Page 22 of Pitch for You

Brett shook his head. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We'll get through this.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, drawing strength from his touch. “Roger thinks he can break us,” I murmured. “But he doesn't know what we're capable of. We'll rebuild this place, won't we?”

“Absolutely,” Brett replied, his jaw set. “We've been through worse. And we're not alone. We've got Tom and the others to help us.”

I cast a glance at the group of ranch hands huddled nearby, their faces lined with worry but also a glimmer of defiance. They were all loyal employees, committed to the ranch and its future. And if there was one thing I knew about the staff, it was that they were fighters.

“Roger's really done a number on this place,” Tom muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. “But we'll do whatever it takes to set things right. You can count on me.”

“Thank you, Tom,” I replied.

“Of course, we're a family here, and we'll get through this together.”

As we began to assess the situation more thoroughly, it became clear that Roger's destruction extended far beyond the fences and the main stable. Smaller outbuildings were damaged, and several sections of the corral had been trampled underfoot by panicked livestock. Worst of all, it seemed that many of the animals had been driven off – cows, sheep, and even a few of the prized thoroughbred horses were nowhere to be found.

Brett clenched his fists in frustration as he counted the missing animals. “Twenty-seven cows, fifteen sheep, and three of our best horses,” he reported, his jaw tight with anger. “Roger knew exactly what he was doing when he caused this chaos.”

As dusk settled over the ranch, the group stepped back to survey the handiwork. The once-ruined fences now stood tall and proud, their vibrant red paint a symbol of resilience and determination.

“Great work, everyone.”

I leaned against the porch, hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee that Diane insisted I take a break to enjoy. Breathing in the rich aroma, I watched as Brett guidedthe horses back into their freshly mended paddock. The sight of the animals finally safe and secure brought a sense of relief that coursed through my veins.

“Everything's back in its place,” Brett said as he approached, dusting off his hands on his jeans. “Feels good, doesn't it?”

I nodded, heart swelling with gratitude. “I never thought we'd get it all done so quickly. You've been amazing, Brett.”

“Hey, we did this together,” he replied, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “And we had a great team behind us.”

“Speaking of which,” Tom interjected, striding over with some of the other ranch hands. “We just wanted to say thanks. You and Brett really stepped up and led us through this mess.”

“Couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you for everything.”

“Anytime,” Diane chimed in. “We're a family here, and families stick together.”

The sun finally disappeared behind the distant hills, leaving behind a canvas of vibrant oranges and purples. As the ranch hands dispersed to tend to their evening chores, we shared one last, lingering look.

“Here's to us,” I murmured, raising the coffee mug in a toast. “We will take him down.”

“As an unstoppable force… just like when we were younger,” Brett echoed, clinking his own mug against mine.

13

Sofia

I walked through the barn, worn boots crunching against the hay-strewn floor. The gentle nickering of horses greeted me as I moved from stall to stall, checking on each equine resident with practiced ease.

As I filled the feed buckets, Brett was outside hoisting a bales of hay onto his broad shoulders, muscles flexing beneath his sweat-soaked shirt. He whistled softly while tending to the cattle.

Focus!If I let myself get swept up in my feelings for Brett, it could jeopardize everything I'd worked so hard for.

I couldn't deny that the more time we spent together, the stronger my feelings for him grew. His presence seemed to breathe life into the ranch, stirring up memories of the past and igniting a spark that had long lain dormant. But with Max and the family legacy resting on my shoulders, I couldn't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment.

“Morning,” Brett called out, interrupting my thoughts as he strode into the barn, offering a warm smile. “Need any help?”

“Thanks, but I've got it covered,” I replied curtly, forcing my gaze to remain on the task at hand. My heart raced as I felt theweight of his stare, catching the faint scent of sweat and earth that clung to him like a second skin.

“Alright then,” he said, disappointment clear in his voice as he turned back toward the cattle. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

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