A Rancher for their Mom

Her mother’s words felt like a knife in her heart. Sure, there were problems, but she wasn’t going to sell her children’s inheritance no matter what. Vernon had bragged how big the ranch had been in the early 1900s, when the Landerses had a big family and relatives who lived close by. But slowly, the family members had died or moved away. Vernon and Grace had only had one son instead of the seven that Vernon’s parents had had. The Circle L Ranch might not be the size it once was, but she wasn’t going to sell or desert it. It was part of her heart.

April knew her father wanted her to sell the ranch, but she’d thought she had her mother’s support. Apparently not. “Thanks for the input, Mom. I’ll think about it.”

“I know you love that place, but face reality. It’s a mighty big job and there’s only you.”

“I have help to plant this year.” The words were out before she thought.

“Oh?”

It was the truth even if Joel was only here for the week. “I know the kids will miss seeing you. You and Dad might want to call them before Dad leaves and explain your exciting news.”

“We’ll try.”

In other words, it won’t happen. “I pray things will go smoothly with the move, Mom.”

“We can talk with the kids over the computer and they can see our new house once we’re settled.”

April’s heart broke. “They’ll love it.”

“I know you’re disappointed, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

The familiar refrain rang hollow. “I know.”

When she hung up, April’s mind raced over all the birthdays, holidays and graduations her father had missed. She didn’t want that for her children. She wanted her kids to have a connection with their home and good memories of growing up—memories like going to the rodeo every year and having a tall cowboy show them how to lasso a horse or a cow.

Determination filled her heart. She wouldn’t fail her babies. “Thank you, Lord, for sending help to plant my field, but I’m going to need a long-range plan and a way to make this happen.”

And did that long-range plan own cowboy boots?

Chapter Four (#ulink_8a98ac1c-a022-57cc-b607-52cd5a787d33)

The following day, Joel finished planting the hay field well before 10:00 a.m. Next they tackled the chores around the barn. Finally, Joel roped Buckwheat and Sammie and tied them to the posts outside the barn.

“What are we doing, Mr. Joel?” Wes asked.

The screen door slammed and April and Cora appeared.

“If you’re going to own a horse, you’re going to need to learn to groom him. Had your opa shown you how to do that?”

“He did, but Todd might need to be shown again.”

Joel heard a choked laugh. He didn’t look at April because he knew he’d laugh, too.

“Then we’ll do that.”

With a couple of buckets of soapy water, a wooden step stool he found in the barn and Buckwheat and Sammie tied up, Joel gave a sponge to each boy.

“Is this just a boy party or can the girls help?”

The boys glanced at Joel.

“Of course. I know Cora’s going to need to learn this, too.” Joel motioned them forward. “Mom, you might want to keep Miss Cora toward the front of Sammie.”

They began to wash both horses, with Joel adding commentary on what to do. He held Cora up so she could run the sudsy sponge over Sammie’s back. “Let’s rinse off Sammie and Buckwheat.”

Wes picked up the hose and sprayed Buckwheat. When he handed the hose to his brother, Todd accidentally sprayed Joel in the face.

“Oh.” Todd’s face went white.

Everyone froze, unsure of Joel’s reaction. Even the horses stilled. Joel threw back his head and laughed. He snatched the hose and spritzed Todd. When April started to object, he aimed the water dead center at her chest. She looked down at the wet spot, lunged for the hose and got a face full of water. The water fight was on.

Twenty minutes later everyone was soaked. Joel turned off the hose. He hadn’t had a water fight since he was in the fifth grade.

Water fell off him in rivulets.

April looked at him, then snorted, drawing the boys’ attention.

Todd laughed first, followed by Wes, Cora, Joel and April.

The horses shook, sending more water flying, bringing another round of laughs.

April handed out towels, drying the kids before she wiped down Sammie. Joel took care of Buckwheat.

The laughter died when a truck drove up and Beth Moore opened the driver’s door. She observed the dripping kids and adults. “A water fight?”

“We wash horseys.” Cora pointed at Wes. “Brother sprayed Mr. Joel. Mr. Joel sprayed brother and Mama.” She giggled. “Me, too.”

The truck’s passenger door opened and a man in his early fifties slid out. His right arm was in a sling and he sported a goose egg on the right side of his forehead.

The children fell silent.

“How are you feeling today, Albert?” April walked to the truck.

“I’m doing fine, but Beth and I were worried how you’d get your fields planted.”

Joel saw April blush as drops of water continued to drip off her shirt.

“The boys hired Joel for this week. He’s with the rodeo, and he’s helping us plant the fields and taking care of some chores.”

Beth surveyed the group. “I see,” she said, but laughter colored her words.

“Joel gave the kids instructions on how to bathe their horses, but things got a little out of hand.” She shrugged. “And a little foolish.”

Al remained quiet, but his gaze missed nothing.

“Well, we were concerned and planned to call the church to get volunteers to come out and help you, but it looks like you have things under control,” Beth explained.

Water continued to drip off Joel, drawing the couple’s attention. Joel tried to keep his smile casual to cover his awkwardness. Nothing like standing in the middle of the yard dripping wet and laughing to make folks think you were nuts.