“Actually, you’re helping me, because if I don’t help you with this rebuild, my gran will show up with a hammer.”
She had to smile knowing Mrs.Hart would do just that.
“Who’s your friend out there?He saved Beast.Said he was visiting y’all when I saw him on your property earlier.”
“I’m not sure yet,” Wes said, then started to walk out toward the now opened end of the barn.“But it looks like more trouble is headed your way, so get ready.”
“Miranda, I heard there was a fire out here and came right away.Are you alright, honey?”Ms.Michelle Rite stood in designer cowgirl boots and a Chanel raincoat with an umbrella inside the barn.
“Ms.Rite, you drove out in this storm just to check on me?You shouldn’t have.”
“Well yes, honey, I had my driver bring me right away.We sorority sisters need to stick together.”
Miranda laughed because although they were members of the same sorority, and attended the same college, it was about twenty years apart.She knew the woman was just out there to collect as much information as possible on Miranda’s latest setback.And probably wanted to make sure her ex-fiancé Charles Dubois wasn’t there, because Ms.Rite had set her sights on him for herself.Looking out at the driveway she could see the firetruck backing out, and Wes waved to her before getting in his cruiser, along with his family’s mystery guest—Renn.
“Now who was that with Wesley Hart?He looked familiar.”
“A family friend, I think.”She didn’t want to say too much but since she didn’t know anything she really couldn’t.
“How in the world did this fire start and what will you do about your horses?”
The last thing Miranda wanted to deal with was the Beach Club gossip queen.But this was her life, pretending to be something she wasn’t to hold on to any ounce of prestige for her ranch of thoroughbred horses.But her own image was like a tattered old shoe showing all its wear and tear.And she was one more misfortune away from losing it all.
“As you can see, the horses are all just fine.We had a little bad luck with a lightning strike that caused a small fire.But my Beautiful Beasts are made from strong stock and can weather any storm.Now as much as I appreciate you stopping by, I really do need to take care of this.I’ll see you at the club later this week.”
“Oh, I thought I heard you let your club membership lapse?”Ms.Rite said with a sly smile.
Just when Miranda thought she would lose it and tell this snide woman that she could take a long walk off a very short pier, a big black truck pulled up and backed up to the side of the barn that had been destroyed.And Wes’s cruiser followed, pulling up next to the truck, but as soon as it parked Mrs.Hart opened up the passenger door.
“I guess there’s always another hero waiting to rescue you, Miranda,” Ms.Rite said not hiding her judgmental tone.
“Guess so, and if I were you I’d get going before Mrs.Hart tries to put you to work.”
“Michelle, were you planning to help Andy rebuild this barn or are you just out looking for gossip?”Mrs.Hart asked.
“Mrs.Hart, you’re not the only neighbor who cares about our Sutton family.”
Mrs.Hart gave Miranda a big hug and wrapped a protective arm around her.“Then you won’t mind seeing about getting some catering while my grandsons get started on securing this barn for the horses, so they don’t get out again.”
Michelle stammered and reopened her umbrella.“No, I don’t mind in the least bit.I’ll have the club send something over right away.”She started to walk away.“You just call me if you need anything else, Miranda honey.I’ll let Charles know you’re doing just fine.”
Her spine stiffened at the use of her ex-fiancé’s name.“Please don’t trouble yourself, Ms.Rite.I’ve got plenty of food and he doesn’t really need to know my business anymore.But thank you so much for stopping by,” Miranda called as the woman stomped through the mud to her waiting Mercedes limo.
“Bless her nosy, jealous heart.You know she can’t wait to get back to the club and tell everyone about this.”
But as soon as her car rolled away another truck pulled up the drive with her best friend Shelby and Mrs.Hart’s grandson Max.
“She’ll especially love to note that the Hart family came to my rescue, but none of them are available for poor Miranda to marry,” Miranda quipped.
“Well, we all know you don’t really need a man to save you, but why rob my boys of the joy of playing hero in all this mud?”
“Heard we get to build a barn today!”Max ran up to give Mrs.Hart a big hug, then he ran toward the truck where Wes and Renn were unloading fencing.
“Brooke asked me to bring Max over so he could help, and she could get a nap,” Shelby said, giving Miranda a hug.“I’m sorry about the barn.”
“I’m just going to go chat with your stepmom while you supervise this project,” Mrs.Hart said.
“Thank you, Mrs.Hart.”
