23. Emma
TWENTY-THREE
Emma
Piper and Ollie met us at the park. The two kids played a chaotic game of fetch with Stella, who was loving every minute, while Piper and I grabbed a sunny spot on the grass to stretch our legs.
“How are things with Ashford?” Piper asked.
I smiled. “Wonderful.”
“You two are way too adorable.” She stuck out her tongue.
“Hey, you were in favor of this from the start.”
“I know, but now I’m jealous. Reminds me how cold my bed is at night.” She playfully bopped me on the arm, and I bopped her back.
“Says the woman who views love as a terminal diagnosis.”
“Hold on, love ?”
I scrunched up my face. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Piper was the first person I’d told about me and Ashford getting together. Make that the only person, because it seemed like everyone else somehow just knew, even though Ashford had barely told anyone and Piper had sworn she hadn’t repeated the news to another soul.
But I had not meant to use the L word. In fact, I’d been trying to avoid any and all thought of it.
“Forever is a heck of a long time when you turn out to be wrong about your partner,” Piper said. “But if any guy has a heart of gold hiding on the inside, it’s probably Ashford.”
I agreed with her. But this conversation had made a dangerous turn, and I needed to steer it back toward less treacherous waters. “We’re having a great time together. That’s all.”
She hummed thoughtfully. “Have you heard back from any of the other schools you applied to?”
“Still waitlisted at one. I have an advisor who knows the dean there, and it helped, but doesn’t guarantee me a spot. A couple rejections from others.”
“What if you can’t transfer?”
I watched the kids and Stella explore near the play structure. “I don’t know. I haven’t really planned that far.”
I’d thought about it though. If I had to wait another year to resume my master’s, would I stay in Silver Ridge during that time? Would Ashford even want me to?
He hadn’t asked about my exact plans for after the summer. Like he simply assumed I would be gone. He had never suggested once that he wanted me to stay longer.
But if I did, wouldn’t that make it so much harder to leave? Because I did have to leave eventually. To do otherwise would mean giving up my master’s. Everything I’d imagined for my future.
Yet as my gaze followed Maisie and Stella, that idea didn’t seem like such a sacrifice.
After a couple of hours, Piper started packing up. “Want to head back with us?” she asked. “We can swing by Silver Linings and raid the day-old pastries that haven’t sold.”
That did sound tempting. But my phone chimed with a text. “Ashford’s about to head over. I’ll stick around here.”
“So you can have adorable family time in the park?”
I knew she was kidding, but an ache settled between my ribs.
Her face turned serious. “Hey, I shouldn’t have said that. Please ignore me.”
“Will you save me an iced mocha donut?”
“I always do.”
I pasted on a bright smile. “Then I will forgive anything you say. I will sell out for sweets.”
“Thank you for being easy.” She winked, grabbing her bag and calling out to Ollie that it was time to go.
Maisie came over after they’d gone and sat in my lap. “Will you tell me a story?”
“What kind of story?”
“One about a dog with yellow fur named Stella.”
“Who could ever imagine such a thing?” I tickled Maisie until she giggled. Then I made up an elaborate adventure, complete with pirates and princesses, about the dog stretched out in the grass beside us.
When I finished, Ashford still hadn’t shown. Most everyone else in the park had cleared out to head home for dinner. “I wonder where your dad is?” I mused aloud.
“Maybe he’s on a pirate adventure.”
I tickled Maisie some more, but a sense of unease was growing in my stomach. Prickles spread over the back of my neck.
That feeling of being watched. Like I’d had on our first visit to the park, when I’d seen the man in the rain slicker.
I glanced around, not seeing anything suspicious. But the feeling only increased.
Still scanning the park, I dialed Ashford’s number on my phone. He didn’t answer. Which really wasn’t like him. Had a client reached out, last minute? Was he working?
But then why wouldn’t he let me know?
My instincts said something wasn’t right. And when it came to Maisie, I trusted my instincts. Especially after what Ashford had told me about Ayla Maxwell.
“Let’s head home, Maisie-doodle. We can meet your dad there.”
“Okay.” She’d gotten quiet in the last few minutes. Like she could feel it too.
I tried Ashford’s number again. It went to voicemail.
I stretched out my hand to Maisie. “Should we skip? Or walk backwards?”
She laughed. “Skip!”
We left the park, crossing to the opposite side of the street to walk on the sidewalk. The skipping only lasted a block. Then we walked, keeping a fast pace. We passed a stretch of businesses, including Dr. Carmichael’s dentist office.
Suddenly, a man stepped into our path. He was slightly taller than me, wearing dark trousers and a button-down shirt.
I stopped short, holding Maisie against my side. Stella backed up, growling low.
