Renegade Ridge

by Arabella Steedly

  Vanessa returned about twenty minutes later with the papers. She seemed a bit flustered as she spoke, but Jake wasn’t sure why until he realized he was shirtless and she was having a hard time looking at his face. He tried not to smile about it as she gave him the paperwork and said her goodbye.

  “You can pick me up at seven-thirty,” she managed to say before making a hasty retreat to her camper.

  “I’ll be damned,” Jake said to himself, a smile spread across his face as he finished moving the hay bales into an empty stall.

  Finally, something to look forward to again.

  8

  Jake took one last look in the mirror by the door before heading for Vanessa’s house. After smoothing his hair, he ran the side of his hand along his cheek and was satisfied. The razor had been sharper than he had thought. When he stepped outside the cool evening breeze rushing between the oaks helped to settle his nerves. He pulled open the door of his Ford and noticed a few pieces of trash, junk mail that he had wadded up and thrown on the floorboard. One thing he had learned about Vanessa, despite her insistence they didn’t know much about each other, was that she was a neat freak. So, he gathered the trash and took time to deposit it in the can before he left. As he pulled away from the ranch, Jake realized that he was a bit nervous even though it wasn’t officially their first date. But by the time he got to the bridge near the lake he felt heartened, maybe he had a chance with her after all. Jake wasn’t sure why, though, since nothing had changed in his life.

  For the first time, he noticed how long Vanessa’s legs were. Especially, since she was wearing form-fitting designer jeans that were tucked into high heeled cowgirl boots. When she turned to pick up her sweater, Jake couldn’t help but gaze down at the curves of her full hips. He had noticed before she was a busty gal but he seemed more aware of her body now than ever before. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders. For a brief moment he wanted to rush toward her and nuzzle his nose under it and trail kisses down the nape of her neck — but he restrained himself.

  “Right on time,” she said as she stepped out of the front door.

  “Looks like you’re ready to get going,” he said

  “I am. It’s been a busy week. I’m looking forward to a fun night out.”

  “Me too,” he agreed. Jake opened the door to the truck and waited for her to get in before easing it closed — trying to avoid the nerve-wracking squeak.

  “Are we going dancing again?” she playfully asked as Jake pulled out onto the highway.

  “I know that you secretly loved dancing with the octogenarians at the home, but I think this is bingo night.”

  Vanessa laughed. “Yes, I did. Now, I’m disappointed!”

  “I’m ahead of the game then. Most women aren’t disappointed until at least halfway into a night out with me,” Jake rebutted.

  “Self-deprecating humor. You are a master.”

  “I know,” he said leaning forward with his arms looped over the top of the wheel. The last thing he wanted was to project the lack of confidence he felt inside. Insulting himself had become a constant. He wasn’t like this before everything had turned to proverbial shit.

  “So, where are we going then?” she asked.

  “I thought we’d grab a hot dog down at Mike’s Mobile Meat and then go bowling.”

  Vanessa was silent for a moment. Jake glanced over at her and could tell by her furrowed brows she was contemplating whether or not he was serious. He smiled to himself when she opted to take the diplomatic route instead of outright objecting.

  “I… um. Does Mike serve anything not meat based?”

  “So, you don’t like hot dogs?” he asked working to keep a straight face.

  “I don’t really eat meat. Fish, eggs, milk are pretty much my limit,” Vanessa explained as she peered through the windshield, no doubt looking for the hot dog place.

  “So, you’re a vegetarian?”

  “Somewhat.” She nodded.

  “You ate bacon at my house the other day,” Jake reminded her.

  “Yes. Yes, I guess I did.”

  He looked over at her curiously and asked, “What sort of vegetarian eats bacon?”

  Vanessa cleared her throat and had a look on her face as if she was the kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar. “I should say that I’m trying to become a vegan. It’s a process.” She stammered.

  “And you are out with a cattle rancher?” Jake grinned at her.

