Chapter Five
When Avery got to Annie’s the next morning, she took a deep sniff. The smell of roasting meat, spices and pine needles from the Christmas tree filled her nose. She took a moment to absorb the glowing tree and decorations again. Besides the nagging sadness at not getting to celebrate with her daddy, she felt the innocent joy of the season warm her deeply. She laid a hand on her belly and imagined her child anticipating Santa. She could see Mike tousling their little blond child’s hair and scooping him up to reach the cookies so he could put them out for Santa. A tear slipped from her eye. She wondered if Mike would ever give in to celebrate with them though.
“That you, Jill?” Annie yelled.
Avery swiped away her tear and called out. “How am I supposed to decorate the barn if he’s fiddling around your property all day?” Avery grumbled, plucking her hat from her head and unwinding her scarf from her neck. She watched her husband through the living room window as he walked up the drive toward the barn. When Annie didn’t come out to greet her, Avery started to worry.
“Annie? Are you okay?”
Annie popped her head around the corner of the kitchen. “Me? I’m fine. You?” She became fully visible but tucked both of her hands in her jean overall pockets. Her colour was brighter than usual, and instead of one messy braid, she had two hanging tidily over her shoulders. Avery narrowed her eyes as her gaze fell on two small gold locks that hung through the bib strap holes of her overalls.
“What’s that Yukon doing in my yard?” Annie groused, heading toward the window. She huffed. “I’m not ready to face him.”
“What do you mean?” Avery asked, hanging her coat.
Annie straightened and waved away her question. “Nothin’.” She turned to look at Avery. “He wallop you for yesterday?”
Avery’s gut twisted at the question, remembering not only the spanking she’d gotten, but their lovemaking on the table later that day.
“Yeah.” Her face heated. “Did you shoot Hal?” Avery snickered as Annie leaned her head back and barked a laugh.
Annie suddenly got serious. “I should have! You see these locks?” She thumbed the two small gold locks.
Avery nodded, twisting her mouth to keep from smiling.
“These will prevent that Hal from getting his hand on my backside ever again!” She gave her signature huff again and shook her head. “Heavy-handed cavemen!”
“He spanked you?” Avery bit her lip but couldn’t hide her smile. “I’m sorry, Annie. I just can’t help but imagine Hal wrestling you over his knee.”
Annie’s brow quirked and her mouth curled down in petulance. “Yeah, well he almost lost an eye, but he won – this time!” The left corner of Annie’s mouth curved up ever so slightly. “Used my own damn spoon on me, too.” She rubbed her backside, grumbling and Avery burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at, girly? I bet you got it way worse than me.” Annie crossed her arms. “I’m sorry I put you at risk though, Jilly. I shouldn’t have driven. It was dangerous after all these years.”
Before Avery could blink at the soft, contrite tone of Annie’s voice, the old woman’s arms were wrapped around her. Avery could swear she heard her sniff, but when Annie pulled back, there was no sign of tears.
“I think it was an overreaction. You drove just fine, Annie.”
Annie beamed at her and grabbed her hand to drag her in the back bedroom where all the spoils of their trip were hidden in bags under the bed.
“Well, I can’t do anything with my keeper watching us, but I can help you with dinner. Mike said he’d go when your daughter and her husband got here.”
Annie clapped and Avery followed her to the kitchen. As they got there, the back door slammed open and shut and Annie looked up nervously. “I’ll be right back. You know how to baste a turkey?”
“A turkey? You always make ham.”
Annie shrugged. “I wanted turkey this time. Do you know how to baste one or not, Jill?”
Avery nodded, donning the oven mitts. After a moment, Avery heard Annie say, ‘Oh, it’s you.”
“Did you do what you were supposed to?” Hal asked.
“Not yet.”
Avery snuck to the doorway to peek around, and just before she got there, she heard the distinct sound of a hand clapping off jeans.
“Ow, you ass! I said I’d do it, damn you!” Annie said in a harsh whisper.
