Page 82 of Hero's Prize

But none of that could happen yet. “I’m more concerned about us catching this stalker.”

“That’s my number one concern too. And hear me out… I think the best way to do this is to get you back into the public eye. None of this cloak-and-dagger stuff you’ve been up to trying to catch her.”

Colton managed a smile. “You heard about that?”

“My friend, it’s my job to know everything about you.”

Colton hoped noteverything.

“I just want the stalker handled as quickly as possible. It’s important, Tony.”

“Then we’ll make it happen. Whatever gets you back to your old self.”

His old self. He wasn’t even sure who that was anymore.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

Ella made at least one trip into Reddington City each week, usually more. At just over forty-five minutes away, it was the closest big city to Oak Creek. She had multiple vendors there that carried items that just didn’t get delivered to Oak Creek regularly enough.

Normally, the trip to Reddington City was a tedious job she tried to pawn off on anybody she could. But not today. Today, Colton was with her.

He insisted on coming even though that wasn’t necessary, which she knew had to do with the stalker. He had been on and off his phone the entire drive, talking to one of his team members, Tony, the two of them bouncing ideas off each other about the next steps in how to catch her.

“I don’t want the stalker to weigh on you anymore.” Colton slipped his phone into his pocket as they got out of the car. “I hate that this worries you so much. That you are so afraid.”

Ella pretended to arrange something in her purse so that she wouldn’t have to look at him. She wasn’t afraid. It sucked that he had a stalker, and yes, she wanted the stalker gone as soon as possible, but the stalker wasn’t what had made her tense and a little bit distant.

She didn’t know how to tell him about her insecurities and how self-conscious she felt. Moreover, she didn’t know if there was any point. Colton hadn’t mentioned anything about continuing their relationship. He’d only talked about needing to leave. So rambling on about her dating discomfiture seemed like it was jumping the gun.

As they walked into the store, Colton pulled out his phone again as it buzzed. He looked at it in what could only be called disgust.

“Tony again?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Another member of my team. Guy named Rick. He was sending an apology.”

“What did he do?”

Colton looked uncomfortable. “It’s a long story. He’s a hothead. But a great camera operator.”

She didn’t push for more info. Managing a team wasn’t always easy; she knew that from her own experience at the bakery. Having someone who disrupted the flow could be difficult, even if they were talented.

“But let’s not worry about that right now.” He took a cart and followed her farther into the specialty baking store.

Colton was fun to shop with. He was witty and entertaining and almost like a kid. He kept putting things they didn’t need into the cart.

She laughed as she took the items—rainbow sprinkles, for goodness’ sake—and put them back on the shelf.

“You’re missing the chance to make the world’s greatest dessert.” He shook his head in mock sadness.

“The world’s greatest dessert involves rainbow sprinkles?”

“Hey, you never know.”

They turned down the next aisle where she picked up the specialized flour she needed. She couldn’t stop laughing as he listed, mostly incorrectly, all the desserts that would be made better with rainbow sprinkles. There was no way she was selling a dessert with multicolored sugar pellets all over it.

But she did give in to his request that she make something withbutterscotch. That, she couldn’t resist. Especially not when his eyes lit up and he pulled her in for a kiss right there in the middle of the baking supply shop aisle.

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