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Chapter 53: Falling for the Cowboy
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2022-10-20 14:18:05Related chapters
Redheads & 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 : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 56: Choosing
Chapter 56: ChoosingLate that evening, Cole sat in the leather chair in the corner of his bedroom, an open book resting on his lap. But he realized that he hadn't read a line in the last fifteen minutes. His thoughts were on the day, on the possibility of new clients, on the delicious pot roast dinner…and on Jenny. He was falling in love with her, he knew it. And he felt the same from her. Theirs was such an odd situation, though. She was, for all intents and purposes, on the run. And no one except Cole knew who and where she was. At some point, she'd have to agree to go to the authorities. Undoubtedly, there was an open investigation into her whereabouts. Not to mention the fact that she had insight into a serious criminal enterprise.Cole sighed deeply as he scrubbed a restless palm across his mouth. He didn't know what to do. So far, he'd done nothing. And inaction was action, wasn't it?A creak of a floorboard drew his attention to the hallway. Jenny stood uncertai
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 57: The Next Level
Chapter 57: The Next LevelJenny's eyes fluttered open as an alarm pierced the darkness. Strong arms gently squeezed her before Cole reached to turn off the offending device."It's okay," he whispered, placing tiny kisses on the side of her neck. "It's early yet, not even light. You don't have to get up."Jenny shook her head. "I want to help you in the barn.""Stay here and relax. I'll go get everybody a little breakfast, then I'll come back." He slipped out of bed and headed into the bathroom. When Jenny heard the shower start, a wicked idea formed in her mind. Rolling over onto Cole's side of the bed, she reached into the nightstand drawer to retrieve a little foil packet. With a mischievous smirk on her face, she tiptoed into the bathroom.Through the fogged shower glass, with his back to her as he stood beneath the torrent of hot water, she appreciated the glorious shape of Cole's body. Starting at his muscular shoulders, flexed as he pushed the wet hair away from his f
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 58: An Unwelcome Guest
Chapter 58: An Unwelcome GuestAlthough he'd enjoyed meeting the Stevens family, whose new chestnut-colored Morgan was now riding in the old blue and white trailer, Cole was glad to be back on the road and headed home. He knew Jenny would undoubtedly be finished with the cupcakes by the time he got back to the ranch, and he decided maybe they'd grill steaks for dinner. Jenny. He felt the grin spread across his face. When she'd come to him the previous night, dressed only in his white dress shirt, he'd been beyond surprised. But just knowing that she was attracted to him, wanted him, in the same way he wanted her…And knowing about her past, the abuse she'd suffered. He shook his head. She was, without exception, the bravest person he'd ever met.When he was about ten miles away from home, his phone rang. Glancing down, he saw that it was Meredith Wagner was calling. "Shit," he muttered to himself. He picked up the device and swiped it on."Mrs. Wagner, how are you?""Cole,
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 59: Man to Man
Chapter 59: Man to ManAfter Jenny left them alone, Cole scrubbed a hand across his lips and paced across to Dahlia's stall. The horse cowered in the far corner, watching him with obvious mistrust."Cole, I just—"Wordlessly, he sharply held up one finger, effectively silencing whatever had been about to tumble out of Meredith's mouth.He turned, leaning back against the stall, the offending device clutched at his side in his left hand as he considered his options.Meredith knelt to pick up her belongings, stuffing them back into her bag. "I don't know why you're taking that girl's word over mine," she muttered. "I didn't do anything wrong. It's my fucking horse, anyway. I'll treat her any way I damn well please."She stood, retrieving a cigarette and lighter from an outer pocket of her bag."Don't even think about smoking in my barn," Cole said, his voice dangerously calm.The woman shrugged defiantly. "Fuck you, I'll do as I please. I pay you." She held the cigarette between
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 60: Jenny's Own Horse
Chapter 60: Jenny's Own HorseBy the time he got back up to the house, Jenny was waiting on the front porch wringing her hands in front of her. She met him as he stepped out of the truck."Is everything alright?"He nodded reassuringly. "Yeah, we came to an understanding." Unable to resist her worried green eyes, he pulled her in for a tender hug."I'm so sorry," she murmured against his chest.Frowning, he looked down at her. "Sorry? For what?""I'm sorry for causing such an issue.""Causing an issue? Meredith was the one abusing the horse. You did exactly the right thing, coming to tell me about it. I would never have imagined such a thing." He kissed the top of her head. "You're the hero in this story."He watched as she tried to suppress a pleased smile. "Really?"Cole had to chuckle. "Really. Come on, let's go check on Dahlia."Hand in hand, they made their way to the barn. Everyone seemed to have settled down to enjoy their dinner, even Sheba, the new addition to th
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 61: Find Yourself Another Boy Toy
Chapter 61: Find Yourself Another Boy ToyTwo hundred miles away, Meredith Wagner paced back and forth in her husband's home office. He'd always considered it his private oasis, the one place where he could go to be alone with his own thoughts. But as he sat behind the massive bespoke mahogany desk, he knew he'd be getting no work done until he resolved whatever crisis had her worked up.Heaving an impatient sigh, Layton removed his reading glasses and set them on the desk. "What is it, Meredith?"She chugged chardonnay from a Waterford glass that had been a wedding gift. "I'll tell you what it is. That lowlife cowboy and his little whore girlfriend."Mentally, Layton counted to ten. "Would this be the lowlife cowboy you begged me to hire? The one who worked with Azura a year or so ago, the one you called a miracle worker?""Don't be an ass, Layton," she hissed, emptying the rest of the Chardonnay into her glass. "You always have to be an ass.""I repeat, what is it that you wa
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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