The crunch of snow under the tires of my rented SUV felt like a reluctant homecoming as I pulled up to the Danbury Ranch gates. At forty-five, after years of diplomatic dinners and empty palace beds, the holidays dragged me back to Montana's biting cold. Father insisted on family tradition, but all I craved was solitude amid the pines. I stepped out, breath fogging the air, and spotted him by the barn.Remmy Leto, the ranch foreman who'd been here longer than my memories. Fifty-two now, his frame still solid from years of wrangling cattle, salt-and-pepper hair tousled under a worn Stetson. Our eyes met across the yard, and that old ache stirred in my chest."Annette? Damn, it's been too long." His voice carried over the wind, deep and gravelly, as he strode toward me, wiping callused hands on his jeans. He enveloped me in a hug that smelled of hay and leather, his broad chest pressing against mine just a second longer than necessary. I pulled back, heart racing, forcing a smile."Re
Last Updated : 2025-12-10 Read more