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Chapter 47: Giant Sequoias
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2022-10-20 14:18:05Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 53: Falling for the Cowboy
Chapter 53: Falling for the CowboyHer heart is pounding. The brass doorknob turns, and a bored face appears."Mr. Sorkin wants to see you in the red dress. You have five minutes."It's always that way. He summons. She appears. Like some twisted genie fantasy.She hurries. It doesn't do to keep him waiting. There is no putting off the inevitable. Maybe he just wants to talk tonight. He fucks her far less often than his underlings imagine. And she knows they imagine it a lot. She can tell by the hungry looks they give her. But they're afraid of him. They'd never dare to cross Victor.As he leads her to Victor's luxurious upstairs suite, her escort tightly grips her upper arm. Like she'd run off. When she'd first arrived at the remote compound, she'd quickly figured out that there's nowhere to go. At the heavy carved-wood double doors, her escort stops and knocks."Come in."Jenny's stomach drops as the door swings open."Hello, pet."Jenny awoke with a gasp. A light sh
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 54: Creating Good Memories
Chapter 54: Creating Good MemoriesThe following morning, Jenny heard Cole up bright and early. She figured he probably felt behind from the day they'd taken off for her birthday. By the time she'd thrown on some clothes and run a brush through her hair, he was already out at the barn. Peering out the window, she watched as he and Blue played fetch for a few minutes, Cole grinning in the morning sunlight. Gosh, he's handsome. She felt a flutter in her stomach as she recalled the touch of his lips. She also noticed the tingle lower down. Absently, she gnawed on the corner of her thumb. Yesterday he'd said that he was attracted to her. It was almost too much to believe, too much to hope for. But his kiss had been full of gentle passion. Maybe it was time to take the next step. Was it possible to exorcize bad memories by creating good ones? On a whim, she pounded back up the steps and headed straight to Cole's room. Within a couple of minutes, she found what she wanted,
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 55: Teamwork
Chapter 55: TeamworkBy the time she was finished, Cole had Dahlia out in the round pen. She watched them for a moment, then decided to check on the kittens. Sinking down onto the straw, she leaned back against the stall wall and watched as they clambered and played. She was amazed at how they seemed to get bigger every day. Since the day Cocoa had made his escape, Cole had placed chicken wire at the bottom of the stall door to make sure everyone stayed put. Stormy was able to climb out when she wanted to, but the little fur balls were obliged to stay where they were safe. Thinking about the day they would be big enough to go to good homes of their own made her feel vaguely sad. But she'd be keeping Arabella, and that made her happy. Jenny thought she might be able to talk Cole into keeping Stormy as well.She was lost in her thoughts when Cole popped his head over the stall door. "Figured I'd find you in here with the little squeakers."Jenny smiled up at him. "They're sta
Last Updated : 2022-10-20
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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
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 215: Florida
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 212: Nightmare
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