Becoming The Cowboy's Bride: Boxset 1-4

by Olivia Wilson

  ‘Ah... I’m sorry about that Gemma. I did mean what I said; well I thought I did at the time. But, when you know, you know. You know?’

  ‘Yes I know. When you meet the one and blah blah blah. Do me a favour though will you guys? Dial the cheese down a bit and be mindful that there’s a broken heart in the room.’

  ‘A broken heart, what’s this?’ Stephen furrows his brow.

  ‘I’ll explain later sweetie,’ Rebecca strokes his arm.

  ’Oh well Gemma, there’s plenty...’ Stephen begins.

  ‘I swear, if you dare to say that there are plenty more fish in the sea, I will scream.’

  ‘Actually I was going to say that there’s plenty of cheesecake in the fridge if you fancy some. But yes there are plenty of fish in the sea too as I understand it,’ Stephen says pointing to the refrigerator as Rebecca laughs aloud at the confused look on his face.

  ‘Why thank you, Stephen, I don’t mind if I do,’ I jump up, march towards the fridge and swing the door wide open.

  It’s strange, as I don’t much care for cheese though I do love cheesecake. Looking inside I can see Stephen must have been shopping with Rebecca. As she always buys the best kind of cheesecake possible and this looks this the best kind of cheesecake possible. It comes from the cake shop on the high street, and they have all sorts of cheesecake. Every type you could think of, every flavoured topping, filling and base. The middle layer’s always thick, with a dense consistency that just smothers your tongue in love. The bottom layer’s crisp and crunchy with a touch of ginger, and as for the topping, well this chocolate one will do just the trick right.

  ‘Right ladies, I’m sorry to rush off, but I’ve got to get to work now.’

  ‘How are things in the office now Stephen?’

  ‘Oh you know, same old. Carol’s still harassed and Chris is missing you. I don’t have long left to go now until my contract finishes.’

  ‘I must remember to drop Chris an email when I’m next online. Do you have anything lined up now, for when you finish Stephen?’

  ‘I’m still playing with a few ideas. Anyway, I’d better be off. See you later darling,’ he says leaning over to kiss Rebecca on the cheek causing her to blush. 'Nice seeing you Gemma,’ he says kissing me on the cheek too as he passes. ‘Enjoy your day’s ladies.’

  Chapter 39

  Mum doesn’t need me at all now. She’s been back to her old self for some time. You wouldn’t even think to look at her, that she’d been in such a bad accident just a few months previous. But, I’ve been making myself scarce at the apartment. Trying to give the lovebirds some time alone together, as well as myself a break from their constant displays of affection. It’s sweet, but being a grumpy singleton, I’m not in the mood for it at all. So I’ve plucked up the courage to visit my mother for the first time since I’ve been back. Well aware that I’m putting myself in the firing line for some awkward questioning about my most recent trip to Texas. I went shopping beforehand and bought her a new dress in the hope she’d be too occupied with that to interrogate me. So far it’s worked, as I’m making a cup of tea in the kitchen while waiting for her to come out and give me a twirl.

  Ding-dong

  The security systems intercom sounds.

  ‘There’s somebody at your door mum,’ I call out.

  ‘Get it for me will you please Gemma, I’ll be out in a moment,’ she calls back from her room.

  Making my way over to the intercom, I pick up the receiver and hold my finger over the button. ‘Hello, can I help you?’

  ‘Hello yes, this is detective inspector John Cole of the Criminal Investigations Department. Myself, and my colleague here, Detective Constable Sam Wyles are here to speak to a Mrs Faith Jones.’

  ‘CID? I trust that you have identification with you to confirm that?’

  ‘We do indeed Madame.’

  ‘Then come on up, the door’s open,’ I press the release button and hear the main security door downstairs click open.

  ‘Who is it, Gemma?’ My mother rushes out from her room in her new dress.

  ‘They say they’re CID.

  ‘CID, what could they want?’ She takes a nervous look at the door as a knock follows from the outside.

  ‘I have no idea, but we’re about to find out?’ I pull the door open to see two suited men in trench coats.

  ‘Good afternoon Mrs Jones,’ the first man reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out his identification. ‘Do you mind if we come in for a chat?’ He flashes his badge at me

  ‘It’s Miss Jones in fact.’

