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RANCH'S RESOLVE: CHAPTER ONE

My phone vibrating across my desk is an unwanted, but much-needed, distraction. I should finish the paperwork for my ranch, but I’m already bored. I feel like my entire day is paperwork. How did that happen? Not only do I run the DDMC Ranch, hence my road name, but I’m also the Secretary of the Demon Dawgs Motorcycle Club. Both roles keep me buried in paperwork.

“What?” I bark into the phone after accepting the call. The display doesn’t tell me who is calling, so God help whoever’s calling if they’re a telemarketer. In the mood I’m in, I’m liable to hunt them down and shove the phone up their ass.

“Mr. Handler?” Fuck, it is a telemarketer.

“Yeah, but I don’t fucking want to buy anything,” I growl and shift to end the call when the guy on the end of the line begs me to wait.

“I’m not selling anything. In fact, I’m calling with an offer to buy your ranch. I represent a client who is most eager to complete the deal. He’ll practically let you name the price.”

“The ranch isn’t for sale for any amount,” I tell him before ending the call. He immediately calls back, but I send it to voicemail before blocking the number. This ranch has been in my family for several generations. I grew up here with my grandparents after my parents died in a car accident. This was my home, and I planned on leaving it feet first. But, this place holds more than sentimental value. The Demon Dawgs are part owners. We use this place to smuggle goods in and out of the country, since it sits right on the Mexican border. But the ranch isn’t just a front for illicit activities, it’s a working ranch. I raise cattle and horses which provide an excellent cover. There’s no way we’re selling. The asshole calling me is wasting his time.

Dropping my phone back on the desk, I return to the order for ten cattle placed by a ranch in Missouri. I’ve dealt with them before, so the order won’t be a problem. But it is an opportunity. I pull out the notebook I keep for club business and make a note to bring up the shipment in Church. We might have guns or something else we need to ship. Putting the goods in with the cattle will save our guys from having to make a separate, more risky run.

Once I’m done processing the orders, I file the paperwork and pick up my notebook to stash in my saddlebag on my motorcycle. But before I go for a ride on my bike, I may take a horse out for a run. Nothing beats riding my hog, but riding a horse is a close second.

I reach the door just as someone knocks on the other side. Opening it, I find my ranch manager, Max.

“You have a visitor,” Max says, thumbing toward the front door.

Frowning, I follow him out. I didn’t listen to the voicemail from the guy wanting to buy the ranch. Maybe he’s come out and pester me in person. A decision he will regret.

Stepping outside, I cross the wraparound porch and step down as I wait for the driver of the older model Lexus to exit. The sun’s causing a glare on the windshield, so I can’t see the driver until they step out and circle around. My mouth drops open when I see the stunning woman walking toward me. Denim encases her long legs before disappearing into a pair of worn cowboy boots. The flannel shirt covers a tank top, but doesn’t hide the impressive set of breasts underneath. I want to circle around her and see if her ass is just as luscious, but I refrain. Barely.

She glides toward me, holding out her hand. She’s tall, but still at least six inches shorter than me. Her black hair surrounds her beautiful face like a cloud of curls.

“You must be Ranch. My name is Athena. Athena Stokes. It’s nice to meet you. You have a beautiful piece of property here. I can see why Caitlin suggested we meet.”

My brain slowly processes her words as I take in the beauty before me. She’s positively stunning. Her eyes, an interesting shade of grey and green that captivates me. But it’s her voice that wraps a spell around me. It’s husky and so sexy that my mind immediately pulls up images of her screaming my name while orgasms. I shake my head to clear it. Never have I had such an immediate and intense reaction to a woman before. I realize I’m standing and staring at her when she drops her hand. I see a faint blush under her ebony skin.

“I’m guessing you weren’t expecting me? I thought Caitlin had called to let you know I was coming out.”

Fuck no, I wasn’t expecting her. I sure as hell wasn’t expecting my reaction to her, but I let out my breath before holding out my hand to shake hers.

“Sorry, yes, of course. Caitlin mentioned you’d be stopping by.” The electricity that shoots through my arm at the feel of her skin has me clenching my jaw. What the fuck is happening? I need to get a grip on myself. This is Athena, the woman Caitlin hired as the lead therapist for Crossroads. If I scared her away, Caitlin would kill me. “I was just finishing up some business and time got away from me,” I assure her before gesturing for her to come inside.

I watch her sexy ass enter my home and have to fight an overwhelming desire to lock her inside. Seriously, what the fuck?

