The Rancher's Rose: Ranchers Only Series

by Elle Christensen

  Although, the house where I spent my teenage years wasn’t as much mine as it used to be. I knew I would always be welcome there, but it was James and Lia’s home, along with their soon-to-be four children. They didn’t need me taking up more space. Besides, I was old enough that I needed a place of my own.

  I considered asking James to build another cottage like the one the ranch manager lived in. But, living on Locke Creek Ranch meant a much higher possibility of running into him. Garrison Preston. I couldn’t avoid him completely, though I’d done a decent job of it over the years, the last thing I needed was to be constantly on edge, knowing that he could be around any corner.

  Then one day it hit me. Red Hill Ranch. It neighbored Locke Creek and had been Lia’s home before she married James. They’d combined the ranches resources, but they still functioned with separate purposes. Red Hill raised and trained show horses, something that was Lia’s passion after she was injured and could no longer compete. The house on the property was sitting vacant and the ranch manager had recently retired.

  Was it possible that they’d let me live there and teach me how to run it? The idea festered and grew in my mind until I was one hundred percent sure that it was what I wanted. I just hoped James had faith in me and was willing to give me a chance.

  On the day after I got home, they threw me a big welcome home shindig. It was everything that stereotypes southerners. Beer, deep fried food, and a rowdy crowd who knew how to have fun. I enjoyed every moment, except for the few memories of a party long before that kept creeping into my mind. He was at the party, but I only caught glimpses of him, catching him staring at me more often than not. It was hard to keep myself from searching out his tall form. His dark brown hair that he kept a little too long. His hazel colored eyes that sometimes felt like they could see right through me. His classic, chiseled face and his hard, lean body from all the years of laboring on a ranch. So, I was grateful that he did as I asked and steered clear of me.

  As the party wound down, we all pitched in to clean up before the guests trickled out. When the last of them were gone, I wandered over to the big porch on the back of the house where Lia sat in a rocking chair. I sat on the highest step, near her feet and rubbed my forehead wearily as my gaze swept over the ranch. It was gorgeous in the setting sun and I’d really missed it.

  Lia and I had grown close even before she married my brother, but after six years, she’d become my best friend. She could see right through me. “Want to tell me what’s on your mind, Katydid?” Lia had taken to my brother’s habit of calling me different flower names. I chuckled and shook my head with fake exasperation. The truth was that I didn’t mind their little joke; it made me feel loved.

  I sighed. “I never realized how much I loved this place until I missed it so much I ached. Not just my family, though I missed you most, but the land, the sky, the horses. It’s in my blood more than I thought.”

  My hands twisted in my lap nervously as I decided to plunge right into my request. “I’ve been thinking about Red Hill Ranch.” I chanced a peek at her face and she lifted a brow as she studied me. “Maybe I could live there, and you could teach me how to manage a ranch?”

  My heart was beating so hard I wondered if everyone on the ranch could hear it. A bright smile grew on Lia’s face and she clasped her hands together. “Bluebell, I would love nothing more than to have you close.” Relief flooded me, and I returned her smile. “It’s perfect! Next door so you’ll have some privacy but close enough that I won’t have the chance to miss you!”

  James meandered up at that moment and looked at us curiously. “What’s going on?”

  Lia looked at me, letting me take the lead in telling him my plans. I dug the toe of my boot into the dirt and blew out a nervous breath. I hoped James would see the adult I’d become, instead of the little girl he raised, or he’d never agree to me living out there by myself. I looked back up at him and smiled with hope. “I was asking Lia if I could live over at Red Hill and learn to run a ranch.” I was so nervous to hear his answer, terrified that he wouldn’t approve. I hadn’t really thought past this plan in the event that it failed.

  He shocked me when he let out a loud whoop and picked me up to swing me around in circles. “My little Forget-me-not is coming home for good!”

  I put my arms around his neck and hugged him tight even as I shouted, “Put me down, you crazy man!” When he stopped spinning, I kissed his cheek and whispered, “Thanks.”

