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Chapter 150: Realization
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 151: Wisdom From Rolly
Chapter 151: Wisdom From RollyHunter watched as the young man headed down the trail. He figured he should go help them, maybe spell Hoyt and give him a chance to get some more sleep. But he was drawn to the cabin.Maybe it was a sense of wanting to punish himself, some masochistic urge to beat himself up over the way he'd treated Poppy, the way he'd just assumed that she'd played him. But whatever it was, he was helpless to stop himself from going up the front steps and entering the cabin.Rolly's pack was neatly stowed in the corner, but beyond that, there was precious little to differentiate the cabin from the way it had been that stormy night. As he stood in the doorway, in his mind's eye he saw Poppy, her red hair soaked from the rain, dressed in that ratty old flannel shirt as she wrapped him in a dry blanket. He'd been cold that night, soaked to the skin, as close to hypothermia as he'd ever been. And she'd used her body to warm his. Standing there now on the chilled aut
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 152: A Plan
Chapter 152: A PlanIt might have been early in the day for a shot of bourbon, but Hunter slugged one back nevertheless. The miniature mountain cabin sat perched in the center of his desk. Having just come from the real one, he was again amazed at the similarities. It wasn't possible Poppy had had it made custom, was it?He shook his head. During his ride back down the mountain, a plan had begun to form in his mind. First things first, there was something he needed to do. He picked up his office phone and dialed Bill Albright's cell."Hunter, how's the new head of the McFall Economic Development Council?" the sheriff laughed.Hunter rolled his eyes. He'd forgotten about that fiasco."Hey, Bill, how are you?""Doing fine, just fine. What can I do for you?"Hunter hesitated for a moment. "I'm about to ask you to do something that might kind of skirt the law a little."Silence greeted Hunter on the other end."Bill?""What are we talking about here?" Albright asked cautiously."I
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 153: Heading to New York
Chapter 153: Heading to New YorkAfter he left Mountain Vista, Hunter headed back the way he'd come, pulling off at the Airport Inn on 4th Avenue. The hotel was a plain but serviceable place to stay, its main appeal being that it was located less than a mile from the airport. Hunter's first flight left at 6:00 the following morning, which was why he'd decided to stay in town overnight. Well, that and he'd wanted to take the opportunity to see his grandfather. As he carried his small duffel bag into the spartan but clean king room, he was once again grateful for how lucid his grandfather had been. The visit had gone immensely better than he'd expected. Now if only things went as well when he saw Poppy. He'd considered calling her, telling her he was on his way, but he'd decided against it. The things he needed to say to her, she deserved to hear in person.He spent another restless night and was up before his alarm sounded. He showered, shaved and trimmed his facial hair, an
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 154: Surprises of All Kinds
Chapter 154: Surprises of All KindsA cool gust chilled Poppy as she headed back to the apartment. Shifting a mesh shopping bag over her left shoulder, she closed the flowy beige cardigan more tightly around herself. Her shift at Cuppa Joe's had seemed long today, and she was tired. The thought of resting her feet on her coffee table and watching something mindless on television was tremendously appealing.Necessity had required a stop by the market on her way home from work. Since her departure from Slade & Howell, she'd put herself on a strict budget. The bunch of sunflowers in her bag alongside a few grocery items was an extravagant treat.She crossed at the corner with a dozen other pedestrians, each preoccupied with his or her own thoughts. In her own mind, she pictured the steps of her first-floor walk-up. "Thank God it's the first floor," she muttered to herself.Halfway down the block, she gazed up toward her brownstone apartment building and saw a familiar figure standi
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 155: Words
Chapter 155: WordsPoppy squeezed her eyes shut against the emotions that swept over her. Steeling herself, she turned to face him. "What am I supposed to do with that?" Her tone was biting.His eyes widened, and he looked like she'd punched him in the gut. "I just…wanted to tell you.""Words, Hunter. Just...words." Thinking of all she'd been through in the last several months, she shook her head. "Maybe in the movies that makes everything okay. But this is real life."Her heart pounded in her chest. I have to do it. He deserves to know. "You mentioned that I didn't win. Well, I didn't exactly walk away empty-handed."Feeling like she was in a warped dream, she opened the oatmeal-colored cardigan and slipped it off. She'd recently had to give up her favorite Levis in favor of maternity jeans with a wide stretchy waist. Hunter's jaw went slack as he took in the four-month baby bump just noticeable beneath her long white three-quarter-sleeve t-shirt."How did… When did…"
