Buddy Makes A Christmas Wish

 Buddy lay by the lady's Christmas tree thinking about what he had heard her say. She had heard that Santa was going to visit the nursing home where old folks lived. She was going to take some food there. The house smelled good for a change. She didn't do much cooking anymore. Her husband was gone and her daughter was all grown up and lived a long ways away. Her grandchildren also were grown and went to her daughter's house for holidays most generally. He remembered her daughter. She was a fun teenager, but then she left and only visited occasionally. His lady told him stories about her and her son that lived in Heaven. She often wiped her eyes and seemed sad. She liked it when he laid his big old head in her lap. He liked the petting, but he didn't like it when she was sad. So today was a good day. She was in the kitchen making a strange sound; she was singing! Could it be about this Santa person she was talking about? He'd never heard of Santa, but he must be a good guy if he made his lady happier. He had heard about Christmas wishes. "I wonder if wishes come true. I've never made a wish before. I think I might give it a try."

Buddy made a small low voice in his throat while he was wishing. He didn't know how to do this at all. So he just looked at the pretty lights on the Christmas tree and said, "I don't know who to make this wish to, but there's a sad lady out in the kitchen that seems to be happier today. She's even singing. Do you suppose you could find somebody maybe another human to make her even happier than I do? Maybe somebody that would love me too and play fetch with me? That sounds a little bad, doesn't it? " Buddy whined and turned around and around in circles  trying to find a place that was comfortable. He gave up and finally decided to sit on the lady's nice comfortable couch to wait for his wish to come true.  It seemed like he had waited a long time. The lady had quit singing out in the kitchen. He wondered how long it took for a wish to come true. Maybe wishes are just something humans do and not dogs like me. Well I gave it a try. I really love that lady. I want it to come true."

His lady came into the living room and said, "Buddy, I am going to the nursing home with these cookies I just baked. They are still warm. I think the residents will like them. I heard that Santa is going to be there too. When I was a little girl I believed in Santa Claus. I even wrote him a letter telling him that I had been a good little girl all year long. She sighed as she put her coat and hat on to leave. Sometimes I got what I wished for and sometimes I didn't. It didn't make much difference. Christmas time was always a happy time when I was a child. We would decorate the tree together, sometimes mom and her sisters would get together and make cookies and have a cookie exchange. Of course, we would always have a huge Christmas dinner with the whole family. Sometimes we'd even sing Christmas carols. Those were fun times."

"This getting older stuff isn't much fun this time of year. Sometimes I think you are the only one that loves me, my handsome boy." She patted his head and told him to be a good dog. She wouldn't be gone long and walked out the door.

Buddy did what dogs do. He took a nap. When he woke up he knew something was wrong. There was a slipper on the floor. It didn't belong to his lady. The sun wasn't shining out the window. It was getting to be late in the afternoon. He yawned, walked out to the kitchen to see if she was home. She wasn't there. He roamed around the house. He was the only one in the house. "Hmm, wonder where she went. Maybe she is still at the nursing home. Hope she is having a good time." He walked back over to the couch and sat looking at that slipper. He jumped down and put his nose deep into the slipper and thought, "I've never smelled this before. Wonder where it came from. It smells like my lady's gingerbread she bakes and maybe peppermint. No meat smell. Not interested." Then he saw the open door. 

Buddy's ears perked up. What was that sound? It was somebody laughing. It was a man calling his name. He sat up and looked towards the door. The voice said, "Sometimes wishes come true for dogs too, Buddy. I took my boots off when I delivered your lady's gift and put my slippers on. I stayed awhile and had one of your lady's warm cookies. They were so good I stayed longer than I should have. I had to leave quick to go to the nursing home and left one of my slippers at your house. Keep it for me 'til next year, Okay? Merry Christmas! Get going Rudolf, we don't have all day you know!"

It wasn't dark yet, but since Santa is part of Christmas magic no one could see him with his sleigh and his tiny reindeer. He had a lot of miles to cover this Christmas Eve night. The weather isn't too bad in the most parts so my trip will be without much trouble. He started to chuckle and his eyes twinkled at the thought of what the angels and he had accomplished today. " I got that old miner in the Christmas spirit and Buddy's lady too. I think this Christmas is going to be one of the best ones they've had in a long long time! Ho ho ho! Yes it will!"

You could hear the laughter throughout the halls at the nursing home. The smell of peppermint and hot chocolate were not unnoticed by Rex as he walked to the lobby all dressed up as Santa. He still couldn't believe he was doing this. "What am I going say? What am I going to do? I'll probably get the award of being the worst Santa Claus in history."

The guardian angel smiled as she watched her ward walk down the aisle. "My job here is finished for the time being at least. Merry Christmas, Rex. Merry Christmas." A feather lightly floated down as she hurried on to her next task. It was in the same building; the lobby in fact. This building has many folks that need some cheering up. I'd better get busy."

"I wonder if he will see the picture of Santa and little Aaliyah I put in his memory case."

Rex saw what he had only dreamed of when he was a young man. She was so beautiful and dressed all up to be Mrs. Claus. She smiled as she saw him come into the room. He had never seen anything like that since his Naomi left. He straightened his back and grinned back at her. "You must be Mrs. Claus." She chuckled and said, "Well, they said that you needed a helper with the gifts and the children so I let them dress me up after some pretty heavy persuasion I might add. Do I look silly?" His mouth smiled, but his eyes were misty as he said, "You, my dear, are the most beautiful Mrs. Claus there ever was. Let's see about making some folks happy this Christmas." The lady smiled at him and said, "Shall I stand here? Are you sure I don't look silly?" He thought to himself. "You look like my future, my dear. I think there might have been an angel around here somewhere." He thought to himself.

