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Chapter 116: In the Barn
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 117: Hunter's Bedroom
Chapter 117: Hunter's BedroomBeside the fireplace in Hunter's bedroom, Poppy stared into the flames and sighed contentedly. After they'd returned to the house, they'd headed upstairs and taken advantage of the huge master shower, spending some time sensually washing one another. While she'd quickly dried her hair, Hunter had built a fire and arranged a blanket and some pillows in front of the huge stone fireplace. When she'd emerged wearing only the flannel shirt from the mountain cabin, he'd given a low whistle."Hot damn.""Hot damn yourself," she'd returned, scanning him from the top of his still-damp hair to his bare toes and everywhere in between. He'd slipped on a pair of jeans but hadn't bothered with a shirt. Which suited her just fine. She liked everything about his physical presence. His square jaw defined by his neatly trimmed dark beard, his broad shoulders and muscular chest with its smattering of dark hair. The thicker happy trail that carved a path down his de
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 118: Progress Check and Harassment
Chapter 118: Progress Check and Harassment Distant music filtered into Hunter's consciousness and, eyes still closed, he shifted to reach toward his bedside table."I'm sorry, it's work." Poppy's voice was husky from sleep, and he smiled to himself at the sexy lilt. He heard her clear her throat. "Hello? Yes, just a moment."Soft lips touched his as she leaned over him. Her hair tickled his face. "I'll take it out on the veranda. Go back to sleep. It's barely six o'clock."In spite of her admonition, Hunter turned onto his side, curling his left arm beneath his pillow as he watched her slip out of bed. In the grey half-light of early morning, she was silhouetted against the French doors, and he appreciated the curve of her hips, the space between her thighs, the jiggle of her full breasts, their points sharp in the morning chill. The sight reminded him of the previous night, of her perfect body glowing in the firelight. And that had only been the first time they'd made lov
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 119: A Mistake
Chapter 119: A MistakeRonald Slade replaced the phone receiver on its base and looked to his partner who stood across the office leaning against the floor to ceiling window that overlooked Manhattan's upper east side. In his blue slim-fit suit with his shoulder resting against the glass and his ankles crossed above expensive Italian loafers, Benjamin Howell looked more like a male model than the cut-throat real estate developer Slade knew him to be.The fact of the matter was that the two were peas in a pod. They'd connected in business school at Wharton and formed a tight partnership, with Howell as the handsome face of the company. Slade was more cut out for working behind the scenes, which suited him just fine.Howell scowled at him. "That was a mistake, you know. Telling her to fuck him. That's going to come back and bite you on the ass."Slade waved him off. "It won't, and I'll tell you why. That girl is so happy to have a big assignment like the Boxroot Mountain deal, sh
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 120: My Office is Your Office
Chapter 120: My Office is Your OfficeHunter waved his arm with a flourish. "My office is your office. You can use my desk if you like." He indicated the heavy wood workspace.Poppy shook her head. "I'm comfortable at the conference table if that's okay. I can plug in my laptop and spread out all my stuff. It will be perfect."He smiled affectionately and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Wherever you're happy." He headed to the door."Rolly and I are heading out with the boys to the north pasture. But I'll be back in time for lunch. Maybe we can take a little picnic and ride up into the mountains."Poppy's grin was languid and sexy. "I love riding in the mountains with you."He had to laugh. "I'll try not to get us stuck this time. And maybe we'll head into town for dinner.""That sounds great. I'll work on getting my projects up to speed, and I'll be ready.""It's a date, then." He pulled her in for one last kiss and headed toward the door, grabbing his hat on the way
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 121: Sunshine
Chapter 121: SunshineIt was nearly noon when Hunter returned to the barn. To his pleasant surprise, Poppy was leaning on the calving pen with her back to him as he walked in. He paused for a moment to appreciate the way her dark skinny jeans clung to her finely rounded ass. With or without fabric covering it, she had one of the finest derrieres he'd had the pleasure of enjoying.He tried to move quietly, but she must have heard him anyway because at that moment she turned."Isn't she just the cutest thing ever?" Her smile was broad.He had to laugh. "Who, the cow?""No," she huffed, "the baby. Sunshine."He arched a dark eyebrow. "Sunshine?""The calf. Sunshine." "Are we naming the calves now?" He took up a spot on the rail beside her."Why wouldn't you give them names?"Because we sell them for beef." Poppy's eyes narrowed. "Not this one. You said she'd give you new calves in a couple of years."Hunter feigned confusion. "Did I say that?"With her shoulder, she nudged
