A Big White Car Ran The Jeep Off The Road!

 "Oh look! Haylee left her keys laying on the table. She's not going to get too far without them," I'll run them out to her. I want to go into the city. I need to check out these bearer bonds. So I'll be awhile. While I'm gone would you please throw away that dog toy? It's heavy and dirty and I don't want it around. I don't know why you gave her such a thing anyway."

Josh said, "Okay, while you are gone I have  some things to do too. I thought you gave that ugly thing to the dog. I have no idea where she got it, but I'll throw it away. Bring something good home to eat, miss rich lady," Josh ducked to avoid getting hit with a wet rag that Allie had been using and grinned good naturedly. "Allie ran outside to give the keys to Haylee. Haylee laughed and said, "Thanks so much. A car just doesn't start without these things. I'm really sorry for what happened in there." Allie grinned and said, "I'm the one who should apologize. I probably gave you a headache." "No no, I'm fine. Okay, I had better get back into town. Where are you headed? ""I'm going to go into the city to see if these bearer bonds are worth what you think they might be. Hey, do you want to come along? You just haven't lived until you ride in a Jeep. They are the best." "Sure, well I am game. My errands can wait. Let's go. So if you think your Jeep is so great, can I drive? I have an investment firm I'd like to take you to. What do you think?"

 "Well, sure if you think you can handle it. Now it's not some prissy ride. You need a strong back and no complaining. I think maybe it needs a tune up. It's pretty old, but I don't think my Uncle Bill cared about the bumps and potholes. I get to choose the music, okay?" "Well I don't know about that. I love Morgan Wallen music, so you have to like country if you want to be my friend," she laughed. "No way! I love Morgan Wallen. Crank it up girl, and let's see if I can drive this thing. Let's stop in town and get a drink to take with us. Okay?"

The girls were having a great time singing along with their favorite singer. Allie said, "I have his double album Dangerous? Don't you just love it?"

Haylee said, "Yeah, speaking of dangerous, have you noticed that we have a big old white car following us? He just keeps getting closer and closer. When I speed up, he speeds up. Do you know that guy?"

Allie said, "I can't see good. Slow down and I'll see if I can see his face."

"Oh no! Hang on Allie! He's trying to run us off the road. Is this thing a four wheel drive, 'cause I think I'm gonna need it. Here we go!"

Allie yelled, "I hope you are a good driver, girl, because I see deer down there. Whoa! Well that was a miracle. We didn't hurt the deer and we aren't injured. Oh, are you alright? Sorry should have asked if you were okay. Where is that white car? I'm going to call the sheriff." 

Haylee said, "Umm, I think you need to call a tow truck. This old Jeep of yours isn't going anywhere."

"What? Why? Start it up."

"Sorry, Allie, but the wheel came off on the ride down the ditch. We need some help before you call the sheriff. We can have someone come take your Jeep into town and then maybe call Josh to come and get us? My car is there so we have wheels."

Josh was getting ready to walk back to the mine that he had seen. The mine was boarded up and signs saying dangerous, but he wondered about the picture on one end of it. There was a picture nailed to an old board of an old man. It said DD so it belonged to the ranch. "I probably shouldn't go in there, but I'm curious on what I'll find. Oh wait, I had better throw that old dog toy away before the princess yells at me," he grinned. He grabbed the dirty old toy to throw it away when he thought, "I'm going to open this thing up. It feels like rocks to me. Weird."

He tore the old cloth off the dog toy and let out a whistle. "Oh my gosh. Maybe she is a rich lady. Holy cow! I think this is silver. I have seen silver ore before when I was in college. It looks like a dirty rock but sometimes it has a thin silver thread running through it. You know they often find silver in a gold mine. Doggone it. I have to take this to the assay office in the city and have it looked at. If it's what I think it is, Miss Allie never has to work a day in her life. Even if the mine is played out, she has this and I think someone painted a silver frame with gold. I wonder if that old guy has hidden stuff all over the place. As soon as Allie gets back I'm going to have her take me to the city. This is a mystery that needs solving."

Just then Josh's new cell phone rang. It was Allie talking so fast and so loud all he could hear was 'wreck my Jeep and sheriff.' "Hey! Slow down. Are you alright? What's going on? A white car ran you off the road? You are sure you are okay. Yes I'll call the towing company. I'll have to Google it though unless Haylee knows someone that could do it. Is she okay? Good. She does? Okay give me the number and I'll call for you. I don't have a vehicle so I can't come. Okay exactly where are you? Yes I'm glad I got a new phone too. I will call them then I have another call to make. I'm going to call the sheriff. Which direction did the white car go? Oh, yes, I'm sorry. You were a little busy to be watching out the back window. Sorry. Okay stay in the Jeep until the tow truck comes, okay? Don't cry. We will get you a rental car while the Jeep is getting fixed. What do you mean you don't have insurance on it? Well, don't worry about it. I have a feeling everything is going to be alright. We can come up with enough money to fix the Jeep."

Josh was steaming mad! He knew exactly who the driver or at least the owner of the white car was. His very own father. "This has gone on long enough. She could have been hurt! You are going to be so sorry dear old dad. I can't even believe I'm related to you let alone your son. I am so ashamed of you. But I'm going to keep my cool, call the towing company then the sheriff. I'll figure this out yet. Man what a day! A scuffle in the study, silver ore in a dog toy and now this. I'm going to have gray hair before I'm twenty-five.

The girls were so happy to see the towing company coming down the road, but it wasn't a towing company. It was a huge black truck and trailer. What next?

