Free Betting on Texas by Amanda Renee

He was a man of distinction in his Stetson and leather
chaps. Gray temples in sharp contrast to his blue-black hair gave him a certain
air of sophistication. The men shook hands and exchanged a pat on the back
hug.
    “And who do we have here?” Blueford tipped his hat toward
Miranda.
    “Miranda Archer. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    “Blueford Thomas, ma’am.” He took her hand in his. “Jesse, my
boy, you sure know how to pick ’em.”
    “I didn’t pick her. I got saddled with her for the time being.”
Miranda crinkled up her nose at his statement. “She’s the new owner of Double
Trouble.”
    “Is that so?” Blueford stepped back as if to size up her
abilities to maintain a ranch. “Where are you from, pretty lady?”
    “Washington, D.C., Mr. Thomas. And before you ask, no, I don’t
have any ranch experience. I just have a little more than I bargained for.”
    “Please, call me Blue.” He laughed. “Honey, anyone involved
with this fella here always gets more than they bargain for. He’s a handful, but
damn good with a horse.”
    “We’re not involved,” Jesse interjected as he walked around the
trailer and began to unload the horses.
    “Give him time,” Blueford whispered to Miranda. “He’ll come
around.”
    “Oh, I don’t think—”
    “Blue, you want to give me a hand here?” Jesse cut her off
before she said something she would probably regret.
    Blueford whistled for one of his men to join him. They saddled
the horses and rode out to a round pen. Effortless in their movements, they
twisted and turned, moving each head of cattle through a chute and into a
smaller corral.
    Jesse watched the masterpiece he created from the top fence
rail. Like a proud father watching his son’s baseball game, horses had become
his children. Only they didn’t take the place of the void his heart was feeling
of late. His dreams died when the ranch was sold. Now there was a chance he
could have everything he worked for back again. Nothing would stop him this
time.
    “Jesse, you’ve outdone yourself.” Blueford patted Hawkeye’s
neck. “I’m mighty impressed with these two. What do you think, Ty?”
    Ty reined Charisma to a stop in front of Miranda.
    “He’s a real beaut, Blue, like the little woman here. Pardon
me, ma’am.” He tipped his hat and leaned toward her from his saddle. “I think
you have something in your eye. Nope, it’s just a sparkle.”
    Miranda blushed. She glanced up at Jesse and grinned. Heat rose
to his face as well, but not from embarrassment. That Ty was so vain Jesse was
surprised the man hadn’t broken his arm patting himself on the back.
    “This here is Miranda, the new owner of Double Trouble,”
Blueford said.
    Horse and rider moved closer as he bent down to shake her hand.
When he held on to her hand longer than he should have, Miranda seemed to relish
the attention. Please tell me she didn’t bat her eyelashes
at this guy. Time to leave. A storm is coming, after all.
    “Well, Blue, I’m glad you like them. Here are their records and
feeding schedule. Same as last time. We need to get going, though.”
    “What’s the rush, son? Stay, have some lunch and head back a
little later. Give me a chance to get to know this new rancher a little better.”
Blueford winked at Miranda.
    “Some other time. It’s clouding up and I’m sure you have work
to do.” Jesse directed the last part straight at Ty who still clung to Miranda’s
hand.
    “It’s only getting dark because all the sunshine in the world
is in this pretty lady’s smile,” Ty said.
    “Winnie would love to see you. She’d be downright hurt if you
didn’t say hello.” Blueford turned to Miranda. “Winnie’s my better half. Now
come on in the house. Bet Jesse had you up at the crack of dawn, didn’t he?”
    Blueford led Miranda to the main house. Jesse blocked Ty’s path
so he wouldn’t follow. Miranda had her hands full as it was. She didn’t need a
cowboy with his britches on fire, hot on