UNBROKEN PROMISE

~21~ Your Better Than That.

Author's Note
Thank you all so much for your love and support! 😻

Please don’t forget to comment and share your suggestions—I’m running out of ideas and would really appreciate your input! 😓

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Inside the barn, Jacob closed the door firmly, the sound echoing in the quiet space. He turned to Megan, who stood near the stack of hay bales, her arms still crossed and her chin lifted in defiance. She looked at him with a mixture of irritation and challenge, as if daring him to scold her.

Jacob took a moment to collect himself, crossing his arms and leaning against one of the wooden beams. “Alright, Megan,” he began, his voice low but steady. “What in the world possessed you to act like that today?”

Megan let out another scoff, rolling her eyes. “Oh, come on, Jacob. Didn’t you hear what that woman said to Oma? It was downright awful! Someone had to put her in her place.”

Jacob nodded, his expression serious. “You’re right. What she said was awful, and I ain’t excusin’ it. But you—yellin’ at her like that in public, stoopin’ to her level—that wasn’t the way to handle it, Megan.”

“Oh, so now I’m the bad guy?” Megan snapped, her hands on her hips. “All I did was speak the truth. That woman deserved everything I said and more.”

Jacob shook his head, his jaw tightening. “You think that makes it right? You think hollerin’ at her like that, sayin’ those hurtful things, makes you any better than her? You didn’t just disgrace yourself, Megan—you disgraced me and this family. Folks are gonna talk about what happened today, and it won’t be in a good way.”

Megan’s eyes narrowed, her voice rising. “So that’s what this is about? Your pride? Your precious reputation? You care more about what people think than about standin’ up for your family?”

Jacob sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Megan, that ain’t what this is about, and you know it. This is about actin’ with respect, even when folks don’t deserve it. You can’t just go around losin’ your temper like that. You reflect on me, on Caleb, on all of us.”

Megan glared at him, her arms tightening across her chest. “Well, if you’re so ashamed of me, Jacob, why don’t you just—”

“Enough,” Jacob said sharply, cutting her off. He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers. “I can see talkin’ ain’t gettin’ us anywhere. So we’re gonna settle this the way we always do.”

Megan’s lips parted in surprise, but the defiance didn’t leave her face. She crossed her arms again, lifting her chin. “Fine,” she said, her voice dripping with challenge. “If you think it’ll make you feel better, get on with it.”

Jacob sighed, shaking his head. “As someone about to get her bottom blistered, you’ve got a whole lotta attitude,” he muttered, reaching out to take her arm gently but firmly.

He led her over to the wooden chair near the side of the barn, sitting down and pulling her over his lap in one practiced motion. Megan braced herself with her hands on the floor, her skirts swishing around her ankles.

Jacob adjusted her carefully, making sure she was comfortable before flipping her skirts up and pulling her drawers down. Megan huffed in irritation, but she didn’t protest. Jacob rested his hand on her bare bottom for a moment, his voice calm but firm.

“You’re gettin’ this because I love you,” he said quietly. “But I need you to understand—you can’t let your temper get the better of you like that.”