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(Easton)
______
I am seething at how calm everyone is as Roxie starts discussing her reality television idea. Randy was an old teammate of ours, and I could totally see him putting her up to this. Why did people think that sharing all of someone’s secrets was a healthy idea? Didn’t they know that was the kind of thing that got people sent to therapy or worse? My motto was to keep your mouth shut, do your job, and just stay out of other people’s business. I sure wished this beautiful newcomer would heed that advice.
I am not stupid enough not to acknowledge that Roxie was one of the prettiest visitors we have had to the ranch in years. The platinum blonde locks were silky and fell around her like a halo. She wore a bright red business suit as if it was made for her and oozed the sort of confidence that I knew must draw men to her like bees to honey. I hated the fact that, for some reason, my body was reacting to her baby blue eyes and good looks despite my logical brain screaming at me to run in the other direction. She needed to get off this ranch, and she needed to do so sooner rather than later.
“I think you must know that Randy once served with us,” I muttered angrily. She couldn’t be that stupid. Even if Randy was a prankster, she was in on it.
“I didn’t know that,” Roxie said, blowing her breath. “Listen, Luca and I have worked for Randy for a while now. We help shoot footage; sometimes, I act as a producer on his films or shows. I’m good at getting information. I was coming back from another assignment, and he told me to stop off here,” she sighed and seemed to be at the end of her rope. “He tells me he thinks there is something here, and I need to scope it out and then come up with a green light idea. That is just our internal code. It means I agree that there is something we need to assign a team to and move forward.”
“Great, so tell him no,” I snarled. “Do you understand that the craziness in media these days ruins lives? Seriously, you are irresponsible to do what you do.”
Roxie looked stunned and glanced up and down the table. She was flushed in the face but seemed to be sitting there contemplating things before she said anything further.
“You seriously had no idea?” She turned to Anders.
“No,” he replied with a slight huff. “I have to admit that Randy served with us and was a bit of a prankster. In this case, though, I wonder if he didn’t honestly believe there was a story here,” Anders finished thoughtfully.
“No,” I slammed the table. “We will not open up this ranch, which is a haven for so many, to the ridicule, shame, and bullying that happens when someone’s story is put out there for the world to see.”
I felt that my chest was starting to get tight, and panic was building. This woman had to get off the ranch right this second, or I might say or do something that I would regret. I knew what happened when the world impinged on someone’s private matters, and I loved this place too much to allow that to happen.
“Easton,” Linc said, glancing at me with knowing eyes. “I think you are starting to get your situation and this one mixed,” he said, which appalled me that he would even think to mention something like this with strangers in the room.
“Listen,” Luca, the cameraman, spoke up. “We meant no harm. We can’t put people on film that don’t sign off on it, and Randy honestly tries to do tasteful or educational work. I can’t believe he sent us here to make some big problem for you all on his own dollar,” he reasoned.
“This is stupid,” I launched from my chair, no longer able to take the ridiculousness of this situation. “I’m out of here, and count me out if you go ahead with this craziness,” I said as Roxie’s direct gaze captured mine.
If I had met the woman under any other circumstances, I might have felt very differently about staying to talk to her. Unfortunately, she was a vapid, shallow reminder of a world I preferred to remain separate from. I had it good here running the old-fashioned dude ranch and trail rides where television, phones, and the like were not allowed. I was going to head back out to the wilderness and forget about the beautiful movie producer, and no one was going to stop me.
Chapter 3
(Roxie)
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I’ve been at the ranch for two days now. A guest, until the owners figure out what to do about my boss and his ideas. I’ve so far found the scenery, mountains, and people amazing. I’d even been out with Tessa and Lanie to town to grab some appropriate clothing today. The ladies were super sweet and loyal as anything to the men of Safe Harbor Ranch. All of them had a significant other, except for Easton. I could imagine a romp in the hay with that man would leave a mark on a woman, but I don’t see that happening during my short stay – no matter how hot the infuriating man may be.
He was a hot-roiling mess of emotions and obviously didn’t like me. Since the day he had stormed out of that meeting, he wouldn’t even look me in the eye when our paths crossed. That was fine. I’ll be on my way soon anyway. One thing that was bothering me was that I honestly did feel that there was a reality show, or at least a documentary, to be had here at Safe Harbor Ranch.
This was an honest-to-goodness operating ranch with horses, cows, and enough military men to turn any trespasser back. The men were fierce, loyal, and a natural part of this wild land. You just didn’t see these kinds of people in many places. Then to top it off, I found out from Tessa that they grew, packaged, and distributed land-to-consumer food in various jams, jellies, and other fresh foods. It was amazing. All the while, they also provided shelter for some traumatized by service and other situations. This was definitely a place that would make for some amazing real-life television. It was just too bad that Easton would never agree.
I stood on the barn railing and tried to get a picture of the horses. Luca had done a great job getting some undercover footage, but I still hadn’t gotten any word back from Randy. If another forty-eight more hours went by without a word, I was getting the hell out of Dodge. Though my brain was fast formulating a few ideas of what they might be able to do here if they could only overcome the ego of one cowboy.
“What are you doing?” The voice that had fueled my nightmares and fantasies this week sounded from behind, and I stumbled backward. A big meaty hand grabbed and pulled me tightly against a muscled chest. I looked around and saw Easton’s pissed off face.
“I was trying to get a picture,” I said, but my throat went dry, my panties wet, and my brain forgot what it was trying to say. The man smelled, felt, and looked like all the best sinful dreams I’d had in my life.
We just stared at each other as he seemed uncertain about what to do with me. Then he put me down unceremoniously and pivoted to walk away from me. I stood there like an idiot in the middle of a corral, turning briefly toward the house where I knew I should go. Then I made the mistake of looking at his receding back as he entered the barn. I figured if I had a shot in hell of making this work, he was the one I had to convince.
I took off after him.
He ripped the hat off his head as he walked into the huge barn. I couldn’t tell if he knew I was there or not, as he seemed to be having a moment.
“What is wrong with you?” I asked in what I thought was a soft voice, but he turned on me like he’d seen the devil.
“What do you mean?”
