Starcrossed Colorado (Hart County #1)

11. Emma

ELEVEN

Emma

I went into my apartment, switched on the light, and dropped my bag to the carpet. Stella sat on her haunches, blinking up at me.

“He’s a tough nut to crack, that one.”

I’d never met someone so frustrating as Ashford O’Neal. So determined to be a hard-hearted grouch when I knew he was a good guy underneath.

“I’m wearing him down,” I said to Stella. “It’s hard work though.” I walked toward the tiny kitchen to pour some food in Stella’s bowl. She dove right in. “Why is he so resistant to us being friends? Is it me? Piper said he’s like that with everyone, but I don’t know.”

He thought Maisie would get attached. That she’d be sad when the summer ended. But I was already attached. Not just to that sweet little girl, but to the glimpses of her dad’s softer side that I’d seen so far. It wasn’t enough to qualify as a crush, but it was getting close. Which was all kinds of foolish. The last thing I needed was more guy-related drama.

“And yet, he keeps being so handsome. What’s a girl to do?”

Stella tilted her head, chewing.

Then I remembered the leak.

I’d been so up in my head, I’d forgotten all about it. It felt like ages since the rainstorm this morning. Sheldon hadn’t texted me about the status of the repairs, either.

I just hoped the leak was fixed, even if they’d had to make a stop-gap repair. I assumed there would be bigger repairs needed, like replacing the ruined drywall on the ceiling, but that was an issue to figure out tomorrow.

Stella followed at my heels. I turned on the light in my bedroom. The whole place smelled damp and musty.

It had not been fixed.

There was a red mop bucket placed on the bed frame to catch the drips instead of my tiny trash can. Someone had been in here. But that wet spot on the ceiling bulged downward more than ever, like any minute it would collapse.

Where was I supposed to sleep?

I looked around for the belongings I’d stacked this morning to keep them away from the leak. My bedding, my pajamas from last night, some books. I’d been in too much of a hurry to carry it all into the living area. But they weren’t where I’d left them.

Someone had moved my things to beneath the window. And now, there was dampness showing around the frame.

The window had been leaking too. Unbelievable.

When I knelt down, I found my stuff soaked with dirty rainwater. I groaned. My pillow, my blankets. Everything was wet. This sucked . I sorted through, figuring out what else was ruined.

Beneath a blanket, I found my journal.

“No,” I whispered.

Stella barked, shuffling her feet against the carpet. She pushed her nose against my cheek. But I couldn’t stop staring at my journal. The pages were totally waterlogged. The ink had run. One tore as I tried to turn it.

I felt sick.

Maybe it shouldn’t have mattered so much to lose this small object, but I’d put my heart and soul on those pages. I’d written down my pain over what had happened with my ex. The shame I still felt over the entire scandal. And so many other things too. I’d tried to turn that heartache into something beautiful and meaningful, even if only to me.

And now it was just…ruined.

I yelled a sound of frustration. I’d had it with this apartment.

Stella barked just before I heard someone call out, “Emma?”

Was that Ashford? It sounded like he was in the hall. I stumbled over to my front door and opened it. Ashford was in the hallway, his back to me. He whirled around. The tightness in his expression turned to intense worry as he strode toward me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, voice thick.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“It’s…” The words got stuck in my throat.

Ashford put a hand on my shoulder and steered me back into my apartment. Stella’s tail wagged, and she kept looking from Ashford to me, both excited and confused. I heard him flip the lock. He stalked around my apartment like he was searching for something.

“What happened in here?”

He’d seen my bedroom.

Ashford stormed back out, fists clenched. But his frown relaxed as he reached me. “How long has that been leaking? It looks bad.”

He eased me down onto the tiny loveseat, squeezing in beside me. He was so warm and solid. His arm went around my shoulders. I leaned against him, letting my weight fall into his side. Stella sat at my feet, her head on my knee.

“It was the storm this morning. That leak opened up. I’d seen the stain before, but I didn’t realize it was a current problem.”

“Did you report it to the landlord?”

I bristled, inching back. “Of course I did. I told the property manager who lives downstairs. Sheldon. I’m not an idiot.”

