Betting on Texas (12 page)

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.”

* * *

M
IRANDA
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.

* * *

N
O
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.

* * *

M
IRANDA
SNICKERED
WHEN
J
ESSE
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 are 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.”

Miranda nodded. “I agree.” She wiped her hands on a napkin and
braced herself for the storm about to rage. “That’s why I’ve decided to hire
Aaron.”

“You what?” Jesse and Mable said in unison.

Miranda looked at them both. “What is so wrong with him?”

“Why Aaron of all people?” Jesse asked while Mable shook her
head.

“Because I trust him and feel comfortable having him around,”
Miranda replied. “He knows this ranch and the animals. Besides, he’s the first
one you call when you need help.”

“No, he’s the one I call when all options have run out.” Jesse
went to stand, but Mable’s hand on his kept him seated. “I don’t think Aaron’s
the best choice.”

“Then tell me who is.” Miranda waited for a response. None
came. “Exactly.”

“Have you discussed this with Aaron yet?” Jesse asked through
clenched teeth.

“No, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” Miranda was confident
her friend would take her up on her offer. “I want Double Trouble to be a
working ranch again, like you do.”

“Really?” A look of surprise washed over Jesse.

“Yes, really.” Miranda walked to the screen door and looked out
over the grounds. “I want you to continue to do what you do best. Training the
horses.”