Page 115 of Starcrossed Colorado

“It’ll be hard not to. My apartment isn’t that big.”

She clasped her hands together, eyes shining. “Thank you.Thank you. I promise, Ashford. You won’t regret this.”

I really hoped not. Because I already had too many regrets at the moment.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Emma

The Last RefugeInn and Tavern was perched on a mountainside, with a view of Hartley’s commercial district in the valley below and panoramic vistas in the distance.

Yet it did nothing for my inspiration. The only melody running through my head was a lonesome one. Sad enough to break your heart. Even my journal hadn’t been helping.

I left the deck and went inside, where the staff was preparing for breakfast. My aunt Jessi bustled around giving directions, looking more beautiful than ever with a healthy blush in her cheeks and a small baby bump under her dress.

“Jessi, can I do anything?” I asked. Just like I had for the past couple of mornings. And just like the past two days, she gave me the same answer.

“Nope. Park yourself at one of the tables. I hope you’re hungry.”

I wasn’t hungry, exactly. But was I going to turn down any of Jessi or Aiden’s incredible cooking? No, I was not.

Grace had dropped me off at Jessi’s Diner on Main Street. From there, I had called my aunt and uncle to give me a ride here to Last Refuge. Jessi and Aiden owned the diner, but this place on Refuge Mountain was their pride and joy.

The main building that housed the restaurant had once been part of a ranch. It was a log-cabin style, with wide plank floors and open rafters. The hotel side was a more modern addition, but they’d kept the mountain cabin aesthetic, with warm colors, fireplaces, and lots of wood.

I’d been here last year for their wedding outside on the deck, overlooking that breathtaking view. But I didn’t know Jessi well, and the last couple of days with her had been nice. Just getting to hang out and get to know her. Uncle Aiden rarely came out of the kitchen, where he was head chef, but they had both made me feel welcome. I wasn’t technically a blood relation to either of them, since Aiden was my stepmom’s brother, but I didn’t feel any difference.

I was beyond thankful for them. They’d made special food for Stella. I’d taken her out first thing this morning to run in the woods, and now she was lounging back in my room. So spoiled.

I had no doubt that Jessi and Aiden had seen that article along with everyone else in my family, so there couldn’t be too much of a mystery about why I had suddenly turned up on their doorstep. But they hadn’t pushed me for explanations.

I still didn’t know what to say for myself. Just like I hadn’t known what to tell Ashford. I didn’t want him worrying about me.

Of course, being away from him had only emphasized the fact that I was head-over-heels in love with the man. And how selfish would it be to tell him that now? When he had so much else to deal with?

Anything I could do to help Ashford and Maisie, I would. Even if that meant staying away from them.

Jessi brought over a couple plates of biscuits and gravy. “Mind if I sit down and eat with you? I need to get off my feet, or Aiden will come out here and boss me around. I like to maintain the aura that I’m the one in charge around here.”

“I certainly wouldn’t mind the company.”

She slid into the seat across from me. “I bet. Seems like you have a lot on your mind. If you need a friendly ear to share the burden, you just let me know.”

“Thank you. I should’ve come here to visit sooner, not just when I needed to escape.”

“Don’t even mention it. When I came up with the idea for Last Refuge, that’s exactly what I wanted it to be. An escape, a very literal one. You know we take people in, right? Anyone who needs help. Especially women and children. We protect them.”

“I know. This place is amazing.” They also had a lot of security. Both a state-of-the-art system and several beefy guys patrolling the premises at all times. Even if a reporter figured out I was here, they wouldn’t get very far.

Jessi and Aiden were the best.

Plus, the food here was so dang good.

We both dug into breakfast. Someone had already poured me a cup of coffee, and I sipped it between bites. Maisie would’ve loved these fluffy biscuits. They had a hint of sage. She wasn’t always an adventurous eater, but when I could coax her into taking a taste…

Ugh, I had been doing that a lot. Letting my mind wander like it was still summer, and Maisie and Ashford were still a daily part of my life.

I wanted them to be. I just didn’t see how to make it happen.

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