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Chapter 22: An Extra Purchase
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 23: I Had Capers?
Chapter 23: I Had Capers?Twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of the barn, backing the horse trailer into place. Climbing out of the truck, he unhitched the trailer. First thing I'll do back at the house is get the grill started, he thought. Then I'll give Jenny her surprise. By that time, the grill will be ready for the chicken. Hefting the saddle out of the truck, he wondered how Jenny had fared in his absence. She hadn't come to the door. Either she hadn't heard him pull up, or she was still afraid to come outside.Shrugging, he lifted the saddle onto a rack in the tack room and headed back outside. Minnie stood by the fence and whinnied softly. Grinning, Cole went to her and rubbed her nose affectionately. "Hey there, old girl," he laughed softly. "Brithania isn't your biggest fan, but I still love you." Across the field, the other horses began heading his way."I'll be back later with your supper. Maybe I can even talk Jenny into coming out, too." He rubbed
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 24: Dancing Boots
Chapter 24: Dancing BootsAfter dinner dishes were cleared, Cole remembered the bag he'd left by the door. "Oh, Jenny, I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you." He reached out his hand. "Come see."Her eyes widened, but she took his hand. He led her to the den and pointed at the couch. "Have a seat and close your eyes."She hesitated a moment, then sat down. She glanced up at Cole."Close'em."Pursing her lips, she complied, knee bobbing anxiously. Cole retrieved the bag and placed in on Jenny's lap. "Okay, now you can open them."With a glance at Cole, Jenny peered into the bag. Brow knit in a frown, she pulled a large brown cardboard box out of the bag and set the bag on the floor. With another glance at him, she lifted the lid and gasped. Cole couldn't stop the smile as Jenny picked up first one boot, then the other, eyes wide. Reverently, she ran her fingers across the purple embroidery. "I figured, if you're going to be working in the barn, you're going to need
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 25: Bad Memories of His Own
Chapter 25: Bad Memories of His OwnThey made their way back to the house where the aroma of chicken piccata still hung in the air. It was only 8:15, too early for bed. Cole thought about suggesting they watch television, although as far as he was concerned, there was rarely anything on worth watching.Jenny scribbled something on her board and tapped his arm. Can I ask you something? Her gaze was serious.His heart skipped a beat. Shit. Would she ask why he hadn't kissed her in the barn? Warily, he nodded. "Sure."She took his hand and pulled him into the downstairs hallway, stopping before his official Marines portrait. She pointed to it, then to the photo of him and his buddies in Afghanistan. Will you tell me about this? she scribbled.Cole blew out the breath he'd been holding. Jenny had spent quite a bit of time alone in the house. It made sense that she'd wandered around and seen the photos on the wall. His time in Afghanistan wasn't his favorite topic of conversati
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 26: A Few Answers
Chapter 26: A Few Answers"I've answered your questions. Maybe you could answer some for me." Cole gazed at Jenny thoughtfully.Her eyes grew wider and he saw the pain there. Keeping his expression carefully neutral, he forged ahead. "Like…who hit you, Jenny?"She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He watched her chew her lower lip, and it seemed she was trying to decide what to do. Eventually, she looked up at him and gave a subtle nod. She reached over and snatched the glass out of his hand, downing the remainder of his bourbon, then coughing as it hit her throat.Jenny uncapped her purple marker and printed in deliberate letters. A guy named Slater."Slater. Was he your boyfriend?"She snorted. N.O.!!!!!"Okay. So who was he?" She started to write something, then swiped her hand across it. She peered up at Cole. He waited patiently for her answer.With a heavy sigh, she tried again. He works for the guy who's been keeping me.Cole read her words and rubbed a h
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 27: Exhausted
Chapter 27: ExhaustedBack in her room, Jenny felt like she'd been run over by a train. Opening up about her situation had been emotionally exhausting. At the same time, it felt good to have told Cole about Slater. It wasn't much, but it felt as though she'd released a little of the darkness. Carefully, she hung her dress in the closet, lightly fingering the fabric with its purple flowers. Before, she'd never have considered wearing a dress from WalMart. But it was pretty, and she'd felt pretty in it. Her gaze fell on the boots Cole had surprised her with. She absolutely adored them, and he'd seemed pleased that she did.Dinner had turned out perfectly, as though she'd made chicken piccata every week of her life. She'd like to do that again and knew that there were plenty of other recipes she'd memorized, some for cakes in particular. Sitting down to a meal she'd prepared had seemed like such a normal moment, one that she relished.Her thoughts drifted back to Cole, and she
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 28: Foresight
Chapter 28: ForesightWhen Cole and Jenny had headed upstairs for the night, he'd seen her to her room before continuing on to his own. He'd started to close his door, then thought better of it. The night's revelations had been emotionally draining. As he glanced at the cot he'd yet to put away, he knew there was a better than even chance Jenny would want to sleep there tonight. In the bathroom, he dropped his shirt in the hamper and splashed cold water on his face. Truth be told, talking about his time overseas stirred up feelings he found troubling. In the mirror, he met his own dark eyes. He knew he was lucky. Luckier than a lot of others who went home maimed and broken. But a year of living in near-constant fear took its toll. He couldn't imagine the demons Jenny harbored. He works for the guy who's been keeping me. She'd been someone's captive. For two years. Two fucking years. That meant she'd been taken when she was eighteen or so.Taken from where? From whom?
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 29: More Than Bad Dreams
Chapter 29: More Than Bad DreamsJenny's heart pounded as Victor leaned over her, his thin lips twisted in an abomination of a smile. "You didn't really think I'd let my lucky charm get away from me, did you, pet?"His face morphed and stretched as though in a funhouse mirror. Slater appeared over Victor's shoulder, and the scent of salami washed over her in waves."The retard cunt won't say a thing." His laughter rang out, sharp and mean.Rough hands reached for her, and Jenny scuttled backward like a crab, slamming into the wall behind her. The hands grabbed her upper arms, gripping her tightly as the glowing orange circle came closer. She felt its heat and struggled to pull away. "You see, pet," Victor leered, wielding the electric brander, "you need to remember that you belong to me. This will serve as your reminder." It seemed to Cole that he'd just drifted off to sleep when he was jolted out of bed by a blood-curdling scream. Clad only in grey boxer briefs, he bounded
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 30: After Effects
Chapter 30: After EffectsThe rising sun was already casting a pink glow across the eastern sky when Cole woke up the following morning. He stretched and groaned softly, feeling drained from the previous night's ordeal. Rolling over, he peered off the right side of the bed. Jenny lay curled with her back against the side of his mattress. Even in sleep, her jaw seemed tense, and she tightly clutched the edge of the quilt to her chin.If he was tired from last night's tirade, she must be exhausted, he mused. Carefully, he slid out of bed, collected the clothes he needed for the day, and headed into the bathroom.Twenty minutes later, a cup of coffee in hand, he trudged to the barn through the early morning chill and set about his chores. As he did so, he considered the events of the night before. In their conversations, limited as they were, Jenny had given him just enough information to tell him that she'd experienced unimaginable trauma. He supposed that lifting the curtain ev
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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
