Page 75 of Daddy’s Fortitude

Uh-oh.

She should have realized he was going to ask that question, and her gaze went over his shoulder as she nibbled at her lip. “I ate some of it.”

He grasped hold of her chin and turned her face back so she had to look at him.

“Some of it? What is some of it?” he asked.

“A piece of toast,” she said guiltily.

He shot her a stern look. “Yep, that’s not enough. That explains why you fainted, not to mention everything that you’ve been through. Still think we should take you to the hospital, though.”

“Please don’t. All they’re going to do is tell me to eat something and go home and rest. I really don’t feel like waiting in the emergency room for twelve hours.”

He grumbled under his breath, but to her surprise, didn’t argue. “I’m going to check you over. If anything hurts, tell me.”

There were a few tender spots, but nothing hurt too bad. However, her entire body seemed to heat up as he touched her all over.

Dear Lord, what was wrong with her?

There was no way that she should be feeling aroused right now, not with what had just happened to her.

But her body didn’t seem to have gotten the memo.

“All right, I’m going to lift you up now. You ready?” he said to her.

He was being far more careful than she really thought he needed to be. But she wasn’t going to complain because she did feel a bit fragile and in need of some comfort. He slid his arm underneath her legs and around her back and then stood with her in his arms.

She snuggled into his chest and let out a small sigh of satisfaction.

Oops, what was she doing? That probably wasn’t a good idea either, but he didn’t say anything. And then Jeremy appeared with her stuff.

“I can walk out with you,” Jeremy said. “I texted my dad, and he’s coming now to get me.”

Ammo just nodded to him, and they walked out of the back of the supermarket. To her surprise, everyone else was walking out as well. She knew Mr. Hendricks had told them all that they were fired, but she hadn’t expected them to just leave like that.

“Are you okay, Aimee?” Ellie, an older woman, came up to her and patted her arm gently. “I’m sorry about Charlie. And about that asshole, Hendricks. He’s got no right to treat us the way he does. He just knows that we’re all tight for cash and need the money, or we wouldn’t be working for him, and his minimum pay and crap hours.”

“And even worse personality,” somebody else added.

“Someone really needs to report him,” another person said. “But I don’t know who you report someone like that to.”

“Don’t worry,” Ammo told them all. “I’m going to take care of Hendricks.”

“I’m sure you will,” Ellie said as she looked up at him admiringly, and then she patted him on the shoulder. “Nice strong man you have here, Aimee. I’m sure he’ll take very good care of you.”

Aimee was too tired to explain to them that Ammo was just a friend and nothing more.

Ammo walked to his truck and placed her inside, pulling the seatbelt over her, and then taking off his jacket to place it on her.

Jeremy passed her backpack over to her and then waved. “There’s my dad. I hope you feel better soon, Aimee.”

“Thanks Jeremy, for everything,” she said.

Ammo gave Jeremy a slow nod. “Thanks, man.”

Ammo drove her back home in silence, which was surprising because she’d expected him to start scolding her, or at least reiterate how he was right and she’d been wrong about going to work tonight.

But he didn’t say anything like that.