Her Renegade Rancher EPB

by Jennifer Ryan

  Rory held up a hand. “Wait a second. Why are you the one to blame for this imaginary breakup?”

  “Of course it will be me. She’s an amazing woman. I’d be a fool to walk away from her.”

  Sadie’s whole face lit up with a huge smile. She turned away, trying to hide it. Rory laughed outright.

  His grandfather smacked Colt on the back. “Well, son, don’t be a damn fool. Marry that girl.”

  “Oh please. Right. Just ask her to marry me after we’ve been together for what, a few weeks.”

  “You’ve known her a good long time,” his grandfather pointed out.

  “If you love her and it’s what you want, why not?” Rory asked. “Sadie and I hadn’t known each other long when I asked her.”

  “Sadie, help me out here. She’s not going to marry me.”

  Sadie tilted her head and stared at him, all humor gone from her face. “Why not?”

  “Because it’s ludicrous. She just inherited a fortune and a ranch she’s still learning how to run. She doesn’t want to get married. Not right now.”

  “How do you know unless you ask her?” Sadie’s eyes turned serious and direct on him. “Yes, she’s got a bunch of stuff, but it doesn’t make her smile or light up the way she does when she sees you, or when someone mentions your name. She went after you all those years ago. She kissed you. She felt like she pushed you away, until you finally cleared the air. She wanted you then. She wants you now. She offered you a job, but what she was really asking you for was so much more. Wasn’t it?”

  Luna’s words echoed in his head. “I don’t need someone for a few months or a couple of years. I need someone who’s in it for the long haul, good times and bad.” “Yes,” he admitted.

  “It’s a brave thing she did, laying her heart out there for you to see, asking if you want the same thing she wants. If you’re not sure, I suggest you take the time you need before you make any decisions or changes,” Sadie advised. “She’s always had to do things for herself and stand on her own. Look at her standing up to the Traverses. She’s taken on that huge ranch and a life she didn’t ask for or expect. She will do it on her own because that’s who she is. But I admire her strength and courage to ask you to be her partner in that. Not because she can’t do it but because having you beside her to support her means she’s not standing all alone anymore.”

  Colt imagined that growing up with a brother with special needs meant that Luna had to take care of herself most of the time.

  “Her parents love her like crazy, but they sacrificed putting her first for Tanner’s sake. Luna deserves to be first in your relationship, Colt. If the job is more important to you than she is, walk away from her, take the job, and keep your friendship with her. Give her a chance to find someone who—”

  “That’s never going to fucking happen,” he snapped, letting his anger show at the very thought of someone else with Luna. “I’m sorry, sis. I didn’t mean to talk to you that way.”

  “She’s my best friend, Colt. I want the best for her. I think that’s you, but if you don’t . . .”

  “The job is second,” he assured her. “I want it because I want to be with her.”

  “Since you’re clear on that, let the rest happen when it will,” his grandfather said, giving him a break for once.

  “We need to talk about you transitioning to Rambling Range.” Rory stuck his hands in his pockets and stared at the ground.

  “If you want me to stay . . .”

  Rory shook his head. “No. That’s not it. You have a chance to have what I found with Sadie. I want you to take it. I want you to be happy. It’s just that with you and Ford gone, the ranch won’t be the same.” Rory’s words echoed the thoughts running through Colt’s mind. Nothing was the same since Rory had met Sadie and Colt had fallen for Luna. That’s life. You grow up and discover that the family you’ve always known changes, expands, and people go their separate ways but are still tied by family bonds. Colt held on to that because he didn’t want to, wouldn’t, lose his connection to his brothers.

  “No, it won’t be, but we’ll still see each other all the time. Besides, you’re going to be so busy with your new wife and baby, you won’t miss us at all.” It took Colt off guard to realize he’d made his decision. He’d said it out loud already, but it really had taken hold and solidified in his mind. He wanted to be with Luna, work at her place, and make a life with her. He couldn’t wait. Didn’t want to wait another minute.

