Freedom Ranch

Chapter 5

Colt whistled as he walked back to the main side of the property. It wasn't even noon and the fence and the shelter were both taken care of. He saw Dakota in the corral with the Palomino. She was sitting on overturned bucket with her head down. The Palomino was eating some hay a few feet from her, watching her with gentle eyes as it munched on the dried stems. Dakota looked up as he approached. She stepped away from the bucket and to the fence line.

"Do we need to replace that shelter? I was afraid it was too run down to salvage."

"Nope. I fixed it."

Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Really?" she said in disbelief.

"Yep. You can come with me and look if you have a second."

Dakota didn't hesitate. She came out of the corral and walked next to Colt back to the east side of the property. 

He watched her push back her warm chestnut hair as she adjusted her hat. The warmth of her hair made her pale, pink skin glow. He smirked to himself as he looked at her cute freckles peppered across her skin. He never saw them that night he first met her. He had no doubt it was the amount of blood on her face. He clenched his hands into fists as he thought back on that night. He would have loved to give that big lug a piece of his mind. He was tempted that night. He shoved those memories out of his mind as they reached the shelter.

"I can reinforce this more with more wood. But, for now, it will be fine. As long as we have no blizzards, knock on wood," said Colt as he rapped his knuckles on the structure.

"You did an amazing job. I couldn't have done this. Not by myself," said Dakota as she wandered in the shelter. 

She reached up to push on different parts of the shelter, checking the reinforcements he had made. He watched her butt bounce in her tight boot cut jeans as she went from tip toes back to flat feet. He averted his eyes downward and shoved a shoulder the side of the structure to lean on. As cute as she might be, she was off limits. Not only that, but she was probably the one female that hasn't shown interest in him. He looked back up and almost groaned seeing her breasts pushing against the wood as she tilted back to check another beam. 

"Thank you so much, Colt. I never expected this shelter to be this secure without taking it down." 

"My pleasure," said Colt, wishing he bit back those words. Pleasure was the last word he should be saying in his state right now.

"Let me know if you want me to go to the store and get more supplies to reinforce it," said Colt.

"I might take you up on that offer tomorrow."

Colt smiled hoping that meant he had the job. Lord knows he needs it. Trying to adjust to life outside of the police force was harder than he imagined. But, it was better this way. He just needed structure and Dakota's lifestyle seemed to fit the bill so far. 

"How are you with home renovations?" asked Dakota.

"I know a thing or two."

"Let me show you some things to get your opinion."

Colt followed Dakota in the old ranch home. He could see it had been neglected for years with the vintage fixtures and flooring. 

"Did you just buy this place?" asked Colt.

"It was my father's. I didn't know about it until after I left Colin. It's been sitting empty for years."

"Your father left it to you and you didn't know?"

Dakota shrugged and replied, "My aunt never told me. She let it slip when she was infuriated that I left Colin."

Colt opened his mouth to ask more questions but decided against it. He couldn't imagine why a family member would be upset Dakota left a situation like that. Just looking at her face after that intense altercation should have been enough proof she didn't deserve any of that. If there was one thing he had learned dealing with people for so many years, there was always a stupid reason for their actions or reasoning. Her aunt sounded like one of those people. 

Dakota pointed out one thing after another that needed to be fixed in the house. Everything was manageable and would take time. And, time is something he had plenty of. The more work that needed to be done to keep him busy, the better.

"I can start one of these projects now if I have the right materials," said Colt as he followed Dakota to the back porch.

"The semi will be here any moment. But, afterward, I will get you set up on fixing the bathroom plumbing since you will be using that one."

"So I take it I have the job?"

"I'm hopefully optimistic," said Dakota with a smirk.

Colt heard a roaring diesel behind them. Dakota shoved her hat back on her head and motioned for him to follow her. The driver must have been here before since he pulled up to the barn before they made it inside.

"Afternoon, Ms. Taylor," called the young man as he jumped from the driver's seat.

"It's only you today?" asked Dakota.

"Yes ma'am. You are my only delivery for the afternoon so it will be just fine."

"Colt here will help you unload the hay. You know where to stack it," said Hazel pointing at the spot where a few bales laid to the left of them. 

"Nice to have some extra help," said the younger man.

"I'll leave you boys to it. I need to finish cleaning up for the afternoon."

Colt pulled himself on the flat bed and followed the hay driver's lead stacking the heavy square bales in the corner. 

"These are pretty big," commented Colt.

