by Amanda Renee
“Miranda,” he called out.
No answer.
He tugged on his jeans and jumped over the side of the truck. The damp grass made him dance in place while he reached for his socks and boots.
Hopping on one foot, he called out for her again. As he jammed his foot into his other boot, he noticed the matted grass leading away from the truck.
“Miranda!”
He jumped in and started the engine. She couldn’t have gotten far.
Boot tracks led him to the main road and then stopped. He thought he would have seen her by now. He glanced at the clock. Not knowing how long she had been gone, he didn’t know where she could be. It would have taken her a half hour, at best, to make it out of the grove alone. Turning onto the main road, he figured he would catch up to her on the way to the ranch.
* * *
HER FEET ACHED BY THE TIME she reached The Magpie. The familiar bell sounded as she walked through the door. She said her hellos to everyone and listened to their thank-yous as she made her way to the counter.
“Give me the largest and strongest cup of black coffee you’ve got.”
“Are you okay?” Bridgett asked.
“It’s been a long night. One I’d rather forget.”
“Why don’t you clean up a little.” Bridgett reached for her handbag under the counter and handed it to Miranda. “There’s a hairbrush and some makeup in there.”
“Thank you.” Miranda made her way to the bathroom, afraid of what her reflection in the mirror might reveal.
Wonderful! I look like a hooker after a wild night! Her clothes were on crooked, her hair disheveled. What those people out there must think. She had the same clothes on from yesterday!
“Miranda?” Bridgett knocked once on the bathroom door and peeked in. “These should fit you. I always carry a spare set in my car, just in case.”
Some women understood the situation all too well. Miranda gratefully accepted the clothes and made herself as presentable as possible.
French toast, bacon and a large cup of coffee awaited her when she returned to the counter. Bridgett thought of everything.
“Thanks.” Miranda smiled weakly.
“Miranda!” Karen Johnson shrieked, almost causing Miranda to fall off her stool. Miranda didn’t know the woman well, but remembered her from yesterday.
Miranda glanced at Bridgett, who gave her a comforting pat on the hand.
“What a wonderful picnic you threw yesterday. We had the most wonderful time! Everything was just so wonderful!”
Bridgett giggled as Miranda attempted a sweet-as-pie smile.
“I’m glad you had a wonderful time, Mrs. Johnson.”
“Oh, please, dear. Call me Karen,” she said as she handed Bridgett the money for the check. “Well, I have to run off. See you soon!”
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Bridgett mocked.
Miranda began to explain last night while Bridgett rested her elbows on the counter and listened. When she gave Miranda the ol’ be-quiet look followed by a head nod toward the door, she braced for the worst. She followed Bridgett’s eyes to the Magpie entrance.
“Aaron.” Miranda breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why don’t you two grab the booth over there? Aaron, honey, you want your regular?”
Aaron nodded and gave Miranda a questioning look.
“Have a seat,” Miranda said. “I need to talk to you.”
* * *
JESSE RAN THROUGH THE BACK door of the farmhouse. “Miranda!”
Up the kitchen stairs and through the bedrooms he continued to call her name. There was no sign of her.
“Mable!” Jesse shouted as he ran up Mable’s front stairs and pounded on the door. “Mable! Have you seen Miranda?”
Mable opened the door a crack so the puppies wouldn’t escape.
“Where’s Miranda?” Jesse panted.
“I thought she was with you,” Mable said. “Gimme a sec and let me finish getting dressed. I’m half-naked over here.”
Jesse paced the entire length of the porch until she emerged from the cottage.
“Settle down and tell me what this is all about.”
“She’s gone!” Jesse yelled. “She got up at some point, got dressed and left.”
“Got dressed?” Mable raised an eyebrow.
There was no time for him to explain. Mable knew all about the birds and the bees. He was sure she could put two and two together.
“I followed her tracks in the grass until I hit the road. I thought she would have come straight here.”
“How far away were you?”
“Miller’s pecan grove.” Jesse took his hat off and swiped his hand through his hair.
“Are you sure you didn’t pass her along the way?” Mable questioned. “That’s quite a haul on foot.”
“Of course I’m sure,” Jesse snapped. “I’m sorry, Mable. I’m worried. Maybe she’s lost somewhere. I’m going back out for her. If she shows up, keep her here!”
Jesse leaped from the porch to the ground. He spun the tires as he raced back out. He gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Where can she be?
* * *
“HE ONLY WANTS THE RANCH, Aaron.” Miranda pushed away her plate. She wasn’t hungry. “He tried to get me to call off the bet last night.”
“I don’t think that’s the reason, Miranda.” Aaron patted her hand across the table. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“There’s something I haven’t told you.” Miranda couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eyes. “I’m in love with him.”
Aaron laughed. “I know you are, honey.” He smiled at Miranda’s questioning gaze. “We all know you are.”
