Laying Down the Law by Laylah Roberts Page B

go into the bedroom and get your hairbrush then bring it out here.” She let out a loud sob at that, but rose from his lap and moved into the bedroom to grab her wooden hair brush. The back of it was smooth and wide.
    That was really going to hurt.
    It did. He didn’t hold back, smacking her bottom heavily until all she was capable of was lying there and sobbing.
    “There, there, baby, cry it all out,” he murmured to her soothingly, running his hand down her back. When she’d been reduced to sniffles, he helped her rise and standing, took her into his arms to rub her back gently.

    “Callie, I have to get back to work.” She nodded and pulled back. But he didn’t leave, instead stood there, looking down at her.
    “You know how much I love you, right?” She nodded again. He knelt and pulled a jewellery box from his back pocket.
    “I bought this two days ago, I was waiting for the right moment, but well, I can’t wait. Will you marry me, Callie McKenzie? I promise to always love you, cherish you, take care of you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
    Her mouth opened and closed then she snapped it shut. She looked down at him, staring up at her, his face so serious, his gaze filled with love.
    And it felt right.

    She knew he wouldn’t walk away from her. He knew the worst about her, and he hadn’t once let her down or left her. She trusted him. She loved him.
    “Yes.”
    She squealed as he stood and grabbing her, spun her around the room. Then he kissed her deeply.
    “I promise you will never regret it.” He put the ring on her finger and she stared down at the solitaire which fit perfectly on her finger.
    “And now, I’m really sorry, but I have to go back to work.” He kissed her again then turned away with a groan.
    “Eat dinner. Go to bed. I’ll see you later.” She gaped at him as he left. Then laughed. That really was a weird proposal.

    ***

    ***
    Callie sighed in frustration at the knock on the front door of the surgery. She could ignore it, it was after hours after all and she was busy cleaning up. But of course the thought of an animal injured and in pain was more than she could bear and she found herself quickly walking towards the door.
    Opening it without looking first, she stood there shocked as she stared up into the stern face of her oldest brother.
    “Ryan,” she managed to stutter out, he was the last person she expected to see. “Is everything okay? It’s not Sally is it?” Against all odds she really liked Ryan’s wife.
    “No. May I come in?” He looked around as if he didn’t want to be seen visiting her, sending a surge of fury through Callie’s blood.
    But she merely nodded and moved aside so he could walk in.

    could walk in.
    “I’ll make this short; Jamieson came by to see me the other day. I didn’t raise you to hide behind a man, Callie.” Callie’s barely restrained temper flared at that statement.
    “You didn’t raise me, period,” she snapped back. What the hell was Tanner doing visiting Ryan?
    “Gave you a roof over your head, food in your belly, I didn’t send you off to live in foster care did I? Frankly, I think you got it good considering you’re not even my sister.”
    “What?” Callie looked at him in shock, her jaw dropping.
    Ryan narrowed his eyes as he glared down at her and Callie took a quick step back in the face of his anger before she could stop herself.
    “Stupid kid, you never even worked it out

    “Stupid kid, you never even worked it out did you? Your mother was pregnant when she married my father. Not that my father ever cared, all he saw was a precious little girl.
    Lord, did he dote on you, even adopted you and left you part of my inheritance. Do you know how sickening it was for me to work my guts out, slave away at building up that ranch, for you, someone with absolutely no blood claim, to be able to claim some of my profits?
    Lord it makes me sick.”
    He turned away from her, disgusted as Callie’s head reeled