“Okay.”Shelby just crossed her arms while Miranda spent fifteen thousand on three new members of the BB stock.
Once they had all the paperwork and the horses loaded up Miranda laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You make a great shopping partner, and now I’m going to have to take you on every estate sale because you brought me such great luck.”
Shelby grinned.“Well, you know what they say.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask.”Miranda said.“Let’s see, ‘You gotta play to win.You only live once—work hard, play hard.’I’ll take all of those.Now I just have a little bit shorter timeline on when I need the sales to start rolling in, or I’ll be as bad as my daddy.Betting on horses and in a pile of debt.”
“The only thing you got from your daddy was your beautiful blonde hair and green eyes.Now let’s hit the road.I’ve got a date with my laptop.”
Once they got back to the ranch it was after dark.Shelby helped Miranda unload the horses and then had to head home.Miranda spent the next two hours making sure they were all fed and had fresh water.By the time she went inside the house it was quiet and most of the lights were off.Sara and Jeremy had texted to let her know they’d had dinner and left her a plate in the fridge.
After a quick shower she sat in bed reviewing the bank balance and estimates for all their household bills, and care for the horses.She still didn’t know what the barn repair was going to cost her, but she had thought up an idea on how to pay for it.The first auction was in a week, and she needed to make as many appointments to breed Beast as possible.But she was strongly considering selling Thor.Although he was the first horse she’d ever purchased and trained, the reality was he could bring in enough money to keep them flush for at least six months.And although her entire day was spent looking at horses and planning out her business, when she closed her eyes all she saw was Renn and his mischievous, gorgeous smile.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Renn
Play Ball
Renn spent theday arguing with his team’s assistant manager and wondering if he was really cut out for the business of being a pro football player, because talking about social media, brand, and contract negotiations was daunting.When he arrived at the Hart house for family dinner, he didn’t expect to see the family attorney, but he should have known.Declan Shaw was not only a huge man, but his sister was engaged to Levi.He was definitely going to look out for their best interests.
“Is this where you all tell me I’m not really Michael Ripley Hart’s son?”
Declan looked to Wesley who cleared his throat.“We’re not disputing that, Renn.”
“The Harts asked me to adjust some of the family estate documents,” Declan said, sliding several papers across the dining room table toward Renn.There were at least a dozen in the stack with several tabs that saidsign here.
“I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license, and then once you sign, we can notarize the documents.Now let’s review the forms,” Declan said, opening a large folder.“The family estate is owned by the four of you.If something should happen to any one of you, the estate is automatically recalculated to the remaining living brothers.No spouse can lay claim to a portion—only children can inherit.No one person can decide to sell any of the assets linked to the family estate, and a majority vote is needed for any sales or additions.”Declan looked up and scanned the group to see if there were any questions before he went on.“There were some liquid assets when your father passed but most were used for taxes, upkeep, land and pier maintenance, and your brother’s education,” he said to Renn.
“Why are you telling me all of this?”Renn asked.
“Because you inherited part of the estate,” Dalton said.
“I’m not here for money or land,” Renn said.
“Your brothers have determined they would like to repay you the amount you should have inherited when your father died.And once you sign, you’re one fourth owner of the Hart estate,” Declan said.
“It’s all accounted for, with interest,” Wesley said.“It’s what Dad would have wanted, but even more importantly it’s what we want.”
Renn looked down at the number and couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?”Wes asked.
“Well, I could have used some of those zeros along the way.But I really don’t need it now.And I’d feel really weird about taking money from you all.”
“Your brothers,” Dalton said.
“Look, Renn, we owe you.And ya, maybe Wes is a public servant and Dalton’s just a small-town doctor, but we’re good for that cash.Dad would have wanted you to have it,” Levi said via the video chat they had him on.
“I appreciate that, but I’m still not comfortable taking it.”
“Just like your mama, proud and hardworking,” Mrs.Hart said, patting his hand.“That’s alright—we can just set it in a trust.Then the boys will feel better and if you ever need it, it’s there.”
Renn nodded.“Fine.So, was that it?You wanted to give me my fourth?”