“No, you’re not. I wasn’t suggesting it. Looks like Sheldon didn’t do his job.”

I shook my head. “I was busy all day. I didn’t have a chance to check up on him. Just got here and found…this mess .” I waved a hand at my bedroom, but I realized I was still holding my sodden journal.

Ashford took it gently from my grip. “What’s this?”

And that’s when I lost it.

Hot, humiliating tears cascaded down my face. I turned my head, wiping the teardrops away as fast as I could.

Why did I have to do this in front of him?

The moment couldn’t have been any more awkward. I had no idea why Ashford had come inside my building, but I had no doubt he was about to find an excuse to take off. He didn’t want to see my embarrassing display of emotion. He barely even liked me.

“Emma. Hey. It’s going to be okay.” His voice was as deep and rumbly as usual, yet also softer than I’d ever thought possible. He set my journal on the coffee table. “C’mere.”

The arm around my shoulders pulled me in tighter, and I went right where he guided me. My face pressed into his chest. His other arm closed around me so I was surrounded by warmth and his masculine scent.

I sobbed into his T-shirt. There was no stopping me now.

But he just sat there and held me, murmuring gentle words. “It’s going to be okay.” Stella got in on the act too, trying her best to crawl into our laps.

Eventually, my tear ducts ran dry. Ashford’s hand went to the back of my head, smoothing down my hair.

Stella cocked her head, looking up at us forlornly. He reached over and petted her head too.

I’d melted into him like a sad blob of drippy candle wax. There was probably snot on his shirt. I hiccuped, knowing I should move but really, really not wanting to.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you left.”

“I saw someone hanging around near your building. He was wearing a blue rain slicker. I tried to confront him, and he ran off.”

This night kept getting worse. “The creep from the park? Did you see what the person looked like?”

“The hood of his jacket was up. I tried calling your phone. You didn’t answer. That’s why I came inside. I wanted to check on you.”

“I didn’t hear it. The cell reception’s not great in here, and the wi-fi is iffy. But thank you.” The thought of that creep following me home was scary. But the feeling didn’t fully register. My emotions were already pretty busy at the moment.

I managed to peek up at Ashford. He looked down at me with a crease between his brows, tenderness in his intense, dark eyes.

My palm was pressed to one muscular pec just above his rapidly beating heart. My own heart lurched, a nervous thrill moving lower into my belly.

It had been a while since a man had held me this close. Especially one who was comforting me like he actually cared.

And my body chose this moment to register just how incredibly, irresistibly sexy Ashford O’Neal was.

I had to look like a disaster right now. Skin blotchy from crying, eyes bloodshot. Also sweaty. Couldn’t forget that. Probably smelled bad. I wiped at my face.

“Have you checked on Maisie?” I asked.

“I was just thinking about it. I’m sure Piper’s got her, and they’re fine. But I’ll text.”

I extricated myself, already feeling colder after leaving that comfy position. “I need to go talk to Sheldon about the leak.” I should’ve already done that, instead of breaking down and crying. But I was grateful that Ashford didn’t point it out.

He jotted a text on his phone. “Hold on a sec. I’ll come with you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. But I think I should.”

I didn’t have it in me to argue. Once again, Ashford was stepping in because he thought I couldn’t handle myself. Was he wrong, though? I hadn’t even been able to find myself a decent apartment. Or remember to pack a raincoat.

He finished his text and got up, stowing his phone in the pocket of his athletic pants. “Come on.” Ashford reached for my hand and pulled me toward the door.

“Stay,” I told Stella. “We’ll be right back.”

Ashford held my hand all the way downstairs. When we reached Sheldon’s door, the one with a plaque labeled Property Manager , Ashford rapped on the wood with his knuckles. The sounds of a TV came from inside.

“I’m familiar with Sheldon,” Ashford said. “He was in Callum’s year at school. He’s a weaselly little jerk.”

“Trust me, I know. When I was here this morning to complain about the leak, he stared at my chest like my boobs were doing the talking.”

Ashford’s eyes flashed dangerously just as Sheldon’s door opened.

