#Big Sky Ranch

[kristannafever]

Big Sky Ranch

Kristanna Modern AU Rated: M WC: 1829

In the foothills off of the Rocky Mountains, resides a generational Ranch known to all in the area. Kristoff, a humble hand on that ranch, works hard and enjoys his simple existence. It isn't until a new woman starts at the diner that be begins to acknowledge his loneliness and plans to ask her on a date. When his plans are foiled by a rival group of men, it sets events into motion that plunge Anna and Kristoff into getting to know each other through some very unexpected situations and their relationship blossoms as their lives begin to change.

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A/N: This had been my passion project for over a year, and is the most self-indulgent thing I have ever written. It is inspired by the ranch setting of Yellowstone and the rural area in which I live.

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Anna had only been working as a waitress at the diner for a week, and she was quickly learning what the biggest perk of the job was. 

It was the cowboys.

She’d moved to the small town only a month prior, desperate to get as far away from the city where her sleazy ex-fiancé was.  It was the fresh start she needed after wallowing about that cheating asshole for months.  Truly dark times they had been.

After finding a basement suite to rent since she wasn’t sure how long she would be there before she moved on again, she got the job at the diner, and was truly starting to enjoy life again.  And that was in large part due to the clientele. 

The town was surrounded by ranchlands.  Large farms spread out in all directions, and the roads were ruled by pick-up trucks and farm equipment.  Many times, Anna had gone for a drive to clear her head and she’d come upon some large tractor-thing, and she’d have to squeeze around the slow-moving vehicle in the wrong lane, or wait until it pulled into a pasture.  Even so, she never minded too much, because she enjoyed the drives and admiring the lovely scenery against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

And every day, rain or shine, groups of men came in for breakfast or lunch.  Most of them in the full cowboy outfit; cowboy boots, jeans, roper or plaid shirts, and cowboy hats.  And no matter the size or shape of them, they were all ruggedly handsome in their own ways.

And decent!  Anna had never met so many decent men.  They were all extremely polite and respectful.  They held doors and said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and ‘ma’am’, and they always tipped generously even if they only had a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. 

Anna truly did love her job, even if was a lot harder work than sitting behind a desk all day like she’d been doing when she worked at that insurance company with her ex. 

That asshole could rot in hell.

Now Anna had her eyes open for a cowboy.  A lot of them didn’t wear any wedding rings, but that didn’t mean that they weren’t married.  She’d asked one of the other waitresses and was told they don’t wear them for safety, not wanting them to get caught in ropes or machinery.  And the ones that did wear them, wore those new rubber ones that could break if they got caught in something.   It made perfect sense to Anna.  Although it certainly made it harder to tell who was and wasn’t attached. 

Which was why for the time being she just had her eyes open.  She never outwardly hit on any of them for fear of hitting on a taken man.  She just hoped that one day, one of them might just ask her out.  And until then, she would more than happily take in all the eye candy.

*****

Kristoff yawned as he got out of his truck and stretched out his tired back.  Him and Sven got up extra early and treated themselves to breakfast whenever they could, and right now they had a short break before calving season when their days were a little less long.

The air was still chilly with the last of winter’s tenuous hold, and their breath came out in white vapors as they walked through the parking lot.  At least the snow was mostly all gone, and while that meant that him and Sven’s work load was going to ramp up, it was hard to argue with the sun shining bright after six brutally long months of snow-covered ground.

As soon as they stepped into the diner, Sven gave him a nudge with his elbow.

“New girl,” he said under his breath, and flicked his head in her direction as they walked to a booth along the front windows. 

Kristoff glanced her direction then turned to Sven and gave him a hard stare.  Ever since he got engaged, Sven had been trying mercilessly to set Kristoff up with someone and it was starting to get on his nerves.  The girl was really cute, sure, he just wasn’t interested.  He was too damn set in his ways to be interested.

They sat in their favourite booth, took off their cowboy hats, and set them on the seat beside themselves.  Kristoff ran a hand through his hair a few times, shaking out the hat line, and the new waitress came over straight away and set menus on the table. 

“Morning, gentlemen.”  She smiled brightly.  “What can I start you out with today?”

“Coffee, black, and a water,” Kristoff said.

“Same here,” Sven said, “please.”

“Coming right up.”  She gave them another bright smile and walked away. 

“City girl,” Sven mused.

“Yup.”  He’d heard her accent too.

“She don’t have a ring.”

“Sven-”

“Come on, man.  You livin’ like that ain’t healthy.  All alone in that cabin.  You should move back to one of the main houses.”

“You know I don’t like being around people too much.”

“You like being around me.”

“Yeah, well, you’re the one exception and you know that too.”

“You could make another exception,” Sven flicked his head to the counter where she was pouring them coffee, “for her.”

“If you don’t cut this out, I’m gonna strap you to that nasty old bull out in the east pastures.”

“Ole’ Bruce?”  Sven laughed.  “That bull don’t got any fight left in him.”

“I beg to differ,” Kristoff stated.  It was only a month ago that mean old brute had him scrambling for the fences when he charged Kristoff.  And of course, no one had been around to see it and they all told him he was making shit up.  That bull had it out for him, Kristoff knew it.

The waitress came back with the drinks and they ordered their usual; the cowboy breakfast.  It came with two eggs, three strips of bacon, a pair of sausages, hash browns, beans and two slices of toast.  Both him and Sven would eat it all and be starving by noon. 

They ate quickly and Kristoff pulled his wallet out of his back pocket since it was his turn to pay.  The waitress came back with the bill and a card machine which Kristoff waived off because he always paid with cash.  He gave her a pretty nice tip since she’d kept their water and coffee cups full.  He hated it when he was halfway through his meal and he had nothing to drink because the cups weren’t topped off. 

On the way out, when Sven wasn’t looking, Kristoff glanced in the waitress’s direction.  She had her copper hair in braids, and actually, was very attractive.  He always had been a sucker for freckles.  If he was interested in a relationship, he might ask her out, but he was more than content not having to deal with what came in having that sort of thing.

*****

Anna watched the pair of cowboy’s head back to their big dually in the parking lot.  They’d been the best-looking ones yet.  Especially that blond with the big nose and the pretty brown eyes.  He was very handsome.  And built!  The guy’s biceps were giving that roper shirt a serious quality control test.  She felt a little flustered to suddenly think about what being with a man like that would be like.  Her ex had been on the skinnier side and nowhere near as tall.  Not to mention never really left her satisfied.  She had a feeling that the handsome blond cowboy sure wouldn’t disappoint. 

