When Miranda’s tongue slips into my mouth, Jake goes for the kill. “Oh, God, we haven’t even started eating yet and the two of you are going at it as if you haven’t seen each other in months. Do you need a minute or two? If you want, you’re more than welcome to use our bedroom upstairs. Allison and I will sit right here and enjoy this dinner. Just make sure you’re not too loud,” he sneers. Miranda lets out a deep, languorous moan and I pull her away from me before this gets any steamier. When I do, her eyes are laced with lust, her lips are swollen and she’s panting. Holy shit. I’ve created a monster here. It’s as if I didn’t fuck her twice last night and again this morning before we both started our day. I give Jake a side glance because he goes quiet. Allison is looking at us tenderly, but Jake’s expression is almost feral. “Please don’t stop on our account. You were just getting to the good part.” A devilish smile hangs from his lips.
I know he’s joking. Somewhat. Since Miranda’s been living on the ranch she’s only recently become comfortable displaying public affection, aka when we’re not behind closed doors. This is especially the case when we hook up like this on Friday nights after a long and demanding week. Lately, I’ve noticed how fascinated Jake becomes when she does. I’ve caught him a number of times staring at us with an expression that’s half intrigued and half curious. Dirty dog. I can’t help but wonder if his voyeuristic tendencies aren’t kicking in and begging for a lot more since it’s been a long time since he’s had his fix. Sure, there’s porn, but it’s not the same as watching two people fuck while you’re pleasuring yourself or while another girl is sucking or riding your cock. He hasn’t brought it up yet, but I know that look too well. Not to mention this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gone down that road.
“For the love of God, Jake. Enough. Let them be.” Allison extends her hand to hit Jake’s bicep, but he’s quicker than she is and before you know it, he has her in a bear hug, his eyes never leaving me.
Telling Miranda about the steamy threesome Jake, Allison and I shared last summer when Allison first moved to the ranch was an excruciating decision. Obviously, I couldn’t tell her on the day Jake surprised me by flying her to Fort Collins for my arrival because that would have cooled down our reunion faster than a Canadian winter, but when she moved in with me permanently, I had to pull the BAND-AID and I really didn’t know how she’d react. I just hoped it wouldn’t put a strain between her and Allison. Understandably, Miranda was dumbfounded at first by the news. So much so she was rendered silent for what seemed to be a good five minutes. Once I assured her that nothing has happened between the three of us since Jake and Allison fell in love with each other and moved in together and that nothing ever will again, she seemed to calm down a bit. It wasn’t an overnight thing, but gradually she was able to accept the fact that I had had raunchy sex with a woman who still lives on my property. Although it was an uncomfortable topic to bring up, the last thing I wanted was for her to be the only one amongst the four of us not to know. These types of things have a way of coming out at the worst time. I’d hate for one of us to make a casual slip in the middle of a conversation and devastate her.
“How many times do I have to tell you, woman? I only tease those I really care about.” He grins from ear to ear. “And those two are way up there at the top of my list.” Jake winks at me again.
“Whatever,” I throw back.
“Well, I, for one, am very flattered.” Miranda smiles at Jake.
“I’m glad at least someone sees things my way. Now that you’re done making out, we should eat before this gets cold.” Jake chuckles.
“Yeah.” Allison, Miranda and I chime in together.
We all dig in with gusto. We each cut a big piece of steak and shove it in our mouths almost at the same time.
“Holy Jesus,” I exclaim, biting into the steak covered in the savory juices.
“Wow,” Allison lets out, equally impressed.
All three of us look in Miranda’s direction, but Jake speaks first. “This marinade is insane. You put my sister and Isadora to shame with this one, sweetheart.”
Miranda giggles. She sits a little straighter in her seat and beams with pride before answering. “Thanks, Jake.”
“I’m so stealing this recipe,” Allison adds before licking her lips.
“You just have to tell me the word and it’s all yours. You’ve been my guide when it comes to living the cowgirl lifestyle. It’s the least I can do. I guess this expensive culinary school is paying off. Riley had the same reaction when she tasted my double-stuffed taco potatoes recipe the last time she was here. Can you imagine? A big chef like Riley impressed by my cooking? Whoa! I almost died and went to heaven.”
