Chapter 16
Tucking her hands deep in the pockets of her puffy thermal jacket, Colette admired another amazing ranch sunrise. The days were getting longer, and this morning, she was determined to get out of her home and explore the small town beyond the grocery store.
The town of Rosebud had a tiny main street with an adorable grocery store, a theater, a hardware store, a bakery, and a few restaurants and bars.
Every building was reminiscent of an old frontier town in its appearance.
Most of the buildings had false fronts painted in classic neutral colors, with large signs indicating the nature of the business.
Colette appreciated the charm and the ease of getting around.
There were no secrets here; everyone knew where to go to find what they needed.
The Buttercup Bakery was her destination; the clapboard front painted a bright robin’s egg blue and sprinkled with the occasional yellow buttercup around the shop sign.
It was hard to imagine this kind of charm in the city. Opening the glass door, Colette could hear as the conversations at each table slowed momentarily, then picked up again.
Great.
She was a stranger. As if she could ever forget she didn’t belong here.
Making her way up to the till, she admired the selection of fresh muffins and cakes behind the glass.
“Hi, what can I get you?” a smiling redhead said from behind the counter.
Colette’s top teeth dug into her bottom lip. “I don’t know…” She shook her head, trying to decide, when all the treats looked amazing. “What should I start with? I’m new here, and now I feel like I need to come every day to try all these gorgeous pastries.”
“Hate to say it, but I hope you’ve got lots of time. We have a rotating menu, and it changes every day.”
Groaning inwardly, Colette silently wished she had more time too. “Well, I’ll have to do my best with the time I have. I’ll have the morning glory muffin and a coffee.”
The woman behind the counter gave a nod and took a light-blue plate off a stack and plated the muffin. “So, did you recently move into town? I’m Imogen, by the way.”
“I’m Colette. I’m working at Rosebud Ranch. Temporarily. Just helping out with the finances until they find someone more permanent.”
“Imogen,” a woman with short gray hair called out as she joined Imogen behind the counter. “I hope you’re making our new customer feel welcome. Hi, I’m Edna,” the woman reached across the counter and Colette stared at her hand momentarily.
“I love your earrings,” she answered, studying the large cupcake earrings and shaking her hand. “I just moved to the ranch.”
“She’s working with Marshall,” Imogen said, glancing at the older woman.
“Interesting,” Edna said, taking the plate from Imogen and adding a cookie to sit beside the muffin. “On the house. That Marshall, he’s a handsome fella.”
Flattening her mouth as she took the plate, Colette shrugged, feigning disinterest to distract from the way her cheeks heated. It was hard for anyone not to notice Marshall.
“I guess,” she replied awkwardly. “I’m just there to work on the books. I don’t really see him that much.”
Edna nodded, her eyes flaring with interest, then turned to watch her daughter.
Imogen poured her a coffee into a butter-yellow cup and placed it on the counter next to the treats.
“Well, don’t be a stranger. We love meeting new people here. I was just sitting with my friends over here while my daughter managed the front. Imogen runs the place.”
Her daughter beamed proudly, smoothing her hand over her light blue apron.
Colette nodded, picking up her order and searching for an empty table.
“Come to my table. I’ll introduce you to my friends. Nothing is worse than moving to a new town and not knowing anybody,” the older woman said warmly.
Though she had just come for breakfast, Colette was charmed by Edna and agreed that meeting more of the members of the small town would probably be helpful. It was lonely being the only woman living on the ranch.
“Colette, meet Betty,” Edna pointed to a woman in a leopard print sweater with thick, black-rimmed glasses and bright red lipstick.
“Welcome, Colette,” the woman said with a warm smile.
“…And this is Edith,” Edna said, indicating a frail woman with a floral turban wrapped around her head. “She’s married to Jack. You might know him already.”
“Yes, I met Jack,” Colette said, happy to make the connection. “Nice to meet you, ladies. I won’t disturb you.”
“Nonsense! You must tell us how you like living on the ranch,” Betty said, pulling out a chair next to her. “I’ve heard that grandson of Clarence’s is having a hard time. Especially since Agnes left.”
