Lost and Found (6 page)

Kathy began to bawl pitifully into Todd’s dress pants as he upped her spanking another notch, putting his muscular forearm to work as he flipped the paddle sharply using his wrist.

Kathy’s backside was soon glowing like a stop light with enough heat to warm up the cool room.

She finally collapsed over Todd’s knees, hanging onto his leg as she cried, her fight spanked well out of her. Alan gave Todd a thumbs up with a smile.

Todd placed the paddle back on the coffee table and began to gently rub the hot, swollen globes of his wife’s tender bottom. He was aroused and was eager to take her upstairs to

‘comfort her’. Alan had warned him, though, no sex after punishment. That was disappointing, but he understood the experienced man’s reasoning. Punishment needed to be separate from pleasure. He pulled her shorts and panties back up over her sore backside and then turned her to sit on his lap. Holding her close as she cried into his shirt, Todd kissed her cheek. “It’s over, baby. Don’t make me do that again anytime soon. I think it would be good for you to spend a little more time in the corner and think about how hard this was, for both of us. Go on now, be a good girl.”

Kathy sniffed, painfully hobbling back to the corner, this time without the attitude. Alan stood, beckoning Todd and Lance to join him in the kitchen.

“Well? How did I do? The old Ping-Pong champ is back!” Todd grinned, flexing his muscles.

“Welcome to the RAC, my friend,” Alan snickered, pouring himself a glass of water and raising it in a salute.

Lance noticed Todd’s confused look and whispered “red ass club” into his ear.

Todd chuckled, “I wish I had taken your advice three years ago. I hate to admit it, but I rather enjoyed myself. Not making her cry, but seeing that sit-upon color up a bright red for me.

Sweet. I do insist, however, that you two personally handle anything she does that concerns you, ok? It will keep her on her toes.”

“Deal. Especially since she’ll be having to follow some very specific instructions about Noelle,” Alan shook Todd’s hand in agreement with a wide grin on his handsome face. Lance just chuckled. He knew they just created a new spanking monster.

Todd excused Kathy from the corner to say good-bye to Alan so he could go home to his family. Her eldest brother held her tightly, kissing her forehead affectionately as they walked outside into the cold winter air. “Are you ok?” he asked quietly.

Kathy nodded, “As long as he doesn’t learn how to swing as hard as you do, I’ll live. I won’t miss your spankings, big brother.”

“You certainly won’t. We just agreed that Lance and I will continue, should you do anything that breaks our personal instructions or rules.” He noticed her unhappy expression. “I know you don’t believe me, but I hate making you cry, little sister. I’d rather spoil you. Here, use this for Noelle,” Alan said, slipping some money into her hand.

“Lance already gave me his card. I don’t need it.”

“Then save it for a rainy day,”

“See? This is why you’re my favorite brother,” Kathy grinned as Alan kissed her again before driving off. She looked at the $500 he had given her and frowned. Rainy day? It never rained in Las Vegas! Even now in the dead of winter, it was dry as a bone.

Lance watched the two out the window and called Todd over. “Alan is such a pushover.

I wonder how much he gave her to stop crying.”

“You’re kidding? He really does that? I can’t have sex but he gives her money?”

“Yeah, it relieves his guilt. I never feel guilty when I take a whack at her rump. I hope you don’t either,” Lance commented, watching Kathy slip the bills into her pockets.

“Not now I don’t. Maybe I’m too frugal with her. She doesn’t need your brother’s money.”

“Don’t get pissed, it’s between those two. As for frugal, you give her a budget of five grand a month to handle expenses. That’s more than enough until she gets her spending issues resolved. She has no idea how much it costs for you to run your businesses. Maybe you should tell her?”

“Nah, I like her being free from worry.”

“It’s up to you. Katherine? Is dinner ready? I’m starving,” Lance asked as she came in.

She hugged him warmly, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his chin and receive a warm, comforting embrace.

“I’ll bring it in. Could you turn up the heater? It’s getting cold in here.”

“You could go put on some long pants… Oh, never mind.” Her brother grinned as she rubbed her bottom with a scowl.

