Beauty and The Beastly Rancher. Judy Christenberry

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СКАЧАТЬ “Don’t you ever tire of feeding hungry boys?” he asked with a smile. Since she had five sons before she finally gave birth to Lindsay, she’d spent most of her life providing for her growing boys.

      “Of course not. How are you? I haven’t seen you at all since last Sunday when you had dinner with us.”

      “I know. I’ve been plowing the fields. Today I was over by the Pointer place.”

      “Oh? Did you see Anna? I’m worried about her.”

      His gaze focused on his mother. “Why?”

      “No one ever sees her anymore. She doesn’t come to town much at all. And she’s got two babies to take care of.”

      “How old is Julie?”

      She was surprised by his question, but he didn’t explain.

      “I think she’s close to four. She was born about ten months after Anna married Derek. Terrible mistake.”

      “Yeah. Uh, did Derek leave her provided for?”

      Carol stopped putting away groceries and turned to face her son. “I assumed he did. I’m sure he had insurance.”

      “She almost got raped today trying to sell produce at that old stand where 50 turns south.”

      “What? Oh, no! What happened?”

      He gave her a thumbnail sketch of the event. Emphasizing Julie’s quick thinking and Anna’s determination.

      “Well, I certainly hope she learned her lesson!” Carol exclaimed, frowning.

      “She said she wouldn’t bring the children again, but she had to sell her produce so she could pay the mortgage.”

      Carol continued to frown as she poured two glasses of lemonade from the refrigerator. “So she doesn’t have any income?”

      “That would be my guess,” Joe said as he held his mother’s chair for her and then joined her at the table. “I suggested she sell things at the Farmer’s Market in Lawton, but she said she couldn’t afford the fee.”

      “Oh, my. Why didn’t she let someone know? The community would have pitched in.”

      “I’d guess because of her pride. After all, her husband embarrassed her enough.” He thought about that stubborn chin she’d shown him.

      “Well, we have to do something to help her.”

      He relaxed a little. He’d known his mother would want to help. “I was thinking of renting some land from her. But I didn’t ask her today. I was wondering if you still get free space at the Farmer’s Market since you’re on the Board of Directors.”

      “I’d forgotten about that, but yes, I do. Only, it has to be used by me or a family member. I can’t give it to Anna, as much as I wish I could.”

      “If I stayed with her, no one would question her, would they?”

      “No, but they might question you about why you’re with her. That might prove a little embarrassing for both of you.” Carol looked at her son speculatively.

      “Come on, Mom, no one would suspect Anna Pointer of having any interest in me. Women don’t want someone as ugly as me.”

      “Joe, I wish you wouldn’t talk about yourself that way. You’re not ugly!” she protested.

      “Of course not!” he replied in a teasing voice. “I just have a face only a mother could love.” He’d dealt with the reality of his life in high school. If it was a matter of muscle or brains, they picked him first, but after he’d done whatever they needed, he was abandoned.

      “I’d be glad for you to stay with Anna and let her use my space. But you’ll have to stay with her. Can you explain it to her, or shall I write a note?”

      “I can explain it to her, Mom. And explain that I won’t take advantage of her. She might be a little skittish after this afternoon.”

      “Oh, my, yes.”

      “I’ll go see her after dinner here. You wouldn’t have any cookies or something like that to take with me, would you? I think that might take Julie’s mind off what happened today. I’d hate for her to have nightmares.”

      His mother stared at him and his cheeks heated up. “She’s just a baby herself, but she saved her mother today.”

      “True. Why don’t I bake a cake? I can do that while you go out and talk to your Dad. He’s working in the barn this afternoon. He might be interested in renting some of her land, too. Or he might know others who would be interested.”

      “Good idea, Mom. That would take care of the mortgage payment. Was she born in the city? Otherwise I’m surprised she isn’t working the land herself.”

      “I don’t know, son. Why don’t you ask her?”

      “I will.”

      He hurried out to the barn, anxious to tell his father about Anna Pointer. “Dad!” he called as he stepped inside one of the three barns they had.

      “Joe? What are you doing here? I thought you were plowing all week,” Caleb Crawford called as he came toward his oldest son.

      “I am. I ran into a problem today and I wanted to ask your advice.”

      He told his father about the incident with Anna Pointer. Then he explained Anna’s need for money to pay the mortgage.

      “I figured Derek had insurance that paid off the land. Hmm, that’s difficult, making enough money from produce to satisfy the bank.”

      “Yeah. I was wondering if you’d be interested in renting some of her land. She’s not working it at all. I think she’s got a hundred sixty acres in decent shape. I thought I might plant more hay and sell off what I don’t need.”

      “Good thinking. Yeah, I might be interested. However, Pete would probably appreciate knowing about it, too. He’s got a family to raise, you know. And his land connects with part of Pointer’s, like yours does.”

      “That’s true. Maybe I should go over there after dinner.”

      “You’re going to a lot of trouble for this woman. Seems to me I remember she’s a beauty. You interested in her?”

      Joe stiffened. “You know better than that, Dad. You know I don’t attract women like my brothers do.” He turned away, like he planned on walking out.

      “Boy, you make too much of having a handsome face. It’s about time you found a woman and settled down. Pete is three years younger than you and he’s got two kids. Logan has two kids, too. The other two haven’t married yet, but it won’t be long. You’re falling behind.”

      “I’m doing all right. My crops were good last year, and my herd is growing. I’ve got money in the bank. I’m not complaining,” he told his father.

      “That’s just СКАЧАТЬ