Beauty and The Beastly Rancher

“Heck, Joe. I’m not out early. I’m just getting back. I had a call about two.”

“Everything’s okay, I hope,” Joe said, a polite hint for more news.

Patrick sighed. “Andy Elkins fell and broke his leg and got a concussion. He’ll recover, but it’ll take a while.”

“Andy? What was he doing up at two in the morning? He’s eighty-seven!”

“Making a trip to the bathroom in the dark.”

“That’s too bad. I guess it’s a good thing you don’t have a family with the hours you keep,” Joe said frowning.

Patrick looked surprised. “I guess you’re right. Doctors’ marriages aren’t too stable from what I’ve observed. It would take a strong woman to deal with my life.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Joe said, thinking he needed to mark Patrick off the list.

Patrick jabbed him with his elbow. “Don’t be telling anyone that. You’ll ruin my social life.”

“I won’t,” Joe said. He waved goodbye and continued into his lawyer’s office. But under his breath he muttered, “I guess we’ll see who’s next on the list.” He had to find a better husband than Patrick. This was going to be hard.

Chapter Three

Julie stayed by the window, anxiously watching for Joe’s arrival. Normally, they not only didn’t have visitors, but they also didn’t go anywhere.

“Mommy! I think he’s here. It’s a big red truck. Is that what Mr. Crawford drives?”

“I’m not sure. It was dark last night.” When she saw Joe get out of the truck, she said, “What a smart little girl you are.”

“Can I go out on the porch?”

“Yes, of course, but don’t get dirty.” Anna went into the baby’s room and packed his bag for the day. Lots of diapers and several changes of clothing. “You be good, too, Henry. Okay?” She smiled at the baby and tickled his chin. The little boy cooed and then repeated da-da-da.

“Well, no, not exactly,” she whispered as she picked him up. Great. If Joe Crawford heard Henry’s only word, he’d hightail it out of there. She came into the living room just as Julie led Joe inside.

“Mommy, I told Mr. Crawford I liked the cake.”

“Good, honey. It was very good, Joe.”

“Glad you liked it. Be sure to tell my mom.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Here’s the lease with my and Pete’s signatures. Let me hold the baby while you sign it.”

“I can put him back in his bed or in the carrier.”

“I’ll hold him. Julie and I can talk to him, right, Julie?”

“Yes, Mr. Crawford,” she agreed, staring at him, as if afraid he might disappear.

He sat down on the couch and whispered something to Julie. She burst into giggles.

“What?” Anna asked, frowning.

“Mommy, he says I can call him Joe!”

“You don’t mind?” she asked her guest.

“Nope. I’d prefer it. Where we’re going, there are a lot of Mr. Crawfords. We’d get all confused.”

Julie gave him a puzzled look. “Why are there lots of Mr. Crawfords?”

“Well, one is my dad. Then I have two more brothers at home and they are Mr. Crawfords, too.”

Julie was carefully counting her fingers. “That’s four Mr. Crawfords!”

“Wow! I didn’t know you were old enough to count. Wait until Drew finds out.”

“Who is Drew?” she asked, watching in fascination.

“He’s my nephew. He’s four, too.”

“The same as me!”

“That’s right. You’re going to play with him today.”

Anna had been watching the exchange of words. “Uh, Julie hasn’t had anyone to play with. She might not—”

“Don’t worry. My mom knows all about breaking up fights. We used to give each other bloody noses all the time.” He laughed when Anna stared at him horror-stricken. “Not that Drew and Julie will fight. Don’t worry.”

Anna was a little apprehensive about Julie spending the afternoon without her supervision. She wasn’t used to turning Julie over to someone else. “Of course,” she finally said.

Joe actually winked at her. “Stop worrying, Mom. Everything is going to be fine. Oh, by the way, did I mention that my mom makes good cookies?”

“What kind?” Julie asked. “My mom makes good cookies, too.”

“Sugar cookies. I think cookie-making’s a requirement for all moms. Ready to go?” he asked Anna. Anna knew Joe would never make it in Hollywood as a hero-type, but when he laughed with Julie, he was almost impossible to resist. Foolish thought. He had nothing like that in mind.

“Yes, we’re ready. Here’s the lease. Give me Henry and I’ll put him in his carrier.”

“He’s a big boy. I’ll put him in. He weighs too much for you.” He promptly followed his words, as if what he said was true.

“He’s not too big for me. I can—”

“Help Julie into the truck. Then you get in and I’ll hand you Henry.”

Somehow, Anna found herself doing as he ordered. Joe handed in the carrier, grinning at the baby. When Henry broke out into da-da-da, Anna hurriedly said, “That’s all he knows how to say.”

Joe grinned. “I figured.”