Chapter Two
“But I need to go to the store and you hate going.” She dried the dish he’d just put in the dishrack. “Especially this time of year.”
His mouth tightened at her comment. He hated Christmas and with less than a week to go, the stores were not only overloaded with Christmas fare, but bursting with shoppers too—nasty, impatient, crabby, parking-space-stealing consumers.
“You’re right, I hate going, but I’m still not letting you go alone.” He scrubbed a spot off a plate.
“You’re miserable shopping, and your grumpiness makes me edgy, and then I say something that makes you mad, and I end up over your knee later. Uh uh, I’m not going with you.”
Avery crossed her arms, the dishtowel hanging limply over her arm, and gave him a pout that made his heart wobble.
“Well you’re not staying here alone either.” His eyes narrowed as she ground her teeth and growled.
She was right. When he went, she always ended up over his knee later. Not that that was a bad thing in his opinion, but he wasn’t on the receiving end of that spanking either. He chuckled darkly, which only made her stamp her foot in frustration. She had been giving him attitude lately and he wasn’t sure why. Was it simply because she hadn’t been given a disciplinary spanking in a while? The kind of spankings neither of them took pleasure from were few and far between.
“Little girl, you’d better watch it,” he said firmly, pointing a long finger at her and giving her a warning look. Tears welled in her eyes and he softened. This was something he’d been seeing a lot more of too. Was it cabin fever? Was she not happy in their secluded mountain home any longer?
“Come here.” He pulled her against him and her soft snuffles warmed his chest. “Baby, you know this is for your own good. I don’t make these rules to make your life difficult. I do it so you’re safe.”
“I know, Daddy,” she said through a little sob. “I’m sorry. I’m so horrible.” And then her sobs got louder again.
He sighed. “Okay, little one, tell Daddy what you need.” He pulled her back with a sturdy grip to her shoulders so he could see her tear-lined face. He released her so he could sweep away her tears with his thumbs and hold her face in his palms. “What, baby? Do you want me to spank away all the yucky feelings? Do you need a vacation? Some pampering?”
She bit her lip, struggling with the idea of being spanked as she always did. They both knew it took a little more than the usual sexy hanky spanky to get her to let go of her bad emotions. And that it hurt, even though that wasn’t the point.
More tears pooled and she dove back into his arms, hot words spilling out along with tears against his flannel shirt.
“I don’t want it to hurt. I want a sexy spanking, not an ouchy one.” She sucked in air, loudly and continued. “Real spankings hurt.” The last word dragged on with her exhale.
He chuckled again, shaking his head. She needed a spanking. She need him to take control. And she needed a nap, some pampering and perhaps a vacation too.
“Okay, I’m going shopping alone. You have some choices; a spanking, a nap, or both, and I’m dropping you off at Annie’s after for some girl time.” Avery’s crying quieted, and she stayed still in his arms. “Honey?”
“Yes?” She sniffled.
“If you don’t choose, I’ll have to choose for you.”
“I know.”
“Baby?”
“Yes?”
“Do you need me to choose?’
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Go into the bedroom, take off the jogging pants, and panties, leave on the socks. It’s cold and they’re damn cute flopping around your ankles as you kick up a fuss.” Her face flashed fear as she pulled back from his chest. She needed a little push. “Now, little girl.” His voice rumbled lower as he knew she responded to it. She swallowed hard but stood frozen in place. He gathered a breath and shook his head, spinning her with a grip to her elbow and swatting her bottom three times sharply. Her little hands gripped her backside and she blurted an “Oh!” but hightailed it to the bedroom. He loved her so much his gut flipped, and he smirked at her hurried pace with her hands still splayed across her backside.
She was sitting on the bed with one naked leg tucked under her and the other hanging over the edge of the bed. With her spread like that, he could see her slick center. No matter the kind of spanking she was getting, his girl was always wet over it. The sight made his cock twitch.
