Wildhorse Ranch, 1
Love was the last thing she expected to find on the open range.
After a brutal breakup, River Thurston returns home to Montana, hoping hard work will mend what’s broken. Raised on a small family farm, River knows her way around horses and heavy machinery, so landing a job at Wildhorse Ranch feels like a fresh start. The ranch’s wealthy owner, Colby Burke, has his doubts about hiring a woman, but he owes her father a favor, and he always makes good on his debt.
It doesn’t take long for Colby to see that River’s no ordinary ranch hand. Her grit and drive earn his respect… and his attention. River keeps her guard up, but Colby isn’t one to back down. He’s falling fast, determined to prove that love isn’t something to fear, and that sometimes, second chances ride in when you least expect them.
Excerpt:
“All right then. See that stallion right there?” He points to a horse at the back of the pack. “His name’s Linux. He’s not our friendliest horse, but he’s the only spare mount we’ve got. Take him out and head to the northern pasture. I need you to bring in the last group.”
I glance at the animal in question. He’s a beauty. A jet-black stallion, with a mane that rivals the night sky. He’s got an attitude, though, judging by the way he rears back and stomps the ground when one of the other hands approaches him.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Colby watching me, probably thinking I’m gonna back down. No such luck, cowboy.
“I’ll handle him.”
I’m not sure if I’m talking about the horse or the man, but the truth is, they’re not so different. The stallion’s nostrils flare, and the muscles along his flanks tighten, like he’s about to charge.
“Don’t get yourself killed, Thurston.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I approach Linux with slow, cautious steps. The last thing I need is this bastard knocking me on my ass in front of a bunch of testosterone-fueled men. Not exactly a good start.
The horse stomps the ground, and I can tell by the way his eyes are trained on me, he’s just as stubborn as I am.
“Come on, buddy. Don’t make this hard on both of us.”
I hold a hand out, palm up, and let him come to me. The moment he presses his nose into my skin, I can sense the aggression drain from his body. Maybe he’s not such a tough guy after all.
“Good boy. You and I are gonna get along just fine.”
I pull myself into the saddle and take the reins. The stallion’s ears flick back and forth as he waits for his command, and when I point him toward the pasture, he’s off. I lean low over the horse’s neck and squeeze my legs around his sides. He’s fast, but not nearly as wild as Colby made him out to be.
We race across the field, and the wind slaps against my face, bringing with the smell of fresh earth. There’s no better feeling than riding, especially in the wide-open spaces of the country. Out here, I can really breathe.
A group of cattle is grazing at the far edge of the pasture, and we’re almost to the fence when something catches Linux’s attention. He lets out a snort and comes to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing me from the saddle.
I hold tight, and lean down to whisper in his ear. “Easy, boy. What’s got you all spooked?”
The horse whinnies and rears back. I grab the reins and hold on, but whatever’s going on, he’s not having it. A moment later, I see what’s got him riled up. There’s a rattlesnake a few feet away, and its tail is shaking. Linux drives his hoof to the ground, and the snake lunges forward, hissing as it bares its fangs.
I’ve got two choices. Either I turn the horse around and hope we can outrun the serpent, or I can try to deal with the problem.
The snake coils, readying itself to strike, and I make a decision. There’s no way in hell I’m turning tail and running. I’m not a coward, and if I’ve got any chance of proving myself here, this is it.
I grip the pommel before I hop from the saddle and land a foot away from the snake. The thing is massive, with a thick body and a rattle that shakes in a warning. It’s coiled up, ready to strike, and I know that’s my only chance.
“Sorry, buddy,” I whisper, then grab the creature by the tail.
It snaps its jaw at me, and I jerk back, narrowly avoiding the deadly fangs. With all the strength I’ve got, I whip the snake over my head, and slam it into the dirt. There’s a loud crack, and the rattle goes silent.
I stare down at the carcass, and the adrenaline sinks from my ears down to my toes. Holy shit. Did I really just kill a fucking rattlesnake with my bare hands?
Linux dances away, still agitated by the dead animal, and I grab the reins, tugging the stallion’s face close to mine.
“Easy, boy. It’s dead.”
“Jesus Christ, Thurston! Are you fucking insane?”
Colby’s voice travels up the hill, and I turn to see him riding toward me. He dismounts his horse, and the second his feet hit the ground, he’s storming toward me.
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?”
“Did you really just kill a rattlesnake?”
“Would you rather I left it to hang out here waiting for one of your horses or cows to wander too close?”
“Of course not, but Jesus. Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”
“You’re preaching to the choir. My dad taught me how to handle snakes.”
“No shit. You’ve got balls, Thurston. That’s for damn sure.”
“So I’ve heard. Can I go ahead and get these guys in the pasture now?”
He blinks at me, gawking with a stupid grin on his face. I’m used to men gawking at me like that. The look every one of them gets when they realize I’m not the delicate, helpless flower they think I am.
I adjust the reins in my hand and swing myself back into the saddle before settling back into place. Colby’s still staring at me like he’s trying to figure out what planet I came from, but I just kick at Linux’s side and tick him forward. Behind me, I hear the crunch of his boots on dry dirt before he calls out, “You’re not what I expected, River.”
“Good,” I throw over my shoulder. “Would’ve been a shame if I was.”
- Series:
- /series-wildhorse-ranch/
