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Clint, who was previously an integral part of our team, had been hired to help write the grant for the prestigious Golden Key Project in the short term. He had effortlessly fit into his new role and even spearheaded applying for the project's grant. However, when he abruptly departed due to a reported family emergency, it sparked suspicion among us. His sudden departure affected our team dynamics and left us scrambling to complete the grant application, which our financial future greatly depended on.
I now suspected that the man we once trusted completely might be a threat to us. His ghostly presence seemed to be influencing our current situation. I considered that his continued anger towards us for not moving to Seattle years ago could be motivating his current actions. Yet, I couldn't envision him murdering or kidnapping someone.
Courtney interrupted my thoughts by informing me that breakfast was ready. She sat beside me on the couch with two plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in her hands. We ate our meal silently, savoring the delicious smells from the food and the leather couch.
"Clint," Courtney's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes fixed on the photograph between us. "I never did like him. He was always creepy, especially at Rosedale's office." The discomfort was evident in her eyes, her memories casting a long shadow on the man we were trying to understand. After a moment, she continued, "He wanted me to go with him to Seattle, to work for him. I never told you or the others. I didn't want to create any tension."
Her words painted a different picture of Clint, one that didn't align with the man I knew from college. I shared my confusion, my words hanging in the air, adding another layer of complexity to the mystery we were grappling with.
Courtney's expression turned thoughtful; her gaze distant. "Do you think we should reach out to Nanc? She might have more to tell us." But her concern was clear in her next breath, "I wouldn't want to put her in danger, though."
"We should let Giuseppe and Chase handle Nanc," I suggested. Their experience and skills were our best bet. "They know what they're doing." It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was the best we had.
At noon, the grandfather clock located in the living room corner chimed, bringing us back to reality from our deep thoughts and discussions. We had been immersed in our theories and guesses all morning, creating a grave atmosphere in the rustic ranch house.
"We need some fresh air," I said, echoing the sentiment she had voiced moments earlier. The corners of her mouth twitched upwards in a small smile. Courtney nodded, the resolve in her eyes matching my own.
"Fresh air, huh?" Courtney's voice held a note of teasing as she turned to me, her eyes sparkling with a light that hadn't been there moments ago. "You sure you're not just trying to avoid talking about Clint?"
I chuckled, shrugging a little as I met her gaze. "Maybe a little of both," I confessed, my own smile widening at the slight blush that touched her cheeks. "But I think we could both use a break from it all, don't you?"
She nodded, a small sigh escaping her lips as she admitted, "Yeah, we could. I suggest we go horseback riding—explore the ranch."
“Ooh, sounds good," I said, patting her arm gently, glad that we were on the same page. "Let's go then."
That's how we found ourselves in the stables with Jedediah, preparing for our ride. Courtney chose a sturdy Quarter Horse named Cash, his shiny black coat glistening in the sunlight. For me, she picked a lively chestnut horse named Whiskey, a playful glint in her eyes as she introduced us.
Courtney moved with a natural ease around the horses, her ranch upbringing clear in her confident movements. She saddled Cash with practiced hands before swinging herself up into the saddle, a picture of effortless grace.
As for me, I was a little less confident. I'd ridden horses before, but it was far from second nature. Still, I didn't want Courtney to sense my apprehension. So I approached Whiskey, trying to project an air of calm I didn't entirely feel. The horse eyed me with what I imagined was skepticism as I clumsily adjusted his saddle.
With a deep breath, I hoisted myself up onto Whiskey's broad back, trying to mimic Courtney's ease. I settled into the saddle, attempting to remember the basics. Sit straight, heels down, hands steady.
Courtney shot me a smile, her eyes sparking with a blend of mischief and reassurance. Nodding back, I tried to exude a confidence that was more facade than reality. We gently nudged our horses, Whiskey and Cash, and set out into the vast expanse of the Circle T Ranch.
The rugged beauty of Cody, Wyoming, stretched out around us. Majestic mountains etched the horizon, their silhouettes stark against the clear, blue sky. Our equine companions added an earthy scent to the crisp freshness in the air, creating a striking contrast to the lush green fields of the ranch.
Courtney's soft voice carried on the breeze, weaving nostalgic tales of her childhood rides. Each word resonated against the sprawling landscape, echoing our tranquil journey through the ranch. We crested a gentle hill, and the world laid itself bare beneath us, a panoramic vista of gold and green undulating in the soft afternoon light.
Pausing at the peak, Courtney pulled Cash to a halt. Her eyes, usually so focused, now appeared lost in the infinite stretch of land before us. The breeze, carrying whispered remnants of her stories, played with her hair.
"I need to text Nanc when we get back to set up a phone call," she said, snapping back to the present. Her voice was steady, reflecting the resolve in her gaze. "I think she'd feel more comfortable speaking with me. The call won't be traced if she uses the Deli's WiFi."
I considered her suggestion. It was a calculated risk, but Courtney had always been astute. "Sounds like a plan, Court," I concurred.
A thunderous rumble echoed from a distance, prompting us to dismount near a babbling stream before starting back. Our horses drank eagerly from the clear water. Following Courtney's lead, I crouched down and cupped the cool water in my hands, savoring the refreshing taste.
"Is this water safe to drink?" I asked.
"Of course!” Courtney said, raising an eyebrow at my question about the water's purity.
I watched as she scooped another handful, letting the cool liquid run down her wrists. There was a genuineness in her actions, an intimacy with nature that was both refreshing and captivating.
"This place... it's magical, isn't it?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the babbling stream. I found myself nodding, captivated by the raw beauty around us, magnified by her appreciation for it.
Courtney moved closer, her eyes mirroring the brilliant azure of the sky above. There was a magnetic pull between us, an irresistible force that seemed to drown out the world. Surrendering to our natural surroundings, our lips met in a lingering kiss, the taste of the mountain spring still fresh on her lips.
For a moment, everything else faded away. The world narrowed down to the woman in my arms, the taste of her lips, the warmth of her against me. The distant roll of thunder served as a soft reminder of our reality, pulling us out of the bubble we'd momentarily lost ourselves in. As we pulled apart, the storm clouds in her eyes reflected an urgency that mirrored the fast-approaching storm.
