by Amanda Renee
He was torn between working her to death so she would give up the ranch and making life easy for her so she would stay...with him. But making her life easy wouldn’t get him the Double Trouble. Now it appeared she made the decision for him. Aaron was her choice. He couldn’t blame her, at this point. Jesse was anything but nice to her since the moment she’d arrived. In the back of his mind, he had brought her here tonight to change all of it.
Lexi excused herself and left Cole to deal with his brother. Typical Lexi, raise the heat in the room and then split.
“Why are you so worked up?” Cole asked. “She’s just dancing with the guy. Like you were with Lexi.”
“That’s different.” Jesse pulled at the condensation-soaked label on his beer bottle. “I grew up with Lexi. There’s nothing between us.”
“And you think there’s something going on between Aaron and Miranda?” Cole laughed. “If you’ve got it this bad, then why don’t you show her how you feel?”
“I can’t get involved with her,” Jesse said, eyes still fixed on Miranda. “I want my ranch back. If I fall for her, she stays and I’ll lose Double Trouble.”
“Unless you fall so hard you marry her.”
Marriage? To Miranda? If he married her, the ranch would be half his.
“What’s wrong? Racking your brain for a reason why you can’t marry her?”
“Come now, Cole. I didn’t think you could be this devious.”
“Why shouldn’t you marry her? You’ll have your ranch. You’ll have her. You can’t lose. But you just might lose if there really is something going on with Aaron and he beats you to it.”
Jesse never thought of Miranda marrying someday. Whomever she married would own the ranch. Cole’s idea had possibilities. Strong possibilities. The last thing Jesse ever wanted was Aaron to gain control of Double Trouble. Jesse eyed his nemesis as he swayed to the music with his arms wrapped around Miranda.
“Uh-oh. I know that look.” Cole stood and placed a firm hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here before you make a scene.”
“I’m fine,” Jesse snarled as he shrugged off his brother. “I’m not leaving her here with him.”
The song ended and Aaron led Miranda off the dance floor to a nearby table. Jesse watched Aaron touch the small of Miranda’s back as he ran through introductions. She let out a genuine hearty laugh. She was having a good time with Aaron.
Jesse stood, knocking his brother back a step. Cole was right. There was no reason not to marry her. It was the perfect solution to his problem and it would prevent Aaron from getting his hands on the ranch and Miranda. In a few long strides, he was at her side.
“You’ll have to excuse us,” Jesse interrupted, and took hold of Miranda’s hand. “We need to be heading home. We have a wedding to plan.”
“A wedding?” Miranda laughed at him and pulled from his grip. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“Come home with me, Miranda.” Jesse ignored the people staring at him. “Come home with me and let’s start a life together.”
“Jesse,” Miranda whispered. “Why are you doing this? Please don’t embarrass me. Go home.”
The two men locked on each other. Aaron pushed between them.
“You both look like a couple of peacocks with your chests puffed out,” Cole growled at both of them. “Now knock it off.”
The music had stopped. All eyes focused on their table. Miranda looked around. He knew he had embarrassed her. Again.
Whispering rose among the crowd. Jesse heard someone repeat his words to someone else.
Aaron turned to Miranda. “I’ll take you home.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere.” Jesse attempted to get past his brother to stop them from leaving. “I know what you’re up to!”
Cole pushed Jesse down in a chair so hard it knocked the wind out of him.
A crowd gathered as Aaron led Miranda out the door.
“Why don’t you tie a bow around her and serve her to him on a silver platter?” Cole hissed. “You just blew any chance you ever had with Miranda.”
Everyone still stared at him. How could he have been so stupid to propose to her in the middle of Slater’s Mill? How could he have been so stupid to propose, period?
By the time they reached the parking lot, Miranda and Aaron were nowhere in sight.
Chapter Eight
Aaron dropped Miranda off at the ranch. She thanked him for the ride, but didn’t feel up to talking about it any further. Jesse had proposed to her! Of course, it had to be a joke. Another way to embarrass her in front of the town.
It made sense. The reason why he was so eager to get her to Slater’s Mill even though he knew how tired she was. The way he goaded her so he could humiliate her in front of everyone. It was like The Magpie incident all over again.
Inside, Miranda gave Mable a brief rundown of the events at Slater’s Mill. Mable poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table.
“How do you feel about Jesse?” Mable asked. She put out two plates and a freshly made peach pie.
“For you, I’ll censor myself and say he’s a small domestic horselike mammal.”
Mable laughed. “That he is, child. But how do you really feel about him?”
Miranda sighed. She didn’t know. One minute he was bossy, the next he was sweet as— Miranda took a bite of pie.
“Oh, Mable, this is so incredible.” She savored the bite, hoping this conversation would quickly end.
“Glad you like it because you’re going to learn how to bake it for the Fourth of July picnic.” Mable didn’t wait for her to protest. “You know what I think? You both are too pigheaded to admit how you feel about one another.”