“Excuse me. Emma Jennings? Could we chat a moment about Ashford? I promise you, it’ll be worth your while.”
“You know my dad?” Maisie asked.
The man’s focus sharpened on her. “Hi, sweetheart. Are you Maisie? Have you seen your aunt Ayla?”
Protectiveness flooded my body. “ Hey ,” I barked at the man. “You need to step back . Get away from us or I’m calling the police.” I tried to go around him, shielding Maisie on my other side, but the guy grabbed my elbow.
“A hundred thousand for an exclusive if you know where Ayla Maxwell is.”
I tried to pull my arm free of his grasp. “Let go of me.”
“Go away!” Maisie shouted and kicked at his shin.
“Emma,” another voice said behind me. “Come on. In here.”
I barely had time to register the fact that this was Danny Carmichael before he’d shoved the other man away. The reporter’s fingers dug painfully into my arm for another moment before he was forced to let go.
Danny steered me, Maisie, and Stella into the open door of his office. He closed and locked it. My ears rang with the sudden silence, and my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. I wondered if that man was still hanging around nearby. I assumed he was a reporter. He’d offered money for info on Ayla.
Which meant the media had found out about her connection to Ashford.
I had to tell him. This could be the exact situation he’d feared.
I knelt beside Maisie. “Are you all right, Maisie-doodle?”
“I didn’t like that man.”
“I know, me neither. But you were really brave.” I hugged her. “We’re okay now.”
Then Stella barked and growled. I glanced up to see Danny with his hands up, backing away. “I was just going to check on Maisie,” he said. “Can you call off your guard dog?”
“She’s hardly a guard dog.” But it was clear that Stella did not care for the dentist. Still, he’d helped us out, and I appreciated that. I stood, holding Maisie against me. “Thank you. I’ll just call Ashford, and he’ll come get us.”
I felt around in my pocket for my phone. But it wasn’t there.
Maisie looked up at me. “Emma, why was that man asking about Ayla? Did he mean the singer on your phone?”
My skin flushed. I couldn’t help glancing at Danny again. He was frowning at us, and his expression was far too knowing.
I dug into my bag, but I still couldn’t find my device. Had I dropped it somewhere? “My phone’s not here. I need to call Ashford.”
“I don’t have his number,” Danny said.
Seriously ? My pulse sped up with impending panic. Should I go back and look for my phone? But I couldn’t take Maisie out there, and I didn’t want to leave her here with Danny.
He’d stepped in to help us, yet I didn’t feel safe right now. The dental office was quiet and dark. Nobody else was here.
And even though I couldn’t explain it, I had that same creeping feeling I’d had in the park.
Stella growled again.
“I think we should go,” I said. “That man is probably gone. We’ll walk home.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I can drive you myself.”
“Not necessary.”
“You’re being a little rude to the guy who saved you.” He smiled like that was a joke. But it didn’t feel like one. “For the second time, I might add.”
“Second time? When was the first?”
“Outside the brewery a couple weeks ago. When someone was following you. I scared him off.”
“That is not what happened,” I snapped. And why was I even arguing about this?
Maisie had hidden her face against my leg. She was scared. I reached down and picked her up, resting her weight against my hip. She was a slip of a thing, but still heavy. My arms strained to keep hold of her.
“You seem to find yourself in trouble a lot,” Danny commented. “Now you’ve lost your phone?”
“I must have dropped it. Please call Ashford and let him know where we are. I’m sure you have his number somewhere. Ask Piper for it.”
That same smug smile played across Danny’s lips. “Ashford and I are hardly friends.”
“Is that because of Lori?”
The smile dropped away, leaving cold assessment in its wake.
The sharp sound of knuckles banging on glass made us turn our heads. Ashford was right outside the door. The sight of him was like a drug in my veins, instantly filling me with relief.
“Unlock the door,” he shouted.
At an unhurried pace, Danny walked to the door and flipped the lock. Ashford yanked it open.
“What is going on? Are you both okay?” He strode over and pulled us into his arms, holding us tight.
Grace and Elias were behind him, both of them hovering anxiously outside on the sidewalk. I wasn’t sure yet how much they knew, or how they’d known to come for us, but I was grateful.
“We’re fine. A little freaked out.”
“Some guy was harassing them,” Danny cut in. “I got rid of him and brought them inside. Where exactly were you , O’Neal?”
“Trying to find them. And I’m here now.” Ashford aimed a fierce scowl at him. Danny glanced away and shrugged.
“Ashford, my phone?—”
“I found it on the street by the park. When I couldn’t find either of you, I got nervous. Called Grace and Elias. They were a block away at Flamethrower. Came to help me look for you.” He dug into his pocket and handed my device to me.
