Chapter 57
“It looks sad when it’s empty.” Colette walked through her bare apartment, checking each corner for any remaining items she may have forgotten to pack. They loaded a truck for donations that had been taken away, and she filled her car with her clothing, sentimental items and books.
“It looked sad filled with your stuff too.” Simone snorted. “I’m happy to see the last of this place. You’re seriously upgrading, babe.” Her friend placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, tilting her head to lean it against Colette’s.
A sigh lifted her chest as she faced the reality of the leap she was about to take.
This city mouse was about to become a country mouse.
Though some things would change, she would be close enough to Calgary to return whenever she had the need for that comforting grit, lively action, trendy neighborhoods and restaurants.
“I can always come visit, right? You’ve got a free bedroom,” Colette noted, switching off the lights in the rooms she had inspected.
“If she doesn’t, I do,” Cameron said from the kitchen. “Sleeping at Simone and Roger’s might get old quick.”
“Who knows how long we’ll be at the condo. We might have more space one day,” Simone shouted from the entrance where she was stacking the final boxes. “We’re cat parents, and Roger really wants to buy a bigger place for Regina George.”
Colette gave a soft laugh. “Yes, that cat needs to be more spoiled than she already is.”
“Nothing is too good for her, according to Roger,” Simone said, closing the box Cameron was filling with Colette’s treasured collection of coffee mugs.
“Let’s load up the car, then grab some lunch,” Colette suggested.
“Marshall is getting impatient for me to get to the ranch.” A smile tugged at her lips as excitement bubbled up in her chest. After a month of recovery and appointments, she had settled up her old life in Calgary and was moving back to the ranch. Permanently.
The last vestiges of sadness evaporated quickly, replaced with the anticipation of finally finding the place where she belonged.
The ranch was calling to her.
Her heart was leading her home.
Heedlessly throwing the car door open, Colette ran as fast as she could. The month had been too long.
“Don’t run, you’ll hurt yourself,” Marshall scolded as he wrapped his arms around her, swallowing her up in his warm embrace. Hank barked happily next to them, his tail wagging violently with unbridled joy.
“I’m fine. I barely feel any pain,” Colette said with an eye roll.
Pulling back from his hug, she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
With a soft sigh, she absorbed every ounce of sweetness, erasing the loneliness of living apart.
Her recovery had taken longer than expected, but she was almost back to normal.
There was a tightness around the area of the scar, something that would take time to become more comfortable.
It had taken everything in her to stay away this long, but Marshall had forced her to make sure she was fully healed.
He had come for visits every weekend, but it was not enough. She would never get enough of this man.
“So, should we unpack the car now?” Colette suggested, walking back to close the door of her small hatchback.
“I’ve got a better idea,” Marshall said, pulling her by the hand. “Hank and I have something to show you.”
They walked along a field toward a forested area. Colette hadn’t explored this area yet, but she was eager to get to know every inch of this beautiful land. Every sunrise, every sunset, every day, working to build the life of their dreams, together.
“Do you remember when you told me it would be beneficial to diversify our income streams?”
Colette nodded. “Oh yeah, you didn’t like it at all,” she said, then laughed. “In fact, you were quite stubborn about things staying the same, if I recall correctly.”
His mouth flattened and his brow furrowed. Adorable.
Yep, he had made that exact face. It was just as endearing now as it had been then.
“Well, I did listen…eventually. I want to show you something I’ve been working on.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks at the idea that he had found value in her ideas and maybe she had played a part in moving the ranch business into the future.
“I’m intrigued,” she said, turning up to aim a smile in his direction. Tugging her close, he pressed a kiss on her lips.
“I’ll never tire of being able to kiss you whenever I feel like it,” he said.
Once they passed the thicket of trees, Colette gasped, her hands coming to cover her mouth. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she took in Marshall’s special project.
A field of flowers, all with varying shades of blue, soft pink, and periwinkle.
The different varieties were unknown to her, but their beauty stole her breath.
“Marshall, this is amazing.” She turned, twining her arms around his neck. “How did you do this?”
She was so proud of him, somehow growing an entire field of flowers without her even knowing. What a sneaky man.
“I enlisted the help of our local flower farmer, June. She gave me the best varieties to grow for what I wanted. I wanted to try something new.”
Approaching the rows of blooms, Marshall taught her the names of each, and she marveled at the delphiniums, columbines, a small patch of blushing ranunculus, and bursting dahlias.
“I had to include these because they were just too pretty,” Marshall explained. “And there are some roses over there, but they’ll take more time to develop.”
“So, what are you going to do with these? What’s the market for this kind of crop?” She searched his face, and his mouth curved into a grin.
“We are going to enjoy them,” he explained with a shrug. “Originally, I thought they would be some kind of side income, but I realized that I was just growing these for you. A gift for my girlfriend. You know I’m not that great with finances.”
Goosebumps covered her skin at his words, his hands coming to squeeze her shoulders. Colette blinked back tears, wondering how she could ever be worth such a gesture. It showed her exactly how much she meant to Marshall.
“Impressive,” she said in a small voice, emotion choking her throat. “Your girlfriend loves them.”
Marshall carefully slid his hands around her waist, pulling her closer.
“I just thought, this woman needs a field of flowers. And they need to match the perfect color of her eyes, because I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”
Colette tucked her face into his shoulder, overwhelmed with love for this man. How could she ever feel worthy?
“I see,” she muttered, pulling her head back. “Is that all?”
“No,” he continued. “This woman, my woman, needs her own house, which we’re going to build right over there. I’ve gotten permission from the family. How does that sound? When we’re ready, no pressure.” He indicated the parcel of land that was overlooking the blooms.
“I have no words.” Colette clasped a hand over her mouth, willing her tears to stop. Happiness bubbled up within her, unbridled and free. They had survived the darkness; now it was time for the light to shine. All over her field of flowers. All over her life.
“You’ll be able to look on your field of flowers every day and remember…” Marshall cupped her chin, their gazes locking. “Exactly how much I love you. And how grateful I am that you came back to me.”
His words had many meanings, and she understood how close she had come to being lost to him forever. Colette nodded with a deep inhale.
A flirty grin curved her lips. “I had to come back. I’ve got a thing for sexy ranchers with cute dogs.”
“Hear that, Hank? She’s staying with us!” With a whoop, he gathered Colette in his arms. Her laughter floated on the warm breeze. The dog merely lifted his head from where he had been snoozing in the grass and flapped his tail.
Marshall lifted her up and she clung to him. Their lips came together for a kiss, promising a love without end, and a bright future they had yet to behold.