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Chapter 36
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Cattenach Ranch Chapter 37
Behind the barns and near the open pasture, Olivia took a sip of lager and grinned at the story Amy's brother Kyle was telling Nate about Justin's first black eye, right after he'd broken his leg falling from a cottonwood. A bonfire crackled in the center of their small circle of chairs, a radio off to the side playing flashback songs from the nineties. Temperatures had finally begun to warm, yet the nights still held a nip in the air. The scent of firewood mingled with fresh grass and blooms. It had taken two weeks, but the winter wheat had been harvested. They were relaxing this weekend before planting the spring crop. Most of the ranch hands had gone into town, aside from her few close friends, to let off some steam.She glanced at the blackened sky, twinkling with stars, and a pang of longing hit her. Between Kyle's story and working the fields, she missed Justin something fierce. Spring had always been his favorite season."So then, he waddles right up to me and says, I'm no
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 38
He cleared his throat. "I don't know how to dance. I've never done it before in my life.""I'll teach you."Closing his eyes a beat, he sighed and looked at her again. First at the dress, then he met her gaze. "I don't need a...prom. Or whatever this is you're doing.""Sure you do. Everyone should have a night to dress up and act like a frivolous teen." He'd had so many opportunities stolen from him. She could do this one thing for him, even if it was just the two of them in her living room."I'm not dressed up." He glanced at himself. "I'm barely clothed, in fact.""And thank you for that."He smiled as if unable to help himself and ran a hand down his face. Shook his head. Looked at her gown again. A furrow grew between his brows. "So, that's the dress your date tried to...?" He growled.Lord. She held up her hands. "Do remember I kneed him in the balls and Nakos broke his nose." She waved at herself. "Note I'm standing before you in one piece, unharmed." His eyes narrowed.
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 39
"Oh my God. This is awesome!"Nate laughed and revved the Harley's engine to speed down the almost deserted two-lane highway. Wind whipped his face as Olivia's squeal filled his ear. He grinned again, eyeing the flat prairie and long grass swaying across the horizon. The Laramie Mountains shadowed the distance and fencing kept cattle from wandering. The cobalt sky went on for miles.He didn't dare go much faster, not with Olivia onboard and only one helmet, which he made her wear. But they'd been riding over two hours and she hadn't shown any signs she wanted to head back.He leaned into a curve, and she wrapped her arms tighter around his waist. Damn, but it felt good having her behind him, her thighs cradling him and her scent of rain melding with late afternoon spring. When he got the chance, he rode often, loving the solitariness of the open road and vibrations under him. It gave him a chance to clear his head, to breathe.But her? With him? A turn-on to the nth degree.He che
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 40
Rising, he climbed from the tub and held out his hand for her. Once she'd stepped onto the mat, he dried her off, then himself, and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and rose over her. Braced on his forearms, he studied her pretty face, took in each aspect to be sure his suspicions were right. In awe, he gave up fighting and shook his head. Love. That's what looked back at him. Though she didn't offer the words, three little syllables he'd never heard, she told him with one glance. He'd seen it often on others, had longed for it himself once upon a time. He relished the flame it kindled in his chest, let it burn and smolder, knowing he'd never feel it again. She should give this gift to someone deserving, and he wouldn't dare tell her in return, but he could show her what she meant to him.He reached for the nightstand, but she grabbed his hand. "You had frequent check-ups in the Army? You're safe?" At his nod, she swallowed. "So am I, and I'm on birth cont
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 41
Stretching, Olivia rubbed her bare legs against the sheets and reached for Nate, but his side of the bed was cool. She blinked against the morning light filtering through the blinds as disappointment hit her. Figuring he was out running, she smiled and recalled last night while burying her face in the pillow. He'd finally let go. The emotion pouring through him in the way he'd made love to her had been amazing. Earth-shattering. Soul-crushing. After all the horrible things he'd seen and done, that were put upon him, he seemed to be shedding the past and looking toward a future.About time.Another stretch, and she slipped out of bed with the sheet around her middle. She padded into the living room, only to abruptly halt.Nate sat on the sofa, elbows on his knees and head in his hands. He was fully dressed in jeans, boots, and a tee, and the tension radiating off him stalled her heart. Muscles rippled and ink came alive as his fingers fisted."I need to tell you something." Slowly
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 42
Agonizing seconds went by, then he strode to the door and paused with his hand on the knob. He pinched his eyes closed. But it was his low, tortured admission that clawed her from the inside out. "I wish it had been me."The door shut quietly behind him.Time collapsed and the room vacuumed of oxygen. The longer she stood in the middle of the room, alone and gutted, the more she bled out until she was a numb, vacant shell.Had she been too quick to forgive him? Was she letting her feelings for him pollute rational thought? She didn't think so. Aside from failing to tell her about his role in Justin's death, Nate had never lied to her. In fact, getting him to talk about his past, about anything, had been like pulling teeth from a rabid wolf. No one would make up stories like that. Besides, his behavior backed up everything. What was she supposed to do now? Could she fix it, make him understand? Did he just need space?Justin. Dear, sweet Justin. That's what she needed. To talk
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 43
Every instinct told him to run, to get as far away from the pain as fast as possible. But he'd given his word, had made a promise, and he'd keep it. Though it wouldn't be right under her nose on the ranch, Nate would protect Olivia just the same. Pain be damned.On his Hog, he tore down the road, heading for town with two goals to accomplish by day's endto find a way to stay in Meadowlark and to make sure he'd never be in a position to hurt Olivia again. He'd barely made it out of the Cattenach Ranch gate and his chest pinched from missing her. And he'd better get used to it. Not that he ever would. Christ, he never should've touched her, never should've let her try to...heal him. His own misery was something he'd grown familiar with eons ago, but this particular level went beyond that to an amplified version of hell.The look on her face, the hurt in her voice, the way she'd tried to justify...No. No, no, no.Pulling off the main road a few minutes later, he parked in front of
Cattenach Ranch Chapter 44
Shit. Closing his eyes, Nate skimmed his hand over his clenched gut."And I also know Olivia better than anyone." Nakos's determined gaze nailed Nate to the couch when he refocused on the foreman. "She's a pain in the ass, stubborn as hell, and has a heart bigger than a church full of saints, but she's not stupid. If the goal is to not hurt her, you're going about it back-asswards. You told her the truth. All your secrets are out. And what was the first thing she did?" He tipped his bottle at Nate. "She went after you."Well, Nate had wanted the foreman's insight. He'd gotten it. Hell, he didn't have a clue what he'd been expecting to hear, but shock blew him away nonetheless. This place, these people, were like being dropped in another dimension with no compass or instructions. Another world he never fathomed could exist.Nakos stood and glanced around. "Kind of downsizing your life, if you ask me. Smells like someone's great-grandmother's attic, too." Despite the chaos in his he
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