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Chapter 89
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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 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 1
VOLUME ONE: REDEMPTIONIn the private cemetery on her family's ranch, Olivia Cattenach knelt by her brother's grave and brushed grass clippings from the headstone. Six months since Justin had been killed in action. Hard to believe. The loss was still as fresh as the day two soldiers had shown up at her front door with his tags and their condolences.Worse than losing her brother, her best friend, was the reality of a life cut short at just twenty-eight. Tragedy didn't begin to cover it. One IED, one wrong step, and he was gone. Erased as if he'd never been here at all.Knowing Aunt Mae was standing behind her at the wrought iron gate, waiting to start the day, Olivia sighed, took a sip of coffee from a travel cup, and tried to keep her morning visit short. But, damn. The sharp stab of loneliness pierced her stomach.She glanced past his grave and that of her parents' to the northern pasture in the distance, teeming with long golden stems as far as the eye could see. "In another mon
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 2
She couldn't blame him for not catching her drift. It's not as if she'd ever flirted with him before. She wasn't even sure she knew how, at any rate. In these parts, the direct approach of buying someone a beer at the sole tavern in town was the equivalent of an offer. He went eerily still and, as if in slow motion, his gaze slid from the clipboard to her. Hard black eyes nailed her to her spot and probed as if searching for the Holy Grail of meaning. Unnerved and feeling more than a little stupid, she shifted her weight to her other foot. "Have you ever thought about it? Me, you, clothes on the floor?" Yikes. Couldn't get any more obvious than that. She'd kill Aunt Mae later.A harsh inhale, and he turned his head, glaring at the mountains in the far distance. His Adam's apple bobbed with a swallow and he closed his eyes for a brief moment before looking at her once again. Interest flared in his eyes, but uncertainty was gaining ground.Finally, he switched the clipboard to his
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 3
A promise. After an honorable medical discharge, that's what had sent Nate from Chicago to Meadowlark, Wyoming. The "honorable" part of his release from the Army was a joke, but his pledge to a dying comrade was not. Redemption was asking too much, but he could hope. Something told him he'd still be seeking absolution when he took his last breath on some distant day.It should've been him six feet under with Justin standing vigil at Nate's funeral. Not the other way around. And he'd pay for it the rest of his pathetic life. He was here, as Justin had asked of him, but there was no atonement for getting a friend killed.He stared out the massive living room window at a dark Cattenach Ranch, waiting on Olivia to return from upstairs. Justin had talked about his family and the land often, but somehow hadn't done any of it justice. Nate had envisioned a little farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rolling hills and cows. Showed what he knew.It had taken five solid minutes o
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 4
"Bones." The owner in question stepped onto the porch, shutting the screen door behind her. "When he was a puppy, he'd bring me skeletal remains of whatever animals he could find. Ergo, the name." She sat in the chair next to his and laid her head against the back, her eyes suspiciously red and puffy. She'd put a sweater on to ward off the chilly night.Figuring she'd talk when she was ready, he continued petting the dog and took in what he could of his surroundings. Another ten years, and he might get used to the silence, the fresh air."Looks like you made a friend already." She turned her head and offered a sad smile.He glanced at Bones again. Great name. "I always wanted a dog." Frowning, he snapped his mouth shut, unsure why he'd told her that."Your parents wouldn't let you have one?"Considering his foster families claimed eating was a privilege, and those were the decent ones, he didn't respond."Do you have anything waiting for you back in Illinois? A job? Family?"He
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 5
Olivia sipped coffee at the kitchen table while Aunt Mae flipped strips of bacon at the stove. Sizzles and pops filled the room in a sound as comforting as it was familiar. A large stack was piled on a draining plate and two of the men had already stopped by for a bite."Have you seen Nate this morning?" Olivia moved scrambled eggs around her plate, hoping it looked like she'd eaten more than she had, else Aunt Mae would fuss."No, but he's probably comatose if he drove straight from Illinois."No doubt. "I should've discussed him living here." It had been an impulsive offer after she'd read Justin's letter, but she couldn't bring herself to regret the decision. According to her brother, he suspected Nate had no family and wanted him to find a place to call home once he was out of the service. Justin had said other things, stuff she didn't want to dissect yet, but she'd process later. "Is it okay with you?"Up went Aunt Mae's brows. "I don't get involved in your hiring, baby girl.""I
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 6
At the cemetery fence, he paused. "He's buried here?""Yes, along with four generations of Cattenachs." She faced him, watching the hard edges of his profile. "Our parents died in a car wreck when we were eight. I didn't sleep well for a long time afterward and I refused to get in a vehicle for a year, thinking I'd die, too. I won't pretend to understand what you're going through, but what helped me was coming here, talking to them." He turned his head and looked at her, gaze sweeping over her face like a caress. Understanding and respect shone in his eyes before he broke the connection and glanced at the cemetery again.Bones nudged his hand and, with a blink of surprise, Nate looked at the dog."I think he senses what troubles you. Maybe you should let him sleep in your bed, see how it works out." She opened the gate and walked to Justin's grave.Nate's quiet footsteps padded behind her, but he said nothing. He spoke very little, actually, but his eyes gave a lot of him away. G
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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
