Beauty and The Beastly Rancher. Judy Christenberry
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Mr. Crawford, don’t bring up the subject of my returning to the produce stand. I have no intentions of doing so.”
His eyebrows rose. “Glad to hear it.”
“Yes, well, it was kind of you to be concerned,” she said as she stood. “Thank you again.”
He blinked several times. “Is this a bad time?”
“No, of course not, but I thought—Is there something else?”
“Yes, ma’am. I wondered why you’re not working the land.”
It was her turn to blink. “I—I don’t have any tools. I had to sell them. I was embarrassed by Derek’s debt and wanted to pay it off as soon as I could.”
“Ah. I see. Well, then, would you consider renting the land to me? Not all of it,” he hastily added. “My brother Pete would like half of it.” He named the going figure for good land.
All Anna could do was stare at him. She’d placed a small ad in the local paper two months ago, but she’d gotten no response. “Why would you be interested, Mr. Crawford?”
“I don’t like to see land go to waste. With a little work on my part, I can have a bigger harvest.”
“And your brother?”
“He’s got two kids to feed. He always needs a bigger crop.” Again, he smiled at her.
He looked much friendlier when he smiled. “I—I advertised my land a couple of months ago. No one contacted me.” She lifted her chin to challenge him.
“I didn’t see it,” he said simply.
“I don’t want charity!” she snapped.
“Mrs. Pointer, I won’t pretend that I need your land to survive, but I can make a profit off it. If you’re willing to rent it, why shouldn’t I do so?”
“You’re sure you want to lease it?” She was trying not to jump from her chair and sing and dance because he’d solved her major problem. “I can make it one way or another if you—” She couldn’t really but he wouldn’t know that.
“My brother and I are both interested.”
“Then, of course, I’d be delighted to rent it to you.”
“Great. I’ll have my lawyer draw up a lease agreement and bring it by tomorrow. We’d like to split the lease between us. Pete is taking the land that meets with his place and I will use the other side.”
“That’s satisfactory.”
“We’ll exclude the acre your house and garden occupy.”
“Thank you.” She stood again, assuming their business was settled.
“Uh, I have something else to say.”
She sank back into the rocker. He was going to lecture her again, which irritated her.
“My mother is on the board of directors of the Lawton Market place. She gets a space free of rent.”
Anna had no idea where he was going with this subject.
“I thought you could sell your produce Saturday in town.”
“I told you I can’t afford—”
“That’s just it. I can use the space free. All you need to do is stay with me all day and no one will question you.”
“I couldn’t do that!”
“Why not?” His voice changed, filled with bitterness. “Why not? Afraid of what people will say?”
She blinked several times, unsure of the reason for his change of voice.
He continued, “I promise I won’t take advantage of you.”
She turned bright red. “Of course not. I didn’t t-think that.”
“Good. I’m a confirmed bachelor. I’m not offering because you’re pretty, even though you are. And you don’t have to pay me back in any form. We’re just going to sell some vegetables and fruit. Agreed?”
His words were forceful and she sensed that if she refused, it would hurt his feelings. Besides, his offer was a godsend. First the land and now selling her produce. He was like a genie in a bottle, granting her three wishes.
“Mr. Crawford, I didn’t mean—being able to sell my goods there would be wonderful. But it would require you to spend the day in town. I know you have work to do.”
“Always,” he agreed with another grin, but the bitterness was gone. “I can wait to start plowing your land until Monday.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay, once the leases are drawn up and I have Pete’s check I will come pick you up. Then we’ll go to town, take the leases to the lawyer and deposit the money in the bank. We can look at the space we’ll have for Saturday. Agreed?”
With her mind whirling, she said, “Yes, that would be wonderful, but—never mind. We’ll be ready.”
“What is it?”
“I was thinking of my son’s nap time, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Why don’t we drop the kids off at my Mom’s?” When she started to protest, he held up his hand. “She’s already offered. She likes little kids.”
“That—that would be wonderful. If something comes up, I can take them with me.”
“Fine. I’ll tell her you said that. Now, I’ll go,” he said as he stood, and she was reminded again how tall he was. Julie’s prayer for “the big man” was certainly appropriate.
“Mr. Crawford, you’ve been—so helpful. I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m getting more land to work, Mrs—Aw heck, we might as well call each other by our names. Otherwise, no one is going to believe we’re friends. I’m happy with our agreement, Anna. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, Joe. Thank you again.”
He was out the door before she could reach it and disappeared in the spring night.
Anna awoke the next morning with a spring in her step that had been absent for the last five years. She was going to have enough money in the bank to make the payment and have some left over. If she sold even half her things at the market on Saturday, she could purchase a few things that they needed.
She’d have to be careful though. Another payment would come around sooner than she’d realize. Now, for three whole months, she’d be able to face each day with a smile. She was thrilled. She was also relieved because she’d dealt with pressing charges against the men over the phone last night.
She took extra care with her hair and donned a blue dress that matched her eyes. She didn’t bother with makeup. That would be too obvious. When Julie got up, having had a restless night, she did a very unmotherly thing. She fed her cake for breakfast.
“Cake? I get cake?” Julie asked with excitement.
“Just this once. Mr. Crawford brought it over last night especially for you. He was disappointed that you were already asleep.”
“He came to see me?” Julie said in reverential tones. Anna realized no one came to see Julie. She had no playmates because Anna kept to herself. She felt doubly guilty at making her daughter pay for her sins.
“Yes, and he’s coming back today. He’s going to rent our land, honey, and that money will help us out. So everything is going to be better.” She lifted Julie in her arms and danced around the table.
“Mommy! I like it when you’re