Page 40 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

The plush dolls just smiled at her.

“What’s that, hon?” Marsha asked as she stood at the register, sorting through the receipts from the lunchtime rush.

“I was talking to my stuffies. Sorry, ma’am.”

“Now hon, why on earth would you be sorry? I’ve been around enough of you Littles to know you love your stuffies.Mind if I ask what you were saying? I hope you were telling them how much you love this job! I want you to stick around!”

Amber laughed. “Sort of, ma’am. I was wondering how my life has changed—for the better—so drastically over the course of just a few short days. And this job is part of that!”

Marsha turned around to face her and leaned back against the counter. “Well, I’m glad to hear that. You’re good at this. I can already tell. But I suspect that handsome devil named Sawyer Greystone is part of what you’re thinking about, too. In fact, I’d say he’smostlywhat you’re thinking about.” The older woman grinned.

Amber couldn’t help but giggle. “Yes, ma’am. We kissed this morning and he’s my Daddy now!” Amber couldn’t stop giggling.

Based on the look on Marsha’s face, she found it adorable and seemed genuinely excited for her.

Before they could continue the conversation, the café’s door burst open and Mindy and Alyssa ran inside.

“Amber!” they yelled in unison.

“Whoa there, little girls. Slow down. Don’t holler,” Marsha said, still smirking. “Or do I need to talk to your Daddies?”

The women gulped.

“No, ma’am,” Alyssa said.

“We’re sorry, Miss Marsha,” Mindy added.

They walked slower toward the counter.

“That’s better,” Marsha said.

“Hey!” Amber said in an even tone. “I’m working right now but?—”

“Oh, honey, talk to your friends,” Marsha said, waving her hand around to indicate the empty restaurant. “We don’t have any customers right now and you’ve been working hard. Why don’t you put those dishes in the sink and then take a little break. Get you some lunch, too. You know you eat free here.”

“Ma’am, I can pay,” Amber countered.

Thankfully, it was true. She’d made good tips during lunch, and it felt nice to have a few dollars in her pocket.

But Marsha shook her head. “I won’t hear of it. Food is one of the perks of the job.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Amber said. “Thank you.”

She did exactly as told and five minutes later, she was sitting at a table with her two new friends with a turkey sandwich and some chips in front of her. Other dishes were available, but she’d purposely picked the cheapest and simplest option.

“So, you’re coming over tonight?” Mindy asked.

“Oh, the sleepover!” Amber said. “I forgot about that.”

“Is everything okay?” Mindy probed.

“Yeah. I’m super excited about it,” Amber replied. “I’ll be there!”

It wasn’t a lie. She was truly excited about spending time with Little friends. Having a sleepover was something she’d always dreamed of! But things had been left up in the air with Daddy with a big, fatTO BE CONTINUEDsign hung on what they’d started earlier.

That would just have to wait, though. She’d made these plans with Mindy and the other Littles first and she wasn’t going to back out. Her plans with Daddy would just have to wait.

They had time.

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