“Yeah?”

Ashford crowded the other man in the doorway. “Is it true that Emma told you this morning about the leak in her ceiling?”

“Uh, yeah. But?—”

“Sounds like you didn’t listen to her.”

“I—”

Ashford cut him off again. “No.” He hadn’t touched Sheldon, but the pure menace in his expression made it seem like he might. “You’re going to shut your mouth so Emma can speak. And this time, you’re going to listen. With respect. Or we’re going to have a problem. Got it?”

Sheldon swallowed, nodding.

They both looked at me.

I crossed my arms. “It’s obvious that leak isn’t new. It should’ve been addressed before. I expect a reduction in my rent for every day it’s not fixed.”

“The roofers couldn’t make it out today. And it’ll probably be a while before the damage gets ripped out and redone. This stuff takes time.”

Ashford’s scowl intensified, one corner of his mouth lifting to reveal his incisor.

Sheldon closed his mouth.

“ Reduction in rent ,” I repeated. “Also, there’s a leak coming from the window too. Someone was in my apartment and moved my things. I’m guessing it was you. But you put my stuff right under the window. I expect you or the landlord to replace any of my belongings that got ruined.”

The things that were replaceable, anyway.

“Did you get all that?” Ashford asked. “Need to write anything down?”

“No,” Sheldon mumbled. “I got it.”

“Good.”

I nodded sharply. “I expect to hear from you first thing in the morning with details on when the contractors are coming.”

I spun on my heel and headed back upstairs. Ashford came up behind me. Once we were inside my apartment, he asked, “Are you okay?”

I took a deep breath. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Sheldon shouldn’t need me standing there to treat you respectfully. That’s bullshit. But I’m glad I could help. You didn’t really answer my question, though.”

I knelt to rub Stella’s flank. I could tell she needed reassurance. “Am I okay? Not really.” My head hurt and my nose was stuffy from that crying jag. My stomach ached. “Not feeling so great at the moment.”

“This is a setback,” he said. “But you can’t let it get you down. You’re the most optimistic person I’ve ever met.”

“And where did that get me?” I gestured at my barely habitable apartment. My ruined journal on the coffee table.

Ashford was quiet. When I looked over, he was staring off to the side and scowling.

“You probably need to go,” I said. “Maisie’s waiting.”

“Yeah. But you’re coming with me.”

“What?”

“I’ll help you pack up. You’re coming to stay with me and Maisie.”

“Ashford…”

“I’m not leaving you here. There’s probably mold growing in the ceiling. And there was that guy who was watching your building and might have followed you. And Sheldon downstairs. I’m not thrilled that he has a key to your place.”

“I can figure it out. You don’t want me to be your problem.”

“You are not a problem. I am sincerely sorry if I ever made you feel like one.” He sat down beside me on the floor. Stella leaned in to give him a nice, sloppy lick, and he grunted. “Come stay with us, even if it’s just a night or two. Otherwise I won’t be able to sleep because I’ll be anxious about you.”

“We can’t have that.”

“Is that a yes?”

My lips curved with a small smile. “Stella will have to come with me.”

“Is she going to leave my apartment intact?” He eyed the dog, and she gave him an innocent who, me? look in return. Ashford sighed. “I guess we’ll need her food and all that.”

“And her bed and toys.”

“Show me where all this stuff is. I’d better call my brother. We’ll need a vehicle to carry it all. Callum can get my truck from the park and drive it over here.”

“You’re speaking to him again?”

“I guess I am now.” He got up, then reached out his hand to pull me up too. “Come on. Pack your suitcase.”

“Are you sure? Really?” I wanted to give him one last chance to change his mind.

“Yeah. Easiest decision I’ve made in a while.”

When Callum showed up at my door, he gave his brother a hug and asked me how he could help.

Callum bent to pet Stella, who was happy to have a new face to lick. Unlike his older brother, he laughed and seemed to love it. “So you’re staying at Ashford’s?”

“Just for tonight.” I doubted the repairs would be finished to my apartment, but I could see about that room Dixie had offered. The one at her friend Shirley’s, where I’d have to share a bathroom with her grandson in the basement. Ugh .

