Stuck with you

Chapter Five

Kate's pov

I was dressed formally now. The mini gown I wore fit me so well , Leah had helped me pick it out.

I liked what I saw in the mirror. Leah mentioned Marcus was the one who'd suggested clothes be brought for me, though she was the one who'd actually picked this piece.

I wondered how he'd had female clothes on hand at all, but then my thoughts drifted back to the morning. Yes, Leah had helped me through it ,but I was starting to realize just how naive I really was about things I shouldn't have been.

I did have baths back when I was rich. I just never once thought about how they were actually made how someone prepared them. I'd always known I was a little nonchalant, but never quite to this extent.

I sighed and sat down on the bed. The house was comfortable, I had to admit. I could get used to being here.

If only he wasn't here, I thought.

A knock came at the door, and it opened — Leah.

She smiled, glancing at the dress. "I knew it would suit you."

I stood and gave a small bow, thanking her.

"Come, Colonel Marcus asked me to show you every room, every corner of the house," she said, reaching for my hand.

I stepped forward reluctantly, though I tried not to let it show. I didn't want to seem rude, even with how nonchalant I usually was. Some part of me still felt like I didn't have to follow her lead — but I did anyway.

She led me through room after room, and I slowly realized just how sprawling the house really was. Still, I couldn't bring myself to care much.

Marcus was clearly a socialite — the kind of man who surrounded himself with people, who seemed to genuinely care about those around him. I noticed a fair number of staff and visitors moving through the halls, more than I felt necessary.

She took me out to the garden next, telling me Marcus had a love for flowers.

I noticed there weren't nearly as many soldiers around as I'd expected.

"Why aren't there more soldiers here?" I asked her.

She glanced at me. "I assumed you knew there's a mission today."

I hadn't known.

"Most of them left with Colonel Marcus, and my husband, earlier this morning."

That caught me off guard. I hadn't realized any of it.

"I don't know much, but I know they will return safely by God's grace," I told her.

She studied me for a moment. "A lover of God?"

I smiled. "Yes."

"Looks like we have something in common," she said, taking my hand again as she continued showing me around.

______

Marcus's POV

The mission was accomplished. Everything had gone smoothly. My soldiers and I made our way back to the residence.

The car was quiet now. I could still feel the tension from earlier lingering in the soldiers, even in Tank — but it was different now. Lighter.

"You know," Tank started, turning to look at me. We always sat together on the ride back.

"How did you know they'd be there?" he asked.

I'd been expecting the question. I smiled.

"I already knew," I answered, gaze drifting to the window as night settled outside.

"But how?" he pressed.

"I planted a tracker in the woods after noticing it wasn't a coincidence that two people had gone missing from that same area," I said, finally looking at him. "One of them tripped it. The next day, Fiona went missing too. I just needed your confirmation that the cases were connected before we moved."

"Smart man," he said, grinning. "Your kids are going to be smarter than you."

"Too bad you're the one who's married," I shot back before I could stop myself.

Silence settled between us.

"You know," he said after a moment, "with this case wrapped up, we've both got our ladies waiting at home." He laughed.

Ladies, I thought.

He meant the little kitten. I still couldn't quite believe how naive she'd been about something as simple as running a bath — and yet my closest friend already assumed she was mine.

I let myself smile, mostly because Tank's own happiness was infectious. I didn't want to examine the small twist of something else beneath it, envy, maybe, at how easily he'd built a life with no regrets.

Lucky him.

The car picked up speed. We'd be home soon.

_____

Kate's POV

I'd already slept four hours that day. Boredom had crept in fast.

Isolating myself won't work, I told myself, still lying on the bed. My bed, I suppose, now.

He's not back yet, I thought — and immediately wondered why I even cared.

I got up, restless, and turned toward the door. I paused at the mirror to check my reflection before stepping out.

Perfect, I thought.

The hallway outside was busy — maids moving in every direction. I figured I'd try to find the kitchen; somehow, peace always seemed to live there for me. Despite Leah's tour that morning, I still couldn't quite remember the way.

"Good evening," I said, approaching one of the maids carrying something heavy.

"Good evening, ma'am," she answered.

Ma'am. I smiled at that.

"Could you show me where the kitchen is?" I asked.

"I'm headed there now, ma'am. You can follow me," she said, already leading the way.

Why all this respect, I wondered, well aware I was a maid too, technically.

I followed her in.

The kitchen was as large as I'd expected, but I hadn't anticipated so many people bustling around inside it.

I spotted Leah standing off to the side, arms folded beneath her chest, watching over everything.

She turned and caught sight of me — clearly surprised.

"How are you?" she asked as I reached her.

"Just bored," I admitted.

"Sorry to hear that." She looked genuinely concerned. "We're preparing meals — the soldiers will be exhausted after a mission. This is how we show our appreciation," she explained, smiling.

She was always smiling. It made me think of Marcus — how much he seemed to care for the people around him, how many of his soldiers practically lived here with him. This house really did feel like a home.

My gaze drifted toward the women chatting as they tasted the soup.

"I want to help cook," I said, turning back to Leah.

"You can cook?" she asked, and I could see the doubt behind it — understandable, considering I couldn't even manage a bath.

"Yes," I told her.

She didn't hesitate before steering me toward the main kitchen, telling me to call if I needed anything. A few of the women glanced over at me.

"What are we making, ma'am?" one of them asked.

"We're making my favorite soup," I answered — and for the first time in a while, I felt something like peace. Like this was all that really mattered.