“Up you get,” he said, crooking his finger at her before he sat on the edge himself. “Over my knee, honey.”
She hesitated and he growled slightly. “Let’s go. I have to shop after this and we just talked about how this time of year makes me even grumpier.” She sucked in a shaky breath and leaned across his sturdy lap. He stroked her bottom, thighs and low back to calm her.
“Will you tell me now why you hate Christmas?” Her tiny voice shook when she asked.
“No, this isn’t the time, now is it?” She shook her head and he patted her. “And I don’t hate Christmas. It used to be my favourite holiday, but now it brings back bad memories.”
“Will we ever celebrate? We can make new memories.”
“Someday. I just need a little more time.” He cleared his throat and his hand left her bottom and wrapped around her thigh, as his other arm hugged her middle and he pulled her tighter against him. “Now, little girl. It’s time we get this spanking going, isn’t it?”
She only nodded, so he clapped his hand harder than he would normally start across both of her cheeks. She lurched on his lap, shouting, ‘Yes, sir,’ and he grunted his approval.
He began with lighter but still stern spanks. He warmed her up from the dimples at the top of her crease right down to her thighs before kicking it up a notch and making her squirm. Little gasps and yelps continued until he brought her to the next level. He needed her to let go and that took a little harder swatting. When she was kicking, and reaching back, he knew he had her right where she needed to be. Just another minute and she’d go over. He increased the speed but kept the same strength, and she broke. Tears came out in howls, and blubbering declarations of love followed. He scooped her into his lap and rocked her.
“Shh, baby. You’re my good girl. Let it all out.”
“I love you so much,” she proclaimed in a wet shaky voice.
“And I love you more.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been so wacky. I’ve got the worst PMS ever!”
He pulled them both onto the bed and spooned her. Gently stroking her hair, he whispered, “Thank you for giving me your trust and letting me care for you in the way you need.”
“No one has ever taken care of me like you.”
“I know, baby.” He hushed her and kissed her crown. “Now, would you like to nap or go to Annie’s?”
“Annie’s please.”
As he held her in his arms, his chest felt overstuffed with love. His sweetheart was right. It was time he set aside the bad memories and made new ones with her. He smiled. He knew just how they’d start too.
* * *
Annie was bundled in a one-piece, brown ski-suit from, by Avery’s guess, the seventies, with its mustard yellow corded trim. Her big brown boots, winterized rubber ones, were once her husband’s and clomped sloppily across the frozen ground leaving size eleven boot prints in the inch of snow on the driveway.
“Well look who’s here,” she said loudly over the gust of wind that rushed from between the house and barn. “If it ain’t my long-lost neighbours the Yukons!” Annie waved them to follow as they all hunkered further into their coats to block the biting wind whipping around the house.
The wind grabbed the door and it slammed hard against the blue clapboard siding, but Mike grabbed it and shoved both Annie and Avery inside and closed it after him.
“What on earth are you doing out in this, Annie?” Mike asked pulling off Avery’s hat and scarf to put them on the vent by the door.
The sound of Christmas music filled the air, and Avery noticed Mike’s expression tighten slightly.
“Them animals can’t feed themselves, Yukon.”
He shot her a look that Avery recognized and made her bottom cheeks clench automatically. Annie had called Mike ‘Yukon Jack’ and ‘Yukon’ for short, since the day they’d met years ago, when Annie had trotted on up to his mountain to see what all the smoke was about. Mike hadn’t even built the cabin yet. He had been sulking, clutching a bottle of the black sheep of Canadian liquor, Yukon Jack whiskey, and drinking himself into a stupor. When Avery and Mike became a couple, Annie started calling her ‘Yukon Jill’ or ‘Jill’.
“Hal is coming and we both know it.” Mike helped Avery out of her coat. “You know he comes at 10:00 a.m. Your daughter hired him to. You want to waste her money?”
“He doesn’t know manure from hay,” she grumbled, flicking off the music.
