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Chapter 58: An Unwelcome Guest
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Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 62: Not Crazy
Chapter 62: Not CrazyBrilliant sunlight reflects in the ripples on the lake's surface, like a million twinkling fireflies. As Jenny walks along, the wooden slats of the dock feel warm beneath her bare feet. A summer breeze ruffles her red hair and kisses her skin. Her swimsuit is dry—she hasn't been in the water yet.Chelsea's brown curls bounce as she precedes Jenny toward the end of the dock. The place is familiar, though Jenny's never been here before. The sun is just warm enough that she's looking forward to splashing into the cool, clear water.As they get closer to the end of the dock, Jenny admires Chelsea's swimsuit. It's a red two-piece, and it looks perfect with her dark hair. Chelsea pauses where the dock ends, gazing out over the water, waiting for Jenny to get there, too. There's something on Chelsea's shoulder, though. Jenny squints, trying to see what it is. As she steps closer, she makes out an area of raised skin on the back of Chelsea's right shoulder. It
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 63: Private Investigator
Chapter 63: Private Investigator "Unacceptable," Victor growled. "I pay too much for you to come to me with excuses."Joe Russo swallowed hard. He'd known when he'd agreed to work for the man, it was a gamble at best. But the pension from the police force didn't cover his living expenses. Having three children in college was expensive, as was alimony to two ex-wives. Working for Victor Sorkin was his best bet for the foreseeable future. He told himself that as soon as Janie graduated, he'd walk away. He also knew that was a lie. There was no walking away."Mr. Sorkin, as I said, the truck stop was a dead end. Their security cameras weren't recording the day the girl disappeared. My best guess is that she got into a car with somebody. From that point," he gestured to the still photo of the truck stop's parking lot, "she could have gone in any direction. It's a pretty safe bet she didn't head back this way. But beyond that?""I want my pet back. If you can't find her…""I
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 64: Family
Chapter 64: Family Although the temperature was average for a spring afternoon, the sun was hot. Cole straightened up from the fence he'd been repairing and took off his hat, waving it to fan his sweat-drenched face. From the small cooler in the truck, he retrieved a chilled bottle of water and made his way toward the shade of a tree a couple dozen yards away. As he sank down to sit at the base of the tree and chugged down half the water, the air immediately felt about ten degrees cooler. He'd been out checking the fence line all afternoon. After working together at the barn that morning, Jenny had stayed home after lunch. She was apparently planning something special for dinner.Cole grinned to himself. Whatever she made, he was sure it would be delicious. She seemed to have a natural gift.He considered the funny way things turn out sometimes. He hadn't been looking for anyone. He'd had his head down, busy building a thriving business. But now he couldn't imagine life wi
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 65: Zeroing In
Chapter 65: Zeroing InJoe Russo leaned his elbow on the driver's side door and absently drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. In the fading light of dusk, he decided maybe he could just make out the lights of a house through the thick grove of trees beyond the Caldwell Ranch entrance. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on his part. Who knew how long that gravel drive was beyond the locked gate? Somehow, he'd just assumed the barn and residence would be visible from the highway. Now he'd have to adjust his strategy. Short of sneaking onto the property, he'd have to content himself with waiting for them to either come or go through that big iron gate. And watching the ranch from the road would require finesse. Glancing up and down the highway, Joe realized there wasn't another house or building for as far as he could see. A stranger in a big black sedan would stick out like a sore thumb. He reminded himself that this was a long-shot anyway, in terms of finding out
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 66: Will They Like Me?
Chapter 66: Will They Like Me?For what felt like the thousandth time, Jenny checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror. After mucking out the old hay and putting fresh feed in the stalls, she'd returned to the house to shower and get ready to meet Cole's family. Wanting more than anything to make a good impression, she'd donned the only dress she had, the white one with tiny purple flowers that Cole had gotten for her. She'd also braided her red hair over her right shoulder, the way Cole seemed to like it.Cole was outside preparing the grill for the steaks they'd be having for dinner. But Jenny wasn't sure she'd be able to eat. She felt queasy with anxiety, knowing they'd be arriving any minute. There were sure to be questions. And she'd decided that she'd push herself to speak to them. Remaining mute felt like she was allowing Victor to continue holding her hostage. Then there was the fact that Cole had told her Beth and Alicia had assumed he'd met Jenny online and he
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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
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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
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 213: Whirlwind
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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
