Page 20 of Layla

Layla was with a group of wives who sat on some of the lawn furniture scattered about the patio.

“So how are you liking Brennan County?” Margo asked.

“It’s wonderful,” Layla said. “A dream come true. Literally.”

“Even though you’re in diapers?” Beatrice Holland said.

Several of the women gave her a look.

“What?” she said, spreading her hands. “I’m not trying to make her uncomfortable. We’re all in the same boat. Or we’ve been there.”

“It’s no big deal,” Layla said, her embarrassment passing quickly as she realized Beatrice was right. The other women could certainly relate to what she was experiencing.

“You best be careful,” Adriana said. She was in her early thirties, had blonde hair, and a runner’s build. She had moved to the community a few months prior, along with her husband, Rod. “If Adam thinks you’re embarrassing our newest resident, he’ll give you a spanking. Another one.”

“You’ve already had one today?” Layla asked, a teasing tone to her words.

“Sure did!” Beatrice said. She sighed. “Adam told me to do the dishes. I was going to. After I finished playing Candy Crush.”

“Belt, spoon, or paddle?” Adriana inquired.

“His hand. But trust me, that’s not any better,” Beatrice said. “It was my own fault.”

“Every spanking is your fault,” Adriana said.

The women—including Beatrice—laughed.

“Have you seen much of the town yet?” another woman, Kylie, asked Layla. Kylie was in her mid-twenties, had brown hair, and lush curves. Her husband, James, was a strict but loving man who certainly did not believe in sparing the rod. “Not that there’s a ton to see yet.”

“I actually haven’t,” Layla said. “The movers got all the big furniture in place, but we’ve been so busy unpacking the little stuff that I haven’t had much time to look around.”

“Well, maybe after we eat we can take a little stroll and see the sights,” Kylie suggested.

“I’d love that!”

That’s what they did. After all the food was put away, and the men went to Wyatt’s detached garage to marvel at the old muscle car he was restoring, the women set out to explore the community by foot.

They were five minutes into the trek when Layla’s phone buzzed. She checked the screen to see a text from Courtney.

ARE YOU OKAY? HAD ENOUGH OF THAT SUBMISSION STUFF YET?

Layla sighed. She put her phone away without responding. Why couldn’t Courtney just be happy for her? Perhaps Kirk was right and she was terrified she was a submissive. Or maybe she just thought Layla was really a freak. Either way, Layla couldn’t deal with it right now. She wanted to enjoy the evening with her new friends.

She managed a smile as she took in the sights. The town really was going to be something special.

“That’s where the movie theater will go,” Margo said, pointing to a vacant, dusty lot. “Oh, and that’s where the auto repair shop will be.”

“This town is going to have it all, huh?” Layla said.

“That’s the plan,” Margo confirmed. “We’re even going to have a church. They’ve started building it, though there isn’t much to it yet.” She nodded toward the lot across the street where the house of worship was going up.

“Right now, about all that’s completed is the grocery store, sheriff’s office, county offices, and the restaurant. The bowling alley isn’t too far from opening, so at least we’ll have something to do around here. We have an open invitation to visit Mountainville anytime and go to their stuff, but so much of it is geared for Littles,” Kylie said. “I’m not knocking them. Just saying, it’s all playgrounds and ball pits and stuff like that. Though their restaurant is pretty good and they have riding stables. That’s cool.”

“We were over there last week, catching one of Eli’s comedy shows,” Adriana said. “He’s so funny!”

“He’s a scoundrel, that’s for sure,” Margo said. “You think Beatrice here gets in trouble a lot. I’ve heard Eli gets more spankings than even her.”

They all laughed again.

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