CHAPTER 6
The fifteen, or so, minute drive up the ridge to Pinecrest appeared to be anything but comfortable for Guy. Aside from the awkward silence, and even more awkward circumstance, he was clearly in pain, despite a semi-reclined seat and Morgan’s slow and easy driving. Around the last bend, at the highest point of the west side of the ridge, a low whistle broke the silence when the picture worthy view of the valley below came into sight.
“Look at that view!” he said in a loving tone, full of awe.
The ridge boasted the most breathtaking views of McKenzie; hence Guy’s near whispered reaction. The sun was low, disappearing behind the mountains on the west side of McKenzie Ridge that created the small valley it rested in. The low amber rays stretched across the trees, reaching for the eastern ridge the couple was on; as if they were holding on in protest, not ready to set for the night.
“It is something, isn’t it? She said full of pride. “Wait until we reach the top, Pinecrest has an even better view.”
“Better? I can’t even imagine.”
“The sunset is just the beginning. The night sky here is something else.” She left it at that, not interested in spoiling the surprise. If the sunset had his attention, he was in for a treat with what was coming.
Rounding the last bend, they reached the top of the ridge, following the road to the right. It lead them to a large open gate with two large rock columns on either side that anchored the tall craftsman style posts, which held a large wood sign. Large stained letters were carved into the wood plaque, Pinecrest Ranch,
it said.
They followed the tree lined drive until it opened to a spectacular scene. A large ranch home centered the view, blanketed with various gardens on either side. Numerous barns and out buildings lined the outskirts, disappearing in the distance, they went so deep into the property. Sprinkled amongst the various structures were small cabin like houses as far as the eye could see and a large gazebo heading the group - bunk houses and the Dude Ranch outdoor eating area.
As the trees dwindled, the lodge pole pine fencing began, holding a herd of Alpacas within its pasture confines. As the house came into closer view, the livestock changed to buffalo, and then horse stables.
“You live here?” Guy questioned, pleasantly surprised by the beauty of Pinecrest.
“Yep, sure do!”
“You have Llama’s…and buffalo!” His eyes were wide, and his jaw gaping in awe.
“Well, they’re actually Alpacas, not Llamas. Their warm soft wool goes a long way out here. Huge tourist favorite,” she prided.
“I bet! This place…it’s enormous! How do you do this and…that?” He gestured to her uniform, indicating that
as being a Police Officer as well as a Rancher.
“Pinecrest has been in my family for many generations,” she began. “It wasn’t my dream – this
was my dream.” She chuckled as she tugged at her badge. “My father had to move to a warmer climate for his health, so – this became my other
job!”
“I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be. Dunny runs the place – I just oversee it all,” she admitted. “Speak of the devil.”
As they rounded the drive, parking at the front steps to the large wrap around porch, Duncan Haines, ranch foreman, was leaning against the railing post. Waiting. He was tall and had the kind of broad shoulders you couldn’t get from the gym, but only a hard day’s work. Dunny had rough weathered edges that screamed sexy cowboy as much as they branded him a rugged badass.
He flexed his rolling muscles underneath his too tight cotton t-shirt as he clenched his fists, right along with his jaw, and narrowed his eyes, pegging an unimpressed, and likely pissed off, glare on their temporary guest.
“Welcoming committee?” Guy chuckled. “His biceps are bigger than my head.”
“Oh, he’s just showing off a little, he’s a nice guy – you’ll like him. Everybody does.”
Guy laughed as he turned back to Dunny, offering a friendly nod and smile, adding, “He doesn’t look happy to see me.”
“He’s just a little protective. He’s lived on this ranch his whole life. He’ll settle down when he gets to know ya.”
Dunny returned the nod with a puffed out chest and furrowed his brow rather than return a friendly smile. “Yeah, seems friendly, alright,” sarcasm falling off his words.
Getting Guy out to the Jeep was easier than getting him in it, but moving up the handful of steps, from the drive to the porch, was an entirely new challenge.
“Need some help there, Morgie?” Dunny asked Morgan, rather than Guy, setting the tone for how this was going to play out. A pissing contest.
“Oh, I think we can manage, Dunny,” she sharply replied. Accepting his help, while playing alpha asshole, was as smart as kissing an angry cobra.
“Gooood.” Dunny’s drawn out response and cocky grin said it all. He didn’t like Guy, and he certainly didn’t like him being there.
Having one arm around Morgan’s shoulders, bracing him, as he made his way up the steps with the railing on the other side, was enough to get another of those threatening glares from Dunny. Even if bracing himself against Morgan was as innocent as could be.
“Say, I had cabin one freshened up for…our guest.” Dunny hesitated at the word guest
, further cementing his dislike, while chewing and swirling a piece of straw around in his mouth.
“That’s not necessary; he’ll stay in the guest
room here in the main house where I can keep an eye on him, Doc’s orders.” Morgan eyed Dunny, emphasizing guest, and sending a clear warning.
“All the Pinecrest guests stay in the cabins – I’ll be nearby – I can check in on our guest
.”
Guy and Morgan reached the top of the porch stairs, Guy clearly over exerted by the activity that must’ve left his ribs and bad leg in painful fits, his sweat drenched brow giving him away.