He didn’t really say much, he left her a very nice tip, and he did say thank you when she dropped off their breakfast, even if he didn’t say please when he ordered it.  Anna hoped she’d see him again soon and found herself hoping that he was single and looking.

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Sven suggested breakfast again the next morning and Kristoff damn well knew why.  Still, it was hard to argue against a big brekky that he didn’t have to make himself.   They drove to the diner and sure enough, the attractive waitress was working.

They sat in the same booth and she came over a moment later with coffees and waters.  It impressed him a little that they didn’t have to order, even if was presumptuous of her. 

“Same as yesterday, gentlemen?” she asked, after she’d set their drinks on the table.

“You bet,” Sven answered.

“And are we sticking with sunny-side up eggs and rye toast?”  Both men nodded.  “Perfect.  I’ll have that right out to you.”

Kristoff found himself watching her walk away.  She sure had a nice smile.  Very friendly.  Good for getting better tips for sure.   And those eyes were something else.

“You should ask her out,” Sven persisted in a hushed voice.

He turned to Sven and scowled.  “No.”

“Why not?”

Kristoff shrugged and couldn’t really come up with a good answer. 

Sven heaved a big sigh.  “You know what, I give up.  You’re hopeless.”

Kristoff sneered.  “Like you pointed out, she’s a city girl.  Only one way a relationship with her is gonna end up, and that’s me being dumped after a week.”

“Maybe if you would just try-”

“That’s enough,” he said, very serious.  “I’m not in the mood.”

Sven scoffed.  “Fine, whatever.”

Kristoff looked down at his hands and started to dig some dirt out from under his thumbnail.  Sven had no idea what he was talking about.  Kristoff had always tried.  He did his best, even though he was pretty damn clueless about romance.  Which seemed to be why none of the ladies he’d gone out with stuck around long.  He did try, and it was never enough.  It had left him jaded about dating. 

Their meals came out quickly and they ate even quicker to get a head start on their day.  It was going to be another long one, meaning come Friday night, both of them would be more than eager to blow off some steam at the saloon. 

*****

Anna gathered up the tip the other cowboy had left on the table.  It was still very decent even if he wasn’t as generous as the blond.  Neither of the men seemed like they were looking for a date, so Anna gave up on thinking that either of them were single.  Like most of them, they were probably taken, leaving Anna wondered what she had to do to bag herself a cowboy.

Another waitress had been talking about going to a saloon by the highway at the edge of town on Friday evening for some dancing and asked Anna if she wanted to tag along too.  She accepted, giddy at the chance that perhaps she might have her opportunity there to get herself a date, even if she was warned that the crowd could get pretty rowdy. 

--

Next Chapter

[kazroze]

back at big sky ranch

[simargynals]

ranch life in sierra del sol

[aheathen-conceivably]

🏜️ Deadwood Reach: A Wild West Starter 🏜️

Has your sim followed the gold rush out West? Left behind the hustle and bustle of the city for the open air? Decided to try and make it on their own with no one other than their trusty steed? Despite its intimidating name and the Cowplant skulls guarding its entrance, this little starter home has everything a sim needs to build a life.

Designed for a Decades Challenge or historical gameplay, this lot is off the grid and requires a bit of ingenuity (or anachronistic cell phone usage) to meet its simple living requirements. There’s a small area for gardening, cross-stitching, guitar picking, and of course, horse riding. For those who might want a few creature comforts, there’s a well equipped outhouse, two working fireplaces, and even a brand new feather bed.

So brew up your cowboy coffee, sit on a hay bale, and enjoy a fire under the wide open sky.

Lot Size: 20x15 Original Lot: Big Sky Reach Lot Value: 22,829 House Size: 1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom Lot Traits: Natural Well Lot Challenges: Simple Living, Off-the-Grid CC-free

As usual, it is CC free so that everyone can download it, but please feel free to redecorate it or redesign it, just tag me if you use it so I can see your lovely pixels enjoying it too!

Available to download on my gallery ID: aheathenbuilds or here (SFS, no ads).

[pa-pa-plasma]

genuinely not kidding when I say that Tears of the Kingdom is not only a bad Zelda game, it's just a bad game in general. it's inaccessible to casual gamers who previously could play Zelda games because of their structure. there is virtually no plot, & what little plot there is sucks ass, is predictable in a bad way, & doesn't make any fucking sense, with the absolute lack of emotional reactions from the characters making it all the worse. the references are only there to distract from the absolute nothingness, despite a main timeline Zelda title being the perfect game to have them as a type of storytelling (what happened to Skyloft??). the sky islands are just rocks with nothing on them except fruit, or maybe a chest if you're lucky. the underground is a walking in the dark simulator. the overworld is the exact same shit as in Breath of the Wild & I already explored that twice so why do it again. the caves are pointless. they didn't add much to the game besides that (the shrines & towers are just reskinned, do not fool yourself) & what they did add is just more sidequests to fill the gaps between the bits of non-existent plot. the dungeons suck. the boss battles are okay which is just sad for a Zelda game. it's just a $90 DLC & if that doesn't explain why I'm so mad about this idk what the fuck will. maybe the fact that this "new formula" is a severe step down from the old one, where you had an actual full fucking puzzle game to play with an actual fucking characters & a story that wasn't just more MCU "cameo! reference!!" bullshit

[chewablepebbles]

I spent two hours training a green palomino gelding today along with his future rider and I feel soooo good. Really what I'm meant to be doing.

[wolfstarshipping]

Beneath a Big Blue Sky (68.298 words) by @eyra Rating: Explicit

modern AU, non-magic AU

Sirius and James accidentally find themselves on a Yorkshire farm during lambing season. The farmer’s son thinks that’s a bit annoying, actually.

Quote: The four-by-four heaves its way down long, twisting lanes, little more than dirt tracks scuffed into the surrounding fields and hemmed in by serpentine walls of flat, grey stone. They truly are in the middle of nowhere: the countryside rushes past, all rolling green hills and vast, endless skies, and it's odious. Sirius wants to murder James with his bare hands.

Comment: I'm guessing that a lot of you already know about and love this fic anyways, but just in case some of you don't: It's an absolute TREASURE! Sirius and James spend a whole spring/summer on the Lupins' farm, and that brings all the funny and tender and beautiful moments you can wish for in a fic! I loved Remus and Sirius slowly getting to know and love each other, and thought it was so well-written and just overall well done, it's the kind of fic I keep thinking about and wanting to re-read even though I only read it a couple of weeks ago. One of my favorite things about it (besides Snuffles the lamb <3) was how it dealt with homophobia and coming out, I found that was so well done!

