1. Ava

"Chad Winthrop! Really, Ava? How could you be so stupid?" Ryder's voice boomed, making me feel even smaller than I already was.

"We couldn't help it–"

"Don't give me that!"

I looked down at my hands in my lap and twiddled my fingers. How my big brother still has the ability to make me feel like I'm five years old, at work nonetheless, boggles my mind. I would have thought I'd feel like a real adult by now. I have my degree, my own apartment, and even my own cubicle–yet I'm still just Ryder's little sister everywhere I go.

"Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"

"No."

"I'm going to have to fire Chad now; you realize that, don't you?"

"No! Don't fire him. It's over. We'll keep it quiet, I promise."

"I can't have people thinking they can sleep with my little sister to get to the top."

"That is not what happened?!"

"Oh, yeah? When did your little tryst begin and end? Around early February? Because at the end of January, Chad approached me about a promotion. And on February 19th, I told him we were holding off on all promotions for now. Do those dates match up?"

"No." I lie. Actually, they match up exactly. I'm so embarrassed and angry. I can't believe he would use me like that! No, I can believe he would use me–I can't believe I fell for it. And now my brother is scolding me for it. How humiliating.

"Either way, Chad is toast. And now, I'll need to get you out of here for a while."

"You can't let me go, too! Everyone will know. Oh, please, Ryder! I'm sorry. I was so foolish–I didn't even think–" A tear rolls down my cheek before I can stop it. Ryder can't stand tears, so I'm not mad about it.

"Av, listen. It's not your fault," his voice softens. "Chad is slimy like that. I would never have kept him on for so long if he weren't such a talented writer. But I can't move past this–seducing my little sister in hopes of getting a promotion? Disgusting."

"So I can stay?"

"No. You're going on assignment. I promised an old friend we'd feature his ranch in our luxury all-inclusive vacation edition. Now is as good a time as any."

"All-inclusive luxury? I can do that."

"Whispering Meadows Ranch. It's a dude ranch."

"A dude ranch?"

"Yes."

"Like a resort with a bunch of dudes?"

Ryder laughs until tears stream down his face.

"I guess not."

"No, it is not a resort with a bunch of dudes." He drys his eyes and tries to catch his breath. "It's…like a farm. With horses and cattle. You can ride horseback, hike, learn about cattle, etc."

"Excuse me. Learn about cattle? While on vacation?"

"You will not be on vacation. You will be on assignment, remember?"

"Yes."

"It's actually a very trendy kind of all-inclusive trip. You get lots of time in nature, riding horses, working the farm, bonfires, home-cooked meals."

"Did you say working the farm? Who goes on vacation to work on a farm?"

"And you get to know the other people who are vacationing there, too. I worked there with them for a few months when they were getting things up and running. Before—never mind."

"Before what?"

Ryder sighs. "Before Lilian, Travis' wife, died."

"Oh, my goodness. That sounds awful. Please tell me she didn't die because of the dude ranch."

"There was an accident. It was unexpected, sudden, and horrible. If I were you, I wouldn't bring it up with Travis. And that's all I"m going to say about that."

"Great. So I get to work on a farm with horses and a sad man with a dead wife."

"Hey, you're lucky you still have a job here. And Travis is a good guy–more than just a ‘sad guy with a dead wife.' I think you'll end up liking it. It's a change of scenery. It'll be good for you."

A change of scenery. Great. Just what I need. Actually, I do need a change of scenery. It'll be nice to get away from the scene of the crime. And by crime, I mean Chad Winthrop. I don't want everyone in the office to find out. I'm sure they will, though. Ryder will use it as an example. Don't mess with his little sister. He's been doing that for years. I hope it's all blown over by the time I get back.

Also, a change of scenery might be just what I need to get back to my book! I've been stuck with this dreadful writer's block for longer than I'd care to admit. I should have plenty of extra time, living on a dude ranch and all. No one to date, no one to flirt with, nowhere to escape to…Plus, how distracting can horses be?

So, I'm throwing some clothes into my bag. Ryder booked a car to pick me up this afternoon—mere hours after he told me the news. He knows me too well. No time to weasel my way out of this one. What does one pack for a dude ranch? I don't exactly have horse clothes.

I'm guessing my stilettos will be unnecessary. That pair of riding boots I bought on sale last year will finally come in handy! I knew those were a good buy! I throw a few more things into my bag, then pack my computer and all my notebooks in another bag. A girl can never have too many notebooks, am I right?

My stomach growls at the exact moment I hear two beeps from a car on the street below my apartment. I was hoping to have one last meal before I go. I grab my bags and have one last look around my apartment. I have a weird feeling it will be a while before I return.

I run down the steps, throw my bags in the car, and tell the driver I'll be right back.

"Come on, lady! Where are you going? I can't sit here all day!" he yells. I run into my favorite café, which happens to be next to my apartment. I grab two chicken Caesar wraps–the best you'll find anywhere–and two iced teas. Hopefully, my driver will be less angry if I come bearing gifts.

"Thanks for waiting. I had to grab lunch–I was starving! I got an extra if you're hungry?" I pass the wrap to him. "And an iced tea to wash it down."

"Thanks." The driver begrudgingly takes the sandwich and drink, but I can tell his anger has shifted. "Off to Whispering Meadows Ranch?"

"Yes, sir," I say and stuff the wrap into my mouth.

"What's a girl like you doing going to a place like that?"

"What does that mean?" I'm slightly offended.

"Just means you don't look like the type to hang out with horses, nature, and stuff."

"I'm going on assignment. I'm a writer," I say smugly, even though I still feel like an imposter.

"Oh, fancy, fancy. The drive is about two and a half to three hours, depending on road conditions."

"Road conditions?"

"Yeah, the first part is all expressway, but once you get off the expressway, the roads kind of cease to exist."

"Excuse me? Cease to exist?"

"I mean, they turn to gravel and can get real muddy. Sometimes you get stuck. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes, you fly through. Sometimes it's slow going."

"Great. I'm going to a place even roads don't want to be."