So instead of moving closer she pulled away and stepped out of Renn’s arms.“Maybe I don’t want to be messy anymore.And I need to stay focused on my goals to dig myself out of my mess.”
“So, let’s get that trailer hitched,” Renn said, walking away in a few big strides.
Taking a deep breath, she looked over at Thor and Beast who seemed to both be smiling as if they knew she was going to make another mess of her life at some point.Maybe she should stop worrying about everyone else’s judgments and fix the way she saw herself.She wasn’t destined to fail, she just needed to believe in herself more than the mess.And she may not be able to indulge in Renn’s kisses, but she was going to accept his help for as long as he was offering.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Renn
Heart of Stone
“I’ll drive, thenyou can go over your plans and mentally prepare,” Renn said, once they had both the horses, equipment, and their luggage loaded into the truck.
“Guess you can tell I’m nervous.”
He nodded.“Horses have some of the best sense of any animal.They’ll feed off that energy.So, you go over your plans and I’ll drive.”
“You sure you don’t mind?”Miranda asked.
“Not a bit, but you will be subjected to my music choices.”
“Fine by me, as long as it’s country.”
Renn hopped up into the driver’s side and got buckled in.Once Miranda was settled next to him in the passenger seat, he turned on the radio low.They were headed up the coast toward Athens where the breeders’ show was being held this year.And while Miranda had work to do, he had plenty on his mind to think about.The Aces had sent over an amended contract and after speaking with Levi’s management team, he was one signature away from being the starting quarterback of one of the NFL’s forty-six teams.It was a huge accomplishment that made him feel a little empty, but he couldn’t quite figure out why.
He’d never even thought he’d be given this chance, much less be eager to accept it.So, it didn’t make sense that it also made him feel like a fraud.
“Penny for your thoughts.I need a break from all this studying,” Miranda said, turning her tablet off.“I can sell Beast’s talents in my sleep to a blind man.”
“I was just thinking we’ll probably run into my mama’s old boss.She used to attend some of these shows when they were looking for new stock.”
“Where did you say your mama worked?”
“The Dixon Ranch.”
“Dixon?”
“Yep.”
“Your mama worked as a wrangler for the largest horse ranch in Georgia?They produce the most successful racing and jumping horses outside of Montana.”
“Yes, that’s the one.And she was a little disappointed I didn’t inherit her gift and obsession with horses.She’d have loved you though.”
“Wow.”
“She didn’t start out as a wrangler of course.But she worked her way up.And she developed the Dixon dancers, the horses that moved so sweet they looked like they were dancing.”
“Holy smokes, your mama is a legend in jumping horses.”
“She was magic with horses,” Renn said, stealing a look at Miranda in the morning sunlight of the cab.She was animated and clearly impressed by his mom’s work.“You’ve got the touch, just like her.She’d say trust your instincts.”
“Alright,” Miranda said laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s just you showed up at such a strange time in my life.You know all this stuff about horses, your mama was a legend in the field, and I haven’t had anyone to talk with about this stuff.My brother probably has a football crush on you, and you’re helping me like some guardian cowboy angel or something.”
“What’s the matter—you don’t believe in fate?”
