Country Rain (Lib. ed.), page 11
She held out her hand. “I can do it if you just hand them to me.”
He retrieved the sweatpants and even though she had said she could do it herself, she did need his help pulling the sweatpants over her cast.
When she had them on, Colt handed her the crutches.
He watched her as she arranged the crutches so that she could get up. “Need help?”
“I need to learn to do this myself.” She made a face as she attempted to get to her feet. She sat back down hard on the bed. “Darn it.” He respected her determination to do it herself by not trying to help her. She positioned the crutches again and brought herself up to stand.
She blew out her breath, feeling triumphant yet exhausted. “This shouldn’t be so hard.”
“You’re doing great.” He started to back out of the doorway. “I should get back to breakfast. You’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be right beside you.” She swung herself forward and managed to reach him just fine. “What are you making?”
“French toast.” He looked down at her as they headed down the hallway. “A recipe my mom always made when we were kids. It’s one of my favorite things to fix for breakfast.”
“Sounds wonderful.” She stepped into the kitchen with him and settled back against the island, leaning her crutches next to her.
He had a short, square glass container filled with a milky egg mixture, and a stack of what looked like homemade bread beside that. He turned on the flame beneath a griddle and grabbed a plate from the cabinet and placed it next to the egg mixture.
“I thought you didn’t cook.” She smiled as she watched him. “You told a fib.”
He laughed. “I didn’t say I couldn’t cook at all. I have a small collection of things that I do well or close enough. This is one of the things that I’m not too bad at.”
“Like I said before, you’re too modest.” She enjoyed watching his deft touch with his strong hands. She hoped to have his hands back on her soon. “Did you make the bread, too?”
He shook his head. “My cook baked it in the grub building. He makes real good homemade bread.”
They chatted while he cooked the French toast to a golden brown on each side. When he finished, he set the table in the kitchen nook and put out the toast and glasses of milk. He pulled out a chair and took her crutches from her as she sat down. She relinquished them happily as she prepared to dig into the French toast.
Being with Colt had been enjoyable from the moment he’d walked back into her life. She’d started out on edge, then wary, then confused, then warming up to him faster than she could have imagined. Next thing she knew, she was falling for him all over again.
She realized her hands were shaking as she slathered butter on the three pieces of French toast on her plate, before pouring maple syrup over the stack. Darn it. She shouldn’t be falling for him so fast.
After her first wonderful bite, she pointed her fork at him. “You can no longer tell me that cowboy beans are the only thing in your repertoire.”
He grinned. “Don’t think I’ve ever said the word ‘repertoire.’”
“You know what I mean.” She chewed another bite and swallowed. “I want this for breakfast every day.”
“Uh-huh.” He shook his head. “You’ll be throwing toast in my face within a few days.”
“I’d never do that.” She cut into her toast. “But, okay. Every weekend.”
“Deal.” He drank from his glass of milk and set it down. “You do know I’m not letting you go back home.”
Amusement made her want her laugh. “Like you could stop me—once I’m on my feet again.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Face painting should still be doable for you at the event since you won’t have to be on your feet.”
“I forgot about the event.” Marlee’s eyes widened. “You need to pass activities on to me that I can take care of from my chair.”
“I’ll do that.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “Do you have someone watching your home while you’re here?”
“I’m going to call Amy this morning.” Marlee swiped a strand of hair from her face. “She has a key to my house, and I’m sure she won’t mind keeping an eye on things.”
“Good.” Colt had a thoughtful expression. “Will she watch to see if anyone stops by your home while you’re home?
She cocked her head to the side. “Like a salesman or poll worker? Do salesmen even go door to door anymore?”
Colt shrugged. “Just someone who might be hanging around and could cause problems.”
Marlee frowned. “Why would you be concerned about that? This is King Creek.”
He hesitated. “True, but we are not that far from Phoenix. You can’t be too careful.”
She studied him. “I get the feeling there’s something bothering you.”
“Nothing of the sort.” He leaned forward and took her hand in his. “I just want to keep you safe.”
His fingers wrapped around hers, his callused touch warm and firm. How she ached to have those work-roughened hands on her.
She swallowed as she tried to pull her mind back to the subject at hand. “I think the accident has you on worry overdrive. Relax and don’t worry, okay? I’ll be fine. I am fine.”
He gave a slow nod, looking like he wanted to say something more but holding it inside.
When he didn’t volunteer anything else, she squeezed his fingers. “If that subject is closed, let me finish my French toast. It’s too good to let just sit here.”
“We’ll table it for now.” He sounded so serious. “What are your plans for today?”
She cut into the toast and stabbed a piece. “I have a slush pile to go through. I have enough manuscripts to keep me busy for the next six weeks. Maybe that magical manuscript I’m looking for will finally drop into my lap.”
After breakfast, Colt helped Marlee get settled in the living room recliner with her laptop and a huge thermal mug filled with iced tea sweetened with sugar, and lemon wedges added to that. She reclined just enough to raise her legs and he put a pillow under her cast to raise that leg up more.
