Page 11 of Tied to Trouble

She didn’t miss Mandy’s wince as she sat up. A knowing smile curved her lips. “What has he done now?”

Mandy grabbed a Kleenex from the box on the side table and blew her nose before speaking. “He...he made me come home, even though I wasn’t drunk,” she exclaimed. “I had to leave my truck at the Saddle. That man is an arrogant, bossy, chauvinist pig, and now I don’t have a way to work tomorrow.”

“Didn’t he offer to come and get you?”

“Well...yeah, but that’s not the point.”

Sara grinned as Mandy eyed her suspiciously, as if she were defecting to Az’s side. “So, what is the point?”

“I could have driven home myself,” she grumped. “I wasn’t drunk, but no, he always has to play the macho protector, and it drives me crazy.” She got up and walked around, unconsciously rubbing her backside while she fumed and snuffled.

Sara didn’t miss the obvious. “Sore muscles, dear?” She phrased the question delicately.

Mandy flushed and jerked her hand away from her backside, her face turning beet red. “I...that is...uhm...” she stammered, at a sudden loss for words.

Sara laughed. “Let me guess. Az smacked your bottom a few times. Am I right?” The chagrined look on Mandy’s face confirmed it.

“He has a lot of nerve,” she snapped. “I can’t believe he did that. I should have him arrested.”

“It wouldn’t do you any good, honey. Sheriff Dorney is a male chauvinist pig, as you put it, from way back,” she replied with a chuckle.

“That’s not fair!” Mandy raised her voice in protest.

Mags stood up on the bed, woofing as if in agreement with her mistress’s plight.

“Do you really want to have him arrested?”

Mandy sighed and then shook her head. “Not really, Mom, I just want him to stop being so overprotective.” She massaged her bottom cheeks ruefully. “And I don’t want spanking me to become a habit.”

“Did you ever think that maybe he is in love with you?” she asked gently.

Mandy blinked. “He sure has a funny way of showing it, if he is.”

“Not really. Men are always protective of women they care about.”

“Maybe,” Mandy said doubtfully, “but I don’t know, Mom. Az has always thought of me as a little sister.” She walked over and surveyed herself in the mirror. “Maybe I should wear something more... eye-catching,” she mused.

“That would depend.”

“On what?”

“On whether or not you want to catch his eye.” Sara stared thoughtfully at her daughter. “You and Az have been friends since you were kids. Are you sure you want to turn that into something more?”

“Maybe...I’m not sure.”

“Try sleeping on it, dear,” Sara replied with a smile. “Maybe things will look different in the morning.”

“You’re probably right,” Mandy conceded. She leaned down to give her mother a kiss and a hug. “Good night, Mom.”

“Good night, dear.”

Sara wheeled herself down the hallway to the living room, her lips curved in a knowing smile. She’d always liked Az Newcomb. She couldn’t think of a better match for her headstrong daughter.

***

AS MANDY WATCHED HERmom leave, she bit her lip and thought of the kiss she and Az had shared earlier that day. Their relationship was already something more, irrevocably changed in the backroom of Benson’s Market. Her heartbeat quickened, and she admitted to herself that if she wanted to lose her virginity, she couldn’t think of a better person than Az.

But was that what she really wanted? Just to lose her virginity? Or were her feelings seriously changing for the stubborn boy who had become a sexy, obstinate, and aggravating man?

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