More Than The Ranch At Stake

When Miranda Archer bought Double Trouble Ranch, sight unseen, she was eager to leave city life behind and start fresh in the Texas Hill Country. But the property came with some unexpected extras: a few cattle, a couple of horses…and one surly cowboy.

From the minute Jesse Langtry first laid eyes on Miranda, she captured his heart. Beautiful and determined, Miranda is everything Jesse wants in a woman. There’s just one little hitch. Jesse’s dream girl just stole his ranch!

Sure that rural life will be too much for Miranda, Jesse bets her that she won’t last a month at Double Trouble. If he wins, she’ll sell him the land—if she wins, he’ll leave for good. Pushing each other away seems to bring them closer—and that’s where the real trouble begins!

“I bet you won’t last one month on this ranch.”

“Oh, okay.” Miranda laughed. “Some bet there. A whole month. Wow.”

“That’s all it will take,” Jesse said.

“You’re really serious? What are we betting?”

“The ranch.”

“What?” Miranda rolled her eyes skyward as she shook her head. “What do you mean, the ranch?”

“If you last the month, I’ll leave and you’ll never be bothered by me again.” He grinned. “If I win, you sell me the ranch for what I originally bid on it. What do you say? You game, or don’t you think you can handle it?”

Miranda narrowed her eyes. So this was his plan. He still wanted the ranch for himself. Well, one month would be easy enough. And it would teach him a lesson not to underestimate her. There was no way she could lose.

“I’ve got news for you, cowboy. I’m not going anywhere.” Miranda held out her hand. “You have yourself a deal.”

Dear Reader,

Family is the glue that keeps us together through the bad times and the confetti in the air during the good times. Family comes in all shapes and sizes and isn’t necessarily blood relative exclusive. Ramblewood, Texas, is a small town, big on heart. Where friends and neighbors are a huge part of everyone’s family.

I’m excited to share my first book with you. Betting on Texas gained momentum while I was sitting around a kitchen table with five other women and two seeing-eye dogs. I can’t thank Dorothy, Jan, Lois, Miriam and Pam enough for believing in this book in its infancy. Lois has since passed on, but will always remain a part of my extended family.

When I saw Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest, I knew it was time for Miranda and Jesse to see the light of day. Three months later to the day, Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling made my dreams of becoming an author come true. She has truly become my fairy godmother. And to my fellow American Romance “sisters,” thank you for warmly welcoming me into the Harlequin family.

The townsfolk of Ramblewood, Texas, have become a part of my life, just as I hope they become a part of yours. Feel free to stop in and visit me at www.amandarenee.com. I’d love to hear from you. Happy reading!

Amanda Renee

Betting on Texas

Amanda Renee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in the northeast, Amanda Renee currently resides on the Intracoastal Waterway in sunny South Carolina. Her dreams came true when she was discovered through Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest.

When not creating stories about love, laughter and things that go bump in the night, she enjoys the company of her schnoodle named Duffy, traveling, photography, playing guitar and anything involving horses. You can visit her at www.amandarenee.com.

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For my Mom and Dad with love.

And for Grandma Kay—I wish you were here to share this with me.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Excerpt

Chapter One

Double Trouble. Miranda hoped the words emblazoned across the iron arch at the ranch’s entrance weren’t an indication of things to come. Well, there was no turning back now. She tossed a crumpled map onto the passenger seat and steered her new black pickup and creaky rental trailer through the gates.

A bittersweet smile formed upon her lips as the house appeared in the distance. This was it. A new home and a new life, away from everything in Washington, D.C.

The morning sun shone bright upon the white clapboards of the century-old farmhouse. A large whitewashed front porch spanned its entire width. Walnut and oak trees shadowed neglected flowerbeds filled with weeds. Miranda envisioned a vibrant wildflower palette planted against the starkness of the house and looked forward to a little garden work.

She pulled the truck into a shaded area close to the stables. Looking up, Miranda’s breath caught in her throat. A rough and ready cowboy leaned casually against the weathered open door of the building. A grayish-colored dog sat at his feet, wagging his tail.

If the cowboy comes with the place, I must be in heaven.

Miranda peered over the top of her sunglasses and watched the man walk inside the stables. Then logic overruled fantasy. Miranda realized Jonathan must have arranged for him to welcome her to Ramblewood.

She stepped down from the truck, her body stiff from the long drive. The cowboy returned leading a deep chocolate-brown-colored horse.

Her eyes darted to a nearby corral where two more horses grazed. Coils of rope and feed buckets hung from the white fencing. Water troughs filled to their rims reflected the morning sky. She shook her head, willing the whole scene to disappear.

Something wasn’t right.

Miranda grabbed the photos from the front seat. It didn’t make sense. It was the same house. Same property. Why were the horses still here?

Maybe he’s just using the place for a few days. The horse trailer next to the barn must mean the animals were being relocated soon.

“May I help you?” the man called out as he approached.

His tall, muscular frame flexed with each stride. The Texas sun had tanned his face a warm golden hue. Hair the same color as the horse he led peeked out from under his Stetson. A few days’ worth of stubble enhanced his rugged good looks even further.

“Um...” Miranda’s mouth went dry. She regained her composure enough to ask, “Is this the Double Trouble Ranch?”

“Sure is, sugar,” he drawled. The horse behind him nudged his shoulder forward. “What can I do for you?”

“I don’t understand.” Miranda surveyed the property. Are those cows in the distance? She looked to the cowboy for answers. “This has to be a mistake.”

His eyes narrowed. Miranda stepped back. The handsome features she was attracted to only seconds ago faded into a menacing glare.

“Who are you?” His jaw clenched.

Miranda had a sudden urge to flee to the safety of her truck, but both man and horse blocked her path. A fierce pounding began deep within her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

“You’re the new owner, aren’t you?”

He stood too close for comfort. Miranda backed into the corral fence. There was no place to turn. With her adrenaline raging, anger suddenly overtook fear. Squaring her shoulders she stepped forward, inches from his face.

“Yes, and you are?”

“The former ranch manager.” He handed her the horse’s rope. “His name’s General Lee. Good luck.”

Stunned, Miranda looked up at the animal. He snorted and licked her cheek. “Eww!” She wiped her face and quickly lengthened the amount of rope between herself and the horse.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Miranda called out after the cowboy who was walking away. The sound of hooves on the ground behind her stopped her—she forgot all about the rope she held. The horse nudged her forward. “Cut that out!”

The cowboy stopped in front of Miranda’s truck and looked down at the bug-splattered license plate.

“Washington, D.C., huh? What’s a city girl like you know about owning a ranch?”

“Nothing!” she shouted. At her outburst General Lee tossed his head pulling the rope through Miranda’s hand with a stinging burn.

The cowboy was back at the agitated horse’s side, rubbing his palm between the horse’s eyes and down to the end of his muzzle while he whispered words Miranda couldn’t quite make out.

“Lesson one. Don’t ever yell around a horse. Especially one you don’t know,” he warned. “Lesson two—always wear gloves when handling a rope.”

“But—” There was no point in reminding him he was the one who’d handed it to her. She closed her eyes tight. It’s all a dream. The Marlboro Man is just a mirage.

“I don’t understand. I bought this place but...I didn’t sign on for this.” She gestured toward the horse. “Why are you here?”

“I wanted to meet the person who destroyed my life.” He stepped closer.

Didn’t this man understand the meaning of personal space? He stared at her with deep brown eyes as if he expected an explanation. He may be drop-dead gorgeous, but she wasn’t about to let him intimidate her. Yes, he was an incredible specimen of a man, but she needed to focus on the task at hand.

