Page 17 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

“Whoa!” she exclaimed as the flashlight beam swept the floor to reveal dust and grime covering the hardwood.

As the light moved up, it revealed more dust covering tarps that were draped over items, making them appear as awaiting monsters in the dark.

“There we are,” Sawyer said, as the light shone on a switch on the wall. He walked to it and flipped it, but nothing happened.

“I’m not surprised.”

“You’re not?” Amber probed.

“No. This cabin has sat vacant for so long. Here, let me check something. Either stay here or stay close to me.”

His boots thudded heavily atop the floor as he left the living room and into the attached kitchen. Amber stayed right with him. Even though the place wasn’t huge, and even in the darkness she would still be able to see him thanks to that flashlight he held, she didn’t want to be far away from him.

What if there were creepy-crawliesinsideand not just on the porch? What if there was even a snake?

The mere thought made her heart speed up.

Sawyer opened the old fridge—one that looked to have been in place since the 1990s or even earlier—and opened it. A light came on followed by a shot of cool air.

“Man, they don’t make ‘em like this anymore. These things were built to last. But it’s on, which means we do have electricity. So the dark is just the bulbs. This place has been vacant so long, we need to replace them,” he explained.

“I’ll go back to the general store and get some lightbulbs tomorrow,” she said. It would eat into some of her money, but she couldn’t get by without them. Then she remembered something that made her smile. “Wait! The Colliers told me they set up a credit account at the store, so I can buy things I need to fix this place up!”

She was speaking more to herself than to Sawyer. She hadn’t shared that she only had a little over sixty dollars to her name and wasn’t about to, either. He’d already done so much for her! It was appreciated, too, but she didn’t want him to try and give her money.

For whatever reason, he seemed to be protective of her. She loved it…but she didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness.

Apparently, he wasn’t done yet, because he said, “You can’t walk to the store. I’ll drive you.”

“Thank you, Sir. But I would be fine in the daylight. I need the exercise.” She offered a weak smile even though he probably couldn’t see it as dark as it was.

“I’m driving you. End of story.”

She nearly asked what made him think she wouldn’t just walk there without telling him but decided against it.

“As for tonight, you should stay at my place.” He stepped closer and said, “Don’t worry. It’s safe. You’ll have your own room. If you feel better, I could even sleep outside in a tent.”

“Outside?” she questioned with a laugh.

“Wouldn’t be the first time nor the last.” He was so close that she could see his smile. “Sometimes I think I’m happier outside than with a roof over my head, anyway.’

She smiled back. “That won’t be necessary. I’d feel safe. But I’m really okay here, Sir.”

Suddenly the space lost what little light it had, and after a moment she realized he’d clicked off the flashlight.

“Oh,” she said.

“Uh-huh. Pitch black.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, I guess it’s not really safe for me here without lights.”

“You’re coming to my place.”

It wasn’t lost on Amber that it wasn’t a question.

Not much seemed to be with Sawyer Greystone.

“Thank you, Sir,” she said.

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