“If my sister extends any compliments on your cooking it’s because you deserve it,” Jake says. “She’s very picky. I guess she made the right choice when she hired you as her new assistant.”
Miranda giggles again. “Well, I guess a kind soul did persuade her a little bit in my favor,” she says, looking up at me.
“I did no such thing,” I answer with fake modesty.
After Riley announced she’d be forced to hire a new assistant to help oversee the opening of her eateries in Fort Collins and Denver, I told her of my intention to ask Miranda to move in with me. After she nearly passed out, Riley cried like a baby. She was so happy for me. Truthfully, I never thought I’d meet a woman who would make me want to take that next step. Riley didn’t hesitate a minute, she immediately said yes to my suggestion. There was no doubt in my mind that I’d fully take care of Miranda and she’d never want for anything, but my feisty little fireball isn’t one to sit back on her laurels. My girl is happy when she’s busy doing something she loves. In her case, it’s all about food. I dropped the news on her a few hours after giving her the new SUV. Let’s just say she’ll never forget the day she moved out to be with me. Miranda is in all her elements. This job is a natural fit. She’s been managing the Fort Collins eatery for a month. She’s also been overseeing the Denver location that opened a few weeks ago until Riley hires a full-time manager. She works the morning shift and usually leaves in the early part of the afternoon to make it to the class or to drive to the other location. Riley is extremely pleased because she got along famously with Miranda in LA and my girl is doing a stellar job in her new position. The fact that every patron who walks through the doors of Riley’s Yummy Box bakery cafés can’t say enough good things about Miranda is just icing on the cake.
“Speaking of the devil, my sister texted me to let me know they finished recording the last episode of the twelve-week special at exactly three-twenty-two PM this afternoon. She was that precise. I guess she was counting the minutes until it was all over. She’s exhausted, but thrilled.”
“She was apprehensive at first about having to start over again, but in the end she’s happy she did it,” I chime in.
Riley and I keep in touch regularly, not only because we’ve been friends forever, but also because she’s the one updating me on the latest surrounding Nigel Warner. Since Gary still felt the concept of the UK versus American chef battle could work like gangbusters, Gregory Hingham, Nigel’s former boss in London, sent a new chef. Many of the segments had to be re-recorded, but all of the segments where Riley appeared alone on camera could be salvaged. Riley has had only great things to say about working with her new co-star, Hugh Wallace.
Nigel’s trial is ongoing. The women he date-raped in London are all suing him and their attorneys are going after him with a vengeance. It’s major news in the UK. The tabloids are feasting on the drama like vultures. Many of the women here are going after him for sexual harassment. Luckily, none of them took Nigel up on his offer for a drink, but they all had to endure countless very explicit text messages from the shamed Brit chef until they had to block him. Thank God, they kept screenshots of those disturbing messages.
Gary’s stellar team of attorneys has done wonders at seeking justice for Miranda. Everything is still ongoing, but it’s looking good. They’re go
ing after Nigel for assault, attempted rape and they’re also seeking restitution for personal and emotional trauma. Basically, they want to strip the bastard down to the bones. I couldn’t be happier. Getting Miranda to actually take the case to court was a bit more challenging than I expected. It took a lot of convincing on my part and a lot of crying on hers. Jessica, Michelle, Nikki, her mom, her grandmother and grandfather, Riley, Allison and Jake all rallied behind her. Gary and a bunch of her former co-workers also pledged their support. Even Julian Wilkas called to encourage her to nail the asshole.
I totally understand her reluctance because she doesn’t want to relive the nightmare and doesn’t want to have to face Nigel ever again. It was never anyone’s intention to traumatize her again or to cause her any more pain, but it would be wrong to let that weasel get away with what he did to her. He deserves to pay big time.
“That’s great,” Allison says. “Is she coming back with Rick and the kids or is she staying a bit longer in LA?”
