Parker Valley: Sondra by Candace Mann

Author:Candace Mann [Mann, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Century Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Jason kept his parents busy looking over the ranch and in getting advice from his father. His dad was impressed with the new addition of organic beef cattle. He agreed that it was the up-and-coming way to produce meat. It was tastier and healthier than regular beef, he said. It also cost a lot more because of the care and feed given to the cattle, and the margins of profit per pound were better.

His dad thought they should have a name for their specialty beef, so they sat around the table and brainstormed for something catchy. Willow Oaks or Parker Valley didn’t seem to fit the bill. They thought perhaps ‘Willowvalley Farms’ might catch on.

“I’ll talk to Sondra about it,” Jason said.

Jason’s brother thought it was all pretty boring. He spent the day wandering around the ranch, checking out all the aspects of Willow Oaks. It was much different than the ranch in Virginia. This ranch was so far out in the country, so far away from civilization. Dallas, the closest big city, was at least an hour away. James asked the ranch hands where he might find action around town. They laughed and gave him the bad news—the only single women who weren’t spoken for were three of the four Parker sisters.

That’s when James met Jennifer. She had ridden over to drop papers off to Jason. She was a pretty young thing. Perhaps about eighteen years old, he figured. Her blonde hair and bright blue eyes immediately caught his attention. He liked the way her tiny body sat so well on her horse. She looked like she had been born riding. James helped her down when she arrived. He held her a little longer than necessary to get a feel for her and her reaction to him. Jennifer, smiling, pushed his hand away.

“Are you in school?" James asked.

Jennifer told him she’d had to leave college in her freshman year when her parents died. She stayed home to help her sisters run the ranch. “But I’m going back in the fall.”

When Jason came out looking for his brother, he saw the two of them together. His eyes narrowed. What mischief might his womanizing brother be up to this time?

“Jennifer, how nice it is to see you,” Jason called out. “More paperwork from Tommy? Thanks for bringing it over. Come on in and meet my parents.”

Jason walked over to Jennifer, put his arm around her shoulders, and guided her into the house. He paused just long enough to look back and give his brother a

look that said, “hands off!”

Roberta served tea and scones to everyone, and they talked for over an hour. “Oh, I’ve got to go!” Jennifer said when she saw the time.

After seeing her off, Jason turned to James. In a firm, sharp voice he ordered, “Stay away from her! She’s too young for you. That family has been through a lot lately, and I won’t add heartbreak to her woes.”

“You must think I’m some sort of philanderer. I’m just testing the market.

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