If only I could run my hands—

Miranda shook her head to erase the thought, watching the cowboy turn General Lee loose within the fenced area. The cowboy returned and gave her a conceited grin, as if he’d read her mind.

“You outbid me,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”

“I know your type.” He drew her hands to his chest and ran his thumbs over her skin. “Rich as molasses. Everything in life handed to you on a silver platter. You come to these small Texas towns, buy ranches like this one and then turn them into housing developments.”

He turned her palm upward while gingerly running his fingers over the welt from the rope. A chill ran through her. A part of her wanted him far away from her yet she seemed to be glued to the spot. Maybe it had been far too long since she last felt the touch of a man. But this wasn’t just any man—this was a full-blooded cowboy who rattled her as no one ever had.

The reality of the situation kicked in and she pushed him away. “Not that it’s any business of yours, but I bought this place to live on. Sight unseen, I might add. I don’t know where you got your information from, but it couldn’t be more wrong. I have no plans to build anything. I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Sure you don’t.” He ground his teeth together. “I poured the past fifteen years of my life into this ranch. Built everything you see here, with the exception of the houses. Double Trouble was mine. Then you came along. Ripped it right out from under me. Too bad I won’t be around to watch when you try to deal with the cattle.”

“Cattle?” Miranda gulped. So, those were cows in the distance.

My cattle!

“Those things out there with the big horns are called Longhorns. And they’re all yours.” He laughed. “Don’t fret too much. It’s only a small herd used for training the cutting horses.”

“Look...mister...whatever your name is.”

“Jesse,” he interrupted.

“Look, Mr. Jesse, I don’t know what’s going on around here. There must be some mistake. I thought the sale included whatever contents the owners left behind in the house. I figured it meant furniture. It never crossed my mind livestock would come with the property and I never thought to ask. I don’t know how to take care of them.”

Miranda ran over the events of the past month in her mind. Her ex-fiancé’s lack of sympathy regarding her mother’s death made her decision to move that much easier. When Jonathan Reese, her lawyer and best friend since eleventh grade, returned from Texas and told her he found the perfect place for her to start over, she found the opportunity impossible to resist. Memories of countless moves and dingy, cramped apartments led way to dreams filled with wide-open spaces and a farmhouse in the country.

Now she owned her dream. And while she may have seen an animal or two in the photographs, no one ever told her it was a package deal.

A rooster crowed and broke her train of thought. “Chickens, too?”

“You’re telling me you know nothing about horses and cattle? Then why on earth did you buy a ranch?”

“I just told you, I didn’t know it came complete with farm animals. I bought a house with land.”

“Lady, this is a ranch! And ranches are for people with animals.”

Miranda kicked at the dirt beneath her boots. She needed a moment to sort this out, to call Jonathan and get to the bottom of this.

“What did you intend to do with a fifteen stall stable?”

“There are fifteen horses?” If she didn’t faint now, she would soon.

“Relax.” Jesse smirked. “There’s not quite that many now. So what happened? The truck wasn’t expensive enough for you? Had to jump in whole hog and buy a Texas ranch to appease your shopping urges?”

Miranda’s first thought was to slap him across the face. Thank heavens her good graces held her in check and she kept her hands where they were.

“Oh, get off your high horse. No pun intended there, cowboy.” Miranda recoiled. “You know nothing about me!”

“Don’t care to, either.”

“If you are so concerned about the welfare of these animals, then why don’t you take them with you?”

“And keep them where? My back pocket? Not a whole lot of room there, sugar.”

Miranda ignored his arrogance. “Mr. Jesse, certainly there must be some room for them at your ranch.”

“You sure don’t listen very well. This was my ranch!” Lines of frustration creased his forehead. “And my name’s Jesse Langtry, not Mr. Jesse.”

“Jesse’s your first name?” Miranda tried to hide her amusement. “Like Jesse James?”

“You got a problem with that, city slicker?” He folded his arms across his chest.

“City slicker!” Miranda found it harder and harder to keep calm. “Look, it’s obvious there’s been some sort of a mix-up here. Once I call my attorney, I’m sure I can straighten this all out. Maybe the previous owners would welcome their animals back. At no cost, of course.”

Jesse whipped off his Stetson, gazed skyward and laughed as he wiped the back of his roughhewn hand across his forehead.

“How generous of you. But it would be next to impossible.” His callousness faded as he continued. “They were killed in a car accident six months ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

It seemed Jonathan had neglected to tell her a lot of things about the ranch. Not that she’d asked him many questions. One look at the photos and she’d wanted to move as soon as possible. Now Miranda was desperate to get some clarification from her friend.

“They didn’t have any children, so the house went to Fran’s sister. Since she had no use for it, it went up for sale.” Jesse pulled his hat down low, shielding his eyes. “You and I both bid on it. I lost and you won the whole shootin’ match. I was only watching the place until the estate was settled.”

Miranda supported herself against the truck. A house was one thing, but animals? She had plans of starting a small business in town once she moved to Ramblewood. Only her ideas were more along the lines of a clothing boutique. This wasn’t what she expected at all.

From what she could see of his face, he was distraught over the loss of his friends and home. Miranda felt a small pang of guilt. While she wanted a place to call home and to start a family of her own, she didn’t want to destroy someone else’s life in order to get it.

She’d soften her tone with him and try to get on friendlier terms. “So what exactly does a ranch manager do?” If she was lucky, maybe she could even convince him to stay and help her for a few days, or until she figured out what was going on here.

“I oversaw the entire spread, as well as being the head trainer.”

“Trainer?” Miranda repeated.

“I train cutting horses.”

Miranda stared blankly at Jesse.

He rolled his eyes. “Cutting horses are used to move cattle around, among other things.”

“I see.” A scene from an old Western flashed through Miranda’s head. “I didn’t realize people still did that.”

“Sure they do.” He took a deep breath. “Listen, I have another job waiting for me in Abilene, but I’ll stay around for a bit and feed the livestock. I don’t work for free, and I’m not staying long. Just long enough for you to decide what to do with all of this.”

Bingo!

“Really? You’ll stay?” Miranda saw a slight glimmer of hope. “That would be great!”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, I’m only here temporarily. What’s your name?”

“Miranda. Miranda Archer,” she said, eagerly holding out her hand.

He took her hand in his and turned her palm over once again. “It’s not too bad. The sting will go away in a few minutes.”

The gentleness of his touch sent her mind in the opposite direction of pain. Maybe I can find out if cowboys really do roll in the hay. Heat rose in her cheeks at the thought.

“Well, Miranda. Come on.” Jesse motioned to her. “We’ve got plenty of work to do.”

“Work?” Miranda glanced at the pile of her belongings packed into the truck. “I just got here. I haven’t even had a chance to see inside my house.”

She didn’t wait for a response. Miranda retrieved a few bags and headed up the porch stairs. Jesse bounded ahead of her.

“Not now.” He took the bags from her and dropped them on the porch. “Until you hire a new foreman you need to learn how to take care of these animals. Like I said, I’m not staying long.”

He couldn’t leave! What would she do?

“Show me around later.” Miranda shooed him away.

She really was desperate to see the house and wasn’t about to wait a minute longer. The house had played a major part in her move to Ramblewood. From the listing information the Realtor had emailed her, it had a great deal of charm and a homey quality. Ever since, Miranda pictured herself there, with a husband and a houseful of children. The fact it was a thousand miles away from Washington, D.C., was an added bonus.