Miranda looked around The Magpie. Had she really made a fool out of herself in front of the entire town again? Did everyone know she was in love with a man set on leaving her in a week’s time?
Aaron gripped her hand tighter.
“This isn’t the Miranda I know,” Aaron said. “What happened to the ‘take no prisoners’ girl that barreled into town?”
He was right. Here she was, falling apart because she spent the night with Jesse. So what? It was the most pleasurable night of her life. What did it matter? She loved the man and he didn’t love her. Who cares? She did, hence her problem. She cared too much.
If she was ever going to survive, she needed to get him out of her head. He’d be gone soon enough and that would be the end of it. It would hurt for a while, but she’d manage.
“I’ll just avoid him for the next week.”
“No, you’ll face him head-on. Jesse’s not as bad as you think he is. He has some mighty strong feelings for you, Miranda. When he asks why you left, tell him. Don’t play games. Now, come on, let me drive you home. I’ve got work to do on that ranch of yours.”
Aaron convinced Miranda to wait at the ranch for Jesse. She sat at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee when the phone rang. Mable went to answer it.
“Hello?” Mable said. “No, I’m sorry. He’s not here right now. May I take a message?”
Miranda gave her a questioning look.
“Okay. Will do.” Mable hung up the phone and rung her hands.
“Who was that?” Miranda was almost afraid to ask.
Mable took a deep breath and released it before she spoke. “It was the owner of the ranch in Abilene. He wanted to confirm Jesse’s arrival next week.”
* * *
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THERE WAS NO SIGN OF MIRANDA anywhere. After Jesse drove around the outskirts of town for an hour, he decided to check back at the house to see if she’d shown up.
Mable greeted him coolly in the doorway.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“What are you talking about?” He opened the screen door but Mable blocked his path. “Mable, come on, let me in.”
“I’m sorry, Jesse. Miranda made it perfectly clear she does not want to talk to you.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Miranda!” Jesse shouted over Mable’s shoulder.
Mable slammed the door and left him to stand alone on the porch. Jesse stepped down and called up to Miranda’s window.
“I don’t know what I did, but I wish you’d talk to me!”
* * *
MIRANDA DID HER BEST to avoid Jesse over the course of the next two days. No matter how he rearranged his schedule, she managed to stay a step ahead of him. Mable brought a plate of supper out to him the first night, but he wasn’t hungry. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t anything...without Miranda. He prodded Mable for answers. But she said they needed to work it out together. How could he when she wouldn’t talk to him?
Thoughts of Miranda lying in the bed of his truck transported him back to the other night. Down came the walls and any pretense they’d once held. At least that’s what he thought. The events played over in his mind. What had he done wrong?
Consumed with trying to win the bet, Jesse felt terrible he neglected to call the ranch in Abilene to turn down their offer. Yesterday he told them he would pass, although a small part of him regretted it now. The way things were going with Miranda, there would be nothing left to keep him on the ranch soon.
He reached in his pocket and pulled out the small box he continued to carry. The diamond ring nestled between two pillows of blue velvet reflected the morning sun.
There was no reason for him to remain on the Double Trouble. He could go back to Bridle Dance and make his family happy. It wasn’t what he wanted, but he couldn’t stay here any longer. The woman he loved shut him out of her life without as much as an explanation.
As he turned General Lee out in the pasture, he noticed Miranda watching him from the porch. She regarded him for a moment, and then hung her head when Aaron joined her.
If she wants to talk to me, she can come down here. I’ve made enough of an effort. Jesse led two more horses to the corral. When he walked in the stables, Miranda, Aaron and Mable were waiting for him.
What’s this? Did it take three people to ask him to leave?
“Jesse.” Miranda stepped forward. Her voice strained. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Why don’t we all go in the house.” Aaron shifted.
“Say what you have to say, Miranda.” Jesse tapped his foot.
“I’m not sure how to tell you this, but—”
“But what?” Jesse snapped. “Spit it out already.”
“Do you want me to tell him?” Mable asked. Miranda shook her head.
“Tell me what? What’s gotten into you three? You act like someone died.”
The three of them stood before him, sympathy registered in their faces. Mable touched his arm. Jesse stumbled and reached for the stall door to keep his balance. An overwhelming sense of dread turned over in his stomach.
“Who?” Jesse’s heart pounded in his chest. “Who, dammit!”
“Your father,” Miranda said.
The walls around him began to spin out of control. Aaron rushed to his side and led him to a bench. All oxygen escaped his body as he gasped for air.
He looked to Miranda for answers. She knelt down before him and placed her hands on his knees. This isn’t happening. It had to be a dream. A nightmare! He’d wake up soon and it would all be over.
“He died in his sleep, last night,” Miranda said softly. “I’m so sorry.”
Cole appeared at the stable entrance, his eyes swollen and red. No! It isn’t true! It can’t be true!
