Phoenix Maplewood got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home

The girl was either incredibly clumsy or just stupid; well, perhaps a combination of both. Shale winced as she cracked her head against his chin, immediately trying to make up for it with kisses. He cringed slightly away at the open show of affection--half-irritated, half-still slightly aroused from his romp with Pema--and mumbled an acceptance of her apology, looking sheepish.

"My shoulder," he said, nodding over to his left, where the gash had festered. He knew he should have just let Sunny take him to Pema to check it out, he knew that. . .but stubborn as ever, he had refused. And now look where it had gotten him.