Avery caught sight of Hal’s hand whacking Annie’s backside again. Her eyes widened and she backed up to give them their privacy.
“And what the hell are these, little Annie?”
Hal wasn’t whispering and Avery considered plugging her ears.
“They’re to keep you outta my overalls, you oaf!”
“Oh, don’t you make it sound like I was lookin’ for more than your backside to whip, young lady!”
“Either way, you won’t be taking advantage of my rear ever again!”
“I’ll slice a flap in the hind end if need be. Now get your rosy rump out there and apologize to Mike before I take my belt to you!”
Avery covered her mouth with her hand as she heard Annie blast Hal and then the telltale sound of a belt buckle jingling. The door thwacked open and closed and Hal chuckled.
“Avery, you here, honey?’
“Um, in the kitchen, Hal.” She cleared her throat and opened the oven.
“Let me get that,” he said and pulled the giant bird out to set it on the stovetop. “Ooh, this smells delicious. Turkey dinner is my favourite meal.”
Avery breathed in deeply, nodding in agreement and then bit back a snicker as she suddenly realized why Annie wasn’t serving her usual ham. Hal was a lucky man.
Stuffing with plump cranberries and nuts spilled out of the turkey, making her mouth water as she began basting.
“Are you still invited?” she questioned, making Hal’s face spit into a giant crooked grin.
“Well, I haven’t heard otherwise.” His eyes, surrounded by mischievous wrinkles, sparkled. “And how are you? I know you were in a heap of trouble yourself.”
He tugged on one of Avery’s curls as she avoided his question by sucking more juice from the roasting pan and basting again. “Uh, fine.”
He chuckled. “You know you both deserved it.”
“Oh, Hal, don’t be too hard on Annie. She was only trying to help me.” Avery’s eyes filled with tears. Her fears of how Mike would react suddenly popping to the surface. What if he didn’t want the baby? They’d talked about someday, but was it someday now?
Hal pulled her away from the oven suddenly and pulled her into his arms.
“Annie told me that, but she wouldn’t tell me how or why. Are you going to tell me what’s going on or do I have to call that big mountain man of yours?” He pulled Avery back to give her a stern look, his eyes full of concern.
“I’m pregnant, but you can’t tell Mike.” Her eyes, wide and watery, read Hal’s face. His seriousness fell away and his bright and jovial smile broadened again.
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
“I’m going to surprise him. You’ll keep my secret, right?” she pleaded.
“Of course!” His big wrinkled hands held her shoulders tight and he pulled her in for a quick squeeze. “Now, care to tell me why this secret needed an unlicensed driver and a stolen truck?”
His bushy brows went up and Avery wiped happy tears from her face. She felt good telling Hal.
“I had a doctor’s appointment and Annie’s daughter was supposed to take us but her car wouldn’t start.”
“I see.” He rubbed his smooth chin. “Why didn’t she ask me?”
“I have a weird feeling Annie is trying to ruffle your feathers.” Avery pressed her lips to keep her smirk at bay. “I think she likes you. But I don’t think she’d put us at risk just to push your buttons. If she didn’t think she could drive, she wouldn’t have taken me.”
“I believe that too.” He looked thoughtful a moment.
Annie’s back door opening made Hal wink conspiratorially at Avery before he shoved the bird back in the oven.
“Did you do it?” he asked, loud enough for Annie to hear.
Annie was scowling as she came around the corner into the kitchen.
“Yes, damn you!”
Annie yelped when Hal grabbed her around the waist and dipped her, planting a wet, Hollywood-style kiss on her surprised mouth. First, she pounded her small fists against him, but then they wrapped around his neck and she relaxed in his arms.
“That’s a good girl, little Annie. Now I won’t have to tan your hide again.”
Annie blushed and Avery cleared her throat.
“I’m going to leave you two ladies to your work and get on home. Seems I’m not quite finished with my Christmas shopping.”
