Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Miranda
Long Live Cowgirls
Squeezing her thighs, Miranda held the leather reins in her hands as the muscular beast beneath her galloped over the sandy path.
With the wind whipping her hair back it felt more like flying than riding.
But galloping was the only thing that ever let her feel free from all her stress and worries.
Beast was the largest and most powerful stud of all the horses she’d ever ridden, but he was also the smartest and the most intuitive.
He always knew exactly where she wanted to go.
Her daddy would be rolling over in his grave if he knew how she was riding his prized possession like a common pony.
Which was only one of the reasons she still did.
Because although Beast had an impressive pedigree, and had won a dozen races, he also loved to gallop and needed to be given the exercise.
Now, as they rode toward the ocean, the smell of salt in the warm air rolled over her and her tense shoulders relaxed.
She closed her eyes and loosened her hold on the reins, letting her hands rest in her lap.
Moving up and down with blind trust for Beast’s skill.
The horse knew this land and her better than any human ever cared to.
It wasn’t until his gallop slowed that she reopened her eyes.
The privacy of the trail was usually all hers, but she caught sight of a tall figure standing on the edge of the grassy dunes where the land met the sand of the beach.
Her family’s land bordered the Hart family estate, but they were rarely out this way.
Slowing down she walked Beast to a stop as she studied the figure of the man who was too busy watching the waves to notice them until they were about ten feet away.
“You lost?” she called out and the man turned slowly like he didn’t have a care in the world.
She recognized him in an instant—inky brown hair, watchful eyes, and a cautious smile.
Like he was worried about being caught doing something he shouldn’t.
It was her one-night stand. She should have recognized his broad shoulders.
“I didn’t expect to run into you again so soon.” His deep voice was playful.
“You said you were leaving town.”
“My departure has been delayed.”
Was this really happening? She’d slept with someone from out of town who was supposed to leave, and now he was on her neighbors’ land.
“You left without saying goodbye,” he said.
“Who are you?” She hadn’t wanted to know before, because it was only supposed to be one night, then he was going to be gone.
“Name’s Renn. I’m visiting the Hart Family. Mrs. Hart said I should check out the view. But there’s no fence, I’m sorry if I stumbled onto your land.”
“Usually, Mrs. Hart lets us know if she’s having any work done.”
His cocky smile lifted on one side. “You’re welcome to call her and confirm I’m not a drifter.”
“Oh, I will.”
He just nodded. “I can understand why you’d want to be cautious with this beautiful stretch of land.
” His smile was genuine before he looked back out at the waves.
“I was just going to test out the water, but I’ll be sure not to swim in your side of the ocean.
” He winked and walked toward the sand. She hadn’t even noticed the towel he was carrying.
She’d been too entranced by his impressively muscular form standing in the dunes.
She sat for more than a little bit, watching him walk out to the where the waves sloshed up and kissed the white sand.
But once he dropped his towel and pulled off his shirt, she turned Beast around to get as far away from her gorgeous stranger as fast as she could.
The last thing she needed was to be caught drooling over a man who’d seen her cry and given her the most memorable night of her life.
Fate was taunting her by having him working on her neighbors’ land. The Harts were one of the only families in this town that didn’t turn their back on her. She hoped he didn’t stay too long but also couldn’t help but wonder where he’d come from.
*
“Andy, I need you to call Coach!” her younger brother Jeremy’s voice bellowed through the previously quiet stable.
She was dirty, sweaty and wanted nothing more than to sink into a hot bath.
But at twenty-seven that was not her life.
It was five o’clock. The horses were fed, exercised, and stalls were cleaned.
She’d collected the eggs, fed the chickens, and done several hours of registration paperwork.
And now she needed to make dinner, check homework, and relieve the day nurse for her stepmother.
Her younger brother by twelve years, stood a half a foot taller than her at six foot and looked intent on having her undivided attention.
“Jeremy, why do I need to call your football coach again this week?”
“Because he said I can’t play on varsity without a parent or guardian’s approval. So, he told me to ask you to sign.”
“Well, I wonder why that is? Could it be that your coach knows that your mama doesn’t approve?
Did you actually think I’d go behind her back?
Or could it be that playing varsity, as a fifteen-year-old sophomore, is so dangerous that your coach needs a signature because you’re too young?
Just because he wants to have a snowball’s chance at winning state this year, doesn’t mean we’ll agree to put you in harm’s way. ”
“Aww come on, sissy, please just hear the coach out and come see me play. I can do it, I promise.”
He was using his nickname for her on purpose to try and get her to agree to what he wanted.
“Always in such a rush to grow up, I promise you it’s not so great.”
He stood with his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed, and his thick blonde hair that matched hers was dented from the ball cap he’d been wearing after football practice.
She reached up and took his face in her hands and looked into his green eyes.
They both took after their father’s looks.
But she prayed every night Jeremy would be a much better man.
The day her half-brother was born she swore she’d never let him know what if felt like to be an afterthought.
“I’ll talk to the coach and swing by practice one day this week.
Even though I already know you’re exceptionally talented.
But if your mama says no, and I say no, do you promise to respect our decision and know that we only want what’s best for you?
We want you safe, because we know when you do go to varsity, and then on to college ball, you’re going to be a legend, Jeremy. If that’s what you want.”
A faint smile broke free from his scowl and she saw the young boy in him still. The little brother she’d do anything for.
He nodded. “I know, but it doesn’t mean I can’t be disappointed or mad.”
“Agreed. I’ll hear coach out and then talk to your mom.”
“Thank you. And for the record it’s not me you need to worry about getting hurt,” Jeremy said, with a cocky grin. “It’s the other team.”
“Okay, hotshot, this is exactly what I’m worried about. Your ego won’t be as big as that defensive line, and you won’t see them coming.”
Instead of arguing, Jeremy pulled out a bunch of wildflowers from behind his back.
“Did you think you could bribe me with these?”
“That depends—is it working?”
Pulling her brother into her side she gave him a squeeze and listened as he talked about practice and his favorite plays.
If she could bottle his enthusiasm and confidence, it would probably guarantee she’d secure several stud contracts in the upcoming breeder auctions.
She just needed to make enough sales to keep the ranch afloat until several of her mares produced their first foals this summer.
She hated feeling so uncertain about her future, but these sales would be the last chance before she’d have to do something drastic, like marry a man she didn’t love for money.