“Saddle up two horses. Sunset for Ms. Stokes. Caitlin mentioned her wanting a tour of the ranch,” I tell him.

“What for?” Max asks with a suspicious glance at the house.

“She’s a therapist. She mentioned to Caitlin about how visiting a ranch and going horseback riding can help with victim therapy.”

“Huh,” Max says before turning for the stables.

I step inside and find Athena standing just inside the hallway. She’s looking at all the space she can see from her vantage point, which includes a sitting room and a long hallway that leads to the kitchen.

“This is a beautiful home,” Athena says, turning to me.

“Beautiful, yes,” I reply, but I’m not talking about my home. The blush on her cheeks tells me she understands my meaning. “Caitlin mentioned you coming by to check out the ranch for suitability. Not sure what that means. I’m having my ranch manager saddle up horses for us to go riding. If you’re interested?”

“That sounds perfect,” Athena grins. “I haven’t been on a horse in months. I’ve missed it.”

“Want something to drink first?” I offer, leading her to the kitchen.

She follows and gasps when she sees the view out the back. The kitchen has floor to ceiling windows that cover the entire length. My grandmother used to have a single bay window that she’d stand at to stare outside. The renovation was one of many I made to the house. She only had a few years to enjoy it, but I’ll never forget the joy on her face when she first saw what I’d done.

“How do you leave?” Athena asks. “I could sit here forever and never get bored.”

“You should see the view from the bedroom,” I say as I hand her a glass of lemonade. Pleased when I’m rewarded by another adorable blush.

“I’ll take your word for it,” she mumbles before taking a sip.

“So tell me about what you and Caitlin want to do with my ranch.”

She explains how a ranch like mine can be therapeutic for adults and children. Not only horseback riding, but caring for the animals. I admit I’m not listening, but I am mesmerized by her enthusiasm. She’s positively glowing. If I don’t get her out of the house soon, I won’t be able to stop myself from dragging her upstairs and having my way with her. I have to think about Caitlin.

“That sounds fascinating. If you and Caitlin want to use this place to help those at Crossroads. I’m fine with it. Anything for our club princess.” I take the empty glass from her hand. “Did you want that tour?”

I lead her back outside and over to the stable where Max is finishing up with Sunset. Sunset is a gorgeous Connemara pony with a golden coat. I unlock the stall door for my horse, Devil’s Sire. He’s a rare black mustang who is part-feral. He wandered onto our property a few years ago, injured. I helped nurse him back to health, and we’ve formed an uneasy alliance. No one but me has ridden him. He tends not to like people very much and barely tolerates me. As I prepare him for our ride, Athena wanders over to watch.

“He’s gorgeous,” she says. Devil nods his head in agreement, making us both laugh. Fuck me, even her laugh is sexy. I’m fucking doomed.

I nod at the bag of carrots we keep handy. “You can feed him one.”

She places the carrot piece in her palm and holds it up to him. Her smile is broad when he nips it gently out of her hand.

“She’s ready for you, Ms. Stokes,” Max calls her over.

“Please, call me Athena. Thank you, Max.”

“Do you need help…” Max starts, chuckling when she mounts with the grace of someone who’s ridden. “Guess not.”

“I’ve ridden a few times,” Athena admits.

“Let’s go,” I tell her as I mount Devil and lead her outside. We spend the first ten minutes just enjoying the experience.

I have a hard time keeping my eyes off her. The way she sits in the saddle is sexy. Her confidence in the saddle impresses me, but her juicy ass distracts me.

“Your ranch is gorgeous,” Athena says when I wait for her to join me. “How long have you had it?”

“Been in my family for several generations,” I tell her. “I grew up here.”

She has a wistful look on her face as she glances around the open space. “You’re very lucky.”

“I am. How did you learn to ride?”

“Camp. I was a city girl. Got an opportunity to attend a camp at a ranch similar to this one. Fell in love with the horses.”

“They’re easy to love,” I say, patting Devil on his neck.

“Who are they?” Athena asks, drawing my attention.

I glance over to where she’s looking and see five men standing defensively just inside my fence line. Behind them, I can see where they’ve cut the barbwire. Immigrants trying to sneak into the country.

I’m armed, but don’t want to shoot any of them. They’re simply looking for a better life.

“Oh my god,” Athena says before urging her horse toward them.

“Athena, wait?” I call out, but it’s too late. She’s already moving toward the men, who all have guns pointing right at her.