[cl0ud-ninex]

[tarnishedhalo]

💋 - from Cara ( mistletoe )

Christmas in May || -- As far back as he can remember the Duttons and the Rileys have always taken turns hosting one another's families during the winter holidays, a ritual he thinks began when banding together to share resources was a means of survival. When the Admiral died, as eldest sibling, the task fell onto Riley's shoulders. So starting at Thanksgiving ~dinner at the Duttons had certainly been memorable~ clan and kin had gathered at the Five Oaks to begin decorating. It's now Christmas Eve and the party and gift exchange had wound down. He's till wondering if Beth is going to use the custom knife he'd given her to stab him when he least expects it. People broke off in pairs and groups, John had bid them thanks and farewell because this is a young kids thing. Riley has to wonder if maybe he misses his old friend and if he doesn't want to feel the weight of time and loss on the holy eve. Seeing as he likes his teeth where they are, he doesn't ask. Instead he shakes hands, and promises to have Cara home and safe as the roads allow. They both know he's a shit liar. John claps his shoulder and wishes him luck as he leaves. Riley sits next to Cara on the couch, enjoying the new quiet and the soft glow of all the Christmas lights glowing around them when she pulls something from her pocket. It takes him a minute to realise the leaves and berries for what they are, and only after she raises one arm above his head with a devilish grin. He raises his fingertips and gives a scritch of his jawline. The corner of his mouth tugs upwards and he leans toward her. "Merry Chrismas, darlin'." His lips are tender, light on her own as his eyes close.

[kristannafever]

Big Sky Ranch - 3

Kristanna Modern AU Rated: M WC: 6346

Chapter Index

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The waitress wasn’t working when they went for a late breakfast the next morning.  Kristoff figured she might be off and realized he was disappointed all over again to discover that he was right, because this breakfast was going to be the last one that they could go to for a while with how busy their next couple of weeks were on the ranch.

All week long – and a long, busy week it was – he thought about her, and when the next Friday finally rolled around, he found himself wondering if she would be at the bar again.  It was the only place he figured he might bump into her and hopefully get the opportunity to ask her out on a date.  It probably wouldn’t work out between them in the end, like every other relationship he had, but part of him had developed an intense need to find out all the same. 

Him and Sven were hanging up the last of the horse tack in the stables when he decided he was going to go for it.  “So, we goin’ to the bar tonight?” he asked, trying to be casual.

“Man, I don’t know.  It was a bitch of a week and I’m dog tired,” Sven answered.  “Think I might just do my drinkin’ at home tonight and call it an early one.”

Kristoff nodded.  He was dead tired too, he just had to try and see her again.  “Maybe Buck or the greenhorn want to go.”

Sven paused where they stopped at the stable door to shut it up for the night and looked at him.  “Why so eager all of the sudden?  I usually gotta spend my hard-earned pay feedin’ you beer to get you to come along and have a good time with us.  Which, by the way, you always do.”

“I know.  I’m just tryin’ not to be so much of a stick in the mud.”

Sven’s eyes narrowed.  “Not buyin’ it.  I know you better than that.”

Frustration flared within him and Kristoff pushed past his brother.  “Never fuckin’ mind then.”

“Wait, hang on!” Sven called, following after him.  “I mean, if you really want to go, you know I won’t turn down a good time.  I just wanna know why.”

“Like I said,” Kristoff muttered through gritted teeth.  Part of him wanted to tell Sven the real reason except he found himself too embarrassed to actually do so.  That would mean admitting to Sven that he was right; Kristoff was starting to feel pretty lonely.

“Well, alright then.” Sven fell in step beside him.  “Let’s see if we have any other takers.  I ain’t drivin’ if the greenhorn don’t wanna go.”

*****

Anna found herself extremely disappointed that other two ladies she worked with at the diner had weekend plans and weren’t available to go drinking at the saloon that night.  She had really wanted to see if the blond cowboy might be there since he hadn’t been in for breakfast all week.  She hoped that he would have come back into the bar that night so that she could thank him.   Instead, it was the oldest man in their group that returned to pay the tab and then left right after.

She’d looked for him.  Every time she was in town, at the grocery store, the coffee shop, the place that sold all that western wear and stuff for horses, and she hadn’t had any luck in bumping into him.  At least she found herself some proper clothes, boots, and a brand-new hat.  She’d been so excited to wear them out to the saloon.

Would it be smart to go alone?  Anna wasn’t exactly sure what her friends had meant when they said it was a rough crowd that could get rowdy, and that was even with that parking lot fight that almost broke out the weekend before.  Perhaps things could get a lot rougher than that?

Then again, she did have pepper spray and a taser; an illegal gift from her ex because he had travelled and didn’t want her to be alone with no way to defend herself should someone intrude into their apartment.  She could put the items in her purse.  Unlike the clubs downtown in the city, there was no one searching the women’s purses when they entered the saloon, so Anna decided to go it alone.  She’d drive and only have one drink so she could take herself home if things got a little out of control.

Smiling to herself, she got dressed in her new ‘cowgirl outfit’ and drove to the saloon.  It was a bit earlier than the last time she’d and she’d hoped that it would give her a better opportunity to spot him if he was there.  When she arrived, much to her dismay, the place was packed.  She had to park in the overflow parking on the grass next to the gravel parking lot.

Feeling a little discouraged, she went in anyways to see if he was there.

*****

The four men took a table at the far end in the lefthand corner of the bar since they were all too tired to stand all night.  The greenhorn had come, and Buck as usual.  Buck probably would have been there anyway if none of the hands had wanted to go out.  Davy was the only one who passed.  He said that he drank too much the previous weekend and had no desire to repeat it.

Their conversation was a little lackluster and Kristoff was chagrined to be the one trying to come up with topics of conversation.  This was his damn idea anyway.  And the whole time, he looked around for her, hoping to spot her in the crowd.  He even had half a mind to wander over to plug some quarters into the Jukebox to see if she might happen to be on the other side of the bar.  Only he didn’t, because that would be a huge red flag to the others that he wasn’t there for their company as it wasn’t something he’d ever been known to do. 

And the longer they sat there, the busier the place got.  He hadn’t even known there was a live band, although when they did start playing about an hour after Kristoff and the ranch hands arrived, everyone seemed to perk up.  By then the drinks were flowing and all the guys were having a good time.  Except Kristoff.  He was getting drunk and he was upset that he hadn’t seen her. 

He knew there would be opportunity to see her again.  Sooner or later, they’d be back in the diner and she’d be there working.  Only what if she’d forgotten about him by then?  It was clear she was looking, and there was nothing to prevent her from looking elsewhere since she might get the impression it wasn’t his work keeping him from breakfast at the diner. 

