Big Daddy Firemen (Big Cedar Daddies Book 2)

“All clear,” Austin announced.

He’d just finished looking around Daisy’s bedroom, even searching under her bed just to be thorough. Walker and Cane had searched the rest of the house, and now they were spilling in through the open door, each man eager to be the one to tuck Daisy in for the night.

“All my blinds and curtains are closed, right?” Daisy asked, trying to remember.

“Yes. All closed,” Walker confirmed. “I made sure myself.”

“I double checked,” Cane said. “Your whole house is ready for you to get a good night’s sleep.”

Daisy sat down on her bed and chewed on the inside of her cheek as she thought about everything. Finally, after a few tense seconds, she said, “It’s silly to be afraid of Bigfoot. I mean, you’d expect that sort of thing from a Little. But not from me.”

The guys exchanged knowing glances before looking back at her.

“Honey, look at me,” Austin said. Daisy brought her head up until her big, brown eyes met his. “That wasn’t Bigfoot Belinda saw. There’s no such thing.”

“I know. It’s just that… well, there are so many legends down here,” she countered, not bothering to elaborate.

It was Cane who spoke up next. “Yeah, every shop around here sells Bigfoot plush dolls, t-shirts, and keychains. Half of ‘em have Bigfoot statues for the tourists to pose with. But that’s all it is—a local tall tale for the tourists.”

“Brings a lot of people down here and gets us a lot of money,” Walker pointed out. “Even have local festivals. You know how it goes.”

Daisy nodded but the guys’ words did little to steady her jittery nerves.

“Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?” Austin asked.

“Of course.”

None of the men looked convinced as they continued to stare down at her.

Another few moments of silence ticked off the clock.

“What if it is a bear? Will it break into my house?” she wondered aloud.

All three men shook their heads, but it was Cane who answered. “Black bears don’t hurt anything. I mean, I wouldn’t corner one—especially if it’s a mama with cubs—but otherwise, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Heck, I’ve seen one scamper up a tree in someone’s backyard because a French poodle charged it.”

The mental image of that made Daisy giggle. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

“Honey, you took the call! Remember?” Cane said. “The property owner didn’t know what to do, so we responded. Quinn came, too, but it wasn’t until a local game warden showed up and shot the thing with a tranq that we were able to get it down.”

Daisy nodded as she remembered. “It wasn’t hurt, was it?”

“No, honey,” Cane replied. “Just got him down from the tree and took him deeper into the woods. He was just looking for food. You’ve been around these parts long enough to know they just want to rummage through your trash cans. But they’re not about to break into your house unless you cook a big roast or something and leave your back door open, just inviting them in.”

“True,” Daisy acknowledged. “Thank you for walking me home and checking the house. I’m fine now. I promise.”

“You sure?” Austin questioned.

“Yep. All good.” She gave a little nod, trying to convince them. And herself.

“Alright. I would tuck you in,” Walker said, “but we want you to lock that deadbolt when we leave. And if you need anything, call us.”

“Ah, man,” Cane said. “I didn’t think about that lock. I wanted to see her looking all cute in her little jammies and then be the one to pull those covers up tight around her.”

Daisy momentarily forgot about her fear as she started giggling for the umpteenth time that evening. The guys just had that effect on her.

“I can tuck myself in,” she told them. She hoped she’d kept the disappointment she felt from being obvious. She’d much rather them do it, but that was just a dream.

It’ll never happen, Daisy. You know how they are. They flirt, but that’s all there is to it. They’re just messing around.

“Goodnight,” she said, standing up and starting to escort them out of the bedroom.

They made it across the small, cozy cottage-style house in just a few seconds. She started to open the front door when Walker said, “Whoa there, little lady. You think you’re getting rid of us without hugs?”

“No,” she said.

“Then come here.” He held his arms out and she hugged him yet again. It was a lingering embrace and she was feeling all kinds of warm and flustered when she went into Cane’s arms. She repeated the process, hugging Austin last.

She felt more at ease now. Not to mention aroused.

Her panties were so freaking wet!

“Be a good girl and lock this door the second we’re out,” Walker told her. “Understand me?”

“Yes, Daddy,” she said in a somewhat mocking tone, smirking at him the entire time.

“I like the sound of that,” Walker said.

She thought of telling him she was only playing, but instead just blushed as she opened the door for them. They filed past and she fought the urge to reach out and latch onto each one.

“Goodnight,” she told them.

“Goodnight,” they replied in unison.

She smiled, waved, and then closed the door. She was a good girl and locked it just as Walker had told her to.

That didn’t do much to ease her fear, though.

She ran to her room, hurried to get free of her makeup and clothes, and then brushed her teeth. Wearing just a short tank top and panties, she climbed beneath the covers and pinched her eyes shut tightly, trying to will herself to go to sleep.

All she saw, though, were images of a snarling, hairy beast peering in her windows, its yellow eyes and matching yellow fangs sizing her up for its next meal.

She threw the covers off, reached for her phone from the nightstand and tore it from the charger. Austin was the first name in her contacts, so that’s who she called.

“Hey. I’m sorry to bother you. But I’m kind of scared and⁠—“

“Honey, open your front door,” Austin said.

“What?”

“Just open your door and take a look.”

She hurried into the living room, worked the locks, and swung the door open. There, on her front porch, with Cane and Austin in the two wicker chairs that rested on either side of a small table, and Walker leaning against a column, were the three firefighters.

“What are y’all still doing here?” she asked with a laugh.

“You weren’t fooling us, little girl. You were scared. So, we stayed,” Austin explained.

“You want us to stay here or you to stay at the firehouse?” Walker asked.

“It makes more sense for me to stay with y’all,” Daisy pointed out. “Here, y’all would have to sleep on the floor. There’s an extra room for me over there, though.”

“Too bad about that extra room,” Cane said. “I’d rather you be with me.”

“Hey, if she sleeps in anyone’s bed, it’ll be mine,” Austin said, jerking his thumb toward his chest.

“Now, honey.” Walker pushed off the column and stepped closer. “I think you’re as cute as can be, but you need to get dressed before we walk you back to the firehouse. While I would love the view, it’s too chilly out here for that cute little bottom of yours to be so exposed.” His eyes fell to her cheeky underwear. The way she was standing, he had a few of her side, and she immediately started flushing as she realized her state of undress.

She covered her mouth as the men appraised her. She waited for their faces to morph into masks of disgust. They’d never be unkind to her, but some things you just can’t hide. She’d be able to read the revelation in their eyes.

But it never came. Instead, it was more than a little evident, based upon their approving smiles, that they liked the view.

I’m not sure why. I’m getting chunky and frumpy. Yuck! I’m surprised they aren’t shielding their eyes before they vomit!

She tried to forget about her self-doubts, though, focusing on enjoying the night. She would be in the firehouse, with the guys.

And something told her that, despite not being a Little, she’d sleep like a baby.