“Pigheaded?”
“I’ve known Jesse his entire life. Never once has he acted this foolish over a woman, especially one he’s only known for a few days.” Mable waved her fork as she spoke. “You, I don’t know very well. But it isn’t too hard to figure out. I see how you look at him. And I see how he looks at you.”
“He looks at me?” Miranda straightened her shoulders.
“Comin’ and goin’, child.”
Miranda took another bite of pie, her lips curled on the edges. There was no way she could ever make a pie this good.
“Is that silly grin of yours over Jesse or my pie?”
“Both,” Miranda managed through a mouthful of pie.
“Well, that grin isn’t going to get you anywhere if you don’t do something about him. Before you two end up hating each other.”
“I’m not very good at relationships, Mable.” Miranda rinsed her plate at the sink. “I can’t commit to someone only to have them leave me.”
“Who said he’d leave you?”
“He did. He made it clear he’d go to Abilene if he loses this bet. I plan on winning. So what does that tell you?”
“It tells me Jesse is trying to work you to death so you’ll give up.” Miranda froze in place. “Don’t you see it? If he scares you enough to think he’s leaving, you’ll panic about running the place alone and go home. He wants this ranch and he’s not about to leave it.”
“Then he’ll make me leave if he wins. Either way, one of us goes.” Miranda slumped against the counter. “I’ve moved too many times and lost too many people to have to start over again. This is my home.”
“It’s both of yours,” Mable said. “The sooner you two realize it, the sooner you can get on with your lives. Together.”
>
* * *
MIRANDA WAS IN THE STABLES at seven, but there was no sign of Jesse. She haltered Lone Star and led her out to the first corral. Always nervous with the first horse, her confidence gained as she continued to turn the others out. She pushed the wheelbarrow down the center aisle when the tack room door flew open. Jesse grabbed her and pulled her inside.
Jesse’s mouth came down upon hers before she could speak. Urgent at first. He molded her against him. When she didn’t try to push him away the kisses slowed. Lips barely touched as each kiss became more intimate. He supported the full weight of her body in his arms.
Jesse pulled back, far enough to bring a bouquet of wildflowers between them.
“A peace offering for the way I acted last night.” His eyes softened when she looked up.
The scent of daises and lavender delighted her. “And the kiss? Was it part of the peace offering, too?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Jesse drew her in close and kissed her again. “I don’t want to fight with you, Miranda.”
“No, you want me to give up the ranch.” Miranda leaned back on her heels.
Jesse inhaled slowly as he perched on one of the saddle stands. He drew her toward him.
“I don’t know where this is going.” His grip tightened as he ran his thumbs over the top of her hands. “But I do know I can’t seem to get you off of my mind. I don’t know what the right thing to do is anymore.”
“What got into you last night?”
“I would ask you the same question.” He spun her around as if she were on the dance floor. With her back to him, he pulled her close again.
From behind, Jesse rested his chin on her shoulder. She folded her hands over his in front of her. While she wanted to savor his closeness, she knew better than to trust him.
She turned slightly toward him and whispered, “I saw you with Lexi.”
Jesse laughed. Irritated, Miranda faced him, waiting for an explanation.
“Lexi and I are old friends. We were talking about breeding.”
“I’m sure you were.” Miranda tried to walk away, but he wouldn’t release his hold on her.
“You and Aaron, though, that’s another story altogether.”
“Aaron’s been a sweetheart to me. We danced, and he introduced me to some of his friends who gave me some great ideas about the picnic, by the way.”
“He looked like he was after more than friendship.”
Miranda raised one brow. “Jealous? How about explaining your proposal?”
“I’d marry you in a heartbeat, if you’d only say yes.”
Miranda’s mouth fell open. He held her face in his hands and gave her a closed-mouth kiss. He drew back and walked through the door without a second glance.
* * *
NO LONGER FEELING IN CONTROL, Jesse kept his distance for the remainder of the day. His kiss went further than he’d planned. Needing to clear his head, he rode out, checked the cattle and made only the most urgent repairs on the sections of fence. He had to admit to himself that Miranda wasn’t about to back down from this bet. There was no stopping her. She would win and he would be on his way. He had to marry her.
Sweat trailed down between his shoulder blades. Summer was only days away. He leaned against a fence post to take a swig of water.
“What the—” Jesse reached around and removed a sliver of wood from his jeans. He had to replace another post. Mesquite was inexpensive, but it rotted too fast.
By sundown, Jesse was uncharacteristically saddle sore when he rode to the stables. After he watered and fed General Lee, he felt the back of his jeans again. There didn’t seem to be anything there, but he was sure there was still a piece of mesquite sticking into him.
With no one in sight, he dropped his jeans in the middle of the stall.
“I wish I had my camera so I could show this to our grandkids.”
