Page 93 of Starcrossed Colorado

I tickled Maisie some more, but a sense of unease was growing in my stomach. Prickles spread over the back of my neck.

That feeling of being watched. Like I’d had on our first visit to the park, when I’d seen the man in the rain slicker.

I glanced around, not seeing anything suspicious. But the feeling only increased.

Still scanning the park, I dialed Ashford’s number on my phone. He didn’t answer. Which really wasn’t like him. Had a client reached out, last minute? Was he working?

But then why wouldn’t he let me know?

My instincts said something wasn’t right. And when it came to Maisie, I trusted my instincts. Especially after what Ashford had told me about Ayla Maxwell.

“Let’s head home, Maisie-doodle. We can meet your dad there.”

“Okay.” She’d gotten quiet in the last few minutes. Like she could feel it too.

I tried Ashford’s number again. It went to voicemail.

I stretched out my hand to Maisie. “Should we skip? Or walk backwards?”

She laughed. “Skip!”

We left the park, crossing to the opposite side of the street to walk on the sidewalk. The skipping only lasted a block. Then we walked, keeping a fast pace. We passed a stretch of businesses, including Dr. Carmichael’s dentist office.

Suddenly, a man stepped into our path. He was slightly taller than me, wearing dark trousers and a button-down shirt.

I stopped short, holding Maisie against my side. Stella backed up, growling low.

“Excuse me. Emma Jennings? Could we chat a moment about Ashford? I promise you, it’ll be worth your while.”

“You know my dad?” Maisie asked.

The man’s focus sharpened on her. “Hi, sweetheart. Are you Maisie? Have you seen your aunt Ayla?”

Protectiveness flooded my body. “Hey,” I barked at the man. “You need tostep back. Get away from us or I’m calling the police.” I tried to go around him, shielding Maisie on my other side, but the guy grabbed my elbow.

“A hundred thousand for an exclusive if you know where Ayla Maxwell is.”

I tried to pull my arm free of his grasp. “Let go of me.”

“Go away!” Maisie shouted and kicked at his shin.

“Emma,” another voice said behind me. “Come on. In here.”

I barely had time to register the fact that this was Danny Carmichael before he’d shoved the other man away. The reporter’s fingers dug painfully into my arm for another moment before he was forced to let go.

Danny steered me, Maisie, and Stella into the open door of his office. He closed and locked it. My ears rang with the sudden silence, and my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. I wondered if that man was still hanging around nearby. I assumed he was a reporter. He’d offered money for info on Ayla.

Which meant the media had found out about her connection to Ashford.

I had to tell him. This could be the exact situation he’d feared.

I knelt beside Maisie. “Are you all right, Maisie-doodle?”

“I didn’t like that man.”

“I know, me neither. But you were really brave.” I hugged her. “We’re okay now.”

Then Stella barked and growled. I glanced up to see Danny with his hands up, backing away. “I was just going to check on Maisie,” he said. “Can you call off your guard dog?”

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