  “I know. I think I might be failing at it.” Jake looked at her, unsure of what he should make of all this and then he caught the slightest little smirk on her face.

  “You little minx! You’re yanking my chain!” Jake bellowed, laughing.

  “Why would I do that, Mr. Hot Dogs and Bowling?” she asked with a wry smile.

  They both laughed then sat in silence. Jake felt relaxed and sensed she did too.

  When Jake continued straight after stopping at the last red light in town Vanessa spoke up, “So, seriously. Where are we going?”

  “A little place I know on the east side of town. My friend’s wife, Monica, works there and got me a last-minute reservation.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  “Yes, but I don’t think they serve hot dogs.”

  Jake’s lifted mood was curtailed when, all of the sudden, their conversation turned to more serious matters. He froze when she asked about Kessler. “Nothing has changed. I just hope the deal with the calves will go through so I can finally get him paid off. If I can at least stay on top of my payments, I’ll be able to avoid the other stuff he wants me to do. I was also hoping the deal would help me get ahead a bit on the ranch too,” Jake explained, before glancing over at her. “You know… with maintenance and repairs.”

  Vanessa smiled and placed her hands in her lap. “I sure hope you can. It’s a shame he has his hooks into you and, I’m guessing, quite a few others.”

  “Yes. He is the last chance for a lot of people who have nowhere else to turn when the banks refused them.”

  “A sad situation,” she mused and turned to peer out the side window.

  “Here we are,” Jake said, pulling into the parking lot under the bough of a maple tree.

  Jake was grateful for an excuse to end the discussion. The last thing he wanted to do was open up that particular can of worms. Sitting in the restaurant across from Vanessa, he felt like a world together with her suddenly made sense again. Not only was she smart, but Vanessa was beautiful and witty. There weren’t many women around like her. All in all, it had been a good evening, but when the time came to take her home, he steered clear of a goodnight kiss, opting for a light hug instead.

  As he turned off the highway and headed down the lane, back home at Renegade Ridge, he cursed himself for not giving it a shot. Then Jake shrugged his shoulders after a period of quiet reflection and decided their future together would unfold at its own pace no matter what he did to hurry things along. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. A text from — Vanessa!

  She wrote: I had a great evening. Thank you so much for everything.

  He exhaled a sigh of relief and replied: The pleasure was all mine!

  ****

  A few weeks later, after the sale of the calves had gone through Jake had used the cash to make a sizable payment to Kessler and was spending the rest on small projects as planned. Since there had been no need for Vanessa’s services lately, she and Jake had spent their time together either in town or at her place. So, she had decided to take a much-needed day off and planned a picnic lunch for the two of them out at the ranch. Jake was busy, and she wanted him to try out her homemade lentil soup.

  It was already summer, so Jake had opted to work in a pair of cut off jean shorts, his boots and nothing more. Jake’s muscles bulged under the tan skin over his back and shoulders as he picked up two fence posts. While walking toward the spot in the fence that needed reinforcing, he heard her voice over his shoulder.

  “Giving the farm hands a show now, are you?” she teased.
r />   “I tried, but none of them seemed remotely interested in my legs,” he laughed.

  “I lov… like those sexy legs,” Vanessa managed.

  When he turned to face her, he was dumbstruck. She was wearing a pair Daisy Dukes and a pink tank top, and those hot cowgirl boots. Trying not to stand with his mouth agape, he threw down the posts, winked at her and said, “I like yours too.”

  “Come on our picnic is ready?” she said over her shoulder as she headed back toward the ranch house.

  “Um, yeah. Sure. Give me just a minute.” Jake grabbed the red handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his brow. Then he paused for a moment and drank in the view before placing his Stetson back on his head. Those Daisy Dukes were telling a story he wanted to learn more about. Finally, she turned around and glanced back at him with an alluring smile and waved for him to hurry and catch up to her.

