Page 48 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

“Do I need to go to Oklahoma City and kick this guy’s ass?”

She laughed, a sound he loved.

“No. He didn’t do anything to me. But he hung out with the guy who owned the apartment complex.”

“Did that guy hurt you?” Sawyer instantly regretted asking the question. If the answer was yes, he didn’t want to force her to relive painful memories.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, because she said, “No. But I think he wanted to. His name’s Donnie. Donnie Bradley. He… anyway… he had this crazy idea of me and him being, like, together. But I always ignored his advances. It made him so mad!”

She was silent for a moment and Sawyer could almost feel the heaviness that she herself seemed to be feeling.

“I think he sold drugs and stuff. Like… was a pimp or whatever. And I think he wanted me to do… all that.”

Sawyer exhaled sharply, trying hard to keep his anger in check, and then asked, “He’s the one who ripped your stuffie, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He… hurt Honey. But you fixed her!”

Sawyer made a mental note that perhaps he should look into this Donnie Bradley guy. Some wannabe thug named Donnie who owned a shitty apartment complex wouldn’t be too hard to track down. Maybe he needed to drive to Oklahoma City and put this asshole out of business.

Or maybe he should do the smart thing and let local law enforcement deal with it. Going all vigilante wouldn’t help Amber. His Little girl was the most important thing now. He had to consider her in everything.

It was obvious by the fading tone of Amber’s voice that she was tired. She didn’t need bad dreams, so he figured it was best not to talk about that stuff anymore. So, he let the subject die.

They drove on for another few minutes until he brought the vehicle to a stop in front of his place, killed the engine, and looked over at her while caressing her cheek.

“I know a sweetpea that’s sleepy.”

She yawned. “But I want to be with you, Daddy.”

He shook his head. “We’ll have plenty of time to… cuddle… in the morning.” He winked.

She giggled.

Amber was almost too much cuteness for him to handle.

“I’m not tired,” she protested.

“Honey, you’re so tired your eyes will barely stay open.”

Her smile drove him wild. It was a sleepy smile, but still just as cute as could be.

“I’m wide awake.”

“Nice try. Do I need to carry you to bed? You’re already in your PJs, so all I need to do is tuck you in.”

She yawned and nodded. “Daddy, I want to sleep in your bed.” She poked his bicep.

“That was never in question,” he told her.

With that, he got out, went around to her side, scooped her into his arms, and carried her right to bed.

All they’d do tonight, however, was sleep. Who knew what the morning would hold?

Sawyer had a pretty good idea, though.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Amber awoke the following morning with the first light.

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