Big Daddy Sheriff (Big Cedar Daddies #1)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Why can’t we play outside?” Mindy asked.

Joe, stocking a shelf in the back room of the store, just shook his head but didn’t look away from his work as he answered. “I suspect those guys aren’t coming back to town. But just to be on the safe side, stay in for a while.”

“For how long?”

The tone of her question caused him to finally stop his work and look her way. “For as long as your Daddy says. Now, do we need to talk about this any further?”

The meaning of the question wasn’t lost on the Little. She gulped and said, “No, Daddy.”

“Good girl.”

Joe went back to stocking the shelf. Mindy grumbled under her breath as she trudged back toward the other women. In a play area set up along the back wall, Janie, Belinda, and Aylssa sat at a big, oversized plastic table, coloring.

“This sucks,” Janie complained.

“Sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to ruin things for everyone,” Alyssa said.

“Hey, we didn’t mean it like that.” Janie frowned.

“Yeah,” Mindy added. “This isn’t your fault.” She squeezed her new friend’s hand.

The door opened and Quinn strolled in, along with some of the other men from around town. Alyssa recognized three guys as the ones she’d seen at the café. The other was introduced to her as Doc Worden. She gave him a little wave. He smiled back, nodding in greeting, but then turned his focus to the other men as they started talking.

Alyssa stepped toward them. She hadn’t been invited to the conversation, but she figured it pertained to her.

She was right.

“We searched the town and there’s no sign of anyone else,” Quinn said. “I reckon those fellas won’t be coming back. Not anytime soon, at least.” He looked in the direction of the coloring Littles and said, “Obviously, they’re not mine to give orders to. This one is, though.” He smiled as he took hold of Alyssa’s arm and gently tugged her toward him.

It felt good to hear him say that.

Yes, she was his.

And would be forever.

It didn’t matter that they’d only known each other for a matter of days. It was something her soul somehow just understood.

“I’ll feel better if my cutie has someone keeping an eye on her for a while. At least the rest of today,” Quinn said. “Might be best for all the cuties, if y’all want my advice.”

“Yep. That goes for my Janie,” Doc said.

“That means we have to be cooped up inside all day!” Janie cried. She threw a crayon in frustration.

“Watch it, little girl. I might just prescribe a spanking for that cute tushy of yours,” Doc said. “Now pick the crayon up and fix that attitude or you’ll be mighty sorry.”

“Yes, Sir,” Janie said as she sheepishly rose from her chair and retrieved the thrown crayon.

“Besides,” Doc said, “we never said y’all had to stay inside.”

“That’s right,” Quinn agreed. “Girls, our brave fire department has volunteered to keep an eye on you all when you’re outside. Of course, we’ll be around, too. Between all the men here, we have you well covered. And you can be in the playground on your own. It’s locked. No one can get to you in there.”

The women looked at each other. Janie shrugged and said, “That sounds reasonable.”

“Oh it does, does it?” Doc teased with a smile.

Janie giggled. “Not that we have much of a choice. Daddies know best.”

“We sure do. And don’t you forget it,” Doc said.

Quinn flashed Alyssa a look that told her that went for her, too.

When the Littles were at the playground, Quinn met Joe and Doc back in the store.

They were in the front part now. Quinn took an old-fashioned candy stick from a barrel, put the dollar to cover the cost on the counter, and then unwrapped it as he said, “I didn’t want to alarm the girls. But I have a feeling those men will come back. Or someone who works with them, at least.”

He'd already filled them—along with the three firefighters—in on what Alyssa had shared with him.

“Sure is a shame she’s having to go through all this,” Joe said.

“Yep. Y’all know I’d never hit a woman. But damn it, if I could get my hands on that Lana lady, I’d lock her up so fast she wouldn’t know what hit her,” Quinn growled.

“A Daddy will do whatever he needs to in order to protect his Little,” Joe replied. “No one would fault you for that.”

Quinn took a moment to savor the fruity candy stick. He pulled it out of his mouth and said, “I get the impression she’s not telling me something.”

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Finally, Doc said, “I don’t claim to be an expert. Not about being a Daddy, at least. That doesn’t fall under the purview of modern medicine. But I can tell you what I’ve learned. And that is that Littles need a firm hand to guide them.”

“Remember the other day when the girls had those fireworks?” Joe grinned. “You let ‘em off easy. Sure, it was cute. But… Well, I’m just saying if you give Littles an inch…”

“I know,” Quinn said. “They’ll take a mile.”

Both of the other men nodded.

“You’ve got this. You’re going to be a great Daddy to that young lady,” Doc said. “But don’t let her get away with anything. It’s best you lay down the law now.”

“To set the tone from the very beginning.”