Oh those two were busy that Christmas Eve Day. The children and the grownups were laughing and singing carols like never before. Gifts were being opened and exclaimed over as being 'Just what I wanted!' Rex and his new lady friend were having such fun they had lost track of time. It soon would be time for them to part ways, but Rex wasn't about to let that happen. He asked her if he could call upon her or if she would visit him again. She smiled and said, "Well, you know every day isn't Christmas, Mr. Claus. I have a dog to take care of and a home as well.  She looked him in his twinkling eyes and said,  So what time do you want to call, do you think?" An old gentleman heard the two laughing as he crossed the room. "Will you two love birds let me have a minute alone with Santa, please. I haven't seen him in a very long time. I think it's about time to change all that, don't you brother? Merry Christmas." With that he sat down next to Rex for the first time since that fateful poker game so many years ago.

                                               

                                                     ***************                      

Merry Christmas everyone! The Dude Ranch series will begin again after the new year. I appreciate you all so much for reading and participating in my stories.

The Old Miner Held His Brother Tight That Cold Lonely Night

 Rex thought about how he yelled at that young lady and her children. "I guess that wasn't necessary to talk to them like that. Just looking at those boys made me mad. Thinkin' about other little boys years ago. I loved my brother, but he asked for it. He got in my card game. It's not my fault that he gambled his ranch away. I tried to stop him. Everybody blames me! I won it fair and square. I had a royal flush. Everybody thought I should give him a break and not take the ranch. I was going to, that's a fact, but before I could talk to him and give him back the deed, he just up and left his wife. I never heard from him again. Neither did Maxine, for that matter. Well, it's over and done with now for years. No sense dwelling on the past. But I can't forget the past either. I worked that mine until my fingers bled and my back hurt with every step I took. I was proud of what I did. I even had my picture embedded in the opening so everyone would know it was my mine. It is mine and it will always be mine.

 I filled those hills with beautiful horses for Bill. I backed him with money, yes I did. Did I get any credit for that? No. That's the answer. I built up this whole little town with shops and eatin' places. I built a bank which is probably defunct by now. Crooked president I hear. Serves the people right for being mean to me. 

He looked out the window and felt that same warm feeling, he was right. He was having a stroke. What did that nurse angel say? That's what she was, an angel. She said that I could make people happy that were sad? But I'm the one that's sad. I'm sad, not mad. Huh! Well think of  that. But I don't know how to be happy. I haven't been happy for years. Angel, come back here. Help me. Please."

A soft voice whispered in his ear. "Do you remember being a child and the wonders of Christmas? I know you were poor, but being poor doesn't mean you can't dream of a new doll or a new bike or even a warm blanket. We celebrate the birth of our Savior in churches, but we also celebrate the joy and awe that we see when we decorate a Christmas tree or see Santa holding little ones on his lap. Oh yes, dear Rex, Christmas time is magic. You are so capable of spreading joy and even sprinkling a little magic in the lives of so many. What do you say? Would you like to make a lot of folks happy this Christmas?"

"Joy, magic! Phooey! I have nothing to give. I'm stuck in this old folks' home. Nobody is happy here I tell you. Nobody!"

The angel said, "Rex, you can do this. I know you can. You can put smiles on people's faces in just a matter of minutes. Here. Put this on and put a smile on your face. I happen to know that there is a Christmas tree in the lobby that needs decorated and children that need to believe in Santa Claus. There are people right here in this building that you know that need hope and something or someone to make them smile. It's the present, Rex, don't look back to the past. It's over and done with. It's been a hard year with sickness and folks losing their jobs. It's up to you to make them happy if even for a few minutes. Before you know it a lovely lady will come to you and ask you if you will be Santa for this facility. You know what your answer should be, don't you? You are the answer to many folks merry Christmas, my dear. What's it going to be?"

"Where did you go? Angel? I can't do this. I haven't even smiled more than once or twice in the last six months. That girl made me smile. Nice girl; Aaliyah. She's going to bring my ranch back to the way it should be to help people. The small voice whispered, "And that's the future, Rex. What did I just say? Help people."

"Well, maybe give them a boost or some such. Hmm. Santa? I don't think so." As he sat in his easy chair his mind went back to many years ago. It snowed in Texas. That doesn't happen very often. Times were poor. The miners weren't bringing in ore that was worth much and it was cold. He could just see Maxine with a stocking cap on bringing in her own Christmas tree. Why would she do that? Her husband was gone and she had no children. Why would she bother with that? But she smiled as she brought that tree in the house. Was that joy? I don't know. I'm going to take a little rest. I'm so tired with thinking about all this joy and magic nonsense."

Rex heard a gentle knocking at his door. A lady said that she would like to talk to him for a few minutes if he didn't mind. He was still grumpy, but he said he had a little time to talk, but make it quick. He was a busy man. She told him that the nursing home was going to have a Christmas party for the residents and people from their small town. Lots of folks didn't have anywhere to go for Christmas dinner this year. The staff were going to bring in food and maybe someone to play some music. They had even taken up a collection for toys for children whose parents couldn't afford to buy them gifts.

She said, "Rex, would you be our Santa Claus for the party? I think it would raise everyone's spirits. What do you say?"

Rex couldn't believe his ears. The angel told him that a lady would ask him to be Santa. The lady and Rex looked at his bed at the same time. There laid a Santa suit complete with beard and hat, boots and glasses. Just like the last angel had told him. The lady said, "Please, Rex. It would make so many people happy and put smiles on the children's faces. Please. If nothing else just think about it. Think of the children..." And she faded away.