"It's ok, Allie. This is Mike. I've known him all my life. He's one of the good guys. He will take it to the shop for you to get it fixed. He knows a good one. It's okay. Everything is going to be okay."

Chata Understands Spanish

 "I heard you drive in! Get yourself up here. You cannot even believe what I found in this old study. It's like a treasure chest of history! Hurry up would you?"

"Okay, okay I'm coming. I have ice cream you want it up here or back down in the kitchen? Hey! Whoa! Why did you hit me with that old book? Why are you mad at me?"

There were screaming women, pushing, shoving and books flying along with the ice cream and old pictures all over the floor. Allie was huffing and puffing and said, "What are you doing here?" Josh came running up the stairs and said, "Are you hurt, Allie? What is going on here? Who is this woman? I could hear all this commotion clear out in the driveway! Your stowaway dog was barking so loud I could have heard her in the next county. Good girl. Good girl. I've got this."

"Little one please don't bite me. I'm a nice lady. "Chata, Chata, no no I'm not going to hurt Allie. I'm a nice lady really." She turned and looked at Allie and said,  "I brought ice cream and you yelled at me to come upstairs then you started swinging at me."

Allie and Josh were quiet. The lady had spoken Spanish to the little dog and she became quiet. Allie looked at the woman and said, "I know who you are. You are the teller at the bank. You wouldn't give me any money even though I had identification. Why are you here? What did you say to my dog? Say something to her  again because she is eating ice cream and doughnuts! Please make her stop or she will get sick.  Oh no what a mess. I just wanted to show Josh the journal I had found that had old pictures in it. I hadn't even had a chance to read the entries that were made. I think it was written by a little girl in the beginning. Her name was Maggie maybe."

Josh started picking up all the things that had flown off the desk and said, "Oh, Allie. I think you had better pick these bearer bonds up really fast and put them in a safe place. Haylee agreed and started to help pick up the mess and Josh and Allie both shouted. "No, don't touch these things. Why are you here?"

Haylee was hurt and said, "I just wanted to welcome you to the community and bring you some ice cream and doughnuts. I thought we might be able to become friends someday. It wasn't my fault that I couldn't give you any money the other day. The president of the bank has been changing and making new rules all the time lately. I'm really sorry. I'll go and let you clean up. Para,  Chata." As Haylee started out the door, Josh and Allie both looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and said, "Okay. You can stay. Let's see if we can salvage any of your goodies, " suggested Allie. Josh agreed and started to put the bonds and some other papers that looked valuable away, when Haylee said, "Do you mind if I take a look at those? I just got my securities license. These look like they are worth a lot of money." Josh and Allie both agreed, but knew if she wasn't what she said she was, the legal looking papers were going to the bank in the city for verification and they would notify the sheriff.

                                                                       

K.R. parked his big old Packard in back of the bank and called the president on his cell phone. "I'm in town. Are you ready to go out to the ranch with me and serve the girl her eviction notice? I need a witness. I wrote the notice myself, but I need you and your new personal banker to witness it. Is she there?" "What? I can't be twiddling my thumbs waiting for her to come back tomorrow. Where did she go? Well, you need to keep better track of your employees. Let me know the minute she gets back to town. I want this to go quickly and smoothly so I can get out of this rinky dink town. Yes, you will get your cut of the profits, first we have to get her off the ranch, then sell it as quickly as we can. No we don't need the sheriff. We can do this ourselves. I have the last part of the video will old Bill made. Once she is gone, I will go get the silver necklace, sell it and we will be on easy street."

Josh had found enough chairs for the three of them to sit at the kitchen table. He picked up the dog's dirty old toy and threw it on the counter. He thought, "Man, that thing is heavy. Wonder where that came from."  Allie had brought some of the old pictures down with her so they could all look at them. Look at this one. It's really old. It's of a little girl. Oh look what it says on the back, Maggie four years of age at the mine. 1865." Oh my that picture is really old. This might just be the woman whose diary I found. How cool is that? I wonder what mine they are talking about."

 While the girls were talking about how cute the little girl and her chickens were and how old the picture was, Josh closed his eyes and thought, "I think I know exactly what mine the writer was talking about. I need to know more before I talk to Allie, though. She just might be sitting on a gold mine, literally or perhaps silver. Why does that dog understand Spanish? I'm so going to find out."

K.R. Is Going To Texas!

 K.R. chuckled to himself as he read the report the private investigator sent him. "So you thought you could outsmart your old man, huh? Well, sorry kid. I'm on to you and your college tricks. Got rid of your cell phone? I see it's on it's way to Missouri, but I know where you really are. It says here that you are in Texas just like I told you to be. I had a trace run on your credit card and it shows that you were at the ranch. You were buying feed and food at the cafe. Well, I'm sick of this shabby office. My bank account is full. People have invested in a worthless ranch thinking it has a silver mine on it. Ha! That mine was played out years and years ago by my old man. He's old and in a nursing home now. I haven't talked to him in years. He wanted me to go to law school so I did. He also wanted me to live in that little nowhere town so I could help people. Ha! I showed him. I could help myself. I would not do that so he cut me out of his will. Well, now I'm free as a bird. I think I'll take the car to Texas. I'm going to have to give that girl a little nudge to get herself off that ranch so I can sell it. Josh just isn't doing the job I sent him there to do. I have the money to buy a condo I saw in a flyer. Beautiful beach and ocean front property.  Yes sir! I will have the life I've always wanted. I just want the money from the ranch to make my bank account a little fatter. Besides that old Bill never knew that the video will I had him make was illegal in Texas. That young woman will not get a red cent. I made myself the executor of his will. I get it all. Then I won't have to work for the rest of my life. Ouch!" The pain in K.R.'s head was terrible. In fact it brought him to his knees.