  “Yes, I will.” Rory’s admission came as a surprise. His brother wasn’t one for sharing his feelings. Ever since he and Sadie got together, Rory had softened. He enjoyed life more. He even smiled.

  Colt wondered how he’d changed since meeting Luna. He’d settled into his life. He used to run wild, now he ran to her. Nights at the bar, drinking and picking up women, playing cards and pool with his buddies used to be a good time. Now, an evening at home with Luna, watching a movie, going horseback riding, talking about their days and work fulfilled him in a way all that other stuff never did.

  “Ford’s here,” his grandfather announced.

  Ford closed his truck door and stared up at the sign they’d hung over the porch.

  “Welcome home,” Sadie said, echoing the words on the sign.

  “What are you talking about?” Ford asked.

  Sadie walked down the steps and met Ford on the path. “Well, you’re always talking about getting your own place, starting your own ranch. I have this big place and no one working it. So, Ford, you and I are partnering up. You take over this place and run it. I get a small percentage.”

  Ford looked past Sadie and addressed Rory. “Is she serious?”

  “Yes, she is. Tell him, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t want to sell this place, but Rory and I don’t want to live here either. His place is at your ranch. So I, we, thought you’d want to move here and start your own ranch.”

  “You’re serious. What about Colt? You’re moving in here, too, right? Then Rory and Sadie will have the house to themselves.”

  “Hey,” Granddad said.

  “Don’t worry, Sammy, you’re not going anywhere,” Sadie assured him, then turned back to Ford. “This place is just yours. Colt has other plans.”

  “Moving in with Luna, huh?”

  “If she’ll have me,” he said, waiting for the nerves and his stomach to pitch, his mind to shout, No!

  Nothing. Not even a single second thought. Just that same sense of ease and need to see her that he got whenever he thought about her. Yep, it’s a done deal.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. When you asked me to come over, I thought you needed help fixing something,” Ford said.

  “Rory, Luna, and I have the house all in order. I hope you like what we’ve done, but you’ve got a hell of a lot to fix around here before you really start working this place.”

  “I can’t wait.” Ford picked Sadie up and spun her around. “Thank you, sis.”

  “Hey now, careful with her, she’s got precious cargo on board,” Rory scolded.

  Ford set her down gently, took her hand, and pulled her up the stairs behind him. “Show me what you’ve done.”

  Colt stood in the kitchen for the next hour listening to Ford and Rory work out the details of starting a new ranch at Sadie’s place. He had to change that in his mind to Ford’s place. Ford thrived on a challenge like this. His enthusiasm showed in the smile that hadn’t faltered since he arrived.

  “Colt, you’re too quiet.” Ford drew his attention. “Are you sure you don’t want in on this?”

  “I’ve made my decision. All I have to do is work out the details with Luna.”

  “I’m sure you will, but if something changes, I could use your help here.”

  Colt appreciated the offer, but he’d made up his mind about the job, Luna, and what he wanted for his future.

  Chapter 26

  Colt took the turnoff and sped down the road leading him straight to Luna’s place. It had taken some time to driv
e into Bozeman, find what he wanted, and head home, but the excitement building in his gut and the rapid beat of his heart the closer he got to her told him he’d done the right thing. The only logical thing.

  He’d asked her this morning to have a talk tonight. He never expected to have it this late, but he didn’t want to go one more night without making her a promise he’d keep the rest of his life.

  The stars sparkled overhead. He flipped the black velvet box open again and let the diamond catch the moonlight. It sparkled more brightly than any star in the sky. He wanted to surprise her. Well, asking her to marry him would certainly come as a surprise.

  He wondered if she wanted a big or small wedding. What about a long or short engagement? Definitely short. Now that he’d made up his mind to marry her, he wanted her to be his wife immediately. Rory and Sadie’s wedding was only two weeks away. Maybe he and Luna could plan something for the month after that. Enough time for her to get a dress and make arrangements, but not too long for him to wait to make her his bride.

