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Chapter 164: Sweetwater Ranch
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 165: The New Session
Chapter 165: The New SessionIt was after ten o'clock that night when Anna finally made her way back to her own cabin. Dinner had been served in the dining room in the main lodge, and the traditional Welcome Campfire had followed. It gave the guests a chance to get acquainted with each other and with the ranch staff, most of whom were members of the Graves family. Anna's older twin brothers Andy and Ross taught sessions in advanced horsemanship and in working with cattle, respectively. They were also in charge of caring for all the horses in the Sweetwater stable. Andy's wife Simone worked in the kitchen alongside her mother-in-law, Teresa Graves, and she performed many of the housekeeping duties. She and Teresa also took care of reservations and guest relations.Anna also took care of many housekeeping tasks in addition to teaching the beginning riding sessions, which generally meant working with the children who visited the ranch with their families. It was what Anna enjoyed
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 166: So Much For First Impressions
Chapter 166: So Much For First Impressions"A flyer came in the mail today. Founders' Day is a week from Friday."Anna frowned slightly at the brightly colored sheet her mother thrust into her hands. The bulk of the page was a vintage mid-19th century sepia photograph of Main Street in Crystal Springs, overlaid with jaunty graphics declaring the annual Crystal Springs Founders' Day celebration. Back in the late 1860s, the nearby town of Crystal Springs had sprung up practically overnight as a mining boomtown. The coal vein had played out by the middle of the following century, but the small town was proud of its heritage. Each summer, they celebrated what they thought of as Founders' Day with a parade down Main Street followed by a giant picnic and capping off the festivities with a family-friendly dance at the fairgrounds in the nearby town of Eagleton.There was a time when Anna had looked forward to the annual event. Now, she scowled at the announcement."I'd like that put on
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 167: Angus Meets Anna
Chapter 167: Angus Meets AnnaAfter Angus settled his six-foot-five-inch frame into his first-class leather seat at the gate at LAX, he ordered a soda and lime from the cabin's efficient flight attendant. Slouching slightly in his window seat, he lowered the green lenses of his Raybans over his eyes. He scrolled through his phone, more to avoid the curious looks of the other passengers as they boarded than to actually check on anything important. His notifications showed several text messages from Alanna, which he promptly ignored. What she wanted at this point, he couldn't possibly imagine. He'd thought they'd said all there was to say in his kitchen that morning. He tossed back the rest of his drink and sighed, grateful he had Douglas and the rest of his security team in place to handle whatever reticence she might still have when it came to moving out of his house. Lately, she and the house had become a tremendous weight on his shoulders. The time had come to move on. A m
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 168: Painful Past
Chapter 168: Painful Past"Tell me you're not actually going." Anna crossed her arms, her voice incredulous."Why would I not go, Anna? It's my job." Sawyer continued to pack his gear even as Anna willed him to stop."Because we're engaged now. That makes everything different." Her tone was softly pleading.He stopped and looked up at her, his brown eyes unblinking. "I'm not different. I'm still the same smokejumper you met at Reilly's Bar two years ago. You didn't really think that just because we're getting married, I'd suddenly settle down, maybe take a job working for your dad on the ranch, did you?"Flustered, Anna blinked several times. "Well...yes, actually. At least until we decide what we want to do. You know there's that ranch in Florida where they teach riding to special needs kids. It's something I've always wanted to look into."Tucking a spare yellow fire shirt into his heavy-duty duffel bag, he straightened. "You knew who I was, Anna. This is me." He waved
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 169: Campfire
Chapter 169: CampfireBy the time Angus arrived at the campfire, Anna had busied herself arranging a nearby table with everything guests would need to make s'mores. "Hello, everyone," Angus greeted those gathered around the fire."Welcome," Ross answered as he added a few pieces of wood to the fire. "Pull up a seat."A few guests scooted their camp chairs aside. "We'll make room. Join us."Out of the corner of her eye, Anna watched him nod with a smile. "Thank you. It's a lovely evening, isn't it?""I just love this time of year," Anna's mother sighed. "The days are plenty warm, but nights have a nice bite to them." As he sank into his seat, she gestured toward where Anna stood. "Help yourself to dessert.""I'll make a s'more for you," Ariel said brightly. "I'm an expert. Anna said so."Angus grinned broadly at the little girl. "Well, if Anna says so, it must be true. I'd love a s'more, thank ye very much."Feeling her face heat up, Anna turned her back and rolled her eyes.
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 170: Bears and Mountain Lions
Chapter 170: Bears and Mountain LionsAnna glanced up to see Angus watching her intently. "How can I help?" he asked."Oh, you don't have to...I mean, it's okay, I've got it."His grin was mischievous. "So, all this needs tae be packed away?"Waving her hand vaguely, she looked toward her brother, who was putting out the fire. "Yeah, but I've got it. Maybe you could help Ross--""Got it. Fire's done. See you in the morning, sis." With dismay, Anna watched as Ross returned the shovel to its place and quickly rolled up the garden hose before heading down the path.Anna glanced around the now empty campfire ring then back to the handsome actor who stood watching her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement."Um, well…""The food." He tilted his head toward the half-empty packets of graham crackers, a dozen or so chocolate bars, and an open bag of marshmallows."Yeah, it has to go back into the kitchen. Don't want to tempt the bears."Angus's eyes widened, and Anna felt slightly
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 171: Unexpected Complication
Chapter 171: Unexpected ComplicationIn his own cabin, Angus stared unseeing at the note cards spread out before him, a thoughtful half-smile playing on his lips. When he'd set himself up at the small kitchen table, he'd intended to organize the scenes he'd jotted down earlier, spread them out into a sort of storyboard and figure out where the holes were as he worked to bring the script to life. But his thoughts were on the day he'd had, and more specifically on a certain brunette who acted like she didn't care enough to give him the time of day. He wasn't so sure that was accurate, though. Appearances could be deceiving.At dinner and especially during the campfire, he'd noticed the furtive glances his way when she thought he wasn't looking. Angus McGregor wasn't accustomed to women holding back. In Hollywood, they were very upfront about what they wanted. He always had a nagging feeling that their interest was more in what he could do for them than in himself as a man. Alth
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 172: Of Highlanders and Schedule Changes
Chapter 172: Of Highlanders and Schedule ChangesChest heaving in anticipation, Anna gazed up at the shirtless highlander standing over her. Slowly, he unlaced the bodice of her dress and tugged, baring her shoulders, which he lavished with kisses. Another sharp tug freed her breasts, her nipples sharp pink points in the chill of the night. "Och, lass," he breathed as he lay her across the enormous four-poster bed.Anna watched as he loosened his kilt and let it drop to the stone floor, her eyes zeroing in on his enormous manhood. She chewed her lower lip in anticipation as a flood of moisture drenched her core.He leaned over her, capturing first one perfect pink nub, then the other between his sensual lips. Anna arched at his touch, her greedy center weeping in need."Please," she breathed."Are ye ready for me, lass?" he asked, his voice husky with desire."Yes, please," she mewled.From far away, Anna heard a strange beeping sound. The volume increased until she cracked open
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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