* * *
Rocky was rolling in the snow on Annie’s lawn when Mike left Annie’s. He was on his back with his four legs straight up when Mike opened the car door. Rocky froze and his head popped up so he could see Mike over his winter belly. When the bear saw Mike was leaving, he looked back at Annie’s and chuffed as if to say he was on duty. Then he continued his play.
“I know, buddy, nothing to see here, right?” Mike chuckled and tucked his long legs in the small car. Rocky would stay at Annie’s with his woman and that suited Mike just fine. He’d go for his turkey, decorate and wrap, secure in the knowledge Annie’s place was full of capable guests and Rocky was on guard. It didn’t keep him from scanning the woods and mountains as he drove back to the cabin, though. He still hadn’t heard back from his contacts, so he decided he’d stop in on the way from picking up the turkey.
The last turkey he found was a utility bird that was missing a wing, but since he’d gone last minute, he couldn’t complain. He considered himself lucky to get one at all. He’d gotten everything else the previous day when he’d caught the naughty duo, so he left the store quickly, intent on getting information from the station and heading home to pick a tree and decorate. Excitement twisted in his gut as he imagined his wife’s surprise coming home to Christmas in full swing in their mountain cabin. His heart swelled as he remembered his mom’s tears of happiness when he phoned to tell her he’d bought tickets to come see them. His mother would love Avery and Avery might finally feel like she was part of the family she’d missed out on.
* * *
Avery and Annie had the table perfectly set and dinner wouldn’t be long. The smell was glorious but Avery felt near boiling from all the cooking and extra bodies in the farm house. It was noisy and full of laughter and cheer, making her imagine her own happy family in the future. She still longed for Mike to be there, though.
Annie was wearing a red knit dress and her skinny legs were covered in black knit tights. It hung a little loosely on her frame, but with her hair in braids and red bows and real working bell earrings on, she looked adorable. When Hal walked in carrying armloads of gifts, a smile broke out instantly at the sight of her.
“Little Annie, you look as cute as a button!” he bellowed, making the old woman’s cheeks match her dress.
“Go on and unload your arms. Everyone’s in the living room.”
He looked up at the mistletoe hanging in the doorway and smirked.
“I think I’ll steal a kiss first.” He leaned in and gave Annie and good smackin’ kiss on the lips.
She giggled like a schoolgirl, making Avery’s eyes widen, and shooed him away. Annie watched him leave before she swung around and gave Avery a pointed look.
“You okay, girlie?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You look a little unsettled.”
“Just thinking about next year.” She hugged her arms around her middle.
“I’ve got everything covered here. Why don’t you go to the barn and start working on your surprise? I need a minute to wrap a last-minute gift for you anyway, so git!”
Avery nodded and gave Annie a small smile. She was still unsure of how Mike would react and if he’d ever be able to let go of whatever caused his disdain of Christmas.
“Stop worrying, girlie. He’ll be the happiest man in the world when he finds out.” Annie rubbed her shoulder and turned her towards the back bedroom. “I put the stuff on the bed. I’ll send one of the kids out to get you when dinner’s ready.”
“Thanks, Annie.”
The barn felt warm after being in the biting wind, although it was still whining through the slats. She hoped Mike would be okay hunting. It was starting to snow and the radio said they were in for a big dumping overnight, just in time for Christmas. Rocky grunted, reminding her he’d followed.
“Shh, you’re going to scare the animals.” Rocky looked unappreciated and walked ahead into an empty stall, probably to find a warm spot to sleep in the hay. He’d been outside Annie’s house all day. “Poor Rocky. I’m sorry. You’re a good boy.” He just turned in a circle and pointed his butt at her as he laid in the hay.
She walked through the stalls section of the barn to the middle where it was open and the walls were full of tack and tools. She set her bags down and looked around, breathing in the sweet smell of hay and oats and the pungent aroma of animals. The chickens were softly clucking in their pen and the geese shuffled and flapped their wings, making feathers flutter as they fussed and squabbled.
