Allie Gets Advice From Her Ancestors

 As Josh was heading down the driveway he realized that he was too late. He saw Maxine walking into her cabin with a puppy in her arms. "Well, that's different. I didn't think she was the type. I wonder where that pup came from. I also wonder what Dad talked her in to. Maybe she didn't go see him after all. I surely hope not. She's so much better off without him. I know I sure am. I think I will stop in for a minute. The most she can do is tell me to be on my way."

As he walked up to her cabin he heard her talking to the pup. "There now. I took that splinter out of your paw. What seems to be your trouble? You are dragging your leg now. Alright. you can lay down here on the couch for a bit. I guess I'd better get you some water first. Are you hungry? I don't know if I have anything for you. I don't like dogs or cats for that matter. Just sit there for a minute. I'll be right back."

When she went back to see about the pup there she was looking out the window. "What do you see, little one?"

"Oh it's Josh. Hmm, wonder what he wants? I really need to pull that money out of my account for K.R. I think he's on the up and up this time. I need a lot of money for a retainer to the best lawyer around. K.R. needs to get out of jail and start a new life. He told me that he knows for certain that the mine still has the potential to yield a lot of good quality ore. That mine is right on the edge of the property that Rex gave me. Allie has no say in the matter because Rex said I could live here for the rest of my life and that's exactly what I intend to do.  I would be wealthy beyond my wildest dreams and so would K.R. He told me that there is gold as well as silver still in that old mine. It would mean strip mining the land and using mercury to glean the two apart which isn't good for the environment. But if  he had all the money he wanted maybe he would straighten up and not go back to his old ways. I know that he did Josh wrong and so many other people. I'll just send Josh away. I'll tell him I'm paying my bills and don't have time to visit today."

Maxine didn't realize it, but her door was open a bit and Josh heard every word that Maxine said. He burst through the door and said, "Oh no you don't. Strip mining that land would break Allie's heart let alone ruining the land for a haven for those that need peace and quiet. Allie wants the ranch to be a place for healing and making new friends. Machinery alone would make enough noise that no one could relax. Think about the water. It would ruin fishing, it would make the horses and other animals nervous because of the loud noise. You just can't do it to Allie. She is a wonderful person and doesn't deserve what K.R. continues to dish out. I can't believe you would even think about doing this."

About that time, the pup (Edward, Maxine's guardian angel) started barking and jumped down from the couch. In one wild leap he landed on the desk chair where Maxine had been sitting. She growled and started chewing on the wires of the keyboard. Sparks flew and the screen went up in flames. The computer was toast.

"Oh no! Now look what you've done, bad dog. I should never have let you in the house. Get out this instant!"  Before she could scoop up the little dog, Josh beat her to it. He said, "Good dog. I couldn't agree with you more, little puppy. That was divine intervention if I ever saw it. Maxine, I know you love K.R., but you have to look at the whole situation. He is trying to get your money, Allie's land and doesn't give two hoots who he hurts. He hasn't changed one little bit. Please don't give in to him."

Think back. He blackmailed his own son, me, into doing his dirty work. His own son!"

                                                                                *****

Allie was bone tired. Not from physical work, but from the mental stress of living on her ranch and the people that seemed to push and shove her around mentally. She had dealt with what she thought were ghosts, the old miner which had told her to be nicer then broke a picture hanging in her kitchen. Allie sat on the couch and thought, "I'm done thinking bad thoughts. I'm going to turn my head around and think positive thought. For instance I really love my new cowboy boots. They are so cool. I look like a real cowgirl now. If I just knew how to be one."

" I need to get myself busy and get this ranch up and running. Even though Josh had once again rushed out of the house on probably a fool's errand she decided that she could somehow do it on her own. She had money, she could hire people to do things that she didn't know how to do. Her daydreaming was interrupted by loud knocking on the door. 
When she answered it she saw that it was a ranch hand. He said that she should come out to the barn. A horse had warts all over his nose! She needed to do something. Allie had never heard of a horse having warts on their noses. "What next? I guess I need to get myself a vet that I can trust to take care of these guys. Hey, little guy. How are you doing? Ouch! You bit me!" As she rubbed her hand the ranch hands that had been watching laughed and one said, "You never put your hand out to that horse. He will nip you every chance he gets. He's always been that way. I think there is no changing him."

"Well, I know just how he feels. I feel like nipping him right back and a few humans I'd like to nip too!" She waved at the guys and headed back up to the house. When she walked into the kitchen there lay the old journal she knew she had in bed with her the other day. "You, Dear Journal, must have legs. I know I have lost and found you a dozen times since the first day I saw you. I feel like putting you in a safe so that I know just where you are when I want to look at you. I would love to do just that now, but I have to call a man about a horse, or a woman about a horse. I don't know who to call or what to tell them. I can just hear the conversation now, "Hello, this is Allie at the Double D Ranch. I have a horse with warts. Then the person on the other end of the phone would be laughing their head off and I'd still have a horse with warts. I am completely out of my element. I don't know where to start."

As she stood at the window looking out at the barn where the little stinker that bit her was, she felt a little breeze on her arms. She looked down and saw the pages of the old old journal fluttering to a stop. She looked down and there was an entry from Maggie. "No way!," Allie took the journal and sat down and read the entry. "Today Pa found warts on the nose of our old horse and told my Ma about it. Ma said tweren't gonna hurt nothin' just let it be. I love that old horse. Hope Ma knows about warts, don't want that horse to be hurtin'."

"That should do it, whispered Virginia.  Carry on, Girl. Your ancestors will help you run this ranch the way it should be run. For all to find peace and love. Just remember to open your mind as well as your heart. You will be amazed at the outcome."

Being A Guardian Angel Is Not Always Easy

 Maxine and the sheriff and been talking all the way to see K.R. and all the way back to ranch after she visited with her son. K.R. was one thing that they agreed to disagree about. She agreed with him that her son was a con man. He had bilked thousands of dollars from folks that could ill afford it. That made her angry and ashamed of the man that she had raised. But it also made her angry at the old miner, Rex. She attributed K.R."s behavior even as an old adult on to him because of the way he raised him. She was a mom that loved her son, but didn't like him much. Oh he was a charmer that's for sure. He got people to believe his lies and even when they didn't get the money they thought they would they would often just shrug their shoulders and say, "Well, I should have known better. It's probably not K.R.'s fault, it's ours."

