In the outskirts near Jackson, Joel was able to acquire land for his own leisure. To finally raise his sheep. The farmhouse house was homey, but too big for just him. So he invited you to live in the guest room. Knew how much of a soft spot you had for animals. And you’d be a nice extra set of hands for work. You cooked him meals, gardened, did laundry. While he did the heavy load of sheering and dealing with the animals and taking trips into Jackson to help with supplies and going on patrol to keep infected out of the way.

It was a nice safe haven, just you and Joel. Although he was a quiet man, who kept to himself. But he enjoyed having the company. Seeing you dance around in your floral skirts and dresses, reading on the porch swing. He didn’t want to admit it, but he loved having your company.

One sunny summer afternoon you brought out the damp clothes to hang on the clothes line so they could dry. You heard commotion in the barn, Joel was probably having a hard time hoarding the sheep into the stall. You rolled your eyes, knowing for a fact numerous times you told him he needed to get a hoarding sheep dog.

You walk in with your work boots on and put your hands in your overall pockets. Need help? You giggled, already picturing the classic scowl Joel always made.