Chapter 34
Colette lifted her legs upon the chair, hugging them to her chest as she analyzed the computer screen.
Something was missing. The numbers weren’t adding up.
Money was being sent to this mysterious Lorimer Fertilizers account, but there were no records or receipts to justify that any services or supplies had been delivered.
Why was Marshall sending these payments? Was Marshall sending them? She added this to her list of questions she would have for him once the funeral was over, and she had a chance to meet with him. They could be automatic payments he didn’t know about.
Since Jack passed away, she had hidden in the guest house, giving the family privacy to deal with the loss.
Though she messaged Marshall every day to see how he was doing, not much was coming back.
It would be a while before she was ready to go to the stables, and since she had access to the server, she didn’t need to use the office there.
So what if that meant she didn’t get to run into Marshall?
He was doing okay, according to his messages.
The ranch was keeping him busy. She could see him out there, early in the morning until late, keeping things running smoothly.
He clung to his routine, like an anchor in a storm.
It steadied him, as it had when he first moved to the ranch.
She could see how Rosebud Ranch was stamped on his very soul.
He messaged her about the funeral happening today and the wake to be held at the King house afterward.
Colette closed her eyes, images of the night they spent together delivering brief respite from the stress. Everything about it had been so perfect.
Too perfect.
Her typical hookups were one and done, and there were never any lingering feelings.
No thoughts of the man racing through her mind and making her wander to the window just to look at his place.
Hoping desperately to catch a glimpse of him.
Her night with Marshall gave her a taste of what a relationship could be like with someone who treated her like she had value.
Though she had always imagined she would one day get married and have kids, she had never yearned for that kind of life so desperately. Until now.
She was drawn to Marshall in an unfamiliar way.
He stirred a hunger within her that was downright terrifying.
Comforting herself by saying a relationship with a man like Marshall might be something she could aspire to once she moved back to the city, she gave a breathy sigh.
Absently chewing on her thumbnail, she made her way to look out the living room window.
Once again, Marshall had shown her what it was like to be with a real man, someone who valued her and held her like she was the most precious treasure.
Made love to her like she was worth something to him.
It highlighted how much her hookups with guys like micropeen had left her wanting. And feeling…worthless. She wanted to be with someone who truly cared for her.
Studying the landscape, Colette watched the sun peek through the clouds and make the fields glow where the rays touched.
The day of the funeral had started out rainy, and she hoped the sun would stay and burn away some of the mist. The darker clouds on the horizon spoke the opposite of what was true.
Sighing, she padded over to the kitchen to stare at the contents of the fridge.
Was it too early to crack open a bottle of wine?
Probably.
She jumped as someone banged on the door of her house and glanced over to see Simone with both hands cupped around her face and peering through the window.
Shaking her head, she walked over to the door, wondering what her friend was doing here.
The funeral was probably happening soon.
They had kept in touch since Simone arrived on the ranch, but preparations for the wake had kept her occupied.
The King family had taken over the celebration of life gathering to help Edith, which seemed like the right thing to do.
The widow had enough on her plate.
“Hey, Simmie. What’s up?” Colette shivered and rubbed her arms as her friend entered the home. Simone stepped out of her rather subdued black pumps and hugged Colette.
“I’m here to pick you up for the funeral.
Marshall was going to come, but he was late getting back from the morning chores, and I told him I would check on you.
Congratulations, Marshall is officially worrying about you.
” Simone smirked as she walked over to the kitchen island and pulled out a barstool.
“He is? I thought he was too busy with the ranch and funeral stuff,” Colette said, a tremor of excitement rippling through her. It thrilled her that she was on his mind as much as he was on hers.
“Marshall is overwhelmed. He’s doing the job of two men, and I can tell he hasn’t been sleeping well. My brother-in-law is very grumpy. So spill,” Simone ordered, pointing to Colette’s bedroom. “And go find something black or gray, you’re coming with us to the funeral.”
“I thought it might only be friends and family, I didn’t want to intrude,” Colette said, racing to the bedroom and opening her closet. “I didn’t know Jack that well.”
“We’re all family at Rosebud Ranch, no matter how long you’ve been here,” Simone called out. “Edith will appreciate you being there. She’s all alone now.”
Colette required no more convincing. Her eyes darted over all her garments, picking out a black skirt and her black scoop tee, which showed more cleavage than she liked, but she didn’t own much black.
Colors suited her pale complexion better.
A soft gray cardigan would keep her warm and she added that to the pile on her bed.
She glanced at her hair in the mirror and was happy she had washed it this morning, her natural curls bouncy and fresh, she would secure her hair out of her face with a black bow clip. Somber and serious.
Pulling on some dark tights, Colette quickly donned the outfit and added some makeup to her drawn appearance.
Who was she kidding? She hadn’t been sleeping very well.
Even after weeks of working on them, the finances were bugging her, the missing files, and now Jack’s suspicious death.
She selected a light pink gloss to keep her lips neutral and returned to the kitchen.
Simone was fashionable, as always, in a dark skirt suit with gold buttons and a small circular black hat and veil covering her forehead on one side. Feeling a touch frumpy next to her friend, Colette sighed and leaned against the counter.
“Are we leaving right away?” she asked.
“We should. Rowena and I finished the preparation for the reception, and Marshall’s uncle and grandparents arrived this morning, so it’s a full house.
I can’t wait for you to meet everyone,” Simone noted with a smirk.
“One date and you get to meet the entire family. This relationship is moving fast!”
Colette gritted her teeth as a wave of nerves flooded her system. “Yeah, it’ll be great.”
“You have to meet them eventually, may as well get it over with. The King family is very loving and supportive,” Simone explained. “Since you’re dating Marshall now, it’ll give you an advantage.” Her friend gave her a conspiratorial nod.
Colette pressed her lips together. “I don’t know if I would say we’re dating, exactly. It was only one time.”
Simone shook her head. “Honey, Marshall is a fuckboy. He doesn’t date anyone. If this guy takes you for a steak dinner and buys you flowers, it’s serious. Trust me.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks as she considered her friend’s words.
“He’s not a fuckboy. He’s just a normal guy.”
“Whatever, the fact that he took you out and broadcast it to the whole town that he likes you? That’s a huge deal to me and probably to him.
Do not sell yourself short. I know Marshall likes you.
” Simone hopped off the barstool and padded over to her designer patent black heels, sliding them on like a slipper. She always had the most gorgeous shoes.
Slipping on her black ballet flats with the little bow, Colette reached into her closet for her navy rain jacket, in case the sky opened up again.
“Rowena got a bunch of black umbrellas delivered yesterday. We’ll have one for you if it starts raining again,” Simone said, offering up a small smile.
“Thanks,” Colette said, biting her bottom lip. “And Simone?”
“Yeah?”
“Just be cool about me and Marshall. We haven’t had a chance to reconnect since everything happened, and the last thing I want is his family pressuring him or making him feel like he needs to define our relationship.” Colette’s eyes widened as her gaze held Simone’s. “Please?”
“I’m not cool about anything. There is no chill in me. But I will let you and Marshall announce it when you’re ready,” she replied with a wink. “It will be the happiness this family needs after this tragedy.”
The weight of her friend’s statement wrapped itself around her shoulders and Colette shuddered. How could she and Marshall make any big declarations when they knew the relationship had a time limit? It was best to keep everything quiet and let it run its course.
No matter that she thought about him constantly, or couldn’t wait to see him again.
Nothing could turn this moment in time into forever.