When he got up from the floor he rang for his secretary, but got no answer. He walked out to the waiting room and found that it was empty. "Hmm, I guess she wanted paid. "Oh well, I'll call my driver and have him bring the car around. I'll throw in a suitcase and I'll be on my way." After several minutes without getting an answer he went to the garage and found the keys on the seat and note that the driver was tired of waiting to be paid. "Well, I guess that's one more paycheck I don't have to write. I haven't paid rent on my apartment for awhile so I'm outta here. Ouch! Man I have never had such a terrible headache! I need to find something to take for it and be on my way to Texas."

Allie crouched down and said, "Come here, girl. Let me see your new toy. Where did you get that? Did Josh give you a new toy? That's a good girl. Oh, it's all lumpy and heavy. I don't think that's a good toy for you. Let me get you something else to play with. I should be able to find something for you. I know. I'll get you an old sock. I'll knot it up and we can play after while. Here you go. Josh got some dog treats for you. Let's get some dust rags and a mop and go into that old bedroom upstairs and see if anything can be saved. Someday we are going to have lots of people coming in and out when the dude ranch is up and running. That room would make a good office. Okay, come on let's get busy. She put the dog toy on the table. She was busy knocking down spider webs when she heard a car drive into the front. "It's probably Josh. I've missed him today. He's a know it all, but I'm beginning to like him."

Josh had programmed in all the names and numbers that he could remember from his old phone. He figured his first call should be to the Candy Desk at the senate. He figured his friend should be there since congress was in session. He grinned to himself, "He's probably eating more candy than he's giving away, but that old tradition started in the 60's makes for good networking with democrats, republicans and independents. That's just what I need right now; a friend that knows so many people. I need to find out who I can trust at the bank. Jim can run interference for me with just having  the title Senator in front of his name. He doesn't know a soul here so that is good."

 "Hey!  Yeah, it's Josh. I need a favor. I'm in a little town in Texas. I think there is a lot of bad stuff going on here. Could you run a check on the president and teller of the bank here in Master, Texas? Yes. What? What do you mean your mother lives there? She what? No way. I hate to tell you this, but I think your mom is somehow mixed up in this mess. I sure didn't recognize her. She looked too old to be the lady I remember in the picture you had of her.  She was our waitress at the chili cafe the first night we got here. She put a really hot pepper in Allie's chili. She about choked to death it was so hot. No. I'm not kidding. Her name is Aaliyah but I call her Allie. She inherited a dude ranch from her uncle. An uncle she has never heard of by the way. The Double D ranch. It has been neglected something fierce. No. I haven't seen the will, but Allie said that my dad gave her a video will with this Bill telling her that the ranch was hers. What do you mean that's not legal? Oh man. Hey. I have to go. I've got Allie's Jeep. Can I call you back tomorrow? I need some help in the worst way. I'm not altogether sure that she is safe." After he ended the call his mind was reeling. Lill was Josh's mother? What was going on? Well, he had to get back to the ranch and unload supplies and make sure Allie was alright.

Haylee, the teller at the bank was excited. She had just passed her financial securities test to be federally licensed. She was bonded and able to be  not only a teller, but a personal banker at her small bank. She could now recommend stocks for people to invest in among other things. It meant quite a raise in pay which she could surely use. She actually could live anywhere, but chose to live in her small hometown where her friends and family were close. She did have a problem, however. The policies of the bank where she worked seemed to be changing in the last two years she had worked there. The other day when a young woman came in wanting cash from the bank account she had a debit card for, she had had to turn her down. She had known her Uncle Bill and knew that he had an account there. She also knew that there was plenty of money for her to give, but new rules the president had recently set up said that she could no longer do that without pages of filled out forms. She just didn't think that was right. She had shown her her her drivers license, but the new rules required much more. Hopefully she would see Aaliyah again. It would be nice to get to know her. Maybe they could be friends someday. "I think I just might take a ride out to the ranch to see how she is settling in. Yes, that is a great idea." She'd pick up some ice cream and welcome her to the community that she had been born and raised in properly.

As Haylee headed out of town she noticed a big white older car. It was big enough to be a limousine. She had seen some in the city, but never in her little town. She'd have to check that out when she got back from the DD Ranch. "Good grief, I'm getting to be an old busybody," she grinned. She also noticed that Laura was walking into the sheriff's office. "Weird things going on around here. The next thing you know Channel KQRV will be here interviewing me wanting to know why I got my securities license. That's one thing about little towns people know things you do before you do them," she laughed as she sang along with the radio to her favorite country western music station. "Oh, Morgan Wallen, I do love your music. I wonder if Aaliyah does. That'd be so much fun."

Josh Teaches Allie A Lesson Then Learns One!

 The next morning Josh helped Allie get a halfway decent breakfast together. They had gone outside and looked for eggs. Josh convinced Allie that where there are chickens there should be eggs somewhere. He had heard a rooster crow so he was hoping they would have fresh eggs to eat. He also told her that it would be difficult to determine if they were too old to eat just by looking at them. He found a wire basket and the two of them started their hunt for eggs. They found a little chicken house that some of the chickens had been staying in at night. The nests were dirty and really needed fresh straw, but they decided to take the eggs to the house against Allie's better judgement. "These eggs are really dirty. I'm not sure if I want to eat these or not."

