The word-count pixie would like a word about word-count.
There's often some uncertainty about which hyphenated combinations of words count as single words for the purpose of word-count. One "rule", which some might not know, concerns compound adjectives. Where two words must be linked by a hyphen, and then function as a single adjective, the combination counts as one word.
For example, springs's story has in it "chocolate-covered treat". "Chocolate-covered" counts as one word rather than two. If you remove the hyphen, "chocolate covered treat" has a different (if rather odd) meaning -- a covered treat that is chocolate.
However, be aware that a hyphen is not needed after an adverb, so "deeply-suspicious man" counts as three words in total, since "deeply suspicious man" has the same meaning.
As always, if in doubt, ask a moderator. But the word-count pixie hopes this note might save some people from erring too much on the side of caution and denying themselves precious, precious words.