"Wait! Are you an angel too? Come back here. Please." Rex caught his breath and thought, "I can't remember saying please for years. The last time was when I called Naomi's sister to bring her son, Bill to help on the ranch. Well, I guess maybe that's just too doggone long." 

He walked over to his bed and a small smile started to form on his face. "Santa. Well, why not? Okay then. She didn't say when. That's okay, I'll just put this getup on and sit and wait for them to come and get me."

As he closed his eyes he thought he could hear the laughter of children and sounds of Christmas music. "That voice almost sounds like my brother. Can't be. I haven't seen him in years.  Aww I remember when he was only about three or four years old. Some kids had told him about Santa bringing good little boys and girls presents on Christmas day. We didn't get any. That was a tough one. I held him tight that cold lonely night until he fell asleep. I promised him someday Santa would come because he was a good little boy. Yes Angel. I will be Santa for the folks here. I hope I can make their future a little brighter."

The Spirit Of Christmas Visits The Old Miner

 Laura continued talking about her new puppy. How cute she was, that her name just fit her, how warm and snuggly she was etc. Rex was not impressed. "A therapy dog? Bah! Who needs therapy? What about Christmas? Don't need that either. Just a bunch of baloney and spending money needlessly on folks that don't give two hoots about me. They only care about my money. I'm spending a fortune on this place. Yah! Thousands of dollars a month that I broke my back for so that they can tell me I can't drive, I have to do this, I have to do that. All they do is feed me pills and show me that I'm an old and forgotten man. I'm just fine right here in that expensive hotel room with my picture of Naomi, the love of my life." Rex felt funny all of a sudden. The room seemed brighter and he couldn't hear anything, but he could smell pine trees. "Oh great, I'm having another stroke. It's all their fault for upsetting me," he thought. He tried to tell Laura and Aaliyah to call a nurse, but no words would come. "Well, this is it, I'm going to die in a nursing home. A lot of people will be happy I'm gone, but I'd kinda like to stick around awhile longer to see what this young woman will do with my ranch."

He felt warm and thought he heard a soft gentle voice talking to him. He looked towards the window where the voice was coming from. "Well, it's about time a nurse came to help me. I'm gonna die pretty quick if you don't get busy, nurse." Then he realized he must be in Heaven. She was beautiful and was wearing a halo. In her hands she carried a candle.  He couldn't quite make out what she was saying. In order to hear and understand her he figured he'd better lay his anger and fear of dying to rest at least for the time being. "What? You are the nurse who will help me bring joy to others? Nope. Not gonna do it. Ouch! Quit that! Alright. What's your scam? You must be related to K.R. Nobody gets something for nothing. A promise? What's a promise worth nowadays? An old promise? Well, if it gets me outta this room, let's hear it."

"You will soon see another young woman who is studying to be a nurse..."

 "I don't want nobody taking care of me that doesn't know what they're doin'. Now it's nice of you to visit, but just leave me alone. I'm dying, don't ya know? Have a little respect."

The angel shook her head and said, "You aren't dying yet. The first thing I want to see is a smile on your face, the second thing I want to see is you showing a little kindness to your new student nurse. I have a feeling she has an idea that just might make your life a little more fun and make other folk's lives even better for having known you."

 With that she disappeared. As Rex looked around his room. It all looked the same except there was a Christmas tree in the corner. It was really pretty. He put a smile on his face. It felt strange smiling. "Laura must have had Aaliyah help her decorate a tree for me. That was good of her. I feel bad that I fell asleep. She's been a good friend to me. I've been one to her too, right?" His eyes felt heavy and thought, "Boy that was some dream I had. It made me tired is what it did."

 He fell asleep again as a student nurse looked in his door to check on him. His visitors said that he was tired and had fallen asleep while they were there decorating a tree for him. She had brought her two little boys in to see him since it was her day off. "I wonder if I should wake him up? Okay boys, now listen. This gentleman hasn't been happy lately. He doesn't get very many visitors. I think it's our job to cheer him up. Okay, now big smiles." She knocked on the door and much to her surprise she heard the older man say, "If you think you are a nurse, you sure don't look like one. Get those kids outta here. I'm dying. Leave me alone." Britney looked at her little ones and thought, "Well, this idea wasn't a good one. It's okay boys, we will try another day when he's in a better mood." With that she took them out for ice cream and tried to explain to them that somedays aren't always happy ones for everyone, even older folks. It didn't convince them. They told her that they didn't want to go back to visit that man again.

                                                                           ******

On the way back to the ranch Allie thought, "Boy, I'm sure glad he's not my grandfather. Poor Josh." She giggled and said, "Poor Josh my foot. He better get back here and help me put up a website for the Dude Ranch on the internet. I have to get internet! Oh my goodness. I have to get that ordered. Oh man, there is so much to do. I probably should look for bills to pay too. I sure don't want the electricity to be shut off. I want to find out more about my ancestors, but maybe I better let that go for awhile. I need to get all the horses to the stables and find a vet to come out here and check them all out. The grass out in those hills probably isn't enough for them to keep them healthy. I have no idea how long they have been out there. I need to order feed, supplements, and check to see if the equipment is all in good working order. I think it's time for a meeting with the ranch hands. I have to get organized. I don't know much about horses. I know little more than nothing about running a ranch. I lived in an apartment with a spider as a roommate. Nope, now you have to get with it, girl. You need a day planner. You may not know what happened to that old journal, but maybe there is a new one someplace I can use to get started. Mom used to have a notebook she kept in the kitchen cupboard. I'm not fussy even though I'm rich." Then she did laugh out loud. "I'm rich and I'm looking for a notebook or some paper to get myself together. Brother, maybe I am related to those old folks in the old journal."

