Betting on Texas by Amanda Renee

that? Miranda’s an
instant outcast, no thanks to you.”
    “But, Mable—”
    “No buts. You know better than
this. I’ve known your momma and daddy all my life and they didn’t raise you to
act like no boll weevil,” Mable said as she walked away. “Infecting doom and
gloom around town and on the poor girl. I’ll have no part of your little game
and if I catch you spreading any more rumors, I’ll tan your hide myself. And
don’t think you’re too big for it, either.”
    Jesse’s mouth hung open as Mable continued to berate him on her
way to the house.
    * * *
    O UT ON THE FRONT PORCH , Miranda sat in one of her new-used rocking chairs. She ran her
hands over the well-worn arms and wondered how many people had rocked in it
before her. It would be perfect for lulling a child to sleep.
    By this point in her life, she figured she would have had
children. Five was always the number she always dreamed of. A house full of
children and laughter. The dream was all but shattered when Ethan broke off
their engagement two months ago.
    She’d thought she loved him. Maybe at one time she did. The
last thing she’d wanted to do was plan a wedding so soon after her mother’s
death. When she’d asked for some distance to sort her life out, instead of
trying to understand, he’d criticized her for grieving over a mother who never
once treated her like a daughter.
    Ethan felt she should move on with her life. Leave the past in
the past. A part of her knew he was right. The other part knew he wasn’t the
right man for her.
    The breakup came as a shock at first and then a wave of relief
swept over her. She drove out to her mother’s grave, in Maryland, on the
anniversary of her death. On the way to her apartment, she bought a lottery
ticket and to her astonishment, she won. To Miranda, it was a sign from her
mother to move on and start a completely new life.
    Ethan returned the instant he got wind of her winning the
lottery. Miranda knew he was only after her money and told him to get lost for
the final time. She felt empowered. When Jonathan called and told her about the
house, Miranda took it as fate and signed the papers the instant they
arrived.
    Something drew Miranda to Ramblewood. Yet, she hadn’t quite
been able to put her finger on it. Maybe it was the small town atmosphere
Jonathan spoke of. Maybe it was the excitement of living somewhere new. Maybe it
was the need to escape the guilt over the relief she felt when her mother died.
Whatever it was, she was here now and determined to make her dreams come
true.
    This was her home now and she was going to do her best and make
it last forever. She had no one to take care of this time except herself.
    Despite the disaster at The Magpie, Miranda was rather fond of
Ramblewood. The old brick buildings on Main Street reminded her of an old movie.
A place where time stood still and everyone knew everyone else. A town steeped
in tradition and pride. She couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
    Once she settled in, Miranda hoped she would find someone to
share it all with. Someone to spend the rest of her life with and raise a family
together. But that wasn’t going to happen until she found a way to fit in. From
the glares she received today, Miranda could only imagine the extent of the
wreckage she once called her reputation.
    Prioritize, Miranda. Animals, then
reputation.
    To start, she needed to sell off what livestock she had. Since
Jesse made it clear he already had another job waiting for him, there was no
sense dragging it out any longer. She was certain he would be able to find good
homes for all of the animals. Even though she dreaded the sight of him right
now, the sooner she rid herself of them, the better.
    Miranda swallowed her pride, marched to the foreman’s house and
knocked on the door. No answer. She opened the door and peeked inside.
    “Jesse?” The room was dark except for the light filtering in
through the side window. “Jesse, are you in