Page 22 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

“Whatcha doing?” Amber asked.

“I help my Daddy here at the store. We got a new shipment of stuffies and I was just putting them away.”

“This place is amazing! I’ve always dreamed of something like this,” Amber said as she spun a slow circle, taking it all in.

“Do you want to pick out a toy? An outfit, too?” Joe asked.

“Oh. Uh… maybe soon,” Amber replied, not elaborating that she was light on funds.

“It’s our treat,” Joe said. “We like to give newcomers a warm welcome here in Big Cedar.”

Amber smiled, but then instantly felt guilty. She couldn’t accept something so generous. What if everyone around town thought she was just looking for handouts?

“Thank you for the kind offer, Sir,” she replied. “But I’m not even sure what I’d want. Maybe I can think about it and come back next week.”

Come back when I have some money,she thought. But she kept that part to herself.

“Of course,” Joe said. “You’re welcome here anytime and that offer stands.”

“Thank you!” she said.

Before leaving the room, her eyes lingered on the dress she loved. It was a ruffled pink one that had so many pretty bows! Whenever she was on her feet and had some money saved up, that would definitely be the one she bought!

As she turned around, she noticed Sawyer watching her closely, that look of affection in his eyes once again.

Okay, was something actually there? Surely he didn’t have his sights set on her!

She worked hard to suppress a grin. Just the mere thought made her giddy.

She went back into the main part of the store with Joe, Mindy, and Sawyer following her.

“Well, what brings you in, Little Amber?” Joe asked.

It was Sawyer who took the lead and answered. “She’s staying out at the old Collier place. We dropped by there and made a list of some things she needs to get started fixing it up.” He reached into his pocket and fished out the list they’d made, handing it over to Joe.

The shopkeeper looked over it, nodding as he read the items. “I have it all. And I remember the Colliers calling me about this. They left their credit card on file and told me to charge whatever she needs for the house. I’ll get going putting this order together.”

“Much obliged,” Sawyer said.

“Thank you, Sir,” Amber told Joe. “While you’re doing that, I’m going to pick out some groceries. May I pay for them separate, Sir?”

“Of course. You just get whatever you need, honey. There are baskets right over there.” Joe pointed to the stack near the door.

Amber grabbed one and started browsing the food selection while Mindy followed her.

“So,” Mindy said, “some of the other Littles and I are having a sleepover tomorrow night at my house. Do you want to come?”

“I’d love that!”

“Yay! We’re going to eat junk food, stay up late, and maybe even watch a scary movie if our Daddies let us.”

For a brief second, that familiar sadness of not having a Daddy hit Amber. She quickly brushed it aside, though, reminding herself that it was important not to camp out in negativity. Her experience in Big Cedar was shaping up to be absolutely amazing! She couldn’t complain.

But her mind did drift to wondering what it would be like to have a Daddy.

Not just any Daddy, either.

A Daddy like Sawyer.

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