Freedom Ranch

Chapter 4

Dakota watched patiently as the new horse paced against the other side of the fence. The Palomino was brought over by the owners for her to "fix". She hated dealing with people and usually didn't take in privately owned horses. But, they were on the verge of tears and practically throwing cash at her. Which reminded her she needed to put this cash away before she lost it or forgot she had it on her. 

She walked back in the house and opened the wooden dresser drawer in her bedroom. She shoved the cash in and slammed it closed. She looked up, her eyes glancing at the business card stuck in between the wood and the mirror. She picked it up briefly and glanced at it. It was Officer Ramirez's card she kept close by. She doubted she would ever call him being one state over even if Colin somehow found her, but it was a safety net. She couldn't depend on anyone else including her own flesh and blood. 

She put the card back on the mirror and returned outside to see the Palomino was still pacing. The horse was insecure and the owner's gave her a list of problems this horse had. Dakota gave them the same spiel she gave everyone:

It's never the horse that's the problem. It's the people, no disrespect intended. The training will not work if you can't communicate with your horse. I'll work with the horse but you need to take horsemanship classes and understand how to continue with the training I have done. 

As much as she hated people, she knew horse training was a rehabilitation for both the horse and the human. She just didn't handle the human side. She left that to someone else and provided references. That is why she preferred dealing with the rescue that dropped off horses to her to rehabilitate. She could talk to a horse all day and come to an agreement. With a horse owner, it was like pulling teeth to make one small change.

The horse in front of her was a beautiful creature. Its golden hair glowed under the sun. Its nostrils flared with worry and puffed clouds of mist in the cool air. It was a bit underweight but she intended that it would be a fine specimen when it left her ranch and ensure that the owners would continue with the proper care the horse needed. 

She watched as the horse's brown eye moved wide behind her. Dakota could hear someone walking up the dirt path to the paddock. She turned to see a familiar cowboy hat she just saw the night before. It was mysterious Colt. Her heart slammed in her chest from the unexpected surprise. She could see with Colt's hesitated step he wasn't expecting to run into her either.

"I'm looking for Dakota," said Colt as he stopped a few feet from her.

"You're looking at her."

Dakota could now see the mysterious man's face with the sun blazing above them. His gray eyes widened with her response and his dark eyebrows shot up in confusion. 

"I apologize. I assumed it would be —"

Dakota finished his sentence, "A man?"

"Well, no offense intended ma'am. I was told you needed a hand around the ranch and wanted to offer room and board as part of the payment. I wasn't expecting a female to be offering that."

She looked him up and down. He looked like a cowboy but many men did as a fashion statement. She would have to see if he could even fix a fence let alone willing to get his hands dirty. Looking at his dusty straight cut jeans over his worn work boots, it seemed that he was ready to work. She didn't question if he could lift some weight. The plaid long sleeved shirt stretched out over his broad chest and shoulders said enough there. 

She studied his face for a brief moment thinking he looked more familiar than she originally thought. She looked at his eyes and couldn't place them. And, she would surely remember eyes that looked like autumn leaves surrounded by fog. Better yet, they reminded her of burnt wood smoking after a wildfire. Either way, they were eyes she had never seen before.

"I'm sorry, I never introduced myself. The name is Colt. Colt Ramirez."

Dakota took his firm handshake, his large hand swallowing hers that were anything but dainty, and replied, "I'm Dakota Taylor. Nice to meet you Mr. Ramirez."

She paused for a moment as she stared at his face and processed what she just heard. The bronze skin. The strong jawline. 

"Wait, Ramirez?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I know this is going to sound crazy but are you anyway related to an Officer Ramirez in Texas?"

Colt's eyes widened in response. "That's me. How did you know?"

Dakota felt her mouth droop open and her heart started to pound faster. She felt like she was in the twilight zone. What in the world was a small town Texas cop doing in Colorado? Let alone outfitted in cowboy gear? 

"Officer Ramirez, you responded to a domestic violence call a few months ago. Between me and my husband."

She could see Colt's eyes flash with realization. His serious face turned into concern in a blink of an eye.

"I remember you now. I kept thinking I knew you from somewhere last night. How are you doing?"

"Good. Divorced. Working hard. I never thought I would run into you."

"Well, you're not the only one," said Colt with a smile. 

Dakota felt her lips twitch into a small smile as she looked at his porcelain white teeth against tan skin. Why was his smile so infectious? She gathered her thoughts trying to remember the task on hand. She wanted to ask him more questions, her curiosity was piqued why he was in Colorado, but that would have to wait.

"Tell me, what experience do you have on a ranch?"

Colt rattled off an enormous list. She found herself impressed which didn't happen too often. The cop was an actual cowboy. The wind gusted from the north west pushing that same scent she smelled at the bar to her. Masculine musk that heightened her senses. She ignored her body's reaction in a split second and focused her mind on questions that needed to be answered.

"Before I ask you to prove yourself, what are you looking for exactly?" asked Dakota.

"A place to live and food."

"That's it?"

"That's all I need."

Dakota raised her eyebrow and replied, "I'm sure you need some money too. You do go to the bar often from what I hear."

Colin shrugged. "I was more worried about a roof over my head than anything. I've struggled with work and my savings has run out."

Dakota wanted to question him on why finding work has been difficult for an ex-cop. Let alone keeping one. But, she kept her mouth shut. She was the last one to ask questions about that with her work record. 

"If you work for me today and prove yourself, I'll offer you the position. Room, food, and extra cash included. We can go over the specifics now if you like?"

"I'm ready to work. What do you need done today?"

Dakota was more than impressed. She was getting excited. It was hard to find a decent worker. 

"I need a fence fixed on the south side of the property, hay is being delivered this afternoon that needs to be stacked in the barn, and a shelter on the east side of the property needs to be reinforced. I haven't fully evaluated it so I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing needed to be torn down and a new one built. Just let me know what you think on that. Is any of that too much for you?"

"Piece of cake, Ms. Taylor."

"Call me Dakota."

"Only if you call me Colt," he said as he beamed.

Dakota smirked and nodded in understanding. She watched Colt retreat to his truck to grab his tools. She returned to the Palomino who had now finally calmed down, looking at her curiously.

"We are going to be friends. Promise," whispered Dakota to the horse as she stepped in the corral.