After the discovery from yesterday, Emily felt a urge of determination to fight back. Ready to face the challenges of the ranch and uncover the secrets of her family's past.
She returned to August ranch, after so much findings,clean ups and arrangement in her ranch. She was so exhausted. Her face was covered with sweat.
She quickly made breakfast, And sat at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee and trying to avoid eye contact with August. The room was filled with silence as they both remained quiet.
Just as the silence became unbearable, a feisty voice cut through the room. "Well, well, well. Looks like someone's got a lot to learn about ranching!" Emily's eyes met those of a petite, curly-haired woman, who was standing in the doorway with a mischievous grin.
"Meet Jesse, the Ranch Hand August introduced, a long-time ranch hand and friend of the family. Jesse's eyes sparkled with amusement as she took in Emily's city-girl attire."
"We've got a lot of work to do, Emily. And not just on the ranch." A Family Feud,if I'm not mistaken
As they sat down to breakfast, Emily noticed a younger man, brooding in the corner.
"Emily meet my younger brother Jake."August introduced pointing towards his direction.
"You're not going to last a week here, city girl," Jake sneered. Feeling irritated by her presence.
"Hey, don't you think that's a very unruly way to talk to someone for the first time". August spoke his voice stern.
"I'm sorry, but to where are you trying to drive me to? Cause this is my ranch". Emily cut in.
Jake's eyes narrowed, his jaw dropped in annoyance. "We'll see about that, city girl. I bet you can't even ride a horse."
" That's unbelievable." Her voice hilarious.
"And who told you that is only those that doesn't ride a horse is driven away from his inheritance. Ugh?
As Emily and Jake faced off, August and Jesse exchanged a knowing glance.
"Jake, that's enough," August said, his voice firm but gentle. "Emily, since you are done with your coffee,why don't you come with me and we'll get started on the basics of the ranch.?"
As they walked towards the barn, August began to tutor Emily on everything about ranching.
But Emily couldn't shake off the feelings of what happened inside and that Jake was watching her every move.
"Hey Emily are you thinking of what happened inside my ranch?". August cut Emily off guard as if he read her mind.
"No..no, just that everything you teaching me is too toxic and I can't comprehend it." Emily lied trying to put her voice in the right track.
" Oh so sorry,I didn't care to know if you are flowing in the same understanding as mine, my apologies."
Okay that's fine,so you were saying something about Jake earlier." Emily asked her voice trying not to sound inquisitive.
"Yess and as for Jake don't let him get to you. He would do anything to you. His just trying to get to know you."
"Know me?"Emily's tone filled in amusement. " He just spoke to me like he had known me for five years now."
August let out a loud laugh." No Jake is actually a nice person." August spoke patting her shoulders clearing the laughter that threatened to rise up in his throat.
"It doesn't seem that way to me. Even if Jake is kind as you say. I won't agree with you that his more kind-hearted than you are."
"Waw!! A girl just complimented me, I'm blushing already, well just stop the flattering and let's focus okay?". August spoke acting to be serious.
" I'm not flatter....."
Emily couldn't complete her statements before August interrupted.
"Work.. work..work". He echoed.
"Fine let's continue with the teachings." Emily spoke sounding defeated.
They walked to and fro the ranch,As Emily worked alongside August, she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. And the way his dimple sets are been revealed when he smile.
Emily felt a flutter in her chest as August's hand brushed against hers. It was a brief touch, but it caused a reaction on her body.
August showed Emily the ropes, teaching her how to fix a fence and birth a calf. His patience and kindness were endearing, and Emily found herself falling for the rugged rancher.
As the sun set over the ranch. Emily and August spotted Juan and four other workers coming towards them.
"Sire." Juan said with a slight bow. " We are done for today sire."
"That's nice to hear,you can go home now. But when you return tomorrow put in a staff opportunity on the last pole,so we can get Emily a worker". August replied
" Okay sire, have a nice girl". They bow again before leaving.
"You want to get me a worker already? You barely know me,but you have been kind to me. I really appreciate,and I owe you my life". Emily's voice filled with gratitude.
August turned to Emily and said, "You know, I never thought I'd find someone like you. You're a breath of fresh air, Emily."
