Chapter Eight
The snow was higher on her legs than it had been on Mike’s, and navigating was harder than she’d imagined. She was soaked, cold, and scared. Although she was rushing, she was getting nowhere fast. There was more urgency now that she knew he’d had her stuff all this time. God, I should have known better. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
When she finally made it to the Jeep, it was buried in partially melting snow. She brushed it off, took the hammer from the toolbox in the back, pulled the metal box from her bag, and started smashing at the lock. It was too cumbersome to keep the box itself, so she needed to ditch it. It only took four or five good whacks before the latch fell off, lock still intact. When she opened it, her breath stuck.
Inside there were pictures, and—she shuddered—a Royal Canadian Mounted Police badge. Mike was an RCMP officer! She leaned against the car, taking in deep breaths, feeling panic strangle her lungs. She shoved the pictures in the box aside and picked up the badge. It said retired along the bottom, but retired or not, if Mike was former RCMP, why the hell hadn’t he turned her in? Surely the cops would have been there by now if he had, unless—Did Moe’s connections reach across the border? Had Moe asked Mike to hold her there until he arrived? Was Mike a corrupt cop, too? That would explain the significant amount of cash. She dropped the badge as if it burned her fingers and quickly dumped the contents of the box into her bag. She felt dizzy. Fleeing was even more vital now.
As she climbed the embankment, holding chunks of crusty wet snow and small trees for grip, she heard the cat. Its yowl chilled her to the bone, soured her stomach, and made her bladder weaken, and when she spun and saw it, a scream caught in her throat. A sinewy cougar with a mouth full of teeth and its ears pressed back stared at her. It was still, and low to the ground—ready to pounce, ready to kill. Its eyes pinned hers, and a low growl rumbled from the back of its throat.
Avery trembled. Mouse before a cat. The faces of her loving parents, grainy like the old photograph she kept in her wallet, her grandparents, cold and frowning in disapproval, and sweet, fun-loving Becca, and then Alex, the jerk who ruined her life, all their faces flickered like an eight-millimeter film through her mind, but the reel stopped playing on Mike. Her mountain man daddy. Mike, the man who’d saved her twice, who’d been endlessly patient and made her feel completely cared for in the few short weeks since she’d been with him—even though he knew she had a gun and cash and was probably bad news. She concentrated on the cat then. She eyed it, knowing if she looked away for even a second, it would pounce.
It was one thing to die by moose but a whole other to be torn to pieces and eaten alive by a wild cat. And dammit, Avery was tired of being prey.
She slowly reached into the bag, keeping her eyes trained on the cat. The gun was in there, tucked in her purse, and just because she’d never used one didn’t mean she couldn’t shoot and make a noise. How hard could it be?
She coaxed herself to be slow even though she wanted more than anything to rush—to shoot—to save herself. When the cold metal touched her hand, she released the breath she’d been holding. The cat still stared with its hungry green eyes watching her. She shook as she pulled the gun out and felt along it for the safety. She wasn’t going to be Meow Mix, that was for damn sure.
“Don’t move!” Mike’s voice was stern and fearful all at the same time, but relief flooded her. “She’s got cubs. She’s aggressive and probably hungry from the storm.”
“No shit,” Avery answered.
He pointed his shotgun into the bush near the cat, and as he did, she rounded on him with a piercing yowl. Mike was closer to the cat, and the sight of him in danger made tears spring to Avery’s eyes. She could make up for stealing a purse, cash, and a gun, and even stealing and wrecking the Jeep, but she couldn’t fix dead. If Mike died because of her, she’d never forgive herself.
She watched his finger slowly find the trigger, but before he could fire, Rocky came bounding out of the bush. The cat screeched, flattened her belly almost to the ground, and swiped her vicious paw. The bear probably outweighed the cat by a hundred pounds, but the cat had speed and agility on her side. She took off. Rocky followed but only at the slow lumber of a creature not seriously interested in tangling with anything.
Avery slumped in relief and slid down the embankment, feeling icy wet snow ride up her back. She dropped the bag to put her face into her hands and began to shake.
“What the hell were you doing out here?” His voice wasn’t the sweet ‘daddy’ voice from the night before or even the gentle but gruff one she remembered from her rescue. He sounded angry—seriously pissed.
“I-I was looking for my purse.” He clomped his boots toward her and reached a hand down, pulling her to her feet by the scruff of his coat.