As she turned into the driveway she saw flashing lights on the sheriff's patrol car. "What is going on now? It never stops out here." She pulled up to the house and there were the neighbors getting put into the patrol car. There were all kinds of people standing around talking that she didn't know from a hole in the ground. She wondered briefly if they were her neighbors. It made no difference. She was not feeling a bit neighborly at this point.

"What'd they do sheriff? I thought you told them never to set foot on my ranch again." 

"I did, Allie, but folks like these don't often learn their lessons with a soft touch. Want to press charges? They were tearing up the floor in an old room upstairs when I caught them. Hey Ryan, thanks for telling your mom what you saw. I bet Santa will be good to you this year, right, Kelly?"

"I'll write Santa a note, but I will remind Ryan that chores are important to do," she smiled. "Isn't that right, Dear?" as she grinned at her husband.

"Hello, Allie. We are Kelly and Roger. We have three children and Ryan is the oldest one. Welcome to Texas. It can be exciting at times," she chuckled.

"Nice to meet you, but right now I need to talk to the sheriff. Hey, I don't want to press charges against these two just yet. I want to talk to them and find out why they broke into my house first. I want to know why that guy thinks I have a family heirloom of his. I want to know a lot of things as a matter of fact.  And I want to know it now! No more funny business. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and right now I'm mad as a hornet. So let's start talking."

That seemed to get everyone talking and no one paid any attention or saw the slight movement of the curtains in the hidden room behind the old dresser. "Boy, just look at this mess. I'm sure glad the sheriff caught them before they found this. Sorry, you little packrats, but this is much more important than your sleep at night." He picked up the necklace and earrings and looked at the chewed up money that was forming a nest for the family of rodents. 

Well, it's too late to save that cash, but not too late to move this to a safe place. I don't have a clue where to put the adoption papers that the rats hadn't chewed up. I probably should have just let them have them for their nest, but maybe someday they will mean the difference between life and death, happiness and sorrow, sickness or health. The way things are going I'd better think of a place nobody will go anymore. I got it. I had better put them in the well house. No one will find them there for generations to come. By then it won't make a hill of beans a difference. Yup, I'm thinking that's a good place."

"Hey! What do you think you are doing? Destroy those papers! You should have left them where I put them! Bill! Don't do it! It doesn't matter to you and I now that we are gone, but no one needs to know about the boys. Destroy them!" Virginia vanished and so did the papers that were still clutched in the hands of Bill's ghost.

The Old Miner Called Her Aaliyah!

 Allie was really disappointed that Josh wouldn't come back, but she knew that he was right. She was a big girl and she could handle it. She couldn't figure out how that will got outside, but she had picked it up and put it in the big desk in her study. She thought that she might buy a safe someday. "Actually, I can buy anything I want to. I should go back to that old room and look for that journal. I know I didn't put it there. I put it on the desk. This is the strangest house I have ever lived in. I also should go visit that old miner. I wonder just who he is. Maxine said that he was Josh's grandfather, however, she said we were cousins. She said a lot of things the other day when she was upset. She is like a lot of other folks I've known. People often get upset and frustrated when they can't control what's going on around them. I would never kick her off my land. That miner said she could live there forever. Okay, that settles it. I'm going into town and pay him a visit. She went downstairs, picked up her new handbag and the keys to the Jeep.

 Her leaving the ranch did not go unnoticed. "Hey, she's leaving. Let's go over there and see if we can't find that necklace. I've always heard that is my family heirloom and it belongs to me, not to her. Hurry up! I don't care what the sheriff said. I'm going over there. Are you with me or not? Alright then. Let's get going!"

As Allie walked towards his room she saw that he was sitting in his easy chair almost like he was waiting for her. She tapped on his open door and said, "Hi, my name is Allie. I live on the ranch that you used to own. Do you have time to visit for a little while?"

"Hello, Aaliyah, of course, I do. Come in, come in. There's a chair over there in the corner. Sit down and get comfortable. I'll call and see if they can't bring us in some snacks and a drink. Would you like that?"

Allie said, "You called me Aaliyah. No one has called me that since my mother died. Well, her brother, Uncle Bill, did in his video will. So how do you know my name? I think you have a lot to tell me, sir. I can do without the snacks. I want some answers. The sooner the better."

The old man laughed and smiled. He said, "So everything I have heard about you is true. You tell it like it is and then some. Just like somebody else I used to know." Allie frowned and said, "And just who is that? I'm getting a little tired of all these innuendos with no answers, just more questions. Just who are you anyway?"

A lady walked in and said, "I'll tell you exactly who he is. He's my friend, my dear. Let's go a little easier and kinder. Do you remember me? I'm Laura. Rex and I have been friends for over fifty years. I knew his mother, his grandparents and heard about his great grandparents. That's how it is in a small town. Everyone knows everyone. Your city ways have to be scaled down a bit. You are in new and probably  a little bit scary territory, but if you will give us a chance we will help you get settled into your new home. Oh look here comes some goodies. Do you want a cookie, dear? No? I have something to show Rex before we get started on this inquisition you seem bent on having. Rex look at this. This is the newest member of our family. This is Winnie. Is she not the cutest thing you ever saw? I call her my therapy dog. Allie, look at this sweet baby.  Maybe that's what you need. A pet of some kind would settle your nerves and make you smile more often. It's probably what a lot of people need in this day and age."