Emily's heart skipped a beat,her gaze not leaving August face, she was still marvelled at August early confession.
"I promise to always be here for you, to protect and care for you. You're not alone, Emily. You're home now."
Emily's cheeks turned red as August's words hung in the air. She felt like she was melting into his gaze, her emotions running with excitement.
The cool wind filling the horizon, Emily closed her eyes, letting the gentle breeze caress her skin.
August slowly took Emily's hands, sending shivers down her spine.his touch warm and comforting.
They just looked at each other, the silence filled with unspoken emotions.
August and Emily stood there, hands entwined, lost in the magic of the moment.
August managed to speak up his voice was barely audible.
"I think I might be falling for you, Emily. Hard and fast."
Emily stood transfixed, her hands becoming weak from August hold. "I...I...
"I feel like I'm melting into your gaze," Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What is it about you that makes me feel so seen?".
"I think it's because we're both wounded souls," August replied, his eyes locked on hers. "We've both been through our own personal storms, and that creates a deep connection."
Emily's eyes glazed over, unsure what to make of August's words. But she nodded anyway, pretending to get it.
"But what if our pasts are too much to overcome?" Emily asked, her fingers interlocking with August's. "What if we're too broken to love again?".
"I don't believe in that,"August said, his voice filled with reassurance. "I think our pasts are what makes us unique, and our scars are what makes us beautiful. We just need to learn to love ourselves, and each other, flaws and that's all."
I'm scared, August," Emily whispered. "I'm scared of falling in love with you, you might get hurt. But I can't help how I feel. I think I might be falling for you, very fast."
"I'm scared too, Emily," August replied, his voice filled with empathy. "But I promise to be here for you, to support you through the ups and downs. We'll face our fears together with boldness".
"I feel like I can be myself around you, August," Emily said, her eyes brimming with tears. "You make me feel seen and important in a way that no one ever has before."
As they stood there, their hands entwined,
August and Emily came to realize that their connection was something special. They were two broken souls their comfort in each other's embrace, will change alot of things.
As they kept strolling through the pathway, Emily lingered a question.
"But what about Jake?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "He seems to have a lot of grudges, and I don't want to get entangled in the middle of your family's drama."
"Jake has his own story to tell," August replied, his expression serious. I told you not to bother about him. He both will get along with time." He gave a small smile to Emily's face that was beclouded with confusion.
Emily was silent as they walked back the ranch. It was already getting dark. They gathered some few things and left immediately.
As the night wears on, August and Emily engaged on the midnight drive through the rolling hills and starry skies. They talk and laugh, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.
"I feel like I've found my home in you, August," Emily says, her voice barely audible.
"August takes her hand with his left hand,his other hand moving the steering, his touch calm and comforting. "I'll never hurt you, Emily. I promise to always be here for you, to support you and love you, no matter what."
As they gaze into each other's eyes, Emily leans in and kisses August softly.
"I love you, Emily," August whispers, his voice filled with emotion. "I'll always love you, no matter what happens."
"Yeah,so just focus on the driving,the road is really lonely,and dark".
"Gotcha!! We have arrived at your destination". August spoke with the tone of amusement.
Emily hopped out of the car, turning to August with a smile. "Thanks for the lift.. yeah for everything,"her voice trailing off.
"Ehmmm,I will be on my way now, I just received like a hundred missed calls from my dad."August cajoled
"Okay Daddy's boy, I will head inside.Good night and please don't forget to give me a text when you get home I will really be expecting that." Emily smiled her heart swimming with happiness.
August smiled lazily and shrugged. "No biggie, Em. Get some rest, okay?"
Emily nodded, already turning away. "Yeah, yeah. You too."
August watched her go, before he shook his head and climbed back into the car. He started the engine, the sound echoing through the dark atmosphere.
Emily settled into her cozy bungalow, surrounded by the comforts of home. She flicked the light on, slumping onto the couch. Her back still aching from the work done at the ranch. She reached for her phone revealing the time. It was 1:15AM.
She felt so weak that she couldn't even get off her shoes,she laid her head on the couch. Some flashbacks streaming in and out of her mind.