“Daddy, I want to go home.”
“Sure, monkey. That’s exactly where we’re gonna go.” Ashford lifted her from my arms and into his. Unlike me, he could balance her easily one-handed against his hip. He wrapped his other arm around me.
“Everything’s okay now,” he said. “I promise.”
But the worry in his eyes suggested the opposite. Something more had happened. I just didn’t know what.
We piled into Ashford’s truck. Grace and Elias went back to Flamethrower to grab some food and meet up with us in a bit. We headed back to the Big Blue Monster.
As soon as we got upstairs, Ashford carried Maisie to her room and laid her down. I stopped in the doorway, but he beckoned for me to come in with them.
“There was a scary man,” Maisie said. “I kicked him to make him let go of Emma.”
Ashford petted her head. “You did a good job. But he’s gone now.”
Maisie talked about the scary man on the sidewalk for a few minutes longer. She didn’t mention Ayla. Ashford cast questioning glances at me, though. Like he knew there was a lot more to what had happened, but he didn’t want to ask about it in front of his daughter.
We read her a couple of chapters of her latest book, The Tale of Despereaux , until she was settled, and Ashford agreed to let Stella come in and lay down with her.
“Just until dinner time,” he said. “Emma and I are going out to the living room. We’ll be right there if you need us.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Love you.”
“I love you too.”
He closed Maisie’s door most of the way. Then took my hand and walked with me to the couch, where he tucked me tightly against him.
“You have no idea how freaked out I was when I couldn’t find you.”
“You said you were coming to the park, but you hadn’t arrived. And I got this uncomfortable feeling, like somebody was watching us. I decided to take Maisie home. I tried to call you and you didn’t answer. I must’ve been rushing, and that’s why I dropped my phone. I’m sorry.”
He moved my hair back. “No, don’t you dare be sorry. I’m sorry for not being there.”
“Forget about what Danny said?—”
“I don’t give a fuck what Carmichael said. He just enjoys being a dick to me. I got held up with something here, and that’s why I was running late and didn’t answer my phone. That’s on me. Would you tell me what happened?”
I recounted every detail that I could remember about the man on the sidewalk. How he’d asked about Ayla. And how he knew my name. And Maisie’s name.
“He touched you?” Ashford growled. “That’s assault. You should press charges, if you’re comfortable with it.”
“Absolutely. You know I’m a cop’s daughter. I have no problem filing a report. But the police will ask questions. They’ll find out it was about Ayla.”
“Your and Maisie’s safety is more important.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll text Teller. See if he or one of his officers can take your statement.” Ashford got out his phone and sent off a message.
“What about the rest of what the reporter said? He asked if I knew where Ayla is. Is something going on with her?”
Ashford checked the news. And cursed. “It says Ayla Maxwell canceled the rest of her world tour last night, and has refused to make a statement. What the hell.”
“She hasn’t tried to call you?”
“No. Not in weeks. And I was the idiot who was relieved.” He gripped the skin between his eyes, a pained look on his face.
“Maybe that reporter had some random tip and was hoping to exploit it, but if he doesn’t find a story here, he’ll go looking for one somewhere else.”
“I think it’s worse than that.” He told me about how Sheldon, my former property manager, had been rifling through our trash.
“Sheldon? You’re kidding.” Thankfully I hadn’t thrown away my old journal. I’d dried it out and kept it as a keepsake. A lot of the ink was smeared, but the thought of Sheldon reading it disgusted me.
“A reporter put him up to it. Someone from the Hollywood Star Post , a tabloid. But they’ve been in touch with him for a while. Months. Remember how the trash cart was tipped over not long after you got here?”
My hand went to my mouth. “Do you think it was the same reporter who came up to me today? Is that who Sheldon was working with?”
“I don’t know. It’s possible. But there could be more than one sniffing around. If Ayla suddenly took off and people are looking for her, a lot more could follow.”
If Danny Carmichael had heard that reporter asking about Ayla, would he be able to connect the dots? Who else in Silver Ridge might be willing to spill details about Ashford and his daughter in exchange for a payoff?
Maybe they already had. That reporter had known my name.
“I always knew it was possible that people would find out,” he said, “and I’m still not ready. I’m just glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I’m not going anywhere.” In that moment, I meant it with my entire heart. There was nothing in the world that would make me want to leave his side. “We’re going to figure this out. But you have to decide what to tell Grace and Elias when they get here.”
Because if more reporters showed up in Silver Ridge looking for a story about Ayla Maxwell, Ashford’s secret was not going to stay that way for long.
Grace and Elias arrived with an obscene amount of food, plus Judson. “Look who we found,” Elias said.