  Vanessa was the one who pulled opened the back door to the house for them to enter. Just as the screen door banged shut behind them, she stepped closer and stood up on her tiptoes to meet his taller stature. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him deeply. Jake didn’t pull away. It felt like heaven, but the best part was knowing she was the one pursuing their shared desire. No questions, no second guesses. They stayed there, locked together in a delicious tango of tongues until Vanessa finally pulled away.

  “Wow,” Jake said as the stirring in his lower belly grew to a massive erection.

  “I’ve been dying for this,” Vanessa whispered as she removed his hat and threw it on the kitchen table. “If I waited for you to make the first move… I would die first.” She smiled and pressed her warm body against his and kissed him again. When she pulled away for a breath, she nipped at his ear and whispered, “And that’s not all I want to do.”

  Jake didn’t wait for an explanation. Within seconds, they were all over one another. He pushed the big beautiful woman up against the door frame, kissing her passionately as she wrapped her legs around him. He loved the way his hardness felt pressed against her as his tongue twirled lazily with hers. He pulled away, scooping her up into his arms and carried her to his bedroom where he began roughly undressing her.

  As he pulled her pink tank top over her head and cupped one of her pert breasts in his hand, he heard her moan. He wasted little time sliding her thong down around her ankles. When he paused to gaze at her glistening folds, she begged, “Fuck me, Jake… just take me!”

  He didn’t hesitate. He flipped Vanessa over onto her stomach. The only sound was the slap of his belt being pulled through the loops and his zipper sliding down. Then he pushed her legs apart, his rough hands digging into her ass as he pulled her toward the edge of the bed and plunged into her pussy. She let out a loud cry as he entered her forcefully, moving in and out of her with deep, hard strokes. She continued to gasp and cry out, seeming to enjoy his rough handling, her body jerking back and forth with the strength of his movements. The antique brass headboard clanged loudly against the wall with every powerful thrust.

  The room was filled with the sounds from the bed and the animal noises they emitted as their skin slapped together seductively. The sex was loud and violent, just as Vanessa seemed to want. Though he loved soft, slow lovemaking, there was also a part of him that really enjoyed things just like this. He couldn’t get enough of the way she never held back when she wanted him to take her. Suddenly, she cried out, “Jake I want on top.” He obliged. It was all he could do to hold back while watching her powerful thighs lift her up and down over his hardness. Her pussy was spread wide for him to enjoy.

  When he could take it no more, he flipped her over again and pressed against her luscious breasts. Jake showed no signs of letting up, continuing to drive into her time and time again, enjoying the sound of her moans and cries growing louder. He knew that was a real turn on for her. Jake could tell she wasn’t faking it by the sounds he elicited from her willingly. Her climax was so close now. There was nothing gentle about their tryst. It was passionate, animalistic sex. God, how he loved it!

  Jake suddenly brought his hands down on either side of her head, looking deeply into her eyes as he continued to fuck her. She closed them, biting her lip as he kept the tempo going plunging into her again and again.

  “No, open your eyes, Vanessa. Look at me,” he told her. She did as he asked. “That’s my girl. Don’t take your eyes off of me.”

  Her skin glistened with sweat, making her appear even sexier than ever. Flames engulfed Jake's body, setting him on fire as feral butterflies banged heavily around in his stomach. Suddenly, her floodgates opened. Vanessa dug her nails into his back, causing him to cry out as she came forcefully, her legs shaking with the release.

  Jake was right behind her, burying his rock-hard cock deep inside her and filling her with a thick stream of his own before collapsing against her on the bed. His head rested on her breasts, his cock still inside of her as they lay there in the aftermath of their passion. Being with her felt incredible. He knew that whether they were making love softly and gently or fucking like rabbits as they had just done, there would always be an lasting bond between them. It was just something he knew instinctively.

  “Let’s take a bath, and then I’ll start dinner,” Jake told her, finally falling away to one side, idly tracing a single finger across her stomach and around the curve of her breasts.

  “I’ll start the water,” she cooed. Vanessa grabbed a handful of tissues before heading off toward the bathroom.

