I took on this assignment to come to the Rocky Road Ranch to keep a young blogger from spreading any crazy stories. We’d already heard that Dr. Silver Collins had someone special in her life, so I knew I needed to be the one to interview the man called Layne Dawson, of Dawson Cave fame. Silver’s fans were ripe with rumors, and I planned to set the record straight. She deserved that.
First, I have to tell you, I’m surprised I still have teeth in my head after that bone-jarring ride along the mile long dirt driveaway, but I made it. I just heard Layne Dawson, the ranch foreman, is going to be our welcome guide. Talk about luck.
We all gather in the dirt parking area in front of an adobe ranch house. When I say “we,” I mean all the new guests for a week-long vacation on this newly opened Dude Ranch.
“Howdy everyone.”
Immediately, we all turn toward the voice. I’m in the front, so I get a close-up view of the man who spoke. He’s carrying a hay bale on his shoulder which he promptly drops on the ground and then steps on it. I’m not sure why he needs the hay bale. He’s got to be well over six feet tall and from the breadth of his shoulders, he could probably talk over all of us easily. He’s wearing the typical blue jeans and cowboy boots, but he also has on an open jean jacket lined with fleece that reveals his red and black plaid flannel shirt. He’s got a strong jaw and he sports a bushy black mustache. Unlike most cowboys I know, his hair is on the long side. He has hazel eyes that seem to twinkle as if he’s planning some kind of mischief, but if that’s the case, he shouldn’t be wearing such a pristine white felt cowboy hat.
“Welcome. We’re very pleased to have you at Rocky Road Ranch, here in Four Peaks Arizona for the full Dude Ranch experience. You should know that I don’t usually work this side of the operation. I’m the foreman for the cattle ranch side of things, but Amanda Dunn, who runs the Dude Ranch, isn’t feeling well and asked me to fill in. So I promise to do the best I can.”
Personally, I’m not disappointed that I get to listen to his baritone voice while watching him smile. Layne Dawson seems very friendly.
“Let’s start with the Ranch. Can anyone guess why the ranch is called the Rocky Road Ranch?”
I raise my hand, as does everyone else standing here.
Layne chuckles. “It looks you all were paying attention. Yes, it’s because driveway is like taking a vehicle through a slalom course made of rocks. It’s actually rather unique, as we have various ATV roads around the ranch and none of them are like the drive. If you want to know why, you’d better ask Amanda.”
What I’d prefer to know is if there was a way to avoid the driveway upon exiting. But I don’t have a chance to ask as Layne continues.
“Here we have over two thousand acres of ranch land that the Dunns own and we just acquired grazing rights to the property next door which gives us another eleven hundred. This is critical to raising a large enough herd to compete with other medium size ranches.”
That had to be Brody and Hannah Dunn’s land. I researched the ranch before arriving.
“To your right is the main ranch house where most of the owners live. If you noticed a barn near the entrance to the ranch, that would be Jackson Dunn’s place. He’ll be building a house in that area soon. Next door, where our cattle are grazing, is a small casita with an addition that’s owned by Brody Dunn and his wife. These are private residences.”
I like how he put that. In other words, these places are off limits to guests. Smooth.
“Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying and give you the lay of the land. As we pass by―”
“Heeehawww!”
Like everyone else, I start at the loud bray, my heart now beating a mile a minute at the surprise.
“George.” Layne shakes his head at the burro. “Everyone, this is George. He’s our resident domesticated burro, not to be mixed up with the wild burros who can do you some damage. George is friendly and always hungry. You’re welcome to feed him, but be sure to check the poster in the clubhouse for what he can eat. We don’t want him getting sick.”
As people move forward, I walk toward the burro and give his neck a stroke. He leans into me for more. Crap. Now I want a burro for a pet.
“As I was saying…” I look over to find Layne staring at me. I guess petting the burro on the tour is not allowed, so I quickly walk away from George, and join the crowd.
Layne continues walking backward. “On my right is the horse barn, which you can see has a corral next to it. This is where you’ll be assigned a horse if your activity for the day includes riding. To my left is the cowgirl lodge for all the single ladies.”
I crane my neck to see where I’ll be staying, but I can’t really see since I gave up my front row position to pet George. Maybe I can sneak my way back up there.
“As we mosey on by, you can see we’re now in the square. We call this the Guest Square. All the buildings face the center, where you will often be able to sit around the fire and shoot the―talk, roast marshmallows, or listen to Mr. Jefferies talk about the history of Four Peaks.”
I have to grin that the man kept his language clean. Despite his bad boy looks, he seems like he’s rather polite.
“Across from the Cowgirls’ Lodge is the Cowboys’ Lodge for the single men. We used to call them the Fillies and the Stallions, but it went to the men’s heads.” Layne grinned, obviously feeling like a stallion himself.
I’m glad they changed the names. Why would people want to be identified as a horse?
“These are rustic accommodations folks, with bunk beds, showers, a wood stove, and some couches. You’ll find hooks and shelves for your belongings. But don’t worry, you can easily charge your phones.”
I grin at that. It appears the owners of the Rocky Road know their customers at least.