 Josh said, "Now we can't eat any of the eggs unless we test them first. The bad eggs will float or maybe tilt to the top.  This is because as an egg ages the small air pocket inside grows larger as water is released and replaced by air. The good eggs will go to the bottom of the pan. See if you can find a pan or bowl  big enough for some cold water and a few eggs. First we have to wash them in the sink then put them in the bowl.  Let's see what happens."

Allie looked at Josh and frowned. "You know what? Sometimes you just make my head hurt. What's wrong with you? Why can't you just be normal once in awhile? How'd you get so smart anyway.?" It seemed Josh wasn't in the mood for conversation. He winked at her and said, "Come on. Let's get to cookin' girlie." He ducked and missed the dirty rag aimed at his head and started helping her by finding clean dishes and silverware.

 Allie did say that the eggs were not bad. They just needed salt and pepper. "Boy you just seem to know so much stuff. Are you a country boy?" Instead of answering her,  Josh said, "Is it okay if I take the Jeep to town? I can pick up some food and chicken feed. What is a house without salt and pepper? I really need to get a new phone so I may be awhile."

Allie quickly agreed. They had had a fairly good night's sleep the night before so she was ready to tackle more cleaning. She was kind of interested in the room with the big old desk. She wondered why it had not been used for so long. She told Josh, "You know what? I don't even know my address out here. Did you see a mailbox yet on your walk? No? Well, I'm going to do some cleaning, then I think I might take a walk myself. I need to make myself familiar with my new home."

A long ways away in Missouri there was a trash truck headed to a dump. Marlee and Kyler's mama had cleaned their rooms that day. She had seen  the odd looking cell phone. "I don't think this will be missed. It's not a cell phone, but this is. It's completely ruined." She smiled and thought that the children's "treasures" could be replaced with new ones when they went to town that day to get their pictures taken. She threw the broken toys in the trash. 

Marlee and Kyler were having so much fun getting their pictures taken. It was kind of hard to sit still, but the pictures turned out great because their mama held them nice and tight. When they were finished they were going to go to the store and get a toy. They were so excited.

Josh drove to the bigger town about thirty miles from the ranch. He had some very important things to do. The first thing he did was to look for a store that sold cell phones. He didn't want a cheap one. He had some important research to do and he had not brought his laptop with him. He finally found a small mall. He drove the lot until he found just the store that he wanted. He walked in and looked at the phones and read the labels. After almost half an hour he found a phone that would suit his purposes. He went to the counter and told the clerk which phone he wanted. She went to the back to get the phone. When she opened it up she said, "Is this the correct one?" He assured her that it was. The bill was over two thousand dollars which he expected. He got in his billfold to take out his credit card and stopped short and thought to himself, "I am so foolish. He knows where I am." He told the clerk he needed to run an errand and he would be back as soon as he could to buy the phone.

Josh went back to the parking lot and got in the Jeep. He had to find a back road out of this town and fast. He found a little dirt road and pulled over. He got out and got under the passenger seat. He found what he wanted. He had put an envelope full of cash for just this kind of emergency. The only thing is he never thought he would have to use it. After he put the bills in his wallet he made a complete search of the Jeep. Nothing he had hidden in it was missing. "Oh oh. The old boy isn't as sharp as he used to be or he is too cheap to hire good goons. Okay I'm back to the store and then to call my good friend, the senator. I really need some help here. My degree in hydrology and environmental services is coming in mighty handy, but I'm thinking there is more here than meets the eye. The senator can get me in places that I can't. He didn't need to cheat on his college entrance exams. He's smart and probably knows some ins and outs that I don't. Oh how I wish I hadn't told my dad."

Allie decided to make a list of things that she needed for the house and the animals. They had just the barebones at this point. She was glad that Josh was gone for a few hours. She needed some "me" time. She also needed to go to the post office and get her address changed. "But first I need to know what my address is, " she chuckled. She walked out towards the gate and found just what she wanted to see; a mailbox. "Yes! So I'm a farmer/rancher now. I have a rural route number."" I wonder if Uncle Bill has gotten any mail in the last few months. Probably junk mail or bills. Oh dear. I hope not too many bills. I don't have that much money. I have to pay the help too. Hmm, where are those ranch hands? I haven't seen hide nor hair of them." Then she really laughed. "I'm starting to sound like a farmer now." When she opened the mailbox she was really surprised. There wasn't a single piece of mail, junk, bills, letters, or newspapers, nothing. "This thing should be full unless the hands or Maxine have taken the mail into the house and I didn't see it. I'm going back to the house to look. Come on little one. We have to go back to the house. We also need to find a good name for you. Doggie just doesn't cut it. Hey! Wait a minute little girl. What have you got in your mouth? Did Josh get you a new toy? What is that?"

Allie Finds A Mystery At The Dude Ranch

 When Allie walked back into the kitchen she did indeed see the kitchen sink complete with both hot and cold water faucets. She just shook her head and wondered why would anyone want to board up the water. She found the bucket that Josh had left sitting on the kitchen floor and tried the hot water faucet. Yes! She had hot and cold water! It was a miracle. Josh was so smart. She would have to find out if the water heater was gas or electric. Either way those bills had to be paid. She would have Josh give her a complete tour of the place. It seemed he was more knowledgeable about a lot of things than she was. She put some of the cleaning solution in the water and went to work. She had the stove and table and chairs sparkling clean. She decided she had enough time to wash down the walls of the kitchen before she started in on the upstairs bedrooms. Having a comfortable bed was a must. It had already been a busy day. She rinsed her rag in the now fairly dirty water and reached up to wash the wall by the counter. She took down some of the wall hangings and laid them on the table. When she was about half way through the one wall something hit her like a ton of bricks. One of those pictures was a picture of her mother! "No way. It just can't be. Why would Uncle Bill have a picture of her mother? Sure enough. She washed the frame and glass and held it up to the light. Mother! What is going on?"

