“I’ve been playing for the Aces for six years, second string, but last season the quarterback got injured in a big game, so I played the rest of the season.And we did pretty good.”
“I don’t follow football.What does that mean?”
“We went to the championships.Basically, we were one game away from going to the Super Bowl.”
Her green eyes grew big as her mouth opened but then in a flash she narrowed her eyes on him.“You almost played in the Super Bowl last year?So, you’re like a big-time NFL player and you called in a favor with your mom’s old boss to take a look at my horses.Which is why the other ranchers were all interested.”
“No, I ran into Dixon and mentioned the Beautiful Beasts.He’s a billionaire rancher.He’s not going to make any offers based on my opinion.”
“Is there anything else you’ve been hiding or not telling me?”Miranda said with her hands on her hips.
Renn hesitated because he knew this was his chance to be totally honest with her about her land.
“Renn.”
He stepped toward her and took her hand.
“Last night was the best night of my life, and I didn’t mention football because I’m not sure what I want to do.I don’t like the way people treat me once they find out about the Aces.”
“Anything else?”
“The money for the purchase of your land came from my inheritance from my dad, my brothers insisted on me having it.But I didn’t want that money.So, I asked Wes to just use it for the land.My brothers all agreed we wouldn’t want someone else owning land between our two ranches and you needed cash.”
Miranda’s mouth fell open.
“So, I used your money, your connections, and your time to pull off my big business debut.Once again proving I need a man in my life to accomplish anything.”She pulled her hand away from him and began to pace.
“Don’t do that.You’ve worked too hard.Mr.Dixon would have done his research on you and your horses before bothering to come down here.So, if I’d never shown up my brothers would have bought your land, and you would have made it through this weekend running on pure determination.You would have impressed Dixon either way.”
“But you did show up, and you did help me, and it was your money.”
“That’s not my money.After twenty-six years I don’t feel like I have any claim to an old inheritance from a man who didn’t want me.So, I wouldn’t take the money—it was sitting in an account.As for helping you, I just wanted a reason to be close to you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re the first person I’ve met, since all this football stuff got crazy, who didn’t want me for that.”
“Poor famous football star?”
Renn bit his lip.“You’re the first person to make me want more than I’ve ever dared to think I could have.You’re so brave with all your dreams and plans.You don’t need me but I’m yours all the same.”
Miranda twisted her fingers and he could see her struggle with what she wanted to believe.
“You know there’s something between us—I know you feel it too.Fate.”
“You should have told me you were always going back to Atlanta and are basically a famous football player.”
He nodded.“I’m still not sure what I’m going to do.”
Miranda poked him in the chest.“Someone is handing you your dream, a winning lottery ticket, financial freedom, a chance at the most success a person can have in a sport you’ve dedicated your life to.I get you’re scared.But you know what you want to do.You’ve always known.You just need to believe you’re worthy, and you are, baby.You need to take the offer and make it yours.There is nothing about you that is second string.”
He reached out and gripped her hip to pull her closer.“Maybe what I want has changed.”
“Don’t try to use me, or your newfound family, as an excuse to run from being everything you ever wanted.They aren’t going anywhere.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Were you afraid to tell me because of my reputation for being a gold digger?”
