Betting on Texas. Amanda Renee

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