“I’ve got to get to work.” He kissed her on top of the head and drew back, a serious expression on his features again. “You have your cell phone, so call me if you need me.”
“I will.” She smiled up at him. “Now go on. I need to get to work.”
He set his western hat on his head with a grin. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her smile remained as he left the room and headed outside. He made her feel so good, inside and out. A more perfect man than Colt didn’t exist for her. She relaxed against the seatback and let herself think about him. She hadn’t admitted it to herself until now, but she had missed him all these years. Back then she’d known he was the only man for her. Fast forward, years later, and she believed it again with all her heart.
She blew out her breath. She was toast when it came to Colt.
Why had he sounded so concerned this morning?” Her brow furrowed as she thought about his concerns. It was like he knew something she didn’t.
She picked her cell phone off the chair arm and located Amy in her contacts. She touched the number and brought the phone to her ear.
“Marlee!” Amy’s voice came over bright and cheery. “I haven’t seen you jogging the past several days.”
“That’s out for a good three months.” Marlee gave a low groan. “I broke my ankle.”
“What?” Amy sounded shocked. “How did you do that?”
Marlee saw a flash of the terror of the truck rolling before she pushed it away. “We’re both fine, but Colt and I were in an accident.”
“Oh, my gosh.” Amy rushed the words. “Nothing worse than a broken ankle?”
“A concussion.” Marlee’s headache hovered in the back of her head. “Colt walked away with cuts and bruises, and he’s sore. Thank goodness it wasn’t worse.” The thought of Colt being injured far worse made her stomach clench.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s okay,” Amy said. “Are you home? How are you getting around with all those stairs at your place? I see your car in your driveway.”
“I’m staying with Colt until I’m mobile or I’ll stay with my mom.” Marlee when on to explain how she ended up at Colt’s home. “Mom doesn’t have stairs, so I might go to her house when she gets back from Kansas. It’s all up in the air.” She gave a frustrated sigh. “I can’t stand relying so much on others.”
“It’s okay to let others help you,” Amy said. “Sometimes we all need help.”
“Part of me knows you’re right.” Marlee held back the desire to groan again. “And part of me wants to scream.”
Ann laughed. “What can I do to help? I can keep an eye on your home.”
“Yes, please.” Tension eased inside Marlee. “I appreciate it more than you know.”
“Never a problem helping you.” A jingling sound came over the line. “And here are your keys, right out of the drawer. I’ll go over there now.”
“Thank you.” Marlee smiled. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you that I’d like to do face painting at the small business event. I had planned to call you about it, but the accident, and you know the rest.”
Ann responded with enthusiasm. “That’s perfect. Do you need supplies since you’re laid up.”
“I have some in my bedroom, if you don’t mind getting them for me.” Marlee played with strands of her hair.
“Just tell me where it is, and I’ll take care of it.”
Marlee did and after they talked a bit more, they said goodbye. She set her phone aside and opened her laptop. The login screen popped up and she signed on.
First thing, she needed to check email. She was so behind and likely her editor was wondering what had happened to her. Sure enough, three emails from Elizabeth Maxwell was in Marlee’s inbox. She replied with an explanation and responded to her editor’s questions. She then checked the slush pile inbox and groaned when a list of over a hundred new submissions popped up.
Marlee rested her head against the seatback and stared at the ceiling. “Can’t I catch a break? I could use one right now.”
No response from the ceiling.
She sighed and looked at her screen. She’d attack the slush pile once she had a chance to finish her email.
An email in her main inbox caught her attention.
Sender: farmerinthedell1286@gmail.com
Subject line: To Marlee Fox from an old friend
Marlee clicked on the email. A cold chill prickled her skin as she read the message:
Colt can’t protect you, bitch. You’ll be sorry you got in my way.
I’m going to make you burn.
Chapter 10
Marlee stared at the screen and read it again as ice coated her skin. Whoever had written the email had so much anger for her than it was a wonder her laptop hadn’t burst into flames.
Was this why Colt had been so concerned about her this morning? Had he received something similar?
Who could have sent this? From what she knew, Colt had dated several women in King Creek and the surrounding areas over the years. She hadn’t paid enough attention to know if he’d had any long term or recent relationships.
She drew in a deep breath and realized her hands trembled. The email had hit her harder than she could have expected. She’d never been threatened like this, and she felt momentarily frozen. Should she respond? No, that wasn’t the right way to handle this. She needed to talk with Colt about it when he returned from working out on the range.
Thoughts ping ponged in Marlee’s brain. The email’s author said she would make Marlee burn. What did she mean? Was she going to try to set her on fire? How? Where? Was she just trying to scare Marlee?
She clenched her hands into fists and ground her teeth. No way would she allow some jealous woman to scare her like this. Not anymore than she already had.
This evening she would talk to Colt about the email to see if it related to his concern and to see if he knew who had sent it, and if he truly thought she was in danger. One thing bothered her, though. If this was related, why hadn’t he told her?
