(𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓)

Chapter #1: The New Hire

(Y/N)'s POV:

As I drove my trusty old truck down the dusty road towards the "Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch," a mix of excitement and nerves churned in my stomach. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and the sprawling ranch ahead. Thoughts raced through my mind. Was this job really the fresh start I needed? Would I fit in with the ranch hands and the family in charge?

I take in a deep breath. I knew I didn't need to worry about the manual labor being too difficult for me. I'm very skilled in ranch hand tasks, after all, I was raised in Wrath. Wrathians are bred, born, and raised to work hard and kick ass. And I ain't no sissy.

It's not like me to worry, but for some reason, my body's still racing with nerves. I must be excited or somethin', cause I'm never nervous.

I glanced at the GPS on my hellphone, double-checking that I was on the right path. As the ranch buildings came into view, I feel a surge of anticipation. This place was going to be my home for the foreseeable future, and I was eager to prove myself and handle any challenges that awaited.

The ranch appeared suddenly, nestled in a wide valley surrounded by rolling hills. A weathered sign wrapped with barbed wire greeted me at the entrance, swinging gently in the breeze.

The sign read, "Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch."

Pulling up to the main house, I saw a bustling scene- an imp woman in denim overalls directing a group of kids around a corral, and a man fixing a fence nearby. This must be Lin and Joe, the owners.

I check my face in the rear view mirror above me before stepping out of my truck. I was greeted warmly by Lin, her handshake firm and her smile genuine. "You must be our new hire," she said, her voice carrying a hint of Southern twang. "Welcome to Rough n' Tumbleweed Ranch. I'm Lin, and this here's my husband Joe."

Joe nodded in acknowledgment, wiping his hands on a rag before extending a hand to me. "Good to have you aboard. Hope you're ready for some hard work," he chuckled, his mustache curving with his smile and his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Pleasure to be meetin' you guys!" I say back enthusiastically, "Workin' hard will be no problem sir!"

"Please, just call me Joe!" He chuckles.

A sense of relief washed over me and I couldn't help but smile. Maybe this wouldn't be so daunting after all. It seemed I had found not just a job, but a place where hard work was valued, and where the welcoming of a very friendly family was already making me feel at home.

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Lin and Joe led me on a brief tour of the ranch, introducing me to their three sons along the way. The boys were as rugged as the landscape itself, each busy with their own tasks, but they gave nods and waves as we passed by.

As we walked, Lin explained the daily routines and the variety of tasks I'd be involved in- from tending to livestock to repairing equipment. "You'll learn fast," she assured me, "And with Sallie May showing you the ropes, you'll be part of the Rough n' Tumbleweed family in no time."

They'd told me about their second child, and youngest daughter, Sallie May. I would be working as a ranch hand alongside her, and she would basically act as my manager.

"Let's introduce you two!" Joe exclaimed, "I reckon she'd be in the barn right about now." He swung his arm over my shoulder as if we were close friends, and the both of them led me to a large red barn on the edge of their property. We slide the door open and step inside.

"Sal? You in here?" Lin shouted with her hand cupped around her mouth to amplify the sound.

A young woman then steps into view from behind a stable wall. She's a rather tall imp with dimmed maroon skin and a single white scar covering her right eye and her slit eyebrow. Her hair is a jet-black color with noticeable white roots, it's tied back into a ponytail and wrapped with a red bandana. A tuft of her messy bangs is lain over her other eye. And might I say, she was just pretty as a picture.

Joe motioned towards the woman who had just joined us. "This is our daughter, Sallie May!"

I take her hand in mine and give her a small bow, "A pleasure it is to meet you Sallie may."

She scoffs and pulls her hand away, "Yeah, it's a pleasure." She grumbles under her breath. Her attitude towards me seemed completely disinterested and even annoyed. She keeps her gaze fixed on the ground, refusing to make eye contact with me.

I rise from the bow and clear my throat, feeling a knot form in my stomach. Was coming here a mistake?

"Sallie May, be nice to them." Lin gently nudged her with her elbow.

Sallie May looked up and locked eyes with me, eyebrows furrowed in an intense glare.

Shit...

I swallow thickly, trying to mask how intimidated I was. I'm usually not the type to give a single fuck about what anybody thinks of me- but I really wanted to make a good first impression with these people.

"Well!" Joe perked up, cutting through the silence like a knife, "how about you show y/n to their room Sallie May?" He motioned towards me, his smile was friendly, but Sallie May's expression stayed bitter.

After a long pause, she finally breaks eye contact with me and turns to her father. "...fine." she sighs.

I exhaled a breath that I didn't even realize I had been holding. Damn, this gal has my nerves shot.

She walks past me, bumping me harshly with her elbow, "C'mon y/n!" She snaps at me. She says my name as if she's spitting it out, like my name was revolting to say.

Taking her orders and following behind her, I rub my arm at the spot where she elbowed me. That's definitely gonna leave a bruise.

I just hope she isn't like this all the time...

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AUTHORS NOTE:

A little preview of what's to come!!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!!  Why do you think Sallie May immediately hates you? What are some things you liked/disliked? What are some things you think will happen in the story?

I'll release further chapters of this story once I'm finished with "A Heart of Dynamite"

I just don't want to be working on three books at once 😭

I hope you enjoyed this preview!! Stay tuned!

(1138 words)