Cookies and beer might be a weird flavor combo, but he was here for it.
“I can do that, but I’m not sure why you need a list. There wouldn’t be anyone on it. My computer is safe; I’m the only one who accesses it. The people who work here aren’t high-tech people,” Marshall explained.
The doubtful expression on her face seemed unconvinced.
Her mouth flattened and her eyes narrowed as she considered her words.
“Anyone can go into your office. I saw someone come out of there today. Doesn’t seem so secure to me.” She tilted her head and quirked a brow in challenge.
“Who did you see coming out of my office? Maybe someone was looking for me.” For some reason, the words made the hair raise on the back of his neck. Who would be going into his office while he wasn’t there? It could be anyone. Except most of the guys were out in the field with him.
“I don’t know. I haven’t met everyone on the staff. The man had a cowboy hat and sandy blonde or light brown hair.”
Marshall cleared his throat. “Doesn’t sound familiar. I can ask around. Maybe someone else saw the person while I was out in the fields.”
“I know what I saw. In fact, I’ll let you know if I see anyone matching the description when I go meet all the guys.”
Marshall gave his head a shake, staring at his beer bottle. “I just can’t believe it. The way we did things before seemed to work for Agnes. I guess I just got used to trusting everyone and I’ve had absolutely no reason to think otherwise. Chalk it up to my poor judgment, I guess.” He tipped his beer back, swallowing more lager before he said anything snarky.
“From what I have observed, there are discrepancies and missing information. Possibly something is going on that goes beyond just ranch finances, and I want to get to the bottom of it. I can’t have anyone messing with my notes and data once I’ve started working on it. I’m sure you understand.”
Marshall nodded, reaching for another cookie and brushing against her hand on the cookie plate as she picked one up. “I understand, especially after that lock has been cut. It’s too many things at once,” he said, a breath stuck in his throat.
“We need to figure this out. Be more vigilant,” she spoke softly, with a nod. “There is something going on, and I’m worried that someone is out to hurt the ranch…and your family.”
His gaze traveled to her face. Her eyes were wide with concern and sincerity that he couldn’t ignore. The words werehard to hear, but they were true. He scrubbed a hand over his face and took a cookie.
“I’ll be more careful,” he said, “and less trusting. Stop thinking that everyone here is automatically loyal. Someone is clearly working against us.”
He guzzled his beer, distracted by his thoughts. He questioned how easy it would be for an outsider to tamper with the ranch. No, this was him being too trusting again. Outsiders didn’t come often. If they did, they stuck out, unless they were familiar visitors. It would be easiest to tamper with fences and computers if it was someone who was there every day. Someone he worked with shoulder-to-shoulder daily, which made him sick. Marshall swallowed and took another cookie. Eating was a welcome distraction and prevented his thoughts from spiraling. He didn’t want to think about how serious the situation was getting.
The sweet chocolate melted on his tongue and a moan escaped as he chewed. “These are delicious.”
“Really?” she said, a large grin brightening up her face. “I was thinking of bringing some to the guys working on the ranch tomorrow. To introduce myself. I feel like I’m at a disadvantage, not knowing everyone.”
She pulled a cookie off the plate and dug her teeth into it. This woman was going to be his undoing. He was horny and suddenly very concerned about having her walking around offering up cookies all over the ranch tomorrow. It was one thing for him to enjoy her cookies and see her pajamas—how many pairs did she have exactly?—but there was something unsettling about allowing others to enjoy the same privileges. If she served cookies, there was no doubt she would catch someone’s eye.
No.
He must prevent this from happening at all costs.
“I don’t know. We’re all out there doing dirty work and maybe cookies aren’t such a great idea. You know, germs and all that.” She would have a gaggle of new admirers if she started feeding the men. It was not something he could handle.
A shadow was cast over her features at the words. Marshall was the worst kind of man, bursting her bubble like that.
“Really?” she said. “I thought it might help me figure out who I saw coming out of your office.”
A wave of guilt came and doused the flame of desire inside him.
“Well, I guess you could try,” he said. “Just don’t be disappointed if everyone is too busy to stop and have a cookie. We’re kind of spread all over the place when we’re working. I’ll ask the guys if anyone saw anything else out of the ordinary. Maybe Betsy saw an unfamiliar truck or something. Hopefully, we’re worrying for nothing.” Marshall tried his best to brush away her fears, hoping he could shoulder the worries for her.
Her sunshine smile returned, and like a reflection, Marshall grinned like a fool. She jumped at the sound of the oven alarm going off and grabbed oven mitts that had been cast aside. Marshall’s gaze followed her as she bent over the open oven and pulled out the hot tray. He wasn’t sure what he desired more, to stand behind her and press himself against her tempting curves or steal another hot cookie. He bit his lip and chugged what remained of his beer as quickly as he could, not wanting to appear as this disgusting guy coming to ogle his co-worker. Which was exactly what he was.
Besides, they were making progress and working toward the same goals. With all the strange things happening, they needed to figure out what was preventing the ranch from running properly. It was key to regaining their stellar reputation. They were on the same team. Marshall stood as Colette returned to her beer.
“I didn’t mean to stay too long, so I’ll be heading back now,” he said, pushing the stool back under the kitchen island. “Hank and Pablo Picasso will be worried.”
Colette twirled her finger in her hair and gave a soft laugh at his mention of the pets, walking around the counter to follow him to the door. Marshall tried to temper the sensation of her energy mingling with his as she walked mere steps behind him. The way her proximity lit a thousand candles over his skin was going to be a problem. He wondered if she could feel it too. His chest was jumpy and jittery, and it was all he could do not to turn around and wrap his arms around her body just to inhale the sublime sweetness of her scent. The devil inside him was gaining strength. Marshall fought to push him back down. Keeping a distance from Colette would be the best thing for him. And for Rosebud Ranch.
