“Well, I wouldn’t mind you telling me about this Renn character who has Jeremy eager to do morning chores.”
“Guess I better go find out about him then.”
“And I’ll expect a full report this afternoon.”
“Okay, the nurse should be here by nine but call me if you need something before then.”Sara held up the cell phone she kept on her in case of any health issues or things she needed before the day nurse arrived.Her mobility was limited as MS took hold of her body, but her mind was still sharp.
Miranda ran up the stairs, brushed her teeth, threw on some jeans, a sports bra and a fresh T-shirt, and hurried back downstairs.
“Don’t forget to bring him some coffee,” Sara called.
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, already pouring two cups and feeling giddy at the prospect of having a cup of coffee and sharing the quiet part of the morning with Renn.Even though she told herself she was just eager to see her new horses.
Renn’s tall, muscular silhouette stirred a rush of desire Miranda couldn’t deny as she walked down the dirt driveway toward the barn.He was leaning up against the fence with a piece of hay in his mouth, watching the horses take turns around the pen.
“Morning,” she said once she was close enough to hand him a cup of coffee.
“Thank you,” he said and accepted the white mug, smelling the freshly brewed coffee.The cup readRIDE A HORSE NOT A COWBOYin neon pink letters.
“Funny.”
“They give out the strangest swag at rodeos.”
“Em hmm,” he said with his trademark mischievous smile.
“Um, I’m surprised to see you this morning, but I appreciate you helping Jeremy with the horses.I can’t believe I overslept.”
“You must’ve needed that rest.I saw there were some new additions to the barn.”
She nodded.“Went estate shopping yesterday and found a few I couldn’t pass up.”
“You’ve definitely got a great eye.That Mustang has some spunk.”Renn nodded out to the largest pen where the Mustang was testing out his new play area.
“He might take a little longer to train since he’s already over a year, but those lines and his coat will give me another type of horse to offer for breeding.”
“Makes sense.”
“Everything okay at the Harts’?”She liked having someone to talk to who actually understood a thing or two about horses, even as she reminded herself he wasn’t a permanent fixture in town or her life.
“Oh ya, everything is fine.Odd but fine.”
“So, you just decided you wanted to muck out some stalls first this morning?”
“Well, you did say I could come by to help out anytime.”
“Did I say that?”
“Yes.Although I think your brother had it covered.He’s very determined.”
“Yes, and growing up too fast.”
She turned, unable to keep looking into Renn’s observant eyes and looked out at the horses instead.
“They’re fed, but I figured you might want some help exercising them?”
“Actually, I would, if you think you can handle it.These studs need some time to run.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Renn said, sipping his coffee.