“Let’s get a few things straight, Miranda. I’m not your personal tour guide.” Jesse took her arm and steered her down the stairs. “You can see the house on your own time. The sooner I show you what to do around here, the sooner I can be on my way.”

He walked ahead to the stable entrance and waited for her. Miranda was torn. It was probably wise to pacify the cowboy for the time being. After buying the house and the truck, she only had enough money left to tide her over for a year. She not only needed help with the ranch, she needed a friend in town. Not an enemy.

“Oh, well, I’m sure this won’t take long.”

Inside, the pungent smell of hay assaulted her senses, causing her to sneeze. Jesse took a pair of leather gloves from his back pocket and gave them to her. He grabbed another pair from a shelf and put them on as he walked to the last stall.

“Do you have sneakers or work boots to put on?” he asked. “What am I asking? You wouldn’t even know what work boots look like.”

Miranda narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s wrong with these?” She stuck out one foot, proud of her new red-and-turquoise leather cowboy boots. They sure were pretty.

“They haven’t even been broken in yet. Those are meant for riding, not walking. You’ll regret wearing them in five minutes flat.”

“I’ll be fine, thank you.” She pushed a few long strands of hair behind her ears as she strutted past him.

“Suit yourself.” Jesse unlatched the stall door and stepped in to stand beside a large gray horse. “Tell me. Do all rich city girls buy property without seeing it?”

Again with the insults?

“You don’t quit do you?” Miranda tried to think of the shortest way to explain her situation. “My best friend is from San Antonio and he thought the Hill Country would be a perfect place for me to start over.”

“What was so horrible you had to run away? I know! You ran out of places to shop.”

Miranda chastised herself. This was her one shot at a new beginning. The citizens of Ramblewood didn’t need to know what her life had been like before she arrived.

When she didn’t respond, Jesse laughed as he adjusted a harness over the horse’s head. He led the horse down the long corridor and outside, double-checking to make sure Miranda followed.

“Never walk close to the back end of a horse,” Jesse said over his shoulder. “It’s a surefire way to get kicked.”

Miranda quickened her steps to put the equine’s business end behind her.

“Surely I wasn’t the only one who could have outbid you. Why take this out on me?”

Jesse ignored her and turned the horse loose in the corral with the others. Miranda rested her arms on the top rail of the fence while he returned to the stables. Fresh, clean air filled her lungs. She couldn’t believe she was here, in Texas. On her land.

He reappeared with another horse. She fumbled with the latch as she tried to open the gate for him. With the flick of his thumb, Jesse swung it open, grinning at her.

Miranda closed the gate with Jesse still in the corral. He eyed her warily, stepped up on a fence rail and hopped over it, landing less than a foot in front of her. For a moment, Miranda thought he’d end up on top of her.

“You were the only other bidder,” he said as he headed inside.

Why would that be? If he didn’t want to expand on that information, she’d drag it out of him.

“There was no guarantee no one else would bid.” Miranda was on his heels when he turned to face her.

“Everyone in Ramblewood knew I wanted this place,” he snapped. “You don’t get it, do you? They all knew this was my ranch.”

Miranda held her ground. His intimidation tactics were not going to scare her this time.

“How was I supposed to know? And it’s not your ranch. It’s mine.”

“I deserved Double Trouble!” he shouted.

“And you’re about to get it if you shout at me one more time!”

Jesse flinched at her retort. This wasn’t quite how she imagined her first day in Texas. She figured she’d see her house, walk around the property, maybe drive into town and have a bite to eat. Anything but this.

“Some welcoming committee you are,” Miranda huffed.

“Sugar, if you’re looking for a warm welcome, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“To think, I drove all the way here for this. I’m starting to regret it.”

“Oh, goody.” Jesse clasped his hands together in mock glee. “Does that mean you’ll leave?”

“Not on your life.” Miranda didn’t appreciate his sarcasm. This was her home now. She wasn’t about to let some cowboy chase her away.

As she opened her mouth to tell him where he could go, a horse neighed from inside the stables. Her mouth snapped shut.

What was she thinking? She couldn’t send him away. He was the only one who could help her now. At least until Jonathan cleared up this mess.

From where she stood, the ranch seemed endless. It was a magnificent piece of land—the photographs hadn’t done it justice. There was a small cottage behind the house, nestled amongst dogwoods. From beyond the white pasture fencing, fields of wildflowers faded into a copse of trees. A couple of bungalows stood alongside a dirt road that ran through the pastures, toward the hills. The ranch seemed to roll with the landscape. She understood why Jesse was so protective of someone turning it into a housing development. The Hill Country was all she dreamed of and more.

Jesse stood beside her as he took in the same view. When Miranda turned to face him she noticed his features darkened by sadness. She found herself stumbling for words to comfort him in some small way.

“It really is beautiful here,” she said.

The wall between them needed to come down so they could work together. Miranda thought their mutual admiration for the land was a good start.

“Yes, it is. As long as you don’t ruin it.”

So much for that idea.

“Once again, I’m not going to ruin it. Give me a break, will you? I came here for some peace of mind.”

“Peace of mind? What’s been stressing you out, sugar?” Jesse eyed her top to bottom. “Your shopping sprees? Bet you’re still using Daddy’s credit cards to buy everything. You wouldn’t know the meaning of an honest day’s work if it bit you on the—”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t beg, sugar. It doesn’t become you. Now come on, we have work to do.”

Miranda went with him, willingly this time, toward the stables. He removed a wheelbarrow and shovel from a storage room and pushed it toward her.

“Start with the first stall and work your way around. Shovel it completely out, down to the floor. Old bedding goes in the large green container out back for composting. We use the last stall on the left to store fresh bedding. Open five bags in the stall and spread it around till you have about a two-inch depth. I’ll check in on you later and show you how to wet the bedding to fluff it up. Good luck. You’ll need it.”

* * *

JESSE KEPT HIS LAUGHTER in check until he’d turned the last horse out in the corral. He’d never seen a woman so rip-roaring mad in all his life. After her hissy fit, she’d settled down and got to work mucking the stalls. She had to learn the ropes somehow.

He had to admit, even with all the aggravation she caused him, he sure did enjoy the sway of her hips when she walked and the way her hair fell free, to the middle of her back. She was a looker. There was no doubt about it.

Jesse knew the instant Miranda climbed from her truck, the name Double Trouble finally rung true. She was shapelier than a Coke bottle and had green eyes the color of spring leaves. A woman like her could only make a man’s life difficult. And she’d proven to be no exception so far.

Not only had he lost everything, he’d lost it to a beautiful blonde. But there was something different about her. She possessed such a deep self-confidence yet her face reflected a loneliness that reminded him of a child on the first day of a new school.

When Fran Carter’s sister put the ranch up for sale, Jesse was livid. He’d offered Caroline more than a fair price for the place. Nevertheless, she had been determined to get all she could for it.

It didn’t matter one iota that Fran and Ed Carter had spoken at great length about their intentions to sell Double Trouble to Jesse. They treated him like a son and Jesse considered himself blessed to have a second family. While the Carters enjoyed the ranch, the house had needed more and more repairs. They were tired and wanted a stress-free retirement in a smaller house near town. Then tragedy had struck.

Though Caroline had been devastated by her sister’s and brother-in-law’s deaths, when it came to the ranch all Caroline could see were dollar signs. From her Seattle home, she’d arranged the sale of the antiques and most of the furniture only two days after Fran’s funeral. Assuming the ranch would run itself she didn’t realize half of what Jesse brought in training horses was his to keep. Combined with the vet and feed bills, Double Trouble cut into her bottom line. Thanks to Jesse spreading the word around town not to buy the horses and cattle, she gave up and left them to the new owner.

