Page 55 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

She sighed once again as he kissed the top of her head several times.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Are you sure that snake won’t come back for me?”

He laughed. “Oh. He might be around here looking for food. With the Colliers away so long, there’s bound to have been some rodents.”

“There were. I found their droppings,” she said.

“That snake has just figured out this is a place to catch a good meal. Besides, there’s tons of snakes out here.”

“Really?”

“Yep. But they’ll leave you alone if you leave them alone. For the most part. Still, always be careful. That snake didn’t want to hurt you.” He kissed her again. “You should name him. You’re good at picking out names, remember? That reminds me, you still need to name the Bronco.”

“Oh yeah! How about Patsy? It’s a classic name but that Bronco is a classic truck. So I don’t think it’s clichéd. And we play Patsy Cline at the diner quite a bit. I think it works.”

“I like Patsy,” Sawyer told her. “But what about the snake?”

“Hmm.” She thought for a moment before finally looking up at Daddy and saying, “Mr. Slithers.”

His eyes lit up as he smiled. He looked absolutely yummy with those dimples of his.

What he said next melted her heart, even though she’d heard it before.

“I love you, babygirl.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

As they stayed on that swing, she reflected on how perfect life had become. Even though her bottom still burned, she’d never felt so loved and protected in her whole life.

Maybe Big Cedar was heaven.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The next couple of days passed with Amber and Sawyer settling into a new routine.

She stayed with him at night but spent time each day working around the cabin. On that third day, she had a shift at the diner and was happy when she saw Marsha again.

“I’m going to need you for the next three days, hon, if you’re available,” the owner told her.

“I’m available whenever you need me, ma’am. I’m just grateful for the job. And that you let Honey and Jazzie come!” She looked to where her stuffies were sitting on a stool against the wall behind the counter.

“They’re always welcome,” Marsha said.

Customers began to come in and the two got busy. During the day’s lunch rush, Amber got to meet the three firefighters and their girlfriend, Daisy. How cool was that? she marveled silently. They all shared the woman and somehow, the relationship seemed to be working great, if their happy natures were any indication.

Once things settled down at the diner and the place was empty of patrons, Marsha looked at the clock. “Hon, I need to getover to the bank before four. Are you all good here if I run down the road? It’s one town over, but I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

“Yes, ma’am. Would you like me to clean the kitchen?”

“That would be great. You’re already an expert at this job. Who knows, Amber? Maybe one day you’ll be running this place.”

The Little grinned. She couldn’t imagine owning her own diner! But maybe…

Marsha left with the deposits, leaving only Amber, Honey, and Jazzie at the restaurant. Forty-five minutes later, Amber had the place spotless.

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