Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
We came to check on you. Are you in Max’s house?
Her phone buzzed again.
They’re gone, Saylor. Are you okay? Can you let us in?
Bolting to her feet, Saylor raced for the door and threw it open. She stopped for a second to take in four women of various shapes and sizes who stood on Max’s doorstep with an enormous dog. The dog looked at her and woofed softly. That sound broke her paralysis.
Saylor stepped forward to hug the closest woman as she stammered her thanks. They all wrapped their arms around her, surrounding Saylor in a giant embrace that went straight to her heart. The women patted her back and reassured her that those awful people would never come back. Finally when she thought she could step away without crying, Saylor forced herself to back up.
“Thank you all,” she said, blinking her eyes. “I’m sorry I’m so emotional. That terrified me.”
“Those bitches are lucky that the guys weren’t here. They don’t put up with shit like that,” one brunette said, scowling. Saylor guessed immediately that she didn’t take crap from anyone.
“Wow, Giana. Your daddy would spank your bottom so hard for saying those naughty words,” a petite brunette with long hair said. “I’m Aspen. Jerico is my daddy. This is Rexy. Don’t be afraid of him. He’s a total sweetheart.”
Rexy stepped closer to Saylor and sniffed her hand when Saylor held it out to him. He lapped his pink tongue over her fingers and shifted to lean against Saylor’s leg. Saylor stroked his soft fur and returned the pressure to the sturdy canine. The giant dog grinned up at her.
“Rexy likes you. That tells us immediately that you’re a good person. I’m Brooklyn. My daddy is Caden.”
“I’m Giana. Sorry about my mouth. I hang out at work with a bunch of guys. They tend to swear a lot. Oh, my daddy is Koa.”
“Hi, I’m Pippa. Zale’s my daddy,” a brunette with curly hair said with a friendly wave.
“I can’t believe you all came over here and saved me from that crew. Would you all like to come inside so we can talk?” Saylor asked, hoping Max wouldn’t mind having his place invaded while he was away.
“We love Max’s house. He has a great swing set,” Pippa said.
“I haven’t seen it,” Saylor admitted as she led the group inside. “I haven’t known Max for long. You all probably think it’s weird that I’m here.”
“Why would we think that was strange?” Aspen asked. “Our guys don’t mess around when they find their…” She hesitated and Saylor guessed Aspen didn’t know how comfortable Saylor was with being called little.
“I’ve never been a little girl before,” she admitted. These ladies made her feel safe. She waved them toward the seating area. “Please make yourself comfortable. I’m floundering here. Hopefully, I’m not too awkward.”
“We all felt the same way when our daddies found us. I fought hard,” Giana admitted. “I’m a fire captain and met Koa when he set a grill on fire. Believe it or not, I was not ready to obey him.”
“Really? I guess if you have to set something on fire, a grill is one of the better things to ignite?” Saylor asked, settling into a chair. The group lounged comfortably on Max’s furniture while Rexy settled on the cool tile in the kitchen. They’d definitely spent time in here before.
“No fire is a good fire,” Giana said before rolling her eyes and adding, “I did notice him. Good thing he’s so handsome.”
“And daddyish?” Brooklyn teased.
Saylor loved the dynamic between the women. They were all obviously friends. She crossed her fingers in her lap. Please let me fit into the group.
“He’s definitely all daddy,” Giana agreed. “I miss him already.”
“How long are they usually gone?” Saylor asked.
“Forty-two days was the longest the team has been out in all the time I’ve lived with Jerico. It was the longest month and a half ever,” Aspen said with a sigh. “Rexy missed him a lot.”
“Not you, though?” Brooklyn teased.
“I missed him most of all. Rexy’s not a big cuddler. He hogs the covers,” Aspen shared, making everyone laugh. Rexy sighed heavily and flopped onto his side, taking up more space and increasing the delighted giggles from his audience.
“What kind of dog is Rexy?” Saylor asked.
“He’s a mixture of mastiff and Great Dane with a big sprinkle of best dog ever,” Aspen bragged. Rexy immediately thumped his tail happily on the floor.
“I can see that. He has very good manners,” Saylor complimented. Her fingers itched to capture the image of the dog’s abandon. It had been a long time since she’d had an irresistible desire to sketch. “Do you mind if I draw him?”
“Of course not! I forgot. Daddy mentioned you were the art teacher,” Aspen said.
Saylor remembered her sketchpad was in her portfolio in the trunk of her car outside. Were those women really gone? Steeling her nerves, Saylor stood and walked to the door. “I’ll be right back.” She hated that her hand shook slightly on the doorknob.