At least if he got to see her again and ask her out, if she did say no, he could finally move on and push her out of his damn mind.  It was distracting – and if he was being honest with himself, very distressing – to be thinking about someone so much that his mind did little else with any free time.  

He sighed, and picked up his glass to take a swing when Sven elbowed him in the side, making him spill beer into his lap.

“Hey Kris, guess what?  The waitress is over there.”

Kristoff looked quickly at Sven and then followed where he was subtly pointing, then saw her. 

His jaw dropped.  No wonder he hadn’t been able to spot her.  He was actively looking for ladies not dressed like he was.  And holy shit, she was drop dead gorgeous in a pair of wranglers and a turquoise and black plaid shirt that just brought out all the similar colours in her eyes, to say nothing of the hat and boots she had on.

All the heat went to his cheeks as he stared.  She was standing and talking to a group of men and women, looking like she was having a good time while she glanced around the entire bar.   He didn’t see the ladies she was in there with last time.  Who was she looking for?  Them?  Perhaps someone else?

Part of him suddenly hoped she was looking for him.  That lust-filled look she’d given him last week… it was seared into his brain.  It was there, every time he closed his eyes. 

“Wait,” Sven said loudly, leaning over so that Kristoff could hear him over the music.  “Are you interested?  You are!  Aren’t you?”

He continued to stare at the waitress and nodded without even thinking about it.

“Ah, man.  Finally!”  Sven smacked his shoulder.  “Yeah, bro!  Go ask her out.”

Kristoff nodded again and stood up.  Just as he did so, the country cover band transitioned songs and everyone took to their feet.  It was Cadillac Ranch time.

*****

As soon as the song started, Anna knew this was going to be her best chance at spotting him in the busy crowd.  People swarmed the dance floor and Anna looked around at all of them, trying to find the hat that stood a little taller than most of the others.

Then out of the corner of her eye, movement in the near empty part of the bar caught her attention.  She glanced over to see him at a table of men, standing and looking right at her.  A fluttery feeling erupted in her stomach to realize he was coming over to her with a look on his face that was dazed, determined, and incredibly sexy.

He stopped in front of her and looked down, almost as if he was in a bit of a daze.

“Hi there,” Anna said at his silence, nervous and excited to be talking to him.

He blinked like he was coming out of a trance.  “Hello,” he said softly, barely audible over the loud music.

Anna smiled at him.  “Want to talk outside?”

He nodded, smiling back at her. 

Anna turned and made her way past the few people who were standing on the sidelines, fewer than last time since the country cover band seemed to be drawing more rural folks than city ones, and pushed her way outside, feeling his presence behind her.  She wandered away from the crowd that was smoking and over to the edge of the grass area that her car was parked in and turned around.

“I’m Anna,” she said, and offered her hand to shake.

The cowboy looked down at it and slid his palm into hers, then surprised her by shifting his grip gently to her fingers to bring her hand up as his head bobbed down.  He placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Anna,” he said, letting go of her hand and straightening back up.  “I’m Kristoff.”

All of the nerve endings in her body were suddenly on fire.  No man had ever kissed her hand like that.  It was romantic as hell.  And that name!  Certainly not what she was expecting, but how wonderfully it suited him.  Anna was suddenly beyond flustered. 

“I’m fairly new to town,” she said, having no idea what else to say.  Her mind was blank except for the runaway thoughts of how unbelievable it was that she was standing there actually talking to the man that had been in her dreams every night since the first time she’d laid eyes on him. 

The side of his mouth turned up in a sultry smile.  “I know.  I’ve lived here nearly all my life.”

Anna struggled with how to respond.  She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.  “I didn’t see you in the diner all week.”

His smile faded away like that was the wrong thing to say.  “Busy week on the ranch,” he responded.  “Sometimes I don’t have a lot of free time.”

Anna nodded.  “I understand.  I’ll bet you guys work really hard.  Lots of long days strung together, I’m sure.”

That brought strength back to his smile and his eyes scanned her face.  “Would you like to go out with me sometime?  My next couple weeks are pretty busy unfortunately, but I’ve got a bit of a break after that.”  He raised his eyebrows.  “If you’re interested?”

“I am very interested!” Anna grinned at him, glad that he apparently hadn’t changed his mind about approaching her in the first place.  In the back of her mind, she wondered why what she’d said seemed to bother him for a moment there.

He opened his mouth to respond when someone shouted in the parking lot.

“I got a bone to pick with you, cow-fucker!”

Both of them turned to look at the commotion and Anna was surprised it seemed to be directed their way.  Then she realized who was shouting at them.  It was the sleazy asshole who’d been hitting on her last Friday.  The guy with halitosis and the seriously creepy light-blue eyes who had no respect for women.

Anna still flushed at the thought that Kristoff and his friends had come over to get those assholes out of her and her friends faces.  And she wished she could have seen them kick their asses.  They certainly deserved it. 

“Leave me alone goat roper,” Kristoff said, then sighed, looking tired as hell all of the sudden.

“It’s because of you I got a DUI last weekend!” he shouted, charging in their direction.  “Cop told me.  How did you know we cut through old Miller’s pasture.”

Kristoff turned towards the asshole as he approached and shouted. “We all know, you fuckin’ wannabe.  You and your piece of shit friends have no fuckin’ respect, and we are all fuckin’ tired of it.”

Anna saw the loser’s friends rush up behind him and looked to the bar, hoping that some of Kristoff’s buddies were around.  None were, only people staring at them while they smoked.  The music from the bar was so loud, no one would know what was happening unless they were already outside.

“My father had to pay a fortune to get me out of holding and make the charge go away,” the asshole shouted.  “And you’re gonna pay for it through your teeth!”

Kristoff stepped quickly away from Anna to keep her out of harm’s way as the asshole and his friends surged forward, swarming him and hitting him as he fought them back.  It looked for a second like Kristoff was going to lay them all out with one punch and be done with them, when someone got in a lucky jab and he staggered, losing his stance and opening himself up to get hit again and again.

Anna was furious.  She reached into her purse and found her taser and jammed it into the back of the guy closest to her.  He jerked violently and fell to the ground, writhing in pain, his body twitching as his muscles seized up.  Anna took down the next guy, and then the next, then their pathetic leader noticed and turned to her, taking a wild swing at her face with his closed fist.

Anna knew it was going to hurt, and it did.  Although she did manage to swing her head far enough away that it glanced off the side of her jaw instead of hitting her square in the nose.  It wasn’t anywhere near as full force as the asshole had intended.  Still, it made her lose balance and fall to her ass.