  ‘I do apologise Miss Jones.’

  ‘And I suspect that it’s my mother you’re looking for, as this is her apartment. Her name is also Miss Jones, just to confuse you even further.’ I smile at the taller man, who gives me a strange look.

  ‘Please come in,’ my mother says. ‘Although I can’t imagine what you’d want to talk to me about.’

  I step aside to allow them inside.

  ‘Take a seat won’t you, and would you like a drink?’

  Giving an enthusiastic smile, the younger man goes to speak but is interrupted by the older man.

  ‘That’s kind of you, but we’re fine thanks,’ the older man says holding his hand up. ‘This shouldn’t take long.’

  ‘So how may I help you, gentleman? My mother seats herself opposite the two officers, and I sit myself beside her.

  ‘Miss Jones,’ the detective pulls a large, brown, A4 sized envelope out from the inside of his jacket. He slides two large photographs out, and places them face up on the table.

  ‘Do you recognise this man?’

  The images on the photographs are clear from where I’m sitting, so I know that my mother can see them, as she’s closer than I am. Though she puts her reading glasses on anyway to take a closer look.

  ‘Why yes, that’s Colin.’

  ‘Colin?’

  ‘Yes Colin Wilson, he was the man…I mean a man I was…a man that I knew.’ She glances downwards as she returns the photo back to the table.

  Sensing this is difficult for her, I rub her shoulders in support.

  ‘Miss Jones, could you tell us a little bit about how you met Colin Wilson.

  ‘Yes of course.’ My mother clears her throat and I see she’s feeling awkward. 'It was at the supermarket, I was struggling a bit with my bags you see, and he offered me some help. He was quite the gentleman, or at least he seemed so at the time.’

  ‘And I gather from there, that the two of you struck up a relationship of sorts. Is that right?’

  ‘That is correct, yes officer.’

  ‘How long did this relationship last Miss Jones?’

  ‘Some months, look what’s this all about?’

  ‘Miss Jones, can I ask when you last saw Colin Wilson?’

  ‘I’m afraid I haven’t seen him since I was discharged from hospital.’

  ‘Good thing if you ask me.’ I interrupt.

  ‘Is there a particular reason for that?’ The detective addresses my mother again.

  ‘I’m not sure, but I suspect that there could be,’ she replies.

  ‘What do you think that could be Miss Jones?’

  ‘It could be nothing; it’s a bit embarrassing as a matter of fact. Colin was supposed to collect me from the hospital when I was discharged, but he didn’t turn up. When we did arrive at my apartment, we discovered that it had been burgled in my absence. With Colin not turning up, then not answering any of my calls. You don’t have to be a mathematician, to put two and two together now do you.’

  ‘So you haven’t heard from him since?’

  ‘No, I haven’t, now will you please tell me what’s going on?’

  ‘Could I first ask if you have any discharge papers from the hospital, please?’

  ‘Yes, of course, I think I have something here,’ my mother stands and walks towards her sideboard opening a drawer at the front. ‘Here you go,’ she pulls out a sheet of paper and hands it to the detectiv
e before sitting back down.

  ‘Thank you,’ he says inspecting the paperwork. ‘Well, Colin Wilson was in custody on this date. So it’s unlikely that he was responsible for the burglary of your apartment. Just so you know.’

  ‘Custody? Do you mean under arrest? What for?’

  ‘Unfortunately I can’t discuss those details with you.’

  ‘Well, what do you want me for then?’

  ‘We were holding Mr Wilson in connection with an incident which had taken place at an earlier date. Do you have any of the case files there Sam?’ He turns to his partner.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ the younger man fumbles around in his case and produces a piece of paper.

  ‘Thank you, Miss Jones. Can you remember where you were on this date please?’ He passes the paper to my mother and she looks at it.

  ‘Yes, I was still in the hospital I believe. It should be documented if you need to check.’

  ‘No, no that won’t be necessary at all. The reason I ask is that I was wondering if you remembered whether you saw Mr Wilson on that evening, as it’s his whereabouts we are more concerned with.’

  ‘You know, I wouldn’t like to say. He visited me most evenings, but I couldn’t be sure of which ones - sorry.’