Mike attempted to help her with her coat but she swatted him away. “No, you don’t like to rely on others for help. That’s why I have a freezer full of pie. And he knows plenty about farming since he’s done it his whole life.”
“He’s awfully bossy for hired help!” she grumbled again. “Like someone else I know.”
“He wouldn’t have to be if you weren’t so damn stubborn!”
Avery saw Annie was about to blow and Mike was eyeing the Christmas wreath on the door with malice, so she turned to place both her palms against Mike’s chest.
“Thanks for dropping me off, honey. Better get going now. You know how busy the stores are this time of year.” Avery kept shoving until Mike was out and Annie had walked away waving her hands like the whole world had gone bonkers. Avery gave him a quick kiss and ignored his threat of paddling her for this later. She shut the door and watched through the little square until her blue Yaris was a dot on the road. She turned and leaned against the door, giving a sigh of relief.
The smell of spices and pine filled her nose. Annie’s house was in full Christmas garb. It was just how Avery imagined Christmas should look in a home. The tree was decorated with popcorn and homemade ornaments, as well as some decorations that had clearly withstood the years. There were handprints in clay circles painted red and green, and old, time-weathered paper rings glued to make garland. On the windows, handmade paper snowflakes were stuck, their edges curling to show their age.
A fire was burning in the hearth and there were several stockings dangling from hooks. One each for Annie, her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren, as well as one for Avery and Mike, even though he never came for Christmas. There was even a small one for Hal. Her eyes welled.
“Yukon Jill, what in heavens have you been crying about? I saw it as soon as you walked up my lane.”
Damn that Annie and her sixth sense. “Got any strawberry rhubarb pie, Annie? I’m starving!”
“Apple?”
“It’ll do!”
“It better do! Apple and blueberry is all I got left. Every time Yukon comes to help, he takes the strawberry rhubarb home for you.”
Annie eyed her as she got the pie out of the fridge and put it in the oven to warm.
Avery filled the kettle and ignored the burning of Annie’s stare.
“Why doesn’t Mike like Christmas?” Avery asked in a quiet voice.
“Don’t push him on this, Jill. He’ll come around eventually. For now, leave it be.” Annie turned on the burner and took the kettle from Avery, setting it on the stove. “That what you’ve been crying about?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Never celebrated Christmas as a kid either, and the holidays weren’t much fun with the ex. It was like Christmas out of a catalogue and he was never around.” She sighed, letting a dreamy smile play on her face. “I’m just so happy with Mike I want to celebrate everything.”
“Like I said, he’ll come around. That’s why I put his stocking up every year. Now, if that’s not what you were crying about… tell me.”
She shrugged and Annie put both her hands on her slim hips.
“Spill, Jill, or I’ll make sure I put a big ol’ wooden spoon in your stocking!”
“I’ve just been emotional lately, that’s all.” She looked away at Annie’s cocked brow, continuing to get their tea cups ready. “I needed some of that toxic emotion released, so Mike helped me.”
“Ah, so you got a good bottom warming, did ya?” Annie shook her head, looking grumpy. “Neanderthal men.”
Avery narrowed her eyes. This was not Annie’s previous reaction to her being spanked. In the past, Annie seemed all for it. Avery wondered what had changed her mind.
“Did it help at least?” Annie grabbed two plates out of the cupboard and set them on the counter. They were boldly coloured like her farm kitchen with the primary coloured table and chairs and farm accents.
“I feel lighter than I have in days. I’m sleepy, but then again, I guess I’ve been feeling sleepy a lot lately. I’m hot too.” She rolled her eyes. “Mike thinks I’m sick.”
Annie turned from the plates to look at Avery, scrutinizing her.
Avery squirmed uncomfortably. Both Annie and Mike had a way of making her feel as if they could read her mind.
“Not you too.” She groaned. “I’m going to the bathroom before you have me in the clinic with a thermometer under my tongue.”
“It can go up your rump too ya know, saucypants!” Annie said to her back.