Judson took off his cowboy hat. “I heard someone accosted you, Emma. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m all right.”
Elias had brought burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, to-go boxes of tots, and chocolate milkshakes. Between the food and the visitors for dinner, Maisie was all smiles. I was so glad that she’d already shaken off the upset of what had happened.
Callum showed up halfway through the meal, instantly doubling the energy around the table. I was surprised that Ashford had texted him. But if he planned to tell his siblings the truth, that made sense.
Everybody kept conversation light for Maisie’s benefit. But there was definitely an unspoken tension.
Chief Landry showed up next. Unfortunately, the crowd riled Stella up again. She was barking and misbehaving, so I had to put her in my room until Maisie’s bedtime. She kept whimpering until Ashford agreed to let her sleep on the floor right beside Maisie’s bed.
After that, we all gathered in the living room. The police chief introduced himself to me.
“I’m Teller. Sorry to hear about the trouble you had today, Emma.”
“It wasn’t fun. But I’m glad to meet you. Piper’s told me about you.”
“Same. Would’ve introduced myself earlier, but I don’t get out much for socializing. A visit from me isn’t something people look forward to.” He sounded apologetic about that.
Teller was a handsome guy in his department uniform, his blond hair cropped close to his head. I could see the family resemblance to Piper, both in his height and his striking pale-green eyes. But he didn’t have Piper’s easygoing smile. Instead, he had the penetrating gaze of an interrogator. Burn scars stretched over the right side of his neck and cheek.
Callum brought out a bottle of whiskey, passing around glasses. “Did you bring that bottle with you?” Ashford asked his brother.
“Hell yeah, I did. I could tell from your text that something big was up, and you never have anything decent to drink.”
Teller shook his head when Callum offered him one. Callum kept going around the circle, handing whiskey to Elias, Judson, and Grace. I sucked down half my glass in one gulp. I wasn’t usually a big whiskey drinker, but tonight, I wasn’t turning down a shot of liquid courage.
“Do we need to call in Piper too?” Callum asked. “Make this a full club meeting?”
“We’ll catch her up later,” Grace said. “Ashford, just tell us what’s going on.”
We sat on the couch, and Ashford’s hand rested on my knee as he told them about Lori’s famous sister. They were all as shocked as I had been when I’d first heard it. Except for Teller, who said he had no clue who Ayla Maxwell was.
“Well, trust me,” Grace said, “everybody else in the world definitely knows who she is.”
“Unfortunately,” Ashford muttered.
Teller crossed his arms. “So you think that was someone from the media bothering Emma and Maisie earlier?”
“We’re getting to that part.” Ashford explained about Sheldon digging in our trash for dirt to sell to the tabloids, and then I recounted what had happened after Maisie and I left the park.
“He hurt you?” Teller asked.
I pushed up the arm of my sweatshirt. Bruises were forming around my elbow where the man had grabbed me.
Ashford bared his teeth, a growly sound rumbling from his throat. Not unlike Stella earlier, but a whole lot more threatening. He put his arm around my shoulders. “There has to be something you can do, chief.”
Teller rubbed his chin. “You said Dr. Carmichael was a witness. I’ll bet the reporter is staying in a hotel somewhere in the vicinity. I’ll have an officer call around and find out which one. I can get the sheriff’s department involved if need be.”
Elias sat forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Then again, if you arrest this guy, it’ll just provoke the media further.”
Ashford nodded. “Fair point. It might be better if we encourage the guy to leave town and not come back. I’m happy to make that clear.”
“No, I’ll convey the message,” Teller said sternly. “If that’s what you would prefer over pressing charges, Emma.”
“You make the call,” Ashford said softly to me.
It might’ve been satisfying to see the guy in jail after he had frightened Maisie. But that was pointless. It would only draw attention, making the media think we had something to hide. “I would rather he leave us alone.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Teller took out his cell phone and started typing something. A message to one of his officers, I assumed. “I’ll also have a word with Sheldon. He may not have done anything illegal. I’ll look into that. But I’m not going to put up with my citizens being harassed. If the tabloid media thinks they’re going to cause a circus in Silver Ridge over some celebrity, they will find themselves sorely mistaken.”
I believed him. He couldn’t be a day over forty, and from what I’d heard, he’d been a Green Beret instead of a SEAL, but Teller reminded me of my dad. A no-nonsense special forces guy. Decorated hero, reliable through-and-through, but in the right scenario, extremely scary.
“And what if Ayla Maxwell actually shows up here?” Grace asked.
Which was what we all had to be thinking.
The police chief frowned. “Then hopefully she’ll move on as soon as possible, and take her problems elsewhere. Because we certainly don’t want them.”