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“Well, why didn’t you say something before?” Mimi got to her feet. “You don’t need to be out in this hot sun if you aren’t feeling well. Let’s go inside and I’ll make you some tea with honey.”
Mimi made them tea while Cloe put what was left of the coffee cake she’d made for breakfast on a plate for her grandmother. Casey had devoured most of the cake. For having not an ounce of fat on him, the man could put away the baked goods.
“This is as good as your mama’s,” Mimi said as soon as she took a bite of the coffee cake. “And I thought you didn’t like to bake.”
“I like to bake and cook. I just never had the opportunity before. Brandon didn’t eat sweets because of the calories and it seemed a shame to only bake for myself.”
“You could have helped your mama cook when you lived at home.”
“Noelle always wanted to help Mama. I didn’t want to get in the way of her passion.”
Mimi set down her fork and studied her. “Just because Noelle loves cooking didn’t mean you couldn’t have joined in baking with her and your mama. I get it. You adore your sisters and have always stepped back in their shadows so they could have their moment in the sun. But you need to step up and get your moment in the sun too.” She glanced around. “And it looks like you finally have. I’ve never seen you shine so brightly than when you walked into that church with Rome. Confidence radiated out of you like sunshine bursting out from the clouds. A good man can do that for a woman—make her realize her worth. Just like a good woman can do that for a man. Casey said Rome is happier than he’s ever been.”
Cloe couldn’t help the tears that filled her eyes. She looked away, but it was too late. Her grandmother took her hand.
“Tell me what’s going on, Clover Fields.”
Unable to keep her secret any longer, she turned to her grandmother. “My marriage is fake, Mimi. Rome and I never planned to stay married.”
Mimi studied her for only a second before she burst out laughing.
Cloe stared at her. “I’m not kidding.”
Mimi sobered. “I knew all along you didn’t marry Rome because you loved him. You married him because you love me.”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew. Everyone in town knows why you two got hitched. According to Fiona, they started a betting pool on when you’ll get divorced.”
“Then if you knew, why didn’t you say so instead of forcing Rome to wait to get your land?”
“Because I was hoping for exactly what happened. I was hoping that you’d fall in love.”
She shook her head. “I don’t love Rome, Mimi.” Just to make sure her heart had heard, she repeated herself. “I don’t love—”
A noise from the mudroom cut her off. She got up to investigate when Rome stepped into the kitchen. Because he’d been in Houston, he wasn’t dressed in his usual ranch clothes. He wore a pressed western shirt and jeans and his good boots and Stetson.
His gaze held hers for a second before he took off his hat and looked at Mimi. “Hey, Ms. Mimi. I didn’t realize you were coming for a visit.”
“I figured since it’s been over two weeks that your honeymoon is over. At least figuratively.” Cloe blushed as her grandmother continued. “So Hank’s going to set up a meeting with Oleander Investments this week to pay off the loan. I figure I can sign the ranch over as soon as we have the deed.”
A look passed over Rome’s face. A resigned look that instantly made Cloe wary. “I wish it was that simple, Ms. Mimi. Did you get a registered letter from Oleander Investments a good six months ago?”
Mimi’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Was it six months ago? I can’t remember exactly, but I got a letter.”
Cloe turned to her grandmother. “You never told me about a registered letter.”
“Because it wasn’t important. They were just wanting their money and we didn’t have it.”
Rome sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “They weren’t just wanting their money. They were letting you know that you had gone forty-five days without a payment and if you didn’t pay them in full immediately, they were going to foreclose on your property.” He hesitated. “Which they have started the proceedings to do.”
Cloe stared at him. “But you’re going to pay them in full.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, the contract has already been breached.”
“So you’re saying there’s no way to stop the foreclosure?”
Before he could answer, Mimi jumped in. “Of course, there’s a way. Rome can pay off the loan.”
