She watched the biker.
He watched her.
Every time someone stepped between them, Daisy leaned sideways until she could see him again.
The biker noticed.
So did the paramedic.
“Your granddaughter?”
The biker shook his head.
“Never seen her before tonight.”
The paramedic looked surprised.
The biker pointed toward Daisy.
“She saved my hide.”
Daisy looked down.
The deputy approached her.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
Daisy immediately stiffened.
The biker saw it.
He sat forward.
“What?”
The deputy lowered himself.
“Nothing bad.”
“Just need to figure out where her parents are.”
Daisy clutched Buttons.
The biker's eyes narrowed.
“Daisy.”
She looked at him.
“You've got somebody coming for you?”
Silence.
“Mom?”
Daisy lowered her head.
The biker understood before anyone spoke.
His voice softened.
“Dad?”
Nothing.
The deputy exchanged a look with the paramedic.
Daisy began breathing faster.
“No.”
The biker reached toward her.
Stopped before touching.
“What's wrong?”
“They'll take Buttons.”
The deputy frowned.
“Who?”
“The place.”
“What place?”
Daisy shook her head.
The biker looked at the deputy.
“Easy.”
The deputy nodded.
Daisy whispered:
“They hide him.”
“Who hides him?”
“The boys.”
Tears appeared.
“They said babies don't get bears.”
The biker's face changed.
Daisy hugged Buttons tighter.
“I ran.”
The deputy quietly stepped back.
The biker remained where he was.
“Daisy.”
She looked up.
“Nobody's taking your bear tonight.”
“Promise?”
He hesitated.
Promises mattered.
He could not control everybody.
So he chose carefully.
“I promise I will do everything I can to make sure Buttons stays with you.”
Daisy studied him.
Apparently that answer sounded honest enough.
She nodded.
“What’s your name?”
He smiled.
“Ray Mercer.”
“Ray.”
“Most people call me Bear.”
Daisy stared at his beard.
“That makes sense.”
Ray laughed.
Then immediately winced because his ribs hurt.
Daisy looked worried.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
“Other thing.”
He looked at her.
“What other thing?”
“When I jumped on you.”
Ray smiled.
“No.”
“You weigh about as much as my left boot.”
The paramedic laughed.
Daisy almost smiled.
The sheriff ran Daisy's information.
It took less than an hour to discover who she was.
Daisy Monroe.
Age seven.
Missing from county protective custody for nineteen days.
Her mother, Amanda Monroe, had died eight months earlier after a long illness.
Her father was not listed on the birth certificate.
Daisy had moved between emergency placements.
Then a temporary group residence.