Page 131 of Starcrossed Colorado

“That’s one sad story. Lori’s accident.” Judson shook his head, which was bare. He’d left his cowboy hat in the backseat. “And then Elias’s wife leaving him, when was it, a year or so later? That’s the Lonely Harts club. If you’re looking for sad stories, we’ve got plenty of ’em. As many as an old cowboy song.”

“What’s yours? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind necessarily. But this conversation is enough of a downer. I’ll tell you mine another time.” His lips twitched in a half-smile. “Ah, here we go.”

A couple of motorcycles were waiting by the side of the road up ahead. As we passed, they roared to life, both their headlights and their red and blue police lights flaring.

Chief Landry had arranged for a couple of Colorado State Patrol motorcycle units to help us out. They pulled onto the road, closing in on the media vans still on our tail.

Judson’s smile grew. “I was speeding, and those vans were keeping pace. By the time CSP is done issuing warnings and running their plates, I’ll have dropped you off and I’ll be heading back the other way.”

I relaxed more into my seat, glad we’d gotten rid of the reporters. But I wasn’t going to feel secure until all of this was finished and Ashford had arrived to join us.

Judson pulled into a driveway leading to a two-story farmhouse with all its windows lit. The house had wooden siding, a wraparound porch, and intricate Victorian trim. “This is beautiful,” I said.

“Used to be a ranch. Almost as big as my family’s. I think Elias’s grandparents bought it originally, but they sold off parts of it over the years.”

A huge barn sat across from the house, along with a couple of other smaller wooden buildings.

Judson parked beside the other trucks already here. I grabbed my pack from the backseat. Slinging the strap over my shoulder, I walked toward the house.

A bark came from the porch. Stella was tied to the railing. I jogged up the steps, bending to pet her. “Hey girl, what are you doing out here? Were you being naughty in Elias’s nice house?”

The front door opened, and Piper stepped out. “Poor baby has been upset since the moment we arrived. I wasn’t sure what to do. Giving her treats didn’t help.”

“That’s okay.” I stood and squeezed Piper’s arm affectionately. “How’s Maisie?”

“She’s watching a movie.”

Elias appeared behind Piper in the open doorway. “Emma! Good, you’re here. I set up Maisie in my office.”

Stella lowered her head and growled. Elias took a step back.

“But I don’t think Stella likes me.” He gave her a lopsided smile, and Stella barked, making him flinch.

“It’s probably not you,” I said. “There’s been a lot of excitement and stressful energy going around.”

I knew Stella didn’t like Danny Carmichael. But had she ever gotten upset around Elias before? I couldn’t remember. Stella had been to Flamethrower Burgers plenty of times when Elias was there. Except she’d always been outside.

Elias took my bag and carried it in, while I calmed Stella down. It helped when Elias went upstairs. Teller was in the living room on the phone, and Stella didn’t seem to mind him. She’d been fine when Teller and Piper had been at the apartment earlier.

“Maisie’s in this room,” Piper said, showing me the way.

After greeting Maisie and asking her to keep Stella with her, I went back out to the living room, where the others were all waiting.

“Need anything else?” Piper asked. “If not, we’re going to take off. Ollie is at Dixie’s, and I want to hurry and pick him up before he breaks something.”

“We’re good.” I hugged Piper and Judson goodbye. Then figured, what the heck, and hugged Teller too. He smiled stiffly.

I checked the time. Ashford and Ayla were still at the Big Blue Monster, waiting a while before they set out toward Hartley.

A floorboard squeaked, and I realized Elias was standing there. Now that our friends had left, it was just the two of us in the entryway.

“I put you in the guest room. Upstairs to the left. I assumed Ashford would be sharing a bed with you.” Elias laughed. “You’re blushing. Sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t.”

“Ashford could bunk with me if that’s better.”

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