The sheriff continued to listen as good friends do and should, but also added into their conversation that her son was a grown man and probably shouldn't make excuses for him any more. What he was asking her to do was unconscionable and would make her an accomplice to underground activity in the stock exchange. He knew he was falling in love with her, but he still needed to uphold the law at any cost. At this time, this particular Christmas Day standing by his principals  was at a big cost. He told her that he couldn't see her anymore if she continued to fall under K.R.'s spell of deception.

Maxine got out of the patrol car and walked into her tiny home. She sat down at her computer and started the process of pulling money out of her account for K.R. in spite of the thought of losing her one chance at love. For some reason she stopped and looked out the window. There sat a dog. A cute little puppy sitting all alone. "Well, look at that. Just like me. lost and a little scared. Wonder where it came from. Looks pretty young to me. You need to go away and find someone to take care of you."

She walked to the door and said, "Shoo! Go on now. You need to go. I don't have time for you. I don't want you hanging around here. Go on! Get!"

Maxine watched as the little dog slowly got up and started to walk away. She heard a little whimper and noticed that the dog was limping, but continued to slowly make his way down the driveway.

"Good grief what have you done to yourself? Come here let me look at your paw. I see you have a little piece of something down inside your pad. Let me pick you up. I'm going to take you in the house just for a little bit. I'll take that out with some tweezers then you can continue to be on your way."

She put the tiny dog on the sofa and said, "Now you stay put. I'll be right back. Don't get my cover dirty either. I don't like animals in the house let alone on my furniture."

Allie found she and Josh's grandfather sitting in the living room all by themselves after Josh rushed out of the house to stop Maxine from going to the prison to see K.R. 

"Well here we are all alone and neither one of us is yelling or talking for that matter. So I have just one more question to ask you and then you can leave me alone. If Josh wants a relationship with you that's fine, but I'm not. Sorry, but that's how I feel about this situation at this point. I have lived by myself ever since Mom died and I don't need anyone telling me what to do and when to do it."

Rex smiled a small rather sad smile at the young woman he knew so well and said, "So ask away. What's the one question that you need answered so badly?"

"So is Justin, Josh's brother?"

The old miner looked at Allie and said, "You know what? There are some things that really don't make a difference. That question is one of those things. I'm getting to be an old man. I'm long in the tooth and follicly challenged. I have a geezer back and a memory that stops and starts on it's own. Now does the answer to your question really change the world as you know it in any way whatsoever? I think not. Now my lady friend has been patiently waiting for me outside in the car and I must go now. You will do well, my dear, but remember to be as patient as you can, don't yell at your help or your friends. If you don't follow my advice you won't have any help or friends. That's pretty easy to do, don't you think?"
Rex quietly walked to the kitchen looked at Naomi's picture that still hung on the wall. He whispered  "I'm so very sorry, my dear. I was a terrible husband and makeshift father. Hopefully one day I can say that I learned from my mistakes and practice that with someone new. Even at my age I can still learn by my mistakes."

As he turned to walk out the door he heard a crash. Naomi's picture lay on the floor with shattered glass scattered all over.

Allie came running out to the kitchen and yelled, "What do you think you are doing? You have no right to break that picture! I don't know that lady, but she's pretty and it was here when I moved in. Now you get out and stay out!"

Rex started to speak, but saw Allie's flushed angry face and a finger that was shaking at him to leave, so he did.

Virginia watched as the old miner with a bent back and a slow gait went out to the car. "Oh my. I have my work cut out for me. She is quick to blame, quick to yell, and quick to assume things without asking questions. She is going to be a handful. I have to do some thinking to get her under control. I've been assigned to be her guardian angel, but in what form? Or should I just wing it. Oops, I'd better not joke about this or I'll get myself in trouble.  I might start with the journal that her Uncle Bill's ghost left laying on her bed. He loved Allie, but he really has bungled up a lot since he tried helping her. I don't know. I have to think."

 She looked down and said, "Not now, Edward. I've got my hands full with this girl. What are you up to? I thought you were assigned to Maxine. Why are you limping? "

" I took the form as a little puppy. I had something caught in my paw. I thought I had it made because Maxine took me in and took the splinter out. But then she kicked me out! I'm going to fail my test for sure. If I can't even make it as a sweet adorable puppy I'll never make it as a full time guardian angel." My supervisor said I did very well with the children, but I'm bombing out with Maxine, that's for sure."

Virginia laughed and said, "Oh my, remember the old saying, 'If at first you don't succeed, try try again?' That's what we both have to do. Persistence pays off. She laughed and said, "Boy I'm just full of old adages today. I guess I had better take my own advice. Okay, but my advice to you is go back over to her cabin and be the sweetest cutest neediest puppy you can be. I'm going to get busy in the house; upstairs I think. Yes, the journal is a good place to start."

As she floated upstairs she looked out the window. She saw the puppy, her Edward, practicing limping, dragging his leg, and then running in circles. "That's my guy. You can do this."

The Old Miner's Rules Are Costly

 "No I won't get out! I'm here to stay, Allie. You had better get used to it. And this time you are going to listen to me without yelling at me. You need to know the whole story. You are something, you know that? I can't figure you out. I start to tell you something and you fly off the handle. Is it just me or do you act like this with everyone? For some unknown reason I like you and bend over backwards to help you. Can you just be quiet for ten minutes? And by the way Miss Heiress, I don't have a brother!"

The old miner walked in the kitchen door and said, "Yes she can. I think we need to all go in the living room and have a nice little chat. The first one to yell is going to have to give me fifty dollars. Now let's get to it. Allie, I have no idea what Josh has on his mind, but let's give it a go. Then it will be my turn to talk. We are all grownups here, so let's start acting like it."

"It's my ranch..." 

"Yes, it is now, but it was mine. We aren't going to talk about the old days right now. We are going to listen to Josh. By the way, you owe me fifty dollars. I'll pick it up on my way out when we are through here."

Allie spluttered and the old miner said, "You keep this up and I will have a pocket full of fifty dollar bills and you won't have lunch money. You know how that is, don't you missy?"

Allie quietly walked into the living room and sat down. Josh and Rex followed her and Josh began.