“Please, tell me this is some sort of a sick joke,” he cried. “Please, Cole!”
Cole pulled his brother into his arms, motioning everyone to leave them alone. They held each other as they wept for the man who raised them.
“I never got to end the feud, Cole.” Jesse sobbed. “Pop died hating me.”
“He didn’t hate you, Jess. He may not have liked some of your choices, but he didn’t hate you. The only reason he wanted you at Bridle Dance was because he loved you so much. He wanted to share his dream with you. With all of us.”
“Mom?” Jesse asked. “How’s Mom doing?”
“Not good.” Cole was straight to the point. “Shane took off when he heard the news and no one’s heard from him since. Chase is doing his best to keep it together for her sake. You need to be out there with the family. Aaron can take care of this place. We need you home.”
* * *
“THAT WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I ever had to do, outside of burying my mother.”
“Joe was a fine man and a hard worker,” Mable said. “Never saw that man lying down. He worked Bridle Dance ever since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Grew up on that ranch, just like his boys.”
“Jesse’s going to need you now,” Aaron said to Miranda. “Forget the other night and be there for him. He needs you.”
Mable agreed but Miranda protested.
“I think I’d just aggravate him at this point. I seem to have that effect on him.”
Miranda looked out the kitchen window toward the stables. She knew how Jesse felt. The loss of a parent, no matter how old, was never easy. Even harder when they never had the chance to make peace.
“They’re gone,” Miranda said as she watched Jesse and Cole drive away.
“Hand me one of those casserole dishes on top of the fridge, child,” Mable said as she removed a bubbling dish from the oven. “The three of us will head over later. Those boys have some grieving to do.”
“Mable, mind if I borrow Miranda for a bit?” Aaron asked. “Jesse won’t be back for a while, if ever. We have our hands full.”
The days of relying on Jesse were over. It was time for the baby bird to leave the nest and spread her wings. Aaron couldn’t have spoken truer words. They did have their hands full and it was up to her to keep the ranch afloat. Her finances had dwindled rapidly with the addition of Mable and Aaron. Now their fate was in her hands.
Half of the money coming into the ranch for the cutting horses went to Jesse. Miranda thought the arrangement the Carters worked out years ago was fair. But right now his family came first and she couldn’t rely on Jesse to be around. The ranch had no other income.
While they all tossed around ideas for the ranch, Aaron suggest they start boarding horses. They wouldn’t be rolling in money but it was a quick solution. It was her turn to take the reins and this was her first official business decision.
Miranda knew the guilt Jesse carried right now. Knowing how much it meant to his father to have him at the family ranch and the pain he’d felt when Jesse had turned him down. It was enough to drive a wedge between father and son. Now Jesse had to live with his decisions.
Beau and Brandon stopped by and offered to help with the ranch for however long she needed them. Kiley and Bridgett helped Mable in the kitchen. By day’s end, they loaded their vehicles with food and headed for the Langtrys’ to pay their respects.
Miranda’s mouth fell open at the sight of th
e sprawling Bridle Dance ranch. Exquisite, it put Double Trouble’s white clapboard farmhouse to shame. Magnificent pecan trees lined either side of the road as far as the eye could see. White rail fences surrounded the property and each corral. An enormous three-story log home stood at the end of the road. Incredible was the understatement of the year. She didn’t know Jesse came from a wealthy family. Why anyone would ever want to leave this place was beyond her, but she admired him for wanting to make it on his own.
“Close your mouth, child,” Mable said. “You’re about to start catching flies.”
Miranda snapped her mouth shut but continued to survey the place with wide eyes as they drove around to the rear of the house.
“Quite a place isn’t it?” Aaron asked.
“I’ll say.” Miranda peered around Mable to see a bull in one corral. Barrels were lined up in another.
“Cole, Shane and Chase are all rodeo champions,” Aaron said. “They still actively compete, but Shane has a great reputation as a teacher.”
Mable led them through the back door. Mrs. Langtry greeted her old friend with a hug as she started to cry.
“Mable, I am so glad you’re here.”
After she paid her respects to Jesse’s mother, Miranda wandered through the house in search of Jesse. Light shone at the end of a long hallway near the kitchen. A lifetime of photos lined the richly paneled walls. Ornate bookcases and filing cabinets decorated the room Miranda assumed was Joe’s office.
Jesse sat behind his father’s grand walnut desk with a brandy snifter in hand. He swirled the amber liquid around the glass, then took a sip. A large bruise had formed along his jawline. Miranda was afraid to ask where it came from.
“How are you holding up?” Miranda kicked herself for such a stupid question. He just lost his father. She knew how he was holding up. He wasn’t.
“How am I?” He motioned for her to have a seat over on the leather couch as he stood. “Let’s see. When I got here, Chase almost threw me off the porch. Shane was nowhere to be found and when he did surface he clocked me one, right in the jaw for always letting my father down.”