Page 57 of Stormswept Colorado (Hart County #3)

FORTY-EIGHT

Ayla

I shut the door to Teller’s spare room and turned to Cheryl. “Okay, tell me what Ruxton Records said. I’m ready.”

“Shall we sit?” Cheryl pointed at the couch. It was a pull-out, since this room doubled as a space for guests.

“I’d rather you just spit it out. Am I out of my contract?”

During the first couple days after Jarod kidnapped me and I watched him die, I’d been a bit of a mess. Unable to think much further than one minute to the next. But Teller had been there. To listen or talk or hold me. Whatever I had needed.

It would be a while until I was fully over what had happened.

But over the last day or so, my thoughts had turned toward what was next. And that meant knowing what would happen with my contract with Ruxton Records.

A smug smile teased at the corners of Cheryl’s mouth. “They tried to fight me on it. They didn’t want to let you go. But they saw reason eventually.”

“I’m out?”

“You’re out.”

I heaved an exhale, dropping onto the couch. “Oh, thank God.”

“After you made your wishes clear, plus the scolding your boyfriend gave me, there was no other option.” Cheryl sat beside me, placing her hand over mine.

“Ayla, I am genuinely sorry I didn’t stop Paul from harassing you.

I should’ve realized what was happening.

Should have kept a closer eye on the man. ”

I shook my head. “That’s in the past.” And I didn’t want to speak ill of Paul now that he was dead.

I’d also expressed my sorrow over Paul’s death to his father, which had been all the more awkward given his ownership of the record label. The whole thing was an awful, impossible situation.

But that didn’t change my decision about my contract. It was time for me to take full control over my career. Over my future. I’d been thinking a lot about that as well over the last day or two.

I finally knew what I wanted and how to make it happen.

Nothing like a brush with death to make it clear what really mattered in life.

“Have you been online at all?” Cheryl asked. “Seen the news?”

“No, I’ve been avoiding it. But Teller said people are talking about what happened.

Reporters are in town.” I had no doubt my publicist Beth was working twenty-four-seven to handle all this.

Thank goodness she hadn’t come along with Cheryl, though.

I couldn’t have dealt with so many people talking at me.

“That’s an understatement,” Cheryl said. “There’s significant media attention on you. On you and Teller, in fact.”

I cringed. This was what I’d always known would happen but wished we could avoid.

“The coverage is overwhelmingly positive toward you,” Cheryl went on.

“Your previous albums are back at the top of the streaming charts right now. We’ve gotten a flood of mail and social comments expressing your fans’ love.

Beth’s phone has been ringing off the hook with media requests.

The world wants to hear from you and know you’re doing okay.

There’s no rush, but we’ll send you some possibilities for your first interview when you’re ready. Beth is anxious to get started.”

“I’ll…think about it. I can issue a statement.”

I might even share the truth about my father and my childhood. Maybe it could help others, especially other young women who felt the same things I once did. I wanted my experiences to make a difference so others didn’t feel so alone.

“Good,” Cheryl said. “I’m sure Beth will get you a draft statement right away.

As for getting back in the studio, the sooner the better.

You’ve made tremendous progress on your new songs already.

Ruxton Records agreed they have no claim on your next album, so long as you start fresh on the recordings.

We can record out of your home studio in Malibu.

You can be in control of the entire process, but we need to jump on this groundswell of interest while we can. ”

I sighed. “Cheryl…”

“Just let me know when you’ll be back in Los Angeles. Are you thinking next week? I need to make sure we have everything in place.”

“ Cheryl . I don’t know when I’ll be ready to get back in the studio. But I promise it won’t be next week. It might not be this year.”

“But what about your upcoming album? You’ve been so passionate about your new songs.” I could tell she also wanted to mention the hard work she and the whole team had done preparing for the album, but she didn’t.

“I know.” I felt a small twinge of regret, because I loved my music, and that would never change. “I don’t even know whether or not I will finish it. Teller’s more important than an album. I love music, but I love him more. I’ve decided I’m staying in Silver Ridge. With him.”

Her jaw hung open. “You can’t stay here forever, though.”

“Who says I can’t?”

Things were a little tense as Cheryl said goodbye to me and Teller. But she gave me another hug just before she left .

“I’ll support you in whatever decision you make, Ayla,” she said quietly in my ear. “But have you discussed any of this with Teller?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, do that. Then get back to the team on what you’d like us to do.”

I promised I would.

Bryan drove Cheryl back to the resort. As Teller shut the door and locked it, I paced across the living room with my arms crossed.

“Didn’t she have good news for you?” Teller asked.

“She did. I’m out of my recording contract. My career belongs to me now.”

He stepped into my path, hands on my arms. “That’s fantastic, sweetheart. But if that’s the case, what has you upset?”

“Not upset, exactly. Just anxious. I’m ready to talk about…us. Our future.”

“Yeah? I have some things to share about that topic as well.”

Crap. Now he looked nervous.

I took a deep breath, smiling. “Come on. Let’s sit by the fire again.”

We took our spots on the blanket, which was still here from our picnic earlier. Teller also grabbed some of the pillows from the sofa.

When we were comfy, snuggled against one another, he asked, “Can I go first?”

“I’d rather do it. Sorry, but I need to get this out.” I’d been wanting to tell him since yesterday, maybe even before, but I’d had to hear the final word on Ruxton Records from Cheryl. “I’ve decided I’m staying here in Silver Ridge.”

Teller was quiet for a few long moments. “What do you mean by that?”

Wasn’t it obvious? “I mean, I want to be with you. All the time. Nothing can replace what I’ve found here with you. And to have Maisie close as well, the rest of the O’Neals… It just makes sense.”