"The reason I left you here alone, Allie, is that one day I found the mine on your property while I was taking a walk. It was all closed up, but I broke into it. I know I didn't have permission, but I had a feeling that the mine was still capable of producing silver. I kept finding silver throughout the house. I found silver picture frames and other things that lead me to believe that either at one time or even now that the mine was able to make you a fortune. I found a dog toy that Haylee had left. When I opened it up it was a large chunk of silver ore. I took it to Springfield to the assay office to have it analyzed. Allie it has silver and gold running through it. The mine will make you a millionaire many times over. You can leave here and go back to school, you can travel, you can build ten homes all over the world. That's what I did for you while I was gone. Now was that so bad?"

Allie and the old miner both yelled at the same time, "Yes!"

Josh said, "You said no yelling, Grandfather. Now why is being rich so bad?"

"Allie frowned and said, "I already have more money than I ever dreamed of having, Josh. I have enough money that I can help children and adults just by letting them come to the ranch, breathing in fresh air, and making friends. They can ride horses go on trail rides or even work off steam in the stables. People that I have never met can give me something too. They can give me laughter, friendship, and a feeling of finally doing something for others instead of having to constantly be focused on survival and where my next meal was coming from. I don't want to open up the mine, Josh. I want horses, barbeques, bonfires with s'mores for children, guitar music; peace.

 I want to wake up in the morning and listen to the horses whinny and the birds chirping. I want to look outside and see the ranch hands slap each other on the back when they accomplished a hard job. I want to be able to put my brain around how very lucky I am at this very moment. I'm done talking, Rex. Now it's your turn to tell Josh why he's so very wrong."

Allie's phone chirped and saw that it was Maxine. "Hello? Are you on your way out to the ranch? You are what? Wait til I tell Josh. "Josh, Maxine is on her way to go see your dad. The sheriff is taking her."

"Oh no! Dad will con her into bailing him out of jail and this whole thing will start all over. I've got to stop her!" He jumped up and ran out the door. He was completely unaware of the ghost rider listening and watching what was going on. 

"Oh my! What are we going to do with all those children at Maxine's cabin? I'd better get over there right now! Giddup!

The old miner looked at Allie and said, "You know this is all my fault. I forced K.R. to work on the ranch when he had no inclination to do so. He didn't like horses and he hated cleaning up after them. So then once again when he graduated from high school I made him go to law school and get his law degree. He didn't want to be a lawyer. But I wouldn't listen. I told him as long as I was paying the bills he would do what I said. I told my dear wife the same thing. I lost her and K.R."

Allie said, "I don't understand. Josh calls you Grandfather, but you were married to Naomi , but Maxine is on her way to see him in jail like she is his mother. What's going on?"

My brother and I married wives who grew to love each other like sisters. Maxine couldn't have any children and I didn't want any even though my wife wanted a baby desperately. I was in love with the mine and making more money than I had the day before. I couldn't think of anything else but money. Naomi left me so I called her sister, Maggie, your mother, Allie. She had a son you knew nothing about and never will. I loved him like my own son. He didn't need me to tell him anything. He was a natural around horses. The horses loved him and grew to respond to him like pets. Your mother hated the ranch as well as my wife so she moved to the city after a year or two. So I made out my will to have Bill be the beneficiary of my estate never thinking he would be gone at such a young age. He never lost track of you and neither did I. We agreed that someday you should be the owner of the Double D ranch."

Virginia, the ghost rider, arrived at Maxine's cabin in a blink of an eye only to discover Edward, the love of her life, attempting to rescue a little boy that would not come down the steps of a lookout tower that Maxine had built on her land. "What's the problem, Dear. Would you like some help?"

"No I would like you to take care of the other children until their parents get here to pick them up. I left them notes, remember? Did you check on Maxine? Where is she? Things aren't going according to my schedule at all. Where are those two young boys? I think they are brothers and are fixing to explore life's highway without any supervision. Now if you could get over there quickly, I'll get this little guy down in a minute. "Come on down, Brad. I won't let you fall. Just take my hand and then we will go back to the other children. I'm sure your mom will be here any minute. That's it. You are planning on living off the land? Well, I'm all for that, young man. What do you have there? Oh well, two carrots. Hmm, a little dirty, though. Maybe we should wash them up a bit. Virginia! I could use a little help over here."

The soft breeze suddenly grew stronger. The air seemed a bit cooler. Then a sweet voice said, "That's enough, Edward. You have shown us that you were a good father and are now a good guardian angel. These children will never know that they left home, only that they dreamed they did. They will awaken in the morning with smiles on their faces. They visited with an angel and now know that they have the love and support not only of their parents, but a new self esteem that will show them the way to fulfill their dreams as they grow older. The little boy that you just helped down will be a wonderful big brother to two little girls and will protect them always. The two brothers in overalls will always have the adventurous spirit that will keep their parents on their toes. The world is their oyster. The little girl that wants to be a cowgirl? Maddie. She will visit the ranch for real tomorrow with her parents. They want their little girl to learn about horses on a real ranch before they buy her one of her own. She will learn how to love and care for her very own pony right here on the ranch. It will be interesting to see how she and the older pony get along. I have a feeling that they will be great friends. Bella will wake up tomorrow and spend some time deciding if she will be a taste tester for the world's largest ice cream factory or a school teacher. All of the children's dreams will change many times. You have shown exceptional patience with this child, now we would like to see how you do with young adults. The new owner of this ranch is in need of patient loving care. The spirit of her Uncle Bill has been scaring her even though he tries so terribly hard not to. So you need to visit with him and together you must calm her, but maintain her spirit and her determination to make the ranch a place of happiness and peace. Yes, you may enlist the help of Virginia. I think you will need it. However, Virginia is going to be rather busy in the coming weeks. Her next assignment is Maxine. Good luck!"

The sound of tires on gravel could be heard by the birds in the trees and one little dog sitting by the firepit as the sheriff drove Maxine back home.

Santa Gives Maxine Troubling News

 Maxine couldn't believe what she had just said. "Go to the ranch with all the people she either didn't like or wanted to avoid. Christmas Day started out with the sheriff telling her he was going to marry her someday. Then she accepted his invitation to lunch. She couldn't believe that she agreed to do that. "Well, maybe it's time."