"Eighty pound bales of Mountain Timothy grass. Ms. Taylor only likes the best for her horses."

"I can definitely tell the difference. I'm used to coastal grass."

"Really? What part of the country are you from?"

"Texas."

"We have done a few deliveries down there. Definitely different from Colorado."

Colt nodded as he threw another bale to the end of the flatbed. He was relieved the young man didn't ask anymore questions about Texas. That is a subject he tried to avoid for many reasons.

"Ms. Taylor has always been by herself when we deliver. I've never seen anyone else on her ranch before."

Colt glanced at the young man seeing he was looking out through the barn doors at Dakota pushing a wheelbarrow to the side of the corrals. She dropped it next to the fence and took a quick look in the barn to see them working. She did a quick wave and returned to what she was doing. The driver turned around and grabbed a bale with a small smile playing on his lips. Colt held in a chuckle as he answered the young man's silent question, "She may be hiring me to help around the ranch."

"That's good to hear. She needs it. She doesn't complain but there are days when we deliver and she's moving slower. I assume it's from her service. That would explain why she's such a firecracker."

"Service?"

"She's a veteran. You didn't know that?"

Colt shook his head. That would explain a lot about her though. He threw the last bale and jumped off the truck. He wiped the sweat coming off his brow and double checked the stack in front of him.

"Looks perfect," said Dakota behind him. 

He turned around to see the driver stepping away from the stack to talk to Dakota privately. Colt shoved his hands in his pockets and watched him smooth talk Dakota like no one's business. There was no way this poor boy had a chance. He may be young, but he would bet money Dakota had more life experience than him. And, she knew that. He could tell on her face she was being polite but wasn't swooned at all by this little boy's attempt. Colt had an urge to show the kid how it's really done. But, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time today that she was off limits. 

"I'll see you soon," said the driver as he climbed back in the truck. 

Dakota waved at him and walked over to Colt. 

"What in the world was that?" she whispered as the diesel roared next to them.

"What do you mean?" asked Colt as he looked down at her, noticing her sea green eyes were swirling with mischief. 

"I've known that boy as long as I've lived here. Today he came on to me hardcore. I know you must have seen that the way you were looking at him."

Colt shrugged not willing to answer that last statement and replied, "I noticed earlier he might have had a thing for you."

"Ugh," she groaned putting a hand to her face.

Colt chuckled, unable to hold it back any longer. 

"It's not funny. I don't need a boy running after me. Especially not my hay guy. He's nice but too young. I say that even though he's probably close to my age," said Dakota as she fiddled with her hat she had taken off in frustration.

"That kid? There's no way he's close to your age," said Colt.

Dakota's eyes shot up to meet his. He could see the fire behind them smoldering wickedly. 

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"Darlin', I'm not talking about your age. I'm saying he is young. Young and dumb as nice as he may be."

She nodded in agreement. Colt couldn't help but think about what that driver said about Dakota being a firecracker. Her eyes cooled after that brief moment of unbridled temper. She sat down on the hay bale next to her as she continued to twirl her hat in her fingers.

"If it really bothers you, I can take care of hay deliveries from now on. He can flirt with you on the phone but he will see me when he shows up to drop the hay off," said Colt with a smile.

Dakota shook her head as a smile played on her lips. "Colt Ramirez, I think you have a job. I need to keep my hay guy without hurting his feelings so that sounds like a good trade off."

"Hot damn! Thank you, ma'am. I won't disappoint you."

"Speaking of which, we need to go over some ground rules since you will be living here."

Colt forced the smile to stay on his lips even though he could feel himself wanting to groan. Rules to follow on his off time was something he didn't never did well. He watched Dakota's face grow serious and cold as stone.

"No girls. I don't care if Ms. Cowgirl is getting serious by your second date, I don't want women in my house."

"I don't get serious with anyone. And, I rather go to their place in town than drive all the way over here."

Colt watched Dakota's face flicker with surprise before continuing her list.

"No excessive drinking. I don't want to deal with drunkenness every day or every other day."

"I don't drink that much," replied Colt.

"If you are going to have company over, I need a heads up. I'm not going to sugar coat the reason but I don't want to shoot any of your guests."

"I'm the same way so that is just fine."

Dakota pondered for a second before asking, "Do you think you could live with those three rules?"

"They aren't the worst so yes."

"Good," said Dakota as she stood up, with an outstretched hand.

Colt took her firm grip appreciating the strength of her grip. 

"Welcome to the Freedom Horse Ranch, Mr. Ramirez."