                                                              *********

Josh had a background in geology. He had studied it extensively in college, but he had decided to go in a different direction after he graduated. He could remember reading how the old prospectors had discovered silver. It was often found in gold, copper and lead mines. The western men would test for silver by heating the ore and dipping it into water. Some metal comes to the surface in a greasy scum if there is silver. Technology had changed drastically over the years. He thought, 'So have the prices of silver. At one time it was down to forty cents an ounce. I think it's about twenty dollars an ounce now.' He thought he might be lucky enough to find out in one day if Allie's mine actually still had silver in it. He had found the old mine abandoned, but he also had found this chunk of ore in a dog toy and some silver picture frames in the old house. It seemed like to him that the guy that said he was his grandfather, the old miner, had a secret. He had a feeling he knew that secret. That mine probably still had a vein of silver that may be hidden by copper or gold. Wouldn't that be something? Allie would be so rich she could do anything she wanted, buy anything she wanted. She'd probably buy her own jet and travel the world. He probably would be left in the dust as a faint memory."

For some reason his memories of his old roommate came back. He could remember going to his house for a meal. Did his mother have real silverware? Surely not. She was never really well off.  He shook his head thinking, "I think she did. It looked black and funny like she hadn't cleaned or polished it. Silver becomes black because of hydrogen sulfide that is in the air. A chemical reaction turns it black. Where did she get that silverware? She sure wasn't rich. She was a waitress in that small town. Her tips couldn't be that great. She lived in a small cabin. I wish I could have talked to her that day I went to her cabin. Justin got to go to college because of his good grades and working his way through with as many jobs as he could find. Maybe I should call Justin or maybe I should just go see him. His politics and mine don't jive, but we are still friends. Yup, that's what I'll do. I'll call him after I get off here and see if  he happens to be in Springfield on Christmas break.

                                                                             ********

The packrats heard footsteps and a man giving orders to a woman. There were noises of nails being removed in the old room. "Quick cover up the necklace. I think someone is trying to tear up the floor. I need that necklace to help me sleep at night. The beautiful silver and diamonds soothe my nerves. These babies keep me up all night as it is. Quick, husband, before they find it! I mean it now. Spit out that green and white paper and move my sparkles!"

There was a young boy that had climbed to the top of his favorite hiding place to escape his chores for just a few minutes. When he looked towards the neighboring Double D ranch he saw strangers go into the new lady's house. She wasn't home. "Oh oh they are in trouble again. I heard Dad say that the sheriff let them go if they promised never to bother her again. He scrambled down the tree as fast as he could. "Mom! Hey Mom! Guess what!"

"Ryan, do you have your chores done? I want you to watch your little sister for me while I run over to introduce myself to the new neighbor woman. What? Oh that's not good."

"What If's" Could Make A Country Western Song

 The sheriff let Allie's neighbors go with a stern warning to leave the girl alone. He didn't want to hear of them being on Allie's ranch or even close to it for that matter. He knew that K.R. had bilked them out of money. No he didn't care that his great grandfather had worked the mine and furthermore he didn't want to see them in town unless it was absolutely necessary. No amount of talking would change the sheriff's mind. He was sick and tired of hearing and seeing his small hometown go down hill right before his eyes. Maybe he should retire. He could. He could go fishing or maybe travel a little. I remember the dreams Maxine and I used to have. We were going to conquer the world. Then she up and left me for that no good that gambled away her future. Oh well such is life. As he sat daydreaming he saw Josh walk past the window. "Wonder where he is going. I told him I didn't want any more funny business. He watched and saw him go towards Mike's shop. Soon he saw him drive out in one of Mike's cars that he rented out to folks. "Good. See you later; hopefully a lot later," he mumbled.

His prisoners were all gone now. The president of the bank had been let out on bail. His court date was in a couple of months. K.R. had been labeled a flight risk and had had his passport and drivers license taken away. The Feds had taken him to Dallas for questioning and held until his trial next year. His jail was empty, but his mind was full of questions. "I wonder how the girl is doing? I wonder if Laura talked to Rex. I wonder where Lill went. He chuckled to himself and thought. I should write a country western song. Lost loves, lost lives, lost fortunes, and of course, the state of Texas with all my ex's. Yup, I'd probably make a buck or two", he chuckled. Maybe a book would be a better idea," he mused. This little town of mine would make the best seller list at the rate it is going. So much corruption and disappointment. I never thought I'd see the day."

As the sheriff was thinking about days when he was a young man and carefree. He thought of Laura and Rex; two of his oldest friends and buddies. Whatever and why ever would Rex give up a woman that loved him for that burned out old mine? That mine had been abandoned for years. Rex and former owners down through the generations had picked and poked at that old hole in the ground for the last bit of valuable silver there was. The silver was gone, but so was Naomi. The mine had caused more heartache than good. Maxine's husband had gambled the ranch away to Rex. That's another thing I wonder about, where did his brother ever go? Not that I care what happened to that.. Never mind. It's over and done with now.