"What did you say? asked the sheriff. Were you talking to me? If you were, I'm a bit surprised after what you just suggested. Go out to the ranch? You never wanted to set eyes on Rex again you said, and here you are inviting him and everyone else out to the ranch. Just exactly when did you ask Allie if that was alright with her? I'm looking across the table and seeing a young woman completely bewildered and yes very angry. This is not how I planned our first date."

"Date? This is not a date, It's lunch and a poor one at that. Let's order."

Another waitress came to the table and took everyone's order. Justin and Lill had disappeared for the time being. That bothered Maxine more than she could say. As she sipped her water she wondered what Lill was telling Justin. This could be the worst day since that day over thirty years ago when the boys were adopted. She swore to Lill that she would never tell. It would do no good.

As everyone was getting served they could hear people giggling and laughing. They turned to see what was so funny and found themselves smiling and chuckling right back. Even Maxine. There was the cutest baby enjoying some spaghetti. Enjoying it all over her face for all to see. She remembered when K.R. was a baby she had a picture of him eating his first bowl of spaghetti. It's like a right of passage into toddlerhood. How she missed that baby. He had not turned out well. "It's all Rex's fault. Now he's in jail for a good long time, I expect. Merry Christmas to me..."

Maxine looked around and saw Santa  moving around the cafe chatting with the customers and wishing them Merry Christmas. Maxine said, "What's he doing here? He should be at home with his family. This is no place for him."

Rex looked over at Maxine and said, "Whoa, there. This is exactly the place for Santa to be. Playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus brought my friend and I together. Maybe Santa could do the same for you. You have gotten to be just an old sour puss with age. Why I remember..." 

"You remember nothing, but money. That's all you ever want, Rex. Don't try to make these other folks believe that you are a sweet old man because you are not!"

Allie was eating her lunch with little enjoyment. As she swallowed her food that someone else had ordered. She thought, "Those old folks give me a headache. This is not how I imagined Christmas Day lunch to be. The audacity of Maxine inviting the whole bunch out to my ranch. I think not."

Allie looked down the table and said, "You know what? I don't think I want company today. In fact I know so. So since you invited all these people to my ranch, yes my ranch, you can have them go to your cabin. I'm done listening to all of your cranky sarcastic bickering for the day thank you."

Josh turned to Allie and said, "Is it okay if I come out to the ranch to your house? I really need to talk to you. It's really important and I will explain why I left you so quickly. Please?" Allie nodded her head. "Alright, but this had better be good." Josh assured her that it was. So they ate their lunch quietly. Josh didn't notice how many times Allie looked at him with a frown on her face while she was eating. She made up her mind to find out all she could about Josh's friend, Justin. They sure did look alike.

Maxine told the sheriff that it was alright with her if he came out to the ranch to her cabin along with these other folks. That young woman needs to come too. See if you can persuade her to come over to my cabin after while? Please?"

"Wow, please? I'll do it when I'm finished eating. Actually you are the one that should do the asking. You know that, don't  you?" Maxine shook her head and whispered, "Please? I just can't do it today."

When the sheriff finished eating he stood up like he was going to talk to Allie, but instead walked over to the man playing Santa. "Hey, Santa. I have a lady over there that needs to be reminded that Christmas is a day to celebrate life and the lives of others. Can you give her a minute of your time?" The man grinned and said, "That's exactly why I'm here. I had the oddest dream last night. A nurse visited me in my dream and said that I needed to be in Master City at the cafe at lunch time. Weird, huh? Maybe this is why. Point her out to me. The sheriff did just that, then he went over and asked Allie if she would come over to Maxine's cabin later on in the day and visit with the folks at the table. Allie told him that she had a visit scheduled with Josh, but maybe she would be over in a few hours; no promises.

Santa walked over to the end of the table where Maxine was sitting. "Merry Christmas. I think I need to talk to you."

"Why would you say that? I am not liked by many people, and I don't like many people, so Christmas is not my cup of tea. Besides that I am just finishing my lunch and need to be on my way. I have people to see and things to say."

"It's your son; K.R. He's sick and wants to see you. He is in the prison infirmary. It is Christmas you know. He doesn't want you to tell Josh or Rex. He said just for you to come. He said it would be the best Christmas gift he could imagine. But before you go I'd like you to come with me and have a picture taken with your friend and I. I'll give it to you to give to your son. Something he just might cherish for a good long time."

While Maxine was wrestling with herself whether or not to consider going to see her son there were two ghostly ancestors of the Double D ranch working hard to bring some very sad and lonely children together. The Double D ranch was once a place of love and kindness to those that needed a helping hand. The two had listened to Allie as she talked to Josh. She wanted to make her ranch a place for children and adults as well. Someplace where they could make friends, find a comfortable bed, and even learn all about horses and other animals as well if they wished. Adults might even find it interesting enough to start themselves a new career. The  opportunities were endless.

"Well, my dear. I think we have done well. We have made a start anyway. I love children and think that starting with the youngsters is a great way to help young Allie. I love that a city girl is willing to learn and work about horses, farm animals and now has enough money to make this happen. She's not home now, but the fire pit at Maxine's cabin looks cozy and comfortable for these kids. Hopefully she will be home shortly. I'm interested to see how she reacts. She can be a bit sharp when she doesn't like something. It is Christmas Day. We had to help these kids, right?"

"Yes we did. That little boy wanted to live off the land. He took off by himself with only a bag of clothes and wishful thinking of becoming a man overnight. Allie can make him comfortable until his parents get here. I left a note for them that he was safe and sound. I think a dude ranch would make him happy and busy as well. He would learn so much.

See those two little boys in overalls? They can teach him what they already know. They learned the hard way what to eat and what not to eat. They had some pretty funny experiences, but they learned and are strong and healthy. They are on their way to seek their fortune. They are friendly and probably will become life long friends. They just might grow up to be ranchers themselves. You never know.

Now those two girls are in your department. One wants to become a cowgirl. She saw an old movie about a horse named Flicka one day and every since then she has it in her head to ride horses and be part of a ranch. She keeps asking her folks for a pony. They tell her they don't have the time to work with a pony. I have any idea about a pony for her. She's an older mini horse that I think would be perfect. We shall see if she really wants a pony and would be willing to take care of it every day. Having a pet is just not 'when you want to' sort of thing. Looking at you on that old horse brings back so many memories. I remember when you were a star on your horse. You were so beautiful riding in that parade! You still are." He heard her chuckle and saw the tiny wink they always shared.