Avery sat on a bale of hay and thought about how she would decorate. The loft railing overlooking the main barn was perfect to hang the pink and blue crepe paper ribbon, and on every main bar of the railing, she’d tack a onesie to display. She’d bought a light green paper table cloth with baby bottles and diaper pins on it. She thought it would be good over some bales of hay and then she could put the mug and book on display. Satisfied with her plan, she removed her bulky coat and got to work, starting on the hay bale table first.
“Jill?” Avery looked up to see Annie walking in, her floppy too-large rubber boots flapping against the cement floor. She was bundled up but held two wrapped gifts in her mittened hands. “What are you doing out here with your coat off? Yukon would have a fit. It’s freezing!”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt me,” she said with a giggle. “It’s hot in here when I’m working.”
Annie’s brows crunched and her frown lines deepened. “You’ve been moving bales of hay? Are you crazy? They’re too heavy!”
“You’re the last person who should be scolding me, Annie. I’m pregnant, not an invalid. And at your age, people tell you all the time and you never listen.”
“There’s that gumption I love, Yukon Jill.” Annie winked and handed her the two wrapped packages. “I wanted to give you these in private.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Annie. I don’t need anything.”
“Oh, you need these,” she said with so much confidence Avery was beyond curious.
She tore off the paper of the largest package and held up a pair of light blue jean overalls like Annie’s. A smile broke out on her face.
“I love them! I’ll be a real Yukon Jill in these,” she said and hugged Annie.
“Open the other package.” Annie pointed a mitt at it. “It’s the important part.”
Avery ripped the other package open and burst out laughing. Two little gold locks like the one’s Annie used to keep Hal from getting into her overalls sat in her palm. They had two keys on a ring hanging out of each lock.
“Remember not to hide the keys too well. Searching for them when you gotta pee ain’t fun.”
“Thank you, Annie. This is the very best present.” They hugged for a long few minutes. Annie smelled of cranberry sauce and Turkey. And better yet, she smelled like a mother should –sweet and spicy. She felt even better, warm, soft, and comforting.
“You’re like a daughter to me, Avery Hunter.” And before Avery could wipe away the tears her words caused, Annie was gone.
Loving Annie’s present so much, Avery put on the overalls and the locks just for fun before she set to work again. They were baggy, with room for her belly to grow, and comfortable. She finished the table quickly and pulled a ladder, leaning against one of the walls, over and set it up so she could reach the loft railing. The only way into the loft was through a hole in the ceiling and reaching the hole from the ladder against the wall made her nervous. The free-standing ladder was easier.
The crepe paper ribbon was completely wound around the railing and looked beautiful and she had all but one onesie tacked up there. It was the last thing she had to do. The spindle she wanted was just a little bit of a stretch to reach, so she shuffled to the edge of the step and leaned.
She heard the angry growl of her husband in the exact second she pushed the pin into the wood.
“Little girl, you get your butt off that rickety old ladder right this second!”
She yelped when she got halfway down and was lifted by the waist to the ground.
“I came in here to tell you dinner was ready, and I find your perched precariously on an ancient ladder without a coat in a freezing barn. What the hell are you doing?”
She waited for him to look around and see, but his eyes were firmly attached to hers. Avery swallowed hard.
“Getting my surprise ready for you,” she squeaked.
“Is my surprise finding my wife broken under a pile of decrepit ladder pieces? Or perhaps it’s having her perched over my knee getting her already sore backside re-blistered?”
“No.” Again she swallowed. “Look.” She pointed up at the railing, waiting for his eyes to follow her hand. She held her breath as he did. His slow exhale made her insides quake. Would he be happy? His eyes fell to the bale of hay with the book and mug on it.
“Avery.” The word came out on a breath. “Oh, God.” He grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
She bobbed her blonde head and tears welled in her eyes at the sight of the shine in his. He was happy. He was happier than she’d even seen him. He stood frozen, his eyes going to each onesie and reading. His Adam’s apple bobbed and he licked his lips. He picked up the mug and smoothed a thumb over the word dad. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and looked at Avery, love filling her with his intense gaze.