  “What’s with all the hoopla over here?”

  I froze at the sound of Garrison’s low timbre, even as it caused a shiver to run down my spine. When I looked up at him, his eyes were on me and he was frowning. What else was new? He was always scowling when he saw me, I thought as I held in the urge to sigh. Instead, I gave no reaction at all to his presence.

  James told Garrison of my plans and his scowl deepened. “She can’t live out there all by herself, it’s too dangerous,” he scoffed. “She’s a teenager for shit’s sake.”

  My body stiffened, but I refused to take the bait like I had when I was a kid. I wanted him to see the mature woman I’d become. I was twenty-two, not a kid with a crush anymore. I hoped he saw my lack of response as proof that he didn’t affect me anymore. No matter how much of a lie it was.

  I’d never come right out and told Lia about my feelings for Garrison, but over the years I could see that she suspected. She gave him a nasty frown and his shoulders hunched as his eyes slid away, avoiding her scrutiny. James was focused on me and was oblivious to the tension.

  “Bullshit, my girl knows how to live on a Texas ranch,” he crowed. “I raised her, didn’t I?”

  I leaned into James, putting my arm around his waist and hugging him in a silent thank you for supporting and believing in me. It buoyed me up and I felt some of the heaviness from Garrison’s cutting words float away. “I missed you, big brother,” I said with a genuine smile.

  “You’ve never had any interest in ranching before,” Garrison accused. “You don’t belong here.”

  I couldn’t keep it in this time. My eyes filled with tears at his cruel words. He obviously didn't want me here, a constant reminder of the colossal mistake he felt he’d made when we’d had sex in the barn. I took some solace in the stunned expression on his face. He clearly hadn’t meant to say that. But, even if he hadn’t, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t have been thinking it.

  James’ face darkened and let me go to face Garrison, taking a menacing step in his direction. “I don’t know what died and crawled up your ass, but that’s no way to treat anyone and to make matters worse, it’s my sister.” Garrison’s expression was shifting to contrite, but I didn’t buy it. He was worried about his relationship with my brother, not about hurting me. “Now,” James continued. “I’m going to let this go without kicking your ass or firing you this one time, and one time only, because you are my best friend and I’d like to think I know you well enough to assume whatever it is that’s bringing out the motherfucking asshole inside of you, won’t be taken out on my sister again.”

  Garrison swung his gaze to mine and I thought I saw genuine sorrow but was sure I’d only imagined it. “I’m truly sorry, Rose,” he said. “James is right, I was taking out my frustrations on you.”

  I didn’t want to hear anything more from him. I desperately needed to get away from him, so I just shook my head and stomped off around the side of the house. I entered through the side door and made my way to the kitchen where Cookie, the ranch cook, was putting away the small amount of leftover food.

  “Rose,” she greeted me warmly. Cookie was in her late fifties, widowed, and made the best pies I’d ever tasted. That included any of the delicious treats I’d had in Europe. She opened her arms and I stepped into them, finding comfort in her soft, familiar body as she hugged me tightly. Just like when I was a kid, I felt so much better after she released me. Then, she opened the oven and pulled out a small tin of apple crisp. My favorite dessert. “I saved this just for you.” Sh
e winked at me and handed it over before shooing me away so she could finish her work.

  I ate the sugary goodness in comfortable silence, then cleaned the dish before shuffling over to the back door. James was sitting on one of the wooden chairs on the porch, with Lia in his lap. There was no sign of Garrison, so I stepped outside. “I’m going for a ride,” I told them softly. James looked out at the darkening sky and frowned, but Lia placed her hand on his arm and said, “Go ahead, just keep your cell on you and let us know when you’re home.” I nodded and waved as I trotted down the steps and jogged out to the barn.

