She dreamed of being valuable to someone.
But caring for Marshall… It opened a can of worms she had never thought she would have to open. Her life in the city was one that she had once loved. Or at least she thought she had loved it. Colette had never contemplated any other option.
Was she a country girl?
Heck no.
She stuck out like a sore thumb with her fear of animals and her abhorrence of dirt and grit.
Upon getting to know Vinny and even Mocha, they had grown on her. She wasn’t about to go full cowgirl, but even the cows were kind of cute and not as threatening as she once thought. She even missed Hank and Pablo Picasso. The cat definitely stared too much. He was for sure judging her, but when she patted that fluff ball, he purred… and it was like some part of her heart opened up.
There was a little family she desperately wanted to be a part of, which was ridiculous. She wondered if Marshall could picture her being a part of his life there, on a more permanent basis. Her stomach dropped at the realization. Had she fallen head over heels after only knowing Marshall for a month?
Much to her dismay, it appeared to be so.
How impulsive.
Leaving Rosebud Ranch left a gaping hole in her heart. Arriving there had been an awakening. It truly made no sense that she would belong there.
So why was she desperate to return?
A lot of things about the country life challenged her, but she was open to learning to love them. She was open to anything that kept her closer to Marshall. When he placed her hand on his heart, Colette was a goner. The organ that beat within him was connected to the one in her chest. When Marshall had given her his heart to take, he had stolen hers.
Maybe she wasn’t a country girl, but she was Marshall’s girl.
And nothing about the city was going to change that.
CHAPTER 43
It had only been a day since Colette had left, but things were already going downhill. The police had come to question the ranch hands again, slowing their work progress considerably.
The men were talking. Everyone was nervous.
Marshall’s head nearly hit the ceiling when someone dropped a bucket of oats in the stable. He should have been feeling relieved, knowing that Colette was safe. If it wasn’t obnoxious, he could reach a hand around and pat himself on the back for being a hero. But watching her drive away had dulled something in his chest. Going back to the life he had before she arrived at Rosebud Ranch should be simple: Stepping back into a familiar, comforting routine.
He had yet to feel comfortable.
Or happy, for that matter.
“Okay, I’m here, put me to work,” a voice behind him said.
Evan strode purposefully toward him, a serious expression on his face.
Marshall was startled out of his moping.
Yes, he was mooning over Colette.
Pathetic.
How had he gotten used to her presence so quickly? It was ridiculous.
“I’ve got Chip supervising a few guys with the feeding, so we’re covered there,” Marshall considered for a moment. “Why don’t you help me move the cattle from the eastern slope? I’ve got about fifty head out there that should’ve been moved days ago. We can grab some men who have already spoken to police.” He was relieved at the prospect of a ride, something to do that would keep his mind clear and focused. Not mooning.
“Good idea,” Evan said with a nod. “Keep the cattle safe, you know, from whatever has been going on around here.”
“From the murderer?”
“It gives me chills. Don’t remind me,” Evan said, his body shivering. “I don’t know how you stay here.”