                                                                                      *********

Josh's cell phone kept ringing, but he was not one to talk on the phone while he was driving. Mike had given him a good deal on this car instead of renting it to him. He sure didn't want to wreck it. About three hours down the road he stopped to get fuel and something to eat. He looked down at the missed calls. His dad! "Wrong, you are on your own, buddy. I know what you want; money. Not going to happen dear old dad." Then he saw Allie's name. Why is she calling? I'd better see. "Hey there! What's up? Everything alright? What? You are kidding me. Lill's Jeep is in your driveway? Allie, I really can't right now. I have some urgent business in Springfield, but I should be back in a couple of days. You will be alright. Just keep the doors locked. If it makes you feel better you could call the sheriff. He seems like an alright guy. I don't believe in ghosts, Allie. Well, there has to be a logical explanation for that. You probably left a window open or something. I don't know how the will got outside. Well, why don't you look up in that old room behind the dresser where we found all that money and stocks and bonds? Maybe the journal is in there. Allie, I can't. I'll get back as soon as I can. Okay?" Josh chuckled and said, "That's my girl. Get with it. Maybe you'll find another million or two. Ouch! Did you just yell at me? Same old Allie. See you soon. Bye."

Josh hated to not turn around and go back to the ranch, but he had samples of silver ore in the old dog toy that he needed to take and have examined. He knew enough about ore that this was rich with silver. Why did everyone think that old mine was completely played out?" It would take about another seven hours and he would be home. It would take one day to have the professionals prove him right and then he would fly back to Texas. He had to stop and get his birth certificate. He didn't trust that Maxine for some reason. Then he would go back to the ranch, get Allie settled with her new not for profit therapy ranch and he would be off on his own adventures. His dream for years was to be his own boss and run his own company. For some reason that dream didn't make him exceedingly happy today remembering Allie pleading for him to turn around.

                                                                         *****

Her Uncle Bill's ghost was a bit put out with Virginia and Edward's ghostly appearance scaring Lill half to death, but he had to admit they accomplished a great deal. He used to fancy himself quite handsome and he knew that Lill was partial to him, but he just wasn't in love with her. She too wanted the city life. He loved it in the country and the wide open spaces. It just would never have worked out. He had never met a woman that loved the ranch, so his dreams of having a family of his own never did come true. But he had been content with his lot in life. He wanted the same for Allie.

 His spirit lived on watching over his beloved ranch. Oh how he loved it there. His mother had been the old miner's sister-in-law. Naomi had hated the ranch and so had his sister, Maggie. He had loved his mother and aunt. He smiled remembering them. They were two peas in a pod. He was the odd ball out.  Then he found out about Allie. He had a feeling about that young woman. She was the generation that would be the glue to hold the ranch up to the standards of her many times great grandfather. Someday she too would fall in love, have children and the ranch would live on forever and ever. The Double D; Durnhem and Durnhem once again if the cards were dealt right.

He grinned when he thought about the people that came to his dude ranch in past years. He had it set up so that they could help with the horses, go fishing in the pond, ride the horses, and eat! Oh the BBQ's they used to have. They had trail rides and even music sometimes in the evenings.

 He remembered a horse that he had back then. He seemed to be a favorite of the guests. His name was Thunder, but he was a clown. He would pick up the hay from the stall and throw it up in the air and wear it on his head. The children loved him. He was a quarter horse and had the mildest and most gentle temperament. Oh yes, those were the days. I hope Allie gets her wish and makes my ranch a place where once again sad or troubled people visit and leave with smiles on their faces. 

 "Oh, it was Heaven, " he thought. Even as a ghost he felt a rumble and shaking of the earth. "Sorry. I'm going back to the house to watch over Allie. I'm a little new at this."

Dreams And True Love Last Forever

 As the years went by several  families owned the land that Allie now lived on. Those folks fell in love, married, and had children. There were hard times and good times like in all walks of life, but this particular ranch claimed the hearts of all that had lived there.  Those that loved the ranch loved it with all of their hearts and souls. Some, not many, hated the dry hot land and moved off and far away. Many worked the land as small children, others moved there with hopes and dreams of becoming wealthy. Many worked the land and the horses and ultimately died there doing what they loved best; probably the dream of many. A young couple had met at a dance nearly a hundred years ago. They fell in love with each other and married. They both had a dream. His was to strike it rich by mining for gold or silver rumored to be had in this new land not yet a state. Hers was to have a baby to love. They both worked hard at making the ranch a success, by attaining their dreams, but only one came true. Edward found some silver after years of back breaking work, but Virginia's dream of having a baby never did come true. They died forty years later within days of each other neither wanting to leave their beloved ranch. Somehow their spirits remained to watch and wait...

Edward and Virginia had no family to leave their ranch to so it went up for sale to pay the back taxes after several years of being abandoned. There was an auction on the courthouse steps in the county seat; Master City. Another couple very much in love bought the ranch of their dreams as the highest bidder. They couldn't believe their luck. They moved into the shack that was nearly in ruins by then with stars in their eyes. They had a home, a ranch and with any luck children to enjoy and leave their ranch to for generations to come. They were blessed with a little girl. Her antics made their long days of hard work in the hot dry years easier to bear.

They named her Whitlee after their ancestors which was fitting, because after long years of neglect there were trees and brush to clear. By the time she was born there was a beautiful meadow for their horses to roam and flowers and bushes growing for their little one to gather in the spring of her second year.

Whitlee's mother was at times very lonely while her husband worked the mine. It seemed almost futile to her compared to the hours away from their home vs. the small amounts of silver that he would accumulate by the end of each month. She thought that he was so talented in making things out of the silver he found that perhaps he could make a living doing that. At least he would be home. She wrote her thoughts and feelings on small scraps of paper on those lonely days. It seemed like when she wrote these things down she would feel less lonely. It was almost like writing to a friend. She would put them in her apron pocket and eventually they would end up in her old dresser drawer. A dresser that was left by the previous owners.

