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Chapter 48
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Cattenach Ranch Chapter 49
Three months later...Today was going to suck. And not the good kind. Nope. The big, sweaty, hairy donkey balls variety. He thought he'd been prepared for this, but the shift in his gut said otherwise.Biting back a sigh, Nakos Hunt glanced from the two men standing beside him to the wide open expanse of Cattenach Ranch. Two-thousand acres of rolling grasslands and high plains. The Laramie Mountains just to the south were little more than a bluish mirage in the distance, but a slightly cool breeze wafted across the basin to provide some relief from the heat. A rare hot Wyoming sun beat down from a cloudless sky as prairie grass crackled in the wind. He shoved his index finger between his neck and the white collar of the button down shirt Olivia had forced him to wear, trying to get liberation from the upper eighties temperature. With his dark skin, courtesy of his native Arapaho tribe, he was roasting. At least she'd let him wear jeans and cowboy boots, but he felt naked without hi
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 50
Up went Nate's hands. "I didn't say a thing."Would this day never end? "Are you nervous?" Nakos side-glanced the groom, wishing the dude had at least a bead of perspiration from anxiety. But no. A pillar, this one."Hell no. I can't wait."Figured, not that Nakos could blame him.They assumed their positions based on the pithy rehearsal the day before and waited for the music to start. If anyone thought having the nuptials right outside the wrought iron gate of the Cattenach's private cemetery was odd, they didn't know the family very well. Olivia's parents, along with three generations of relatives before, were buried there. As was Justin, someone who had meant the world to both the bride and groom. It was only fitting they'd want to be closer to him on their day, if merely to have his spirit nearby.Situated off to the right, Meadowlark's high school band began to play, notes from guitar strings and flutes floating on the breeze. Moments later, Amy stepped into view at the base
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 51
From a seat in the corner of Olivia's wide open barn, Amy tried to ignore the uncomfortable silence of her tablemates and watched her best friend and Nate share their first dance as a married couple. They looked so perfect and right together that Amy's teeth hurt. If she weren't so dang happy for them, she'd yak.Longing tugged her midsection. No one had ever looked at her the way Nate did Olivia. Like she was his everything and nobody else existed. After thirty years of being the girl most guys skimmed past for a glance at her friend, Amy should be used to the shadows by now. Guess not, since her belly cramped.Because this was the working barn for shearing sheep and grooming horses, there were no stalls in the generous hundred-by-hundred space, but everything had been cleared out. Amy's brother Kyle was in the far corner, running the stereo in lieu of a DJ. Ten or so round tables were covered in white tablecloths and votives. Both the front and rear carriage doors were open, lettin
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 52
Attempting to regulate oxygen exchange, she stared at his throat as they swayed. Stubble had grown on his jaw since this morning, adding a ruggedness to his olive skin. He was such a gorgeous man. Tall and lean, he wasn't built with bulges like Nate, but he had clear definition. Languid. Fluid. High cheekbones and a defined chin. Wide shoulders and a narrow waist.She'd always had a bit of a crush on him. It had fizzled out over time, but being this close to him again made her hyperaware. Which was as stupid now as it had been back then. He'd only ever had eyes for Olivia. "We haven't danced together since prom." Nakos had gone to school on the reservation, but for events like dances or homecomings, Olivia or Amy had brought him along in a friendship capacity. He'd been her date for senior prom. She'd ridiculously held out hope going with him would suddenly make her visible to him as the opposite sex, complete with breasts. She'd spent hours picking out the right dress and shoes and
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 53
He was the best I was going to get.With that statement rolling around in his skull, irritation pounding his temples, Nakos stared at Amy, waiting for her to break. He knew her better than anyone. Too much tense silence, and she'd crack. It was just a matter of time. Shadows from the trees created havoc with the moonlight on her alabaster skin. Her dark cocoa hair swept past her shoulders, and he had the damnedest itch to shove his hands in the strands and force her to look at him. Since dancing with her inside, she'd yet to glance at him more than fleetingly and that, more than what she'd said, had concern sinking its claws deep.Arms crossed, he shook his head. This wasn't her. The defeat in her shoulders, the sad curve of her lips, the lack of spark in her mermaid eyes...Not his Ames. Where was her fire? Where was the woman who could argue him into a corner and make him heel? She exuded confidence like most people did pheromones.Except... No. Not lately. Ever since the inciden
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 54
Moonlight cast her skin in ethereal hues as she reclined on the tire, her slender fingers gripping the rope above it. The swell of her breasts and hips strained against the dress from her position, and damn if his heart didn't punch his ribs. Again. What the hell had she done to him three months ago? He hadn't been right since.Climbing the hill, he smiled and stared at her upside-down face as he loomed over her. "You look like a nymph under the moon and dangling from a tree.""Nah, nymphs get laid more than I do."He wasn't going near that comment. "Know a lot about nymphs, do you?""Can't say I know any, but lore describes them as intensely sexual creatures who prefer nature and have an irresistible allure."He wondered if she realized she'd just described herself. And, of course, she'd know something about mythical beings. Any topic at all, really. She had an intelligence about her that was neither condescending nor flaunting. A subtle quality that allowed her to carry on a con