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 156: Hormones
Chapter 156: HormonesShe leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him, devouring his lips with surprising intensity. Emboldened, Hunter wrapped one arm around her waist, using his left hand to cup her ass and press her against his erection, his lips matching the heat of her kiss. He was breathless when she broke their connection. "Come with me." She took his hand and led him to a narrow stairway he hadn't noticed when he'd first entered the apartment. At the top of the stairs was a low-ceilinged loft that was the bedroom. A Bohemian quilt in a bright turquoise and orange pattern covered her low full-size bed. Beside the bed was a tiny square table of wood, and completing the space was a small matching wardrobe. Breathlessly, Poppy pushed up on her toes and kissed him with the same fervor she'd had downstairs. Without breaking the kiss, she shed the cardigan, dropping it on the floor before she started tugging his shirttail out of the waist of his jeans. Only when she had to
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 157: Pizza
Chapter 157: PizzaAlthough he knew that New York is supposed to be the 'city that doesn't sleep,' Hunter was mildly surprised that the sidewalks were nearly as busy at eight o'clock at night as they had been in the afternoon. After they'd dressed in Poppy's loft bedroom, they'd left the apartment heading in the same direction from which Poppy had come after work. Hunter was just as glad they didn't run into Roxy on their way out. While the man had been nice enough, Hunter couldn't shake the feeling that the drag queen had been more than ready and willing to kick his ass. But according to Poppy, at that time of the evening, Roxy's workday was just beginning.A few blocks from the apartment, Poppy waved toward the front window of a trendy-looking coffee shop. The door was propped open in the cool fall evening, and the place seemed busy. An acoustic guitar duo occupied stools on a tiny stage in the corner and music filtered out onto the sidewalk. "This is where I work," she told
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 158: Now What?
Chapter 158: Now What?After Hunter paid their bill, they headed out into the night. Poppy turned to him. "I kind of wanted to take you on a little tour but to tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired."He smiled down at her. "We have time. You've been on your feet all day. Let's save the tour for tomorrow."Poppy nodded, slipping her hand into his as they walked up the sidewalk toward her apartment. She smiled up at him, and he raised her hand to his lips, brushing them against her knuckles. She felt a pang in her chest. This was Hunter, the man she'd fallen for those months ago. The father of her child. The man she thought she might never see again. She watched her feet as they walked. So now what? Now that we've sorted out the misunderstanding that tore us apart, what happens next? Eventually, he goes back to Idaho. And I have another job interview tomorrow. How do we move forward?Glancing up at him, she decided to push those thoughts away for another time.Back at the
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 220: Epilogue
Chapter 220: Epilogue"And the award for best picture of the year goes to…The King of Iron Rise!" Anna's heart momentarily stopped, and the world around her shifted into slow motion. She turned to her left where Angus beamed at her, his azure eyes sparkling, before he pressed a warm kiss to her lips. "We did it, love."Through ears that pounded in rhythm with her pulse, all sound was muffled as she watched him step into the aisle, button his black tuxedo jacket, and make his way up the steps to the stage where a woman in a glittery silver gown stood holding a golden statuette. The woman handed the award to Angus and murmured words of congratulations before stepping back out of the spotlight that illuminated the lone microphone in the center of the stage. As the applause died down, Angus gazed down at the trophy in his hands and shook his head in disbelief. "Och, aye, and it's a hell of a thing," he sighed, and applause broke out again. Anna clapped too as a tear ran down her
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
Chapter 217: Fight For HerGlancing around the restaurant, Angus released a satisfied sigh. They'd done it. He'd done it. Filming was finished. All around him, the cast and crew celebrated the end of shooting, congratulating one another and laughing together at story after story, some tales old, others new to this project.When he'd asked his assistant Cooper to secure a restaurant for the get-together, the young man had raised an eyebrow, but to his credit, he'd carried out the task professionally and without question. It was costing Angus a pretty penny to rent out the high-end Aspen bistro for the evening but treating everyone to a wrap party was the right thing to do. They'd all worked hard, and most of the cast had done so without pay, agreeing to share in the profits from future ticket sales instead. Something that never failed to produce a pang in his stomach when he thought about it. Because suppose no one wanted to pay to watch his gamble? What then?"A toast to our
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
