Wild Love: Cafferty Ranch, #1

By Leslie North

The heart wants what the heart wants…

 

Web designer Zoe Wilson has two good reasons to avoid Cafferty ranch. First, she's scared of horses. And second, she absolutely does not want to bump into her first love, Jake Cafferty. Too bad her best friend just happens to be Jake's sister.

 

When she asks Zoe to update the ranch's outdated website, Zoe agrees—happy to lose herself in the digital world. But the more time she spends near Jake, the more all those feelings from years ago rear up in her heart, kicking like a wild bronco…

 

Jake never told anyone, but Zoe broke his heart when they were kids. Now she's back, and the gruff cowboy vows there's no way he'll let that happen again. But there's something about Zoe that he just can't resist, and he soon finds himself falling for her all over again… Hard.

 

When Zoe gets accepted into a prestigious program, she doesn't want to give up on their love. But Jake can't bring himself to leave the ranch.

 

Can these two broken-hearted souls finally come together? Or will they be torn apart for good…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: Dec 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215081846

Book preview

1

W ell, we gotta make do, simple as that, Jake Cafferty said to Dustin Whitlock, his foreman. No way we can replace it with all of the upgrades we need, so repair is the name of the game.

They were headed back from their ride out to the far pasture to check on the stranded and broken-down tractor, the latest in a series of unexpected expenses that were giving him nonstop headaches.

I’ll do my best, Dustin responded with a nod.

They both turned to the sound of tires crunching up the long dirt driveway that led to Lost Valley Ranch’s main house.

Expecting someone, boss? Dustin asked.

Nope.

Jake frowned and rubbed his hand down the coppery scruff along his jawline. They weren’t due any visitors that he knew of, and he wasn’t in the mood to entertain whoever was zipping closer, a little too fast for his liking. Jake spotted someone in sunglasses singing along to the radio. A very pretty, very familiar someone, unmistakable even in the two point five seconds he had to take her in as she sped by.

"Dang it."

Dustin glanced at him. Something wrong?

No. Yeah. Maybe, he muttered. C’mon, we need to put these horses up.

They urged them into gallops and followed behind the cloud of kicked up dust to the driveway in front of the house.

You mind taking care of Indigo for me? he asked Dustin as he slid off his horse. I need to deal with…that.

They both glanced over at the Jeep.

Well, huh, Dustin said as he leaned over and took the reins from Jake. I guess you do.

The appreciation in Dustin’s voice was obvious, and Jake couldn’t blame him. The petite, dark-haired woman grabbing bags from the back of the Jeep was immediately appealing even at a distance. Her jeans fit her just right, and every time she leaned forward, they were granted a view of her ample assets down the front of her white T-shirt.

Jake walked over and took advantage of the fact that she was completely oblivious to his presence to check her out from head to toe. Yup, she was as gorgeous as he remembered. Her dark brown hair was shorter now, but she still kept it tucked behind her ears the way she used to—he recalled how she used to say she didn’t like the way it got in her eyes when she was trying to work. And for someone who spent most of her time glued to a computer, she sure had a phenomenal body.

The question was, why was Zoe Wilson there now?

Hey, Zo, Jake called to her, reverting to his old nickname for her instinctively.

She jumped. Something else that hadn’t changed about his old girlfriend; she got so in her head that she tuned out the world around her.

Jake! You scared me. She placed a hand on her chest. Hi.

When she met his gaze, he was once again knocked sideways by how striking she was. Her skin was still porcelain pale, probably because she was a half-vampire night owl. Even though Jake usually preferred longer hair on women, Zoe’s shorter cut suited her, and made her sharp cheekbones even more prominent. He refrained from letting his gaze drift downward because he wanted to be a gentleman, but he’d already clocked the curves.

It had been ages since they’d seen each other, and he shouldn’t have felt the little bubble of excitement when she said his name, but Zoe had always had that effect on him.

I wasn’t expecting you until next month, he said, trying not to sound irritated even though he was, a little. He leaned up against the side of her black Jeep.

No, that’s when I’m leaving, she said in a matter-of-fact tone, turning back to continue unloading her bags. Shannon said it was fine for me to set up camp here for the next month to clear my head and help you guys update the ranch’s website. You don’t mind, do you?

