Peppermint Sticks for Susie Read Free Page B

her foot and kicked him just as hard as she could. While Alex was holding his injured leg and cursing in several different languages she couldn't understand, Jenny threw the bar locking the door onto the floor, and then she took off running for the boarding house. She hurried inside and ignored Mrs. Neely when she called out to her. Jennifer went straight to her room and she locked the door with her key. When she decided that the key alone wasn't enough, she took the chair from her writing desk and lodged it under the doorknob, bracing it on the floor to make it harder for anyone to get inside.
    Then she collapsed on her bed and immediately jumped to her feet to rub her stinging bottom! It hurt so much she couldn't stand it. Impulsively, Jenny tore off her clothing, and then she looked into the full length mirror at her reddened backside! She was shocked and she also felt quite sorry for herself. She went to the washstand and poured cold water into the basin. She then soaked a washcloth and wrung it out before placing it on her fiery cheeks. It hurt too much to touch the flaming skin, but Jenny was sure that if she didn't give herself some relief she would never be able to sleep that night. She was as gentle as she could be as she attempted to take away her pain in the only way she knew. If cold water made a burn feel better, then it should help her inflamed bottom.
    There was a knock at the door and Jennifer quickly reached for her wrap, holding it in front of her just in case the door came open in spite of the lock and the chair! "Yes?" she answered, knowing that she didn't dare deny she was in the room when Mrs. Neely knew perfectly well she was.
    "Dear, are you unwell?" It was Mrs. Neely, and Jennifer debated on what to say to her. The woman was knowledgeable about aches and pains, but Jennifer knew it would be too embarrassing to tell her what had happened and ask for one of her remedies to relieve the ache.
    "I am not feeling well at the moment, Mrs. Neely. I am changing into my nightdress as I speak and planning to crawl into bed."
    "Do you need a headache powder, Jennifer?" the kindly woman asked, clearly wanting to help her tenant.
    "No, thank you, ma'am. I will be fine if I get some sleep."
    "Good night, dear."
    "Good night, Mrs. Neely." Jennifer was so relieved she felt like crying. Now that Mrs. Neely knew she was in her night clothes there was no way on earth she would allow Alex Martin to come near her, even if he was a U. S. Marshal. Jennifer continued to put the wet cloths on her bottom until the terrible burning calmed somewhat, and then she put on her nightdress and turned down her bed.
    She would get even with Alex Martin! There was no way she would permit the man to get away with spanking her like she was a little girl! Somehow, some way, she would prove to him that she wasn't a child to be treated as though she couldn't take care of herself. And, as for Lefty... She would make him pay, too! He should be in jail for attacking her, and since he wasn't, she would see to it he was punished in another way. Jennifer made and discarded several plans while she waited for sleep to take over.

    * * *

    Alex couldn't believe the nerve of the little redhead. She'd managed to bring him low when men three times her size couldn't! He didn't try to go after her right away, knowing full well that if he did she would get a spanking born of his anger. He didn't feel she deserved that, but she did need to learn that she couldn't go around kicking people! And, she was going to learn that lesson before the evening was over. He eventually limped to Mrs. Neely's boarding house and since the hour was still considered respectable he walked up on the porch and knocked on the door. Mrs. Neely answered with a cautious look out the window first. Alex removed his hat respectfully and the widow opened the door.
    "Good evening, ma'am. May I speak with Miss Jenny?" he asked.
    "No, you may not. She has retired for the evening with a