Rescuing Clara: Saving Clara, #1

By Stephanie L. Smith

               When Clara’s fiancé, Sherman, hits her in front of his colleagues, she vows that it will be the last time. In a little town in Nevada in the 1920’s, she knows going to the police will do her no good. Sherman is just too rich and too powerful. Her only choice is to get as far away as possible.

               On the run, with no idea where she’s going, Clara is approached by a stranger offering her help. Sam is a Chicago police officer who explains that he is there investigating her former fiancé. When he explains just how dangerous Sherman Johnson and his men are, Clara accepts his help in getting away.

               When Sam gives Clara men’s clothes to wear as a disguise, she is completely appalled by the idea and refuses. Sparks fly between the two as Sam tries to keep her safe and Clara tries to keep her decency. After her first of many sneaky plots that puts them both in danger, Clara learns that Sam believes that a good old-fashioned spanking is the best way to address bad decisions.

               Unwilling to play by his rules, Clara devises a plan to break away from Sam when they reach the train station. When her plan fails, they both find themselves on the way to a small town in California. Upon reaching the town, Clara is even more distraught to learn that the next train doesn’t arrive for a week.

               With a week to spend hiding away, Clara realizes Sam will have plenty of time to discuss her decision to try and sneak away from him, and she has a feeling that discussion will involve his old-fashioned brand of discipline.

               The only question is; will they be able to stay hidden from Sherman and his men until the next train arrives?

This is the first book of the Saving Clara series. All three books will be available as a set after the final installment is released.

Approximately 12k words.

Note: This story contains domestic discipline including the spanking of adult women as punishment. If such material offends you, please do not buy this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie L. Smith
• Release date: Sep 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536596090

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Table of Contents

Rescuing Clara (Saving Clara, #1)

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Clara dressed herself as presentably as she could, given the choices she had. Of course her fiancé would probably feel that she was too covered, he never was happy with her choice in clothes. Walking downstairs, she headed to the hotel study to find Sherman, it was where he spent most of his days working. When she reached the closed door she took a deep breath, she hated how nervous he made her.

Opening the door and stepping inside, she immediately knew she made a big mistake. Sherman was sitting at the table with five other men, presumably talking business. The look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know, he was furious. She took half a step back, deciding that leaving was probably the best option at this point. She didn’t make it far when he stood from his chair and marched over to her.

Ouch! Clara cried out as he wove his fingers through her hair and pulled hard.

What was so important that you had to interrupt my meeting? He snarled.

I was just.... I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to grab something to eat. She stuttered. Seconds later she felt his hand connect with the side of her face. Her head jerked to the side, only to be pulled back into place by his hand in her hair.

"No. You’ll go back up to your room and stay there for the day. Do not bother me again. I will have company tonight and I do not want to be disturbed. Understood?" He boomed, his hand still pulling her hair.

Yes. She cried as the metallic taste of blood coated her mouth. He didn’t respond, simply released his grip on her hair, shoving her to the floor. She quickly stood and scurried out of the room and back up the stairs, doing her best to avoid eye contact with any of the patrons or employees. She was sure she looked like a wreck. Tears running from her eyes, her hair a mess, and blood oozing from her lip. She just didn’t want to have to answer any prying questions.

When she got to her room she cleaned off her face, being careful not to put too much pressure on her swollen lip. She had to get out. Sherman’s behavior had been escalating for some time, but this was the first time that he openly abused her in front of others. Shame and embarrassment washed over her as she realized that all five of his business partners had witnessed their interaction and hadn’t done a thing to stop it. She was sure that if she stayed, someday, he would kill her. Grabbing a suitcase from under her bed, she began to pack with a fury.

With only one small suitcase, she couldn’t take a lot with her. Just a few outfits and some essentials as well as the few family photos that Sherman had brought her, her mother’s wedding ring. Before fleeing, she crept through the door to his room. Thankfully, her fiancé was still in his meeting. Hurrying over to his dresser she grabbed a few hundred dollars from the stack of cash he had hidden in his sock drawer. With the amount of money, he had in there, she doubted he would notice it missing right away, but she took from the bottom just to be safe. While she was in there, she also saw her father’s pistol,