Page 148 of Starcrossed Colorado

After insisting on his independence for years, Dane had finally agreed to go to work for his dad’s company. They invested in properties all over the world. I couldn’t imagine why they’d be interested in my hometown.

“Yep. Rumor has it the ski resort is looking for a new owner. They’ve got an expansion underway and a hotel most of the way finished, but it’s run into financial trouble. They can’t complete the project.”

I’d heard about that. “So you’re going to swoop in? I guess that would be good for the local economy and the people who work at the resort. As long as it doesn’t cause too much extra traffic.”

“I see a tremendous upside. Not just the investment. I’ve never met Emma or your brother or sister, and I haven’t seen Maisie since she was a baby. Just wanted to see how you felt about it. If you’d mind me showing up in your backyard.”

“Not at all. You’re always welcome. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I thought you were too much of a jet setter to bother with Silver Ridge, and I didn’t take that personally.”

Dane exhaled into the phone, pausing, and I sensed that he hadn’t liked what I’d said. “Maybe Silver Ridge is exactly what I need.”

“Then don’t let me stop you.”

“I wasn’t, actually. But I figured I’d try being polite.”

I tipped my head back and laughed.

Someone knocked at my office door, and it opened. “What’s so funny in here?” Emma asked.

I tilted my head, beckoning her closer. “My buddy Dane is on the phone.” I put him on speaker and introduced them. My chest lifted in pride, the way it always did whenever I had the chance to claim her as mine.

“Hey, Emma. Hoping to meet you in person soon.”

“Anytime. Ashford’s told me all about you.” She smiled at me.

I didn’t know what exactly was going on with Dane. But I hoped he would find his happy ending. Maybe even here in Silver Ridge.

I was sure I’d found mine.

Emma

I climbed onto the roof of the Big Blue Monster and shivered. “Springtime in the Colorado mountains sounds far more idyllic than it actually is.”

Maisie giggled. “Stella loves it!” Our dog bounded around the tiny square of space on the flat roof. Stella and Maisie were both riled up from the party. It was too cute.

Maisie’s party was over, and our guests had all finally gone home. Callum, Grace, and Ayla had stayed until the very end and helped us clean up. Then Ayla had to take off. Her driver had whisked her away to the nearest private airport. She had an event in London tomorrow.

Now, we were up on the roof for birthday stargazing. Ashford and I had bought Maisie a telescope. She loved the one at Ollie’shouse and had been begging for her own. Ashford had carried the box up earlier to assemble it.

“All of you be careful,” Ashford said, his head appearing as he mounted the ladder. “It could be icy.” Even though he’d cleared every inch of snow from the roof this morning.

“We’re being really careful, Daddy.” Maisie had a puffy coat and a beanie with a pom-pom on top. She clutched a thermos of cocoa in her mittens. “Come on, hurry. I want my hot chocolate.”

“Because you’re in desperate need of sugar? You ate every bite of that slice of birthday cake. Aunt Grace cut it way too big.” Ashford stepped up beside me, his arm going around my waist.

His daughter held out the thermos for him to unscrew the lid. “Ollie said I should get blue icing on my cake next time. It will turn my poop green!”

Ashford made a horrified face.

I couldn’t have held back my smile, even if I’d wanted to. They were so much stinking fun.

This was my first Colorado winter, and I’d loved every moment of it. Not so much the snow. I was tired of that. But Ashford and Maisie brought me more joy than I’d ever known I could feel. I didn’t regret turning down the internship Ayla had offered. Here in Silver Ridge, I taught music every day. My students challenged and delighted me. I had time to compose my own music and even perform on occasion.

And in between classes, Ashford and I snuck into the office downstairs for hot quickies.Ouroffice.

We had Maisie and Stella. There was nothing that could make our lives any better. Except maybe finding the same happiness for the rest of our friends in the Lonely Harts club.

Ashford fiddled with the telescope. “Okay, monkey. Let’s try it out.” He stepped back. The telescope stood on a stand, pointing upward at the sky. It was a clear night. Even though it wasn’t that late, a rich tapestry of stars already painted the sky.

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