After Jesse had forgone his father’s offer to work on his family’s ranch when he graduated high school, the Carters had hired him. Despite the fact he loved his family and respected his brothers’ decisions to work there, he didn’t want anything handed to him.

Bridle Dance was his great-grandfather’s legacy. And while he was proud of his family, Jesse wanted a legacy of his own. Now fifteen years later, he had to walk away from what he believed would have been his.

Just when he thought his time on Double Trouble was over, he had to contend with Miranda. The sight of her stepping out of that new truck made his blood boil. The woman didn’t know one end of a bull from the other. Now she owned his ranch. The last thing he wanted was to witness the destruction of the place he loved.

Common decency told him to show her enough to get by. Help her hire a foreman and then be on his way. Another part told him to stay in case she floundered and decided to hotfoot it back home.

If her expensive jeans and new boots were any indication, there was no way she could handle running a ranch. If his instincts were right, maybe Double Trouble would be his after all.

A girl like her wasn’t used to this type of life but she was about to learn the gritty details. And maybe, just maybe, she would realize this was not for her.

A few hours later, Jesse checked in on Miranda. He expected to see one, maybe two stalls mucked. Instead, he was amazed to see every stall clean and freshly bedded.

He gave her credit. It couldn’t have been easy for her, but she accomplished it anyway. Jesse had to admire her tenacity.

Jesse found Miranda behind the stables, rubbing her feet through the leather of her boots. His dog, Max, who was apparently not man’s best friend, was wagging his tail as he sat beside her. Traitor. He hurried inside before she saw him. He whistled a Western tune to warn her he was around the corner.

“Here you are,” Jesse said as Miranda wobbled to her feet. “I see you met Max. For the record, he doesn’t come with the ranch.”

“It’s all finished.” Wisps of hair fell from her makeshift ponytail. Dust and sweat covered her chest and arms. She looked as though she was ready to drop. On the other hand, maybe it was the guaranteed blisters on her feet that were making her face scrunch up as it did. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to see my house.”

Jesse let her get halfway to the porch before he called to her.

“You best be careful where you wander off to.” Jesse warned. “You never know who or what might be prowling around here.”

Miranda spun around, her eyes wide.

“Don’t look so surprised.” Jesse feigned concern. “This is Texas, after all. We have snakes and all sorts of wild animals around these parts. Never mind what the livestock will do if provoked.”

Miranda eyed him warily as he walked toward her.

“Remember the old saying,” he whispered in her hair as he brushed past her. “You mess with the bull, and you’re going to get horned.”

The corner of her mouth rose in a sly smile.

“Be careful, cowboy,” she said as she continued to her house. “You just may be the one to get horned.”

Jesse caught her elbow before she could go inside.

“Listen, little girl.” He encircled her waist and drew her close. “Watch it before you get yourself in a whole heap of trouble.”

Miranda didn’t break her gaze, she matched it. Tiny droplets formed above her lip. He’d gamble those lips tasted salty right about now. Before he lost complete control, Jesse stepped aside.

She attempted a smile, but fatigue won out. Jesse hadn’t considered how long she had driven to get here. From the looks of her, all night. He felt like a heel. He bossed her around for half the day and didn’t even allow her to see her house.

“Are there any more chores or may I be excused?” Miranda stood with a look of defiance he had never seen before.

Except maybe in a mirror.

“Go in and see your new house.” Jesse kicked at some hay. “Get yourself settled and grab something to eat. I’ll finish up out here.”

Miranda didn’t protest. She limped past him, toward the porch.

The urge was too great for him to resist. “I told you those new boots were going to be a killer.”

Miranda stopped. He half expected her to give him another tongue-lashing. Instead, she hesitated briefly then continued on walking.

It was time to get back to work while he still had duties here at the ranch. “She’s something else,” he said to General Lee as Jesse led him out of the corral.

The horse nodded his head as if he understood. Jesse watched Miranda hobble up the porch stairs. Each step was a well-calculated movement.

“I almost feel sorry for her.” Jesse latched the stall door once the horse was inside. “It must be rough. A new town, a new home and a jackass who pushes her around.”

General Lee’s muzzle smacked Jesse’s head into one of the stall posts.

“Watch it!” Jesse rubbed the side of his head. “What’s gotten into you today? If you’re trying to knock some sense into me, you can forget it. She’s trouble with a capital T and I don’t give a damn what happens to her.”

The gelding turned in his stall and presented Jesse with a rear view.

“Thanks, pal.” He stormed off to the stable office. He knew he needed to apologize to Miranda for the way he’d treated her. More important, he needed to find a way to convince her to sell him the ranch. If he played his cards right, he could do it all with the help of one person and nobody would be the wiser.

Jesse picked up the phone and dialed.

Chapter Two

Miranda sat in the kitchen, soaking her feet in a small aluminum tub she found in the pantry. They were covered in blisters and ached more than they ever had in her life.

Note to self: wear sneakers next time. Score one for the cowboy.

She never thought she would make it through the first stall, let alone the last one. But she’d be damned if she’d let a man get the best of her. Who did he think he was, anyway?

If he tells me what to do one more time, I’ll...well, I’ll do something. That’s for sure. The phrase “where the sun don’t shine” came to mind.

She tried twice to reach Jonathan, only to get his voice mail. He talked to her on the phone most of the previous night to keep her company during her drive. She couldn’t imagine why he wasn’t answering.

Until she figured out what to do, she needed to bite her tongue when it came to Jesse. But it didn’t mean she’d allow him to boss her around and make fun of her. Yes, she needed some lessons on ranch life. Yes, he was the perfect one to show her the ropes. But mucking the stalls? That was a man’s job. She could feed the horses or put out fresh water or whatever the heck people did on a ranch full of animals.

When Jonathan first mentioned Double Trouble she knew in her heart it was where she belonged. Even before she saw the photographs. If anyone knew the kind of life she desired, it was Jonathan. Not only was he her best friend, he was the brother she never had. He was the only one she trusted with her hopes and dreams. Now here she was, unable to reach him and away from everyone she knew. She was officially a ranch owner. A ranch owner with horses and cattle.

Don’t forget the chickens.

Although it was an extraordinary and rare event, winning the lottery hadn’t quite been the highlight of Miranda’s year. After what she had been through, it came more as a relief. While it wasn’t enough money to guarantee she’d never have to work again, it was enough to buy Double Trouble and her truck outright. A sheet of paper with her finances lay before her. Every dime was carefully budgeted. And if she played her cards right, she had a year of padding built in.

Miranda shivered. She wasn’t sure if she was cold and scared or overwhelmed by the vastness of the ranch. Choosing the latter as a reasonable explanation, Miranda decided to unpack the items she’d brought with her. Then maybe the old place would feel more like home. Starting with a pair of flip-flops. She knew they were in one of these boxes.

Furniture shopping was on the top of her list for tomorrow. She didn’t have much left after she’d donated almost everything she owned to Goodwill before she left D.C.

Miranda noted every nook and cranny of the house. There were very few furnishings left behind. Much less than she had figured. A large drop leaf farm table and chairs, some bookcases and a few end tables were all that remained. Considering the sale included the contents of the ranch, she expected more furniture, and fewer animals. It was only day one and she already had to adjust her budget.

After choosing which room would be her bedroom, Miranda went downstairs by way of a narrow staircase that led to the kitchen. The old door creaked as she opened it, causing her to smile. Most people would lubricate the old iron hinges. She rather liked the homey sound.

Years of smoke darkened the bricks above the fireplace and bread oven. Another bit of charm she would preserve.