"See the one with the hat and long dress?  She thinks she wants to become  a movie actress. She also left home without telling her parents. She had heard that there were talent scouts looking for child actors. She thinks she's on her way to being famous and rich.  I had to intervene there and left a note that she was at the Double D with plenty of folks to keep her safe and perhaps teach her a thing or two. I invited all the parents to come to the ranch to see what Allie was all about as far as the ranch was concerned. Did you ever dream that being a guardian angel would be so much work? I am exhausted trying to keep up with all these folks. I think I need a vacation."

" Okay, let's keep these young ones safe until Maxine gets back home. I hope they don't get hungry right away. I didn't plan on Maxine and Allie being gone. By the way, my dear, the puppy was a nice touch. Not only for Allie, but for these children and future guests at our ranch. She is a golden doodle a breed that loves children and adults as well."

"I think that Maxine could use a bit of puppy therapy as well. Mercy, she has an edge to her voice anymore. Hopefully the sheriff will win her over."

"Oh look! Here comes Allie. She has Josh with her. It's about time those two got together. The ranch needs a united partnership like ours was. Oh those were the days weren't they, Dear?"

"Hmm, they drove right on by. Hopefully Maxine will soon be here. Keep an eye on these children while I ride over to the main house to see what's going on."

As she rode into the main house yard she could hear loud angry yelling. Josh and Allie were not the happy couple that she had hoped for. Allie was using words that made no sense to her. She was yelling, "No one is tearing up my land. No one! Now if you have a problem with that get out! I mean it. Out! And by the way take your brother with you!"

A Surprise Guest On Christmas Day

 The ride to Master City for Christmas Day lunch was extremely quiet. Maxine pretended to be interested in the scenery. Scenery which she had seen for many years, much of which had remained the same. She was aware that the sheriff glanced at her every once in awhile. He seemed to have this never ending grin on his face. "What? What are you grinning about? I'm here aren't I? I'm going to lunch with you so quit looking like the cat that had just finished lapping up the cream. This is just a lunch." 

"I just feel like I won the lottery. That's all. It's Christmas Day. Can't I grin? Everyone grins on Christmas Day. It's a happy day."

"Fine, okay? And get that toothpick out of your mouth. I'm not going out for lunch with a man that doesn't have manners, for goodness sakes."

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled as he took the toothpick out of his mouth and thought, "Oh my life is going to get so interesting with this woman. I can't wait to read the next chapter of this life's story."

Josh and Allie were on their way to Master City for lunch. It was Christmas Day. Josh had caught the wrath of Allie early this morning. She was not happy with him because he had left her alone at the ranch to go to Springfield. He had taken a large ore sample to the assay office to see if the old mine on Allie's land was in fact still capable of producing silver, or if it had run it's course. He hadn't told Allie that was what he was going to do. He told her that he had some business at home that he needed to tend to. Well, he did. He contacted his old buddy from college days whom was now a senator. Justin was a fun roommate, but seemed to be a good and honest senator for his home state. In fact it was important that Justin meet Allie that he had invited him to visit the ranch and visit with her about possibilities of mining gold from the mine on her ranch. He had this feeling that the meeting would not go well if he knew Allie like he thought he did.

Rex and his new lady friend, Pat, were seated at the last table at the cafe in Master City. Stars couldn't have been brighter if you were able to measure the lights shining from their eyes. They were in love and didn't care who knew it. "Love is great at our age. We've loved and lost before. We have saved each other from a lonely existence just by accident at the nursing home. I am beginning to think I was a cantankerous old man." Pat laughed and said, "Yes, I have a feeling you were. People talk in small towns you know. You had made a name for yourself, that's for sure. I couldn't believe they talked me into dressing up like Mrs. Claus and there you came walking in dressed up like Santa. Now look at us; happy as if we have good sense. They both chuckled as they were waiting for a waitress or waiter to bring them menus.

The sheriff held the door for Maxine and told her to find a table. He was going to wash his hands and be right back. As Maxine walked into the cafe she caught sight of Rex sitting at the big table in the back. She couldn't stand the thought of being in the same room with him let alone the same table. "Swindler, she mumbled. I'm out of here." 

"Hey, where are you going? asked the sheriff. Rex and Pat told me we could sit with them. Ah, come on. It won't be that bad. What's an hour of your time? It's Christmas! Come on. Smile. It won't crack that pretty face of yours. Maybe you will enjoy visiting with Pat. She's a very nice lady. You might even make a new friend. Wouldn't that be a great Christmas gift? Come on. Good. That's my girl."

"I'm not your girl. I'm doing it 'cause I'm hungry. Hope the waiter comes quick so we can eat and get out of here."

The conversation was a bit strained and too polite, but Pat seemed to be able to warm up the conversation with the story of the nursing home and playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Maxine made a low growl in her throat. This time the sheriff frowned at her and said, "I'm sure that was fun, don't you think, Maxine?"

"I'm here to tell you that there is more to life than fun. Take playing cards for instance. Right, Rex? Was that fun taking the ranch away from your very own brother?"

The sheriff said, "Well, I guess this wasn't a good idea after all. I'm sorry, folks, but I think Maxine and I are going to leave now." 

Then a voice behind them said, "Oh I wouldn't leave now. I'd like to hear this story, Grandfather. Since we are all together now, it's about time we all just sat here and aired out the family skeletons once and for all. So I see there are two empty chairs here. Allie, let's sit here and get acquainted with my family."

Allie said, "I'm hungry. You people can hash and rehash all you want to. I'm ordering me a steak and eggs and a big orange juice. I have enough problems of my own to take on others. Besides that, your grandfather is grouchy. Not a fun lunch companion in my opinion."

"Well, Allie, from what I understand these so called skeletons belong to you as well, so you might as well listen while we get this over with." said Justin as he pulled up a chair to the already crowded table. "I have some things to add. Very important things you need to know."

Maxine sighed and said, "Here it comes. Okay, Mr. Sheriff. Order me the same thing that this young woman ordered. That way I can add my two cents worth into this conversation."

The sheriff sighed and said, "Can't you just once use my first name and not call me Mr. Sheriff.? This is getting tiresome."