Avery took her time, knowing that Annie would drag her to the clinic in the back to check her out as soon she stepped foot outside. She splashed water on her face and combed her hair back off her flushed face. The sound of a slapping door and Annie’s cursing made Avery rush out.
“Wha—”
“Jesus!” Annie cursed again. “You scared the hell out of me, Hal!” Annie bolted toward the large man standing inside her backdoor with his boots full of hay and what Avery assumed was manure. “Why in God’s name are you standing in my house with them damn filthy—”
Hal cut Annie off. He scratched a tuft of grey hair sticking out of his toque and scowled deeper than Annie could, which was saying something!
“Watch your tongue, woman!” Hal, who was similar in age to Annie, held a long thick finger at her. “I only came in to get your shotgun. You got a bear out there, but maybe you need your breeches dusted with that snarly attitude.”
“A bear?” Annie questioned, ignoring his other comment.
“No,” Avery yelled, rushing past Hal to look out the window. “Where?”
“At the front.”
She ran to the front door and saw Rocky sitting on the porch, staring at the road. “That’s Rocky.”
Hal looked puzzled, his bushy grey brows scrunching like caterpillars. “Rocky?”
“Hal, he Yukon’s. He won’t bother anyone.”
Annie waved the man out the door, while Avery chewed her lip, watching Rocky. He’d followed her all the way to Annie’s? How did he know where she even went?
“Come back for pie when you’ve got all that yuck off your boots! And the day you try to dust my breeches is the day you meet your maker!”
Hal’s laughter was louder than the wind as he walked back to the barn.
“Maybe Mike is right?” Avery said, sadly.
Annie’s hand landed on her shoulder. “Right about what, Jilly?”
“Maybe someone’s after me again.” Her eyes started stinging again and emotion shoved against her diaphragm. She laughed half-heartedly and turned to Annie. “Guess Mike didn’t get rid of enough tears. I seem to be producing them at an alarming rate.”
Annie grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug. Before she even got out a sniff, Annie gave her a swat on the butt and pulled back to grab her hand. “If anyone can protect you, it’s Yukon.”
She started dragging her down the hall, straight for the clinic just as Avery had suspected she would. Avery rolled her eyes.
“But, Jill, I think I know exactly what’s going on and it ain’t no bad guy.”
Avery trotted along behind the old woman, wondering how she managed to walk so fast at her age. Didn’t old ladies usually have walkers or canes?
“What do you mean?” They turned into the clinic. “I told you I’m not sick!”
Annie waved her off with a blue-veined hand that was gnarled from years of hard work and arthritis.
“You been nauseated lately?”
Avery shrugged. “Only when I’m hungry or when I wake up and Mike’s overloaded the woodstove.”
Annie nodded and took her arm to put on the blood pressure cuff. “Tender breasts?”
Avery’s brow furrowed and this time Annie nodded knowing it was true.
“Lightheaded?”
Avery’s mouth dropped open. “How do you know?”
“Jill, I have seen this condition a million times.”
“So I am sick? That’s why Rocky won’t leave me alone?” She lowered her face into her free hand as Annie pumped the blood pressure cuff.
When she finished, Annie nodded.
“Oh God. How bad is it?”
“Lay down on the table and pull your shirt up.” Avery did as she was told. The oven in the kitchen started beeping. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.”
What was wrong? Was she dying? What would happen to Mike if he lost another wife? The thought crushed her, and tears ran across her cheeks into her ears. Poor Mike.
When Annie walked back through the door, Avery bolted up and grabbed her arm.
“Promise me, Annie. Promise me that you’ll help Mike find someone else. That you’ll help him through this. Please, Annie. This will break him for good.”
“What will?”
“Me dying!”
Annie rolled her eyes, tossing her long grey braid over her shoulder.
“You’re not dying, Jill. Unless being a drama queen is deadly.” She shoved Avery back down and started prodding her belly. She grunted and walked over to one of the drawers, opened it and pulled out a bottle.