  Chrysanthemum whinnied as I walked inside, almost as though she was calling me over and welcoming me home. “Hey, girl,” I crooned. “Did you miss me? I’m sorry I haven’t been around much the last few years. But, I’m here to stay now.” I got her ready and secured her saddle before climbing up onto her back. “Let’s go take a look at our new home.” Once we exited the stable, I nudged her into a trot until we were passed the house and out in the open land. We took off running and I felt freedom as the wind blew past me. It was something I’d dearly missed.

  After a while, we slowed to a walk and followed the stream that separated Red Hill and Locke Creek Ranch. It was called Locke Creek, inspiring the name of our ranch. The house came into view in the distance and I pulled Chrysanthemum to a stop. I swung my leg over and hopped down, then secured her reins to a nearby tree. I walked along the water’s edge, kicking rocks and watching them bounce over the ground before landing in the creek.

  After coming home and remembering how much I loved it, I somewhat regretted my decision to stay away. It just hurt too much. I didn’t want to be around Garrison. He was everything I loved and everything I hated in this world. But, I was done letting him interfere with what I wanted. It kept me from my family and made me miserable. I didn’t want to make my family choose between me and him because I knew they would always choose me. I knew he had no other close family, but sometimes I wondered if they just steered clear of him too because he didn’t know how to be anything but an asshole.

  I bent down and picked up a smooth, round stone and tossed it into the water where it skipped twice before sinking. My brother had taught me to do that when I first came to live with him. The memory firmed my resolve. I was done hiding from him. I was home and I was staying. I resolved to get over my ridiculous attraction to him. He could either leave me alone or go be a miserable tyrant somewhere else.

  “Rose.”

  Every nerve ending in my body went on high alert at the sound of his voice. What was he doing here? He couldn’t possibly be stupid enough to risk everything to come and hassle me some more. Right?

  “Rose.”

  I took a deep breath and turned to face him. I was never prepared for his ruggedly handsome looks, not since the first time I met him when I was fourteen. It always blew me away. Even when I was determined not to let it affect me anymore.

  He was stalking toward me and I squared my shoulders, readying for a fight. Instead of stopping at a distance and spewing hurtful things from his mouth, he surprised me by continuing forward until we were standing toe to toe. He grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me into him. I gasped as his mouth descended and crashed onto mine.

  2

  Garrison

  I wanted to bang my head into a wall for being such a fucking asshole. When I’d told Rose she didn’t belong here, I hadn’t meant it the way everyone thought. It was only after the dumbass words came out that I realized how they sounded. But, it certainly wasn’t the time to admit what I’d truly intended. That she didn’t belong there, with James and his family, or alone at Red Hill because...because she belonged with me. But, I couldn’t admit that out loud.

  I’d spent the last four years missing her, talking myself out of going after her, and taking cold showers at night when I dreamed about her. If she’d been home more often, I probably would have given in to my desire for her. I realized that I would always want her, so I was grateful she wasn’t planning on settling here at Locke Creek. Hopefully, someday, I’d be able to be around her without being in serious jeopardy of dragging her off to a private place where I could satisfy us both. Multiple times.

  The day she got home, I kept my distance, even at the party. From time to time though, we’d find each other in the crowd and make eye contact. Her eyes weren’t as expressive as normal, and it left me unsure of what she was thinking and feeling. Had she moved on? Or was she struggling like I was.

  I finally figured I needed to go talk to the family, or they would know something was off. I didn’t want to raise questions.

  When they told me that Rose intended to live over at red Hill by herself, it set me off. She’d be on acres of land, all alone; with the exception of a bunch of horny ranch hands. It was dangerous, and I’d be constantly worrying over her safety. And who might be putting their hands on her. That thought enraged me and I lashed out, treating Rose like I did when she was younger.

  I was on thin ice with James and Lia, but it was nothing than the anger I felt at myself. After Rose stomped off, I said goodnight to James and Lia before heading to my truck that was parked near the barn, intending to head to the house I lived in on the back of the property.