Josh came through the door and chuckled. "Caught you talking to yourself. A sure sign this place is creepy. Makes me talk to myself. What do you have there?" Allie went running out the kitchen door and opened up the little camper. She yelled at Josh. "Help me open up this big box. I have to see something. If I'm right. We have a really big mystery on our hands."

Josh helped take the big box out and put it on the ground. Allie pushed him out of the way and started digging and throwing things out. "There! Look at this, Josh. This is my mother. So is this! So now what do you have to say?" Josh looked at both pictures. They sure looked alike to him. "Well they sure could be the same woman, but there are several years difference in the pictures. Do you really think they are both pictures of your mom?" 

"Yes I do. I think there is a lot more for us to learn about this place and the people that lived on it. Oh Josh! You are tracking dirt all over my clean kitchen floor. Now I'm going to have to do it all over again. I can't now though. We, yes, we, have to go upstairs and get a couple of rooms ready to sleep in. I have bedding out on the bushes airing out in the sunshine. It will have to do until I can afford a washer and dryer. Let's get to it!"

Allie had laid the pictures on the table and was on her way up to clean. Josh lingered a bit in the kitchen. He took one of the pictures and thought and thought about what he had seen on his walk. As he was deep in thought he absent mindedly rubbed his thumb over the bottom of the old golden frame. As he put the picture on the table he picked up some rags next to it. He noticed that his thumb was a dirty golden black and the place where he had rubbed his thumb was silver! He started to yell for Allie, but thought better of it. He needed to do more investigating. At this point he didn't trust anyone in town. His mind went back to his father and how anxious he was to get Allie off the ranch. What was his old man up to? Well his dad didn't know where he was so he felt comfortable staying on the ranch awhile to help Allie and get back to his walks. Yes, that is what he was going to tell Allie. He needed fresh air and exercise so he was going to take a walk everyday. Hopefully she wouldn't find too many things for him to do so he had time.

"Josh! What are you doing down there? I need some help or you can sleep in the Jeep again tonight."

The old man's mind was busy thinking of a way to help not only the town, but the ranch he so dearly loved when he  suddenly had a thought. His pace picked up a little, his back was a little straighter and his eyes sparkled. He had one old friend that he knew and trusted; Laura. He knew that she would help him and those young folks. "Yup, she should be out on a walk about now. I'll go back to the rooming house and get the car. I'm sure she will be out on the walking trail about now."

Sure enough there she was. "Hey girl, bring your grandson and jump in. I have a favor to ask of you. She waved and got in the car. "What's up? What are you doing driving? You know you are in trouble if they find you driving again," she chuckled.

"Aw, shucks, I haven't had a speeding ticket or an accident for awhile now. Get in. I need your help. You and the sheriff are good friends aren't you? Well, you need to find him and tell him that you know for a fact that folks around here are trying to run off Bill's niece, my granddaughter. I've never met her because Maggie wanted nothing to do with the dude ranch. She kept as far away as possible. She seemed to vanish into thin air until Bill found her somehow and found out she had a daughter,  Her name is Allie. Naomi and I never did get to meet her, but she is a good girl and needs to get that ranch up and running again. Now Laura, they know nothing about the mine. Nobody does but you and me. We are the only ones left. It probably is overgrown with scrub brush and weeds by now I'm sure, but we made sure that there is silver hidden all over that ranch. We made sure that all the silver that I broke my back mining would someday belong to our future generations. It will all belong to Allie. She is all I have left. Will you help me? Land sakes the bank won't even give her any money!"

Laura grinned at her old friend and said, "Yup, I'll help you, but you need to promise not to drive any more." 

Aww, now that's not fair! I'm stuck in that place where they watch you like a hawk and make sure I don't have a drink and fill me up with pills. Do I have to promise you that? What would Naomi say?"

"Oh, that's bad. Okay, I will go see the sheriff, but don't get yourself into any trouble. Drive that boat home and park it. Okay?"

"Aww, alright But you will go see the sheriff. Today?" When he saw Laura nod her head he headed back to the assisted living just slightly over the speed limit.

Laura watched him go and thought to herself. "What is happening to my little town? He is right. I'm going to see the sheriff right now"

Is A Cardinal A Sign?

 Allie continued opening doors until she found a bedroom that had a beautiful view. It wasn't the biggest, but to her it was the most beautiful. At least it would be when she was finished. It had a big bed in it and a big window. Of course, the window had a lot of weeds or vines growing up and around it, but that didn't bother Allie at all. Her room, her house, her ranch. It was just unbelievable to her that she owned this beautiful place. Why hadn't her mother ever mentioned her Uncle Bill? Who was he? Was he her mother's brother? Her father's brother? She had no idea, but nonetheless the ranch was hers and everything on it. She just couldn't wait to start her new life. She couldn't wash the bedding and curtains but she sure could air everything out. She had seen some bushes out in the yard. She would lay the bedding out in the sun. She would make do just like the pioneers used to do. She smiled to herself. Pioneers. "Yes, I certainly am a pioneer. I'm going to a place unknown with unknown dangers. I just don't have to travel in a covered wagon," She chuckled as she made her way down the stairs to the front door.

When she got downstairs with her full armload of linens and curtains she met Josh with a look that would make a thundercloud cringe. "So what's up with you? You look mad as a wet hen. I just picked that saying up since I seem to be surrounded with chickens lately," she laughed. She then turned serious. "Hey, guy, what's up. Are you alright?"