One day when Whitlee was older her parents decided  to go to town in their wagon. It was the end of the month and they needed supplies for the winter. Winters in Texas were unpredictable at best. It was usually warm, but sometimes Mother Nature would turn a cold shoulder and the weather was cold and often would produce freezing rain. She was almost four years old. At the end of each month Whitlee's father would turn in the silver he had collected and in turn would receive cash. The cash was very important to this young couple. It bought flour, sugar, coffee, dried beans and other things they could not raise. Occasionally a piece or two of candy for their beautiful little girl would find it's way into Whitlee's father's purchases. It was a long and hot ride, but also fun. Whitlee's mother had fixed a lunch and they stopped by a grove of trees to have a little picnic. There was a small stream there which was such fun for a little girl to wade in after lunch. It was an exciting day because today was the day they were going to buy some chickens. With chickens they would have their own eggs and hopefully new chicks that would hatch. Eventually they would have a large enough flock to have fried chicken for a Sunday dinner.

When they finished their lunch Whitlee and her mother made their way to the General Store to shop, but mostly look while Whitlee's father went to the assay office to get his money from the silver that he had gleaned from the old mine that month. The store was run by a friendly older gentleman whose name was George. He smiled at Whitlee as she looked at all of his wares in the showcase.

"What can I help you with young lady? Would you like some candy? I'm in a good mood today so it's free just for pretty little girls like you." 

Whitlee didn't answer him, but smiled and moved to the part of the counter where the owner had books for sale. Whitlee had a secret. She knew that her mother wrote words on little scraps of paper and hid them in her pocket. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling it was important. Her mother had moved to the part of the store where they sold yard goods so she quietly said, "How much is this book with no pictures just lines? Is it really expensive?" George frowned at her and said, "Are you old enough to write?" Whitlee shook her head and whispered, "No, it's for my mama. Christmas is coming. Is it real expensive?" The older man looked over to where the child's mother shopped. She was wanting a new dress badly, but somehow he knew that the journal was the gift that was even better. The child knew what her mother not only wanted, but needed to help get her through the hard and lonely times of a miner's wife. Over the last five years he had waited on the young hardworking couple. He had been so happy for them when they first brought their beautiful baby girl into town for the first time. He smiled and said, "Do you have a penny? It's on sale today. The thing is, I don't know how you are going to get it home without your mama seeing it." Whitlee smiled and said, "I have an apron too like my mama's. I think it will work." She gave the kind man her penny and immediately slipped the slim book into her apron pocket. She could hardly wait until Christmas. It was going to be the best Christmas ever!

*******

Allie woke up to a commotion outside. "What is going on out there?" She ran to the kitchen door only to see a cloud of smoke, and an old Jeep with its tires flat and a thick piece of paper laying on the ground by the Jeep's front tire. The air felt chilly and the smoke was thick. 

She couldn't figure out what in the world had happened. She stooped over to see what the paper was and couldn't believe her eyes. "Uncle Bill's will. She had laid it on the little table by the couch when she was watching television. Where are you? Did you do this? How did your will get out here? Doesn't this Jeep belong to Lill? Lill are you out here? What is going on?"

Virginia and Edward smiled and Virginia said to her husband, "I think our work is done for today. Lill lit out of here like she was on fire when she saw us. Allie will be just fine. The will shows anyone that has the nerve to contest Bill's wishes that the ranch does indeed belong to her. We will always be here when she needs us. Hopefully she will find some entries I wrote and a photo that I kept in that old journal I found when we were first married. Edward grinned and said, "Aren't you forgetting my beautiful handwork making those picture frames?"

 If you listened closely you could hear them chuckle as they urged their ghostly horses to be on their way. Giddyup!"

Allie Had Never Seen So Many Zeros!

 The quiet usually sarcastic Allie was talking nonstop. She was talking and laughing even as they walked in the door of the crab shack that Josh had spotted. "I have never in my life seen so many zeros! The last zero I saw was my old boyfriend that ate the last piece of pizza I had in my refrigerator. I can see him now walking out the door saying, "See ya!" What a loser. Thanks for stopping at the general store here because I didn't even have a handbag. I now have money to put in my wallet," she giggled. Josh grinned at her and said, "Will you quiet down, Miss Heiress? You really don't want everyone hearing that you are the newest millionaire in town do you?"

Allie covered her mouth and said, "I just can't help it. It seems like yesterday I found myself talking to the spider that was weaving a web in the upper corner of my dingy apartment. She was the only one that hung around. I was to be evicted in three days. I had no job, no money, and no friends. My mother had passed away and I thought she was the only family I had. Then all of a sudden I find out I have an Uncle Bill whom I had never heard of, a dude ranch, a Jeep, a little camper and two thousand dollars. Unbelievable. I keep saying that over and over, don't I?" she giggled.

Josh grinned and thought to himself, "Oh, Allie, if you only knew how many zeros you could add onto your bank account. Somehow I need to get myself to the assay office in Springfield. I just have to get myself a car to get back home." He looked up and saw Allie staring at him, "What? Do I have butter running down my chin?" She laughed and said, "No, I just misjudged you and I am so sorry. Just because your dad is a jerk doesn't make you one." Josh smiled back and said, "True, now don't take this the wrong way, but I do have to be gone for a few days. I have to go back to Springfield and take care of some business. I promise, yes, I promise to be back as soon as I can, okay?"

