Page 14 of Big Daddy Sheriff

“Feel free to take whichever bed you want,” he said. “And you’ll have your own bathroom. Make yourself at home and stay as long as you’d like.”

She giggled as she continued to survey the room. A moment later, she hugged Quinn. “Thank you so much!”

He returned the embrace, holding her close and savoring the feeling of having the cutie pressed tightly against him.

I could get used to this, he thought. Wouldn’t take long at all, either.

Letting go, he said, “Hey, do you have any luggage?”

“Oh yeah!” she quickly replied. “The suitcase is in my car.”

“I don’t mind jogging over to Clyde’s place and getting it. I can see what the status of those repairs is, too.”

“You want me to come?”

“Only if you want to.”

She was about to answer, but a yawn stopped her.

“Why don’t you stay here and catch a little nap,” he suggested.

She thought it over and nodded. “Yeah. I guess I am sleepy. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Quinn asked.

He watched as she mulled it over, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Finally, she shook her head. “Everything is fine. Just had a lot going on.”

“Well, maybe this trip will be good for you,” he said. “These mountains have a way of resetting folks. They recharge the soul.”

“I guess you’re right. I know I just live in Arkansas, but Little Rock isn’t anything like this.”

He waved off the very notion that it might be. “It’s just a big city.”

She giggled. “Most people wouldn’t call Little Rock big. Compared to New York or Chicago or something.”

He grinned. “And most people don’t live in Big Cedar.”

“You got me there.” She stretched and yawned again. “Are you sure you’re fine with me staying here?”

“Of course. If you’re fine being in a strange house by yourself.”

“It doesn’t seem strange. It feels… homey.”

He grinned even wider. He sure liked the sound of that.

Maybe this cutie would one day call his househerhome.

And call him Daddy.

“They sold that poor girl a lemon. I hope she didn’t give too much for it.” Clyde scowled as if whoever had ripped Alyssa off had personally affronted him.

Quinn was disappointed in the news, but not surprised by it. He’d suspected as much. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Well, for starters… radiator issues, some bad hoses, and a faulty thermostat. I could go on. But fixing those things should take care of the overheating and get her up and running again. For how long though, well, I can’t say.”

“I’ll cover the tab,” Quinn said.

Clyde grinned. “I figured you’d say that. I’ll bring ‘er in for as cheap as possible.”

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