This is where I’m meant to be.

She could almost hear the love and laughter that used to fill these empty rooms. When she closed her eyes, she saw her own dreams of yesteryear play out before her. She opened them and envisioned children running in from outside, muddy feet leaving footprints behind them on the worn floor. Memories of her past faded. It was time for new ones.

By the time Miranda unloaded her truck and rental trailer, it was midafternoon. Taking a bottle of pink lemonade and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from her cooler, she surveyed the ranch through the screen door.

Miranda had to face the fact that Jonathan knew about Jesse and the livestock. Why else would he be dodging her calls? His secretary claimed he was away on business for the remainder of the week, but he’d mentioned nothing about that yesterday. How convenient. When she tried his cell phone, all she heard was Jonathan’s chipper voice mail greeting. After the last message Miranda left, she’d be amazed if he ever spoke to her again. Why didn’t he clue her in on everything before she arrived? She’d had enough surprises over the past year to last a lifetime.

“How am I ever going to manage this place?”

“With a little help and a lot of kindness.”

Miranda jumped at the response. A middle-aged woman, with skin the color of cinnamon, poked her head through the door.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, dear,” the woman said as she let herself in. She carried an armful of brown paper sacks filled to the hilt with cleaning products. She placed them on the table, then beelined for the boxes Miranda had left on the counter.

“Excuse me.” Miranda tried to get the woman’s attention. “Excuse me, um, whoever you are.”

“The name’s Mable Promise,” she said as she glanced around the room. “Jesse reckoned you might need a helping hand, or two, around here. We sure do have our work cut out for us. This house sat empty for way too long. Needs a good going-over, if I do say so myself.”

“I don’t understand.” Jesse told the woman she needed help? “I—”

“There’s nothing to understand. Now come on. We have plenty to do by the looks of things.” Mable directed Miranda to a stack of unopened boxes while she worked her way through the pots and pans. “Well, don’t just stand there stewin’ in your own juices. If we’re going to make this ranch work, we best get started.”

Miranda struggled to speak, choosing to chew on her bottom lip instead. Who was this woman unpacking her utensils?

“I’ll wash everything here. Do you have fresh linens on the beds?”

“Beds? I don’t have any beds. I don’t have any furniture really. I’m planning to go shopping tomorrow. Tonight I’ll camp out on the living room floor.”

“Well, we can’t have that!” Mable dried her hands and walked over to the screen door. “Jesse! Get on in here!”

The apples of Mable’s cheeks glowed as she smiled at Miranda. She had welcoming eyes. Caring and compassionate, like the eyes a mother has for her child. Miranda could only guess what it would have felt like if her own mother had once looked at her that way.

Jesse stood in the doorway. A perfect silhouette of his body stood in contrast to the afternoon sun. Miranda’s pulse began to quicken.

“Drive Miranda into town and pick up a mattress and box spring. I don’t want her sleeping on the hard floor. Lord knows it needs a good scrubbing. If you hurry, you can get to Mayfield’s before they close.”

Mable bustled about the kitchen as she spoke, her feet moving as fast as her tongue. Jesse laughed. This was apparently normal to him. He seemed at home and relaxed as he watched the robust woman. Until the woman stopped in her tracks and glared at him.

“Uh-oh.” Jesse groaned then scrambled for the door.

“Now go on...git!”

Mable chased them outside and down the porch stairs with a dish towel. Miranda yelped as they crossed the yard to her truck. She’d forgotten she was barefoot. Her blisters sure hadn’t.

Her shoes were inside. She imagined the wrath she would incur if she went back in and asked for them. A few seconds later, the screen door swung wide and Mable tossed a pair of flip-flops down the stairs. Carefully, she slid her feet into them. As much as they hurt, she wasn’t about to let Jesse see her pain.

“You didn’t have to do this.” Miranda nodded toward the kitchen. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Forget it. It was my way of apologizing for the way I treated you earlier.”

Miranda wasn’t quite sure if she should thank him or strangle him. A stranger just chased her out of her home and took over her kitchen.

“Who is she, anyway?”

“Mable’s been a family friend for as long as I can recall.” Jesse leaned on the truck fender. “She worked for the Carters before the accident. Lived in that cottage over there. Figured she could work here again since you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

“Work for me? Look, I don’t know how much money you think I have, but—”

“As long as she can live on Double Trouble, she’ll be happy with whatever you can pay. Her husband passed on a few years ago. He ran the cattle end of the business before they downsized it. They shared their final years together here. This place has sentimental value to her.”

Miranda sensed a guilt trip coming on. “I’m sorry to hear that but—”

“Word to the wise, sugar, don’t ever let Mable hear you say you feel sorry for her. She’ll tan your hide for sure.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean—”

“I know what you meant. It’s Mable who won’t.”

Miranda felt all control over her ranch slip further away with each word out of her mouth.

“Nice rig. Must have set you back a bit,” Jesse said, as he inspected the black quad cab pickup. “Not that it would matter much to you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Jesse jumped in the driver’s seat. “Toss me the keys.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I can drive myself, without any help from you.”

“You have no idea where you’re going,” Jesse said. “The center of town is nowhere near the interstate, which I assume is the way you came in. You’ll get lost on these back roads.”

“If I can manage to get here all the way from D.C., I think I can handle a little trip into town. Just point me in the right direction.”

“Suit yourself.” Jesse pointed toward the main road. “It’s that way.”

An endless dirt road lay before the ranch. The same dirt road she drove down when she arrived. And she didn’t recall seeing any signs for a town ahead along the way.

“Sure you don’t want me to tag along? I can help you try out those beds.” He winked, his intentions all too clear.

“Let me get this straight.” Miranda smiled. “You don’t even like me, yet you’re offering to sleep with me?”

“Honey, I don’t have to like you in order to bed you for the night.”

Miranda ignored his comment as she climbed in the truck. She headed down the dusty road, in the opposite direction she had come earlier. She had grown accustomed to her new truck over the past few days. Anything beat the broken-down cracker box she’d driven for the past six years.

After she passed three unmarked turnoffs, she decided to try her luck on the next one. It was next to impossible to tell which led to ranches and which ones were legitimate roads. Acres upon acres of pastures and crops lined the narrow lane, but there was no sign of a town.

A few attempts down others brought her to an intersection identical to the one she’d passed a few miles before. Now she was lost.

An hour later, she found herself in front of Double Trouble—no closer to town than she was before she left.

“Shoot!”

Miranda drove down the ranch drive, watching for signs of Jesse. The noise her tires made on top of the cattle guards made an unnoticed entrance highly unlikely. There was no way she was about to admit she’d never made it to town. He would enjoy it a little too much. She parked the truck and ran up the stairs. Mable would give her directions and she would try again tomorrow.

Miranda threw open the screen door and smacked face-first into Jesse’s chest.

“How was town, sugar?” He raised a brow as if to challenge her.

“I...uh.” Miranda tried to sidestep the cowboy, but he braced his arms on either side of the doorjamb.

“What was it you were saying?”

Jesse’s wicked grin said it all. He knew.

“So what?” Miranda pushed him aside and stormed into the kitchen. “So, I never made it into town.”

“What? I didn’t hear you.”

“I said I never made it to town!” Miranda shouted. “Are you deaf or just stupid?”

Miranda swore she felt steam rise from her skin. In a matter of hours, Jesse learned the right buttons to push. In one day, he managed to infuriate her more than most men did in a lifetime.

“My hearing’s fine, but you appear to be the stupid one,” he said as he strolled out the door. “Couldn’t even get your sorry self to town. Guess you’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight after all.”