“Not yet.” Jake says. “She’s absolutely drained. She said she hasn’t been this tired since Erika was born, the twins were still toddlers and Zach was only a young boy. When you think about it, the network crammed a twelve-week recording schedule into four and that’s right after the month-long marathon with disgraced Chef Warner. Riley told the network they shouldn’t expect her for the next month. Rick is taking her to Aspen. The kids are staying in LA with my parents and Isadora. They’ve already started their curriculums with their tutors and Riley doesn’t want to disrupt their school year. Basically, she’s going on a lovers’ vacation.”
“Thank God she’s leaving Isadora behind. Without her, your parents would go apeshit crazy with those twins. I know your mom wants us to believe that she’s totally okay with those boys being little terrors and that their shenanigans are just part of growing up, but I’ve seen her look pretty freaked out at times.” Both Jake and I laugh.
“Yeah, Mom’s never been one to put her foot down. Dad’s always been the disciplinarian between the two of them. The only problem is now that he’s a grandfather, he’s become a softy. If it were me doing half the things my nephews do, I would’ve been grounded for life.”
“I was always on my best behavior when I was around at your place when we were teens. I didn’t want to bring your dad’s wrath down on me. But let’s be honest, it’s not only the boys anymore. Little Erika is getting at that age where she’s pretty mischievous. She’s getting herself in trouble more and more, but her adorable little face makes you want to forgive her on the spot. Those big blue eyes are my undoing when it comes to her.” I chuckle.
“I totally agree.” Jake smiles.
“She’s the sweetest,” Allison is quick to add.
“Erika declared herself my best friend the very first day I met her. Riley asked me to come over to her place to work because Zach was sick and she didn’t want to come to the studios and leave him home even though Isadora assured her she’d take care of him. She felt he needed his mommy and since we weren’t recording that day, it was perfect. In any case, the second I looked into Erika’s huge eyes, I was totally in love. She’s the cutest thing ever,” Miranda cheers.
“She is, but I think she’s trying to one-up her twin brothers, which is absolutely impossible because Brady and Perry are a force of their own. I swear they take after their father.” Jake rolls his eyes. “It’s a good thing we hired Jeanette. Given Isadora’s hidden talent as a ‘twin whisperer,’ it’s best if she stays close by those two troublemakers. I know Rick has a good handle on them and all, but those boys respect Isadora above anyone else. At least now, we no longer have to worry about scrambling to find cleaning staff for the ranch when Riley’s plans change.”
“That was a good call to hire Jeanette and her team, buddy. We really didn’t have any other choice.”
“I agree with Hunter,” Allison chimes in. “When Isadora first moved away with Riley, I foolishly thought I could help with the cleaning. I remember getting myself all pumped up and ready to surprise Jake while he was in Denver meeting with a string of potential clients. It started out great, but I quickly fizzled. Between the backbreaking work and the hot beaming sun, I couldn’t handle it. I had barely cleaned a quarter of the estate before I was completely pooped. I haven’t got a clue how Isadora managed this on her own on top of her responsibilities as a nanny.”
“Wow. Isadora used to be in charge of cleaning this entire ranch all by herself?” Miranda widens her eyes, surprised.
I turn to face her. “Yes, sweetie. Dirk’s teenage son took care of tidying up the stables after he was done with school, but she took on the brunt of it. The woman is a miracle worker. She used to keep this place so spotless you could practically eat off the floor in every single one of our stables. Jake and I used to always joke around that she had some magical superhuman power she refused to divulge.” I laugh.
“Yeah, no matter how much sweet talking I did, she never ’fessed up. Heck, Hunter couldn’t even charm it out of her and he’s usually very successful with the toughest ones. Ali, you’re right though, the massive size of the ranch makes cleaning quite the undertaking. One thing for sure, with the acquisition of the ranch next door and all the additional business flowing our way because the LA office is on fire, there’s no way in hell Isadora could have kept up with that kind of pace,” Jake concludes.
“Not that anyone can ever replace our beloved Isa,” I add.
