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Chapter 62: Not Crazy
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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
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 67: The Storm Inside
Chapter 67: The Storm InsideThe four of them quickly gathered everything from the table and made it to the shelter of the front porch just as fat drops of rain began to fall."This storm came up out of nowhere," Alicia commented. "It's a good thing we didn't plan on camping on this trip."Inside, once the dishes were loaded into the dishwasher, Jenny set the cake on the counter and retrieved four dessert plates from a cupboard. The chocolate ganache frosting had set in the refrigerator, and the dark chocolate glaze over the top of the cake made an appetizing base for the milk chocolate curls she'd painstakingly placed. Jenny had to admit she felt pleased with the way it had turned out."Holy smokes, that looks amazing!" Beth eyed the dessert appreciatively.Cole beamed at Jenny. "That's my girl. You should see the fancy cupcakes she does for showers and stuff.""What kind is it, Jenny?" Alicia asked."It's chocolate ganache," Jenny answered, blushing. "It's not nearly as compli
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 68: Familiar Details
Chapter 68: Familiar DetailsVacillating between dread and relief, Cole leaned down to kiss Jenny's forehead then headed downstairs. Beth followed him closely."So what gives? You haven't been straight with me."Cole bypassed the den, heading instead for his office and the bottle of Jim Beam there. He poured for them both without asking, handing a glass to his sister before he sank into his leather desk chair.Beth took the chair across the desk. "Where did you really meet Jenny?"Taking a slug of bourbon, he closed his eyes, immediately picturing Jenny that first night, her face beaten to a pulp."She hid in my horse trailer about a month ago. She was running away from somebody who'd beat her all to shit."Beth absorbed the information. "And does she do this a lot?" She nodded to the upstairs.Cole shook his head. "No. This is only the second time. I think maybe the storm set her off. That and your work stories."She laughed humorlessly. "Sure, blame it on me.""It's not w
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 69: It's What I Do
Chapter 69: It's What I DoJoe Russo woke up to a spectacular hangover. He eyed himself in the motel room mirror and silently swore it was the last time, although he knew that was a lie. Over coffee and dry toast at the diner next door, he fished for information from the server behind the counter but came up empty. Yes, she knew Cole Caldwell. Everyone knew Cole. No, she had no idea about a redhead. He had a sister in San Francisco, but she had the same dark hair as Cole's.After paying his tab and leaving a generous tip, on Layton Wagner's dime, of course, he headed to the hobby shop he'd noticed the first time he'd driven through town. Twenty minutes later, he returned to the black Lincoln with a large shopping bag.He drove toward the Caldwell place but stopped at a ballfield on the outskirts of town. The orange dirt diamonds were abandoned on a school day morning, which was perfect as far as Russo was concerned. He was about to give himself a crash course in 21st-century
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 70: Surveillance and the Truth
Chapter 70: Surveillance and the TruthEnsconced in the stand of trees across from the Caldwell property, Russo sent up the drone, watching carefully as the device flew across the street and over the fence. Increasing its elevation, he flew it over the stand of trees that blocked his view from the road. Beyond the trees, Russo saw a house to the south and a barn a few hundred yards to the north. Horses grazed in a fenced paddock between the barn and the road. For the time being, no people were visible. He wondered if he should recall the device and keep it charged, then check again in an hour or so. Just then, two figures emerged from the house and moved in the direction of the barn. Fearing that they might hear the drone in spite of its promised silent flight, Russo increased the elevation but zoomed in the camera.Peering at his screen, he was disappointed to see they were the women he'd seen the previous day, the ones in the blue hybrid. He shook his head irritably. Betwe
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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
Chapter 217: Fight For HerGlancing around the restaurant, Angus released a satisfied sigh. They'd done it. He'd done it. Filming was finished. All around him, the cast and crew celebrated the end of shooting, congratulating one another and laughing together at story after story, some tales old, others new to this project.When he'd asked his assistant Cooper to secure a restaurant for the get-together, the young man had raised an eyebrow, but to his credit, he'd carried out the task professionally and without question. It was costing Angus a pretty penny to rent out the high-end Aspen bistro for the evening but treating everyone to a wrap party was the right thing to do. They'd all worked hard, and most of the cast had done so without pay, agreeing to share in the profits from future ticket sales instead. Something that never failed to produce a pang in his stomach when he thought about it. Because suppose no one wanted to pay to watch his gamble? What then?"A toast to our
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
Chapter 214: Angus Returns to Sweetwater RanchA relaxed half-smile played across Angus's lips as he neared Sweetwater Ranch. He'd headed to Colorado to nail down the details of his film set, but he was coming back with so much more than that. He couldn't stop thinking about the elevated clearing. Perched on the hillside overlooking the valley, he'd defy anyone to find a more beautiful view. On his laptop, he had the initial plans and an artist's rendering of a beautiful, luxurious log home. But with the proceeds from the sale of his Malibu home, he'd be more than able to build anything he could imagine. Anything he and Anna could imagine. In his mind's eye, he didn't see himself living in that idyllic setting alone. The view reminded him of that first day she'd taken him riding, of the view of the ranch from the trail that overlooked the ranch. Everywhere Angus looked, he saw Anna, and he thought of how she'd love the valley and the foothills, and how not far from where he
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 213: Whirlwind
Chapter 213: WhirlwindThe following twenty-four hours were a whirlwind. After accepting the job at the ranch outside Orlando, Anna purchased a one-way ticket to Florida, then began packing what she thought she'd need for an extended stay in the Sunshine State, figuring that the work would be basically the same as she generally did at home. There's simply be a need for fewer coats and jackets.A few hours later, Andy, Simone, the baby, and the elder Graves returned to the ranch in a caravan, with Andy, for once in his life, driving below the speed limit, the better to care for his new family. Anna met them in the lobby. "There's my new nephew!" She stepped closer to Simone, who cradled the infant in her arms. "How ya doing, young Jacob? Welcome to the world."She smiled warmly at Simone. "He's absolutely beautiful.""I know," her sister-in-law sniffed. "I just can't believe he's ours.""Here," Teresa said, "Andy, carry the baby. We'll get all your things. Simone, hon, just
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