The screen door slammed in his wake.

“Oh!” Miranda stomped her feet.

“We’ll have none of that, dear.” Mable joined Miranda as they watched Jesse’s retreat to the foreman’s house. “Pay no mind to him. His feathers are still ruffled over this place.”

“None of which was my fault,” Miranda added. “What’s his problem, anyway? He’s so angry and bitter.”

“Pride. Pure pride.” Grabbing a bottle of pink lemonade out of Miranda’s cooler, Mable opened it and took a sip. “Eww. I need to teach you how to make this stuff from scratch. It sure would taste better.”

Miranda felt her anger leaving her as she stared at the old kitchen floor. A layer of wax left a thick residue on the stained linoleum. She eyed a box of steel wool Mable had brought and got up to fill a bucket of water. On her hands and knees, Miranda began to scrub. Mable followed suit, and the two of them slowly began stripping the floor. It was cathartic in its own way.

“He’s a tough one to figure out,” Mable said.

Miranda only nodded in agreement.

“Jesse’s father never forgave him when he opted out of the family business.” Mable continued to scour as she spoke. “It’s not so much he didn’t want to be a part of the family ranch. He wanted to build one of his own.”

“And that didn’t go over well with Jesse’s dad?”

“Langtry men are all stubborn. The whole lot of them. Jesse despises having anything handed to him.” She plunged the steel wool into the water. “If he had joined his brothers and taken over Bridle Dance, he wouldn’t think that was much of an accomplishment.”

“But it’s different. It’s an inheritance.”

Miranda would have given her eyeteeth to have a family. Let alone one who wanted her to join the family business.

“I know it. But Jesse never saw things that way. And his father never saw it Jesse’s way. Don’t get me wrong. Jesse respects his brothers for their decisions, but it wasn’t what he wanted out of life.”

“Sounds like he has something to prove.”

Miranda understood how he felt in that regard. A year of should haves and what ifs had passed since her mother’s death, combined with a broken engagement, and she still felt that way.

“He does. To himself. Jesse wasn’t in the rodeo spotlight like his three brothers always were. He’s an honest man. Just wants to make a life for himself. One he can be proud of.”

“I guess it’s noble when you think about it.”

While it wasn’t a choice Miranda would have made, she understood his reasons, to a certain degree. She always dreamed of what life would be like if she had been part of a large family instead of the disaster she came from. Jesse, on the other hand, felt the need to break free from his.

The grass is always greener.

“Jesse demands things his way. His way was buying this ranch. Years ago, the Carters promised to sell it to him when they retired. He saved every penny he ever made to buy this place. He was downright devastated when he lost it.”

“I’m sorry, Mable, but I refuse to feel bad about buying this place.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Mable stood and rubbed the small of her back. “I’m just making you aware of why he’s acting the way he is. In the end, he only wants a family of his own.”

So the cowboy was human.

“Why doesn’t he go back to Bridle Dance now?” Miranda wondered aloud. “At least for a little while, to regroup. Instead of this new job in Abilene.”

“Heaven knows his father tried to talk him into it. Jesse even considered it, for a spell. But like I said, he’s a stubborn one. I’m surprised he’s agreed to stay on and help you out.”

“He’s staying on for the sake of the animals,” Miranda said. “Not me.”

“Maybe so. But he’s still here.”

“For the time being.” A deep voice echoed throughout the kitchen.

Startled, Miranda knocked the bucket of water, sloshing half of it onto the floor. She scrambled for a roll of paper towels while avoiding any eye contact with him. She now had more of an appreciation for the man who stood before her. However, she wasn’t about to let her guard down around him just yet.

“Instead of eavesdropping,” Mable chided, “go see if you can find a mop.”

Without a word, Jesse left the kitchen.

Annoyed at the ease with which Jesse unsettled her, Miranda attempted to soak up the black water. This was crazy. Why does this man have such a hold over me? Whenever he was around, she was as nervous as a schoolgirl.

“Well, no sense crying over spilt milk,” Mable said, getting to her feet. “We best head into town and pick up some food.” Mable wiped her hands on a dish towel. “I’m famished.”

“Don’t let her drive,” Jesse interjected. He was standing there holding a rope mop like a knight ready to joust. “She’ll take you round in a circle and back again. You’ll end up starving to death.”

“We’ll have none of that,” Mable chastised him, pushing Miranda out the door. “Make yourself useful, Jesse. Mop up the floor.”

The woman ignored Jesse’s grumblings while Miranda found it impossible not to smile. Mable sure could put Jesse in his place at the drop of a dime.

“I’ll show you where everything is in town,” Mable said as she turned the key in the ignition of the old car. A loud backfire almost knocked Miranda out of her seat. “Then tomorrow you can buy yourself something decent to sleep on.”

“Thank you.”

Miranda hated to admit it, but she was grateful to Jesse for staying around and bringing Mable to the ranch to help her. Maybe he wasn’t so heartless after all.

“Mable, I need to talk to you about salary and what I owe you for the supplies you bought.”

“Not now, child. There will be time enough for money talk later on.”

“But—”

“I’m staying with my sister until I move back to the ranch,” Mable interrupted. “Why don’t you bunk with us tonight?”

“Thank you for the offer,” Miranda said. “But I really want to sleep in my own house. About the money—”

“First house?”

Miranda shook her head and smiled. She could take a hint. She made a mental note to discuss Mable’s salary in the morning.

“Yes. Something I’ve wanted for a long time. Only I never could afford it.”

“Come into some money recently?”

“Accidentally, yes.” Miranda stared out the window. Mable didn’t press further and Miranda didn’t offer. Some things were better left unsaid. At least for the time being.

Chapter Three

The cool morning air greeted Jesse as he stepped outside. A few more weeks would bring the onslaught of summer. The Hill Country’s steady breeze was a blessing throughout the warmer months, keeping the heat at a tolerable level. Still, Jesse liked to complete any form of hard labor before the noonday sun.

Outside the foreman’s house, a panting tongue and a wagging tail greeted him and Jesse bent to scratch the dog behind the ears. Max had been his ranch hand for the past five years, essential in training the cutting horses for roundup. His four-legged pal was the only thing around here these days that didn’t cause him any aggravation.

Speaking of aggravation.

Jesse glanced toward the main house. Mable wouldn’t arrive for a few more hours. That meant he could spend some time with Miranda, showing her, firsthand, how hard ranch life truly was.

Dinner the night before went well enough. Mable’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes and buttermilk gravy were delicious enough to make his toes curl. A home-cooked meal was one of the many things he missed after the Carters had died. Every now and then, Mable would stop by the ranch with a plate of food or his favorite, spicy chocolate-mince pie. She always thought about everyone else.

Miranda didn’t seem to know what to make of the fried chicken at first. She picked at it, and then tasted a small piece. After that, there was no going back. She dove right in and devoured the golden breast. Even licking her fingers clean.

Didn’t they serve real food in D.C.?

She disappeared a few times to try to call someone from her cell phone. When her frustration got the best of her, she joined them on the front porch. The remainder of the evening, she devoted her full attention to Mable. Of course, she paid no mind to him whatsoever. It was as if he weren’t even there.

Mable recounted the ranch’s history and told stories about some of Ramblewood’s quirkier residents. Like the time Karen Johnson woke to Charlie Slater’s prize mule braying in her bedroom window after it escaped its corral. Or when the old timers broke into the Ramblewood jail in the middle of the night and locked themselves in cells, with their horses, protesting the No Horses on Main Street law. The law was quickly reversed.