Maxine looked around and said, "Well, you were the one that invited me to lunch. So.." As she was talking she looked up and saw the waitress coming towards their table. "No, not this too."

Justin saw the look on Maxine's face and looked toward where she was looking. It was his mom, Lill. She was wearing a waitress uniform and carrying an order pad in her hand.

Rex looked at Pat and said, "This could get bad. Do you want to leave? I didn't expect this to happen. I've not always been a nice person. I will understand if you want to go."

As Lill crossed the room to take the folks' order she spotted her son whom she loved with all her heart, but she also saw Maxine and Josh. He and Justin in the same room after all these years. "I can't do this. I have to walk out of this situation right now, or I'll lose both of them." She turned and walked towards the kitchen, but felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Come on Mom. Give your son a hug. I love you and it's Christmas. A hug would be the best gift I could ever receive today."

Allie, Rex, and Maxine watched as Justin smiled at Lill. Allie whispered, "They look like twins!" Maxine looked at Rex and said, "You know what you have to do. But I don't think this is the place to do it. Let's eat and have a nice lunch and all go back out to the ranch where this all began."

Christmas Day Lunch In Master City

 Josh was frantic. Allie wouldn't talk to him when he called her. All she kept saying was three plus one is four. What was going on out there? Maybe she was talking in code. Yes, what would three plus one is four mean in code? The harder he tried to figure it out, the faster he drove. He was going as fast as he could safely. "I know. I'll call the sheriff.."
"Hello, sheriff? I think Allie is in trouble. You need to get out there as fast as you can. She is talking nonsense on the phone. I can't get her to talk to me. Please hurry. Something is terrible wrong. I should be there in twenty minutes." "Yes I know it is Christmas Day, sheriff, but we are talking about my best friend. She's in trouble. Please get out there!"

The sheriff mumbled to himself something about young folks nowadays as he was putting on his jacket. I" think those two should make a truce and maybe run that ranch together. Something has to give. I'm gettin' pretty tired of runnin' out there."

The sheriff got in his patrol car and turned on the lights. "Maybe the kid is right. Maybe there is something goin' on out there I need to check on." As he turned down the driveway to the ranch he looked in his rear view mirror and there was a car right behind him and honking his horn. "That kid is gonna get himself killed drivin' like that. I'm gonna have to tangle with that kid one of these days." He got out of his car and yelled at Josh to stay outside. He was going in to check out the situation. If Josh was right he didn't want him to see anything he wouldn't forget. He hollered for Allie throughout the downstairs. She didn't answer, but he could hear something from upstairs. As he took the stairs two at a time, he yelled, "Allie, Allie, are you alright? Answer me, girl." Within seconds Josh had pushed the sheriff out of his way and was shaking Allie. "Allie Allie wake up!" And that she did; hollering and yelling at the two men in her bedroom! 

"What do you two think you are doing in my bedroom! Get out of here! I can't even get a goodnight's sleep before I sell this place. Do the two of you mind? I'm getting out of this bed and then I'm going downstairs. When I get there there had better be a hot pot of coffee and a really good explanation for this intrusion into my privacy. Oh and by the way I'm starved. Out!"

The sheriff grabbed Josh's arm and said, "I told you to stay outside. You never listen do you? Now we are both in trouble. She's just fine and feisty as ever. That youngun sure can holler can't she?" I'm outta here. It's Christmas Day and I was supposed to have the day off. I'm going back to town and I don't want to hear another peep out of either one of you."

As the sheriff was driving out he saw the light on in Maxine's cabin. "Hmm, I wonder what's going on with her this morning. Maybe I'll check on her while I'm out here. Maybe she has coffee on. Well, it's Christmas. Yup, I think I'll just stop for a minute to wish her Merry Christmas. I doubt she has many visitors out here."

Maxine seldom had visitors. She was not known for her pleasing personality. In the old days she was a happy bride. She and her husband had so many plans for their future. Then he decided that he could strike it rich. He was bound and determined to find gold or silver. He just knew he would. They had bought this ranch together and worked their fingers and backs until they could work no more. Then one day he gambled it all away. The ranch and their dreams as far as she was concerned. Her husband's brother won the ranch in a poker game. He had let her live in her cabin for the rest of her life. She was grateful for that, but she had nothing to do with the old miner. He too had the "silver fever" she called it. He lost his wife, Naomi, over it. "Two of a kind if you ask me." She frowned and thought, "Nobody asks me nothing." Then she heard the crunch of tires on the dirt and rocks in front of her cabin. "Hmm, wonder who that is." She looked out the window and thought, "Sure enough. The sheriff. He's probably out here to evict me on Christmas Day. The young Allie probably is just as mean as a snake, just like my brother-in-law."

She got up and opened the door. "Well, you got an eviction notice you gonna serve me or what? Get it over with. I told that Allie that I had enough money to fight her in court and I'll do it too. Now let's have it!"

The sheriff looked at those beautiful snappy eyes and said, "And Merry Christmas to you too! I know a cafe that's open on Christmas Day. Want to go have lunch with me?"

Well Maxine was speechless. That was definitely not what she expected to hear. "What'd you say? Lunch? I haven't even had breakfast yet. I don't think so. Why would you even ask? I don't like people and they don't like me, so have yourself a merry little Christmas all by yourself." As Maxine started to close the door in the sheriff's face she looked at his face. He was grinning at her from ear to ear. "So what's so funny? I just turned you down, you shouldn't be grinning." The sheriff said, "Well I'm grinning because I'm thinkin' I'm gonna marry you some day. Yessiree bob, I just might do that."  As he stepped off the porch he was whistling a merry little Christmas tune and looked back at Maxine and winked. 

"The audacity of that man!" and slammed the door. "I'm a single woman and I like it that way just fine. Yes I do. Just fine. Marry you? I don't think so mister sheriff. You are dreamin'"

She got up and opened up her whatnot cupboard. "Yup, there it is. She held her wedding ring in her hand. I married once. I'll not do it again. That ended up in a disaster and so did our son. K.R. is in jail but I am the one that is held prisoner with old memories. She looked at the ring again, but instead of putting back in with her other keepsakes she said, "Goodbye ring of gold. You are not part of my life anymore." With that she put it in her trash basket.

Maxine was startled by the sound of her phone ringing. "Well, what now?" She looked at the phone. It said unknown number. "I might as well answer it. It will make some car warranty telemarketer happy."