"I'm just fine and dandy, but there is sure something not fine and dandy in this whole place. I'd get rid of it. I'd sell this place lock stock and barrel. Someone is trying to either run you off this ranch or trying to kill me. I discovered that you have running water in this house! It was all boarded up like they didn't want you to know it. There is a sink in the kitchen, Allie!" He rubbed his head and said, "And furthermore I don't feel so good. I've been having a headache ever since I met you. I sometimes feel like I'm being watched. I think I will leave you to it and take a walk. I'm sorry, Allie, but this place isn't for me. I'll be back after while. I need some fresh air and a good talk with myself. I'll tell you what we decided when I come back," he said with a tight smile. "Oh, may I borrow your cell phone? I'd like to see if I can get some reception out there. I really need to buy a new phone. I probably should have bought one in town today, but I hate to spend a lot of money right now."

Allie said, "Sure just don't lose this one. It's our only way to keep in touch with the outside world." She gave him a grin and picked up the linens and curtains and made her way outside. "I sure hope he sticks around. I need him in the worst way. I wonder why he is having all these headaches. Oh my gosh. I wonder if he got himself a concussion awhile back. He should probably go get checked out. I'll talk to him when he gets back from his walk. First thing I have to get these quilts and blankets aired out so we can have a good sleep tonight for a change. Some of these old quilts are kind of lumpy. I'll probably have to throw them away and get new ones once the ranch starts having guests again. Oh it will be such fun. I can just see it now, beautiful horses and children with their moms and dads, even coaches if they are disabled. Oh Uncle Bill, please help me out of this fix. I'm thinking Josh is out of here."

Allie got a warm feeling of peace when she saw a cardinal land on the bush where she was laying out the bedding. She had always heard that cardinals were angels from Heaven. Maybe this was a sign.

"I can do this even if Josh doesn't stay. I'm healthy, strong and most of all determined," she grinned as she finished with the bedding.

Maxine's sidekick met with the sheriff at the chili cafe where Lill was working. Of course, everyone knew Lill and her moody personality, but they put up with her unfriendly ways because they knew she was unhappy. They often talked about her and wondered when she would move out of their little town. She plunked down a cup of coffee for him and walked away. She didn't even say hello, but went back behind the counter so she could over hear their conversation.

"So what do you think, sheriff? I don't think they have any business out there. Bill didn't have no relatives that I know of. Can you just go out there and kick 'em off or do you have to have a legal like paper or somethin'? Bill wouldn't like those folks out there, now you know that don't ya?"

"No, I don't know that. I'll go pay them a visit when I get around to it, but I don't go jumpin' to conclusions like you evidently do. Just leave it alone. So why are you so doggone anxious about a couple of kids out on the ranch? The young man said she's Bill's niece? Well she probably is. They ain't hurtin' nothin' if anything they probably are cleaning the place up. Isn't Maxine supposed to be lookin' out for the place? She should be out there helping them in my estimation.  No. Now let me be. I'm not done with my coffee. I'll let ya know if anything ain't right out there."

The old man sitting in front of the bank was so very sad. As he looked at the small bouquet he had picked a tiny tear ran down his weathered cheek. "I didn't deserve you, Naomi. I paid more attention to the almighty dollar than I did you. That's why I sit here day after day thinking of all the mistakes I made. Mistakes with the mine and with you and our family. My money and my back built this bank and I'm so ashamed of it and how it is run. I'm so old now I don't know what I can do about it, but I will think of something. I love you with all my heart, my love. Oh how I wish our son was still here. He'd make it right. He sure did love that ranch of ours, didn't he?" He took some petals from the wilted flowers and sprinkled them on the sidewalk in front of him and slowly walked away. He didn't live on the ranch anymore, but his heart would always be part of the Texas land and it's way of life. He had to find a way to fix this.

Allie Gets Her First Taste Of Well Water

 On the way to the next big town where there was an ATM Allie and Josh talked about the pros and cons of selling or staying on the ranch. It seemed like every time Josh mentioned selling the ranch he would get a shooting pain in the back of his head. He told Allie, "I think your Uncle Bill is out to get me. Every time I mention you selling the ranch I either get bonked on the head or a headache." Allie laughed then she sobered up. "You know Uncle Bill did mention in the video that my Great Grandmother made that silver and diamond necklace and earring set. Maybe I should stick it out as long as I can. Wouldn't you if the ranch had belonged to your ancestors?" Josh rubbed the back of his head and said, "Well, since you put it that way .Oh look there's an ATM. Let's stop and get some money and then some things that we need. Lots of water for one thing. Let's hope that ranch has a good well, so that once we get the pump primed we don't have to worry about it. And let us not forget my hungry stomach I have to eat!"

Allie pulled over to the little convenience store where they saw the sign for an ATM. She quickly opened up the glove box where her new debit card was. She said, "Just wait a minute. I'll be right back and then we can feed you," she chuckled. But when she inserted her debit card it asked for a PIN. She knew that stood for a personal identification number, but what she didn't know was what her Uncle Bill's PIN was. "Oh brother, this is the longest nightmare of my life." She went back out to the Jeep and immediately Josh said, "Boy that was quick, let's look for someplace to eat. How much did you get? " Allie gave him her famous scowls and said, "I don't know Uncle Bill's PIN. Now what?" Josh said, "Well, lot's of people use their birthdays or even 1234 which you are never supposed to do, but why don't you try that?"