  Jake followed her in, leaning down to kiss her neck as she tested the water running into the tub. He picked up a bottle of bubble bath and began pouring in a couple of capfuls. Soon, she was tucked between his legs, her head leaning back against his broad chest as his large hands slowly bathed her while he planted kisses down her neck, a favor that she was more than happy to return when he was done. As the water grew cool, they stepped out and dried off.

  Jake loaned her a pair of his pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, apologizing for her torn clothes. He had gotten a bit out of control.

  “Well worth the loss,” she told him as they sunk down into the tub together.

  It was the beginning of something incredible. Jake knew he was lucky finally to have her. Now, there was no way he would ever let her go again.

  9

  Weeks had passed since Jake and Vanessa had spent their first night together. Vanessa was pleased that Jake had been riding Tamara again, but only under her watchful eye. She’d been checking on her periodically. It was on the evening of one such checkup that their lives took a turn for the worst. Jake had already gone inside to get his shower, but she had stayed behind in the barn to finish examining Tamara’s leg. After giving the mare a flake of hay, Vanessa had turned to leave when the open barn doors banged shut as if a strong wind had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. When she tried to push one open, Vanessa discovered the bolt on the outside had been slid in place locking her in. She blew a wisp of hair out of her face and stood annoyed with her hands on her hips. “Who the hell would close and lock the doors without checking first?” She asked herself.

  “Hey, who is out there? I’m stuck in here. Unlock the doors!” she yelled, beating on the inside of them. When there was no answer, she began beating and screaming louder.

  Finally, Vanessa threw up her hands and turned to head out one of the stall doors open to the paddock area. That’s when she realized someone was systematically closing and locking all the exits from the barn. After noticing she had left her phone inside the house, she sunk down on a bale of hay resigning herself to the fact that Jake would finally miss her and come searching.

  For a few moments, she sat with her chin cradled in her hands when she sniffed and sniffed again. Was that smoke? She turned to look around and realized that it appeared a bit hazy at the back of the barn. It only took a moment for the smell of smoke to waft toward her. Her eyes began to burn, and she coughed as more and more smoke filled the barn. Terrified, she turned back toward the large front doors and be
gan beating and throwing her weight against them, screaming, “FIRE! Help! Help… I’m locked in here!”

  Her heart was pounding in her chest when the smoke got thick. She dropped to the floor in an attempt to stay beneath it, coughing as she continued to kick at the door with both feet while screaming for help. Her voice was little more than a whisper when she wondered if she was going to die as everything went black around her.

  Then it seemed Jake’s voice was miles away when she heard him yell, “Vanessa, hang in there, sweetie. I’m here!” The next thing she knew, she could feel Jake’s hands on her face, smoothing back her hair. Vanessa opened her eyes. She could see Jake’s face over her even with her blurred vision. Suddenly, someone came up from behind him and shoved Jake down on top of her. She felt Jake scramble off and could hear him cursing and the sounds of punching and scuffling. Finally, she opened her eyes and heard Jake scream, “You FUCK…” Then the shadowy figure disappeared.

  The next thing she could remember was Jake on the phone with what she assumed was a 911 dispatcher before everything went black again. When she came to, a paramedic was pressing an oxygen mask over her face before lifting her onto a gurney. She could hear Jake somewhere nearby giving a statement to what sounded like policemen, but everything was still too hazy for her to be sure. Then, Vanessa remembered the bumpy ride and heard the crunch of the gravel under the tires when the ambulance whisked her away.

  Vanessa was dimly aware of what was going on around her as she was wheeled into the emergency room and treated for smoke inhalation. Once she was stabilized, they put her in a room for overnight observation. Her mother and father called, and her mother was already making plans to fly in, but she told her she was fine and would be home by morning. The last thing she needed was to have to deal with her overzealous pampering. She loved her mother but also knew they got along better from a distance. As the medication they gave her to ease the inflammation and help her rest kicked in, she dozed off.