“Are you excited to go home with Dr. Lance, Noelle?” Julie asked as she brushed the young woman’s hair.

“Who’s Dr. Lance? I don’t like doctors. They give shots.”

“Dr. Lance? Daddy? He doesn’t usually give shots. He has the nurses do it for him.”

“I don’t like shots. They hurt,” Noelle said firmly.

“Did you get a lot of shots when you were little?” Julie asked, jotting down a note.

“All the time. Shots hurt.”

“Do you remember why you had to get so many?”

“No. I think I was going on a long trip. No more shots!”

“You won’t get any from me, I promise. There you go. See how pretty you look?” Noelle smiled at the mirror. Julie had brushed her hair out until it shone and then pulled the sides up in a braid held by clips with sparkling purple stones. She had discovered that Noelle loved the color purple since Daddy told her it matched her eyes.

Those big, lovely eyes brightened when Lance and Kathy walked through the door. She bounded into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him gleefully. “Daddy! Look! Miss Julie bought me hair thingies to match my eyes.”

“So she did, my little princess. They are gorgeous. Jules? Anything new?” Julie nodded, handing him a list of her discoveries. Some made sense, others did not. He tucked it into his pocket and hugged her. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done. We’re going to stop by the toy store on the way home and see if there is anything she likes. You’ve done well, my girl. Thank you again.”

“You know I would do anything for you, Doc. Call me if you need a babysitter, ok?”

“For me or her?” Lance asked mischievously.

Julie smacked his arm, grinning. “You’re bad. So much like my kid brother. Have a good weekend, ok? Try to get some rest; you look terrible. Oh, Noelle?”

“Yes, ma'am, Miss Julie?”

Lance raised his eyebrow. Manners? Another clue. Julie handed her something wrapped in
My Little Pony
paper.

“I got you a little present as a thank you for letting me play with you. Open it.” Noelle stared at her, stunned. Was she supposed to tear this pretty paper? She looked at Lance, confused.

“It’s ok to rip the paper. That’s what we do when we get wrapped gifts.” Noelle broke into a smile and excitedly yanked the paper from the present. Her eyes teared as she pulled out a plush purple rabbit. “Oh, Miss Julie! Thank you! He’s perfect!”

“I remember you telling me you liked to color the bunnies. Think of me when you hold him, ok?”

Noelle started crying as she hugged Julie good-bye, then followed suit on the other nurses and aides on the floor. They watched her leave, sad to see her go. Everyone had been so happy having the young woman there to care for and play with. She was like a ray of sunshine and always made them feel… special. Younger, even. Lance felt his sixth sense tingling again, glancing behind him at his staff. Something was definitely off kilter.

*

*

*

“What are you going to name your bunny, Noelle?” Kathy asked, sliding into the back seat of Lance’s red SUV with the girl.

“Bunny, of course! He makes me feel good,” Noelle said firmly. “Where do we live, Aunt Kathy?”

“Daddy’s house is about twenty minutes away. Uncle Todd and I are staying with him right now to help take care of you. Uncle Alan lives about a half hour from us.”

“Who are they?”

“Todd is my husband and Alan and Daddy are my brothers.”

“Do I have any cousins?”

Lance’s ears perked to the question; she understood family dynamics.

“Uncle Alan has twin girls who are nine years old.”

“Do I have to share my coloring books with them?” Noelle looked cross.

“Yes, Noelle. It’s not good to be selfish. We share everything and play nicely in this family, and try to help each other as much as we can. It’s the right thing to do when you care about people.” Lance said firmly, noticing the possessive expression.

“Yes, Sir, Daddy.”

Sir
?
She must have heard it from one of the staff
, Lance thought, although he could not recall any one of his mischievous employees offering him that courtesy. Except, of course, when they occasionally elevated him to Knight Hood.
Didn’t they understand his name was Lance
NOT Lancelot?
One of these days he would have to tell his parents about what they subjected him to, and find out what they were thinking when they did it.

The car was quiet as he pulled into the large Toys R Us parking lot. Lance held out his hand for the tiny woman to take. Her eyes widened with disbelief as she scanned the large store.