“Guy will be staying here,” she spat, aiming a hand at the front door of her house, “as my
guest. End of discussion.”
Dunny stood tall at his full six foot three inch height, ready for rebuttal, but Morgan beat him to it. “Oh, and Dunny? I appreciate the concern, but I sleep with this.” Her hand landed on her Police issued fire arm attached to her hip, “and have a set of these if needed.” She patted at the handcuffs secured to her belt just behind her weapon before landing a sweet kiss on Dunny’s cheek.
She appreciated his desire to protect her, but had little tolerance for the delicate female coddling coming her way. She was raised on a ranch, capable of any hard labor task required, and she was a well-trained cop. Being an only child and a girl in a man’s world, on the ranch and the force, engrained hardcore attitude, intense work ethic, and diehard skills. Morgan Jameson may wear lip-gloss from time to time, but she was also a real bruiser, capable of whoopin’ ass and taking names. She didn’t mind getting her hands dirty at all.
Pinecrest was full of beautiful natural rustic charm that was found in the main house as well as around the property. A large entry, lit by a wrought iron chandelier adorned with a rack of antlers, hung from the twenty-foot vaulted ceiling between the dark wood beams that stretched from one side of the space to the other. The wide-open floorplan boasted a straight shot view of the large chef’s kitchen that sat at the back of the house and large glass French doors that provided an impressive view of the property beyond.
A floor to ceiling river rock fireplace was the focal point of the sitting room to the left that also appeared to be a library given the enormous bookshelves that covered each wall with more books than he could remember seeing in one place, which wasn’t saying much at the moment. To his right, a large television hung from the wood plank wall, facing a group of oversized couches – a family room – with another fireplace with a roaring fire just below the T.V. Earthy tones and natural elements combined with a native American pallet of design and patterns made for a warm and inviting space with a comfortable appeal that was completely Morgan.
Guy followed Morgan’s lead to the back of the house where she stopped dead center, “This is obviously the kitchen.” Her arms were wide, panning the space they were in before pointing to her left to a room with glass doors that matched those that traced the back of the house. “That is my office in there. The hallway just beyond that leads to the master bedroom, well, my bedroom. Your bedroom is that direction too.”
She motioned for him to follow her down the hallway, and he did. Windows lined the long hall that overlooked the awe-inspiring landscape of the property. A large bay window that doubled as a sitting area held the best view yet – a horse pasture with a gorgeous still snowcapped mountain backdrop. Its sheer size made it seem anything but real – but it was.
Guy was brought back to the conversation, somewhere mid-sentence, when he heard where he would be staying.
“Issss, that okay?” she asked timidly, “I can set up a room on the other side of the house. It’s just it’d be easier to keep an eye on you if you were in the next room over.”
Looking to the room she was pointing at, Guy quickly pieced together what he had missed. A room right next to hers. “Oh, uh, no, that’s fine! Look, I really appreciate what you’re doing. I, uh, wish there was a way I could…”
“Stop. No thanks needed, I have plenty of room, and…” she didn’t know what came next. What came after the and
? And
she didn’t want him to leave? And
she felt an odd connection to him that she didn’t understand? And
she felt responsible for him since he was found on her property? And
letting him go elsewhere could mean never finding out who he is and what she was so drawn to?
Looking side to side, she searched as if the words she needed were dancing around her. A certain draw to this man was in full effect, why, she didn’t know. She had only met him days before. Truth was, she’d only met, Guy – she hadn’t met who he really was because he didn’t even know who that was. But, this stranger had her intrigued, leaving her desperate to figure out all of the ands
.
“Besides, it gets lonely in this big house. It will be nice to have some company.” Her honest words were out before she thought them through. Something about this guy got her talking.
“I will earn my keep, I assure you of that. I may not know who I am, entirely, but I’m confident that I’d never take advantage someone’s kindness.” He gave her a sweet and vulnerable smile that left a twinkle in his eye. From deep within her gut, Morgan’s intuition lead her to believe he was not only sincere, but genuine.
“Well…we can work all that out later. You should get some rest. There are fresh linens and towels in your bathroom. Let me know if you need…anything.” Her last thought lingered on a single word like it was a loaded weapon. Anything
left things wide open. She wasn’t sure why her mind drifted to such a sultry place of desire, becoming her sudden definition of anything
.
On a roll, a little more embarrassment was slated for Morgan when she said, “I also left a pair of my dad’s sweatpants he left behind, on your bed. I wasn’t sure if you wore anything, err…what…you wore…to bed.”
It wasn’t like her to be so brash – so forward. It wasn’t even her intention – it just fell from her lips like a loaded subliminal message. Her only hope was that he didn’t mistake her character for something it wasn’t because she couldn’t seem to get a grip on the behavior he provoked.
“Thanks, Morgan. Have a good night.” Warm eyes and a gentle smile washed over her, but it was the hand on her shoulder, sliding down her arm that send a sensual tingle to her core, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
Leaning against the wall with her head back, while his door closed behind her, she let out a breathy sigh, and whispered, “Get it together, Jameson.”