“Your purse, eh?” He looked down at his backpack with the purse strap hanging out, and she swallowed hard.
“Yeah, I found it.” And then she was suddenly angry. “In your damn root cellar!” She yanked herself out of his grasp and saw his stern expression falter.
“What the hell were you doing in my cellar?”
“Why the hell were you hiding my purse?”
“Because you had a gun. And a lot more cash than any reasonable person should be carrying.”
“So have you contacted the authorities?” she asked defiantly, dusting the snow off her pants. His fists went to his hips.
“No, I hadn’t quite decided what to do with you yet.” He looked away, his jaw set and blew out a breath. There was snow in his beard and on his clothes, too. He’d stumbled in the snow as well. Had he rushed to find her? For the third time, this mountain man had saved her. God, isn’t it time he gives up on me?
“Well, now you don’t have to. I’m leaving!” She picked up the bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“The hell you are.” He grabbed the bag and yanked, the zipper ripping open. The contents started to spill and his pictures and cash scattered to the snow. She watched as the big hulk of a man slumped to his knees and collected each picture carefully. His face was twisted in anguish. Avery looked down at the photos clasped in his gloved hands. A blonde woman, breathtakingly beautiful, and another young woman, mousy-haired and too thin were frozen in time.
“Who are they?” Avery fell to her knees next to him to help. His eyes shot to hers, and the cold in them chilled her more than the snow against her jeans-clad legs. She picked up the rest of the pictures and money, handed them to him, and then picked his badge up.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what was in the box. I thought it was money.” His jaw tightened, and he took the badge and shoved it in his pocket. “I found that, too.” He only grunted and his lips drew back in a snarl. “Come on.” He looked around. “Before the damn cat comes back for a second attempt at breakfast.” He grabbed her arm, but she dug her feet in the snow.
“I’m not going with you.” She pulled her purse out of the pack and slung the bag at him. “I can’t stay here.” He let her go to catch the pack she tossed at him, and she started climbing back up toward the road.
“Get your ass back here!” His hand grabbed the back of her jeans and yanked. She slid back easily, the thawing snow crumbling to balls of ice beneath her feet.
“Let me go!”
“I’ve caught you red-handed stealing, and I’m pretty damn sure I’m not the only one you’ve stolen from. I saw the list of names and amounts next to them, including the owner of this Jeep, so you’ll damn well be doing as you told or you’ll have more than the heat of my hand on your ass, you’ll have the RCMP on it. Got me?”
She cursed and struggled but he was too strong, and when he let go of her she fell flat on her face in the slush. She’d spent too much time on the ground in the snow around him. She turned onto her butt to face him.
“You’ll call them anyway, and then I’m as good as dead.” She looked down and stared into the unzipped purse at the gun, her fingers itching to reach for it. She was desperate and she needed him to let her go. She didn’t want to die, but she didn’t want him to die either, so how could she pull a gun on him?
He drew in a breath and held it, putting both his hands on his hips calmly. He looked at his feet before raising his face to hers. His glare turned from hard and angry to dead calm as he released his breath.
“Honey, if you pull that gun on me everything changes.” He adjusted his stance, legs shoulder width apart and his knees slightly bent, as though he was ready for whatever she decided. “I can’t help you once you cross that line, and you’ll have to kill me because I won’t let you go.” He shook his head. “You can’t reimburse dead,” he added, and time stilled for her. He knew she’d kept a record of who she owed. And he seemed to know her well to enough to understand she needed to pay them back. Mike knows me. She closed her eyes. Tears pressed against her lids and her nose tingled with emotion. Like with the moose, she felt the urge to give up. What was the point of fighting? He could have tackled her and taken her down while her eyes were closed, but he didn’t, he let her make her own choice.
“I don’t know your story, but I promise I won’t make any decisions until I do.” His voice was gentle and supportive, and she believed him. She released the gun, pulled her hand out, and raised it along with her other.
“I can’t do it anymore. I can’t.” She wanted to tell him she wished he’d let her die the night of the crash again, but the memory of crying across his lap hit. She didn’t want to die; she just didn’t want to live like this.
“Good,” he said gruffly. Avery opened her eyes and met his, and for a brief second neither of them spoke.
“Mike.” She didn’t finish her thought when his brow furrowed.
