Chapter 44
Silence draped the room as Colette entered the living area in her ball gown.
“Well, fuck,” Cameron said with a gasp as she walked out of her bedroom into the small living room. “He’s not going to know what hit him.”
“Yeah, he will. It’s a brick called love, and it’s going straight into his stupid head,” Simone snarked, sipping her bubbles with a waggle of her eyebrows. Cameron gasped, covering his mouth with his hand.
Colette giggled. “Thanks for helping me pick a dress out on such short notice. You always know the best places to go.” The dusty blue maxi-length gown had a V-neck bodice with sheer covering over her cleavage to keep it classy and conservative.
Her eyes looked amazing with this color of dress.
It had a stunning mesh overlay embroidered with glittering flowers throughout that gradually increased at the bottom of the dress.
Her curls were defined and voluminous, with a deep part and one side held in place with a crystal flower hairpin.
“That dress is stunning.” Simone sighed, her eyes scanning Colette’s entire look. “Put some lipstick on those pouty lips and he’s gonna be on his knees.”
A blush crept up her cheeks as Colette remembered another time when Marshall was on his knees for her.
“Oh my God, she’s picturing it. Look at her face!” Cameron said with a chuckle. “You’re having dirty thoughts, and I love it!” Her friend flipped his wrist to check his new designer gold watch he had been showing off earlier. “Is Marshall going to be here soon?”
“Oh no, we’re meeting the guys at the gala. I wanted to knock their socks off. You know, make a dramatic entrance,” Simone said with a smirk, standing. She took a final sip of her champagne and placed the glass on the counter in the small galley kitchen. “Let’s put our bad bitch heels on and go.”
Colette laughed as she pulled out her silver patent flats with floral embroidery detail and slipped them on.
Even though this was a glamorous event, she was wearing flats.
Heels were her nemesis. She was already going to have scratches under her arms from the sequins along the side of her dress and on the delicate flutter sleeves.
There was no way she would subject herself to any more pain for beauty.
The silver clutch she had chosen for the night waited on the counter, and she dropped her light pink gloss and cell in it before putting on her coat.
Spring nights in Calgary could get chilly.
Behind her, Cameron was dapper in his suit and colorful paisley ascot that contained a flurry of spring colors.
Simone was killing it in her strapless cocktail gown with a sweetheart neckline and embroidered flowers cascading down the front and back against the light green tulle.
Her long blonde hair was swept to one side, tumbling down one shoulder in thick waves.
Butterflies swirled in Colette’s stomach in anticipation of seeing Marshall again.
It had only been a week, but she missed his face.
He always managed to make her feel special.
Wanted. She hoped that time apart hadn’t dulled the feelings that were budding between them.
The longing had been downright painful on her part, to the point that she was ready to risk everything just to return.
How much danger could she be in any way?
She had arrived at the ranch as a stranger and there was no way anyone had time enough to build up any animosity toward her.
If someone was sabotaging the ranch, Marshall was in danger.
The other ranch hands and possibly some members of the King family were at risk as well.
Maybe if she and Marshall had a chance to talk tonight, she could convince him to let her finish what she had started at the ranch…
with the finances and, of course, with her handsome rancher.
A limo waited for them downstairs, a comfortable luxury sedan that would take them to the gala in downtown Calgary.
Simone hadn’t given her many details about the event, only told her to get a beautiful dress and get ready for some hot cowboy action.
Her friend was rooting so hard for her and Marshall.
Nerves fluttered in her chest as she remembered that the entire King family would be there.
They would most likely have to maintain a professional distance, which should be easy enough.
Colette released a slow breath as they pulled up to the Fairmont Palliser.
The historic hotel was one that she had only glimpsed from the outside, never having had the courage to explore the interior before.
The gorgeous sandstone facade was brightly lit and decorated with large, vibrantly colored flower arches for the gala.
She feared they had a way of knowing you weren’t rich at the door.
Maybe they scanned your credit score or something.
If she had felt like a fish out of water at the ranch, this gala gave her a similar sensation in her gut.
This level of glamour and excess was out of her comfort zone.
The red carpet was draped over the entrance stairs in anticipation of gala guests, and Simone took her arm as they walked up the steps into the opulent lobby.
Colette’s mouth dropped open as she took in the enormous chandelier sparkling in the Renaissance Revival-style room and the swathes of luxurious fabrics.
The floor-to-ceiling antique mirrors that covered the back wall reflected the crème de la crème of the Calgary wealthy milling about and spilling out of the ballroom.
Her heart raced in her chest, and she swallowed nervously. This was happening.
A delicious shiver danced over her skin as she became aware of eyes on her. Her entire body awakened to Marshall’s presence, and her eyes found his darkened gaze locked on hers from across the lobby. Simone stilled and turned to Colette.
“Are you okay? Did you see him?”
All Colette could do was give a slight nod and turn them toward Marshall.
She assumed his brother would be there too, but to be honest, she didn’t care.
An ache slashed through her, the craving to be near him so strong.
Nothing else mattered. It was as though the crowd parted immediately to allow her to get closer.
His chest rose and fell in what she could only guess was a sigh of relief.
The same delicious lightness filled her chest as she approached him.
It was agony to not race into his arms. Where she found the strength to stand across from him in the group, next to the members of the family that surrounded him, she knew not. It was torture.
Someone laughed next to them and broke the connection, severed the spell as reality came crashing in. With a delicate flush warming her cheeks, Colette hugged the Kings she had met at the funeral, who held her like she was part of the family.
