Page 35 of Mountain Man Daddy

“He’s spanked you?” she questioned as she washed her hands. “That what you’re worried about?” Annie looked at Avery with her clear gray eyes, and Avery nodded.

“Yeah, I guess. It’s not really normal and I…”

“Don’t worry about me. I thought you needed it too.” She chuckled and started sterilizing her tools. Avery took her pants off and climbed on the leather table. “It wasn’t uncommon in my day. Can’t say I haven’t been on the prickly end of some spankings myself. The good Doc blistered me good when I needed it.” Annie cleaned Avery’s thigh around the stitches. “This looks good. No redness or seeping.”

“He did?” Annie looked up placidly.

“Of course. Us girls with gumption can get a little too spunky at times.” She winked. “Think we’re invincible, eh? But to tell you the truth, they weren’t always unpleasant.” She gave Avery a half grin. “How’s Yukon in the sack?”

“Annie!” Avery covered a laugh and Annie shrugged and began removing the stitches.

“What? My Allan’s been gone a long time.” She paused and looked up to wiggle her brows before getting back to work. “Besides, that Yukon’s a hottie!”

This time Avery couldn’t contain her laughter.

“You’ve been using the condoms I sent over?”

“Mm. Another reason to thank you.”

“Can’t have baby Yukons running around just yet.” Annie shrugged. “You two still have trouble.”

“We do?”

“Have you told him why you’re runnin’?”

“Mostly.”

“Is it solved?”

“No.”

“Has he told you about his wife?”

“Only that he had one and she died.” Annie scrutinized Avery and then cleaned her head wound. “See, not ready for little Yukons yet.” She started plucking at the sutures on her head.

“Mike’s happy being a recluse. I’m sure he can’t wait to be rid of me. Besides, I was married, and it wasn’t a positive experience.” She hissed as Annie pulled at a stubborn stitch.

“Yukon’s not a typical man.”

“I know.” Avery closed her eyes, not wanting to see Annie’s wise gray ones. “Mike’s been so good to me. Treated me better than anyone has, even my own blood, and I don’t think I even deserve it.”

“If you didn’t, he wouldn’t bother with you.” Her words were clipped as if Avery were talking nonsense.

“I don’t know why he is.”

Annie stopped and slammed her fists on her hips. “Maybe you should stop being so damn self-absorbed for a second and look at what you are to him.” Her lips pinched. “I’ll send you out with him to the barn with a wooden spoon if you keep that up, girlie.”

“What do you mean?” Annie grunted and started plucking at her forehead again. “I see the way he is with you. You think he saved your life, Yukon Jill? You don’t know the half of it. I’ve been watching that man run for years—he may have been running on the spot, but he was still running. And do you know what I see now?” Avery shook her head.

“A man that’s found a reason to stop.” There was a pause, and Annie patted her leg. “All done. It’ll be itchy but don’t scratch.”

“Done? Oh.” She felt her head as Annie started cleaning up. “Um, Annie?” Avery waited for her to look back. “What if he should be running faster away from me?”

Annie snorted and rolled her eyes. “He hasn’t spanked you enough.” She gathered a breath. “Now let’s go see about that pie.”

* * *

Annie fed them pie and coffee and found more work for Mike while she convinced Avery to help her cook dinner and do some odd jobs around the house. They ate chicken pot pie and drank homemade wine. They laughed a lot, and by dusk, Avery’s lids were heavy.

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