"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.

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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.

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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."