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Chapter 78: Hello, Pet
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Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & 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
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 85: Dear Cole
Chapter 85: Dear ColeSmiling, Dr. Hobbs laced her fingers together and leaned back in her chair. "Okay, then. Cole, Jenny has some things she'd like you to know about her time here at Mountain Haven. Jenny?"Heart pounding, Jenny exhaled heavily and reached into her pocket, extracting a rumpled sheet of notebook paper. Carefully she unfolded it, aware of Cole's keen eyes watching her carefully. She glanced down at the paper and softly cleared her throat."Dear Cole," she began."We thought it would be good for her to write her thoughts as a letter to you. That way she could remember everything she wanted to say," the therapist explained.Jenny nodded shakily. "Yeah, I wrote a letter." Avoiding Cole's eyes, she started over. "Dear Cole, I want to tell you about my time here at Mountain Haven. These six weeks have been hard and emotional and scary and fun and lonely and happy and sad." She glanced up quickly. "I know that's not a proper sentence, but I just wrote what I was
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 86: As Long As I Have Your Attention
Chapter 86: As Long As I Have Your Attention"Okay, folks, I'm just going to slip on out of here for a few minutes," Dr. Hobbs laughed lightly, closing the door gently behind her.Eyes closed, Jenny felt Cole's heart beating against her cheek. She inhaled his familiar masculine scent, reveling in the comfort she felt in his strong embrace."I love you, Jenny," he said again.She looked up to find him smiling down at her. Sniffing loudly and swiping at the tears on her cheeks, she took a step back. Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled back at him. "I love you, too. I just wasn't sure you could ever feel the same way, especially knowing all the bad things.""I'd have to be a fool not to love you." He quirked a mischievous eyebrow. "And my mama didn't raise any dummies." He smiled ruefully."Matter of fact, I was sort of hoping this day would go a little differently." He stepped back and gazed down at her. "But as long as I have your attention for a minute, I have a question."
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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