"Well, first of all I have no clue what his birthday was. I'll try the 1234. If that doesn't work you be working on it. You seem to have all the answers.  Maybe I'll get lucky first try." Allie soon came out with a sad face. "It didn't work, of course. Did you come up with any ideas?" 

"Yes use your birthday or if your uncle was really smart he would have used 0404."

" Why would he have used 0404?" Because it's the Double D Ranch. D is the fourth letter of the alphabet. Use your birthday day and month if that doesn't work use month and year, if that doesn't work just use the year you were born, then if all else fails use 0404. If that doesn't work I guess I'll starve to death or use my nest egg money."

Allie did as Josh had said. Nothing worked up until the 0404. It worked! She knew the rule that if you tried different PIN's more than three times the machine locked you out. She gave Josh's idea careful thought and skipped two of the ideas he had. The bad thing about it was that it would only give her three  hundred dollars at a time. She decided she needed to talk to Josh and see what he thought. She just might have to go back to the bank in town and open up a checking account. If she did that she wouldn't have any cash because the bank wanted three hundred dollars to open an account. She made up her mind not to open up an account at the little bank.

She went back out to the Jeep and said, "Okay, where do you want to eat and how much water do we need? I can only get three hundred dollars. Let's find some food and choose our best options."

The neighbors decided to call K.R. that afternoon. They needed to tell him that they had no idea where the girl and the young man went. They told him that they had been gone for several hours. They didn't know if they decided to leave or what. Yes the camper was still at the ranch.  What should they do? Not worry about it? What do you mean not worry about it? It's our money we are talking about. I don't want to calm down. You already talked to Maxine? She said that the ranch hands in town had given her a call. The bank wouldn't give the girl any money so they left. Well, land sakes, why didn't you say so in the first place? When do we get our money? Soon. Soon like this week? Next week? Wait wait just a minute! They are back. Yes they are and they are unloading supplies. I see them with my own eyes! You'd better do something and quick, now I mean it!"

Josh and Allie started unloading feed for the animals and jugs of water to prime the pump. Allie said, "Let's see if we have water before we do anything. Then after that we need to check to see if Uncle Bill has paid the electricity bill. We can't live out of my cooler for ever and we need to see what we are doing. If we have water, electricity and a refrigerator we can do anything."

They made their way to the side yard where the pump was. Josh poured some water in the pump. He waited a little bit, then he poured some more in. He started pumping and pumping. Allie was sure there wasn't any water when all at once some brown water spurted out onto the ground. Josh continued to pump. The water was clear as a bell. "Let me taste it. I've never had water out of a pump before." She ran to the camper and pulled out a paper cup and filled it. She smiled and said, "Wow! It's good and cold. We have water, Mr. Smartie Pants. How do you know so much stuff?"

Josh ignored her and said, "Okay Miss Heiress of a Dude Ranch let's get the animals fed and watered. Then we can start in on the house." When they walked into the barn she wondered if they ever would get it fixed to the point where it was even safe for the animals to live in. It actually looked like Uncle Bill had started to fix it up at one point, but for some reason stopped. It was a wreck at first glance.

Soon it was time to get busy on the house. When Allie told Josh to get a bucket of water and some other things to take to the house he groaned in protest, but she reminded him of how uncomfortable it was to sleep in the Jeep. He grabbed a bucket and a broom and some rags. He watched as Allie pumped water into her bucket then they started to walk up to the house. The chickens and the goats also wanted in, but they quickly shooed them away. When they walked in the house the first thing they did was knock down cobwebs or spider webs. At this point they didn't care. They were looking for a sink, a water heater, anything that would make life easier and of course, cheaper for Allie to refurbish the old place.

While Josh was working in the kitchen she went upstairs to see what kind of condition the bedrooms were in. She was surprised that there were so many. "Hmm, interesting. I sure do wish I had a washer and dryer to do laundry, but that's out of the question. I guess I'll have to take everything to town to the laundromat. Hopefully they have one. I wonder what this room is. As she opened the door a busy spider quickly made her way to the corner where she had started her beautiful masterpiece. She had been working on it for years. She did not appreciate a stranger interrupting her work. She watched as the young woman stared at the huge desk, shook her head and walked out the door. The spider quickly went back to work eager to get busy and not be disturbed. Allie muttered to herself, "Well, Uncle Bill, I guess you and that spider weren't friends. Another day, Allie another day. You can't do everything at once."

The packrat family was just as unhappy as the elderly spider. Things were just fine the way they were. They certainly didn't need strangers disturbing their comfortable home. After all their collections over the years were valuable as well as beautiful.

K.R."s Scheme

 K.R. listened to Lill as long as he could stand it. Then he hung up. "Her cut! Ha! What a laugh." He had Maxine and her sidekick, Bill's neighbors, and a few others on the hook; well maybe quite a few. He had been a lawyer for years and hadn't made the money he thought he would make after all the years of college and law school. He ended up writing wills and doing real estate closings. He was close to being broke. He chuckled. He had his laptop powered up with the ranch investment folder on the screen. He checked out the money that was coming in from his "investors" and just grinned. He was going to be rich. Bill's old dude ranch wasn't worth a hill of beans, but people were investing money in it. It was amazing to him how people spent their money on get rich quick scams. It hadn't taken too much of his time or money either. When Bill came into his office a few months back and asked him to make him out a will he told him that a video will would be a nice sentimental touch. He also told old Bill that a will on paper wasn't necessary in Texas and the old boy believed him. "Oh that was so easy and when he came to the part where he told the girl where the necklace and earrings were he had purposely broken the tape. "Now I just have to make sure that girl doesn't stay on the ranch. That necklace and earrings set is worth even more than Bill thought. I just have to make sure that son of mine keeps his nose out of it and leaves so I can go get it. Then I'm outta here."