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 55
Nakos's two-story rustic cabin had been built by Olivia's parents a few years before they'd died, and was intended to be living quarters for the active foreman. It was set on Cattenach Ranch, deep in the southern pasture, with a clear view of the Laramie Mountains on one side, sprawling prairie on the back end, and a copse of cottonwoods to the north.Amy hadn't been inside since they were children. Yet here she was, standing in the second floor guestroom, just a sheet of drywall separating her from where Nakos slept. He'd...taken her home with him. Had arranged for all her things to be brought over. It was just like him to pull a move like this.And it didn't feel right. He was no more responsible for her wellbeing than Kyle. The sheer loss of independence since her divorce had been jarring, but being utterly displaced was worse. Like dandelion fluff caught in a stiff wind. Rootless. Helpless. She hated not being able to stand on her own two feet.She had no options, though. Olivia ne
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 56
He froze. Blinked. Swiped a hand down his face. "I meant," he ground through a clenched jaw, "that you always seem to be in a state of chaos. The crazy quiets when you're behind the camera. The calm is written all over your face." He looked at her once more, all tension evaporating from his features and, when he spoke again, his voice was rough. Low. "Honestly, Ames, it's about the only time I don't worry half to death about you."She opened her mouth. Closed it. And wondered what it would take to restart her heart. Her lungs were good, though. Yep, she was panting like she'd outrun the hounds of hell."Why are you looking at me like that?""Like what?" She hoped the floor wouldn't leave a mark when she face-planted any second from now.His frown deepened. "Like I ripped out your jugular with my teeth."Actually, that was kinda accurate after hearing him... Gah. "You..." She rubbed her forehead to stop the room from spinning and cleared her raw throat. "You don't have to worry about m
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Cattenach Ranch Chapter 91: Epilogue
In the main house's kitchen, Amy flipped through the pictures she took last week, Olivia next to her at the island looking on. They had plans to take a ride up to Blind Man's Bluff as soon as Nakos was finished with the horses. It was a gorgeous Saturday, the sun bright and warm, and Amy was looking forward to enjoying it. The past couple weeks had been rough between the trips to Casper for pre-trial hearings and retelling the rape to a bunch of strangers. But her friends had been beside her the whole time, a silent show of support.Aunt Mae set her tea on the table where she'd been watching them. "So, Clint took the plea bargain.""Yeah." Amy put the photos back in the envelope. "The district attorney called yesterday. I'm shocked, actually." There was no physical evidence to credit her accusations against her uncle. They'd both taken lie detector tests, which wouldn't hold up in court, but it had given authorities something to go on. She'd passed. Her uncle had failed. And when
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 90
He was about to beg her to shut up until sunrise, just a few measly hours to give his shattered heart a reprieve, but she opened her mouth first. "Will you go with me to the police station tomorrow?" Stunned stupid, he stared unblinking."To give an official statement so they can hold my uncle on charges. Nate said he'd be there the whole time, but I want you with me, too. Please?""Yes." Was she kidding? "Of course, I'll go with you." He always knew she was brave, fearless, but he'd underestimated her level of courage. And damn, he was buying the whole auto lot out of motorcycles for Nate. Seriously, no lie. "I'm debating whether we should have us surgically joined. It might be my only peace of mind."She laughed, and nothing sounded sweeter. "How about I promise to love you forever instead? Less awkward than going under the knife and we wouldn't have to get insurance involved."In answer, he sealed his lips to hers, sank deep with a slow glide until he was under the influence
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 89
With violently shaking hands, Nakos held the gorgeous face he feared he'd never see again and kissed her with all the pent up, avid torment he'd had gutting him for hours. When that wasn't enough, he kissed her eyes, her forehead, her cheeks, and pressed against her, trapping her to the door."Hihcebe, I was scared to death." Unimaginable things had scowered his mind. All the scenarios she might've been in. Or done. After revealing such a horrible memory, he had no clue where her head was at, what she might do in the wake. His ribcage had been pried open by steel claws and his insides shredded until there was nothing left. For. Hours. "Scared to goddamn death, anim."He'd barked orders at the men. Had ridden on horseback to every place he could conceive she may have gone. Stood helpless in the rain, searching, searching. Each second had been an eternity. And then Nate had radioed she was all right. But Nakos hadn't seen with his own eyes, touched with his own hands to gain proof. So
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 88