It was a loaded question and they both knew it. On the face of it, she was simply there because she was his sister’s best friend, and she apparently needed a place to stay. But he could have sworn Shannon had told him she was coming in a month and only staying for a weekend. Had he gotten it backwards, with her coming that weekend and staying for a month? He should have known better than to say yes to anything Shannon asked him when he was distracted—she knew he was only half listening and used it to her advantage.

So apparently, he would be housing his former girlfriend for an entire month. And sure, she was his sister’s best friend and had come at Shannon’s invite—but still. Peel back the layers and they both knew there was some unresolved…stuff between them. Not only was he now fuming at his sister for inviting her, he wasn’t happy about the idea of having to see Zoe every day. She was part of his past and that’s where she needed to stay.

Jake chose to ignore the subtext as well as the fact that her showing up unexpectedly on what was shaping up to be a crappy day was the last thing he wanted. He didn’t like surprises, especially ones that put his still-adorable ex under the same roof as him. Jake had enough on his plate to worry about, like the entire future of the damn ranch, and he simmered at Shannon for putting him in this situation.

Yeah, it’s…it’s fine, he finally managed to say.

But it wasn’t.

He was so up in his head that he didn’t notice petite Zoe struggling with a duffel bag that looked as big as she was. She tugged it from the back of her Jeep, and it fell to the ground with a thud that finally caught his attention.

Here, let me get that for you, Jake said, hustling over to her.

Zoe gave him a grateful smile. Thank you. Shannon texted me that she’s doing something horse-y and would help me get set up in my room in a few minutes, but I figured I might as well get started.

Did she tell you which room she’s putting you in?

Yeah, she said something about the yellow room? Zoe pulled on an overflowing backpack on with a grunt.

He nodded as he hefted the duffel bag onto his shoulder. The room was at the opposite end of the house from him. Good. He didn’t have time for distractions, and that way he could pretend that she wasn’t even there. Lord knew he had plenty to keep him busy and keep his mind off of her.

Well, come on let’s go, he said, throwing an arm out towards the house. I’d lead the way, but I’m sure you know where you’re headed.

Zoe grinned at him as she walked by, that adorable, crinkly nose thing she used to do back in the day, and he ignored the flicker of warmth in his chest.

I’ve been looking for you, Jake fumed at Shannon, sounding more like a parent than a big brother. Where have you been?

She froze in the doorway of the kitchen, hackles up and bracing for a fight. "Um, the barn? Doing my job?"

Shannon scowled as her hands flew up to pull her long auburn hair into a bun, her unconscious stress move when she was gearing up to go at it with Jake. All three of the Cafferty kids had their mom’s rich brownish-red hair, one of the many traits they shared. Shannon’s hair twisting happened more and more since Jake had stepped in to assume the role of patriarch after they’d lost their parents three years before.

Their second shared trait was a spitfire temper that matched their hair color. When Jake and his two sisters got to bickering, it was always a contest to see who could scream the loudest. Of course, they loved one another intensely, and those familial bonds had only tightened after their parents died in that car crash, but strong feelings and short tempers meant that they were just as likely to snap at each other as to hug it out.

Why didn’t you tell me Zoe was coming today? I had no clue, he huffed.

"Jake, I did tell you, you just pick and choose when you listen," Shannon said, glaring at him with her arms crossed.

"You told me when you knew I wasn’t paying attention—and then didn’t bother to mention it again or give me a single reminder that she was showing up today. The timing is crap. The last thing I need is an outsider hanging around here for the next month."

Shannon scowled at him. Outsider? Zoe’s spent, like, half her life here. Have you forgotten all the sleepovers we had when we were little? When she got into a jam with her housing situation, of course I offered for her to stay here. Why wouldn’t I? We’ve got more than enough room with just the two of us rattling around this big house. And besides, she’s here to help us. She didn’t like the thought of imposing on us for a month, so I told her she could pay us back in trade. Our website is a disaster, and she’s an amazing coder and graphic designer.

Jake paced on the far end of the kitchen, the raspy sound of his boots on the tile filling the silence. They always gravitated to the sunny space with windows that looked out to their vast property. It was the heart of the house, and their de facto meeting spot.

