Page 10 of Stormswept Colorado

She was trying to keep a straight face, but I knew my sister. She was laughing. “Do you remember that time Grace and I were playing treasure hunters, and you got annoyed at us for digging holes in the backyard? And she climbed a tree and wouldn’t come down because she was scared of you?”

My lips pressed into a flat line. “You and Grace were five.”

“Yeah, but she didn’t usually run away from scarythings.You, though?”

“Grace and I get along great.”

“Nowadays, sure. My point is, you can be intense. Intimidating. Even when you don’t mean to be. This can’t be a surprise to you.”

I stuck my hands in my pockets, searching for the right words. “I’m known for being serious. Maybe even uptight. But I didn’t think I was unlikable.”

“Why do you even care?”

“So Iamunlikable?”

“Good lord.” She rubbed her face. “Where is this coming from? You never care what anyone thinks. Are you talking about someone specific? Did somebody hurt your macho, manly feelings?”

I grumbled, crossing my arms. “No. I’m speaking generally.” And not about a gorgeous Grammy winner who couldn’t stand me. This wasn’t about her at all. “Just thinking about the qualities of a good police chief. I can’t operate effectively if I’m going around terrifying people.”

She held her pointer finger and thumb an inch apart. “You’re onlyslightlyterrifying.”

“Slightly terrifying is still terrifying. My constituents have to be able to trust me.”

My sister paused, trying and failing not to roll her eyes. “This town respects you more than almost anyone. You always tell the truth the way you see it, and if that rubs somebody the wrong way on occasion, so be it. Anybody who knows you thinks you’re a great guy. Fair and loyal and reliable. Very trustworthy.”

She hadn’t mentionedeasygoing. Because I wasn’t. But I wasn’t the type to doubt myself either. Not usually.

Piper smacked a kiss on my cheek. “Now I’d better skedaddle. I’ll see you later, right? You’re good with watching Ollie? If you want to go to Ashford’s bachelor party after all, I can figure something else out. Since you’re so concerned suddenly about being social.”

“Ashford doesn’t need me at his bachelor party. I’ll be at your place to watch Ollie. No change of plans.”

She studied me another moment. “Okay. Thanks, Teller. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

During my time serving my country, there’d never been a question about returning to Silver Ridge. I’d been the police chief of our small mountain town for a few years now. Most of the time, it was great. Maybe I had a tendency to be cynical and skeptical.

Especially of people who showed up here and expected the rest of us to pick up after their messes.

But I knew I was where I belonged. I was forty years old. Set in my ways. If that made me unlikable, too bad.

We had a good life here.Ihad a good life.

Once, I’d dreamed of having a wife and kids of my own. The whole white-picket-fence package. I’d even been engaged, but that was ancient history. I’d given up on that kind of thing a long time ago.

Maybe it was for the best it hadn’t worked out. Too many people were already counting on me.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

FOUR

Ayla

The afternoonwith Maisie couldn’t have gone better. First, we visited the hardware store. Silver Ridge Hardware & Supplies wasn’t your typical home improvement center. It was more like a gift shop that happened to have some wrenches and chainsaws in the back.

Maisie and I never made it past the locally made preserves, handmade children’s toys, and adorable tchotchkes they sold up front. My niece loved getting prizes from there, and I loved soaking in that small-town ambience.

After that, we spent time at the park with her brand new toys. A whole family of tiny horse figurines, a barn, and a corral. Maisie also got a book about horses, and she informed me in great detail about everything she learned as she read.

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