Free A Rancher for Their Mom (Rodeo Heroes) by Leann Harris Page A

call.”
    “I doubt I’ll need you with all the other guys hanging around here doing nothing. I think you’ll be needed more out at the Landerses’ place.”
    “Thanks.”
    “No problem.”
    Walking back to his trailer, Joel found himself eager to be back out at the ranch, which surprised him. Now the question he faced was, why was he so eager? Was it the ranch and the familiar work or the special lady and her children that he wanted to see?

Chapter Six
    J oel arrived at the Landerses’ ranch a little after seven. By the time he had his mare unloaded, the kitchen door had slammed several times and all three children stood on the porch, watching.
    Todd wrapped his arms over the railing and stepped on the bottom crossbar to see better. “Why’d you bring a horse? You want to give us that horse?”
    “No. I brought my horse, Spice, to give her some time to graze out in the field with Buckwheat and Sammie. She doesn’t get the chance just to walk around and eat grass and be fat and happy.”
    Cora clutched her stuffed horse. “My horsey.” She pointed toward Spice. “You horsey?”
    “You’re right, Miss Cora. This is my horse, and she’s going to visit you.” Joel led Spice toward the paddock where Sammie and Buckwheat grazed.
    April stepped out of the house. “Breakfast should be ready in twenty minutes, which should give you and the boys time to feed the stock.”
    “Aw, Mom,” Todd complained.
    “Do you want to eat?” Joel asked.
    “Yeah,” Wes answered.
    “So do your horses and the rest of the animals, so don’t you think we should feed them, too?”
    Todd folded his arms over his chest. “Why can’t the animals wait?”
    “Well, does Sammie have hands to open the grain bags or the barrel where the feed is kept?”
    “Of course not.” Todd giggled.
    “But you do.”
    The boys nodded.
    “Then we can open bags, scoop out oats and care for the animals the good Lord has given us. And if I remember my Sunday school lessons right, the Lord put us in charge of the animals, so it’s your job to care for them, just like it’s your mom’s job to care for you boys till you get grown.”
    Both Wes and Todd thought about what Joel said.
    “Make sense?” Joel asked.
    Todd nodded. “I remember something Opa said when it was snowing hard and bad outside. He said the good Lord gave him a job and it’s our responsibility to do it. I guess that’s what he was talking about.”
    “Your opa was a wise man. So let’s finish our chores so the workers can eat, too.”
    * * *
    As April put the last of the sausage patties on the table, the boys walked inside.
    “Oh, that smells great,” Joel said, stopping, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. When he surveyed the table, he smiled. “Blueberry pancakes?”
    “With homemade blueberry syrup and fresh-churned butter,” April added. She felt silly touting the goodies set out for them to eat, but the words tumbled out of her mouth before she thought.
    “Is that Mrs. Johnson’s butter?” Todd asked, looking at the crock, then back at his mother.
    April flushed. “It is.”
    “Is this a special occasion?”
    “I thought Mr. Joel might like to taste some of Mrs. Johnson’s butter.”
    “Yes.” Todd made a fist and brought his elbow down and to his side.
    The boys started to sit when Joel shook his head. “Hand washing.”
    The two tromped to the bathroom behind Joel without a single complaint and returned in record time.
    “Then let’s sit down and eat while it’s warm.”
    Wes started for the pancakes when April said, “Wes, you want to pray for our food?”
    “Lord, thank You for the good food Mama cooked and the extra special stuff she set for breakfast this morning. And thanks for Mr. Joel to help us. Amen.”
    “Amen,” April whispered. Lifting her head, she saw the strong, handsome cowboy who took her breath away sitting across the table. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, because no one like Joel, a man in