While Miranda was leery of some things, she laughed until she cried at others. Jesse wasn’t sure if she believed half of what she heard. Nonetheless, she seemed to enjoy herself.

Miranda did need a lesson or two about the ways of the residents in these parts. Mable informed him she was none too friendly toward the townsfolk at the grocery store. He could only assume the people in D.C. were not a welcoming lot, judging by her amazement at Mable alone. This, too, could work to his advantage.

“Might as well wake up Little Miss Ray of Sunshine.” Max barked in agreement and ran up the porch stairs. Dawn was on the horizon and there were chores to do.

Jesse bounded up the stairs and tried the knob. Locked. He peered through the window and made out a motionless sleeping bag. He could have given her one of the mattresses from the bunkhouse like Mable asked him to before she left. But it would have made things too easy on her. Heck, he already did her a favor by hiring Mable.

You did yourself that favor, pal.

He knocked on the door. Nothing.

“Miranda!” he hollered. The sleeping bag stirred and then went still again. “Miranda!”

Miranda shot upright and scanned the room. After she spotted Jesse, he saw she was none too thrilled to have him as her first vision of the day.

She struggled with the zipper on the sleeping bag. Unable to open it, she hopped to her feet and slid the bag down around her ankles. When she attempted to step out of it, she tripped and fell to the floor.

Jesse held his laughter as he watched Miranda kick the bag. She leaped to her feet and tried to gain what composure she had left. She limped to the door and opened it.

“What time is it?” Miranda peered out on the porch. “It’s not even light out.”

She wore yellow flannel boxer shorts and a white cotton T-shirt. Her hair was wild and skin free of any makeup. Her legs seemed endless and her shirt accentuated the rise and fall of her breasts.

Miranda followed his gazed and folded her arms across her chest, feigning a shiver.

Beautiful or not, if he was ever going to get her off the ranch he needed to work her to death. Once she had a good dose of daily life on Double Trouble, she would pack up and head home in no time.

“Rise and shine, sugar.” Jesse took off his hat as he entered the kitchen. “We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

The kitchen was spotless. Miranda had completely stripped the wax from the floor and reapplied a fresh coat. A coffeemaker and freestanding electric mixer replaced the boxes on the counter. She must have gone back to work when he and Mable left for the night.

“Get dressed and we’ll head out.”

Miranda faced him, bewildered. She shook her head, turned and went into the living room. For a moment, he thought she was about to lie down and go back to sleep. Instead, she grabbed a duffel bag from the floor, dragged some clothes out of it and headed to the bathroom without so much as a word.

A few moments later, she emerged, freshly scrubbed and her hair tied up in a ponytail. When she put on a pair of old sneakers, Jesse tried to hide his amusement.

“Yes, I know. I should have listened to you and worn different shoes yesterday. You don’t have to rub it in.”

“I didn’t say a word.” Jesse grinned.

“Your look says it all.” Miranda stood and smoothed her hands over her jeans. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“First, we need to turn the horses out,” Jesse said as he led her through the door. Max greeted her with a playful bark. “Then we need to do some maintenance on one of the stalls.”

“Turn the horses out?” Miranda questioned over her shoulder, almost missing the first porch step.

“Watch it.” Jesse caught her arm before she fell. “You certainly aren’t the most graceful of creatures are you?”

“What do you mean ‘turn the horses out’?” she repeated, ignoring his insult.

“I mean putting them in the pasture over there so they can graze and exercise. Grazing prevents colic. It’s something I need to teach you to watch for.”

“I thought only babies got colic.”

“Sugar, you have a lot to learn.” Jesse laughed.

Priceless was the only way to describe her puzzled expression. Jesse placed his hand on the small of her back as he escorted her across the yard. The simple act shot heat through him like a lightning bolt.

Sure, he had touched plenty of women in much more intimate places. They just never affected him this way. Not only was it a feeling he wasn’t used to, it was one he never expected. Especially with the woman who stole his ranch.

This is going to be a long day.

Since his bossiness didn’t yield the results he’d expected yesterday, he decided to take a gentler approach today, similar to the one he used when training horses. He’d break her in slowly, offering a reward here and there.

“Tell you what. Let’s get the horses situated and then head into town for some breakfast.”

He might as well take her to Mayfield’s to buy a bed while he was at it. I wouldn’t mind taking one for a little test drive, either. Miranda didn’t take too kindly to the suggestion yesterday. After waking her up at the crack of dawn, he didn’t think she would take too kindly to it now. It didn’t stop him from envisioning himself waking up beside her.

What the heck has come over me?

To clear his mind, Jesse taught Miranda how to halter a horse. With General Lee as his guinea pig, he demonstrated the right and wrong way to approach a horse. Once he felt she understood, he let her practice.

After she faltered a few times, he stood behind her, guiding her arms with his. The softness of her hands combined with the vanilla scent of her hair almost sent him into a tailspin. This was supposed to clear his mind?

What was I thinking?

After a few attempts, Miranda got the hang of it. Still visibly intimidated by the horse’s size, she led him from his stall. Once she led her third horse to pasture, her shoulders were back and a hint of a smile began to appear.

“That was so incredible!” Miranda said as she closed the corral gate for the last horse. “They follow me wherever I lead them.”

“You wait,” Jesse warned. “It’s not all fun and games around here. This was the easiest part of your day. Come on. Let’s get some breakfast.”

Miranda tossed Jesse the keys to her truck.

“Oh, you must be daffy if you’re allowing me to drive your precious chariot.”

Miranda stuck her tongue out as she got in the passenger seat. As childish as it was, Jesse found the gesture charming. Under other circumstances, he would have asked her out on a date. She was determined and so far, proved herself a hard worker. All qualities he wanted in a woman. One little flaw got in his way. She stole his ranch.

As he drove into town, she pulled a notepad out of the center console. He couldn’t believe it. Miranda was taking notes, counting streets and houses. She was obviously determined not to get herself lost the next time she ventured out on her own.

“Stop here!” Miranda shrieked, almost causing Jesse to drive off the road.

Before the truck came to a complete stop, Miranda had the door open. She jumped down and sprinted toward the furniture at a yard sale on the side of the road.

“I love it!” Miranda cried as she ran her hand over the old dresser. “How much?”

No please! No furniture! You’re not staying long enough to warrant furniture. You only need a bed.

Miranda’s purchases at the yard sale included a dresser, an iron bed frame, a sideboard, a few rocking chairs and a buffet.

“We have to return for the buffet and the chairs,” Jesse groaned. “There’s no more room in the truck.”

Jesse inwardly fumed. There was plenty to do at the ranch and they had already killed a good portion of the morning. The last thing he wanted to do today was move a bunch of furniture around. He would have figured her the type who wanted new things, not pieces in dire need of refinishing. Frustration began to set in. He wanted her out of Ramblewood and fast. Yet here she was, nesting like a mother bird.

“It’s all right, Jesse,” Beau Bradley said. “Aaron and I will drop them by the ranch later on. It’s good seeing someone in the old Carter place again.”

“No comment.” Jesse held his tongue to keep from speaking his true feelings on the subject. “You sure you want to be saddled lugging this stuff over?”

“No trouble at all.”

Jesse didn’t want the old man to overexert himself. Which he had a tendency to do on most occasions.

“Thanks!” Miranda beamed.

“Anytime.” Beau tipped his hat and waved goodbye.

Back on course, Jesse steered the truck onto the main road and headed toward town.

“Where are you going?” Miranda looked through the rear window at her purchases. “We need to unload the truck.”

“After we eat and buy a bed.”

