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A spunky spinster helps rescue a boy, his pigs, and his family from corrupt officials and thieves.
Grace Gary, a young widow, struggles to rear her three children and keep her job. Due to her dirty-dealing boss, she's given 90 days to pay off her mortgage or lose her house. If her son's (Paul's) pigs win the local and then the state fair, they'll make enough money to save their home. But the pigs keep escaping, eating the neighbor's chickens and galloping to Mimi Witherspoon's farm at the edge of town. Police tell Grace to get rid of them. Mimi, known for her Good Works, comes to the rescue, offering to let Paul keep the pigs at her farm. Her nephew, Tim, helps Paul move the pigs and falls in love with Grace. Then the pigs are pignapped. Tim and Paul find the pigs and catch the thieves.
EXCERPT
"Yeah, that pig looks like a winner." As she said it, she realized that was the point. Paul wasn't just taking care of pets. He intended for his pigs to win top honors in the Javelina County Livestock Show in January. "They will win. You wait and see." His grin broadened. "Then I'll take 'em to the state show and they'll sell for enough to pay off our house and you can quit worrying."
Grace knew the pigs couldn't win enough in the local show to pay off the whole loan, but even a couple thousand dollars would help with payments. Then if they went on to state, they'd stand a chance at forty or fifty thousand. Now that would pay off the mortgage.
Grace braved the rambunctious pig, straining against the homemade leash. She maneuvered to get close enough to hug her son.
"Thanks," she said. "Even if they don't win..."
Paul pulled back away from her as if she'd stung him. "You gotta have faith, Mom. They're gonna win." She stood there, trying to think what to say. A loud crash interrupted her thoughts as Priscilla broke through the hodge-podge fence and streaked across the yard. One loud oink later, Percy jerked the leash out of Paul's hands and galloped after Priscilla.
"Come back here," Paul yelled, waving his long stick as he raced after them.
Grace ran around the other side of the house and met the pigs almost head-on. They swerved around her, giving Paul an edge. He rushed around on their other side.
"Wave your arms. Don't let 'em get away." He swished the stick through the air, and the pigs turned in their tracks. Back they streaked with Paul and Grace close on their trail. The pigs and their pursuers zigzagged back and forth across the yard. Grace thought her lungs would burst from the effort. Finally, Paul managed to grab Percy. He led him back to the pen with Priscilla close behind.
"The female will always follow the male," Paul panted over his shoulder.
Grace watched with tears in her eyes. What an effect a handful of innocent words could have on her. The female will always follow the male. How true, at least in her case. She would have followed Ronald to the end of the earth. If given her choice, she'd have died with him rather than live without him. She wasn't being fair. She must stop thinking like that. Ronald wouldn't have wanted to live on without her, either, but he'd have been courageous enough to assume the dual dad/mom role in order to raise his children. She must be brave, too. That's what he would have wanted.
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