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Chapter 76: Moving the Kittens
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2022-10-20 14:18:05Related chapters
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 77: Blindsided
Chapter 77: BlindsidedAfter he'd worked the clients' horses one at a time and sent them out to join Apollo, he headed into the barn to get the kittens' stall ready for his potential new client. Finding the hay stall nearly empty, he climbed up into the loft and began lugging bales to the edge, dropping each one with a dusty thud onto the floor below.He was just hooking a third bale when he thought he heard gravel crunching in the drive. Momentarily distracted, he accidentally dropped the hay hook with the bale. He peered over the edge of the loft and saw the steel hook glinting in the light down below."Son of a…" he muttered to himself.Hearing the rumble of a large engine, he made a mental note to pick up the hook later and climbed down the ladder to greet his guest.As Cole walked out of the barn, he saw what had to be a brand-new black F-350 with a new state-of-the-art horse trailer in tow. The image of his own battered vintage trailer popped into his head and he had to smile
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 78: Hello, Pet
Chapter 78: Hello, Pet"Wake up, Mr. Caldwell. We have business to discuss."The words floated to Cole as though through a fog. He breathed in deeply, suddenly aware of an intense throbbing in his jaw. Mustering all the effort he could, he opened his eyes. He was in the barn, and everything was sideways, his battered face pressed against the cold concrete floor. Not far from the entrance stood the man in the expensive grey suit.Mentally bracing himself, Cole groaned and pushed himself up into a sitting position, grateful to lean against the tack room wall."There you are. I thought we'd lost you for a moment." He gave a strangely cold smile that reminded Cole of the sharks he'd seen on the Discovery Channel."Your friend sucker punched me." He looked around again. "Where did Mr. Brown go anyway?"Again, the other man grimaced in that odd smile. "I'm sure he'll be along shortly."A scuffling sound outside drew Cole's attention. Mr. Brown appeared in the doorway of the barn h
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 79: You Don't Own Me
Chapter 79: You Don't Own MeWith a leering grin at Jenny, Victor aimed at Cole and pulled the trigger, hitting the rancher in the shoulder. Cole's body lurched on the floor and he cried out as a bloody patch bloomed on his blue shirt."NO!" Jenny screamed. Pulling against Slater's iron grip, she leaned forward then straightened fast, swinging her head back into his face, feeling his nose shatter against the back of her skull. He roared in pain and let go. Jenny dived across the floor and scrambled toward Cole."Cole, are you okay?"Breathing against the searing pain in his shoulder, Cole nodded. The truth was, he felt faint. But he had to protect Jenny if that was the last thing he did.Sorkin looked over his shoulder and gave a withering look at Slater, who knelt on the barn floor holding his bleeding face."You are utterly useless," Victor growled. He turned back to Cole. "On your feet." He gripped Cole by the front of his shirt and stood him up. Using that momentum, Col
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 80: Mountain Haven
Chapter 80: Mountain HavenCole leaned on his left elbow to peer out the window of the 737, grimacing at the twinge in his shoulder that reminded him that two months later, he was still healing from a gunshot wound.Below, the city of Missoula, Montana grew as the plane descended toward the small international airport. Dark mountains in the distance provided a backdrop to the suburban sprawl.Touchdown was uneventful, and once the seatbelt sign was turned off, Cole reached beneath the seat in front of him to retrieve a small backpack. Opening the overhead compartment, he removed his own brown leather duffel and a black rolling bag for the older woman who'd been seated beside him.Once inside the airport, he made his way to the car rental agency to claim the white GMC Acadia he'd reserved before he'd left the ranch. He tossed his bags into the passenger seat and cued up the GPS on his phone. From the airport in Missoula, he still had nearly an hour's drive to the tiny town of Elk Ri
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 81: Housekeeping Details
Chapter 81: Housekeeping DetailsWhen Jenny's alarm sounded at 6:00 the following morning, she was already awake. It was the day she'd finally get to see Cole, a day she'd been anticipating since she'd first come to Mountain Haven. She felt equal parts excited and nervous as she quietly made her bed, pulling up the purple comforter he'd sent in his first care package to her. Since that first box, he'd sent a half dozen books and magazines, a framed photo of Dahlia and another of the one they'd taken together by the Sequoia sign on her birthday, and a couple cases of Dr. Pepper, which she'd shared with her roommate Jan, who currently remained curled up and asleep in her own bed.Having drawn breakfast duty for her final full day, Jenny tiptoed out of the room and made her way to the small industrial kitchen in the heart of the facility's complex. Mountain Haven was a small treatment center whose clientele was very specific. Every one of the twenty or so patients currently in resid
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 82: I've Missed You
Chapter 82: I've Missed You A tired-looking waitress set a plate in front of Cole with a weary smile and shuffled off to refill the coffee cup of the man in the next booth. Ignoring his breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries for the moment, Cole glanced around the small diner and wondered if any of the other patrons were headed to Mountain Haven for 'family day'. In spite of the fact that it was the end of Jenny's stay, he'd been given very specific instructions when he'd made his appointment for the visit. He should arrive at the front gate no earlier than 9:00 am and present his ID to the security staff there. Once inside the facility's grounds, he should make his way to Visitor Parking just outside the main complex. Upon entering the building, he'd once again be expected to show his ID to the attendant and he'd be issued a guest badge which he'd be required to wear at all times while he visited the center.The whole thing struck him as unnecessarily complicated an
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 83: I Always Want to Be There For You
Chapter 83: I Always Want to Be There For YouFor the next hour, the woman led the group through the facility, explaining each room and introducing pertinent staff members. Occasionally, Jenny quietly added her own comments for Cole's benefit.The tour ended on the wide back deck overlooking the lake. "Family therapy sessions have been arranged for each client. Please adhere to the schedule. Beyond that, feel free to enjoy the grounds and the main building. Lunch will be served in the dining room at noon."With that, she left through the door leading inside. Some family groups wandered down the steps and out toward the lake. Another few followed Dr. Hobbs inside. Jenny and Cole remained on the deck."Would you like to sit down?" she asked him.Cole glanced at the half-dozen wooden rocking chairs scattered the length of the terrace. "Sure," he nodded.The walked to the far end of the deck and selected the last two chairs. "It's pretty here," Cole observed.Jenny nodded. "It i
Last Updated : 2022-10-20Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 84: Therapy Session
Chapter 84: Therapy SessionAt a round table set for six, Jenny nibbled her turkey wrap, watching as Cole engaged in casual conversation with the father of one of her fellow residents. Glancing her way, he gave her a grin, dark eyes sparkling as he told the other man about his horse-training business. He was so handsome. How had she forgotten? Her heart pounded, and her stomach felt leaden, but she continued to nibble just to have something to do. When lunch was over, she and Cole would make their way to Dr. Hobb's office. Just the thought of the conversation they were about to have rattled her to her core. Over the course of the last sixty days, she'd spent time learning skills to overcome the trauma she'd suffered, how to release the fear that was the root of her PTSD, ways to combat the panic when it surfaced. She'd learned a great deal about herself, and the time had come to share that knowledge with Cole.Sipping her iced tea, she wondered what he'd thought about while s
Last Updated : 2022-10-20
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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
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 215: Florida
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 213: Whirlwind
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 212: Nightmare
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