Page 15 of Stormswept Colorado

Ayla was something to watch, though. A natural performer with the kind of ethereal beauty that made people shut up and pay attention. And the way she put her whole body into singing was even more compelling than her features. Like she was projecting every lyric from somewhere deep inside.

“You a big Ayla Maxwell fan?” Susan asked.

A stern look from me had them all quieting down.

Geez. I really was the fun police, wasn’t I?

But that had never bothered me before. Which begged the same exact question I’d been pondering earlier. Why did I suddenly care?

I poured coffee in a to-go cup. “I expect us all to behave like professionals with Ms. Maxwell. Same as always. That won’t be an issue, will it?”

“No, Chief,” they said in chorus.

“I’ll make sure the rest of our department is on the same page, but you can help me by spreading the word. If anything related to Ms. Maxwell comes up, direct it to me. I’ll handle it.” It was one thing for her to be rude to me. But my officers shouldn’t haveto deal with that.

My sister Piper had put the nail on the head earlier. If I had to be the unlikable guy, so be it.

“Yes, Chief.”

With my coffee in hand, I returned to my office. I was about to pack my things up and get myself home when Susan appeared in my doorway. “We just got a report of a disturbance on Main. Central business district.”

“Then go ahead and handle it. I’m about to head home.”

“I know, sir, but you said you wanted to be involved in anything related to Ms. Maxwell. Some kind of fight’s broken out.”

Oh, damn it.

SIX

Ayla

Bryanand I made it to the baby store only minutes before it was supposed to close. But as soon as we stepped inside, the shop owner started gushing about my music and said we could stay for as long as we wanted.

“I’m just so excited to have Ayla Maxwell shopping at my store. I’m Natalie, by the way.”

Fame had its drawbacks, but it did have some nice benefits too. I would be the first to admit it.

“Great to meet you, Natalie. This place is adorable. I had to stop by.”

She glowed with pride. “Are you looking for anything in particular?” Her eyes darted toward my stomach, and I could just imagine the headlines now.

I touched Bryan’s arm. “Something for his one-year-old son. And maybe for his wife.” I emphasized that last word. “Bryan’s my driver.”

“No problem,” Natalie said brightly. She showed us some options.

I lifted up a pale blue outfit that could’ve fit on a doll. “Look how tiny these are. So cute.”

“But little man takes after his daddy. He’s already wearing 2Tand growing fast.” Bryan held up a cute T-shirt with the Colorado flag. Beneath, it saidFuture Mountain Man. “What about this?”

“Iloveit. That’s a must-have.”

My phone buzzed, and I took a break from shopping to check my messages. Cheryl had written. Dramatic music played in my head. Dun dundun.

My manager never wrote unless she had something important to say.

Cheryl

Video interview confirmed for tomorrow at two your time. Do NOT make me reschedule again. They were already threatening to cancel the cover feature. You definitely have access to a piano, correct?

---