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 122: In a Fishbowl
Chapter 122: In a FishbowlBack at the ranch, Poppy took advantage of the huge master shower while Hunter saw to a few ranch matters that needed his attention. Afterward, while he cleaned up for dinner, Poppy took care of some emails that had come in during their ride in the mountains. When they were both ready, Poppy insisted on stopping at the barn to see how the mother and calf were getting along. Which was swimmingly. Hunter commented that they'd be ready to join the rest of the herd in the next day or so. Poppy snapped a few pictures then took Hunter's hand and the pair headed for his big black Expedition. Country music played quietly in the background on the half-hour ride into McFall. By the time they drove into town, the sun had set. The parking lot at the North Star was about half-full. Hunter managed to find a spot near the end of the first row."Hang on," he said as he turned off the ignition. "I'll get your door."Poppy smiled to herself as she watched him walk
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 123: A Real Date
Chapter 123: A Real DateBreathless, Hunter stilled over Poppy, buried to the hilt as his climax thundered through his body. When he opened his eyes, firelight reflected on her face as she smiled up at him. "God, you're beautiful," he murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. Carefully, he disengaged himself and rolled onto his side, gathering her to himself."With a little more practice, we might be pretty good at that," Poppy quipped, laughing softly.Hunter had to laugh, too. "I'm willing to make the sacrifice. We really should aim for excellence."He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of her in his arms. A week ago, he hadn't even considered being perilously close to being in love with anyone. And a week from now, hell, just a few days from now, she'd be gone. His eyes popped open. Poppy rested against his shoulder and sighed softly. The thought of her going back to New York, of having no idea when, or if, he'd see her again, was almost intolerable.
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 124: Sun Valley
Chapter 124: Sun ValleyThey drove away from Mountain View and returned to the main highway, driving into town ten minutes later. Poppy leaned forward, looking all around as she took in the sights of the laid-back resort town. Beyond a stretch of kitschy little mountain-village shops and restaurants, Hunter pulled up in front of a sleek modern-looking building made of stone, dark steel, and glass. Immediately a valet approached them, opening Poppy's door."Hello! Welcome to The Summit."Hunter smiled as he opened his own door. "Thank you. We're checking in.""Very good, sir. I'll see to it your bags are taken to your room.""That would be great, thank you." He came around and reached out to Poppy. "We're here."She took his hand and slid out of the truck. Eyes wide, she gazed up at the five-story building. "It's beautiful."Hunter nodded. "There's been a building on this spot for over a century. It was a bar for a long time. About fifteen years ago, they knocked down the
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 220: Epilogue
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 219: Near Aspen
Chapter 219: Near AspenRight arm resting on the back of the low tan leather couch, Angus glanced over his shoulder and out the window of the Gulfstream 100. Heading west, they were chasing the sunset, and far below, the agricultural land of the plains states spread out like a patchwork quilt in the late afternoon light. Anna's soft sigh drew his attention back inside the cabin of the leased private jet Cooper had procured for Angus's trip to Florida. The pilot had been more than happy to wait at the airport in Orlando. Because either way, Angus would be returning to Colorado.He looked down at Anna, fast asleep with her head resting on a pillow in his lap. When she'd crashed nearly as soon as the jet was in the air, the lone flight attendant had helpfully produced the pillow and a blanket. Since then, Anna hadn't so much as stirred.She must have been done in, he mused, thinking of his own emotional exhaustion over the past weeks since they'd been apart.Angus closed his eyes a
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 218: Unexpected Guest
Chapter 218: Unexpected GuestA week and a half after the beach fiasco, Anna was grateful for a set routine. If she wasn't happy, exactly, at least she felt settled. She'd decided she'd try to fly home to Wyoming for Thanksgiving, and while the holiday was still weeks away, she wanted to touch base with Janine to give her plenty of notice. Being able to cross off the days on her calendar until she went home to visit lifted her spirits somewhat.It was mid-afternoon when she finished leading her final session for the day, so she decided to pop in to have a chat with Janine. On her way into the ranch office, she passed a shiny black SUV parked in front.Maybe Janine has found a big donor, Anna thought hopefully. The ranch can use so many upgrades.She pushed open the door and entered the empty office. Janine wasn't at her desk, but the door that led to the rest of the house was ajar, and Anna heard low voices.She rapped on the doorframe. "Hello? Janine?""Anna?" came Janine's vo