"Hello?" You again? Now listen I told you I wasn't going out to lunch with you. No, now don't waste your time driving out here."  She tapped the red receiver on her phone.

"Can you believe that man? He said he's coming out to pick me up for lunch so I had better get dressed to go. Well, I'll just see about that."

Maxine walked into her bedroom and thought. "Well, what would it hurt? Just one lunch. I am kinda hungry. But he'd better not get any ideas about anything else. I'll tell him I'll pay for my lunch. Yes. That will put the kibosh to his romantic ideas. "He does have nice eyes. I wonder if he likes black. Yes, I'll wear black. If he shows up in his uniform I'm done.  Good grief, that old fool is here already. Hmm, not lookin' too bad. "Yes, I'm ready. Let's get on with it."

Josh had made Allie some coffee. He was ready for a serious talk with her. He had a lot to tell her and he also wanted some answers from his grouchy friend. "She is definitely not a morning person I can sure tell that! Man she is snappy when she gets woke up in the morning."

Allie came into the kitchen and said, "I don't want coffee. I want to go out for lunch. It's Christmas Day or did you forget that? I'm sure that there will be something open in Master City. No, let's go now. You left me here all by myself, Mr. Joshua. Now you can do what I want for a change."

Rex and his new lady friend had a table in the back of the cafe. They had to sit at a table for six. It was the only table left. The place was crazy busy even though it was Christmas day. They decided that she would drive since he wasn't supposed to. He was going to  play things by the book for a change. His life had become so much happier since he had met Pat. He found himself grinning at things and  even the sun seemed brighter. He was happier ever since the day he played Santa at the nursing home. It wasn't so bad to be old. The only thing that made him a bit sad was that his brother had not wanted to stay. He and his new wife had a life of their own. That was okay. All the old bad feelings had been hashed out and now was over and done with. This was his life now, with the prettiest woman he ever did see. This was going to be the best Christmas in a very long time...

Allie Decides To Sell The Ranch

 Allie felt as low as a human could get. "At least at my old apartment I had a spider to talk to. She never talked back and left me alone. People around here are pushy and mean spirited. Plus I have a haunted house. I have come to the conclusion that there must be a zillion ghosts roaming around this ranch. I wonder if I'm losing my mind some days. One thing I do know is that I have a lot of money. All my bills are paid, my ranch hands are paid and my cupboards are full of food. Everything should be coming up roses for me, but that just isn't the case. It is Christmas Eve and here I am all by myself. Boy do I miss you, Mom. You always made the Christmas season so special for us even if we didn't have much money. We had a little tree, I made ornaments for it when I was in school, we made Christmas cookies together, sent out Christmas cards; the whole ball of wax." She looked at the picture on the television and asked, " Why oh why didn't you tell me about your family? Well, I guess I will get myself a snack and watch Rudolf on my old faithful television. Josh said I should buy a new one, but I like this old one. It's like part of my past. Oh boy, I am getting goofy. Time for a sandwich." While Allie was in the kitchen fixing herself a sandwich and some chips her phone rang. It was a family in town. They were inviting her to their house for Christmas Eve. She was welcome to spend the night and have Christmas Day dinner with them. 

Allie was shocked. She didn't even know these people. Why would they be inviting her to their home? They probably found out she had money. She thanked the lady and told her that she was comfortable where she was and wished them Merry Christmas.

She took her food into the living room all set to watch her favorite Christmas movie. "Crazy town, crazy people around here, that's for sure."

When she took her first bite she glanced up at the television and said, "No! Not again. This is nuts!" There she was on the television screen. She was all dressed up in Christmas pajamas with a family and a dog! "It looks like a Christmas card for crying out loud. I don't want to move, but if that's what it takes maybe I just will move back to Illinois and get myself a job and a place to live. I've just had it. Uncle Bill? You win. As soon as I can, I'm moving. You and all the other ghosts around here can have it. I have a feeling that's what you ghosts have done for years. You all just gang up on new owners and run them off. Happy now? Great. Can you leave me alone long enough so that I can eat and get a good night's sleep? I'll start calling realtors tomorrow. I'm done."

Allie heard the phone ring out in the kitchen. "What's it going to be this time? A circus maybe? Okay, I'll join the circus and be a clown. Do you hear that, Uncle Bill? I'll make people laugh and travel the country. Maybe I'll get a pet like Laura said to do. I'll get a trained monkey that can play tunes. There you go. Happy? Yes an organ grinder monkey. I can just see it now. We will live on peanuts and scraps that people throw at us. I already feel sorry for the poor thing. He'd probably run away too. Why not? Everyone leaves me. I have lots of money. Boy money sure makes me happy. I'll have more thank you; not! Money is just great, but it can't buy friends and family. I'd get rid of all of it just to have some friends, even one."

Tears were running down her cheeks in both sadness and anger at her new life and loneliness. It was Christmas and here she was all by herself.

Josh said, "Allie, what's going on? Are you sick? I'm on my way back to Texas. I'll be back by tomorrow. I think you need to rest. Maybe take an aspirin and try to get some sleep. Why are you joining a circus? You have a ranch to run and money to spend.  Have you been working too hard? Allie, answer me! I can hear you! Answer me please. I'm on my way! You are my very best friend, Allie. Answer me! Allie pick up your phone!"

The phone remained unanswered. Allie had gone to the living room and took her food upstairs. She had some major thinking and planning to do. She wasn't a quitter, but this was getting too much for even a stronger person than her. "Yup, I've got enough money now. I can move back to my hometown and get a job where people are real people. I don't know anything about ranches, horses, or sage brush." She smiled as she was falling asleep. "Sage brush, that's probably all that was here years ago when Maggie was a little girl...."

                                                                              *****

Maggie was sitting at the table eating stew that her ma had made for her yesterday. It seemed that they were lucky to have stew. It had some potatoes in it and some rabbit meat that the neighbor man had given them a few days ago. It was about gone. Ma was making it stretch with water and some carrots that she had been able to grow last year. They were root vegetables like potatoes. They were easier to grow because Ma would water them carefully with what little water they had left over from doing the dishes and the laundry. Sometimes it was so hot and dry that the vegetables dried up, but usually the potatoes and carrots survived. Ma always had a worried look on her face. She seldom smiled except when Pa would eventually come home which wasn't very often."

