CHAPTER 1
Late autumn snow had arrived. The riding school was closed until mid-spring so Rogan was ready to leave for his winter job splitting logs at the firewood and coal supply depot in the town as soon as Marin had arrived back from feeding hay to the horses that spent nights and stormy weather in the barn.
"The kids are asleep. Have a cheerful day," Rogan said, kissing her goodbye.
"Thanks for getting Peggy and Peter down."
"I should be doing the horses, it's man's work."
"You're playing the same old record Rogan. You know if I feed them I watch them closely for any sign that something's not quite right. In comparison they always look healthy and all look the same to you unless almost dropping in distress."
Marin had coffee and thought the ironing could wait for another day, Bored she put on a DVD. Yuk, it was a porn movie Rogan had been watching before coming to bed last night and fucking her. Gawd, how could that tiny woman get that big one up her ass! Marin giggled and turned it off. It was pointless not watching it with Rogan. She looked in at Peter who was two and Peggy who was ten months. They were asleep so didn't need her.
"Christ I'm bored," she gritted. The phone went. She ran to it joyfully.
"Hi sexy," said Pauline, her much older sister. "About to go to the mall all day?"
"A drive of fifteen miles through snow and as soon as I get there kids crying to be back in familiar surroundings. Oh yeah. How are your nails and hair?"
"Actually in rather top condition at present. Jealous?"
"Yeah, yeah. Are you coming to visit?"
"No but I'd like to talk about someone else visiting."
"Go on."
"Jack's graduated from high school as you know, sending him that lovely present. But he's run into trouble going around with a gang -- not drugs, well not as far as I know, but joy riding in stolen cars and harassing young women. The gang has been busted but because he's only just eighteen he's not facing charges on my promise I'll get him out of the city and staying on a farm with his aunt and uncle."
"I like Jack."
"I know you do. I could have sent him to mom and dad but I thought with you being a retired schoolteacher you might retrain him, no, reform him. You're only eleven years older than Jack and I think he regards you as an older sister rather than an aunt."
"So you want me to have him for three months?"
"Yes, please Marin. If I can arrange this with you he'll be let off with a warning and won't gain a police record."
"All right providing you guys come and stay with us for Christmas. You can then take Jack home with you to prepared him for college."
"Oh yes! How wonderful. You are such a darling."
Marin felt excited by the challenge. She could teach her nephew all about horses including riding them and perhaps even jumping in the sawdust ring, low jumps of course, and, um, child care. And then what? "I'll send him to work with Rogan."
As to be expected, Rogan turned negative. "If he's been running with a gang he's a fucking criminal, getting off by the skin of his teeth."
"Well there are no gangs out here to recruit him so why beef?"
"Well what about you screaming when I'm fucking you. It will embarrass the kid, and me."
"Well go to the sex shop and buy me one of those red-ball gag things?"
"Really? While I'm there what else should I buy?"
Marin sighed and told him to use his imagination.
* * *
Marin O'Hara with the kids were at the railway station to meet Jack Banks who looked taller, broader and a touch better looking than when she'd last seem him. Peter backed off shyly from Jack to clasp his mom's legs encased in jeans and high boots but Peggy went to him comfortably as soon as Jack grinned and held out his arms. Gawd, females are suckers even at ten months, Marin thought.
She then kissed Jack on the lips, without thinking, and smiled when the guy blushed hugely. Whatever for, she thought, moving off with Peter; was Jack thinking she looked good enough to fuck? You can never tell when young guys are in fantasyland.
"Peggy appears to have taken to you," she said when they arrived home. "She was weaned recently so is on bottle. Would you like to feed her?"
"Yeah, I may as well be useful."
"Oh in that case don't bother."
"No I want to feed her. She's so cute. Peter will get used to me soon."
"You know about little kids."
"Yes my ex-girlfriend back home baby-sat for her sister on occasions."
Marin was in her black bra and panties combing her hair when Jack entered the bedroom and said all done, Peggy was asleep. "Oh god, excuse me. I didn't mean to barge in like this."
After the initial panic Marin turned sly. "It's okay. You may like to brush the back of my hair."
"What, with you undressed like this?"
"Yes, I'm rather proud of my body, being a mother of two. Do you wish to see it?"
"No, whatever for?"
"I just thought you would be used to girl's bodies and might like to see the body of a more mature woman?"
Without thinking Jack said he sometimes timed his walk-in on his mother.
"Like you have done on me?"
"Oh no, oh what am I saying? No I had no reason to think you would be undressed."
He began brushing.
"Have you touched your mother... you know what I mean?"
"What? What do you take me for?"
"Perhaps not a mother fucker," Marin laughed, knowing she was being reckless. God, this could blow up in her face. "I want you to feel free to walk in on me anytime, although not when Rogan is around."
"Why?"
"This is your home for three months. It is part of your growing up. I wish to teach you to have love and respect for a woman."
"I can't see how that will be any help? I find this difficult to understand. Mom said you would try to reform me, to make me see sense."
"Well you'll be surprised what love and respect will do for you, having just come off lesson one."
"What do you mean?"