Page 70 of Stormswept Colorado

I set the flowers by the door and took Ayla’s hand, guiding her to the sofa to sit. “Okay, then let’s call the front desk.” There was a hotel phone here on the side table.

She picked up the receiver and held it to her ear. I pulled her into my lap and draped my arms loosely around her.

“Hi, this is Ayla in room 203. There’s a flower arrangement here. Where did this come from? Do you know who sent it?”

“I’ll check on that for you,” the clerk downstairs said. I was close enough I could hear the voice, but couldn’t recognize it. “Just a moment.”

Ayla was trembling. I kissed her hair, and she rested her head between my neck and shoulder until a voice spoke on the other end of the line again.

“Ayla? This is Jessi. You had a question about the flowers?”

“Yeah.” She gripped the phone receiver in both hands. “Where’d they come from?”

“They arrived a few hours ago for you, just before the ceremony. Same florist who did the wedding flowers. I was shocked the delivery made it here with the snow. I had our security guys check them over and then sent them up to your room. Is there a problem?”

“I…I’m not sure. It just surprised me.” Ayla shared a glance with me.

“I’m so sorry. I would’ve asked you directly if you wanted them, but with the wedding?—”

“No, we were all busy. That’s alright. The security team looked them over?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t just pass something along to you. You probably get fans trying to send you weird things.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind Ayla’s ear. “Yeah,” she said. “But the card didn’t say who they’re from. If you could ask the florist, that would be great. Or I could have my assistant call, or…”

“I’m happy to. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Jessi.” Ayla set the hotel phone on its cradle. But at the same time, I was pulling my device from my pocket.

“Glad to hear they checked over the flowers, but I want to give the arrangement to River, just in case.”

“Just in case what?” She pressed her lips together.

“It’s an abundance of caution. That’s all.” I sent a text, and a few minutes later, River knocked on the door. Ayla stayed on the couch while I answered, holding the flower vase.

River was dressed casually, since he hadn’t attended the wedding. He eyed the flowers. “Landry, you shouldn’t have.”

I leveled a glare at him. I’d already explained in my message that the flowers could be from the stalker, so I wasn’t in the mood for his humor. “Just get them out of here, would you?” I muttered. “And see if there’s anything hidden in there.”

“Will do.” He took the flower arrangementin one arm, then pulled Ayla’s phone from his pocket. “Please return this to Ms. Maxwell. And let her know I ran that reverse image search. Looks like a female tourist visiting the ski resort took the photo of Ayla on Main Street and uploaded it on social media. Still investigating, but I didn’t get any indication the original poster was tied to Biggest Fan. I think Biggest Fan simply saw the photo and saved a copy. I’ll keep working.”

I nodded. “Thanks for the assistance.”

“That’s what we’re here for.”

I closed the door, returning to the sitting area. “You heard all that?” I set her phone on the table. The couch cushion dipped as I took my place beside her again.

“I did.” Her gaze was distant, her mind somewhere else. And I couldn’t blame her. That flower arrangement had poured ice water over the heat building between us earlier. And yeah, that was disappointing, but I was far more concerned with what she was feeling right now.

Ayla made me want to be selfish, but I couldn’t do that with her.

“What do you need?” I asked. “If you’d rather I head back to my own room, that’s okay.”

Emerald green flashed, her focus returning. “Are you kidding? You’d better not go anywhere. I thought you were mine tonight.”

“I am.” However she wanted me, I was on board.

“I was just thinking.” She bent her legs and folded them beneath her. “I appreciate Aiden and River helping me. And you especially. But I’m not the kind of girl to sit back and wait for other people to make things happen.”

---