“What’s that?” Avery asked as Annie plugged in a machine by the end of the bed and pulled a microphone on a cord toward her.
“Just lie back and relax, Jill.” She squeezed the bottle over Avery’s belly, squirting jelly on her.
Avery lurched. “That’s cold!”
Annie placed the mic against Avery’s abdomen. A fuzzy noise filled the room and Annie moved the wand around.
“Is this an ultrasound? Doesn’t there need to be a screen?”
“Shh!”
Avery huffed and was about to complain, when she heard it. A distinct, faint at first, thumping. As it grew louder, Avery’s eyes and Annie’s smile grew wider.
“What’s that sound like, Yukon Jill?”
Avery’s lip wobbled and she smiled. “A heartbeat.”
“That’s right. Yukon Junior’s heartbeat.” Annie held the wand in place and they listened in silence for several minutes before she took it away and wiped Avery’s belly off. “How come you don’t know the symptoms of pregnancy, girl? You grew up on a farm.”
“Um, no one ever talked about it. I haven’t had any friends get pregnant. I… now, I can see it, but I just never thought about it.”
“When was your last period?” Annie pulled Avery up and helped her off the table.
Avery thought and her eyes widened again. She knew she was low on tampons, and had figured her period must be due, but when was the last time she’d had one? Her hand clapped over her mouth and she laughed. “How could I not notice? It’s been months – summer, I think!”
“If you ask me, you two have been having way too much fun up on that mountain. You need a T.V.” Annie huffed and dragged her back to the kitchen. “Let’s go have pie. By feel I’d say you’re close to three months. I’m thinking May we’ll be hearing some squawking from that mountain top.” She smiled at Avery’s worried look. “Don’t frown. We have some celebrating to do, Jill.”
Avery looked down at her belly in awe. She put her hands over it and attempted to feel something.
“You won’t feel anything until closer to five months. It’ll feel like fluttering at first.”
“This is why Rocky won’t let me out of his sight? Because I’m pregnant. How can he know?”
“Animals know things.” Annie pulled out a chair and motioned for Avery to sit.
Avery barely noticed as Annie sliced and plated the pie, setting a generous piece in front of her. She was still worrying her lip as Annie finished her first bite.
“Jill, you’re fine. This is good!”
“But what about Mike? What will this do to him? He’s already given up so much of his reclusive lifestyle for me. He’ll have to give up so much more with a baby. And… and he lost a baby before.”
Annie placed a hand over Avery’s and gave it a pat. “He’ll be thrilled. He hasn’t given up anything for you; he’s come out of his self-imposed prison. And yes, he lost a baby before, so he’ll be over-protective and a pain in your ass, but you’ll just have to be patient.” She picked up Avery’s fork and placed it in her hand. “Eat my pie, girlie! I’ll phone and get you an appointment with Doctor Clark in town. He’s a good OBGYN.”
“Don’t tell Mike.” Avery’s eyes were wide and worry made the acid churn in her gut, but there was something else there too. Hope. Would she finally have the loving family she’d been denied? A baby. A wonderful husband, a baby and the loveliest life anyone could ever want. She jabbed her fork into the pie. This baby would have the best life, she decided and images of a giggling blond child on his father’s shoulders made her tear up again.
“I won’t, but don’t wait too long. You’ll be showing soon enough. You’ve gotten a bit scrawny with the backwoods lifestyle.”
“I’m going to make it special, Annie. Really special.” She beamed.
Annie got up and flicked the Christmas music back on. Jingle Bells played and Annie started to sing before pausing to speak. “Forget what I said about not pushing him about Christmas. He needs a push now.” She took Avery’s empty plate and set it on the counter before grabbing her and pulling her up to dance. Annie sure could dance.
Avery pressed her lips to hide her smile and waved over Annie’s shoulder where Hal’s face peeked through the back door. Annie had an admirer, one that liked to put her in her place, too.