  It was situated near the border between Locke Creek and Red Hill. I pulled my vehicle up the small drive and parked before hopping out. My intention was to go inside and brood over a scotch or two, but my feet had a mind of their own and I found myself walking along the creek. The water separated the two ranches for a few miles before turning in another direction, flowing out to a larger river.

  I thought about the last few years and the incident at the party. My attraction to Rose had only grown stronger and when I saw the woman she’d become, it had taken all of my energy to stand back and not publicly claim her as mine.

  Movement across the creek caught my eye and I squinted, trying to make out what it was in only the light of the moon. My breath caught in my lungs when I realized it was Rose. She was looking down at the ground, then she bent and picked up a rock, which she skipped over the rippling surface of the water.

  She was so fucking beautiful it made me ache to hold her. Her head tilted back, and she gazed up at the stars. The moonlight lit her face and something broke inside me.

  Finally, I stopped lying to myself and admitted that Rose was mine. Fuck our age difference and every other thing that stood between us. It was time to take what I wanted, what we both wanted.

  There were several small bridges built over the water along the border of the two ranches. There was one a couple of yards back, so I stalked over and crossed the creek.

  With a determined stride, I made my way to where she was standing and when I was close enough for her to hear, I called her name.

  Her shoulders stiffened, alerting me to the fact that she’d heard me, but she didn’t turn around.

  “Rose,” I said again as I advanced toward her.

  She slowly pivoted to face me, her countenance weary. It killed me to know that my actions were the cause of the sadness in her blue depths.

  I didn’t pause in my steps and as I closed the distance between us, her eyes widened. She seemed frozen, every part of her still and tense. In another moment, I was right in front of her, toe to toe. I didn’t stop to think, I let my instincts rule my actions, causing me to grab her shoulders and drag her up against my body before sealing our mouths together.

  Her taste brought our one night together slamming back and I drowned in the memories mixed with reality. She didn’t respond at first, but I tenderly cupped the sides of her face and slid my tongue along the seam of her lips. A small moan escaped her mouth and she parted just the slightest bit. My tongue slipped inside and twisted around hers before I sucked on it. I withdrew and licked her lower lip before nibbling on it and tugging it gently between my teeth. Then I dove back in, pouring all of my pent-up passion into the kiss.

  Rose’s hands came up from where they’d been hanging at her sides an
d clenched the fabric of my shirt above each of my hips.

  I wanted her hands on me so fucking badly. I dragged my hands from her cheeks, then down the column of her throat, over her shoulders to her back and then filled my palms with her ass. “Fuck, I missed this,” I groaned.

  3

  Rose

  Garrison’s words cut through the fog his kiss had dragged me into. I snapped my head back, then jerked my whole body out of his embrace, causing myself to stumble and almost hit the ground. Garrison reached out to steady me, but I caught my balance in time and waved off his help.

  “No, don’t touch me,” I snapped. His hands clenched as he dropped them to his sides, but his face seemed to be remorseful. It was probably just my wishful thinking.

  “Rose, let me explain—” he began.

  I cut him off. “There is nothing more to explain, Garrison. You made yourself quite clear six years ago.”

  His expression hardened with determination, but I wasn’t interested in anything he had to say. Especially after what he’d said earlier at the party.

  I stalked over to Chrysanthemum and quickly mounted her. Garrison followed, but he didn’t try to stop me as I nudged my horse into a run and got the hell out of there.

  The next few days were busy as I packed up and moved over to Red Hill. Garrison tried to corner me a time or two, but I managed to slip away. I didn’t have any desire to hear anything he had to say. He would only stomp my broken heart into smaller, less manageable pieces.

  When everything was moved and unpacked, I finally spent my first night in my new place. After making myself some pasta, I took it and a glass of wine out to the back porch. It was a gorgeous night, quiet and peaceful. This was the right choice, I affirmed to myself. I sighed contentedly and took a bite of my dinner.

  “Make enough for two?”