Page 1 of Riding Into Love
Chapter One
?River
The moment my bootshit the dirt at Wild Horse Ranch, I know I’m stepping into a world that thinks it doesn’t need me, but I’m here to prove it wrong. I’ve got one shot to make this ranch my territory, and I’ll be damned if I let a bunch of cowboys decide what I can or can’t do.
The heat is intense, but I just swipe away the sweat as I take in my new home for the summer. A massive white house stands at the top of the hill, overlooking the rest of the property. Beyond that, a field stretches out, surrounded by mountains. It feels like being at the edge of the earth, with no one around for miles. But that’s Montana for you—beautiful, isolated, and unforgiving.
I pull my bag out of the trunk and slam the door. “Thanks again for the ride.”
The driver waves a hand at me. “It’s no problem. You want me to take your bag up there?”
Right. Because that would make a fantastic first impression with the guys around here. Being a female ranch hand is hard enough, but if I can’t carry my own shit, they’ll never respect me. “Nah, I’m good.”
“You sure? It’s no big deal. I could—”
I lift the heavy bag from the trunk and sling it over my shoulder. The weight threatens to topple me, but I stand up straight and walk away without giving it a second thought. “I said I’m good. Thanks.”
“All right then. Have a good one.”
“Yeah, you too.”
He drives off, leaving me to stare at the place I’ll be calling home for the next two months. It’s not the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen, but the open field is kind of breathtaking. I could see myself getting used to a view like that. Provided Colby Burke, the grumpy rich bastard who owns this place, doesn’t drive me insane.
I’ve heard the stories about him throughout the years. He’s a friend of my father’s, and apparently, he’s got a reputation for being a hard ass. It’s no surprise, since he runs the largest ranch in the state. Guess he’s earned the right to be a dick, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna stand for it. It’s just not who I am.
I adjust the heavy bag on my shoulder and head toward the white farmhouse at the top of the hill. If I’m gonna be stuck with this guy all summer, I might as well make a good impression.
The front door is open when I step onto the porch. I knock on the screen door, and wait for someone to answer. “Hello?”
“One second!” a voice calls from inside the house.
I lean against the railing, letting the wind whip through my long hair. I grew up in Montana, so the dry air doesn’t bother me much. There’s something about it that makes me feel alive, like the whole world is open for me to conquer. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this free.
A moment later, the screen door creaks open, and a man steps out. I take a breath as my eyes move over him. He’s tall, muscular, and built like an athlete. Or more accurately, like a man who has spent his life hauling hay bales. The dark hair sticking out from under his Stetson gives him a rugged look, and the stubble on his cheeks only adds to the effect. This guy is the real deal. And honestly, a little too good-looking for his own damn good.
His hazel eyes squint when he spots me, and one corner of his mouth turns up in a smirk. “You the new ranch hand? River, right?”
My stupid stomach does a flip at the sound of his voice. Deep and sexy. Damn. I clear my throat and extend a hand. “That’s me. Nice to meet you, Colby Burke.”
Colby takes my hand in his, and I try not to notice how callused and rough his skin feels against mine. He squeezes just hard enough to get a little personal, but not so much that it hurts. “For the record, I’ve never let a woman work on my ranch before. So you’ll have to excuse my hesitation, but I’ve got my reservations.”
Of course, he does. By now, I should be used to this. It doesn’t matter that I was raised on a ranch or that my daddy is the hardest working man this side of the Rockies. No, none of that matters. Because the fact remains, I have tits. People will always see a woman, and they’ll automatically assume I’m incapable. I can’t say it doesn’t piss me off, but it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.
“So I’ve heard. Look, I know it’s a boys’ club around here, but I’m not asking for you to take it easy on me. I’ll work just as hard as any of you. Hell, I’ll even work harder. You’ve got no idea what I’m capable of.”
“That so?” His eyes narrow as he stares down at me. He’s got a good foot on me, but I don’t back down. If he wants a show of strength, he’ll get it. “Well, you’re a Thurston. Suppose it’s in your blood.”
I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult, but either way, he’s right. My daddy didn’t raise no slackers. We don’t get things done by taking the easy route. We’re made of hard stock, and we fight for what we want. And right now, I want this job.
“Guess so.”
“Shame to hear about your father’s ranch. That place has been in his family for a long time.”
“Yeah, it has.” My heart twists at the mention of my father’s ranch.
Last year, the bank seized it. We fell behind on our payments, and there was nothing my daddy could do to stop them. He didn’t tell me a word about it until the day they took the land from us, so I didn’t even have the chance to help. All that history, lost in a matter of days.
I can’t think about it right now, though. I’ve gotta stay focused.
