Page 104 of Moonlit Colorado

I snorted, nearly choking on the burrata I’d just stuffed in my mouth. “Dane feeds me a lot of cheesecake.”

She barked a laugh, making a few heads turn toward us and do double-takes. “Oh God, that is not what I meant. Though your curves are rocking, make no mistake.” We both kept giggling. When we’d calmed down, she said, “I mean, your energy is bigger. You’re more confident.”

I set down my fork, considering. “I feel more confident. I like who I am with Dane. Someone who takes risks. Tries things that are exciting and different.”

“New York is an ideal place for that.”

“I do want to go home soon, though. I miss Silver Ridge so much.”

“What about Dane?”

“That is a good question. A year ago, I would’ve said I could never trust a man enough to get this close to him. But Ireally, really like him.”

Ayla smiled. “As someone who has trouble finding people she can trust, I know how significant it is for you to say that. I bet you two will work it all out. If there’s trust, if there’slove, then the rest of the details fall into place. At least, that’s how it went for Ashford and Emma. Means the rest of us have some hope, right?”

I was nodding along before that four-letter word hit me.Love. The biggest risk of all.

A thread of fear snaked its way into my heart.

Thankfully, Ayla kept talking about Ashford and Emma, so I didn’t have to dwell on my uncertainty.

My brother and his fiancée had finally set a date in February for their wedding. Ayla lamented that her schedule had been so difficult to work with, but she was excited to be going. “It’s on my calendar,” she said. “Nothingis going to keep me from being there.”

“Except maybe a snowstorm. February in the mountains isn’t the ideal time to hold a big event.”

“Are you kidding? I love a winter wedding. So romantic. Also, don’t talk about storms. Don’t you dare jinx this. I already bought my dress and everything.”

I laughed. “No, you’re right. Positive thoughts. Maisie is going to be the cutest flower girl in history, and there’s no way I would want you to miss that.”

“Is Dane going to be there too?”

I took a sip of my water, trying to act nonchalant even though nerves swirled in my stomach. “I’m sure he’s invited. Guess we’ll have to see. What about you? Bringing a plus one?”

“Not planning on it. I’ll be too busy with Aunt Ayla duties.” She scowled. “Besides, I already expect your chief of police to complain aboutmebeing there, since he claims I’m a security risk. I don’t want to subject anyone else to that.”

I opened my mouth to say that Teller Landry wasn’t so intolerable once you got to know him, but someone tapped my shoulder. It was the restaurant’s hostess. She was holding a manila envelope. “Miss? Someone just dropped this off for you.”

“Forme?” I asked.

She nodded. “It was a bicycle messenger. He pointed you out. Said it was urgent.” The hostess set the envelope on the table and shrugged, backing away.

“Don’t open it,” Ayla said sharply. “Are you sure that’s for you?”

I turned the envelope over. It hadGrace O’Nealscrawled on the front.

Ayla exhaled. “Okay. I thought it was…something else.”

“You thought it was for you?”

She looked uncomfortable. “Some creep has been sending me things lately. An overzealous fan. It’s just an annoyance. Never mind.”

It sounded like more than an annoyance, but the envelope on the table demanded my attention. “Maybe this is from Dane. He’s the only person who would know I’m at this restaurant.” Except it was more Dane’s style to show up himself. Or at the very least, text or call.

Unless something was wrong.

My hands trembled as I ripped open the envelope and pulled out the contents. Two sheets of glossy photo paper. A note was stuck to the front of the first photo.

He’s not who you think he is.

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