Page 156 of Stormswept Colorado

In the mornings, yoga with Ayla on the deck was one of my favorite things. Always put us both in the mood to jump back in bed.

I’d also taken over coordinating Ayla’s security detail, and that was a job that suited me.

The couple of red-carpet events I’d attended hadnotbeen my favorite, but hey, anything for my Troublemaker. At least the media was getting more used to me. I was no longer a top story.

Also, it turned out I looked pretty good in a tuxedo. Who knew?

Ayla and I had sat down for an interview where she explained everything that happened in Silver Ridge with her stalker. And I’d held her hand while she tearfully shared the truth about her childhood. How her father had emotionally abused her. How he’d kicked her out at sixteen, and how the shame of that had made Ayla avoid her sister Lori for so many years.

She’d never spoken about those events publicly before. I knew it had been cathartic for her, and I just hoped having me there made it easier.

During the interview, we’d also officially told the world about our relationship. I’d looked into her eyes and had the privilege of saying how much I loved her for all the world to hear.

That little moment went viral on social media when the interviewer posted it. Or so I’d heard.

Since then, she and I had both declined any further questions about Jarod Carpenter or our romance. We got followed by paparazzi on a regular basis, but Ayla’s security detail had never been more airtight. If I said so myself.

I still hated being in the spotlight. But I loved being her man.

And anybody who ever dared to try coming between us would have to deal with a very growly former Green Beret.

That night, I stepped into Hearthstone Brewing and scanned the tables, looking for my friends.

Callum was setting up a few tables in the corner. Looked like he and I were the first to arrive. Ayla was spending time at Ashford and Emma’s place, and would head over to meet us later.

I had confidence no street riots would interrupt our plans. Ashford and Emma had already promised to drive Ayla here. No repeats of what happened at the start of their wedding weekend. Even though that weekend had turned out well, all in all.

As averypart-time Silver Ridge PD officer, I technically had the power to place people under arrest. If I ever put Ayla in handcuffs again, it might happen in the bedroom, but not on a public street.

Callum grinned when he saw me and clapped me on the back. “Hey, you’re actually here for trivia? Let me guess. Ayla made you come tonight.”

“No,” I grumbled. “It was my idea.”

“How about that. Was it your idea to overdo the sun today, too?” He gestured at my nose. “Ouch. Too much time in the dunk tank?”

“Sunblock wears off in water. I blame Dane.”

Callum laughed. “At least it was for a good cause.”

After my shift in the dunk tank, Ayla and I had strolled through the festival with Ollie and Maisie. Well, more like chased than strolled. Those two kids had been hopped up on cotton candy and ice cream. The bodyguard tailing us today—we had a rotating crew—had to stay on his toes to keep up.

We’d seen Callum at the fire department booth, spreading community cheer with the other firefighters. Ollie had greeted Cal with a big hug.

“Hey, before the others get here, I wanted to thank you forspending time with Ollie lately,” I said. “Especially when I’ve been away. It means a lot to him.”

Callum grabbed an extra chair to add to our tables. “No need to thank me. I like doing it. Ollie’s a great kid.”

“He is.”

Not seeing Ollie had been one of the hardest adjustments to make. When I was out of town, I still spoke to my nephew almost every single day. Piper had all but given up on getting her ex-husband Danny to participate in their son’s life. Danny was missing out on a lot, and I would never understand it. Thank goodness for Callum, along with Ashford and Dane, who’d all become fixtures in Ollie’s world.

My nephew and I had finished his treehouse, and just a couple of weeks ago, he’d confessed that he liked hanging out with Maisie more than those middle-school boys from down the street. At least that much hadn’t changed.

Uncle Tell, they were being mean to Maisie and calling her a baby, he’d said.So I told them I won’t skateboard with them anymore. Not until they’re nicer to her.

I’d ruffled his hair.I’m proud of you, buddy.

And I was. So damn proud of my family and our growing circle of friends here and in LA.

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