Colette sat, aware of her coffee cooling on the other table as their conversation continued.
Oh well.
She’d rather have cold coffee and hot gossip any day.
Edith shook her head. “I never expected Agnes to just leave like that.”
“Yes,” Colette agreed. “Agnes was vital to the running of the ranch; I can tell you that.”
Edna leaned in close, her voice quieting. Watching as the other women huddled with her, Colette followed.
“I think she has a boyfriend. Why else would you abandon your life here? What does Mexico have that Rosebud doesn’t?”
The three older women nodded, their eyes wide.
“Really good margaritas?” Colette laughed at her own comment.
The women turned to her in silence.
“She’s right. The Dusty Spur is not famous for its cocktails. I still think she met someone. I can’t think of a better reason to leave town than a sexy affair,” Betty said, fanning her face. “I bet you it was a younger man.”
Edna and Edith nodded simultaneously.
“Have any of you heard from Agnes?” Colette inquired, her curiosity piqued. “I mean, when we spoke, Marshall made it sound like she left with little warning. Does that sound like something she would do?”
“Gosh, no,” Edna piped up. “But Agnes always kept to herself. We invited her to our weekly bridge games, and she wasn’t interested. I didn’t take it personally. I just assumed she was busy doing her own thing.”
“Well, I took it personally,” Betty said. “So we didn’t chat much.” Betty rested her cheek on her closed fist and stared at Colette with curiosity.
Searching for a way to escape her scrutiny, Colette made to leave again, but Edna laid a hand on her arm. “What’s it like working with Marshall? I’m always wondering what he’s up to. We don’t see him in town much,” she asked, arching a brow.
“We’ve only had a few meetings. He’s fine,” Colette hedged. “The ranch keeps him busy.”
“I heard he was looking awfully close to Jessica Lansbury last night,” Betty quipped, her gaze connecting with her friends.
Rolling her tongue in her mouth, Colette fought off the odd sensation filling her chest. Was she disappointed? Why would she be disappointed?
“That Jessica has her eye on him, that’s for sure,” Edna added. “Imogen saw them at The Spur last night.”
Swallowing to keep her mouth from gaping open, Colette straightened her spine. She needed to escape this conversation before she learned more than she wanted to know.
“Ladies, my ears are burning,” Imogen said from behind her.
Releasing a breath, Colette turned to smile at her savior. “I poured you a fresh cup, since these ladies apparently do not care that you probably have to get to work.”
“We’re updating Colette on town gossip. She’s having a great time,” Betty said, waving off Imogen.
Colette seized her moment and stood. “She’s right. I have to get going, but thanks for the chat. I’ll make sure to get the latest from you next time I’m in. It was nice meeting you.” She walked to her table but gasped as a hand clutched her arm.
“Don’t turn your back on that Jessica Lansbury, Colette,” Betty said in an oddly dramatic tone. “I think Marshall would do well with a nice girl like you.”
“Right, got it,” she said, not quite sure why she should feel threatened by this Jessica. What Marshall did on his own time was his business. It wasn’t as though she planned on making a move on him; he was the grandson of her employer. Anything between them would definitely be a bad idea.
Tugging on the back of her chair, she sat alone at her bistro table with her muffin and cookie, chewing as she mulled over the new information she had gathered.
The fresh coffee was delicious. She was glad to have made a new friend in Imogen. And how awesome was it to have access to all the freshest gossip from those old ladies? They seemed to know everything that was going on in town.
Would Agnes leave because she met a new man? How titillating. Refusing to spend one moment thinking about Marshall, she swallowed the last of her food, electing to bring the cookie with her for later. She didn’t care one minute for what Marshall did with Jessica Lansbury.
In fact, she hoped they had a great time together. Colette had her sights set on her own cowboy romance. A delicious fling to fill the time until she went back to the city.
Marshall King had zero interest in her and that feeling was completely mutual.
One hundred percent mutual.
Colette embraced the chill of the morning air as she left the overly warm bakery with a frown on her face. For some reason, she wasn’t going to examine; she was pissed.
Stupid Marshall and Jessica Lansbury.
Colette hoped they would be very happy together.