“Don’t.” He pointed a finger at her. “We’re going to fix this—all of this. I’m not quitting on you.” He reached down, took her hands, and pulled until she was on her feet. “And it’s Daddy, dammit!”
He waited to release her until she was steady. “You’ll tell me everything right after I tan your ass for running off into danger again, got me? And if you don’t care to share that story, I’ll spank you again and again until you do. And this time it won’t be with my hand.” He turned around and started walking away. “Now get your ass moving.” Gone was the gentle man who had just talked her into trusting him.
“M… Daddy?” She hadn’t moved, and with his back to her she could easily run, but this man, her mountain man daddy, was going help her—even though she had a gun, a list of criminal offenses, and a bag full of stolen cash, most of which was his.
“What?”
“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. Whatever this is.” 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’t have to believe anything you say, just like I don’t have to care. I do care, 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’m asking you 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.
“Just surviving is all I’ve done for months, until you. Living minute to minute—never tasting the food I ate, never sleeping more than a few hours and never deeply. I couldn’t even see my life beyond the moment I was in.” She choked on the thickness in her throat. “This time with you, being your little girl, has been…” She couldn’t finish her sentence and only let a whimper trail from her lips.
His shoulders lost their firm stance. He let his arms fall and grabbed her, pulling her against him.
“You’re trembling, little one.” His words were a whisper in her hair. His warmth around her made her feel safe and she sank against him fully.
“I’m so sorry, Daddy. So, so sorry.” She sniffed and fought the torrent of tears that attempted to escape. “I’m scared all the time. The only time I’ve felt even remotely safe is with you, and how did I pay you back? By stealing from you. I’m a horrible person.”
“We’ll worry about that later. Right now, I’m going to hold you until you stop shaking, okay?”
She nodded against him, and he took her toward the wood stove, removing her coat and tossing it. He sat.
“Let’s sit for a minute.” He pulled her down into his lap, grabbing a knit throw from the back of the sofa and wrapping it around them.
“Thank you for saving me again.” She rolled her eyes at her ridiculousness and wiped her watery face, snuggling deeper into his neck. It felt so good to let it all out. She was so tired of being strong, of pretending she wasn’t scared. It was exhausting running and never trusting anyone. Facing life alone was as unappealing as sleeping with spiders. She was done running. She just couldn’t face another day alone.
“Shh, it’s okay. You’re safe now.” He rubbed her back and held her.
“Look at me,” she said wetly. “I’m curled in your lap like a child.” He chuckled, and the rumbling in his chest comforted her. “Daddy snuggles come with the territory. It’s not all just spankings and forcing you to eat, you know.” She laughed, and he smoothed her crazy curls. “Don’t think you’re getting out of that spanking though.”
She looked up from his neck and smiled shyly. “I want your forgiveness, and since you care about me, Daddy, you have every right to be upset and punish me.” She swallowed hard. “But I don’t plan on liking it.”
“And you won’t.” He pushed her head back down on his chest and began rubbing her back again. “Hush now. Your spanking will come soon enough. Let’s get you calm and feeling safe.” She was quiet for a long time, and he thought she was asleep when she spoke up.
“My name is Avery.” Her words were spoken in a sleepy haze, and he wondered if she’d even remember later that she’d told him. Her breathing deepened, and within seconds, she was heavy against his chest.
He kissed her crown. Asleep in his arms, exhausted from both the run-in with the cougar and the emotional intensity, she breathed deep and peacefully. He carefully moved her so he could escape and tucked the blanket around her. She looked so sweet and small lying there that his heart flipped.
He took everything she’d stolen and set it on the bed and then cleared a space and put her stuff in his wardrobe. He cut a slice of the pie Annie had dropped off and set it on the table for when she woke. There was no evidence she’d eaten anything before she ran off. Right now, she needed her rest and he could work out some of his own anxiousness outside.
The snow was melting rapidly, but it would still take days to be rid of it entirely. The temperature was high enough to wear just his long-sleeved shirt. He looked out over the mountain and breathed in the fresh air. It was incredible how quickly things changed out here, but he liked the unpredictability. The birds were chirping and the trees dripping from the melt-off. He took a moment to enjoy the sounds. There was an excitement building in him that he couldn’t quite pin on spring fever. The bounce in his step and the lightness in his chest came from Avery. She’d broken through his darkness like the dawn of a new day.