The early Sunday morning sun lit the sky ablaze. It was going to be a good day. Rick was in the shower, and Jo was still asleep. She went out of the house to do her normal farm work, knowing with a smile that this will be the last time.

She was just about to step into the shower as Rick was getting out. He decided to stay in the shower with her. "You okay?" he asked, as he kissed her neck. She moved her fingers over the tattoo on his right breast, with the names Lori, Carl and Judy. The ink had the dates of their birth, and the due date of Judy, along with their date of death.

"Mmmmm…yeah" she said. Her crotch still hurt. Rick had taken her virginity just hours ago. He was so gentle, so caring, and so loving. She was falling for him, and falling hard.

Philip Blake, the man with whom Beth spoke about selling the cows, chickens and pigs, was going to be there by seven o'clock. Rick was leery of the man, who was aware of Beth being alone on a large property, wanting to come so early in the morning. Rick helped Jo with her breakfast, and cleaned up while Beth saw two large animal transport vehicles tore up the driveway, and Beth said she'd be right back.

She wore a button down shirt, and had her cell phone's video feature switched on. Rick said he'd be out in just a moment. They parted with a kiss, and Beth went outside to see the man.

Rick tended to Jo as he watched Beth talk to a very tall man with black hair. He had six other men with him, and they started looking around the property, some going far away from the animals.

"Hello Mr. Blake." She said, as she shook his hand. "Well, there're over here." She motioned, since he wasn't paying attention to her. She called his name to get his attention, and followed her as she walked toward the cows.

She felt his eyes over walk all over her as she showed him the dozen animals.

He's face dropped and he started to shake his head "no."

"Well, I can tell you take care of them, but there's not what I'm looking for. I'll give you one hundred dollars for all twelve."

"But, you said over the phone that you'd pay a few hundred for each. And that's a bargain because online it says they're worth almost a thousand each."

Blake laughed. His voice dripped with condescension as he talked to Beth as though she was a little girl.

"Sweetie, one hundred buck in your hand, right now. That beats whatever you'll get with someone else. Time's ticking. I'll take the pigs too. You have about twenty? I'll take them all. Fifty bucks. I'll take the chickens and the coop. Another fifty. I can have everything loaded up an out of that pretty hair of yours and you can have two hundred dollars in your hands. That's a lot of money."

"Wait," Beth started, and was immediately intimidated. "I've done the work on line. The bulls, the heifers, they can sell for five hundred each. And my daddy paid two hundred for the coop just a few years ago."

"Cost of living, sweetie. I'll take a look at your farm machines. The tractors, and those other things. The stuff you don't need and can't possibly use. It too much for a little thing like you."

Beth shook her head, thinking that she was being taken advantage of. She was about to tell Philip no, and asked him to leave.

"There a problem?"

Beth was relieved and was never happier to see Rick. He came outside in blue jeans, a white tee shirt and a long sleeve brown jacket. His gun belt was firmly wrapped around his waist, and his badge was hanging on a chain around his neck. He was holding Jo in one arm, and the little girl's arms were wrapped around his neck.

Philip started to stutter.

"No sir, officer, we were just wrapping up business here."

"So, you decided on five hundred per cow, seven hundred per bull and one thousand for all the pigs. That's $7,400." And we haven't discussed the chickens yet. Rick said, confidently, as he walked forward and draped his arm around Beth's shoulder.

The six other men snapped to attention and a few got back into one of the vehicles, while others stood between Philip and the transport vehicles.

"You wouldn't try to swindle her, would you?" Rick asked, as his hand reached into Beth's pocket and pulled out the cell phone. "You've been recorded ever since you got here." Rick said, still holding the phone.

"Can I write you a check?" He asked, once he realized there was nothing left to say.

"No. Cash only." Rick retorted.

He nodded his head then reached into his pocket. He pulled out seventy four one hundred dollar bills.

Rick inspected each one of the bills to make sure they weren't counterfeit. The horses and pigs were loaded into the transport vehicles, and Rick shook hands with Philip, and said "I'll be in touch."

Rick was adamant that he would not take a penny from Beth. He wasn't scheduled to work until Wednesday, and he planned on helping Beth with settling things around the farm. Helping her took his mind off his own life.

Rick made sure the windows and doors were all locked, including the deadbolts, before he took Beth and Jo in his car to his house.

"It's beautiful." Beth said, as she walked around the Grimes home. Pictures of Lori and Carl were everywhere. "She's stunning. And Carl's very handsome."

"Thanks" Rick said, with a stiff smile, feeling proud to show off his family, but distraught because he felt as though he was cheating on Lori.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"Thanks." He responded.

"Are you alright with moving on? I mean, not to sound like a shrink, but, it's good. You have to live again, right?" She asked.

"Yeah. I know Lori. She wouldn't want me to wallow in misery for two and a half years."

"She sounded wonderful."

The next hour was spent on Rick's couch, looking through photo albums and Rick telling Beth all about Lori and Carl. The more he talked to Beth about Lori, the better he felt, and the more confident he became about his life after such a tragic loss.

Jo was getting cranky, and since there was little food left in Rick's house, they went back to the Greene farm. The ride back to her home included talking about setting up her own bank account with the money she got from Philip Blake, and possibly talking to a realtor about selling the excess land. Beth was more confident than ever. She was ready to shrug off the bulk of the past, and start her life.

Beth didn't have a BBQ grill, so the only thing that was easy to prepare was pasta. She smiled, a real smile, when she realized she didn't have to take care of the cows and pigs. Rick took care of setting up someone to come over and take a look at the farm equipment.

That night, Beth left a message on the school's voice mail. She was taking a personal day. Two. Monday and Tuesday, and she'll be back on Wednesday.

She was nervous about how Andrea would react, but when she slid under the sheets with Rick, Andrea was the last thing on her mind.

It was only six fifty-five when the telephone rang, and when Beth checked the caller ID, it show that it was her school. She looked at Rick, a twinge of fear in her eyes, and he confidently picked up the phone and answered "hello?"

"Let me talk to Beth, now."

"Morning Andrea."

The longer the pause, the bigger Rick's smile became.

"Rick?"

"Yep?"

Another long pause, and Beth was doubled over with laughter when she looked at the facial expressions Rick was making.

"Is there something you want, Andrea? Beth is entitled to six personal days per year. You have never let her take any. She taking today, and tomorrow off. I can roll over and wake her up if you want to talk to her."

No response.

"Okay, well I hear you breathing, so you're still there. She'll see you on Wednesday. Don't call in the early morning, we're usually busy."

Rick hung up the phone and chuckled as Beth clapped her hands and rolled into his arms.

He wrapped his arms around her lower back and kissed her deeply.

"Thank you!" She almost squealed.

"You are very welcome." He smiled, and kissed her again.