Page 154 of Stormswept Colorado

“I know what your music means to you. I would never presume to tell you how to run your career, and if you don’t want to tour, you don’t have to. If you don’t want to chase numbers, that’s fine. But it has to be your decision. Not something you’re giving up for me. You don’t have to give up a single thing for me.”

“Because you’re giving upeverythingfor me.” A tear broke free from the corner of my eye. “That’s not right.”

“It is. It’s exactly right. It’s what I want.” He cupped my cheek, smearing my tear with his thumb. “I told you. Nothing and no one will keep us apart.”

Speechless. I was speechless.

“What doyoutruly want?” Teller asked. “What do you want our life together to look like, if it could be anything? Because I haven’t heard that yet.”

Our life together…

“I would have you. Our family.” Both the members already in it, and any who might come along. “A big family. And my music.”

He nodded, eyes searching mine. “Keep going.”

“Well…I would have Silver Ridge and LA. The mountains and the ocean, and all our friends in both places. Time in the quiet, where it’s just you and me and I have room to think and breathe. But the excitement too. The rush of finishing anew song and sharing it with the world. Creating and making people smile.” After some more thought, I added, “Performing in front of my fans all over the world.”

“Because you love that.”

“I do,” I admitted. “Even when the travel sucks. Even when my career is messy.” I had been willing to give it up, but he was right. I loved it.

“Then you’re going to have it.Allof it.”

“And always coming home to you. With you. No matter where we are.”

He cupped my face, drawing me close. “That is exactly what I want too.”

“I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

Teller grinned. “I’m the one with the Cinderella story. Small-town cop wins the heart of the world-famous pop star.”

I could see it. The two of us, living here in Silver Ridge in his house in the woods. Strolling down Main Street to Piper’s coffee shop. Days in the park with Maisie and Ollie. Seasonal festivals and shopping at Rosie’s market and the downtown boutiques.

Teller would serve his community as a police officer, even if he wasn’t their chief. I would find inspiration and write my music every single day.

And then, whenever we were in LA, having Teller there as my plus-one at industry events on the red carpet. My rock when I set out on tour or traveled for promotion. A sounding board for all my most important decisions.

We would dodge tourists, too, since that was my reality, at least at the moment. But Teller would be there at my side. My favorite protector.

“If we do this,” I said, “you would be my partner. In everything.”

“The man behind Ayla Maxwell. I like the sound of that.”

“But would that be enough for you? Really? You have to be sure.”

Teller didn’t respond right away. Like he was consideringeverything he was giving up. Not just his role as police chief and constant member of Silver Ridge PD. But seeing Piper and Ollie during the time we would spend away from Colorado. Giving up hisprivacy.

The anxiety in my stomach grew with every second he was silent.

Then he spoke.

“I’ve spent decades of my life serving my country and my community. Being your man is a different kind of honor. A different kind of challenge too, if I’m honest. But I’m here for it. I’m ready. There is nothing in this world I want more than to share a life with you.”

Trust Teller Landry to make a romantic declaration sound that solemn and serious.

I could not believe how much I loved this man.

“Then you’re hired,” I said with a teasing smirk.

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