Flashback:
August reveals that her family's ranch has been in financial trouble for years, and that she has got to struggle to make it stand.
"Argh". Emily groan shaking off the thought of the ranch.
"Could August possibly be a billionaire rancher?"
Emily's jaw dropped when she realized that August was the surprise heir to a massive fortune from some distant relative she'd never heard of. But there was a hitch - he had to use the cash to bail out a failing ranch, which just so happened to be the same one her own ranch desperately needed to survive.
Emily tapped her head so hard trying to come up with an idea,her body laying still on the couch. "I have got much to fight,it hasn't been three days since I got to Big Sky Country but everything seems like 4 years already. Emily thought, tossed and turned on the couch, her body unable to relax.
Exhausted from her own mental wrangling Emily's body finally relaxed and she conked out.
August returned home,Inside, the house was dead quiet.a soft snore rumbling from his dad's room.
He stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The silence was dreadful. He managed to find his way inside by the aid of his Torchlight. He returned to his room feeling a sense of loneliness wash over him. He misses Emily's presence and wishes she were there to share the night with.
In a while he drifted off to sleep,carried away by the beautiful memories he had with Emily at the ranch.
Emily rose with the sun, her boots already scuffed from weeks of hard work. She'd been managing the ranch solo, trying to make the ranch look its best.
She strode out to the barn, where two instructed August workers were waiting. "Alright, guys, sorry for the delay I was entranced yesterday. So today's the day we start fixing those fences. Let's move!"
They worked so hard,to put the ranch in good shape.
A Phone Call Just then, her phone rang. It was August, checking in. Emily smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest.
"Hey, I'm doing great. Just getting things done here." Emily spoke going into an empty warehouse to seek for a shade to settle in to avoid the rays of the scorching sun.
"Nice,I had to go fall in for my dad. He has series of meetings to attend."
Emily's grip on the phone tightened. " Your workers are doing great justice to my ranch and I must confess I'm in debt to them."
A Sudden Interruption Just then, a loud crash echoed in the background, followed by the sound of shattering glass.
"Emily, what was that?" August demanded.
"I think someone's trying to make her way into the ranch."
August's voice was firm. "Emily, I'm coming over. Now." But before she could respond, the line went dead.
Emily's heart raced as she realized she was alone, vulnerable, and in grave danger,the knob of the door was tightened and difficult to open.
Emily's heart raced as she scanned the sudden darkness that covered the room, her eyes straining to see beyond the reach of the porch light.
Suddenly, everything returned to normal,the knob losing it's grip,the light revealing a piece of paper nailed to the door, flapping in the wind. Emily's heart skipped a beat as she approached it, her eyes fixed on the menacing message scrawled in red ink: "You'll never save the ranch."
Juan burst through the door, her face etched with worry. "Emily, what's wrong? I heard you screaming from afar!"
Emily's eyes scanned around the room, her mind finding an excuse. She tried to force a laugh, but it came out shaky.
"Oh, um, nothing's wrong. I was just... uh... watching a scary movie."
Juan's eyes narrowed. "At 2 am? Alone?"
Emily shrugged, trying to play it cool.
"Yeah, I had my free time. And, uh, I wanted to watch something."
"Em, hope everything is fine".
Emily's eyes welled up with tears, but she fought them back. She couldn't let Juan see her like this. "I'm fine, Juan. Really. Just... just trying to get used to this method you know I'm just trying to a adapt, okay?"
Juan's face twisted in concern, but he nodded. "Okay, . But if you're sure..."
Emily nodded vigorously, trying to convince herself that everything is fine.
"I'm positive. Just go back to work."
Just then,the loud engine roared to life in the distance, growing louder by the second.
Just as Emily's fear was about consuming her.August's car came careening down the driveway, pulling dust everywhere. He slammed on the brakes, leapt out,
"Emily, get in the car, Now. We need to get out of here,I think the saboteur is still close by".
Emily's heart was still trying to contain what had happened within a split second. as she scrambled into the passenger seat. August peeled out of the driveway, leaving a cloud of dust in the atmosphere.
She couldn't shake off the fear that gripped her, she kept mute.During the long drive....