PEYTON’S KISS
By Annabelle Anders
CHAPTER ONE
Stella swiped ather eyes for about the thousandth time. It wasn’t fair. Life wasn’t fair. Glancing over her shoulder, she hit her turn signal and changed lanes to pass. She’d told Corinne she’d arrive before dark. The drive from Denver, across the mountains to Elk Canyon, a tiny town on the western slope, shouldn’t take much more than seven hours.
She’d been on the road since nine this morning. She would have left last night, right after Corinne’s call, but her oldest and dearest friend insisted she wait until morning. “I want you here, but in one piece,” she’d told Stella.
They’d both cried more than once during that horrible conversation.
Corinne needed her. Stage four.
Stella had Googled it as soon as they ended the call. From what she discovered, Corinne’s prognosis didn’t sound good. She’d promised Stella she’d fight it tooth and nail but…
Stella sniffed loudly.
Why couldn’t it be her? Nobody depended on her whereas Corrine had a daughter to care for– to finish raising. Misty, Stella’s god-daughter, had just celebrated her fifth birthday. Only three weeks ago she’d called Stella to tell her all about her first day at school.
“Get in the right lane to exit the interstate in one mile.” Siri’s emotionless voice broke into Stella’s thoughts. According to the directions, she had another seventy-five miles to cover.
This side of Colorado could have been a different state. Mesas instead of mountains, high desert instead of plains. Stella had never visited Corinne and Misty at the ranch. She’d meant to, but her schedule hadn’t allowed it. “Next year,” she’d told Corinne again and again.
This time she hadn’t said no. This time she promised to stay as long as Corinne needed her. Stella fought back tears again. Please let her get better, please let her beat it.
They’d been best friends since freshmen year in college– and kept in touch ever since. Through Corinne’s marriage, Misty’s birth and then Corinne’s divorce. Stella could hardly believe nine years had already passed. It didn’t seem that long.
Passing through Grand Junction, the largest city on the western slope, Stella reluctantly dropped her speed. She passed a few strip malls, some gas stations, and a few liquor stores before crossing the Colorado River. Once the road smoothed into highway again, she accelerated impatiently.
Not that a few minutes would make any difference… but she needed to get there.
She hit a button on her steering wheel and said, “Call Corinne.” After arguing with her Bluetooth for a few minutes, the sound of her call going through radiated from the speakers.
“Hello.” It wasn’t Corinne. A deep rumbling voice answered. A man. Panic kicked in. Surely Corinne hadn’t gone into the hospital already?
“Hi. Um, this is Stella Fairchild. Is Corinne around?” Stella spoke louder than normal so the car microphone would pick up her voice. She hoped service wouldn’t drop during her call. Some of the directions Corinne gave her seemed pretty sketch.
“She took off somewhere with Misty. Forgot to take her phone again.” He sounded a little irritated, but in a worried way.
“Are you her brother? Peyton?” Stella had heard all kinds of good things about this saintly creature but never met the man. Apparently, he’d taken over the family ranch after their parents died, and all the responsibilities that came with it. Stella had always come away thinking the man sounded bossy though, and arrogant– telling Corinne how to live her life.
Except he’d been right about Corinne’s ex.
“I am.” He didn’t offer anything else. Surely Corinne mentioned her visit?
“Corinne told you, right? That I was coming to help?”
“You’re her friend, the social media chick from Denver, right?” Wow, he didn’t sound all that pleased– or welcoming. Stella decided to cut to the chase.
“How is she? I mean, really. She told me she’s okay but…” Stella trailed off.
His sigh echoed loudly over the speakers. She could practically feel it, what with the quality of her sound system.
“She’s lost a lot of weight. I told her she needed to go to the doctor three months ago.” And then he cut himself off. As though angry with himself for admitting as much.
His words confirmed Stella’s fears though. “Well, at least we know what we’re dealing with.”
She wanted to sound hopeful despite what her research had turned up. “I promised her I’d stay as long as she needed me.”
