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Chapter 44: Birthday Surprises
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Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 48: There's a Lot of Healing in the Forest
Chapter 48: There's a Lot of Healing in the ForestFollowing their stop in the sequoia grove, Jenny followed Cole up a trail that led them higher into the foothills. Eventually, they came to a clearing with rocky outcropping overlooking the forest valley below. Again, they dismounted, and Cole loosely tethered both horses in the shade where they could graze on mountain grasses. Then he scrambled to the top of the rocks, holding out his hand for Jenny to follow.Carefully, she picked her way up to where he stood. Covered with pine-green forests, the valley spread out before them. Cole gazed out over the scene and sighed."This was always one of my favorite places." He smiled down at Jenny. "On a weekday like today, the crowd's not too bad, but the park can be really busy on the weekend. Most of the tourists stick around the sequoias, though. Not too many of them bother to come up this far."He sank onto the rock, hanging his feet over the edge. Leery of getting too close to t
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 49: A Beautiful Soul
Chapter 49: A Beautiful SoulHeart still racing, Jenny stared after him. She could still feel his kiss, the tenderness of his lips on hers, the grit of his five-o'clock shadow on her skin. She also felt a sense of panic. He doesn't feel the same way about me. He thinks I'm dirty."I'm so sorry, Jenny." He didn't look her way, staring off into the distance instead. "I didn't mean for that to happen." He took another few steps further away and scuffed softly at the ground. "Dammit," he swore softly.Her pulse pounded in her ears and she pressed her palms into her thighs in an attempt to stop them from shaking. This was it. She had to try."C-Cole?" Her own voice sounded strange to her.Slowly, Cole turned toward her, eyes wide.Emboldened, she tried again. "Cole?""Jenny." He returned to where she still sat, sinking down beside her. "You're talking."She nodded. "I—I've been thinking I'm ready to try." Frowning, "Are you mad at me?""Mad at you? Jenny, I…" He took her
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 50: Dinner Stop
Chapter 50: Dinner StopThe drive out of the park was comfortably quiet. As Cole worked to process the day's events, he watched Jenny out of the corner of his eye.He'd felt like he'd blown it when he'd kissed her. So much for self-control. The last thing he wanted to do was victimize her like the guy who'd destroyed her life. But she'd wanted it too, as much as he had. She'd said so, and he'd seen the truth in her eyes. Hell, he'd felt it in her kiss. Still, though. He chewed his lip thoughtfully.He was pleased that Jenny had finally felt comfortable enough to speak to him. That was tremendous progress. He wanted to be the man she could trust, the one she could count on. He glanced her way. And he was falling for her, no doubt about it. He sighed deeply. There was nothing to do but follow the path and see where it led.As the late afternoon shadows lengthened and dusk began to settle, Cole saw a sign for a diner up the road. He looked at Jenny. "Are you hungry? Do yo
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 51: More Revelations
Chapter 51: More RevelationsCole and Jenny headed back down Highway 198 toward Caldwell Ranch, country music once again playing softly in the background.A question formed in Cole's mind and he wondered if he should push his luck. He glanced over at Jenny. She was gazing out the front window, absently touching the initial pendant as her face was alternately in light and shadow with each streetlight they passed.Against his better judgment, he decided to press on. "Jenny?"She glanced his way."How did you end up in my trailer that day?"Her eyes widened, and she blew out a long breath. He flicked a glance her way before he returned his eyes to the road. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm just curious is all. You were pretty beat up. I've always wondered what happened."Jenny chewed her lower lip and tightly clasped her hands in her lap. "They were taking me to San Francisco.""Who were?"She shrugged slightly. "Slater and Wilcox. They work for Victor, the
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 52: Welcome to Stay
Chapter 52: Welcome to StayBack at the ranch, the moon was just rising over the western horizon. While Jenny opened the pasture gate to let the other horses return to the barn, Cole eased Apollo and Dahlia out of the trailer. When they returned everything to the tack room, Cole watched Jenny smile to herself as she lightly traced her fingers over the pattern on her new saddle. She looked up and saw him watching her. "It's beautiful and I love it. Thank you again."He nodded, pleased. "You're welcome. I'm so happy you like it."Jenny hugged herself stiffly. "And thank you for everything else, too. I mean, the presents of course, but for taking me riding and showing me the giant sequoias, and for dinner…" She trailed off, shifting her weight uncomfortably.Despite his words to the contrary, Cole could see she still thought of herself as damaged, still convinced that he saw her that way, too. He went to her and took her hand, lifting it to his lips and lightly kissing her pal
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 218: Unexpected Guest
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 217: Fight For Her
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 215: Florida
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 214: Angus Returns to Sweetwater Ranch
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 213: Whirlwind
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 212: Nightmare
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