Page 36 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

Amber watched as the man crept cautiously toward the animal. “Come on, little fella. Go on. Outside.”

“Should I lead him out with food?” she whispered.

Sawyer shook his head. “If you give him something to eat, he’ll remember. He’ll always associate this place with a good meal and will keep coming back.”

“Why did he chase me?” she whispered. “Is he crazy? Does he have rabies?”

Sawyer chuckled. “Honey, you worked him up in a frenzy. He was feeding off your energy.” He turned his sight toward the animal. “Go on. Shoo. Go now.” He got behind it and walked forward slowly, ushering the critter toward the door.

“Wait!” Amber said.

She put the lamp down, got off the couch, and trudged cautiously toward the uninvited guest. Only moments before she’d been scared beyond belief. Now, though, she felt too guilty not to say, “I’m sorry, Mr. Raccoon. You can’t eat in here. It’s not safe for either one of us. But I know what it’s like to be chased away when you’re just looking for food. I hope you find something to eat.”

She sighed and turned her gaze to Sawyer.

“May I feed him outside? Please?” She let a second pass before adding, somewhat embarrassed, “Like I said, I know what it’s like. He’s just hungry.”

She could see the wheels turning in Sawyer’s mind. Finally, he relented with a nod. “Grab some crackers or something. But don’t feed him in here. He’ll never leave.”

Amber skipped off toward the kitchen, thankful to be helping the hungry critter.

And thankful the intruder turned out to only be a cute, furry new friend.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sawyer was glad that Amber went home with him.

She hadn’t seemed afraid any longer, with her and the raccoon having made peace and all. But the ordeal of the night most likely still had her on edge because she’d seemed eager to say yes once he’d extended the offer.

Now, it was almost midnight as he tucked her in and then sat close, on the edge of the bed, in his guest room.

“I’m right back where I was last night,” she said with a laugh.

“Yep. Only this time you have a new stuffie to sleep with you and Honey,” he pointed out, his gaze shifting briefly to Jazzie.

“A new stuffie, thanks to you,” Amber said.

“I’m sure we’ll round up even more stuffies soon. But right now, you need to get to sleep. I picked up a few things so tomorrow morning I can make us breakfast.”

“Pancakes?” she asked excitedly.

“If that’s what you want,” he said with a chuckle. “But first, shut-eye time. You good with the lights out?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He thought about kissing her forehead before he stood but decided that might be pushing it too much. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” she repeated.

He smiled upon realizing her eyes were already closed. It wouldn’t be long until she drifted off to sleep, if she hadn’t already. He switched off the light and went to his own room.

What he really wanted to do, though, was take the little cutie with him so he could hold her all night long.

The morning sun was shining brightly through the kitchen window above the sink as Sawyer whipped up a bowl of pancake batter.

The aroma of sizzling butter he’d used to coat the griddle reached him, causing him to smile. That smile grew when he heard Amber’s sweet voice say, “Good morning.”

He turned around, still holding the bowl and whisk in his hand. “Good morning. You sleep okay?”

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