“Or you could stay at Ashford’s longer.” Callum grinned at his brother. “I have the feeling Emma’s going to fit right in at your place.”

Ashford rolled his eyes and went to grab Stella’s doggy bed. Which I took as confirmation that he didn’t want me moving in for the rest of the summer. Not that I had any intention.

He was doing me a favor. He’d been amazing tonight. Like Piper had said, once you were in with Ashford, you were in . But I didn’t want to wear out my welcome.

Luckily—for better or worse—I didn’t have much to move. No furniture, and my bedding was done for.

Callum drove us to Ashford’s. While we carried my things inside, Callum took off for Piper’s to pick up Maisie. It had to be close to her bedtime. I was exhausted myself. Crying always wore me out.

This had been such a long day, full of ups and downs. I needed sleep so I could start over again tomorrow.

I kept Stella on-leash as we went upstairs to his place. Ashford unlocked the door and held it open. “Come on in.”

Just a few hours ago, I’d been here as Maisie’s babysitter. Now, I would be staying overnight. It wasn’t so different really. This was temporary, and I was a guest.

But it felt different as I followed him past the living room. “That’s Maisie’s room,” he said, pointing. “Bathroom’s opposite.”

I smiled. “I remember.”

He scratched his forehead. “Right.” He suddenly seemed sheepish. It was cute. “This is our spare room.” Ashford pushed the door open and hit the light switch. There were some boxes stacked up against one wall. A futon against the other. “We use this space for storage, but I can move the extra stuff out of here.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is great.” Now I sounded awkward. Maybe because this hot dad who also happened to be sweet had brought me up to his apartment, and the bed was right there . “There’s room for Stella’s things in the corner.”

She perked up, hearing her name.

Ashford helped me get things arranged. By the time Stella was comfy in her new spot, the door to the apartment burst open again.

“Emma!” Maisie shouted. “You’re really here?”

Stella went running. There was lots of excitement, both Maisie and Stella dashing around the living room until Ashford sternly told them both to calm down.

I explained about the leak in my roof. Maisie wasn’t too interested in those details. She was thrilled to be having a sleepover.

“Daddy, can’t Emma and Stella sleep in my room? Pretty please?”

“No, monkey. They need their own space, and so do you. In fact, it was your bedtime five minutes ago.”

“But I have to show Emma.” She went and got her new unicorn journal from Callum. He’d carried it in for her. She opened the journal to the first page. “See?”

I studied the pictures and words she’d drawn. There was a yellow dog-like creature with STELA scrawled beside it. “Wow. This is beautiful. Stella will love it too. But don’t let her get too close. She might love it so much she’ll try to chew on it.”

Maisie giggled. “Okay.”

I said thanks to Callum, and he took off. Then I decided to make myself and Stella scarce during Maisie’s bedtime routine. Just to help her calm down enough to sleep.

There were a lot of big feelings happening inside the Big Blue Monster this evening. Stella curled up beside me on the futon while I tried to work through mine. Would’ve been easier if I’d had my own journal. But snuggling was a close second.

Eventually, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said. The door wasn’t closed all the way, so Ashford pushed it open. He stood in the doorway, shoulder leaning against the frame.

“Finally got her into bed. Bedtime stories have been read, and the white noise machine is on.” Ashford spoke softly so we wouldn’t disturb Maisie next door.

“Sorry. It’s my fault she was up late.”

“Don’t be sorry. She was excited.”

I got up and walked over to him. But I stood just inside the room, like there was an invisible barrier between us. A line that neither of us could cross.

“She’s attached to you, just like you said. I kept trying to convince myself that was a bad thing. But she’s happy around you. That can’t be bad.”

I meant to agree, but I got a little lost in his dark brown irises. They had flecks of gold and amber. The moment stretched out. But it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was a different kind of tension. A feeling like warm honey poured through my veins.

His gaze shifted down to my mouth.

I forced myself to look away.

Ashford stuck his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“Okay. Thank you again.”

“Night.” He smiled before walking toward his bedroom.