Marlee moved the email to a save folder so that she didn’t have to see it while she worked, and to show Colt later.
In the meantime, she had a career that depended on her doing her job. She had her authors to touch base with and a slush pile to annihilate.
* * *
Colt came back to the house, tired as hell, but eager to see Marlee. When he walked into the kitchen, delicious smells smacked him in the face and made his stomach rumble.
Marlee stood at the stove, her back to him, one crutch propping her up while the other leaned against the counter next to her.
She stirred something in a saucepan but stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Hi, Colt. Hungry?”
He took his hat off and tossed it onto the hat stand. “First of all, what are you doing up? Your butt should be in that chair. Second, what smells so good?”
She laughed. “Believe me, I needed to get up and do something. And I chose something simple because doing anything while on crutches is the worst.”
He leaned in for a kiss and his lips moved softly over hers. She smiled as he drew away. She nodded to the pot she stirred with a wooden spoon. “I found fettuccini noodles in the pantry along with this alfredo sauce. I also dug out a package of meatballs from the freezer and they’re in the oven. Easy peasy.”
She pointed to the stock pot on the counter. “I need you to fill that up and we’ll boil water to cook the pasta while the meatballs finish cooking. The pot filled with water would be too heavy for me to manage on these crutches.”
“Still think you’re overdoing it.” He picked up the pot and put it under the faucet. “I’m concerned you’ll hurt yourself.”
“I’m fine.” She set the spoon on a spoon rest. “I am going to sit down for a bit. Being on crutches wears me out.”
He put the pot of water on the stove and turned on the flame. “That’s why we need to get a knee scooter for you.”
“Already ordered.” She made it to the kitchen nook and sank into a chair and sighed. It was easy to see she had exhausted herself.
He propped one hand on the island. “As much as I appreciate dinner, I’m going to tie you to your seat tomorrow, so you don’t get any bright ideas like this.”
She rolled her eyes. “As if you could.”
He moved to her and braced both palms on her chairback, caging her in. “Just try me.”
“Stop worrying so much.” A hint of something was in her eyes that gave him pause. Was it concern or was it anger? Both?
He backed away and studied her. “Looks like we have something to talk about.”
She sighed. “After dinner I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I’m not following.”
She made a waving motion, like she was swiping away their conversation. “After dinner, we’ll talk.”
Colt gave a slow nod. “Okay.” There wasn’t anything else to say on the subject for the moment. “But.” He raised a finger. “I’m finishing dinner. You just sit yourself right there and don’t move.”
“I’m too tired to move.” She gave him an exhausted smile. “Thank you.”
Colt served dinner when it was ready, and he ate like it was the only meal he’d had all day. He’d eaten plenty today, but he sure was hungry.
After dinner, he insisted on cleaning up, and she seemed grateful to let him do it. Getting around seemed to take a lot out of her. It should be easier for her once she got the knee scooter. When he finished cleaning, he helped her get to his man cave and sat her on the small couch.
“I need my laptop.” She looked up at him from the couch. “Would you mind getting it for me?”
“No problem, honey.” He squeezed her shoulder before fetching the laptop and giving it to her when he returned.
She patted the seat next to her. “I have something to show you.”
He took the seat and leaned forward, his forearms on his thighs. “What is it?”
“Give me a minute.” She logged on and clicked on her email program, then went into a mail folder and opened an email. She moved the laptop onto his lap. “Read it.”
Heat slammed into him as he read the email that was no doubt from Sally. “Sonofabitch,” he growled. He looked into Marlee’s puzzled gaze. “It’s from Sally Farmer.”
“How do you know?” Marlee cocked her head to the side. “Come to think of it, that’s who I saw at Mickey’s when you took me dancing. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her then, but she was glaring daggers at me.”
“She called me and threatened you.” Colt clenched his jaw. He told Marlee what Sally had said.
He went on, “I had a feeling there was something off about her, so I googled her name.” He tried not to let his fear for Marlee show. “She was arrested on the suspicion of murdering the girlfriend of her former boyfriend, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.”
Marlee went white, as if blood had drained from her face. “Why is this happening now? Sally may have killed the girlfriend of her former boyfriend, but what does that have to do with you or me? I didn’t think you dated her, even after that kiss.”
Colt pushed his hand through his hair, frustration and the burn of anger coursing through his veins. “Sally kissed me out of the blue the day you saw us, and afterward I came to think she intentionally did it to break up you and me. She started stalking me after that and didn’t stop until her parents moved her away from King Creek.”
Marlee’s eyes widened. “I had no idea.”
“She called me last week and asked me out to Mickey’s, and I told her I was already going with someone I’m seeing.” He dragged his hand down his face. “I saw her there, too, and she looked livid. I didn’t hear from her again until last night.”
Marlee brushed hair from her eyes and frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.” He took Marlee’s hand in his. “I was still processing all of it, and I know I can keep you safe here with me, until I fix this.”