Layne points to two-story log building behind us. “On that end is the Settler’s Lodge for those of you who came as a family. It has six living quarters and a large gathering room with a fireplace in the center.” He points in the opposite direction. “At the other end of the square, where we’re headed, is the Clubhouse Lodge. This is where you’ll be eating your meals, when they’re not outside. It’s also where you can sign up for activities, visit the gift shop, and where some of the evening festivities take place. Behind it is a pool and hot tub for those who may have worked a little too hard during the day.”
A few eyebrows raise at that information. I’m not sure if it’s because there is something as luxurious as a hot tub here or if they are worried about working too hard. I’m only staying a few nights, but I plan to take advantage of the place before the interview. Since he doesn’t know I’m the one he’ll be interviewed by, I’ll get to watch him in action as he really is.
“Everyone come on inside and find yourself a comfortable seat as I fill you in on the rest of the ranch.”
Layne holds open the door as we all file in. Once inside, he steps in front of a large stone fireplace that faces a space filled with couches, cushy chairs, coffee tables, and end tables.
“You may have noticed an ATV road leading from the barn and heading west. That will lead you to the birthing enclosure where the cattle have their calves. Right next to that is the petting zoo. You’ll find goats, rabbits, pigs, and other various farm animals there.”
I guess George the burrow has special privileges to be able to wander the ranch at will instead of being tied up in the petting zoo. I’m going to have to get the story on him as well. Our readers love animals.
Layne continues. “On the north side of the grazing land we have two areas of interest. Unfortunately, the first is closed. We currently have a team of scientists studying the rock art on the north mountain. However, we’ve replaced seeing that with a hike up the furthest eastern mountain. And at the base of one of the middle mountains is our shooting range.”
Layne waits as a teenage girl tells her dad he has to take her to the shooting range. It takes a few minutes before either the girl or the dad notice that we are all waiting for them to finish their conversation. When they do, the dad looks embarrassed.
Layne picks up right where he left off as if it was no big deal. “So that’s’ the lay of the land for the ranch, but now we’re also offering excursions into the Town of Four Peaks itself. I’ll highlight a few places of interest. During the day, you may want to visit Sheila’s Western Depot if you’re interested in a larger selection of western wear than the gift shop here provides. You can always stop by the Lucky Lasso Hotel and Saloon for lunch. Another highlight of going to town is visiting the Ice Cream Shoppe, which has over two dozen flavors and all of them are unusual. They are very good. I should know, my aunt makes them.” The smile he gives us is filled with pride and warmth.
So he’s a loyal family man. That’s admirable.
“There’s also the usual places you find in a small western town like a feed store, Mr. Hardy’s hardware store, two small grocery stores, a car wash, a coffee shop, a car dealership, and three fast food places on the outskirts.”
From Layne’s tone, it sounded as if he never visited the last establishments.
“Now, if you head into town for an evening activity, I can recommend The Stampede, which is a pool hall, or you can go to Boots n’ Brew which has live bands every Saturday and Sunday night. The Lucky Lasso Saloon is another great place to hang out at night. And once a year Four Peaks hosts Pioneer Days, but that’s a few months out. Don’t worry though, there is plenty to do during your stay. Does anyone have any questions?”
As a number of people start questioning him, I slip behind the crowd to where tables are set up for dinner. Sitting, I start typing notes into my phone. This is going to be my best interview yet.
THIRD ROCK FROM THE COWBOY by Lexi Post
Anthropologist Dr. Silver Collins is used to laughter, derision, or fanatism when she tells someone she’s an ancient astronaut theorist. So when she receives none of those reactions from cowboy Layne Dawson, she’s intrigued. What also intrigues her is that the man has lived in the same town all his life, is amazingly confident, and is absolutely content with his life. His main goal appears to be to keep everything just the way it is.
Layne, a confirmed bachelor, has never met a woman like Silver, and it’s not just because her hair is completely white at the age of thirty-four. She’s traveled the world, quenching her thirst for knowledge about ancient cultures, determined to make a discovery that will help mankind understand its past. Her sacrifice and drive to reach that goal is something he’s never known and he finds it, and her, riveting.
The more Silver learns about Layne, the more she appreciates him. When it looks like his help could be instrumental in reaching her life-long goal, her respect and gratefulness turn to something more. But when it becomes clear that her life is as alien to him as his is to her, she has to admit they truly are worlds apart. The chances they can bridge the gap are about as low as the chances aliens visited Earth in the past…or did they?
Romance Small Town | Romance Western [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: September 23, 2025, e-Book, / eISBN: 9798900430041]
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About Lexi Post
Lexi Post is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of sensuous romance inspired by the classics. She spent years in higher education taking and teaching courses about the literature she loved while reading her favorite romance authors. It wasn’t long before she decided to marry her two first loves. From hot paranormals to sizzling cowboys to hunks from out of this world, Lexi provides a steamy read with a “whole lotta story.” Lexi is living her own happily ever after with her husband and her cat in Florida. She makes ice cream every weekend, loves bright colors, and you will never see her without a hat.
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