  Did she really mean it when she said she wanted someone for the long haul—in life and as a partner for the ranch? Maybe she didn’t mean for them to make it permanent immediately, but she wanted a life with him.

  “Mrs. Kendrick,” he said, just as headlights blinded him through the passenger window and a truck slammed into the side of him, T-boning his truck and sending him off the road, down a ditch, and pitching him sideways. The truck rolled and skidded through the dirt, slamming his shoulder and head into the side window. The air bag slammed into his face. Pain exploded through his body and split his head. Blood gushed down his face, turning his vision red before the lights went out.

  Luna’s cell phone rang, breaking her focus. She rubbed her tired eyes. The computer screen in front of her went blurry after hours of working on the ranch books. She hoped to finish the paperwork, so she could spend all day tomorrow with Colt. They had a lot to discuss, plans to make, things to face if they planned to make a life together here on the ranch.

  She smiled at Colt’s name on her caller ID and answered. “Hey, honey, where are you?”

  “Bleeding in a ditch on a deserted road.”

  Oh God! All alone.

  The rough, whispered voice sent a chill up her spine. The person sounded like some creeper from a horror movie. Not Colt’s deep, rich voice that whispered to her in the night.

  “What did you do? Where is Colt?”

  “Not far. Sell the ranch, or the next time he won’t be so lucky.”

  “You leave him alone,” she screamed into the phone, her chest tight with terror. Tears clogged her throat so tightly that she barely sucked in her next breath.

  “If you’d done the right thing to begin with, no one would have gotten hurt. His blood is on you.”

  The caller clicked off and Luna was already on the run for her purse and keys in the kitchen. She dialed 911 on her way out the door to her Jeep.

  “Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?”

  Luna jumped in her car, stuck the key in the ignition, and slammed her foot on the gas pedal. The car lurched and sped up. “My name is Luna Hill. I need an ambulance out on Round Rock Road.”

  “Do you have a cross street?”

  “Not yet. There’s been a car accident. I think someone ran my boyfriend off the road. A white Chevy truck with ‘Kendrick Brothers Ranch’ on the side. I’m heading out there now. I’ll let you know when I find the truck.”

  “Sending emergency personnel now. Stay on the line.”

  Luna raced down the long driveway and took the turn onto the road far too quick, her tires squealing on the pavement. Colt had mentioned driving into town, so instead of heading the other way toward his ranch, she went in the opposite direction, hoping she didn’t guess wrong. She didn’t know how badly he’d been hurt. Her imagination took care of scaring her even more than that ominous call did.

  “Please, Colt, hold on. I’m coming.”

  Her hands shook, so she gripped the steering wheel tighter. The constricting band around her chest made it impossible to breathe. If she lost him . . . It didn’t bear thinking about, because the future they talked about earlier was everything she wanted, but only with him.

  “Come on,” she prayed, slamming her hand on the steering wheel as she drove, searching both sides of the road and finding nothing. Part of her hoped the call was just a joke, but the call came in from Colt’s phone, so it had to be real. How else would they have gotten his phone?

  She couldn’t have missed the accident. One of her Rambling Range trucks blocked both lanes, the front end completely smashed and facing the side of Colt’s overturned truck in the ditch.

  “Nine-one-one, are you there?” Her voice cracked. “I found him.”

  “Where is he, ma’am?”

  Luna slammed on the brakes and brought her Jeep to a jarring stop, ten feet of rubber skids on the asphalt. She leaped out of the car and ran for Colt’s truck but stopped short when she saw the flicker of flames under the hood.

  “The truck is on fire. Hurry. Round Rock and Cherry Creek. His truck is on its side in the ditch. Someone hit him and forced him over the edge.”

  She ran for the back of her Jeep and opened the door. She dragged a canvas bag forward, unzipped it, silently thanked her father for being a bit overprotective and outfitting her car with jumper cables, flares, and, yes, a small fire extinguisher.

  “How many people are in the truck?”

