Page 14 of Redemption in Misty Mountain

All I hear in response is silence. No fuzzy tail. No begrudging shuffle of paws and truthfully… It's fine by me. Cat and I have come to an understanding. We’re somewhere between reluctant roommates and friends. But I won’t lie, I’ve taken to liking the way he curls up on my back at night.

Cat isn’t impressed with my new schedule and he sure as hell doesn’t understand what it’s going to take to bring Rosalie back into our lives. So I lay down without him. I fall asleep themoment my head hits the pillow. I close my eyes and dream of all the ways I’m going to show Rosalie something she can’t ignore when this is done.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

I ignore the light tapping I’ve been hearing for the last five minutes. But three sharp, urgent knocks at my door have me bolting upright. I don’t know how much time has passed, but I know I’m not ready to get up.

“Hold on.” My words are a bark as I slip a pair of pajama pants on.

The person standing on the other side of that door better have a damn good reason for all that noise. When I rip the door open, I’m taken aback. It’s Ella… again.

She’s probably following up about last night. It’s annoying, but the thought of her and Maggie taking care to drive me home softens me just a bit. How the hell does she look so perky and awake?

“Hey, thanks for getting me back last night.”

Ella raises an eyebrow at me. “I’m happy you went. That was a good decision.”

“Oh come on, like I had a choice? You only slipped a flyer under my door, sent one up with my breakfast tray, and told me that you put a personal phone call in with Hank. But yeah, I think it was a good thing. Might as well make some connections now that I’m back. I’d rather they not be so early if I’m telling the truth.” I widen my eyes.

Ella laughs. “Apologies for the wakeup call.” Her hands are tucked into the pockets of her hoodie and her smile fades. Concern etches into the lines on her face. “I know you just got ina few hours ago, but…” She hesitates. “There’s something I think you should know.”

“Okay.”I doubt it.My jaw tightens. Nothing short of an emergency is getting my mind off Rosalie.

“It’s about Rosalie.”

My pulse jumps and all of a sudden I’m wide awake. “You have my attention.”

“There’s a podcast, I’m not sure if Rosalie told you about it. It’s some small town gossip thing that gets recorded in Sagebrush Creek… You know, that ranching town.” she says.

She woke me up for a fucking cowboy podcast?

“Yeah, I’m aware of the podcast, thanks. To be honest with you, I don’t give a shit about the podcast or anything else in the town besides Rosalie. If that’s all, I’m going to—” I step back inside, but Ella puts a hand on my door and holds it open.

“If you could get out of your own way, you might give a shit about the latest episode.” She turns with a shake of her head and my door closes behind her.

What the actual fuck?I know that she and Rosalie were close, but I couldn’t imagine that she’d be spending her time listening to some podcast from halfway across the country. I shake my head and make a pot of coffee. Then I find the damn podcast on my phone and press play on the latest episode.

‘Hey, y’all. Sagebrush Creek, I’ve got some extra sweet tea for you today. Y’all pull up a chair. It’s your favorite secret podcaster, back with another boots-on-the-ground update. You know the drill—I’ve got my ear to the ground and my fingers on the pulse of this town’s messiest secrets. So y’all pull up a chair and pour something with a little kick because this one is bigger than the Texas sky.’

The voice is a high-pitched, back-of-the-throat Texas twang transmitted through some kind of voice changer and I already regret my decision. This is going to be ten minutes of my life I’llnever get back. But if it has to do with Rosalie, I’ll bite. I’m not getting any news updates about her life in any other way. I sip my coffee and try to stomach the sound as it continues.

‘And when I say big, I mean… baby big.

That’s right, folks. Rumor has it there’s a new bun in the oven right here in Sagebrush Creek. The only problem is. I don’t have all the details yet and I’m not one to gossip.

Here’s what I do know. There’s a little cowboy (or cowgirl) on the way over at Kingridge Ranch. And the two names floating around? None other than those new horse training sisters… Rosalie and Maisie.

Now, I don’t have confirmation which of these lovely ladies is about to become a mama, but let’s just say the evidence is piling up. Rosalie’s been keeping a low profile ever since she showed up from Misty Mountain Colorado. Then there’s Maisie… Let’s just say she’s been avoiding the bourbon at The Velvet Spur. My money is on the older one because some of us were here during her first rodeo at the ranch and it’s gonna take more than a few years to make those memories fade into the sunset.

I know y’all are yawning because this podcast is for the locals and those ladies ain’t from here… But the daddy sure might be.

This baby might make another heir to the ranching throne. Could it be one of the Kingridge brothers? Because let’s be honest—those boys have been dodging commitment like a bull in a rodeo arena for years, but lately, we’ve been seeing them get roped in. Or maybe, just maybe, someone else in town is about to get the surprise of a lifetime.

I’ve asked around and mums the word… for now. But think about it sugar, there ain’t too many cowboys in this town smooth enough to knock those holy boots off the Reagan sisters. If the rumors are true, this could be the biggest scandal tohit that ranch since Pa Kingridge’s third divorce. If I were a betting woman, I’d keep my eyes on the Kingridge Ranch. After all, nothing says family legacy like an unexpected heir.

One thing’s for sure, Sagebrush Creek… this little secret won’t stay hidden for long. And you know I’ll be the first to spill the tea when it all comes out. I’ll be watching. And trust me, so will the rest of this town.

Until next time, darlings. This is your bitch with boots on the ground, signing off.’

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