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Chapter 17: Terrifying Memories
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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
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 22: An Extra Purchase
Chapter 22: An Extra PurchaseHaving dropped off Artemis to a happy family on a ranch outside of Fresno, Cole headed south on CA-99, pulling off forty-five minutes later at the Circle N Stables Saddle Shop in Tulare. A couple of weeks earlier, he'd taken one of his oldest saddles for repairs, the leather covering on the horn having come unstitched. A bell jingled as he pushed open the door, and he stepped inside, breathing in the earthy essence of leather. The pretty young Hispanic woman at the counter looked up at him and smiled. "Hi, Cole. I wondered when you were going to pick up your saddle," she greeted him in her soft Spanish accent."Hey there, Juanita," Cole grinned. "How's business?"She shuffled through a stack of invoices. "We can't complain. Who would listen anyway?" she laughed. "Roberto finished resewing your saddle horn last week. I'll get him to bring it up here."While Juanita ducked through the curtained doorway to the back of the shop, Cole wandered aimle
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 23: I Had Capers?
Chapter 23: I Had Capers?Twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of the barn, backing the horse trailer into place. Climbing out of the truck, he unhitched the trailer. First thing I'll do back at the house is get the grill started, he thought. Then I'll give Jenny her surprise. By that time, the grill will be ready for the chicken. Hefting the saddle out of the truck, he wondered how Jenny had fared in his absence. She hadn't come to the door. Either she hadn't heard him pull up, or she was still afraid to come outside.Shrugging, he lifted the saddle onto a rack in the tack room and headed back outside. Minnie stood by the fence and whinnied softly. Grinning, Cole went to her and rubbed her nose affectionately. "Hey there, old girl," he laughed softly. "Brithania isn't your biggest fan, but I still love you." Across the field, the other horses began heading his way."I'll be back later with your supper. Maybe I can even talk Jenny into coming out, too." He rubbed
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 24: Dancing Boots
Chapter 24: Dancing BootsAfter dinner dishes were cleared, Cole remembered the bag he'd left by the door. "Oh, Jenny, I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you." He reached out his hand. "Come see."Her eyes widened, but she took his hand. He led her to the den and pointed at the couch. "Have a seat and close your eyes."She hesitated a moment, then sat down. She glanced up at Cole."Close'em."Pursing her lips, she complied, knee bobbing anxiously. Cole retrieved the bag and placed in on Jenny's lap. "Okay, now you can open them."With a glance at Cole, Jenny peered into the bag. Brow knit in a frown, she pulled a large brown cardboard box out of the bag and set the bag on the floor. With another glance at him, she lifted the lid and gasped. Cole couldn't stop the smile as Jenny picked up first one boot, then the other, eyes wide. Reverently, she ran her fingers across the purple embroidery. "I figured, if you're going to be working in the barn, you're going to need
Redheads & Ranchers Chapter 25: Bad Memories of His Own
Chapter 25: Bad Memories of His OwnThey made their way back to the house where the aroma of chicken piccata still hung in the air. It was only 8:15, too early for bed. Cole thought about suggesting they watch television, although as far as he was concerned, there was rarely anything on worth watching.Jenny scribbled something on her board and tapped his arm. Can I ask you something? Her gaze was serious.His heart skipped a beat. Shit. Would she ask why he hadn't kissed her in the barn? Warily, he nodded. "Sure."She took his hand and pulled him into the downstairs hallway, stopping before his official Marines portrait. She pointed to it, then to the photo of him and his buddies in Afghanistan. Will you tell me about this? she scribbled.Cole blew out the breath he'd been holding. Jenny had spent quite a bit of time alone in the house. It made sense that she'd wandered around and seen the photos on the wall. His time in Afghanistan wasn't his favorite topic of conversati
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