  “One. I think. I’ve got a fire extinguisher. I’m going to try to put the fire out before I check on Colt.” She stuffed the phone down her front pocket and pulled the safety pin on the nozzle. With the truck hood down, she couldn’t get to the fire effectively, so she stuck her fingers through the grill to find the latch. She yanked her fingers back when they burned on the hot metal.

  “Shit. Colt! Colt! Can you hear me?”

  Nothing. Not even a whimper or moan. She didn’t have time to check on him. She needed to put this fire out before it consumed the car and she lost her chance to get him out.

  If she could get him out.

  The fear built inside of her, but she did what she had to do and tore her shirt off over her head, wrapped it around her fingers, and used it as protection as she unlatched the hood. Extinguisher at the ready, she pushed the hood up. Flames rose in a wave of heat that hit her in the face. She pressed the nozzle and pointed the stream of white stuff directly at the flames. Lucky for her they went out quickly, because the canister emptied way too fast.

  “Colt!” she screamed, coughing from the smoke blowing in her face and filling her lungs.

  She dropped the canister and climbed up the hot grill, working her way over the front fender to the broken passenger window. She stared in and found Colt crumpled and unconscious on the other side of the truck, his face covered in blood. A big, black duffel bag obscured the rest of his body.

  “Colt, honey, can you hear me?” Her voice shook.

  He didn’t answer. She placed her hands on the window frame and dipped her legs into the truck cab, bracing her feet on a headrest and the steering column. She sank down into the truck cab, tossed the duffel bag into the back extended cab, and reached for Colt’s neck with trembling fingers. She touched his warm skin, felt his pulse, and sighed with relief, knowing that his being alive didn’t take away from the direness of the situation.

  A muffled voice came from the phone in her pocket. She pulled it out.

  “Yes, I’m here. I found him. He’s unconscious with a very large gash on the side of his head. He’s got another bad cut on his shoulder and down his arm. He’s lost a lot of blood, but he’s got a steady pulse. Um, h-he’s n-not w-waking up,” she choked out.

  “Put pressure on the wounds,” the operator advised.

  She unwound the shirt from her hand and leaned down, pressing the soft material to Colt’s head without moving him. “Come on, Colt. Wake up for me.”

  “Is he awake?” the operator asked.

  “N-no.�
� Tears cascaded down her face and dripped on Colt’s cheek. “I can’t stop the bleeding.”

  “Paramedics are on the way. Six minutes out. Keep steady, firm pressure on the wound.”

  She did and prayed that what little she could do for Colt helped. The scent of roses mixed with the metallic scent of Colt’s blood. She didn’t understand why until she spotted the dozen red roses stuffed under his legs in the wheel well.

  “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. You have to be okay. You have to. I love you. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

  Colt stirred. “Lu-Lu . . . na,” he mumbled, then fell back into unconsciousness.

  Luna brushed her fingers through Colt’s hair. “I’m here, Colt. Help is coming.”

  Six minutes felt like a lifetime. The quiet in the cab felt like a tomb. The sirens she finally heard in the distance drawing near gave her hope that this ordeal would finally be over. For Colt’s sake, she hoped they got him out of the truck quickly and to the hospital where he’d be fine. He had to be fine.

  “They’re almost here, honey. Hold on. They’re coming.”

  The sirens went off and lights flashed overhead. A man stuck his head over the side of the smashed truck door and stared in the broken window.

  “Hey, I’m Scott. How is he?”

  “Unconscious. Still bleeding.”

  “I need to get you out of there so we can help him.”

  “If I let go of the pressure on his head, it bleeds more.”

  “Okay. Hold on.” Scott disappeared from view, but came back, leaned over the door, and stuck his hand down to her.

  She grabbed the thick pad and roll of gauze.

  “Change out what you’re using with the pad. Wrap the gauze around his head tight to hold it in place and keep pressure on the wound. Do not move his head.”

  “Got it.”

  Luna’s legs hurt like hell from holding herself in the odd crouched position. She ignored the pain, leaned forward, and pulled her blood-soaked shirt away from Colt’s head. The blood still oozed, but not as fast. “The bleeding is slowing down.”