To Tame her Heart

Rocky first meeting

Xander woke bright and early he knew the guests were coming and he had lots of preparations to make on top of his normal workload. He dressed quickly and ate just a fast. By mid day he had fed all the live stock, Fixed three broken fence poles and went to town to shop for the incoming guests.  He and Jake had taken lunch out by there favorite spot by one of the many lakes . It was thought that long ago this whole ranch had been underwater. Xander hoped that it was just a rumor. He loved the water but he wasn't really a good swimmer. His parents had never really got around to showing him how. 

Just as they were heading down to the main house to change clothes they heard tires bumping along the main road that lead to the ranch entrance. There guests were a little early.   When this camo truck approached the house all Xander could think was " great spoiled kids."  But then they truck stopped and out piled the strangest assortment of kids Xander and Jake ever saw. There was a jock, a cheerleader, a punk girl a nerdy guy and two others they really couldn't seem to fit in the group. The last girl caught Xanders eye. She was breathtakingly beautiful but she definitely wasn't aware just how beautiful she was. She had flaming red hair with copper highlights and eyes that seemed to change with her mood.. Jake quickly made a point to introduce us. " Hi and welcome to Rosemont Ranch , my name is Jake owner and operator and jack of all trades here at the ranch. This here is Xander my number two in charge and day to day operations manager. He will be your tour guide for the weekend. If you need anything just ask Xander or myself. "He kinda seemed like a goofball if you didn't know him. The kid were all like deer in the headlights all lost and looking around. 

Before the day was over things would get off to a rocky start.....

ZOES POV

We had just stepped out the car to some of the most breathtaking views I had seen in a long time when it was interupted by the ranch owner and his manager. The guy called Xander was to show us around for the weekend. There was just something about him that I didn't like. It was a vibe I got . He wasn't bad looking. Oh God no. Just the opposite he was the hottest guy I had ever seen. But he was a rancher. He liked nature probably as much as me but something told me he wouldn't do well with my secrets and I immediately told myself I wasn't going to like him. 

When he came up to introduce himself with out Jake the ranch owner  I froze. I wanted to ice him out but he was soooo hot . "Hi my name is Xander what's yours?" He asked a perfectly normal question and yet my response totally shut him down.  I turned and walked back towards my group of friends . Totally leaving his jaw on the floor. While I was walking away I asked myself why I did that. No answer came readily to mind. It's not like I had a boyfriend or any other love interest to speak of. And it's not like Xander had even ment anything other than hi. Or did he? 

Xander POV 

I swear that girl has an issue with me and all I said was "Hi." She was going to be trouble for sure. All the kids wanted to see there cabin so I took them to the golf carts we used to get around for the tourist and had them pile in two and fallow me. Though I still much rather preferred my horse. We finally we're ready and sped off , as we approached the main guest house I could hear them all talking behind me. They were commenting on the land and the color of the hosue. One of the ladies made a loud pouty sound because her cell phone didn't have service. I was betting it was the tall leggy blonde that told me her name  was Nikki, if I had to guess by looking at her cheerleader came to mind. Girls like her didn't last long out here , they couldn't handle real nature. 

When we came to a stop and everyone piled out we walked up to the house . I pulled out the keys and handed them to a kid named Drake , by the looks of it he was elected unofficial leader of this gaggle of misfits. We all stepped inside and there were oohs and ahhs from the girls and the guys did there own share of commenting about the layout and amenities.  

I gave them a run down of the weekends plans and left them to their own devices for a while. Leaving them I want straight to the stables. My mind began to wonder. I was sure the girl earlier didnt like me but I don't know why. She didn't even take the time to get to know me and I didn't even know her name but she seemed to get under my skin. No one was able to do that. Not since my family died.  I kept myself gaurded from everyone but Jake and his family. They had been so kind and taken me in after the accident. Jake and I had been like brother's when we were little, and I had spent a lot of nights having sleepovers on the Ranch. Jake was a little older then my 19 years but he never treated me like a kid, always like family. So it just felt right when they had asked me to stay . I loved the ranch and loved the life of a cowboy. Early to bed and awake just as early . Days spent tending to the animals and the land felt so gratifying when it showed you all the beautiful things that the day brought. It made me wonder why people could take places like this for granted . I couldn't see myself being anywhere else. Why anyone would want to not be here was beyond me. Maybe I would have to find out her name and her deal before the next time I spoke to her.