Jesse spun around almost tripping over the jeans pooled around his knees.
“This isn’t what it looks like, Miranda,” he said as he yanked his jeans up and winced. General Lee nudged him forward.
“Sure it isn’t.”
“No really, Miranda. I have a hunk of mesquite in my—well, in my backside, if you must know.” This is really embarrassing.
Miranda hauled him out of the stall, struggling to control her laughter. “Come on, cowboy. Drop ’em.”
Jesse hesitated and then lowered his jeans again. What did he have to lose at this point? Making a fool out of himself had become second nature. Between last night and then again earlier today, what difference would this make?
“Aw, you look so cute in your boxers. You skipped the boxer briefs this time, huh?” She squatted down for a better look. Her hands gently tugged at his shorts sending his mind in another direction completely. “Wow, you sure do have a hunk in there, don’t you. Hold still. Let me see if I can get it out.”
Jesse attempted to look over his shoulder to see what she was doing. She handled his body with the utmost care. Hands, soft and warm, tightened around his backside as she kneaded the mesquite to the surface.
“Grandkids, huh?”
“I was kidding, Jesse. Don’t read into it.”
“I’m not.” Grandchildren. Now there was a thought. A thought he easily pictured. All he ever wanted was to start a family of his own on this ranch. To see his children and their children ride over the grounds. Only he never found the right woman to share his dream.
“Now, what do we have here?”
Miranda jumped, causing Jesse to stumble forward. He regained his balance and furrowed his brows at Miranda.
“Mable, this isn’t what it looks like,” Miranda managed to choke out through her laughter. “Jesse has a splinter and I’m trying to get it out.”
“She’s lying. Don’t believe a word she says,” Jesse said as he glanced down at Miranda’s disbelieving face. “She wanted a little nooky and jerked my jeans right down.”
Miranda swatted Jesse on the backside.
“Ouch!” He yelped like a wounded coyote.
“You can get that splinter out yourself.” Miranda stomped out of the barn while Mable shook her head.
* * *
MIRANDA SNICKERED WHEN JESSE walked through the kitchen door. She helped Mable bring the roast chicken, fresh green beans and corn to the table.
“Jesse, grab the coleslaw from the fridge,” Mable said as she poured iced tea into tall chilled glasses. She added a wedge of lemon to each one and carried them to the table.
Jesse gingerly eased into a chair as the women watched with curiosity.
“For your information, I got it out,” Jesse grumbled. “No thanks to you two.”
Miranda took a bite of chicken, closed her eyes and savored the taste.
“Mable, this is wonderful. I’ve never had cooking like yours in my entire life. You make everything taste so amazing.”
Jesse grunted and nodded, too busy with his own meal to speak.
Mable smiled. “I’m sure your mama was a good cook.”
“In all her years, I can’t remember her ever preparing a meal.” Miranda ran through all the mealtimes they ever shared together. They were few and far between. Mostly takeout or cereal. Never a home-cooked meal.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Mable patted her hand.
“Don’t be. I’m fine. Still working through it, but I’m fine,” Miranda said as she poked at her corn with her fork.
“What a
re you working through?” Jesse blurted, clueless to the conversation.
The look Mable shot him spoke volumes. He hung his head like a child. Miranda never experienced so much protectiveness as Mable gave her.
“It’s okay, Mable,” she reassured. “My mother died of cirrhosis of the liver a little over a year ago. Long story short, she drank herself to death.”
Jesse put down his fork and watched her intently. He waited for her to continue. Maybe it was time to get it all out in the open. Well, not everything.
Miranda was never sure if her mother ever truly cared about her. The result of a one-night stand, she was a constant reminder of her mother’s screwed-up life until the day she died. A child was a burden and Claire made sure Miranda knew it every day while she was growing up. When her mother became a full-blown alcoholic, she became the burden on her daughter.
Rehabilitation centers and Alcoholics Anonymous could only do so much when the person didn’t want help. Claire had used her cirrhosis of the liver diagnosis as a free pass to drink herself into oblivion. When the doctor laid the liver transplant option on the table, she’d adamantly refused. Claire had enough of this world and wanted out of it the fastest way possible. All Miranda could do was watch her mother dig her own grave.
“My mother was the only family I had,” Miranda added. “I never knew my father. For the most part, neither did my mother. It’s just me now.”
A lone tear rolled down Miranda’s cheek. She didn’t mean for the last part to come out. But it was how she felt. Alone. She had no one. Now Mable had fast become the closest thing to a mother she ever knew. She wiped at her cheek and took another bite of chicken.
“This is so good.”
Mable and Jesse exchanged looks. A silent understanding washed over the table. Miranda didn’t want to reminisce further about a life she wanted to leave behind.
“We need to talk about hiring more help around here,” Jesse said, taking the cue to change the subject. “We can turn a profit if we get this place back to what it once was. But we would need help.”