“You’re carrying our baby.” He reached a hand to touch her mostly flat belly and she released the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “I didn’t think I could possibly love you more and you keep proving me wrong.”
“This is why Annie took me to town - to see a doctor and to get this stuff for your surprise. And the reason Rocky’s been on protective detail.” His eyes flitted from her belly to her eyes and she bit her lip at his look.
“Well, I know now it wasn’t an ex-con sneaking around here. According to my contacts, everyone’s been accounted for.” His eyes narrowed. “But you’re telling me, not only have you let me worry this whole time, but you drove with an unlicensed driver, and risked our baby climbing like a monkey on a rickety ladder?” He crossed his arms giving her a dark look. “Is that what you’re telling me, young lady?”
Avery took a step back from the mountain man towering over her. “No, no, I didn’t say any of that,” she answered, shaking her head. Her eyes widened as he reached for her. They both looked at the locks on her overalls and the same time and although Mike’s scowl deepened, Avery’s mouth only curved into a smile. Thank you, Annie. And then she straightened and poked him in the chest.
“You, Hal and Annie use that ladder all the time. It’s a perfectly good ladder. And I was already spanked for going with Annie so you can’t punish me again.” Her smiled turned cheeky as her husband’s eyes became playful.
“That so?”
“Yes, it’s called double jeopardy.”
“Double jeopardy, huh.”
He reached out with his long thick arms and touched the locks on her overalls. Then swiftly, he yanked the straps down over her shoulders. The rest of the denim fell to her feet, leaving her standing in the chilly barn in her waffle knit shirt and panties, with a pool of material at her feet. He propped a foot up on the bale of hay and quickly bent her over his bent knee. Damn room-to-grow, traitorous overalls.
“Wait! Rocky’s here!”
“I locked him in the stall, so he’ll have to wait until I let him out to tear my arm off.” He chuckled and then his palm splatted against her bottom cheeks quickly ten times, but they weren’t punishing swats, so the squirming and stamping she did was purely theatrical.
“See, I think double jeopardy means, your backside is in jeopardy twice.” He spanked her bottom cheeks again ten more times.
Crisper this time, but still not enough to do more than sting slightly and get her middle fired up. She suddenly stopped squirming, a thought popping in her head.
“Daddy? What are you doing here? You never come to Annie’s this early on Christmas!”
He pulled her upright, and bent to pull her overalls up, righting them over her shoulders.
“I came for dinner.” He rubbed a hand over his beard as she stood with her mouth agape. “I came for Christmas.”
* * *
Mike watched his wife through the meal, her glow melting the very last residual icy spots from his heart over Christmas. He ignored the niggling worry about her pregnancy, and what happened the last time he was to be a father, and focused on the positive. She was healthy, and strong, and their child was safe inside her and he was going to be there with her, a hovering pain in her ass, every step of the way. He smiled at her across the table, and she smiled shyly back. God, he loved her.
“Why do you have locks on your overalls?” Annie’s granddaughter Emma asked, reaching up to touch the lock against Avery’s chest.
Hal and Mike exchanged looks. Annie snickered and cleared away the empty dessert plates.
“Cause Granny Annie got them extra big and Avery doesn’t want them to fall down. Avery’s gonna get a big belly soon. She’s having a baby,” Annie’s daughter piped up and Little Emma’s eyes widened.
“I’ll have someone to play with next year?” she asked, looking at her mother. “My sister doesn’t like to play with me.” She shot her teenaged sister a grumpy look and the teen rolled her eyes.
Avery yawned and Annie nodded to Mike. “Take her home, Yukon. She’s had a long week.”
Hal stood up to walk them to the door while everyone else helped Annie clean off the table.
“I have a little something for you two in my truck.”
“You already got us the baby stuff.”
“I know, but this is something else.”
They walked out to his truck and waited while the snow fell in pretty, fluttering swirls around them. The moon was bright and reflected off the snow on the ground. They had opened Rocky’s stall on the way out of the barn so he was sitting near the car waiting.
