Page 17 of Starcrossed Colorado

He shrugged like he didn’t believe that.

My frustration broke through.

“What’s your issue with me, really?” I asked. “Is it that I’m young, and you think that makes me irresponsible? Is it that I’m not from here? Or you’re judging me because my car broke down? What?”

“I don’t have an issue with you. Not a personal one.”

“Bullshit.” I sighed and grabbed my bag. I’d had enough of him for today. Maybe Ashford wasn’t a terrible guy, but he didn’t seem to think much of me. “I’ll be back later.”

“On the first of the month.”

“Nope. Before. So we can plan where my stuff will go.”

He made a grumbly sound. Too bad. I didn’t need his permission to be here.

When the summer ended, he could rejoice that I was gone if he wanted. For now, I was sticking around Silver Ridge. He had to get used to it. I wasn’t going anywhere.

SIX

Ashford

“Daddy,is it time to wake up yet?”

Inside, I wanted to shoutnoand hide my head under my pillow. But I was a grown man and a father. So instead, I pretended to be asleep.

Maisie stood beside my bed. I could feel her staring at me. “Daddeeeee.” She poked my forehead. “It’s light outside. I want to go down and see if Emma and Stella are here yet. Can I?”

Groaning, I sat up and rubbed my face. “No, you may not. Emma won’t be here for a couple hours at least. It’s too early.”

“But I’m dressed already. And I made breakfast.”

I blinked, eyes adjusting to the familiar sight of my daughter. She’d put on the fancy dress Grace had bought her last Christmas, and she’d styled her unbrushed hair with a unicorn headband, complete with plastic horn. I hoped the kitchen wasn’t too awful of a mess right now.

“Breakfast, huh? Enough for me?”

“Of course. I made lots.”

Oh, boy. “But I’m too hungry to wait.” I lunged forward to grab her. “And you’re so sweet.”

“I’m not!” Maisie shrieked and laughed as I carried her out of my room, pretending to chew on her midsection.Now, I was awake.

A little while later, we were eating soggy cereal at the kitchen table. Maisie had only left a small puddle of milk on the counter. A few flakes on the floor. Could’ve been worse. She hadn’t quite filled the cereal bowls to the brim, but it was close.

It had only been a week since Emma had arrived in Silver Ridge, and my kid was already obsessed with the new music teacher. Every day, it wasEmma thisandEmma that.

In fact, it seemed like the whole town had caught the same bug.

Yesterday had been Emma’s first parent-and-tot class. The room had hit capacity, which meant babies and toddlers were crawling everywhere when I’d spied on her through the one-way window.

Because I had no shame. Or, apparently, better things to do.

The people of Silver Ridge justlovedEmma Jennings. Meanwhile, I’d been working my ass off for years to build my customer base. When I’d complained about the situation, Grace had told me to trysmiling more. Then she’d cackled maniacally.

Real funny.

It wasn’t that I disliked Emma Jennings on a personal level. I didn’t have an “issue” with her like she’d claimed. Couldn’t a guy just be a curmudgeon in peace?

Maisie perked up. “I think I heard something. Is it Emma?”

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