“But someone will steal it!” Miranda’s breath quickened.

“Steal what?” Jesse shot her a sidelong glance.

“My furniture!” She pointed out the window. “It’s sitting there, in the open.”

“Not around here they won’t.” Jesse laughed. “Listen, if you’re going to live here, you best get yourself accustomed to our way of life. People here are friendly. They lend a hand to one another. No one even locks their doors at night. There’s no need to worry about anyone stealing your furniture. What do you want with this stuff, anyway? It all needs to be refinished.”

“I know. I can’t wait to get started.” Miranda looked gleeful at the prospect.

“You?” Jesse asked in disbelief. “What do you know about wood refinishing?”

“Plenty.” Miranda jutted her chin in the air. “I read all about it in a magazine.”

He laughed. Instead of arguing with him, she turned on the radio, drowning out any possibility of a conversation. From the corner of his eye, he watched Miranda mouth the words to the Tim McGraw song. The girl did her homework. He wondered if they even had country music in D.C.

Miranda hesitated when he stopped the truck in front of The Magpie. The redbrick luncheonette didn’t look like an intimidating place to him with its white vinyl bird cutouts that decorated the large picture window. But something was causing her to hesitate. Then he realized she was still worried about her furniture.

“Give it a rest, Miranda.” Jesse held the door open to the luncheonette. “No one will steal your precious furniture.”

All eyes were on Miranda as she walked through the door. It was very obvious everyone had heard Jesse’s comment. He was as embarrassed as she was right about now.

He led her to a booth, exchanging a few pleasantries along the way. The luncheonette was small. Four booths lined one wall, with a handful of tables close by. Originally a bakery, owner Maggie Dalton chose the name The Magpie after her husband had vetoed the name Maggie’s Buns. Over the years, The Magpie grew into a place where some folks ate every meal. It was the spot to go to catch up on Ramblewood’s latest gossip.

Or witness it, as the case may be today.

“Well, hello there, Jesse.”

A stunning redhead winked as she set two cups of coffee and a creamer on the table. Her short pink uniform and white apron accentuated her slender figure. As many times as he’d asked Bridgett out, she’d always turned him down flat.

“Hey, Bridgett.” Jesse turned sideways in the booth. “How’s your mom doing?”

“Much better now. The cast’s coming off this week. After some rehab, she’ll be able to get around on her own.”

“Must be a nuisance,” Jesse continued, ignoring Miranda’s glares. She could wait a moment longer and learn the meaning of the word patience.

“Don’t I know it. For me as much as her. I have to work all day, then go home and take her every place she needs to go.”

“Be sure to give her my best.”

Miranda cleared her throat loudly until Jesse acknowledged her.

“Bridgett, this here is Miranda. She bought the old Carter place.”

“It’s a pleasure, Miranda.” Bridgett smiled sweetly. “You need anything, you just holler, you hear?”

“Thanks.” Miranda shrugged, dismissing Bridgett’s sincerity.

Jesse shot her a warning glare. Bridgett shrugged and took a pencil from behind her ear.

“The usual for you, hon?”

“That’d be great,” Jesse said.

“What will you have, dear?”

“Do you have anything low fat?” Miranda wrinkled up her nose as she perused the menu.

“She’ll have pancakes and sausage.” Jesse scowled, daring her to challenge him.

“You got it. They’ll be out in a few.” Bridgett winked at Jesse again as she walked toward the kitchen.

“I could have ordered for myself.” Miranda grabbed a napkin from the dispenser and wiped the table. “I’m on a diet.”

“You look fine.” Jesse snatched the napkin from her hands. “And you’re going to need a big breakfast to get through today.”

Miranda slumped backward in the booth. Every so often, someone would turn and stare at her.

“What are they all looking at?” Miranda said between clenched teeth.

“The person who stole my ranch. I told you. All of Ramblewood was behind me on this.”

While Jesse appreciated the support he received from the townsfolk, he wasn’t prepared for all the glaring and whispering he was seeing before him. Maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“Well, they don’t have to be so rude about it.” Miranda’s voice rose.

“Would you pipe down?” He reached for her hands across the top of the table.

“I will not pipe down!” she shouted. “Who do you think you are bossing me around every ten seconds? I’m really getting tired of it.”

Embarrassed, Jesse squeezed Miranda’s hands in his and tried to soothe her.

“I’m sorry. Please, calm down.”

Jesse wanted nothing more than to leave the luncheonette. He had more than his fill of this mouthy northerner for one morning. Bringing her here was a mistake.

“Is it true you bought Double Trouble so you could turn it into a housing development?”

Jesse hung his head. This couldn’t have come at a worse time. Why had he ever told Charlotte Hargrove what he thought the new owner’s plans were?

Because you know she has a big mouth and would tell the whole town.

Miranda slowly scanned the prim woman standing before her. Jesse held his breath sensing a major blowout was about to take place.

“What did you ask me?” Miranda released herself from Jesse’s grasp.

Miranda’s words were slow and deliberate. Jesse watched the heat rise in her face and her pupils dilate. Ready to do battle.

“The way I hear it, you’re turning Double Trouble into a housing development.”

The entire room grew quiet. All eyes focused on Miranda.

“Look, I don’t know who you are—”

“Charlotte,” Jesse interrupted. “I don’t think now is the time to discuss this.”

“No! I want to hear what she has to say.” Miranda eyed Jesse warily. “Tell me...Charlotte, is it? What else have you heard?”

“You’re going to ruin a century’s worth of history by tearing apart Double Trouble.”

“Now, I wonder where you could have heard that from.” Miranda slid out of the booth.

“Miranda, please sit down.” Jesse tried to grab her hand but she snatched it away.

“May I have your attention please?” Miranda addressed the luncheonette. “As if I don’t already.”

Jesse crossed his arms in front of him on the table and lowered his head. His plan backfired. Breakfast was supposed to relax her. To prepare her for the day ahead. He even wanted to learn a little more about her. It wasn’t supposed to be a free-for-all in the middle of town.

“Not that my plans are any of your concern, but I would like to set the record straight.”

Brace yourself. This is going to be a doozy.

Everyone in The Magpie hung on Miranda’s every word.

“I didn’t buy Double Trouble to build a housing development. I bought it to live on,” Miranda said in a calm, steady voice. “And if any of you have a problem with that, deal with it!”

So much for calm.

Jesse glared at Miranda when she sat down. He couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. The entire town would catch wind of it in a half hour flat.

“I hope you realize you succeeded in making a first-class fool of yourself.”

“Me?” Miranda snarled. “You, sir, succeeded in making a fool out of me long before I came to town.”

Bridgett approached with plates of food. She stood at the edge of the table, uncertain whether to place them down or retreat to the kitchen.

“Regardless, you could have handled the situation with tact instead of acting like a spoiled rotten child.”

“Spoiled? You know nothing about me.”

“I know enough to see you blew into town and knocked me right off a ranch I had worked hard for.”

“Once and for all, it was not my fault. You should have bid higher.”

“I didn’t have the money!” Jesse stood up, threw some bills on the table. Bridgett stepped aside to avoid toppling her plates. “I don’t need this.”

Miranda stood, causing Bridgett to step in the opposite direction, almost dropping everything this time.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Miranda chased after him as he walked through the door.

“Away from you!” Jesse yelled over his shoulder as he threw her the truck keys. “Have fun finding your way back to the ranch.”

On the sidewalk, Miranda turned to see everyone in the luncheonette watching her through the window.

“What are you looking at?” she yelled, and motioned them away with her arms. “You’ll pay for this, Mr. Langtry!”

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