“Here,” Hal handed Mike a pair of shiny bolt cutters and both men laughed. “These outta help with those sneaky women and their locks.” Mike shook Hal’s hand and pulled him in for a one-armed man-hug.
Avery rolled her eyes when she saw what he was holding.
“Thanks, Hal. You’re a real friend.” She hugged him and he went back to the party, chuckling all the way.
“Come on, little one, let’s get you home.”
Avery was asleep as soon as they hit the road. Mike took the occasional glance, admiring his beautiful girl, her blonde ringlets falling across her flushed cheeks. She was still out when they pulled up to the bottom of the mountain. The walk would be long and cold carrying her up to the cabin, but he hoped she stayed asleep so she wouldn’t see the cabin in full yuletide glory until Christmas morning. He wanted his surprise for her to be as special as hers was for him.
He scooped her out of the seat and she snuggled against him, her cold nose pressing against his neck.
“I should walk. I’m too heavy,” she murmured breathily.
“Sleep, little girl, Daddy’s got you.”
“Do I have to stop calling you Daddy now?” Her query made his chest rumble in a deep chuckle.
“No, baby, you’ll always be my little girl.”
“Okay,” she said on a sigh and her head went limp against him.
“That’s it, sleep, sweetheart.”
* * *
Avery woke, hot and sticky again, but this time, her mountain man was still asleep beside her. She smiled and kissed his bare shoulder softly, not wanting to wake him. The falling snow covered the window so the sun hadn’t woken him.
She slid free of the covers and saw he’d undressed her the night before. She hadn’t wanted to be asleep when they got home. She’d wanted to make love to him. She’d wanted to celebrate, and she’d wanted to tell him she no longer believed in double jeopardy, and that he should finish what he’d started in the barn.
Rubbing her eyes, she padded to the bathroom. Today, with the storm hindering their mobility outside, he’d be home with her and they could play. She went about her morning routine, shoving the nausea away with deep breaths. She washed the sleep from her eyes, fought to tame her curls, and brushed her teeth. She needed a cup of tea and something in her belly, quick.
Opening the bathroom door, fully awake this time, the room came into focus. Her breath stuck. It was lit up with multi-coloured lights, a little Village with glowing street lamps and windows, and as she walked further in the room, she saw a Christmas tree flashing.
She spun when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Do you like it?”
Mike looked down at her and blurred as her vision became clouded with tears.
“I had a surprise for you too.”
She choked out a laugh at his Santa suit.
“Oh, Santa!” She lunged into his open arms and buried her face into his padded abdomen. “Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t opened your presents.”
“Presents? You got me presents?”
“Sure, isn’t that what Santa does? Gets good little girls presents?” He laughed evilly. “And spanks the naughty ones.”
“Does this mean what I think it means?” she asked mimicking his exact words from the night before.
“If you think it means you’re getting a Christmas spanking after opening your presents, then yes.” His mouth quirked at the side.
“Santa’s supposed to have a white beard you know,” she said as she reached up to smooth her hands over his bearded cheeks. “But I meant, does this mean that we can celebrate Christmas from now on?”
“Yes, my little elf. From now on we celebrate every holiday to the fullest, especially Christmas.” He winked at her and smacked her naked bottom. “Now, I’ll make you breakfast and you go put some clothes on because our first Christmas pictures shouldn’t be rated R.”
“Maybe you should spank me before I get dressed, Santa.” She wiggled her cute bottom in front of him.
“No, no, Santa’s a traditionalist. He likes peeling down your pants, and panties and setting you across his knee. Now get on with it. I have two presents I want you to open first at the table. The rest have to wait until after breakfast.”
“Merry Christmas, Mountain Man Daddy.”
“Merry Christmas, babygirl.”
Heat fluttered inside her, but she clapped her hands, embracing her inner little girl. She had never seen a tree with so many presents, she had never seen a room so beautifully decorated, and she had never been loved this much. She touched her belly, and there was only more love to come.
THE END