Page 25 of Mountain Man Daddy

“I thought you’d gone fishing. How’d you find me?” She pursued him, not fully comprehending why. She figured she still had a decent chance of getting away, but instead of trying she just followed the former cop, daddy woodsman in the lumber jacket like a puppy off to get herself spanked.Was she insane?

He stopped but didn’t look back, waiting while she caught up.

“I didn’t go fishing. I knew you were up to something, so I waited for you to leave and followed.” He started walking again when she was a few steps behind him.

“Why? Did you know I was going to steal from you?”

“Had a feeling you might, but I didn’t know for sure. I hoped you wouldn’t though.” He blew out a breath forcefully, and her heart sank at disappointing him. That hurt.

“I knew you were going to run though.” His voice softened. “And honey, I know you’re in trouble.”

“Will you let me leave if I give you the money? All of it?”

“No.” There was a long pause filled with only their breathing before he spoke again. “Because this isn’t about the money. I’m going to get you through this. Whateverthisis.” He spun around quickly, making her stumble back a step and slip again in the slushy snow. He reached out to steady her. “I’m going to protect you, little girl, from everyone that’s out to hurt you—including you.”

“Why the hell should you care what I do? I thought you just wanted me out of your hair?”

“I don’t know. I just do, and I’m going to prove it to you when I bare your bottom and spank you for running off after I told you there was a wild cat hunting out here.”

“Mike, please. Just let me go.” Tears prickled, and she didn’t bother to stop them, so they slipped silently down her face. “If they find me here, they’ll kill you too.” She swallowed the thick emotion clogging her throat. “You’re the only one who’s cared for me since… well, I can’t remember when, and I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” She shoved her hands in her pockets and hunched down into his coat.

“I can handle myself, don’t you worry, little girl, and I’ll take care of you, too. ‘Cause that’s what daddies do.” He took a breath, reached out, and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. He held her face in his palms. “I don’t know why, but you are the first person I’ve cared about for a long time. And that’s a gift, one I can’t completely comprehend yet, but don’t plan on walking away from.” He leaned down and brushed his lips gently against hers. “No matter how much you frustrate me.”

“You weren’t being serious about really spanking me, were you? I mean I know you’re upset that I stole from you, but I think survival is a pretty good reason, right?” Her voice held a tremor that seemed unwarranted after almost dying from a car accident, almost getting eaten by a wild cat, and having two murderers after her. How on earth could she be afraid of a little spanking?

“I’ve never been more serious in my life,” he said, looking stonily at her. He released her face and turned to continue walking back to the cabin. “And I’m not spanking you for stealing from me.” He shot the words over his shoulder. “This is about your blatant disregard for your damn life. Now hurry up before I do it right here!”

It all suddenly seemed funny to her, and she laughed and couldn’t stop.

“It’s not a laughing matter,” he said plainly, frowning over his shoulder at her. “But you’ll see that soon enough, young lady.”

Here was a man who was about to bare her bottom and spank her, like a child,again, and he still didn’t even know her real name. She snorted. What was even funnier was she liked it. It excited her. She shook her head. Only she could get herself tangled in messes like this.

“Gonna take me out to the woodshed, Pa?” she asked, faking a drawl. He only pinned her with a dark look before he turned his face forward and continued. More giggles pealed from her.

“Sounds like a great idea. That’s where I’ll hang the strap from now on, too. Sending you out in the cold to fetch it might give you some time to consider what’s coming.”

She choked on her giggle. “I was just kidding!” she retorted, jogging to catch up. “A strap?”

“This is no time to joke, little girl.” He swung around on her. “I’m in no mood. I’m mad as hell you took off and almost became breakfast for that cat. They’re endangered, and I almost had to kill it because you can’t follow instructions. And I’m mad as hell I almost lost you.” She saw the shock on his face, and it mirrored her own. She sobered instantly.

Avery followed him to the cabin, trying hard to keep up with him and his long steady legs through the slippery melting snow. She was out of breath when she got through the cabin door and stopped. He was removing his coat.

“Um, Mike?” she huffed. He turned, tossing the coat on the hook, his body looming over her, making her shrink back against the door. She squeaked, and he placed both hands on either side of her against the wood, effectively locking her in place.

“How many times do I have to remind you?” he fairly growled at her. His glower, messy hair, and unkempt beard made him appear more savage that she knew him to be.

“I mean, Daddy,” she corrected. He softened. “What?”

“Before you drag me away and spank me, I need to tell you something.” She looked away for a moment before finding his eyes again. “If I weren’t so desperate, I wouldn’t have taken your money. I swear.” She pleaded with her eyes for him to trust her. She’d do anything to be forgiven by this man. “Please, you have to believe me.”

“I told you this isn’t about that, but I don’thaveto believe anything you say, just like I don’thaveto care. Idocare, but little girl, that’s all I can give at this moment.” His head hung a moment, and all there was between them was palpable tension and their breathing.

“I witnessed my husband’s murder, and the two men who killed him are after me. I only know them as Eddie and Moe, but one of them is a dirty cop, so I’m probably wanted by the police, too. In fact, the police were looking for me at my friend’s weeks ago.” She reached out to put her hands on his forearms before she continued.

“You’re right; you don’t have to believe me. I certainly have no right to expect you to, but I’maskingyou to. I didn’t choose to be a thief and a liar. I never wanted a life on the run. It was chosen for me. There was no other way, or if there was, I couldn’t think of it.Please, Daddy, everything I’ve done is to survive.” She leaned her cheek against his arm, and he looked up. His eyes were glassy like her own.

“You have a funny way of surviving,” he murmured.

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