He was certain his expression was not much different as he looked up at the high shelves and walls that were packed to the ceiling with everything imaginable. If he felt overstimulated, he could only imagine how the young woman felt.

“A little overwhelming, huh? You may pick three things, Noelle. We will be celebrating Christmas with the whole family in two months, so we need to leave something for them to get you. Katherine, only three toys, got it?” Lance said sternly.

Kathy was quite at home in the giant store. She pulled Noelle with her as they strolled up and down the aisles, shopping cart in tow. Lance was examining the electronic games when they came up behind him, the basket laden with toys, games, and books.

“Do you know how many three is, Noelle?” he asked with a frown, eyeing the piles.

“This many, Daddy,” she held up three fingers, “I got three. Aunt Kathy got lots more.”

“Katherine…”

“Down, boy. These are educational games, puzzles, and books. Not technically toys. She also liked this comforter set, so I’m getting it too.”

“You’re getting it? Oh, you’re gonna get it, alright…” Lance growled. Noelle looked scared and clung to her bunny.

“Stop it, you’re frightening the child. Pay him no mind, honey, he’s just an old grumpy bear.” Kathy told the girl, stroking her hair while challenging her brother with her eyes.

Lance relinquished his stand, “Very well. You might as well add these to the bill.”

“What's that?” Noelle asked.

Lance grinned sheepishly “Video games for my Xbox.”

“Boys!” Kathy grunted.

The three stopped for milkshakes before going shopping for some clothes. Kathy ordered Lance to stay in the car and wait for them, which he was more than happy to comply. He was worn out and started to doze off when they returned an hour later carrying three large bags.

“Did you buy out the store, Katherine?”

“I swear, you are sounding more like Todd every day. She had nothing to wear, Lance!

I’m warning you, though, I let her pick out most of the stuff. We had to go into the girls department because she is so small.”

“Whatever. I’m tired and want to go home. Can we go?”

“Why is Daddy mad, Aunt Kathy?” Noelle whispered, sticking her thumb in her mouth.

“Don’t do that, baby. He’s not mad, just grumpy. He gets that way when he doesn’t get enough beauty sleep. And when I spend his money,” Kathy giggled, ignoring her brother’s warning look in the rear view mirror.

“We’re home. What do you think?” Lance asked, pulling into the landscaped driveway of his large, custom built home with a mountainous backdrop.

Noelle stared, eyes wide with astonishment. “It’s so pretty! I get to live here?”

“You do. We even have a swimming pool, but it’s way too cold right now. Come inside and I’ll show you around. Katherine? Leave those things. I’ll get them later.” Holding his hand, Noelle took in her surroundings. The house had a wide entryway with a big living room, kitchen and dining area to the left along with the master guest room, Lance’s office, and laundry room to the right. She followed him upstairs where the master suite and two more large bedrooms, each with separate bathrooms, were housed.

“This is your room. Do you like it? Aunt Kathy fixed it up for you,” he asked, opening the door to the room at the end of the hall. Noelle walked in and her mouth opened to form an

‘O’.

All the furnishings were white with tiny purple flowers painted along the edges. The rocking chair and toy chest were padded with lavender gingham that matched the frilly curtains.

In the middle of the bed sat a large purple teddy bear, with a huge pink bow, holding a vase of purple and white orchids.

“Where did these come from?” Kathy asked, picking up the note. She smiled, reading it aloud, “
To our little Noelle. Welcome Home. Love, Uncle Todd and Uncle Alan.
How sweet!” she said, touching her hand to her heart.
Pushovers,
Lance thought.
They haven’t even met the
kid yet!

“Daddy?” Noelle yanked on his pinky.

“Yes, hon?”

“I need to go potty,” she whispered, almost embarrassed.

“You have your own bathroom right here. Do you need help?”

“No. 'Scuse me.”

Lance watched as she departed and then turned to his sister. “Manners, family dynamics, counting, and embarrassment about bodily functions…you don’t think she’s faking this, do you?” he whispered.

“No. Not at all. Her reactions are too genuine. Even if she were, then it means she definitely believes she needs it. She’s very appreciative and it shows. Please try not to be suspicious. She’s not Becca. She worships you.”