Page 2 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

When she tried to do the same with Belinda, she saw that it was no use. The Little hadn’t hung around. Instead, she took off down the street, yelling, “She’s here, guys! She’s here!”

“Now, honey, don’t overwhelm Miss Palmer!” Clyde yelled.

But that was of no use, either. The woman kept calling out until others started to come outside of the various buildings and make their way into the street.

Mina smiled.

It looked as if the Big Cedar Welcoming Committee was coming out in full force. A moment later, they swarmed the shop and surrounded Mina.

“We’re so glad you’re here!” one told her.

“Wait until you see your office,” another chimed in. “It’s the coolest!”

“My name is Grace,” yet another Little said. “I already know you’re Mina. We’ve been waiting on you!”

“Girls, girls,” Clyde called, holding up his hands as he stepped closer. “Don’t overwhelm our newest resident. She just got into town a minute ago.”

“He’s right,” a new voice said.

Mina looked to see a handsome, strapping man in boots, jeans, a black t-shirt, and a Stetson stroll onto the scene, his demeanor easygoing while still commanding respect. The star he wore pinned on his chest gleamed in the high sun until he ducked into the garage.

“But Daddy!” one of the women cried. “We’re just excited.”

The lawman chuckled. “I’m glad, honey. But as Clyde said, Mina just got here. She’s had a long drive. We should let her get settled in.”

“Thank you, sir, but I don’t mind,” Mina spoke up. “I’m excited to be here.”

The lawman nodded. “We’re happy you’re here, too. I’m Quinn Hardin, the sheriff of Big Cedar. I guess you met Clyde.”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “He’s very nice. Everyone here seems to be.”

The women all giggled.

“Seems her car is going to need a little work,” Clyde said, casting his eyes to the still-rising steam. “But that won’t be a big deal.”

Mina wasn’t so sure about that. The smell of burnt oil hung heavy in the air. She wasn’t an expert like Clyde was, so she’d leave all that to him.

As if on cue, the car popped and a fizzling sound could be heard.

“Ah, we’ll get ‘er,” Clyde said reassuringly as he waved it off.

The sheriff’s Little tugged on his arm. “Introduce us, Daddy!”

He chuckled and said, “Well, I guess we can?—”

But before he could finish, a commotion interrupted the proceedings. Mina looked out of the garage and gasped. Her reporter instincts taking over, she hurried outside to see if she was really seeing what she thought she was.

Sure enough, a horse was running down Main Street. Behind it was a pickup truck, coming up on the animal fast.

And they were both headed straight toward her.

CHAPTERTWO

“Hold it steady,” Slater McCall yelled as he struggled to maintain his balance while standing in the bed of the pickup.

It was no easy feat, since the truck was barreling down Main Street in pursuit of a runaway horse.

“That’s what I’m trying to do!” Jackson Hayes called from behind the wheel. “But if you go and get yourself hurt again, I’m going to pull your pants down and spank your bottom myself!”

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