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 percentmutual.
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.
CHAPTER 17
“When I sent you out here, I didn’t think I was risking your life,” Simone said, adjusting her skirt as she dropped into Colette’s sofa. Her friend had finally made it out to visit for the weekend. “I thought I was getting you an easy job.”
“I didn’t feel like my life was at risk, truly… Well, maybe a little bit,” Colette shared her dramatic cattle containment tale as she poured her friend a cup of coffee. “Hank was there, and I don’t think he would have let anything happen to me. We’ve grown…close.”
Simone snorted, taking the cup from Colette’s hand. “He is a sweetheart, but I don’t see him handling a battle with a cow. How did you ever conceive of fixing the gate with a belt? It’s genius,” Simone’s eyes widened as she tipped the mug into her mouth.
“It’s more like desperation. I had no idea what I was doing.”
“So, what are the plans for tonight? I don’t want to stand around here watching the guys discuss crop rotations and high tensile electric fences.” Simone rolled her eyes. “I just can’t. I heard five minutes of it and had to escape.”
“I’m glad you popped in,” Colette said, offering up a warm smile. “I don’t know what there is to do around here.” It was niceto have another woman to chat with, there being very few people to interact with besides Marshall, Betsy, and the occasional farm hand. Everyone was busy working and had little time to visit.
However, Colette had few ways to entertain Simone besides a movie and drinks.
“Have you been to town yet?” her friend asked.