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 217: Fight For Her
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 216: Devastated
Chapter 216: DevastatedBeneath the canopy that shaded the production equipment, Angus peered at the digital screen. His actors were in place, and the natural light of the early morning was just about to peak. Nodding with satisfaction, he called out, "Action!"He watched as the scene came to life, an almost exact replica of what he'd envisioned weeks ago in his cabin at Sweetwater Ranch. But even now, the thought of his time in Wyoming was a gut-punch. Shaking off the memory, he focused on what was happening on-camera. It was good, but even so, he had them do a second take before they lost the light.While he was busy working, Angus was able to push off his devastation at having lost Anna and all that he'd imagined for their future. In quiet moments, though, images came rushing back to him.Anna's grey eyes alight with laughter, her cheeks pinkened in an endearing blush, Anna naked in the moonlight, lovingly gazing down at him. Before he'd left the ranch early with a week to
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 215: Florida
Chapter 215: FloridaAlone in her new room, Anna listened again to the voicemail message Angus left. He said the baby wasn't his. She rolled her eyes. Well, of course, he said that. What else would he say? He wanted things to be just the way they'd been before he'd gone to Colorado. Only things hadn't really been the way she'd thought they were at all, had they?A glance at her bedside clock showed that it was 8:30pm. Which meant that at Sweetwater Ranch, it was only 6:30. Dinnertime. She wondered vaguely what they'd have that night. Probably steaks on the grill, she thought with a nagging sense of longing.Here at Horse Heaven, most of the employees lived in their own apartments away from the ranch. Only she and Janine, the owner of the facility, lived on the property, and after the first night, when her new boss had taken her to a local bar-be-que place for dinner, Anna was on her own for meals. She looked across the room at the tiny kitchenette. It was old and outdated
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 214: Angus Returns to Sweetwater Ranch
Chapter 214: Angus Returns to Sweetwater RanchA relaxed half-smile played across Angus's lips as he neared Sweetwater Ranch. He'd headed to Colorado to nail down the details of his film set, but he was coming back with so much more than that. He couldn't stop thinking about the elevated clearing. Perched on the hillside overlooking the valley, he'd defy anyone to find a more beautiful view. On his laptop, he had the initial plans and an artist's rendering of a beautiful, luxurious log home. But with the proceeds from the sale of his Malibu home, he'd be more than able to build anything he could imagine. Anything he and Anna could imagine. In his mind's eye, he didn't see himself living in that idyllic setting alone. The view reminded him of that first day she'd taken him riding, of the view of the ranch from the trail that overlooked the ranch. Everywhere Angus looked, he saw Anna, and he thought of how she'd love the valley and the foothills, and how not far from where he
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 213: Whirlwind
Chapter 213: WhirlwindThe following twenty-four hours were a whirlwind. After accepting the job at the ranch outside Orlando, Anna purchased a one-way ticket to Florida, then began packing what she thought she'd need for an extended stay in the Sunshine State, figuring that the work would be basically the same as she generally did at home. There's simply be a need for fewer coats and jackets.A few hours later, Andy, Simone, the baby, and the elder Graves returned to the ranch in a caravan, with Andy, for once in his life, driving below the speed limit, the better to care for his new family. Anna met them in the lobby. "There's my new nephew!" She stepped closer to Simone, who cradled the infant in her arms. "How ya doing, young Jacob? Welcome to the world."She smiled warmly at Simone. "He's absolutely beautiful.""I know," her sister-in-law sniffed. "I just can't believe he's ours.""Here," Teresa said, "Andy, carry the baby. We'll get all your things. Simone, hon, just
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 212: Nightmare
Chapter 212: NightmareAnna's mind raced. This is Alanna Powell. How did I not recognize her? Thinking back to what Angus had told her about his former fiancée, Anna realized he'd been generous in his description. The woman was a nightmare. "Well, I must. Again, you don't have a reservation. And Angus isn't even here. He left to check on the set for his movie. He won't be back until late tomorrow.""Perfect," the woman beamed. "I'll surprise him when he gets back."Shaking her head, Anna set down her basket on the counter. "I can't let you into his cabin. Besides," she put her hands on her hips, "Angus said that you're his former fiancée. He broke off the engagement months ago.""Well, that's what he would say, isn't it?" the woman snipped. She took a step closer to Anna."I recognize you, you know." Her tone shifted, her words as sharp as daggers. "I saw you with Angus on the news, with all that forest fire nonsense." She leaned toward Anna, her expression shifting f