As he paced, he tried to think of how to frame what was bothering him about Zoe staying for the next month. Having enough space wasn’t an issue—Shannon was right about that. But the idea of having her so close set his nerves on edge. In his home, in his life, in his business, if she was going to be working on the website—getting an up-close-and-personal look at how the ranch was faltering under his stewardship. The idea was enough to make him shudder. Bad enough that he was letting down his family in his struggles to keep the ranch afloat. Was it really necessary to invite his ex to come and watch him fail? Was there any way he could talk Shannon out of that part of it? Let Zoe stay at the ranch, if need be, but keep her out of the ranch’s business?

A new website isn’t going to fix what’s broken around here, Shannon. We both know how much Poplar Springs has changed in the past ten years. Back when we were kids, there was a waiting list for riding and roping lessons. Now we can barely fill a class. Not to mention the rising costs of the breeding side of the business. There’s more competition than ever, and you’re running to keep up.

Come on, give me some credit, Jake! Shannon shot back. My breeding program is way better than what’s out there.

It was true. Shannon had an eye and a gut instinct that no one could touch, plus the technical skills to ensure successful matches. The problem was the Lost Valley Ranch breeding program struggled to stand out in a crowded market. Without more visibility and recognition to drive up demand, they couldn’t secure the prices her horses deserved, which meant the program often ended up running at a loss.

He huffed out a sigh. I know it is, I’m sorry. All I’m saying is we’ve gotta make some changes around here if… he trailed off, realizing that he’d already said too much.

If what? Shannon frowned. What are you saying?

Nothing, he backpedaled quickly. There was no use in worrying his sister. Worrying was his job. It’s just that we’ve got some expenses I wasn’t anticipating, plus those upgrades I’ve been wanting to tackle since forever. It’s a lot.

He rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t bring himself to tell his sisters that they were closer than ever to losing the ranch. Losing everything his family had built. The weight of the responsibility was crushing, especially when he saw all the ways he was falling short.

Well, I’m sure Zoe’s going to be a big help, Shannon said. She said she wants to spend time with each of us to figure out what stuff we’d like to highlight.

Jakes sighed. It just wasn’t getting through to her.

"Shannon, Zoe’s stupid website won’t do crap, okay? I don’t have the time or inclination to deal with it. You two can play your little computer games together—I’m going to be outside worrying about how we can pay for tractor repairs and fill my next roping class."

He grabbed his hat from the back of the chair, shoved it down on his head, and stormed out of the kitchen.

And ran smack dab into Zoe.

They collided with a grunt and a squeal, and Jake reflexively reached out to steady her. Even just the quick sensation of his hand wrapping around her arm gave him a flash of the way things used to be between them. So long ago, back when everything was simple.

In a queasy instant, he realized that she’d probably heard everything he’d just yelled at Shannon.

Zoe, I uh …

She moved away a few steps and straightened her back, waiting for him to continue. It was an unexpected reaction, because the Zoe Jake knew would’ve scurried down the hallway instead of facing a confrontation.

Listen, I’m sorry if you heard all of that. I know I got a little…heated, but it wasn’t directed at you, I swear. Jake shuffled his boots and crossed his arms. I don’t mind you being here, I just don’t have the time to help you out with the website thing.

Zoe narrowed her eyes at him.

Is that a fact?

He shrugged and didn’t say anything else, feeling sheepish and wrongfooted.

Well, I’ll have you know that the Lost Valley Ranch website is an absolute disaster, and it’s no wonder you can’t fill your classes, Zoe said in an unfamiliar, icy tone. Do you know that half the class registration links are broken? And the calendar feature glitches when you try to check out the Saturday schedule? And don’t even get me started on the breeding stuff. The last time it was updated was five years ago! She glared at him. "It’s your website, your ranch. That means it’s your call whether or not to let me fix it. But the Jake Cafferty I knew wouldn’t hesitate to do everything possible to make things work. There’s no shame in accepting help, you know."

It wasn’t just what she was saying. It was the way she was saying it. Shy little Zoe had morphed into a spitfire.

He started to respond