Page 1 of Rancher's Strength

Prologue

RYDER

Blinking slowly, I scanned the monitors, watching to ensure nobody had strayed onto the property during the night. One entire wall of my office was set up with screens connected to cameras all over the ranch. I watched the feed every morning and night to make sure no one was wandering around. Along with my other duties around the ranch, this made for very little sleep. I long for the days when life around this place will be simple.

Since Griff’s accident, we’ve been monitoring the perimeter of the ranch like hawks. Rather, I was watching it like a hawk. With the setup at my place, everything was just easier, and during my sleepless nights, I wasn’t staring at the ceiling—instead, I was making sure our home was safe.

I didn’t miss all the chaos from being a part of the security team. Nash and Griff could walk back into that life in an instant, and I suspect Kipp and Linc could as well, but I longed for peace. Spending those years mainly behind a computer screen kept me out of the rougher aspects of our job. Even though I could perform with as much precision and accuracy as the other four, I was happy to retire.

All this nonsense with Desmond Tucker unnerved me. There had to be a way to beat him without resorting to our old ways.

Reaching for my coffee cup, I leaned back in my chair too hard, causing it to balance on two legs. My body flailed in response. Scalding coffee landed in my lap, and as if I had an eject button under me, I leapt off the chair, quickly undid my jeans, and stepped out of them. My underwear was next because there was nothing worse than cold, soaking-wet boxer briefs. Well, I suppose a burned cock would be worse. Thankfully, my jeans absorbed most of the heat.

“Hey, how do things look?” I heard Linc’s voice calling from down the hallway.

“Fine, hey, give me a…”

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I looked up as my business partner and friend walked into my office. Grabbing my chair, I yanked it in front of me like a shield.

“Spilled my coffee,” I grumbled as I looked at the mess all over the floor.

“Well, that’s better than what I thought you were doing.”

“Fuck off,” I huffed at him. “Get out of my house. Nobody was in here last night, assuming that’s why you came barging in .”

“Okay, good to know. Are you heading to town today?”

“Yeah, I’m going now.” This guy was so annoying. Did he really think I wanted to have a conversation when my cock and ass were as bare as the day I came into this world? But he didn’t move; he just crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.

“Swing by Kristin’s place. She’s not returning my calls.”

“What’d you do now?” I asked as I shuffled toward the door, keeping the chair in front of me.

“Nothing. Why do you always assume it’s my fault?”

“Because it usually is.” Abandoning the chair, I didn’t care if he saw my ass, he could close his eyes or get the hell out of my house.

“I asked her not to ride this season.” His voice wasn’t as confident as it normally was, and I shook my head. What a dumb thing to do. She was focused on her riding, and anyone could see she wasn’t about to give that up. Not even for him. She was so close to a championship buckle, and she craved it. Her final ride in Vegas a few years ago had been a disaster, and she’d dropped to third in the world. Kristin was determined to get back on top, and Linc couldn’t stand in her way. “You’re an idiot,” I replied as I walked back down the hallway, putting on a new pair of jeans.

“Funny, that’s what she said.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Is it so wrong that I want to see her more than a few times a month?”he asked as I shoved my chair back into my office on my way to the kitchen.

“No, it’s not, but this is her life. You knew this was her career when you met her.” Kristin was young, and I knew she didn’t have any plans to settle down yet. Linc was in a different headspace, ready for a wife and family. I’d been ready for a wife and family once, but in the end, here I was, divorced without a family of my own — that is not true — the four men who’d become brothers to me over the years were my family.

Linc shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

Grabbing two mugs from the cupboard, I poured coffee into each one, handing one to Linc. “Her competing isn’t about the money. She has her own money. It’s about the thrill, the buckle, and at the end of the day, holding the title of world champion.” Pulling out a chair, I took a seat at my dining room table.

“I know,” Linc sighed as he took a seat across from me. “Heard they had to take Aaron Paulson to the home last week.”

“Deflecting to my ex-wife’s family is weak.” The hot liquid burned as I took too big of a gulp. “But yeah, Helen couldn’t keep Aaron at home anymore. She’s moving to Everton so she can be closer to him.”

“How long have you been keeping tabs on your ex-in-laws? And I’m the one that needs advice?” He arched his brow, and I regretted waking up this morning. It wasn’t that I kept tabs on them, but it was a small town, so I’d run into Helen occasionally. When I found out Aaron’s health was declining, I checked in a little more often. Just because their daughter didn’t want me didn’t mean I hated them. And in all honesty, they were the only parents I’d ever had. They treated me like a son, and I didn’t know how to switch that off.

“Think Lexie will come home?” He set his cup on the table, and I watched him smirk at me. I’m sure Linc was expecting me to launch myself over the table and beat the shit out of him because that’s what I usually did when people brought up my ex-wife, but I didn’t move.

“Don’t know. Strange thing about an ex-wife is she doesn’t keep me updated on her comings and goings anymore. And I don’t care what she does.” I wrapped my hand around my mug so tightly I was surprised it didn’t shatter.

“That’s why you still have a picture of her by your bed, then?” His smirk made my blood boil, and I saw red.

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