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Chapter 97: Apologies
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 98: A Breath of Fresh Air
Chapter 98: A Breath of Fresh AirHunter disconnected, a slight smile playing across his lips. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. He could tell himself he wasn't attracted to the woman. But he'd be lying. And he figured lying to oneself was the biggest kind of stupid there was.It had been a long time, though. In truth, sometimes Tara's face seemed to fade in his memory, and it made him feel guilty as hell. But five years was a long time. It was a long time to be alone, a long time to hold onto the memory of a life he no longer had.Following the funeral, he'd been worthless as shit. His mother and his grandfather had tried to help him see sense. But it had been old Rolly who'd given him the kick in the behind he'd needed to start moving forward again."You think she'd be proud of you, all curled up and feeling sorry for yourself? Think she'd be proud if you lose this ranch that your daddy and granddaddy worked at so hard to make a going concern? Get off your ass and get bac
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 99: McFall Ranch
Chapter 99: McFall RanchAs the Range Rover traveled around a curve in the highway, the rustic wood and iron gate came into view, with McFall Ranch arching over the drive in large black letters. Feeling sheepish about her behavior the previous evening, Poppy hesitated on the main road before she signaled with her directional and turned in, driving through the open gate.Her hands were slick on the steering wheel and she swiped them one at a time on the thighs of her jeans as she made her way down the long winding drive. Today, a handful of cattle grazed nearby. She made a mental note to watch where she stepped.Hunter was just coming out of the barn as she pulled up to the house. She took a moment to appreciate his tall, solid physique. He was again neatly dressed in dark jeans over worn cowboy boots. His neat chambray shirt was tucked in behind an oval silver belt buckle. The long sleeves were rolled up to the middle of his strong forearms. And once again, the black hat was ba
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 100: Not Too Shabby for a City Girl
Chapter 100: Not Too Shabby for a City GirlThe men watched her as she went. As soon as the office door closed behind her, Rolly turned to Hunter. "You didn't tell me.""I didn't tell you what?""That she looks just like Tara," the old man hissed.Hunter frowned and looked toward the office. "She doesn't look just like Tara."The old man pointed to his head. "Red hair?" He held his hand parallel to the ground. "Yea tall? Brown eyes?""Okay, there are similarities," Hunter shrugged. "But she doesn't look just like her. Tara's eyes were lighter brown, for one thing. And her hair was stick-straight."The two men headed into the barn. "They could be twins, you ask me," Rolly mumbled."I didn't ask you." Hunter exhaled sharply. "Look, Ms. Chastain is here from the development company. I want to take her out and show her why we're not selling any McFall land.""Ms. Chastain is it now?" Rolly muttered under his breath."Rolly, I swear to God…""Um, hello?" Poppy stood uncertain
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 101: Trail Ride
Chapter 101: Trail RideTogether, they headed out in the direction Rolly had taken earlier. In no time at all, they caught up with the old man. He was chatting with two younger men. The three of them looked up as Hunter and Poppy approached."Hey there, Hunter. Rolly just told me about all the shit…" The young man stopped and looked at Poppy. "Excuse me, ma'am, all the manure up in front of the barn. Some of the heifers must have wandered over there in the night. I'll get right on it.""Thanks, Hoyt. By the way, this is Ms. Chastain. Poppy, that's Hoyt Johnson and Wes Napier. Between them and Rolly, they keep this place running.""Aw, don't let him fool you," Rolly laughed. "Hunter's like all the McFalls. They're hands-on when it comes to this place.""Alright, gents, we'll leave you to it. We're heading up to the north end.""Have a good ride, then," Wes said. All three men nodded as Hunter and Poppy moved on toward the open pasture.As they rode, Hunter occasionally gl
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 102: River Crossing
Chapter 102: River CrossingThey rode east toward the foothills. As they went along, Poppy thought about what Hunter had said. There had to be a solution that would work for everyone. She just needed to find it.After a quarter of an hour, they came to a river. She heard it before she saw it, clear water rushing over weather-smoothed rocks. It didn't seem to be deep, but the current was swift. She looked at Hunter questioningly."Where we're going is on the other side of the river."Her eyes widened. "You mean we have to ride across?"He nodded. "It's shallow enough. The water's moving fast, but you just keep going and don't stop."Beneath her, Duffy sighed. "I don't know, Hunter."He gave her a reassuring smile. "You've got this. Besides, Duffy's an old pro."Unconvinced, Poppy pursed her lips.Hunter laughed. "I promise it'll be fine. I'm taking you to see the summer pasture in the mountains. We'll be taking the whole herd across this river in a few weeks.""Yeah, well
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 103: Summer Pasture
Chapter 103: Summer PastureThey followed the river for a while, then Hunter turned away from the water. The land began to gently slope upward and what had been pasture narrowed to a wide path through the trees. "You bring the cattle all the way up here?" Poppy wondered."We do. Summer is hot down lower, and with the grasses having grown on the mountain all spring, it's perfect for them. All the calves are big enough to make the trip, so it's great for them to head on up here for a couple of months."He glanced her way. "Wait until you see the mountain pastureland. This time of year, it will still be covered with spring flowers."As they continued together up the slope, Poppy realized that the air was cooler than it had been down at the house. She also noticed that the breeze had picked up a little, and she wished she had considered a jacket before she'd left the motel. The path narrowed as tall trees crowded in, and Duffy fell into step behind Cheyenne as Hunter led the way up
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 104: The Mountain Cabin
Chapter 104: The Mountain CabinWithout waiting for her to respond, he lifted her onto the bigger horse's back. "Scoot up as far as you can," he directed. Poppy did as he said, and he swung himself up behind her just as the bottom fell out of the sky. Huge drops of rain pelted them, and Poppy leaned back against him seeking shelter from the deluge. At the next flash of lightning, she flinched and burrowed into the safety of his strong arms. "It's alright," he murmured, "we're almost there."The trail opened onto a small clearing. Through the rain, Poppy saw a small log cabin with a covered porch running the width of the place. She wasn't certain, but there seemed to be another building or two beyond the cabin.Cheyenne stopped, and Hunter swung himself down, then reached for Poppy, who was shivering with cold. He led her to the shelter of the covered porch where she peered up at him, teeth chattering. Gently, he gripped her upper arms. "I have to see to the horses," he told h
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 105: Body Heat
Chapter 105: Body HeatWith her face pressed against his bare chest, Poppy inhaled the familiar masculine spice she'd noticed while wearing Hunter's shirt. When she pressed her lips to his skin, she felt his sharp intake of breath. She did it again, pressing her body more tightly against his, feeling the burgeoning erection trapped by his soaked jeans. When she kissed him a third time, a low growl rumbled up from his chest, and she peered up at him. His eyes were all heat and desire, and she knew hers were the same. She slid her hands up his chest and around to the back of his neck then pushed up on her tiptoes to press her lips to his. She'd been buzzed the previous night, but she was completely sober now. And she wanted him.As she deepened the kiss, he released his grip on the blankets and slid his hands down her back, cupping her ass and lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist without breaking the kiss. Tongues tangled, and Hunter slid his hands up her back,
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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