“Damn right. I doubt we’ll ever have that kind of close relationship with one of our staff, but Jeanette does a pretty damn good job at keeping the ranch in tiptop shape.”
Jake’s right. “I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s a good thing you didn’t wait since I doubt Isadora will ever be able to come back to the ranch full-time.”
“When I returned from that two-week stay in LA I knew there was no time to waste. Well before we ever brought Sheila on board, we were already very busy, but now that she’s hired an incredible team of salespeople, it’s like a floodgate of new business every single day. Not that I’m complaining, but I just had to face reality.”
At first we had asked some of our cowboys to pick up some of the slack at the end of the workday, but in time we realized it’s best to have them focus on their core competencies instead of having them scattered all over the place. The work is physically demanding enough without them having to add on extra responsibilities. Jeanette Simians is the aunt of Justin Simians, one of the young cowboys who’s been working with us for a year now. Jeanette works with her husband Peter, her sister Joyce and her brother-in-law Mark Timmons. Together, they handle it all. When the work overflows, Jeanette simply asks Dirk, our manager, if she can hire more cleaning staff and voilà!
“To go back to what you were saying earlier, Jake, Riley deserves to take time off,” I observe.
“She does.” Miranda nods in agreement.
“You won’t hear me argue. She’s been juggling far too much in the last nine months without taking a minute to herself. It’ll be good for her to kick back and not have to worry about her kids,” Jake says. “I’ll miss her, but the timing couldn’t be better since the next few weeks the ranch will feel more like a hotel than a workplace. We’ll need all the extra room we can get.”
“No kidding. It’ll be like a revolving door here.” I chuckle. “We’re going to need a full-time concierge and housekeeping crew soon,” I joke.
“Well, I’m first,” Allison claims jovially, lifting her right hand in the air. “Gwyn and Gaven are coming over next weekend and the weekend after that my parents and two of my brothers will be here. It’ll be sort of a Randall reunion.”
“I’m next after that,” Miranda interjects. “Since LA, this’ll be the first time I’ll be reunited with Jessica, my mom and my grandmother. I’m super excited that Michelle, her boyfriend Dominic, Kevin and my grandfather will also come visit. I’m warning you in advance, my best friend is Southern and loud, so is her sister, and my grandmother is Italian. Need I
say more?” She giggles.
“I guess we’re next, Jake.”
“You know how it works, buddy. Ladies first.” He smiles.
“Come to think about it, in a month from now we’ll have to ask the Fort Collins Police Department to put out a community warning because the Scots will descend upon us and God knows what kind of trouble they’re likely to get themselves into. I don’t want to be responsible for any casualties.” I crack up.
“I’m pretty sure Collin and Shane will hang out at every bar in town scouring for desperate—I mean eligible—women like they did when they were here a month ago.” Jake’s comment makes lose it, soon Jake and I are both laughing our heads off.
“You two are so bad.” Allison frowns at our amusement. “I like them. Shane is the perfect gentleman. Collin does require some getting used to, but he eventually grows on you.”
“Allison’s right. I’m totally Team Dennison.” Miranda jumps in to defend our longtime friends.
“Sweetie, you say that because he bought you a phone,” I joke. Jake and I are at it again.
“That’s just mean, Hunter.” The way her lips flatten in a straight line tells me she’s not impressed. “No, seriously. They’re both kindhearted and they’re funny. Collin was a riot the last time he was here. He wouldn’t stop teasing Allison and I about a double wedding at the ranch. He says that way you’ll have to ask him to be your best man and Jake will be forced to ask Shane.” Miranda giggles.
“Did he really say that?” Jake asks.
“He teased us mercilessly every single chance he had,” Allison confirms.
“Collin loves to meddle where he has no business,” Jake says, shaking his head.
“I second that,” I chime in. “One minute he professes he’ll never set foot on the ranch ever again because he’s afraid we spike the water with a love potion and God knows he doesn’t want to catch that filthy disease.” I mentally have to talk myself out of bursting into laughter again. “The next he’s ready to hire the wedding planner, caterer, pastry chef and band for our impending nuptials.”
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