Page 27 of Stormswept Colorado

“I think that’s for the best, Ms. Maxwell. Don’t you?”

Probably. It was a reminder that I didn’t really belong in Silver Ridge, and that hurt.

But when it came to Teller Landry, I didn’t know anymorewhatto feel.

TEN

Teller

By the timeI finally reached Emma and Ashford’s building, every light was on. It sounded like the party was well underway.

As I stepped inside, music and voices greeted me. The downstairs of the building was devoted to teaching spaces for Ashford’s martial arts school and Emma’s music lessons. They lived in the apartment upstairs. But tonight, it seemed like the impromptu party had taken over both floors.

I heard a laugh that might’ve been Ayla’s, and the sound twisted around my spine, refusing to let go.

At the station, it had taken another two hours to square things away. We’d released Bryan Krueger and the other brawlers with strict warnings. If they stepped a toe out of line again, I was going to make them sorry they’d stayed in Silver Ridge. Ayla had waited for Bryan, and they’d left the station together.

A couple of brawling tourists had wanted to apologize to Ayla personally. But she didn’t need to give those dumbasses more attention. So instead, I made them sit and write out a one-page, single-spaced apology essay. Mrs. Torkelson, my third-grade teacher, would’ve been proud.

I dodged as Stella loped by, ears flapping, followed by Ollie. My nephew changed course when he saw me, but didn’t slow hisspeed. He lowered his shoulder and crashed into me like a defensive lineman.Oof.

“Uncle Tell, you’re here! Finally! You’re super late.”

“Really sorry about that, buddy. Work stuff.” But guilt closed its fist around my heart and squeezed. I hated disappointing him. Ollie already had too many disappointments courtesy of his father. “I’m here now.”

Ollie’s face scrunched up, dodging when I tried ruffling his hair. “We were supposed to work on the treehouse.”

“Can’t work on the treehouse when it’s after dark, bud. We’ll do that soon. I’m sure you’ve been having a blast here with Stella and Maisie.”

“Yeah, I guess. But Maisie just wants to play with these dumb horses in her room upstairs. It’s lame.”

I arched an eyebrow. “That’s not a great way to talk about your best friend.”

“Sorry,” he muttered.

Ollie was only nine, but he’d been shadowing the middle-school boys up the street lately. Any minute now, he wouldn’t be interested in that treehouse at all. Time was always slipping by way too fast.

If not for that mess with Ayla, it would’ve been Ollie and me tonight. But Ollie needed more than just me and his mom. I needed more too. I’d been keeping to myself way too much, neglecting my friendships. Being antisocial. Almost arresting Ashford’s sister-in-law hadn’t helped with my standing around here.

I really didn’t want to be the bad guy.

Piper appeared, carrying a longneck beer. “Teller, you made it!”

I stood up, ruffling Ollie’s hair again, and he ran off after Stella. “Yeah, long day.”

My sister shrugged. “I guess you had a decent excuse. Sounded a lot more exciting than my afternoon cleaning out the espresso grinder.” Piper’s hair was a similar shade of dirty blond to mine,slightly darker at the roots but paler at the tips. “Food’s upstairs in the kitchen.”

“Good, I’m starved. What about the bride and groom? I should say hello.” And hopefully get on better footing with them.

“Living room, last I checked.” She pointed her beer at me. “If you can get Ollie to eat some dinner, not just cake and chips, I will be forever grateful.”

“Consider it done.”

“He always listens to you. It’s not fair.”

“He doesn’talways. But I do get a lot of practice convincing people to listen. Especially when they don’t want to.”

“I would love that superpower.”

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