Discovering Daisy (Little Star Cruises #2)

Chapter Two

The stranger strode closer, his jaw set hard, his gaze even harder.

It was as if he commanded the very air around him. He looked tough, capable, and ready for a fight if the situation called for it.

Suddenly, Daisy felt at ease. She didn’t know this man. She was putting her eyes on him for the first time in her life. Yet somehow, she just knew that everything would be okay.

“Give the young lady her stuffie back,” he said.

“Stuffie?” the guy spat.

The stranger nodded.

The guy was about to toss it to Daisy, but he stopped short, instead saying, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“The guy telling you to give it back. Now do as I said.”

The big man laughed, but it was obviously a forced display of bravado. He was clearly scared. He wasn’t ready to give in that easily, though. He still needed to save as much face as possible, lest his friends find him weak.

A tense moment passed.

“I’m going to ask you again,” the big man said, stepping a little closer and leveling a finger at the stranger. “Who are you?”

“Wyatt McCall.”

He said his name as if it meant something. That’s because around those parts, it did.

“Oh, shit,” one of the other men muttered.

Wyatt kept his unblinking eyes on the ragtag trio’s leader.

The man nodded and slowly passed Daisy the plush bear.

“Now apologize.”

The men all exchanged nervous glances but finally, after clearing his throat, the leader said, “Sorry, ma’am.”

The other two followed suit.

“We was just funnin’,” the leader said. “Wasn’t going to really do anything.”

“You think it’s fun to harass and threaten a woman?” Wyatt said. “I ought to kick your asses right here and leave you in that ditch over yonder. Vultures need to eat.”

The men gulped, their eyes wide with terror.

“Get out of here. And I don’t ever want to see you around here again,” Wyatt said.

The three men didn’t have to be told again. They hurried to their older model, mud-spattered dually pickup truck. They scrambled in and drove away just as quickly as possible, gravel flying from beneath the dual rear wheels on the back.

“Thank you!” Daisy said as she hugged Hedy.

“No need to thank me, ma’am. But you’re very welcome.” He looked at her car and nodded. “You need me to help with the spare?”

She looked bashful as she said, “Yes, sir. I told them I’d called roadside assistance, but it wasn’t true. I was just hoping they’d leave me alone.”

Wyatt grinned. “Normally, little girls should always tell the truth. But I reckon that was a good time to lie.”

She giggled. “I normally don’t lie, sir.”

He smiled. “Good girl. Now, let’s see about getting that spare on for you.”

It was when she was popping her trunk that she realized what Wyatt had just said and how she’d responded. Why was he talking like a Daddy? Did he know she was a Little?

“Is it okay if I take out these boxes and set them to the side? I’ll be careful,” he said, pulling Daisy from her silent questions.

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

He took out the three boxes, stacking them neatly against the car where they wouldn’t be harmed.

He rummaged in the trunk until he’d pulled the spare loose from its resting place. He winced after examining it. “I’m afraid we can’t use this. It has a hole in it, too.”

“It does?” she said, shocked.

He nodded. “See.” He held it out, his finger near the puncture. “But that’s okay. We can get you all fixed up.”

“Is there a mechanic’s shop nearby?” she asked.

“There’s one in town about ten miles away,” he said. “I use them a lot. They’ll get you squared away.”

“I hope it doesn’t take them too long to fix this. I’m not trying to be impatient, but I have to be in Florida soon.”

“I’m heading to Florida, myself. And I bet we’ll get you on the road quickly. No reason to worry.”

“Thank you, sir.”

He grinned. The affectionate look in his eyes testified to the fact that he clearly found her cute. “You don’t have to call me sir. I best officially introduce myself, though,” he said, offering his hand. “The name’s Wyatt McCall.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. McCall.” she said, “Daisy Mae Sutton.”

“Well, Daisy Mae, it’s very nice to meet you. And please, call me Wyatt. Now, let’s get you fixed up so we can both be on our way to Florida.”

At that moment, though, Daisy wasn’t sure she wanted her car fixed right away.

Because what she really wanted was to extend her time with the striking, handsome, sexy cowboy who was giving off all the Daddy vibes.