 One time she overheard him tell her ma that someday he was going to build her a big house and that would all have beautiful clothes to wear. He would be home all the time counting their money. She heard them laugh and plan the future, but then he would leave and be gone for weeks at a time. "I think they are silly. I think Whitlee and I have more sense than Ma and Pa. Ma keeps writing in a book that Whitlee gave her for Christmas. I gave her a dried flower I had saved from summer. She seemed happy with it and put it in the book that she writes words in. Ma used to say that the flower tree and Whit and I were the only things that were pretty in Texas. Maybe Ma doesn't like where we live. I think Ma is beautiful. Three plus one is four. Ma says I'm doin' good with my sums. Three plus one is four..."

"Allie for goodness sakes wake up! Allie! It's four o'clock in the morning! What are you doing with that old journal? Allie, Wake up!"

B Called Them The Bickersons!

 Grandma Lu was digging and sorting through her closets and dresser drawers. "I do this every year. I can't seem to keep them organized from one week to the other. It seems like I am always in a hurry and jam stuff in instead of folding them nicely. Well, I'm the only one who cares. Mr. Neat Husband has his things perfect." She continued to talk to herself as she bagged things up for the ministerial alliance in town. "Hmm, this is really nice. Maybe I'll keep this. No, now this is how you get yourself all bogged down and don't have any room for new things."

Grandma B had been cleaning her house too, but was ready for a break. She decided to go visit her old friend and talk her into a cookie and a cup of coffee. "These smell so good. Grandma Lu does have a sweet tooth." When she rounded the corner to her friend's house her husband was outside muttering under his breath. He didn't look like his cheerful self. "Hey, guy. What's up?" He stopped his puttering and said, "Enter at your own risk. She's cleaning closets again this New Years Eve. She's not an easy woman to get along with when she's cleaning."

Grandma B laughed and said, "Okay, I'll be careful." She walked into the kitchen, put the cookies on the kitchen table and headed back to her friend's bedroom. "He's right. I can hear her mumbling back there clear out here in the dining room. As she walked by her friend's table and chairs she couldn't believe her eyes. "Oh no! Katie, what are you doing here? Grandma Lu is allergic to cats. You can't be in here!" She quickly picked up her neighbor's cat and took him outside. "Fran, I think you left the kitchen door open. You are going to be in even more trouble if  she sees Katie. Would you take her back home? She belongs next door. I think it will save you from being in the dog house. Again." She laughed to herself as she went back in the house.

About that time, Grandma Lu came walking out of her bedroom door and said, "Well, it's about time you got yourself over here. I was working myself to death! Did you bring me something good for coffee? I've got it perking out in the kitchen." Grandma Lu sneezed a really big sneeze. Then she sneezed again. "I'm sorry, B, I don't know whatever came over me. Maybe I was raising a little dust back there. I'm doing my yearly closet cleaning. I always leave it to the last minute for some reason. Aachoo! What in the world?  This is how I act when I'm somewhere around a cat. Sorry. Aachoo!"

Grandma Lu got out some cups and thanked her friend for the yummy looking cookies. B said, "Well, I went over to Shanna's yesterday and the kids were making cookies. They sent so many home with me I thought I'd share. They are really good and of course, made with love."

"Oh tell them thank you. I do love homemade cookies now and then. Quit choking. I know I have a sweet tooth," she laughed .

 While they were chatting there was a knock on the door. It was Grandma Lu's neighbor, Luann. She said, "You are just in time for coffee and cookies! Sit down. You know B, don't you?" Luann said, " Sure. Hi, Bonnie. I'd love that. And make sure to tell your husband thanks again for bringing my Katie back home. I'm sorry she got in your house uninvited." Grandma Lu said, "Who's Katie? I haven't had any company until now." B was suddenly very busy getting herself another cup of coffee and tried to disappear.  Luann said, "Oh she's my cat. Evidently the door was open and she made herself at home. Again I am sorry. I hope she was a good girl."

B shook her head at her old friend and gave her a look that said, 'forget it.' and said, "Let's talk about your stories. You haven't been writing for awhile. When are you going to start again?"

Luann said, "I just loved it when you used my great aunt Nell in your stories. The picture of her at her sewing machine is the only one I had. Thank you. She would have liked that I think. Because of the holidays I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to read much lately. What are you writing about now?"

The two ladies told their neighbor a little about the Dude Ranch series. Grandma Lu said, "Well, I have achieved my goal I make for myself every year. I've been busy cleaning my closets and dresser drawers and giving my things I don't use any more to someone that can. I have time now to start writing again." The ladies enjoyed their visit, but after Luann left, Grandma B said, "Now don't you go start chewing on that husband of yours. He's a good guy. Who knows, maybe the wind blew it open. Be nice, okay? Talk to you later and save a cookie for him! The girls will be over soon so I need to get home. They are going to spend the night. I got them matching jammies. They are so cute. I'll send you a picture. Bye!"

She waved at her friend's husband when she left and said, "I told her to be nice to you!" She chuckled to herself on the way home and thought, "Those two are something. Mr. and Mrs. Bickerson. would fit them to a T."

Grandma Lu looked out the kitchen door and thought, "Maybe I do get cross sometimes. I'll make him something good for supper." She put a roast in the oven and walked over to her computer. "Hmm, I wonder what Josh found out at the assay office." She grinned and thought, "Only I know what he found out. I do have a fun hobby. Writing my stories is like having a bunch of secrets that you share a little at a time with other folks. Such fun. Okay, Josh, you had better head back to the Dude Ranch with your news. Allie was kind of grouchy when she went to visit your grandfather. Laura told her that she should get a pet.

 "Josh maybe you should pay him a visit yourself. It's a new year and a time for new beginnings. Yes, I think that's just what you should do. Well maybe you should go see Allie first. Let me think..."

As Grandma Lu started typing her husband came up behind her and said, "Are you all done cleaning so I can watch Gun Smoke and not fear for my life?" She shooed him away and said, "Sure. Go for it. Next time close the kitchen door! By the way you look really cute in that shirt I got you. Now scat. I've got some writing to do."

Before she could start typing, a picture popped up in her messages from her friend, B. "Oh look at those two little cuties in their new jammies. How I miss those days." 

"Okay old girl let's get Josh back to Texas!"