He squeezed her fingers. "Victim doesn't equal weak. Regardless of what you decide, remember that much. You are ten times stronger than he is, and he'll never touch you again. You have my word." He suddenly looked a little distressed at her new stream of leaking tears. His eyes widened and his brow furrowed. "Or I could just kill him. Nakos told me once he knew where to hide a body so it'll never be found. Of course, he was threatening me at the time."Laughing, she dropped her head on his shoulder. "I'll think about it. The pressing charges part, not murder.""Open offer."She laughed again, then sighed as they slipped into a comfortable silence. Animals scurried in the night and leaves crackled. She breathed in heavy humidity, the scent of wet grass and fertile soil, feeling calmer. A damp, rain-tinged quality hung in the air, and it had a strangely cleansing effect. Or maybe it was the company."You're a good guy, Nate.""Didn't used to think so, but I'm a work in progress." He
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 87
Drenched, shivering, Amy huddled in the corner of Olivia's old tree house and tried to breathe. She hadn't been able to take the emotional assault and just needed to get away. Fast. The frenetic panic had almost been worse than the fear. After Nakos had stalked out of the barn, she'd gone the long way around so no one spotted her and had stumbled onto their old stomping grounds by accident. A brief storm had come through, but the tree house had no roof, thus she'd been caught in the worst of the rain. From her perch on the northern side of the main house, she could barely make out the dim glow of lights since there was enough distance to give the illusion of privacy. The small structure was built high in an oak and was roughly seven feet long at most. Old pine boards were scarred, a tad musty, but sturdy. Branches formed a canopy overhead, stars and a sliver of moonlight peeking through the leaves. She hadn't been in here since she was a kid, had forgotten all about it.It had see
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 86
Roaring, he held her head in his shaking hands and slammed his eyes shut. Awful, tormenting visions cut through his mind, sliced like a blade. Shredded. Releasing her, he stumbled back, clutched his stomach.Ragewhite hot, sadistic ragewhipped through him. Lashed. Violent in the intensity, it surged as if summoned by the very bowels of hell. Blood boiled and pressure built in his skull, rammed his temples. Someone, that thing out there, had dared to hurt his Amy. His beautiful, courageous angel. A growl tore his throat, and he pivoted. Stormed out of the barn. A quick glance around, and he found her parents, Kyle, Nate, Olivia, and the soon-to-be dead man in the same spot as moments ago. He was going to kill him. Several times. Limb from goddamn limb, he'd tear him to pieces.Marching up to the group, Nakos zeroed in on the bastard. He had a blip of a second to make out a brown comb-over and fat paunch through a red haze of wrath before he shoved his forearm into the guy's collarb
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 85
Leaning against the barn's open carriage doors, Nate crossed his arms. "Things seem to be going well with Amy. Why do you look irritated?"Nakos gave a last pat for Midnight, their three-year-old stallion, and closed the stall. Unsure how to answer, he searched the expanse behind the ex-soldier as if the land might provide answers. A front was rolling in, the sky to the west black with ominous clouds. Static charged the humid air and smelled like rain. They'd called it a day just in time to avoid nature's wrath. Nothing sounded better than sinking into Amy's warm body in front of a fire while a storm raged outside.Except... "She's holding back. From me, from..." He lifted his hand, let it slap his thigh as he dropped it. Frustration pounded his temples. "I don't know. She's stopped fighting me, so there's that. But she's got something in that head of hers keeping her from fully engaging. I wish to hell I knew what. She looks at me like she's gearing her courage to tell me, then cl
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 84
It seemed silly to get worked up over something so mundane as his behavior when sick. Yet she could no more control her reaction than she could deny him what he wanted. Here he was, feverish and achy, but he still thought of her. Saying nice things, needing her close. He was half-buried in a mind fog, and his first instincts were to cuddle with her, not bark orders or push her away. It cemented her experiences with him as legit, proving he wasn't only saying or doing what he'd thought he should.They laid in bed all day and evening. In the early afternoon, he'd managed to rouse long enough to eat half a bowl of soup, and sometime around midnight, his fever had broken. He woke up Tuesday morning with the sun, only mildly sluggish for the encounter, and Amy was grateful he was better.On Wednesday, after they were done with work, he wanted to test out the new horse he and Olivia had acquired, and asked Amy to go for a ride. With her on Pirate, a two-year-old gelding, and him on the new
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 83
Just before dawn, Amy slipped out of Nakos's bed and snatched her clothes off the floor. She padded across the hall to her room, changed, and headed downstairs to start coffee. He'd wake up soon for work, but she needed a few minutes to herself.The past weekend ping-ponged around in her skull as she measured dark roast and filled a carafe of water. Their lovemaking? It may have started off as sex, two bodies coming together in mutual need, but it hadn't finished that way. He'd taken her like a man who'd come unraveled, and she was the only one holding the frayed end to maintain his sanity. Thenoh, thenafter they'd had dinner, he'd gone slower, worshiping her body like he had something to prove. He'd put the beast back in the cage. Not only had she orgasmed, many times, he'd made the experience all about her. Holding her afterward. Cooing phrases and stroking her hair with endearing tenderness.And telling her he loved her.God, the L-bomb. Her throat seized remembering. She and Oli
