Page 32 of Stormswept Colorado

“Yes.”

“Well, if he has a concussion, that’s not going to work. Plus, if the snowstorm does hit early, I don’t love the idea of him driving you if he’s not used to it. Same thing if you decide to drive on your own. Unless you have experience driving on icy roads.”

She shifted around, pulling the blanket tighter. “I don’t. That’s why I have adriver.”

“Most everyone is heading over to Hartley tomorrow morning. Catch a ride with one of them. Emma and Ashford or Callum. Piper’s driving Ollie. She’ll have room.”

Ayla’s lips pursed again. “I don’t need you to fix this for me.”

“But I’d like to know that you’re covered. Just tell me you’ll ride along with one of them.”

“I have other things I need to do. And besides, Bryan is supposed to drive me directly from the wedding hotel to the airport on Sunday.” She cursed, rubbing her face. “Maybe the agency could send someone else. Another driver. I can’t miss the wedding.”

“You’re not going to miss the wedding.” I made the decision without allowing too much thought. “I’m going to drive you.”

“You don’t need to do that. I’ll?—”

“My plan is to leave tomorrow afternoon. I have responsibilities here before then. You can take care of the things you need to do.” Whatever those were. “We’ll be there for the whole day on Saturday. And on Sunday, I’ll drive you to catch your flight back to LA.” No doubt she was flying private, so it was the small regional airport.

“That’s an hour each way.”

“Yeah, it’s nothing.” Assuming the plows took care of the snow on the roads by then, but…one thing at a time.

“That’s a service you commonly offer? The Silver Ridge Chief of Police drives random people to the airport?”

“You’re not random. You’re a family friend.”

“Whom you can’t stand.”

Damn, she was calling me out, yet again. Why did I enjoy that so much? “I never said that.”

“It was implied by that scowl on your face whenever you see me.”

“Am I scowling now?”

Her eyelashes fluttered, and I felt a tug low in my belly. “I guess not.”

“It won’t be that bad.” I pointed at Ollie. “Some people even like me.”

“Seems you’re not giving me any other choice.”

“Don’t make me take you back into custody. It’ll be far less pleasant a drive if you’re in handcuffs.”

Her eyes widened.

The fuck are you doing, Landry?I asked myself. Almost sounded like I was flirting with her. Something I was extremely rusty at.

Ollie sat up. “Uncle Teller?” he asked blearily.

“Hey, bud. It’s time to head home to bed.”

“But the party.”

“The party’s over, and you’re exhausted. C’mon.” I nudged him, and his feet landed on the ground. My hand reached out to steady him.

“Don’t try to argue, Ollie,” Ayla said. “Your uncle is the bossiest man I’ve ever met.”

Ollie half laughed, half yawned. “Yeah, true story.”

---