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Chapter 13: Gifts
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Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 14: Skittish
Chapter 14: Skittish"I need to go see about the horses," Cole announced. "Would you like to come with me?"Instantly, Jenny felt a stab of fear. Outside felt dangerous. Anyone could see her outside. Including Victor and his goons. Cautiously, she peered out the window."It's dark now," Cole said. "Besides, like I said before, my nearest neighbor is miles away. And I keep the gate locked. Nobody's coming on the property." Jenny deliberated, weighing her fear against the desire to please Cole. Finally, she nodded and was awarded with his glowing grin."All right! Let's go. You can say hello to Dahlia."Jenny shivered in the cool night air as they walked side by side toward the barn. Blue snuffled happily along the ground, running ahead, then circling back around to them. About halfway between the house and the barn, Jenny paused, gazing up into the sky. High overhead, millions of stars twinkled like diamonds as on the eastern horizon, the full moon had just begun its clim
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 15: Where Did You Come From, Jenny?
Chapter 15: Where Did You Come From, Jenny?In his study, Cole poured himself a bourbon and took a sip, savoring the burn as the liquid rolled down the inside of his chest. Jenny had gone to bed shortly after they'd returned from the barn. He had a few things to take care of, but he also felt restless. He sipped again and exhaled with relief. Thank God, she's not a minor. The worry had been swirling through his mind since he'd considered the fact that if she were under the age of eighteen, he would be guilty of concealing a minor. The idea of calling Beth nagged at him anyway. She'd know how to handle the issue of someone chasing after Jenny. Then there was the brand, which he couldn't un-see. Maybe he could ask Jenny about it. Quickly, he discarded the idea. Over the last twenty-four hours or so, he'd gained a bit of trust, but that was a huge leap. She didn't realize he'd seen it, either. He sighed deeply. That was a topic for another day.She'd seemed happy to help
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 16: Getting Their Story Straight
Chapter 16: Getting Their Story StraightBehind the wheel of the big black SUV as it barreled down I-5, Slater slid a sidelong glance at Wilcox who was seated in the passenger seat. The other man was eyeing him cautiously."What?!" Slater growled."What what?""You're looking at me like I stepped in dog shit or something." Irritation painted his already ruddy face a deeper shade of red.Wilcox shrugged. "I'm just wondering what you're going to tell Sorkin about this clusterfuck you created."Slater glared out the windshield and gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw shifting in annoyance. The truth was, he had no idea what he would tell their boss beyond what he'd already told him.When they'd arrived in San Francisco, they'd been missing one red-haired freak. Before heading to the Four Seasons, they'd made a little detour, with Slater calling ahead as Wilcox navigated the congested city streets."Why didn't Mr. Sorkin tell me himself?" the voice on the other end of the line
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 17: Terrifying Memories
Chapter 17: Terrifying MemoriesThe Rolling Stones blare from Chelsea's MG. It's like the classic car's radio dial is perpetually stuck in the sixties. Jenny is too excited about the upcoming party to be annoyed.In her driveway, she grabs her purple JanSport and hops out, slamming the car door. "I'll call you tonight," she promises, as Chelsea launches backward and waves goodbye.She swears the house feels different when she walks inside. But how could that be? She doesn't know anything yet.Her father is tied to the chair in the middle of the family room. How is it she didn't notice that on the actual day? In her dreams, she sees little details she missed the first time around.Then he's there. Victor. Only she doesn't know his name yet. That comes later. He tells the men with him to hurt her and her mother. One of them is Slater, also something she'll learn later. The one who smells like salami. All she can think is that it was supposed to be Greg Morgan. Not some bal
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 18: What The…
Chapter 18: What The…Cole awoke with a start. He wasn't sure of the time, but it was dark, save for the moonlight streaming in through the window. He yawned, stretching his arms over his head, and rolled over to check the clock. 3:12. He still had a good couple of hours before he needed to be up, but now that he was awake, nature called. Tossing back the covers, he stepped out of bed and immediately tripped over something on the floor. "Dammit!" he swore sharply as he sprawled on his hands and knees. He rolled onto his behind to see Jenny sitting up, wide-eyed, all wrapped up in a quilt. Blue sat beside her, watching his master curiously."What the hell? Jenny, what are you doing sleeping on the floor?"She shrugged slightly, pulling the quilt higher around herself.Cole ran a hand through his hair, belatedly realizing that he was dressed in only his skivvies, a pair of grey boxer briefs."Geez, Jenny, you scared the shit out of me." He grabbed the throw folded across the
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 19: Meet the Other Horses
Chapter 19: Meet the Other HorsesCurled on the cot, the rest of Jenny's night was blissfully dream-free. It was still dark when she heard Cole's alarm and his soft curse as he quickly turned it off. She remained motionless as he gathered up his clothes and headed into his bathroom to shower and get ready for the morning. After he tiptoed out of the room, she slid from beneath her quilt. Cole's bed stood unmade, probably due to the fact that with the cot in the way, it would have been difficult to make without waking her. Quickly, she made his bed, rendering it neat and tidy. She neatly folded up the cot and leaned it against the wall before she headed back to the bedroom she'd left earlier.Once her bed was neatly made, she dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a black and white print top. In the hall bathroom, she brushed her hair and pulled it into a ponytail. Close inspection in the mirror showed that her eye was looking much better, the bruising having faded from p
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 20: Complicated
Chapter 20: ComplicatedLunch was once again an informal affair of sandwiches and chips. Cole looked at Jenny seated across the table from him. She'd gotten a little sun that morning, judging by the pink on her cheeks and a few new freckles across her nose. He made a mental note to pick up some sunscreen for her. She noticed him watching her, and a frown flashed across her face just before a self-conscious smile. She was a pretty little thing, not even the remnants of a black eye could hide that. He wondered if he should be thinking that way but figured 'pretty' was just an honest observation. He wondered for the thousandth time where she'd come from, and who, if anyone, might be looking for her. She seemed convinced someone was. Last night had been unexpected. He'd nearly broken his neck tripping over her. And she'd been out like a light once she'd settled on the cot. She feels safe near you, he told himself. Just another stray he'd brought home, his sister would say.
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 21: Running the Gauntlet
Chapter 21: Running the GauntletAfter Cole left, Jenny aimlessly wandered around the house. She gazed again at the photos hanging in the hallway, making a mental note to ask Cole about them sometime. In the kitchen, she found the chicken he'd mentioned, a package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. She chewed her lip thoughtfully, then opened an upper cupboard. There she found flour, salt, pepper, olive oil, and a small container of dried parsley. She frowned. Dried parsley would do if he didn't have fresh, she supposed.In the fridge, she found butter, grated Parmesan, a lemon, and a partial bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. She surveyed everything on the counter, frowning.Capers. If only he has capers. Dragging a chair from the table, she climbed up and peered into the upper cabinets once more. Shoving aside all the items in the front, she leaned up on her tiptoes, straining to see what else might be in there. All the way in the back, she spied a small round jar. She had
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