Page 9 of Tizzy's Little Thanksgiving

“Speaking of learning.” Teresa slid her eyes toward where Eddie and Lucas were in a conversation with Erika and a very large cowboy who had introduced himself as Derek Hawkins, owner of Rawhide Ranch. Teresa had far more important things to discuss other than where her room might be or the long list of amenities the Ranch offered.

Georgie’s gaze followed hers and grinning, she nodded and took a slow step backward and then another and another until the girls were several feet away from the others.

“What’s up?” Georgie asked.

Darting a glance back to the desk, Teresa lowered her voice to a whisper. “I think I’m in trouble.”

Georgie’s eyes widened. “What kind of trouble?”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it does.” Georgie rolled her eyes and giggled. “Girlfriend, you won’t believe what I’ve learned since I’ve been at the Ranch. There are about a million different types of trouble. There’s pranks, but I should really let Wren and Sadie explain those because they are like the uncontested queens of pranks. Then there is mischief which has several subcategories including—”

“The spanking kind,” Teresa said, cutting to the chase.

“Well, yes, there’s that kind too, but—”

“No, I mean my kind is that kind. You know, the spanking kind,” Teresa clarified. “And it’s all due to you!”

“Me?”

The exclamation was enough to have Eddie looking back over his shoulder and Lucas’s eyes narrowing as they zeroed in on the girls.

“Shhh,” Teresa hissed, giving a little wave to the three men.

“I haven’t seen you in months, what could I possibly have to do with you being in trouble?” Georgie asked.

“Does breaking and entering ring any bells?”

“Oh, that.” Georgie flapped her hand as if to wave the memory of it away.

“Yes, that,” Teresa jumped in.

“Hey, I never ratted you out,” Georgie declared. “In fact, not only did I keep your name out of the whole thing, I got my butt smacked and—”

“And that’s why I’m in trouble! I didn’t and now that we’re here…” Teresa gestured toward the group at the counter.

A huge smile lit Georgie’s face as she patted Teresa’s arm. “You don’t have anything to worry about, I promise.”

Teresa’s head whipped back to stare at her best friend in disbelief. “How can you say that? You said there are spankings happening all over this place all day long. Did the big cowboy decided to change the rules? Are they outlawed here? Do Daddies make you go to jail instead? I told Eddie I couldn’t go to jail when the apples fell…”

Georgie took the opportunity to speak when Teresa had to take a breath. “Holy roly poly. If I hadn’t seen Eddie on the ground, I’d think it was you who hit your head and have a concussion. You’re not making any sense, Tere—”

When the sound of boots echoing against the wooden floor let her know the men were returning and time was indeed running out, Teresa gave a final attempt to make her point. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Don’t you see, the rain might be over but I just know the storm is about to start!”

Georgia’s confusion was still clear on her face, her blue eyes puzzled, her brow furrowed, but when she saw Teresa shoot a glance toward Eddie and saw the corner of her brother’s lip curl, understanding dawned.

“Are you telling me you actually think my brother is—”

“About to spank me and I don’t know what to do!” Teresa wailed.

It was as if all Georgie had needed was the cry of distress to set her in motion. She grabbed Teresa’s hand and began walking away even as Eddie called out for them to hold up. Without breaking stride, Georgie looked over her shoulder. “Sorry, we can’t be late to our meeting.”

“You can go, but Tizzy and I have our own agenda to—”

“Sorry, not sorry. Wedding meetings trump yours. We’ll see you later!” The last was uttered in a high sing-song tone as Georgie shot a huge smile over her shoulder and then dragged Teresa down a wide hallway off the main lobby.

“Where are we going?” Teresa asked as she noticed gleaming white tile had replaced the hardwood beneath her feet.

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