Heart Song Anthology by Carolyn Faulkner (summer reads txt) 📗

put it in my slow cooker tonight so that Mom has it for a luncheon tomorrow. I promised.” I looked at him, then stomped my foot. “That was mean, Cody. How would you like it if I put you in the corner and then went and messed around in your kitchen?”

“You do that nearly every day, only it’s my office where I end up instead of the corner.”

“I don’t mean work, mister! I mean your own personal kitchen! Your own kitchen that is yours!”

Cody actually laughed. “Come and eat before you manage to earn another spanking, honey.” He’d placed our plates on the dining room table, and then pulled out my chair for me to sit down. To my dismay, the pillow had been removed.

“I can’t sit down right now, Cody!”

“Yes, you can, Jenny. You might not enjoy sitting, but you can sit, and you will sit until you clean your plate like a good girl.”

I closed my eyes and gently made contact with the chair. My bottom was smarting, but it wasn’t as bad as the other spanking I’d had, and that was a fact. I picked up my fork and the first bite of the shrimp stir-fry was delicious. “Yum. You should consider a cooking career,” I teased him a bit.

“This is healthier to come home to than a bowl of cereal, young lady.”

I had to agree. After dinner we loaded our dishes in the dishwasher and then snuggled on the sofa and watched some TV. There was kissing as usual, and I could feel that Cody was holding back for some reason. I was more than willing to make love with him, and I had no doubts or reservations. I tried to urge him further each time he kissed me, but Cody practiced restraint. I was afraid he didn’t really find me attractive, but my tender tush reminded me that thinking in that way would only earn me more punishment. Still, my body ached for fulfillment.

“Why do you stop, Cody?” I asked, frustrated.

“The anticipation is making the wait worthwhile, my love.”

Not long after that, Cody left for home. I had a difficult time sleeping that night. My body ached for his touch, and I couldn’t help worrying about what he would decide to do about Tabitha. I didn’t think it was fair for her to get fired because I had overreacted. But, there was nothing at all I could do, either to see her fired, or to see her safe from punishment of any kind. It was Cody’s decision. I relaxed, and it was nice to know he was in charge, not me. I closed my eyes and slept.

I was nervous when I parked my car and went inside the restaurant the next morning. I still didn’t want Tabitha to get into trouble, but if I knew Cody, he would call Tabitha to his office as soon as she arrived. A couple of our prep people were there and after washing my hands and donning gloves, I got right to work. It wasn’t long before Tabitha arrived. We wouldn’t open for an hour, but she had table assignments to work out, as well as her other duties. Cody joined us in the kitchen a few minutes later and after saying hello to those of us prepping food before lunch service started, he asked Tabitha to come to his office.

She was in with Cody a long time, and when she emerged, she appeared shaken. She flashed me an angry look and started in my direction, but Cody reached her before she could say anything. “If I could have everyone’s attention, please?” He walked over to stand beside me and then winked at me. “I think that it is time that Jenn and I shared our little secret. We’ve been dating each other, and would have been doing so a long time ago except for my rule against employees’ dating each other.” He actually looked embarrassed, and my face had to be red, too. “The simple truth is that we fell in love. We’re going to do our best to keep our personal lives out of the restaurant. If anyone has a problem, speak up. If I have learned one thing, it is impossible to make a rule and expect it to hold up when two people fall in love.”

“Does this mean that you and Jenn will want Valentine’s Day off?” the newest hire asked Cody, and it was plain to see that it was going to upset his plans if he couldn’t have the evening off as Cody had promised some time ago.

“Jenn and I will be working, Chris. Those of you who have been here longest know that I work the holidays that we are open, and that is why I try to plan something special that can be handled with a short crew. I know that some spouses already hate the long hours we put in, and I want to give as many of you time with your loved one as possible.” He looked around and then asked, “Any other issues that need discussion?”

“Nothing to discuss, but congratulations to both of you,” Brian said with a grin.

“Thank you,” Cody replied, then said, “There’s work to be done before we open; get to it.”

Once Cody disappeared into his office, Tabitha approached me. “I’m so sorry, Jenn. I couldn’t imagine why you went to Cody and told him what I’d said, but now I understand. You must have been so upset thinking that Alyssa called. I’m so embarrassed, and Cody is right. I shouldn’t have said a word without having my facts straight. I am very sorry.”

“I’m sorry that Cody scolded you. It wasn’t your fault that I overreacted. I’m sorry too.”

“Oh, I’m so glad he isn’t seeing Alyssa. He’s been in such a good mood the last few weeks.”

Tabitha was a friendly person and I gave her a hug, happy that she wasn’t about to hold a grudge over something so silly.

Valentine’s Day finally arrived,