She could only watch in a daze as the asshole approached her again, standing over her like he was going to take another shot while she was down to make up for the one he had missed, when suddenly a big forearm clamped around his neck and hauled him backward.  Kristoff had him in a chokehold, ignoring the guy who was pummeling him from behind.  

Anna had never in her life seen a man so furious.  Kristoff looked bound and determined to choke the life out of the guy who’d hit her.

Her sense slammed back into her brain and she reached for where she’d dropped her taser into the grass when she went down.  The other three men were struggling to get back to their feet as well, which meant it was going to be five on one again soon.  Or rather, five on two, because Anna wasn’t about to step out of this fight.

All of the sudden someone shouted from the front of the bar so loudly, that the entire inside of the place would have heard it over the roaring country music.

“Oi, boys!  Trouble!”

It was the oldest man who’d been sitting at Kristoff’s table.  He had a dart in his hand, clearly exiting the bar to have a smoke when he realized his friend was being attacked by a group of men.  He dropped the cigarette and ran forward, taking an expertly aimed swing at the man who’d peeled off from hitting Kristoff in the back of the head to deal with the older man.

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.  The last guy she’d tased was on his feet now, scrambling to get to his boss who was turning red with Kristoff’s arm still clamped around his neck while he continued to take clumsy, halting hits from the other two assholes that she’d tased.  The old man was trading punches with the one who’d charged him, then two other guys came running out of the bar; the one Kristoff had been at breakfast with, and a beanpole of a kid who didn’t look old enough to even be in a saloon.

Someone got in a punch that made Kristoff release the grip he had on their boss, and he turned to start fighting the one who’d hit him.  The piece of shit he had in the chokehold fell to his knees, gasping for air.  Anna took the immediate liberty of taking him out of the fight.  She put her taser between his shoulder blades and put him face down into the gravel. 

Now every other man was hitting one another and Anna didn’t want to get too close and catch another wayward punch or accidentally taser someone who didn’t deserve it.  She felt a little helpless, watching as Kristoff and his friends appeared to be gaining a winning edge, all the while taking swing after swing.  And then like someone flicked a switch, it was suddenly over.  The group of douchebags seemed to decide simultaneously that they’d had enough, and backed up quickly to retrieve their boss, picking him up hastily, his body limp like a rag doll, as Kristoff and his friends halfheartedly chased them back to the pickup truck they’d come in. 

The old man picked up a rock and threw it at the windshield as they peeled out of the parking lot, smashing it right in the middle sending cracks out in all directions across the glass.

Anna was about to see if everyone was okay when large hands were turning her around and Kristoff gently grabbed her on either side of her head, his thumbs pressed lightly on the edge of her cheeks.  He looked at her, his eyes wild with concern.

“Are you okay,” he said quickly, scanning every inch of her face.

She nodded in his hands, scared with how much blood was on his face.  He’d taken quite a few hits before his friends showed up.  His lip was split, there was a nasty looking cut on his right brow, his nose was bleeding, and he had a few other scratches and scrapes all over his beautiful face.

“I’m completely fine,” Anna said, frowning with her own concern.  She grabbed his hands and brought them into hers.  “How are you feeling?”

He gave her a tired smile, blood showing on his teeth.  “Like I got punched in the face.  A lot.”

“Shit man, I’m sorry,” said his breakfast friend, coming up and placing a hand on Kristoff’s shoulder and leaning into him.  It was a very brotherly gesture and Anna dropped Kristoff’s hands so as not to take away from the moment. 

“What are we going to do about those pussy-ass motherfuckers?” asked the young kid.  He was going to wake up with a black eye and looked so highly caffeinated that he was ready to chase after that truck on foot.

“Kick their asses if we ever see them in our town again,” the old man said, and spit into the gravel.  “This shit is gonna stop.”

“Damn straight it is,” answered Kristoff.  “No one hits a lady and doesn’t get their ass handed to them.”

His diner buddy became more enraged. “Jesus fucking Christ, are you kidding me?”

All of them men looked at her, concerned and angry over the fight.   They looked much more worse for wear than she was sure she did.  All of them had blood and cuts on their faces, although none so much as Kristoff. 

“I’m fine, guys!  Honest.”  Anna rubbed her jaw where the fist glanced her skin.  “He barely got me.  It’s just a little sore.”

Kristoff grinned, staring into her eyes while talking to his friends.  “Anna took a few of them down with a taser.”

“No shit?” said Kristoff’s diner friend, giving her an impressed grin.  “Well hot damn, we owe you couple rounds of drinks then.”

“They won’t let me back in there, Sven.”  Kristoff spat blood into the ground.  “Not lookin’ like this.”

“We ain’t going back in there,” Sven agreed, staring at her.  “We’re takin’ Anna home with us to keep drinkin’.”

They all grinned at her and Anna couldn’t help but grin back.  Not a single fiber of her being was scared of going with these men.  She felt safer with them than she’d felt in nearly her entire adult life.  She’d just have to get one of them to give her a ride back to grab her car.

They all picked up their hats where they’d been knocked off their heads and piled into the big dually, Anna sitting in the middle of the back seat, snuggled up to Kristoff’s side as soon as he slid his arm around her shoulders.  He hadn’t stopped smiling at her.  While Anna had no idea what was in store for her, she was excited.  She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing she didn’t want was going to be forced upon her.   It was weird to her to have such an instant sense of trust in a group of people, which was likely large in part due to Kristoff and how he’d defended and protected her.

Thirty or so minutes later they were headed up a long drive to an impressive farmhouse.  When they were almost there, the road split, and they turned towards a grouping of three small identical houses in a row beside a large barn and a long stable.  The kid parked in front of the house in the middle and they all got out and headed inside.

The kitchen and living room were open to each other as soon as they stepped in the door.  On the back wall were three doors which appeared to be a bathroom in the middle and two bedrooms on either side.  Having no idea who lived here, she assumed it was Sven and Kristoff.

Then Kristoff asked Sven to lend him a towel so he could shower and she had to wonder which one of the houses he did live in.   Kristoff gave her a wink and went into the bathroom, leaving her feeling flustered all over again to think about him being naked.  She had been doing a lot of that since the first time she’d laid eyes on him in the diner, and even more since the last time they were at the saloon and he’d gotten that gross guy out of her face.

Each of the other men lined up took turns at the kitchen sink, splashing water on their faces to wash away blood and grime.  There was familiarity to their movements, like they’d practiced this before, which as she thought about it, they probably had.  Once clean, their faces didn’t look as bad they’d seemed, although all of them were likely to wake up with a black eye or two. 

