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 vibesshe 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 glasson 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.”
CHAPTER 45
“Wow, that was extra creepy,” Colette said with a delicate laugh, turning and stroking a hand to Marshall’s cheek. He could swear her touch almost made him purr. He had missed it so much. Dipping his head, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips, unsure as to how much she was comfortable revealing at this point. His entire family was here, and yes, some people knew about their more intimate relationship, but did she want a full interrogation by his parents or grandparents?
No.
