Page 60 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

Approaching sirens were heard and Donnie’s men instantly raised their hands and sank to their knees, as if they had practice with this sort of thing.

Amber didn’t care what happened to them. She was safe with Daddy now. That was all that mattered.

“You came for me,” she cried. “You all came for me!”

The crew from Big Cedar smiled and nodded.

“You’re one of us, honey,” Sheriff Quinn said. “We’re your family now.”

“That’s right,” Sawyer said. He grinned at his friend. “And maybe I don’t hate coming down form my mountain quite as much as I let on.”

They all laughed.

“You just don’t like coming to a big city like this,” Cane said. “Who would? Get me back to the mountains and pronto.”

They all agreed.

“And guess who else came,” Sawyer said. “Honey and Jazzie. Waiting in Quinn’s pickup over there.”

“Is Honey okay?” the Little asked.

“Good as new. Quinn drove and I patched her up on the road. That was good thinking, giving me that signal. You’re one smart Little girl.”

She giggled as she hugged Daddy again.

Police officers and first responders came onto the scene, filling the dingy parking lot with blue and red lights. Amber ran to her stuffies and hugged them tightly, too, before getting another hug from Daddy.

Somehow, just like that, life was perfect again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

It was a week later when the town of Big Cedar hosted a picnic for all its residents.

“What are we celebrating?” Amber asked.

“That you’re home,” Sawyer told her, holding her hand as they walked toward the tables that were set up in the long, wide driveway in front of the firehouse. “And that it’s a beautiful spring day.”

He was right,Amber thought. It sure was. Birds were chirping. The sun was shining. The trees that covered the mountains were alive and green. The scent of blooming flowers was heavy in the air.

It was most definitely a beautiful spring day. Darn near perfect. And what made it even better was that she was with Daddy and all the people she’d grown to love.

She had a family now. And they’d be together forever.

Her focus shifted to Quinn as he held up his hands to get everyone’s attention. It seemed almost everyone in town was there, even some people she hadn’t met yet. She looked forward to making new friends.

But first, the sheriff wanted to speak, so she listened when he said, “Y’all, it’s been a long winter but that’s behind us now. Wegathered here to celebrate new and old friends. And the coming tourism season. I’m thankful for you all and thankful to the Almighty that we get to live in Big Cedar.”

Everyone cheered.

Unable to contain herself, Amber yelled, “It’s heaven on earth!”

The crowd cheered and applauded again.

“I couldn’t say it better myself. So, with that in mind,” the sheriff said, “let’s eat!”

As everyone went toward the tables of food, Amber took a moment to hug Sawyer.

“I love you, Daddy.”

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