When Sven was done at the sink, he wandered over to a stereo by a television in the living room and turned it on to a country music station.  Anna sat at the kitchen table while the other three men came over and gathered at the table with her.  Sven handed them all a bottle of beer. 

“Thanks for helping out my boy,” he said to her as he sat down.

“I’m glad I was able to,” she said.

“I’m Sven, by the way.  The old man there is Buck, and I don’t even remember what the greenhorn’s real name is.”

Everyone laughed. 

“Fuck you,” said the kid with a grin.  He turned to Anna.  “My name is Cooper.  My friends call me Coop, and these assholes call me Greenhorn.”

“You ain’t got any other friends.”  Buck laughed.  “Just us.”

Cooper gave the old man two middle fingers and everyone laughed again. 

Sven fished a phone out of his pocket and started typing a message.  “I’ll see if Davy’s still up.”

“He won’t be,” said Coop.  “He told me he was going to take a sleeping pill so he can catch up on some rest.”

Sven shrugged and set his phone on the table.  “Well, his loss then.  Fuckin’ pussy.”  His eyes suddenly widened and he gave Anna and incredibly sheepish look.  “Sorry.  That was inappropriate.”

Anna thought back to all the things she’d overheard her ex say with his friends through the walls of the den because she wasn’t allowed to hang out with them.  “No worries.  I’ve heard much worse, believe me.”

Sven gave her a big grin and then tilted the neck of his beer bottle in her direction.  Anna grabbed her bottle and tapped it against his and then they each took a big sip.  She was about to ask them who lived with who, when the bathroom door opened and Kristoff stepped into the main room with a towel wrapped around his waist. 

“I’m borrowing some of your clothes,” he said to Sven, and disappeared into the bedroom on the right.

After a long moment of staring after him, Anna let out a rather long and shaky breath.  She wasn’t prepared to see a damp, half-naked Kristoff, and she was taken completely off guard.   Heat flooded through her as she thought about being with him again, the picture a lot clearer now that she’d seen him in only a towel.  He was more muscle defined than even she had imagined.

Cooper laughed.  “Same, Anna.  Same.”   

“Yup,” Buck agreed.  “I’m straight as they come, but even my jaw dropped to the floor first time I saw Kris’s naked ass.  Only I got the view without the towel.”  He grinned and winked at her.

Anna’s face was on fire and she knew she was turning bright red.  She was hot and bothered, and now embarrassed to be caught ogling him again.  He was just so damn hot!  It wasn’t fair.

“He’s gonna feel that fight tomorrow,” Sven said, looking concerned.  “Got a lot of bruising forming around his ribs already.”

Buck and Coop nodded and Anna felt embarrassed again that she hadn’t even noticed the bruising on his body.  She’d been too captivated by everything else, not to mention some seriously dirty thoughts that had immediately blossomed in her brain.

Then Kristoff came out of the bedroom in a t-shirt that was a size too small and a pair of jeans without a belt.  He was toweling off his hair as he walked towards the table.  He threw the damp towel on the back of the couch as he passed, then grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat slowly in the vacant seat beside Anna, wincing a little as he did so.

Anna surveyed his face as the guys started talking about a plan to make sure those assholes didn’t come back to their town.  Aside from the minor scrapes, his bottom lip looked swollen and sore where it was split, and thankfully the gash on his brow wasn’t as big as Anna had initially thought it was.  Aside from the black eye, he didn’t look too worse for wear, which was amazing considering he’d been fighting five guys at once at one point.

The conversation soon turned to Anna and she told the men about her decision to move out of the big city and some of the other details of her life.  Then she asked them about growing up in the small town and they all regaled her with plenty of amusing stories about what life was like for them.

The beers turned into shots which turned into whiskeys for the guys and back to sipping beer for Anna with plenty of water in between.  She was getting pretty tipsy and could absolutely not handle much of the hard stuff.

They talked and laughed and Anna was having tons of fun even though it was getting late.  Sure, the cowboys were a little crass, and there were plenty of curse words flying around, but nothing they said was mean or offensive which was very unlike how her ex and his friends used to talk.  The funny stories the cowboys told were everything.  Anna couldn’t remember a time her sides had been so sore from laughing. 

And the amorous way Kristoff was looking at her all evening, had her practically salivating.  The more he looked at her with that lop-sided smile and those hooded eyes, the more she really wanted to know what it was like to be with him. 

Buck had just finished telling them all an embarrassing story about Coop’s first day on the ranch, when Kristoff excused himself to the bathroom.  As soon as the door shut, Sven leaned over to her, eyes glassy and happy.  “He sings you know.  Like an angel.”

“Really?” Anna asked in a hushed tone over the juicy secret Sven told her.

“Says Sven,” Cooper piped up.  “Aint’ no one else ever hear Kris sing.”

“I’ve known him my whole life, that’s how I know,” Sven said to the kid.  He turned back to Anna.  “I’m serious.  The man has an incredible voice.”

“I’d love to hear it sometime.”

“Hear what?” Kristoff asked, coming back to the table. 

“The set of pipes you got on you.”  Sven grinned at him.

Kristoff gave Sven and angry stare.  “You promised to keep that to yourself, you dick.”

Sven snorted.  “I told everyone.”

“It’s true then?” Coop asked.  “You can sing, Kris?”

“No,” Kristoff said, and sat down with another wince.  A smile was pulling at his lips. “He’s lying.”

“That’s what we all thought until you just confirmed it.”  Buck laughed.

“I’d really love to hear you sing,” Anna said, getting a round of agreement from everyone else at the table.

“It ain’t happening tonight, that’s for sure.”  Kristoff took a sip of whiskey.  “I need to be much more liquored up and we got work tomorrow.”

“You mean in a couple of hours,” Buck pointed out.  “That’s why I’m turning in.”  He stood and took his hat from where it sat on the table with most of the others and put it on his head.  He grabbed the front edge and tipped it to Anna.  “Nice to meet you, young lady.”

Coop was the next one to drop out.  Apparently, he shared a house with Davy, Buck was in one by himself, and Sven was in one, leaving Kristoff – by his own choice – staying in a cabin that was built over a hundred years ago down by a creek on the other side of the ranch.

Anna was curious to see it, but Kristoff had already accepted Sven’s invitation to sleep on the couch because he was graciously letting Anna sleep in the other bedroom.   Not to mention it was too far to walk and Kristoff was too drunk to drive, even if it was on a quad.

The three of them talked on for a bit then agreed to have one more beer and head to bed.  Kristoff got up to get them despite Anna already standing to do it.