  ‘I could,’ I interrupt again peeking over my mother’s shoulder at the date. ‘I mean I could say, as I arrived back in the UK on that date. It was the first time that I met Colin.’

  ‘Are you sure Miss Jones?’

  ‘Positive.’

  ‘That’s helpful thank you.’

  ‘Is he in trouble?’ my mother asks.

  ‘It doesn’t look like it now that you have corroborated his story, Miss Jones.’

  ‘I don’t understand why he left it so long; we could have cleared this up a while ago.’ I say.

  ‘I think I know. There’s someone else isn’t there?’ My mother peers over her glasses. My daughter had thought she’d seen him with someone else. But I never had the opportunity to discuss it with him. It would make sense why he never mentioned where he was before if that was the case.’

  My mother was right, it made perfect sense.

  ‘My understanding is that he didn’t want to drag you into it. In case you were named in court, I should suspect.’

  ‘Will she find out now?’

  ‘I can’t tell you that I’m afraid. Although I can say that it is unlikely that the case will go to court now.’

  ‘Poor woman,’ my mother looks down at her feet.

  ‘Now, if you’ll excuse us ladies. My partner and I had better be leaving.’ The detective stands and his partner jumps up to follow him.

  ‘Of course, I’ll show you both to the door.’ She goes to stand.

  ‘No it’s fine Miss Jones, we know the way, we’ll see ourselves out.’ The detectives make their out of the door closing it behind them.

  ‘Oh mum,’ I rush towards her and throw my arms around her shoulders.

  ‘It’s fine Gemma, I'm all right,’ my mother pulls back from my embrace.

  ‘Mum, I think we need to talk about this.’

  ‘I’d rather not talk about this right now Gemma.’

  ‘But mum...’

  ‘Gemma look, I’d just like to forget about the whole wretched business. Yes, I made a mistake, I made a stupid error of judgement, and I’d just like to put it all behind me now if it’s all the same to you.’

  ‘I think I’d better go. ‘Shocked by her tone, I step backwards.

  ‘Maybe you better had Gemma.’

  ‘Okay mum, but I’ll speak to you later yes?’

  ‘I think I might be busy this evening as a matter of fact Gemma.’

  ‘Call me when you're free then mum,' I say as I head towards the door.

  As much as the Colin situation annoys and concerns me, I think mum is right and I’d better let it drop now. It’s clear that she’s hurt and embarrassed about the whole situation. Although I can’t bear to see her this way. What I can't bear more is the feeling that my actions might somehow cause her more pain. So, although I’m reluctant, I let it go.

  Chapter 40

  Once back in my apartment, I spend the rest of the afternoon alone in my room until I hear Rebecca arrive home.

  ‘Gemma. I think that you need to come out here, please!’ She calls across the apartment.

  ‘Sounds urgent.’ I sit up and jump down off my bed.

  Making my way out into the living area. I see Rebecca looking uncomfortable and somewhat angry by the front door.

  ‘What is it, Becca?’

  ‘I bumped into somebody lurking about outside.’ She looks uncompromising in her position by the door.

  ‘Who on earth could it be Rebecca? You sound like you’ve seen a ghost.’

  ‘Take a look for yourself,’ her eyes narrow towards the doorway.

  I peer around the door and am almost as shocked as Rebecca looks to see Tim standing there. This goes a long way towards explaining the strained emotion in Rebecca’s eyes. If anything, this is a tame reaction from her, as Rebecca cannot stand Tim. She hated the way he used to treat me, and our apartment. He won’t be setting foot inside of here today if she has her way. Judging from the way she’s standing guard at the door, she’s prepared to do everything in her power to prevent it. Of course, Tim is doing his best to look his most innocent, which is what I would expect from Tim. I’ve seen this act before, many times in fact. Both of his hands are in his pockets, his shoulders hunched up around his ears, and his bottom lip is sticking out. He’s offering that same half of a smile that he always breaks out when he’s looking for forgiveness for something. The one that always ends up looking like much more of a smirk, today being no exception.

  ‘It’s all right Rebecca I’ve got this.’

  ‘Are you sure? Because I can hang around if you need some support,’ her pursed lips show she’d rather stay where she is.

  ‘No it’s fine,’ I place my hand on her arm to reassure her.

