Beauty and The Beastly Rancher. Judy Christenberry

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 it, son. You need a woman to spend the money you’re making. It keeps a man humble and working hard.”

      Joe laughed, trying not to sound bitter. “I can stay humble, Dad. That’s not a problem.”

      Chapter Two

      Anna settled Julie into her bed after reading her one of her favorite storybooks. “All right, sweetie, time to go to sleep.”

      “Okay, Mommy, but—I want to say thank you to God for the big man. He saved us today.”

      “Yes, he did. I think that’s a nice idea.” She listened to her daughter’s prayers, hoping Julie wouldn’t have nightmares. Then she kissed her good-night.

      In the poorly furnished living room, Anna sat down in the second-hand rocker she’d rocked her babies to sleep in. She hoped the rocking would ease her fears. She’d been so stupid five years ago when she’d let Derek talk her into marriage. She realized now that he’d married her because she wouldn’t sleep with him. Once he’d had her, he went on to new conquests, ignoring his marriage vows. By then, she was pregnant with Julie. So she told herself he was young and he’d eventually settle down.

      But he hadn’t. And he’d canceled the insurance she’d thought he had. When he died, she discovered there was no money at all. He’d spent every penny they’d had. Even more. His parents were furious with her. He’d taken money from them and blamed the need on Anna.

      After his death, they’d moved to Florida and wanted nothing to do with her or their grandchildren. The land wasn’t paid for, there was no money in the bank, and he had no lasting friends. She’d had to sell every piece of machinery on the place to settle his debts.

      She’d found it difficult to face the community, embarrassed by her situation. So she’d withdrawn. And hoped she could sell something to pay off the bank.

      She’d tilled the garden by hand and raised a good crop. But how was she going to sell them?

      She’d tried to brazen her way through Joe Crawford’s questioning, but she knew she couldn’t go back to today’s fiasco.

      A knock on her door startled her. She crossed the room in the shadows, grabbing her broom as some form of protection. “Who is it?”

      “Joe Crawford.”

      She didn’t want to let him in, but he’d saved her today. She had to at least do that much. “Come in, Mr. Crawford,” she said, opening the door.

      He stood on her front porch, hat in one hand and a cake container in the other. “I hope I haven’t come too late.”

      “Too late for what?”

      “Before Julie’s bedtime.”

      “Come in,” she said again. He stepped past her and turned to face her. “I’m afraid Julie just went to bed. You can leave a message for her if you want.”

      “I’d better leave this instead of a message. My mom baked it. I thought Julie might need something to distract her from what happened today.”

      His thoughtfulness made her want to cry. But Anna wasn’t one of those ladies who melted. It made her angry that he could make her want to weep on his shoulder. Stiffly, she