“Need to stand for a spell,” he said, getting up with a grimace and going over to the fridge.  He passed her and Sven a beer, then went back to the kitchen counter and leaned back against it. 

Sven gave Anna a quick look as Kristoff tipped his bottle back to take a sip.  He winked at her then turned back to his friend.  “Let’s see those bruises, Kris.  You don’t got any broken ribs, do ya?”

Kristoff gave Sven a scoffing smirk as he set his beer on the counter and reached down to yank the tight t-shirt off.  Anna’s cheeks immediately flamed up again to see him without it.  He did a slow turn, looking down at himself as her and Sven looked on.

“Shit,” Sven said, looking like he’d regretting asking, even if it had been for Anna’s benefit.  The bruising was clearer now.  “You took a lot of his to your back and sides.”

“Probably when I was choking out that dickhead,” Kristoff agreed.  “Definitely no broken ribs though.  Just bruised.”

“You’re not pissin’ blood are you?  Couple of those look like kidney shots.”

Kristoff laughed and tugged the t-shirt back on.  “Nah.  None of them can hit hard enough for that.  Hands are too soft from pushin’ paperwork and talkin’ out their asses sellin’ farm equipment all day.”

Sven looked angry about what had happened all over again.  “You know what, Bro, you take tomorrow off.  Me and the boys will pick up the slack.  You’re gonna be hurtin’.”

“You know I’ve worked through worse than this.” 

Anna noticed that Sven flicked her eyes to her to make a point to Kristoff.  He said, “You covered for me when Dixie and I went celebrating our engagement a little too hard.  You take tomorrow.  And we’ll be back to bustin’ ass on Sunday.”

Kristoff’s eyes looked quickly to Anna and he grinned slowly.  “Alright.”

*****

They went into the other bedroom to talk since Sven had turned in to bed.  Kristoff had no intention of putting the moves on Anna, even if she was looking at him like she wanted to have her way with him.  He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would.  Someday.

He was completely taken with her.  The way she laughed, the way she talked, the way she moved… those fuck me eyes she’d been giving him all night.   It was going to make work all the much harder waiting to take her on a proper date.

Anna sat on the edge of the bed and Kristoff took the chair that was in the corner.  “So how liquored do you have to be to sing?” she asked.

“Very.”  Kristoff chuckled.  “I’m pretty shy about it.”

“How come?” 

He shrugged.  “Never really sang in front of people before.”

“Except Sven?  He mentioned you grew up together.”

Kristoff smiled.  “Yeah, we did.  I used to sing quite often when it was just the two of us out on some chore.  Then we got older and he started bugging me, trying to get me to go to open mic nights and stuff like that, and I just stopped.  I only sing when I’m alone now.”

“Well, I really would love to hear you sing sometime.”

Looking down at his lap and smiling, he felt his cheeks heat even more, and it wasn’t the alcohol.  “If anyone will get to hear me, I reckon it’ll be you.”  He looked back up at her through his eyelashes. 

Anna regarded him for a moment with an unreadable expression, then let out a very slow exhale and stood.  He brought his head all the way up and watched her every move as she approached, looking up into her face as she stood over him and wondering what she was thinking.  Then she put her hands on the side of his face and slowly bent her head down towards his, her intentions clear.  He remained still, his eyes wide open until their lips were just a breath apart, and they closed.

He kissed her back, gently, respectfully, keeping it chaste and not moving his hands from there they lay on the armrests of the chair.  When Anna pulled back, it took a moment for him to open his eyes.  He’d never had such a beautiful kiss.  It was so soft, his split lip didn’t even have anything to protest.

His head was swimming.  “What was that for?” he whispered. 

Anna shrugged, sitting back on the bed.  “Just needed to know.”

“And?”

She gave him a soft smile and nodded slowly.

Kristoff nodded slowly back.  “Alright then.  I’m gonna turn in.”  He stood and went to the door then turned back.  “You have any interest in hangin’ out with me tomorrow?”

She stood.  “Absolutely.”

He gave her a wide smile.  “Have a good sleep.”

“You too.”

Kristoff nodded once and shut the door.  He stood there a moment and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.  He wondered if this was how Sven felt when he met Dixie and they started hanging out.  It felt fucking incredible.  He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt more alive.

He wandered over to the couch while he took off the t-shirt he’d borrowed from Sven and laid down, pulling the blanket off the back and covering himself up with it.   He closed his eyes and sleep found him quickly, despite how much his mind was reeling.

---

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[kazroze]

getting that one (1!!) chick to hatch was a whole event but i'm so proud of us, luke

[simargynals]

happy days on the heartlands ranch

[techdriveplay]

14 Detour-Worthy Things to Do in Montana on a Road Trip

Montana might not be the first state that comes to mind when considering an epic American road trip, but this huge state should be on your travel radar. Having visited over 65 countries, I often say Mongolia is my favorite. Swap the nomadic tribes with cowboys and the sheep for bison, and Montana’s grassland steppe is the closest you’ll find to one of the least visited places in the…

[inboundremblog]

Big Sky Ranch Simi Valley: A Premier Master-Planned Community

Credit: Image by PetrPodlesak | Pixabay

Best Features of Big Sky Ranch Simi Valley

Located strategically in a naturally inclined area, the Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley is a one-of-a-kind master planned and built home development. 

This is not just the community of the enchanting appearance of houses; it is about achieving the mood of living that means luxury and proximity to nature. 

Whether you want to buy a home here or want more information about this region, the following is all you need about Big Sky Ranch.

The architectural layout of Big Sky Ranch Simi Valley is given considerable thought. Its plan is comfortable and relatively homogenous in overall concept. 

The quality of the houses underlines this, as does the overall level of cleanliness of the territory and a wide range of extraordinary services. This community in the hills offers the lifestyle its homeowners will love.

Architectural Elegance

The architecture in Big Sky Ranch homes has been carefully selected, and the structures have been designed with modern architectural excellence that suits the hillsides.

The homes range from large single-family homes to tiny townhome-style dwellings; therefore, customers are guaranteed a beautiful and wide variety of styles, meaning everyone gets their preferred taste.

Community Design

The layout and distribution of Big Sky Ranch are precisely designed to ensure a conducive, amicable environment. Streets and other common areas have aesthetic features and sports interconnectivity and are integrated into the districts' plans.

Green Spaces and Landscaping

The community and surroundings have delicate greenery, fine trees, hedges, lawns, and other green chunks. Apart from being so beautiful, they provide those dwellings in those regions with many places to enjoy the outdoors.

Exclusive Amenities

Big Sky Ranch facilities aim to provide the residents with a rich experience and quality of life. These include:

Clubhouse: A community clubhouse can be used to organize functions within the community, such as parties, events, and even a meeting place.

