Saddle Up(60)

“I understand that, Jo-Jo,” Miranda said. “But I still want to do it.”

“If we go ahead,” Jo-Jo argued, “it’s gonna tie you to the ranch until you’re thirty-six. I have some big concerns about that.”

Wade sat back in his chair, fingers steepled. “What are you thinking you’d like to do, Miz Sutton?”

Jo-Jo’s faded gray eyes narrowed. “I want to ensure that Miranda has a way out of this in the event something were to happen to me. Can you do that, Wade?”

“If anything were to happen to you, Miz Sutton, all of those decisions would automatically fall on your executor. Upon your passing, this agreement could either be nullified or renewed according to their wishes.”

“But what if Aunt Judith wants to sell the place?” Miranda asked. “You know she would, Jo-Jo.”

“Yes. She would,” Jo-Jo agreed. “And that’s part of the reason I brought you here. A few weeks ago I instructed Wade to designate you as the executor of my estate.”

Miranda’s hand flew to her mouth. “You did?”

“Yes. I rewrote my will,” Jo-Jo said matter-of-factly. “Judith and Robert have no children and no desire to be saddled with the ranch. Of course, you’ll have to work out some kind of deal with them in the event of my passing. You might have to sell a section of the land, but all decisions regarding the ranch proper will yours.”

“You’re willing the ranch to me?” Miranda repeated incredulously. “Jo-Jo. I don’t know what to say.”

“Can I take off my lawyer hat and voice a personal concern?” Wade asked.

“Sure,” Jo-Jo replied.

“I’m just wondering how you two ladies are going to manage this all by yourselves. I think you’ll need some help.”

“Hiring someone will be my next move after we sign the contract,” Jo-Jo said. “The revenue generated from the horses should be enough to pay someone.”

“It should be more than sufficient,” he agreed. “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I know someone who has experience with mustangs,” Miranda said, “but I haven’t yet been able to talk him into it.” Although Keith was the best candidate, they’d hardly spoken in weeks, not that she put much faith in changing his mind. She hated how they’d parted, but she’d promised herself not to repeat her mistake. She was waiting for him to reach out to her. Problem was, he still hadn’t.

“Ranching is a very small world,” Wade said. “Mind if I ask who it is?”

“His name is Keith Russo, but he also goes by Two Wolves,” Miranda replied. “His family has a horse-leasing outfit outside Riverton, Wyoming.”

Wade’s gaze narrowed. “How do you know Keith?”

“I met him first in California where he was doing a horse clinic, and then again in Nevada when I was filming a wild-horse roundup. Do you know him?” she asked Wade.

“Not personally,” he replied. “But I saw him years ago when he used to do his wild-horse routine at the rodeos. He did some pretty amazing things with that horse, but I don’t know if he was really the one who trained it or not.”

“He was,” Miranda said. “I heard the whole story. Plus I saw him with those mustangs. He was amazing.”

“I’m not saying anything against the man,” Wade said carefully. “I just don’t know if you could count on him.”

“The question is moot at this point,” Miranda said. “He isn’t interested in the job.”

“Then I’d be glad to put the word out for you, maybe even help screen some ranch hands. My brother Dirk and I know a lot of cowboys around these parts.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Jo-Jo said. “We just may take you up on that.”

“Are you ready to move forward on this, or do you need some time to think about it?” Wade asked.

Miranda eyed her grandmother.

“I don’t guess there’s anything more to discuss,” Jo-Jo said.

Wade leaned forward, handing her a ballpoint pen. “If there are no questions, all I need is your signature on that line right there.”

“No. No questions.” Jo-Jo’s voice was resolute. Miranda’s pulse raced as her grandmother plied pen to paper and scratched her signature.

*

“My lawyer’s quite a hottie, isn’t he?” Jo-Jo remarked with a coy look. “They say he’s the most eligible bachelor in the whole Ruby Valley.”

“I admit he wasn’t at all what I expected,” Miranda confessed. “But you’re wasting your time if you’re trying to play matchmaker, Jo-Jo. I’m not looking for a relationship.”

Jo-Jo pursed her lips. “Still hung up on that Keith?”

Miranda sighed. “There’s just something about him, Jo-Jo. When I first met him, I thought he was a phony and a womanizer, but that’s not who he is at all. It was just this persona he’d created. I really care about him, but I’m also very confused.”

“I thought his interest in you was pretty obvious,” Jo-Jo said, “but his actions prove he’s not someone you can rely on.” She hesitated, brows furrowed. “I don’t know if a man like that is any good for you.”