Eyes glistening with tears, Rowena King placed a hand on both her son’s cheeks and gave a blissful sigh. “It’s so amazing to all be together like this. Seeing my boys so handsome. Aren’t they handsome, Colette?”
Colette nodded with a shy smile. “Very.”
Her eyes flicked to Marshall’s, and she pressed her lips together.
She hoped no one was picking up the take me vibes she was throwing his way, because it was completely out of her control.
Her body was vibrating just being in his presence.
Her fingers tangled in the delicate fabric of her dress to resist reaching out to touch him.
Simone grabbed Roger’s arm and led everyone into the ballroom. Colette inhaled sharply as a familiar hand pressed against her back, guiding her to follow the rest of the King family. She hazarded a peek at his sleek suit and carefully styled hair. The mussed-up ranch man was gone.
Clean cut, city Marshall was a sight to behold. He even shaved his beard. She itched to run a palm across that smooth cheek and pull his mouth to hers. Feel his warm breath against her lips, knowing that with a mere kiss she could pretend he belonged to her.
As old friends interrupted their path through the room to welcome Marshall back to the city, she understood that in this world, he didn’t belong to her at all.
Watching him as he shook hands with old acquaintances and met with members of his past life, it was evident how Marshall was capable of acting to fulfill a role.
Did he feel like he belonged here? Like he was returning to something familiar that he missed, after spending all those years on the ranch?
It was hard to tell; the mask was fixed so tightly on his face.
His friendly grin was mesmerizing, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Small talk didn’t come easy, but he managed.
Pulled in different directions by older gentlemen wanting to chat about business prospects and flirty women laughing and pressing a playful palm on his chest, she could see how easily he blended in.
Coming up behind her, Cameron took her hand and tugged her in the direction of the bar.
“We mustn’t interfere with the reintroduction of dear Marshall into society. Clearly, he has been missed,” Cam said over the rim of his old-fashioned. “He’s the belle of the ball.”
“Yeah, the crowd just swallowed him up,” Colette mused, her eyes scanning the crowd for Marshall, but he was lost in a sea of tuxedos and pastel silks and satins.
Surely, he would find her when the initial excitement of his presence at the gala died down.
His parents had been so excited to have all the kids together.
Colette spotted Rosie King in a stunning pink frock before she glommed onto a cluster of friends and walked away in a flurry of giggles.
Later, she would make a point to get to know Marshall’s sister better.
Blessed with the same dark brown wavy hair and startling green eyes as her brothers, Colette could see the resemblance between them.
Rosie was a social butterfly who flitted between groups of friends.
Besides sharing a brief perfumed hug, Colette had barely had time to speak with Marshall’s sister.
Colette instinctively knew they would be good friends.
The fact that Rosie loved saving animals and had brought Pablo and Hank to the ranch spoke volumes.
She had a good heart, and Colette couldn’t wait to know her better.
“I’ll have to introduce you to my parents. I saw them here somewhere…” Cam said, his words trailing off as he searched the room. “Mom should be easy to find; she’s wearing lime green. I told her it wasn’t the vibe, but she did not give a shit.”
Colette chuckled and took a sip of her drink.
After a few introductions and some time spent assessing other people’s outfits with Cameron, the room began to close in on her.
“I think I’ll go to the restroom and freshen up,” she said softly, her fingers tugging on her curls. Did she really need to freshen up? No.
She just needed a minute.
Her heart raced uncomfortably in her chest.
It was all so lovely and so overwhelming.
The air was thick and warm; her cheeks overheated from standing in the busy room.
Swallowing the last of her cocktail, she placed the glass on an empty tray, then left Cameron leaning against the bar and watching the room.
Her eyes kept searching for Marshall as she sought out a quiet place, to no avail.
It was hard to identify him among the other suits filling the room.
She dipped into a quiet hallway off one of the main ballroom doors and strolled over to the large windows that overlooked downtown Calgary.
The heritage building had old arched windows that reached the ceiling, with luxurious golden silk drapes swept to the side.
Releasing a heavy breath, she opened her clutch and felt around for her lip gloss. At least if she was going to lie about freshening up, she may as well do something to touch up her look.
As she gazed upon the people milling about on the sidewalks, gala guests smoking on the sidewalk and regular evening foot traffic, the coolness coming off the window seemed to ease her tension.
After glossing up her lips, she pressed a palm gently to the glass, letting it cool her overheated body.
Colette wondered what was wrong with her.
She was at a glamorous event and should, in theory, be having a blast with the open bar and the decadent meal.
Somehow, she felt lost. Even though she was capable in social situations, it was too much.
Especially when the role she had to play was so difficult.
Guest of the family, employee, friend. They hadn’t been together long enough to make any grand declarations, especially to all of Calgary’s posh society.
Colette wished her heart had gotten the memo that their relationship was new and she needed to take it slow.
It wasn’t the time to make any big announcements or surprise the Kings with their relationship. Surprise! You hired me to do your taxes and now I’m sleeping with your son.
Nope.
It wasn’t the right moment.
Had she stayed longer at the ranch, more people would have noticed what was happening between them. But she had left.
Inhaling a final bracing breath, Colette resigned herself to return to the party and straightened her spine. She could do this.
A sharp gasp slipped from her lips as a hand twined around her waist from behind and a familiar deep voice tickled her ear.
“You can’t hide from me. I would find you anywhere.”