Allie frowned, but only for a second. "Yes, of course, you can. I won't be mad, but I will miss you. I have some things to do at the house too. One of them is to finish looking at the old journal and the pictures and stuff. Maybe I can find the actual history of my ranch. Wouldn't it be fun if I found out who the original owners were a hundred years ago? Don't choke. I just think it would be interesting. I really would like to go visit that old miner and make sure he was the one that put all that money under the wall paper and the hundred dollar bills! Wow! I still can't get over it. I will keep busy so you go do what you need to do. Oh how are you going to get there? Maxine said she had your birth certificate, do you believe her? This whole little town is a soap opera if you ask me, " she said as she ate her lunch. "Boy, this is good. I'm livin' high on the hog now that I'm rich." Josh put his fingers to his mouth and said, "Shh. Not wise to be broadcasting your business." Allie grinned and put her finger to her mouth and acted like she was zipping her mouth shut. But it was too late.

Lill was watching the young couple with interest. She  had stopped at the cafe while her old Jeep was getting fixed before she left town. She couldn't believe it when she saw Allie and Josh walk in the door. She was trying to hear everything they were saying, but she caught enough to realize that the girl was not poor! She had lots of money. She was the one that should have that money and she was going to make sure that she had a piece of that pie. She had dreams, lots of dreams and now they would all come true. She had an idea. She decided to tell Josh that his mother wasn't dead, but alive and well. Soon to be wealthy. But she did not hear him tell Allie that he was leaving town for a few days.

Josh asked Allie if she would drop him off at the small town where Mike's shop was. He needed a car. If Mike didn't have one he had a feeling he could get him one to rent. His car was at home. It sure would be easier to fly. He hugged Allie goodbye and assured her he soon would be back to help her get the ranch up and running to help both young and older people. It was not going to be a ranch for rich people, but one that made people happier, stronger, and willing to make new and different friends. "What a wonderful concept! Not to make money. K.R. would never understand that," he thought.

When Allie dropped Josh off at Mike's shop she stopped at the grocery store and bought a hundred dollars worth of groceries. "Well, I've never done that before. I now have Oreos and milk. And Captain Crunch! I love Captain Crunch. That was fun. When I get home I'm going to put these away, make myself a yummy snack of Oreos and cold milk. Then I'll see what I can find upstairs to answer some unsolved mysteries."

When she got upstairs she went into her study where the big desk was and the journal, but she couldn't find the journal. "Where did I put that thing? I could have sworn I picked it up off the floor and put it back on the desk. Well, there are a few drawers that I haven't gone through. Maybe I can find some old pictures. This is such fun." She continued opening drawers and came up empty. She was so disappointed. She had decided to give up and happened to notice something sticking out of the bottom of one of the drawers. "Hmm, well aren't you just the cutest thing? This picture is really old. Now where did I put that picture that was labeled Maggie 1865. I think this picture looks like about the same age. Yes! Good I did put this away because she has the same name as Mom. So many questions and no one to ask. Well, maybe tomorrow I will go see that old miner. He just might have some answers for me."

Allie was getting tired, "Boy, this being a millionaire is tiring, she giggled. I think I will hit the hay. I don't have to sleep in a barn or the street or a shelter. I have a home with a nice soft bed. I still can't believe it. If I wake up tomorrow morning and I still have three hundred dollars in my wallet and food in the refrigerator I might believe it." She yawned as she walked down the hall to her bedroom. She noticed that the quilt was kind of rumpled, but as she got closer to the bed she saw an envelope laying next to her stuffed toy unicorn. Last Will and Testament. You have got to be kidding me. Okay, now I know this place is haunted." She looked around and even peeked in the closet. Nothing. She walked back to the bed and picked up the thick envelope. As she read the pages the tears ran down her cheeks. It did indeed name her as the heiress to the ranch if her mother no longer was alive. He left this ranch to Mom? Why did she never even say his name? He must have loved his sister to leave her everything he had. Uncle Bill, I don't know if you can hear me, but thank you isn't good enough. I don't even deserve a little bit of what you have given me, but I will try to make others happier when they leave this place than when they first arrived. You or someone has left me enough money to fund this place for a good many years. Well, I sure can't sleep now." She picked up the will and carried it downstairs with her. She was going to watch television for awhile. "Maybe watching television will help me settle down and get some sleep. I have so much to do these next few days. Days? Weeks! Months and lots of years. Thanks again Uncle Bill where ever you are."

Lill grinned as she saw the light go out upstairs in the house. "Lookie here. Josh even left a ladder up against the house. This should make it easy beans. I hate all these weeds and stuff growing up this side of the house. Yuk. She didn't lock the windows silly girl.  Okay now I will just take a quick look around and pick up a few things, she laughed to herself. I deserve this. Hopefully she left her purse where I can see how much cash she has. Oh this is even better. She's sound asleep and there is Bill's will on the coffee table. I will just help myself to this little goodie. K.R. I thought you did better work than this. Bill was on to you and your sneaky little tricks. Well, it's all mine now. Without this, she will have to go to court to get ownership of this ranch. In the meantime, I will just take this little bank book and buy me a brand new Jeep and trash this pile of junk out there. This little book is my trip out of here. See ya later! That's a laugh. See ya never!"

Uncle Bill's ghost didn't stop her. Seeing Lill a bitter middle aged woman made him sad. He and Lill used to be really close friends.  "Let it be. Let it be. Allie will be fine, I made sure of that. I guess I'd better go get that necklace after all. Looks like she's going to need it, if the bank gives Lill all the money. If they are on their toes, they will catch that Lill's signature is not the same, but if there's a newbie on duty it could all be gone in a flash. I know for a fact they won't give all of it to her, but they sure could give her a big chunk. I should have made copies of that will. Dog gone it! Well, what will be will be. Sweet dreams, little one. All will be well."