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Chapter 39: Discovered
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2022-10-20 14:18:05Related chapters
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'
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 44: Birthday Surprises
Chapter 44: Birthday SurprisesOn the morning of Jenny's birthday, Cole got up early, pleased to see that the cot was empty. Passing her bedroom, he saw that she was curled up and sleeping soundly. From his spot on the rug beside the bed, Blue lifted his head in greeting, then rested it on his paws once again.Downstairs in the kitchen, Cole made a few preparations, then whipped up a batch of chocolate chip pancakes. Stacking some on a plate, he stuck a sparkly purple birthday candle in the center. Then he grabbed a lighter and carried the plate upstairs. Rays of early morning sunlight shone on Jenny's red locks splayed across her pillow, making it look like her hair was on fire. Not for the first time, Cole thought about how pretty she was.He flicked the lighter and lit the candle before launching into a loud, off-key rendition of the birthday song. Jenny shifted and blinked her eyes open. Her mouth formed an O in surprise as she pushed herself up.Cole finished his song and
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 45: A Birthday Ride
Chapter 45: A Birthday RideAt the barn, they worked to turn out the horses into the pasture, saving Dahlia and Apollo for last."What do you say, Jenny? Are you up for a birthday ride today?"Grinning, she nodded, loving that her hat stayed put."Good. Let's get Apollo and Dahlia groomed and saddled."Happy anticipation thrumming through her veins, Jenny worked to groom Dahlia. Glancing over at Cole, she saw that he was working more slowly, and she wondered if her excitement had made her move too quickly. Mentally, she retraced her steps; no, she hadn't forgotten anything. As Cole worked Apollo's sleek black coat with the soft brush, he whistled the birthday song, and Jenny giggled. He looked up at her and winked.She dropped the finishing brush into the basket and scribbled a message on her board. Beat you! Cole pushed his hat back on his head and straightened up. "Well you did, didn't you?" He arched a dark eyebrow. "Did you remember to use the face brush?"Jenny nodded
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 46: Terrified and Excited
As they drove northeast on Highway 198, Cole watched Jenny out of the corner of his eye. Back at the ranch, she'd crossed her arms and stiffly watched as he'd filled two royal blue nylon hay bags and hung them in the trailer before he loaded first Dahlia and then Apollo into their stalls. Then she'd reluctantly climbed into the cab of the truck. He hadn't missed the way she swiped her palms on the thighs of her jeans before protectively crossing her arms.At the end of the gravel drive, he'd gotten out to open the gate. Inside the truck, Jenny had sunk as low as her seatbelt would allow, her hat tilted down over her brow and her purple sunglasses shielding her eyes.Now, though she sat up curiously watching the passing scenery as they drew closer to the Sierra foothills. She seemed to have relaxed a little and occasionally, she sipped a bottle of Dr. Pepper he'd packed in the cooler that rested on the rear floorboard. Country music played softly, and now and then Cole sang
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 47: Giant Sequoias
Chapter 47: Giant SequoiasHalf an hour later, Cole backed Dahlia out of the trailer and handed the reins to Jenny. The horse stomped nervously, and Jenny nuzzled her huge jaw while gently caressing her nose. Once outside, Apollo pranced, anxious to be on his way anywhere that wasn't inside the trailer.Cole checked to make sure their cinches were tightened, and he helped Jenny up before he climbed onto the tall black stallion. Together they followed a trail leading from the mostly empty lot where they were leaving the truck and trailer. A few hundred yards into the forest, the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Jenny was glad of the jacket tied around her waist. She might need to put it on before long.Inhaling deeply, she reveled in the earthy scents of pine straw and moss. The trail turned, following alongside a shallow stream that rushed over smooth-worn rocks, adding to the soundtrack of the breeze in the treetops and the occasional call of birds, all punctuated by the
Last Updated : 2022-10-20
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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
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