Second-Chance Bride (Dakota Brides Book 3)(25)

He meowed, sniffed about, and settled down to lick his paws. She hoped he wouldn’t run off while she was gone.

She led the way down the path with the boys following.

“Papa will be angry,” Kit said to Milo.

“I don’t care,” Milo said.

“I do. I’s scared.” Kit’s voice trembled.

Freyda didn’t offer any sympathy. These two needed to learn to obey or they were going to get themselves into a spot far more threatening than their father’s anger.

They were close enough to see Ward go into the house. In seconds he came out again. “Milo. Kit. Where are you?”

“Ward,” she called.

He turned to the sound of his name and saw her with the boys. He jogged toward them.

“He’s angry,” Kit said. “What if he whips us like that lady did?”

“He won’t,” Milo said, with little conviction as he caught hold of Freyda’s free hand and held on.

Ward reached them. “Boys, you cannot run off like that.”

“Yes, Papa,” Kit said.“But we wanted to see Mrs. Haevre.”

Ward closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he spoke to Freyda. “Thank you for bringing them home. I’m sorry they interrupted your morning.”

Was he dismissing her? Freyda had no desire to return to her silent house. “I’m glad they did. I’ve grown used to their company.”

“Do you—?” He paused and looked toward his house. “Would you like to—?”

She chuckled. “Yes, I’d like to join you.”

He grinned. “Good. I wouldn’t want the boys pining all day.” But at the way his eyes sought hers, searching past the surface, she knew he didn’t speak solely for the boys, and she smiled at him, letting him see how glad she was to be with him—them.

They reached his house and he stopped. “Boys, take your muddy shoes off and go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.” He waited until the door closed behind them then turned to Freyda. “I don’t know what to do with them. I know they must be punished for disobeying and running off, but the only form of punishment I ever had was a strapping and I won’t do that to my boys. I’ve tried warning them but that has little effect.” He scrubbed at his neck and looked miserable. “What would you do?”

She pressed her hand to his forearm. “I’m glad you aren’t planning to whip them, but there are other ways to teach them this is unacceptable. You could send them to their room, take away a privilege, or give them a chore.”

“That easy?”

“You want them to realize there are consequences for their choices, don’t you?”

“Yes. So I could make them clean their shoes? Or make them stay in their room for a spell?”

“My mor always made us tell her what we meant to do differently after our punishment.”

“I like that.” He opened the door and indicated she should precede him.

Kit watched them, his eyes wide.

Milo sat on the floor, holding the kitten. He glowered at his father, but his shoulders were drawn up to his ears, indicating his worry.

Ward sat on a chair and pulled Kit to his side. “Milo, come here.”

The boy obeyed slowly. Ward held them both.

“Boys, you must obey. And you must not run off like that. It’s dangerous. You understand because of what you did, you must now accept your punishment.”

Kit started to rock back and forth, his eyes wide with fear but Milo stiffened, his mouth in a stubborn line. Freyda wanted to comfort them both, but knew Ward must handle the situation and he was doing well.

Ward closed his eyes momentarily and his mouth drew back in a grimace as if regretting having to do this. He opened his eyes. “Boys, I will never hurt you so don’t look so worried.”

Kit let out his breath but Milo remained stiff.

Ward continued. “I am going to send you to your room. You will remain there for half an hour.”

Kit nodded eagerly.

“And,” Ward said, “until each of you can tell me what you did wrong and what you will choose to do next time.”

“Yes, Papa.” Kit went to their room.

Milo followed more slowly. The door closed behind him.

Ward’s breath whooshed out.

Freyda squeezed his shoulder. “You handled that well.”

He covered her hand with his. “I hope so.”

“Would you like coffee and cookies?”

His head came up. “I thought I smelled something good.”

She made coffee and put out cookies. “The rain is good?”

“We can always use rain. I only wish I had gotten the seed in the ground.”

“It will happen.”

He grinned at her. “You are far more optimistic than I.”

“No, I just refuse to accept defeat.”

They chuckled.

When the half hour was up Ward went to the boys’ bedroom. “Have you thought of what you need to say?”

Kit stood before him. “Papa, I shouldn’t go away when you tell me nots to and without asking first.”

Ward hugged Kit. “Good.”

Milo shuffled toward him, holding the kitten in his arms. “Papa, would you have let us go if we asked?”