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Chapter 203: Picnic and Dessert
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2022-10-20 14:18:06Related chapters
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 204: Danger
Chapter 204: Danger"Everything is delicious, Mrs. Graves," Christopher said earnestly, using his napkin to swipe at a dribble of gravy in the corner of his mouth. "I love a good pot roast.""Oh, it's nothing special," the woman protested, suppressing a pleased smile. "And I keep reminding you, please call me Teresa."Christopher's smile was self-deprecating. "Teresa," he nodded. "And thank you again for having me here."Across the table in the family dining room, Anna watched Ross, who appeared lighter than he'd seemed in as long as she could remember. Harboring his secret alone had taken a toll, and it was good to see him looking open and free. Her parents really seemed to like Christopher, too, as she'd known they would. What's not to like? He's smart, handsome, charming, and he's a doctor. That's a jackpot in any parent's book."Well, it's good to have you, young man," Tom responded as he slightly pushed back from the table. "Mother's pot roast is the best in town, I alwa
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 205: Emergency Evacuation
Chapter 205: Emergency EvacuationHer heart pounding, Anna glanced to her right at Simone in the front passenger seat of the enormous fifteen-passenger van. Simone's jaw was tight, and her eyes were squeezed shut as she exhaled slowly and deliberately. Beyond Simone out the window, the dark night sky was marred by an eerie reddish-orange glow. Thankfully, the flames were still far from the road, but Anna couldn't bring herself to think about what might be happening at the ranch. One crisis at a time, she thought to herself, as behind her, the guests murmured in hushed tones, no doubt seeing the same scene she did. Anna caught worried eyes in the rearview mirror. "No worries, folks, evacuating is really just a precaution. We'll definitely be safe and sound in Eagleton, and we'll wait and see what the daylight brings. In the meantime, we'll rustle up some snacks and drinks while we wait for word from the emergency officials."In the fairgrounds parking lot, Anna pulled alongsid
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 206: What Family Does
Chapter 206: What Family DoesIn the dim light that filtered through the stained glass shade of an antique banker's lamp, the golden retriever lay beside the empty fireplace, resting its head on its paws and watching with casual curiosity as Angus paced the length of the waiting room. Through the closed door, he heard low murmurs occasionally punctuated by Simone's cries of pain, and he cringed uncomfortably.Mentally, Angus willed his thoughts back to the last couple of hours in which he'd been awakened by Ross's knocking on the window, then plunged into the drama of rounding up a dozen agitated horses and loading them into a large trailer for evacuation. Truthfully, he'd been relieved that Anna had gone ahead with the other guests, the better to have her out of harm's way, should the worst eventuality happen, and the ranch becomes consumed by the raging wildfire. While Ross was driving them through the ranch gate and onto the highway, Angus had watched as flames raced down the
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 207: A Serious Conversation
Chapter 207: A Serious ConversationSeated on a blanket on the floor of the open barn, Angus leaned back against a stack of boxes and gently hugged Anna to his side. With her head resting on his shoulder, she'd fallen asleep almost as soon as they'd settled down. By the time they'd arrived back at the fairgrounds and checked in with the ranch guests, all the cots had been taken, but they'd been afforded a pair of blankets, one of which was currently wrapped around Anna while they sat on the other.Listening to her light, steady breathing, Angus thought of how proud he was of Anna, of how she'd stepped up to the challenge of Simone's unexpected labor without wavering. Now, for all she knew, the only home she'd ever known was being reduced to ash, but her sense of duty to family and to the ranch's guests overrode any other concerns.He looked up to see Tom Graves making his way toward them through the dimly lit pavilion. Teresa was nowhere in sight, and Angus imagined she'd probably
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 208: A Familiar Face
Chapter 208: A Familiar FaceFriday dawned with grey clouds overhead, and a smoky haze filled the air. Outside the pavilion, a light drizzle fell. Anna awoke in a sitting position leaning against Angus, whose eyes blinked open as she shifted slightly."Good morning, beautiful," he murmured sleepily."Shh, go back to sleep. It was a rough night. I need to go find the 'facilities,' then I'll see about making sure all the guests get breakfast."After a quick trip to the ladies' room, Anna headed to the tables where trays of eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits were being set out over cans of Sterno. Her father was already there, a cup of coffee in hand.""Good morning, little girl," he smiled."Hi, Daddy. Have you heard from Momma yet?""I have," he nodded. "She called to say that everyone is just fine. Andy's going to drive her back here in the next hour or so. Simone and the baby will stay in the hospital for another day or two just to make sure everything's okay, but your mother
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 209: Stray Thoughts
Chapter 209: Stray Thoughts"There's no place like home," lisped a pint-sized Dorothy on horseback, much to the delight of the audience of parents who chuckled from their seats beside the riding ring. Anna's beginners' group was performing their program flawlessly, but she found it difficult to focus.Seated with the families in the stands, Angus fixed her with his cerulean gaze. Apparently, he wasn't paying attention to the play either. Anna's thoughts swirled back to the previous afternoon when she'd driven the vanload of guests back to the ranch. While she'd heard that there was little damage to the property and no damage at all to the structures, she'd been beyond relieved when she'd seen it with her own eyes. The pasture would recover in no time, and by next summer, you'd hardly be able to tell that the Loop Trail had burned.Once they arrived back at the ranch, Anna had pasted on a smile and put one foot in front of the other, reassuring the guests that their vacations were
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 210: Movie Set and Maybe More
Chapter 210: Movie Set and Maybe MoreFrom his hotel room late that night, he called Anna to tell her about his day."I can't believe the way it's all comin' together.""The town looks fantastic," Anna told him, referring to the handful of photos he'd sent, including the view from the hillside. "I'm beyond thrilled," he agreed. "It turned out better than I'd even dared tae hope.""I wish I could see it in person," she said wistfully."So do I, love. We'll plan on having ya down here while we're shooting, for sure.""I don't know," she said shyly. "I don't want to bother you when you're working.""Ye could never be a bother.""I don't know about that," she answered with a yawn."I'd better let ye go, ye sound tired.""I am, a little. Some oversexed Scot kept me awake last night," she giggled.Angus had to laugh. "Och, now I know yer lyin', it was th' other way around.""I miss you," Anna sighed softly.Angus's heart hitched. "I miss ye, too, love. I'll see ye on Monday. And I
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 211: Missing Angus
Chapter 211: Missing AngusWhen Anna woke up Sunday morning, the ranch felt just a bit emptier. She told herself that it was just her imagination, but there was no denying that Angus's absence was palpable. After breakfast, Ross took the guests to Rustler's Gap to spend the day exploring the old ghost town. Teresa and Tom headed into town to visit Simone, Andy, and the baby at the hospital. The young family would be returning to the ranch later in the afternoon.Anna wished she could have gone with Angus to see the movie set, but with all the excitement of the fire and the baby, someone had to remain behind to help return things to normal. Sighing deeply, Anna gathered a basketful of fresh linens and began her rounds at the cabins. She noted with a soft smile that Angus's bed was still neat and pristine from when she'd changed the sheets the previous week. And that was because he'd been staying with her. Her bed had felt unbearably empty the previous night. Thankfully, he'd
Last Updated : 2022-10-20
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