Page 59 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

“Do we get a turn with her?” another man asked. He was skinnier and had a long neck and long, lanky arms and legs.

“Maybe tomorrow. Tonight, she’s all mine,” Donnie said.

Panic gripped Amber. She had to get away from these people. No matter what it took, no matter what she had to do, she couldn’t let them drag her into that office.

I should have screamed back in Big Cedar, she thought. So what if he shot me? That would be better than this!

“Hey, where’s that stupid bear you always carried around?” the third man asked. “Don’t you want to hug him to make you feel better?”

They all laughed at this.

“Yeah,” Donnie chimed in. “Where’s your bear? Or did you throw it away after I ripped it up?”

“Honey’s right here,” a voice called in the darkness.

Amber froze. Was that…

Could it be?

Before her brain could process what was happening, the three thugs pushed off the office wall and stepped into the parking lot. She saw them looking around, trying to peer into the darkness to see what was happening. What she saw next chilled her to the bone.

They all three pulled guns from their waistbands.

Only they didn’t hold onto them long.

Amber heard a swooshing sound before she saw the first arrow. The projectile hit the big guy’s hand, causing him to cry in pain and drop his gun.

Two more arrows came quickly on the first’s heels. Three seconds later, the other two men had dropped their guns, too and were holding their bloody hands.

That’s when Daddy appeared out of the deep darkness, holding a bow.

“What’s going on?” Donnie asked, almost screaming the words.

Amber had to smile. Nowhis voicewas the one quivering. She could almost feel his fear.

Motion caught her eye and she turned her focus from her Daddy to the other forms emerging from the darkness and surrounding parking lot.

Joe. The town doctor. Those three firefighters. Sheriff Quinn.

She could only imagine what their hulking forms looked like to Donnie and his idiot lackeys. Apparently, they were quite intimidated because no one tried to reach for the fallen guns.

“You know, I’m pretty content staying up in the mountains,” Sawyer said as he stepped closer.

Amber noted Donnie stepping back a few paces. He’d let go of her arm moments earlier. Even he was probably smart enough to realize he was in a losing battle.

Sawyer continued, “I’ve got everything I need there. Hunting. Working the land and growing my trees and crops. I just want to be left alone. But every now and then, a dumbass like yourself comes around and makes me realize how much I enjoy kicking ass. So I should really thank you for this opportunity. But you took my babygirl, so I’m not going to show an ounce of mercy. In fact?—”

Sawyer’s movements were so quick and efficient that Amber didn’t even realize what was happening in great detail. A punch was thrown. A kick. Maybe more punches?

All she knew was that, in lightning speed, Donnie was on the ground, writhing in agony before his cries fell silent and his tongue hung from his open mouth.

“Is he?—”

“No, babygirl. Just knocked out cold,” Sawyer said as his powerful arms wrapped around her.

“Daddy!” she cried.

“Oh, babygirl. Daddy’s here.” He kissed the top of her head and swayed her.

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