I had all the money I needed. I could keep making music in Silver Ridge. No matter what, even if I had never signed my first record deal and had my big break, I would still be making music somewhere.

Why not here, with the man I loved?

“Putting out hits doesn’t matter to me,” I said. “Chasing fame, trying to stay relevant, stay on top. It doesn’t matter . Not anymore. My house in Malibu is nice, but I was pretty much alone there. And the travel? Most of the time, it sucked. Touring is so exhausting.”

“You want to give up your career,” he said in a monotone. “For me .”

“Not give it up. Just take a long break from releasing new albums or touring. A semi-retirement. So I can be with you.” My voice cracked. “A few days ago, I looked down the barrel of a gun.”

“I know,” he murmured.

“I imagined all the things I’d never get to have. The things I cared most about were all here in Silver Ridge. I just want to be with you.”

I rested my hand over Teller’s heart. Felt it beating fast under my palm. His pale-green gaze looked steadily into mine.

“No,” he said.

“ No ?” Panic shot through me. “No to what?”

“No, you are not giving up your career.”

“You claimed once that you couldn’t say no to me.”

“I say no to you all the time.”

I huffed a laugh, eyes burning with tears. Happy or sad, I hadn’t decided yet. “Teller, I’m serious.”

“And I told you, never make yourself small. Especially not for me.”

“Then how do we make this work? How?—”

“I’m stepping down as chief of police. ”

My breath left my lungs. “You what?”

“I’m stepping down. There will be a period of transition, but after that, I won’t be Chief Landry anymore.” He picked up my hand and kissed my fingertips. “I’ll just be yours.”

“But you can’t.” I was too shocked to form a more eloquent sentence. “The town needs you.”

“I’ve already done it. I talked it through with Susan Nichols and with Mayor Barker.

I’ve recommended that Susan take my place.

She’ll be great. It’s pretty much a done deal.

I’ll still be on the force when I’m in town, available to help out, but with a flexible schedule.

That way I can travel with you. Assuming you’ll have me along for the ride. ”

“Travel with me?” Was this happening?

“I know what your music means to you. I would never presume to tell you how to run your career, and if you don’t want to tour, you don’t have to.

If you don’t want to chase numbers, that’s fine.

But it has to be your decision. Not something you’re giving up for me.

You don’t have to give up a single thing for me. ”

“Because you’re giving up everything for me.” A tear broke free from the corner of my eye. “That’s not right.”

“It is. It’s exactly right. It’s what I want.” He cupped my cheek, smearing my tear with his thumb. “I told you. Nothing and no one will keep us apart.”

Speechless. I was speechless.

“What do you truly want?” Teller asked. “What do you want our life together to look like, if it could be anything? Because I haven’t heard that yet.”

Our life together…

“I would have you. Our family.” Both the members already in it, and any who might come along. “A big family. And my music.”

He nodded, eyes searching mine. “Keep going.”

“Well…I would have Silver Ridge and LA. The mountains and the ocean, and all our friends in both places. Time in the quiet, where it’s just you and me and I have room to think and breathe.

But the excitement too. The rush of finishing a new song and sharing it with the world.

Creating and making people smile.” After some more thought, I added, “Performing in front of my fans all over the world.”

“Because you love that.”

“I do,” I admitted. “Even when the travel sucks. Even when my career is messy.” I had been willing to give it up, but he was right. I loved it.

“Then you’re going to have it. All of it.”

“And always coming home to you. With you. No matter where we are.”

He cupped my face, drawing me close. “That is exactly what I want too.”

“I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

Teller grinned. “I’m the one with the Cinderella story. Small-town cop wins the heart of the world-famous pop star.”

I could see it. The two of us, living here in Silver Ridge in his house in the woods. Strolling down Main Street to Piper’s coffee shop. Days in the park with Maisie and Ollie. Seasonal festivals and shopping at Rosie’s market and the downtown boutiques.

Teller would serve his community as a police officer, even if he wasn’t their chief. I would find inspiration and write my music every single day.

And then, whenever we were in LA, having Teller there as my plus-one at industry events on the red carpet. My rock when I set out on tour or traveled for promotion. A sounding board for all my most important decisions.

We would dodge tourists, too, since that was my reality, at least at the moment. But Teller would be there at my side. My favorite protector.

“If we do this,” I said, “you would be my partner. In everything.”

“The man behind Ayla Maxwell. I like the sound of that.”

“But would that be enough for you? Really? You have to be sure.”

Teller didn’t respond right away. Like he was considering everything he was giving up. Not just his role as police chief and constant member of Silver Ridge PD. But seeing Piper and Ollie during the time we would spend away from Colorado. Giving up his privacy .

The anxiety in my stomach grew with every second he was silent.

Then he spoke.

“I’ve spent decades of my life serving my country and my community. Being your man is a different kind of honor. A different kind of challenge too, if I’m honest. But I’m here for it. I’m ready. There is nothing in this world I want more than to share a life with you.”

Trust Teller Landry to make a romantic declaration sound that solemn and serious.

I could not believe how much I loved this man.

“Then you’re hired,” I said with a teasing smirk.

Growling, Teller pulled me into his lap, wrapping me up in a whirlwind of kisses and exploring hands. Warm, unwavering strength. When his mouth broke from mine, he said, “Just keep in mind, Ms. Maxwell. This is one contract you’re not getting out of.”

And even though I knew he was teasing back, that sounded like a vow.

“Good. You’re not either. It’s you and me. From now on.”

His eyes glowed like he’d never been happier.