Reckless Rogue 2 by Wizzy

Reckless Rogue
Part 2

by Wizzy

DISCLAIMERS: See Part 1

All feedback can be addressed to wizzy44tc@yahoo.com.

Part 2

The barn lights were on as they pulled into the ranch.

The dog sat up sniffing the cool night air. A low growl came from her throat. They were home.

"Umm…Ma'am you should be sittin’ up ‘bout now. We’re at the ranch.” Terri gently shook Taylor’s shoulder. When she got no response she gently shook Taylor’s shoulder again. ”Hey sleepy head, come on, we’re here,” she growled into a tiny ear.

“NO…lemme sleep,” Taylor whined as shivers ran throughout her body from the warm breath in her ear.

Terri shoved her a little harder. ”You are SO not sleeping in my truck tonight. Besides Tamara is on her way down here, so GET UP!” Terri jumped out of the truck and headed to her tiny cabin with the dog trotting beside her.

Tamara came out to greet them as they passed the main house. She grinned at her guest and said, “It’s so good to see you again T!!"

The tall redhead pulled her best friend close. She had such a pleasant face that most people wouldn’t guess she ran one of the most lucrative ranches in the state with the fortitude of a shrewd woman.

Taylor hugged her friend tight, ” Feels good to be home, Tamm. I have just got to say thank you for sending the brat.” She grinned at Tamara.

"Thought you might get a kick out of her. Did she say more than four words? And not all swearing I hope?" Tamara's hazel eyes lit up with laughter.

"No swearing but only four words were spoken the whole trip. Not an easy one, is she?"

"No, come on, let’s get you settled in an’ we'll talk over coffee in the morning."

*****

Terri changed her clothes and headed back to the barn. She knew she wouldn’t sleep; those emerald eyes would haunt her dreams. She started to unload the trailer carrying in feed sack after feed sack. It felt good to stretch her sore muscles.

It was well after 2am and Terri knew she was almost finished. She felt someone watching her so she looked at the main house but it was black. Still she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The winter winds had died down for the night; her breath came in even steady puffs of cool steam. Taking a break she lit up a smoke. Inhaling deeply, she could make out Taylor’s form standing in the door of the dark cottage. Terri quickly turned and stomped out the cigarette and headed back into the barn.

***************************

Terri woke at 4am before the sun was even up. She hadn’t slept more than an hour or so. Her head hurt and she needed coffee, lots of it. Dressing quickly she headed back to the barn. Her knee hurt from yesterday’s work on one of the new fillies she was breaking and the long ride to the airport hadn’t helped much either. But she knew after a cup of java she’d be back in the saddle before the sun came fully awake.

After making coffee, she fed and watered the horses milling around in their stalls in the barn. A quick refill of coffee so thick the walls could be painted with it and she was set. Terri led the filly out to the corral, tied her to the hitching post, and curried her down. She saddled her and climbed into the saddle. The filly cow hopped a few times then reared up in the air. The dirt flew from under the small delicate hooves as the filly twisted and turned, trying to dump Terri to the ground. She ran into the railing of the corral. Terri bit down on her cheek as she felt her knee slammed against it again.

The hired help stood around watching Terri ride the filly to near exhaustion. It was a masterful piece of work to watch this former pro rodeo rider in action.

*****

Taylor could hear the yelling and clapping as she lay in bed. Pulling the curtains open a few inches to see what the noise was all about, she watched the filly run Terri into the rails, and cringed. She fell back onto the bed knowing she needed to get up. She was meeting Tamara for breakfast but her mind was filled with images of those ice blue eyes.

Tamara poured coffee for herself and a glass of juice for Taylor. “So how long you are planning to stay this time?" She could see Terri working the filly in the corral. "T?? HEY T??"

Taylor jumped at Tamara’s voice. "Huh? Sorry, lost in thought. What did you say?” She grinned at Tamara.

"Don’t be getting any ideas, Terri is untouchable. A lost cause. Now back to my question...how long are you staying?"

"Oh, I have two months to decide what I’m going to do. I sold my practice to a nice young man and his wife. I may open one here depending on a few things, but I may do some traveling first. Who knows from there, I haven’t made any set plans as of yet.” Taylor grinned at her best friend of the last 15 years. “How are things here with your ranch?"

"Even better now that I hired Terri. It’s taken about six months to get things settled down an’ running smoothly. She’s pulled this ranch into a better place than it was before the fire.” She sighed.

The range fire had about destroyed her livelihood. It had taken them the last two years to rebuild some of the outer barns and storage sheds.

"It’s been hard, but Terri knows what she’s doing. Hard to handle her at times but she knows her job." Tamara smiled and stopped herself as she watched Taylor staring back out the window at Terri’s wild riding in the corral.

“I’m planning on making my rounds in a half hour care to join me?" she asked while poking Taylor.

"I’d love it, Tamm. I’ll meet you by the barn?” She picked up her juice and walked over to her cottage to change into some riding clothes.

Continued in Part 3

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