Page 45 of Big Daddy Sheriff

“Kept driving right past the café,” Austin said.

“Hmm,” Walker mused. “Probably just passin’ through. But I’ll stay here and keep watch. If they come back by, that’ll be suspicious. Then we’ll follow them.”

“In what?” Austin scoffed. He jerked his head toward the fire engine. “That’s not exactly inconspicuous.”

“I’ll pull my pickup around,” Cane said. “We’ll have it ready just in case.”

Austin was glad. Maybe he was just on edge, worrying about Alyssa. She wasn’t his Little, sure, but he’d do whatever he couldto protect her. Plus, folks in Big Cedar took care of each other. It was just the right thing to do.

His gut was saying danger was lurking about, though. Maybe it wasn’t coming from the men in the car he’d just seen, but his gut told him it was coming.

And from his past military days and current job as a first responder, he’d learned one thing.

Always trust your gut.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Tonight is going to be epic,” Grace said.

The Littles were in the tree house, sitting on the wooden floor, finishing supper.

“I’m so excited!” Alyssa agreed. “My first Little sleepover.”

“Are we going to watch scary movies?” Mindy asked.

“Ooh, we could make popcorn and eat lots of junk food, too!” Janie said.

Little Belinda nodded before popping a potato chip in her mouth.

“We can do all that,” Grace promised. “But why settle for watching a scary movie when we can live one?” Her eyebrows rose and fell several times as she looked at each of the women, gauging their reaction.

“Uh, what are you talking about?” Mindy asked doubtfully.

“I’m talking about Bigfoot!” Grace whispered. “You know he lives in these woods. I heard lots of stories about him when me and my Daddy were camping this week. Everywhere we went, people were talking about him. We even ran into a documentary crew who were making a movie about their search. He’s out here, in these mountains.”

The Littles giggled.

“What exactly are you proposing?” Janie giggled.

“We wait for my Daddy to go to sleep, and then we sneak out and look around the woods for any signs of the big guy.” Grace was grinning devilishly as she laid it out. “We can pack some flashlights and other supplies in a couple of backpacks. Then, we’ll stash them up here, so they’ll already be ready. When Daddy goes to sleep, we go out my window, get our gear, and see what we can find. What do y’all say?”

Alyssa had the fleeting notion that she shouldn’t go along with the plan. Her Daddy had told her not to wander off. But it just seemed like too much fun to pass up. It was her first Little sleepover. A little bit of mischief wouldn’t hurt. Besides, they probably wouldn’t get caught.

“I say we do it!” she exclaimed, bobbing her head up and down.

The others giggled as they agreed.

It was going to be a fun and naughty night.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Quinn was apprehensive.

He knew his little girl would be in good hands with Theo. The men were good friends. And Theo was more than capable of fending off any threats. Those old combat instincts didn’t die. They didn’t even lie dormant. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

But Quinn was Alyssa’s Daddy. It was his job to protect her. He wanted her to have fun with the other girls, but he’d feel a hell of lot better if he were close by.

He thought of asking Theo if he could crash in the spare bedroom. Of course Theo wouldn’t care. Quinn realized he needed to back off, though. He didn’t want to hover.

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