Swimming Pool: A practical, well-maintained pool provides a source of exercise and relaxation for residents who require it or just for recreation. Fitness Center: Especially for conscious guests, the hotel has an equipped gym and fitness center to help the guests work out.

Pet-Friendly Park: A Haven for Pets and Families

Of course, as it is seen and well known, this community is a pet lover, and thus, another fantastic feature of the Big Sky Ranch is the pet park in the North of this community. 

This park is designed with both pets and families in mind, giving a range of amenities and highlights that make it a popular destination for residents. 

Looking at the current establishment of pet owners and families, this park has been designed to incorporate some of the following features that make this park a home to the residents:

Dog-Friendly Spaces

The park has territory where pets, especially dogs, can use excess energy. These are well-fenced, policed compounds that are always very clean to ensure the pets and their owners are comfortable exercising.

Ball Fields

The park is available to lovers of athletic activities. The residents have provided four ball fields for practice in baseball, soccer, and other essential team games. These fields are served by subsidiary facilities designed to promote the setting up of matches and friendly matches.

Children's Playground

This was prepared for children, and the parents who teach homeschool will also benefit from the new playground, which has been equipped with the best safety equipment. The playground has been designed to serve as a play zone for outdoor games for children.

Picnic Areas: In the same regard, for recreation, the park also has areas that can be used for picnics by families or other relatives. These are areas where tables and benches can be placed; hence, one may spend a day admiring the park's natural environment.

Walking Trails

If one decides to stretch and casually walk within the area, the park has walking pathways encompassed by some greenage. Such trails are unique in that you could be doing something as essential as exercise or just a walk and simultaneously 'offer scenery.'

Living in Big Sky Ranch: A Lifestyle of Comfort and Convenience

In Big Sky Ranch, homeowners are not just living in efficient homes, but they are living a life that is efficient and quiet in equal measure. Here's what you can expect from life in this community:

Community Atmosphere

Fun activities are always organized to start at one corner of the facility and stretch to the other end; this is the extent of the Big Sky Ranch's community well-being. The management ensures interpersonal contact, and one can be comfortable since it is like being among friends and relatives.

Access to Local Amenities

Several community attributes make access to society's basic needs straightforward and convenient. The facilities, dining, shopping, and leisure facilities in Simi Valley allow everyone to access whatever they need within their community.

Proximity to Outdoor Recreation

The Big Sky Ranch is close to forests, hills, and other natural attractions, so people who love jogging, cycling, or just taking nature walks can enjoy it. 

The area and vicinity offer many possibilities for hiking and enjoying nature since the field and surrounding the school are covered by hills and valleys.

Educational Opportunities

Families with kids can benefit from advantages such as good schools and educational facilities nearby. For this reason, the community of Gulf Spur carries a strong theme of family-oriented amenities, including access to quality education.

Transportation and Accessibility

Another advantage is that Big Sky Ranch is easily accessible, with connections to the most important means of transport, implying that commuting and travel will be easy. Besides, the community's layout boasts properly designed roads and walkways that enable convenient access to the community.

Conclusion

Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley is not just a housing unit; it is what can be termed a mixed-integrated city where people live in structured environs integrated with nature. This gated community offers sophisticated homes, several facilities, and family conveniences: the pet-allowed park with various recreational opportunities is one more strength of Big Sky Ranch.

From architectural beauty to active community culture and physical activity opportunities, nature has given Big Sky Ranch a lifestyle that meets numerous needs. It is a community where elegance, leisure, and accessibility are combined, providing perfect life satisfaction.

For those planning to relocate to Big Sky Ranch or to extend your knowledge regarding this prestigious development, you do not have to go further to seek more details. Check out the opportunities and find out how Big Sky Ranch can become your next home.

For an in-depth look, check out https://buyahomeinsimivalley.com/simi-valley-central/big-sky/ on our website.

Discover a master-planned community offering exceptional amenities, pet-friendly parks, and a vibrant lifestyle at Big Sky Ranch Simi Valley!

[brooklynislandgirl]

@onlydevilsleft {{from here because tumblr}}

She all but clutches the words to her chest, taking them in syllable by syllable, and seems almost relieved that Cara's physically fine even if her heart is breaking like she assumes all the others are. The loss of Lee affected so many but nothing could be worse than the lives shattered in his own family.

It's good that Kayce has finally come home, the same feeling she thinks the Rileys felt when Andy was discharged. She has offered her prayers up that Kayce didn't lose a limb like her own brother hand, but she also knows the process of returning to civilian life will be a long one. As for Kade, well. It isn't her place to say, but if the man needs any extra space and therapy, she does have her horse program. Maybe time away from the Duttons wouldn't hurt anyone. And then John is... John. Perhaps the less she says, the better.

"Yeah, I get it, believe me I do, and...I hate that it means so much of it has to fall on your shoulders..." And with so little reward for the hard work. She can only hope when he feels himself drowning that Jamie will reach out and hold onto her. Beth has always been a strong swimmer and she wouldn't let go for anything in the world. Without thinking about it and seeing the look on his face, she slips her fingers around his wrist even as he moves his hands. Which in turn has her bird-bone digits brushing the ridge of his hip.

Jamie hits a certain mark and it's visible in the way her doe eyes widen and colour starts to darken her cheeks, bringing out the faint sprinkle of freckles to the forefront. She clearly doesn't share his opinion but at the same time is touched that he'd say it aloud. She manages to swallow down the thickness in her throat. "I'd like t' go...anywhere...with you."

[drippingspringsrealtor]

Big Sky Ranch Dripping Springs Realtor. Discover Big Sky Ranch, a picturesque master-planned community in Dripping Springs, Texas! Nestled northeast of downtown, this charming community offers a blend of small-town allure and contemporary conveniences. Spanning 48 acres of parkland, Big Sky Ranch boasts a magnificent amenity center with a sparkling pool, a vibrant playground, and scenic trails connecting to Dripping Springs Founders Memorial Park, promising endless outdoor adventures.

Families of all sizes will appreciate the six stunning two-story bungalow floor plans offered by Heritage Collection, ranging from 1,637 to 2,325 square feet. These spacious homes provide ample room for comfortable living and entertaining.

Embrace the vibrant lifestyle of Dripping Springs, renowned for its award-winning schools, exceptional dining experiences, and diverse entertainment options. Big Sky Ranch neighborhood offers the perfect balance of tranquility and convenience, making it an ideal place to call home.

Experience the beauty and comfort of Big Sky Ranch, a community that truly embodies the Texas spirit!