Page 94 of Starcrossed Colorado

“She’s hardly a guard dog.” But it was clear that Stella did not care for the dentist. Still, he’d helped us out, and I appreciated that. I stood, holding Maisie against me. “Thank you. I’ll just call Ashford, and he’ll come get us.”

I felt around in my pocket for my phone. But it wasn’t there.

Maisie looked up at me. “Emma, why was that man asking about Ayla? Did he mean the singer on your phone?”

My skin flushed. I couldn’t help glancing at Danny again. He was frowning at us, and his expression was far too knowing.

I dug into my bag, but I still couldn’t find my device. Had I dropped it somewhere? “My phone’s not here. I need to call Ashford.”

“I don’t have his number,” Danny said.

Seriously? My pulse sped up with impending panic. Should I go back and look for my phone? But I couldn’t take Maisie out there, and I didn’t want to leave her here with Danny.

He’d stepped in to help us, yet I didn’t feel safe right now. The dental office was quiet and dark. Nobody else was here.

And even though I couldn’t explain it, I had that same creeping feeling I’d had in the park.

Stella growled again.

“I think we should go,” I said. “That man is probably gone. We’ll walk home.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I can drive you myself.”

“Not necessary.”

“You’re being a little rude to the guy who saved you.” He smiled like that was a joke. But it didn’t feel like one. “For the second time, I might add.”

“Second time? When was the first?”

“Outside the brewery a couple weeks ago. When someone was following you. I scared him off.”

“That is not what happened,” I snapped. And why was I even arguing about this?

Maisie had hidden her face against my leg. She was scared. I reached down and picked her up, resting her weight against my hip. She was a slip of a thing, but still heavy. My arms strained to keep hold of her.

“You seem to find yourself in trouble a lot,” Danny commented. “Now you’ve lost your phone?”

“I must have dropped it. Please call Ashford and let him know where we are. I’m sure you have his number somewhere. Ask Piper for it.”

That same smug smile played across Danny’s lips. “Ashford and I are hardly friends.”

“Is that because of Lori?”

The smile dropped away, leaving cold assessment in its wake.

The sharp sound of knuckles banging on glass made us turn our heads. Ashford was right outside the door. The sight of him was like a drug in my veins, instantly filling me with relief.

“Unlock the door,” he shouted.

At an unhurried pace, Danny walked to the door and flipped the lock. Ashford yanked it open.

“What is going on? Are you both okay?” He strode over and pulled us into his arms, holding us tight.

Grace and Elias were behind him, both of them hovering anxiously outside on the sidewalk. I wasn’t sure yet how much they knew, or how they’d known to come for us, but I was grateful.

“We’re fine. A little freaked out.”

“Some guy was harassing them,” Danny cut in. “I got rid of him and brought them inside. Where exactly wereyou, O’Neal?”

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