She thanked everyone and waved as they loaded up.
“Jeremy, go clean up then come back to help me feed the horses before dinner.”
“Okay,” he hollered on his way to the house, and she entered the barn.
It still held the damp smell of smoke but at least it was salvageable.She had no idea how much the rebuild would cost but she knew she didn’t have the money.But she had a plan—she could sell a few acres of land without really cutting into the main homestead or grazing pastures she used for the horses.She just had to make sure she had the right buyer who would agree to be quiet about the sale.As she portioned out the oats and fresh water for the horses, she wondered how the Hart brothers took the news about their father’s infidelity and if they’d really welcome Renn with open arms.It wasn’t his fault, after all.She knew all about feeling unwanted by a parent—maybe they had more in common than she realized.
CHAPTER TEN
Renn
Make Your Move
Walking into themusty barn he scanned the length of the paddocks.There were at least twelve stalls and most of them looked to be occupied.Miranda was spreading fresh hay in one and he couldn’t help but enjoy the view of her curves wrapped in jeans and a fitted shirt.But as she started to hum, he coughed to make his presence known.
“Took you long enough,” Miranda said as she stabbed a bale of hay to put fresh straw into one of the mare’s stalls.
“Sorry about that,” Renn said.
When she spun around to face him, she stumbled over the hay and almost landed in the dirty wheelbarrow.Reaching out he gripped her arms to hold her up so she could stay on her feet.And he instantly felt a rush of need to be close to her.They were alone again and all he could think about was how much he wanted to kiss her.
“I thought you were my brother,” she said, sounding out of breath.“He was supposed to come back to help with the horses.”
“He had so much mud in his hair.I told him I would help you.”
“Careful, I’m starting to think you’ve been sent to be my knight in shining armor.”
“I’ve been called worse.”He grabbed a pitchfork and started on the next stall.
Her blonde hair was pulled back into a long braid, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked beautiful.From the expression in her eyes, he would bet she was thinking about their night together because she couldn’t stop staring and he stared right back.
“You don’t need to stick around and help.You’ve met the good Samaritan quota.”
“I don’t mind.I miss working on the farm.The smell of the horses reminds me of home.”
“Where’d you say that is?”
Renn smiled.“No small-town gossip about me yet huh?”
“I’ve learned not to listen to gossip.It’s so often about me.”
“I’m from a little town called Duluth, just outside Atlanta.”
“And you’re in town visiting the Hart family?”
“Yep.”She was fishing and he wasn’t sure what he was willing to admit.But he’d bet every last dollar in the bank Wes’s girlfriend Shelby already filled her in on who he was.
“If you’re planning to stick around you better have a good story, because the people here are relentless.And you’re too noticeable for them not to want to find out exactly who you are.”
“What’syourstory?”he said, picking up a pitchfork and heading into one of the empty stalls.
“I’m sure you’ll hear it soon enough, probably several versions.”
“I’d rather hear your version,” he pressed as he finished one stall and started on another.Keeping his hands busy helped him fight the urge to pull her into his arms and taste her lips again.
“My daddy was a gambler and connoisseur of fine thoroughbred horses.He could choose the strongest, healthiest horse out of hundreds.But he was terrible at paying his debts.So, when he died from a sudden heart attack, he left me this ranch, several horses, a dozen debt collectors, a half-brother, and an ill stepmother to care for.”
“And that’s your version?”
