squarely on the back. “Genieva doesn’t appear to be the bum-pinchin’ type…now does she, Lita?”
    Lita could only shake her head in agreement as she dabbed at the tears of laughter brimming in her eyes. Brenna began her giggles anew, and Brevan shook his head disgustedly.
    “Ya be seein’ now why I had to do most of the work on this farm me ownself all the bloomin’ time, Genieva,” Brevan grumbled. Taking hold of her arm, he led her away from the amused group of relatives. “Not a one of them can go through a single hour in the day without gettin’ the sillies.”
    “Laughter is good for the soul, Mr. McLean,” Genieva stated.
    “ There be a place and a time for everythin’,” he growled. “But Brenna and Brian take too much time for foolish things.” He looked ominously at Genieva and added, “If ya be the silly, lazy type, lass…let it be said now…and know that ya’ll have to change.”
    Genieva clenched her teeth tightly—yanked her arm from his grasp. “I am not something you own, Mr. McLean. I am an individual, and I do enjoy laughter and fun. I also enjoy hard work and accomplishment. I consider myself to be well balanced, and you would do well to treat me as your equal rather than your slave.” Smoothing the folds of her skirt, she added, “Furthermore, I would appreciate your adherence to a higher degree of propriety. My foot is my own as is my arm and…”
    She was interrupted, however, as he once again firmly took hold of her arm and began leading her toward the house.
    “ We’ll begin in the house, Genieva. It is to be yar main responsibility,” he said.
    “Don’t let him bully ya around, Genieva,” Brian called out. Genieva turned to glance back at the four onlookers. “Spank him hard on the bum if he tries it. That’s what our mother used to do, she did,” he added as Lita and Brenna broke into giggles once more.
    “A word of warnin’ to ya, Genieva,” Brevan growled. “Ya lay yar hand across me bum but once, and I’ll return the favor with spankin’ ya over me knee, I will.”
    “I’m sure they’re only teasing, Mr. McLean,” Genieva assured him. “After all, this is such an unusual situation, and your family seems so…”
    “When me mother died…and she slapped me on the seat of the pants when I did wrong ’til the day she did…Brenna took over spankin’ me when I got out of hand. Teasin’ it wasn’t,” he stated.
    Spontaneously, Genieva’s eyes dropped to the seat of Brevan’s pants as he pulled her along. She bit her lip to suppress a giggle needing escape at the thought of a man this large being reprimanded with a good paddling.
    The screen door to the house screeched open, and Genieva stood inside her new home once more.
    “I raise meself from sleep at five in the mornin’ sharp. I like bacon and eggs and fried potatoes for breakfast best. Biscuits, honey, or whatever else will do though. A man needs a good breakfast if he’s expected to work through the day. I eat me lunch at noon and me supper at dusk,” Brevan informed her—exactly as if he were instructing a new kitchen servant.
    “I only know how to cook beans,” Genieva responded with obvious sarcasm.
    “Then you’ll learn how to cook what I like,” Brevan growled.
    “Yes, I will. And you’ll learn how to like beans.” She watched as Brevan inhaled a slow, calming breath. Still, she was right, and he nodded—having accepted her countering.
    He