Amanda Renee - Betting on Texas

More Than The Ranch At Stake

When Miranda Archer bought Double Trouble Ranch, sight unseen, she was eager to leave city life behind and start fresh in the Texas Hill Country. But the property came with some unexpected extras: a few cattle, a couple of horses…and one surly cowboy.

From the minute Jesse Langtry first laid eyes on Miranda, she captured his heart. Beautiful and determined, Miranda is everything Jesse wants in a woman. There’s just one little hitch. Jesse’s dream girl just stole his ranch!

Sure that rural life will be too much for Miranda, Jesse bets her that she won’t last a month at Double Trouble. If he wins, she’ll sell him the land—if she wins, he’ll leave for good. Pushing each other away seems to bring them closer—and that’s where the real trouble begins!

“I bet you won’t last one month on this ranch.”

“Oh, okay.” Miranda laughed. “Some bet there. A whole month. Wow.”

“That’s all it will take,” Jesse said.

“You’re really serious? What are we betting?”

“The ranch.”

“What?” Miranda rolled her eyes skyward as she shook her head. “What do you mean, the ranch?”

“If you last the month, I’ll leave and you’ll never be bothered by me again.” He grinned. “If I win, you sell me the ranch for what I originally bid on it. What do you say? You game, or don’t you think you can handle it?”

Miranda narrowed her eyes. So this was his plan. He still wanted the ranch for himself. Well, one month would be easy enough. And it would teach him a lesson not to underestimate her. There was no way she could lose.

“I’ve got news for you, cowboy. I’m not going anywhere.” Miranda held out her hand. “You have yourself a deal.”

Dear Reader,

Family is the glue that keeps us together through the bad times and the confetti in the air during the good times. Family comes in all shapes and sizes and isn’t necessarily blood relative exclusive. Ramblewood, Texas, is a small town, big on heart. Where friends and neighbors are a huge part of everyone’s family.

I’m excited to share my first book with you. Betting on Texas gained momentum while I was sitting around a kitchen table with five other women and two seeing-eye dogs. I can’t thank Dorothy, Jan, Lois, Miriam and Pam enough for believing in this book in its infancy. Lois has since passed on, but will always remain a part of my extended family.

When I saw Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest, I knew it was time for Miranda and Jesse to see the light of day. Three months later to the day, Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling made my dreams of becoming an author come true. She has truly become my fairy godmother. And to my fellow American Romance “sisters,” thank you for warmly welcoming me into the Harlequin family.

The townsfolk of Ramblewood, Texas, have become a part of my life, just as I hope they become a part of yours. Feel free to stop in and visit me at www.amandarenee.com. I’d love to hear from you. Happy reading!

Amanda Renee

Betting on Texas

Amanda Renee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in the northeast, Amanda Renee currently resides on the Intracoastal Waterway in sunny South Carolina. Her dreams came true when she was discovered through Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest.

When not creating stories about love, laughter and things that go bump in the night, she enjoys the company of her schnoodle named Duffy, traveling, photography, playing guitar and anything involving horses. You can visit her at www.amandarenee.com.

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For my Mom and Dad with love.

And for Grandma Kay—I wish you were here to share this with me.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Excerpt

Chapter One

Double Trouble. Miranda hoped the words emblazoned across the iron arch at the ranch’s entrance weren’t an indication of things to come. Well, there was no turning back now. She tossed a crumpled map onto the passenger seat and steered her new black pickup and creaky rental trailer through the gates.

A bittersweet smile formed upon her lips as the house appeared in the distance. This was it. A new home and a new life, away from everything in Washington, D.C.

The morning sun shone bright upon the white clapboards of the century-old farmhouse. A large whitewashed front porch spanned its entire width. Walnut and oak trees shadowed neglected flowerbeds filled with weeds. Miranda envisioned a vibrant wildflower palette planted against the starkness of the house and looked forward to a little garden work.

She pulled the truck into a shaded area close to the stables. Looking up, Miranda’s breath caught in her throat. A rough and ready cowboy leaned casually against the weathered open door of the building. A grayish-colored dog sat at his feet, wagging his tail.

If the cowboy comes with the place, I must be in heaven.

Miranda peered over the top of her sunglasses and watched the man walk inside the stables. Then logic overruled fantasy. Miranda realized Jonathan must have arranged for him to welcome her to Ramblewood.

She stepped down from the truck, her body stiff from the long drive. The cowboy returned leading a deep chocolate-brown-colored horse.

Her eyes darted to a nearby corral where two more horses grazed. Coils of rope and feed buckets hung from the white fencing. Water troughs filled to their rims reflected the morning sky. She shook her head, willing the whole scene to disappear.

Something wasn’t right.

Miranda grabbed the photos from the front seat. It didn’t make sense. It was the same house. Same property. Why were the horses still here?

Maybe he’s just using the place for a few days. The horse trailer next to the barn must mean the animals were being relocated soon.

“May I help you?” the man called out as he approached.

His tall, muscular frame flexed with each stride. The Texas sun had tanned his face a warm golden hue. Hair the same color as the horse he led peeked out from under his Stetson. A few days’ worth of stubble enhanced his rugged good looks even further.

“Um...” Miranda’s mouth went dry. She regained her composure enough to ask, “Is this the Double Trouble Ranch?”

“Sure is, sugar,” he drawled. The horse behind him nudged his shoulder forward. “What can I do for you?”

“I don’t understand.” Miranda surveyed the property. Are those cows in the distance? She looked to the cowboy for answers. “This has to be a mistake.”

His eyes narrowed. Miranda stepped back. The handsome features she was attracted to only seconds ago faded into a menacing glare.

“Who are you?” His jaw clenched.

Miranda had a sudden urge to flee to the safety of her truck, but both man and horse blocked her path. A fierce pounding began deep within her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.