  ‘Okay,’ Rebecca softens a little and her arm drops back down to her to her side. ‘Just call me if you need me, Gemma, I’ll be right over there.’ She points towards the sofa.

  ‘Thanks will do.’

  ‘Is nice to see you too Rebecca.’ Tim calls after her as she walks away, causing her to glare back at him over her shoulder.

  ‘Don’t push your luck. What do you want Tim?’ I say.

  ‘Gemma, it’s great to see you and you’re looking fantastic by the way.’ He gesticulates with his hands while taking a step into the doorway.

  ‘Yeah, I said what do you want Tim?’ I grip onto the door making it clear won’t be opening it any wider to allow him in, and he steps backwards again.

  ‘You’re still mad, I get it, I understand,’ he says placing his hands back into his pockets to assume a non-threatening stance. 'I just want to talk. I’ve changed Gemma, and I’ve been feeling bad about all the things that happened between us.’

  ‘You mean the things you did?’

  ‘I’m not here to argue and go over old ground, but I am here to say sorry.’

  ‘Oh, is that why you’re here? Yeah right, whatever.’ I attempt to push the door shut, but Tim stops me by placing his hand against it.

  ‘Gemma please hear me out. I’m sorry for everything. I just want a chance to make things up to you; I am a changed man. I realise I may have sprung this on you a little bit today, though have you never just acted on impulse? Sometimes you just have to take a risk, you know?’

  His words hit home and I begin to loosen my grip on the door.

  ‘Look here’s my number,’ he passes me a small piece of paper that he must have come prepared with. ‘No pressure or anything, I’m going now to let you get your head around things. I’ll come back to see you again next week...’

  ‘No please don’t!’ Rebecca calls from the sofa and I stifle a grin.

  ‘... But if you want to talk to me before, just give me a call.’ Tim begins to walk away though several paces down the hall he
pauses and looks back over his shoulder. ‘And Gemma, as a matter of fact, you do look fantastic by the way.’

  Shutting the door, I head back to the living area. Crunching the number in my hand, I push it into my pocket before Rebecca sees it.

  ‘What did that loser want?’ Rebecca scowls

  ‘He just wanted to talk, that’s all.'

  ‘What did he wish to speak about?’

  ‘How he’s a changed man, how he’s sorry for everything he’s done, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’

  ‘He expects you to swallow that and just forget everything does he?’

  ‘Who knows with Tim?’

  ‘Gemma you’re not considering giving him the time of day are you?’

  'What? No, oh I don’t know.’

  ‘Gemma you can’t, not after everything he did. He made your life miserable, he made our life miserable, he made everybody’s life miserable.’

  ‘I know, I know. But anybody can change, can’t they? And everybody deserves a chance.’

  ‘Not him.’

  ‘It can’t hurt to hear what he has to say, can it?’

  ‘Yes it can Gemma, this is Tim remember, remember Tim?’

  ‘But maybe he has changed; besides he just wants to talk.’

  ‘But it won’t end there will it, these things never do. I can’t tell you what to do Gemma, and I wouldn’t dream of trying. But I know, and you must know, that this cannot be a good idea. It just can’t be.’

  ‘I suppose your right.’

  She's right, I know she is. Call it morbid curiosity, or call it a momentary lapse of judgement, but I do kind of want to hear him out. I don’t harbour any illusions about us getting back together. But I’d like to see that he's changed. Tim was a big part of my life at one point, okay so he did make a rather negative impact. But it would be nice if we could maybe be friends.

  I’ll perhaps make just one quick call tomorrow to acknowledge the fact he’s apologised and he can be on his way.

  Chapter 41

  I do call Tim the next day, and he does seem pleased to hear from me. He asks to meet and I agree, just for old time’s sake. He appears to be making a genuine effort so I tell him I’ll hear him out. But he’s not to get his hopes up; it’s just on a friendly basis. He suggests lunch, but I opt for a coffee instead. As I can drink coffee in less time than I can eat lunch. So it does give me the opportunity for a quick getaway if things start to turn sour. I hang up the phone and head for the door. He did offer to come and collect me first, but I didn’t think that was a good idea as Rebecca’s home. So I arranged to meet him at a coffee shop on the high street.