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Chapter 35: A Dangerous Idea
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 36: Like the Easter Bunny Threw Up
Chapter 36: Like the Easter Bunny Threw UpGazing down at the kitchen table strewn with Easter detritus, Cole laughed out loud. "It looks like the Easter Bunny threw up in here."At the kitchen counter, Jenny snickered. She opened the oven and peered in at the cupcakes baking inside. Shaking her head slightly, she closed the oven door and tapped in two more minutes on the timer before she returned to her seat across from Cole.Together, they'd been filling plastic eggs with green iridescent artificial grass and with candies of various kinds. At the store, Cole had avoided chocolate, knowing the eggs would undoubtedly sit out in the sun for some time before the kids gathered them. Besides, there were allergies to consider.Across the table, Jenny smiled at him as she added another filled plastic egg to the large basket they'd use to carry the treats out to the riding ring in the morning. But Cole couldn't shake the notion that something was a little off. Maybe it was in the way s
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 37: Jennifer Stone
Chapter 37: Jennifer StoneShortly afterward, Jenny headed off to bed. Cole settled in the den to watch the late news, then went to his office to check the barn on the security cameras.When he fired up the computer, he was surprised to find the video feed already up but figured Jenny had peeked in on the kittens while he'd been gone. She'd seemed happy he'd shown her how to view the security feed, and Cole wondered if she'd watch tomorrow's festivities from the quiet of his office.The horses, and yes, the kittens, he checked, seemed fine. He was about to shut down the computer when he remembered about some medication he'd been meaning to order. He'd looked at a hoof treatment the other day and now he mentally chided himself for not having placed the order then. Minnie had a rough spot developing and the sooner he treated it the better.Clicking on history, he started to scan for the website when he noticed a handful of unfamiliar searches. For no reason he could fathom, a cold
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 38: Helping
Chapter 38: HelpingEarly morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Cole's bedroom. On the cot, Jenny yawned and stretched, leaning up on an elbow to peek over the edge of Cole's bed. It was empty, his covers hastily pulled up.When she'd come tiptoeing into his room in the middle of the night, the cot was ready and waiting. She wondered if he always kept it that way, or if somehow, he'd known that the dreams would return that night. After her digital stroll down memory lane, she was grateful that it had only been bad dreams and not one of the nightmares that she had trouble waking up from. But she usually noticed those coming on, felt the walls closing in on her, saw the circle of black growing around her field of vision. There was usually some kind of trigger, a noise or a smell that brought on that kind of hell. Quickly she folded up the cot and made Cole's bed before hurrying to her own room to dress for the day. Downstairs, the farmhouse was quiet and a peek out t
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 39: Discovered
Chapter 39: DiscoveredIn the quiet of Cole's office, Jenny leaned back in his leather desk chair and sipped her Dr. Pepper. After returning to the house, she'd seen car after car arriving. One family arrived in a truck pulling a horse trailer, and two more horses joined the ones Cole had parked in the ring.While the adults set up tables with snacks and drinks, the children wandered about, some scampering while others lurched along in an awkward gait. A few of the children ferried themselves around in motorized wheelchairs. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. When the first group finished their riding session and the horses were given a chance to get a drink of water before the second group started. At the same time, adults scurried to hide another bunch of Easter eggs around the riding ring.On the computer screen, Jenny watched as Cole made silly faces at a group of children, reducing them to helpless giggles. She couldn't help but smile. He really was a wonderful ma
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 40: Jenny's Kind of Quiet
Chapter 40: Jenny's Kind of QuietMouth open, Jenny stared at the girl. Her jet-black hair hung in pigtails just over her ears, and she had dark brown eyes that flashed with intelligence. Judging by the way her upper body and arms wavered constantly, Jenny guessed that Brithania had cerebral palsy. Her speech was a bit difficult to understand, but Jenny made out her name."Well, I see two of my favorite people in the world have just met."Jenny looked up to see Cole grinning at her."I wondered where you'd gone off to," he said to the little girl, tugging her hair playfully. "Your group is up next."Cole stepped toward Jenny. "Brithania, I'd like you to meet my friend Jenny. Jenny, this is Brithania."The little girl motored closer. "Hi, Jenny."Heart pounding, Jenny fluttered her fingers in a wave.Cole frowned slightly at Brithania. "Jenny's kind of quiet."Coming even closer, the little girl reached up and took Jenny's hand. "That's okay. You don't have to talk if you don'
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 41: No Secrets
Chapter 41: No SecretsBy three o'clock that afternoon, Caldwell Ranch had been restored to normal. Jenny helped Cole untack the horses and put everything away in the barn. The canopies and coolers were returned to their proper places as well. As they worked together, Cole was uncomfortably aware of the conversation he needed to have with Jenny. He wondered if he could put it off. It had already been a huge day for her. She'd faced her fear of being seen and he was proud of her, so proud. But this was one of those conversations best had sooner rather than later. He cleared his throat. "You know, I feel kind of sorry for Apollo and Dahlia. Everybody else got a nice workout today. They must be feeling a little left out." Jenny chuckled, hooking a thumb at Jade."Well, Jade, too. But I've been working her hard, so she probably appreciated the day off." He stepped toward Jenny. "Maybe we could take Apollo and Dahlia for a trail ride. There's a ridge toward the back of t
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 42: Quality Control
Chapter 42: Quality ControlJenny gazed unseeing out the kitchen window as she beat butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Her thoughts strayed back to Saturday when she and Cole had ridden up the ridge overlooking the ranch. Looking back, she'd known there was something going on, something he'd been holding onto. Heightened radar was a survival skill she'd mastered over the last couple of years, one that, to her way of thinking, had kept her alive.She couldn't have foreseen, however, that Cole knew about that day. It was her own damn fault, though. Leaving her search in his History like she had. What a stupid, careless thing to do.Hearing him say her full name, Jennifer Stone, had been a gut-punch. Reliving the moment now, her stomach churned with shame. She liked Cole, really liked him. She hated that he knew her dark and dirty secrets. She could have predicted the return of the nightmares. It seemed Cole had seen them coming too, because when she'd tiptoed into his room in
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 43: Deliveries and Pick-Ups
Chapter 43: Deliveries and Pick-UpsThe following morning, Cole drove to Alida and Jason Nicholson's house to drop off Jenny's masterpiece. On a parchment-covered cake board, she'd arranged the blue-swirl-topped cupcakes in the shape of a baby buggy, adding frosting and candy details to complete the effect. It looked magical, and Alida was beyond pleased."Does she have business cards? Because I know people will ask."Cole shook his head, smiling. "You can just have them call me. I know she'd be happy to get more orders.""Hi, Cole!" A blond boy clumsily made his way into the kitchen using a red posterior walker."Hey there, Charlie. How are you this fine morning?""I'm good. I'm ready to go riding again." "Good deal! Taco was just saying how he misses you."The boy laughed. "Horses don't talk.""They do," Cole grinned. "You just have to know how to listen. We'll see you next time?""You bet!"After Cole left the Nicholson's, he headed over to the saddle shop with somethi
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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