The next morning the neighbor man looked out the window and was so excited. "Little lady, come quick. They are gone! Yippee, soon we will be rich." His wife looked over his shoulder with the binoculars. "Sorry dearie, but the camper is still there, just the Jeep is gone. I bet you a nickel they have gone into town and will be back. We will wait a bit to see. If they come back then you can call K.R. What do you think?" They discussed the girl and the young man and decided they would wait a few hours before jumping to conclusions. They should trust K.R. and be patient.

 Allie was excited to go to the bank and get some cash. They needed water, food, some kind of feed for those weird animals, cleaning supplies, and food for the dog that had helped herself to a free ride to Texas and cash in case the nice lady that lived in the cabin needed back wages. She knew that Maxine was kind of the overseer of the ranch. She was a bit disappointed that she hadn't seen fit to keep her uncle's house clean though. It was going to take a lot of elbow grease to get it fit to live in. Josh had told Allie about the grouchy man telling him to get off the ranch. She found herself frowning and wondering just who these people were. As they pulled up to the bank they remarked on how old and small it was. A little old man was sitting outside the bank on a bench. He said, "Howdy, and hung his head staring at a small bouquet of wilted flowers.

Allie and Josh parted ways. She was going to the bank to get some cash and Josh was going to the farm store they had seen down the way for some supplies. They would meet at the grocery store when they were finished.

When Allie walked in it smelled old and musty. There was only one teller. She looked up and said, "Hello there. May I help you?"

Allie said, "Yes, I have a debit card here that should give me access to an account that my uncle left me in his will, but I haven't seen an ATM around town. Could I please have five hundred dollars? She had slid her drivers license to the teller for her ID as well as her debit card. "The teller said, "I'm sorry, ma'am but I have no authorization to give you any money without better identification. We don't have an ATM in town. You would have to go back about thirty miles to a bigger town. If you do that we would gladly set up  a new account for you here though. Here is a form with just a few questions for you to answer and fill in. You will need your birth certificate, social security number, phone number (home and work) and address. and of course, your mother's maiden name and a person living with you that is not a relative. We require two hundred dollars to start your new account. If you keep that balance or above there will be no charge. If you go below that then there will be a ten dollar charge. A book of checks is thirty dollars. They should be here in about ten business days. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

 Allie was more than a bit upset and overwhelmed. She needed to find Josh. As she went out the door the little old man was still sitting on a bench staring at the small bouquet of wilted flowers. Soon she saw Josh coming down the street. He did not look a bit happy. "You can not believe this, Josh! I can't get any money out of the bank and there is not a single ATM in this whole town! We are going to have to go about thirty miles to find one. What are you upset about?"

Josh said, "Well, the only farm store in town was so little I couldn't find much of anything but cowboy hats. Speaking of cowboy hats there were four ranch hands in there that somehow knew you were in town. They want their past wages. By the way they each bought a new hat and had the clerk put it on your account. Did you know that you had an account? I'm starving so let's get out of here and go get something to eat and some money. They did take my charge card and I bought a few things, but I need to be careful too. I have some money saved to start my own business. I don't know, Allie, if this ranch business is a good idea or not. It seems to me like people don't want you out here. They don't even know you, yet they all have an opinion about you and most of them aren't good! You should have heard them talking back there. Are you sure you can handle all this? You don't even have running water! And you might as well know I'm not going to stick around for long. I'll stay just long enough to help get that house cleaned up and make sure the buildings are safe. Then I have to be on my way. It's probably a good idea to go to a bigger town anyway. I have to rent a car and buy some clothes. Not that I'm against cowboy hats, but they just aren't my thing."

Allie was more than sad to hear the things that Josh was telling her. She felt overwhelmed and hurt. Hurt that her Uncle Bill left her a ranch that wasn't worth two cents in her estimation. And the people in the town! Terrible right down to the waitress in the cafe. Maybe I should sell and get what I can out of it. I could go back to college and get my degree. Then I would be set. I know it's not what Uncle Bill wanted, but I have to do what's best for me. She looked at Josh on the way to town. "Okay, I get where you are coming from, Josh. Can you give me two weeks? Help me clean the place up, get some running water in the house. Two thousand dollars isn't going to stretch very far, but if I can get internet out there I can advertise the ranch and get some money coming in. I just really think that kids would love to come out and ride horses and make friends. Like a camp for disabled kids, or lonely kids? I don't know, but I think it should be a ranch for kids." Josh snorted and said, "What horses? All I saw were goats and one alpaca, one ewe and some chickens. You have no money for horses or feed or for fixing up the buildings."

Allie said, "Well, while you left me in that disgusting thing called an outhouse, I walked around and explored a little. I have five hundred acres out there, remember? There are horses that live on that ranch, Josh. They are up in the hills. They are beautiful. You will help me won't you? Please?"

With a stern look on his face he said, "Two weeks, not a day longer. I have a life too you know. I k now zilch about horses and kids for that matter. Do you? You haven't said a word about kids or riding horses."

Allie smiled thinking of ways to stretch the two weeks to three if she needed to. She so much needed his help. She liked him and he had been nice enough.

Josh frowned, but to himself he thought, "She is thinking of a way to get me to stay longer. I just know it. She's nice enough, but what connection does my dad have with her Uncle Bill? Why does he want her off that ranch? Maybe I should stay and do a little exploring myself."